eznews.inThe ongoing conflict between the United States and Venezuela reflects a strategic shift aimed at securing crude oil supplies for US Gulf Coast refineries, which are optimally configured to process heavy sour barrels. Rystad Energy's Senior Vice President Pankaj Srivastava noted that Venezuelan crude exports are expected to gradually recover, benefiting the US, Europe, and India while disadvantaging China, which faces increased costs and risks due to the loss of discounted Venezuelan oil. As Venezuelan production is projected to exceed 900,000 barrels per day by 2025, US capital inflow could enhance the country's refining capacity, currently hindered by power disruptions and maintenance issues. With an anticipated addition of 400,000 to 500,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan crude, US refineries could replace nearly 5% of their West Texas Intermediate intake, leading to a potential 2% increase in diesel yield. 
Published: Jan 21 2026, 12 pmeznews.inGlobal experts, policymakers, and industry leaders will gather for the 7th India International Seaweed Expo & Summit on January 29-30 at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Kochi. Delegates from countries including the US, Russia, Australia, and Sri Lanka will explore the economic, nutritional, and environmental potential of seaweed, reflecting India's commitment to this emerging sector. Organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, CMFRI, and CSIR-CSMCRI, the event will feature technical sessions, panel discussions, and an industrial exhibition focused on policies, financing, and innovations in seaweed cultivation. A special panel will discuss strategies to position India as a key player in the global seaweed economy. The expo will also serve as a B2B networking platform, connecting industry leaders with investors and entrepreneurs, while offering the public a chance to sample seaweed-based products and learn about their role in sustainable development.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 12 pmeznews.inA recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) reveals that over one-third of India's cattle rearers prioritize non-market uses of their animals, with 7% keeping cattle solely for purposes like dung and draught power. While milk production supports 80 million livelihoods and contributes 5% to India's GDP, many rearers, particularly in states like West Bengal and Maharashtra, value dung for manure and fuel. The study, which surveyed over 7,300 households, highlights the challenges posed by climate change, with significant percentages of rearers reporting impacts such as increased disease and heat stress. Despite the resilience of indigenous cattle, a shift towards higher-yielding breeds could heighten vulnerability. Additionally, feed shortages are a pressing issue, affecting productivity. CEEW calls for targeted policies that address the diverse needs of rearers, improve veterinary services, and integrate climate considerations into livestock management to enhance sustainability and resilience in the sector.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 10 ameznews.inFarmers now have access to RHB 273, a groundbreaking pearl millet hybrid developed by the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). This innovative three-way hybrid, the first of its kind, integrates three parental lines to deliver high yields, drought tolerance, and superior fodder quality. Following extensive testing across 30 sites in three states from 2022 to 2024, RHB 273 achieved an average grain yield of approximately 2,230 kg/ha, outperforming the popular HHB 67 Improved by 28%. Notably, it exhibits strong resistance to diseases and is well-suited for stress-prone regions, particularly in areas with annual rainfall below 400 mm. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted its potential to enhance food and fodder security in drought-prone states, addressing chronic fodder shortages in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 10 ameznews.inAs India prepares for the Union Budget 2026, financial sector stakeholders are urging the government to implement policies that enhance the financial system by easing capital constraints, promoting responsible credit expansion, and fostering financial inclusion. Experts emphasize that future growth hinges on not only expanding access to financial services but also improving credit quality and the sustainability of financial institutions. Lokanath Panda, COO of BLS E-Services, highlighted the importance of enhancing account activity and credit flow to underserved segments. Manish Shah, MD and CEO of Godrej Capital, called for a shift towards making finance more affordable and aligned with the cash-flow realities of households and MSMEs. Additionally, Vivek Iyer from Grant Thornton Bharat noted anticipated banking reforms focusing on consolidation and technology, while Pranav Haridasan of Axis Securities stressed the need for stability in taxation and policy to maintain investor confidence. Overall, experts seek a budget that strengthens the financial system's foundations for inclusive growth.
Published: Jan 21 2026, 9 ameznews.inIndiGo is currently operating approximately 2,200 daily flights, both domestic and international, following a government-mandated 10% reduction in its schedule. In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established a committee to oversee the redistribution of vacated slots, ensuring that the process is fair and transparent. The committee will assess other airlines' requests for these slots, which will be reallocated based on their capacity to operate additional flights, including considerations for pilot and crew availability. IndiGo has assured the regulator of its operational stability, citing a surplus of 2,400 Airbus captains against a requirement of 2,280. However, industry executives express skepticism about the demand for the vacated slots, as the reductions have been strategically implemented, preserving key routes from Delhi and Mumbai while cutting back on others, including late-night flights. The service reductions are expected to last until at least the end of March.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 10 pmeznews.inRallis India Ltd reported a significant decline in profit after tax (PAT) for the December quarter, posting ₹2 crore, an 81% drop from ₹11 crore in the same period last year, primarily due to an exceptional item related to wage code implementation. However, the company saw a 19% increase in revenues, reaching ₹623 crore, and a 29% rise in EBITDA to ₹58 crore. Managing Director Gyanendra Shukla highlighted that the quarter benefited from volume-led growth across various segments, including Crop Care and Seeds, driven by strong customer engagement and disciplined cost management. For the nine months ending December 2025, Rallis reported a 9% revenue growth to ₹2,441 crore and a 26% increase in PAT to ₹199 crore. The company also emphasized its commitment to innovation, launching a new herbicide and securing patents for its products, reinforcing its focus on enhancing its product portfolio and market presence.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 10 pmeznews.inEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the European Union is poised to finalize a landmark trade agreement with India, dubbed "the mother of all deals," which could create a market encompassing 2 billion people and a quarter of global GDP. Following her address, von der Leyen will visit India from January 25 to 27 to participate in Republic Day celebrations and engage in summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the free trade agreement (FTA) is expected to be officially concluded. This agreement aims to enhance bilateral trade, which reached USD 135 billion in 2023-24, and will also include a defence framework pact and a strategic agenda for 2026-2030. Amid rising concerns over U.S. trade policies, the EU and India are set to deepen their strategic partnership, which has been in place since 2004, with additional negotiations on security and defence cooperation.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIndiGo Airlines is actively seeking to hire approximately 50 pilots each month to stabilize its operations while maintaining a daily schedule of around 1,900 domestic flights, despite facing significant financial losses of ₹1,800-2,000 crore due to recent disruptions. Following a severe operational crisis in early December, which saw over 2,500 flight cancellations and delays affecting more than 300,000 passengers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated a 10% reduction in IndiGo's flight schedule and advised against high-demand routes. The airline has wet-leased aircraft and adjusted its pilot performance metrics to enhance operational stability. Although the DGCA has imposed penalties totaling ₹22.20 crore for non-compliance with flight duty time limitations, it has noted improvements in IndiGo's crew availability and operational reliability. The regulator will continue its oversight, transitioning from daily to weekly monitoring after February 10, 2026.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has introduced significant amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, linking essential vehicle services, such as ownership transfer and fitness certification, to the clearance of outstanding toll dues on National Highways. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has enacted the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, which define "unpaid user fee" as amounts due for highway usage recorded by the Electronic Toll Collection system. Under the new provisions, a No Objection Certificate for vehicle ownership transfer will be withheld until all toll fees are settled, and the renewal or issuance of a Certificate of Fitness will also require payment of any outstanding dues. Additionally, commercial vehicles must clear unpaid user fees to obtain a National Permit. The amendments also streamline the application process for ownership transfer, mandating disclosure of any pending toll fees and facilitating electronic submissions through an online portal.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 9 pm
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