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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed the 56th World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, 2026, emphasizing the potential for collaboration among nations favoring regulation over protectionism amid the "era of great powers." His remarks came just days before the anticipated signing of a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union, which he described as a significant opportunity for economic growth. Merz highlighted the upcoming visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to India, where the FTA, dubbed "the mother of all deals," is expected to be finalized during the India-EU summit on January 27. This agreement aims to enhance trade ties, with the EU being India's largest trading partner, and is projected to create a market encompassing 2 billion people, significantly impacting global GDP. The FTA is seen as a crucial step in strengthening bilateral relations amid ongoing global trade disruptions. 
Published: Jan 22 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIndustry leaders are calling on the government to double infrastructure allocations to Rs 3 lakh crore in the upcoming Budget 2026, as highlighted by a recent survey from the Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC). This request comes as part of a broader push for significant infrastructure reforms aimed at enhancing economic growth and positioning India as a global economic powerhouse. The LSC's CEO, Ravikanth Yamarthy, emphasized that the logistics sector is crucial for driving economic momentum, while other industry figures stressed the need for investments in retail infrastructure, energy, and digital frameworks. Shrenik Ghodawat pointed to the importance of modern warehousing and last-mile logistics, while Avishek Kumar called for investments in decentralized solar and local battery manufacturing. Stakeholders believe that comprehensive infrastructure upgrades can unlock India's economic potential and create jobs, making the upcoming Budget a critical opportunity for inclusive growth and innovation across various sectors.
Published: Jan 22 2026, 5 pmeznews.inSevere weather conditions are expected to persist across North-West India due to back-to-back western disturbances that merged over Pakistan and India, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The first disturbance originated from a trough in the higher atmosphere over south-east Iran, while the second was a cyclonic circulation over north Pakistan. The impact has been significant, with widespread rainfall, snowfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and hailstorms reported from Wednesday evening to Thursday. An intense successor disturbance is anticipated to arrive on Monday, further exacerbating the rough weather. Meanwhile, isolated heavy rainfall is forecast for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on Sunday, driven by an easterly wave from the Bay of Bengal. The IMD also predicts thunderstorms and gusty winds across various regions, including Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab, with hailstorms likely in several areas on Friday.
Published: Jan 22 2026, 5 pmeznews.inResponsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly viewed as a strategic priority for Indian enterprises, according to Nasscom’s "State of Responsible AI in India 2025" report, presented at the Responsible Intelligence Confluence in New Delhi. The report reveals that nearly 60% of organizations confident in scaling AI responsibly have established mature Responsible AI (RAI) frameworks, with 30% reporting advanced practices. Large enterprises lead in RAI maturity, while smaller firms show growing willingness to adopt responsible norms. The Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sector tops the maturity rankings at 35%. Despite progress, challenges such as data quality, regulatory uncertainty, and AI risks, including hallucinations and privacy violations, persist. Accountability structures are evolving, with 48% of organizations placing AI governance at the C-suite level. As AI systems become more autonomous, businesses with mature RAI frameworks feel better prepared to address emerging technologies, though significant updates to governance will be necessary.
Published: Jan 22 2026, 5 pmeznews.inDvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services (Dvara KGFS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Shri Baba Gorakhnath Kripaa Milk Producer Company to empower women dairy farmers in Uttar Pradesh. This partnership will enable Dvara KGFS to leverage approximately 80,000 litres of milk collected daily, extending financial services to around 44,000 women dairy farmers and their households. The initiative marks the launch of Dvara KGFS’s Dairy Value Chain product line, which aims to support farmers throughout the entire value chain, from cattle care to milk production and income generation. Rahul Tripathy, Chief Product Officer of Dvara KGFS, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in enhancing market access and tailored financial solutions for rural households. Neeraj, Chairperson of the milk producer company, highlighted the initiative's role in establishing a support system for women farmers, promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic independence in the Gorakhpur division.
Published: Jan 22 2026, 5 pmeznews.inThe second phase of the Vizhinjam International Seaport development in Kerala is set to commence with an investment of ₹9,700 crore by Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt. Ltd. (AVPPL), following the successful completion of the first phase, which saw an investment of ₹8,867 crore. Kerala Ports Minister V.N. Vasavan announced that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the new phase, which aims to enhance the port's capacity from 1 million TEUs to 5 million TEUs by expanding the berth from 800 meters to 2,000 meters and the breakwater from 3 km to 4 km. The project will also introduce new facilities, including a railway yard and multipurpose berth, without requiring additional land acquisition. The port has already established itself as a crucial hub for global cargo movement, handling 1.513 million TEUs from 710 vessels within its first year of operation. Completion of the second phase is expected by 2028.
Published: Jan 22 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's largest airline, IndiGo, reported a significant 78% drop in profit for the December 2025 quarter, earning ₹549.1 crore compared to ₹2,448.8 crore in the same period last year. The airline's parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, announced a total income of ₹24,540.6 crore, an increase from ₹22,992.8 crore a year earlier. This decline in profit comes on the heels of substantial flight disruptions experienced by IndiGo in early December, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to reduce the airline's winter schedule by 10% until February 10. The financial results reflect the challenges faced by the airline amid operational setbacks, despite a rise in overall income. The latest figures were disclosed in a regulatory filing on January 22, 2026.
Published: Jan 22 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's electricity distribution network has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing five lakh circuit kilometres (ckm) with the capacity to handle high-voltage energy of 220 kilovolts and above, as announced by the power ministry. This achievement, realized on January 14 with the commissioning of a 628-ckm transmission line from Bhadla II to Sikar II, enhances the evacuation of renewable energy from Rajasthan's Renewable Energy Zone, allowing for an additional 1,100 MW of power. Since April 2014, the transmission network has expanded by 71.6%, adding 2.09 lakh ckm of lines and increasing transformation capacity by 876 gigavolt amperes (GVA). The inter-regional power transfer capacity now stands at 1,20,340 MW, facilitating seamless electricity transfer across regions and supporting the government's vision of 'One Nation – One Grid – One Frequency.' Future projects are expected to add 40,000 ckm of lines and further bolster renewable energy integration as India aims for 500 GW of renewable generation by 2030.
Published: Jan 22 2026, 4 pmeznews.inThe Maharashtra government has approved the establishment of a government tasar silk cocoon market in Armori, Gadchiroli district, as part of its Integrated and Sustainable Textile Policy 2023–28, with an investment of ₹3.88 crore. This initiative aims to provide tasar silk farmers with a transparent trading platform, ensuring fair prices and enhancing the silk value chain in eastern Vidarbha. The modern market complex will feature essential infrastructure, including an administrative building, water supply, sanitation, electrification, and facilities for persons with disabilities, alongside internal roads and drainage systems. The project, managed by the Directorate of Sericulture under Central Silk Board guidelines, is expected to create local employment opportunities and bolster the rural economy, ultimately promoting economic stability and sustainable incomes for tasar silk producers in the region. A government resolution has been issued to formalize this decision.
Published: Jan 22 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe draft National Electricity Policy 2026 (NEP 2026) proposes significant reforms to power tariffs, advocating for an index-linked automatic annual revision that would see increases in power purchase costs passed on to consumers monthly. Released by the Power Ministry, the policy aims to align electricity supply with the demands of a growing economy targeting $30 trillion and energy independence. It emphasizes the need for cost-reflective tariffs to ensure the financial sustainability of the power sector, which has seen Discoms accumulate losses of approximately Rs 6.9 lakh crore. The policy calls for State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) to ensure tariffs reflect actual costs, while also suggesting the establishment of stabilization funds to manage fluctuations in power purchase costs. Additionally, it seeks to reduce cross-subsidies and promote timely payments to enhance the financial health of the sector, ultimately aiming to restore viability and transparency in electricity pricing.
Published: Jan 22 2026, 3 pm
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