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Television advertising in India is set to grow by 3.1% in 2026, reversing a decline from the previous year, according to WPP Media's latest forecast. This growth is largely attributed to the rise of Connected TV and addressable advertising, particularly in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. WPP's 'This Year Next Year' report anticipates a total advertising revenue of ₹2,01,891 crore for 2026, marking a ₹17,844 crore increase from 2025. While last year saw a projected 1% decline in TV advertising, the medium is now expected to regain traction, especially with the influence of rural recovery and sports content. Additionally, commerce-led advertising is emerging as the fastest-growing segment at 24.2%. Digital channels now dominate, accounting for 68.1% of total ad revenue, solidifying India's position as a leading global advertising market, contributing 0.5% to the nation's GDP. 
Published: Feb 18 2026, 8 pmeznews.inSyama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata has initiated a ₹117.54-crore modernisation project for its historic Bascule Bridge, with completion expected by May 2027. This renovation aims to enhance the efficiency, safety, and speed of cargo movement while preserving the iconic structure, originally built in 1966 by Austrian firm Waagner-Biro Bridge Systems AG. The bridge serves as a vital connection between the Garden Reach–Metiabruz area and the rest of Kolkata, allowing heavy vehicles and local commuters to traverse while accommodating cargo ships. The project, executed in partnership with Rail Vikas Nigam and awarded to Mumbai's H & H Fressinet, will involve a comprehensive upgrade of the bridge's 1,640-tonne steel structure and its electromechanical systems. Chairperson Rathendra Raman emphasized that the upgrade will not only maintain the bridge's structural integrity but also bolster Kolkata's status as a key maritime trade gateway, ultimately benefiting the city's residents and economy.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 9 pmeznews.inCMA CGM, the French shipping giant, has finalized a $360 million contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited for the construction of six LNG-powered vessels, marking a significant milestone as the first major foreign carrier to commission such vessels from an Indian shipyard. The contract was signed in New Delhi by CMA CGM's Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé and Cochin Shipyard CMD Jose VJ, in the presence of Union Minister Shantanu Thakur and Secretary Vijay Kumar. The vessels, each with a capacity of 1,700 TEU, will be registered under the Indian flag, with the first delivery expected in 36 months. CMA CGM also plans to recruit up to 1,500 Indian seafarers by 2026 and has established a dedicated R&D hub in India to enhance its digital and AI capabilities. Saadé emphasized the company's commitment to supporting India's Maritime Vision 2047, aiming to bolster the nation's position in global trade.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 8 pmeznews.inVST Tillers Tractors Ltd is set to re-enter the US market by the end of 2027, focusing on the compact tractor segment, following a recent trade deal between India and the US that revised tariffs. CEO Antony Cherukara noted that previous plans were halted due to a 50% tariff imposed by the Trump administration. The company aims to develop compact tractors ranging from 30-50 horsepower, targeting hobby farmers and vineyards primarily in California. Additionally, VST plans to establish a warehousing and distribution hub in the Netherlands by June 2026 to meet rising demand in Europe, where it currently exports around 13% of its revenue. Cherukara expressed optimism about increasing export earnings to 25% over the next five years, bolstered by favorable trade conditions. The company is also prepared to launch both internal combustion and electric tractors in these markets.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 8 pmeznews.inPaddy sowing in India has decreased by 2.7% to 12.80 lakh hectares (lh) from 13.16 lh last year, while the area dedicated to nutri/coarse cereals has increased significantly to 82,000 hectares, up from 50,000 hectares. As of February 13, the total area under summer crop sowing has reached 15.18 lh, a 3% rise from 14.75 lh in the same period last year, aided by higher groundnut and maize cultivation. The government reports that reservoir levels are currently 10% higher than last year, supporting the positive trend in summer crop sowing. Notably, the area under summer pulses has also increased, with green gram coverage at 0.44 lh. Meanwhile, oilseed cultivation has risen to 0.99 lh. Despite a drop in storage levels in major reservoirs to 64% of capacity, the current figures remain over 10% higher than last year, indicating a mixed agricultural outlook.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 8 pmeznews.inPiyush Goyal, India's Union Commerce and Industry Minister, has highlighted the significant economic potential of upcoming free trade agreements (FTAs) with the US and EU, which he believes will attract substantial growth capital and create new business opportunities. Speaking at the Global Economic Cooperation summit, Goyal emphasized the government's ₹10,000 crore start-up Fund of Funds, aimed at fostering innovation in sectors like fintech, health tech, and deep-tech, including AI and quantum computing. He expressed concern over the stock market's reaction to the Indian IT sector, asserting the industry's crucial role in the future of artificial intelligence and the growing need for cybersecurity. Goyal noted that India has signed nine trade agreements in four years, negotiated from a position of strength, and assured that these deals protect the interests of farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs. He projected that India could add $26 trillion to its economy by 2047, presenting vast opportunities for international collaboration.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 8 pmeznews.inPrasanna Kumar D, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India (ICAI), announced on Wednesday that Chartered Accountant firms are preparing to participate in the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS), anticipating government provisions for financial support through a non-Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund. Currently, the government contributes ₹4,500 towards interns' stipends, while companies add ₹500 or more via CSR, which CA firms lack. The PMIS aims to provide internships for 1 crore youth across 500 companies over five years, with a focus on real-world experience. Additionally, ICAI is developing a nine-month Corporate Mitra curriculum to support MSMEs with compliance and advisory services, leveraging its extensive network to reach smaller enterprises. The training will be hybrid, accommodating non-commerce graduates while ensuring commerce students can easily grasp the content. The initiative aims to create a pool of industry-ready professionals to enhance MSME support.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 7 pmeznews.inITC Ltd is enhancing its ITCMAARS community platform, which promotes knowledge exchange on agricultural best practices among farmers, by integrating AI-driven digital assistants and agentic workflows. This initiative aims to support farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), organic farmers, and rural communities, aligning with ITC Chairman Sanjiv Puri's vision for "Next Gen Agriculture" in India. The platform, which combines digital technologies with on-the-ground support, seeks to reach 10 million farmers, facilitating rural development. The introduction of AI solutions is expected to improve FPO operations and provide real-time responses to community inquiries, complementing expert advice. Launched in 2022, ITCMAARS has already benefited over 2.2 million farmers and 2,100 FPOs, leading to significant reductions in fertiliser use and improvements in crop yields, ultimately boosting farm incomes by around 25%. This initiative was highlighted at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, showcasing its potential to address grassroots challenges.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 7 pmeznews.inMakeMyTrip and ixigo are intensifying their artificial intelligence strategies to enhance customer experiences and boost bookings, as announced on Wednesday. MakeMyTrip has partnered with OpenAI to improve customer interactions, providing structured, transaction-ready options for flights, hotels, and ancillary services. Rajesh Magow, co-founder and CEO, emphasized that this collaboration allows MakeMyTrip to seamlessly integrate into the travel discovery process. The company’s AI travel planning assistant, ‘Myra,’ currently handles over 50,000 conversations daily in multiple languages, broadening its reach in tier II and smaller cities. Meanwhile, ixigo plans to utilize OpenAI to implement advanced AI tools and integrate next-generation coding models throughout its technology infrastructure, aiming to create autonomous workflows and explore new AI-driven applications. This strategic move reflects the growing trend of leveraging AI in the travel industry to enhance user engagement and operational efficiency.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 6 pmeznews.inTamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has been granted a 20-year patent for its innovative sugarcane single bud sett cutter, developed under the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI). This mechanised solution, powered by a 4-HP diesel engine, can cut sugarcane stalks into single-bud setts at a remarkable capacity of 1,700 buds per hour, with an operational cost of just ₹1,000 per hectare—significantly lower than the ₹6,250 cost associated with traditional methods. The machine, designed for efficiency and ease of use, is expected to enhance yields and reduce labour intensity in sugarcane farming, which is vital in India, the second-largest sugarcane producer globally. With germination rates of 95% in nurseries and 90% in fields, the cutter not only promises substantial savings but also alleviates the physical demands of sugarcane cultivation. Priced at ₹34,000, it offers a cost-effective option for farmers embracing SSI practices.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 6 pm
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