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Air India is investigating whether its crew adhered to compliance procedures after a Boeing 787 took off from London with a potential fuel-switch defect, later leading to the aircraft being grounded in India. British authorities have given the airline a week to provide a comprehensive response or face regulatory action concerning its fleet of 33 Boeing 787s. Pilots in London noted that the fuel control switch failed to remain latched in the 'run' position on two attempts, although it stabilized on a third. Upon landing in India, the pilot reported a possible defect, prompting checks. Air India stated it would follow its safety investigation protocol but did not specify potential actions. The investigation will scrutinize why the crew did not report the issue in London. This incident follows heightened scrutiny of Air India after a previous crash linked to fuel switches that killed 260 people. 
Published: Feb 05 2026, 6 pmeznews.inVanderlande, a leader in logistics process automation, has officially opened its India Innovation Centre (IIC) in Pune, a pivotal development in its Indian operations. The facility, designed for collaboration, will enable engineers to co-create and test solutions for the warehousing, airports, and parcel sectors, focusing on advancements in robotic automation, artificial intelligence, and digital integration. Spanning two acres, the IIC enhances Vanderlande India’s status as a Global Capability Centre, now the company’s second-largest technology hub after the Netherlands. With over 1,300 employees, Vanderlande India has evolved from a support office to a key player in R&D and software development. CFO Astrid van Druten emphasized the centre's role in fostering innovation and efficiency, while Managing Director Manish Patil highlighted its significance in reinforcing Vanderlande's commitment to global capabilities and positive operational impact. The IIC represents a strategic shift towards innovation in Vanderlande's ongoing "Everyday Better" initiative.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's mobility sector commenced 2026 on a stable note, with truck rentals remaining flat month-on-month across key trunk routes, while achieving a year-on-year growth of 5-12%, as reported by the Shriram Mobility Bulletin. The January data reflects a busy trucking environment, driven by the Rabi harvest and increased agricultural transport. Sudarshan Holla, Joint Managing Director of Shriram Finance, noted that the recent Indo-US trade pact is expected to enhance vehicular movement in export hubs, although geopolitical tensions along the Indo-Bangla border pose challenges. The electric vehicle market is emerging as a significant growth driver, with strong demand for SUVs boosting passenger vehicle sales. Notably, motor car sales surged by 37% month-on-month, alongside a 37% increase in goods carriers and a 33% rise in three-wheeler sales, indicating a robust recovery in both personal and commercial transport sectors, despite a decline in bus retail volumes.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 7 pmeznews.inStorage levels in India's major reservoirs have continued to decline, with the Central Water Commission (CWC) reporting a drop to 67% of total capacity across 166 reservoirs. The southern region has been particularly affected, with levels falling below 60% of its 55.288 billion cubic meters (BCM) capacity, now at 32.710 BCM, compared to 60.3% last year. While overall storage remains 8.5 percentage points higher than last year and 25 percentage points above the 10-year average, all five regions have seen levels dip below 80%. The western zone, previously the highest, has also fallen to 78.6%. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that 71% of districts have experienced deficient rainfall this year, with a 31% overall shortfall. With no significant rainfall forecasted in the coming weeks, further declines in reservoir levels are anticipated.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 7 pmeznews.inSri Lanka is set to enhance its domestic air connectivity by launching a scheme similar to India's Udan initiative, aiming to attract investment from international airlines, particularly from India, according to Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe. Currently, domestic air travel is limited, with only four commercial aircraft operating within the country. The government, in collaboration with the World Bank, is preparing a feasibility report and upgrading six airstrips to promote domestic aviation and boost high-value tourism. Ranasinghe emphasized the potential for regional aviation to attract affluent tourists, noting that travel across the island can take five to six hours. Sri Lanka aims to increase its foreign visitor count to 3 million in 2026, with India being the largest source market. Additionally, SriLankan Airlines plans to introduce five weekly flights to Ahmedabad, while new travel products are being developed to enhance the tourism experience.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, have signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) to resume negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after a hiatus since 2011. Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal, who witnessed the signing in New Delhi, emphasized that this agreement will enhance trade opportunities for Indian goods and services, benefiting sectors such as food processing, infrastructure, and ICT. With trade between India and the GCC valued at $178.5 billion in FY25, the FTA aims to facilitate professional mobility and collaboration in areas like IT and digital payments, including the integration of India's UPI with regional systems. Goyal noted that the FTA, alongside existing trade deals with the UAE and Oman, is poised to unlock significant economic potential for both India and the GCC nations.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 5 pmeznews.inThe Madras Port & Dock Employees Union (CITU) has raised concerns over the Indian government's proposal for the Chennai Port Authority (ChPA) to invest 5% equity in the new Bharat Container Line (BCL). Union vice president T Narendra Rao highlighted that while the initiative aims to reduce India's reliance on foreign shipping, it unfairly burdens already financially strained Major Port Authorities, including ChPA, which faces significant pension liabilities for its 2,500 employees and 15,000 pensioners. Rao warned that such an investment could jeopardize ChPA's financial viability, pushing it into further fiscal distress. He suggested that funding for BCL should come from direct budgetary support or through financially robust Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and maritime finance institutions, rather than from ChPA, which is ill-equipped to handle additional equity risks. The union has urged the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways to reconsider this investment requirement to protect the port's financial stability and its workforce.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 5 pmeznews.inUnion Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal clarified on Thursday that India has not made any investment commitments to the US, despite the potential for increased sourcing of American products as India aims for its Viksit Bharat 2047 goal. Goyal projected that India could import goods worth $500 billion from the US over the next five years, particularly highlighting the need for energy and data centre equipment as India's steel capacity is set to double. He noted that India's aircraft purchases from the US could reach $100 billion when including engines and spare parts. Goyal also mentioned that the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement, aimed at doubling trade from $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030, is nearly ready, with a joint statement expected soon. Following this, an executive order to reduce US tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18% is anticipated.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 4 pmeznews.inSwan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has secured a significant defence export contract from the Government of Oman to supply a training ship for the Royal Navy of Oman, the company announced today. The Mumbai-based shipbuilder is set to deliver the 104.25-meter vessel, which has a beam of 13.88 meters and a displacement of up to 3,500 tonnes, within 18 months. The ship will feature classrooms, training offices, and an auditorium for 70 officer cadets, alongside advanced navigation and communication systems, and helicopter operation capabilities. Rear Admiral V.K. Saxena (retd), CEO of SDHI, highlighted the contract as a reflection of the company's technical expertise and shipbuilding capabilities. This order represents a notable achievement for India's shipbuilding sector, supported by the Ministry of Defence under the country's maritime vision. SDHI operates India's largest dry dock in Gujarat and reported a share price increase of 1.70% on the BSE today.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 4 pmeznews.inA study from Louisiana State University, published in the journal Nutrients, suggests that incorporating freeze-dried blueberry powder into the diet may alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals from rural communities. Led by Joseph Francis, the research involved 23 participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, who consumed either blueberry powder—equivalent to one cup of fresh blueberries—or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Participants completed assessments at various intervals, revealing a notable reduction in clinical symptoms among those consuming the blueberry powder. While the study's small size limits its generalizability, it highlights the potential benefits of nutrition on mental health, particularly in underserved rural areas. The authors advocate for further research in larger, more diverse populations to explore the mechanisms behind these effects, emphasizing that blueberry supplementation should not replace standard psychiatric care.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 3 pm
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