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Sun Pharma invests ₹500 crore in Assam manufacturing facility

Sun Pharmaceutical, a leading global drug manufacturer, has announced a ₹500 crore investment to establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Assam, which is expected to create over 500 direct jobs. Chief Secretary Ravi Kota confirmed the plans following a meeting with senior company officials, including Vice President Rahul Awasthi. The project will unfold in two phases, focusing on drug formulation units to serve the Indian market. Discussions also covered essential factors such as land, water and power availability, connectivity, and access to skilled labor. The company emphasized its commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices, including efficient water use and renewable energy adoption. This initiative aligns with the Assam government's strategy to attract investors, promote employment, and foster long-term economic growth in the region. Sun Pharmaceutical is recognized as the world's fourth-largest and India's largest pharmaceutical firm, operating over 40 manufacturing facilities globally. sources

Published:
Feb 05 2026, 12 pm

Namma Metro fare increases by ₹1-5 starting February 9

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced an annual fare revision set to take effect on 9 February 2026, following recommendations from the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC). The fare increase, which will range from ₹1 to ₹5 across ten fare zones in its 96.10 km network, is limited to 5% despite a calculated cost increase of 10.20% based on financial data from FY 2024-25. This adjustment comes a year after a controversial fare hike in February 2025, which saw fares rise by up to 110%, leading to public protests and a partial rollback by the state government. The FFC's report, made public amid calls for transparency, acknowledged errors in fare calculations. BMRCL stated that the new fare structure aims to prevent infrequent and steep increases in the future, proposing an annual automatic fare revision linked to operational costs or capped at 5%, whichever is lower. sources

Published:
Feb 05 2026, 11 am

Boeing to eliminate 300 jobs in defense supply chain

Boeing Co. is set to cut approximately 300 jobs from its defence division, with notifications to affected employees occurring this week, according to a source familiar with the situation. The layoffs will affect various locations across the United States and come amid broader job reductions in the industry, including at companies like Amazon and UPS. In a statement, Boeing emphasized its ongoing evaluation of workforce needs to align with customer commitments. Despite the cuts, the aerospace giant is actively hiring, with over 1,300 job openings available, and is assisting displaced workers in finding new roles within the company. Boeing's workforce stood at 182,000 at the end of 2025, reflecting a growth of about 10,000 employees from the previous year, as the company integrates Spirit AeroSystems and ramps up production of commercial jets and the B-47 fighter jet for the Pentagon. sources

Published:
Feb 05 2026, 11 am

UK aviation regulator probes Air India over B787 fuel switch

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has requested information from Air India regarding a fuel control switch issue involving a Boeing 787-8 aircraft at London Heathrow on February 1, prior to its scheduled flight to Bengaluru. The incident was reported by an Air India pilot on February 2, prompting the airline to ground the aircraft for inspections upon its arrival in Bengaluru. Initial findings from India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) indicated that proper procedures may not have been followed in operating the switch. In response, Air India has conducted precautionary checks on all operational Boeing 787s, finding no further issues. The DGCA is also investigating whether the aircraft should have been grounded at Heathrow instead of continuing to Bengaluru. This scrutiny comes in the wake of a previous crash involving a Boeing 787-8, which raised concerns about the fuel control switch's functionality. sources

Published:
Feb 05 2026, 10 am

Boeing to eliminate 300 jobs in defense supply chain

Boeing is set to eliminate approximately 300 supply chain positions within its defence unit, with notifications to affected employees expected this week, according to a source familiar with the situation. While some of those laid off may have the opportunity to transition into other roles within the company, the specifics remain unclear. A Boeing spokesperson emphasized that the company routinely assesses its workforce to ensure alignment with commitments to customers and communities. This decision follows a report by Bloomberg News and reflects ongoing adjustments within the aerospace giant's operations. The move underscores the challenges facing Boeing as it navigates the complexities of the defence sector amid evolving market demands. sources

Published:
Feb 05 2026, 6 am

CCI probes IndiGo for alleged dominance abuse

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has initiated an investigation into IndiGo Airlines for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the domestic air travel market, following significant flight disruptions last December that affected lakhs of passengers. The CCI's order, issued on Wednesday, directs its Director General to complete the investigation within 90 days. The inquiry revealed that passengers faced last-minute cancellations and were forced to seek alternative travel options at inflated prices, indicating a potential violation of competition laws. The CCI noted that IndiGo's widespread flight cancellations created an artificial scarcity of services, limiting consumer access during peak demand periods. IndiGo has contested the CCI's jurisdiction, arguing that such issues should be addressed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or under the Consumer Protection Act. However, the CCI maintains that the disruptions impacted the entire domestic air travel market, warranting a comprehensive investigation. sources

Published:
Feb 04 2026, 9 pm

Russia open to closer India cooperation in hydrocarbons trade

The United States has been urging India to halt its imports of Russian crude oil in an effort to limit Moscow's revenue amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. In response, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong cooperation with India in the hydrocarbons sector, emphasizing that India's purchases are mutually beneficial and stabilize the global energy market. Despite U.S. assertions that India has agreed to cease these imports, the Indian government has not officially confirmed any such decision. Sources indicate that India plans to continue buying Russian oil from non-sanctioned entities, with imports expected to remain stable at around 1.1 to 1.3 million barrels per day in the near term. Analysts suggest that while Indian refiners could technically operate without Russian oil, a swift disengagement would pose significant commercial and political challenges, necessitating a gradual approach to any policy changes. sources

Published:
Feb 04 2026, 10 pm

SASCI may see more state reforms, says Expenditure Secretary

The Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme is set for potential reforms aimed at enhancing telecom networks, according to Expenditure Secretary V. Vualnam. In an interview, he highlighted that while ₹1.5 lakh crore was allocated for SASCI this fiscal year, approximately ₹1 lakh crore has been disbursed, with full utilisation expected by March 31. The upcoming FY27 allocation will increase to ₹2 lakh crore, but the 60:40 reform-to-untied fund ratio will remain unchanged, emphasizing the necessity for states to implement reforms. New areas for reform, including telecom sector regulations, are under consideration to facilitate smoother network expansion. Additionally, the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) requires over ₹1.52 lakh crore, with states expected to contribute more than ₹57,000 crore, despite some citing resource constraints. Vualnam expressed confidence in states' commitment to meet these funding and implementation challenges. sources

Published:
Feb 04 2026, 9 pm

India-US trade deal to increase demand, says cotton body

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has expressed strong support for the recent resolution of the tariff dispute between India and the United States, which has seen the import duty on Indian textiles reduced to 18%. CAI President Vinay N. Kotak hailed this development as a significant step towards enhancing bilateral trade and fostering a more robust India-USA trade relationship. The US is a key trading partner for India in the textiles sector, and the establishment of predictable trade policies is deemed crucial for long-term planning and competitiveness. The reduction of tariffs from as high as 50% is anticipated to alleviate cost pressures, improve market access, and stimulate demand for Indian products, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders in the cotton and textile value chain, including farmers, manufacturers, and exporters. This change is expected to revive optimal capacity utilization across the industry. sources

Published:
Feb 04 2026, 9 pm

UP sugar mills face decline in January output

Sugar production in Uttar Pradesh, India's largest sugarcane-producing state, has seen a decline for the first time this season, with January output dropping to 19.45 lakh tonnes from 20.1 lakh tonnes last year. Industry experts predict a yield reduction of 15-20% in ratoon crops, while the yield for the plant crop remains uncertain. Farmers report yield drops of up to 30% for ratoon crops and 10% for fresh crops, attributed to adverse weather conditions, particularly summer rains. Vijay S Banka, President of the UP Sugar Mills Association, noted that production this year will align with last year's figures. Currently, 119 mills are operational, although Bajaj Group's Pratappur mill has ceased operations due to cane shortages. Nationally, sugar production is projected to decrease slightly in the 2025-26 season, with Uttar Pradesh expected to produce 103.2 lakh tonnes, despite a 3% drop in acreage. sources

Published:
Feb 04 2026, 8 pm

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