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The 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.inAir 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.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.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 pmeznews.inApogee Aerospace has secured an order for 15 amphibian aircraft from Australia's Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI), valued at ₹3,500 crore, as part of a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing India's aviation capabilities. The Indian firm will invest ₹500 crore to develop manufacturing, maintenance, and training facilities in India, supporting AAI's Albatross 2.0 amphibious aircraft, which can accommodate up to 28 passengers. This collaboration aligns with the Indian government's push for improved air connectivity and self-reliance in the aviation sector. AAI plans to establish a manufacturing facility in India, with Apogee serving as its exclusive representative for defence and government needs. The first Albatross 2.0 aircraft is anticipated to enter the Indian market within 18-24 months. Additionally, the Union Budget for 2026-27 includes incentives for seaplane manufacturing to bolster tourism and remote connectivity, alongside a proposed Seaplane VGF Scheme for operational support.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 3 pmeznews.inVizhinjam International Seaport is swiftly establishing itself as one of India's leading container transshipment hubs, developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited in collaboration with the Kerala Government. In January, the port achieved a record monthly container throughput of 123,092 TEUs and processed 62 vessels, marking its highest monthly figures since operations began just over a year ago. This surge in productivity has propelled Vizhinjam to the 83rd position globally among container ports. As India’s first semi-automated container port, it is equipped to handle the largest container vessels, having processed over 740 vessels and 1.57 million TEUs since its inception. Looking ahead, a ₹16,000-crore investment will fund the port's expansion, increasing its berth length and capacity from 1 million TEUs to 5.7 million TEUs by 2029, with completion of the next phase targeted for 2028.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 3 pmeznews.inA new report by Bessemer Venture Partners, titled ‘Transforming Indian healthcare, one specialty at a time’, reveals that single-speciality healthcare providers are rapidly becoming the fastest-growing segment in India's healthcare landscape. The market for these providers is projected to surge from $4.4 billion in 2025 to $12.3 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 22%. While multi-speciality hospitals remain vital for complex care, the rise of focused providers is attributed to their efficient care protocols and concentrated expertise. These platforms are particularly effective in high-volume areas like eyecare and oncology, benefiting from quicker scalability and robust unit economics. Bessemer highlights the lack of nationally recognized brands in many specialties, presenting opportunities for new leaders to emerge. As the market evolves, successful platforms may become attractive IPO candidates or acquisition targets for larger healthcare entities, according to Bessemer's insights.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 3 pmeznews.inAir India Express, the low-cost subsidiary of Air India, is projected to achieve its first operating profit since being acquired by Tata Group in 2022, thanks to increased capacity and market share. This positive outlook, shared during a recent town hall meeting, comes as Air India's full-service operations face financial challenges due to an airspace ban imposed by Pakistan. The airline plans to invest over $70 million in aircraft refurbishments and aims to double its fleet size to more than 200 jets within the next four to five years. Additionally, Air India Express is set to add 30 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The broader Air India Group is undergoing a significant multi-billion-dollar restructuring, although it faces hurdles from ongoing jet delivery delays, impacting its financial performance and affecting stakeholders like Singapore Airlines, which holds a 25% stake in the carrier.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 2 pm
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