NEW DELHI: Air India has launched a fleet-wide inspection of fuel control switches on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft after a malfunction was reported on a flight from London Heathrow to Bengaluru.The move follows an incident earlier this week in which a pilot flagged a defect in the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft after landing in Bengaluru. The aircraft, which operated the London–Bengaluru flight, was immediately grounded for detailed checks.Confirming the action, Air India’s senior vice president for flight operations, Manish Uppal, informed Boeing 787 pilots that the airline had initiated a precautionary re-inspection of the entire Dreamliner fleet.“Following the reported defect involving a fuel control switch on one of the B787 aircraft, our engineering team has escalated the matter to Boeing for priority evaluation,” Uppal said in an internal communication, PTI quoted sources.“In the interim, while we await Boeing’s response, our engineers — out of an abundance of caution — have initiated precautionary fleet-wide re-inspection of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) latch to verify normal operations,” he added.Uppal further informed pilots that no adverse findings had been reported so far on the aircraft that have already undergone re-inspection.He also directed crew members to promptly report any defects noticed during operations and to ensure that all mandatory checks are completed before accepting an aircraft for service.At present, Air India operates 33 Boeing 787 aircraft. These include 26 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners from the legacy Air India fleet and seven Boeing 787-9 aircraft, of which six were inducted from Vistara and one is a custom-made plane added to the fleet in January this year.The latest inspections come amid heightened scrutiny of the aircraft’s fuel control system. The functioning of the fuel control switch has been under focus since a fatal crash involving a Boeing 787-8 last June, in which 260 people lost their lives. The preliminary investigation report into that accident had pointed to a possible fuel supply cutoff soon after take-off.Air India had carried out similar inspections last year following the tragic crash.The airline has now assured that all necessary precautions are being taken and that the issue has been escalated to Boeing for further technical evaluation.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang seem to be going all out publicly to prove that all is well between the two companies. However, reports after reports say that all is not well between the two AI giants. According to a report in Reuters, OpenAI is unsatisfied with some of Nvidia’s latest artificial intelligence (AI) chips, and it has sought alternatives since last year. The report quotes as many as eight sources familiar with the matter, potentially complicating the relationship between the two companies.Out of these eight sources, seven sources reportedly said that OpenAI is not satisfied with the speed at which Nvidia’s hardware can spit out answers to ChatGPT users for specific types of problems such as software development and AI communicating with other software. The company needs new hardware that would eventually provide about 10% of OpenAI’s inference computing needs in the future, one of the sources told Reuters. This comes with what analysts see as a shift in ChatGPT-maker’s strategy, which is the company’s increasing emphasis on chips used to perform specific elements of AI inference, the process when an AI model responds to customer queries and requests.

What may be causing tension between OpenAI and Nvidia

As Reuters report says, “Nvidia’s graphics processing chips are well-suited for massive data crunching necessary to train large AI models like ChatGPT that have underpinned the explosive growth of AI globally to date. But AI advancements increasingly focus on using trained models for inference and reasoning, which could be a new, bigger stage of AI, inspiring OpenAI’s efforts. The ChatGPT-maker’s search for GPU alternatives since last year focused on companies building chips with large amounts of memory embedded in the same piece of silicon as the rest of the chip, called SRAM. Squishing as much costly SRAM as possible onto each chip can offer speed advantages for chatbots and other AI systems as they crunch requests from millions of users.” Last year, OpenAI struck deals with AMD and others for GPUs built to rival Nvidia’s. In fact, sources say OpenAI’s deal with AMD didn’t go very well with partner Nvidia. This AI inference has become the new front in the competition. This decision by OpenAI and others to seek out alternatives in the inference chip market marks a significant test of Nvidia’s AI dominance and comes at a time when the two companies are in investment talks. In September, Nvidia said it intended to pour as much as $100 billion into OpenAI as part of a deal that gave the chipmaker a stake in the startup and gave OpenAI the cash it needed to buy the advanced chips. In a joint announcement unveiling the September deal with Sam Altman, OpenAI President Greg Brockman and Jensen Huang called the deal “the largest computing project in history.” The deal was expected to close within weeks, however, negotiations have dragged on for months. New reports claim that Nvidia is now planning to halve its investments.According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has privately criticized OpenAI for what he has described as a lack of discipline in OpenAI’s business approach and expressed concern about the competition it faces from the likes of Google and Anthropic.In November, Nvidia said that it was committing to invest up to $10 billion into Anthropic. In a filing in the same month, Nvidia reportedly said that there was no assurance that it would “enter into definitive agreements with respect to the OpenAI opportunity or other potential investments, or that any investment will be completed on expected terms, if at all.”

Sam Altman and Jensen Huang deny any rift, but ..

In the past few days both OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have strongly denied reports of any tension between the two companies. Last week, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang brushed off a report of tension with OpenAI, saying the idea was “nonsense” and that Nvidia planned a huge investment in OpenAI. A spokesperson for OpenAI in a separate statement said that the company relies on Nvidia to power the vast majority of its inference fleet and that Nvidia delivers the best performance per dollar for inference.OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman too wrote in a post on Twitter that Nvidia makes “the best AI chips in the world” and that OpenAI hoped to remain a “gigantic customer for a very long time”.

India vs Pakistan (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Even as the row over Pakistan’s decision to boycott its men’s T20 World Cup group-stage clash against India continues to escalate, there is no indication that the fallout has spilled over into the women’s game. The Pakistan Women’s A team is set to play India Women’s A at the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Bangkok, with no instructions received so far to boycott the fixture, reported ESPNcricinfo on Monday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!According to the report, preparations for the Rising Stars Asia Cup, which begins on February 13, are progressing as scheduled. Pakistan Women’s A and India Women’s A are due to meet on February 15 — the same day the Pakistan men’s team is slated to face India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, a match the Pakistan government has said its team “shall not take the field” for, citing no reasons in a post on X.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a press release on Sunday announcing the Women’s A squad for the tournament, hours after the boycott of the men’s World Cup clash was made public. Pakistan Women’s A are placed in Group A alongside India A, UAE and Nepal, underlining that, at least for now, the women’s fixture remains unaffected.ESPNcricinfo further reported that while speculation is rife over potential sanctions against the PCB, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to decide whether a Board meeting is required to discuss the issue. Any such deliberations would involve the 12 Full Member boards, three Associate representatives and the ICC chair, but no emergency meeting has been called so far.The ICC has already made its stance clear, warning that “selective participation” is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of global tournaments built on integrity, fairness and consistency. While the men’s India-Pakistan clash hangs in uncertainty, the absence of any boycott directive for the women’s team suggests a sharp contrast between the two situations.

NEW DELHI: Former ICC head of communications Sami-ul-Hasan Burney has criticised the BCCI’s handling of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s exit from the Indian Premier League, saying the Indian board could have prevented the current T20 World Cup turmoil with a more measured approach.Rahman’s release from his Kolkata Knight Riders contract set off a chain reaction that eventually led to Bangladesh withdrawing from the tournament, starting February 7, after citing “security concerns” over travelling to India. In a show of solidarity, Pakistan have since opted to forfeit their February 15 clash against arch-rivals India following government directives.

Burney, who later served as media director of the Pakistan Cricket Board after leaving the ICC, felt the situation escalated unnecessarily because of public communication around Rahman’s removal.“I mean, things could have been easily avoided if the cricket administrators or people responsible for the game had been a little bit more careful and avoided public statements, like a Bangladesh player (Mustafizur) has to be removed from the franchise,” Sami told PTI.“I mean they (the BCCI) didn’t have to say it publicly. They could have easily privately told the franchise (KKR) to release the player and nobody would have known what happened and life would have moved on.“Sometimes you make an error of judgment and make a statement which has implications. So the January 3 announcement became a trigger,” he explained.A former journalist with The Dawn, Burney spent over a decade at the ICC’s Dubai headquarters before joining the PCB last year. He also shed light on the thinking of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.Burney said Naqvi views the ICC’s refusal to move Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka as a case of “shifting of goalposts.”“I refer back to November, 2024, when I was a part of the Pakistan Cricket Board, and I was with Mr Mohsin Naqvi, when that e-mail came in which the ICC said the BCCI has informed them that the Indian government has refused permission to send their team to Pakistan.“Mr. Naqvi believes when a similar situation arose in January (with regards Bangladesh), the same principles were not applied, and that is where he is referring to the double standards.“I think that is what is upsetting Mr. Naqvi and the PCB, because they think goalposts are being changed, or shifted.”On whether Bangladesh’s dispute with India was Pakistan’s battle, Burney said: “We may agree with it, we may disagree with this decision, we may argue…but when the government makes a decision, they are looking at something bigger than what what you and I are seeing.”While the ICC has hinted at possible sanctions, including heavy financial penalties, Burney insisted Pakistan would have weighed all consequences.“I mean, these decisions are not easy decisions to make. They must have spoken to a lot of people, sought the advice from the experts, looked at the legal side.“I am sure an extensive exercise would have taken place before the government of Pakistan made that decision. As regards the sanctions or the losses you are talking about, that one match is costing USD 250 million (everything accounted for not just broadcaster’s loss).“Pakistan’s annual revenue is USD 35.5 million, so there is a big, big difference,” he said.He added that Pakistan have previously weathered financial setbacks from not playing India bilaterally.“…unlike other countries, Pakistan have not hosted India for 20 years in a bilateral series, even though they have toured India twice in 2007 and then 2012-13 for white-ball cricket.“They have not played, I mean, they were playing off-shore for 10 years, 2009 to 2019 not at home, but in the Middle East, or in the UAE, and still managed to win two tournaments, the T20 World Cup in 2009 and 2017 Champions Trophy,” he said.“So, yes, there will be financial implications, but if Pakistan Cricket Board can survive that 20-year period without playing India, they can sustain.”

Ishan Kishan has once again found himself at the centre of Indian cricket conversations, thanks to his impressive return to form and candid reflections on the challenges he faces at the highest level. The explosive left-handed wicketkeeper-batter recently showcased his renewed confidence during India’s white-ball series against New Zealand, where he looked fluent, decisive, and fearless at the crease. After a phase marked by inconsistency and competition for places, Kishan’s performances in New Zealand were seen as a strong statement of intent ahead of a crucial period in his career.

Known for his aggressive stroke play and ability to take the game away from the opposition in the powerplay, Kishan’s comeback couldn’t have come at a better time. With the Indian team management closely monitoring combinations and form ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, the Jharkhand batter’s ability to adapt to different conditions has added to his growing value. Beyond runs, it is Kishan’s mindset and clarity that have stood out, especially as he prepares himself for tougher challenges against world-class bowling attacks.

Ishan Kishan names 2 bowlers he finds most challenging

In a recent appearance on the 2 Sloggers YouTube channel, Kishan offered an honest insight into the bowlers who trouble him the most. Without hesitation, he named one spinner and one fast bowler—both his Indian teammates.

“When it comes to spinners, even Yuzvendra Chahal bhai feels very difficult for me to face. It’s possible that he has analysed me a lot,” Kishan admitted. He explained that facing Yuzvendra Chahal is never straightforward, as the leg-spinner’s variations and deep understanding of a batter’s weaknesses make every delivery a challenge.

When discussing fast bowlers, Kishan reserved special praise for Jasprit Bumrah. “As for pace bowling, who is better than Bumrah bhai?” he said with a smile, before adding a humorous note about mentioning Bumrah too often.

Kishan highlighted how net sessions can sometimes be misleading, with bowlers easing off on familiar batters. Bumrah, however, is an exception. According to Kishan, even a well-timed shot can invite a sharp response.

“If even one ball comes off the middle of the bat by mistake, you know for sure the next one is going to be a bouncer,” he remarked.

Also READ: Fans applaud Ishan Kishan and Arshdeep Singh after India crush New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram T20I to seal series 4-1

Big expectations from Kishan ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, expectations from Kishan are steadily rising. India are likely to rely on fearless batters who can counter both high-quality pace and clever spin, and Kishan’s recent form suggests he is ready for that responsibility. His experience of facing bowlers like Chahal and Bumrah in practice is seen as a major advantage, sharpening his skills against the very best.

As India continue to build towards the tournament, Kishan’s blend of aggression, adaptability, and self-awareness could prove crucial. If his upward curve continues, he may well emerge as one of India’s key match-winners on the biggest stage in 2026.

Also READ: Ishan Kishan reveals his ‘main focus’ after century heroics in 5th T20I against New Zealand

NEW DELHI: Just 17, Anahat Singh is learning how to make big moments look routine. On Sunday in Washington, she delivered the biggest result of her young career with the calm of someone who seems to know exactly where she is headed. Anahat stunned top seed, reigning Commonwealth Games champion and world No. 10 Georgina Kennedy of England 12-10, 11-5, 11-7 in a brisk 26-minute final to win her maiden PSA Bronze-level title at the Squash On Fire Open.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The victory was her 15th title overall on the PSA Tour, achieved in just 26 tournaments, and also made her the youngest Asian player to break into the world’s top 20 rankings.What stood out was not just the scoreline, but the manner in which Anahat controlled the contest. In the opening game, she trailed 8-10 but reeled off four straight points to take it, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Having lost to Kennedy in their only previous meeting, the seventh seed showed composure well beyond her years, rarely allowing the higher-ranked opponent to settle.“I’m extremely happy,” Anahat said after the final. “Coming into this event, I played the British Junior Open a few weeks back and I didn’t play too well. I knew in between these events I had some time to train and I did as much as I possibly could to get the best out of my game,” she added.The result, she said, was part of a clear plan. “I knew I wanted to do well in these events, get my ranking up and also put on a performance, and I’m glad I was able to do that this time.”The title adds to a rapidly growing list of achievements. Anahat was part of the Indian team that won a historic Squash World Cup title in Chennai last year. Earlier this season, she reached the semifinals of the Canadian Women’s Open, a PSA Silver-level event, signalling her readiness to challenge top-ranked players consistently.Those around her have long believed this rise was inevitable. “When I met her, she was 13-year-old and already one of the contenders to win the national title. She is like a prodigy,” said her coach Stephane Galifi. “We want her to be in the top 10 at the world level as soon as possible.” Galifi believes her strengths are already evident.“She is very gifted. She learns very quickly, very mature for her age. She has got everything, a whole package. She can cover the court very well, read the game very well. Some players mature when they’re 25-26. She is like a sponge, learning and absorbing everything quickly,” the Italian said.But there is still work to do. “She needs to play more events out of India, have different training with better players. She needs to get a little stronger in terms of fitness because at the top level all players are extremely fit,” he said.For now, Anahat’s breakthrough in Washington feels less like a surprise and more like the next logical step for a teenager steadily turning promise into performance.

MUMBAI: In a development with direct implications for the investigation into the June 12 fatal Air India Boeing 787 Ahmedabad crash, another Air India Dreamliner saw a fuel control switch move from “run” to “cut-off” after a crew member pressed it to check whether it was locked.

Dreamliner Had Landed In B’luru From London

The switch moved without the required lift action, suggesting the safeguard meant to prevent fuel supply cut off and inadvertent engine shutdown did not function as designed, sources said. The London incident challenges the controversial narrative that the Ahmedabad crash resulted from a deliberate pilot act, pointing instead to a possible and critical technical flaw in the aircraft’s fuel switch design.

The incident occurred on Feb 1 at London Heathrow during engine start of B787 (VT-ANX) operating the 9.05pm Air India flight AI-132 to Bengaluru. The fuel control switches on the 787 require a two-step action: they must be lifted before they can be moved between “run” and “cut-off”. The safety feature is intended to prevent inadvertent fuel shutdown. “The pilot lightly pushed the left fuel control switch to check if its lock feature was working and found it was not because the switch moved though it was not lifted first,” the source said. It again failed to lock the second time. But the third time the switch stayed locked and did not move without lifting. The aircraft departed at 9.40pm for Bengaluru, where it is currently grounded. The London incident brings back to fore the unresolved question around switch design, its locking integrity and the possibility of inadvertent activation, said sources. A senior commander said: “The London incident directly challenges the assumption that fuel switch movement in the Air India crash was manual. Until now, the cut-off transition was treated as near-conclusive evidence of pilot action. The London event shows that uncommanded switch behaviour, through mechanical detent failure, signal corruption or other causes, is a credible failure mode. That places the DGCA’s earlier claim of fleet clearance under scrutiny, as a defect appearing months later suggests inspections may have been visual, non-diagnostic, or incomplete. For AAIB, the implication is clear: fuel cutoff can no longer be equated with intent, the probe must widen to fleet-level and component analysis.”

Stock market today (AI image)

Stock market today LIVE after India-US trade deal: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex soared in opening trade on Tuesday, reacting positively to the India-US trade deal announcement by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Nifty50 went above 25,800, BSE Sensex surged over 2,300 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 25,811.40, up 723 points or 2.88%. BSE Sensex was at 83,970.33, up 2,304 points or 2.82%.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited said, “The dramatic announcement of the long-awaited US-India trade deal and the US decision to cut tariffs on India from 50% to 18% is a game changer for the Indian economy and stock markets. The deal getting delayed was the single important factor that was weighing on the markets. The impact of the deal will be manifold: One, India’s growth rate will rise to around 7.5% in FY27 assisted by higher exports to the US. Two, corporate earnings already showing signs of revival in FY 27 can accelerate to around 16 to 18%. Three, rupee will strengthen sharply. The combination of the US-India trade deal, the EU-India trade deal and the growth-oriented Budget will boost the market sentiments and the animal spirits in the economy. The stock market, anticipating and discounting these developments will boom. Technically, the market which is hugely short, will witness short-covering adding fuel to the rally. The rally will be widespread across market caps; but the largecaps which are fairly valued have the potential to outperform aided by FII inflows. The FII favourites in largecaps like the banking leaders, non-banking financials and other bluechips in telecom, capital goods and IT, will surge. Textile stocks will be on special focus. This is going to be the beginning of a boom in the Indian stock markets taking it to new records.”Meanwhile, US stocks finished higher on Monday. Gains were led by artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks, while small-cap shares outperformed the broader market. The Russell 2000 advanced about 1 percent, extending its lead over the S&P 500 and Nasdaq so far in 2026.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)