Welfare Trust set up for Air India crash victims
The funds would be used in administering medical treatment of those who suffered serious injuries, and also rebuilding the B.J. Medical College Hostel's infrastructure which was damaged in the air crash.
A total of 260 people were killed in the plane crash which took place in Ahmedabad city of the western state of Gujarat. The London-bound flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, had crashed a few moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.
A preliminary probe revealed that the ill-fated aircraft's fuel-control switches were found moved from the "run" to the "cut-off" position. The final report was awaited.
"The Trust will provide both immediate and continuing support to the dependents or next of kin of the deceased, to those injured, and to all others who are directly or collaterally affected by the accident," the Tata Group said in a statement.
The Trust's philanthropic objects will also include ex-gratia payment of 10 million Indian Rupees (around 116,144 dollars) for each of the deceased's families, medical treatment of those who suffered serious injuries, and support for rebuilding the hostel infrastructure which was damaged in the accident.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
News Analysis: Britain's job market sliding under rising labor cost, U.S. tariff threat
LONDON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Britain's job market continues to show clear signs of weakening, with unemployment rising and recruitment stagnating amid escalating labor costs and external economic pressures. Experts have warned that uncertainty stemming from U.S. tariffs is further exacerbating the situation. Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday revealed that the country's unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over stood at 4.7 percent during the March-May period of 2025. This marks a notable increase both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, pushing the rate to its highest level in nearly four years. The ONS figures also showed job vacancies climbing to new highs, indicating that despite a growing number of unemployed individuals, businesses are still struggling to fill positions. "The government's tax rises, a higher minimum wage and the U.S. trade war are hitting the jobs market," Financial Times reported. David Bharier, head of research at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), told Xinhua that steep increases in national insurance contributions and the national living wage weigh heavily on the latest employment data. "BCC research shows that recruitment remains challenging, and businesses cite labor costs as the biggest pressure," Bharier said. "This mounting financial pressure, alongside pervasive skills shortages, remains a massive challenge for business, presenting big risks to investment and productivity." According to Bharier, the BCC's most recent economic forecast suggests hiring will remain subdued and the unemployment rate is expected to stay largely static. "We currently forecast a rate of 4.6 percent at the end of 2027," he said. Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), stressed that the latest trends paint a worrying picture for Britain's small business sector. "New FSB research has found that twice as many small businesses shed staff in the second quarter of 2025-20 percent-than increased their employee numbers," she said. For the first time in the 15-year history of the FSB's quarterly Small Business Index, more small businesses expect to shrink or close over the next 12 months than those that expect to expand. "That's more than alarming for the economy and for communities across Britain where these hard-working businesses operate," she said, noting that small businesses currently provide more than 16 million jobs in Britain-over half of all private sector employment. Experts also believe the ongoing threat of U.S. tariffs is contributing to the negative data and will continue to influence Britain's job market and economy in the long term, despite the existence of a trade agreement. William Bain, head of policy at the BCC, said their April survey revealed that 62 percent of firms exporting to the U.S. had been affected by rising costs and order book pressures caused by higher U.S. tariffs, a sentiment that aligns with the rising unemployment figures reported by the ONS. David Bailey, professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham, noted that U.S. tariffs are impacting Britain's export-driven sectors and, in turn, the job market. "Even though Britain has got this deal with Trump on tariffs, the tariffs are still going up from 2.5 percent to 10 percent. It may not be 25 percent, but it's still going to affect exports from Britain and therefore hit economic growth," Bailey said, adding that this uncertainty for British firms, combined with the government's "mistake" of raising national insurance contributions alongside the higher minimum wage, has contributed to the sluggish employment situation.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Roundup: News photography exhibition featuring China-Mexico exchanges kicks off in Mexico City
MEXICO CITY, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A news photo exhibition, co-organized by Xinhua News Agency and the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, kicked off here on Friday. The event, held in the Mexican Chamber of Deputies and attended by more than 100 guests from various sectors in Mexico, highlighted key moments in China-Mexico and China-Latin America exchanges, providing a panoramic view of the development of China-Latin America relations and the historical milestones in the process of Chinese modernization. In his speech, President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mexico over half a century ago, especially since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, political mutual trust between the two countries has deepened, and friendly exchanges in various fields have been strengthened. The tree of friendship between China and Mexico has flourished, bearing rich fruit and bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries, he said. As the two countries move forward together, Xinhua News Agency and its Mexican branches have faithfully recorded touching stories of friendly exchanges and win-win cooperation between China and Mexico with pens and lenses, presenting to the world the profound friendship of the people of the two countries who understand each other and stand together through thick and thin, he added. Dolores Padierna, vice president of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, said this exhibition, through the lenses of Xinhua journalists, showcases the rapid development of China's society and economy and the vitality of Chinese culture on the global stage. The images not only document the practice of the one-China principle, but also present the genuine interaction of mutual appreciation between the two major civilizations of Mexico and China, said Padierna. As an important witness and participant in the bilateral exchanges, Xinhua has played an active role in promoting cooperation and people-to-people bonds between the two countries, she added. Chen Daojiang, Chinese Ambassador to Mexico, said that the vastness of the Pacific Ocean has never hindered the communication between the people of China and Mexico. These photos are the witnesses of political mutual trust, the footnote of economic complementarity, the outcome of cultural integration, and above all, the most direct and touching expressions of people-to-people friendship, the ambassador noted. They are like mirrors, reflecting the historical development of the bilateral relations, Chen added. Lidia de la Vega, president of the Culture and Film Commission of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, said Mexico and China have enjoyed longstanding friendship and adhered to mutual respect and open dialogue. The exhibition has built a "visual bridge" for the two countries, which will help deepen the understanding, cooperation and friendship between the two sides, she said. Raymundo Vazquez, president of the Mexico-China Friendship Group of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, believes that the photographs record touching moments and life experiences in human history, which show vivid stories of the friendly exchanges between Mexico and China, and reflect the shared feelings and friendship of the human society.
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
China's rare earth magnet exports to US surge 660% in June
BEIJING: China's exports of rare earth magnets to the United States skyrocketed in June, surging more than six times compared to May. The rebound follows a trade agreement between the two nations, easing restrictions on critical minerals essential for electric vehicles and wind turbines. Customs data released on Sunday revealed shipments to the US surged to 353 metric tons in June, a 660% increase from the previous month. The recovery comes after negotiations in June resolved trade disputes, including Nvidia's plan to resume sales of its H20 AI chips to China. China, responsible for over 90% of global rare earth magnet supply, had imposed export restrictions in April in response to US tariffs. The move led to severe shortages, disrupting supply chains and forcing some automakers outside China to halt production temporarily. Total exports of rare earth permanent magnets in June reached 3,188 tons, a 157.5% rise from May. However, the figure remains 38.1% lower than June 2024 levels. Analysts expect further recovery in July as more exporters secure necessary licenses. In the first half of 2025, China's rare earth magnet exports fell 18.9% year-on-year to 22,319 tons. - Reuters
