Latest news with #Gujarat
Russia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Russia Today
India has significant rare earth reserves
India has about 7.23 million tonnes (MT) of rare earth elements, Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh told the lower house of the Indian parliament on Wednesday. Another 1.29 MT of rare earths are situated in hard rocks in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, Singh wrote in a reply to a parliamentary question, according to the Indo Asian News Service (IANS). Rare earths are used in areas such as defense, electronics, and batteries in electric vehicles. India's Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research is exploring and augmenting rare earth minerals in coastal sands, riverine areas, and hard rock terrains, IANS added. The Geological Survey of India has identified 482.6 MT of rare earth element ore resources across 34 projects, Singh said. Although the South Asian nation possesses the world's third-largest reserves of rare earths, less than 20% has been explored so far. Earlier this month India launched a $156 million subsidy scheme to boost domestic production of rare earth magnets. The proposed scheme aims to support both private companies and public sector enterprises by providing incentives to establish domestic capacity across the entire value chain. New Delhi has stepped up its efforts to make the magnets after Beijing announced export restrictions in April. China presently dominates the global market, accounting for around 60% of the world's supply of rare earth magnets. Under China's revised rules, its exporters are required to secure licenses and submit end-use declarations that confirm that materials will not be used in the defense industry or be re-exported to the US. In light of the restrictions, the Indian Foreign Ministry is proactively working with key stakeholders to address the difficulties caused by certain countries' export restrictions on rare earth magnets, Singh added.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Some Air India victims' families in U.K. were sent wrong remains, lawyer says
A crane lifts the tail of the Air India plane, which crashed on Thursday, from the roof of a building in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) Authorities in India sent the wrong remains to some British families whose loved ones were killed in a plane crash last month, their lawyer has claimed, as relatives reckoned with the human cost of the world's deadliest aviation accident in a decade. At least two U.K. nationals were discovered to have been misidentified after they were repatriated, according to James Healy-Pratt, an international aviation lawyer who is representing some of the British relatives of victims. In one case, a coroner in London discovered that the DNA of several bodies had been co-mingled in one of the caskets, Healy-Pratt told U.K. news agency PA Media. Dr Fiona Shaw 'picked up DNA anomalies' when the bodies were first repatriated, Healy-Pratt said. 'My understanding was that the co-mingling was at the very beginning, which alerted Dr Wilcox to the fact that she had to be 100% assiduous about checking the identification of the incoming remains,' the lawyer added. 'She was then able to determine that one particular loved one was not at all who the family thought they were,' said Healy-Pratt. All but one of 242 passengers and crew members were killed on June 12, after an Air India jet lost momentum and hurtled into a densely populated neighborhood in Ahmedabad, western India. The London-bound aircraft had barely left the runway of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport before it spun out of control and nosedived into the BJ Medical College and Hospital hostel – also killing 19 people on the ground. Authorities have not yet released the definitive cause of the crash, but a preliminary report suggested that the fuel control switches in the cockpit of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner had been flipped, depriving the engines of power. In an audio recording from the black box, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why he flipped the switches, according to the assessment by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau published last week. The other pilot responds that he did not. Moments later, the switches were flipped to turn the fuel supply back on. Both engines relit and one began to 'progress to recovery,' but it was too late to halt the plane's tumultuous descent. Of those killed on board, at least 169 were Indian nationals, seven were Portuguese and one was from Canada. The only survivor was Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, one of 53 U.K. passengers that day who told local media that he escaped by clinging onto a small space near the door by his seat. 'Deeply troubled' The relatives of three victims said they were 'deeply troubled' by the revelations on Wednesday, calling on authorities to act with 'care, co-ordination and respect.' 'Recent developments have only confirmed what many feared: that serious mistakes may have been made, and that the dignity and rights of victims and their families were not safeguarded as they should have been,' they said in a statement. The relatives of Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa added that while they are 'confident' they received the 'correct bodies' - they were still 'deeply troubled by what this means for other families who may still be searching for certainty and closure.' 'This isn't just a personal tragedy; it is a collective one.' India's foreign ministry had been 'working closely with the U.K. side from the moment these concerns and issues' were raised, according to a spokesperson. Authorities conducted identification of victims using 'established protocols and technical requirements,' foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X on Wednesday. 'All mortal remains were handled with the utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased,' Jaiswal added. 'We are continuing to work with the U.K. authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue.' The case came on the heels of a meeting in London between India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, as the two nations sign a landmark free trade agreement. Healy-Pratt, who is demanding 'financial justice' for the families, said he believes the allegations will be on the agenda for the talks this week.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Newly sanctioned Indian refiner Nayara skips naphtha export tender award, say sources
NEW DELHI, July 23 (Reuters) - Russia-backed Indian refiner Nayara Energy, sanctioned by the European Union, did not award a spot naphtha export tender after revising its payment terms, three trade sources said on Wednesday. This is the first case of the private refiner skipping the award of a tender since the European bloc released its 18th package of sanctions last week, which included Nayara Energy, part-owned by Rosneft ( opens new tab. Nayara, which operates a 400,000 barrels-per-day refinery in western Gujarat state, had revised the terms and sought advance payment or a letter of credit for sale of the 33,000–35,000 metric ton cargo scheduled for August 14-18 loading. The tender closed on Monday. Nayara did not immediately respond to Reuters' emails seeking comment. A tanker chartered by energy major BP left a port run by Nayara Energy without loading, a sign fresh European Union curbs on Russia are beginning to bite. Nayara has condemned the EU's decision to impose sanctions on the company as "unjust and unilateral".
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Garner by IHG signs its third deal in India
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the leading hotel companies, has signed a franchise agreement for Garner Kutch in Gujarat, marking the brand's third signing in India within months of its IMEA launch. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026, the hotel reinforces IHG's strategy to expand its portfolio in emerging secondary and tertiary markets, where demand for high-quality, world-class accommodations is rapidly increasing. As IHG's newest midscale conversion brand, Garner is designed to offer value-conscious travellers high-quality stays focused on comfort, reliability, and convenience. The brand emphasises relaxed service, flexible spaces, and a locally inspired experience helping guests feel at home while on the road. Garner builds on IHG's strength in the essentials category and is well-positioned to meet India's growing demand for trusted midscale hotels, especially through the franchising model. Located in Kutch, Gujarat's largest district by area, Garner Kutch will be operated by Royal Buildspace LLP, and will be sourced and managed by Rosastays (Rosaoul Hotelco), one of the IHG's preferred third-party operators for Garner in India. Rosastays will also manage and operate Garner Etawah and Garner Kathua, scheduled to open in 2026 and 2027 respectively. The hotel will feature 40 well-appointed rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and spaces for meetings and social gatherings. Set in a rapidly developing region, Garner Kutch will cater to business travellers, professionals, and tourists visiting for both work and leisure. Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: " The rapid uptake of Garner in India—with three signings in quick succession—demonstrates strong owner confidence in our midscale conversion proposition. Kutch's dynamic growth trajectory aligns perfectly with Garner's ability to deliver asset-light, high-return opportunities for partners like Royal Buildspace. Together with Rosastays, we're unlocking India's underserved markets, where demand for trusted brands is accelerating.' 'At Rosastays, our focus is on operational excellence and delivering high-quality, experience-driven stays that align with the evolving expectations of today's travellers. Garner Kutch offers a compelling value proposition for guests seeking dependable, comfortable, and locally relevant hospitality. This marks our third partnership with IHG, under the Garner brand, reinforcing our shared commitment to elevating midscale hospitality in India's high-potential leisure markets through efficient operations, brand consistency, and memorable guest experiences.' shared Deepika Arora, Director, Rosastays. Deepak Chandnani, Partner, Royal Buildspace, added: " Garner's owner-centric model and distinctly different character combined with IHG's global expertise make it the ideal choice for the market in Kutch. We are proud to bring this innovative offering to a market poised for long-term hospitality growth. We look forward to offering a unique and reliable stay experience to travellers visiting this vibrant part of Gujarat." -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Ahmedabad airport receives bomb threat, security force sweeps premises: Indian media
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in the Indian city of Ahmedabad received a bomb threat on Tuesday, July 22. The Crime Branch received a threatening email, ANI reported, citing Sharad Singhal, Joint Commissioner of Police. Security forces conducted a search immediately, and nothing suspicious has been found so far, police added. A spokesperson from the airport said, "Following the receipt of a threatening email on 22 July 2025, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, activated the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee, and the threat was assessed as non-specific." "CISF's Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad conducted comprehensive checks in line with standard security protocols. After a thorough sweep of the premises, no suspicious object or activity was found. Airport operations have continued without disruption," the spokesperson added. On June 29, a similar hoax threat email was received by the Ahmedabad airport, followed by another such threat after nine days. The email mentioned that an IED bomb was hidden in the bathroom pipeline, according to the Indian media. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport came into spotlight last month after the devastating Air India plane crash. The Boeing 787 aircraft crashed moments after taking off from this airport, killing 241 out of 242 passengers onboard, along with additional casualties on the ground.
