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Govt Committed To Promoting Innovation In Critical Minerals Field: MoS
New Delhi: As part of the strategic effort to achieve self-reliance in critical minerals, Minister of State for Coal Satish Chandra Dubey said on Wednesday that the government is committed to promoting innovation in the sector. The minister made this statement at the inauguration of a new Research & Innovation Centre in Noida, set up by the Uttar Pradesh-based critical minerals producer Lohum.
“The Government is committed to promoting innovation in the field of critical minerals, and this new research center is a commendable step in that direction. It will play a pivotal role in accelerating India’s transition towards mineral independence and sustainable energy,” said the Minister.
At the facility, the company’s scientists are conducting advanced research on 15 of the 27 critical minerals identified by the Government of India, including cobalt, nickel, lithium, graphite, aluminium, copper, and rare earth elements, a release from the company said.
In alignment with the government’s National Critical Mineral Mission the innovation centre aims to advance research and innovation in a value chain vital for the country’s economy, energy security, and technological leadership, it added. The centre includes various laboratories specialising in rare earth elements, magnets, batteries, cathode active materials, membranes, coin cells, carbon, nickel-lithium-cobalt etc.
Lohum invests 5 per cent of its annual revenue and 10 per cent of its workforce in R&D, the company said. A team of over 100 scientists is expanding knowledge frontiers and delivering market-ready solutions for a circular economy of critical minerals, it added.
“This expanded, upgraded, and cutting-edge Research & Innovation Center is the new engine for Lohum’s vision of building world-class capabilities in critical minerals manufacturing. We are proud to contribute to India’s journey of becoming a global technology leader, as this technology leadership begins with intensive R&D in critical minerals,” said Rajat Verma, Founder & CEO of Lohum. On Tuesday, the coal ministry informed the Parliament that the curbs imposed by China on key rare earth magnets are impacting the Indian industries, including electric vehicle manufacturers
Crude rose back above $100 a barrel as the US and Iran clashed over bringing the conflict to an end.
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President Donald Trump said he’s considering sending the National Guard to U.S. airports, two days after the administration deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to several major U.S. airports following hourslong waits for travelers because of the partial government shutdown.
In a Truth Social post Wednesday, Trump blamed Democrats for the shutdown, which began Feb. 14.
“Thank you to our great ICE Patriots for helping. It makes a big difference,” he wrote in his post. “I may call up the National Guard for more help.”
Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Elijah Nouvelage | Bloomberg | Getty Images
More than 11% of TSA officers called out on Wednesday and over 450 have quit since the shutdown started, the Department of Homeland Security said.
Elevated absences of Transportation Security Administration officers, who are required to work though they’re not getting paid during the shutdown, have contributed to long lines at major U.S. airports, including in Atlanta, Houston and New York.
The DHS, which oversees both ICE and and the TSA, said the ICE agents will “support airports facing the greatest strain” but the department didn’t respond to requests for comment on what the ICE agents’ duties are. ICE agents are getting paid in the shutdown.
Airlines have been warning customers about potentially long security lines, while executives grow increasingly frustrated with lawmakers about the impasse. On Tuesday, Delta Air Lines said it suspended its airport escorts and other special services for members of Congress and their staff because of the ongoing partial shutdown of the DHS.
The shutdown comes as Democrats in Congress have demanded changes to how federal immigration enforcement operates in exchange for releasing DHS funding after two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis.
Low-income families are being offered help with the cost of food during the Easter holidays.
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Oil prices volatile as Trump talks up Iran negotiations
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