September 9, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Iran targets Jordan base as Washington strikes tankers

September 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: The US has destroyed multiple Iranian oil tankers after Iran attempted to strike a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles, triggering a fresh escalation across the Gulf and pushing oil prices close to USD 100 a barrel.

US Central Command said American forces struck the tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near Iran’s Kharg Island. The crews were directed to abandon the vessels before the strikes.

Centcom said the action followed two ballistic missile attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against a US Navy warship over the past two days. The warship evaded both attacks and continued its patrol, while no American personnel were injured, according to guardian.com.

Iran responded by targeting a US military base in Jordan. Jordanian authorities said air-defence systems intercepted 18 of 20 ballistic missiles launched from Iranian territory. The remaining two missiles fell in unpopulated areas, with no casualties reported.

The IRGC also said it attacked two US vessels and eight oil tankers in the Gulf. It had earlier warned oil tanker crews near ports in Kuwait and Bahrain to leave their vessels.

The renewed exchanges came after a month of relative calm in August. The escalation has also affected oil markets, with prices moving close to USD 100 a barrel in early Asian trading on Wednesday.

The regional situation widened further after Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen attacked four cities in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. More than 70 people were wounded, and oil facilities were set ablaze, according to the report.

Saudi Arabia said it would retaliate after strikes involving dozens of drones and missiles targeted oil facilities in the country’s south.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would respond to Iranian attacks on US naval vessels. He indicated that further tanker strikes could follow if Iran continued targeting American warships.

The escalation followed an earlier incident involving a US underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claimed it had seized the drone, while a US Navy spokesperson said the submersible was defective and an older model that carried no sensitive data or classified sonar or radar equipment.

Iran has maintained a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since the war began more than six months ago. The waterway normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments.

The widening conflict has also prompted diplomatic and security discussions among regional and international powers. In Paris, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed cooperation on security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

South Korea has also sent an inspection team to the UAE to assess the security situation. Seoul said the mission was intended to gather information and did not mean that a decision had been taken to deploy troops.

South Korea also denied reports that the United States had set a deadline for Seoul to send military assets to the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest escalation comes as US President Donald Trump continues to face difficulty in ending the war, which has already claimed the lives of 18 US service members.

Indian contingent gets grand send-off ahead of Asian Games 2026

September 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: The Indian contingent for the Asian Games 2026 received a grand send-off in New Delhi on Tuesday in the presence of Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

Mandaviya, along with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Dr P.T. Usha, Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao and Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav, unveiled the official contingent jersey ahead of the Games, according to an official statement.

The event was attended by athletes and support staff who will represent India at the Asian Games in Japan.

Addressing the athletes, Mandaviya urged them to convert pressure into performance, view opponents as opportunities, and turn those opportunities into achievements.

He expressed confidence that the Indian contingent would perform well at the Asian Games and enhance the country’s pride.

Mandaviya said sports success was not limited to individual athletes and that an athlete’s success was also a matter of national pride. He said the 503-member Indian contingent was going to the Asian Games with the expectation of delivering a strong performance.

Highlighting the emergence of young talent, the minister said more than 300 of the 503 athletes in the contingent would be first-time Asian Games participants. He said this reflected the growing depth and bench strength of Indian sport.

Mandaviya also highlighted India’s performance at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. He said the government had ensured transparent and merit-based selection through open trials, independent observers and camera monitoring.

He noted that India had won 13 gold medals at the last Commonwealth Games and said the country’s tally had improved by more than 35 per cent this time. He wished the athletes and support staff success at the Asian Games.

The minister also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Indian sports and said the government had opened new pathways for athletes to compete and excel on the global stage.

Mandaviya said India’s target was to be firmly established on the world stage by 2036, when the country aims to host the Olympics. He described this as a 10-year plan and said more than Rs 36,000 crore had been allocated to improve sports infrastructure.

IOA President Usha said a sporting journey should be measured not only by medals but also by dreams. She said the athletes were travelling as representatives of India, making their participation both a responsibility and a privilege.

Usha also thanked Modi and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for their continued support for Indian sport.

The Asian Games 2026 will see the Indian contingent compete across multiple sporting disciplines in Japan. The 503-member contingent includes athletes and support staff, with more than 300 athletes set to make their first appearance at the Asian Games.

RPEL, TRL Krosaki to set up Rs 100 crore silica ramming mass plant in Odisha

September 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Raghav Productivity Enhancers Ltd. (RPEL) and TRL Krosaki Refractories Ltd. will establish a 350,000 Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) silica ramming mass manufacturing facility in Odisha with an initial investment of approximately Rs 100 crore.

The strategic joint venture is aimed at strengthening RPEL’s manufacturing presence in East India and creating a more efficient supply network closer to key consumption centres, RPEL said in a release.

The partnership will combine RPEL’s patented manufacturing technology, established market presence, and research and development capabilities with TRL Krosaki’s regional strength, quartzite resources in Odisha, and global refractory expertise.

TRL Krosaki is backed by Krosaki Harima Corporation, Japan, and Nippon Steel Corporation, Japan. RPEL has an existing group manufacturing capacity of 534,000 MTPA and a presence across 26 states in India and more than 40 countries.

RPEL Chairman Sanjay Kabra said the partnership marked an important milestone in the company’s growth journey and its transition towards a multi-location manufacturing platform.

He said combining RPEL’s technology and market capabilities with TRL Krosaki’s raw material resources, regional presence and global industry expertise would create a strong platform for sustainable growth.

Kabra said the partnership would also take RPEL closer to its ambition of reaching 1 million MTPA capacity and approximately 30% domestic market share, while reinforcing its focus on quality and cost leadership.

A key strategic advantage of the joint venture will be long-term, exclusive access to quartzite from TRL Krosaki’s mines. This will help ensure raw material security and consistent product quality.

RPEL will receive a royalty for the use of its patented manufacturing technology.

The strategic location of the facility will bring RPEL closer to key consumption centres in East India. This is expected to enable shorter delivery timelines, greater supply-chain efficiency and lower landed costs for customers.

TRL Krosaki Refractories Managing Director Prasant Kumar Naik said the joint venture marked an important strategic milestone for the company. He said it would enable TRL Krosaki to unlock greater value from its mineral resources and create new avenues for growth.

Naik said the partnership with RPEL would bring together complementary strengths in technology, manufacturing and raw-material access, strengthening TRL Krosaki’s position in the silica ramming mass market.

He added that the project would support industrial development in Jharsuguda and the surrounding region by creating employment, supporting local enterprises and contributing to long-term economic growth.

The Odisha facility will strengthen RPEL’s manufacturing and supply-chain capabilities while creating a platform for deeper penetration into East India.

The joint venture will also serve as a strategic building block for RPEL’s broader ambition to scale its manufacturing footprint to 1 million MTPA and strengthen its leadership in the silica ramming mass industry.

Raghav Productivity Enhancers Ltd. describes itself as the world’s largest manufacturer of silica ramming mass. The company has a group manufacturing capacity of 534,000 MTPA and serves customers across 26 states in India and more than 40 countries.

RPEL has pioneered fully automated silica ramming mass manufacturing using proprietary and patented technology and has capabilities in product innovation and research and development. The company is listed on the BSE under 539837 and on the NSE as RPEL.

TRL Krosaki Refractories Ltd. is a leading Indian refractory manufacturer producing various refractory products. It was originally started as a subsidiary of Tata Steel in 1958 and is now a subsidiary of Krosaki Harima Corporation, Japan, and a step-down subsidiary of Nippon Steel Corporation.

TRL Krosaki operates one of the largest quartzite mines in India. Krosaki Harima Corporation is a global leader in refractory manufacturing technology and manages a global network of 20 manufacturing units across Asia, Europe, and North America. Nippon Steel Corporation is the third-largest steel producer globally.

Odisha CM Majhi begins UAE investment outreach in Abu Dhabi

September 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, marking the beginning of Odisha’s high-level investment outreach in the UAE.

The principal engagement programme is scheduled from September 9 to 11, with the delegation scheduled to return to India on September 12. The visit aims to deepen Odisha’s economic engagement with the UAE and build partnerships in investment, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy and emerging industries.

Majhi is leading a high-level delegation comprising Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Chief Secretary Anu Garg and senior officials of the Industries Department and IPICOL.

The delegation was received in Abu Dhabi by Industries Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma, along with UAE-based officials and representatives. Representatives of the Embassy of India in the UAE also welcomed the delegation.

After his arrival, CM Majhi reviewed preparations for the high-level business and investor engagements scheduled during the Abu Dhabi leg of the visit.

He took stock of arrangements for interactions with UAE-based investors, institutions and business leaders, with an emphasis on focused and outcome-oriented engagements.

During the day, the CM also met the ambassador of India to the UAE. They discussed the deepening of India-UAE relations and opportunities for stronger economic and people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

Majhi emphasised the importance of continued support, facilitation and ease of living for Odias working and residing in the region. He also recognised their contribution as an important bridge between Odisha and the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi programme will bring the Odisha delegation into direct engagement with leading UAE institutions, investors and business groups. The engagements are aimed at identifying specific opportunities for partnerships, technology collaboration and long-term industrial participation in Odisha.

The UAE outreach comes at a significant phase in Odisha’s industrial transformation. During the visit, the CM will highlight Odisha’s natural resources, industrial infrastructure, ports, competitive power availability, skilled manpower and access to large Indian and international markets.

Speaking ahead of the investor engagements, Majhi said Odisha has entered a new phase of industrial growth and that engagement with the UAE is an important part of this journey.

He said the State’s objective was not only to invite investment but also to build long-term partnerships based on trust, technology, value creation and employment. He described the UAE as an important global economic partner and said Odisha looked forward to strengthening the Odisha-UAE relationship through concrete investment and industrial opportunities.

The CM further emphasised that the State government’s focus is on converting investment interest into projects on the ground, creating employment and strengthening Odisha’s position as a competitive destination for global businesses. The first full day of Odisha’s UAE investment outreach will begin on September 9 in Abu Dhabi with a series of high-level engagements involving UAE institutions, investors and business leaders.

The programme will include interactions with International Holding Company and its business verticals, the Indian Business and Professional Group, the UAE minister of investment, and senior investment stakeholders.

The programme will also include a focused engagement in the petrochemicals and chemicals sector.

The meetings will provide a platform to discuss specific investment opportunities, industrial partnerships, technology collaboration and avenues for strengthening Odisha-UAE economic ties.

The outreach marks a key step in the government of Odisha’s efforts to build a sustained economic partnership with the UAE and the wider MENA region. The focus is on translating investor interest into concrete outcomes for industrial growth, employment generation and long-term economic value for the State.

With high-level business and institutional engagements scheduled from September 9, Odisha will look to deepen partnerships and explore fresh opportunities for investment, technology, trade and industrial collaboration with the UAE.