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Business Standard
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
China's clampdown on rare earths has prompted India to explore options
It accounts for just 1 to 3 per cent of the total bill of material for an electric vehicle (EV). That's the reason auto companies forked out a mere ₹306 crore on its imports last year. But without this small piece of magical component, auto companies cannot produce and assemble any electric vehicle, be it a car or a two-wheeler. Nor can companies like Apple Inc make hearables like airpods or drone makers their light-weight drones. Not a surprise then that shortage of rare-earth magnets has turned into a national crisis. China, which makes most of the medium and heavy rare-earth magnets for the world and controls its supply chain— imposed restrictions on its exports a couple of months ago. It's more than that for India — China completely stopped the rare-earth supplies to Indian vehicle companies since April 4 and is doing the same in other segments as well. China wants to prevent the dual usage of rare earth, preventing diversion of magnets by any country to strategic defence requirements. Crisis gets deeper In the last few weeks, many government departments have had a series of meetings with stakeholders to find a way out of the imbroglio. In a signal that things were not looking up with respect to rare earth magnet, Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj said last week that electric scooter production had already been cut by half in July. The company may need to close down its EV factory in August, adversely impacting its financials. Siam — the association of auto companies — has already petitioned the government to reduce the customs duty on electric motors by half to 7.5 per cent. While earlier most companies were assembling electric motor in India by installing the imported magnet from China, the only option before them is to import full electric motor from China. Without a duty cut, production cost of vehicles will skyrocket. As for Apple, which started assembling airpods at a new Foxconn plant in Teleganna recently, it was forced to close the factory for two weeks in June as China stopped magnet supplies. The Cupertino-headquartered firm has now got a temporary reprieve by arranging for supplies from Japan. While it is looking at other sources like Uzbekistan to meet the requirement, it has conveyed to the government that this would only increase the cost of production of airpods and make it globally uncompetitive. All about control Experts believe that China can leverage rare earth magnets as a weapon globally, and with India in trade. China controls 90 per cent of the global production of rare earth magnets and more than 70 per cent of rare earth elements which go into the making of magnets. It all started in the 1980s when China identified rare earths as a strategic area of focus—leveraging its low labour costs and rules on environment by building the entire process from mining to extraction and separation of individual rare earth elements. And then it used technology from Japan and the US to make low-cost rare earth magnets at rock bottom price which no one else could match. The countries which dominated the mining and manufacturing of these magnets so far, including the US, Japan and Europe, gradually withdrew unable to compete. For the first time, it used rare earth as a trade weapon way back in 2010. It stopped supplies to Japan for months over a maritime dispute between the two countries. Rising demand Some 15 years later, China is in the game again with rare earth as a trade weapon. Global demand for rare earth magnets is expected to double to 600,000-650,000 by 2035. In India, it could go up four to six times to hit 2,000-3,000 tonnes in the same period. And, China is the best bet. McKinsey, in a study released a few days ago, said that even in 2035, rare earth supply would be 30 per cent lower than the demand. Adams Intelligence says that by 2035, China's own demand for rare earth and magnets will go up so sharply (400,000 tonnes) that it may stop exporting altogether. Japan is a model to look at. After the 2010 episode, it reduced its dependence on China to 60 per cent of its requirement of magnets. This could go down further to 50 per cent this year. According to people in the know, Japan has diversified sources. Two, it is stockpiling-creating an inventory of 18 months of critical rare earths against any potential restrictions. Three, it has an efficient strategy for recycling. Also, it is developing alternate technologies like magnets which do not require heavy rare earths. India action Stakeholders in India are also scouting for solutions. For instance, Ola Electric and TVS are working on powering their two wheelers with ferrite magnets, which are heavier but are being tweaked to provide the same efficiency as a rare earth motor. Ola plans to launch ferrite magnet motor- powered products by the third quarter of FY2026, according to executives. Ather Energy is betting on using light rare earths which are not part of the export control regime and experimenting to ensure they match the same specifications on torque and power. The government has also put together ambitious plans — most of them mid or long-term solutions. The last Budget earmarked ₹18,000 crore under the Critical Mineral Mission for a seven-year band, to make India self-sufficient in the area. In April 2023, the government said that India had the fifth largest rare earth reserves in the world. However, extraction costs make these minerals expensive. Heavy rare earth elements, which go into EVs, are not available in extractable quantities. In a recent interaction with Business Standard, Geologial Survey of India director general Asit Saha, said GSI was working on 100 rare earth projects. Any auction could take around three years. That's a long haul The government has also mooted a plan for a production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for rare earth magnet production – so that Indian companies can get subsidy to neutralise the cost disability against China. But it's hard to match up to China, where the sale price is not even 5 per cent more than the cost of production cost. A new PLI can take months to take off. Tarun Mehta, CEO of Ather Energy, said: 'Even if the price is slightly higher, we will surely prefer to buy from India.'' India is also looking to broaden its supply chain–talks are on with Japan, Australia, the US, Brazil and even Uzbekistan for collaborations and technology transfers. Some companies have also promised to manufacture rare earth magnets in India -Hyderabad based Midwest Advanced funded by the government is one such.
Daily News Egypt
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, France airdrop aid to Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis, global criticism of Israel
Egypt has conducted its first humanitarian airdrop over Gaza in more than six months, delivering aid supplies to the enclave amidst an escalating humanitarian disaster. Eyewitnesses reported that Egyptian aircraft dropped aid over Deir Al-Balah, located in central Gaza, as the territory continues to suffer from daily bombings and mounting civilian casualties. Following Egypt's efforts, France is preparing to launch similar airdrops 'in the coming days' to address the urgent needs of Gaza's civilians. A French diplomatic source confirmed that precautions would be taken to ensure civilian safety, with plans also underway to facilitate overland aid delivery to the region. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the death toll in Gaza has surged to 60,034, with 145,870 injuries reported since the conflict began on 7 October 2023. The past 24 hours alone have seen 113 people killed and 637 injured. Among those fatalities, 1,179 deaths and over 7,957 injuries occurred while civilians attempted to secure vital aid supplies. Hamas condemned Israel for what it described as 'genocidal war crimes,' accusing the Israeli military of massacres that have wiped out entire families, including the Abu Attaya, Siam, Abu Nabhan, and Al-Lahham families. The group also rejected what it termed as a 'brutal escalation' masked as a 'humanitarian truce,' calling for international pressure to halt Israel's actions and hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accountable for the alleged violations. Local Gaza authorities reported that Israel allowed just 87 aid trucks into the region today, with most of the supplies being looted amid ongoing military chaos. 'What entered today does not exceed 87 trucks, most of which were robbed under the protection of Israeli forces,' the government media office stated. At a UN-backed conference in New York focused on the two-state solution, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned that the ongoing war underscores the need for a just and comprehensive settlement in the region. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan reaffirmed the Arab Peace Initiative as the basis for any lasting peace, while France criticized Israel's conduct, accusing it of 'fostering terrorism' and calling for urgent international intervention. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed concern over the situation in Gaza, particularly the reports of starving children. He stated that the US and Israel are 'working together to fix things in Gaza,' and has reportedly ordered a new aid plan to address the humanitarian crisis. Further details on this plan are expected soon. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz labeled the situation in Gaza as 'catastrophic' and called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that the ongoing conflict risks triggering a broader regional war. Jordan's King Abdullah II condemned the politicization of humanitarian aid and urged an end to the war, describing the humanitarian disaster in Gaza as 'beyond words.' The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General confirmed that Gaza has officially reached famine levels, with acute hunger and malnutrition now widespread across the strip. Over 100 people have already died from hunger, and officials warn that the only way to prevent a full-scale catastrophe is to flood Gaza with aid. The Commissioner-General also criticized airdrops as insufficient, stating that while media coverage may be significant, they have no real impact on the ground. In New York, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with counterparts from Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia to discuss the situation in Gaza. The ministers focused on joint Egyptian-Qatari efforts with the United States to secure a ceasefire, release hostages, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and begin preparations for early recovery and reconstruction. An international donor conference in Cairo is also being planned. The meeting underscored the unified Arab position, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing diplomatic and political solutions to regional crises. The ministers pledged continued coordination and joint action to pursue peace, security, and regional stability. As Israel's military operations persist, diplomatic isolation continues to grow. Israel's foreign ministry summoned the Dutch ambassador after the Netherlands barred two far-right Israeli ministers from entering the country, an incident seen as indicative of the increasing international backlash facing the Israeli government.
Mint
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Govt snubs auto lobby as new fuel efficiency draft rejects relaxations for small trucks
New Delhi: India's top energy efficiency agency has snubbed a demand by automakers such as Mahindra and Mahindra and Tata Motors to exclude light commercial vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes from fuel efficiency norms. In a notification released on Monday night, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) issued the latest draft of fuel efficiency norms which will cover heavy, medium and light commercial vehicles, that is N1, N2 and N3 categories of trucks. The proposal included light commercial vehicles despite opposition from several carmakers who argued that the segment caters to a poorer segment of the economy and such norms will put pressure on costs. They have made several representations to the government over the past few months. However, BEE has not budged in its submissions. 'Passenger cars (M1 Category) are regulated under CAFE standards, but LCVs (<3,500 kg GVW) remain unregulated. Regulating LCVs will aid decarbonization and reduce fuel costs for small businesses. Most N1 vehicles have a kerb weight ranging between 1,000-2,000 kg,' BEE said in its notifications. The agency added that extensive deliberations were carried out with stakeholders, including representatives from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), MoRTH (ministry of road transport and highways), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), testing agencies (ARAI, ICAT, NATRIP), and leading think tanks. In financial year 2025, the country saw sales of 582,852 light commercial vehicles, a decline of 2% compared to the year ago period. With 30 days for the industry to respond to the proposal, the auto lobby Siam will have to rush to the government with its recommendations even as it tries to build consensus internally over the issue. Last week, automakers attending a Siam meeting executive council meeting agreed to work on an addendum to a December 2024 submission made to the ministry of power on fuel efficiency norms. As part of the addendum, the automakers are slated to work on possible relaxations for LCVs as well as small cars. 'The agency has come out with the proposal fast and it appears the final draft will have regulations on the LCV category despite opposition from automakers. While automakers are working on their proposal, the agency appears to be of the view that enough time was given for concrete recommendations,' a person aware of the developments said. Queries sent to Mahindra and Mahindra, and Ashok Leyland did not elicit an immediate response. Tata Motors declined to comment on the draft. To be sure, fuel efficiency norms do not apply to individual vehicles, but to a manufacturer's entire fleet. As per the BEE's latest draft proposal for N1 trucks, the average emissions of carbon dioxide for the fleet should be under 115 grams per kilometre under the Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC) testing conditions. But these may be revised after industry inputs, BEE said in its notification. Post submission of comments and any subsequent changes, BEE's submission will go to the MoRTH which will issue the final rules. The fuel efficiency norms are set to come into effect by April 2027. Fuel efficiency norms for commercial vehicles are essential because they have a heavier share in carbon emissions from transportation, despite making up a small part of the total vehicles on roads. In India, for instance, freight vehicles make up about 3% of the total vehicles, but emit about a third of the country's road-related pollutants. Vehicle design norms may not be enough to combat emissions from commercial vehicles, said Gurudas Nulkar, professor and director, Centre for Sustainable Development, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics. 'The condition of roads, condition of vehicles, and the vehicle design have a bearing on the emissions. In the case of heavier vehicles—trucks and buses—emissions are higher when they are stuck in traffic on a low gear. While fuel efficiency norms will make commercial vehicles cleaner when they travel longer distances, there needs to be a focus on policies for such vehicles when they move in urban spaces.' Nulkar also said commercial vehicles are often not maintained as well as passenger cars, making fuel efficiency norms only a part of the solution. 'Vehicles run on the streets, not in labs. Not all vehicles are maintained in the manner that they are tested,' he said. The draft proposal for fuel efficiency norms for commercial vehicles is the latest step in the government's push for cleaner mobility in the country. Earlier this month, the ministry of heavy industries announced guidelines to claim subsidies for purchasing electric trucks under the ₹ 10,900-crore PM E-drive scheme. The scheme, which has a ₹ 500 crore allocation for the zero-emission trucks, aims to reduce carbon emissions on Indian roads by providing demand incentives for about 5,500 electric trucks.
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Health
- Middle East Eye
Gaza death toll tops 60,000 as Israel levels homes in Nuseirat camp
Israel killed dozens of Palestinian children and women in renewed heavy bombing in central Gaza on Tuesday, as the death toll from the ongoing war surpassed 60,000. Fighter jets carried out a series of strikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp, levelling several residential buildings and killing approximately 40 people, including 14 women and 12 children, according to local media reports. The targeted homes were said to belong to the Abu Ataya, Siam and Abu Nabhan families. Emergency teams reported that the scale of destruction has made it difficult to determine an exact death toll. The nearby al-Awda Hospital said that many of the bodies arrived severely dismembered. Local sources stated that three families were effectively wiped out from the civil registry in what they described as a 'massacre'. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters In a separate incident, Israeli forces killed at least 19 Palestinians queuing for food at aid distribution centres. Air strikes also targeted various other locations across the Gaza Strip, including areas previously designated by Israel as 'humanitarian zones'. Al-Mawasi Field Hospital announced that four civilians were killed and 14 others wounded following an Israeli strike in al-Mawasi, an area in southern Gaza labelled a 'safe zone' by Israeli authorities. By midday, the Palestinian health ministry reported that at least 112 people had been killed in the preceding 24 hours, with a further 637 wounded. This has brought the death toll from the Israeli war on Gaza since October 2023 to at least 60,034, including at least 17,000 children. The number of wounded exceeds 145,000, according to the ministry. Starvation and genocide The latest wave of heavy bombardment comes amid growing international scrutiny of Israel's actions in the blockaded Gaza Strip. Israel has faced criticism over the starvation, killing and displacement of the territory's population of more than two million. Two prominent Israeli human rights organisations on Monday accused the Israeli government of committing acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights–Israel (PHRI) each released separate reports, alleging that Israel's conduct in Gaza constitutes genocidal acts and incitement to genocide. 'Worst-case scenario of famine unfolding in Gaza,' declares global hunger monitor Read More » In its report, B'Tselem examined Israel's policies in Gaza and statements made by senior Israeli politicians and military commanders on its goals in the enclave. It led the group to 'the unequivocal conclusion that Israel is taking coordinated action to intentionally destroy Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip'. Meanwhile, PHRI's report presented a detailed legal analysis of Israel's war on Gaza, focusing on the dismantling of Gaza's healthcare system. It stated that Israel's aggression meets the criteria for genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, to which Israel is a signatory. The world's leading hunger monitoring system on Tuesday issued a warning that the 'worst-case scenario of famine' is unfolding in Gaza due to the Israeli-imposed starvation. 'Latest data indicates that famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City,' the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said in a new report. 'Amid relentless conflict, mass displacement, severely restricted humanitarian access, and the collapse of essential services, including healthcare, the crisis has reached an alarming and deadly turning point.' The warning comes as at least 147 Palestinians, including 88 children, have died from starvation since Israel's war on Gaza began.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Gunman kills five in Bangkok before shooting himself
BANGKOK: Rescue workers and police officers examine the scene next to a covered body after a shooting at Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok on July 28, 2025. -- AFP BANGKOK: A gunman killed five people at a market in Thailand's capital Bangkok on Monday, attacking security guards and a merchant before fatally turning the gun on himself, a Thai police official said. The gunman initially killed three security guards, and then a fourth with whom he had a personal quarrel, Siam Bunsom, commander-in-chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau said. 'He reloaded and ran into the market, killing a female merchant and injuring another,' Siam told reporters. In video footage shared by police, a suspect in a white hat and a backpack slung on his chest is seen walking through a parking lot at the Or Tor Kor Market. Duangnapa Yeerunsiri, 38, who was at the market to buy groceries with her boyfriend and sister, was about to leave when she heard the shots ringing out. 'He fired many shots in rapid succession,' she said, referring to the gunman. 'So we ducked down in the car and quickly called the police.' No tourists were killed or injured, said Sanong Saengmani, a police official in Bangkok's Bang Sue district, where the market, which mainly sells agricultural produce, is located. Tourism is a key economic driver in Thailand, Southeast Asia's second largest economy, where growth has been sluggish and such incidents can potentially dampen sentiment. Gun violence and gun ownership are not uncommon in Thailand. In October 2023, a 14-year-old suspect used a modified handgun to kill two people and injure five others at a luxury mall in central Bangkok. A year earlier, a former police officer killed 36 people, including 22 children, in a gun-and-knife attack at a nursery in eastern Thailand. – Reuters
