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Business Standard
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Rare earth magnet crisis: India's auto sector to head to Beijing for talks
Indian auto leaders to meet Chinese officials next week, aiming to resolve rare earth magnet export delays that threaten electric vehicle production and supply chain stability New Delhi The Indian automotive sector is gearing up to send a high-level delegation to China next week to tackle mounting concerns around delayed imports of rare earth magnets, according to a report in The Economic Times. The delay stems from China's new export restrictions on rare earth materials, which took effect on April 4. These regulations have introduced procedural hurdles, causing significant shipment bottlenecks for Indian manufacturers, the news report said. Several shipments of rare earth magnets — vital components used in electric motors and other automotive parts — are reportedly stranded at Chinese ports. This disruption has sparked worries about potential production halts as early as the first week of June. Joint industry delegation to engage Chinese officials A joint delegation comprising representatives from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) and the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (Acma) is set to meet with senior Chinese government officials. Their goal is to accelerate the approval process and restore the steady flow of these critical imports, the news report said. At the same time, India's commerce and external affairs ministries are collaborating closely with the Indian embassy in Beijing to facilitate these high-level discussions. China remains the dominant player in the rare earth supply chain, accounting for around 70-80 per cent of global rare earth processing and over 90 per cent of rare earth magnet production. This makes Indian automakers and component manufacturers heavily reliant on Chinese imports. Industry experts warn that any further delay could have severe repercussions on vehicle production, especially in the fast-growing electric mobility segment, the news report said. Urgent calls for government intervention With inventories rapidly depleting, Siam and Acma have been working closely with India's commerce ministry. As reported by Reuters on May 29, Siam alerted government officials that component makers' stocks could run out by the end of May. They urged urgent intervention at the highest level, including from the Prime Minister's Office. The upcoming delegation to China will reportedly include representatives from leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and component suppliers, particularly those specialising in motor manufacturing. Ministry plans meeting to boost production Amid tightening supplies of rare earth magnets from China, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has scheduled a meeting with key stakeholders on June 3 to finalise a concept note aimed at encouraging domestic manufacturing of these magnets. The proposed plan will include targeted financial incentives for companies entering this space, promote a public-private partnership framework to establish rare earth metal processing and magnet production facilities within India, and focus on identifying and partnering with alternative international suppliers to lessen the country's heavy reliance on China. The initiative follows a recent meeting held on Wednesday between senior ministry officials and representatives from the automotive industry. During the discussion, industry participants raised concerns over rapidly depleting inventories of rare earth magnets. Many warned that if imports from China are not restored promptly, several factories — including those producing electric vehicles and traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles — may be forced to shut down.
The Guardian
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Kyle & Jackie O Show breached decency standards with ‘vulgar' sexual content, Acma finds
The Kyle & Jackie O Show has once again breached decency rules by broadcasting explicit sexual content on their KISS breakfast show, but ARN Media has pushed back saying the material is suitable for its 'broad-minded adult demographic'. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma) found two segments, on Melbourne's KISS 1011 and Sydney's KISS 1065 in June 2024, included 'sustained and vulgar graphic sexualised descriptions' which were a breach of broadcasting standards. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The segments were aired despite the broadcaster employing two censors as a result of earlier enforcement action by the regulator. The top-rating breakfast show, which claims an audience of more than 1.5 million, was ordered to employ a second censor in 2023, and provide sensitivity training to Sandilands, after the shock jock described watching the Tokyo Paralympics as 'horrific'. That same year, Sandilands and his co-host, Jackie Henderson, signed a 10-year deal with KIIS FM's owner, ARN Media, worth an estimated $200m. Acma investigated the recent segments after a Melbourne listener to KIIS 1011 complained. 'I was sitting in my car at 6am at the time this breakfast show started,' the listener said in their complaint. 'In the first ten minutes they mentioned (and these were the exact words) 'sucking cock' 'licking vagina' and 'eating each other out'.' In its defence, the licensee, ARN, told Acma its audience would not be offended, echoing earlier comments to Guardian Australia that 'listening to Kylie & Jackie O is a choice millions of Australians make'. 'The core audience of the Program is a broad-minded adult demographic,' the licensee told Acma. 'The style and format of the program is intended to include robust, uninhibited, real life comedic discussions, and this does include sexual references and descriptions of sexual activities.' The Acma chair, Nerida O'Loughlin, disagreed and found the segments would be considered offensive to any reasonable person listening to the broadcast and were not in line with broader community standards. 'This content went beyond the bounds of decency expected by the community and was done so deliberately and provocatively,' O'Loughlin said. 'Even having two program censors employed by the broadcaster in place following previous Acma enforcement action, this has not stopped occurrences of unsuitable content going to air,' O'Loughlin said. The Melbourne station, KISS 1011, has also been found to have breached the code for not responding to a listener complaint within 30 days. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The co-regulatory broadcasting system relies on broadcasters responding to complaints from listeners, who can follow up with Acma if they are not satisfied. 'Failing to respond to complaints in the required timeframe undermines the effectiveness of the co-regulatory system,' O'Loughlin said. Under the legislation, the Acma does not have the power to issue civil penalties or fines for breaches of the commercial broadcaster codes. However the watchdog will consider enforcement action, such as additional licence conditions, after two further investigations into the program are completed. The regulator launched three investigations into the program between 2019 and 2023, which all resulted in the finding of a breach. Just one resulted in an enforceable action. In 2022 Sandilands apologised for 'using filthy language and some derogatory archaic terms' but added: 'I'm never going to change. I'm still not changing [for] the woke world.' An ARN spokesperson said the show's loyal audience have an 'awareness and expectation of the content' they will hear. 'We understand that the Kyle and Jackie O show is not for everyone. But ultimately, it is their candid and light-hearted style that has proved popular for decades,' they said in a statement. The spokesperson said the company 'respects' the role of Acma and it would continue to engage with the watchdog on the process, 'including any enforceable undertakings that follow its findings'.
The Guardian
10-02-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Streaming giant broadcast ads for offshore gambling company during A-League match
Streaming giant Paramount+ broadcast ads for an offshore gambling company known for its bikini-clad croupiers during an A-League match last week in a potential breach of advertising rules. Ads for the gambling company 8Xbet were digitally imposed on the sidelines of a match between Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar in New Zealand on Thursday. The ads were broadcast in Australia and New Zealand and may result in hefty fines or court action from national media regulators, which enforce blanket bans on offshore gambling ads. A Paramount+ spokesperson blamed the error on an external advertising agency and said it was urgently working to ensure it did not happen again. 'Paramount+ inadvertently broadcast some inserted virtual advertisements during the Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar match live from New Zealand on Thursday, February 6, due to the international feed being provided, rather than the Australian feed,' a Paramount spokesperson said. 'This feed is provided by a third party and Paramount+ is working urgently with the supplier now to ensure this does not happen again.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The breach of advertising rules was detected by the Australian Professional Leagues during the first half of the game and technicians worked to temporarily remove it. But the ads returned in the second half due to another technical error. The A-League's virtual advertising partner flew to New Zealand on Monday to further investigate the technical issues and ensure the error is not repeated at the next Wellington Phoenix game. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma), which regulates advertising during live sport games, has sought additional information from Paramount+ to consider whether action should be taken. 'In the event that the Acma investigates a matter and finds a contravention, it has a range of enforcement actions including issuing a formal warning or an infringement notice, accepting an enforceable undertaking or giving a written direction,' an Acma spokesperson said. 'The Acma can also apply to the federal court for a civil penalty order.' As part of a commercial deal, Australian Professional Leagues has digitally imposed ads for the 8Xbet on to international broadcasts of A-League matches. The deal does not allow the ads to be broadcast in Australia, New Zealand, the US or the UK. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 8Xbet websites available to gamblers in south-east Asia, seen by Guardian Australia, feature croupiers in bikinis alongside roulette wheels and behind card tables. The digitally imposed ads, which cannot be seen by fans inside the stadium, have previously featured during matches played by clubs that have vowed to never accept money from gambling companies and complained about the proliferation of ads during live sport. In 2021, Melbourne Victory announced it would refuse to take any money from gambling companies or promote their brands. It supported a New South Wales Office of Responsible Gambling plan to break gambling's close association with sport and to raise awareness of gambling-related harm. Ads for 8Xbet have been digitally imposed on Melbourne Victory home games overseas as part of the commercial deal. The Australian Professional Leagues' association with 8Xbet was criticised by the Alliance for Gambling Reform's chief executive, Carol Bennett, who accused the A-Leagues of 'selling out' to offshore gambling. 'Allowing themselves to be used by gambling companies to attract more losers is very disappointing, especially at a time when soccer is well positioned to increase its reach and engagement,' Bennett said. 8Xbet was also contacted. In Australia, Gambling Help Online is available on 1800 858 858. The National Debt Helpline is at 1800 007 007. In the UK, support for problem gambling can be found via the NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic on 020 7381 7722, or GamCare on 0808 8020 133. In the US, call the National Council on Problem Gambling at 800-GAMBLER or text 800GAM
