Latest news with #Chinese-made
Kuwait Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
India, Pakistan drone battles mark new arms race in Asia
Nuclear rivals to invest large sums in drones NEW DELHI: A little after 8:00 pm on May 8, red flares streaked through the night sky over the northern Indian city of Jammu as its air-defense systems opened fire on drones from neighboring Pakistan. The Indian and Pakistani militaries have deployed high-end fighter jets, conventional missiles and artillery during decades of clashes, but the four days of fighting in May marked the first time New Delhi and Islamabad utilized unmanned aerial vehicles at scale against each other. The fighting halted after the US announced it brokered a ceasefire but the South Asian powers, which spent more than $96 billion on defense last year, are now locked in a drones arms race, according to Reuters' interviews with 15 people, including security officials, industry executives and analysts in the two countries. Two of them said they expect increased use of UAVs by the nuclear-armed neighbors because small-scale drone attacks can strike targets without risking personnel or provoking uncontrollable escalation. India plans to invest heavily in local industry and could spend as much as $470 million on UAVs over the next 12 to 24 months, roughly three times pre-conflict levels, said Smit Shah of Drone Federation India, which represents over 550 companies and regularly interacts with the government. The previously unreported forecast, which came as India this month approved roughly $4.6 billion in emergency military procurement funds, was corroborated by two other industry executives. The Indian military plans to use some of that additional funding on combat and surveillance drones, according to two Indian officials familiar with the matter. Defense procurement in India tends to involve years of bureaucratic processes but officials are now calling drone makers in for trials and demonstrations at an unprecedented pace, said Vishal Saxena, a vice president at Indian UAV firm ideaForge Technology The Pakistan Air Force, meanwhile, is pushing to acquire more UAVs as it seeks to avoid risking its high-end aircraft, said a Pakistani source familiar with the matter. Pakistan and India both deployed cutting-edge generation 4.5 fighter jets during the latest clashes but cash-strapped Islamabad only has about 20 high-end Chinese-made J-10 fighters compared to the three dozen Rafales that Delhi can muster. Pakistan is likely to build on existing relationships to intensify collaboration with China and Turkey to advance domestic drone research and production capabilities, said Oishee Majumdar of defense intelligence firm Janes. Islamabad is relying on a collaboration between Pakistan's National Aerospace Science and Technology Park and Turkish defense contractor Baykar that locally assembles the YIHA-III drone, the Pakistani source said, adding a unit could be produced domestically in between two to three days. Pakistan's military declined to respond to Reuters' questions. The Indian defense ministry and Baykar did not return requests for comment. India and Pakistan 'appear to view drone strikes as a way to apply military pressure without immediately provoking large-scale escalation,' said King's College London political scientist Walter Ladwig III. 'UAVs allow leaders to demonstrate resolve, achieve visible effects, and manage domestic expectations — all without exposing expensive aircraft or pilots to danger,' he added. But such skirmishes are not entirely risk-free, and Ladwig noted that countries could also send UAVs to attack contested or densely populated areas where they might not previously have used manned platforms. Drone swarms and vintage guns The fighting in May, which was the fiercest in this century between the neighbors, came after an April 22 militant attack in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists. Delhi blamed the killings on 'terrorists' backed by Islamabad, which denied the charge. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed revenge and Delhi on May 7 launched air strikes on what it described as 'terrorist infrastructure' in Pakistan. The next night, Pakistan sent hordes of drones along a 1,700-kilometer (772-mile) front with India, with between 300 and 400 of them pushing in along 36 locations to probe Indian air defences, Indian officials have said. Pakistan depended on Turkish-origin YIHA-III and Asisguard Songar drones, as well as the Shahpar-II UAV produced domestically by the state-owned Global Industrial & Defense Solutions conglomerate, according to two Pakistani sources. But much of this drone deployment was cut down by Cold War-era Indian anti-aircraft guns that were rigged to modern military radar and communication networks developed by state-run Bharat Electronics, according to two Indian officials. A Pakistan source denied that large numbers of its drones were shot down on May 8, but India did not appear to sustain significant damage from that drone raid. India's use of the anti-aircraft guns, which had not been designed for anti-drone-warfare, turned out to be surprisingly effective, said retired Indian Brig Anshuman Narang, now an UAV expert at Delhi's Centre for Joint Warfare Studies. 'Ten times better than what I'd expected,' he said. India also sent Zionist HAROP, Polish WARMATE and domestically-produced UAVs into Pakistani airspace, according to one Indian and two Pakistan sources. Some of them were also used for precision attacks on what two Indian officials described as military and militant infrastructure. The two Pakistani security sources confirmed that India deployed a large number of the HAROPs - a long-range loitering munition drone manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. Such UAVs, also known as suicide drones, stay over a target before crashing down and detonating on impact. Pakistan set up decoy radars in some areas to draw in the HAROPs, or waited for their flight time to come towards its end, so that they fell below 3,000 feet and could be shot down, a third Pakistani source said. Both sides claim to have notched victories in their use of UAVs. India successfully targeted infrastructure within Pakistan with minimal risk to personnel or major platforms, said KCL's Ladwig. For Pakistan's military, which claimed to have struck Indian defense facilities with UAVs, drone attacks allow it to signal action while drawing less international scrutiny than conventional methods, he noted. Cheap but with Achilles heel Despite the loss of many drones, both sides are doubling down. 'We're talking about relatively cheap technology,' said Washington-based South Asia expert Michael Kugelman. 'And while UAVs don't have the shock and awe effect of missiles and fighter jets, they can still convey a sense of power and purpose for those that launch them.' Indian defense planners are likely to expand domestic development of loitering munitions UAVs, according to an Indian security source and Sameer Joshi of Indian UAV maker NewSpace, which is deepening its research and development on such drones. 'Their ability to loiter, evade detection, and strike with precision marked a shift toward high-value, low-cost warfare with mass produced drones,' said Joshi, whose firm supplies the Indian military. — Reuters And firms like ideaForge, which has supplied over 2,000 UAVs to the Indian security forces, are also investing on enhancing the ability of its drones to be less vulnerable to electronic warfare, said Saxena. Another vulnerability that is harder to address is the Indian drone program's reliance on hard-to-replace components from China, an established military partner of Pakistan, four Indian dronemakers and officials said. India continues to depend on China-made magnets and lithium for UAV batteries, said Drone Federation India's Shah. 'Weaponization of the supply chain is also an issue,' said ideaForge's Saxena on the possibility of Beijing shutting the tap on components in certain situations. For instance, Chinese restrictions on the sale of drones and components to Ukraine have weakened Kyiv's ability to produce critical combat drones, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank. A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said in response to Reuters' questions that Beijing has always implemented export controls on dual-use items in accordance with domestic laws and regulations as well as its international obligations. 'Diversification of supply chain is a medium to long term problem,' said Shah. 'You can't solve it in short term.'- Reuters
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Drinking Water Contamination Sparks Faucet Recall
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) initiated a recall of about 24,000 kitchen faucets made by BASDEHEN and sold on after tests showed these products could leach dangerous amounts of lead into drinking water. Why It Matters Lead is a potent neurotoxin that can cause irreversible health effects, particularly in young children, including cognitive impairment, behavioral issues, and lower IQ. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Early action against dangerous consumer products, such as contaminated faucets, is critical to preventing lasting harm and public health crises across American homes. The recall highlights growing concerns over imported plumbing products and their role in contaminating U.S. drinking water, raising new questions about product oversight, e-commerce platforms, and consumer protections. A stock photo of a faucet. A stock photo of a faucet. sonmez/Getty What To Know The CPSC advised consumers to immediately stop using and properly dispose of the affected faucets, which pose a particular risk to infants, young children, and pregnant women, according to a CPSC recall notice. Testing found excessive lead levels in the faucets, with the CPSC urging Americans to check their kitchen and bathroom fixtures for the recalled model. About 24,000 units are impacted by the recall and were sold on Amazon from May 2024 through May 2025 for about $30. When reached for comment, the CPSC directed Newsweek to a press release published by the commission on May 15 that warns consumers of nine Chinese-made faucets that pose dangerous lead exposure risks to those who use them. "These warnings follow a CPSC enforcement sweep targeting dangerous faucets manufactured in China. None of the Chinese firms has agreed to conduct an acceptable recall," the press release said. "Earlier this week, CPSC issued a public health and safety finding to expedite public warnings about these faucets because individuals may be in danger from these product hazards." The CPSC recommends that American households with any recalled or suspect faucets immediately stop using them and contact the Chenfeng Store on Amazon about disposal and a refund. To get the refund, consumers will need to provide a photograph of the disposal. Until the faucet can be replaced, people are advised to only drink water from it after they run the water for 15 seconds. Lead typically enters drinking water through the corrosion of older pipes, solder, fixtures, and fittings. According to CDC guidance, products such as some imported faucets may also contain components made with lead that can leach into water, especially when the water sits in the fixture for extended periods. Consumers are advised to look for faucets compliant with NSF/ANSI Standard 61, which sets limits for the presence of lead and other contaminants in drinking water systems, according to the CPSC. The CDC has reported that even low levels of lead exposure can be harmful to children's development, affecting learning, attention span, and academic achievement. Homes built before 1978, lead-based products, imported goods, and contaminated water systems continue to contribute to childhood lead exposure in the United States. Lead poisoning may occur without visible symptoms, making testing and prevention strategies particularly important. The most reliable method for assessing exposure is a blood lead test administered by a health care provider. As of Thursday, no injuries have been reported regarding the most recent faucet recall. What People Are Saying CPSC acting chairman Peter Feldman said in the May 15 press release: "CPSC is taking extraordinary steps to protect Americans from toxic faucets that threaten our children. This Commission will not hesitate to warn Americans when necessary. CPSC remains focused on the biggest threat to American consumers: hazardous goods from China." Aaron Reuben, Assistant Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Virginia, previously told Newsweek: "Lead is still used in bronze, bullets, many types of paint, airplane fuel, car batteries—the list goes on and on. Better alternatives exist and should be used. Whenever a company produces a product that uses lead, they gain the benefits—profit—and everyone else bears the cost. It's time to end that." What Happens Next Consumers are urged to check their Amazon order history to see if their faucet is part of the recall.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'The missile you mentioned ... ': Chinese military dodges questions on performance of its weapons used by Pakistan against India
The Chinese military on Thursday declined to comment on the effectiveness of Chinese-made weapons used by Pakistan during its recent military confrontation with India, including the recovery of an unexploded PL-15E missile, China's advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The missile you mentioned is an export equipment and has been shown at defence exhibitions at home and abroad many times, Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Sr. Col. Zhang Xiaogang said in his media briefing responding to media queries. "India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved away. We hope both sides remain calm and restrained and avoid actions that could escalate tensions," Zhang said during the ministry's monthly press briefing. He reiterated China's position of promoting regional peace and expressed readiness to play a 'constructive role' in achieving a lasting ceasefire. The comments come in the wake of India's retaliatory strikes under "Operation Sindoor" conducted from May 7 to 10, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes followed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead. During Pakistan's attempted counterattacks on May 8, 9, and 10, remnants of Chinese-made weapon systems were recovered, raising questions over their effectiveness. While the Chinese government has avoided directly addressing these reports, state-run media have shown heightened interest in the India-Pakistan clash, reflecting the depth of military ties between Beijing and Islamabad. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China supplied 81 per cent of Pakistan's total arms imports between 2020 and 2024. These included advanced fighter jets, naval vessels, submarines, and missile systems. China and Pakistan also co-produce the JF-17 fighter jet, the backbone of the Pakistan air force.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chinese hold on solar-power tech raises fresh sabotage fears in Europe
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Hidden components in Chinese-made solar power equipment have caused alarm bells in Western capitals amid concerns over Beijing's ability to interfere with power grids. Europe may be particularly vulnerable, experts say, with most of its solar farms potentially at risk of remote shutdown. The revelation of undeclared remote access devices in American solar farms, first reported by Reuters earlier this month, came less than a month after a power outage that shut down electricity for millions throughout Spain, Portugal, Andorra and parts of France, highlighting the possible fragility of even highly developed and integrated European power grids. According to unnamed sources cited by Reuters, the communication devices that were embedded in solar farm gear were not shown on schematics and customer information of the products, suggesting they may have been deliberately concealed. The undisclosed devices were reportedly found during a routine disassembly of Chinese-made power inverters, which serve to connect solar farms to the electricity grid, control the flow of power and maintain the all-important grid frequency. While Iberian authorities have ruled out a cyber attack in the case of the peninsula's massive blackout, the finding has nonetheless instilled a new sense of urgency in European planning to make the continent's integrated electrical grid safe and resilient. Market dominance Inverters are crucial in linking photovoltaic (PV) power plants, which output DC electricity, to the broader electricity network, which runs on AC. In 2023, 78% of all inverters installed in Europe came from Chinese vendors, with the overwhelming majority being made by Huawei and SunGrow, according to DNV, a risk consultancy. The report was commissioned by SolarPower Europe, an industry advocacy group. This market dominance can likely be explained by a combination of China's large manufacturing capacity and the comparatively lower prices of Chinese inverters compared to European ones. Control over the inverters allows outsiders to simultaneously disconnect generating capacity from the grid, which can cause blackouts. It would also allow them to manipulate voltage and frequency settings to destabilize local grids and to override safety protections like anti-islanding systems. Both Huawei and Sungrow have documented links to the Chinese government and the country's ruling Communist Party, including formal ties, participation in government projects, and officials holding high-ranking positions simultaneously in both the companies and the state. Under Chinese law, Huawei faces mandatory cooperation requirements with intelligence services. The 2017 National Intelligence Law declares that Chinese companies must 'support, assist, and cooperate with' China's intelligence-gathering authorities. As a result of questions over its independence and safety, the electronics giant has already faced restrictions on work on critical communications infrastructure – especially 5G networks – in several countries. It is also front and center in a major investigation currently ongoing in Brussels surrounding bribery of European officials. Energy sovereignty at risk 'Europe's energy sovereignty is at serious risk due to the unregulated and remote control capabilities of photovoltaic inverters from high-risk, non-European manufacturers – most notably from China,' said the European Solar Manufacturing Council, an industry association. This isn't purely hypothetical, either. In November 2024, some solar inverters in the U.S., U.K. and Pakistan were actually disabled remotely from China. Very little was publicly revealed about this incident and its consequences; investigations later showed that the shutdown may have been the result of an industry dispute, according to Günter Born, a German tech and cybersecurity journalist. Following the decoupling of Europe's energy needs from cheap and readily available Russian gas after the invasion of Ukraine, energy sovereignty has become a new priority for capitals across the continent. Renewables have been front and center, building on existing momentum to combat climate change and residual skepticism of nuclear power for its perceived safety shortcomings and high cost. 'Today, over 200 GW of European PV capacity is already linked to inverters manufactured in China – the equivalent of more than 200 nuclear power plants,' said Christoph Podewils, the ESMC secretary general, citing numbers by the DNV consultancy. 'This means Europe has effectively surrendered remote control of a vast portion of its electricity infrastructure.' The Iberian Peninsula blackout was triggered by a 2.2-gigawatt (GW) loss in electricity generation that occurred within seconds. Previously, DNV had estimated that a loss of 3 GW of generating power could have serious ramifications for the European power grid. A loss of this amount of input can result in cascading effects, leading to a large-scale shutdown of the power grid, just as had occurred in Spain on April 28. The DNV report identified over a dozen threat scenarios, most of which it considered 'high' or 'critical' risks even after the full implementation of existing EU cybersecurity measures. In the first three months of 2025 alone, nearly 68 terawatt hours of electricity were produced by solar panels, data from the energy think tank Ember shows. This marks an increase by almost a third over the same period a year earlier. It amounted to 8.2% of Europe's electricity production in March, despite the shorter days at that time of year. In summer, around 15% of Europe's electricity may come from the sun, with some countries – particularly around the Mediterranean – relying on it to make up over a quarter of their total energy mix during the daytime. According to SolarPower Europe, the industry advocacy group, the installed PV capacity in Europe is expected to exceed 800 GW by 2030. Wrangling the dragon The shock of the Spanish power outage – even without it being caused by an attack – has jolted some in Europe into action. But consciousness surrounding a China vulnerability predates the grid collapse. Lithuania on May 1 implemented new legislation that requires photovoltaic projects above 100kW to use inverters that meet national safety standards. Existing projects must also be retrofitted. This practically outlaws Chinese inverters in the country's power infrastructure. Late last year, Estonia's spy chief Kaupo Rosin said that Chinese technology in critical infrastructure, particularly solar farms, could open Europe up to Chinese blackmail. Some EU lawmakers are also taking note, with one member of the European parliament submitting an inquiry on the topic of solar inverters and the risk of Chinese influence on May 15. A 2022 EU directive called NIS2 provides the basis for joint cybersecurity defense measures of critical infrastructure, outlining 18 broad sectors that require particular attention, including electrical grids. However, the directive primarily applies to very large projects, leaving smaller power generation projects vulnerable. This is particularly relevant to solar, which is not only produced in large farms but also by countless dispersed, smaller photovoltaic projects, such as those on rooftops and factory grounds.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Clip shows weapons captured by Burmese rebel group, not by Indian army
"The Indian army has recovered a huge cache of Chinese-made weapons and cash from militants in Manipur backed by the Congress party and China. See the proof," reads a Hindi-language X post published on May 17, 2025, referring to the opposition party often accused by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of being "pro-China" (archived link). It shares a video showing armed men in uniforms guarding cash, rifles and ammunition laid out on the ground. The clip has been watched over 26,500 times. The false post surfaced after the Indian army said it killed ten gunmen and seized a "sizeable quantity of arms and ammunition" during an operation in Manipur's Chandel district near the border with Myanmar on May 14 (archived link). The state has been split along ethnic lines since the outbreak of deadly violence between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community since May 2023 (archived link). At least 260 people have been killed and tens of thousands have fled their homes in the northeastern state. The clip also spread elsewhere on X and on Facebook, but visual evidence indicates it is from Myanmar, not India. A reverse image search using the clip's keyframes revealed a Facebook page linked to Burma National Revolution Army (BNRA) -- a rebel group in Myanmar -- shared pictures on April 11 showing the same scene (archived link). The photos' Burmese-language caption says they were taken after the group took control of the town of Falam from the military junta. One of the men can be seen wearing BNRA's insignia at the 0:37 mark in the false video. Burmese outlet Myanmar Now also published pictures on April 9 showing the scene with a caption saying they show weapons taken from junta forces (archived link). Myanmar's military seized power in a 2021 coup, sparking a civil war pitting it against pro-democracy guerrillas and resurgent ethnic armed groups that have long been active in the Southeast Asian country's fringes (archived link).
