India intensifies strategy to secure critical mineral supply chain, reduce import reliance

India is strengthening its critical mineral supply chain to reduce import dependency in strategic sectors like electronics and clean energy, according to a report by HT. The Ministry of Mines informed Parliament that the Geological Survey of India has intensified exploration, initiating 230 projects for 2025-26. 

Key measures include amending the MMDR Act to support overseas mining, auctioning 46 mineral blocks, and approving a ₹1,500 crore recycling incentive. Internationally, India’s KABIL signed a major lithium mining agreement in Argentina. These efforts aim to secure long-term sustainable supplies while navigating global competition and environmental challenges.

UN Chief calls for safe, green AI at India summit

At the AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised that the future of artificial intelligence must not be controlled by a “handful of countries or a few billionaires”. Guterres advocated for AI governance that is inclusive, safe, and aligned with sustainable development, reported HT.

Guterres highlighted the dual nature of AI, noting its potential to accelerate medical breakthroughs and climate action, while warning against its ability to deepen inequality and fuel harm. He specifically called for data centers to transition to clean energy to offset soaring power and water demands. To bridge the digital divide, Guterres proposed a $3 billion global fund to build AI capacity in developing nations. He stressed on the need for guardrails that ensure human oversight, and protect children.

High costs, range anxiety drive Chinese consumers toward hybrids as EV growth slows

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, China’s rapid EV momentum is facing a slowdown as rising battery costs and persistent range anxiety push consumers toward plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). While China remains the world’s largest market for green cars, the breakneck growth of battery-only models has waned, with hybrids now gaining a larger share of new sales.

Pricier lithium-ion batteries have kept the retail costs of pure EVs high, making hybrids a more economical and practical alternative for many drivers. Automakers like BYD and Li Auto are capitalising on this trend, expanding their hybrid lineups to cater to buyers who fear being stranded without charging infrastructure on long trips. Analysts suggest that until battery technology becomes more affordable and charging networks more ubiquitous, the hybrid segment will remain a crucial bridge in China’s transition to a fully electric future.

Nobel laureate unveils off-grid device to harvest clean water from desert air

Nobel Prize-winning chemist Professor Omar Yaghi has developed a machine capable of extracting large quantities of clean drinking water from dry air, reported The Guardian. Using reticular chemistry to create molecularly engineered materials, the device can function even in arid desert conditions. The technology, spearheaded by Yaghi’s company Atoco, uses units the size of shipping containers. They are powered by ultra-low-grade thermal energy, making them entirely off-grid and sustainable.

Yaghi, who won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, noted that the invention could provide up to 1,000 liters of water daily. This breakthrough offers a vital lifeline for regions facing global water bankruptcy, particularly island nations and disaster-struck communities where centralised infrastructure often fails. Unlike desalination, this method is environmentally friendly, avoiding the release of harmful brine while providing a resilient solution to the escalating global water crisis.