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PhD student jailed for life after being exposed as serial rapist
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HKFP
8 minutes ago
- HKFP
2 Hongkongers evacuated from Israel as conflict with Iran enters 8th day
At least two Hongkongers, along with more than 100 Chinese students, have been evacuated from Israel, as the country's conflict with Iran entered its eighth day. China's official state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday that the two Hongkongers were among a group of 119 Chinese nationals who entered Egypt on Thursday via the Taba border crossing, located at the southern end of Israel. Also on Thursday, Hong Kong issued a 'black' travel alert – the most serious level of its kind, meaning 'severe threat' – for Israel and Iran, warning against all travel to the two countries. A 24-hour hotline was set up for Hongkongers in the two Middle Eastern nations as the government urged them to also seek assistance from the Chinese embassy there. HKFP has reached out to the Immigration Department for information about Hongkongers currently in the two countries. The armed conflict between Israel and Iran entered the eighth day on Friday as the two longtime enemies continued to trade fire. The Israeli military said on X on Friday that its fighter jets struck 'dozens of military targets in Iran' overnight, including industrial sites used to make missiles and what Israel said were research centres for developing nuclear weapons in Tehran. What did the IDF accomplish in Iran overnight? ✈️60+ fighter jets struck dozens of military targets in Iran using approximately 120 munitions. ⭕️Several industrial sites used to manufacture missiles were struck in the Tehran area. These sites served as a key industrial center… — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 20, 2025 Iranian missiles hit a hospital in southern Israel as well as residential buildings in Tel Aviv on Thursday, wounding 240 people, according to AFP. The White House said on Thursday that US President Donald Trump will decide whether to join Israel's strikes on Iran 'within the next two weeks.' 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt quoted Trump as saying. Meanwhile, China's President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for all parties, 'especially Israel,' to 'cease hostilities as soon as possible' in a phone call with Russia's Vladimir Putin, according to Xinhua. China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that close to 800 Chinese citizens had been evacuated from Iran since Israel began its strike against the country in the early hours of June 13.
Economic Times
9 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Tata Motors working with govt, looking alternate sources for magnets: Chandrasekaran
Mumbai: Tata Motors is working with the government and is also taking steps to procure magnets from alternate sources in the wake of China restricting exports of rare earth elements, company Chairman N Chandrasekaran told its shareholders on Friday. Responding to queries from shareholders on the impact of China's move to restrict exports of rare earth elements and shortage of magnets, he said, "As of now, this is not a concern, but this is something that we are watching very carefully." "As of now, we are okay. We are not facing are able to source the magnets that we need, and also we have plans for having the right level of inventory. We are working with the government. Also, we are working on sourcing from alternate sources," Chandrasekaran noted. China's restrictions on the export of rare earth elements and related magnets are affecting the domestic auto and white goods sectors. The automobile industry had sought government support in expediting approvals from the Chinese government for importing rare earth magnets used in various applications, including passenger cars. To another query on the impact of the ongoing Iran-Israel war on the company's business, he said, "It is very difficult to answer what will be a war kind of situation look like." However, he said Tata Motors group's three firms -- commercial vehicle, passenger vehicles and JLR -- have a very strong platform. "They will be able to tide over any of these geopolitical issues in the short term but are completely ready and poised for excellent growth and leverage the opportunity that this industry has to offer," Chandrsekaran asserted. Earlier in opening address, he said that going forward, volatility will continue to mark economic cycles -- from widespread geopolitical conflicts, military escalations, the redrawing of supply chains and tariff regimes, to AI and energy transition. Nowhere are all these disruptions visible more than in the automotive sector. "Given the enormous amount of work we have done over the past few years -- from simplifying the businesses to making big strategic bets to strengthening our financial position -- our businesses are structured to not just handle this environment, but to thrive," he asserted. Responding to a query on passenger vehicle business expansion in international markets, he said, "This is something that we are always in discussions but we are waiting for the right geopolitical environment to be able to launch but we are getting prepared." To another query on the completion of demerger of Tata Motors' commercial and passenger vehicle verticals into separate entities, Chandrasekaran said, "We think the demerger will happen in the last quarter of this year. "First, the PV company will list and then the CV company will list a couple of months later. It will happen, in our estimate, sometime around October-November-December quarter."
Economic Times
9 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Magnets in limbo: No rare earth nod yet from China for Indian auto suppliers
No Indian auto component or vehicle manufacturer has received approval from the Chinese government to procure rare earth magnets so far, Times of India reported citing sources. Despite efforts by Indian officials to intervene, the sources said there is "no clarity as yet" on when a meeting with Chinese representatives might happen. The applications for sourcing magnets were submitted primarily by auto component makers who manufacture complete, high-tech assemblies. These include speedometers, electric motors, e-axles, electric water pumps, automatic transmission kits, speakers, sensors, and ignition coils used in engines. Among the companies that have applied are Uno Minda, Bosch, Mareli, TVS Group, Motherson Sumi, and Sona Comstar. Economic Times reported this week that the number of India-based firms awaiting approval from China's ministry of commerce to import rare earth magnets has nearly doubled—from 11 two weeks ago to 21 now. This list includes Bosch India, Marelli Powertrain India, Mahle Electric Drives India, TVS Motor, and Uno Minda. Sona Comstar, whose earlier application was rejected due to procedural issues, has reapplied and is now among the 21 companies awaiting clearance, a senior industry executive told ET.'There were no approvals so far, according to the latest assessment we carried through interactions with industry representatives,' one source told TOI. 'The situation is grave, and there is now massive uncertainty regarding manufacturing schedules and factory output.' The request for a meeting with Chinese representatives is being followed up not only by leading industry bodies such as the Auto Component Manufacturers Association (Acma) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), but also by government ministries including heavy industries, external affairs, and commerce. Senior officials from major automobile companies such as Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, and TVS are also involved in pursuing the matter with the government and diplomatic this week, the auto industry held a meeting with top officials at the Ministry of Heavy Industries as the government examined possible solutions to the crisis. 'However, not much headway was made so far,' an official source told the executives said that Ernst & Young has been brought on board by the ministry to assist with the issue. During the meeting, officials also reviewed the current preparedness of some Indian companies that are working in the field of magnet urged local magnet producers to provide a firm supply timeline, if at all possible, stating that uninterrupted production lines depend on timely procurement of components. According to the report, both Acma and Siam have drawn up a list of delegates they hope to send to China if the Indian government is able to facilitate such a restrictions were formally issued through a notification on April 4 this year. The new rules apply to medium and heavy rare earth metals, their alloys, magnets, and related products under the country's export permit prevent diversion of these materials to defence and weapons production, China now requires exporters to secure a licence. This licence depends on an End User Certificate (EUC), which must be approved first by India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Ministry of External Affairs, and then also endorsed by the Chinese Embassy in after these steps are completed can the EUC be sent to China for the final stages of approval—first by the provincial government where the exporting company is located, and then by China's Ministry of Commerce. Rare earth magnets are critical components used in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), which are widely applied in electric vehicles because of their compact size, high torque, and energy efficiency. Hybrid vehicles also rely on these magnets for efficient propulsion systems. While parts manufacturers based in Europe have recently received approval from Chinese authorities to source rare earth magnets, their Indian counterparts—despite being part of the same multinational corporations—are still waiting for the go-ahead from Beijing. According to experts, this delay is worsened by the strained political and commercial relationship between India and companies have been attempting to build local capabilities to reduce reliance on imported rare earth materials, but experts say this effort remains extremely challenging and is unlikely to provide immediate relief. (with ToI inputs)
