Two Dead in Ukrainian Missile Attack, Head of Russia-Annexed Crimea Says 

This photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, May 17, 2024, shows what it claims is destruction of a Ukrainian sea drone in the Black Sea, Crimea. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
This photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, May 17, 2024, shows what it claims is destruction of a Ukrainian sea drone in the Black Sea, Crimea. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
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Two Dead in Ukrainian Missile Attack, Head of Russia-Annexed Crimea Says 

This photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, May 17, 2024, shows what it claims is destruction of a Ukrainian sea drone in the Black Sea, Crimea. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
This photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, May 17, 2024, shows what it claims is destruction of a Ukrainian sea drone in the Black Sea, Crimea. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

The head of the Russia-annexed Crimea peninsula said a Ukrainian missile attack killed two people near Simferopol, the peninsula's main administrative center.

Sergei Aksyonov, writing on Telegram, also said a Ukrainian missile had struck an empty building near Alushta on the peninsula's Black Sea coast.

Separately, the TASS news agency cited Russia's defense ministry as saying that air defenses had intercepted three ATACMS missiles over Crimea, and that the military had destroyed three Ukrainian sea drones headed toward the peninsula.

Ukraine has not issued an official comment.

Ukrainian military bloggers and unofficial media reported a number of targets had been hit throughout the peninsula.

Krymsky Veter, an online news outlet dealing with Crimea, posted a video of what it described as an explosion and fire in Alushta, and said ambulances were heading to the scene.

News outlet RBK-Ukraine reported, without citing a source, that explosions had occurred in three other centers and said targets could have included headquarters for the coastguard or intelligence centers.

Russian bloggers on the peninsula said they believed that not all incoming missiles had been intercepted.



Türkiye Cracks Down on Hybrid Car Imports

A Hyundai Motor's NEXO hydrogen car is fueled at a hydrogen station in Seoul, South Korea, August 13, 2019. (Reuters)
A Hyundai Motor's NEXO hydrogen car is fueled at a hydrogen station in Seoul, South Korea, August 13, 2019. (Reuters)
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Türkiye Cracks Down on Hybrid Car Imports

A Hyundai Motor's NEXO hydrogen car is fueled at a hydrogen station in Seoul, South Korea, August 13, 2019. (Reuters)
A Hyundai Motor's NEXO hydrogen car is fueled at a hydrogen station in Seoul, South Korea, August 13, 2019. (Reuters)

Türkiye's trade ministry imposed strict conditions on the import of plug-in hybrid vehicles from some countries, including China, according to a notice published in the Official Gazette on Friday.

The move follows a decision in June to limit imports of electric vehicles.

China has faced widespread criticism over its vehicle exports, which many countries claim are heavily subsidised by Beijing, according to Reuters.

Analysts say Ankara is also seeking to increase pressure on Chinese carmakers with which it is holding talks about investing in production in Türkiye.

The notice, which takes effect in 30 days, says an importer must meet conditions including having 20 authorised service shops in seven different regions of Türkiye, in order to import chargeable hybrid vehicles not produced in the European Union or in countries with which Türkiye has a free trade agreement.

Analysts say no importers meet the conditions.

"All plug-in hybrid vehicles that will come from now on will be blocked, apart from those in stock already. Other hybrid cars are already subject to a high customs tax," Erol Sahin, founder of EBS Danismanlik consultancy said.

He added the government was "toughening its message of hurry up" to the Chinese firms with which it is negotiating over domestic production.

In July, China's BYD agreed with the Turkish government to build a $1 billion plant in Türkiye with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles.

Last week, Turkish sources said BYD's investment process in Türkiye continued without any problems, after China's warning to its companies about the risk of overseas investment.

China's Chery and SAIC are also in talks.

In Europe sales of fully electric vehicles have been falling more rapidly than of hybrid cars, data has shown this week.

Türkiye's domestic car and light vehicle market was at 762,000 units for the first eight months of the year, around the same as last year. Imports of Chinese brands jumped more than two fold to 63,000 units, taking 8% market share, according to industry datatu