International News 01 July 2026
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Apple Supply Chain Faces New Security Concerns After Tata Electronics Data Leak
A data breach involving Tata Electronics, one of Apple’s key manufacturing partners in India, has renewed concerns over the security of the company's global supply chain. The ransomware group World Leaks is believed to have leaked confidential files on the dark web, including lists of sensitive component suppliers and images reportedly showing the unreleased iPhone 18 Pro. According to documents reviewed by Reuters and sources familiar with the matter, the leaked files contain component inventories, supplier identities, and photographs of devices undergoing testing. The incident could undermine Apple's longstanding efforts to keep its manufacturing network and supplier relationships confidential, while potentially providing valuable information to competitors, counterfeiters, and rival suppliers. Tata Electronics plays an increasingly strategic role in Apple's production ecosystem, supplying components and assembling iPhones as a contract manufacturer.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/bocoran-iphone-18-pro-muncul-di-dark-web
Automakers Accelerate Shift from Copper to Aluminum in EVs to Cut Costs
Global automakers are increasingly replacing copper with aluminum in the electrical systems of electric vehicles (EVs) as they seek to reduce costs and vehicle weight. Premium manufacturers such as Ferrari and BMW have introduced new models featuring aluminum wiring, following earlier moves by Tesla and several Chinese EV makers. The shift reflects a broader industry trend toward adopting more cost-effective materials without significantly compromising performance. According to projections by JPMorgan, the transition from copper to aluminum could affect around 2% of global copper demand this year, with aluminum's share expected to continue rising in the coming years. Surging copper prices, driven by constrained supply and growing demand from the renewable energy and data center sectors, have encouraged manufacturers to seek alternatives. Based on interviews conducted by Reuters with 18 companies—including automakers, cable manufacturers, air-conditioning producers, metal suppliers, and industry consultants—an increasing number of firms are turning to aluminum because it is significantly less expensive while still offering competitive performance for EV applications.
China’s Factory Activity Expands in June as AI-Driven Exports Boost Manufacturing
China’s manufacturing sector returned to expansion in June, supported by strong exports of high-tech products linked to the global artificial intelligence boom. According to an official survey released on Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS), the official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 50.3 in June from 50.0 in May, exceeding economists’ expectations in a Reuters poll. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in manufacturing activity. The broader economy also showed modest improvement. The non-manufacturing PMI, which covers the services and construction sectors, increased to 50.2 from 50.1 in May, while the composite PMI—which combines manufacturing and services—edged up to 50.6 from 50.5 a month earlier. The latest data suggest that resilient demand for advanced technology exports, particularly those related to AI, continues to support China's economic recovery despite broader global uncertainties.