live Flights suspended after drone strike near Dubai International Airport - Middle East conflict on 16 March
Flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended on Monday (16 March) following a drone strike nearby, the emi...
Toyota has signed a $2 billion deal to build a wholly-owned electric vehicle plant in Shanghai, as the Japanese automaker strengthens its position in China’s growing EV market during heightened US-China trade tensions.
Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation has signed a $2 billion agreement to establish a fully-owned electric vehicle (EV) plant in Shanghai, state media reported on Tuesday. The announcement comes as trade tensions between the United States and China escalate, with tariffs impacting key industries, including automotive and metals.
Toyota reached the deal with the Shanghai municipal government, aiming to enhance its presence in the world’s largest automotive market. According to Beijing-based Xinhua News, the company will invest a total of 14.6 billion yuan (approximately $2 billion) in the new energy vehicle (NEV) project based in Shanghai’s Jinshan district.
The project will focus on the research, development, production, and sales of Lexus-branded EVs and electric vehicle batteries. It follows a similar move by Tesla, which established its Shanghai Gigafactory in the city.
Tatsuro Ueda, chief executive officer of the China Region and chairman of Toyota Motor (China) Investment, said the initiative would introduce advanced technologies, contributing to a leading carbon neutrality model with global influence.
Construction of the plant is scheduled to begin in June, with production expected to start in 2027. While Toyota did not confirm production capacity details on Tuesday, earlier estimates in February suggested an initial output of around 100,000 units per year. The project is expected to create roughly 1,000 new jobs during its early phase.
The announcement follows Honda Motor’s decision to relocate parts of its production to the United States, as Japanese companies adjust to avoid a 24% tariff imposed by the Trump administration. The tariff policy affects automotive, steel, and aluminum products, while negotiations between Tokyo and Washington continue after a 90-day tariff reprieve for all nations except China.
As the US has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to as high as 245%, Beijing has responded with tariffs reaching up to 125% on American goods.
A long-running investigation has suggested that the street artist known as Banksy may be legally named David Jones. A report indicates that Jones was previously known as Robin Gunningham, a name long associated with Banksy, before legally changing his name several years ago.
Iran says it is open to talks with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by recent attacks - as Israel continues to launch wide‑scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure in the west. This live report tracks the latest developments.
Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery and a key port in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region overnight (13-14 March), local authorities said, causing injuries and damage. In separate action, Russian air attacks on Ukrainian territory killed and wounded civilians near Kyiv, officials reported.
The Academy Awards nominations have been announced, with the crime drama Sinners leading the race securing a record 16 nominations ahead of the ceremony set for 15 March. The event, which honours the film industry’s top achievements over the past year, will be hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.
A sandstorm swept across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, worsening conditions for displaced civilians already living in fragile shelters amid the ongoing conflict, according to local reports.
The prevailing security situation in the region has done little to deter entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) who continue to view Dubai as a premier and safe location for business.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Global financial markets remained on edge on Friday as the escalating war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continued to rattle investors, fuelling volatility in stocks and sending energy prices sharply higher.
China’s top leadership has unveiled a new push to turn advanced technologies into large-scale industrial priorities as part of the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, which will guide economic and social development from 2026 to 2030.
The European Commission sees no immediate impact on the European Union's security of oil supply from the escalating conflict in the Middle East, it said in an email to EU governments, seen by Reuters on Monday (2 March).
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