A vehicle propelled mainly by electric power across road, rail, water, air, and space.
Volkswagen has presented a restructuring plan that will cut model lines by up to half and reduce production capacity to about 9 million vehicles a year. Chief executive Oliver Blume has said the group faces a 20% cost disadvantage to rivals and has proposed a "theoretical" further 50,000 job reductions on top of earlier cuts, prompting union protests and board resistance.
Automakers are expanding vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid capabilities. Ford’s F-150 systems are connecting EVs to home meters for backup power, while Kia, Tesla and GM are pursuing similar energy services as grid demand grows and EV sales slow.
China pushes back on claims of “China Shock 2.0,” arguing the issue is untenable and viewing recent trends as an opportunity, while preparing to meet U.S. tariffs and EU protections.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
July registrations hit a record for the month, driven by a surge in electrified vehicles. Pure battery electric cars rose by 44.5% year-on-year, while plug-in hybrids grew. Diesel and petrol registrations fell. Private and fleet buyers increased, and the industry warns that ongoing EV discounts are squeezing profits.
Tanzania has 222,057 tonnes of seed cotton in 2025/26 and is pushing to keep more value at home by expanding spinning, weaving and garment manufacturing. The Nyamatara Industrial Zone is under development, with land compensation already paid and infrastructure underway. Government and private sector leaders say investment is needed to unlock domestic processing and create high-value jobs.
Independent and Ecologist reports show households embracing heat pumps alongside flexible grid policies. Homeowners cite lower bills and better integration with solar and storage, while debates persist about data centres’ diesel backups in the US.
Climate patterns have intensified this year, driving heatwaves, droughts and floods across multiple regions. Governments are mobilising finance, strengthening resilience, and adjusting policies as temperatures and rainfall shift. Aid budgets face pressure while activists warn of rising humanitarian needs.
Belgian prosecutors say a Beijing-born man and a Belgian national are under investigation for possible industrial espionage linked to gallium nitride semiconductors. The case involves a BelGaN connection, multiple devices seized, and a second suspect being pursued as authorities examine potential ICC-style corporate espionage networks.
Air quality in major MENA cities is deteriorating amid rapid urbanization, with health, productivity and tourism at stake. A multipronged approach is urged to curb pollution and safeguard long-term development.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has arrived in Washington for a state visit and a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss extending a trade truce, AI safety and the fate of Americans detained in China. Preparatory talks have produced limited deliverables; officials are expecting targeted, incremental agreements rather than a broad breakthrough.
Trump has announced new fuel-economy standards, reversing Biden-era rules intended to spur electric-vehicle adoption. The move reduces the fleetwide target, with specifics still to be released. Analysts say the change could reshape automaker strategy and consumer costs. The details remain forthcoming.
The European Union and China have reached a pilot agreement to curb Chinese hybrid car exports, set to begin as a limited test in Europe. The plan caps imports and seeks to deter a flood of cheaper Chinese vehicles while keeping the door open for further talks, with a broader push to rebalance trade and defend European industry.