6:09 am, September 23, 2026
Ceer launches as new EV-focused manufacturer
Ceer has kick-started its operations with a new electric saloon and an SUV.
Arriving as Saudi Arabia’s first car firm, Ceer has been created through a joint venture between the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Taiwan-based contract manufacturer Foxconn. Founded in 2022, it has yet to launch a new car – until now.
With a factory in King Abdullah Economic City, Ceer is expected to be one of several brands creating production facilities in the same location.
Renault 5 updated with more range but no price increase
Renault has updated its 5 electric car to bring a greater range and more technology – but at no additional cost.
The 5 was launched in January, but has already been revised to help it extract maximum range from its battery.
As a result, the smaller 40kWh model can return up to 197 miles of range – four more than before – while the larger 52kWh ‘Comfort Range’ car will now do 259 miles, up from 255 miles.
Ineos pauses production at its three Hull plants
Chemical company Ineos is pausing production at its three plants in Hull, with billionaire owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who also owns the Ineos car brand, blaming higher UK gas prices for ‘destroying’ its manufacturing base.
Ineos is one of the world’s largest chemical companies, producing raw materials used in products including pharmaceuticals, clothing and cosmetics, construction and military explosives.
It is understood that around 1,000 employees who are based at the Saltend Chemicals Park will be affected by the move, of which about 240 are directly employed by Ineos.
Ineos said there could be a knock-on impact to a further 3,000 skilled jobs in Humberside, taking in the supply chain.
The markets
Stocks in London closed mixed on Tuesday as oil prices edged lower again and investors looked for signs of a thawing in relations between the US and Iran.
The FTSE 100 index ended down 30.68 points, 0.3%, at 10,708.33, the FTSE 250 rose 35.08 points, 0.1%, to 24,526.45, and the AIM all-share rose 0.44 of a point, 0.1%, to 795.84.
In European equities, the Cac 40 in Paris rose 0.2%, and the Dax 40 in Frankfurt ended slightly higher.
Police seize 65 e-bikes and e-scooters during weekend crackdown
Some 65 e-bikes and e-scooters have been seized by police in Belfast during a crackdown over the weekend.
A six-year-old was among the children and adults the vehicles were seized from, who are set to face what police described as ‘a range of criminal justice outcomes’.
Uniformed officers, as well as plain clothed colleagues and an air support unit were involved in the ‘weekend of action’ tackling the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters from Friday to Sunday across Belfast.
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The weather
Heavy rain will move across Scotland, Wales and England today, with some intense bursts and possible hail in the east, before clearing into the North Sea and leaving sunny spells.
Most areas will be dry tonight as showers fade, although temperatures will drop under clear skies, with a local grass frost possible in rural areas.
Thursday will be largely dry and warm with sunny spells, before cloud increases from the west and rain reaches Northern Ireland and western Scotland later.