What's happening: Middle Eastern airports hit by drones, raising global aviation security concerns
Iranian forces used armed drones to strike Dubai International Airport and Kuwait International Airport in February 2026, causing structural damage and injuring airport personnel. The attacks marked the first confirmed direct hits on major civilian hubs in the Gulf, shifting aviation from a collateral‑damage concern to a deliberate target. Europe is now watching for similar threats.
Also developing:

Hargrave Technologies introduced the microDRIVE MP, a 60 V, 120 A motor controller tailored for medium VTOL and helicopter UAVs. The ESC offers high‑current performance in an IP67‑rated, rugged enclosure, addressing the growing power and durability demands of expanding UAV missions. It supports both Hargrave’s efficient FOCAL algorithm and a rapid trapezoidal drive mode, providing flexibility for varied flight profiles. Integrated telemetry, DroneCAN and ARINC 825 communications, and over 60 configurable parameters enable seamless avionics integration and real‑time system visibility.
Clear Channel Outdoor’s Airports Division has locked in a 10‑year contract, with a five‑year renewal option, to continue its advertising partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority at Reagan National and Dulles, a relationship that has nearly doubled revenue since...

Lloyd’s Register has issued an Approval in Principle for a hybrid nuclear‑ready power concept co‑developed with Australian ship designer Seatransport. The design merges micro‑modular nuclear reactors (1.2‑2.6 MW) with diesel‑electric propulsion on 73‑metre and 90‑metre amphibious stern landing vessels. Recent sea...

Quectel Wireless Solutions is unveiling its automotive‑grade mmWave radar portfolio at MWC Barcelona, featuring a 77 GHz forward‑collision warning unit with over 220 m range and the ability to track 40 dynamic targets. The company also displayed a blind‑spot detection radar that...

Shipping lines are imposing emergency surcharges and rerouting cargo due to heightened security risks in the Middle East, especially around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. CMA CGM, HapagLloyd and Maersk have announced fees up to US$4,000 per container...

British Airways updated the terms of its American Express 2‑4‑1 Companion Voucher in mid‑2024, allowing a three‑month extension in limited circumstances. Extensions are evaluated case‑by‑case and require supporting documentation such as medical or bereavement proof. The change formalises a practice...

The U.S. Safe Streets Index released by StreetLight ranks the nation’s 100 largest metros on five safety factors, placing New York City at the top and Bakersfield, California at the bottom. Sunbelt metros dominate the lower tier, reflecting high vehicle‑miles‑travel,...
UAE airports were shut for two days after Israeli and US strikes on Iran triggered Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf allies. The closure left tens of thousands of passengers stranded in transit hubs. The General Civil Aviation Authority...
Escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz forced Indian LNG carriers to reroute, leaving only one of Petronet's three captive tankers able to unload at the Dahej terminal. The 138,000 m³ Disha is stalled at Ras Laffan, while Aseem diverted away...

The Chinese government is preparing an incremental order of up to 120 Airbus jets, a move announced by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his February 25 state visit to Beijing. The exact aircraft variants, delivery timetable, and contract value have not...

Researchers have demonstrated an 8 nm, 128 Mb embedded STT‑MRAM designed for automotive applications, achieving sub‑parts‑per‑million failure rates across the –40 °C to 150 °C temperature range. The cell area was aggressively scaled to 0.017 µm², while process refinements reduced short‑fail defects and enhanced MTJ...
Japanese restaurant chain JINYA Ramen Bar has partnered with Japan Airlines to feature its signature nikuman steamed bun on select Los Angeles‑Tokyo flights. The offering, available on flight JL15 from March through May, is prepared onboard using a steam oven,...

Qantas Airways’ shares plunged more than 10% to A$8.92, their lowest level in ten months, after the United States and Israel launched large‑scale strikes on Iran, sending oil prices sharply higher. The geopolitical flare‑up forced the closure of key Middle...

Lufthansa Group and Air India announced a joint business agreement (JBA), the first airline‑to‑airline JBA since Lufthansa’s 2017 partnership with Singapore Airlines. The deal deepens an existing codeshare and Star Alliance relationship by integrating network planning, joint sales, marketing, schedule...

Cosco Shipping Lines and OOCL have removed Conakry, Guinea, from their West Mediterranean‑West Africa (WMAX) service. The revised rotation now operates with two 1,800‑TEU vessels on an 18‑day schedule, calling at Valencia, Algeciras, Dakar, Tema and Abidjan before returning to...

The Boeing 777X, particularly the 777‑9 variant, is positioned to succeed the Airbus A380 on ultra‑high‑capacity, long‑haul routes. With a passenger capacity exceeding 400, advanced GE9X engines and folding wingtips, the aircraft promises 10% better fuel efficiency and airport compatibility....

Seaspan has launched Dockboy, a remote‑controlled ultra‑high‑pressure cleaning system designed for hull maintenance. The tool removes barnacles, anti‑fouling paint and coatings in a single pass, delivering a paint‑ready surface. Fully containerized, Dockboy can be moved between Vancouver Drydock and Victoria...

Electric bike maker Tenways has filed for a main‑board listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, backed by investors such as Hillhouse Ventures, Tencent and Alibaba. The company’s revenue rose from €48 million in 2023 to €61 million in 2024, with gross...

The paper by Mann and Levinson (2026) argues that real‑estate value uplift can serve as a robust alternative to travel‑time savings in transport cost‑benefit analysis. A systematic review identified fourteen empirical studies, most of which apply difference‑in‑differences for ex‑post appraisal,...

Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has placed two additional 306,000 dwt VLCC orders with China’s Hengli Shipbuilding, expanding its fleet to ten VLCCs at the yard. The vessels are part of a five‑ship order slated for delivery in 2029‑2030, completing a broader...

Yo‑Chi, the Gen Z‑focused snack brand, has partnered with Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and creative agency Snack Drawer to launch “my‑Chi Monday.” The eight‑week campaign runs until 23 March, offering Youth myki holders a 20% discount on Yo‑Chi purchases every Monday. The...

Milaha, the Qatar‑based maritime and logistics leader, has expanded its Milaha Intra‑Gulf Express (MIG) service to include Bahrain, adding the kingdom to a seven‑port rotation that spans the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain and Qatar. The revised loop runs...

Japan’s largest maritime shipping conglomerate announced that the Iranian Navy has officially barred all vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The ban specifically targets energy cargoes, including crude oil and liquefied natural gas, effectively shutting the narrow waterway to...
A second blast near Dubai International Airport has intensified concerns over Middle East air travel safety, prompting Australia’s foreign minister to warn of severe disruptions. The incident follows the ongoing Iran‑Israel/USA conflict that has already threatened Gulf airspace. Roughly 11%...

In an Australian off‑road comparison by CarExpert, Great Wall Motors’ three‑row GWM Tank outperformed both the Lexus GX and the Toyota Land Cruiser (J300) on a demanding roller course. While the Land Rover Defender claimed overall victory, the Tank matched...

United Airlines has amended its contract of carriage, adding a new clause that passengers must wear headphones when listening to audio or video content. The amendment raises the total list of enforceable behaviors to 22, giving crew the authority to...

Korea Marine Transport Co (KMTC) has placed a KRW 372.4 bn ($258 m) order for six 1,800‑TEU feeder containerships with HD Hyundai shipyards. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between August 2027 and June 2028, adding to KMTC’s fleet of more than 60 ships that...
India’s electronics and tech exports to the Gulf, valued at $4.5 billion in FY26, face disruption as the Iran‑Israel conflict restricts airspace and the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The United Arab Emirates, the second‑largest buyer, accounted for $4.1 billion of those shipments,...
The ongoing West Asia conflict is expected to push global pulse prices higher, threatening a rise in dal costs for Indian households. India imports roughly 5‑6 million tonnes of pulses from Myanmar, Canada and Africa, leaving the domestic market vulnerable to...

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) warning operators to avoid the entire airspace of the Middle East and Persian Gulf at all altitudes, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The...
The escalating Middle East conflict sparked a fire at Jabel Ali port, the UAE hub that moves roughly 65 % of GCC polymer exports and 33 % of regional petrochemical cargo. The blaze, caused by debris from an aerial interception, resulted in no...

The 1957 AMC Rambler Rebel was slated to debut Bendix’s Electrojector, an analog‑computer‑controlled electronic fuel‑injection system that could shave half a second off its 0‑60 time. Engineers battled reliability issues, especially cold‑weather starting below 50 °F, and the program was cancelled...

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil conduit, has seen trade reduced to a trickle after a wave of escalatory attacks. U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, followed by Iranian reprisals triggered by the reported assassination of Supreme Leader...

Wan Hai Lines has restructured its intra‑Far East Japan‑Kansai‑Thailand (JST) service, dropping Kobe and the southbound Hong Kong call from the rotation. The revised schedule still operates four 1,700‑TEU vessels, calling at Osaka, Moji, Hakata, Tokuyama, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Shenzhen (Shekou),...
Iranian drone attacks on Dubai and other Gulf cities followed the launch of Operation Epic Fury, immediately crippling air services and throttling ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, heavily dependent on imported food...

Harley‑Davidson’s iconic exhaust note comes from its 45‑degree firing V‑twin, where both pistons share a single crank pin, creating a "bang‑bang‑rest" rhythm. The engine’s lack of balance shafts amplifies vibration, making the exhaust valve pop the dominant audible cue rather...
A passenger on an All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight from Mumbai to Tokyo discovered a sharp metal wire in a premium‑cabin meal, prompting concerns about food safety. The incident was shared on X, highlighting the potential hazard of ingesting foreign...

Malaysian customs seized nearly 1,000 tonnes of electronic waste in five separate incidents at Port Klang. The shipments were uncovered after officers detected mismatches between declared cargo and the containers' actual contents. The crackdown highlights heightened vigilance against illegal e‑waste...

Car owners can indeed bring their own replacement parts to a mechanic, potentially saving on the markup that shops add to OEM or aftermarket components. However, many garages refuse for reasons such as lost profit, warranty complications, and safety concerns....

The Philippines is seeking up to $800 million from the Asian Development Bank as a partial credit guarantee to backstop availability payments for the North‑South Commuter Railway (NSCR) operator. The guarantee, equivalent to 24 months of payments, aims to mitigate government...

A 1994 Cadillac Fleetwood in a sleek black‑on‑black scheme is now listed on Bring a Trailer with no reserve, offering a rare rear‑wheel‑drive luxury sedan at a potentially low price. The car sits on a D‑body platform, features a 5.7‑liter...

Harley‑Davidson introduced the Milwaukee‑Eight V‑twin engine to replace the Twin Cam, delivering 11% more torque and a higher 10.5:1 compression ratio while maintaining the same weight. The engine features four valves per cylinder and a dual‑spark plug setup that accelerates...

The article highlights how simultaneous geopolitical tensions at the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and Pakistan’s Arabian Sea threaten global maritime trade. Iranian Revolutionary Guard warnings triggered tanker stand‑offs, navigation interference, and a surge in war‑risk insurance premiums, while...

The Port of Barcelona has opened a tender for a public multipurpose maritime terminal at the Príncep d’Espanya wharf after the previous concession expired. The new terminal will handle non‑containerised general cargo and mixed traffic, excluding passenger, dry and liquid...

The 2021 Toyota GR Supra loses roughly 23% of its original price after five years, leaving resale values between $40,000 and $50,000 for low‑mileage examples. Compared with peers, the BMW Z4 depreciates about 40%, while the Porsche 718 Cayman retains...

Cities are emerging as powerful actors in ocean governance, using port regulations, municipal procurement, and data tools to shape maritime behavior. Port clean‑air initiatives in Los Angeles and Long Beach have forced shipping lines toward lower‑emission fuels and shore power. Municipal buyers...

The 1970s oil crisis prompted the U.S. to adopt CAFE fuel‑economy standards, but a loophole exempted light‑truck classifications from strict limits. Automakers exploited this by reclassifying vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee as “non‑passenger work vehicles,” allowing them to meet weaker...
Thai Airways reported a record FY2025 net profit of 30.9 billion baht, reversing a 26.9 billion‑baht loss from the prior year. Revenue rose 1.3% to 190 billion baht, edging past pre‑pandemic levels. The carrier plans to expand its fleet to about 100 aircraft...

Fiat is set to launch the Topolino, a $12‑13k electric quadricycle, in the United States later this year. Based on the Citroën Ami, the two‑seat vehicle offers a 5.5 kWh battery, about 45 km range, and a top speed of 28 mph, positioning...

Regional Container Lines (RCL) has moved its slot allocation from CNC Line’s Japan‑Philippines (JP8) service to the carrier’s China‑Philippines (CP2) rotation, continuing to market the lane as RCP2. The shift narrows RCL’s focus to the Shenzhen‑Philippines segment, replacing Batangas with...