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Chinese electric car brand Zeekr, owned by Geely, is outperforming Tesla in certain regions of China and plans to expand into Europe and Latin America this year. Despite Tesla reporting its largest global quarterly revenue drop since 2012, Zeekr has seen a surge in sales. According to Zeekr’s data, it outsold Tesla in the provinces of Zhejiang, Anhui, and Guangxi during the first three weeks of April. While Tesla’s Model Y remains the bestseller in China for battery-powered electric cars priced above 200,000 yuan, Zeekr’s 001 and 007 models rank among the top sellers in their respective price categories. Zeekr’s CEO, Andy An, declined to comment on the recent launch of Xiaomi’s electric sedan but highlighted the differences in strategy and resources between the two companies. At the Beijing auto show, Zeekr unveiled a new car structure that offers more interior space. An emphasized the company’s focus on creating a smart mobility experience, with future vehicles designed to accommodate activities such as gaming and dining. Zeekr expects overseas sales to boost revenue this year, with plans to enter six to eight additional countries in Europe and expand into Latin America. The company is also developing right-hand drive cars for markets like Hong Kong, Macao, and Singapore. An confirmed that Zeekr is exploring the possibility of building factories overseas but provided no specific details. Long-term support from its parent company Geely, which owns Volvo, provides Zeekr with access to resources and expertise. An emphasized the importance of combining talent, technology, and capital for long-term success in the automotive industry. Zeekr has filed for an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange but has not yet announced a listing date.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are embarking on a European tour in May, and they’re bringing their families along for the ride. The couple will kick off the next leg of Swift’s Eras Tour in France, where they will be joined by their families for four shows. After Paris, they’re considering a detour to Tuscany before heading to Sweden for four gigs in Stockholm. The tour will continue with stops in Lisbon and Madrid before wrapping up in Spain. Travis Kelce will extend his tour to France and the United Kingdom after bidding adieu to Taylor and her crew, while Jason Kelce might make a surprise appearance with his family along the way.
The United States House of Representatives has rejected a proposal to provide an additional $60 billion in aid to Ukraine, prompting concerns about the nation’s ability to withstand ongoing Russian aggression. Representative [Your Name] voted against the measure, arguing that European nations have not contributed their fair share to Ukraine’s defense. Despite committing $154 billion to Ukraine since the start of the war, Europe has only disbursed $82 billion of that amount and plans to spread the remaining funds over the next three years. In contrast, the United States has already spent significant funds on the conflict and is prepared to allocate more, with a requirement that a portion of the aid be delivered to Ukraine by September 2025. Representative [Your Name] believes that Europe should redirect funds from social welfare programs and climate initiatives to provide urgent support for Ukraine, which currently receives a smaller share of EU GDP compared to the United States.
Taylor Swift and her boyfriend Travis Kelce are turning her hectic Eras Tour in Europe into a family adventure. The singer’s 52-date leg in Europe will coincide with a group getaway involving both their families. For the next three months, Swift will perform in major cities across the continent while her parents, Andrea and Scott, will join her alongside Kelce and his parents, Donna and Ed. The group plans to kick off their vacation early May during Swift’s four-show stint in France, followed by stops in Tuscany and Sweden. They will then head to Lisbon before Swift’s grand finale in Madrid. Kelce will reportedly remain with Swift during her gigs in France and the UK, while their parents return to the US.
Unseasonably cold weather in Europe is raising concerns among fruit farmers about the impact on their summer harvests. Temperatures have plunged significantly across the continent since mid-April, bringing snow and ice to regions that were previously experiencing record highs. In Croatia, fruit farmer Franjo Crnković expressed his despair over the destruction caused by the sudden drop in temperatures. In Poland, strawberry farms have been devastated by frosts as low as -8C. However, some farmers in the Netherlands have found an innovative way to protect their fruit trees by spraying the buds with water and creating a frozen crust that acts as insulation. Despite these efforts, forecasters predict that the extreme conditions will continue into next week, posing challenges for drivers and further threatening the continent’s food supply.
From a former Winston Churchill office to a slick Athens Riviera addition and an impressive 19th-century fortress transformation in Montenegro, Europe’s Hot List 2024 features the most diverse and inspiring new hotels.
Commodity prices have been on a steady upward trajectory in recent months. Ian Roper, a commodity strategist at Astris Advisory Japan, discusses the factors behind this rise, citing increased industrial activity in Europe and North America as key drivers.
In a major drug raid last week, Swedish customs officials seized around 1.4 tons of cocaine at the port of Nynashamn, marking one of the largest busts in the country’s history. This significant haul places Sweden among countries experiencing an increase in drug trafficking activities. The confiscated cocaine, believed to be destined for distribution across Europe, highlights the growing involvement of criminal networks in the legitimate business sector.
New weather maps indicate a significant rise in temperatures across Europe, including the UK. Starting from April 31, a plume of heat is expected to grip the continent, bringing 21C highs to parts of southeast England by May 4. While the conditions may not meet the official definition of a heatwave, they will offer a respite from the recent cold weather.