Macron calls for Europe to ramp up investment in space
PARIS, June 20 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron threw his weight behind plans for a unified European satellite manufacturing champion and called for accelerated deployment of satellites, as he set out a new space strategy at the Paris Airshow on Friday.
Speaking after France moved to take control of satellite operator Eutelsat (ETL.PA), opens new tab, Macron called for accelerated efforts across the board from launch to satellite manufacturing and Starlink-like services as he declared space the next "gauge of power".
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The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
BYD's new EV flash chargers are as fast as petrol pumps – here's when they're arriving in the UK
BYD isn't content with its EVs outselling Tesla, now it wants to take on the American electric car giant's Supercharger charging network with an even faster network of BYD megawatt super-fast chargers. Tesla's Supercharger network is one of the biggest reasons to buy a Tesla, thanks to exclusive use of the charging points for Tesla owners at some locations and the ease with which they work with Tesla models – they recognise the car and automatically bill the owner. There are currently over 60,000 Tesla Superchargers across the world, with the latest units able to add up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes at speeds up to 250kW. BYD announced earlier this year that it has developed its own super-fast charger, called a Flash Charger, that can charge EVs at up to 1MW (1,000kW). BYD says a Flash Charger can add 1.2 miles of charge every second and up to 249 miles-worth of charge in just five minutes, equalling the speed at which petrol cars are able to fill up. Speaking exclusively to The Independent at the launch of the new budget BYD Dolphin Surf electric car in London, BYD Special Advisor Alfredo Altavilla revealed that the first of these so-called Flash Chargers will be coming to the UK next year, while also saying that BYD was aiming to rival Tesla's Supercharger network. When asked when we will see the first Flash Charger in the UK, Altavilla said: 'In 2026. You will get a few stations in every country in Europe. They will be branded BYD, but they will be open to everybody.' Unlike Tesla Superchargers, Flash Chargers will be open to owners of any electric car. However, the fastest charging speeds will be unique to cars with the technology to accept megawatt charging. BYD's latest car tech, its Super e-Platform, features a 1,000V high-voltage architecture with a Flash Charging Battery. It will be available first in BYD's Han L and Tang L models that can now be ordered in China. In Europe and the UK the new Flash Charging Battery could debut in a new model from Denza, BYD's Porsche -rivalling upmarket brand. Altavilla told us that Denza models would debut BYD's latest tech across Europe, along with sports cars and SUVs from BYD's luxury brand Yangwang. 'The idea is for Denza and Yangwang to be the so-called technology manifesto of the BYD group,' said Altavilla. 'Those are the two brands where all new technologies will be firstly introduced. So, the flash charging for example.' Altavilla confirmed that the first Denza model, the Z9 GT saloon, will go on sale in the UK 'at the beginning of 2026.' The Z9 GT would be followed by an MPV, the D9, and then a number of SUVs. Denza models are likely to be sold through a unique network of dealers, or with existing BYD partners where those dealers had experience of selling premium models. Following the announcement of its Flash Chargers, BYD has been contacted by companies wanting to work on the technology with them and to help them build a network of super-fast chargers. 'The minute we made this public, we, and specifically I, started getting dozens of calls from all the companies in the space that want to become our partner in doing this together,' said Altavilla. 'To the extent that if we find the right partner, we'll do it with them. Otherwise, we'll do it on our own.' Altavilla was speaking at the launch of the new BYD Dolphin Surf in London, the brand's sixth new model to go on sale in a little over two years and also it's cheapest, starting at just £18,650.
The Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Sun
Brits to face even pricier new visas when travelling to Europe – despite not even launching yet
HOLIDAYS to Europe could get more expensive as the European Commission looks to ramp up fees for a new travel document that has not even been introduced yet. The EU is gearing up to introduce the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) scheme next year, following the introduction of the Entry/Exit system. Essentially, ETIAS will be a requirement for any non-EU national from a visa-exempt countries which includes the UK, for short-term stays in the Schengen Area. But the online fee to enter the ETIAS scheme could be more than initially planned. Current plans for travellers heading from outside the bloc include them paying €7 (£5.98) as part of an online application. However, now the European Union is looking to raise that price, despite the scheme not even having launched yet. The reason for this is because they want to use the fee to help with repayments on a €350billion (£299 billion) debt, which was used to fund the post-Covid recovery, reports Politico. Currently it is estimated that only €215million would enter the EU's budget from the ETIAS fee after operational fees are deducted. For Brits, this would be another blow as they already face longer queues since Brexit. The publication added how ETIAS is one of the more popular tax choices ahead of budget plans which are due to be discussed next month. The documents revealed by Politico state: "Given that the EU fee for ETIAS is one of the lowest among comparable systems in the world, it seems there is a possibility of a gradual increase of the fee, strengthening the long-term revenue potential." The fee is currently lower than the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) which is required from non-Brits to enter the UK and costs £16. All Brits aged 18-70 will have to pay to visit Europe from next year – here is everything you need to know about ETIAS It is also less than the current Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Brits need to visit America which is $21 (£15.60). Sun Travel has contacted the European Commission for comment. At the moment the price for ETIAS remains at €7. It will be free for those under the age of 18 and over the age of 70. Once the system is live, some travellers may also be exempt. However, the system is not live yet and currently is not taking applications and people have been warned of fake websites attempting to catch out travellers. ETIAS will apply to short stays, which refers to holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days in any 180 day period. Although, if you are travelling on a visa, you will not need an ETIAS. Irish passport holders are also exempt from ETIAS. Brits could also face travel chaos ahead of the new scheme. There have also been warnings of a scam which is catching tourists out, ahead of the European visa rule change. Plus, these are all the new travel rules Brits face in 2025 from biometric checks to visa-waivers. 2
Daily Record
20 minutes ago
- Daily Record
UK citizens being evacuated out of Tel Aviv as Middle East conflict spirals
Downing Street urged UK citizens in the region to register their presence with the Foreign Office. British citizens stranded in Israel will be evacuated on Government charter flights as soon as the airspace reopens amid spiralling conflict in the Middle East. Downing Street urged UK citizens in the region to register their presence with the Foreign Office as authorities scramble to provide journeys out of Tel Aviv. Number 10 said on Friday morning the situation remains 'fast-moving' and it will continue to be monitored closely. A spokesman added: 'We are advising British nationals to continue to register their presence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, to be contactable with further guidance on these flights.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy said work is under way to provide the flights 'based on levels of demand' from UK citizens who want to leave the region. 'The UK will provide charter flights for British nationals from Tel Aviv when airspace reopens,' he said. 'The safety of British nationals remains our top priority.' Government advice for British nationals in the country remains to follow local guidance, as well as to let officials know about their presence within Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Land routes out of Israel remain open and British staff are on hand to support UK nationals who have crossed the border, he added. The move follows criticism of the Foreign Office's initial response, which saw family members of embassy staff evacuated while UK citizens were not advised to leave and told to follow local guidance. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The Government said the move to temporarily withdraw family members had been a 'precautionary measure'. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer continues to press for de-escalation in the region after returning from the G7 summit in Canada, where he and other leaders reiterated their commitment to 'peace and stability'. The Prime Minister has also urged Donald Trump to step back from military action against Iran after a series of sabre-rattling posts from the US president on his Truth Social platform. Sir Keir said there is a 'real risk of escalation' in the conflict, adding that there had previously been 'several rounds of discussions' with Washington and 'that, to me, is the way to resolve this issue'. Israeli air strikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early on Friday, Iranian media reported. Since the conflict erupted last week, at least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group called Human Rights Activists. Meanwhile, at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds more have been injured. It remains unclear whether the UK would join any military action, although there has been speculation US intervention could require using the British-controlled base on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands. B-2 stealth bombers based there are capable of carrying specialised 'bunker buster' bombs, which could be used against Iran's underground nuclear facility at Fordo. Attorney General Lord Hermer is reported to have raised legal concerns about any British involvement in the conflict beyond defending its allies, which could limit the extent of any support for the US if Mr Trump decides to act militarily. Earlier, Mr Lammy arrived in Geneva for talks with the Iranian foreign minister and European allies as the UK presses for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. He is meeting Abbas Araghchi on Friday alongside counterparts from France, Germany and the EU as he seeks to negotiate a settlement before Mr Trump decides whether to take military action against Tehran. In a statement read by his press secretary on Thursday, the US president said there is still 'a substantial chance of negotiations' and he will make a decision on deploying US forces 'within the next two weeks'. Mr Trump had previously said he 'may' join Israeli strikes against Iran and its nuclear programme, but added: 'I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.' Friday's meeting with the so-called E3 countries follows Mr Lammy's visit to Washington, where he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the White House on Thursday evening to discuss 'how a deal could avoid a deepening conflict'.
