Latest news with #European-developed
The Star
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Hong Kong tracks system that may develop into first 2025 typhoon
Hong Kong's typhoon season is expected to start this month and extend to about October, with the bureau predicting five to eight cyclones in 2025. - AFP HONG KONG: Hong Kong's weather bureau is tracking a tropical disturbance spinning in the warm waters east of the Philippines, which may develop into the first typhoon of the season next week. The low-pressure system may enter the South China Sea and move toward the southern coast of mainland China around the middle of next week, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. However, the agency said there's still uncertainty over how quickly it will develop, and what track the storm may take. Hong Kong's typhoon season is expected to start this month and extend to about October, with the bureau predicting five to eight cyclones in 2025. The financial hub last year ended its decades-long practice of shutting markets during severe storms, an action seen as increasingly antiquated after the pandemic showed markets could function when workers were at home. "If the low-pressure area strengthens into a tropical storm,' it may become the first typhoon in the northwest Pacific and South China Sea in 2025, the weather agency said, adding that the system may also turn toward Taiwan. An European-developed artificial intelligence model consulted by the bureau predicts a relatively strong cyclone. The low-pressure area is expected to develop over the next few days, aided by warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, according to global weather models cited by the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center. - Bloomberg
Daily Tribune
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: ministers
Britain and Germany are working together to develop strike missiles, their defence ministers said yesterday, as Russia's war rages in Ukraine and European powers seek to reduce dependence on US weapons. 'We together will begin co-leading the development of a new European-developed deep precision strike capability with a range of 2,000 plus kilometres (1,250 miles),' Britain's John Healey said at a bilateral meeting in Berlin. Germany's Boris Pistorius said work on the missiles had begun and would be critical for European security. 'The current threat situation makes it absolutely clear that we need to close all capability gaps,' Pistorius said. 'And we need to do that as quickly as possible.' Europe's governments have looked to establish more independence of US military technology amid doubts about Washington's future commitment to Europe's security. The missiles would be critical for European security.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: Ministers
Britain and Germany are working together to develop strike missiles, their defence ministers said on Thursday, as Russia's war rages in Ukraine and European powers seek to reduce dependence on US weapons. 'We together will begin co-leading the development of a new European-developed deep precision strike capability with a range of 2000 plus kilometres [1250 miles],' Britain's John Healey said at a bilateral meeting in Berlin. Germany's Boris Pistorius said work on the missiles had begun and would be critical for European security. 'The current threat situation makes it absolutely clear that we need to close all capability gaps,' Pistorius said. 'And we need to do that as quickly as possible.' Europe's governments have looked to establish more independence of US military technology amid doubts about Washington's future commitment to Europe's security.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BYD founder Wang Chuanfu, fresh from his meeting with Xi Jinping, claims Chinese EVs are 3 to 5 years ahead of the competition
Wang Chuanfu, founder of Chinese EV giant BYD, got a prime seat in Monday's meeting with Xi Jinping, meant to show Beijing's renewed commitment to its beleaguered tech sector. The Chinese carmaker has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years, becoming China's top car seller, prying open overseas markets, and running neck-and-neck with Tesla in being the world's top EV maker. Chinese-made electric vehicles have gained ground in overseas markets in recent years, particularly in markets like Mexico, Malaysia or Thailand. One reason is cost: Chinese cars are often priced far more competitively than their Japanese, South Korean or European-developed competition. Yet Chinese EV makers also claim they succeed because their products are just more innovative. In a Monday interview with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Wang estimated that Chinese EVs are three to five years ahead of their foreign competition. Wang spoke after a meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping and several other prominent business executives, including Alibaba founder Jack Ma. The BYD founder called the company's talent its most important asset. 'Behind each of our technologies is innovation…and behind each of our technologies is the hard work of 110,000 engineers,' Wang said. Analysts have previously noted the speed at which BYD's vehicles rapidly approached the technological sophistication of leaders like Tesla—yet at a reduced cost. 'We were shocked at how fast BYD has caught up,' Paul Gong, executive director of auto research at UBS, said at a Fortune conference last year. Wang claimed 'openness' would allow the rest of the world to enjoy Chinese-made electric vehicles. Several non-Chinese automakers, including those that long dominated the Chinese market, have struggled to keep pace with the offerings put out by China's EV makers. China bet on EVs in the early 2010s, showering both manufacturers and consumers with subsidies. That state support has irked foreign governments, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, who accuse China of fostering overproduction of EVs and dumping them in overseas markets. Last year, the European Union imposed tariffs on Chinese EVs after alleging that prices were 'kept artificially low by huge state subsidies.' In response, Chinese EV makers argue that their low costs are due to innovative manufacturing and management practices, rather than state support. Analysts point out that Beijing's early support created hundreds of new companies. Fierce competition forced carmakers to find ways to innovate to try to stand out while bringing down cost–especially as Beijing began to withdraw its subsidies. For example, BYD developed its own 'blade' battery that does not rely on nickel, which the company claims is safer. Nio, another Chinese EV startup, has also tried to pioneer battery swapping for its cars in mainland China. Carmakers, including new entrants like Xiaomi, are now rushing to offer autonomous features in a bid to get an edge in a fiercely competitive Chinese auto market. Last week, BYD announced it would include its assisted driving features across more of its lineup, including the sub-$10,000 Seagull. While BYD's systems aren't 'industry-leading,' they provide 'a buffer against intense price competition,' Morningstar analyst Vincent Sun wrote on Wednesday. This story was originally featured on
