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Madrid Emerges as European Launchpad for Latin American Fashion

Madrid is fast becoming the European base for Latin American fashion. Colombian designers and brands are opening flagship stores and joining major events. The city’s luxury districts now serve as a gateway for Latin American design.

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Afghan Carpets Transform Madrid’s Rastro and Support 250 Families

Traditional Afghan carpets now fill Madrid’s Rastro, connecting 250 families in Surkh Aqcha to Spanish buyers. The business adapts ancient weaving to modern tastes, reshaping livelihoods and interiors across continents.

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OpenAI launches GPT‑6 Astra, raising the bar for AI in cybersecurity and science

OpenAI launches GPT‑6 Astra, its most advanced AI model, with record scores in cybersecurity, mathematics, and professional automation. The rollout begins for select organizations and will soon reach all premium users and developers.

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Volkswagen to Cut 50,000 Jobs, Four German Plants Face Uncertain Future

Volkswagen will cut 50,000 jobs and reduce production in Europe by 2030, putting the future of four major German factories in doubt. The company is responding to overcapacity and growing pressure from Chinese automakers.

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Xiaomi Targets 2027 for European Electric Car Debut

Xiaomi plans to launch its electric cars in Europe in 2027, starting with Germany after signing agreements with eight major dealership groups. The company previewed its latest models at IFA Berlin, signaling a direct challenge to established automakers.

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Volkswagen Board to Decide Seat’s Future as Uncertainty Grows

Seat’s future is up for debate as Volkswagen’s board meets to set a new direction. Spanish sales are up, but with no new models and industry pressure mounting, the brand faces tough questions.

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Range Rover Launches Its First Electric SUV After a Year’s Delay

Range Rover has launched its first fully electric SUV, offering up to 600 km of range and a 22-minute charge from 10% to 80%. Orders are open in the UK, but pricing and arrival details for Spain are still unknown.

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BYD’s Stella Li Claims Superiority Over Tesla: 'We Do Everything Better'

Stella Li, executive vice president of BYD, asserts the Chinese automaker outpaces Tesla in technology, production, and reliability. Her bold claims come as BYD pushes into Europe and eyes zero-accident autonomous driving.

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European Prosecutors Uncover €27.9 Million Fuel Fraud Linked to Spain

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has exposed a €27.9 million scheme involving Spanish fuel firms and Portuguese shell companies. Funds were laundered across borders, with millions seized and key suspects identified.

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Burgos Bakery Cuts Sunday Hours After Failing to Find Night Shift Staff

Villímar, a family-run bakery in Burgos with 72 years of history, has stopped opening on Sundays after struggling to hire staff for its early morning shift. Despite offering €1,600 per month and a reduced workweek, the owners could not fill the position.

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Why Fran Left a 20-Year Career to Build a Life Around 400 Beehives

After two decades in construction, Francisco José González García—known as Fran—traded his stable job for the uncertain world of beekeeping. Now, he manages 400 hives across three provinces, producing and selling natural honey under the Mielegante brand. His story reveals both the challenges and rewards of rural self-employment in Spain.

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Mallorca’s Bar Castilla Closes After 10 Years Under Enrique Perlado

Bar Castilla, a beloved fixture in Palma’s Es Fortí district, has closed after a decade with Enrique Perlado at the helm. The 65-year-old owner, known for his signature torreznos, leaves following a legal dispute over the rented premises. Perlado now faces the challenge of continuing to work in hospitality until retirement.

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Omoda: The Chinese Car Brand Reshaping Spain’s Roads

Omoda has quickly become a standout name among Chinese car brands in Spain. Here are seven lesser-known facts that reveal how this brand evolved from a Chery project to a major player on European streets.

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Hyundai Bets Big on US Expansion, Robotics and Robotaxis for 2030

Hyundai is aiming for a profitability rate above 9% by 2030, driven by major investments in the US, a surge in robotics and robotaxi development, and a sweeping renewal of its model lineup. The plan includes over 100 new or updated vehicles and a sharp focus on electrification.

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Mercedes CEO Calls Electric CLA 45 the Best V8 Experience Yet

Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius says the new electric CLA 45 delivers the most convincing V8 sensation he’s ever experienced, thanks to simulated engine sounds and innovative seat technology. The claim highlights the evolving identity of high-performance EVs.

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Hyundai Unveils Aggressive Plan: 100 New Cars and Extended-Range Tech by 2030

Hyundai has announced a sweeping strategy to launch over 100 new vehicles by 2030, including models with extended-range electric technology. The plan aims to counter Chinese competition and reshape the brand’s global presence.

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Iberdrola Bets on Profitability for EV Charging by 2030

Iberdrola, Spain’s leading electric vehicle charging operator, expects its charging division to turn profitable before 2030. Heavy investment and slow market growth have delayed returns, but usage is rising and the company is holding prices steady.

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Ford to Build New SUV in Valencia Using Geely Platform

Ford will manufacture a new compact SUV at its Almussafes plant, using Geely’s GEA platform and offering both hybrid and electric options. The move marks a major shift for the Spanish factory and its workforce.

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Carrefour Bans Electric Cars from Upper Parking Levels in Key Stores

Carrefour has restricted electric vehicles from parking on upper floors in some of its older stores, citing structural and fire safety risks. The move highlights the growing tension between green mobility and aging infrastructure.

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Madrid Builder Ditches Staff for Freelancers as Spain Faces Bricklayer Shortage

At 75, Rafa Domínguez closed his permanent team and switched to working with three freelancers. His decision reflects a wider crisis: Spain’s construction sector now struggles to find experienced bricklayers, with official data confirming a shortage of candidates and technical skills.

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Dolly Parton's $450 Million Legacy Secured After Her Death at 80

Dolly Parton, who died at 80, left a $450 million estate. Her inheritance plan aims to avoid family conflicts and support charities. The singer's legacy includes business ventures and major philanthropy.

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Volkswagen Faces Potential Loss of 115,000 Jobs and Four German Plant Closures

Volkswagen’s works council has raised alarms over the possible elimination of up to 115,000 jobs by 2031, with four major German factories at risk of closure. The company’s leadership and unions are now under pressure to find solutions that could safeguard thousands of positions.

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MG 07 Launches in China with Porsche-Inspired Design and €14,000 Price

MG has unveiled the 07, a large fastback sedan that echoes the style of the Porsche Panamera but undercuts it dramatically on price. The model is available as a plug-in hybrid and as an extended-range electric, with impressive specs and record-breaking demand in China.

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Wave Pool Project in Cantabria Sparks Sharp Local Divide

A planned artificial wave pool in rural Cantabria aims to attract 200,000 tourists. The project requires rezoning 100,000 square meters and faces strong local opposition. Residents fear overdevelopment and loss of tranquility.

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La Huerta de Vale to Close in Cáceres After Eight Years

La Huerta de Vale, a well-known fruit and healthy food shop in Cáceres, will close its doors after eight years. Owner Valentín Ronco cites physical and mental fatigue, leaving the future of the project open as the shop’s premises go up for rent.

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Geely Raises Export Ambitions After Acquiring 34% of Ford España

Geely has sharply increased its export targets for 2026, aiming to ship 920,000 vehicles outside China. The move follows a major stake in Ford España and reflects shifting strategies as domestic demand weakens.

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France Confirms Major Caracal Helicopter Order from Morocco

Morocco has placed a significant order for Airbus Caracal helicopters, with contracts exceeding €1.3 billion in the past decade. The deal highlights growing military cooperation and advanced technology transfers.

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Zeekr X Launches in Spain With 405 km Range and Premium Tech

Zeekr, Geely’s premium EV brand, debuts its Zeekr X compact SUV in Spain. With up to 405 km of range, advanced features, and competitive pricing, the model aims to challenge established players in the segment.

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Irmscher Reinvents Performance: From Opel Ascona to Leapmotor B10 Dynamic

Irmscher, once famed for transforming Opel classics, now turns its expertise to electric SUVs. The Leapmotor B10 Dynamic inherits a legacy of speed and precision, bridging decades of automotive evolution with a limited-edition twist.

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Tesla Semi to Make European Debut at Hannover in September

Tesla will unveil the European version of its Semi electric truck at IAA Transportation in Hannover this September. The event will reveal key specs and mark a turning point for heavy-duty electric transport in Europe.

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Tesla to Recall Nearly 5 Million Electric Cars in China Over Safety Risks

Tesla will recall almost five million electric vehicles in China after regulators flagged safety concerns with emergency door mechanisms and driver attention systems. The recall affects both domestically produced and imported models.

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Chery's Barcelona Venture Drives Overseas Revenue Surge

Chery Automobile, now producing vehicles in Barcelona with Ebro Motors, saw its overseas revenue surpass domestic sales for the first time. Despite a 9% drop in profit, the company’s international expansion is reshaping its business.

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JAECOO 7 SHS Plug-In Hybrid Sets New Standard for Spanish SUVs

JAECOO’s 7 SHS Plug-In Hybrid is redefining expectations for mid-size SUVs in Spain. With advanced hybrid tech, impressive range, and top safety ratings, it’s quickly becoming a benchmark for electrified vehicles.

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Congress Ushers Receive New Uniforms from Film Costume Maker

The Congress of Deputies has introduced new uniforms for ushers, produced by Peris Costumes, a Madrid-based company known for film and TV wardrobe. The three-year contract is valued at nearly €900,000 and covers over 2,400 garments.

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Electric Car Sales Surge in Europe as Incentives Drive Global Growth

Global electric vehicle sales climbed 9% in July, led by a dramatic surge in Europe where government incentives have fueled demand. China and North America, however, show contrasting trends as the market landscape evolves.

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