Ford Motor Company and Chinese automaker Geely Automobile Holdings have announced an agreement under which a new type of vehicle for the European market will be produced at the Ford plant in Valencia, Spain.
This partnership will establish a joint venture where Ford holds a 66% stake and the Chinese manufacturer holds 34%. The Valencia plant is planned to produce two electric SUVs. The first vehicles are expected to enter the market in 2028.
On the surface, this collaboration appears unusual—an American brand providing production space to a Chinese rival. However, a more detailed analysis shows that this is one of the clearest signs of the transformation of the global automotive industry. The Ford plant in Valencia was operating at low capacity, only 26% in 2025, indicating a significant amount of unused equipment and personnel.
According to Boston Consulting Group estimates, European car plants operate at an average utilization rate of about 60%, whereas approximately 80% is required to achieve real profitability. This creates excess capacity in Europe equivalent to more than 35 idle assembly lines.
Concurrently, Chinese automakers are actively seeking to secure European production sites before new regulations take effect. Brussels is finalizing norms that are expected to require electric vehicles to have at least 70% of their components manufactured in Europe to qualify for state subsidies. Furthermore, a broader 'sustainability test' will be introduced, which may restrict support for supply chains overly dependent on any single country outside the EU, primarily China.
Chinese brands such as BYD, Chery, Xpeng, and SAIC are rushing to establish European production bases, as securing a position now is far more valuable than applying after the new rules are implemented. The Geely deal in Valencia, Leapmotor's cooperation with Stellantis in Zaragoza, and Hongqi's negotiations with Stellantis for another Spanish plant are part of this overall race.
Spain is the second-largest car-producing country in Europe and is attractive due to lower labor and energy costs compared to Germany. These data underscore the urgency of the situation: China's share of the Western European market reached 8.6% at the beginning of 2026, nearly double the figure from the previous year. Moreover, investments in electric vehicles and batteries supported by China in Europe exceeded 30 billion euros just this year.
For Ford, the logic mirrors that of Geely. Ford's head in Europe, Jim Baumbick, stated directly that the goal is to 'load up' the underutilized facility. Ten years ago, Ford was the fourth-largest automaker in Europe, selling over a million cars annually; last year, this figure dropped to barely 426,000, and the company fell to eighth place. Filling the idle capacity with Geely's production, alongside launching its own Bronco SUV at the same plant, is viewed as a survival strategy, not just a partnership.
Not everyone welcomes this agreement. US Representative John Mulinar, chairman of the House Committee on China, called Ford's decision 'incomprehensible.' He noted the paradox: Ford is collaborating with a Chinese automaker in Europe while simultaneously lobbying for stricter restrictions on Chinese automakers entering the US market, where the Senate has just advanced legislation tightening such bans.
Ford's response was that the markets are different, the rules vary, and the competitive environment in Europe is changing rapidly, making inaction unacceptable. Local unions in Spain show cautious support but demand real technology transfer and the creation of an authentic local supply chain, rather than just an assembly line using foreign components. Union leader Juan José Picasso stated: 'We cannot just be an assembly plant.'
This deal concerns not so much Ford and Geely personally, but the restructuring of the entire automotive industry, which is happening along two simultaneous tracks: European regulation is attempting to slow down the entry of Chinese players into the market, while Chinese manufacturers are rushing to get inside before the doors close. Such joint plant usage deals are expected to become more frequent before the local Brussels rules come into full force.
AFP reported that Israeli banks Hapoalim and Discount have notified Palestinian banks of their intention to cease providing vital correspondent banking services within several weeks.
According to the report, five Palestinian banks that use Bank Hapoalim's services for correspondent banking will lose access to these services on August 13. Banks conducting operations through Discount Bank will face a similar situation on September 1, Palestinian banking officials stated.
The Israeli Ministry of Finance stated that this decision was made due to 'growing public risks and concerns regarding private lawsuits that may be directed against Israeli banking institutions.' The Ministry also announced that it is in discussions with both banks to ensure the continuation of correspondent banking 'in a safe and responsible manner,' while protecting Israel's economic and defense interests.
Correspondent relationships between Palestinian banks and Bank Hapoalim, as well as Bank Discount, represent an operational link connecting the Palestinian banking system with the Israeli financial system. This interconnection ensures the smooth operation of critical transactions such as transferring shekel payments between Palestinian and Israeli banks, settling payments for Palestinian imports from Israel (which constitutes the main part of Palestinian trade), and receiving and transferring salaries of Palestinian workers employed in Israel and settlements.
Furthermore, this arrangement allows for the return of surplus shekel banknotes accumulated in Palestinian banks to the Israeli banking system and facilitates transfers between Palestinian and Israeli companies. If these ties are severed without finding an alternative, it could have far-reaching consequences, including disruptions in settlements between Palestinian and Israeli firms.
This move will also disrupt the supply of essential goods such as food, fuel, and medicine, and exacerbate the existing crisis of shekel accumulation in Palestinian banks, which arose from restrictions on repatriating excess cash to Israel. The impact on the Palestinian Authority will depend on the duration of the disruptions and whether a temporary or permanent solution is reached. In the event of an actual severance of correspondent relations, the Palestinian Authority may face difficulties in paying state sector salaries due to delays or increased costs of fund transfers.
Trade disruptions could also lead to reduced tax revenues, increasing fiscal pressure, while payment delays and shekel shortages could undermine public confidence in the banking system.
Economic expert Nasr Abdel Karim told Middle East Eye that the Israeli government has been implementing 'all possible policies to subjugate Palestinians one way or another' over the past four years. Karim believes that this step has a political undertone and will worsen the problems already faced by Palestinians, including fuel shortages, salary delays, excess shekels in local banks, high youth unemployment, and deteriorating living conditions. He added that this will put additional pressure on traders and the private sector.
He noted that 'bank decisions are based on minimizing risks and protecting the interests of their shareholders and depositors. The uncertainty created by Smotrich left no room for maneuver for the banks, so they decided to sever relations. But this, of course, happens in the context of expansionist policy.'
Another problem for the Palestinian banking sector is the growing reliance on cash instead of electronic transfers, which involves higher risks and costs. There is also a possibility that banks' ability to provide certain services to clients may decrease if the disruptions last for a long time. Palestinian officials and international organizations have warned that a breakdown could trigger a wider economic and banking crisis if an alternative mechanism is not found or current agreements are not extended.
Political analyst Mohammed al-Qeeq told Middle East Eye that Israel has deliberately sought to sever all ties with the Palestinian Authority to pave the way for its collapse, working with private companies that could replace it. According to Qeeq, this will allow Israel to interact with Palestinians bypassing the Palestinian Authority. He explained: 'Israel views the West Bank as Judea and Samaria, which means for the international community that there is no sovereign Palestinian state. This means it is Israeli land, and deals will be made with companies, not with the Palestinian Authority.'
In his view, the banks' actions are a key part of the annexation plan aimed at dismantling the Palestinian Authority and weakening Palestinians by depriving them of their independent economy and even basic needs, such as fuel, thereby reducing them to the status of temporary residents in this territory.
Google has introduced the 'video selfie for sign-in' feature—an account recovery tool that allows users to verify their identity via a short video selfie if they lose access to their password, phone, or other login methods.
This functionality is part of Google's latest efforts to implement biometric authentication alongside the use of passkeys and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Although the company claims this feature will improve convenience and recovery security, its launch comes amid a rapid rise in deepfake fraud generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
Google positions the 'video selfie for sign-in' as an additional recovery method, not a complete replacement for passwords or passkeys. The process begins with the user recording a short reference video selfie performing specific movements, such as turning their head, so that Google's systems can capture the face from different angles. Upon subsequent loss of account access, the user can record a new video, which is then compared to the original for identity verification.
According to the company, the verification process includes several security measures, such as AI-based facial recognition, liveness detection, motion control, and detection of suspicious login attempts. These measures are intended to reduce the risk of impersonation using photographs, replayed videos, or AI-generated deepfakes.
Google states that the reference video is encrypted during storage, is collected only with user consent, and can be deleted at any time through account settings. By default, the video is used exclusively for account recovery unless the user explicitly agrees to additional use cases. The company emphasizes that the 'video selfie for sign-in' complements existing protection measures, such as passkeys, recovery contact details, and two-step verification.
Nevertheless, cybersecurity specialists urge caution, pointing to the potential misuse of facial data. Purshottam Bhatia, Head of Consumer Business in South Asia at Kaspersky, noted that simple fraudulent attempts are unlikely to succeed against sophisticated deepfake detection systems, but attacks targeting high-value accounts remain a problem.
He added that fraudulent websites often request access to the device camera under the guise of account verification. The obtained facial data can subsequently be used for unauthorized account access or sold on the dark web. Experts agree that no single authentication method is sufficient protection against modern threats; instead, systems increasingly rely on multiple independent verification methods.
Passkeys, based on FIDO Alliance standards, are considered among the most reliable authentication methods because they eliminate traditional passwords and use cryptographic keys securely stored on trusted devices. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds another layer of protection by requiring users to confirm their identity via a separate device or authenticator app.
The 'video selfie for sign-in' serves a different purpose: it primarily solves one of the biggest user problems—regaining access after losing passwords or trusted devices—rather than authenticating every login. For users who frequently change or lose phones, this feature can reduce the risk of permanent account lockout while providing higher protection than traditional recovery questions.
Experts warn that one of the biggest risks associated with facial biometric authentication is its irreversibility. Amit Jaju from the consulting firm Ankura stated: 'A password can be reset after compromise; a face cannot be changed. If a face template, video selfie, or related identification data is stolen, it can create a permanent risk of fraud and privacy for the individual.'
At the core of Google's new system is AI-based liveness detection. Unlike standard facial recognition, which simply compares two images, liveness detection attempts to establish whether a person is present in front of the camera at that moment. The head movements specified by Google are designed to prevent attackers from simply presenting a photograph or replaying a recorded video.
The company claims to combine facial matching with multiple security signals and standard account protection systems to detect suspicious recovery attempts and impersonation. However, the effectiveness of these systems will depend on how quickly their development keeps pace with generative AI. Modern deepfake tools are already capable of creating convincing facial movements, realistic eye blinking, and synchronized speech, which complicates the detection of impersonation attempts.
Google's announcement coincides with a sharp increase in AI-driven fraud. According to a 2026 report by pi-labs cited by Business Standard, the volume of deepfake content has increased by 900 percent in recent years. The report noted that over 90 percent of explicit deepfakes target women, and 65 percent of Indian organizations reported deepfake-based attacks in 2026.
Furthermore, over 5,000 face-swapping applications and more than 1,000 voice cloning tools have become publicly available, significantly lowering the barrier for cybercriminals. The rise in reports of cybercrimes involving women, from approximately 50,000 cases in 2024 to nearly 80,000 by 2026, reflects the growing abuse of AI for identity manipulation and digital fraud.
Beyond security concerns, there is also the issue of privacy. Unlike passwords, biometric identifiers cannot simply be reset after a leak. If facial data is compromised, users cannot replace their face in the same way they can change a password. Google attempts to address these concerns by stating that video selfies are recorded only with user consent, are encrypted during storage, are used only for account recovery unless the user agrees otherwise, and can be deleted at any time.
According to Bhatia, every collected video selfie represents an ongoing commitment, not a check that concludes after verification. Kaspersky's 2025 phishing study also showed that attackers are moving beyond passwords and increasingly targeting biometric data, as well as electronic and handwritten signatures. He emphasized: 'None of this data can be reset like a password. Companies that collect it are effectively taking guardianship over something the user cannot get back if it leaks, so responsibility does not end when verification is complete. It continues as long as the data is stored.'
Google is not the first technology company to use biometrics for authentication. Apple uses Face ID, which performs facial recognition primarily on the device, utilizing the Secure Enclave for local processing and protection of biometric information, rather than storing the face image in the cloud. Microsoft supports biometric authentication through Windows Hello, which similarly performs verification on compatible devices without centralized storage of user face templates.
Financial institutions are also increasingly adopting selfie verification for remote registration and KYC (Know Your Customer) processes. Many banks combine facial recognition with document verification and liveness detection to reduce fraud when opening accounts or conducting other high-risk transactions. Google's implementation differs in that it functions primarily as a recovery method for one of the world's largest digital identity platforms, as a Google account grants access to Gmail, Photos, Drive, payments, and numerous third-party services.
Google's video selfie feature reflects a broader trend in the technology industry—the shift towards biometric authentication to strengthen account security and simplify recovery. For users, this can reduce the risk of permanent account lockout and add a protective layer on top of passwords and emails. However, according to cybersecurity experts, no biometric system is absolutely secure, as deepfakes and AI-driven attacks are constantly evolving. The effectiveness of selfie verification will depend on how quickly AI-based liveness detection can keep up with increasingly complex threats.
Biometric data also creates unique privacy and security risks because, unlike passwords, they cannot be changed after being breached. Experts insist that strong encryption, limited data retention, user consent, and transparency will be critical to gaining trust in such systems. Thus, the 'video selfie for sign-in' feature should be viewed as an additional layer of security, not a standalone solution, and its long-term success will depend on the company's ability to continuously enhance defense against evolving AI-driven fraud.
The new production and office building is located in Dubrovčani, a village northwest of Zagreb, which is characterized by a rural and natural landscape. The site where the object is being built is in an area that is rapidly turning into an industrial complex and small business zone, and was originally used as a landfill for construction waste.
After remediation work on the landfill, the site was restored, leading to the formation of a new topography and a new natural appearance. Following the natural slope of the terrain, three hills were formed on the site, which defined the central space and pedestrian routes. Technical, production, and public areas are located within these hills and oriented towards the pedestrian path connecting them.
The horizontal disc serves as an anchor in this unstable context. A simple ground floor with a square plan, organized around a central circular atrium, sits atop the three green hills. The building is simultaneously neutral and specific, drawing the surrounding natural landscape inside and creating unexpected spatial sequences.
The interior of the disc is designed as a dynamic and horizontal working environment, consisting of office spaces of various types and characteristics. A sequence of planes and transparent surfaces is used to enhance interaction between users and intense connections with the external environment. Closed offices with corner meeting rooms and group work niches are located along the exterior facade, opening the central space to the landscape.
Around the atrium, which is the main circulation space, are the entrance, visitor reception area, hot desks, a circular presentation room, and a small auditorium that leads to a multi-functional lounge area and an outdoor terrace in the basement. A spiral staircase connects this area to a small pavilion on the roof, a terrace, and a running track.
The structural system consists of two pre-stressed concrete composite slabs, connected by a series of V-shaped perimeter supports, four reinforced concrete cores, and freely placed groups of inclined supports. Large structural spans allow for flexible spatial organization using light, non-structural, and demountable partitions.
The building creates its own context while interacting with the surrounding nature and the recently constructed neighboring environment. Thanks to the continuous landscape extending beneath the building, the atrium becomes the central point of both internal and external spaces, blurring the boundaries between them.
