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Russian brands to overtake Chinese rivals in 2026 car market share

The balance of power in the Russian new passenger car market is poised for a fundamental shift by the end of 2026. According to a forecast from Sergei Tselykov, head of the analytical agency Avtostat, domestic brands are projected to overtake Chinese competitors for the first time in a long period, capturing 43% of sales volume against 41% for Chinese marques. This projection suggests that the current marginal advantage held by Chinese manufacturers will erode in the remaining months of the year. Data for January through July indicates a near-tie in market share, with Chinese brands accounting for 40.9% of sales and Russian producers for 40.6%-a difference of merely 0.3 percentage points. The competitive gap is so narrow that the outcome of the leadership battle depends on minor fluctuations in the final quarter. Despite the projected shift in aggregate market share, the internal hierarchy within each national bloc remains stable. Lada continues to dominate the Russian segment, while Haval maintains its position as the leading Chinese brand. The potential reversal in overall market leadership signals a significant transformation in consumer preferences and the structure of vehicle supply, marking a turning point in the competition between localized and imported production platforms.

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Tatyana Ali on Honoring James Avery for ‘DWTS’ Dedication Night, Reading Fan Comments and Going Viral With Jan Ravnik

The ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ stars chats with THR about her tribute to her onscreen TV father, how her onscreen brother Alfonso Ribeiro convinced her to take on ‘DWTS’ and why the fans are the “most wonderful surprise of doing the show.”
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From Soviet-era UAZ to Aurus limousines: Russian cars used by foreign leaders

For decades, Russian and Soviet automotive exports have served as more than just transportation tools for foreign heads of state; they have functioned as diplomatic instruments and, in some cases, enduring symbols of geopolitical alignment. From the rugged utility of the UAZ-469B to the modern prestige of the Aurus Senat, the interaction between Russian vehicle manufacturers and international leaders reveals a complex dynamic where engineering capability, political signaling, and logistical realities intersect. The historical precedent for this relationship dates back to the Cold War, when the Soviet government gifted an open-top, rear-wheel-drive UAZ-469B, a vehicle originally designed for military command, to Kim Il-sung, the leader of North Korea. This gesture established a pattern of reliance that persisted through generations. In 2018, his grandson, Kim Jong-un, arrived at a summit with the South Korean leader in a heavily armored Mercedes-Maybach, a clear indicator of a shift in the preferred status symbols of the North Korean regime. However, reports indicate that the North Korean leader's private garage also contains new models of the UAZ Patriot, suggesting that the brand has retained a functional place in the national fleet despite the availability of German luxury alternatives. This appreciation for Soviet and Russian engineering has not been limited to ideological allies. In 1990, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl demonstrated a practical interest in Russian heavy-duty engineering by personally driving a KAMAZ prime mover at the factory in Naberezhnye Chelny. This was a rare instance of a Western leader engaging directly with the mechanics of a vehicle that was being actively exported to capitalist markets. The KAMAZ truck's appeal to Western buyers and officials alike rested on its robust construction and ease of maintenance-characteristics that offered a pragmatic solution in environments where sophisticated European or American vehicles might struggle or prove too costly to repair.

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Michelin stars: Greece’s gastronomy boasts with 21 stars in three regions

The highly coveted Michelin Guide stars, shining over Athens and Santorini, have just been announced. Greece now boasts a total of 21 stars across the regions currently covered by the guide. The prestigious Michelin stars for Greece have been announced. Beyond Athens, the famous guide’s inspectors have now also visited Santorini and Thessaloniki. In fact, […]

The post Michelin stars: Greece’s gastronomy boasts with 21 stars in three regions appeared first on Keep Talking Greece.

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Pajero 2026: The Trade-Off Between Heavier Mass and Proven Off-Road Pedigree

For Russian buyers, the return of the Mitsubishi Pajero to the market in 2026 represents a significant shift in both identity and ownership calculus. After production of the fourth generation ceased in 2021, the nameplate has resurfaced with a fifth generation that trades the utilitarian charm of its predecessors for a heavier, more digitized, and significantly more expensive proposition. Dealers are now accepting orders for the left-hand drive variant, positioning the vehicle not as a mass-market commodity, but as a specialized tool for those who refuse to compromise between highway comfort and serious off-road capability. The most immediate change for potential owners is the scale. The 2026 model is physically larger and heavier than the version many veterans remember. The wheelbase has been extended by 90 mm to 2,870 mm, while the overall length reaches 4,920 mm. This is not merely a visual update; the vehicle now sits on a unibody-derived or heavy-duty frame architecture that pushes the curb weight to approximately 2,460 kg. For a driver accustomed to the agility of smaller SUVs, this mass, combined with a ground clearance of 230 mm, transforms the Pajero into a dominant road presence. The trade-off is clear: the car is built to absorb rough terrain and heavy loads, but it demands the space and fuel economy expectations of a luxury sedan. The interior gap between expectation and reality Inside, the Pajero V diverges sharply from the spartan interiors of earlier generations. The cabin is now defined by digital immersion, specifically in the Top Grade trim, which features two 14.3-inch displays-one for the instrument cluster and one for multimedia control. This level of digitization is paired with a Yamaha Ultimate audio system comprising 12 speakers, suggesting that Mitsubishi is targeting buyers who view their vehicle as a mobile lounge rather than just a transport mechanism.

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Why the V6's Rough Reputation Is a Legacy of Cost-Cutting Geometry, Not Physics

The V6 engine occupies a contentious space in automotive engineering, often viewed as a compromise between the efficiency of a four-cylinder and the prestige of a V8. This perception is not a result of an inherent physical limitation of the V6 architecture, but rather a legacy of early cost-cutting measures and specific geometric choices that prioritized production speed over mechanical refinement. The Geometry of Balance The perceived lack of refinement in early V6 engines can be traced back to 1962, when General Motors' Buick division sought to reduce development costs. Rather than engineering a dedicated V6, they removed two cylinders from a small-displacement V8. This approach retained the V8's 90-degree bank angle. In a V8, the 90-degree angle allows for inherent primary balance. However, by reducing the cylinder count to three per bank while maintaining that same angle, the engine lost its natural equilibrium. This created significant secondary vibrations and a rougher idle, cementing the V6's early reputation as a coarse, utilitarian powerplant. The engineering trade-off was clear: the company saved on tooling and design costs, but the driver felt the result as a lack of smoothness.

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3 years after releasing "Flowers," Miley Cyrus sang new lyrics at the Hollywood Bowl. Here are the song's rumored Liam Hemsworth references.

Miley cyrus at Hollywood Bowl stitched with her and Liam.
Miley Cyrus ad-libbed lyrics for her hit single "Flowers" after selling out the Hollywood Bowl.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation, Presley Ann/WireImage via Getty Images

  • Miley Cyrus changed the lyrics to her hit song "Flowers" after selling out the Hollywood Bowl.
  • She held a two-night run at the venue in October, her first full solo concert in four years.
  • Some fans say "Flowers," released in early 2023, is a diss track to her ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth.

After selling out a two-night residency at the Hollywood Bowl in October, Miley Cyrus changed the lyrics of an integral part of her hit song, "Flowers."

She ad-libbed about selling out the iconic venue before the chorus: "Started to cry, but then remembered I sold out the Hollywood Bowl!"

She added similar lyrics to "Flowers" in 2024 when she performed it after winning her first Grammy.

The ad-lib now seems to be a way for Cyrus to celebrate her wins, and fans have suggested since its release in 2023 that the song was written as a diss track against her ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth. The two married in 2018 and divorced a year later.

Representatives for Hemsworth did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Here are the Easter eggs you may have missed in "Flowers."

Miley Cyrus released her single "Flowers" in 2023 — and many fans think the song takes aim at her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth.
Miley Cyrus in the YouTube video for "Flowers."
Fans think "Flowers" is a dig at Hemsworth.

Miley Cyrus/YouTube

As Business Insider previously reported, Cyrus and Hemsworth met on the set of "The Last Song," which was released in 2010, and dated on and off for several years. The couple married in 2018 and divorced a year later. The split was finalized in January 2020.

While Cyrus hasn't confirmed that "Flowers" is about her relationship with Hemsworth, the single's release date, lyrics, and other hidden details offer a few clues to the song's meaning.

The song was released on Liam Hemsworth's birthday.
Liam Hemsworth Miley Cyrus
Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus attended the "Avengers: Endgame" premiere.

VALERIE MACON / Getty Images

The buzz around "Flowers" began when fans noticed its release date.

The single dropped on January 13 — Hemsworth's 33rd birthday — a detail that was not lost on Cyrus' fans. 

 

Miley’s telling the world she can love herself better ON LIAM’S BIRTHDAY?! she definitely didn’t lie when she said she’s got nerve https://t.co/Pp7fi5yuqa

— 𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔 (@mileywrld) January 1, 2023

"She definitely didn't lie when she said she's got nerve," one user tweeted. 

Many fans think "Flowers" resembles Bruno Mars' song, "When I Was Your Man."
miley cyrus liam hemsworth

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

In "When I Was Your Man," Mars sings that he wishes he "bought you flowers, and held your hand."

Although Mars isn't credited as a songwriter on "Flowers," Cyrus sings "I can buy myself flowers," and "I can hold my own hand" in a similar tune to Mars' hit. 

According to Billboard, some fans have speculated that Hemsworth dedicated Mars' song to Cyrus during their first engagement — though those theories are unconfirmed.

The song's opening verse could refer to the 2018 Woolsey Fire.
miley cyrus liam hemsworth

Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

"We were good, we were gold/ Kind of dream that can't be sold/ We were right till we weren't/ Built a home and watched it burn," Cyrus sings in the opening verse. 

According to Us Weekly, the fire metaphor could be referring to the home Cyrus shared with Hemsworth, which burned down during the 2018 Woolsey Fire.

It’s been a heartbreaking few days. This is what’s left of my house. Love. Many people in Malibu and surrounding areas in California have lost their homes also and my heart goes out to everyone who was affected by these fires. To help: https://t.co/YQCE1cLaej & @happyhippiefdn https://t.co/vtLFytFmNw

— Liam Hemsworth (@LiamHemsworth) November 13, 2018

Cyrus has said that the loss of the couple's Malibu home is partially what led her and Hemsworth to get married. 

Some fans have drawn comparisons between a clip from the song's music video and a past red-carpet moment.
liam hemsworth miley cyrus

Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

In 2019, while attending the Vanity Fair Oscars party, an Access Hollywood reporter asked Cyrus and Hemsworth what a dance number would look like between the couple.

WAIT A MINUTE https://t.co/YA76DVsz7T

— out of context hannah montana (@OCHannahMontana) January 4, 2023

When Cyrus began dancing on Hemsworth, her then-husband, he shut it down, saying, "We're not doing this. Not on the carpet."

One Twitter user put that video side by side with a promotional clip Cyrus posted on the platform, in which she appears to do a similar dance move — while the lyrics "I can love me better" play in the background.

In October 2026, Cyrus changed the lyrics to "Flowers" and performed it at the Hollywood Bowl.
A woman performs at a concert.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Miley Cyrus performs onstage at Bass Persuades Live at Hollywood Bowl on October 16, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation

After selling out shows at the Hollywood Bowl in October 2026, Cyrus changed the pre-chorus lyrics to "Flowers."

In the original version, Cyrus sings: "I didn't wanna leave you/I didn't wanna fight/Started to cry, but then remembered I," before belting out the chorus.

This past weekend, however, Cyrus changed that to: "I didn't wanna leave you (but I had to)/I didn't wanna fight (but we did)/Started to cry, but then remembered I sold out the Hollywood Bowl."

Cyrus has ad-libbed her hit single before: At the 2024 Grammys, she sang, "Started to cry, but then remembered I just won my first Grammy!"

Fans took to social media to applaud Cyrus' lyric change, with one YouTube commenter saying they "love how she's filling it in with different achievements."

Cyrus also paid tribute to Dolly Parton, her late godmother, during the concert, breaking down in tears as she recalled memories of Parton. Cyrus then performed Parton's hit song "Jolene."

Editor's Note: This story was originally published in January 2023 and was most recently updated in October 2026.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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AvtoVAZ Begins Daily Production of LADA Azimut Crossover for Russian Market

AvtoVAZ has transitioned from prototype assembly to the production of marketable inventory for the LADA Azimut, a family-oriented crossover designed for the Russian market. The shift toward daily output marks the final preparation stage before the official sales launch, with the factory focusing on scaling volume to prevent initial supply shortages. Structural Integrity and Corrosion Resistance The vehicle's physical architecture begins with 200 new stamping dies. In automotive manufacturing, the age of the tooling directly dictates the precision of the body panels; new dies minimize geometric deviations, which manifests for the driver as consistent panel gaps and a square chassis. To address the chemical aggression of winter road salts, the Azimut utilizes a multi-stage material strategy. External panels are formed from pre-galvanized steel to inhibit oxidation at the site of stone chips. Internally, the structure employs higher-gauge steel to increase torsional rigidity and crashworthiness. While the chassis relies on over 5,000 conventional weld points, the engineers have introduced laser welding at critical junctions. This creates a deeper, more continuous bond than traditional spot welding, reducing the likelihood of structural fatigue over time.

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Flying Grille Deflectors: GMC Sierra 1500 Under Investigation for Road Hazard

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into more than 535,000 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks from the 2022-2024 model years. The probe centers on a specific failure: the detachment of upper radiator grille deflectors while the vehicle is in motion. The Mechanism of Failure The issue is isolated to vehicles equipped with chrome deflectors introduced during the 2022 model year refresh. Trucks with non-chrome grilles utilize a different structural design and have not exhibited this particular failure. The physics of the fault involves the deflector separating from the front bodywork under the pressure of the oncoming airstream during normal driving conditions. Once the component detaches, the airflow can propel the deflector toward the windshield, potentially causing the glass to crack. Beyond the direct physical damage, the sudden appearance of a detached part in the driver's line of sight may trigger abrupt braking or erratic steering maneuvers, increasing the risk of a collision.

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South Africa’s Oscar Entry ‘Variations on a Theme’ Was Written With Microsoft Excel

Plus, an Estonian composer also has something to do with the film’s musical vibes, co-writer and co-director Devon Delmar shared with THR at the BFI London Film Festival.
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Val Chmerkovskiy Ousted From Next ‘DWTS’ Episode Amid Will Smith Oscars Slap Reference, Jenna Dewan to Dance With Alan Bersten

“The well-being of everyone who works on 'Dancing With the Stars' is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show," BBC Studios said in a statement.
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Cuba Prepares Workshop on Biosimilars, Innovation, and Access in Healthcare

On October 22–23, 2026, the Hotel Parque Central will host the “Workshop on Biosimilars: Innovation and Access in Healthcare,” organized by the import-export company FARMACUBA, the entity announced.

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Cuban Sciences Academy Awards Prize for Regenerative Medicine Research

Over the course of two days, specialists and institutions from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors will share experiences regarding the introduction, regulation, clinical evaluation, commercialization, and medical applications of biosimilars in Cuba.

The program includes panels on the policy, introduction, and final processing of biosimilars in Cuba; commercialization and promotion strategies; as well as regulatory aspects, clinical evaluation, and the medical applications of these products.

FARMACUBA will present information on the biosimilars for which it holds the rights, and will discuss market opportunities and economic benefits linked to their development and commercialization. The event will also provide an opportunity to establish connections with Cuban representative offices abroad, embassies, and potential international clients.

Presentation of Rituximab

A key highlight will be the official presentation of Rituximab, identified as the first biosimilar to undergo final processing in Cuban biopharmaceutical facilities. During the workshop, its regulatory and clinical outcomes, medical applications, and aspects related to its introduction and commercialization within the National Health System will be presented.

The second day will feature interactive virtual meetings with Cuban representatives abroad, embassies, and prospective foreign buyers. This initiative aims to promote the international reach of biosimilars developed under the auspices of FARMACUBA.

Additionally, a catalog of biosimilars will be presented, and the role of Rituximab in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas will be examined.

The workshop will serve as a forum for exchange among national and international specialists, intended to expand knowledge, explore avenues for collaboration, and examine new alternatives for the development and commercialization of biosimilars in Cuba.

FARMACUBA

Facilitator in the introduction and commercialization of biosimilars, strengthening the link between pharmaceutical innovation and national healthcare.

As an importer, exporter, distributor, and marketer of pharmaceutical products, the company is part of the BioCubaFarma business group, which operates under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba.

It ensures the provision of necessary resources to the Cuban pharmaceutical industry, while also managing the export of medicines and technical services to international clients.

In line with the country’s new economic and commercial strategy—designed to boost the development of the business sector—FARMACUBA aims to set a benchmark both domestically and internationally within the pharmaceutical industry. This presents a unique opportunity to expand knowledge, forge strategic alliances, and explore new avenues for collaboration.

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