Storm Leonardo Batters Southern Spain, Forcing Mass Evacuations
Andalucía, Spain, was hit hard by Storm Leonardo on Wednesday, causing widespread flooding and prompting the evacuation of approximately 3,000 people, according to Euronews. The storm brought heavy rainfall to the region, cutting off roads and inundating homes in Cádiz, Jaén, and Málaga.
High-speed train services were suspended, and schools were closed across the region, with the exception of Almería. Red alerts were issued for Grazalema, Ronda, and the Strait of Gibraltar, where forecasts predicted up to 150 liters of rain per square meter, Euronews reported. Rivers in at least 19 areas swelled, with six reaching critical levels. Emergency crews were monitoring riverbeds as neighbors worked to bail water from flooded homes in mountain towns.
Bulgarian Prosecutors Investigate Secret Filming in Beauty Salons
In Bulgaria, prosecutors launched a criminal investigation into the secret filming of women undergoing cosmetic procedures at beauty salons. Marina Stoimenova of Euronews reported that hundreds of women were filmed without their knowledge or consent, and the footage was then distributed on pornographic websites.
The victims included minors, some as young as 15 to 17, as well as public figures such as a judge, a prosecutor, journalists, and relatives of government officials, according to prosecutors. Hidden cameras captured women during procedures like laser hair removal, often while they were fully naked. Some of the recordings dated back to 2023.
Snap Reports Revenue Growth, User Decline in Q4
Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, released its Q4 earnings report, revealing revenue growth but a decrease in daily users, according to TechCrunch. The company's revenue reached $1.7 billion, a 10% increase year-over-year. Average revenue per user also saw a slight increase, rising from $3.44 to $3.62. Net income for the quarter was $45 million, up from $9 million the previous year.
Snap's paid subscription service, Snap , continued to contribute significantly to revenue, with subscribers growing 71% year-over-year to reach 24 million. The company is focused on diversifying its revenue streams, moving beyond ad revenue to include subscriptions and hardware.
Mundi Ventures Closes €750M Deep Tech and Climate Fund
Mundi Ventures, a Spain-based venture capital firm, announced the first close of its Kembara Fund I, securing €750 million for deep tech and climate investments, TechCrunch reported. The fund received a €350 million commitment from the European Investment Fund under the European Tech Champions Initiative in 2024.
According to regulatory filings from Spain, the fund could potentially reach a final closing of €1.25 billion. Kembara co-founder and general partner Yann de Vries noted that raising €750 million in two years as a first fund in the current environment was a challenge. The fund will focus on early-stage climate startups in Europe.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment