With the ceasefire between Iran and its adversaries hanging in the balance, a lack of substantial progress in the negotiations taking place in Islama...

President Donald Trump safely evacuated the White House Correspondents Dinner at a hotel in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night after shots were fired by an alleged lone gunman.

About two hours after the shots were fired, Trump, still wearing his tuxedo, addressed a roomful of reporters also in formalwear at the White House briefing room. Trump said one officer had been shot in the attack, but was saved by “a very good bulletproof vest.”

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a separate press availability that the officer and the suspect had been transported to local hospitals. 

The suspect was armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives, Washington Metropolitan Police interim Chief Jeffery Carroll said. As of Saturday night, investigators believed the suspect acted alone, though a full investigation was underway, Carroll said.

He would be prosecuted on two charges, using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said. He would be arraigned in federal court Monday, she added. 

No other casualties were reported, and the U.S. Capitol Police said all members of Congress in attendance were unharmed. The high-profile press dinner intended to honor the First Amendment at the Washington Hilton Hotel, often dubbed “nerd prom,” attracts about 2,600 attendees who pay $480 each for tickets.

Charged security checkpoint

The suspected shooter, who law enforcement said was a guest at the hotel, was a man from California who charged “a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons,” from about 50 yards away, Trump said. 

He posted a photo on his social media platform of what appeared to be the suspect, lying shirtless flat on the floor. Some news media identified the individual but States Newsroom cannot yet confirm those reports.

Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman, said in a statement on social media the incident occurred near the main magnetometer screening area at the dinner.

“He was running full-blast,” Trump said. 

Federal law enforcement on Saturday night was pursuing warrants to search the man’s home, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said at the briefing with Trump.

Asked if he believed he was the target of the attack, Trump said, “I guess.” 

Trump said he’d been targeted, now apparently in a third assassination attempt in two years, because of his impactful record as president.

“It comes with the territory,” he said. “You take a look at what’s happened to some of our greatest presidents, and it doesn’t happen to people that don’t do anything,” he said.  

In a social media post before briefing reporters, Trump said he was in “perfect condition.”

Rescheduled dinner

At the White House briefing room podium, Trump praised the law enforcement response and committed to rescheduling the event in the next 30 days. The dinner, an annual celebration of the White House press corps, is “dedicated to freedom of speech,” he said.

“And we’ll make it bigger and better and even nicer,” he said. “I just want to thank everybody that was involved. I also want to thank the press, the media. You’ve been very responsible in your coverage, I will say. I’ve been seeing what’s been out.”

An initial press pool report from the hotel after the shooting occurred, sent at 8:39 p.m. Eastern, said “There was several loud bangs and the Secret Service with guns drawn rushed the pool out of the room. (The) Secret Service pushed us back screaming ‘Shots fired.’”

Jacqui Heinrich of Fox News said on social media shortly after 9 p.m. Eastern that she was behind the podium with other guests, “in a hold,” and Trump was still down the hall and did not want to leave.

Trump himself confirmed that in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. 

“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,” he wrote. “They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again. President DONALD J. TRUMP”

Frightened reporters seated at tables in the Hilton ballroom dove for the floor. Cabinet members and White House officials were hustled out of the room.

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer said on air that he heard “a really loud blasting away” and the next thing he knew he was being pushed to the floor by police. “I was just a few feet away from the gunman, and it was a really scary moment,” Blitzer said.

Reagan shooting

The annual formal dinner is hosted by an organization made up of journalists who cover the White House. Trump’s invitation to the event had been controversial given his frequent personal attacks on reporters and the news media in general.

The Hilton was also the site of another attack on a president when on the afternoon of March 30, 1981, gunman John Hinckley Jr. shot and wounded President Ronald Reagan while he was leaving the hotel. Reagan recovered after a stay in the hospital. Reagan’s press secretary, James Brady, also was wounded, as were police officer Thomas Delahanty and Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy.

Details of the shooter’s motive and plan Saturday were not immediately clear. Trump said the public would know much more about him in the coming days.

Trump was injured in an assassination attempt during a campaign stop in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. Another suspected assassin was arrested near Trump’s home in Florida on Sept. 15 of that year.

Jonathan Shorman contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON — Family and friends of Virginia Roberts Giuffre gathered in the nation’s capital Saturday to mark one year since her death, and to demand justice for victims of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

On a stage across from the Ellipse, with the White House in the background, family members, advocates and women connected to Giuffre through shared horrors of sexual abuse held a vigil for her. 

They remembered the woman they say changed the world by sharing her story of abuse by the disgraced multi-millionaire who victimized roughly 1,000 women and girls, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

“Sis, today is your day,” Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, said. “Today is Virginia’s Day, a day I know you would want us to be about celebrating survivors around the world, for both those that have come forward and those that have not, to be about inspiring us to continue speaking out, acting and reclaiming what many of us feel like we’ve lost.”

Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025 in Australia, where she had been living for several years. Giuffre had emerged as one of the most prominent victims after she challenged Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell and former British royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, alleging she had been trafficked and sexually abused.

Butterfly decorations, flowers and an artist rendering of Giuffre among animals and nature adorned the stage for the event attended by roughly 250 people.

The ceremony comes after nearly a year of renewed focus on the 2019 federal investigation of the disgraced financier. Interest reemerged and dogged Congress and President Donald Trump following an FBI memo in July that announced authorities found no reason to release further information going forward.

Trump, who campaigned on releasing the so-called Epstein files, and whose supporters for years stoked conspiracies, repeatedly dismissed the files last year as a “hoax.”

Shortly after Trump began his second term, former Attorney General Pam Bondi touted having Epstein’s client list on her desk.

All but one member of Congress voted in November to release the government’s investigative materials that led to sex trafficking charges against Epstein, who surrounded himself with powerful and wealthy figures, including Trump. The president denies any knowledge of the former hedge fund manager’s wrongdoings.

Epstein died in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 awaiting trial.

U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., told the crowd Saturday, “There is a difference between misfortune and injustice.”

“If you were born into an abusive family, as so many of the Epstein survivors were, as you learn from Virginia’s remarkable book, that’s a misfortune,” Raskin said, referring to Giuffre’s posthumous memoir titled “Nobody’s Girl.”

The Maryland Democrat recounted well-documented evidence that the Justice Department had a 60-count indictment against Epstein ready in 2008, but that then-U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Alex Acosta negotiated a plea deal for lesser state charges.

“If the whole of the government and the political elite organizes to block the truth and to repress change, that’s not just a misfortune, that’s an injustice, and we’re gonna do something about it,” Raskin said to cheers.

Advocacy groups, including the Women’s Law Project, Ultraviolet, World Without Exploitation and the National Organization for Women, helped stage Saturday’s memorial.

Giuffre’s book publicist, Dini von Mueffling, said shortly before Giuffre’s death she and Giuffre “wept and cheered” when they learned her book would be published by Penguin Random House.

“I so wish she could have seen that her brilliant book debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list and stayed on the list for 23 weeks — and then watch as Andrew lost his title,” von Mueffling said.

Mountbatten-Windsor, whose name and likeness appears in the Epstein investigative material, settled outside of court with Giuffre in 2022.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, though she was relocated to a lesser security prison by the Trump administration in August.

The Department of Justice, mandated by law, released millions of files related to the Epstein investigation in late 2025 and early 2026, though advocates and some lawmakers contend many redactions violate the law, and that many files remain unreleased.

By Jacques Abou-Rizk/Medill News Service

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Some time since President Donald Trump’s second term began, the White House removed a reference to April’s Arab American Heritage Month from its website. 

Former President Joe Biden’s 2024 proclamation now only exists in internet archives. As the month nears a close, Trump has ignored what many Arab Americans see as recognition for their contributions in America. 

Despite that snub, and even as the war in the Middle East continues, communities across the country celebrated the ninth annual National Arab American Heritage Month, including in Alexandria, Virginia, recently.

Amal and Warren David, co-founders of the Arab America Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting Arab heritage, brought together hundreds of Arab American leaders, professionals, artists and activists in the Washington, D.C., suburb on April 16 for the national commemoration.

“We want to be joyful. We want to say we stand tall,” Amal David said to the couple hundred guests dressed in tuxedos and authentic Arab clothing at the Belle Haven Country Club. “Of course, we feel with our people, but it’s a form of showing resiliency.” 

The night brought together the diversity of the Arab American community. Members have roots in 22 nations in the Middle East and North Africa that speak Arabic and make up the Arab world. 

More than 3 million Arab Americans live in the United States today, approximately 134,000 of them in Virginia, the 10th-highest Arab population in the country. While more than 90% of Arabs worldwide are Muslim, nearly two-thirds of Arab Americans identify as Christian. 

Biden vs. Trump administration

Before Trump took office in 2025, Biden recognized the holiday every year of his term.

For example, in 2022, five years after the Arab America Foundation designated the month and began pushing for federal recognition, the Biden administration, Congress, the State Department and 48 states all recognized April as Arab American Heritage Month. 

But by 2026, the numbers had diminished. More than 30 states and 18 cities or towns, including Alexandria, released their own Arab American Heritage Month proclamations as of April 17. Only five states have permanent statutes for the April celebration. 

Amal David said the Arab America Foundation approached the Trump administration last year in hopes that he would issue a proclamation, but the group did not hear back. On April 15, U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Debbie Dingell, both Michigan Democrats, also re-introduced a resolution to recognize April as National Arab American Heritage Month at the federal level. 

The White House did not respond to a request for comment. 

In attendance at the Alexandria celebration was Arlington Councilman Abdel Elnoubi, an Egyptian American. He said he was not surprised with the lack of federal recognition from the Trump administration, but it’s part of the reason he continues to promote Arab Americans.

“I think especially with what’s happening in the world right now, it’s even more important and critical for us Arab Americans to be present, to be part of the conversation, to show our heritage and to show our contributions to this society more and more,” Elnoubi said. “Because the more people get to know you, the less they fear.” 

Arab Americans have made profound contributions across science, technology and the arts. Dr. Michael DeBakey, a Lebanese American, invented the artificial heart, Farouk El-Baz, an Egyptian American, pioneered the use of space photography, and Dr. Mona Hanna, an Iraqi American, helped expose the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. 

This year’s national celebration in Alexandria starred Yasmin Elhady, comedian and host of Hulu’s “Muslim Matchmaker.” The night was emceed by Emmy Award-winning journalist Ameera David, with music by vocalists Usama Baalbaki and Nibal Malshi. The two performed Arab classics alongside Alexandria Poet Laureate Emerita Zeina Azzam, a Palestinian American. 

Trump appointments

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee noted in April 2025 that the Trump administration had exceeded previous presidents in the number of Arab Americans in senior positions. 

Notably, Martin Makary, a British American of Lebanese background, leads the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Massad Boulos, a Lebanese American, is the president’s senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs. According to the Arab American Institute, Trump received 43.2% of the Arab American vote in 2024. 

“Having Arab Americans at the table brings needed perspective and strengthens decisions that impact all communities,” a statement from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee last year read. “We look forward to working with current and future appointments of highly-qualified Arab American professionals in the Trump administration, and we encourage the administration to continue this trend.” 

However, some Arab Americans cautioned that the U.S. role in warfare in the Middle East runs counter to their desire for peace in the region. 

Iran is not an Arab nation, but many Arab nations have been brought into the conflict. The U.S. government assists Israel’s military more than any other country, including $3.8 billion allocated annually through 2028. Israel bombed Lebanon, an Arab nation, earlier this month until a ceasefire was announced. 

“We deserve to see a stable, peaceful Middle East, and unfortunately our government continues with involvement over there and has not helped and has not brought us closer to that,” Elnoubi said. “So I really hope to start seeing a shift in our foreign policy.”

Issam Andoni, chairman of the Arab America Foundation board of directors, said Arab Americans have succeeded because they support one another.

“While it (may) look simple, I know very well that every one of you knows how hard it is,” Andoni said. “We come from different countries. We have different backgrounds. We have different beliefs … but as Arab Americans, we decide to come together and unite ourselves.” 

Electric vehicles are quick, quiet, and typically offer awesome packaging and an easier maintenance schedule than combustion-powered cars. Where they struggle to keep up with their gas-powered competition is on the refueling side of things. Charging infrastructure is nowhere near what it is for gas-powered cars, and when one does find a charger, it can take a long time to get a battery that’s flat back to full. Now, CATL says it’s found a solution, and it’ll charge a battery from 10 to 98 percent in just 6.5 minutes.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the new Shenxing 3 battery can hit that mark in roughly 6.5 minutes, beating the approximately nine-minute charging capability BYD revealed just last month. Bernstein analysts told the publication the new battery “effectively closes the gap with ICE vehicles.”

More: This New Battery Could Outlive You, Never Mind Your Car

CATL says the new pack is capable of a 10C charging rate and can go from 10 to 80 percent in just 3 minutes and 44 seconds. Even more impressive, the company claims the battery can still charge from 20 to 98 percent in around nine minutes even when temperatures plunge to -22 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 Celsius). Perhaps most impressive is that CATL says these charging speeds don’t destroy long-term battery life. Evidently, the Shenxing 3 still retains over 90 percent of its capacity after 1,000 full charging cycles.

CATL also introduced the new Qilin 3 battery, which it says can deliver up to 621 miles (1,000 km) of range while weighing just 1,378 pounds (625 kg). That makes it significantly lighter than comparable packs and, according to the company, improves efficiency, acceleration, braking, and handling. Oh, and wait, there’s more.

A new Qilin Condensed battery can deliver up to 932 miles (1,500 km) of range in a sedan or over 621 miles (1,000 km) in a full-size SUV. Obviously, that kind of range would be a giant benefit for the EV industry as it would reduce range anxiety and the need for additional charging infrastructure.

CATL says the Shenxing 3 and Qilin 3 batteries are intended for production vehicles rather than distant concepts, with the first applications likely arriving within the next year or so. The more ambitious Qilin Condensed battery appears further off, while CATL says its sodium-ion battery will enter mass production by the end of 2026.

The Jaguar GT has been teased for what feels like an eternity, but the finish line is finally in sight. Jaguar shocked the world with the release of its wild Type 00 Concept, created to preview its upcoming flagship EV. Recent prototypes of this car have shown it will take key design inspiration from the study, but morph into a slightly more restrained four-door sedan.

With the September reveal drawing closer, a new set of renderings attempt to offer a glimpse at what the production version could look like. That said, the heavily camouflaged prototypes have kept key details well hidden, making it tricky to pin down exactly how far Jaguar will dial things back from the concept.

Read: Jaguar Benchmarked Its Electric GT Against One Classic Above All Others

These new renderings, created by Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa, hint at a softened approach up front. The dramatic lighting signature gives way to more conventional LED headlights, paired with a cleaner, more familiar nose where a traditional grille would typically sit. There is still some flair, including an illuminated Jaguar badge, though the bumper trades concept-car aggression for smoother, more restrained curves.

The softer, more fluid treatment carries along the sides, where clean door skins replace the Type 00’s sharp shoulder line. Like a Porsche Taycan, charging flaps have been added to both front quarter panels, and there are also pop-out door handles. At the rear, a simple full-width LED lightbar stretches across the car, and while these renderings show a conventional rear window, from what we’ve heard, the production model may ultimately do without one.

Another detail worth noting, at least in prototype form, is that the GT appears to wear flared front and rear fenders that are absent from these illustrations, along with edgier detailing than seen here.

We also recently caught our first look at the interior, which places the driver in a cocooned position, framed by a tall center console and low-slung seats. The cabin leans into crisp lines and defined edges, anchored by an all-new steering wheel that looks lifted from a 1970s concept car. The dashboard is pared back, with a curved screen and digital gauge cluster taking over the role of traditional dials.

What Powers The Electric GT?

Beyond the car’s design, we know it will sport a large 120 kWh battery pack that should give it about 435 miles (700 km) of range on the WLTP cycle. It’ll support ultra-fast charging, too, meaning 200 miles (322 km) of range will be added in as little as 15 minutes.

The Jaguar Type 00 Concept

Power comes from three electric motors drawing on that battery. Combined output is expected to be north of 986 hp and 959 lb-ft (1,300 Nm) of torque. None of which is exotic by current EV standards, but the Jaguar should still feel properly rapid, despite tipping the scales at as much as 5,952 lbs (2,700 kg).

Jaguar itself is targeting a 0-62mph (100km/h) time of around three seconds, a 155mph (250 km/h) top speed, and 350kW peak charging. Pricing is expected to start around $160,000, with sales beginning in 2027.

A year ago, electric sedans looked like a settled bet. Not anymore. As recently as October last year, Kia was planning to build and sell the all-electric EV4 in the United States, aimed directly at the ever-popular Tesla Model 3.

However, the American market for EVs is markedly different now than it was in early 2025, due in no small part to the Trump administration’s pro-ICE policies and abandonment of the federal EV tax credit. This has forced Kia to indefinitely postpone the EV4 in America. While the US won’t get it, at least not yet, the EV4 has landed in several markets, including Australia.

Read: Kia Finally Brings An Affordable EV To America, Fake Gears And All

To see if the States are missing out on an exceptional electric sedan, or if it is perhaps better off without it, we recently lived with one for a week. Sadly for our American readers, they don’t get to experience a very competitive EV.

QUICK FACTS

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

While much of the EV4 is similar to other current Kia EVs, much of it is also unique. For starters, it’s been developed in both sedan and Hatch guises, and in some markets, is sold in both configurations. Australia only gets the sedan, which is the version that the US was also going to receive.

Underpinning the EV4 is the familiar Electric Group Modular Platform (E-GMP) from Hyundai, but in this application, it’s a 400-volt system rather than the 800-volt architecture of models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and others.

The downside of this platform is slower charging speeds. According to Kia, the max DC charge rate is a disappointing 128 kW. On the flip side, this cheaper platform has allowed Kia to make the EV4 more affordable. It starts at AU$49,990 ($35,800) for the EV4 Air Standard Range, and goes up to AU$59,190 ($42,400) for the EV4 Earth Long Range, and AU$64,690 ($46,300) for the EV4 GT-Line Long Range that we tested.

To put these prices into perspective, the Tesla Model 3 starts at AU$54,900 ($39,300) and tops out at AU$80,900 ($58,000), while the BYD Seal is available from as little as AU$46,990 ($33,700), has a mid-range AU$52,990 ($38,000) version, and tops out at AU$61,990 ($44,400).

What do you get for your money? The Standard Range model utilizes a 58.3 kWh battery pack and a front-mounted electric motor with 150 kW (201 hp) and 283 Nm (209 lb-ft) of torque. Long Range versions have the same motor, but are fitted with an 81.4 kWh pack, boosting the claimed driving range from 456 km (283 miles) to 612 km (380 miles).

As we’ve seen from many other Kia EVs in recent years, the EV4 doesn’t want to blend in. It looks more like a concept car than one you can actually walk into a showroom and buy, with the sedan being even more striking than the hatch.

Likely eager to maximize cargo space, Kia has extended the roofline and stretched the rear window, so it almost looks like a cross between a sedan and an estate. Or, more aptly, it looks a bit like the hunchback of Notre Dame, because pretty, it is not.

Well-Equipped And Tech-Forward

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

The cabin of Kia’s latest electric sedan is similar to that of some of the brand’s other EVs, but it has unique elements that make it stand out.

Key features include a pair of 12.3-inch screens and a smaller 5.0-inch display sandwiched between them, used for climate control. As in the much larger EV9, this central screen is mostly blocked by the steering wheel, but there are also physical HVAC toggles positioned further down on the dashboard.

With wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the infotainment display feels modern enough, even if the software is a little simple to what’s found in some of the EV4’s rivals.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

The surfaces feel slightly more premium than those of the EV5, and there are nice metallic switches for the seat heater and ventilation functions near the door handles. There’s also an abundance of storage between the seats, as well as a wireless smartphone charger.

In addition, the Earth and GT-Line models get a pair of premium front seats with pillowy headrests that feel great. These seats also include a one-touch reclining mode. It’s also nice that the seats can be adjusted very low, ensuring that even taller drivers have heaps of headroom.

Review: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Epiq Shakes Up The EV Hierarchy

The downsides of the EV4 sedan’s shape can be mostly felt in the second row. If you’re over 6 feet, there’s a good chance your hair will brush on the headliner. In addition, toe room is almost non-existent if one of the front seats is adjusted into a low position. While there are a couple of air vents in the rear, there unfortunately aren’t any temperature or fan speed controls.

Cargo volume is good, with Kia quoting 490 liters (17.3 cubic feet) of space in the trunk. Crucially, both rear seats can be folded flat, creating a large pass-through area that greatly enhances the car’s practicality.

Drives Like A Premium Sedan

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Given the specifications of the EV4, one can’t expect it to feel like a performance car, even in flagship GT-Line guise. However, it feels just as poised and polished to drive as the competition, as well as some more expensive electric offerings from Hyundai’s own stable, including the Ioniq 6.

The highlight of driving the EV4 isn’t the powertrain, its efficiency, or noise isolation, but rather how exceptional the ride quality is.

Like all other Kia models sold in Australia, the EV4 has undergone comprehensive local testing to fine-tune its ride, ensuring it perfectly irons out bumps and imperfections on the country’s often poorly surfaced roads.

It’s not an adjustable system, meaning there’s no way to stiffen or relax the ride as in some more expensive sedans. But it doesn’t need any adjustments, as it’s just about perfect and one of the most comfortable cars I’ve driven in quite some time.

Potholes and speed bumps are often a nuisance, but in the EV4, they completely fade into insignificance. It’s really quite extraordinary how well it rides, and it’s almost at the same standard as the Audi e-tron GT, which can cost over five times as much and has one of the more complex air suspension systems on the market. The Earth and GT-Line models have 19-inch wheels, while the Air sits on smaller 17-inch shoes, and may even be more supple.

The EV4’s sophisticated feel extends beyond its ride quality. Given that it’s down just 10 kW (13 hp) and 27 Nm (20 lb-ft) of torque from the EV5 SUV, I had expected the EV4 to suffer from the same torque steer qualms as its bigger brother. However, there’s not even a hint of torque steer under full throttle, perhaps in part due to the suspension setup.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

In addition, the EV4 doesn’t have quite the same propensity to spin up its inside front wheel as we found in the EV5. Admittedly, it’s not particularly quick and needs about 8 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph). That said, it never feels like it’s lacking power.

It’s a shame that the GT-Line doesn’t have a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup as found in some of Kia’s other GT-Line-badged EVs, particularly since the cheaper BYD Seal Performance has twin motors and an impressive 390 kW (523 hp) and 670 Nm (494 lb-ft) of torque.

Kia presented a GT version of the EV4 earlier this year, complete with twin motors producing 215 kW (282 hp), but I’d have liked to see this powertrain offered in the GT-Line, given the price point. This would have allowed Kia to develop a full-blown performance version to rival the BYD and the Tesla Model 3 Performance.

One good thing about the EV4’s single-motor setup is efficiency. Over my week with the car, I averaged just 14.3 kWh/100 km, beating Kia’s claimed 14.9 kWh/100 km and giving it a very achievable range of around 550 km (342 miles). It’s worth noting, however, that I spent most of my time with the EV4 driving in Eco mode and the regenerative braking in one-pedal mode.

The EV4’s steering has been well-calibrated and offers varying levels of feel depending on the driving mode. It’s also hard to fault how the EV4 feels under braking, with a consistent, smooth pedal feel and no noticeable shift from regenerative braking to mechanical braking.

While the EV4 does not prioritize performance, it handles shockingly well, thanks in part to the Goodyear tires. Front-end bite is great, and there’s plenty of grip.

Verdict

While the Kia EV4 looks a little odd, that doesn’t detract from the fact that it delivers exactly what an electric sedan like this should, at this price point.

It’s exceptionally efficient and undercuts many of its nearest rivals on price, all with the assurance of buying from a well-established brand with an expansive dealership and service network. The EV4’s ride is the standout, the cabin is well-equipped, and it offers plenty of range. If it were based on an 800-volt architecture that supported faster charging speeds, it would be difficult to fault. It’s a shame it won’t be sold in the US.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

One of the biggest complaints about electric vehicles is a long recharging time. That could be about to change as ChargePoint has introduced their new Express Solo.

Billed as the “world’s fastest standalone EV charger,” the Express Solo is capable of delivering 600 kW to a single EV. That’s significantly more than typical DC fast chargers and it could pave the way for far shorter recharging times. By comparison, Tesla’s V4 Supercharger, the current US benchmark for fast charging, peaks at 500 kW.

More: BYD’s New EV Chargers Are So Fast They’re Arranged Like Gas Station Pumps

ChargePoint says the Express Solo “delivers approximately 40% higher power density than other DC charging solutions in the industry’s smallest footprint.” This makes it well-suited for use in tight quarters such as gas stations and convenience stores.

The Express Solo can simultaneously charge two EVs, while an “additional dispenser” can be added into the mix to increase that number to four. When multiple vehicles are charging, the system can “deliver any combination of power levels up to 600 kW per port.”

The charger also has an Omni Port system, which provides access to both CCS and NACS ports at each connection. Other highlights include a built-in cable theft alarm, support for contactless payments, and a 15-inch display.

ChargePoint also mentioned built-in energy storage, which can apparently charge when electricity rates are low. There’s also a DC input for use with solar panels.

The Express Solo is built on ChargePoint’s next-generation architecture, which has been designed to address the “four main challenges to scaling DC fast charging: grid constraints, faster charging speeds, reliability, and cost.” The Express Solo will also be the company’s first DC charger to be sold across Europe.

ChargePoint CEO Rick Wilmer said: “Express Solo combines unmatched power density, direct DC power input capabilities for solar integration and battery storage, and a modular architecture that scales with minimal cost and complexity. Collectively this redefines DC fast charging from a fixed asset into a future-ready energy platform.”

China’s export push has a new poster car, and it’s not aiming low. Denza, a BYD-owned brand with an eye on global markets, has unveiled a production model that could unsettle the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore. The production version of the Denza Z will be offered in coupe, convertible, and track-focused variants, pairing sleek styling with a high-performance electric powertrain and complex electronics.

The Z Convertible looks more elegant compared to its closed-roof sibling, despite the fact it shares most of its body panels. Removing the top exposes a four-seat cabin and a reworked rear deck that improves the proportions. The bumpers are cleaner, too, stepping back from the more aggressive, track-led treatment seen on the earlier show car.

More: China’s New Porsche 911 Rival Goes By One Name. Z, Denza Z

The example that was showcased at the 2026 Beijing Auto Salon combines a bluish green shade with a satin finish and a tri-color interior, sending strong Maserati vibes. While we didn’t get to see the soft reclining roof in action, earlier spy shots confirm it is made of fabric.

The model was developed under the direction of former Audi design chief Wolfgang Egger, now overseeing the styling of BYD’s Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and YangWang brands.

More: The Chinese Luxury Brand Mercedes Helped Create Is Now Coming For Mercedes’ European Buyers

The Z range will use a tri-motor setup with all-wheel drive and a combined output of around 1,000 hp (746 kW / 1,014 PS). It also adopts BYD’s DiSus-M electromagnetic suspension, the latest “Eye of the God” driver assistance suite, and a battery pack compatible with the BYD’s flash-charging tech.

Global Aspirations

Interestingly, Denza is taking an unusual route with the Z, prioritizing Europe and other export markets ahead of its domestic launch in China. After its static debut at the Beijing Auto Show, the car is set for a dynamic outing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Back home, local estimates place pricing between ¥400,000-500,000 ($58,600-73,200), a figure that lands well below established Western rivals such as the Maserati GranCabrio, which starts at 2,438,000 yuan ($356,700) in China.

Denza / Weibo

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The mayor’s office and the Milwaukee Department of Public Works are defending the city’s parking enforcement during last week’s flooding. 

From April 15 to April 16, the city issued 4,666 parking citations, according to data provided by the Department of Public Works, or DPW. 

Officials said enforcement is still necessary during extreme storm-related conditions. 

“Severe weather events make it particularly important for people to obey the posted parking restrictions,” said Jeff Fleming, spokesperson for Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “During rain events, quite a number of parking restrictions are in place to enable full street cleaning.” 

Fleming also said flooding can be exacerbated when street cleaning is impeded by parked vehicles.

South Side resident Jacob Quinones said he was too busy dealing with the flood to worry about parking. 

“My basement flooded, and I was late to work because of getting towed,” he said. 

Parking enforcement looked much different during the historic storms on Aug. 9 through Aug. 10, which also caused severe flooding throughout the city. 

According to DPW data, 991 citations were issued on those days, which occurred over the weekend.

Behind the numbers

The 4,666 parking citations issued on April 15-16 include all standard parking enforcement activity, said Tiffany Shepherd, DPW marketing and communications officer. 

Citations were issued earlier on Wednesday before the storm and after conditions improved on Thursday, she said.

She said officers did adapt during the most intense conditions. 

During a peak storm window, from roughly 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., parking enforcement continued but focused on responding to complaints, resulting in 141 tickets, said Shepherd. 

She said safety concerns limited enforcement during that time.  

“Our staff is not going to be driving through flood waters or anything like that. That’s just not safe,”  Shepherd said. “For those two hours where things were really bad, no tickets were being issued.”

Response in August

During the August floods, there was a period when parking enforcement was formally suspended and staff redirected to flood-related work, said Lisa Vargas, administrative specialist with DPW, in an email.  

Overnight enforcement was also formally suspended in the days following the storm, from Aug. 11 to Aug. 14. Enforcement was not suspended as a result of last week’s storms. 

Staff assisted stranded or abandoned vehicles, conducting 88 free relocation tows, Vargas said. During last week’s floods, four free relocations were provided.

‘It cost me $566’

When Quinones’ car was towed near his home on South 13th Street and West Ohio Avenue, he said it left him with no real alternatives. 

“It’s my only form of transportation,” he said. “It cost me $566 plus a favor from a friend for the ride to the tow lot.” 

Quinones said being ticketed and towed while also dealing with flooding created a great deal of stress. He said the city needs to rethink its approach.

“If severe weather is on the horizon, keep your meter maids and parking checkers safe at home,” he said.

The importance of parking enforcement

Shepherd emphasized that although most enforcement took place before and after flooding conditions, weather is still not an excuse to park irresponsibly.  

“What you’re going to find out is the majority of these tickets don’t have anything to do with anyone being affected by the flood,” she said. “Just because there was bad weather, you can’t block a hydrant.”

Appealing citations

The mayor’s office has no plans to forgive tickets issued during last week’s floods, but residents do have an option to appeal. 

“The appeal process is pretty straightforward, so we do not have plans for any blanket amnesty,” Fleming said. 

People can go through the appeals process if the flood was pertinent to the ticket, and the city will look at that on a case-by-case basis, Shepherd said. 

More parking information can be found on the city’s website. 

Data shows stark difference in Milwaukee parking enforcement between August and April floods is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

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