Month: July 2025

The JS Asuka is already navigating with an electromagnetic cannon on deck. And that can only mean one thing: Japan is serious

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It is not a render or a model: he Japanese Riel Canyon is already physically mounted in the JS Asukaa ship designed to experiment with new technologies. The images, captured from The port of YokosukaThey show the weapon without their exterior housing, apparently ready for the last settings before a possible test at sea. Everything indicates that this test is close. It could even have already been done, although for now there is no official confirmation. The published images by the user @Gov_vessel_fan They show the exposed cannon, without the external roof that normally hides it. At first glance, everything indicates that it is the same prototype as the Agreement, Technology and Logistics Agency of the Japanese Ministry of Defense (ATLA) has tried in controlled conditions. It is not clear if the design has evolved significantly, but its appearance coincides with the one that ATLA has shown publicly on other occasions. Extreme speed, extreme wear One of the great challenges of Riel cannons is the extreme wear. The friction generated when firing high -speed projectiles causes a rapid tube deteriorationaffecting both precision and reach. According to data collected by Naval Newsthe previous trials of the Japanese prototype have achieved speeds of up to 2,000 meters per second, with a useful life of the 120 projectile cannon. Click to see the publication in x Installing a rail cannon is not simply a matter of space. This type of weapons requires a huge amount of energy to function, in addition to cooling systems capable of dissipating the heat generated. All that occupies volume, consumes resources and demands a very careful integration. That is why the JS Asuka, with its wide rear cover and its role as a floating test bench, is ideal for this development phase. Click to see the publication in x Although the current prototype looks bulky and little integrated, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has more ambitious plans. In the DSEI Japan 2025 fairthe authorities They showed a model Much more stylized of the weapon, already thought for operational use. According to National Defense MagazineKazumi Ito, director of the ATLA Equipment Policies Division, confirmed that the development “is progressing”, although he acknowledged that there are still “various challenges” ahead. The intention, yes, is clear: to integrate this technology into new generation destroyers. For years, the United States Navy led the development of Riel cannons, but in 2022 he decided to officially abandon the project after multiple delays and technical complications. He never did such advanced tests. Japan, on the other hand, has chosen to continue exploring this route, And he is doing it in collaboration with the North American country. Images | Maritime Self -Defense Force of Japan | @Gov_vessel_fan In Xataka | China is building an electromagnetic canyon of space airplanes, a project that NASA abandoned due to lack of funds In Xataka | They are not fighters, they are planes of the Slovakia government: the day an Airbus A319 and a Fokker 100 stole the show

This is the clear protein

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In these days of heat wave, you want to drink something cold, light and refreshing. In Tiktok, it is easy to be confused: among so many drinks of drinks with vibrant colors, one would think that he is facing a video More on flavored water. Although it seems to the naked eye, it really is Before clear proteinand goes beyond a flavor water. Clear protein. EITHER Clear Protein It is a variant of the powder protein of traditional serum, but with a fundamental difference: it undergoes additional processing to eliminate fats, carbohydrates and lactose. As a result, a powder is obtained that, when mixed with water, gives rise to a light, translucent drink and without milky texture. Technically, it is composed of isolated from hydrolyzed serum, which facilitates its digestion. In a report for GQthis trend has described as a way of maintaining protein consumption without going through a creamy shake: “It dissolves as a sporting drink: light, fruit flavor and without lethal or sticky texture.” One more fashion? The rise of clear protein is not explained only by its functional characteristics, but by Your presence in social networks. The images of bottles with colorful and crystalline drinks are part of the new post-gymnasium ritual. As has developed An article in Vogue, no foamy milkshakes: now what is carried is something that looks like flavored water. And that sells. “It is visually attractive (who does not like transparent and colorful drinks?),” Said Lauren Manaker, a nutritionist cited by the same medium. But popularity also responds to erroneous perception: that the clearest and lighter is necessarily healthier. In this context, Nuria Esteves, clinical nutritionist, He warned in Xataka that the problem is how this type of products is positioned: “It is not a priority in our food as we are sometimes tried to sell.” Clear protein can be useful, yes, but it should not be considered a substitute for real food or a mandatory superfood. Is it equally protein? Yes. Although appearance and texture change, clear protein remains a processed supplement. It is not a magical drink or is nutritionally superior just because it is easier to drink. In fact, products such as Clear or Boost Breeze, clear protein versions, exist for years and are common in clinical environments, according to They have pointed out In Vogue. The difference is that now the format has become a trend, thanks to striking flavors, elegant containers and campaigns aimed at those who seek physical performance without complicating too much. What differences are there? Although both the clear and the traditional protein start from the same ingredient – the whey – the truth is that the final result is little like. Not only does the elaboration process change, but also the way in which it is drink, it is digested and even perceived. Let’s start with texture: classical protein is mixed with water or milk and becomes a thick shake, with body, even somewhat heavy. Instead, clear protein dissolves as if it were a juice: light, fluid and without a trace of milky density. For its part, the taste also makes a difference. While traditional versions usually imitate desserts such as vanilla, chocolate or cookies & cream, the whites bet on fruit and refreshing flavors, such as strawberry, lemon or mango. More than a supplement, they look like a sports drink. And if we talk about digestion, whites usually have an advantage. Being made with hydrolyzed serum, its structure is partially decomposed, which facilitates its absorption. For those who have a sensitive stomach or some lactose intolerance, they can be a more comfortable option. In terms of composition, both offer similar amounts of protein by ration. However, clear versions usually have less fat, less carbohydrates and less lactose, which in practice also means less calories. Is it for everyone? Not necessarily. In a recent report in this mediumnutritionists agreed that the protein powder, clear or not, can be useful in concrete contexts, such as older people, cancer patients or sarcopenia, who have difficulties in eating or athletes in the muscle gain phase. You can also facilitate adhesion to training if you are perceived as a “reward” post effort. However, specialists insist: you should not replace complete meals. Thinking that a “does not fat” shake because it is fitness is a frequent mistake. In addition, using it from fear of eating or as the only source of nutrition can lead to a conflicting relationship with food, according to Nuria Esteves nutritionist. One more option. A clear protein is not a revolution, but it is not smoke either. It can fit in many routines, provided it is understood by what it is: a supplement, not a magical solution. Sometimes it is just that: a fresh drink with a good flavor that helps you add proteins without complicating. The important thing is not whether it is clear or creamy, but if it really fits your diet. Image | Unspash and Tiktok Xataka | If the question is how to increase protein intake every morning, the answer is “proffee”: throwing it into coffee

Celestis promised an unforgettable spatial tribute. A European capsule ended star with human remains inside

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The idea is, at least, singular: send a small symbolic portion of the cremated remains or a person’s DNA to space. That a part of what was a human body experience zero gravity, go around the earth and become a relic for the family. A capsule that acts as a space urn. That’s how it is Earth Riseone of the services it offers Celestisan American company with more than 30 years of experience in this business that they define as “perseverance flights.” But this time not everything went as expected. On June 23, an Earth Rise mission transported 166 capsules with human remains and DNA samples. The take -off on board a Falcon 9 rocket of Spacex was successful. The capsule, developed by the European company The Exploration Companymanaged to enter orbit and completed two laps around the planet, fulfilling the planned flight profile. So far, everything went as planned. However, something failed during the reentry process. The NYX capsule, which had to return to the earth and deliver its individual modules to each family, He suffered an anomaly. The vehicle was lost shortly after starting its descent, and ended up crashing into the Pacific Ocean. With him, human remains and flight capsules also dispersed. “We believe we can’t recover anything,” He has recognized Celestis In a statement. The Celestis container with human remains that traveled inside the NYX capsule The origin of Celestis It goes back to 1992, when NASA included a sample of the remains of Gene Roddenberry, creator of ‘Star Trek’, in a mission of the Columbia ferry. Shortly after, Celestis collaborated with the agency to send remains of the Geologist Eugene Shoemaker to the moon, making him the first buried person there. Since then, they say, they have sent more than 1,200 capsules to space, aboard commercial releases, commemorating both known figures and anonymous citizens. They have several active services: suborbital flights that return to the earth, missions to the lunar orbit or even to the deep space. Earth Rise: A farewell with round trip ticket Celestis offers several types of commemorative spatial flights, but Earth Rise is the most economical and direct. For $ 3,495, the company launches a small capsule with cremated remains or DNA. After experiencing a few minutes in microgravity, the capsule returns to Earth and gives family members as a souvenir. It is a trajectory that seeks symbolism, not permanence. For those who look for something more ambitious, there are also other options: Earth Orbit: For $ 4,995, the capsules enter into terrestrial orbit and remain there until they resent and disintegrate in the atmosphere, “like a fleeting star.” Moon: For $ 12,995, the remains are sent to the lunar orbit or even land on the surface, “becoming a permanent tax on the moon.” Voyager: Also from $ 12,995, this service launches the capsules to the deep space, beyond the moon, in a trajectory without return. A European space capsule The capsule that transported the human remains on the Perseverance flight was not any space vehicle. Was NYXa prototype developed by The Exploration Company, a startup with presence in Germany, France and Italy that seeks to make a place in the new European space race. Its proposal is clear: create reusable, rechargeable capsules in orbit and compatible with any heavy pitcher in the world. The NYX capsule, prepared for its mission, at The Exploration Company facilities According to your websitethe company was founded in 2021 by Hélène Huby and a team of engineers with experience in large European programs such as Orion-Esm, Ariane or ATV. In just three years they have built two demonstrating capsules and have sold six missions. Its development rate has been unusually rapid for the sector. The flight Possible missionin which Celestis’s funeral capsules were traveling, it was the second demonstrator of the company. It was designed to perform a controlled reentry and recover the load after completing the mission. That was, in fact, one of his key technological promises: not only reach the space, but to return. And do it precisely. It was also the first time that a Private capsule of European origin offered that type of commercial service in collaboration with an American company as Celestis. The mission was an important step for The Exploration Company, which aspires to compete in the growing orbital transport market with its future NYX Earth capsule, designed to supply space stations in low orbit. The families expected to receive a capsule that had orbited the Earth, a symbolic and emotional tribute for those who decided to bet on this unique form of farewell. It was not possible. What remains is a story of ambition and failures. Touch to wait to know if Celestis will try again in the future. Images | Celestis/Exploration Company (1, 2, 3, 4) In Xataka | Taiwan believes having found the mythical planet 9 of the Solar System. Instead of looking for his light, he has been looking for his heat

Spain wanted to turn the train into the great alternative to travel in summer. Renfe never had so many dissatisfied customers

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13 hours stopped in the middle of the field. That has been the last great controversy in the Spanish railway sector where, among accusations crosses, hundreds of passengers saw how high speed was paralyzed in southern Spain. High speed that should be the great alternative to the car. But there is a fact: there were never so many unsatisfied customers. The last. On June 30, late in the afternoon, High speed collapsed In southern Spain. Just when summer displacements begin, The tension drop in a catenary He left hundreds of travelers thrown along the way. In the worst case, the trip became a nightmare that lasted 13 hours and ended with a hospitalized old woman. Of course, it seems complicated that users of that same train do not climb to the car of the dissatisfied with the delays that, every time, They are more common in Renfe trains. Folding the data. Practically, one in 10 Renfe high speed travelers are dissatisfied with the punctuality of the service. Specifically, 8.5%, according to the study of Household Panel that CNMC performs and in which satisfaction is collected with the services provided in Spain. The data does not take into account the latest incidents of A very moved 2025 since they are the first semester of 2024. The CNMC only collects satisfaction with the railway services the first semesters of each year but the data are very worrying. In 2020, only 4.8% of customers were dissatisfied with punctuality. Neither bird nor avlo. There are more reasons to worry. In 2020, only 0.6% of customers were “nothing satisfied” with the punctuality of the service. Today that data is 4.2%. And of 11.8% who were not “satisfied or dissatisfied” has passed to 19.1%. That is, the balance has leaned towards discontent. Especially if we take into account that 36% of AVE customers in 2020 were “very satisfied” with punctuality. Today that data is 22.5%. But, in addition, discontent is triggered among Avlo customers. In that case (there are only data from 2024) dissatisfaction is 13.1% although 23% of train users consider that they are “very satisfied” with the arrival in trains. That is, the bird data is very slightly improved. And the new operators? It is what should worry the most. The CNMC encompasses Ouigo and Iryo in the same table but points out that dissatisfaction with these companies is 8%. A very similar fact if it were not because the “very dissatisfied” client is found in 2.2%, almost half than the bird. In addition, 13.2% of customers say they are dissatisfied with the prices of Ouigo and Iroy but the figure is triggered at 23.3% in the case of avlo and up to 31.3% in the case of AVE. Only one section. There is only one section where the AVE expires new competitors and is in the state of trains. The dissatisfaction in this case is 8.3%, for 9.8% of Ouigo and Iroy trains. Of course, Avlo shoots up to 12.2% of dissatisfied customers. In the rest of the questions, which refer to the overall state of the stations, the price, the frequency, the time of path and the punctuality, ouigo and Iryo they always exceed what is offered by Renfe, both by AVE and by Avlo, which records but is general results. Alternative? Perhaps the biggest problem for the government is that it wanted to make the train a real alternative to vehicles by road. In 2021 The possibility of prohibiting domestic flights between cities that had a high speed alternative that had less than two and a half hours of journey was already touched. The last offensive To stop domestic flights is trying to prohibit their advertising. But in the practical field, in Spain free train fertilizers have been subsidized (including high speed partially) Since 2022. Following him German example that filled the trains As a measure to alleviate the effects of the Ukraine War, the Spanish Executive has maintained public transport aid that have sustained until this year. Can work … If you meet what is expected. In fact, high speed between Galicia and Madrid has shown that the train can be a Very interesting alternative to domestic flights But it is essential that it works quickly, punctuality and security. However, in ABC They point out that the continuous problems in trains have returned to some passengers to airplanes in Sevilla-Madrid. An example of what the continuous delays in rail services that, on average, In 2023 they almost reached 30 minutes. Photo | OUIGO AND NELSO SILVA In Xataka | The bird to Galicia has achieved what seemed impossible in a Santiago-Madrid: airlines that throw the towel

Microsoft is one of the world’s largest companies. He has had to abrive his workers because they didn’t even use Copilot

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In case it was not enough pressure for Microsoft employees, after announcing the dismissal Now he has decided to take a radical turn in his internal strategy and requires his employees to use tools for In your workflow. What was only a recommendation before, now it has become a demand in the toughest line of the “Ai Fluency” that has already been established in companies Like Duolingo, or Canva. According to published Business Insiderthis change responds to the imperative need for Microsoft to accelerate the adoption of AI among its own template, especially considering that only a few They used their github co -ilot. At the blacksmith’s house, stick knife. AI is no longer optional. Microsoft’s address has made it clear that “the use of artificial intelligence is no longer optional.” As published by the American media, Julia LiusonPresident of the Microsoft developer division, sent a forceful email to Microsoft managers: “AI is now a fundamental part of our way of working. Just like collaboration, data -based thinking and effective communication, the use of AI is no longer optional: it is essential for all roles and all levels.” This message implies that all employees, regardless of their position, must carry out literacy in AI and incorporate artificial intelligence into their workflows with the objective of Automate bureaucratic tasks or repetitive processes. Do not use it penalizes. To encourage their use, Microsoft managers received the order to incorporate the knowledge and use of AI among the factors to assess when evaluating their performance. “(AI) It should be part of their holistic reflections on the performance and impact of each individual, “Liuson instructed to those responsible for team. Although there is still no unique metric in all departments, some teams are already assessing establishing concrete ways of measuring this aspect in the next annual performance reviews. The enemy at home. This change seeks to solve what Microsoft considers that Github Copilot’s too slow adoption among its own workers. The pressure to adopt the AI ​​not only comes from within. Satya Nadella’s firm faces hard competition between models of programming assistanceas cursor or Replitwhich are winning growing in number of users, to the point of overcoming it in some segments of use. Citing a Barclays report, the American media says that “cursor would have already overcome Copilot in a key segment of the development market.” Technology currently allows its employees to use external AI tools provided they meet certain security requirements, which shows that not even in its Github Copilot bosom has the monopoly. Business Carambolas. Microsoft’s alliance with Openai is about to give a new fruit, since Sam Altman’s company is tantling the purchase of Windsurfmain cursor rival in the Nic of AI agents for programming assistance. Since Microsoft has an agreement with the Chatgpt creator, this acquisition would give indirect access to the intellectual property of Windsurfwhich would help you improve co -ilot performance. With this New movement Nadella’s masterful, Microsoft would have access to the heart of its main rival, something does not go unnoticed for Windsurf and OpenAi managers. In Xataka | Microsoft fired him after 23 years but continues to go to the office: “I feel responsible for my team and my clients” Image | Unspash (Salah Darwish, Tai Bui)

WhatsApp will allow companies to call you directly. The question is whether it will become another spam nest

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WhatsApp has announced An important update for its business platform that will allow large companies to make direct voice calls to users. The novelty also includes video calls and business voice messages, all enhanced by artificial intelligence in order to automate commercial interactions. What includes the update. Companies that use the WhatsApp Business platform can both receive customer calls and perform them directly in the future. This function adds to video calling capabilities, useful for telesalud consultations, and to send voice messages. Meta is also expanding its business functions, which include personalized recommendations of products and automated customer monitoring through Chat. Why is it relevant. WhatsApp Business already has more than 200 million monthly users and has become an important source of goal income. The company generates money through its click ads to WhatsApp and charges merchants for messaging functions. This expansion towards direct calls seeks to make WhatsApp a more complete business communication channel, especially in markets such as Brazil and India where it is already very popular for customer service. However, it also raises doubts in terms of safety and privacy for the user. We must also bear in mind that, over the last years, WhatsApp has become A very attractive focus on cybercriminals in order to cheat their victims with increasingly sophisticated techniques of Phishing. Of course, it is convenient to be cautious in a context in which the scams proliferate more than ever through the messaging app and in Spain, with traditional calls, where The Robinson list Try to limit unplayed commercial calls, it offers disparate results. Although goal seems to have everything under control over this new function. What does goal say about it. The company ensures that companies can only call users who have previously requested to be contacted and will work with certified partners for the deployment of these functionalities. Meta is also integrating WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram marketing tools on a single platform, which will allow companies to manage their campaigns centrally and optimize their advertising budgets. And now what. Although the function seeks to facilitate customer service and automate the answers Through the (Something that does not usually like the user), the success of this functionality will depend largely on how target implements the controls to avoid abuse. If the verification of companies is rigorous and the complaint mechanisms work correctly as the company indicates, it could become a useful tool for customer service. However, it does not hurt to stay alert to possible unplayed calls and be cautious with any request for personal or financial data that they receive through this route. Cover image | Goal In Xataka | Finally WhatsApp will use AI in something that will make many happy: to end the chaos of the messages without reading

After Puretech, Stellantis calls thousands of cars with 1.5 BlueHdi engine in Spain. In France there are 600,000 affected

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Thousands of Citroën, Opel, Peugeot, DS and Fiat. Specifically, those of diesel that mount the 1.5 BlueHDI engine and that were manufactured before February 2023. Stellantis has called for revision to more than 600,000 units of these cars in France, as confirmed by our partners from L’Automobileand is already beginning to do the same in Spain, as the company has confirmed to our colleagues from Motorpasion. In Spain, for the moment, the scope of the Call for review In figures but it has been confirmed that a review campaign begins in which the status of the chain will be verified since it can be broken prematurely. A breakage of the chain, Most likely, it ends the life of the engine since the repair is so large that the arrangement is not worth it. Those affected will be called to revision by waves with a communication by the brand but also with A letter from the DGT that will ask the owners of these vehicles to go through the workshop. Puretch ghosts come back Although Stellantis has not given the exact figure of those affected in Spain, the list of vehicles is long since it is an engine that has been used in much of the models of the companies specified above. Specifically, the following models will have to go through the workshop as long as they will be manufactured between October 2017 and February 2023: Citroën: C3 and C3 Aircross (2018-2023), C4 and C4 Cactus (2020-2023) as well as the C4 Picasso and C4 SpaceTourer (2018-2023), C5 Aircross (2018-2023). Peugeot: 208 and 2008 (2018-2023), 308 and 3008 (2017-2023), 508 and 5008 (2017-2023) Opel: Corsa (2019-2023), Crossland X and Crossland (2018-2023), Mokka (2021-2023), Astra (2022-2023), Grandland X and Grandland (2018-2023). DS: DS 3 and DS3 Crossback (2019-2023), DS 4 II (2021-2023), DS 7 Crossback (2017-2023). In the same way the following commercial models are affected: Citroën Berlingo (2018-2023) and the SpaceTourer and Jumpy (2018-2023), the Opel Zafira Life and Vivaro (2018-2023), the Peugeot Traveler and Expert (2018-2023), as well as the Fiat Double and SCUDO (2022-2023) or the Toyota Proace and Proace City (2018-2023) that continued to assemble this engine after the agreement with the old PSA. In the affected models, after the checks, Stellantis will decide whether to make a chain change or a reprogramming of the software. The problem is that the chain has a width of 7 millimeters in diameter that since February 2023 has been replaced by a 8 millimeters. The diagnosis will be made Analyzing the noise of the vehicle that, according to the company, will be decisive when replacing or not the piece. If they consider that it should not be changed, it will be when the reprogramming is performed. While this campaign is launched, Stellantis has announced that Special coverage will be applied. Vehicles equipped with this 1.5 BlueHDI engine, manufactured between October 2017 and January 2023 will have 100% of the cost of the parts or the replacement of them up to 240,000 kilometers or 10 years, which before happens. If the car is affected, the client has the right to be reimburse On this website But it is necessary to have fulfilled the manufacturer’s maintenance obligations. This way of acting is very similar to the one that has been applied with the Defective PureTech engines of the company. In that case, the blocks of gasoline They had the same problem, with a degradation of the distribution strap that could end with a complete breakage of the same and the engine. Stellantis has had to face the call to review thousands of vehicles but, above all, a Image loss in terms of quality who has tried to alleviate with The extension of the guarantee to the affected engines. However, he is facing a Collective demand in our country. Photo | Citroën In Xataka | The ghost of the Puretech engines chases Stellantis: it will pay repairs from 2022 to 2024 if these conditions are met

Alibaba is growing to the gross. The striking thing is that he is doing it in the opposite way to Amazon

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Alibaba has just presented its results of fiscal year 2025 With a jump of 77% in net benefits, up to 18,000 million dollars. But the most striking are not those good figures, but the strategy behind. Why is it important. While Amazon has been focusing on profitability and operational efficiencyAlibaba is doing exactly the opposite: prioritizing aggressive growth over margins, especially in international markets. In figures. Chinese giant numbers reflect this bet: Revenues of 140,000 million dollars (996.3 billion yuan). International trade grew by 29%, up to 18,500 million dollars. Aliexpress It operates in more than 200 markets. The business Cloud It rose 11%, with products from growing to triple digit for seven consecutive quarters. The contrast. Both companies live in 2025, but they go through different temporal lines: Amazon is in optimization phase: squeeze to the maximum AWS, I adjust prime and cuts operational costs to maximize each dollar of benefit. Alibaba acts as a growing company: Invest the gross in global infrastructure, Open Data Centers in Southeast Asia and burns box to gain fee. The strategy difference reflects different moments: Amazon dominates mature markets where you must defend positions. Alibaba sees expansion opportunities, especially in Asia, the Middle East and emerging markets where competitive advantages can still set. For making a more technological simile: it is an equivalent to Apple and OpenAi positions. One protects a legacy acting often defensive. The other has too much to win. And that explains the differences between the proceeding of both. The results show that the bet is working: Lada It approaches profitability for the first time. Aliexpress consolidates its global position. And the business Cloud It becomes the second growth engine. Even secondary businesses such as Gaode maps They have achieved profitability. At the moment, quarterly. In detail. There is something deeper in these opposite strategies: Amazon centralizes, alibaba decentralizes. Where Amazon standards the global experience from Seattle, Alibaba locates each market with specific platforms: Aliexpress for global consumers. Trendyol For Türkiye. Lada for Southeast Asia. Each with its identity, local currency and cultural peculiarities. This multiplatform strategy is working. The results show that there is no unique electronic commerce model: each market needs its own platform, adapted to specific customs and specific purchasing behaviors. Alibaba is not limited to selling products either. Is exporting Chinese culture: Livestreams Purchasing, Festivals like him Singles Daygamified experiences. When Pop Mart does a Livestream From its offices and attracts 240,000 spectators buying collectible figures, we are seeing the evolution of commerce towards something cultural, almost anthropological. Yes, but. Alibaba is also increasing the pressure on Chinese competitors (and in the Chinese market) with a new round of discount coupons of 7,000 million dollars in coupons for the next 12 months. It is a sign that the price war in China is intensified. In perspective. Alibaba is betting on Timing: He believes that the current moment justifies prioritizing positioning on margins. With the AI ​​putting up the technological sector and a list of emerging markets yet to conquer, the time to achieve world hegemony can be now or never. The question is whether this growth strategy at all costs will be sustainable when markets mature. We have seen too many examples that responded “no”: Wework, Groupon either Moviepassto give a few. In Xataka | China lives a little fever of investment in AI and an old acquaintance does not want to be left behind: Alibaba Outstanding image | Alibaba

China is at the gates of overcoming Taiwan in number of chips produced. Sounds very intimidating but it is not so much

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China will surpass Taiwan in 2030 in the production capacity of semiconductors. This is indicated by a recent Yole Group report that highlights how the efforts of the Asian giant will soon be rewarded. At least in the quantity section. Not so much in quality. Chinese-Taiwan tension. China has one especially delicate relationship With Taiwan, and that shows in the chips race. TSMC is the jewel of the Taiwanese crownabsolute protagonist in the semiconductor sector. No one produces more and better chips, and the restrictions that affect the People’s Republic of China (China) do not affect the Chinese Republic (Taiwan). China, however, has been investing in its own continental companies and manufacturing plants (“Foundries”), and that is giving results. The data. According to this study, the production capacity of semiconductors in continental China plants will represent 30% of the world total quota before the decade ends, when in 2024 it was 21%. Taiwan currently is the market leader with a 23%share, while China is already second with the aforementioned 21%. Behind are South Korea (19%), Japan (13%) and the US (10%). Big Fund. Beijing put years ago its plan to be a “complete nation” in the field of semicoductors. This is: not depending on anyone. To do this, he created the so -called Investment Fund of the Integrated Circuit Industry of China, popularly known as the “great background” or “Big Fund”. The economic support of this body has allowed SMIC and Hua Hong Semiconductor – two of the main manufacturers of Chinese semiconductors – to flourish especially. Chinese manufacturers evolve. The domestic plants of continental China have been growing in relevance, and They have invested significantly in expansions that allow working in chips for sectors such as automotive or generative artificial intelligence. All this makes the panorama for semiconductors in China improve, but only in a section. Good for quantity, bad for “quality”. The problem of these semiconductor plants is that they use less advanced photolithographs ranging from 8 to 45 Nm. Although these types of chips remain perfectly valid for industries such as automotive, IoT devices or appliances, they are not for advanced AI chips, which are in which TSMC dominates. The great Chinese promise, in trouble. SMIC, the main Chinese semiconductor manufacturer, has been trying to make the leap to a 5 Nm photolithographic node, but this technology He is choking. In fact, his 7 nm node already had Notable problems In performance per wafer, and failing to take that step is for the moment a negative note in that remarkable advance in production rhythms. And while his rivals for all. TSMC and Samsung have already overcome that photolithographic node and are going at full speed to start the mass production of 2 nm chips. It is expected that TSMC achieves it this year and that Samsung does it in 2026. Taiwan in fact is Testing your lithography A14 (1.4 Nm), which will enter large -scale production in 2028. Image | Xataka with chatgpt In Xataka | ASML’s new lithography team divides chips manufacturers. TSMC considers not using it until 2030

China has been wondering what to do with its 300 million pensioners. It has a “voluntary” solution

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It We count last year. In Europe we don’t stop Find a formula that Relieve the situation of retirement and pension of people. But nothing that happens in the continent resembles what happens in China and its 300 million pensioners (and other hundreds that are projected in ten years). The country has made a decision to stop the problem: gradually upload the retirement age. Gradual increase. China thinks Gradually increase your legal retirement age in the next five years to try to deal with the aging of its population and the increasingly suffocated pension system. An action that is part of a series of resolutions adopted at a high -level five -year meeting of the Communist Party, known as the third plenary. An enlightening fact before giving context to the serious crisis of the Asian country: life expectancy has now increased above the United Statesuntil 78 years, and was only 36 years at the time of the communist revolution in 1949. A crisis of several fronts. The country has a problem: Society ages. With an economy In decelerationa long time since demographic crisis symptoms were felt. Last year, China lost for the second year consecutive population. Meanwhile, on the sidewalk in front, the figures indicated the lowest birth rates since there are records. All this assumes that the population of age to retire, One of the casualties in the world (60 years for men, 55 for women in administrative work and 50 for working class women), it only grows. In 2022 it was 280 million, last year of 297 million (21% of the total census). Worse. There are forecasts that speak of other 300 million projected In the next decade, and for the middle of the century there is talk of a population of 60 years or more than, at least, will exceed 500 million (almost 40% of the total register). In fact, forecasts talk about four workers for each retiree in 2030and in 2050, only two. Gradual retirement by phases. The entire scenario described above leads us to the news that has been confirmed and that has been brewing months ago. “According to the principles of voluntariness and flexibility, we will move constantly and orderly in the reform to progressively delay the legal retirement age,” The Communist Party of China explained last Sunday. The plan, together with some other key reforms, was published in a resolution three days after the country’s leaders concluded the third Plenary of China, an important political meeting in Beijing that takes place every five years. What we know. The truth is that it has not been specified how much retirement age or when, but A report on pension development From China published in late 2023, he explained that “65 years may be the final result after adjustment.” The plan has been at stake for some years, as China’s pension budget decreases. If it serves as a track, in 2019 (and before the pandemic) the cabinet had predicted that the Chinese Pension Fund It would run out in 2035 due to the decrease in its workforce. Years of strong restrictions related to pandemic have further reduced the coffers of local governments and, as they explained, “they could further aggravate the pension deficit.” At the same time and as we said, the huge population of the country has decreased for the second consecutive year in 2023 as the birth rate falls. Doubts. As for those somewhat “diffuse” terms, especially in the case of a capital issue such as pensions, the Global Times state newspaper cited demographs of the country saying that in the plan to increase retirement age, it stands out “voluntariness” and “flexibility”. It is impossible to predict how far that apparent decision of the Chinese citizen would achieve, but what seems clear is that the authorities recognize that there is no unique policy for everyone when it comes to retirement. Skepticism. That is the word that now defines the plan between Many Chinese usury on the Internet. Of all the doubts expressed, one that is repeated. “Those who want to retire in advance are exhausted by their laborious works, but those who perform comfortable and lucrative functions will not choose to retire. What kind of work will end with the youngest generation?” A user comments on the Weibo Networksurely exposing one of the key issues that nobody has yet explained. Image | Soctech, Clay Banks (UNSPLASH) In Xataka | The ghost of the demographic crisis had been threatening China for years. Well, it has started *An earlier version of this article was published in July 2024

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