Month: December 2025

DeepSeek has launched its new reasoner model. It’s free and beats GPT-5

by

DeepSeek has introduced DeepSeek-V3.2 and DeepSeek-V3.2-Speciale. They are AI models that combine complex reasoning with the ability to use tools autonomously. Why is it important. The company of Hangzhou claims that DeepSeek-V3.2 matches the performance of GPT-5 in multiple reasoning tests. The Speciale model It reaches the level of Gemini-3 Pro and has achieved gold medals in international mathematics and computer science Olympiads. The context. DeepSeek surprised the world in January with a revolutionary model for efficiency and cost. Now it ups the ante with open source systems that throw down the gauntlet directly to OpenAI and Google in reasoning capabilities. Technical innovation. DeepSeek-V3.2 integrates “thinking” directly into tool usage for the first time. You can reason internally while running web searches, operating a calculator, or writing code. The system works in two modes: With visible reasoning (similar to the reasoning seen in ChatGPT and company). Or without any reasoning. The chain of thought persists between tool calls and is restarted only when the user sends a new message. How they have achieved it. Researchers have developed ‘DeepSeek Sparse Attention (DSA)’, an architecture that greatly reduces the computational cost of processing long contexts. The model maintains 671 billion total parameters but activates only 37 billion per token. In figures. DSA cuts the cost of inference in long contexts by approximately 50% compared to the previous dense architecture. The system processes 128,000 context windows tokens in production. Reinforcement training has consumed more than 10% of the total pretraining count. The team has generated more than 1,800 synthetic environments and 85,000 tasks to train agent capabilities. The results. DeepSeek-V3.2-Speciale has won a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad 2025, the International Informatics Olympiad 2025, the ICPC World Finals 2025 and the Chinese Mathematical Olympiad 2025. Both models are available now. V3.2 works on app, web and API. V3.2-Speciale only by API, at least for now. Between the lines. DeepSeek has published the full weights and technical report of the training process. This transparency contrasts with what large American technology companies usually do. Even those that offer open source models such as Call, with an asterisk. The Chinese startup wants to demonstrate that open source systems can compete with the most advanced proprietary models. And it does so while continuing to reduce costs. Yes, but. The benchmarks Public settings do not always reflect performance on real-world tasks. Direct comparisons with GPT-5 either Gemini-3 Pro They depend on specific metrics that may not capture all relevant dimensions. Furthermore, the integration of tools in reasoner mode still needs to be tested in complex real-world use cases. The reduced cost is not as important if the quality of the responses does not hold up. In Xataka | DeepSeek Guide: 36 Features and Things You Can Do for Free with This AI Featured image | Solen Feyissa

Movistar, Orange and Vodafone are going to raise prices in 2026. You still have time to do something to avoid paying more

by

Unfortunately for users, it has already become a tradition: every year around this time, the three operators begin to notify their customers of the price increases that they will come into force in January. And 2026 is not going to be an exception. The first to report it It was Movistarthen Orange followed and shortly after It was Vodafone’s turn. They are all preparing an update to their upward rates for the first weeks of 2026 that will directly impact the pockets of millions of households. The increase is not the same in all rates, but in some cases, it may mean pay up to 6 euros more per month. The good news is that we still have time to take measures to avoid it. It all depends on whether you are willing to continue paying for services that you may no longer need. Image: Xataka On January 8, Vodafone prices rise. Although last year Zegona, the owner of Vodafone Spain, allowed to avoid the inertia of the increases linked to the CPIin 2026 prices will rise again. And this time they will not be linked to the CPI, but will exceed the expected inflation (close to 3%) to reach an average of 4%. The increase affects almost everyone: from those who only have a mobile line, who will pay 1 euro more per month, to families with complete convergent packages, whose fee will increase between 3 and 5 euros per month. In addition, you will pay 1 extra euro for each additional line and another extra euro for each contracted streaming platform. Ancillary services such as Secure Net, One Number or MultiSIM maintain their prices. Orange rates rise on January 12. Orange packages will suffer a weighted average increase of around 3.8%. For example, customers who have contracted the Fiber pack with one or two unlimited lines will pay 5 euros more per month. Also those with the Cinema and Series package, both with one mobile line and two. Football fans will be worse off, since the Football and Cinema packages will increase by 6 euros per month, regardless of whether you have one or two mobile lines. Image: Movistar Movistar customers have their turn a day later. The customers who will notice the increase the most are those who have 1 Gbps fiber rates and unlimited mobile line services. For example, the 1 Gbps fiber and unlimited mobile package plus an additional line increases from 63 to 65 euros per month, and the option with two unlimited lines increases from 80 to 83 euros. The basic Movistar Plus+ package with deco increases by one euro, from 13 to 14 euros. What remains the same are the entry rates, such as the basic package with 600 Mbps Fiber and mobile with 60 GB, which remains at 53 euros per month. The date on which the new prices will come into effect is January 13, 2026. Why do operators raise prices? The justification for these price increases by Movistar, Orange and Vodafone is very similar and always revolves around investment and quality of service. As they are “premium” operators, they do not limit themselves to giving you connectivity, but offer the latest technologies (WiFi 7, 5G+, 10 Gbps fiber…) and an entire ecosystem of services, such as alarms, insurance, telemedicine, etc. To this we must add television with a decoder, agreements with third parties to integrate their content and the high cost of football in the case of Orange and Movistar. In fact, the three operators hide behind the increase in costs on the part of providers and their desire to continue offering varied and quality content. You have the right to cancel the contract. Operators are obliged to communicate any modification to the contract (a price increase is one) at least one month in advance of its entry into force. In all three cases, the new prices will be applied, as we have seen, in the first days of January. Hence, customers are now receiving the relevant notices. Even if you have a current contract, the unilateral modification of the conditions by the operator gives you the right to terminate the contract and change companies at no cost, as long as you do so before the date of entry into force of the new prices and that you are not paying for a device in installments. If you receive the notice and do nothing, the operator legally assumes that you accept the new conditions. Therefore, December is the perfect time to analyze your day-to-day needs and check the options you have both within your current operator. like in the competition. On mobile phones, for example, there is a golden rule that recommends hiring a rate that offers your average consumption plus a 20% margin. On fiber, you may be able to lower the speed, and on television, you may not need as many platforms or content packages. Cover image | Xataka In Xataka | Telefónica does not buy Vodafone or Digi for now, but it already has a plan: one in which mergers are necessary In Xataka | For the first time in decades, Telefónica can freely decide with whom it shares its network. And that changes the entire Spanish market

For years, foreigners who wanted sun and beach bought a house in Spain. Now they are looking for something else: luxury housing

by

The real estate market emits signals which show that foreigners have won a relevant weight in the sale and purchase of luxury homes, which leads us to think about changes in the profile of the international buyer. Spain is no longer just a destination for families or couples from other countries interested in getting a small apartment for their vacation in search of sun and beach. It also receives wealthy people who want settle herein the cities, and is able to pay for his house out of pocket. The data are certainly suggestive. “First level destination”. I warned him recently in an interview with Idealista Paloma Pérez Bravo, CEO of Residencial de Lucas Fox, a platform specialized in the premium market: “Spain has gone from being a sun and beach getaway to a top-level luxury destination.” From your experiencethe country “has stopped being the home of the sun and has become the home of investment. People want more first homes than second homes because they are moving to Spain.” It’s not the only change he appreciates. Upon your signature, Bravo explains to SERdigital nomads are now arriving, entrepreneurs from America, English and American, also businessmen and investors who used to invest in the US and now find themselves with problems there due to Trump’s immigration policy. Is there data? Yes, although they come mainly from companies, so they must be handled with some caution. In your report On market forecasts for 2026, Lucas Fox reveals for example that 62% of buyers Those who close transactions worth more than 2.5 million euros are foreigners, more than 60% of ultra-luxury sales are signed without the need for financing and a good part of the acquisitions are made in search of a “main residence”, not to convert the property into a vacation home or as an investment. Looking ahead to next year, the company also expects that activity in the segments prime and super prime grow 3-6% and 6-10% respectively and leaves behind a fundamental idea that tells us about the profile of those clients who purchase the most expensive houses: “The international buyer is already the majority.” Specifically, the weight of Europeans stands out, followed by Americans and British. Other percentage: 92%. Lucas Fox is not the first to warn of the frequency with which foreign accents are heard in real estate agencies specializing in the premium market. A few months ago Barnes claimed that 92% of buyers from the Spanish luxury market were already foreigners. Of them, around half (49%) were also investors from outside the EU, with a notable presence especially of Mexicans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Russians, Chinese and Arabs. The community members They accounted for 43% while the Spanish, according to the real estate agency, were left with a meager 8% of the total. Are there more clues? The answer is once again affirmative. Another company that shared data recently is LuxuryEstatea premium housing portal that confirms that searches by international buyers interested in the Spanish market already represent a substantial part of its traffic. Above all, the demand for information from european countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Belgium or the Netherlands and the interest aroused by the premium segment of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Madrid or the Valencian Community. Other regions, such as the Canary Islands and the Basque Country, also seem to be emerging. A consolidated destination. LuxuryEstate confirm in fact that ours “is no longer just an aspirational destination, but a highly competitive market.” The comment is in line with what it points out to Lucas Fox or even CaixaBank Research, which in a recent analysis Regarding the changes in the profile of the resident foreigner who acquires housing in Spain, he warns: “Spain has established itself as one of the most attractive destinations for luxury investment in Europe.” Different buyers. In the same reportCaixaBank recalls that the demand for housing by foreigners has grown in recent years, first after the pandemic and then thanks to the improvement in financing. It also clarifies that there are differences between resident foreigners and those who do not live here and are mainly looking for houses for their vacations or as an investment. On average, the former (residents) paid around €1,795/m2 in 2024 and the latter (non-residents) €3,063/m2. These are values ​​significantly higher than those recorded by national buyers, which moved at 1,713. However, the last balance of Property Registrars shows that foreign demand for housing has reduced in the third quarter of the year, representing 13.6% of the total. The percentage reflects the entire market, not just the luxury segment, although there are those who warn that the latter is not immune to the shortage of supply, which among other issues affects its prices. Images | DaYsO (Unsplash) In Xataka | After Catalonia, there is another autonomous community considering prohibiting buying a home to invest: Canary Islands

a star that moves like it’s drunk

by

Astronomers love mysteries, and Kepler-56 has been one of the great puzzles of our galaxy for years. This red giant, located about 3,000 light years from Earth, rotates too fast and with its internal structure literally twisted. Now, we have an explanation. A star that spins wrong. To understand why Kepler-56 is so strange, just compare it with any similar star in its old age. When a star like the Sun runs out of fuel, it expands and becomes a red giant. Typically, as it increases in size, its rotation slows down, like a skater extending his arms. However, Kepler-56 does the opposite: its outer shell rotates at an absurd speed, 10 times faster than normal for a red giant of its type. And the strangest thing is that the core of the star and its outer envelope rotate with axes inclined in different directions. Something didn’t add up. Kepler-56 has two confirmed planets orbiting it (Kepler-56 by Kepler-56 c), gas giants that orbit very close to their host star. Until now, the theory trying to make sense of Kepler-56’s strange movements was that these two planets pulled on the star using tidal forces, accelerating its spin. But Takato Tokuno, a researcher at the University of Tokyo, He realized that this explanation did not hold up.. For those planets to be responsible, the tidal efficiency would have to be orders of magnitude higher than what physics dictates. Another actor was needed in this crime scene. It was bad digestion. He study led by Tokuno seems to have reconstructed what happened: the Kepler-56 system had a third planet, but the star ate it. This third planet, a hot Jupiter, orbited dangerously close to the star, closer than the two planets we see today. So much so that, when the star began to age and expand, it was absorbed. It was not a smooth process. Tokuno explains the effect with a clear analogy: like a giant meteorite hitting the Earth glancingly. The planet would absorb the energy of the impact and accelerate its rotation. As it was engulfed, the planet transferred its angular momentum to the star’s atmosphere, causing it to spin at full speed. When hit at an odd angle, the star’s outer shell ended up spinning on a different axis than its core. The planetary life cycle. According to mathematics, the engulfed planet must have had a mass between 0.5 and 2 times that of Jupiter, and a frenetic orbital period of between one and six days. Its end was not unusual for a planet. We know that stars devour planets. In fact, our own Sun is expected to engulf Mercury, Venus and probably Earth within about 5 billion years. But catching a star still digesting is extremely difficult. And that’s what we’re apparently seeing. Image | David A. Aguilar (CfA) In Xataka | What is the Fermi paradox and why the architect of the atomic bomb gave a twist to the search for extraterrestrial life

OpenAI will show ads on ChatGPT because it has no choice: the free AI business is unsustainable

by

OpenAI has started laying the groundwork to introduce advertising on ChatGPT. The code for the latest beta version of your Android app includes explicit references to search adsadvertising carousels and commercial content. It is something that can be seen coming from afar and has been rumored, but there is a trace of OpenAI itself. Why is it important. The company cannot sustain free access to a technology that is very expensive to operate indefinitely. Google and Meta can afford something like this because they finance their chatbots with huge prior advertising deals, but OpenAI continues to accumulate debt and burning cash without a clear profitable model. A $200/month Pro plan user has already reported seeing a Peloton ad during a conversation. The publicity seems inevitable, perhaps even for those who pay… in the absence of knowing if that was a mistake or part of the next new normal. In Xataka Privacy is dying since ChatGPT arrived. Now our obsession is for AI to know us as best as possible Between the lines. Sam Altman has gone from calling ads “the last resort” in 2024 to praising Instagram’s advertising model months later. Leaked internal forecasts anticipated $1 billion in “free user monetization” by 2026. The company has been hiring specialized personnel in advertising platformsattribution systems and campaign tools. The discourse has changed: it now talks about finding a format that “benefits the user.” Yes, but. Reuters informs that OpenAI has declared internal “code red” to improve ChatGPT (just the opposite of what happened when ChatGPT arrived) and is postponing initiatives such as advertising. The priority now is to respond to the launch of Gemini 3do not monetize free users. {“videoId”:”x9rqykw”,”autoplay”:false,”title”:”Apps in ChatGPT”, “tag”:”technology”, “duration”:”69″} The hidden advantage. Conversational AIs know their users better than anyone cookie or web tracking pixel. We tell them our concerns, intimacies and interests without filters. We navigate obsessed with not being tracked, but We give ChatGPT a perfect advertising profile. Google knows what you are looking for. ChatGPT knows what you think. The difference determines the value of the ad. At stake. OpenAI handles 800 million weekly users processing 2.5 billion daily queries. That beastly audience turns any advertising model into potential billions of annual revenue. The current free plan isn’t going away, but it will likely include ads. Payment plans could become more expensive when the restructuring comes. The company needs revenue that doesn’t rely solely on subscriptions to close its huge operating deficit. In Xataka |ChatGPT has been a tool. If you start remembering all our conversations, it’s going to be something else: a relationship. Featured image |Solen Feyissa (function() { window._JS_MODULES = window._JS_MODULES || {}; var headElement = document.getElementsByTagName(‘head’)(0); if (_JS_MODULES.instagram) { var instagramScript = document.createElement(‘script’); instagramScript.src=”https://platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js”; instagramScript.async = true; instagramScript.defer = true; headElement.appendChild(instagramScript); – The news OpenAI will show ads on ChatGPT because it has no choice: the free AI business is unsustainable was originally published in Xataka by Javier Lacort .

The POCO F8 Pro and F8 Ultra are a great change of direction for the brand. We spoke with POCO to find out what awaits us now

by

POCO launched two new devices a few days ago that mark a change of direction in its strategy: the F8 Pro and the F8Ultra. The latter represents the Chinese brand’s most ambitious commitment to enter the premium segment, just eight months after the launch of the F7 Ultra in March. As we shared a few days ago, we had the opportunity to analyze it in depth, but we were also able to have a chat with Kang Lou, head of product marketing and spokesperson for POCO Global, and Stanley Yeh, chief audio engineer, at a press conference during the launch event in Bali. Both managers gave us very interesting clues about the future of the brand, which is at its best, proof that its strategy continues to work. A change of strategy. For seven years, POCO has focused exclusively on delivering the best performance at the most competitive price possible. “When POCO was created seven years ago we always focused on one thing: performance,” Lou explained. But now things have changed. “Since the beginning of this year, with the F7 Ultra in March, we started testing the premium market. To do so, we tried to elevate the overall user experience, not just the performance. We want our users to experience good features regardless of whether we are talking about camera, battery or any other feature.” POCO F8 Pro Collaboration with Bose. One of the great novelties of the F8 Ultra is its 2.1 audio system developed in collaboration with Bose. “In the past we usually ignored the audio area. This time we collaborated with Bose because we want a mobile phone to come close to producing the real sound that humans actually hear. We worked with Bose to redesign the entire audio system, both in software and hardware,” said Yeh. Why Bose and not another brand? Asked why they specifically chose Bose out of all the audio brands available, Yeh said, “Bass is quite important for what humans actually hear. Bose has experience in those areas and they also have a lot of patents and technology for small speakers to produce big or deep bass.” In addition, he noted that “Bose has a lot of experience in psychoacoustics, about what good sound is and what kind of sound small speakers can produce.” Qaggressive tough. One of the most recurring questions in the room was how POCO can maintain such competitive prices. Lou responded by explaining that “that’s our biggest strength as a brand. We try to reduce our price as much as possible while maintaining low margins because we really do work on low margins.” LITTLE F8 Ultra Lou further added that “POCO saves a lot of costs because we only focus on online. We don’t have the retail costs, which are a large proportion when we talk about those prices.” Furthermore, regarding the Pro model, he clarified that “we can save costs because we are using the chipset that was launched a year ago. And fortunately, we are in a market where a chipset from a year ago is still very, very capable for common use and for any type of game or intensive use.” Jeans on the back. The F8 Ultra stands out for its rear finish that imitates the texture of jeans, a design decision that especially caught our attention, as did the rest of the attendees. “We wanted something really outstanding, something that when you see it for the first time you fall in love. You feel, ‘oh, there’s something different, something quite cool, something memorable,’” Lou explained. Although he clarified that “it’s not actually denim, it’s not jeans at all. It’s a completely different material made of silicone. We chose it because it’s very durable and at the same time very comfortable to the touch.” In recent years, POCO has been characterized, in part, by targeting a more youthful audience and by devices with yellow finishes. The absence of this color in the F8 Ultra has also been noted. Lou clarified that “we don’t actually stick to the iconic yellow for every phone we make. We just change the overall design language a little bit depending on the product positioning.” Although Lou assured that there are no established plans to make denim a permanent distinctive element. “If it’s something our users want in the future on other devices or accessories, we’ll try to make the effort.” The POCOs have less battery than the Redmi K90. The POCO F8 family is based on the Redmi K90which are sold in Asia. The K90 and K90 Pro Max have batteries greater than 7,000 mAh, but this battery capacity does not carry over to the POCO in Europe. Lou explained that this is “mainly for transportation reasons, but not only that. Many of our third-party partners have warehouses in local markets and those warehouses have to be certified to store batteries up to a certain capacity. In order for everyone to partner with us and get our devices, we have a limit in place.” The camera, that great pending task. Regarding possible collaborations in the future, especially in the photographic section, Lou clarified that “we have a strong cooperation with Bose and some other leading technologies in terms of camera. We are always trying to improve the camera experience compared to what we have today. If we can have more collaborations in terms of camera to strengthen the entire future experience, of course we will. But at the moment we do not have any collaboration in that sense.” The firm also does not have a large arsenal of accessories under its POCO brand, and perhaps this can be a very lucrative aspect for the brand. At the moment they do not have a roadmap in mind, so we will have to wait to find out more details in this regard. What’s coming now. POCO is at a critical moment. After seven years building a solid reputation under the “value for money” label, the brand is now trying to … Read more

If you didn’t make it to Black Friday or Cyber ​​Monday, you can still take advantage of all these deals

by

Both Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday have ended, although we are still finding very good offers that have either continued from these days or have arrived now. In this article we are going to review the five best deals in technology and entertainment. Huawei Watch 5 by 359 eurosa very complete watch that has dropped in price from 649 euros. Google Pixel 9a by 379 eurosa good mobile for those who are interested in taking good photos without spending too much money. MacBook Air M4 by 849 euros Adding it to the cart, a laptop with a very good quality-price ratio. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra by 989 eurosone of the best phones of the year with a more reasonable price. PlayStation Portal by 194.90 eurosthe PlayStation 5 peripheral that already allows you to play in the cloud. Huawei Watch 5 One of the best discounts we can find at MediaMarkt has fallen on its Deals of the Day. Today only, the Huawei Watch 5 can be purchased for a price of 359 euros. It is a beautiful and elegant smartwatch with titanium construction that has eSIM connectivityits autonomy is up to 4.5 days in standard mode and it has a good assortment of sensors to monitor physical activity. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Google Pixel 9a One of the mobile phones that has maintained its price in recent days is the Google Pixel 9awhich can still be purchased for 379 euros. It is a pretty smartphone interesting for its photographic sectionbut also because of its compact size of 6.3 inches and its screen that offers good brightness to be able to view content outdoors. Plus, your operating system will be up to date for many years. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links MacBook Air M4 If what you are looking for is a good laptop to work or study, be careful with the MacBook Air M4 that, when you add it to the PcComponentes cart, it remains 849 eurosone of the best prices we have seen to date. Weighs only 1.24 kgits screen is 13.6 inches, it incorporates Apple’s M4 chip and its autonomy is up to 18 hours of video playback. MacBook Air M4 (16GB, 256GB) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Another of the phones that has maintained the price of Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultrawhich can be purchased at MediaMarkt for 989 euros (256 GB) or by 1,099 euros (512GB). Samsung’s mobile phone is one of the best that has been launched this year and It stands out mainly for its battery lifefor its screen—especially its anti-reflective treatment—and for its artificial intelligence functions. If you prefer, Powerplanet has the same 256 GB mobile slightly cheaper, since it is on sale for 949 euros. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links PlayStation Portal The PlayStation Portal price drops on rare occasions, but after the end of Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday it can be purchased with a discount that leaves it 194.90 euros (standard version) and by 194.90 euros (Midnight Black). It is a good accessory for the PlayStation 5 that, after its last update, allows you to play video games in the cloud —even some of the ones we have purchased—as long as we have a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Ricardo AguilarHuawei, Google, Apple, Samsung, PlayStation In Xataka | The best mobile phones (2025), we have tested them and here are their analyzes In Xataka | Best laptops in quality price. Which one to buy based on use and seven recommended models

your main supplier is untouchable

by

In October, Ukrainian intelligence carried out an investigation. Then he found, once again, that the hole that exists around international sanctions it is palpable and numeric. kyiv had begun analyzing parts of Moscow’s latest cruise and ballistic missiles. And what they found was a deja vu. The latest: A thorough investigation of the Russian Iskander missile clearly points to a superpower. Lethality on the production line. The ballistic missile Iskander-Mthe heart of Russian terror against Ukrainian cities, rests on a solid fuel whose half should be composed by ammonium perchlorate. It turns out that Russia, after decades of industrial decline since the Soviet collapse, can no longer produce the critical ingredient to make it at scale: high purity sodium chlorate. This technical deficiency, more than any of its military forces, defines the strategic vulnerability of a weapon that has devastated places like Kryvyi Rih, where, for example, an impact on November 2024 He killed a mother and her three children. The sustained decline in Ukrainian interception rates, even in areas defended by Patriot, demonstrates that every missile that manages to overcome air defense hits densely populated areas and translates that industrial dependence into human tragedy. The network that supplies. Now, in a RUSI investigationUkrainian intelligence has found that, in the absence of domestic capacity, Moscow depends on two essential suppliers: China, which supplies 61% of imported sodium chlorate, and Uzbekistan, which supplies the remaining 39% via Farg’onaazota plant acquired by Indorama for $140 million and family-related to Lakshmi Mittal’s conglomerate. In this way, between 2024 and mid-2025, only the Uzbek factory sent more than 18 million of dollars in inputs, part of a total flow close to 37 million that sustains the production of missiles used repeatedly against the ArcelorMittal steel plant in Kryvyi Rih, paradoxical victim of the same plot business that unintentionally contributes to fueling the Russian program. Launch of an Iskander in 2018 The hole in the sanctions regime. Although sodium chlorate is included in European sanctions as a substance that supports Russian industrial capacity (the EU cannot move it), the main suppliers (Uzbeks and Chinese) continue without being punished. In fact, specialist Olena Yurchenko identifies three structural failures: the lack of comprehensive coverage of all solid fuel precursors, the absence of restrictions on third-country suppliers, and the omission of sanctions on Russian exporters and importers directly involved. The result is a perfectly functional supply chain that operates between the legal shadowsallowing Russia to replenish its arsenal despite the Western embargo. Experts they point out that this phenomenon is repeated in sectors where Western companies indirectly tolerate “parallel import” circuits. Geopolitics and political calculation. They remembered in Forbes that it would be politically more acceptable for the EU to sanction Uzbekistan, whose economic weight and ties with Europe are lower than those of China. There is no doubt, punishing Chinese suppliers would imply deep diplomatic and commercial frictions, which explains the reluctance of some Member States. However, while those decisions are postponed, Russia is advancing new domestic production complexes that will not be operational until between 2025 and 2027prolonging a critical period in which foreign dependence continues to be the Achilles heel of its missile industry. The strategic irony that sustains the conflict. ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, the city’s economic pillar and a recurring target of the Iskander, has contributed more than 500 million in taxes to Ukraine and more than 18 million in humanitarian aid since the invasion. The drama is evident: the same business structure that contributes to rebuilding Ukraine is, on a distant link in its corporate orbit, linked to production of the missiles that destroy their infrastructure. If the EU were to simultaneously sanction Uzbek suppliers and major Chinese exporters, Russia would face years of instability, high costs and reduced industrial flexibility. It could even be forced to redesign its engines and fuels, compromising the reliability of its arsenal for an extended period. What is at stake. If you like, the decisive question is whether European politics will have the courage to close the loopholes that allow global conglomerates benefit (directly or indirectly) from both sides of the war. The reason is crystal clear: as long as this legal and economic exception persists, the Iskander They will continue to fly and slaughter, sustained by a supply chain that Russian technology alone cannot replace. Image | Vitaly V. KuzminMil.ru In Xataka | Something devastating is happening for Ukraine: death zones are disappearing, and its drones are flying blind In Xataka | For years Europe has wondered how to stop the Russian ghost fleet. Ukraine just showed you the way: with AI

Porsche is approaching a turning point in its history with the electric 718. And they are very clear on who to look at: Hyundai

by

In September 2019, Porsche finally presented the Taycanits first fully electric car. Well, we should better say something like “the first electric car of the modern era of Porsche“Be that as it may, the truth is that the car was a meteorite in the sports car industry. With the Porsche Taycan, the Germans had a statement of intent on their hands. With him they showed that their pulse was not going to tremble with that launch an electric car on the market no matter how much tradition and history it had behind it. Furthermore, they showed that they were one step ahead of the competition. With that electric car they could achieve scandalous figures… and dizzying sensations. Although we could expect modest sales, the truth is that the car achieved the embrace of the public and a very high volume of purchases. The cruising pace encouraged the company to think that yes, they had a market to exploit. Together with the strategy of a business group that is governed by European emissions regulations, it seemed clear that the majority of Porsche cars They would end up being electric sooner or later. The question is whether the Porsche Taycan distorted the strategy to be followed. The great success of a flagship model, exotic and far ahead of the rest of the market, did not have to anticipate a generalized embrace of this technology in all the company’s cars. The electric Porsche Macan, that once offered a V6 in one of the brand’s entry cars, it seems a good example of how not all Porsche customers are the same. Because a good part of the customers who opted for the Macan wanted to get closer to the sensations typical of Porsche at the price their pocketbook allows. These sensations have to do, in part, with that V6 heart that we mentioned before. And it is even more pronounced among those looking for a Porsche 718. While the Porsche Macan can be understood as a gateway to the brand, the Porsche 718 is understood as a gateway to “the Porsche experience”. Their customers don’t just want a Porsche, they want to enjoy the sensations that a central engine provides and the sound of a boxer engine. The latter is something that cannot be matched with an electric car, but the brand is convinced that it can simulate or equal the rest of the incentives that the Porsche 718 currently offers. And to achieve this they have looked to Hyundai. Hyundai as a reference Unlike most brands, which have limited themselves to jumping into electric cars by offering more and more powerful versions, Hyundai has done in-depth work with its cars to offer a truly passionate electric car. Or, at least, they have made an attempt to achieve it, which is much more than most brands. This strategy is part of the Hyundai Ioniq 5N. The first “electric N” was already born with a clear sporting vocation. Not only because of the jet of its 650 HP of poweralso for the sound of its soundtrack and a careful simulation of gear changes. The result has been so good that Porsche itself recognizes that the sports car has inspired them in the development of its next electric Porsche 718. a car that should simulate the sensations of a central engine placing the batteries behind the driver and thus shift the weight balance of the car to resemble what it now feels like with a mid-engine combustion engine. But the German company needs to put other incentives on the table. To questions from the Australian media DriveFrank Moser, responsible for the 718 and 911 ranges, has made clear the influence of the South Korean model. “We have learned a lot (talking about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N). I have driven it several times. They have done it very, very well.” In his statements, Moser assures that the car was “developer”. He says that in one of these tests he notified Andreas Preuninger, responsible for the most radical area of ​​his sports cars, that he would come to pick him up at the controls of the South Korean car. Preuninger’s response was not encouraging, “leave me alone, I don’t want to see any of that.” However, he says that when he pressed the button that unleashes all the power and sportiness of the Ioniq 5 N, his partner was clearly surprised. One of the aspects that most surprised the Germans was the simulation of the sound and the gear change. Hyundai has done a great campaign highlighting the latter since it incorporates a mode that turns the vehicle into a sequential shift car. The idea is that despite being electric, the car does not always have the same thrust, taking away part of the torque that is available in the rev range in which it would supposedly be working. Toyota seems to be working on something similar and Honda incorporates the same mode into the new Prelude. In the absence of testing these innovations, what is certain is that Hyundai’s simulated gear change has received good reviews. In Top Gear They defined it as “quite funny.” “My more cynical disposition wanted to laugh at the Ioniq 5 N and its disguised gearbox. I wanted to say it was stupid and sad, and a waste of time. But in all honesty, I enjoyed it. Me impressed. It’s there if you want it. If you don’t, choose one of the quiet driving modes,” Ollie Kew noted in his article. Photo | Hyundai and Porsche In Xataka | China has turned the electric car market into a crazy race. And Porsche pays for it with billion-dollar losses

Europe has signed the first agreement to protect dogs and cats. Breeders won’t like it

by

The Animal Welfare Law It came into force in Spain two years ago. Among its measures, the law prohibits individuals from breeding and selling pets, allowing only registered breeders. Now, it is the European Union that wants to put an end to abusive breeding. what has happened. On November 25, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement provisional agreement which establishes a series of stricter rules for the dog and cat trade. It will affect both breeders, pet stores and shelters. The agreement still has to be endorsed, but a date has already been set for the standards to be met: 2028. Why it is important. It is the first agreement on animal welfare at community level. Until now, the only European regulation that affected pet animals was the one that regulated movements between member countries, but the fact that the fight against abusive breeding is being prioritized is further proof that animal welfare is at the center of public debate. Starting point. It is estimated that the cat and dog purchasing market moves 1,300 million euros a year and 60% of purchases are made online. In Spain, the Animal Welfare Law expressly prohibits direct sales over the internet and requires breeders who advertise in magazines or other media to include their registration number, but in many other EU countries there is no regulation in this regard. animal welfare. Establishments must meet a series of requirements to provide well-being to the animals they house and which will be aimed at covering the diet, physical environment, health, behavior and mental state of the animals. Some of these requirements are: The environment will have good quality, which means that it is comfortable, that they have enough space and a good temperature. The animals will be safe, clean and healthy. Disease or injury prevention measures must be applied. It is prohibited to have dogs or cats in spaces (cages, showcases…), except for transport. It is prohibited to keep dogs tied for long periods. Dogs and cats must have access to the outdoors to exercise and socialize. They must receive water and food in sufficient quantity and quality. Establishments must have sufficient competence to care for dogs and cats, including an understanding of their biological behavior and ethological needs. At least one caregiver per establishment will have to receive official training in animal care. They must ensure veterinary visits at least once a year and record the results. When selling or adopting an animal, the recipient must be made aware of responsible ownership. Breeders. The regulations focus especially on the breeding and reproduction of animals, with a series of requirements that aim to end harmful practices such as mutilations or inbreeding. They are the following: Age limits will be established for the dogs and cats used for breeding, as well as a frequency between litters. Consanguinity will be prohibited, that is, breeding between parents, descendants, siblings or grandparents will not be permitted. If a female dog or cat has undergone two cesarean sections, she should be removed from breeding to protect her health. The creation of hybrids through crossing with wild species, for example dogs and wolves, is prohibited. Mutilations such as cutting ears, tails or removing nails cannot be carried out. It cannot be used to breed dogs or cats with extreme traits. For example, very short noses or “flat faces” typical of breeds such as the French bulldog or the pug. Mandatory identification. All dogs and cats sold or given up for adoption must be microchipped and registered in the national database. Starting in 2028, breeders and shelters will be obligated, but within ten years it will be mandatory for all dog or cat guardians. In Spain, microchipping is already mandatory for both species. The novelty introduced by this regulation is that the databases will be interoperable at the European level. Who it doesn’t affect. There are exceptions and againthe regulations will not affect hunting dogs, guard dogs or cats that live freely in rural areas. The FAADA Foundation regrets this decision and states that “it will leave some 18 million cats and 2 million dogs in the EU without adequate protection.” There is also an exception regarding the prohibition of consanguinity. It will be allowed when it is to “preserve local breeds with a limited genetic pool.” Small establishments will also not have to comply with the rules except for the identification of animals with a microchip. To be considered a small establishment, they must meet these requirements: Breeders who have a maximum of three dogs or cats and produce a maximum of two litters per year. Pet stores that have a maximum of three dogs or six cats. Animal shelters that have a maximum of ten dogs or twenty cats. Images | Pexels In Xataka | Yes, the neighbors on the tenth floor can have chickens at home even if they don’t want to. The Animal Welfare Law says so

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.