century

half a century later, the mystery is complicated

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Almost half a century after the Big Ear Radio Coats captured an enigmatic signal of 72 seconds from space, the mystery, far from resolving, has become more complex. An exhaustive analysis of the original 1977 data, which were believed, has revealed that the legendary signal “wow!” It was considerably stronger than was thought, and moved towards us at a much higher speed than it had been calculated. A little context. On August 15, 1977, American astronom characters sequence “6equj5”an extraordinarily intense narrow band radio signal. His surprise was such that he surrounded the code with a circle and wrote “Wow!” On the margin. Thus was born one of the greatest enigmas of modern astronomy and the most famous candidate to be an extraterrestrial transmission. Now, a Preliminary study posted at Arxiv.org Rewrite almost everything we knew about her. Rescuing a treasure of 75,000 pages. New research has been an almost archaeological job. For decades it was thought that the detailed data surrounded by the ‘Wow!’ They had been lost forever, especially after Ohio’s Big Ear Observatory was dismantled in 1998 to build a golf course. Fortunately, a group of volunteers rescued most of the telescope records. Now, researchers of the Project “Arecibo Wow!”led by Abel Méndez of the planetary habitability laboratory of the University of Puerto Rico, have digitized and analyzed more than 75,000 pages of the original forms with optical recognition technology of characters (OCR) and human supervision. This monumental effort has allowed, for the first time, to apply advanced computational methods to the original signal, revealing details that had been overlooked for almost 50 years. The “Wow!” Signal signal Next to the scribble of astronomer Jerry Ehman Strong, more precise, faster. The new analysis correctly corrects and refines the signal parameters, shedding new light on its possible nature. The previous estimates placed the intensity of the signal (their flow density) between 54 and 212 janskys. Corrected calculations raise that figure to a minimum of 250 janskys, confirming that It was even more powerful than was thought. Few sources of known astrophysical radio emit with that intensity, which makes it a truly exceptional event. The frequency has also been corrected at 1,420,726 MHz, which suggests that the object was moving to us at 74 km/s, a speed that does not fit with the normal rotation of the objects of our galaxy. On the other hand, the study reduces the search area in two thirds, refining the coordinates to two possible locations slightly displaced from the previous estimates, which could explain why decades of monitoring searches did not serve to detect it again. Neither humans, nor comets. With these new data, researchers have been able to discard many of the proposed explanations over the years. The study rules out almost completely human origin. There were no known satellites in that position and the moon was on the opposite side of the earth, so it was not a reflection of terrestrial transmissions. The television stations of the time could not generate a harmonic in that frequency. The form of the signal, which fits perfectly with the expected pattern of a punctual source through the telescope beam, is another argument against a local interference. The theory that the mysterious signal “wow!” It was caused by the passage of a kitewhich at the time seemed to solve the enigma, has also been weakened with the new analysis. The extreme power and the characteristics of the reviewed signal do not fit well with the hydrogen cloud that surrounds a kite. So what was? They were probably aliens either. Researchers point to a natural astrophysical event, but extremely rare. As I pointed out an earlier study that we cover in Xatakathe signal could come from a neutral hydrogen cloud. These clouds are common, but normally do not emit such intense and narrow band signals. The new proposal is that the signal ‘wow!’ It was the result of a phenomenon known as Astronomical Mass Flare or an overradication outbreak from one of these clouds. Something similar to a natural microwave laser, a transitory and powerful event that would explain both the intensity of the signal and the fact that it has never been repeated again. Images | Big Ear Observatory In Xataka | Every time we tried to contact extraterrestrial life

A century of herbivores at ease was ending with Yellowstone. Salvation was logical: call the wolf

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‘Jurassic Park‘He has memorable moments, but perhaps a phrase is the one that fell me the most in his day: “Life makes its way”The problem is that the hand of man exercises Too much influence on natureand the Yellowstone park It is an excellent example of how an ecosystem that was regulated perfectly was twisting due to a decision made 100 years ago: eradicate the wolves. Consequence? May the park run out of trees. And to turn to the tortilla, the researchers had an idea: return to repopble Yellowstone with wolves. Yellowstone in short. The arrival of European settlers to the North American west caused the expansion of the agriculture and, above all, livestock (With grazing and the Basques carrying the reins). The enemy of cattle was the wolf, since it was a direct threat and, due to its vital role for the local economy, extermination campaigns began to be carried out. The result was that, by 1930, the wolves (as well as other predators such as pumas, coyotes and bears) practically disappeared from some areas such as Yellowstone. Even the army is implied. If the predators disappear, those that were their prey have free field to reproduce without control, and that caused that alces and deer proliferate, creating a huge imbalance in the population of herbivores and, therefore, in the flora of the park. In the end, overparation and a overpopulation of wild herbivores caused the trees to disappear from Yellowstone. Lobos, to curra. The trees that worried were the scenes and it is not a matter of the alces to stay without food. How can we read in Oregon State UniversityThey are vital elements for birds that nest in them and for beavers, among other species. Thus, in 1995 the decision of V was madeOlver to incorporate those predators to the ecosystem. Lobos, Bears and Pumas, another predator practically removed from the area, returned to the place they should never abandon, and the results have not taken to appear. Results. Luke Painter, professor of ecology and conservation at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Oregon, comments that “The reintroduction of great carnivores has started a recovery process that had been paralyzed for decades. ” studyThey detail that the “price” is the sustained decrease in population of the Cervus canadensisallowing the quarrels to experience exceptional growth. This “trophic waterfall” examined 87 rhods of poplars in northern Yellowstone, finding that 43% of them presented a new population of small trees between five and ten centimeters in diameter, being the first positive count since the 1940s. They comment that the density of grazing remains the dominant factor for the regeneration of poplar, but that that Introduction of predators has relieved the load that herbivores exert in the ecosystem. In addition, the study rules out changes in the climate as the main cause of that recovery, once again influencing the importance of the reintroduction of the wolf as the element that has caused “changes in the distribution of the ALCE, giving rise to recovery”. The Wolf as a lever. Not everyone is on that ship. A previous study On the part of researchers at Utah State University and the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point put on the table that, although the role of the wolf had been important for the recovery of poplar, its role was exaggerated due to the way in which previous measurements were made. But what has happened in Yellowstone is not an isolated story. That persecution of the wolf has been lived in other areas and, in Europe, due to its impact on livestock, they are also promulgated laws for extermination. The ecological consequences are similar to the views in Yellowstone and, in Scotland, there is an overpopulation of red deer that are ending local forests. At a time when we need trees so that They catch co₂it is already being raised release more than 150 wolves in the ‘Highlands’ Scottish to control deer and save forests. While some release them… But as we are condemned to repeat the story, at the end of 2024, the Permanent Committee of the Bern agreement voted in favor of reduce wolf protection status. This makes it “strictly protected” to “protected”, which opens the door to A desire on the part of certain parliamentariansfarmers and hunters: that can bother the wolf. And not with paint ballsas in Netherlands. In Xataka | Russia has found a frozen wolf 44,000 years ago “in perfect condition.” First decision: open it

The great Spanish rail giant had in his hands “the contract of the century.” Until France appeared

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It has been called “the contract of the century.” And it has not been for anything. CAF, the great Spanish rail giant, should be the winner of a huge contract to nurture the Belgian SNCB of trains that circulate on the conventional roads of the country. That is, by “the Belgian Renfe.” A contract that could reach 3,400 million euros. A contract that, now, is in the air after the claims of the French Alstom. “The contract of the century”. This has been called the pre -agreement between the Belgian SNCB and the Spanish CAF, confirmed only a few weeks ago by both companies In a statement in which the following was read: The Board of Directors of NMBS (SNCB-National Society of the Belgian Railways), taking into consideration the resolution of the State Council, has confirmed in this day CAF as preferred bidder of the contract for the development, manufacture and supply of the AM30 trains. In this way, the approval is given to continue the purchase process with the selected company, with the objective of closing the final adjudication of said Framework Agreement. This is a framework agreement with a maximum scope of units for 170,000 places, with an initial base commitment of 1,695 million euros (units for 54,000 places) in case of finally closing the agreement. French resource. This pre -agreement that includes a first operation of almost 1.7 billion euros and that could be folded in the future with the delivery of more trains for renew up to 50% of the fleet From the Belgian transport company, it has been appealed by Alstom, a French company that had also appeared to the contest. Guipuzkoa news He explains that the French company has launched the appeal to try to stop the contract, with the objective that this famous “contract of the century” falls on them, understanding that its offer was better than the Spanish proposal. What do they defend? In the Basque newspaper it is pointed out that Alstom defends its best position because the offer was 107 million euros cheaper than the Spanish proposal and that, in addition, they assured that Belgian labor would be used, which should be an argument of weight when it comes to being the chosen ones. Alstom expected their witch and charlei plants that employ 1,500 people to be decisive when obtaining the contract, they explain in Expansion. The situation is not new. Last April, the Belgium Council suspended the award and forced CNCB to return to the process, noting that the contract had not been awarded with total transparency. Human Rights. After that first closed door, CNCB once again chosen CAF as an ideal company to deliver the trains with which the Belgian fleet will be renewed. In their new report they pointed out that “European regulation prevents considering local presence factors in public procurement,” they explain in Expansion. But, in addition, in the review of the process, the Belgian court asked CAF to demonstrate that its activities meet “With international law and human rights”. Because? Because CAF works on a light subway line in Jerusalem that extends to Palestinian territories occupied by Israel. Yes indeed, In the Basque newspaper They emphasize that the Belgian Mobility and Climate Minister came to remove iron from this matter, highlighting that the country itself maintains diplomatic and economic relations with Israel. A thorny matter. The participation of CAF in the Light Metro of Jerusalem has raised Polvareda and is a stone more than the company has been found when receiving the so -called “contract of the century.” Amnesty International and Other associations In defense of the Palestinian people they demand that CAF leave the Israeli project. The minister on his side. For now, what has been defended by CNCB (and even Belgian minister himself) is that Not only should you look at the initial cost of the project. According to its reports, the Spanish proposal will mean savings with the passage of time to Belgian accounts since CAF trains consume less energy than those of Alstom. Specifically, it is ensured that the Spanish rolling material improves by 4% the technical criteria of the French company, taking into account the sale price of them but also the consumption of the trains provided, the conditions of the purchase contract and the calendar of deliveries to which CAF is compromised. Photo | CAF In Xataka | “Whoever wants to come, to invest”: Ouigo wanted to enter the Madrid-Galicia bird but it already sees it impossible before 2030

This graph shows how eighteenth -century corporations already doubled their value

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In recent years, some technology companiesThey have climbed their capitalizations Meteorically to the point that, those known as the “7 magnificent”, already match or exceed the GDP of many countries. Every time one of the companies of this select group, formed by Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla, Reach a new record The idea is reinforced that there have never been such powerful companies. However, history reminds us that this throne It is not new: There were corporations in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that, adjusting their value to inflation, doubled and even tripled the value of the current “7 magnificent”. Seven giants today, very great … but not so much In 2025, Nvidia has reached a capitalization of 4.2 billion dollars, Microsoft of 3.8 billion, Apple 3.2 billion, Amazon 2.4 billion, Alphabet 2.2 billion, goal 1.8 billion and tesla 1.1 billion. Together, the seven largest technological companies in the world total 18.7 billion dollars (European billion in a long scale). A huge figure, which represents The stock market weight Combined of the seven largest technological companies on the planet. However, if the graph prepared by Visual Capitalistleave a much more visual idea, and these figures pale when comparing them with the large business corporations that monopolized the lucrative trade between old Europe and their respective colonies. The data represented in the graph are extracted from the respective capitalizations of the companies in July 2025, as well as the research published in The Motley Fool In 2012. The figures of the companies of the seventeenth and eighteenth century are adjusted to inflation, which leaves us an approximate idea of the enormous power of these commercial corporations, causing the “7 magnificent” to seem mere startups to their side. The Dutch Company of the Eastern Indies: The Bubble of Flowers Founded in 1602 and financed by the Dutch government, the Dutch Company of the Oriental Indies (VOC, for Dutch) was the corporation more powerful of his time. During the speculative boom of the “Tulipomania“In 1637, which gave rise to the first economic bubble in history. During that time, the Dutch company of the Eastern Indies reached an estimated value of 78 million Dutch florins, which adjusted to inflation, would result in more than 10.2 billion dollars. That means that, a single company of the seventeenth century, came to be more than double the sum of Nvidia, Apple and Microsoft together. Unlike modern technological ones, the VOC not only traded with products, but also administered territories, negotiated treated, maintained its own army and even had the power to coin its own currency, functioning de facto as a overseas government. In modern terms, it would be a mixture of megacorporation, central bank and state geopolitical arm. The Mississippi company and the South Sea Company The 18th century also saw the corporate colossi flourish that, in the same way that they flourished, they withered to the pressure of the financial bubbles. The Mississippi company, managed by the Economist John Law Under the support of the French monarchy, it reached a value equivalent to 8,350,000 million dollars in 1720 (8.35 billion). Your model It was based on the exploitation of resources and commerce in the French colonies of North America, but ended up collapsing in one of the largest Stock bubbles of history. For its part, the South Sea Company was created in 1711 by the British Government with the intention of consolidating and refinancing public debt in exchange for exclusive commercial rights with South America, especially in the territories under Spanish rule. In theory, its business model was based on opening new routes and exploiting transatlantic maritime trade. In practice, their commercial activities were minimal. The promise of enormous future benefits promoted a stock market who triggered the value of his actions at exorbitant levels. Exactly the same as centuries later was lived with the Puntocom bubblea scenario that many compare already With investments in AI. In 1720, the South Sea Company reached a capitalization equivalent to more than 5,520,000 million dollars. However, the lack of real income, financial secrecy and unbridled speculation precipitated the collapse. He bubble burst It caused an economic crisis in the United Kingdom, dragging private, parliamentarians and members of the nobility, and forcing legislative reforms in financial markets. In Xataka | The best paid CEOs of the technology industry, gathered in a simple graphic Image | Visualcapitalist

trains lasted a century

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Amazon has promised to invest 100,000 million dollars in AI data centers in 2025. Microsoft, 80,000. Google, 75,000. Goal, 65,000. The figures are absolutely dizzy, and are only part of the global investment that many other companies are carrying out in this area. The situation begins to be comparable to what occurred more than 140 years ago, when another investment fever conquered the United States. In that case it was the railroad. But there are crucial differences between one and the other. We are spending as if there were no tomorrow. Investor Paul Kedrosky did That interesting comparison Between spending on AI data centers and the one that was done on railroads more than a century ago. According to him, Capex’s figures (capital vessel, capital expenditure) for the United States in 2025 in the AI scope are absolutely fired and could represent according to their data between 1.2% and 2% of the Gross Domestic Product of the US. What is that? A lot. Lot. Source: Paul Kedrosky. More investment than with the Puntocom. The situation seems to overcome even the one that was lived with the investment in telecommunications companies both during the Puntocom bubble and during the era of the 5G networks, in which there was also a shotx fired. According to Kedrosky, the percentage of the US GDP on that occasion was 1%, but the capex for AI already round data centers (as little) 1.2%. A WSJ chart recently showed the situation: Capital spending (capex) quarterly of the Big Tech does not stop growing. And everything is for AI. Source: WSJ. Only the railroad attracted more investment. There has only been a situation that exceeds the current one. It occurred in the 1870-1880 decade, with the railway fever that made CAPEX shoot up to 6% of the US GDP at that time. The investment in AI data centers is still somewhat far from that figure, but it is still amazing, and above all, it does not seem to go less. Comparison between the capex dedicated to telecommunications and the one that is now being dedicated to data centers and IA. And 2025 will go further. Source: Paul Kedrosky. Money everywhere. As this analyst explains, the CAPEX set is not based only on the capex of the large technology companies that we mentioned at the beginning of this article. In addition to these gigantic investments there is a growing debt issuance to support these investments, private capital and new “Special investment vehicles“(SPVS) that are created precisely to support these massive capital flows. Even Xi Jinping is scared. The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has warned of the danger of excessive investment in data centers. In your country there are More than 250 data centers Under construction, and last week he warned of the risk of betting without brake on AI and electric vehicles: “With regard to projects, there are some important aspects: artificial intelligence, computer power and new energy vehicles. Should all provinces in the country develop industries in these directions?” Do not invest in other things. That extraordinary investment in AI data centers – or talent, tell them to the finish line– It is making any other segment much more difficult to capture money to continue developing. According to Kedrosky, the situation is analogous to which it was lived with fever for telecommunications and investments in other types of infrastructure, something whose effects continue to place. Bubble danger. Faced with this unbalanced obsession with Big Tech to create more and more data centers there is a reality: AI, although useful for certain scenarios, still does not prove to be really revolutionary. Openai’s commitment, Google, Microsoft or goal is absolute, but it is almost more for the fear of getting too late to the market than by the fact that this market makes sense in itself. All this has made it talk for a long time AI bubblethat It could be comparable (or more worrying) than the bubble of the Puntocom. Better spend now than regret it later. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, He already reflected About the situation with a clear message: “It is very likely that many companies are oversizing (their investments in AI). But, on the other hand, I think that all the companies that are investing are making a rational decision, because the disadvantage of being left behind is that you could stay out with the most important technology of the next 10 to 15 years.” They are still spending little. While many think that companies are spending too much money on AI, some analysts think they are spending little. Jim Cramer, from CNBC, affirmed That “these companies are not spending more in AI, they are missing. Maybe they are not investing bad. The expert Noah Smith Analyze in your Newsletter Noahpinion The situation and remember important details: The telecos boom in the 90s and that overinversion led to the bubble of the Puntocom The railway boom led another gigantic crisis in 1873. In both cases, companies created too much infrastructure and bet more. The expectations were exaggerated, and the companies could not meet the loans they had asked. But be careful: in both cases something more important happened. Those who invested extraordinarily did not invest badly, but invested too soon. The railroads were disruptive, as were the telecommunications. There are those who defend that in fact Bubbles are good For innovation. But it is not the Railroad (for the moment). Kedrosky concludes with a comparison that serves as a warning: what is being built with these AI data centers are not railroads: The train tracks have lasted more than a century and their cost-benefit ratio It has not been reduced just after the passing of the decades (although there has been investment to renew them) Data centers are short -term facilities, and the expensive GPUS on which they are based have a much shorter life cycle. Your cost-benefit relationship is much more debatable Inflating the economy. This analyst has one more revealing data: without that … Read more

Galileo Galilei of the 21st century is an unknown man who has discovered more moons than no one is going to discover

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If they asked you about an astronomer, you would probably think of Copernicus or Galileo Galilei. Maybe Carl Sagan came to mind. If they add “to be alive,” you might answer Neil Degrasse Tyson or, in the event that you are a fan of Queen, Brian May. The name that would hardly come out in the conversation is Scott S. Sheppard, an astronomer as prolific as unknown. The number 1 in yours. Yeah Cristiano Ronaldo He is the greatest scorer in the history of professional football, Scott S. Sheppard is the CR7 to discover objects in our solar system. In total, he has put his name in more than 200 planetary moons: 78 of Jupiter, 119 of Saturn, three from Uranus and three of Neptune. Practically half of all known planetary moons. A record that, as points out Iflscienceprobably will never be overcome, and he has continued to swell it in recent months. The true king of Jupiter. In April, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) confirmed the discovery of two new moons in Jupiter, raising the official total giant to 97. Their provisional names are S/2017 J 11 and S/2017 J 10. Both are small moons and with retrograde orbits, that is, they revolve in the opposite direction to the rotation of the planet, something common in the outer and smaller satellites of Jupiter. And yes, he has discovered them Scott S. Sheppardthat with these two new findings, he adds almost 80 moons of Jupiter to his credit. To put it in perspective: Galileo discovered the first and largest moons of Jupiter in 1610. Since 2000, Sheppard has overwhelmingly dominated the search for Jovian satellites. What is resisting: Planet 9. He extensive curriculum Sheppard looks more like the index of an astronomical atlas than to the discoveries of a single person. In addition to natural satellites in Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptunethis astronomer of the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington DC has also discovered 23 minor planets, six candidates for dwarf planets, three comets that bear their name (Sheppard – Trujillo, Sheppard – Tholen and Trujillo – Sheppard) and The most distant object ever observed In the Solar System: 2018 Ag37 “Farfarout”, about 130 times the distance between Earth and the Sun. This is where your work becomes even more fascinating. Many of his discoveries are transneptunian objects such as 541132 Leleākūhonua “The Goblin”. And it is no accident. Sheppard and his colleague Chadwick Trujillo found them while looking for something much bigger: The hypothetical planet nine. Themselves proposed in 2014 The existence of a superstraier -type distant planet to explain the strange orbits grouped from objects such as the Minor Sedna planet. Image | Carnegie Science In Xataka | What types of satellites exist: guide not to get lost in a gigantic network of which we are increasingly dependent

Spain has a rail giant in the shadows. And just achieved the “contract of the century”

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If you have traveled to Belgium, the SNCB application is likely to have downloaded to move from one city to another. It is about ‘the Renfe‘Belgian and, a few years ago, They announced that they were going to renew 50% of their fleet from here to 2032. The interesting thing is that it is an operation of 3,400 million euros that has not fallen to anyone: it has done so in a Spanish company called CAF. And if you are wondering what diantres is caf, you are in your entire right, but you will surely have mounted on one of its trains. “The contract of the century”. In a release of CNCB, the operator detailed the pre -agreement reached with the Spanish, something that replicated own CAF detailing that the initial commitment of the same will be 1,695 million euros. This includes the development, manufacture and supply of 600 am30 trains (interurban trains with integrated motor and autonomy by battery when operating in un -electrified lines) with a total of 170,000 seats, although the initial commitment is 1,695 million euros for 54,000 places. The proposal of CAF has had to compete with other manufacturers, such as the French Alstom that argued cheapest prices, factories in Belgium and that local industrial promotion. Everything is not closed, since although CNCB has opted for the Spanish, political interests come into play in something like that. There is a debate around the firm and, for example, as we read in Basque chroniclea deputy of the Belgian Party Staf Aerts has discredited to the company, indicated that CAF is collaborating to create a subway line from Jerusalem to the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel ” As we say, it remains to be seen that the agreement is finally closed, but by its magnitude, there is already talk of the “contract of the century” of the railway sector, with obvious consequences In the CAF portfolio. Centenaria. This news, because of its magnitude, has jumped to the first flat of numerous national and European economic newspapers, but the great question we could have is … what is CAF and why it is so important. CAF responds to ‘Constructions and Railroad Assistant‘And it is a company that was born in 1917 in Beasain, Basque Country. It was founded on workshops that already existed since the nineteenth century and from the beginning it was dedicated to the manufacture and rental of wagons, as well as other elements for rail transport. And in this more than a century, it has become one of the larger companies in the country. The Oaris World jump. They were developing their business within our borders, providing Renfe trainsbut in the 90s, they consolidated the international leap by operating more firmly in other countries thanks to the opening of about thirty subsidiaries. In Spain they have, above all, high -speed trains of variable width manufactured next to the ALSTOM itself, as well as electric and diesel trains for regional services and Renfe vicinity. However, much of your order portfolio It is for export. They have manufactured units for cities such as London, Brussels, or Sydney, as well as the Santiago de Chile and Mexico Metro, light trains for US cities such as Boston or the Oaris: High speed trains (up to 350 km/h) that form the backbone of the Norway rail network. And, to meet the needs, they have gone Opening factories all over the world. Why the mystery? In spite of everything, we do not know too much CAF beyond their area of direct influence (where they have the factories and hire employees) it has all the meaning of the world. Before we talked about Talgo, also a historic rail that not only stood out for their trains, but to baptize vehicles with their own name. Go up to Talgo It was synonymous with getting on the train just as asking for a Kleenex is asking for a handkerchief or, in some countries, playing “the play” is playing any game console in general. In the case of CAF, the same did not happen and, although it is an industrial pride in Euskadi and very recognized among experts around the world, its business has remained “in the shadows”. They operate mainly in the B2B sector, which implies work for large operators both public and private and not for the final consumer, and do not baptize their creations such as “CAF”, which keeps them in an unknown position for the general public. However, the last decades have grown, especially abroad, and with contracts such as the one achieved in Belgium and the jump to large media, it is more likely that the name ‘CAF’ sounds more and more. Images | Jordi Verdugo In Xataka | Renfe riding a circus this summer and dwarves grow: tunnels with leaks and more delays of the bird in Malaga

There is an island that has been prohibiting cars for more than a century and continues to use horses. And it’s doing pretty good

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Before entering the subject, let’s make a game: Open Google Maps, Type “Mackinac Island” And let the search engine transfer you to a small island in Lake Huron, in Michigan, USA. Then approximate and handle Street View to take a virtual walk through its streets. In their wide avenues you will see people walking, people by bicycle and people mounted in carriages thrown by horses, but what you will not find are cars. Very lucky maybe CACES some (few) of those used promptly to provide certain services. After all Mackinac is known worldwide Therefore: have banished motor vehicles and stay, in the middle of 2025, such as the reign of horses. In a Michigan place … Mackinac is a fantastic example of how history is full of ironies. The island known inside and outside the US for its aversion to cars is located in the middle Ford, General Motors either Chrysler. In fact Detroit, the “Motor City” It is located just 400 k, in a straight line. However, despite this influence of the industry 127 years ago the island authorities made a peculiar decision: they prohibited the use of combustion vehicles. Petarders no, thanks. The veto was promulgated the July 6, 1898after the islanders who dedicated themselves to working with calese alerted of the “dangers” and discomfort that the new “carriages without horses.” The legend He says that the trigger (never better) was the firecracker of a vehicle that in 1898 frightened a group of horses. It is also not far -fetched to think that the chauferes They moved to shield your business in the face of engines. A prohibition in DNA. The fact is that the rule set. After a few years It extended To the rest of the island, just 3.8 km2, and with the passing of the decades it became one of Mackinac’s great hallmarks. Little served to mark like Oldsmobile Or Ford became stronger and more only a few kilometers from there, the small island of Lake Huron remained an impregnable redoubt for the thriving automotive industry and thus has continued to be during the twentieth and twenty -first centuries, for pride of local authorities. On their official website they remember that the M-185the road that surrounds the island, is the only US state road in which the use of motor vehicles is not allowed. “Of the more than six million kilometers of public streets in the US, there is a stretch of 13.2 kilometers in Mackinac that stands out for its uniqueness,” They need The authorities. “It could be decided that it is literally one among one million.” There is no car? No. And yes. The authorities do not allow people to use cars as they would do any other part of the US, but that does not mean that there are certain exceptions. Mlive remember That the island has emergency vehicles, police cars, an ambulance released in 2021 and fire trucks. The State Park also has vehicles, although only uses them out of season high and preferably at first or last hour of the day. The island has also turned a blind eye in certain cases. For example, the US secret service put a car in 1975, during a visit by President Gerald R. Ford with his wife. The vehicle was used by agents. Ford opted for a carriage pulled by horses. Another exceptional case was the filming in 1979 of ‘Somowhere in Time’a film starring Chistopher Reeve and Jane Seymour that was shot in Mackinac and had a special permission to use vehicles. And the rest of the time? Simple. People walk, move by bike or ride in carriages thrown by horses, one of the great hallmarks of the island. It is believed that the horses arrived in Mackinac around 1780 by the British, who used them to lift the Strong Michilimackinacand the caleses were popular mostly in the nineteenth century, when the island became popular as a resting place. The first license for a carriage was issued in 1869. The island also has a ferry that allows its 600 inhabitants Move more easily from neighbors Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. “Without horses, this place would not be what it is. It allows you Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A destination with history. With the passing of the decades Mackinac has achieved more than becoming a small redoubt safe from the traffic and contamination of cars. It has also become a popular destination, especially during The summer months. There, in addition to their horse carriages, coasts and landscape The Anishnaabe culturea group of indigenous peoples from the region of the Great Lakes of North America. Images | Dan Gaken (Flickr), Greg Marks (Flickr), Kate Ter Har (Flickr) and Poissantfamily (Flickr) In Xataka | In the US there is a “colonized” city by the Basques. And it has its own Ikastola, Frontón and Ikurriñas on the street

In the twentieth century the pipelines were the key to the world. In the 21st century are the electrical networks and a country is winning them: China

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While a nation installs almost one hundred solar panels per second, another revitalizes factories to produce gasoline engines. While A build the largest solar plant in the worldthe other promises “Dominant Energy” Based on oil and gas. At first glance, two different strategies seem. Actually, it’s a career. And the prize is not just energy: it is the geopolitical power of the 21st century. Two opposing models. An Ember graph published by Our World in Data He has illustrated The point with amazing clarity. At the beginning of the 2000s you can see China’s gradual rebound. However, the crossing occurs in 2010 where the Asian giant exceeds the 4,000 Teravatios-Hora barrier (TWH), to a vertiginous ascent exceeding 10,000 SWH in 2024. In simple terms, China produces more than double electricity than the United States, which remained in the same line. But the most relevant is not how much it produces, but how it does. Data Source: Ember (2025); Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy (2024) The silent revolution. In just one month, China installed 93 gigawatts of solar capacity, which is equivalent – more or less – one hundred panels every second. To that are added another 26 GW in wind, some 5,300 new turbines underway. According to Lauri Myllyvirta, principal researcher at the Institute of Policy of Asian Society, cited by The Guardian: “Only the facilities of that month would generate as much electricity as whole countries such as Poland, Sweden or the United Arab Emirates.” In total, between January and May 2025, China has added 198 GW of solar capacity and 46 GW of wind, sufficient to match the electricity production of Türkiye or Indonesia. This way, Keep overcoming The more than 1,000 GW, which represents half of the world total. They have known how to get ahead. More and more linked climatic ambitions with the growth of renewable technologies. In a recent speech, cited by The GuardianXi Jinping linked the development of the clean energy sector with China’s economic revitalization: “We have built the world’s largest and most complete energy chain in the world.” The term “new energies” includes renewables, batteries and storage technologies. The Asian giant is currently the largest global supplier of clean technologies: the market of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, electric vehicles and nuclear reactors under construction dominates. In addition, it has almost 700,000 patents in clean energy, more than half of the world total, According to The New York Times. The other face. For a good part of the twentieth century, the United States was the reference in energy innovation: from the first commercial solar cells until The first wind farms. However, since Trump’s arrival, the focus It has been placed again strongly towards fossil fuels. According to The New York TimesWashington has pressed allies such as Japan and South Korea to invest billion dollars in American natural gas infrastructure. At the same time, companies such as General Motors have given clear signs of where the wind blows: the company canceled an electric motion plant near Buffalo (New York) to allocate 888 million dollars To manufacture gasoline V-8 engines. Where asymmetry resides. It is not just two different paths, but in world influence. According to Climate Energy Finance datathe companies of the Asian giant have announced more than 168 billion dollars in foreign investments in clean energy projects: from turbines in Brazil to electric cars in Indonesia, through gigantic solar plants in Saudi Arabia and hydroelectric projects in the Congo. Green energy, for Beijing, is not just a business. It is a soft power tool. A way to gain global land through infrastructure, long -term contracts and own financing. An influence that does not need military bases, but solar panels. In contrast, the United States has cut many of its international energy cooperation programs. Its foreign strategy is more transactional: specific gas, oil or even weapons agreements. But without a structural project that allows you to compete on this new energy board. And this change of roles? Half a century ago, the United States led energy innovation. In 1979, Jimmy Carter He installed solar panels In the White House. Decades later, Barack Obama financed projects like Tesla. But cases Like Solyndra’s failurea solar company that broke after receiving a federal loan, unleashed a conservative narrative against public investment in renewables. China, on the other hand, assumed risks. In the early 2000s, then Prime Minister Wen Jiabao – rare earth geneologist – understood that the country’s economic and geopolitical future went through controlling energy production. Your government invested hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies, factories, technical training and innovation. Protected his market, automated manufacturing and dominated access to essential raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and silicon as has developed New York Times. The forecasts. The world is moving towards solar and wind energies, so confirms it The International Energy Agency. The energy demand will continue to grow, but its origin will be different. And that will change the global balance, because whoever leads this new energy matrix will also have a geopolitical, commercial and diplomatic advantage. China is prepared to lead that world. The big question is whether the United States – or any other global actor – is willing to compete with the same strategic vision, patience and scale. Because energy not only moves factories or illuminates cities. Today the global board moves. Image | Unspash Xataka | An explosive ramifications have just opened in the world energy industry: the “Peak Oil” of China

In the mid -twentieth century the nuclear was fashionable. So someone created “atomic” tomatoes and cucumbers

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The human being has from the dawn of agriculture trying to improve their crops. Before the arrival of advanced laboratory techniques such as CRISPR or the tools that the transgenics gave them, our species tested with a retahíla of various strategies to obtain larger fruits and vegetablestastier or more resistant. Some more successful than others. Some that bordered the demential. To the latter group belongs to the atomic horticulture, Atomic Gardening. The name of the technique speaks for itself. Atomic horticulture started from the idea of ​​bombarding radiation plantations. The objective of atomic horticulture, or at least the nominal objective of this, was to force mutations that improve the properties of food that were extracted from them. For this, the orchards were arranged in concentric circles, in whose center the radioactive material was located (Generally cobalt-60) capable of emitting gamma rays. The disposition implied that the successive circles received radiation dose that could vary significantly. The closest plants ended up burned by radiation and many nearby developed lethal problems such as tumors. The rest of the plants would receive more moderate doses that would introduce small mutations in their DNA. These mutations could be harmful or beneficial: the technique could Accelerate the natural process Of genetic modification, the selection, natural or human, would make the rest. The origin of this practice is found in the first years of the nuclear era, in the 1950s. Behind this initiative could find an association called The Atomic Gardening Societydedicated to promoting this striking practice. In An article Posted in 1962 the magazine Naturethis agrarian society was defined as “a scientific, educational and non -profit body, which carries out research in plants reproduction using radiative and chemically treated seeds and plants.” The different members of the association could exchange through this different seeds and the organization also served to record the different genetic variations introduced into the plants. The Atomic Gardening Society He also published his own magazine in which members could share their experiences and knowledge. We pointed out before the objective of this practice was to improve the qualities of plants and their fruits, make the most productive and resistant crops and their most nutritious or tasty crops. However behind this practice there was something else: marketing. The 50s was the era of initiative Atoms for peacein whose bosom the atomic gardens were born. This initiative intended to show that the energy responsible for devastation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki could also be used for economic improvement, in this case, agricultural improvement. Atomic horticulture in Spain Atomic horticulture was not an exclusive idea of ​​great nuclear powers such as the United States or the Soviet Union but also various countries from Europe to Japan developed their own gardens. Spain also had Your own atomic garden. The so -called Atomic Jarín of Alcalá is what remains of the Spanish tante in this nuclear agriculture, the then called El Encín Gamma Radiation Field. The origin of this experiment, which did not use Cobalt-60 but Cesio-137is in 1959, when Spain began to leave its isolationist period and could receive this radioactive isotope from US nuclear power plants for the exotic objective of building its own atomic garden not far from the capital. Today atomic horticulture is history. As we pointed at the beginning, today we had less quirky techniques to introduce mutations into plants. The transgenic foods, despite all the controversy they generate, have been accompanying us for decades. In fact, the development of the “scissors” of CRISPR genetic edition has given a new push to the genetic edition of organisms. This tool allows a control never seen before, notably facilitating The work of those looking for Improve the quality, quantity or resistance of crops. Atomic horticulture is history, but their results still endure. They do it in the form of variants of fruits, vegetables and even ornamental plants whose origin is in one of the most unique agricultural practices in the history of humanity. In Xataka | A perfect storm looms over Spanish olive oil: heat, pests and a problem of productive capacity Image | Google Maps / Catalan

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