Emerging

the Quarterhorse is emerging as one of its great bets

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For decades, talking about extremely fast airplanes meant talking about the same name: the SR-71 Blackbird. This American reconnaissance plane, capable of flying at more than Mach 3, established in 1976 the absolute speed record for a manned aircraft with air-breathing engines. Since then, that bar has barely moved. However, in recent years, projects have begun to appear that seek to reactivate this race for speed, and one of the most visible is the one promoted by the American company Hermeus. The program does not seek to build a single revolutionary aircraft from the beginning. Its approach is different: develop a series of prototypes that solve, step by step, the challenges of very high-speed flight. In this context appears the quarterhorse Mk 2.1, an unmanned aircraft that has already begun flight testing and is part of a broader roadmap aimed at bringing the United States closer to new supersonic and, later, hypersonic flight capabilities. The prototype with which Hermeus wants to accelerate high-speed flight To put this flight in context you have to look at the Quarterhorse program as a whole. Hermeus presents this project as a prototype chain designed to address different aspects of high-speed flight. Each device is built with a specific technical objective and the results obtained are used to adjust the next step of the program. The company defends that this rapid and iterative development model, based on multiple prototypes, allows progress to be made with greater agility than the traditional cycles of experimental aviation. The flight carried out from Spaceport America, in New Mexico, is precisely part of that process. The test was carried out in the White Sands Missile Range airspace and the device was controlled from a flight station located on the ground. According to official information, the mission focused on checking the operation of different systems and starting a test campaign that will gradually expand the flight profile of the prototype. Beyond that context, Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 introduces important changes to the program’s architecture. The plane has dimensions comparable to those of an F-16 fighter and uses a delta wing configuration optimized for high-speed flight. The device also incorporates a variable air intake and is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100 engine, a turbofan widely used in military aircraft such as the F-16 itself. The prototype is conceived as a remotely piloted unmanned aircraft. During the tests, the device is controlled from a flight station on the ground, from which operators monitor the systems and behavior of the vehicle in real time. According to Hermeus, this type of architecture makes it possible to carry out tests progressively and collect detailed data on aerodynamics, control and operation of the systems before expanding the flight profile of the device. The first flight of the device It is part of a larger test campaign aimed at checking how the aircraft performs in real conditions. In addition, the mission was designed to validate different systems of the device, evaluate its stability in flight and confirm that operating procedures are working as planned. During the test, the plane was controlled from a flight station on the ground while operating in the airspace of White Sands Missile Range, in New Mexico. This type of campaign is developed gradually. On the first sorties, engineering teams usually focus on verifying the general operation of the device and collecting data on its aerodynamic behavior and control in flight. With this information, the aircraft’s parameters are adjusted and new tests are planned that allow the flight envelope to be progressively expanded before attempting to reach higher speeds. Within the program’s roadmap, Mk 2.1 is not the last planned step. Hermeus places this device within a series of aircraft that are part of the Mk 2 phase, whose objective is move towards supersonic flight. Following initial testing, the company hopes to progressively expand the prototype’s flight conditions and use the data obtained to prepare the next vehicle in the program, the Quarterhorse Mk 2.2. Therefore, this future model will be in charge of trying to overcome the sound barrier. The strategy consists of distributing the technical challenges between different prototypes, which allows risks to be reduced as new capabilities are incorporated at each stage of the program. Reaching these levels means facing very complex aerodynamic forces and extremely high temperatures in the air. airframe. For this reason, the development of this type of aircraft is usually carried out gradually, expanding the flight profile step by step to prevent an experimental prototype from becoming a costly failure during testing. The development of aircraft capable of flying at very high speeds also responds to broader strategic interests. Some of the technologies being tested in the Quarterhorse program could be used in the future for missions such as rapid cargo transportation or reconnaissance tasks. It is important to note that the program is still in an early phase of development. The recent flight marks the beginning of a test campaign that will have to be progressively expanded before the project can demonstrate more ambitious capabilities. For now, The prototype has begun its tests and that the program continues to advance within the established roadmap. The next steps will allow us to verify to what extent this plan can materialize. Images | quarterhorse In Xataka | In 1988 Spain and the US signed an agreement. Thanks to him, today Spain can refuse to use its bases to attack Iran

China has been dumping tons of sand into the ocean for 12 years. And now we are seeing islands emerging in the middle of nowhere

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It has been more than a decade since China began a striking strategy of territorial expansion: throwing tons of sand into the South China Sea. This is not unique to China and, in fact, Japan thus built an airport that soon it will be an underwater airportbut China is doing it massively and with one objective: to claim what is its own. And seeing how they raise these artificial islands is… hypnotic. Context. The end of 2013 marked a turning point in China: the country started to massively fill in seven of the reefs of the Nansha and Xisha archipelagos (Spratly and Paracels, respectively). In record time between December of that year and June 2015, China carried out the first phase of the operation: the filling phase. From 2015 onwards, they have dedicated themselves to consolidate that territory through the construction of infrastructure such as landing strips, hangars, ports, radars and support structures. According to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, between December 2015 and October 2015, China had built artificially about 12 km² of land on the Nansha reefs. While the United States said it with concern, the Chinese media confirmed the information with pride. Before and then How they do it. They did not use overly complex methods to do so. On the one hand, they cut the coral bottom and pumped sediments to shallow areas. The earth was deposited as fill to later build dikes and retaining walls around the reef. The next step was to deposit more fill and, finally, large steamrollers and shovels were compacting that earth to give consistency to the whole. The last thing was to create paving, landing strips, roads and other infrastructure. The result is more than 12 km², and put in context they represent “17 times more land claimed in 20 months than all the other international claimants have achieved during the last 40 years.” In action. Seeing the satellite photos that show the before and after, something easy to do using the history function of Google Earth, is interesting, but seeing a timelapse of how one of these new territories has been built is, as I said, something hypnotic. An example, the following video ‘tweet‘ (if you can’t see it, click on it): Narrative. What motivation does China have for such a deployment of resources and money? It depends who you ask. On the one hand, the Chinese government has defended that the creation of these islands serves the support in rescue missions on the high seasalso to fishing, scientific research, navigation support points thanks to these radars and the collection of data for its meteorological service. Finally, it also serves for defense if necessary. The neighbors are not convinced by the explanation and, in fact, think that it is a strategy that responds to a single interest: claiming territories that China considers its property. The Ministry of Defense of Japan assures that these infrastructures allow a permanent Chinese presence in waters that do not belong to it, with offensive capacity in practically the entire South China Sea. Military. Recent reports, such as the one from CSIS in 2025, underlines that China’s recent near-perennial activity in the South China Sea has only been possible thanks to that decade-old construction work. Western analyzes they point that the runways for aircraft are prepared for combat aircraft and land transport, as well as the presence of ports for warships, underground facilities and even missile platforms. The tension is evident because Beijing claims sovereignty over territories that its neighbors deny. Those neighbors are Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan or the Philippines. And Vietnam, in fact, is doing the same thing as China in 2013: throwing land into the sea. Their progress has also been considerable in a short time in an area that has become a real hotbed. The ecological impact. But beyond the intentions of each other, something undeniable that cannot be hidden under any narrative is the environmental damage that these artificial islands cause to their surroundings. In some articles it has been indicated that this ‘island’ desire has caused the loss of some 12 to 18 km² of reef, damaging some of the best preserved reefs in the region directly, but also affecting distant systems due to the ‘clouds’ of sediment formed during the dumping of sediments. Chinese scientific articles have also shown that these practices eliminate completely the ecosystem of the occupied area and negatively affects currents and sediment patterns, causing the aforementioned degradation of neighboring areas. However, the State Oceanic Administration of China defend that all projects were thoroughly evaluated and do not harm corals. The fault of it? Global trends such as sea acidification or climate change. Images | Ma Wukong In Xataka | China is building something that looks like an oil well. It is actually a nuclear bunker with a command center

Now it is emerging as the first “electrostation” of history

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For years, China was the country of gray skies and masks in the street. Today it is time to look at it with other eyes and follow the trail of a transformation that The video we have just published in it Xataka YouTube channel Describe as historical: move from the great pollut to something very different. What has really changed, how much of structure and how much of the situation, and what does it imply for the new map of energy power? This work adds to the proposals that we continue to develop in the channel, where formats such as 24/7the series Domotize or die in the attempt, Science and apart and reports that explore technology from very diverse angles. On this occasion, Angela Blanco It addresses a topic that connects energy, industry and geopolitics. Our partner summarizes it clearly: “China, the great pollutant, is reducing its emissions and is starring The greatest energy transition of history. ” The starting point to understand how a country identified for decades with pollution now seeks to place itself at the head of the electrical revolution. The video recalls that the energy transition became one of the priorities within the quinquenal plans of the Asian giant. A political decision that soon resulted in industrial strategy: “Beijing designed an industrial strategy they called ‘Made in China 2025′”. Movements that sought not only to clean the air, but also reinforce the country’s energy independence. But there is more. The story also brings unexpected prints: “The most symbolic case is in the province of Qinghai with a solar park of 610 square kilometers and 7 million photovoltaic panels. Its capacity is such that it can give electricity to 5 million homes. ”And it does not stay there:“ The transformation is even talking about photovoltaic sheep. ”In the video we count why these animals receive that particular nickname. Angela does not keep any detail of the transformation. “Only in the first half of 2025, China added 212 GW Solares and 51 winds,” he explains. And behind those figures appears another decisive fact: “It produces 80% of the world’s solar panels, 60% of wind turbines and 70% of electric vehicles batteries.” They are data that help to understand why the Chinese industry has so much weight in this field globally. Coal remains the great friction point in this story: a resource that guarantees supply and employment, but that It clashes with the ambition to become a renewable leader. How China manages that contradiction depends much on the world energy future. On the Xataka YouTube channel you can watch the full videowhere this theme is described in more detail, with its lights and shadows. Images | Xataka In Xataka | China is intractable in the electric car race, and is on its way to repeating with load trucks

A power in nuclear energy is emerging as the best alternative to Russia and China for the West: South Korea

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Russia and China are indisputably two powers in nuclear energy. So are USA, France and other western alignment countries. Although these states have a bulky nuclear plant park which really places them at the forefront is Your ability to develop new technologiesand in this area the most promising reactors are The fourth generation. Russia and China already have at least A reactor of this type in operationand the US, France, India, Canada or Japan are some of the countries that plan to have them in the future. However, there is a power in nuclear energy that often goes unnoticed. We all know that South Korea has a lot of weight in semiconductor industries, consumer electron Nuclear energy as a strategic pillar Not only within its mix of electricity generation, but also as an engine of innovation and export. South Korea is the most consistent alternative to China and Russia Currently South Korea has 26 Nuclear reactors in operation with an approximate total capacity of 25.7 GWE. This infrastructure contributes to its Mix with 30% of electricity, although the commitment of this Asian country for nuclear energy does not end here. And it is that between 2026 and 2033 the construction of four more reactors will conclude that will have a power of 1,340 MWE each of them, so the total installed power in this country within less than a decade will exceed 30 GWE. Its APR-1400 reactors incorporate passive security systems that allow them to compete from you with the machines exported by Russia, China or the USA In any case, as I have anticipated a few lines above, which has placed South Korea to the avant -garde and has positioned this country as One of the largest exporters in the nuclear sector It is your ability to develop your own technologies. Their APR-1400 reactors incorporate passive security systems that allow them to compete from you with the machines exported by Russia, China or the US. In fact, South Korea has already exported this reactor to the United Arab Emirates and is negotiating with the Czech Republic and Poland to sell their technology. On the other hand, this Asian country has also opted for fourth generation nuclear fission. Your smart reactor (System-Integrad Modular Advanced Reactor), what is An SMR type design (Compact modular reactor) is in the process of certification to be used in desalination and electricity generation facilities. It also prepares fourth generation reactors refrigerated by sodium, such as the machine outlined in the Kalimer project, although it is not yet clear when the first South Korean commercial reactor endorsed by this technology will come into operation. South Korea has a very ambitious plan: wants to capture at least Ten international contracts until 2030. His first project abroad has been Barakah’s nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, and It has been a success. As I mentioned a few lines above, Czech Republic and Poland are presumably will bet on South Korean reactors, but South Korea nuclear energy companies are also trying to take contracts in Egypt, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey and even in the United Kingdom. If only some of them get to fruition this Asian country will become a full competitor in the international market of China, Russia, France or the US. Image | Wikierati More information | Bloomberg In Xataka | Spanish nuclear have been criticized for their role in the blackout. This was what they did before, during and after collapse

Ninguneada by the United States, ESA has just signed a collaboration agreement with an emerging power: India

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It seemed that the new space race had two well -defined sides, but the last turns in NASA have left faithful members such as the European Space Agency in the lunge. Now that has turned his gaze to the East. Habemus Pactum. The European Space Agency and its counterpart from India (ISRO) just signed a joint intention statement To collaborate on flights to space. The strategy includes a first phase of cooperation in the low terrestrial orbit, and a second phase on the moon. Both agencies have pledged to work on the interoperability of their respective spacecraft, so that they can be found and attached to the low orbit. The collaboration will be extended to the training of astronauts, land simulations and parabolic flights. From the orbit down to the moon. The agreement also opens the door for Europe to play experiments on Indian Poem platforms, which take advantage of the upper stages of PSLV rockets as orbital platforms. More in the long term, it will be an opportunity for European astronauts to travel to the planned space station of India, the Bharatiya Antariksh Stationwhose completion is scheduled for 2035, with a first module in 2028. They also enter the joint robotic mission bag to the moon. India is in the small list of spatial powers that have successfully alunicized. The Chandrayan-3 mission He wore the Vikram module and Rover Pragyan to the South Lunar Pole. New alliances. The agreement, signed by the CEO of ESA, Josef Aschbacher, in New Delhi, arrives at a critical moment for European projects in space. The White House presented last week A budget proposal that would involve a cut of almost 25% for NASA. This “Tijeretazo” fully impact in programs where ESA has invested significantly: the Orion ship and the Lunar Gateway station. In A statementAschbacher said he seeks a commitment between international cooperation and improve his autonomous abilities. “The complexities and costs of space missions often exceed the capacities of a single nation,” he said. “In this context, associations have allowed us to reach great milestones that would be unimaginable alone.” In March, ESA had already signed an agreement with the Japanese Space Agency Jaxa to explore joint missions to the moon and Mars. The trend is clear: before the drift of the United States towards a more nationalist approach and focused on private commercial systems (Spacex, Blue Origin …) for its lunar and Martian ambitions, ESA is diversifying its alliances. European diplomacy. While the United States prioritizes the speed and reduction of costs through the private sector, leaving aside the traditional international collaboration models, the ESA Diplomacy strip presenting textually as a “reliable partner.” Part of that diplomacy makes a close collaboration with China unlikely, at least while NASA remains its main partner. India, with its growing spatial ambitions and future manned flights, emerges as a key strategic alternative on this new space geopolitical board. Image | Isro In Xataka | The last eeuu slap to Europe has sounded up to space: NASA has just left ESA with Artemis

Boeing, in the line of fire of the tariff war. Airbus is emerging as the winner of the pulse between China and the USA

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We are witnessing a Commercial War Unprecedented while we try, as far as possible, understand how far you can go. Trump administration maneuvers are being as drastic as unpredictable: in just one week, It has gone from imposing reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries —Without distinction between allies or competitors— to suspend them to open a negotiation period. That turn has given some oxygen to the global economy, qEU was already noticing the consequences. But the case of China is different. There is no truce there. Beijing has seen how levies to their exports to the United States shot. And in the midst of this new scenario, the question is inevitable: what sectors are in the line of fire? We have already talked about the technological, with Apple to the head. The company has begun to send thousands of iPhone from India to the United States to dodge part of the tariff impact. There are also indications that this situation could be translated In an increase in the price of the device in some markets. But there is another actor who enters the scene: Boeing. Despite the setbacks of recent years –marked especially by the accidents of 737 Max-, Boeing is still one of the United States industrial emblems. A heavyweight of the aerospace sector, whose airplanes are not only fundamental for global transport, but also a reflection of the technological and economic muscle of their country. Now, the trade war threatens to erode part of its competitiveness and could give An advantage to its great European rival: Airbus. To better understand the scenario, it is convenient to review, in general, some tariffs between the United States and China. We start with the measures applied by the White House since the return of Donald Trump. United States tariffs to China products The sum of the aforementioned tariffs gives us 145% to imports from China. It should be noted that, as with the European Union, other tariffs have also been imposed over time. Let’s see. China tariffs to United States products April 4, 2025: 34% of tariffs in response to the “reciprocal tariffs” of the United States to all American imported goods. April 8, 2025: 50% of tariffs in response to the increase in the “reciprocal tariffs” of the United States to all American imported goods. In this case, the sum of both tariffs results in 84% of tariffs that exist at this time. Tariffs will make the manufacture of airplanes As we have seen, tariff barriers are high on both sides of the board. If we focus on the aviation industry, the impact on supply chains It can be significant. Although most of Boeing’s production is concentrated in the United States, many of the components and materials they use come from suppliers distributed throughout the world. That’s where companies like Shandong Nanshan Aluminumthat supplies aluminum to aerospace firms such as Spirit Aerosystems. The latter, based in Wichita, produces fuselage sections for both Airbus and Boeing, including more than 70% of the structure of 737. In that context, tariffs can make aluminum more expensive from China. Although both Boeing and Airbus began to diversify their supply chain after the outbreak of the first tariff war during Trump’s initial mandate, A recent analysis of Leeham firm and Official Public Documentation suggest that Chinese aluminum is still present in the manufacture of some parts. That puts on the table the possibility of a price increase. Airbus’s case – a European manufacturer based in Blagnac, France – makes clear to what extent the supply chains are interconnected. Spirit Aerosystems not only works with Boeing, he also collaborates with his great European rival. And it is not the only example: Boeing also imports high -tech components made in Sheffield, United Kingdom. Airbus tactical advantage From the point of view of the supply chain, the manufacturer that depends most on raw materials or components affected by tariffs will be, logically, The most harmed. With the available data, it is not easy to determine which of the two large manufacturers is at a greater disadvantage, but if we take the case of aluminum as a reference, the advantage will be those who manage to import it at the best price and with the lowest tariff load. The scenario, however, is more complex than it seems. Changing supplier not only implies a logistic and operational reconfiguration, but also the global context is so volatile that it is difficult to make structural decisions. Not only China is subject to tariffs: dozens of countries are still reached by a base tax of 10%, although the White House has granted a 90 -day extension to the toughest tariffs. Where does Airbus’s supposed advantage come here? According to Reutersthe European manufacturer could benefit in the Chinese market by not being subject to 84% tariffs that affect US planes. Although China drives its own models, such as Comac C919it is still one of the largest aircraft buyers in the world. And both Airbus and Boeing have many deliveries committed. Chinese airlines could bow up by Airbus if their airplanes are cheaper than those of Boeing. Although the American manufacturer could try to absorb part of the impact by reducing margins, current tariffs – and the possibility of rising again – make that option hardly sustainable. Airbus, meanwhile, would face a challenge nothing less: increase its production capacity and comply with delivery deadlines. Images | FASYAH HALIM | Sven Piper | Lukas Souza In Xataka | The European Union reacts after the unexpected US turn: suspends its tariffs, although it keeps its finger in the trigger

Emerging jobs: the path to new opportunities

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The labor market in the United States is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. New technologies, digitalization and a renewed focus on sustainability and well-being have redefined the most in-demand professional roles. According to the report Jobs on the Rise According to LinkedIn, certain jobs have experienced notable growth in recent years, highlighting roles that, a decade ago, were practically non-existent. However, for the Hispanic community in the United States, access to these opportunities can come with specific challenges related to the lack of contact networks, resources, and guidance. Figures indicate that 75% of people plan to look for a new job in 2025. It is estimated that there are currently two candidates for every available position, reflecting a tighter labor market. These data reveal not only the dynamism of the labor market, but also the pressure to stand out in an increasingly competitive selection process. In this context, the report reveals that 43% of recruiters identify a lack of relevant skills as the biggest obstacle to advancing to an interview. Furthermore, 47% say that preparation and enthusiasm for the position are determining factors when hiring. Likewise, one in four job seekers report that a lack of feedback from recruiters is one of the most frustrating experiences of the job search process. Jobs that are making a difference If you want to advance in this new work reality, it is key to know which jobs are growing and in high demand. Among the most prominent are artificial intelligence engineers and AI consultants, roles that are transforming the way companies automate and analyze their data. Other emerging roles include: – Physiotherapistsessential to support physical health in a world that prioritizes well-being.– Sustainability specialistswho lead environmental initiatives in the face of stricter regulations and the demand for responsible practices.– security guardswhose work is fundamental in the protection of people and facilities, especially in sectors such as logistics and events.– Outside Sales Representativeswhich connect companies with their customers in a direct and personalized way. These jobs are not only booming, but represent key opportunities for those seeking professional growth in a competitive and ever-evolving work environment. The challenge for the Hispanic community The Hispanic community represents a critical force in the U.S. economy, but continues to face significant barriers to accessing these emerging roles.Many professionals of Latino origin are first generation in college or corporate environments, and lack role models or mentors to guide them in their career paths.Furthermore, in an increasingly digitalized labor market, presence on professional platforms has become essential to expand networks and demonstrate skills.To overcome these challenges and access emerging opportunities, it is important to focus on three strategies: – Improve skills: Constant updating of knowledge is essential, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence and project management.– Optimize professional presence: Having a well-structured profile on LinkedIn increases visibility to recruiters. It is important to highlight achievements, skills and experiences with a clear and attractive focus.– Adapt the resume to the position: It is crucial to customize your resume and cover letter for each position you apply for. This shows that you understand the specific needs of the company and that you know how to highlight the skills and experiences they value most, thus increasing your chances of success.– Expand your network of contacts: Participating in professional groups and forums allows you to generate valuable connections, learn from shared experiences and access exclusive opportunities. A future of possibilities The transformation of the labor market not only represents a challenge, but an opportunity to redefine the professional path. The data shows us that preparation and proactivity are essential to stand out. The key is to embrace change and build a professional narrative that reflects our talents and aspirations. This 2025 is an opportunity to become protagonists of our professional history. By investing in our skills and expanding our networks, we can not only participate in change, but lead it. Francisco Tobón is Senior Manager of Global Communications at Linkedin. The texts published in this section are the sole responsibility of the authors, so La Opinión does not assume responsibility for them.

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