Europe

Europe is preparing for a large -scale war

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That the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 activated all alerts in the rest of Europe is beyond doubt. First there was a warm way “Rearme”then they began to appear Ideas from the past and the first initiatives (special mention to the Automobile industry) where it was perceived that something was brewing. Then it was confirmed that it would start on the roadswith Italy giving the exit gun with An impossible architecture For war propaganda. However, nothing like satellites to betray the real state of things. Unprecedented reindustrialization. I told it in exclusive the Financial Times. The European arms industry has entered an accelerated expansion phase, multiplying by three the usual growth rate in peacetime and adding more than 7 million square meters In new facilities. A analysis From the medium based on radar data from Sentinel-1 satellites of the European Space Agency, which covered 150 facilities of 37 companies, reveals that a third of the locations dedicated to ammunition and missiles shows clear signs of extension or construction. It is a generational change that is displacing the production model “just in time” towards an industrial base capable of sustaining a foot of prolonged warwith deep implications for the defensive capacity of the continent and the sustainability of the supply to Ukraine. The role of the ASAP program. Much of this expansion is linked to European program Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), endowed with 500 million euros To solve bottlenecks in the manufacture of ammunition and missiles. Of the 88 sites associated with ASAP, 20 show substantial extensionsincluding new factories and roads, while 14 record minor improvements such as parking. The plants dedicated to projectiles (especially 155 mm artillery) concentrate the bulk of the works, reflecting their strategic priority. Thanks to these investments, the annual ammunition production capacity in Europe will go from 300,000 units before the war about 2 million At the end of this year, with companies Like Rheinmetall increasing its production of 155 mm projectiles of 70,000 in 2022 to 1.1 million planned by 2027. Outstanding expansions. In Várpalota, Hungary, Rheinmetall and the state -owned N7 Holding They have opened A 30 mm ammunition plant for the combat vehicle KF41 LYNXwhich in the future will manufacture artillery projectiles, ammunition for Leopard 2 and Panther, and will have its own explosive plant. In Germany, MBDA expands its headquarters in Schrobesen with support of 10 million euros from the ASAP and a NATO contract for 5.6 billion dollars to produce up to 1,000 missiles Patriot Gem-T in European land. Norway has opened a Kongsberg plant, financed with 62 million dollarswhile Bae Systems invests More than 150 million of pounds in the United Kingdom, including multiplication for 16 of its 155 mm projectile production capacity in its Glascoed plant, Wales. Economic impact. Although potential production increases, industrial and governmental responsible They warn that the real volume will still be below the installed capacity, and that certain areas remain vulnerable. Experts like Fabian Hoffmann They point out thatTo sustain deterrence against Russia, NATO must reinforce its ability to long -range missileswhose manufacturing is limited by the low production of miniature reaction engines and explosive loads. These elements, together with aerial defense systems and drones, appear as possible objectives of a new European program of 1.5 billion euros that would replicate The ASAP model and would encourage joint purchase. The delicate balance. The current growth is result both European funds and national orders, reflecting a political convergence around the need to increase industrial mass. However, this impulse faces the budget pressure from which We have already spokentogether with the complexity of supply chains and global technological competition. In Baiba Braže wordsLastonia Foreign Minister, it is a “very positive and necessary” advance, but whose effectiveness will depend on the industry being ready to respond to The growing demand of NATO and that public resources are used effectively. If you want also, the challenge for Europe does not seem only to increase productive capacity, but to maintain it In the long termguaranteeing that the effort to rearma that is promoted so much is not diluted if the political or economic context changes. Image | Rawpixel In Xataka | Europe has realized that the rearme must begin on the roads: a Russian invasion would unleash a fatal congestion In Xataka | If Europe rearma we will find a problem that will affect us all: cars and trains

Leapmotor follows by the steps of Byd and already has a superbar to send 2,500 electric cars to Europe

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The Great Tianjin is about to leave August 19 Shanghai towards Europe Loaded with 2,500 electric cars from Leapmotor. At first glance, it might seem one more shipment. But this trip marks something deeper: Leapmotor is part of the group of Chinese manufacturers that no longer depend only on traditional international logistics. It is a trip that takes place within the framework of the Leapmotor International agreement with the Grimaldi shipping company, that since 2022 assures you Fixed capacity for monthly transport of thousands of vehicles from Asia to Europe. That means that you do not need to compete for space in foreign ships: its transport is insured and planned months in advance. The young manufacturer who wants to become global. Leapmotor is a Chinese manufacturer of electric cars founded in 2015 in Hangzhou. Until recently he had a low profile out of his country, but that has changed. In the first seven months of 2025 has sold more than 270,000 units149 % more than the previous year. And he is not alone: behind is Stellantis, The world’s largest automobile group in the world. Both companies created Leapmotor International in 2023a joint venture based in Amsterdam in which Stellantis has 51% of control. The objective: distribute Leapmotor’s models outside China, starting with Europe. The Great Tianjin is not owned by Leapmotor. Grimaldi, one of the largest shipping companies on the continent, has commissioned seven new PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) to reinforce that route. They are Ro-Rro ships specifically designed to transport vehicles on wheels-from cars to trucks-that enter and leave ramps and are stored in garage covers. The big tianjin is the first in the series, built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), with Ammonia-Ready notation and capacity around 9,000 cars per trip. The leading model of this shipment. The leading model of this first shipment is Leapmotor B10, a compact electric SUV built on the new Leap3.5 platform and is available with two battery options: one with up to 361 km of autonomy and another that reaches 434 km. It offers fast charge and 17 advanced driving assistance systems. Byd marked the path that Leapmotor now follows. In January 2024, he threw his first megabuque, Explorer No.1with capacity for 7,000 vehicles, and premiered by sending thousands of electric to Europe. Since then, its fleet has grown with new portacoches, including the Shenzhen Bydthe largest in the world in its category, capable of transporting 9,200 cars per trip. The strategy is evident: reduce costs, accelerate deliveries and have total control over exports. Not only byd and Leapmotor. SAIC, owner of MG, The Anji Ansheng has already thrown outwith capacity for 9,500 vehicles, and the Anji Soundness, which covers routes to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Its objective is to operate with 22 ocean ships by 2026. Geely, Chery and Nio too They have shown interest in commissioning their own portacoches or in charting exclusive routes, consolidating a trend in which Chinese brands increasingly control their maritime logistics. For Chinese electric car manufacturers, ensuring their own ships or filled routes is a strategic goal rather than a luxury. With this they seek: Reduce transport costs. Dodge bottlenecks in very busy ports and routes. Cut the delivery times to dealers and clients. Guarantee a stable export flow even at times of greater demand. In a market as competitive as the European, speed and logistics predictability can make the difference between selling and staying out. Images | Stellantis In Xataka | There are those who believe that being rich is a sufficient requirement to have a Ferrari. The most important thing is something else: Ferrari fell well

Tesla’s collapse in Europe brings bad news for Spain. Specifically, for Valencia

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The Tesla gigafactoría project in Valencia has entered indefinite hibernation. From the memorandum signed with the Generalitat In June 2023there have been no tangible advances: neither public contracts, nor works of works, nor investment of investment. Tesla I had found ideal land in Chesteand the Consell – at that moment, of Ximo Puig – had promised express processing as a strategic territorial project, the same formula that has worked with Volkswagen in Sagunto. But there has been everything. Why is it important. Tesla’s paralysis leaves the Valencian Community with an industrial promise less and the urgency of not mortgaging public resources in ghost projects. Ford Almussafes is going through its worst crisis With you are and fall in production. The region needs real investments, not memoranda of understanding that do not reach anything. The case also shows the risk of the “announcement effects”: Land price inflation. Frustrated job expectations. Administrative resources dedicated to processing castles in the air. Valencia must learn from Sagunto: industrial projects are measured in signed contracts and verifiable calendars, not in preliminary meetings. The context. Tesla has gone from leading the continental electric market to An unprecedented sales crisis. In Germany, the first European market, it has barely sold 1,110 units in July – a 55%drop – while the electricity sector grew by 58%. The company has descended from the first to the fourteenth place among the best -selling brands in German territory. None of its models are among the most popular twenties in the country where it has its only European gigafactoría, which is also the most populous in the continent and one of the largest in purchasing power. In figures. Tesla numbers in Europe draw a generalized collapse: United Kingdom: -60% (987 units compared to 2,462 of the previous year). Sweden: -86%. Belgium: -58%. France: -27% monthly, -40% accumulated annual. European market share: 1.8% to 1%. The contrast. While Tesla sinksVolkswagen has doubled its electrical sales in 2025 and dominates the continental market. He ID.3 leads German sales with 2,907 units, followed by ID.7 with 2,675. Half of the electric sold in Germany already carry the VW logo. The gigafactoría of the German group in Sagunto advances as planned: work, signed energy agreements, production scheduled for 2026 and thousands of guaranteed jobs. A real project against an evaporated promise. Between bambalins. The Berlin factory has reduced the production shifts of the Model and three to two newspapers. Los Tesla not sold They accumulate in an old East German airport60 kilometers from the plant, waiting for buyers that do not arrive. The cheap model of 25,000 euros that Tesla planned to manufacture in Valencia is also frozen. The company now bets on a decaffeinated version of the Model and: same car but with fewer qualities, without glazed roof or rear screens. In summary. Tesla has gone from revolutionizing the electricity market to become a more brand among many, and not the best positioned. His ghost gigafactoría in Valencia is the perfect symbol of this fall: a project that was born as a promise of the future and has been reduced to a archived memorandum. While Volkswagen does build in Sagunto, Tesla stacks without selling cars in abandoned airports. The lesson for Valencia is clear: in industrial policy, the only jobs they count are those that have payroll, not those that appear in PowerPoints. Outstanding image | Alain Rouiller, Milan Csizmadia In Xataka | A rapid look at the ten best -selling electric car brands in the world gives a dramatic conclusion: China has already won

In 1980 Europe manufactured 700 aircraft to fumigate crops. Now they carry guided air-air missiles to “fumigate” Russian drones

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After more than three years since the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the war has transformed many of the conceptions that had modern battles. We do not speak just about technological advanceswhere The drones and the AI They have become fundamental pieces that the rest of the powers will apply to their defenses, but also from that artillery mixture of the past where The ingenuity (Due to lack of resources) it has been equally key. The latestfarm planes. Another improvised defense. Yes, Ukraine has incorporated a new piece into its arsenal of improvised solutions against drones: an agricultural plane ZLIN Z-137 AGRO TURBO MODIFIED To carry missiles Aire-Aire R-73one under each wing. This apparatus, normally used for crop fumigation, retains its civil aircraft silhouette, but It has been repainted With a military gray scheme and white stripes in the rear fuselage to reduce the risk of friendly fire. The video which shows its flush flight over a Ukrainian cornless does not require date or place, but confirms that the country continues to take advantage of resources available to reinforce its air defense. Designed in Czechoslovakia as a turboproproproprobous evolution of the Z-37 čmelák, the Z-137 entered into service in the 1980s and were manufactured More than 700 unitswidely used in the eastern block. The exact amount that could be available for Ukraine is uncertain, as well as the operational state of this armed specimen. The R-73 missile and its role in hybrid systems. He R-73called AA-11 Archer by NATO, is a short-range missile with high maneuverability infrared search engine and ability to hook whites up to 75 ° outside the front axle with the help of hull viewers. His Maximum range It is about 30 km against front and 14 km targets against whites in pursuit. Ukraine has reused him in multiple improvised platforms known Like Frankensamincluding land systems such as The serioushawkvehicles Osa antiacera Modified and Naval Drones Be dragon. The integration in the Z-137 seems to use APU-73, although no external sensors are observed, which suggests that the pilot would have to maneuver to place the objective within the field of vision of the missile, or that the installation of a flir system for day and night operations is contemplated. The connection of the plane to the National Surveillance Network, with radars, observers and acoustic sensors, would allow to receive Radio or Digital Link data For interception. Additional loads and future adaptations. In addition to missiles, the device shows cylindrical deposits or containers In internal supports whose function is not clear. They could be remains of their agricultural function, supplementary fuel tanks, weapons pods or auxiliary equipment. Its structure could adapt to other missiles already delivered to Ukraine, such as British Asraam, Sidewinder Americans or even AIM-9X latest generation. This versatility makes it a test bench to integrate weapons into platforms not originally designed for air combat, maintaining a low cost and a quick deployment. Tactical function and limitations. A plane of this type, although much slower than a hunt or an attack helicopter, could serve as “air picket” In specific areas, patrolling sectors where drone activity is foreseen and reacting to low -cost incursions for the enemy. Its limited speed reduces the ability to intercept multiple objectives at a great distance, but in delimited areas its presence It could be decisive. Operations of this type would be complemented with other media, from mobile equipment with machine guns and spotlights to complexes Patriot systemsusing each resource according to the threat detected. Strategic context and value in the wear war. Plus: the adaptation of Z-137 reflects the constant pressure that Ukraine suffers to defend against a high volume of Russian drones, especially The Shahedand the need to allocate the most advanced anti -aircraft systems to threats of greater entity. Faced with the shortage of modern batteries, these improvised solutions serve as a containment force, maintaining a balance between cost and effectiveness. The ability to build civil platforms with military missiles demonstrates a high degree of operational and technical flexibility, and emphasizes that in a prolonged war the war Inventiveness and speed of adaptation can be as decisive as technological sophistication. International precedents and parallels. Finally, we must remember that the use of agricultural aircraft for military functions is not exclusive to Ukraine. The United States Air Force recently introduced The OA-1K Skyraider IIa militarized version of Air Tractor at-802although with a different role and even in definition. Both in this case and in the Z-137 Ukrainianthe central idea is to take advantage of simple and resistant platforms as armament vectors, something that Russia has also tested with rudimentary solutions such as fixed weapons under slow aircraft wings. A trend that reflects A global pattern: In a scenario where drone threats proliferate, even aircraft designed for agricultural tasks can become armed hunters. Image | X, VITALY V. KUZMIN In Xataka | Russia has had an idea to make your kamikaze drones more lethal: launch them on Ukraine at 500 km/h In Xataka | Russia’s most advanced nuclear submarine was a secret. Until Ukraine has revealed everything, even his failures

Its sales continue to fall in Europe in the face of the advance of the Asian electric car

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What Tesla It is not going through its best moment In Europe it is no secret. Elon Musk’s company still resents of the fleeting, although media, controversial and Extremely changing support From his CEO to the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and the unstoppable advance of the Chinese electric car. The latest data reflects: sales in the main markets of the old continent remain in free fall. Although not everything is bad news. The data. The most important European markets for Tesla (and for the car market in general) are the United Kingdom, France and Germany. In these countries, the fall in Tesla’s registration, a strong indicator of sales, has been pronounced. Why does an electric car have less autonomy than the announcing Image | Charlie Deets According to information shared by Reuters and Bloombergonly in July the enrollments fell 60% in the United Kingdom, 55% in Germany and 27% in France. The rest of the countries They do not fall short: 86% in Sweden, 52% in Denmark, 62% in Holland, 58% in Belgium, 5% in Italy and 49% in Portugal. On the whole. If we look at the full photo, the figure is even more striking: Tesla sales have fallen 45% In the ten European markets that, together, accumulated 80% of Tesla sales in Europe during the first half of the year. In other words, Tesla’s sales continue to go downhill in the most important European countries. So far this year, the sales of Elon Musk’s firm have fallen a third in the old continent. And there are no countries in which it grows? Yes, Spain and Norway, to be exact. In Spain, Tesla car registrations increased by 27% (702 cars) in July, which represents a 1.1% growth so far this year. It is a percentage that does not accompany the growth of the electric car market in our country: 89.6%. In Norway, a country in which 97.2% Of the cars sold in July they were electric, increased 83% or what is the same, 838 cars. Image | Xataka Byd advances Tesla on the right. As it could not be otherwise, Asian manufacturers have taken advantage of the situation to continue eating the toast to Tesla. According to the data of the Jato consultancy of those echoing from The countryonly in the month of June Byd sold 15,565 cars in Europe of which 9,153 were electric (132% more). The semiannual figure is much more interesting: 41,270 electric cars, 143% more. The panorama has changed a lot. Best selling cars. The good news for Tesla is that, despite the fall in sales, the best -selling electric car continues to sign during the first semester of the year: the Tesla Model and. He Volkswagen ID.4 He is closely followed with a dangerous and threatening second place. The photo, however, is very different if we look at our country. Best -selling electric cars in July | Image: ANFAC The Spanish case. If we take a look at the most recent data from the ANFACwe will see that the best -selling electric cars in July have been the TOYOTA BZ4X (604 units), the Byd Dolphin Surf (531 units) and the KIA EV3 (493 units). It is not until the fourth position that we find a Tesla, Model 3, with 456 units sold. The Tesla Model and, meanwhile, falls to the tenth position. Plug -in hybrids best selling in July | Image: ANFAC In the accumulated January-Julio, Tesla goes quite well stopped. The Tesla Model 3 is the best selling electric with 4,545 units. They are followed by Model and (3,282 units) and KIA EV3 (3,206 units). In plug -in hybrids, the undisputed leader is the Byd Seal U.whose sale in July added 738 units (1,616% more). Cover image | Martin Katler In Xataka | Elon Musk has suggested his next goal: “Countries that do not manufacture their own drones will be vassal states”

Nine of the ten hottest villages in Europe this summer are in the same country: Spain

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The Second heat wave of the year It does not seem willing to give ground yet. Not even before the storms announced for these days they will improve the situation, which will last at least until Tuesday 12 according to the last special notice of the State Meteorology Agency (Aemet). Coping the top positions. Last Tuesday the heat in the Iberian Peninsula caused a picturesque image: nine of the 10 largest records of maximum temperatures collected by a weather in European countries were captured in Spain. So He reviewed through his social networks the Meteorology fan magazinethat cited data of the platform Ogimet. Temperatures in this rankingThey ranged from 41.1 celsius registered in Coria, Cáceres; Until 42.3º of the Écija station, Seville. All of them above the Batman Turkish weather station, which with 41º remained in the tenth place of this particular classification. The maximum temperatures of the last hours have been reduced, and now it is Türkiye that is in the eye of the hurricane. The situation It has been invested And now Spain has a weather station in this peculiar “Top 10”. This is the Granada airport station, which registers 40.6º. The heat wave continues. More moderate temperatures than those registered a few days ago but still high. That is why Aemet Maintain yellow and orange notices (for important risk) In good part of the country, at least until Saturday (the notices begin to announce three days). Today the notices for important risk will affect not only the entire community of Madrid, also to areas of Andalusia, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, and even Galicia. Tomorrow the notices for important risk will also extend to Aragon and Navarra. A stagnant situation. According to Explain Aemetthe situation is propitiated by an “quite stationary” atmospheric situation, which opened its way to a warm and dry air from Africa. An air mass that extends throughout the Peninsula and that, thanks to the high insolation, has allowed temperatures to be triggered during these days. To the point that, despite yesterday’s thermal descent, the situation could be aggravated again today and during the weekend. The forecasts z of temperatures above 40º in the depressions of the Northeast and in the valleys of Miño, El Tajo, El Guadiana and the Guadalquivir. Until Tuesday? The question that many will be asking is how long this will last. Aemet’s special notice It will remain active at least until Tuesday, but that does not mean that the heat wave will end there. The forecasts talk about temperatures that will continue on Monday and Tuesday, but the agency indicates that the uncertainty starting Wednesday is too high, although the models indicate a possible drop in temperatures. That is why the only answer that can be given is that we still do not know how long this heat wave will last. In Xataka | The Catalan and Segura basins toured different paths during the drought. Now they share something: the passage of the trough Image | ECMWF

Europe will begin to see robotaxis in its streets in 2026. The surprise is that it will not be Waymo who unfolds them

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Lyft has taken an unexpected step to compete with Uber in the European market of Robotaxis. The US company has just announced A strategic alliance with China Baidu To display autonomous vehicles in the United Kingdom and Germany From 2026. The play comes after Lyft will buy the German Freeow platform For 197 million dollars, marking its first expansion outside North America. Robotaxis to the conquest of Europe. While Waymo It is still the world reference in Robotaxis, Europe is becoming the new battlefield for autonomous driving companies. United Kingdom has accelerated its regulatory schedule and hopes to have commercial services working in spring of 2026. Germany also advances to legislate this technology, creating a window of opportunity that several companies want to take advantage of. Lyft’s strategy. The company had lost ground in front of Uber, which already It has agreements with more than 18 companies of autonomous driving and plans to launch services in Europe the same year. Lyft needed a quick response and has found it in Baidu, whose service Apollo Go It already operates more than 1,000 vehicles in 15 cities and has completed 11 million journeys. The RT6 Baidu, electric vehicles specifically designed to operate without driver, will be integrated into the LYFT application. A division of labor. Lyft will be in charge of the platform, customer service and fleet logistics, while Baidu will contribute vehicles and autonomous driving technology. It is a strategy that allows Lyft to quickly access proven technology without having to develop it internally, something that both Lyft and Uber They left years ago After initially betting on your own programs. Between the lines. The entry of Chinese companies into the European autonomous mobility market marks a turning point. While the United States keeps Baidu and other Chinese companies outside its domestic market for national security reasons, Europe is showing a more open attitude (although It depends on the sector). This could give China an important competitive advantage in the development of these services on a global scale. And now what. That the alliance is successful in our continent will depend on three factors: regulatory approval, the acceptance of the European public towards Chinese autonomous vehicles, and Lyft’s ability to compete with Uber, which will arrive with Waymo and other Western technologies. Everything indicates that, in a few years, Europe will become the hardest battlefield for robotaxis. Cover image | Waymo In Xataka | A “fine” on the windshield, a QR and a false website: thus begins the scam that tries to steal money from your card

In Europe, gas and disused coal plants have unexpected suitors: technology companies

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The climatic commitments that It has acquired Europe They have condemned in the short or medium term the future of gas and coal power plants disseminated by the old continent. Many of them no longer serve, but, surprisingly, the rise of the artificial intelligence (AI) has the ability to save them. This does not mean at all that they will burn gas and coal again; The option on the table is to convert them in data centers. Microsoft and Amazon are, According to Reuterstwo of the large technology companies that are interested in transforming these old power plants into modern data centers equipped to the last one. In fact, its managers are already negotiating with the French energy company Engie, the German RWE and the Italian in the possibility of using their facilities for this purpose. For energy companies this option is very attractive because it allows them to kill two birds. On the one hand, the transformation of their old electric power plants into data centers guarantees them in income with which they did not count so far. And, in addition, the energy companies that I have mentioned in the previous paragraph and some others are negotiating with the technology companies the possibility of give them the supply of electricity that require your data centers. A priori seems like a fissure plan. An agreement in which everyone wins “You have all the necessary pieces, such as water infrastructure and heat recovery.” This Bobby Hollis statementVice President of Energy in Microsoft, repairs something very important: the old gas and coal centrals that are no longer operational have the water supply and the heat management infrastructure that data centers need. Presumably it will not be necessary to undertake a large adaptation to transform these facilities into operational data centers. Agility when putting up these data centers and moderation of costs is what makes them so attractive to large technology On the other hand, Lindsay Mcquade, director of Energy for the EMEA area (Europe, Middle East and Africa) at Amazon, Trust in that the permits that technology companies need to operate these converted data centers are available long before the new facilities. After all, most of Infrastructure are already installed In these buildings from the beginning. In fact, agility when pointing out these data centers and moderation of start -up costs is what makes them so attractive to large technological ones. In Europe and the United Kingdom since 2005 they have closed no less than 190 coal and lignite centralsand another 153 will follow this same path before the year 2038. It is evident that the possibility of reusing all these buildings transforming them into data centers for AI is very attractive. However, there is a challenge that is not yet resolved and that can condition this plan. It is not clear that the electrical infrastructure of some countries is capable of delivering The energy required by these facilities without previously undertaking a large -scale development. In this scenario renewable energies and nuclear will have the last word. Image | Marcin Jozwiak More information | Reuters In Xataka | We have a serious problem with air conditioning: it consumes much more electricity than data centers

A night train to connect Europe from this to west

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Renfe has several challenges ahead and one of the most challenging is expanding. It already has a powerful presence in Spain, now more competed after road release and the arrival of external agents like Iro and Ouigoand the next step is Europe. To do this, Renfe has certain allies such as Leo Express, a Czech company of which Renfe has 50% and who is working on his most ambitious project: to join Eas to West Europe with a night train and a very long route. Leo Express? Let’s start at the beginning. Four years ago, in August 2021, Renfe acquired 50% of the capital of the Private Czech company Leo Express for seven million euros (in shares). This operation, explained from Renfe at the time, had a strategic purpose: expand in Europe. Leo Express operates international connections in countries such as Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland, both trains and buses, but this new route will undoubtedly be the longest. Image | Leo Express From this to west. As he has advanced Rail Tech And we have been able to confirm from Xataka through the Federal Agency for Transport Regulation of Belgium (PDF), Leo Express is working on a route that will link Belgium with Slovakia. Specifically, the route will be from Ostende (Belgium) to Bratislava (Slovakia). From Xataka we have contacted Leo Express for more information and we will update in the case of receiving response. Time. It will be a long trip with 50 stops. The train will pass through four countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium) and will stop in cities such as Prague, Leipzig, Düsseldorf, Brussels and witches, among others. The train will leave at 7:10 p.m. and will arrive in Bratislava at 14:18 the next day. The return trip will be at 14:44 and will end at 21:52. Image | Leo Express The train. Leo Express will wear modernized RIC passenger cars and Siemens Vectron Locomotoras. That is, the train will have a maximum speed of 160 km/Hy a capacity of around 450 seats, although by December 2028 they intend to expand the capacity to 550 passengers. These trains will work as night trains and, as such, they will have cars with options and/or optional literas. A huge challenge. One thing is the intention and another that the action comes to fruition. Leo Express, and therefore, have to coordinate a line in four different national networks, obtain grooves in these networks and operate a train for which they are not preceded. In Belgium, in addition, you will have to partner with a certified operator. Midnight Trains cabin, whose idea was to offer true hotels about rails | Imange: Midnight Trains The background is not flattering. In 2023, the French startup Midnight Trains He wanted to launch a series of international night routes between Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Denmark and France. It was a premium service that even received the approval of the European Commission, which saw in Midnight Trains an initiative to promote cross -border routes on train. The idea was good, but then the problems came: how complex it is to access the Eurotunnel, the lack of financing, etc. The project ended up closing in 2024. The other part, more positive, is the Austrian OBB, which has a division dedicated alone and exclusively to night trains (Nightjet) that connects 13 countries. THE NIGHT TRAIN IN SPAIN. Neither is nor expected. Although night trains are a common modality in Europe, in Spain they do not operate since the time of COVID-19. Renfe suspended this service definitely due to profitability. The background idea is that the night train was a commercial service, not a public one, so it should be profitable by itself and, unfortunately, it was not. In 2019 alone, the last year in which this modality was operational, lost 25 million euros. Cover image | Leo Express In Xataka | A 17 -year -old is the digital nomad par excellence: he lives in trains (and does not get expensive)

The “Chinese Amazon” has just bought Mediamarkt for 2.5 billion. Amazon has a problem in Europe

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JD.com, the “Chinese Amazon”, has closed the acquisition of Ceconomyowner of the Mediamarkt and Saturn chains. This German giant, which is valued at 2.5 billion dollars, is now in his hands. Why is it important. The movement allows Alibaba’s direct rival to establish its first major presence in Europe. At the same time, Mediamarkt accesses the most advanced logistics technology in the world to compete with Amazon. JD.com acquires 57.1% of Ceconomy through an offer of 4.60 euros per share23% above the previous price. The Kellerhals family, the highest shareholder so far, maintains 25.35% and remains as a strategic partner. The context. Europe is becoming a preferential destination for Chinese investments. The operations to the continent doubled at 2024 to 8,450 million dollars, the highest figure from 2021, According to LSE data cited by Reuters. The Commercial tensions with the United States They are pushing China to look for alternative markets. Europe can offer regulatory stability and a mature market of 450 million consumers. In detail. Ceconomy opera … More than 1,000 stores. In 11 European countries. With 50,000 employees. He invoiced 22.4 billion euros in 2024 … … of which 5,100 million came from online sales. JD.com contributes your experience in omnicanal trade and a logistics network of more than 550 stores managed by AI. Your algorithms predict orders in advance and automatically reposition inventory. The threat. Amazon dominates European electronic commerce, but lacks remarkable physical presence. Mediamarkt, with its network of stores, can offer immediate collection and face -to -face technical service, services that the American giant does not have. JD.com promises to maintain jobs for three years, keep the headquarters in Düsseldorf and respect the current directive structure. The operation is subject to regulatory approval and will be completed in the first half of 2026. Between the lines. JD.com is buying something not entirely obvious: data. Purchase patterns, preferences and behaviors of millions of Europeans. The Chinese giant agrees to enormous market intelligence. The promise of maintaining jobs sounds generous, but in the medium and long term it does not have to be exactly so, and less at this time. Predictably, JD.com will gradually automate processes that now require human hands. If everything goes well, there will be no mass layoffs, but reconversion towards more technical and specialized roles. And now what. European consumers could benefit from more competitive prices and, above all, you deliver faster if JD.com applies Its Chinese standards: Delivery in 24 hours in cities. Delivery on the same day in large cities. The operation marks the moment when China ceases to be the factory in the world to become its distributor. Mediumkt becomes the perfect Trojan horse: a European trusted brand with Chinese technology inside. In Xataka | When the head of Mediamarkt saw the fury that caused this mobile, he had to remove the drums. The rest is history Outstanding image | James Jeremy Beckers

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