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In full European rearme, Belgium has just expanded his f-35 fighter request. The next step is much more ambitious

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In full European rearme, not exempt from obstaclesBelgium will expand your request for F-35 With eleven new units. Thus adds to other allies such as the United Kingdom, who continue to bet on the American hunting Despite the problems that its deployment has raised. The current geopolitical context has once again placed aerial superiority in the center of the strategic board. Belgium had already commissioned 34 F-35 in 2018 With a clear objective: replace its aging F-16 fleet, a hunt that has been in service decades. At that time, the Belgian government opted for the American model against other proposals such as the Eurofighteralleging interoperability reasons, costs throughout the life cycle and compatibility with NATO nuclear weapons. Why the F-35 is the option that Belgium continues to see how more solid To date, eight units have been delivered, All in US baseswhere they serve as a training platform for the first Belgian pilots. The new order will raise the total figure to 45, in a decision framed in the reinforcement of the military budget agreed by the current government, that has committed to achieve 2% of GDP in defense in 2025 and climb up to 2.5% in the following decade. The investment planned for this extension amounts to about 1.6 billion euros, According to the strategic vision document. Although the F-16 have been updated over the years-and remain operational in several countries-it is a fourth generation platform, without furtive abilities and with less integrated sensors. They are versatile, reliable and relatively economic fighters, but belong to another era. In some scenarios, the technological difference with F-35 is abysmal. The new Lockheed Martin hunt offers a poaching, fusion of real -time sensors, advanced electronic warfacities and, above all, It is certified to carry American nuclear armament. Beyond conventional combat, this renewal of the fleet has deep strategic implications. Belgium is one of the European countries that actively participates in the strategy of NATO nuclear deterrence. To fulfill that paper, you need compatible aircraft with nuclear pumps that it is believed that they are stored in the base of Kleine Brogel. The current F-16 are certified for that mission, and the F-35 not only inherits that function, but reinforces it with more stealthy and precise technology. The delivery calendar also imposes its own limits. According to VRTthe Lockheed Martin production line is practically saturated, and the first additional fighters will not arrive until after 2033. The decision to expand the fleet, in that sense, is also a long -term commitment: future governments may resume the issue and add more units if the budgetary conditions allow it. Apart from F-35, Belgium seeks to gain weight in the air defense of the continent. In parallel to this acquisition, he has reserved 300 million euros to fully integrate into the second phase of the FCAS, The New Generation European Hunting Program. The objective is to be at the table where the technological standards of the next decades are defined, without renouncing the US fleet. On the horizon, a future coexistence is even contemplated between the F-35 and the plane that emerges from the FCAS after 2040, if the staff and the budget allow it. Images | US Air Force (1, 2, 3) In Xataka | China will need 9,000 new airplanes in the coming years. And a manufacturer takes the lead to Boeing: Airbus

Our body is full of almost indestructible “eternal chemicals.” It turns out that we have the solution in the intestine

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“Eternal chemicals” is a name with great loudness. They are practically indestructible molecules, and the problem is that they are really harmful for both nature and us. In recent years we are taking it seriously and we have sought Remove them with guns with electron beams. Also through forms of break their molecular bondsand now a bacterium can become an ally to end these eternal chemicals. And it will be as easy as taking a capsule. A slow poison. The perfluoroalquiladas and the polyfluoroalquiladas, known as PFASThey are a relative of about 4,700 synthetic molecules that have great resistance due to the unions between fluorine and carbon atoms. They are very useful for that resistance, since the molecular union is very stable and does not react to external agents. The problem is that they are used in many products (hygiene, textiles, pesticides, containers or Even in the wine), they accumulate in nature by not being destroyed and, potentially, also in our body. PFAS and their derivatives, such as trifluoacetic acid, are related to soil contamination and water sources. And the prolonged exposure to certain PFAS has been related With a higher risk of kidney cancer and testicles, alterations in the immune system, changes in cholesterol, fertility problems and increased blood pressure in pregnancy. Intestinal bacteria. That is why we commented on some lines: we are looking for how to end them. It is difficult, but researchers from the University of Cambridge have TOP With an unexpected ally: human intestinal bacteria. Specifically, the Faecalibacterium prausnitziian intestinal bacterium that, together with others found in our body, has proven to be very effective absorbing pfas. In experiments, and as they point out in Natureresearchers have found about 38 bacterial strains that absorb these eternal chemicals. Basically, they quickly accumulate great concentrations of PFAS minutes after exposure to them. How do they do it? Catching toxic compounds within cell groups, protecting both themselves and the host. Come on, putting the pfa in quarantine. Swallowing more and more. To test it, the toxicology unit of the University of Cambridge experienced with mice that had ingested PFAS. They introduced nine bacterial strains in their organism and observed that these bacteria quickly trapped the PFAS and then were naturally expelled through the feces. The interesting thing is that bacteria work more intensely at greater concentration, with constant elimination rates of between 25% and 74% of the PFAS present in the body. Horizon. Studies are constantly published in which they tell us how they have discovered the potential of something to improve our life, but usually, the conclusion is usually a “we need more evidence and we will see.” In the case of bacteria that engulf eternal chemicals, researchers have something clearer what the road map is after those first experiments in mice. In the next steps, they will explore the development of Probiotics specifically aimed at improving our defenses against PFAS, and they have it so clear that they have founded a startup of biotechnology To develop these products. The objective is that the first is ready by 2026 and what these specialized probiotics will do will be to capture chemicals before they are reabsorbed in the intestine and “encapsulate them” for excretion through the digestive system. Images | Cambridge University In Xataka | Some bacteria can “feel” the acid in their surroundings. And his way of adapting is mutating

Japan is reconquesting at full speed the chips industry. He has just manufactured his first 2 nm transistor

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Rapidus corporation It has just officialized A very important achievement: it has successfully manufactured its first 2 nm transist. It is very unusual for a company based just three years ago already stepping on the heels to the three giants of the semiconductor production industry: TSMC, Intel and Samsung. These companies plan to start Large scale manufacturing of 2 nm chips During the second semester of 2025, and, although Rapidus is not yet ready to manufacture this type of integrated circuits, the speed with which it is reaching intimidated milestones. This last company is with Tokyo Electron and JSR Corporation the best option in Japan for recover relevance which he had in the semiconductor industry in the 80 They monopolized in 1988 Nothing less than 50% of the chips industry. However, today none of these companies is positioned among the leaders of a sector dominated with iron fist by Taiwanese, American, Chinese, South Korean and German companies. Rapidus is fulfilling its promises one by one The latest generation semiconductor production plant that this company has put up in northern Japan, in the city of Chitose (Hokkaido), started the wafer processing tests in a pilot line. The directive plan of this factory is to start large -scale production of 2 Nm semiconductors in 2027, and is perfectly credible. In fact, the milestone that has just announced invites us to anticipate that they could even manufacture these chips massively before the end of 2026, although it is only a conjecture. Rapidus is a very young company. It was founded on August 10, 2022 by the Japanese government with an initial capital of 7,346 million yen (Something less than 46 million euros) contributed by, and here comes the interesting, Sony, Toyota, Nec, Softbank, Kioxia, Denso, Nippon Telegraph and MUFG Bank. The initial capital invested in the constitution of this company is not very bulky, but there is no doubt that the companies that participate in it They have an indisputable relevance in the sectors of technology, automotive and telecommunications. The purpose of Rapidus is to tune an automated production line that will be specialized in the manufacture of 2 Nm chips for AI applications The relevance of this organization, in any case, lies in the role entrusted to him by the government currently led by Shigeru ishiba. And, as I mentioned a few lines above, this is the company with which Japan aspires to recover competitiveness in the semiconductor manufacturing industry that had three decades ago. Its economy is at stake. In fact, this Asian country began to deploy its strategy to reinforce its integrated circuit industry more than two years ago, so the first results begin to see the light. What is causing the new Rapidus factory to monopolize the looks of the semiconductor sector is that, According to Atsuyoshi Koikewhich is the president of the company, will be completely automated. Its purpose is to resort to robots and artificial intelligence (AI) to set up An automated production line which will be specialized in the manufacture of 2 Nm chips for AI applications. Its plan consists, in short, to produce integrated circuits faster, with a lower and more quality cost. To manufacture these semiconductors, equipment of extreme ultraviolet lithography (UVE) produced by the Dutch company ASML, and practically all manufacturing processes are automatic. However, the tests of test and validation, interconnection and packaging of the chips are still largely carried out manually in most manufacturing plants. According to Rapidus, its automation technology of all these processes will allow you to reduce the delivery time of your chips by 66% compared to the times they usually offer TSMC and Samsung. More information | Nikkei Asia In Xataka | Japan takes the initiative with nuclear fusion and sets an extremely ambitious date: the 2030s In Xataka | Japan has taken the carrier to dominate the chips industry. Prepare a 325,000 million dollar plan

Our computers are literally full, the problem is that it is almost impossible to extract it. Or we believed

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Gold is one of the metals with better electrical conductivity. For this reason, it is used in many electronic components, mainly in computers, but also in smartphones or sound systems. The problem is that extracting it from these pieces is very complicated and the cost it means does not compensate. Or we believed. Swiss researchers They have created a method to extract precious metal from a serum protein. Find gold in the trash. The components where gold is used most They are the PCB or printed circuit plates that we find in all types of devices, from computers to smartphones. It can also be found in processors, connectors and HDD hard drives. The problem, as we said, is that the existing methods to extract this metal are very complex and expensive. In addition, it is often necessary to use very toxic chemical components, although that does not stop that many Try it in your own houses. For all this, it is often not worth the effort to the small amounts that are extracted. The extraction process. Whey protein. Researchers at the Federal Polytechnic School of Zurich have managed to extract gold with a new more efficient, sustainable and cheap method. As? With serum protein ‘whey’ (yes, the Gym shakes). To do this, they submitted proteins to acidic conditions and high temperatures. These form nanofibers that are added to a gel and, after drying, forms a kind of sponge. It is not the first time we hear that Whey protein is used for similar purposes. A few months ago China managed to recycle the electric car batteries thanks to the glycine present in these shakes. Who was going to tell us that in addition to getting strong, it would serve to extract gold or recycle batteries. The method. The researchers used 20 computer base plates, from which they extracted all metal parts and dissolved them in an acid bath that ionized the metals. The next step was to submerge the sponge in the solution. Although there are other metals that adhere to the fibers that form it, the researchers discovered that gold ions adhere much better. Once “captured”, the sponge is heated and the ions are released and can melt to create a gold peep. Cheaper. The 20 motherboards resulted in a 450 milligrams gold cupcake with 91% purity (the remaining 9% was copper), or what is the same: 22 korates. At the current price of gold, La Pepita would have a value of about 35 euros. It is not much, but the researchers affirm that the cost of the materials and energy necessary for extraction is 50 times less than that of gold obtained. The next step is to climb this technology to be able to apply it to the market. Images | Eth zurich In Xataka | Our dependence on lithium batteries is worrying. These are the alternatives that aspire to replace them

a selection of getaways full of fun and strong emotions

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Nothing more summery and familiar than visiting an amusement park. In Spain the offer is considerable and covers all kinds of options: the most traditional with roller mountains and free falls, others with more informative approaches and shows, set in different historical times. Passing, of course, through the inevitable aquatic parks, the most refreshing sites to spend summer. We have made a selection of the best attraction parks in our country, so that you do not escape a change of ground in the wagon this summer. Portaventura World (Tarragona) Nothing less than 52 hectares distributed in six thematic areas inspired by civilizations such as China, Mexico or Far West. More than forty attractions for all audiences, some as legendary as Shambhala or Dragon Khan, and a couple of extras, the Caribbean aquatic Aquatic Park, and Ferrari Land, with the fastest attraction in Europe. In addition, they are celebrating for the 30th anniversary of the Park, which guarantees a year of special activities and celebration. Warner Park (Madrid) A thematic experience based on the world of cinema and the characters of Warner Bros, and that is distributed in five areas: Hollywood Boulevard, Movie World Studios, DC Super Heroes World, Old West Territory and Cartoon Village. There are classic attractions such as Russian mountains or the highest free fall tower in Europe, but the authentic appeal is in the encounter with the characters of cinema and television, or the shocking show Batman – Gotham City Escape. There is also aquatic park, ideal for summer months. Attraction Park (Madrid) The classy amusement park, located in the Casa de Campo, offers an experience for the whole family distributed in five thematic areas: Great Avenue, Tranquility, Machinism, Nature and Nickelodeon Land, the latter with children’s attractions and franchise characters for the little ones, such as SpongeBob and the Canine Patrol. The park has more than thirty attractions ranging from the classic Russian mountains to others of aquatic type. There are also live shows, special events such as the Magic Festival and, of course, the classic and inevitable Caserón del Terror. Magic Island (Seville) A DIDACTIC THEMATIC PARK Historical atmosphere: the discovery of America. It offers six thematic zones and attractions that, as always, cover all kinds of styles: roller mountains such as jaguar and aquatic highlights. Its magical water area has artificial beach, wave pool, slides and slow river, which makes a perfect option for summer. As always, there are live shows, also with an educational touch, like many park activities. Mythical terra (Benidorm) Terra mythical also opts for the historical setting, this time around the ancient Mediterranean civilizations with five thematic zones: Rome, Greece, Egypt, Iberia and the Islands. Among its most adrenaline attractions are a 54 -meter free drop that reaches 100 km/h, the flight of the phoenix, and a brutal roller mountain of extreme speeds, titanid. The mythological theme of all attractions (Achilles’ anger, Triton’s fury …) give a unique touch to the park, of the most recognizable in Spain. Unfortunately, its coponstruction also has An intrahistory in which there is space for the embezzlement of the real estate bubble. Tibidabo (Barcelona) Another attraction park, such as Madrid, which has a great tradition, located on the top of the mountain of the same name, which makes it the owner of a privileged natural environment, with great views of the city and the sea. It has more than 25 attractions for all ages, with classics such as Avió, Talaia and Carousel, and also roller mountains and more modern free falls. There are aquatic attractions, educational spaces, live shows, also the historical and essential Museu d’A autòmats and access to the funicular. An amusement park, no doubt, different. Dinópolis (Teruel) Another openly educational and thematic approach park, this time focused on the always fascinating world of dinosaurs. It has interactive and mechanical attractions, such as Torresaurio, and shows such as the T-Rex Show, where the one that is announced as one of the most sophisticated animatronics in the world makes an appearance. It also has, of course, a paleontological museum with fossil skeletons, and all kinds of simulators to discover how dinosaurs lived. Siam Park (Tenerife) It is considered one of the best aquatic parks in the world, and also has a curious special theme, little seen here: everything has Thai style and decoration. Like any amusement park, it has brutal and adrenaline attractions, such as the Singha aquatic roller coaster or the free of free of power free fall (28 meters high, 80 km/h, crossing an aquarium of sharks and mantaryas), and others calmer, with swimming pools and a water racing. There is artificial beach, a slow river and shows with marine animals. Katmandu Park (Magaluf) An absolutely familiar orientation park, with ten attractions where fun without shocks and technology takes prominence. For example, in the star and more original attraction of the park, The House, a house upside down where reality ceases to make sense. There are abundant aquatic and soft areas for children, a thematic minigolf, a small attraction of laser shots in the west distant and an adventure of zombies. A good alternative if you are looking for accessible fun for all ages. Aquopolis (Villanueva de la Cañada, Costa Daurada, Torrevieja, Cartaya and Cullera) A network of aquatic parks in five parks distributed in Spain: Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid), Costa Daurada (Tarragona), Torrevieja (Alicante), Cartaya (Huelva) and Cullera (Valencia). Each park has all the expected attractions (high -speed slides and vertiginous falls to safe children’s areas and wave fishing). According to the park, there are even hospitality areas with cabins and VIP areas away from the crowds. Puy du Fou Spain (Toledo) The most recent of all the thematic parks in Spain, which adds to historical settings, here with a fantasy and color bath to recreate through theatrical representations historical episodes of the history of Spain since the 5th century. It has a spectacular night show, ‘Toledo’s dream’, which summarizes 1,500 years of history in 70 minutes. Apart … Read more

The world is full of retirees that monitor works on the street. In Italy they are professionalizing and signing them

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It doesn’t matter if we talk about Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Vigo, Miranda del Ebro or the distant Lombardy. Where there is a work, an open ditch, a mason with helmet and shovel, a gardener Prunessing the cypresses of the park or a gruist A retiree supervising. His figure is almost universal, such as curiosity or the innate impulse to give advice that no one has asked. Now in A small town From Italy they have had a peculiar idea: why not take advantage of all that wasted talent? That is why they have professionalized their UMARELL. Work, who has said work? When one approaches a work, a series of elements expect to be found: masons, concrete, scaffolding, cranes, excavators … For a long time to that extensive list of professionals and useful something else is added: retirees that follow each shovel, banish or hammer with the attention of an orchestra director. It occurs in almost any Spanish city, it doesn’t matter if it is large or small. And occurs in other countries, Like Italywhere they occurred to them that it may not be far -fetched to take advantage of that ancient talent. With you, the UMARELL. In Italy they even have a name for retirees who move from work by work examining and giving advice, usually early in the morning, after breakfast, and in groups. They call them UMARELLa term coined in 2005 For the writer Danilo Masottiwho created him rescuing a dialectal word from his hometown, Bologna: Umarèl (“Little man”). The idea liked and has become popular until it sneaks into the dictionary in 2021. Over the years the figure of the UMARELL He has penetrated the Italian popular culture. A while ago in the town of Pescara they decided to open Windows In the fences that cover their works so that the elderly can appear to them and in 2016, in a wink to their growing popularity, Burger King included them in An advertising poster. The palm is taken, however, the City Council of Bologna, which in 2018 was a step further and dedicated a placePiazetta Degli Umoulls. Why not take advantage of them? Thus, a few months ago Villasanta, a small town of 14,000 inhabitants From the Lombardy region, in northern Italy, he had an idea: why not take advantage of the curiosity, experience and time of the UMARELL? Moreover, why not professionalize them and ‘sign’ the best? For that purpose At the end of last year The City Council launched a call that closed in early April and allowed it to create a small eight patrol UMARELLsix of the Villanta Yos de Monza itself. At the service of the people. In the bars bars, anyone can comment. In the team of UMARELL of Villasanta no. People selected by the Consistory meet certain requirements: they are retired, have university degrees and accumulate work experience in technical sectors thanks to their old jobs in fields such as architecture, engineering and topography. The goal? That your indications are, above all, good indications. The service provides it for free, without charging, although being registered in the Civic Volunteer Registry are covered by insurance. By becoming UMARELL Professionals also assume certain responsibilities. The Guardian details That each of the eight retirees (seven men and a woman) has a part of the assigned town and the work is organized in shifts between two and three hours. When one is missing, he coordinates with his companions to cover the vacancy. But … what do they do? Basically they increase the number of eyes and ears that the City Council has to supervise certain municipal works and services. During their turn each UMARELL It is responsible for visiting public works, checking the status of the streets and sidewalks and ‘supervising’ the maintenance of green areas. And that among other tasks. In April Euronews pointed out that the first mission entrusted to them by the City Council was to carry out traffic surveys. Thanks to them, the City Council can have a more precise control of public works, cleaning the streets and parking, the care of parks and other green areas or if the lighting and the garbage collection service works correctly. “Above all you feel useful for society and for yourself: you are doing something valuable with your time instead of sitting in front of TV or complaining, as the real ones do UMARELL“, Explain to The Guardian Roberto Cremona, one of the eight retirees who patrol the streets (and the works) of the town. Images | Wikipedia (Wittylama) and Salvatore Capalbi (Flickr) In Xataka | If your dream is to retire at age 52 with 100% of the pension, Spain offers you a road: a high -risk job

Tim Cook’s right hand retires after 27 years in Apple. It does so in full crisis of the company

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The departure of Jeff Williams as director of operations marks a turning point in the Cupertino company. With 27 years in Apple and considered the main candidate to replace Cook, Your withdrawal leave a vacuum in the succession line just when the company is going through One of its most delicate crises in artificial intelligence. An unexpected change at the least timely moment. Williams, 62, announces his retirement after almost three decades building the Apple logistics empire. His march coincides with A talent bleeding that Includes Ruoming Pangthe engineer who led the AI ​​models team Apple Intelligence. The company loses two key figures at a time when its artificial intelligence strategy wobbles. The new figure in charge of operations. Sabih Khan, a veteran who has been in Apple for 30 years, takes the reins as the new director of operations. Khan has been the architect of the Apple global supply chain during the last six years, managing from manufacturing to logistics. His appointment represents continuity in operational philosophy, but also evidences that Apple needs to reinforce its internal structures while still looking for its course in the AI ​​era. In detail. Williams’s departure completely redefines Apple’s succession map. For years he had been seen as The natural heir of cookespecially after its crucial role in the launch of the Apple Watch and the supervision of the design team from the march of Jony Ive In 2019. Now, analysts They point To three names: John Ternus (hardware engineering), Craig Federight (software) and Eddy Cue (services). Federight, in fact, has already assumed the control of Apple’s strategy after the exit of Pang, while the position assumed by the engineer now takes Zhifeng Chen. An iconic legacy. Williams’ march reminds us of some of his brightest moments of his career. It was the one who resolved one of the biggest challenges of the Original iPhone: When Steve Jobs decided to change the glass plastic screen just months before launch in 2007, Williams coordinated with Corning the development of the revolutionary Gorilla Glass. He also led the first major post-Jobs project, the Apple Watch, demonstrating its ability to materialize the company’s vision and philosophy in successful products. With Williams outside, Apple continues in another crisis: the AI. It is speculated that Meta has offered Pang an offer valued in several tens of millions of dollars annually, but it is not an isolated case. Zuckerberg is systematically signing The best talents of AIincluding researchers from Openai and Anthropic. According to points Mark Gurman in Bloomberg, in Apple, the founding models team crosses a moral crisis after the new direction explores use external openai or anthropic models for Siri’s new versionthus questioning the internal work developed for years. And now what. With Williams outside the succession game and the unresolved AI crisis, Cook must manage a complex transition. The company needs to stabilize its artificial intelligence strategy while preparing the generational relief in the dome. Khan’s appointment seeks to give operational continuity, but the questions about Apple’s future leadership and his ability to compete in AI is unanswered. Although Cook has not given a specific date on his withdrawal, in several statements He has assured that will retire, but “not in the conventional way”, preferring to stay active while feeling mentally stimulated. Cook too has expressed Your desire for your replacement to come from within the company. Cover image | Apple and Guillaume Bleyer In Xataka | Apple has just turned the iPhone into a universal TPV. Tap to pay can already be used in Spain

A bank convinced the people of a poor town in the US to spend their savings. Now it’s full of millionaires

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Stories of Lucky blows and Millionaires There are manybut they almost always have a common denominator: We speak in singular. Therefore, what happened in a small town in Florida whose families were going through serious difficulties to get ahead is so special. Even today, the enclave continues to look like a bland and inhospitable town. But do not deceive you, there is still a large number of millionaires among people. And all Thanks to Coca-Cola. Quincy and the banker. This is the name of the people of one of the most fascinating stories of the United States economy. There, in the midst of the great depression of the 20s and 30s and with part of the census in serious difficulties, a figure appears that was going to change everyone’s life. His name: Pat munroea cunning banker, a businessman who noticed a key detail to convince all citizens. It didn’t matter how impoverished they were in Quincy or how serious the financial situation of families was, the man observed that almost religiously, people spent until the last penny in a good glass of icy coca-cool. What if that devotion made it a blow of luck? Coca-Cola in the stock market. The sugary giant began to quote in stock market in 1919 to $ 40 the actionbut a conflict with the sugar industry and its bottlers caused a 50% drop soon, when it reached 19 dollars per share. In other words, there was a time in the story in which Coca-Cola quoted for less than the cash in the bank and its actions were extremely cheap. And among others, Munroe was at the right time. The bargain of the century. What did he do? Invest. The man He began acquiring Coca-Cola actions As if there were no tomorrow. However, he did not do it alone. He encouraged all his acquaintances and friends of acquaintances in the town to buy a participation in the company. Focusing on the final profits and the power of the brand, Pat Munroe continued and continued buying. And while doing it, he kept telling everyone who were willing to listen to him in Quincy who also bought. He took advantage of the confidence and respect that the community had towards him and undertook a crusade to get anyone who could go up to the Coca-Cola train. Loans for shares. The man was so sure of his success that every time a person went to his bank to ask for a loan, I encouraged him to accept another in exchange for actions. Farmers, shopkeepers, teachers: absolutely anyone who could spend money was tempted by Munroe. For the banker, that Coca-Cola’s action was at $ 19 each was an opportunity that no one in the city should escape. That is why he did not get tired of buying and, almost equally important, to stand firm in the decision regardless of the market fluctuations that occurred in the short term. The ball. Finally, the banker’s observations were a historical success. Quincy, an eminently agricultural city, not only remained afloat in difficult times thanks to Coca-Cola dividends, brought a wealth that is still studied in universities. In fact, the enclave became the richest city per capita in the United States for a while, and dozens of its inhabitants were nicknamed “the millionaire secrets of Coca-Cola”. People who trusted the good eye of Munroe and invested all their money (and the one they did not have), and who kneaded huge fortunes with those first actions, which then transmitted from generation to generation, making them the millionaire eponyms of Coca-Cola, some who, effectively, established whole dynasties of financial prosperity that transcended generations. How much we are talking. It is difficult to speak in total terms, but for us to get an idea of ​​money, in 2013 it was made An assessment study of what happened in Quincy. The results found that a single action with reinvested dividends were worth 10,000,000 dollars. $ 270,000 in cash dividends would be sent before taxes to the owner by sending a check worth $ 67,500 in March, June, September and November of each year. In this way, if the great -grandmother and great -grandfather on duty had acquired a round lot of 100 shares for between $ 1,900 and $ 4,000, depending on the purchase price, they would now have more than one billion dollars, excluding the effects of taxes on assets. Money for crisis. That investment has meant a lifeguard every time a hard time is approaching. When the local economy was supported by coca and the crisis arrived, tail dividends. In fact, these assets have supported the city in all recessions since then. When the crops failed, it was the money of the Coca-Cola that kept the people used. When the national economy collapsed, it was Coca-Cola’s cash that allowed people to remain in their homes. When the times were good and Coca-Cola was cheap, they bought more actions. Quincy today. It is a unique story, by unusual. All families that kneaded a fortune then passed it to their children and grandchildren, in some cases through direct donations and in others through the use of fiduciary funds. Even the bank where everything started has a Coca-Cola on exhibition And, until a few years ago, an amazing 65% of the fiduciary assets under administration were still invested in Coca-Cola shares. Quincy’s appearance today does not differ much from the era of great depression. It is still a quiet and eminently agricultural city with a population of less than 10,000 inhabitants. But do not fool your sight, some of the grandchildren whose families raised an empire, that of the secret millionaires of Coca-Cola. Image | Pxhere, Ebyabe, Pxhere In Xataka | The 100,000 million club: the exclusive group of 14 millionaires that has doubled its members in 2024 In Xataka | There are rich and ultra -ups: countries with more millionaires, centimillionaires and milmonarios of the world counted in a graphic *An earlier version of this article … Read more

Renfe has exploded the problem of the bird in full start of summer

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The rail transport has started Julio, a month usually marked by vacation trips, from The worst forms Possible, with considerable chaos in one of its great arteries: the high speed corridor between Madrid and Andalusia. Trains stopped for hours. Delays Suspended services. And a monumental anger among the affected passengers joined to the one already showed in May, when Copper theft He collapsed the bird of Seville. What happened? That in the full start of July, with thousands of people making their bags to enjoy their summer vacation, the Spanish railway sector has encountered a considerable problem in one of its great arteries: the high -speed corridor between Madrid and Andalusia. And it is not the first. In early May the Madrid-Sevilla AVE line has already suffered A collapse which resulted in trains detained for hours, saturated stations and thousands of passengers (there was talk of more than 16,000) affected. Fault in a catenary. The notice jumped yesterday around the afternoon in the province of Toledo, where Adif recorded A fault in a catenary between the Yeles (Toledo) and La Sagra (southwest of the Community of Madrid). The problem, according to detailed in x The administrator of the railway infrastructure caused it a “lack of tension” that directly affected the high -speed trains that Madrid and Toledo connect with Andalusia. Click on the image to go to Tweet. An incidence with hangover. The chronicle of what has happened can be followed by a tweet. About half past nine of the Adif Night confirmed A “breakdown” in the catenaria (without going into details) that led him to mobilize technicians, displace relief locomotives to move the trains stopped outside the stations and even ask for help to the 112 of Castilla-La Mancha to attend affected travelers. At ten o’clock Adif confirmed that he had recovered the tension on one of the roads between the Sagra and Yeles, which partially unlocked the Madrid/Toledo-Andalucía corridor; But that solved only part of the problem. Adif itself acknowledged that the affected trains would continue to suffer delays by having to operate in a single route. Well, enter the morning, at 5.20 hhe chose to cut the tension to focus on the catenary that was still blocked and recover the second way from the yles to Mora. Checking the grill. The result was The suspension of the first -hour trains with origin Atocha and Destinad Andalucía and Toledo. “The difficulty of the rescue of two trains affected by the incidence and prolongation in the work to repair the catenary prevent the trains of the South Corridor with origin/destination Madrid and/or Sevilla circulating until new notice,” needed Almost at nine in the morning. The consequences They let themselves feel Also in long distance connections with Malaga, Granada, Cádiz and Huelva and Trains with Toledo, Puertollano and Ciudad Real. Click on the image to go to Tweet. “Delays can be recorded”. The message confirming that the catenary breakdown was repaired did not reach the eleven of this morning, which opened the door at the end of the trains of Madrid to the south and those that start from Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha direction to the capital. Of course, the administrator of the railway infrastructure was cured in health with a clear warning for the passengers of the corridor: “Delays can be recorded due to the accumulation of trains.” “Absolute abandonment”. So far the Chronicle of Adif. The collapse in the railway corridor, however, left another very different story in networks, the one contributed by the passengers affected by the fault. “What seemed like a simple trip has become a nightmare: we have been trapped in the middle of a plain in Toledo, without electricity, without bathrooms, with an unbearable heat and surrounded by insects,” He denounced this morning An X user, Antonio Regalado, annoyed by the “absolute abandonment” of Renfe 5862. An evacuated octogenarian. “Thirteen trapped hours. This is not a delay, it is an abandonment”, insists Given. According to her testimony, a woman even suffered an arrhythmia and had to be evacuated in ambulance. “There are older people, children and passengers totally abandoned, with anxiety, hunger and without explanations.” 112 Castilla-La Mancha has confirmed In networks that of the five trains of the Madrid-Sevilla line damaged between the provinces of Toledo and Ciudad Real, four were able to continue the march during the night. The convoy located in Villaseca de la Sagra ran worse luck, so the 112 operators had to attend them at night. They also had to evacuate an old woman 84, who ended up being transferred to Toledo University Hospital for respiratory failure. The train did not resume its trip to Madrid until 9.30 a.m. Image | Pablo Nieto Abad (Flcikr) In Xataka | China wanted to be the queen of high -speed trains. So he built all the longest bridges in the world

We are creating AI agents who act on their own. And that enters us as useful as full of risks

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An agent you can’t turn off. It is not the script of a futuristic movie. It is one of the scenarios that already concern some of the world’s greatest experts in AI. the scientist Yoshua Bengioglobal reference in the field, has warned that the systems known as “Agents“They could, if they acquire enough autonomy, dodge restrictions, resist the shutdown or even multiply without permission.” If we continue to develop agricultural systems, “he says,” we are playing the Russian roulette with humanity. “ Bengio does not fear that these models develop awareness, but act autonomously in real environments. While staying limited to a chat window, its reach is reduced. The problem appears when they access external tools, store information, communicate with other systems and learn to overcome the barriers designed to control them. At that point, the ability to execute tasks without supervision ceases to be a technological promise to become a difficult risk to contain. They are already being tested. The most disturbing thing is that all this does not happen in secret laboratories, but in real environments. Tools like Operatorof OpenAi, can already make reservations, purchases or navigate on websites without direct human intervention. There are also other systems such as Manus. Today they still have limited access, they are in an experimental phase or have not reached the general public. But the course is clear: agents who understand a goal and act to meet it, without the need for anyone to press a button in each step. The background question. Do we really know what we are creating? The problem is not only that these systems execute actions, but do without human criteria. In 2016, Openai tried an agent in a racing video game. He asked him to get the maximum possible score. The result? Instead of competing, the agent discovered that he could turn in circles and collide with bonuses to add more points. No one had told him that winning the race was the important thing. Just add points. OpenAI racing game It is not a technical error. These behaviors are not system failures, but of the approach. When we give a machine of these autonomy to achieve a goal, we also give it the possibility of interpreting it in its own way. That is what makes agents very different from a chatbot or a traditional assistant. They are not limited to generating answers. They act. Execute. And can affect the outside world. Error margin systems too high. To these specific cases is added another more structural problem: agents, today, They fail more than they succeed. In real tests, they have shown that they are not prepared to assume complex tasks reliably. Some reports even point to high failure rates, improper systems that aspire to replace human processes. A dispute technology. And not everyone is convinced. Some companies that bet strongly to replace workers with AI systems are already going back. In many cases, the expectations deposited in these systems have not been met. The promised autonomy has collided with frequent errors, lack of context and decisions that, without being malicious, have not been sensible either. Even with those results, there are those who believe that they could take its way, little by little, in different sectors. Autonomy with possible consequences. The risk does not end in involuntary error. Some researchers They have warned that These agents could be used as tools for automated cyber attacks. Their ability to operate without direct supervision, climb actions and connect to multiple services makes them ideal candidates to execute malicious operations without raising suspicions. And unlike a person, they do not get tired, they do not stop, and do not need to understand why they do it. The control is at stake. The idea of ​​having digital assistants capable of managing emails, organizing trips or writing reports is attractive. But the more we let them do, the more important it will be to establish limits. Because when an AI can connect to an external tool, execute changes and receive feedbackwe don’t talk about a language model. We talk about an autonomous entity, capable of acting. It is not a threat, but a clear sign that invites action. The autonomy of the agents raises issues that go beyond the technical: requires legal frameworks, ethical criteria and shared decisions. Understanding how they work is just the first step. The next thing is to define what use we want to give them, what risks entail and how we are going to manage them. Images | OpenAI (123) | Xataka with Grok In Xataka | AI is extremely addictive for many people. So much that it already has its own version of “Alcoholics Anonymous”

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