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That Chinese and Russian bombers patrol together is not surprising. That they do it against Japan and South Korea has had an immediate response

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The growing synchronicity between China and Russia in the airspace of Northeast Asia has ceased to be an anomaly and has become an increasingly calculated strategic pattern. The problem is that the last joint patrol between both nations once again demonstrated how the airspace has been transformed into an area of ​​maximum tension. Strategic pressure. The last patrol joint Sino-Russian has certified that the airspace around Japan and South Korea has been transformed into a zone of permanent friction. Russian Tu-95 and Chinese H-6 bombers, escorted by J-16, made a circuit that forced Tokyo and Seoul to deploy fighters as the formation traversed corridors where any mistake can escalate quickly. The flight, although it fits in annual exercises between both countries, occurred just after Chinese J-15 fighters launched from the Liaoning aircraft carrier They will activate their radars of fire against Japanese F-15s, an act considered equivalent to announcing an imminent attack. For Japanthese maneuvers are no longer simple demonstrations of force: they symbolize coordinated pressure in response to its increasingly declared involvement in the defense of Taiwan, a stance that China considers a direct provocation. “It is a serious concern for national security,” has settled the Japanese minister. South Korea and a pattern. In parallel, South Korea had to mobilize your aviation when seven Russian and two Chinese aircraft entered the KADIZ without warning, a practice recurring since 2019. Although the zone does not constitute sovereign space, its systematic violation allows Beijing and Moscow to measure reaction times, saturate surveillance and normalize incursions that, in other circumstances, would have been interpreted as signs of crisis. The aircraft remained about an hour before withdrawing, on a route that overlaps both the Chinese defense zone and disputed areas between Tokyo and Seoul. This routine erodes stability: forces South Korea to invest resources, exposes regulatory divergences (Russia does not even legally recognize the existence of KADIZ) and builds an environment where the exception becomes an operating habit. japanese fighter The Japanese doubt. The background of this escalation we have been counting and started with the comments from the Japanese prime minister, who stated that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would be an existential threat to Japan. The message, aligned with the doctrine of collective self-defense, meant for Beijing a crossing of red lines that unleashed diplomatic and economic reprisalsaccompanied by a notable increase of his military activity near Okinawa and especially Yonaguni, the closest Japanese point to Taiwan. So, Tokyo plans to deploy electronic warfare units and air defense systems, reinforcing an island whose location makes it both a shield and a priority objective. For Japan, this militarization is a necessary response. For China, it is an indicator that Tokyo is willing to integrate more actively in an eventual scenario of support for Taiwan. Wear tool. China-Russia joint patrols are no longer isolated exercises, but expressions of increasing coordination spanning from Alaska to the Sea of ​​Japan. They integrate bombers, fighters, early warning aircraft and synchronized maneuvers that show a willingness to project power and generate a constant cost to the region’s defensive systems. In addition to their military value, these missions have a clear political objective: underline that the airspace over Japan and South Korea is not a monopoly of their Western allies, but rather an environment in which Moscow and Beijing can operate freely and predictability. At a time when China responds With every Japanese gesture on Taiwan, this cooperation acts as a pressure amplifier and a reminder that Tokyo could be confronted with two powers at the same time. Fragile balance. The combination radar-locksflights in identification zones, maneuvers without warning and diplomatic tensions accumulated has created a climate where an unforeseen incident could escalate quickly. Japan reinforces its military presence, South Korea adjusts its protocols and China and Russia intensify their joint missions, raising the level of structural friction. As Taiwan establishes itself as a strategic epicenter, nearby air routes become permanent contact lines and every approach, every response, every silence on a radio frequency can be interpreted as a signal. In other words, a wrong calculation can transform an annual patrol in the trigger of a broader regional crisis. Image | CHINESE GOVERNMENT, US Air Force In Xataka | If the question is how far the tension between China and Japan has escalated, the answer is disturbing: they are targeting each other. In Xataka | China has just shown Japan a diplomatic dart that it had been keeping for decades: World War II

An atoll in the South Pacific is the best kept secret of the ultra-rich. If you want to hide your fortune, this is your island

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In the middle of the South Pacific, there is a little paradise which attracts both nature lovers and those looking to put their great fortunes safely away. The Cook Islands, with their turquoise beaches and dreamlike landscapes, have become the chosen refuge by many millionaires for keep your money safe and anonymous. Beyond being a privileged tourist destination, this archipelago adopts the second most used meaning of paradise: that of tax haven. Its special legal system protects the assets of those millionaires who decide to enjoy its dream beaches and its legal opacity with assets. They came for its beaches, they stayed for the trusts This natural oasis, located about 3,000 kilometers from New Zealand, is not only home to beauty and tranquility, but also a sophisticated asset protection mechanism that has gained global fame in recent years among millionaires around the world. Although many think of tax havens such as the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, the Cook Islands are distinguished by their ability to raise trust financial structures from which millionaires can manage assets of all kinds, from properties to cryptocurrencies, with a very lax taxation. Not in vain, the Cook Islands were a recurring reference in the great financial scandals that were revealed by the Panama Papers, Pandora or the Paradise Papers. As and how they counted in Fortunesince the 1980s, the Cook Islands established a single fiduciary system which offers a level of opacity and protection difficult to find in other enclaves considered tax havens. For example, the authority of foreign courts to intervene in these funds is not recognized and, furthermore, the identities of the owners are protected by law. This combination makes the country a bastion for those who want to keep their assets safe from external demands or embargoes. Cook Islands, a paradise for human and fiscal matters Here, millionaires transfer their assets to a trust managed by a local fiduciary (front man), while they can remain beneficiaries or dispose of the money and property freely. This separation between Ownership of the heritage and who enjoys it generates a legal barrier that makes it difficult for third parties to claim those assets. In this way, millionaire businessmen protect their fortunes in the event of bankruptcy of their companies because, legally, they are not owners of the assets that they do enjoy. Likewise, fortunes would not be so exposed to divorce cases. “If all your money is in your pocket and someone tries to take it from you, maybe they can. But if the money is in another country and not under your control, chances are they won’t be able to touch it,” he explained to Fortune Blake Harris, lawyer specializing in property protection in the Cook Islands. In addition, shell companies are used to manage certain assets in order to add another level of opacity to the ownership of trust assets. “We created a practically unbreakable structure. And it is a fundamental practice. It is necessary to protect yourself,” said Harris. Spanish millionaires also travel to paradise The Panama Papers and other tax scandals exposed the financial engineering that large fortunes were using to reduce their tax bill. Among the names that appeared in these investigations there were also some spanish names. It should be said that constituting a trust in the Cook Islands It is completely legal for a Spanish resident. The Polynesian atoll was excluded from the EU tax haven lists and from Spain. However, the Spanish legislation It focuses on who actually controls and benefits from the assets, not just who is listed as the formal owner. However, just because it is legal in Spain does not mean that it works the same as for an American millionaire. Spain does not include the figure of the trust in its legal framework, although it does takes it into account at the tax level. In practice, this means that even if the assets are transferred to a trustee in another country, The Tax Agency considers that the person residing in Spain retains some type of control or benefit over them. And if this control exists, the Treasury understands that this assets remain linked to the taxpayer and, therefore, must declare it as part of your heritage. Therefore, although the protection against international litigation offered by Cook Islands trusts is effective, in Spain they do not have the same effectiveness than in the US, so It is not such a popular instrument. between the great Spanish fortunes as among the millionaires of other countries. However, as how they point From the Gesta tax consultancy, trusts are recommended more as tools of succession planning or protection against civil risks, and both for evade taxes. In Xataka | They were promised a bitcoin paradise and zero taxes for 120,000 euros. Today there is only one desert island on the verge of disappearing Image | cook islandsUnsplash (Nathan Dumlao)

Brazil has been pursuing high-speed trains for 20 years. Now it will have the first in South America

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If we see the list of countries with the most high-speed train linesChina is the one cut the codwith Europe and Japan also on the crest of the wave. However, South America is a territory that neither punctures nor cuts. That’s about to change and, although there are several projects in different countries, the first high-speed train in South America will be in Brazil. And it promises to revolutionize transportation in one of the country’s key corridors. It is not (fast) train territory. Connecting South America by train is extremely complicated. Not only do they have a complex topography with mountains and jungles to overcome, but also an enormous geographical dispersion, political instability in some countries and priorities that have changed with different governments. Currently, the territory is experiencing a revolution. There are countries like Mexico either Chili who are waging war on their own with internal projects, but also a project known as ‘Bioceanic Railway Corridor‘ which will unite the Pacific and Atlantic and connect the port of Santos in Brazil with that of Bayóvar in Peru. Apart from that line, Brazil has its own plans. The Brazilian TAV. The Brazilian high-speed project is not without controversy. The TAV (or High Speed ​​Train) began to take shape in 2004. Named ‘Bandeirantes Express’, the idea was to connect São Paulo with Campinas. It came to nothing and in 2007 it was shelved, but with the arrival of Lula da Silva and the perspective of Soccer World Cup 2014HE relaunched. It would have been the perfect setting, but the dates were not met either and, from lost to the river: we took it back to 2016 for the Rio Olympics. Spoiler: it went wrong due to financing problems, doubts about profitability and, evidently, a lack of interest from the private sector that was not clear about how to recover the investment. Chronology. It would have been the first high-speed train in South America, but it seems that it had not said its last word, because in 2023, the private company TAV Brasil got by the National Land Transportation Agency the authorization to link the main cities of the country: Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. The 99-year concession allows them to plan, build and operate the line that, if all goes well, will connect the two cities with intermediate stops between Sao José dos Campos and Volta Redonda. The investment is not clear and is estimated at about 60,000 million reais, which is about 11,000 million euros, and points to a ticket price of around 85 euros for a complete trip. TAV Brazil has announced the following calendar: End of 2026 for the conclusion of feasibility studies. 2027 as the start of construction. 2032 as commercial commissioning. The train. The intention is that the machine reaches speeds of 320 km/h, which would more than meet what is considered the high speed standard (250 km/h) and will allow travel the 400 kilometers between the two megacities in just one hour and forty-five minutes. This is a considerable reduction compared to a current road trip that takes about six hours. Interests. The big question is who will build the system… and the trains. This is a high-stakes project and, as in other parts of the world, geopolitics plays an important role. Historicallythe project has attracted the interest of companies such as the Spanish CAF or the French Alstom (in contention right now for the train in Belgian), but also from Siemens and other leading companies in the sector. TAV Brazil has not closed its doors and is talking with both Spanish companies and Arab funds and, of course, with China, which is becoming a global touchstone in the railway segment. They are revolutionizing Africa, they have a presence in the deployment of the line that will cross South America from Brazil to Peru and getting a piece of the Brazilian high-speed pie would mean another lucrative hit on the table. In any case, the one in Brazil and other projects seem to be beginning to shape the railway future of a Latin America that has had plans for decades, but for various reasons they have not come to fruition. Images | Limongi, Danilo.mac, Mohamed SY In Xataka | The US has been dreaming of its first high-speed train for decades: the California project is being a real nightmare

South Korea launched an AI textbook program for schools. It has lasted four months

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The South Korean government bet heavily on artificial intelligence in classrooms with a million-dollar investment in digital textbooks. They promised more personalized learning, a reduction in teaching load and, generally speaking, fewer school dropouts. The reality It has been very different: after a single semester they stopped being mandatory and became complementary material, allowing each school to decide whether to use them or not. Few have continued using them. A experiment that does not has worked. In March of this year a special program started educational promoted by then-president Yoon Suk Yeol: textbooks with artificial intelligence for mathematics, English and computer science. The government invested more than 1.2 trillion won (726 million euros at the exchange rate) in equipment and teacher training, while the publishers allocated another 800,000 million won (484 million euros) to the development of the material. Barely four months later, in August, parliament stopped considering them official texts after an avalanche of criticism. They are now optional supplementary material. Problems that came from day one. Ko Ho-dam, a high school student on Jeju Island, explains it to Rest of World: “All of our classes were delayed due to technical problems. I didn’t know how to use them well either. Working only with my laptop, I had a hard time staying focused. The books didn’t offer lessons adapted to my level.” Complaints spread throughout the country. Students, teachers and families reported errors in the content, risks to data privacy, increased screen time and, paradoxically, a greater workload for both teachers and students, especially if at the beginning it was necessary to add time to adapt to the new system. In a hurry. Representative Kang Kyung-sook, an opponent of the program, he questioned deadlines in parliament: “Traditional textbooks take 18 months to develop, nine to revise and six to prepare. But AI books took only 12, three and three months respectively. Why the rush?” Lee Bohm, researcher at the University of Cambridge, points out “AI should be tested first in homework or practice before being carefully introduced in class. The focus should be on how to integrate it into the school curriculum.” Digitized classrooms and addiction. South Korea has been dealing with another technological problem for years: digital addiction among young people. According to psychiatrist Lee Hae-kook, professor at the Catholic University of Korea, “almost one in two young people is at risk of smartphone addiction,” a figure that, according to Le Monde, increased between 30% and 40% after the pandemic. The country has had digital detox centers since 2002 and will ban mobile phones in schools starting March 2026. In this context, introducing more screens in classrooms has generated greater rejection. Jang Ha-na of the Political Mamas organization, which advocates for the well-being of women and children, expressed to the medium that “textbooks (with AI) worsen the effectiveness of learning. Once digital devices become central in classrooms, exposure to screens increases, weakening literacy and communication skills.” Legal and political battle. According to the medium, even before the launch, teachers unions and civil groups They sued the then minister of education for abuse of authority, arguing that the program was “problematic” by making the use of AI mandatory, ignored risks to minors, and lacked data protection measures. The government moved from mandatory adoption to a voluntary test one year in January. Yoon was ousted in April following his attempt to impose martial law, and new President Lee Jae Myung, who promised to reverse the policy, kept his word. According to explains Rest of World, the publishers that developed the texts announced lawsuits for financial damages. Hwang Geun-sik, president of the committee that represents them, explains that “companies that trusted the government saw the market suddenly disappear. Our business is reduced and staff cuts are inevitable.” The figures say it all. The adoption rate collapsed from 37% in the first semester to 19% in the current one. Only 2,095 schools use them now, half of the number at the beginning of the school year. Among teachers, opinions are divided. Lee Hyun-joon, a mathematics teacher in Pyeongtaek, admits that “monitoring students’ progress was a challenge. The overall quality was poor.” In contrast, Kim Cha-myung, a primary school teacher near Seoul, recognize to the means that “they were convenient, helped save time and supported students with difficulties. But he also added that “the program failed because everything was rushed. It should have been implemented gradually after proving its effectiveness.” llearned action. Kim Jong-hee, digital director of Dong-A Publishing, one of the developer publishers, defend that books “did not cause addiction to screens” and that they can reduce educational inequalities. But he acknowledges that “a key reason for the setbacks is that the issue became overly politicized.” “We no longer trust the government, and that is the biggest problem,” he added. Cover image | Korea Times (Yonhap) In Xataka | There is a national symbol that Japan has kept unchanged for generations: a very expensive school backpack

In his mission to follow the movements of North Korea, South Korea has decided to bet on an advanced steering wheel

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In South Korea, the surveillance of heaven It is a constant task that is never terminated. Missile tests and the use of low flight drones The need to strengthen detection systems has highlighted by the north. Radars on land, conditioned by the country’s geography, do not always offer the necessary coverage against threats that seek to go unnoticed. To respond to that challenge, Seoul has decided to bet on a new generation of Early alert planescapable of expanding surveillance and ensuring more stable control of your airspace. It is not just about incorporating technology, but ensuring that the country has sufficient means to anticipate any scenario. The search for a new early alert plane It started in 2020when the Defense Procurement Agency (DAPA) approved the second phase of its AEW & C program. By then, South Korea already had four E-737 Peace Eye acquired from Boeing in 2006 and delivered in 2012, but the experience had made it clear that they were not enough. Parliamentary documents revealed in 2019 indicated Availability problems and technical failuress that prevented maintaining the planned patrol rate. To that limitation was added the pressure of an increasingly complex strategic environment, marked by the expansion of North Korean arsenal. A jump in the air surveillance strategy Seoul has opted for an unusual combination until a few years ago: an executive reactor Bombardier Global 6500 equipped with radar The/W-2085 developed by Elta. This system, with active electronic exploration antennas on the sides and additional sensors in the nose and tailallows to monitor in all directions promising a much greater scope than that of conventional radars. With this model, the country is looking for a more compact platform and with operational costs contained compared to larger solutions. The contest was marked by a struggle between two proposals that started from the same base plane, the 6500 global. L3Harris offered to integrate it with the radar the/W-2085, while the European Saab presented its globaleye solution, equipped with the radar Erieye Extended Range. Dapa’s evaluation concluded that there were no major differences in technical performance, but in other aspects. As the agency explainedthe American proposal received more points in operability, maintenance costs and contribution to the local industry, while the Swedish firm stood out in price and contractual conditions. Conceptual Image of Global 6500 for South Korea According to Dapa, the approved budget amounts to 3.87 billion wones, about 2,820 million dollarsand contemplates the incorporation of four planes until 2032. The goal is to have permanent patrols capable of monitoring the national airspace without interruption and coordinating the response in case of crisis. Deliver planning up to that horizon will progressively integrate aircraft in the operations of the Air Force. An E-737 Peace Eye in the United States The industrial component presumably had a relevant weight in the decision. L3harris has been supplying equipment to the South Korean armed forces, from electro-optical and infrared surveillance systems to safe communications and night vision devices. The company has an authorized service center in the country, which reduces maintenance times and simplifies logistics in case of breakdowns. The 6500 global is expected to reinforce the air defense of the Asian country. These devices will be integrated into the grid national Istarconnecting combat sensors and units to generate a complete image of airspace. Its main mission will be to detect intrusions and coordinate the immediate reaction, but its regular use is also contemplated in periods of calm to maintain training and preparation of crews. Images | L3harris (1, 2) | United States Air Force In Xataka | The F-47 will not only be the most advanced hunt in the United States: the filtration of its badge has revealed what country it aims

The lowest birth rate forced South Korea to a desperate measure: hire foreign nanny

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Of all the problems in South Korea, one was certainly shocking in September last year (things have changed a little Since then): they had the lowest birth rate in the world, of 0.72 children per woman. In recent years, governments and administrations have been passing, but no one managed to stop the descent, nor the super checksnor the rocambolesque idea that Girls begin the school before. The next measure was a symptom of the crisis: they are being forced to Hire foreign nanny. Nannies and visas. As part of the Government’s strategy, the hiring of 100 Philippine nannies that could work in the country since then. The measure was just the beginning, since approximately 1,200 foreign nannies for the first half of 2025and a “more affordable” program Last March. A problem without solution. Despite government efforts during the last 17 years, including An expense of 380 billion wones (Around 284,000 million dollars) In various incentives to increase fertility, the birth rate has continued to plumn. The desperate situation that in Seoul was warned that the country could be the first of the world to disappear due to this demographic decline is such. Moreover, the administration of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol recognized that drastic measures are needed to reverse this trend, and that was the first of the ideas: the introduction of foreign nannies with the aim of relieving the load of the care of children of parents who work, especially in households with double income, and ultimately increase the birth rate. The new policy. As The Government reportedthe entrance was formed between 24 and 38 years old who have the national level II certificate of care certification of the Filipino Government and who have received wide training. Their skills, according to the government, include the care of children, domestic tasks and the basic domain of the Korean language. In addition, the workers do it with an E-9 visa, which allows employment in non-professional sectors in the country, and will be part of a pilot program restricted to Seoul residents. This six -month program aims to provide affordable child care services with homes with children under 12, single -parent families and those with several children. Who pays the party. The lack of affordable nurseries is one of the main concerns among the parents who work, hence the question is more pertinent than ever, who paid the babysitters? According to the Seoul government, hire a foreign nanny for eight hours a day I could cost households around 2.38 million wones per monthalmost half of the average monthly income of Korean households. This generated many doubts about the affordability of the program for average Korean families. “We are seeing complaints about the cost burden of foreign domestic employees,” You Hye-Mi saidmain secretary of the president, in an interview. “Therefore, we are trying to explore ways to mitigate the burden it supposes for an individual home to hire them.” The controversy of the minimum wage. In addition, the program also faced criticism from work activists and immigrant rights groups. It happened in 2023, when the mayor of Seoul, Oh Se-Hoon, proposed to hire foreign nanny to A monthly cost of approximately 1 million woneswhich is significantly lower than the minimum wage in South Korea. Not just that. Deputy Cho Jung-Hun also proposed a bill that would exclude immigrant domestic employees from the requirement of the minimum wage law, arguing that the salaries of these workers should be in line with those of their countries of origin, a proposal highly criticized by human rights organizations, which argue that it violates the rights of foreign workers and violates the norms of the International Labor Organization (ILO). And birth rate? As we said at the beginning, the introduction of foreign nannies is part of a broader government effort to boost female participation in the workforce, which is considered essential to improve the country’s birth rate. The number of households with double income in South Korea has increased constantly, reaching 5.82 million in 2021. The problem is that many women end up abandoning the workforce due to the responsibilities of child care. Therefore, by offering more affordable child care options, the government expects to create a more conducive environment for young couples to have children, thus addressing, in theory, the worrying birth rate in descent. A version of this article is PUblicó in 2024 Image | Pexels, Pexels In Xataka | South Korea has taken the rivalry in the classrooms to the extreme: 84% of its children go to academies to be even more competitive In Xataka | Seoul lives an unprecedented birth crisis. The idea of ​​its mayor: set up a municipal dating program

The US has found a new way to torpedo China. The problem is that it takes ahead to South Korea

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The truce is over. The US does not want integrated circuit manufacturing equipment that resort to US technologies and innovations They arrive in China. Not even chips factories that They do not belong to Chinese companies. In 2022 the US Department of Commerce granted a temporary exemption to several manufacturers of foreign semicondators who have plants in China so that they could equip their facilities with the machines they needed. But this permissive period has expired. From now on any chips manufacturer who has plants in China will have to request a license from the US Commerce Department to be able to install in its factories machines with US components or technologies. Intel has sold Your Dalian plant (China), so this measure no longer affects it. However, there are two South Korean companies of enormous relevance in the semiconductor industry whose business can be deeply conditioned by the restrictions imposed by the US: Samsung and SK Hynix. The Department of Commerce is not reassuring These two South Korean companies need to send new manufacturing machines of integrated circuits to their China plants to protect their competitiveness, and without the approval of the US administration they cannot do so. Lithography equipment that manufactures asml They incorporate American technologies (The ultraviolet light source of UVE and UVP machines is produced by the company of Californian origin Cymer, which is now integrated into ASML). And presumably the lithographic equipment of Tokyo Electron, Nikon and Canon also, which gives the US the power to control which countries can use this technology. The Commerce Department has noticed that it will not grant licenses that pursue expand the production capacity in China or update the existing technology The Department of Commerce has anticipated which will deliver the necessary licenses so that foreign chip manufacturers can continue to operate their China plants. The restrictions will begin in 120 days, so these companies They still have some margin to react. However, in its statement the Department of Commerce He has also warned that will not grant licenses that pursue expand production capacity in China or update existing technology. For Samsung and SK Hynix this limitation represents a serious problem. Samsung produces Nand Flash chips in Xian, and SK Hynix manufactures DRAM integrated circuits in Wuxi and Nand Flash in Dalian. Equipating these plants with avant -garde equipment can make a difference in your business. What the US Government pursues with this measure is to minimize the risk that the vanguard wafer lithography and wafering equipment that manufactures ASML, Apply Materials or Tokyo Electron Caigan in the hands of China. In addition, these restrictions make it difficult for the avant -garde chips to produce Samsung and SK Hynix They arrive at China’s distribution chain. A spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce of China has declared that “Beijing opposes this US measure and will take the necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of companies.” On the other hand, the South Korean government is negotiating with its American counterpart to protect the business of its companies in China. Image | ASML More information | Reuters | Nikkei Asia In Xataka | China is very clear about what you should do to win the Chips War to the US: resort to their technology geniuses

China has monopolized the battery market in just ten years. And the US only has one solution: South Korea

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China is the largest electric car exporter on the planet. In 2023 he exported approximately 1.7 million electric vehicleswhich represents more than 30% of its total car exports. Nevertheless, Its international expansion It is being seriously conditioned by the tariffs that are imposing USA or the European Union, among other regions with very serious difficulties to compete with the Chinese electric car. Largely the success of the country led by Xi Jinping in this industry strengthens its leadership in The production of lithium batteries. If we stick to China Fabrica electric cars 57% of batteries that these vehicles use. Catl and Byd are the largest lithium batteries manufacturers on the planet with A market share in 2023 34% and 16% respectively. This Asian country has reached this leadership position due to several factors. On the one hand it is The largest producer in the world of lithium and rare earths, which are the main raw materials used in the manufacture of batteries. In addition, it controls the processing of these materials and is capable of producing large -scale batteries and with a very competitive price. There is currently no indicator that invites us to anticipate that His domain of lithium batteries You will be threatened in the medium term. Even so, the US government is trying to create the appropriate conditions to put an end to China’s leadership in the battery market. South Korea is the strongest alternative to China in the battery industry At the end of July LG Energy Solution, the LG subsidiary specialized in the design and manufacture of lithium batteries, He signed an agreement of 4.3 billion dollars to supply iron and lithium phosphate batteries (LFP) to Tesla for three years. This plan is backed by the current US government and seeks to reduce the global dependence of electric car manufacturers of the Chinese Giants Catl and Byd. LG Energy Solution, Sk On and Samsung Sdi are the main battery manufacturers of South Korea LG Energy solution is The biggest battery manufacturer outside Chinaand, although it is a South Korean company, it is the best asset that the US has to end the Chinese domain. Catl and Byd have in their favor their ability to produce high performance batteries and with a very competitive price, which has caused LG Energy Solution, Sk On and Samsung Sdi, which are the main battery manufacturers of South Korea, Lose market share continuously. In fact, According to the consultant SNE Research Its combined market share has been reduced by 5.4% between January and June 2025. The Trump administration is determined to end this trend, and its strategy is to create in the US the necessary conditions to pave the way to South Korean batteries manufacturers and penalize Chinese producers. To carry out this idea has included A Catl, Byd, Envision Energy, Eve Energy, Gotion, Hithium and other Chinese batteries manufacturers in the list that lists the prohibited foreign entities. The purpose of this initiative is evident: it seeks to prevent US companies from buying batteries and components from China. If, despite this, they will be disqualified when accessing state subsidies. Image | Tennen-Gas More information | Volt Rush In Xataka | Historic record for China: its chips industry has produced in 2024 more than ever despite the sanctions

We knew that many use Starbucks as an office. In South Korea they lead to the printer, and the chain has said enough

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Enter a Starbucks store and meet several people installed with your laptop It is no novelty. The spacious tables, the plugs available, the air conditioning and, of course, the coffee, make these premises a habitual shelter for students and remote workers. A printer on the table. A cardboard separator to isolate itself from the world. A strip to plug laptop, mobile and tablet at the same time. All this has been seen – and is still seen – in some South Korea Starbucks. The phenomenon has shot, and therefore, the chain has decided to intervene. New standards in South Korea. The new regulation is clear: no printers, multi -mitoms or accessories that convert the premises into a portable office. This is what The Korea Herald collects itwhich adds that it is also not allowed to occupy several chairs or leave belongings for hours to “reserve” table. The original poster (left), the translation of Google Lens (right) From this week, employees have instructions to warn those who fail these guidelines. The measure communicates with a poster that already decorates dozens of stores in the country. And although the message is illustrated with a smiling bear, the background has nothing tender. What does it mean to be a 카공족. In South Korea, 카공족 It is the name that receives “the tribe that studies in coffee.” The term combines the words 카페 (cafeteria) and 공부 (study), and is used to describe those who spend hours working or reviewing notes in premises such as Starbucks. What began as a practical and punctual solution has become such a widespread custom that now raises a dilemma: is it a legitimate use of space or silent abuse of the common environment? The social reaction. The Donga Ilbo medium collects The testimony of Professor Seo Kyung-Duk, from the Sungshin Women’s University, who shared the image of the computer equipment with the cardboard separator: “It looks like a private office.” SEgún explainedeven the foreigner who accompanied him was bewildered: “How can anyone mark their territory in a public place like a cafeteria?” He asked, surprised. Some of the images that account for 카공족 in South Korea The author of the photo explained that this person did not return in all the time he remained in the store: “I spent three hours there and did not return once,” he said. Meanwhile, Asia Economy echoed some Of the most repeated reactions among users: “There is not even room to have coffee because of the 카공족,” said a person. Another ironized: “They leave their things and they will eat … is this a ‘Study Café’ or what?” Why have Starbucks Korea acted now? Starbucks has not acted in whim. According to the company, what is at stake is the collective experience. When a large table is occupied for hours by a single person, or when a client is absent leaving their objects as a reservation, the balance between those who enter, consume and leave, and those who turn the place into a personal office. There is also a commercial logic. Maintaining rotation is key in a business where each table counts. If someone occupies a seat for four hours with a single coffee, the impact is not anecdotal. If not, tell the owners of coffees in Barcelona, They are applying their own formula “anti occupies terraces”. Images | Athar Khan | 서경덕 (Via Donga Ilbo) In Xataka | We already know who is going to drink all the coffee that Brazil will not export to the US for the tariffs: China

How the South Korean aesthetic industry turned its beauty model into a global product

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In The era of filters, Collagen capsules and “glass” promisesbeauty has ceased to be local. It is no longer enough to go to the trusted aestheticist or continue A ten steps routine in front of the mirror. Today, to reach the ideal of globalized aesthetic perfection, many take a flight. And the most wanted destiny is not Paris or Beverly Hills, but Seoul. A booming industry. South Korea has become the epicenter of beauty tourism, a global trend that not only transforms faces, but also cultural imaginary and economic figures. In a report for The Timesmore than one million medical tourists traveled to South Korea in 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. 68 % did so specifically to undergo aesthetic procedures, whether plastic surgery or dermatological treatments. And the sector does not stop growing. According to Grand View Researchthe South Korean aesthetic industry – valued at 2.4 billion dollars in 2024 – could exceed 6,300 million in 2030, promoted by international demand and advances in aesthetic technology. An experience “everything in one”. As They have detailed in The TimesGangnam district clinics-yes, the same PSY’s global hit-offer these types of experiences with packages that include 3D facial scanners, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, intravenous sera, microwave treatments to sculpt the face and even functional desserts such as pumpkin purés for post-treatment recovery. The British influencer and doctor Ewoma Ukeleghe shared in The Times Your experience: six treatments in one day, among them they rejure (An injection of salmon DNA) and Lifting wave. The promise of perfection. This boom is not accidental. As We already wrote in Xatakathe phenomenon feeds on multiple factors: the global impact of K-Pop and K-Drams, the Tiktok virality of products such as the Sheet Masks or the Korean tonic, and the rise of star ingredients such as collagen. Korean beauty not only offers visible results, but also an aspirational aesthetic wrapped in ritual, pop and science culture. However, there is also a dark side. As Dr. Christine Hall warns In The TimesIn South Korea there is an intense social pressure to maintain an impeccable image. “Presenting the best version of oneself is a sign of respect for others,” he explains. This logic, which may seem positive on the surface, encourages an extreme culture of perfectionism that, over time, can generate significant psychological impacts: from anxiety related to appearance to dependence on aesthetic treatments to sustain self -esteem. Unequal attention. Despite its international success, the system is not fully adapted to the foreign tourist. Although many clinics have personnel who speak English, others still depend on automatic translators such as Google Translate. In the Times report They tell the story of Ukeleghe, who reported how a nurse approached with an injection without explaining what it was; She, being a medical one, understood that it was a corticosteroid. But a patient without knowledge could have panicked. In addition, there is a real lack of attention to ethnic diversity. As experts in Byrdie point outNot all clinics have experience in working with skin tones other than Asia. This can lead to unexpected results, especially in laser or pigmentation treatments. The new Türkiye? The phenomenon reminds the boom of aesthetic surgeries in Türkiye or Colombia. In 2022, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Armegoons reported a 35% increase in complications among British patients who traveled to Türkiye for procedures such as liposuctions or implants, According to The Times. On the other hand, in Colombia, procedures such as the “360 liposculpture” or the increase in buttocks achieved such popularity that they attracted tourism from whole countries, although they were also subject to research for deaths and bad praxis, As The New York Times reported. And South Korea is not exempt from risks. During his visit, Ukeleghe rejected sedation precisely for not being clear about the presence of an anesthetist in case of emergency. In social networks, a viral video circulated – then eliminated – in which an American woman denounced having lost vision in an eye after a complication with Juvenlook, one of the most popular treatments in Korea. Although the case was not officially verified, the event generated concern and debate. In addition, Dr. Hall warns of “factory” clinics that apply treatments with just minutes of previous evaluation, reducing costs at the expense of security. The pressure of not aging. The rise of collagen as a magical solution for youth is no stranger to this ecosystem. As we wrote in Xatakahas become a symbol of self -care, but also of aesthetic anxiety. Although some studies point to mild benefits in elasticity or joint health, many are funded by the brands themselves. Even so, marketing insists: hydrolyzed, vegetable collagen, peptides, exosomes … Everything is sold as the new elixir. But perhaps the problem is not in the ingredients, but in a society that penalizes any trace of the passage of time, especially in women. The female social and professional invisibility when aging is not a myth: it is documented. More, less scalpel. The next border of Korean beauty tourism is marked by artificial intelligence and extreme customization. According to Byrdietreatments created from genetic analysis, facial scans and aging prediction algorithms are expected. Beauty becomes not only attainable, but calculable. A symptom that goes further. In this context, it may be worth asking if the real challenge is not in technology, but in ideal. In other words, perhaps the collagen is not the elixir of youth, but the reflection of a society that seeks to stop the clock at all costs. Dr. Hall emphasizes that the aesthetic innovation in Korea advances at such a speed that some treatments that promise to be revolutionaries end up disappearing before consolidating or even arriving in Europe. What today is a trend, tomorrow can be obsolete. Meanwhile, the clinics are still full, the flights to Seoul are sold as an investment in oneself and the hashtags like #kbeeautytrip do not stop accumulating millions of visualizations. Perhaps the real challenge is not to soften … Read more

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