Month: October 2025

“it’s cheaper than a residence”

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Marty and Jessica Ansen have been married for 57 years and love traveling by cruise, although due to work and family they did not do it as much as they would have liked. In June 2022 they decided to take a radical turn to your lifestyle and they boarded the Coral Princess cruise ship for the first time in Brisbane, Australia. That moment marked a journey across the seven seas that has not yet ended. Since then they have traveled on some 111 cruises, making these enormous ships your new floating home, with confirmed reservations until September 2027. According to his family, traveling the world aboard a cruise is cheaper than a residence …and much more fun. On endless vacations As the cruise company Princess Cruises in Australia shared in your Instagram profileMarty and Jessica Ansen have been on cruises for 2,335 days of their lives, on 111 voyages, and they already have 33 more cruises booked until 2027. This routine of non-stop sailing has allowed them to enjoy trips around the world, with access to unlimited food, high-level entertainment and a community atmosphere on board where they have even made friends among the crew and other passengers. On board, the couple combines the adventure of waking up every day in a different port with a comfortable life, since the cruise includes cleaning services and food included, which saves them from many of the responsibilities of life on land. “Now we no longer know how to wash the dishes or make our beds because we haven’t done that in a long time. So now we have to stay on board to survive,” Marty joked in an interview for Australian television. Plus, they can stay connected with their family. The couple of cruise passengers take advantage of the scales that cruise ships do in different parts of Australia to visit their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Plus, as Ren van Rooyen, hotel manager aboard the Coral Princess, said, Marty and Jessica are “kind of like local celebrities,” so it’s easy for them to make friends during their travels. Tap on the photo to go to the original message How the couple told in a report of The TelegraphThey also take advantage of these stops to visit friends from all over the world that they have made during their travels. “When our ship visits other countries, we meet up with family and friends we have met at sea in places like Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Alaska and New Zealand,” Marty told the British newspaper. Living aboard a cruise ship The most common thing is to imagine cruise ships as a temporary place to stay during a vacation. However, just as there are people who live permanently in hotels, there are also those who live all year round. on board cruises. That is the case of Marty and Jessica who, according to their children and grandchildren, find it cheaper to live on board the cruise than in a nursing home. According to their statements, the budget includes everything: from unlimited food to a bed made daily. Furthermore, it includes access to activities and medical services on board, which is an important advantage for elderly people. To stay healthy and active, retirees have created a simple but effective daily routine that includes an hour of table tennis together each morning. This daily exercise contributes to their physical and mental well-being, while they enjoy the changing landscape and the multiple services that the cruise offers. Although this way of life has multiple advantages, not everything is perfect for the couple. A big drawback is the constant changing of time zones while traveling around the world, which makes it difficult for them to keep clear control of elapsed time and can lead to some disorientation. Additionally, Marty jokingly confessed that he misses “being able to drive wherever I wanted to go whenever I wanted,” a limitation typical of life in the sea. However, these small setbacks are considered minor details compared to the experience of living aboard a cruise ship and enjoying a unique lifestyle that for them is more economical and satisfying than a traditional nursing home. In Xataka | A millionaire has been living from cruise to cruise for 25 years: his biggest problem has not been money, but balance Image | Princess Cruises

we have gone from medical diagnoses to adopting viral labels

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Social media has changed the way we understand, share and fear for our health. In this accelerated ecosystem, certain expressions born in science—or on its margins—propagate with astonishing rapidity. We have all heard words like microplastics, cortisol or, most recently, endocrine disruptors. Cold, technical terms, which nevertheless burn on TikTok and Instagram, turned into universal explanations for diffuse symptoms. Thus, they stop being a biomedical term and become something more: an identity label, a cause, a refuge from uncertainty. From scientific word to hashtag viral. The phenomenon is not new. Every once in a while, a word of medical jargon slips into everyday discourse, amplified by short videos and emotional narratives. In fact, recently the Chinese government has begun to regulate influencers that talk about health, demanding credentials or blocking imprecise terminology. The move illustrates the power of these terms: They no longer remain in the laboratory, but permeate popular culture. As explained the psychologist Alejandra de Pedro to Xatakaplatforms “not only amplify terms because they are new, but because they keep you inside.” On TikTok, he comments, if someone writes “endocrine disruptor” in the comments, the app highlights it in blue to invite a search. “And from there you enter a hole of videos on the subject. The platform wants you to spend more time, not learn more,” he points out. Furthermore, the logic of the algorithm is mixed with that of the human being: curiosity, fear, the desire for control. According to the psychologist Sergio Traver also consultedviralization is explained by two simultaneous factors: novelty (“attracts attention”) and simplification (“if this also solves a problem, it has a greater impact on us”). Various investigations confirm that the dissemination of incorrect or simplified information about health on networks is high. A systematic review found that the most viral topics They were vaccines, chronic diseases and diets, and that the spread of misinformation reached up to 87% in some cases. The more “credible” a content appears—and the less harm it appears to cause—the greater its dissemination. Viral words or authority? Viral words are not innocent labels, they function as symbols: they evoke authority (they sound scientific), they offer explanation (albeit simplified) and they generate community. Traver points out that the belief system is key: biomedical terms have greater impact because we “accept” the medical system as legitimate. De Pedro adds that there is a component of “borrowed authority”: if I say “endocrine disruptor”, it sounds technical, diffuse, the user does not usually question the source. For this reason, a viralized health term can become a kind of linguistic refuge, a formula for name what worries us without needing to go into nuances. In times of uncertainty—pandemic, climate crisis, information saturation—these terms act like amulets: they give a name to fear, they make it shareable, create community: “I know it too”, “I take care of myself”. Traver comments that sharing these terms can provide validation (“I identify with this”), and De Pedro speaks of the search for identity/belonging that acts in the background. The social function of the term. In a world where fear of the unknown is high (post-pandemic, mediatization of health, ecological crisis), these terms offer something that many demand: quick responses, labels that clear ambiguity, community. De Pedro describes it like this: “If a person is distressed and I tell him that it is all the fault of the ‘traumas’ (without explaining well what that is), I will be able to give him a pseudo-explanation… When using a fashionable term in health there is a feeling of control, of knowing something that others did not know.” Traver complements this by pointing out that “when someone names microplastics, we remember that news story that was related to cancer… These terms generate a network of associations that arouse fear and these emotions have been related to faster responses, seeking information.” And therein lies the crux of the matter: emotion—fear, indignation, anxiety—is not the error, it is the fuel. Recent studies show that false health rumors they spread faster than true information when they convey strong emotions (for example, condemnation, indignation) that appeal to morality. Furthermore, it comes into play confirmation bias: we tend to believe first what fits with our previous ideas. In this way, the user searches and shares only what reinforces their vision of the world, closing the circle of viralization. Viralization vs veracity. The problem comes when simplification becomes distortion. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the danger of infodemics: the overabundance of information—correct or not—that confuses more than it guides. Scientific reviews, such as those published in Health Promotion International and PLOS ONEagree that social networks are fertile ground for the spread of health misinformation, especially when emotion is appealed to rather than evidence. Traver summarizes it like this: “Technical concepts rarely explain the why of something, they only delimit probabilities. But in networks they become closed certainties.” And De Pedro adds: “A false illusion of knowledge is generated. People believe they understand what they do not understand and they begin to distrust professionals.” The result is a scenario where anxiety fuels the search for explanations, and networks offer answers that are as quick as they are inaccurate. And the influencers arrive. The spread of these terms is not accidental. Platforms prioritize retention, engagement, and emotional hooks. The rise of influencers health has multiplied this phenomenon. Some do rigorous outreach work; others, not so much. “The problem is with those who put the share to scientific evidence,” warns Sergio Traver. Studies confirm that false or viral content circulates more easily if it evokes moral emotions, if it seems credible and if it is not excessively harmful. a study published in Nature shows that viral posts can significantly modify user behavior in the short and long term. In short, the viralization of health works at the intersection of four elements: technical term, emotion, algorithm and vulnerable audience. A cocktail is very difficult to control. What is at stake. The most worrying consequence is not … Read more

We have discounts of up to 50% on computers and laptops

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We are now very close to entering November, a month that many are looking forward to because of Black Friday. This event is full of offers every year and allows us to renew devices or appliances, saving a lot along the way. Now, that does not mean that the rest of the year we do not have important offers and the best example of this is given to us HP Store Fall Sales, some that are already very close to finishing. There is a lot to choose from, regardless of whether we are looking for a laptop or a desktop computer. To make your task a little easier, below we leave you a selection of some of the most interesting offers that are still available. HP 240R G10 Laptop by 676.39 eurosa versatile and current equipment that is perfect for the tightest budgets. HP EliteBook X Flip G1i Laptop by 2,358.29 eurosa very powerful option that has a touch screen. HP Pro 260 G9 Mini PC by 531.19 eurosa small desktop, but with a great price and good configuration. HP Pro 290 G9 Tower PC by 627.99 eurosanother desktop option with a little more power than the previous one. Portable HP EliteBook Ultra G1q by 1,690.67 eurosa laptop with a Qualcomm processor ideal for the most demanding tasks. HP 240R G10 Laptop The first of the devices that we bring you is this 240R G1, a very compact and current device that offers great value for money right now. It is a 14-inch version that comes with an Intel Core 5 120U processor, 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. It comes with Windows 11 Pro, important now that its previous version is no longer supported. We can purchase it for 676.39 euros (its price was 863.52 euros). HP 240R G10 15″ Professional Laptop The price could vary. We earn commission from these links HP EliteBook X Flip G1i Laptop If we need a powerful and versatile device, then this EliteBook X Flip G1i may be a better fit for us. It also has a 14-inch screen, although this time it is a touch panel. Inside we have an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor along with 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD, making it a perfect configuration for demanding tasks. comes out for 2,358.29 euros. HP EliteBook X Flip G1i 14″ Professional Laptop with AI Wolf Pro Security Edition with 3-year warranty The price could vary. We earn commission from these links HP Pro 260 G9 Mini PC What if we are looking for something fixed, economical and with good performance? Then it is possible that this HP Pro 260 G9 would be great for us, which also takes up very little space. Its processor is a 13th generation Intel Core i3 1315U, which is accompanied by 8 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. It also has Windows 11 Pro and includes both a wired mouse and keyboard. Costs 531.19 euros. HP Pro 260 G9 Mini Professional PC The price could vary. We earn commission from these links HP Pro 290 G9 Tower PC Another desktop option, larger than the previous one and also with a more powerful processor. In this case, we have a 13th generation Intel Core i5 13500, a CPU that is accompanied by 8 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. Of course, like the previous one, it also comes with Windows 11 Pro and includes both a wired mouse and keyboard. We have it available for 627.99 euros. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links HP EliteBook Ultra G1q Laptop We close with another laptop, this time with the EliteBook Ultra G1q. This device comes with a processor from Qualcomm, the same company responsible for some of the most powerful mobile chips on the market. Thanks to it, the Snapdragon X1-78-100, this device offers great performance for tasks of all kinds. In addition, it has 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD and its screen offers 2.2K resolution (2,240 x 1,400 pixels). It is reduced to 1,690.67 euros. HP ProBook 4 G1q Professional Laptop The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | HP Store In Xataka | Best laptops in quality price: which one to buy based on use and eight recommended models In Xataka | Best ultrabooks: which one to buy and 10 recommended light laptops from 600 to 1700 euros

Carratraca was a small town in Malaga with 800 inhabitants. Now it will be the largest natural theme park in Europe

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Carratraca is a small town in Malaga that does not reach the 800 neighbors. Yeah ‘Evolution Park’ It meets its objectives in a short time, however, it will have a unique facility in Spain and an international reference: a theme park dedicated to nature that (among many other claims) wants to be equipped with the longest aquarium in the world and the largest aviary in the country. Along the way, by the way, it aspires to mobilize a million-dollar investment and generate a volume of employment that is equivalent to 45% of the entire population of Carratraca. One figure: 786. They are the neighbors who (according to the INE) are registered in carratracaa small municipality in the Guadalteba regionprovince of Malaga. There, in the heart of the Sierra del Agua, is where an ambitious project has begun to take shape that aspires to become a benchmark beyond Malaga, Andalusia or even Spain: Evolution Parka theme park dedicated to nature that, according to the data outlined by the Board, it will have the longest aquarium in the world and the largest aviary in the country, among other attractions. What exactly will you offer? The regional government presents it as “a nature theme park”, a large facility located on the slopes of the Sierra de Aguas and Sierra Blanquilla that aspires to become into “a reference center for sustainable tourism”. That is at least the philosophy’s rhetoric. If we look for specific details, it comes with reviewing the Andalusian newspaper archives. After all, the project is not new: takes years on the table, although its future seems to have cleared up in recent months thanks to the endorsement administrative. Animals, cabins… and a ‘mega aquarium’. Although the latest What has emerged from the park is that it will have “the longest aquarium in the world”, the largest aviary in Spain, a natural history museum, planetarium and 360º cinema. The Andalusian press has been making some progress for some time. keys of the project. For example, it will have animals, although it will move away from the traditional concept of a zoo. There is who points In fact, it will also act as a wildlife rescue center, recreate habitats and be the biggest theme park of the nature of Europe. In April SOUTH pointed out that the enclosure will include themed accommodation (such as African-style cabins), a museum with replicas of extinct animals made by paleoartists, a simulator type ‘Flying Theater’ or a train that will allow visitors to move around the enclosures and observe the animals safely. Regarding the aquarium, he pointed out that it will measure about 80 meters long. All in one large farm of the Sierra del Agua located just four kilometers from the urban center of Carratraca and connected through the A-354 highway. The town is located about an hour’s drive from the center of Malaga. Another figure: 10 million. Although the initiative seems to have aroused enthusiasm in the Board and the City Council, in reality it is a private proposal which will start with an investment of three million of euros and will end up mobilizing around 10 million. Behind is Ecological and Recreational Estate Arroyo las Cañas 2013. The diary SOUTH clarify that to give shape to the project, a land of around 200 hectares was chosen within the municipality of Carratraca and that the idea (at least today) is to have the project ready in four years. “It’s not just sun and beach”. If the future park is in the news today, it is because its promoters have managed to go beyond paper and infographics. The laying of the first stone of Evolution Park was celebrated on Thursday, a symbolic ceremony which, however, is interesting for two reasons: first because it confirms that the project is alive; second, because it has demonstrated its institutional support. The Minister of Tourism, Arturo Bernal, attended the event, for example, and highlighted that the complex “will generate an economic and social impact” that will make the small Malaga town “a new benchmark for nature tourism.” 350 jobs. A curious fact about Evolution Park is that it aspires to generate a volume of jobs that is equivalent to almost half of the population of Carratraca (780 residents), as it was responsible for underline yesterday the Junta de Andalucía. “This unique project in Europe, with a private investment of 10 million, will promote the creation of more than 350 direct and indirect jobs,” celebrated the leader, who insisted that Evolution Park will help diversify the tourist offer of the entire province. “Projects like this are the best proof of why Andalusia is a leading and reference destination. A destination that is not only sun and sand, but also mountains, culture, heritage, sustainability and life.” Images | Andalusia Tourism, Ian Schneider (Unsplash) and Ministry of Tourism and Foreign Andalusia (X) In Xataka | The coast of Huelva has been touristed for decades. Now one of its last virgin areas will become a megaurbanization

Halloween is coming and the temptation is to put on some terrifying plastic contact lenses. Science has its reservations

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Costumes, scares, moviespassages of terror and also the occasional party is undoubtedly something that we will see in this Halloween nightalthough among all these elements there is a protagonist that can undoubtedly become a risk to our health: colored cosmetic contact lenses. The color of the eyes. To dress up in the most faithful way to the character we want to resemble, eye color may be essential. In the case of Halloween, it may be interesting to have them red or some other color that conveys a feeling of fear, such as those of the famous ‘Valak’ or ‘The Nun‘. But it can undoubtedly be a serious problem for our health. And on many occasions we want something that is economical to be able to dress up and we can choose to buy these contact lenses in a store that is not specialized in these products such as a bazaar. All because to wear it for a while at night you are not going to invest a large amount of money in a special contact lens. But we forget that we are buying a product that will be in contact with our eyes, which are really delicate. Doubts. Ophthalmologist Damián Teillard through his TikTok account It alerts us to all the problems that can arise, such as infections, corneal abrasions, blurred vision or eye fatigue when colored contact lenses are used without adaptation, with poor hygiene or throughout the night. That is why you are committed to making the purchase at an authorized optician to try them the days before. The scientific evidence. But beyond what this ophthalmologist says, we also find a large amount of scientific literature that documents all of these problems. An exampleor we have in the magazine eye that reviews these cosmetic contact lenses and demonstrates the appearance of severe microbial keratitis associated with these products that are purchased without health control. More cases. We have another example in the TFOS report on the impact of contact lenses on the ocular surface, details that their inappropriate use (sleeping with them for example) damages the epithelium, alters the tear film and increases the risk of infection. Something quite common in a situation where many people opt for these contact lenses without having ever worn this product before, so they lack the recommendations to avoid problems when wearing them. In this way, the evidence on periocular cosmetics and ocular surface underlines that makeup and formulations around the eye They can irritate, destabilize the tears and increase discomfort if combined with contact lenses. Elevation of risk. With all this, we can see how buying contact lenses in bazaars or unauthorized websites that have poor quality produces a significant injury that can end in visual loss in the most severe cases. Among these complications we see the keratitis, conjunctivitis or corneal abrasions and ulcers that require ophthalmological treatment in many emergency cases. How to use it correctly. In order to avoid all these problems, the crucial thing is to purchase them from authorized opticians and with the advice of ophthalmological professionals. But you must also follow the basic recommendations for contact lenses, such as sleeping with them, putting them on with clean hands, not sharing them with several people, and always applying makeup after putting on the lenses and removing makeup with them to protect the ocular surface. With all this you can achieve a night of terror but without the eye ending up suffering from the misuse of contact lenses that we find in any bazaar or on the internet. Images | Grégoire Hervé-Bazin In Xataka | There is nothing that makes blue eyes blue. If we want to understand why, we have to turn to physics

If you thought the AI ​​bubble was worrying, it’s because we hadn’t entered its next phase: debt

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Big technology companies have issued $75 billion in bonds and loans between September and October 2025: Meta leads with 30,000 million. Followed by Oracle (18,000 million in bonds plus a loan of 38,000 million). And Broadcom (27 billion). The figure is equivalent to what these three companies used to borrow in an entire year. Why is it important. The shift from liquidity to debt marks a turning point in the AI ​​race. For years, these companies financed their infrastructure with cash flows, but now they are resorting to debt: Debt not linked to bonds has gone from 15% to 30% of its capital. The money trail. Oracle has closed the largest syndicated loan (a joint loan by several banks to a single client) in its history: 38 billion for data centers. Meta, for its part, is allocating its 30,000 million to campuses in Virginia and Oregon. And Broadcom uses them to strengthen its semiconductor division and its network equipment. The threat. Paying the interest on all this debt now consumes 15% of these companies’ operating profits, compared to 10% a year ago. And the cost of borrowing has risen: corporate bonds are near their most expensive levels since 2022. If the energy bill rises by 20% – a more than likely scenario given the stress on electrical networks – or if AI does not generate the expected revenue, these companies could see their credit rating reduced and trigger a chain crisis. Yes, but. Large investors continue to buy these bonds, attracted by returns of 6%. Money flows because official interest rates are at 3.75%so lending to these technology companies seems like a good deal. The problem is that any sudden change in rates can make these bonds lose value. And fast. At stake. Debt finances the AI ​​revolution, but also makes it more fragile and technology companies continue to increase their investment. If inflation returns or profits fail, the same debt that accelerates innovation could become a liability. Investors, meanwhile, continue to win; but they assume the risk of the storm. In Xataka | Apple is resisting the push for AI PCs because AI PCs have caused complete indifference Featured image | Towfiqu barbhuiya

In 2007, 20% of homes were bought by young Spaniards. Now that gap is being filled by another group: foreigners

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With the skyrocketing priceshe decoupling between supply and demand in cities and a market increasingly inaccessiblethe notaries of Spain have found themselves with a curious fact (not unexpected) when reviewing the home buying and selling data. Operations led by young people have collapsed in recent decades. If in 2007 they represented 22.5% of the total, now they do not reach 10%. Of course, all groups have followed the same dynamic. The statistics Notaries show that there is another group of buyers that has experienced a diametrically opposite trend: foreigners. What has happened? That the General Council of Notaries (CGN) has launched a new tool on-line which helps us better understand the Spanish real estate market. Above all to study key aspects such as the evolution of prices, the pace of purchases and sales or the amount of operations, offering an alternative vision to that of portals such as Idealista. If something has attracted attention During its presentation, however, another indicator was: the weight of young people in the real estate market. Or rather, how it has been receding little by little. What does the data say? The conclusion of the notaries is quite clear. If we look back and analyze the last two decades, we see that “the presence of young people in the market has been drastically reduced.” In 2007, the younger population (those between 18 and 30 years old) was behind 22.53% of sales. Today that percentage has been reduced to 9.55%. In fact, the statistical portal shows that they are one of the groups with the smallest footprint on the market, only behind the group that is already over 70 years old. In general the latest data Updated CGN data show that those under 31 years of age have represented 9.35% of buyers over the last year, far from the 25.7% of the 31-40 age group or 26.89% of the 41-50 age group. For more than a decade, in fact, the average age of those who buy has been around 50 years old. It’s not surprising at all. Other studies have been pointing out for some time the difficulties with which young people encounter to access the real estate market (only a part manages to buy or rent) and above all its gradual weight loss. Do they show anything else? Yes. Young Spaniards may play a much more discreet role in the sector today than just a few years ago, but there is another group that has grown. So much in fact that has covered the gap left by those less than 30 years old. CGN data show that operations carried out by foreigners have skyrocketed in the last two decades: from representing 7.5% of the total in 2007, they have risen to 20.1%. The Vanguard specifies that the increase has been especially pronounced in the case of non-residents, who would be purchasing of the order of 50,000-60,000 properties per year. He statistical portal of notaries allows us to go a few steps further and get a more approximate idea of ​​which foreign citizens are interested in the Spanish real estate market. According to their updated data, the British represent 8.7%, the Moroccans 7.7% and the Italians are close to 7%. They are followed on the list by Germans (6.9%) and Romanians (6.4%). It is interesting that in some of these groups, such as the British, the percentage of non-resident buyers is higher than those who do have their habitual residence in Spanish territory. When comparing the evolution of foreign buyers and young people (between 18 and 31 years old), the data must however be handled with some caution, since the General Council of Notaries does not clarify to what extent they overlap. And what about the prices? In recent years the real estate market has been marked by another phenomenon as or even more relevant: rising prices. The data of Idealistic show that, in Spain, on average, the square meter of residential use cost 1,522 euros in September 2015. It now stands at 2,517. The data does not exactly match the calculated by the notaries, but it still gives an idea of ​​the increase in housing prices. The group estimates that last year the sector recorded a variation rate price increases of 7.12%, one of the highest in the last decade. In fact, it was only surpassed in 2022, when the figure was 7.23%. “From January to August 2025, apartment prices in Spain (new and second-hand housing) have increased by 8% compared to 2024. This situation is worsened in the country’s capital, with Madrid registering a price increase of 15.2%. In Barcelona the increase reaches 9.23%,” concludes the CGN. The director of the Technological Center of Notaries, Alberto Martínez Lacambra, admits In fact, the rise in housing prices “is beginning to be worrying.” And beyond prices? The weight loss of young people is explained by several factors. Although the increase in the price of residential m2 is a key factor, there is an added difficulty in saving (costs rise in the purchase and sale market, but also in the rental market) and accessing credit or deep imbalance between demand and supply that the most saturated markets suffer from. The situation is so complex and young people have it so difficult that in fact notaries have found another revealing surprise: they are increasingly most common donations of housing (or cash for purchases) between parents and children. Regarding the increase in foreign buyers, the trend coincides with another undeniable reality. One that goes beyond the effect of extinct ‘golden visa’: he general increase of the foreign population, which has helped Spain increase its GDP and strengthening of the registry, a reality recognized by the INE itself. In recent years, the country has also gained appeal as a vacation destination, to the point that it threatens to become with more visitors of the planet. Images | Emil Gabrovski (Unsplash) and Roberto Tjalondo (Unsplash) In Xataka | A 40m2 “capsule” for 25,000 euros: the Chinese solution to housing that … Read more

proposes an ERE for 1,200 employees in Madrid and Barcelona

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The round of more than 30,000 layoffs that Amazon announced at the beginning of the week seemed something far away. Finally, the figure was lowered to 14,000 layoffswhich is still dramatic. However, two companies linked to Amazon in Spain have initiated employment regulation files (ERE) for their workers in Madrid and Barcelona, ​​which indicates that Spain is also among Amazon’s workforce reduction plans. 1,200 jobs between Madrid and Barcelona Just a few days ago, Amazon announced a round of staff layoffs that would affect some 14,000 employees around the world. According what was published by EFE and Europa Press, the company’s corporate employees in Spain will be part of that adjustment. As confirmed by Amazon at the request of Xataka, two employment regulation files have been opened in the companies Amazon Digital Spain, whose offices are located in Madrid, and Amazon Spain Services, located in Barcelona. The combination of both processes will affect up to 1,200 employees of these corporate offices. Sources from EFE point out that the layoffs would be limited only to the staff of those offices, but not to the operations and logistics part that Amazon has spread throughout the national territory. Amazon’s global workforce is estimated at around 1.5 million employees, of which around 350,000 hold corporate positions. According to data from 2025 provided by Amazonits staff in Spain would be about 28,000 employees distributed in 19 provinces. Amazon indicated in its official statement on the reduction of 14,000 jobs globally, that those affected would be offered a period of 90 days to look for a new position within the company, although it was clarified that this period could vary depending on the legislation in force in each country, so we do not know if those affected by this ERE will be able to relocate to other positions within the company. It’s not for money, it’s for agility Amazon’s decision in Spain is known just after publishing one rrising economic resultsin a context in which the company continues to break turnover and profit records. The reaction from the Government has not been long in coming from the Minister of Labor, who from her profile on BlueSky has attacked Amazon and its founder: “A company that has million-dollar profits and that leaves its workers stranded is a model of shame. The “Amazon miracle” is this: Jeff Bezos at the service of Trump, not paying taxes, destroying small businesses and mistreating its workers,” wrote Yolanda Diaz. Unlike what usually happens, the constant layoffs that are taking place in large technology companies (and in other that they are not) They are not explained in a context of financial crisis of those companies (which, in fact, set records in your quotes) but in a scenario of optimizing their templates to be more agile in the race for AI. This is how Andy Jassy, ​​CEO of Amazon, explained it in recent statements reported by CNBC: “It’s actually a question of culture. If you grow as fast as we did for several years, you know, the size of the companies, the number of people, the number of locations, the types of businesses you’re in, you end up with many more people than before, and you end up with many more layers.” Eliminating those layers of middle positions reduces your internal bureaucracy and speeds up decisions. In Xataka | Big Tech doesn’t stop firing its engineers. At the same time, they have stepped on the accelerator in hiring Image | amazon

The lack of additives at low-cost gas stations does not keep drivers up at night. That’s why Moeve wants to be more Ballenoil

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Moeve has changed its strategy and has done so in a big way. In just 12 months, the company has converted 50 of its service stations traditional to Ballenoil, its low-cost brand. And since this type of gas stations began to become popular, the ‘lack’ of additives It has not been a concern for consumers who, above all, prioritize their pockets. The transformation has been especially intense since this summer, when the oil company decided to accelerate the process of further prioritizing its low-cost brand in strategic points throughout the Peninsula. Transformation. The old one Cepsa bought Ballenoil in November 2023 with a clear objective: to challenge Repsol for the crown, which maintains the largest share of the Spanish market. But it is not only about growing the number of gas stations. And it seems that Moeve has understood that the future involves being present in two worlds: the premium, where it maintains its traditional brand, and the low cost, where the customer seeks to fill the tank at a lower cost. From Moeve confirm to the Vozpópuli medium that “both premium and low cost are important to respond to the expectations of our customers.” The perfect timing. Although fuel prices have fallen since all-time highs which they reached after the Russian invasion of Ukraine (when they exceeded two euros per liter), continue to remain at high levels. The liter of 95 octane gasoline exceeds 1.45 euros on average and diesel is close to 1.40 euros, according to data from CincoDías. Logically, given the rise in fuel prices, many drivers are looking for specifically economical gas stations, and that is where the low-cost ones come in. All in a context in which traditional oil companies focus on attracting customers through their promises of premium fuel and additives. Figures. The integration of Ballenoil has made Moeve exceed 2,000 service stations in the Iberian Peninsula for the first time, reaching 2,040 gas stations, according to 2024 financial data. The figure is expected to increase before the end of the year. The pace of transformation accelerated in June, when 16 stations changed their image in a single month. Just like affirms In the middle, during September and October the conversions continued, prioritizing territories where the company already has a greater presence. Madrid leads this transformation with nine gas stations that become Ballenoil, followed by Barcelona, ​​Navarra, Albacete, Ciudad Real, Granada, Seville and Badajoz. The Ballenoil network has also allowed Moeve to penetrate areas where it did not previously have a presence, especially in Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Andalusia and several regions of Castile. The rise of low cost. Low cost gas stations already represent 20% of all stations in Spain, according to inform the EconomíaDigital medium, with more than 2,400 installations spread throughout the country. As the media explains, the savings for the driver can exceed 0.18 euros per liter compared to traditional brands, a difference that ends up being noticed with each refueling. And the forecasts point high, which could mean a major structural change in the national oil panorama. Ballenoil, Plenergy and Petroprix are leading this transformation, betting on automated systems and simplified infrastructure that allow them to reduce costs. Manuel Sáez, CEO of Ballenoil, declared to CincoDías that the objective is to “exceed 380 operational service stations” in the second half of the year and “reach 500 throughout 2027.” Competence. Ballenoil has reached 350 service stations in Spain, becoming the leader in number of points of sale within the low cost segment. Plenergy follows closely, with 340 gas stations (331 in Spain and 9 in Portugal) and plans to reach 370 this year. However, Plenergy leads in business volume: closed 2024 with 1,385 million liters sold, a growth of 43% compared to the previous year. For its part, Petroprix, with 165 stations in Spain, has opted for a different strategy, prioritizing international expansion in markets such as Portugal, Chile, Panama and Poland. Cover image | engin akyurt In Xataka | Catalonia wants to make variable speed limits a reality. And he is already experimenting to improve the sleep of his neighbors

save on your purchases up to 70 euros with these discount coupons

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It’s Halloween, which means the month of November is just a few hours away. This month has Black Friday, but it is not necessary to wait much longer to go for deals. The reason? When midnight strikes tonight will begin AliExpress Mega Choice Dayan event full of bargains in technology and that, as usual, comes with discount coupons to save even more on our purchases. Discount minimum purchase coupon 2 euros 14 euros ESCD02 4 euros 23 euros ESCD04 7 euros 49 euros ESCD07 12 euros 89 euros ESCD12 20 euros 159 euros ESCD20 35 euros 279 euros ESCD35 45 euros 369 euros ESCD45 55 euros 449 euros ESCD55 70 euros 569 euros ESCD70 The event, which will last until November 7 at 11:59 p.m., It will allow us to get everything at a very good price: from mobile phones to tablets, through consoles, smart watches and more. The offers will not be available for a few hours, but there are some very interesting devices that already indicate the price and that allow us to get ahead tonight to avoid them being sold out. To make your task a little easier, below we leave you a selection of the most interesting offers that we can find: Samsung Galaxy S25 by 590.24 eurosa high-end phone ideal for compact lovers. Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro by 301.17 eurosa powerful and very versatile tablet. nintendo switch 2 by 470.18 eurosthe new Nintendo console in a pack with ‘Mario Kart World’. POCO X7 Pro by 219.61 eurosa very interesting quality-price option. OnePlus Watch 3 by 180.60 eurosa smartwatch launched this year with a very refined design. Samsung Galaxy S25 We start this selection of offers with a Galaxy S25the most economical and compact of this entire family of Samsung phones. It is a perfect option for people who prefer small phones, but without giving up having good performance in our hands. It arrived in stores for over 900 euros, although we can get it on AliExpress for 590.24 euros. Of this device we can highlight its processor, a Snapdragon 8 Elite. In addition, it has 12 GB of RAM and a 6.2-inch screen with 120 Hz. All without forgetting that it has one of the best artificial intelligencehow is Galaxy AIand that has seven years of guaranteed updates. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro We now jump into the field of tablets, and we do so with one from Xiaomi. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro It is a tablet with a very balanced ratio of components that, now with this AliExpress offer, is presented as a great option without having to spend a fortune. It arrived in stores at around 600 euros, but now we can buy it for 301.17 euros. In terms of performance, it is at a good level thanks to another Qualcomm chip, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, which is accompanied by 8 GB of RAM in this version. Its 11.2-inch screen is quite interesting, since It has 144 Hz and is also compatible with Dolby Vision. It has plenty of sound power thanks to its 4 speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos and it has a good 8,850 mAh battery. Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro (8 + 256 GB) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links nintendo switch 2 This AliExpress Mega Choice Day also has consoles at a very good price. One of the ones we can find is also one of the last to hit the stores: nintendo switch 2. This new version was released a few months ago and so far we have not seen it on sale too many times. Now we have a good opportunity to get her, since she comes out 470.18 euros and also comes with ‘Mario Kart World’. We are facing a revision that was already necessary and that is already capable of moving games to 4K when we have it connected to the television through its dock. As was the case with the first Switch, we also have the possibility of removing it from this and enjoy your entire catalog in portable modewhich is an incentive. In addition, we have a great game to release, the new title in the ‘Mario Kart’ saga. Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World The price could vary. We earn commission from these links POCO X7 Pro We return to the field of mobile phones with one from 2025 that will probably be one of the best value for money. We are referring to POCO X7 Proa perfect phone for all those people looking for have the best possible and do not want to spend too much in return. The Xiaomi mobile arrived in stores at a quite competitive price (369.99 euros), but now we can take it for 219.61 euros. One of the things that stands out the most about it is that, despite costing just over 200 euros, it comes with a huge 6,000 mAh battery compatible with 90 W fast charging. In addition, its 6.67-inch AMOLED screen has 1.5K resolution, 120 Hz and a peak brightness of 3,200 nits, so we can enjoy it perfectly even outdoors where there is a lot of light. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links OnePlus Watch 3 We close this selection of offers with a smart watch, in this case the OnePlus Watch 3. This device, also launched this year, is a perfect watch for those people looking to have something with a refined and classic style on their wrist. Of course, It also has a great price right now: 180.60 euros (from the 349 euros it cost at launch). This device, which has a Google operating system (Wear OS 5), comes with a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED type screen with a peak brightness of 2,200 nits and protected with 2D sapphire glass. It is very resistantsince it has IP68 certification and withstands up to 5 ATM. It also has a very good autonomy … Read more

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