Month: October 2025

A 4.4 million-year-old ankle has turned the history of bipedalism and everything we knew about our ancestors upside down.

by

The origin of human bipedalism, the ability to walk on two legs, is one of the great debates in science today. For decades, scientists have wondered what the last common ancestor we share with us was like. chimpanzees and its characteristics. Now an ankle bone has ended up giving us the key we were looking for to rethink everything what we knew about our ancestors. The study. Published in Communications Biology and as the protagonist a 4.4 million year old ankle bone that belonged to a Ardipithecus ramidus. a hominid which was discovered in Ethiopia and which gives us many data about the history of human evolution. And this is because the conclusion is surprising: the ankle of this ancient hominid has surprising similarities with those of modern chimpanzees and gorillas. Something that makes us think that humans evolve from an ancestor similar to African apes, which makes us wonder about how and why we began to walk upright. The great debate. He Ardipithecus ramidusor “Ardi”, is essential in this case. It lived 4.4 million years ago and already displayed hominid characteristics, but combined primitive features such as a prehensile, ape-like big toe with human-derived features in the pelvis and skull. This is what suggests right now that an “early form of bipedalism” was used. The key is in the morphology of the talus, which in Ardi resembles that of African apes more than that of any other fossil hominin analyzed. The objective in this case is to know how our ancestors moved on the surface, but they also climbed trees vertically. This suggests that it made use of both early bipedalism and skills typical of arboreal life, placing Ardi in an intermediate position between Australopithecus and the great apes. And this bone is the fundamental key to knowing how the evolution to bipedalism took place. The challenge. This finding broadly challenges the traditional model of human evolution, which assumed that the last common ancestor with chimpanzees was a generalist and arboreal ape, alien to terrestrial life and bipedalism. New evidence indicates that humans most likely evolved from an African ancestor specialized in vertical climbing and also had plantigrade terrestrial locomotion. That is, with the soles of the feet completely supported like current gorillas and chimpanzees. A true hybrid between the two automotive models. The authors maintain that several lineages (humans, chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas) share a past adapted to mixed life between trees and soil. The subsequent evolution of bipedalism would have been built on that basis, little by little modifying the anatomy and locomotor abilities to stop climbing trees and move on to what we now all use in our daily lives. Its implications. The morphometric data of the ankle of Ardipithecus demonstrate the presence of a structure designed to “push” when walking and improve balance, but without completely losing the ability to grip. The evolutionary process towards complete bipedalism was much more gradual and less linear than what had originally been proposed by experts. Furthermore, the most recent studies not only focus on the talus, but also on the metatarsus and pelvis, confirming that Ardi could walk upright during his short journeys and return to trees to climb and take shelter. This duality is key to understanding how our ancestors adapted to different environments and ecological pressures. What changes. The hybrid anatomy of Ardipithecus ramidus dismantles the chimpanzee ancestor myth, and presents a new branch on our human evolutionary tree. Far from being a rarity, Ardi represents an example of evolutionary transition and the complexities that may exist in the origins of our species. Thus, scientists propose abandoning this concept of a straight line in evolution and embracing an adaptive mosaic between different species. Images | Wikipedia Satya deep In Xataka | The skull that changes everything: a million-year-old fossil suggests that ‘Homo sapiens’ did not come from Africa

Every minute that passes is a piece of Napoleonic jewel that will never be recovered

by

From the moment it was known theft of the Napoleonic jewels Inside the Louvre in Paris, France began two parallel races where they sought to try to recover part of the loot. The first one didn’t last long. The next day he found out that he was not going to receive a single euro. by insurance because French law prevented it. The second, and more complicated, is a race against time, because every second that passes is a piece that may not be able to be recovered. A global black market. I counted this week The Wall Street Journal that the assault on the Louvre has immediately activated the semi-clandestine ecosystem through which stolen art and, in particular, historical jewels circulate: an international circuit that moves billions and that connects diamond cutting workshops in Dubai or Delhi with discreet jewelers in New York, Antwerp or Tel Aviv. The priority now is not only to recover the pieces, or those that can, but to do so before they come in on that circuit and suffer the most feared fate: being dismantled, separated from their mount and converted into anonymous gems and molten gold without a past. Jewelry is not paintings. Unlike a Picasso or a serial watch, a stolen jewel can disassemble in minutes: the gold melts, the diamond is cut, the emeralds are rearranged and historical traceability disappears. Although they lose their premium for Napoleonic symbolic value, they retain their value as raw material. The situation reinforces the incentive: the ounce of gold exceeds $4,000 after go up 60% in one year, detonating a wave of metal thefts throughout Europe. And unlike pictorial art, ancient gems lack microengravings or universal databases that allow them to be blocked from being released to the market: once split and relocated, they disappear. The method. The media counted this week that the coup combined speed and daring, but left a trail unbecoming of a professional command: the assailants used a moving elevator to access through an upper window, burst display cases with radials and fled on scooters… leaving abandoned the elevator itselfthe tools, part of the costume (work vests) and even an imperial crown from the 19th century with 1,400 diamonds and 56 emeralds. For former specialized agents, this distances the Pink Panthers profile (disciplined groups that leave no trace) and suggests a bold but technically weak team, capable of entering, but not maximizing value or minimizing exposure. What will the thieves do now? For the Journalif the museum does not pay a reward or admit negotiation, the only viable commercial path is cutting and atomization: re-cut large diamonds into smaller sizes to erase the mark, separate secondary stones easily absorbed by the gray trade and melt the gold to sell it as metal. The experts remember that a receiving network remains up to 90% of value: the thief usually receives only 10% of the legal market (the “price of silence” that is distributed among those who participate in the risk, the conversion and the shielding of concealment), but even so the black reward can be higher than that of a stolen painting, the trace of which jumps to public bases. The crux. The incentive persists because the penalties are low compared to profit and because the stolen jewel, once decomposed, leaves few traces to incriminate. Experts they propose to reclassify the looting of heritage as cultural terrorism (harnessing penalties and sending a regulatory signal). Plus: it forces museums to raise standards physical and procedural, from the control of systems such as cranes or external platforms to, as a deterrent idea, verifying the identity of visitors elevated to sensitive parts, although this clashes with the tourist experience and the flow of masses. The Louvre remained closed after the robbery, remembering that beyond the property loss there is an immediate reputational and operational cost. It only works in the shade. Everything in the jewel crime revolves around at speed: the faster they pass into the hands of cutters and smelters, the more irreversible the evidentiary damage is and the more liquid the exit to the black market. Delay, on the other hand, increases the logistical risk, multiplies leaks within the criminal chain, opens cracks for denunciations and devalues ​​the loot before it produces income. That is why the decisive race is not so much between thieves and insurers, but between stopwatches: the clock that marks how long it takes the receivers to volatilize the identity of the pieces compared to the one that measures how long it takes the State to close the perimeter and cut escape routes. The only window. If you want, the Louvre robbery embodies the Achilles heel of historical jewels: they allow a high-profile crime with a low profile outlet because their cultural identity is destructible at the will of the gangsters and its material value remains. The paradox is that an imperial loot can end up becoming in minor gems sewn into the lining of a jacket heading to an unknown jeweler before the police complete the first sweep. Thus, the only real window to rescue the assets is not in the trial, but in the very brief interval between the blow and the cuttingand once that threshold is crossed, what is stolen ceases to exist as part of history to survive only as matter. Image | Benh LIEU SONG In Xataka | No wonder the theft of jewels from the Louvre has been so easy: the museum’s security has been a disaster for more than a century In Xataka | If the question is why Napoleon’s jewels were stolen from the Louvre, the answer is simple: to break them into a thousand pieces.

The bidet is dead. The square meter killed it and Scandinavian design buried it

by

In Spanish bathrooms, a classic element is quietly disappearing. The bidet was in almost every home, as inseparable from the toilet as the mirror from the sink. But something has changed. Today, in new urban apartments and modern renovations, the bidet has become a spatial luxury. Instead, as detailed by interior designer Pia Capdevila in Architecture and Design: “Some time ago we replaced them with sanitary showers, which take up less space and are much more functional in small bathrooms.” What do you mean, a faucet? The change has been progressive but unstoppable. Around the 60% of Spanish households They still have bidets, but in new constructions and renovations their disappearance is almost total. The reasons are simple, as interior designer Ana García explains for El Mueble: Bathrooms have been reduced – in cities they are usually around 4 square meters – and every centimeter counts. Maintaining a bidet means reserving about 60 centimeters of width next to the toilet, a space that can be used for a larger shower, a piece of furniture with drawers or simply to gain comfort. In this context, the hygienic shower or “sanitary shower” has become the great substitute. “They are faucets with a small hose and sprayer that are installed next to the toilet. They require almost no space and are very functional,” adds García. In fact, in countries like Thailand or Indonesia, this system—popularly known as boom gun— is the standard of domestic hygiene. A new aesthetic that invades everything. Saying goodbye to the bidet is not just a matter of space, but of cultural and generational change. The architect Carlos Alonso thus sums up the phenomenon in an interview for El Muble: “A client who already has a bidet will surely want to keep it. But one who has never had one will probably not even consider it.” Personal hygiene is understood in a different way, faster and more functional, without additional pieces that interrupt the clean aesthetics of the bathroom. Homes, increasingly smaller and more versatile, prioritize visual order and efficiency. The architect Miriam Gómez in the same medium he points out: “Placing a bidet in the bathroom is a very typical mistake. It takes up a lot of space and is hardly used. We replaced it with a sanitary shower next to the toilet.” Only some cases – large bathrooms or homes with elderly people accustomed to its use – justify maintaining it. But the classic bidet, that low and robust toilet, is already a piece from another era. So what is better? The dilemma is no longer “bidet yes or no?”, but how to maintain the same hygiene without losing space or style. In today’s bathrooms, where the square meter is worth gold, the solutions include compact and functional options. The most common are hygienic showers or side showers, small taps with a hose that are installed next to the toilet and allow you to wash with water without taking up more space. “When space does not allow a bidet, we recommend a faucet attached to the toilet, with two water channels. It is more aesthetic, takes up less space and is just as functional,” explains the architect Carlos Alonso. However, if what you are looking for is one more step in comfort, the future is already here: Japanese toilets – also called smart toilets or washlets – are gaining ground in Spain. According to Architecture and Designmore and more homes are incorporating them, especially in new homes, due to their functionality and compact design. They integrate washing, drying, temperature control and even automatic deodorization functions. Designer Eva Mesa, from Tinda’s Project, explains it with personal experience: “The first time I tried a Japanese toilet I understood that it was a more coherent, cleaner and more evolved system. Once you get to know it, there is no turning back.” And what is more hygienic? Although the bidet has lost ground, medical experts continue to advocate the use of water as the most hygienic method for personal cleansing. According to Dr. Cindy Kina colorectal surgeon at Stanford University Medical Center, water is the standard treatment for removing body dirt in almost all contexts. In addition, it points out that those who use bidets or water showers have between seven and ten times less bacteria on their hands than those who use only toilet paper. Finally, it details that water prevents the irritation that dry paper can cause and is especially recommended for people with sensitive skin, hemorrhoids or in the postpartum stage. The future of the bidet depends on the map. A publication of The Big Data Stats that went viral On networks it showed how more than 60 countries in the world still use the bidet or some similar water hygiene system. The map did not reveal anything that we could not intuit, but it did confirm it with data: the bidet is still alive, although not everywhere in the same way. In Spain, specifically in Zamora, its installation is still mandatory by urban planning regulations, an exception that surprises even municipal architects. Looking towards our Italian neighbors, the bidet is also law: since 1975 it has been mandatory in all bathrooms. For its part, crossing the Atlantic, in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, the bidet maintains a strong cultural presence, as deeply rooted as mate or the water bottle. On the other hand, in much of Asia and the Middle East, the custom remains, but in another format: that of the side faucet or manual shower, as occurs in Thailand, India or Egypt, or even in Brazil, where the version with a hose prevailed over the traditional bidet. The bathroom of the future. The trend is clear: the bathroom will be more compact, technological and sustainable. Perhaps in a few years we will remember the bidet as a domestic relic, like the landline or the record player: something that was essential and barely survives today. But its essence—hygiene with water—is still more alive than ever. Because in … Read more

A giant wave is sweeping across the Milky Way. Scientists currently don’t know why.

by

Our galaxy, Milky Wayis far from a quiet place. It spins, it wobbles and, as a new study just revealed, it also undulates. New ESA data have discovered a colossal wave, baptized as “the great wave” that propagates through the galactic disk in a very similar way to the waves that we have in a pond when we throw a stone. The study. This phenomenon, which has been identified by the team led by Eloisa Poggio of the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica in Italy, is a “corrugation “large-scale vertical” that is superimposed on the already known deformation that our galaxy constantly suffers. In essence, we are facing a wave that causes entire stripes of stars to move “up” and “down.” Great proportions. It is nothing like the waves that we see on our beaches, of course, since we are talking about something on a galactic level. In this case, astronomers know since the 50’s that the disk of the Milky Way it’s not flatbut rather it is deformed (or “warped”) at its edges. Now this study adds an additional structure that no one knew was there. Thanks to Gaia’s incredibly precise measurements, which map the 3D position and 3D motion of stars, the team was able to analyze two populations of young stars: giant stars and classical Cepheids. These maps revealed a gigantic wave that is now coming to light. The figures. In order to understand the magnitude of this phenomenon, we can take into account the following parameters of this phenomenon: Height: the movement of the stars is about 150-200 parsecs, which is up to 650 light years above and below the galactic plane. Length: The structure spans at least 10,000 light years and possibly up to 20,000. Location: affects a vast section of the outer disk, in regions located tens of thousands of light years from the galactic center. The test. The most fascinating thing about the discovery is not just the shape of the wave, but the evidence that it is moving. “What makes this even more compelling is our ability, thanks to Gaia, to also measure the motions of stars within the galactic disk,” explains Poggio. To understand it, the team used a perfect analogue: the wave of a stadium. If we were to freeze the wave that is made in the stands of a stadium, we would see some people standing (the crest), others who have just sat down (the back part) and others who are about to get up (the front part). Something similar happens in the galaxy. The astronomers discovered that the stars with the highest vertical position (the crest) were not the same as the stars with the highest vertical velocity. The maximum speed point was displaced, with a 90º approach phase difference. This phase difference is irrefutable proof that it is a propagating wave. And not only that: the stars inside the corrugation also show a systematic radial motion of 10-15 km/s outward. The conclusion is clear: it is a wave that travels from the interior of the galaxy to its furthest reaches. There is a mystery. Researchers have measured the wave, but don’t know what caused it. The main hypothesis is that the Milky Way suffered an encounter or collision with a smaller dwarf galaxy, but it is not 100% certain. Previous simulations have shown that interaction with a satellite galaxy, such as Sagittarius, can excite exactly these types of vertical waves and corrugations in the galactic disk. This “big wave” is much larger and located much further away than the famous Radcliffe wavea filament of gas about 9,000 light years long located near our Sun. Although both are undulations, scientists believe that they are two different characteristics, although they do not rule out that they may be related in some way. Since the young stars studied (giants and Cepheids) were born from galactic gas, the team suspects that the wave not only carries the stars, but also the gas itself from the disk. The stars would have simply inherited the motion of the gas from which they formed, preserving a “memory” of the wave. Now the investigation must continue. Astronomers are looking forward to Gaia’s fourth data release, which will provide even more precise measurements and help create detailed maps to perhaps finally reveal the origin of our galaxy’s undulating heart. Images | Dns Dgn In Xataka | When stars formed has always been one of the greatest mysteries of the universe. And we are closer to solving it

Leroy Merlin’s Black Friday has started with offers to prepare us against the cold and rain

by

November is the month of Black Friday, an event where most stores (if not all) take the opportunity to launch offers of all kinds. This makes many people wait until these dates to renew or buy new devices and electronics, something that may not be good for us if we need it. The cold and the rain are already knocking at our door and we have something to protect ourselves with on offer thanks to Leroy Merlin and his Black Fridaynow available. If we take a look, we have discounts of up to 40% on items for bathrooms, kitchens, floors and yes, also in heating. The promo has many interesting offers, but to make your task a little easier, we leave you a selection of some of the most interesting: Electric towel radiator by 119 eurosideal for heating the bathroom and drying towels quickly this winter. Fluid thermal emitter by 259 eurosenough to heat medium-sized areas and with WiFi connectivity. Electronic paraffin stove by 179 eurosideal for heating spaces of up to 40 square meters without work. Quartz electric stove by 9.50 eurosa very economical solution for small rooms. Ceiling fan without light by 149 eurosan option with heat mode that we can also use in summer. Electric towel radiator If we are looking for a solution for the bathroom, this towel radiator could fit us very well. It is made of stainless steel and black, and also has 500 W of power. It has a digital screen and measures 107 x 54 x 4 centimeters. It is recommended for an area of ​​6 square meters and we can get it for 119 eurosa good discount if we take into account that Its normal price is 215 euros. Electric towel radiator NTW 11B 500W black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Fluid thermal emitter For rooms between 15 and 19 square meters, this fluid thermal emitter may fit us well. It has 1,500 W of power and WiFi connectivityso we can control it remotely. It can be programmed, it has an electronic thermostat and a system that detects if we have any windows open in the area. Its price right now is 259 euros. Neo 1500W Wifi fluid thermal emitter The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Electronic paraffin stove This electronic paraffin stove is a good alternative for large rooms if we seek not to do work. With a 5.4 liter tank, its autonomy offers approximately 65 hours of operation. It has a timer, saving mode, electronic thermostat and several different speeds. Right now it’s coming out 179 eurosso we would be saving 40 euros compared to its usual price. TOYOTOMI LC-30 Electronic Paraffin Stove The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Quartz electric stove The most economical solution of all is given to us by this electric stove. It is ideal if we are looking to heat a small roomIn addition, it can be easily moved between different rooms in the house as needed. It has 800 W of power, anti-tip safety system and overheating protection. comes out for 9.50 euros. QUARTZ VER electric stove 800 w power The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Ceiling fan without light This ceiling fan gives us a very interesting alternative due to its versatility, since it will serve us both in the cold and in summer. It has a reverse system that helps distribute hot air in the room, which can allow us to save on heating. It is designed for rooms of approximately 20 square meters and comes out 149 euros. Arte Confort Areia Silent DC Outdoor Ceiling Fan Without Light Black 132 cm 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 | Leroy Merlin In Xataka | Which heater to buy: the best models based on power, use cases and price In Xataka | Best quality-price air conditioning. Which one to buy and six recommended models from just over 300 euros

The race to put a humanoid robot in our house has begun. It’s an absurd race

by

A robot that walks around the house picking up what we have left lying around, loads the dishwasher and even starts the washing machine. It is not a science fiction movie, it is the advertisement of the Figure 03 and it is not the only company interested in sell us the idea that soon we will all have a home robot. Detective Spooner doesn’t like this. Robots for everyone There are people convinced that in a few years Humanoid robots will be as common in homes as robot vacuum cleaners are now. One of those people is Elon Musk, who assured that In five or six years we will all be able to afford a personal robot. Peter Diamandis, well-known writer and “futurologist” predicts that the first humanoid robots will reach homes as early as 2026. It is not an obsession of the West, In China they are also obsessed with robotics, although from a different approach. The government wants robots to have transformed the industry by 2035, but it also contemplates creation of robots as accompaniment within the home. We do not know if this future will materialize or if humanoid robots will end up being an eccentricity for a few. Regardless of whether they succeed, These are the companies that want to make it possible. Figure AI Figure 03 Based in California, it is the company that has shown the most progress in creating a humanoid robot for the home. Its latest model, the Figure 03, is presented to us as a kind of robotic butler that does all the housework. Until now the previous models did not go much beyond the “wow” effect of the video, but this time it is different because Figure has a plan to mass produce them. The first year They hope to produce 12,000 robots a yearalmost nothing. Figure is the spearhead of robotics in the United States. Its valuation is 39,000 million dollars and among its investors are NVIDIA, Salesforce, Qualcomm, Intel, Microsoft and Jeff Bezos himself. At the moment it is not for sale nor do we know the price it will have. tesla Tesla Optimus Gen 2 No introduction needed. The first time we learned that Tesla wanted to make a humanoid robot it was in 2021. In 2022 they had a functional prototype and in 2023 they presented the Optimus Gen 2. Although we have not seen him doing household chores, they did show how he was capable of handling fragile objects like an egg. According to Musk, the Optimus will be cheaper than a car (between 20 and 30,000 dollars), but the reality is that we are in 2025 and The promise has not yet come true. Musk continues determined to build “an army of robots” and just showed your worry about who will control him. In Tesla’s latest earnings call, he stated that he wants to maintain strong influence over this hypothetical army. 1X Technologies Neo Gamma It is based in California, but it is a Norwegian company. 1x’s goal has been the home from the beginning and its goal is a robot that does cleaning, organizing and even running errands. A year ago they presented the Neo Beta robot and in February of this year they presented the Neo Gammaits most advanced model. It is capable of interacting with humans, can manipulate all types of objects, and is covered in soft materials. 1X’s plan is to start deploying its robots in homes this year, but in a pilot project. The company has been set as a goal manufacture 100,000 units in 2027 and “millions more in 2028”. We don’t know anything about how much it will cost, although 1X says it is “expected to be priced competitively within the home robotics market,” whatever that means. The company is valued at 10 billion dollars and between your most powerful investors There are OpenAI and EQT. Unitree Robotics Unitree H2 Based in Hangzhou, it is one of the companies that form the ‘Six Little Dragons’ and leader in robotics in China. We knew her for her quadruped robotsbut recently they have moved on to humanoid robots. Its most advanced model, the Unitree H2was announced just a few days ago and is capable of dancing and even doing kung-fu, but it is not as focused on the home as other proposals. In China, spectacular demonstrations of robots that dance or box have become very fashionable, but for the moment They are not showing practical applications for these humanoid robots. Of course, it is the only one that already has humanoid robots for sale and at very competitive prices. The Unitree G1 costs $16,000, but the Unitree H1 costs 131,000 euros. Deep Robotics DR02 It is also a Chinese company and part of the ‘Six Little Dragons’, which are the six most cutting-edge companies in the country in AI and robotics. Like Unitree, they also launched quadruped robots and recently switched to humanoids. Its focus is the creation of resilient models so that they can work in sectors such as industry, logistics or public services. Their latest model is the DR02, a robot resistant to water and dust and is designed to work outdoors. In the future the company also wants to expand to other areas such as the home. What is the point of a humanoid robot? There are other voices at the opposite end of these visionaries, such as that of Rodney Brooks, the co-founder of iRobot. Brooks believes that humanoid robots are a fantasy and they are a format that is anything but practical. Keeping such a robot standing requires a lot of energy and can be a huge risk if it falls. Furthermore, he states that Imitating the dexterity of a human hand is practically impossible. For Ehsan Saffari, robotics engineer, There is no point in making human-shaped robots. At least not if we want them to be efficient. To illustrate this, he gives a very good example: “Imagine that instead of building a … Read more

Spain wants to show that it can live without nuclear weapons. The problem is that he is still testing how

by

Spain is experiencing a decisive moment in its energy policy. While the Government defends an orderly closure of nuclear power plants and relies on an experimental digital system to stabilize the grid, large electricity companies warn that the transition It is being faster than safe. At the epicenter of this tension is Almaraz, the Extremaduran power plant that refuses to turn off its reactors and that has once again divided technicians, politicians and neighbors. The nuclear dilemma. The closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant in Cáceres is officially set for 2027 and 2028, but the debate over its future has returned with force. Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy agreed to present to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition a formal request to extend their activity until 2030. They will do so, they say, out of “responsibility with the supply” after the voltage failures recorded in recent weeks that “they reactivated the risk of blackout”. Companies have, for the moment, given up asking for tax reductions. Their message is different: Spain, they argue, is not prepared to disconnect from the atom. “Nuclear is the system’s anti-blackout shield,” says the CEO of Iberdrola Spain. However, the Government does not move. The Minister for the Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, has reiterated the commitment to the closure calendar agreed in 2019, which foresees the nuclear blackout between 2027 and 2035. Only if three conditions are not met: security, guarantee of supply and zero cost for the taxpayer, will the Executive would reconsider his position. A model in testing. The core of the controversy is not only political, but technical. The Executive’s plan involves replacing the stability offered by nuclear and thermal plants with a digital voltage and frequency control system based on renewables. In theory, wind and solar farms will be able to simulate electrical inertia —the ability to resist sudden changes in frequency— through advanced electronics. In practice, the model is still in the testing phase. According to Energy NewsRed Eléctrica (REE) is developing new control tools to integrate non-synchronous generation, but still without complete validation. Additionally, new digital control algorithms have not been tested on a national scaleand its reliability at high power has not yet been demonstrated. Sources from the Ministry of Ecological Transition cited by El Periódico They admit that full stability of the system “will only be possible when all renewable plants are digitally synchronized with the operator”, a process that – they acknowledge – “will still take time.” The network under surveillance. Aware of these risks, the CNMC approved an emergency modification of the operating procedures (OP 3.1, 3.2, 7.2 and 7.4) to reinforce the stability of the system. In practice, they are standards that determine how Red Eléctrica must react to variations in voltage and frequency, and allow it to act with more flexibility in times of risk. However, not everything went as planned. As energy expert Joaquín Coronado explains on his networksthe CNMC stopped the complete approval of OP 7.4 when it detected that the new model required responses that were impossible for many conventional plants to comply with. Several generators alleged that too rapid a reaction could damage the machines or generate additional oscillations, something the CNMC acknowledged in its resolution. The regulator asked Red Eléctrica to “intensify coordination and temporarily make the requirements more flexible”, making it clear that the problem was not one of inertia, but rather speed of response. A pulse of time. The electricity companies’ proposal to extend the first Almaraz reactor until 2030 and the second until 2029, would give three additional years to the current calendar. However, the Nuclear Safety Council requires that documentation be submitted before November 1 to begin the decommissioning process. In parallel, the Government of Extremadura has announced that it will reduce the regional “ecotax” by half if the plant remains operational, a gesture that the central Executive views with suspicion. “Taxpayers cannot pay more to maintain a plant that had to close,” recalled the Government delegate in Extremadura, José Luis Quintana, in statements to Canal Extremadura. Mobilization in the streets. While the technical and political debate becomes entangled, the residents of Almaraz took to the streets. Last Marchhundreds of people marched under the slogan “Yes to Almaraz, yes to the future,” in a protest supported by mayors of nearby municipalities and nuclear sector associations. In their arguments they defend their position in favor of nuclear power for fear of job loss, a population exodus and the fall of the local economy. But not everyone shares that enthusiasm. Ecologists in Action criticized the presence of local authorities at the protest and asked to accelerate a “just transition” that generates employment alternatives. “You cannot continue tying the future of a region to an industry that promotes environmental and health risks,” the organization said in a statement. Europe looks at Spain. While France and Belgium extend the life of their reactors until 2060, Spain remains firm in its nuclear closure. The Enresa fund to dismantle the plants drags a deficit of 11.6 billion euros. The electricity companies cite this as proof that closing early makes the system more expensive; The Government replies that extending it would jeopardize the ecological transition. The peninsula remains an “energy island” with only 3% interconnection with France, which amplifies any failure. And more and more experts repeat the same thing: the problem is not the speed of the transition, but that the network and the rules They are not getting stronger at the same rate.. A still uncertain future. Almaraz has become much more than a power plant: it is a symbol of the tension between climate urgency and energy security. The Executive insists that Spain will be able to sustain its network with renewable technology and digital control; Technicians and electrical companies ask for caution. Meanwhile, Red Eléctrica engineers fine-tune algorithms, the CNMC approves regulatory patches and the residents of Almaraz prepare for a future that, for now, continues to depend on its two reactors. Spain wants to turn on … Read more

AI has been great for Satya Nadella. His salary this year exceeds 96.5 million dollars

by

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s salary has reached a new record in 2025: $96.5 million. According to collected Bloombergthe Microsoft executive received a 22% salary increase compared to 2024 that reflects the skyrocketing stocks from the $4 trillion tech giant. Underlying this salary increase lies a debate that has been on the table for some time: the accelerated increase in the wage gap among senior managers of a company and its employees. Work well done pays off. The last fiscal year has been historic for Microsoft and its CEO, Satya Nadella, who will receive the largest salary package since he took office in 2014. According to what Microsoft made public in a document filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the total compensation awarded to Nadella amounts to $96.5 million. This remuneration represents an increase of 22% compared to the previous year, in which a salary of $79.1 million for the CEO. If Microsoft does well, so does its CEO. As stood out Fortunethis salary increase goes hand in hand with the good stock market performance that Microsoft has had in recent months, and the prominence of artificial intelligence in its products and services The company’s board of directors indicates that more than 95% of Nadella’s compensation is linked to the performance of his shares, highlighting financial results, the creation of value for shareholders and leadership in AI as key elements to grant that salary increase to the executive. It’s salary, but not everything is cash. The majority of the compensation Nadella will receive comes from stock awards worth more than $84 million. The bonus that the CEO will receive in cash for different incentives will amount to 9.5 million dollars. For his part, the manager’s base salary It remains at 2.5 million and will obtain $196,000 in other benefits, such as per diems or private jet services. This implies that about 90% of their remuneration is variable and dependent on stock market performance, which means that it is only a valuation that is made at the time it is assigned, but it is an asset that can increase or lose part of its value. depending on your management. This remuneration strategy linked to shares represents an important incentive for the CEO to continue meeting objectives. Salary escalation. Since Satya Nadella took over as CEO of Microsoft in 2014, his salary has continued to increase at the same rate as the company’s stock price. According to the published data by Business Insiderin 2015 Nadella’s total salary was $18 million. By 2022, his compensation had multiplied to $55 million, and increased by 63% in 2024 to $79.1 million. With the 96.5 million, the Steve Ballmer’s successor At the head of Microsoft he has broken his own record. Salary gap and layoffs. This year of prosperity for the CEO of Microsoft occurs in a context of complex internal adjustments in the company he leads, which has announced layoffs that will affect up to 15,000 employees. The difference between Nadella’s salary and that of an average Microsoft employee is significant: the CEO earns 480 times more than the average annual salary of his employees, which is around $200,972. This gap between managers and employees does not only occur at Microsoft, but is another example of an upward trend in large technology companies. According to a study that has analyzed the main companies of the S&P 500, in the last five years the salary of managers has been increased by 35%. A much higher percentage than the salary of its employees has increased. In Xataka | The highest paid Spanish manager in the world does not work in a large technology company: he sells “sugar water” Image | Microsoft

from Barcelona to Seville direct for 22 euros

by

Last April, Renfe began operating between Barcelona and Seville with a direct high-speed train. Without transfers, the company connects both cities in just under six hours, making some intermediate stops but offering a service that now does not require transfers. Coinciding with the arrival of the Christmas, Ouigo will also activate this service. In this case with intermediate stops in Zaragoza, Madrid and Córdoba where passengers will be able to get on or leave the train on a route that will last just over six hours but that offers some relevant changes compared to Renfe. Ticket simulation between Barcelona and Seville for 22 euros From Barcelona to Seville… passing through Madrid Starting today, October 23, Ouigo has launched the sale of train tickets between Barcelona and Seville. He has done it with an exit offer that leaves the possibility of covering this entire line for just 22 euros. Prices can reach up to 100 euros on specific days but most of the tickets that have been put on sale currently range between 22 and 55 euros. The exit campaign is very aggressive. It does so to promote a new route that aspires to impact the Andalusian and Catalan corridors. In the latter, Ouigo had gone presence and had focused on the southern areamore sensitive to ticket prices. However, AVLO departure of trains between Madrid and Barcelona It gives a new opportunity to the company that will take advantage of it with a train that leaves the Catalan capital shortly after 7:35 a.m. and arrives in Seville before 1:51 p.m. In six hours and 16 minutes, it is possible to move between both cities at a ridiculous price. At least on the way out. In addition to putting a very attractive connection on the map during vacation times, Ouigo makes its service more efficient since the high-speed train makes previous stops in Zaragoza, Madrid and Córdoba. In fact, this forces the company to lengthen the trip compared to Renfe, which with its direct train connects both cities in less than six hours. Where is the advantage for Ouigo? With this train, Ouigo remains alive in the high speed between Madrid and Barcelona without making a greater effort. However, it may be difficult for Renfe to make its offer between the Catalan and Andalusian cities more profitable because it has options that take less time but at the risk of do not stop in Madrid. In exchange, what is offered with the AVE is a much faster connection. Since this route, which does not pass through Madrid, was launched, you can travel between Barcelona and Seville in five hours and 37 minutes. That is, the AVE takes about 40 minutes less. A new chapter in the high speed battle. While Renfe is committed to joining both cities in the shortest time possible in exchange for raising prices and at the risk of making it more difficult to make the service profitable, Ouigo offers a cheaper option but in which some concessions must be made in terms of the time available. Photo | Tania Mousinho and Pourya Gohari In Xataka | Renfe has found a scapegoat for its problems on the Madrid-Barcelona line: Talgo and its AVRIL trains

Mercadona’s ready-meal supplier is investing 150 million more because we have given ourselves

by

Familia Martínez, the group that manufactures packaged lasagnas, gratins and roasts for Mercadona, has announced aAn investment of 150 million euros in two new facilitiesboth in areas affected by DANA 2024: A 20,000 square meter plant in Buñol dedicated exclusively to roasted products. And a rapid distribution center of 3,500 square meters in Torrent with capacity for 1,000 pallets. Both will be operational between 2025 and 2026. In one of the openings there is a nod to the founding of the company: it started in the 70s with a butcher shop in Torrent. Qor what is important. This expansion responds to the explosive growth of fifth-range prepared dishes in Spanish supermarkets. We are not talking about food from the counter that is sold hot (the ‘Ready to Eat’ section), but about refrigerated packaged products that the consumer heats at home: cannelloni, lasagna, roast ribs… A few months ago The Spanish have consumed 17 kilos per person of prepared dishes in 20246.6% more than the previous year, and Mercadona has bet heavily on this category: Juan Roig said a few months ago that “in the middle of the 21st century there will be no kitchens” and is transforming the chain accordingly. The figures. Familia Martínez closed 2024 with a turnover of 480 million euros (8% more) and a net profit of 31 million (15% more). Production exceeded 92 million kilos, with a growth of 6.2%. The group directly employs more than 1,900 workers in Valencia and Madrid. More than 600,000 gratin dishes and 200,000 roasts leave the Buñol plant every week. In total, it has invested 320 million euros in the last seven years. The context. The Martínez Family integrates four companies: Martínez sausages (minced meat and sausages). Traditional dishes (gratins, lasagna and fifth-range roasts). Five Forks (traditional roasts). La Pila Food (semi-finished products for industry). Mercadona represents 85% of its business. Last year, the group paid 68 million euros to the French group Fleury Michon to keep 100% Traditional Dishes, the jewel in the crown. The money trail. The investment in the new Buñol roasting plant is the most ambitious in the history of Familia Martínez. The center has been designed under criteria of energy efficiency and sustainability, with special attention to water savings. According to the CEO, Raúl Martínthe group is “in a moment of important growth, in line with the good progress of our main client”, in direct reference to Mercadona, which represents close to 80% of its business. The disappearance of kitchens that Roig predicts not only translates into more prepared dishes, but also a radical simplification of fresh products. During 2024, Mercadona has expanded its “reengineering” of the fishmonger’s section to offer products that do not require the intervention of a fishmonger in the store. Salmon nuggets, gluten-free hake sticks or clean sole are examples of this strategy. The rapid distribution center in Torrent will include semi-automatic shelving and two refrigerated warehouses with automatic management and robotization systems. This will shorten delivery times and improve the operational efficiency of the current Embutidos Martínez plants in Cheste and Torrent. In Xataka | The boom in prepared food in supermarkets has a blind spot: nutrition. Are we putting the foxes to guard the henhouse? Featured image | Martínez Family, Mercadona

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.