Mobile Tech & Gadgets

George RR Martin asked ChatGPT to write ‘Game of Thrones’. He did it so well that he is going to end up before the judge

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The debate about the AI usage limits and how is this going to actually affect the creators It is very complex, and it has only just begun. From discerning to what extent AI’s ability to create works outside of humans will continue to grow to the logical ethical and legal concerns that appear around a tool that, from its very definition, is in a completely unexplored area. At the moment, George RR Martin and other authors are taking steps in search of more demanding regulation. What has happened? A federal judge in Manhattan has given the green light for the lawsuit filed by George RR Martin and other authors against OpenAI and Microsoft for alleged copyright violation. The creator of ‘Game of Thrones’ and his colleagues accuse these companies of use his works without authorization to train ChatGPT. According to the ruling issued on October 27, 2025, there are reasons for the case to move forward, since ChatGPT’s proposal for a sequel to the saga was substantially similar to Martin’s work already protected by copyright. The determining test. It came when lawyers asked ChatGPT to create a fictional sequel to ‘A Clash of Kings’. The chatbot immediately spawned a novel called ‘Dance of Shadows’, a sequel that included a new Targaryen heir named Lady Elara, a rebellious sect of the Children of the Forest, and a mysterious form of ancient dragon-related magic. This ability to recreate elements from Martin’s universe made the question clear: how could the AI ​​know his work in such detail without having fed on it? The precedents. The origins of this legal conflict date back to September 2023, when Martin, accompanied by 17 other authors (including people like Michael Chabon, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jia Tolentino, John Grisham, Jonathan Franzen and Sarah Silverman) raised his voice against what he considered a systematic exploitation of his work. The case was brought by the Authors Guild union, in a lawsuit that spoke of “systematic theft on a massive scale”, arguing that the tool makes use of their works without paying royalties and without the writers’ consent. The letter. Months before the lawsuit, these authors and many others, such as Margaret Atwood or Nora Roberts, they had sent a letter to large technology companies conveying their concerns about generative AI technologies. In that document they warned about “the injustice inherent in exploiting our works as part of your AI systems without our consent, credit or compensation.” The accusation was clear: ChatGPT had not only learned from his books; Now I could replicate them. Other attacks. We are at a key moment in determining the legal implications of generative AI. At the beginning of 2025, for example, it was decided by the juries a similar dispute against Anthropicwhich concluded with an out-of-court settlement: the company paid $1.5 billion to authors whose works were used without permission. This precedent shows that technology companies are willing to negotiate to avoid court rulings that could establish binding jurisprudence. In England, by contrast, the High Court of England determined that Stability AI did not infringe copyright by train your model with Getty imagesthat is, a decision in literally the opposite direction, which has generated alarm among European creators. In all these cases the debate about “fair use” or fair use: The technology companies argue that the training of their models constitutes a transformative use of works, similar to when search engines index content. The creators reply that it is a massive appropriation that replaces, not complements, the original work. And in the background, a shock that has only just begun. Header |Gage Skidmore

142 meters of luxury and technology

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a few days ago A Malaga beach bar released a robot called ‘Sardinator’ to advertise of your business. It is not the only event on the beaches of Malaga, it has also been the arrival of the Dragonfly, one of the largest, most expensive and luxurious yachts in the world. Its owner is Sergei Brinco-founder of Google. Favorite destination. Brin’s yacht had already been seen on the coasts of our country and a few days ago he arrived in Malaga for the first time, as they say in The Opinion of Malaga. And it is not the first superyacht to be seen in its port. Last year the Radiant, worth more than 270 million eurosdocked for the fourth time at its port and also stopped by there the co-founder of WhatsApp with the Moonrise. in a big way. The Dragonfly is the work of Argentine designer Germán Frers and is 142 meters long. This places her as the largest American-owned yacht and also the largest in the world. German manufacturer Lürssen. It cost a whopping $450 million to build. To put it in context, according to Superyatch Fanthe largest in the world measures 180 meters in length and cost 600 million dollars. Luxuries: yes. The Dragonfly has a total area of ​​3,000 square meters: 2,000 interior and 1,000 exterior decks. It has nine luxury cabins with capacity for 18 guests and 20 cabins for a crew of 40. Not everything is there, it has several swimming pools and, if that were not enough with one, two heliports. Regarding its power, it has a diesel-electric propulsion system and reaches a speed of 24 knots. Dragonfly History. Although it is known as Dragonfly, it was initially named Alibaba and was not going to be for Brin, but for Leonid Mikhelson, a Russian oligarch dedicated to the gas industry. Due to the blockades imposed after the invasion of Ukrainethe purchase of the Alibaba could not be signed and that is where Sergei Brin was able to acquire the yacht. He called it Dragonfly, just like his previous boat. Brin. He is also of Russian origin, but left the country with his family when he was barely six years old. Decades later, founded Google with Larry Page and that’s where it all began. He was president of Google from 2015 to 2019, when Sundar Pichai succeeded him. He is currently the sixth richest man in the world, according to the Forbes list, with a heritage of 215,000 million dollars Image | Wikipedia, Lürssen In Xataka | Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded Google and became millionaires. Now they are dedicated to collecting gigantic airplanes

The Steam Machine’s key to eating the market will be the price. And there Valve has an ace up its sleeve

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The video game world is revolutionized. It’s not every day that a new “PC-console” is announced, but even rarer is that the device comes from Valve. They have just presented the Steam Machinea console-shaped PC that has been posed as a direct threat to Xbox and PS5but also for the Windows PC itself. Much has changed since Steam Machines from a decade ago and, with the new model, Valve will not take timid steps. Steam Deck has shown them that they have a lot to say in the field of hardware, but as always, success will depend on the price of the Steam Machine. It has to be attractive to gain a foothold. And Valve has a wild card called 30%. The price of the Steam Machine and the 30% wildcard A decade ago, Valve already took a hit with the first Steam Machines. He said that they were a timid bet because Valve developed the system, but between the fact that there were not so many games available for it (based on Linux) and that the machines were not designed by Valve, but rather delegated to companies like Asus and AlienWare (which set prices that were not competitive), well the thing ended… badly. The situation has changed a lot by three factors: In the shadows they continued to develop the Steam OS systemmaking it compatible with both Linux and Windows games. They launched a Steam Deck with which they have shown that they know how to make competitive hardware. Although threats such as Amazon and Epic Games have appeared, their platform remains the undisputed queen when we talk about PC gaming. The Steam Machine will arrive (accompanied by a new controller and a virtual reality viewer named Steam Frame) at the beginning of 2026. We do not know the specific date, nor the price. And, of course, once the initial excitement of the announcement had passed, the conversation turned to theorizing about the price of the Steam Machine. Here I want to be cautious because whenever hypotheses are launched about the price of hardware there are a lot of factors that come into play. We can take the components as a reference and say “To build a PC like this is about 700 euros”but then there are the design costs (it is very small and that increases the price), development, logistics… The last time the price of a console was theorized was with nintendo switch 2and their 470 euros They ended up surprising (although the 90 of some of their games were more surprising). Therefore, I don’t want to venture to say whether the Steam Machine will cost more or less. There are some clues. The Verge is one of the media outlets that has had the machine nearby and claims that Valve plans a price “similar to a PC with similar features.” From the middle they point about $800, but that’s only in components (without the system and other costs, for example), but the components are customized and look like versions of laptop CPUs and GPUs, not the ones we can buy for a desktop. From the technical media Digital Foundry take for granted that the range will be between 500 and 600 euros, but again: it is difficult to estimate because there is not much to scratch. Now, my reflection is that, if the objective of Steam is to punch the table and wants to take part of the pie from both the consoles Like the PC itself, the Steam Machine will be sold at a loss. Because? Because if there is a company that can afford it, it is Valve. For starters, it’s a private company. Gabe Newel, Valve’s boss, owns 51% of the shares. This implies that they do not have to give explanations to shareholders. This is why we do not have public figures for Steam profits or Steam Deck sales (although it is esteem which dominates the -small- consolidated PC market). But the reason why Valve can sell a console at a loss, or not care so much about not making money per machine sold, is because all the ones they sell have Steam as launcher and store, and the company keeps a significant percentage per game sold on the platform. That percentage is around 30%which implies that if a million copies of a game are sold, Valve’s share of the pie is considerable. And, although not all games sell millions, thousands of video games are released every month. that “solely” for setting up the servers and hosting the games developed by other companies. Besides, there is the matter of the stickersa market in which Steam also keeps a good percentage of each transaction. AND It is something that moves dizzying figures. On the Steam Machine, as on the Steam Deck, you can run games from platforms such as GOG, Epic or Rockstar, but in the end The PC marketplace par excellence is Steam. It is the mainstream platform and each of those Steam Machines will be a window to a store that has offers every now and then and that is very well positioned at a time when console games are more and more expensive. The consoles themselves are much more expensive than when they were launched five years ago. Therefore, although it is impossible to guess a price for the Steam Machine, as I said, If there is someone who can sell their machine at a loss because it will recover the difference with the software, that is Valve. And if they launch an affordable machine, with the market as it is, they can deal a tremendous blow to their direct competitors: consoles. But also to the PC itself. In Xataka | There are more and more physical video games that are paperweights. It is a tremendous problem for video games as art.

This winter turning on the heating will be less scary. The reason is not so comforting

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Six in the afternoon. Closed night. You arrive in the cold and turn on the heating without thinking. The radiator breathes warmly and, next to it, last winter’s gas bill appears, folded between papers. One glance is enough to bring back the question that opens every coat season: how much will the joke cost this winter? The answer, after three harsh winters, seems somewhat kinder. But only in part. The present offers a respite, while beneath it continues to beat an energy contradiction that Europe has not been able to resolve. A kinder winter. Analysts confirm it: this winter will be more benign than previous ones. In an interview with Xataka, Javier RevueltaSenior Principal at AFRY, sums it up bluntly: “We have much cheaper gas than last winter. Before we were at €50–55/MWh; now we are around €30/MWh.” And that matters, because gas determines a good part of the electricity price in the cold months. According to Revuelta, this drop alone means “about €40/MWh less” in many hours of winter. It is worth remembering that this year has been a record for new solar power —more than 9 gigawatts installed— and everything points because this winter There will be more radiation and less cloudiness than the previous one. The result: more renewables pushing prices down. However, the Spanish system continues to show shadows. As we have already explained on other occasionsAfter the blackout on April 28, Red Eléctrica was forced to reinforce the operation of the synchronous plants—that is, the gas combined cycles—to avoid new surges. Between May and October, its production increased by more than 50%, generating an additional 2.5 million tons of CO₂. An uncomfortable reminder: even in the European country with the most renewables per inhabitant, gas remains the system’s safety net. How will it affect the pocket? The electricity consumer will notice a certain relaxation in their bills. More solar hours, less gas pressure and a more stable market mean a more predictable winter. For one thing, homes with gas heating will also see softer bills this winter. But the good news has a deadline. Starting in 2028, the new European ETS2which will force distribution companies to pay for the final consumer’s emissions. In practice: gas will be more expensive structurally. In fact, Revuelta anticipates it: “In the medium term, operating a boiler will be significantly more expensive,” and the comparison with heat pumps will clearly lean towards the electrification of heat. On the other hand, another adjustment is coming. As Cinco Días points outmarketers are carrying an additional 3.3 billion euros this year due to technical restrictions. They are not fully impacting it, but they will. Iberdrola anticipates that 70% of its free market clients will notice these costs when renewing rates in 2025; in 2027, it will be 90%. In other words, this winter it drops, but the rates in 2026 and 2027 might not be so benign. In search of alternatives. While gas experiences ups and downs and electricity continues to be marked by volatility, solid biomass—pellets, chips, olive pits—continues to be the most economical option in the country. According to the Biomass Price Indices collected by Heat and Cold, The average cost is: Sliver: 3.34 c€/kWh Bone: 4.68 c€/kWh Pellet: 6.95 c€/kWh Facing: TUR2 natural gas: 8.59 c€/kWh Diesel C: 7.98 c€/kWh Electricity (heat pump): > 10 c€/kWh useful Furthermore, prices remain stable and production is national, with more than 60 pellet factories and dozens of olive chip and stone centers. A close, robust market with little exposure to international tensions. There is a more modern alternative. Surely you have heard about it: aerothermal energy. To be honest, it is expensive to install—between 10,000 and 20,000 euros—but extremely efficient: for every unit of electricity it consumes, it provides between 3.5 and 4 units of heat. With more renewables pushing the rate downwards in solar hours and an ETS2 that will make gas more expensive, the heat pump becomes the most profitable option in 10–15 years. According to Revuelta, the economic difference will widen year after year and regulation will push in the same direction. But there is a lot of talk about green hydrogen… True, green hydrogen makes news, but it will not yet heat homes. The last thing that is known is that Enegás has received 285 applications to inject hydrogen into the network by blending. However, the current technical limit is 2% of the volume, insufficient for domestic heating. The first real injections will arrive in spring 2026, but they will be experimental. Hydrogen will not play a real role in residential heating until well into the 2030s. The tension in Europe. Spain arrives more comfortably into winter than northern Europe. But it is not isolated. As far as we know The regasification plants in the Netherlands operate at 90–100%, their technical limit. They are the main LNG gateway for Germany and part of the European industry. Its saturation is “the prelude to higher prices.” Spain could help, but it can’t. Interconnections with France barely allow shipping between 7,000 and 8,500 million m³ per year. Added to this is another structural factor. According to The Economistmore than 57% of the LNG that Europe imports already comes from the United States, which some analysts consider a new dependence comparable to that which existed with Russia. And, furthermore, the European Union enters winter with reserves at 83%, below the target of 90%. A calmer winter… But an uncertain future. This winter the radiators will turn on with less fear. Gas is cheaper, electricity is relaxed and biomass offers an economical way. Heat pumps are consolidated as the great alternative for the future, and hydrogen begins its journey—although without immediate impact for homes. But calm is relative. Spain—and Europe—are still trapped between two models: the one they want —decarbonized, electrified, flexible— and the one that really operates —dependent on gas, LNG and saturated infrastructure. This winter will be kinder, yes. But the underlying question for every Spaniard remains open: how much longer … Read more

Last October was the second driest in the last 100 years. And Asturias has taken the worst part

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The storm that It is landing from this Thursday In our country we should not be fooled: we are not receiving enough rain for the time of year we are in. And we can say much more: Asturias is bearing the brunt of the droughtbeing somewhat surprising because we all have the image of a green landscape and constant rainfall. The notice. The AEMET national report It was already quite clear when he reviewed October 2025, pointing out that it has been one of the warmest and second driest months so far in the 21st century in Spain as a whole. But if you zoom in on some regions, the truth is that the situation is much more alarming. If we focus on the monthly climatological summary for October 2025 in Asturiasthe AEMET points out that it has been ‘warm and very dry’. And this is something that is confirmed by alarming data: Rainfall decreased, with 37.4 l/m² in October, 71% less than the reference value for the region in the months of October. This also makes it one of the driest since 1961. Hotter than usual: average temperatures of 14.6 °C, being 1.5 °C above the reference between 1991 and 2020, with average maximums of 19.7 °C and minimums of 9.4 °C. Throughout Spain. Beyond Asturias, the AEMET describes a very dry pattern in much of the interior and northern peninsula in October, with areas of extremely dry nature in sectors of the eastern Cantabrian coast, which fits with the marked deficit observed in Asturias and its Cantabrian environment. This contrasts quite a bit with other areas that had episodes of very intense rain, as in the case of western Andalusia, where it is getting used to having less rain. At the national level, the fact that October 2025 is the 16th driest in the series and, at the same time, the sixth warmest, reinforces the signal of warmer Octobers and the high interannual variability of rainfall, with October 2024 as the wettest in the entire historical series as a close counterpoint.​ The reservoirs. If there is not enough rain, we are faced with a drought situation that mainly affects the reservoirs. In the Asturian case, the Alfilorios reservoir is around 30% of its capacityd, which translates into a pre-alert situation for the Cantabrian Hydrographic Confederation, while Tanes remains below 50%which already affects supply planning in the central area of ​​Asturias. Given this situation, the Oviedo City Council has already activated measures anti-drought, such as the closure of ornamental fountains without a closed circuit, continuous jet fountains, the reduction of flushing and the cessation of irrigation of parks. Rains come. Although in Spain we are already seeing the arrival of intense rains with storms such as Claudiathe reality is that recovery from drought will depend on many factors such as the effective accumulation of precipitation and its distribution over time to feed reservoirs and aquifers. Images | Keith Mapeki Bogomil Mihaylov In Xataka | The two most important weather models in the world are discussing whether Santander is going to freeze next week. And the cold is winning

this time it takes aim directly at its ‘reputation abuse policy’

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What Brussels has launched today is not just another technical note on how Google works, but a movement that points directly to the way in which it decides what we see when we search for information. An internal policy designed to combat spam has ended up at the center of a new European file because, according to the Commissionyou could be relegating content from legitimate media and publishers. An issue that, for the Commission, deserves to be thoroughly reviewed to determine if its application is having undesired effects. We are facing an action that opens an official procedure in which the Commission will evaluate whether Google is complying with the obligations of the DMA in relation to the treatment that publishers receive in its search engine. Brussels wants to check whether the access and positioning conditions comply with the equity criteria provided for services designated as gatekeeper. This initial phase does not involve attributing a violation, but it does activate a detailed process that will determine how the regulations are actually being applied. Politics under suspicion. Google includes ‘reputation abuse policy’ in its Search spam rules and presents it as a tool to address practices aimed at manipulating ranking in results when sites include content from commercial partners. From a technical perspective, the motivation makes sense: the ecosystem is full of practices that try to exploit gaps to obtain a better position in the results. The Commission’s question is whether this policy is affecting publications that use commercial collaborations within a legitimate editorial framework. For media outlets, these deals are an important source of revenue, and their demotion in Google Search can have real effects on audiences. Brussels wants to know to what extent its application may be penalizing actors who are not seeking to manipulate anything. The analysis will revolve around that fine line. DMA in action. The Digital Markets Law establishes its own regime for the platforms considered gatekeepersthe large platforms that act as a gateway between companies and users in the digital environment. These services are required to ensure that their internal rules are understandable, justified and reviewable by the Commission, even before there is demonstrated harm. The investigation is framed in that model: Brussels wants to validate that the policy applied by Google complies with the reinforced obligations that accompany that status. Blow to the revenue model. The executive vice president for a Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, was explicit about the point that most worries Brussels: “We are concerned that Google’s policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner in search results.” He also stressed that the loss of income comes “at a difficult time for the sector,” which makes this investigation more than just a technical review. A long and complicated relationship. Brussels has maintained constant scrutiny over Google for years, visible in sanctions like the 2,950 million euros imposed in September 2025 for practices in its advertising business, or in the 2017 Google Shopping fine, ratified by the European Court of Justice in 2024. This new investigation does not start from scratch: it adds to a history that reflects how the Commission has tightened its surveillance as the company’s activity has covered more sectors. Pressure from Washington. The case also comes at a time when some of the loudest criticism of the European digital framework comes from the United States. Donald Trump has denounced that measures like the DMA hurt American companies and has warned of possible additional tariffs if they persist. Without being part of the file, these statements illustrate the political context in which Google’s policy is examined and show how European regulation coexists with growing commercial sensitivity on the other side of the Atlantic. The possible outcomes. From now on, Brussels will examine documentation, ask Alphabet for clarification and evaluate whether the policy fits into the DMA’s obligations. If it detects non-compliance, it will inform the company of its conclusions and the measures it considers necessary to correct them. The procedure can be closed without sanctions, with internal adjustments by Google or with the imposition of formal obligations and, ultimately, fines. The Commission plans to complete the analysis within a period of up to twelve months. Images | sarah b | 1981 Digital In Xataka | Apple accepts crumbs in China: the 15% that shows who has the power

2.5 million turnover and 60 employees explain why

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Last Tuesday, November 11, El País confirmed What had been a rumor in Spanish audiovisual circles for months: Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, Los Javis, had ended their romantic relationship after thirteen years together. The news leaves us, beyond the inevitable morbidity of any media breakup, an additional question: what happens when one of the most profitable creative partnerships in Spanish cinema of the last decade breaks? Who are they? The Javis were, in addition to a couple, a brand: a business model that had turned complicity into aesthetics through the romantic narrative of two boys who had met on Facebook in 2010. Both were actors and shared a particular vision, which came to fruition in 2013 with ‘The Call’, a modest musical that began being performed in the hall of the Teatro Lara in Madrid. It ended up becoming a phenomenon with more than 600 performances, 300,000 spectators and a film in 2017 that would gross 2.7 million euros. There they discovered that there was a public hungry for their particular cocktail of kitsch and LGTBIQ+ claim. The takeoff. came with ‘Paquita Salas’. What started in 2016 as a prank video recorded with friends (among them, Brays Efe and Anna Castillo) while watching ‘Big Brother’, became a web series for Flooxer shot in eight days. Netflix saw the potential, signed the series in 2017 and for the second season, the budget multiplied and ‘Paquita Salas’ became a viral product and basic for the penetration of the then young platform in Spain. The definitive consecration was ‘Poison‘ (2020), the miniseries about Cristina Ortiz for Atresplayer Premium that It became the most viewed content in the history of the platformskyrocketing subscriptions from 147,000 to 235,000 in just one month. Its free-to-air premiere on Antena 3 swept 2.5 million viewers and shares of 14.9% and 18.9%, won multiple awards and consolidated Los Javis as creators of international prestige. The Javis SL. In parallel, they built their business empire. First with Suma Latina, its original production company, and then, in 2021, with Suma Contenta strategic evolution that allowed them to encompass non-fiction and entertainment. Since then they have produced hits like ‘The Messiah‘ (her most ambitious project, for Movistar Plus+, also winner of multiple awards at the Forqué and Feroz and with international distribution) or ‘Superstar‘. The core company valuation and its subsidiaries reaches 2.5 million euros, with assets close to 20 million and more than 60 employees. The Javis have gone from creators to brands with success, appearing as a couple on television shows mainstream like ‘Mask Singer’, ‘Operation Triumph‘, or as presenters of the gala of the Goya 2024. One of the two questions. In 2019, the Javis They went to ‘La Resistencia’ and they answered the famous question of how much money they have in the bank. The response was spectacular: each one had 300,000 euros in their personal accounts, in addition to a shared account, to which was added, of course, what they had invested. Six years later, the joint assets have multiplied to become a business and real estate network. For example, his mansion in Pozuelo de Alarcónvalued at 1.5 million euros, acquired in 2024 after moving from Malasaña. Three floors with a swimming pool, garden, barbecue area and a basement conceived as a creative space that includes a private nightclub, cinema and gym. And now what. For all these reasons, the breakup not only implies an emotional risk, but also an economic one. The Los Javis brand implicitly included that narrative of an inseparable couple. But… how much are the platforms willing to pay for “half Javi”? But the truth is that the breakup is not as recent as it seems: apparently They attended the Primavera Sound in Barcelona together in June 2025 and already stayed in different rooms. Social networks also launched warnings when Ambrossi deleted his Instagram accountsomething unusual for someone whose digital presence is a basic part of their brand. Calvo kept his profile active but stopped publishing photographs with his partner. The lace In it ‘La Revuelta’ program dedicated to RosalíaBroncano’s program had a handful of special guests as a “neighborhood’s patio.” Calvo appeared, for the first time, alone. A few hours later, El País confirmed the breakup and, when other media reported the news, some pointed because the real separation had occurred several months ago. And there is an important strategic detail: they have not made the breakup public until they finished filming their new film, ‘The Black Ball’. It is inevitable to think about a strategic decision, and it underlines the extent to which the couple’s brand was essential to their business. And it also explains why, for the moment, the common company remains in place so that they can continue together. Professionally, at least. Header | Wikipedia In Xataka | There are many people who hate Santiago Segura’s films. The problem is that they “save” Spanish cinema every year

The DGT is clear that the future is the V-16 beacon… or the V-16 beacon

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On January 1, 2026 comes one of the most profound changes that Traffic regulations have experienced in our country in recent years. In just over a month, the way of signaling a breakdown or accident will completely change on our roads with the V-16 beacons connected. A system that has raised controversy but about which Traffic already warns: there is no turning back. “It is clear”. Nor will there be any extension. This is what Pere Navarro, director of the DGT, has warned about in the presentation of the Dekra 2025 Road Safety Report at the Mapfre Foundation headquarters, as stated Hybrids and Electrics. Regarding the possibility of not taking them, Navarro has assured that “there are no excuses or extensions. It is clear to everyone, right?” At that same event, the director of the DGT also recalled that the decision has been approved since 2021 and that this change should not catch anyone by surprise. 2021… The truth is that Navarro is not telling the whole truth when he assures that the exclusive use of the V-16 beacon was approved in 2021. In practice, this is the case and, in fact, it is already This possibility was discussed in 2020 when it was rumored that it would be mandatory a little earlier, in 2024. But Navarro’s statement is a half-truth. Because at the time we did not know that, in the end, the only approved lights would be those that can be connected with DGT 3.0. That regulatory change came in 2023. Now everyone who bought a beacon at that time has to spend the money again because your device is not valid. The reasons. For this change, the DGT has been arguing for years that putting triangles on the road is too dangerous. On the contrary, they have defended the use of the beacon by emphasizing the possibility of installing it on the roof of the car without having to leave the vehicle, just by sticking your arm out the window. To reaffirm this, Tráfico defends that on average Around 20 people were dying a year “after getting out of the vehicle” on the road. However, their data does not specify whether this refers to opening the door and getting out of the car, for example, or if the accident occurred when installing the triangles. It must be remembered that installing the beacon does not exempt passengers from standing outside the car. From 2023this operation must be carried out if there is a place away from traffic where you can wait for the emergency services. If it does not exist, that is when the passenger has to wait inside the car with the seat belt fastened. They do not convince. At least to some associations and road safety experts. To questions from Xatakathe Unified Association of Civil Guards (AUGC) assured that dangerous situations had already occurred with the use of the V-16 beacon as the only warning element on the road. José Lagunar, road safety expert at Auto FM shared concerns, pointing out similar reasons in both cases. The main fears of critics with the measure are related to the low visibility of the device in daytime conditions but also to the duration of 30 minutes (minimum required by the DGT) that the device must be in operation, pointing out that if the arrival of emergencies or a tow truck takes longer than expected we will be sold out on the road, without the possibility of using any other device. And they can fine you. Both for ignoring the beacon and for not carrying it in the glove compartment of the car or, directly, putting in the emergency triangles. In any of these cases, an agent could fine us at least 80 euros (it is considered a minor infraction) for not wearing the appropriate equipment to mark an obstacle on the road or not marking it correctly. Despite everything, the AUGC recommended continue carrying the triangles in the car (something that is not a reason for a fine). The experts consulted by Xataka They remind us of the importance of being able to warn of a breakdown where the connected V-16 beacon is not effective, such as on a secondary road where changes in grade or sharp curves are more common. Photo | DGT In Xataka | The “made in China” business of the DGT’s V-16 beacons: homologating the same product 24 times and selling it under different brands

a bizarre vote in Congress leaves the closure intact

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What started as a political maneuver by the Popular Party to open the door to prolonging the life of Spanish nuclear power plants ended up becoming one of the tightest and most surprising votes of the legislature. The amendment that sought to suppress the closing dates of Almaraz, Ascó and Cofrentes was rejected by a single vote, a minimal difference that was only possible thanks to the – unexpected – abstention of Junts. The result was 171 votes in favor – PP, Vox and UPN -, 171 against and seven abstentions from Junts, who shot down the proposal. The Government breathed a sigh of relief, although the underlying debate—what to do with nuclear energy at the height of electricity demand—remains more open than ever. Congress stops the PP nuclear amendment. The amendment introduced by the PP in the Sustainable Mobility Law It intended to eliminate from the ministerial orders the dates for the definitive cessation of operation of the Almaraz, Ascó and Cofrentes plants. With this, the popular parties sought to open the door to possible extensions, especially at a time when the owners of Almaraz They have already formally requested extend its useful life until 2030. According to El PaísJunts left the vote in suspense until the last moment, leaving it unclear whether they would vote with the PP and Vox or support the Government. His abstention finally tipped the balance. The movement was even surprising due to the political context: it came just 24 hours after a tough confrontation between Míriam Nogueras and Pedro Sánchez, in which the Junts spokesperson accused the president of being “cynical and hypocritical.” However, in the vote the strategy was different because Catalonia consumes more electricity from nuclear origin than any other community. What does this rejection really mean? Although politically the vote had a huge impact, technically things remain more or less the same. The amendment would not have automatically extended the life of the plants, but it would have modified ministerial orders without requiring the report of the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), a mandatory requirement by law. Besides, They remembered a precedent: In 2012, the PP itself demanded this report when it reopened the discussion on the Garoña plant. The tension was amplified because the debate had no direct relationship with the Mobility Law, a regulation linked to the receipt of 10,000 million euros of European funds, as various media emphasize. The PP amendment thus introduced an energy element in a text on sustainable mobility, which increased unrest among the Government’s partners. So, is the nuclear shutdown schedule still valid? Yes. With the fall of the amendment, the calendar agreed in 2019 between the Government, Enresa and the electricity companies remains intact. The calendar, as we have already explainedit looks like this: Almaraz I: closure in 2027 Almaraz II: 2028 Chests: 2030 Ascó I and II: between 2030 and 2032 Vandellós II and Trillo: until 2035 However, the fact that the calendar is still standing does not mean that an extension is ruled out. Contrary to what it may seem, the rejection of the amendment does not prevent companies from requesting an extension nor does it block the Government from authorizing it. As the Executive himself recalled —as cited by El País—: “The right to request an extension is not created by a ministerial order, but by current regulations.” In fact, as mentioned above, Iberdrola, Endesa and Naturgy have already formally requested that Almaraz remains operational until 2030. Administrative clash. The real problem is technical and bureaucratic. According to The Independentthe bureaucratic procedure has been crossed unexpectedly: the CSN can take up to a year to issue its report, but the regulations force the plant to request closure in March 2026, if the calendar is not reviewed before. That means Almaraz could be asking to close while the CSN evaluates whether it can continue operating. A scenario that no one thought of in 2019 and that adds more uncertainty to the nuclear transition. Everything that nuclear encompasses. Added to this is the Government’s position. The Minister for the Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, has reiterated on several occasions the three red lines of the Executive, that the expansion does not entail costs for citizens, guarantee of nuclear safety and security of supply. However, these three conditions clash precisely with the diagnosis that they make the electric ones: operating the plants beyond 2027 with the current tax burden is economically unviable if the market does not exceed €65-70/MWh. The expected prices are around 55, so Iberdrola and Endesa insist that keeping the nuclear park open requires alleviating taxes that, according to the Ministry, would end up having an impact on consumers’ bills. The economic debate does not end there. Enresa’s fund for the dismantling of the plants only covers 43% of the real cost. According to figures that we have had access to in Xatakathere is a hole of 11.6 billion euros not yet financed, a fact that overrides any discussion about deadlines and extensions Can Spain do without nuclear power? The underlying issue is no longer political, but technical. Spain wants to build a 100% renewable system, but it has yet to be demonstrated that the network can sustain that model without the stability that nuclear energy provides. The new digital systems that must replace inertia of the reactors are still in the testing phase, and the CNMC has detected inconsistencies in the frequency and voltage control procedures. In parallel, regions with strong industrial and digital growth—such as Aragon, which is experiencing a data center boom—warn that the network is practically at the limit. Simply put: companies ask for time; The territories ask for certainties; The Government asks for guarantees. An official closure, but an open debate. Congress has closed the door to the PP’s fast track, but it has not closed the nuclear debate. On paper, the calendar remains intact; In practice, the transition coexists with technical tensions, industrial interests and territories that fear what will come next. The question … Read more

In 1521 Spain established a timid colony on the island of Borneo. Today they demand 15,500 million euros for it

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In a corner of Southeast Asia, the island of Borneo has been the scene of a historical entanglement that seems like something out of a novel. What began more than a century ago as a trade agreement between a local sultan and European businessmen today translates into multimillion-dollar lawsuits and international arbitrations involving Spain, Malaysia and the descendants of the Joló sultanate. The surprising thing is that the origin of all this mess goes back to a detail that many would overlook, but given that when it happened the island was under Spanish jurisdiction, a century and a half later, the judicial imbroglio has spilled over into a Spain that has been involved in a lawsuit for 15.5 billion euros without a hitch. Signing of the agreement and colonial movements In 1878, the island of Borneo was under Spanish administration in certain areas, although real authority corresponded to the Sultan of Joló, the highest authority in a small Muslim kingdom located to the north of that island. In that year, Sultan Jamalul Alam signed an agreement with two British businessmen, Baron of Overbeck and Alfred Dent for the exploitation of natural resources of the area. However, for the descendants of the sultan, that contract had a lease character, while for the British it implied a definitive transfer. First point of disagreement. Spain, as the administrative power of the time, left evidence of its limits and neither punctured nor cut nor cut in that agreement. Reproduction of the 1878 agreement In 1885 the Madrid Protocol between the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain, with which Spain formally renounced any right over Borneo and recognized British control of the area, left in hands of the British North Borneo Company to its colonial exploitation and became part of the British colonial territories. Already in 1963, the island of Borneo was integrated in the newly formed Malaysia, and the Joló sultanate was integrated as the state of Sabah. Under the agreement signed in 1878, the Malaysian government was the “heir” of that transfer/lease of the territory, so kept a symbolic payment annual payment of about 5,300 ringgit (about 1,110 euros per year at the exchange rate) to the sultan’s heirs. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, oil and gas deposits were discovered in that territory, so Malaysia, through the company Petronas. With a treasure of such magnitude under the soil of their territory and with a difference of opinion regarding the meaning of the initial agreement, the heirs of Sultan of Joló began to pressure Malaysia to return their lands. Something that Malaysia rejected outright. Invasion of Sabah and start of battle Everything changed in 2013, when a group of 235 linked to the heirs of the Sultan of Joló invaded Sabah, starting what became known as the Lahad Datu conflictclaiming the sovereignty of the region. Malaysia responded with military force and stopped the rebels declaring that the state of Sabah was part of the sovereignty of Malaysia. In retaliation, he decided to suspend historic payments to the sultan’s descendants. This suspension marked the beginning of a long international legal dispute since now the heirs did not have the right of ownership of the lands nor did Malaysia recognize the agreement signed in 1878. Since in 1878 the kingdom of Sabah was under the administrative control of Spain, the sultan’s heirs considered that the historical jurisdiction belonged to Spain and requested arbitration in Spain, trusting that the country’s courts could act as a neutral venue to resolve the conflict between Malaysia and the heirs of the Sultan of Joló. Territory in dispute From trade disagreement to billion-dollar international conflict In 2019 and already in Spain, the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) assigned arbitration in principle to lawyer Gonzalo Stampa. However, in 2020 and after studying the case in more detail, the same court ordered arbitrator Stampa to stop the arbitration by determining that the State of Malaysia could not be judged by another State. Despite the disqualification and orders from the Spanish justice system, Stampa ignored it and continued with the mediation process. Since it had been banned in Spain, Stampa moved the arbitration to Paris and, in 2022, he dictated a favorable award to the heirs of the sultan. In the award issued by Stampa, which we remember at that time was “free” and no longer recognized by Spain, it could be read: “(…) the Arbitrator decides that the Claimants have the right to recover from the Respondent the restitution value of the rights over the leased territory in northern Borneo. (…) and orders the Respondent to pay the Claimants the sum of 14.92 billion US dollars.” Painting of the Sultan from the late 19th century That is to say, not only had he ignored the instructions of the Spanish justice system, but he also condemned Malaysia to pay compensation of 15,000 million dollars to the heirs. Obviously, nor Malaysia neither Spain nor even Paris Court of Appeal and then the Cour de Cassation French recognized the nullity of the arbitration. In fact, the Supreme Court recently condemned to referee Stampa for contempt and usurpation of functions. Although no authority recognized this arbitration, the heirs attempted to enforce the award by confiscating Malaysian assets, in the form of Petronas assets, in Holland and Luxembourgbut European courts temporarily stayed the action. At the same time, the heirs of the Sultan of Joló filed a new complaint against Spain claiming 15.5 billion euros, alleging that the country had hindered the execution of the award. This demand has just been dismissed by the ICSID (International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes) tribunal dependent on the World Bank, which considered that there was no “protected investment” and ordered the heirs to assume the costs of the procedure. The result is that Spain leaves the dispute without paying a single euro, while the legal battle for territory and compensation against Malaysia remains open and on multiple fronts in Europe and Asia. What began as an agreement … Read more

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