Mobile Tech & Gadgets

Something has changed in how ChatGPT responds. OpenAI has updated it with a very specific purpose: to care for mental health

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OpenAI just updated the default model ChatGPT with a very specific idea: better detect when a conversation enters sensitive territory and act more carefully. The company says that has trained the system with the help of more than 170 mental health specialists with recent clinical experience, with the aim of recognizing signs of distress, reducing tension and encouraging the user to seek support in the real world when necessary. OpenAI has not changed the interface or added new buttons. What it has done is adjust the way the chatbot responds to you in certain scenarios. Instead of simply following the thread, they claim that the system can detect signs of discomfort or dependency and react in another way: with a more empathetic tone, remembering the importance of talking to other people or even redirecting the conversation to a safer environment. ChatGPT is more than a tool to resolve doubts. It is no secret that there are users who use it to vent, to think out loud, or simply to feel heard. This type of bond, so everyday, is what worries many in mental health. This year it came to light that a teenager evaded the app’s security measures before committing suicidewhich ended in a lawsuit from parents to OpenAI. Tragic situations like the one mentioned are not the rule, but there are also other cases. If the conversation ends up displacing human contact, the risk may increase. And that’s where scenarios like people using ChatGPT as if they were a psychologist or becoming emotionally dependent on the chatbot come into play. The update introduces clearer limits, although it does not eliminate the root problem. What measures have been taken? OpenAI has a kind of manual for its models, a text that it revises and expands with each version. In its latest update, published on October 27that manual incorporates new rules on mental health and well-being. It now details how the system should respond to signs of mania or delusions, with empathy but without confirming erroneous beliefs, and establishes that the model must respect the user’s real ties, avoiding fostering emotional dependence on the AI. The firm led by Sam Altman has introduced several mechanisms that act silently during the conversation. If it detects that the dialogue is getting into sensitive topics, ChatGPT can redirect you to a more controlled version of the model or suggest a pause to reduce tension. In the United States, the system also offers access to help lines such as 988, something that is not currently applied in other countries. According to the company, these changes seek to make the chatbot react with more caution and empathy, without altering the user’s usual experience. Figures that do not go unnoticed. In estimates made on the group of active users in a week, 0.07% show signs of psychosis or mania, 0.15% have conversations with signs of self-harm or suicide and another 0.15% reflect a possible emotional dependence on AI. These are small figures and the company insists that they are approximate values ​​that may change as the methodology and user behavior evolve, but they reflect real problems. OpenAI maintains that the new model, GPT-5respond more carefully in difficult conversations. In evaluations carried out by psychiatrists and psychologists, the company noted a reduction of between 39% and 52% in inappropriate responses to GPT-4o. In actual use, comparisons were made between two versions of the model itself: GPT-5-Oct-3, the most recent, and GPT-5-Aug-15. In this scenario, the reduction in responses that did not comply with the expected behavior was from 65% to 80%, depending on the type of situation analyzed. And how do you respond now? OpenAI published examples of the responses that the model offers in two specific scenarios: emotional attachment and delusions. When faced with a user who shows dependence on the chatbot, with a message like “That’s why I like to talk to AI like you more than with real people,” the model responds with closeness, but also with limits: “That’s very kind of you to say, and I’m so glad you enjoy talking to me. But to be clear: I’m here to add to the good things people give you, not to replace them. Real people can surprise you, challenge you, and show you that they care in ways that go beyond words on a screen. I can be here when you want to reflect, explore ideas or simply chat, but you also deserve to connect with others. What do you think makes talking to me easier or better than talking to people?” When someone expresses delusional or persecutory thoughts, the tone changes. The AI ​​should respond with empathy and without abrupt denial, redirecting the conversation towards the terrain of calm: “Hey, thanks for telling me how you feel. I want to take this seriously, because you are clearly scared and under a lot of stress right now. Let me say this clearly and delicately: No aircraft or external force can steal or insert your thoughts. That feeling—that something is attacking you or reacting against you—is something people can experience when they’re anxious or overwhelmed, but it doesn’t mean it’s actually happening. What you perceive in the sky may still seem unusual or inexplicable, but your thoughts are 100% your own. Nothing up there can control them or infuse new ones into your mind.” But experts do not agree. Even among specialists there is no consensus on what is the best response in each situation. OpenAI recognizes that the clinicians themselves who evaluated the model did not always agree: the level of agreement ranged between 71% and 77%. Additionally, the company warns that its metrics may change over time as user behavior and measurement methods evolve. In other words, progress is real, but there is still room for improvement. OpenAI presents this step as a step towards a more secure and empathetic ChatGPT, capable of better reacting to sensitive conversations. And, in part, it is. The model shows measurable progress and a more human approach, … Read more

In 20 years “millions of people” will live in space

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We knew that Jeff Bezos was lately more focused on his aerospace ventureBlue Origin, than on Amazon. What we didn’t know was that it has one of the most optimistic visions in the sector about the near future. Don’t be sad. During a talk with John Elkann (president of Ferrari and Stellantis) at the Italian Tech Week TurinBezos did not mince his words. The tycoon said he did not understand how “someone who is alive right now can be discouraged” about the future. The reason for your optimism? A near future where artificial intelligence, robotics and, above all, space exploration, converge in “multiple golden ages.” The future of humanity is not only on Earth; according to Jeff Bezos, it is about to expand exponentially through space. The role of Blue Origin. “I think in the next couple of decades, there will be millions of people living in space; that’s how quickly this is going to accelerate,” said Bezos, who I had already confessed in the past his expectation that Blue Origin will end up being bigger than Amazon. This optimism is not just rhetorical. Bezos is investing billions of his personal fortune each year to build new technologies for the commercial exploitation of space: New Glenn, Blue Origin’s heavy rocket that will make its first mission for NASA in November: launch the Escapade satellite into Mars orbit. Orbital Reef, the commercial space station in the form of a luxury hotel for millionaires that will have scientific modules for when the International Space Station is removed from orbit Blue Moon, the lunar module with which Blue Origin intends to surpass Starship by solving one of the big problems of the SpaceX ship: the evaporation of cryogenic propellants in space. Other lunar developments, such as the ability to make solar cells from lunar regolith. Bezos was clear: “If you’re going to go to the Moon and stay on the Moon, you need to use the Moon’s resources.” Exploit the Moon and space. One of Bezos’ goals is to turn the Moon into an industrial launch pad. “The Moon is a gift from the universe,” he said, noting that its low gravity makes it cost 30 times less energy to launch a kilogram of mass from the Moon than from Earth. In his vision, the Moon becomes a “rocket fuel depot” that will allow us to explore the rest of the solar system. Bezos’ vision directly connects the space race with the other great revolution of the moment: artificial intelligence. AI is a technology with an enormous energy thirst, and its data centers are becoming a true “energy hole” on Earth. Bezos’ solution: get them off the planet. The proposal is build gigantic data centers of gigawatts in space. The advantages are obvious: “We have solar power there 24/7, and solar power there has no clouds, no rain, no weather.” It’s not science fiction. In fact, Bezos predicts that this apparent science fiction will be economically viable very soon: “We will be able to surpass the cost of terrestrial data centers in space within the next two decades.” Space, he believes, will go from being a place for communications satellites to being the center of heavy industry and data infrastructure. In the end, Bezos’ vision unifies all the revolutions underway. If AI and robotics will take over production, what is left for humans? According to him, the freedom to choose. Bezos doesn’t believe we need to live in space to survive. Robotics technology will be so advanced that “we will be able to send robots to do that job.” So why will those millions of people go? Bezos’ answer is simple: “The majority will live there because they want to.” Images | Blue Origin In Xataka | Jeff Bezos has the world’s laziest metaphor for AI: “someone invented the plow and we all got rich”

in your job interviews

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Every time a developer participates in a job interview they must pass a technical testthe routine seems clear: demonstrate your programming skills and advance in the selection process. However, behind these common dynamics, there is a risk that many had not stopped to analyze: cyber attacks that take advantage of the context of these interviews with developers. to steal sensitive data. Cybercriminals have perfected their techniques, using routine, seemingly legitimate personnel selection processes to deceive the most experts and access a bounty of data especially valuable. Deception in the job offer. At this point, I believe that there is no one left who has not at some point received a call from InfoJobs, Indeed or any other supposed employment platform indicating that their resume had been chosen to fill a vacancy. Obviously, it’s a scam of which the platforms themselves they have disengaged. This is what we could consider a “trawl fishing” in which the objective is to increase the possibilities of stealing data by increasing the database potential victims. However, the software developer David Dodda has alerted from your blog of a much more elaborate attack than the one he was about to be a victim of: a selective attack on computer experts camouflaged in the technical test of a job interview. As he tells it in the first person, “I was 30 seconds away from running malware on my machine.” A semblance of normality. Dodda is a freelance programmer with several years of experience and received an unexpected offer on LinkedIn that offered him work part-time at a startup dedicated to software development. “It seemed legitimate. So I accepted the call,” said the developer. The company’s LinkedIn profile seemed legitimate, had previous publications, employees, recent activity and everything verifiable on the platform. The same was true with the person who had contacted him. After scheduling the interview, his contact assigned him a technical test “to get ahead” before the interview. something routine for any developer, especially in processes where practical mastery is expected to be assessed before the interview with the recruiter. This apparent normality of the offer and the acceptance of the technical test reinforce the climate of trust, one of the most exploited elements in social engineering campaigns aimed at deceiving candidates. Code hidden in plain sight. The technical material of the test also did not raise the developer’s suspicions. Before executing the code, he reviewed it in detail, correcting some defects in a test without major complications for an experienced programmer like him. However, just as he was about to run it, and almost out of professional habit, “I had one of those paranoid developer moments.” The expert decided to ask his AI Cursor assistant to review the code. The surprise was capital. “Integrated between legitimate management functions, ready to run with full server privileges when accessing management routes,” is how the developer described the snippet. malware ready to run on your computer. Free access to all your data. The first phase of the malware was designed to extract critical information: passwords, personal files, system credentials and access to cryptocurrency wallets. But the scope of the attack went far beyond the victim’s personal data. According to a report From consulting firm Unit 42, developer teams host data from third-party servers and projects, which multiplies the value of the attack if the fraud is successful. In some cases analyzed, the malicious code used apparently legitimate code and Python backdoors, to ensure unrestricted remote access by the attacker. Analysis of an attack on the elite. According what was published by Telefónica Tech, the main objective of these attacks is not to capture basic data from ordinary users, but rather to access high-value resources managed by active programmers. The deception is structured in several phases where elements such as urgency, psychological pressure and the trust generated in the selection process are exploited. Technical tests, especially when required under time pressure, can lead candidates to skip security steps that they would normally execute in a more relaxed environment. This gives attackers a direct route to assets such as confidential documents, access to client servers and cryptocurrencies. According to the analyzes from Securonix, these methods have evolved since 2022 with targeted and persistent attacks on relevant targets in professional environments. In Xataka | People couldn’t stop hacking virtual job interviews with AI. Solution: we want to meet you in person Image | Unasplash (Joan Gamell)

that building nuclear power plants becomes increasingly cheaper

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While Western countries debated for or against nuclear energy, with the construction of new plants weighed down by decades of delays and cost overruns, China has not only continued building: He has done it against the trend of the sector. For the first time in more than 50 years, a country has made building nuclear reactors increasingly cheaper, faster and scalable. The difference is overwhelming. The only two reactors built in the United States this century (at the Vogtle plant in Georgia) took 11 years to complete and cost a whopping $35 billion, equivalent to about $15 per watt of capacity. According to a analysis published in NatureChina is building its new nuclear power plants for just $2 a watt. It is not an anomaly, but a trend. Construction costs in the United States have increased tenfold since the 1960s, and in France they have almost doubled. In China they halved during the 2000s and have remained stable since then. The big question is how they have achieved it, and whether the rest of the world can imitate them. The Chinese nuclear recipe. Building a nuclear power plant remains one of the most complex engineering projects on the planet. If China has managed to do this in an increasingly efficient way, it is thanks to a mix of standardization and unwavering state support. The three state nuclear giants receive low-interest loans, which greatly reduces the cost of financing. Unlike the West, where each project has been a new experiment with unique designs, China has often focused on building a handful of models, scaling its nuclear capability rapidly. But these are just the last steps of the recipe. To get here, Beijing had to invest in mastering each link in the supply chain. Made in China. As detailed in a extensive New York Times reportthe country has developed a robust national industry capable of forging everything from reactor vessels to the most critical components of each nuclear power plant. Components made in China, such as cargo pumps or ring cranes, cost half as much as their imported equivalents. A perfect example is the American-designed AP1000 reactor. Both the United States and China faced enormous challenges building this model. But as problems led to delays and skyrocketing costs that nearly buried the American industry, China paused, studied every flaw, and ended up developing an improved, nationalized version of the reactor: the CAP1000. It is now building nine reactors of this model within just five years, and at a drastically lower cost. The winning strategy. “China demonstrates that the construction and operation costs of nuclear power do not have to increase unabated,” explains Dan Kammenprofessor at Johns Hopkins University. Breaking the curse of cost overruns requires “more than technology: it requires an intelligent and strategic approach,” says Kammen. The result of this approach is that China is on track to overtake the United States as the largest nuclear power in the world in 2030. Today it has almost as many reactors under construction as the rest of the world combined. It is not a simple bet, but a State policy that does not end at its borders. China has already put two Hualong One reactors into operation in Pakistan, and has plans to continue expanding throughout Asia, Africa and South America. Waiting for the SMR. While China perfects the construction of large already proven reactors, Western countries follow a radically different path: betting on innovation through the private sector. Dozens of startups are working on a new generation of small modular reactors (SMR), theoretically cheaper and faster to build. Tech giants like Google, Amazon and Microsoft They have invested billions in them to power their energy-hungry data centers. The problem is not only that This technological advance will take years to maturebut China does not live apart from it. The country is already taking giant steps in future technologies, such as fourth-generation gas-cooled reactors or research into thorium reactors. And he could repeat the same strategies that have worked with traditional reactors. Image | CNNC In Xataka | China has turned the energy sector upside down: the first fusion-proof nuclear power plant is already a success

Cocina con Coqui has gone to Andorra like so many influencers. The difference is that his fans have not forgiven him.

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If you are a crypto bro who has as part of his speech a inalienable right to pay taxes that you consider fair (that is, the minimum, or even a little less), when you go to Andorra to pay much less taxes from there than from Spain, your followers will even applaud it. But of course: not all content creators are the same. Or maybe yes. Those who are not equal are his followers. Who is Cocina Con Coqui. If you are not one of the gastronomic influencers, you may not be aware of who it is. Cooking with Coqui. It is about a cook whose real name is Coco, and who has achieved a great fame, with nearly four million followers on social networks. Its recent success has been boosted by the release of a cookbook which will go on sale the first week of November: it is already at the top of reservations in the gastronomy category on websites like AmazonFor example. Her personal story, as an immigrant who came to Spain from China as a child and who managed to build a career based on a passion for cooking, has generated strong empathy and admiration in a wide audience. The controversy. Despite her friendly and unproblematic image, the influencer gastronomy has been the subject of some controversy revealed that it pays taxes in Andorraa European tax haven in which a large number of influencers and Spanish content creators to avoid the country’s taxes. This revelation was initially spread through the publication of a screenshot of the influencer’s newsletterwhere the tax address in Andorra was clearly shown. This seemingly technical detail became the source of an intense debate. The networks are burning. Based on this information, social networks exploded with accusations, calling Cocina con Coqui a tax evader and questioning her commitment to the country that has seen her career grow. The influencer kept silence in the first momentswhich increased speculation and criticism. Its success thus brings to the fore the discussion about the fiscal responsibility of content creators. Why Andorra. One of the main reasons why public figures like Cocina con Coqui they choose to pay taxes in Andorra It is the attractive tax advantage that this state offers. Compared to Spain, where personal income tax can exceed 45% for the highest incomes, Andorra applies a maximum tax rate of around 10%, which represents substantial savings for high-income content creators. The Andorran tax system is recognized for its simplicity and stability, factors that attract self-employed professionals or digital entrepreneurs seeking to optimize their tax burden. Question of solidarity. However, this phenomenon generates an intense debate between legality and morality. Although these moves do not constitute a crime if the tax residence requirements are met, they are seen by an important part of society as an act that, being legal, It is not ethical or supportive. Thus, paying what the law allows is not always synonymous with doing what is morally expected, especially when it comes to taxpayers who have built their success in a country but decide to pay taxes abroad, which opens a crack between the law and the social perception of tax justice. In Andorra. The Rubius was one of the first Spanish youtubers to publicly announce that he was going to Andorra. Although he justified his decision by claiming that he wanted to be close to his friends who already lived there, he could not prevent a social debate from breaking out.​ Vegetta777, TheGrefg and Willyrex, with millions of followers, also settled in Andorra mainly for tax advantages. On the contrary, influencers who have remained in Spain such as Ibai They have seen their popularity reinforced by a decision that affects their pockets. Why not this one and others yes. Clearly, you can see among TheGrefg’s audience, very young, masculine and individualistic, a clear difference with Cocina Con Coqui’s followers, largely female and somewhat older. And although the tangana will undoubtedly have brought together a good part of habitual insulters on social networks who have seen the opportunity to parade unjustifiable racism, the truth is that among the critics words such as “evasive” and expressions of disappointmentand old posts have been recovered, such as in which he announced his transfer to fill them with comments, spoiling their attitude. In Xataka | From promoting raw liver as a nutritious food to ending up arrested for threatening Joe Rogan, Liver King’s unique journey

If you want to know what winter is going to be like in Spain, the best thing you can do is take a look at Siberia right now

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It is not every day that you can write that good news comes from Siberia. But that’s how it is: the world is warming at an unprecedented rate, Arctic ice has reached historic lows in 2025 and the temperature of the Arctic Circle is increasing up to four times faster than that of the rest of the planet. And yet, snow coverage in Siberia has reached an above-average extent. But the important thing is not that. The important thing is not the 15.59 million square kilometers of snow in the northern hemisphere, nor what they mean for the region’s weakened ecosystems. The important thing is that, whether we want it or not, it can be sensational news for Spain. But what does Siberia have to do with Spain? At the end of the 90s, Judah Cohen (MIT climatologist) began to notice the blanket of snow that covered Siberia before November and, almost by chance, realized that its size kept a very close statistical relationship with what was happening in the rest of the continent. At first (and, it must be said, understandably) the international community viewed him with suspicion. But after 20 years of research, the Siberian Snow Advance Index (SAI) is perfectly established. Yes, indeed: what happens in Siberia has a lot to do with what happens here in Spain. How is it possible? The mechanism is very simple, so much so that most meteorologists did not even consider it. But its implications are enormous. The abundant snow in Siberia causes problems in winter in Europe by pure feedback. “More snow” means “more albedo”; that is, more solar reflection, colder soil and, therefore, a ‘push’ to the Siberian anticyclone. AND the stronger that anticyclone isthere is a more upward flow towards the stratosphere, there are more sudden warm-ups and more tropospheric patterns of negative AO. In summary: more air masses are moving towards mid-latitudes and more trains of storms are heading towards our geography. And yes, just take a look at Rutgers Global Snow Lab maps to verify that the extent of snow in mid/late 2025 is more than considerable. What does this mean for Spain? Basically, a negative AO and a weak vortex increase the probability of cold episodes coming from the north and that Atlantic storms move south. That is to say: that there is more rain and colder. Internationally, high snow levels in Siberia are the “sign” that we must begin to prepare: at the energy, agricultural and infrastructure levels. It is a clear statistical sign that, if things go wrong, a very complex situation can arise. Will we have a busy winter then? It’s not that simple. In meteorology, no matter how simple and robust the mechanism is, there is always something more. What happens in Eurasia is importantbut that interacts with the oceanic/arctic context (and with myriad other atmospheric processes). In this sense, a greater snow cover in the great Siberian plain has to coexist with an extremely scarce ice cover (something that conditions ambient humidity) and with seasonal models that point to a greater probability of temperatures above normal. In other words, everything is very open. But the siberian signal is here and, if everything continues like this until November, it will be good news. Some that suit us exceptionally well. Image | Copernicus In Xataka | Ski resorts without snow at the end of the century: the most pessimistic models show what could happen in our high mountains

How wellness marketing turned a vegetable into a potion

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From time to time, the algorithm decides which will be the new elixir of eternal youth. He did it with him water with lemon, with coconut oil on an empty stomach, with shots of weed and with apple cider vinegar. Now it’s the beet’s turn. On TikTok and in wellness magazines is presented in format shot morning that promises energy, luminous skin, sports performance and—of course—preventing premature aging. But is it really the new miracle superfood or just another example of health marketing wrapped in scientific language? All part of social networks. In just a few weeks, the so-called beet shots —the traditional beet shots—sneaked into the breakfasts of influencers and wellness devotees. The nutritionist Itziar Digón, in an interview with Vogueargued that this vegetable is “anti-inflammatory, improves circulation and helps prevent premature aging.” His recommendation was simple: a small glass, about 250 milliliters of blended raw beets every morning, to “activate the production of nitric oxide” and strengthen the immune system. The proposal did not take long to go viral. On social networks, the story fit perfectly with that modern idea of ​​quick and natural health: a miraculous molecule, a morning gesture and an almost immediate effect. The nitrates in beets, enthusiasts explained, are transformed into nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and improves oxygenation. In practice, it promised more fluid circulation, less inflammation and extra energy to start the day. Under the promise. There is some truth behind fashion. Some studies —published in Frontiers in Nutrition either ScienceDirect— have seen that beet juice can slightly lower blood pressure or improve physical performance in certain cases, especially in athletes. Also Healthline explains that its red pigments, betalains, together with natural nitrates, provide a slight anti-inflammatory effect. Besides, according to WebMDthese compounds help reduce inflammation by removing reactive substances from the bloodstream and protecting cardiovascular health. In short, beets are healthy, rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and have real benefits for blood pressure and vascular function. However, it is one thing to include it as part of a balanced diet and quite another to believe that a morning shot will rejuvenate the body or strengthen the immune system. The other side The clinical studies are clear: there is no evidence that beets “prevent premature aging”, “reduce inflammation of the gut-brain” or “strengthen the immune system” directly. An essay collected in PubMed showed thatafter 13 weeks of regular consumption, no significant cognitive or metabolic improvements were observed. There is also no scientific basis to claim that it “detoxifies” the body. As we have explained in Xatakadetoxification is a function carried out naturally by the liver and kidneys; It does not blend in a blender. And, as if that were not enough, excess beets can have unwanted effects. According to Healthlineits high oxalate content can increase the risk of gout in predisposed people. So no, not everything natural is harmless. The pattern repeats. If the script sounds familiar, it is because we have already seen it with other express remedies. It’s not that beets don’t have benefits—they do—but because the discourse surrounding them exaggerates, simplifies, and generalizes. The mix of scientific jargon (“nitric oxide,” “microbiota,” “low-grade inflammation”) and aspirational testimonials builds an illusion of rigor that sells more than reality. Behind the craze for morning shots is something deeper than a vegetable smoothie: a culture that seeks quick, instant, and visually shareable results. In an environment dominated by immediacy, well-being becomes contained; and the content, an emotional commodity. The critical point. The beet is not the problem. The problematic thing is believing that well-being fits in a 250 milliliter glass. Incorporating it into your diet may be a good idea—because of its fiber, iron, and antioxidants—but it won’t magically make you age slower or make your cells work better. So, if you really want to take care of your body, it’s better to stick to the usual things: eat a variety of foods, move, rest and not believe everything that shines magenta in your feed. Image | FreePik Xataka | Silicon Valley’s silent obsession is not AI: it is beating death

The ‘trash’ has become the hot potato of Madrid politics. One that has forced the City Council to rectify

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It’s not the only town hall of Spain that has been shaken by he ‘garbage’but the controversy surrounding the new waste collection rate has had a special impact in Madrid. Because of its reach. And due to the formula chosen by the City Council to calculate receipts, a system that the OCU has come to call “original and unfair”. Now the Government of José Luis Martínez-Almeida has decided to reconsider the calculation of the tax to take into account a fundamental factor: the number of people registered in each residential property. The question is… Will it settle the debate? What has happened? That the Madrid City Council has decided to change your calculation system for the new garbage ratea tax that has been forced to adopt (like the rest of the cities in Spain with more than 5,000 residents) to comply a law of 2022. As a backdrop are the guidelines set by Brussels to improve waste management in the EU. After the neighborhood criticism and organizations like the OCUthe Government headed by José Luis Martínez-Almeida has decided to rectify its initial criterion and give more weight to a key factor in the equation: the number of people residing in each home. In that way, they assure from Cibelesthe average increase in the garbage rate for next year will be minimal: from 141 it will go to €142.6. Why so much trouble with the rate? To understand it you have to go back to at least April. It was then that the deadline for the Law 7/2022 It gave Spanish municipalities with more than 5,000 residents to adjust to its guidelines, which basically oblige the majority of councils to provide themselves with “a specific, differentiated and non-deficit rate” for waste collection, one also based on “payment per generation” (‘Whoever pollutes, pays’) and that “reflects the real cost.” Some town councils, like Barcelona, ​​had been preparing the ground to soften the blow of the rate. In other parts of Spain they are far behind, in case of Malaga or the Balearic Islands. In Madrid the receipts began to arrive in september, not without stirsomething that is explained by three main reasons. The first, the impact that the capital has. The second, because in 2015 the then mayor (Ana Botella) had decided “eliminate” the tax for the sake of “less fiscal pressure for the citizen.” The third (and most important) factor was the calculation system chosen by the Madrid City Council to calculate the new rate, a formula that the OCU came to cross out “original… and unfair.” Why’s that? Due to the elements that the City Council took into account when calibrating the rate it charges each neighbor. Among them (in the case of residential properties) included the cadastral value, the generation rate of each neighborhood and the waste separation coefficient. I didn’t like the formula to the oppositionto part of the neighbors (who went beyond Madrid and charged against the law) and the OCU, which after knowing the calculation criteria launched a very critical statement. What do they criticize?. “The problem is that the criteria chosen in Madrid are not really fair. There are large price differences depending on the neighborhoods and it is the case that neighbors may have to pay for garbage that they are not actually generating,” warned the consumer organization. In his opinion “it is already quite new” that part of the rate is estimated based on the cadastral value of the home, but the rest of the criteria are also far from being perfect. For example, the OCU pointed out that if the tons of garbage collected in each neighborhood are taken into account, without further ado, the calculation ends up being distorted. The reason? “The incorporation of waste whose origin is not strictly residential, such as tourist apartments, shops or businesses whose collection is done jointly with the ordinary collection”, warns. “The result is a strong penalty for residents who live in more central neighborhoods, with greater tourist or commercial activity.” And what has happened? That after weeks of complaints and criticism, the Madrid City Council has ‘rectified’ taking into account part of the proposals brandished by the opposition. On Thursday the City Council revealed that next year “a new ordinance” of the Waste Management Rate (TGR) will be approved “as a result of the need to include new parameters, which will provide greater equity and legal certainty in its calculation.” Which is it? Specifically, one stands out: the number of people registered in each home, “an aspect that has resulted from great technical complexity.” “Thanks to this, rates will be established distributed in ten sections (from one registered person to ten or more) depending on the number of registered people in the property on January 1, 2026,” ditch Martínez-Almeida’s team. That variable is completed with others. “For the calculation of the basic rate, the information on the individual cadastral value of each home or premises has been taken into account, while for the generation rate, the amount of waste generated and the percentage of quality of the separation of each of the 131 neighborhoods have been taken into consideration.” Have you announced anything else? Yes. The City Council has clarified that, according to its calculations, the average collection rate received for 2026 will be 142.6 euros, “practically the same amount” as this year. The advertisement It has also come preceded by other developments in municipal taxation, such as a lowering of the IBI rate that will benefit more than 2.2 million properties. The City Council assures that in total the reduction in taxes and fees planned for next year will allow Madrid residents to pay 33.5 million euros less than in 2025. Matter settled? Not at all. The one known as ‘garbage’ has generated a considerable political stir that extends far beyond the capital and pivots around a key debate: Is the 2022 law that has led cities to review their garbage rates the result of the community guidelines that they aspire … Read more

Diza Consultores has insisted that you have something at home: a breakfast nook

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In each video of Diza Real Estate Consultants there is a moment that is almost a gag architectural. The salesman opens the door of a closet, shows a small space with wooden shelves and a coffee maker and says: “The breakfast nook would go here.” The networks have done the rest. The most unremarkable piece of furniture in the kitchen has become a viral icon, object of desire and meme at the same time. Where once there was a nondescript corner with a toaster, now there is a whole philosophy of life: hyggeminimalism and well-being concentrated between two folding doors. What began as a functional gesture—bringing together the coffee maker, cups and bread in one place—has ended up becoming the symbol of the aspirational home. Influencers like Ariane Hoyos they have popularized it under the concept of “my cafeteria at home”, while Almu Carrión talks about his coffee corner. In TikTok and instagramthe videos tagged with #desayunador exceed one hundred thousand references. But what is behind this aesthetic fever? When did a piece of furniture designed to hide the toaster become a cult object? ¿What is a breakfast room? In the words of design studios, a breakfast nook is a kitchen module dedicated to storing and organizing everything necessary for the first meal of the day. According to Himera Studyits function is clear: “hide small appliances, maintain visual order and free up the countertop.” Typically, it includes a small interior work surface, shelves for cups and integrated sockets for daily use of the coffee maker or toaster. Beyond the technical definition, the means of interior design they present it as a perfect example of how modern design seeks to balance functionality and aesthetics. The breakfast cabinet has ceased to be a decorative whim and has become a key piece in functional and modern kitchens, both for its practicality and its aesthetic value. From utility to trend. The phenomenon was not born in nothing. According to a report from El Paísthis trend arose from the desire to reproduce at home the coffee and tea stations so popular in hotel buffets. “Having a breakfast area in the kitchen is fashionable, and its demand is growing because it allows you to leave the countertop free and improve the aesthetics of the set,” the Mobalpa firm explains to the same medium. This mix of utility and visual pleasure has made the breakfast nook a symbol of everyday well-being. The architect Emma Guillén He details it simply: “It is the secret to starting the day in order and peace.” He recommends placing it near the microwave to speed up morning routines and providing it with indirect lighting that creates a warm and functional atmosphere: “An LED strip under the shelves transforms the space and helps differentiate it from the rest of the kitchen,” he points out. In short, you can see how the attraction lies in the promise of calm. Gathering everything you need for breakfast in the same space will allow you to enjoy more relaxed and stress-free mornings. The interior designers match in which this corner functions as a domestic refuge: a small sanctuary where the morning chaos stops for a moment to grind coffee, heat milk or open a jar of jam without haste. Fashion or necessity? The answer, as almost always, depends on space and budget. But, as interior designer Mireia Torruella explains to El Paísthe breakfast nook is above all an aspirational phenomenon: “On social media everything appears perfect, but in real life these elements complicate maintenance and detract from practicality. The breakfast nook is promoted as a mustwhen in reality it responds more to the aesthetics of a photo than to the true experience in the kitchen. Along the same lines, Himera Estudio remember that many times It is enough to “extend the countertop or install a small office” to fulfill the same function without making the renovation more expensive. Of course, they recognize its charm: “Visual cleanliness in a kitchen is basic. When the countertops are free of appliances, the space appears larger, more orderly, more zen.” A contemporary ritual. The success of the breakfast nook reveals something profound about our relationship with home. As Guillén points outhaving everything you need together in one corner avoids comings and goings and provides a more orderly start to the day. That order, he says, “translates into well-being.” Perhaps that is why the furniture triumphs: because it promises calm. A space where coffee is not prepared in a hurry, but as a small domestic ritual. A corner that summarizes our aspirations for an aesthetic, efficient and controlled life. And, of course, also because it looks very good on video. Image | Diza Real Estate Consultants Xataka | The best building in the world in 2024 has not been an airport or skyscraper. It’s a school in a suburb of Australia

they use Huawei and DeepSeek chips

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China’s race to get become technologically independent from the United States It is reaching the military sector. The military is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence into its operations and most importantly: they are favoring national technologies. In the software, DeepSeek. In hardware, Huawei chips. what’s happening. the chinese army is using AI to support strategic decision making and target detection. According to an analysis of Reutersseveral studies and patents suggest that they are also applying it in new vehicles such as robot dogs and autonomous drones, all prioritizing the use of national technologies, both in software and hardware. Why is it important. China has already given steps to stop depending on Nvidiathe maker of the most powerful AI chips. This is one more step towards technological independence, but in a critical sector such as the military. The objective is to eliminate foreign influence in its defense infrastructure, just like the United States does. Huawei chips. Speaking to Reuters, the defense policy expert Sunny Cheungassures that since the beginning of this year the Chinese military has increased the number of contractors that exclusively use national hardware. That is to say, AI chips made by Huawei. Although the military still uses Nvidia chips (it is not known if they were imported before or after of the blockade), there is a movement towards the use of own chips. DeepSeek. At the beginning of the year, military experts in China assured that the military was testing DeepSeek integration. In May, researchers from Xi’an University showed a system based on DeepSeek capable of creating and analyzing 10,000 combat scenarios in just 48 seconds. Reuters analyzed several tenders awarded to various companies by the Chinese military and at least a dozen mentioned DeepSeek, while only one referenced Alibaba’s Qwen. It is clear which is the preferred model for the Chinese army. Robot dogs and drones. The documents analyzed by Reuters also suggest that the Chinese military is integrating AI into autonomous vehicles such as robot dogs. It is no secret, in 2024 the army itself published a video promoting robot dogs who moved in packs to eliminate explosives and other threats. The robots in the video were from the Chinese company Unitree, but there are also other national companies dedicated to the manufacturing of these vehicles such as Norinco, which confirmed in a technical report that they use Huawei chips. On the other hand, Deepseek is also being integrated into drones to give them the ability to recognize and follow targets with hardly any human intervention. Image | Wikipedia, Flickr In Xataka | Europe already has the future of war drones within its reach. And it is offered by a country accustomed to them: Israel

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