Mobile Tech & Gadgets

The film industry has been stagnant for more than a century. Netflix wants to change it: Crossover 1×34

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Harry, Albert, Sam and Jack, all brothers, decided to open their first movie theater in Pennsylvania in 1903. Considering that the movie industry was in its infancy at the time, the bet was risky. Those brothers ended up being the most famous in that industryand in fact they made it clear in the name of their company: Warner Bros. They would soon buy more theaters and, over time, discover that distribution was important, but content was even more important. They ended up becoming a film producer that managed to be a pioneer with the famous ‘The Jazz Singer’, the first talking film. More films would arrive, and a 1948 ruling in the US meant that she and other production companies had to dedicate themselves only to generating content. It wasn’t a bad deal, and for more than a century the film industry has done really well and has strengthened that idea that content is king. Netflix also discovered it over time. Although it was also born focusing on distribution – with its famous DVD rental service by mail – its leap into the world of streaming caused it to even take steps from Warner Bros. and decide to create its own content. This is how series like ‘House of Cards’ or ‘Stranger Things’ were born, which have turned it into a true steamroller in the field of audiovisual content. So much so that after more than 100 years without major changes, Netflix could fully enter the “traditional” industry if he manages to buy Warner Bros.. The recent offer to have options to get ahead, but everything is to be decided. What is clear is that if that happens there will be a change of direction in this gigantic industry. We talked about all this in the last installment of Crossover, we hope you enjoy it! On YouTube | Crossover In Xataka | Netflix promised them very happy with their huge purchase of Warner. Until Paramount and Saudi Arabia appeared

New KIA EV2, features, price, technical sheet

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Not all electric cars are designed to convince the same type of driver. Some seek to demonstrate how far technology can go; others simply fit into real life. He Kia EV2 It clearly belongs to this second group. A small, electric SUV made in Europe which is presented as the starting point of the brand’s electric range. Its formula is quite specific: make sense for those looking to make the leap to an electric car without spending too much. The EV2 is a vehicle that Kia fits within the B segment, the second most popular in Europe. Its development is based on a specific electrical architecture and a format designed to combine contained dimensions with a five-door configuration and elevated stance. Within the brand’s catalogue, it is positioned as the smallest model in its electric offering, a positioning that conditions both its design, its specifications and its general approach. KIA EV2 technical sheet KIA EV2 standard KIA EV2 long distance Platform E-GMP E-GMP Length (mm) 4,060 4,060 Width (mm) 1,800 1,800 Height (mm) 1,575 1,575 Battle (mm) 2,565 Battery (kWh) 42.2 61.0 Range (km, WLTP) 317 448 DC fast charging (10-80%) 0:29 0:30 AC charging (11 kW / 22 kW) 4:05 / 2:35 5:35 / 3:00 Wheels 205/65 R16 215/50 R18 225/45 R19 (GT-Line) 205/65 R16 215/50 R18 225/45 R19 (GT-Line) Trunk volume (l, VDA) 362 (5 seats) 403 (4 seats with sliding and reclining seats) 362 (5 seats) 403 (4 seats with sliding and reclining seats) Functional equipment Digital Key 2.0, Remote Key Parking System (RSPA Entry), MFR LED headlights, Harman/Kardon Premium Audio System, Vehicle Charging (V2L), Vehicle to Grid Charging (V2G), OTA Remote Updates Digital Key 2.0, Remote Key Parking System (RSPA Entry), MFR LED headlights, Harman/Kardon Premium Audio System, Vehicle Charging (V2L), Vehicle to Grid Charging (V2G), OTA Remote Updates A small electric car, with the ambition of being a daily car In the electrical section, the EV2 is articulated around two very different configurations. The first has a 42.2 kWh battery, while the second increases the capacity to 61.0 kWh. Kia esteem for them ranges of up to 317 and between 440 and 448 kilometers respectively, figures corresponding to the cycle WLTP. We are faced with a double proposal that allows the vehicle to be adjusted to different use profiles, from regular urban trips to a greater margin for longer journeys without frequent recharging. If we focus on the charging system, both versions use a 400 V architecture and support fast charging in direct current, with times that Kia places between 29 and 30 minutes depending on the battery. In alternating current, the EV2 supports powers of 11 kW and 22 kW, a combination that expands the possibilities both in the home environment and in the public network. By dimensions, the EV2 is around four meters in length, a size that is especially common in the European B-SUV segment. This format, of course, is convenient for moving in urban environments. Kia combines compact proportions with design features that reinforce that perception, such as the raised stance and marked wheel arches, without giving up a line designed for everyday use. Beyond the exterior size, the use of interior space is one of its key arguments. With a wheelbase of 2,565 millimeters, the EV2 offers four or five-seat configurations and a sliding and reclining rear seat system that allows you to prioritize legroom or cargo capacity. In its most forward position, the trunk reaches up to 403 liters, to which is added a 15-liter front trunk. In the technological section, Kia equips the EV2 with a digital architecture similar to that of other models, such as the EV3. The ccNC system is articulated around three screens, with 12.3-inch digital instrumentationcentral touch screen of the same size and a specific 5.3-inch module for air conditioning. To adjust the access price, the model can also mount ccNC Lite, a simplified version that maintains the logic of use and basic functions. In both cases, the system allows wireless OTA updates, although Kia points out that ccNC Lite does not support remote OTA map updates and limits some functions. On the other hand, EV2 incorporates a complete range of ADAS systems aimed at both protection and comfort. The list includes level 2 highway driving assistance, advanced collision prevention systems, adaptive cruise control and environmental monitoring solutions. In the field of parking, it can incorporate a 360-degree view camera and remote key parking, transferring common technologies in higher segments to a compact format. Production of the EV2 will follow a staggered schedule. Manufacturing will begin in the Žilina plant, in Slovakiawith the standard autonomy version in February 2026 and will be expanded in June with the variants with higher battery capacity and the GT-Line finish. For now, Kia has not specified an exact date of arrival at dealerships and simply points out that the commercial launch will be confirmed closer to the start of sales. Price and availability of the new KIA EV2 The price is, today, the big piece of information that Kia has not put on the table. The brand has not communicated an official figure, but it has left relevant signals about its positioning. According to Automotive Newsthe CEO of Kia Europe, Marc Hedrichavoided specifying a starting price, although he did not deny that it could be below 30,000 euros. In this scenario, always prior to aid, it would be necessary add the state and regional incentives in force in Spainwhich can significantly reduce the final outlay. All in all, the EV2 is emerging as a particularly attractive option for many buyers looking to make the jump to electric without going to high ranges, although not necessarily for all profiles or budgets. Images | KIA In Xataka | Mazda has left its electric cars in the hands of a Chinese company. Now their Mazda CX-6e breaks everything they defended

cut funding to universities

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The United States is obsessed with winning the AI ​​race against China. Crazy investments, blockages to critical technology, nuclear reactors to power the data centers… In the midst of these titanic efforts, the Trump administration decided that it was a good idea to do massive cuts to academic research. Shot in the foot. In an interview with Financial TimesEric Horvitz has harshly criticized the cuts promoted by Trump. Microsoft’s chief scientist argues that this decision will cause talent to emigrate to other countries, such as China, and make them take the lead in science and, above all, in AI. “Personally, I find it difficult to understand the logic of trying to compete with other countries while applying these cuts,” says Horvitz. Cuts. 2025 has been a complicated year for research and science in the United States. Thousands of researchers have been laid off, eliminated science subsidies worth 1 billion, American universities They have eliminated more than 9,000 jobs, They have dismantled the Department of EducationHE They have cut billions in health programsspace research and of course everything related to climate change or diversity policies. Meanwhile in China… China is clear that, to compete in the technological war, it needs engineers and He has been investing in them for more than forty years. Currently it is the country that produces the most STEM graduatesis driving initiatives to train high-ranking engineers and has the university that is publishing the most papers on AI. There is more. In your 15th five-year plan covering 2026 to 2030China makes strengthening the educational system a priority and has another plan underway to become leader in education by 2035. Leadership at stake. Horvitz It defends the model that the United States began after World War II, with the creation of the National Science Foundation, without which the United States would be “decades behind” in the current technological war. He also highlights that there are key advances to reach modern AI, such as reinforcement learningwhich were achieved thanks to public funds. Exodus of talent. In the 80s there was an exodus of Chinese talent to the United States, but currently the situation has turned around. There are more and more Chinese academics returning to their country and there is also American engineers going to China motivated by a talent recruitment campaign. Europe is also being a destination for many researchers who, pushed by cuts, seek opportunities through large EU financing programs. Image | Wikipedia / harvard In Xataka | The United States may win the AI ​​race, but its problem is different: China is winning all the others

Ouigo cancels services between Madrid, Seville and Malaga, with thousands of passengers affected

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Maybe you already had the ticket purchased and your suitcase half packed, or maybe you had taken advantage of one of the recent Pink Days by Ouigo to move between Madrid, Seville or Malaga at a particularly low price. Everything seemed to fall into place until, upon reviewing the trip or receiving a notification, the plan began to go awry without much visible explanation. Traveling at high speed is usually synonymous with predictability, but these days it has become a source of uncertainty for thousands of people. Ouigo has canceled several of its high-speed services during this month of January in the Madrid-Seville and Madrid-Málaga corridors, a decision that the company itself attributes to “operational reasons.” as explained to newspapers such as El País and the world. The cut affects eight daily services from Friday to Monday and six daily services from Tuesday to Thursday on those same routes. The problems would last until January 22, with an estimate of about 15,000 passengers affected. Ouigo’s message to those affected. According to the information provided by the company itself, affected passengers have been informed of the cancellations in advance and have received direct communications about the available options. In these notices, Ouigo proposes two main alternatives: change the ticket for free to another available service or cancel the trip. The company maintains that this decision has been made to guarantee the quality of service during the period affected by operational problems. Those who decide not to relocate their trip and opt for cancellation may also qualify for financial compensation. The amount of this compensation varies depending on the moment in which the cancellation was notified and is between 200% and 50% of the ticket price. The company defends that this scheme aims to cushion the impact of cancellations on travelers. In this framework, Ouigo adds that these compensations “go beyond what is legally required.” What the OCU says. In a statementthe OCU emphasizes that the refund of the ticket must be made by the same means of payment used in the purchase and that accepting a voucher is not mandatory, but a voluntary option. Furthermore, it points out that in certain cases those affected can claim additional compensation for the damages suffered, such as accommodation expenses already paid, lost reservations or tickets to shows that could not be attended, as long as they can prove it with documentation. If the traveler considers that the solution offered is not sufficient, the OCU reminds that there are formal mechanisms to complain to Ouigo. The organization explains that you can submit a complaint form directly on the company’s website, in addition to contacting its customer service by telephone. Specifically, Ouigo provides a toll-free number, +34 900 759 781, and another with a local rate, +34 911 674 583. Ouigo takes it away from you and Renfe gives it to you? Renfe moved quickly on two fronts that were very visible to the traveler. On the one hand, activated special AVLO trains in the Southern corridor to absorb part of the demand, with two additional services between Madrid and Seville, one at 12:00 p.m. and another at 5:17 p.m., both with tickets from 7 euros. On the other hand, he did not waste time telling it on social networks, where he launched direct messages to warn of those alternatives. The company has also indicated that it will reinforce the capacity of its trains if demand demands it in the coming days. Renfe messages in X No statement on Ouigo networks. Beyond the notifications received by those affected, there is a simple check that allows us to better understand the scope of the situation. When reviewing Ouigo’s website During the purchasing process, there is a lower supply of daily services on the Madrid-Seville and Madrid-Málaga corridors, especially on the dates affected by the cuts. On the other hand, according to our review, we have not located specific communications about these cancellations on the website or social networks of Ouigo in Spain (x, Facebook, instagram). What to do if I am one of those affected. The first thing is to check if we have received a cancellation notification and check exactly what affects our trip. From there, it is time to decide between a free ticket change or cancellation and confirm what compensation corresponds to each case. If the cancellation has generated other expenses, it is advisable to gather all the documentation as soon as possible to be able to make a claim and, if we need to travel on those dates, there is no choice but to check what alternatives are still available in the affected corridor. Images | OUIGO In Xataka | I have tried to buy one of the 7 euro Renfe tickets. And Renfe has done Renfe’s

A tax on billionaires has made the founder of Google seek refuge in Miami. A $173 million shelter

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Larry Page, co-founder of Google and second largest fortune in the world according to Forbespacks his bags after 30 years living in California. It’s not a whim. There is a compelling reason behind this decision: not pay taxes. However, the millionaire moves from state to state. the most millionaire way possiblewhich is none other than spending no less than 173.4 million dollars on two mansions near the sea in Miami. A house with a name and surname in Coconut Grove. According to published The Wall Street Journalthe co-founder of Google has acquired two properties in Coconut Grove, one of the most exclusive and luxurious neighborhoods in Miami, for about $101.5 million and $71.9 million respectively, for a total outlay of $173.4 million. One of the mansions was initially put up for sale for $135 million and extends over a 1.8-hectare beachfront plot, has 13 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms, several pools and gardens surrounding the construction. The mansion was owned by Jonathan Lewis, a well-known philanthropist and civil rights activist who died in 2023. The sale of this mansion known in the area as “Banyan Ridge“, closed in mid-December with a significant discount. ​A second retreat close. As and how they point From the specialized real estate portal Realtor, without leaving the neighborhood and just under four minutes by car from his main residence, the millionaire would have bought a second mansion for about 71.9 million dollars. This second property would also be located on the seafront with views of Biscayne Bay. In this case, the construction has about 1,579 square meters, seven rooms and belonged to the journalist and writer Sloan Barnett, heiress of billionaire George L. Lindemann, as he collected The Wall Street Journal. Fleeing the millionaire tax. Larry Page’s hasty move and other Silicon Valley millionaires It comes in the context of California’s plans to vote on approving a tax that would levy 5% to the estates of more than 1 billion dollars. According to what was published by The New York TimesIf the tax is approved, it could be applied retroactively to those billionaires who reside in California as of January 1, 2026. Therefore, in order not to be included in that calculation, Page has packed his bags to start the year as a resident in Florida. Analysts consulted by the American media calculate that, taking into account that it is the second largest fortune in the world with a valuation of 270.1 billion dollars, this tax could mean a tax bill of more than 13 billion dollars. Following in the footsteps of Bezos and Musk. Larry Page’s move is not an isolated or strange case. Jeff Bezos did the same from Seattle in 2023, although at that time justified his move to Miami to be closer to the family and operations of Blue Origin, his aerospace company. Bezos also made a grand landing in Florida, buying several mansions on the artificial island known as Billionaire Bunker for about 237 million. The change of residence (and state) has given you an estimated tax savings of about 1 billion dollars. Something similar happened to Elon Musk who, after his judicial dispute over the payment of his salary bonus of Tesla in Delaware, changed the headquarters of his companies and his residence to Texasavoiding paying 13.3% in California capital gains taxes. Bad news for your neighbors. The exodus of millionaires from California is making local real estate agents make a killing selling luxury homes in areas like Coconut Grove. Dina Gold Thayer, by Douglas Elliman, explained to The Wall Street Journal that “every two days, we show available homes to San Francisco clients. Everyone is in a hurry to buy to avoid the retroactive application of the wealth tax.” This rush to buy is an opportunity for residents, since their potential buyers had less room for negotiation, causing prices in the area to skyrocket even more. In Xataka | In a financial carom, Google has stood up to NVIDIA, leaving an unexpected winner in the crazy AI race: Larry Page Image | Flickr (Fortune Global Forum)

China has just resolved one of the biggest doubts about going to Mars with the birth of six space mice

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For years, the great doubt of space biology It has not been whether we can have tomatoes and lettuce in orbit to be able to populate other planets, but whether our bodies will remain functional after returning from the vacuum of space. Something that above all interests us in order to reproduce. And in order to solve it, China sent a mouse who was in the Tiangong station to see if she was later capable of having babies and if they came with any serious alteration. Some babies for history. The result of this trip to Tiangong Station The truth is that it has been a successsince on December 10, 2025, a laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) witnessed an apparently everyday but scientifically extraordinary event: the birth of nine baby mice. The special thing, logically, was not the birth, but the fact that his mother had been in space for several weeks (although with some problems) subjected to microgravity and cosmic radiation. Now, six of these babies have survived and are growing normally. It was not without incident. The experiment was a priori quite simple: launch four mice (two males and two females) into space on October 31 and leave them there for two weeks. All this accompanied by adequate food for the duration of the mission. But in the end there were major problems that forced extend the stay in space. And this was a huge inconvenience, since the critical shortage of solid food for the mice could literally cause the mice to die and the mission to be a disaster. And that is why on Earth they began to look for the most suitable food to feed these animals and the result was liquid soy milk, which was the only thing available at the station. Completely monitored. In order to have good traceability of what the mice do in space, scientists kept the mice monitored with artificial intelligence at all times. In this way, it was possible to know at the moment what they ate and even the stress patterns they presented, circadian rhythms and possible anomalies in real time. And everything was taken care of in detail, to the point that the soy milk was supplied with a negative pressure pumping system to prevent liquid bubbles from floating around the cabin. The progression. Once this problem was resolved, on November 14, 2025, the animals returned to earth and natural conception occurred. The result was that 9 calves were born and only six survived in good health. The problem of microgravity. Until this experiment, there was a well-founded fear in the scientific community: that ionizing radiation and the absence of gravity would “break” something in the hormonal axis or in the integrity of the DNA of the gametes. Something that would prevent us from reproducing normally, which would prevent, for example, the colonization of Mars. Precisely, cosmic radiation acts as a shower of high-energy particles that can cause double-strand breaks in DNA. On Earth, our atmosphere protects us, but at 400 km altitude, mice (and humans) are exposed to a much higher dose. Researcher Wang Hongmei highlights that the fact that the offspring are viable suggests that the cellular repair mechanisms of mammals are capable of compensating for the damage suffered during short-duration flights. A competition. As with everything related to space, there is a great rivalry between the United States and China. In this way, if we look back we see that China He had already managed to partially develop mouse embryos in space in 2020. Subsequently, NASA in 2019 conducted researchers on the International Space Station to analyze the bone density loss and muscle in space. What’s next. The experiment does not end with childbirth. Now, scientists monitor what they call “second-generation effects.” The aim is to determine if these six mice will develop health problems in the medium term or if their fertility will be affected when they reach maturity. In this way, if these mice do not present infertility, we can see that space travel is not a sentence of sterility. China’s next big step will be to attempt the reproductive cycle in orbit: conception, gestation and birth without setting foot on Earth. Something that will be fundamental for to be able to understand if humans in space can have some kind of possibility of reproducing without the protection of our beloved atmosphere. Images | Frenjamin Benklin POT In Xataka | Thinking that we are alone in the universe is arrogant. The question is why the aliens haven’t contacted us yet

2025 broke the dream of cheap electricity

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At the beginning of 2025, Spain’s energy story was one of absolute success, coming to work only with renewables. But the “Great Blackout” of April 28 threw a jug of cold water on the country’s climate ambitions: greenhouse gas emissions rose 0.6%breaking a years-long trend. How is it possible to emit more when we have more solar panels than ever? The answer lies in a technical paradox: the Spanish electrical system entered into “reinforced mode”prioritizing the stability of gas over the cleanliness of renewables. Gas as a “bodyguard.” After that incident, Red Eléctrica (REE) adopted a “reinforced operating mode”. This adjustment involves intervening in the market to ensure that there are always “firm” plants (gas, nuclear and hydraulic) operating to give inertia and stability to the network tension. The problem is that this decision has marginalized cheap energy. As detailed by the Sustainability Observatory (OS)gas consumption in combined cycles shot up 26% after the blackout. Spain has been burning gas preventively to prevent the system from collapsing, even at times when the sun was abundant. This has caused the curtailment (clean energy wasted because the grid cannot manage it) will triple, going from 1.8% to 7.2% between May and July. The third “rate” in history. This forced dependence on gas has directly hit the pocketbook. According to a study by Facuathe electricity bill for an average user with a regulated tariff (PVPC) became 15.5% more expensive in 2025. With an average annual bill of 975.88 euros, 2025 is the third most expensive year in history, only behind the years of the energy crisis due to the War in Ukraine. The maintenance of this “anti-blackout insurance” has cost 422 million euros in technical extra costs, which companies like Iberdrola they have already started to have an impact on the renewed contracts of its clients. So why is there more energy but the price goes up? Herein lies the great technical paradox of last year. Spain installed 8,852 MW of new renewable power last year, according to REE data. However, the network is saturated since 83.4% of the electrical nodes no more connections allowed. The root of the problem is unbalanced investment. While Europe invests 70 cents in networks for every euro in renewables, Spain only invest 30. In addition, the country ranks 13th in battery capacity in Europe. Without storage, the system is rigid: if the sun hits suddenly, only the gas can react in time. Even domestic self-consumption failed in the April blackout: only 33% of homes they have batterieswhich left millions of users in the dark despite having their panels at full capacity. It is not the only one responsible for the emissions. The OS report points out that the rebound in emissions It’s not just electric. Spain approached 100 million of visitors in 2025, skyrocketing the consumption of kerosene (+5%) and gasoline (+8%). Added to this is a year of climatic extremes: fires They burned 400,000 hectaresreleasing 19 million tons of CO2, four times more than the average. Horizon 2026. The immediate future is not simple. For this new year, an increase in tolls and charges from the Government of up to 12%. In addition, the system faces a new challenge: the massive installation of data centers. In Aragon, these complexes are expected to consume so much energy that will further strain the network. To avoid collapse, the Government has activated “capacity markets”. Basically, gas plants will be paid simply for “being there” and not closing, an expensive but necessary insurance until the planned 2,600 MW of batteries or the synchronous compensators that promise to provide stability without burning methane are deployed. Europe’s laboratory. At the international level, Spain has assumed the vice presidency of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to lead the global transition in the face of the departure of the US under Trump’s mandate. But political leadership contrasts with internal fragility. Spain has shown that it is possible to expel coal from the system, but also that the abundance of cheap energy is useless if there are no cables to transport it or batteries to store it. As a source in the sector succinctly summarizes:: “The mistake was not putting up panels, but forgetting about the networks.” Without this investment, gas will continue to be the owner of the Spanish night and responsible for the electricity bill continuing to break records that no one wants to boast about. Image | freepik and Anton Osolev Xataka | The “reinforced mode” that prevents a new blackout will cost us 422 million euros. Iberdrola has already begun to collect it

Greenland doesn’t want Denmark

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“We don’t want to be Danes. We don’t want to be Americans.” The phrase It is from the former Prime Minister of Greenland, Mute B. Egede. And although the leader lost his position during the elections of 2025 captures well the feelings of a large part of the population of the Arctic island, an autonomous region that in practice remains linked to the Kingdom of Denmark. Polls reveal that Greenlanders they don’t like it Donald Trump’s idea of ​​becoming part of the United States, but it is that many (many) They also dream of saying goodbye to Copenhagen. The reason (as usual) must be found in history books. One figure: 85%. Polls are just that, polls, but they help us better understand how societies think. With Trump insisting in his aspirations for Greenland to remain under US control, in recent days he has dusted himself off a poll made a year ago, when the Republican (recently arrived at the White House) hinted at his interest in the Arctic island. The study, published by Berlingske and Sermitsiaqshows that 85% of Greenlanders reject the idea of ​​being part of the US. Another 9% have doubts about it and only 6% are in favor of raising the stars and stripes flag. Even Trump’s interest in Greenland divides opinion: 45% of those surveyed see it “a threat”, 43% “an opportunity”. Better with Denmark? That is one of the conclusions that could be drawn from the survey. Although Greenland is located in North America and its capital, Nuuk, is closer to New York than to Copenhagen, the island is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. If Greenlanders refuse to integrate into the US, does that mean they are comfortable with their current status? Do you like your relationship with Denmark? Another surveysomewhat older, from 2019, reveals that the answer is “no.” The study, carried out by academics from the University of Copenhagen, revealed that 67.7% of adults of Greenland hope that at some point the island will cut its ties with Denmark. A part of those interviewed would in fact support independence within a ten-year horizon and another, larger percentage, see it as feasible in the middle of the next decade. Maybe 2019 is behind us in time, but that feeling seems to be still very much alive on the island. “The shackles of colonialism”. Just a year ago the former prime minister, Mute Egede, made headlines with a speech New Year’s Day in which he floated the idea of ​​Greenland becoming independent. “History and current conditions have shown that our cooperation with the Kingdom has not managed to create full equality,” claimed the leader of the People’s Community party. “The time has come for our country to take the next step. Like other nations around the world, we must work to remove obstacles to cooperation, which we can describe as the shackles of colonialism, and move forward,” he emphasized. Egede did not manage to retain his position, but his successor, Jens-Frederick Nielsen, also represents an independence party, although from the more moderate sector. Its strategy for the moment involves strengthening ties with Copenhagen, although making it clear that as a “closest partner”. And why that feeling? Nationalist issues aside, the desire of a large part of Greenlanders to distance themselves from Denmark is explained by a very simple reason: the relationship between both territories has not always been simple. Quite the opposite. The recent past has been marred by tragic chapters which have forced the Danish authorities to apologize publicly in an attempt to heal wounds and strengthen the bond. Reviewing history. The current relationship between the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland dates back to the 18th centurywhen the Danes they began to colonize the island, inhabited for centuries by the Inuit. In 1814 the territory officially became a Danish colony, a relationship that was redefined first in 1953 and later in 1979, when the island achieved autonomy. However, it would take several decades for Copenhagen to transfer powers to it. As recognize The Danish Executive itself, that milestone was not achieved until well into the 21st century, although the Kingdom continues to hold some key functions, such as foreign affairs, security and financial policy responsibilities. Since 2009 the island has had a autonomy statute renovated (endorsed by a vast majority of its population) that gives it the possibility of self-determination In practice, much of the island’s economy is based on the so-called “block grant”contributions from the Danish Government. Some actually believe that the Nordic welfare system supported in Denmark and the Danish contribution to island finances are crucial to keeping their link alive. The US knows it and that is probably why it considers paying between 10,000 and 100,000 dollars to every Greenlander to encourage them to ‘divorce’ Denmark, according to Reuters. Two episodes to forget. In the recent relationship between Denmark and Greenland there are two chapters that weigh especially heavily and have even eroded the image of “benign colonizers” that the Danes have had of themselves for generations. One of these episodes involves thousands of indigenous women. A 2022 research revealed that for decades, between the 60s and almost the early 90s, thousands of Inuit women were forced to use contraceptive methods, resorting to intrauterine devices that were sometimes implanted without the patients’ permission or knowledge. Some sources indicate that this Danish birth plan affected around 4,500 women (and girls) Greenlanders between 1966 and 1976. The objective: to control the growth of the Inuit population. The revelations are so alarming that a few months ago the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, participated in an event in Nuuk during which she apologized for “injustice and pain” caused. Closing wounds. It was not the only time that the Danish authorities have had to apologize. Years ago they did it for another turbulent chapter in the relationship between both territories: a social experiment started in the 1950s that consisted of removing Greenlandic children from their homes (sometimes under pressure) to leave them in … Read more

Science reveals that the weight returns four times faster than with a diet

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The era of “miracle” drugs to treat obesity is entering a phase of crude scientific maturity, thanks to the time that has passed since its launch on the market. In this way, despite the years with big headlines pointing to great weight losses with Ozempic, science is now able to provide more answers to the key question What we should ask ourselves: what happens when we stop pricking ourselves? The problem. When a drug is newly released to the market, long term effects It is something that is not known exactly, since patients need to be taking them long enough to see the effects they cause. And above all the effect that exists when the drug is removed from the body. To answer this with Ozempic we have a study led by the University of Oxford which is not minor at all, since it has analyzed more than 9,300 adults in 37 different clinical trials. And the conclusion they have been able to draw is quite clear: patients regain weight when they stop treatment at a rate of 0.4 kg per month. The comparison. At first glance, this figure seems really low, but if we compare it with other methods to lose weight, we see that the magnitude of the problem is not minuscule. The study itself indicates that in behavioral programs, such as a diet and an increase in physical activity, the effect after its withdrawal is an increase of 0.1 kg per month. This way, the rebound effect of slimming drugs It causes you to return to your initial weight in approximately a year and a half, while a change in eating and sports behavior takes around four years. New generation drugs. But this is a simple average between the different medications on the market. This implies that within GLP-1 agonists we can see that the most powerful drugs also have a much greater rebound effect. For example, in the case of Wegovy or Mounjaro, where the initial loss was 14.7kg, the rebound was seen to shoot up to 0.8kg per month. An effect that tells us that the body tries to recover lost ground at twice the speed of previous generation drugs. Cardiovascular health. Beyond the aesthetic, science pointed out that these drugs had the ability to reduce the risk of heart attacks and improve the metabolic health. But it seems these effects are completely temporary. Specifically, the study has seen that approximately a year and a half after stopping the medication, the majority of cardiometabolic markers return to their levels before starting treatment. For example, blood pressure increases, diabetes markers reverse their improvement, and total cholesterol also returns to its risk levels. Why the rebound is so fast. The answer to this could lie in our own biology. Science believes that this effect is due to the fact that by injecting massive doses of GLP-1 agonists (a hormone that is produced in small quantities when we eat) we could be destabilizing our own cell receptors. Or we would even be blocking our body’s natural production of this hormone that gives us satiety. That is why when withdrawing the drugthe system does not have the ability to produce this hormone again in the same way as before (as if it had to turn the system back on) and that is why the body’s satiety system goes deaf. The result? Well, logically, the appetite returns with great intensity, causing the patient to eat much more food, since they are not satiated and in this way the weight increases again. The myth of the magic bullet. There are hardly any miracles in medicine, even though we say that these drugs are. And the reality is that these drugs are not the definitive solution for obesity, since real data indicates that the majority of patients stop treatment after 12 months due to its high cost, the fatigue of injecting or side effects. But in addition, there is no awareness that this treatment is a simple aid to self-regulation, but that logically it must be accompanied by a dietary change and physical activity that must be continued once the treatment is finished. If not, we can be sure that the injections will be of absolutely no use. A paradigm shift. This meta-analysis marks a turning point. Science tells us that GLP-1 is extraordinarily effective, but it is not a cure. If we treat them as a six-month “crash plan”, we are condemning the patient to a more aggressive yo-yo effect than any miracle diet of the past. The solution, according to Qi Sun and the Oxford researchers, is not only in the syringe, but in public policy: taxes on ultra-processed foods, aid in the purchase of fruits and vegetables, and urban planning that encourages exercise. Without a change in environment, the drug is just a temporary truce in a war the body is programmed to win. Images | David Trinks Towfiqu barbhuiya In Xataka | If you want a “miracle” weight loss drug, you no longer turn to Ozempic: the competition is beginning to surpass it

The future of beaches is more complicated than it seems

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Storm Francis caused hundreds of problems in Andalusia. But if we have to choose just one (if only because of its iconic character), it would have a first and last name: Matalascañas. And the town in Almont suffered even a preventive eviction due to the risk of collapsing a building next to its promenade. However, no one expected what the storm left behind. More than four and a half kilometers of destruction. Specifically, 4.6 kilometers of walking completely destroyed and the collapse of entire stretches of beach; damage to at least three beach bars and many problems in the city’s treatment plant. The first estimates they talk about three million euros only for urgent interventions, although no one expects that the complete recovery of all the razed infrastructure will take less than ten. This is not the first time something like this has happened in Huelva, why is this important? Indeed, at this time last year we were talking about how it had disappeared El Portil beach in Punta Umbría. Huelva is one of the most sensitive points to coastal problems and its beaches are becoming areas in danger of extinction. What has happened in Matalascañas is not important because it is new, nor even because it is unusually large. It is important because Francis has hit one of the iconic places of Spanish tourism. It is, black on white, the confirmation that the problem is real and the solutions are difficult (and expensive). Stop the world. Because the truth is that it is something that we want to stop a process that has always been there. Nearby, at the mouth of the Piedras River, is the ‘arrow of the Rompido’ a spit of sand that extends on the left bank of the river and that grows up to 80 meters a year. That is to say, the people of Huelva have very close examples that beaches are almost ‘living beings’. As experts remember, the profile of the beaches “it constantly changes in response to changes in transverse sediment transport produced by marine dynamics, especially waves.” This “has never changed in all of history”, what has changed is that in recent decades it has begun to matter to us. Because? Well, because the emergence of mass tourism starting in the 1960s turned beaches into a very valuable resource and filled them with investments, infrastructure and capital. When the beaches began to change, we applied brute force: as we have explained on more than one occasion“the construction of breakwaters, the annual filling of beaches and the construction of coastal infrastructure to ‘secure’ the line have been the daily routine of our relationship with the beaches.” The problem is that we have more and more investments in them, the problems become more critical and, for this reason, it is more expensive to insure them. A race to nowhere (that we are not going to stop running). These days, experts they have spoken of losses of more than two meters per year and pointing to the role of the Juan Carlos I Jetty (13 km) in the alteration of currents and sedimentation dynamics. Furthermore, the evacuations show that the current infrastructure cannot “hold” and that the changes that Matalascañas needs are much deeper than what a “reconstruction” would entail. And yet, the neighbors’ demands are logical and, possibly, will be attended to by the administration (even more so in an election year in Andalusia). However, the question remains (and will continue) on the table: Will we be able to withdraw from the eroded front line in an orderly and fair manner? Will we be able to industrially reconvert that tourism into something that maintains jobs, families and population? Will we be able to understand that behind Matalascañas hides an entire country with an enormous problem? Image | Luis Daniel Carbia Head In Xataka | Twenty years after the Prestige, Galicia faces another environmental disaster on its beaches: pellets

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