forced

When medical dramas seemed to be in the doldrums, ‘The Pitt’ appeared. And that has forced Netflix to make decisions

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The Pitt’ has become one of HBO Max’s biggest critical and popular successes in recent times. And Netflix has reacted to the discovery of its rival by incorporating the 15 complete seasons of ‘ER’ into its catalogue. It is not an isolated case. They have been released six new medical dramas during the 2024-2025 season on different networks and platforms. The pattern suggests that the long and intense format recovers part of the space that short seasons, in the style of HBO’s prestige series, had imposed in the last decade. The phenomenon. The series created by R. Scott Gemmill is sweeping: a 93% on Rotten Tomatoestwo Golden Globes (Best Drama Series and Best Actor), five Emmys (with thirteen nominations)… and the audience figures are just as strong: the first season averaged 10 million viewers per episode, but The second is multiplying that data by three.. Quite a bombshell that is generating a predictable shock wave. The reason for success. Its technical and artistic virtues, needless to say, are very notable, with its feverish portrait of a night in the ER, mixing inconsequential cases with authentic life-or-death medical challenges, seasoned with circumstances that complicate each season (shootings, avalanches of patients, blackouts). But the format also explains part of the success: each episode represents one hour within a 15-hour shift in the ER, that is, fifteen chapters for a single work day. The real-time structure, a reformulation of ’24’ in a clinical format, allows overlapping medical cases to be followed as staff deal with lack of resources and ethical decisions under pressure. Emergency professionals on websites that collect viewer opinions, such as IMDBhave highlighted the technical precision of the series, a rare detail in the genre. Casey Bloys, CEO of HBO Max, explained that the production model of ‘The Pitt’ allows seasons to be released twelve months apart, compared to the 24 months required by series like ‘The House of the Dragon‘. “This model could be applied to future productions,” he declared. ‘Emergencies’ on Netflix. In response, Netflix has added to its lineup the complete 15 seasons of ‘ER’. While its genuine successor reaches record figures, Netflix recovers the title that established the rules of the genre three decades earlier. ‘ER’ aired on NBC from 1994 to 2009 and Michael Crichton, a novelist and doctor, wrote the original script in 1974 based on his experience as a student at Boston General Hospital. Studios rejected it for years as too technical and fast-paced, but when it finally came to the screen thanks to Spielberg’s production, the show racked up 124 Emmy nominationsan all-time record for a series, and won 23 statuettes, including best drama series in 1996. The influence of ‘ER’ on later series is indisputable. ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (on Disney+) adopted its structure of weekly cases combined with long dramatic arcs; ‘House’ (on Netflix, Prime Video, Movistar and SkyShowtime) took the procedural approach applied to complex diagnoses; and ‘The Good Doctor’ (on Netflix, Movistar and Prime Video) inherited the balance between medicine and personal drama. Avalanche of doctors. Until six new medical dramas have come to streaming in recent months, some thanks to the success of ‘The Pitt’, others being more or less contemporary with the premiere of the first season of the HBO Max series. Fox premiered ‘Doc’ (Movistar), which reached 15.6 million viewers in its first 11 days. NBC launched two proposals: ‘Brilliant Minds’ (Movistar), focused on complex neurological cases, and ‘St. Denis Medical’, a comedy in mockumentary format. CBS developed ‘Watson’ (Movistar), where Sherlock Holmes’ legendary sidekick investigates medical mysteries instead of crimes. Netflix produced ‘Pulse’, his first English-language medical dramaset in a Miami trauma center. The platform also premiered ‘Heroes on Guard’, a Korean series about a traumatologist who tries to reorganize a university hospital. Both projects arrived in 2025, the same year that ‘The Pitt’ was consolidated on HBO Max. Some analysts point out that the COVID-19 pandemic focused collective attention on health workers and health systems. Five years later, once the trauma is over, we can allow ourselves to frivolize the dynamics of ER with almost detective plots. Why they succeed again. Critics point to a couple of possible reasons for this type of drama to return to the grid. On the one hand, it is a alternative (especially ‘The Pitt’) to the predominant format in recent times of “complete story that unfolds in eight chapters.” Here we have, in many cases, a multitude of microstories/patients (in the case of ‘The Pitt’ sometimes they are almost sketches) that begin and end in the same episode, a traditional television structure but one that is not usually seen in successful series. The formula also allows for something rare on television today: watching competent professionals solving problems. Each episode features new medical cases while personal arcs progress in the background. The viewer knows that Dr. Robinavitch will save lives on the night in question, even though his personal trauma takes fifteen episodes to resolve. The combination of cases that are resolved immediately and the slow development of a secondary plot also draws on series like ‘ER’ or ‘House’. In Xataka | We thought that cortisol was the biggest enemy of sleep: it is actually the key to making your body perform better during the day

its 1,500 residents forced to leave the town due to the arrival of new rains

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The municipality of Grazalema in Cádiz without a doubt Leonardo is bearing the brunt of the storm As we have seen in numerous images where water can be seen in the streets, in houses or even coming out of power outlets. Given all this, the situation has reached a completely unsustainable point, so the authorities They have ordered the complete evacuation of the municipality. Heavy rainfall. This decision comes after receiving this Wednesday the town almost 600 liters of water per square meter surpassing all previous records. This large amount of rainfall has formed a symbiosis with the many liters that had fallen in the previous days and weeks, which has made the situation completely unsustainable. The problem is precisely what may come in the coming days. The AEMET has already alerted that this same Saturday the Grazalema region will be on orange alert due to rainfall that will once again reach tens of liters. Something that has activated all the machinery to relocate citizens while the weather situation returns to normal. Its magnitude. It is not an easy task, since we are talking about a town with nearly 1,600 residents who will now have to move to another point to guarantee their safety. Just as they collect local mediait was the president of the Andalusian Government himself who has announced this measure in an appearance with the mayor of Grazalema due to the absolutely anomalous situation that the town is experiencing. The main focus of concern is placed above all on the geological state of the municipality, and especially on its aquifer. Earth movements. The main danger that the municipality’s aquifer is full of water is that it begins to exert pressure on the terrain itself. This translates into ground movements with structural damage that would affect homes or the streets themselves. How will it be done? Although this evacuation will take place during the day and with weather conditions that are currently more favorable than those experienced yesterday, moving so many people is not easy. For now, the authorities have indicated that residents who can travel with their own means to Ronda, where they can be welcomed in a pavilion managed by the Red Cross. Although it is also possible that some neighbors move to the homes of relatives or acquaintances. In any case, having time ahead will ensure that this evacuation is done in an orderly manner and in areas such as the president himself points out of the Andalusian Government. Something that they point out must be kept in mind is serenity at this time so that chaos does not spread. It is an obligation. The evacuation of the municipality is not voluntary at all, but is mandatory for all resident neighbors who must leave the municipality following the instructions. In this way, tonight no one will be able to sleep in Grazalema without a clear date to return. Other evictions. Throughout these days we have seen how in different parts of Andalusia evacuations have had to be carried outsuch as in Dúdar (Granada). Although an evacuation of a municipality of considerable size with more than 1,000 inhabitants, the truth is that there are few precedents that we can have in mind right now. Images | Rob In Xataka | MAs water gushes from the ground in Grazalema, Andalusia’s last resort against flooding is already underway: the reservoirs

For centuries Germany has boasted the oldest abbey beer in the world. The alcohol crisis has forced it to be sold

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Germany is the birthplace of Oktoberfest, the lagerthe saint Hildegard of Bingen and hundreds and hundreds of artisanal wineries dedicated to beer. The refreshing amber liquid is not at its best there, however. As the young lose interest for the drink and consumption falls per national beer capita, Germany finds itself with news like the one that has shaken the sector at the beginning of 2026: the oldest monastic brewery in the world, a 976-year-old icon, just sold suffocated by the economic context. It seems like a simple sale, but it says a lot about the industry. What has happened? That Germany is preparing for one of those business transactions that, due to their enormous symbolic value, transcend the pages of the salmon press to tell us about the cultural and social changes of a country. The Bavarian brewer Schneider Weisse has just reached an agreement to acquire the Bischofshof and Weltenburger brands, linked to Bischofshof GmbH & Co. Said like this, it could seem like a simple commercial procedure, material for the German BORME, but the agreement implies that Schneider Weisse takes charge of the brewery of the Weltenburg Abbey and that is something out of the ordinary. The reason? The brewing history of the monastery dates back to 1050, which is why it is considered the abbey brewery. oldestalthough if we talk about beer in general there is another previous one in Weihenstephan (Freising), brewed since 1040. What have they agreed? The truth is that not too many details have emerged. For example, the companies have not wanted to disclose how much the operation will cost. What yes have slipped is that the agreement will become effective in January 2027 and that Scheneider Weisse will continue to operate the Weltenburg Abbey Brewery. Not only that. He will also take over the logistics part of the Bischofshof, which includes 21 employees. Part of the business, located in Regensburg, will close at the end of this year and the idea is that in the medium term the production of the different brands will be concentrated in the headquarters that Schneider Weisse already has in Kelheim and the Weltenburg Abbey. Are they important companies? At least they are companies with a reputation. Although Weltenburg Abbey beer stands out on the world stage for its long history, which can date back to 1050, in reality the three names involved in the agreement have a long tradition. The Bischofshof brewery was founded mid 17th century in Regensburg and has been in charge of the production of Weltenburg since 1973. As for the house Schneider Weissebased in Kelheim, was also launched more than a century and a half ago, in 1872. “Our goal is to create a portfolio of traditional brands. We combine our brewing tradition of more than 150 years with the almost 380 years of history of the Bischofshof brand and the brewing tradition of the oldest monastic brewery in the world, dating back to 1050,” celebrates Georg SchneiderCEO of Schneider Weisse. “This creates a range of beers steeped in history and tradition, a unique offering from a single global supplier.” Why is it important? Weltenburg is relevant enough for any operation that affects him to generate interest, but if this operation has raised expectations (even beyond Germany) is because of its context. The companies acknowledge that the maneuver attempts to adapt to “the continued weakness” of the German beer market. “The reality is that, on our own and despite all our efforts and the measures adopted in recent months, it was no longer economically viable to continue operating the brands,” recognizes Till Hedrichthe general director of the firm Bischofshof and Weltenburger. “The evolution of the market has marked us too much.” Hedrich has also defended that the operation with Schneider, a firm based in Kelheim (Bavaria) is the most advantageous for the secular Abadian winery. “The looming threat of a total closure or dismantling by an investor with no connection to the region or its history can be avoided with the ‘Bavarian solution’ being implemented with Schneider Weisse.” Has the market changed that much? It seems so. From the collective itself is spoken of a “drastic drop in sales” of German breweries in the country. The BR24 program remember that in the last ten years alone, the German beer industry has lost almost 14 million hectoliters, almost 14% of its sales. And although the complete picture is somewhat more complex (the latest data from the Bavarian sector they are not bad), the overall trend is far from ideal for the industry in its own home. If at the beginning of the 80s the per capita consumption In the country it was around 145.9 liters of beer, right now it is below 90. Is there more data? Yes. Two years ago the Berlin journalist Nicholas Potter I slipped an interesting one in Guardian. “The decline can be seen at the Oktoberfest itself. In 2019, 6.3 million visitors drank 7.3 million liters. Last year attendance was about 7.2 million people, a record number, but they consumed only 6.5 million liters.” As a backdrop, the fall in consumption, the increase of the production of non-alcoholic beer and the loss of interest of members of generation Z for beer or wine. In April the Deursche Welle channel contributed another brushstroke that completes the picture. It is not only that the consumption of German beer has fallen in the country itself, it is that sales abroad have not evolved as the industry would like. According to Destatis data, 1,450 million liters of German beer were exported in 2024, significantly below the 1,540 in 2014. Images | Bernt Rostad (Flickr) 1 and 2 and Frank Mago (Flickr) In Xataka | If the alcohol sector thought it had a problem with Gen Z, it is because it did not see its stock: 22,000 million in bottles that no one wants

Mozilla wanted to turn Firefox into an AI-powered browser. The community has forced a change that was not in their plans

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For years, Mozilla and its Firefox browser have represented a rarity: a product shaped by demanding users, jealous of their control and unwilling to accept imposed changes. That’s why, when the word “AI” began to appear in his official speechdid not sound like a simple technical update, but rather a possible identity change. It was not a discussion about specific functions, but about limits. How far can Firefox stretch while still being recognizable to those who choose it precisely because it doesn’t look like the others. Before the controversy broke out, Mozilla had already begun to draw out its AI roadmap with a deliberately cautious tone. In his communications he talked about choice, transparency and preventing artificial intelligence from becoming a permanent layer of the browser. The AI, according to that initial approachhad to coexist with the classic Firefox experience without replacing it, offering specific and deactivatable tools, and maintaining the promise that the user decides if, when and under what conditions they use them. AIWindow. The most visible piece of that roadmap is a new window designed specifically for interacting with an AI assistant while browsing. Mozilla describes it as a separate, completely voluntary space that allows you to ask for contextual help without altering the rest of the browser experience. It does not replace the classic or private window, but is added as an additional option that the user decides whether to activate or not. The company insists that it can be deactivated at any time and that its development is being done openly, with a waiting list to test it and send comments. Why Mozilla thinks it’s important. The organization argues that AI is becoming a new way of accessing the web and that ignoring this change would leave the browser in a passive position. Their thesis is that, as more interactions go through assistants, it becomes essential to preserve principles such as transparency, accountability and decision-making capacity. Firefox, as a standalone browser, thus presents itself as an intermediary that uses AI to guide the user to the open web, rather than retaining them in a closed conversational environment. That balance began to break down in December, when the message about AI was publicly reinforced from Mozilla’s leadership. The reaction was not accidental if you understand who Firefox is addressing. A good part of its users do not come to the browser out of inertia, but after having searched deliberately, moving away from options such as Chrome, Edge or Safari. This more technical and critical profile tends to monitor any change that it perceives as a transfer of control. In this context, AI is not evaluated only by what it does, but by the precedent it sets and the risk of normalizing decisions made without the user’s explicit consent. The “AI kill switch” and the calendar. Faced with escalating criticism, Mozilla moved from generalities to explicit commitments. In a response to an open letter posted on RedditCEO Anthony Enzor-DeMeo wrote: “Rest assured, Firefox will always remain a browser built around user control,” adding: “You’ll have a clear way to disable AI features. A true kill switch (kill switch) will arrive in Q1 2026.” With that promise, Mozilla made a verifiable commitment: an option to completely disable all artificial intelligence functions by a specific deadline, the first quarter of 2026, as a way to reinforce trust. When the deabte is still open. The announcement of the “kill switch” did not close the debate, but rather moved it to a more basic question: when does AI come into play. For many users, the fact that there is a switch to turn it off implies that the AI ​​would be present from the beginning and that it is the user who must deactivate it. The alternative they demand is the opposite, that the AI ​​is completely turned off when installing Firefox and is only activated after an explicit decision. On Mastodon, the Firefox for Web Developers account admitted that there are “gray areas” about what optional means in the interface, such as whether a new button counts as such, but he insisted that the “kill switch” will disable the AI ​​completely. With the discussion already on the table, Mozilla has been forced to do something that was not in the initial script: specify, clarify and publicly commit more than expected. The discourse around AI in Firefox has moved from general principles to uncomfortable details, and that’s where the trust of its community is at stake. The promises are made, the deadlines marked and the words written. Now the difference will not be made by the communications, but by how those guarantees are translated into the final product and if Firefox manages to integrate AI without diluting what made it different. Images | Firefox | Denny Muller In Xataka | AI has allowed developers to program faster than ever. That’s turning out to be a problem.

When Meta forced us to use its AI chatbot on WhatsApp, it did not have a detail: the European Commission

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The European Commission has been fiercely fighting against monopolies in the technology sector for years. The persecution of Microsoft in the early 2000s it was just the beginning. In 2018 the EU imposed a historic fine on Google for abuse of dominant position with Android and last year they fined Facebook for the same reason. According to Financial TimesMeta is going to sit again in the dock accused of monopoly, this time for the Forced integration of Meta AI in WhatsApp. In the spotlight. The European Commission has not commented on the matter, but according to sources consulted by the Financial Times, Brussels is already investigating Meta for the integration of Meta AI into WhatsApp and the announcement will take place imminently. The case will be conducted under traditional monopoly laws and not under the Digital Markets Act or DMA. The accusation. The investigation has not yet been confirmed by the European Commission, but internal sources have revealed that the main reason is the deployment of Meta AI within WhatsApp, its AI chatbot. As we saw in its day, there is no way to avoid being activated and there is no option to hide it either. Let us remember that WhatsApp is the most used messaging app in the world, with 3 billion active users. Meta is already being investigated for this reason the competition authority in Italywhich considers that the integration of Meta AI “could limit production, market access or technical development” in the AI ​​chatbot sector. Goal returns to the bench. Just a year ago, Meta entered the select club of companies fined by the European Commission for violating the antitrust rules of the European Union. On that occasion, the product that was the object of the accusation was Facebook, more specifically for forcing the use of Facebook Marketplace, which, like Meta AI in WhatsApp, was activated without users’ permission. After several years of research, The Commission concluded that the company had violated the law and made them pay a fine of 800 million euros. Also in April of this year They had to pay 200 million for the case that required consent to the transfer of data. Historical fines. Facebook has come out cheap if we compare it with other sanctions, such as more than 4.3 billion that Google had to pay for abuse of dominant position with Android, and it has not been the only one that Mountain View has had to pay. In September of this year The EU fined Google 2.95 billion euros for abusing its position in the digital advertising market and currently Brussels is preparing another case by how they rank media results in their search results. USA against. The Trump administration has charged against the DMA and EU fineswhich he described as unfair and discriminatory, threatening to start a tariff war. Europe’s response was forceful: technological regulation “is a sovereign right of the EU.” Obviously the heads of the technology companies have also positioned themselves against it and earlier this year, Mark Zuckerberg called on the US government to that would protect technology companies from “European censorship”so we can assume that this new research will not have been very amusing. Judges in the US also see monopolies. At the same time as the criticism is occurring, in the United States there are also antitrust cases against big technology companies, such as the one that Google lost in 2024 and that threatened to force them to sell Chrome, although in the end they dodged the bullet. Goal too carried out a similar case recently in which accused them of monopoly over WhatsApp and Instagrambut in this case they won. We will see what happens if Europe makes its case against WhatsApp official. Images | European Commission, Xataka Android In Xataka | The United States seems determined to break its monopolies. And it has an obvious victim between its eyebrows: Google

73 million forced investment

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The Ministry of Digital Transformation has brought to public hearing a royal decree that forces the main operators – Telefónica, Masorange, Vodafone and Digi – to invest up to 73 million euros to shield their networks in view of blackouts like the one in April and natural disasters like DANA. Why is it important. The operators are going to have to reinforce 7,280 of their 10,400 strategic locations. Currently, only 30% have enough batteries or generators to maintain service for at least four hours without electricity supply. The mandatory investment comes at a particularly delicate moment: Telefónica is executing an ERE and in others there are cost-cutting plans. The obligations. 85% of the Spanish population must maintain access to telecommunications – including emergency calls – for at least four hours in the event of a power outage. Critical infrastructures will have tougher demands: First level (submarine cables, main data centers, backbone nodes): guaranteed operability for 24 hours. Intermediate level (internet exchange points, satellite systems): 12 minimum hours of autonomy. Rest of infrastructure (standard mobile network antennas): four hours of continuous service. The stick and the carrot. If companies do not comply, the Secretary of State for Telecommunications may carry out inspections, audits and request access to data at any time. Serious violations can result in fines of up to 2 million euros for the company. In addition, managers who have participated in decisions that violate the rule may receive personal fines of up to 30,000 euros. The harshest measure is that the Government reserves the right to temporarily or totally suspend operating licenses. It may also prohibit certain managers from exercising management functions. Yes, but. The rule exempts from sanctions managers who did not attend meetings where decisions contrary to the regulation were made, or who voted against them. Coordination with Defense and Interior. A coordination table will be created between Digital Transformation, Interior, Defense, National Security, autonomous communities and the CNMC. It will not manage incidents directly, but will act as a strategic forum to develop protocols, recommendations and good practices. Associations of operators, manufacturers and consumer organizations will also participate. The context. The royal decree responds directly to recent crises such as the DANA of Valencia either the eruption of the La Palma volcanowhere communication outages made emergency work and the coordination of those affected difficult. The regulations will come into force after passing the public hearing, being approved by the Council of Ministers and ratified by Congress. Featured image | Zac Gudakov In Xataka | Telefónica does not buy Vodafone or Digi for now, but it already has a plan: one in which mergers are necessary

This is how forced ventilation works

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The cold arrives and the first bills scary heating. In many homes, the question is repeated every year: how to keep the house warm without skyrocketing costs? And, among neighborhood conversations, a technical term has emerged that generates curiosity (and some confusion): forced ventilation. What exactly is it? Is it mandatory? And why is there so much talk about her lately? When the cold reveals weak points. With the first freezing nights, the Association of Spanish Insulating Mineral Wool Manufacturers (AFELMA) has issued a warning: poor insulation takes its toll. According to their data, a third of final energy consumption in Spain – and CO₂ emissions – comes from buildings, mainly due to heating and cooling needs. “Every winter we see how many homes are not prepared to conserve heat,” says its president, Miguel Ángel Gallardo. But energy savings no longer depend only of good heating either to put weather stripping on the windows. In recent years, Spanish and European regulations have gone further: they are pushing towards a hermetic and efficient housing model, where ventilation stops being about opening a window “when necessary” and becomes a technical and health requirement. According to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO)the Regulation of Thermal Installations in Buildings (RITE) establishes that all thermal installations must guarantee thermal well-being, hygiene and energy efficiency. In parallel, the Technical Building Code (CTE), in its section HS3 “Indoor air quality”requires homes to have a system that guarantees air renewal. That is, the law no longer understands ventilation as something optional. What changes is how it is done. So what is forced ventilation? Also known as mechanical ventilation, it consists of a system that automatically renews the air inside using electric fans and ducts. Unlike opening the windows, these devices guarantee a constant flow of fresh air and expel stale air without losing the accumulated heat. As explained by the specialized portal Heat and Coldthe current CTE regulations require ensuring a minimum indoor air quality, and there are two possible methods: Hybrid ventilation: It combines mechanical extraction and natural circulation when outdoor conditions allow it. Forced mechanical ventilation: Renews the air in a fully controlled manner using electrical equipment. In both cases, the goal is the same: ensure healthy indoor air without wasting energy. The key question: is it mandatory? In practice, all new or completely renovated homes must include one of these systems. If your house is old, you are not obliged to install it unless you do an energy renovation or seek an advanced efficiency certification. On the other hand, commercial premises, offices and other non-residential buildings are governed by the RITE, which also requires mechanical ventilation systems to maintain minimum levels of air quality, classified from IDA 1 to IDA 4, according to Certicalia. In other words, if you are going to renovate or build, you will have to include forced ventilation; If your apartment is old and you do not do any work, there is no immediate obligation. The other even more important question: price? Here comes the part that worries the most. Prices depend on the size of the apartment, the type of system and whether it includes a heat recovery, a device that uses the energy of the leaving air to temper the new air that enters. According to Certicaliaan efficient air conditioning and ventilation project can cost around 3,700 euros, although a basic installation with a heat recovery in a small apartment can be more affordable. However, experts emphasize that the investment pays off quickly thanks to energy savings. AFELMA estimates that improving insulation and ventilation can reduce heating consumption by up to 80%, in addition to avoiding humidity and condensation problems that can lead to costly repairs. As you remember from another specialized portalventilating in winter does not mean giving up thermal comfort. With a good system or simple habits—opening opposite windows for five minutes in the morning, using extractor fans in kitchens or installing heat recovery—you can keep the air clean without heat escaping. Towards a more efficient future. Forced ventilation with heat recovery is already one of the pillars of the Passivhaus standard, which defines almost zero consumption homes. Examples such as the Bolueta Tower in Bilbao or Casa 135 in Madrid show that these systems are not a fad, but rather a mature technology that allows you to save energy, improve comfort and breathe cleaner air. In the words of Siber Ventilationin just over a year, all new constructions must be Almost Zero Consumption Buildings. Mechanical ventilation, along with insulation and renewable energy, will be essential to achieve this. In a winter where every degree counts, knowing how the air enters and leaves our homes can make the difference between a cold home and a really comfortable one. “The real change begins with the materials that make up the home,” concludes the president of AFELMA. Because good thermal insulation—and adequate ventilation—not only saves energy: it turns a house into a healthier, more comfortable and winter-ready space. Image | FreePik Xataka | The patch to avoid another massive blackout is going to cost us 731 million euros. Iberdrola has already begun to collect it

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

Renfe withdrew the avlo-barcelona avlo forced. And now prices are in the clouds

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Prices have risen 40% in the Madrid-Barcelona corridor. It is the conclusion they arrive in Trainline, a company that looks for the best prices and schedules when we want to travel by train. The departure of the Avlo de Renfe trains is pressing the upward market and the average of the ticket is already above 70 euros. The exit. The news arrived at the end of August and is underway since September 8: Renfe only offers bird service Between Madrid and Barcelona. The company took out its Avril trains, which offers the service Low Cost of his classic high speed trips. The movement came after Renfe suffered various pressures related to Failures in those Talgo S106 that made the Avlo route in said corridor. This summer, one of those trains cracked and despite the company’s attempts by hide the problem and manage the crisis with a low profile, Finally ended up withdrawing them. Prices shoot. Since then, Trainline, which adds the prices of the operators so that the user finds the prices and schedules that suck him, ensures that the average price is now 40% more expensive than a year ago. They assure that now, The average ticket price To move between Madrid and Barcelona exceeds 80 euros. The data is motivated by the AVLO output and the use of variable prices that are adjusted based on the demand. With an operator Low Cost Less, these tickets are now absorbed by AVE and the starting price already increases. That explains, according to The avant -garde That the cheapest ticket is already at 50 euros and reach up to 150 euros on a Sunday afternoon. Expensive, but not so much. The Madrid-Barcelona corridor has long been experiencing a price increase. Although in the first Compasses ouigo and Iro, they lowered the train prices, it was expected that little by little they will rise over the months and years. More in a corridor that in the second four -month period of the year moved to 3,944,879 passengers and has a very high occupation rate, According to CNMC data. This agency publishes a report every three months with the performance of Spanish high -speed companies. The most recent refers to Q2 and does not collect, therefore, the current increases, but it does notice that the average price of the tickets had already been 63.14 euros, with a 15.3% increase over the same period last year. That increase was marked, without any doubt, by a generalized price increase between the low cost. Ouigo rose 18.7% and Iroo 22.5%. For his part, Avlo was the one that less took care of the three, with a rise of 14.5%. The same but more expensive. In the absence of knowing a more complete photograph (which will not come to the next year when the CNMC publishes the September data this year and the last quarter), what is clear is that Avlo’s departure has meant very bad news for the passenger. On average, Avlo tickets were the cheapest seconds on the market in the second quarter, with a price of 51.95 euros. The jump to the bird is important since the average of these tickets reaches 73.91 euros. But, in addition, the increase in prices will be substantial because Avlo moved 14.7% of all travelers who moved between Madrid and Barcelona. That means that almost 580,000 runner travelers have to get a place in some more saturated ouigo and Iro or, on the contrary, assume the cost of traveling in AVE. What can we expect? However, Pedro García, responsible for Trainline in Europe, says that “as a whole, it is still cheaper than before liberalization, although leaving customers without a low -cost option directly affects the price of tickets”, in words collected by The avant -garde. However, we must bear in mind that if the tickets have been more expensive in the corridor since Renfe faced competition, it is because the demand rewards it. The occupation rate in Madrid-Barcelona is so high that it justifies a slow but constant rise. And a good example of the good health that Renfe enjoys in the corridor is that Ouigo derived trains that he had in operation in Madrid-Barcelona to the Andalusian corridor because he believes that he can be more competitive there. This last corridor seems more sensitive to the price where the differences between AVE and the Low Cost They are narrower and the cost for travelers are settled. Photo | Xataka and Logan Armostrong In Xataka | Renfe has proposed to improve once and for all vicinity. And Madrid will take a pinch of 400 million euros

The lowest birth rate forced South Korea to a desperate measure: hire foreign nanny

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Of all the problems in South Korea, one was certainly shocking in September last year (things have changed a little Since then): they had the lowest birth rate in the world, of 0.72 children per woman. In recent years, governments and administrations have been passing, but no one managed to stop the descent, nor the super checksnor the rocambolesque idea that Girls begin the school before. The next measure was a symptom of the crisis: they are being forced to Hire foreign nanny. Nannies and visas. As part of the Government’s strategy, the hiring of 100 Philippine nannies that could work in the country since then. The measure was just the beginning, since approximately 1,200 foreign nannies for the first half of 2025and a “more affordable” program Last March. A problem without solution. Despite government efforts during the last 17 years, including An expense of 380 billion wones (Around 284,000 million dollars) In various incentives to increase fertility, the birth rate has continued to plumn. The desperate situation that in Seoul was warned that the country could be the first of the world to disappear due to this demographic decline is such. Moreover, the administration of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol recognized that drastic measures are needed to reverse this trend, and that was the first of the ideas: the introduction of foreign nannies with the aim of relieving the load of the care of children of parents who work, especially in households with double income, and ultimately increase the birth rate. The new policy. As The Government reportedthe entrance was formed between 24 and 38 years old who have the national level II certificate of care certification of the Filipino Government and who have received wide training. Their skills, according to the government, include the care of children, domestic tasks and the basic domain of the Korean language. In addition, the workers do it with an E-9 visa, which allows employment in non-professional sectors in the country, and will be part of a pilot program restricted to Seoul residents. This six -month program aims to provide affordable child care services with homes with children under 12, single -parent families and those with several children. Who pays the party. The lack of affordable nurseries is one of the main concerns among the parents who work, hence the question is more pertinent than ever, who paid the babysitters? According to the Seoul government, hire a foreign nanny for eight hours a day I could cost households around 2.38 million wones per monthalmost half of the average monthly income of Korean households. This generated many doubts about the affordability of the program for average Korean families. “We are seeing complaints about the cost burden of foreign domestic employees,” You Hye-Mi saidmain secretary of the president, in an interview. “Therefore, we are trying to explore ways to mitigate the burden it supposes for an individual home to hire them.” The controversy of the minimum wage. In addition, the program also faced criticism from work activists and immigrant rights groups. It happened in 2023, when the mayor of Seoul, Oh Se-Hoon, proposed to hire foreign nanny to A monthly cost of approximately 1 million woneswhich is significantly lower than the minimum wage in South Korea. Not just that. Deputy Cho Jung-Hun also proposed a bill that would exclude immigrant domestic employees from the requirement of the minimum wage law, arguing that the salaries of these workers should be in line with those of their countries of origin, a proposal highly criticized by human rights organizations, which argue that it violates the rights of foreign workers and violates the norms of the International Labor Organization (ILO). And birth rate? As we said at the beginning, the introduction of foreign nannies is part of a broader government effort to boost female participation in the workforce, which is considered essential to improve the country’s birth rate. The number of households with double income in South Korea has increased constantly, reaching 5.82 million in 2021. The problem is that many women end up abandoning the workforce due to the responsibilities of child care. Therefore, by offering more affordable child care options, the government expects to create a more conducive environment for young couples to have children, thus addressing, in theory, the worrying birth rate in descent. A version of this article is PUblicó in 2024 Image | Pexels, Pexels In Xataka | South Korea has taken the rivalry in the classrooms to the extreme: 84% of its children go to academies to be even more competitive In Xataka | Seoul lives an unprecedented birth crisis. The idea of ​​its mayor: set up a municipal dating program

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