France

France and Italy are passing over Renfe. Your income and benefits are huge thanks to a liberalization to the letter

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Forced by the European Union in a process that began in the 90s and that ended up consolidating in 2005, Renfe and Adif separated their paths. 20 years ago the separation that divided the management of trains and passengers (Renfe competition) of infrastructure maintenance (Adif competition), with the aim of fulfilling European obligations to liberalize the rail transport of people and goods on Spanish soil. That liberalization of passenger transport did not have consolidated until 2021 when Ouigo started operating On Spanish roads. Shortly after more competition with Iro would arrive. Along the way, Renfe launched his avlohigh speed Low Cost of the Spanish company. Since then, the four companies (and their three operators) They have fought their particular battle to conquer the public … inside and outside Spain. And it is where, everything indicates, France and Italy are passing over Renfe. France, far ahead of any competitor The data of the unequal result that Spain is obtaining in front of the Italian FS Italiane and, above all, the French SNCF brings them electionomista.eswhere they echo the income and, above all, the financial result they are obtaining and those that are noticed in the future. Analyzing the financial results presented by companies, the sum of Renfe and Adif (Then we will see why this is important) have generated benefits of 280.15 million euros in 2024. However, they do not compensate for the losses of almost 353 million euros they signed in 2023. Among the big European companies, Spain and France are the only ones that have had benefits in 2024 but it must be taken into account that the figure of FS Italiane in 2023 was extraordinarily good. And it is that its 208 million euros of losses are well compensated with the 1,100 million euros that obtained as a benefit in 2023. That is, between 2023 and 2024, Renfe and Adif lost around 73 million euros. In that period, Italy won almost 900 million euros with its company for the exploitation of rail services. Although the true winner is the French SNCF. The 1,310 million euros that they won in 2023 fell short if we take as a reference 2024 when the company accumulated a benefit of 1,557 million euros. The gap It can be even greater if we take into account the volume of income. Spain adds with Renfe and Adif 5,526.45 million euros. Compared to any other country of competition is a very small figure. Germany added with DB 26,211 million euros in revenue (although it is by far the country that loses more money, with 1.8 billion spatched in 2024). Italy stayed at 16,529 million euros but, as we have seen, the balance in the last two exercises is very positive. And France breaks the graph with 43,354 million euros of income. A liberalization to the letter that is decisive Although European liberalization was aimed at being talking about companies here and not countries … the truth is that we do not have to. As we said, in Spain Renfe and Adif took separate roads in 2005. We have already seen, a company in charge of infrastructure management and another of trains and trips because, in theory, they could not be the same company to guarantee competition. However, in Germany, France and Italy Companies that manage each type of business They have stayed together in the same group Business, which facilitates operations within the same country and serves as a barrier to entry to foreign competitors. A way of acting that, in fact, has been criticized by the European Union but has remained standing despite everything. Among those investigations is the one that The European Commission opened To determine if the state aid received by SNCF in 2007 and 2019 comply with the legislation. The verdicts are important because Spain (which did comply by separating Renfe and Adif from root) has accused France and SNCF from dumping. According to the government, it is the French aid that allows Ouigo to operate in Spain despite collecting losses what would reaffirm his complaint against Europe. From ouigo they have reiterated that These results are the usual in a company that is entering a new market. This way of working has also been key to putting all possible brakes at the Spanish entrance to the French market. Renfe assures that from the Gallic country The deadlines have been dilated as possible And they have squeezed the regulations to certify that the Talgo trains with which they want to operate are not valid to reach Paris, where the great business of the French railways is located. The obstacles are so many that Renfe, as he collects The avant -gardehe would be evaluating the neighboring country. Paloma Baena, general director of Renfe Operadora Global Strategy, arrived at demand in the French Senate equal treatment and pointed out that they did not expect to function normally until 2029 if everything followed. In 2024, Renfe demanded To the French transport regulator the same and SNCF took a pull of ears by its compatriots. However, nothing has changed. In Germany, Italy and France, the operators of services and railway lines are working under the same business group. This, according to electionomista.esfacilitates its expansion to other areas related to public transport and other countries. Keolis is a SNCF subsidiary and receives income abroad for services in urban and interurban transport. Eurostar squeeze the European monopoly. At this time, 38% of SNCF income They arrive from abroad. France plans to take ouigo to Italy, plan to operate in Canada and have a high speed line in Morocco. Italy, on the other hand, has managed to enter the Lyon-Paris route and stay in the Milan-París. He intends to connect the gala capital with London and Brussels while his expansion for Germany, in Munich and Berlin is scheduled. In addition, it already has services in Spain, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and operates four subway lines in Riad (Saudi Arabia). For its part, Spain barely receives income that … Read more

Germany and France have signed a pact to reconfigure the continent

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The debate on nuclear energy It seems more alive than everbut it is not something new. He has been on the table for a couple of years and began to intensify with the closure of nuclear plants. Two years ago, Germany hill its last three nuclear centrals within politics, Energy. This measure was taken by the to an accident similar to Fukushima And it was reinforced by The Ukraine Wara cocktail that generated an intense national debate. Now with the arrival of the new Friedrich Merz Chancellor, the situation has taken another course. The firm. At a time where the European Union It is focusing All its efforts towards the energy transition, two countries have sealed an alliance that will change the paradigm of the contain. Germany has stopped blocking France’s efforts so that nuclear energy receives the same treatment as renewables in EU legislation, according to He has reported Financial Times. This decision marks a radical change regarding German position, which until now opposed to consider nuclear energy as a green source. THE PACT. The agreement has established three key points for nuclear energy. First, the Pink hydrogenproduced from nuclear energy, is classified as “green”, granting the same status as renewable hydrogen. Second, pejorative references against nuclear in EU legal texts will be eliminated, facilitating its inclusion in future energy regulations. Finally, this covenant could be key for nuclear energy to receive EU financing. A reactivation. The German Foreign Minister Friedrich Merz is using this agreement to reactivate Franco-German cooperation and advance in European energy policy. All this, motivated under the need of the German country to maintain competitive electricity prices and ensure stable energy supply. As They have detailed In the London environment, the agreement would open a door to future conversations about the possible integration of Germany into the French nuclear shield, a deterrent to the Russian threat. And the renewable boom? If something characterizes Germany It is his commitment to self -consumptionsurpassing Spain. In fact, last year more than 60% of electricity consumption came from clean sources, but the dependency by Gas remains highespecially during periods of Dunkelflautewhere renewable intermission can threaten the stability of the electrical system. So are they going to reopen centrals? No, there will be no reopening of conventional nuclear power plants. However, new nuclear technologies are being explored that could position Germany as a European reference. According to Financial Timesone of the technologies will be the small modular reactors (SMR), which have advantages in terms of safety, flexibility and smaller scale. In addition, the development of nuclear fusion is being promoted, with the announcement of firm support to the plant of Proxima Fusiona project that seeks to move towards a safer nuclear energy and No long -term radioactive waste. But wasn’t there a controversy? In 2022, the EU implemented green taxonomy to classify sustainable investments. However, since its approval, this regulation already includes nuclear energy and natural gas as transition energy sources, a movement that generated great controversy at the time. In this way, this new pact can bring a tail, because Austria remains the only member state that strongly opposes nuclear energy, while Belgium and the Netherlands are reconsidering their nuclear policies, as They have pointed out In Financial Times. Forecasts At the moment this pact has two approaches. In the short term, the agreement wants to stabilize energy prices and guarantee shared nuclear infrastructure. In the long term, Germany aspires to position itself as a leader in advanced nuclear technologies, especially in nuclear fusion and SMR, in addition to consolidating itself as a European reference of green hydrogen. This new turn that is taking Germany will transform the European energy balance and is another ingredient for the debate of the nuclear, which remains latent in the continent. However, in this context, one might ask if this position will not even intensify the divisions between the Member States, fueling tensions around common energy policy and complicating the transition to a more sustainable model. Image | Lnbiggs Xataka | A power in nuclear energy is emerging as the best alternative to Russia and China for the West: South Korea

France has put the soy in the spotlight. Science is not so clear that it is a good idea

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Soy has become one more element in our kitchens. Soja drinks, for example, are no longer a simple substitute for milk used by vegan people, but as one more drink. However, soy has also aroused the suspicions of some, generally focused around one of its components. Now those who have just paid their food in this food have been the French health authorities. Advise against. A few weeks ago, ANSES, the National Agency for Health Security of Food, the Environment and French work, issued a recommendation in which soybean products were advised in collective restoration. The motive wielded is in the isoflavones, but Not everyone is convinced in which it has been a good idea. Soy and isoflavonas. The Isoflavonas They are estrogen -like substances (hormones linked mainly to female reproduction) that are produced by some plants. Among the plants that produce these compounds are soybeans, and also to a lesser extent in other legumes and vegetables. The impacts on the human health of these compounds have generated interest in the community, scientific, not only for the risks that could entail but also for potential benefits. Since these compounds can be “coupled” to our hormonal receptors, the possible risks associated with the consumption of these phytoestrogens usually associate with their impact on our hormonal system, especially in that of children and adolescents, even in the growth stage. Avoid excessive consumption. According to details Radio France Internationalthe new measure is focused on avoiding excessive consumption, through the recommendation to eliminate soy products from collective restoration. This includes from nurseries to elderly residences, as well as other teaching centers and the canteens of companies. The new guide of the French agency establishes toxicological reference values ​​(TRV) by ingestion that try to delimit the safe consumption of these compounds (those that are below the value), of which they could begin to suppose a risk. According to the agency, these values ​​would be 0.02 mg per kg of body mass and day in the general population, and 0.01 mg/kg of body mass and day in pregnant women and children. Doubts. The measure has generated some skepticism. As It is explained from Sincthe new limits are based on studies conducted with animal models. While this type of studies represent a fundamental pillar when studying the impact of some substances, extrapolating its results to humans is not always simple. There are at least three factors that could alter these results continue to explain the article. The first, metabolic: mice metabilize these compounds less efficiently, which causes them to accumulate more easily in their body. Secondly, because some of the studies would have been using high doses that would not correspond to those we absorb when we consume isoflavones orally. Finally, the intestinal microbiota could also play a fundamental role in our absorption of these compounds. And in this sense, the gastrointestinal microbioma of humans and mice differs too much to be able to perform reliable extrapolations. And in humans? As they detail from Sinchumans do not yield especially alarming results. Rather on the contrary. These studies, including A technical review published in 2022 In the magazine Critical Reviews in Food Science and NutritionThey tend to point out that endocrine disruption tests associated with soybean consumption or its isoflavones are not detected. Controlling food concentration. Although the recommendations to collective restoration have focused the debate of the new French recommendations, these also pay attention to soy producers and food manufacturers. Not all soy varieties and not all products of this legume contain comparable isoflavone concentrations. That is why It is recommended To these sectors choose plant varieties, agronomic techniques and elaboration processes that minimize the presence of these compounds. In Xataka | In full tariff war, the EU has found a weapon to press the United States: soybeans Image | Tankilevitch polyina

France puts Apple a fine for making advertisers difficult. The problem of the fine is that it is symbolic

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Apple It has been fined with 150 million euros By the Fancesa regulatory authority, I authorized her in the concurrence. The sanction is due to its dominant position between 2021 and 2023 in the advertising segment in mobile applications. It is the first fine that an antimonopoly regulator issues Apple by the call Tracking transparency app (ATT). This technology is supposed to prevent apps from tracking us more than the account. In iPhone and iPad ATT it allows users to decide which apps can monitor their activity. However the system has been criticized by advertisers And for Apple’s rivals –With Facebook as a great example-, to which it harms by depending on that online advertising. In fact, the investigation that has ended up causing this fine comes from the complaints of Several online advertisers associations and also of Internet suppliers who accused Apple of abusing their privileged position. The French regulatory entity indicated in a statement that “although the objective pursued by ATT is not critical in itself, the way in which it applies It is not necessary or provided to the declared objective of Apple to protect personal data. “ In fact, the statement also stood out as ATT “particularly penalizes small advertisers”, who depend largely on third -party data for their business. The fine, of course, is much smaller than the European Union imposed on Apple last year for Spotify demand for “limiting options and drowning innovation.” Then The fine was 1.8 billion euros. Apple has indicated that it was disappointed with the fine, and that the French regulator has not specified what changes should make for its privacy control tool. The ATT system is also being investigated by the regulatory entities of Germany. The fine, as we say, is almost symbolic, especially if we compare it with what the EU imposed last year. Even so, this could return to Increase existing tensions with Donald Trump’s governmentwhich in recent weeks has begun to launch tariffs that raise a global commercial war and that of course They significantly affect Europe. Image | Anthony Choren | La Moncloa In Xataka | The Spanish car will be unscathed from US tariffs for a very simple reason: we manufacture cheap models

The EU wants to corner the privacy of WhatsApp and Signal with rear doors. In France the play has gone wrong

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The National Assembly of France vote On March 20, a fundamental issue for the privacy of its citizens. One that put into play the confidentiality of their conversations in messaging applications such as WhatsApp or Signal. Rear doors. As they point out In EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation), the French proposal was disturbing. The objective was to force messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or Signal to create “rear doors” that allow hidden access to private conversations. The proposal is part of measures with the argument of avoiding child pornography (sexual Child abuse material, CSAM). We are waiting for you in territory s Do you like Samsung? We have a new specialized medium in Samsung and its products with tricks, offers, tutorials and all news about the brand. Go to territory A for mass surveillance. The law proposal raised a spectacular tool for mass surveillance. One who already tried adopt in the United Kingdom in 2019 and that would allow security agencies to join encrypted chats without their participants getting tale. Terrible for privacy, but also for security. The threat not only affected our privacy, but the security of these applications. The experts They criticized Already in 2019 the proposal and They warned that it could serve to introduce systemic vulnerabilities or create tools that many would end up abusing. The French organization La Quadrature du Net (LQDN), which defends the fundamental freedoms of the digital world, He urged a mobilization Against this “drug law” that among its options included this theoretical creation of rear doors. Of that, nothing. Fortunately for privacy defenders, French legislators voted against said proposal, allowing these platforms to continue to continue operating with end -to -end encryption that protects the confidentiality of these communications. A difficult victory. As indicated in the EFF, this victory was not easy, and only came after popular pressure, expert comments “and the support of civil society.” Even so, they warn, the pressures will follow to try to activate measures that mining the privacy of our communications, “perhaps repaired, or put in full speed through quieter legislative moments.” That is also the danger: that these laws end up being approved in a deceptive way and as part of broader and more generic laws. Blissful chat control. Last September the Presidency of Hungary of the European Union Council recovered the proposal of the so -called Chat Control, that is, the end -to -end encryption elimination. There was a first attempt that was rejected, but during the summer the threads began to be moved for review, the called chat control 2.0 that is in development. The new proposal relaxes the terms. Chat Control 2.0 is still worrying. The proposal Published by the Presidency of Poland of the Council would make the scan of these “voluntary” conversations and would be classified as preventive. The experts They believe That this proposal is a step in the right direction to protect the right of European citizens to maintain their private digital correspondence. The Government of Spain wants rear doors. Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spanish Interior Minister, is one of the great defenders of the rear doors. In a 2023 document he presented how it is “imperative that we have access to the data.” There are many other European countries in favor of this type of measures, and as explained in the activist organization ChatControl.EU “Created by Patrick Breyer, of the German Pirate Party,” the risks to privacy are important. Image | Nathan Dumlao In Xataka | A rear door 30 years ago has compromised all US safety. Europe wants to make the same mistake

Spain opened its lines to Ouigo. France is now doing everything possible to avoid the entry of Renfe

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It seemed inconceivable but we had been living with it for almost four years. Yes, Renfe trains circulate on the Spanish railways. The Order arrived from Europe and Spain complied with a guideline that has opened the door to Ouigo and Iro. A door that, for Renfe, seems to be stuck in France. What happened for Renfe to be studying his departure from the neighboring country? A liberalization. It arrived in 2021. First Renfe had to face the competition with Ouigo. Shortly after it was Iro. And when we wanted to realize, in the Spanish roads these three companies are competing in high speed by some clients that, if we add Avlo, have four options on top of the table. Liberalization came ordered from the European Union. From Brussels it was voted in favor of opening the railroads and that any company could operate on the roads of the entire continent. A liberalization that has its peculiarities because the demands in terms of security and approval to meet the protocols follow in the hands of the authorities of each country. You don’t pass here. The latter is especially important and we have seen it in Spain. For example, When Ouigo wanted to get to Andalusia has had to adapt its trains to the protocols of the LZB systemsince they do not resemble those of the rest of the continent. When the Madrid-Seville line was created for the 1992 Expo, it was decided to use said system that would later fall into disuse and failed to impose itself on Erts that we see in the rest of Europe. These types of regulations, in addition to the payment of a fee for the maintenance of the roads and other services to ADIF are those that have put on a war footing to Ouigo and the Government. The first when pointing out that Adif charges excessive rates for the service they offer. The second because they ensure that Ouigo throws prices Below the market. What do we have? High speed with four operators and the lowest prices than ever. Where The competition has been greaterprices have dropped. They have not dropped where the demand is very high (such as the Madrid-Barcelona corridor) but in lines where you have to fight more to catch customers as in the Andalusian runners or in Madrid-Aliante where the supply was not extended until 2023. In your latest reportthe CNMC pointed out that the volume of passengers has not stopped increasing. Where new options have been opened have generated a greater number of journeys and a price drop until reaching more than 10 million passengers in the third quarter of 2024. A conflict. In this context Renfe has proposed to open new lines in France. Taking advantage of liberalization, the Spanish company has wanted make Ouigo competition In his own home. The movement began with controversy, with Renfe selling Nine euros tickets. In Spain, Ouigo defended himself saying that they were in a launch phase and that they expect be profitable this year. The promise is about to be fulfilled while SNCF, owner of Ouigo, has already put its conditions to enter to compete in the market of Cercanías y Medio Distancethe other great liberalization that we have ahead. The fight for the really interesting. Ouigo in Spain is competing in the big runners for lament of Óscar PuenteMinister of Transport, which indicated that these companies can focus on profitability While Renfe also has to Fulfill your public service position. Ouigo does compete in Madrid-Barcelona, ​​Madrid-Sevilla or Madrid-Aliante, for example. And in those same conditions he wants to play Renfe in France. At the moment, the company operates in the Lyon-Barcelona and Lyon-Marsella runners but the great yearning is still to reach Paris. The capital is especially juicy because most of the great French lines leave from there and could join Madrid and Paris in a single corridor. And here is the great conflict. You don’t pass here (2). Renfe a The avant -garde that France is doing everything possible to torpedo the expansion of the company on its way to Paris. The first intention was to reach Paris before the Olympic Games last summer but it was not possible. And the technical approval still does not get what he is doing to the company to rethink if they must move on. They explain that the problem is in the technical approval of trains. The approval of them usually takes about six months of work but at this time they are already going for three years. Coincidentally, the approval to operate in the Barcelona-Tooulouse corridor as of April 2025 is ready. Renfe is, for the moment, notice in the southern and southeast zone of France. And according to the company, the project does not paint well. To the point of Paloma Baena, general director of Renfe Operadora Global Strategy, demanded in the French Senate A few weeks ago equal conditions in the deal and pointed out that they did not expect to function normally until 2029 if everything followed. The excuse. What they say from France is that the trains that Renfe has presented to operate in the lines that have Paris as origin or destination are incompatible with the technology of their tracks. First tried with trains 100F series of ALSTOM which are those operating in the south of the country. After rejection, he has tried with the Talgo 106 Series with which Renfe operates in Spain. And, in addition, François Durovray, already former Minister of Transportation in France, also pointed out that he wanted to force companies to enter the country Operate in deficit lines. Exactly the type of runners where Ouigo does not operate in Spain and what Oscar Puente Moles ago lamented. Photo | Xataka In Xataka | Renfe trusted Talgo’s trains to overcome Ouigo and Iro. With your arrival, breakdowns, delays and controversies accumulate

France is installing turbines under the sea to exploit the renewable energy source that never ceases: the tides

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In the heart of the sea, where the powerful tidal currents move to the rhythm of lunar gravity, an energy revolution is being created that promises to transform the future of Europe. France has a continuous energy with a large -scale installation. The project. French company Normandie Hydroliennes has created The NH1 initiative to generate energy from sea currents. The installation will consist of four seniomotor submarine wind turbines that will be located in the Raz Blanchard, a sea step known for its currents. The great support. EU 2023 Innovation Fund He has subsidized to the project with 31.3 million euros. In this way, Europe expects to integrate tidal energy into the energy mix in France and Europe, adding a constant and predictable source to avoid Intermittent energy problems. The largest in Europe. Thus it will be thanks to the AR3000 turbines, which are considered The most powerful in the world in the mareomotor energy sector. Each turbine will have a 3MW power and a 24 -meter rotor diameter and, its advanced control system will constantly adjust the speed and angle of the blades to optimize the production of electricity. It should be added that the marine structure of these turbines allows them to be installed in just 20 minutes. Stable energy. An interesting small fact is that this type of renewable energy offers a stable and continuous supply, thanks to Natural forces as the lunar gravity that generates the tides and moves the oceans continuously. Energy sending. The energy generated by the turbines will be transported to the ground through a single export cable, which facilitates the connection of multiple turbines to transmit the electricity generated efficiently. This type of very demanded cables in Europe It has made effective The network connection between England and Denmark, among other projects. However, too It has been target of objectives In geopolitical conflicts. The occasional setback. Like any type of large -scale system, problems may appear. The company has indicated that the design of the project minimizes the environmental impact and reduces costs, but problems may arise due to the extreme marine conditions of the sea pass. As for the marine impact, problems may arise of local fauna and flora. Forecasts. From the French company have indicated which will provide 34 GWh per year to the France electricity network from 2028. In addition, they have estimated that this energy source has a potential of up to 100GW by 2050, supplying the electrical needs of 94 million homes throughout the continent. Image | Wiseed Xataka | Oceanic energy is the new promise of renewables. And Japan is already testing a gigantic turbine

In 1958 France approved a nuclear plan to defend itself without the US. Russia has turned the plan into a reality for Europe

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It happened in 1958, but now it cannot be more relevant. Then, General Charles de Gaulle had a vision of the need for France to maintain some strategic dependence by launching the Nuclear deterrence policy Sovereign, a kind of nuclear umbrella arguing that, although the United States was an ally, its interests may not always coincide with those of Europe. It has spent more than half a century and, suddenly, the continent has set the French nuclear doctrine against American uncertainty. The possible extension of the shield. It was French president Emmanuel Macron who He raised the possibility to associate French nuclear deterrence with the defense of other European countries. Although its ad It could explicitly spread To other nations. In this regard, the French Defense Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, reiterated that the nuclear arsenal will remain completely Frenchunder the only authority of the president. However, the key issue is whether France could assume a more active role in the continent nuclear defense. The (in) definition. Historically, French nuclear doctrine has been ambiguous with the threat of a massive response if France’s “vital interests” were in danger. However, these interests have never been defined precisely. From the presidency of De Gaulle, France has suggested that some European countries were already de facto, Under your protection. In fact, in 1964 De Gaulle declared that a Soviet attack against Germany could be interpreted as a threat to France. We remember that France and the United Kingdom are the only European nations with nuclear weapons. France counts With almost 300 eyeletsdeployed in airplanes and submarines, while the United Kingdom has approximately 250. Thus, there is a crucial difference: France maintains total independence in the development and operation of its arsenal, while the United Kingdom depends on US technology. Europe thinks about it. Actually, what has really changed in this debate is not the French proposal, but the attitude of the rest of Europe. Until recent United States and NATO. This idea has jumped through the air with the second mandate of Donald Trump, added to his current rhetoric of reduce military support To Europe, which has generated a change of perspective. Countries Like Germany They have seriously considered the option of a European nuclear shield. Moreover, the next German chancellor Friedrich Merz, surprised his allies by suggesting that it was time to open a dialogue with France and the United Kingdom about the possibility of reinforcing European nuclear deterrence. Scenarios for the alleged nuclear shield. Analysts have become more or less according to the time of summarize the options. There is talk of a deployment of French airplanes with nuclear weapons in other countries, Like Germany or Poland. The decision to use them would continue to be in the exclusive hands of the French president, but his presence would send a disjection message. Also of patrol of French nuclear bombers in European borders, as they do in French airspace, and the creation of air bases in other European countries, allowing a rapid deployment of French nuclear forces in case of crisis. The importance of eyelets. We would say that key for obvious reasons. The number of eyelets is a crucial factor. As we said, France has 300 nuclear heads, and together with The 250 of the United Kingdomthe total number would reach 550. The problem: which is significantly lower than Russian Arsenalwhich exceeds approximately 6,000 eyelets (the majority in reserve), although it is often clarified that the deterrence does not depend only on the amount of weapons, but on the credible and fast response capacity. Another aspect under discussion is if France should modify its nuclear doctrine to explicitly include the defense of its European allies within its “vital interests”. Some analysts argue that maintaining strategic ambiguity is part of the deterrence itself, but others argue that a clear statement of commitment would strengthen trust among European allies. The Russian threat. Although France has M51 missilescapable of reaching Moscow and other great Russian cities with enormous destructive power, Moscow’s ability to respond is, what is much greater. According to estimates in Russian media, a single Missile “Satan II” It could “atomize Paris In 200 seconds“, which underlines the risks of a direct confrontation. The problem lies, in addition, that Russia, given its geographical extension, could resist a prolonged nuclear exchange, while France lacks that strategic advantage. This asymmetry in the ability of mutual destruction raises doubts about the effectiveness of French deterrence in case of a conflict with Russia. If the “yes” occurs. In any case, what seems clear is that if France manages to expand its nuclear role within Europe with the support of the United Kingdom, this would represent a crucial step towards the strategic autonomy of the EU. The deployment of combat aircraft with nuclear capacity in Eastern Europe would not only strengthen the defense of the continent, but would send a clear political sign of unity and determination to Russia. It would be to see, of course, what would be Moscow’s reaction. Image | James Vaughan In Xataka | Europe rescues an old plan to defend Ukraine without a third World War: Sky Shield and its 120 combat planes In Xataka | Ukraine will lose his most powerful weapon in the US. That will give Russia an unprecedented advantage: attack more than 30 kilometers

France receives more tourists than anyone. Now he has had an idea to limit it: put the very expensive flights

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Although there is already who says that Spain will end up snatching the crown, France is today the undisputed queen of world tourism. No other nation moves more travelers. Only last year it was expected to arrive in the country some 89.4 million of international tourists, a good handful more than Spain, the US or China. From now on, travelers who must take off from France to move around the country or return to their homes will have to scratch some more pocket. The reason: shortly It will go up he “Solidarity Tax” That applies to your flights. Of course, the decision It has generated a stir. What happened? That in a matter of a few weeks (March 1) France will update its Solidarity tax On the plane tickets, better known as TSBA or ‘Chirac tax’ in a wink to the former president who ruled the Republic when it was approved. His climb is not really a surprise. It was expected in The French budget of 2025, approved in February after a complex process that He took ahead to Prime Minister Michel Barnier; But its application will not be really effective until next month. What exactly is the TSBA? An international tax that taxes the price of plane tickets. Their amount is set by authorities. Then it is up to the airlines to decide whether they assume it or transfer it to a greater or lesser extent to the tickets that charge their passengers. As your own name (TSBA) details, the objective is finance International aid programs. In fact, the French government defends its equitable and ecological value. When at the beginning of the year, during An interview with Le Parisienthe Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin was asked what he thought of the increase in the tax, Your answer It could not be clearer: “I am in favor. It is a measure of fiscal and ecological justice. The richest 20% of the population is responsible for more than half of the air trip spending.” How much and where will it go up? To clear doubts, the French administration published a few weeks ago A brief ad with the main novelties that affect the tax. It speaks of three categories: “destinations in France and Europe”, “intermediate destinations” and “distant destinations”, which would be those in which the plane travels more than more than 5,500 kilometers. Then details the amount that the rate will have in each case, although the amount varies depending on another parameter: the category. The same is not charged to a customer who travels with a tourist ticket than to another class Business or that flies in a private jet. And how are they then? The result is that the rate for flights in economic and short -distance class, within France or Europe and with departure from France, will cost 2.63 to 7.4 euros. In intermediate journeys it will rise to 15 euros and in the case of distant destinations the tax will be located in 40. The routes to Corsica and overseas territories are left out. In class Business The rate will cost 30, 80 or 120 eurosdepending on the duration of the flight, and in the case of the Jets the TSBA will involve from March between 210 and 2,100 euros, the maximum that would pay a user of a private plane for a trip of more than 5,500 km. The Government recalls in any case that the impact of new rates on airline tickets will depend on whether they decide or not to “absorb them.” What do airlines say? They have not taken to show their discomfort. At least part of them. Air France considers that the climb, more than double, is “irresponsible” and is equivalent to demanding “a tax to access France.” In his specific case he estimates that he will cost him about 100 million euros at a particularly delicate time after the pandemic years. “France is the country of Europe where air transport is more taxed with taxes. In the last 20 years we have lost between 1 and 2% of the market every year in favor of foreign airlines. There is a risk of transferring benefits to other countries,” ditch. The update of the TSBA arrives in fact after the country has made clear Your desire to encourage taxes, the use of less polluting alternatives to the plane in short journeys. Can you take its toll? The reaction has not been good in Ryanar. Its executive director, Michael O’Leary, already He has accused To France to swim to “countercurrent” and warns: “Europe will not be more efficient or competitive excessively taxing air rates.” “France is already a country with high taxes and if they increase more likely we will reduce our capacity,” says the manager of the Low Cost. From the company go further and point out the risk that flights end up being only available to “the rich”, affecting the country’s finances at a time that stands out precisely by the Tourism boom international. Images | Eric Salard (Flickr) 1 and 2 and Service-Public.fr In Xataka | Private Jets flights are a great source of pollution. And France wants to limit them

In the war against illegal soccer broadcasts, France now attacks the VPN. VPN response: we are like

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The War that is facing LaLiga and Cloudflare In Spain it is not the only one that is being lived in this field. In France the fight against IPTV platforms is also intensifying, but in this case with a striking protagonist: the VPN suppliers. What happened. In recent weeks we have seen how the easiest way to avoid those indiscriminate IPS blockages is to use a VPN. The suppliers of these services act as DNS Resolversservices that resolve IPS and domain names so that we can access them, and do so in a way that the IP block is not effective. French content companies, against VPN. Companies such as Canal+ and LFP (Football Professionnel Ligue) claim that VPN suppliers are contributing to illegal sports emissions. Although legal demand is not publicly available, It has been shared By Marc Rees, journalist of L’Emport. In his research he reveals how Nordvpn, Cyberghost and Protonvpn are the objectives of Canal+ and LFP, although other companies such as Expressvpn and Surfshark are also affected. Suppliers deny such accusations. The objective, They explain in TorrentfreakIt is to prevent ususians from using these services to access these contents illegally. VPNS suppliers “believe they do not develop any role in this matter”; They claim in TF, and simply offer privacy and security services. A coalition of VPN services to protest. The so -called VPN Trust Initiative (Vti) includes companies such as Expressvpn, Nordvpn and Surfshark, and those responsible have shown clear opposition to these measures. VTI is part of I2coallionand those responsible published A statement At the beginning of the month on the subject. It highlighted how “content suppliers are using legal procedures to force VPN suppliers to block websites in France.” That, they explained, “threatens freedom on the Internet. VPNS suppliers could leave France. Christian Dawson, Executive Director of I2coalition, indicated that VPN companies that provide such service are considering leaving France and stop giving that service in the Gallic country. It is something that Cisco has already done to disrupt the OpenDNS service. Terrible examples. The VPNS blockade is not new, but it usually occurs in countries with very restrictive political regimes, both in the particular VPNS scope – India and Pakistan have already caused the departure of VPN suppliers – and in general. As Dawson explained, “This case in France is part of a broader worldwide trend of normative overreach, in which governments try VPN as part of broader censorship. “ Next steps. At the moment there is no locking obligation for VPN suppliers, and demand would have to be accepted. There is a scheduled view for next month in which both these companies and content suppliers can defend their position. Even if the content suppliers win, there will be news: Protonvpn has already notified that he is willing to take the case to the EU Court of Justice. Image | Jossuha Théophile | Rafael Garcin In Xataka | Cloudflare demand, LaLig

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