parties

“We are willing to further strengthen cooperation with the Spanish parties”

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Europe continues to discuss how to deal with China. Spain, meanwhile, has already opened all its doors. Several times. The International Department of the Chinese Communist Party (an organ of the Party, not the State) has made Madrid a mandatory stop for its parallel diplomacy. At the end of January, Vice Minister Ma Hui toured the offices of the PP, the PSOE, the PCE and the Catalan Generalitat. No one closed the door. Why is it important. China is not looking for ideological allies in Spain, what it is looking for is access. Their strategy is to build relationships with whoever governs today but also with whoever can govern tomorrow. The CCP’s International Department maintains contacts with more than 600 parties around the world because it does not understand colors, only influence. And Spain, due to geography, economy and political predisposition, has become its bridgehead in southern Europe. Between the lines. Zapatero once again appears as a key piece of this network. Ma Hui, a veteran diplomat and former ambassador to Cuba, met him first, before anyone else. It is not coincidental. The former president maintains recurring contacts with CCP structures, appears at Party-sponsored forums in Beijing and operates as an unofficial facilitator. A role that raises questions about transparency and red lines in international relations, especially for someone without official position but with privileged access, which we now know is is on the payroll of a Chinese manufacturer to help it deploy in Europe. The contrast. Trump has based part of his legislature applying tariffs and generating uncertainty with them. China, meanwhile, has wanted to position itself as its opposite, as a guarantor of tranquility. It has presented its Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) in Madrid as a model of stability. Yes, but. Spain is moving with respect to China faster than the rest of Europe. Pedro Sánchez plans his fourth trip to Beijing between April 13 and 15. And this pace makes Brussels uncomfortable because it is trying to coordinate a common European position towards China. Spain can clearly benefit economically from this stance, but at some point we will have to ask ourselves what we are giving up in exchange. The money trail. China no longer only pursues markets in Spain, it pursues political legitimacy: Ma Hui participated in a forum Chinese Chaira think tank geographically close to Atocha but strategically very close to Beijing. These spaces, halfway between academia and propaganda, normalize the Chinese presence in European decision-making centers. They say they want to “learn about state management.” In reality, they build a network of interlocutors that facilitate their strategic interests. ¿Main loser? The common European position. If Madrid negotiates on its own, Valencia too, and Barcelona the same, China does not need to convince the European Union. It is enough to fragment. Bilateralize what should be multilateral. And Spain, with former leaders operating as unofficial liaisons, facilitates that strategy. In Xataka | China has found a way to gain influence in Africa without shooting a single shot: build ports as if there were no tomorrow Featured image | Jordi Moncasi, Li Yang

parties and 2,000 euros for conceiving in a stay

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The Demography has become one of the final bosses against which different countries are battle. Countries like China And above all, Japan and South Korea They have become the greatest exponents when we talk about “demographic crisis“, but There is no need to go to Asia to look at the problem. In Europe Many countries are immersed in this same crisis And, when policies seem not to work, it is private entities that take action on the matteras with a hotel chain in Poland. The demographic engine of countries like Spain It is gripped Because few babies are born and They are not enough for generational relief. They are also being born More mothers babies over 40 years than 25 forks Immigration The one that is capeando A little temporary. This situation is not exclusive to Spain and countries such as Switzerland, Netherlands, Nordic, Belgium or Italy are in our same fertility rate. Poland is also in that situation, and the owner of a chain of hotels has occurred to him to start rewarding couples who conceive a baby during the stay in one of their hotels. Come to my hotel, conceive a baby and give you a check Poland’s fertility rate is on the floor and among the lowest of the European Union block. It is estimated that it was 1.3 children per woman in 2023, being far from the 2.1 children who should have to guarantee that generational relief. Why is it so important? Japan is already living: Without young people, there is no one who works in certain positionsthere are elders who must work even after their retirement And the welfare state is not supported, Entering elements such as pensions. Because the population is dying, the pyramid is invested and, in the case of Poland, the population fell into 123,000 people in 2024. It was the greatest decline among the countries of the European Union… And it occurred for the second consecutive year. In Financial Times We can read that a vicious circle is mounted around this situation, something that even affects the experience that doctors have when helping in delivery. If there are not so many births, they do not gain experience and, when a complicated delivery occurs, they may not know what to do. The Government has tried to promote birth through aid such as the Rodzina 500+ program that grants a monthly subsidy per son of 800 Zlotys (about 188 euros per month) until it meets the age of majority. In the same medium we can read the proposal of the Władysław Grocchowski businessman, owner of the Arche chain that operates 23 hotels throughout the country. Your idea? Organize a baptism party or secular celebration For ten babies that have been conceived in one of their hotels, in addition to a 10,000 zlotys check, which are about 2,100 euros. And your company’s 2,000 employees can also access this bonus. To demonstrate it, interested parents have to present an invoice from the hotel dated, approximately nine months before the birth of their child. Grochowski also comments that, Being at the barrel bottom of the European demographic situationwe must address it as it is and urgently. His proposal is totally seriously, but also comments that it is both an incentive and a humorous marketing maneuver. Beyond those 2,000 euros or 188 per month of government subsidy, which never come bad, there are those who point out that The real background problem It is one that sounds like the inhabitants of many countries: Another crisis, that of housing. The estimate is that the country faces a deficit between 1.5 and 2 million homes, especially in large cities, where the Average price From the square meter exceeds 1,500 euros. Up to 16% of Poles They spend more than Half of your salary in housing and a third cannot afford to buy or rent something that meets their needs. It is something that seriously affects young people, that if they do not have money for housing, they also think of having children or changing work for a better one, since they have no stability in the accommodation. For this, the government has also promised to invest to Create social housingbut it is something that is designed in the future when the problem is present. It is, as we say, a problem that we know well and the fish that bite its tail, complicating good family planning and, in many cases, making the decision to have offspring. Image | Vitolda Klein In Xataka | Someone believes to know why fertility is collapsing throughout the world: men and women are “better” separately

For years summer is synonymous with gastronomic parties. In Galicia, hoteliers believe they are unfair competition

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If you travel to Galicia in summer it is likely that in addition to beaches, seafood and tourists In search of the best cove in which to plant your umbrella, find something else: Gastronomic parties. There are tens. To hundreds. From entrance spring to Autumn well advanced It is possible to meet throughout of the region quotes dedicated to percebe, Carneiro Ao spongrazors, Albariño or hamburgers, between a long long etc. They are so many and so many people move in Ribadeo (In the province of Lugo) local hoteliers and merchants They have said enough. The reason: where others see a mass celebration they have detected something else, one “unfair competition”. In a place in Galicia … Ribadeo is a small town of the Eastern Mariña (Lugo Province) of somewhat less than 10,000 inhabitants. However, in summer thousands of tourists attracted for their heritage, landscape, gastronomy, environment and especially their great jewel: The beach of the cathedralsone of the great natural monument of the Peninsular North. The INE calculates that only between June and August were housed in the hotels of the municipality 28,200 travelersthousands of potential clients for shops, coffee shops and restaurants in the town. Local trade … and something else. The fact is that in Ribadeo (as in many other villas in Spain) there are not only stores and bars. Throughout the year and especially in summer, fairs, markets, gastronomic parties are held … events organized in the most central streets and squares and that capture the interest of neighbors and visitors. The large dating calendar serves for the people to be more attractive, but the local merchant association (Acisa Ribadeo) He just lifes his voice to alert that not everything is positive. In his opinion also represents a “unfair competition” For businesses that work throughout the year, not only in summer. “Without Control” celebrations. The matter is serious enough for the organization to have been treated as a great point of the day in a Extraordinary Assembly held this week. Has even dedicated A reportunanimously ratified and in which he exposes why (in his opinion) the celebration “without control” of this kind of quotes undermines its profitability. “It includes the arguments for which Acis emphasize. “Acisa is not against the celebration of these markets and events, what we reject is that they be held without control, on the poorly appropriate dates and with excessive durations,” claims The Association Manager, Jesús Pérez. “In recent months, events with little planning have been held, without transparency with respect to the promoters or the purposes to which the benefits are dedicated, becoming scheduled every little time and in the middle of high season. This implies direct and unfair competition for local trade and hospitality and a deterioration of the ribadeo image.” Why’s that? Acisa complaint That kind of specific quotes “take advantage of the work that takes place throughout the year” to boost the people and capture visits. And they also do so by taking advantage of the high season and “the best locations” of the town in exchange for “minimum or null taxes for the benefits they get.” “The rates that pay for occupying public roads are in many cases symbolic, ridiculous or non -existent,” Crows. In summary, merchants and hoteliers feel that the fairs stand up during the high season while they are responsible for serving, paying rent and taxes and generating employment in the town throughout the year. “In addition they do not always comply with the basic regulations, such as the issuance of purchase tickets, nor are they subject to health, labor or fiscal controls. They do not generate employment in the municipality and use municipal services such as works, hooks of light or cleanliness, which we pay all ribadenses,” Pérez argueswho also clarifies that these celebrations “do not contribute anything new” to customers. “The products and services they offer can be found in local businesses with higher quality.” The debate, served. That in general (not only in ribadeo) the markets, festivals and gastronomic parties They attract people It is difficult to discuss. The key to Acisa is when and how they are celebrated. And especially the impact they have on small businesses entrenched in the town. Hence they speak of a “direct unfair competition” for entrepreneurs who do assume fixed expenses, taxes and “normative obligations” that, denounce, “are not always assumed by the organizers” of that kind of appointments. “They seek to place themselves in the moments of greater tourist influx in ribadeo, taking advantage of the previous effort and investment made by the sector to attract visitors to the town,” insists The collective. Moreover, in its report it warns that “in many cases” specific events “lack clear planning” and transparency, which can compromise “the tourist image” of Ribadeo. “Prioritize improvised and very poor quality activities compared to the value of trade and local hospitality.” What do they suggest then? In Your report Acisa demands “order, regulate and compatible” these events with the “legitimate interests” of the merchants and hoteliers of the town. They even speak directly of limiting authorizations to “protect the local economic fabric”, restricting permits for those appointments that enter direct competition with local businesses or extend for too many days or repeatedly in the same year. Aware that fairs, festivals and markets help to boost the town, even suggests rethink the calendar of the celebrations. What in practice translates into organizing them “preferably” outside the high season or dates in which the flow of customers, such as Holy Week, summer or Christmas months, “when local trade and hospitality already make an extraordinary effort to meet the demand.” “We don’t need them”. “Ribadeo does not need this type of event in high season. We consider that they can be held promptly in low season following the premises collected by the report prepared by Acisa,” its president concludesCarmen Cruzado. The group leaves out the bag, yes, the events of a solidarity and non -profit nature and those with a limited duration, a … Read more

The best 14 applications to receive notifications and see statistics from the parties

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Let’s tell you The best 14 applications to see the results of all football and other sports matches in this season 2025/26. These applications will offer you all the information, from the minute by minute of each game to real -time notifications with the goals. We are going to offer both the description of each application and the links to lower them to your Android mobile or your iPhone. In them, in addition to all the markers of all competitions, you can follow concrete teams, have all the news and all the information about the king sport. And as we always say in Xataka Basics, this is our list, but you may notice that we have missed an app. If so, we invite you to leave your suggestions in the comments section, and that all users can benefit from the knowledge of our xatakers. Flashscore Previously known as My markersthis application covers More than 30 sports and more than 6,000 competitions worldwide. In all of them it offers live results, but also statistics instantly and the classifications of each competition. It will also allow you to configure Personalized notifications of concrete teams or matches not to miss incidents. In the case of football, they also evaluate with notes to the players of each game, and give you the latest news, you can see the course of the game, alignments, news and future matches among other things. Sofascore This application is an authentic sports encyclopedia for your pocket, and another one that leads this type of apps with coverage for 25 sports and more than 5,000 leagues and tournaments. It offers instant notifications and real -time results, with a high level of detail thanks to its advanced statistics. In football, these advanced statistics include heat map visualizations, shots maps, power graphics, players analysis and more. In addition, if you want you have a payment version for detailed analysis of each of the matches, in addition to extras such as fantasy leagues and trainers. Besoccer Besoccer is another great application that has millions of users, and that in addition to live markers and news, It focuses on aspects such as the signing market As a differentiating characteristic. You can also add your favorite teams to appear above. In addition to this, you are also going to have information about goals, alignments, news, with matches around the world and all leagues, focusing on football. It also has a party viewfinder with all the data of what is happening. Fotmob An application that stands out for having an exceptionally clean interface and well organized. It also has live results and instant alerts of goals, personalized news, video summaries and comments in text of the matches. All this to be able to offer deep monitoring. For the rest, it offers almost everything other applications offer, with personalized notifications and can choose your equipment, in addition to Widgets for your mobile screen not to have to be opening the app every two by three. A platform that is presented as A complete content centergoing beyond sports results to also integrate videos, summaries, information on leagues from around the world and news. It also offers the possibility of offering all the official news of specific clubs, in addition to party summaries and transmission of everything that happens live. 365Scores Another gigantic international website with your own apps where you have coverage for More than 10 sportsalthough focusing especially on football. One of its great strong are ultra fast notifications, which can sometimes notify you of a goal before TV. It also has detailed statistics from live matches, and you can follow the performance of the players, leagues, classifications, and follow your favorite teams to have their notifications and that the information focuses on them. Official APP LaLiga If what you want is to follow everything that happens in Spanish LaLiga, this is The official application Where you can have all the results, schedules and statistics of the first and second division, as well as the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. The app allows you to personalize the colors of your team, personalized feed with stories that are plays of the teams that interest you, as well as surveys and participation in competitions. Another good application that Try to stand out for its speed When issuing Push notifications on your mobile with things that have passed in a game that interests you. They use their own shipping system, being able to configure notifications for matches, teams, soccer players or tournaments. It also offers video summaries of the goals, alignments forecast by experts, and good coverage of women’s football. For the rest, it has the rest of the options and types of common statistics in this type of application, TV guides and widgets for the home screen. LIVESCORE Another application that has been offering data and statistics of matches for years, with the analysis of the matches, profiles of players, alignments, and all statistics of what has happened. There are also live notificationsand the possibility of customizing what you want to see. ESPN The official application of this group of American sports channels also offers you live markers and all the information. Covers many sports including football, with More than 560 leagues and glasses of all the world. You have statistics, alignments, outstanding videos, and everything you need. You also have a lot of sports, and in some regions even live broadcasts. An application that combines news and markers, where you can follow your favorite teams and players. You can see the live results of all matches and competitions, and also has a good tide notice apps system. In the application you will find soccer profiles, classifications, transfer rumors section and A debate forum Where you can chat with other users. Also You can value each player After each of the matches. Soccer24 We are coming to the list with less known alternatives, although this is a veteran who has been active for many years. … Read more

Allow alcohol at Buddhist parties

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Tourism is one of the most powerful economic levers In many countries. In fact, some places receive so many visitors that cities and whole countries have already begun to take measures to limit massification. Venice is one of the most famous for the different decisions to stop mass tourism. AND Japan will copy that input rate For the foreign visitor. That influx of tourists is something that other countries seek and seem to not get. Thailand is one of them and, to attract that tourism, it is raising something curious: alcoholic tourism during the Buddhist holidays. Tourists, come. In Asia, it is curious to see the duality that cities and countries live with tourism. We have commented on the Japanese case, but one of Seoul’s most popular areas also implemented a curious measure a few months ago: Cale touch for tourists. On the other side of the currency, we have North Korea, which has opened to tourism after years of border closure. Hong Kong also wants to attract foreign money Thanks to multimillionaires influencers And Thailand is also desperate to recover tourism that lost After the Covid-19 pandemic. The impact was strong: a 90% drop in 2021 and an influx that increase gradually since then, but not to the desired rhythm. Closed bars. For this 2025, Thailand wait recover the Prepandymia figuresbut they have identified something that could hinder tourism and consumption: Buddhism. Specifically, the Buddhist festivities in which the bars close and the sale of alcohol is not allowed. The Government considers that this can stop the foreign tourist whom the religious festival cares little and has stated that alcohol can be sold without stopping. Spirits. Of course, this decision does not imply an lack of control in the sale of alcoholic beverages, since during the festivities there will only be a series of establishments in which alcohol can be purchased and consumed. Hotels, international airports, night bars and some tourist places seem to be the ideals to open their hands in the sale of spirits during those religious festivities. Details to clarify, since it is a measure that is in the public hearing phase and that will have to be officially approved by the Minister of Public Health and, obviously, by the Prime Minister, but is already on the table. Among those loose ends we must see what happens with bars at street level, also with restaurants and franchises in commercial and more tourist areas. Complex balance. As they point in Bloombergthis measure is complex because the government must maintain a balance between local traditions and that search for money from tourism in one of the most powerful countries in the region. From the government, initiatives such as entry without visa are also being implemented for certain tourists and programs that guarantee the medical security of the visitor. The ‘White Lotus’ effect. Beyond the sale of alcohol during religious parties, recently the country legalized same -sex marriage and has also proposed to attract tourists with greater purchasing power, taking advantage of the fact that it is the stage of the third season of the series ‘The White Lotus’. It is curious, but the series is so successful that people with a certain purchasing level that they want to emulate the experience in fiction. Part of the series was recorded at the expensive Four Seasons resort Koh Samui hotel, which has had 40% more reservations. Koh Samui has had more hotels, especially by American tourists, and there are companies that are launching Vacation packages inspired by the series about $ 8,000 per person. It will be interesting to see how the measure of the sale of alcohol will be resolved, since it is an important dilemma between the traditional Thailand and the one that seeks to revitalize its tourism. Images | Mark Fisher, Witwatarun In Xataka | If the alcohol industry no longer had enough problems, it has now encountered one more: Ozempic

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