All posts by Carmen Gomaro

Carmen Gomaro - leading international news and investigative reporter. Worked at various media outlets in Spain, Argentina and Colombia, including Diario de Cádiz, CNN+, Telemadrid and EFE.
ECONOMY

Spain buys 12% more fruits, vegetables and legumes from abroad and only sells 5.2% more

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The importation of fruits, vegetables, and legumes from foreign countries has continued to rise in recent years, with Spain spending 7,479 million euros on these foods in the period from January to November 2023. This represents a 12.1% increase compared to the previous year. In contrast, exports of these products only grew by 5.2% in the same period, reaching a total of 20,647.6 million euros.

Based on the data from the Ministry of Industry, it is projected that imports of legumes will increase by 16.7% in terms of imported kilos and 16.3% in total spending for 2023 compared to 2022. The purchase of legumes from abroad has been steadily increasing since the pandemic, with a 25% increase in quantity and a 45% increase in cost due to inflation. The volume of imports in euros has reached its highest point and is four times higher than in the 90s.

France is the largest supplier of legumes to Spain, followed by Russia, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Morocco. Only France, Portugal, and the Netherlands adhere to similar environmental protection regulations as Spain, leading to complaints from Spanish farmers about unfair competition from products imported from countries like Russia and Morocco.

The same accusation has been made by the French, who claim that Spain’s strict regulations put them at a disadvantage compared to other European countries.

The difference in regulations is reflected in the final price, with each kilo of imported legumes costing 0.73 euros and each kilo of exported legumes sold for 1.49 euros. Similar trends can be observed in the import and export of fruits, with Spain importing 14.7% more fruit and exporting 29.4% less fruit since the start of the pandemic. However, the rise in fruit prices has compensated for the decrease in volume.

The most imported fruits in Spain include potatoes, dried pod vegetables, figs, pineapples, avocados, bananas, plantains, citrus fruits, apples, pears, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and kiwis. On the other hand, the most exported fruits are oranges, fresh vegetables, melons, watermelons, apricots, and lettuce.

Costa Rica, Morocco, and Peru are the top three countries from which Spain imports fruit, with Costa Rica being the largest supplier at 2.36 million tons annually.

The price competitiveness of Costa Rican fruit, which costs 0.71 euros per kilo, explains its leadership in the Spanish market compared to Moroccan fruit with a price of 2.44 euros per kilo and Peruvian fruit priced at 2.08 euros per kilo.

HEALTH

Prime, this is the scientific study that Elon Musk seeks to carry out with Neuralink

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After the initial commotion caused by the announcement by magnate Elon Musk about his brain implant, called Telepathy, the real intentions of the study must be detailed.. Its design, although there are still no details on ClinicalTrials (the website that registers clinical trials), as some experts point out, does have the green light from the FDA to be carried out.

The little that has emerged so far from the system is advertised on the Neuralink website. It includes the details of the pillars of its system: the implant, the surgical robot and the application.. The study responds to the acronym PRIME, Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface, a precise interface implanted through robotic surgery.

What are brain-computer interfaces (BCI)?

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are systems that decode predicted motion signals from brain activity to control external devices such as computers.

To know more
Interview. “Elon Musk's brain implant is not the first, but it is less invasive and more efficient than others”
  • Editor: TERESA GUERRERO Madrid

“Elon Musk's brain implant is not the first, but it is less invasive and more efficient than others”

Science. Elon Musk's brain implant outrages scientists: “It's pure smoke, advertising, an advertisement like this is irresponsible”
  • Editor: PILAR PÉREZ Madrid
  • Editor: CRISTINA G. PIKE
  • Editor: TERESA GUERRERO

Elon Musk's brain implant outrages scientists: “It's pure smoke, advertising, an advertisement like this is irresponsible”

What is the purpose of the study announced by Elon Musk?

This is the first human study to evaluate the initial safety and effectiveness of the N1 (a BCI implant), the R1 (a surgical robot), and the N1 user application (BCI software) to enable people with paralysis to control external devices.

What does the study for which Neuralink is looking for volunteers entail?

During the study, as stated on the company's website, Robot R1 will be used to surgically place the N1 implant in a region of the brain that controls movement intention.

Participants will be asked to use the N1 implant and the N1 user application to control a computer and provide feedback on the system.

Once surgically placed, the N1 implant will be cosmetically invisible. It records and transmits brain activity to allow you to control a computer.

The N1 implant records neuronal activity through 1,024 electrodes distributed in 64 threads, each thinner than a human hair.

The R1 surgical robot was designed to operate reliably and insert the N1 implant into the appropriate region of the brain.

Implant size sample. NEURALINK

Neuralink has created an application that decodes movement intention from brain signals recorded by the N1 implant, allowing you to control a computer with your thoughts.

How long will the trial last?

Approximately six years in total will be invested in this research.

When will it be possible to use it in patients?

As José del R explains. Millán, professor of the Brain-Robot Interfaces Area at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL) and director of the CNBI (Center for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioenergineering) at the University of Austin (Texas, USA), “Neuralink has a clinical protocol approved, but the objective is mainly to demonstrate the safety of the implant and the robotic procedure to perform the surgery.

“There is a long way to go before implanted brain interfaces are available to the vast majority of patients,” adds Millán.

With the BCI it will be possible to recover motor functions in addition to communicating with other objects?

Grégoire Courtine, a neuroscientist at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), explains that “Neuralink has now joined the growing number of companies developing thought-reading BCI devices that are in human trials.”. “There is an opportunity to link these BCI devices with our spinal cord stimulation technology to restore movement after paralysis.”

Courtine leads a multidisciplinary team that has made great progress in this field. “Combining a BCI with ONWARD's ARC therapy creates a 'digital bridge' between the brain and spinal cord that can restore walking or arm movement in a person with spinal cord injury.”

In this sense, the neuroscientist comments that “currently, Neuralink has only implanted a chip in the brain. “To restore movement after a spinal cord injury, it is also necessary to implant technology near the spinal cord to deliver electrical therapy.”

Regarding these advances, he details that “we have already linked our neurostimulation platform with the CEA-Clinatec BCI device to recover movement after paralysis.. And he expresses his offer to be able to “do the same with the Neuralink device.”

What options do patients have as the new generations of BCIs arrive?

Millán details that “in the meantime, and even then, the option is a non-invasive brain interface that has already demonstrated its validity for people with high degrees of motor disability, for example, quadriplegic people who mentally drive their own wheelchair or patients with hand paralysis due to a cerebral infarction (stroke) and regain mobility (at least partially).

Furthermore, Millán explains that in the same way that the technology behind brain implants advances, “that is also the case with non-invasive brain electrical activity recording systems such as the electroencephalogram, which in the near future will allow brain interfaces to be used in a way continuous and with minimal external assistance”.

HEALTH

Sapiens and Neanderthals lived together in northern Europe for longer than previously thought

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Homo sapiens reached northern Europe at least 45,000 years ago and coincided with Neanderthals for thousands of years before their extinction.. It is one of the main conclusions of the research that an international team of scientists has carried out at the Ilsenhöhle site, in the town of Ranis (Germany) and that provides information about the first modern humans to cross the Alps.. This is a multidisciplinary study that has combined field work, DNA analysis, proteinomics, radiocarbon dating and isotopic analysis.. Their conclusions are detailed this Wednesday in three articles that appear in the journals Nature and Nature Ecology and Evolution.

The German site was excavated for the first time in the 1930s. Recently, researchers have reexamined all the sediment layers and reached depths that those early investigations had not been able to access.. There they have found stone tools similar to those found in several sites spread across the continent – such as Moravia (Czech Republic), Poland and the United Kingdom – that correspond to a type of lithic industry called the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowskian (LRJ) culture.. A technology that appears at the transition of the Middle and Upper Paleolithic.

The new work has also made it possible to recover human and animal fossils. Thanks to previous dating, it was already known that the Ranis site was at least 40,000 years old, but without identifiable bones it had not been possible to clarify whether the tools had been made by Neanderthals or Homosapiens, or if both species had inhabited the place..

To know more
Human evolution. The enigmas of 'Homo antecessor', our great-grandfather from 850,000 years ago: “He is enigmatic and diabolical, a very strange mixture”
  • Editor: TERESA GUERRERO Madrid

The enigmas of 'Homo antecessor', our great-grandfather from 850,000 years ago: “He is enigmatic and diabolical, a very strange mixture”

Paleontology. DNA shows for the first time what a Neanderthal family was like
  • Editor: AMADO HERRERO

DNA shows for the first time what a Neanderthal family was like

Now, the new findings show that “Homo sapiens created this technology and that it had already reached the north 45,000 years ago,” says Elena Zavala, one of the first authors of the article published in Nature, currently a researcher at the University of California at Berkeley. , after having passed through the Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig (Germany). “These are some of the first Homo sapiens in Europe.”

In addition to the new excavations, the team also reviewed bone fragments obtained in Ranis in previous work, present for decades in various collections of German institutions, among which human remains were identified.. “We were able to confirm that several skeleton fragments belonged to H. sapiens and that several of the new ones shared mitochondrial DNA sequences – even fragments – with individuals from previous excavations,” explains Elena Zavala. “This indicates that they belonged either to the same individual or were maternal relatives, which links these new findings with those from decades ago.”

By comparing the DNA with other samples found across the continent, Zavala discovered that most of the fragments were genetically related to the skull of a woman who lived 43,000 years ago in another cave in Zlatý k, in the Czech Republic.. And one of them, with a fossil found in Italy.

Stone tools Josephine Schubert / Burg Ranis Museum

The combination of human, animal and environmental samples allowed dating and analysis through different methods, not only genetic. The researchers also extracted proteins from the bones, a method that allows identification in the absence of DNA. Another important objective was to obtain remains of the sediments of the site, especially the layers where the tools were found.. Therefore, in addition to searching for human bone fragments, the team also extracted ancient mammal DNA from sediment samples to complete a zooarchaeological analysis.. In addition, tool marks on animal bones also serve to demonstrate the presence of humans in different periods.

Cutting-edge technology

Although they were found very fragmented, the bones were well preserved and allowed scientists to apply new genetic and proteinomic analysis techniques.. These analyzes allowed us to demonstrate that the Ranis cave was used by small groups of humans for short periods of time (at other times it hosted large carnivores, such as hyenas and cave bears).. Also that the sapiens who used the refuge consumed meat from various animals, such as reindeer, woolly rhinoceros and horses.

One of the researchers examines a fossil of an animal Geoff M. Smith

Radiocarbon dating was then applied to complete the chronology of the cave's occupation, confirming that the humans who used the shelter are some of the first Homo sapiens to inhabit the continent.. On the other hand, analyzes of the isotopic signature in stones and bones allow us to better understand climatic conditions and the environment through chemistry.. Thus, they have shown that at the time the stone tools were manufactured, a very cold continental climate predominated in the region, with open steppe landscapes, similar to those found today in Siberia or northern Scandinavia.

In this way, by applying different methods, the articles published this Wednesday describe not only the Homo sapiens fossils from Ilsenhöhle, but also part of their diet, way of life or the environmental conditions they found.. For example, they moved in small groups, shared their environment with other large carnivores, and made elaborate stone tools.. Furthermore, the finding supports the idea that even these first groups of sapiens that dispersed throughout Eurasia already had a certain capacity to adapt to climatic conditions such as those that existed north of the Alps.

HEALTH

Viruses and colds, some remedies for that annoying sore throat

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Sore throat is a common ailment that affects both children and adults. It can be caused by various factors such as viral infections, allergies, exposure to tobacco smoke, or bacterial infections. While most sore throats are not serious, they can be uncomfortable and interfere with everyday activities like swallowing and speaking. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to alleviate the discomfort and find temporary relief.

Bacterial infections are responsible for about 10% of sore throats in adults and 30% in children. In such cases, antibiotics may be necessary for treatment.

Exposure to cold temperatures without proper protection can also lead to a sore throat. The cold, dry air of winter can dry out the throat’s mucosa, causing inflammation and pain. Breathing through the nose whenever possible helps warm and humidify the air before it reaches the throat.

Classic remedies like mint or eucalyptus candies provide temporary relief by increasing saliva production and lubricating the throat. However, their effectiveness is limited. Similarly, herbal or honey candies may offer temporary relief through throat lubrication, but their effects are brief.

Pharmacy lozenges contain elements that can relieve sore throat symptoms. Unlike candies, lozenges should be taken according to the recommended dosage.

Gargling with salt water can help moisten the throat and eliminate potential infection remnants. Honey, known for its healing properties, can also be an effective option for reducing throat irritation and inflammation.

Throat sprays with antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties can provide relief. These sprays are applied directly to the throat using an applicator.

SPORTS

Barça wins, but does not break free

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Barça emerged victorious against Osasuna, but their struggles continue. Xavi’s team secured a narrow win thanks to a goal from Vitor Roque, but they failed to dominate against a ten-man opponent in the second half.

Their inability to dominate the match, once again, resulted in a tense finish, with Osasuna’s goalkeeper pushing forward in the dying moments to try and salvage a late equalizer. Despite the victory, injuries continue to plague the team, with Ferran Torres becoming the latest player to join the list of casualties.

Xavi had hoped that his announcement of departure would ease the pressure on his players and allow them to perform better. However, the first half of the game remained lackluster for the Blaugrana.

To compound their woes, they also suffered another muscle injury, as Ferran Torres had to leave the field early in the match. His emotional reaction suggested that it could be a serious setback. His absence will be a blow for Xavi, as Torres has been in great form recently.

Torres joins a long list of injured players, including Íñigo Martínez, Ter Stegen, Marcos Alonso, Balde, Gavi, Balde, Raphinha, Sergi Roberto, and Joao Félix. Some may return soon, but the lack of personnel in attack forced Xavi to rely on Fermín as a replacement. The young midfielder showed promise and enthusiasm on the pitch.

Osasuna adopted a defensive approach, limiting their attacking opportunities. They were unable to capitalize on the few chances they had, and even protested for a penalty that was not given.

Barça’s best chances to break the deadlock came from set pieces, but they were unable to convert. Fermín, despite his energy, unintentionally thwarted his own shot, adding to their frustrations.

In the second half, Barça showed signs of improvement, but their offensive struggles persisted. Xavi made a substitution, bringing on Vitor Roque, who made an immediate impact by scoring the winning goal. The fans, who had previously chanted Xavi’s name, were ecstatic.

Osasuna did not retreat after going down to ten men and launched dangerous attacks. They came close to equalizing with shots hitting the post and being saved by the Barça goalkeeper. Lewandowski’s disallowed goal further added to the uncertainty in the closing moments.

SPORTS

From "Figo no, Redondo yes" to the pulses of Ramos, Varane or Benzema, the traumatic departures that proved Real Madrid right: "It's cold outside"

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“It's just that far from Madrid it's a little cold”. In the Valdebebas Sports City they embrace the football cliché that is used to summarize the drop in performance of a series of players when they leave a team. It is not an expression that only works for Real Madrid, but in recent years the white team has starred in it like no one else.. Involved in a reconstruction process since the three consecutive Champions Leagues, Chamartín's team has known how to continue winning (League, Cup, Champions League, Club World Cup, Super Cups…) while the players who were falling by the wayside suffered in their destinations. Even agreeing to let star footballers leave who have not performed in other locker rooms.. There are the cases of Varane, Casemiro, Ramos, Benzema, Cristiano…. Sportingly, everyone has lost, although economically they have won.

During his 20 seasons at the helm of Real Madrid (the current one is number 21), Florentino Pérez and the technical direction of the white team, first with Jorge Valdano and later with José Ángel Sánchez, have faced several traumatic departures for Real Madrid fans.. But reality, in terms of Madrid's own titles or the trophies or legacy won by players outside of Chamartín, has ended up proving them right in almost all of their decisions.

The first time Florentino opened the door to a Madrid star was just two weeks after becoming president.. Pérez, with Luis Figo under his arm, sold Fernando Redondo to Milan for 18 million euros (3,000 million pesetas). The Argentine, who had repeated in the pre-season that he wanted to stay, went to Italy earning approximately the same salary that Figo was going to earn at the Bernabéu, and his departure even caused demonstrations at the gates of the stadium: “No Figo, “Redondo si!”, sang the 200 people who crowded into the Castellana in July 2000, the same month in which Madrid sold Anelka to PSG for 5,000 million pesetas.

Redondo played 16 games in the four seasons he spent in Milan, always hampered by injuries, and Figo was a vital man in the two Leagues in 2001 and 2003 and the Champions League in 2002.. It was Florentino's first victory in the offices, but not the last. Although there were also defeats.

Makelélé's trauma

Historically, there is a sale that is assumed to be painful sportingly in Chamartín: that of Claude Makelélé. Defensive axis of the Galacticos, his departure to Chelsea for 20 million and the arrival of Beckham tactically destabilized the team, being the beginning of the end of Madrid's golden era. At Stamford Bridge, Makélélé was essential for Mourinho, winning two Premier Leagues and reaching the Champions League final.

In his second stage, Florentino knew that to deal with the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká and Benzema he had to get rid of Robben and Sneijder. And the Dutch have been the only ones who have not been “cold” away from Chamartín, winning the Champions League and reaching the World Cup final with their country. However, the list leaves many victories and few defeats in the fights that the stars wanted to have with the Madrid management.

Mesut Özil left in 2013, a few months before La Décima, for 47 million to be the star of Arsenal. He played 184 games and won 4 FA Cups, but did not win in the Premier or Europe. That summer, Higuaín, in a constant sports fight with Benzema, went to Naples for 40 million. He was Calcio's top scorer in 2016 and ended up winning Serie A with Juventus, but like Özil, he missed the 4 Champions Leagues. And Kaká, who also left in 2013, spent time in Milan without playing before going to Orlando.

After La Décima, Xabi Alonso and Di María changed clubs, which became the highest sale in Madrid history: 75 million. The Argentine played a year at United before being transferred again, in that case to PSG, where he played 7 seasons. In France he won 5 leagues and lost a Champions League, until the World Cup in Qatar gave him his greatest gift. Alonso, for his part, played three years at Bayern, won 3 Bundesliga titles and retired without winning the Champions League again.. All while Madrid won three European Cups.

The reconstruction after Cristiano

Cristiano Ronaldo's 'goodbye' in 2018 began a small reconstruction. In the fight with the Portuguese, Florentino accepted the offer of 117 million from Juventus and let his biggest star leave. It seemed like the world was opening up on the Bernabéu floor. But again, reality made the manager the winner.. Cristiano won two leagues in Italy but ended up in Manchester, exiled by Ten Hag, and became an icon of Saudi football. His pocket has grown, but who knows what he would have earned in Chamartín.

The dominoes have continued, without stopping, in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. In 2019, Madrid opened the door to Kovacic (to Chelsea for 45 million), Marcos Llorente (to Atlético for 30) and Keylor Navas (to PSG for 15). In 2020 it was the turn of Achraf (to Inter for 43), Reguilón (to Tottenham for 30) and James Rodríguez (to Everton, free). In 2021 it was Sergio Ramos (free to PSG), Varane (to United for 40) and Odegaard (to Arsenal for 35). In 2022 Casemiro (to United for 70), Gareth Bale (free to Los Angeles), Isco (free to Sevilla) and Marcelo (free to Olympiacos). And last summer, to finish, Benzema (free to the Saudi Al-Ittihad) and Asensio (free to PSG) left, after they found more money abroad than what a Madrid that in 2022 lifted its Fourteenth European Cup could promise them. , Florentino's sixth as president.

Of that entire list, only one has won the Champions League away from the Bernabéu, Kovacic with Chelsea (Marcelo has won the Libertadores with Fluminense), and the best placed to do so this year are the Croatian, now at City; Achraf, at PSG; and Odegaard, who also fights for the Premier as captain of Arsenal. Three of a long list of stars who one day left Chamartín out of desire for glory or money. Varane and Casemiro suffer, between injuries and lack of chemistry with the coach, the hardships of a disastrous United, 8th in the Premier and out of the Champions League round of 16. Asensio is not a starter at PSG, Isco has regained his smile at Villamarín after being without a team for many months, Ramos has returned to Spain, to a Sevilla that is fighting for relegation and Benzema, with physical problems, is being criticized in Arabia , where his team is seventh, far from Cristiano, leader of the league.

SPORTS

Indurain's strange fascination with the desert: "You have a bad time and at the same time you want to return"

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The sand dunes, rocky sections, and majestic mountains create a unique and contrasting landscape in the vast expanses of the desert. With six stages covering a distance of 600 kilometers and an accumulated elevation gain of 7,000 meters, the Skoda Titan Desert 2024 in Morocco offers an unparalleled challenge. This year, Miguel Indurain, along with his Kosner – Saltoki Home team, including renowned cyclists like Óscar Pereiro, Luis León Sánchez, Sylvain Chavanel, and Pruden Indurain, is ready to take on this arduous adventure. During the team presentation in Madrid, the five-time Tour champion shared, “It will be my first time participating in the over 60 category, but my goal is to complete the race and enjoy the team. As long as I don’t have a terrible time, I will be satisfied.”

But why did Indurain return to the Titan Desert after initially declaring it would be his last in 2023? “I still don’t have a definite answer. The truth is, after having a New Year’s Eve dinner with the team, we all signed up again a week later,” explained Miguelón, captivated by the inhospitable Saharan landscapes and the camaraderie in the peloton to ensure everyone finishes the race.

Starting on April 28 in Boumaine Dades and culminating at the traditional finish line in Maadid on May 3, the Titan Morocco pushes physical and mental limitations to the edge. “This edition will have a bit of everything, including a presence in the Atlas mountain range, dunes, and some new surprises in terms of provisions,” shared Cristian Llorens, the largest shareholder of the Titan World Series. It is an adventure that transcends mere sports and becomes an inner journey, where the values of camaraderie weigh just as heavily.

As Indurain himself confessed, “You go through tough times, yet you also find yourself wanting to return. Let’s see if this year I discover the reason to sign up again,” fully aware of his limitations under the scorching Moroccan sun, where temperatures can reach a blistering 48ºC. “I struggle in the sand, and the GPS never seems to work for me, so I simply follow whoever is in front of me. I have never used the navigation system, and I don’t plan on learning now. It would be so much easier if there were signs indicating the remaining distance,” joked the Navarrese champion. Sometimes, in life, you have to make do with what you have.

On the other hand, Óscar Pereiro boasts more experience with GPS, as his first participation in the Titan dates back to 2011. “I must say, though, that back then, I resembled Paco Martínez Soria in the desert,” admitted the winner of the 2006 Tour, emphasizing that knowing how to navigate is crucial in this race if one aims to compete for victory. After three months without riding, Pereiro will commence his training on Thursday. “It’s not just about dealing with the challenges of sand, rocks, or steep climbs. The most difficult part, in my opinion, is the psychological suffering of looking ahead and seeing nothing but endless horizons,” analyzed the cyclist from Mos.

Luisle, at 40 years old, sees the Titan as a stage in his intricate retirement process, which he completed last September. “We want to learn as quickly as possible and see if we can match those ahead of us. Being the newcomer in the team, I have to take it day by day. Morocco will be an entirely new experience for me,” warned the four-time Tour stage winner between 2008 and 2012, who also ventured into mountain biking last year in the NEOM Titan Desert in Arabia and the Titan Almería stages.

SPORTS

The winter market, an increasingly used window… especially by Atlético: "There was cash after Carrasco left and they wanted to take advantage"

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It is often said that the winter transfer market is a time of crisis for clubs. However, Álvaro Torres, Football Director of the You First agency, prefers to view it as an opportunity for teams to find solutions. These solutions can include addressing issues such as injuries, poor squad performance, or taking advantage of market opportunities. This is especially true for clubs that are at the bottom of the table or have players in the last year of their contract.

While Atlético Madrid currently sits at the top of the table and does not have any emergencies to address, they have still been active in the winter transfer window. Along with Granada, they have been one of the most active clubs in this window.

There are six moves that Atlético Madrid is expected to make in this market. They have already confirmed the signings of goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan from Rapid Bucharest and midfielder Arthur Vermeeren from Antwerp. These additions were made possible by the funds generated from the departure of Yannick Carrasco.

In addition to the two signings, Atlético Madrid has made other moves in the market. Goalkeeper Ivo Grbic has been sold to Sheffield United, while Javi Galán has been loaned to Real Sociedad and Caglar Söyüncü has been loaned to Fenerbahce. These moves are part of the trend in this window, which sees more loans than transfers due to financial constraints.

Another notable addition to the team is Gabriel Paulista, who was brought in to strengthen the defense. The Brazilian had been on Valencia’s exit ramp and was a necessary arrival considering the injuries to Azpilicueta and Giménez, as well as the departure of another central defender.

There were also attempts to bring in Moise Kean from Juventus and Angel Correa’s departure to Al-Ittihad. However, these deals did not go through due to various reasons such as failed medicals or disagreement on transfer fees.

Finally, it was announced that Óscar ‘El Profe’ Ortega, the physical trainer, will be leaving Atlético Madrid at the end of the season. He has been with the club for three stages, including the current one with Diego Simeone.

Overall, these six operations make this the most active winter transfer window for Atlético Madrid in the last five years. While they are not as active as Granada, the trend in recent years has shown an increase in both the number of transfers and the amount of money involved in the winter market.

INTERNATIONAL

Kim's 'youtuber children' (and the defectors who fight 'soft propaganda')

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He wears a school uniform and speaks in a distinct British accent. He enjoys indulging in ice cream, is an avid fan of Harry Potter, and takes great pride in calling Pyongyang his hometown. Presenting herself as Song-a, a cheerful 11-year-old North Korean girl, she captivates her audience on YouTube by showcasing the wonders of the North Korean capital. In his eager manner, he spills out a plethora of information about Pyongyang with seemingly no end, describing it as a paradise brimming with amusement parks, an abundance of food, and after-school activities like swimming, rock climbing, and 4D animated movies for all the girls.

Song-a launched her YouTube channel in the spring of 2022, quickly amassing over 30,000 subscribers. However, their videos faced censorship in South Korea during the summer, along with two other North Korean YouTuber channels propagating the benefits of Kim Jong-un’s regime. Such dissemination of “white propaganda,” as it is commonly referred to by analysts, is prevalent across numerous platforms.

The North Korean propaganda machine has long been associated with an inexhaustible supply of belligerent rhetoric from its leader. Kim’s mouthpieces frequently utter phrases like “We are prepared for an unrelenting war,” “Deranged American Madman,” “We will not hesitate to strike them,” “Damn Japanese imperialists,” and “We must annihilate them.” North Korean speakers continue to churn out these expressions almost daily.

In recent years, however, North Korea has adapted and adopted strategies from neighboring countries like Russia and China to convey subtler messages through friendly YouTubers like Song-a. What the young girl fails to reveal in her videos is that ordinary North Koreans are unable to upload videos to Western social networks due to restricted internet access or censorship blocking their browsers. Colin Zwirko, an analyst at NK News, a portal focusing on monitoring North Korea through satellite images, insider testimonies, and defector experiences, points out that “Song-a portrays herself as an average student who was taught English by her mother at home. However, she originates from one of the most influential families in the country, with her father being a career diplomat based in London and her great-grandfather being a revered general from the Korean War.”

Many of these defectors-turned-influencers aim to counteract North Korean propaganda by exposing the atrocities committed by the Kim regime. Others seek to provide insights into the hermetic country’s culture and customs. Kang Na-ra, with over 370,000 subscribers on YouTube, sheds light on the disparities between North and South Korea, revealing that “having large breasts is considered negative in North Korea.” She candidly admits, “One of the biggest surprises I encountered upon arriving in Seoul was discovering padded bras and breast implants.”

Another prominent influencer, Yeonmi Park, frequently appears on podcasts in the US to recount the traumatic experiences of her childhood during the devastating famine and the execution of her father, a black market metals trader, while in prison. Park claims that she, along with her mother, managed to escape North Korea at the age of 13 with the help of a group of Christian missionaries.

Among the defectors who bravely face the camera, stories like Park’s abound. The more outrageous and harrowing the accounts, the larger their following becomes. However, experts caution that some of these YouTubers may be embellishing their experiences in North Korea.

SPORTS

The winter market, an increasingly used window… especially by Atlético: "There was cash after Carrasco left and they wanted to take advantage"

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Many football experts often refer to the winter transfer market as an emergency market. However, Álvaro Torres, Football Director of the You First agency, prefers to view it as a platform for finding solutions. This market is particularly useful for teams that find themselves struggling at the bottom of the table, dealing with injuries to key players, poor squad performance, or enticing market opportunities. It is also beneficial for clubs looking to acquire new talent or monetize their assets by selling players in the last year of their contract.

While Atlético Madrid currently sits at the top of the table and has a healthy and performing squad, they have still been active in this winter transfer window, along with Granada. Despite no emergencies, the team aims to strengthen their chances in the league, especially in their upcoming match against Real Madrid.

Atlético Madrid is expected to make six moves in this market. They have already confirmed the additions of goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan from Rapid Bucharest and midfielder Arthur Vermeeren from Antwerp. These additions, costing around 20 million euros, were desired by the coaching staff since the summer. The club had the financial resources after Carrasco’s departure and decided to seize the opportunity.

On the other hand, goalkeeper Ivo Grbic will be joining Sheffield United, and Javi Galán and Caglar Söyüncü have been loaned to Real Sociedad and Fenerbahce, respectively. According to Álvaro Torres, there are more loan deals than permanent transfers in this window, accounting for around 80% or 90% of the moves, mainly due to financial constraints.

Additionally, there are rumors of Gabriel Paulista’s potential incorporation into the team, considering his uncertain future at Valencia. The club considers his arrival necessary, given the current defensive concerns due to injuries and the departure of a Turkish central defender.

Another notable event was Moise Kean’s visit to Madrid. The Juventus player was set to join Atlético on loan, but his contract signing was halted due to a medical examination revealing an injury that would sideline him for four weeks. As for Correa, his proposed transfer to Al-Ittihad fell through due to financial disagreements, with the club’s demands reportedly around 30 million euros.

In other news, Atlético Madrid’s physical trainer, Óscar ‘El Profe’ Ortega, has announced his departure from the club after three stints, including the last one under Simeone. The Argentine coach has decided not to renew his contract with Atlético.

Overall, these six potential moves, including Paulista’s potential arrival, would make this winter transfer window the most active for Atlético Madrid in the last five years. While it may not match Granada’s 11 moves, it aligns with the trend observed in FIFA reports, which indicate a bullish market characterized by an increase in both the number of transfers and the overall money involved.