Latest news with #BorjaSuárez
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
GPS on the moon: Spanish firm launches lunar navigation system
By Borja Suárez MADRID (Reuters) -Spanish technology company GMV has unveiled a GPS-like navigation system for the moon that aims to make lunar missions as intuitive as a drive across town with apps such as Google Maps or Waze. Called LUPIN, the project is part of a programme by the European Space Agency to test new positioning, navigation and timing techniques as interest in lunar surface exploration picks up again, whether for scientific research, potential mining opportunities or even future tourism. "With this software, we bring Europe closer to establishing a presence of humans on the moon and, potentially, this would be a stepping stone towards Mars exploration or human presence on Mars," Steven Kay, the project's director, told Reuters. The new technology was put to the test in the otherworldly landscapes of Fuerteventura - one of Spain's Canary Islands - where GMV conducted field trials with the prototype in a part of the Earth that bears some resemblance to the lunar surface. By using signals similar to GPS from moon-orbiting satellites, LUPIN would allow rovers and astronauts to pinpoint their location on the moon in real time. Currently, navigating the Earth's largest natural satellite is difficult, as spacecraft on its surface have to rely on complex calculations and data relayed from Earth - which is neither quick nor precise. "Communication depends on direct visibility with Earth or the use of relay satellites in lunar orbit, which create communicative shadow zones and latency times that hinder immediate decision-making," GMV said in a statement. The lack of real-time updates on changes in the moon's terrain caused by recent impacts or lunar dust movements also hinder ground trips on the satellite. The company wants to combine existing lunar cartography with information gleaned from moon-orbiting satellites targeting dark spots, such as the lunar south pole and the "far side", the area generally in shadow. "We want these rovers to map the surface of the moon in a fast and safe way so that astronauts can return in a few years, work there and set up permanent bases," said GMV's head of strategy, Mariella Graziano.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Easter holiday warning as Canary Islands hotel workers threaten to strike
British holidaymakers heading to the Canary Islands this Easter could be impacted by strike action as hotel workers plan to walk out in a dispute over pay. The strike is planned for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The industrial action is being called for by trade unions CCOO and UGT Canarias, who argue that frontline hospitality workers in the hotel industry are not benefiting from the tourism boom experience post-pandemic, with 'wages remaining stagnant despite record breaking profits', local news site Canarian Weekly reports. Talks between unions and employers have yet to result in an agreement. But 'some progress has been made regarding shift patterns and working conditions, particularly for housekeeping staff.' READ MORE: Top Gun star Val Kilmer dies at 65 READ MORE: UK tourists issued warning as Greek islands hit by 'dangerous' weather Strike action could be avoided if the dispute is resolved at a meeting planned for this Friday, April 4, when employers present their latest proposal on wages. If not, plans for strike action will be 'solidified'. Union leaders Borja Suárez (CCOO) and Francisco González (UGT Canarias) have said they are open to negotiations in terms of pay, but will not negotiate on the principle of fair compensation. According to Canarian Weekly, they 'stress that the success of the tourism and hospitality industry, one of the Canary Islands' economic lifelines, is largely built on the hard work of employees whose wages have not kept pace with rising profits or inflation.' González has described the current offer as 'insufficient' and has emphasised the 'vital role' played by hospitality staff 'that underpins the region's tourism success, and must be compensated accordingly.' This has also been backed by Suárez. On Monday, the Hospitality Union Table announced its support for the strike, 'giving the movement additional momentum ahead of the Easter travel rush.' There is the possibility that the strike 'could have a significant impact on the tourism-dependent region', especially during the busy Easter period. However, union representatives have said their objective isn't to disrupt the holiday season, but to 'ensure that hospitality workers finally receive fair and just recognition for their contribution to the Canary Islands' economic success.' Holidaymakers should contact their hotel or holiday provider if they have any concerns. These strikes are different to the protest movements against mass tourism held across the Canary Islands last Easter, and again in October 2024. Thousands of residents took to the streets raising concerns over the impact of tourists on local infrastructure, housing and the environment. Similar protests also took place in other popular Spanish holiday destinations. It's not yet known if more demonstrations like these are planned this year. For more of today's top stories, click here.
Local Spain
13-02-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
Nearly 1 million self-employed owe €400 to Spain's social security
New data has revealed that almost a million of Spain's self-employed workers owe hundreds of euros to the country's Social Security ministry. However, a further million 'autónomos' are due for a refund of around €600. Up to one million self-employed workers in Spain will have to pay hundreds of euros to the government in backlogged social security payments, new tax data has revealed. Equally, one million more could be due a refund. The discrepancies correspond to the 2023 income tax return (known as la d eclaración de la renta in Spanish) which Spain's tax authorities are now in the process of finalising. The campaign for that year ushered in a new contributions system which meant anyone registered as autónomo made social security payments based on real earnings rather than one flat fee for everyone. According to new data from Spain's Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, of the total of 3.7 million autónomos affected by the quota regularisation process, around half (1.83 million) do not have to make any changes, while the rest will either receive a refund or be forced to fork up payments owed for 2023. This is because around one in four self-employed workers, some 889,553, paid contributions in 2023 below the bracket that corresponded to them according to their overall net income. They will now have to pay the difference, with reports in the Spanish media suggesting this is €400 to €450 on average. The figure is considerably lower than that estimated by the Spanish Association of Self-Employed Workers (ATA), which last year calculated that between 25 and 30 percent of autónomos hadn't been paying the right amount of social security since the new system came into force in 2023, and would have to cough up an extra €1,000 to €1,200. Tax data shows that 23.85 percent made social security contributions below their tax base, according to data from the General Treasury of the Social Security (TGSS). The remaining 26.85 percent, just over one million workers, paid above the required amount and can therefore opt for a refund, which on average is around €600, or maintain their chosen tax base. Spanish online outlet 20 Minutos reports that so far some 430,000 autónomos have decided to forego the refund and maintain their contribution base, something the tax authorities interpret as opting for better social benefits rather than cash compensation. Secretary of State for Social Security and Pensions, Borja Suárez, confirmed in a press conference when presenting the 2023 figures that: 'The average amount of refunds is below €600 and that of regularisations is slightly above €400.' Those self-employed workers who underpaid will begin to receive notifications from the tax authorities informing them of their situation from March onwards. The deadline for paying off the debt will be extended to the last day of the month following the date of notification. As is often the case with Social Security and tax debts more generally in Spain, those affected may request deferrals and pay in instalments. The new contribution model, which allows up to six bracket changes per year, seeks a gradual transition to a system of contributions based on real income. Previously, Social Security had to carry out a contribution regularisation process every year to check that the bases have been adjusted to net income and proceed to repay or claim the resulting amounts.
