The news and editorial staff of Sound Publishing had no role in the preparation of this post The views and opinions expressed in this sponsored post are those of the advertiser and do not reflect those of Sound Publishing does not accept liability for any loss or damages caused by the use of any products nor do we endorse any products posted in our Marketplace © 2025, Peninsula Daily News + Sound Publishing, Inc. + Black Press Media Camilo Blanes, son of Camilo Sesto, worries everyone with his condition during his treatment | Europa Press, Instagram, @hercigal, en.edatv.news LIFESTYLE Tension Over Camilo Blanes in the Midst of Treatment: 'Very Serious'The son of the legendary singer faces a delicate problem while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Madrid03/04/2025 13:20:00h by Cándido Casares continues to generate uncertainty and alarm the artist is facing a "serious" problem and is undergoing treatment in a hospital in Madrid His health condition worries his followers in which he claimed not to know his biological father Blanes has been involved in episodes that have raised all the alarms His erratic behavior and apparent physical deterioration have been a cause of concern for his close ones his absence from social media has increased the anxiety and everyone is asking: what's really happening with Camilo Blanes The Latest Details on Camilo Blanes's Health Condition | Europa PressCamilo Blanes's History of Shocking StatementsThe figure of Camilo Blanes has been involved in a series of controversies that have caused unease in his environment and among the public Especially after his latest interventions that have left everyone bewildered he surprised both friends and strangers by claiming not to know the identity of Camilo Sesto Camilo Blanes went so far as to say that the name of the legendary singer was not familiar to him at all Controversy Over Camilo Blanes's Statements About Camilo Sesto | Instagram @shelaw123But after this surprising statement something even worse happened when he claimed that his biological mother was the remembered Rocío Dúrcal and not Lourdes Ornelas A statement that has set off all the alarms among his numerous followers and his closest family members Jordi Martín also revealed that the son of Camilo Sesto is receiving treatment in a Madrid hospital "I have received documents of his clinical history which I have sent to his mother," revealed the paparazzi He also added that the son of Camilo Sesto has been a victim of a "great betrayal" by the healthcare staff This is because sensitive information about his health condition has been leaked Martín also stated that "Camilín is facing a serious addiction problem and an illness that I will not reveal." These words have increased the concern as they indicate that his situation could be more complicated than previously thought Sources close to Blanes claim that his condition has worsened to the point of losing contact with his loved ones He lives in the residence he inherited from his father in Torrelodones but the state of the property has been a cause for concern Images of his home have shown an accumulation of garbage and conditions of neglect concern has increased even more due to the sudden disappearance of Camilo Blanes from social media he was kept under control through Instagram but now not even that," lamented an informant on Diego Arrabal's YouTube channel The same paparazzi recounted a recent encounter with the son of Camilo Sesto and ripped jeans" despite the cold winter temperatures at that time Camilo Blanes Disappears from Social Media and Worries His Followers | Europa PressThe recent disappearance of Camilo Blanes from his social media profiles has caused a wave of concern among his followers and loved ones His previous posts were a cause for concern due to their content and the conditions in which he appeared at least they offered a small window into his situation this sudden silence has intensified the anxiety and fear for his well-being Is it an indication that his health condition has worsened Or is it a measure taken by his environment to protect him There is no doubt that the story of Camilo Blanes is a labyrinth of pain, addictions, and contradictions. As he fights his demons, his family and followers are clamoring for a solution. Will the son of Camilo Sesto be able to find the peace he so desperately needs? The Costa Brava town of Blanes has opened its doors to a Spanish Civil War raid shelter as a museum near the town's church. This is one of the around 20 raid shelters Blanes has, which was not accessible until now. The city council has placed some information posters and, in special occasions, lights with light up the 24-meter-long raid shelter. During the opening, the town's mayor explained that Blanes was one of the most air-bombed municipalities in the area. The Civil War started in 1936, almost a century ago, but "there are still a lot of open wounds" due to this historic event, mayor Jordi Hernández said. Local authorities want younger generations to learn about "our grandparents and parents' history," which is why they have prepared these information posters. Normally, visitors will not be able to enter the raid shelter, but the posters will give enough information for them to have an idea of how life was back then. Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone Staatliche Museen zu Berlin To mark the 50th anniversary of Francisco Franco’s death the MEK will show seven artistic approaches to dealing with the role of mass tourism in Spain during the dictatorship Franco emerged victorious from the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) Tourism was intended to provide people living along Spain’s coasts with a new economic foundation It also served as a propaganda tool to promote a stereotypical image of Spain throughout Europe Tourists acted as ambassadors by recounting their positive holiday experiences back home in their native countries thus distracting people there from the oppression prevailing in Spain But were there even opportunities for travellers to Spain to recognise the dictatorship for what it was Denys Blacker and Monika Anselment) reflect on their memories of family holidays in Spain The exhibition is part of the MEK’s 21st European Culture Days focusing on the Spanish region of Catalonia A special exhibition of Bòlit – Centre d’Art Contemporani, Girona, and the Museu de l’Empordà, Figueres, in collaboration with the Museum Europäischer Kulturen (MEK) – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin Fifth International Diada Castellera: A Human Tower Will Be Built at the MEK on 3 May 2025 Domäne DahlemServiceStrollers and wheelchairs can be borrowed from the ticket desk Sun 11:00 - 18:00Mon closedTue closedWed 10:00 - 17:00Thu 10:00 - 17:00Fri 10:00 - 17:00Sat 11:00 - 18:00 Tel 030 - 266 42 42 42 (Mon - Fri, 9 am - 4 pm)Questions | Bookings | Feedback The new species were identified in the Blanes Bay (Girona) where there is a permanent ICM-CSIC sampling point the scientific team analysed samples from the Blanes Bay (Girona) which allowed them to analyse how the microbial community varies throughout the year they examined the morphology and physiology of the isolated bacteria and sequenced their genomes to characterise their function and classify them taxonomically The analyses revealed the existence of 23 new bacterial species and six new genera distributed in the following classes: Alphaproteobacteria these bacteria may play crucial roles in the ocean's carbon participating in processes such as carbon fixation denitrification or oxidation of sulphur compounds These processes are key to maintaining the overall health of marine ecosystems denitrification is essential for the ocean's stability while the oxidation of sulphur compounds contributes to the degradation of toxic compounds such as sulphuric acid and the production of organic matter in dark environments such as the deep ocean The research also revealed that these groups of bacteria are widely distributed in all seas and oceans with those belonging to the Flavobacteriaceae family being the most abundant and widespread This finding was made possible thanks to access to the metagenomes from the Tara Oceans expedition which provide sequence information on all the genomes present in a sample and allow comparison of the genome sequences of the new bacteria to calculate their abundance in each sample analysed "Mass sequencing helps us to understand bacterial communities as a whole etc.) cannot be experimentally characterised and published validly This is one of the reasons why isolating and culturing remains essential and its combination with sequencing technologies and bioinformatics analysis is extremely powerful,’ explains Xavier Rey Velasco (ICM-CSIC) "Even though the Bay of Blanes is possibly the most studied coastal marine ecosystem in the world from a microbiological point of view we still discover new species and new aspects of its ecology every time we stop to look in detail If we know so little about the best-known place what we still have to know about the rest of the marine ecosystems is enormous" Most of the new bacteria have been assigned names about their place of isolation (such as blandensis from the Latin name for the city of Blanes) the time or the characteristics of the culture (shape and colour) five of them were named after prominent microbiologists: Zoe Rosinach Pedrol who was director of the ICM-CSIC and the first woman to direct a scientific base in Antarctica as currently 84.4% of the names of bacteria that honour individuals are male the work opens up new avenues for research into the functioning of marine bacterial communities and their influence on the global environment underlining the importance of these organisms in the balance of oceanic ecosystems Rey-Velasco, X., Lucena, T., Belda, A., Gasol, J. M., Sánchez, O., Arahal, D. R., & Pujalte, M. J. (2024). Genomic and phenotypic characterization of 26 novel marine bacterial strains with relevant biogeochemical roles and widespread presence across the global ocean ©2020 - Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC) | Design and Development: Ondeuev / Omitsis maintaining peak mental performance is essential for success In a world where visibility can often be compromised the Dark Force Night Vision Binoculars stand… Hair loss can be an emotionally distressing experience for many men often leading to a decline in self-esteem and confidence… Since announcing his withdrawal from social media Concern for his condition has increased in recent weeks as the artist used to frequently share details of his life on social media an exclusive image released by TardeAR has put him back in the spotlight after locating him far from the mansion he inherited from Camilo Sesto Photographer Tino Torrubiano has stated on the program that "he's not following treatment and rarely leaves his house" These statements have fueled uncertainty about the well-being of Camilo Sesto's son who has gone through difficult times in recent years new questions arise about his current state What is behind this hiatus in his public life How is Camilo Blanes facing this new stage away from the media spotlight After his announcement to leave social media Camilo Blanes has been located in a bar in Torrelodones TardeAR obtained an exclusive image of the young man The most striking thing was his means of transportation: an electric scooter with which he arrived at the place where three friends were waiting for him Camilo Blanes shows no improvement | Instagram @hercitycallale"He stopped at a terrace where three more friends were waiting for him for about an hour and a half," detailed photographer Tino Torrubiano the images don't necessarily reflect an improvement in his personal situation Torrubiano's statements have caused concern among his followers "These images don't make an exact photocopy of how he is," warned the professional His statement reinforces the idea that Camilo Blanes might not be at his best "Someone should take action regarding the trips he makes from Torrelodones to his house he doesn't return in the best conditions," added the photographer @sheiladevilThis situation has led many to question whether the artist has the necessary support to face his problems it is also questioned whether his withdrawal from the public sphere is a search for stability or a complicated stage in his life Sheila Devil wrote a message on social media that raised alarms: "Goodbye silence has marked his presence on the internet Pronto magazine has consulted with people close to his environment who have offered different versions of his situation "Visiting him only brings me problems," she confessed Camilo Blanes says goodbye to social media | Instagram journalist Aurelio Manzano has denied rumors of a possible internment "His withdrawal from social media doesn't mean he's interned in a detox clinic for his addictions.[...]I imagine that bad company continues to visit his house As long as he doesn't stop seeing those people reintegration is impossible," he explained has reappeared in Torrelodones after weeks of silence Although the images show him relaxed and in the company of friends Tino Torrubiano's statements suggest that his situation might be more complicated than it seems Camilo Sesto's legacy remains a constant shadow in his life The New Change in Camilo Blanes's Life as a Secret of Camilo Sesto Is Revealed | Europa Press, Instagram, @hercigal, en.edatv.news LIFESTYLE Unexpected Twist for Camilo Blanes After a Family Secret About Camilo Sesto Is RevealedAn Alleged Daughter of the Singer Breaks Her Silence After 41 Years Claiming That Camilo Blanes and She Already Know Each Other23/03/2025 15:33:00h by Cándido Casares The Fiesta program has uncovered a surprising twist in the life of Camilo Blanes with the revelation of an alleged family secret of Camilo Sesto who claims to be the daughter of the legendary singer has decided to speak for the first time after 41 years of silence In an exclusive interview with Sergio Garrido she confessed that she has contacted Camilo Blanes and that they both maintain a cordial relationship This revelation completely changes Blanes's situation who until now was estranged from his family who is this mysterious woman and what is the reaction of those involved The Shocking Confession of Camilo Sesto's Alleged Heiress | Europa PressA Family Secret About Camilo Sesto Is RevealedThe news has shaken public opinion: a 42-year-old woman claims to be the daughter of Camilo Sesto and has decided to break her silence always hid the truth about her supposed biological father the now-interviewed woman discovered diaries written by her where she recounted her relationship with the iconic artist It was then that she understood what she had always suspected "I found out from an old diary of my mother We are a somewhat old-fashioned family," the woman revealed in the interview with Emma García especially because she claims that Camilo Blanes is already aware of her existence and they have maintained contact The most shocking detail is that the woman claims she has spoken with Camilo Blanes via video call and that they get along well "I've spoken with Camilo's son via video call he already knows and knows me," she assured she wanted to make it clear that she has no intention of pressuring him I'm never going to force him to do anything," she explained Camilo Blanes's Relationship with Camilo Sesto's Alleged Daughter | Instagram @hercitycallaleThis unexpected family connection has surprised many as Camilo Blanes is completely estranged from his surroundings the possibility of having a biological sister could represent a significant change in his life Despite the statements of the alleged secret daughter of Camilo Sesto, not everyone is convinced of the story. Lourdes Ornelas has flatly denied the possibility that this woman is the singer's daughter and "This person has been pressuring Lourdes and her son for a long time and they have her blocked from everywhere They say the story is absolutely false and that they are not going to take the test for every person who comes forward," they commented on the program Lourdes Ornelas's Reaction to the Controversy | Europa PressMeanwhile journalist Juan Luis Galiacho added a key detail: "The supposed lover is alive." This detail casts doubt on the woman's version and leaves open the possibility of more twists in this story One of the crucial points is whether Camilo Blanes and the supposed daughter of Camilo Sesto will undergo a DNA test she has made it clear that she will only do it if Camilín wishes although Lourdes Ornelas's skepticism complicates the possibility of this happening Will the truth about this supposed paternity finally be revealed she doesn't plan to give up on her attempt to help her son what anyone would do," she declared to the media when asked if she would continue supporting him has been in the spotlight due to images published showing a deterioration in his physical and mental state Added to this is the unfortunate state of the home he inherited from his father a reflection of the difficult stage the artist is going through Camilo Blanes's delicate condition worries Lourdes Ornelas | Instagram @hercitycallaleAs shown by the magazine Pronto Camilo's house is in deplorable condition: accumulation of garbage These images sparked a wave of speculation about his health especially after observing disordered objects Camilo Blanes's figure has always been associated with that of his father his son has made headlines that are far from the musical legacy his progenitor left In the most recent photographs shared by Camilo Blanes himself a concerning change in his appearance can be observed and a chaotic environment have raised alarms among his followers and loved ones The disorder reigning in the house he inherited from the singer is a reflection of Camilo's emotional and physical state This raises questions about his ability to manage his daily life Lourdes Ornelas gives the latest update on Camilo Blanes's condition | Europa PressIn light of this situation Lourdes Ornelas has spoken to the press to clarify how her son is doing at this moment as the images he continues to show on his social media keep drawing attention to his state Lourdes has wanted to clarify that it's a long process and has assured that her son is progressing "little by little." Lourdes Ornelas is no stranger to criticism or comments about her son's situation who now faces a complicated path marked by grief This difficult stage also brings to the table the burden of being the child of a public figure of Camilo Sesto's magnitude the comparison between father and son has been constant but Lourdes insists that the most important thing is to offer support without judgment these circumstances represent a constant challenge she made it clear that she intends to keep fighting for her son Lourdes Ornelas reveals how she's fighting for Camilo Blanes | Europa PressAdditionally this story opens the debate about the role the press and social media play in the lives of celebrity children Camilo Blanes has shared moments of his personal life on Instagram which has caused both support and criticism his mother has decided to remain an essential pillar The state of Camilo Blanes remains a cause for concern for his mother who doesn't lose hope of seeing him recovered showing an unconditional love that seeks to overcome any adversity Will this be the year Camilo manages to find the stability he so desperately needs Information about Camilo Blanes's assets, now Sheila Devil, comes to light. | en.edatv.news, Instagram, @hercitycallale LIFESTYLE Camilo Blanes Stars in an Unexpected Exclusive: 30,000 EurosCamilo Sesto's son receives 30,000 euros per month under the financial control of his mother Lourdes Ornelas.25/02/2025 12:30:00h by Cándido Casares continues to be a whirlwind of controversy Amid his personal transformation and concerns about his well-being manages his finances and provides him with a monthly allowance of nearly 30,000 euros has revealed a previously unknown fact about Sheila Devil's finances Lourdes Ornelas is responsible for controlling her son's income ensuring that the fortune inherited from Camilo Sesto is not squandered he can't freely dispose of large sums without his mother's supervision Lourdes Ornelas's financial management in Camilo Blanes's inheritance | en.edatv.news Europa PressOrnelas's concern is not only financial she has witnessed her son's transformation and the episodes of instability that have marked his life Although at one point it seemed that Sheila Devil had found balance recent statements have reignited his mother's fears Since the young man decided to change his name to Sheila Devil and adopt an image that has puzzled many his mother has tried to protect him from himself Lourdes is desperate to find a solution that allows her son to lead a more stable life One of the most striking aspects of this story is the financial management that Lourdes Ornelas undertakes to protect her son's assets Camilo Blanes receives about 30,000 euros a month This amount comes from the investments his mother has made and the profits caused by Camilo Sesto's legacy Camilo Blanes has 30,000 euros per month to live on Camilo doesn't have unlimited access to this money Lourdes maintains strict control over monthly expenses preventing her son from making large withdrawals that could jeopardize his financial stability This management system has allowed Camilo's fortune to continue growing despite the high expenses his lifestyle entails Meanwhile, Lourdes Ornelas continues to seek alternatives to protect her son Although she has tried different strategies including financial control and legal advice the situation seems to have no clear solution Lourdes Ornelas has considered the possibility of seeking his legal incapacitation this process is extremely complicated in Spain especially when there is no family or medical consensus to support it Lourdes Ornelas's dispute to gain financial control of Camilo Blanes | Europa PressThere is no doubt that the story of Camilo Blanes, now Sheila Devil continues to generate headlines and concerns With a fortune under strict surveillance and a life that keeps taking unexpected turns the question remains: will there be a turning point in his story or will he remain trapped in this spiral of uncertainty has brought up the situation of Camilo Blanes today she revealed that a famous figure has spoken about him after his arrest and his claim of being Rocío Dúrcal's son The journalist revealed that Carmen has shown great empathy toward the young man's situation So much so that she downplayed the comment he made about her mother This surprising statement led Verónica Dulanto to reveal something unexpected on the set of TardeAR today has decided to speak about what Blanes said can't do anything because he isn't listening what he says about Rocío Dúrcal is something that shouldn't be taken seriously It's nonsense compared to the seriousness of his situation.” Verónica Dulanto has revealed Carmen Morales's statements | MediasetConcern for Camilo Blanes's ConditionBut the most shocking part of Verónica Dulanto's program was Carmen Morales's concern for the mental and emotional health of Camilo Sesto's son She expressed her worry about the young man's condition and emphasized that he urgently needs help because right now he has taken a dislike to her sometimes you take a dislike to the people who love you the most and try the hardest for you Someone should appear to try to save his life.” not only on the Telecinco program but also on social media where viewers have shared their concern for Camilo his appearances have caused great controversy His health and lifestyle have been a source of concern for both his family and the public Carmen Morales's testimony on TardeAR has served as a new call for action before the situation worsens The actress made it clear that the young man needs support it remains to be seen if someone close to him manages to reach out and help him out of this dark moment in his life Camilo Blanes's situation is alarming | Europa Press, Instagram, en.edatv.news LIFESTYLE Camilo Blanes Breaks the Promise He Made to Lourdes Ornelas: 'he Has Lost...'Camilo Sesto's son has decided to break the agreement he made with his mother who is increasingly worried about him.21/02/2025 11:20:00h by María Merino Camilo Blanes is once again in the spotlight today The reason is that it has come to light that he has broken the promise he made to Lourdes Ornelas We are referring to the fact that he doesn't communicate with her as much as she would like the young man "has lost contact with the family members who truly cared for him" Camilo Blanes has acted contrary to how he promised Lourdes Ornelas | Instagram @hercitycallaleCamilo Blanes Breaks the Promise He Made to Lourdes OrnelasFor some time Camilo Blanes's health has been a cause for alarm has expressed her distress on multiple occasions about his problems Also about the bad company surrounding her son as well as the noticeable changes in his behavior he has adopted a new identity under the name Sheila Devil sharing images showing injuries on his body and a neglected home environment These posts have caused a wave of comments and speculations about his physical and mental well-being Lourdes Ornelas has been a constant pillar in her son's life always seeking his recovery and well-being she has remained by his side as much as he has allowed her She even managed to get Camilo to commit to maintaining frequent contact with her and other close family members Camilo Blanes goes days without showing signs and has broken with his family | Instagram which has increased concern among his loved ones the photographer has revealed that Camilo Sesto's son "has lost contact with the family members who truly cared for him" Moreover, El Español has confirmed that Lourdes, who recently was happy because her son had improved somewhat After sharing concerning images on his social media where he was seen in a disordered environment and showing signs of personal neglect he has decided to delete his profiles on these platforms This action has left his family and friends without a way to monitor his condition increasing the uncertainty about his current situation Diego Arrabal commented on this: "For better or worse The latest images of him show the state he is in | TelecincoHe has even been seen recently in situations that have caused more concern, such as leaving a bar in Torrelodones Or in a complicated state in a candy store from which the photographer has provided all the details he revealed that he was seen in one in the El Retiro neighborhood with clothing completely inappropriate for the low temperatures and a disheveled appearance These public appearances reinforce concerns about his health and overall well-being Concerns that have been increasing with each new piece of information Camilo Blanes's current situation is alarming The failure to keep the promise made to his mother coupled with his isolation and the evident signs of deterioration have raised alarms among those who truly care for him It is imperative that he allows himself to receive the necessary support and attention to overcome this critical stage and get back on the path to well-being Lourdes Ornelas has been forced to act immediately | Europa Press, @sheiladevil, Instagram, E-Noticies LIFESTYLE Lourdes Ornelas Takes the Definitive Step After Camilo Blanes's Arrest in MadridThe woman has chosen to make a decision after the latest serious incident her son experienced.26/02/2025 10:47:00h by María Merino Lourdes Ornelas has encountered a painful and complicated situation has been arrested in Madrid for drug trafficking This has led her to take a definitive step she has taken control of the situation to fix the house where he lives Lourdes Ornelas has had to face a new and serious incident | Europa PressThe Arrest of Camilo Blanes and Lourdes Ornelas's Quick ReactionLourdes Ornelas has been asking for help for Camilo Blanes, also known as Sheila Devil, for months due to the situation he was living in she has been publicly denouncing his addictions These facts have ultimately led to the young man's arrest in Madrid for drug trafficking a few hours ago he was caught by the police with 12 grams (0.42 oz) of cocaine which could result in a prison sentence of 3 to 6 years This situation led to Camilo being arrested and spending the night in a cell Throughout this whirlwind since his arrest So much so that she joined him back to his house in Torrelodones Camilo Blanes's situation is increasingly worrying | Instagram, @hercitycallaleThus, Lourdes, despite the complexity of the moment, has taken this opportunity to be by Blanes's side. Above all, she is trying to do everything possible to improve his life. Surely she has more plans in mind from this moment on, but they will have to be discovered little by little. The relationship between Ornelas and Camilo has been the subject of media attention on multiple occasions. Despite the difficulties and challenges, she has proven to be a dedicated mother willing to do whatever it takes for Camilo's well-being. Now, her constant presence and the actions she has undertaken reflect her unwavering commitment to Blanes's recovery. The transfer of the Rodalies commuter train network was part of a political deal between pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and Socialists to reelect Pedro Sánchez as Spanish PM back in November 2023 a significant step toward the transfer was taken requested that the Spanish cabinet withdraw part of the R1 network from the overall network and transfer it to regional authorities The transfer will begin with the R1 network between La Sagrera station in Barcelona and Maçanet-Massanes The management change will take place in 2025 before the Catalan rail operator Ifercat can fully manage the transferred commuter line the regional authorities and the Spanish rail operator Adif will have to jointly manage the lines "We'll need to strengthen Ifercat," sources of the territory ministry said regarding the public rail operator that will need more staff and a larger budget R1 will be the first line to be transferred, but according to the agreement signed between ERC and the Socialists the R2 South and R3 lines will follow.  Compared to the latter, R1, the Rodalies commuter line, is less complex to transfer because it does not share rails with regional, long-distance or freight train lines. "The transfer of the R1 is the first step towards a future zero-carbon public transport network," Sílvia Paneque, territory minister, said during a press conference on Tuesday. The entire transferred structure between Maçanet-Massanes and Bifurcació Sagrera includes 73 kilometers of tracks across 21 municipalities between Girona and Barcelona. The line has 22 train stations, 12 level crossings, eight tunnels, 514 underground corridors, 36 elevators, and seven escalators.  Esquerra Republicana's leader Oriol Junqueras has been one of the most vocal after the announcement by the Catalan government. "This is a measure that is part of the solution, but it is only one part of this solution," he said in an interview with the Spanish RTVE public broadcaster before adding that "more is needed." Esquerra's support for Sánchez's presidential bid continues to be crucial as the Spanish cabinet governs with a minority government in Congress. In Catalonia, the Catalan Socialist party requires the support of the left-wing party to pass its 2025 spending plan and other major legislation, as it also governs in the minority. "We await for the Socialists to comply with the agreements, but they say they need time to implement them. It does not make sense to reach new deals if the previous ones are still not fulfilled," he concluded. Far-left pro-independence CUP party criticized that the transfer is made "by parts." "It is difficult to understand that the transfer is not of the whole Rodalies commuter train network," Maria Pilar Castillejo, CUP MP, told journalists. The pro-union far-right Vox party rejected the transfer of the network. "Investments are very necessary. Our region and our country need to improve a lot, but this will not happen if we give up to the Catalan government, which does not know how to manage," spokesperson Joan Garriga said. v1.1.0. Copyright © 2025. Powered by EBANTIC. All rights reserved. The international fireworks competition in the first town in Costa Brava, Blanes, got underway on Tuesday night with thousands of spectators and spectacular pyrotechnics. Hugo Salgado, a member of the Josman company from the Spanish town of Ourense, was among the first to compete in an event that will last until Saturday. The company had added "a surprise firework," which included some day-pyrotechnics lit at night, causing a large visual explosion. During the competition international companies will participate in the event such as the Italian company Poleggi on Thursday or the French company Ciels en Fête, which will close the competition on Saturday.  The pyrotechny from Valencia, the winners of the past three editions, will compete on Friday.  The city, after last year's test, will increase the number of shuttle buses available from Tuesday to Saturday. As well as the night shuttle buses for Friday and Saturday night from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.  This will help to reduce the amount of vehicles in Blanes, as the city council expects 140,000 people to attend the event.  This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. New- Stylish 1st Home or InvestExclusive Offer: Limited-Time Pricing on Brand New Townhouses The vendor is offering a special price for just one 2-bedroom townhouse These are among the most affordable townhouses in Weymouth Well-Designed Townhouses in a Prime Location These stylish and spacious two-bedroom townhouses offer a fantastic opportunity to own a low-maintenance home in a very desirable location • Modern kitchen with engineered stone benchtops and a breakfast bar • Built to a high standard with neutral decor throughout • Spacious deck ideal for al fresco dining • Downstairs guest toilet with hand basin for added convenience • Easy-access car park with a turning area • Centrally located with easy access to amenities and short drive to motorway This is one of the best buys in the area - well-priced with features too numerous to list There's nothing like the appeal of a brand-new property ready for you to move in and make it your own savvy investors will love the townhouses rents for $660 p/w making it an ideal investment opportunity for buyers seeking rental income a brand new home is waiting for you - call Tracy at 027 447 3548 today to arrange a viewing or feel free to drive by and see for yourself two-bathroom version with a guest toilet is also available First published: September 2, 2024 09:40 AM Controversy has arisen after it was learned that the seaside town of Tossa de Mar, north of Catalonia and in the Costa Brava, will receive 200 migrants from the Canary Islands on Monday. The municipality has around 6,200 inhabitants, and the arrival of the asylum seekers has caused some outrage on social media. They are all 18 years old or over. As radio station SER Catalunya first reported and later confirmed by the Catalan News Agency (ACN), they will stay at a hotel in the municipality. The mayor of Tossa de Mar says the number of asylum seekers is "excessive" and has also criticized the decision as it coincides with "the peak of the tourism season." "This same decision in October would not have caused the problems that will cause now," Martí Pujals, mayor of Tossa de Mar, told ACN. Pujals remembered that Blanes, a nearby municipality, received around 200 asylum seekers last year, with "eight times more inhabitants than Tossa." "If they brought 200 asylum seekers to Blanes, they should bring around 40 to Tossa to have some proportionality," he added. One of the main complaints has also been the timing of the arrival. The Spanish government delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, called and told local authorities about the situation. Officials expect asylum seekers to stay in Tossa de Mar for around one month while they complete the paperwork. Authorities will need to study the situation each individual faces and will decide if they are sent to families in other European countries, if they will be based in Spain, and what kind of asylum they receive. The arrival of asylum seekers at Tossa de Mar from rescues in the Spanish Canary Islands has prompted a division of opinions on social media and the streets of the municipality. Some residents say asylum seekers "have their right to live as everyone else," Lola said. However, Conxita believes it is an "anomaly," as the extra cost should not be paid by the Spanish government, and she believes the money should be used for other needs. The mayor has already said that the arrival of these migrants will not result in extra expenses for the city council. Online some users say the situation has already happened in other Costa Brava municipalities in the past, such as Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Lloret de Mar, or Palamós. Towns that have already "suffered from depersonalization and assimilation," Marçal, an X user, wrote. Less opinionated is Guillem Pursals, who shares the same point of view as the town's mayor, as "it does not make any sense to see so many people, being migrants or not, staying in that small place," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Meanwhile, Andres García, another X user, said that they "are using Tossa de Mar resources so an entity can handle the humanitarian aid for migrants and, once again, a pro-independence Junts mayor brings in a far-right speech," he wrote. Catalan pro-independence party Junts accused the Spanish government of hiding the distribution criteria for migrants in Spain. The party has sent a list of questions to the executive demanding an explanation of the protocols used and to detail which towns across the country have been designated to welcome migrants, month by month, since the beginning of the legislature. According to Junts, Catalonia "is and has been in solidarity," but the Spanish government "abuses this solidarity" without providing "the tools and resources necessary to welcome and care for migrants." The party also pointed out that "Catalonia was the only territory that did not vote in favor of this territorial distribution. They add that "coexistence in Catalonia cannot continue to be oversaturated," because "without the necessary resources the system does not work." Meanwhile, the far-right Vox party has called for the "immediate" deportation of the 200 migrants. In a statement, Vox explained that they will demand that the Spanish government's representative in Catalonia and the mayor of the town appear in the Catalan parliament to address the situation. The party says that the arrival of the asylum seekers will have a "serious impact" on the population of 6,000 inhabitants. An official website of the United States government A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website Share sensitive information only on official Emergency Information for American Citizens From left to right: Montevideo´s Mayor Eng Uruguay received $250,000 to finance a conservation project having been selected for the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation granted by the United States government toured the areas of the Blanes Museum restored through this fund The funds covered restoration works in the central access “A living testament to Uruguay’s rich history and vibrant culture I want to express my sincere thanks and congratulations to all involved in this important restoration and reopening project,” said Ambassador Fulton after touring the Museum the United States Embassy in Uruguay called on cultural institutions in the country to apply for this fund The Blanes Museum’s project for the conservation of its building The application process took months and was highly competitive embassies and proposals from their respective countries and cities with the Blanes Museum receiving the third-highest amount About the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation this fund is implemented by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State in Washington D.C Its goal is to support the preservation of archaeological sites and forms of traditional cultural expression worldwide it has supported over a thousand projects in a hundred countries The last time a Uruguayan organization accessed the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation was in 2012 when the National Archives of Uruguay received $15,000 for a historical document conservation project The latest Department of State travel updates and guidance on travel.state.gov Have an emergency? 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Following the release of the HW-S800B Ultra Slim Soundbar for Samsung’s QLED TV line-up which was unveiled earlier this year at CES Samsung Newsroom spoke to Ema Souza Blanes at Audio Lab of Samsung Research America She is the person behind the process for product validation and research that includes countless listening tests all of which are conducted to deliver the best possible immersive viewing experiences with the finest sound ▲ Ema Souza Blanes at Audio Lab of Samsung Research America Q: Briefly tell us about yourself and your role in the Samsung Audio Lab and after graduating from the engineering school Arts et Métiers ParisTech (ENSAM) and the Paris-Saclay University I joined the Samsung Research America’s Audio Lab in Valencia My role with the Audio Lab is to run listening tests for product validation and overall research purposes Q: What is a new or recent trend happening in the soundbar industry Immersion is a topical subject in soundbar development with the inclusion of more advanced audio technologies such as Dolby Atmos in home audio Soundbars have also naturally followed the TV design trend with the intent of blending into the home décor with a sleek and discreet build sound quality and immersion yet remain at the heart of soundbar development Q: Samsung has recently released the ultra-slim soundbar HW-S800B What were some of the primary objectives for this model The design process of the HW-S800B was dedicated to combining all aspects of these recent trends into one product We aimed to develop a soundbar that blends seamlessly with discreet screens such as The Frame which challenged us when it came to customization and optimization due to its slim design The soundbar’s depth and height are 1.6” x 1.5” which is a difficult size in which to include all amplifiers and multi-channel speakers Can you describe some of the challenges you faced during the development process Most soundbars in the market that are designed to be slim or small typically have a weaker integration of the subwoofer to the soundbar The challenge was to avoid this effect and to ensure that voices are maintained in the center of the sound field This required custom soundbar transducers and a design capable of low crossover frequency to the subwoofer Q: We noticed that the subwoofer appears different from past models Most subwoofers feature a port to enhance the bass response Since the HW-S800B’s subwoofer has a smaller enclosure which limits the port size we recognized that this would cause turbulent air motion This constraint was addressed by designing a custom passive radiator in place of a port and a long-excursion 6.5” woofer that is able to displace as much air as a larger woofer Q: Similar to other premium Samsung soundbars this model features a wireless connection between the soundbar and TV along with Dolby Atmos sound technology Why should consumers want these capabilities Samsung’s 2022 soundbars come with Wireless Dolby Atmos connectivity a wireless Smart TV-to-soundbar connection in which both the screen and soundbar speakers deliver an incredible audio experience with no distracting cables It allows for smoother on-wall mounting setups by minimizing the number of visible cables Nobody wants their homes cluttered or disorganized in which more consumers are eyeing products that perfectly blend their sophisticated personal style in and out of the home with technological innovation for a better I believe our soundbars exemplify this desire that we’re seeing in the consumer electronics industry Q: Samsung’s Q-Symphony sound technology has also significantly improved in the past year What are some of the upgrades over the previous version Q-Symphony combined the power of the top speakers and the soundbar The new Q-Symphony enhances the surround sound and feeling of immersion through channel separation technology This enables the soundbar and TV speakers to work together with all the speakers on the TVs acting as Samsung Electronics’ advanced R&D hub leads the development of future technologies for the company’s Device eXperience (DX) Division Products > TVs & Displays Copyright© 2010-2025 SAMSUNG All Rights Reserved This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience Rachel Cockerell and Lili Anolik in conversation Online Only Diego Trelles Paz Translated from the Spanish by Carolina De Robertis The first time I read Roberto Bolaño’s The Savage Detectives I was 22 years old I lived in Lima on a miserable salary and the only thing I was doing with my life other than getting drunk to the point of senselessness as well as throwing myself against the door each time my literary style proved to be nothing more than a pale and clumsy echo of the voices of writers who’d influenced me: a kind of polyphonic collage of Vargas Llosa with Ribeyro Anagrama’s gray edition cost exactly 78 soles I remember this clearly as it was the period in which I’d go to Quilca Avenue in Downtown Lima and literally submerge myself in a pile of Populibros and Comida Peruana manuals to salvage books by classical authors that cost no more than 8 soles an underpaid and curious young man such as myself could read Céline and Faulkner and Carson McCullers and García Márquez for 40 soles So the mere idea of spending 78 soles on this anonymous Chilean’s fat novel not only seemed idiotic and insane would deprive me for a week of the inexpensive fare at the restaurant where I regularly ate there were two powerful factors that complicated my decision The first was the absolute devotion that The Savage Detectives had generated in a friend of mine the only person in the world who introduced me to books and authors that seemed essential to my future as a writer which I immediately associated with Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch translated into Spanish as La pandilla salvaje which uses cowboys to speak of solidarity and codes of honor and friendship among delinquent friends In summary: I decided to buy it and devoured those 78 soles in a single day and that didn’t matter one bit: I read it again and again and talked about it and recommended it to others I wrote a masters thesis about the novel and went to Mexico in search of the diffuse shadow of a promiscuous female poet who resembled María Font has a restrained and suggestive lyricism and a powerful musicality that are very different than what the authors of the “Boom” produced Reading Bolaño generated an instant addiction in me: whether due to the lucid and demystifying spirit with which he adopts diverse genres or to his eagerness to involve us as active readers to offer us fragmented works so we might fill them in with our imaginations We become accomplices who search for truth through narrative devices that blend reality with fiction apocryphal characters with historical ones “Bolaño always ends up turning his readers into detectives.” there is something in Bolaño that I had never found in any other writer something akin to a brotherhood or silent complicity through which he This became clear to me after reading the following paragraph from his story “Meeting with Enrique Lihn”: There is a moment in which you have nothing to lean on nor is there anyone to reach out their hand for those who have said ‘yes sir’ many times or for those who have praised the high officials of literature an endless horde whose only virtue is their policed sensibility of life In 2003 I went to France to write and live the way I imagined Latin American authors had written and lived in Paris in the 1960s when I wandered through life like an orphan it seemed quite real and significant to me and with his help I sent a handwritten letter to Bolaño emulating a letter that Bolaño himself had written to Enrique Lihn when he was an adolescent poet Bolaño commented with irony that it seemed I had no email Here I transcribe the brief epistolary electronic exchange we had a few days later: I would very much like to receive your response I sent you a letter by mail because you did it that way with Enrique Lihn and It was an error not to include my email address I will be in Barcelona in October (although I believe you already know this) When I wrote to Lihn the Internet did not exist or whatever we call this electromagnetic postal system nor did I have any money to buy the necessary machine I want to thank you for your essay on The Savage Detectives and which I read as if it were not about me I think you correctly identified the Peruvian poet I came to Bordeaux to write (that may sound naive I finished my masters degree and decided to postpone the doctorate for a year to dedicate myself entirely to my novel You have no need to thank me for the essay a strange and marvelous novel that you’ve probably read The notion of the reader as detective is clear in it The act of leaping through the pages in pursuit of a fictitious editor and the shreds of information or distortions he offers along the way have given me valuable ideas for my own novel I haven’t told anyone about it because I’m one of those people overcome by shyness Not that I want to write you ten pages on the subject I know how busy you are and Robert has told me a little about the new book of stories you are working on ready to conquer all the possibilities of the world or die in the attempt with a humility worthy of San Francisco or at least Giacopone da Todi I am more convinced that the act of writing is a conscious act of humility I wrote one last letter to Bolaño but never received a response I asked for a few minutes of his time to meet him in Blanes I learned of Bolaño’s death through a succinct and heartfelt letter from Roberto Amutio The act of writing is a conscious act of humility is that the biggest barrier isn’t getting accredited or getting the worst badge Maybe I do have a people that I belong to; my people’s culture and tongue is to stand around silently n+1 is a print and digital magazine of literature We also post new online-only work several times each week and publish books expanding on the interests of the magazine Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy Pablo Blanes has walked us through the Roman Colosseum project sharing how the procedural 3D material was made and detailing his workflow in Substance 3D Designer A Fully-Procedural 3D Material Based On The Colosseum Hello everyone! My name is Pablo Blanes, and as I mentioned in the last interview I am an Environment Artist specializing in texture and environment art the place where I started my entire professional career I'm still pursuing my passion for art and constantly striving to learn and improve my skills The world of video games and the creative process behind them has always captivated me which is why I find it interesting and enjoyable to work on personal projects in my free time These projects not only motivate me but also help me build my portfolio and enhance my daily tasks at work I'm still working at Ubisoft as a Texture Artist in Montreal I am grateful to be a part of this company where I get to work on incredible projects alongside talented and amazing people I like the process of creating different surfaces and trying to achieve a realistic atmosphere I love collaborating to compose beautiful worlds Substance 3D Designer has been the main tool that I used for this project; it's no secret that it is a powerful software Exploring the things that can be done with it is truly entertaining and you may even discover new workflows you were unaware of I always try to look for fun and original ideas The fun part is important because these projects are usually done in your free time so you have to make sure you have enough motivation to push it till the end offers a lot of documentation and tutorials online and non-destructive workflow make it ideal for incorporating feedback or making changes during production To feel that you have experience in this software I think it's a bit like everything else and learning the workflows until you get them almost without having to think about them There are many ways to solve a texture or to approach it to reach the desired result I think it is always beneficial to have several tools which you can combine to reach the best result the combination of ZBrush and Substance 3D Designer works very well too you will always be able to keep the best of both I aimed to create something original while procedurally using Substance 3D Designer The primary purpose was not to design a material for video game production but rather to create something that people could interpret and understand its form but when I came across a picture of the Colosseum I immediately recognized its structure as a perfect fit for Substance 3D Designer The pattern of different entrances and the orderly arrangement of stones made it an ideal subject for exploration the first step was gathering references – obtaining various images of the landmark from different perspectives and angles to ensure a comprehensive understanding of its true form I researched multiple websites to get precise details such as the exact number of entrances and windows found in the real structure I aimed to gather as much information as possible I got some general views with different settings Some were more to see the detail of the stone and the surface itself The others were more to show the grandeur of the building Because my intention was more to test how far I could go with the software it was more to show the "material" I wanted to make the material look interesting the first step was to establish a shape to project my Height Map onto enabling me to understand what the final texture was going to look like in the end I opted for a simple cylinder that was roughly adjusted to match the proportions of the monument The rest of the "modeling" would be accomplished through the Opacity Map and the Height Map the entire process was done within Substance 3D Designer My setup for Substance 3D Designer was standard and added opacity to be able to "hide" the geometry wherever I wanted The opacity would let me hide parts according to the shapes I wanted and give the texture a more organic feeling Having a super sharp micro surface detail wasn't the purpose of this project but my objective was to get a good feeling from a certain distance since it was only gonna be one texture to be able to get the maximum amount of pixels optimizing the maximum data for the detail I would be able to "fake" the entire building capturing the essence of the cylinder shape and using the texture wisely to get the highest possible resolution The first important detail that caught my eye was the number of arc entrances in the Colosseum After I searched for some information on the Internet I discovered that I would need to have 80 holes per row While I also incorporated additional shapes around the holes it was important for me to conceal the geometry using the Opacity Map ensuring that the composition was functioning as intended I tried to avoid creating nodes that would repeat the same action just using a simple transform to be able to put them at the desired place of the texture All the shapes would use a tile sampler using the same quantity in the desired axis to fit the holes to be aware of where I was adding the elements I used height blend to add some elements on the Height Map I was able to have a mask that I would use later to incorporate some color and roughness data When creating the main shapes to decorate the Colosseum Since I was going to pack a lot of information into a single texture I thought it was better to try and "adapt" the scale of the micro-surface details a little bit My goal was not to achieve high resolution in close-up details I initially created the different shapes with a cleaner surface intending to add the intricate details later on I relied a lot on using the Cartesian to Polar transformation This approach worked exceptionally well for creating shapes that would fit onto the main arcs I found it easier to create these elements in a "flat" or "straight" state allowing me to bend them as needed and seamlessly align them with the arches or other corresponding elements Most of the tile samplers were duplicated from the preceding ones to preserve the configuration and ensure a perfect fit within the Height Map the Curve module was another node I frequently used It proved highly effective for designing architectural pieces Although creating a Height Map with basic shapes and subsequently smoothing it using Transform nodes can also work and helps to be very precise with the shape we want to create It saves me from having to mix between different shapes All of these elements were created using a Tile Sampler with specific settings that would make everything fit I would sometimes make minor adjustments to values such as scale and rotation Studying pictures of the original structure made me think about what elements I could do and which elements would be too complicated to create I had to keep in mind that I intended to do everything procedurally and I divided the building into two main parts If we analyze the Colosseum and simplify its volumes we can identify about three levels of depth the more limited I would be in terms of putting details to each layer I wanted the material to have a slight "thickness" to it once the tessellations and displacement were applied I prioritized having these details and opted for one less layer I think that the silhouette of the final result would easily convey the intention behind this project the Height Map would consist of two main layers that would significantly differ from each other in the final render Each layer would be filled with plenty of details while maintaining some distance between them to create an interesting visual effect and enhance the sense of volume I deduced that a brick pattern would be necessary This pattern would closely resemble the real structure and add detail to areas that might appear flat otherwise The process was quite simple – I used a Tile Random node to generate some randomness in the pattern and then used the Flood Fill node to get a grayscale mask I often use a Distance node to create a mask without the black outlines between the bricks (although I could add them if needed) It was also within this step that I created a damage mask for each brick or element adding a layer of detail and storytelling to the texture Since this was applied to all elements after they were generated in the Tile Sampler repetition or tiling was completely avoided Using the grayscale mask generated from the Flood Fill allowed me to add some depth between the bricks resulting in a more visually captivating surface When combined with the subtle damages in select corners The majority of the Colosseum was created using these nodes with parameter adjustments made based on the size or shape of each element especially in combination with the brick pattern This node effectively applies a type of noise to a pattern within a grayscale mask I intended to accentuate specific areas of the bricks that stood out in the references you can see that certain bricks change color as a group I created a Tile Sampler with a basic shape This defined the areas within the brick pattern where I wanted them to be more visible or to have a grayscale mask incorporated it generated a grayscale mask based on the input source This proved highly useful as it allowed me to extrude or introduce variations in the bricks while ensuring a seamless fit Whenever I needed a specific mask or desired some controlled randomness within a pattern These stone pieces were positioned within the arcs Adding this detail was essential to create contrast between the more "architectural" and straight volumes and the slightly more organic appearance of these elements at first glance The process would start in a fairly simple way using a Tile Sampler to fit everything with the same parameters that I used for the graph for other elements and little by little adding the noise and the breaks I tried as much as I could to give some organic feeling and keep the Displacement Map more or less at the same height as the elements around them If I went too intense or bright on the Height Map I like to keep the brightness values high when working with the Height Map to better observe its behavior I usually include one last level to clamp the values and adjust them as needed I combined multiple gradients in different directions to achieve a more realistic shape The noise was added after creating the shape and scattered using a Tile Sampler We could say that most of the noise in the material was upscaled I made some details larger to have more pixels per element and achieve the highest possible resolution my main focus was on how the material would look from a distance When I first started using Substance 3D Designer but now I find them extremely helpful in organizing my work and quickly locating elements I proceeded to create the Diffuse Map and Roughness Map I derive the Normal Map directly from the Height Map unless there is a specific need to work on the Normal Map separately I distinguished between two main color palettes taking into account the contrasting depth in the Height Map The first color palette corresponded to the area highlighted in green in the image along with some darker shades to represent certain dark spots found on the real building this palette also includes some vibrant and eye-catching tones I noticed that certain parts stood out for having a bit more color even though it was not predominant overall The second color palette corresponded to the part of the Colosseum that appeared to be in worse preservation This palette mainly consisted of warm tones ranging from reds to oranges and cream colors Building them separately lets me prioritize some details or elements that the color palette or area may need which would represent stains found in the real building staining part of the facade of a different color I checked how the colors interacted with different lighting setups in Marmoset Toolbag Since I planned to render the final images using this software I made various adjustments in the main graph to achieve the desired result Certain areas of the Diffuse Map were left untouched or contained noise that did not make sense as these areas would be hidden by the Opacity Map I incorporated overall values with subtle differences used grayscale masks to generate variations in the brick patterns and added additional roughness information to the occluded parts to enhance the sense of depth I began with a Gradient Map as the base for the Color Map as I thought it would provide better results compared to Marmoset Toolbag 3 While my final renders would showcase the Colosseum on its own without any surrounding elements I wanted to convey a sense of scale and grandeur in the monument Ray Tracing and Global Illumination would greatly assist in achieving this effect enhancing the realism of shadows and creating a visually captivating image the tessellation feature worked more effectively in Marmoset Toolbag 4 I work with Directional Lights for all of my renders I would use a main light that affects the overall composition and perhaps add a subtle tint in a specific color often positioned to create internal lighting within the Colosseum My main focus is to ensure that the volumes are well-defined I aim for the renderings to have a strong sense of three-dimensional modeling rather than resembling a textured surface with tessellation After capturing the images in Marmoset Toolbag I often like to make slight adjustments to the values it may be more beneficial to increase or decrease certain parameters While most rendering engines offer options to adjust contrast I prefer to make these tweaks in post-production what I usually add in a render to modify in the post-process is: I strongly believe that they make a significant difference in the final result I love finding time to work on my personal projects I think it helps me a lot to nurture my creative side and keep myself motivated to do what I love Creating something that is both complex and interesting is what every artist pursues when working on a portfolio piece I would like to express my gratitude to 80 Level for this incredible opportunity to share a breakdown of my project Cool Frozen Lake Procedural Material Made in Substance 3D Designer Making Bark Procedural Materials in Substance 3D Designer & Marmoset Toolbag Creating Procedural Materials Using AI & Substance 3D Designer 80 level 80LV logo are registered trademarks of 80LV LLC We use cookies on this website to make your browsing experience better. By using the site you agree to our use of cookies.Learn more Images captured by underwater robots reveal the existence of very dense and diverse benthic communities; large coral colonies hundreds or thousands years old; and very well developed benthic ecosystems led by the Institute of Marine Sciences of the CSIC studies the effect of trawling on these ecosystems and will help to establish measures that make fishing compatible with the preservation of these ecosystems White coral at unprecedented depths of 1100 meters; dense and well-structured benthic communities with notable differences between them; large coral colonies These are some of the discoveries made in the Blanes submarine canyon about 60 km long and half a kilometre wide which descends to approximately 2300 metres in depth In its walls have recently been discovered extensive and dense colonies of deep cold water corals which live at temperatures of about 13 º C a shelter to numerous fish and juvenile crustaceans with numerous species of coral and associated gorgonians some of them protected and in danger of extinction during a previous ICM-CSIC project to study the effect of trawling on deep marine sediments Pere Puig team discovered enclaves with great abundance of these coral colonies in Blanes Canyon the scientists of the Institute of Marine Sciences in collaboration with international researchers on board the CSIC oceanographic vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa In a first phase of the oceanographic campaign the scientists have explored three areas of the canyon using two remotely operated underwater robots: the ROV Liropus from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) and the ROV Ariane from the French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) carried out during the last days of February the scientists have extended the study areas and have characterized these environments in more detail "It has been a pleasant surprise to discover that in the Blanes canyon there are many environments with very well developed and structured benthic communities with very different species among them," says Pere Puig This may be due to the morphology of the canyon itself "Compared to other canyons in the Mediterranean," Puig points out "the Blanes canyon has many faults and fractures which have generated environments with vertical walls and is what has probably allowed the formation of enclaves with very different communities because it means that the communities are still growing and expanding” he adds a CSIC biologist at the Institute of Marine Sciences explains: "we were surprised to see a zoning of the species There are areas dominated by reef-forming corals such as Lophelia pertusa or Madrepora oculata others dominated by black corals such as Leiopathes glaberrima or gorgonians such as Callagorgia verticillata or Muriceides lepida which until now was considered a rare species but which is very abundant here" The transition of species on the vertical walls has also attracted the attention of scientists as we were climbing with the robots from 1,000 to 600 meters deep we saw how the dominant species were changing at a depth of 1,000 meters we observed reefs of Neopycnodon zibrowii oysters and progressively the dominant species were changing to different species of corals and later to gorgonians," explains Jordi Grinyó The images obtained with the underwater robots allow us to see coral species that have been little documented in the Mediterranean and to confirm the presence of large colonies "Given the growth rates we know about these species they could be centuries-old or even millennial colonies," points out Pere Puig This is the case of the black coral Leopathes glaberrima of which they have found colonies of more than two metres  "It's not so unusual to find black coral in the Mediterranean," says Meri Bilan a biologist from the University of Salento (Italy) who will be writing her doctoral thesis with these scientific results "but it's not so rare to find such extensive and long-standing colonies White coral grows at a rate of approximately 1 cm per year The black coral grows only a fraction of a millimetre per year" Scientists have also seen corals that have settled and are growing on old longline lines that were left hooked and abandoned on the canyon walls Scientists are surprised by the good condition of these communities despite the proximity of the fishing grounds a few hundred meters away and point out that the canyon's vaulted walls may have offered protection from falling sediments The fact is that trawling periodically moves sediments up the slope It is not known what effect such a sediment shower may have on the coral communities the scientists have installed five anchors with oceanographic instruments in different parts of the canyon which will record the sedimentary dynamics around these communities over a four-month period: current meters to collect falling sediments; and turbidity meters The sediment traps have automated opening and closing compartments to collect weekly 'rain' of sediment separately This allows us to know the differences between weeks and between periods of closure and fishing activity They have also taken water samples to analyse its organic composition they will extract sediment cores to analyse their composition over time in order to evaluate accumulation rates and the effects of fishing in the past and present The scientists have also collected some samples of coral and gorgonians which will allow them to carry out studies of adaptation to increased water turbidity and even confirm whether any of the specimens discovered correspond to new species The project will help establish measures that will make fishing compatible with the preservation of these ecosystems whose existence is beneficial to both the marine environment and the fishing sector Privacy Policy | About Our Ads Hawai‘i Island firefighters responded to a report of smoke emanating from Blanes Drive Inn in Hilo on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, 3:34 a.m. The fast-food restaurant is located at 150 Wiwo‘ole St. Upon arrival at scene, firefighters found smoke inside the buiding. The fire had already been extinguished by good Samaritans who reported the incident.  They had kicked in the door and extinguished the fire with extinguisher found inside the building. A 12-by-6-foot area outside of take-out counter was destroyed in the fire. Firefighters ventilated and investigated entire building and remained on scene until turning it over to Hawai‘i Police Department and Hawai‘i Fire Department inspectors.  Damage is estimated at $14,400. The value of the saved structure is estimated at $625,000. Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The committee makes the decision "reluctantly" to delay the internationally renowned event for the second time ACN | Blanes The 50th edition of the world-famous Blanes Firework Contest has Covid-19 restrictions currently in place making the event impossible In pre-pandemic times, the event in the Costa Brava town has attracted up to a million people to the municipality - in 2019, for its 49th edition, around 500,000 people witnessed the 5-day long show held on the Sa Palomera beach.  Large crowds from all over the world traditionally gather to watch the fantastic displays from the Blanes beach and boulevards. The annual event hosts different pyrotechnics companies who compete to put on the best fireworks show, each company having one night to amaze the audience. Traditionally, it takes place during the last week of July and coincides with the Festa Major de Santa Anna (also cancelled due to the pandemic), which is an 8-day long celebration in honour of Saint Anna, who is the patron saint of the town of Blanes.  This year the fireworks competition was due to go on for one day longer than normal, since it would be the event’s 50th anniversary. The pyrotechnics companies had also already been selected, four coming from Spain and two from abroad.  The committee, unlike last year, have not waited until the last minute to announce that the festival won’t be going ahead. Although they have said that the decision was made "reluctantly", they have also insisted on the need to be "realistic" and that events which attract large crowds simply cannot go ahead at the moment. Blanes City Council, however, wants to take advantage of the break to improve the current model, specifically the way it is financed, and attract more private investment. Thus, the time that would have been spent organizing the 50th anniversary of the event this year, will be put into better arranging the event for 2020. Ruy Llera Blanes receives funding from FORMAS (Sweden) View all partners Three years after a severe drought in southwestern Angola Hunger remains pervasive and they are still losing livestock In a recent report we looked at fallout from the extreme drought in the region in 2019. There was almost no rain for 10 years. This led to a humanitarian and environmental disaster. According to data published by Unicef in June 2019 around 2.3 million people experienced food insecurity as a result of the drought and hundreds of thousands became malnourished Our research included interviews with local herding and pastoralist communities Our report attempted to unpack why the situation remains so dire Rainfall continues to be irregular and scarce making most local rural communities unable to survive the cacimbo (dry season) without relying on donations of food and water Crops have failed and livestock lack pasture Many people are migrating to Namibia or urban areas This is despite the fact that the crisis triggered national and international responses The report set out factors that made the impact of the drought worse These included the way in which the government provided assistance While existing transport and energy networks were breaking down due to a lack of maintenance and repair These privileged large-scale farming projects over the traditional farming and herding We found that no solutions had been found to the impact of the drought and the suffering of communities dispersed and disconnected development and aid responses land exploitation through agroindustrial and mining projects no serious consideration of the local rural communities’ lifestyles We conclude that drought aid will not be enough unless these issues are addressed In 2019, southwestern Angola became one of the hotspots of international climate debates The drought cycle had begun a decade earlier, with a succession of years with irregular rainfall patterns, as reported by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction back in 2016 Local rural communities were already accustomed to living in arid and semi-arid conditions and traditional survival strategies were no longer effective International organisations, such as Unicef described the situation as “the worst drought in 40 years” This triggered an unprecedented response from Angolan civic society First there were immediate campaigns to distribute food and water. The government under President João Lourenço also sponsored several programmes focused on water distribution and infrastructure. New dams and pipelines were built. It also refocused a financial programme designed to strengthen food security in rural areas towards immediate aid to local communities what has been the effect of the relief efforts But we also found that the level of humanitarian vulnerability and insecurity had not changed significantly These were the main problems we identified: an unexpected factor added to the crisis: the COVID-19 outbreak While the rate of infection among local communities was low according to government figures the closure of the Angola-Namibia border throughout 2020 and 2021 interrupted trade The immediate assistance programmes (food, seed and water distribution campaigns) were irregular and unsystematic. Several communities living in the more remote areas were left out. Water distribution projects began with large cistern tanks that were too big and heavy to reach off-track areas. Later on, a “moto-cistern” system with motorcycles carrying water tanks was introduced The role and capacity of local authorities (communal or municipal) was hindered by excessive centralism such as the poverty reduction programmes and infrastructural development schemes were designed and promoted from the presidential cabinet without sustained engagement with local authorities All also involved painstaking bureaucratic processes Aid and relief projects organised by NGOs provided immediate solutions These ranged from the construction of water holes and pumps to the repair of water retention systems But the response depended on external funding and lacked an overarching plan Large-scale agro-industrial and mining projects in the region have intensified the pressure on the soil and water resources, and interrupted or hampered the patterns of traditional pastoralists. As Amnesty International reported in 2019 and 2021 these projects in Huila province led to traditional communal pasture lands being appropriated The government’s initiatives took place without the support or knowledge of local communities This was particularly true when it came to the design of practical solutions such as the installation and maintenance of water holes and the development of farm plots In August of 2022, Angola will be holding presidential elections. As part of his campaign ahead of polls, President Lourenço has said that efforts to manage the effects of the drought would be his priority in the next cabinet The announcement may seem like a positive gesture But the fact that it is formulated three years after the crisis shows that the response to drought in southwestern Angola has THE cheapest place to visit in Spain for 2024 has been revealed - and it's got some of the best beaches in one of the most popular spots in the country The summer holidays are just around the corner but some people are still struggling to decide where to go Luckily for them, new numbers have revealed the cheapest spots to head to in Spain this year for a great summer getaway Travel experts from TravelSupermarket analysed package deals to Spanish holiday resorts From their research, they discovered that Blanes in the Costa Brava is the most affordable for travellers this year with the average price of seven-night stays less than £450 They said: "Known as the gateway to the Costa Brava Blanes is a great introduction to the beautiful beaches and historic towns that this Costa is well known for "It’s great value, too. Taking the top spot as the cheapest Spanish resort, seven-night summer holidays in Blanes average just £445pp." Once you're there, the cost of living is also much cheaper than in the UK, with the price of a beer around €2 (£1.70). Meanwhile, a three-course meal for two can be booked at a mid-range restaurant from around €32 (£27.25). with its botanical gardens and beaches among the top reasons to go with temperatures reaching 30C in the summer months The Jardi Botanic Marimurta won a TripAdvisor traveller's choice award last year The garden is described as "one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean" and is found at the top of the cliffs overlooking the sea Marimurta.cat said: "You can enjoy one of the most spectacular panoramic views over the coastline and get to know more than four thousand plant species as well as several specimens that are extraordinary because of their age or size." The garden isn't the only place people can enjoy the sea, with beaches like Sant Francesc and Playa S'Abanell among the most popular in the Costa Brava Sant Francesc offers visitors "beautiful coloured water and excellent snorkelling" according to one tourist on TripAdvisor The bay remains relatively uncrowded on most days, according to Visit Blanes, while Restaurant Cala Bona serves food and drink to beach-goers right on the soft white sand tourists also frequently pay a visit to the Castle of Sant Joan which was built between the 11th and 13th centuries The castle is described as "one of the most emblematic buildings and undoubtedly one of the most characteristic landscape elements of Blanes" Turismo Blanes said: "The view of Blanes and its coastline profile from the castle make it a must for all those who want to know the beauty of the Costa Brava and the profile of the Blanes coast you can also see the Serra de las Gavarres Getting to Blanes from the UK is fairly simple, with a drive from Girona Airport taking just half an hour Meanwhile, this Spanish holiday island looks just like Santorini And this Spanish region has 81 Blue Flag beaches Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus Christ will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass Steffen Romstöck said that he would respect the residents’ choice and would take over the helm of the municipality which will come into force from 1 January 2025 Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape But operating them is still illegal under the country’s legislation can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition it has a unique modular design that allows it to be shortened and lengthened like a train that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region the ranking considers several distinct but essential factors these quiet areas will now be available on all main routes in the country The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students It’s been running annually for almost 50 years now and considered as the biggest firework festival in Spain The internationally recognised fireworks competition – “El Focs de Blanes” or “Concurs Internacional de Focs” – will once again take place in Blanes on the Costa Brava This event has a long history dating back as far as the late 19th century It’s been running annually for almost 50 years now and considered as the biggest firework festival in Spain and maybe all Europe.With it’s mild climate Blanes is an ideal spot to spend a weekend or longer This year it’s changing back to a six-day festival and there are two categories for judging – technical and popular The focal point for the firework shows is the Rock – Sa Palomera – the rocky promotory that marks the separation point between the old town and the new The rock Palomera also mark the end of the coast “Costa Brava” that goes from the French border The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) sets the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU national and local level to fast track Europe's transition to climate neutrality Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital Sign In Register Supreme Court has awarded an Abbotsford woman $5.37 million in damages after a July 2019 farm vehicle accident left her with multiple injuries and unable to use her legs The court heard Sharlene Gustafson was living with partner Donald Blanes and others in a century-old farmhouse owned by Doreen MacFarlane Blanes and his son Ryan were trimming a large holly bush. Once the trimming was complete She began to help with cleanup and took loads of trimming debris to the burning pile “Ms. MacFarlane’s foot unintentionally slipped from the brake to the gas pedal,” Justice Geoffrey Gomery said in his Oct preparing to load the remaining debris into a bin at the back.   she [MacFarlane] drove the Gator backwards into Ms. Gustafson pushing her along the ground for a distance then running her over with both rear and front wheels while travelling down a slope,” Gomery said Gustafson suffered broken bones in her neck sternum and pelvis. She suffered a spinal cord injury liver laceration and a collapsed lung.  state court documents. She lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest. Blanes performed CPR until emergency responders arrived “MacFarlane failed to exercise reasonable care by failing to attend to what she was doing with her feet causing the Gator to abruptly accelerate backwards,” Gomery said “The consequences have been terrible for Ms. Gustafson,” the judge said in his ruling noting she has lost the use of her legs She has partial use of her arms and hands and is able to operate a powered wheelchair The judge said Gustafson requires ongoing treatment to maintain the use of her hands and has some sensation in her lower body and experiences pain and cramping. She requires assistance and special equipment to move between her bed and her wheelchair at the beginning and end of the day.  “Mr. Blanes has provided Ms. Gustafson with virtually all the round-the-clock care she requires at home,” Gomery said. “This has been demanding and he is physically and emotionally exhausted. It is an arrangement that cannot be sustained for much longer.”  Gomery said the couple continues to live at the farmhouse but it is no longer suitable for them it is awkward and uncomfortable that Ms. MacFarlane remains their neighbour and landlady,” Gomery said Gustafson sought an award of about $8.2 million and MacFarlane said her damages are less than half that.  the award is $4.44 million for the cost of future care other than accommodative housing; $435,000 in general damages; $89,670.36 in special damages; $315,000 as an in-trust award in respect of the care and services provided to Gustafson by Blanes; $47,000 for loss of past earning capacity; and $43,000 for loss of future earning capacity [email protected] twitter.com/jhainswo The iconic Blanes Fireworks Contest will take place between July 21 and 26 this year, but with no spectacle scheduled for Sunday, July 23, to avoid clashing with the Spanish election.  The 51st competition, which coincides with the town's 'festa major' was initially due to begin on July 22, but that has been brought forward by one day.  Regarding the rest of the holiday celebrations, local authorities are evaluating which events to modify. It's likely that the 'correfoc' traditional fire run will be moved to another date as it usually takes place on the first Sunday of the festival. The International Fireworks Contest of Blanes involves a security and emergency plan that requires nearly 300 personnel including police officers, firefighters, civil protection workers, health workers, and support teams. This volume of staff will make it impossible to organize the competition on the same day as the election.  In this year's edition of the competition, there will be three Spanish companies and two foreign firms battling for the top honor.  The shows will start at 11.30 pm each night, as usual. Stray beyond Barcelona and you’ll find that Catalonia has some delightful spots for the adventurous boater hoping to make the most out of the Med Tucked beneath a wooded hill and an old castle Blanes (pictured below) is a pleasant fishing and yacht harbour a welcome change after cruising up the mostly flat coastline from Barcelona The town has good beaches and an intriguing ruined palace The cliffs start rising immediately beyond Blanes and a procession of headlands stretches away to the distant corner of Catalonia which make the Costa Brava so enticing from the sea Many smaller calas can only be reached by boat and you anchor in such piercingly clear water that plunging overboard is irresistible Three miles from Blanes you skirt the packed resort of Lloret de Mar before the coast turns wild again past a string of inlets Cala Gran is delightful and then you reach the tiny club marina at Canyelles Tucked under a wooded cliff near a dazzling beach Cala Canyelles has a narrow gap into a shallow pool where locals moor stern-to the jetties visiting boats up to about 35ft can squeeze into the first section behind the breakwater but in settled weather you can anchor off the beach Beyond Point Garbí is an impressive sweeping bay where a long mole protects the relaxed pleasure-seeking marina at Sant Feliu de Guíxols the winding village-style marina of Port d’Aro is set between a wooded park and a halcyon beach Port d’Aro is a safe place to winter and has good facilities for getting work done.