Podcast Summary: "Las 7 de Hoy por Hoy"

Podcast: Hoy por Hoy, SER Podcast
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló & Team

Overview

This episode of "Las 7 de Hoy por Hoy" features a comprehensive news roundup with in-depth reporting on political intrigue in Valencia linked to the DANA flooding, the fallout from leadership changes and judicial decisions, government maneuvering over economic policy, and a blend of social issues and cultural highlights. Journalist Àngels Barceló, alongside contributors like José Luis Astre and Agustín Rodríguez Sahagún, unpacks headline stories and their implications for Spanish society.

Main Themes and Key Discussion Points

1. Valencia DANA Scandal: Contradictory Testimonies and Political Turmoil

(Timestamps: 00:10–02:30)

• The Core Event: Journalist Maribel Vilaplana’s movements on the day of the deadly DANA floods are scrutinized, particularly her lunch with President Carlos Mazón. Financial records reveal she left a parking garage at 19:47, about an hour after their meal.
• Contradictory Accounts: Mazón claims he accompanied Vilaplana to the parking lot and then walked alone to the Palau de la Generalitat. However, newspaper Levante, citing PP party sources, reports Vilaplana allegedly drove Mazón to the vicinity of the Palau.
  • “Fue la propia Maribel Vilaplana quien llevó a Mazón en coche hasta las inmediaciones del Palau…” (01:43)
• Critical Timeline: These events occurred during the disaster’s peak, with Mazón unreachable for 37 minutes—a gap he attributes to not hearing his phone.
• Judicial Statements: Vilaplana told the judge she parted ways with Mazón at the parking and did not know his direction afterward, contradicting the new reports.

2. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

(Timestamps: 02:30–03:42)

• Mass Protests: Over 40 marches across Spain marked this day, advocating for gender violence awareness and condemning denialism from far-right factions.
  • “Es urgente, primero, contraatacar este discurso de borrado de la violencia de género…” (03:07)
• Government Action: The government announced Teresa Peramato as the new candidate for fiscal general del Estado, praised for her role in implementing gender violence legislation.

3. Political Tensions: Appointment of New Fiscal General and Budget Stalemate

(Timestamps: 03:42–05:56)

• Peramato’s Nomination: Initially welcomed by the opposition PP, it drew later criticism for ideological reasons, not competence.
  • “Lo importante es saber si Sánchez sigue creyendo, pese a la sentencia condenatoria, que la Fiscalía es su fiscalía…” – Agustín Rodríguez Sahagún (04:15)
• Budget Constraints: The government’s fiscal trajectory ("senda de déficit") faces almost certain defeat in parliament, with abstentions from multiple groups and outright PP opposition.
  • “No parece muy probable que el Partido Popular apoye una senda de déficit en la que no creemos…” (05:56)

4. Socioeconomic Policy: Minimum Wage Negotiations

(Timestamps: 06:14–07:34)

• Union Demands: Comisiones Obreras and UGT propose a 7.5% increase, potentially raising the SMI to €1,273/month.
  • “Los sindicatos decimos que sí, que tienen que tributar, porque no es de recibo…” – Javier Pacheco (06:59)
• Policy Context: Unions want limits on compensation absorption to ensure real wage increases for workers.

5. Data Privacy and Biometric Technology

(Timestamps: 07:34–08:44)

• Aena Fined: The Spanish Data Protection Agency fines Aena €10 million for unjustified facial recognition use at airports, citing insufficient risk assessment and necessity.
  • “La Agencia considera que… ni se ha justificado de manera correcta la necesidad de tener reconocimiento facial en los aeropuertos…” (08:15)
• Immediate Impact: The biometric system is halted, pending appeal.

6. AI and Environmental Concerns

(Timestamps: 08:47–09:55)

• AI’s Ecological Burden: A new NTT Data report highlights massive energy and water use by data centers, with AI’s environmental footprint potentially doubling emissions by 2030.
  • “La demanda energética mundial de centros de datos y de la inteligencia artificial está aumentando un 12 % cada año…” – Raquel García (09:05)
  • “Realizar entre 10 y 50 consultas a la inteligencia artificial supone un gasto de medio litro de agua.” (09:55)
• Corporate Response: Moves toward zero-water cooling innovations are mentioned as possible solutions.

7. International News: Bolsonaro’s Imprisonment

(Timestamps: 10:02–11:14)

• Historic Sentence: Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro begins serving 27 years for his role in the coup attempt against Lula da Silva.
  • “El bolsonarismo sostiene que se trata de una persecución política…” (10:12)
• Wider Repercussions: Military officers implicated have been stripped of their ranks.

8. Local Human Interest: Galicia & Extremadura Updates

(Timestamps: 11:14–15:00)

• Mussel Industry Crisis: "Red tide" halts production in Galicia, threatening Christmas supplies.
  • “…casi todo el sector está paralizado por las biotoxinas lipofílicas, que es un fenómeno natural que se conoce como marea roja…” (11:29)
• Hospital-Classroom Robotics: Badajoz's “Aulas Hospitalarias Lopetrónicas” connects school children and hospitalized kids via interactive robotics.
  • “El programa une Innovación educativa, inclusión y compromiso social a través de la robótica educativa…” (12:17)
• Lugo’s Multi-Function Wall: Lugo’s ancient wall has served many roles across history, from military to electrical infrastructure.

9. Cultural Recommendation

(Timestamps: 15:07–16:28)

• TV Premiere: Raquel García recommends the new HBO series "Task," a crime drama starring Mark Ruffalo and Emilia Jones.
  • “Protagonistas de este thriller policial de ambiente frío y depresivo, ese que se respira la América profunda…” – Raquel García (16:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Fue la propia Maribel Vilaplana quien llevó a Mazón en coche hasta las inmediaciones del Palau de la Generalitat…” (01:43)
• “Es urgente, primero, contraatacar este discurso de borrado de la violencia de género…” (03:07)
• “No puedes estar continuamente quejándote de la falta de financiación y cuando se pone en marcha la posibilidad de que lleguen más de 5.500 millones de euros, votar en contra.” – Pilar Alegría (05:53)
• “Realizar entre 10 y 50 consultas a la inteligencia artificial supone un gasto de medio litro de agua.” (09:55)
• “El bolsonarismo sostiene que se trata de una persecución política…” (10:12)

Segment Timestamps

• DANA/Valencia Scandal: 00:10–02:30
• Violence Against Women Protests: 02:30–03:42
• Fiscal General and Parliamentary Politics: 03:42–05:56
• Minimum Wage Debate: 06:14–07:34
• Aena Facial Recognition Fine: 07:34–08:44
• AI and Environment: 08:47–09:55
• Brazil: Bolsonaro Sentence: 10:02–11:14
• Galicia Mussels/Marea Roja: 11:14–12:08
• Educational Robotics in Badajoz: 12:17–13:20
• Lugo’s Wall Uses: 13:20–14:17
• Aldehuela Name Change: 14:17–15:00
• Cultural Picks – Series "Task": 15:07–16:28

Conclusion

This news-rich episode of "Hoy por Hoy" captures the complexity of the Spanish morning—mixing breaking national political intrigue, social activism, economic policy debates, technological challenges, and compelling human stories. The balanced reporting and direct quotes create a vivid, trustworthy snapshot of current events and ongoing cultural conversations in Spain.