News
Gang detained
Twelve Romanian men and women have been detained on suspicion of being responsible for over 70 robberies in Málaga , Granada and Almería . Of these , almost 20 were recorded in Árchez , Arenas , Algarrobo , Cómpeta , Vélez- Málaga , Torrox and Nerja . The operation which began last October recovered items including an unused Kalashnikov assault rifle as well as jewellery , watches , televisions , power tools , agricultural machinery , computers and mobile phones .
Phone addiction
The first centre for treating teenagers ’ addiction to mobile phones has opened in Madrid . It is aimed at 12 to 17-year-olds who show symptoms including lying to get cash for top-ups , poor school performance plus lack of interest other activities , and tiredness after using the phone into the small hours . The outpatient centre also offers guidance to parents and to professionals working with minors .
Dangerous dancing
Police in Alicante have interviewed a man and two women after investigating a video posted on social media . It showed a car driving through Jávea with two women dancing on its roof to a current hit song . The video , taken by someone in a following vehicle and uploaded to Facebook , has been passed to a judge for consideration .
Disabled drivers
A body representing Spain ’ disabled drivers has complained to the Ombudsman about the spread of unstaffed petrol filling stations . It says the trend violates their rights by failing to guarantee such drivers can obtain fuel . The complaint asks for the EC to take action to outlaw this business model .
Growth continues
The IMF says Spain will continue to be the Eurozone ’ s fastest growing economy this year . It has raised its growth forecast for 2018 from 2.4 % to 2.8 %. However , this is below the 3.1 % achieved in 2017 and the IMF is predicting that this slowdown will continue into 2019 .
Love all
The city of Teruel , population 35,564 , has made it into the Guinness Book of Records with the world ’ s longest kissing chain . The previous record of 351 couples kissing simultaneously has been smashed with 1,015 pairs participating to celebrate the city ’ s famous ill-fated lovers who died 800 years ago . Mayoress Emma Buj commented , “ Teruel really is the city of love .”
Cataluña ’ s crisis continues
The on-going crisis Cataluña continued last month as its government struggled to find a suitable leader . The region came under direct control from Madrid following the illegal independence referendum held last October .
The former Catalan president , Carles Puigdemont , who fled to Belgium after the vote to avoid arrest in Spain where he is wanted on charges including rebellion and embezzlement of public funds , was arrested in Germany in late March under a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Spanish authorities . However , he was released on bail of € 75,000 and the surrender of his passport while the German authorities consider the embezzlement charge ; they rejected the charge of rebellion which does not exist in German law , and also rejected its nearest equivalent , high treason , because Puigdemont did not employ violence .
Spain has however handed German prosecutors further evidence to
The Spanish Foreign Minister says that a deal on Gibraltar will be done with the UK by October . Alfonso Dastis claimed last month that the two sides were “ working towards ” an agreement as soon as possible , but added that Spain would “ defend its position .”
The British government has confirmed that “ informal ” talks are underway , but with Madrid making clear that it wants joint control of Gibraltar ’ s airport , as well as co-operation on border controls and tax frauds , it would appear the discussions have a long way to go . Sr Dastis described the talks as “ constructive .”
The view of the EU is that no future Brexit trade deal may apply to Gibraltar without a bilateral agreement between Spain and the UK . However , the Minister made it clear that Spain “ cannot accept ” British jurisdiction over the territory . He added , “ I don ’ t rule anything out .” support the rebellion charge . This included several videos showing episodes of violence which they hope will persuade them to change their minds on dismissing the charge . However , if the prosecutors stand firm , Spain may appeal their decision to the EU Court of Justice .
Meanwhile , the Guardia Civil has estimated that the Puigdemont administration misused € 1.9 million of public cash to finance the October vote . The announcement contradicts assertions by Spain ’ s Finance Minister that no public money was used , and the Supreme Court has asked Cristóbal Montoro to explain the basis for his claims .
Seven months after direct control from Madrid was imposed on the region , the government of Mariano Rajoy continues to block a new Catalan president taking up office . The three candidates nominated are all facing rebellion and other charges , and if the situation is not resolved by May 22 , a fresh regional election will be held .
Gibraltar deal promised
Gibraltar ’ s chief minister Fabian Picardo said Gibraltar had agreed “ key fundamentals ” with the UK for the period following Brexit , including continuing existing trade arrangements .
In 1967 and again in 2002 , Gibraltar residents roundly rejected the idea of the UK sharing sovereignty with Spain , but Gibraltar voted to stay in the EU in the 2016 referendum .
Brits detained
A British couple on holiday in Palma were detained last month after leaving their children with strangers in their hotel for two days . Security staff at the unnamed hotel alerted Mallorca police , claiming that the couple were “ constantly drunk ” all day and at night . The mother reportedly attacked the woman who had been minding the children after which the youngsters were taken into care .
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