Spain

The Spanish government will tighten judicial control over the country’s intelligence agency, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Thursday, weeks after the agency admitted it had spied on several pro-independence supporters in the region of Catalonia with judicial authorization. The country’s National Intelligence Center, or CNI, has been under fire since April, after Canada-based digital rights group Citizen Lab alleged that the phones of more than 60 Catalan politicians, lawyers and activists had been hacked with controversial spyware. The CNI later acknowledged in a closed-door meeting with Spanish lawmakers that it had hacked into the cellphones of “some” of these politicians. On Thursday, Sánchez announced plans to overhaul the 2002 law that sets out judicial control of the intelligence agency. “It’s aimed at strengthening the guarantees of this control, while also ensuring maximum respect for the individual and political rights of people,” he told parliament. … [Read more...] about Spain vows legal reforms in wake of spying allegations

Gibraltar 'not willing to negotiate an inch' with Spain says expert Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Gibraltar , which has been a British Overseas Territory since 1713, when it was ceded to London under the Treaty of Utrecht. However, Spain continues to stake a claim to The Rock, which is located on the edge of the Iberian Peninsula. Related articles 'Evil' woman murders partner after tying him while she sexted new man Dozens of travellers defy eviction notice to stay on city park But Ben Wallace, who visited Madrid ahead of upcoming NATO talks in Spain next month, praised the relationship between the Spanish … [Read more...] about Gibraltar NOT weapon against Spain! UK hits back as fury grows over Royal Navy patrol boat

A British toddler has drowned in a swimming pool in Spain's Costa Blanca, despite efforts by a neighbour to save his life. The 19-month-old boy was dragged out of the water unconscious on Wednesday at around 6.15pm. An air ambulance attended the incident at a private pool in Aigues, a small village north of Alicante and southwest of Benidorm, as a neighbour attempted to save the boy's life. Efforts to revive him failed, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. A police investigation into the tragedy is ongoing, and sources confirmed the youngster who died was British. Advertisement It has not yet been established whether the child was on holiday with his family or lived in Spain. One local media report claimed the family had recently moved to the area, but this has not been confirmed. More on Spain COVID: Spain relaxes entry rules for Britons ahead of summer holidays Europe weather: At least 40 injured by tornadoes in Germany – … [Read more...] about British toddler drowns in swimming pool in Spain despite neighbour’s efforts to save him

Spain has approved a draft bill that widens abortion rights for teenagers as it becomes the first country in Europe to entitle workers to paid menstrual leave. The measures are part of a package of proposals that will be sent to Spain's parliament for debate. It includes an extension of abortion rights, scrapping the requirement for 16 and 17-year-olds to obtain parental consent before terminating a pregnancy. Meanwhile, it proposes giving workers who suffer from severe period pain three days of optional medical leave a month, with two additional days permitted in exceptional cases. "We will recognise in the law the right to leave for women who have painful periods that will be financed by the state," equality minister Irene Montero tweeted on Friday. Advertisement She said it would no longer be "normal to go to work in pain", adding the move would "end the stigma, shame and silence around periods". Jose Luis Escriva, Spain's minister for inclusion, … [Read more...] about Spain approves bill to become first country in Europe to offer menstrual leave

A British toddler has drowned in a Spanish swimming pool. The 19-month-old boy was pulled out the water yesterday evening at around 6.15pm. An air ambulance was called to the scene as part of the emergency response. Paramedics tried to revive the boy but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The tragedy took place in a private pool in Aigues, a village a short drive from the coast. A spokesman for the Civil Guard said: ‘We received an alert just after 6pm yesterday. ‘Civil Guard stationed in the municipality of Jijona were asked to attend a house where we were told a 19-month-old British child had fallen into a swimming pool.’ A police investigation into the boy’s death is ongoing. The toddler’s mum is believed to be in her early fifties and her partner in his late forties. A police source added: ‘The incident happened at a residential estate called El Paraiso in Aigues de Busot. ‘The parents were helped to get the toddler out of the water and resuscitation … [Read more...] about British toddler drowns in swimming pool in Costa Blanca

Google Maps lets you travel the world without leaving your home and is one of Google's most popular services. The online system helps people to navigate from place to place, as well as plan for their journeys ahead of time by learning both the route and the time it will take you to get there. Google Street View goes one step further. It allows curious travellers to explore a foreign place using 360 degree panoramic images from roads all around the globe. Or, in some cases, snoop on a neighbouring house or simply hunt down the most bizarre moments caught on camera . But there are some corners of the world that the almighty Google can't reach, including a mysterious Spanish courtyard that has been obscured from the interactive map, Patio de los Naranjos. Patio de los Naranjos translates to Orange Tree Yard Get the news you want straight to your inbox. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter here Patio de los Naranjos translates to Orange Tree Yard, but there … [Read more...] about Google Maps secrets: Mystery as entire Spanish courtyard obscured from interactive view

Gori the hungry young hippo struggled while trying to get to grips with his underwater birthday cake. The young hippo was celebrating his 2nd birthday at Valencia Bioparc in Spain on May 25 when keepers cooked up a special treat for him. Video footage released by the zoo shows how a cake full of Gori's favorite treats was prepared and then sunk into his pool for him to find. He made short work of the fruit and veggie birthday snack with just a few bites from his massive jaws. The common hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibius ) is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list and its main threat is habitat loss. Bioparc actively participates in its conservation through the European breeding program. Bioparc says it also concentrates on environmental enrichment which aims to improve the quality of life of animals by enhancing their instincts. For the park team, Gori's birthday was also an emotional moment, with memories that Gori … [Read more...] about Hip hip hooray: Hungry hippo’s underwater birthday cake

Spain: British expat questions enforcement of Covid passes Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Pensioners living in the Spanish region of Murcia have sounded the alarm over the dire conditions at their properties . The elderly Britons are part of a 200-strong group of expats who have been campaigning for the authorities to grant their homes legal status. The homeowners live in Gea y Truyols, a sun-soaked rural area of Murcia less than a 30-minute drive from the Costa Cálida. Related articles Putin humiliated as ‘only a matter of time’ before Russia defaults Putin has launched 'insane' onslaught on Ukraine's Donbas area … [Read more...] about Retired British expats left without fresh water after 15-year illegal homes battle

Toto Wolff has set expectations low for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix as he admits the track isn’t Mercedes ’ “happy place”. The team have not been up to their usual standard this season but are still in the mix. Their latest outing at the Spanish Grand Prix was a boost for Mercedes with George Russell finishing third and Lewis Hamilton claiming fifth. But the team prinicpal isn’t predicting a similar points haul in the upcoming race. “We’ve seen another big step, probably we’ve halved the advantage to the front-runners,” Wolff told Sky . “But still there’s lots of way to go in order to be in the fight.” Mercedes have only won one Monaco race in the last four seasons and so Wolff has evidence in his predictions. But he has conceded while he isn’t expecting much, he is “curious” about how they will do. Recommended Toto Wolff excited after Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes take ‘another step’ ‘You bet we can’: Toto Wolff talks up … [Read more...] about Toto Wolff plays down Mercedes’ Monaco Grand Prix hopes

Lewis Hamilton ’s Mercedes team have taken part in a secret test as they scramble to return to the front of the Formula One pack. Hamilton has been cast a distant 68 points adrift of championship leader Charles Leclerc ahead of the sixth round of the season in Spain on Sunday. Mercedes are expected to bring a number of new parts to Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya in the hope of combating their ‘porpoising’ woes which have all but put an end to Hamilton’s bid for a record eighth title. And it is understood that Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell drove the revamped Mercedes at a behind-closed-doors test on Wednesday. F1 teams are allocated two filming days each season, with Mercedes electing to use their second of the year at Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France. Recommended Superspreader events blamed for monkeypox surge - follow live Minister condemns PM’s ‘allies’ briefing against Sue Gray - live Brexit has increased … [Read more...] about Mercedes hold secret test in bid to close gap on Ferrari and Red Bull