News
Tiger mosquito
Tranvía back “ by year end ,” says Vélez
The mayor of Vélez-Málaga says he is confident a deal on resuming tranvía services can be reached with the regional government before the end of the year . Antonio Moreno Ferrer ’ s comments last month followed a similar agreement which has been reached between the Junta de Andalucía over the tram services in Jaén . weeks ago . He said that of the five alleged irregularities raised in their report , two were dismissed on appeal . He added that the remaining three displayed no lack of clarity in contracts or lack of management control , as has been alleged by the opposition Partido Popular and he called on them to apologise .
The tiger mosquito has been identified in Andalucía for the first time . The insect carries the Zika virus which is dangerous to pregnant women and small numbers have been spotted in the region . It is identifiable from common mosquitos by white spots on its body and white streaks on its legs , making it very visible .
Rail strikes
Further strikes on Spain ’ s rail network are expected throughout the summer , although details are unclear . Unions say more staff are needed to cope with an increasing workload and that wages , after a five-year freeze and two annual increases of 1 %, have not kept pace with inflation . A minimum service level has to be maintain by law during stoppages , while city metro links will not be affected .
Rock row
Madrid is reported to have demanded a Spanish police presence at Gibraltar ’ s airport , a move which British politicians describe as , “ tantamount to a concession on sovereignty .” The Gibraltarian government insisted it would be sticking to its airport “ red lines ” and would not bow to Spanish pressure . Under the Córdoba Agreement of 2006 , Spain , the UK and Gibraltar committed to sharing the Rock ’ s airport .
Compulsory charges
Charging for plastic carrier bags will become compulsory from July 1 . Most supermarkets already add a couple of cents for a bag , but many smaller businesses do not . Retailers will be free to charge what they wish , although the government recommends between five and 15 cents , depending on size , thickness and durability . The only bags that will remain free are those intended to hold fish and any loose product sold by weight .
He and Transport Councillor Marcelino Méndez-Trelles added that the town council had agreed that an urgent meeting be sought with Transport Minister Felipe López . They want confirmation that the Junta will stick by its earlier offer to subsidise the service to the tune of 40 per cent , as has now been formalised with Jaén Town Hall .
The Transport Councillor has also given further details about problems raised by the Court of Auditors a few
After five months in the political wilderness , Cataluña finally managed to elect a new regional president on May 14 . However , rumours that peace has broken out with Madrid are somewhat exaggerated .
The new incumbent is 55-year-old Quim Torra , a Deputy of the party Junts per Catalunya (“ Together for Catalunya ,” or JxCat ) and a hard-line separatist who made it clear in his acceptance speech that he plans to continue with plans for the region to become an “ independent republic .” However , the government of prime minister Mariano Rajoy has said it will maintain direct rule from Madrid because of the “ provocative ” statements made by Torra .
These include Torra ’ s appointment of four former ministers to his new regional government including Jordi Turull and Josep Rull , who are amongst those in custody awaiting trial in the wake of last October ’ s illegal referendum in Cataluña , and Toni
For its part , the Court of Auditors has made clear that it found no technical or financial irregularities in the implementation of the transport system and has recognized , “ the good work of the technicians of the town council who have informed the court about all and each of the aspects required .” In the light of these developments , Sr Méndez-Trelles said he was “ more optimistic ” that the Junta de Andalucía is “ doing its job ,” and that the tranvía will be operating again soon .
Cataluña ’ s new president provokes Madrid
Comin and Lluís Puig who are amongst five former Catalan Deputies who remain in self-imposed exile in Belgium . Madrid immediately refused to endorse the appointments , a move which Torra claimed was “ unlawful .”
Rule by central government was imposed on Cataluña ahead of regional elections last October after former president Carles Puigdemont declared independence unilaterally following the referendum . Now , Puigdemont remains in Germany which has declined to deport him to Spain . Madrid has accused him of various offences including rebellion , sedition and corruption .
Around 20 other former members of the Catalan government also face charges .
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