News
Spain ’ s Stonehenge
ETIAS scheme delayed
Plans to charge some visitors for entry into Schengen area countries have been postponed until next year . The scheme was expected to come into force this month but last month the EU announced that it has been delayed until November 2023 .
The ETIAS is a travel authorisation that over 1.4 billion travellers from over 60 countries , including here Americans , Britons , Albanians , Australians , Canadians and more , will have to obtain before their visits to EU countries .
The present drought in Spain has uncovered a prehistoric stone circle which is thought to be 2,000 years older than the UK ’ s Stonehenge . The megalithic complex was first discovered in 1924 and is normally submerged by the water of the Valdecañas Reservoir in the north-eastern province of Cáceres . There have now been calls for the 150 standing stones , known as the Dolmen of Guadalperal , to be moved to a new location .
Canaries fraudsters
Police on Gran Canaria have arrested a gang which enabled immigrants to leave the Canary Islands and enter mainland Spain . The false documents which the group provided showed individuals to be of legal age so they could leave the youth detention centre and book a flight . Seven people have been charged with membership of a criminal organisation which is thought to have made € 100,000 from the scam .
Teenage speeder
A minor of under 16 years has been caught speeding on Spain ’ s M-140 autovía , part of the Madrid orbital motorway . He was travelling at 200 kph while holding only a licence to ride mopeds . His 19-year-old passenger , who recorded the ride on August 7 and later uploaded the video to social media , is believed to be the vehicle ’ s owner .
Exports record
Spanish exports increased by 24.8 % in the first half of the year , compared with 2021 , which was higher that the figures from the EU and the Eurozone . A record income of almost € 191 million for the period was generated . The government also said that , in the same six month , imports rose by 40.7 % to a record of nearly € 223 million .
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System ( ETIAS ) will apply to all visitors who come from countries which are not in the EU or Schengen area but do not need a visa to enter . When it becomes operative , those affected will have to provide additional information and pay a fee , provisionally set at € 7 , to enter a member country . It is being warned that the on-line application will have to be approved before authorisation to travel is given , and that this could take up to 30 days .
Needle spiking cases increase
Ten cases in Málaga are amongst the 96 incidents of “ needle spiking ” recorded by the regional health service reported last month . Police have been investigating a rise in the number of incidents in which people in crowded nightclubs have reported that they had felt a prick or sharp pain when amongst others , followed by a feeling of dizziness or disorientation , and finding a bruising and puncture mark on their body .
Police in Andalucía have investigated at least two cases in which women claimed to have been victims of a “ chemical submission ” at a club in El Puerto de Santa María in Cádiz . The Andalucían Health Service ( SAS ) said last month it had attended to 96 such cases , included nine in which the victims were men . However , none of them are reported to have tested positive for any toxic substance , and none has been subjected to sexual assault , harassment or theft .
Regional police have established a protocol in cases where needle spiking
These travellers currently can travel to the EU visa-free , as their countries have a visa-free arrangement in place with the EU . The EU also makes it clear that ETIAS is not a Visa and is designed for short-term visits of up to 90 days .
The Schengen Area was established in 1985 and is named after the town in Luxembourg where it was signed . It presently consists of 27 states , four of which are not in the EU . Spain has been a full member since 1995 .
is suspected , emphasising that such action is a form of assault and a criminal offence . Medical staff must provide urgent attention and submit samples to the National Institute of Toxicology . Psychological and legal support is also to be offered to victims .
During last month ’ s annual fair in the city of Málaga , plain clothes police mingled with crowds in an effort to spot needle spiking attempts . Security at the entrances to leisure venues was also increased with checks , controls and metal detectors .
Late peak
Spain has recorded a new record high temperature – a year after it was recorded . An automatic weather station near Córdoba registered 47.6 ℃ on August 14 , 2021 , but a fault meant that it was not connecting itself to the State Meterological Agency ( Aemet ) to report its data . However , the details were stored locally by the station and Aemet announced last month that it had beaten the previous record by just two-tenths of one degree .
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