Madrid Summit to discuss illegal immigration

The Foreign and Interior ministers of the 8 EU countries most affected by the arrival of illegal immigrants - France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta and Spain - meet today in Madrid to discuss ways in which to design joint policies and strategies aimed at tackling the growing problem of illegal immigration.

The Spanish government has been trying - unsuccessfully - to pursuade the EU to
become more involved in finding solutions to the problem of immigrants arriving by boats en masse to the Canary Islands and several coastal areas in Southern Spain. The arrival of these kinds of boats has been a problem for some years now, but this Summer it reached acute proportions, leading to appeals for EU help from the Canarian and Spanish governments.

According to reports in Cadena Ser, the Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spanish Foreign Minister, and Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, Interior Minister, are expected to propose to their EU colleages the creation of a European border police force and coastguard in the summit meeting today. The ministers intend to elaborate a joint proposal to be presented in the EU summit meeting of Home Secretaries scheduled for next month and ultimately to be approved by the Summit of EU heads of state and governments to be held in Finland on 20th October.

Spain will underline the need for a quick, efficient system to be established at coastal borders to replace the current FRONTEX post in waters near the Canary Islands which is deemed by the Spanish government to be insufficient. The French Interior Minister, Nicolas Sarkoxy has announced his intention to propose a "European pact" whereby EU member states pledge not to undertake any mass immigration regulation policies similar to that passed by the Spanish government last year which many believe that, far from solving the problem of illegal immigration, may be one of the reasons why an increasing number of people from North Africa risk their lives in a desperate attempt to reach Spain in small, overcrowded boats.

Related to the problem of immigration in Spain:
2006
Spain appeals to EU for help with illegal immigration
Situation in the Canary Islands worsens
Immigration in Spain
2005
Legalisation of illegal immigrants in Spain
Immigrants on hunger strike in Barclona
Migrants die in border fence crush in Ceuta
2004
New Spanish immigration laws
Reform of Spanish immigration laws

Princess Letizia pregnant again

The Spanish King and Queen yesterday confirmed that Princess Letizia, wife of Felipe, heir to the throne, is 2 months into her second pregnancy. Letizia gave birth to a girl, Leonar, last year.

The Royal Family usually wait three months to announce pregnancies, but this time decided to end speculation with a short text message which was sent from the Palace to the mobile phones of the Spanish reporters who usually cover Royal news and events. It is not the first time the Palace has used this method to inform the Spanish media of news.

When Leonor was born last year, the Socialist government confirmed their intention to modify the article of the Spanish constitution referring to succession to the Spanish throne from male-preference primogeniture in favor of lineal primogeniture. This was a policy which figured in the Socialist Party's election manifesto.

If the modification is not pushed through in the next seven months, when the baby is born if it is a boy in theory he will be the second heir to the throne, after his father Prince Felipe.

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Changes in state funding of Church

The Spanish government and Catholic Church agree on new funding system

The Socialist government in Spain and the Catholic Church have signed an agreement centering around the traditional system of state funding of Church activities. Up until now, the Spanish Catholic Church has had two main sources of public finance: firstly an annual allowance given to the Church by the Government, and secondly voluntary donations paid by Spaniards in their yearly tax declarations and then passed on to the Church by the Tax Office.

However according to an announcement made today by Spain's Vice President, the State will no longer have to pay an annual allowance to the Church. To compensate, the voluntary donation of taxable earnings has gone up from 0.52 percent to 0.7. This means that tax payers can pay 0.7 percent of their income tax to the Church rather than to the Tax Office. Church representatives present in the negotiations with the Government had asked for 0.8 percent.

Another change in the previously privileged position of the Catholic Church is that from now on it will have to pay VAT on the purchase of all goods and properties. It will also have to present to the Government each year a financial report detailing how the money received from the Tax Office has been spent.

The Government claims the new agreement will make the system more transparent and, according to its Vice-president, hopes that it represents the first step towards its ultimate objective: a Spanish Catholic Church capable of financing its own activities without relying on state funds. The system comes into effect at the beginning of next year.

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Videos of Spanish Fashion Week

El Mundo offers online videos of Cibeles catwalk

Anyone interested in getting a glimpse of the Spain's major fashion designers collections for next year but unable to escape to Madrid to see them in situ can follow the catwalks live on the Internet with Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

Participants in Cibeles, Spain's most important fashion week, include Antonio Pernas, Roberto Torretta, Juan Duyos, Jesús del Pozo, Amaya Arzuaga, Lydia Delgado, Victorio & Lucchino, Miriam Ocariz and many more.

For the full programme of designers with a catwalk show in Cibeles this week click here. And to see the Cibeles catwalks live, click here.

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Spanish fashion week rejects thinnest models
Visitors Guide to Madrid
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Spain, UK and Gibraltar sign agreement

Spain, the UK and Gibraltar sign an agreement involving joint use of Gibraltar's airport.

The governments of Spain and the United Kingdom have announced the first agreements signed as a result of the round of negotiations which began 18 months ago to discuss the future of Gibraltar. The agreement is of particular significance because for the first time in the history of negotations over The Rock, meetings include representatives from the Gibraltan authorities and any agreement resulting from the talks must have the approval of all three parties.

According to the agreement signed today by Spain, the UK and Gibraltar, domestic flights linking Gibraltar with Spanish destinations can now operate from Gibraltar airport without the presence of Spanish and Gibraltan police controls which have been compulsory until now.

This agreement only affects Spanish flights and the application of European airport regulations will take placely in a more gradual way. Military flights are not subject to the new agreement. There will also be a direct access to the airport from Spanish soil.

Passport controls of Spanish police will be carried out in a terrace to be constructed at the end of the terminal over Spanish territory, which means Spanish police and civil guard will be able to work inside the terminal, which is on Gibraltan territory, while in theory they will be in Spanish territory because of the position of the new terrace. All reforms will be financed by the Gibraltan authorities, and a new joint company will be set up to carry out the management and maintenance of the airport. The runway and the control tower will remain under the exclusive control of the British army.

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Schooling in Spain

Poor performance of pupils attending Spanish schools.

According to a report released today by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 30 percent of Spanish children attending schools fail their exams. This is one of the worst performances among European countries.

In Spain almost three out of ten school pupils have to retake a whole academic year at least once during their schooling.

Although the report acknowledges the "enormous improvements" made in the Spanish education system during the last three decades, it signals out secondary education and the high percentage of pupils who have to repeat an academic year as Spain's "weak points".

The report is critical of the Spanish system which forces high numbers of failing students to retake their previous year, because there is no proof that it encourages or enables pupils to catch up later on, and because each repeating pupil represents extra state expense.

On a happier note, according to the report the teacher:pupil ratio in Spain is one of the best in Europe with 19.3 pupils per class in state primary education, compared to the OECD average of 21.5. However class numbers tend to be higher in private schools (rather paradoxically), where the average is 24.3 pupils compared to the OECD average class size in private primary education of 20.3 pupils.

In secondary education however both state and private schools ratios perform poorly compared to the OECD average. The average class size in state secondary schools in Spain is 24, compared to 22.8 OECD, while the average class size in private secondary schools in Spain is 26.9 - well above the OECD average for private secondary education which stands as 22.8 pupils per

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Bus burnt in San Sebastian City Centre

Yesterday afternoon a group of around 20 youths wearing balaclavas burnt a bus in the centre of San Sebastian. The events occurred at around 3.45 pm in the Boulevard near the Old Part where many people were out celebrating the annual regattas.

According to eye witnesses the youths emerged from the Old Part wearing balaclavas and carrying molotov cocktails. They made the passengers and driver of a bus, chosen at random, leave before setting it alight. The inside of the bus, which had only been in service for 2 years and is valued at 150,000 euros, was completely destroyed.

The youths then ran back to the old part where they disappeared among the crowds, some onlookers even applauded. A nearby cashpoint was also burnt. Everything happened within the space of just a few minutes. No arrests were made.

Shortly afterwards the police and fire brigade arrived and the area had to be cordoned off for about an hour while investigations were made.

The PSE-EE headquarters in San Sebastian was also attacked yesterday and some rubbish containers were moved to form a barricade near the Anoeta football stadium before the first home match of the season. One youth was detained.

These events have occurred at a delicate point in the peace process and negotiations following ETA’s declaration of a ceasefire. It is the second bus to be burnt on the streets of San Sebastian within the space of just a few weeks. The mayor of San Sebastian expressed his deep regret over the events saying it was ‘a great shame for the city’.

Two die in explosion in fireworks factory

Two people were killed by an explosion in a fireworks factory on Friday. The two victims, brother and sister, were handling explosive powder at the time of the accident.

The explosion was heard almost 10 kilometres away in Ourense, Galicia. Another three people who were working in the same area managed to escape unharmed, one of whom was also brother to the victims.

The factory belonged to the victims and is the oldest fireworks factory in the province, founded more than 80 years ago by their father. A similar accident occurred in 2004 but without victims.

Preliminary investigations by the Guardia Civil have shown that the factory complied with all the safety regulations for this type of installation. One theory is that the explosion was caused by a cartridge of explosive powder which may have fallen.

This isn't an isolated incident. Every year there are many accidents involving fireworks which are an integral part of Spanish fiestas. In August 26 people, including children, were injured by fireworks during fiestas in Elche and more recently an 18 year old youth was seriously injured in fiestas in Jimena when the firecrackers that he was carrying in his pocket exploded causing 3rd degree burns on 40% of his body.

Spanish fashion show rejects thinnest models

In accordance with the new regulations for this year's Cibeles fashion show 30% of models who appeared on its catwalk last year have been excluded for being too thin.

The models have been rejected because they do not comply with new rules put into place by Madrid's Regional Government demanding that models present a healthy image with at least an 18% Body Mass Index (BMI), i.e. they must weigh at least 56 kilos if their height is 1.75cms. These figures are approximately what the World Health Organization (WHO) considers to be the minimum healthy weight.

The designer Jesús del Pozo made the announcement in a press conference during which Concha Guerra, Madrid's Vice-Director of Economy and Innovative Technology laid out the new guidelines for the fashion show which starts on 18th September. She said they had taken this unprecedented step because they were aware of the influence the popular Cibeles catwalk had on young girls' perception of fashion and ideal bodies. She explained that the Madrid government were aiming for healthier-looking models and getting away from the wasting-away appearance of many models which was heavily criticised during the last Cibeles catwalk.

The announcement was made following her meeting with the principle modelling agencies and meetings with nutritional experts. The Director of the IFEMA Exhibition Centre where Cibeles is held was also involved in the consultations.

Susana Monereo, a doctor and member of the Spanish Association of Endocrinology and Nutrition has explained that BMI is related to each person's height and is an indicator of their general nutrition. Your BMI can be calculated by dividing your weight in kilos by your height squared. A healthy result should be between 18 and 25. According to the WHO a BMI less than 18.5% indicates that a person is underweight and a figure of 16.5% would require hospitalization.

This year models have been selected according to tests carried out by nutrition experts and Guerra said that the tests would be repeated just before the Cibeles catwalk is due to start (on 18th September). As well as insisting on a minimum BMI, the organisers will not allow models under 18 years of age to appear on the catwalk.

This is the first time an internationl fashion show has adopted such measures in order to avoid promoting a distorted image of beauty something which has been associated with anorexia and bulimia. As well as, models under 18 being forbidden from participating there are rules on the models' make up too.

Del Pozo, who took part in the meetings as a representative of the Association of Fashion Designers has admitted that although the new parameters may cause problems when selecting models it was well worth it in order to set a good example given the problems related to diet and weight in society today. He also drew attention to the fact that fashion photos are also manipulated using programmes like photoshop.

Monereo said that placing too much emphasis on being thin is a serious heath risk. Not only because it is related to illnesses such as anorexia and bulimia but because it is also linked to problems with fertility, hormone imbalance and osteoporosis. In her opinion it is a social problem whose solution ultimately depends on everyone.

Situation in the Canary Islands worsens

The situation in the Canary Islands with regards to the unprecedented arrival of immigrants by boat everyday is worsening.

A policeman was attacked by around 20 detainees last Tuesday. Although official sources have dismissed the incident as a minor scuffle the reality of the situation is quite serious. There are only about 30 policemen for the three detention centres and two military bases which are being used to detain around 7000 immigrants.

According to Agustín Brito Machín, the General Secretary of the Spanish Police Confederation in the Canary Islands, the immigrants have been quite docile until now but that due to overcrowding the situation is getting very tense.

He has also asked for between 700 - 1000 extra police to be sent to the Islands to help control the centres to avoid any further serious incidents and to prevent any immigrants escaping. It has also been pointed out that the police normally work 37.5 hours a week but at the moment they are working up to 70 hours.

The incident that occurred last Tuesday happened when a policeman intervened in a fight between two of the detainees. Following this intervention he was surrounded by about 20 detainees who kicked and punched him.

Yesterday, a further 188 immigrants arrived on the Canary Islands in 3 boats. Two in Tenerife and another in El Hierro.

Related:
Spain appeals for help to tackle rise in arrival of illegal immigrants
Migrants die in border fence crush on Spanish border
Legalisation of illegal immigrants in Spain
Foreign residents in Spain
Immigration in Spain
Reform of Spanish immigration laws
Immigrants on hunger strike in Barcelona
Inmigrantes en España

New law to control telecommunications

The government is preparing a new law that will help combat delinquency and terrorism by having a degree of control over telecommunications.

The Spanish Home Office wants to have access to information regarding mobile telephone use and wants companies to make this information available to them by recording information for a period of 12 months. Under exceptional circumstances this could be extended to 24 months.

The law would apply both to pay as you go mobiles as well as those on contract. It would also oblige shops selling pay as you go mobiles to keep a register of their customers. At the moment there are approximately 16 million anonymous mobile phone owners. Investigations into telecommunications played an important part in the detention of 11th March suspects.

Last February the EU passed a law on the retention of information on telecommunications which made operators responsible for keeping information for a period of between 6 to 24 months in an attempt to combat both terrorism and other serious crime. The terrorist attack in London on 7th July 2005 served as an incentive to help get the legislation approved by the member states.

This law applies both to fixed land lines as well as mobile telephones. Companies are required to keep a record of the telephone number from which the call originated, the number where the call is received, the length of the conversation and where the call was made from. Only under certain circumstances can the content of phone calls be made available to the authorities.

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Changes to Traffic Laws

The laws governing traffic have undergone further changes. The introduction of a points system for driving licences came into effect last July and now further changes to penalties for various infractions come into effect as from today.

Not wearing a helmet whilst driving or as a passenger on a motorbike or moped will now be classed as a serious offence whereas it used to be classed as a minor offence. This is also the same for people driving quad bikes which have become very popular in recent years.

Not wearing a safety belt will also be classed as a serious offence. Children will also have to use special car seats according to their size (children under a certain height will either need to use a special car seat or a booster seat). Children are only allowed to use normal safety belts when they reach 135 cms in height.

Pregnant, women will also have to wear a safety belt (under the previous laws governing car security they were exempt). However taxi drivers continue to be exempt from the rules on wearing safety belts while at work.

Baby car seats will no longer be allowed to be placed in the front seat if the car is fitted with airbags unless the airbags have been deactivated.

This year over the summer period there have been 10 deaths less than recorded over the same time last year.

Spanish basketball team return triumphant

The Spanish basketball team returned from Japan last night world champions following their victory against Greece 47 – 70 in the world cup final on Sunday. The main celebrations took place in the Plaza de Castilla in the centre of Madrid.

The team arrived from Japan at around midnight and were taken to the Plaza de Castilla in an open top bus with the slogan ‘Spain champions of the world’ written on the side. Cheering fans lined the streets on the way to the plaza.

The players wearing their gold medals and shirts inscribed with ‘golden boys’ expressed thanks to their fans who have supported them all the way.

It has been estimated that around 100,000 fans turned out to celebrate the team’s return. Thousands waited patiently in the Plaza de Castilla ready to welcome the players back with chants of ‘champions, champions’. The celebrations ended around 2am with fireworks.

Neonazi aggresion during fiestas in Pozuelo de Alarcón

The Socialist Party in Madrid (PSM-PSOE) has made an official complaint about violence that errupted during fiestas in Pozuelo de Alarcón last weekend. On Friday night 7 people were injured during the disturbances. It is believed that Neonazis were responsible. The PSM-PSOE has complained that the municipal authorities run by the People's Party (PP) did not take sufficient measures to stop the aggression.

According to those hurt in the violence, a group of youths with skin heads went to an area where various political parties, including PSOE, had set up stalls and at around 11pm they attacked a young man without provocation.

A few hours later the group of skin heads returned and started a fight against people in the same area. It has been reported that bottles and chairs were used as missiles. One of the injured had to be taken to hospital. None of the agressors were detained.

The PSM-PSOE secretary, Ruth Porta, has condemned the acts of violence and has asked for a special session to be held in Pozuelo de Alarcón’s townhall, led by the PP, to look into what happended and to make sure that these events are not be repeated.

Spanish reservoirs at lowest level for 10 years

Spanish reservoirs are at 43.9% of their total capacity, less than in August 2005 and the lowest level for 10 years. The worst case has been recorded in Segura with only 144 cubic hectometres in the reservoirs which is only 12.8% of their total capacity.

According to the latest information from the Ministry for the Environment reservoirs have lost over 700 cubic hectometres since last week. The Tajo river, upon which Madrid depends for its water also presents a precarious situation and the Entrepeñas and Buendía reservoirs are only 13 cubic hectometres above what is classed to be a critical situation following which water cannot be transferred.

The Jucar river also presents a critical situation where reservoirs are at 14.6% of their capacity. Guadiana I, el Guadalquivir, el Sur, and el Ebro, are also at less than 50% of their capacity. The highest recorded levels for reservoirs in the Peninsula are in Navarra and the Basque Country.

This year has been one of the driest on record, with the lowest levels of rainfall on record since 1930. The highest rainfall this year has been in Barcelona where 29 litres per square metre have been recorded.

Process open for Fórum Filatélico investors to claim compensation.

Proceedings are now open for Fórum Filatélico investors to claim compensation. Investors need to make their claims to the ‘Juzgado de lo Mercantil número 7 de Madrid’ before 2nd October. It is believed that the company had approximately 200,000 clients.

Fórum Filatélico is accused of defrauding its clients by operating a pyramid scheme in which clients invested money in the company in exchange for stamps with a guaranteed a minimum profit margin. However it is believed that the company used money from new clients to pay off the returns to previous clients. Figures for the massive fraud are believed to be around 2000 to 3,400 euros.

Clients of the company should have received letters with information and instructions on how to proceed with their claims for compensation.

Compensation for passengers affected by strike at El Prat

The government has put forward a plan in which passengers who were affected by the strike at El Prat airport on the 28th July will receive compensation.

El Prat, one of Spain's major airports, was closed unexpectedly on one of the busiest days of the holiday season. Runways were invaded by a group Iberia’s baggage handlers protesting against the possibility of subcontracting their work to other companies, something which they said could result in up to 900 Iberia staff being made redundant.

The consequences were that almost 800 flights had to be cancelled and many more were seriously delayed. It is expected that measures will be approved today and that 15 – 20 million euros will be paid out in compensation to passengers. The final costs are unknown. A bill for the total costs of compensation will later be given to Iberia.

It is thought that 300 euros will be paid to passenger’s whose flights were cancelled and 100 euros to those who were delayed. It will be up to passengers to give proof. These measures have been put into place following a government meeting on 10th August in which the Minister for Industry, Magdalena Álvarez, made a commitment to help those affected. It was also agreed that proceedings would be taken against Iberia for breach of air traffic security.

So far over 20,000 claims for compensation have already been made although this figure is expected to rise significantly.