On Tuesday the 13th, the ILO unemployment rate will be published in both France and the United Kingdom, which in the latter case has remained stable in recent months at 4.2% of the active population. At the same time, we will also learn about the ZEW Survey in Germany, which will be key to knowing the assessment of the economic situation of the leading European power. The latest data continue to confirm the persistence of its industrial crisis, the deterioration of its commercial real estate sector and the impact on its foreign sector of the slowdown in China.
In Spain today, habitual abuser on trial, Council of Ministers to approve social housing stock plan, another record-breaking month for air travel, and eight percent less rain than normal.
News from Around Spain
The Provincial Court of León will hear evidence from today against a 53-year-old man accused of habitual abuse in the family and a continued minor crime of unfair harassment of his wife and their daughter in Bierzo For which the Prosecutor’s Office requests six years in prison and the payment of compensation of 3,000 euro to each victim, in addition to the costs of the process.
The Council of Ministers are set to approve a 2 billion euro boost to social housing today, increasing the available stock at affordable prices. The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, announced the plan on Saturday, resulting in criticism from the opposition as it was during the Galician election rounds.
The airports in the Aena network in Spain have closed the first month of 2024 with a historical record for passengers and cargo in the month of January, thus maintaining the upward trend of much of last year. In January 2024, Aena received 18,667,212 passengers, 10.3% more than in the same month of 2023; managed 165,909 aircraft movements, 6% more than in 2023; and 91,752 tons of merchandise were moved, 23.1% more than last year. Although January figures are still pending, pollution wise, in December, CO2 emissions were up 13% overall, and pollution per departure increased by 5% in December.
The national average value of accumulated rainfall from the beginning of the hydrological year (October 1, 2023) until February 6 is estimated at 278 l/m2, which represents around 8% less than the normal value corresponding to said period (302 l/m2). The accumulated amounts are below their normal values in the eastern third and in the southern half of the Peninsula, especially in the east where less than a quarter of the average rainfall between 1991-2020 has been recorded.
Be Careful Out There!
A key day in Spain this week is Tuesday, as Tuesday the thirteenth stokes the same fear in many as a Friday with the same date in other countries. Mars, the Roman god of war, from which Martes gets its name, dictates Tuesday is ruled by the red planet, that of destruction, blood and violence. Furthermore, legend says that on Tuesday the 13th, the confusion of languages occurred at the Tower of Babel.
In Spain, the day is summed up by the saying, “On Tuesday the 13th, neither get married, nor embark, nor leave your home”.
Traffic and Travel Update
Also this week, Tuesday might be unlucky for passengers flying between the UK and Spain, as a military exercise involving live missile firing is taking place over the Bay of Biscay from Tuesday to Thursday. Flights will therefore be diverted to avoid the area, which could result in delays, particularly on the routes to the Canary Islands, but mainland Spain could also be affected.
Locally, there are road closures in Guardamar del Segura and around the Park of Nations in Torrevieja, with diversions in place.
On This Day
2004, the electronic DNI is launched in Spain.
2003, in Madrid, a medical team manages to replace the thoracic aorta with a prosthesis in a 64-year-old patient.
1997, the Spanish Congress approves the Telecommunications Liberalisation Bill and sets the conditions for the second telephone operator in Spain (Retevisión, later to become part of Orange).
