In Spain Today, Monday 19 February 2024, accumulated rainfall still down but slightly improved, seven people arrested for school sexist and homophobic graffiti, Europe-wide measles warning issued, and Guardia Civil shuts down CBD factory.
Spanish News Headlines
The national average value of
accumulated rainfall from the beginning of the hydrological year (October 1, 2023) until February 13 is estimated at 312 l/m 2, which represents around 1% less than the normal value corresponding to said period (314 l/m 2).
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.
The Guardia Civil, within the framework of operation Hater 36, has arrested seven people and has investigated another for creating
sexist and homophobic graffiti in a high school in the Toledo town of Seseña. Four were minors and the other four were adults, all of them students and former students of the centre.
Among the graffiti there were expressions such as “women in the kitchen” or “women to wash” and also humiliating phrases towards the LGTBIQ+ group directed at two teachers at the centre due to their sexual orientation and gender identity.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported the
increasing number of measles cases in the European region, which represents a cause of particular concern in areas where vaccination coverage levels are low.
The greatest potential impact of measles is for babies under 12 months old, too young to be immunised. However, it also represents a threat to unvaccinated children under 5 years of age, immunocompromised people, and adults.
The Guardia Civil has
dismantled a clandestine laboratory hidden in an industrial warehouse in Manilva (Málaga) where cosmetic and food products derived from cannabis with high CBD content were produced and intended to be sold illegally.
Agents of the Organic Unit of the Judicial Police of the Guardia Civil in Algeciras learned of the existence of a warehouse in which illegal products derived from hemp could be manufactured.
Once the suspicions were confirmed, they carried out a joint inspection with Public Health agents of the Junta de Andalucía, verifying that inside the warehouse a laboratory had been installed for the treatment and manufacture of all types of products derived from cannabis and a warehouse full of products to sell.
To read these articles in full, visit
SpainToday.news
Business, Markets and Statistics
The week begins in Spain with the publication of the December trade balance, as well as with the results of Almirall and the dividend of Neinor Homes on a business level.
This Monday the New York Stock Exchange will remain closed and the Bundesbank will publish its monthly report.
Back in Spain, the Ministry of Economy publishes the foreign trade report for December, and the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, attends the constitution of the Political Commission for the transfer of Rodalies.
In the European Union, Eurostat publishes estimates of vacant jobs for the fourth quarter, and there will be a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, and an Informal meeting of Tourism Ministers.
Things to Do Today
Now that Carnival is officially over things are a little quiet again events wise until Easter, but there are one or two interesting things to do around the area.
There’s a speedpainting workshop in Torrevieja on 27 February, at the Los Angeles bar, First Aid for Dogs (for performing on dogs, not dogs doing first aid, at Jessie’s Bar on 29.
Cinderella is in Torrevieja on Sunday 25 February, and International Flamenco Day is celebrated with a concert on 2 March. You can then take a Trip to Oz, with the kids, on 15 March, assuming you survive Peter and the Wolf on 10 March. There is also the Magical world of Disney concert on 16.
For sports fans, there are a couple of endurance events this weekend, including in the municipality of Elche, where Transilicitana will take place, a staggering 100-kilometre race, with slopes and flats, starting on Saturday with 24 hours to complete the race.
Then, on Sunday 25 February, we have the Torrevieja 21k half marathon, and a 5k race, starting at 9:30 a.m. Both of those events of course will lead to road closures, so check the traffic situation before you travel.
Looking ahead, James Blunt is back in Alicante on 19 July, as is Tom Jones on 25. Other popular groups coming to Spain in the near future include AC/DC, Depeche Mode, and Simple Minds.
A Black Music Festival is taking place in Salt until 9 March, and the Jerez Festival of Flamenco and art is on in Jerez de la Frontera also until 9 March.
Down south, the Malaga Film Festival takes place from 1 to 10 March, followed by the Granada Tango Festival from 12 to 17 March.
Fallas season is about to start, culminating in the celebrations around the middle of March, not forgetting of course we have San Jose, Spanish Father’s Day, a big event in the Spanish cultural calendar. The main fallas event is around Valencia, where this year the calendar is from 25 February to 19 March.
We must also remember that Easter is earlier this year, and one of the big draws is Elche, and in particular Palm Sunday, on account of the history of the city in relation to palm trees. A huge Palm Sunday procession takes place in the city each year.
One of the most unusual festivals takes place in the town of Mula, with the Night of the Drums, or Noche de los Tambores, where drumming begins at midnight on Holy Tuesday until 4 in the afternoon on Wednesday. Similar drum festivals take place in a few other towns too, but Mula is known as one of the best.
Another unusual celebration takes place in Jerte, usually at the end of March and beginning of April, but it depends on the weather, and therefore could be earlier this year, but it is the Cherry Trees in Blossom festival, which beholds a beauty of colour and aroma that is definitely a feast for the senses,
For more local events, pick up
The Leader newspaper every Monday, and
This is Torrevieja for Torrevieja events.
Local Markets
Monday is market day in Elche and
Santa Pola.
The roads will of course be busy around those locations.
Traffic and Travel
This week, ROADPOL, the European traffic police network, are holding a focussed campaign on vans, trucks and buses, checking everything from vehicle standards and compliance, and driver and documentation. The campaign runs all week and through Sunday 25 February 2024, and will be taking place in most European countries.
In Spain, the DGT are supporting this campaign and so the Guardia Civil, assisted by Local Police in areas where they are taking part, will also be checking on these types of vehicles.
There is also still the possibility of protests causing disruption on the roads, and so you should consult the official information from the DGT which is updated live on their website.
We also still have the risk of snow on higher and mountainous areas, and so
snow chains could be required, again, check before you travel.
For information and updates about driving in Spain, visit
N332.es
Official Websites for Travel Information
On This Day
1998, Banco Santander launches a bid to take over the entire capital of Banco Español de Crédito (Banesto).
1991, the construction of the Centenary Bridge in Seville is completed, designed for Expo’92.
1978, fire destroys the Pazo de Meirás (the summer residence of the family of dictator Francisco Franco).
