Spain News Media

[Spain]

JUNCKER RETURNS TO EUROPOLIS AFTER EMERGENCY SURGERY

The Internal Affairs Commissioner, entering the Council today

The Internal Affairs Commissioner and old Councillor of Germanium, Jean-Claude Juncker, has returned to Europolis today after going under a very important surgeon in Luxemberg General Hospital. His November 11th surgery, to treat an aortic aneurysm in his abdomen, and subsequent convalescence in the hospital meant he was unable to appear in the Council to show his new report, and also meant the cancellation of his whole agenda for more than a week.

According to some workers on the Internal Affairs Office, the Commissioner started to feel bad the day before, and he was taken to the hospital on an ambulance. His Europolis' doctor told him about what was happening in his abdomen, and Juncker was taken into Spain for the surgery. On November the 11th, his surgery took place lasting 5 hours. He has been recovering since then and his doctor has given him the green light today. He is expected to publish the first Eastern Haane's report and retake his agenda once again.

[Spain]

THE EUROPEAN NEURODIVERGENT AND DISABILITY RIGHTS ACT, THE FIRST ACT SPAIN WOULD BE UP TO NOT FOLLOW COMPLETELY

Neurodivergent and Disabled people in front of the Congress back in 2019, when they were officially recognised as legal voters

Back in 2019, the Congress recognised the rights of neurodivergent and disabled people to vote on the November General Election. A year later, those rights were established on the Electoral Law which were agreed by the Partido Popular, Partido Socialista Obrero Español, Ciudadanos and other parties. Now, the proposed European Neurodivergent and disability rights Act get the Spanish law on an unconfortable position, which is more unconfortable when the 4 major parties have stood against the act.

On the one hand, the Spanish Government could just say they actually allow neurodiveregent and disabled people to vote, but that wouldn't be certainly true: Disabled people that are capable of understanding the meaning of voting are allowed to take part in election, but not those who are not capable, can't vote. In the other hand, it's fine those people aren't allowed to vote: The Spanish system avoids rigging the election or that the one who chose the vote on behalf of the neurodivergent person chose it uncorrectly. Then, it is fair according to the logic, the sense of justice and also, being fair with everybody.

But what does the people think? Manolo is the grandfather of Inés, a 19-yeal-old woman which is unable to decide by herself as she is not able to talk and her capacities don't allow her to say who does she want to vote. He says "my grandaughter is unable to express herself, and I would feel bad if my son or my daughter-in-law chose the wrong party for her. I've never voted President Aguilar, nor I'm happy with his measures. But in this topic, he is right: we need those people to feel represented, not to allow their parents to have a second vote acting falsely on behalf of her children". Whether if you agree with Manolo or not, one thing is very clear. The Government is not going to apply it completely.

[Spain]

DASTIS: CZECH SLAVIAN GOVERNMENT BEHAVIOUR MAKES US THINK ON SANCTIONS

Alfonso Dastis, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, has been asked today by one of our journalists about the current happenings taking place at Czech Slavia. At first, he smiled as if he didn't know what to say, but immediately after that, we answered: "Well, Czech Slavia is always concerning, even if we have good relationships, we knew they are not the home for Freedom or Democracy, but if the opposition parties and the media are saying the truth, then we have no choice but sanction Czech Slavia with the measures being proportional to the happenings."

Dastis also wanted to remark the International Agenda of the Spanish Government: "We are planning a summit with Prime Minister Bridges of Reitzmag by the end of 2020 and in the next days, we will be calling Sauli Niniisto, the Prime Minister of Mennrimiak, to finally end the bad relationships and start a new era of cooperation with them. And finally, we plan to meet with other leaders on the proposed Eurorail summit."

[Spain]

SPAIN GETS NUKES AFTER ENAA APPROVAL

All started back in the Francoist Dictatorship. During those year, Franco and its Government started planning the Proyecto Islero, a project which pretended to grant Spain with nukes. By that time, the European Nuclear Applications Authority didn't exist, and Spain was isolated from the rest of Europe. Soon, Spain got to produce nukes, or at least, trying to get them. The project was put in hold after no more funds arrived to the development centre, so it closed. But in 1971, Spain was back in competition, trying to produce nukes and even planning to nuke the old colonies on the other side of the Adventuranza Strait. But this never got to happen, and in 1981, President Suárez cancelled the project.

Despite trying to produce its own nukes, Spain had also an affair with foreign nukes. In the middle of the cold war, 2 bombers crashed over the Almería's village of Palomares, dropping 4 nukes around the city. Fortunately, none of them exploded because the nukes had a system to avoid any explosion in case of colision. The nukes were taken back, but radiation is still a thing on Palomares. A 5th part of the whole content of Plutonium that was released from the nukes is still on the air, and can easily be detected. Also, the ambassador of the country the nukes were from and Minister Fraga took a bath in Palomares' beach to prove it was safe.

Today, Spain received the "great" news. 75 nuclear warheads is the amount the European Nuclear Application Authority has authorised Spain to produce during a year, and being able to apply for more the 5th December 2021. Some parties have reacted to the announcement, like VOX, which leader has said the Government "doesn't like Franco but they imitate him to get those Spanish-made nukes", while Unidas Podemos and Rif's Future have condemned this request and added: "if the nukes are tested in El Rif, the Government will prove those citizens don't care for them." Antequera is right now suffering huge traffic problems, not only because of the Constitution and Inmaculada's bank holiday, which last until Tuesday, but for protests against nukes.

[Spain]

SPAIN CELEBRATES THE 42ND ANNIVERSARY OF ITS CONSTITUTION

The King, delivering a speech to the Congreso

Yesterday, Spain celebrated the 42nd Anniversary of its Constitution. 42 years ago, the Spanish people voted on a referendum whether to approve or disapprove the Constitution after around 40 years of Dictatorship under Franco's power. Now, 42 years later, the Constitution have been changed entirely and on the 4th of December, the new constitution passed the last proceeding before being published on the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE).

Yesterday, the King Felipe VI delivered a speech to thedeputees and the senators. In that speech, the King called to "protect our democracy and accomplish the laws" and he said the new Constitution "has proven the politicians being able to agree very important measures and make a new Constitution for a 21st Century Spain." The whole Congress clapped and then, the President adressed the aim to "move this country towards a new direction".

[Spain]

LOTERÍA NACIONAL - SORTEO EXTRAORDINARIO DE NAVIDAD: 72897, AWARDED WITH 4.000.000 EUROS

If you had bought the number 72,897, today it's your lucky day. At 12:02 CEST, 1 hour less in the Canary Islands, this number came out along with the 1st Award on the Christmas Special Lottery, worth 400,000 Euros per tenth-share in a lottery ticket. Córdoba, Bilbao or Punta Umbría have been 3 of the many awarded towns that are enjoying the happiness and excitement of being awarded with such a huge amount of money. Champange and lots of people celebrating have been the main characters of the day, and as of now, they are still celebrating on the streets all around Spain.

2,408 billion Euros have been given away by Loterías y Apuestas del Estado on the Sorteo Extraordinario, as every year. But this time, less people have played the Lottery, a 11% os decrease in comparison with last year's players. The historical lottery seller in Madrid, Doña Manolita, has also given away lots of awards as every year, including the very known petrol station in Tenerife.

[Spain]

AGUILAR BALANCE OF 2020 - "WE ARE READY TO FACE 2021 AND BE BETTER THAN WE WERE IN 2020"

Jesús Aguilar has made a balance of the Year 2020 this morning in the Palacio de la Moncloa in which he has exhibited the Government's report where the promises and things done by the Government have been explained and compared with the last year report. Jesús Aguilar has stated that "No other Government has ever risked its power by reforming the Electoral Law and the Constitution on the same year and calling for elections. Spain has proven itself to be a democratical country, by giving representation to every single autonomous community, protectorate, pre-autonomic state, automical cities or our plazas de soberanía."

The President then addressed the European Union international stage: "During this year, Spain has been involved on a conflict with the Kingdom of Reitzmag and the Kingdom of Mennrimiak, apart from managing to get representation on the European Commission, with Jean-Claude Juncker as the Internal Affairs Commissioner; on the European Court of Justice with Juan Luis López Guerra; accomplishing with the Elected and Accountable Council Act by calling an election and the Spanish people choosing Donald Tusk, as strengthening the relationships with Inquista, Fremet, Vayinaod, Montenbourg, Leagio, Icholasen, Inimicus, the United Duchies, North Diessen and Nofoaga. About the conflicts I mentioned, the first one was solved some months ago while the other has been put on hold, which means it isn't a concern to us right now. Spain has also extended its influence on the European stage with the diplomatic summits we have had during this year. We created the sound taxes in Gibraltar and Adventuranza, got a license for the production of nukes, upgraded the detection radars on the Isla de Alborán to detect illegal inmigrants from the south of Europe and drug dealers, increased the security of the plazas de Soberanía in Alhucemas, Chafarinas, el Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera and the Isla Perejil, which was nearly invaded in 2002. Since now on, a permanent military group on the Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera will be in charge of their protection, along with the Regulares of Ceuta and Melilla."

To end his speech, Jesús Aguilar has spoken about his compromises and proposals for 2021, and finally he has made a statement about the upcoming year: "We are ready to face 2021 and be better than we were in 2020. The Kingdom of Spain is a stable place, and we will all face 2021 with lots of ambition and aim of doing great things here. Unity is the key to continue our progress, and will always be the key to face the challenges of a new territorial order in our country which will finally end the Constitutional reform process. Thank you very much, and Feliz 2021."

[Spain]

EMU, ADOPTED AS OFFICIAL CURRENCY IN THE TREATY OF FINISTERRE'S SIGNATORY MEMBERS

The European Monetary Unit (EMU) has finally ended its testing period to become the official currency of Spain, Montenbourg, Inquista, Vayinaod, Fremet and Icholasen, which means the currency will be used on Copala City and New Saint Regina. The EMU banknotes and coins were ready and since 2021 arrived, everyone has said goodbye to their national currency and welcomed the new European Monetary Unit.

Now, the new Bank of Europe headquarters and leader shall be agreed between member states on a vote. A new era have started for those countries, which President Jesús Aguilar addressed after welcoming the new year: "Now, the introduction of the European Monetary Unit is a step further to strenghthen relationships with our great allies: Inquista, Vayinaod, Icholasen, Fremet and Montenbourg. All together, we will be able to share our currency and bring new growth to our economies."

[Spain]

STORM FILOMENA BLOCKS MADRID AND TESTS SPAIN

Storm Filomena arrived to Spain yesterday from Andalucía, where it has dropped huge amounts of rain. 2 persons have died in Fuengirola (Málaga), after the Fuengirola River water dragged them. While the south tries to recover from it, despite more rains coming tomorrow, the centre and north of the country is endangered. AEMET (Agencia Estatal de Meteorología) has issued Red Alerts in Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha and Valencia, with Orange and Yellow Alerts level all around Escocia, Cataluña, Aragón, Castilla y León and so on. The coldest temperature record has also been broken in Vega the Liordes (León, Castilla y León) with -35,8 degrees, and in Madrid, people are trapped in the A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-6, M-30, M-40, M-607, A-42 which is completely under the snow and all the roads which head towards the Navacerrada Ski Station in Madrid.

Adolfo Suárez - Madrid Barajas Airport

ENAIRE and AENA have issued a Madrid Barajas Airport clousure due to the heavy snow registered. Right now, it is impossible to land or take off in Madrid's airports, and flights from all around Europe are being diverted to other airports, such as Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Valencia, Alicante, Málaga, Sevilla and Barcelona, while other flights are being cancelled. The Spanish Government has authorised the deployment of the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME) in Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Asturias and Madrid to help the autonomical governments and the machinery deployed on the roads.

Madrid's Mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida

Madrid's Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida has advised everybody in Madrid to stay home due to the risk of trees and roofs falling to the streets. However, the people of Madrid haven't heard their mayor's advise, as the Madrileños are walking by the roads which have been shot down, or skiing in the Gran Vía or in the Puerta del Sol. In Barcelona, the Generalitat de Catalunya has advised everyone to stay away from the beaches, as big waves are expected to hit the city in the next hours.

[Spain]

JUNCKER: AN UNREPETEABLE COMMISSIONER

The Europe-wide known Juncktank float, on an archive photo from the last Commission Elections' campaign

If there's something we will miss after the new Commission is formed, that's Jean-Claude Juncker, and we are already starting to miss him: there's no campaign, no gadgets, no rallies, nothing. Just a few things that were released during his term as Commissioner, or the gorgeous Junckalendar, which ran out of existances in Spain in just 2 hours, and it's being sold all around Europe. Juncker is and will always be remembered, not just for his achievements on the Commission or even managing to win the election twice, defeating Edmund Winston (about who we have asked him); but also remembered as the guy who did know how to laugh of himself, make jokes and more importantly, that never stopped saying the same: "Diplomacy first".

Hux Stevens: Mr. Juncker, thank you for receiving us in your office.
Jean-Claude Juncker: The pleasure is mine.
HS: Will you miss this office when they tell you to leave it?
JCJ: I won't miss it, (He laughs) but it will be weird to wake up the next morning, at the same time to get dressed, have breakfast and leave to this very office, and realize that I'm no longer the Internal Affairs Commissioner. I'll miss the views, the great team that has worked for me during these months, the hospitality of those who helped me during these months, but if there's something I won't miss, that is the hard work I have been doing for 8 months with pleasure and happiness. It is sometimes tiring.
HS: Are you still having nightmares with the Eastern Haane's war?´
JCJ: Sadly, yes. I have seen lots of videos, lots of photos about what happened there, because it was my job, but also my responsability. There are some scaring photos whoch weren't public because it would have been traumatic for many. I didn't like the Reitzic intervention, and many of the photos I have and are still kept are from those bloody days when the Reitzmics just arrived. The Peace Talks I did seemed to work, but the cruel war started just a week after. I hope nothing as cruel and pretrifying as that never happens in the European Union again.
HS: What do you think it's been the best thing you have done in your term?
JCJ: I have done many things during my term as Commissioner, but I would like to be remembered by 3 of them, which I cannot pick one from: First, the Eurorail opening between Inimicus and Spain, with services running since today. Second, the European Green Deal, which I hope to see completed by the time I run again for elections, and last but not least, both European Leaders Summit have been an achievement I didn't expect, and it has been really useful for me to focus on what the real matter was: Bringing Europe closer.
HS: And have you achieved the aim of bringing Europe closer?
JCJ: I'm leaving Commission with the relief of doing my job very well, so I guess I did. I brought Spain and Reitzmag closer, for example, and now they are best friends. I have also mediated on the Caspian Sea's problems, for example, and I don't regret doing that on the very same day as my birthday. When you work for Europe, you need to be avilable every day, from Monday to Sunday. And if that includes hosting a meeting on the very same day as your birthday, then you do the meeting instead. The European Union isn't a joke, it's a serious organisation which needs to have constant attention by those running it. If that fails, then the European Union will fall apart.
HS: Talking about falling apart, we all knew Speaker Firoux was leaving the Council, as the European Progressive Alliance direction. Is the EPA falling apart?
JCJ: There's a famous video of myself answering a question when I was the chancellor of Germanium answering with a single word, let me show you (Juncker gets his mobile out and says 'he has lots of pending WhatsApp and mails to read from yesterday, because he is really busy'. He moves to YouTube and plays the video, where the answer is 'No.') There you have the answer. (He laughs a bit) The European Progressive Alliance won't fall apart just because Mr. Firoux leaves. It will be hard to assimilate his departure, not because he is moving to another party, but he is leaving European Politics and going back to Inquista, and we all support his choice. I'm sure he will keep campaigning for us and supporting EPA candidates every time we visit Inquista.
HS: Let's talk about Winston, who's running again for Commission...
JCJ: I knew you would ask me about this. (He laughs again) Even though we seem to be fighting all the day and sometimes, some people have told me they seen us as 2 politicians that would kill eachother if they could, I need to tell them that's absolutely false. Edmund and myself are great friends, but just opposed on our views of Europe, that's all. If there's something I like about him, that's his way to see life in private: Have you wondered why you don't know a thing about him? Because he is a pro when it comes to protect his privacy!
HS: Would Winston be a good Commissioner?
JCJ: As I said, I disagree with his political opinions, so it wouldn't be for me. He tried to be Trympov's running mate in the past, which is something I don't understand and sets a bad precedent for him. But maybe the Europeans like him. That's one of the advantages of living and being an European citizen: you must have freedom of speech and you have the right to express your opinion, with no risk of it being censored.
HS: Who are you voting for, Mr. Juncker?
JCJ: Any EPA candidate will have my vote and my endorsement. About the independent candidates, I will need to have a deep think on who am I voting for, follow their campaign or even listening to their proposals. But who knows? When the time comes, I'll vote.
HS: Some said you will stay in Europolis along with Councillor Tusk from Spain, and even being the new Councillor. Is that true?
JCJ: Not entirely. I'll be staying in Europolis after I had spent a month in Spain, with my family and friends. Then I'll start travelling and I expect to return in March here. If Donald wants me to help him, I will be pleased to do so. But I wouldn't run against him on a primary election to decide who is the candidate, because he is doing a great job in the Council, and he is one of my best friends, so I couldn't do that.
HS: Everyone says you will be unrepeteable. What do you think?
JCJ: (He laughs) Well, I think there are many people that can do the same as I did in my campaigns, but no one will do it. I have never told this to anyone, and now I want all of Europe to know: one of my friends told me to ride a tank float in Copala City if I was brave enough, and we bet 15€. I told him I would do it, and that's how the Junckgadgets started. I usually make jokes about me, give a like on Twitter to the memes I see about me and I love it. The last time I was trending topic was yesterday, and there were lots of memes about me.: my favourite is the one in which I'm seated on the cabin and I'm driving the train; that photo became known by everyone in minutes, and someone made a meme saying: 'Expect me to win these elections... Cause I'm going to be the only candidate who's left alive'; and I did laugh. But I would never do that, so my opponents can relax.
HS: Mr. Juncker, you once hosted a TV programme about political debates when you left politics for the first time, and now that elections have arrived, have you been asked to host the Internal Affairs Debate?
JCJ: Not yet! (He laughs again) About the programme, it ended when I decided to go back to politics and run for Commission, but also, if someone asks me to do it, I'll accept it. I'm not, and I think everybody knows this, a normal Commissioner, and hosting the debate would be an honour and also funny. But that doesn't depend of me at the end.
HS: Will you visit any country more than once during your retirement?
JCJ: Actually yes. I will visit Czech Slavia, but I'll stay longer than in other country. Everyone knows I love Czech Slavia, their people, their cities, their landscapes... So yeah, that's the reason why I'll be staying longer on Czech Slavia.
HS: What do you think about the political situation in Spain?
JCJ: Well, in my opinion it's great: Spain is led by a very young President who is Jesús Aguilar, and he is doing great on managing the problems. He has lost his majority, mostly because of the new Electoral Law he passed, but he has also updated the Constitution, and been brave to do things others wouldn't do. He is also my boss, as I'm a member of the Partido Popular, but he knows perfectly that if I don't like something, I always tell him about it. Sometimes he doesn't like it, but mostly, he does.
HS: Some political analists say Spain will lose relevance on the European Union. What do you think, Mr. Juncker?
JCJ: It is true that Spanish candidates can't run for Commission, nor for the European Court of Justice. But there is a speaker election being held this month aswell, and maybe the European Progressive Alliance tells Mr. Tusk to run for Speaker or Deputy Speaker. So, I wouldn't come up with conclusions so fast, but I would wait until everything has passed to make an analysis about the relevance of certain countries. And I don't say this because I'm Spanish, I would say the same being from Reitzmag, Inimicus or Inquista. Relevance is not really important in the European Union, not much.
HS: Mr. Juncker, I don't want to end this interview without asking you about the future of Europe, and also about your legacy.
JCJ: About my legacy, I have been a man of records, or that's what my wife tells me every day. 4 months ago, I did 20 rallies, never seen in Europe; I called European Leaders to Europolis twice, bringing them together and seeing them seated around the same table, made an European Green Deal, the Eurorail, the Anti-Racism plan, and many more things. I leave the office with lots of things left to do, but I'm confident of coming back and accomplishing them, as Premier or Internal Affairs Commissioner, whatever my EPA colleagues say, it's what I'll do. And about the future of Europe, I don't see it very clear: We will have many good things, but also, we will be seeing many bad things, sadly. But, we cannot avoid that, because that happens every day.
HS: Jean-Claude, it has been a pleasure to spend this time with you. Have a nice retirement.
JCJ: The pleasure is mine. And thank you, I'll try to enjoy it.

[Spain]

BREAKING - 9 EARTHQUAKES HIT GRANADA IN THE LAST HOUR

Some destruction from the 4.4 Earthquake in Granada last Saturday

9 earthquakes have shook Granada in the last hour, according to the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN). Since the 22nd January, Granada hasn't stopped shaking, with the bigest earthquake registered that day with a magnitude of 4.5. People have exited their houses and ran to the streets because of the panic and fear that it's currently being lived there. Juanma Moreno, the Junta de Andalucía's President, has posted a tweet saying "emergency services are ready to act if needed". Luis Salvador, the mayor of Granada, has asked the people to keep calm and return to their houses: 'I've talked with some experts and they have told me this is normal when these kind of scenarios take place. There's no risk of a big one right now, so please, go back to your houses".

The Spanish President, Jesús Aguilar, is following the development of the situation in Granada closely. He has summoned the Mayor of Granada and the President of Andalucía to a videochat meeting to follow the situation closely. On a tweet he has posted, Aguilar has alleged he won't sleep tonight, as now it's much more important to 'give attention to what's currently going on in Granada than sleeping.' We will continue informing during the next hours.

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UPDATE - The Junta de Andalucía and the Territorial delegation in Granada have activated the pre-emergency alert in the whole region. - 0:00 - 27.01.2021
UPDATE - Granada has registered more earthquakes during the night, from 1.0 to 2.9 magnitude. Experts disagree on what could happen during the next days: while some say everything should start to calm down, others suggest a strong one could happen and even a tsunami could happen in Andalucía if a strong earthquake happened in the Mediterranean Sea. The Spanish President, Jesús Aguilar, hasn't slept during the night and he's expected to visit Granada with the President of the Junta de Andalucía today. There are many structural and material damage, but there are no casualties as of now. - 8:56 - 27.01.2021

Juanma Moreno, with the press before starting the visit along with the Spanish President, Jesús Aguilar, in Santa Fe

UPDATE - The President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, and the President of Spain, Jesús Aguilar, have both arrived in Granada and then travelled to Santa Fe in order to check the damages of the earthquakes that struck the village during last night. 1 hour ago, a 2.1 magnitude earthquake struck Santa Fe again, with no damage reported. The area is still under the pre-emergency alert. - 11:39 - 27.01.2021
UPDATE - While the President, Jesús Aguilar, and the President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, were checking the damages in Chauchina, they have been surprised by a 3.0 magnitude earthquake with the epicentre being located in Santa Fe, town they have visited this morning. The citizens and the politicians are alright, and the President has asked everyone to stay inside while he was given a protective helmet. - 13:00 - 27.01.2020
UPDATE - A building in Maracena (Granada) has been evacuated due to a structural damage which was there before the earthquakes, but these has made it worse. The neighbours are allowed to go back to their houses as there's no risk for the building. - 13:33 - 27.01-2020
UPDATE - The Junta de Andalucía's President, Juanma Moreno, has thanked Reitzmag and Alkharya for their proposal and intention to send help, but he says it's not needed as of now. He has also been asked about the deployed aid Reitzmag has sent: "The help packages will be storaged just in case or, if the Kingdom of Reitzmag wants, they can take them home. We are very thankful, but the worse thing we have seen right now is a building in Maracena which has severe structural damage." - 19:03 - 27.01.2021
UPDATE - 3 additional earthquakes have struck Granada region in the last hour: 3.4, 2.4 and 2.3 magnitude. More material damage has been reported, but luckily no one has yet died. - 28.01.2021 - 15:04
UPDATE - 2 earthquakes has struck Santa Fe again. 1 hour ago, a 3.6 magnitude hit the city, and 20 minutes ago, a 4.3 struck the Granada's city once again. People are terrified and they are running to the streets, parks and to their cars, where they are expected to spend the night at. The Authonomical Delagate in Granada from the Junta de Andalucía has strongly advised the Granadinos to stay home. - 20:15 - 28.01.2021

Earthquakes in the last 3 days at Granada and its surrondings

UPDATE - Around 590 earthquakes have struck Granada since December. The last one has just taken place 3 minutes ago, a 3.3 magitude with its epicentre being located at Santa Fe. Before that one, 2 more (2.3 and 2.1 maginute) have also struck Granada. - 20.30 - 28.01.2020
UPDATE - Another earthquake strikes Granada. This time, the earthquake has taken place in Cúllar Vega, having a 3.6 magnitude. - 20:49 - 28.01.2021
UPDATE - Santa Fe has once again been struck by a 3.1 and 3.4 magnitude earthquake 27 and 14 minutes ago. Emergencias 112 Andalucía has dealed with 865 calls since last Saturday and coordinated more than 200 incidences. More than 75 of them were reporting material damage. - 22:44 - 28.01.2021

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The inside of the Iglesia de la Encarnación, in Santa Fe (Granada)

UPDATE - The earthquakes events have damaged the Iglesia de la Encarnación of Santa Fe. The last earthquake, 1.9 magnitude on the Richter scale, has calmed the situation, which was more tense half an hour ago, when a 3.4 earthquake struck Santa Fe once again. Inside the church, some cracks on the roof and the ceiling.

The church's ceiling, with the cracks

UPDATE - 60 earthquakes have struck Granada during the night. The most important ones have been a pair of 3.0 magnitude in Atarfe around 5 AM and a 3.3 magnitude in Santa Fe, which happened 21 minutes ago. - 9:25 - 29.01.2021
UPDATE - A new 3.3 magnitude earthquake has struck Santa Fe 48 minutes ago. There are several material damages in houses and buildings, while the Santa Fe's Town Hall has ordered to retire the bells from the town's historic archs.

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This is a developing event. Please stay tuned for more information

[Spain]

8TV - ELECTORAL CAMPAING IN CATALONIA KICKS OFF

The Catalan Elections will take place the 14th February, and the campaign kicked off yesterday. 8 major parties and some minor ones aswell will compete to achieve their candidates main goal: being the next President of Cataluña. Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya would win the election with 34 seats, followed by Junts with 31 seats and the Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya (PSC) with 30 seats. If we look to a wider range of polls, these 3 parties are the ones which could win the election, and in these 2 weeks, everything could change.

After these 3 parties, we find the low zone of the election: Ciudadanos would get 14 seats, losing 22 since 2017, and then there is a tight battle for survive: The Partido Popular and En Comú Podem would get 7 seats each, while VOX and the Candidatura d'Unitat Popular (CUP), would get 6 seats each. Finally, the PDeCat (Partit Démocrata Europeo Catalán), the Partit Nacionalista de Catalunya (PnC) and the Front Nacional de Catalunya (FNC) Wouldn't be able to enter the "Parlament". There are also sad news for PACMA's voters, as they haven't reach the signs limit to run for the election in all 4 regions.

[Spain]

Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) - Poll for the EU Commission Election

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• Premier Commissioner

If Premier Commissioner elections were today, Leeson from the United Duchies (European Progressive Alliance) would win the election with a 44% if the votes. Being an European Progressive Alliance's candidate gives him a great advantage, but not much. Cocx, from Inimicus, would be the runner-up with a 42% of the votes. The Inimican candidate for Premiership would have won if Leeson wouldn't have run for Premiership. The Spanish were also expecting him to run for Internal Affairs, where he could have ensured victory easily. Finally, Le Berre would get a 14% of the vote, having no chance to win in Spain. Still, she would achieve a victory in Asturias.

• Internal Affairs Commissioner

As Juncker is not running, and no "reasonable" candidate is, according to a 40% of the Spanish people, the race will be tight. Winston would win after his help in Granada as moderating himself by no more than 500 votes, but the Spanish people look closely to his campaign. His victory would be possible thanks to the brand new effect Juncker: The Spanish people wish to see a continuist policy when it comes to Internal Affairs, and a 30% think Winston would represent it. On the other hand, Birdane would be defeated by no more than 500 votes, as she wants to break with everything Juncker did, or that's how the most radical Juncker supporters see her. Still, she would be able to win if she makes a good debate, and if the Spanish people end up liking her platform with other speeches all around Europe.

• Foreign Affairs Commissioner

Reagan and Am Lind would tie in Spain in the Foreign Affairs Race, but Am Lind has some advantage over Reagan. The Duxburian Union experience will be key to decide who wins the race. Reagan has many chances, as he has done several rallies and the Spanish people know about his plaform better than they do with Am Lind's. Many Spanish people will wait for the debate to decide who will they finally vote for.

[Spain]

JUNCKER WON'T CAMPAIGN FOR ANY CANDIDATE

According to different sources close to the current Internal Affairs Commissioner, Jean-Claude Juncker, he would have confirmed them that he won't support any candidate on the upcoming Commission elections publicly. The Commissioner, according to the sources consulted by this newspaper, would have confirmed his aim to stay out of any stage this time. We have called to the Commissioner's public number, to check if this was true.

After having a nice chat with him, we asked about what the sources told us, and this is what he answered: "They are true. My last campaign was 4 months ago, and now I'm retiring because of term limits. It is not the moment to campaign for others, when you leave the office you need to focus on your last days and not on who you want to endorse. I think everyone here already knows who I'm voting for in the Premier Commissioner race, same with the Internal Affairs' or the Foreign Affairs', so there's no need to appear on a stage for that".

With no doubt, Juncker will retire without going back to any stage, maybe a peculiar way to retire; but was there something in his ways that wasn't peculiar itself?

[Spain]

DUCAIN MILITARY - THE NEW ENTERPRISE BETWEEN UNITED DUCHIES AND SPAIN TO SHARE THEIR MILITARY PRODUCTS

The logo of the new enterprise

The Ministry of Defence has agreed with the Government of the United Duchies to create a new private enterprise with Spanish and Duchian funds in order to share their military products. This new enterprise pretends to be a link between both countries to share their military products and upgrade their armies by sharing a common military market and researching towards new military equipment.

Pedro Baños, Minister of Defence, has applauded the creation of this new enterprise: "This new enterprise gives Spain and the United Duchies the chance to share their exclusive products, investing money in the military and researching for new equipment which would protect the Spanish-United Duchies area." The President, Jesús Aguilar, has also been asked about the enterprise and he has stated "his happiness about such a deal coming off." In the other hand, Pablo Iglesias has condemned this happening: "we are not a democratical country anymore: first we get a king which runs away from the country, then we get nukes, now we get an enterprise with one of the most ridiculous countries of Europe. What's next, buying a puppy for the braindead Archbishop of Inquista?"; something that has been condemned by Alfonso Dastis, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation: "if Pablo Iglesias wants to get the European Union's attention, he could get it by winning an election instead of losing seats every time he runs for something."

[Spain]

AGUILAR SENDS A PUPPY TO MIKAELA KLIENBERG AFTER IGLESIAS SAID SHE WAS THE "BRAINDEAD" ARCHBISHOP OF INQUISTA

The puppy that was sent to Klienberg, called Nube (Cloud)

Yesterday, some words coming from Pablo Iglesias made the Spanish Government feel a little earthquake. The words were these: "we are not a democratical country anymore: first we get a king which runs away from the country, then we get nukes, now we get an enterprise with one of the most ridiculous countries of Europe. What's next, buying a puppy for the braindead Archbishop of Inquista?". After that, the Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Minister, Alfonso Dastis, told Iglesias to "win an election instead of losing seats every time he runs for something". But this, according to close sources of the President, Jesús Aguilar, was not enough.

That's why today we have known that a puppy has departed on the first Eurorail service to Saint Dominico this morning along with 2 bodyguards. The puppy, whose name is Cloud (Nube in Spanish), travelled through the Spanish, Red Croatian and Inquistan fields towards the Inquistan Capital City. Once the bodyguards and Cloud arrived to Saint Dominico, the personnel of the Spanish Embassy at Inquista took the relief and carried it to the Archbishop's palace, where she was gifted the puppy. Along with the puppy, President Aguilar added a note: "Dear Mikaela, I'm very sorry for Pablo Iglesias' words. In compensation, let me gift you this puppy. Its name in Nube, or Cloud in English". Pablo Iglesias has just laughed about this and said a motion of no-confidence could be pushed forward by his party.

[Spain]

SPAIN VOTES FOR COCX, BIRDANE AND MITCHELL AFTER THE FIRST ONLINE VOTING OF OUR DEMOCRACY

The Minister of Local Government, announcing the results of the Commission elections

Ana Beltrán, the Minister of Local Government, has announced the results of the European Commission elections, which voting has taken place in an online way. For the Office of Premier Commissioner, Walter Cocx has won the election with a 46% of the total vote, with Leeson just 2 points away and getting an impressive 44% of the vote. This was the first time that a non-European Progressive Alliance (EPA) candidate hasn't won in Spain, something that have got many's attention. Finally, Francois Le Berre has only got a 10% of the total vote, winning just Asturias and its platform just being supported by Unidas Podemos voters.

The voting for the Office of the Internal Affairs Commissioner has been strange as Spain casted the vote for 3 candidates. Münnever Birdane from Alkharya won with a 57% of the vote and a 37 percentual points margin to Winston, who was ranked as the last choice after Jean-Claude Juncker was written-in by many which didn't like none of the candidates. Winston mainly got votes in Granada, where an old woman said she was just voting for him because "the guy deserved to receive a good new today, even though Juncker is way better". Birdane won in every single autonomous community of the country.

Finally, the Office of Foreign Affairs Commissioner went as predicted by polls during the past days: Mitchell Am Lind, from the Duxburian Union, got a landslide victory towards his rival, Ronald Reagan, from Leagio; who only got a 21% of the votes. Spain has massively voted for Mitchell, who won with a 79% of the total votes and every single autonomous community. The debate helped Mitchell towards Reagan, whom debating skills were ranked as "not so good" by a huge majority of the Spanish people.

The voting has taken place through the website eleccioneseuropeascomision.es, which was severely supervised by the Policía Nacional services to avoid rigging on the results. The website had 3 steps to identify yourself: Introduction of the NID, autenfication via email and a password that was later sent by SMS to your mobile phone to finally vote, getting a new SMS to check everything was alright after they had voted. For the older people wishing to vote, the Policía Local from each village with a public notary have visited them in order to cast their votes after calling the phone number which was enabled for them. The vote was then sent into the website with the NID and the special access code which was given to them.

[Spain]

SALVADOR ILLA WINS THE CATALAN ELECTION

Results for the Catalan election 2021

Salvador Illa from the Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya has won the Catalonian Elections with 31 seats with the 99.99% of the total vote being counted. This was unexpected, as Illa was an unknown candidate by many outside Cataluña and nobody understood why Miquel Iceta had declined the offering of leading the candidacy. After Salvador Illa's confirmation as candidate, the polls said the Partit dels Socialistes could win the election, and so they have done it. But still, they didn't get a close margin. Just a few votes and a seat behind them we can find Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, the leftist independentist party.

Junts per Catalunya has got 27 seats, a bad result for the Puigdemont's party which expected to be side to side with Esquerra Republicana. A huge gap behind them we can find the centre-right parties, Ciudadanos and the Partido Popular, and the far-right party VOX. Ciudadanos has managed to resist against the Partido Popular and despite their huge fall from 36 to just 12 seats, they have got more votes than the Jesús Aguilar's party. Alejandro Fernández has got 10 seats, 6 more than in 2017, and also resisted VOX's attacks, which got 9 seats and close to the percentage the Partido Popular got.

Finally, on the bottom, we can find En Comú Podem, the Catalonian branch of Podemos, with 8 seats, the Candidatura d'Unitat Popular, with Dolors Sabater, former mayor of Badalona as their candidates and with just 5 seats, one more than in 2017, and 3 new parties with one seat each: The Partit Dèmocrata Europeu Catalá (PDeCat), the Partit Nacionalista de Catalunya (PNC) and the Front Nacional de Catalunya (FNC). When it comes to agreements, the Constitutionalist parties can form a government leaded by Saldor Illa, but he would need VOX's support. The pro-independence parties haven't got more than the 50% of the vote, staying 6.30 percentual points away from that objective and just achieving a 43.70% of the votes. We will see what will happen in Cataluña in the next few days.

[Spain]

MICHEL ELECTED AS NEW COUNCIL SPEAKER, TUSK ELECTED AS DEPUTY SPEAKER

Michel and Tusk, posing for a official photo after the Council vote

Charles Michel from the Kingdom of Fremet and Donald Tusk from the Kingdom of Spain have been elected as the Council new Speaker and Deputy Spaker respectively. Both have got 11 votes supporting them, and that makes the European Progressive Alliance to control, once again, the Council on its highest positions, which benefits the oldest active Europarty after seeing how their possibilities of entering the new Commission just dissapeared with the what is called "Leesaster", a mix between the candidate's surname and the word disaster that has extended between the former EPA followers.

After the results of the vote were announced by the now former Speaker Edward Firoux, from Inquista, Tusk has taken the floor and addressed the Council, saying Councillors had a "lots of things to work on" and he has wished he could "count with as many European Councillors as possible to move forward a new era on the European legislation." A new era starts today on the European Council, with Firoux, one of the most controversial speakers ever, now being out of the Council and European Politics and his old European Progressive Alliance taking over the most representative institution of the European Union. From EUnews, we wish Mr. Michel and Mr. Tusk the best of luck.

[Spain]

SEVERAL RIOTS AFTER THE ARREST OF PABLO HASÉL, A CATALAN RAPPER

Riots a few minutes ago in Catalonia

The Mossos d'Escuadra are having to deal with several riots around Catalonia (especially in Barcelona, Lleida, Tarragona and Girona) after this morning's arrest of Pablo Hasél, a well-known Catalan rapper which was convicted to prison after carrying out a sentence for terrorism's exaltation and slanders to the Royal Household. His new sentence just included 9 months of prison, which means he wouldn't need to enter the prison, but he has several precedents: He assaulted a TV3 journalist, as he also attacked a witness from a trial against a police officer who was acussed of attacking one of his friends (the police officer from Barcelona got absolved in the end).

Unidas Podemos has condemned this arrest and has asked the Goverment to resign if they are a "truly democratic Government", but the Minister of Justice, Rafael Catalá, has answered back to Pablo Echenique, Podemos' spokeperson: "we have these kind of crime sin our laws, I would like to remove them, but this is not a democratic anomaly nor it is repression against certain ideologies or groups. If somebody thinks that, then I urge him to read the Código Penal and check if what I'm saying it's true. As of now, we will work towards removing these speech crimes, but we need 3/5 of the Congress. If the other parties want to help us, we will be pleased to receive their help." The President would have also called the King, who would have agreed on removing these crimes from the Código Penal.

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UPDATE - The night has been tense and violent in Catalonia. The Mossos d'Escuadra police office at Vic was assaulted last night by a group of rioters. Many police officers were injured in Vic as in Barcelona and Lleida. The Policía Nacional is now having to charge in Madrid after the people started to lauch objects to the police. 18 people were arrested last nght and 33 ended up being injured - 20:06 - 17.02.2021