Turre “happy slapping” in the hands of the Guardia Civil

The Guardia Civil have confirmed that they are investigating, ex oficio (such is Spain – since nobody has complained, the coppers have to have a “reason” to do their job) a serious incident in which a youth was quite seriously “happy slapped” in the centre of Turre, and the images distributed via social media.

Quiet carriages introduced to the AVE

That most treasured hang-over from British Rail days, the “silent carriage” has finally arrived to Spains most treasured transport institution – the AVE (high speed train network) will start having shaduppaurface carriages. Mobile phones will be prohibited inside these temples to silence, lights will be dimmed and the official announcements turned down to a whisper.

Handwritten tax forms banned by the Tax Office

Hacienda has banned handwritten tax forms and will reject any sent in that are not “mechanically printed”. Which is a bit of a bugger for the 35,000 tax payers who last year didn’t have access to a computer and actually went down to their nearest tax office, got the forms, found a pen and filled it in, longhand. Hacienda says that some tax payers -such as the elderly or the illiterate, their words – don’t Continue reading Handwritten tax forms banned by the Tax Office

Electric companies must repay 680 million euros to customers (that’s me and you!)

40 euros apiece is what OCU, the consumer union, reckons we’ve been overcharged on our last three electric bills. It’s because the storms in the north of Spain have made the renewable energy generators produce more electricity than expected, driving down prices. That means the electric companies must repay 680 million euros to their customers, and will, in the July bill.

Adolfo Suarez, first democractic PM of Spain, will die this weekend says son

Adolfo Suárez, the first Prime Minister of Spain after Franco’s death, and the man who lead the transition from a military dictatorship to a semi-functioning democracy, is expected to die this weekend, according to a tearful statement from his son. Suárez has suffered from severe Alzheimer’s, which has left him unable to cope by himself since 2005. Suárez was a close friend of King Juan Carlos, who has visited him several times during his long Continue reading Adolfo Suarez, first democractic PM of Spain, will die this weekend says son