BIG COURGETTE
Spain has topped the ranks in terms of the best yield of courgettes and squash, according to data from the United Nations. However, the data revealed this week refers to the year 2012, when 502.6 million kilos were produced on some 10,000 hectares of land, giving Spain 5.03 kilos per square metre yield. Globally, a total of 24,568.1 million kilos of courgette and squash were produced, with a worldwide average yield of 1.37 kilos per square metre. In terms of the total produced, Spain is in tenth place, with China, India and Russia leading the scale respectively.
WAGONS ROLL
A freight train that set off for Madrid on the 18th of November is not expected to arrive until the 9th of December, 3 weeks later. The train, which is 82 carriages long, departed the Chinese industrial city of Yiwu on a 6,200 mile journey to Madrid, on the longest run ever carried out by a train in history, longer than Russia’s famed Trans-Siberian Railway. Yiwu is the largest wholesale centre for small consumer goods in China and the opening of the line is part of Beijing’s new efforts to revitalize intercontinental land trade.
Vat CATS
Spain is to introduce real time Vat reporting for companies that invoice more than 6 million euro from 2017, according to an announcement this week by the government. The move will also allow companies to reclaim Vat on a more regular basis.
NO BATS
Despite scrapping a range of clothing, Valencia football club have issued a statement denying any current legal battle with DC Comics over the use of a logo that was identical to the trademarked Batman symbol. A complaint was raised in 2012 when Valencia tried to register a bat design, but recent reports suggest the matter may have been reignited.
OUI TOLL
A French private equity group has announced the purchase of a 65% stake in Tunels Barcelona Cadi, which comprises of two separate toll sections and is currently owned by Brazilian bank BTG Pactual. Spanish toll road operator Abertis will retain their 35% in the toll road, after Ardian agreed the purchase for an undisclosed amount.
METRO BOOST
The Spanish Government has agreed to fund a fifth line on the Ho Chi Minh City metro system, pledging 3.4 million euro in funding. The funding is intended for the pre-feasibility study for the line, which is designed to link the Saigon Bridge with the new Can Giuoc Bus Station. Spain is also prepared to offer 15 million in loans to other companies involved in the scheme which is intended to “create favourable conditions for Spanish investors to do business in the city”. Spanish investors are currently involved in 13 projects in the city, with trade deals so far this year valued at around 300 million euro.
SHIP SHAPE
Spain is amongst a number of countries reportedly facing legal action from the European Commission for failing to comply and enforce sulphur limit regulations. The aim of the legislation is to lower the maximum sulphur content in marine fuel in ships in EU waters to 0.5% by 2020. Spain, Belgium, Cyprus and Hungary should have enforced the directive before June 18, 2014, with a warning having been sent to the offenders in July giving them 2 months notice of legal action should they fail.
ECOLOGICAL RISKS
A survey conducted by the Canary Islands government shows that 75 percent of the region’s inhabitants oppose offshore oil prospecting in the area. Prospection work has been underway in waters off the archipelago since last Tuesday after Spanish oil giant Repsol was authorized to search for oil off the coasts of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The regional government has been a vocal opponent of the exploration project, alleging it poses potentially devastating ecological risks in an area that lives off tourism.
BIG COURGETTE
Spain has topped the ranks in terms of the best yield of courgettes and squash, according to data from the United Nations. However, the data revealed this week refers to the year 2012, when 502.6 million kilos were produced on some 10,000 hectares of land, giving Spain 5.03 kilos per square metre yield. Globally, a total of 24,568.1 million kilos of courgette and squash were produced, with a worldwide average yield of 1.37 kilos per square metre. In terms of the total produced, Spain is in tenth place, with China, India and Russia leading the scale respectively.
GUARDAMAR WASTE FLEET
Guardamar has launched the tender process for the supply of two new municipal waste collection and street cleaning vehicles to improve the current council fleet. The maximum budget for the supply of the two compactor trucks is 393,000 euros. However, the basic tender budget is determined by the difference in the price of new vehicles and the sale price of the two vehicles being replaced, valued at around 40,000 euros. Interested bidders have until 26 December submit their proposals.
CYCLIST KILLED
A cyclist, believed to be a 64 year old male, was killed on Thursday whilst travelling along the N-340 road in Orihuela, after being in collision with a car. The incident occurred at around 15:40 at kilometre point 681.600, according to the emergency services.
SEA LION THREAT
Experts from the Terra Natura animal park in Murcia have been holding a conference this week to raise awareness over the threat to sea lions. With talks and activities aimed at all ages, it was stated that a number of sea lion species are now at serious risk of extinction, the biggest risk to the population, the park explains, is overfishing, the same threat to most marine wildlife.
MINE THEFT
Officers from the Guardia Civil in the region of Murcia has been taking action against individuals found to have taken items from the Sierra Minera mining areas of Portmán, which have included bits from seemingly derelict buildings, such as bricks and girders, as well as apparently natural resources such as minerals and rocks. A total of 10 people were arrested in the operation, in which 5 tons of materials were recovered.
MAS TROUBLE FOR CATALONIA
In a move that was widely expected Spain’s Attorney General Eduardo Torres-Dulce has filed formal charges against Catalonia leader Artur Mas in connection with the November 9 non-binding vote on self-rule for the region held in violation of a court injunction. Mas is accused of disobedience, breach of public duties, misuse of public money and usurpation of powers. Prosecutors are also said to be levying the same charges against Mas’s deputy, Joana Ortega, and regional education commissioner Irene Rigau
CORRUPTOS NO
During his first appearance at the Open Meeting organized by the Psoe in Burgos, the secretary general of the PSOE, Pedro Sánchez, said that the electoral program for the socialist group will include a prohibition of tax amnesties, as well as an assurance that corrupt politicians will not only go to prison but will be forced to return what they have stolen. The Psoe will also repeal the current labour reform legislation and create a “citizen´s contract” to end “fiscal injustice”.
EXCALIBUR INJUSTICE
The Superior Court of Madrid has rejected a complaint by animal protection groups against the Minister of Health for accountability in the sacrifice of the dog named Excalibur, who belonged to Ebola stricken nurse Teresa Romero. The court rules that citing the animal protection laws as the cause for the complaint are “mere subjective opinion”, as the decision to destroy the dog was an “administrative” one, on account that health authorities are responsible to “take appropriate measures to protect the health of the public and prevent loss or damage”, and they considered the dog a threat thereof, despite evidence to the contrary, according to the case.
MORTGAGES UP
Data released this week show that the number of mortgages on properties in Spain is at a level similar to 2012, with 19,323 home loans secured in the month of September, an increase of 30% over the previous year. The figure is also 28% higher than that in August, largely thought to be down to the continual recovery of the country and lower interest rates. The average amount of mortgages has also increase, standing at 107,850 euro in late September, 10.6% more than the 102,430 euro of the previous month, and 5.3% more than in August. This figure is at the highest level since November, 2011, and has grown by 14% from the lows of April 2013.
ELECTRICITY SAVINGS
Dolores Council say they are determined to reduce the cost to city coffers of the annual electricity bills of various public facilities and have handed the job of making the savings to the socialist Joaquín Hernández. The intention is to achieve a reduction of 15,776 Euros per year, with up to 65% lower consumption in municipal buildings. Actions will include the replacement of existing lighting with LED lights and solar panels.
PRIESTS ARRESTED
A Granada judge investigating a complaint filed against 10 local priests and two laypeople for pedophilia has ordered the first arrests in the case. Three priests and a layperson were detained on Monday and taken to National Police headquarters. Among those arrested is Father Román V., the alleged head of the group. The Archbishop of Granada has already removed the priests accused of abuse from their duties.
ECOLOGICAL RISKS
A survey conducted by the Canary Islands government shows that 75 percent of the region’s inhabitants oppose offshore oil prospecting in the area. Prospection work has been underway in waters off the archipelago since last Tuesday after Spanish oil giant Repsol was authorized to search for oil off the coasts of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The regional government has been a vocal opponent of the exploration project, alleging it poses potentially devastating ecological risks in an area that lives off tourism.
GRUESOME DISCOVERY
Guardia Civil officers in the Ses Salines area of the island of Mallorca discovered the body of a man in a caravan this week, believed to be of German nationality and in his late 60´s, who is believed to have died several weeks ago. The body of the man was also found to have been eaten by the two dogs who accompanied him in his home, one of which was also found dead from apparent dehydration.
Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/45763/
Telford | property for sale in Telford | property to let in Telford | Send Money to Spain | Spain Property | Online International Payments | Property in Spain
Costa Blanca Property for Sale | Cabo Roig Property for Sale | International Payments |
Other Articles
COUNCIL PLENARY DOMINATED BY ORIHUELA COSTA ISSUES
TORRY FLATTER TO DECEIVE IN AWAY DEFEAT
