November 2, 2014

Photo: AFP

Tutu backs Catalan independence vote

Campaigners demanding a vote on independence for the Catalonia region from Spain said Saturday they had gained the backing of two Nobel Peace Prize winners including Desmond Tutu. READ

Photo: AFP

Suarez's home bow ends in shock defeat

Luis Suarez's Barcelona home debut ended in a shock defeat as Joaquin Larrivey's solitary strike handed Celta Vigo a famous 1-0 win the Camp Nou. READ

Franco's Interior Minister Rodolfo Martin Villa. Photo: AFP

Argentina seeks Franco minister extradition

An Argentine judge has issued arrest and extradition warrants for two ex-ministers of Francisco Franco's regime and 18 others, invoking "universal jurisdiction" for serious rights abuses. READ

A file photo of Elorriaga Kunze. Photo: AFP

Germany arrests ETA fugitive bomb expert

German police arrested one of the most wanted fugitive members of the Basque separatist group ETA, Tomas Elorriaga Kunze, who is wanted for forgery and bomb-making, the Spanish government said. READ

Photo: AFP

Canaries oil plan prompts EU complaints

Major environmental campaign groups and local councils complained to EU authorities on Friday over plans to explore for oil and gas off Spain's Canary Islands, a popular tourist destination. READ

Melilla border fence. Photo: AFP

EU slams Spain over Morocco migrants

The European Union on Friday expressed concern about Madrid's treatment of migrants crossing to Spain's north African territory of Melilla and demanded an explanation after a video showed abuse by border guards. READ

Photo: AFP

Tense standoff mounts over Catalonia vote

The Spanish government launched a fresh judicial challenge Friday against plans for a symbolic vote on independence for the Catalonia region, whose leaders promptly vowed their own legal counter-attack. READ

Presented by Home Exchange

A property listed in Costa Rica on the Home Exchange website. Photo: Home Exchange

Travel & live like a local with Home Exchange

Swap your home, save a fortune, and have a great time in the process. The Local finds out about the Home Exchange phenomenon, plus get 50% off your first year with our exclusive offer. READ

Malaga airport: Shutterstock

Airport authority AENA sell-off hits delay

A last-minute objection by the Economy Ministry means that the agency which manages Spain’s airports will remain entirely in public hands at least until 2015. READ

Weather watch

Temperatures are set to plummet and come in line with averages for this time of year. Photo of rainy day: Shutterstock

Spain's 'mini-summer' set for snowy finale

After a period of unusually warm weather across much of the country, Spain is now set for cooler temperatures with a cold front bringing rain by the bucketful and even the first snows of the autumn. READ

Features

Spain's stunning Alhambra Islamic palaces: Shutterstock

Take The Local's Spanish history quiz

Spain is full of famous places, faces and names. But how well do you know the history of this amazing country? Find in The Local's latest quiz! READ

The Local List

You had better listen up. Photo of woman with wooden spoon: Shutterstock

Top ten: things your Spanish 'mamá' says

Spanish mothers are renowned for their close relationships with their children. But while they may come across as over-protective, they ultimately do it because they care. Here, The Local lists ten things she might say. READ

Cinema prize

Antonio Banderas has starred in over 100 movies, playing Benito Mussolini and Che Guevara along the way. Screen grab/YouTube

Gallery: Hits and misses of Antonio Banderas

The Málaga-born actor who cut his teeth with Pedro Almodóvar before conquering Hollywood is to be awarded the Goya (or Spanish Oscar) of Honour for lifetime achievement by Spain's Film Academy. Here The Local casts an eye over some of the best and worst films he's starred in. READ

Spanish Face of the Week

Francisco Nicolás Gómez Iglesias was one of just 2,000 people at the proclamation party for Spain's new king Felipe (pictured) in June. File photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFP

Exposed: student conman who fooled king

A 20-year-old student from an elite business school who was arrested last week on suspicion of swindling, forging documents and impersonating public officials cozied up to the cream of Spanish society, even managing to attend King Felipe VI’s proclamation. READ

Spanish Language

Photo of a couple: Shutterstock

Top Ten: best new Spanish words

Spain’s royal language watchdog, the RAE, has just published its massive new dictionary. Here The Local lists ten of the best words appearing for the very first time for your reading pleasure. READ

More News

Cheerleaders in Halloween costumes perform during a Euroleague basketball match in Madrid. Photo: DANI POZO/AFP

Halloween tragedy jail terms an ‘insult’: mum

Two years after five young women were killed in Madrid Halloween party disaster, the mother of one victim makes a passionate plea for justice as the case judge also slams Spain’s court system. READ

A man cleans a relatives grave in Barcelona on All Saints' Day, November 1st, 2012. Photo: Lluis Gene/AFP

Spanish cemetery launches online funerals

A groundbreaking new service in the Spanish city of Valencia will let people watch the funerals of their loved ones online wherever they are in the world. READ

Catalan independentist flags during celebrations of Catalonia National Day in Barcelona on September 11, 2014. Photo: Lluis Gene/AFP

Cabinet moves to block new Catalan ballot

Catalonia’s breakaway president called for a popular consultation on November 9 with same questions on region’s status as had been planned for court-suspended referendum. READ

Former Spanish leader José María Aznar was angered by the West's support of rebels who eventually ousted Colonel Gaddafi from power. Photo: Pedro Armestre/AFP

Aznar admits to multi-million Gaddafi deal

Former Spanish prime minister signed a contract with an energy company to clinch the Libyan’s approval for desalination plants, but war against the dictator frustrated the eventual sale. READ

Alicante town hall officials open the first Dealz store on the Costa Blanca.

UK-style 'pound shops' launch in crisis-hit Spain

The UK chain Poundland has entered the Spanish market with its formula of top-brand products at rock-bottom prices now available in Alicante, Torremolinos and, as of Friday, Madrid. READ

A bullfight in Malaga in August. File photo: Jorge Guerrero/AFP

Ex-bullfighter threatens lawyer with hoe

A former bullfighter was arrested by police on Thursday after he appeared at the offices of his lawyer bearing a hoe and spraying insults. READ

The ring would transfer its profits to Morocco where its leaders would launder the money by buying real estate. Photo of man with needle: Shutterstock

Police smash major heroin ring in Catalonia

Police in Spain's Catalonia region said on Thursday they have crushed a major heroin smuggling ring with the arrest of 36 people and the seizure of 2 million ($2.5 million) worth of heroin. READ

Spanish High Court judge Eloy Velasco arrives at the National Court in Madrid on Thursday, during a hearing in an alleged corruption scandal involving local government construction contracts. Photo: A

Spanish judge accuses 26 in graft scandal

A judge in Spain has launched judicial investigations into 26 suspects including governing party politicians and businessmen in a bribery probe that has seriously embarrassed the government, according to written rulings released on Thursday. READ

The Local List

Photo of corrupt man: Shutterstock

Ten shocking corruption cases hurting Spain

In a week which has seen yet another major corruption scandal bust wide open in Spain, The Local casts an eye over some of the major cases still causing headaches for the country's judges. You've been warned. READ

A spokesman for Spain's centrist UPyD party said the reform was "one of worst laws of this legislature". Google photo: Shutterstock

Spain approves hotly disputed 'Google tax'

Technology giant Google says it is "disappointed" after Thursday's decision by the Spanish parliament to approve the introduction of charges for aggregating news stories in search engine results. READ

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From our other editions:

The Local List

Photo: Wings for Life World Run

Ten things to never say to an Austrian

Since it declared its everlasting neutrality on October 26, 1955, the national holiday, the Alpine country of Austria has gone from strength to strength, boasting a staggering twenty Nobel Prize laureates, including seven in physiology or medicine, five in chemistry, three in physics and economist Friedrich Hayek. READ

Islamic State (Isis) supporters in Syria. Photo: Rami Al-Sayed/AFP

Swiss confirm European terror plot by three Iraqis

Swiss authorities confirmed on Friday that three Iraqis arrested in March are suspected of having planned a terrorist attack in Europe on behalf of the Islamic State group. READ

Photo: DPA

Thief distracts staff by squirting her breast milk

A mother in central Germany came up with an unusual tactic to allegedly steal from a pharmacy on Monday. READ

A Russian MiG-29. Photo: Krasimir Grozev/WikiCommons

Russia simulated an attack on Denmark

The Danish Defence Intelligence Service has released its new long-term risk assessment which reveals that Russia carried out a "a more offensive" military exercise aimed at a heavily-populated target. READ

A man holds medals during the naturist swimming championship. Photo: Sebastien Bozon/AFP

France falls to Germans in nude swim tourney

France is known for its clothing-optional beaches, but this weekend it was an international nude swimming competition that drew au naturel swimmers. And of course the Germans took the most medals. READ

Ebola crisis

S troops at the Vicenza base. Photo: Edward Braly/HO US Army/AFP

Uproar over US troops' Ebola quarantine in Italy

The decision to put a dozen American soldiers returning from Liberia into quarantine for Ebola at their base near Venice rather than in the United States sparked controversy in Italy on Wednesday. READ