Latest Spanish News In English
La nueva pareja de Aldama es la ex de Alvise y eurodiputada de Vox: Mireia Borrás
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-11 08:30:31Just a moment...
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Trump amenaza con represión en Los Ãngeles si continúan las protestas
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-11 06:26:24Just a moment...
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Boars on the Beaches
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-11 05:44:27Some people find beaches boring, others find boars hogging their beach towels, which was the case on a beach in the Paraje Natural de Maro-Cerro Gordo.
One moment there was an exclusively human occupation of the beach and the next, three piglets and two sows saunted onto the sand, owing to the whiff of grub.
This occurred last Saturday on the beach known as Las Alberquillas, which is, as mentioned above, in a wildlife and fauna-protected area, so mountain goats, wild boars and the occasional deer can be seen there⦠but not normally on the beach outside winter when humans are scarce.
In this case, it was mid afternoon, around four when bathers caught sight of our porkie friends sidling up to the sand. These wild boars were obviously accustomed to humans flopping around on beaches and can distinguish between this kind of human and the ones the tip-toe through the undergrowth with guns.
Now, this snuffling patrol was soon brought to the beach by the smell of bocadillos, tortillas and watermelon skins, etc. In fact, one sow made off with a packet of crisps⦠Is nothing sacred?
Anyway, one woman who was dozing awoke to see a snout hovering over her face. Itâs not clear which of the two scared the most crap out of the other as a result.
(News: Maro-Cerro Gordo, Axarquia, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia)
Keywords: Boars, Sows, Piglets, Beach, Smell of Food, Beachgoers, Surprised, Maro-Cerro Gordo, Las Alberquillas
news, andalucia, malaga, costa del sol, axarquia, nerja/maro, boars, sows, piglets, beach, smell of food, beachgoers, surprised, maro-cerro gordo, las alberquillas
Medical Pit Stop
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-11 05:50:48If you had wandered through the Town Hall Square (Almuñécar) on the 5th you would have seen a large tent manned by chemists imparting free analysis to anybody who approached their tables.
This was an initiative put on by the Colegio de Farmacéuticos de Granada in which they took the blood pressure, made skin analysis, explained cardiovascular risk, checked osteoporosis, diabetes and even peopleâs emotional health.
Mayor Juanjo Ruiz Joya, together with the Councillor for Public Health, Carlos Ferrón, accompanied staff from every pharmacy in Almuñécar and La Herradura, of which there are around 20.
The Mayor thanked the College of Pharmacists for having this idea to carry out tests and give free advice to all those that stopped and enquired at the tent.
Toñi RÃos, who was one of the chemists present, explained, âWe were expecting that there would be a good response from members of the public but were surprised at just how many people turned up, even forming a queue,â
The small marquee was present in the square both in the morning and in the afternoon that Thursday the 5th.
(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granadad, Andalucia)
Keywords: Pharmacists, Chemists, Pharmacy, Colegio de Farmacéuticos, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Skin Analysis, Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Risk, Town Hall Square, Mayor
news, andalucia, granada, costa tropical, almunecar, pharmacists, chemists, pharmacy, colegio de farmacéuticos, diabetes, osteoporosis, skin analysis, blood pressure, cardiovascular risk, town hall square, mayor
For the love of language
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-12 02:05:01The story of Maria Enganxa shows how relevant fairy tales still are to Mallorcan culture: she is a mythical creature with hooked fingernails that lives in wells or cisterns. Anyone who gets too close to the surface of the water is drawn into the subterranean realm from which there is no return. The story taught children in Mallorca to be careful in such situations. âThis character still lives on in our imagination today,â says Caterina Valriu, writer, professor of philology and linguistics and storyteller from Inca.
Caterina Valriu in her study. One shelf consists entirely of folkloric literature. âThe Mallorcan fairy tale catalogue contains between 600 and 700 stories,â says the philologist.
âReading and libraries have shaped me and my path,â says Valriu. Her professional career began with a degree in philology at the University of the Balearic Islands, which she completed in 1983. Two years later, she wrote a thesis based on oral tradition about the old style of carnival on the island. Since 1990, Valriu has worked as a professor at the University of the Balearic Islands, specialising in folklore, traditional folk literature - especially short stories - and children's and young adult literature.
Valriu has written around 20 fairy tale books. The one about âGalceranâ (above) has even been translated into Korean.
âI want to strengthen the culture and identity of Mallorca and help people to read more,â says Valriu, explaining what drives her. The linguist, who completed her doctorate in 1992 with a thesis on the influence of fairy tales on contemporary Catalan children's literature, is also a writer. Valriu has published adaptations of legends and folk tales - mainly for children, but also for adults - as well as her own fairy tales. Her first story, âGalceran and the Ladybirdsâ, was published in 2006. In total, her bibliography comprises around 20 titles plus around 100 press articles and lectures at conferences.
âWhen I write stories, I always try to open a door and invite people in.â She has been pursuing the same goal since 1987 under the nickname âCatalina Contacontesâ as a lively storyteller for children, adults and senior citizens. Valriu is one of the few of her kind and enriches her live storytelling, which is already something special, with acting elements. She is always accompanied by a suitcase full of props. âI've now held around 4,000 sessions,â says Valriu. âI simply love doing it!â
In her storytelling sessions, Valriu uses all her acting skills to captivate the audience.
The permanent medium of Valriu's stories, whether written or spoken, is the Catalan language. âIt is a minority language with a great cultural tradition and an extraordinary wealth of language.â As a member of the Department of Catalan Philology at the University of the Balearic Islands, Valriu is part of the âhighest advisory body for all matters relating to the Catalan language on the Balearic Islandsâ, as she puts it. According to the Spanish Constitution and the Statute of Autonomy of the Balearic Islands, Catalan has the same status and authorisation as Castilian High Spanish.
The scholar Ramon Llull is one of Caterina Valriu's idols, who can be seen here with a statue of him in the La Real monastery in Palma.
One of Valriu's heroes in this context is Ramon Llull: the author, philosopher and theologian from the 13th century and one of the Mallorcan historical idols par excellence. He was the first writer in history to compose works in Catalan. A total of 265 books bear his name. Experts also consider Llull to be one of the pioneers of a European and universalist will that sees reason and dialogue as the only way to achieve truth and peace. The La Real monastery in Palma, where the scholar went to study and write his first books between the ages of 33 and 42, is one of Caterina Valriu's favourite places.
Valriu's study makes a similarly intellectual impression. It looks like a library. One shelf is entirely dedicated to folklore: fairy tales, stories and legends from different parts of the world - including Catalan-speaking countries. A catalogue in which Caterina Valriu has her share.
Cooperation with Tui
Support from the tourism industry: the video-project is sponsored by Europe's leading tourism group Tui and its Tui Care Foundation. The initiative was founded in 2016 with the aim of supporting sustainable projects in the destinations. The foundation focuses on the potential of the tourism sector as a driver of social development, education and prosperity. The Group promotes sustainable tourism in cooperation with local people.
Sunshine, Song, and Solidarity: Tibbiâs Cyrano Shines for Ace-Shin
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-11 13:45:22With its elegant ambience and warm hospitality, La Cala de Mijas â' Cyrano restaurant transformed into a beacon of community spirit on Saturday, June 7th, as friends, sponsors, and supporters gathered for a heartfelt fundraiser supporting Ace-Shin. Hosted by the ever-welcoming Tibbi and his dedicated team, the event radiated generosity and goodwill that epitomise the Costa del Solâs tight-knit community.
Guests were greeted with sunshine, laughter, and the smiles of fellow animal lovers as they entered Cyrano. Tibbiâs gracious hospitality set the tone for an afternoon dedicated to a cause close to many heartsâsupporting the hundreds of animals in Ace-Shinâs care.
Aceâs passionate founder, Fabienne Paques, shared a moving update about the rescueâs journey. Over the past 25 years, the organisation has saved over 33,000 dogsâa remarkable testament to their dedication. However, Fabienne explained that the pandemicâs aftermath has stretched resources to breaking point, with a growing number of rescued animals requiring medical care and shelter maintenance. She expressed profound gratitude to the attendees, whose support was more vital than ever.
Marti Oliphant, always a champion for the animals, introduced âOperation Clean Upâ â' an urgent campaign to tackle overgrown reeds and bamboo surrounding the shelter. These pose both fire and snake risks, with a recent tragic snakebite claiming the life of a shelter dog. Martiâs passionate plea for funds touched everyone in the room. She praised the volunteers who tirelessly bathe, walk, and socialise the animals, highlighting Jackieâs dog-walking group and the âscrub-a-dogâ initiative, which has grown to include 34 dedicated helpers.
As Cyranoâs staff served a delicious lunch, Martin Josephâs classic Vegas tunes lifted the atmosphere even further, adding a touch of glamour to the afternoon. The energy in the room soared as Steven Euesden, co-founder of Euro Weekly News, took the stage to announce the raffle. His comedic prize calls, made all the more entertaining by the absence of his reading glasses, had the room in stitches. The afternoonâs lucky winner, Richard Eastwood, generously gifted his prizes back to Fabienneâs team.
The event aimed to raise â¬4,000, but only â¬2,550 had been collected by the afternoonâs end. Just when spirits threatened to dip, John and Lorraine Palmer of El Oceano â' affectionately known as âthe darlings of the coastâ â' stunned the room with a surprise â¬1,000 donation. Their incredible generosity brought the total to the much-needed target, ensuring the shelterâs urgent needs could be met.
Special mention went to the Garners of Channel 4âs âSun, Sea and Selling Houses,â who travelled from Mojacar to lend their support. Sharon, known for her unwavering love of animals, currently cares for over 200 rescues at her home and is expanding her familyâs Spanish Property Choice business to the Costa del Sol. Her presence underscored the communityâs interconnected compassion.
The sense of unity and purpose was palpable as the event wrapped up. From unstoppable volunteers to generous donors, from Fabienne and Martiâs tireless advocacy to Tibbi and his fabulous teamâs warm hospitality, the event showcased the Costa del Sol community at its very best â' united in kindness, fuelled by love, and committed to making a difference.
In the end, community spirit, unwavering generosity, and love for animals made every moment at Cyrano shine brighter than the Costa del Sol sunshine.
Missing Danish man may have ended up in Estepona
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-11 14:38:00A Danish journalist is doggedly seeking information about Jan Fogde, a Danish man who vanished 35 years ago and may have started a new life in Estepona or elsewhere on the Costa del Sol.
Kasper Troels Nørregaard, investigating the case, is appealing to locals for any clues about Fogdeâs whereabouts. New evidence has recently come to light indicating the last known whereabouts of Jan Fogde was on the western Costa del Sol.
Jan Fogde, born in 1949, would be 75 today. Described as tall (approximately 1.91 metres), slim, and very strong, Fogde was a quiet, private individual who often smoked cigars and drank coffee. A passionate stamp collector, he worked as a tour guide and taxi driver and spoke some Spanish.
He was last seen in Denmark around November or December 1990, when his car was found abandoned at a train station. It is believed he may have travelled south, possibly by train or bus, to Spain, with Estepona being one of his favourite destinations.
Journalist Nørregaard is urging anyone in Estepona who might have encountered a man matching Fogdeâs description in the 1990s or later to come forward. Those who worked in local taxis, bars, restaurants, or hotels may recall a quiet foreigner who kept to himself. Even minor details could prove vital.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Kasper Troels Nørregaard at kt@missingmedia.dk. Your help could solve this decades-old mystery.
End of free cabin bags? New EU airline rules could hit your wallet
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-11 13:23:31What the Proposed Hand Luggage Changes Mean for European Travellers
Big changes could be on the horizon for anyone flying in Europe, as EU transport ministers have given their backing to a new rule that could see the end of free hand luggage as we know it. If youâre used to breezing past bag drop with your cabin bag in tow, you might want to read onâbecause your next flight could cost more than you expect.
Say goodbye to free hand luggage? Hereâs whatâs on the table
So, whatâs this all about? In a nutshell, the new proposalâwhich still needs the green light from the European Parliamentâwould mean airlines can start charging for any bag that doesnât fit under the seat in front of you. Your little rucksack? Probably safe. But anything bigger, like your trusty cabin suitcase for the overhead locker, could soon come with a price tag.
This debate isnât new. For years, passengers have complained about confusing and ever-changing baggage rules, and several airlines have been slapped with huge fines for âabusiveâ cabin bag chargesâthink nearly â¬200 million just in Spain. Yet the industry argues these rules are needed to streamline boarding and maximise revenue.
If the new regulation is approved, itâs a definite step back for passengers, say consumer groups. According to Pablo Rabanal from the Passenger Defence Association, âairlines are taking advantage of a legal grey area, each setting their own suitcase size and charging as they please, counting on most people not knowing the difference.â
Families and special needs travellers face new charges too
But thatâs not all. The new proposal could also mean families travelling with children or anyone with mobility issues might have to pay to sit together. Some airlines already do thisâcharging parents to guarantee a seat next to their child, or carers to sit with the person they look after.
Rabanal calls it âoutrageousâ and says he expects European lawmakers to put a stop to it, especially for those travelling with dependents. For now, though, the situation is a bit of a lotteryâwhat you pay depends entirely on the airline and their own policy, so itâs worth checking the fine print before you book.
Will the European Parliament stop this? Why itâs not a done deal
Unsurprisingly, these proposed changes have met with plenty of criticism. Consumer groups argue airlines are banding together and treating travellers as if âweâre a bit daftââselling these new fees as âadded security,â when in reality, itâs all about the bottom line.
Perhaps the biggest worry? If these new rules go through, as many as 86% of passengers who currently qualify for compensation for flight delays or cancellations could lose out. Itâs a big dealâespecially with so much travel disruption in recent years.
Thereâs hope, though. The European Parliament is famously protective of consumer rights and has already hinted it wonât accept any backsliding. MEPs have made it clear: theyâre not in favour of anything that would reduce passengersâ rights.
Nothingâs set in stone yet, but these proposed changes are one to watchâespecially if youâre planning a family holiday, travelling with children, or rely on being able to keep your bag close. For now, check airline policies before you book and keep an eye on the news for any updates.
And if you feel strongly about these changes, donât be shyâreach out to your MEP or join the conversation online. After all, a bit of noise from passengers might just help keep the skies fair for everyone.
Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for more news about Travel
Energy Ariya Challenge comes to a close
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-11 14:32:06The Energy Ariya Challenge, an event that aims to promote sustainability, saving electricity, and an eco-friendly lifestyle, has come to a close in Llucmayor, Mallorca. The challenge, which is in its third consecutive year, is mainly aimed at schoolchildren to teach them about the importance of sustainability and caring for the planet.
Over 340 students participated in the challenge from almost twenty different municipalities all around Mallorca over the past few months. The initiative includes workshops, activities, and games that, while a lot of fun, also educate the children on the importance of being environmentally conscious.
The importance of this initiative is especially significant in Mallorca, which is an island that can be irreparably affected by pollution and a large environmental footprint. During the event, the schoolchildren, which were mostly fifth and sixth grade students, were given reusable bags, were taught about recycling, and participated in an activity involving energy-generating bicycles â' allowing them to exercise while also educating them.
The final day of the event was celebrated as a huge party, and the locals joined in on the festivities. Even the mayor of Llucmayor, Xisca Lascolas, joined in on the fun, and even got on one of the energy-generating bicycles.
All in all, it was a day full of laughter, learning, and, most importantly: didnât harm the planet one bit.
Jack Gleeson stops by Can Prunera, Soller
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-11 14:01:53Sign up for personalised news
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Alan & Jenny Boardman reach Santiago
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-10 22:06:03No one can accuse Alan and Jenny Boardman of not going above and beyond in the search for raising funds for desperately worthy charities. In fact, they not only go above and beyond, they end up going around the world.
But what could be better? Doing what you enjoy the most, and making it benefit others? The thing is, the Boardmans love to move, and I donât mean necessarily on the dance floor (although, Jenny has got some movesâ¦).
Alan and Jenny Boardman have just completed the Camino de Santiago, a gruelling test of resilience and determination, and they did it for Cudeca, the palliative care charity. On Tuesday, June 10, the couple arrived in Santiago, Galicia, at the cathedral Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica, and got their official stamp to prove they had done it!
They feared thunderstorms, high temperatures, blisters and uncomfortable âpensionesâ (boarding houses), and they could have said âblow thisâ at any moment. But they didnât. And they donât. Because thatâs not what Jenny and Alan Boardman do. They always see it through to the end. They have an objective, they know others depend on that objective being met, and they comply with it.
Well done Alan. Well done Jenny. You are an inspiration to us all. Youâve done us proud again!
Exclusive: âThereâs no future in which cancer does not touch our livesâ
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-10 22:12:06According to Dr. Hugo De la Peña, a prominent oncologist based in London, one in every two people will develop cancer at some point in their lives. In an exclusive interview with Euro Weekly News this Tuesday, he emphasised that this alarming reality leaves no room for denial, complacency, or the belief that cancer is a distant or avoidable threat.
That blunt assessment comes from Dr Hugo De La Peña, one of the most decorated and globally recognised cancer specialists working todayâand one of the few Latin American figures to have risen through the rigorous academic gauntlet of the UKâs Golden Triangle institutions (Cambridge, Oxford and University College London.
The health challenge of our time
Speaking candidly in Mexico City during a medical symposium, De La Peña didnât sugarcoat the statistics, nor did he lean on false optimism. Instead, he delivered what he has always been known for: clarity, urgency, and an unwavering call to action. Cancer is no longer an outlier in the world of medicine. It is the defining health challenge of our time. The sheer scale is already transforming how societies think about healthcare, ageing, prevention, and infrastructure.
De La Peña made clear that we are already living through an epidemiological shift. Weâve transitioned from worrying primarily about infectious disease to now grappling with long-term, chronic illnesses, cancer chief among them.
Still in his 40s, De La Peñaâs track record rivals that of colleagues decades his senior. The Mexican-born oncologist graduated top of his class with summa cum laude and magna cum laude honoursâa scarce double distinction.
He later became the first-ever chief registrar at the Royal College of Physicians in London, a historic appointment in one of the UKâs most prestigious medical institutions. His subspecialty is breast cancer and cancer of unknown primary (CUP), two of the most complex and emotionally charged fields in oncology.
More than a decade ago, he received the European Young Scientist Award from the European Association for Cancer Research for his pioneering work in cancer vaccination at Cambridgeâs St Catharineâs College.
A world-renowned oncologist, sounding the alarm
Earlier still, the British Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics honoured him for advances in cancer immunotherapy. He has since grown into one of the most visible figures in oncology, advocating for early detection and evidence-based policy in public health systems that are often too slow to adapt.
Now, he is sounding the alarm.
âWe need to internalise that one in two of us will face this diagnosis,â De La Peña said. âThis is not a marginal concern or a statistical curiosityâit is the new normal.â
He is not alone. His statement aligns with findings from leading cancer agencies worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO), the American Cancer Society, and European health authorities have all flagged the rise in cancer incidence rates.
Lifestyle, environmental stressors, sedentary habits, processed diets, tobacco, and alcohol continue to drive the figures up. However, longevity also plays a role: as people live longer, the statistical probability of cell mutations over time increases.
Overwhelming health systems worldwide
What makes De La Peñaâs warning so sobering is his emphasis on readiness, or the lack of it. He questions whether national healthcare systems in Latin America, and even in more developed countries, are prepared for the influx of cancer patients that will soon overwhelm their already stretched infrastructure.
He called for a decisive cultural shift: one that places prevention, early screening, and education at the centre of cancer strategy. âWeâre still too reactive,â he noted. âWe treat cancer when itâs aggressive and costly. But the most powerful interventions happen much earlierâlong before a tumour becomes visible on a scan.â
Despite some progress in awareness campaigns, early detection rates remain low in several countries. In Mexico, many people are diagnosed when their cancers are already in advanced stages. Delays in screening, limited access to specialists, and bureaucratic inefficiencies create a bottleneck that costs lives. And yet, De La Peña insists the science is on our side.
âWeâve never had better tools than we do now,â he said. âImmunotherapy, molecular profiling, AI-assisted diagnosticsâthese are game-changers. But medical doctors must pair these tools with access and equity.â
Calm but unflinching advocate
Thatâs where politics enters the conversation. De La Peña has not shied away from criticising policies that deprioritise health innovation or cut funding for research.
In an era where misinformation often confuses public opinion and debate, Dr. de la Peña remains a calm but unflinching advocate for fact-based public health.
One of his current concerns involves what he sees as institutional lethargy. While nations celebrate advances in cancer treatments, many still lack comprehensive national cancer plans. Many countries around the world underfund these screening programmes.
Research budgets fluctuate with each political cycle. Data collection is fragmented. The system, he warns, is too brittle to handle the weight of whatâs coming.
But De La Peña is also pragmatic. He recognises that reform doesnât happen overnight. So he urges healthcare leaders to start with the basics: breast cancer mammography units in rural areas, HPV vaccines for teenagers, tobacco cessation programmes with real enforcement, and mandatory genetic counselling in families with high-risk profiles.
Notably, he acknowledges the emotional toll that this has taken on him. Behind every statistic is a family, a disrupted life, a grieving parent, and a frightened child. He refuses to see patients as data points. That human dimension fuels his work, even as he moves between London, Cambridge, and Mexico City.
Cancer will touch us all, one way or another
His rise within the Golden Triangleâreferring to the elite research corridor between Oxford, Cambridge, and Londonâhas given him rare access to both cutting-edge science and international platforms. But he hasnât forgotten where he came from. He continues to mentor young researchers from Latin America and campaigns to expand collaborative projects between British and Mexican cancer centres.
With so much of the global conversation on cancer now dominated by funding, pharma influence, and geopolitics, De La Peña remains an outlierâa scientist guided not just by precision but by purpose.
âThere is no future in which cancer doesnât touch our lives,â he said. âWhat we can change is how we prepare for it, how we respond to it, and how we support one another through it.â
In his voice, thereâs neither panic nor resignation. Just the quiet urgency of someone whoâs seen what happens when societies delay the inevitable.
And that may be the greatest warning of all.
Medical community outraged as Kennedy Jr dismisses vaccine panel
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-10 13:14:51The United States Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, dismissed all 17 members of the scientific advisory committee that counsels the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine use. âA clean slate is needed to restore public trust in vaccine science,â wrote Kennedy Jr in an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal, where he announced his decision.
The CDC webpage listing the members of the advisory panel was taken down on Monday 9 June, shortly after Kennedyâs announcement. âVaccines have become a divisive issue in American politics, but one thing all sides agree on is that the United States is facing a crisis of public trustâwhether in health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, or the vaccines themselves,â the health secretary wrote in the article.
Kennedy argued that blaming misinformationâincluding that which he himself has spreadâand anti-scientific attitudes is a mistake, as in his view this overlooks âa history of conflicts of interest, persecution of dissenters, lack of curiosity and biased science that has plagued the vaccine regulatory apparatus for decades.â
âIn the 1960s, the world looked to US health regulators for guidance, who enjoyed a reputation for integrity, scientific objectivity and a passionate defence of patient welfare. Since then, public trust has collapsedâbut we will win it back,â he added.
All the committee members who have now been dismissed were appointed during Joe Bidenâs presidency. âWithout removing the current members, the present Trump administration would not have been able to appoint most of the new ones until 2028,â Kennedy wrote, claiming that the committee members had too many conflicts of interest.
Kennedy also faces conflicts of interest
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Democratic senators criticised Kennedy for having profited financially from his anti-vaccine activities and warned that he could continue doing so even as health secretary, citing an ongoing lawsuit against pharmaceutical company Merck.
Before taking office, Kennedy had spread falsehoods and unscientific claims, and called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke its authorisation of COVID-19 vaccines, which saved millions of lives and helped end the pandemic.
He has claimed that âthere is no vaccine that is safe and effectiveâ and has repeatedly called for further research into routine childhood immunisations, despite decades of real-world evidence proving they safely prevent disease. He has also asserted that vaccines cause autism and allergies. Kennedy is personally involved in a lawsuit against Merck over the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is used to prevent cervical cancer.
Despite all of this, during his Senate confirmation hearing, Kennedy claimed: âI am not anti-vaccine.â He recently took the unusual step of changing COVID-19 guidance without first consulting the advisory panel.
Backlash from the medical community
The health secretaryâs decision drew immediate criticism from the medical community. âFor generations, the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) has been a trusted national source of science- and data-based guidance on the use of vaccines to prevent and control disease,â said Bruce A. Scott, president of the American Medical Association, in a statement.
âDoctors, parents, community leaders and public health officials rely on it for clinical direction, public health information and insight. Todayâs decision to dismiss all 17 current ACIP members undermines that trust and disrupts a transparent process that has saved countless lives. With an ongoing measles outbreak and declining rates of routine childhood immunisation, this move will only further fuel the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases,â he warned.
Dr Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, described Kennedyâs mass dismissal as âa coupâ. âThatâs not how democracies work. Itâs not good for the health of the nation,â he said. According to Benjamin, the move raises serious concerns about whether future committee members will be seen as impartial. He added that Kennedy is acting contrary to what he told lawmakers and the public, and that the public health association intends to keep a close watch on his actions.
Read here more world news.
Amazon faces sanction for non-transparent workplace AI
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-10 13:39:31The Catalan government has imposed a pioneering fine on Amazon for failing to disclose the algorithms that govern working conditions at its logistics centre in El Prat de Llobregat. According to Cadena SER radio, the multinational refused to reveal the parameters of the digital systems used to monitor employee productivity and assign tasks at its largest facility in Spain.
Industry sources say this is one of the first sanctions of its kind against a major company in Spainâand even Europeâfor lacking transparency in its use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
The fine follows a major inspection carried out late last year by IT specialists from the Generalitat at the El Prat warehouse, which employs over 2,000 people. During the visit, inspectors also identified other breaches, such as restrictions on when staff could take toilet breaks.
The trade union Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) estimates that, collectively, the fines stemming from that inspection could exceed â¬100,000. When approached by the radio station, Amazon declined to confirm the total amount but insisted it complies with current legislation and has already appealed the decision made by the Labour Inspectorate.
A fight for algorithmic transparency
One specific fineâamounting to â¬2,401âwas issued for violating workersâ rights to information and participation. âFor a company like Amazon, no fine is likely to make a dent,â said Dani Cruz, head of digital transition at CCOO Catalunya. âBut even if itâs symbolic in financial terms, itâs crucial for cementing a new workersâ right: to know whether and how algorithms impact their jobs.â
Trade unions say Amazonâs digital systems are used not only to measure output but also to schedule shifts and determine break times. âThey have a way of tracking how fast youâre working in every role,â said Raúl Hernández, a warehouse operative at El Prat and a member of the CGT union committee. âThey measure item by item everything you scan or shelve, and if they think itâs not enough, they push you to do more.â
Hernández noted that workers are not told what the targets are, nor whether theyâre meeting themâuntil a supervisor intervenes. âThey just come over and say: âYouâre below the daily average.â And Iâm left wondering, âHow was I supposed to know what the average is?ââ
Government scrutiny of digital labour
Cataloniaâs Labour Inspectorate has recently ramped up its efforts to investigate how digital technologies and AI are being integrated into employment practicesâand the associated risks. The large-scale inspection at Amazon was, according to sources familiar with the operation, intended to send a clear message to other companies: transparency around algorithmic management is no longer optional.
Spainâs so-called ârider lawâ, passed in 2021, amended the Workersâ Statute to guarantee that staff representatives must be informed of the âparameters, rules, and instructionsâ behind algorithms or AI systems that influence decision-makingâespecially in areas such as recruitment, performance monitoring, task allocation, or employee profiling.
Amazon has publicly disagreed with the Labour Inspectorateâs proposed sanctions. It stressed that the penalties are not final and that it is appealing both the fine for lacking transparency and the separate sanction for failing to respect break times. The company maintains that all its digital tools are fully compliant with existing legislation and says it will continue to cooperate with authorities.
Pressure and precarity
Amazon employees confirm that the firm enforces very high productivity expectationsâparticularly for lower-ranking staff, known as âassociatesâ, many of whom are migrants. These workers are paid modestly, work rotating shifts, and face increased pressure between November and mid-January, during the Black Friday and Christmas periods. On average, just two hours elapse between a customer placing an order and the item leaving the warehouse.
âThey use the supervisors to intimidate us,â said Hernández. âEven if youâre doing fine, theyâll say your output is low and ask if you can go faster.â He also noted that all idle time is logged by tracking devices. Workers complain that toilet breaks are strictly limited and canât be taken freely, a practice which unions say has a negative impact on employeesâ mental health.
âGreyâ dismissals
Trade unions have also reported that Amazon quietly dismisses workers who are seen as underperforming. Within the workforce, these are referred to as âgreyâ dismissals. âAfter Christmas, they start compiling a blacklist of the least productive employees,â said Hernández. âBut since they canât sack you for low performance, they use other justificationsâlike minor safety infractions.â
He added that while such claims may be technically true, they are often exaggerated to justify dismissals. According to union sources, employees who challenge these terminations usually succeed in securing compensation for unfair dismissal.
Magalluf for all / Be responsible: New campaign launched by Calvia council and British Embassy
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-10 13:17:00Calvià Town Hall and the British Embassy in Spain renewed their commitment in favour of safe tourism this morning and went one step further for this season. Both institutions have presented their civic and responsible tourism campaigns in a meeting held at the Calvia Town Hall. The campaigns will be visible on social media networks in Britain and physically on billboards in the municipality, especially in the Magalluf area.
The Calvià campaign has the slogan Magalluf for all / Be responsible. It joins Stick with your Mates - promoted by the consular body and which stresses the importance of not leaving fellow travellers alone, reinforcing the idea of helping each other. The Mayor of Calvià and officials from the British Embassy in Madrid and the British Consulate in Palma have stressed the importance of prevention and responsibility so that British visitors to our tourist destinations can enjoy a summer without incidents or serious accidents.
The meeting was attended by: Juan Antonio Amengual, Mayor of Calvià ; Sarah Cowley, Minister Counsellor at the British Embassy in Madrid; Randy Valbuena, British Vice Consul in the Balearic Islands; Lucy Gorman, Director of Consular Services in Spain; and Elisa Monserrat, Deputy Mayor of Tourism of Calvià . After the institutional office, they met with representatives of the tourism sector.
Amengual pointed out that âthe combined campaigns are working in Calvià , and we see the transformation of Magalluf, which is evidentâ. For her part, Lucy Gorman welcomed the collaboration: âyoung people should take care of each other, the two campaigns are along the same lines and it is something we are very happy aboutâ.
Sarah Cowley said that âCalvià and the Balearic Islands have been a favourite destination for the British for decades, and it's no wonder. The campaign seeks to highlight that to have the best experience in this welcoming land it is essential that visitors stay with their companions and look after each otherâ. âWith actions such as agreeing a meeting point before departure or sharing a live location, the chances of something going wrong are drastically reduced,â she concluded.
Massive summer security deployment across Spain
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-10 12:50:00The National Police and the Guardia Civil will reinforce their ranks with 4,002 officers in the nine autonomous regions with the highest tourist influx this summer, with a special focus on ports, airports, stations, beaches, hotels and campsites.
The Ministry of the Interior announced on Tuesday the traditional summer operation following its approval by the Council of Ministers, which will increase police presence in Andalusia, Asturias, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, the Valencian Community, Galicia, the Balearic Islands, Madrid and Murcia.In addition, the initiative also includes various special measures organised by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), Operation Paso del Estrecho coordinated by the Directorate General of Civil Protection and Emergencies, and various immigration-related actions.
The State Security Secretariatâs summer operation will begin on 1 July and end on 31 August, except in the Balearic Islands, where it will continue until 30 September. In the nine communities where this plan will operate, the National Police will have 1,577 additional officers, who will join the 22,538 officers already assigned to their Public Safety units, bringing the total number of national police officers to 24,115.
In the case of the Guardia Civil, the reinforcement amounts to 2,425 officers, which, added to the 29,796 officers already assigned to its Citizen Security units, brings the total to 32,221 Guardia Civil officers. The reinforcements planned for both forces come from specialised air units (helicopters and drones), dog handlers, underground units, mobile brigades and cavalry, together with the promotion of trainee officers from the National Police Academy in Ãvila and the Guardia Civil Academy in Baeza.
In addition to this police deployment, the National Police and Guardia Civil will reinforce surveillance of the Camino de Santiago with cavalry units and ten Mobile Pilgrim Assistance Offices (OMAP).The Interior Ministry points out that Operation Summer is a response to Spainâs status as one of the worldâs most important tourist destinations.
According to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), in the first quarter of 2025, the number of international tourists increased by 5.7 per cent compared to the same period last year, exceeding 17.1 million tourists, a figure that confirms the upward trend of recent years.
Claims that Russian arms manufacturer has five luxury villas in Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-10 14:04:00The Russian opposition organisation Anti-Corruption Foundation has claimed that arms manufacturing magnate Nikolai Kolesov owns five luxury villas on the south-west coast of Mallorca, which he has registered in the names of his children and sister to circumvent the European Union embargo. Kolesov, 69, is the CEO of Russian Helicopters, the main supplier of helicopters to the Russian army, and as such is on the list of individuals subject to sanctions within the European Union for their involvement in Russiaâs military aggression against Ukraine.
On 16 December 2024, the Official State Gazette published an extension of the European Commissionâs list to include the oligarch because his company is âkey to the Russian military-industrial complex. The Russian Armed Forces use various types of helicopters and other defence equipment and equipment from Russian Helicopters JSC in their war of aggression against Ukraine,â it adds.
Maria Pevchikh, head of research at the Anti-Corruption Foundation, together with fellow journalist Georgy Alburov, have published a video detailing their investigation into Kolesovâs properties in Mallorca, which they estimate to be worth a total of around â¬18 million. In their report, the opposition organisationâs investigators compile the political and business history of the arms dealer, who has been close to President Vladimir Putin for decades, and denounce alleged corrupt practices, which they have reported to the authorities in their country.
The reporters show the exterior of a sumptuous villa located in the municipality of Calvia with 1,200 square metres of floor space and a large swimming pool, and include images taken from social media in which the businessman and his family enjoy the property near the sea. The villa was purchased in 2014 by a Russian electrical connector company linked to Kolesov and in 2022 was registered in the name of one of the tycoonâs daughters, who was then four years old, according to the opposition organisation, which estimates that the house is worth around â¬5 million.
Journalists attribute the actual ownership of another villa in the same area of the island, smaller (500 m2) and less valuable (around 3 million euros), to the arms manufacturer. It is registered in the name of Kolesovâs 71-year-old sister. In their report, Pevchikh and Alburov explain that they compiled family images of joyful and luxurious celebrations of the tycoonâs family obtained from the social media accounts of an ex-wife from whom he divorced acrimiously.
Their investigations led them to a third property, actually three adjoining houses of about 750 square metres each, built together on a hill facing the sea in the Magalluf area, with a combined value estimated at around 10 million euros. The formal owner of these properties since last year is the youngest son of the CEO of Russian Helicopters, who was four years old when he acquired the property.
The Russian Anti-Corruption Foundation, which attributes other opaque properties to Kolesov in its report and explains that he has taken advantage of senior positions in public arms companies to acquire them, considers him an example of the corruption that keeps Putin in power. With its public complaint, it hopes that the Spanish authorities will investigate the real ownership of the houses in Mallorca registered in the names of his relatives in order to impose the sanctions established by the European Union against businessmen involved in the invasion of Ukraine. According to the investigation, he quietly privatized defense plants, putting them in the names of frontmen and then using the proceeds to buy luxury homes, aircraft, and palaces across the globe.
According to the Insider:
Assets linked to the Kolesov family
Spain (Mallorca)
⢠A â¬5 million villa registered to Kolesovâs seven-year-old daughter, Nicole. She was four at the time of purchase.
⢠A neighboring villa worth â¬3 million registered to Kolesovâs sister, Lyudmila Tenno.
⢠Three villas, each 750 m², purchased in the name of Kolesovâs four-year-old son Alexei, who is the godson of former Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.
Russia and occupied Crimea
⢠A palace in Yalta, allegedly purchased in the name of a state-owned factory.
⢠A plot of land in Rublyovka worth 1 billion rubles, registered to Kolesov himself and his factory.
⢠A private resort near Kazan with a bowling alley, saunas, and shooting ranges.
UAE (Dubai)
⢠A $25 million villa in XXII Carat Villas, registered to Kolesovâs subordinate Lyudmila Koshcheyeva.
⢠A neighboring 1,400 m² villa registered to his former mother-in-law, Nella Mazayeva.
⢠Another apartment worth $10 million (822 m²) in The Residence, registered to his eldest daughter, Anastasia Kolesova.
⢠A 532 m² unit in the same building, registered to her husband.
Kolesovâs air fleet
⢠A Bombardier Global Express business jet â $20 million
⢠A second jet, Embraer Legacy 650 â $10 million
⢠An AgustaWestland 109 helicopter â $5 million
The entire fleet is registered to an affiliated company called Spetsdostavka. Navalnyâs team estimates the total value at around $35 million, or 2.8 billion rubles.
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Game of Thrones star visits Can Prunera in Soller
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-10 08:32:00Game of Thrones star, Jack Gleeson, visited Can Prunera, the Art Nouveau house and museum in Soller over the weekend. He said that he was very much impressed by the cultural centre indicating that it was an \"oasis of peace\" in a busy town.
The leading Irish actor said that he was amazed by the beauty of the museum and the new cultural project which is underway at the moment.
Jack Gleeson (born 20 May 1992) is best known for his role as Joffrey Baratheon on the HBO television series Game of Thrones (2011â'2014). Following this role, Gleeson took a hiatus from acting, but has since taken part in independent theatre and the 2020 BBC miniseries Out of Her Mind. He appeared in the Irish thriller film In the Land of Saints and Sinners.
He said that he had taken inspìration from Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Commodus in Gladiator (2000) as an influence on his performance in Game of Thrones.
Can Prunera is the most important Art Nouveau house in Sóller and an outstanding example of this style in Mallorca. In 2010 the house underwent a detailed restoration, including the historical furniture that remains in the house. Since its restoration and opening to the public, Can Prunera gathers a remarkable collection of paintings by the great masters of the 19th and 20th centuries, belonging to the Pere Serra Art collection.
Britons warned to go easy on the beer in the holiday heat
PUBLISHED: 2025-06-10 08:44:00Summer has kicked in and temperatures across large parts of Spain and the Balearics are higher than usual and HNS UK was warned UK tourists in Spain âdonât drink beerâ ahead of sweltering highs. The NHS states: Heat exhaustion and heatstrokeHeat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.
Symptoms of heat exhaustionThe signs of heat exhaustion include: tirednessdizzinessheadachefeeling sick or being sickexcessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, but a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skincramps in the arms, legs and stomachfast breathing or heartbeata high temperaturebeing very thirstyweakness
The symptoms of heat exhaustion are often the same in adults and children, although children may become irritable too. If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion they need to be cooled down and given fluids.
Things you can do to cool someone downIf someone has heat exhaustion, follow these 4 steps:
Move them to a cool place.Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water.Cool their skin â' spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too.Stay with them until theyâre better.
They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.Thereâs a high risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke during hot weather or exercise.
To help prevent heat exhaustion or heatstroke:
drink more cold drinks, especially if youâre active or exercisingwear light-coloured, loose clothingavoid the sun between 11am and 3pmavoid excess alcoholavoid extreme exerciseif youâre inside on a very hot day, close curtains, close windows if itâs hotter outside than in your home and turn off electrical equipment and lights that get hotThis will also prevent dehydration and help your body keep itself cool. Children, older people and people with long-term health conditions (such as diabetes or heart problems) are more at risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
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