Rajoy warns Socialists

More people will be heading for the job centre after summer. Photo: AFPThe number of people registered as unemployed in Spain rose by 14,435 to 3.69 million in August from a month earlier, its first increase since February, the Labour Ministry said on Friday. But the number of jobless was down by 370,459 people from the same month last year, the ministry said in a statement, which called it "the best figure for the month of August since 2009". Spain's economy relies heavily on tourism and August is usually a weaker month for the job market as summer hiring by hotels and restaurants tails off, factories slow and teaching contracts end. All sectors saw an increase in unemployment in August although the rise was more pronounced in the services and industrial sector.    The increase in unemployment comes as politicians are still struggling to form a new govement following two inconclusive elections in December and June which resulted in a hung parliament. Spain's unemployment ra, ...ادامه مطلب

The house rules at Restaurant Blau Grifeu. Photo: Salvador Sandoval / TwitterA café owner at a beach resort in Catalonia is encouraging good manners by charging customers less if they mind their p’s and q’s. Marisel Valencia Madrid, the owner of the Restaurant Blau Grifeu in Llança on the Costa Brava, became so fed up at being barked at by customers that she has introduced a pricing system to penalize those who are impolite. Those who demand a coffee will find they are charged an extortionate €5, those who say please will pay a more affordable €3.50, and those courteous enough to greet their server first with a “Buenos días” will be charged a mere €1.30 “I put a sign in the window with the price system and it has made all the difference. People are now super polite in all matters and it has really improved daily life,” she told The Local by telephone. “Yesterday some children even told their parents to say please, so it’s working!” she laughed. The 41-year-ol, ...ادامه مطلب

A third election seems likely. Photo: AFPSpain's acting prime minister will seek parliament's backing to form a govement for the second time on Friday but has little hope of success, raising the possibility of a third election in a year. Mariano Rajoy, whose conservative Popular Party (PP) has ruled since 2011, lost a first confidence vote on Wednesday with 170 in favour - six votes short of the required absolute majority. This time around he only needs more votes in favour than against but he is expected to fail again since the parties that opposed him have said they will maintain their "no" votes rather than abstaining to allow him to form a minority govement. The PP, in power since 2011, won the most seats in elections held in December and June but fell short of a majority both times as voters angry over corruption and austerity flocked to new parties. It has only managed to secure the support of new centrist party Ciudadanos and a lone MP from the Canary Islands.   , ...ادامه مطلب

From Roman battle re-enactments, to flamenco street festivals to celebrating wine, there are lots of great events happening in Spain this September. Fiestas Carthaginians and Romans Festival, Cartagena, Murcia (September 16th - 25th)  Photo: Spain.info Originally from Lebanon, the Cathaginians fled to the Mediterranean after they were invaded and became seafaring traders.  It was too bad that the Romans also fancied a bit of maritime trade - as well as conquering more and more land - and this fiesta in Cartagena involves re-enactments of the warfare, eventually to be won by the Romans. Fiestas de la Mare de Deu de la Salut Algemesí, Valencia (September 7th -8th) Photo: Juanjo Ripollés / Flickr This festival dates back to the Middle Ages and more than 1400 people participate in the main event - a parade of giants, featuring King James I of Aragon, his wife and many figures from the bible.  as with any Valencia festival, paella is a main component and be sure to try some of the l,whatsapp,what time is it,what is lupus,what is my ip,what is pokemon go,whataburger,what is hpv,what song is this,what does the fox say,whatsapp web ...ادامه مطلب

British expats living in Spain who are worried about the effects of Brexit are signing up for courses to become Spanish citizens when the UK leaves the European Union. A language academy in Mijas on the Costa del Sol has become the first centre to officially offer a special "Brexpats Spanish Nationality Course". The Paell Academy is starting a course next week to teach the sort of "general knowledge" required to pass the Spanish nationality test alongside Spanish language to ensure applicants reach the necessary A2 standard. "A lot of people who live in this area have expressed conce about how they will be affected by Brexit, what implications will it have on their right to live here, on healthcare, pensions," Anne Heandez, the founder of the Brexpats in Spain, an association formed in the wake of the Brexit vote to represent expat interests, told the Local. "Many of us are seriously considering adopting Spanish citizenship but it isn’t simply a case of living here for over ten,worried,worried emoji,worried definition,worried in spanish,worried meme,worried gif,worried about you,worried man blues,worried about the boy,worriedly ...ادامه مطلب