https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Spain in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Traffic wardens are not the most popular people in the world, but one Spaniard has taken his hatred for them a little too far... https://www.thelocal.es/20151230/spaniard-faces-fine-for-urging-jihadists-to-kill-traffic-wardens-on-facebook Wed, 30 Dec 2015 12:29:15 +0100 spaniard-faces-fine-for-urging-jihadists-to-kill-traffic-wardens-on-facebook A group of journalists are calling on the EU's top court to quash Spain's controversial 'gag law', claiming it attacks freedom of speech and information. https://www.thelocal.es/20151214/repeal-spains-gag-law-critics-urge-eu-court-of-human-rights-ley-mordaza Mon, 14 Dec 2015 11:13:14 +0100 repeal-spains-gag-law-critics-urge-eu-court-of-human-rights-ley-mordaza Its many detractors complain that the new "gag law" introduced today harks back to the repressive days of the Franco regime. Here are a list of its most controversial points. https://www.thelocal.es/20150701/the-ten-most-repressive-aspects-of-spains-new-gag-law Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:54:32 +0200 the-ten-most-repressive-aspects-of-spains-new-gag-law A new "gagging law", criticized by the United Nations and Council of Europe is to be passed on Thursday by the Spanish parliament. https://www.thelocal.es/20150326/protests-as-spains-gagging-law-comes-into-force Thu, 26 Mar 2015 13:15:28 +0100 protests-as-spains-gagging-law-comes-into-force Thousands of people across Spain protested against the country's new Citizen Security Law on Saturday, with critics saying the legislation seriously limits free speech. https://www.thelocal.es/20141222/protesters-take-aim-at-tough-security-law-spain-ley-mordaza Mon, 22 Dec 2014 10:03:00 +0100 protesters-take-aim-at-tough-security-law-spain-ley-mordaza Spain on Friday passed the country's new Citizen Security Law, a far tamer document than the original draft which included controversial measures like fines of up to €600,000 ($800,000) for unauthorized protests outside the country's parliament. https://www.thelocal.es/20140711/spain-passes-watered-down-citizen-security-law Fri, 11 Jul 2014 19:16:00 +0200 spain-passes-watered-down-citizen-security-law Amnesty International on Thursday slammed Spanish authorities for what the human rights group believes is a concerted effort to discourage people from taking part in peaceful protests. https://www.thelocal.es/20140424/amnesty-international-slams-spain-over-protests-demonstration Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:38:00 +0200 amnesty-international-slams-spain-over-protests-demonstration Spain plans to make operators of Spain's internet cafés register their customers' personal details in a bid to fight terrorism. Failure to do so could mean fines of up to €30,000 ($41,000) for businesses. https://www.thelocal.es/20140407/want-to-use-the-internet-can-i-see-your-id-2 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:15:00 +0200 want-to-use-the-internet-can-i-see-your-id-2 A man in Spain has been fined €90 ($122) for looking at a painting that had been left on the street. https://www.thelocal.es/20131204/man-fined-90-for-looking-at-painting Wed, 04 Dec 2013 14:12:00 +0100 man-fined-90-for-looking-at-painting People who play football on the streets of Spain could be hit with fines of up to €1,000 ($1,350) if new proposals by the Spanish government are given the green light by the country's parliament. https://www.thelocal.es/20131202/spain-set-to-fight-street-football-with-fines Mon, 02 Dec 2013 18:33:00 +0100 spain-set-to-fight-street-football-with-fines On Tuesday Spain unveiled a draft Citizen Security Law which could mean huge fines for everything from filming a policeman to drinking on the street. Read on to find out what other activities could soon be a thing of the past if the legislation gets the green light. https://www.thelocal.es/20131121/ten-shocking-new-spanish-laws Thu, 21 Nov 2013 18:04:00 +0100 ten-shocking-new-spanish-laws Spain's left-wing opposition Tuesday fiercely criticized a planned government reform which would reportedly toughen penalties for unauthorized demonstrations and make it an offence to "insult" a police officer. https://www.thelocal.es/20131120/new-security-law-is-kick-in-mouth-to-democracy Wed, 20 Nov 2013 10:01:00 +0100 new-security-law-is-kick-in-mouth-to-democracy