Amazon Spain is going to pass the 3% tax that will be levied on income from digital services of large technology companies on to the companies that sell through its platform. The e-commerce company has communicated to external sellers by email that as of April 1st, it will increase the commission charged to them for intermediation by 3%.
Tag: Spain

Brexit, Actually: UK, EU Officially Break Up
The UK’s Brexit transition period came to an end on the last day of 2020, which means that the UK will completely break away from the European single market and customs union. Big Ben in London rang at midnight when Britain officially left the European Union, symbolizing the opening of a new chapter in British history.

France Suspends All UK Travel for 48 Hours
Owing to the new variant of the virus responsible for Covid-19 and which is 70% more contagious detected in England, France on Sunday joined the growing number of countries that have since decided to suspend travel with the UK.

Spain Anti-Coronavirus Quarantine and Violent Protests
In the cities of Spain, radical youth are violently protesting against tough quarantine measures and in their opinion the lack of proper government assistance to the unemployed. The most violent clashes with the police against the Spanish quarantine measures took place in Barcelona.

Spain Confirms Former King Juan Carlos in UAE
The Spanish Royal Palace confirmed that the former King, Juan Carlos, who decided in early August to reside in exile due to suspicions of corruption, is in the United Arab Emirates. A spokesman for the Royal Palace made the announcement, but did not give further details.

Coronavirus — Spain Bans Smoking, NZ Locks Down Auckland
The increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Spain has forced the Spanish government to enact new safety measures on Friday across the country. As announced by the nation’s health minister, the new measures include a ban on public smoking, as well as the closure of all nightlife venues– such as bars and clubs.

Embattled Ex-King Juan Carlos Leaves Spain
After opening investigations against him on suspicions of corruption and receiving money from Saudi Arabia, the former Spanish King Juan Carlos decided to leave the country and live in another country he did not specify. Juan Carlos indicated that his decision came in order not to influence his son, Felipe VI.

Coronavirus — Catalonia Confines 200,000
Spain’s north-eastern region of Catalonia has enforced a new lockdown measure today on more than 200,000 residents of Lérida, due to the multitude of outbreaks of the new coronavirus registered in the region. “We have decided to confine Segria due to data that confirms too significant a growth in the number of COVID-19 infections,” Catalan regional president Quim Torra told a news briefing.

France, Spain Deny Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Hiding in Embassies
Venezuela’s foreign minister is accusing France of having given refuge to opposition leader Juan Guaidó at its embassy in Caracas, a charge that Paris denies. “Mr Juan Guaido is not at the French residency in Caracas. We have confirmed this to the Venezuelan authorities several times,” French foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said.

Spain’s Vox Protests Lockdown as Sanchez Announces Easing
Thousands of supporters of Spain’s far-right Vox party protested against the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The protestors called on the Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, and his deputy, Pablo Iglesias, to resign for the poor handling of the global pandemic.

Coronavirus — Spanish Parliament Renews “State of Alarm”
The Spanish parliament approved an extension of the “state of alarm” Wednesday, with the objective of fighting the new coronavirus pandemic. The emergency measures, in place since March 15, were extended for a fourth time until May 24. The vote was 178 deputies in favor, 75 against, and 97 abstentions.

Portugal, Europe Begin Return to Normal
In a clear example of a return to life in the shadow of the Coronavirus, Portugal begins easing lockdown procedures on Monday, as it reopens some small shops, hairdressing salons and car parks. However, the Portuguese will have to adhere to strict social distancing rules. Protective masks are also mandatory in shops and centers of public services and transport.

Coronavirus— Europe Continues to Ease Isolation Measures
Europe continues to ease the isolation measures imposed on its residents to limit the spread of the new Coronavirus pandemic. New decisions are supposed to be implemented, starting from the beginning of the week in about 15 countries, including Italy, which has been under quarantine for two months.

Coronavirus: Spain Announces Plan for “New Normal”
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, announced a four-stage plan aiming to relax the strict lockdowns in the country to fight the new coronavirus. The goal is to return to a “new normal” by the end of June. Mr. Sanchez said that parts of the country would relax restrictions at different paces, depending on the severity of the epidemic.

Coronavirus: European Butcher’s Bill at 1 Million Cases, 100,000 Deaths
Europe has set new figures for the outbreak of the new Coronavirus. Despite the severe measures, the number of infected people in the old continent rose to more than 1 million cases, while the deaths exceeded 100,000 cases. There has also been a decline in new cases in Spain and Italy.

Coronavirus: Europe Beginning to Lift Lockdowns
Spain implemented national lockdown measures from March 15, and is expected to continue until April 26, but some measures have been lifted recently. An estimated 300,000 non-essential staff members returned to Madrid this week to work. Authorities have allowed some industries, including the construction industry, to resume work.

Coronavirus: Infections Close to Two Million, China Tries New Vaccines
Infections from the new coronavirus have approached the threshold of two million globally. Chіnа has аррrоvеd clinical trіаlѕ оf twо vассіnеѕ against thе vіruѕ, but the World Hеаlth Orgаnіzаtіоn hаѕ wаrnеd against haste. More than 125,000 have died of the virus so far.

Coronavirus: Pain in Spain Falls, Back to Work Again?
Spain on Saturday recorded 510 deaths from the new coronavirus, nearly 100 less than on Friday, according to the Ministry of Health. Spain has not seen such a low number of daily deaths since March 23. The total number of deaths is 16,480 in Spain, third-highest in the world, behind the United States and Italy.

Coronavirus: Spain Seeks to Extend Emergency as Curve Flattens
Spain recorded 809 deaths from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing its overall death toll to 11,744. This is a 7.3% increase, as rероrtеd оn Saturday bу the Mіnіѕtrу of Health. Thеrе have аlѕо been 7,026 new іnfесtеd, which brought the total number of cases in Spain to 124,736. This is a 5.9% increase over the previous day.

At Least 900,000 People Lost Jobs in Spain
In Spain, against the backdrop of the pandemic of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, unemployment jumped sharply. Since March 12, nearly 900,000 people have lost their jobs. This is according to data from the social insurance system, released on Thursday.

Coronavirus: Spain Sees 832 Deaths in 24 Hours
Spain recorded 832 deaths due to the new coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the largest number of fatalities in a single day. That brings the total number of deaths in the country to 5,812, as per the latest update from Worldometers. More than 72,000 cases have been recorded in Spain, an increase of more than 6,500, per the latest updates.

Health Alert: China Manufactured Express Coronavirus Tests Are Faulty
Coronavirus is a global pandemic. Every news outlet is reporting that a majority of nations are effected around the world. The pandemic has negatively impacted global economies and caused many countries to close their borders and issue “shelter in place” orders. The virus rapidly spreading across the US and Italy has a horrid death toll from this. The world is reeling from the pandemic.

Coronavirus: Spain Overtakes China, Cuomo Reports Good News
Spain surpassed China’s death toll from coronavirus Wednesday, trailing only Italy. The death toll has increased by 498 over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in Spain to 4,145. China reported a total of 3,287 deaths as of Thursday, with Italy recording a total so far of 8,215.

Coronavirus: Spain Overtakes China in Death Toll
Spain has overtaken China, in as far as the number of coronavirus victims in the two countries is concerned. As per the latest assessment made on Wednesday by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Spain has more than 47,000 confirmed cases and a total of 3434 deaths. Of these, 738 were recorded in the last 24 hours.

Coronavirus: India Under Lockdown, Spain Calls in NATO
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which will begin Wednesday. The lockdown, which began at midnight local time, will run for 20 days. In a televised address, Mr. Modi said “there will be a complete ban on travel outside the home.” Soon after the announcement, the country started buying necessities.

Coronavirus: 400 Dead in Spain, 651 Dead in Italy
A sharp increase in the number of coronavirus deaths continues in Spain. On Sunday, the country’s Ministry of Health announced that 394 people with coronavirus had been confirmed dead in the last 24 hours. It is the highest number of deaths recorded in Spain in a single day.

Coronavirus: 123 New Deaths in Iran, Spanish Cases Near 25,000
Iranian authorities announced 123 new deaths caused by COVID-19 on Saturday. The official death toll from the coronavirus rose to 1,556 in the Islamic Republic, one of the worst affected countries, along with Italy and China. According to Iran’s Health Ministry spokesman Kianouche Jahanpour, over 966 new cases have been confirmed in the last 24 hours, with the total confirmed infections reaching 20,610.

Spain Using Coronavirus to Scrap Private Healthcare
The Coronavirus pandemic has prompted Spain to nationalize health care. Currently Spain has 11,826 infected and thus far 533 deaths. It means that private clinics will hand over their equipment and the reins of power. The Spanish government just approved the inclusion of state supervision in all health sectors, meaning that private health care workers will have to hand over all power to the government to manage all health services.

Coronavirus: Spain Closes Borders as PM’s Wife Tests Positive
Europe is gradually becoming the hardest hit by the new coronavirus epidemic, and the Spanish government has declared a two-week state of emergency nationwide to limit personal movements. Many places, such as France, have also closed down shops and entertainment establishments that have nothing to do with basic living needs.

Coronavirus: 26 African Countries Affected, Spain Enters Lockdown
The new coronavirus continues to rear its ugly head across the African continent, with new cases recorded in the Republic of Congo, Seychelles and the Central African Republic. The new cases bring the total number of countries affected by the pandemic in Africa to 26.

Over 1,000 Guests Quarantined at Hotel in Tenerife
More than 1,000 guests have been quarantined at a hotel in Tenerife after an Italian doctor and his wife were found to be infected with coronavirus. The doctor had flown in from Lombardy, a region that has experienced a surge in Covid-19 cases in the past week. He has been quarantined at a local hospital and will undergo additional tests to make sure that the initial results were accurate. His wife is also in isolation and being treated at the facility.

Coronavirus: Death Toll Exceeds SARS, New Cases in Britain and Spain
British authorities announced Sunday the registration of a fourth case of the emerging coronavirus. British news sources said that a fourth citizen was confirmed to be infected with the virus in Britain after he was infected by another British citizen in France. Health authorities are now trying to track down people who have contacted the four patients to confirm whether they have contracted the virus or not.

Bolivia Expels Mexican Ambassador, Two Spanish Diplomats, Over Morales “Extraction”
Bolivia’s interim government announced on Monday that it had expelled the Mexican ambassador to the country and two other Spanish diplomats for trying to “facilitate” the departure of former top officials of the government of former President Evo Morales, who is currently a refugee in Argentina. The foreign diplomats in question have been given 72 hours to leave the country.

Spain’s Do-Over Election Roll Comes Up Snake Eyes
The Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), of Spain’s current Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, won the highest number of votes in the country’s general elections held on Sunday, although with no clear possibility of forming a government. With 100% of the ballot boxes counted, the PSOE won 120 seats in Parliament, three fewer than in the first elections of the year, held on April 28.

Barcelona Airport in Chaos After Pro-Catalan Protests
Protests broke out in various parts of Catalonia Monday after the Spanish Supreme Court sentenced nine independence leaders to between 9 and 13 years for sedition and embezzlement. Thousands gathered at Barcelona–El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport in Barcelona.
The acting Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, called a meeting with the main parties while ensuring that his office will “fully comply” with the sentences. The political reaction confirms that the sentences will become one of the main issues in the November 10 elections.

Catalan Separatists Sentenced for Sedition, Embezzlement
Spain’s Supreme Court on Monday sentenced nine separatist leaders involved in Catalonia’s attempted independence in October 2017, to terms ranging from nine to 13 years in prison. All defendants were acquitted of the most serious charge of rebellion. The group was convicted of crimes ranging from sedition to embezzlement of public funds, in an expected decision. Three defendants were found guilty of disobedience crimes and were not sentenced to prison.

Over 500 Migrants Stranded in the Mediterranean Sea – No Port Willing to Let Them Dock
The Norwegian ship Ocean Viking saved another 105 migrants from Libya on Monday. There are a total of 356 people on board. At the same time, 150 migrants remain “trapped” on the Spanish Open Arms ship near the Italian island of Lampedusa. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has ordered all Italian ports closed for refugees and illegal migrants. Meanwhile, some migrants have reportedly been waiting on ships for over ten days.

Spanish Socialists Win Most Seats, Growing Nationalist Party Makes Historic Gains
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist Worker’s Party (PSOE) won the most seats in Sunday’s national election and must now assemble a governing coalition.
This week’s results were a first test for Sanchez who assumed leadership during a coalition restructuring last year. He now expects his increased legitimacy to help him pass social and political reforms.

Spanish Election 2019: Who Reigns in Spain?
- For the third time in four years, Spaniards will head to the polls Sunday in a general election. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and his ruling Socialist Workers’ Party, enjoy a commanding lead in the polls, but should still fall short of a governing majority. Sanchez came to power last June, following the first successful no-confidence vote in Spanish history.

International Roundup: Election Fever
- FINLAND: The center-right government unexpectedly fell Friday, ahead of planned elections on April 14. The trigger was Prime Minister Juha Sipila’s failure to pass social and health care reforms. Sipila’s Center Party has trailed the Social Democrats in opinion polls since last May.

Breakdown of Europe’s Economic Troubles by Country
- #1 Germany: Economy stalled in the final quarter of last year, just skirting recession as fallout from global trade disputes and Brexit put the brakes on a decade of expansion amid signs that exports will stay subdued for the time being.
- #2 UK: Economy expanded at its slowest annual rate in six years in 2018 after a sharp contraction in December. Growth in the year was 1.4%, down from 1.8% in 2017 and the slowest rate since 2012. Blame factory output and car production for the slowdown, among other factors.

Vamonos! Spanish Prime Minister Calls Snap Election
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election, for April 28, on Friday. Sánchez became Prime Minister in May, after the first successful vote of no confidence in modern Spanish history. The announcement comes two days after his Socialist government was defeated in Congress, and failed to pass its budget.

International Roundup: Caracas, Catalonia, Kurds, Kings
- SYRIA: The US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces announced Sunday they were engaged in fierce fighting as part of a “final push” against Daesh in Syria. The offensive comes as President Trump announced plans to declare, as early as next week, that all Daesh territory has been recovered.

International Roundup: Borders, Migrants and Leadership Changes
- SAUDI ARABIA: In an interview with The Washington Post late Saturday, President Trump backed down from his assertion that Saudi Arabia’s account of the circumstances surrounding Khashoggi’s death at the country’s Turkish consulate was credible. “Obviously there’s been deception and there’s been lies.“Mexico: A growing caravan of Honduran migrants streamed through southern.
- MEXICO: heading toward the United States, after making an end-run around Mexican agents who briefly blocked them at the Guatemalan border. They received help at every turn from sympathetic Mexicans.
- GERMANY: According to a Die Welt journalist, Angela Merkel could quit her post at December’s CDU party conference – before taking on another top job in Europe. “Rumours are swirling in Brussels that Merkel could run for the European Commission next year.”
- SPAIN: One African migrant died and three others were injured when around 300 stormed the border fence separating Spanish enclave Melilla from Morocco on Sunday, the local authorities said.
- ENGLAND: 670,000 protestors filled the streets of London, demanding a fresh Brexit referendum. Prime Minister Theresa May will face unhappy members of her own party at a crisis meeting Wednesday.
- JORDAN/ISRAEL: Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Sunday said he has decided not to renew parts of his country’s landmark 1994 peace treaty that allowed Israel to lease two small areas, Baqura and Ghamr, from the Jordanians for 25 years. The leases expire next year, and the deadline for renewing them is Thursday.
- BRAZIL: Tens of thousands of people rallied Sunday in 15 states across Brazil in support of Jair Bolsonaro, the right-wing front-runner in next week’s presidential runoff election. Bolsonaro is polling ahead of the leftist Workers’ Party candidate, Fernando Haddad, in the Oct. 28 ballot.