Spain: Ten new laws that are shocking Spaniards
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.
The release of Spain’s draft Citizen Security Law has raised more than a few eyebrows.
While the country’s government says the proposed laws are designed to “protect democratic coexistence and ensure the exercising of liberties”, the opposition socialists see things differently….
The Local
Afghanistan: Kabul’s school of rock
The Afghan capital boasts a lively rock scene, with crowds drawn to angry music that expresses their frustration.
With a sense of showmanship that would have impressed Freddie Mercury, Salahdeen, aged seven, struts his way through a passionate rendition of We Will Rock You – all part of the learning process at Kabul’s “school of rock”.
Founded two years ago in a living room in the Afghan capital, the school has grown into a busy youth club based at an arts centre with a recording studio and 35 students mastering singing, the guitar and drums. …
The Star
Norway: Norwegians among rich world’s slimmest: OECD
Norwegians are amongst the world’s slimmest people, with the lowest consumption of alcohol in Europe, and the healthiest pensioners in any country.
Only 10 percent of Norwegians over 15 are classed as obese, according to a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), making the country’s thinner than every other country in Europe except Switzerland. …
The Local
Hawaii: Big Island restricting tobacco sales to 21 and up
Big Island lawmakers have agreed to raise the age minimum for buying tobacco to 21, making Hawaii County the first in the state to make the age older than 18.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Thursday that Mayor Billy Kenoi is expected to sign a bill passed unanimously by the county council on Wednesday.
The measure would take effect July 1 and allow people over age 18 currently to buy tobacco. …
The Garden Island
Iceland: Icelandic seniors get internet savvy
A report just released by the official Icelandic statistics bureau has revealed the country’s elders are getting more internet savvy. Statistics Iceland quizzed the nation’s elders and found that they spend much more time on the internet than they did 10 years ago.
Back in 2003, 31 per cent of Icelanders between the ages of 65 and 74 years old spent time surfing or browsing with any regularity. The research team also quizzed people then in the 55 to 64 age band which is today’s 65 to 74 group. When asked back then if they had been online in the weeks beforehand, only 54 per cent of the respondents replied that they had. …
Ice news
Kenya: Tullow announces fifth oil find in northern Kenya
British Oil explorer Tullow has announced a fifth oil discovery in Kenya, raising the country’s prospects of becoming an oil producer.
In a statement, Tullow said the discovery, stretching to 100 metres of net oil pay was made at the Agete-1 well located in Block 13T in Northern Kenya, which has been drilled to a depth of 1,930 metres.
“A fifth consecutive oil discovery onshore northern Kenya highlights the emerging world class exploration and production potential within our rift basin acreage. An intensive campaign for 2014 includes appraisal and exploration within the first basin and pioneering wells targeting the prospectivity throughout the entire chain of similar rift basins,” said Angus McCoss, Tullow’s exploration director. …
Daily Nation
Scotland: Island of Islay set for ninth whisky distillery
The Hebridean island of Islay is set to get a brand new distillery – its ninth.
A French distiller is seeking planning permission for the venture.
Celtic Whisky Company owner Jean Donnay – who runs Glann ar Mor Distillery in Brittany with his wife Martine – has applied for permission to demolish existing outbuildings at Gartbreak Farm, near Bowmore, and build a new distillery. …
The Scotsman
