The threatened flooding of the lower reaches of the Ebro valley, as we reported yesterday, has now become reality. The forced evacuation of the Zaragoza localities of Pradilla and Boquiñeli has been seen with more than 1,500 people affected, as the Ebro reaches it's the top of the containing dykes. Other villages of Alcalá, Cabañas and Novillas are also under threat. The army has been mobilised in the area to help with the operation. It's the highest level of water seen in the Ebro valley since 1961.

The Spanish Health and Defence ministries have ordered two million smallpox vaccines from a multinational pharmaceutical company in preparation against a potential bio terrorist attack. The operation has cost some 7.2 million €. The vaccines would be used to form a supply for members of the armed forces and other professional collectives. The news comes printed in today's El Mundo newspaper, which reports that the government has made the purchase in secret.

Spain's unemployment level increased by 11.45% last year, compared to a 10.5% increase in 2001. 226.400 more people joined the dole queue over the year according to the National Statistics Institute and their review of the active population. A total of 256,200 new jobs were created over the year.

Shades of the Goya ceremony at the Pasarela Gaudi fashion show in Barcelona where models hit the cat walk demonstrating against war in Iraq. Minister Pilar del Castillo was booed when she attended the show from Dirk Schönberger. Anti war images also made their way onto TVE – the state broadcaster with two students and two teaches in the Operación Triunfo round up programme shouting 'No a la guerra' – No to war.
Meanwhile the government is standing firm in its support of the United States and Britain and their posture on Iraq, with the Spanish opposition also remaining united in its opposition and preparing major marches across the country for February 15.

The appeal court in the French town of Pau has given the go-ahead for the extradition to Spain of the alleged ETA terrorist Antonio Zelaia Otaña, but refused to grant that of fellow accused Ricardo Pujana Alberti. The two were detained last October as part of a police operation against ETA's finance and funding operation.
Meanwhile in Spain, judge Baltasar Garzón, has ordered the imprisonment of five alleged directors of Askatazuna, detained yesterday. They face charges of supporting a terrorist organisation.
The Basque parliament has finally withdrawn the wages from Josu Ternera, because of his lack of attendance in the chamber. The deputy has been subject to a detention order since his disappearance ahead of an appearance in the Supreme Court and his alleged involvement in an ETA attack on a Civil Guard barracks in Zaragoza in 1987.

In the first case of its type in Spain, a woman suffering from cancer of the uterus has given birth to a girl. The 30 year old woman from Valencia has been having treatment for cancer for the past two and a half years. The child is reported to be completely healthy.

Three civil guards have been detained in Algeciras on charges of drug trafficking as part of a police operation which saw a total of seven arrests. A judge in the town has authorised more house searches in the operation which remains open.

More details have been released about the government's plans for secondary education, called the 'revalida'. The new measure which will come into force in 2005/6 will mean that pupils who fail more than two subjects will have to repeat the year and the Bachillerato test known as the 'revalida'. The changes were announced by education minister, Pilar del Castillo, who also announced that free infant education for 3-6 year olds could start to be introduced next year.

Four people have been slightly hurt in an accident this morning between a school bus and a van in Castelló d'Empuries near Girona. Two of the injured are children aged 4 and 5. The accident happened at an unmarked crossroads.

A man has died after being shot in the head in the Verdum district of Barcelona. Police say they think it was the result of a settling of scores between delinquents. And in a separate incident in Almeria one were died and six where injured in a shoot out between families in Alboz. Police say they think it was related to the 'Perlotas' clan who were involved in two other local shootings in September 2002.