From typicallyspanish.com
Spain Papers Review - Wednesday June 18 2008
By h.b.
Jun 18, 2008 - 9:45 AM
El Mundo headlines that the Mayor who lashed out against corruption has himself been arrested, and that Antonio Barrientos was detained with his councillor for tax in a total of 25 people who now face charges of mis-use of public funds, bribery, money laundering and influence peddling.
El Mundo says Barrientos had promised to eradicate corruption and deals among friends and speculators on the Costa del Sol. The paper says that the Socialist party in Andalucia allowed him to govern in Estepona with the local party, which was the inheritor to the GIL party.
El Mundo has a photo of the Mayor being placed in a car by police after being arrested at his home, and says that among those under investigation in the case is Patricia Rojo, the daughter of the President of the Senate, a Socialist baron, and two important businessmen.
El País also leads with the events and says that another large case of corruption has been discovered in Estepona – a new scandal of urban crime on the Costa del Sol. The paper says that the Mayor, five councillors and several businessmen have been arrested, and notes that the 2007 Anti-corruption law is not being followed in the municipalities.
ABC says that the Mayor and ‘half the Socialist government’ of Estepona have been arrested and notes that no members of the P.P are implicated. The paper says the swoop came ahead of a planned announcement by the Mayor of a new agreement with the Saudi Royal Family for the construction of 4,000 new flats.
El Periódico headlines that real estate corruption has broken out again on the Costa del Sol.
El Mundo notes that the man known as the Raval paedophile in Barcelona, had been granted four prison passes against normal regulations, the last one in May, and even though he had served only 9 years in prison. The Supreme Court had sentenced him to 115 years in prison.
El País notes that the Catalan parliament wants to ensure that any abuser can not inherit anything from his or her victim. The law may be approved later today.
In international news,
El Mundo notes that the Hamas radicals and Israel have reached a treaty after the Egyptian Government acted as mediator. The new treaty is for six months and covers the Gaza area from tomorrow.
El País considers the deal will improve the conditions for the Palestinians in Gaza.
ABC has as large front page photo of Prince Felipe in Afghanistan where he was on a surprise visit to Spanish troops yesterday. The paper says he took Spain’s thanks to the soldiers for their work.
El País notes that 44 Latin American and African countries have rejected the new EU plans on immigration – describing it as ‘an attempt to violate human rights’. The law would allow irregular immigrants to be held for upto 18 months and allow for children to be repatriated.
Público leads with the story and says that the EU is voting today to extend the time that those without papers are held in limbo. The paper prints exclusive photos of how immigrants are currently being held in a reception centre on Tenerife.
Back in Spain, El País notes that Mariano Rajoy has intervened to ensure that there is no debate on gay marriage during the PP party congress which starts in Valencia on Friday. The paper notes that the party still has its appeal against the legislation pending in the Constitutional Court.
La Vanguardia headlines that Rajoy has managed to break files with the critical sector of the party.
ABC says that the Government has admitted that growth of the economy will be only 2% this year, and that the Savings Banks have warned about a possible recession.
Público notes that the Bank of Spain has urged for a reform of the pensions system, and La Vanguardia says the Bank of Spain has also warned about the seriousness of the crisis.
El Mundo notes that Spain will meet Italy in the quarter finals of Euro2008, and that Spain has not beaten them in an official game since 1920.
And finally,
El Mundo says that a robot baby, which simulates the reactions of a real child has been created by scientists. The paper says it is to be used in training doctors.