Trapped Boy
Authorities say that rescue experts are using explosives to make their way through a 4-meter wall of hard rock to reach the space where a 2-year-old boy has been trapped for 12 days.
The government’s office in Malaga this morning said it took around 16 hours to dig the first half.
The country is holding its breath and following every turn of events in the frantic effort to recover Julen Rosello, who fell down a narrow 110-meter deep borehole on Jan. 13.
Bank Spy
The BBVA Bank has called in PwC to help in its investigation into alleged spying on government officials and businessmen by a security firm that worked for the bank in 2004.
Earlier, Luis de Guindos, the vice-president of the European Central Bank called on BBVA to conclude its inquiry into the allegations in a timely manner.
The ECB has expressed concerns over media reports that BBVA hired ex-police chief Jose Manuel Villarejo’s firm as part of efforts to prevent a takeover bid.
BBVA’s executive confirmed in a letter to staff this month that the company performed various services for the bank, but said it had found no evidence of spying.
Circus Ban
Traveling circuses featuring wild animals looks set to be outlawed in Madrid.
The city council today approved an amendment to regulations acknowledging circus facilities do not meet the ‘physiological, mental and social condition needs of animals’ or respect animal welfare.
The decision is based on a recommendation by the European Veterinary Federation which warned the needs of animals ‘cannot be met in a travelling circus.
It adds that the use of ‘wild animals is unjustified’ and has ‘little or no educational, conservationist or economic value’ while at the same time ‘violating’ the universal declaration of animal rights.
Prior to approving the amendment, the city council carried out an online public consultation and met with representatives from several animal protection associations.
The use of wild animals in circuses is already prohibited in the provinces of Valencia, Murcia, Galicia, Catalonia, Cueta, La Rioja and the Balearic Islands.
The majority of Madrid municipalities have also outlawed the practice.
Fingerprint Drug Test
The world’s first portable fingerprint-based drug test, which works by analysing sweat from a fingerprint to determine if someone has recently used cocaine, opiates, amphetamines or cannabis, is now available in Spain.
Fingerprint testing is non-invasive, fast and cost-effective in drug testing programmes .. It’s also being used by coroners to assist with toxicology tests and in the drug rehabilitation sector.