Stories from Spain

The Spanish Cinema Academy announced the passing of director Arista Ram. Ram was a recipient of two Goya Awards and the Academy's Gold Medal. The Argentine Association of Actors and Actresses remembered him as a director and screenwriter with a critical and international perspective. The Spanish Cinema Academy has announced the death of director Adolfo Aristarain. Born on October 19, 1943, in Parque Chas, Aristarain left a profound mark on Spanish-language cinema with his intensely and narratively committed work.

An art exhibition explores themes of survival and the modern world's obsession with photos and selfies. The artist's work reflects a critique of a superficial lifestyle, suggesting a deeper struggle for meaning.

Former footballer Carles Puyol has been exempted from testifying in a case involving alleged tax evasion and other offenses from 12 years ago. The court is assessing his current mental state to determine his ability to face responsibility. Had the justice system acted faster, Puyol might have had to confront these charges earlier.

A political suspicion exists regarding the Puyol clan case, with 12 years passing before the clan could be brought to trial. Political responsibilities have been addressed by those who left power, but judicial outcomes remain uncertain. The prosecution has taken this long to bring the case to court. The duration of the judicial proceedings has drawn attention, with comparisons made to other lengthy cases. Former footballer Carles Puyol is facing tax evasion charges dating back 12 years.

Two women have been detained in Alicante for performing medical treatments without professional qualifications. Two women have been arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred online. The source did not specify the location of the arrests or the identities of the women.

A piece of a ceiling fell on a player's head during a basketball game in Seville. The incident caused alarm during the match. No injuries were immediately specified in the report.

Cosme Delclaux, a lawyer who was involved in one of the longest kidnappings by the ETA group, has died. The news was reported by Las Sexta.

The People's Party (PP) has encountered opposition from the Spanish Episcopal Conference regarding migration policies. The disagreement follows the party's approach to Vox on migration matters. Specifically, the Church criticized the rejection of migrant regularization. Additionally, the party's 'national priority' concept pacts in Extremadura and Aragon have caused further tension with religious leaders.

Hospital Clinico San Carlos in Madrid has successfully completed over 400 treatments using a new technique to eliminate tremors in Parkinson's patients. The procedure takes approximately 90 minutes and does not require opening the skull. One patient, 65-year-old Jose, regained the ability to eat and drink after suffering from tremors for 20 years. The treatment aims to assist the more than 200,000 people in Spain living with Parkinson's disease. The procedure involves placing the patient in a resonance machine under local anesthesia while the patient remains awake. The laser targets the exact point in the brain causing the tremors. This advancement has reportedly improved the lives of more than 400 patients in Madrid, with a 90% success rate in preventing tremor recurrence.

The regional government of Madrid has launched a 10-year strategy titled 'Comunidad de Madrid en región universitaria.' The plan aims to establish Madrid as a major university bastion in southern Europe. The initiative will be implemented through four distinct programs starting in an initial phase. Madrid is launching the 'Vive Universitaria' plan, which includes an initial investment of 700,000 euros. The program focuses on constructing student residences in specific zones to provide affordable housing. Education Counselor Mercedes Zarzalejo stated the residences will offer affordable prices for families and students. The plan aims to support students during short-term stays of one to two weeks while providing access to the city's cultural offerings. The Community of Madrid is implementing a university strategy to consolidate the region's academic standing.