Emilio Perez’s serious economic troubles have resulted in an intriguing business idea. The resident of Villapresente, a forest ranger and pinewood seller, hit rock bottom when he was unable to sell his trees due to low demand during the economic crisis. His solution was to build Spain’s largest maze with his unsold trees, a plan which would also provide his unemployed daughter with a business interest and a respectable salary. The maze is 5000 square metres, almost half the size of a football pitch, and its 4000 trees make up almost four kilometres of pine-walled streets. “There could be larger mazes, those built from maize which last for a few months, but of those that are permanent, this is the largest," said Perez. The construction of the maze has caused a stir in Cantabria. “At first people said that it was a plantation, they did not know that it was a maze and when they found out they were surprised.” Four years ago, he began to put into … [Read more...] about Spain’s largest maze is about to open. And it’s the perfect place to lose your mother-in-law
Law
Foreigner road toll ‘breaks EU law’
German plans to impose a highway toll on foreign drivers are against EU law, according to research from Germany’s own parliament. Lawyers from the parliament’s Research Services presented a 23-page report stating that Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s plan would lead to an "indirect discrimination of EU citizens", according to Der Spiegel magazine. Dobrindt wants to impose a motorway tax of up to €100 annually on drivers in Germany. However, German drivers would be able to reclaim the highway toll as a tax write-off, meaning only foreigners would pay. Austria, which has its own motorway tolls, valid for everyone including Austrians and Germans, was among the first to complain about the German plans. Up until now, there has been no toll at all on German motorways, among the most heavily frequented in Europe. She said if she was not able to find a solution with Dobrindt there would either be proceedings against Germany on violation of the … [Read more...] about Foreigner road toll ‘breaks EU law’
Right royal bust-up: Viral video shows Queen Letizia clashing with mother-in-law
The family group posed happily for photos outside the cathedral. Photo: AFP Family photos can be a bit awkward. Especially when they involve three generations of royals and everyone involved is used to being the centre of attention. This was the tricky scenario at the traditional Easter Sunday mass in the cathedral in Palma de Mallorca, when the three generations of royals appeared in public together for the first time in a long while. The official shots showed a united front, a cosy family unit comprising King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia, their picture-perfect daughters, Princess Leonor, 12 and the 10-year-old Infanta Sofia, flanked by the retired monarch, King Juan Carlos and doting grandmother Queen Sofia. But a video that emerged on Tuesday showed the tensions that bubbled to the surface during the public outing. Just as Queen Sofía clasped her granddaughters to her side for a photograph in church, her daughter-in-law Queen Letizia appeared to block the shot … [Read more...] about Right royal bust-up: Viral video shows Queen Letizia clashing with mother-in-law
In response to California sanctuary law, Orange County Sheriff makes public inmates’ release dates
By Roxana Kopetman | [email protected] | Orange County RegisterPUBLISHED: March 26, 2018 at 7:32 pm | UPDATED: March 28, 2018 at 1:44 pm The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, whose leadership opposes the new California sanctuary law that limits cooperation with federal immigration officials, announced Monday that it is now providing public information on when inmates are released from custody. As of Monday, March 26, an existing “Who’s in Jail” online database includes the date and time of inmates’ release – a move agency officials say will enhance communication with its law enforcement partners. The release date information applies to all inmates, not just those who are suspected of being in the country illegally. But the goal is to assist agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. “This is in response to SB-54 limiting our ability to communicate with federal authorities and our concern that criminals are … [Read more...] about In response to California sanctuary law, Orange County Sheriff makes public inmates’ release dates
Employment law: What’s new for 2018?
Julie Taylor, senior associate at Gardner Leader Solicitors in Newbury, summarises the key developments in employment law expected this year: i) The EU General Data Protection Regulations The GDPR comes into force on May 25, 2018, and imposes new rules regarding the processing of personal data, particularly for consent, transparency and access rights. Ensure your business is ready by carrying out an audit of your data and reviewing the guidance published by the Information Commissioner’s Office. ii) The Gig economy In early February, the Government responded to the recommendations made by the Taylor Review published last summer which examined and consulted on modern working practices. The response announced the launch of four further consultations for employment status, agency workers, enforcement of employment rights and transparency within the labour market. The response also highlighted that a number of the Taylor Review recommendations would be taken forward. These … [Read more...] about Employment law: What’s new for 2018?
Pennsylvania moves closer to complying with Real ID law
The Senate voted Tuesday to repeal and replace a 2012 state law that bars Pennsylvania from complying with federally approved anti-terrorism travel rules at airports and federal property.The 49-1 tally came on a bill that would allow PennDOT to create a new optional driver's license or non-driving identification card that satisfies a 2005 federal law known as the Real ID Act. Those who do not want a Real ID-compliant license can also use a passport under the bill.The Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf have until June 6 to meet a federal deadline to begin complying with Real ID, or Pennsylvanians would face airline bans in 2018 and be prohibited from entering military bases and other federal buildings.Sen. Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, reported anxious constituents. Parents are worried they will not be able to attend their children's boot camp graduations, she said, or go to work as contractors in federal facilities."I ask my colleagues for an affirmative vote," Ward said. They did, with only … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania moves closer to complying with Real ID law
Can a travel boycott force Florida to toughen gun control laws?
Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page Christopher Muther Globe Staff March 01, 2018 As classes resume at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., this week after a shooting there left 17 dead, travel experts are carefully watching for a potential dip in the state’s tourism industry. David Hogg, a 17-year-old survivor of the shooting, is calling on college students across the country to boycott Florida as a spring break destination in an attempt to force the hand of legislators to enact tougher gun control laws. “Let’s make a deal DO NOT come to Florida for spring break unless gun legislation is passed. These politions (sic) won’t listen to us so maybe the’ll (sic) listen to the billion dollar tourism industry in FL,” Hogg posted to his Twitter account, which now has nearly 400,000 followers. The tweet has so far garnered 170,000 likes. Advertisement … [Read more...] about Can a travel boycott force Florida to toughen gun control laws?
Be aware of laws while traveling, or you’ll court trouble
Oh, the legal trouble Americans get themselves into when they're abroad."They dress immodestly," says Sheryl Hill, the executive director of Depart Smart, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving travel safety. "They bring banned medications. They make inappropriate gestures. I've heard it all."No joke. A few years ago, Qatar ran a campaign to remind tourists to dress modestly, in accordance with its Islamic laws. More recently, a Utah woman landed in a Mexican jail after bringing Sudafed on her Puerto Vallarta vacation.One of the most famous cases of cultural misunderstanding occurred in 1985, when five Americans were arrested outside the Vatican. Their crime? Making the signature gesture of the Texas Longhorn football team, a clenched fist with the index finger and little finger extended. It is an obscene gesture in Italy."All the rules change when you're in another country," Hill says.But there are ways to stay out of trouble, and steps you can take to help yourself if you … [Read more...] about Be aware of laws while traveling, or you’ll court trouble
Intellectual Property law changes
Bui Nguyen Hung, director general of the Copyright Office, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, speaks to the newspaper New Hanoi about how Decree 22 will interpret changes made to the 2009 Law on Intellectual Property Rights. Mr. Bui Nguyen Hung What is new in Decree 22/2018/NĐ-CP on guidelines for some articles of the intellectual property law (IP) and law on amendments to the IP law 2009 in terms of the copyright and related rights as compared to the existing laws on IP rights? A key objective of Decree 22 is to supplement and revise some provisions contained in the current Law on Intellectual Property Rights to facilitate its on-the-ground implementation. Decree 22 has added three new articles relating to procedures through which an author’s copyrights and related rights can be re-issued, amended or repealed. The aim of the new articles is to create favourable conditions for organisations and individuals applying for the work’s intellectual … [Read more...] about Intellectual Property law changes
11 Weird Laws That Could Ruin Your Next Trip
Traveling can be an incredibly freeing experience, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re free to do whatever you want. Tourists often find themselves in hot water with locals or law enforcement for being ignorant of laws or cultural norms. At best, this can be embarrassing. At worst, illegal. Switching into relaxation mode is essential for most vacations, but don’t let it make you blind to some crucial information about your destination. Try making a must-not-do list in addition to your to-do list. In some places, chewing gum is illegal. In others, throwing out your metro ticket breaks the law. Here are a few weird laws to watch out for. Image Gallery View as one page Feeding The Pigeons In Venice Throwing birdseed in Venice's Piazza San Marco may seem like an innocent pastime, but Venice has banned feeding the city's massive pigeon population. Some people do still feed the birds, but the practice is punishable by a fine since the pigeons … [Read more...] about 11 Weird Laws That Could Ruin Your Next Trip