🚫 *Social media ban for under-16s* 📱 Spain will prohibit social media use for under-16s, PM Pedro Sánchez announced on Tuesday. The initiative aims to "protect minors and strengthen control over social media." 🔒 It will require digital platforms to implement "effective age-verification systems" and take stronger action to prevent abuse. ⚖️ The new law will also classify the manipulation of algorithms and the amplification of illegal content as criminal offences. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4rNYOQP

📅 *Automatic TIE appointments* 💻 The chaos surrounding TIE appointments in Catalonia may finally be nearing a solution. 🛂 On Friday, the Spanish Government Delegation in Catalonia launched a new pilot programme in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat that will automatically assign appointments for obtaining the TIE. ⏰ Under the new system, once applicants receive their residence permit, they will automatically be sent -via email or SMS- the date, time, and police station for their TIE appointment, without having to book it themselves. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4rHS6f9

🚌 *Public transport discounts* 🚇 *Discounts* on public transport fares in Catalonia will continue until at least the end of the current parliamentary term 🚅 The Catalan government made the pledge on Wednesday after left-wing Comuns demanded action in response to the recent *Rodalies crisis* 🛤️ A *free 10-ride pass* has also been made available for travel on Rodalies for one month 🔗 Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3NLbxVs

*🎧 PODCAST: NIE and TIE appointment chaos* 🆕 New episode of Filling the Sink out now 🧩 We explore a long-running problem faced by many immigrants in Spain: the difficulty of securing NIE and TIE appointments. 🎙️ With cybersecurity expert René Serral, law professor Natalia Caicedo and activist Carmen Juares. 🔗 Watch/listen ➡️ https://bit.ly/4k7Brid

🍿 *What's on this weekend?* 🔥 *Gràcia bonfires* ➡ Mallorcan festval ✨ *Casa Batlló projection mapping* ➡ On the façade from 7.45pm - 10.45pm, Saturday and Sunday 🎭 *Marina Abramovic in Liceu* ➡ Balkan Erotic Epic 🌱 *Plants market* ➡ From as little as €1 🧙 *Centelles witch fair* ➡ Folklore 👚 *Port Flea* ➡ Vintage and designer wares, DJs, food trucks 🍷 *Fira de la Candelera* ➡ Molins de Rei, cultural acts, gastronomic offerings, exhibitions, tastings 🔗 And more! ➡ https://bit.ly/49cTBLN

🚆 *Rodalies still not back to normal* 🚄 Rodalies commuter rail services in Catalonia were still not back to normal on Monday, nearly two weeks after the disruption began following an accident in Gelida that left the driver dead. 📍 Despite government assurances that service would resume on Monday, the reality is that most lines, 11 in total, were still partially operating with bus alternatives. 🗺️ The lines that continue to operate part of their routes by bus are R1, RG1, R3, R4, RL4, R7, R8, R13, R14, R15 and RT1. The lines running entirely by train are R2 North, R2 South, R11, R16 and R17. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3NTrHw2