Miguel Praga

✈ Leticia Lauffer, former director at Wakalua, testified on August 26 about her close relationship with Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, during the investigation into Gómez for alleged influence trafficking and corruption. Lauffer directed Wakalua from May 2019 to June 2023 and detailed her connections within the investigation led by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, Juzgado de Instrucción nº 41, Madrid, regarding Gómez's interactions with Javier Hidalgo amidst negotiations for a state rescue of Air Europa.

🔒 In Spain, the Data Protection Law meant to increase privacy has led to many problems without actually enhancing privacy. The law requires hotels and agencies to collect excessive information which the government already has through individuals' DNI (national ID). The Interior Ministry adds another layer of information, despite similar security levels in countries like the UK, which does not have an ID document system. Additionally, there are concerns about the misuse of the vast amount of data the government holds.

🏖️ Imserso provides 886,269 spots for 4 million qualified pensioners, which is less than one for every four individuals. Agencies can reserve up to 10 places at a time starting from the hour sales open, with necessary correct DNI entry for each person. Viajes El Corte Inglés and Ávoris brands (Halcón Viajes and B travel) aim to streamline the booking process by gathering pensioner information in advance. Sales open at 9:00 AM, or 8:00 AM for the Canary Islands.

🚀 A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 from Hong Kong experienced a serious incident involving a fire alarm in one engine shortly after takeoff, leading to an emergency landing. The Rolls Royce XWB97 engine was affected. Investigations revealed two fuel distribution hoses inside the plane were punctured. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandated airlines using this engine to perform visual inspections of these hoses, though the issue was not deemed urgent and was suspected to be related to Cathay's specific engine cleaning procedures. Cathay Pacific temporarily grounded its fleet but has since resumed normal flight operations.