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For those who thought the iPad and the iPhone were at the peak of cutting edge technology will certainly consider these ideas out dated when they see what an invention the MicroSD Card Reader Watch is. This fantastic piece of technology – which at first glance looks just like any other ordinary watch – has a built-in card reader with a flip out USB cable for direct connection to a computer with no need for any additional wires or gadgets.

The decidedly James Bond-esque accessory means that gigabytes of data can simply be carried around one’s wrist. The watch has a slick black and steel design, making it aesthetic as well as functional. It is also water resistant, static and shock proof and has an LED status indicator.

Of course, the battery life may get used up faster than a standard watch, despite purporting to have a 3 year battery life – but that’s all relative depending how much it is used. The MicroSD Card Reader Watch is compatible with Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista/7 and Mac.

And if you’re thinking that this technology will set you back a pretty penny, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find out it will set you back as little as $16. (11.92€)

Paper-readers are being warned to be on alert for some job advertisements that are appearing in local newspapers promising a monthly income. The seemingly benign job offer actually turns out to be cashing travellers cheques in Spain.

Some women in various parts of Southern Spain who have answered the ads and applied for positions now think they have become victims of a possible scam. And as a result of this, they are now believed to be involved in police investigations.

One such woman – a British expatriate – has been allegedly held and questioned by the Guardia Civil in Almeria. She is alleged to have responded by email to the job ad and was consequently offered commission for encashing travellers cheques at a Spanish bank. The bank in question contacted the authorities to check whether the cheques were authentic, believing them to be highly suspect.

Police have refused to comment on the incidences, however these and other reports have been confimed by usually reliable sources.

A change in the birth registration laws is being planned by Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s socialist government. This new law will instruct registrars to put surnames in alphabetical order, unless the parents specify otherwise.

Traditionally, Spanish people have two surnames at birth: firstly, the father’s and the second is the mother’s. Historically, the father’s name has always gone first and in legal battles, this name would also have priority, however under existing laws either can come first. In addition, Spanish women do not change their surnames when they marry.

Under the rule of Dictator, General Franco, first names had to be chosen from an approved list of Saints. Now, the latest legislation will also spare parents from declaring whether their child was born out of wedlock, a rule which has been mandatory since 1957. Read more »

President of the Trade Federation in Malaga (FECOMA), Enrique Gil has announced that many shops and supermarkets will not take on extra staff over Christmas due to the economic crisis.

Before the global financial meltdown, unemployed people in the province looked forward to the Christmas period, as a chance to get some temporary work, with over 7,000 contracts being signed historically.

However, this Christmas, shops will make do with the staff they have, and merely ask their current employees to work extra shifts. Businesses are predicting poor sales this year, because most people in the province can not afford the expense that they once were accustomed to.

Figures from Eurostat, the European Union (EU)’s statistics bureau, showed that Spain’s unemployment rate in October had reached 12.8 percent, 5.7 percent higher than the EU average.

Crime reports fell by a total of eight percent in Marbella during the first nine months of 2010, according to the municipality’s Chief of National Police, Rafael Madrona.

Similarly, reports of violent crime, which include murder and assault have also dropped, by a surprising 17 per cent.

“This has been a difficult year due to the crisis but the results announced today were very good” Madrona was quoted as saying at a recent police ceremony. He laboured the point adding “These are the kinds of criminal offences that cause alarm for our residents and visitors”. During his speech he also added that the Police must maintain their position “on top of crime” which is becoming “more specialised and technologically advanced” as time goes on. The Mayor, Angeles Muñoz also praised the “professionalism” of the National force and its diligent “collaboration with the town’s Local Police” She was also quoted as saying “These two factors help to provide the level of security that we have at present”. Read more »