This week’s top stories from EL PAÍS English Edition

¿No puedes verlo bien? Prueba a abrirlo en tu navegador »

English Edition Dear readers, Freedom of speech in Spain was a hot issue this week, with news that a woman who was given a jail sentence for tweeting jokes would have the ruling thrown out by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, a second rapper was given a jail sentence over his lyrics. There was also a major development in Catalan politics, as ousted premier Carles Puigdemont finally threw in the towel in his bid to be voted back in to the role. In other news, Spain was battered by the extreme weather that has been seen across Europe. Below you'll find an album of the most striking images from the week. And finally, a novel lottery made the headlines, thanks to a website that lets homeowners raffle off their properties for €5 a ticket. We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from the EL PAÍS English Edition, thanks for reading. Simon Hunter Coordinator El País English Edition Carles Puigdemont at a press conference. / Delmi Alvarez Catalonia Ousted Catalan premier withdraws bid to be voted back into post Miquel Noguer / Camilo S. Baquero / El País Barcelona In video address from Belgium, Carles Puigdemont proposes a jailed candidate and vows to fight the Spanish state Spanish court throws out jail sentence for woman who posted jokes on Twitter Fernando J. Pérez Madrid Student Cassandra Vera was given a year in prison over tweets poking fun at Franco-era assassination of Prime Minister Luis Carrero Blanco Pablo Háse in a file photo. / Paul White FREEDOM OF SPEECH Second Spanish rapper sentenced to prison for praising terrorism Fernando J. Pérez Madrid The case involving Pablo Hásel comes in the same week that artist Valtonyc was given a jail term for his lyrics INTERNATIONAL How Russian networks worked to boost the far right in Italy David Alandete / Daniel Verdú Milan / Rome An analysis of social networks reveals how Kremlin-backed media outlets boosted xenophobic discourse HUMAN RIGHTS Council of Europe urges Spain to create independent anti-racism body Lucía Abellán Brussels Spain and San Marino are the only countries in the 47-member organization not to have an equality watchdog Weather in Spain In pictures | The "Beast from the East" hits Spain El País The polar front sweeping across the country has left these striking images of snowy and icy conditions across the peninsula Quini at a soccer match in his honor. / A.C. Obituary Spanish soccer legend Quini dies aged 68 Ladislao J. Moñino Madrid The iconic forward was admired for his goal-scoring prowess and kind nature Housing crisis How tourist apartments are hurting Madrid's neighborhoods Yolanda Clemente / J. A. Aunión Platforms like Airbnb are pushing up the cost of rent and forcing locals to move out of the city center A malnourished puma in a cage in the Zulia zoo. / AFP AMERICAS Food crisis in Venezuela not just hitting humans, as shocking zoo photos reveal AFP Caracas The animal park in the city of San Francisco is having to sacrifice pigs and goats to be able to feed the other species, as shortages worsen CAVE PAINTINGS Spanish cave art was made by Neanderthals, new test reveals Manuel Ansede Uranium-thorium dating system finds that the drawings pre-date modern humans by 20,000 years Recycling containers in Seville. / PACO PUENTES ENVIRONMENT Why Spain gets a failing grade when it comes to recycling Manuel Planelles Madrid Only 29% of municipal waste currently gets recycled, far from the EU goals set for 2020. Green groups say this target is impossible The beach house up for grabs. / LOTOHOME.ES Property Loto How a €5 raffle ticket could win you a Spanish beach house María Pitarch Castellón LotoHome, a pioneering business in Spain, allows homeowners the chance to offload their properties to the lucky owner of the winning number Facebook's HQ in Dublin. / C. M. Citizens' Europe Europe's tax war with the tech giants Alicia González Dublin The European Parliament will vote on a reform in March to impose a common corporate fiscal system for all companies operating physically or virtually in Europe Cartoons El Roto Opinion & Editorial Brexit: A dead-end street The UK government is coming to realize that leaving the EU will take them to no safe harbor, particularly when it comes to Ireland A monumental fraud in Catalonia Defenders of the independence cause have made a mockery of democracy and citizens with their latest parliamentary acrobatics Thanks readers! Sign up for more newsletters from EL PAÍS » You have received this communication because you have registered with EL PAÍS and you have subscribed to the ENGLISH EDITION editorial newsletter. If you believe you have received this message due to an error or you want to stop receiving this bulletin at the email address tworaho.mail18@blogger.com, you can unsubscribe. In addition, you can change your preferences by accessing your profile. At any time you can exercise your rights to access, rectify, cancel or object via post by writing to EDICIONES EL PAÍS, at the following address: Miguel Yuste, 40. 28037; or by writing to PROMOTORA DE INFORMACIONES, S.A. (PRISA), at the address Gran Vía, 32 - Madrid 28013, writing on the envelope: "DERECHOS LOPD" and including a photocopy of your identity card or passport and explaining your request.