Veils banned

BARCELONA is to become the first major Spanish city to ban the use of face-covering Islamic veils in municipal buildings.

City mayor Jordi Hereu announced the measure but insisted it was not aimed at any religion.

He says it is aimed at all dress that impedes identification, and thus includes motorcycle helmets and ski masks.

Lleida, also in the Spanish region of Catalonia, last month became the first Spanish city to regulate use of body-covering burkas or face-covering niqab garments.