News, July '04

July 25th, resumé.

(Church and Sport news click more) 4 presumed ETA terrorists arrested, possibly frustrating an attempt to reconstitute a terrorist 'commando'; Banco Santander understood to be offering up to 8.8 billion GBP for UK's 6th largest bank, Abbey - first serious incursion of a European bank into British retailing and showing the economic power of Spanish business; heat wave causes first death as temperatures again rise, -40ºC plus (105ºF)- government reactivates emergency heat-wave health services plan; as parliamentary investigation about 3/11 moved into its 3rd week, more mystery than light is appearing: police mafias, petty crime, links between the Aviles explosives theft and ETA, etc.. El Mundo claims Suarez Trashorras was also working for ETA, both stealing explosive and vehicles and that the same day in February that the ETA 'caravan of death' was discovered heading for Madrid http://www.prayforspain.com/archive/index8.html, the Moroccans also received their explosive; finance minister Solbes finds hidden debts left by previous government, leading to budget deficit this year; more >>

José Borrell elected President of the European Parliament

20 July. José Borrell, leader of the Spanish PSOE (socialist) members in the European Parliament has been elected its president. more >>

San Fermín, Pamplona's bull-running Fiesta

7th July is the day that the inhabitants of Pamplona celebrate their patron saint, San Fermín. It is the first day of a week of bull-running and fiestas. Made famous by Hemingway's book more >>

European Election results for Spain

14th June. As in other EU countries, the recent EU parliamentary election reflected a lack of general interest, on the one hand and internal political issues on the other. 46% of the Spanish electorate voted. The Socialists (PSOE) gained most seats, but no overall majority. The conservative Partido Popular (PP) were, however, just two behind more >>

News theme: Basque politics and ETA

During July and August (2003) many of us were concerned by the numerous attacks by ETA terrorists, for foreigners and Spaniards at large,most notably the hotel bombings in Alicante and Benidorm. Over the winter months, attention moved to the many arrests made and by early March it seemed that ETA was in trouble, but still with plenty of raw recruits able to place bombs if asked. The suddenly the perceived threat changed. more >>

News Theme: Big events in 2004, Holy Year for Santiago and Forum of the Cultures in Barcelona, 500th anniversary of the death of Queen Isabel I

This year, three major long-running events will dominate the Spanish 'cultural diary'. They are the Año Jacobeo, or Holy Year of Pilgrimage to Santiago in Galicia, the Forum of the Cultures in Barcelona and the 500th anniversary of the deat of Isabel I, founder of the Spanish Inquisition. The first two, particularly, will draw many thousands of visitors, curious to see what is going on or perhaps committed to a particular expression of spirituality. more >>

News Theme, Summer in Spain and the Weather

Schools are out! Summer has officially begun! On approximately 20th June each year, schools close for the summer. It is now too hot in most areas to hold classes without expensive air conditioning, more >>

Summer is here, happy fiestas!

Fiesta time is round again. Through the spring, fiestas, or city/village celebration weeks, have already been a big part of life. After Easter, the cities of Andalusia begin a round of Ferias, starting with the greatest of them all in Seville. By June, most towns and villages want to join in, with festivities traditionally centred on a saint's or 'virgin's' day. more >>

More News

A few more news items and where to find more news about Spain: more >>