News, May 2004

June 2nd, resumé.

(Church and Sport news click more) European election campaign warming up - voting in Spain 13th June; Consitutional Court cancels definitvely the candidature of HZ, a pro-ETA Basque party; 3/11 parliamentary commission has started investigations; Basque government has been holding secret meetings with Batasuna, closely allied with ETA terrorists, for a ceasefire; last Spanish troops finally home from Iraq - the adventure cost Spain 370 million Euros ; violent gang led by 16 year old rounded up in Barcelona - they attacked individuals, filling stations and stores and stole cars; Costa Brava affected by scale 4 earthquake; tourism in Madrid up 23% despite 3/11; 96% of Spanish beaches met European health and safety requirements, but Spain has not even examined the most regular failures - graphic info at: http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/graficos/jun/s1/playas_2004.html

Sport:

Olympics Madrid chosen as finalist for 2012 location choice. Decision to be announced next year. Paris is favourite. Other finalists: New York, London and Moscow
Football (soccer): Valencia beat Seville to take League title; UEFA cup final: Valencia beat OM; Deportivo lost to Oporto in Champions' Cup semi final, Morientes (ex real Madrid) places Monaco in final after beating Chelsea; Zaragoza beat Madrid in extra time in Copa del Rey final
Basketball: Tau Ceramica leads ACB league but playoffs remain to select winner; Spaniard Pau Gasol is helping Memphis Grizzlies to beat records
Motor: F1 European GP: Fernando Alonso 5th, behind Trulli, while M Schumacher won again - currently Alonso is in 5th championship position; Bikes: Le Mans: - Gibernau won in GP, Pedrosa in 250.
Tennis: Roland Garros: Moyà eliminated, no more Spaniards remain.
Cycling: the course of the 2004 Vuelta Ciclista de España is now available - it will replace traditional climbs in the north with more exposure to Valencia, Andalusia and Extremadura. See the route at: http://www.lavuelta.com/04/ingles/recorrido/index.asp
Swimming Spanish girls win two silver and one bronze medals for synchronised swimming events in European swimming championships, Madrid, a great hope for the Olympics

Churches

Córdoba campaign: full report now available: http://www.prayforspain.com/projects/index12.html

Llamada, the Spanish youth/missions conference which was held over Easter, gathered 700 to hear the challenge of missions both within Spain and abroad. This was just one of the many church and mission retreats which took place over the long weekend holiday. Llamada means Call.It was again organised by the Spanish branch of the Pocket Testament League (PTL).

The gathered assembly was saddened by the death of an old contirbutor to PTL activities. Carlos Rosell lived in Madrid and was Spain's leading Gospel Magician, also being very involved in activities of other evangelistic organisations. At his funeral he preached his last message, this time in printed form, encouraging others to consider whether they will meet him in heaven.

High-speed train brings bonus for Evangelicals In Zaragoza, the Betel church has rented the old El Portillo station building which served until late last year as the main station for the city. Now, with the AVE high speed service between Madrid and Barcelona having required a new station to be built, the old one was available for rent. Betel, the church arising from a WEC founded drug rehabilitation ministry, has taken the plunge as they were looking for new premises. Only months ago, the Baptists also opened a new, larger building in the city, which in the 16th century burned protestants at the stake and which still has a major cult of the 'Virgin of the pillar'. (AC Press)

United churches' memorial service A service took place in the Betel auditoruim, Madrid, organised by the Madrid Evangelical Council - Saturday 20th; evangelicals and other minority religious groups have complained that their memorial services have been 'boycotted' by official representatives, while the State funeral is taking place in a Roman Catholic cathedral. Among the evangelical and orthodox affected were many Romanians: 11 dead, 85 wounded, of whom 26 remain in hospital.

Sources El Mundo, TVE, EP