News, April and May, 2006

May 29th, roundup.

(Sport news click more) More immigrants arrive in Canaries - today's figure 256; EU makes first steps towards common border policy with agreement on patrolling African Atlantic coastline to stem flow of illegals aboard 'cayuco' open boats; government hopes to begin talks with ETA on dissolution and future of its members soon; singer Rocío Jurado seriously ill; Almodóvar's Volver fails to win Golden Palm, but his girls win prize and he get best story line at Cannes; 90% off Mallorca's immigrants last year from outside EU - major swing from when most were British and Germans; 24th: Top cyclist team boss Manolo Saiz under arrest in doping scandal - along with 3 others; burglary wave in Catalonian villages causes alarm - more police to be sent; illegal party Batasuna names ETA peace negotiating team; 1st quarter growth steady at 3.5%, trade deficit grows on high oil prices, but exports also up 17%; 15 month old baby girl gets six new organs at La Paz hospital, Madrid; new regional statute for Andalusia passes first reading in Congress; 19th: 647 illegals land on Canaries from 'cayuco' open boats - record for a single day; heat wave: 8 cities break temperature record for month of May, with Córdoba almost up to 40ºC; 18th: Barcelona beats Arsenal to win Champions' Cup; 241 more 'illegals' reach Canaries; 6 presumed ETA members extradited from Mexico; 17th: Film director Pedro Almodovar wins Prince of Asturias prize for the arts; 16th: 1100 illegals reach Canary coast in cayuco open boats from Mauritania - Canary government overwhelmed, patrol boat sent to help Mauritania police; Bolivia demands BBVA held shares in Repsol pension fund in on-going saga over nationalised gas reserves; new round of questioning in 3-11 trial; Roca, leader of Marbella corruption scandal questioned; ETA calls for France and spain to take advantage of the 'opportunity' for end to Basque terrorism; 12th: Major fraud scandal as two stamp collecting firms investigated - thousands likely to have lost savings; Catalan President Maragall expels republican party ERC from government over Estatut vote position - ERC calls for No vote in 18th June referendum, more >>

News from the Churches

Catalan Ministers' Association celebrates 50th anniversary: in March AMEC, the Catalan ministers' fellowship celebrated its 50th anniversary. The fellowship, which brings together ministers from across the denominations, but particularly the conservative groups, has helped Barcelona to maintain its leading position in the Spanish evangelical movement. Other regions still have no such fellowship or official Evangelical Council. more >>

Sub-Saharan invasion alarms Canaries

19th May. Yesterday a new record was set when 647 paperless illegal immigrants were washed ashore aboard cayuco large open fishing boats, having crossed the ocean several days from Marutiania or even Senegal. Last weekend over 1100 arrived in 4 days. more >>

Thousands likely to lose all as stamp firms investigated for fraud

12th May and following. Forum Filatelico and Afinsa, two firms engaged in encouraging saving through purchases of stamps are being investigated for a pyramid fraud. Many thousands, particularly evindent in country areas where up to half the population of some villages are affected, may have lost their life savings. more >>

ETA announces 'Permanent Ceasefire'

22nd March. Today ETA, using language similar to that used by the IRA before their final ceasefire, has announced a permenent ceasefire from Friday, 24th. Political leaders and commentators are cautious, but hopeful. The full statement can be read in English here. Or in Spanish here. Here is the statement in RTF form. more >>

New Catalan Statute completes hard Congress passage

Early April. After a stormy passage through the national Cortes, the Catalan Estatut, or regional government bill, has finally been accepted. Many differing opinions can be found concerning whether this is a good or bad thing, but they largely depend on where people live and their consequent concept of 'Spain'. In Catalonia itself, as well as the Basque Country and some other 'regions', the small increase in local autonomy, including the sensitive areas of finance and language - particularly what is a 'nation'- the changes are welcomed. On the other hand the Castilian concept of Spain is seen by many as under threat. Former vice-president Alfonso Guerra has said the current political situation is similar to that in the Soviet Union in 1990: 'Spain' is about to break up. more >>