News, September 2006

September 29th, general news roundup

IBEx market index at historic high briefly tops 13,000; several million dead bocarte fish beached in Asturias - cause appears to be escape from predators (i.e. tuna); 28th: Inflation down to 3%; Volver chosen as Spanish candidate for Oscars; judge Garzón questions police experts over supposed false 3-11 reports; 143 illegals reach Almería aboard pateras (open boats); 27th: Politicains argue over Basque peace crisis; electricity sector nervous at takeover activity leading IBEX market to record highs; new accusations of 3-11 report falsifications; rain brings rise in reservoir levels for first time in 4 1/2 months levels still at crisis proportions (39%) and no immediate relief for farmers in sight; 'DIY Cathedral' in Mejorada del Campo, Madrid may get repreive -P4S lived in its shade for some time; 70th anniversary of releif of siege of Toledo's Alcazar fortress by Franco's troops during Civil War - Irish and British fascist recruits were involved; 25th: Royal family announces new pregnancy for Princess Letizia; ETA announces determination to resume 'struggle with arms in hand' to achieve indepentent Basque state - BBC reads this as refusal to hand in weopons before political objectives reached, Spanish PM Zapatero says they must play by the rules; Endesa takeover saga gets new turn on eve of Brussels announcement as state owned firm Acciona buys 10% in after hours trading; tax donations to NGOs to equal percentage for Church; 22nd: State agrees new way to support financing Catholic church - El Mundo says it could have implications for evangelical churches; 21st: Hurricane Gordon hits Galicia with wind up to 165 kmh at Finisterre - falling trees cause power cuts to 100,000 homes, one injured by falling tree; EU immigration summit in Finland today - 3 Spanish ministers attend; scandal over Interior Ministry report which falsified part of report on 11 March bombings; van driver arrested on discovery of 2.5 tonnes of cocaine.

Other recent news includes: 20th: New wave of pateras brings illegals to peninsula coast; Zapatero supports Pope; 18th: Tripartite talks agree to share Gibraltar airport - first 'internal' flights from Madrid start December - agreement also on phone lines, pensions and border crossings; Spanish convoy attacked in Afghanistan - none injured; huricane force winds warning in North West; 450 extra police transferred to Canaries to help with immigrant crisis.

15th: 566 soldiers of the Spanish UN Lebanon force disembark on Tyre beach; 216 Pakistani illegals reach Canaries aboard cayuco; Socialist party launches web TV station labelled TeleZapatero by press; heavy rains across eastern regions make it impossible to restore rail links between Barcelona and Valencia; 14th: Foreign minister Moratinos tells EU investigation that Spain did not authorise CIA flights (which he now admits passed through Spanish airports) and that no light has come either from the US government or Spanish intelligence sources; Ceiling collapses at Menorca airport's future terminal extension - 3 workers hurt; repatriations to Senegal of Canary cayuco illegals begins today; report claims 75% of bars flaunt new anti-tobacco law requiring smoke-free zones; 13th: Unicef awarded Prince of Asturias Concord prize; attempt to get all-party agreeemt on immigration policy rejected by PP as being too late - Social affaris minister visits Canaries; heavy rains affect transport in Eastern Spain and Balearics - one dead in Mallorca; former Marbella mayor Isabel García Marcos and two others released on bail in development corruption case; 12th: 'Day' of Mallorca - Estatuto of Balearic Islands presented to Cortes (national parliament) with multi party support; Zapatero meets Merkel today; street violence has resumed in Basque Country, as peace process seems stuck.

5th: 20.000 illegals have washed up on Canary shores so far this year - government and NGOs still responding by reaction and unable to cope - tourism possibly under threat according to the BBC; road traffic accidents down 20% over July and August after licence 'points' system increases penalties for infractions; late summer heatwave lingers on, but end in sight; Spanish troops ready for Lebanon mission, but risks admitted by minister; industry minister Montilla replaced by Barcelona mayor Clos; 51 women dead so far this year at hands of partners.