News, November 2006

November 30th, general news roundup

Zigor Garro, presumed ETA logistics chief, plus two others arrested in France; detainees in andratx, Mallorca, corruption case face judge; policemen in Madrid investigate for explosive trafficking; inflation 2.7%; patera rescued 300 miles off Canaries with one dead immigrant; new airline Vueling to be quoted on Madrid exchange from Friday, 7th; Iberia now sells 95% of tickets electronically; Brussels challenges Madrid's conditions for E.On takeover of Endesa; 29th: ETA terrorist 'Txapote' on trial for yet another murder; 7 membersof ETA support team sentenced in France; Gibraltar votes new Constitution tomorrow; government to permit above inflation power price rise in January; 28th: Princess Leticia's second child will be a girl; 20% of the population are considered below the 'relative poverty line', while 40% can't afford to take a week's holiday; Socialist party claims opposition PP did as much or more to woo ETA while it was still killing than the government is doing now - latest blow in political in-fighting over Basque peace process, which seems more stuck than ever; Spanish firms are growing: Iberdrola takes over Scottish Power to become 3rd power firm in Europe - could also take over Union Fenosa; Abertis-Autostrade merger gets go-ahead; Iberia accused of racism in Peru, Evangelicals affected; 27th: 10 'illegals' drown in attempt to reach Canaries; Right wing gathers more victims of ETA terror at rally, while Zapatero calls for unity behind government attempts at Basque peace; Iberia starts test landings at the rock for resumption of Madrid-Gibraltar flights on 16th December; Spain-Portugal summit agrees 2013 deadline for high speed AVE rail line between capitals; 62nd victim of year dies on gender killing memorial day; mayor and senior regional civil servant arrested in Mallorca in new building licence corruption scandal; weather continues confused: while floods hit the west, Mallorca had 27º over the weekend and bathers were out on the beaches - Mallorca has had no serious rain since April; environment ministry recommends transfer of water from upper Tajo basin to Murcia coast 'for human consumption' as water levels are recovering in the Tajo and Murcia's orchards are now also almost out of risk, despite low reserves in the region - for more on reserves Go More news.

Other recent news includes: 24th: José Montilla invested as 128th president of the Catalan Generalitat; total public and private debt now 2 trillion Euros (see Stats); 23rd: Catalan Parlament debates investiture of Socialist José Montilla as regional president; 2 tourists and one other hurt as room crashes through ceiling into reception at Parador Nacional in Toledo, a key state-owned hotel; one in five teachers suffer burn out, 39% stres - union reports; economy booming cf also our economic stats page; heavy rain and wind in 6 regions, while the Balearics continue to suffer drought; EU migrant and development policy announced; 21st: ETA shown to have been behind gun robbery in France last month - peace process under threat; 2 dead in bus and truck crash near Madrid; debt has grown 22% over year to September; internet child porn gang arrested; 'Missing' Goya turns up again in USA; Tony King accuses Vazquez of Wanninkhof murder; mortgage news: household debt up 22% in year to September, but building plots down 15% in first half; 20th: 31st anniversary of Franco's death; briton Tony King again in dock in Wanninkhof rape and murder case -a jury trial- could get 26 years - in 2001 Dolores Vazquez was condmened for the '99 death; opposition launch 'greater security' campaign, but film of violence is from when they were in government - interior minister Rubalcaba promises 36,000 new police before end of legislature; 'The Egyptian' extradited from Italy as 3-11 terror leader; Zapatero's 'palace' cleaning staff on all-out strike.

16th: Middle East peace project announced in Madrid; 15th: President Obiang -dictator- of Ecuatorial Guinea (former colony) visits Spain for 1st time in 20 years; more arrested in Marbella building permit corruption case; Goya picture lost in USA; BBC reports on Roman treasures from sunken galley which are thrilling archaeoligists in Valencia; 13th: New Catalan coalition announced between centre-left 'progressive' parties; Basque 'peace process' remains at stalemate as street violence and demonstrations continue; roads leave 29 dead over weekend, mostly young people; 4th anniversary of Prestige oil tanker disaster off Galicia -demonstrations in region as oil continues to leak from carcass and no plans to prevent repetition have been made; police inspector arrested for corruption in Mallorca - he was in charge of anti-drug operations; Telefonica takes Hong Kong stake as Iberdrola considers takeover of Scottish Power; tobacco taxes up; Ibex market index crossed 14,000 barrier; P4S was closed for a week; 2nd: Centre-right nationalist party CiU wins Catalan election, but pacts needed to rule, so the left wing 'tripartite' government may return; new party Ciutadans win 3 seats on back of discontent towards main parties; storms over Tenerife affect both airports - but rain welcome; 4 hour power cut on Menorca - whole island affected; 1st: 5.3 million Catalans called to vote in regional election - at 14.00, 57% did.