News, April 2007

News from the Churches

Missionary Carlos Madrigal led mourning for dead workers in Turkey and now his church has been attacked. Book fair in Alcalá de Henares competes with Royal prize giving. Valencia sees 2000 Gospels given out at Americas Cup site. George Borrow 170th anniversary exhibition on the move in Madrid. Malaga gives evangelicals ground for new social centre. New magazine launched. New online bookshop. This and more... Read on! more >>

April 30th, general news roundup

Infanta Sofia born to prince Felipe and princess Letizia on Sunday afternoon; 50 'irregular' immigrants rescued from boat in distress south of Canaries; Benicassim rock festival a wash-out; document in hands of ETA detainee shows ETA behind Batasuna electoral strategy; 3.8% less homes sold Mediterranean provinces during 2006, but Malaga and Balearics inverted the tendency with 11% growth - sales times have doubled in 3 years; Airbus to cut 334 jobs in Getafe; Santander launches Spain's first CD/DVD recycling service, with data destruction included; 27th: Patera small boat found on Mallorca - 4 Algerian immigrants sought; new round of ETA extorsion letters reaching Basque businesses; 3 'liberated' ETA members arrested in Sheffield (UK) - were planning to return to Spain by ferry; long weekend - millions expected to make trips, despite rain in most parts; National Express buys 2nd bus company in Spain - it owns largest long distance operator Alsa and now wants Continental Auto; property share falls ease as IBEX fears abate; court charges US soldiers with death of Spanish journalist José Couso in Iraq war; 26th: Cayuco open boat brings 66 migrants and 2 dead to southern Tenerife; Guernica commemorates 70th anniversary of bombing which inspired Picasso's painting; 25th: Senegal accepts repatriation of migrants rescued by Spanish coast guard; Pakistan's Musharraf visits Spain - agreement on terrorism; Banco Santander joins offer for ABN Amro; Mallorca opens Metro- free rides until September; 24th: Spanish soldier dies in accident in Kosovo; Seville's famous Feria begins; property shares drag down IBEX after Astroc shock - government assures markets this is no bubble bursting; market regulator president Conthe resigns over E.On affair; Madrid born Miguel Lopez Alegría lands after 6 months captaining ISS - to be greeted with Iberian ham sandwich - also bring home 2 new NASA records for time in space and length of space walk; 23rd: Day of Cervantes bookshops discount all sales today; poet Antonio Gamoneda gets Cervantes prize; 18 absolved in National Court of fraud against EU farm funds in Linen case; last day for parties to sign for participation in May local and (some) regional elections; British Airways confirms negotiations to buy Iberia. more >>

Sport roundup, 30th April

Nadal wins in Barcelona 3rd time in a row and becomes top player of the year, also defeated Federer again to win in Montecarlo; Barça holds top of League by a whisker; Lorenzo 2nd in 250cc, Elías 2nd in GP, Olivé 2nd in 125 at Istambul Moto GP; Americas Cup classification is on - Spanish Desafío 4th; Sevilla, Espanyol and Osasuna through to semi-finals of UEFA cup; Alonso 5th at Bahrein GP; Valencia lost to Chelsea: read on! more >>

3-11 trial under way

25th February. The trial of those accused of the 11th March 2004 bombings in Madrid began on 15th February. The bombs, on four commuter trains running into central Madrid during the rush hour, killed 191, wounded 1900. 29 are accused, 7 of murder. In the first week of declarations, denial and silence marked the answers of the accused to questioning. more >>

ETA peace process blown apart

2nd January '07 and following. For 8 months Spain hoped against hope that the terrorism of ETA would finally have ended. On 2nd March, 2006, ETA announced a 'permanent ceasefire' in the hope that a 'solution' to the Basque problem could be found. Then, on 30th December a mega car bomb exploded in the central car park of Madrid's new Airport terminal. Two immigrants were killed. During the months of 'peace process and in the aftermath of the bombing, politicians have bickered over how to deal with the complex situation. more >>

News theme: Basque politics and ETA

To be updated in due course On 22nd March ('06), ETA, the Basque separatist terrorist group, announced a permanent ceasefire. One would have expected that after many years of living with terrorism in the Basque Country and across Spain, all Spaniards would have welcomed the announcement. However, a brief glance at newspaper headlines since that date would suggest that the announcement had been the spark for an all-out fight between the major parties. Several very different reactions have come to light and hopes of true 'peace' are as far as ever. Indeed, six months on, ETA has almost gone as far as to cancel the ceasefire, saying it will not hand in arms until its political aims are achieved. more >>

News Theme, The immigration crisis

Desperation (AFP)

Reports, almost daily, of open boats known variously as pateras (coming from Marocco or Algeria) or cayucos (reaching the Canary islands from further south), combine with stories of illegal 'paperless' immigrants attempting to cross the fences at Ceuta and Melilla. Add to these high profile stories the situation of hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans and Romanias, not to mention Asians and you have the appearance of a significant immigration crisis. Throw in the confusion and disagreement of politicians as to how to deal with the phenomenon and you have a real crisis. more >>

News theme: weather and winter travel

Spain is not, contrary to its image, permanent summer! The tourist season is limited, even at coastal areas, except in the Canary Islands, to half the year. Winter, especially inland, is far harsher than it is in (mostly) mild Britain, so far further north. more >>

More News

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

more >>