News, April 2007

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.

Other recent news includes: 18th: General strike in Cadiz bay area over plant closures gets high worker support (90%) - the area has been hit by industrial closures such as the recent Delphi automotive parts works affecting 3,600 jobs; Financial Times criticises Zapatero's State of the economy "Spain's going well" speech; María San Gil, Basque regional leader of right wing Partido Popular leaves politics temporarily for breast cancer op.; rain has continued to fill reservoirs this week leaving reserves at 62.2%, ending the period of drought in most regions - detail Go More news; 17th: Spain reduced COº emissions 4% in 2006 - first recorded fall, but still 48% above Kioto; 21 arrested in Malaga for money laundering; France and Spain in 'anchovy war' in Bay of Biscay; 16th: Sulphur escape at Cepsa refinery at San Roque, affects Gibraltar area - 200 have respiratory difficulties; Lufthansa confirms interest in buying Iberia while Santander joins up with RBS and Fortis to plan offer for ABN Amro weather improves after 2 weeks of rain in Mediterranean area.

14th: Mine fire in Asturias - 34 in hospital for respiratory problems; 240 immigrants reach Canaries in 2 days; 40,000 farmers demonstrate in Madrid for just product prices; inflation up to 2.5%; EU 2006 surplus means 159 million Euros rebate for Spain; 13th: Bombs in Maghreb put police on top alert, especially in Ceuta and Melilla; 2 right wing councillors threatened by ETA leave politics; new Endesa bid from Enel and Acciona goes ahead; 10th: 103 dead on roads over Holy Week holiday - disappointing for police who hoped new tougher laws and speed cameras would lower death rate, government considers lower speed limits; Europol annual report warns that ETA has rebuilt capacity to strike, despite Easter peace pledge; UN report warns Southern Europe will bear brunt of climate change; IBEX market index breaks 1500 barrier; Suez and La Caixa launch bid for Agbar (Barcelona water).