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News, July 2007More NewsA few more news items and where to find more news about Spain:Water reserves:[Image 49???]After two years of drought, water reserves are noteworthy. The past winter was again largely dry, particularly in the Mediterranean basin (Eastern and Southern Spain) Easter, however, brought rain to the neediest regions in abundance, although on Easter Day the reservoirs serving Valencia were still unbelievably low. At 24th April the reservoirs had recovered well in most regions of the peninsula. [Image 54???]The total reserve was 62.7% of capacity (mid-October 40%) but only 54.5% (up from 32.3%) of drinking water capacity. Yet the situation remains bad in parts of the South East. Reserves, in October at the lowest ever, are now close to average after rainfall in the west filled some river systems to overflowing. However, the Mediterranean coast and Balearics remained in a dire strait until Easter. [Image 55???]In particular, the Jucar river reservoirs, feeding the Costa Blanca, have just 13.5% of capacity, the Segura (Mar Menor) has 21.2%, Malaga has 24.7% and the upper Tajo area, Spain's largest reservoir system, which could feed many parts of the south and east, has a mere 15.8%, now reasonably above the limit for allowing transfers to other regions. This year's orange crop was badly hit by the ban on watering, but supplies human use over the coming summer are now more or less secure. On 2nd March, there was final agreement to transfer 38 cubic hectometres from the upper Tajo reservoirs to the Segura basin to guarantee drinking water supplies. In addition, farmers in Estremera, Madrid have 'given' 31 hectometres of Tajo irrigation water to the Segura farmers. Madrid has been well provided with rain in the past few months. In the hope that reserves are now sufficient in most regions to cover the summer months, we now leave this water watch until alarm is once again raised. In Mallorca, falls of over 200mm in the mountains on 15th April brought the reservoirs (only 2!) to overflowing for the first time in a decade. TechnologyMost of our technology statistics have now been moved to a new page. Here are some of the key headlines:Spanish TV across the world: The Spanish national station TVE has an international service with two channels. TVE Internacional and Canal 24 Horas. TVEI includes the evangelical programme Buenas Noticias TV (which runs on Sundays). Programme: at this link. The menu offers programme (2 days in advance) and technological details. 93.9% of population have mobiles (cell phones) 4.4 million Spaniards have Broadband access El Mundo.es has almost 10 million unique monthly visitors Annual visits for 2006 to P4S 38,750 (about 212,000 hits) January saw another peak, with 5,500 visits. Old News archivePast news is not all forgotten by P4S! Such items as can be found on the news pages at the end of every month are being filed in our archives. Your response and concerns are also of interest to us. Don't hesitate to let us know them Finally, more news from the churches is always available at the Protestante Digital site.This week on Protestante Digital: (31st July)´The lights have gone out on the ecumenical stage´ (3rd & 10th July) Film of Auca missionary massacre and transformation |