News, October 2008

News from the Churches

The Agua Viva Gospel Choir (FEREDE)

October 31st, general news roundup.

Air Europa flight from Glasgow runs off runway at Lanzarote - none seriously hurt; 'Growth' was -0.2% in 3rd quarter (annualised +0.9%); 30th: ETA bombs Navarre University without warning - 17 injured - BBC report; snow falls at sea level on north coast (also close to Med.) as weather worsens - strong winds across country, some passes closed or require chains, Madrid radial routes hit by heavy rain; HCPI inflation rate falls to 3.6%; cayuco reaches Canaries with 126 migrants on board - 3 die on arrival; queen Sofía statement on homosexual marriage in new biography causes furore in gay movement; Spanish patrol plane prevents Somali pirate attack on tanker; 28th: 3 presumed ETA members arrested in Pamplona - 100 kg of explosives found; long standing pact between Partido Popular and Navarrese UPN ends as PP plans to open offices in region; Santander earns 6% more Jan to Sept; Social Security surplus grows 2.7% less Jan to Sept; 27th: Major pro-independence demonstrations in Basque Country on day the regional referendum should have happened - BBC report; severe storms 'cut off' Melilla (North African enclave), but security fence breached and attempted flood of migrants follows; cold weather and snow warning for coming days across peninsula; Civil Aviation department turns down permission to open Ciudad Real airport, Spain's first private airport, on environmental grounds - was due to open today; Santander may sell train leasing business in UK. more >>

Sport roundup, 27th October

Dani Pedrosa 2nd in Valencia and MotoGP championship. Alonso wins Singapore GP from back... then Japan (5th in China). Rafa Nadal awarded World nº1 trophy and Principe de Asturias prize. Spain beats estonia 0-3. Valencia head Primera. Volvo Ocean race sets sail from Alicante into eye of storm. Seve Ballesteros in hospital with brain tumour. For more, read on! more >>

World Water Expo closes in Zaragoza

15th September. Last night the 2008 World Water Expo closed in Zaragoza, an Expo with the theme Water and Development. Hopes for up to 8 million visitors were too high and in the end some 5.5 million came. The Evangelical pavilion, Agua Viva nevertheless met its expectations of some 300,000 visitors. more >>

Air Accident at Madrid Airport

[Image 85???]On 20th August, a Spanair MD 82 plane taking off for Las Palmas, in the Canaries crashed at the end of the runway. 154 died, several after being taken to hospital with severe burns and other injuries, with several others fighting for life in hospital. It appears that about 28 got off the plane alive. Of these, one was thrown away from the disaster and suffered broken ribs, etc.. There were 164 passengers and 10 crew (4 off-duty). It is known that one passenger was evangelical. Rubén Santana Mateo was a member of Tres Cantos Baptist church in Madrid, while another was uncle of a church member. The investigation to find out what happened may take many months. more >>

October 12th, Spain's National Day

National Bank holiday weekends are always subject of great excitement, as people plan to go away, hopefully for a 'Puente' or bridge weekend, involving a couple of extra days while they are about it. The October 12th weekend is particularly looked forward to as the half way point between the end of the summer holidays and Christmas. It is an excuse for a get-away to the beach (for the last time), or to the mountains, or even a European city break. So travel agents rub their hands with glee if 12th October is a Thursday or Tuesday. This year 12th October will fall on a Sunday. Add to that the credit crunch and it's a good excuse for staying at home. Holiday hotels at seaside locations are closing early. more >>

News Theme, Late Summer in Spain and the Weather

During August, the main news concerning the weather tends to be the extreme heat and forest fires, causing loss of life as well as much damage to property. In September the main topic is late summer storms. But the most widely feared phenomenon is known as the 'Gota Fría'. more >>

News Theme: The Economy

For the past few years Spain has been hitting headlines for above average growth and very high house price inflation. It appears 'the end is nigh' for the Spanish economic miracle. World economic woes are certainly affecting Spain. On 18th April the cabinet approved a fiscal stimulus of 10 (US) billion Euros this year and another 8 billion in 2009. We offer our view. more >>

News theme: Basque politics and ETA

Spain's peripheral regions, particularly Catalonia and the Basque Country, have never felt fully part of 'Spain'. History and language have parts to play in this situation. The result is that these regions have long desired high levels of autonomy or even independence. In the Basque Country, the existence of ETA, a terrorist organisation with a pseudo left-wing nationalist agenda, has forced all parties to consider the independence issue seriously. ETA started during the Franco dictatorship, but has resolutely refused to die before achieving its objectives, themselves more confused with the passing of time. Ceasefires and bombing campaigns have succeeded each other over the years. Meanwhile, democratic parties have taken their own positions on independence, with the governing centre-right Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), under the presidency of Lehendakari (regional president) Ibarretxe, leading the search for an agreed independence or high level of autonomy. more >>

News Theme, The immigration crisis

Desperation (AFP)

More News

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