News, June 2008

PrayforSpain moves into summer activity

17th June. The summer has arrived right on time! Most of Spain is today under the influence of high pressure, with cloud and rain retreating to the north coast. Meanwhile, missions in Spain get into gear for summer activity. For us, as well as several key evangelical organisations, this will mean, in particular, supporting the Agua Viva outreach at the Expo in Zaragoza. more >>

News from the Churches

Zaragoza water Expo started on 14th. The Evangelical pavilion among the attractions - with 20,000 visitors in the first 10 days. Marcos Witt tops cast in Madrid Youth gathering. This and more... Read on! more >>

June 27th, general news roundup.

CPI (inflation) hits 5.1%; 7,000 have lost driving licences, but latest drink-drive law has halved offences; 26th: Heat wave (40ºC+) warning in south and centre; Andalusia presents regional law to permit 'dignified death' (euthanasia); first quarter housing starts down 36% - April completions down 7%; semi-legal (pro-ETA) PCTV gives the one required vote to allow Basque Parliament to approve an 'illegal' referendum on Basque independence (illegal unless approved by the Madrid Cortes, which is unlikely); police in Valencia hold half a million falsified objects valued at 20 million Euros, in 15 containers -made in China- and arrest 4 Indians; 25th: Deputy Police Inspector and 37 others arrested in drug and migrant trafficking ring at Barajas airport, Madrid and Valencia; 41 arrested in child porn operation - BBC report; Partido Popular as negative as ever in its 'new, middle-ground, conciliatory' phase; mortgage defaults to double to 2% by end of year, according to Mortgage Association - some have to pay 20% more now than when they bought their homes in 2004 or 2005; industrial prices up 8%; 4% more Spaniards had net worth over 1 million dollars at end '07 (helped by 10% decline in dollar!); Booker winner, Canadian Margaret Atwood gets Prince of Asturias literature prize; 23rd: 3 of Don Quixote's windmills restored 400 years later - the 500 year old wheat grinding mills at Campo de Criptana, which made Don Quijote the world's best selling novel have been restored, although these days they are much outnumbered by modern generating mills; president Zapatero announces economic measures to counter recession; Partido Popular congress reelects Mariano Rajoy as leader and presidential candidate - new national committee chosen; 20 migrants missing after crossing the fence into Melilla from Marrocco; summer heat is upon us, but may be dissipated (momentarily) this afternoon by storms; spring rains mean good harvest is forecast; more >>

Sport roundup, 30th June

Spain won European Cup. Rafa Nadal follows 4th Roland Garros title with Queens' victory - his first on grass - now to 3rd round at Wimbledon. Alonso fails again in France. Pedrosa makes MotoGP podium at Donnington Park. For more, read on! more >>

World Water Expo opens in Zaragoza

13th June. Tonight the 2008 World Expo opens in Zaragoza, with the theme Water and Development. Right on time, in a year marked by drought with no rain falling in Catalonia between May last year and 1st May this, followed by the region's record month for rainfall... today the weather has settled for the summer! Whether too little or too much, water is critical for life. And in a year of food shortages and in a month begun with the failure of the UN summit on food supply, the Expo again seems to have come at the right moment. In addition to all the other activities and events involving nations, NGOs and other groups, the evangelicals are very much involved in this event. The Expo is open for three months and expects between six and eight million visitors. more >>

200th anniversary of 2nd May uprising

2nd May, 1808, was a key historical day for Madrid, but also for Spain. Local citizens rose against the occupation of the city by the French army of Napoleon. Remembered above all because of the paintings of Goya Dos de Mayo and Tres de Mayo), depicting the uprising and subsequent bloody repression, Madrid celebrates its regional day today. For Spain the uprising meant not only a revolt against a foreign usurper of power, but also an attack on the modernising liberal ideas arriving from France. It ushered in 150 years of (occasional) civil war and even today, political parties in some respects represent the two (actually three) sides in the original struggle for independence. more >>

Elections 2008 - again hit by terrorism

After an intense campaign, affected at the last moment by a terrorist killing the Socialist party (PSOE) has won the general election. The opposition Partido Popular also gains seats (and votes). The minority parties failed miserably as a 2 party system is consolidated. However, neither the Congress nor the Senate see an overall majority. In the regional election in Andalusia there was an overall majority for the PSOE. more >>

News Theme, Summer in Spain and the Weather

Schools are out soon! Summer is on its way! On approximately 20th June each year, schools close for the summer. By that time it is too hot in most areas to hold classes without expensive air conditioning, so schools have traditionally closed for almost 3 months. Indeed, what remains of school in both June and September is mornings only - although nowadays more and more schools extending morning class year-round and the kids don't return after a late lunch. more >>

Summer is here, happy fiestas!

Fiesta time is round again. Through the spring, fiestas, or city/village celebration weeks, have already been a big part of life. After Easter, the cities of Andalusia begin a round of Ferias, starting with the greatest of them all in Seville. By June, most towns and villages want to join in, with festivities traditionally centred on a saint's or 'virgin's' day. 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: