News, July 2008

PrayforSpain well into summer activity

29th July. Summer heat at up to 40º celcius is slowing the pace of life across Spain. But meanwhile, missions in Spain are in full gear for summer activity. For us, as well as several key evangelical organisations, this means, in particular, supporting the Agua Viva outreach at the Expo in Zaragoza. more >>

News from the Churches

The Agua Viva Gospel Choir (FEREDE)

July 31st, general news roundup.

Inflation hits 5.3%; BBVA bank expects unemployment to reach 14% next year; much of Spain leaves for, or returns from holiday this weekend 6 million car trips expected; 29th: Small explosive device goes off at Torremolinos - no claims of authorship; EPA survey show unemployment in 2nd quarter up 20% in areas most affected by property bubble burst; Iberia and British Airways to merge - BBC report. more >>

Sport roundup, 27th July

Carlos Sastre is 3rd Spaniard in succession to win Tour de France. Spain wins European roller hockey cup. 'Englishman to buy Mallorca' -says BBC. Rafa Nadal finally beat Roger Federer in longest ever Wimbledon final, now in Toronto final. Spain won European Cup. Nadal follows 4th Roland Garros title with Queens' victory - his first on grass. 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: