News, April 2009

Pray4Spain on the move

We were away for the first 3 weeks of April, to attend Mission-Net, the youth missions congress in Oldenburg, Germany. more >>

News from the Churches

European Hope Award presented to Barcelona Evangelical Hospital. Michael W. Smith coming to Spain. Carlos Martínez performed at Mission-net - attended by 100 Spaniards. 1400 more attended the national Mission Possible. Royals attend protestant event for first time ever. This and more... Read on! more >>

April 30th, general news roundup.

Swine fever now affects 10, including one who did not visit Mexico - 70 under surveillance; May Day holiday: many will take a long weekend, despite poor weather (in North) - and economy; Seville enjoying reasonable weather for Feria; Inflation: advance CPI steady at -0.1%; taxi driver congratulated on handing to police forgotten handbag containing 20,000 Euros (plus the lady's documents); 29th: Swine fever cases now 4; judge garzón opens investigation into torture in Guantanamo; 9 cruise passengers arrested for collecting cases full of drugs in Brazilian ports; chase in France as 2 wanted ETA suspects escape in stolen cars; GNP: Q1 economy 2.9% down on last year, 1.8% on Q4; EU Commission tells Spain to cut budget deficit; Government to give free electricity to poor; bank Santander earns 5% less in Q1 - 'big five' banks make 18% less, only Caja Madrid making a slight gain, while bad debts between 2.5% and 5.5%, 3 times that of last year; killer Portuguese Man of War jelly fish (Physalia physalis) seen for first time in decade in Mediterranean - spotted off Mar Menor coast; 28th Second swine flu case confirmed - first could leave hospital today, 26 possibles under observation; frigate Numancia captures pirates off Somalia - accused of attacking Italian cruise ship -BBC report; Royals greet Sarkozy on state visit -see photo of Carla and Letizia; Air Berlin celebrates 30th anniversary in Palma -where it carries 25% of the traffic, or 6 million passengers p.a.- taking over the newly rebuilt terminal C; BBVA bank holds underlying profit in Q1; 27th: 11 possible swine flu cases in Spain - Health minister claims it is under control - Times; 3 survivors of last year's Madrid airport crash declare at court today; Ferrovial's Gatwick airport sale closes bidding today - BBC report; on last day to sign up for EU elections, only 16% of potential EU residents in Spain are properly registered - mainly British. more >>

Sport roundup, 29th April

Barcelona draw with Chelsea. Man City talks with Barcelona over Eto'o. Nadal won Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Madrid follows up Barcelona in Primera. Alonso not doing too well at start of F1 season. For more, read on! more >>

Madrid bombings - five years on

On 11th March Madrid will remember the Al Quaeda train bombings which left 192 people dead and injured many commuters on local trains in Madrid. Five years on, some questions remain unclear, but above all police remain on high alert as they consider the threat is as great as ever. more >>

Regional Elections 2009

On 1st March there were regional elections in the Basque Country and Galicia, two of the regions with most autonomy. In Galicia, home of the national Partido Popular leader, Mariano Rajoy, the right wing has again won a majority, after the Socialist PSOE and regionalist BNG parties ran the region for the past 4 years. In the Basque Country, the right of centre regionalist PNV has been in power since the advent of democracy, but is now in the position of having won most seats, but is unable to return to government as the 'constitutionalist' parties led by PSOE now have enough seats to rule. In the Basque Country politics has been dominated by the independence movement in which terrorist group ETA is most visible. Yet PNV also has aspirations to independence, or at least a very high level of autonomy. Against these aspirations, the 'pro-democracy' constitutionalist main-line Spanish parties have won a vote of no confidence in policies which have encouraged ETA to believe it is winning its war on Spain. more >>

News theme: The Mari Luz murder case

The story of the tragic murder of Mari Luz, a five-year-old girl of Evangelical parents killed by a paedophile in January, 2008, has been turned into a TV mini-series entitled ´Days without Luz´ (as well as being the little girl´s name, the word means ´light´). This tragic story has filled not only evangelical news bulletins, like Protestante Digital, but also mainline news media, provoking a major review of the judicial system. We attempt to bring some understanding. more >>

News theme: weather and winter travel

Spain is not, contrary to its image, permanent summer! The tourist season is limited, even at coastal areas, except in the Canary Islands, to half the year. Winter, especially inland, is far harsher than it is in (mostly) mild Britain, so much further north. 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 >>