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News, December 2010December 15th, recent news round-upIcy, windy weather spreads across Spain - even Mallorca sees roads closed by snow, Menorca cut off by sea; Man shoots 4 people dead in Olot (Catalonia) - BBC; Moodys to reconsider Spain's credit worthiness, especially that of regional governments - Telegraph, Robert Peston (BBC), (radio comment), Telegraph on Spanish industrial boost plans; fears that power bills could rise by 10% in January; November CPI (inflation) confirmed at 2.3%; Defence ministry to train military controllers for civil airports (in case another strike should occur); prince Felipe and Letizia inaugurate Madrid-Albacete AVE high speed rail link; Inditex owner of Zara increases profit by 42%; 14th: Ministry to outsource air traffic control at 13 airports in 2011 and the rest in 2012 - 'to break the monopoly of AENA, whose controllers are now working under military orders following their wildcat strike over the recent long weekend 3rd to 8th; IATA supports government's extension of state of emergency in air traffic control; Treasury bond auction fully sold, but rate rises again - BBC; Telegraph publishes new report on paper property scandal involving Britons losing millions; Guardian reports on how Spain attempts to keep men away from battered partners; 13th: Baby born on patera crossing from Morocco to Spain - Guardian; opening of new France-Germany high speed rail bridge (BBC) opens potential of Barcelona-Berlin services - from 19th, twice daily 7.5 hour TGV service opens from Barcelona via Figueres (change trains) to Paris, also Madrid - Valencia in 1.5 hours (15 services daily); October home sales fell to record low of 27,200; 4% less abortions performed in 2009 - year of legalisation of the day after pill - total fell to 111,482. Other recent news includes: 10th: 85 held on charges of illegal gold trading and archaeological theft; prosecutor to demand 8 years for striking air controllers; meanwhile controllers' spokesman says they are happier working for the military than for AENA; workers at airports and control firm AENA call for 'permanent action' against proposed privatisation, suggesting further chaos for air travellers in the New Year, if not over Christmas - by more than just controllers, i.e. baggage handlers, firemen; public building veil ban goes into effect in Lleida - Guardian; Amazon to open in Spain; 7th: Genil river in Andalusia causes 'historic' flood affecting 30% of town of Ecija; cost of weekend's air chaos valued at 500 million; finance minister Salgado says EU rescue fund was never contemplated for Spain; PISA education report shows educational progress stationary in Spain; 'Lady Gaga' visits Barcelona; 6th: 32nd anniversary of Constitution; Airports return to normal after weekend chaos - controllers working at police gunpoint - Telegraph, Guardian questions if government has gone too far; strong wind warning as temperatures return to normal after freeze; among Wikileaks' Spanish documents - mostly cables from the US embassy, Zapatero is shown to have given in to US lobby to take contract from Rolls Royce - BBC, Guardian - see bottom of article. 4th: Chaos as Air Traffic Controllers make wildcat strike on eve of long weekend - BBC, Telegraph; pilots warn of further strike action over Christmas; Long weekend to celebrate Constitution (Monday) and Immaculate Conception (Wednesday) - many hope to spend it away from home and catch breath before Christmas rush; budget progress through Cortes adds extra taxes, i.e. tobacco, to help recovery - BBC; unemployment rose by less than usual in November, but with total at 4.1 million; off-duty national policeman in last moment Metro rescue - Telegraph video; 1st: Snow across north - but far from that experienced by northern Europe - flights cancelled or delayed, including Zapatero flight to Zurich; Zapatero to cancel more flights to announce more reforms on 3rd, probably lowering tax on small firms, but cancelling extra €426 payments for those off standard unemployment pay; Madrid and Barcelona airports to be sold, plus 49% of AENA, which owns most other airports, plus National Lottery - Guardian, BBC; IBEX market index bounces up 4.4% on news; pilots announce Christmas strike; Barcelona police arrest Mumbai bomber - Telegraph and stole passports from tourists - more; November 30th: Spanish bonds double price of German, IBEX market index suffers worst fall since October 2008 - over month it has fallen 14%; 35 provinces affected by snow - up to 20cm expected in some areas (more in mountains), some schools closed; inflation (Advance HCPI) steady at 2.2% - if confirmed this will mean extra payments for pensioners; porter at old people's home confesses to killing 11 inmates - BBC; 29th: Centre-right nationalist party Convergència i Unió win Catalan elections - Telegraph; British Airways merger with Iberia completed - the airline will have its head office in Madrid - BBC, Guardian; half os Spain under snow cover - ski resorts opened over weekend; hoard of unknown Picasso works discovered in S. France - BBC. Earlier news headlines: click here. |