News, October 2011

Pray4Spain news

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News from the Churches

2nd November - Operation World day to pray for Spain. Nationwide demonstrations taking place around 31st October. John MacArthur visits León. Hundreds converted at remand centre. New book from Carlos Martínez. TWR signs agreement with Canal de Vida. My Hope TV outreach hot in preparation. more >>

October 28th, recent news round-up

EAPS population survey reveals unemployment in 3rd quarter close to 5 million - EAPS-pdf - only industry bucks the trend to shed jobs - El Pais; 24th: Echoes of the ETA activity cessation announcement continue to top headlines; storms and rain finally bring autumn to Spain; tourist numbers to September over 45 million - up 8%; one in five live below poverty line - El País; El País editorial expresses concern over Catalan Govern proposals to privatise hospitals and start to dismantle 'welfare state'; despite over 20% unemployment, only 12% say they are seriously seeking work, according to survey; AVE service on Madrid - Barcelona route speeds up on introduction of ERTMS-2 signalling; Movistar to open flagship Madrid store at 0.01 on 28th to welcome iPhone 4S. more >>

Sport headlines

Barcelona and Madrid win Champions League games. Spain win Euro Basketball championship, Davis Cup round. Alonso 4th in Singapore. Murray beats Nadal in Tokyo final, Nadal out in opening round at Shanghai. Pedrosa and Lorenzo on heels of champion Stoner in MotoGP. more >>

General Election, November 2011

President Zapatero has called a general election for 20th November, bringing forward the date from the 'latest' mid-March '12. Over the coming 2 months we will attempt to bring you cover and comment on the process. The current favourite to win is the opposition Partido Popular, despite it's leader, Mariano Rajoy having lost the last two campaigns and still not having made clear what his main policies will be. more >>

The 'Indignant' revolution, two months on

[Image 106???]18th July. On 15th May, in the middle of the election campaign for Spain's municipalities and (most of) the regional assemblies, a series of mass demonstrations was called against the major parties fundamentally by those who felt disenfranchised, due to the crisis and unemployment. Somewhere between 20,000 and 50,000 gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol st the main focus of the demonstration. The protest, calling for 'Real Democracy Now' demanded that the major parties take note of the general feeling that they no longer represent a significant part of the population, those without work. During the remainder of the campaign (i.e until 22nd May) and until the end of June, young unemployed people camped in the centres of all the provincial capitals. Demonstrators then decided to move gradually to other locations around the cities to allow a normal life to resume for those fortunate enough to have one. Two months later, we ask what were the demands and have they achieved anything? Will this have any long-term impact on Spain? more >>

The other 9/11: Catalonia's national day... and other September Fiestas

For Catalonia, September 11th marks not an event in recent American history, so much as an event of equally sad significance in the own history. On that date, in 1714, at the end of the war of the Spanish Succession, Catalonia fell to the advancing Borbon troops of Castille which took over the country and did away with the governing structures of Catalonia and the kingdom of Aragon which had existed since medieval times. 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

[Image 96???]During the decade until 2007 Spain was seen as enjoying an economic miracle. Now Spain is among the worst hit nations in Europe, with economist all over the world, not least in Spain itself, hitting hard at the government for its policies. World economic woes are certainly affecting Spain, but it is suffering more due to local matters. Several billion Euros have now been thrown by the government at the problem, but unemployment reached over 4 million, or virtually 20% by the end of 2009. Experts believe the government is not adopting the best policies to get Spain back to work. We offer our view. more >>

News theme: Corruption

At PrayforSpain we do not regularly report on a topic which sadly generates Spanish newspaper headlines every day, that of corruption. During the construction boom of the past decade there appear to have been many occurrences of builders making friends with municipal and regional politicians and civil servants responsible for planning and finances. A multitude of cases have come to court, with new arrests or revelations seemingly almost daily. But the most extraordinary case appears to be that of the director of the Palau de la Música Catalana, a concert hall in Barcelona. He turned himself in for having embezzled millions of Euros unknown to anyone and apparently providing finance for a foundation close to a political party, as well as feathering his own nest. more >>

News theme: Basque politics and ETA

On 20th October 2011 the Basque separatist organisation, ETA announced a definitive end to its activity. For the past half century this terrorist band has been a blight on the life of Spain and especially the Basque Country. The Guardian has a complete file of reports, including the full statement of cessation of activities. more >>