News, August 2011

News from the Churches

Seminaries one step from government accreditation. 76 baptised in Mallorca. Differing responses to new euthanasia law. Excitement as the Gospel encounters the 'Indignants' in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square. Bookshop at Madrid book fair. New web services flourishing. more >>

August 13th, recent news round-up

Farmers threaten to close La Jonquera frontier post with France after French farmers junk truck-loads of Spanish tomatoes bound for Germany - millions of travellers could be affected; 12th: Lloret de Mar calm after police prevent more tourist riots; markets calm after Europe bans 'shorting' on stocks - BBC; Spanish banks owed BCE over 50 billion in July; Spanish bond rate falls below 5%; millions expected to travel over long weekend - Monday is bank holiday (Assumption of the Virgin); weekend to be very hot, with summer storms in afternoons; EU allows Spain to limit arrivals of Romanians to those with work permit - Telegraph; 2.5 million have been over a year unemployed - 60% of those over 45 take over a year to find a new job; 11th: Markets more settled after final 5% plunge yesterday; Pharmacies on strike in Castille-la-Mancha over prescription price cuts; Socialist candidate Rubalcaba wants continuation of €400 dole money for long-term unemployed; at least 14 injured in tourist bus crash in Mallorca; tourists riot on Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava; 10th: Morocco rumoured to claim half of the income from El Alhambra, the last Moorish palace in Granada, Andalusia - later officially denied; home sales fell 23% in first half; relief in Mallorca over last minute cancellation of German air traffic controllers' strike - Spanish baggage handlers also call off strike - Telegraph (earlier); 8th: Markets volatile on ECB intervention in Spanish debt - BBC; 'Indignants' held General Assembly in Puerta del Sol, Madrid - they will not return to 'camp' there, but set up info post, in relation to this month's papal visit they affirm respect for Christianity; Madrid Metro (subway) puts single fares up 50% (to €1-50); heat wave in most regions of Spain. more >>

Sport headlines

Spain lost to Italy. Nadal out in Montreal 1st round. Lorenzo 2nd in Laguna Seca. Alonso 2nd in Germany. Pedrosa wins MotoGP in Germany. Davis Cup team beat USA. Nadal wins again in Paris, but loses Wimbledon final. Barcelona faces gruelling pre-season. more >>

The 'Indignant' revolution, two months on

They have been compared with protesters in the 'Life of Brian'

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 >>

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 months we will attempt to bring you cover and comment on the process. Meanwhile (early August), 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 >>

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. 23rd April is St. George's day. At Pentecost, the village of Almonte, Huelva, draws thousands as it celebrates the Rocío Romería, a week of travelling to the sanctuary of 'the virgin' on horseback, in gypsy carts and in full Andalusian dress, all to celebrate their statue who at once represents the virgin and the Holy Spirit, also naming their virgin 'the white dove'. 24th June, for example, is St. John's night, big all over the place; 7th July San Fermin, patron saint of Pamplona and so it goes on. more >>