News, April 2011

April 23rd, recent news round-up

Sagrada Familia Cathedral 2010

St. George's Day brings excellent book sales to Barcelona streets - Guardian; 22nd: Seville processions cancelled - Telegraph; 20th: National Court told by Supreme to re-arrest ETA convict Triotiño who was released on faulty understanding of how long term should be - he served 24 years of a 2.500 year sentence; 19th: Arsonist attempts to burn Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona - Telegraph; 18th: Employment minister warns unemployment could reach 5 million - Telegraph; 14,000 Spaniards emigrated in first quarter; El Mundo.es hits record over 32 million unique visitors in March; Holy Week processions affected by rain in Seville.

Other recent news includes: 15th: GP in Antequera, Malaga, refused conscientious objector's rights - judge tells him he must inform women of how to get abortion- Telegraph - only gynaecologists and clinical staff may object to perform the abortion; Holy Week holiday starts for many - 8.5 million will fly, 15 million special trips expected on roads - Wednesday will be particularly bad on the Madrid-Valencia road, due to start of long weekend and Cup final; 13th: Interior minister Rubalcaba does not expect more ETA statements after discovery of largest ever arms trove following arrest of ETA members - Telegraph; meanwhile Antón Troitiño, another ETA member, condemned to 2,500 years after arrest in 1987, completes his sentence; Madrid prohibits by law sleeping in the street; Catalan Parlament turns down request to discuss independence after success of unofficial referendums around the 'country' - Barcelona voted on Sunday and 90% of the 20% who voted were in favour; after exceptional and record breaking warm weather over the first half of the month, met office (AEMET) promises the usual Holy Week rain; 11th: 2 presumed ETA members detained by Civil Guard; Nigerian Letter gang arrested in Madrid area - they defrauded at least €11 million worldwide with messages asking help handling an inheritance; inflation sticks at 3.6%; Congress to vote on opposition promoted extension of exemption of employers' social security payments for first year of long-term contracts for long-term unemployed, youth and women; 10th: Prince Felipe and Letizia visit Israel and Palestine, Zapatero begins Far East trip in China; IMF confident Spain on track, while Financial Times fears Spain next to need rescue.

8th: 37 Cubans exiled to Spain - BBC; record April temperatures above 30ºC due to Sahara wind; economy continues to disconnect from Portugal and other rescue economies, with bond prices down - Guardian; 3000 young people demonstrate in Madrid asking for jobs and /or grants to study; speeding fines down 47% in first month with lower 110kmh (68mph) limit - P4S has noticed how most drivers are driving much more economically; Camerons enjoy wonderful holiday weather in southern Spain - Telegraph; Guardian completes New Europe month, a series of special reports including Spain; 6th: Finance minister maintains 1.3% growth forecast, but limits job creation potential - the govenment still hopes to cut unemployment to 16% by 2014; Prince Felipe and Letizia to visit Palestine and Israel next week; IMF gives Spain vote of confidence - BBC; Infrastructure minister Blanco announces efficiency drive to save over €11 billion by 2020, mainly by moving freight to rail, this alone saving 28 billion tonnes of CO2; airports operator AENA will buy 33 electric cars for 'airside' activity - despite the volcanic disruption and air traffic control strike it cut loss by 50% 2010 and expects profit in 2012 - it will split off Madrid and Barcelona airports into subsidiaries this year; Interpol at its best: 'Webcam killer' arrested within 45 minutes after showing Romanian father-in-law photo of dead wife - Telegraph; political temperature rises as socialists start leadership race, while more corruption cases hit news; 4th: Unemployment up to 4.3 million - BBC; advance on 2010 local authority roll gives population at 47,150,819, up 0.3% - 5.7 million (12%) are foreigners, slightly down; gambling expenditure falls 12% on Balearic Islands.

2nd Zapatero announces he will not stand for presidency in 2012 general election - BBC, Telegraph, Economist;1st: Catalan and National governments blow out over budget - The Guardian asks if this could be trigger for independence move; migrant workers sent home €7 billion last year, same as 2009; Penelope Cruz unveils Hollywood Star - Telegraph; March 31st: Traffic dept reports taking €1.2 million daily in speeding fines; gas and electricity prices to rise substantially tomorrow; 30th: Prince Charles and Camilla visit Spain; The Guardian posts a collection of articles on Spain under the theme New Europe.

Earlier news headlines: click here.
Sources: a variety of news services, including El Mundo, Europa Press, TVE, TVC and IB3, plus links
We especially recommend checking out the Spain sections in The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. In particular, note this month's New Europe series in The Guardian.