Spanish News

Latest News from Spain

This news is brought to you in association with 1Casa. Cristina Sanchez is head of their Customer Liaison Department, they specialiize in Affordable Property in the inland regions of Andalucia starting at under 30,000 Euros.

1Casa utilise their years of experience to offer a wide range of affordable properties and aim to provide a smooth, hassle free purchase and relocation.

For more information please contact 1 Casa on FREEPHONE 0800 081 1939 (24/7) or visit www.1casa.com/1.

3 September 2007

Millions of Car Journeys Expected on Spanish Roads this Weekend

The Spanish traffic authority, DGT, has said it expects up to 4.3 million journeys will be taken on Spanish roads this weekend as many people head for home at the end of the August holidays. Delays can be expected on all roads into the major cities, especially Madrid and Barcelona with the latter being closely watched following the delays at toll booths and other infrastructure problems in the Catalan region earlier this month.

The DGT hope that drivers will decide to stagger their return home, with not everyone waiting until the last moment on Sunday, but they do expect the longest delays will be on Sunday evening.

There are now 1,639 information panels installed on the main routes, giving messages in English for the first time this summer.

Public Invited to Vote for Possible 2016 Madrid Olympics Logo

Possibly to avoid the outcry seen in Britain over the design of the logo for the 2012 Olympics in London, a series of ten designs have been published for the 2016 bid for the games in Madrid with the public being invited to vote for the logo they like best. Voting can be done either in person at several voting stations in Madrid or online. The closing date for the poll is 23rd September 2007. The logos were presented in the Paseo del Prado last Thursday (30th August) by the Mayor of the city, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon.

Spanish Satirical Magazine to be Fined Over Royal Cartoon

Spanish prosecutors are to request that the two authors of a cartoon depicting Crown Prince Felipe with his wife in an inappropriate way each be fined 3,600 euros. Prosecutors are seeking to have the two convicted of "affront to the crown" and "damages to the prestige of the crown" but will not seek damages for the royal couple, according to sources.

In July Spain's high court ordered the seizure of all copies of the weekly satirical magazine El Jueves which featured the cartoon on its cover. The incident sparked a debate about press freedom in Spain.

Ryanair to Charge for Using Check-in at Airports

The latest addition of charges for low-cost travellers comes from Ryanair, who have decided to charge passengers for making use of check-in facilities at airports. From 20th September 2007, all passengers making new reservations will have to pay a fee of 3 euros per passenger journey to use the airport check-in facilities. Passengers will be able to check-in online without charge, but this is only an option for those with hand luggage, if you wish to travel with luggage that is stowed in the hold, you will have to pay the new charge.

Deadly Virus Threatens Mediterranean Dolphins

The Spanish environment ministry has asked authorities around the Mediterranean and adjoining seas for help in monitoring an infection which threatens a protected species of dolphin. The morbillivirus, which causes measles in its human form, has been found in several striped dolphins washed up dead on beaches in Spain in recent weeks, said a ministry statement.

According to analyses which were carried out, the virus identified is almost the same as the one which caused an epidemic in the 1990s and which can affect other species of cetacean such as whales.

Spain has put its monitoring centres on alert and has asked other Mediterranean countries to collect samples from any animals that are washed up on their shores.

Spanish regional governments and environmental experts will meet to discuss the issue on 13th September.

British Property Buyers Head to Spain as Seville Becomes the Country's Most Cycle-friendly City

If a greener future is one of your priorities, that fact that Seville is set to become the Spanish city with the most bikes for rent will make it an appealing place to buy or rent. With the latest addition to their public transport, the municipal government is making an effort to cut down on traffic by supplying hundreds of rental bicycles to residents and visitors. Named Sevici after the Spanish word for bike, the system launched with 300 bicycles at 30 stations, by the end of the year there will be 1,500 bicycles at 150 pick-up points, with an easy-to-use system available for everyone who passes through Seville. Barcelona and Cordoba already have bike rental programmes, with similar schemes running successfully in Paris and Lyon in France.

You can buy a weekly coupon for 5 euros, and then the first half hour of each use is free, with additional hours costing 2 euros each. The bikes come complete with lights, a basket, mudguards, chain guards, spoke guards, bell, stand and an integrated lock. Seville authorities tested the programme in free trials last spring, which proved that locals and tourists alike are eager to cycle through this scenic city.

Two Young Spaniards Famous for YouTube Joke Video

Two young men from the Andalucian region of Granada, Fidel Segovia and Antonio Calancha, have won fame in Spain and are breaking audience records on the YouTube web all because of an old joke. Antonio recorded his friend telling a joke on his mobile phone about a priest from Granada who was sent to celebrate mass in Sevilla. Antonio decided to upload it onto the video-sharing web site YouTube. The video has also caused controversy between Sevilla and Granada residents due to the strong rivalry between the two cities. The video has been watched over 700,000 times and has more than 1,800 comments.

AVE High Speed Tracks Being Laid in Malaga Tunnels

Adif, the national rail infrastructures organisation, has announced that the have begun work on laying the AVE high speed train tracks inside the tunnels on the part of the line which passes through the western part of Malaga. Employees are working night shifts to finish the job before 23rd December when the AVE train is scheduled to arrive in Malaga for the first time.

Costa del Sol Popular for Foreign Weddings

Many foreign couples, especially the Irish, are choosing to get married in Malaga province. The good weather is a contributory factor along with combining of the wedding with a holiday with family and friends all staying together in a hotel for the celebrations.

Figures show that a total of 150 foreign couples have been married on the Costa del Sol over the past year.

Spanish Ham to be Imported to China

The Chinese Government has given the go ahead to import Spanish Jamon Iberico into the country. The agreement follows a 15 day visit of a Chinese Government delegation to Spain, where they have been inspecting the production process, right from the care of the pigs onwards. It opens huge commercial possibilities for the producers who now have a new market of 1.3 billion people.

Wild Boar Jumps in Hotel Swimming Pool

A wild boar shocked holidaymakers earlier this week by leaping into the swimming pool of an hotel in Torrox Costa. The wild boar was spotted on Torrox seafront shortly before heading for the hotel. Experts believe the animal may have been injured and was trying to bathe some wounds.

After several hours of efforts, Guardia Civil officers chased the animal out of the pool and the hotel, along the main road and on to the local beach where it was shot and killed. The officers tried to capture it alive, but it became increasingly aggressive so it was decided to shoot it.

New Stretch of Motorway Opened Between Cartama and Casapalma

The Councillor for Public Works from the Junta de Andalucia, Concepcion Gutierrez, opened a new stretch of the A-357 yesterday (31st August). The motorway runs between Cartama and Casapalma. The 4.5km stretch cost 17.4 million euros.

Charity Mountain Climb by British Cyclists

A group of fifteen employees from five UK-based companies will be hiking and cycling 85km up mainland Spain's three highest peaks, Mulhacen, Alcazaba and Veleta between 6th and 8th September. The 2007 Three Peaks Spain Challenge is in aid of the overseas development agency CARE.

Stage Version of Pedro Almodovar's 'All About My Mother' Opens in London

The stage version of the Pedro Almodovar film ‘Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About my Mother) opened at the Old Vic Theatre in London on 27th August. Actress, Diana Rigg, leads the cast and takes the role played by Marisa Paredes in the film.

Bruce Springsteen to Start European Tour in Spain

Bruce Springsteen will start his new European tour called ‘Magic’ in Madrid on 25th November at the Palacio de los Deportes. The tour is to promote his new album of the same name, which will be released on 2nd October. The tour, with the E Street band, continues to the BEC in Barakaldo, Vizcaya on 26th November. A further 13 concerts will be held in Italy, Holland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, France and finally ending in London on 19th December.

Malaga 3 - 0 Salamanca

A three goal win gave Malaga a good start to the season. Malaga's game this weekend is against Alaves on Sunday 2nd September, kick off at 12.00 noon. *A dispute between television companies in Spain means kick off times may change at short notice. It is advised that anyone who wishes to attend a match should check with the club or local press for the latest information.

Manchester United V Sunderland

Tonight's live game on Spanish TV channel LA2 is Manchester United against Sunderland. The programme starts at 6.15 pm local time.

Vuelta de Espana (Tour of Spain) 2007

The cycle race, Vuelta de Espana begins today, 1st September in Vigo and finishes in Madrid on 23rd September. The race arrives in Granada on 16th September at the end of Stage 15 and leaves Jaen on 18th September at the beginning of Stage 16.

Malaga Hosts La Vuelta a España a Vela (Boat Race)

Malaga is to host a stage of La Vuelta a España a Vela, a boat race around Spain, which is made up of seven races over 21 days. The competitors will dock in eight ports from Ceuta to Badalona during the competition. Between 10 and 20 oceanic Category A boats TO oceanic, yacht model RO 340 will be participating in the race to promote and encourage sailing. Each boat will be formed by four crew members and a captain, each member being selected from several sailing clubs in Spain.

The first stage will leave Ceuta on 3rd September heading for Cadiz. The race is due to arrive in Malaga at the end of the second stage from Cadiz. The yachts will leave Malaga at the beginning of the third stage on the 8th September destined for Cartagena.

Renault's Briatore Would Like Alonso Back for Renault

Flavio Briatore, Renaults boss has said he would love to see world champion Fernando Alonso back with the French team, saying he "adores" the man who won back-to-back titles before moving to McLaren. "Would I like him? Of course I would," Briatore said in an interview in last Tuesday’s Marca sports daily.

Third Medal for Spain at the World Athletics Championships

Spain has now won three medals at the World Athletics Championships in Osaka with the latest a bronze for Maria Vasco from Barcelona in the 20 km walk. Maria Vasco became the first Spanish athlete to win an Olympic medal, with her bronze in Sydney 2000.

The other two medals are a bronze for Mayte Martinez in the 800m World Championship race and a silver for Paquillo Fernandez in the 20 kms walk.

PREVIOUS NEWS from SpainS: