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09 August 2008

Spain’s First Games Gold

Spain’s Samuel Sanchez today won the country’s first Beijing Olympic gold medal in the 245 km cycling road race. He won the race in a time of 6:23:49 after breaking away in an exciting sprint finish.

Fires in Spain

The recent spell of extreme temperatures has led to the destruction of over 3000 hectares of forest and brush in Zaragoza, Segovia and Alicante. Half the country is estimated to be at risk as the thermometer has gone above 40 degrees this summer.

Population Overweight Fears in Andalucia

Health authorities are worried that, in spite of the Mediterranean Diet being said to be the best in Europe, the country’s highest rates of overweight and obesity are found in Andalucia. Some 26% are overweight while 15% are said to be obese.

Population Growth Due to Foreigners

Half of Spanish towns and villages are experiencing a growth in population, especially along the Mediterranean coast, due to the arrival of foreign residents. Of the 32 that have grown the most, 19 are situated on the coast, in places such as Benalmadena, El Ejido, Torremolinos and others on the southern and eastern coasts.

New Spanish Car

A new Spanish sports car, the IFR Aspid, was shown for the first time at the London car show last month. About 100 potential customers have signed up for a test drive in the car. The vehicle, with carbon fibre body, aluminium chassis and 2 litre Honda engine is claimed to be capable of 0-100 kph in 3.9 seconds, and should achieve fuel consumption of 56 mpg.

Homer Simpson Euro

A shopkeeper in Aviles was counting his change the other day when he came across a one euro coin with the face of the monarch replaced by an image of Homer Simpson. He thinks that the alteration was the work of a professional and has so far been offered 20 euros for it.

Cows Invade Village

The village of Prado Negro near Granada has been invaded by a herd of 150 hungry cows. The long running drought in the area has led to a shortage of pasture and the cows have taken over the village, roaming over public and private gardens in search of food. Locals are complaining that the cows spend more time in the main square than they do in the meadows.

World’s Toughest Race

The running race known as the “world’s toughest” from Granada up to the top of the mountain Veleta, was won last week by the Catalunyan Ricardo Verge. The course runs from the centre of the city at 640m to a point on the mountain at 3470m, a distance of 50km. The winning time was 3:52:26 and the women’s race was won by Maria Serrano from Sevilla in 5:07:45.

Cable Theft Precautions

The phone company Telefonica has taken unspecified technological precautions to guard against the theft of telephone cables from its installations, particularly west of Malaga. Organised gangs, particularly from eastern Europe, have stolen cable worth 20 million euros in the last year throughout Spain.

Work Starts on Airport Tunnel

Operations have begun on the subterranean rail link to the new Malaga airport terminal. The work, which includes a tunnel of about 2km length under the Guadalhorce river, is expected to be finished early in 2010.

Unlicensed Houses in Coin

After talks between the Ayuntamiento and the Junta de Andalucia moves are to be made to legalise many illegally built dwellings in the area. There are said to be around 1000 such properties in Coin district but no figures are yet available on how many are expected to be affected by these talks.

Legionnaires on Firewatch

Legionnaires from Ronda barracks have been drafted into action as firewatchers after four fires were apparently deliberately started in the Guadiaro valley near Cortes de la Frontera.

Battle Over Quarry Plans

Locals in the Sierra de las Nieves village of Casarabonela are readying themselves for a battle over plans to reopen a quarry in the area, just outside the National Park. The mayor apparently promised four years ago that the quarry would never reopen, but now has been forced to agree to it due to lack of funds for a legal battle.

Malaga Feria

The annual Feria starts next Friday, August 15th, with the opening being performed by Malaga FC former footballer, Sandro. There will be various singing, dancing and other events daily both in the city centre and at the Feria ground until Sunday August 24th.

MTV Malaga Summer Concert

David Bisbal and the Pussycat Dolls will head the star turns at the MTV Summer concert which takes place at La Malagueta beach next Friday August 15th at 12.30 a.m. This is the prelude to the third MTV Malaga Summer fair which continues next day. Entry is free.

Picasso Exhibition

An exhibition of photographs of the artist Pablo Picasso can be seen at the Picasso museum in Malaga until August 20th. 87 photos will be on show of the artist at home, with his family and at work, from the collection of the Argentinian photographer and great friend of Picasso, Roberto Otero.

Feria de la Tapa

The fourth annual Feria de la Tapa takes place this weekend until Sunday August 11th in Fuengirola. The Feria features tastings of tapas, dancing and other events.

Nadal to be Proclaimed Number 1

Following an amazing sequence of 32 straight victories and 5 tournament wins Spain’s Rafa Nadal will officially replace Roger Federer as number one tennis player in the world in the rankings to be published later in August. Unfortunately his first game as top man ended in defeat to Serbian player Nicolas Lapentti in Cincinnati last week and he will have his work cut out to remain at the top with challenges coming from the Serb and Federer.

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