Spanish news - Spain news from 1Casa 19 January 2008

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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.

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19 January 2008

Spain Retains Top Position for Buyers Abroad

According to a survey published by ‘A Place in the Sun’ magazine’s annual Top 20 buying destinations, USA property prices are down 30% and the dollar weakened by 25%, it’s the traditional sun-seeker’s favourite Spain that takes the number one spot for the second year running. Here is a 4 bedroom Villa in 4 acres for less than 205,000 euros http://www.1casa.com/country_details.asp?refno=16134

The poll, conducted at the NEC Birmingham, also saw France with its enviable lifestyle maintaining its 2006 second place and Turkey climbing into third position.

Spanish Election Starts

The Spanish parliament was dissolved this week (14th January) ready for the general election to take place on March 9. The parties have until February 4th to present their lists of candidates, then the campaign proper starts on February 22 continuing until March 7. There will be two televised debates between Zapatero and Rajoy, the PSOE and PP leaders, on 23rd February and 4th March.

New Words for Spanish Anthem Dropped

The new lyrics for Spain's national anthem were dropped this week amid criticism that they hinted at the country's right-wing past and did not reflect its rich cultural diversity. The president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, which in June organized a contest seeking proposals for lyrics and received 7,000 entries, said four entries announced last week as official candidates were being shelved because of a "lack of consensus." A gala event scheduled for 21st January, at which Placido Domingo was to sing the lyrics for the first time, has been cancelled. The search for words to accompany Spain's national anthem continues...

Ancient Spanish Document Found in London

An ancient document stolen from Spain's National Library has been discovered in an antique dealer's in London. It is part of the 15th century edition of the 'Etymologiae' encyclopaedia compiled by Isidore of Seville in 636. The first printed edition was produced in 1472 and this is where the document came from. The antique dealer is collaborating with the authorities and will probably hand it over to Scotland Yard in the near future.

“Alliance of Civilisations” Forum Starts

Spanish PM Zapatero’s idea of an alliance of civilisations took a step forward this week with the first forum opening in Madrid. Jointly opened by him and the Turkish PM Erdogan, representatives of more than 60 countries will discuss ideas concerning young people, education and immigrant migration in order to debate ways to avoid misunderstandings between cultures.

Spain Expects More Tourists in 2008

Spain is predicted to see a further increase in the number of foreign visitors this year. This year, Spain expects foreign tourists to grow by 1.8% to 60.7 million in 2008 from an estimated 59.7 million in 2007, a rise of 2.2 percent over 2006. The chairman of the tourist industry association, Exceltur, said Spain was benefiting from an extension in routes offered by low-cost airlines and a greater interest in urban tourism, however, the country's traditional beach resorts were starting to feel the effects of stronger competition from the Eastern Mediterranean. He said demand in this area of the market increased by only 0.7% in Spain last year, compared with growth rates for Turkey and Egypt of around 18%.

Spain and Morocco Tunnel Decision to be made in 2008

Spain and Morocco are to make a decision this year about the tunnel under the Gibraltar Strait to link Spain and Morocco. Since 2006 experts have been preparing geological and technical reports to build a railway tunnel under the sea with the results due to be presented some time this year. The timetable has been delayed slightly due to the diplomatic crisis between the two countries caused by the King and Queen of Spain’s visit to Ceuta and Melilla last year. Now, however, the Moroccan ambassador to Spain has returned to Madrid and relations seem to be back to normal. The proposed project is expected to cost a minimum of 5 billion euros and take at least 20 years to build.

Golden Globe for Javier Bardem

Spanish actor, Javier Bardem, has won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, for his role as the serial killer, Anton Chigurh, in the latest Cohn brothers’ film, ‘No Country for Old Men’. Bardem's win follows on from his New York Film Critics Circle award for the same role.

Marbella Demolition Orders Postponed

The Andalucian High Court has brought temporary relief to the owners of illegal properties in Marbella whose demolition had already been ordered. The court has agreed to postpone the demolition orders already passed until the new development plan (PGOU) has been approved. At the moment, there are some 38 cases, which affect around 1,000 apartments, which the court had previously ordered the Town Hall to demolish.

Drinking and Driving Still a Concern in Malaga

A survey carried out by a local newspaper in the urban areas of the main municipalities in the province of Malaga has produced worrying results. Since the new Penal Code came into effect on December 2nd last year, almost 300 drivers have been caught breaking the law in the province, the majority of these were drink drivers. Figures for drink driving were found to be higher in Malaga city and in Marbella than on all of the dual carriageways and secondary roads of the province.

Work Starts on Airport Access Road

Work has started on the southern access road from the A7 at Guadalmar to Malaga airport. The road is intended to reduce congestion on the existing link and will take 28 months approximately to build at a cost of 36m euros.

Holiday Inn to Open in Malaga

It is locally reported that the Holiday Inn hotel chain is to open its first hotel in Malaga in April. The four storey building in Avenida Velazquez, close to the city's airport, will have 122 bedrooms, meeting rooms and Wi-Fi internet connections. The group announced last week that it plans to open a total of eight new hotels in Spain by the end of 2009 to join its existing chain of 14.

Improved Baggage Inspection Systems at Malaga Airport

Two new initiatives designed to improve the baggage inspection system at Malaga Airport have been undertaken at a cost of 40 million euros. The improvements include adapting the hold baggage system in line with EU requirements to inspect baggage thoroughly. The second project, work on which began in January last year, consists of installing the latest generation computer technology for handling luggage in the new passenger terminal. This project will use computers to activate a chain of robots which will route the luggage to flights. This system should reduce the risk of luggage being lost or loaded onto the wrong plane.

AVE Line to Cadiz to be Slower

The Ministry of Development has decided that the line improvements being made to the railway tracks in Cadiz province will be on Iberian gauge thus restricting speeds to 250 kph rather than the 350 possible on other high speed (AVE) lines in Spain. The reason for this is that the improvements consist of laying a second parallel track, thus hugely increasing capacity, but not changing over both lines to international gauge at this time, due to the enormous extra cost. The large number of stops on the line between Seville and Cadiz also restricts the overall speed of the journey. The minister has stated however that the work does include using convertible sleepers which could enable further improvements in future.

Antequera Health Centre

Work had begun Antequera's second health centre which will provide services for around 20,000 people and, according to the Junta de Andalucia, will be the most modern in the region when it's completed in 2010. The new centre will be located between the San Fernando and La Luz residences. The six storey building will have 34 standard consulting rooms as well as several more for the specialist services. The existing health centre is also being upgraded in a phased, 2.5 million-euro project.

Ecological Production in Guadalhorce Valley

The rural development group of the Guadalhorce Valley has put in motion a plan to develop ecological production in the valley. To this end they have engaged an agronomical engineer to assist in changing to this type of production, gaining accreditation, managing fertilisation and pest control and technical help with the administration regarding subsidies.

More Guardia Civil Officers to be Deployed in Guadalhorce Valley

The Guardia Civil has provisionally sent an extra 35 officers to the Guadalhorce Valley in light of the recent increase in robberies in the area. Over the last few months burglaries have increased significantly in the areas of Coin, Alhaurin el Grande and Alhaurin del la Torre. The mayors of the area welcome the increase, however some of them believe the number isn’t sufficient.

Alora Consumer Office Opens

The new office of consumer affairs opened in Alora this week. It is situated in the Training & Employment centre in Avenida Pablo Ruiz Picasso and is planned to be open two days per week. The first dates are 17, 21, and 24th January. Future dates can be found on http://www.alora.es

Plans to Reduce Traffic Congestion in Alora

The long awaited parallel road to Avenida Cervantes may be coming closer to fruition. The Town Hall has included half a million euros for the project in its budgets for this year. Although almost all the money will come from the Junta de Andalucia, the mayor is confident that this money will be made available. The road is planned to run between C/Canales and C/Manantial and will run in the opposite direction to Avenida Cervantes thus relieving traffic congestion through the town.

New Market in Cerralba & Zalea

A new Monday market is to take place on alternate weeks starting in Cerralba this week 17 Jan, moving to Zalea next week 24 Jan, then alternately in the two barriadas.

Malaga 1 - 1 Granada 74

Malaga moved two points clear at the top of the table after drawing 1-1 with their regional rivals Granada 74. Their next game is away against Tenerife on Sunday 20th January, kick off 4.00 pm (local time).

Formula 1

Fernando Alonso achieved the fastest time in practice sessions in Jerez this week. Alonso was faster round the track ahead of fellow Spaniard, Pedro de la Rosa, driving for McLaren Mercedes and Kimi Raikkonen for Ferrari. Alonso completed his 70 laps in last year’s Renault car, the R27 as the new model is still not ready for this season. Lewis Hamilton has signed a new five-year contract with McLaren. The new deal runs through until 2012.

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