Spanish news - Spain news from 1Casa 23 February 2008

"Make friends with your neighbours in Spain"	26,241 people are already members Members area: Log in \| Create an account
Forums General Spain forum Off plan forums Register Log in FREE Guide EOS TV Property Property for sale direct List property for sale Long term rentals direct Holiday rentals direct Podcasts Estate agent reviews Developer reviews Services Discount furniture packs Foreign exchange Home insurance Spanish lawyers Articles Spain articles Sign up for newsletter Newsletter testimonials Submit articles Travel Cheap car hire Cheap hotels James Villas Weather in Spain Eye on Spain webcam Budget airlines Blogs Justin's blog Susan's blog Diego's blog Lisa's blog News from Spain Pete's tale E-Books Completing your off-plan Snagging your property Spanish mortgages Tools Search Eye on Spain Currency converter Moneycorp Privilege Card Property purchase calculator Add to Google toolbar Eye on Spain videos
Home \| Search \| Currency Converter \| Cheap Car Hire \| Contact & FAQ

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.

23 February 2008

Spain’s Budget Surplus for 2007

For the third year running Spain has managed a budget surplus, this time 2.23% of GDP. All EU countries are required to aim to be in surplus each year, with a 3% limit on deficits allowed by the EU. Spain is one of a select few countries in credit.

YouTube Used by Spain's Electorate

Spaniards have been asking questions of the two main candidates via YouTube leading up to the general election on 9th March. Issues such as pensions, workers rights, civil partnerships and the environment have been addressed. Even the present Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has responded to some of the clips chosen by Spanish television.

New Cultural Centre in Madrid

A new cultural centre was opened in Madrid this week (21st Feb) by the king and queen of Spain. Named the Caixa centre, the complex built around the shell of the old Mediodia power station will house art galleries, admin offices and refreshment facilities. Underground there is a theatre, service rooms and parking.

New Vino “Light” to go on Sale

A vineyard in Jumilla, Murcia has produced a new low calorie wine of 6.5% alcohol. The output of 770,000 bottles of “Alta de la Ermita”, which is a 2006 Crianza made from Monastrell, Tempranillo and Verdot grapes is to go on sale in April. It has been developed through collaboration between Murcia and Cartagena University and the Ministry of Industry Technological Centre at a cost of 2.5 million euros.

Almost 1000 Centenarians in Andalucia

There are now 943 centenarians in Andalucia, double the number of 10 years ago, including a Sevilla woman of 116 years of age. In all Spain there are 5660 over 100’s. Experts attribute this to the diet, sanitary and hygiene improvements and reduction of infant mortality. 20% of these ancients still manage to live alone. The average life expectancy is now 83.8 years for Spanish women and 77.2 for men.

Work Begins on Las Pedrizas Toll Road

Work is due to start this week on the new toll road of Las Pedrizas. The road, which will provide an alternative to the N331 motorway, will connect Las Pedrizas with Puerto de la Torre (24.5km) in 15 minutes and is expected to be finished in 2009.

More Flights to New York

Delta Airlines is to increase the frequency of its service from Malaga to New York to four flights per week from the fifth of June. The flights will leave at 2.10 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Return flights will be at 10.25 pm from New York.

Coastal Rail Link out for Tender

After many delays the work for the first section of the coastal rail link between Fuengirola and Estepona was put out for tender this week (19th Feb). The stretch from Las Lagunas to Cala de Mijas will contain two tunnels of 4.3km each at a total cost of 210 million euros. The whole project is expected to take six years.

AVE Link from Malaga to Sevilla

This week (21st Feb) the AVE service between Malaga and Sevilla entered into service. The service will run six Avant trains per day at speeds of up to 250 kph in each direction via Cordoba, with stops at Antequera-Santa Ana and Puente Genil, and will take 1hr 55mins, 35mins less than the conventional service. Prices start at 33 euros with reductions for advance internet booking.

Richard Hawley Concert in Malaga

The Cervantes Theatre hosts the only Spanish appearance by Richard Hawley this Sunday (24th Feb) at 8.00 pm. The ex-Pulp guitarist will perform works from his second solo album “Lady’s Bridge”.

Gil’s Roller Auctioned

The Rolls Royce once used by the late Mayor of Marbella, Jesus Gil, was bought by a construction company from Alicante for 39,000 euros. The 1992 Silver Spur was put up for auction three years ago following the dissolution of the Marbella Corporation but twice failed to reach reserve price.

Antequera Airport Project to go Ahead

By declaring the Antequera airport project “Of General State Interest” this week (20th Feb), the Minister of Development effectively fired the starting gun for it to go ahead. The private airport, to be developed by the company Grupo Vera, should take four to five years to complete.

New Stretch of A45 Opens

The latest section of the A45 between Antequera and Cordoba opened this week (18th Feb). The stretch of 13.5km from Benameji and Antequera will further reduce the travelling time from Malaga to Cordoba and only leaves one section to be completed, that from Villanueva de Algaides to Alameda, which should be finished this year.

More Ecological Products to be Grown

The Nerja group “Balcon de Europa” co-op say that their ecological products are likely to exceed 2.3 million tons this year, a 28% increase on last year. The co-op has been growing this type of product since 1995, exporting 95% to northern European countries like Germany, Netherlands, France, Denmark and Britain.

Jaen City – Granada Airport Bus Service

Jaen is now connected by 5 daily bus services direct from Granada Airport to the capital. Public institutions and local businesses have joined forces for commercialising and strengthening tourism by offering direct transport routes to and from the airport to Jaen. It was over a year ago that the City of Jaen became part of the denomination area of the Granada International airport. This new service is hoped to augment tourism in the Jaen province. Of the 5 daily services, one is planned in the early hours of the morning, another is late at night and the remaining 3 services are to be during the day, co-ordinated to coincide with international flight arrivals.

Roger Walters Concert in Granada

Pink Floyd’s Roger Walters is to appear in concert at the Atarfe football ground (Granada) on 9th May. The show called “The Dark Side of the Moon” makes its only appearance in Spain this year and tickets go on sale 26th Feb.

Car Stolen with Owner’s Mother in Back

A car was stolen in Granada this week but the thief did not realise that the owner’s mother was in the back seat! The irate woman escaped with minor injuries after pulling the thief’s hair and jumping out when the car slowed.

Alora Half Marathon

The 10th running of the Alora – Valle del Sol half marathon will take place on the 2nd March. The race will start at 10 o’clock in the morning from the town hall and run to Pizarra and back, a distance of 21 km. Ten minutes later the 14th Alora road race will also start, covering a distance of 1609m (1 mile).

Flamenco Saturdays in Alora

The Pena Flamenca de Alora starts its annual month of Flamenco Saturdays at their headquarters in March. The events start at 10 o’clock each Saturday evening.

Para-gliding Course in Abdalajis

A training course has been organised by the Ayuntamiento of Valle de Abdalajis and the Grupo de Desarrollo Rural de Guadalhorce (Rural Development Group). The course will take place during Semana Santa and will be part of a series of activities being prepared to revitalise the locality as an important centre for this type of sport. The only requirement to participate on the course is to have a minimum weight of 45 kilos. The final date for registration is 6th March.

Dia de Andalucia

The public holiday Dia de Andalucia takes place throughout the region next Thursday 28th February. Most shops and businesses will close for the day.

Football - Home Win for Malaga

Last weekend Malaga defeated Castellon 3-1 to maintain their second place in La Liga 2. On Sunday 24th Feb they travel to Eibar, kick off 5.00 pm.

PREVIOUS NEWS from Spain:

A selection of threads from our general forum:

Urbs. in Murcia province.
Splitting a parcela
just signed up
3 Molinos - Anyone Buying Or Know Of The Development?
Help
Information on Healthcare etc in Spain provided by Age Concern
UK state Pension
Manilva
Where can we buy bicycles?
Bristol to Paris with Air France just launched from 11th June.

A selection of Spain area guides:

Aldeire
Notaez
Penuelas
El Salse
La Aparecida
Puerto Serrano
La Canada
Grupo San Pedro
Rojales
Fontanares