Spanish news - Spain news from 1Casa 27 October 2007

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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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27 October 2007

Todos los Santos (All Saints Day)

Next Thursday, 1st November, is a public holiday in Spain. The festival of All Saints Day is in honour of all the saints. Halloween is the day preceding it, and is so named because it is 'The Eve of All Hallows'.

Spain Frets Over Future of Flamenco

Master guitar-maker Arcangel Fernandez has stopped taking orders, he's been fashioning delicate wooden shells into lacquered beauties for 50 years, now at the age 75 he has enough work for the rest of his life. However, the aficionados buying his coveted $13,000 instruments are not local musicians but Japanese collectors, an alarming sign that the art form considered so intrinsically Spanish is declining in its birthplace and is now more popular among foreigners.

A decade ago, Madrid boasted 20 flamenco taverns featuring this unique kind of entertainment, the furious, rhythmic tapping of a dancer's heels, the thundering chords of a classical guitar, a singer's soulful lament, all that contagious hand-clapping, now only four or five remain, all packed with tourists and too expensive for the average Spaniard. "These days flamenco is more valued among foreigners," Fernandez said in his guitar shop, part woodworking sanctuary, part meeting place for guitar buffs. 15 years ago, Fernandez, who makes an average of eight guitars a year, decided to work exclusively for foreigners, now, he doesn't even raise the metal shutters of his shop when he is inside toiling away.

Spain’s Novel Approach to Immigration

Spain is trying to pass from word to deed, reforming its immigration policy in a way which has won praise from experts. About 1,000 people are to be trained annually in nine countries, and more than 500 mainly Senegalese nationals have already come to work legally in Spain. "In Africa, a million euros can accomplish much more than in Spain," Labour Minister Jesus Caldera said during a recent visit to West Africa. Caldera intends to export to Africa the Spanish model of school workshops for professional training. "Over the past 20 years, these institutions have created half a million jobs in our country," the minister enthused.

The schools will give training in branches such as construction, agriculture, fishing, tourism, health care, hotels and catering. They haven't yet started functioning, but Spanish experts have already been training people in Africa. More than 500 mainly Senegalese nationals have been hired to work in Spain by companies such as the Vips chain of restaurants, and the builder Acciona.

Spanish Trade Deficit Falls 3.2% to 7.8 Billion Euros

The Spanish trade deficit shrank 3.2% in August to 7.82 billion euros compared with August last year. The shortfall was reduced by 7.8% to 62.70 billion euros over the first eight months of the year. In August the value of imports was 19.95 billion euros while exports were 12.13 billion.

Spain's IMF Ranking

Spain hopes to recover its place as the eighth largest economy in the world according to the International Monetary Fund's rankings. Spain used to hold the place, which it then lost to Canada, but is now expected to recover it in the new list. The position on the list is based on a country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Pay as You Go Mobile Phone Users to Register Personal Data

Mobile phone users in Spain who use a pre-paid card have two years to give their full personal details to their network operator. If they fail to do so, their line will be discontinued. The requirement for all mobile telephone users to be identified is incorporated in a new law that comes in to effect on 8th November. The law is part of an international campaign to combat terrorism and is deemed especially necessary as mobile phones have played major parts in terrorist acts or planning. In Spain at the moment there are 20,458,068 numbers allocated to mobile telephones that operate on the pre-paid system, making up 42% of the total.

Cervical Cancer Vaccine now Available in Spanish Pharmacies

The new vaccine against cervical cancer and the HPV virus, Gardasil, is now on sale in pharmacies in Spain. The three doses are sold at a total price of 464.58 euros. Gardasil will, however, be included in the vaccine calendar list in the National Health Service from 1st January next year, and will be brought in progressively by the regional health services in Spain’s autonomous communities. There are plans to make the vaccine free of charge for girls aged between 11 and 14, with the possibility that it could be extended up until the age of 26.

Prince Felipe Presents Prince of Asturias Awards

The Prince of Asturias, Don Felipe, presented his awards this week in a ceremony held in Oviedo. The winner of the Award for Co-operation this year was Al Gore. The winner of the Arts award was Bob Dylan. British biologist, Peter Lawrence, and his Spanish counterpart, Gines Morata, were the winners of the scientific research award. The winner in the Literature category was the Israeli Amos Oz. The directors of the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem were honoured and granted the Concordia award. Other awards went to the Nature and Science magazines, Ralf Dahrendorf won the Social Sciences prize and Michael Schumacher won the Sports prize.

National Anthem Jury Selected

Members of the jury which will decide which of the entries will be chosen as the lyrics for Spain's National Anthem were announced this week. The proposal to put words to the National Anthem came from the Spanish Olympic Committee this summer. The jury represent five separate areas, music, politics, literature, history and sports.

Million Euro + Painting Left With the Rubbish

On a March morning 4 years ago, Elizabeth Gibson was on her way to get her usual coffee when she spotted a large and colourful abstract painting nestled between two big garbage bags in front of an apartment building in Manhattan, she debated taking it but she said, she felt she simply had to have the 38-by-51-inch painting, because “it had a strange power.”

It turns out, the painting was “Three People,” a 1970 canvas by the celebrated 20th-century Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo that was stolen 20 years ago and is the subject of an F.B.I. investigation. Experts say the painting — a largely abstract depiction of a man, a woman and an androgynous figure in vibrant purples, oranges and yellows is in miraculously good condition and worth about $1 million On 20th November it is to go on the block at Sotheby's as one of the highlights of a Latin American art auction.

New Lynx Population Discovered in Spain

The future survival of the world's most endangered cat species, the Iberian lynx, has received a boost following the discovery of an unknown population in Castilla La Mancha.

The local government confirmed the existence of the colony after two adult lynx were filmed in the region.

New Golf Courses Restricted Under Regional Government Draft Proposals

Under new legislation, homes will not be allowed around any future golf course and all new greens will be restricted in size. A specially-created commission will give the go ahead to new golf courses, removing existing power away from local councils; as it stands, town halls can pass a golf and residential complex with nothing more than an environmental impact study. This commission, which will be headed by Public Works chief Concha Gutierrez del Castillo, will not allow land status to be changed to make way for a golf course nor will any complex be allowed on land sensitive to erosion. The draft proposal comes at a time when more than 300 new courses are under construction or in the planning stage around the region.

Some, including the Los Merinos macro-project in Ronda and the proposed Gojar-Dilar course near Granada, have caused controversy by being constructed on or near protected land. Junta de Andalucia officials hope the bill becomes law before regional elections in March 2008.

Granada Surgeons Perform Europe's First Defibrillator Implant

Surgeons at the Virgen de las Nieves Hospital in Granada have successfully implanted a life-saving defibrillator into a baby just 56 days old. The operation is reported to be first of its type in Europe. The Automatic Implantable Defibrillator is able to detect any irregularity in the child’s heartbeat and will apply defibrillation (an electric shock) if necessary.

Griffon Vulture Rescued from Granada Building Site

Staff from the Threatened Species Recovery Centre in Granada, CREA, have rescued a young Griffon Vulture which workmen found trapped in the patio of a building under construction in Granada province. It appears the vulture was flying in search of food when it became disoriented and ended up on the building site. The six month old bird was too weak to take off, and was also hampered by the width of the patio; adult Griffon Vultures can reach a wing span of 2.5 metres, the bird will be kept at the CREA centre until it has recovered and can be released.

Honey Traders Arrested over Stolen Hives

Two people have been arrested and warrants have been issued against two others after over 370 stolen beehives were discovered at an illegal honey farm near Cullar in Granada. The hives had been stolen from seven bee farms throughout the country. Only six farmers reported the loss of their hives and, as police suspected that the seventh may have been involved, they placed him under surveillance. He was eventually caught along with another man at the illegal farm last week.

Ronda's Wine Museum Incorporates Bluetooth Technology

Visitors to the Wine Museum in Ronda can now be guided around its galleries by mobile phone message. The system has been called ‘Sistema de Informacion Turistica’. It uses 'Bluetooth’ technology, where information in the form of text messages, videos and photos is sent to tourists’ mobile phones making a visit more informative. The information can later be downloaded to a home computer.

IKEA Store in Malaga Opens Tuesday 30th October

Ikea opens its Malaga store on Tuesday, 30th October, with thousands of customers expected. Special traffic plans have been drawn up to deal with the likely traffic delays in the area. Special discounts are to be made available to those who visit the store using the EMT local buses. In Sevilla and Murcia, experience has shown that such openings have seen traffic queues of some 40-50 minutes as cars try to reach the store.

Picasso Ceramics Now on Show in Malaga

The exhibition of some 60 items is now open at the Picasso Museum in Malaga until 27th January 2008. The painter's granddaughter, Christine, remembers when Picasso was in Vallauris in France and his interest in ceramics was born. It was, he said at the time, ‘a new material which I want to understand and dominate’, and that’s exactly what he did by renewing the techniques used on the material at the time. Harald Theil, a commissioner commented that Picasso treated all artistic techniques and media as equals, and that in his creative process his art was not limited by the aesthetic, the exhibits come from some 20 public and private collections in Germany, France, Switzerland and Spain.

Malaga Transport Museum Planned

Plans for the new Malaga Transport Museum were presented by the Minister for Development this week. The project will be both educational and part of the city’s leisure attractions. The site for the museum is an old military site, Campamento Benitez. The first phase of the museum will cost 70 million euros and take three years to complete.

Bread Museum Opened in Alhaurin el Grande

Spain's first bread museum has been officially opened in Alhaurin el Grande. The museum is a project by the local bakery family known as the ‘El Colmenero de Alhaurin’. It is located in the old part of town in Calle Cruz in a building belonging to the company. The displays depict the history of bread- making, showing the utensils and machinery which have been used over the centuries.

Alora Plans to Install 20 Underground Rubbish Containers

Alora plans to put most of the town’s rubbish bins underground and for this project the Junta de Andalucia has approved a grant of 112,000 euros. The work will have a budget of 272,000 euros and is expected to begin next year. The rubbish containers already installed in the Plaza Fuente Arriba should be in service next week.

American Motor Show, Alora

An American Motor spectacular will take place in Alora this weekend. The event is being held at the Poligono Industrial La Molina on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October from 6.00 pm. There are cars, motorbikes, quad bikes, lorries, the Big Foot and a stunt team. The ticket office opens 1 hour before the show.

Coin Horse Show

The Alta Escuela Espanola comes to Coin this weekend. This year the show is part of the National Championship of Spain, the event takes place over Saturday and Sunday, starting at 10.00 am on Saturday and 11.00 am on Sunday.

HSBC Offers Free Wealth Management Seminar for Expatriates

HSBC offers free seminar in Marbella on the 30/10/07 Interested? Just call Call 00356 2324 2800 or email investmentseurope@hsbc.com

Malaga 1 - 0 Xerez

Malaga return to winning ways after losing their previous game. Their next game is away at Albacete this Sunday, 28th October and kicks off at 6.00 pm.

Clocks Change

Don't forget to change your clocks this weekend. On Saturday night/Sunday morning 27th/28th October clocks go BACK one hour at 2.00 am resulting in one hour more in bed.

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