News, July 2011

We're now also on Facebook!

From 21st July we have a Facebook page. We hope it will help to involve more in praying for Spain. more >>

John Stott in memoriam

With gratitude in our hearts we remember John Stott, who died on 27th July. In addition to all his other many attributes, as rector of All Souls he was indirectly responsible for the conversion of Korky Davey, without whom many evangelists across the UK, Europe and the globe would not be where we are today. more >>

News from the Churches

Seminaries one step from government accreditation. Summer outreach activities under way. 76 baptised in Mallorca. Differing responses to new euthanasia law. Excitement as the Gospel encounters the 'Indignants' in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square. Bookshop at Madrid book fair. New web services flourishing. more >>

July 29th, recent news round-up

Zapatero calls election for 20th November - Guardian, Economist; Half of Spain go on holiday this weekend - while another third come home - that's a lot of extra cars on the roads; Lots of economic news today: EAPS q2 employment figures today: unemployment receded from close to 5 million, to 20.9% - more in pdf; Inflation - July advance CPI: 3.1% - pdf; ; Moodys places Spain and leading banks (Santander, BBVA) on rating warning and downgrades 6 regions - Guardian; IAG (Iberia and BA) announce swing to first half profits - BBC; 27th: Opposition leader Rajoy loses 3% of lead over Socialist candidate Rubalcaba in new poll; Santander to allow unemployed mortgage holders to suspend capital repayments from August - for up to 3 years; Constitutional Court confirms regions must obey state on fiscal responsibility - Murcia to return some responsibilities to central government; 5000 passengers hit by last December's air traffic control strike demand 50 million from state owned Air Navigation firm AENA; 26th: Costa Brava loses direct flights from London and Liverpool - Ryanair announces 21 more closures on Girona routes after clash on funding with Catalan Generalitat (regional government): 25th: 'Indignants' march again in Madrid; Zapatero visits Cameron in Downing Street; Basque nationalist party PNV believes Zapatero is waiting for peace deal with ETA before calling elections; tensions continue to build over Spanish incursions into Gibraltar waters; tourist arrivals up 7.5% in first half to 24.8 million. more >>

Sport headlines

Lorenzo 2nd in Laguna Seca. Alonso 2nd in Germany. Pedrosa wins MotoGP in Germany. Davis Cup team beat USA. Nadal wins again in Paris, but loses Wimbledon final. Lorenzo wins MotoGP at Mugello. Alonso wins at Silverstone, 2nd in Valencia. Barcelona faces gruelling pre-season. more >>

The 'Indignant' revolution, two months on

[Image 106???]18th July. On 15th May, in the middle of the election campaign for Spain's municipalities and (most of) the regional assemblies, a series of mass demonstrations was called against the major parties fundamentally by those who felt disenfranchised, due to the crisis and unemployment. Somewhere between 20,000 and 50,000 gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol st the main focus of the demonstration. The protest, calling for 'Real Democracy Now' demanded that the major parties take note of the general feeling that they no longer represent a significant part of the population, those without work. During the remainder of the campaign (i.e until 22nd May) and until the end of June, young unemployed people camped in the centres of all the provincial capitals. Demonstrators then decided to move gradually to other locations around the cities to allow a normal life to resume for those fortunate enough to have one. Two months later, we ask what were the demands and have they achieved anything? Will this have any long-term impact on Spain? more >>

News Theme, Summer in Spain and the Weather

Schools are out soon! Summer is on its way! On approximately 20th June each year, schools close for the summer. By that time it is too hot in most areas to hold classes without expensive air conditioning, so schools have traditionally closed for almost 3 months. Indeed, what remains of school in both June and September is mornings only - although nowadays more and more schools extending morning class year-round and the kids don't return after a late lunch. more >>

Summer is here, happy fiestas!

Fiesta time is round again. Through the spring, fiestas, or city/village celebration weeks, have already been a big part of life. After Easter, the cities of Andalusia begin a round of Ferias, starting with the greatest of them all in Seville. By June, most towns and villages want to join in, with festivities traditionally centred on a saint's or 'virgin's' day. 23rd April is St. George's day. At Pentecost, the village of Almonte, Huelva, draws thousands as it celebrates the Rocío Romería, a week of travelling to the sanctuary of 'the virgin' on horseback, in gypsy carts and in full Andalusian dress, all to celebrate their statue who at once represents the virgin and the Holy Spirit, also naming their virgin 'the white dove'. 24th June, for example, is St. John's night, big all over the place; 7th July San Fermin, patron saint of Pamplona and so it goes on. more >>

Local Elections, May 2011

During May the political focus was on the local and regional elections, which took place on 22nd. National parties got a foretaste of what they might expect in the national election, which must take place by March. All local municipal councils were re-elected and most regional governments also. All the regions which had elections were held or taken over by the right of centre Partido Popular and their Navarrese allies UPN. For the socialist PSOE the disaster was complete as even the disputed region of Extremadura went to the PP, due to the support of far left wing IU councillors. The leadership of the PSOE immediately began a change, as vice-president Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba was chosen as candidate for the presidency at the next election. more >>