Fitch downgrades Spanish solvency two steps

Six other European countries have also been...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Friday January 27 2012

The state of the economy and problems for...

Read More »

Spanair to stop all its flights from 2am Saturday

The decision of Qatar Airways not to take a 49% share means the operation is not...

Read More »

Friday Rainbow

Friday Rainbow

My regular readers will be aware of my fascination of atmospheric effects, particularly as the sun disappears over the western horizon, but this afternoon, we...

Read More »

Judge Baltasar Garzón faces third case in the Supreme Court

This case relates to sponsorship money he received in New York during a sabttical...

Read More »

Spanish Foreign Minister calls for talks on Gibraltar sovereignty

José Manuel García Margallo has written to William...

Read More »

Spanish unemployment reaches 5.2 million

The EPA figure for the last quarter of 2011 has just been...

Read More »

Captain, This Ship Is Sinking!

"Lo primero, el empleo" was the Partido Popular's slogan in Spain's recent elections. There's a "des" missing somewhere from that phrase. Today's unemployment figures here...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Friday January 27 2012

Merkel and Rajoy and Francisco Camps dominate...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Friday January 27 2012

Persistent rain along the Levante coast and in Tarragona today. Locally moderate snowfalls in the north, centre and East of the...

Read More »

RUS: Пенедес в феврале 2012 – Календарь событий, в том числе карнавалы: Ситжес и Виланова

. 3-5 февраляКалафель (Баш-Пенедес); в старом городе Фестиваль города: Festa Major de la Candelera4 февраля; в 17:00 ч., Plaça CatalunyaПарад каталонских гигантов; Cercavila gegantera Более подробная информация (на...

Read More »

Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney Face Swap

Gingrich Romney Face Swap

The more I watch the media coverage of the GOP presidential primaries, the more I’m struck by just how different Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney...

Read More »

Valencia comes out to protest against the cuts, and Francisco Camps

There have been large demonstrations in the three provincial...

Read More »

EU helps the hens, but Spain is slow in making changes

Spain has been given two months to correct the...

Read More »

Pisa bar fined €1000 for charging Spanish tourist €26 for 3 * (coffee + brioche)

Here. Apparently the barman thought the guy was from Barcelona and wanted to make him feel at home. Why on earth was crucifixion along the...

Read More »

Lost US boat travels across the Atlantic to Spain

The Queen Bee has been found off Asturias more than three years after it disappeared off the coast of...

Read More »

Heroic pets save family from Granada fire

They woke up the family one by one in the smoke-filled house, allowing them to escape...

Read More »

Prosecutors accuse Olot carer of premeditated murder with malice aforethought

The instruction phase has now ended and Joan Vila will be tried for killing 11 of the pensioners in his...

Read More »

Prosecutors announce appeal in Marta del Castillo case

They feel there is sufficient evidence to find at least one of the suspects who were acquitted guilty as an...

Read More »

Warrant issued for arrest of ex Marbella councillor

He was found guilty and sentenced in the Minutas case, but has since failed to report to...

Read More »

GER: Penedès im Februar 2012 – Veranstaltungskalender mit den Karnevalen in Sitges und Vilanova

Von 3.bis 5. Februar Calafell (Baix Penedès); in der Altstadt Stadtfest: Festa Major de la candelera 4. Februar, um 17:00 Uhr, Plaça Catalunya Riesen-Parade: Cercavila gegantera Mehr auf Katalanisch 4. und...

Read More »

More than two tons of cannabis seized in Andalucía

Five people were arrested in separate operations in Cádiz and...

Read More »

La Sexta loses rights to show Formula One

The channel is reported to owe Mediapro 45 million...

Read More »

David Cameron speaks up for Gibraltar

The British Prime Minister told the Council of Europe that he was in favour of...

Read More »

There Ain’t No Justice Part 1

Time for a South of Watford mini-series on what is already promising to be a vintage year for the Spanish judicial system. I'm hoping that...

Read More »

Ex Development Minister, José Blanco, appears in the Supreme Court

He has been accused of collecting commissions in the 'Campeón...

Read More »

Francisco Camps and Ricardo Costa Not Guilty

After three days deliberation the jury have found the two men not guilty of passive...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Thursday January 26 2012

The not guilty verdict against Francisco Camps and Ricardo Costa dominates the front pages of the papers in Spain...

Read More »

Barcelona scrape through into the King’s Cup Semi finals

Real Madrid were considered by most to be the better side at the Camp Nou on Wednesday...

Read More »

Union Rep

Union Rep (thumbnail)

Nora was being particularly cute recently during her nightly routine of barging into my office to interrupt my work and inform me of the state...

Read More »

Freedom for Francisco Camps! Death to Garzón!

Francisco Camps, former PP president of the Valencian autonomous community was today acquitted of corruption after a witch-hunt in Valencia's courts that has lasted nearly...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Thursday January 26 2012

Snow in the Cantabria area and western Pyrenees, and locally moderate freezing conditions in part of the northern half of the...

Read More »

Rita Barberà praises Francisco Camps manhood

The Mayor of Valencia said that she did not want to talk while the jury in the Gürtel suits case are...

Read More »

Four Spanish researchers awarded amongst most promising scientists in the world

They have been selected by the Howard Hughes Institute as having the potential to be scientific leaders in their...

Read More »

Woman leaves her house in Spain to the orphans of Palestine in her will

The Palestinian Ambassador has visited Linares, Jaén province, to formalise the...

Read More »

Civil War bomb found in Alicante Port

The device was destroyed in a controlled explosion on...

Read More »

Secrecy order extended for a further month in case of missing Córdoba children

The only suspect in the case is the children's father, who experts have said has manipulative tendencies but no mental...

Read More »

Marbella court takes victims’ statements in fraud case against Irish real estate firm

British and Irish ex clients have ratified their claim that the company kept money they had paid over to furnish their...

Read More »

Family of cocaine dealers arrested in Benalmádena

The leader is a middle-aged woman from Colombia who ran a local food...

Read More »

United States fugitive arrested in Barcelona

Andrew Robert L. carried out an armed robbery of a jewellers store in Westport,...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Wednesday January 25 2012

Spanish Government says the 4.4% deficit target remains in...

Read More »

ETA terrorist arrested in France

Ernesto Prat Urzainqui has been on the run since...

Read More »

Justice Minister announces his priorities, including reform of the abortion law

Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón is also introducing a new justice tax to be paid by those citizens who make an appeak against a first...

Read More »

Martin Smith, extradicted from Spain, hangs himself in Manchester prison

His partner, Lianne Smith, is in custody accused of killing their two...

Read More »

Oscar Nominations 2012

Sadly, the Catalan film Pa negre hasn't been nominated for this year's Oscars but the animated film called Chico & Rita by Fernando Trueba...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Wednesday January 25 2012

The economy and Judge Garzón make up the headlines...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Wednesday January 25 2012

Unsettled conditions across the...

Read More »

King’s Cup giant killers, Mirandés, make the Semi Final

Playing the second leg at home they came back to beat...

Read More »

How the Ferrocarril de Sóller, Mallorca acquired an 80-year-old train, let it rust, and sold it for scrap

Over at treneando, via Xabier Cabezón. From press reports you might believe that the entire island administration is composed of thieves, but there are idiots...

Read More »

IMF forecasts two years of a new recession in Spain

The International Monetary Fund says deficit targets will not be met this year or...

Read More »

Some Spanish success in the Oscar’s nominations

Pedro Almodóvar has been overlooked this...

Read More »

José Mourinho declines to deny he’s leaving Real Madrid

Luis Suárez has said he thinks the Portuguese trainer is preparing his exit from Real Madrid at the end of the...

Read More »

Ex UK Minister reveals deal for shared sovereignty of Gibraltar

Peter Hain says in his memoirs that the Aznar government pulled out just hours after agreement was reached in...

Read More »

Ex PP Senator to be investigated in Carlos Fabra case

The case against Miguel Prim was originally archived, but there is now seen to be evidence of possible influence...

Read More »

Italian fugitive arrested in Almería

He has pending sentences in Italy amounting to almost 10 years behind...

Read More »

Norman Foster invested Doctor Honoris Causa in Madrid

Despite his four decades in the profession, the British architect says he has no plans to...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Tuesday January 24 2012

King Juan Carlos backs the financial...

Read More »

13 year old hides baby in wardrobe after giving birth in secret in Orihuela

Her elder cousin dumped the body on waste ground after he found it in the...

Read More »

Olot carer says he will not apologise for 11 ‘mercy’ killings

He feels that he helped the terminally ill at the pensioners' home and it was the correct thing to...

Read More »

Prosecutor supports Baltasar Garzón’s call for case to be closed

The National Court judge is on the accused bench of the Supreme Court on charges of exceeding his responsibilities by investigating crimes...

Read More »

Comer chez el Agüelo

Los comensales: ¿Puedo mojar en tu huevo? Los postres: Gelat de framgüesa.See also:The secrets of Catalan cuisine: shave the sailor Several innovative figures of speech...

Read More »

‘Son, you are adopted and you have 11 brothers and sisters!’

A 39 year old Valencia man has just discovered he has 11 brothers and...

Read More »

José María Ruiz-Mateos appears in court in Palma

The Spanish entrepeneur has two fraud cases to face in court...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Tuesday January 24 2012

Bad predictions about the future of the economy lead some of the papers this...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Tuesday January 24 2012

Cloud in the far north, but sun in the...

Read More »

Hunt for missing Briton moves to Nerja

Gary Butcher has not been seen since last...

Read More »

Sunny Madrid and Spain Books

Madrid Retiro Park

Photo – Madrid’s Retiro Park It’s still unseasonably sunny here – I mean it’s sunny every day, hardly a cloud in the sky – no snow...

Read More »

Patrick Leigh Fermor on taking a town for the first time

With details of a free, self-guided walk from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam's red-light district, for you, Sinterklaas, and all others of exceptional...

Read More »

Penedès Agenda February 2012 – including the Carnivals of Sitges & Vilanova i la Geltrú

3-5 February Calafell (Baix Penedès); historic town centre Town Festival: Festa Major de la candelera February 4; 17:00; plaça Catalunya Giant parade: Cercavila gegantera Read more in Catalan 4-5 February...

Read More »

Euro Vegas plan gets political support in Madrid

Both Esperanza Aguirre and Anna Botella support the...

Read More »

Spain owes France 25 million € for nuclear waste treatment

The situation will improve when Spain's storage facility at Villar de Cañas is...

Read More »

Archbishop objects to Deputy Prime Minister giving Easter speech

The Valladolid Archbishop, Ricardo Blázquez, says she is not suitable as she was married in a civil...

Read More »

Bernie Ecclestone says Fernando Alonso deserves a perfect car

The owner of Formula One wants to see Barcelona and Valencia alternate their...

Read More »

Catalan police under investigation for murder suspect’s suicide

He jumped into a stairwell while under escort as officers sought the weapon he used to kill his...

Read More »

Family appeal for Marta del Castillo trial to be declared as null

The four defendants in the case would have to stand trial again if their arguments are...

Read More »

Vueling announces new routes to Alicante

They include the Baleares, Amsterdam and...

Read More »

Human rights groups send observers to Baltasar Garzón’s second trial

Spain's suspended National Court judge is charged with exceeding his authority by investigating disappearances during the Franco...

Read More »

British Consulate starts 2012 Open Day Programme with events in Ontinyent and Caudete

The British consular team will be visiting Ontinyent and Caudete on Thursday 9th February to hold two open days, the first of...

Read More »

16 arrests for Internet child pornography in Spain

Properties were searched in 11 Spanish regions during the three National Police...

Read More »

Three years for man who left British victim tied up in Almería robbery

She let him into her home as he had carried out building work for her in the...

Read More »

Why does do church bells chime every fifteen minutes?

Bell Tower

Where I grew up, there weren’t any church bells that I could hear from my house, but there was one in the center of town...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Monday January 23 2012

IMF says it needs more funds to protect Spain and...

Read More »

Vladimir Putin is moving to Marbella

It's reported he is buying a property in the luxury La Zagaleta...

Read More »

Junta de Andalucía wants 2.8 million € returned from ERE grants

56 people have been identified as collecting the grants...

Read More »

Spaced out

Peter Harvey has discovered two spacious rooms, lightly high in the Alhambra. "Room of the beds" is the literal translation of "Sala de las camas,"...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Monday January 23 2012

Government tranparency plans lead many of the papers...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Monday January 23 2012

Cloudy in most of the north of the country...

Read More »

Spain would veto an independent Scotland

Concerns about the aspirations of Cataluña and the Basque Country would bring the opposition from...

Read More »

Café Royale

C/ Nou de Zurbano 3 : Liceu : Drassanes Café Royale website : Tel. +34 93 318 89 56 : Daily 11pm...

Read More »

Córdoba Mosque Cathedral becomes ‘cardio-protected’

Two defibrillators have been installed in the...

Read More »

Baby’s father arrrested after the child takes cocaine

The child is not thought to be seriously...

Read More »

Two hashish hauls in the Strait

700 kilos of hashish was found in military barracks at...

Read More »

Male genital depilation and the End of the World

Better a vineyard than a field of weeds on Judgement...

Read More »

Spain’s most indebted village

The debt is about 20,000 € per resident, and the story is now getting international...

Read More »

40,000 demonstrate in Alicante for better education

The size of the demonstration has surprised many, including the...

Read More »

Gürtel suits case comes to a close

Both Francisco Camps and Ricardo Costa say they are innocent of the charges of passive...

Read More »

Hundreds turn out for Manuel Fraga’s funeral

More than 200 bagpipe players played the Galician...

Read More »

State of the Offspring Address – January 2012

Good Morning, Sunshine!

We have had our first month of nocturnal ambulation. The first incident occurred while I was asleep in Nora’s room. Often, if Nora cries at...

Read More »

Iberia ground staff call off strike plans

Agreement was reached with the company in a meeting on...

Read More »

Judge sets bail at 4.2 million € for Carlos Fabra

The head of the Partido Popular in Castellón is facing corruption...

Read More »

Electricity bills going back to bi-monthly

The Government wants to end the estimated monthly...

Read More »

Eight arrests after burglary of a business in El Raal goes wrong

The four owners of the shop decided to take matters into their own hands when they found four thieves...

Read More »

Mario Vargas Llosa declines invitation to direct the Cervantes Institute

It's the second time that the Nobel Prize winner has declined the...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Friday January 20 2012

The declarations of Judge Baltasar Garzón in the Supreme Court lead many of the...

Read More »

English proficiency of the Spanish relative to other nations

La Información's reporter says that this publication by Education First, a teaching multinational with an interest in making target clients nervous, shows that of the...

Read More »

The Gürtel suits case continues in Valencia

The judge has warned the jury, 'This is not a political case'. After six weeks it is approaching its...

Read More »

Webcam found in hotel shower in Figueras

Three guests have taken the case to court where they could pick up 20,000 € for moral...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Friday January 19 2012

Strong winds in the Ebro valley and NE of...

Read More »

Graves of suspected stolen babies to be exhumed in Alicante

The families suspect the children did not die at birth, but were given up illegally for...

Read More »

The Boss confirmed for Gran Canaria

The date is May 15 at the stadium in Las...

Read More »

Civil Guard rescue seriously hurt smuggler run over by his own boat

Eight other gang members were arrested and 1.8 tons of cannabis were...

Read More »

Spain sees fifth domestic violence murder in just 18 days

It's the highest rate for this period of the year since...

Read More »

Fake Ryanair pilots sentenced for smuggling cocaine into Spain

One was a flight attendant for the airline and obtained the pilots' uniforms which helped them to bypass airport...

Read More »

Trial for fatal Benalmádena coach crash starts in Málaga

The driver of the other vehicle involved is charged with causing 9 deaths and 26 injuries amongst the Finnish tourists who were...

Read More »

Life expectancy falls in Spain

It's only a small reduction, but it comes after 50 years...

Read More »

Spanish treasury celebrates successful long-term debt auctions

More debt than expected has been successfully placed this morning. During this year the Spanish Treasury will emit debt with 86 billion €...

Read More »

‘Sandokan’ declares in the Malaya case, and bursts into tears

The now Córdoba councillor denied paying a backhander to Juan Antonio Roca in...

Read More »

Ferrovial no longer controls BAA

The sale of 5.8% of the British Airport Authority has helped the Spanish company with its...

Read More »

The essential problem isn’t SOPA but copyright law itself

Let's bring the term of protection back to life + 20...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Thursday January 19 2012

Judge Garzón continues to make the front...

Read More »

Barcelona in great position to snatch title

Real Madrid have it all to do in the second leg of their Copa del Rey clash next week. Barca beat them last night at...

Read More »

Barcelona win at the Bernabéu

The first leg of the King's Cup semi final was played on...

Read More »

Why WWW is stupid

Back when the internet first began way back in yesteryear, there were many protocols (i.e. ways of transferring data). There was telnet for actually logging...

Read More »

‘Tres Tombs’ and ‘Festa Major d’hivern’ in Vilanova i la Geltrú

Yet again we have celebrated Tres Tombs in Vilanova i la Geltrú, and either the event has developed or I am just better at reading...

Read More »

Catalan Civil Servants protest against the cuts in Barcelona

Firemen sprayed foam in the access to the City...

Read More »

Mariano Rajoy makes his first trip abroad as Prime Minister

Tradition indicates that the first foreign trip by a new Spanish Prime Minister is to...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Thursday January 19 2012

Intervals of strong winds in the...

Read More »

Success reported in negotiations to bring Bruce Springsteen to the Canaries

The date for the concert is given as May 15, to be confirmed at a press conference at FITUR on...

Read More »

Ricardo Costa asked Bigotes to intercede for him with Camps for a job in the Valencia government

More phone recordings have been played in court in the suits section of the Gürtel corruption case against the ex PP President...

Read More »

Spain’s Foreign Minister greets British MEP with the words ‘Gibraltar Spanish’

José Manuel García Margallo made the comment jokingly to a European Parliament colleague he knows from his own years as an...

Read More »

Antonio Banderas could play Fidel Castro

Castro's daughter wants the Málaga actor to play her father in the biopic about her...

Read More »

Guadalquivir dragged again in search for missing Córdoba children

The chief prosecutor has meanwhile said there is increasing evidence against their father to keep him on remand as a suspect in...

Read More »

SOPA y PIPA

Vota contra SOPA y PIPA

The internet has pretty much shut down today. Well, most of the sites that make the internet entertaining, such as Fark, Reddit, The Oatmeal and...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Wednesday January 18 2012

Public fund managers face prosecution if they fail to control the...

Read More »

Alhaurín Mayor sentenced for bribery in Troya corruption case

The PP Mayor and his planning councillor have each been banned from office for 12 months and must pay a fine of...

Read More »

Ground Staff join Pilots in Iberia strike action

The workers are angry at plans to establish a low cost airline, Iberia...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Wednesday January 18 2012

The appearance of National Court judge, Baltasar Garzón, on the accused bench of the Supreme Court dominates the front pages in Spain...

Read More »

Judge Baltasar Garzon tells the Supeme Court the lawyers were a ‘nuclear part’ of the corruption

He said he ordered the recording of the conversations between the accused and their lawyers to try and stop the money laundering...

Read More »

Mirandés beaten in Cornellà

The giant killing side from the Seguna B should have beaten Espanyol on Tuesday...

Read More »

British man attacks three other Britons in Adeje with a machete

The attacker has not been named but is said to be in his...

Read More »

Why are the bulk of misspellings of Samuel Johnson (Jhonson) by South Asians and Spanish speakers?

Curious that someone values someone else's wisdom enough to quote him, but not enough to spell his name correctly. Checking in Google Books, is it...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Wednesday January 18 2012

Locally persistent mist in the northern plains and inland...

Read More »

British princes take hunting trip to Spain

Prince William and Prince Harry have been shooting game on an estate owned by the Duke of Westminster in Ciudad...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Tuesday January 17 2012

Rajoy has ruled out labour reform being ready by...

Read More »

Police find cocaine lab in secret room on Molina de Segura urbanisation

41 kilos of cocaine have been confiscated and three people are in...

Read More »

Victim of Sevilla hit and run announces his own legal action against British driver

He feels the Briton should be charged with more than the charge of causing injury which has been ordered by the...

Read More »

Trial by jury for man charged with murdering US woman in Sevilla

Her chopped up body was found in the Guadalquivir River in...

Read More »

Spain to commence Afghanistan withdrawal this autumn

Ten percent of the troops will return home this year, with the final stage of the pullout in...

Read More »

Barcelona T10 price inflation vs general consumer price inflation

How the PSC screwed up transport pricing strategy for the 2010 regionals and 2011...

Read More »

Judge Baltasar Garzón sits on the accused bench in the Supreme Court

It's the first of three cases facing the National Court...

Read More »

Pedro Almodóvar nominated for a BAFTA

His latest film, 'La piel que habito' missed out on a Golden...

Read More »

Successful bond auction from the Spanish Treasury

Interest rates are well down on the last similar...

Read More »

José Blanco indicted in the Supreme Court

The ex Socialist Minister is accused of fraud and influence...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Tuesday January 17 2012

Sarkozy's visit to Madrid yesterday leads most of the...

Read More »

Rajoy and Sarkozy meet in Madrid

Terrorism and the economy were on the...

Read More »

Vilanova is much more – thanks to Sitges and Vilafranca

Do you believe that the tourism sector can play a bigger role for the social and economic development of the municipalities around Barcelona and that...

Read More »

Searching For Umami

No, not 'your mammy', 'oomaaaahmy'. Umami is alleged to be the fifth taste, after salt, sour, sweet and bitter, and it's a Japanese word that is...

Read More »

The Supreme Leader Is Dead, Long Live The Dear Leader!

Silence descended last night on the deserted streets of the Spanish capital Madrid, as inhabitants of the country tried to come to terms with the...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Tuesday January 17 2012

Winter has arrived in Spain and Tuesday will also see rain and snow across much of the...

Read More »

Court orders Spanish woman to return her children to her husband in the UK

The mother fled Britain to escape the abuse from their Nigerian...

Read More »

Ecologists call on PP government to restart talks on Palomares cleanup

It's now 46 years since a US mid-air accident left radioactive contamination in the...

Read More »

Bad news for foreign victims of Costa del Sol mortgage scam

The National Court has declined to accept the case for...

Read More »

British peer calls for abolition of time limit on expat voting

Britons who live abroad currently have no voting rights if they have been out of the country for more than 15...

Read More »

Property owners not impressed by Junta’s decree on irregular property

A new decree from the Junta de Andalucía has not impressed the owners of irregular property, many of them...

Read More »

Foundation seeks members to build Spain’s first gay retirement home

Another 100 members are needed before the project can go ahead in...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Monday January 16 2012

No deal reached between employers and unions on labour...

Read More »

Nine in every 10 Spaniards feel uncomfortable speaking English

Many feel that more time should be spent on the subject in...

Read More »

Guardiola is not throwing in the towel

Barcelona FC and Pep Guardiola are not throwing in the towel regarding the Spanish league. Barca beat Betis last night at the Camp Nou and...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Monday January 16 2012

The death of Manuel Fraga, veteran PP politician makes the front page of all of the...

Read More »

Spanish veteran politican, Manuel Fraga, has died

With a sixty year involvement in the politics of Spain he was one of the people responsible for the draft of the...

Read More »

Angelina Jolie asks Pedro Almodóvar for a job

The two met in Los Angeles ahead of the Golden Globes on...

Read More »

Water is running in the Patio de Los Leones in the Alhambra again

Restoration of the patio is almost complete, with just the white marble for still to be...

Read More »

Mariano Rajoy explains his plans at Málaga rally

No more public money for banks was one of his...

Read More »

Three ETA activists arrested in Paris

These are the first detentions with Mariano Rajoy as Prime...

Read More »

British driver arrested after Sevilla hit and run

He is alleged to have hit a worker at a petrol station who was...

Read More »

Government to bring in changes to the ‘Ley de Costas’

The controversial law has led to serious problems for some property...

Read More »

Nóos Institute claimed 500,000 € costs

Revelations about the Duke of Palma's business interests continue in the...

Read More »

Catalonia reconsidering holding Spanish Grand Prix

It will be a sad day for Motorsport in Spain if two of the most watched sports are scrapped by Catalonia minister Andreu Mas-Colell. Apparently...

Read More »

This one’s going to run and run

The lugs of François II of France and Speke, reasons to be...

Read More »

Spain taken down to ‘A’ by Standard and Poor’s

The ratings agency has removed the 'AAA' rating from...

Read More »

Ciudad de la Luz film studios in trouble in Alicante

Bankruptcy protection has been granted as the management company demands debts be...

Read More »

20 year prison sentence for Miguel Carcaño, Marta del Castillo’s killer

Shock as his three friends, who are thought to have helped dispose of the body, have been found not...

Read More »

Catholic teacher wins 11 year battle for her job back

Resurrección lost her job after marrying a divorced man. Despite the court ruling the Bishopric has said she's not getting her...

Read More »

Iberia pilots announce more strike action

The SEPLA union are angry at Iberia plans to launch a new low-cost airline, Iberia...

Read More »

Alfonso de Bourbon, who claimed to be King Alfonso XIII grandson killed by a dust cart in San Diego

The eccentric man, who renounced his claim to the Spanish throne in 1933, had the habit of searching through rubbish...

Read More »

José María del Nido escapes prison for now

He has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison but has launched an...

Read More »

The Return Of The Invisible Man

Rumours that Mariano Rajoy had been kidnapped were clearly exaggerated. The great man finally emerged from hiding this week to give his first media interview...

Read More »

Catalan fascists PxC: Immigrant kids want all the sweets

PxC on Facebook

It wouldn't be a 'traditional' time of year without the Catalan fascist Plataforma Per Catalunya party making an absurd racist statement on Facebook. This year's...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Friday January 13 2012

The auction of Spanish debt makes the front...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Friday January 13 2012

Persistent fog in the plains of the north and in inland Cataluña. Moderate freezing temperatures in the northern half of the...

Read More »

Kings Cup results – Friday January 13 2012

The Real Madrid - Barcelona tie is...

Read More »

Friday the 13th is most common 13th

Friday the 13th Facts and Theories

I’ve always been fascinated by superstition, and friggatriskaidekaphobia – or, to be more clear, paraskevidekatriaphobia – strikes me as a particularly interesting one. The origin...

Read More »

Mariano Rajoy to have meeting with Angela Merkel in Berlin

He goes three days before the European Summit at the end of the...

Read More »

Compromís party wants Rita Barberá to explain her alleged Gürtel gifts

So far Rita Barberà has escaped any involvement in the Gürtel...

Read More »

Ground Staff and Cabin Crew join the Iberia strikes

The prostests are against plans to set up a new low cost carrier, Iberia...

Read More »

New proceedings in the Spanair Madrid crash

Family circumstances and the extent of injuries need to be established before compensation can be...

Read More »

New search for body of Marta del Castillo in Sevilla

It comes after the victim's grandfather found a blanket by a...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Thursday January 12 2012

A successful bond auction for Spain...

Read More »

Ministry for the Interior clears out old Police bosses

Political change means new police chiefs in...

Read More »

AIFOS boss now admits paying Juan Antonio Roca

The testimony from Jesús Ruiz Casado changed from Wednesday to Thursday in the Malaya...

Read More »

Successful debt auction in Spain today

More than double the expected amount was placed as the treasury saw the demand, and lower interest rates were...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Thursday January 12 2012

The passing of the first cuts in Congress yesterday leads the...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Thursday January 12 2012

Strong winds in the Strait, locally persistent mist on the northern plains and in the Ebro valley. Moderate freezing temperatures at...

Read More »

King’s Cup Results – Thursday January 12 2012

Valencia lose on Wednesday night but qualify with an away...

Read More »

Jury hears Camps phone calls in court in the Gürtel suits case

Several calls were played to the court, and they show the friendship between Francisco Camps and his wife and the Gürtel businessman,...

Read More »

Spanish PM to make his first official trip abroad next week

Mariano Rajoy will travel to Morocco next...

Read More »

Air pollution increases in Madrid

Pollution in the capital last year remained above EU limits and was up on...

Read More »

Suspect arrested over woman found murdered in Fuengirola

He is understood to have been known to the victim, who has been identified as a woman from...

Read More »

Tourist dies in accidental fall on Gran Canaria

The body of the 25 year old man from Finland was found on the roof of apartments in Playa del...

Read More »

Spanish experts asked to help search for mass graves in Libya

The company has years of experience in locating Civil War graves in...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Wednesday January 11 2012

Budgetary adjustments and tax rises are passed in...

Read More »

The Andalucía Regional Elections will be held on March 25

The date was given by the President of the Junta de Andalucía, José Antonio Griñán, in Málaga...

Read More »

Francisco Camps hand picked 76 contracts for Gürtel companies

The case in Valencia is going further than the payment for Francisco Camps suits, as it looks at the contracts given to...

Read More »

Ryanair does deal to keep flights at Girona and Reus

The Ryanair Deputy CEO, Michael Cawley, has launched an attack on...

Read More »

Leo Messi gets third FIFA Ballon D’OR

Messi gets his third FIFA Ballon D'OR in a row and thus joins an elite club of footballers. He was presented the trophy by Brazil...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Wednesday January 11 2012

The interview given by the Prime Minister to the EFE news agency yesterday leads many of the...

Read More »

King’s Cup results – Wednesday January 11 2012

There was one case of giant killing last...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Wednesday January 11 2012

Freezing conditions could be moderate in parts of the northern half and centre of the...

Read More »

The Decree to regularize houses in Andalucia – Don’t be dazzled by the fireworks

Maura Hillen, president of AUAN has described the decree to regularise houses on non urban land, approved today by the regional government,...

Read More »

Spain beats its own record for organ transplants

More than 4,000 transplants were performed last year and there are now 35.3 donors for every one million...

Read More »

Three Iberian Lynx released in Guadalmellato, Córdoba

The local population now numbers 21 after the species was reintroduced in...

Read More »

Another tourist arrested for defacing the Alhambra

A woman from Switzerland faces charges for using her nails to carve a heart with initials in the Comares...

Read More »

Mariano Rajoy gives his first press interview as Prime Minister and confirms no IVA hike

He said the income tax increase and cutbacks announced were absolutely...

Read More »

Gold treasure trove and millions in cash seized from Colombian drug dealers in Spain

The gang was finalising the details of a deal to sell half a ton of cocaine when they were...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Tuesday January 10 2012

Agreement between employers and unions seems less...

Read More »

New search for Lorca’s grave authorised in Alfácar

A historian who thinks he has identified the spot will be funding the search...

Read More »

Man wins compensation after Ryanair refuses to let him board

The passenger had been robbed of his DNI identity in the airport, but the airline would not accept the official report of...

Read More »

Woman found dead in Fuengirola was Moroccan

The woman in her 30's had been beaten to...

Read More »

Palma Arena case set to continue for months

PP ex President of the Baleares, Jaume Matas, is at the centre of the...

Read More »

Four films fight it out for a Goya Best Film award

'La Piel que Habito', and 'No habrá paz para los malvados' lead the...

Read More »

‘Señor Camps, be quiet’

Judge Climent is losing patience with the behaviour of Francisco...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Tuesday January 10

The economy and cocaine are among the headlines this...

Read More »

Prosecutor calls for provisional prison for Del Nido and Muñoz

The man have been found guilty in the Minutas...

Read More »

Lionel Messi wins his third Balón D’Or

Pep Guardiola was trainer of the...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Tuesday January 10 2012

Freezing conditions could be moderate in parts of the northern half and centre of the...

Read More »

Sunset Flock

Sunset Flock (thumbnail)

During the months when the northern hemisphere of our pale blue dot on which I reside is leaning away from our stellar space heater, the...

Read More »

The Burger

Here it is then. The bottom part is a BLT - bacon, lettuce and tomato sitting on a blob of mayonnaise and topped with melted...

Read More »

Mariano Rajoy to give his first press conference as Prime Minister on Monday

It will be a joint affair, with Nicolas Sarkozy, who will be visiting...

Read More »

Two bodies recovered off Almería

There has been no confirmation as yet of their...

Read More »

Benidorm tobacconists warn of contraband tobacco on sale in British bars

They have warned that counterfeit cigarettes brought in from China can be seriously harmful to...

Read More »

Junta de Andalucía subsidies allegedly spent on cocaine and partying

The chauffeur to an ex top ranking official in the regional government is under investigation for fraud in connection with Junta...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Monday January 9 2012

Spain faces the maturity of 130 billion € debt this...

Read More »

Andalucía illegal homes decree to be approved this week

Properties built on protected land or in dry river beds are however left out of the new...

Read More »

First corruption trial in Baleares Palma Arena case gets underway

Jaume Matas, ex PP President of Baleares, faces more than 8 years in prison if found...

Read More »

Picasso painting stolen from Greek National Gallery

The thieves also made off with a painting by the Dutch artist Piet...

Read More »

Body of dead woman found in Fuengirola

The woman, in her 30's, was found by a man walking his dog at 10am on...

Read More »

Increasing concern about drugged drivers in Spain

More people are getting behind the wheel after taking...

Read More »

Catalan Government could end the Moto GP and Formula One races at Montmeló

The events could be scrapped because of the financial situation of the Regional Generalitat...

Read More »

Moody’s demands double the cuts from the Rajoy Government

The rating agency says that 40 billion € has to be...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Monday January 9 2012

The PSOE leadership battle, and cocaine becomes part of the corruption allegations in...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Monday January 9 2010

Generally sunny across the country...

Read More »

Spain Football Results – Monday January 9 2012

Real Madrid extend their lead in the...

Read More »

Revealed, the identity of the horny apparition in the story of St Benedict, the blackbird, and the nettles

A 19th century Roman historian says she's from the Roman Merula (blackbird)...

Read More »

Catalan nativity scenes in Vilanova i la Geltrú

It has become a new Christmas tradition for our family to visit the exhibition of nativity scenes (pessebres in Catalan) here in Vilanova i la...

Read More »

Iberia pilots take strike action on Monday and Wednesday

The pilots are against plans to establish a low cost carrier, Iberia...

Read More »

Rubalcaba and Chacón fight to lead the Socialist party

Both candidates got the 25 endorsements they needed in the meeting of the party's Federal...

Read More »

Great Buns

There are few things on this earth that can beat a really good beefburger. Sadly, like pies, some of the things that get passed off...

Read More »

Closed Castellón airport spends 30 million € on advertising

A 300,000 € statue of Carlos Fabra is being constructed at the airport...

Read More »

Woman and daughter arrested for kidnap in Oviedo

They are accused of attacking her husband's...

Read More »

What to do with all those extra MIDI outputs

amanda steggell: The Emotion Organ (2007) is a synaesthetic simulacrum machine where players can explore the sensational interplay of feeling, seeing, hearing, smelling and motion....

Read More »

Dangerously cool (interactive) synths

I was thinking about simple visual metaphors to communicate organ works, but digressed. Cue Nick’s World of Synthezisers. Favourite quote, from the slinkyfied Springatron: “I...

Read More »

Philip K. Dick We Can Build You

“Time has passed us by,” Maury said at once to me. “Our electronic organ is obsolete.” “You’re wrong,” I said. “The trend is actually toward...

Read More »

Unnacompanied into the woods?

The other day someone gave me the (impeccable) English translation of Gabriel Tortella's classic El desarrollo de la España contemporánea. Historia económica de los siglos...

Read More »

King Melchor dies in Three Kings parade in Valencia

It happened during the parade in Pobla de...

Read More »

50 year old buildings in Spain to get an ITE inspection

The new requirements come into effect in...

Read More »

Portugal sends ETA activist to prison for 12 years

Andoni Zengotitabengoa was found with 1,500 kilos of...

Read More »

The Three Wise Men arriving in Igualada

In the evening January 5, the Three Wise Men (or Biblical Magi) are welcomed all around Catalonia and Spain and many places almost compete in...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Friday January 6 2012

Unemployment in Spain the worst in...

Read More »

Two Camorra Mafia members arrested in Marbella

A Frenchman has also been arrested in...

Read More »

Can Valencia afford to keep Formula One?

A review of the grand events in the region is underway as budgets...

Read More »

The ‘Pascua Militar’ parade takes place at the Palacio Real

Some 250 invited guests attended the first Pascua with Mariano Rajoy as Prime...

Read More »

El Niño sends money to Soria

The draw was held in Cádiz on Three Kings...

Read More »

Neighborhood Kings Day Fire

Fire in Colindres - Incendio en Colindres

On Kings Day, my family woke up excited to see what presents the Magi had brought us. We looked out our sixth story window and...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Friday January 6 2012

The economy dominates the front pages...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Friday January 6 2012

Strong or very strong winds in the NE and on the...

Read More »

Chino de los mandados = errand boy

Chinese because of his servility and/or size, or a genuine Indiana Jonesian Short Round? From Bogota, and perhaps relatively recent, but here (it reappeared) is...

Read More »

Spain’s El Niño lottery travels outside Madrid for the first time

Friday's draw takes place in Cádiz to celebrate the bicentary of the 1812 Spanish Constitution and of the draw in the city...

Read More »

Mother faces 20 years for drowning her nine year old son on Menorca

His remains were found in an abandoned suitcase two years after he...

Read More »

Spanish PM to make his first appearance before Congress in February

Mariano Rajoy has decided to wait until his return from the EU summit to explain his government's economic...

Read More »

Possible new search for grave of Federico García Lorca

A historian who says he has identified the spot is waiting for permission to go...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Thursday January 5 2012

Income tax to rise in Valencia region and more control on the movement of...

Read More »

Spain’s longest-serving common prisoner announces new hunger strike

Miguel Montes Neiro is protesting the delay in applying the pardon he was granted by the...

Read More »

Two appeals against the José María del Nido sentence

The Sevilla Chairman was found guilty of invoicing facturas to Marbella Town Hall for work which was not carried...

Read More »

British woman arrested on Mallorca on sex abuse charges

She was wanted by the UK for abusing her own...

Read More »

Credit card falsification group broken up in Madrid and Lérida

The group's targeted card owners from the United...

Read More »

Valencia regional government to increase regional income tax

The Valencia Government is also adding a cent tax to every litre to pay for health...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Wednesday January 5 2012

The economy leads most of the papers this...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Thursday January 5 2012

Moderate to strong winds along the Cantabrian coast and in areas of the NE of the mainland and...

Read More »

Messi scores twice, even when he has the flu

Barcelona beat Osasuna 4-0 in the first leg of the King's Cup...

Read More »

Bad diesel affects 137 Málaga drivers

All had filled up their cars at Carrefour Los Patios on December...

Read More »

I asked my mother for fifty cents

I asked my mother for fifty cents (thumbnail)

When my parents last visited, I got to hear my mother sing songs to my daughter that I haven’t heard since I was a child...

Read More »

New government commissioner for Lorca to visit the town next week

He is in charge of the plan of action following the double earthquake last May which killed 9...

Read More »

Mijas Mayor writes to new Development Minister asking her to pay for A-7 lighting

The lights have been off on most of the motorway in Mijas since...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Wednesday January 4 2012

Unions say they will accept moderate wage rises but not a...

Read More »

New search for missing Córdoba children

Waste ground near the Guadalquivir River, close to their grandparents' finca, was being inspected on...

Read More »

Woman arrested in Alicante for taking her young daughter out of the US

She shares her daughter's custody with her parents and was under a court order to not take the child outside El Paso...

Read More »

Benalmádena rubbish strike called off

Management agreed at an arbitration meeting on Wednesday to withdraw the 30% salary reduction which had been...

Read More »

French man dies in Santa Pola fire

He appears to have been overcome by the smoke while trying to put out the flames in his...

Read More »

“Todo lo encuentro barato”

Josep Pla on the rich during the economic disaster of the...

Read More »

Viral Video Idea: Skydiving Proposal Gone Wrong

Proposal shot @ 7000'!

The video starts with an attractive, rugged adventurous-looking guy and a group of his friends out in a corn field at night pushing around a...

Read More »

Four arrested after shooting in Barcelona leaves Senegalese man dead

A racialist insult was the start of the trouble in the Besòs district of...

Read More »

14 arrested in Málaga hashish trafficking gang

Two of those arrested are members of the security...

Read More »

Hospital Island, Menorca

Rabbit Island, King’s Island, Bloody Island, Hospital Island ….. the island which lies near the port of Mahón, the capital of Menorca,...

Read More »

The Alhambra as the opening titles from Mission Impossible

1966, and here's series 1, episode 1 of the Strine Bond: Let's rewrite that: Good morning, Mr. Irving, Your mission, Washington, should you decide to accept it,...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Wednesday January 4 2012

The economy leads the front pages...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Wednesday January 4 2012

Strong winds in the Ebro Valley and the NE of...

Read More »

SWE: Penedès i januari; Evenemangs- och kulturkalender

1:a januari Spanien Allmän helgdag: Nyårsdagen Mer på spanska 5:e januari Igualada (Anoia); 18.00-21.00; i stadskärnan De Tre Vise Männens parad: Cavalcada dels Reis Mags Igualadas Festes dels Reis hör till de...

Read More »

Mariano Rajoy takes up the reins of power, but where is he?

Typically Spanish Editor, Howard Brereton, thinks Mariano Rajoy should explain to the public why he has broken his promise not to put...

Read More »

Eight month old baby drowns at home

It happened monday night in...

Read More »

Spain’s telecommunications companies fall short on customer support

A new study has shown that their service and that offered by electricity providers does not meet minimum...

Read More »

Mijas firemen stop kamikaze driver causing smash on motorway

She was later found to be drunk at the wheel and also had drugs in the...

Read More »

A Córdoba town sets a new record with the world’s longest bar of chocolate

The 250 metre slab produced in Montilla has been broken up into 9,500 portions and sold off for...

Read More »

Spain Business Brief – Tuesday January 3 2012

Spain's State deficit was 8.2% of GDP at the end of...

Read More »

Granada Alhambra opens the Emperor’s Chambers to the public

The rooms were also used by Washington Irving during his stay in the Alhambra and are open to visits throughout this...

Read More »

Fuel prospecting authorised off the Costa Tropical

The area affected extends as far as Torrox in neighbouring Málaga...

Read More »

Murcia judge disciplined for bullying staff and derogatory language

He is reported to have described single mothers as whores and foreigners as...

Read More »

53 arrests as hashish traffickers are broken up

The gang was well organised and used large lorries to move the...

Read More »

New Education Minister wants to see big changes

José Ignacio Wert, says a new national agreement is needed and more attention has to be paid to...

Read More »

Spain Papers Review – Tuesday January 3 2012

The economy and the Duke dominate the front...

Read More »

Spain Weather – Tuesday January 3 2012

Strong SW winds along the Galicia and Asturias...

Read More »

José Antonio Reyes heading to Sevilla

Negotiations are still underway but reports indicate the player is set to make the move from Atlético de...

Read More »

RUS: Пенедес в январе 2012 – Календарь событий

1 января Испания Общественный праздник: Новый год Подробная информация на испанском языке 5 января Игуаладa (Анойя); в 18:00-21:00 ч.; в центре города Парад трех царей / волхвов (Каспар, Мельхиор и Бальтазар):...

Read More »

GER: Penedès im Januar 2012 – Veranstaltungskalender

1. Januar Spanien Feiertag: Neujahr Mehr auf Spanisch 5. Januar Igualada (Anoia); von 18.00 bis 21.00 Uhr; Stadtzentrum Parade der heiligen drei Könige: Cavalcada dels Reis Mags Die Festes dels Reis in...

Read More »

Paseo de Arte in Madrid sees record 2011

The Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen are all proving as popular as...

Read More »

Three day strike for Benalmádena dustmen

The stoppage is planned to start on Wednesday, and a last minute meeting is taking place...

Read More »

Duke of Palma and his partner collected 5.6 million €

The anti-corruption prosecutor report says they obtained the money via the Nóos...

Read More »

Free self-guided walk from Barcelona airport to Barcelona

Via the Llobregat delta, the Mercabarna wholesale food market, the Nissan car factory, a lively Sunday clothes market, decaying light industry and remains of slums,...

Read More »

Interview with North Korea’s Spanish Lord Haw Haw

Alejandro Cao de Benós must have made a bit over the years from the travel agency monopoly for those whose belief in sadosocialism goes beyond...

Read More »