Spain Prepares to Vote on Sunday

Municipal elections will take place this Sunday, 27th May, to decide who will run local councils for the next four years. Yesterday, Friday 25th May, was the last day of campaigning in Spain before Sunday's elections.  Saturday is 'a day for reflection' when it is against the law to campaign. All over the country campaigns drew to a close with parties and fiestas.

Divorce Rate in Spain is Highest in Europe

According to new figures released this week, Spain has the highest divorce rate in the EU. Statistics from the Family Policies Institute (IPF) show that figures for 2006 increased by 51% on 2005, with 141,817 divorces. This figure equates to 3.16 divorces per one thousand inhabitants.  In the past five years the divorce rate in Spain has grown by 277%.

Spanish Government Approves Emergency Aid After Heavy Rains

Spain's Council of Ministers has approved an emergency aid package for disaster areas struck by heavy rains this week.  The level of damages will be urgently evaluated by the Civil Protection General Department, the autonomous regions and the affected towns, according to the Council. Days of heavy rain in central Spain have flooded roads and destroyed crops.

Europe Stressed

A new European study on stress has revealed that the condition is costing the continent at least 20 billion Euros a year. The survey shows that stress is now considered as the second most common health problem for workers.

Spanish Government Investigates Odyssey Treasure Find

The Spanish Minister for Culture announced last Wednesday, 23rd May, that the Spanish Government has asked both the United States and Britain for information on the flight which left Gibraltar for Tampa in Florida last week in which the American exploration company, Odyssey, transferred treasure found on the sea bed.

The Minister said that as soon as she heard the company was claiming a find of treasure worth 370 million Euros she asked for information on the exact location of the site, its identity, nationality and contents. The Spanish Government has called for more information on the flight. The Minister said the information from Odyssey was ‘unclear, scant and suspicious', and the Government would continue to investigate whether a crime has been committed'. She said that in the case of the wreck being a Spanish vessel in international waters, or any other vessel in Spanish waters, the Government would work to preserve the rights of the Spanish people to their historic heritage.

The British Embassy issued a statement saying that the Odyssey find is not linked with HMS Sussex, which sank close to Gibraltar in a storm in 1694.

El Cid Sword 'Not Fake'

Regional Spanish authorities have dismissed suggestions by the national Government that a sword bought for 1.6 million Euros might never have belonged to the 11th-century Spanish knight, El Cid. The national Government's culture ministry has said there is no proof the weapon was El Cid's and that it might even have been made as late as the 15th century.  Castilian Culture Secretary Silvia Clemente said experts had authenticated the sword, supposedly used in wars against the Moors who then ruled much of Spain.  The Government of the northern Spanish region of Castille and Leon plans to exhibit the sword, known as La Tizona, in the Gothic cathedral in Burgos, where the Moor-battling hero was born.  El Cid, born Rodrigo Diaz, is a legend in Spain, remembered for the part he played re-conquering parts of Spain from the Moors.

King Juan Carlos Voted the Spaniard of History

Spain's King Juan Carlos has been chosen as the most important Spaniard in history in a poll conducted by the television channel Antena 3. The King was joined in the top ten by his queen, Dona Sofia and also his son, Prince Felipe. Other royal figures to appear in the top rankings include Queen Isabel, La Catolica at number 11, Dona Letizia at 15 and Alfonso X, the Wise, at number 18.  Miguel de Cervantes in second place and Pablo Picasso at number 8 represented the arts. Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus) was third.

Spanish Archaeologists Uncover Evidence of Swimming Dinosaur

Fossilized claw marks recently discovered in Spain are the most compelling evidence to date to prove that dinosaurs were capable of swimming. A 14 metre track way with 12 consecutive markings was discovered at the Virgen del Campo site in Enciso. In an article in ‘Geology’, it is reported that they all came from a theropod dinosaur and were made as it swam in water approximately 3.2 metres deep, leaving claw marks along the bottom of the lake. Each claw marking measures approximately 50 x 15 centimetres, with spacing between them reaching as much as 2.71 metres.

Skin Cancer Increases in Malaga by 10% in a Year

Skin cancer cases in Malaga province have increased by 10% over the past year according to figures given to a Malaga newspaper by a dermatologist at the USP hospital in Marbella.  Dermatologists say that the public are not taking enough care when they go into the sun with most tumours being caused in the summer. Avoiding sunburn in children and the elderly can reduce the number of new cases of melanoma by as much as 80%.

Pollen Levels at 10 Year High

In Jaen province, pollen levels have reached more than 5,300 grains per cubic metre according to the Red Espanola de Aerobiologia with other monitoring systems registering levels of more than 12,000 grains and those levels have not been seen for at least ten years.  Nearly 10% of emergency cases in Jaen hospitals this week are linked to asthma and hay fever related problems, according to the Chief of Allergies in the city. In Andalucia olive pollen levels are also at record levels.

Medusas (Jellyfish) Return to the Coast

The first jellyfish of the season have been seen on the coasts of Malaga, Murcia and Ceuta as warm currents bring large numbers of them towards the shore. The Junta de Andalucia and other local authorities have a series of measures in place to try and keep the jellyfish away from bathers in tourist areas such as placing nets in the water and using special boats to clear the jellyfish out of the sea.

Malaga Book Fair

Malaga's Book Fair began this week with 10 days of activities planned. Forty-six stands will occupy the Paseo del Parque until Sunday 3rd June.  The fair's programme includes fifty-five presentations of new editions, a dozen meetings with writers and more than 30 book signings. 

Antequera Country Fair

Antequera's ‘Agrogant’ El Torcal Town and Country Fair, will take place from 1st to 3rd June.  The Parque del Norte fairground will be divided into two parts, one for the agricultural fair which this year will incorporate the agricultural machinery fair and the other part will be for the Spring Fair which will have the traditional pavilions and fairground attractions. Events at the agricultural show, which will be open from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm, include the XVII Malaga Goat Competition on 2nd June and the tenth Thoroughbred Horse Competition.

Tenerife 1 - 2 Malaga

Malaga moved on to 50 points, which is generally considered safe after coming from behind to beat Tenerife 1-2 with second half goals from Hidalgo and Gascon. Malaga play Real Murcia at home this Sunday, 27th May, kick off at 5.00 pm.

Monte Carlo Grand Prix

Qualifying for the Monte Carlo Grand Prix begins at 2.00 pm this afternoon, Saturday 26th May.  It has already been raining this morning and there is an 80% chance of rain for the race tomorrow. 

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