Millions of Pesetas Still 'Out There'

Although the euro was introduced five years ago, calculations from the Bank of Spain suggest there are still 1,797 billion euros worth of pesetas in circulation comprising of around 823 million euros worth of coins and 974 million euros worth of notes. Pesetas can still be exchanged for euros, but now only in the offices of the Bank of Spain.

Treasure-filled Chamber Found in Spain

Police have found a treasure-filled chamber containing thousands of items including missing gold artefacts from Peru's pre-Inca past.  Museums around the world have been advised to check their collections for missing art after police investigators uncovered a privately owned reinforced chamber containing 1,800 items in the city of Santiago de Compostela. The discovery followed a tip-off from Peru, who contacted Spanish authorities to warn they suspected items which had gone missing following a Pre-Inca exhibition in 1997 were being held illegally in Spain.

No Meeting Planned for Spanish Prince and Chavez

Spain's Prince Felipe has no plans to hold a meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez after King Juan Carlos publicly told the Venezuelan leader to "shut up", according to the deputy prime minister. Spain's foreign ministry had said there might be an informal encounter between Chavez and the prince when the two attend a swearing-in ceremony for Argentina's new president this weekend.

In a sign the dispute was easing, Chavez said he "welcomed" a message the king had sent congratulating him for Sunday's peaceful constitutional reform referendum.

Spy-themed Amusement Park Planned in Zaragoza Province

An amusement park with a spy theme is planned for Spain according to organizers who announced the project at an Expo of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. The park, named Spyland, will be part of a large leisure complex that is being planned for Zaragoza province.  The entertainment complex is expected to include 32 casinos, four theme parks, hotels, shopping and other attractions. Construction on Spyland is scheduled to start in late 2008, with a projected opening date of 2010, according to a promoter of the project.

iPhone Set to Launch in Spain in 2008

Successful sales of Apple’s iPhone in the United Kingdom are encouraging Telefonica to launch it here in Spain.  The iPhone is a cell phone with an in-built MP3 player and camera, which also comes with the ability to read and send email and surf the internet. It is currently sold in the UK by O2.  The iPhone went on sale in the UK on 9th November and sales are 'in line with expectations’ according to O2.  The launch here in Spain for the current model is set for the Spring.

Documentation of Civil War Graves

Andalucia will shortly complete the documentation of mass burials from the civil war, thus becoming the first region of Spain to compile full data on the number of mass graves dating from the civil war and Franco era. The locations of the some 668 graves containing over 53,000 victims will be shown on a map which will be drawn up by the associations involved in the project.

275 Drivers Detained in the First 5 Days of the New Penal Code

A reform to the Spanish Penal Code which means that dangerous drivers can now be sent to jail came into force last Sunday 2nd December. During the first five days, 275 drivers were detained with 267 over the legal alcohol limit and 8 speeding.

The new reforms include driving at speeds of more than 200 km/hour on the motorway, more than 60km/hour over the speed limit in towns, refusing to take a breathalyser test, driving without a licence and parking in a dangerous position.

Air Fare Charges

The EU has reached a preliminary agreement which will oblige airlines to include airport taxes and other charges in the prices they advertise. The move comes after numerous complaints by passengers accusing the airlines of misleading advertising.

RyanAir Continue with Litigation

The European Commission has been placed under scrutiny after Ryanair lodged its fifth case in the European Court of First Instance, claiming that the regulatory body failed to investigate whether Italian airline Alitalia illegally received over 2 billion euros in state aid. According to Ryanair, the state aid consisted of several measures, including a split-up of the company's assets and operations and uneven allocation of the debt, resulting in 1.7 billion euro debt write off for Alitalia.

'Queen Victoria' Cruise Ship to Stop in Malaga

Cunard, the cruise company, has announced that its new ship the Queen Victoria will make several stopovers in Malaga port during 2008. The ship will make 12 cruises across the Mediterranean next summer.  It has room for 2,000 passengers and has cost 338 million euros to build.

Sustainable Energy Plan

The Junta de Andalucia announced recently that one of the objectives of the Andalucian Sustainable Energy Plan is that 90% of all homes in the region will be using ‘clean’ energy by 2013. Over 600 million euros is to be invested in the plan which will also create over 100,000 jobs in the energy sector over the next 5 years.

Spanish Nation Prefers Art and Culture to Politics

According to a new survey, Spain is the European nation which is the least interested in hearing about political news. The survey reveals that only 19% of Spaniards wants to hear about events in the world of politics. It compares to a European average of 34%.  Sport, as in the rest of Europe, is the top news interest, with 40% of all Europeans and Spaniards questioned giving it the number one spot. In Spain art and culture came in a close second behind sport with 39%. Only 25% of Spaniards said celebrities were their favourite topic, which put Spain second to last in the celebrity news league table.

Spanish Film Wins European Film Academy Award

The Spanish short film ‘Alumbrameinto’ by Eduardo Chapero-Jackson, was chosen as the best short film of the year by the European Film Academy. The Spanish film is a 15 minute story about death and had previously won an award at the Venice festival.

Spanish Nominations for Grammy Music Awards

Three Spanish singers have been nominated for the Grammy music awards.  They are Miguel Bose, Alejandro Sanz and Jarabe de Palo.  The first two are nominated for the Best Latin Pop Album and, Jarabe de Palo, in the Latin Rock Album category. This year's awards celebrate their 50th edition.

Abdalajis Awarded Compensation after AVE Construction

It is believed that an agreement has been reached between the railway infrastructure company, ADIF, and Valle de Abdalajis after construction of a railway tunnel damaged the local water table in the village.  Abdalajis was famed for its springs, which have now run dry. The mayor of Abdalajis told newspapers that ADIF has undertaken to repair the damage and will also supply the village with water until the repairs are completed. ADIF will spend a further 4.5 million euros on repairing damage which has been caused to local roads.

Car Insurers to Pay Cost of Forest Fire Damage

The Junta de Andalucia is to receive a 2.5 million euro insurance pay out for a forest fire in the Sierra de Mijas in 2001.  The payment is to cover the cost fighting the fire as well as the re-planting of 590 hectares of public land. The money will be paid by the insurers of the rental car which broke down on the road to Coin. A spark from the smoking engine caused the fire which spread rapidly in winds of more than 40 kph. The blaze destroyed 600 hectares before it was finally put out several days later.

El Rastrillo Market, Malaga

There is a large market taking place at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Malaga (Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Malaga). There are stalls selling presents and curiosities, bars, restaurants and entertainment. The market is open from 11.00 am until 10.00 pm until tomorrow (Sunday 9th December).

New Pizarra Market

Sunday 9th December will see the opening of a new market in Pizarra.  The market will sell handicrafts and ecological products of the region.  It will take place every Sunday between the Hostal La Vega del Marques and the Dia supermarket.  The market takes place between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.

Musical Spectacular, Alora

A musical spectacular with old songs from the 18th century that Federico Garcia Lorca recovered and interpreted will take place in the Cervantes Theatre next Friday 14th December. There will be the sound of flamenco with an ambience of the first years of the 20th century to honour the poet from Granada.  The performance starts at 9.00 pm and tickets are 6 euros.

XIII Cross Country Race, Alora

The thirteenth Alora cross country race takes place on Sunday 16th December.  The race begins from the Parque Fluvial in the Barriada del Puente at 10.30 am.

Malaga 1 - 1 Celta

Malaga could only manage a draw against Celta last weekend.  It leaves them only 1 point clear at the top of the table.  Their next game is on Saturday 8th December against Gimnastic at Tarragona and kicks off at 6.30 pm.

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