Cowboy Cops Kill Bull

The Town Hall at Las Pedroneras in Cuenca, denied that a bull escaped during the start of last Tuesday's fiesta and was shot by local police 36 times, to kill it.

But this video that turned up on YouTube shows the allegations to be true.

It seems the bull escaped from a garage while the lottery to select the bulls for the next bullfight was going on. In a scene from Keystone Kops the Professionals move in shoot the scared and much wounded animal, rather than wait for a vet to arrive who would use a tranquiliser gun.

See the video here.

Ryanair Cancels Travel Agent Reservations

The UK's cut price airline, Ryanair has cancelled some reservations made through Spanish travel websites, as some agents have been adding a charge of around ten euros per ticket to flights.

Ryanair has said that this practise is against their conditions and have started cancelling tickets bought through such vendors and are returning the money paid to the agents who will be instructed to reimburse customers.

Ryanair says that only bookings made through travel agency websites for flights after August 25th would be cancelled and that all flights booked directly through the Ryanair website will not be affected.

Ryanair justifies its action by saying that the travel sites have violated their conditions of use, and increased their prices with ‘hidden costs’. In the case of Atrápalo.com, the extras amount to 10 € a ticket according to Ryan Air.

Large Numbers Of Illegal Immigrants Returning Home

There has been a sharp increase in the number of non EU immigrants looking to return to their home countries, according to three non governmental reports.

The Red Cross, The International Migration Organisation and Spanish Catholic Migration Commission have all reported that the number of 'returnees' has increased dramatically.

The returns are no doubt prompted by organisations such as those above who are digging into their own resources to pay for fares back home.

Spain Fights First Large Scale Forest Fire During Heatwave

The Spanish Ministry Of Defence have sent 285 soldiers to an area in Zaragoza, where a fire has been raging through the pine forest since Tuesday.

The army have been called in to help control the blaze that started after an accident in which a car crashed into a tree. The resulting fire has so far affected 2,200 hectares of pines in the area of Zuera.

High temperatures and gusty winds have hampered the efforts to control the fire. There are an estimated 400 people working to control the blaze, with 16 fire fighting planes being used during daylight hours.

Helicopters are also being used and can be seen lifting water from nearby swimming pools, to drop on the fire.

The Disappearing Gourmet

A Swiss gourmet on a pre-planned trip around Spain's sixty eight Michelin guide three star restaurants, has disappeared.

Pascal Henry was last seen on June 14th, when he was dining at the famous El Bulli restaurant in Roses, Girona. Police were alerted when the gourmet failed to turn up at restaurants in the Basque country.

After eating at El Bulli, Henry said that he was going to look for a business card from the establishment, but he never returned to the table. To add to the intrigue Henry's notebook was left on the table, complete with a list of restaurants he had eaten at, along with comments.

Spains Coastal Towns Growing With Foreigners

A report on Typically Spanish News says that half of Spanish municipalities are growing in size thanks to the foreign population.

Not surprisingly most of the growth can be found along Spain's Mediterranean coastline.

There are no surprises in the list of towns that have grown due to foreign population, not for anyone who knows the Spanish coastline.

Popular retirement areas such as Benalmedena, Torremolinos, Mijas and Fuengirola are all areas on the Western Costa del Sol that are on the list. Anyone who has visited these towns, from my experience can see straight away the huge number of English that are living in these places.

I am always surprised at how many of the Brits here don't consider themselves to be foreign.

But I digress the remainder of the list is Roquetas de Mar, El Ejido, Torrevieja, Orihuela, Estepona and Gandia.

El Ejido actually has six times more foreigners than local people!

Raul: It Would Be Most Beautiful To Play For Spain Again

Real Madrid captain Raul says that he hopes that one day he will play for his country again following the appointment of the new Spain manager Vincente Del Bosque.

Raul played some of the best football of his career last season to spur Real Madrid on to the La Liga title. He was dropped from the Spanish squad by controversial manager Luis Aragones, who's decision to support the younger players was vindicated when they won the Euro 2008.

Despite the differences Raul wished Aragones all the best for his new job in Turkey and also to Vincente Del Bosque in Spain.

Raul said he would continue to play for Real, but it would be 'most beautiful' if he were to be called up for his country again.

Malaga CF Survive Bribery Scare

Allegations that Malaga CF 'bought' two games last season to win promotion, have been investigated by the Competition Committee following a complaint from a FIFA official who accused the club of 'buying two games' to ensure promotion to La Liga division one.

The investigation followed complaints from fourth placed Real Sociedad, who would have taken Malaga's place in the top league. They had claimed that Malaga 'bought' the victory against Sevilla Atletico during the final games of the season.

Malaga were in the top two of the second division for most of the season, but a bad run of form saw their points cushion disappear as they were overtaken and dropped to third. They eventually finished second on equal points with Sporting.

Real Sociedad finished the campaign in fourth place, four points behind.

The Competition Committee has fortunately kicked out the claims and Malaga will play in the Primera Division next season.

Beckham Would Love To Return To Madrid

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star David Beckham has revealed to Spanish newspaper Marca that he would love to return to Real Madrid in some capacity when he hangs up his boots.

Beckham who still has his property in Madrid, admits that he misses the food, light, colour and fun of Madrid and says he will always be a Real supporter wherever he goes.

He would like to return to be a member of staff with the club that he calls the best in the world.

Now what would Sir Alex say to that?!

The Virgen Del Carmen

Yesterday July 16th was the day of the Virgen Del Carmen, in Spain.
This day is celebrated around Spain but specifically in the coastal areas as the Virgen Del Carmen, also known as the Stella Maris, is the star of the sea.

She is the patron of fishermen and also of the Spanish navy and stories are told about superstitious sailors in history, refusing to go to sea until it had been blessed by the Virgen.

For years Spaniards have followed the tradition of carrying the local statue of Carmen in a procession through the streets of town or village, ending at the sea. Here the Virgen is launched out to sea on a boat decked with flowers.

A celebration in Spain is not worth noting if it does not have some kind of pyrotechnics involved and the Virgen is put to sea amid a backdrop of fireworks.

Marine Recovery Centre Releases Turtles Back To Sea

Three Loggerhead turtles have been released at Malaga port, after being rescued and having recovered at the Marine Species Recovery Centre (CREMA).

One of the turtles was found off the coast of Almunecar and another in the Strait of Gibraltar last year where they both had trouble getting under water.
The third was found off Marbella last year suffering from hypothermia.

The Councillor for the Environment, Cinto Castilla was present to see the turtles released and also to announce the a new centre for CREMA at the mouth of the River Gudalhorce in Malaga.

The centre is currently treating six other turtles which it hopes to return to their natural habitat soon.

Nadal Injury Forces Withdrawal From Stuttgart

Rafa Nadal who won Wimbledon after overcoming five times winner Roger Federer on Sunday, has been advised by doctors not to take part in the Stuttgart championship.

The Wimbledon final was considered to be the best ever mens singles final at the SW London courts, finishing in an amazing tie break that threatened to go either way until the last ball.

However it has emerged that Nadal was nursing an injury picked up in his quarter final game. He has flown to Germany to offer his withdrawal from the championship personally and now intends to rest.

Nadal has played 63 games so far this year and won 56. He is still some 545 points behind Federer in the World Player rankings, but will lose a further 250 points for not defending his win last year, in Germany.

Spain Proposes To Extend Human Rights To Apes

Spanish Parliament has voiced it's support for giving 'Human Rights' to Great Apes, the first time that any national legislation has been called for such rights for 'non humans'.

Great Apes rights to life and freedom was proposed by scentists and philosophers who say that our closest genetic relatives need protective rights hitherto limited to humans.

Philosophers Peter Singer and Paolo Cavalieri founded the Great Ape project in 1993, arguing that Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Orang Utans and Bonobos should enjoy the right to life, freedom and should not be tortured.

While there are no known cases of Apes being used in experiments or tortured there is currently no law to prevent that from happening, explained Pedro Pozas of The Great Apes Project.

Under the proposals keeping apes for circuses, advertising or film will be forbidden, while the 315 apes in Spanish zoos should expect their conditions to improve.

Spain At Last - Euro 2008

A fantastic two weeks of International football at Euro 2008, came to an end last night when Spain beat Germany 1-o in the final of the competition, to win the Euro trophy.

Spain began the tournament among the favourites, but still carrying the tag of 'under achievers' similar to England , after losing out during the final stages of recent International competitions.

The first group game against Russia was among the best of the competition, with Russia often matching the accurate passing game of Spain, if lacking the flair and quality. Spain's 4-1 victory was non the less well deserved and spelled out a clear message that Spain were taking the tournament very seriously.

Even when Aragones resorted to his second eleven for the last group game, Spain still looked outrageously good, and beat Sweden more comfortably than the 2-1 score suggests.

Holland, Croatia and Portugal also looked impressive during the group stages, the Dutch in particular played some excellent football. But against the odds each of them fell at the quarter finals leaving Spain to beat Russia a second time to progress to the final, and Germany seeing off a spirited Turkish team to join them.

Spain v Germany provided an excellent advert for football, with chances for both teams throughout the game. The quality and wonderful football of Spain deservedly winning the game and the tournament.

This Spanish team is up there with the best I have seen at International level and they still have some very exciting youngsters at under 17 &21 waiting in the wings.

Malaga Promoted To La Liga Primera Division

It has been a long season following Malaga, especially over the last few months while their once healthy lead over the next club has diminished to nothing.

Unbelievably within a month of playing rivals Sporting, beating them and re opening an eight point lead, they were back to square one.

Over the last three games Malaga have managed to keep in touch with Sporting and they went into todays game on equal points, with Real Sociedad hovering two points behind, and above them all Numancia the champions.

Both Malaga and Sporting finished a nervy afternoon with wins and so join Numancia in La Liga next season.

Malaga can thank a good run in the first half of the season when they were unbeatable, for the promotion, as the second half, up until today has been disappointing.

Still it's great to see them back in La Liga, lets hope that they can build a team capable of staying in the top flight.

Malaga Fall From Grace

Just back from La Rosaleda and what a shock it has been. Malaga were playing fifth place Hercules, who really have nothing to play before as they cannot reach the top three promotion spots.

Malaga started well and Hercules were struggling, they were all over the place as Malaga piled on the pressure. Malaga were two up inside half an hour and it looked like a walk in the park. Even when Hercules pulled one back, on a brief excursion into the home team half, they didnt look a threat and Malaga made it 3-1 at half time.

The second half and Hercules were a different team, they were in control and suddenly the chances came for them to draw level. The second from the penalty spot left Malaga with ten men as the offender was first yellow carded and then after continuing to abuse the ref was shown a red.

Hercules then ran rampant making it 6-3 before Malaga pulled one back on the final whistle.
Malaga started the day in 3rd, their lowest place all season, but it looks to me as though they could miss out on promotion, barring a minor miracle.

Bojan Out Of Euro2008

Young Barcelona player Bojan will not feature in Spains Football team in the Euro2008. The wonder striker has asked Spain boss Luis Aragones not to select him for the finals, saying he did not want to take part for 'personal reasons.'

Fans calling for Real Madrid veteran Raul to be recalled to the international squad after a scintilating season for the La Liga champions, will be disappointed to hear that the player will not be in the Spanish squad either.
Raul has been back to his best again this season, on form he is magical at times and I have enjoyed watching his performances this year.

I am sure there will be plenty of talent on show in the Euro's, but its a shame we won't see these two playing.

Spanish Property Prices Fall By 30%

House prices in some parts of Spain have falling by 30% in the last twelve months says a report from Union de Creditos Inmobilarios (UCI) president Juan Carlos Sandoval.

His statement comes as real estate group Don Piso announce the closure of 120 of its offices with the loss of 350 jobs. Most of the closures are in the Cataluna area, but the problem is more widespread and affects the whole of the country.

Many large promoters and developers are using promotions and offers to try to move some of their stock as supply outstrips demand by a long chalk.

On the Costa del Sol developers have continued to develop into the less commercial areas and empty blocks of apartments are to be seen all along this stretch of Spain.

With the credit crunch affecting foreign buyers it will be interesting to see how much the property prices drop before they are of interest to the Spanish nationals.

While the UCI says the price drop makes for a good time to buy property, I would disagree as prices have some way to fall before they are realistically priced, as in the UK.

Nervy Times At Malaga CF

The last time I got to see Malaga play was April 13th, when they were sitting in second place in the league. They beat third placed Sporting 3-2 on that occassion, to open a gap of eight points between the two teams.

Since then, in four weeks, Malaga have lost three and drawn one game, while Sporting are now on equal points with them in joint second place.

Malaga traded places with Numancia at the top of league two, for half of the season before Numancia put some daylight between the clubs. However Malaga have sat pretty in second plave ever since and really should have secured a promotion place by now.

The season is far from over with five games still to be played. Things are looking ominous for Malaga who must re- find the form that they showed early season or risk throwing it all away.
Third place Real Sociedad could only draw in this weekends game, keeping them in fourth but only three points behind Malaga and Sporting.

Bob Dylan At Rockinrio Madrid

Bob Dylan has been confirmed to headline at Madrids Rockinrio festival. The 66 year old veteran of the music festival scene will play on the World Stage on July 5th.

Dylan joins an already impressive line up for the five day festival, with Amy Winehouse, The Police, Neil Young and Shakira amongst the many artistes performing.

The festival is preceded by the Lisbon Rockinrio segment that takes place at the end of May and beginning of June, with Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi and Joss Stone already lined up. Amy Winehouse will also appear in Lisbon.