Spain

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Spain Crowns Nap Champ at Siesta Contest

A title we'd all like to own...

(Newser) - Spain wrapped up what is believed to be its first siesta contest this weekend, and Pedro Soria Lopez, a 62-year-old Ecuadorian man, won by a snore. As funny as it is to say, it’s true: Each of 350 contestants were given 20 minutes to nap in a busy Madrid...

Grandparents Urged to Go on Strike in Spain

Union wants to prove a point about child care

(Newser) - A Spanish workers' union is calling on grandparents to strike from caring for their grandchildren, the Guardian reports. UGT wants to highlight how many working families get necessary child care in the absence of government help—by getting grandma and grandpa to watch the kids. "We want grandparents to...

New Bruegel Masterpiece Found

Flemish treasure was hiding in plain sight in Spain

(Newser) - An unidentified painting brought to Spain about 400 years ago has turned out to be a masterpiece by 16th-century Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Spain's culture minister said yesterday. He unveiled the work, "The Wine of St. Martin's Day," at the Prado. The tempera-on-linen painting depicts a...

Basque Militants ETA Declare Ceasefire

The group intends to use 'a democratic process'

(Newser) - Basque separatist group ETA has announced a ceasefire, the BBC reports . The armed group, considered terrorists by many, has led a campaign for Basque independence that resulted in more than 820 deaths over the past 40 years. After previous statements by the Spanish government that it will not negotiate with...

Bull Charges the Stands, Injures 40

Rampage in same region of Spain that hosts Running of the Bulls

(Newser) - A bull leapt into the stands at a bull ring in Spain yesterday, tearing through the crowd and injuring 40 people. He was eventually subdued and killed with the help of an ex-bull fighter who happened to be in the stands, the New York Times reports. While most of the...

Michelle Obama Is No Marie Antoinette
 Michelle Obama Is 
 No Marie Antoinette 
OPINION
Aug 10, 2010 12:10 PM CDT

Michelle Obama Is No Marie Antoinette

America's just upset that she looks so good

(Newser) - Michelle Obama has taken some heat for hitting the beach and sporting a Gaultier dress in Spain over the weekend. One columnist even called her a “modern-day Marie Antoinette.” But they’re missing the point, according to Daily Beast fashion writer Kate Betts. “The real issue is...

World's Most Terrifying Airports

From New York City to New Zealand, the scariest places to take off and land

(Newser) - If you're already afraid of flying, go watch this video of a frolicking baby lamb . If you're feeling tough, enjoy SmarterTravel's picks for the 10 most frightening airports in the world:
  • Barra Airport, Barra, Scotland: The world's only commercial beach airport. "Passengers can expect to arrive safely on one
...

Obamas Lunch With Royals, Wrap Trip

Michelle, Sasha head home after stop in Mallorca

(Newser) - US first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha are having lunch with Spain's king and queen at the royal family's holiday retreat on the resort island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean. The Obamas arrived at Marivent palace shortly before 1pm and were greeted at the front door by King Juan...

This Vacation Is a Bad Move, Michelle
 This Vacation Is a 
 Bad Move, Michelle 
opinion roundup
Aug 7, 2010 4:12 PM CDT

This Vacation Is a Bad Move, Michelle

But is she really Marie Antoinette?

(Newser) - Michelle Obama is taking some of the harshest criticism she's endured to date as first lady over her vacation to Spain with friends and daughter Sasha. (The White House defends it as a "private" trip.)
  • Megan McArdle, the Atlantic : "It's really quite unbelievably politically stupid. When we're
...

Feds Yank Spain Racism Warning Before Michelle Trip

Warning was out of date, embassy says

(Newser) - Good news for Michelle Obama and any other African-Americans planning trips to Spain: "Racist prejudices" are—suddenly—no longer a problem, according to the US State Department. A warning on the department's website that African-Americans who visit the country may need to fear getting arrested by prejudiced police was...

Catalonia Bans Bullfights (Hemingway Saw It Coming)

Region is first in mainland Spain to abolish the sport

(Newser) - Score one for the bulls. Catalonia became the first region in mainland Spain to ban bullfighting today, reports the BBC . Animal rights activists who see the sport as barbaric succeeded in getting the ban passed, much to the dismay of those who see it as an integral part of the...

Barcelona May Ban Bullfighting

Catalonia vote pits tradition vs animal rights

(Newser) - Catalonia will vote today on whether to become the first mainland Spanish region to say adios to bullfighting. The spectacle has long been in decline in the region, and the capital, Barcelona, now only holds a dozen or so bullfights a year, with foreign tourists making up much of the...

Man Shows Off Full Face Transplant

Spaniard regains ability to speak, eat

(Newser) - The patient who had the world's first full face transplant showed himself to the world today, the AP reports. The 31-year-old, identified only as Oscar, thanked his doctors and the family of the face donor at a hospital in Barcelona. Though he underwent surgery in March, Oscar has only been...

Spain Latest to Mull Burka Ban
 Spain Latest to Mull Burka Ban 
Jul 19, 2010 10:29 AM CDT

Spain Latest to Mull Burka Ban

Garment called 'hardly compatible with human dignity'

(Newser) - Spanish lawmakers will debate barring burkas in public, joining other European countries considering similar moves on the grounds that the body-covering garments are degrading to women. Top officials of the ruling Socialist Party have indicated they will support the proposal by the opposition Popular Party, making a ban likely unless...

Germany to Spain: No Way You're Getting Paul

Psychic octopus transfer bid rejected

(Newser) - Paul the octopus' German hosts are less than impressed by the Madrid Zoo's offer to trade some coral or small sharks for the world-famous cephalopod oracle. Spain is eager to get its hands on the octopus that predicted its World Cup win, and has offered money if the Germans aren't...

Fun-Park Ride Busts Midair, Kills Teen

Basket plunges on top of another ride

(Newser) - The giant mechanical arm of a terrifying "free fall" amusement park ride in Spain broke in midair, fatally crushing a teenage rider. When the arm of "El Pendulo"—the Pendulum—broke, the basket carrying the girl plunged onto the top of an adjacent ride. Two other teens...

Church Cries Foul on Dutch Soccer Mass

Pastor suspended after praying for Holland to beat Spain

(Newser) - A Dutch priest is in hot water for praying— in vain —that the Netherlands would defeat Spain at a Mass celebrated the day of the World Cup final, reports the BBC . Paul Vlaar decorated his church in the team color, orange; wore orange and white vestments; and played along...

Spain's Captain Seals World Cup Interview With a Kiss

Iker Casillas loses it while being questioned by girlfriend

(Newser) - Spain captain Iker Casillas' emotional post-match interview melts even the hardest soccer-hater, writes Brook Peck on his Yahoo sports blog. After Spain beat the Netherlands to take the World Cup, 1-0, he was interviewed by his reporter girlfriend Sara Carbonero. Carbonero, who was blamed by Spain for its earlier loss...

Joyous Spain Welcomes Home Her Heroes
 Joyous Spain 
 Welcomes 
 Champs 
world cup
Jul 12, 2010 1:20 PM CDT

Joyous Spain Welcomes Champs

World Cup victory overrides months of grinding economic, political woes

(Newser) - Spain set aside months of economic doldrums and fractious politics today to give a jubilant and resounding welcome home to its victorious World Cup team, reports the AP. The team was making the rounds with politicians and royalty, children and grateful cops alike ahead of an open-air parade through the...

Spain Fans Party in the Streets
 Spain Fans Party in the Streets 
world cup
Jul 11, 2010 5:45 PM CDT

Spain Fans Party in the Streets

World Cup victory over the Netherlands sparks nationwide celebrations

(Newser) - Cries of "Viva Espana" are echoing through the streets of Spain as fans celebrate the national team's first World Cup title. "It's an extraordinary feeling, of happiness and nerves," one reveler in Madrid tells AFP . Says another: "We are very proud and very happy." Spotted...

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