Spain

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Winds Kill 13 in Spain, France
 Winds Kill 13 in Spain, France  

Winds Kill 13 in Spain, France

(Newser) - High winds in Spain and southern France today killed 13 people, crippled transportation networks, and cut power to more than 1.7 million, Reuters reports. The deaths were caused by flying debris, collapsed walls, and trees pushed over by the wind, which topped 100 mph in some areas. In Barcelona,...

Heirs Ordered to Open Franco's Palace

Spain still coming to terms with repressive past

(Newser) - The heirs of Spain's late dictator, Gen. Francisco Franco, have been ordered to open Franco's summer palace in Galicia to the public. The move is the latest in a series of belated attempts by the Spanish to begin to come to terms with decades of repressive dictatorship that followed the...

World's Oddest New Year Rituals

Grapes, bonfires, effigies are some nations' traditions for a lucky 2009

(Newser) - While much of the world indulges in the traditional New Year's Eve fare of glittery balls and fireworks, other countries have more unusual ways of shepherding in the next year, reports Travel and Leisure. For example: 
  • Spain: Gobbling a grape for each clock stroke is considered a fruity down
...

Spain Probes Guggenheim's 'Troubled' Finances

Fraud, mismanagement, profligacy call Bilbao museum into question

(Newser) - A decade ago the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum put the sleepy Basque city of Bilbao on the international art map. But in recent months the institution has been tarnished by an embezzlement scam, overspending on middling artworks, and a $9.4 million loss in a botched currency deal. Now, reports...

Ballesteros Released From Hospital

Golfer will receive outpatient care after brain tumor surgery

(Newser) - Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros was released from a Madrid hospital today, having undergone several operations on a brain tumor, Reuters reports. The retired legend, a five times major winner, will continue to receive treatment at an outpatient clinic. Since being diagnosed, Ballesteros, 51, has had four operations, including one routine...

Ballesteros Has More Surgery
 Ballesteros Has More Surgery 

Ballesteros Has More Surgery

Golf giant undergoes fourth brain operation

(Newser) - Seve Ballesteros is back in the hospital recovering from a fourth brain surgery, the BBC reports. The golf legend underwent a procedure in Madrid to drain fluid from his brain following the removal of a malignant tumor in October. The operation is an apparent medical setback for Ballesteros, 51, who...

Spain Drops Probe Into Franco Crimes

But plan to dig up mass graves may still go ahead

(Newser) - One of Spain's leading judges terminated an inquiry into atrocities committed during the 1936-1939 civil war and the ensuing dictatorship, ending the country's first criminal investigation into Francisco Franco's regime. The judge dropped the case after government prosecutors questioned his jurisdiction over what the suit called crimes against humanity. But...

Basque Military Chief Nabbed in France

'Txeroki' had hand in ETA violence the past five years, say investigators

(Newser) - A military leader of the Basque separatist organization ETA linked to police murders and the 2006 Madrid airport bomb attack has been busted in France, reports the Times of London. The man, who goes by the nom de guerre of Txeroki, was arrested  in a small town in the Pyrenees....

Spain Rejects Asylum Bid of Osama's Son

He and his British wife made the request from an airport in Madrid

(Newser) - Osama bin Laden's son is not welcome in Spain, even if he has denounced his father's ways. The government today rejected an asylum request from Omar bin Laden, 27, and his British wife, the BBC reports. Omar lives in Egypt and says his life is endangered there because of his...

Osama Son Seeks Asylum in Madrid

Trained operative now rallying for peace

(Newser) - Omar bin Laden—goateed, peacenik son of Osama—is seeking political asylum in Spain, where he and his British wife arrived from Egypt. He's being held at Madrid airport while authorities make a decision, Reuters reports. The al-Qaeda-trained Saudi, 28, made headlines earlier this year when, sporting a leather jacket...

Spanish Judge Begins Probe of Franco Crimes

Magistrate also orders poet Federico García Lorca's body exhumed

(Newser) - A Spanish judge today ordered the grave of poet and playwright Federico García Lorca dug up, and declared 114,000 political killings in the 1930s and later under former dictator General Francisco Franco crimes against humanity, the Guardian reports. The move—part of the first official inquiry into Franco-era...

Spain's Debt Solution: Shame Delinquents Into Paying

Debt collectors aim to embarrass by arriving in lavish costume

(Newser) - As personal debt grows in Spain, debt-collectors are taking the trick-or-treat approach, donning costumes—tuxes, bagpipers’ gear, Pink Panther suits—and knocking on doors. If all goes as planned, neighbors take note and the debtor is embarrassed into paying, the Wall Street Journal reports. “The idea is to make...

Barenaked Brit Skinny-Dips at Tokyo Palace

Tourist arrested after climbing royal wall during hour-long chase

(Newser) - A naked Westerner jumped into the moat surrounding Japan’s fortified imperial palace today, Reuters reports, climbing its walls during a chase that lasted more than an hour. Onlookers giggled and snapped photos of the 40-year-old bald man, who claimed to be a British tourist from Spain. He was captured...

Pakistan Helped Taliban Plan Afghan Attacks: Report

Leaked Spanish document alleges link between intelligence agency and militants

(Newser) - Pakistani spies armed Taliban insurgents in 2005 assassination plots against the Afghan government, Cadena Ser radio reports after obtaining a confidential Spanish defense document. Bearing the defense ministry’s seal, the report alleges that Pakistan’s intelligence gave the militants roadside bombs, and may have also provided intelligence and training....

Spain's ETA Unleashes 3 Attacks in 24 Hours

Basque terror group launches 3 attacks in 24 hours

(Newser) - A car bombing blamed on the armed Basque group ETA killed an army officer and wounded 6 people in northern Spain this morning. It was the third such attack in 24 hours in what appeared to be a stepped-up ETA offensive. The explosion happened as the building was being evacuated...

McCain Disses Spain's PM, One Way or Another
McCain Disses Spain's PM, One Way or Another
ANALYSIS

McCain Disses Spain's PM, One Way or Another

Will remain chilly ... or confused Zapatero with Latin Americans

(Newser) - John McCain seemed to say Spain’s prime minister is an enemy of the US during an interview with a Spanish-language radio station this week, Time reports. Asked whether, if elected, he would meet with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, McCain answered, “I will establish closer relationships with our...

Flap Error May Have Caused Spanair Crash

Electrical failure kept pilots from getting warning, investigators believe

(Newser) - Pilots of the Spanair jet that crashed last month didn't extend the aircraft's flaps before takeoff—and an electrical malfunction likely kept them from getting a warning about it, the Wall Street Journal reports. The flaps, on the backs of wings, are needed for an extra lift when an aircraft...

3rd Spanair Flight Suffers Technical Problems

Issues force second diversion in 2 days for airline

(Newser) - Technical issues forced Spanair to divert one of its jets today, the second consecutive day that’s happened for the Spanish airline rocked by last week’s deadly crash in Madrid, the AP reports. An MD-80 jet—the same series as Wednesday’s ill-fated aircraft—returned to Granada after communications...

Clues Sought in Madrid Crash
 Clues Sought in Madrid Crash 

Clues Sought in Madrid Crash

Black boxes found; authorities rule out foul play in crash that killed 153

(Newser) - Investigators are searching through wreckage for clues to why a passenger jet bound for the Canary Islands crashed shortly after takeoff from Madrid yesterday killing 153 passengers, the BBC reports. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion before the crash but officials say foul play has been ruled out. The voice recorders...

149 Confirmed Dead in Spain Crash
 149 Confirmed Dead
 in Spain Crash
UPDATED

149 Confirmed Dead in Spain Crash

Bodies too hot to touch after fiery disaster; 26 survive

(Newser) - The Spanish government confirms that 149 people died when a Spanair jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Madrid's airport today, the AP reports. Only 26 survived the horrific crash, which tore the aircraft apart to the point that rescue workers said the wreckage didn’t look like a plane and...

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