Spain To Make It Easier To Hire On Temporary Contracts

Spain's government Friday said it has approved a series of measures to make it easier for companies to hire workers on cheaper temporary contracts, the latest step to boost employment in an economy that has the highest jobless rate in the developed world.The steps, which in particular seek to lower youth unemployment, include a controversial measure to allow companies to keep workers on temporary contracts on an indefinite basis, up to 2013. This...

50-foot (15-meter) sperm whale died Friday after washing up on a beach in a resort in northern Spain.

50-foot (15-meter) sperm whale died Friday after washing up on a beach in a resort in northern Spain.The whale was still alive when it was discovered early in the morning stranded on the sands of Zarautz town, but it soon died, said marine scientist Enrique Franco.The cause of the whale's demise was not known, but Franco said: "It almost certainly came here to die. It's not uncommon for such animals to beach when they are very ill."Despite its large...

New forest fire breaks out in Murcia

As the forest fire continues to blaze in the south of Valencia, news comes of another between Cieza and Calasparra in Murcia which broke out on Tuesday night at 7pm.More than 150 firemen and civil protection workers are currently fighting the flames, helped by a 100 soldiers from the UME emergency unit based in Valencia. The fire has so far affected between 250 and 300 hectares of bush and pine according to first estimates from forestry technicians.Strong...

Four people have been injured in another night of clashes between anti Pope demonstrators and pilgrims in the city for the Pontiff’s visit and World Youth Day, in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid.

The clashes were repeated as on Wednesday night despite a high police presence in the area. A young Italian woman, who was reported to be in the area by chance, is reported to be among the injured in the police charge.Gay and lesbians collected to hold a ‘kiss in’ at 8pm on Thursday in the Plaza Vázquez de Mella in Chueca. The gathering, which was authorised y the Government Delegation, came in support of family diversity and to combat intolerance....

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Madrid at noon on Thursday for the World Youth Day which has attracted thousands of pilgrims to the city from across the world.

In his first speech, after touching down at Barajas Aiport in Madrid, he called for a respectful coexistence between ‘legitimate option’.He was welcomed at the airport by King Juan Carlos, sporting a stick after his recent knee operation, and Queen Sofía. The monarch called for an end to the ‘intolerable youth unemployment’ in his speech. He called for youngsters to be given the means so they can start their way in life, and said that the youth of...

Spain halves the IVA/VAT on new property until the end of the year.

The Spanish Government has announced it is to reduce the IVA/VAT on new property from 8% to 4% as an emergency measure in force until the end of the year. It comes in an attempt to reactivate the real estate sector, and only applies to new property. It means an average saving to the purchaser of about 8,000 €.The real estate industry think the idea will help to reactivate a sector punished by the recession, but comment that it will also be necessary...

Masked French farmers destroyed truckloads of Spanish fruit shipments in a row over imported produce.

Masked French farmers destroyed truckloads of Spanish fruit shipments in a row over imported produce.They claim they are being forced out of business because Spanish growers can undercut their prices. They stopped trucks at Senas in Provence and flung out the cargo.Trade union Vegetables...

Two Britons, a man and a woman, have died after their car fell down a ravine

Two Britons, a man and a woman, have died after their car fell down a ravine, and a third person, a woman, was slightly injured. She informed the authorities of the accident but was also trapped in the vehicle until the fire service arrived from Cartagena. A translator was needed on the 112 emergency services as the caller could not speak any Spanish. An ambulance from the SMS took her to the Torre Pacheco Health Centre. The health professionals...

Spain waves goodbye to prosperity

YOU HAVE to feel sorry for the Spanish. Since casting off decades of Franco's dictatorship in 1975, they have democratised, modernised, and generally worked extremely hard to create what looked until recently an enviable country. But what to many in ADVERTISEMENTScotland looked highly desirable - the decentralised political system and especially the tax autonomy enjoyed by the Basque country - now looks a severe handicap to Spanish attempts to right...

Spain's debt risk premium shot to another record high Wednesday

Spain's debt risk premium shot to another record high Wednesday, forcing the prime minister to interrupt his holiday for a crisis meeting on the market turmoil.The premium demanded for buying Spanish 10-year bonds over safe-bet German bonds surged Wednesday morning to 407 basis points -- the highest since the introduction of the euro in 1999 -- before easing.It was the second day in a row that investors had pushed the premium on Spanish government...

Spain's PM to meet finance minister over debt risk

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will meet Finance Minister Elena Salgado on Wednesday after the country's debt risk premium soared to a record high, his office said.The meeting will "analyze the lastest financial market movements," the prime minister's office said in a statement.Government spokesman Jose Blanco will also attend.The premium demanded for buying Spanish 10-year bonds over safe-bet German bonds surged Wednesday morning to...