News

Spain's Constitution Turns 40: Should We Be Celebrating?

WHICHEVER way you look at it, the Spanish Constitution is something to celebrate. Now exactly four decades old, the Magna Carta signed on December 6, 1978 put an end to a dictatorship that had lasted nearly as long, although it would take over three years after the death of General Franco in November 1975 before it finally saw the light of day. But the contents of this lengthy text ensures...

Seven of the Best: Spanish Wines in the World's Top 100 List

ANYONE who lives in, or regularly visits, Spain will have no doubt about why it's practically impossible to find imported wines – why bother selling coal to Newcastle, or oranges to Valencia? With just about every grape variety on earth, prices ranging from 99 cents to several hundreds of euros, and wine regions in almost every province, whatever your palate and however much is in your pocket,...

Spain's Ski Season Starts: So Many Slopes, So Little Time

IT HARDLY seems possible that less than two months ago many residents in Spain were still on the beach, and yet this weekend, the ski slopes are already open. Spain may be famous for its sun-drenched, palm-lined shores, but is often overlooked when seeking out winter sports breaks, regularly losing out to Austria, Switzerland, the French Alpes and even the Italian Dolomites – despite Spanish...

Driving Toy Car to Operating Theatre Cuts Stress in Children

A HOSPITAL in Bilbao has children 'drive' themselves to operating theatres in toy elecric cars so their ordeal becomes a fun adventure. The IMQ Zorrotzaurre has bought a job-lot of baby-cars, which porters operate by remote control, and children with their gowns and gauze caps on get in and steer – at least, they think they are steering. Staff say the journey from wards or A&E to the...

Electricity in Spain: Cheapest in Europe?

SPAIN'S electricity was officially the cheapest in Europe yesterday (Thursday) – an unusual scenario as it is usually among the most expensive on the continent. Rising prices for households and traders have led to the Spanish government's creating a battery of measures to bring costs down and protect vulnerable consumers from being left without power because they cannot afford to pay their...