Spanish news is Changing

The Spanish News is changing! It’s up to you , the readers , to tell me what you want to see here. ypu can post here http://www.spainexpat.com/spain/forum/viewthread/5431/ please dont post here on Spanish Financial News by Jurdy area but used the link above

Over the summer we are going to make few change to the news here , so
post your views as to what you want to see , to know and to read about .

18 September of last year I started the news so that expats and new comers could see what was happening around Spain.
on a day to day . I do love doing here . now when go on holiday i have look for the net where a stary , we know what happen last may ,
Now, every day, I have to post a few times a day, so I’d like some help
(I also need holidays and some sun of course). Radio , IT work, Media and my own life are getting very bussy and I won’t have
all the time on my hands to do this , so if think you got it , that you could help , add a post here to let me know please !

Keep reading here and thanks.

Jurdy

Holidaymakers evacuated from burning apartments

AT least 350 holidaymakers have been evacuated from an apartment block in Alcúdia Mallorca after a fire broke out in the lift control room . Firefighters and police were called out to the Bellevue holiday complex in Puerto de Alcúdia at around 04.30hrs on Sunday morning . They say the seventh and eighth floors were the worst affected, with clouds of rapidly-spreading smoke . Luckily, nobody was hurt and no substantial property damage was reported . Emergency services were able to bring the fire under control relatively quickly , and the tourists were able to go back to their apartments by last night .

Luxury car thieves arrested on the Costa del Sol

Nine Bulgarians and Romanians have been arrested in the National Police operation . A network of luxury car thieves has been broken up on the Costa del Sol . The top of the range vehicles were taken in Fuengirola , Málaga and Marbella , with group of drug traffickers being supplied with four wheel drive vehicles to take part in their activities . The group changed the registration numbers and made fake papers for the vehicles involved . The National Police operation was organised by the Málaga Prosecutors’ Office , and La Opinión de Málaga reports that there are nine Bulgarians and Romanians arrested in the case . Seven of them remain in prison on remand while two women arrested have been granted bail with charges outstanding . The leader of the gang has been named as Rosen R.V., already known to the authorities both in Bulgaria and here in Spain . The gang took the stolen vehicles for resale in Bulgaria and Romania .

   
Firemen die in helicopter crash

Two died following a helicopter crash in Mollet del Vallès Barcelona . The pilot of the helicopter , which crash-landed for unknown reasons , was taken to the Vall d’Hebron hospital with serious injuries and died soon afterwards . Yesterday , firefighters revealed that the co-pilot had also lost his life in hospital .
The victims , members of the fire brigade , were working on putting out a small forest fire in Les Franqueses del Vallès Barcelona when their craft fell out of the sky . Their identities have not yet been revealed as authorities are waiting until their families are aware of their deaths .

Kodak is taking your Kodachrome away

The world’s first commercially successful color film , immortalized in song by Simon , spent 74 years in Kodak’s portfolio . It enjoyed its heyday in the 1950s and ‘60s but in recent years has nudged closer to obscurity . Sales of Kodachrome are now just a fraction of 1 percent of the company’s total sales of still-picture films , and only one commercial lab in the world still processes it . Those numbers and the unique materials needed to make it convinced Kodak to call its most recent manufacturing run the last , said Mary Jane Hellyar , the outgoing president of Kodak’s Film , Photofinishing and Entertainment Group .
“Kodachrome is particularly difficult (to retire) because it really has become kind of an icon,” Hellyar said . digital photography here .

Simon sang about it in 1973 in the aptly titled “Kodachrome.”
“They give us those nice bright colors. They give us the greens of summers. Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day,” he sang. “... So Mama don’t take my Kodachrome away.”

Indeed, Kodachrome was favored by still and motion picture photographers for its rich but realistic tones, vibrant colors and durability.

Bad figures accumulated deficit in state accounts .

Spain has seen an accumulated deficit in state accounts for the year to May of 19.543 billion €. The number compares to a surplus of 2.957 billion for the same period in 2008 . This year saw a 15.7% fall in income at 69.482 billion Euros , while costs rose over the period by 14. % to 65 billion Euros .
Income from VAT/IVA fell by 30% , and from income tax by 14. % . It’s a tripling of the state deficit in a month, and ends May at under 2 % of G.D.P.  The Government has admitted the situation cannot continue in the long term , but maintains the claim that the Social Security account will end the year in the black .
Meanwhile the Social Security surplus has fallen by 26.6%. Income here was 51,  billion Euros , down 1.3% while payments were 40 billion Euros, up 9 %.
The number of foreigners signed up to the Spanish social security system meanwhile has increased for the fourth consecutive month in May. It rose by 29,831 people over April to reach 1,917,223,  according to the Ministry for Employment . The total number of people paying into the social security system in Spain was also up in May by 70.000 . A new government report on the state of the economy has said that the economy will start to recover in the first quarter of 2010 . The report speaks of a ‘relatively quick’ reactivation of the economy , thanks to exports and investments made in equipment , among other factors .
It forecasts shrinkage in the economy of 3.6% this year and of 0.3% next . Latest EU numbers show that Spain is still the country to take the second lowest amount in tax on consumer spending in the Eurozone. The tax take here is 15.9% of family spending, while the Eurozone average is 21.5% . The Euribor rate has meanwhile marked a new low to stand at 1.585%, while the average for this month is 1.635% - it’s lowest level ever . The Government is reported to be considering cancelling the 400 € income tax rebate it has been giving to employed and self-employed workers , as well as pensioners , for the past year .
The news was given by the Secretary of State for Hacienda and Budgets , Carlos Ocaña , who commented that all options are open . He confirmed the Government was not planning any tax changes this year , but it would be revising the fiscal framework in 2010 , admitting that the public accounts are worse than expected .

Poor tourist figures hit Spain again

The number of hotel overnight stays has fallen this year in Spain despite the fact that many establishments have been offering lower prices . Numbers for May show prices down 5% compared to last year , while the number of overnight stays was 9% down . It follows the announcement yesterday of a 12% reduction in the number of foreign tourist visitors to Spain in the year to May . Uk , Germanys and Irish are not traveling as much due hight prices and lack off Cash in there pockets . Again Hotel have put there price up again for July and August . With rental Properties still not dropping there prices . The Costa Blanca Tourist Board is running a new campaign to promote the attractions of Alicante province across Spain . The road show was in the Murcia capital from Saturday through to Monday , and more than 3,000 ‘murcianos’ are reported to have visited the mobile stand for a taste of Alicante’s gastronomy .

Receiver appointed to Setanta parent

Receivers have been appointed to Setanta Sport Holdings , the parent company of sports broadcaster Setanta , and a number of subsidiary companies . As a result , Setanta’s British business is to be wound down , and broadcasting to British customers will end shortly . With in 30 days . But Setanta International and Setanta Ireland are not covered by the appointments and will continue to trade on air during rescue talks . Deloitte has been appointed administrator to Setanta’s UK companies , while in Ireland , David Carson of Deloitte has been appointed receiver to the parent company , Deloitte says 200 employees are to be made redundant at the British business , and it has suspended subscription collections in Britain from today . In a statement Setanta said it had not been possible to secure the additional financing required to ensure the future viability of the broadcaster . The company said it regretted the impact today’s development will have on its staff and commercial partners . Its chairman Robin Miller said today was a bad day for all concerned . He said that in a difficult and competitive market , and despite strenuous efforts by the board and management , it was not possible to find sufficient additional funds in the time available to ensure Setanta’s survival . Setanta has 420 employees in the UK and Ireland , and approximately 1.2 million subscribers , with channels available in three million homes . Today’s development comes after weeks of frantic negotiation during which Setanta had been attempting to stave off administration . It had attempted to raise funds to help pay TV rights bills , which included the Premier League , as well as the FA Cup and Scottish Premier League (SPL) . A deal had been put forward by US tycoon Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries , which was reportedly offering £20m in return for a 51% stake , but this collapsed last week . Both the Scottish Premier League and the Premier League announced in the last few days that they were terminating their licensing agreement with Setanta and were seeking new broadcasting partners . With ESPN snaps up Premier League and Scottish Premier LeagueTV packages . ESPN’s 46 live games will be split between Saturday evenings and Monday nights in the coming season . For the three seasons from 2010-11 to 2012-13 ESPN has the rights to a single package of 23 matches previously awarded to Setanta .

ETA suspects arrested were an armed commando prepared for terrorist action

An Interior Ministry official has ruled out any connection between the explosives found and the fatal car bomb attack in the Basque Country last week . More details have been released on the three suspected ETA terrorists arrested in Guipúzcoa in the early hours of Tuesday . The Interior Ministry said the three formed an ‘armed commando’ which had not yet begun its terrorist activity , but was prepared to take action immediately . Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Secretary of State for Security, Antonio Camacho, described the arrests as ‘important’, and classed the National Police operation ordered by National Court judge Baltasar Garzón as a preventive move which has spared ‘pain and suffering’ . Four property searches took place in Usurbil , Lasarte , Astigarraga and San Sebastián , where officers found 75 kilos of explosive material . The Secretary of State said the explosives found were not however connected to that used by ETA in car bomb attacks , such as the fatal attack in the Basque Country last Friday which claimed the life of a National Police Inspector . He also ruled out a link to the recent attacks on the AVE high speed train line under construction in the Basque Country . Documentation found in the property searches links the detainees to the terrorist organisation , including ETA propaganda materials and a manual on street violence . A number of computers were also seized .

Two die in Barcelona light plane crash

The two were both flying instructors and died when their plane’s engine failed to restart . Two men have died in Sant Pere de Vilamayor in Barcelona , when their private plane crashed into the garden of a private villa and burst into flames . The two are thought to have died instantly as their plane missed the house by just six metres . Reports indicate that the two , who were both flying instructors , had switched off the plane’s engine so they could do spiral acrobatic movements , and were then unable to restart it . Such a procedure is normal in aerobatics . Local residents say they have been complaining for months about the noise from the light aircraft , which they say fly ‘just above the trees’ . This accident is the second that takes place in 24 hours in the region of the Eastern Valls , after this Monday both passed away occupants of a helicopter , The accident has happened towards the 10,45 .

USA say they can beat Spain

The United States are upbeat that they can pull off a major shock and defeat European champions Spain to move into the Confederations Cup final . Coach Bob Bradley is realistic enough to know his team face an uphill battle against a side unbeaten since November 2006 , but has belief in his players ahead of their semi-final here on Wednesday . “We’re excited, the team is on a high ,” he said . “We understand the challenge of playing Spain . From a technical standpoint , they are so proficient . But it is a chance for us to test ourselves and perhaps get to the final .” If the United States do the unthinkable and win , it will go down as one of the most important victories in American football history . Bradley knows the stakes are high .

Telecinco asks for to Industry authorization for the TDT of PPV Canal

Telecinco also has asked for authorization to the Ministry of Industry , Tourism and Commerce to be able to operate contents in the modality of payment through the TDT , according to informed to Europe Press sources into this company . One is the fourth request of this nature after the realised ones by Sixth, Antenna 3 and I see TV .  The chain of Fuencarral assures that it realises this request “in defense of his interests” when verifying that the Decree project Real that prepares Industry to regulate the TDT of payment contemplates an article that has a beneficiary with “full name” in favor of which they have made his request before the approval of the norm .  For this reason, Telecinco decided to materialize its request days in the last . In any case , these sources insist on which it must have a moratorium in the purchase of rights to spread contents in the TDT of payment .  The ministry of Industry Tourism and Commerce presented/displayed the week last to the Advisory Council of Telecomunicaciones (CATSI) a Real Decree to regulate the TDT of payment . Through this norm , the concessionary societies of the public service of terrestrial digital television of state scope will be able to explode total or partially in the modality of payment by means of conditional access one of the digital channels of which they are titular , whenever its concession allows the operation of more of a channel , according to informed Industry in an official notice .

The Bonfires of San Juan , Alicante

Fire of San Juan have tonight ignite in beaches and places of all the Spanish geography to celebrate the summer solstice , although the shortest night of the year , with less hours of the dark was the one of the past day 21 of June . Alicante’s San Juan celebrations are perhaps some of the largest in this region , and you could be forgiven , on taking a stroll through its streets this month , for thinking the Fallas fiesta had made an early comeback . According to the Wikipedia explains, the initial purpose of the rite to ignite bonfires was “to give more force to the sun” because to divide for this date the days they again begin to use excessive respect itself in the North hemisphere . From Catalonia to Galicia , from Asturias to Andalusia and further on , in the Canary Islands , the dark will flood of light and magic . The celebrations of Bonfires of San Juan , in Alicante , are declared of Tourist Interest the International . According to the information of the official vestibule of tourism of Spain , the of Alicante ones celebrated the arrival of the summer with a dinner in the field the 23 of June . Besides eating they ignited bonfires when the midnight arrived , they danced around to his , they launched rockets and they bathed in the sea . Thousand Hit Beaches across spain . link two web cam http://webcam.comunitatvalenciana.com/webcam-costablanca-santa-pola-playa-47 . and http://webcam.comunitatvalenciana.com/webcam-costablanca-alicante-s-juan-70

Njoy all

Elche pensioner killed by speeding ambulance

She was struck as the ambulance was rushing to attend a cardiac arrest . A woman in her 70s , named by Diario Informacíon as María P.B. , died in Elche on Tuesday when she was struck by an ambulance rushing to attend a cardiac arrest . It happened on a pedestrian crossing on Avenida de la Libertad where witnesses say the pensioner rushed to cross when she saw the ambulance approaching . She failed to reach the other side in time and was hit by the speeding vehicle . The victim was thrown a number of metres by the force of the impact and emergency personnel in the vehicle pronounced her dead at the scene some 45 minutes later . The local police have opened an investigation into the tragic accident .

Zapatero grounded in Togo due to technical fault in aeroplane

A Spanish military plane carrying Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero failed to take off twice from the West African country of Togo after flies blocked its speed sensor , press reports said . SPAIN’S president was grounded in Togo when the pilot discovered the air-speed indicator on the plane was not working .
A swarm of flies entered the speed sensor of the Falcon 900 carrying Zapatero , Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and senior officials , prompting the pilot to stop the plane on the runway . It then started again , but the sudden jamming on of the brakes had made a tyre go flat , and Zapatero had to wait two hours for another plane . Another military plane transporting other members of the Spanish delegation returned to Lome one hour after take-off as the engine began losing oil . Zapatero finally arrived in Madrid early Wednesday while the other part of the delegation was expected by midday . 

Train services suspended in Alicante overnight because of fire

A fire overnight forced the closure of the Main Madrid railway line in Alicante , although finally nearby housing was not evacuated . The fire was caused by the explosion of two bottles of acetylene on waste ground next to the tracks in the Ciudad de Asís area of the city at 21. 0pm on Tuesday night . Three long distance trains were affected by the stoppage , but the quick action of the firefighters has meant that train services have now returned to normal . Meanwhile in a separate incident in Alcoy , a break in two power lines , caused by a mechanical digger in Calle Bernat Fenollar , led to a power cut in the northern area of the town and a fire in three transformers . Power been restored again in last hour . #

Crew rescued from capsized catamaran

TWO crew-members of a catamaran had to be rescued after their craft capsized off the coat of Ibiza yesterday morning . Emergency services report that a 65-year-old man and his sailing companion were taken to hospital in Can Misses . The latter had a fractured rib . Coastguard rescuers were called out at around 12.36 hrs yesterday lunchtime after a lifeguard on the beach detected a craft go under at around two or three miles off the coast of Cala d’Hort in the town of Sant Josep . They are now attempting to tow the damaged catamaran , which is around 12 metres in length , back to shore to prevent other crafts colliding with it .

Mobile phone companies in Spain have been told by the Telecommunications Market Commission, which controls the sector, that they should cut the wholesale charges they make between each other when one of their clients calls another network by 43%. That would reduce the charge from seven to four cents a minute between the main operators , Movistar , Vodafone and Orange with reductions being made every six months . Such a reduction does not mean any savings for consumers . Meanwhile Telefónica has promised a dividend for its shareholders , despite the crisis . CEO César Alierta told shareholders that signs of a recovery were being seen in this quarter . 

Two suspected members of ETA’s information wing arrested in Paris

French police operating on the outskirts of Paris have arrested two alleged members of ETA , suspected of being part of the armed group’s information division , sources from within the antiterrorist operation have been cited . According to the same sources , those arrested are Xabier Arruabarrena Carlos , 37 , and Ohiana Garmendía Marín , 32 . Seemingly , at the moment of capture both were unarmed . Both were arrested at 6am in the area of Charenton-le-Pont , twenty kilometres southeast of the capital in the departement of Val-de-Marne , in a police operation in which the Spanish Civil Guard were also involved . French police then search the apartment in which they were arrested . Police have linked Xavier Arruabarrena to ETA’s Bizkaia terrorist cell which operated between 1999 and 2000. He was tried in France in contempt of court on 22nd October 2008 and sentenced to five years in jail for forming part of ETA’s reserve group . Oihana Garmendia was also tried in France under the same circumstances on 15th June 2007 and sentenced to four years for recruiting for ETA in 2002 .

Spain’s shock exit from Confederations Cup

   
Spain’s shock exit from Confederations Cup USA 2 Spain 0

USA caused one of the biggest upsets in international football history by beating Spain 2-0 in Bloemfontein , Confederations Cup final . Most would have predicted Spain to win this match with ease , judging by their performance in the group games . But Vicente del Bosque’s men had only faced New Zealand , Iraq and South Africa in the lead up, and with all respect to those teams , the Americans were always going to be a tougher proposition and their tight marking of potent forwards , Villa and Torres , proved highly successful . Embarrassment was not in Spain’s script , so they upped their game and came close to equalising just before the break when the USA’s goalie , Howard , was forced to save low with his feet after Torres sold Bocanegra the sweetest of dummies from six yards . The pressure on the USA defence increased tenfold after the interval with Everton number one Howard forced to make quality saves from Fabregas , twice from long range , and Ramos , who rifled in an angled drive at the near post . Spain surged forward but could not find a way past the solid American defence . Most significantly , the US prevented Spain from setting a new world record of 36 matches without defeat .

Spanish power companies facing fines for complicating competition

Spain’s competition commission has threatened to fine the electricity companies for putting obstacles in the way of clients who want to change supplier . Endesa , Iberdrola , Hidrocantábrico , Unión Fenosa and E.ON have carried out ‘possible anti-competitive practices’ by allegedly holding back data from competitors . The measure comes ahead of the liberalisation in the sector which is set for July 1 . From that date clients who have less than a 10kW supply can chose between the five suppliers designated by the Government . Meanwhile Iberdrola has announced plans to sell two of its partner companies in Chile for 212 million . It’s part of the company’s strategy to sell off investments and could bring plus valías of 85 million . The electrical companies in Spain have ruled out any ‘substantial’ increase in prices . An industrial auction takes place today which will be key to future prices but the power company association says there will be ‘more joy than shocks’ .

Burglars disguised as police to gain entry to houses

SEVEN men who allegedly disguised as police officers in order to burgle houses have been arrested in Madrid , Getafe , Pozuelo de Alarcón and Marbella .
National Police , who were working in conjunction with officers from Colombia , said the gang was made up of organised professionals with a strong international network . When they caught the suspected ringleader , officers reveal he was seen to be tearing up 50-euro notes and flushing them down toilet , which had become blocked as a result .  They targeted drug-dealers’ homes , stealing money and illegal substances , say police . During a raid on a property in Valdemoro Madrid , they found a cocaine laboratory and two kilos of the drug , together with various firearms , fake police badges and uniforms , bullet-proof vests , balaclavas and around 185,000 Euros in cash . They have been investigating the matter since the end of April when a known drug-dealer was approached by the false police officers upon entering his house . The burglars claimed they were carrying out a raid . They are also said to have carried out burglaries in Bilbao , Málaga and Mijas . Police say the money was laundered via a ‘front’ company purporting to be a security guard agency . This agency was involved in forging vehicle documentation and ID cards , police heard . 

Judge orders illegally built block in Roquetas to be demolished

The Aifos promoted development saw 129 apartments built on a site where plans showed 14 villas . What should have been a development of 14 villas with a built area of 1,342 square metres , in reality became a residential block of 129 apartments over 8,609 square metres . It happened in the Edificio Balcón del Golf , in the Playa Serena urbanization in Roquetas de Mar in Almería , a development promoted by the Aifos company . Now a judge has ordered the building , which overlooks nearby villas , be demolished for breaking the current Urban Plan for the town established in 2003 . El País reports that the local town hall never revised the building licence , despite receiving an order to do so from the Junta de Andalucía .

“Charlie’s Angels” Star Dies Farrah Fawcett

Farrah Fawcett died today at 62, just shy of six weeks since the airing of “Farrah’s Story,” the documentary that detailed her courageous battle against cancer . Farrah Fawcett’s death was announced just hours before the end of voting to determine the nominees for this year’s Emmy Awards . Television’s highest honor eluded this small-screen icon who earned three acting Emmy nominations during her three-decade-plus career . Well know for one the Angles from 1976 to 1981 and was one of the most successful series of the 1970s. Charlie’s Angels is episodic in nature , as opposed to serial , thus each episode shows the Angels finding themselves in new situations in which they would go undercover to investigate . The undercover aspect of the show creates much of the plot interest and tension . In the early seasons of the show , the Angels, under their assumed identities , use a combination of sexual wiles and knowledge learned for the situation in which they are being placed , but by the third and fourth seasons , the writing has a tendency to stray from the sex appeal and focus more on the case at hand .

Spain spending more on fighting the recession than any other EU State

According to a report on public finance published this week by the European Commission the Spanish government will use 2.3% of its GDP between 2009 and 2010 on measures to combat the current economic crisis. This is more than double the amount that other EU states are spending which is estimated to be 1.1% of their GDP. It is also estimated that spending on helping financial institutions overcome the crisis has risen to an average of 16.5% of GDP throughout the EU equivalent to 1.8 billion euros.
Although it is forecast that the recession will begin to improve from 2010 onwards in its report the European Commission warns that the ‘success of current measures adopted depend on credible strategies for beating the crisis’. In reality this means that when economic growth occurs governments will have to start to reduce their public deficit which has shot up due to less revenue from taxes and higher social spending.
On Tuesday the Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Joaquín Almunia, said that the ‘efficiency of policies to stimulate budgets depended a great deal on the commitment to put an end these measures when the economy begins to recover’.
In addition to plans for stimulating economic growth ‘if automatic stabilizing factors such as more social spending are taken into account it is estimated that EU states will have spent around 5% of their GDP on their economies between 2009 and 2010 which is equivalent to 600 million euros’.
As well as Spain, Austria, Finland, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany have also introduced significant measures to stimulate their economies. The EU report demonstrates its concern for countries where credit and property prices have increased disproportionately. It goes on to say that ‘in a certain number of cases where significant macroeconomic imbalances have occurred the margin for possible manoeuvres to impose anticyclic policies without increasing risk factors have gone down since the beginning of the crisis’.
The report analyzes the four packages of economic stimulation which were introduced in Spain in April, August and November 2008 and during the first few months of 2009. According to Brussels not all the measures have been equally effective and well directed.
It found that the most effective plan was applied in November 2008 with the investment of 8,000 million euros in small scale projects and the 3,000 million euros for technological development in the car industry. In total this plan represents 1.5% of Spanish GDP and according to the report ‘the composition of this stimulus and its concentration in investment by local government has been very effective for national production as a whole and for employment’.
The report also said that other measures such as those adopted in April and August 2008 which include the 400 euros tax rebate for 2008 will probably have a more limited impact. The authors of the report also showed their concern for the deficit in the Spanish economy and expressed their worry that instead of extra resources going towards consumption in the economy they will instead be destined for savings.

Michael Jackson Dies

Pop star Michael Jackson has been rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital by fire department paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived at the singer’s home, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday. Michael Jackson Dies From Cardiac Arrest: Report . Michael Jackson has died at age 50 after being rushed to UCLA Medical Center, NBC News has confirmed.

Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Steve Ruda told the L.A. Times that Jackson was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his home and CPR was performed . Paramedics found him in a coma at his Bel-Air home today and rushed him to UCLA Medical Center . He was in LA rehearsing for a series of concerts in London in July .

legendary pop singer suffered cardiac arrest at his home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills and was not breathing and had no pulse when paramedics arrived after a 911 call around 12:26 p.m. PT. They administered CPR in the ambulance but were unable to revive him. At the hospital, staff attempted to resuscitate Jackson, but he was unresponsive. Post mortem will ‘most likely’ be carried out on Friday coroner office reports / Thursday (PDT) - Time in Los Angeles, United States of America . Fans flock to hospital .

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009 ) was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. Referred to as the “King of Pop” in subsequent years, five of his solo studio albums have become some of the world’s best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).

In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African-American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as “Beat It”, “Billie Jean” and Thriller—credited for transforming the music video into an art form and a promotional tool—helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as “Black or White” and “Scream” made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B;artists.

Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundation, charity singles and support of 39 charities. Other aspects of his personal life, including his changing appearance and behavior, generated significant controversy, damaging his public image. Though he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, the criminal investigation was closed due to lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged. The singer experienced health concerns from the early 1990s until his death, as well as conflicting reports regarding the state of his finances. Jackson married twice and fathered three children, all of which caused further controversy. In 2005, Jackson was tried and acquitted of further sexual abuse allegations and several other charges.

One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records—including one for “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time”—13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era—and the sales of over 750 million albums worldwide. Cited as one of the world’s most famous men, Jackson’s highly publicized personal life, coupled with his successful career, made him a part of popular culture for almost four decades.

On June 25, 2009, he collapsed at his home in Los Angeles.  After being taken to the hospital in a coma, Jackson was pronounced dead .

Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary , Indiana (an industrial suburb of Chicago, Illinois) to a working-class family on August 29, 1958.  The son of Joseph Walter “Joe” and Katherine Esther (née Scruse),  he was the seventh of nine children. His siblings are Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy and Janet.[6] Joseph Jackson was a steel mill employee who often performed in an R&B;band called The Falcons with his brother Luther.  Jackson was raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses by his devout mother.

Music

  * 1971: “Got to Be There” #4
  * 1972: “Rockin Robin” #2
  * 1972: “Ben” #1
  * 1979: “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” #1
  * 1980: “Rock With You” #1
  * 1980: “Off The Wall” #10
  * 1980: “She’s Out Of My Life” #10
  * 1983: “The Girl Is Mine” (with Paul McCartney) #2
  * 1983: “Billie Jean” #1
  * 1983: “Beat It” #1
  * 1983: “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” #5
  * 1984: “Human Nature” #7
  * 1984: “P.Y.T.” #10
  * 1984: “Say Say Say” (with Paul McCartney) #1
  * 1984: “Thriller” #4
  * 1985: “We Are The World” #1
  * 1987: “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (with Siedah Garrett) #1

  * 1987: “Bad” #1
  * 1988: “The Way You Make Me Feel” #1
  * 1988: “Man In The Mirror” #1
  * 1988: “Dirty Diana” #1
  * 1989: “Smooth Criminal” #7
  * 1991: “Black or White” #1
  * 1992: “Remember The Time” #3
  * 1992: “In The Closet” #6
  * 1993: “Will You Be There” #7
  * 1995: “Scream”(with Janet Jackson) #5
  * 1995: “You Are Not Alone” #1
  * 2001: “You Rock My World” #10

Jackson’s Spanish number ones

Michael Jackson had 20 number one hits on the Top 20 Singles charts.

  * 1983: “The Girl Is Mine” (3 weeks)
  * 1983 & 2006: “Billie Jean” (2 weeks)
  * 1983: “Say Say Say” (1 week)

  * 1988 & 2006: “Smooth Criminal” (6 weeks)
  * 1991: “Black or White” (11 weeks)
  * 1995: “Scream” (4 weeks)
  * 1996 & 2006: “Stranger in Moscow” (5 weeks)
  * 1997 & 2006: “Blood on the Dance Floor” (7 weeks)
  * 2001: “You Rock My World” (1 week)
  * 2006: “Rock with You” (1 week)
  * 2006: “Beat It” (1 week)
  * 2006: “Bad” (1 week)
  * 2006: “The Way You Make Me Feel” (1 week)
  * 2006: “Dirty Diana” (1 week)
  * 2006: “Leave Me Alone (song)” (1 week)
  * 2006: “Jam (song)” (1 week)
  * 2006: “Heal the World” (1 week)
  * 2006: “You Are Not Alone” (1 week)
  * 2006: “Earth Song” (1 week)
The singer is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.
Michael Joseph Jackson August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009
RIP

60 injured in Spain train collision Madrid

Nearly 60 people were injured Friday when two suburban trains collided on the outskirts of the Spanish capital Madrid during the morning rush hour It happened after 7,30am this morning, medical sources said . The victims’ injuries were said to be light . There are no reports of anybody seriously hurt in the collision in Aluche this morning .  A moving train hit another stationary one at Aluche station . A dozen of the victims were treated at hospital , many of them for shock . The collision between two local commuter trains this morning on the C5 line in Aluche , outside Madrid . Reports indicate that the trains were both travelling slowly when the collision occurred . 1,800 passengers were travelling on the two trains involved . Trains have been suspended on the C5 line and RENFE Spanish railways has opened an official investigation into what happened . the L5 line still open but not stopping at the station .

King Carlos visits Australia

Spain’s King Carlos opened Australia’s first Spanish cultural centre yesterday . The 71-year-old monarch and his wife Queen Sofia toured the Cervantes Institute in Sydney yesterday . The royal couple inspected the centre’s library and listened to a performance of Spanish Renaissance pieces by the Sydney Chamber Choir . They also met politicians and dignitaries from Australia and Spain . The Cervantes centre is the first dedicated Spanish cultural facility in Australia . It promotes Spanish languages and culture around the world . Later Carlos addressed the Spain Business Forum where he spoke about Australia and Spain’s “valuable and outstanding similarities . He said: “Both countries have an economy which is becoming increasingly knowledge-based, a highly qualified workforce , flexible and competitive markets and a very liberalised foreign trade regime . “In the context of a global world, these shared features enable us to develop a fertile and profitable bilateral relationship in terms of commerce and bilateral investments . “It also explains why Spanish companies in Australia have significantly increased in number over the last years .” The monarch said he hoped his visit to Australia would strengthen co-operation and “friendly relations” between the two countries . He added: “With this state visit to Australia I have aimed to convey Spain’s desire and commitment to strengthen its political and cultural and economic relations with this great country .”

Spanish police want foreign informers on the Costa del Sol

Foreign residents are invited to send information in complete confidence to an email address . malaga.costadelsol@policia.es
Spanish police are looking for informers among the foreign community on the Costa del Sol in a new policy which they hope will increase safety in the zone . Police has offered an email address where people are invited to send any pertinent information and which they will be able to understand in eight different languages . The Police also promise complete confidentiality . The campaign is based around the slogan ‘Por una Costa del Sol segura – For a safe Costa del Sol’ . A statement from the Police said that this pioneering system was intended to help the foreigners based in Málaga to play their part in citizen safety , collaborating and integrating in the place where they are living their daily lives . E mails are invited in English , Russian , Italian , Romanian , Dutch , French, and Bulgarian , as well as in Spanish to malaga.costadelsol@policia.es

99 billion Euro fund for Banks in spain

Minister for Tax and the Economy, Elena Salgado, has said she accepts that a special commission be used to supervise the new 99 billion Euro fund being established to help banks and savings banks in Spain , but she has again denied cancelling the regional veto which stops mergers across regions . It comes as last minute talks have been held with the PP on the rescue package . Banks which take advantage of the funding will have five years in which to pay it back .

Orihuela drug traffickers bring a ton of cocaine into Spain

The drug was hidden in pineapples and yucca plants . Alicante police anti-drug agents have confiscated a ton of cocaine found hidden inside a consignment of pineapples and yucca plants . The drug traffickers involved were based in Orihuela and intended to distribute the drug across both the Valencia region and Europe . Información newspaper reports that there are about a dozen people arrested in the case which is described as one of the most important seen in the Valencia region . All those arrested are reported to be Spanish or Colombian . The drugs are known to have been shipped into Spain via Algeciras port in two separate containers where they were detected some two weeks ago . After an investigation which was started some six months previously . The drug was unloaded in a Murcia warehouse and police intervened two consignments , one of more than 600 kilos of cocaine and a second with more than 300 kilos . More arrests have not been ruled out in the case . and old say says Furit is good for you .

Michael Jackson Dies

Pop star Michael Jackson has been rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital by fire department paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived at the singer’s home, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday. Michael Jackson Dies From Cardiac Arrest: Report . Michael Jackson has died at age 50 after being rushed to UCLA Medical Center, NBC News has confirmed.

Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Steve Ruda told the L.A. Times that Jackson was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his home and CPR was performed . Paramedics found him in a coma at his Bel-Air home today and rushed him to UCLA Medical Center . He was in LA rehearsing for a series of concerts in London in July . legendary pop singer suffered cardiac arrest at his home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills and was not breathing and had no pulse when paramedics arrived after a 911 call around 12:26 p.m. PT. They administered CPR in the ambulance but were unable to revive him. At the hospital, staff attempted to resuscitate Jackson, but he was unresponsive. Post mortem will ‘most likely’ be carried out on Friday coroner office reports

The Story on every paper radio website forums and tv station worldwide , google was Searched over 50 million time with frist hour off the News breaken

Spain and Morocco detain five terrorism suspects

Moroccan and Spanish police have dismantled an Islamist extremist cell that planned attacks in both countries , detaining five people in Morocco , Spanish media Friday quoted Spanish police sources as saying . The suspects had lived in southern Spain , from where police followed their traces to Morocco . They intended to stage attacks first in Morocco and later in Spain , the sources said . The case was being handled by a court in Casablanca .
Some reports said the suspects were originally from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on the Moroccan coast .

Spain’s Prince and Princess of Asturias get stuck in the lift

The royal couple and four others were stuck together for some 20 minutes in the Auditorio-Palau in Girona . The Prince and Princess of Asturias found themselves stuck in a lift with the President of the Catalan Government , José Montilla , and three other people on Friday . It happened when the Spanish royals Felipe de Borbón and Letizia Ortiz went to an act to commemorate the formal constitution of the Prince’s Foundation in Girona . As they were leaving the lift to take them down to ground level stopped halfway . Workers managed to half open the doors to pass water to those inside , and the Prince is reported to have joked that he and the Princess had no problem in staying there longer . The lift and its royal content was halted for some 20 minutes , and an investigation is underway .

Carrefour eliminates the plastic bag

The French owned Hypermarket chain is the first company to do so in Spain . Hypermarket chain Carrefour has decided to eliminate all plastic bags from their stores, and becomes the first large company to do so in Spain . The removal of the bags will be made gradually , and during the change over shoppers will be given a reusable raffia bag . It’s been estimated that a single shopper who uses a reusable bag, saves more than 18,000 throwaway bags over their life . In Spain the average use of plastic bags per resident is 238 a year . These bags take 400 years to decompose and only 10% of them are ever recycled . This was done in Ireland in the early 2000 and now Pay for 40 cent if want a plastic bag .

Government U turn on beach Chiringuito restaurants

The Ministry for the Environment has now said the restaurants can stay on the sand without disciplinary action taken against them . The Ministry for the Environment has completed an about turn and announced that Chiringuito beach bar restaurants are to be allowed to remain on the sand in Spain . Only those where a move is easily possible off the sand will do so , and then only if the owner is in agreement . It’s a new concession on the part of central Government who had announced plans to impose the 18 year old Ley de Costas , Coastal Law , which indicated that all the beach was public land and the restaurants should therefore move off it . But the General Secretary for the Sea , Juan Carlos Marín Fragueiro , who said three months ago the Ley de Costas would be strictly followed , has now said , speaking in Málaga , that Chiringuitos are ‘beach installations’ , and that ‘no disciplinary action will be taken’ . Despite the U turn the plans to look at the legality of each concession individually continues , as do plans for the Junta de Andalucía to take over responsibility for the coast in the region . That said it falls to the local Town Halls to ensure that the conditions linked to the Chiringuito concessions , on safety for example , are adhered to .

Barcelona sign Brazilian striker Keirrison

European champions Barcelona have signed young Brazilian striker Keirrison from Palmeiras , according to Catalan papers Sport and Mundo Deportivo on Saturday . The 20-year old forward’s full name is Keirrison de Souza Carneiro , and he will sign a five-year contract with Barca next week . It is not clear how much the Catalan giants will pay for him . However , Sport claims that Keirrison will probably be loaned out to another club for next season , possibly to Valencia as part of a deal which could see Valencia’s David Villa sign for Barca . In other Barca news , the club has announced that the contract of midfielder Yaya Toure has been extended to 2012 , with an increased salary .

British run over by taxi at Mallorca Airport , serious condition.

The 70 year old victim has not been named in reports . A 70 year old British woman has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Son Dureta Hospital in Palma de Mallorca , after being run over at Mallorca Airport . It happened in the departure zone of the airport , at around 9am on Friday , and El Mundo reports that although the exact circumstances are unclear , it does seem as if a taxi was implicated , according to local police . The woman , who has not been named in reports , was on her way back to Britain after a holiday , and suffered an open fracture to her left leg with severe bleeding . She remains in a very serious condition .

Spain unveils new rail hub Sol in downtown Madrid

Spain’s prime minister unveiled a major commuter train and subway hub in the heart of Madrid on Saturday . The six-year project at Sol square cost euro570 million and caused considerable disruption after archaeological remains from a long-forgotten 15th century church were unearthed , causing a 10-month delay .
The station , which adds two commuter lines to the three subway lines already in service , is now expected to handle about 70,000 passengers daily . It will be fully operational today Sunday and eventually link central Madrid with the main international airport . Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the project will help Madrid’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics . The ruins of the Buen Suceso church have been housed in a museum within the station , which boasts a 7,500 square meter entrance hall . A new rail tunnel will allow passengers to reach the mainline stations of Chamartin and Atocha   the hub of Spain’s AVE bullet train network directly from the Spanish capital’s most emblematic central square . Sol is known as “kilometer zero ,” the point from which geographical distances were measured when Spain governed a vast global empire . The connection between Barajas airport will begin operating in 2010 and is due to reduce travel time from Sol to 20 minutes from around an hour . 

Brit arrested in Jávea drug bust

A MAJOR anti-drug operation in Jávea has seen Guardia Civil and customs officers seize 800 kilos of hashish that was being carried onboard a motorboat crewed by a British and an Irish national From Dublin .  A police source said the boat had travelled from Morocco and the drug was concealed between the deck and the hull of the boat . He added that officers had to use cutting gear to gain access to the area where the hashish was hidden . In the lead-up to the find a Guardia Civil helicopter had pursued the boat into the Fontana Canal in Jávea after detecting it off the coast at around 21.00 on last Monday . Pursuing officers said it was driven at speed into the canal and the occupants ran off before officers could arrive on the scene . An initial search of the craft revealed nothing so divers were deployed to see if anything had been thrown overboard . Shortly after , the two men were arrested and along with the boat were transferred to Alicante .

All’s quiet in Salobreña

Playing music is banned , and police permission for a barbecue must be obtained a week in advance . The Town Hall in Salobreña is cracking down on noisy bathers with a new ordinance that bans music on the local beaches. Those who play a radio or a musical instrument while enjoying a day in the sun could find themselves fined between 300 and 3,000 Euros, It’s one of several measures aimed at making a trip to the shore a calm and restful experience , while at the same time guaranteeing the quality of the town’s beaches , the local beaches councillor said . Salobreña has chosen to follow the example of other towns on the Granada coast , by banning bathers from using beach umbrellas or towels to reserve their spot on the sand , and is restricting fishing in bathing areas to before 9am or after 10 o’clock at night . There’s bad news also for the fans of the summer seaside barbecue, which now needs permission from the local police . Planning ahead is vital , as you need to make your application a week in advance and pay a deposit of 60 Euros to cover cleanup costs if you fail to clear up after yourself .

Spaniard on death row believes forensic tests will prove his innocence

A COURT case of a Spaniard on death row in Miami has been delayed until July 13 . Pablo Ibar has been behind bars and facing execution since 2000 accused of a triple murder in 1994 . The prisoner , 36, who has a Spanish father and Cuban mother and is the nephew of former boxer José Manuel Ibar ‘Urtain’, was charged with the killing of nighclub owner Casimir Sucharsky and models Sharon Anderson and Marie Rogers .  But on March 19 this year , the case took an unexpected twist when the defence handed the judge a sworn and stamped declaration by a witness , claiming that 37-year-old William Ortiz had confessed to the crime . Ibar’s lawyer Benjamin Waxman called for a forensic comparison of DNA , fingerprints and hair samples of both Ibar and Ortiz . DNA was found on a blue shirt discovered in the house where the triple murder was committed , along with 33 unidentified fingerprints . Waxman is confident these tests   which were due to take place yesterday and have now been delayed a further two weeks will lead to his client’s sentence being annulled . Pablo Ibar says he has ‘been praying for this moment for 15 years’ ever since he was arrested .