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  • Spain sees less than 400 virus deaths 2nd day in row

    Spain sees less than 400 virus deaths 2nd day in row

    In total, 223,759 have tested positive for coronavirus, while more than 22,900 people died so far.

    Spain registered another 378 deaths on Saturday, bringing the country’s total death toll to 22,902, according to the Spanish Health Ministry.

    Saturday marked the second day in a row that the country reported less than 400 daily COVID-19 deaths — something which has not happened since mid-March.

    It is also the second consecutive day that the country has registered more recoveries — 3,353 — than new active infections — 2,944.

    In total, 223,759 people contracted the disease and more than 95,700 people have recovered.

    Trends observed over the recent days and weeks indicate that Spain has overcome the peak of this first coronavirus wave. The question now is how to ease measures responsibly.

    Spain’s lockdown is set to continue through May 9, but today is the last day that many children will be confined to their homes.

    Since March 14, children have had virtually no excuse to go outside. While adults are forbidden from exercising outdoors, they have been allowed to go to supermarkets, pharmacies or essential jobs since the beginning of the lockdown.

    On the advice of child care experts and after the pleas of frustrated children and parents, the government decided that people under 14 years of age will be able to go outside for an hour each day beginning on Sunday.

    “Controlled outings for the young population could bring benefits associated with a healthy lifestyle… like improving sleep quality, vitamin D synthesis and improved social and familiar wellbeing,” said a government statement on Saturday.

    Today, the Spanish government officially decreed the new rules. Children will only be allowed to venture a maximum of one kilometer from home at 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. local time, and under the supervision of an adult at all times.

    Playgrounds will remain off-limits, and children must maintain social distance with any third parties. Children in quarantine or with COVID-19 symptoms must stay home.

    After May 9, the de-escalation will be “slow” and “gradual,” according to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The easing of measures is also expected to vary by geographic area – Madrid, one of the worst-hit regions, may have to wait longer than rural areas or regions with fewer cases.

    After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 185 countries and regions. Europe and the U.S. are currently the worst-hit regions.

    The pandemic has killed over 197,500 people, with total infections exceeding 2.82 million, while more than 796,300 have recovered, according to figures compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

  • Former Real Madrid President Sanz dies from COVID-19

    Former Real Madrid President Sanz dies from COVID-19

    Lorenzo Sanz, a former president of top football club Real Madrid, has died from coronavirus.

    According to Spanish media, Sanz, 76, had been in intensive care.

    Sanz, Real Madrid’s president from 1995 to 2000, had also suffered from renal disorder and diabetes.
    Real Madrid conveyed condolences to his family and friends in a statement on their official website.

    “Real Madrid C. F., the club president and Board of Directors all wish to express the deepest regret at the passing of Lorenzo Sanz, who was club president of Real Madrid from 1995 to 2000.

    “The club wishes to convey its condolences to his wife Mari Luz, his children, Lorenzo, Francisco, Fernando, María Luz (Malula) and Diana, as well as his family and friends. Our condolences are shared by all madridistas,” said the statement.

    It is also touted the club’s success under his leadership:

    “During the presidency of Lorenzo Sanz, Real Madrid continued to add to its history and legendary status. He was president of the club when, after 32 years, the club won its much awaited seventh European Cup, in Amsterdam in 1998.

    “With Lorenzo Sanz as president of Real Madrid, the club won two European Cups and an Intercontinental Cup, a league title, a Spanish Super Cup, a basketball league title and the Saporta Cup.

    “Today, all of madridismo is in mourning following the passing of the president who dedicated a huge part of his life to his great passion: Real Madrid.

    “Given the current circumstances, Real Madrid will give him the recognition he deserves as soon as possible.”

  • Socialists win Spanish elections without majority

    Socialists win Spanish elections without majority

    Spain’s incumbent Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez won the parliamentary elections Sunday without securing a majority to form a government.

    With 99% of the ballots counted, unofficial results show the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) won 123 seats in the 350-seat parliament while their former coalition partner, far-left Unidas Podemos, won 42 seats.

    This time, Sanchez would have sought support from other parties to form a government as the total seats of PSOE and Podemos still 11 seats short to reach the necessary 176 for a majority.

    In his victory speech, Sanchez said: “We have sent a clear message to Europe and the world – that you can beat authoritarianism and involution.”

    Far-right party Vox won 24 seats receiving over 10% of the votes. This is the first time a far-right party entered the parliament since the military rule ended in the mid-1970s.

    Spain’s traditional party on the right, the Popular Party registered historically low results, with representation in the parliament dropped to 66.

    Sanchez will likely start negotiations with both Podemos and regional parties from the Basque Country, Valencia, the Canary Islands, Catalonia, Navarra and Cantabria, whose support would all be needed to form a government.

    Alternatively, Sanchez could enter into discussions with separatist parties from Catalonia, which won over 20 seats, but those negotiations could be trickier for Sanchez and unpopular with his base.

    The Socialist leader could also form a simpler coalition with the center-right party Ciudadanos, which saw spectacular gains in Sunday’s vote, winning 57 seats.

    However, Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera repeatedly stated during the election campaign that his party wouldn’t align with the Socialists due to their relatively softer stance on Catalan separatism.

    Likewise, during Sanchez’s victory speech his supporters chanted “not with Rivera.”

    If Sanchez’s negotiations are unsuccessful, the political fragmentation could send Spaniards back to the national polls for the fourth time since 2015.

    Voter turnout reached nearly 76% according to Spain’s Interior Ministry, nine percentage points higher than in 2016.

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  • Spanish Airline cancels flights due to strike

    The Spanish airline Iberia canceled hundreds of flights due to strike.

    The Spanish airline Iberia canceled more than 400 flights for the first three days of a pilots” strike that will begin on Monday, in opposition to the creation of a low-cost subsidiary.

    On April 9, the largest airline in the country suspended 156 airways, including national, European and international travels, the media reported on Wednesday.

    As a result of the strike, which will be held every Monday and Friday until July 20, 122 routes will be affected on Friday 13 and another 128 on Monday 16.

    According to the Spanish Airline Pilots’ Union (SEPLA), the protesters, who had previously held 12 demonstrations between December and February, announced last week their new calendar of protests, which includes some thirty dates.

    The SEPLA opposes the creation of Iberia Express, a low-cost subsidiary that began flying on short- and medium-range routes on March 25.

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  • Real Madrid thrashed Villarreal / Video

    Real Madrid thrashed Villarreal / Video

    In spanish League, Cristiano Ronaldo fires hat trick as Real Madrid thrash Villarreal. A hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka’s first goal of the season saw Real Madrid crush Villarreal 4-2 at the Bernabeu on Sunday evening to remain two points behind leaders Barcelona in the Spanish Primera Division.

    Villarreal twice went ahead, first through Cani and then through Marco Ruben, but on both occasions Ronaldo equalised, and after putting los Blancos 3-2 up with a clinical finish on the turn created the chance for Kaka to score on his comeback match at the Bernabeu to round up what was a thoroughly entertaining game of football.

    Watch the video below:

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  • Helping hand from China to Spain

    Helping hand from China to Spain

    China’s Vice Premier Li Keqiang has said his country is willing to buy about 6 billion euros ($7.9 billion) of Spanish public debt, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on Thursday, citing government sources.

    The sources told El Pais Li had said at a meeting that China is willing to buy as much Spanish public debt as Greek and Portuguese debt combined. They said that added up to about 6 billion euros in Spanish government bonds.

    Li leaves Madrid today, where he has been on a three-day visit, before visiting the United Kingdom and Germany. The report echo remarks by Li earlier this week, although the report is the first to give a figure.

    “China is a responsible, long-term investor in the European financial market and particularly in Spain, and we have confidence in the Spanish financial market, which has meant the acquisition of its public debt, something which we will continue to do in the future,” Li wrote in an editorial in El Pais on Monday.

    Spain has come under increasing pressure from international debt markets on concerns it may be forced to follow Greece and Ireland and seek an EU or International Monetary Fund bailout, but while bond yields have risen, demand for Spanish debt remains solid.

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  • Spain World Champions after winning Holland 1-0 World Cup Final

    Spain have been crowned Champions of the World after an Andrés Iniesta goal in the 117th minute which secured the European country a first World Cup championship in their history.

    Spain captain Iker Casillas receiving the World Cup.

    The game started off with considerable amount of fouls and within 30th minutes, five yellow cards were handed out by British referee, Howard Webb.

    However both sides mist some glorious chances and some outright shocking with the game in the middle till the dying moments.

    Spain who started the tournament on a low after losing their opening group game against Switzerland only managed to concede two goals in the entire competition and both came in the group stage matches.

    So it was no surprise that the Dutch had found it very difficult to exploit the Spanish defense with Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol making the backbone of the team.

    Though Spain was very strong at the back, Holland’s Arjen Robben did miss a spectacular chance when he sprinted past the defense but was ultimately put off by Puyol.

    The game in the second half continued like the first with yellow cards being handed to both teams for uncontrolled and sometimes controlled fouls.

    But I am sure that Howard Webb must have fallen under the pressure of the players after making several mistakes especially towards the end of the game and in extra time after the 90 minutes finished 0-0.

    Things got worse for Webb after a foul on Iniesta in the added extra time in the penalty area was not given and a blatent corner kick was not awarded to the Dutch.

    Things started to look brighter for the Spanish after Johnny Heitinga received a second yellow for pulling Iniesta and was sent off on the 109th minute.

    Spanish pressure increased after this moment and were finally rewarded on the 117th minute after a Torres cross was deflected to Arsenal’s Cesc Fàbregas who passed it to Iniesta who smashed the ball to the back of the net.

    Though the goal looked to be offside, replays showed that the linesman was right on target and had made the correct decision.

    Torres who came on as a sub was stretched off during the 119th or so minute after running to the ball and suddenly limping in what seemed to be a reoccurring injury.

    When the final whistle blew, it was tears all around, the Spanish team notably Real Madrids Iker Casillas was literally crying like a child while several other Spanish players including Iniesta were crying with joy.

    Iker Casillas was criticized for his performance against Switzerland after his TV presenter girlfriend had been seen very close to the goal line where the Spanish keeper was protesting goal line, so it must have been a huge relief for the player after conceding such little amount of goals and making some important saves against Holland.

    In the other hand, the Dutch player, particularly Wesley Sneijder with tears falling from his eyers in disappointment.

    It was a sight which anyone who saw would show a reaction unless you have a wooden heart or if you’re Spanish.

    Write your comments and thoughts below.

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  • British Airways flies as its board considers Iberia merger

    British Airways British Airways’ shares are soaring – up 7% at the moment – as the airline confirmed its board is meeting today to consider a merger with Spain’s Iberia.

    At the same time Iberia is holding a separate meeting, prompting speculation that a deal is imminent after months of negotiation. BA pointed out that “no decisions have been taken” and that “there can be no guarantee that a transaction will be forthcoming.”

    However that has not stopped investors pushing up BA’s shares 13.4p to 213.4p, making it the biggest riser in the FTSE 100.

    Spanish reports suggest that Iberia has approved the merger, and agreed it will hold 45% of the merged company, with BA having 55%.

    Analysts have long said that a merger – and a link up with American Airlines if anti-trust issues are overcome – is the best way forward for BA as it tries to emerge from the current turmoil surrounding the airline industry.