Spain beat S. Africa 4-2 in Hockey World Cup
In the opening match of the Hockey World Cup that begun on Sunday, Olympic silver medalist Spain beat the South African team by 4-2 under tight security.
After the slow start, the Spanish team recovered and then won the match.
South Africa, ranked 13th, shocked the Spanish defence twice in the first half and went 2-2 equal, but the third-ranked Spain asserted its supremacy afterward.
Moreover, Julian Hykes scored the first goal for South Africa in the 16th minute, dribbling into the striking circle before beating goalkeeper Francisco Cortes with a flick into the cage.
Eurozone jobless rate steady at 9.9% in Jan 2010
According to the official figures, the jobless rate in the 16 countries that use the euro held steady at 9.9% in the month of January for the third successive month.
In the first estimation for January, the EU's statistics office told media that almost 15.7 million people were unemployed in the eurozone, an increase of 136,000 as compared to the same period in previous year.
On the yearly basis, unemployment has increased by 2.2 million in the eurozone.
Telefonica announces its 4Q result
Telefonica TEF had announced last year's results that were normally in line with the company's estimations, and the company won't be changing its fair value estimate.
The report showed fall of 2.1 percent year over year against their expectation of a decline of 1.7 percent.
Excluding negative currency movements, profit would have been raised by 0.2 percent.
In spite of the weak economy, the company raised its subscribers 5.1 percent to 265 million accesses.
Spanish manufacturing declines in Feb 2010
According to the data revealed by the Markit's Purchasing Manager's Index, the rate of the downturn in Spanish manufacturing area eased to its slowest rate since January 2008 in Feb 2010 as exports helped increase new orders.
The country's financial system was fighting with recession during the last quarter of 2009 as many of its European neighbours' economic systems returned to growth.
Spain to provide fishing training ship to RI
Transportation minister Freddy Numberi and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries minister Fadel Muhammad will receive fishing training ship "Medidihang-03" from Spain`s Asturias Gondan Shipyard in the coming days.
According to sources, both the ministers will receive the ship when they will start their Spain tour starting from February 21-23.
Motorola all set to launch Milestone in Spain by March end
Motorola Company has recently announced that is will launch Motorola Milestone in Spain at the end of March this year.
The announcement was made by the company in the Mobile World Congress in Spain. Moreover, the device will be available SIM-free starting from the end of March 2010, which means that they still have to look for a carrier partner.
In the meantime, no further information was provided by the company about the cost of the new device.
PM Erdogan to join 2nd Turkey-Spain summit
The second Turkey-Spain inter-government summit is all set to take place in the Spanish capital of Madrid.
According to the officials, summit is going to be a gesture by the present EU term president Spain as the nation will actally host summits with other nations in late June.
Moreover, Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan will take part in the Madrid summit along with 10 other ministers.
In the meantime, both Turkey and Spain will ink two cooperation deals on health and diplomacy.
Spain all set to increase Steel costs
With rising demand for stainless steel a continued intensity of commodities stainless steel costs look ready to go up in the European markets.
According to some reports, Nickel close to the $20,000 per tonne mark and Molybdenum costs showing increases the numbers declared last week by the leading European mills it would be shocked if the prices are not increased.
In the mean time, there are rumors coming from the leading mills that base increases are likely to hike for new deliveries from the month of April and declaration could be made as soon as the 1st of March.
Peugeot Citroen recalls 2,000 cars in Spain
Peugeot Citroen in Spain recalled more than 2,000 cars accelerator pedal. According to sources, the recall is quite similar to that noticed by Toyota for eight models of its brand including the Aygo city.
The models include Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1, which is said to have some problem with its accelerator pedal. Moreover, the company has also announced that it will do a free update.
Spain car sales increase 18% in Jan 2010
According to the statement issued by the car makers’ association ANFAC, the country’s car sales for the month of January increased by 18.1% as compared to the same period of 2009, but will decrease in the second half of this year as Spanish government subsidies fade away.
Moreover, the hike in car sales comes after a rise of 25.1% in the month of December and 37.3% in the month of November. Car sales decreased 17.9% in last year to 952,772 vehicles.
Anti-smoking Ban law under fire in Spain
While talking to reporters, the Minister of Health and Social Policy, Trinidad Jimenez announced that the government would not lift the tobacco ban in the country as some leader of the Popular Party proposed.
Moreover, the minister told media that his department is working to study the consequences of using tobacco, resulting around 55,000 deaths every year and between 1,500 and 3,000 indirectly and to secure the health of others, with a smoke-free environment.
Spain to organize meetings and incentive travel market
According to sources, the 14th edition of MITM Euromed, Meeting and Incentive Travel Market, is all set to take place in the Spain’s Costa Brava resort city of Lloret de Mar.
The meeting is scheduled to be held from June9-11 this year.
Moreover, MITM will be sponsored by Lloret de Mar-Costa Brava, Olympic Congress Center, as well as Evenis Hotels, while it will take place at the award winning “Olympic Congress Center.”
Banesto 4Q net profit plunged 95%
Banco Espanol de Credito (Banesto), said that it has recorded 95 per cent fall in its net profit for fourth quarter previous fiscal.
Banesto, Spain's fourth-biggest bank by market capitalization and managed by global giant Banco Santander, posted a net profit of only EUR6.2 million in the last three months of 2009, which is nowhere near to the net profit of EUR126 million in 2008. However, analysts had estimated EUR12.5 million net profits.
Spanish expert believes property rates to come down
According to latest data revealed by Property-Abroad. com, Spain has gained popularity among the potential property. It has become the second most seek out destination for property investment.
Spain’s holiday villas have succeeded in attracting the attention of property buyers.
In its report Spanish property website, Kyero. com said that there was a 63 per cent rise in the number of unique visitors to website for the very first week of 2010 in contrast to same period last year.
Repsol’s Board meeting on Jan 15 to vote on Brufau
Spanish oil company Repsol YPE SA has announced that it will hold a board meeting on January 15 to vote to confirm its confidence in Chairman Antonio Brufau.
While filling to the Spanish market regulator, the company has revealed that it will vote on the degree of success if it’s strategic plan.
Earlier this week, some of the Spanish news channels reported that the company’s leading shareholder, Sacyr-Vallehermoso SA, has in past weeks been looking for a replacement for Brufau.
Highly indebted Sacyr in current months has been at odds with Brufau over the allocation of funds.
Santander launches JV with CCB
Santander Bank is looking forward to sign up a joint venture with China Construction Bank (CCB).
The Santander Bank, which is the largest bank in the eurozone, has refused to give any statement, however, some sources told reporters that the joint venture will focus on rural banking and car financing as well.
According to some national media, “The joint financial holding company will likely have an initial capital of US$439 million, rising to US$732 million in three years.”
Spain rushes 40 disaster relief experts to Haiti
According to the recent news by Spanish national radio, the country is sending 40 disaster relief experts to Haiti to find out the thousands missing in the rubble of buildings that collapsed in the huge earthquake.
Moreover, it said that the plane will leave overnight from military base outside Madrid for Port-au-Prince carrying 40 police, firefighters as well as members of the emergency services along with trained dogs.
They all will be followed by Secretary of State for Latin America Juan Pablo de Laiglesia and foreign ministry officials.
Schumacher keeps on GP2 run in Spain
Formula One star Michael Schumacher spent a second day behind the wheel of the GP2 Series “development” car at Spain's Jerez circuit but bad weather intervened once again.
The track was wet at the beginning and at the end of the day. Schumacher finished 78 laps and 53 of which were on slick tires. However, it was below the mileage than he expected as he worked hard to get back in the groove and give his neck--injured in a motorcycle racing crash almost one year ago--a good test.
Barcelona plans to bid for 2022 Winter Olympics
Spain's second-largest city, Barcelona has decided to bid for hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Mr. Jordi Hereu, Mayor of Barcelona, during a press conference at the city's Olympic museum, announced that the city of Barcelona wants to live the Olympic dream again and it has a great experience of hosting the Games.
The city had successfully hosted the 1992 Summer Games and if it succeeds in its bidding, then it will become the first city to host both the summer and the winter Olympics.
Spain records 8.7 per cent decline in foreign tourists in 2009
Spain's tourism department reported an 8.7 per cent decline in number of foreign tourists during 2009. It is the second consecutive year for which less number of foreign tourists has been recorded. In 2008, a 2.3 per cent drop in tourism was noticed, which was the first negative growth over a decade.
In 2009, only 52.5 million foreign tourists visited Spain as compared to 57.4 million in 2008, due to which Spain has slipped down from its number two spot in the list of most visited country.