The first shock of the new season as Barcelona went down 0-2 to newly promoted Hércules, Paraguayan Neson Valdez grabbing a goal in each half. A spirited performance by Hércules who probably should have won by a greater margin.
Argentina 4-1 Spain
A classy performance by Argentina saw them beat World Cup winners Spain 4-1, extending their unbeaten run in Buenos Aires to 40 matches.
ETA ceasefire announcement viewed as ‘insufficient’
The Minister of Development and Deputy Secretary General of PSOE, José Blanco, has been the first member of the Government to comment on the ETA ceasefire announcement, saying that there was ‘nothing positive’ in the statement.
Increase in unemployment
Registered unemployment in Spain rose by 1.5% in August to 3,969,661. This follows four consecutive months of decline in the number out of work. Unemployment in Andalucia also rose by 1.5% to stand at 877,011.
Lowest summer death toll since 1962
The death toll on Spanish roads during the summer period, July 1st to August 31st, was 364, the lowest figure since 1962 and 4.21% down on 2009.
Minimum age for driving motos changes on Wednesday
As from Wednesday September 1st 2010, the minimum age for driving a class AM motorcycle (up to 50cc) rises from 14 years to 15 years.
Police break up male prostitution network
For the first time in Spain, police have broken up a network involved in the sexual exploitation of men brought in from Brazil for the purpose of prostitution.
Tragic weekend on the roads
Operation Return, marking the end of the holidays, started on Friday and, as of Monday morning, twenty-five people have lost their lives in twenty-three fatal traffic accidents on the roads in Spain. This is fourteen more than during the same period last year.
Quiet start to ‘puente’ weekend
A peaceful start to the ‘puente’ weekend on the roads of Spain with no fatal accidents reported during the first five hours. In 2009, August 15th was the worst day of the year for fatal accidents with 18 people losing their lives on the roads.
The threatened strike
Last minute holiday bookings, both flights and hotels, were widely anticipated as going some way towards to salvaging the recession hit tourist industry, but the threatened strike by Spanish air traffic controllers has already resulted in cancellations, some potential visitors choosing an alternative destination.