Spain

21 August 2008 -- Authorities are investigating what caused a Spanish passenger jet to crash on takeoff from a Madrid airport, killing 153 people in the country's worst air disaster in more than two decades.

The Spanair plane was carrying 172 people, including the crew, when it veered off the runway during takeoff Wednesday, broke into pieces and burst into flames.

Spain's Development Minister Magdalena Alvarez said most of the 19 people who survived the accident were injured.

It was not immediately clear what went wrong, but investigators ruled out foul play. Alvarez said the plane's two black box (flight data) recorders were recovered, and that they should help determine what caused the crash.

The plane was bound for the Canary Islands.

Source: VOA News

Disney Channel Spain Set to Help Drive DTT Platform

London and Madrid, May 28, 2008 -- In a global first, Disney Channel Spain will launch on free Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) on Tuesday, 1 July, 2008, with the ability to reach all television viewers in Spain. The most popular kid’s channel in the country, Disney Channel debuted on pay cable in 1998 and will now launch on DTT as an ad-supported channel. It is expected to be a key driver of the adoption of Spain’s DTT platform, which will replace analogue terrestrial television and become the standard in 2010, reaching all Spanish homes. The announcement was made today at a presentation to advertisers and media in Madrid.    » read more »

Mar 18, 2008 -- ROTA, Spain — Sailors aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville (LPD 13) visited the port here March 3-6, while transiting through the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR).

The Sailors enjoyed three days of liberty in the city, and also took the time to help the local community and improve international relations.

Amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville: Department of Defense official file photo of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville (LPD 13).    » read more »

14 February 2008 -- Iron Maiden’s year has got off to a roaring start with the February 4th release of the band’s long-awaited DVD Live After Death smashing straight into the UK music DVD charts at Number One not only outpacing its nearest competitor by three to one, but outselling the rest of the Top 6 combined!    » read more »

February 8, 2008 -- Disney Channel rolled out its newest animated series, “Phineas and Ferb”, in groundbreaking fashion on Friday, February 1, 2008, with the series debuting worldwide on the same day in 150 international markets -- and its continued rollout over ten days with original episodes representing a first in television history.    » read more »

29 January 2008 -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today held a productive meeting with a number of EU Sports Ministers and their representatives at its headquarters in Lausanne. Aimed at fostering stronger dialogue between the governments and the Olympic Movement, this first gathering was a concrete step towards closer collaboration now that sport is mentioned in the EU Treaty - agreed upon by heads of states in Lisbon in October last year.    » read more »

13 December 2007 -- A Spanish court has rejected a bid to have Cuban leader Fidel Castro charged in the deaths of nine prisoners in Cuba during the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion.

The court in Madrid ruled Thursday that Mr. Castro is the Cuban head of state and, therefore, immune from prosecution in Spain.

A Miami-based group called the Committee to Aid Dissidents-2506 filed the lawsuit. Spain allows the prosecution of crimes against humanity even if the alleged offenses occurred outside Spanish territory.    » read more »