SPAIN IN MOURNING AFTER EIGHTY DIE IN TRAIN DISASTER

Spain is in mourning after at least 80 people were killed in one of the country's worst ever rail disasters. The high speed train derialed close to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia on Wednesday night. At least 80 people were killed and almost two hundred injured in the disaster. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who is from Santiago, visited the scene and expressed his sorrow at the scale of the tragedy. Amubulance workers and firefighters suspended industrial action to help in the rescue efforts. Three days of official mourning have been declared in memory of the dead. Official investigations are focussing on the speed the train was travelling when the derailment occurred.

CASARES GETS READY FOR THE ANNUAL FAIR

Preparations are underway for the August fair in Casares. This year the theme of the fair will be the heritage of Casares and its people. the programme for the fair can be viewed on the Town Hall's Facebook site. The fair takes place from August 1st to 4th and the official programme this year incorporates historic photos of the town and its people and photos of previous fairs. The programme features a comprehensive list of all the activities taking place next week. Next Monday a special dinner for the elderly will be held, an event that all Casareños look forward to in advance of the 2013 fair.

THE BEACH FOR DOGS ON CASARES COSTA ATTRACTS NATIONAL ATTENTION

The beach for dogs on Casares Costa has attracted national media attention this year. So far the special beach whici is set aside for dogs and their owners, has been the subject of coverage by several newspapers in Malaga province, Seville radio and a European news agency. The council believes that the initiative first taken by Casares last summer will be extended throughout the province. Casares was the first local authority to bring in a special beach for dogs and it rusn this year from June 1st to September 30th. The councillor for beaches Juan Jesus Rodriguez said that so far the dog beach has been a great success. There have been expressions of interest from Fuengirola and the Canary Islands. The dog beach is next to the Torre de la Sal close to La Perla.

THE TOUR OF SPAIN WILL PASS THROUGH CASARES NEXT MONTH

The Tour of Spain cycling event will pass through Casares during its eighth stage on August 31st.  The stage will start at Jimena de la Frontera and pass through Cortes and Gaucin before finishing at the top of Penas Blancas in Estepona, a distance of 170 kilometres. The town council believes that the Tour offers great opportunites for tourism in Casares, and will showcase the white villages and the coast. It will also promote lodging and catering facilities for visitors following the tour. 

And now some news in brief:

The nuclear powered submarine "Tireless" left Gibraltar last week after a week long visit to the Rock which was part of its schedule. Anti nuclear and Green activists condemned the visit of a nuclear powered vessel to the area.