To Our Readers
Spaniards leading a national surge in global business and politics, culture and the arts. As the country prepares for a pivotal election, TIME examines its striking creative burst
The top woman in the El País poll of most popular sportspeople was cyclist Joane Somarriba (pictured right). She has now pedaled to three Tour de France victories, two Giros d’Italia and a World Championship gold.
Look out for another Spanish pedaling star in this year’s men’s Tour. American Lance Armstrong aims to make history by winning his sixth race, but one man who deserves some credit for his five so far, his U.S. Postal teammate Roberto Heras, will be riding for a new team, Liberty Seguros. Don’t be surprised if Heras or one of two others, Joseba Beloki and Alejandro Valverde, prove to be the Spaniards in Armstrong’s works.
Also on two wheels, Dani Pedrosa, 18, became world 125-cc motorbike champion despite breaking both ankles in one race, and in January fellow Catalan Joan Roma won the bike section of the Dakar Rally.
Divide And Conquer [Mar. 1, 2004]
Basque terrorist group ETA throws a "message bomb" into the Spanish general-election campaign
Death Coast [Dec 2, 2002]
After an aging tanker sins off Spain, a vast slick of fuel oil destroys beaches, wildlife and fishermen's dreams. Could this disaster have been prevented?
They Came To Reign in Spain [Sep. 27, 2002]
You wait for a major sporting competition to come along, and three show up at the same time.
A Meeting Of Minds [Jul. 15, 2002]
European Union leaders meet in Seville to look for common ground on everything
Gaudí Mania [Apr. 26, 2002]
The work of controversial architect Antoni Gaudí is getting a fresh look as Spain marks the 150th anniversary of his birth
Bust In Madrid [Dec. 21, 2001]
A well-established al-Qaeda cell may have been directly involved in planning the U.S. terrorist attacks
Madrid: Living la Vida Loca [Nov. 12, 2001]
Madrileos like it late, loud and lively in their multitude of bars and restaurants
Mogadishu at 60 Miles an Hour Arms merchants are once again doing brisk business after a rapid change of power in this tough town, but so far the peace has held
The Year of The Nuke A rundown of the world's nuclear powerhouses, and what to expect in the coming months
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