Basque separatists declare ceasefire

And now for some important international content from Spain. The BBC reports: "The Basque separatist group Eta has declared a permanent ceasefire. Eta is blamed for killing more than 800 people in its four-decade fight for independence for the Basque region of northern Spain and south-west France. In a statement released to Basque media, the group said its objective now was 'to promote a democratic process in the Basque country'."

You can find more on Eta here. You can find its ceasefire declaration here. You can find some Spanish and international reaction here.

And you can find an update, with reaction from Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero, here. Zapatero is right: The road to peace will surely be "long and difficult". But at least there is now the prospect of a peaceful resolution to this situation.

Let's hope Eta is sincere. And let's hope the peace process begins in earnest.