Spain: Striking miners scuffle with police Miners have clashed with police in Spain's northwestern province of Asturias, as workers continue a strike against austerity measures. Home-made rockets were fired at the authorities, as the protest turned violent at the Pozo Soton mine in the village of El Entrego, near Oviedo. Protesters also blocked the streets surrounding the mine and scuffled with the national guard. Around 8,000 coal workers have downed tools for over two weeks in protest at government cuts meant to reduce Spain's budget deficit. Plans to cut coal subsidies by 63 percent would lead to thousands of job losses in the sector. Unions are calling for negotiations and fear the cuts will strike a deadly blow to their industry, which has been important in two of Spain's northern regions since Roman times. More about: Austerity, Clashes and riots, Mining, Protest, Spain, Strike