Euro Weekly News - Costa de Almeria 9 - 15 January 2014 Issue 1488

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ISSUE NO. 1488

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Flash mob SHOPPERS in the Mediterranean Centre in Almeria City were treated to an impromptu concert when members of the FAMA orchestra formed a ‘flash mob’ to perform Ravel’s Bolero.

Fewer jobless ALMERIA PROVINCE finished the year with 3,359 fewer people out of work compared to 2012, a fall of 4.25 per cent.

Pay out THE Superior Tribunal of Justice in Andalucia has ordered Vicar Town Hall to pay €11,432.47 in compensation to a driver who suffered an accident when a tree fell on his car in the town, in 2006.

9 - 15 JANUARY 2014

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Narrow escape from UK Christmas floods

Mojacar mum and daughter plucked from roof of car By Stephen Lear A PERFECT mini Christmas break in the UK almost turned into disaster for Mojacar resident Inge Brown and her daughter Lara. When Inge and nine-year-old Lara caught their taxi to Gatwick Airport in the early hours of Christmas Eve for their flight home to Mojacar, little did they know they were going to experience the scariest moments of their lives. Heavy, persistent rain over a prolonged period and strong winds had led to flood warnings in the area as the pair left their hotel at 4.30am for their early morning flight. As Inge relates: “Ten minutes into

the journey, we passed over a small bridge at Brockham. Almost over the bridge, the car suddenly stopped and

could not be started again. Without warning and in a matter of seconds the water rose to such a height that it lifted the taxi up and swept it off the road. “Luckily, the vehicle got stuck on a fence and the and did so with quite an driver tried frantically to advantage as it was not call the police and until 6.27am at the emergency services.” Poniente Hospital when Inge added: “When the Marcos was born. water started to fill up the The first baby born in car, the driver decided it Spain was a boy, just one was time to get out and second after midnight in attempted to smash the the Joan XXIII hospital in window (all electronics Tarragona. His parents were down) but without have decided to call him success. Tanai. Turn to Page 10

Twins win New Year ‘race’ THE hospital in Torrecadenas was the first in Almeria Province

to welcome the birth of a baby in 2014. It was at 2.24am when Lucia came into the world, the first of twins born by Caesarean Section, followed just a minute later by her sister, Ana. The twins won the ‘traditional race’ to be the first born in the province

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THIS WEEK IN

EWN News 1 - 18

Finance 19 - 24

Letters BUNCH OF PIRATES: CD Almanzora win the fancy dress prize.

Fancy road race fun for pirates...

THE 26th San Silvestre road race in Huercal-Overa proved to be a great success with more than 150 runners taking part. Added to that figure were the dozens of youngsters who took part in the junior races. A high number of runners took part in fancy dress and prizes were awarded to the group from CD Almanzora with the prize for the most original costume going to a group of ballet dancers. The main event featured a non-

competitive race of 3.1 kilometres, and a nine kilometre race which is a key part of the festive sporting calendar and attracted runners from across the province. Mayor, Domingo Fernandez, noted the high turnout of athletes who decided to run in fancy dress, adding colour to the day. “The mood among the public has been one of encouragement to all of the runners. The residents have not wanted to miss being able to enjoy this race which is now a tradition amongst our people,” he said.

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Leapy Lee 26

Daily TV 34 - 35

Time out 36 - 37

Classifieds 49 - 50

Sport 56

NEWS Hospital treat UD ALMERIA footballers paid a visit to Torrecardenas Hospital in the city to hand out toys and gifts on the children’s ward. Christmas stay A TOTAL of 226 juvenile offenders spent the Christmas holidays in Almeria detention centres fulfilling sentences for their rehabilitation and reintegration, according to data provided by the Ministry of Justice and Interior.

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A welcome in the valley THE Three Kings paid their annual visit to the Almanzora Valley. On Friday they began their journey in Oria, visiting the children’s nursery to hand over gifts. On Saturday they popped in to the Rambla and Cerricos districts of Oria, while on Sunday they passed through the streets of the town. In Cantoria the Kings passed

through the streets dressed in their traditional costumes, throwing sweets to hundreds of children. In Olula del Rio several floats departed from the town hall before delivering gifts to the children who had behaved well throughout the year. In Macael the Three Kings set off from the Carmen district of the

town, making their way to the municipal theatre to hand out toys. The main streets of Fines saw the passage of six floats finishing at the social hall where Their Majesties gave gifts to the children. Tijola, Albox, Arboleas and Zurgena were other towns where the Three Kings provided a festive atmosphere for young and old alike.

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watch

Festive run in El Ejido

MORE than 700 runners took part in the 26th San Silvestre run in El Ejido, with 500 of them undertaking the 10kilometre race.

New club AROUND 500 athletes have formed a new triathlon and running club ‘Ego run in’ in Almeria City.

Battery charge A 32-YEAR-OLD man from Viator has been arrested by Guardia Civil agents for the alleged theft of 28 batteries from lorries parked on an industrial estate in the town.

Not so cool A MAN, 29, from El Ejido was arrested by police after he was found pushing a shopping trolley loaded with 25 kilos of cucumbers which he had allegedly stolen from a nearby greenhouse.

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THE winners for best shop window displays for Christmas in Huercal Overa have been awarded their prizes. First prize went to 7 Colores, most innovative was Lola’s C.B. Special Jury prize was won by Boutique Yarik and the most popular prize was won by Zapateria Garygar.

Cycle signing PULPI cycling team Bicilocura Primaflor Espabrok have signed two-time Junior Champion of Spain, Antonio Santos Ridao. He will participate in the under-23 category for 2014.

Blood banked A TOTAL of 145 people gave blood at the health bentre in Vicar over Christmas.

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Window winners

Gymnastics display THE sports centre in El Ejido was the scene for a Christmas display of rhythmic gymnastics, with 27 groups and 280 children between the ages of five and 16 taking part.

Hans is here UD ALMERIA have signed 27year-old Chilean International centre half Hans Martinez from Universidad Catolica de Chile football club.

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Online encyclopaedia is 13 on Wednesday.

Happy anniversary to Wikipedia

S

EEKERS of knowledge are celebrating the 13th anniversary of Wikipedia. The free internet encyclopaedia, supported by the Wikimedia Foundation, was launched on January 15, 2001, by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. The name comes from ‘Wiki’ (a type of collaborative website/the Hawaiian word wiki, meaning ‘quick’) and encyclopaedia, and it has become the web’s largest and most popular work of general reference, with an estimated 365 million readers. Volunteers worldwide write Wikipedia’s 30 million articles in 287 languages. The English Wikipedia alone has more than 4.4 million articles.

Quote of the Week We respect the legal decisions’ The Royal Household, after learning that Judge Castro, who is handling the Noos corruption case, has decided to charge the Infanta Cristina with tax fraud and money laundering. She will be called to testify on March 8.

Wikipedia’s departure from the traditional style of encyclopaedia creation by experts has received extensive attention in the media. It has also become a news source because of how quickly articles are updated. However, its open nature has led to concerns about the content, as anyone who can access the site can edit almost any of its articles, meaning it can fall victim to pranks, vandalism and inaccuracies. However, a 2005 investigation in Nature showed that science articles came close to the level of accuracy of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. The Spanish Wikipedia was launched in May 2001 and has 1,067,597 articles. It is the eighth largest Wikipedia for the number of articles and the third most popular Wikipedia for the number of page views.

Number of the week

81

per cent of Spaniards and 69 per cent of Britons admit that they have stolen items from hotels, according to a study by Jetcost. Meanwhile, 88 per cent of Danes claim that they have never stolen anything from a hotel.

Cleaning up SERVAL ALMANZORA has been awarded the cleaning contract for Miguel Zubielda college, the sports hall, gymnasium and nursery in Seron at a cost of €43,560.

More parking PLAYA SERENA in Roquetas de Mar has a new parking area with capacity for 40 cars.

Laying down ALMERIA Guitarist Niño Josele has provided three tracks of music for the movie ‘Pensé que iba a haber fiesta’ which opens in Spanish cinemas on January 10.

And finally... SPAIN’S first baby of the year 2014 is a boy called Tanai, born at the Joan XXIII University Hospital in Tarragona, who came into the world just after clocks struck midnight, the Catalan Regional Health Service announced on their Twitter account.

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Motorway announcement is greeted with optimism THE European Commission has classified work on the Almanzora motorway as a ‘Grand Project’. Confirmation of funding to complete the infrastructure has been greeted with optimism by different social and political groups in the north of the province. News that will serve at least to close 2013 with a little more optimism in a region being particularly hard hit by the economic crisis and unemployment. In the words of the Delegate for Development in Almeria, Encarna Caparros: “It is especially important news because of the demand in the area and because it is also the

Almanzora Motorway: Work to start soon. desire and will of the Junta to finish a project that is a priority and a concern to us.” President of the

Mancomunidad of Almanzora, Antonio Salas, said: “It is the best way to end the year and welcome in 2014. This funding and the culmination of this work is very important for the interests of the whole region. “This is good news as Europe is echoing what we have been demanding for so long to the authorities; they have recognised that this project is of vital importance.”

Salas showed satisfaction by declaring: “If anything has come from the campaigns we have mounted, we have only to congratulate all the mayors of Almanzora who have fought hard for this infrastructure. “It is central to the social and economic development of the Almanzora Valley, because it will help create jobs and attract businesses to our area.” According to Caparros:

“The first phase, at least the Albox bypass, will start operating in 2014. Given the degree of implementation of this section of up to 90 per cent, it is estimated that in about seven or eight months the works on this stretch can be completed. “But I do not want to give a start date because negotiations on all the procedures have to be finalised. Hopefully, construction can start in early 2014.”

NEWS Almeria ref joins the Elite Group ALMERIA referee David Fernandez Borbalan has been promoted to the Elite Group of European referees. Borbalan is a fixture on the Champions League circuit having recently refereed the Bayern Munich versus Manchester City game as well as refereeing in the World Cup qualifying international matches. Borbalan enters the Elite Group made up of 24 referees from around Europe in what is the ultimate accolade for those in the profession.

Quiet start to New Year It proved to be a quiet New Year’s Eve in Almeria Province with just 98 interventions by the emergency services. Almeria City had 31 incidents with 67 in various municipalities mainly for excessive alcohol consumption and small public order offences. The figures confirmed by the 112 emergency services relate to the period between 3pm on New Year’s Eve and 10am on New Year’s Day.

NEWS

First food campaign a success in Zurgena THE first food collection campaign by the new branch of the Caritas charity in Zurgena has proved to be a great success. The week long campaign in mid-December resulted in more than 1,000 kilos of nonperishable food being collected. Local businesses helped out with collection points and the town hall weighed in by also supplying 400 kilos of food. The distribution of food has now been completed and one of the members of Caritas and councillor for Social Welfare, Ana Gonzalez, believed it was important “to recognise the solidarity of the entire area of Zurgena, and thanks to the collaboration of many, our people have been able to enjoy a more dignified Christmas.” The mayor, Luis Diaz, congratulated the volunteers for their hard work and reaffirmed the full readiness of the town hall to work with the charity.

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New natural beer making it’s mark HAND brewed, natural, blonde, Almeriense and with a name that brings to mind one of the most emblematic places of the province, Cabo de Gata. These are some of the defining characteristics of a new beer which has been created, El Cabo, as described by Felix Lopez, CEO of the company, El Cabo Brewing Company. Although the firm has been brewing for the last year and a half, it was not until this summer that it started production at the factory, which is located in Viator. The company sells two varieties of beer, ‘pale ale’ with 5.3 degrees and the smoother beer ‘select’ with 6.3 degrees. Ingredients of the beer are water, barley malt, hops and yeast. “This is a pure beer, no chemicals, and is prepared in the traditional way,” says Javier

Yebra, production manager, who adds that the raw material is mostly obtained nationally, the malt is Andalucian and the water is from a local source. The four man team is completed by Jorge del Rey, who is in charge of distribution and Juan Caballero who is in charge of design and marketing for the company. The initial production forecast is 30,000 litres per year, although the facilities at La Juaida have capacity for brewing 600 litres of beer a day. The company is currently in the process of positioning and promoting itself in the market. The company already has orders from Valladolid, Barcelona and Madrid and also intends trying to market the beer to China. El Cabo beer is also present on social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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NEWS EXTRA

Grape news TEN unemployed people from Fondon have enrolled in a seven-month course to learn about the wine and spirits trade. The course has been made possible with grants from the European Social Fund.

Visitors down

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NEWS

Young entrepreneurs get helping hand in Purchena THE Institute Entre Sierras in Purchena hosted a European meeting framed as part of a programme being developed by the town hall in Purchena.

The Youth Information Centre is helping young people from the town and the Almanzora Valley to seek employment from an activity specifically designed for young

students, entrepreneurs and the unemployed. Through the project ‘I start up my own job’, they are conducting a series of activities designed to

bring together young entrepreneurs in the Almanzora Valley with people from other European countries to provide practical advice and set a good example. Among those attending the event was Sven Schannak, a young German entrepreneur, who spoke about ‘having a good idea and no fear of failure’ as key to success when white the detailed history starting up a business. The of the famous Beatles’ six 23-year-old has a company weeks in Almeria and is which is expanding through development of filled with a chronicle of the innovative software for the facts and testimonies. sector and Carrion is a pioneer in tourism modern foreign language universities. Lectures, discussions, teaching and also happens are to be a fan of the Beatles. videoconferences During his stay in means by which the young Almeria he also attended entrepreneurs at local level the now annual Beatles can promote themselves music festival at the Gran internationally, with young of different Hotel and organised by people the John Lennon Almeria nationalities sharing ideas, information and resources. Forever Association.

Juan remembers John in new book

THE Port of Almeria received 20 cruise ships between January and October 2013, a drop of 13 per cent, with a total of 11,843 passengers, almost 50 per cent less than 2012. JOHN LENNON: Subject of a new book.

THE many fans of the Beatles in Almeria were in luck when Juan Carrion visited Almeria to present his book ‘Juan y John’. The 90-year-old English teacher from Cartagena visited Almeria in 1966 to meet John Lennon during his six-week stay in the province and was the subject of the recent movie ‘Living is easy with eyes closed’. The book provides for the first time in black and

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NEWS EXTRA

Sporting province MORE than 8,000 schoolchildren throughout the province took part in sporting activities arranged by the Education and Sports departments during the year. Children enjoyed playing fronton, baseball, canoeing and archery.

On your bike THE Junta has awarded €400,000 to rural development groups to create tourist mountain bike routes in 70 towns of the province. Eighty per cent of funds have been provided by European Feder funds.

Home help TEN families in Carboneras have received grants to improve their homes as part of the Junta’s housing rehabilitation plan.

THE second edition of ‘The cochinillo’ (piglet) cycling race in Huercal-Overa turned out to be a great success. A strong field of 60 cyclists from nearby towns such as Pulpi, Vera, Lorca, Mojacar, and further afield from Granada and Almeria took part in the 58 kilometre race held during the Christmas holidays. It took place on a four kilometre urban circuit with 16 laps, with the early laps very evenly contested by the leading contenders. Eventually an attack from Jose Molina of Team Aguila Bike of Vera Playa broke up the main group. From there Chris Bartlett (Metaltek), the British professional cyclist who was winner of the first edition, led the chasing pack that comprised around 30 cyclists. Bartlett pushed hard to

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And this little piggy goes to Carboneras WINNER: Jose Molina with a new team ‘mascot.’

When it appeared the race was going to be decided with a sprint finish ‘Molinaco’ dug deep and sprinted away without response from his rivals to cross the line first. So the prize piglet goes to Carboneras thanks to Jose Molina, and may well have a happy ending as Jose commented after the race: “I’m going to take the piglet to Carboneras. Maybe I will keep make up the gap alongside the final laps it was between the him as a team mascot.” Lorcan Manuel Calzado and over three cyclists. The women’s event was won by cyclist Maria Jose Haro from Pulpi (BicilocuraEspabrok). The local winner was once again Hospital when, during a the same floor of the origin, have been arrested Pedro Torrente Garcia tussle for her bag with hospital where she works and charged with robbery (Costa Bike). The largest three youngsters, she fell and is ‘progressing well.’ with violence and grevious representation was from against a garden wall and Following a police bodily harm. Two other the team Cycles Montoya broke her skull, suffering investigation a Spanish people were also arrested (Baza) with 11 racers, serious internal injuries. teenager, a Moroccan and in connection with the sale who also went home with The woman is now on a third of South American of a stolen mobile phone. a trophy and a ham.

Coma nurse making good progress A NURSE who was brutally attacked in the street by three minors has woken from a coma. The 60-year-old was on her way home from her shift at the Torrecardenas

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NEWS EXTRA

Christmas hangover A TOTAL of 8,972 spectators watched UD Almeria beat Granada 3-0 in the first game after the Christmas break, the lowest league gate of the season so far.

Load of rubbish THE celebrations in Almeria City on New Year’s Eve left workers with the task of collecting more than 300 tonnes of rubbish from the streets.

Christie first ALMERIA publishers Confluencias have made available for the first time in Spanish ‘Star Over Bethlehem And Other Christmas Tales’ by Agatha Christie.

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Judge orders princess to appear in court PALMA DE MALLORCA Judge Jose Castro has made the decision to summons Spain’s Princess Cristina to appear in court for supposed financial crimes. The alleged infractions are related to money laundering and mismanagement of funds connected to her husband, Iñanki Urdangarin,

Duke of Palma de Mallorca. Urdangarin was first implicated in November 2011 for diverting up to €5.8 million of public funds for personal benefit. The Anti-corruption Bureau found the duke to have sent significant sums of public money to tax havens abroad, including the UK and Belize.

SUMMONSED: Princess Cristina.

Now Princess Cristina has been summonsed to appear in a Palma court on March 8 by Castro, who has dedicated the past nine months to an exhaustive review of the princess’s bank accounts, credit cards and financial transactions. In a 227-page case document detailing Cristina’s financial activities between 2002-2012, Castro indicates sufficient we missed our flight, but at least evidence to suggest her we are alive, and that’s all that direct corroboration in her counts.” husband’s financial The story even made Sky News: activities. Judge Castro’s summons the fireman involved in the rescue gave an interview and said that the is in direct opposition to the worst situation he had to deal with opinion of the public for antion that night was rescuing a child, prosecutor her mum and a taxi driver from the corruption, Pedro Horrach, roof of the taxi. Another 10 minutes who disagrees that and they would have been swept sufficient evidence exists to their deaths...” to implicate the princess.

Mojacar mother and daughter in flood drama From Front Page “This put the car into motion again and we were swept backwards further down the river until we got stuck in some trees. It was high time to get out of the car,” explained Inge. With all his strength, the driver was able to push his door open and helped Inge and Lara climb onto the roof before getting up himself, while always on the phone to the

emergency services. The three of them sat there in the pitch black for more than two hours, freezing cold and wet, not knowing where they were and how serious the situation was. After what seemed an eternity the fire brigade managed to rescue them by boat and got them safely back on land. Inge feels there are so many people to thank including: “Our

very special guardian angel who made sure we stayed safe on the roof of the taxi, members of Dorking Fire Brigade who risked their own lives to save ours, the taxi driver who stayed ‘cool’ and always had our safety in mind, and the locals who offered us blankets, hot tea and spare socks for Lara whose feet were freezing cold. “We lost our suitcase and we were not at home for Christmas as

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NEWS

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ALMERIA: Many different movies have been filmed in the province.

Star attractions... ALMERIA will have a significant presence at the Andalucian Cinema Awards 2014 with 14 different nominations for Almerienses or the featuring of movies filmed in the province. ‘Cannibal’ is said to be one of the films of the year and that feeling has also been reflected in the nominations. The film, directed by Manuel Martin Cuenca from Almeria is in the running for four awards, Best Film, Direction, Screenplay and Best Male Actor for Antonio de la Torre. ‘Living is easy with eyes closed’ by David Trueba, is nominated in two

categories: Best Actress for newcomer Natalia de Molina and Spanish movie without Andalucian production. Journalist Antonio Sanchez de Amo has been nominated in the Best Cinema Book for his work ‘Clint Eastwood will never return to Almeria.’ Other nominees include Pepe Botias, Angel Salzar, Juan Francisco Viruega and Carlos Quiles for their short films. Radio station SER has been nominated for its film programme which discusses the film community, premieres, festivals, films made in Andalucia or where Andalucians are the protagonists.

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S CANDINAVIAN P RESS

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Stories making headlines in Europe

BRITISH PRESS

FALL: Sprained ankle.

Princess injured SWEDEN - Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, 36, fell over while skiing in the Alps, but was unharmed apart from a sprained ankle.

Asthma link DENMARK - Women with asthma could take longer to conceive, according to research from Bispebjerg University Hospital in Denmark, published in the European Respiratory Journal.

Species list NORWAY - Termed the ‘Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative,’ Norway is attempting to list every species in the country, leading to the discovery of 1,000 new species.

Run for it DENMARK - The Powerman duathlon is heading to Denmark on April 27, with a €5,000 prize pot on offer. It involves a 10km run, a 120km bike ride, then a 20km run to finish.

Sheep fishing NORWAY - Farmers in Norway are worried by thieves who are using hooks to catch and drag away the animals in a practice dubbed ‘sheep fishing’ by locals.

EUROPEAN PRESS

GERMAN PRESS Stolen paintings?

Items returned

Reduce sugar

A BRITISH adventurer attacked and robbed on New Year’s Eve while attempting a gruelling charity run across Canada has been reunited with his belongings.

FAMILIES in the UK are being urged to ‘swap while they shop’ in a bid to cut down on saturated fat and sugar in their diets in the latest Change4Life campaign.

TWO paintings hanging in the Bundestag (German parliament) may have been stolen from their rightful owners by the Nazis, an art historian claims.

Animal check

Latin classes

Wanted man

SOME of the world’s most endangered species were among the animals that had their details taken during London Zoo’s annual stock-take.

A GROWING number of children are learning Latin in a move to improve literacy and understanding of ancient civilisations with funding from the charity Classics for All.

CROATIAN police arrested a 68-year-old suspect wanted in Germany for his alleged role in the 1983 murder of a Yugoslav citizen in Bavaria.

Best PM

Use it again

MARGARET THATCHER was voted Britain’s most successful post-war Prime Minister in a poll of 158 MPs by the University of London’s politics department.

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners are calling on shoppers to reuse carrier bags. The ‘Break the Bag Habit’ campaign said 19 million bags are given out daily.

Liver disease THE British Liver Trust urged the Government to overhaul funding into liver disease by putting more money into early detection, which could save the NHS £600 million a year.

THATCHER: Most popular PM.

RUSSIAN PRESS Banned exports RUSSIA, one of the biggest importers of Norwegian fish, has partially banned imports, affecting 90 per cent of Norway’s registered suppliers to Russia.

NEW FLIGHTS: Once a week to Malta.

Double sales IKEA Group, the world’s biggest furniture retailer, expects to nearly double its market share in Germany in the next eight to 10 years with new stores and growing online sales.

Employment up THE number of people employed in Germany hit a record high for the seventh consecutive year in 2013, Germany’s Statistics Office reported.

More flights FROM June, German airports Hannover, Leipzig and Stuttgart will be linked to Malta by once-weekly flights operated by Turkish-German low-cost carrier SunExpress Deutschland.

Simple visa

Russian visit

Relations fine

A RUSSIAN foreign ministry official has announced that visitors planning to attend the Olympic Games in Sochi will be able to obtain visas on the same day they apply.

PRINCESS ANNE will spend Valentine’s Day in Russia with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence as part of her trip to the Winter Olympics.

Nuclear submarine

Trade down

THE Russian Navy received a cutting-edge Severodvinsk nuclear attack submarine which has been under construction at the Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia since 1993.

CHINA-RUSSIA trade growth is slowing down, rising only 0.5 per cent in 2013, and while figures are awaited, concern grows that trade might not grow at all from 2012.

GREEK and German leaders said they will not allow an attack by unknown assailants with Kalashnikov rifles on the German ambassador’s residence in Athens to undermine relations.

Terrorist annihilation

Space walk

RUSSIAN president Vladimir Putin vowed to ‘completely annihilate’ terrorists in the wake of two deadly bomb attacks in the southern city of Volgograd.

TWO Russian astronauts took a seven and a half hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station, but were unable to install cameras so anyone can watch the Earth.

Patent war NOKIA has won an injunction to halt the sale of all HTC Android devices in Germany. The issue surrounds a Nokia-held patent for file sharing via NFC or Bluetooth.

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MALLORCA

Rotten meat GUARDIA CIVIL seized 538 kilos of rotten kebab meat which were being transported in a vehicle which disembarked at Palma Port after coming from Bulgaria. It broke down in Italy and the meat had started to defrost.

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Wrong direction

Stowaways stopped FIFTEEN youths under 18 were arrested at Melilla Port on New Year’s Eve, when they were trying to board a ferry to Motril as stowaways.

Save the castle THE

Costa

Tropical

Association

for

Car fire investigation THE interior of a luxury car was burned in Torrevieja. Firefighters extinguished the blaze before it spread to other cars. The Guardia Civil is investigating as they found traces of accelerants.

THE car that was carrying King Gaspar at the Alicante Three Kings parade suffered brake failure. The driver was forced to crash to avoid hitting spectators. Nobody was injured.

A MAN was arrested in Inca for allegedly stealing three leather garments worth €6,000 from a local second-hand shop.

AXARQUIA

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

King’s accident

Leather goods

A MAN was arrested for allegedly driving in the wrong direction on the road from Palma to Manacor. The driver was seen by Local Police on patrol who had to swerve to avoid his vehicle. He was found to be drunk.

NEWS DESK

Lottery win

Retrievers to rescue! Sustainable Tourism has asked the regional government to give Salobreña Council an extension to return a €600,000 grant to refurbish the town’s Moorish castle.

ALTEA is collaborating with the USAR13DYA association on a rescue and therapy unit using dogs. The town hall has made a €1,000 donation to the group who all have training and experience both in rescue procedures using dogs and their use in therapy.

Fire scare

THE special New Year lottery from ONCE (National Organisation for the Blind in Spain) had a second prize winning ticket sold in Torrevieja, worth €40,000.

Torrevieja Carol singing THE Residential Home Visiting Team and the Rascals musical show group, accompanied by Just Brass, entertained the residents from Jardin de Clara Residential Home with carol singing.

Longer hours

A FIRE in a scrubland scared the neighbours of the Los Marinos area in Almuñecar on New Year’s Day. The blaze, the origin of which is unknown, was quickly put out by firemen.

THE Municipal Library ‘Ruben Dario’ in Aspe has extended its opening hours from January 7 to 31 to help students prepare for their exams.

Sporty honour

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

THE Almuñecar Sports Board paid tribute to the best local sportspeople of 2013 in an event held at the Casa de la Cultura.

COSTA DEL SOL

Killer sentenced A MAN has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for killing his transsexual partner in Fuengirola after a row in November 2012.

Wanted man AN AUSTRIAN man, 51, who was wanted in Germany for fraud through false investment companies amounting to €2.73 million, was arrested in Marbella.

Surprise visitor THE wall of a house in Cuevas Bajas sustained damages after a car left the road, fell down an embankment and crashed into the house. The driver was injured.

More flights MALAGA-COSTA DEL SOL Airport has increased the number of direct flights connecting with European destinations by 20 per cent this winter.

Debt dispute CONTRACTORS Parking La Via are suing Denia Town Hall for €1.9 million. The company claims this amount was incurred by modifications to the underground car park it completed in 2005.

New role THE Central Cinema in Javea’s Old Town is to be restored. Acquired 13 years ago, it will be turned into a cultural centre, the town hall announced.

Calm changeover UNDER an agreement following a 2012 no-confidence vote in the former council, socialist Salvador Fuster has taken over as Oliva mayor. He substituted David Gonzalez of the BlocCompromis party.

Doubly lucky OLIVA lottery seller Francisco Zazo Anton sold €5.2 million worth of ONCE prize winning lottery tickets in the New Year draw, on the same day that his wife gave birth to their daughter.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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inance F A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION // WWW.EWNBUSINESS.COM

business & legal

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STAT OF WEEK SALES of second-hand cars rose by 6.5 per cent last year to 1,680,000 vehicles, representing 49 per cent of the national market. Sixteen per cent were deals between private owners.

Flocking to the city Old meets new in heart of Madrid SOME Madrid streets are trails originally used for herding sheep to winter and summer pastures. Periodically they regain their original use as during the Transhumance Fiesta last year, when flocks were driven along the Calle de Alcala. The sheep, photographed in front of a Tommy Mel’s restaurant, were

chosen by The Wall Street Journal as one of the most memorable photos in 2013. The juxtaposition of Spain’s past and present economy in the Andres Kudacki/ Associated Press photograph would not have been lost on the New York paper. Time was when the Honoured Council of the Mesta was the only commercial

The allure of FCC attracts big name SPAIN’S FCC has attracted new suitors. George Soros, the Hungarian-born American magnate, investor and chairman of the Soros Fund Management hedge fund, now owns 3 per of the company. He reputedly paid around €72.39 million and now owns the third-largest individual FCC holding. Soros follows Microsoft founder Bill Gates who acquired a 6 per cent FCC holding for approximately €110 million last October. The rise and fall of FCC followed the same pattern as Spain’s property boom-and-bust economy. Forty per cent of FCC’s revenue from construction, infrastructure and services comes from Spain itself

and both have had a difficult year. The group was badly affected by the burst property bubble through its real estate company Realia, jointly owned with Caja Madrid. Realia succeeded last September in avoiding a creditors’ meeting, the customary prelude to bankruptcy proceedings. Instead it pulled off an €847 million refinancing deal, now reduced to €792 million thanks to BBVA, Santander and CaixaBank, although ‘bad bank’ Sareb also took on part of the Realia debt. Despite FCC’s problems, Gates and Soros are now shareholders. Money talks, it is said, but their actions speak louder than words about the future.

B

usiness extra

On-piste EXPERTS recommended properties in Spanish ski resorts as a good investment. Rented by the week during the ski season, they bring a 5.5 per cent gross return.

Rail lay-off RAILWAY infrastructure operator Adif and the CCOO and UGT unions reached agreement over voluntary redundancies for 2 per cent of staff. The 250 employees will receive 20 days’ gross salary per year worked.

Better times are ahead SPANISH Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has predicted that 2014 will be the year of economic recovery for the country. He said that a strengthening economy will help reduce dole queues. He added at a news conference: “If 2012 was the year of cutbacks, 2013 was the year of reforms, then 2014 will be the year

of the start of economic recovery in our country. We have seen a clear change in the situation.” He was backed by figures from the Bank of Spain which showed that a tentative improvement in the economy as the country dragged itself out of recession had carried on into the final part of 2013.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: Sheep trot past a Tommy Mel’s. concern with which a well-born Spanish gentleman would allegedly sully his hands. This powerful association of sheep

farmers in central Spain created in 1273 was one of the most important guilds in mediaeval Europe.

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C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 07

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) Aberdeen Asset Mngmnt 492.85 Admiral Group PLC 1330.50 Aggreko PLC 1735.00 AMEC PLC 1076.00 Anglo American PLC 1269.25 Antofagasta PLC 791.75 ARM Holdings PLC 1076.50 Ashtead Group PLC 798.75 Associated British Foods PLC2539.50 AstraZeneca PLC 3575.50 Aviva PLC 443.55 Babcock Intrntionl Grp... 1379.00 BAE Systems PLC 431.55 Barclays PLC 279.10 BG Group PLC 1304.75 BHP Billiton PLC 1829.75 BP PLC 491.77 British Amrcan Tobacco 3204.00 British Land Co PLC 622.25

C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G. 2.00 0.41 11.00 0.83 2.00 0.12 -10.00 -0.92 -5.50 -0.43 4.50 0.57 -2.00 -0.19 7.34 0.93 4.00 0.16 -23.00 -0.64 0.40 0.09 -2.00 -0.14 -0.10 -0.02 1.65 0.59 7.50 0.58 1.00 0.05 2.85 0.58 -2.00 -0.06 1.50 0.24

NET VOLUME 1,171.10 79.06 112.07 116.69 825.22 334.78 347.29 365.89 46.36 437.64 786.88 54.37 381.06 7,214.47 924.06 896.46 2,277.73 420.38 518.16

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0.83116

1.20313 Units per €

United States $......................................................1.36229 Japan Yen ¥ ...........................................................142.136 Switzerland Francs................................................1.23560 Denmark Kroner ....................................................7.45987 Norway Kroner.......................................................8.39587

currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914 C O M PA N Y

PRICE(P)

British Sky Broadcasting BT Group PLC Bunzl PLC Burberry Group PLC Capita PLC Carnival PLC Centrica PLC

844.75 385.30 1432.50 1480.00 1038.50 2492.50 339.70

C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G.

DOW JONES

NASDAQ

C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 07

C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 07

C O M PA N Y MMM 3M Co AXP American Express Co T AT&T Inc BA Boeing Co CAT Caterpillar Inc CVX Chevron Corp CSCO Cisco Systems Inc DD Dupont E I De Nemours & Co XOM Exxon Mobil Corp GE General Electric Co GS Goldman Sachs Group Inc HD Home Depot Inc INTC Intel Corp IBM International Business Machine... JNJ Johnson & Johnson JPM JPMorgan Chase and Co MCD McDonald's Corp MRK Merck & Co Inc MSFT Microsoft Corp NKE Nike Inc PFE Pfizer Inc PG Procter & Gamble Co KO The Coca-Cola Co TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies Corp UNH UnitedHealth Group Inc VZ Verizon Communications Inc V Visa Inc WMT Wal-Mart Stores Inc DIS Walt Disney Co

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 137.63 89.70 34.96 138.41 88.64 124.02 22.01 62.96 99.66 27.26 179.37 81.10 25.46 186.00 92.33 59.00 95.85 49.74 36.13 77.43 30.55 80.64 40.27 88.92 112.79 74.24 48.69 219.83 78.21 75.82

-0.82 -0.04 +0.16 +0.79 -1.18 -0.33 +0.03 -0.82 +0.15 -0.22 +1.22 -0.79 -0.32 -0.64 +0.48 +0.34 -0.69 +0.01 -0.78 -0.60 +0.03 +0.19 -0.19 -0.24 -0.11 -0.86 +0.27 -1.33 -0.44 -0.29

-0.59% -0.04% +0.46% +0.57% -1.31% -0.27% +0.14% -1.29% +0.15% -0.80% +0.68% -0.96% -1.24% -0.34% +0.52% +0.58% -0.71% +0.02% -2.11% -0.77% +0.10% +0.24% -0.47% -0.27% -0.10% -1.15% +0.56% -0.60% -0.56% -0.38%

2.7M 2.8M 20.8M 4.2M 5.2M 4.3M 34.2M 3.7M 11.8M 29.4M 3.0M 11.2M 31.8M 4.1M 7.5M 17.6M 5.0M 9.9M 43.6M 3.0M 24.0M 7.2M 11.0M 1.8M 3.0M 3.4M 16.1M 2.1M 7.3M 6.8M

9.00 0.10 -13.00 -25.00 -3.00 10.00 -2.80

C O M PA N Y

1.08 0.03 -0.90 -1.66 -0.29 0.40 -0.82

NET VOLUME 647.36 1,325.10 54.46 246.02 37.58 84.71 2,686.60

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

$ 2.56 $ 2.08 $ 2.27 $ 6.81 $ 6.63 $ 2.01 $ 46.32 $ 7.10 $9 $ 9.56 $ 31.01

0.721 / +39.21% 0.23 / +12.43% 0.24 / +11.82% 0.68 / +11.09% 0.64 / +10.68% 0.19 / +10.44% 3.91 / +9.22% 0.55 / +8.40% 0.67 / +8.04% 0.70 / +7.90% 2.21 / +7.67%

$ 11.59 $ 17.28 $ 20.22 $ 4.38 $ 51.26 $ 12.07 $ 8.06 $ 18.77 $ 10.93 $ 22.33 $ 2.22

2.98 / -20.45% 4.07 / -19.06% 2.77 / -12.05% 0.50 / -10.25% 5.48 / -9.66% 1.22 / -9.18% 0.74 / -8.41% 1.67 / -8.17% 0.97 / -8.15% 1.95 / -8.03% 0.19 / -7.88%

Most Advanced Origin Agritech Limited USA Technologies, Inc. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. Exelixis, Inc. Jiayuan.com International Ltd. Life Partners Holdings Inc Verint Systems Inc. PRGX Global, Inc. Pacer International, Inc. Flamel Technologies S.A. RetailMeNot, Inc.

Most Declined Brightcove Inc. Select Comfort Corporation VisionChina Media, Inc. Intermolecular, Inc. First Solar, Inc. Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. PMFG, Inc. Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. American Independence Corp. Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) Coca-Cola HBC AG 1756.00 Compass Group PLC 965.00 CRH PLC 1580.00 Diageo PLC 1984.00 easyJet PLC 1577.50 Experian PLC 1116.50 Fresnillo PLC 722.25 G4S PLC 252.65 GKN PLC 379.30 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1622.50 Glencore Xstrata PLC 306.20 Hammerson PLC 500.25 Hargreaves Lansdown 1465.50 HSBC Holdings PLC 666.85 IMI PLC 1543.50 Imperial Tobacco Group 2337.00 InterContinental Hotels . 1995.50 International Conslidtd ... 415.95 Intertek Group PLC 3105.50 ITV PLC 199.10 Johnson Matthey PLC 3270.50 Kingfisher PLC 390.15 Land Securities Group 970.75 Legal & General Group 229.15 Lloyds Banking Group 81.40 London Stock Exchange 1731.00 Marks & Spencer Group 446.35 Meggitt PLC 533.50 Melrose Industries PLC 301.20 Mondi PLC 1018.00 National Grid PLC 784.00 Next PLC 6192.50 Old Mutual PLC 192.00 Pearson PLC 1321.00 Persimmon PLC 1289.50 Petrofac Ltd 1225.00 Prudential PLC 1344.00 Randgold Resources Ltd 3775.50 Reckitt Benckiser Group 4724.50 Reed Elsevier PLC 902.75 Resolution Ltd 350.10 REXAM PLC 513.25 Rio Tinto PLC 3229.00 Rolls-Royce Holdings 1279.00 Royal Bank of Scotland 346.95 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 2260.50 Royal Mail PLC 566.75 RSA Insurance Group PLC 97.70 SABMiller PLC 3040.75 Sage Group (The) PLC 392.65 Sainsbury (J) PLC 366.25 Schroders PLC 2632.50 Severn Trent PLC 1661.50 Shire PLC 2859.00 Smith & Nephew PLC 862.75 Smiths Group PLC 1474.00 Sports Direct Interntnl... 745.75 SSE PLC 1359.50 Standard Chartered PLC 1322.00 Standard Life PLC 363.85 Tate & Lyle PLC 795.00 Tesco PLC 333.07 Travis Perkins PLC 1885.00 TUI Travel PLC 411.90 Tullow Oil PLC 848.25 Unilever PLC 2450.00 United Utilities Group 671.50 Vodafone Group PLC 237.72 Weir Group PLC 2092.00 Whitbread PLC 3781.50 William Hill PLC 405.20 Wm Morrison Suprmrkts 252.65 Wolseley PLC 3439.50 WPP PLC 1366.00

CHANGE 3.00 2.50 0.00 7.00 -19.00 -4.00 -13.00 -2.00 0.58 5.50 -0.05 0.00 -25.00 6.80 -7.00 -10.00 7.00 2.00 -8.00 1.40 2.00 -1.40 10.00 3.20 1.30 -14.00 6.10 -1.50 -1.20 2.00 -1.36 20.00 2.20 2.30 -1.00 -6.43 6.00 -11.00 -29.00 -0.50 0.30 -2.50 -37.50 -9.72 2.70 3.50 -5.50 -0.20 14.50 -2.70 -1.60 9.00 -44.32 15.00 -4.55 4.00 5.95 0.00 -8.50 3.90 3.00 0.90 -11.00 -3.50 1.50 9.00 -1.50 1.95 0.00 -6.00 1.60 -3.00 -3.00 5.00

% C H G. 0.17 0.26 0.00 0.35 -1.19 -0.36 -1.77 -0.79 0.15 0.34 -0.02 0.00 -1.68 1.03 -0.45 -0.43 0.35 0.48 -0.26 0.71 0.06 -0.36 1.04 1.42 1.62 -0.80 1.39 -0.28 -0.40 0.20 -0.17 0.32 1.16 0.17 -0.08 -0.52 0.45 -0.29 -0.61 -0.06 0.09 -0.48 -1.15 -0.75 0.78 0.16 -0.96 -0.20 0.48 -0.68 -0.44 0.34 -2.60 0.53 -0.52 0.27 0.80 0.00 -0.64 1.08 0.38 0.27 -0.58 -0.84 0.18 0.37 -0.22 0.83 0.00 -0.16 0.40 -1.17 -0.09 0.37

VOLUME 30.23 739.00 276.43 420.50 284.14 104.76 171.35 802.21 296.07 610.91 4,141.23 426.73 175.91 5,252.57 118.28 232.58 83.72 1,196.05 17.43 751.48 19.47 661.91 287.26 2,777.36 38,583.62 59.06 1,041.89 39.53 124.39 156.95 445.64 90.19 1,012.47 129.27 113.24 151.09 356.40 51.56 232.13 255.11 305.42 168.40 965.17 403.79 1,233.59 603.89 211.70 5,089.23 179.09 191.24 3,625.64 29.13 308.42 172.29 153.38 57.78 113.54 230.35 967.59 762.75 272.76 3,308.34 82.39 465.17 172.71 203.52 234.21 6,460.37 92.86 120.99 1,574.93 1,768.85 53.89 320.15

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FOREIGN EXCHANGE

UK economy finally gaining momentum AFTER lagging behind the eurozone and USA economically since the financial crisis, the UK economy finally generated some momentum in the last two quarters of 2013. Strong growth was driven by the return of the British consumer to the UK high street after a long period of household deleveraging. At least in the near term consumers are once again spending money aided in part by a very strong housing market, particularly in London. Britain’s manufacturing and service sectors also showed improvement driven by an easing of credit conditions and a lower pound earlier in the year. Continued low interest rates from the Bank of England and a commitment to keep them on hold until unemployment is below 7 per cent has aided an overall improvement.

Ask the expert Peter Loveday Contact me at euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com

The Pound has mirrored the improving economic picture in the UK and is the best performing currency across the major pairs in the last six months. Against the Euro Sterling has risen 4 per cent and against the Dollar it is up 10 per cent since July. Across the eurozone things continue to slowly improve. The European Central Bank (ECB) cut interest rates and is much more dovish in tone, following other central banks in announcing forward guidance of interest rates over the next few years. That is positive for the Euro in the longer term, however, it is the current relative speeds of

POUND: Best performing currency in the last six months. recovery that matter for currencies and the UK is simply growing at a faster rate than the eurozone as a whole. That trend is likely to continue at least for the first quarter of 2014. Looking further ahead, both Ireland and Spain exiting formal bailout programmes is a very positive step. Key to both countries’ progress has been

breaking the negative feedback loop between a country’s overall solvency and that of its banking system. The ECB must be applauded in doing this with its OMT programme. Germany remains the key country within the Euro. German elections passed without major upheaval, with Angela Merkel remaining in power.

The key to how long the PIGS take to return to growth remains the willingness of Germany to adjust, which looks as far away as ever. We can expect several more years of pain across southern Europe before growth returns. What the long term scars of this policy will be in terms of longterm unemployment and lost growth potential is unclear, but it is unlikely to be positive. 2014 is set to be the year that the highly accommodative monetary policy in place across the western world starts to be wound down. Interest rates are likely to rise, only gradually at first but expectations of higher rates tend to be reflected quickly in prices. How consumers and business cope with higher rates will be the main theme in 2014 and will be a major driver of the value of the Pound, Euro and Dollar over the coming months.

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Renfe gets some speed up DEMAND for Spain’s AVE high speed train increased by 20.94 per cent over the last 10 months. Rail operator Renfe has had a record year, one of its best ever, the ministry of Public Works announced. Twenty-five million passengers used the AVE and intercity trains between February and the end of December, according to ministry figures. Demand for both trains increased by 13.4 per cent and 20.9 per cent for the AVE alone. Most of Spain’s transport systems have seen a

RECORD YEAR: Renfe Passengers’ director Alberto Garcia congratulates Felix Rodriguez, who brought numbers up to 25 million. drop in passengers but reversing the tendency of recent years, this has not affected rail travel.

Increased use has remained steady since Renfe introduced a sales policy based on ‘dynamic

tariffs’ and generalised discounts for the AVE and long distance trains, said minister Ana Pastor.

Canal threat

Sales up

THE consortium building a third set of locks on the Panama Canal, led by Spanish company Sacyr, has threatened to down tools over huge cost over runs. It wants the Panama Canal Authority to pay more after the price tag ballooned by 50 per cent from an initial €2.27 billion.

NEW car registrations in Spain rose 3.3 per cent in 2013. Sales in December were 18.2 per cent higher than the same month in 2012. Total new car registrations were 722,703 in 2013 compared to 699,549 in 2012.

Bank bailout exit is praised SPAIN has been congratulated for exiting a European bank bailout programme having used less than half the money available to it. The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) financial assistance programme for Spain expired with the Spanish government making a successful exit. Since the programme started in December 2012, the ESM had lent a total of €41.3 billion to the Spanish government for the recapitalisation of the country’s banking sector. Originally up to €100 billion had been made available. Spain will not request any follow-up assistance from the ESM. Klaus Regling, Managing Director of the ESM, said: “Spain’s exit after one year is an impressive success story. Our financial assistance programme has proven instrumental in recapitalising and restructuring Spain’s troubled banks, which are today on a sound footing. Despite the challenges ahead I am confident that the ESM’s support, combined with structural reforms, will allow the Spanish economy to achieve stability and sustainable growth.” ESM financial assistance was provided in the form of debt securities to FROB, the bank recapitalisation fund of the Spanish government, and then channelled to the financial institutions concerned to be paid back over an average 12-and-a-half years. The financial assistance in Spain was the first programme carried out by the ESM.

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The unwanted Christmas gift dilemma Loose change A look at finance for females

Jane Plunkett jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews.com

IT may be all smiles and delight on Christmas morning, but in every household there are always a few insincere ‘thank yous’ also vocalised, as gifts that weren’t on any wish list suddenly stare up at you from torn wrapping paper. Be it a crazy Christmas jumper from Grandma, a DVD from Uncle Bob that you’ve already downloaded or a toaster from Mum, the big question is: how do you get rid of unwanted presents? If you are too embarrassed to ask for the receipt, there really is no point just hiding the unwanted gifts in a drawer in the hope that one day a use will be found for them, just try to return them. By law, shops don’t have to entertain your unwanted gift if you don’t have the receipt, but as it’s the holiday season and we should be spreading joy and goodwill to all, many retailers will do a direct swap for another similarly priced item. To better your chances of a return or an

DIY tariff THE government plans to hold monthly power auctions to determine the price of electricity. This month’s bills will rise by 2.3 per cent instead of the planned 11 per cent.

Fraud fight THE Ministry of Labour will pay private consultants to set up guidelines for fighting ‘irregular employment’ and Social Security fraud. Tenders have been invited for €5 million or less.

Jobless fall NOT ON WISH LIST: A jazzy festive jumper. exchange just make sure that the tags are in place and that there are no Christmas turkey crumbs on the unwanted jumper! Remember, even if a particular present doesn’t appeal to you, there are many people out there in this world who will pay good money for such items. One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure. So why not try to sell unwanted presents online?

Check out websites like eBay or Amazon and see if you can transform an unwanted gift into a few euros. Remember that there are also specialist websites which look for particular items, like electronic devices. If all this sounds like too much hassle as Christmas holidays are a time for relaxing and watching movies in a comfortable armchair,

then why not give the unwanted presents away to someone who wants and deserves them. Many charities collect unwanted gifts and use them to brighten up the days of sick children and other needy people. You might not get a financial reward for just giving stuff away but you will receive a jolly good feeling in your heart that you made someone else’s Christmas!

Good news at factory gates THERE was good news for the Spanish economy as manufacturing output bounced back from a dip in November to post a rise last month. The Spanish manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) saw an improvement in operating conditions in December as output and new orders rebounded from a fall in November. But employment and purchasing activity were reduced further. Input cost inflation remained relatively muted, but firms raised their output prices at a solid pace which was the strongest since May 2011. The seasonally adjusted Markit PMI - a composite indicator designed to measure the performance of the manufacturing

BUSINESS EXTRA

economy - moved back above the 50.0 no-change mark in December, posting 50.8 following a reading of 48.6 in November. Modest improvements in operating conditions have been recorded in four of the past five months. Commenting on the data, Andrew Harker, senior economist at Markit and author of the report, said: “The return to growth of the Spanish manufacturing sector at the end of 2013 was a positive sign, largely as it allayed fears that the decline seen in November heralded the start of a new downturn. Rises in output and new orders lay a platform that firms will hope to build on during the new year should tentative improvements in client demand strengthen.”

Manufacturing output increased in December following a fall in the previous month. Moreover, the rate of expansion was solid and the fastest since March 2011. Growth was sharpest at intermediate goods firms, while consumer and investment goods producers also raised output. Increased production was supported by a rise in new business, which also rebounded from a fall in November. Meanwhile, new export orders increased solidly, albeit at a reduced pace. Growth in production outpaced that of new orders in December, and panellists linked this to a fall in backlogs of work. Outstanding business has decreased in four of the

DOLE queues shrank by 107,570 to 4.7 million people out of work in December. The 2.2 per cent fall was the second biggest for the month since records began, Labour Ministry figures show.

Unbelievers A SURVEY by El Mundo newspaper shows that 71 per cent of Spaniards do not believe Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s assertion that the economic recovery will start this year. Most think the country will have to wait until 2015 before things get better.

Prices edge up

NISSAN: Spanish factory helped manufacturing output figures. past five months. Manufacturers continued to reduce their workforces during the month, although the rate of job shedding eased to the slowest in six months. Purchasing activity also decreased at a weaker pace, but firms still lowered their input buying for the second month running. Some panellists reported having lowered purchasing activity as part of attempts to reduce stocks.

Pre-production inventories declined markedly in December, and at the sharpest pace since September. The rate of depletion of stocks of finished goods also quickened. Respondents indicated that the delivery of products to clients had contributed to lower postproduction inventories. Although manufacturing cost inflation rose slightly in December, it remained modest.

SPAIN’S annual inflation rate rose to 0.3 per cent in December. In October prices had actually fallen for the first time since 2009, the year in which the economy shrank by 3.7 per cent.

Gloomy stats ACCORDING to consultancy agency Rentrak, Spanish cinema earnings plunged to €508 million in 2013 from €606 million in 2012, down 16 per cent. A hike in IVA tax to 21 per cent from 8 per cent is thought to be largely to blame as 13 million fewer tickets were sold.

OPINION & COMMENT

Season of goodwill, not greed... IT was lovely to see whole families out on the streets on the evening of January 5 to watch the Three Kings parades. However, what I think should be discouraged is the greed demonstrated by those catching sweets, not only children, but also adults. Twenty-five years ago when we first started going to the parades in Spain, children would be happy to catch a few sweets and those who didn’t would often be handed some by others who had been luckier. Nowadays, they carry bags and umbrellas to attempt to catch more; there is no sharing and I have even seen adults squabbling over a boiled sweet which one was quicker to pick up off the floor. Some parents have very little control over their children and do nothing to keep them from misbehaving or putting themselves in danger. It’s a miracle that there are not more children lost or injured on a night which should be joyous for the little ones. Janis Jamieson, Benalmadena (Malaga)

Help needed IT was surprising to read the letter from Pedro Rodriguez from Benalmadena (Malaga) in last week’s Issue 1487. He commented about how many local Spanish businesses had closed down but noticed that those which were open were managed - and supported - by British people and felt there was a lesson to be learned by Spanish people. Whilst I do not like to generalise, I agree with him that some Spaniards do not do enough to support their local cafés and bars. Often when out walking in Benalmadena, I see Spanish couples and families sitting on public benches eating their own food and drinking their own drink, when within just a few feet of them are comfortable and inviting Spanish bars. I appreciate that times are hard but if each of these ‘self-

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Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com, posted to Euro Weekly News, C/Moscatel 10, P-62, Polígono Industrial, Arroyo de la Miel, 29631 Benalmadena, Málaga, Spain or faxed to 0034 952 440 887

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I WAS walking in Paloma Park, Benalmadena, on New Year’s Eve when I saw this couple. They were busy building a nest in the warm sunshine but took time out to pose just like expectant parents do! By Dave Richards (By email) caterers’ just went in once a week and bought a coffee or a beer, I’m sure it would make a big difference to local trade. In the long-run, this would benefit all as a lively café scene is always a big draw to potential tourists, who I am sure would be happy to while away a few hours and spend some cash as they lap up the local atmosphere. P C Mellars, Benalmadena (Malaga)

Pay the price RE Leapy Lee’s article ‘Arrogant Warlords forget Raj is over’ (Issue 1486). While I entirely agree that the Afghan engagement was doomed from the outset, it is much too complicated a situation, especially a whopping 12 years in, to simply say that we ‘start looking after ourselves’ by withdrawing all foreign aid in order to ‘let these people sort out their own problems’. That approach is entirely too elementary for a complex international dilemma with serious implications for

WHEN YOU WRITE All letters, whether by email or post, should carry the writer’s postal address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published. Letters may also be edited. Readers who have missed earlier correspondence can see all letters posted on:

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Afghanistan’s people and its neighbours too, among whom are strong western allies. I fear the international community is doomed to bear the consequences of its abysmally poor choices since 2001, a price that will slowly and painfully be paid through indefinite engagement. In Afghanistan there is no resolution of the conflict, only its management. This bleak assessment is unfortunately shared by top international conflict resolution experts in both developed and developing countries. Francesca Leky, Alhaurin de la Torre (Malaga)

Too right... COULDN’T agree more wholeheartedly with Leapy Lee’s article. Once again he has hit the nail right on the head! What a terrible and tragic total loss of lives, money and time wasted on Iraq and Afghanistan under the once again noble ideal of ‘bringing democracy’ to the masses! When will we ever learn? And what the UK has suffered goes in spades for the US thanks to the likes of Bush, Cheney and his cronies. Time to stay home and take care of our own problems: ‘Charity Begins at Home’. Richard M McBride, Benidorm (Alicante)

Watch out! I WOULD like to inform your readers not to be complacent when shopping during the sales. My wife and I went to La Zenia Boulevard, Orihuela, to do some shopping. We first went to Media Markt to buy

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some electrical goods. We purchased three items, decided to put them in the boot of our car before returning to another store to buy some clothing. When we returned to the car park, we noticed that the rear car door window had been smashed and the three electrical items stolen from the boot. We had obviously been spotted by undesirables loitering in the car park. So do not be complacent while shopping at La Zenia Boulevard, and don’t do your shopping in two or more goes. Don’t let your guard down. When you get back to your car go home and complete your shopping on another day. If you are offered a cheap microwave oven, electric kettle or Brita water filter in the pub tonight, beware they might be my stolen items. Happy New Year to you all! Peter Row, San Miguel de Salinas (Alicante)

Thanks EWN I WOULD like to thank the Euro Weekly News team for their excellent work. I’m an English teacher based in Almeria and often use the stories in the newspaper to design and carry out new tasks in the classroom. Not only can they be used to teach grammar, but also to start interesting debates with my students. In addition, they get to see their reality from a different point of view, something that certainly widens their horizons and helps them become better citizens. My students particularly enjoy controversial topics such as the new abortion law, although they also like to read about charity events in the province. I would definitely recommend any English teacher out there, and anyone interested in learning English, to have a go and use your newspaper as teaching material. Thanks again, Euro Weekly News Team, and happy New Year! Robert Williams, Almeria

The views expressed and opinions given in Letters are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements, and reject claims arising out of any action that a company or individual may take on the basis of information contained therein.

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E W N 9 - 15 January 2014/ Costa de Almeria

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

An insult to our intelligence LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT

w

HAT on earth was that arrogant, selfimportant, complete pain in the butt, Keith Vaz thinking of when he elected to greet Eastern Europeans immigrants at Heathrow? What an insult to our intelligence to expect us to perceive this as anything more than a cynical publicity stunt, which actually backfired by showing us all what a pompous, publicity-seeking idiot he is. Perhaps he could be given the job of shaking hands with the hordes who will be pouring into the UK over the next few years. At least it would keep him out of everyone else’s hair for a bit. Why not allow him to host a vast welcome party in Hyde Park, for example? Well, it would be conveniently close to where most

OUTFLOW: Immigrants will drain UK coffers. of ’em will be dossing down! They could arrange a lucky dip for social security numbers. Hand out computers so they can Skype loved ones back home. How to claim benefits’ guides could be handed out, housing lists, jobs bingo, food vouchers, ‘Pick a Doctor’ stalls. The list is endless. And to top it all the chance for the BBC to send half of their interviewing force to hear all their hard-luck stories. I did also wonder in the light of

this wonderful open border policy, just how many British, or indeed French or Germans, landed in Bulgaria or Romania this week to take advantage of the opportunities on offer there. Give us a break! This is once again slashing open another vast wound in the UK’s torso, through which to haemorrhage money. If half the 200,000 expected this year manage to send money back to their families, even at the conservative estimate of some

£400 a month, this amounts to £40 million a month or £480 million a year. Add to this the child benefits they can claim for dependants in these countries and you’re looking at untold millions pouring out of the British coffers. It’s a joke. A cruel joke on the UK populace. The lily-livered politicians in their, up to now, non-immigrant impregnated country retreats should be ashamed of themselves. But they won’t be, will they? Nothing will be done until a few years’ time when they find them actually camping on their own doorsteps. When that happens watch ’em all rush to emigrate themselves. The rats will leave the sinking ship in droves. And they won’t be bound for the EU, that’s fer sure. Watch out Maldives and the likes of the Caribbean, the UK ‘fat cat’ immigrants are coming! I dunno, I really do despair of it all. Keep the faith Love Leapy Leapylee2002@gmail.com

LEAPY LETTERS In Issue 1486, Leapy called for a halt to military intervention in foreign countries by our ‘arrogant warlord’ politicians…

Don’t get it LEAPY’s article should be posted in the most frequented place in the Palace of Westminster, the Members Bar. Every bloke down the pub has been expressing the selfsame opinion for years. How come those dummies don’t get it? David Harris (By email)

No winners I FEEL UK politicians entered wars in Afghanistan and Iraq with the best of motives. But, it led to suffering and loss of life. No one has been a winner, except the extremists, the opposite of what was intended. P Lawson (By email)

Did you pile on the holiday pounds? With the holiday eating over, it’s time to face the music. We asked people: Did you pile on the pounds? And more importantly, how did they plan on shedding the extra weight?

DAVE AND JANE HARRIS, aged 68 and 66, live in Albox, Almeria, and are both retired. They answered: “No, we actually lost weight, even though we have been to a hotel in Benidorm on half-board for Christmas. We did a lot of walking to keep the weight down.” Lesley Jones, 63, who lives in Altea, Costa Blanca, said she had not to put on any extra weight either over the Christmas season: “Doesn’t look like it, anyway!” she said, adding: “There is no secret; I am just one of those people who does not put on much weight. I am always on the go.” We spoke to someone else who looks like he’s LOST also always on the go, a WEIGHT: runner currently in Dave and training for a marathon. Jane Harris

STREET TALK When we asked Daniel Robertson if he’d put on weight, he answered: “Not really, I’ve actually tried to gain a bit!” The 25-year-old web analyst from Glasgow expects to lose even more weight by the time he finishes training for his race in May. Bernt Axelsen is another retiree, aged 70, who lives in Arboleas, Almeria, and who didn’t put on extra pounds. He said: “No, I haven’t put on any weight. My weight is pretty stable. There is no secret; I don’t smoke but I eat and drink what I like.” When we asked Adam Connelly, 40, a builder from Teulada, Costa Blanca, he said he’d put on some extra pounds around his waist from too much beer drinking. But, he PRETTY STABLE: Bernt Axelsen

IN TRAINING: Daniel Robertson added: “Because I have a very physical job, this weight will soon drop off and I will be back to normal.” Others face more of an uphill climb to get the weight off. Rowan Haddad, 24, on holiday from London, answered: “Yes, I know I have! I do every year, and every year it’s my New Year’s resolution to lose it.” The petroleum engineer mentioned that training and going to the gym with her boyfriend are the ways in which she plans to lose it, and that she will be staying away from crash diets. Looks like the secret - that is, aside from a quick metabolism and a favourable genetic make-up - is to stay as active as possible, whether walking, running, training, or keeping fit in an active job. Good luck to everyone trying to shed that holiday excess!

OPINION & COMMENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

9 - 15 January 2014 / Costa de Almería

EWN

31

The silver screen like I never knew it! the masses in the lower stalls. My wife had long hair and sometimes I would put my arm around her (during the scary parts) only to discover that her coiffure had been covered in sun flower seed shells. I was outraged and glared at the row behind. But they kept gnawing and spitting to their heart’s content. LOOKING So, up to BACK IN the balcony MOJACAR we migrated... to the lover’s nest from which the snuffles KAREN: Long hair of the past. and desperate whisperings well with beer, but that was could get pretty hot and just a Saturday occupational passionate and sometimes hazard. bothersome if you were a I quickly learned to sit keen movie-goer like me. upstairs as the bar was Upcoming movies were nearby. More (or less) serious often announced at the Friday students of Hollywood necked street market. The crowd and cavorted. For my part, gathered around the coming that didn’t bother me at all as attraction. But most often the on our first visit we sat with posted movie was showing

Ric Polansky Ric Polansky moved to Mojacar in 1969 as a pioneer developer. He reads extensively and has travelled in South America panning gold and looking for El Dorado.

S

OME of my older stories didn’t end back in their day, but have survived beyond the years and become mythical “legends in their own lunch time’ or at least in downtown Garrucha. That’s where the movie theatre was and that too, was what Saturday night was for the silver screen. It gave us a chance to view all the bad B and C movies ever made. It was also worth any price just to view the sweet delights of the candy vendor. Red and black liquorice was my favourite, and I’d buy it by the kilo. Neither one went

’S R E IS R T E R RNE V A D CO

somewhere in the world but later, while collecting my mail NOT Garrucha! The venue from the post office in became a random Forrest Garrucha, Francisco, the man Gump box of chocolates... you that ran the movie projector never knew what you were commented: “Sr Polansky, you going to get. Yet the low cost must have seen every film of liquorice and beer lured me ever made - correct?” The week after week. comment rather startled me. I Once ticketed, armed with asked him why. He told me his sustenance, and inside, observation. I always the production had to walked out and went have a ‘Spanish home following twist.’ second interA Saturday Three mission! night spent quarters of the He presumed watching movie was I had an all the bad shown before unfathomable B and C movies the first intercelluloid ever made mission. After the knowledge. Who would think you’d break, liquorice have two interreplenishment, a missions six minutes apart stretch and a gaggle of beers back to the big screen. before putting on the final Then, another stop to reel? Worse yet, I suddenly broadcast next week’s realised I hadn’t seen the extravaganza. To be honest, the plot endings of about 10,000 became confusing and the really bad movies and had an feature never seemed to have immediate craving for an end. (About five years liquorice.

Advertising Feature

In spite of the increase in burglaries, %of homes in Spain are not insured

43

ACCORDING to the Study of Burglaries in Spain carried out by Línea Directa’s Home Insurance Division, which analysed the official data on burglaries in Spanish homes in the last six years and the opinion of 1,500 home owners throughout Spain, the number of burglaries has increased as a result of the crisis. In spite of this, the

insurer’s sources show that ‘only 43 per cent of houses are insured.’ Burglaries are a concern for many people. In fact, over 90 per cent of the home owners taking part in the survey thought the law needed to be strengthened in order to prevent this type of crime, for which the punishment is a prison sentence of up to five years. Furthermore, almost 40 per cent of victims consider that reporting burglaries to the

police has little or no effect, and almost 45 per cent believe the work carried out by the State Security Forces in their investigations has been a failure. In fact, according to the Ministry of the Interior’s own data, although the number of people arrested for burglary has increased by 123 per cent since 2007, only 11 per cent of cases recorded last year were solved. The most common type of burglary is committed in family homes (such as detached houses) at the weekend and in broad daylight. The most common methods used are: breaking in through windows (40 per cent), removing locks (19.2 per cent) or the so-called ‘slide method’ (14 per cent), which involves

opening the door with an X-ray or credit card. The cost is considerable: the average cost of homes burgled last year reached €732, a figure which is particularly significant in times of crisis. As for the objects which are stolen, money (64 per cent), jewellery (57 per cent) and electronic devices (54 per cent) are the ones most sought after by burglars. Most burglaries in Levante, fewest inland With the aim of analysing the real scope of burglaries in homes in Spain, Línea Directa has compared the Ministry of the Interior’s data from its official crime figures with the total number of homes in our country, which currently stands at around 26 million. This analysis reveals that

homes in the Community of Valencia, Baleares and Murcia are burgled the most, while those in Asturias, Extremadura and Castile and León are where the number of burglaries recorded is the lowest. According to Francisco Valencia, Director of Corporate Governance in Línea Directa, “analysing the data from the report, it is remarkable that around 11 million Spanish homes are still uninsured and another four million do not have any type of security measure installed. As a result, it is very important to increase safety measures and include theft cover when taking out home insurance, especially taking into account that the home is still the main investment for Spanish people.”

You can find out more about all the benefits available at www.lineadirecta.com or by calling 902 123 104.

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E W N 9 - 15 January 2014 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

Advertising Feature

Thank you and goodbye from the Full Swing and Ferreteria El Real A MESSAGE from Zoe and Dave to all their customers… “Well folks, the time has come. In three months David and I will be adopting two children in Bulgaria. We do not know who they may be, we have not met them yet but they will enter a family who wishes to give them lots of support and love. It’s been on the cards for a while and many of our customers have followed our progress with great interest and we thank you for that. Hence Ferreteria El Real has been up for sale as a going concern for over a year with the knowledge that the adoption would take place at some stage and although we are a profitable business with frequently returning customers, no one has taken us up on the offer. As a matter of course we have had to make a difficult decision and say that we will close the business. I must say that this decision was not taken lightly, nor was it decided upon until this week, but needs must. It’s a sad time for us and I have shed a few tears whilst writing this as we have so many

wonderful customers who have supported us over the years, but it’s time for a family and for my parents to be able to sit back and enjoy their retirement and their new grandchildren to the full. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank some fantastic friends who have supported us through thick and thin, Valerie Greenfield and her husband Alan, as well as my best friend Barbara Woods and many others over the years. We are closing the business at the end of January so until then there is a discount of 40 per cent off all stock in Ferreteria El Real and The Full Swing. Please come and support us in our last month of trading and if you wish, grab a bargain in the process." Thank you from Zoe, Dave, Val, Jan and Les. Situated at C/Las Ramiras F4, Antas. Telephone: 950 459 009.

FINANCE

EUROPEAN PRESS

www.euroweeklynews.com

9 - 15 January 2014 / Costa de Almería

EWN

33

The Meek Mr Osborne And Your Estate The meek shall inherit the earth, according to the Bible. In the case of the UK tax authority, the meek Chancellor levies 40% inheritance tax on estates. If you have two or more heirs, it could mean that George Osborne’s office takes the largest share of your estate unless you plan carefully. The situation is getting worse, with Mr Osborne’s measures expected to drag tens of thousands more British families into the inheritance tax net over the next five years. British expatriates do not escape this tax nearly as easily as most other UK taxes. It will affect your heirs if • You remain a UK domicile (as many British expatriates do) • You own property or other assets in the UK • You or your spouse may return to the UK one day. Inheritance tax is charged on worldwide assets at 40%, over a tax free threshold of £325,000. If you are non-UK domiciled on death, it only applies to UK assets.

By Neil Jenkins, Senior Partner, Blevins Franks

The threshold has been frozen at £325,000 since 2009, and is scheduled to remain unchanged until April 2018. Around 176,000 estates are expected to be affected. The freeze is having the desired effect… for the government, with HM Treasury earning more revenue. On the other hand families are losing out on more of their inheritance.

If the threshold had risen with inflation each year, as was the case before 2009, it would be £372,000 today. Families are paying an extra £18,800 in tax as a result. The threshold would rise to £415,000 by 2018 if inflation linked. With it being frozen, estates caught in the tax net will pay an extra £36,000 in tax in 2018. Think what your children or grandchildren could do with this money. Take professional advice and plan to protect your family from this tax. The Treasury is expected to earn around £3.3 billion this tax year from inheritance tax - 14% more than last year, and the third annual increase in a row. With the threshold failing to keep pace with rising house prices, the Treasury is getting an extra windfall. The average house price increased by 5.8% in the year to October 2013 (according to the

Nationwide House Price Index). Savills real estate agency expects them to increase 25% by 2018. Accountancy firm Grant Thornton calculates that the number of estates falling into the inheritance tax trap could double within four years as a result. 42,000 estates will pay tax in 2016/17, compared to 21,000 in 2012/13. This is much more than the previous peak of 34,000 estates in 2006/07. In October 2007, when Mr Osborne was shadow chancellor, he said a Conservative Government would increase the threshold to £1 million to “take the family home out of inheritance tax”. In response the Labour government allowed the £325,000 allowance to be transferred between spouses, potentially increasing the nil rate band to £650,000 for married couples/civil partners. This £650,000 is still far off £1 million. For many, the family home

still falls into the inheritance net, including overseas properties. There are various ways to mitigate inheritance tax for your family and heirs, and save them the headache of having to sort it out. You also need to take Spanish succession tax into account, and understand how the two taxes interact, and plan accordingly. This is a complex area, more so for expatriates, and can be a legislative minefield. Specialist, detailed advice is essential. Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com

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E W N 9 - 15 January 2014 / Costa de AlmerĂ­a

Thursday

Friday

BBC2/ 2:00pm Darts 5:15pm The Great British Winter 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Great British Railway Journeys 8:00pm Great British Garden Revival 9:00pm Stargazing Live 10:00pm Stargazing Live 10:30pm QI 11:00pm Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am Darts

ITV/ 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV News and Weather 3:00pm All Star Mr and Mrs 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Britain's Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Tonight 9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm Birds of a Feather 10:00pm Benidorm 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm The Brits are Coming 12:35am Weight Loss Ward

Saturday BBC1/

BBC1/ 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Father Brown 4:00pm Perfection 4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Dolphins: Spy in the Pod 10:00pm Silent Witness 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Question Time 12:35am This Week

2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Father Brown 4:00pm Perfection 4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Celebrity Mastermind 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Miranda 10:00pm Silent Witness 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm The Graham Norton Show 12:25am EastEnders Omnibus

BBC2/ 2:00pm Darts 5:15pm The Great British Winter 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Great British Railway Journeys 8:00pm Great British Garden Revival 9:00pm Mastermind 9:30pm Kangaroo Dundee 10:00pm Italy Unpacked 11:00pm QI 11:30pm Newsnight 12:05am Darts

ITV/ 2:30pm ITV News and Weather 3:00pm All Star Mr and Mrs 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Britain's Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm The Martin Lewis Money Show 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Piers Morgan's Life Stories 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm The Americans 12:35am Benidorm

CH4/

CH4/

ITV2/

1:05pm Come Dine with Me 1:35pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:35pm Come Dine with Me 3:10pm A Place in the Sun 4:10pm Countdown 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast 10:00pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 11:00pm David Blaine 12:25am Saw

2:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:35pm Come Dine with Me 3:10pm A Place in the Sun 4:10pm Countdown 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Supersize v Superskinny 10:00pm The Undateables 11:00pm What Happens in Sunny Beach... 12:05am 24 Hours in A and E 1:30pm Emmerdale 2:00pm Coronation Street 2:30pm You've Been Framed! 3:00pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 4:05pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:10pm The Real Housewives of Orange County 6:05pm The Millionaire Matchmaker 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:30pm You've Been Framed! 9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Two and a Half Men 10:00pm Tricked 11:00pm Fake Reaction 11:50pm Forgetting Sarah Marshall

TV LISTING

www.euroweeklynews.com

ITV2/ 1:30pm Emmerdale 2:00pm Emmerdale 2:30pm You've Been Framed! 3:00pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 4:05pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:10pm The Real Housewives of Orange County 6:05pm The Millionaire Matchmaker 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:30pm You've Been Framed! 9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Two and a Half Men 10:00pm The 40 Year Old Virgin 12:20am Take Me Out

BBC1/ 12:30pm The Good Cook 1:00pm Football Focus 1:45pm Saturday Sportsday 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm BBC London News 2:15pm Athletics 3:45pm Darts 5:30pm Final Score 6:15pm BBC News 6:25pm BBC London News 6:30pm Dynamo: Magician Impossible 7:15pm Reflex 8:00pm The Voice UK 9:30pm The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins 10:20pm Casualty 11:10pm BBC News 11:30pm Match of the Day 12:55am The Football League Show

BBC2/ 12:00pm Fred Dibnah's Made in Britain 12:30pm Great British Railway Journeys 1:00pm The A to Z of TV Cooking 1:45pm A to Z of TV Gardening 1:50pm Summer Magic 3:35pm The Go-Between 5:30pm Darts 7:00pm Flog It! 8:00pm Nature's Weirdest Events 9:00pm Dad's Army 9:30pm Morecambe and Wise in Pieces 10:30pm QI XL 11:15pm Burke and Hare 12:40am Darts

ITV/ 11:30am Murder, She Wrote 12:25pm Countrywise 12:45pm ITV News and Weather 12:55pm Columbo 2:55pm The Chase 3:55pm Boyzone at 20: No Matter What 4:55pm Show Me the Telly 5:55pm ITV News London 6:05pm ITV News and Weather 6:20pm Ice Age: The Meltdown 8:00pm Splash! 9:30pm Take Me Out 10:45pm The Jonathan Ross Show 11:45pm ITV News and Weather 12:00am Miami Vice

CH4/ 11:00am How I Met Your Mother 11:30am The Big Bang Theory 12:00pm The Big Bang Theory 12:25pm The Simpsons 12:55pm The Simpsons 1:30pm The Taste 2:30pm Channel 4 Racing 5:05pm Channel 4 News 5:35pm Come Dine with Me 6:10pm Come Dine with Me 6:40pm Come Dine with Me 7:10pm Come Dine with Me 7:45pm Come Dine with Me 8:15pm Crocodile Dundee 10:00pm Hostages 11:00pm Wanted 1:00am House of Flying Daggers

ITV2/ 1:25pm Step Up 3:30pm Curly Sue 5:30pm You've Been Framed! 6:00pm You've Been Framed! 6:30pm You've Been Framed! 7:00pm You've Been Framed! 7:30pm Evan Almighty 9:30pm Tomorrow Never Dies 11:50pm The Magaluf Weekender 12:55am The Interpreter

SUNDAY-

SATELLITE CHANN

Sky1/ 10:30am The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Special 11:00am World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars 12:00pm WWE Experience 1:00pm Sinbad 2:00pm Kingdom of Plants 3:00pm Futurama 3:15pm The Mask of Zorro 6:00pm Ashley Banjo's Big Town Dance 7:00pm The Blackpool Bunch 1 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm The Simpsons 9:30pm An Idiot Abroad

10:30pm An Idiot Abroad 11:30pm Banshee 12:40am Nothing to Declare

SkyMoviesComedy/ 11:10am The Five-Year Engagement 1:20pm Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me 3:05pm Austin Powers in Goldmember 4:45pm As Good as It Gets 7:10pm Parental Guidance 9:00pm The Five-Year Engagement 11:10pm Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me 12:50am Austin Powers in Goldmember

SkyMoviesAction/ 8:15am The Top Ten Show 2014 8:35am Gladiator

12 January BBC1/ 7:00am Breakfast 8:35am Match of the Day 10:00am The Andrew Marr Show 11:00am The Big Questions 12:00pm Sunday Politics 1:15pm MOTD2 Extra 2:00pm BBC News 2:15pm Moving On 3:00pm Bargain Hunt 3:45pm Real Lives Reunited 4:15pm Escape to the Country 5:00pm Songs of Praise 5:35pm Dolphins: Spy in the Pod 6:35pm BBC News 6:50pm BBC London News 7:00pm Countryfile 8:00pm Celebrity Mastermind 8:30pm Antiques Roadshow 9:30pm Sherlock 11:00pm BBC News 11:15pm BBC London News 11:25pm Match of the Day 2 12:25am The Revolution Will be Televised 12:55am Cemetery Junction 2:25am Weatherview 2:30am BBC News

BBC2/ 7:00am This is BBC Two 7:40am A Woman's Secret 9:05am Monty Don's French Gardens

10:05am Countryfile 11:00am Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:30pm Paul Hollywood's Pies and Puds 1:15pm Paul Hollywood's Pies and Puds 2:00pm Masters Snooker 6:00pm Ski Sunday 6:45pm Darts 9:00pm The Tea Trail with Simon Reeve 10:00pm Operation Grand Canyon with Dan Snow 11:00pm Let Me in 12:50am Masters Snooker Highlights 1:40am Masters Snooker Extra 3:40am Countryfile 4:35am Holby City 5:35am This is BBC Two

ITV/ 7:50am Canimals 7:55am Canimals 8:05am Canimals 8:15am Sooty 8:25am Sooty 8:40am Almost Naked Animals 8:50am Almost Naked Animals 9:05am Horrid Henry 9:15am Horrid Henry 9:30am Victorious 10:00am Deadtime Stories 10:25am ITV News 10:30am Dickinson's Real Deal 11:30am Murder, She Wrote 12:30pm ITV News and Weather

www.euroweeklynews.com

TV LISTING

9 - 15 January 2014 / Costa de Almería

Monday SkyMoviesAction/

11:10am

•Daniel Craig •Judi Dench •Javier Bardem •Ralph Fiennes •Naomie Harris

NELS/

Veteran MI6 agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) is off the map. After dropping seemingly to his death on a failed mission, his presumed demise leaves the job of boss M (Judi Dench) on the line. Back in London, her tenure is scrutinised further when a bomb decimates the MI6 building, forcing their operation underground. Chillingly eloquent villain Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem) claims responsibility, before holding M to ransom with stolen top-secret information. Bond is desperately needed, so when he reappears from the dead, M ensures he's thrust straight back into action. As he goes gunning for Silva, can the jaded agent rediscover his lust for the job and save Queen, country and M once again?

FILM4/ 12:00pm The Violent Men 2:00pm Stardust 4:25pm Honey, I Blew Up the Kid 6:10pm The Truman Show 8:15pm Post Grad 10:00pm Coming to America 12:15am Sixteen Candles

BBC2/

TCM/ 11:10am Fury of the Congo 12:30pm Savage Mutiny 2:00pm Ed Sullivan's Rock N' Roll Classics 2:30pm Ed Sullivan's Rock N' Roll Classics 3:00pm The Very Best of the Ed Sullivan Show 3:30pm The Very Best of the Ed Sullivan Show 4:00pm The Magnificent Seven Ride! 5:55pm Cripple Creek 8:00pm Ed Sullivan's Rock N' Roll Classics 8:30pm Ed Sullivan's Rock N' Roll Classics 9:00pm The Very Best of the Ed Sullivan Show 9:30pm The Very Best of the Ed Sullivan Show

2014 Sunday 12:35pm Inside the National Trust 1:35pm The Crocodile Hunter Diaries 2:35pm Catchphrase 3:20pm Splash! 4:50pm All Star Mr and Mrs 5:50pm The Chase: Celebrity Special 6:50pm ITV News London 7:00pm ITV News and Weather 7:15pm Dancing on Ice 8:45pm All Star Family Fortunes 9:30pm Dancing on Ice 10:00pm All New It'll be Alright on the Night's Best of the Worst 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:15pm Birds of a Feather 11:45pm Piers Morgan's Life Stories 12:45am River Monsters 1:10am The Store 3:15am The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 4:00am ITV Nightscreen

CH4/ 6:15am Countdown 6:55am Kirstie's Vintage Gems 7:10am The Hoobs 7:35am The Hoobs 8:00am Will and Grace 8:25am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:55am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:25am Frasier 9:55am Frasier 10:30am Sunday Brunch 1:30pm How I Met Your Mother 2:00pm How I Met Your Mother

BBC1/ 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Father Brown 4:00pm Perfection 4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Inside Out 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Fake Britain Special 10:00pm I Want My Baby Back 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Have I Got Old News for You 12:20am Who Do You Think You Are? USA

Skyfall (Film, 2012)

11:10am Skyfall 1:35pm Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 3:45pm The Last Samurai 6:25pm Gladiator 9:00pm Skyfall 11:30pm Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 1:45am The Grey

Tuesday

2:30pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm The Big Bang Theory 3:25pm The Simpsons 4:00pm The Simpsons 4:30pm 27 Dresses 6:40pm Deal or No Deal 7:35pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast 9:00pm Speed with Guy Martin 10:00pm Fast Five 12:35am End of Days 2:40am Southland 3:25am Coming Up 3:50am How Not to Get Old 4:45am Secret Eaters 5:40am Phil Spencer: Secret Agent

ITV2/ 7:00am Beauty and the Geek 7:45am Emmerdale Omnibus 10:30am Coronation Street Omnibus 1:00pm Take Me Out 2:10pm The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 4:30pm Step Up 6:45pm The Incredible Hulk 9:00pm You've Been Framed! Top 100 Holidays 10:00pm The Magaluf Weekender 11:00pm The Butterfly Effect 1:25am Duplicity 3:50am The Hot Desk 4:00am Teleshopping

2:00pm Masters Snooker 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Great British Railway Journeys 8:00pm Great British Garden Revival 9:00pm University Challenge 9:30pm The Great Sport Relief Bake Off 10:30pm Sacred Wonders of Britain 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am Masters Snooker Highlights

ITV/ 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV News and Weather 3:00pm All Star Mr and Mrs 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Britain's Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm The Bletchley Circle 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm 300 1:40am Jackpot247

CH4/ 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 1:35pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:35pm Come Dine with Me 3:10pm A Place in the Sun 4:10pm Countdown 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Dogs: Their Secret Lives 10:00pm Benefits Street 11:00pm Dave: Loan Ranger 12:00am American Football Playoff Highlights

ITV2/ 2:00pm Coronation Street Roy is terrified as Hayley grows weaker. 2:30pm Coronation Street 3:00pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 4:05pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:10pm The Real Housewives of Orange County 6:05pm The Millionaire Matchmaker 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:30pm You've Been Framed! 9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Two and a Half Men 10:00pm The Sweetest Thing 12:00am Fake Reaction 12:40am Two and a Half Men

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Wednesday BBC1/

2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Father Brown 4:00pm Perfection 4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Death in Paradise 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Motorway Cops 12:35am Disturbia

BBC2/ 12:30pm BBC World News 1:00pm The Daily Politics 2:00pm Masters Snooker 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Great British Railway Journeys 8:00pm Great British Garden Revival 9:00pm The Great Sport Relief Bake Off 10:00pm Wild Brazil 11:00pm House Of Fools 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am Masters Snooker Highlights

ITV/ 12:30pm This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV News and Weather 3:00pm All Star Mr and Mrs 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Britain's Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm River Monsters 9:00pm Weight Loss Ward 10:00pm Paul O'Grady's Animal Orphans 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm Sports Life Stories 12:35am The Crocodile Hunter Diaries

CH4/ 1:00pm Channel 4 News Summary 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 1:35pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:40pm Come Dine with Me 3:10pm A Place in the Sun 4:10pm Countdown 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Location, Location, Location 10:00pm The Taste 11:00pm Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 11:55pm The Undateables 12:55am Random Acts

ITV2/ 1:30pm Emmerdale 2:00pm Coronation Street 2:30pm Coronation Street 3:00pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 4:05pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:10pm The Real Housewives of Orange County 6:05pm The Millionaire Matchmaker 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:30pm You've Been Framed! 9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Two and a Half Men 10:00pm Tomorrow Never Dies 12:30am Two and a Half Men

BBC1/ 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News at One 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Father Brown 4:00pm Perfection 4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Waterloo Road 10:30pm Live at the Apollo 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm A Question of Sport 12:05am Tropic Thunder

BBC2/ 12:30pm The Daily Politics 2:00pm Masters Snooker 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Great British Railway Journeys 8:00pm Nature's Weirdest Events 9:00pm The Great Sport Relief Bake Off 10:00pm Wild Brazil 11:00pm Mock the Week 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am Masters Snooker Highlights

ITV/ 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV News and Weather 3:00pm All Star Mr and Mrs 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Britain's Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Midsomer Murders 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm The Jonathan Ross Show 12:40am The Cube

CH4/ 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 1:35pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:40pm Come Dine with Me 3:10pm A Place in the Sun 4:10pm Countdown 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Restoration Man 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm Finding Mum and Dad 12:05am Benefits Street

ITV2/ 1:30pm Emmerdale 2:00pm The Cube 3:00pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 4:05pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:10pm The Real Housewives of Orange County 6:05pm The Millionaire Matchmaker 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:30pm You've Been Framed! 9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Two and a Half Men 10:00pm Benidorm 11:00pm The Magaluf Weekender 12:00am Fake Reaction 12:50am Two and a Half Men

36

E W N 9 - 15 January 2014/ Costa de Almería

CROSSWORDS

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Time Out EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREAK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE

Almería weather

NEW ON DVD MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

for next 7 days

Bullet Ballet Goda is a documentary filmmaker. While his work may seem intriguing to some, his life is average, until he returns home to find police cars and ambulances surrounding his apartment building. He's told his girlfriend Kiriko has committed suicide with a bullet to her head. Goda goes on a quest into the gritty criminal underworld of Tokyo to find out why Kiriko took her life.

TODAY

VELEZ RUBIO

TOMORROW HUERCAL OVERA

ALBOX

VELEZ RUBIO GARRUCHA ALBOX MOJACAR

ALMERIA

HUERCAL OVERA

RETAMAR GARRUCHA

Starring Shinya Tsukamoto, Kirina Mano and Tatsuya Nakamura. Directed by Shinya Tsukamoto. Runtime 87 minutes. Rated 15.

ADRA

ROQUETAS

MOJACAR ALMERIA RETAMAR ADRA

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) In this your birthday month, your mind is positively buzzing with ideas. There has been so much progress in your personal life during the past year that it is hard to believe. However, you are capable of being very dynamic and single-minded.

7-Star Quiz

1. Capellini, fusilli, vermicelli and ziti are all varieties of what? 2. Dolmades (or dolmas) are Greek and Turkish delicacies in which ingredients such as spiced rice, meat, and bread are wrapped in what? 3. If food is described as ‘en brochette’, how would it be served? 4. The hot appetiser known as ‘angels on horseback’ consists of what wrapped in bacon and served on toast? 5. What is the name of the Russian pancake made of buckwheat flour and yeast and usually served with caviar and sour cream? 6. Which adjective used to describe food, typically pasta, cooked so as to be still firm when bitten, comes from the Italian for ‘to the tooth’? 7. Which popular breaded cutlet dish of boneless chicken breast pounded and rolled around cold garlic butter with herbs, then breaded and either fried or baked, is named after a city in Ukraine?

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Keeping up the activity level physically is really in your best interests this week. It is a pivotal point where your resolutions in this area could fail. With life very busy, it is still important to retain your priorities.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) An authority figure may also be seen as a possible romantic attachment. Your talents and charm serve you well when approaching this person. Opportunities need approaching with eyes wide open, however, because they could be time-consuming and disruptive.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) The chance to travel seems

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Does someone in the family need your attention? Don't begrudge time spent with them, even if you are busy. Consider what you would want others to do if you were in the same position. LIBRA

Sudoku Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9. There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

(September 24 October 23) With your enthusiasm socially at a peak, now is the time to get involved with anything that takes your fancy. A project involving music or painting will give you the chance to make new friends. SCORPIO (October 24 November 22) This week will see more progress on a health issue. Maybe you have recently given up something or taken to the gym. Recent weeks may have conspired to upset your best efforts.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 December 21) Avoid like the plague people who would dampen your spirit. It may not be deliberate but, if you are near repressed or depressed people, it may rub off. Find positive, active people to be near. If you have not started a form of exercise, then now is as good a time as any.

LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

UK THUNDERBALL

IRISH LOTTO

EURO MILLIONS

Saturday January 4

Saturday January 4

Saturday January 4

Friday January 3

4

11

18

28

41

44

1

6 38

10 39

4

25

35

38

42

43

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

8

14

28

Alicante

Almeria

CLOUDY MAX 18C, MIN 11C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

3

27 38

LUCKY STARS 3

8

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

11

13

16

18

43

45

REINTEGRO 49

9

2

21 44

Fri Sat Sun -

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 14 8 C Tues - 13 8 Sh Wed - 13 8 C

14 10 Cl 15 8 C 16 9 C

Fri Sat Sun -

18 11 Cl 19 11 C 19 11 C

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 17 9 C Tues - 16 9 C Wed - 16 10 Sh

Mallorca 18 10 C 17 11 C 16 9 Cl S Sun,

17 4 Cl 14 4 C 12 5 C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 16 10 C Tues - 14 10 Sh Wed - 14 11 C Cl Clear,

CLOUDY MAX 20C, MIN 8C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun Fog,

Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

19 8 C 18 8 C 22 9 S

Mon - 19 8 C Tues - 16 8 C Wed - 17 8 C

C Cloud,

Sh Showers,

Th Thunder

Nonagram How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case P) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

TARGET:

Average: 15

Very good: 27

Good: 19

Excellent: 34

acne, acre, arco, cane, care, cave, ciao, coin, coir, cone, core, corn, cove, cran, icon, narc, nice, once, orca, race, rice, vice, acorn, cairn, caner, canoe, carer, carve, caver, ceria, corer, coven, cover, crane, crave, crier, crone, crore, erica, nacre, narco, nicer, ocean, racer, recon, ricer, vicar, voice, carven, carver, cavern, coiner, cornea, corner, corrie, craven, craver, novice, racier, rancor, voicer, carrion, cornier, corvine, veronica, CARNIVORE

Word Ladder LENS

25

Move from the start word (LENS) to the end word (HOOD) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.

52

REINTEGRO 9

MAX MIN

Mon - 10 2 C Tues - 9 3 Sh Wed - 8 4 Sh

Murcia

CLOUDY MAX 18C, MIN 9C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 17 11 C Tues - 15 11 C Wed - 15 11 C

CLOUDY MAX 16C, MIN 4C

TODAY:

MAX 18C, MIN 11C

MAX MIN

TODAY:

MAX MIN

16 12 C 16 12 Sh 17 13 S

Madrid

Malaga CLOUDY

Mon - 18 11 C Tues - 16 10 C Wed - 17 11 C

CLOUDY MAX 17C, MIN 12C

TODAY:

CLOUDY MAX 16C, MIN 9C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

19 12 C 17 12 C 19 12 Cl

Benidorm

Barcelona TODAY:

CLOUDY MAX 20C, MIN 12C MAX MIN

Mon - 18 9 C Tues - 16 9 C Wed - 17 9 Cl

18 10 C 18 11 Sh 19 11 S

Sunday January 5

Saturday January 4

31 44

LA PRIMITIVA

TODAY:

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

exciting but can be made even more so by including a few people who are on your wavelength. So busy have you been on the more mundane aspects of life that the 'big picture' may have faded into the background.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Bring more zip to your life by putting the spotlight on your health. Getting out and about lifts the spirits, while perking up the diet with new foods brightens the system. As energy levels come up this week, be aware of what is happening around you.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) There are moments of boundless energy which really

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

urge you to 'get up and go'. Make use of this at work, where most progress is to be made this week. Be you a politician, pensioner or anyone in between, the opportunities are there to be had.

58

Ana Rosa Quintana, born January 12, 1956. Quintana is a Spanish journalist and TV host. She started her career in the Spanish National Radio (RNE) as an intern, to eventually become one of the most influential journalists in Spain. In 2000 she published her first novel ʻSabor a Hielʼ (A Taste of Bile), which was withdrawn from bookshops.

HOOD

FOOD HOOD

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Don't chance your plans being disrupted by ill health. Get any problems sorted out now even if you think they are 'nothing'. When you are feeling good it is easy to take that for granted.

Your Stars

IF ITʼS YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK: The fact that you are so at home working in a group is indicative of your cooperative nature. Capitalise on this by applying your people skills to your work. In a busy world, relaxation counts.

LENS LEND FEND FOND

CAPRICORN (December 22 January 20) Romance will find you this week if only you are in the right frame of mind. You may be inclined to refuse social gatherings that hold no prospects for you, but don't close the door on anything.

ROQUETAS

1. PASTA, 2. VINE or CABBAGE LEAVES, 3. ON A SKEWER, 4.OYSTERS, 5. BLINI (also called BLINTCHIK or BLINTZ), 6. AL DENTE, 7. CHICKEN KIEV

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CROSSWORDS

Crosswords

9 - 15 January 2014/ Costa de Almería

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37

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For more information about the sponsor go to www.lineadirecta.com

Cryptic Across 1 Kind of felt dead flat (8) 5 Within a week I lost weight (4) 9 Odd trinkets containing uranium (7) 10 Find praise in next oldest (5) 11 Pious person isnʼt a problem (5) 12 At last, you and me hit grassy clump (7) 13 Norwegian artist going around one German city (6) 15 A politician in retreatʼs wet (6) 18 Marines prepared for meeting (7) 20 An opening, so itʼs said, for love (5) 22 Found in any long fabric` (5) 23 Iced liquid? Could be great eclair (7) 24 ʻYou are really naughtyʼ starts the story (4) 25 Trek less confusing for flighty hunters (8) Down 1 Birds not welcomed by cricketers (5) 2 Rocky French region is unfamiliar (7) 3 Float about on high (5) 4 Substitute some keepers at zoo (6) 6 Musical passage will return in a fortnight (5) 7 Waterproof items made in kilos (7) 8 Worshippers, I assume, embracing Iran formerly (6)

Quick

13 Strong work may be wrecked by my arson (7) 14 Find acne in dogs (6) 16 Guarantee that the motorway is in plain English (7) 17 British villain has an Irish accent (6)

Code Breaker Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 20 represents Q and 24 represents T, so fill in Q every time the figure 20 appears and T every time the figure 24 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

19 Grinder found in Alamo larch tree (5) 20 A degree gets short measure in the back (5) 21 Most pearls are kept by the nobility (5)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC Across: 1 Cilla, 4 Dahlias, 7 Deacons, 8 Rosie, 10 Maine, 11 Refutes, 12 Egret, 14 Plots, 19 Observe, 21 Chafe, 22 Slang, 23 Ordeals, 24 Amended, 25 Talon. Down: 2 Leading, 3 Alone, 4 Desert, 5 Harmful, 6 Inset, 7 Dame, 9 Ease, 13 Enraged, 15 Travail, 16 Cons, 17 Record, 18 Jets, 20 Snare, 21 Cadet. QUICK Across: 1 Scrape, 4 Bites, 9 Climate, 10 Snail, 11 Ewer, 12 Definite, 14 Stated, 16 Recent, 19 Superior, 20 Taxi, 23 Climb, 24 Illness, 25 Other, 26 Costly. Down: 1 Secrets, 2 Raise, 3 Peak, 5 Inspired, 6 Examine, 7 Level, 8 Glue, 13 Terrible, 15 Appoint, 17 Thirsty, 18 Movie, 19 Sect, 21 Alert, 22 Also. ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Cachorros, 6 Agria, 7 Cerca, 13 Roads, 14 Agree, 15 Bracelets.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Funagram

Down: 1 Cual, 2 Cerilla, 3 Ojal, 4 Race, 5 Abad, 8 Referee, 9 Cruz, 10 Isla, 11 Gate, 12 Beds.

Play on Words

English - Spanish The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English. Across 1 Friend (5) 3 Salsa (5) 5 Comer (3) 7 Tarde (últimas horas) (7) 9 Verdadero (4) 10 Ambos (4) 13 Cloudy (sky, day, weather) (7) 14 Sun (3) 15 Seven (5) 16 Toads (5) Down 1 Olives (9) 2 To smell (4) 3 Cobertizo (para animales, herramientas) (4) 4 Cáscaras de huevo (9) 6 Pulgar (5) 8 Ídolos (5) 11 OK (4) 12 Leños (4)

Hexagram The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 six-letter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (MUSCLE) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues. ADDICT

NEATER

BEHAVE

RASCAL

BODIES

REVEAL

BUREAU

STATUE

DILATE

STRAND

ELAPSE

SWERVE

ESTATE

TRACER

FIXATE

TURRET

IDEATE

WARMTH

MUSCLE (10)

Unscramble the name of an English professional rugby union team (two words): POLAND SNOWS

WALLON

Answers: Allin-one, Black box

Unscramble the name of a famous period drama television series (two words): NEW TO BOY BAND

Across 1 Strategy (6) 4 Relating to vision (5) 8 Ancient artefact (5) 9 Associate (7) 10 Approve of (7) 11 Drill a hole (4) 12/18 Solidified carbon dioxide (3,3) 14 Song of praise (4) 15 Catch sight of (4) 18 See 12 21 On one occasion (4) 23 Provide commentary (7) 25 Small flute (7) 26 Awkward (5) 27 Prepared (5) 28 Disregard (6) Down 1 Partition (6) 2 Vacation (7) 3 Tubular pasta (8) 4 Monster (4) 5 Latin American dance (5) 6 Brass instrument (6) 7 Velocity (5) 13 Longing for (8) 16 Inert medication (7) 17 Barrel maker (6) 19 Take pleasure in (5) 20 Having a light touch (6) 22 Hot drink (5) 24 Duplicate (4)

BOX

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Nearby, 2 Carter, 3 Railed, 4 Darted, 5 Talked, 6 Asters, 7 Belted, 8 Kisses, 9 Reeled, 10 Bested, 11 Rivers, 12 Steeds, 13 Enters, 14 Tested, 15 Resent, 16 Desert, 17 Settle, 18 Estate, 19 Tramps

FUNAGRAM SOLUTION: LONDON WASPS, DOWNTON ABBEY

38

E W N 9 - 15 January 2014/ Costa de Almería

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

ealth & beauty H TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.EWNLIFESTYLE.COM

Health benefits of cinnamon sticks

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OH, the smell of cinnamon simmering in a hot drink or baking in the oven… few aromas are more inviting and raise the spirits more, while also providing health benefits. Research at the University of Toronto has found cinnamon consumption to significantly reduce blood pressure in certain diabetic and pre-diabetic patients. Since cinnamon aids glucose control by enhancing the effectiveness of insulin, it also seems the household spice has a beneficial impact on blood-sugar levels. Traditionally, cinnamon has been widely used in Indian ayurvedic medicine. The now-common spice comes from the aromatic inner bark of several trees within the

Cinnamomum genus. Its Spanish name canela is derived from the Latin cannella, meaning ‘small tube,’ based on how it curls up while it dries. The spice keeps well in either ready ground form or in the original sticks (curls of bark). Cinnamon is good for oral health as well, killing bacteria associated with gum disease. Perhaps the Sri Lankan custom of using cinnamon sticks as toothpicks might catch on here too?

CINNAMON: Comes from the aromatic inner bark of ‘Cinnamomum’ trees.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

www.euroweeklynews.com

9 - 15 January 2014/ Costa de Almería

Excessive spicy snacks could be harmful to young children AS spicy snacks like extra hot nachos get more popular, doctors are warning of the possible ill effects they can have on children when eaten to excess.

Doctors claim that some snacks are starting to send children to the emergency room. The damage happens with inflammation of the stomach lining which can cause

severe abdominal pain. Dr. Martha Rivera of White Memorial Medical Centre in Los Angeles speaks of kids unknowingly being “set up for ulcerations, erosions and… peptic ulcer disease.” Gastritis is another common way onto the red carpet, outcome, one with fashion designers associated with including Emerson by bloating and Jackie Fraser-Swan, Juicy vomiting. Couture and Yoana Despite the health Baraschi incorporating it risks, these kinds of into their spring snacks appeal to collections. children due to their Radiant Orchid will also addictive nature. be the colour for 2014 Parents can help by in make-up. replacing these The purple hue is said snacks with tasty to enliven the skin, and gives but healthier a seductive look when combined alternatives in order to with red. protect their children RADIANT ORCHID: Making its way from the harmful effects onto the red carpet. of too-spicy snacks.

2014 colour of the year GLOBAL colour authority Pantone has chosen a tone of purple as colour of the year for 2014. Their 18-3224 Radiant Orchid has been elected to ‘intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,’ the New Jersey-based company claims. “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm,” said, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman. The colour is already making its

EWN

39

FOOD & DRINK

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Food CONCERNED nutritionists are asking what can be considered ‘real’ honey and what cannot, a question at the heart of the raw versus processed honey debate. If honey is defined as the product bees actually produce, a US study showed that more than three-fourths of the honey sold in US grocery stores cannot be called honey because the pollen is filtered out. The World Health Organisation and others warn that without pollen, it

is impossible to determine the product’s origin, making it impossible to verify if the honey came from safe, legitimate sources. Processed honey is falsified by mixing it with glucose syrup, inverted sugar solutions and water, along with dye, flavours and other enhancers. Raw honey, on the other hand, is not heat-treated and purified, meaning it retains all pollen with its enzymes and antioxidants, affording it the lauded antibacterial properties.

41

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Culinary capital of the world M

Is processed honey real?

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Seasonal ingredients.

Almería’s best guide to local restaurants

RAW HONEY: Retains all pollen.

9 - 15 January 2014 / Costa de Almería

ADRID will become the food capital of the world during the 2014 MadridFusion International Culinary Summit, to be held at the end of January. More than 100 international chefs will meet in the Spanish capital under the slogan ‘The inspiration is in the street.’ Eating out will be discussed in talks, demonstrations, master classes, tastings and lectures. The spotlight will turn on big cities (Istanbul, Bangkok, Lima, Washington, Tokyo, New York or Paris) as well as medium-sized ones (Bruges, Gerona or Agrigento), all serving as inspiration to chefs. From January 27 to 29 experts will discuss young and promising chefs,

culinary creativity and city restaurants. Chef Andoni Aduriz and neuroscientists Luis Castellanos and Adrian David Cheok will talk about new food sensations in the ‘always connected’ cities of the 21st century. The team from elBulliFoundation, under the supervision of molecular gastronomy chef Ferran Adria, will pose 50 questions to challenge the way of understanding cuisine in a lecture to be broadcast also in New York. Spanish gastronomy will have a special place in Saborea España (Taste Spain), a conference within the conference to showcase and pay tribute the Spanish cuisine and its most renowned chefs. Parallel to Madrid-

EATING OUT: Will be discussed in talks, demonstrations and tastings. Fusion, more than 100 wine-related companies will display their products in EnoFusion, Madrid’s wine fair.

2014 wine calendar THIS year is a must for wine amateurs in Spain. More than 40 wine-related meetings, including contests and tastings, will take place in 2014. These events are marked in the 2014 Wine Contest Calendar, recently published in the Spanish Official Gazette (BOE). The wine calendar has information provided by the public bodies in charge of organising these events. In the calendar, all the information related to the event is available.

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E W N 9 - 15 January 2014 / Costa de AlmerĂ­a

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FOOD & DRINK

AUBERGINE: Low in fat.

Seasonal ingredients best used in January USING seasonal ingredients when cooking is the best way to serve dishes packed with flavour. Food that grows and ripens naturally is tastier than artificially produced food that often travels from miles away losing part of its flavour on the way. In addition, seasonal food is cheaper as it is less labour intensive and normally

comes from local sources. In order to ensure people’s diets are the tastiest, and healthiest, possible, the Mediterranean Diet Foundation has made a list with the best food to use in January. The ingredients, divided in three categories, are the following: Vegetables: chard, artichoke, aubergine, broccoli, courgette, onion, cauliflower, chicory, peas, turnip, radish, carrot, tomato, cabbage and leek. Fruits: custard apple, strawberry, kiwi, mandarin, apple, orange, kaki and banana. Fish: cod, red sea bream, bass, mussels, salmon, grouper, trout and scallops.

SALMON: Packed with omega 3 fatty acids.

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E W N 9 - 15 January 2013 / Costa de Almería

Nora Johnson

Breaking Views A Costa del Sol resident for a number of years, Nora is the author of psychological suspense and crime thrillers. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/ norajohnson

I

F you did any shopping in the UK over the Christmas season, hopefully you were, err, on your toes as everything - product positioning, escalators, even mirrors - is carefully designed to get you to spend, spend, spend. For instance, the stuff the shop really wants you to buy, such as the premium or its own-brand products that bring in the biggest returns, are always at eye level. And items like dog treats are often placed lower down the shelf than dog food. That’s because it’s mainly kids persuading parents to buy treats for their pets (probably wouldn’t buy them otherwise). If placed higher up the shelf, kids just wouldn’t see them. Let’s take IKEA as an example. A study concluded that the labyrinth of a typical IKEA store is cannily designed to entice its customers into purchasing as much flat-packed furniture as possible, the company’s success due, in part, to baffling its customers into submission. It found that the weaving yellow path leaves customers disorientated with no clue where the exit lies. And while IKEA stores have to include shortcuts to

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OPINION & COMMENT

Lost and confused? it’s all part of the plan…

SUPERMARKET AISLES: Do you walk the entire store when you only want one item? satisfy fire regulations, these are always located outside the customer’s normal field of vision: behind you. So, more S&M than M&S? But is this ‘maze’ criticism founded?

Now, there are ginormous arrows on the floor all the way round every IKEA so, if people can’t find the exit, does that mean they don’t understand what an arrow is? And we’ve all known for ages

IKEA - like any large supermarket wants to take you round the whole store before you reach the exit! But there’s no need to feel like a hamster in a cage. Like any shop, most of it is signposted. Simply look up - the ‘shortcuts’ are well marked. You don’t need to do a lap around the entire store. It’s like traipsing up and down every aisle at the supermarket when all you want is bread. Don’t tell me you lot do that too …? Which reminds me. Recently in the bakery aisle of a well-known UK supermarket, there was an offer of ‘Any 2 for £1.20.’ A bloke chose two different items. No discount. When queried, he was told, yes, he could have any two ‘as long as they were crumpets.’

Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘Retribution’,‘ Soul Stealer’,‘ The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.89; £0.77) and iBookstore. Profits to Cudeca.

HOMES & GARDENS

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9 - 15 January 2014 / Costa de Almería

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Dick Handscombe

Gardening Corner By Dick Handscombe Spain’s best known expat gardening author about to start his 26th winter cut back.

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ELL the festive season is now over, so it’s a good idea to start the essential winter cutback as soon as possible. This will ensure that plants cut back to shape can adjust to their new size; start to prepare to sprout new shoots and leaves; and form flower and fruit buds in time for the warm days of early or late spring, depending on the type and location of your garden. Chapter 6.9 of our book ‘Your garden in Spain from planning to planting and maintenance’ explains what to do with a wide variety of plants, so I will stick to explaining the main principles. Main reasons for a winter cutback 1. Most shrubs and trees are dormant or at their lowest level of growth, so there will be a low level of sap bleeding and drying out. 2. To shape trees and shrubs to make them more architectural and reduce them to a size in keeping with size and style of your garden. 3. To clear away any weeds, dead leaves and unwanted self-seeded plants. 4. Plants that were allowed to bud and flower during the festive season will now slow down, mainly lose their leaves and, if left uncontrolled until the spring, they will become leggy. 5. The later you prune now the later plants will flower in the spring. 6. The weather is often dry and sunny and makes this winter exercise enjoyable.

Time to deal with the winter cutback and overall tidy up

CUTTING BACK: To help plants sprout new shoots. There are also some pest control actions to integrate into the cutback and clean up. These include: 1. Burn any really diseased prunings or dying plants. 2. Spray fruit trees with a mix of neem oil and propolis. We use five millilitres per litre of water at this time of year. 3. Seal large diameter cuts with a sealant. 4. Place grease bands round the trunks of fruit

trees. 5. Sow two garlic segments under each rise bush after pruning and weeding. If it rains or you are looking for an interesting read by the fireside, try our latest book available as are the others from Amazon Books. ‘Adventure along the Pyrenees’ is not a guide book. It is a full and interesting travelogue describing the 52-day, 950-kilometre walk Clodagh and I did from the

Vegetables in Spain’ after a Bay of Biscay to the Med. It turned into a real few years. The book is written adventure as several unexpected happenings rather more for those such as new snowfalls, walking with a local accidents and forest fires walking club and nonrather than caused us to modify our walkers mountain route; at times with no experienced published map but the climbers. advice of shepherds, former smugglers and a hermit. STOP PRESS It was the sight of ‘Adventure along the ancient eco vegetable Spanish Pyrenees’ plots in the small Dick Handscombe’s mountain villages that new book prompted us to take on more land and write ‘Growing Healthy

When we did the walk we had never carried heavy backpacks before or walked for more than a week, and then staying in B&Bs or hotels. We took no mobile phone or GPS so relied on the use of a compass to ensure that, most of the time, we headed east. A total of just two phone calls each were made to tell our families that we were still alive.

© Dick Handscombe www.gardenspain.com January 2014

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FEATURE

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FEATURE / PETS

Husky horror A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl, Maddison, needed 80 stitches after she was set upon when she went to stroke the family pet just before she was taken to bed. The husky called Zeus jumped forward and bit the toddler on the cheek. Maddison was taken to hospital where she underwent a two-hour operation. The stepfather refused to have the dog put down, stating: “Zeus is like a child to me and there is no point.” More than 200,000 people a year are estimated to be bitten by dogs in England, with the annual cost to the NHS of treating injuries about £3 million (€3.61 million). More than 6,400 people a year are admitted to hospital in the UK for micro-surgery to life-changing injuries caused by dogs. One in six of these victims is under 10. Half the children in the world are bitten by a dog before the age of 12. These figures are recorded statistics, but what about the injuries which are not recorded? Anyone who has a dog irrespective

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of breed and however well-behaved should never leave a child with a dog without supervision. From my research I have found that more often than not a child will play with a dog, by pulling the tail, ear, leg or pinching, poking fingers in

the dog’s eyes or down the dog’s ear. Many generally are found to be teasing the animal. All dogs need space and I emphasise breed has no importance. For complete safety no dog, irrespective of size or breed, should ever be allowed in bedrooms and certainly never on a bed. Toys should be lifted from the floor when the dog is not playing with them as often a child will go near ‘his’ toy.

For your local radio frequency log onto www.talkradioeurope.com

Food drive by nuns and Freemasons FOR the past four years the Freemasons from Lodges in Mojacar and Albox have been helping the nuns at the Hermanas Franciscanas de la Purisima Concepcion in Vera to supply more than

1,500 food parcels. The Freemasons presented the nuns with food to the value of €1,400. The money was spent on dry goods like pasta, oil and flour and distributed at Christmas

and New Year to those in need in the Vera area. Children also helped the nuns by bringing bags of food to school to pass on; numerous other organisations assisted by offering a variety of produce. Money was presented to Vera Sur Cash and Carry for the nuns to use in December when Mother Superior Loz Elena and Sola Rita, and

Nuns and Freemasons organised more than 1,500 food parcels. also Mario Vazquez, the president of the food bank were present. Anyone wishing to help in any of our charitable functions please contact us on 950 460 380 or 634 396 872. Mojacar Lodge, Cortijo Las Capaorroes S/N, Los Gallardos, Almeria.

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Price per word: 0,42€ + IVA minimum 15 words - Discount: Book 10 weeks, get 2 weeks free - Deadline: 4pm Mondays Contact: Phone (0034) 950 472 109 • Fax (0034) 950 478 789 • email mojacar@euroweeklynews.com • www.euroweeklynews.es

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FEATURE/ALBOX

9 - 15 January 2014 / Costa de Almería

A SPACIOUS detached, three bedroom, three bathroom, villa of 153m2 on 2,800m2 with beautiful views. Situated in Cortijo Grande this detached house commands superb views of the golf course and Cabrera mountains. The property sits on a 2,800 square metre plot and was built around 35 years ago. It is in need of some modernisation but has many interesting features and has been well maintained. The property comprises entrance hallway, living room with doors to a terrace and large fireplace, separate dining room, kitchen, and access to the integral garage. On the next level are two double bedrooms with terraces off, and guest bathroom. A short flight of stairs leads to the master bedroom with en suite bathroom. The approach to the house is by a tarmac drive with ample parking for several cars and the gardens are planted with a variety of mature trees and plants. This property has been priced sensibly at the outset to ensure a quick sale.

Eighth fun run in aid of charity MORE than 250 people said farewell to 2013 in Albox by taking part in the eighth edition of the ‘Albojense San Silvestre.’ As every year, the race had a charitable nature, with each participant handing over a kilo of non-perishable food as an ‘entry fee’ which is donated to the Caritas Charity. In total this sporting event managed to raise around 400 kilos of food. The day was organised by the Sports department of Albox Town Hall and Cultural Association ‘Somos Albojenses.’ Apart from aiming for more participants each year they are also making it more of a fun race, and this year saw more participants than ever in fancy dress in a 4.5km race which passed through the main streets of Albox.

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DETACHED: Has many interesting features and needs some modernisation. To make an appointment to view this property, or to look at our extensive portfolio, call in to our office on the Paseo del Mediterraneo 171. If you are looking to sell your property call us now for a free, no obligation, valuation. We look forward to hearing from you. www.pricebrown.com sales@pricebrown.com Tel: 950 478 915

The tarmac drive to the house (above) and the extensive gardens planted with a variety of mature trees and plants (left).

Local development helped by grants for different projects THE Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development has given a grant of almost €16,500 to the Almanzora Rural Development Group (GDR). The grant has been awarded for the organisation of ‘Almond Blossom Trail walking routes.’ The initiative includes five routes, Albox, Chirivel, Taberno, Oria, Abla and Abrucena. Among other objectives, the organisers aim to promote traditional agriculture and the conservation of cultural heritage and preservation of the countryside as well as promote the consumption of almond related products. In addition to the walking routes, photography competitions will also be held. The GDR

has also received a grant of €76,774 for the project ‘Almeria, a heritage to be discovered,’ which aims to promote the cultural heritage of rural areas of the province. The Association for Rural Development Almanzora, has received a grant of nearly €15,000 for the project ‘Archaeology and Landscape’ which will aim to show the relationship between heritage,

archaeology and the landscape. The project consists of five routes designed with archaeology themes in each of the regions that comprise the GDR in the province. This will include the subsequent publication of a book with the walking itineraries, written by specialists and researchers. The routes planned are in Sorbas, Los Velez (Velez-Blanco), the

Alpujarra (Dalias and Berja), the hamlet of Huebro (Nijar) and the Alto Almanzora (Purchena, Tijola and Bacares). These projects, cofinanced with 80 per cent coming from the European development fund (FEDER) and 20 per cent from the Junta de Andalucia, will help to generate employment opportunities in the smaller towns of the province.

Windy Albox ALBOX suffered particularly strong winds on Saturday night with the local weather station recording a maximum of 119 kilometres per hour around 9pm. An average speed of 89 kilometres per hour was recorded over a 10 minute spell around the same time causing power cuts in some areas and damage to trees. The strong wind was due to the passage of a cold front associated with a deep storm to the west of the British Isles.

MOTORING

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9 - 15 January 2014 / Costa de Almería

otoring M TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Bespoke Citroën only for Chinese market

FRENCH manufacturer Citroën is to launch a new model of the DS range exclusively to the Chinese market, the DS 5LS. The luxury saloon, produced at the Shenzhen plant in China, is a further step in the development of the DS brand in that country. It is also the second DS model to be manufactured in the Asian country after the DS5. The DS 5LS introduces the DS’s new front end, inspired by the Numero 9 and Wild Rubis concept cars from Citroën. It features a prestige, sculpted grille called ‘DS Wings,’ a nod to the DS

of 1955 that takes its name from the two chrome wings connecting the headlights. The DS emblem is displayed in the radiator grille. Signature chrome side trim extending from the windows to the boot highlights the strength of the car’s silhouette. A distinctive feature of the rear end are the LED lamps, with the chrome ring set in the glass giving a 3D accent to the lighting functions. Nine body colours are available, including Nocciola Brown, an original colour with shimmering highlights.

Inside the car, the emphasis is on materials like metal, wood and semianiline leather. The DS 5LS incorporates engines like the THP 160 and THP 200 with

sequential direct injection fed by a high-pressure pump, and Twin Scroll turbo compressors. These engines are paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

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www.euroweeklynews.com DS 5LS: Manufactured at the Shenzhen plant in China.

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MOTORING

A look to the future with the new MINI THE new MINI John Cooper Works Concept offers a look ahead to the next generation of the elite sports model. The study car will be presented for the first time at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2014, and will feature bespoke elements. The John Cooper Works model is the result of an overall concept developed on the back of the brand’s many years of motor sport experience. The concept car is based on the latest-generation MINI. Its origins are recognisable in the longer wheelbase and wider track over the outgoing model. Weight savings and

PAINT FINISH: Chili red sporty stripes. improved aerodynamic properties contribute to the car’s go-kart feeling. Also included are Sport Stripes, in Chili Red for the bonnet and boot lid, and in white for the roof. Additional red accents adorn the rim wells of the John Cooper Works

light-alloy wheels, the callipers of the sports brakes, the side indicator surrounds and the contour lines of the front and rear apron. A red accent line also lends particular emphasis to the John Cooper Works logo on the radiator grille.

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Sport Costa de Almería’s best guide to local sport

Tony Matthews

International Sports A former football player and the world’s most prolific author of football books (more than 100 published), Tony is also the sports reporter for Spectrum Radio and lives in the Cabrera mountains.

Mo Farah has been named European Sportsman of the Year (2013) ahead of Sebastian Vettel. TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

England’s Ashes whitewash and farewell to Eusebio

Cup-ties saw upsets by Sheffield United (2-1 CRICKET - Diabolical winners at Aston Villa), England were Rochdale (2-0 v Leeds) slaughtered, thrashed, and Nottingham Forest massacred and totally (5-0 v. West Ham); humiliated by Australia Arsenal defeated Spurs who completed an Ashes 2-0 and there were also whitewash by winning victories for Swansea (for the first time ever the final Test by 281 at Old Trafford), runs. Cook’s men Cardiff, were outbowled, out- There will be Chelsea, Crystal batted and 19 races in Palace, out-fielded the 2014 Everton, by an Liverpool inspired Grand Prix and team, and Southampton. Geoffrey Boycott said: “Our The 4th round batting was rubbish, will feature Arsenalabsolutely rubbish.” Coventry, StevenageIt’s the first time an Everton, Chelsea-Stoke England team has lost and possibly Bourne100 wickets in a series. mouth-Liverpool. Let’s hope the players Earlier this week, West can do better in limited Ham played Manchester over games! Oh, the City and Sunderland next Ashes series starts took on Manchester in 18 months time. United in League Cup FOOTBALL - Last semi-final first legs; this in the weekend’s 3rd round FA weekend Costa de Almeria

‘RUBBISH’: Geoffrey Boycott on England’s batting. Premiership there are six-pointers involving Cardiff v West Ham and Fulham v Sunderland, while Arsenal visit Aston Villa, Hull play Chelsea, Manchester City visit Newcastle and Stoke meet Liverpool. The big Championship game is

Leicester v Derby, Brentford play Port Vale in FL1 and Scunthorpe meet Mansfield in FL2 while Celtic (v St Mirren) and Rangers (v. East Fife) will hope to extend their unbeaten runs in the SPL and SL2.

ROUND-UP - There’ll be 19 races in the 2014 Grand Prix programme. Cars/drivers will negotiate two new venues, in Austria and Russia, while India has been dropped. The first race takes place in Australia on 16 March... Mo Farah was named European Sportsman of the Year (2013) ahead of Sebastian Vettel... Dutchman Michael Van Gerwen is the 2014 WDO darts champion... This weekend, it’s the 5th round of Rugby’s Heineken Cup and the Masters Snooker Championship starts at London’s Alexandra Palace... and finally, the great Portuguese footballer Eusebio has died aged 71; ex-jockey Terry Biddlecombe passed away, aged 72 and two former football

Badgers Golf Society Boxing Day Bash BADGERS Golf Society Boxing Day Bash was held at Playa Macenas. Tony Waldren won the day’s competition with 35 points and Sheila Watts right behind with 34 pts. Special mention

SPORT

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to Sheila Watts for her hole-in-one at the 16th hole. Members are reminded that yearly membership is now due. Badgers Golf Society plays every

Saturday at Macenas for their weekly roll-up. Future fixtures are Thursday, January 9 at Hacienda del Alamo, January 15 at Macenas, January 22 at Valle de Este, and January 29 at Macenas. Guests are welcome to join the society on both Wed and Sat comps. Book in at Badgers Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or by phone on 950 478 525 / 686 038 259. Fixtures can be found on the website, www.badgersmojacar.com.

SPECIAL MENTION: Sheila Watts Hole in One.

club Chairmen have also left us, Ron Noades (Crystal Palace) and John Silk. R.I.P.

Busters v Vistabella IN Busters Golf Society’s January’s game against Vistabella, Phil Harris took first place for the day with 33 points. Graham Bell and Phil Pettican tied for second place with 32 points. The winner and runners up received cash prizes, though no Busters players managed to break or reach par. The postgame draw for the football card was made and won by Barry Grinsell.

Cortijo Grande IN Cortijo Grande’s January 5 game, first place went to Leif Myhre who won the first Division with 38 points. Peter Jackson trailed at second with 34. Second Division winner was Ann Jackson with 36 points, with Frans Deardon next with 33. But the memorable feature of the day’s game was the seven ‘two’s’ in the competition, a record in the last 22 years of golf at Cortijo Grande. Those scoring ‘two’s’ were Daphne Deardon (twice), Cathal Higgins, Ann Jackson, David Middleton, Lilly Pepper, and Amanda Roberts.