SSUENN 1555 //25 23 APRIL2016 2015 IISSUE OO . .1599 Feb- -29 2 Mar
COSTA DE ALMERÍA
YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
Resign? Over my dead body ALBOX mayor summons Strasbourg as Irish woman rejects post By Matthew Elliott A judge has ordered Albox mayor Rogelio Mena to resign immediately from his post after being found guilty of financial misdeed and banned from holding public office. In a dramatic turn, however, the Socialist kingpin has rejected the court’s demands and now threatens to take his case all the way to Strasbourg. Mena claims that he has lost all faith in the justice system and will now pursue the matter in the highest court in all Europe. The mayor is accused of misappropriation of public funds, using public money for his personal use and withholding financial information from opposition groups. Opposition group, Partido Popular (PP) also accused him of creating ‘jobs for the boys’, making council positions available to former col-
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Dust descends MAJOR warns Mojacar of atmospheric trail THE beauty of Mojacar was obscured from vision by an unusual dust cloud, which drifted over from Africa and was first reported by British astronaut Tim Peake doing his bit for the town. See page 4
Saving lives SHARPEN your superhero skills in Mojacar FIRST aid courses will be available in Mojacar as the Red Cross shares it expertise with the public in a unique set of upcoming classes and courses that could help save lives. See page 5
Blasphemy brigade ALBOX group has launched social media A NOTORIOUS Albox church has lambasted Barcelona officials for crea t i v e u s e o f t h e L o r d ’s
prayer in a bid to defend women’s rights, in the latest incident of the church courting controversy. See page 66
Without water BRITS in Albox denied for a week PASSIVITY and negligence have left 10 British expatriates without water for days on end, due to an outrageous infrastrucSee page 70 ture situation that harks back to another century. leagues. This latest turn of events leaves residents and political groups wondering who will step into the vacant post. Number two on the council is Irish-born Maura Hillen, who stood as an independent candidate in last year’s elec-
tions. Hillen, who is also president of homeowners group AUAN, has said she has no intention of taking up the position. Names likely to throw their hat in the ring include 33year-old Sonia Cerdan, the current third deputy mayor
along with first deputy Tito Carillo, who is the current finance councillor. PP spokesperson Juan Pedro Quiles, said of the imminent new council that he hoped the new mayor would “provide transparency and rid the council of corruption.”
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de AlmerĂa
LOCAL NEWS
A narrow escape A DRIVER had a lucky escape when a train on the Almeria-Sevilla route smashed through their car at the barrier in Gador. The dri-
ver had escaped the danger by jumping out the car and the train continued on its way following a brief 30 minute setback.
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Brits riding high in mountain-bike race FAST becoming one of the most popular in the local calendar By Adele Land
Drugs bust in Turre IN Turre, two people were arrested for transporting drugs hidden in a car. The detainees, both residents of Almeria, were intercepted at a Guardia Civil road block. The vehicle was searched and agents discovered a kilogramme of hashish hidden under the back seat. The suspects will appear in court in Vera.
Tapas treats for Lent LOCAL dishes are on the menu during the HuercalOvera tapas-trail event. The gastronomy event will take place every Friday until March 18, to mark Lent. Typical dishes such as
ajos coloraos, cod fritters and cod with tomato will be available along with many other interesting treats. A tapa with a small beer will cost â‚Ź2.50 in participating bars.
THE annual Bomberos mountain-bike race in Turre attracted record numbers of entries, with riders of various nationalities from across Spain, travelling to take part. The race is fast becoming one of the most popular in the local calendar with some 700 inscriptions this year. British rider, 16-year-old Matthew Jones, flew the flag for Britain coming first in his group, the junior category. Jones is in his second year with the Bicilocura Primaflor team, based in Pulpi. He finished the 40 kilometre race in one hour, 45 minutes and 18 seconds. Another British rider, Mark Saunder, from Albox, came 14th in the senior group, the top-placed British rider in the category. Bryan White, from Antas smashed his personal best in the race coming in at 25th.
FLYING THE FLAG: British rider Matthew Jones won his group.
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25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
FEATURED NEWS
From an expatriate to an illegal immigrant Credit World Economic Forum
HOW broomstick Boris combs his hair could sway the future of Brits in Spain
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Your papers, your views Our readers have been expressing their views and concerns on what the outcomes of the referendum could mean to the expat community on our website. To join the discussion log on now and have your say.
www.euroweeklynews.com Here are just a few of your comments:
Federalisation “In the past 25 years we have seen a ‘federalisation’ process, something which the electorate have never voted on nor been asked to vote on. There is nothing the UK can achieve in the EU which it can’t achieve alone.” Drew
Care concerns “If the UK quits Europe or even worse if the EU collapses, we will have to find the money for my wife’s health care (and mine) from elsewhere. It is unlikely we would be able to afford private health care or even be granted private health insurance in the first place, because of my wife’s pre-existing condition. Ergo, if we quit the EU my wife and I will be forced to return to Britain.” Brian
Don’t upset us “Spain could ill afford to upset expats in Spain as without them their economy would suffer and they know it.” Noel
We should vote
BORIS JOHNSON: The mayor of London is backing the Brexit campaign. By Emily Chettle WITH the bombastic Mayor of London backing the Brexit campaign, the referendum hangs on a knife edge. The Prime Minister is right to be worried as his friend turned foe has huge influence to sway the vote. More than 100 Conservative MPs have declared they want to leave the EU - including five cabinet ministers. A huge worry for those concerned by the referendum and the possibility of the UK leaving the EU is the unknown status of large numbers of expat communities, wantonly dismissed by Westminster as the ivory towers threaten to collapse under a bruised collective ego. A mass exodus of both British residents and Europeans from each other ’s respective nations, could easily be the result of rampant bureaucracy gone mad in the wake of an exit from Europe. In a chilling statement, Dominic Grieve, former attorney general, has
23/6/2016 is the date when David Cameron has announced the UK referendum on whether to remain in the EU or leave will be held
said: “An EU exit would instantly make two million Britons living abroad illegal immigrants.” The UK referendum bill failed to even guarantee a vote for British people living abroad for more than 15 years, leaving a vast amount of expats barred from a process that directly relates to their future living in Spain. Fewer Brits relocating to Spain in the future would also have devastating consequences to expat businesses, reliant on British communities,
as the flow of British expats diminishes. Unadulterated ignorance defines any grasp of the future relationship between Spain and the UK if Britain does indeed vote to leave the union, as the real details are about as settled as Boris’ hair in the wind. Will established British people living in Spain be forced to sell up and relocate back to the UK when faced with mammoth amounts of red tape and excessive taxes? What happens to healthcare charges for those of us in Spain? Will Sweden also go its own way? Will the EU collapse under the weight of its own ambition? If Scotland votes differently from England, is this the end of the United Kingdom? This isn’t a case of elephants in the room, there’s an outright zoo on the loose, and the arrival of another bumbling ape with a shock of exotic white hair shouldn’t make a damn of a difference. Forget the hype, follow your heart, educate yourself.
Gibraltar can vote IN June’s referendum ALTHOUGH Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey are not part of the EU and have no right to vote in the referendum, Gibraltar is (although it uses its membership through the UK selectively) and therefore all registered voters in Gibraltar will be eligible to vote in the referendum as part of South West England.
Quote of the Week There is only one way to get the change we need, and that is to vote to go, because all EU history shows that they only really listen to a population when it says no. Boris Johnson
“Of course people who are British and have left the UK should have the right to vote on this, they still are British.” Mike
Immigrant crisis “We need the right to say who can come and live in Britain, and who cannot, and not be dictated to by Brussels. Few of these subjects are even open for discussion, which is why we need to leave.” Roy
Funds will shrink “If we leave and let the Union collapse then we’d better prepare to leave our comfort zone too. As our money shrivels, our economy shrinks.” Brian
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de AlmerĂa
INDEX News 1 - 30
Featured News 3
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African dust cloud settles over Mojacar DUST can also have a negative effect on health
Finance 33 - 40
Stocks 34
Leapy Lee 41
Our View 42
Colin Bird 42
Letters 50
Daily TV 52
By Adele Land MOJACAR residents woke up to find their terraces, garden furniture and cars covered in a thick layer of brown dust, earlier this week. Weather centre AEMET reported on Sunday (February 21) a mass of atmospheric dust moving across from the Sahara. For much of the day the sun was completely obscured and Mojacar pueblo which usually stands out on the hillside above the resort was barely visible. The local car-wash experienced a boost in business as people waited in line to clean the thick powder off their cars. First to report the dust cloud was astronaut, Tim Peake, who posted a photo of the cloud hanging above Spain on his Facebook page. Along with the dust cloud came higher temperatures. Following a week of cold weather, temperatures reached 25 degrees this week as warm air swept across from Africa. According to a joint report by AEMET and the Barcelona dust forecast centre, the dust can have a negative effect on health,
DUST CLOUD: The sun was obscured over Mojacar pueblo.
particularly for people who suffer from respiratory illnesses. The report also made reference to the positive fertilising effects of the dust for the
agriculture and fishing industries. The dust cloud is expected to remain in the atmosphere at least until the end of the week.
Time Out 55 - 58
Health & Beauty 60 - 62
Social Scene 63 - 64
Albox 66 - 71
Homes & Gardens 74 - 75
Pets 76 - 77
Legally Speaking 78
Classifieds 81 - 83
Motoring 84 - 85
Sport 86 - 88
Arrested after high speed chase AFTER a dramatic high speed chase, Local Police officers in Almeria have arrested a 41-year-old Moroccan man seizing 3.4 kilos of
marihuana found in his possession. The individual, resident in Almeria was finally stopped in the La Fuentecica neighbourhood in Almeria.
The pursuit occurred on February 20 at 3.50pm after police officers saw a black Audi A-4 quickly change direction when it noticed the
police presence. A chase ensued through several streets before police intercepted and immobilised the vehicle.
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Daylight robbery TWO women who gained the trust of an elderly couple by pretending to be friends of their neighbour were sentenced to six months in prison for stealing money from them during a game of cards. The couple, aged 86 and 87, live in Vicar, Almeria.
First aid courses in Mojacar THE Red Cross in Mojacar is hosting a series of life-saving and first aid courses. This i s a c h a n c e t o learn basic life-saving techniques and gain first aid skills to use in case of an emergency. The courses will take place at the Artisan multi-use centre on the following dates. March 4, 5 and 6 and 11, 12 a n d 1 3 , t i m e s , Friday s 4 p m t o 8 p m, Saturdays 9am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm, and on Sundays 9am to 2pm.
Vera tops the table of gender-based crimes GOVERNMENT delegates, Local Police and Guardia Civil officers, and members of Vera Council met this week to discuss the problem of gender-based violence in the town. The number of genderbased violent crimes in the town is slightly higher than the provincial average. Local authorities will participate in the Viogen scheme, a new initiative developed to aid the tracking and reporting of gender-based violence. During the meeting, organisers highlighted the importance of vigilance and reporting in the efforts to reduce this type of crime.
25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
A war is looming over irrigation CITY applied to reserve use of El Bobar plant By Matthew Elliott A BATTLE is looming over irrigation rights, as a professional body devoted to the practice took umbrage at an application made by Almeria City to exclusively reserve use of the El Bobar plant. The facility can produce 14.2 million cubic metres of purified water each year and is essential to irrigators across the entire province, especially in the production of tomatoes. The Irrigators Federation of Almeria has now met with Ciudadanos representatives from the town hall to launch a political initiative in defence of their rights. The political party is trying to cultivate a reputation fighting against centralism
IRRIGATORS: Water is essential in the production of tomatoes. and corruption. The federation is arguing that the move to completely control the enormous plant is contrary to existing legisla-
tion, exceeds the power of the township, and violates the rights of provincial irrigators, who rely on the facility.
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New citizen’s by-law for Vera TALKS to develop a code of conduct VERA Counci l has launched a plan to implement a new ‘co-existence’ by-law. Opposition groups and r esi dent s associ at i ons were involved in the talks to develop a code of conduct for those living in the town. Councillor for citizen participation, Francisca Garcia, said she was con-
f i dent t he new by- l aw woul d m ake t he t own a better place to live for all its residents. Moj acar Counci l was criticised recently for implementing a similar bylaw which, among other items, restricted the wearing of fancy dress costumes in the street, and the wearing of swimwear away from the beach.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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New data shows inequality WOMEN in Almeria have to work 58 days more than men to earn the same salary By Emily Chettle STAGGERINGLY Spanish women are working on average 58 days more than men to earn the same salary, new data has revealed. Figures provided by the European Committee confirm Spanish women are on a 19.3 per cent lower gross salary than men for the same position. These alarming figures correspond to women working in the Almeria area. Whilst businesses and working conditions evolve continuously at great speed, there are some things that don’t change, like gender inequality in opportunities and salaries. These are the words of Francisca Serrano, the coordinator of the Andalucian Women’s Insitute of Almeria. Serrano was cited supporting women’s rights in the run up to the European Day for Salary Equality among men and women, which took place on February 22. An advocate for women’s rights, Serrano is passionate about bringing this discrimination to light, recently urging
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Hang the DJ FOUR men have been given two years in prison each for launching a vicious assault on a DJ at a club in Huecija, Almeria. The cause of the violence was simply the DJ refusing permission for them to use his equipment room as a closet.
Nursing drill A FAKE explosion, car on fire and jocularly screaming victims were the props for an emergency drill organised by nursing students at the La Canada university. The aim was to test their wits and reactions in extremely serious situations.
City links GENDER INEQUALITY: Is an ongoing struggle in Almeria. “all society to combat inequality in salaries.” She added that the wage gap, “increased during the years of the economic crisis.”
In 2014, the average annual salary in Spain was €20,537 for a man and €15,917 for a woman, meaning women made on average 29 per cent less.
The data holds true in Almeria although in some sectors it is even worse, particularly in the financial sector, insurance, IT and communications.
TWIN mayors at the helm of vibrant Mediterranean cities met to discuss strengthening links between Almeria and Malaga, and forging a productive relationship between the two.
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25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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Local police take on traffic duties RESPONSIBILITIES include road safety and alcohol checks By Adele Land THE Local Police force in Mojacar has assumed responsibility for the stretch of road between the Parque Comercial and the Puerto Marina. The responsibilities include traffic control, road safety, driver alcohol checks and all other traffic related incidents. The area was previously patrolled by the Guardia Civil.
The new area of jurisdiction extends the Local Police responsibility from the stretch between Marina de la Torre and the Parque Comercial which the force had been responsible for before. The decision for the extension was taken by the director of traffic following a favourable report from the Guardia Civil submitted last September. Some 20 officers are responsible for policing of the town and the change takes place immediately.
Exports tearing up Despicable attack previous records set RECORDS have been smashed as Almeria rose up the Andalucian export tables to an impressive fourth place by clocking up more than €3 billion raised from exports. It reflects a new record for Almeria Province and sees an astonishing 16 per cent increase on 2014, which is an extra €430 million. Moreover the average increase across Spanish provinces stood at a paltry 4.3 per cent, a mere quarter of Almeria’s excellent results. Import figures for Almeria were €2.3 billion.
THE scourge of graffiti continues to afflict Almeria, forcing the Junta de Andalucia regional government to intervene. The Junta itself has demanded an investigation into the latest atrocity which saw the base of Pescadeira’s historical defence towers obscenely defaced.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
No more portable school classrooms STUDENTS from the Francisco Fenoy School in Albox will continue temporarily attending the Virgen del Saliente Elementary school a while longer. School officials have indicated that the top priority at the moment is to get rid of the portable classrooms at the school before children can return.
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Farming is booming, crops are blooming NECESSARY for farmers to insure their crops due to weather
House on fire ALMERIA firefighters were called to extinguish a house fire in Almeria centre on February 23. Sources from emergency services confirmed a neighbour reported a fire on the fourth
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floor of a building located in Javier Sanz Street. There are reports that two elderly residents, aged approximately 90, could have been inside the house during the fire.
COVERED CROPS: Are commonplace on the Almeria landscape.
Court room quarrels HUERCAL-OVERA Council officials have recommended that councillor of Justice and the Interior, Emilio de Llera, carry out a visit to the court room so that he can know firsthand the “awful conditions where prosecutors, judges and civil servants have to work on a daily basis.” This came after Llera claimed that the Court Headquarters are in a good state of repair. Campaigns for a new courthouse continue.
By Emily Chettle AGRICULTURE looks to be thriving in Almeria according to recent insurance statistics. A huge area of 4,728 hectares has been insured for both protected crops and covered crops of winter tomato. Protected crops made up 247.33 million kilos which equates to €184.5 million worth of produce. The cost of the insurance
was €2.6 million, 150 million kilos of covered winter tomatoes equalled €126 million worth of produce and the cost of insurance being €2.4 million. The Agriculture Representative from the Junta de Andalucia regional government, who attended a recent agricultural summit, said that Almeria is the province with the highest number of hired agriculture insurances. However, he had insisted on the ne-
cessity for the farmers to insure their crops as the weather conditions can sometimes destroy valuable crops. The agricultural insurance system in Spain is a necessary tool enabling farmers and livestock breeders to face the risks which directly and sometimes severely disturb operations - such as freak weather, accidents or diseases, allowing farmers to continue with business as normal.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de AlmerĂa
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Andalucia, Almeria and the Alcazaba ACTIVITIES have been scheduled by the town council to celebrate Andalucia Day
ACTIVITIES: Will be held at the Alcazaba and the Almeria Museum. By Matthew Elliott ALMERIA Town Council Culture Department has scheduled a number of activities to take place in the attractions and archaeological monuments of the city, in order to celebrate Andalucia Day this Sunday February 28. Alcazaba and Almeria Museum will participate in the celebration by holding differ-
ent activities such as guided visits, child workshops, thematic itineraries and theatre performances. Specifically, on Sunday February 28 a thematic visit has been organised in the Alcazaba in order to take a deeper look into the history and the construction of the building. The itinerary will go through parts of the Alcazaba that are not normally open to
the public like the rooftop or the keep. Two visits have been scheduled, one at 10am and another at 12pm. There are only 30 spaces and anyone interested in participating has to register by calling 600 142 982. On February 29, another guided visit to the Alcazaba has been scheduled starting at 11.30am. There are 50 spaces for the visit which will be
27 flights will connect Almeria with 18 countries during 2016 Photo Credit: Wikipedia commons
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL: Has established an action plan for 2016. THE Department of Tourism of the Almeria Provincial Council has established an action plan for 2016, which will consist of connections uniting Almeria with 18 countries through 27 weekly flights. Also included in the action plan are agreements with tour operators to promote the Costa de Almeria as a tourist destination, a road show throughout Spain and the increased promotion of interior destinations.
In addition, the plan involves participation in 30 international tourism fairs and in other different professional conferences and promotional campaigns. At the moment, the Almeria Provincial Council has reached commercial agreements with tour operators from the Netherlands, Dublin, Brussels, Czech Republic and the Nordic countries. The province will be therefore connected to these destinations through a series of flights.
filled as soon as people arrive. At the same time, there will be a handicrafts workshop aimed at children and parents. There are 100 spaces for this activity. On the other hand, Almeria Museum has organised several activities like art exhibitions, guided visits, children’s workshops and theatre plays that will take place until February 29.
Facts and fantasy NEVER a controversial place, Almeria has secured itself a solid position as the 31st most expensive city in Spain. It has the eighth highest property taxes in the country, and the fourth highest milk prices. It comes top of the table for expensive oil prices but manages to make up for that with the second lowest cinema ticket prices after Granada.
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25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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How Does Spanish Succession Tax Affect You? If you live in Spain, the chances are that your heirs, or perhaps even yourself, will be hit by Spanish succession and gift tax. Many British nationals also remain in the UK inheritance tax net – being non-UK resident alone is not enough to escape this tax. While they are both taxes on inheritances and gifts, there are significant differences between how the taxes are applied, and the Spanish tax rules can come as a surprise to some. Spanish succession tax is due when – (1) the assets being inherited/gifted are located in Spain (even if the recipient lives abroad), or (2) the recipient of a gift or inheritance is resident in Spain (even if the assets are outside Spain). Here are the key considerations of Spanish succession tax. • Tax is paid by each recipient,
By Gerald Turner, Partner, Blevins Franks rather than by the estate. • Spouses are not exempt. • Allowances under the state rules are very low. The highest is just €15,957. There is a 95% allowance against the main home (maximum €122,606 per inheritor) when inherited by a spouse or descendant, but only if they keep it for 10 years. • Under state rules, tax is applied at progressive rates from 7.65% to 34%. Multipliers depending on the relationship
between the two parties and the recipient’s pre-existing net worth can take the tax much higher, up to 82% in some cases. • Currently, in Cataluña, Andalucía, Islas Baleares and Islas Canarias unmarried couples registered as ‘pareja de hecho’ benefit from the same reliefs as spouses; in other regions they are treated as not related so tax can be much higher. • If you leave assets to your spouse, who passes them to children when he/she dies, tax will be due again on the second death. • Succession tax also applies to pension funds. • Tax is paid at the time of the inheritance, even if the funds are not accessed at the time. • Succession tax is governed by both state and local autonomous community rules; each community has the right to amend the state rules. So, for example, unless exempted by local rules, if you
own a property in joint names with your spouse, succession tax will be due on the part they inherit from you. If you leave your Spanish property to UK resident children, they will pay tax on it. If you are resident in Spain and receive an inheritance from parents in the UK you have to pay Spanish succession tax on it. Many autonomous communities have amended the state rules to make them more beneficial. In Andalucía (including Almeria), spouses and children benefit from a 100% exemption for inheritances up to €175,000, provided they are not worth more than €402,678. In Murcia, the taxable inheritance for children under 21 is reduced by 99%, while older children and spouses get a 50% reduction. UK inheritance tax If you are a British expatriate living in Spain you could easily be liable to UK inheritance tax as
well as Spanish succession tax. If inheritance tax is paid in the UK the amount is usually deductible against the Spanish liability. You need to consider what the best solutions are should the surviving spouse remain in Spain or return to the UK. You need specialist advice to understand the intricacies of the two tax regimes, and how to potentially save your heirs a considerable amount of tax. 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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25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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Flickr by dePoniente GDP Almería Occ
Ten Almeria Port projects were approved by the Junta in 2015
PLAN: Includes fishing activities and hospitality. THE Development Department of the Junta de Andalucia regional government awarded 41 administrative and building licences during 2015, to support entrepreneurial projects in different ports throughout Andalucia. Ten of these projects were carried out in the ports of the Almeria Province. Specifically, the licences that were awarded in Almeria belong to the ports of Garrucha, Villaricos, Adra and Roquetas de Mar. All of them are centred around fishing activities and new hospitality establishments. Overall the different initiatives had a total budget of €274,000 and resulted in the creation of 132 new jobs.
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Remembering La Desbanda THE massacre saw thousands of violent deaths in 1937 By Matthew Elliott WHILE Spain did not participate in the Second World War, it lacks many of the symbolic dates and moments which have defined generations of postwar European countries, whether the poppies of Re-
membrance Day adorning the British faithful or the sombre Victory Day parade in Russia. Spain does, however, have its own dark memories and Almeria recognised an episode close to the hearts of many over the weekend on February 20.
The massacre known as La Desbanda was committed by forces loyal to General Franco in 1937, and saw the violent deaths of thousands of people. Refugees trying to escape from Malaga to Almeria were pounded from the sea and the air by Franco’s troops as they
Budget definitively approved THE Carboneras Council definitively approved the 2016 budget in a plenary session that took place on February 19. The 2016 budget adds up to €10,245,976, and includes an allocation of €1,200,000 for different projects in the town, such as the re-
modelling and opening of the municipal sports complex, and the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Las Palmeras. Carboneras Mayor Salvador Hernandez also underlined the allocation of €50,000 for grants to families at risk of social exclusion.
journeyed to the Republican stronghold, after Malaga suffered a brutal attack by Spanish, German and Italian fascists. Hundreds of Almeria citizens commemorated the incident on its 79th anniversary, by marching across the town and arriving at Pablo Cazard square accompanied by politicians from different parties. One of the event organisers, Francisco Javier Giraldez, said: “Almeria housed around 300,000 refugees during the Civil War,” and that “it is very important to remind younger generations that we have had a tragic past, that we cannot forget because if we don’t know our history we might repeat it.”
E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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Old shindig THE people of Pulpi enjoyed their annual Slaughter shindig over the weekend, with handmade blood sausages devoured in the old town on Saturday February 20, before the festivities took on a hiking route from Jaravia to hold a sacred mass.
Uni blog REVELLING in 21st century management style, the University of Almeria has set up a blog that will serve as a channel of communication between the dean, professors, staff, students and the wider community.
Respect me AN IMAM from a Nijar mosque has been sentenced to three months in prison for punching a worshipper who questioned him about the mosque being closed.
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Who let the dogs out to wander? PICK-UP service no longer carried out during afternoons, evenings or weekends By Matthew Elliott A SOCIALIST councillor has issued a damning rebuke of local government policy concerning the Almeria dog pound facility. An apoplectic Ines Plaza denounced the “irresponsibility” of Popular Party governance for not resolving the “serious deficiencies” that plague the Zoosanitario Centre, chief among them a lamentable lack of staff. Painting a picture of an extreme canine dystopia, she illustrated the extent of the problem by pointing out that, if a dog is abandoned or lost on a Friday, it will remain scouring the streets until the following Monday due to the elimination of the pick-up service during afternoons, evenings and weekends. She reminded the public of the halcyon days of 2007 when the col-
lection service worked from 8am until 1pm, and then, after a customary Spanish afternoon nap, from 4pm until 7pm. Back then Local Police covered the weekend shift and times were generally better.
Simplest solution is to provide the centre with the right sort of staff.
Hastening to add that she does not believe the role is the responsibility of Local Police, Ms Plaza said the simplest solution was to provide the centre with the right sort of staff so that it might fulfil its goals normally and spare many people and animals a great deal of grief.
DOG POUND: Lacks the necessary staff.
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Holiday season upon us
Photo by Nikolai Tsvetkov via Shutterstock
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AS the Easter bank holiday approaches, Mojacar council workers have been busy with maintenance work along the beach front to prepare for the influx of visitors. Road markings have been repainted and hundreds of trees pruned over the past few weeks. Mojacar is a popular destination for Spanish holidaymakers over the holy week and many of the hotels, which traditionally close for the winter , are preparing to reopen. March and April are busy months for the town as the weekend after Easter brings more than 2,000 young revellers for the Mojacar Spring Break event followed in April by the ‘Tunas’ bands of musicians dressed in costume of wandering minstrels.
E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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Women running for breast cancer survivors EXCLUSIVE race is non-competitive with participants raising funds for charity By Emily Chettle THE annual Women’s Volunteer race will take place on March 6 to raise money for Almeria’s Mastectomy Association. For the fourth year running, the Carrera Solidaria de la Mujer has set the goal of raising at least €2,500, the same amount raised last year. The exclusive race for women and children is noncompetitive with participants running only with the aim of raising money for charity. Although this year will feature the introduction of a 1,600 metre speed race and a race solely for users of local women’s centres. Distance options include 2,500 metres, 5,000 metres, and 7,500 metres. The registration period will be open until March 3. Price of registration is €6 for women and €2 for children.
Alanw / shutterstock
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VOLUNTEER RACE: Women will run for Breast Cancer survivors.
Nijar in talks over better security after robberies A NUMBER of arrests have been made in Nijar in the last few months by the Guardia Civil after a wave of robberies hit the town. Discussions over where the new Guardia Civil station should be built and how to improve security in the town are topics the town council will raise with the Direccion General of the Guardia Civil. Nijar Mayor Esperanza Perez said that there are still robberies occurring regularly even though these arrests have calmed the
situation somewhat recently. Among those arrested include a gang accused of committing more than 60 robberies in the community. The mayor pointed out that in the last few weeks several local schools have been robbed as well as different robberies of the insides of vehicles. She stressed the importance of the construction of the new Guardia Civil station in order to give the town more safety features and a greater police presence.
Almeria book fair finally confirmed AFTER several changes to date and location, Almeria City Council and the booksellers’ union have set the date for this year’s book fair. It will take place from May 11 to 15 in Plaza de la Catedral where visitors can visit bookseller stalls and publishing companies. Culture, Education and Traditions councillor Ana Martinez Labella has said the Casa del Poeta (Poet House), the Guitar Museum and Almeria Town Council will hold additional activities during the fair.
Mojacar is in the news MOJACAR made the Spanish national press this week. El Pais ran a feature on destinations by the sea which are ideal for walking. The article, ‘top places for walking by the sea,’ describes wandering around cobbled streets in the old pueblo and climbing to the castle at the top of the village for the view. The piece also mentions a walk along the cliffs to Playa Macenas via a special walkway.
E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
THREE truck drivers have been caught smuggling subsidised diesel in their vehicles. The drivers were stopped at a checkpoint on the A7 motorway outside Antas. Guardia Civil agents discovered that the fuel tanks of the trucks had been adapted, creating two sections, one section filled with the contraband fuel and the other part for the running of the truck. The drivers are accused of misuse of subsidised diesel and contravening the customs and excise act.
Orange day treat
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PAYING homage to the fruit By Matthew Elliott GADOR celebrated its Orange Day for the fourth consecutive year as the Almeria town saw more than 4,000 people gathered on February 21 to pay homage to the humble fruit. Vendors and juice makers took their chance to shine by offering delicious freshly squeezed juices to the attendees. The Naranja de Oro (Golden Orange) prize was awarded to Francisco Trujillo, an 80-year-old
ORANGE DAY: Freshly squeezed juice was on offer to the attendees. farmer from Gador who has grown and tended oranges for many years. His award was the highest
distinction of the day, in an event growing in renown with each passing celebration.
Photo by Lucertolone via Shutterstock
Dodgy diesel smuggling
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Photo by rusty426 via Shutterstock
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PRAGUE: Site of the 25th Holiday World Fair.
On a mission to Prague PRAGUE was the site of the Costa de Almeria’s latest tourist promotion as a delegation was sent to the 25th edition of the Holiday World Fair. It is a key event in the touristic calendar
which is designed to enhance cooperation with eastern and central European countries. Almeria will surely benefit from access to more than 30,000 visitors, 7,000 profes-
Mismanagement of indoor pool THE political opposition group, Partido Popular (PP), in Vera has slammed the socialist council (PSOE), for w ha t it c a lls mis ma na ge ment of the municipal indoor pool. The indoor pool is run as a joint affair between the council and water supplier Codeur. In a recent plenary session, PP spokesperson, Juan Belmonte, complained tha t C ode ur ha d be e n a llowed the responsibility of
setting the entrance price for the facility and argued that it was too high. Belmonte compared the ent r ance f ee of €6.83 t o that in neighbouring Huercal-Overa where users pay just €3. The councillor went on to say that it was “clear who was running the show” and the pool should be for the benefit of the town’s residents and not the company managing the facility.
sionals, 700 reporters and massive publicity. Almerian hotels received 34,408 tourists from the Czech Republic in 2015, an 8.7 per cent rise on the previous year.
Finance row in Olula OLULA DEL RIO Council is under investigation following accusations of financial mismanagement. The socialist opposition group, PSOE, accused the Partido Popular (PP) council of three cases of financial irregularities. The cases relate to the construction of a roundabout and children’s playground, along with renewal of street lighting. The mayor said he has submitted all the relevant documents.
E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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Desert rising from grave ALMERIA features strongly throughout the film with its rough terrain By Adele Land IT is a rare occasion in this day and age that an epic biblical film wins the hearts of both elitist critics and extremist Christians alike. A new release which came out in America on February 19, however, has managed to do just that, and the trembling potential of its success is set to bring the sights of Almeria to millions upon millions of people. Risen takes on the Christian mythology of Jesus’ supposed rise from the grave after crucifixion by the Romans, but from the perspective of a non-believer, a Roman solider. In doing so it manages to follow the message of biblical scriptures to placate believers while maintaining a cohesive, engaging plotline that has won critical acclaim. Almeria features strongly throughout the film, with its rough terrain an easy substi-
Photo by holbox via shutterstock
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SAN JOSE BEACH: Became the Sea of Galilee. tute for the Palestinian hinterlands of old. San Jose beach became the Sea of Galilee, the Alcazaba was transformed into the abode of notoriously
indecisive Pontius Pilate, while the famous Tabernas desert was the site of bloody battle scenes. On shooting in Almeria, di-
Copper crisis SHORTAGE of officers is unbearable ALWAYS a safe bet to stir up some political attention, the PSOE in Almeria has decried the city’s shortage of police officers as “unbearable” with councillor Consuelo Rumi claiming the force has 100 missing men. Pointing to national statistics that show areas of Almeria’s population have an average of 347 officers, the intrepid councillor noted with choreographed dismay that Almeria has only 247 at its disposal. She also claimed that European reg-
ulations call for at least 390 coppers on the beat. Part of the problem is that the average age of Almeria policemen is 48, with a sizeable amount of them being the wrong side of 50 and itching to retire. Rumi also remarked that Almeria has a suspiciously disproportional number of bodyguards. She referenced the mayorship having six bodyguards at its disposal, a claim denounced as an outright lie by the PP, who said the actual number was two.
rector Kevin Reynolds said that “it was great to shoot where David Lean, Sergio Leone and other prestigious directors made their movies.”
Reducing their debt RESIDENTS of Almeria did themselves a huge favour by reducing their financial debts by roughly a third since the worst of the crisis years in 2009. A shortage in loans, increased mortgage payments, and enhanced credit ratings have seen the population owe more than €7 billion less than just seven years ago. Almerians do still owe an incredible €18.5 billion, an overwhelming amount which represents 157 per cent of the province’s entire GDP. Nevertheless the news does reflect a significant improvement and cause for future optimism.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
First diving school for Viator IN April, Viator will become the first municipality in Almeria and the second in Andalucia to have its very own diving school. Courses offered will include snorkel, scuba, and open water diving. The classes will be two hours long and will be
given once a week in the municipal pool facilities. The registration period will start on March 1. The courses are open to all, although preference will be given to applications from locals. Participants must be at least 10 years old.
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Greenfingers taken down PLANTATIONS often found in residences By Matthew Elliott THE agricultural reputation of Almeria extended into the criminal underworld with an impressive 300 kilogram marihuana harvest busted by National Police officers. The news reflects the growing strength of the trade as seizures continue to escalate year on year. Plantations are often found in residences and warehouses across the province and police suspect the illicit enterprise entered its boom years following the crisis. Seizures in Andalucia rose by 72.5 per cent in 2015, while in Almeria 320 kilograms were confiscated in 2015, meaning this year shall surely see a new record being broken.
MARIHUANA: An illicit enterprise.
€400,000 given for local projects BEDAR is set to see a cash injection of €400,000 from the
Almeria Provincial Council to help improve infrastructure and
water resources. One of the completed projects has seen the improvement of access in the town centre from Paraje del Malecon. A water purification plant has been constructed under this new project with the aim of increasing water storage in neighboring towns. Every day, 30,800 litres of water are produced for human consumption. Repair and improvement to local roads is also under way.
NEWS
25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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FLYING THE FLAG: Andalucia Day will be celebrated this weekend.
Celebrating Andalucia Day PROGRAMME of events has been announced By Adele Land MOJACAR Council has announced the programme for this weekend’s Andalucia Day celebrations. On Sunday February 28 at midday, the municipal band
will play the anthem of Andalucia and the regional flag will be raised on the roof of the town hall. The rest of the day will include sports displays at the municipal swimming pool, the release of balloons in the
official colours of Andalucia, followed by a giant paella in the Plaza Parterre. The event will be rounded off by a performance by schoolchildren from the town at the Artisan, multi-use centre.
Energy agreement for Mojacar has been signed MOJACAR mayor, Rosa Maria Cano and electricity provider Endesa director, Francisco Arteaga, have signed a collaboration agreement to provide assistance to residents struggling to pay bills. The agreement also includes a delay on the suspension of supply in the case of people defaulting on the bills. This means that customers will be able to
apply for assistance in the knowledge that their electricity supply will not be cut without notice. Arteaga said he was aware of the high number of families living in what he called “energy poverty” and that the scheme will provide assistance for the most-needy in the municipality. The initiative is to be rolled out across a further 90 towns in the province.
Opposition out in the cold OPPOSITION party, Partido Popular (PP), in Lubrin has criticised the socialist council (PSOE) for what it calls, sectarianism. The group said the council has excluded opposition parties and councillors from par-
ticipating in public events. PP councillor, Rocio Lopez, named three events, from which she and other councillors had been excluded. One event was a celebration to mark the retirement of one of the councillors, anoth-
er was a Christmas meal and opposition groups were also excluded from a meeting during which aid was handed out to 19 families in financial need. Lopez called the situation “a breach of protocol.”
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
Cuevas saint to appear on national lottery ticket THE Spanish national lottery ticket for the March 26 draw will feature an image of the patron saint of Cuevas del Almanzora. Nuestra senora de la Esperanza will be depicted on the ticket and the date coincides with
the 25th anniversary of the image. The anniversary will be celebrated on March 13 with celebrations throughout the town. Mayor, Antonio Fernandez, said the event was highly significant for the town.
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Repairing works on section of road LORRY became trapped in a huge pothole By Emily Chettle ALMERIA City Council started repair works in Calle Barranco Creppi on February 22 after a lorry was trapped in a huge pothole. The road had been badly damaged in parts due to the continuous traffic of heavy lorries heading to the industrial area nearby. Local residents had been demanding the repairs be carried out for a long time. Passengers and passers-by helped the police to surround the hole and ask the residents to
park their vehicles in a different area. The works, which will cost around €10,000 are being carried out by Municipal Water Company Aqualia. Consequently, the traffic of vehicles will be stopped at least for a week, if everything goes as expected. The works are aimed at replacing and modifying the broken gutters of the road. The town council has said that this solution will be preventative while the council decides whether the traffic of heavy vehicles will be allowed or not.
Design a logo for women’s centre CUEVAS DEL ALMANZORA Council has launched a competition to design a logo for the new municipal women’s centre. The competition is open to people over the age of 16 and the design must be original. A prize worth €100 will go to the winner and the design will be used on the building and in promotional material. Entries should be delivered to the women’s centre at Constitution Plz, 1, Cuevas del Almanzora before March 14.
NEWS
25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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School dealers YOUNG couple arrested for selling marihuana By Matthew Elliott A YOUNG couple have been arrested for allegedly selling bags of marihuana outside the Azcona secondary school in Almeria City, as well as other schools in the area. They were apprehended on
Poeta Fernando de Herrera street, which was helpful for the officers as it is just behind the Almeria provincial police station. It was a fitting conclusion to a patrol initiative whereby police officers routinely pass by Almeria schools looking
Instant learning LANGUAGE exchange has taken a new twist, with the instant messaging application WhatsApp being used by the Albaida secondary school in Almeria City in partnership with the SHSG High School in Southend-on-Sea. It will allow students to correspond with one another quickly online in order to boost their English and Spanish skills. The initiative also hopes to promote the exchange of cultural and social knowledge and, due to its success, has also been expanded to cover other subjects such as biology, music and history. It was the brain child of the Spanish teacher at the SHSG school, Jessie McKeown, who saw the educative potential of WhatsApp.
specifically for drug dealers. The couple were found selling a small bag directly to a student and have been charged with a crime against public health. The initiative has seen police intervene in more than 350 situations in the past year alone.
Deadmau5 to play festival CANADIAN DJ and music producer ‘Deadmau5’ is the latest act confirmed for this year’s Dreambeach electronic music festival. The event takes place in Villaricos from August 11 to 14 and a number of acts have already been announced including, Carl Cox and Jamie Jones.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de AlmerĂa
Drunken hunter arrested and weapons confiscated
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NEWS
A taxi revolt IN support of a nationwide strike against liberalisation PHOTO BY SCHUMI4EVER VIA WIKIPEDIA
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A HUNTER who tested positive for significant alcohol levels was arrested by the Guardia Civil in Los Velez, Almeria. Officers spotted a man weaving unsteadily across the terrain and when confronted he was mumbling his words. They confiscated his weapons after he failed the test.
ALMERIA TAXIS: Stopped their service to show contempt. By Matthew Elliott SOLIDARITY was expressed as more than 100 Almeria taxis gathered in the Maestro Padilla auditorium car park in support of a nationwide strike against
the liberalisation of the business. Aside from those who participated in this statement, almost 80 per cent of all capital taxis stopped their service to show their contempt for the National Market Committee.
The organisation wants to plough ahead with deregulation of the service which has made inroads in many other countries through private companies modifying the system with technology and better prices.
World looks hungrily at Almeria AN expanding world population and its insatiable desire for food have seen international investors turn their eye towards the Almeria agricultural industry. At a conference organised by the Mediterranean Foundation of Almeria University, experts agreed the food and agricultural sector represents a safe
bet for financiers. Almeria is set to be one of the destinations investors turn to as the region continues to supply Europe with quality fresh fruit and vegetables. Impending climate issues and environmental change, however, represent a significant roadblock to the province’s full realisation of its potential.
NEWS
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Make books not law A NEW library, conceived as a state-of-the-art example of rationalist architecture, will replace the former Local Police headquarters in Almeria with the help of a €650,000 transfer from the central government. The building will have three floors with a 525 square-metre study room along with other facilities including a multimedia library, children’s library, an events area and a multi-purpose room. In addition, the new library will have a chill-out reading room and a cafeteria with a view to Rambla Avenue. The works are expected to start in September and will last roughly 18 months, if everything goes as scheduled, the new library will be open in 2018.
25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
Now and Then play La Parata SONGS from Amy Winehouse and Dusty Springfield POPULAR songstresse s , K a y F ran ce s a n d Laura Blackburn will be ta k in g lis ten ers d o w n memory lane and right back to the present day with a range of tunes. Shay’s restaurant in La Parata, Mojacar is t h e v e n u e o n Tu e s d a y March 1 and the ladies, known as ‘Now and Then,’ will be singing songs made famous by artists such as Amy Wi n e h o u s e , Dusty Springfield and more. Join in this St D a v i d ’s d a y c e l e b r a tion, booking recommended.
LOVELY LADIES: Celebrating St David’s Day with music.
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Work needed at Puerto Rey lagoon VERA Counci l has f i l ed a complaint against the Spanish government in what it calls a failure to act on the national hydrological plan, in respect of the Rio Antas. Mayor, Fel i x Lopez, sai d the government had failed to carry out safety and risk prevention works agreed a decade ago. Lopez went on to say that the mouth of the river at the Puerto Rey lagoon is a dangerous area due to the volume of water which can accumulate after heavy rains. In 2012 a woman died and hundreds of residents had their homes damaged following serious floods in the area. Envi r onm ent counci l l or Francisco Vasquez added that the area was home to one of the most important wetlands in the province and is of great environmental value.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
NEWS EXTRA
Two jailed TWO African men have been handed a six month sentence in Almeria after one took a driving test on behalf of the other. They also received a hefty fine after being charged with falsifying public documents.
Be prepared KIDNAPPINGS, hostage-takings, bank robberies and suicide attempts are not all that common in Almeria, but police will be prepared under a new negotiation training seminar for more than 400 officers.
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RESEARCH has led to a significant development for the environment RESEARCHERS at the Almeria University Chemistry department have developed a new method for spotting signs of pesticides in pollen. With this system, experts will be able to determine the influence of pesticides
in the loss of beehives, a situation that has become worse in the last few years and can have negative consequences. One of the problems that transpire when analysing pollen is its high amount of proteins. According to research, these molecules cause a series of
reactions which interfere in the process of separating pesticides from pollen. It is a significant development that will hopefully lead to action over the environmental catastrophe which awaits bee populations. Pesticides have long been suspected as a key culprit, while humans also suffer from ingesting pollen.
POLLEN PRODUCTS: A new method has been developed for spotting signs of pesticides.
DUE to high winds and chance of rain, the AECC cancer support charity event ‘Ribbon for Life’ was postponed last weekend. The new date is Saturday March 19 in the same location at Mojacar South Beach. Don’t forget, pink ribbons can be bought at various outlets, the ribbons will be tied together along the paseo in the hope of beating last year’s length and raising more money.
A historic donation Photo by Grafvision via Shutterstock
No shelter RESIDENT pressure has encouraged Almeria Council to begin discouraging homeless people from sleeping in Oliveros Park. Workers will remove any element of comfort or shelter due to their complaints.
AECC cancer charity event rescheduled
Loss of beehives has worsened over years By Matthew Elliott
NEWS
AN important part of the town’s history has been donated to Cuevas del Almanzora. Furniture once belonging to former parish priest, Jose Antonio Alascio, has been handed over to the town by his sister, Maria del Carmen Alascio. The items include a chair, a book shelf, various paintings and a writing desk.
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Chinese bank raided by National Police COUNTRY’S biggest lender suspected of money laundering
€300M
By John Smith THE Madrid branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), said to be the largest bank in the world and China’s biggest lender, was raided by officers of the National
FREEDOM 251: Indian company launch new smart phone.
The world’s cheapest smart phone launched AN Indian company has launched what it says is the world’s cheapest smart phone. The aptly named Ringing Bells initially advised their Freedom 251 phone would be priced at under 500 rupees (€6.50), but at the launch it announced the price would be
Police on February 17, as part of an investigation into money laundering. It is alleged that the bank has been accepting deposits from organised crime groups based in Spain without checking their origin, which is a legal requirement.
The sharp fall in bank equity prices reflected the sector’s higher sensitivity to a weaker-than-expected economic outlook.” Mario Draghi head of the ECB on the recent fall in bank shares. World Economic Forum Radio Kafka Shutterstock
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is the amount estimated by the National Police that just one Chinese gang laundered through the Madrid branch of ICBC.
just 251 rupees (€3.25). Amazingly, the phone has eight gigabytes of storage and cameras in the front and back to allow for video calls. At the moment all of the components are imported and the phone is constructed in India.
BUSINESS EXTRA
Bankia settlement AS anticipated, Bankia has agreed to repay in full small shareholders who purchased their shares at the Stock Market launch together with interest at 1 per cent per annum, without any need for the individuals involved having to go to court. The total set aside to pay these investors is €1.8 billion.
Plane maker cuts jobs CANADIAN aircraft manufacturer Bombardier has announced that it will cut its work force of 6,000 in Northern Ireland by at least 1,000 over the next two years. According to the company, it is currently the largest employer in the manufacturing industry in the province and produces 10 per cent of the country’s exports. The company will also be shedding staff at its Canadian headquarters.
Abengoa requires money to continue trading STRUGGLING Abengoa, the engineering company which is in dire straits, has revealed that it requires an injection of €1.35 billion to allow it to continue to trade during 2016, and will need
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€2,320 million is the operating profit made by the Renault Group in 2015 which is up 44 per cent over 2014 results.
STAT OF WEEK
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a similar amount to see it through 2017. If this is possible then the restructured company expects to be able to grow and to have a ‘paper’ value of more than €5 billion.
Following the raid five directors were arrested, whilst a spokesman for the head office distanced China from any wrongdoing. Even the Chinese Foreign Ministry felt that it had to comment on the raid.
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€500 notes in Spain A STATEMENT from a Spanish Treasury Union says that 75 per cent of all bank notes circulating in Spain are €500 denominations. This is three times more than the amount originally printed in 2001 when Spain joined the Eurozone, and gives credence to the suggestion that high value bank notes are not used by the public at large, but are almost exclusively used in the ‘twilight economy’
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almeria
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PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3i Group PLC 427.10 6.50 Aberdeen Asset Management PLC241.65 3.10 Admiral Group PLC 1760.50 18.00 Anglo American PLC 458.85 21.12 Antofagasta PLC 496.50 17.00 ARM Holdings PLC 945.50 8.50 Ashtead Group PLC 869.50 23.00 Associated British Foods PLC 3304.50 51.00 AstraZeneca PLC 4137.50 65.50 Aviva PLC 441.35 4.50 Babcock International Group... 934.25 12.00 BAE Systems PLC 512.00 6.50 Barclays PLC 163.75 2.05 Barratt Developments PLC 587.25 3.00 Berkeley Group Holdings (Th... 3378.50 18.00 BHP Billiton PLC 769.35 37.40 BP PLC 350.10 6.75 British American Tobacco PLC 3875.00 45.50 British Land Co PLC 687.25 -5.50 BT Group PLC 466.38 8.50 Bunzl PLC 1928.00 23.00 Burberry Group PLC 1290.00 20.00 Capita PLC 1123.00 12.00 Carnival PLC 3382.00 71.00 Centrica PLC 213.40 1.90 Coca-Cola HBC AG 1474.50 62.00 Compass Group PLC 1250.50 22.00 CRH PLC 1833.00 40.00 DCC PLC 5695.00 10.00 Diageo PLC 1858.00 29.00 Direct Line Insurance Group... 381.10 6.40 Dixons Carphone PLC 454.70 6.50 easyJet PLC 1575.00 22.00 Experian PLC 1180.00 18.00 Fresnillo PLC 941.00 -13.50 GKN PLC 284.95 5.60 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1400.75 17.00 Glencore PLC 124.65 6.30 Hammerson PLC 567.50 4.00 Hargreaves Lansdown PLC 1270.00 32.00 Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC 1914.00 40.00 HSBC Holdings PLC 430.23 -19.65 Imperial Brands PLC 3762.50 30.00 Inmarsat PLC 1013.50 14.00 InterContinental Hotels Gro... 2497.50 52.00 International Consolidated ... 551.50 6.00 Intertek Group PLC 2922.00 30.00 Intu Properties PLC 290.85 1.50 ITV PLC 255.65 3.50 Johnson Matthey PLC 2511.50 36.97
% CHG. 1.54 1.30 1.03 4.84 3.54 0.91 2.72 1.57 1.61 1.03 1.30 1.29 1.27 0.51 0.54 5.11 1.97 1.19 -0.79 1.86 1.21 1.57 1.08 2.14 0.90 4.39 1.79 2.23 0.18 1.59 1.71 1.45 1.42 1.55 -1.42 2.01 1.23 5.32 0.71 2.58 2.14 -4.37 0.80 1.40 2.13 1.10 1.04 0.52 1.39 1.49
NET VOL 51.65 419.51 22.40 998.71 126.25 352.64 93.18 61.34 88.15 698.53 19.87 405.85 1,900.51 248.48 18.22 888.26 2,075.56 158.50 688.54 631.99 21.17 71.67 58.15 11.91 1,015.18 44.25 234.85 87.51 14.36 293.69 120.26 91.13 94.17 160.04 145.07 305.70 671.90 8,297.57 332.84 38.44 7.86 10,673.21 85.06 30.16 25.13 402.84 31.31 96.52 392.42 15.17
COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Kingfisher PLC 346.05 3.80 Land Securities Group PLC 1037.50 1.05 Legal & General Group PLC 224.50 2.50 Lloyds Banking Group PLC 62.59 0.76 London Stock Exchange Group...2342.00 28.00 Marks & Spencer Group PLC 437.25 4.80 Merlin Entertainments PLC 440.40 4.40 Mondi PLC 1337.00 15.00 National Grid PLC 973.05 8.50 Next PLC 7095.00 90.00 Old Mutual PLC 174.30 2.80 Pearson PLC 810.00 16.00 Persimmon PLC 2065.00 -0.34 Provident Financial PLC 3263.00 43.00 Prudential PLC 1249.50 19.50 Randgold Resources Ltd 6240.00 -115.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC 6644.00 89.00 RELX PLC 1236.50 20.00 REXAM PLC 611.00 6.00 Rio Tinto PLC 1982.75 92.00 Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC 651.00 9.00 Royal Bank of Scotland Grou... 246.35 0.20 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 1591.00 30.50 Royal Mail PLC 448.85 7.80 RSA Insurance Group PLC 418.05 8.90 SABMiller PLC 4185.50 9.50 Sage Group (The) PLC 587.50 7.50 Sainsbury (J) PLC 257.25 -3.90 Schroders PLC 2506.50 47.00 Severn Trent PLC 2171.50 26.00 Shire PLC 3897.00 81.00 Sky PLC 1021.50 4.00 Smith & Nephew PLC 1168.00 15.00 Smiths Group PLC 984.50 12.00 Sports Direct International... 407.45 7.10 SSE PLC 1410.00 16.00 Standard Chartered PLC 425.30 10.30 Standard Life PLC 341.80 4.90 St James's Place PLC 905.00 13.00 Taylor Wimpey PLC 184.85 1.20 Tesco PLC 184.43 1.15 Travis Perkins PLC 1812.50 26.00 TUI AG 1079.50 21.00 Unilever PLC 3087.50 53.50 United Utilities Group PLC 949.00 17.00 Vodafone Group PLC 216.30 3.40 Whitbread PLC 3952.00 69.00 Wolseley PLC 3648.00 45.00 Worldpay Group PLC 297.15 3.30 WPP PLC 1486.00 18.00
% CHG. 1.11 0.10 1.13 1.23 1.21 1.11 1.01 1.14 0.88 1.28 1.63 2.02 -0.02 1.34 1.59 -1.81 1.36 1.64 0.99 4.86 1.40 0.08 1.95 1.77 2.18 0.23 1.29 -1.49 1.91 1.21 2.12 0.39 1.30 1.23 1.78 1.15 2.48 1.45 1.46 0.65 0.63 1.46 1.98 1.76 1.82 1.60 1.78 1.25 1.12 1.23
NET VOL 217.08 114.36 727.78 14,640.66 83.47 158.46 34.33 91.79 474.14 14.63 634.04 84.27 79.53 8.08 188.98 49.24 65.53 242.58 57.90 692.23 341.67 1,160.44 520.13 61.69 172.80 95.44 64.39 1,443.24 25.19 17.15 39.57 303.98 104.48 52.20 42.75 76.98 832.53 314.45 23.82 397.27 663.95 10.25 30.27 207.18 85.28 3,189.21 12.00 30.40 33.46 191.23
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US dollar .....................................................................1.10821 Japan yen ..................................................................125.137 Switzerland franc..................................................1.10033 Denmark kroner....................................................7.46216 Norway kroner .....................................................9.49901
currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914
DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES F EBRUARY 22
COMPANY MMM 3M AXP American Express AAPL Apple BA Boeing CAT Caterpillar CVX Chevron CSCO Cisco KO Coca-Cola DIS Disney DD E I du Pont de Nemours and Co XOM Exxon Mobil GE General Electric GS Goldman Sachs HD Home Depot IBM IBM INTC Intel JNJ Johnson & Johnson JPM JPMorgan Chase MCD McDonald's MRK Merck MSFT Microsoft NKE Nike PFE Pfizer PG Procter & Gamble TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies UNH UnitedHealth VZ Verizon V Visa WMT Wal-Mart
PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 156.45 -0.33 -0.21% 2.1M 54.71 +0.56 +1.03% 6.6M 96.04 -0.22 -0.23% 35.4M 115.16 -2.41 -2.05% 6.9M 65.42 -0.70 -1.06% 5.0M 86.50 -0.23 -0.27% 9.8M 26.55 0.00 0.00% 757.9K 43.77 +0.16 +0.37% 12.8M 95.01 -0.16 -0.17% 6.8M 59.97 0.00 0.00% 4.4M 82.50 +0.05 +0.06% 13.6M 29.02 -0.06 -0.21% 36.1M 146.91 -0.82 -0.56% 5.3M 121.69 +1.72 +1.43% 5.4M 133.08 +0.63 +0.48% 5.1M 28.71 -0.71 -2.41% 42.1M 104.16 +0.67 +0.65% 9.3M 57.82 +0.01 +0.02% 15.7M 116.53 -0.64 -0.55% 10.8M 50.12 -0.20 -0.40% 9.0M 51.82 -0.37 -0.71% 33.6M 59.31 +0.71 +1.21% 10.1M 29.49 -0.06 -0.20% 39.7M 81.79 -0.19 -0.23% 7.7M 108.09 -0.76 -0.70% 1.7M 88.23 -0.13 -0.15% 11.8M 117.68 +0.23 +0.20% 4.5M 50.86 -0.08 -0.16% 15.6M 71.53 +0.29 +0.41% 7.8M 64.66 +0.54 +0.84% 15.6M
NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES F EBRUARY 22
COMPANY
PRICE
CHANGE NET / %
Most Advanced Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. Qumu Corporation Century Aluminum Company Rocket Fuel Inc. Surgery Partners, Inc. The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. vTv Therapeutics Inc. Vanguard Natural Resources LLC MDC Partners Inc. Avinger, Inc. Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.
$ 3.77 $ 3.33 $ 5.96 $ 3.18 $ 13.82 $ 17.60 $ 6.81 $ 2.07 $ 19.81 $ 16.64 $ 12.55
1.91 ▲ 102.69% 0.47 ▲ 16.43% 0.78 ▲ 15.06% 0.40 ▲ 14.39% 1.72 ▲ 14.21% 2.05 ▲ 13.18% 0.75 ▲ 12.38% 0.21 ▲ 11.29% 1.96 ▲ 10.98% 1.62 ▲ 10.79% 1.21 ▲ 10.67%
$ 2.11 $ 12.03 $ 5.04 $ 9.58 $ 6.35 $ 48.753 $ 2.12 $ 4.77 $ 2.75 $ 7.04 $ 10.89
0.64 ▼ 23.27% 2.29 ▼ 15.99% 0.73 ▼ 12.65% 1.24 ▼ 11.46% 0.82 ▼ 11.44% 6.097 ▼ 11.12% 0.24 ▼ 10.17% 0.49 ▼ 9.32% 0.28 ▼ 9.24% 0.67 ▼ 8.69% 1.02 ▼ 8.56%
Most Declined Internap Corporation Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc. TrueCar, Inc. Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Icahn Enterprises L.P. Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. SCYNEXIS, Inc. StealthGas, Inc. Sientra, Inc. Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
Newspaper unusually reticent
Economic advice for Germany
WHILST many of the British newspapers are talking about a new paper to be issued by Trinity Mirror group, publishers of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror, the group itself is keeping remarkably quiet, neither confirming nor denying the reports. Assuming however, that the national press has its facts right, this could be quite an astute move by Trinity Mirror having seen that The Independent will stop publishing a paper version and will rely on internet readers. It has also sold its relatively recently introduced i newspaper to Johnston Press for £24 million (€31 million). According to The Guardian, the paper will be called New Day, and will be aimed at a middle of the road readership and will sell at 20p.
By John Smith ECONOMIC advisors to the German government are recommending that in order to protect its own economic integrity, a decision should be made to move away from the previous underwriting of Eurobonds, issued by the weaker governments in the Eurozone. According to one dissenting member of the advisory group, this could have a catastrophic effect on the economies of at least three countries, Italy, Portugal and Spain, who currently rely on the issuing of bonds in order to raise funds. Apart from taxation and ‘handouts’ from the EU, these countries in particular have been obtaining loans by issuing interest bearing bonds, which can be surrendered for their full value on pre-determined dates. This has been attractive to a number of corporate investors as they knew that the bonds would be protected by the other members of the Eurozone, even in the event that the country issuing is unable to buy back the issued bonds. Germany, however, is considering the proposal that no government or investor should be protected in this way and that
MEMBER of the advisory group forecasts break up of the Eurozone
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln flickr
PROFESSOR PETER BOFINGER: Said Italy, Portugal and Spain would be better to flee the Eurozone. if a country cannot meet its obligations, then the investor should effectively receive only a percentage of the value of the bonds it holds rather than the full amount, which is currently the case. What the dissenter Professor Bofinger believes is that if this appears to be going
ahead, then investors will jump ship as quickly as possible, leaving the governments involved effectively bankrupt and unable to raise any new funds, and they would be unable to control their financial destiny if still within the Eurozone. He predicts therefore that the three
countries mentioned would be better to flee the Eurozone sooner rather than later and revert to their own currencies which they could control, although they could still come unstuck if they tried to raise too much money or allowed their debt to exceed their GDP.
AgnosticPreachersKid Wikimedia
Hesitation over interest rates
US FEDERAL RESERVE: Was very bullish about both the US and world economies. AS recently as December 2015, the US Federal Reserve, which sets the countries interest rates, was very bullish about the future of both the US and world economies and increased the rate to 0.5 per cent, indicating that this was the first of a number of increases due to be made. The market welcomed this
tiny increase, and unfortunately for the United Kingdom it saw an outflow from sterling into the dollar, which in turn depressed the pound/euro rate as well having a negative effect on the UK stock market. The committee is now worried that a global economic slowdown could hurt the US, and they agreed that ‘uncer-
tainty had increased’ since the decision to raise interest rates. The members agreed that it was still too early to decide whether they should look to freeze interest rates rather than increase them, but they plan to continue to consider the situation and it is now predicted that the next rate increase, supposedly due for March,
will be put on hold. President of the body, Janet Yellen has confirmed that the economic slowdown in China and other countries, together with the continued uncertainty in stock markets and low oil prices were worrying and could damage the US recovery, if the wrong signals were to be given now.
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
www.euroweeklynews.com
25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
EWN
37
Is there a safe haven offering growth in these worrying financial times? WHEN considering any investment, it is important to take qualified independent legal advice INVESTORS will know that we are in worrying financial times with global stock markets fluctuating from day to day by as much as 7 per cent and many indices flirting with bear territory in the past number of weeks. With no clear end in sight to the market volatility, many investors may be nervous and some will be considering if now is the time to cut and run. Mark Davies at The Fry Group said: “In my opinion, this would be a mistake as any losses will be crystallised, and with cash rates set to remain at or close to historical lows, recovery potential will be lost. But there is an alternative to high volatility investments while maintaining recovery and real growth potential. In years gone by, insurance companies provided investments known as With Profits contracts. These smoothed long term investment returns by keeping some profits in reserve for rainy days which consistently provided attractive long term market returns. However in the last decade or so, in
STOCK MARKETS: Fluctuate from day to day by as much as 7 per cent. a period of lower growth, With Profits investments became unattractive and far fewer are sold today. However, the
concept of smoothing investment returns for investors still remains hugely attractive. In response, a modern varia-
tion of the With Profits concept has been developed whereby investors receive smoothed returns each year, re-
flecting the long term returns from a mixed portfolio of assets. By way of example, one fund in this sector has delivered consistent returns over the last five years so that £1,000 invested five years ago would have increased to £1,480 today, net of fund management charges. In addition to the peace of mind provided by the smoothing, funds are available to investors seeking the tax efficiency of a Spanish qualifying insurance policy, making it very tax friendly for investors in Spain. When considering any investment it is important to take qualified independent financial advice. If you would like to learn more about opportunities that may be appropriate to you, please don’t hesitate to contact us. As Chartered Independent Financial advisers with offices in Spain, The Fry Group can assist with all of your financial planning needs. For further information contact Mark Davies: Telephone - 952 768 450 or e-mail spain@thefrygroup.co.uk.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
Oil is still in the news LOW wholesale price is causing serious problems for producers around the world THE low wholesale price of oil is causing serious problems for producers around the world and there is a clear dichotomy of opinion between producing countries as to how to recover the situation. As is so often the case with the Middle East, politics and religion are also part of the equation, which doesn’t help resolve the situation which is seeing something of a showdown between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Logically, the way to increase prices is to reduce production, so that the market has to accept higher prices if it is to obtain the volume of oil and petroleum products that it needs. A recent meeting between the Russian and Saudi governments confirmed that they intended to freeze production, and Qatar and Venezuela met with Iran and Iraq in Tehran to try and arrange a deal for those two countries to restrict their production as well. Iraq is reported to have agreed in principle but Iran, which has only just been able to sell its oil on a world wide
Photo Credit Rob Wilson Shutterstock
By John Smith
No more chip and pin for HSBC WITH the latest announcement from HSBC that it plans to introduce a new system for those using its debit cards and internet banking, the days of chip and pin numbers may well be coming to an end. Hopefully, it will result in not only an easier system, but also a much safer one.
If successful no doubt other big banks will follow suit PETROL PRICES: for the time being it looks as if they will stay low, as far as the consumer is concerned. basis following a withdrawal of sanctions, has taken the position that whilst it thinks it’s a good idea for others to cut their production, it won’t until such time as it has generated the funds that it needs. Even the freeze isn’t likely to make much difference to the economies of those countries, as the amount they have agreed to pump is
still historically high. Quoted in the Iranian newspaper Shargh government spokesman Mehdi Asali said: “Asking Iran to freeze its oil production level is illogical. When Iran was under sanctions, some countries raised their output and they caused the drop in oil prices. How can they expect Iran to cooperate now
and pay the price?” For the time being at least, it looks as if petrol and diesel prices will drop and stay low as far as the consumer is concerned. Apart from traditional methods of drilling for oil, fracking, which is the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks so as to force open ex-
isting fissures and extract oil or gas, has been in the news. It is widespread in the USA, has just been agreed in principle in the UK and three proposals sit before the Spanish government at the moment, but it is unlikely that any decision concerning the process will be agreed until the next government is finally formed.
Later this year, starting with its internet and telephone bank First Direct, HSBC will be introducing a system whereby customers will be recognised by fingerprints or biometric voice checking, and this will then roll out to all of its customers. There may well be teething problems but if successful, no doubt the other big banks will follow suit.
AN influential think tank based in Paris and funded by many of the richer world nations, has taken the step of cutting it 2016 growth forecast by 10 per cent from 3.3 per cent to 3 per cent, and has warned that world leaders need to take urgent action if even that modest growth is to be achieved. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is well respected and has in the past been considered to be an accurate barometer of world trade, but it makes it very clear that the current situation is not conducive to growth and highlights the fact that trade cannot expand if there is a shortage of investment and wages are kept low. It acknowledges that low interest rates might have helped, but that and other monetary policies have done nothing to encourage world economies to continue to recover. When considering the USA, it sees an even worse situation with projected growth cut to just two per cent, a reduction of 20 per cent from its original forecast, and suggests that the tiny inter-
Photo Credit Rawpixel.com
OECD not optimistic about world growth
TRADE: Cannot expand if there is a shortage of investment and wages are kept low.
est rate increase in December was in itself premature and did not help matters. Whilst reductions in interest rates are supposed to boost borrowing and stimulate investment, the fact is that almost no companies are able to borrow money at anywhere near the low bank rates set by governments, and commercial banks are simply charging very high rates to help pay for the fines they have received for their past behaviour. Some countries like Japan and Switzerland have even moved into negative interest rates, which means that they charge companies to deposit funds with their banks hoping to encourage commercial investment, but whilst money can be transferred around the world easily, that is having little or no positive effect. The report says: “A stronger collective policy response is needed to strengthen demand,” and pulls no punches in reducing forecasts for both Britain and Germany, with Germany forecast as having one of the worst growth rates in Europe.
OPINION & COMMENT
www.euroweeklynews.com
25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
EWN
41
It’s all going horribly wrong THE political leaders have underestimated the ‘average Joe’ LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT
IN out, in out, shake it all about! Here we go again. More months of preening politicians spouting their views on every media outlet available. Once more their conflicting ideas will be shoved down our throats until most of us are heartily sick of them. I use the term ‘us’ loosely of course, because ‘us’ expats are excluded from the whole shebang. Surely we are some of the first who should be consulted? Are we not the pioneers of the whole experiment? Are we not the ones who took that ‘leap in the dark’ and decided to change countries and take our chances with the new ‘no border/equal rights’, that we were all promised EU membership would bring? Wasn’t this the ‘dream’ all those politicians led us to believe would be the epitome of ‘friendly integration’ and ‘economically living together as one’? Well of course it wasn’t.
EXPATS: Should be given the right to vote as they were the first to take that ‘leap in the dark’.
This whole exercise has been a power trip for pontificating politicians. None of the ‘leaders’ have been particularly interested in the well-being of the peasants, (except the UK, who have bent over so far to appease the immigrants, they have sacrificed the country). This was a scheme, instigated primarily by the Germans, to take over the whole of Europe with them at the helm (sound familiar?). This power addiction spread among Europe’s politicians quicker than a rampant junkie handing out free pipes in a den of opium. Bribes, promises, threats, instigations of envy; just about anything were used to cajole countries into joining the scheme. And now it’s all going horribly wrong. The peasants are revolting. In their usual arrogance, the political leaders have underestimated the ‘average Joe’. It is the people who have brought about this referendum. If Cameron had any sense he should jump at the chance of giving expats the vote. We are the ones with most to lose. He must be naïve, or simply stupid, to exclude the thousands who may swing the result in his favour. Keep the faith. Love Leapy. Leapylee2002@gmail.com
Supermarkets make changes for expatriate communities THEY have realised the potential spending power of the foreign market BRITISH expats relocate to Spain to enjoy sunnier climes, a place by the sea and more often than not, a cheaper way of life. Spanish supermarkets are now also changing their products to attract foreign consumers in large expat communities. A new study reveals that Spaniards spend an average of €198 per month on groceries compared to shoppers in the UK, where spends soar to an average of the equivalent of €463 monthly. Spanish supermarkets have realised the potential spending power of expat communities, and have adapted their products and layout to attract an increasing foreign market. Spain has about 2,500 establishments which have adapted to the demands of foreigners, this is more pronounced in coastal regions such as Valencia,
Defotoberg / Shutterstock
By Emily Chettle
CARREFOUR: Leads the way with the highest weekly spends. Cataluña, Andalucia, Murcia, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, according to data compiled by the
Spanish Association of Distributors. Now many supermarkets have made shopping more user friendly for
the expat communities, with additional signage printed in English and German. Even products are also now in-
creasingly labelled in English to meet the requests of expats. When looking more closely at the contents of shopping baskets, differences between nationalities in Spain were revealing. The study shows that the average Brit, as well as purchasing local produce, seeks products from home, especially breakfast foods, buns, sweets, fresh milk, juices, and bacon. German expats also seek products from home however are generally less demanding when compared to Brits. Leading the way on sales in Spain is Carrefour with an average monthly spend of €140 per household, followed by Mercadona and then Eroski. The director of the study, Iker de los Rios, of Fintonic revealed that the average monthly expenditure for each shop is influenced by both the type of shop and the variety of products that customers can find.
E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
OPINION & COMMENT
It’s a load of old horlicks
OUR VIEW CreditAndrey Popov Shutterstock
42
EXPERT advice in the dietary department can be bad for your health Colin Bird A weekly look Each week, Colin brings his slightly off-thewall view of the world to the pages of EWN in his own irreverent style.
JUST when you think you have it cracked in the dietary department, out comes another report telling us that what we had hitherto been told about the health benefits from this food or that, is now a load of old horlicks and moreover is doing us great harm. Conversely, foods that we have been told to avoid like the plague are now being seen as not only free of danger, but positively beneficial t o o u r h e a l t h an d well-being. There was a time when we were urged to cut down on the number of eggs we ate in a week, because they are high in cholesterol and should b e c o n su m e d in moderation. I have looked
HIGH CHOLESTEROL: There was a time when we were urged to cut down on eggs. at the information available, which at best is contradictory and have continued to maintain my intake. It’s the same with butter. I s imp ly lo v e th e s tu ff.
Nevertheless I was gradually persuaded long ago, to give up this fat-saturated poison for the health benefits of vegetable sludge of one brand or another.
Although I was forced to believe the hype that this would make me a leaner, more robust individual able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, there is no
advertising executive alive who was ever going to convince me that it tastes like the real thing. Can’t believe it’s not butter? I sure as heck can! But f i ve year s ago, on the basis of my own feelings, I reverted back to good old English slightlysalted butter. Then anot her r epor t came out, announcing that perhaps butter was not the vi l l ai n i t had been m ade out to be after all and that in fact, some saturated fat was necessary for good health. I saw this as vindication for my stance on the subj ect and di d back f l i ps around my living room, but soon stopped when I began to wheeze and require oxygen. I came to the conclusion a l ong t i m e ago, t hat m y reasoning when deciding which foods to embrace or to give the boot, should be: If in doubt, think natural.
Apple shaken to the core Photo credit: flickr by Mike Deerkoski
US court ruled the company must help the FBI access an iPhone belonging to a terrorist John Smith Random thoughts... ONE of the largest corporations in the world is facing a major crisis of conscience following a decision made by a US court, which ruled that Apple must help the FBI to circumve n t t h e e n c r y p t io n o n a n iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernadino Daesh terrorists, in the hope that it will find information about others in their network. In simple terms, Apple and network providers were criticised in the past for allowing the US government access to observe data being sent through their phones, and they have spent a great deal of time and m o n e y i n d e v e l o p in g n ew methods of encrypting their phones to stop them from being hacked. In this particular case, the FBI doesn’t know the passcode which would a l l o w t h e m a c c e s s to th e phone and its contents, but if they
APPLE: Have been criticised in the past, along with other network providers. try too many random codes they will be locked out and the data may be erased.
What they want Apple to do is to unlock the phone so that they can try random numbers until they hit
DONATIONS: Clothes.
Thank you for caring IT is very heartening that no matter what happens in the world or how bad the economy may be, people still do care for others and do what they can to help. Governments can fight and argue but individuals, knowing that they can’t affect international events, do at least take the trouble to make sure that their neighbours and those suffering receive some help. The British have a reputation of being both reticent and undemonstrative, but here in Spain the expat community seems to thrive on becoming involved and helping others, whilst also making people aware of problems that exist. The number of charities that are able to raise funds and help other expats and local people is quite amazing, and they seem to fall into three main categories namely, age, animals and health. The way they undertake fund raising is really quite impressive. At the ‘top end’ there are expensive dinners with raffles and auctions which can raise significant amounts and for some charities, a single night can raise enough to allow it to help people all through the year. Others are much less audacious and can be as simple as sponsorship or a coffee morning but every little helps, and with very few exceptions 100 per cent of the funds raised go directly to the cause itself. We have also seen a definite growth in the number of charity shops that exist, and they do have a number of positive advantages other than just raising funds. Many of the volunteers enjoy meeting other volunteers and customers whilst feeling that they are offering a service.
the right combination, but Apple is against this and is possibly going to argue that the encryption is so complicated that even they don’t know how to bypass it, so will have to have new programmes to allow them to break in themselves. If by agreeing to this and the authorities do find terrorist contacts, then Apple should feel they have done t he r i ght t hi ng, but i f t he phone is innocent, what happens when there is a similar request now the government knows it can be done, and where do you draw the line? Speaking as an innocent in the tech world, it strikes me that if a 15-year-old can hack into a global corporations website from a home computer, anything is possible. If Apple don’t do it openly, the US government will find some way of doing it clandestinely and then we Now we will never know. want to If ‘Big Brother’ is watching, then hear your views. I would prefer to know about it than not, but equally in the YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE words of a number of reac- YOUR OPINION tionaries ‘if you have nothing to www.euroweeklynews.com hide why worry’?
OPINION & COMMENT
25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
EWN
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Where the answers lie PP Madrid on Wikimedia Commons
POLITICIANS are answerable to voters as well as judges Cassandra Nash A weekly look - and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene
ESPERANZA AGUIRRE, a former president of the Madrid region, maintained her overall majority in three elections, which is more than can be said for Mariano Rajoy. She recently resigned as president of the regional Partido Popular, now targeted in a corruption investigation, accepting responsibility. That, too, is more than can be said for Rajoy, who hides behind claims of leaving attribution and retribution to the ‘competent institutions’. Politicians are answerable to voters as well as judges, as astute Aguirre perceived. Rajoy, lulled into a false sense of security by his 2011 majority, forgot all about voters once he walked through the front door of the Moncloa Palace. That’s why he’s
We know who it won’t be POLITICAL commentators agree that they don’t know who will be the next president of the Spanish government. They also agree that everyone, except Mariano Rajoy, knows who it won’t be.
going to be a one-trick pony.
Finding favour
ESPERANZA AGUIRRE: Recently resigned as president of the PP.
AGUIRRE, who survived an attack on her hotel during the Bombay massacre of July 2008, told interviewers immediately afterwards that she wouldn’t make much sense as she wasn’t wearing high heels. That, of course, accounts for Aguirre’s success. During her nine years as regional president, she appealed to a huge number of people who weren’t her natural voters and to a few who abhorred her politics. She managed to make herself like-
able, a huge asset in a politician. Are you listening, Pablo Iglesias?
Name changes MANUELA CARMENA, who snatched the Madrid mayoralty from under Esperanza Aguirre’s nose, is a former communist and retired Supreme Court judge. Unsurprisingly, she and her supporters want to obliterate all traces of Franco’s military and political regime from Madrid street names. Now they want writers, artists and public figures deemed not to have opposed the regime sufficiently.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
FEATURE
The truth is “ The EU is like the orchestra playing on the titanic” Ververidis/Shutterstock.com
WHAT happens when the million plus migrants in Germany get their travel papers? Where will they move on to? Nora Johnson
Breaking Views Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson
GREECE has come closer to an effective suspension from the Schengen free-travel zone (‘our greatest achievement’ according to Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president), after being handed a three-month ultimatum to control the influx of migrants. The EU has increased pressure on Greece by ordering it to remedy ‘deficiencies’ in its border controls. Now, let’s see if I’ve understood all this. Firstly, Mrs Merkel announces that all ‘refugees’ are welcome. Secondly, this promotes the inevitable influx from the most direct route via Turkey. Thirdly, the Greek border with Turkey is overwhelmed. Fourthly, this is obviously Greece’s fault so it’ll be punished. Am I missing something? I’m losing track of German, I mean EU, policy towards migrants. Perhaps there will be a differ-
JUST WHAT is Greece supposed to do with Mrs Merkel’s invitees? ent one tomorrow. Hasn’t €3 billion already been offered to Turkey (plus the prospect of visa-free travel to the Schengen zone for its citizens) to stop all this? Or maybe Germany’s changed its mind on that one too. No wonder David Cameron’s finding it hard to keep up with the plot.
What this in fact demonstrates is that the EU is failing disastrously to deal with a migrant influx, mainly unilaterally instigated by Mrs Merkel but, incomprehensibly, subsequently endorsed by it. It then tried to parcel out to member states tiny numbers of migrants - an attempt that’s totally flopped. What happens when the million plus mi-
grants in Germany get their travel papers? Where will they then move on to? And what are the Greeks supposed to do with Mrs Merkel’s invitees? Build camps for the three million expected by the end of 2017? With what? They must be wondering what benefit they get from the EU. Their economy’s been wrecked by the euro and the austerity programme, and the country’s officially back in recession. And now, thanks in no small part to Germany’s generous invitation, they might be kicked out of the Schengen area for failing to control their borders. Well, let’s leave the final word to two people who should know the truth about the state of play in the EU. For European Council president Donald Tusk, the current climate is “like the day before World War One.” For Italian PM Matteo Renzi, “the EU is like the orchestra playing on the Titanic.” ‘Nuff said. Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.89;£0.79) and iBookstore. All profits to Cudeca charity.
Advertising feature
When the going gets tough, the Brits go cruising David Deverson GLOBELINK INTERNATIONAL Insurance correspondent david@globelink.co.uk
MORE and more of Globelink’s clients are turning to cruises, and we’re delighted to cover them under the terms of our standard travel insurance policy. The popularity of cruises shouldn’t come as a surprise when you consider the remarkable value they offer, with accommodation, meals and entertainment all included in the package. And all of that with a minimum of packing, as yet another exciting destination sails into view. Cruises were once seen as the preserve of mature travellers who liked to dress for dinner every night. These days, the average passenger is under 55 and there are almost as many cruise types as there are kinds of passenger. Adult-only cruises offer the ultimate in sophisticated get-
FLOAT YOUR BOAT: Globelink include cruises in their standard travel insurance. aways. Multi-generation cruises cater for all the family, from Playstation-mad children with energy to burn, through to grandads who want to sharpen up their putting skills, or get expert tuition on how to work their iPads. Yet even with the best planning the unexpect-
ed can happen. A missed transfer, and the ship leaves without you. A cruise that has to be cut short when a close relative falls ill back home. Wise travellers take out travel insurance cover, but even they can be caught out. Unlike Globelink, some insurers exclude cruises from their
standard travel insurance policies - which means you could end up paying a hefty premium for adequate coverage before you go. Remember, if you live in Spain your travel insurance might be invalid if it does not cover the entire duration of your return trip, from the date you leave Spain until the date you arrive back in Spain. For an instant travel insurance quote and to arrange cover securely visit www.globelink.co. uk, or call (UK) +44 1353 699 082 or our Spanish link lines on 966 265 000 or 951 242 434. Globelink are the leading providers of travel insurance for people living in EU countries, and we will shortly be launching a bespoke Home Buildings and Contents Insurance with special discounts for our travel insurance policyholders. Please send an email to homeinsurance@globel ink.co.uk if you would like priority information.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments straight on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com
There is no excuse for a lack of pension information When forming opinions about such serious and unfortunate crimes, we should base them on objective scrutiny and not on demonising rhetoric. Mike via the website
Photographs for possible publication should be sent by email with a full caption to: photonews@euroweeklynews.com
Donkey drama Alexander Tihonov via Shutterstock
YOUR article on women’s pensions suggested that as early as 1995 the government decided to look into the idea of bringing into line the retirement ages for men and women, and that there should be a transition period of 15 years for women to make alternative arrangements. While one of the arguments for increasing the pension age may be that women live longer, it may however, have more to do with the current movement for equality between the sexes. It has to be said the rules relating to the UK state pension are changing all the time and with people living longer and the government’s finances deteriorating from one year to the next, it is likely to continue. With many people living off the state pension only, the government does make an effort to help people improve their record. There is no excuse for a lack of information and it is incumbent on everyone to be aware of the situation regarding their UK state pension. Peter from Estepona
A haze of lies IT’S the lies from both sides that bug me. We need the TRUTH so we can make an informed decision. Not lies. Two cabinet ministers on the 6 o’clock news, the pro ‘in’ man says we’ll lose sharing of intelligence by security services if we leave. Liar! Sharing security intel against terrorists rises way above mere politics. Of course that will continue! The pro ‘out’ man says we have no control over the UK border while in the EU. Liar! The UK is not in the
DO accidents mean we should ban cars, planes, swimming pools, amusement parks, jet skis, motor boats, water parks, walking in the street. Common sense tells us care should be taken with everything we do and accidents do happen but that doesn’t mean things that give us fun should be banned! Nor does it mean that contracts that have been made and pushed people to invest a lot of money should just be torn up because some officials decide to renege on it. Mike via website
Words matter
Quality advertising WE have worked with the Euro Weekly News recently for a recruitment campaign and have felt the advertisement to be very beneficial resulting in a good quality of candidate for interview. We will be working with the EWN moving forward and would not hesitate to recommend them to agencies looking for high calibre candidates. Charlotte Way, Operations Director, RE/MAX Top Homes
Ban on floating waterparks
IT’S reassuring to read a sympathetic article about the Mijas donkey’s plight, thank you. As a participant in recent demonstrations in favour of the abolition of the ‘burro taxi’, I am saddened and frustrated at the lack of any inclination on behalf of Mijas Town Hall, to even consider the possibility of change. PACMA’s petition, backed up with a veterinarian’s report on the poor condition of the donkeys, also seems to have been ignored. Bev via the website It’s a disgrace, for goodness sake build a donkey park/sanctuary, a refreshment area, walkways and let the donkeys be free for all to visit, just don’t ride them! People can walk around, look at them, a little shop where children can buy all sorts of donkey toys surely that would bring an income for the owners and happy donkeys. Janice via the website
Schengen zone and requires passports for EU entrants and additional visas for non EU entrants. If that’s not control I don’t know what is. The Scottish referendum was identical - lies, lies and precious little truth. Brian via the website
Brexit bull SO much for an EU reform that would make the union ‘more open, closer to the people, competitive...’ etc. It’s just been a petulant request to move further away from the rest of the
team, keep out the pesky foreigners (because we all know that if you’re not British, you MUST be rubbish. Leapy thinks so, doesn’t he?) and was aimed at kow-towing to UKIP voters and eurosceptic Tory backbenchers. But it’s made us the laughing stock. And guess what? If our lives are screwed up by an ‘out’ vote, we won’t get any sympathy from our neighbours in our adopted countries, because they’ll say we’ve asked for it. (Except ‘we’ didn’t, the UK government did). Our Graham still won’t admit he’s an immigrant, but I think he’d be a bit miffed if he became an ILLEGAL im-
migrant. Karma is hilarious, isn’t it? Kally via the website
Rape of Europe THIS is idiotic stereotyping. Misogynistic male behaviour, sexual assault and rape are not the product of one country or culture, such behaviours are a worldwide problem, also with frequent occurrence in places such as Poland (which has virtually no Muslims).
HARKING back to a, now rather outdated, column piece by Mr Leapy Lee, which I’ve only now read, I find it incumbent upon myself to write in to the EWN to take issue with his language. Referring to young black presenters as ‘articulate’, describing the wider black (and I suppose ‘inarticulate’) population as ‘hordes’, and making sweeping generalisations to fit his parochial narrative makes the man a subtle racist, and either wilfully ignorant or worse. If he would like to provide any concrete evidence for his damning racial claims that have a grounding in fact, not simply regurgitating his reading of tabloid media, or using allegories from his sheltered life, that would be much appreciated by this reader. James from San Pedro
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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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.
52
E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
TV LISTING
THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY
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54
E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
OPINION & COMMENT
Mojacar’s fountain alludes to an exciting past where villagers met! ROMANTICALLY true, but historically has never been proven with documents 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.
‘DISPEL historical illusions and there is an end to half the charms of travelling.’ So wrote Washington Irving, saviour of Granada’s famed Alhambra Palace and first Ambassador to Spain from the United States. There is no better reason for visiting Mojacar than to amble the narrow cobble-stoned streets, close your eyes momentarily and cloak yourself with fantasies of past glories. The legendary pueblo veiled in ancient history and still held in awe for its ancient Moorish traditions is still an inspiration to writers, poets, musicians, craftsmen, historians and inquisitive friends. Naturally, everyone arrives armed with a camera to capture ‘living proof’
THE FOUNTAIN: Villagers met to barter. of the town’s celebrated past. So, where does the initiate begin? There is no better place than the central fountain with its constant flow of life giving water to nourish the parched land. For it was at the fountain where the villagers met to barter, discuss politics
and retrieve the life sustaining liquid. Therein can also be viewed the commemorative memorial dated 1488 that narrates the fable that every Mojaquero repeats: why Muslim Mojacar was al-
lowed to keep its religion and customs. Just some 510 years ago the ‘Reyes Catolicos’ were encamped near Antas. Christian forces had cut off the area’s supply road from the Arab stronghold at Baza. Historians list them as 11,000 foot soldiers and 2,000 cavalry. On June 10 of that year the Arabs had no other escape but to surrender. When Vera fell, soon the town alcaldes of Antas, Bedar, Serena, Cabrera, Teresa, Lubrin, Sorbas, and Las Cuevas made the trek to pay rendition and pledge allegiance to the Catholic crown. Mojacar didn’t. The faded marble plaque tells the
story. A dashing young and unarmed captain rode to the foothills below the village stronghold to beseech the Farique Alibez to surrender. The presumed dialogue took place between youthful Catholic Captain Garcilaso and the Moor, Alibez who spoke saying: “I am an Español just as you are. My race has lived here for more than 700 years and you say I must return to Africa. If I do that, they will say I am an extranjero coming from the sea, and I will be because this is my land. “I have never carried swords against the Christians. If you will treat us as brothers and not as enemies and allow us to labour in the fields of our forefathers we will remain as friends. I ask this of the illustrious Doña Isabel and Don Fernando from the bottom of my heart, and in return promise that we will be loyal to the Christian kings. A decision was made and Mojacar remained Moorish. Romantically true but historically never proven.
TIME OUT
25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
Famous quote
This week
MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE
‘
Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. Tony Robbins
in history 45 BC - The first Leap Day was recognised by proclamation of Julius Caesar. 1066 - Westminster Abbey opened its doors to parishioners for the first time. 1570 - Pope Pius the Fifth excommunicated England’s Queen Elizabeth I. 1848 - Karl Marx and Frederick Engels publish The Communist Manifesto in London. 1904 - Glenn Miller, big band leader during the 1930s and ‘40s was born. 1910 - The Dalai Lama flees from the Chinese and takes refuge in India. 1912 - The first parachute jump was made, over Missouri, USA. 1932 - The infant son of Charles Lindbergh was kidnapped from his home in New Jersey, USA. 1952 - Winston Churchill announced that Britain had developed its own atomic bomb. 1954 - The first American hydrogen bomb was ‘officially’ detonated at the Bikini Atoll. 1958 - The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic expedition, led by Dr Vivian Fuchs, completed the first surface crossing of the South Pole. 1964 - Cassius Clay dethroned world heavyweight boxing champ Sonny Liston. 1969 - The French-built Concorde made its maiden flight. 1988 - South African archbishop Desmond Tutu is arrested along with 100 clergymen. 1993 - A gun battle erupted at a compound near Waco, Texas, beginning a 51-day stand off. 2002 - The peseta lost its legal tender status in Spain, and is replaced with the euro.
Women’s wit
‘
Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me. Carol Burnett
World of English
‘
Why do we have noses that run and feet that smell?
‘MUST BE SOMEONE REALLY SPECIAL SHE WRITES EVERY DAY’
Costa de Almería weather
Kakuro
for next 7 days
Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.
TODAY VELEZ RUBIO
TOMORROW ALBOX
HUERCAL OVERA
VELEZ RUBIO GARRUCHA ALBOX MOJACAR HUERCAL OVERA ALMERIA
RETAMAR GARRUCHA ROQUETAS
MOJACAR
RETAMAR
ALMERIA
Alicante TODAY:
SUNNY MAX MIN
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19 11 S 15 7 C 16 7 C
Benidorm MAX 21C, MIN 11C Mon - 17 7 Cl Tues - 17 7 S Wed - 18 10 S
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17 11 S 14 9 C 14 9 C
MAX 18C, MIN 9C Mon - 16 9 Cl Tues - 17 18 S Wed - 18 11 S
Fri Sat Sun -
16 11 C 14 9 Sh 14 8 C S Sun,
16 7 C 11 6 Sh 12 6 Sh
MAX MIN
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Madrid
CLOUDY MAX 17C, MIN 10C MAX MIN
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TODAY:
Fog,
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SHOWERS MAX 17C, MIN 8C MAX MIN
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17 9 C 15 7 Sh 15 7 Sh
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12 3 C 9 1 Sh 8 1 Sh C Cloudy,
TODAY:
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Sh Showers,
CLOUDY MAX 22C, MIN 9C MAX MIN
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21 10 Cl 17 7 Cl 17 7 Cl Sn Snow,
UK THUNDERBALL
IRISH LOTTO
Saturday February 20
Saturday February 20
EURO MILLIONS
LA PRIMITIVA
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Bilbao
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SUNNY MAX 19C, MIN 11C
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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
ROQUETAS
ADRA
MAX MIN
Mon - 18 8 Cl Tues - 19 8 C Wed - 21 10 S Th Thunder
LOTTERY
ADRA
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Saturday February 20
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BONUS BALL
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LUCKY STARS
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REINTEGRO
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56
E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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Directed by: Denis Villeneuve Starring: Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Jon Bernthal, Daniel Kaluuya, Jeffrey Donovan, Raoul Trujillo and Victor Garber.
Just Joking
Unscramble the name of a piece of gym equipment (two words): REMAINING CHOW
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 (JOYFUL) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.
AFRAID ALLELE ASTRAY BEYOND BRANDY DEFEAT DIESEL FLUENT INDOOR JASPER
IN Mexico, SICARIO means hitman. In the lawless border area stretching between the US and Mexico, an idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by an elite government task force official (Josh Brolin) to aid in the escalating war against drugs. Led by an enigmatic consultant with a questionable past (Benicio Del Toro), the team sets out on a clandestine journey forcing Kate to question everything that she believes in order to survive.
Julio Iglesias jr, Singer Model, February 25 Julio Jose Iglesias Preysler was born in Madrid, Spain, the son of Spanish singer Julio Iglesias and elder brother of Enrique Iglesias.
43
Fats Domino, Pianist, February 26, 88 Rock ‘n’ roller and rhythm and blues artist who found his thrill on Blueberry Hill. He amassed five gold records before 1955. Peter Andre, Pop Singer, February 27, 43 Pop singer who became known for his hit singles Mysterious Girl, Flava and Behind Closed Doors which reached #3 on the UK Singles Charts in 2009. Ainsley Harriott, Chef, February 28, 59 Celebrity chef who hosted the British television show Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook. He also served as resident chef on Good Morning with Anne and Nick. Tony Robbins, Self-Help Author, February 29, 56 Motivational speaker and author of Awaken the Giant Within. His popular four-day seminar, Unleash The Power Within, includes an exercise in which audience members take their shoes off and walk over a bed of hot coals. Justin Bieber, Pop Singer, March 1, 22 Pop star who was propelled to fame after his 2010 YouTube single Baby became an international hit. His debut album My World 2.0 debuted at number one on the U.S. Daniel Craig, Actor, March 2, 48 Actor who was nominated for a BAFTA Award for his debut as James Bond in Casino Royale in 2006. He then went on to portray Bond in three more films: Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.
JOYFUL (10) LANDAU LUMBER MUTATE RABIES RUEFUL SERIAL SPLEEN STRAND
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Update 2 Ensure 3 Dither 4 Hereby 5 Inhere 6 Server 7 Freest 8 Linden 9 Fierce 10 Shimmy 11 Ransom 12 Entity 13 Umlaut 14 Retire 15 Demure 16 Detour 17 Kindle 18 Oxcart 19 Leaden
YOUR STARS ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Putting yourself first is necessary at the moment. There is so much happening this week that you may be tempted to run yourself ragged trying to do it all yourself. It is possible to persuade others to give a hand and, although it may seem too much trouble at the time, you will reap the benefits in the longer term. TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) You should bear in mind that you are the best one to decide what you want, when you want it and how you will go about getting it. Others may offer you short cuts, but is that really going to deliver the goods? I think not. GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) You know where you are going and who with, but there is this one unresolved thought in your mind. It is just a thought, isn’t it? Or is it more? This is something only you can answer. Be prepared this week to take advice and ask questions. CANCER (June 22 - July 23) You are still looking more to the past than to the future, but now it seems that circumstances are urging you to move ahead at more of a pace. Because the matter becomes urgent, it may seem to you that circumstances are overtaking you. The choice is still yours if you show speed and determination.
PISCES
(February 20 - March 20)
So far as your work or business life is concerned, those in authority may seek to see things done their way. Where they seem to pay lip service to your needs, that is all it is… talk. Be clear that you want action and that you will not give in easily. LEO (July 24 - August 23) What you truly want in life is now becoming clear to you. Not for you the fuzzy ideas of the past. Now, you realise that, if you do not give a strong lead, then others will lead you. To avoid going backwards now you must be determined and clear. Show others that you are firmly taking the lead in your future. VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) With your self-confidence on a high note, you are ready to sing the song of your future. There will be highs and lows but that is what makes life interesting and exciting. Do not now avoid changes for the sake of peace. What is exciting and balanced this week is where your future lies. LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Where you see things failing to go your way, it may seem that others are being unfair. It is unlikely to be that simple. Perhaps, by being too easy-going and friendly, you have given the impression of not being particularly caring. State your case and change the tune.
EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREA
10-Star Quiz
A pickpocket was up in front of the judge who said, “Sir, you are hereby fined €100.” The lawyer stood up and said, “Thanks, your honour, however my client only has €75 on him, but if you’d allow him a few minutes in the crowd...”
Unscramble the name of a famous play by William Shakespeare (three words): RARE FAROESE MUSEUM
TIME
ST DAVID’S DAY 1. From the Welsh for ‘session,’ what name is given to any of several annual festivals in which Welsh poets, dancers and musicians compete for recognition? 2. On which race course is the Welsh Grand National normally run? 3. The Welsh village of Portmeirion was the setting for which 1960s ‘spy fiction’ television series starring Patrick McGoohan as an unnamed British agent? 4. ‘To begin at the beginning: It is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bibleblack, the cobblestreets silent and the hunched, courters’-and-rabbits’ wood limping invisible down to the sloeblack, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat-bobbing sea’ are the opening lines of which famous radio drama by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas? 5. To mark Prince Charles’s investiture as the Prince of Wales, which Welsh town was granted city status in 1969? 6. What is the Welsh name for Wales? 7. What name is given to a piece of wooden furniture with cupboards and drawers in the lower part and open shelves in the upper part? 8. Which Welsh flanker was tour captain of the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia? 9. Which Welsh singer was born Gaynor Hopkins in June 1951? Her UK hit singles include Lost in France (1976) and It’s a Heartache (1977). 10. Ynys Mon is the Welsh name for which island to the northwest of Wales? Not a lot of people know that... Britain’s very first lager brewery was opened in Wrexham in 1881 by German immigrants 1. EISTEDDFOD, 2. CHEPSTOW, 3. THE PRISONER, 4. UNDER MILK WOOD, 5. SWANSEA, 6. CYMRU, 7. WELSH DRESSER, 8. SAM WARBURTON, 9. BONNIE TYLER, 10. ANGLESEY
Sicario
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FUNAGRAM SOLUTION: ROWING MACHINE, MEASURE FOR MEASURE.
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SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Judgement may be impaired this week and it would be advisable to get second and even third opinions. In much the same way that you sometimes have an instinctive feel for things and situations, you now have this sensation about a certain person. An unbiased and imaginative opinion scatters your stress.
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 D) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) This week be prepared to be forthright when it comes to a certain difficult situation. This involves someone trying to get you to make a decision you are either not sure of or against. CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Are you being pushed into a corner? There is no need to respond with aggression, but a smooth and fast move is required to avoid this. They say that forewarned is forearmed. AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) You are looking to having everything your own way, which may not be entirely out of the question. The only sticking point could be that you are not even willing to be sharp with someone who has been far from straight with you. Be prepared to trip over a loose end later if you do not tie it up now.
TARGET: Average: 16 Good: 22 Very good: 32 Excellent: 42
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION cere cert eery eyer fire free fret frit leer lire lyre reef reel reft rely rete rice riel rife rift rile rite tier tire tree tref trey tyre citer creel erect eyrie feyer fiery filer fleer flier flirt flyer leery lifer liter litre lyric recti reefy refit reify relic relit retie rifle terce tiler trice celery eerily fierce filter flirty freely lifter recite relict relief tercel tierce trifle certify erectly fertile rectify reflect reticle tiercel celerity fiercely ELECTRIFY
SOUND OF THE WEEK Late Nights: The Album By: Jeremih EVEN though this album hit the streets a year ago, three quarters of the way through Late Nights, Jeremih’s long-awaited, appearing-out-of-nowhere new album is still a gem. Jeremih dropped Don’t Tell ‘Em at the beginning of summer 2014, and it went on to become a big crossover hit, one of the highest-charting of Jeremih’s career.
AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE
Crossword
Enjoy filling in the following puzzles and check the answers in next week’s edition
Quick
Cryptic
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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
CRYPTIC
Across:
1 Bushel, 4 Brunei, 9 Spain, 11 Sheet, 13 Speed, 15 Leather, 16 Elgar, 17 Donor, 18 Pasta, 20 Poles, 21 Ignites, 22 Tosca, 24 Reeve, 26 Sacks, 27 Prefix, 28 Castro.
Across 1 Holy Island could be in Friesland (11) 9 No night shift for sweet Fanny Adams (7) 10 Good man gets beer, but it's flat (5) 11 A shivering fit in Prague (4) 12 Line across English game (8) 14 Steam-cooked foodstuffs (5) 15 Poet gives King fare (5) 20 Plea to dine in the entrance (8) 22 Big cheese that is after British Rail (4) 24 Work unit of weathermen (5) 25 Opposed to a giant’s organisation (7) 26 Was Mr Clooney annoyed when he received this award? (6,5)
Down: 2 Sole, 3 Easter, 5 Rinsed, 6 Node, 7 Mantelpiece, 8 Osteopath, 10 Addressee, 12 Elastic, 14 Propose, 19 Agassi, 20 Persia, 23 Sore, 25 Edit.
QUICK Across:
Down 2 Interrupt Ted and ruin production (7) 3 American lawyer is on the platform (4) 4 US soldiers come back, initially not a large wave (6) 5 Took in broken orbs in a bed (8) 6 Advances made by listeners after end of audition (5) 7 Stated demand before having massage (5)
Code Breaker
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OUT
25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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8 Hold off being freed in error (5) 13 Flag of current Queen (8) 16 Shorten damaged royal seats (7) 17 Bad-tempered trial at end of July (5) 18 Collected a badger (2,4) 19 Bighead lets out cuffs (5) 21 Paper is in on the menu (5) 23 Just a bazaar (4)
Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 1 represents V and 16 represents J, so fill in V every time the figure 1 appears and J every time the figure 16 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.
Across 1 Enthusiastic (5) 4 Strips of potato fried in deep fat (5) 9 Confidential (7) 10 Separated (5) 11 Doze (5) 12 Enigma (7) 14 Mislay (4) 16 Frequently (5) 18 Quarrel (5) 21 Feel concern or interest (4) 24 Moved fast (7) 26 Grab hold of (5) 28 Lapses (5) 29 Safeguard (7) 30 Smaller in number (5) 31 Cures (5)
Down 2 Similar (5) 3 Instance (7) 5 Makes hotter (5) 6 Relatively flat highland (7) 7 Appears (5) 8 Remains (5) 9 Move with force (4) 13 Twelve month period (4) 15 On a single occasion (4) 17 Pardon (7) 19 Make like new (7) 20 Pursue (5) 22 Adjust (5) 23 Highest quality (4) 25 Publication (5) 27 Perfection (5)
English - Spanish The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.
1 Peaks, 4 Career, 9 Realise, 10 Needs, 11 Tiny, 12 Leaving, 13 Sky, 14 Here, 16 Last, 18 Cry, 20 Unaware, 21 Fast, 24 China, 25 Looking, 26 Eleven, 27 Songs. Down: 1 Pirate, 2 Again, 3 Slim, 5 Annually, 6 Enemies, 7 Resign, 8 Reply, 13 Separate, 15 Examine, 17 Muscle, 18 Cells, 19 Stages, 22 Alien, 23 Toys.
ENGLISHSPANISH Across: 1 Casar, 4 Peach, 7 Rio, 8 Soldier, 9 Terremoto, 13 Peasant, 15 But, 16 Nieto, 17 Sheep. Down: 1 Cura, 2 Stone, 3 Resfriado, 4 Palomitas, 5 Ahi, 6 Harm, 10 Table, 11 Open, 12 Step, 14 Ace.
CODE BREAKER
Across 1 Codo (5) 3 Health (5) 6 Muy (mucho) (4) 7 Image (6) 9 Slow (vehicle, music, progress, pulse) (5) 10 North (side, part) (5) 11 Door (6) 12 Fig (4)
13 Sombra (zona sin sol) (5) 14 Latón (metal) (5) Down 1 Sobres (para cartas) (9) 2 Aubergine (9) 3 Week (6) 4 Small lizard (9) 5 Peligroso (9) 8 Botella (6)
E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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The Swans of Fifth Avenue
By Melanie Benjamin Released: January 26 Published by: Penguin Random House OF all the glamorous stars of New York high society, none blazes brighter than Babe Paley. Her flawless face regularly graces the pages of Vogue, and she is celebrated and adored for her ineffable style and exquisite taste, especially among her friends; the alluring socialite Swans Slim Keith, C Z Guest, Gloria Guinness, and Pamela Churchill. By all appearances, Babe has it all: money, beauty, glamour, jewels, influential friends, a prestigious husband, and gorgeous homes. But beneath this elegantly composed exterior, dwells a passionate woman, a woman desperately longing for true love and connection. books@euroweeklynews.com
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EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREAK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE
New species discovered in the last year
IT has been said that 99 per cent of all species that ever existed are now extinct. That doesn’t mean to say we know them all, moreover, new species of life on earth are being discovered every year. Here are the top 10 new species discovered in the last year. 1. Homo naledi South Africa Human Ancestor Remains of 15 individuals found in South Africa revealed in September 2015 are evidence of a species with hands, feet and opposable thumbs. The human-related species also appears to have buried its dead - which had been thought to be something pre-humans did not do. But Homo naledi is no human. The species roamed the planet millions of years ago, and it’s unclear exactly how it’s connected to present day homo sapiens. 2. Kermit the Frog (Hyalinobatrachium dianae) The glass frog, Hyalinobatrachium dianae, found in Costa Rica. The resemblance is nothing short of uncanny. This new nocturnal species is found in the Costa Rican rain forest. Images of ‘Kermit’ quickly went viral after it was reported for the first time earlier this year. But, unlike the actual Kermit, Hyalinobatrachium dianae unfortunately cannot sing. 3. The carnivorous plant discovered on Facebook: Drosera magnifica Drosera magnifica has it all. The big, fivefoot plant seems Little Shop of Horrorsworthy in the way it uses sticky leaves to trap bugs. It may not be the first plant to grab its dinner this way, but it’s one of the first ones that could practically look you in the eye when it does it. 4. Torquigener albomaculosus (pufferfish) Twenty years ago scientists discovered elaborate seven-foot circular patterns on the seafloor off the coast of Japan that seemed to appear out of nowhere. This year, investigators finally have the answer in the Torquigener albomaculosus pufferfish. Despite their small five-inch bodies, male fish create the patterns on the seafloor as a mating call for females.
Sudoku
App of the Week BookWhiz BookWhiz rewards children for reading with custom prizes. Getting children to read amidst distractions like TV and the internet can be tough. But a new app from Bellevue, Wash.-based BookWhiz Media lets parents set up rewards for reading, and helps children keep track of books, too. BookWhiz, a free iPad app, presents a virtual bookshelf of all the physical books in your house and lets you set up rewards which can be from a toy car to choosing what to have for dinner.
Play on Words HOMO NALEDI: Remains found. 5. Bone house wasp (Deuteragenia ossarium) The Bone house wasp, Deuteragenia ossarium, lives on the forest floor. Mothers of most species do a lot for their children, but the bone house wasp mother may top the list. The animal creates a nice home before its young are born complete with dead spiders and ants. The spiders will be the new-born’s first food source. 6. Nose-less monkey (Rhinopithecus Strykeri) This animal, found in the remote Eastern Himalayan, does have a nose really, but it’s inconveniently turned upward. On rainy days, many will sit with their heads between their knees to avoid having to sneeze. But they’re not always successful, earning them the local nickname ‘sneezing monkey.’ 7. Vampire crabs: Geosesarma dennerle and Geosesarma hagen There’s nothing quite like vampire crabs. The Indonesia natives have piercing yellow eyes and purple or orange bodies, making them both scary and pretty - and altogether bizarre. The new species designation for the crabs comes years after they first appeared in pet stores in Singapore. While the crabs appeared to be unlike anything seen before, scientists needed to discover their origin before a peer reviewed journal would grant them a new species tag. 8. Tiny frogs of the Brachycephalus genus These cute South American frogs look just
like any other you might find in the Peruvian Andes - except that they’re probably smaller than any frog you’ve seen before. In fact, at 0.3 inches, they’re about the size of a human fingernail. The discovery of Brachycephalus couldn’t come soon enough. Like many other amphibious species around the world, these tiny frogs face a deadly fungus that endangers survival of the species and may disappear just as suddenly as they were discovered. 9. Hog-nosed rat Hyorhinomys stuempkei At first glance, Hyorhinomys stuempkei looks somewhat like a charming cross between a mouse and a pig. It has large mouse ears, whiskers and a button nose. But then there are the enormous vampire teeth that extend from its tiny mouth. Not as cute. The animal - found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi - was actually discovered back in 2013. 10. Blue dwarf ‘walking’ snakehead fish If you’re wandering around Nepal and you see a fish walking near your feet, don’t worry. A newly discovered species of snakehead fish found near the Himalaya mountain range can survive up to four days on land. And, while it’s there, it’s often moving. Scientists say the fish can wriggle its way on land for nearly a quarter of mile, typically to move from one body of water to another. When it’s in the water, the blue dwarf is much like other snakehead fish - an aggressive predator and prolific breeder.
ON ME
BALL THE
Boggled How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules? The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms. No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.
TARGET: Average: 12 Good: 17 Very good: 24 Excellent: 31
SCORING: • 4 letters: 1 point • 5 letters: 2 points • 6 letters: 3 points • 7 letters: 4 points • 8 or more letters: 11 points
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION tilt tint tinner tithe filth filthy xenon ennui lift lint lithe inner none noun norm neon tune tuner tube tuba until unfit unit unity omit rout robe heavy built bunt bone bounty bout born borne bore bevy bait wont worn wore worm wren wavy wave wait month mount mouth morn more abut about
Word Ladder DEAL
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
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.
TIME OUT
ZONE BACK
Move from the start word (DEAL) to the end word (ZONE) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.
DEAL DELL DOLL DOLE DONE ZONE
TOP 10
BOOKS
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Answers: Lean on me, Behind the black ball.
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E W N Costa de Almería
25 February - 2 March 2016
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One of those weeks when you can’t make it to the gym? FitFoxy Looking Good, Staying Trim
large print, right in front of you next to the countdown timer. Set phone stopwatch for fiveminute warm – up, 30 seconds each move, no stopping. • Jog on the spot . • Jumping jacks. • Jog on the spot. • Jumping jacks. • Jog-heel to butt kicks. • Wide leg scissors. • On the spot sprint.
WE are almost two months in to the new year and hopefully all good intentions to take care of yourself and get back into some sort of steady fitness routine is now in full force. However, there are days when no matter how organised your schedule planner is, the children are off school sick or your husband has been called away, the babysitter is unavailable to help this week, you have no spare hours in your day, any gym workout would be virtually impossible. FitFoxy’s solution: Set up your own quick HIIT Workout for these occasions All you need is: • You, complete with a workout kit and trainers. • Water and workout towel. • 20 solid minutes. • A small, clear workout space (push the sofa and chairs aside). • Some of your favourite upbeat music. • Smartphone – Stopwatch timer. WORKOUT: • The following plan A 20-minute typed or written out in quick fix.
• Jumping jacks. • Jog-heel to butt kicks. • Wide leg scissors. Take one to two minutes rest, no longer, grab some water, set your timer for 15 mins and get ready for your workout. Main workout: Repeat each of the following four moves twice for around 30 seconds (two minutes) then 30 seconds rest. • Sprint – Jump jacks – scissors – jog high knees (to belly button). • Sprint – Low jump squats wide to narrow – jogheel butt kicks – alternate jump lunge. • Sprint – wide scissors - sprint – floor burpee to jump ups. • Sprint – jog high knees – floor crawl out to two press ups and back – Jump jacks. Now you are finished!! If you have followed this exactly to plan, you should be really feeling it, this is a great fat burner and you can complete it in 20 minutes. So... You have no excuses!! Love... FitFoxy...
HEALTH BEAUTY
Ask The Doctor
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Blood pressure
SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte. This week, Dr Luis Perez Belmonte answers a reader’s questions about blood pressure. - WHAT should my blood pressure levels be? I’m a man in my 50s. They should be under 140/80. - Is high blood pressure dangerous? How can I lower my blood pressure? You should see a specialist after checking your blood pressure every morning. High blood pressure over an extended period of time can be very dangerous. Medication and a healthy, salt-free diet can help get it down. - Is low blood pressure dangerous? What happens if it’s too low? If it is always under 90/40 but you have no other symptoms it probably isn’t anything to worry about, but a check-up with a specialist in internal medicine is recommended as a precaution. - Are blood pressure levels the same for men and women? No, women usually have
slightly lower levels than men. - Is treatment for life? Will I see any side effects if I’m prescribed tablets? There can be some side effects depending on the medication prescribed. If unsure about any symptoms you should see your doctor. Treatment is usually for life but medications can be swapped for more effective ones or to reduce side effects. - If my blood pressure is ok now, how can I make sure it stays that way? There are no guarantees as blood pressure can change for many different reasons, but sticking to a healthy diet, regular exercise and taking your medication will give you the best chance of keeping it under control. If you have any questions for Dr Perez Belmonte, please send them to: askyourgp@euro weeklynews.com
The Coast’s Home GP service - wherever you are - at home - in the office - in the car - on the golf course your GP will get to see you any time, anywhere. A priceless service at an affordable price.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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Advertising feature
Remember: Caring for your mouth is caring for your heart PROFESSIONAL staff at Odonto Stetic Dental Clinic will be happy to give you a full check up ALTHOUGH society may think that there is no relationship between cardiovascular problems and oral diseases, what is certain is that scientific evidence debunks this false belief, which has set off warning bells for odontology and cardiology professionals alike. Professionals from both of the two fields largely attribute this tight link between heart and mouth to the huge quantity of bacteria, which is located under the gums and which can pass through the blood and affect other zones of the body, in addition to raising the level of inflammation throughout the body in general. What there is no doubt about is that there is a clear relationship between periodontal and cardiovascular risk factors, as numerous
Bacteria located under the gums can pass through blood and affect other zones in the body. observational studies have demonstrated. There exists data contrasting the causal relationship between the health of the teeth and the health of the heart, and the influence that these aspects have on periodontal illnesses or cardiovascular risk factors like obesity, tobacco and metabolic syndrome, as well as the improvement of one with the control of the other. A recent study, published in the magazine Infection and Immunity has identified a bacteria, which c o u ld p ro v id e e vide nc e of the close link between periodontal and
LINK: Study shows a link between heart and mouth health. cardiac illness. The study, carried out in Swe-
Tricks to make you a healthier eater A HEALTH psychologist who has studied eating behaviour and obesity for 25 years, believes there are simple tricks to making you a healthier eater: Accept the hunger Hunger pangs are not a sign to snack, it simply means you are getting hungry and so try and avoid the urge to snack and just enjoy your next meal. Three-minute cravings Hunger isn’t just a physical process to do with how full or empty the stomach is, essentially hunger comes from the mind. Cravings are not necessarily about the food, but what it represents and they usually only last a few minutes so go and distract yourself for three minutes to avoid the need for reaching for that chocolate bar. Anticipated regret Many who are trying to lose weight and eat healthier feel guilty when they eat a naughty
COOK: From scratch to avoid hidden sugars and fats. treat and wish they hadn’t, so next time you want that cake remember and imagine how you might feel afterwards. Even better, think about how good you will feel if you eat an apple instead. Cook from scratch You will be in more control
of what you eat and avoid hidden sugars and fats in pre-prepared meals and sauces. If you are short on time, a quick pasta dish with a tin of tomatoes and diced vegetables is a healthier choice than putting a ready meal in the microwave.
den, has clarified the underlying microbiology, which links illness
of the gums and cardiac illness by means of the identification of the eff ect of a bact er i a: Por phyromonas gingivalis. A pathogen characterised as responsible for the development of periodontitis, and which it is now known alters the expression of genes that codify proteins which increases inflammation and atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries (the veins that supply blood to the heart). Odonto Stetic Dental Clinic in Los Gallardos will be happy to give you a full check up. They are located at Calle Molino 16 (opposite the Medical Centre), 04280 Los Gallardos, and can be reached on 950 398 993, or 722 706 732. Rem em ber : Car i ng f or your mouth is caring for your heart.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de Almería
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
Exercise could help shrink tumours STAYING active during cancer treatment can improve survival rates By Gemma Quinn VIGOROUS exercise could help those going through treatment for cancer. Whilst it may be the last thing patients feel like doing, a group of researchers at the Uni-
versity of Copenhagen said it could be beneficial in the long term. They have been studying tumours in mice and discovered that intensive physical activity can help the body’s own defences shrink the growth of tu-
mours by up to 50 per cent, and believe there could be a similar effect to human cancer patients. Researchers found ‘natural killer’ cells were directed towards tumours during exercise, and they believe the shot of adrenaline produced by a high-
intensity workout helps move these immune cells towards lung, liver, or skin tumours. Meanwhile, Macmillan Cancer Care found 77 per cent of cancer patients had not received any advice from their physicians on the benefits of exercise.
A review of six studies by Macmillan found 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week had a 40 per cent lower risk of breast cancer mortality, and recurrence compared with women active for less than one hour per week.
People will exercise more if they risk losing money A STUDY has found that fines are better motivator to make people exercise By Gemma Quinn FINING people if they don’t exercise could be the motivator people need to get more active. With more and more people becoming obese and weight a global problem, a group of scientists from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in the USA looked at ways of getting people to exercise more.
7,000 steps per day for 26 weeks was the goal given to the participants in the study
Their findings showed that the potential of losing a reward was a more powerful motivator, and people are more likely to exercise if there is a risk that they might lose money by skipping a work out. In the USA there are countless workplace wellness programmes in place geared towards increasing physical activity, but the researchers found that there is a lack of understanding about how to design incentives within those programmes. For the study, 281 participants were given the goal of reaching 7,000 steps per day for 26 weeks. During the first 13 weeks, the participants were assigned to
f o u r groups, o n e group had no financial incentive, while the gain group received $1.40 (€1.25) for every day the goal was achieved, a lottery group were entered into a daily lottery with a prize that averaged $1.40 (€1.25) each day, and the fourth group was a loss incentive group, where scientists took away $1.40 (€1.25) for each day the goal wasn’t achieved. Those in the group that risked losing the money achieved the goal more times than the others.
Health Food Shop & Community Centre Are you looking for inspiration? You’ll be surprised at the range of natural & organic products available to inspire you.
In the Community Centre Kids Karate, kids Gymnastics Art classes, Pilates, Yoga, Tai-Chi, Salsa-size Spanish lessons and health screening
C/Malaga s/n, Albox, Almeria, Tel: 639 089 170 Mon-Fri 10am-6pm Sat 10am-2pm email: alboxgirasol@hotmail.com
WEIGHT: Is a global problem.
Wildlife experts’ test could detect tumours SCIENTISTS at the Institute of Cancer Research in London have developed a test that they claim can accurately spot aggressive tumours before they spread to other parts of the body. Initial trials of the test were able to spot women at the highest risk of dying from breast cancer, and it is hoped the test could now be used to tailor treatment for women at the highest risk. Scientists have modified methods initially developed by wildlife experts to identify ecological diversity in the natural world, and adapted the ecologists’ computer algorithm to use it on tumour samples. Tu m o u r s with a greater diversity of types of cell tend to be the most aggressive. The Institute of Cancer said in the future, they hope that by combining cell diversity scores with other factors that influence cancer survival, such as genetics and tumour size, they will be able to tell apart patients with more or less aggressive disease, and will be able to administer different types of treatment to find the most effective one.
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25 February - 2 March 2016
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By Adele Land FOLLOWING the huge success of the recent Flamenco extravaganza in Mojacar, organisers have announced a new date for a similar event on Friday May 13 at the multi-use (Artesan) centre at the bottom of Mojacar Pueblo. The show will begin at 8pm and booking is highly recommended. Like the previous event, it will be a star-studded affair with four generations of dancers from one Flamenco family. Dancers will include Mari Angeles Carillo, teacher at the Conservatorio in Almeria, her niece, Isa Ramirez who dances with the Spanish Flamenco ballet company
and other members of the family. Mojacar ’s own English Gypsy, Francesca Girone will present the show which is expected to be a colourful and dramatic affair. Tickets will be on sale from the beginning of March at the newspaper kiosk Parque Comercial, the tourist office Mojacar Pueblo, restaurante Il Forno di Roma in Vera, the tobacconist in Turre and the Beauty Centre Mojacar, second floor Parque Comercial. Price is €10.
STAR-STUDDED: Top Flamenco dancer to perform.
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Fabulous Flamenco gala back in Mojacar WILL be a star-studded event
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Music at Joe Beach MUSICAL duo, The Twilight Shadows will play Joe Beach in Mojacar on Saturday February 27. A great evening of music will start at 8pm with tunes from the 50s, 60s and 70s, including Elvis, Buddy Holly and The Drifters.
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E W N 25 February - 2 March 2016 / Costa de AlmerĂa
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Dames of Turre get together
Mojacar RBL gets busy with spring events THE Mojacar branch of the Royal British Legion, has announced a series of upcoming events. On Sunday February 28, the annual Andalucia Day lunch will be held at restaurant Laguna with a three-course lunch plus music for â‚Ź15.50. On March 4 members can enjoy a fish and chip supper with quiz at Beachcomber Mojacar Playa, starting at 7.30pm. On March 9 to 11 a coach trip to Benidorm has been organised with accommodation in a three-star hotel. The group recently enjoyed a talk by Tai Chi expert Rosie Harris and some members tried out the discipline. More information from Eileen Huard on socialevents.rblmoj.3485@gmail.com.
SOCIAL SCENE
ON DISPLAY: Expat photographer proud of his work.
Photo exhibition now in full swing By Adele Land A PHOTOGRAPHY exhibition staged by a well-known expatriate photographer attracted dozens of visitors in its first few days. Tony Unwin, famous local-
ly for his stunning photographs of the Vera Playa area held the exhibition at the Convent in Vera town. The opening of the exhibition was delayed due to the previous exhibitor failing to remove his work.
Despite the delay, visitors enjoyed the exhibition with one commenting that the photos resembled paintings. The exhibition continues until February 29 and Unwin will be there on February 27 to answer any questions.
DAMES I N TURRE next m eet i ng wi l l be held on Monday Februar y 29 at 11am at The Hostel Rural Turre when t he speaker wi l l be Adele Land. Adel e has t r avel l ed far and wide and is also a reporter for the Euro Weekly News. The Dam es ar e sur e she wi l l have m or e i nt er est i ng t al es t o t el l , and wi l l al so be presenting cheques to l ocal char i t i es at t he meeting. Why not go along and make new friends, see what a warm and friendly group they are, go as a guest and if you enjoy it apply for membership, t hey l ook f or war d t o seeing everyone. For more information, contact secretary Pam Smith on 677 543 031 or president Lesley Barlow on 950 095 980.
The Fat Lizards back to rock you at Pura Vida THE ever-popular Fat Lizard band have announced their latest gig. The band will play Pura Vida in Mojacar on February 26 with the music starting at 9.30pm. The first half of the event will include rock classics from Cream, The Rolling Stones, Manic Street Preachers and many more. After the break the band will have everyone dancing to favourite dance tunes.
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Are You Being Served? Set for a TV comeback with an all-star cast Richard Shanley
Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL
ONE of Britain’s best-loved sitcoms of the 70’s and 80’s is set for a comeback. Are You Being Served? is poised to return to TV screens later this year with an all-star cast. The programme, which is set to be broadcast on BBC One, is to be filmed in front of a studio audience on March 5, the corporation said. The show, written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, ran for 69 episodes over 10 series from 19721985 and featured Mollie Sugden, John Inman, Frank Thornton and Wendy Richard among others. Well-loved characters included Mrs Slocombe, Mr Humphries, Captain Peacock and Miss Brahms. The BBC said: “Picking up
Are You Being Served?
CAROLINE FLACK: Love Island is returning to our screens this summer. where Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft’s much loved comedy left off, the show will bring Grace Brothers and some of the nation’s all-time favourite sitcom characters including Mrs Slocombe, Cap-
tain Peacock, Miss Brahms, and Mr Humphries back to life with an all-star cast.” It will be a one-off episode alongside reboots of Porridge, The Good Life, Up Pompeii! and Keeping Up Appearances as
part of a landmark comedy season, the website Chortle reported. It will mark 60 years since Hancock’s Half Hour first made the transition from radio to TV. Love Island is returning to
ITV2’s screens this summer. A new group of singles will be heading off to a villa ready for a few weeks of flirting and hooking up. Anyone who doesn’t partner up will be in danger of being voted off the island and losing the chance to win the lucrative cash prize. Talking about the format of the upcoming series, a Love Island insider told Digital Spy that there may not be a set live show each week, allowing it to be more reactive to the reality in the villa.
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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
Church Face controversy o
DESPITE complaints, the image By Adele Land A CHURCH in Albox has used social media to denounce an awards ceremony held in Barcelona. During the ‘City of Barcelona awards’ last week, a parody of the Lord’s prayer was read out at the request of mayor Ada Colau. The poem was said to interpret the prayer from a woman’s point of view and included references to the right to abortion and the fight against gender-based violence. A statement on the Facebook page ‘Parroquia Concepción de Albox’ accused Spanish members of the Catalonian parliament of “turning their backs on Christ.” The accusations extended to members of opposition parties
SOCIAL MEDIA: Church used Barcelona mayor.
ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
ebook page over posts
es and comments still remain
d social media to criticise
and acknowledged that only the Partido Popular (PP) member of parliament walked out of the ceremony in protest. Sra Colau has previously been criticised for her pro-choice views but insisted the poem was “in no way meant to be blasphemous.” The Albox church, in the La Loma district, has previously found itself in hot water for posting images depicting beheadings and using so-called anti-Islamic language. Despite complaints, the images and comment still remain on the page. Churchgoers complained that the posts could be seen by children, with some followers describing them as dangerous and provocative.
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Olula man arrested for selling drugs to children A 27-YEAR-OLD Olula del Rio resident has been arrested for allegedly selling drugs to children. The suspect was apprehended following a twoweek investigation by Guardia Civil. The detainee is accused of supplying drugs to children who are as young as 13. The investigation began in January when a child went missing from home and was found in the house where the suspect lived. During an interview the child told agents that two children had been offered drugs at the property. The suspect will appear in court in Purchena.
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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
Albox police on the move ALBOX Local Police station is to move to a new location. The new facility will be located near the Huerto de Los Frailes health centre on Calle Amistad. The new modern premises will allow the Local Police force to offer an improved service to the community. Improvements will include a reception area, warehouse, conference rooms and private parking. Work is expected to begin on the preparations for the move in the next few months.
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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
British reside Albox area wi water for a we
SHAMEFUL for citizens to be left wit By Sam Croft A PARTIDO POPULAR represent at i ve i n Cant or i a has brought to light the desperate situation currently being experienced by 10 British expatri-
ates who live in the area. According to councillor Santos Aguera, the group of expats, who live in the area of Los Albardines de la Hojilla, have now spent a week without a drop of water.
ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
nts in ithout eek
thout basic services The councillor stated that he finds the council’s passivity in dealing with the situation outrageous, and that they have not acted to deal with this situation which has now been happening on and off for seven months. He suggested that perhaps council members are too preoccupied with the Rogelio Mena scandal, and further went on to say that it is shameful for citizens to be left without basic services in the 21st century. According to PP representatives: “The fix should be easy, as many residences from nearby Partaloa enjoy water without problems. The infrastructure is simple and cheap, all that is left to solve it is the will to make it happen.”
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PROPERTY S P E C I A L
When the stars align Photo by csh3d via Shutterstock
PROPERTY in Almeria is seeing a flourish of attention and there has rarely been a better time to buy By Matthew Elliott THERE has rarely been a better time to buy a property on Spain’s Costa Almeria, with the region seeing a flourish of attention. Mojacar featured this winter on the ever popular A Place in the Sun broadcast on Channel 4, and has captured international renown as one of the world’s most beautiful villages. There is now an incredible array of internet resources, mobile applications, guidebooks and niche expertise services available to the prospective buyer. Britons looking to buy property across Almeria today have an astonishing arsenal of information, protection and financial security on their side. Meanwhile a wider eruption of excellent property news has led to a perfect purchasing storm as banks resume lending money to foreign clients, and
MOJACAR: Has captured international renown as one of the world’s most beautiful villages. sales have seen a remarkable increase in the past year alone. Banks are also offering significant discounts on quality properties in Almeria due to en-
Smart money flowing back THANKS to the political situation in Spain and the dramatic drop in the wholesale price of oil, investing in stocks and shares in Spain is becoming more complicated and risky, which is why there appears to be a determined effort by a number of investors to return to both gold and property for a mix of short and long term growth. Some will be put off by the new registration process required for rentals, but there is little doubt that even with a reported slight drop in annual rental charges, many will consider the investment worthwhile.
hanced market morale and an instinctive drive to see Spanish property return to glory. Local estate agents proffer a general consensus that, as lower
priced properties continue their remarkable sales, it will become increasingly difficult to replace them. This will have the natural effect of raising proper-
ty prices as a confident market and encouraged sellers hold out for higher premiums, making now a crucially important time for both buyers and sellers.
Another key factor contributing to the impressive market is the pound’s strong performance against the euro, which is allowing British buyers to stretch their budget even further. The financial windfall this creates has helped property giants like Britain’s Taylor Wimpey to increase their Spanish sales by more than 50 per cent in 2015. The good news for those considering buying property in Spain is that the property market recovery is progressing on a firm foundation. The early headlines of 2016 are built on the solid figures from last year and offer a genuine cause for real optimism. So if you are considering purchasing a home somewhere in the wonderful Almeria Province, you’d be hard pressed to find a better occasion to give the matter serious thought and consultation.
Buying a bank repossession A LOT of people shy away from a bank repossession, assuming the property is somehow defective or the previous owners have handed over the keys because of some major structural defect or legal issue. Whilst this can occasionally happen it’s very rare and most of the time it’s a simple question of negative equity, in that the owners have refused to pay a mortgage on a property worth substantially less than the loan attached to it. During the property boom the major banks were very generous with their lending, with some banks willing to lend up to 110 per cent in relation to the valuation, meaning buyers could purchase a property with virtually no deposit. The practice was also common place in the UK, with one lender even offering a 130 per cent loan to value. When the re-
cession or crisis hit, combined with the general drop in property prices, it meant many owners
110 per cent in relation to valuation was what banks were willing to lend
NEW OWNERS: Should ensure they do their homework.
fell into negative equity and had no option but to default on their mortgage. Many financial experts blamed the banks for what amounted to malpractice and it meant they were left with a mass of properties on their books which they couldn’t sell. One man’s misfortune is another man’s gain they say and as with buying a new build or resale property in Spain, buying a bank repossession can be straightforward and hassle free.
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GARDENS
Thoughts on winter veggies THIS season is a good time to grow them along the Mediterranean Costas Dick Handscombe
Gardening Corner By Spain’s best known expatriate gardening author living in Spain for 25 years.
WINTER in Spain is a good time to grow vegetables along the Mediterranean Costas and nearby inland valleys before one reaches
the zone of heavy rains, frosts and snow falls. Firstly there are many varieties that can be sown and started by buying plantlets in the autumn that will give winter and early spring harvests. Secondly if grown sheltered from the heaviest winds and some of the win-
ter sun they do not require constant watering and mature slowly and not all at once. Thirdly if lettuces are treated as cut and come again plants they will not form mature lettuces that need to be cut but will give months of salad leaves. There is also another benefit of just keeping soils damp and not wet and that is that plants develop larger and deeper root balls and stronger growth well able to survive heavy frosts and days under a coating of snow. I well remember the heavy freeze up of early march 2005 when we lost many tender plants in the garden, but when we visited the large, 833 square metre allotment after a couple of days cocooned in the house, we found that we had lost nothing except for a row of peas sown with seeds from Mali, while nearby Spanish allotments over-watered and fertilised even in the winter were black and most plants never recovered. Broccoli plants now have harvestable heads, but
BROCCOLI PLANTS: Leaves can add an extra taste to salads. smaller sprouting broccoli heads have been harvested since before Christmas. Incidentally there are two other benefits for planting broccoli in the open garden or in builder’s tubs. Firstly young leaves add an extra taste to winter salads and any heads that go to seed can be used for making healthy breakfast omelettes. Another useful year round salad leaf is rocket and again if the plants are cut back, but not taken out of the ground in the autumn when past their best, you will have a crop of young leaves for another year or two. I finally took the last of the summer’s pepper plants
out of the ground last week as no flowers were forming even with our extremely mild winter. They were replaced by some early tomato plants covered with cut-off five litre water bottles as cloches. Incidentally the last tree tomatoes from plants planted last March were harvested last week. If you are tempted to start to grow vegetables this year do recognise which vegetables are most beneficial in terms of the vitamins and minerals which they harbour. A useful summary of these is provided in my book ‘Living well
from our garden Mediterranean style.’ © Dick Handscombe www.gardenspain.com February 2016
A rustic touch that serves a purpose DRY-STONE walls can be a beautiful addition to your garden, and unlike bricks, the materials can be found readily available and cheaply, or even for free if you’re lucky enough to live in the Spanish countryside. The list of materials you will need to build any size or shape of dry-stone wall are: Stone. That’s it! Dry-stone walling is made by stacking stones without (wet) mortar to hold them together. Stone walls
are strong and attractive and can last hundreds of years. By choosing the stones carefully and packing them tightly together with very thoughtful design, you can make a strong structure that’s completely self-supporting. Apart from looking great, it will provide excellent shelter for livestock and habitats for rock plants. But if you decide you don’t like them, just take them down and build them up again somewhere else.
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Ancient art of Bonsai
EXPORTED from the Orient at the turn of the last century A COMPLEX craft requiring a great deal of dedication and skilful artistry, Bonsai reflect the essence of gardening by capturing the vast and wild within the small and tamed. Literally translating as ‘planted in a container’, Bonsai has historically held fascination among a western audience, having been exported from the Orient at the turn of the last century. The horticultural practice has been around for a thousand
years and involves growing a miniaturised version of a plant in the form of a tree. Plenty of species can be grow this way with the right conditions and skilled grower. Pruning, clipping, wiring and pinching all enable the artist to cultivate the strength, health and aesthetics of the plant. Bonsai sales have in-
BONSAI: Craft requires a great deal of dedication.
Photo by wxin via Shutterstock
creased across Europe as more and more people hope to challenge themselves, but the number of true enthusiasts has remained fairly steady. This is because the typical variety sold in garden stores are ill-equipped to last very long. Bonsai are typically grown indoors but are also highly suited to their own temperate climate, which means growing Chinese or Japanese exported plants in Spain is likely to
lead to disappointment. By selecting a suitable Spanish plant with a strong trunk and following the right
instructions, you can grow your own bonsai outside and open up a whole new chapter in your gardening experience.
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PETS PAGE
Keeping caterpillars as pets at home
Peanuts p her owne the first tw
THEY are very easy to look after By Matthew Elliott WITH the dangerous processionary c a t e r p i l l a r e m erg in g o n ce again in the Spanish springtime and concerning many with its dangerous hairs, potentially lethal to pets, what better way to overcome your fears than to keep safe caterpillars, moths and butterflies as pets? Only a few species can cause any harm and the vast majority make for an incredible pet, that can also teach children a valuable natural lesson as they evolve from green creepy crawlies into spectacularly colourful butterflies.
C ate rp illars a re ve ry e a s y to look after, requiring just a small enclosure with enough space for e a c h to s h u ffl e a round a little , ro u g h ly th ree time s the ir s iz e . They will also need to be fed regula rly an d e a t pla nt le a ve s w ith plenty of water in them. Be sure to clean their home each day as caterpillars create lots of droppings which can quickly become unhygienic for them. When the caterpillars are ready to become butterflies they will try to find a suitable place for pupating which will require more room, they will form a cocoon which you can then hang on a string to allow
the emergent butterflies space to move around. They can spend weeks to months in this chrysalis s ta ge , w hic h re quire s the right level of heat and humidity for their species. W he n you ha ve butte rflies, space becomes more of an issue. Make sure they have plenty of room to fly a nd c ons ide r us ing netting for the enclosure so they don’t injure themselves. Many species of butterfly don’t feed at all, only as caterpillars, while others can feast on a sugary drink of nectar.
Having a housesitter can be a win win for pet owners and the sitters. To find a pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on +44 (0)1865521508
BUTTERFLIES: Space is an issue. Make sure they have plenty of room to fly.
SOME cats are worriers and suffer from separation anxiety. Peanuts is a worrying cat. She doesn’t like it when her owners leave the house let alone for a holiday. She literally takes up residence on the windowsill for days and watches for a sign of their return. She is a rescue cat and perhaps has lingering issues from her previous life. Like many cats, her usual habits are
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Keep your dog safe and secure in your car IT is unlikely it would survive a violent impact
Florian Schumann
pines for ers in wo days
EWN
David THE Dogman Listen to David on TRE every Saturday 10am to 11am Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9, Costa Calida 92.7fm Costa Blanca (Torrevieja to Elche) 105.1fm (Elche to Calpe) 88.2fm, (Calpe to Gandia & Ibiza) 104.6fm, (Denia to Valencia) 95.3fm Mallorca 103.9fm
PEANUTS: Is a worrying cat.
noticeably different when she is anxious. For example, she is fearful of new people in the house, and disappears under the nearest bed or blanket to disappear from view. Then, when she knows her owners have left the house she takes up residence by the window, only leaving her observation post when anyone approaches her. But giving them a good swipe with her outstretched claws before leaping off the windowsill to hide once again. Up until recently her owners Barbara and Matthew preferred to stay at home rather than go away for long holidays fearful of leaving her in a cattery. Recently they learned about HouseSitMatch and the idea of having housesitters live in the house to reduce the level of pet anxiety. They invite the sitters to join them for a couple of days, so she can become familiar with them. Then after a couple of days Barbara and Matthew collect their suitcases and leave for their holiday knowing she is safe at home in her own environment, and the sitters have a better understanding of her. Having a house-sitter can be a win win for pet owners and the sitters. To find a pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on +44 (0)186 552 1508.
THINK what could happen in a crash if you don’t secure your dog. * Your dog could be thrown through the front window incurring severe injury or even death. * Your dog could act as a missile hitting the driver and causing them to veer out of control. * Your dog could be thrown from the back seat at such force they could break bones or incur life threatening internal injuries. * Your dog could be knocked unconscious or experience such shock that it permanently changes their personality. * If your dog is a large breed, such as a Labrador, he could be catapulted through the car with the force of a baby elephant, in all likelihood, injuring all in his way. * It is unlikely the dog would survive such a violent impact. * If you are involved in an accident, it is safer for all
SPECIAL HARNESS: Wearing one is not unkind. concerned if your dog is restrained in the car. A dog which is loose could run straight into the traffic and be killed or even cause another accident. Did You Know?
* In Britain there are 8 million dog owners. * 35 per cent of dog owners consider their dog as their ideal travel partners, with a further 10 per cent saying their dog is more entertain-
ing than their partner, child or best friend. * 88 per cent of Brits agreed that belting up is the key to dog safety. * 60 per cent have NEVER done this.
* Making a dog wear a special harness is not unkind, most pets will actually feel more secure when they are restrained, either by using a harness, in a travel kennel, or behind a dog guard.
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Toll charges have got me steaming Mike Senker
In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man I DON’T know if any of you have been back to the UK recently, but there have been some changes in paying for parking, and the one that has got me steaming is the Dartford toll. There is a bridge and a tunnel and the charge is £2.50. You used to just chuck coins into a big bucket thingy. But now, the powers that be have decided you have to pay online or by phone, or buy a voucher from some shop that you can’t park outside of unless you phone or pay online or get a voucher... get it? Anyway, I hired a car from a well-known company, who I have been a gold member of for more than 20 years, and as I had to get from Gatwick to Essex, it meant I had to use the Dartford crossing which I did twice and paid twice online. So you can imagine my surprise when checking my credit card bill and I noticed a random £42 (€54.60) charge. I called them and asked what it was for and they told me it was a fine and admin fee for not paying a
Dartford toll. I pulled up my bank statement and saw that two payments had gone out on the days I’d used the toll. The lady said this new system was causing problems. I told her I had proof I’d paid and thought I would just send them copies of my statement and that would be that. WRONG! Anyway I hung up, looked and couldn’t find it so called back and got the operator from hell. Remember, 20 years as a gold member. She just kept quoting terms and conditions saying I’d signed them and if I wanted the money back I’d have to get gov.co.uk toll department to tell them I had paid. I asked to speak to a supervisor only to be told one wouldn’t be available till next Wednesday. “What? It’s Thursday today!” I told her what I thought of their system and hung up. I then expressed my disgust on Twitter and did get an instant reply. I explained the problem again, but still got no help. All I want them to do is, if a fine comes through, at least notify me first and tell me they have taken money rather than just take it and hope I might spot it on my statement. After all, they are sending me emails every other day telling me what a great customer I am! So now I am dealing with gov.co.uk… I’ll keep you posted!
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OPINION & COMMENT
LEGALLY SPEAKING
Common offences TRAFFIC laws are there to make the roads a safer place AS part of a new series, we answer some common driving questions, kindly provided by members of the Guardia Civil based in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, who set up the N332 website and Facebook page to help break down barriers.
ANIMALS: Are unpredictable and must be properly secured in a vehicle. ALL traffic rules and laws are aimed at making the roads a safer place. The penalties associated with infractions are mostly intended to be a deterrent, which is why repeat offenders sometimes face harsher penalties. Here is part three of some of the most common traffic offences, and the fines and sanctions for committing them. Offence: Failing to carry the correct emergency equipment Failing to carry the correct emergency equipment in the car will result in a fine as in the event of an emergency you must be prepared. The mandatory equipment you must carry are two warning triangles, a reflective vest and spare wheel, along with the tools to change it. It is no longer mandatory for you to carry spare bulbs or a spare set of spectacles if you wear them, although it is advised. Fine: €80 Offence: Using your mobile whilst driving
Using your mobile phone when driving carries a fine, even if it is on ‘speaker’. It is also not permitted to wear any kind of headphone or headset, even the single-ear Bluetooth headsets are not permitted. The police, and others besides, communicate by Bluetooth headsets when they are patrolling on their motorbikes, but these headsets are built into the helmet. Distractions are one of the main contributing factors to road traffic collisions. Fine: €200 and the loss of three points Offence: Insecure animals in the vehicle Animals are unpredictable, especially in environments they are unsure of. If loose in a car they could interfere with the driver’s ability or visibility. Therefore, having an animal in the vehicle that is not properly restrained can result in a fine. Animals in cages and boxes must also be properly secured. Fine: €80
For more news and articles visit www.n332.es or search N332 on Facebook.
Who needs car booster seat? I HAVE two granddaughters coming out for a holiday, one is six-years-old and the other one is 11years-old. Do they require car booster seats to travel around?
There is no specific time limit on tyres used in Spain. Tyre tread is checked when a vehicle is inspected, which is required when a car is more than four years old. This is done at the ITV, the vehicle inspection station. Under Spain’s revised
Also, someone told me that car tyres in Spain have an age limit (five years) before they must be changed. This I find hard to believe but can you enlighten me? M.D. (Costa Blanca)
David Searl You and the Law in Spain
Traffic Code, a child under three-years-old must ride in the back, using a special child seat. A child from four to 12-
years-old and under 1.5 metres tall may ride in the front seat using either a child booster seat or a special system of belt restraints. A child 12 or more and over 1.5 metres tall can ride in the front seat using the normal adult seat belt.
Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.
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THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Still at 2010 prices! Cats 5€, Big dogs 7.25€, med dogs 6.50€, little dogs 5.75€, per day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre@gmail.co m (237845) THE FIVE BONE HOTEL TURRE Special offer - bookings made between Jan 7th – Mar 31st dogs over a 7 night stay get a free doggy bag, Cats over 7 nights stay get free pen upgrade (if available) 630 234 556 or the5bonehotelturre@gmail.co m (237845)
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Motoring shorts
Amazon rev up for ‘Not Top Gear’ TOP GEAR was undoubtedly the most watched motoring show in the world. Things went south last year when lead presenter Jeremy Clarkson was involved in a fracas with a producer, which resulted in his contract not being renewed. He and the other two presenters left for Amazon and Clarkson has now confirmed that Amazon’s motoring show has finally started filming. It’s not known how much Amazon is investing in this project, but some reports suggest that it may spend as much as $250 million on the 36 episodes of the motoring show that it has ordered. The show will feature Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, the trio that was the driving force behind Top Gear. The show won’t be a copy
Clarkson Quote of theWeek
MOTORING www.euroweeklynews.com
“Honest to God, the Fiat Qubo is so slow that if you climbed into one this morning in Hunstanton and attempted to drive south as fast as possible, coastal erosion would swallow you up by Wednesday evening.” Some might say...
Confirmed: The €32,000 Tesla RESERVATIONS will be taken from March, though production won’t begin until 2017 WE’RE getting close to the March 2016 mark when Elon Musk told the world that Tesla would reveal the Model 3, its new, more affordable take on the electric car. But Musk now says the event at the end of next month may not, in fact, be a full reveal. Musk promised only “the first pictures of the Model 3,” meaning some of the details about the much-anticipated EV could remain in the dark until deeper into 2016. Musk also confirmed, in an interview with Bloomberg on February 9, that the Model 3 will meet its promised price tag of $35,000 (€32,000), and that’s before government incentives that could drive it significantly lower. On February 11
ELON MUSK: Presented the latest model. he tweeted, ‘Model 3 reservations will be accepted in Tesla stores on March 31 and online April 1.’ The Tesla Model 3 will be an electric car that that has a look and feel similar to cars like the Audi A4, BMW 3 series, Jaguar XE and Mer-
TESLA MODEL 3: A new, more affordable electric car. cedez-Benz C-Class. No official specifications have been revealed, but some car sites are speculating about some of the features that could be included in the upcoming Model 3. Though it has revealed that it has
the design of a smaller version of the Model S, CEO Elon Musk said: “I really want the Model 3 to be different, not just a smaller Model S… it will be way different from any other car on the road…in a way that’s really useful.”
MOTORING
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The Mazda MX5: A worldwide star IF Superman were a car, he would be the Mazda MX5. The new mighty midget is bold, strong, quick off the mark and does exactly what is expected of it, even though it doesn’t wear its pants outside its tights! Carrying on the tradition of its predecessors, the all-new Mazda MX-5 racked up another nine awards in 2016, including several in Europe. Launched in summer, the new edition of the roadster has now won more than 15 prizes – and counting. What Car? magazine chose the fourthgeneration MX-5 as best convertible overall in the UK, ahead of premium contenders like the Audi A3 and BMW 4 Series, as well as best convertible under £25,000. Mazda’s brand icon also made The Sunday Times ‘Top 100 Cars 2016’ list, winning the two-seater roadster category against the likes of Jaguar, Ferrari and Porsche. In mainland Europe, the all-new MX-5 won the import convertible category of German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport’s ‘Best Cars 2016’ reader’s choice awards. It also captured ‘Best Cabrio of the Year 2015’ from Portuguese magazine Turbo, and was the top-ranked model of 2015 in the GEO M
MIGHTY MIDGET: The Mazda MX5.
Index, which examined almost 800,000 entries from motor vehicle-focused websites, blogs and forums in Spain. In Australia, the MX-5 was named ‘2016 Wheels Car of the Year’ for the third time in the model’s history from a field of 25 premium vehicles. And it is also US News & World Report’s ‘Best Sports Car for the Money 2016’, and TSN Motoring TV’s ‘Sports Car of the Year 2016’ in Canada. These latest honours come on the heels of two major accolades in the home country late last year, Japan Car of the Year 2015-16 and the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame’s 2015-2016 Car of the Year – as well as ‘Best Drop Top’ at the Scottish Car of the Year 2015 contest, and number one convertible at Drive magazine’s Car of the Year awards in Australia. “In terms of fun per pound, this little roadster has the market cornered,” wrote What Car? and Auto, Motor und Sport concurred: “Offering superb agility and a pure driving experience thanks to its modest dimensions and weight, the fourth-generation of the timeless MX-5 roadster shows the automobile royalty from Aston Martin, Ferrari and so on where it’s at.”
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SPORT
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Four London clubs still in FA Cup as Six Nations Rugby continues ENGLAND’S men lose while the women win in cricket Tony Matthews International Sports A former player and now the world’s most prolific author of football books with almost 150 published since 1975, Tony is also the sports correspondent for Spectrum Radio and lives on La Pilica in the Sierra Cabrera Mountains overlooking Turre. Costa de Almeria
FOOTBALL • Reading were the FA Cup 5th round giant-killers, beating WBA 3-1 to reach the last eight for the fourth time in seven seasons. Hull drew 0-0 at Arsenal for whom it was manager Arsene Wenger’s 100th game in the competition; Watford ko’d Leeds 1-0; Everton won 2-0 at Bournemouth, West Ham ousted Blackburn 5-1, Crystal Palace were 1-0 winners at Tottenham, Chelsea blitzed an inexperienced Manchester City side also by 5-1 and Manchester United accounted for Shrewsbury. • The draw for the quarter-finals, to be played on 12/13 March, is: Arsenal or Hull v Watford, Everton v Chelsea, Reading v Crystal Palace and Manchester United v West Ham. • In the Champions League this week we had ArsenalBarcelona and Juventus-Bayern Munich on Tuesday and Dynamo Kiev- Manchester City and PSV-Atletico Madrid last night, while Liverpool (0-0 with Augsburg), Spurs (1-1 with Fiorentina) and Manches-
ter United (1-2 down to Midtjylland) play the return legs of their round 32 Europa League ties tonight. • Liverpool play Manchester City in Sunday’s League Cup final at Wembley, while the weekend’s top PL games are Leicester-Norwich, Manchester United-Arsenal, Southampton-Chelsea, Spurs-Swansea and West Ham-Sunderland; it’s Hull-Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves-Derby in the Championship; Burton-Walsall in the FL1 and Hartlepool-Northampton in FL2. • The Italian Cup semi-finals (March 1/2) are AC MilanAlessandria and Inter MilanJuventus. • Lionel Messi has now scored a record 301 La Liga goals for Barcelona and says his target is 500. Also in Spain, Gary Neville’s Valencia have now won three games on the bounce. • PSG lead French Ligue 1 by 24 points; Bayern Munich have an 11 point advantage in the Bundesliga; Juventus top Serie ‘A’ and Celtic head the SPL. • The FA could scrap FA Cup replays and make League Cup semi-finals one-off ties. • Sources say José Mourinho has had talks with Manchester United. RUGBY UNION • The Six Nations tourna-
FA CUP: Reading beat WBA 3-1 in the fifth round.
GOLF CHAT A reporter told Phil Mickelson: “You are superb; you really know your way round this course.” The American replied: “I do… all the holes are numbered.”
MO FARAH: Won the 3,000m at Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix.
ment continues tomorrow when Wales play France, followed on Saturday with England v Ireland and Italy v Scotland. RUGBY LEAGUE • In the annual UK-Australia World Club Challenge, Leeds Rhinos crashed 38-4 to North Queensland Cowboys, Sydney Roosters beat St Helens 38-12 and Brisbane Broncos crushed Wigan Warriors 42-12. CRICKET • South Africa (135-7, with 15 runs coming
off the last over) beat England (134-8) in the first T20 match. England (171 all out) lost seven wickets for just 14 runs in the second game which South Africa (172-1) won comfortably. “It was men against Lions,” said one player. • England’s women, with wicket-keeper Sarah Taylor striking three successive halfcenturies, won their T20 series against the Proteas by 2-1. • New Zealander Brendon McCullum hit the fastest-ever Test Match century against Australia last weekend in 54 balls, scoring off only 27 of them… beating Viv Richards’ record 56-ball hundred in 1986. McCullum has now struck the most sixes in Test Cricket - 106. SNOOKER • Ronnie O’Sullivan turned down the
Polder stumbled. ‘VP’ is now looking forward to riding at Cheltenham next month. • Last week, jockey Tom Scudamore rode his 1,000th winner (990 over jumps, 10 on the flat) and so emulated his father, Peter, who did likewise during his career.
chance of winning £10,000 by recording a maximum 147 break in the recent Welsh Open. He said the prize money wasn’t big enough! The ‘Rocket’ nevertheless went on to win the title for the fourth time, beating Neil Robertson in the final. HORSE RACING • Ex-GB Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton competed over the jumps for the first time at Fakenham last Friday, but was unseated when Pacha Du JOSÉ MOURINHO: Has had talks with Manchester United.
SHORTS • Mo Farah won the 3,000m at the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix, his first victory of 2016 and three Brits finished in the top four in the men’s 100m. • Lindsey Vonn (USA) won a record 20th downhill skiing title in Italy. • Bubba Watson won golf’s Northern Trust Open in California after Rory McIlroy ‘blew up’ in the final round. • Boxers Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg fight for two Bantamweight titles on Saturday. • And Freddie Goodwin, a former Busby Babe footballer and manager of Birmingham City who gave Trevor Francis his League debut as a 16-yearold, has died, aged 82.
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THE opening day of pre-season testing saw Vettel test fastest for Ferrari, but Hamilton and Mercedes rack up the laps.
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Strolling to victory Marina Phoenix golf FORUM Golf Society’s first Medal competition of 2016 was held at Aguilon on February 19, and, with not one of the 34 players managing to achieve par, the result was a comfortable victory for Bob Vincent whose score of 72 saw him stroll home unchallenged. Jim Barclay was second with 75, Geoff Hebb continuing his recent resurgence to claim third with 77, Max Gonzalez fourth with 78 and Graham Tabberer (fifth) with 79 the only other players to break 80. Richard Price and Brian Gyer won nearest the pin prizes, and Malcolm Sibbons claimed the day’s longest drive on the notoriously tricky 13th hole. The event was also Forum’s penultimate qualifier for the Campbell Lamont Golf Leagues, and with the top four players going on to represent the society at the regional finals in May the current leaders are Phil Elam 152 points Richard Price 147 points Fran Elam 144 points Adrian Foster 143 points Myra Dickson 142 points Ron Wileman 139 points John Smith 139 points Forum’s upcoming fixtures are March 4 Stableford at Alboran, March 18 Team Lone Ranger at Aguilon, April 1 Maurice Jamieson Memorial Tournament at Lorca.
TEXAS SCRAMBLE: Cool conditions for the game, but scoring was quite warm.
BOB VINCENT: A comfortable win. For further information, contact Phil Elam on 666 847 840 / philjelam@yahoo.co.uk, or see www.forumgolfsociety.webs.com.
THURSDAY February 18 was a Texas Scramble at Marina Phoenix, played in fourballs. Cool conditions for the game, but scoring was quite warm. The winners were John Park, Isobel Jones, Trevor Goodman and Rosalie Fardon with a nett 57.4. Just point 3 behind were Jim Budd, Dave Roddis, Marcos Capparos and
Nadie Wass (57.7) followed, in third, by Kenny Nicol, Steve Entwhistle, Chris Roddis and Kathy Morris (58.5). There were nearest the pin prizes for Gaynor Gee (14th) and Trevor Goodman (5th). The individual stableford on Monday 15 saw Phil Tottie win with 36 points, followed, in second by Derick Dale (34) and Les Armfield (32) third.
The ladies division was a countback, on 32 points, with first place going to June Nicol with Isobel Jones second and Kathy Morris (30) in third. Marina Phoenix play Mondays (individual) and Thursdays (team game). To join for a €25 green fee, ring Jim on 950 162 727 / 600 353 670 or Rosalie 950 397 117 / 697 512 882.