Issuu

17 - 23 November 2016

COSTA DE ALMERÍA

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION Photo by Shutterstock

ISSUE NO. 1637

WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Locals up in arms THE Association for the Defence of the Water of Los Velez has expressed its disagreement with a new report released by the Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation which claims that mass lettuce production farms pumping for water from the Sierra Maria Velez aquifer has nothSee page 4 ing to do with local springs drying up.

Heroes of the hour GUARDIA CIVIL traffic officers from Huercal-Overa saved the day on Thursday November 10, when they found a driver unconscious inside his car.

The man was unable to speak or tell the officers his name and his movements seemed slow and clumsy, leading them to fear he was suffering a heart attack. See page 8

Oily character

Beach death mystery By Matthew Elliott The death of a British woman on Mojacar’s Indalo beach is being investigated by the Spanish authorities. Lyn Davies’ body was found by a walker at around 10am on Saturday November 12. They immediately called the emergency services and Local Police, the Guardia Civil and medics were soon at the scene. There were no signs of violence or foul play and, at the time of writing, the Vera court charged with working out what caused her death has not revealed its findings. It is understood that Ms Davies was

in her late 50s and had an elderly mother at home in England. She had been travelling around Spain by herself but Euro Weekly News (EWN) has been told her physical and mental health were giving cause for concern. EWN spoke to the owner of Mojacar’s Pension La Esperanza where she stayed for the 10 days prior to her death. He said Ms Davies had been in a bad way, that she had been ejected from another premises outside Mojacar and initially arrived with enough money to stay only for five days. Staff had subsequently taken pity on

her, he said, and allowed Ms Davies, whom he described as ”skin and bones,” to stay longer. On Friday evening she left the pension at around 9.30pm, ignoring warnings from staff who warned her that it was cold outside. She said she would be fine but no alarm was raised when she didn’t return as she reportedly suffered from frequent insomnia. Less than 12 hours later she was dead. It has not yet been revealed where Ms Davies came from or whether she intended to return to the UK after finishing her journey round Spain.

A FORTY-EIGHT-year-old man has been jailed for two and a half years by an Almeria criminal court for stealing 840 litres of olive oil from a warehouse after punching the manageress in the stomach. After loading six large and 12 small boxes of oil into his car, the man returned to the office with his victim, supposedly to pay, but assaulted See page 23 her before fleeing.

Expats do their bit ZURGENA has its British community to thank for improvement works to be undertaken at the two local primary schools, Juan Andres Toledo and La Alfoquia.

Gary Bowen and Peter Dell, owners of Bar La Union, visited the town hall last week to deliver a €1,000 donation to be spent on See page 55 the schools.

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

LOCAL NEWS

Rock attack A JUDGE has remanded a 57-year-old Almerian in custody suspected of attempted manslaughter after allegedly beating his girlfriend over the head with a rock while she was asleep.

The woman, who had to be treated for injuries to her face, nose, eyes and one shoulder, told the police that her boyfriend of two months had attacked her for unknown reasons.

Boom time THE number of people passing through Almeria airport rose by 28.4 per cent during October compared to the same period in 2015. The overall total of passengers for 2016 so far stands at 838,428, representing a 33.6 per cent increase on 2015.

Alleged dinghy captains face jail THREE men aged between 18 and 25 are to face charges of crimes against the rights of foreign citizens and six-year jail sentences for having allegedly captained a dinghy with 15 migrants on board. The five-metre long dinghy, which had set out from between Timochet and Oran 14 hours beforehand, was intercepted by the authorities about eight nautical miles from Carboneras on September 8.

LAS CABRERAS: Building was planned for land where construction was not permitted.

Civil servant suspended but will not pay damages By Eleanor Hawkins A CIVIL servant at Zurgena Town Hall has been found guilty of corrupt practice for having produced technical reports in favour of the building of 94 homes on land in Las Cabreras where construction was not permitted. The sentence from Almeria’s number

four criminal court comes after the Provincial Courts partly rejected a sentence letting the former council off after they were accused of allowing the illegal building to go ahead. Now, the defendant has been banned from public office for three and a half years and fined €360. He will not, however, have to pay damages to the British

purchasers of the homes on the Lemon Tree Island Botanic Resort, who had paid approximately €649,000 in advance. The judge rejected the private prosecution’s request for the defendant, along with Zurgena Council and New Medina Villa, to return the payments, stating the accused had no responsibility to that respect.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

Featured News 3

www.euroweeklynews.com

All aboard for naval training exercise

European News 24

Finance 29 - 34

Stocks 30

Leapy Lee 35

Daily TV 40

Our View 45

Colin Bird 45

Time Out 46 - 47

Letters 48

Health & Beauty 49 - 51

Social Scene 52 - 54

Albox 55 - 60

Property 62

Homes & Gardens 64

Pets 65

Classifieds 66 - 67

Motoring 68 - 69

Sport 71 - 72

TRAINING EXERCISE: Will take place in the waters of Cadiz, Almeria and the Balearics. By Sam Croft MORE than 3,000 military personnel are currently participating in the Spanish Navy’s biggest amphibious training exercise, known as Gruflex 61. It started on November 14 and will continue until November 25, and is taking place in the waters of Cadiz, Almeria, and the

THE Association for the Defence of the Water of Los Velez has expressed its disagreement with a new report released by the Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation which claims the state of springs has nothing to do with extractions.

Balearic Islands. The exercise incorporates various kinds of vessels, including frigates, minesweepers, and combat ships. There will also be units from the Portuguese Navy as well as support from the Spanish Air Force and the Spanish Army. The first phase of the exercise will involve the analysis of a hypothetical crisis

scenario. In the second phase, the different units will be deployed and will carry out a projected version of how they would manage and resolve said crisis. Gruflex 61 aims to train military personnel in the planning and execution of amphibious operations and to give a demonstration of the extent of Spain's naval power.

New report on water displeases locals While the association has for some time been claiming mass lettuce production farms

pumping for water from the Sierra Maria Velez aquifer is causing springs to dry up, the

confederation has stated there is no connection. “We cannot accept this answer and wait patiently for our water to run out or the little left to become contaminated in the hope one day someone will admit they were wrong,” association representatives stated.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

Fuel filchers foiled

DIESEL FUEL: The gang forced open the containers of two oil tankers. By Matt Ford A GUARDIA CIVIL investigation in Olula del Rio has led to the arrest of two men who are accused of stealing large quantities of diesel fuel after a break-and-enter-style robbery on an industrial unit. The raid took place on Rambla La Tonta, in the municipality of Fines, where the gang forced open the containers of two oil tankers which were parked up there. This was the third such incident to occur on the same street since July, leading investigators to

conduct a detailed forensic survey of the scene. Their analysis led them to the first suspect, who was already known to police following a series of earlier crimes and arrests. Upon confronting the man at his home he immediately confessed, but detectives had a hunch that he had not been working alone, and their hypothesis proved correct as a second individual was detained. Once in custody, it emerged that the crooked pair had also broken into a warehouse in Macael, where they appropriated 165 litres of diesel and 13 vehicle batteries, which they later sold on.

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de AlmerĂa

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

Policemen save the day By Eleanor Hawkins GUARDIA CIVIL traffic officers from Huercal-Overa saved the day on Thursday (November 10) when they found a driver unconscious inside his car. The officers were patrolling the A7 motorway when they saw a car parked at a roundabout on the N340 road and

decided to check it out. Finding it strange the 57-year-old man behind the wheel appeared to be asleep, the policemen tried to wake him and talk to him through the window. The man was unable to speak or tell the officers his name and his movements seemed slow and clumsy, leading them to fear he was

suffering a heart attack. While paramedics were called to the scene from HuercalOvera, the policemen tried to help by giving the man water and loosening his shirt. An ambulance took the driver to La Inmaculada Hospital, where medical staff later reported he was released at 7.30pm and had recovered from his funny turn.

Alleged burglar caught THE Guardia Civil have arrested a 34-year-old man in

Vicar suspected of being behind 13 home break-ins in La Puebla and La Gangosa in Vicar. Investigations began in February when officers detected similar modus operandi in the 13 break-ins. The thief was found on each occasion to have climbed in through windows and made off with jewellery, electronic items and cash. Noting that about €700 in €2 coins had been stolen

from one of the homes, officers began to ask around at nearby shops to see if anyone had been trying to swap coins for banknotes. The suspect was identified when a bicycle shop reported a customer had bought a €300 bike, paying the whole amount in coins. Officers located the man, who has a previous police record, in La Gangosa district and arrested him for alleged burglary.

NEWS

NEWS EXTRA

Not felt AN earth tremor noted by the National Geological Institute in Taberno last week went unnoticed by the population, probably due to the fact the epicentre was located 12 kilometres underground. It registered 2.6 on the Richter Scale.

Safe streets SPAIN is one of the countries where people feel most safe walking alone at night, with 85 per cent of the population agreeing that the streets after dark are generally safe.

Just WOW THE ladies of WOW (Women on Wednesdays) who meet every Wednesday at ‘The Loft’ in Mojacar raised €250 for the Stepping Stones charity. Stepping Stones is a carers and dependents charity for Alzheimer’s sufferers.

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

Local man arrested during child pornography raids By Eleanor Hawkins FIFTY-SIX men have been arrested, including one in Almeria, during a huge National Police operation which saw 39 homes across Spain searched for pornographic material

featuring young children. The Technological Investigation Unit had been investigating the case since early in 2015, when a group of people sharing the material on the internet was detected. More than 173 hard drives and 614

CDs and DVDs have been confiscated from the arrestees’ homes, and is now being carefully examined to determine whether they will face charges of child abuse as well as sharing of pornography involving minors.

The operation involved work by more than 150 police officers and 46 courts issued search orders. The arrests were made in Madrid, Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, Valencia, Zaragoza, Alicante, La Rioja, Cantabria, Almeria, Burgos, Murcia,

Teruel, A Coruña, Pontevedra, Lleida, Girona, Guipuzcoa, Tenerife, Cadiz, Tarragona, Vizcaya, Leon, Valladolid, Huelva, Toledo, Sevilla, Malaga and Ciudad Real. A further three men are under investigation.

Britons love the Costa ALMERIA’S Provincial Tourism Service has made a triumphant return from the World Travel Market in London reporting an intense, successful week’s work which exceeded expectations. The group sent to represent

the Costa de Almeria destination at the travel fair held multiple meetings and reached a variety of agreement with the top travel agents, tour operators and other travel companies, the provincial council has reported. Thomas Cook for example

has agreed to continue working with the province and has estimated a 30 per cent increase in the number of UK tourists it will be bringing to Almeria. Monarch Airlines confirmed it intends to continue running its weekly direct flight between Manchester and Almeria next year and maintain current passenger numbers of approximately 50,000. Another important airline, Jet2Air, confirmed it will be linking Almeria with Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Newcastle and East Midlands airports, meaning the coast will be well connected to the northern part of the UK. Meetings were also held with TUI UK, which has expressed satisfaction at the results obtained and said it aims to increase travellers to Almeria by 18-20 per cent next year. Provincial vice-president Javier Aureliano Garcia said: “It’s clear we have a lot of work ahead but we’re harvesting the results of the provincial council’s efforts to put our province at the forefront of the sector. Almeria is in fashion.”

FINANCE

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

In a year’s time, the Spanish tax authority will have started receiving information on its taxpayers’ offshore assets and income, under the new global automatic exchange of information regime. The UK is already being handed details of hundreds of thousands of offshore accounts held in its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories. Common Reporting Standard Over a hundred countries have committed to the Common Reporting Standard for the automatic exchange of information for tax matters. 54 jurisdictions began collecting information on financial assets in January 2016, ready to pass the information onto the owner’s tax authority in September 2017. A further 47 countries start a year later. This will provide tax administrations with timely information on noncompliance where tax has been evaded, particularly where they have had no previous indications of noncompliance. UK dependencies and territories The Common Reporting Standard was published in July 2014. Prior to that, the UK government had reached automatic exchange of information

EWN

UK Receives New Information On Offshore Accounts funds, certain insurance policies and offshore trusts. The Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories have also signed up to the Common Reporting Standard and so will be sharing information with Spain from next year. By Gerald Turner, Partner, Blevins Franks agreements with its Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) and Overseas Territories (including Gibraltar, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and Bermuda). In this case, information relating to calendar years 2014 and 2015 had to be provided to HM Revenue & Customs by 30th September 2016. The data provided includes bank accounts, investment management accounts, private equity funds, hedge

HMRC warning letter The UK tax authority is sending letters to UK taxpayers, warning them that HMRC will find out their money and assets overseas, as from 2016 it is getting new financial information from more than 100 jurisdictions. It asks the reader if they are confident their UK tax affairs are upto-date, pointing out that personal circumstances can change – for example, they may have recently inherited overseas assets. Tax laws also change and previous planning could be out-of-date. Penalties for those who are not paying the correct tax on offshore

assets are increasing, “resulting in potentially life-changing circumstances.” New disclosure facility HMRC launched its Worldwide Disclosure Facility on 5th September 2016, giving uncompliant taxpayers one last opportunity to regularise their affairs. It does not offer any special terms. HMRC advises that, when calculating penalties, it will consider the quality of the information disclosed as well as how long it took the individual to put their affairs in order. Once it closes in September 2018 tougher sanctions will be introduced. Plans are for taxpayers to then pay up to three times the tax evaded. The UK government is also introducing a “Requirement to Correct” obligation to compel errant taxpayers to put their offshore affairs in order ahead of the widespread adoption of the Common Reporting

Standard. Failure to do so could make individuals liable to a new set of legal sanctions for “failing to correct.” Jennie Granger HMRC’s Director General of Enforcement and Compliance, said: “Our message couldn’t be clearer: there are no safe havens left for UK tax evaders and noone should be in any doubt that the days of hiding money offshore with impunity are gone.” Cross-border tax mitigation can be a minefield for expatriates and those who own assets in more than one country. Specialist wealth management guidance is necessary these days to have peace of mind – both that you are not paying more tax than necessary and that your arrangements are fully compliant in Spain and the UK. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

Activist raising plight of damage to natural world AN environmental activist has been cycling through Spain to

highlight the damage mankind is doing to the natural world.

Martin Hutchinson has spent nine years walking, cycling and

making his case to whoever will listen, much of it in Latin America.

We all need to be aware of the impact we have on the natural world. If we don’t the long-term consequences will be very severe,” said Martin. He wants to galvanise ordinary people into putting pres-

MARTIN: Has been cycling through Spain.

sure on their governments to stop the dumping of waste in particular. The starkest example,

he says, is the unprocessed rubbish being tipped by the truckload into the Amazon River. “They are just dumping rubbish into the Amazon four times a day and this has been going on for 20 years and nobody’s doing anything about it,” he said. “We live on a most incredible planet but we’re not doing enough to protect it. “For instance, everyone talks about protecting the Amazon but nobody’s doing anything to stop the damage.” Martin says his journey has not been without hardship and he has been attacked three times, one of those with an axe, but he is not put off and is determined to continue. He has set up a petition at https://goo.gl/Wm2JV7 in the hope of raising awareness and pressurising government bodies to act, and hopes EWN readers will join the campaign.

14 E W N

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

Not happy about tip THE matter of enlarging a rubbish dump in Almeria City’s Cuevas de los Medina district has raised hackles amongst members of the public, who have for years been complaining about the smell. The project, included on the agenda for the latest council plenary session, obtained approval from the Partido Popular members of the council, yet Ciudadanos, which previously pushed for approval, abstained.

www.euroweeklynews.com

Mushroom time in the woods By Eleanor Hawkins MUSHROOM picking is becoming an increasingly popular autumn tradition in Almeria which was promoted at the weekend with an organised pick in the woods of Abla. Provincial Environmental delegate Antonio Martinez and Abla mayor Antonio Ortiz announced the event and said that mushroom picking is a great reason to visit the villages of Almeria in autumn and discover their attractions. The mushroom trend has been in the province for some time and other villages including Bayarcal, Tahal, Sierro, Bayarque, Bacares and Los Velez have been organising their own picking events for some years, Martinez explained. However, the delegate said, those who choose to pick wild

NEWS

NEWS EXTRA

Light returns AFTER weeks of complaints from locals who reported that Almeria City’s cathedral was in the dark at night, the council sent workers to carry out repairs, only to find that the only fault was that lightbulbs had blown.

A load of bull POPULAR opinion about bullfights is changing in Spain, with 35.5 per cent of Spaniards against the blood sport and 33.8 per cent in favour, according to a 2015 poll.

Busy night

MUSHROOM PICKING: An autumn tradition. mushrooms must bear in mind they may not collect more than five kilos per person per day from publicly owned land and

that only those which are known to be safe and are mature and in good condition should be picked.

THURSDAY night (November 10) was a busy one for fire brigades as flames in two trees and six rubbish bins on Calle Gregorio Marañon in Almeria City and a fire at a bakery in Pechina had to be put out.

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

Young man arrested for dangerous driving A YOUNG man from Fiñana has been arrested for an offence against road safety after posting a video of himself doing 360-degree turns in a car on social media. The Guardia Civil was informed

that a vehicle had been carrying out reckless manoeuvres on a road into the village at 1am on October 23 which had put another car in danger. Officers were informed that the incident had been filmed and pub-

lished on the internet and tracked down the suspect’s profile, where they found the video and confirmed the dangerous driving. Three days later, the police force has reported, the suspect was

tracked down and identified. Due to the fact that the car almost collided with another vehicle the driver faces charges against road safety for having caused serious danger to others.

A refreshing recycling tour ALMERIA’S Sector II Rubbish Management Consortium has come up with an original campaign to encourage recycling in the 48 towns and villages where it provides service. From now until the end of the month, the Reciclon Tour will be travelling the streets, squares and schools of the municipalities raising awareness and providing information on the importance of recycling. Two environmental experts will be on tour in the van and will be giving talks and answering questions on how to sepa-

rate rubbish for recycling and what goes in which bin. A ‘magic potion’ (carrot, orange and lemon juice) will be handed out to everyone who visits the van which, the campaign claims, will refresh them and give them plenty of energy to recycle and care for the environment. The campaign was presented at the Almeria Provincial Headquarters on Thursday (November 10). Altogether the project has a budget of €25,000, in order to improve the environment.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

EWN

r.nagy Shutterstock.com

Wading through the doom and gloom BREXIT PAGE By Matthew Elliott and Simon Firth

STEERING a path through the doom and gloom is getting increasingly difficult. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, not one to shy away from speaking up, talked of the UK making a “Titanic success of Brexit.” “We are taking the machete of freedom to the brambles of EU regulation,” he told his audience at The Spectator magazine awards in London. Catching himself when reminded this was one ship that sank, he said: “We are going to make a colossal success of Brexit.” Where to start? An expert in electoral law has now complained to the Crown Prosecution Service that the British public was misled by the campaigners from Leave.EU and Vote Leave. Professor Bob Witt believes “undue influence” was exerted on the electorate by groups who “knowingly” misled voters, principally

FINANCIAL HEARTLAND: Will the city of London withstand the winds of change?

£350

were lying and knew it. with statements such as the The argument, beyond March 2017 at UK was paying £350 million least, appears to be who will win on the a week to be a member of the million paid weekly to the ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ Brexit options? EU. EU said Vote Leave. One area of the economy the governWould that render the Refment will be counting on to withstand the winds erendum result null and void? The answer is no. of change, whether they blow hard or soft, is But it would signal to many people that senior the financial heartland of the city of London. politicians on the side of the Leave campaign

How much Paris or Frankfurt will grow in power two years after Article 50 is triggered will be of great concern. Foreign firms invested in the UK because its skilled workforce would not have to be paid as much as their German counterparts and because their goods would sail through any tariffs imposed on goods from countries outside the EU. One of the biggest of those foreign firms is Nissan which has been building cars in Sunderland since the mid-1980s. So alarmed were they that they demanded, and were granted, a special audience with the British government. A deal was struck to keep them happy but only a select few know what it was. Presumably, a UK government suddenly unhindered by EU fair trade rules has simply pledged sufficient ‘grant aid’ to offset any tariffs imposed by the EU on Nissan’s cars. The Japanese government admits openly now that it has not been able to discuss the consequences of the Brexit deal with anyone inside the EU who is not British. While Nissan may get the assurances it needs, foreign banks in the city of London are known to have at least half a finger on the eject button. The attitude of one D Trump to the UK could be the key to London’s continued status as a global financial city or its demise into a clearing house off the coast of France.

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

Advertising feature

VEHICLE REPAIRS: Are easier with original parts.

Repairer network exclusively uses OEM parts OEM parts OEM parts are Original Equipment Manufactured parts as made by your car’s manufacturer. They are brand new, usually more expensive and sometimes take longer to order. But they are a no brainer. Body shops love them because they fit perfectly and are easy to install. Línea Directa only uses OEM parts Línea Directa is the only insurance company that guarantees the use of OEM parts in their repairer network. Thanks to an exclusive purchasing and distribution agreement with the major manufacturers, when you repair your vehicle through its exclusive network of body shops and repairers, they guarantee the use of OEM parts. After vehicle repairs are complete, they send a list of the OEM parts used for you to keep in your log book. It’s one less thing to worry about. Do all insurance companies use OEM parts? At the time of publishing this article, no other insurance company in Spain guarantees the exclusive use of OEM parts in their repairer network. Some insurance companies rely on aftermarket parts

and used parts to keep the repair costs to a minimum, only paying for OEM parts if no other parts are available. After-market parts are parts made by a company other than your vehicle’s manufacturer. They are new and the spec should be very close to the original specs. However, some minor fitting adjustments may be required by the body shop. Used parts come from the scrap yard. Cars involved in accidents, engine trouble or age, mean that scrapped cars will have some working parts, which can be resold. The used parts are usually OEM parts. National network of body shop repairers Using the Línea Directa network to repair your car means more than just OEM parts. The whole repair service is handled from start to finish. Your vehicle is collected at the agreed time and place. The repairs are carried out swiftly, efficiently and according to original manufacturer specs. You can request a replacement vehicle for the duration of the repair. They will keep you updated on progress and after completion your vehicle will be delivered at the agreed time and place.

If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 900 123 026 More information on Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com

SOCIAL NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

Lodge of Installed Masters donation W M W Bro Jack Frost of The Lodge of Installed Masters together with the Treasurer, W Bro Eddy Bamford presented a cheque for €400 to Fanny Davies of Stepping Stones. Stepping Stones was founded by Fanny after she found that there was no help or assistance readily available in the Mojacar area for the care of sufferers of dementia, Alzheimer’s and related illnesses. She thus started Stepping Stones, a self-help group made up of families struggling to cope with the demands that in many cases requires 24 hour care.

STEPPING STONES: Recipient of the generous donation. They provide regular get-togethers to guide, help and provide advice as well as much needed respite from the daily

stresses of constant care as well as away days when all members can share their experiences and get a little relaxation.

Dames in Turre at Christmas DAMES IN TURRE would appreciate your support on Saturday December 3 for their biggest fundraising event of the year, their Christmas market, which will be held in Turre Square from 10am. Come and do your Christmas shopping at

the numerous stalls, and take a chance on the fabulous raffle and tombola. All monies raised will be donated to deserving local charities. Perhaps you would like to run your own stall? If so contact Soo Wallace on silly boo59@yahoo.co.uk.

Fundraising festive fair for PAWS THE PAWS animal charity is staging its always-popular Christmas fair on Saturday, November 26 at The Stables in Mojacar Playa. Proceedings start at mid-

day, and for a mere €1 entry fee (under-12s get in free) guests will have access to the various stalls selling cards, ceramics, jewellery, gifts and homemade cakes.

There will also be a tombola, raffle, competitions plus burgers, refreshments, mulled wine and other Christmas goodies, to get you into the festive spirit.

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

EWN

NEWS

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

Olive oil thief found guilty By Eleanor Hawkins A FORTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for two and a half years by an Almeria criminal court for stealing 840 litres of olive oil

Jail for spending deceased’s money A WOMAN who spent €3,600 on her p a r t n e r ’s b a n k c a r d the day after he died has been jailed for two years and three months for fraud by A l m e r i a ’s n u m b e r three criminal court. T h e d e c e a s e d ’s daughter reported that she had noticed that €600 had been withdrawn from a cash machines and two purchases for €2,500 and €500 made the day after h e r f a t h e r ’s d e a t h without her consent. Under Spanish law the account was already in the name of the heirs. Although the defendant’s lawyer argued that the couple had an agreement by which they both used each other’s funds indiscriminately, judge Sara Herrera decided that this agreement was invalid from the moment of death. The judge also took the fact that the defendant had already agreed to pay the money back bit by bit as admittance that she had taken it unduly. The sentence highlights the speed with which the card was used following the man’s death and also the considerable amount spent.

from a warehouse after punching the manageress in the stomach. The incident occurred on May 18, when the defendant went to the warehouse and told the woman in charge that he owned a restaurant and need-

ed to buy a large amount of oil. After loading six large and 12 small boxes of oil into his car, the man returned to the office with his victim, supposedly to pay, but punched her and knocked her to the

floor before fleeing. Fermin Javier Villarrubia, the judge in charge of the city’s number two criminal court, found the man guilty after rejecting his version of events, which was found to be con-

tradictory and “impossible to believe.” The sentence, which also requires the accused to pay the €1,680 value of the stolen oil, can be appealed before the provincial courts.

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

EUROPEAN PRESS

NORWAY

GERMANY

Defending world champ

Congratulations Trump Frans Peeters

NORWAY’S chess champ Magnus Carlsen, aged 25, is defending his world champion title and taking on the Russian grand master Sergey Karjakin at the championship event in New York.

CHANCELLOR Angela Merkel has congratulated Donald Trump in his US presidential election win reminding him of their ‘shared values.’ Other German politicians expressed their shock at the result.

Dividing wall

Power outage

OUTRAGE has erupted over a wall built as a sound barrier in Munich between a refugee shelter and a residential estate. Some are calling it a symbol of division and against the city’s ‘welcome culture’ dividing residents and refugees.

NEARLY 3,000 homes in Agder were facing their third day without power after a heavy snow storm brought down trees and power lines. Over 9,000 homes lost power at some point.

Going green GERMANY has pledged to double its renewable power by 2030. The country’s new target is to have 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030. Currently around 30 per cent of Germany’s electricity needs are from renewable sources.

Water complain GERMANY is under fire from the EU for failing to clean up high nitrate levels in the water table after being warned about levels in 2012.

Common values

BELGIUM

NORWAYS’ PM has said Donald Trump’s surprising presidential election victory will not affect the country’s relationship with the US, saying Norway has “common values” with the US.

MAGNUS CARLSEN (left): The winner receives €600,000.

A PRISONER was beaten and attacked by Islamist inmates at the Ittre prison. It came just days after he had spoken about prison radicalisation on RTL-TVI.

FRANCE

Compensation for victims LAWYERS representing the victims of the November 2015 Paris terrori st a t t a c k s a r e c allin g fo r compensation for the victims from an ins u r a n c e f u n d se t u p b y th e government for the ‘emotional distress’ they suffered.

Online database P LANS t o c r e a t e a d a ta b as e compiling the biometric informa-

tion of some 60 million people in France raised concerns over privacy with the French Digital Council saying it would open the door to misuse.

Suicide stresses NURSES across France took to the street in protest against their working conditions. It comes follo w in g a n u mb e r of s uic ide s of

Prison attack

nurses which were believed to be related to the stresses of the job.

M&S closure BRITISH store chain Marks & Spe nc e r ha s a nnounc e d it w ill c los e s e ve n of its 18 s tore s in France as part of plans to close 100 stores worldwide. Around 500 jobs a re a t ris k from the c los ure s in France.

Early leavers THE number of children dropping out of school early is decreasing in Belgium according to a ne w r epor t . The f i gur e f el l from 12 per cent in 2012 to 10.1 per cent in 2015. This is below the European average of 11 per cent.

Polar issues The first Belgian to reach the North Pole, 63-year-old explorer Alain Hubert, arrived at the International Polar Foundation’s station in Antarctica but found it in disrepair and on the verge of collapse.

Eyes out A MAN was arrested for allegedly tearing out a person’s eyes in Ixelles. The two men are believed to have been having a political disagreement when the fight broke out.

SWEDEN

DENMARK

HOLLAND

Snow cannon

Anti-IS

Caring community

STOCKHOLM has recorded its snowiest day in Novem b e r i n m o r e t h an 1 0 0 y ea rs . T h e s u d d e n downfall is known as a ‘snow cannon’ in Swedish.

COPENHAGEN is hosting an anti-Islamic State meeting with representatives from the United Nations and the European Union, to discuss the military effort against the Islamic State.

Clinton choice SWEDEN’S Prime Minister has admitted he would have preferred it if Hillary Clinton had won the US presidential election, but has said he will congratulate Donald Trump. He said he wanted to continue good relations with the US.

Footie films DENMARK is hosting its first film festival dedicated to football. Running from November 16-19 there will be 20 films about football shown at cinemas across Copenhagen.

Digital GPs

On your bike

A REGION in Sweden is trialling digital appointments with GPs in an attempt to reduce waiting times. The appointment takes place via a smartphone, computer or tablet with patients logging in to a secure site.

THE number of bicycles now exceed the number of cars in Copenhagen city centre for the first time s inc e re c ords be ga n in 1970. So fa r this ye a r, 252,600 cars and 265,700 bikes entered into the centre of the city.

ONE in seven family carers in the Netherlands spends around 28 hours a week looking after a sick relative or friend. Last year, reports showed that around 15 per cent of the population over the age of 16 was involved in caring.

Bird flu POULTRY farmers have been advised to keep their birds indoors. The warning comes after bird flu was detected in Germany, Poland and Hungary. The avian flu outbreak in 2003 cost the Dutch poultry and egg industry around €300 million.

Secret filming A MAN, aged 34, has been jailed for 18 months for secretly filming people showering at a campsite in the Utrecht province. A police raid also found thousands of images of child and animal porn at his home.

Inflation rise INFLATION reached 0.4 per cent in October according to the national statistics office, the highest level for six months. The rise is due to the increase in petrol and diesel prices.

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

RUSSIAN PRESS

Caviar crooks

MASSIVE BLOW: To the business as New Year approaches. THIEVES stole more than 10 tons of caviar from a Moscow business worth more than €300,000 by sneaking through a fence and funnelling the packages back underneath. It is a massive blow for the business ahead of New Year’s celebrations where many Russians splash out in style on the delicacy.

Self-immolation THE mother of a Russian pilot imprisoned by the Americans has threatened to set herself on fire unless he is soon sent home. Konstantin Yaroshenko was arrested in Liberia accused of drug trafficking and taken to the US without any formal extradition procedure. His lawyers maintain his innocence and claim he was effectively kidnapped.

New world order PRESIDENT Putin was chuffed with the election of Donald Trump. He was among the first to congratulate the new president-elect on his victory, while a Russian nationalist party popped champagne bottles in the Duma. Trump is perceived as being more favourable to Russian interests, especially over Ukraine and Syria.

Sunshine clown THE world famous ‘Sunshine Clown’ and circus artist Oleg Popov died in Germany and has been buried in Bavaria where he lived. The 86-year-old Russian had performed with the Moscow Circus across Europe from 1955 as a clown, juggler, tightrope walker and mime, following the tradition of Russian folklore characters.

Purity politics A REFERENDUM may be called on a special law on ‘the Russian Nation.’ The vague legislation would serve the symbolic and political purpose of defining the orthodox and racial core of the Russian people in a bid to clamp down on ethnic tensions while pacifying nationalists and the Church.

Graveyard rock A POLITICIAN from Irkutsk raised some eyebrows when she posted a video of herself performing exercises in a mortuary. Anastasia Myakina of the ruling United Russia party quickly took the video off Instagram when people wondered why she chose coffins and gravestones as the backdrop.

Bogus caller A PRANK call to Petro Poroshenko, the president of Ukraine, is thought to have been the work of cheeky Russians. He talked for an hour with who he thought was president of Kyrgyzstan until intelligence services realised it was a fake call. FAMOUS CLOWN: Oleg Popov has died.

FINANCE

Costa de Almería

17 - 23 November 2016

LONDON - FTSE 100

+1.09%

C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 14

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

DOW JONES

+0.21%

C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 14

NASDAQ

+0.10%

C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 14

Rogue trader faces 30 years prison By John Smith A PRIVATE trader from Hounslow has pleaded guilty to a number of charges concerning his part in starting what is known as a flash crash in the US stock market in 2010 in which he earned $12.8 million (€11.7 million). Flash crash, also known as spoofing, involves manipulation of the computerised market by putting in

Quote of the Week

$1 trillion (€918 billion) is the amount estimated to have been temporarily wiped off the value of US shares thanks to the rogue trader’s actions on a single day in 2010.

ECONOMIC MINISTER: Luis de Guindos. THE Spanish Economic Minister Luis de Guindos appeared before the European Parliament in order to explain the actions being taken to bring the economy back in line with Union expectations. Although Spain has escaped a direct fine for missing targets, there is the small matter of €2 billion in funding which the EU is threatening to withhold as a form of punishment. In his presentation, the minister made it plain that he believed that it would be

large orders for stock and then cancelling them at the last minute. Whilst there is no crime under UK law for this action it is illegal in the USA and his actions resulted in an enormous drop in the value of the Dow Jones index. Navinder Sarao, aged 37, worked from his parent’s house near Heathrow Airport and despite putting up a fight against extradition he was returned to the USA to face

I am announcing and funding a legitimate campaign for California to become its own nation” announced Shervin Pishevar a major investor in hitech companies following the election of Donald Trump as American president.”

Cap in hand

Photo Credit: La Moncloa

counterproductive for the funds to be withheld and it would send the wrong signal to Spanish residents and to members of the Union as well especially with the current uncertainty over the Brexit vote. Much was made of the fact that the Spanish economy had shown more robust recovery than other countries within Europe and therefore it would convey a negative message and would be damaging to the economy as well.

BUSINESS EXTRA

UK housing A REPORT from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) issued just prior to a government review of the situation suggests that the volume of housing available within the UK is insufficient to meet demand. There had been a slow-down in interest at the time of the referendum and immediately after the result but buyers have returned. As there is little property available prices around most of the UK, with the notable exception of Central London, are starting to rise again.

Better terms ACCORDING to the leader of Ciudadanos Albert Rivera, he and his party are already pressurising coalition partners, the Partido Popular, to honour the agreement signed between the two parties whereby the former agreed to vote in favour of the latter taking up the reins of government. The very first piece of legislation likely to be presented to the Spanish Parliament (Cortes) will concern better conditions for the three million self-employed in Spain and this is expected to be enacted within the next month.

India replaces high value notes IN an unexpected move by the Indian government, all high value Rupee notes have effectively been demonetised overnight. The Rs500 (€6.87) and Rs1,000 (€13.74) notes were withdrawn in order to try to crack down on the ‘black economy.’ This decision is similar to actions taken by other governments around the world in the past in order

£25 billion (€28.5 billion) is the amount of estimated unplanned borrowing that the British government will have to commit to by 2020 due to an expected fall in tax revenue according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

STAT OF WEEK

business & legal

EWN

to devalue money that has either been improperly exported overseas or is held but undeclared for tax. Limited exchange of these notes will be allowed through Indian banks and new Rs500 and Rs2,000 (€27.48) notes are being printed and distributed throughout the country which relies so heavily on cash payments.

22 charges and spent several months in detention as he could not meet bail conditions. He has agreed to repay all of the profits he made by way of a fine and has been warned that he could face up to 30 years in prison. As his parents were able to raise sufficient securities to cover his $750,000 (€690,000) bail, he will be allowed to return to the UK whilst awaiting sentencing.

IBEX 35

+0.84%

C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 14

State of the euro PROFESSOR Otmar Issing, a former adviser to Angela Merkel and retired chief economist to the European Central Bank has said in an interview that he believes that in view of the current state of the finances of a number of the members of the euro-zone, it was a big mistake not to have built in an exit strategy for those countries who are now struggling. Although the currency appears to be performing well, there were negative public views on the euro and the way some countries appear to be bullied by those better off, thus threatening the independence of their Central Banks.

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on opposite page

C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 14

PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3i Group PLC 616.25 8.75 Admiral Group PLC 1904.00 18.00 Anglo American PLC 1183.25 34.50 Antofagasta PLC 720.25 14.00 Ashtead Group PLC 1424.50 39.00 Associated British Foods PLC 2590.00 -8.00 AstraZeneca PLC 4412.25 85.50 Aviva PLC 462.60 10.90 Babcock International Gr 986.50 19.00 BAE Systems PLC 596.75 6.50 Barclays PLC 207.85 6.10 Barratt Developments PLC 483.30 11.32 BHP Billiton PLC 1340.75 41.00 BP PLC 437.85 2.50 British American Tobacco PLC 4333.00 26.00 British Land Co PLC 589.25 2.50 BT Group PLC 358.10 -2.90 Bunzl PLC 2019.00 5.00 Burberry Group PLC 1423.00 28.00 Capita PLC 568.50 18.00 Carnival PLC 3928.50 19.00 Centrica PLC 202.90 -0.70 Coca-Cola HBC AG 1657.00 17.00 Compass Group PLC 1340.50 12.00 CRH PLC 2812.00 53.00 Croda International PLC 3111.50 38.00 DCC PLC 6472.50 440.00 Diageo PLC 1981.25 -1.00 Direct Line Insurance Gr 359.80 4.20 Dixons Carphone PLC 338.10 11.70 easyJet PLC 1039.00 -16.00 Experian PLC 1411.50 10.00 Fresnillo PLC 1416.00 -19.28 GKN PLC 306.10 6.50 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1549.75 15.00 Glencore PLC 286.27 6.85 Hammerson PLC 550.25 -0.50 Hargreaves Lansdown PLC 1207.50 4.00 Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC 1678.50 26.00 HSBC Holdings PLC 629.95 10.00 Imperial Brands PLC 3453.50 21.50 Informa PLC 642.25 4.00 InterContinental Hotels Gr 3086.00 33.00 International Consolidated 443.85 3.10 Intertek Group PLC 3074.50 -7.00 Intu Properties PLC 263.05 -0.10 ITV PLC 171.35 2.19 Johnson Matthey PLC 3314.00 55.00 Kingfisher PLC 364.10 5.00 Land Securities Group PLC 990.50 3.00

% CHG. 1.44 0.95 3.00 1.98 2.82 -0.31 1.98 2.41 1.96 1.10 3.02 2.40 3.16 0.57 0.60 0.43 -0.80 0.25 2.01 3.27 0.49 -0.34 1.04 0.90 1.92 1.24 7.29 -0.05 1.18 3.58 -1.52 0.71 -1.34 2.17 0.98 2.45 -0.09 0.33 1.57 1.61 0.63 0.63 1.08 0.70 -0.23 -0.04 1.29 1.69 1.39 0.30

NET VOL 179.31 33.18 1,211.49 514.81 166.40 112.51 274.16 1,084.95 69.23 874.48 9,510.90 1,090.43 1,568.16 3,121.19 328.36 318.13 2,358.02 99.37 336.58 295.64 30.25 4,753.02 57.89 594.68 241.69 34.96 87.25 431.41 357.01 454.54 479.70 262.47 245.88 880.63 804.65 8,773.81 316.71 80.48 87.03 4,853.16 315.75 231.69 35.00 1,047.97 44.40 404.23 1,634.44 24.96 876.96 130.85

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Legal & General Group PLC 236.30 6.40 Lloyds Banking Group PLC 59.56 0.06 London Stock Exchange Gr 2847.50 46.00 Marks & Spencer Group PLC 339.65 12.40 Mediclinic International PLC 749.00 -11.50 Merlin Entertainments PLC 431.70 2.40 Micro Focus International PLC 1976.00 14.00 Mondi PLC 1546.50 30.00 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 213.25 0.40 National Grid PLC 935.10 -20.60 Next PLC 5090.00 50.00 Old Mutual PLC 186.65 1.00 Paddy Power Betfair PLC 8807.50 15.00 Pearson PLC 749.25 8.00 Persimmon PLC 1738.00 51.00 Polymetal International PLC 832.00 -4.50 Provident Financial PLC 2838.50 61.00 Prudential PLC 1515.25 37.50 Randgold Resources Ltd 5832.50 -120.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC 6898.00 27.00 RELX PLC 1297.50 0.00 Rio Tinto PLC 3153.00 84.50 Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC 757.75 17.50 Royal Bank of Scotland Gr 206.70 5.00 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 2039.75 2.00 Royal Mail PLC 485.55 4.20 RSA Insurance Group PLC 541.75 5.00 Sage Group (The) PLC 656.75 6.00 Sainsbury (J) PLC 238.15 2.90 Schroders PLC 2902.00 42.00 Severn Trent PLC 2134.50 -43.00 Shire PLC 5098.50 99.50 Sky PLC 775.25 -12.50 Smith & Nephew PLC 1089.00 14.00 Smiths Group PLC 1401.50 28.00 SSE PLC 1479.50 -4.00 Standard Chartered PLC 626.35 9.10 Standard Life PLC 369.10 5.40 St James's Place PLC 953.50 16.00 Taylor Wimpey PLC 151.35 5.70 Tesco PLC 204.22 5.76 Travis Perkins PLC 1431.50 30.00 TUI AG 1019.00 9.00 Unilever PLC 3166.75 3.00 United Utilities Group PLC 865.50 -13.50 Vodafone Group PLC 205.17 0.55 Whitbread PLC 3470.00 -3.00 Wolseley PLC 4612.50 114.00 Worldpay Group PLC 269.70 2.00 WPP PLC 1657.00 14.00

% CHG. 2.78 0.10 1.64 3.79 -1.51 0.56 0.71 1.98 0.19 -2.16 0.99 0.54 0.17 1.08 3.02 -0.54 2.20 2.54 -2.02 0.39 0.00 2.75 2.36 2.48 0.10 0.87 0.93 0.92 1.23 1.47 -1.98 1.99 -1.59 1.30 2.04 -0.27 1.47 1.48 1.71 3.91 2.90 2.14 0.89 0.09 -1.54 0.27 -0.09 2.53 0.75 0.85

NET VOL 2,384.21 33,209.55 7.34 1,898.58 309.29 68.23 69.90 175.24 2,373.33 1,474.28 62.53 1,549.38 4.58 138.23 224.40 137.40 21.06 690.83 200.62 97.24 343.03 582.57 667.72 2,708.50 578.76 270.65 79.44 334.49 1,162.89 25.01 89.57 161.30 1,226.20 386.57 181.76 672.10 1,761.66 932.27 89.58 6,095.66 5,020.90 154.33 34.88 176.47 322.56 11,120.27 43.08 109.80 292.39 242.42

Kleinwort Benson Elite PCC Ltd

0.86035

1.16231 Units per €

US dollar ...................................................................1.07473 Japan yen..................................................................115.977 Switzerland franc................................................1.07006 Denmark kroner ..................................................7.44264 Norway kroner ......................................................9.113126

currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 14

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 175.08 +0.80 +0.46% 1.9M 70.50 +0.39 +0.56% 4.7M 108.43 +0.64 +0.59% 34.1M 148.52 +0.83 +0.56% 3.6M 93.01 -0.44 -0.47% 7.4M 106.64 -1.15 -1.07% 7.9M 31.36 +0.36 +1.16% 23.2M 41.03 +0.09 +0.22% 13.4M 97.68 +2.72 +2.86% 23.0M 69.21 -1.74 -2.45% 5.7M 85.67 -1.38 -1.59% 13.8M 30.71 +0.30 +0.99% 42.7M 203.94 +3.07 +1.53% 6.3M 129.85 +0.82 +0.64% 5.5M 161.27 +1.05 +0.66% 4.4M 34.61 +0.11 +0.32% 22.7M 118.47 -1.07 -0.90% 8.1M 76.69 +0.04 +0.05% 27.6M 114.22 -0.29 -0.25% 4.3M 63.95 -1.01 -1.55% 14.1M 59.02 +0.32 +0.55% 38.8M 50.77 +0.38 +0.75% 6.3M 32.59 -0.90 -2.69% 35.8M 83.58 +0.62 +0.75% 8.9M 110.28 +0.66 +0.60% 2.0M 108.86 +0.45 +0.42% 4.1M 146.42 +0.29 +0.20% 4.5M 46.69 0.00 0.00% 16.4M 81.88 +0.01 +0.01% 7.4M 71.23 -0.16 -0.22% 8.2M

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 14

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced PTC Therapeutics, Inc. Fate Therapeutics, Inc. NVIDIA Corporation Dimension Therapeutics, Inc. Concordia International Corp. Vital Therapies, Inc. Stratus Properties, Inc. Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. Edge Therapeutics, Inc. AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.

$ 11.30 $ 2.93 $ 87.97 $ 5.75 $ 2.83 $ 6.15 $ 31.35 $ 9.20 $ 12.25 $ 2.47 $ 6.08

5.30 ▲ 88.33% 0.78 ▲ 36.28% 20.20 ▲ 29.81% 1.20 ▲ 26.37% 0.58 ▲ 25.78% 1.15 ▲ 23% 5.80 ▲ 22.70% 1.70 ▲ 22.67% 2.24 ▲ 22.38% 0.45 ▲ 22.28% 1.02 ▲ 20.16%

$ 15.35 $ 9.38 $ 7.69 $ 9.40 $ 12.14 $5 $ 113.62 $ 32.1999 $ 2.92 $ 7.91 $ 2.03

3.72 ▼ 19.51% 1.50 ▼ 13.79% 1.15 ▼ 13.01% 1.35 ▼ 12.56% 1.68 ▼ 12.16% 0.65 ▼ 11.50% 13.26 ▼ 10.45% 3.7201 ▼ 10.36% 0.336 ▼ 10.32% 0.90 ▼ 10.22% 0.23 ▼ 10.18%

Most Declined VelocityShares 3x Long Silver ETN Silver Standard Resources Inc. SeaSpine Holdings Corporation Photronics, Inc. Lifeway Foods, Inc. TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. BeiGene, Ltd. Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings, Inc. SPI Energy Co., Ltd.

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

Changes afoot but knickers are safe ALTHOUGH respective chief executives of Marks and Spencer (M&S) have been fighting flagging sales for years, they have always found some comfort in the fact that food sales were good and ladies liked to buy their underwear from the store as it was long-lasting, unlikely to break at an embarrassing time, good value for money and some ranges were quite sexy. As long ago as 2008, volatile and voluble TV journalist and host of University Challenge Jeremy Paxman made a public complaint about the lack of support in the gusset of his M&S underwear and there seems to have been a been a downwards spiral ever since. Now it has been announced that the company will close 30 of its UK stores and convert a further 45 into food only establishments and other stores will see a massive reduction in

Featureflash Photo Agency Shutterstock

By John Smith

M&S UNDERWEAR: The Autograph range is to be kept. the amount of space devoted to both clothing and homewares which are proving to be a drag on the overall business. This could be the start of a major sea change at M&S as

their new CEO Steve Rowe has made it clear that he wants to increase the number of outlets offering profitable food lines and reduce by perhaps as much as 100 the number of

stores selling non-food items. It follows that this will then probably spell an end to expensive Christmas TV promotions which have matched celebrities such as Twiggy and

Myleene Klass with glamorous young and old models. Put simply, younger consumers are attracted to cheaper clothes from brands such as H&M, Matalan,

Primark and Zara where they can often buy two or three outfits for the price of one in M&S and older customers seem to be drifting away from buying their clothes in-store, preferring internet purchasing and their furniture is really very expensive. Some clothing brands will be phased out and it is intended to make a strategic withdrawal from its overseas shops which have not performed as well as hoped or expected in a number of countries although successful stores in Hong Kong, Ireland and for some reason the Czech Republic will be kept. It is estimated that all of these changes could cost up to £200 million (€228 million) but will be needed if the company is to reverse the regular drop in quarterly profits that it has seen for a number of years.

HAVING postponed a number of official journeys overseas due to the fact that there was only an interim government in place, King Felipe VI travelled to Saudi Arabia between November 12 and 14 ostensibly to discuss the situation with regards to the construction of the Medina to Mecca high speed train line which is due to open at the beginning of 2017. When a consortium of Spanish businesses, including OHL, Talgo, Adif and RENFE, won this contract worth more than €6 billion after much lobbying by the government and former King Juan Carlos, this seemed like a shot in the arm for Spanish business and prestige, but all of the planners overlooked one little problem that any British train expert could have warned them about: sand on the rails! In a c o u n t r y t h a t i s c o v e re d in s a n d , which often blows around, when it settles on rails, especially those laid on ballast which settles and shifts, the performance of the trains is reduced and in some cases they simply don’t run.

€1.5 billion is the estimated cost to fix the shifting sands problem on the Medina to Mecca high speed train line that is due to open in 2017.

There are containment walls but they are not actually stopping the sand and it is estimated that it could cost as much as €1.5 billion to fix the problem and OHL have made it clear that they contracted to build the line, not maintain it. The consortium is hoping that the Saudi’s will agree to pay this extra despite the fact that the contract allows for no overruns and includes a €1 million a day penalty for any delay in operating the trains over the 125 kilometre distance between the two cities, hence the visit from the king. Spain has recently been very successful in

obtaining major overseas contracts but as was recently shown with problems with over-runs in the Panama Canal expansion, Spanish companies are not yet too clever at meeting deadlines and negotiating contracts which include penalties for non-performance. Also up for discussion is the provision of five corvettes for the Saudi Navy at a cost of €3 billion which are to be produced by the Spanish company Navantia and if the previously agreed contract is signed during the visit there will be guaranteed work for 2,000 staff over a five year period in two of the company’s Spanish yards. This deal has not been without criticism due to the actions of Saudi Arabia in Yemen but the potential financial gain for the country is too much to ignore, assuming that the Saudi’s still have enough money to pay for the corvettes. KING FELIPE: Visit was to discuss construction of the high speed train line.

Photo Credit: United Nations Pasqual Gorriz

King Felipe on official visit to Saudi Arabia

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

Photo Credit: Laurie flickr

Black Friday is fast approaching

BARGAIN HUNTERS: Black Friday draws in large crowds of shoppers.

By John Smith AS the American economy began to recover slightly following the Great Depression of 1929, some enterprising businesses in 1932 decided that in order to try to boost business, they would offer special sales on products on the Friday following the Thanksgiving public holiday which is always the fourth Thursday of November and this year, that date will be November 25. In America, that day has popularly become known as Black Friday and whilst it may give the impression of being a negative title like Black Wednesday of 1992 in the UK - when Britain had to withdraw from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism – it was simply coined back in 1961 as a comment on the number of people and cars that appeared on the streets on the special discount day and then became synonymous with store accounts moving into the Black. Many people, take the Friday as a ‘Puente’ (bridge) that we recognise here in Spain in order to ensure a four day weekend and be-

Spain has come a little late to the party, but major chains and even some local stores are likely to participate but often simply offering percentage discounts rather than some juicy cuts on individual pieces seen elsewhere.” cause of the number of people who are at something of a loose end, many take the advantage to go shopping and start their Christmas present buying. For decades, this phenomena was kept the other side of the Atlantic but as more and more US corporations became involved in owning businesses in Europe and the UK in particular, so the concept of Black Friday moved over and now it is yet another excuse for sales in the UK. Amazon, the online multi store group are launching their version on November 14 and their Black Friday runs for a whole two weeks.

Walmart which owns ASDA makes sure that there are a number of bargains in store but in previous years there has been chaos as consumers arrived hours in advance of opening, pushing and fighting in order to grab the relatively small number of real bargains in store. There has actually been quite a lot of negative reaction to the concept of people literally fighting each other in order to get cheap consumer goods and some stores have turned their back on the concept. However there is always someone ready to dream up a bright alternative and now we also have Cyber Monday where other companies offer their goods at discount online with the down side being your computer might crash but at least you won’t be crushed. Spain has come a little late to the party, but major chains and even some local stores are likely to participate but often simply offering percentage discounts on items of clothing and electrical goods rather than some of the juicy cuts on individual pieces seen elsewhere.

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

EWN

OPINION & COMMENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

EWN

FOTO EVAN EL-AMIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

US election was a‘no-brainer’ LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT I DON’T think I need to say how relieved I was to see Trump elected last week. What puzzles me is why, with my favouring of Trump and also the ‘Brexit’ vote, I received a virtual Tsunami of ‘scoff ’ mail, (some most unpleasant) but letters of support were extremely thin on the ground? My point is, that with both my parties of choice obtaining a substantial majority, why did I not receive at least a reasonable amount of mail agreeing with my views? Was it because the ‘pro’ voters were ashamed, or even a little afraid to vent their true feelings in public, or was it yet another glaring example of the silent majority hiding its light under respective bushels? Whatever it was, for heaven’s sake, if you feel strongly enough about a subject, even though it appears unpopular, shout your views

NO DOUBTS: At least Trump wasn’t reading from an idiot board full of empty rhetoric. from the rooftops. This is why favourable results are so laborious, it’s also why the polls get it so

wrong. It’s always the whiners and gripers who shout the loudest. Never be worried that your views

may not be looked on favourably by friends and colleagues. Speak up, you may find that there are far

more supporters of your opinions out there than you ever imagined. And so to Trump. To me the selection was a no-brainer. The choice between a proven arrogant liar, supported by an equally proven lying spouse (‘I did not have sexual relations with that woman’), backed by an incompetent president, who helped Islamise the planet more than anyone since the Umayyads, (and ironically gained a multitude of votes for the Trump camp every time he opened his mouth), left me with no doubts at all. Sure Trump made a whole host of questionable statements in his orations but at least he wasn’t reading from an idiot board, full of clichés and empty rhetoric supplied by scriptwriters. And don’t worry, they haven’t elected another ‘Spectre’ figure with his finger hovering over the red button. Congress and the Senate will have far more influence over his decisions than they would have had over Clinton. Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

Enjoy it while you can Rajoy Cassandra Nash A weekly look - and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene

MARIANO RAJOY dispensed with the services of oh-so-pious Jorge Fernandez Diaz, Minister of the Interior, who despite daily Mass planned to trap, frame and shame Catalan Secessionists. Minister of Foreign Affairs Margallo, with some very strong feelings on Gibraltar, was clearly another goner. It was also on the cards that Minister of Defence Pedro Morenes would leave the Cabinet. Apart from these changes and some younger faces, Rajoy remains in his comfort zone. He should enjoy it while he can. Albert Rivera, leader of Ciudadanos whose votes enabled Rajoy to return to the Moncloa, has already predicted that this legislature will be ‘short and bad’ unless the president keeps the 150 promises in their pact.

Erring knight errant IT’S usually the US cavalry that gallops to the rescue at the eleventh hour, but this time it was the other way round. The PSOE’s defenestrated secretary general Pedro Sanchez rushed to the other side of the Atlantic to assist heroine Hillary Clinton against dastardly Donald Trump. Trouble is, Sanchez’s own election record isn’t stunning and the downhill racer, not satisfied with putting the mockers on the PSOE, did for Hillary too.

Since this looks impossible, Ciudadanos would also be outside their comfort zone according to the latest polls. Rivera might be Spain’s most-highly regarded leader, PEDRO SANCHEZ: but the party does less well Rushed to assist than it deserves and in anothHillary Clinton. er election would slip still further.

Quick march VASTLY ambitious Dolores de

Cosped, Partido Popular secretary general, former president of CastillaLa Mancha and no friend of the vastly powerful vice-president Soraya Saenz de Santamaria has her ministry at last and is Minister of Defence. Unfortunately for her this gives institutional clout but no political power and will be so hard to combine with her role as secretary general that she’ll eventually have to relinquish the post. Round one to Saenz de Santamaria as usual.

Ricocheting stones PODEMOS senator Ramon Espinar bought a protected apartment in Madrid for €140,000 and months later sold it for €175,000 without ever occupying it. He sought permission for the sale as regulations require but implied that he was not making a profit. Peanuts compared with other politicians’ mega- scams but Podemos, the scourge of the corrupt, now occupies the glasshouse of the public eye and needs to stop throwing the first stone.

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

TV LISTING

THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER

SATURDAY

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 12:45am 1:30am

BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders DIY SOS The Apprentice BBC News at Ten BBC London News Question Time This Week The Apprentice

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm

BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show Children in Need 2016 BBC News at Ten BBC London News Children in Need 2016 Children in Need Rocks for Terry

9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm

BBC London News Children in Need The Best Bits Strictly Come Dancing Michael Mcintyre’s Big Show Casualty The National Lottery Live BBC News Match of the Day Asian Provocateur

5:30pm 8:10pm 9:10pm 9:40pm 10:10pm

Strictly Come Dancing Planet Earth II My Mother and Other Strangers BBC News BBC London News Match of the Day 2 Sunny D Getting High for God?

4:45pm

11:00pm 11:25pm 11:40pm 2:00am 6:35pm 6:45pm 7:55pm 9:10pm

19 NOVEMBER

SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER

MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER

TUESDAY 22 NOVEMBER

WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER

10:10pm 11:00pm 11:10pm 11:30pm 1:00am 8:15pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:20pm 11:30pm 12:15am 12:35am

7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 12:30am

BBC London News The One Show Fake Britain EastEnders Panorama The Last Miners BBC News at Ten BBC London News America’s Hate Preachers Getting High for God?

6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 12:50am

Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Holby City Ordinary Lies BBC News at Ten BBC London News Imagine... Little Voice

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 12:15am 12:45am 2:35am

BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show Watchdog The Missing BBC News at Ten BBC London News A Question of Sport Film 2016 The Box Weather for the Week Ahead

7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am

11:00pm 11:40pm 12:15am 1:15am

11:10pm 11:45pm 1:30am

5:45pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:10am 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip MasterChef: The Professionals Close to the Enemy The Apprentice: You’re Fired! Newsnight Black and British: A Forgotten History Mastermind Coastal Path Rick Stein’s Long Weekends Children in Need 2016 Newsnight Close to the Enemy Later... Sound of Black Britain: Groove and Grime Rugby Union Rugby Union Coastal Path Dad’s Army Sold!: Inside the World’s Biggest Auction House Artsnight Boyz ‘n’ the Hood Dirty Pretty Things

Escape to the Continent Heir Hunters Flog It! Tennis Life and Death the Pentecostal Way Black is the New Black Frankie Boyle’s American Autopsy QI XL Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip University Challenge Only Connect Back in Time for Brixton Two Doors Down Newsnight Life and Death the Pentecostal Way Eggheads Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip MasterChef: The Professionals The Choir Live at the Apollo Newsnight NFL Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip MasterChef: The Professionals Black and British: A Forgotten History The Premier League Show Newsnight No Such Thing as the News

8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:35pm 11:45pm 12:15am 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am 6:45pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:25pm 11:25pm 11:40pm 2:30am 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:20pm 12:20am

9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 12:30am 1:25am 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:35pm 11:45pm 12:20am

7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 1:15am

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

Home and Away 5 News Tonight The UK’s Strongest Man 2016 The Nightmare Neighbour Next Door Jack Taylor: Blood Cross Medical Mysteries Super Casino House Doctor

5:00pm 5:30pm

6:00pm 6:30pm

11:00pm 1:00am

5 News at 5 Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight The Gadget Show Secrets of Great British Castles Britain’s Greatest Bridges Live Boxing Super Casino

Jamie’s Super Food Location, Location, Location A Place in the Sun Channel 4 News China Between Clouds and Dreams Britain at Low Tide A Good Day to Die Hard The Rolling Stones

4:25pm 6:20pm 7:20pm 7:25pm 8:10pm 9:00pm 9:55pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:30am

Christmas in Conway The Christmas Spirit 5 News Weekend The Christmas Spirit NCIS NCIS: New Orleans 5 News Weekend Football on 5 Football on 5 That’s So...1982 Impractical Jokers UK

11:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm

The Lost Lotus: Restoring a Race Car Humans Gogglebox Tower Heist The Last Leg Flying to the Ends of the Earth George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces

7:15pm 8:10pm 8:15pm 9:00pm 9:55pm 10:00pm

The Christmas Note 5 News Weekend The Christmas Note Ice Road Truckers 5 News Weekend The Freddie Mercury Story: Who Wants to Live Forever? 20 Moments That Rocked Pop That’s So 1985

4:30pm

5 News Tonight FIA World Rally Championship Highlights All New Traffic Cops Chris Tarrant’s Extreme Railway Journeys Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away! From Hell

5:00pm

Why Can’t Britain Sleep?: Tonight Emmerdale Coronation Street I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! ITV News at Ten and Weather ITV News London The Late Debate Murder, She Wrote

10:00pm 11:00pm 11:55pm 1:00am

Four in a Bed Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Secret Life of the Zoo Grand Designs 60 Days in Jail 24 Hours in A and E Random Acts

ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Countrywise Coronation Street I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! ITV News and Weather ITV News London

6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

Four in a Bed Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Unreported World Jamie’s Super Food Food Unwrapped Gogglebox The Last Leg First Dates

6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

ITV News and Weather Tipping Point Meet the Parents The X Factor I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! ITV News and Weather American Gangster Jackpot247

5:00pm 5:30pm

Off Their Rockers The Next Great Magician The X Factor Results Live I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! ITV News and Weather Peston on Sunday Aviva Premiership Rugby Highlights

9:00pm

Gino’s Italian Escape: Hidden Italy Coronation Street I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! ITV News Local News and Weather The Agenda Fierce Jackpot247

6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm

Fishing Impossible The Martin Lewis Money Show I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! ITV News Local News and Weather On Assignment Judge Rinder Crime Stories

6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street This Time Next Year I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! ITV News Local News and Weather UEFA Champions League Highlights Jackpot247

3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 12:00am

10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am 2:05am 3:00am 3:55am

9:00pm 10:00pm 12:00am 1:00am 4:10am

10:00pm

12:05am 1:35am

10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

Four in a Bed Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Supershoppers Tricks of the Restaurant Trade Our Guy in China First Dates The Lie Detective Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Breaking the Silence Live What Britain Earns with Mary Portas One Killer Punch 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Countdown Deal or No Deal Coast v Country Four in a Bed Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Supervet 24 Hours in A and E Kids on the Edge Gogglebox

7:30pm 8:00pm

9:00pm 10:00pm

11:00pm 12:05am 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 12:00am 12:30am

7:00pm 8:00pm 11:15pm 12:15am 12:45am

6:15pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 11:30pm 12:30am 1:00am

8:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:30am 1:30am

5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 12:00am 12:15am

Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight All New Traffic Cops The Yorkshire Vet Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild The Boy Who’ll Never Grow Up The Hotel Inspector Returns

7:00pm

Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight Ben Fogle: The Great African Migration GPs: Behind Closed Doors Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away! Undercover The Nightmare Neighbour Next Door

6:30pm 7:00pm 8:00pm

8:00pm 8:15pm 8:30pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 12:00am

8:30pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am

Boxing Gold Barclays Premier League World Football’s Greatest Premier League Match Pack Sporting Heroes Live Grand Slam of Darts La Liga Show NFL Game Changers Premier League Match Pack The Fantasy Football Club Football The Fantasy Football Club Barclays Premier League Preview My Fight: Kovalev/ Ward Soccer A.M. Football Gillette Soccer Saturday Football Boxing Nissan Game of the Day Nissan Match Choice Football Football Live Nissan Super Sunday Live Grand Slam of Darts Goals on Sunday Football International Rugby Highlights ATP World Tour Final Highlights Football Great Sporting Moments Football Boxing Gold Soccer AM: The Best Bits 2016/17 Fight Night International Football SPFL Round Up Football Gold Premier League Review SPFL Round-Up Football Gold Gillette Soccer Special La Liga World Spanish Gold Spanish Gold Premier League Review Darts Gold Football’s Greatest Barclays Premier League World Gillette Soccer Special Barclays Premier League World Football Gold Premier League Review

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

Everyone got it wrong – except the voters! halls of politics accomplishing little more t han m aki ng desi gner pant suits popular and herself unfathomably rich. She had an instant reply to any question (primarily as she knew well ahead of time what was going to be asked; unlike her competitors). She knew every dirty trick and sleight of hand in those revered hallowed halls of political correctness (nudge nudge, wink wink). And when her backroom dealings caught up with her, there was always the flag she could wrap herself behind or the fact that a political conspiracy was being used against her womanly being. For the casual European observer the entire election campaign for the world’s highest ofJS fice lacked little in beton e/S hu ing compared to a tte rsto good ol d ck. com British farce

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.

I SUPPOSE it was a miracle. P robab l y so m e t h i n g m o re th a n that. All made worse by the media who constantly reported how far ahead Hillary was in the poll. Made doubly worse by a candidate who appeared to be running a campaign on his own terms and furthermore insulting almost every s pecia l g r o u p h e c o u ld fin d . Women, Muslims, homosexuals, blacks, Latinos, the educated, the paralytic and those that couldn’t read newspapers. A narcissistic kamikaze on the high dive, who most likely couldn’t swim either. But obviously, Trump didn’t care. He kept his red tie, his swa g g e r a n d h is b lu n t straight talk of constant ridicule. Meanwhile Hillary kept her political d i g n i t y, h e r a p lo mb a n d presidential poise as allegations poured d o wn u p o n h e r p a ra d e from the FBI and Wikileaks. She was bullet-proof, like a mythical character from Marvel comic books.

HILLARY CLINTON: She had an instant reply to any question. Oh, and the media, every damn station confirmed it hourly, daily and weekly. She brought in rock stars, testaments from dead Mus-

lim soldier parents, and popular personages confirming her political worth beyond reproach. For 15 years she had roamed the

or a typical American slapstick comedy. This dramatic scene was confirmed nightly through the TV pundits announcing their inner an-

notations concerning the affair that verged on the ridiculous. The next day’s journalist affirmed the same posturing. The wisest of this murder of cr ows cr oaked t hat t he vot e “would be for the lesser of two evils” more or less. Polls confirmed such and vigilantes in the street screamed resolutions of the same deep intellect. No-one consulted the indignant vot er, t r ul y f ed up wi t h l yi ng pol i t i ci ans get t i ng f at on t hei r dime. Change had come to America from the people. They all well remembered Obama’s mantra of immediately closing Guantanamo Bay but his meagre efforts over ei ght year s never am ount ed t o more than a stomach belch squirted to the foolish, gullible and true believers. We t he peopl e vot ed and put paid to that old adage of Bovine excr em ent al ways wi nni ng t he day. Reaffirming such, America’s turn of the century cowboy sage, Will Rogers, wrote; “All I know is what I read in the newspapers, and that’s truly an alibi for ignorance.”

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

ITV axes DCI Banks after six years and cancels Brief Encounters too Richard Shanley

Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL

ITV is calling time on two major drama series: say goodbye to both DCI Banks and Brief Encounters. Based on Peter Robinson’s crime novels, DCI Banks starred Stephen Tompkinson and has aired five series since 2010. The most recent run of episodes concluded just last month, killing off long-running character Annie Cabbot (Andrea Lowe). “After five series, ITV has taken the decision not to recommission DCI Banks,” the broadcaster said in a statement. Brief Encounters, which launched on the channel in July, has also been dropped, with no second series in store. Set in the early 80s, the show starred Sophie Rundle, Angela

JILL GASCOINE (above): Is in the advanced stage of Alzheimer’s.

Griffin, Penelope Wilton and Sharon Rooney as four women

whose lives change forever when they start selling Ann Summers

lingerie and sex toys. “As a broadcaster we seek to commission a diverse range of drama and as a consequence continually refresh our drama portfolio,” ITV said. On the plus side, ITV is bringing back Cold Feet for a second (or is that seventh?) series, and will be returning to court for more of Jenna Coleman’s Victoria. Gentle Touch star Jill Gascoine is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, according to her husband Alfred Molina. Molina has acknowledged that the 79year-old TV star, who played detective Maggie Forbes in both The Gentle Touch and spinoff C.A.T.S. Eyes, has a ‘bleak’ prognosis after being diagnosed seven years ago. “Every Alzheimer ’s case is unique unto itself, the only thing that unites them all is the outcome is always the same. Ultimately, you end up on the same path,” he told the Radio Times. “It’s not like cancer or an ill-

ness that announces itself. With cancer you’ve got a fighting chance, you can gather your resources and focus on it and, with luck, you can conquer it. “Alzheimer’s is a cowardly disease. It creeps up on you from behind and by the time you realise you’ve got it you’re probably not realising much else. It’s a stinker.” If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or to expand on anything I have written about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europa-digital.com I look forward to your comments and questions. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show every weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 & 106.8FM, now covering almost 3000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalmeria.spec trumfm.net for the latest news and views from the world of satellite television.

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

A change: for better or worse? 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.

I HAVE so far resisted the temptation to become involved in the debate regarding the run up to the Presidential Election in the United States. It’s not really my brief and besides, there are others writing on the subject who are far more erudite than me. However, with the result now in and the flood of angst and hostility that we are witnessing on social media and in the press, I am experiencing a déjà vu moment. Although the circumstances are somewhat different, we are again witnessing the hysterical outpouring that occurred, and is still occurring, over Britain’s vote to leave the European Union. The tyranny of the minority is once again in full vigour, accusing the majori-

Trump who has come across during the long campaign as coarse, boorish, vulgar and insensitive in the extreme. But as with Brexit, it illustrates yet again how utterly sick to the back teeth ordinary people are with the present corrupt political system. When somebody like Trump can be elected

Pho to C redi t Wi kim edia .

Colin Bird

ty of being racist, uneducated, ill-informed and ignorant, along with other more savoury language. Once again we have a democratic vote being savaged by those who, whilst professing to love democracy, are happy to stamp it under foot in order to get their own way. I have no particular liking for Donald

PRESIDENT TRUMP: If he learns to temper his language he may just surprise us all.

to the highest office in the world, it tells us in no uncertain terms how desperately in need we are of a complete sanitising of the present political systems in the US and Europe. The domination by vested interests over our everyday lives and their influence on political decisions, is what Trump is referring to when he talks of ‘draining the swamp’ when he reaches the White House. One of the biggest criticisms of the man is that he is not, and has never been, a politician. But isn’t that a plus? Trump may be the answer to the concerns of the average American and he may not, but once he has his feet firmly established in the Oval Office, it is to be hoped that with the right people around him, he will learn to temper his language and acquire a smattering of diplomacy. If he can do this, then just possibly he will surprise us all. Because one thing that he represents and resonates with many is change, and change is what we need.

Photo Credit: J Rawls flickr

Smuggling: a way of life John Smith Random thoughts... WHILST I was waiting for a Grua to come to my assistance when my car broke down on the sea front the other week in La Linea de la Concepcion, I witnessed an incredibly slick smuggling operation which was over in the blink of an eye. At 4pm precisely on November 5, a small boat with an outboard motor carrying two men and some packages shot up to the sea wall and immediately a young man on a motorbike wearing a helmet and a scarf around his face drove onto the promenade, leant over and took three la rg e p a c k a g e s fro m th e hands of the man not steering the boat. He then drove straight across four lanes of traffic, over a low reservation into a large housing estate made up of blocks of flats with narrow paths by them and promptly disappeared. Whilst this was happening, the boat turned around and

LA LINEA: The seafront near where the package exchange happened. shot off at high speed towards Algeciras. One can only surmise as to what the three parcels contained, but it is unlikely that they held a few cartons of cigarettes from Gibraltar rather they almost certainly would have contained drugs smuggled

over from Morocco or even South America. Some could argue that I should have photographed all of this and the n c onta c te d the polic e but it happened so quickly there was little I could do and in hindsight, I don’t think that I would have done

EWN

OUR VIEW

Dirty election campaign.

Photo Credit: Olya Steckel Shutterstock.

OPINION & COMMENT

The American election battle SOMEONE said there could be a terrible person elected as President of the United States but failing that, someone even worse could be elected. This has probably been the dirtiest presidential election since the 1800 Jefferson v Adams election when incumbent vice-president Thomas Jefferson accused fellow signatory to the Declaration of Independence and incumbent president John Adams of being a “hideous hermaphroditical character” whilst Adams said “Great God of compassion and justice, shield my country from destruction.” Pollsters seem surprised that Hillary Clinton wasn’t elected. They have overlooked the fact that people may have been embarrassed to admit they like Donald Trump and many legal immigrants agree the illegals who could steal their jobs should be thrown out. The Clintons are branded as heads of a crime family, with the Foundation being a useful way of laundering money whilst Trump’s critics suggest he has made money at the expense of others and when it suits him declares bankruptcy. The initial indication of how this affects Spain and our readers is quite well. The dollar has fallen which has helped the pound and at the time of writing sterling has risen 5 per cent against the euro which suits those with funds in pounds which need transferred over. Hillary Clinton has a reputation as someone who believes in a strong defence policy and was likely to increase tension with Russia whilst Donald Trump seems to admire Putin and should bring tension down. Time will tell but the result is unlikely to be a disaster for Europe.

anything anyway. Simply put, I was with my wife and had I taken a photograph of the small boat and the men in it on my phone, how am I to know that they didn’t have guns or could easily have turned round and attacked us? It‘s not that long ago that the soc a lle d ‘ Wi nst on Boys’ used t o stand on the beaches of La Linea waiting for boats to bring in contraband tobacco and if the Local Polic e t r i ed t o st op t hem , t her e were so many locals on the beach that they would simply beat the police officers up. In a small town where effectively everyone knows everyone else, especially where there is great deal of poverty, people have a tendency to mind their own business and just let things happen without getting involved. It may not be t he m ost her oi c thing to do, but family will often come first and heroes tend to be Now we few and far between. want to One thing is for sure however, hear your views. whoever planned this audacious piece of smuggling must have YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE done it many times before in or- YOUR OPINION der for the actions to be so meticwww.euroweeklynews.com ulous.

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

SPONSORED BY

EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREA

Word Ladder

Fri Sat Sun -

‘DARLING - DID YOU SEE HOW I BLEW YOU A KISS WHILE APPEARING ON THE ONE O’CLOCK TV SHOW?’

however, a balance to be found. Don't be put off by people who have become sloppy in their approach because this is not going to affect you.

(October 24 - November 22)

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Are you still patting yourself on the back for that recent achievement? Socially, this is a lovely week when old friendships are strengthened and new acquaintances prove to be relaxing. It is another mellow week but one in which you seriously consider making a major change.

pace anticipated, now the pace certainly picks up. Finances are still firmly on the agenda, but this time you will be able to deal on a more relaxed basis. A contact made recently gives you the opportunity not only to make some money but also to enlarge your circle of friends.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Be your charming self this week without pushing too much. A natural approach when you are seeking a response is the best course of action. Simply being in the right place and under someone's gaze is all that is required. Are you getting itchy because an offer is not forthcoming? Well, if you absolutely must, then get a little bird to whisper in their ear.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Make a point of putting on a happy face and your mood will stay high. There is still some more to be done to improve your social life and a recent offer of charity work may be just the thing. Avoid restricting the sort of folk whom you are willing to mix with. Cultural differences apart, it is quite an eye-opener to find out how others live and think.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) It is clear that you really love your hearth and home but, every now and again, there is a small voice calling. The good things in life appeal and, to have these, an effort is involved. Do not underestimate the amount of pleasure that you will enjoy when putting in that extra effort. It does, after all, involve other people.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Being considerably more relaxed about those things which cannot be changed has taken a weight from your shoulders. It is also easier to understand why others have taken this approach in the past. There is,

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Although last week was not run at the

TALL FALL FILL FILE FIVE DIVE

Saturday November 12

BONUS BALL

EURO MILLIONS Tuesday November 5

Friday November 11

9 49

47 50

LUCKY STARS

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

22 38

23 49

LUCKY STARS

LA PRIMITIVA

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

Saturday November 12

Sunday November 13

REINTEGRO

42 48

46 53

REINTEGRO

MAX MIN

22 12 S 20 11 S 20 11 S

Mon - 18 12 C Tues - 18 12 Sh Wed - 17 10 Sh

Mallorca

THUNDER MAX 34C, MIN 24C

MAX 20C, MIN 9C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 33 25 Th Tues - 33 25 Th Wed - 33 24 Th

33 24 Th 32 24 Th 32 24 Th

CLEAR

TODAY:

MAX MIN

20 11 Cl 19 11 C 20 11 C

Mon - 21 12 S Tues - 21 12 Cl Wed - 19 12 Sh

Murcia

SUNNY MAX 20C, MIN 12C

S Sun,

MAX 22C, MIN 8C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 21 13 S Tues - 20 13 C Wed - 19 13 Sh

23 12 S 21 10 C 21 12 Cl

SUNNY

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Cl Clear,

Sh Showers,

F Fog, Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

24 10 S 22 9 Cl 20 9 C

Mon - 21 9 C Tues - 20 10 C Wed - 20 10 C

C Cloudy, Th Thunder

Nonagram

How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case M) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed. TARGET: • Average: 10 • Good: 14 • Very good: 20 • Excellent: 26

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION erne peer peri pert pier rein rent rete ripe rite tern tier tire tree trip enter inert inter niter nitre preen prier print retie ripen riper titer titre trier trine tripe trite entire netter perter renter repent repine retire tenter tinter triter pettier printer rentier reprint terrine preterit prettier INTERPRET

Sudoku

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

LOTTERY

Mon - 13 5 Sh Tues - 12 5 Sh Wed - 12 4 Sh

SUNNY MAX 19C, MIN 9C

TODAY:

Mon - 20 13 Cl Tues - 19 13 Sh Wed - 18 13 Sh

21 12 S 21 12 Cl 19 12 S

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) A pleasant surprise makes you a little more optimistic midweek. It is possible for you to take on negativity too quickly. The next time something does not go according to plan, hold fire. It is amazing what a little time and distance will solve.

IRISH LOTTO

MAX 260C, MIN 11C

Benidorm TODAY:

MAX MIN

15 3 C 13 3 C 12 4 C

Malaga

SUNNY

MAX MIN

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) There is so much that has come to light in the past few weeks. It is no wonder that your mind is reeling. All will become clear in the weeks ahead and this cannot be rushed. However, there is a need to look after your health and get out in the fresh air. Any thought of joining a walking club or health group should be pursued.

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

Fri Sat Sun -

Barcelona TODAY:

MAX 16C, MIN 4C

MAX MIN

Mon - 20 13 S Tues - 20 13 C Wed - 19 12 Sh

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

something that we become less tolerant of after a situation has gone on for a time.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) A meeting midweek could mean a change to your finances for the better. In the short term, it may be necessary for you to rearrange money and appointments but try not to be too put out. Change is perhaps

MAX MIN

24 12 S 21 11 C 20 12 Cl

CLEAR

TODAY:

Almeria TODAY:

Having put in extra effort to bring a zing into your life, it is important that you keep the impetus going. This is not only good for your health and wealth, but also your mind. Although trying something new brings a few odd remarks your way, try not to be

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Your mind is still sharp this week and there are many questions that you would like answered. Doing a bit of research proves fruitful and also quite amusing. A recent contact may not come up with the proposition hoped for, but realise that it is still early days.

Madrid

SUNNY MAX 20C, MIN 11C MAX MIN

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) There is still a strong accent on family matters and getting things sorted out. The way ahead is clear. If you are able to persuade someone that an idea was theirs and not yours, so much the better. Being in a practical mood serves you well because it is possible to get a lot done in the next few days. The weekend, however, is another matter.

for next 7 days

Alicante

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

TALL TOLL DOLL DOLE DOVE DIVE or

YOUR STARS

Weather TODAY:

Solution TALL TILL TILE TIME DIME DIVE or

DIVE BACK

MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

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

TALL

TIME

www.euroweeklynews.com

OUT

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE

page

Enjoy filling in the following puzzles and check the answers in next week’s edition

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC

Code Breaker

Quick Across 1 Seashore (5) 4 Well liked (7) 8 Making of maps and charts (11) 9 Roomy (8) 10 Run away quickly (4) 12 Informal (6) 13 Strikes hard of heavily (6) 16 Revolve (4) 18 Single-reed woodwind instrument (8) 21 Psychic (11) 22 Inexplicably strange (7) 23 Provoking fear or terror (5)

Down 1 Endorses (5) 2 Unpaid overdue debt (7) 3 Ruffian (8) 4 Chase after (6) 5 Young dogs (4) 6 Faithful (5) 7 Set right (7)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

SPONSORED BY

Crossword

EWN

Across:

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 6 represents X and 15 represents Q, so fill in X every time the figure 6 appears and Q every time the figure 15 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.

1 Rhine, 4 Confess, 8 Belligerent, 9 Sweetpea, 10 Fail, 12 Rasher, 13 Cannes, 16 Sock, 18 Pleasant, 21 Right as rain, 22 Suspend, 23 Adage. Down: 1 Robes, 2 Illness, 3 Epistles, 4 Clever, 5 Need, 6 Extra, 7 Samples, 11 Malaysia, 12 Resents, 14 Niagara, 15 Elated, 17 Cards, 19 Tense, 20 Ogle.

QUICK Across: 11 Gigantic (8) 12 Pirate's sword (7) 14 Musical composition based on text (7) 15 Relating to flowers (6)

English - Spanish

Down:

The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.

Across 2 Gust of wind (5) 6 Taboo (4) 7 Rezar (4) 8 Barato (económico) (5) 9 Espalda (4) 10 Lion (4) 11 Sonrisa (5) 12 Eyebrow (4) 13 Cola (de animal, avión, cometa) (4) 14 To quote (writer, line, passage, source) (5) 15 Yema (de huevo) (4) 16 Age (of person, animal, building) (4) 17 Estilo (manera) (5)

1 Cloudy, 2 Risky, 3 Soccer, 4 Strip, 5 Fragile, 6 Runner, 8 Stink, 13 Imagine, 15 Annoy, 16 Stains, 17 Accept, 18 Fasten, 20 Small, 22 Sects.

ENGLISH-SPANISH

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Across: 1 Other, 4 Guapo, 7 Igual, 8 After, 9 Aun, 10 Team, 11 Inch, 13 Paz, 15 Reina, 16 Ahora, 17 Enero, 18 Avena. Down: 1 Odio, 2 Housewife, 3 Relampago, 4 Granizada, 5 Artichoke, 6 Obra, 12 Free, 14 Lata.

Down 1 Passengers (9) 2 Mochilas (9) 3 Química (9) 4 Manzano (5-4) 5 Popcorn (9)

Hexagram

1 Curious, 4 Safer, 7 Oasis, 9 Certain, 10 Daytime, 11 Prize, 12 Picks, 14 Eager, 19 Traps, 21 Canasta, 23 Imitate, 24 Yacht, 25 Steal, 26 Treason.

17 Happen again (5) 19 Cheap and tawdry (5) 20 Enclosure for animals (4)

Cryptic 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 (SORTIE) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.

CENSUS FRENZY GIBBET GRATIS HASTEN HITHER LEGATE POTENT RABBET RUSTLE

SENIOR SERIES SLATER SORTIE (10) SPARSE STRAFE STRAIN TEETER TREBLE

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Phrase 2 Ersatz 3 Sheave 4 Anyone 5 Course 6 Sleety 7 Sultan 8 Touchy 9 Astray 10 Lounge 11 Thwart 12 Stereo 13 Origin 14 Oxcart 15 Urging 16 Liable 17 Exeunt 18 Angled 19 Fungal.

Across 1 Girdles for small trees (6) 4 Weapon that can demolish, or rebuild (6) 9 The new rate of the play area (7) 10 Agreements for the first queen with a woman’s title (5) 11 Part of the play is witnessed, we hear (5) 12 Warn of Le Havre boundary (7) 13 Sacred ruin is yellow (6) 15 Hack is awfully chesty (6) 18 Book the substitute (7) 20 Fish in corner (5) 23 To lower a root (5) 24 Shocked if I celebrated in the building (7) 25 Kindling can turn red (6) 26 Change one’s mind about period of fasting (6) Down 1 Set is back in places (5) 2 The bourgeoisie generally take part in a blockade (5) 3 Fanatical former lover has a faulty meter (7) 5 Further change of route (5) 6 High rocky hill split by heavy rain (7) 7 Rest of rise is incorrect and now owing (7) 8 Part time worker has nothing like the rhythm 17 Hilaire Belloc uncovered protestor (5) (5) 19 It concerns Adam’s wife and a local official 13 Tavern’s crazy retainer (7) (5) 14 Refrain from crab’s tainted meat (7) 21 Manual for a director (5) 16 Poison found in any iced cocktail (7)

22 Maintain river, right? (5)

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

LETTERS

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION

Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments straight on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com

Healthcare access for pensioners I AM a pensioner resident in Spain for many years living on my military pension taxed at source in UK, but also now having to be declared here, and my state ‘old age’ pension. Whilst I would miss any future increases it would not make much difference as last year the state pension raise was paltry and my military pension received zero raise. Of more concern is what to do if the reciprocal health agreement for pensioners was cancelled as private medical companies will not take on existing conditions, which many pensioners have, even if they can afford it. At present I could enter the Spanish system via the ‘conveno especial’ and pay my way but will that change with Brexit? Should all this fail my last hope would be the Vienna Convention on the Law of treaties 1969 in which it states that individuals have acquired rights built up over time and hold, despite any changes in future treaties enacted by their nation. Would this apply to the above in the case of Brexit? Brian, Javea

Raw nerve IN my opinion the EWN is a very good read but the content of the letters page does sometimes provoke two strong opposing urges, one is to laugh and the other to cry. This week is one of those times. The letter I refer to is the one entitled ‘Emigrants vs Expats’ written by Gerald in Alicante. Gerald gets off to a good start by gratuitously insulting Marian of Gloucester. Then he erroneously states that a British subject moving from Britain to any member state of the EU is the equivalent of a Texan moving to Florida. Unfortunately, he’s completely wrong. The Texan when he gets to Florida will still be a US citizen whereas the Brit who moves to Spain will always be a foreigner here. I know, I came here in 1982 with my Spanish wife and 34 years on I’m still a foreigner although I’m totally integrated into Spanish society. He goes on to ramble a bit about giving up British citizenship and ‘their obligation under British law’ then says their taxes are still paid in the UK on their pensions. Well, they’re not. That may be the case for some but certainly not for all. I ceased to be liable to pay tax in the UK the day in 1983 when the Inland Revenue accept-

Photographs for possible publication should be sent by email with a full caption to: photonews@euroweeklynews.com

to get rid of them? The stink from the food, urine, faeces, etc. is terrible. Admin have said we need to go to court or the police but advised we would need to pursue it, not him. The president says it’s not her problem. We are at our wits’ end!!! B Dyer, Mallorca

Brexit retort

Country’s true colours NOVEMBER 11 is the day every year when millions of people pay just lip service to ‘the fallen,’ completely forgetting the ones that came back with body parts missing and minds somewhere else... For months I have been emailing, tweeting and phoning to try and get something done about the 90 per cent of borough councils that rob ‘our heroes’ of their compensation for war wounds, to pay for their care. Just scum. All my communications to royalty, the Prime Minis-

ed that I’d EMIGRATED. Then it gets worse. Gerald tells us that we have a right to vote in British elections for a Member of Parliament. Sorry Gerald, that is not the case for a huge number of Brits resident in Spain. At this point I started to wonder how long Gerald has been in Spain and when he started to read the local press, he has certainly touched a raw nerve with that comment. Ed, Manilva

Shock and awe WELL, it’s finally happened, along with the shock of Brexit, Trump, trumping Clinton, and finally, having something in common with Leapy Lee. My goodness, after all his crackpot

ter and MPs, celebs, county and local councillors and many institutions, have mainly fallen on deaf ears. These are people that wring their hands in public, get paid ‘holidays’ to fly around the world supposedly ‘raising awareness of our boys’ but behind closed doors raise a digit to the real memory. Shameful! The Local Government Ombudsman has said that injury compensation should not be taken to pay for care. Once again a digit is raised as the LGO has no way of forcing this. Shameful! Keith, Blackpool

ideas, he’s finally wrote something which I totally endorse, the demise of comedy and sitcoms on TV. The thought of spending more than 10 seconds watching McIntyre makes me yearn for the sight of Eric Morecombe sat down in giant khaki shorts, Rene (Allo Allo) in the cafe, conversing with Gruber about his little tank, Ted from Hi-de-Hi! scheming about his next scam and the unforgettable Two Ronnie’s in the quiz sketch answering questions in the wrong order, brilliant memories. What we have now is a Geordie female who couldn’t get a smile out of playdoh along with a host of unfunny funnymen? Oh for the dulcet tones of the sergeant (Windsor Davies) in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum calling for ‘Mr Bloody La De Da Gunner Gra-

hame.’ Classic. Philip, San Fulgencio

Feral felines I HAVE an apartment in Puerto Pollensa, Mallorca. Our community has 18 apartments. I am on the middle floor and below me is an English woman tenant who has been feeding and is now breeding feral cats. At our AGMs in 2015 and 2016 the matter was brought up and she said she would do something but she hasn’t. More kittens arrived in March and again in September so there are now 12+ cats. One neighbour discovered a cat had given birth under a cover on their furniture! Does anyone know what we can do

IT was disappointing to see such a one-sided and unbalanced view of Brexit in last week’s edition of EWN. I refer, of course, to the views expressed by the owner of Pimlico Plumbers whose main argument seems to centre around the increased cost of boiler parts, supplies and other matters which affect his business. “The writing’s on the wall,” “the pound is falling,” he states. As I write it’s rising and was a good deal lower in value three years ago, long before anyone had heard of the word ‘Brexit.’ “The disadvantages of leaving outweigh the benefits,” how does he know, nothing has been decided yet, apart from the people’s decision that we must leave the EU. He speaks about ‘lies’ espoused by Brexiteers but makes no mention of the lies of ‘project fear’ broadcast by those who wished to remain; he asserts that “a 52/48 per cent majority wasn’t really the will of the people,” it’s a helluva lot more when expressed in millions and as a university study later revealed, expressed on a constituency basis such as in a general election, it would have been 60/40 and resulted in a landslide victory. He states 650 MPs didn’t get involved but seems to be unaware parliament voted 6/1 in favour of a referendum, whereby the people of the UK would decide whether the country should remain in or leave the EU! The referendum was not about what was best for the expat community and people who have chosen to leave the UK for a ‘better’ life abroad, it was about what was considered to be best for the UK going forward. Ken, San Fulgencio

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:

www.euroweeklynews.com

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.

HEALTH BEAUTY

Costa de Almería

17 - 23 November 2016

TO READ MORE

EWN

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.EWNLIFESTYLE.COM

Advertising feature

Head, shoulders and spine above the competition CENTRO PHYSIS are experts in treating bone-related conditions including disc problems, arthrosis, arthritis, knee problems, repetitive strain injury and many other ailments. Its founder, Mónica Algañaraz, has more than 40 years’ experience working with traumatologists and patients in Argentina and Madrid. Dealing with back and joint pain can be extremely difficult until you find the right specialist for you. Many patients come to the centre for rehabilitation after a hip or knee replacement operation or after suffering an accident. The main problem, Mónica stresses, is bad posture. “If the vertebrae are misaligned, the brain underperforms and this can lead to the development of a number of conditions,” she adds. The best way to keep a healthy back according to Mónica is to avoid lifting too much weight while bending down, bend the knees, not the back and when standing, change the side you lean on every now and again so you don’t stay in the same position for too long. The key to remedying your back and

Staying well this winter ACCORDING to the Influenza Surveillance System in Spain, each year episodes of flu hit their peak between December and February, but already, with the drop in temperatures, cases are being reported. As a result, it is essential to protect yourself from catching flu, but many people still do not know the difference between the flu and the common cold. Although the symptoms can be similar, they are not the same and do not require the same medication. Flu is caused by the influenza virus and has an incubation period of one to two days. Its symptoms are stronger and more intense than a cold with fever, muscle weakness, coughing and lethargy. A cold is not symptomatic with a fever. For most, simple bed rest and drinking lots of fluid is the best and only remedy for flu. You can however take medication for the fever such as ibuprofen.

needs. Back pain knows no age, with patients of any age wel com e at Centro Physis. It is a m oder n i nst al l at i on with a very welcoming therapy room, which when combined with Mónica’s professional and cal m i ng m anner, makes for a very relaxed environment. With just a short check-up, Mónica will identify your problem and come up with a plan of action to fix it. This initial test usually takes no more than 15 minutes and lets her know crucial information about the health of your spinal column. The Centro Physis clinic is located on the Valle del Este golf resort in Vera inside the commercial centre. There is ample parking as well as cafés and bars nearby if family members wish to wait outside the clinic. To book an appointment contact Móni ca by phone on 695 355 381, by email at monica@centrophysis.net or visit www.centrophysis.net.

The best way to keep a healthy back is to avoid lifting too much weight when bending down.

MÓNICA ALGAÑARAZ: Will treat you in a professional and calming manner. joint pain, according to Mónica, is a mixture of a number of different therapies including osteopathy, physiotherapy and

posture alignment. Each patient is treated individually and is recommended for a course of treatment based on their own

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de AlmerĂa

www.euroweeklynews.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Increased number of children are surviving cancer MORE and more children are fighting, and beating, cancer. With advancements in research into the disease, the news is welcomed, but a report said up to one in four survivors of childhood cancer still report health

SURVIVAL RATES: Have improved dramatically.

1 in four survivors of childhood cancers still report problems later in life. problems later in life. This figure, according to the report of researchers in the Annals of Internal Medicine is almost identical to the rate in the 1970s. The objective of the report was to compare the health a m o n g childhood

cancer survivors across three decades, as they looked at 14,566 adults aged from 18 to 48 who were treated for cancer and had survived for more than five years after the initial diagnosis. The report concluded that survival rates had improved substantially over the past 30 years but the health status among survivors has not seen the same improvement. Survivors are still at risk of developing secondary cancers and cancer treatment can leave many infer-

tile. Radiation therapy to the brain is also reported to affect development. It comes as singer Michael BublĂŠ confirmed his three year-old son Noah, had been diagnosed with liver cancer and has started chemotherapy treatment. BublĂŠ and his wife, Luisana Lopilato, announced their heartbreak on social media as their eldest son was taken to the doctors thinking he had mumps. After tests in Argentina he was taken to the USA where further tests revealed cancer.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Ask The Doctor

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de AlmerĂa

www.euroweeklynews.com

Brought to you by

Dealing with a frozen shoulder

EWN

A winter boost for healthy hair THAT natural, healthy summer glow has long faded and our thoughts turn to wrapping up for the winter months. Everyone sheds hair everyday but for men, and sometimes women, it can become noticeably thinner the older you get.

4 SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte. WHAT is frozen shoulder? Frozen shoulder is a condition in which the muscles and ligaments of the shoulder hurt and lose movement due to inflammation. What can cause it? The capsule of the shoulder joint has ligaments attaching the shoulder bones to each other. When inflammation of the capsule occurs, these bones are unable to move freely in the joint. Most of the time, there is no cause for inflammation. Risk factors include: diabetes, thyroid disorders, menopause, previous shoulder injury, previous shoulder surgery, cervical disc disease, etc. What is the best course of treatment to follow? Treatment should be started with anti-inflammatories and painkillers, along with applying heat to the affected area. If this is not enough, injections can be done to reduce the symptoms. Physical therapy often

improves stiffness and pain. In certain cases, surgery is necessary. How long does recovery take? The recovery can last several months, often requiring treatment with pills, injections and rehabilitation for a long time. What are some general tips for muscle injuries? When any type of injury occurs in which joints such as the shoulder are affected due to the injury of the surrounding muscles and tendons, it is necessary to visit a specialist in the human musculoskeletal system as well as consulting with a physiotherapist. Adequate and timely treatment can often prevent complications such as full limb stiffness, which limits mobility, as well as avoiding more aggressive treatments. Physical therapy is one of the most important elements in this disease since the strengthening of the shoulder joint helps a prompt and successful recovery.

If you have any questions for Dr Perez Belmonte, please send them to: jefemedico@helicopterossanitarios.com

drops of peppermint oil mixed with one egg should bring a shine to your hair. There are also genetic or hormonal reasons why some people may lose more hair than others or why some experience a sudden increase. It can also become more apparent during the change of season but experts say they are not 100 per cent clear on the reasons why. But there are some things you can do to try and minimise hair loss and give your locks a boost. Try an essential oil massage that can be done quickly and easily at home. Massage boosts the circulation in the scalp and keeps follicles active. Lavender oil in an almond or sesame oil

CHANGING SEASON: Hair loss can become more apparent.

base is a good natural choice. If oils are not to hand, egg is also believed to be a good treatment. Massage in the egg oil and leave overnight before washing off with a mild shampoo. Continued weekly use can

help prevent hair fall and some even believe it helps prevent greying. Aloe vera and coconut oil is also a good choice. Lifestyle choices will also play an impact on how healthy and vibrant your hair is. Protein

rich foods and foods high in Vitamin B12 will provide nutrients to strengthen hair and help prevent hair loss. Hair buddha.net say mix one egg with four drops of peppermint oil to give a more pleasant smell.

E W N Costa de Almería

17 - 23 November 2016

VISIT WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM/FEATURES/RESTAURANTS

TO READ MORE

Colour does not matter

Relax for a good cause COME and relax at a charity Therapy Day on Saturday November 19, in order to raise monies for the animal rescue Perros Sin Casa in Huercal-Overa, plus the Turre food bank. There will be a variety of therapies on offer, including Thai Reflexology Reiki, reflexology, Indian head massage, osteopath, craneosacral, back or foot massage, facial massage, Tarot card readings and more. Taster Therapies will be available for just €6. The event takes place at Sansonora Mojacar from 10.30am-3pm. Sansonora is on Calle Piedra Villazar 4, the same street as Currency Direct and behind the pharmacy. Please call Sharon on 662 061 048 for more information.

SCENE

OCIAL

POPULAR MUSIC: Nijar’s Cultural Association band will perform music by Mecano.

A tribute to the great By Eleanor Hawkins FANS of music by Mecano, a highly popular Spanish pop group from the 80’s and 90’s, are in luck as Nijar’s Cultural Association band is putting on two tribute performances on Saturday, November 19. Tickets can be obtained in advance at a price of €10 from the town hall, Lorca 41, Nijate or Tejidos Zambra in Almeria City or for €12 at the ticket office an hour before the 7pm and 10pm performances at the Villa de Nijar Scenic Arts Centre.

The Eternal Mecano shows will include music adapted by Franisco Andreu Comos played by the local band with singing by Laia Benaches, Angel Bellido and Aisha Bordas. The event has been organised by the association in collaboration with the council’s Culture, Education and Festivities department and Infinity Eventos y Producciones. Culture councillor Yolanda Lozano stressed the popularity of the local band, which never fails to surprise audiences, and encouraged all who grew up to the sounds of Mecano to attend.

CUEVAS DEL ALMANZORA Council’s Youth department has deemed the first edition of its Colours Festival, held at the Parque del Recreo, a great success. Organised in collaboration with the Junta de Andalucia regional government’s Andalucian Youth Institute, the festival was aimed at youngsters aged between 14 and 30 to promote harmonious relations under the motto: We’re all the same, though of different colours. Youth councillor Miriam Quintana said: “We’re very pleased as hundreds of people took part in the event, which aimed to encourage equality regardless of race or colour.” Participants received t-shirts, glasses and coloured dust with which to adorn themselves and were entertained by a number of DJs. The council has launched a competition for photos taken on the day and the best will receive a ticket to Dreambeach 2017.

SOCIAL SCENE

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

Mojacar hosts ‘Vera Photo Club’ exhibition

VERA PHOTO CLUB: The exhibition is open to the public until November 30. LAST Friday saw the inauguration of a photography exhibition by the collective ‘Vera Photo Club’. The show, organised by Mojacar Town Council in the ‘La Fuente’ Art Centre, will be open to the public until November 30. The opening was attended by the mayor of Mojacar, Rosmari Cano, and Raquel Belmonte, Mojacar councillor for Culture, who showed their interest in the works on show and the methods used in their production. They were accompanied by members of the Vera Photo Club Collective, as well as the large audience that attended the opening of the exhibition. For the fourth consecutive year in Mojacar, the Vera Photo Club is exhibiting a sample of

the works by 26 of the group’s photographers. The aim of the annual event is to show their members’ best works and demonstrate their progress in the world of photography. Around 200 photographs and slides make up this interesting exhibition in which the objective of the artists is to capture different aspects of human and world geography and, so entertain the onlooker with hidden messages and images that are perhaps not as simple as they first seem. The club was founded six years ago by Stan Roberts, an enthusiastic amateur photographer, jazz lover and passionate drummer. He was able to encourage two friends to think of creating a platform where they

could debate, learn and improve anything related to the world of images. From the first meetings of these three friends, with the spirit of the 60’s in their hearts along with bohemian artistic talent and their gaze set on the magical light of Mojacar, more members soon joined. In a short period of time, from the original founders, Vera Photo Club has grown to around 70 members and be the largest and most important photography forum in the province. One of its founders, Rod Westwood, a professional photographer in the fashion world, is now president of this thriving club, made up of members of all skill levels, from professionals to beginners of photography.

They have a monthly get together where they present their photographs (sometimes with a special guest), show videos or give classes. They also propose themes or projects that are worked on, then presented for discussion later by the most experienced members.

EWN

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

SOCIAL SCENE

Urban and youth culture music festival announced By Eleanor Hawkins CAMPOHERMOSO in Nijar will be hosting the second edition of the Doble H music festival on Saturday, November 19. Organised by Nijar Council in collaboration with the Doble H Youth Association, the Andalucian Youth Institute and Europa FM, the festival will include performances by various rap artists, DJs, graffiti artists and parkour performers among others. More than Youth councillor Ainoha Salmeron said the festival 2,000 youngwill be a celebration of ursters attended ban and youth cultural and the first festival. the council will be providing buses to and from different parts of the province. David Herrera from the Doble H association said: “This year we have SFDK, Swan Fyahbwoy, Denom and Heavy & Chudo with Balu performing. It will be a great day for music lovers.” More than 2,000 youngsters from all over Almeria attended the first edition of the festival last year.

DOBLE H: Organised by Nijar Council, the festival will include performances by various rap artists among others.

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Community thanked for donating funds important work.” ZURGENA has its Bowen and Dell have British community to now donated more than thank for improvement €5,000 to be spend on works to be undertaken at local schools, which has the two local primary been raised at charity schools, Juan Andres concerts. The Britons inToledo and La Alfoquia. vite popuG a r y lar musiBowen and cians from Peter Dell, the UK and owners of other areas Bar La euros donation of Spain to Union, viswas given to perform ited the be spent on schools. concerts at town hall Zurgena’s renovated raillast week to deliver a way station and put all €1,000 donation to be proceeds towards the spent on the schools. chosen cause, in this case Mayor Luis Diaz schools. thanked the gentlemen Diaz announced the for “the infinite generosicouncil will be working ty with which the British to assist and collaborate community helps our vilwith this type of charity lage to grow, adding event in the future. funds to our budgets for

1,000

www.euroweeklynews.com

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

EWN

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de AlmerĂa

www.euroweeklynews.com

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Violent punter sent to prison A MAN has been jailed for two years for beating up the manager of a disco in Fines and hitting him with a metal chair, causing him head injuries and scars. The judge in charge of Almeriaâ€™s number two criminal court found the defendant guilty of purposefully causing physical harm after hearing of how, after being thrown off the premises at 7.30am on November 2, 2012 due to his behaviour, he returned and picked a fight. When asked not to yell, the man punched the manager before picking up a chair and using it to beat him over the head, the judge heard. The victim needed stitches and was left with a three centimetre scar while a second person, who chose not to press charges, was knocked unconscious. Although the victim lost his job as manager due to the incident, he decided not to demand damages, the judge reported on the sentence.

Safety boost for roadside WORK has been carried out on an embankment alongside the A-334 road in Olula del Rio to increase safety and improve the surroundings, the provincial Public Works and Housing department has reported. The work, which began on November 2, included weeding the embankment, putting safety nets and equipment into place to avoid landslides and other dangers, and planting a mix of seeds.

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

FRIGHT NIGHT: It’s a fight for survival.

Zombie invasion imminent By Eleanor Hawkins THE streets of Albox will be the site of a real fight for survival on Saturday night (November 19) as zombies and an army take over the town. Yet there’s no need to panic as it is all a game. Viral Zombie Albox was presented last week at the town hall by the organisers and Culture councillor Aurora Cerdan, who explained that

is will all be in the name of fun. Anyone aged 14 or over can take part by signing up on www.migu iadeofertas.com or www.viralzombie.es where they will also find more information on the rules of the game. This increasingly popular leisure activity consists of role play with zombies and an army laid on by the organisers while participants will

spend the night carrying out a series of tests and trying to avoid infection. The first survivors to complete all the tasks and reach the pick-up point will receive a prize, the organisers promised. Cerdan said: “We’re offering the young and not so young a chance to take part in a healthy leisure event which encourages collaboration, logical thinking and physical activity.”

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

FACE Christmas Market FACE (Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring for Everyone) are pleased to announce that their Annual Christmas Market will be held on Friday December 2 from 6pm. For the third year running the market will be held at the Arboleas feria ground in front of the town hall and it will be inside an enormous, specially-erected marquee. There will be a vast variety of stalls with wares including perfume, jewellery, kitchenware and television android boxes in addition to the normal traditional Christmas cards and wrapping paper, plus those last minute Christmas gifts that need to be sent to the United Kingdom. Father Christmas has been contacted and it is hoped that he will be in attendance, even though this is his busiest time of the year. In addition there will be a Christmas Tombola and a draw will take place for the FACE Christmas Raffle which has a main prize of €200. Tickets for this draw are already on sale with some of the FACE Committee and at the Sol Yoga Centre in La Cinta. They are priced at €4 for five tickets. Refreshments will be available including mince pies and FACE’s famous mulled wine, which is made to a special

ANNUAL MARKET: Inside an enormous specially-erected marquee. recipe by Committee Member Pauline Marshall. Entertainment will be provided throughout the evening by Smooth FM Radio’s Ray Peters and Jack Savage, and Carrie’s Dusty Boots will also be showcasing a Christmas selection of line dances. Throughout the evening FACE will be giving Christmas presents in the form of donations to various groups of both na-

tional and local organisations. All monies raised by this event will also be used to make further donations to local charities throughout the local area. For further information about FACE visit www.face-charity.com, take a look at the FACE Facebook page or telephone Adele Wrigglesworth on 667 255 094. There are still one or two spaces available if you would like to have a stall at the FACE Christmas Market.

17 - 23 November 2016

E W N Costa de Almería

V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E W W W . E U R O W E E K LY N E W S . C O M

TO READ MORE

PROPERTY www.euroweeklynews.com

Think you’ve no room for an office? John Graham The property expert

THIS week we are continuing the home office theme for EWN readers. For those of you that don’t have a spare bedroom for your dedicated office don’t worry you would be surprised where you could locate your office or work station in your home. If you live in a villa it’s much easier to find space for your home office but the majority of people in Spain live in an apartment. Obviously if you live in a small apartment you will have less space available and may have to compromise on where your home office or workstation will be located. Wherever you decide you need to consider whether it will be a permanent or temporary space. If your home office or workstation

WORKSPACE SOLUTIONS: Working at home is easier using a laptop or tablet. is temporary it will be easier to work with a laptop or tablet so avoid a desktop computer. A good chair and lighting will make it comfortable. Top Tips: 1. Apartments: if you have a good

size master bedroom place a corner desk in the room and convert some wardrobe space into office storage. 2. Apartments: convert part of your wardrobe into an office desk and storage space.

3. Apartments: if you have a kitchen table or breakfast bar, convert them into your temporary home office or workstation, which is easy to be used between meals. 4. Apartments: in the dining room

or dining area, either convert part of this space into your office or workstation by fitting a small desk in the room or utilise the dining table. 5. Villas: tend to have more space available for positioning your office or workstations and could have bigger bedrooms which allow you to position your desk and bed in the room. 6. Villas: if you don’t need your garage, you could convert your garage into a permanent or occasional office conversion. 7. Villas: if you have an open stair case you could convert the space under the stairs into a permanent office or workstation. 8. Villas: there is a good choice of high quality garden offices available, with various designs and sizes to choose from if there is space. 9. Villas: you could decide to build an extension onto your villa for your dedicated home office. 10. Villas: new villas normally have spacious entrance halls, an ideal space to maximise for your office or workstation space.

Planning new homes A BUSINESSMAN from Galicia who was one of the very few real estate developers in Spain to come up smelling roses after the financial crisis has partnered with BBVA’s cr ack r eal est at e squad to build new housing developments right across the country. Manuel Jove, owner of Inveravante, has locked arms with Anida, the real est at e ar m of t he huge Spani sh bank, and t ogether they have pledged to transform the real estate sector for the better. The partnership has already identified sites in Malaga and Madrid for the first stages of their development plan. Several hundred homes will be built on each site before the pilot programme is rolled out in other cities across Spain.

OPINION & COMMENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

EWN

Brace, brace, brace... there is severe turbulence ahead of us 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

A NEW reality has dawned. To the east, a hostile Russia. Now to the west, an isolationist USA, seemingly uncommitted to NATO or free trade (inasmuch as can be gathered from Trump-speak). And yet, in such extraordinarily challenging times, the UK is turning its back, for good, on the EU... As far as Brexit is concerned, once the UK government has decided what its approach will be, surely it needs to get a mandate from the whole country to take this forward? Theresa May would demonstrate true leadership by swallowing her pride and not triggering Article 50 until she has this. And one simple way to accomplish this? Call a snap general election. While referendums leave many voters feeling robbed, general elections not only clear the air, but also force all parties to

draw up manifestos and make pledges on which the winner would be held to account. So, Mrs May, never mind your promise not to go for an election before 2020, break it for the sake of the people and welfare of the country. To deliver the Brexit that people voted for, you need both your own mandate and, given your tiny majority, more parliamentary room for manoeuvre. Go for an election and shut them all up. It may even get rid of Corbyn, shut that windbag Clegg up permanently and stop Blair sticking his oar in. With a national consensus behind you, you would then be free to start divorce proceedings with the EU. With one proviso, however. A senior EU official involved in the Brexit negotiations has warned the UK about spoiling the EU’s grand 60th anniversary bash next March: “ T h e B r its ha ve be e n w a rne d NOT to send the Article 50 letter to o clo se to the big pa rty on March 25.” Good to know they have their priorities right, eh? Maybe Article 50 should be sent by DHL courier on the Ides of March

Disaster on the cards Mike Senker

In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man I AM lucky enough, in addition to this column, to have a grumpy half hour on Talk Radio Europe every other Friday at 11.30am. I sometimes do Viewpoint too, a more sensible phone-in discussing current events like Brexit and the USA elections. After this week’s results in America I’ve got the hump. Not because Trump won, I didn’t think either were any good, but because yet again the so-called ‘experts’ got it wrong. All the opinion polls said Hillary would win. The polls were not just wrong but so wrong it’s a joke! If I was anyone that had commissioned a poll I’d say I want my money back because they hadn’t done their job properly. Millions are spent on opinion polls - what a total waste of money. Right up to when the first results came in they were still saying Hillary would win. How do they get it so wrong? I’ll tell you how. People lie! It’s not rocket science. Lots of people don’t want to admit they are sympathetic to the rubbish Trump sprouted or believed the lies Boris and Farage sprouted. Opinion polls said the UK would vote to stay in Europe. Well guess what, they got that

wrong too. In my opinion all opinion polls should be banned. Let whatever happens, happen. What purpose do polls serve other than speculation? The whole idea is so Joe public know how the country is thinking and may be voting. It might even influence you. Well folks, it is all a load of bull****. I sat for hours watching CNN, BBC and Sky News programmes, listening to all these so-called experts and pollsters saying that this was going to go this way because 53.6 per cent were going to vote this way. But they didn’t did they you useless bunch of idiots? If anyone asked me I wouldn’t tell them the truth. It’s nobody’s business how I vote. If I want to tell anyone, I’ll tell them in private. I don’t think Trump will last four years and he’ll get booted out or will quit because he’ll get bored once he realises he can’t run America like his companies and bark out orders. He’ll break laws because he doesn’t care. What I do find funny is Melania Trump, 24 years younger than her hubby, most likely thought: ‘He’s not the best looking bloke and his hair’s ridiculous but he’s a multi-millionaire!’ She must now be thinking how the hell has he gone from sugar daddy to President of the USA? I only wanted a few handbags! This is one of those times when someone says to you, ‘What do you reckon?’ and you say, ‘I’m sure it will be fine.’ What you really mean is this can only finish in disaster! Any comments email me at mikesenker@gmail.com.

2017 (ie. March 15). Nothing like celebrating the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC to drive the message home. Better still, how about April Fools’ Day? Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘No Way Back,’ ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.99;£0.99) and iBookstore. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.

DONALD TRUMP: Favours America first.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT a katz-Shutterstock.com

Nora Johnson

E W N 17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

SPONSORED BY

HOMES

GARDENS

By Graeme Tyrrell THE basis of good gardening is at the root of all plants, the soil or growing media. Much of the success of gardening is working with the soil to enrich it. Natural Mediterranean soil is often semi arid with low organic content due to the hot dry summers rapidly breaking down the organic content. To grow healthy plants in the Mediterranean climate you must have healthy soil. Most plants we like to grow

require healthier soil than nature provides. Indigenous plants have adapted to this environment and can thrive here but if you want a vegetable garden, fruit trees or exotic ornamental display, improving the soil expands the range of plants that you can grow. Adding compost and manures to the soil will greatly improve the structure, texture, water holding capacity and the drainage of excess water in addition to the nutrients they provide. Protecting the soil from

excess sun exposure is also equally important. The hot drying effect of the sun heats exposed soil to extreme temperatures literally sterilising the top layers of the soil killing shallow roots, worms and other soil surface ecology. Many farmers use this sun sterilisation to keep fields and orchards weed free over summer by cultivating the soil at the start of summer. This works well for its purpose to keep areas weed free but has a longterm detrimental effect on the soil health and has the risk of erosion in high winds and heavy rain. For gardeners it is better to develop strategies to protect the soil. Deciduous trees provide shade in summer over the garden but permit winter sun and

the bonus of autumn leaves for mulch. I have a large Hackberry (Celtis australis) on the edge of my vegetable garden that gives midday shade over much of the garden in summer, drops its leaves into the garden in autumn for mulch and allows sufficient sun for the winter crops. The berries are edible and were often used during periods of food shortages as a supplementary addition to rationed food. Another planting design that gives soil protection is a high planting density. Placing plants closer together gives shade over soil areas of the garden. There is a balance to be found with nutrient and water availability to support dense plantings but without good soil

Iurii Step ano v Sh utte rsto ck

Enjoy flourishing success with soil ENRICH SOIL: To ensure healthy plants can grow.

cover, evaporation of soil moisture is much higher and water holding, nutrient rich organic matter breaks down faster when exposed to the direct summer sun. Water loss occurs without

t h e benefit of garden plants shading the soil and the plants add organic matter to the soil. The areas of exposed soil, such as during the period new plants are growing and spreading or where gaps are required for access into the garden can have a mulch applied to ensure full protection of the soil. Mulch can be organic or inorganic. The important point is it covers the soil to protect it as a cared for soil will result in a flourishing garden.

November gardening for next year NOVEMBER, with its cooler temperatures and stronger winds, is the time to start thinking about next year’s garden. Now is the perfect time to start planning and planting next year’s spring plant bulbs so they are ready to flourish when the weather starts to warm up again. It’s also the right time to plant trees, fruit trees and bushes but you will have to take care to protect

young trees from the wind. If you have not yet replanted damaged areas of the lawn, be sure to do it this month and remember to feed the whole lawn at the same time. For those with a vegetable garden, ideal produce to plant this month includes lettuce, beans, radishes, leeks, onions, peas, garlic, carrots, spinach and celery. Remember to reduce how much you

water and if your garden contains plants which are better suited to dry conditions, put some plastic over them to avoid them getting too wet and suffering in the damp. Finally, take the time to gather fallen leaves and avoid them rotting and transmitting disease to the ground beneath them. They can be recycled to make a very good quality compost however.

PETS PAGE

Costa de Almería

17 - 23 November 2016

www.euroweeklynews.com

SPONSORED BY

Euro Weekly News funny pet photo competition winner

Things to avoid when training your puppy

House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! To find a pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on 00 44 (0) 777 214 2742.

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

VALENTINA READS: The winning photo competition entry. THE 2016 Euro Weekly News and HouseSitMatch funny pet photo competition winner is Berron Marca for her submission ‘Valentina reads.’ As many of you who have been following this and David the Dogman’s column for a while now will know we get to know and love many of the pets you tell us about, their stories and antics. Once a year we love to ask you to share your pictures with us in our competition. This year we had a wonderful selection to review and the team in our office very much enjoyed making our shortlist. The winner and runners up were selected by the interna-

EWN

tional body of HouseSitMatch members. So thanks to all of you who responded. This year’s winner Berron Marca is a reader of the Euro Weekly News from Malaga in Spain. Berron’s prize for winning is a premium membership for HouseSitMatch who look forward to helping her throughout the coming year. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting and the experience and checked sitters get free accommodation! To find a pet-sitter go to www.Housesit Match.com or email Lamia at lamia@house sitmatch.com.

PEOPLE embarking on their first puppy rearing experience must realise patience is vital to successful dog training. Babies and puppies have a lot in common. You can’t expect an infant child to learn everything overnight. Thus,

you have to realise that puppy rearing can also be a time-consuming challenge. However, the time you put into training a puppy will pay off in the end. There are some things you just shouldn’t do and the following should be avoided: 1. Inconsistency with Commands: This will set you and your puppy up for failure. Choose command words and use them. For example, if you use ‘off’ to keep your puppy off of the furniture, don’t confuse the dog by saying ‘get down.’ 2. Don’t shout or yell at the puppy: Keep your cool and address the dog in a calm manner. 3. Avoid long training sessions, a short lesson is better. 4. Avoid rubbing the puppy’s nose in messes: When training, forget the old advice of rubbing the puppy’s nose in

the puddle of urine. 5. Avoid training when in a bad mood: Be aware that puppies can pick up on your mood. 6. Don’t overuse the crate: Crate training can work well for housebreaking as dogs do not like to soil the area they play and live in. Don’t use the crate because you feel like forgetting about them for a period of time. 7. Don’t forget to praise the puppy for doing things right: Praise and positive reinforcement are very effective. 8. Never hit the puppy: Physical abuse will only make the puppy neurotic. 9. Don’t punish a dog that doesn’t come when called: Punishment only makes the dog fear you and avoid you. The best thing you can do is to spend a lot of time with your puppy.

E W N Costa de Almería

17 - 23 November 2016

SPONSORED BY

MOTORING www.euroweeklynews.com

Converting a racing car into a street car is like watching porn with all the good bits cut out... some sweaty bloke bobbing his head for half an hour” Some might say...

BMW 330e Sport: road test by Nick Fletcher PETROL-ELECTRIC hybrid cars have been around for a while, but technology keeps moving on and there are now an increasing number of plugin hybrids, re-chargeable at home or at public charging points. BMW is well-established in this expanding market with models such as the i3 and i8, and now there is also a version of its iconic 3-Series, the 330e. It is a plug-in hybrid with all the cachet of a BMW but the environmental credentials of a supermini. Base price is £34,235 (€37,991) including UK Government grant, but with a variety of options my Sport test model was £42,350 (€47,108).

It was lavishly equipped and included a premium satnav system, reversing and wingmirror cameras, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated sports seats, cruise control, automatic dual zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, and M Sport suspension. Powered by a 2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor delivers 87 hp of the 249 hp. It is mated to a superb 8-speed automatic transmission with well-spaced ratios and a smooth shift action. Running in electric mode wherever possible the 330e switches to internal combustion seamlessly, and you can run the car in electric-only mode for up 25 miles at city speeds at the touch of a

switch. Domestic re-charging takes just two hours with a special wall box, or three hours from a home plug-socket. Plug-in hybrid it is, but don’t expect it to be slow, the 0-60 mph time is a searing 6.1 seconds, top speed 140 mph. Official fuel economy is 134.5 mpg combined but in realworld driving expect about half that but still impressive for such a fast, powerful car and emissions are just 46g/km. The car has elegant styling

PLUG-IN HYBRID: Charging takes between two to three hours.

which complements its prestige persona. The cabin is beautifully designed for both comfort and driver-focus. The dashboard is laid out for ease of use and seating is very comfortable, with ample room for all occupants. Boot space is smaller than a normal 3-Series but still substantial at 370 litres. Not everyone is yet ready for plug-in hybrids - some

are holding back to see how this fast-moving technology advances and how residual values hold up - but anyone checking out this BMW 330e cannot fail to be impressed. Beautifully built, smooth, quiet and powerful, it offers a cost-effective alternative to the conventionally powered premium saloons - particularly for business users.

Motoring shorts

Stagnancy at Silverstone JAGUAR will not be buying the legendary Silverstone circuit from the British Racing Driver’s club. The motoring industry had been waiting with bated breath since formal negotiations were announced earlier this year. The anticipation has come crashing to a halt with a declaration from Jaguar Land Rover that they will no longer pursue the ambitious plan. The British brand had hoped to open an exhibition centre to show off its classic car collection at the hallowed racing ground, which has held the British Grand Prix on and off since 1948. Despite its fame and reputation Silverstone is in trouble. A history stretching back to the Second World War hasn’t spared it the necessity of modern investment and its losses are growing with alarming pace.

MOTORING

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

Road testing the Mitsubishi Shogun WHEN the Mitsubishi Shogun first came o n t h e sc e n e in th e e a rly 1980s, it made a big impact with its winning blend of luxury looks and tough off-road ability. Back then the competition was less intense than it is today, where the likes of the Volvo XC90, Land Ro v e r Di sc o v e r y, To y o ta L a n d Cruiser and Audi Q7 all slug it out in the sales battle. Yet despite the younger arrivals, the Shogun’s old school charm still shines through and its potent visual presence and outstanding rough-terrain ability allow it to score a few points over its rivals. It’s not as smooth nor as nimble on the tarmac as some, and it doesn’t have the engine options either, but show it a mountain or a river crossing and it compares with the best. Prices start at £29,634 (€33,362) but whichever Shogun you choose, it will have a 3.2 litre diesel engine – its the only one available! My mid-range test model was in SG3 trim and 7-seat format, pric e d a t £ 3 6 , 2 4 4 (€ 4 0 , 7 8 1 ) a n d we llkitted with luxury featur e s su c h a s l e a t h er upholstery, wood trim, climate control, alloy wheels, keyless entry,

reversing camera, automatic lights and wipers, rear aircon controls and a premium satnav. The cabin is straightforward in design, with a practical dashboard layout, acres of space front and rear for five adults, and a huge boot area when the two rearmost seats – best just for children - are folded away. Total load space with all seats down is 1,760 litres. Off-road, the Shogun is almost unstoppable but most will use it mainly on the tarmac and here, it is rather less at ease. However, while the ride is less settled than rivals and the body roll more noticeable on the corners, many will still find it perfectly acceptable.

The 187 hp diesel unit performs well in hauling along such a heavyweight vehicle, and the 0-60 mph time of 10.4 seconds is pretty good by class standards. Top speed is 112 mph and the fuel economy figure is 30.4 mpg combined. It is really hard to deny that the Shogun is now beginning to show its age compared with its main opposition which offer more life-focussed style. However this elder statesman comes across as formidable and dependable and it still has plenty of presence and panache.

OLD SCHOOL: The Shogun still shines through.

EWN

Car record to be smashed sol d i n 1969 i t f et ched ANOTHER car record is just $5,400, a huge fee as set t o be sm ashed as a t he t i m e but ver i t abl e classic Ferrari is put up small change in today’s for sale with an asking terms. price of €52 million. Ferraris dominate the The 1962 Ferrari 250 list of the most expensive GTO is one of only 36 cars ever sold. The curever m ade and was t he rent record for a car sold second to screech off the at auction is the €32 milpr oduct i on l i ne. Sel l er lion paid for John Collins another who owns a 1962 Ferrari Ferrari spe250 GTO in cialist busi2014. The ness in Ascot f i g u r e s describes it 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO cars were made. dwarf curas the ‘Holy rent prices Grail of clasfor the world’s most exsic cars’. pensive new cars. It can exceed 170mph You could buy 12 of the and reach 60mph from a priciest street legal vehistandstill in just six seccle on the market today, onds. It was raced at both t he Koeni gsegg CCXR Le Mans and Sebring and Trevita, which is a mere the buyer will be invest€4.5 million. Or, alternaing not just in looks and t i vel y, a 5,000 st r ong speed, but i n m ot or i ng army of Fiat Pandas. history. When it was first

SPORT

17 - 23 November 2016 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

England win in World Cup qualifier but lose in the Four Nations battle 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: • In recent World Cup qualifying games, unconvincing England beat Scotland 3-0; Northern Ireland walloped Azerbaijan 4-0; Wales were held 1-1 by Serbia; the Republic of Ireland won 1-0 in Austria; Spain crushed Macedonia 4-0; France edged out Sweden 21; Germany (with a debut hat-trick for Serge Gnabry) defeated San Marino 8-0 and Mexico pipped the USA 2-1. • On Tuesday England played Spain in a friendly. • This weekend’s PL games include Crystal Palace-Manchester City, Manchester United-Arsenal, Middlesbrough-Chelsea, Southampton-Liverpool and Spurs-West Ham. I’ll be attending the WBA-Burnley game on Monday. • In the Championship we have Brighton-Aston Villa, Ipswich-Nottingham Forest and Leeds-Newcastle. The big games in Leagues 1 and 2 are Rochdale-Swindon, Scunthorpe-Oldham, Carlisle-Exeter (a 780-mile round trip for City) and Plymouth-Grimsby; in the SPL, Celtic visit Kilmarnock and Rangers play Dundee and in La Liga, it’s BarcelonaMalaga, DeportivoSevilla and Atletico Madrid-Real Madrid. • QPR have reappointed Ian Holloway as manager 10 years after his first spell. • On Tuesday, it was LeicesterBrugge, Mona-

LEWIS HAMILTON: Won the Brazilian Grand Prix.

co-Spurs, Seville-Juventus and Sporting L-Real Madrid in the Champions League, followed last night by Arsenal-PSG, Celtic-Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach-Manchester City. • Tonight we have Dundalk-Alkmaar, Manchester United-Feyenoord and Sparta Prague-Southampton in the Europa League. CRICKET: • The first Test in Rajkot between India (488 and 1726) and England (537 and 260-3 declared) was drawn. Ben Stokes (128), Joe Root (124) and Moeen Ali (117) hit centuries in England’s first innings and Alastair Cook scored his 30th Test century in the second innings while Haseeb Hameed scored 82 on his England debut. The second Test started in Visakhapatanam on Tuesday. FORMULA ONE: • Lewis Hamilton won last Sundays wet and wild Brazilian Grand Prix to keep alive his hopes of retaining the world driver’s crown. Nico Rosberg was second and Max Verstappen third. Rosberg takes a 12 point lead into the last race of 2016 in Abu Dhabi on November 27. The Brazil GP was Felipe M a s s a ’s last

drive on his home track. MOTOGP: • Home favourite Jorge Lorenzo, on his last ride for Yamaha, beat fellow countryman Marc Marquez in last weekend’s Spanish MotoGP in Valencia… the final race of 2016. TENNIS: • In the ATP World Tour finals in London (which end on Sunday) Andy Murray started off with a game against Marin Cilic. RUGBY UNION: • Results of last weekend’s internationals were: England 37 South Africa 21 (it’s now 10 wins in a row

for Eddie Jones’ team and their first over the Springboks for 10 years); Scotland 22 Australia 23; Ireland 52 Canada 21; Italy 10 New Zealand 68 and Wales 24 Argentina 20. • This weekend’s fixtures include England-Fiji, Ireland-New Zealand, Scotland-Argentina and WalesJapan. RUGBY LEAGUE: • Recent Four Nations battles saw Scotland draw 18-all with world champions New Zealand and England lost to Australia 18-36. • The final is at Anfield (Liv-

ENGLAND GOAL SCORER: Adam Lallana celebrates with Wayne Rooney.

erpool) this weekend. GOLF: • There are three ‘big’ tournaments this week: the PGA G/T in the USA (1620), the DP World Tour championship in Dubai (1720) and the PGA RSM Classic, also in the USA (17-20). C H A M P I O N GOALSCORERS IN SPAIN: La Liga currently boasts four of the world’s most prolific goalscorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) and Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis S u a r e z (Barcelona). Since August 2002,

these deadly strikers have netted a total of 1,750 goals in 2,545 games for club and country. • Ronaldo has scored 560 times in 820 appearances for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Portugal. • Messi has bagged 552 goals in 714 appearances for Barcelona and Argentina. • Suarez’s goal tally is 362 in 563 outings for Nacional, Groningen, Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona and Uruguay. • Neymar has netted 276 goals in 452 matches for Santos, Barcelona and Brazil. Ronaldo has scored 50+ goals for Real Madrid in each of the last six seasons with a best of 61 in 2014-15. Messi has topped the half-century mark four times since 2010 with a high of 73 in 201112. N e y m a r ’s best is 43 goals with Santos in 2011-12, while Suarez struck 59 for Barcelona in 201516. JORGE LORENZO: On his last ride for Yamaha beat fellow countryman Marc Marquez.

E W N Costa de Almería

17 - 23 November 2016

CRISTIANO RONALDO has scored 560 times in 820 appearances for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Portugal.

TO READ MORE

www.euroweeklynews.com

Costa de Almería’s best guide to local sport

Ken rolls back years at IBC KEN FERRY, one of the Club’s founder members and 83 years old, battled off the younger pretenders to the throne to win the Indalo B o wl i n g C l u b ’s 2 0 1 6 Drawn Rinks with his team. Players who enter this competition are drawn out of a hat and have no say on who they play with, which makes for some interesting combinations. Fourteen teams entered and after some surprising results the semi-final was contested by the experie n c e d t e a m o f M a g g ie Holmes, Alan Henshaw, Dave Bridge s a n d E l sb e t h M a rlo w against a n o t h e r g o o d te a m in Keith Turner, Linda Lester, Terry Kiggin and Tony Kent. Keith’s team forged ahead and won 18 to 9 a f t e r so m e v ery g o o d positive bowling The other semi-final was made up of Ken, Tony Davis, John Hill and Debbie Colquhoun against another very good four in John Dedman, Maureen Milson, Linda Harvey and Vic Peters. This was a much closer tussle but Ken’s side came out on top

INDALO BOWLING: Fourteen teams entered the competition. to win 18 to 15. The final was another very close affair with the lead changing on several occasions. Ken drew on all his bowling experience and with his team battled

through and eventually won 19 to 14 much to the delight of the watching spectators. An amazing performance by Ken, proving you are never too old to play a game of bowls.

SPORT

www.indalobowlingclub.org Photo: Winners Tony Davis, John Hill, Debbie Colquhoun and Ken Ferry with Keith Turner, Linda Lester, Terry Kiggin and Tony Kent.

Badgers Golf Society report THE morning of Tuesday November 8 saw 30 plus Badgers golfers visit Aguilon golf resort. The gusty wind throughout the day proved to be the biggest problem for all the players apart from Martyn England who came in with an exceptional 38 points in the Badgers mid-week stapleford competition. In spite of the unfavourable conditions a good fun day was had by all. Full Results. 1st Martyn England 38 points 2nd Jerry Nash 31 points 3rd Keith Bradley 31 points NTP’s 3rd Steve Dodd 8th Dave Wright 10th Jock Glynn 17th Mark Newall Two’s 8th Dave Ryder 12th Colin Commander 12th Derick Dale 17th Jock Glynn 17th Mark Newall Badgers also play Saturday morning, for further information, ring Duncan Smart on 634 331 059.