ISSUE NO. 1659
20 - 26 April 2017
COSTA DE ALMERÍA
YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
Triple drowning Flood of immigrants continues
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Record Easter SEMANA SANTA 2017 surpassed all expectations across the length and breadth of the Spanish peninsula. This year has seen a record-breaking week, with over 5.1 million people travelling on 31,220 scheduled flights, and a further 14.8 million using the country’s motorways. See page 8
Street strife A POLITICAL spokesman and public figure in Albox was threatened and abused on his way home from work by a businessman accused of participating in a financial scam.
A judge has issued a restraining order against Francisco Sanchez after he intimidated Juan Pedro Quiles. See page 63
Family’s pain MIGRANT BOAT: With summer approaching authorities are gearing up to receiving more than 50 migrants a day. By Matthew Elliott At least three people drowned off the coast of Almeria when a migrant boat sank. One of the dead was a little girl, aged just 10, who was trapped underneath a cable in shallow waters. Another woman died while being rushed by sea helicopter to hospital in Almeria before a special underwater Guardia Civil GEAS unit recovered a third female body. Several other people are reported missing.
The girl’s body was found floating half a mile from the port of Almeria days after the boat sank during Easter Week. An estimated 33 people were rescued from the tragic scene by Spanish naval crew, helicopters and coastguards. One pregnant woman is in critical condition in hospital while the others, exclusively men, escaped unharmed. The Spanish Navy has now given up its search for the missing people. Just days later, on Easter
Sunday, another boat almost capsized after running out of fuel at almost precisely the same location in the Alboran Sea. All 29 passengers were men from sub-Saharan Africa and were rescued with no fatalities. Drowning deaths are rare this close to the coast but can be expected to become a regular, even weekly, tragedy. EWN has previously reported on how record numbers of migrants are overwhelming the Costa as senior police and charities sound the alarm.
Almost 1,000 people have arrived in 2017 alone. That includes three of the coldest months of the year. With summer approaching the authorities are gearing up to receive upwards of 50 migrants a day, with dozens more boats sure to sink or capsize. Internment centres are already full to the brim. Red Cross resources are stretched thin. The Spanish Armada is now focused on rescue missions rather than combating terrorism.
A LOCAL family has spoken of their anguish in trying to get justice for their sexually abused daughters. The parents of two teenage girls have waited more than three years for their ‘uncle,’ a close family friend, to be properly punished for his crimes. The man was found guilty of molesting and intimidating the girls, aged 13 and 16, for over a year. But unbelievably, after three years of trials, testimonies and extremely testing times for the girls, his sole punishment has been a restraining order of 200 metres. An appeal has been launched to seek a custodial sentence for the abuser. But that will likely involve even more years of pain and heartache, and the family’s lawyer is now seeking justice from the Andalucian government.
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Slum landlord A LANDLORD who assaulted a young mother and her baby daughter was jailed for six months. When he shoved his tenant in a fight over rent her daughter fell and sustained brain injuries.
Lucky charm POP singer David Bisbal returned to his Almerian roots over Easter to give local schoolchildren Indalo bracelets, an ancient lucky charm he says gives his confidence while travelling the world.
Hash stash POLICE arrested a Moroccan man trying to smuggle 25 kilos of hash from Melilla to Almeria on board the ferry, stashed in secret compartments in his car.
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A life changer Prize draw will see EWN reader win car THE Euro Weekly News’ 2017 survey prize draw is to take place in a glittering ceremony at La Sala Banus at 2pm on Friday April 21, and everyone is invited! Sala Group chairman Ian Radford will pick out the name of the lucky winner, who will drive away in a brand-new Dacia Sandero Ambiance worth more than €10,000, complete with a full year’s insurance courtesy of Abbeygate. A celebratory lunch or dinner for two at the glamorous celebrity haunt completes the spectacular prize bundle. Readers are encouraged to head along to La Sala Banus between 1.30-1.45pm in anticipation of the dramatic moment when the winning entry is named. The survey itself was a resounding success, and we are busy collating the many thousands of entries which flooded in by post, email or via our website. We would like to thank each and every one of our fantastic readers who took time to fill out the survey. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us and we gen-
uinely appreciate the feedback. Spain’s biggest and best English-language newspaper is always striving to improve. We will use your responses to take another leap forwards in what is set to be a defining year for the award-winning EWN Media Group following the recent acquisition of several titles, with more to follow.
ised Please be adv ntries re that no furthe rvey for the su d. will be accepte THE GRAND PRIZE: Dacia Sandero Ambiance 1.1 litre 75cv, Glacier white Worth €10,456
Back of the queue for fast trains WITH a new estimated arrival of 2023, Almeria is set to be the last major city in Spain to finally receive high speed rail. Disastrous delays have seen the debt ceiling of the Rail Infrastructure Administrator (ADIF) raised by more than €2 billion to accommodate demand across the country. ADIF is expected to close 2017 with an appalling debt of €1.6 billion despite having built almost zero new kilometres of track in the past year. It owes vast sums to the European Investment Bank and is behind schedule everywhere from Almeria to Galicia. While the problem is universal across Spain, Almeria is taking the heaviest hit. Despite its size and importance to the Mediterranean Corridor, the trade route connecting Atlantic Spain with France, Almeria is at the back of the queue. Fast trains are expected to arrive in Granada and Murcia in 2018, Galicia and Asturias in 2019, and even cities like Jaen, Tarragona and Toledo before Almeria in 2023.
Wave queen scoops second KITESURFING prodigy from Mojacar, Osaia Reding, came second in the World Junior Kitesurfing Championship held in Saint Pierre la Mer. The 12-year-old is the Spanish national junior champion. She secured second spot despite superb competition from more than 70 contestants aged between eight and 19 from countries as diverse as Brazil and Switzerland. It was the first major competition in an exciting 2017 season that will see Osaia compete across the world. The Mojacar youngster trains daily down at the beach, even helping teach other children the secrets behind her sporting success. She proudly wears the Mojacar coat of arms on her kitesurfing board. There is now talk of the sport being embraced by the Olympics, meaning Almeria might have a future Gold Medallist in its midst.
Blackout fraudsters ELECTRICITY fraud has almost dou-
SPANISH FACTS OF LIFE...10
INSIDE VIEW
UNCORKING A DILEMMA. Spain is the world’s leading wine exporter, shipping 22.7 million hectolitres abroad last year, yet drinkers here baffle experts with their lower than expected consumption of a traditional tipple.
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A homely need SPAIN’s wine industry want to solve an ongoing enigma; why as the world leading exporter - the overseas market was worth €2.64 billion last year - it struggles to boost home sales. New figures by the Spanish Wine Market Observatory provide some relief, consumption on home shores rose from between 2.5 - 4 per cent to hit the 9.8 million hectolitre level. Director Rafael del Rey believes the home market has reached a turning point and said the industry must target younger drinkers to continue the upward trend and has called for government help. He said rising sales can be attributed to Spain’s improving economic situation and a more mature and competi-
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Finance 29
Leapy Lee 35
TV
WINE INDUSTRY: Benitachell vineyards. tive industry; highlighting an increased variety of wines on offer, a change of the image of the drink, and improved branding and marketing by producers and regional wine organisations. However, in the 70’s average Spanish consumption of wine was 40 litres per head; but by 2014 this had nosedived to 21 litres according to global industry statistics and placing Spain at
the bottom of rankings for consumption in producer countries, despite average annual production at 42 million litres. Countries annually drinking the most wine are: The Vatican at 53.8 litres per head ; Croatia and Slovenia 44 litres; France 42.5 litres; Portugal 41.7 litres and Italy 33 litres. Consumption in the UK is 22 litres.
SPAIN’S home grown sparkling wine ‘cava’ is no longer seen as a poor man’s champagne and is increasingly seen gracing family celebrations both at home and globally. The bubbly is principally produced in Catalonia and has Denominacion de Origen (DO) status but is also made in Aragon, Castille and Leon, Extremadura, La Rioja, the Basque Country, Navarre and Valencia. Once referred to as ‘Spanish champagne’ outlawed under EU law as Champagne enjoys Protected Geographical Status - the Catalan word ‘cava’ means ‘cave’ or ‘cellar.’ Caves were once used to preserve and age the wine; the name was adopted in 1970 to distinguish it from the French drink.
bled and is now so bad that almost a month’s supply is cheated from the system in Almeria alone. In 2016 a staggering 59 million kilowatts were stolen by users in the capital. Police recorded 5,471 cases of energy fraud across the province, an 89 per cent increase on 2014. People using extreme volumes of electricity, without paying, are causing blackouts, fires and extra costs to be paid by law abiding residents.
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Letters 48
Time Out 49
Cava cheer
Health & Beauty 55
Social 57
Albox 63
Property
HOME GROWN: Cava producer Freixenet.
Marihuana cultivation is the chief culprit, while others siphon off the supply of their own neighbours.
Run down PRESSURE is mounting on the national government to begin work on the second stage of repair works on the famous El Alquife, known as the Cable Ingles. The remarkable engineering work is one of
Beware smart new cameras SEVEN new ‘smart’ traffic cameras are debuting across the province’s most deadly roads. The cameras check not only speed, but also whether all vehicle occupants are wearing a seatbelt. After a month of testing they became operational over the Easter weekend. All seven are on secondary roads, where most of Almeria’s fatal accidents occur. These include the A-1000 between El Cercado and Viator, the A-3101 in Vicar, the N-344 at El Toyo, the A-7 between Almeria and Huercal de Almeria, plus ringroads
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at Alicun and Roquetas. The cameras can snap up to 50 images per second and evaluate whether the driver and passengers are properly strapped in. Child seats are also checked. Images are sent to a powerful computer database which performs facial recognition and issues fines if violations are found. There are 2,364km of main roads connecting different urban areas in Almeria with 2,008km being on smaller secondary roads, which accounted for 26 of the 32 deaths on Almeria roads last year.
Almeria’s top attractions but is in severe disrepair. Built from 1902-04 by a British mining company the architectural masterpiece is at the city’s docks and was once used to load iron on to ships.
Old motors DESPITE lofty plans to modernise the automotive sector, more than two thirds of all cars across the province are over a decade old. The average age of the cars, trucks, buses and motorbikes zooming around Almeria Province is 11 according to the local traffic headquarters. Of 501,372 registered vehicles, an estimated 100,000 are more than 20 years old.
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Classifieds 74
Motors 76
Sport 79
Postscript to ponder 30.8%
The percentage of the Spanish population who smoke daily, with statistically more men than women. Smokers far outweigh drinkers, with 9.8 per cent of the population drinking daily.
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Royal spend takes tumble ROYAL household spending fell almost €1 million last year compared to 2015 as political stalemate in Spain prevented overseas trips and visits by foreign dignitaries. The monarchy spent just 88.4 per cent of its €7.8 million budget; the same amount it was given in the two previous years as part of the plan to make savings, as Madrid aimed to meet EU commitments to reduce the nation’s deficit. Spending fell largely because of the result of inconclusive general elections in December 2015 and June 2016 and subsequent caretaker governments. During the first 100 days of last year, King Felipe and Queen Sofia postponed trips to the UK, Saudi Arabia, Japan and South Korea.
Sky-high aims NORWEGIAN airlines is expanding its operations from Madrid’s Barajas airport, with the low-cost carrier looking to offer flights to Latin America. In a battle with the IAG Group, which includes British Airways and Iberia, and a new airline Level, that boasts America-bound flights from Barcelona; Norwegian airline chief Bjorn Kjos describes Spain “as a great market; everyone wants to come here.”
Load of bull THE designer of the iconic Osborne bull - and the 14m high black billboards dotted across Spain - has a major Madrid exhibition. Manolo Prieto drew the bull image in 1956 for Osborne’s ‘Veterano’ brandy and it has since risen to ‘national symbol’ status, appearing on a
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on SPAIN
Around the nation in 7 stories
Postcard from Zaragoza DAWN is tipped as the best time to be on the banks of the mighty River Ebro in Zaragosa, a regional capital and once the heart of the Kingdom of Aragon. Boasting Roman, Moorish, and medieval Christian architecture as well as the hand of ‘local boy made good,’ artist Francisco de Goya, born in 1746, the reflected image of the iconic Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Pilar can be seen from first light. And a dawn view, according to Traveller’s guide Lonely Planet, ‘“is reason alone’ to visit ‘one of Spain’s most underrated regional capitals.’ Historically the home of Catherine, Henry VIII’s first wife and the first female ambassador in Europe, as Spain’s fifth largest city Zaragosa currently has a population of just over 661,000. The city came under the international spotlight when it hosted the 2008 World Expo. It has space-age bridges, including the Third Millennium Bridge; a tribute to engineering and the world’s largest concrete tied-arch bridge, as well as plush new bus and railway stations, and the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe. The turreted Palacio de la Aljaferia - said to have an interior to match Granada’s globally famous Alhambra Palace - was originally built by Moorish rulers and was later adapted to the Christian tastes of Aragon royalty following the reconquest. It now shows off the restored influence of both dynasties. Zaragosa also invites visitors to explore the Basilica, a beautiful Cathedral del Salvador, and the Ibercaja Goya Museum. The city also enjoys a fine reputation for gastronomy.
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wealth of objects including t-shirts and car stickers. His work, including his most famous creation, can be seen at the Museum of Decorative Art until October 22 and features work for Spanish railway company Renfe, airline Iberia, and Nestle as well as 618 book covers.
Caught short
A BARCELONA policewoman reprimanded for briefly abandoning her post to visit the toilet has accused a senior officer of harassment. In a Guardia Civil patrol car in March - on International Women’s Day - she rushed off for the unauthorised short break, but later faced an official reprimand, and possible two-day suspension without pay, leading her to claim for alleged harassment
Ace to appear BRITISH tennis Number One Johanna Konta will compete in next month’s first women’s Tie Break Tens event in Madrid. Ranked 146th in the world in June 2015 Johanna has soared to seventh; and will compete with seven other players including Maria Sharapova. The tournament winner will receive US$ 200,000 (€188,679) and US$ 100,000 (€94,334) will be donated to a charity working to combat domestic violence.
Killer jailed THE killer of a tourist walking the historic Santiago Way pilgrimage route has been jailed for 23 years for murdering and robbing the 41-year-old American Arizona woman. A jury in Leon found Miguel Angel Munoz guilty of killing Denise Pikka Thiem in April 2015, after she took a detour from the main route. Her body was found minus the hands.
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Birthdays • George Takei, Actor, April 20, 80 American actor who starred in the Star Trek television series and films playing the role of Mr Sulu, the helmsman of the USS Enterprise. He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in TV. • Queen Elizabeth II, April 21, 91 Queen of the United Kingdom and other commonwealth realms who has reigned for 65 years since her father, King George VI, died in 1952. She is Britain’s longest-lived and the world’s oldest reigning monarch. The Queen and Prince Philip will celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary (70) this year. • Louis Smith, Gymnast, April 22, 28 British artistic gymnast who won bronze in the pommel horse at the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing and then silver for the same discipline at the 2012 London Olympics and then again at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. He is the only British gymnast to win medals at three separate Olympic games. • Brendan Cole, Dancer, April 23, 41 Ballroom dancer from New Zealand who specialises in Latin American dancing. He is a professional dancer on the BBC’s hit show Strictly Come Dancing which he won in the very first series with celebrity dance partner Natasha Kaplinsky. • Barbara Streisand, Singer/Actress, April 24, 75 One of the best-selling music artists of all time the American singer has sold 145m records worldwide. She is also an accomplished actress having starred in films such as Funny Girl which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. She also won an Academy Award for the Best Original Song with Evergreen from the film A Star is Born. • Melania Trump, First Lady, April 26, 47 Married to the US President Donald Trump since 2005 she became the new First Lady of the United States in January this year. The former model met her husband at a New York Fashion Week party in September 1998 and they have one son together, Barron.
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OUR VIEW
HUGE HAUL: Was found in a trail er
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Pure passion from medal hero TRIATHLETE Jairo Ruiz will be the new face of the Costa de Almeria brand across the world. The athlete, who has only one hand, will travel to Japan, Austria and countless other destinations to represent Almeria, its people and passion. Ruiz is a paralympian medallist who broke swimming records in Spain before capturing a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. The 28-year-old is a national hero and won his first triathlete competition in Almeria six years ago.
Panic sets in at Semana Santa IT must be terrifying to be caught up in a stampede which was the case for those attending the Semana Santa celebrations in Malaga and Sevilla. On the first occasion, in Malaga, there was an altercation between two or three young men at the back of the parade. Panic and rumours spread suggesting that there had been a shot and that a vehicle was hitting people. Most people are alert to the very recent events in London and Stockholm and with so many in one place, panic set in. In many ways it was lucky that only two people were slightly injured. The second stampede was certainly more sinister as it appears that three separate groups thought that it would be amusing to frighten those in the crowd by making loud noises and shouting ‘Islamic’ phrases. Reports suggest that more than 100 people were injured in some way, one very seriously and at least seven arrests were made. These were irresponsible and senseless acts rather than an escalation of terrorism, but we must also be cautious to not give into the sense of public fear that certain organisations are attempting to instil.
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Double bottom bust GUARDIA CIVIL officers found more than 700 kilos of hash stashed in a trailer at Almeria port. The huge haul was divided into almost 9,000 bundles, each with a street value of hundreds of euros. One man, a 46-year-old Almeria resident, was arrested and charged with import. Identified only as FRFE, he came to open the trailer while narcotics officers laid in wait. His precise role in the operation is unclear
but the enormous shipment came over from North Africa in mid-April. A routine check of the vehicle was enough to arouse customs officers’ suspicions. Further investigations found five double bottoms storing the hefty 700 kilo load. It is one of the biggest drugs busts of the year. The hash was fine quality pollen, meaning the total street value would easily be worth millions of euros.
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Violence behind closed doors A MAN was jailed for violently abusing his disabled girlfriend in front of her infant son. A shocked court heard how the woman was isolated from her friends and family as her jealous partner took control of every aspect of her life. He locked her inside, confiscated her phone, controlled her movement, pulled her hair and
forbid her any access to money. The woman has unspecified but serious physical disabilities, putting her at a disadvantage in seeking help. She eventually worked up the courage to demand he leave their Almeria home, which she owned. He did but showed up days later threatening to kill her. She reported him to the police.
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Having a good time
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Pantry of Europe TOMATOES sold by Almeria are the cheapest in Europe at €0.85 per kilo. The EU average is now €1.24, while French tomatoes are priciest at €2.30.
Number 1 THE tourist crowds of Easter show no signs of abating with the arrival of three cruise ships to Almeria this week, bringing more than 600 Danish and Dutch tourists.
Space race A NASA computer engineer wants to make Almeria a ‘smart’ province which uses the latest technology to lead the planet in food production techniques. GOOD TIMES: Expected at the new social centre. A NEW social centre for elderly residents has opened in Cantoria. With a bar and other facilities it promises to be a terrific community meeting point. More than €300,000 was invested in transforming the Plaza del Convento site into a modern space where locals can chat, play games and make new friends. Mayor Puri Sanchez said the centre met long-standing demands from local seniors for a dedicated new space. Naturally the bar was the first place to open, proving an instantly popular hit over the Easter rush. The rest of the centre will open in due course. Should the retiree bar be a success there are plans to convert the site into a dual day care centre and social hub with a combination of long term residents and guests meeting friends for a good time.
Top cop SIX police officers arrested a Vicar man for burglary. His victim found his own furniture for sale in a local second-hand shop and quickly called police.
Fresh look A FRESH coat of paint helped transform Garrucha into a spring paradise as hundreds of workers painted the church and convent.
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Record-breaking Semana Santa GOOD OMEN: Legacy of Semana Santa could have a domino effect for the rest of 2017.
SEMANA SANTA 2017 surpassed all expectations across the length and breadth of the Spanish peninsula. This year has seen a recordbreaking week, with over 5.1 million people travelling on 31,220 scheduled flights, and a further 14.8 million using the country’s motorways. Even rail travel saw an increase of 9.5 per cent on 2016, with 2.4 million seats allocated over the week. As hotels and restaurants surpassed profit expectations, with an average increase in turnover of 10 per cent, the tourism sector has highlighted the good weather as a major factor in the week’s success. Latest figures from the Spanish Confederation of Hotels show the average hotel was at 90 per cent capacity and President of the Andalucian Tourism Board, Miguel Sanchez, said that “it’s been a long time since we’ve had a Semana Santa like this.” Bar and restaurant owners estimate that they have made around 6 per cent more cash than in 2016, describing the week as phenomenal. At El Pimpi, one of the oldest Bodega-bars in Malaga, excellent sales have been attributed to the glorious weather. Manager Elena Cobos said “last year, the first few days were weaker due to rain, but this time the forecast was good
every day, leading to more tourists coming and, consequently, a boost in sales.” Despite mid-week technical difficulties at Palma airport, which led to delays of up to five hours, as well as multiple cancellations, the Mallorcan city enjoyed a prosperous week. La Playa de Palma beach was at 75 per cent capacity, with local bars and chiringuitos welcoming the boost in profits. However, focus wasn’t just concentrated at the beaches, as tourists made excursions to local landmarks. The Alcazaba in Almeria was visited by almost 11,000 people, celebrating the area’s cultural heritage and capacity for sustainable tourism. Unfortunately, not everything went off without a hitch, as traffic throughout the provinces suffered under the increased number of road users. Easter Monday saw queues of up to 20km on stretches of the A-3 towards Valencia, and up to 10km around Alicante, as revellers made their way back inland towards the capital. Semana Santa often sets the tone for the summer months, so naturally business owners in the tourism sector are hopeful that 2017 could be a historic, record breaking year.
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Bullring loses THE newly revamped Almeria fairground will have the city’s Central Market as its symbol after a popular vote where it beat out stiff competition from the iconic bullring.
Manic day EMERGENCY services across the province handled 1,119 incidents during Easter Week, 12 per cent more than last year. Saturday April 15 was the busiest day.
Speedy men EVERY single day 37 people are fined for speeding across Almeria Province, representing one of every three traffic offences. Most are men aged 20-34.
Room rage LABOUR disputes and management anarchy mean that eight top Almeria hotels remain closed despite the imminent arrival of summer, with more than 1,000 jobs at stake.
New urban beach CITY slickers frustrated by being so close to the sea, yet so far from proper beaches, may soon be in luck. Provisional financial support has been granted to creating a small sandy beach in La Canada de San Urbano, a long time dream of local residents. It would be near the University of Almeria campus and likely swarmed with sea-mad students in spring and summer. Whether it ultimately gets the green light will depend on whether bureaucrats in Madrid will support the idea. The proposed area is not a natural spot. It has a complex coastline dynamic with strong breakwaters and vulnerability to wind and storms. Expanding the area would require approval from the Ministry of Fisheries, a matter mayor Ramon Pacheco is working on at present.
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Maltreated A BAR owner in Tabernas is facing two years in prison after authorities found eight maltreated east European workers at the premises, and a Russian smuggled into Spain illegally.
Nutty fire A WOMAN who burned down one and a half hectares of forest in Los Velez will be jailed for six months. The accused was burning almond tree branches without a licence at a farm.
Almeria hit WITH more than 20,000 followers Almeria has a huge Facebook presence boasting four times as many fans as Sevilla and even more than Barcelona. The provincial website gained over a million hits last year.
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Residents to report violence DETECTIVES investigating the brutal murder of Andra Violeta believe her former partner used a concrete block to kill her before wrapping her body in plastic and burying her in a ditch. The violent death of the 24-year-old, reportedly missing by her family just a day before the grisly discovery, shocked Almeria. Her suspected killer, Andrei, a Romanian native, was found hanged in an El Alquian greenhouse by stunned farmhands on April 10. As EWN reported last week, Andrei threatened his former girlfriend for months after they split up, and is believed to have kidnapped her from the family home on Sunday April 9 before killing her. Andra’s was the second death of a woman at the hands of her partner in Almeria this year. It was met with a minute’s silence in the mayor’s office and a pledge to ‘eradicate the scourge of domestic violence’. Delegate for Almeria to the Andalucian parliament, Gracia Fernandez, said that Andra had not contacted anyone for help prior to her death. Fernandez urged all residents of Almeria not to look the other way when witnessing domestic violence and to report it immediately to police.
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Foggy flight TWO flights bound for Almeria, one from Luxembourg, another from Brussels, were diverted to Malaga due to a dense Easter fog around the airport.
Robot army GOOGLE chose two University of Almeria professors to participate in its prestigious Summer of Code program. The software project is part of the American giant’s plans to create artificially intelligent robots.
Lucky Easter HOLY WEEK was also a lucky one in Almeria where €350,000 was distributed in the ONCE lottery. Ten winning tickets worth €35,000 each were dispersed, two in Gador and eight in the city.
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Hotel anger over lawless landlords ONE year on from the arrival of strict new tourist re nta l la w s , the re ha v e been almost 1,000 properties registered with the tax office across Almeria. The tough enforcement regime prohibits people from renting out rooms or homes to tourists without complying with regulations and paying taxes. It c a me into force across Andalucia in May 2016. There are now 890 offic ia lly re gis te red home s a c ros s A lme ri a Province. But that figure fa lls fa r s hort of th e 4,500 properties permitted by the tourist registry. Tax authorities believe the re a re s till 3-4,00 0 home s ille ga lly be ing used for tourist purposes
in the province. This is despite the possibility of hef t y f i nes, exceedi ng even €100,000, for noncompliance. An estimated two-thirds of all homes rented out across Almeria are believed to be on this new ‘black market.’
Anyone who continues to rent out rooms risks being punished. That doesn’t sit well with the hotel industry. Lobbyists campaigned for the new laws to stop homeowners being able to undercut hotels with better prices, plusher rooms,
and a more independent travel experience. Anyone who continues to rent out rooms, or advertise online risks being caught and punished. But si nce t he deadl i ne f or compliance was May 11 l ast year, m any peopl e m ay avoi d r egi st er i ng now and possibly facing a fine regardless. The top fine permitted under the controversial statute is €150,000 but there have been no cases of this severity yet. Real estate companies and websites who work with homeowners to attract paying tourists are m or e l i kel y t o be f i ned heavily. The regulations also do not include rural properties.
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IN CHARGE: Mayor Perez at successful council meeting.
Beach safety pledge A SUCCESSFUL meeting saw the green light given to lifeguards, school extensions and more residents in one of the province’s most thriving towns. Nijar mayor Esperanza Perez was delighted to announce the approval of a huge range of exciting new projects by the council. Perhaps most importantly is the confirmation of a full rescue service on major Nijar beaches during summer. Popular playas will have professional lifeguards on duty from June 15 to September 15, while warning flags will wave until October. Nijar hopes for a repeat of last summer
when there was not a single drowning, despite thousands of tourists visiting and the hundreds of deaths across Spain each year. The council session also saw the approval of more land to be granted to schools in Campohermoso, San Jose and San Isidro. Each will be able to expand classroom sizes and facilities thanks to the new space, a long existing demand of local parents. Councillors also approved the expansion of the municipality’s official population to 29,959, with an investment in waste collection and expansion to match.
COMMUNITY NEWS EXTRA
Kundalini queens WHILE much of Spain was ecstatic in boisterous Easter celebrations, dozens of blissful yoga teachers descended on Mojacar for a four-day event celebrating the ancient Kundalini practice.
Casting call EXTRAS are sought for a new western film by acclaimed director Jacques Audiard called ‘Les freres sisters.’ Blonde and ginger children and Nordic-complexioned adults with a vintage style are especially valued.
Gene crossed IVI Clinic Almeria is the first in the province to offer couples genetic compatibility testing to see whether their children might develop any one of up to 600 serious diseases.
Invisible pain MORE than 17,000 women suffer from fibromyalgia across Almeria. Known as the ‘invisible disease’ it causes pain in the joints, muscles and tendons, but diagnosis is extremely difficult.
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Ashlea Memorial ONCE again, Ms Maggi Lake of Bedar hosted the annual Ashlea Memorial event in her lovely home. This fundraising event for MACS, the regional cancer charity, honours a brave woman who lost her long struggle to cancer. A beautiful sunny spring afternoon was the setting for a musical feast with an array of outstanding talent including Clive Bowley (Flashback), Tony Justice and Dennis Danzelman (Rough Justice), Lady Ellen, Patti Ross, and Mad on Blonde. The entertainers were all volunteers and for four hours they had the crowd up and dancing. As always, the success of this event
depended upon a host of volunteers including a fabulous kitchen crew and wonderful chefs who donated their specialities. There were tasty mains and desserts to please every palate. To date the event has raised €1,145. MACS has charity shops located in Albox, Huercal-Overa, Turre, Mojácar Playa and Vera. Each shop has a room to provide private patient survivor and care giver meetings, as well as grief counselling. For information about the location of the shops, general enquiries or serving as a volunteer, please call 634 328 334 weekdays between 11am and 4pm. If you or a loved one needs the support of MACS, please call 634 656 555.
Dog horror at farm DOGS at a rural property were kept in such deplorable conditions that they resorted to cannibalism for survival. Guardia Civil officers arrested the owner of the El Ejido estate after finding more than a dozen dogs on the verge of starvation. Shocked officers found the bodies of two dogs laying on the floor, partially devoured by 17 others, who w e re in v a rio u s s tag es of suffering. They had been called to the property following several reports that the dogs had effectively been abandoned without food. Six of the dogs rescued
All of the surviving dogs have been passed to an animal charity.
were mere puppies and in dire need of medical attention. A ll of the s urviving dogs have been passed on to a non-profit animal charity in Almeria, where they will be looked after. The fa rm ow ne r me a nwhile faces criminal charges of animal cruelty and neglect, though it is likely he will escape with a fine.
ANNUAL EVENT: Held on a beautiful spring afternoon.
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Photo by Jay Allen Crown
General Election could be Second Referendum
BREXIT PAGE By John Smith
THERE was considerable surprise when Theresa May announced on April 18 that she wished to call a snap General Election. All opinion polls suggest that the Conservative party is in a very strong position, whilst support for Labour has steadily waned. Having been accused of being a leader without a mandate as she simply replaced David Cameron as Prime Minister and despite the fact that parties not the electorate vote for the leader, she clearly wants to be seen as a leader supported by the people. She argues that it is better to have the election now so that she is in a position to negotiate Brexit from a position of strength rather than wait and to be ‘hamstrung’ by
THERESA MAY: Wants to be a leader supported by the people. opposition parties in the lead up to Britain’s departure from the European Union. Under recent legislation, the only way in which an election cam be held is if there is a vote of no confidence in a sitting government or if two thirds of MPs (434) vote to agree an early election. The vote will be held presently and Labour has already indicated that it will support the motion so that the election will almost cer-
tainly be held on June 8 of this year. There has been such division over the results of the referendum that not only will this election be addressed on party political terms, it will also give those who are for and against Brexit an opportunity to align themselves with the political party that offers the best solution for them. In theory, this should be a ‘walkover’ for the Conservatives
but because the referendum result caused so much dissension, voters could either support the Brexiteers en masse or could conceivably switch should the LibDems for example promise to reverse the decision if elected, perhaps in coalition with the SNP. One thing is for sure and that is that those expatriates who had been out of the country for more than 15 years and were looking forward to being able to vote in the planned 2020 general election are going to continue to be disenfranchised as far as this election is concerned. With just eight weeks before the expected election, there are bound to be some very forthright exchanges between a number of politicians and some very nervous opinion pollsters who seem to have the ability to get everything wrong at the moment. Some of those no longer in the House of Commons could find themselves in a position where they will be lobbying against the parties that they have been involved with for their entire political careers and to a limited extent, this general election could be considered a second referendum.
NEWS
EU on France and Turkey THE focus of the European Union moved away from Britain and Brexit over the last week to consider France and Turkey. The French Presidential elections are now moving forwards with the front runners being the Nationalist Marine Le Pen and the Centrist Emmanuel Macron. The other nine candidates are likely to be dropped before a showdown between the two front runners if opinion polls are to be believed and in the event that Ms Le Pen is elected she has promised to stop all immigration to France until a new way of controlling it can be introduced. In the meantime, the Turkish referendum has seen a narrow majority in favour of turning Turkey into a presidential republic and seeing incumbent Erdogan in power until 2029. As the ‘threat’ of Turkey joining the European Union appears to drift away with this latest news, many who were worried about the possibility of thousands of Turks sweeping across Europe will be more comfortable.
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NEWS
Spring concert to put a smile on your face THE Rose Singers are proud to present their spring concert titled ‘Roses in Springtime.’ The programme of songs, sung in harmony by this local ladies choir, will put the warmth of spring in your step and the bright smile of sunshine on your face.
The concerts will be held on Thursday April 27 at 7.30pm in the newly refurbished Miraflores Restaurant, Camping Los Gallardos and also on Saturday April 29 at 3pm in The Bistro Bar and Restaurant, Pueblo Laguna. A raffle will be held at both events with
proceeds going to the aid of Stepping Stones carers support group. Tickets cost €8 and can be bought in advance from Gill’s Linens (Mojacar Playa), Forget-Me-Not (Las Buganvillas), Total Entertainment (Turre) and The Shop, Camping
Los Gallardos. They will also be available on the doors, through choir members and by messaging the Facebook page (search for Rose Singers, Mojácar). The choir looks forward to seeing you there!
The Dames in Turre ON Monday April 24 the Dames in Turre will host its next meeting which will be held at The Hostel Rural in Turre from 11am. The speaker will be Alejandro Gestoria who will be giving a talk on Living in Spain. This should be very interesting so why not go along and join in? The group always welcomes guests as it is a friendly group who helps raise needed funds for local charities. For more details please contact the secretary Pam Smith on 677 543 031 or the president Lesley Barlow on 661 085 551.
Anglican churches THE Anglican Churches in Costa Almeria and Costa Colida will host their AGM on Tuesday April 25 at 12 noon at Miraflores, Los Gallardos campsite which will be followed by a lunch. Then on Saturday April 29
from 9.30am until 1pm there will be a spring fair at Levantes car park in Mojacar. Entrance is free and all are welcome. Nonchurch stallholders are also welcome with stalls costing €10. For more information contact Tony on 950 092 096.
COMMUNITY
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Vera and District Lions Club THE Vera and District Lions Club would like to thank Iceland and all the customers who donated money to the club over Easter week. An amazing €1,310 was raised which will go to help local good causes including Vera’s Children’s Home which needs urgent repairs to its roof, Leo the Lion for his rehabilitation, Asprodalba and the local food banks. The club would also like to thank Restaurant Laguna, The Bistro, Frankies Bar, Bar La Reva, The Blue Parrot and Scotties who raffled Easter Hampers and raised over €450 between them. Thank you to all of the bars and to everyone who bought tickets. On April 28 and 29 Vera Food Bank will be handing out plastic bags for people to donate food in all the Mercadonas. If anyone would like to help with giving out the bags
EASTER HAMPERS: Were raffled and raised €450. and collecting the food, please contact Pam Mattioli who is coordinating the English speaking rota.
For further information about the Lions contact Pam Mattioli on 610 309 032 or Sandie Tinkham on 950 439 324.
20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
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NEWS
No Brex-effect, yet SPANISH hoteliers predict that Brexit will exert no effect on tourism in either 2017 or 2018, despite the weak pound. According to initial figures, the UK was once again the market leader over the Easter period, and Juan Molas, president of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT), said that the trend should continue into summer. Molas added that Brexit is a cause for concern within the hotel sector “in the future, and we have to proceed carefully, with caution, intelligence, goodwill and our hand extended.” In 2016, 23.2 million airliners were contracted by British companies to fly to Spain, an increase of 3.8 million compared with
2015, and the total is predicted to rise to 24.6 million this year. The number of Britons visiting Spain also jumped by over 12 per cent, to 17.8 million, with security fears in countries including Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt leading sun-seekers to book closer to home. In view of these important figures, hoteliers are urging the Spanish government to play a key role in Brexit negotiations, since there would be a likely knock-on effect to other industries should British tourism decline. Molas was keen to point out that the UK is outside the Schengen Zone, stressing that “access restrictions such as physical or electronic visas would be extremely damaging for the Spanish economy.”
Squatting thieves are arrested AN investigation into six burglaries carried out in Vicar has resulted in two arrests. Guardia Civil officers detained two young local men they suspect are behind the spate of thefts. Jewellery, furniture, electronics and cash worth in excess of €50,000 was stolen from
the six properties in March. Several of the burglaries targeted La Envie Golf homes. When they were finally caught the suspects were illegally squatting in one of the properties they had broken into. They were brazenly using up the home’s electricity supply while the owners were away.
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NEWS FROM OUR FIVE OTHER REGIONS
AXARQUÍA
Counterfeiters caught COSTA DEL SOL
CHEAP IMITATIONS: the men were ripped off products from well known designers.
MALLORCA
COSTA BLANCA NORTH
COSTA DEL SOL
Bullet-proof By Francesca Souter AUTHORITIES have arrested three people in Torremolinos and Benalmadena charged with counterfeiting. Officers from National and Local police forces have seized 254 fake items, including so called ´designer´ handbags and sunglasses. The investigation began after several citizens and vendors reported the presence of people in the area who could be engaged in the illicit selling of fake clothing, causing economic damage to local businesses. The search was focused on market stalls set up in areas popular with tourists where the items were being sold. After identifying those responsible for the fraudulent sales, three men were arrested as the alleged perpetrators of intellectual property crimes.
COSTA BLANCA SOUTH
Migrant arrests
Jabs back
Hopping mad
New hotel
OFFICERS of the Guardia Civil have arrested 14 migrants who were discovered on board a vessel off the coast of Cabrera. All are of Algerian origin and have been placed in custody in Palma.
THE regional Health department resumed vaccinating against tetanus and whooping cough for six- and 14year-olds. The campaign was halted months ago when laboratories ran out of supplies.
A 21-YEAR-OLD man is being treated for injuries in Marbella, after a car caught up in a chain pulled out a concrete post which landed on his foot.
PLANS were approved for a 150-room hotel in Los Urrutias. The €15 million complex will have five tennis courts, two swimming pools, a gym and sailing facilities.
Air arrest
Work accidents
High time
ACCORDING to the Department of Labour, Commerce and Industry, workrelated accidents in the Balearics have increased by 5.53 per cent over the previous year. This 2016 figure shows an increase in minor accidents and a decrease in major ones.
FIREMEN cut down a disused antenna and lightning conductor at Pago’s Ambra castle. A helicopter removed it from the Moorish stronghold which is 264-metres above sea level.
A RYANAIR flight travelling to Pisa was diverted to Malaga due to the ‘unacceptable behaviour’ of a passenger. The company stressed that it won’t tolerate inappropriate conduct, and the traveller was arrested by police.
Welfare state
Request denied
THERE were three separate road accidents in Manacor in a single night all caused by drunken drivers but luckily noone was injured.
BENITACHELL Town Hall plans to engage a new social worker. The cost will be met by a €27,231 subsidy from the regional government, announced Social Services councillor Jacinta Pastor.
THE mayor of Istan has rejected a request from a local group to celebrate the 86th anniversary of the proclamation of the Second Republic of Spain, classing it as a ‘political act.’
Royal visitors
Rent-free
Man down
IN what has become something of an Easter tradition the Spanish Royal Family visited Palma. King Felipe and Queen Letizia together with their two daughters and the Queen celebrated Easter Mass at the Cathedral.
OLIVA Town Hall will economise by moving the lorry park from Paseo Joan Fuster to the El Brosquil industrial estate. It owns this land and will not pay rent.
TWO people were seriously injured in a road accident between Ronda and San Pedro on Thursday 13. The accident occurred when a motorcycle ran over a pedestrian walking on the road.
Drunken drivers
Dangerous driver A DRIVER lost control of his car and ploughed into a queue of people at a bus stop in Palma. Having only passed his driving test two months ago, the 20-year-old Moroccan injured five people.
Kitchen fire A MAN was lucky to escape his home unharmed following a fire which engulfed his kitchen in Polop. Noticing smoke billowing out of the property, a neighbour immediately alerted the Local Police who, in turn, called the fire brigade.
NEWS
Contreeversy OVER the last two years, a total of 734 trees have been removed from the streets of Malaga. Despite over twice as many being planted during this time, many residents are unhappy with the felling.
For more local news from our five other regions see www.euroweeklynews.com
More jobs
ALMUNECAR’S Council has made investments in the safety of the town’s firemen and police officers finding €20,000 to provide all police officers with bullet-proof vests as well as new communications systems and safety harnesses for firemen.
Golf vetoed LOCAL residents in Maro, a hamlet within Nerja are up in arms over a planned golf course. Already 700 signatures have been received on a petition which wants to block the building of an 18-hole golf course, hotels and apartments.
Full house HOTELS in Almuñecar and La Herradura reached 90 per cent occupancy over this year’s Semana Santa. The town’s council has attributed the high numbers to unseasonably good weather that has drawn crowds to the town.
Check mate
MURCIA created more employment than any other Spanish region in March with a 1.96 per cent increase, with 10,567 more Social Security contributors.
MOTRIL has organised its first open chess tournament, labelled ‘The Art of Chess,’ which took place on Easter Sunday.
Split up
New tricks
THIRTY-EIGHT Elche state schools voted for a continuous school day and 11 for split sessions. Four are in the city centre and eight in rural Campo de Elche.
PILAR DE LA HORADADA Town Hall allocated €2,859 to eight needy local families. Just over half of this will be spent on their light and water bills.
CROOKS continue to think up new versions of old scams and now they call up to make appointments to rob people! This has occurred in Nerja where conmen telephone elderly foreign residents to advise that Endesa employees will be visiting to check the electrical system.
Bank bailout
Black out
Bills paid
VANDALS set alight a dumped mattress in Santa Pola’s Avenida Portugal, damaging a bank façade. Firemen called to the scene controlled the fire before it could spread further.
Sad farewell IT was time to say goodbye to Pirata, the much-loved Torrevieja harbour cat. With kidney problems and FIV, it was kinder to put him to sleep, vets decided.
THE worst fears of councillors and commercial operators in Almuñecar came to fruition when there was another major power cut. So damaging to the town’s economy are these regular cuts the council has indicated it is considering taking legal action against the company
EWN top for all the news from Spain.
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EUROPEAN PRESS
NORWAY
NETHERLANDS
Cheap flights
Assisted suicide OFFICIAL cases of euthanasia rose 10 per cent in the Netherlands last year, accounting for 4 per cent of all deaths in the country. Of the 6,091 euthanasia cases, 87 per cent of assisted deaths involved people with cancer, serious heart or lung problems.
NORWEGIAN airline has launched special flights to the USA from the UK with prices from as low as £91 (€107) so if you can get a cheap flight back to the UK, then happy flying!
Lost and found A BALL lost by an under 19’s football club in Aberdeen after it was kicked into the River Dee, has been found more than 1,000 miles away washed up on the north coast of Norway.
Terror prank
NORWEGIAN: Are offering cheap flights to the US. manded in custody in relation to a bomb scare in Oslo. The 17-yearold is charged with terror offences but his lawyers said the incident was just a prank.
A RUSSIAN teenager has been re-
Going down THE Norwegian birth rate has decreased for the seventh consecutive year with the birth rate now 1.71.
FORMER US President Barack Obama is reportedly set to visit Germany
Benefits bill
Easter break
MORE jobs in the Dutch market helped reduce the bill of unemployment benefits by 7 per cent last year. The number of unemployment benefit claims fell from 446,000 to 412,000 over the year.
THE national tourist board expected almost a million foreign visitors to the Netherlands over Easter weekend, with around 65 per cent of them from Germany.
Guilty plea
Cyber crime
Obama visit
THE Junior Justice Minister Klaas Dijkhoff, has allowed 240 refugees to stay in the country even though their earlier appeals had failed. He received 780 requests for clemency in the last two years.
DENMARK
GERMANY A MAN has been convicted and fined €4,800 for a hate speech against a Green Party politician. The Berlin court found the 57-year-old guilty of verbally insulting the politician in two Facebook posts.
Permission granted
in May and address the protestant church’s annual assembly to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Maypole theft MUNICH’S maypole has been stolen. But it was all part of a spring tradition where rival towns try to steal each other’s maypoles. This year, the village of Neufinsing beat a Goliath as
they managed to steal Munich’s maypole.
Costly digs MUNICH has been named as having the most expensive rent for students with a typical student apartment measuring 30 square metres close to a university costing €634 a month including utilities.
FRANCE
BELGIUM
Bike hike
Passenger increase
ANNUAL subscriptions for the Velib bike rental scheme in Paris are expected to rise by as much as 35 per cent in January 2018 when the new provider Smoove comes into force and introduces new bikes and new stations.
BRUSSELS Airport had a record month in March with some 1,879,510 passengers going through the terminal, an increase of 9.8 per cent compared to March 2015. The airport was closed due to terrorist attacks in March last year.
Mosque threat A MOSQUE in the eastern suburbs of Paris has been closed as authorities deemed it ‘a threat to security’ believing radical ideology was being preached.
Borders closed
Begging in Brussels BRUSSELS Public Prosecutor has said that the problem of begging is now a priority. Begging is not a punishable offence but the Public Prosecutor can intervene to prevent potential human trafficking or in cases concerning minors.
Job move
PRESIDENTIAL candidate Marine Le Pen has said if elected she would immediately move to close France’s borders and deport foreigners on a watch list of Islamist radicals.
INSURERS Lloyd’s of London is planning to move jobs out of London to a new Brussels office post Brexit to secure its presence in the EU.
Pet travel
Chippy demolished
PARIS has relaxed its rules on dogs travelling on the Metro. Previously only small pooches were permitted but larger dogs can now take the Metro although they must have a ticket and will not be able to travel for free.
ONE of the most famous chippies in Brussels, Maison Antoine, in the European district, has been demolished. A new one is being planned, but a mobile chippy will supply local workers in the meantime.
A FATHER, aged 38, has pleaded guilty to the murder of his three children and their mother who were found in an apartment near Copenhagen. A police stateme nt sai d t hat off i cer s wer e greeted by a ‘terrible scene.’
Unusual beer IT may not be t o ever yone’s taste but Danish farmers have reportedly brewed a beer using the urine collected from music festivals. It was used in fertilising malting barley used in the beer process.
Security concern THE mayor of Copenhagen has told the public the Danish capital is well prepared to defend itself against any possible terror attack and said the city will continue to work to secure itself.
Dignified death A DANISH nurse broke protocol and allowed a dying man a final ci gar et t e and a gl ass of wi ne within the hospital grounds surrounded by his family.
SWEDEN
Terrorist in court THERE was armed security around Stockholm District Court as 39-year-old Rakhmat Akilov, appeared and admitted to committing a terrorist crime. He is the man suspected of driving a truck into pedestrians killing four people.
Cash-less theft THIEVES have used a mobile phone app to rob a man. The gang threatened the man in Gothenburg making him send them cash using the money transfer app Swish.
No claim
Music boost
A COURT has ruled that a midwife who refused to carry out abortions based on her religious beliefs, was not discriminated against as her employer required abortions to be carried out by its staff.
MUSIC sales in Sweden increased 6.2 per cent last year with 1.1 billion kronor generated from music sales with Swedish artists accounting for 28 per cent of that.
FINANCE
Costa de Almería
20 - 26 April 2017
STAT OF WEEK
business & legal
€14 million
Quote of the Week
1.6 million tonnes of olive oil was produced by Spain in 2011/12, a national record.
However, the Association of Industrial Packers and Refiners of Edible Oils (ANIERAC), which handles 70 per cent of all sales within Spain, estimates the reduction to be as much as 12 per cent, with a resultant boost to the
sunflower oil market. In February, sales of olive oil handled by ANIERAC dropped from 28,114 tonnes in 2016 to 21,226 tonnes, while the cheaper sunflower oil jumped from 19,300 to 25,320 tonnes.
The Banco Popular does not present solvency problems,” according to the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Irene Garrido on the financial position of the Spanish bank.
Photo by CA SAfr Wikimedia
Abengoa Group moving forward
BUSINESS EXTRA
Economic move THE Junta de Andalucia is considering the possibility of purchasing properties where owners are no longer able to afford to pay the mortgage and then renting them back to those in the properties. The idea behind this is that if it can save families from going to court and being evicted then it will be good for the economy in the long run.
Inflation down CRÉDIT AGRICOLE: The main shareholders. By John Smith MAJOR investors are divesting themselves of shares in the Abengoa Group which was previously close to bankruptcy on a worldwide basis. By the end of 2016, the organisation had managed to put a recovery plan into place and was even able to take one of its main US based subsidiaries out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the business started to turn around. Santander bank which was the largest single shareholder has reduced its shareholding from 9.63
per cent to 2.4 per cent without materially hurting the business which is refinancing and now French bank Crédit Agricole has taken over as the largest shareholder with 8.77 per cent of equity. The next chapter in the future of the company will see it concentrate more on engineering activity undertaking third party projects, which whilst showing smaller margins of profit, are less risky. In order to succeed however, the group recognises that it will need to continue to reduce its financial exposure and debt.
THERE has been some good news for consumers in Spain as the Consumer Price Index for March fell to 2.3 per cent, from 3 per cent in February. The bulk of this fall is thanks to drops in the price of fuel and energy although vegetable prices have also dropped following increases due to the appalling winter weather.
Nissan news JAPANESE car manufacturer Nissan has seen some exceptional results in sales within Europe in the 12-month period from April 2015 to March 2016. Overall sales were up by 2.6 per cent but in Spain the increase was a phenomenal 13.3 per cent with the sale of just over 69,000 vehicles.
Trump makes settlement A SPANISH chef has settled a lawsuit with the Trump organisation after pulling out of a deal with a Trump hotel. Originally celebrity chef José Andrés who is considered responsible for promoting the concept
of quality tapas in the USA was due to open a Spanish restaurant in one of the Trump hotels in Washington DC, but pulled out after the presidential candidate made depreciating remarks about Mexicans.
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is the amount that Jordi Pujol Ferrusola has removed from the country since 2012 according to the Spanish Economic and Fiscal Unit
A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION // WWW.EWNBUSINESS.COM
Shift away from over the odds oil SPANISH olive oil prices have again increased following a brief respite at the end of March. Since the start of the 2016/17 season last October, the average price of a kilo of oil has caused domestic demand for the product to fall as consumers move towards cheaper products, particularly sunflower oil. According to Ministry of Agriculture data, 213,000 tonnes of olive oil have been snapped up by the domestic market over the last five months, a 9 per cent drop compared with figures for 2015/16.
EWN
In recent weeks, unrefined lampante olive oil has been selling for around €3.70 per kilo, virgin oil for €3.75 and extra virgin oil for €3.80. These prices have been reflected in a final cost of €4.50-5 per litre to the consumer, and a near-total absence of special offers in supermarkets and other shops, while sunflower oil, which retails at around €1 per litre, has been flying off the shelves. Olive oil exports, meanwhile, increased by 30 per cent despite the price hike, the situation triggered by poor harvests across Europe.
More bank notes THE production of fake €20 and €50 bank notes continues to be investigated by the authorities and three women have been arrested in Oviedo. Investigations by the National Police revealed the fact that these three women had been producing and distributing these counterfeit notes for three years through shops and small businesses in the north of Spain. They were quite blatant about their activity, spending the notes on a daily basis and when officers raided the property where the fake notes were produced, they found €5,000 in printed fakes and sufficient paper to produce additional notes to a value of €10,000.
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LONDON - FTSE 100
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
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C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 17
PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY Anglo American 1,170.25 -0.65 Associated British Foods 2,708.50 78.49 Admiral Group 2,029.00 16.39 Ashtead Group 1,652.00 -27.16 Antofagasta 835.75 10.37 Aviva 517.50 -0.27 AstraZeneca 4,742.50 4.03 BAE Systems 642.50 -3.90 Babcock International Group 885.50 1.69 Barclays 212.65 -1.05 British American Tobacco 5,381.00 2.67 Barratt Developments 572.25 -1.34 British Land Co 652.50 -0.85 BHP Billiton 1,269.00 -8.62 Bunzl 2,365.50 -5.51 BP 471.13 -1.62 Burberry Group 1,762.50 -5.10 BT Group 313.10 -2.27 Coca-Cola HBC 2,095.50 1.85 Carnival 4,558.00 5.54 Centrica 216.30 -1.05 Compass Group 1,550.50 2.44 Croda International 3,625.00 25.11 CRH 2,701.00 -39.29 ConvaTec Group 289.10 1.12 DCC 7,135.00 -41.95 Diageo 2,298.00 -10.47 Direct Line Insurance Group 343.80 2.08 Experian 1,621.00 -5.73 easyJet 1,064.00 2.35 Fresnillo 1,641.00 24.96 GKN 352.70 -1.69 Glencore 309.05 -2.99 GlaxoSmithKline 1,647.00 0.31 Hikma Pharmaceuticals 1,919.00 0.49 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,344.00 0.91 Hammerson 585.50 -0.11 HSBC Holdings 643.90 -10.30 International Consolidated Air 540.00 4.37 InterContinental Hotels Group 3,934.00 11.44 3i Group 771.75 4.29 Imperial Brands 3,933.50 18.79 Informa 659.00 0.60 Intu Properties 287.05 -1.33 Intertek Group 4,062.50 8.60 ITV 217.40 -0.23 Johnson Matthey 3,016.00 -5.14 Kingfisher 327.00 -0.97 Land Securities Group 1,117.00 -0.20 Legal & General Group 251.60 2.76
% CHG. NET VOL -0.06 16,447.83 3.00 20,702.28 0.82 5,726.98 -1.62 8,377.01 1.26 8,128.39 -0.05 21,094.65 0.09 59,919.93 -0.60 20,547.03 0.19 4,466.95 -0.49 36,285.70 0.05 100,340.90 -0.24 5,674.27 -0.13 6,724.39 -0.68 26,781.07 -0.23 7,957.80 -0.34 92,993.05 -0.29 7,733.03 -0.72 31,445.10 0.09 7,608.95 0.12 9,673.68 -0.48 12,044.48 0.16 25,454.72 0.70 4,723.61 -1.43 22,918.17 0.39 5,622.19 -0.58 6,377.02 -0.45 58,021.58 0.61 4,699.75 -0.35 15,365.01 0.22 4,210.41 1.54 11,908.20 -0.48 6,089.50 -0.97 44,623.70 0.02 80,914.17 0.03 4,612.39 0.07 6,370.10 -0.02 4,663.95 -1.57 129,915.69 0.82 11,290.78 0.29 7,782.59 0.56 7,451.71 0.48 37,567.09 0.09 5,413.71 -0.46 3,905.23 0.21 6,546.00 -0.11 8,735.14 -0.17 5,831.16 -0.30 7,284.26 -0.02 8,840.58 1.11 14,864.11
COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Lloyds Banking Group ORD 62.71 0.07 London Stock Exchange Grp 3,227.50 4.11 Micro Focus International 2,534.00 43.26 Mediclinic International 759.50 24.36 Merlin Entertainments 486.40 2.43 Marks & Spencer Group 346.80 2.34 Mondi 1,979.00 -7.44 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 234.40 1.76 National Grid 1,036.00 -5.56 Next 4,193.00 38.62 Old Mutual Group 194.90 3.19 Provident Financial 3,122.50 21.54 Paddy Power Betfair 8,525.00 -12.43 Prudential 1,663.50 -1.55 Persimmon 2,221.00 33.67 Pearson 632.50 -6.31 Reckitt Benckiser Group 7,448.50 -18.26 Royal Bank of Scotland Group 228.40 -3.03 Royal Dutch Shell 2,106.50 -9.00 Royal Dutch Shell 2,192.25 -33.55 RELX 1,583.50 -8.18 Rio Tinto 3,121.00 -27.02 Royal Mail 423.95 4.49 Rolls-Royce Group 828.50 -1.89 Randgold Resources 7,540.00 83.23 RSA Insurance Group 597.00 -0.54 Rentokil Initial 253.10 0.96 Sainsbury (J) 258.40 0.60 Schroders 3,112.00 -2.11 Sage Group (The) 663.50 13.51 Shire 4,585.25 21.26 Smurfit Kappa Group 2,066.00 -2.58 Sky 982.50 1.96 Standard Life 368.70 2.29 Smiths Group 1,617.50 -8.24 Scottish Mortgage Invstmnt 368.50 -1.61 Smith & Nephew 1,259.00 -8.92 SSE 1,495.00 -11.13 Standard Chartered 709.50 -10.92 St James's Place 1,066.00 -0.11 Severn Trent 2,444.00 6.35 Tesco 181.50 -2.63 TUI AG 1,094.00 -2.92 Taylor Wimpey 196.90 2.08 Unilever 4,033.00 -27.28 United Utilities Group 1,014.00 1.16 Vodafone Group 204.00 -0.30 Wolseley 4,926.00 -16.08 Worldpay Group 300.00 -1.72 WPP Group 1,738.00 0.79 Whitbread 4,175.00 23.94
% CHG. 0.11 0.13 1.75 3.31 0.50 0.68 -0.38 0.76 -0.53 0.93 1.66 0.69 -0.15 -0.09 1.54 -0.99 -0.25 -1.31 -0.42 -1.51 -0.51 -0.86 1.07 -0.23 1.12 -0.09 0.38 0.23 -0.07 2.08 0.47 -0.12 0.20 0.63 -0.51 -0.43 -0.71 -0.74 -1.51 -0.01 0.26 -1.42 -0.27 1.07 -0.67 0.11 -0.15 -0.33 -0.57 0.05 0.58
NET VOL 44,691.06 11,275.90 5,681.57 5,429.80 4,911.44 5,590.69 9,512.00 5,418.61 39,036.08 6,104.32 9,495.12 4,596.09 7,158.90 43,025.03 6,748.77 5,227.54 52,488.57 27,403.25 95,398.38 83,243.44 17,141.46 43,505.12 4,192.00 15,282.31 6,978.34 6,024.23 4,631.92 5,644.51 7,018.00 7,025.59 41,119.05 4,897.08 16,777.61 7,473.79 6,426.08 5,034.92 11,016.97 15,274.43 23,697.44 5,590.08 5,727.83 15,074.78 6,439.81 6,409.22 52,179.04 6,907.53 54,388.91 12,436.52 6,034.00 22,214.07 7,555.03
Kleinwort Benson Elite PCC Ltd
0.84818
1.17899 Units per €
US dollar..............................................................1.06324 Japan yen.............................................................115.207 Switzerland franc ..............................................1.06715 Denmark kroner...............................................7.43847 Norway kroner...................................................9.11406
currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914
DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 17
COMPANY 3M AMERICAN EXPRESS APPLE BOEING CO CATERPILLAR CHEVRON CISCO SYSTEMS COCA-COLA DU PONT(EI) DE NMR EXXON MOBIL GENERAL ELECTRIC GOLDMAN SACHS HOME DEPOT IBM INTEL CORP J.P.MORGAN CHASE JOHNSON & JOHNSON MC DONALD'S CORP MERCK AND CO. NEW MICROSOFT NIKE PFIZER PROCTER AND GAMBLE TRAVELERS CIES UNITED TECHNOLOGIE UNITEDHEALTH GROUP VERIZON COMMS VISA WAL-MART STORES WALT DISNEY CO
PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 188,650 -0,55% -1,050 112M 75,8000 -1,15% -0,8800 68M 141,050 -0,53% -0,750 740M 175,620 -0,24% -0,430 106M 93,100 -1,86% -1,760 54M 106,10 -2,63% -2,87 201M 32,420 -0,61% -0,200 162M 42,79 -0,35% -0,15 183M 77,4400 -1,26% -0,9900 66M 81,69 -1,54% -1,28 338M 29,5600 -0,71% -0,2100 257M 223,32 -1,08% -2,43 88M 145,9100 -0,43% -0,6300 175M 169,53 -0,66% -1,13 159M 35,2500 -1,07% -0,3800 166M 84,4000 -1,17% -1,0000 300M 124,9900 -0,33% -0,4100 338M 130,7600 -0,38% -0,5000 107M 62,61 -0,70% -0,44 171M 64,950 -0,43% -0,280 501M 55,34 -0,41% -0,23 73M 33,8800 -0,12% -0,0400 201M 90,030 -0,31% -0,280 230M 120,53 -0,77% -0,93 33M 112,09 -0,13% -0,15 89M 164,96 -0,36% -0,60 157M 48,62 -0,61% -0,30 198M 88,87 +0,21% 0,19 165M 73,1500 -0,39% -0,2900 221M 113,2000 +0,14% 0,1600 179M
NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 17
COMPANY
PRICE
CHANGE NET / %
Most Advanced Nexvet Biopharma plc Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. ImmunoGen, Inc. SkyWest, Inc. Acceleron Pharma Inc. Enzymotec Ltd. Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Flexion Therapeutics, Inc. Alder BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. Blueprint Medicines Corporation Okta, Inc.
$ 6.62 $ 45.30 $ 3.24 $ 33.05 $ 28.69 $ 8.70 $ 42.27 $ 27.97 $ 21.70 $ 45.59 $ 24.49
2.57 ▲ 63.46% 4.48 ▲ 10.98% 0.28 ▲ 9.46% 2.65 ▲ 8.72% 2.16 ▲ 8.14% 0.65 ▲ 8.07% 2.92 ▲ 7.42% 1.82 ▲ 6.96% 1.40 ▲ 6.90% 2.81 ▲ 6.57% 1.49 ▲ 6.48%
$ 2.94 $ 6.25 $ 5.66 $ 2.41 $ 50.72 $ 2.05 $ 14.18 $ 13.95 $ 7.40 $ 18.90 $ 2.45
2.39 ▼ 44.84% 1.30 ▼ 17.22% 0.92 ▼ 13.98% 0.38 ▼ 13.62% 7.36 ▼ 12.67% 0.20 ▼ 8.89% 1.35 ▼ 8.69% 1.28 ▼ 8.40% 0.65 ▼ 8.07% 1.60 ▼ 7.80% 0.20 ▼ 7.55%
Most Declined SkyPeople Fruit Juice, Inc. DAVIDsTEA Inc. Papa Murphy's Holdings, Inc. China TechFaith Wireless Com Tech Limited Apogee Enterprises, Inc. Oncobiologics, Inc. Smart Sand, Inc. Selecta Biosciences, Inc. ObsEva SA Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. Xcel Brands, Inc
32
E W N 20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
Sultans of bling THERE are 25 Spaniards on the most recently published special 30th anniversary edition of the Forbes Rich List. For the first time ever, in 2017 the iconic list registers more than 2,000 billionaires on the planet. The total net worth of the 2,043 richest people on earth rose by 18 per cent to clock $7.67 trillion for the April 2017 round up. Bill Gates continues to lead the rich pack with his $86 billion fortune. With just 25 names, Spain is somewhat unfairly misrepresented on the list. Forbes names only individuals rather than families, meaning that the heir to a family fortune is not included. That minor caveat excludes major Spanish financial players such as the March brothers, the Riberas and the Botin family from the list. The four brothers from Mallorca who lead Banco March have combined assets of €4.4 billion but since there is no undisputed leader who can claim it as his own, all four are left off the list. The vast majority of Spain’s super wealth is in the hands of family firms. The exceptions are Amancio Ortega, founder of Zara, and Juan Roig, the president of Mercadona. ON THE LIST: Mercadona founder Juan Roig.
www.euroweeklynews.com
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
Black day for banking empire By Matthew Elliott ONE of Spain’s biggest banks registered another black day in its steadily downward trajectory. Banco Popular now has a stock market value barely north of €3 billion after losing more than €780 million in just 12 days. Investors are deeply upset. The dramatic loss comes after Standard and Poor dropped Popular’s credit rating from a B+ to a B and projected a negative outlook for the bank’s future. Moody’s are similarly pessimistic, while most analysts see little choice ahead except for a massive corporate overhaul. A capital increase planned for the third quarter of 2017 would be the fourth in five years, scant encouragement for the future. Banco Popular is now trading at just 0.28 times its book value, by far the lowest in Spain. Sabadell is trading at 0.71, Bankia at 0.96 and BBVA at 0.98. Caixa and Santander fare even better. Popular is also out on a very dangerous limb thanks to its deep exposure to brick, with tens of billions in problematic assets. Perhaps more than any other bank, Popular is fearful of the impending mortgage-floor clause reckoning. The bank, along with many others, will
BANCO POPULAR: Cannot count on foreign investors to save the day. fork out billions in compensation to homeowners in the next decade or so after a transformative judgement from the European Court of Justice. Nor can Banco Popular count on the intervention of foreign investors to save the day. Spain is almost alone among major western economies in proving completely resistant to foreign banking success stories. No foreign
entity has ever been able to develop commercial banking in Spain. One glimmer of hope comes from Banco Popular’s new management, led by president Emilio Saracho and CEO Ignacio Sanchez. Neither have deep personal ties to the bank and are believed to be far more open to radical remodelling policies than their respective predecessors.
Spain leads high flyers
Gangsters paradise
SPAIN leads a newly published rankin g o f t h e t o p 1 2 0 fas te s t growing companies in Europe. Of the 120 high flying firms, 30 are in Spain, more than any other country. The list was published by British newspaper the Financial Times, which compiled an enormous list of the 1,000 fastest growing companies on the continent between 2012 and 2015. Most of the companies are relatively n e w, wh i c h a c co u n ts fo r their extremely fast growth rates. The top Spanish performer for instance is 14th placed Lookotels, which saw revenue grow by 3,491 per cent in just four years after its founding in 2010. Other high performing Spanish companies include Biomasa Forestal, which has just 22 employees yet came 16th with a revenue of almost €7 million, up from just pennies in 2011. Spain is abundantly represented in the construction, design, energy, tourism and food sectors. One private international school, the Aquinas American School in
A BESTSELLING crime author has pinpointed Andorra as the place Spain and Spanish banks keep their secret cash reserves. Roberto Saviano is best known for his expose of the Italian Cammora crime syndicates but has focused his financial telescope on legitimate European politics. The expert on organised crime, who has been in hiding for more than 10 years, says cash-strapped European banks are embracing organised crime to keep reserves flowing. He explicitly targets Spain for its tax havens in Andorra, and claims the UK is the most financially corrupt country in Europe. There are no controls over the flow of cash from London to Gibraltar he claims. Every country has its ways of laundering money, while all of them continue to use Swiss accounts to escape proper scrutiny. Brexit, he says, is part of a plan to make Britain an offshore banking paradise.
MADRID: One private international school increased its revenue tenfold. Madrid increased revenue tenfold from €302,117 in 2012 to more than €3 million in 2015. In the top 120 only Britain and Germany came close to Spain. But when extrapolated to the top 1,000
fa s t grow ing c ompa nie s , Spa in falls back into fifth place with 104 companies, behind Germany with 237, the UK with 236, Italy with 188 and France with 140. At the very top is HelloFresh, a
G e rman m eal del i ver y ser vi ce which is now present in various European and Nor t h Am er i can countries, plus Australia having inc re a s ed r evenue by 13,159 per cent.
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
Spain’s taxi empire turmoil By Matthew Elliott SPAIN’S taxi driver empire may crumble earlier than expected. Uber, the popular taxi firm, is now developing expansion plans in Madrid after being banned from the country. Uber allows people to hire taxis and pay for them online using an easy smart phone application. Cheaper rides and faster, cash free service have seen it challenge the hegemony of Black Cabs in London and taxi unions across the US and Europe. But in Spain taxi drivers revolted and demanded protection from the state. Many pay upwards of €130,000 for a taxi licence, akin to taking out a mortgage, and weren’t prepared to be undercut by Uber. Popular protests saw Uber kicked out of Spain in 2014. It returned in 2016 under somewhat more muted terms than enjoyed in the free-wheeling UK and US. Drivers have to go through rigorous licensing requirements and the state has imposed an artificial cap on the number of drivers allowed in Madrid, to tip the balance in favour of traditional taxis. But now Uber is in discussions with Spanish transport authorities, asking them to loosen up the marketplace and let con-
EWN
33
BUSINESS EXTRA
Plastic not cash MORE than half of Spanish consumers now pay with plastic instead of cash. A recent consumer survey found that 54 per cent of all payments made in Spain are now completed with debit or credit cards. Comfort, security and ease of use are key driving factors behind the growing move towards a cashless economy.
Ice cream kings SPAIN has a new undisputed king of ice cream. The Farga family from Catalonia secured the purchase of Grupo Kalise La Menorquina of the Balearic Islands. With the acquisition the family will now produce an incredible 40 million litres of ice cream each year with a turnover that should exceed €140 million.
Electric avenue UBER TAXIS: Want to expand into other Spanish cities and relax driver regulations. sumer choice, rather than taxi unions, do the talking. They want to expand into other Spanish cities and relax driver regulations. In the UK for example almost anyone with a clean licence and no criminal record can become an Uber driver.
A strong moonlighting economy has developed in both the UK and US with many Uber drivers having second or third jobs. They don’t possess the hard fought for legal rights enjoyed by taxi drivers, and that laissez-faire approach
translates into cheaper fares. Uber is now counting on the strong economic argument that, with unemployment at 20 per cent, traditional cabbies might have to stand aside to grant younger generations better job opportunities.
AFTER just six years operating in Spain, Amazon, the American delivery giant, is already more popular than El Corte Ingles. Electronic commerce was worth a staggering €11.64 billion last year, of which €871 was facilitated by Amazon.es. Like millions of consumers across the western world, Spanish people are embracing online shopping.
Losing mental capacity whilst living abroad by Stone King Charlotte Macdonald Contact me at international@stoneking.co.uk
MANY UK expatriates living in Spain own properties in the UK and have pensions and investments in the UK. They rely on their UK assets to maintain their lifestyles (and those of their families) in Spain. If they can no longer manage their affairs in the UK due to a loss of mental capacity, it can cause many difficulties.
You can choose a person or people, who you trust, to act for you when you are no longer able. The best way to avoid the legal and practical difficulties that can occur with the loss of mental capacity is to plan for it in advance by drawing up a document called a ‘Lasting Power of Attorney’ (‘LPA’).
An LPA must be made while you have full mental capacity.
What is an LPA? An LPA is a legal document that enables you to appoint one or more attor-
neys to act for you when you are no longer able to act for yourself. Your attorney can be a professional,
such as a solicitor or a family member or friend. There are two types of LPA: ‘Health and Welfare’ or ‘Property and Financial Affairs’ An LPA must be made while you have full mental capacity. It is therefore important to make one while you are in good health. Why should you get an LPA? You can choose a person or people, who you trust, to act for you when you are no longer able. If you lose your mental capacity and do not have an LPA, then your family (or the authorities) will have no choice but to make an application to the Court of Protection to appoint a ‘deputy’ to look after your affairs, which can be time consuming and costly. Will my LPA be recognised in Spain? Unfortunately there is no international type of LPA which is guaranteed to work in both the UK and Spain. The advice we give to our clients at Stone King, is that if you have assets in both Spain and the UK, your only safe option is to appoint attorneys in both jurisdictions.
If you would like to discuss LPAs contact Charlotte Macdonald or Dan Harris at Stone King LLP by email international@stoneking.co.uk or by telephone on +44 (0)1225 337599.
FEATURE
20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
35
I feel this is only the beginning LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT I CERTAINLY didn’t expect my gloomy forecast regarding the Gibraltar dispute to manifest quite so quickly. In a recent edition I stated that the idiotic statements of Lord Howe, coupled with the British underestimation of the Spanish passion for Gibraltarian sovereignty, could bode very badly for British citizens . My memories of the Falkland crisis, when Brits were spat on in Spanish streets, were, as usual, dismissed by some as yet another ‘Leapy rant.’ Well, although the situation hasn’t yet quite come to that, the recent hold up of British tourists at Palma airport, where passengers were made to queue for so long that some actually required medical attention; all under the excuse of a ‘question of security,’ is I feel only the begin-
COMMON SENSE: Or relations between our two countries could become very fraught. ning of what could become an extremely serious situation. It’s not exactly rocket science to realise that this type of attitude helps no one, including the Spanish economy. If British holidaymakers are made to feel unwelcome and begin to choose more
The British government must introduce clear legislation.
hospitable destinations, the effect on many Spanish holiday areas could be disastrous. Unfortunately, as emotions and tempers begin to rise, I feel, that if the dispute is not somehow kept in check and common sense takes a back seat, relations between our
two countries could become very fraught indeed. All this is of course not helped by the looming spectre of Brexit. The position of British expats must undoubtedly be at the top of Theresa May’s negotiation list. It is entirely wrong, that those who embraced the spirit of the new ‘European dream’ and moved to foreign climes; most of them burning all their bridges en route, should be left in a limbo land of uncertainty and doubt as to the future in their adopted countries. The British government must introduce clear legislation, protecting the many thousands of Spanish and EU citizens that work and reside in the UK, in a reciprocal agreement with remaining EU members, which subsequently ensures and protects the rights of all British EU residents abroad. And the sooner the better. Keep the faith. Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com
36
20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
NEWS
Brexit advice on Facebook THE British Government used social media site Facebook for a live broadcast to address concerns and uncertainty sparked by Brexit and the start of the process to leave the EU. The Foreign Office Director for Consular Services Julia Longbottom gave answers based on questions submitted by expats across Europe; many from the estimated 300,000 living in Spain. More than 9,600 people listened live to the unique use of new technology, and by Monday afternoon almost 57,000 had accessed the relevant page of www.facebook.com/fcotrav el. As expected, questions centred on status and rights for expats; health, pensions, education, voting, property, and dual nationality were the most common subjects addressed. Ms Longbottom apologised, as so many answers are dependent on the results of the forthcoming negotiations between the British government and Brussels. “But it is very important we capture these questions and issues; they are all things that government departments in the UK need to think about, and they are all being put together by the Department of Leaving the EU,” she said. “We are looking at all of them together and making sure as soon as possible that we know what it is we have to secure; it is looking to a future where we remain part of Europe but not in the EU.” And she underlined that nothing would change during the two year period of negotiations while the UK remained a full member of the bloc. Ms Longbottom said: “We aim to make sure you
APOLOGISED: Julia Longbottom and Alicante Consul Sarah-Jane Morris, wait for forthcoming negotiations.
Julia Longbottom on the Facebook opening page.
can continue to live legally in other countries in the EU. We need to clarify how that will work and will get you the information as soon as we can.” She said Prime Minister Theresa May had made it clear clarifying the status of British people living in Europe and EU citizens in the UK was “of the highest priority”; and had wanted to reach an agreement before Article 50 was triggered last month. “She believes it can be agreed in principle very quickly and all nations have indicated it is a priority; one of the first priorities of the talks.” Ms Longbottom said the government wanted to secure reciprocal deals for all expats. “The reason the Prime Minister was not prepared to unilaterally secure the status of EU citizens living in the UK is because we wanted to make sure, first and foremost, that we secure
the rights of UK citizens; and any deal takes into account their interests. “As long as the UK remains part of the EU, your rights, as an EU citizen do not change; nothing has changed in your status.” She said it was “very important” to recognise the significant contribution that expats made in their host countries. “All parties have a keen interest in reaching an agreement.” Ms Longbottom said she appreciated there were not as many “concrete answers” as hoped for at present but warned against rumour “and picking up the wrong end of the stick; suggesting using official channels instead, including www.gov.uk/fco. The broadcast lasted about 35 minutes. Afterwards a Foreign Office said the department was “very pleased” with the interest shown and it was likely Facebook would be used again in future.
38
20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
FEATURE
Is the Lady for turning after all? Nora Johnson
Breaking Views Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson
WITH the despatch of Article 50, the gauntlets have been thrown down, the opening cards played, the warning shots fired (mainly over Gibraltar). Now there is the lull before the storm as we await the response of the remaining 27 EU member states as they confer over dinner after dinner. Maybe they’re even shipping Immodium to the Commission HQ in Brussels by the crateload as I write. Too much Crème Merkelée or Luxembourgish Juncker Gâteaux? However, the direction in which PM Theresa May now appears to be taking us - her apparent conversion (U turn?) to a half-in, half-out of the EU model already followed by other countries - points to a better outcome than her previous hard Brexit approach of “no deal’s better than a bad deal.”
Maybe the rationalisations and concessions are now emerging as the reality of leaving dawns? Two years is a long time, but it’s now possible we’ll end up with a Norwegian-style model, but for political reasons not called as such. But let’s face it, we’re hardly in a great bargaining position: it’s claimed that over 40 per cent of UK exports go to the EU, but only about 8 per cent from the EU to the UK. Additionally, countries like Slovakia (per capita, Europe’s largest car manufacturer) will pick up business as companies like Nissan inevitably reduce UK operations after initial guarantees. Lloyds of London has already chosen Brussels for its European hub, and the failed merger of the German Börse/Stock Exchange won’t do London any favours either. So Mrs May has two options: a soft Brexit with free movement of labour in the EU and a trade deal that mirrors the single market, or a disaster that’ll be blamed on the EU. Maybe we’ll end up with a bit of each?
Finally, whoever picked March 29 as Article 50 Day clearly has a wicked sense of humour and encyclopaedic knowledge of chart-toppers. Fifty years ago on that date, Engelbert Humperdinck was at Number 1 with Release Me. On the same day in 1975, it was the Bay City Rollers with Bye Bye Baby. ’Nuff said. Nora Johnson’s psychological/suspense crime thrillers ‘No Way Back,’ ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.norajohnson.net) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.99;£0.99) and iBookstore. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.
THERESA MAY: Perhaps a better outcome lies ahead.
42
20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
You couldn’t make it up Mike Senker
In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man I AM still very unhappy that we have a reality TV show host, aided by his failed fashion designer daughter, running the USA with a press secretary that spends most of his days apologising for what he said the day before. This week they dropped the GBU-43/B Massive Ordinance Air Blast on Afghanistan. I’m not getting into the rights and wrongs of that but why give the weapon a friendly name? To make it sound nicer they call it the ‘Mother of all Bombs.’ Why? It’s a nonsense. Call it what it is - the biggest bomb they have before you get nuclear. Did you see dimwit Donny talking about how delicious the chocolate cake he was eating was when he sent the tomahawk missiles to bomb Syria? Anyway time will tell where this is all headed. I saw an advert for Pepsi this week. It was the one with Kendall Jenner. Google it. It’s such an embarrassment. It got me thinking about why Pepsi even bother to advertise. Think about who ever orders a Pepsi? Their slogan should be ‘Sorry it’s Pepsi, is that ok?’ Because that’s how it’s sold. You go into a restaurant and say, ‘Can I have a Coke please’
and that’s when you hear their slogan, ‘Sorry it’s Pepsi …’ I’ve been trying to organise a trip to the USA. It’s not a straightforward trip as it’s a multi-city one so I have to try and match up the airlines that I need to use to get from city to city. This is where the problems start because my computer has stored cookies and every time I go back to compare prices, times etc the price seems to keep creeping up. Some will say I’m being paranoid but the sites know I’ve been there because even though I close them and then reopen them again, they still have my dates in and this is because of the cookies they store with your information on them. I have found that if I log on at the same time from another laptop the prices can be slightly cheaper. So I downloaded a web browser that doesn’t store all your information only to be told by Bill Padley from Talk Radio Europe that this is the browser that is used to hack into all the big companies and governments. WikiLeaks use it via something called the dark web! Oops, I just wanted to look at airline ticket prices without them stalking me and I’ve finished up not being stalked by easyJet, Virgin, BA and Ryanair but now possibly of great interest to the CIA, MI5 and GCHQ. You couldn’t make this stuff up. Email me: mikesenker@gmail.com.
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FEATURE
LEGALLY SPEAKING Warning of fake notices and new traffic cameras AS part of a new series, we answer some common driving questions, kindly provided by members of the Guardia Civil based in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, who set up the N332 website and Facebook page to help break down barriers.
TRAFFIC EYE: Smart cameras are the new eyes on the road. Fake news A WARNING has been issued over a fake notice that is being distributed through social media, warning that it is now mandatory for all vehicles in Spain to have portable breathalysers within the vehicle. The N-332 Guardia Civil team wish to confirm that this notice is completely fake and it is not a requirement for drivers to carry any kind of breathalyser in the car. There are also currently no plans for this type of legislation to be brought in. The adverts and notices are a scam, aimed at encouraging innocent victims to visit a website, view fake news reports and then purchase the breathalysers direct from the supplier. Seatbelt reminder A quick reminder that new traffic cameras
have been recently installed, on the look out for those not wearing seatbelts. A total of 225 smart cameras are known as ‘Traffic Eye’ and are the new eyes on the road being put to good use helping people, spotting infringements such as not wearing a seatbelt and speeding and checking established databases to see if your vehicle is correctly insured by reading the licence plate number. Previously, only Pegasus equipped helicopters have been able to monitor the roads so closely, but Traffic Eye will allow for round the clock monitoring as they are able to be operated at night also. Nineteen of these cameras are in place in the Valencia Region. The full list of the location of the cameras can be found on the DGT website at www.sede.dgt.gob.es.
For more news and articles visit www.n332.es or search N332 on Facebook.
Was he notified of the AGM? Like your questioner last week, I have some issues with the Administrator of our Community about irregular practices in the past. Now, with this year’s AGM approaching, an e-mail calling of the meeting has been sent out In principle, any member of the Community who has not been informed of the AGM can go to court and seek to impugn the results of the meeting as he has been deprived of the right to vote.
to the members. However, I only know this because a friend has forwarded a copy to me. I myself have received no notification directly and I do not live fulltime in Spain. C R (Costa del Sol)
David Searl You and the Law in Spain
However, you may have received notification at your property in Spain, without
being aware of it. If you cannot attend the AGM in person, I would name a proxy to represent you and bring up the problem at the meeting. Try to get the issue on the official Agenda to be published before the meeting.
Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.
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20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
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FEATURE
Better not feed the trolls Trudy Stewart THE internet can be a wonderful thing. We have so much information at our fingertips. From finding recipes to reconnecting with old friends it’s never been easier to access information. I rely on social media to keep in contact with friends and family. I was a late starter with Twitter but did eventually become a Twit and found it fascinating. It felt more grown up than Facebook and the character limit meant people had to be snappier leading to punchier updates. The best thing (for a fan-girl like me) was that celebrities could be contacted directly. Not only were they accessible, you could ask questions and usually receive an answer. I couldn’t believe it. What I found exciting was the discussions sparked when a group of fans would get involved in a Tweet.
It was usually good-natured fun with like-minded people. Everyone already had something in common in that they were a fan of that particular comedian or actor. And then, out of nowhere, a different type of contributor would raise their ugly head. Either attacking the celebrity directly with unnecessary criticism or posting inflammatory comments specifically to elicit a response from the other people in that group. The worst possible thing to do in that situation is fall into their trap. These people are called Trolls and when you engage them, you give them exactly what they want. Although now used to describe anyone who is mean on the internet, initially the word was used to describe those who troll the internet, baiting their hooks, casting their nets wide
THE INTERNET: So much information at our fingertips.
and hoping for a bite. Safe behind the mask of anonymity provided online, a certain type of person will say things that they would never dream of uttering face to face. Can you imagine walking over to a complete stranger and telling them they look awful and you hate their clothes? Removing the eye contact and replacing it with a username frees certain types to do just that, albeit in a virtual sense. In my experience, no matter how well-balanced your argument or how eloquently you are able to express it, there is no point trying to converse with someone like that. We all make judgements every day based on people’s appearance or behaviour - there’s a dark bridge in all of us providing perfect living conditions for the trolls of fairy tales.
If we’re honest, maybe some of us have been on the verge of posting a comment which upon final review just might come across as a little trollish. And that’s the difference between us and them. We have that inbuilt self-edit that allows us to realise the implications of what it would actually mean to post those comments so we don’t. Of course, some people just don’t care and there are those who have built careers around trolling when their reality TV shows end and they need attention and publicity by any means necessary. If you don’t care about being reviled, it’s probably quite easy to post hateful things. I prefer to stick to the old adage “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t go posting your bile for the whole online world to see.” There are probably always going to be trolls out there but as long as you remember not to feed them, you should be quite safe. trudystewart75@gmail.com
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When a poet enters the room 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.
THE majestic man stood in the doorway for a few moments. Upstaging a bar full of actors and their claques is not an easy affair. But, one could observe Rafael Alberti, the great Spanish poet had done it before and didn’t have to play any role; he was the part. The anointed one proven through time. A man willing enough to fight for his beliefs, and when Franco won the civil war, like Picasso he too left his beloved Spain until Franco was gone. He was the poet that ran with Garcia Lorca, hob-knobbed with Salvador Dali; knew all the literary figures and toreros of the last seven decades, and solid member of the famed generation of 27. His dress he wore easily, a cloak draped around his shoulders, long silver gray locks flowing from his head like a cascade of virtuosity and a personal reminder to each
onlooker, you were witnessing a Poet. His ingratiating smile made you an instant companion no better than him, on the same level; other than you probably knew in your heart you weren’t an international poet of renown and repute. Our group had just started chatting about Spain’s typical obscene politics. Never the less he listened quietly but when he spoke it was the Oracle holding forth; the law of the land, the last word to be observed on the topic. (Poets are that way and well deserve their respect - one of the few academic urban myths that is accepted as being true - at least on the evening of discussion). Rafael Alberti must have been in his late 70’s then but escorted a young 46-year-old American ‘poet.’ He only referred to her as his mujer which raised eyebrows. When word got out in the barrio flocks of other would-be artisans bounded to our bar to greet him and bow to his presence. He handled it with decorum, yet, almost
expecting it. Alberti had paid his dues, walked the walk, fought the good fight and always with pure Andalucian honour. He was to be much admired. He won the Premium National for literature when just 22 so he had a long life enjoying the comforts of being a venerated street poet. His first book was entitled ‘Sailor on dry land.’ As the night wore on some left falling out about five or six in the morning, but not me, I was in for a regulatory dawn finish. As the group got smaller we could each ask specific questions about his poems or life that again enticed more personal enquiries about his life, loves and conflicts. He spoke candidly about all, never evading any issue nor matter how close to the bone. His life was his mission. A humanitarian stroll through the conflicts of time always seeking the betterment of man and hence society.
Literary pundits often referred to him as a Marxist, but I guess they just had to put a timely convenient label o n
him. This group wasn’t that way. Even today when you drive into the Sherry town of Puerto Santa Maria various statues of him will bless your passage.
RAFAEL ALBERTI: Hob-knobbed with Salvador Dali.
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20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
LETTERS
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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
Brexit: the great game SIR, Imagine the scene; just finished a wonderful dinner paid for by somebody else and now politicians come to the important discussions. H ow d o e s t h e E U s h o w those arrogant Brits who’s the boss? Around the table variou s i d e a s a r e f l o a te d and rejected. Then Mr R a j o y h a s h is s ay: “ W h y n o t t h r e a te n Gibraltar again? Give Spain a veto on any arrangement.” Picture lots of giggles and bouts of euphoria, and the reply: “Absolutely brilliant. That wi l l sh o w t h e m th a t they can’t mess with us. It will of course be against our wishes but they have asked for it.” Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e y ran the idea past Mr Enda Kenny in Eire? Virtually all of his trade travels through the UK. If the EU decides that th e Gi b r a l t a r b ord e r needs every car checked because of rules and there is a five-hour wait, so be it. It might m a k e t h e m c h a n g e their minds. The same rule that the Spanish use would also apply to goods travelling to Ireland. They cross borders twice over; coming in and going out of the UK. Now Gi b h a s so me 30,000 inhabitants and at a push can be supplied by air and sea without too much hardsh i p ( t h e y h a v e h ad practice) but can Enda supply 5,000,000 if the ferries are w o r k i n g a t t h e s a me speed as the Spanish customs? Ha v e a wo r d w ith your ‘friends’ Mr Kenny or you co u l d f i n d l i f e g e ts quite difficult. Matt Archer, Mijas Costa
Photographs for possible publication should be sent by email with a full caption to: photonews@euroweeklynews.com
Art attack AS a regular visitor to this beautiful part of the world I am dismayed by the amount of graffiti that is simply everywhere. I have noticed that one particular misunderstood youth signs his work with the name ‘Read.’ Now I am assuming that this is a surname and that some parent somewhere is at this stage putting two and two together and coming up with a son or daughter who is defacing the urban landscape. If your surname is ‘Read’ - or you have a child with the name of ‘Read,’ please look very carefully and ask yourself what do they get up to when they are out playing with their mates in the evening. Patrick Jordan
LOOKING at the Cryptic Crossword in the Time Out section of the EWN (Issue 1657) I for one will not be bothering despite my liking for this type of puzzle. For me the puzzle must be large enough so that I am not erasing the number when I put in the answer. With more
Praise for hospital I HAVE recently had bronchitis; never had it before and don’t want it again. I thought it was the so-called Benidorm cough. Anyway I took myself off to the National Health hospital at Villajoyosa. The emergency staff there were really helpful, although not many spoke English. Everyone was wonderful. The doctors took great care of me. They made sure I knew how to take my prescription properly. I went back later and they checked me out; although I should have gone to the local clinic. I only have praise for the hospital staff. Mrs J McKee, Leicestershire
Brain teaser
GRAFFITI: Street art or vandalism?
Crossword concern
your e-mail and every attempt will be made to address your concerns in the near future. While we have a cosmopolitan editorial team made up of some in their 20’s, and others in their 60’s, none is a teenager.
than 100 pages this week is this all the space you can spare !! I do not normally do ‘Quick’ crosswords, but look at the one this week. What sort of eyes and pen must you have to cope with that? Is the Ed a teenager? Terry White, Costa Blanca Editor’s note: Thank you for
REGARDING the Time Out pages, I very much appreciate the recent layout of your crosswords and code breaker. It is so much easier to do them when they are the current sizes. They’ve also become a bit more difficult recently. That may be a good thing for our brains - but don’t make them harder than they are now! M M, Portals Nous, Mallorca
HAVE YOUR SAY 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
COMMENTS from EWN Online Leapy Lee gloves discarded I ONLY wish some people would talk less from misguided ideas and more from facts with regard to the people of Gib, they voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the UK and democracy and therefore will still be part of the UK after Brexit. And as for Northern Ireland, I have lived there for a number of years and the idea of them joining the south is as remote as H Rowlands getting his (or hers for that matter ) facts right! I am pretty sure that somehow the politicians will get the situation sorted, maybe more by luck then design, and I just hope sanity will prevail, in Gib and NI. God help us all from such dangerous people like those in the house of Lords!!! Mr E, Sheffield WE have to remember that Spain can’t really complain about the UK owning Gibraltar all the time they own Ceuta on the opposite side of the Straits of Gibraltar and also Melilla just along the coast from Ceuta. Lord Howard is another good reason to dump the House of Lords, especially as I read in the last week that they turn up, sign in and claim their £300 per day and then walk out again and do a speech at some big company for £10,000. CF
Boxer attacked CDS PRESUMABLY, after being dealt with by the Courts here, she will be deported back to England, banned from returning and have her passport rescinded. This sort of criminality gives English people a bad reputation. Drew Edgar WHAT you’re saying there Drew, can that actually be enforced by the Spanish authorities? Adam my man, fair play to you resisting knocking her block off. Hope you’re well mate! I can imagine the uproar had the roles have been reversed and you were the aggressor! See you soon big lad! Watson TWENTY-FOUR per cent increase in knife crime in England last year. Now they are bringing their evil criminality here. Leapy Lee Give us a break. Paul Wheelan
Passengers faint, long border checks ONLY two gates open on Friday as we travelled home. Waited in the queue for about an hour. Maybe more gates should be opened. We were lucky our plane was delayed and not in a rush to get through. Nice to see them stepping up security. Clare Fenwick NOTHING to do with Gib or anything else, just staff doing their job properly, I’m pleased to see this and hope that when I travel later the same thing happens. Ted Milsom
Football thug enjoys holiday I’M not bothered that he is on holiday in Spain just baffled as to how he has only served three months for GBH. Felicia Ang
The views expressed and opinions given in Letters are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements, and reject claims arising out of any action that a company or individual may take on the basis of information contained therein.
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‘
As a teenager I went all Goth, but I wasn’t mopey enough. I would pretend to be, but I’d end up making people laugh.” Melissa McCarthy
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Waiting for just the right time to do and say things this week can produce miracles. Spontaneity may be your watchword but forward planning is where real progress is at the moment. It’s not a week to expect co-operation from others.
Famous quote
‘
World of English
‘
LEO (July 24 - August 23) At last it is clear that the future holds something quite exciting. Looking
Does ‘expect the unexpected’ make the ‘unexpected expected’?”
LOTTERY
Saturday April 15
8
10
IRISH LOTTO
Saturday April 15
7
9
5
Friday April 14
4
19
16
26
22
23
31
40
45
49
20
BONUS BALL
48
13
33
LUCKY STARS
2
8
Saturday April 15
EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA
Sunday April 16
6
14
6
24
30
17
35
48
41
14
23
31
BONUS BALL
VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Your heart is saying ‘Let’s get out and have some fun.’ Your head is saying ‘Okay, but let’s leave it until later.’ Which is right? Well, one thing is for sure, emphasis on finances is restraining. You are, however, building on something strong for the future.
14
21 16
back during the past few years there has been a build-up to this moment. Treading a new path is half the story. There is much to be discovered both outside and inside your sphere.
LA PRIMITIVA
EURO MILLIONS
Tuesday April 11
(April 21 - May 21)
Although you are feeling more confident in many ways, there is also a secret insecurity. There is a strange emotional atmosphere this week, which perplexes you. An unusual feeling that you need to change your surroundings cannot be put down to a seasonal ‘nesting’ instinct.
CANCER (June 22 - July 23) If you are James Bond, I see no surprises in the week ahead. If you are not, then I certainly do. Something quite shocking crosses your path, so be cautious in your approach to new situations. Keep your eyes and ears open and be prepared to seek advice.
My toughest fight was with my first wife.” Muhammad Ali, Boxer
UK NATIONAL LOTTERY
TAURUS
LUCKY STARS
6
10
39
REINTEGRO
4
0
REINTEGRO
6
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) What others see as our way ahead is not always the path which we want to tread. It would be easy to be cosy and not take a chance. Is that what you really want? Outside influences are heavy and pressing at times. SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Be sure not to put up with tedious comments. Someone is trying to rile you. Who are they to think this way? It is foolish and impossible to please this person. Avoid them and move on to something out of their sphere. A few days away clears your head and gives a more balanced picture. SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Who wants you to go where and who wants you to do what? Each day seems to be spoken for before it arrives. Spending your life like this means running out of credit on your health. Do not neglect your well-being for the wishes of others. CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) There are plenty of people who will tell you that what you seek does not
exist. They will also tell you that what you feel is unsustainable. This is, however, no time to compromise your dreams or emotional needs. Taking a bright view and a chance now seems unusual to those round you. AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) The last time that you sat down and thought about your finances it was confusing. Things are a lot simpler now. Keep emotions and the needs of others out of the equation. Balance is what this week is all about. Get the percentages right now and it is plain sailing for the immediate future. PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Something comes to your attention that makes you feel both anger and injustice. As you are urged to speak out and put your cards on the table, you hesitate. Be sure to have the true facts of the matter because this gives you real confidence. ARIES (March 21 - April 20) There is a strong urge to be up and doing something to further your artistic needs. Be sure that you know what is important. Keep it simple and aim straight for it. There may be other options to be explored, but do not go off at a tangent. To do so would see you have many fingers in many pies but making little real progress. Trust your instincts.
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E W N 20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
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The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 sixletter 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 (INJURY) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.
Hexagram BIOTIC DETENT DIAPER FOURTH HEROIN INDOOR INJURY (10) JITTER MAYHEM OPIATE
OSSIFY PLENTY PRAYER PROFIT RECTOR RHOMBI TONSIL TRICKY WRETCH
This week in history 1564 – William Shakespeare, the English poet and playwright, was born in Stratford-on-Avon. 1889 – Adolf Hitler, leader of the German Nazi party, was born in Austria. 1934 – The Daily Mail published the famous Loch Ness Monster photograph by London physician Robert Kenneth Wilson which turned out to be a hoax. 1953 – James Watson and Francis Crick, two scientists from Cambridge University, discovered the molecular structure of DNA. 1955 – National newspapers were published again after almost a month of strikes over pay by the maintenance workers. 1956 – Elvis Presley achieved his first number one hit in the USA with Heartbreak Hotel. 1968 – The first decimal five and 10 pence coins were introduced across Britain. 1975 – The Labour Party held a one-day conference to debate Britain’s membership of Europe with members voting almost two to one to leave the European Economic Community. 1982 – Petty Officer Casey became Britain’s first casualty in the Falklands war before a single shot was fired after the Sea King helicopter he was travelling in crashed into the sea. 1983 – German magazine Stern published its first instalment of the controversial ‘Hitler Diaries,’ an account of World War II allegedly written by Hitler himself. 1986 – The Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded. 1989 – 100,000 students protested at Tiananmen Square in Beijing over China’s authoritative communist government. 1990 – NASA successfully launched the Hubble telescope into space.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
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 A) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.
1 Chorus 2 Sortie 3 Lichen 4 Revved 5 Octant 6 Teller 7 Saving 8 Lentil 9 Savant 10 Gannet 11 Select 12 Strain 13 Ethane 14 Retire 15 Reason 16 Summit 17 Rancho 18 Shiver 19 Corpse.
Costa de Almería TODAY
VELEZ RUBIO
HUERCAL OVERA
ALBOX
GARRUCHA
MOJACAR
ALMERIA
weather Alicante TODAY: MAX 16, MIN 11 - C Fri - 17 11 S Sat - 19 11 S Sun - 20 12 Cl Mon - 21 12 S Tues - 21 12 Cl Wed - 20 11 Sh
Bilbao TODAY: MAX 15, MIN 5 - S Fri - 18 7 S Sat - 20 7 S Sun - 19 7 Cl Mon - 18 8 S Tues - 16 7 Cl Wed - 15 7 Cl
Almeria TODAY: MAX 18, MIN 11 - CL Fri - 18 11 Cl Sat - 20 13 Cl Sun - 21 13 Cl Mon - 22 14 Cl Tues - 21 14 Cl Wed - 21 13 Th
Madrid TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 4 - CL Fri - 20 4 S Sat - 22 5 S Sun - 23 7 S Mon - 24 8 S Tues - 22 7 S Wed - 20 6 Cl
Barcelona TODAY: MAX 15, MIN 8 - S Fri - 16 8 S Sat - 18 10 S Sun - 19 11 S Mon - 19 11 S Tues - 18 11 S Wed - 17 10 Sh
Malaga TODAY: MAX 18, MIN 12 - CL Fri - 19 11 Cl Sat - 20 12 Cl Sun - 20 11 Cl Mon - 21 11 Cl Tues - 22 12 Cl Wed - 23 11 Th
Benidorm TODAY: MAX 16, MIN 11 - C Fri - 17 11 S Sat - 18 11 Cl Sun - 19 12 Cl Mon - 20 12 S Tues - 20 12 Cl Wed - 19 10 Sh
Mallorca TODAY: MAX 18 MIN 9 - CL Fri - 19 8 S Sat - 21 8 S Sun - 22 9 S Mon - 22 10 S Tues - 22 10 S Wed - 20 10 Cl
ROQUETAS
TOMORROW
VELEZ RUBIO
HUERCAL OVERA
ALBOX
GARRUCHA
MOJACAR
ALMERIA
RETAMAR
ADRA
ROQUETAS
SATURDAY
VELEZ RUBIO
HUERCAL OVERA
ALBOX
GARRUCHA
MOJACAR
ALMERIA
RETAMAR
ADRA
Cl: Clear
F: Fog
TARGET: • Average: 8 • Good: 11 • Very good: 15 • Excellent: 20
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION anti barn bran hint inly lain lint nail nary rain rani rant tanh tarn than thin tiny yarn bairn binal blain brain brant briny inlay linty rainy train binary brainy litany rhinal thinly trinal LABYRINTH
RETAMAR
ADRA
S: Sun
TIME
ROQUETAS
C: Cloudy
Sh: Showers
Sn: Snow
Th: Thunder
Euro Weekly News strives for accuracy, but cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of published forecasts
NEW ON DVD The Girl with all the Gifts Directed by: Colm McCarthy Starring: Gemma Arterton, Glenn Close, Paddy Considine, Anamaria Marinea, Dominique Tipper, Sennia Nanua, Anthony Welsh, Fisayo Asinade THE Girl with all the Gifts is set in a dystopian world against the background of Britain. A strange fungus has infected almost everyone, and they have turned into flesheating monsters. In rural England, a group of children live in an army bunker and are subject to experiments by Dr Caldwell. They still crave flesh, but have retained normal thoughts and emotions and are vital subjects for a cure. Melanie is a girl that stands out from the rest and when the base falls, she must discover what she is and make decisions for her future and all of humanity.
OUT
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AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE
page
Enjoy filling in the following puzzles and check the answers in next week’s edition
Cryptic
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
CRYPTIC
Quick
Across:
Across 1 Have doubts about American President in religious order (7) 5 January events in universal establishment (5) 8 Bands' trip to England in a ship (7) 9 Vessel seen in Victoria or Tasmania (5) 10 For example, brown back or elbow (5) 11 Add to cooked gnu meat (7) 12 Defend model after work (6) 14 Very cold beer (6) 17 Around lake there's poor protection (7) 19 Food for Salvation Army boy (5) 22 Command from prediction (5) 23 Can bale out for stability (7) 24 Is backing First Lady to sort things out (5) 25 Excited Reds ran household tasks (7) Down 1 Poles taking in country girl (5) 2 A little bit of quiet colour (5) 3 Quick to communicate (7) 4 In France you study Italian dialect (6) 5 Some careless language (5) 6 Biggest triangles not in order (7) 7 Fiddle car test and take flight (7) 12 Yes, sort out marine molluscs (7)
Code Breaker
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Crossword
EWN
1 Gear, 3 Vacation, 9 Embargo, 10 Pleat, 11 Ocean, 12 Nectar, 14 Lichen, 16 Castle, 19 Dahlia, 21 Appal, 24 After, 25 Skillet, 26 Purchase, 27 Used. Down: 1 Grenoble, 2 Amble, 4 Adorns, 5 Aspic, 6 Inexact, 7 Note, 8 Fringe, 13 Deflated, 15 Chatter, 17 Adagio, 18 Pauses, 20 Larch, 22 Polls, 23 Carp.
QUICK Across:
13 Authentic made up recipes (7) 15 Closed vandalised urinals (7) 16 Drink outside bar put back, ready for ploughman (6) 18 It is included in the tax (5) 20 Fifty nine overturned revolutionary leader (5) 21 Owing a pound, skinhead gets into fights (5) Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 6 represents G and 11 represents L, so fill in G every time the figure 6 appears and L every time the figure 11 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.
Across 1 Bad handwriting (6) 4 Compassionate (6) 9 Pilot (7) 10 Indicate pain, discomfort or displeasure (5) 11 Separate part of a whole (5) 12 Outer boundary or face of anything (7) 13 Plant-eating insect with hind legs adapted for leaping (11) 18 Collection of weapons and military equipment (7) 20 Shin bone (5) 22 Meet at a point (5) 23 Hug (7) 24 Profoundly (6) 25 Group of six (6)
Down
5 Wrath (5)
1 Slow, 3 Proposal, 9 Natters, 10 Swaps, 11 Sushi, 12 Shroud, 14 Enlist, 16 Eczema, 19 Karate, 21 Share, 24 Alike, 25 Enlarge, 26 Together, 27 Fees.
6 Set apart. (7)
Down:
1 Seafood (6) 2 Bring up (5) 3 Testifier (7)
7 Male goose (6) 8 Safety headgear for motorcyclist (5,6) 14 Give or bring back (7) 15 Suitable for drinking (7) 16 Smelling of fermentation or staleness (6) 17 Express grief verbally (6) 19 Relating to the nose (5) 21 Brag (5)
1 Sinister, 2 Oaths, 4 Resist, 5 Poser, 6 Statute, 7 Less, 8 Genius, 13 Careless, 15 Leading, 17 Costly, 18 Delete, 20 Adept, 22 Agree, 23 Bait.
ENGLISHSPANISH Across:
English - Spanish The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.
1 Sting, 3 Miedo, 8 Dirigir, 9 Relampago, 12 Clothes, 13/6 Day off, 14 Stair, 15 Smile. Down: 1 Soon, 2 Godfather, 3 Mariposas, 4 Engaged, 5 Otro, 7 Fregona, 10 Ices, 11 Tyre.
CODE BREAKER
Across 1 Lamps (8) 8 Shout (loud cry) (5) 9 Switzerland (5) 10 Gordo (persona) (3) 11 Aceituna (5) 12 Gust of wind (5) 13 Esquí (3) 14 Notice (warning) (5) 15 Ready (prepared) (5) 16 Caballito de mar (3,5)
Down 2 Aptitudes (9) 3 Teacher (in secondary school) (f) (9) 4 Rake (9) 5 Maletas (para equipaje) (9) 6 To ignore (7) 7 Winner (7)
E W N 20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
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Under A Sardinian Sky
By Sara Alexander SARA ALEXANDER’S novel is influenced by her memories of summers spent in Italy. The story is set against the backdrop of post -Second World War Sardinia and explores the romance between a local girl and an American lieutenant. Mina is a London-based travel writer who becomes obsessed with finding out about her aunt Carmela. Her mother is battling cancer and she travels to Italy to uncover secrets about the family. The novel returns to Simius, where the story of Carmela unfolds. It explores her life as a young woman who falls in love. The novel brings together two eras, the present and past. The truth reveals secrets that unite those in the present, inspiring them with hope for the future. books@euroweeklynews.com
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Popular fashion trends now
FASHION for summer presents an array of styles that should not disappoint, but instead leave fashionistas in a bit of a dilemma about which way to go. This season is all about the spirit of the 80’s and a cocktail that leaves us with too much choice. It’s time to be adventurous, as trends focus towards, shoulders, sheer material, pinks, sleeves, bralettes, stripes, ruffles and logos. 1. 80’s style The 80’s keep popping up in fashion, and this time they are revealed in all that is shiny and metallic, including disco leggings and the one shoulder dress. Also, for the more confident, there is figure grabbing spandex and short mini-skirts. If you were a fan of ‘Duran, Duran,’ you could go all ‘New Romantic’ and get yourself some dramatic ruffles and puffed-up sleeves for added glamour. 2. Utility On a more practical note, but stylish one, there is work wear designed into roomy shapes and subtle colours and breathable cotton. This style is suitable for comfort, especially for when the weather warms up. There are khaki textiles, toggles, oversized pockets and boxy shapes, which have clearly been influenced by lifejackets and parachutes. This would be a cool option for someone working in the office all day. 3. New shirt The shirt as we know it has gone, and in its place is an item of clothing that’s more interesting than the original. There are off-
everyone, but for those who invest a big part of their day to fitness, this style is perfect, as it becomes a fusion of fitness and daywear that’s convenient for busy bodies. 8. Bralette Think back to Madonna, making a grand entrance with her cone bra and how she shocked the world, but everyone has got used to the idea of underwear as outerwear. This season, bralettes are not being hidden under sheer fabric or under a jacket, but stands alone with a variety of designs. There are bralettes in rich jeweltoned satin to frilly patterned ruffles. Alexander McQueen has created a Victorian gothic version and studded leather bralettes have made quite an impression on the catwalk. They can even be worn over a jumper! 9. Slogans This is fashion that definitely makes a statement and this category may overtake the bralette in popularity with some of the daring slogans that designers have created. They include, ‘Let’s get obscene with Cara Delevingne,’ and ‘I’d get on all fours for Michael Kors,’ or you can choose Haider Ackermann’s ‘Be your own hero.’ 10. Supersize suits This design is all about exaggeration and detailing, with oversized shirts and cinched in waists, another throwback to the 80’s, including the Dallas style shoulder pads. Office wear gets a makeover, with pioneers, Céline and Jacquemos leading the way to bigger sleeves and wider flares.
IN BLOOM: A Dolce & Gabbana floral dress. the-shoulder styles, shirts with ruffles, over-sized sleeves, and others that are cropped to show off the midriff and cutouts here and there which expose a bit of flesh. The shirt has also been reinvented in in the form of shirt-dresses with graphic lines and extended sleeves. 4. Colour shock Stand out this summer with combinations of bright blue and grass green; pink and yellow; blue and red; and purple and pink. Designers, Céline, Balenciaga and Valentino have focused more attention on the colour pink, with varieties of candy pink, baby pink, deep cherry and raspberry. 5. Graphic stripes Stripes are always a good style to wear, but this year they are ‘full in your face.’ If
Boggled
floral clothes are not a favourite, then these stripes are an eye-catching alternative, as they are far from subtle and supposed to be worn from head to toe. A bold statement can be made with these vibrant and geometric prints. 6. In bloom The summer always puts people in the mood to wear flowers and the designers who are leading the way in all that is floral are Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, and Victoria Beckham. London fashion week presented a variety of designs in floral print, from puffer jackets to tulle dresses. 7. Athletic This style has gained more prominence due to people spending more time devoted to a healthy lifestyle. It may not suit
TARGET:
SCORING:
• Average: 17
4 letters: 1 point 5 letters: 2 points 6 letters: 3 points 7 letters: 5 points 8 or more letters: 11 points
• Good: 23 How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules? • The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally. • Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms. • No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. • No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.
Sudoku
• Excellent: 44
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION dismay deism dermis dermic derma safer safes sides sired sires seism seismic aside asides abase abased abases ideas fermi fermis basis based baser bases bared rides rises recipe roses sores epics osier osmic ohmic mores miser miosis maybe horse horsed horses hosier hosed hoses amice apices ahorse
Word Ladder MAIL
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9. There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.
• Very good: 34
HOUR BACK
Move from the start word (MAIL) to the end word (HOUR) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.
MAIL FAIL FOIL FOUL FOUR HOUR
BOOKS
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Solution MAIL SAIL SOIL SOUL SOUR HOUR or
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20 - 26 April 2017 / Costa de Almería
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FEATURE
Barrier breaker did a good job THERE was discussion between Washington and the US ambassador to Madrid regarding Carme Chacon’s appointment as Defence minister in 2008. Minister of Housing until then, she was 39 and pregnant but Eduardo Aguirre commented that although young and inexperienced “she should not be underestimated.” Spanish president Jose Luis Zapatero regarded her as ‘a strong manager’ and Aguirre patronisingly predicted that given time she would ‘grow into the job.’ Tragically, Chacon no longer has time. Having left politics she was found dead in her Madrid home, the victim of a heart condition that she had lived with since she was 10. She was Spain’s first female Minister of Defence, she reviewed troops in a maternity smock, visited
Cassandra Nash A weekly look - and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene
troops in Afghanistan when she was seven months pregnant and refused to observe the convention that women should wear a dress at the Armed Forces’ big day, the Pascua Militar. She ignored many barriers, including that of her health, but would have preferred to be remembered as Defence minister not because she was a woman, but because she did a good job.
If only IF Carme Chacon had collected 22 more votes in 2013, she would have become secretary general of the PSOE socialist party.
The former Minister of Defence had challenged the incumbent secretary general Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, a decent man and respected politician who didn’t have what it took to connect with the public.
As happens too often, Rubalcaba had what it took to connect with the party hierarchy and Chacon lost out by an ironically small margin. I t ’s h a r d n o t t o r e g a r d Rubalcaba as a dog in the
Heart of the matter WINNING Hearts and Minds failed miserably in Iraq although the concept is sound enough. Instead of referring every Catalan transgression to the tribunals, perhaps Mariano Rajoy could try winning some Hearts and Minds himself. On second thoughts perhaps it would make as little impression on Cataluña as it did on Iraq.
Carme Chacon.
manger because he resigned a year later and was succeeded not by Chacon, who had retreated to the sidelines, but by Pedro Sanchez. The rest, as they say is history, but there would be an entirely different story to tell if 22 party members h a d v o t e d d i ff e r e n t l y i n February 2013.
Not my fault JORGE FERNANDEZ DIAZ, former Interior minister, is suspected of waging a dirty war to discredit secessionist Catalan politicians. He told a parliamentary commission that possibly he had not kept a close enough watch on subordinates. Which means he is either lying or incompetent.
HEALTH BEAUTY
&
Costa de Almería
20 - 26 April 2017
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Head, shoulders and spine above the rest WHEN you feel like you’re carrying a heavy load, then back pain strikes and you are unable to find a solution, it can be painful. Centro Physis is head, shoulders and sp i n e a b o v e th e res t. M ó n ic a A lgañ a r a z , f o u n d e r o f th e co mp a n y, h a s more than 40 years’ experience working with traumatologists and patients in Argentina and Madrid. Patients come to the centre for rehabilitation, after they have had a hip or knee replacement operation or have been in an accident. They receive excellent treatment at Centro Physis, who are experts in treating bone-related conditions, including disc problems, arthrosis, arthritis, knee problems, repetitive strain injury and many other ailments. M ó n i c a st r e sse s th e imp o rtan ce o f maintaining a good posture, and that the vertebrae, if misaligned can cause the brain to underperform, leading to other conditions. She says, “The best way to keep a healthy back, is to avoid lifting too much weight while bending down, bend
55
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 best way to keep a healthy back is to avoid lifting too much weight while bending down. Mónica states that the most effective treatment is a mixture of various different therapies including osteopathy, physiotherapy and posture alignment. Problems with back pain are not exclusive to the older generation, as patients of any age can suffer with back pain and all are welcome to visit Centro Physis. It is a modern
installation with a very welcoming therapy room, w hic h w he n c om bi ned wi t h Monica’s professional and calming manner, makes for a very relaxed environment. Mónica is able to give you an immediate diagnosis after a quick check-up and will identify your problem and design a prescription with a plan of action. If the plan is followed strictly, the patient can expect to experience big improvements. This initial test usually takes no more than 15 minutes and lets Monica 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 Monica by phone on 695 355 381, by email at monica@centrophysis.net or visit www.centrophysis.net
MONICA ALGAÑARAZ: Will give you an immediate diagnosis.
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Chewing gum could help detect cancer COULD chewing gum help detect cancer? Scientists believe it could as a biotech company in America claims to ha ve de ve lope d a gum
that could be used instead of blood tests to determine if a person has cancer. The gum absorbs the compounds which are released by certain forms of cancer through the person’s saliva as they chew. So far the scientists from Volatile Analysis, say they ha ve de ve lope d diffe re nt types of chewing gum to dete c t pa nc re a tic , lung a nd breast cancer. They have deve lope d diffe re nt gum a s the c ompounds re le a s e d through saliva are unique to each type of cancer.
There were an estimated 1.5m new cancer cases diagnosed in the US last year.
The US company says patients would have to chew it for around 15 minutes but it would eliminate the need for blood tests or biopsies. In A me ric a , the N a tiona l Cancer Institute, said there were an estimated 1.5 million new cancer cases diagnosed last year in the country.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
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Protect your skin from the sun
SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte. SUNBURN is skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. It usually causes the skin to become red, sore, warm, tender and occasionally itchy for about a week. While sunburn is often short lived and mild, it is important to try and avoid it in order to avoid serious problems later in life. What should I do if I get sunburn? Firstly, you should avoid further exposure to the sun. If you do decide to head outside, protect your skin with a t-shirt, trousers, or a high factor sunscreen. A hydrating moisturiser is essential to repair the damage to your skin and should be used often. In more extreme cases, an anti-inflammatory cream and painkillers may be necessary. Symptoms should disappear in a few days. Are some people more prone to sun damage? Absolutely. People with fair skin which isn’t often exposed to the sun are more likely to suffer from burns, but it does depend on the person, as there are those with darker skin who also burn easily.
What are the short term consequences? The most serious short term consequences are pain, stinging and redness, but a burn could develop skin ulcers which could lead to skin cancer in later life. When should I see a doctor? You don’t always need to consult a doctor, only if the burn is severe or you develop unusual lesions which you suspect could be cancerous. How can I prevent sunburn in the first place? Skin should be protected from strong sunlight, especially at certain times of the day when the sun’s rays are stronger. It is absolutely essential to use protective creams or clothing, hydrate yourself and avoid intense physical exercise.
If you have any questions for Dr Perez Belmonte, please send them to: jefemedico@helicopterossanitarios.com
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Magic Festival goes on tour THE new edition of the Potagia Magic Festival is touring throughout Almeria Province, providing a wonderful day out for children, or anyone excited by tricks and illusions. The show will bring famous local magicians and exciting workshops to stages across Almeria, including Mojacar, Carbon-
eras, and Garrucha. Next up in Mojacar is the magician known as Cobra, who will be performing at the Centro de Usos Multiples on Sunday April 30 at 8pm. Tickets for this tremendous show are just €3. Magic workshops will be held on May 10 and 12 in Mojacar, and on May 11 at Carboneras Castle.
Quiz night supreme IF you’re looking for a little bit of England in Spain then where better than the Bistro Bonita in Cerro Gordo just outside of Albox. Tonight, Thursday April 20 it’s the famous quiz night with food available and tickets for just €1.50! Test your pop culture knowledge against other
expats and local Spanish in this ever popular Thursday night event that has regulars driving in from all across Almeria. Don’t forget, the Bistro Bonita also does Curry, Fish and Chips, and Sizzling Steak nights, bringing everyone a terrific taste of home every week.
Costa de Almería
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Keeping old traditions alive AFTER the beating drums and hymns of Semana Santa the musically inclined might be looking for something a little bit different. Enter Almeria Strings, a tremendous Turre-based group of acoustic musicians dedicated to all manner of folk music. On the third Thursday of every month Almeria Strings hold their Folk Night. It falls this week on April 20 and is sure to be a terrific evenings for all attendees, whether old hands, or first timers. Music includes celtic, bluegrass and other folk traditions with an eclectic array of instruments including guitars, banjos, mandolins, fiddles and string bass. New members are always welcome and the Almeria Strings hold regular workshops, informal practice sessions and even benefit concerts for charity. From their founding in 2010 they have received excellent musicians from all across the world and helped keep alive folk traditions right here in Almeria. The Folk Night is held in Solare in Turre on April 20. Admission is entirely free and the establishment offers terrific tapas. Music begins at 8pm and parking is very easy. You can find out any information you
FOLK: Traditional music will always have a place in the world. like about Almeria Strings and the times and dates of their upcoming performances and meetings simply by visiting their Facebook page. So what are you waiting for? Help keep the spirit of folk alive in Almeria,
take your partner out for a very different night, or hone those musical skills you’ve kept quiet for so long. The Almeria Strings is an excellent chance to reconnect with your talent, or simply enjoy some terrific acoustic music.
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Are you having any fun? ONE of Spain’s biggest pop sensations returns to Almeria this weekend with a hugely anticipated gig. Dani Martin has especially chosen Almeria for one of the first dates of his 2017 tour which will take him to every corner of Spain. N ot the typic a l Spa nis h crooner, Martin stormed onto the Spa nis h punk s c e ne a s the lead singer of El Canto del Loco in the early 2000s before embracing life as a solo artist. He was officially inaugurated as Spain’s king of pop when he duetted with the great Tony Bennett in 2012 for their song ‘Are you having any fun?’ Now Martin is touring and performing his new album ‘La Montana Rusa’ which will take him all the way from Almeria to Latin America. On Friday April 21 he will perform in
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DANI MARTIN: Spain’s newest king of pop.
Roquetas de Mar before moving on to Valencia, Palma and the Canaries. The Roquetas show begins at 9pm and tickets can be purchased online from Ticketmaster with prices beginning at €35. Martin’s is sure to be one of the biggest and best concerts in Almeria this year. In addition to selling millions of records he also has a stellar a c ting c a re e r a nd ha ve l egions of loyal fans who make each of his shows a spectacle in their own right. It’s a vinta ge ye a r f or Almeria pop concerts with hometown hero David Bisbal also returning in June. And performing right after Dani Martin on Saturday April 22 is the one and only Rafael ‘s Maestro Padilla Auditorium.
Take part in the Ribbon for Life IT’S nearly time for Mojacar’s annual Ribbon for Life event which takes place on Sunday April 30 this year. Held jointly by Mojacar Council, the local AECC society, and volunteers from Garrucha, the incredibly moving event takes place each spring. The organisers this year are offering a tremendous day out for anyone involved in the local social scene, or who wants to get
started. Held at Paseo del Mediterraneo 187 on Mojacar Playa from 11.30am, there will be food, raffles and shows all day. Handicraft stalls, a giant paella, music from a star local DJ and terrific raffle prizes, including weekend trips away, will be the top attractions. Beer will be flowing, the sun should be shining, and thousands of euros will surely be raised for AECC cancer charity.
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SOCIAL SCENE
Best tapas
Puppet show BOOKWORMS looking for an exciting day out can visit Adra which is celebrated International Book Day on Friday April 21 with readings and workshops. There will also be a puppet performance at 7pm. JAZZ: Piano perfect for a chilled night out.
Spring gigs and piano jazz WITH spring in full swing there’s hundreds of terrific gigs scheduled all across Almeria from top international stars to small smoky spaces with the latest sounds. Much of it is part of Almeria’s informal spring festival which sees local authorities across the province attracting the biggest stars ahead of a sweltering summer. Rocking Roquetas on May 6 is guitar phenomenon Leiva from Madrid presenting his new album Monstrous. Jazz and blues will be represented by Guadalupe Silver at Almeria’s Madchester Room on May 27. Speaking of jazz, fans would do well do check out Danish solo pianist Carsten Dahl who will be bringing his acclaimed show to Classijazz Almeria on April 25 at 10pm. Tickets cost just €15 for non-members, a terrific
price considering Dahl’s impeccable jazz credentials. Taught drums as a teenager by the legendary Alex Riel, who even recorded with Duke Ellington, Dahl switched over to piano under the influence of Jorgen Nielson. Dahl was a pioneer of the German hip-hop jazz synthesis movement of the early 1990s but has since blossomed into a more mature, rounded, classical performer. He has won numerous prizes, performed as a solo artist with the Odense Symphony Orchestra and is now a tenured professor in rhythm at Copenhagen University. It’s a major coup for Classijazz to attract such a world renowned star but if anything it shows that Almeria’s reputation as a music and cultural hotspot is growing by the day.
WITH more than 6,000 votes counted, higher than the average European parliament election, the people of Garrucha awarded the winners of the town’s second tapas route. The whole affair was a huge success. Profits more than tripled on last year with 50 participating restaurants, thousands of diners, and terrific times had all round. Publication of a guide book in both Spanish and English, and idyllic weather drew people from across Almeria and beyond. Three restaurants were given special awards based on the popular vote. Cafetería-Heladería El Califa, La Mar Bella and Casa Santiago Restaurant officially offer the best tapas in Garrucha. With restaurants pocketing an estimated €240,000 from the vibrant Easter crowds, Garrucha councilors are already turning their attention to the third tapas route.
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Clients can be strange GOOD FOOD, GOOD WINE AND GOOD FRIENDS WITH
GARRY WAITE T H INK I M AY H AVE MENT IO NE D t h i s s o rt of thing in a previous article. I don’t mean ‘clients’ that eat in restaurants - although there are plenty of them too - but the clients I have to d e a l wi t h i n th e course of my Consultancy work. It is a strange busines s. Of t e n wh e n p e o p le come to people like me it is normally after they have exhausted not only their ideas and effort but their money! Having said that, I am not sure that is the case with a prospective client I met last year. He had established that he needed h e l p , b u t wa s n o t
I
sure in which way. He was advised to get in touch with me via an old client of mine that frequented his establishment. I often find that simple consultancy work is to help the client ‘see the wood from the trees!’ Then you can identify a problem a lot easier. The only real problem that this guy had was that he was not a profe s s io n a l o r ev en ex p e rienced in the industry and failed to employ the right staff. After our first meeting I went away and put together some ideas together with a cash flow forecast, which is s o meth in g I d o fo r a ll prospective clients. I didn’t hear back from him and later managed to contact him and he told me that he was c lo s in g fo r s o me mo nths a n d h e w o u ld c o n ta c t me prior to reopening.
SOME YEARS AGO, I had the privilege of working at the Puente Romano and Marbella Club Hotels with a charming man called Alex Führer who was the MD at the time and I his Assistant. He was a Swiss German who had spent a lot of his career in Africa. He was looking to do something with the Food and Beverage operation to improve and increase turnover. For those of you that remember the Puente Romano more than 20 odd years ago, apart from the main restaurant downstairs there was the Cascada Lounge (with the atrium) and banqueting suites and that was about all. The Chef at the time was Simon Padilla, a very amiable and capable chef and I wanted to create a showcase for his unused talents by creating a ‘restaurant d’autor’ under the atrium while pinching a bit of the banqueting suite to build a service kitchen. I also designed an Italian style restaurant with food stations for show cooking, in conjunction with the very charismatic and classy General Manager at the time, Frank Pfaller. There were a lot of things that could have been done, but for some reason they did not get very far off the ground at that time. But visitors to the iconic hotel will have seen the development around the Plaza which now boasts a plethora of eateries under the watchful eye of the very talented and extremely personable Executive Chef, Thomas Stork, whose previous successes have included the Los Monteros Hotel and the beautiful
As some time had passed since we were last in contact I tried to contact him to little avail. Eve ntua lly he s a id he would contact me on his return from abroad. I thought nothing more until I re ceived an email from a good c lie nt of mine w ho informed me that he had given my name to the gentleman in question. I replied and told him that I had already spoken, but that I would re kindle our correspondence. Even after that he still was not quite sure what he was up to as he had further complicated his s itua tion a nd w a s a ttempting to do something that I feel will backfire on him. He’s a nice guy and I wish him well. He knows that if things don’t work out that I am available. I don’t charge for ‘waiting time.’
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Skilled chefs aren’t cheap - Cheap chefs aren’t skilled. (Anon: but definitely a disgruntled Chef!)
Hutcheson and Ramsay in better days. REGULAR READERS will recall that I wrote recently about the trials and tribulations of the ‘marmite’ celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. He had been involved in legal action with his wife’s father Chris Hutcheson claiming he had hacked into company computers. Well Gordon will be pleased that his father-in-law and his two brother-in-laws have been found guilty of conspiring together to cause a computer to access programs and data held in any computer without authority, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. They were granted bail pending sentencing. The maximum sentence for the offence is two years gaol. (*) Hutcheson’s other daughter was found not guilty. Sentencing will take place on June 2. YOU WIN SOME YOU LOSE SOME. Ramsay’s misfortunes continue in as much as he has lost his multi-million pound High Court claim that his aforementioned father-in-law fraudulently used a ‘ghost writing’ machine to sign him up for a pub deal. The 50-year-old chef must now pay the estimated £1m plus legal costs of the failed claim. He had alleged that Hutcheson had used the ghost writing signature machine without his authority to make him a personal guarantor for the £640,000 a year annual rent for the historic 160year-old York & Albany pub in an exclusive area near Regent’s Park, London. He sought a declaration that because his signature was not ‘lawfully authorised,’ he was not bound to the 25-year lease signed in 2007. He took the pub’s owner, American-based film director Gary Love, to court in a bid
to get out of the deal. But Mr Justice Morgan dismissed his claim and ordered him to pay all of Love’s estimated £652,000 bill, with £250,000 to be paid within 28 days. He must also pay his own costs, estimated at around £400,000, taking the final bill to over £1m. He must also pay the £1.3m owing in rent. The judge ruled that Ramsay may not have known of the intended guarantee prior to the grant of the lease, but added: “Mr Ramsay’s own evidence establishes the very extensive, if not total, trust which Mr Ramsay placed in Mr Hutcheson to deal with business affairs on behalf of both the companies and Mr Ramsay himself.” He said he had given Hutcheson “wide general authority” to act for him, having told him: “I don’t have strong business acumen. Look after me.” EVEN AFTER PAYING HIM OVER £2 million his embittered father-in-law then tried to declare Gordon Ramsay Holdings insolvent. Apparently there are tax irregularities which occurred under the previous management (Hutcheson?) about which Ramsay’s company is cooperating with HMRC. Having said that, I don’t suppose it will make much of a dent in Gordon’s savings. With an estimated €60 million a year salary and a worth in excess of €180 million made from his 20 odd restaurants, airport catering and umpteen TV programmes with a new one starting on British TV (Culinary Genius) he won’t need the soup kitchen just yet. The fact that Jamie Oliver is far more financially successful with a worth of more than €400 million does upset him more.
(*) gaol or jail? I would welcome your comments! (some detailed content thanks to the Caterer and Hotelkeeper)
Thomas Stork executive chef Puente Romano. Las Dunas Hotel on the ‘new golden mile’ working with the great three star Michelin chef Heinz Winkler. Places like the Sea Grill, Dani Garcia’s Bibo, Dani Garcia’s, Serafina, Thai Gallery, not forgetting Suite and very soon Japanese culinary genius, Nobu make this wonderful plaza a one stop gastronomic journey.
I WAS VERY SURPRISED that when I popped into an OpenCor last week, on the way to a friend’s for an after dinner drink, I was unable to purchase a couple of bottles of wine as it had gone 10.00pm!! I didn’t realise that we were following UK archaic rules. Wasn’t it always better when the vendor could determine if it was a bunch of kids out on the lash or a fall-over-drunk in which case - don’t serve them!! Still, I do understand that a simple cover all rule is probably the easiest way!!
ON THAT NOTE I will bid you farewell until next week and should aspiring restaurateurs need some help or advice, please do not hesitate to contact me. A toast to Good Food, Good Wine and Good Friends.
Garry Waite is a well-known foodie and restaurateur as well as a Hospitality Management Consultant. If you are contemplating setting up an operation in Spain, or indeed having problems with an existing project contact him on garrywaite@euroweeklynews.com.
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FEATURE
Fawlty Towers’ John Cleese coming back to the BBC with a new sitcom right.” The Charles McKeown-penned series is set to air on BBC One, although a date has not yet been confirmed. BBC Studios’ head of comedy Chris Sussman and Moira Williams will executive produce.
Richard Shanley
Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL
DESPITE previously claiming that he would never work for the BBC again, John Cleese is now officially returning to the broadcaster for new sitcom Edith - and it sounds like it was worth the wait. After almost 40 years away from the Beeb, Cleese will star in a six-part comedy series alongside the iconic Alison Steadman and Being Human’s Jason Watkins. The sitcom will follow Edith (Steadman), widower and long-time object of her exboyfriend Phil’s (Cleese) affections. Watkins will play her son Roger, who turns up unexpectedly and puts Edith and Phil’s plans of romance on hold. Dammit, Roger. The stellar line-up also includes Spaced and W1A’s Jessica Hynes as Roger’s abandoned wife Wendy, Dinnerladies’Anne Reid, Rosie Cavaliero, Peter Egan and Game of Thrones’ James Cosmo. Of his new role, John joked: “These are the most enjoyable scripts I’ve been sent in the last
The cast of Edith is as close to a fantasy comedy line-up as you can get.
JOHN CLEESE: Will star in new sitcom Edith. 100 years. It will also be particularly nice to work with Alison again since we joined forces in Clockwise all that time ago,” he added. Shane Allen, the BBC’s comedy commissioner, said that Edith’s cast is as close to a ‘fan-
tasy’ comedy line-up as you can get. “This is the cream of British talent,” he commented. Welcoming back John, he added: “It’s also a huge pleasure to welcome John Cleese back to the land of BBC sitcom - his last one did al-
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 3,000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalmeria.spec trumfm.net for the latest news and views.
ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
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A POLITICAL spokesman and public figure in Albox was threatened and abused on his way home from work by a businessman accused of participating in a financial scam. A judge has issued a restraining order against Francisco Sanchez after he intimidated Popular Party spokesman Juan Pedro Quiles outside his Albox home. Sanchez is under suspicion over his possible collusion with former Socialist leader Jose Garcia to divert €1.7 million of public funds into private bank accounts. Spokesman Quiles had earlier mentioned the case during a live television interview, naming Sanchez’s company. He drove to Quiles’ home at midnight and launched a streaming tirade against him with a series of alarming threats. Amid a string of obscen-
Photo by Junta de Andalucia via Flickr
Politics gets personal Restoration finally
begins on convent
CORRUPTION?: Investigations continue into the old Albox administration. ities he told Quiles “you have ruined my life, you ruined my company, I am lost and don’t care anymore. You have a wife and two daughters but I am lost and I will never forgive you. If my wife has to go to a doctor again I’ll be back here.” Unfortunately for Sanchez a political spokesman is not an easy target for threats. Quiles slyly recorded the entire conversation and promptly took the tape to the
Guardia Civil. Quiles has been investigating an alleged corruption network involving the previous Socialist administration and local businessmen for six years. Among the scandals he suspects Sanchez of involvement in are the €371,000 Albox paid for a non-existent sewage treatment plant in 2009 and a proposed ‘scenic space’ to be built in the town centre which never materialised, despite the €301,000 cost.
OLD CONVENT: 19th century icon getting a 21st century makeover. THREE weeks after the Bishopric of Albox leased the old convent building to the council, restoration work is already in full swing. New window frames are being set on the iconic building, soon to be followed with extensive roof repairs. The building was signed over by Bishop Gonzalez to Mayor Torrecillas on a 75year lease, on condition that
t he l argel y abandoned building would be fully rest or ed wi t hi n t wo year s. Roughly €150,000 will be invested in the first stage f i xi ng up r oof s and wi ndows before autumn. The second stage will be far more ambitious and involve rewiring the electrical facilities, installing new toilets, and plumbing. Ceilings and the lift will also be re-
paired. In total the restoration will cost an estimated €350,000, a figure that already has some locals puzzled over its affordability. Part of the funds might be raised by a community appeal to residents. Torrecillas plans to convert the 19th century building into a town hall for all Albojenses that will perform vital community services well into the future.
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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
Men under the knife
SURGERY: More and more men are going under the knife. ONE of the most famous plastic surgeons in Spain has made headlines with his claim that one in five of his patients are now men. Doctor Antonio Tapia is a native son of Olula del Rio but has been in hot demand among Spanish celebrities at his Barcelona clinic since 1977. Today he performs consultations with around 1,000
people each year, roughly 20 pe r c e nt of w hom a re men. Tapia says the number of male patients is increasing every day as celebrities and businessmen follow the American lead and forget traditional misgivings about surgery. C urious ly he s a ys me n are the easiest to convince to go ahead with surgery, but the mos t de ma nding
over r esul t s. Wom en ar e generally much more caref ul , t er r i f i ed t he consequences of bad work. Tapia regrets not visiting his hometown of Olula del Rio much since the death of his grandparents but, with pat i ent s l i ke Bar oness Thyssen, a billionaire and 1961 Miss Spain, his magic hands are in hot demand in Barcelona.
Electric expats FIVE computers were donated to the Zurgena library by Pirda, the Arboleas Computer Recycling Computer Project. The delivery is the latest in a series of donations from Pirda and the Albox Computer Club which have provided dozens of computers to public institutions over the years right across the Almanzora Valley. Founded by British expats, the associations are always looking for donations of old computers and equipment which they can fix up and put to good use across the community. Luis Diaz, mayor of Zurgena, thanked Pirda, founder David Shear, and the entire British community for its contributions.
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Gay Christ? ALBOX’S famous ‘gay Christ’ painting was back in the limelight over Semana Santa. The portrait, which depicts an effeminate looking Jesus holding a white flag, is found at the La Concepcion parish. Artist Andres Garcia Ibanez, from Olula del Rio, said his ‘Resurrected Christ’ was inspired by Ancient Greek works. It was painted in 1999 but has been frequently hidden over the years for fear of offending the conservative sensibilities of some parishioners. The feminine forms employed in the fresco were a clear shock to former parish priest Alberto Pelegrina, who all but banned the piece. Jesus is depicted with incipient female breasts and only a small piece of cloth protecting his modesty.
APSA, the animal charity based in Albox, recently held its AGM at Maloans where the members were introduced to the new kennel managers, who hope to commence work in the summer, and to Maggie who is the new shop manageress. The Saturday Los Llanos market stall is doing particularly well and holds regular tombolas to raise funds. Penny is also organising a summer fiesta at Kubatin in
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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
A happy ending Penny and a friend.
Nuno at her new home.
Nuno arriving at the kennels.
Arboleas for Saturday July 1, with band Impulse already booked. The annual sponsored dog walk will be in September and APSA is grateful to Maloans for holding a regular quiz in aid of the charity on the third Monday of each month. The charity is also indebted to ACRAA who fundraise for all local charities and are holding a dog show in Arboleas on May 7 with proceeds going to APSA and Puppy Rescue. APSA always needs help for the hundreds of dogs in their care - dog walkers, fosterers, volunteers for
the shop and market stall and to help fundraise. Building materials and help are needed at the kennels, one project being to build a small casita to help small, frightened dogs to acclimatise to life at the kennels. If you can help in any way do please call into the shop in Avenida Lepanto, opposite Chapmans bar in Albox, or the Los Llanos market stall or visit the APSA facebook page. As it is often difficult to rehome dogs locally the charity has to look further afield with the help of the Facebook page. Nuno is a podenca
cross who is 10 months old and who came into the care of APSA with her sister six months ago. Someone from Berlin saw her photo on the Facebook page and fell in love. They adopted her and Nuno has had a very exciting adventure over the last few months. First she moved from the kennels to a foster home in Mojacar and enjoyed some holidays while the charity was organising her trip. From her foster home, she went to a dog hotel in Murcia, where she was picked up by the transport and made her way to Berlin in Germany where she finally met her new family two weeks ago. She has settled in well, enjoys her life every day and is a very happy girl now. The new family love her to death. What a happy ending!
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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
Almond blossom beauty A PHOTO contest held in Albox has captured the majesty of flowering almond trees. The 2017 edition of the ever popular Flor de Almendro competition saw dozens of professional and amateur photographers present their best shots of the glorious pink and white panoramas. A photo from Alvaro Perez named ‘Past days’ won first place and a prize of €100. Alicia Checa Fernandez won second, while Oria resident Rocio Miras was in third. All winners collected their prizes at the exhibition hall in Plaza Garcia Haro. The cultural contest is designed to promote the beauty and attractive natural landscape of Albox beyond its borders.
ALMOND BLOSSOM: One of Spain’s most gorgeous sights. Almond trees in particular are excellent artistic subjects, expressing vibrant colours and the arrival of spring. This year’s vote had the novelty of be-
ing conducted on Facebook rather than by an artistic jury, helping spread awareness of the competition, which will certainly be more popular next year.
El Punta’s magic A POTTER from Albox is fast becoming a local hero in Asturias, towards the very north of Spain. Works from Luis Alfonso Fernandez are selling like hot cakes at the Alvarez Acebal market. Known affectionately by locals as ‘El Punta’, Fernan-
dez is one of 14 artisans who sell their wares every Monday morning without fail. He specialises in ceramics and representations of Albox’s famous almond blossom, a phenomenon rarely seen live by residents living north of Andalucia.
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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
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Multi-billion commercial projects for Spain INVESTMENT in property assets in Spain rose to an impressive €3.4 billion in the first quarter of 2017. That is a huge 50 per cent increase on the first three months of 2016.
GRANADA: Popular with foreign students.
Other opportunities SPAIN isn’t the only country enjoying a vast resurgence in property investment. The trend is blossoming right across the EU, which saw a total sales volume of €207 billion in 2016, the third highest year on record. Research from Savills Investment Management predicts fast growth in the rental markets of Madrid and Barcelona, as part of a growing trend of top European cities attracting serious investment from the US and Asia. The good news for residents is that investment is growing across the board. Both the real estate and commercial markets
have seen tremendous results but alternative property markets are also leading the way as the core demographics of Europe change. Care homes for the elderly and student accommodation are the main drivers of the new alternative property market. In Spain student digs in particular are seen as a ripe investment. Hundreds of thousands of foreign youngsters now study in Granada, Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia each year. In the UK that market, combined with care homes, is now worth almost €10 billion. American companies are also expected to invest billions.
This time around the bulk of investment is in retail, including some of the vast shopping centres due for expansion in Spain’s top cities. Multi-billion commercial projects in Madrid and the Costa del Sol will
spearhead a new breed of gigantic shopping zones packed with hotels, cinemas, even ski slopes. Retail accounts for around 40 per cent of the investment, compared to residential real estate’s 13 per cent.
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Judas tree opens up at Easter EASTER is always a time of flow e r s i n Sp a i n a s s o many wi l d f l o we r s h a v e emerged to brighten up the countryside and the gardens are flourishing with moist soil an d wa r m e r, l o n g er days giving them more sunlight. A striking flowering deciduous tree that blossoms at this t i m e o f y e a r i s th e Cercis siliquastrum, more commonly known as the Judas tree or, in relation to its heart s h a p e d l e a v e s, th e Love tree. It is so stunning because i t i s c o v e r ed in flower s, e v e n e m e rg in g from t h e b r a n c h e s a n d trunk, before the leaves appear. It is not a very large tree unless in ideal conditions, so it ca n su i t e v e n sm a ll gardens and large containers if kept well pruned in late spring. If yo u a r e i n a r e g io n where there are colder winters th e l e a v e s wi l l tu rn bright yellow before falling in autu m n . T h e p o d s als o mature i n a u t u m n wi th a brownish red colour. The tree structure has a hint of e a st e r n Me d i terranean form that is very noticeable in winter when bare of leaves. It is important to consid e r t h e f o r m w h e n pruning to allow the retention of its natural shape by only re m o v i n g u n wa n te d new growth as preventative pruning to maintain the natural form rather than wait for the t r e e t o e x c e e d th e desired height and spoil the tree with corrective pruning that requires pruning off the
Photo by Alextype Shutterstock
By Graeme Tyrrell
JUDAS TREE: Is stunning when it is covered in flowers. mature branches that produce the flowers. So with the right care, it is a tree of year round interest with a beautiful spring display, summer shade, autumn colours, an interesting inherent sculpture like design structure and the advantages of deciduous trees that allow in sunlight during winter. There are legends that the Judas tree was the type of tree that Judas Iscariot hung himself from after betraying Jesus and that it was once a white blossom that turned pink after the occasion. The story fits very well with the blossoms appearing at the time of year the incident occurred, the manner in which
With the right care, it is a tree of year round interest with a beautiful spring display. the flowers and seed pods hang from the tree and that it is a native of the Mediterranean region. It is a tre e tha t ne e ds some care as it grows best in a protected zone such as courtyards rather than open fields. It is best to improve the soil with compost and loos e n the na tura l s oil to give it a good start. Most
Mediterranean soils are idea l for the J uda s tre e a nd once established they don’t ne e d a dditiona l s oil improvement fertilisers. Once established it will need minimal watering but it will respond well if given additional water, especially if you wish to have a large tre e during its firs t fe w years. It is relatively hardy in a warm position with a long s umme r. It w ill tole ra te short periods of frost and cold in winter while bare of le a ve s but the y don’t re spond well to being moved so it is best planted when young into a permanent position where they can grow up happily.
PERMACULTURE EDUCATION SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Telephone: 666 33 33 35 info@permamed.org http://permamed.org/
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HOMES & GARDENS
Pool maintenance
AWNINGS: Can help to cool the house.
Keeping your cool at home IT is possible to cool down a home, as the days grow warmer with a few solutions to help staying indoors more comfortable. Ceiling fans could replace existing light fittings and can be more economical than air conditioners. Portable fans are also useful all around the home and if a large mixing bowl full of ice is positioned in front of the fan, this can be very effective for a small area. When deciding on the colour of blinds and curtains, it’s better to go for light colours, as these reflect the heat away from the house. The colour of the roof and walls can also help keep the heat away. Keeping blinds closed can prevent the ‘greenhouse effect,’ and for extra pro-
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tection, place cardboard up to the window, but only when there are no guests coming to visit! Appliances can generate extra heat, and planting trees and shrubs to shade air-conditioning units can keep the house cooler. Inside, there is the oven, washing machine and light bulbs that will heat up the house if used, so it would be a good idea to use them at night and change bulbs to energy efficient. Cooling of the house can also be achieved, by adding shades, awnings and shutters. On the inside, keep the doors open wide throughout the whole house, allowing air to flow freely and turn on the bathroom exhaust fan for at least 20 minutes after showering.
A POOL is a lovely feature for any garden, but unless it’s well-maintained, it will spoil the beauty of the rest of the garden area. After all, the pool is regarded as a luxury item, adding glamour to a property. It is important to have a pool maintenance routine that includes a few simple steps, then your pool can be something to be proud of. First, it is essential to skim the surface, on a daily basis. If there’s an algae buildup on the sides, this needs to be scrubbed, which can be done every two weeks. Filters do a great job of removing impurities, so it’s a good idea to clean out the pipes and filter basket, once a month. The filter can be put on a timer, to run for at least six hours a day, rather than switching it on and off. To keep the water swim-friendly, the chemical levels should be tested, once a week, according to the Centre for Disease
It is important to have a maintenance routine that includes a few simple steps. Control. Test kits are easily available and straightforward to use. ‘Shocking’ is another effective cleaning method, which requires a drastic rise in chlorine levels for a short period, to kill bacteria. Also, keep the pool water level halfway up the opening of your skimmer. Tennis balls are good for cleaning the water, as the fibres absorb hair products and suntan cream. Power washing around the pool area can get rid of stains and rust, while getting an annual service for the mechanical equipment is advised. TESTING KITS: Easily available.
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Dog and cat allergies 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
THERE is no breed of dog not even a Poodle or Chihuahua that will not trigger sneezes, rashes or asthmatic reactions. Allergic reactions can vary from dog to dog or cat to cat according to Jonathan Corren Clinical Professor of medicine and Director of the Allergy Research Foundation at the University of California. It is the dander and top skin and certain proteins in saliva and urine that cause people allergy problems according to Emily Rothstein, a resident in dermatology at Cornhill College of Veterinary Medicine.
Any dog or cat that urinates or licks has the potential to be an allergic-type breed. Most research on pet allergies has centered on allergies to cats, maybe this is no surprise because they are twice as likely to make their owners sneeze as dogs. Longer haired cats tend to shed less allergen and consequently owners with allergies have fewer reactions. Cats that are short haired traditionally give off more allergen, it is not
known if this is true for dogs. How to beat pet allergies Research has shown that if a cat or dog is washed about once a week the airborne allergens are cut drastically. It is recommended that dogs should be kept outdoors at night. Dogs and cats that live indoors should not spend any time in the allergic person’s bedroom and never allowed on beds. Dander collects in the carpets, upholstered furniture
and bedding, so for those suffering allergies it is better to be without carpets and have wooden furniture or leather. Bedding should be encased in plastic and if it is impossible to remove carpets then these should be steamed cleaned every three months to remove allergens. It is also advisable to wash walls and floors. Animal allergens are very small and very sticky and once they are secreted they dry on the animal’s fur, become stuck on
ALLERGENS: Stick to animal’s fur.
fur and become airborne during petting and grooming. According to Bonnie Eiche a spokeswoman for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation “They are so small that they can stay airborne for a long time and because they are sticky, they adhere to walls, clothing, and heating and cooling ducts.” About seven years ago I gave up smoking and noticed that I was coughing and choking when handling dogs. After a few tests I was duly informed “Mr
Dogman you are an asthmatic and allergic to dogs.” “No not me... not possible that’s my job” but sadly I now have to take all kind of things to help control my allergic symptoms from medication to inhalers and most important I wash my hands more than a surgeon and change my clothes about three times a day and wash my dogs every week. But with all my allergies I could not live without dogs because I feel that dogs enhance our quality of life.
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Vauxhall Vetra VXR: “There is a word to describe this car. It”begins with ‘S,’ ends with ‘T’ and isn’t ‘soot’." Some might say...
Best car in the world By Matthew Elliott THE best car in the world is officially the Jaguar F-Pace, which scooped the award at the 2017 New York Motor Show. It won the overall prize for the World Car of the Year contest, which is divided into distinct categories. The F-Pace is Jaguar’s first foray into the lucrative SUV market and it beat off stiff competition from more established rivals the Audi Q5 and Volkswagen Tiguan. The performance SUV has state-of-the-art in car technology, a lightweight body offering fantastic fuel efficiency, and a range of five different models. Available engines include the 380hp 3.0L supercharged V6, and a 2.0 litre turbocharged diesel. Prices range from €40,000 to over €60,000 with plush family-friendly extras. Swooning reviews acclaimed it as the best all-round vehicle Jaguar has ever produced. Down to the different divisions and the best luxury car in the world award was
won by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which triumphed over German rival BMW’s 5 Series, and stiff Swedish competition from the Volvo V90 Estate. BMW did scoop an award with its i3 94Ah winning Best Urban Car courtesy of a powerful, long-life electric battery that won over the judges ahead of the extremely well received Citroen C3 Supermini.
World Performance Car of the Year went to the Porsche 718 Boxster. It skirted controversy over the new four cylinder turbo engines to edge out the 570S Sports Series from McLaren thanks to its all round brilliance. The Green award went to the Toyota Prius Prime. The
Japanese car proved more practical, affordable and simpler than the heavily hyped Tesla Model X. The American brand might be more revolutionary in its design, but when it comes to actual purchases from real life drivers rather than Silicon Valley big shots, Toyota wins hands down.
JAGUAR F-PACE: Officially the best car in the world.
Motoring shorts
Eye-watering insurance IN case anyone still needed convincing that living in Spain is the best deal for your body and your pocket, motorists should beware that car insurance could hit a record £1,000 (€1,180) per year in the UK by 2018. The latest insurance data from British indexes shows that insurance premiums have risen by a hefty 16 per cent already this year to over €850. If that trend continues next year, and there’s little to suggest it w o n ’t , a n e w r e c o r d high will be reached. Young males in the UK face astronomically high charges. Those aged 17-20 pay an average of £2,363 (€2,790). Regardless of age, men pay on average £ 9 6 ( € 11 3 ) m o r e t h a n women.
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ROAD TEST by Nick Fletcher
The rare Lexus GS-F THE Lexus GS F is a high-performance sports saloon powered by a 5.0 litre V8 engine, and it is a rare sight on the road. This is a very exclusive car up against the likes of the BMW M5 and Audi RS6, and many may feel the Lexus has more visual impact - it’s the kind of car that suggests power and potency even when parked at the kerb! Build quality and the standard of finish is exemplary Lexus usually tops most reliability surveys - and the car is laden with luxury equipment and technology. Yet it is still a sharp muscular beast with a 0-
100 kph of just 4.6 seconds, and outstanding handling to deal with the 471 hp under the bonnet. It features uprated and lowered suspension, Brembo brakes and a torque-vectoring rear differential which has standard, slalom and track settings. The car also has four different drive modes. At its best on long crosscountry journeys and motorway cruising, the GS F delivers responsive effortless power with a suitably sporty soundtrack which is joyous without drowning conversation. Cornering composure is rail-like even when pushed hard. Despite the emphasis on per-
Stats panel: Model: Lexus GS F Engine: 5.0 litre V8 petrol Transmission: 8-speed auto Performance: 0-100 kph 4.6 seconds, top speed 270 kph (168 mph) Economy: 8.9 kpl (25.2 mpg) Emissions: 260g/km
formance, the GS F can be docile in town, with a supple ride quality. And as a four door saloon, it has plenty of practicality, able to take four adults with ease and with a spacious 480-litre boot. Front seats are comfortable and have good side-support for fast cornering. The GS F - there is only one version and it costs €85,342 (£72,495) - is a real head-turner, and in the cabin, the styling also commands attention. The dashboard is dominated by a huge 31cm multimedia touchscreen, and standard kit includes 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, DVD player, DAB radio and sat-nav. You also get a raft of safety features including adapative cruise control, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert and 10 airbags.
Other equipment includes alloy wheels, rear spoiler, front and rear parking sensors and neat features such as camerasensor lights which automatically adjust to oncoming headlights and street lighting, and door mirrors which tilt when reversing so you can see the kerb. It is hard not to over-praise this luxury express given its charismatic blend of blistering performance and everyday usability. That said, its auto gearbox is not quite as quick to shift as some rivals and the mousestyle knob for some of the controls takes a little getting used to. But I would overlook those trifling matters given the wonderful drivability of the GS F. If, as I was setting off on a 200km test drive I was suddenly told I had to drive right across Europe instead, my smile would be even wider!
S-CROSS SZ5: An attractive new look.
Model tested is UK specification. Equipment levels and prices may vary in different markets.
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Classic Mini remastered WITH modified suspension, British leather, wood-rimmed steering wheel and a push-button start, the Mini is making a masterful comeback. April 20 sees the launch of the Mini Remastered in Monaco with the iconic car given a modern makeover by Coventry-based David Brown Automotive. Famous for its manufacture of limited edition cars, David Brown puts the DB in Aston Martin and Jaguar remodels and has turned its attention to Mini with two special editions, one in cream and white, the other red and black. The DB Mini is said to be 50 per cent more powerful than the original, louder and with 21st century handling and brakes. It has a full on infotainment system with Apple Carplay, USB ports and four speakers. At the back there are LED tail lamps, while the interior is lavishly furnished with quality materials. It takes an estimated 1,000 hours to convert an original Mini into a DB reinvention. And it shows in the hefty price tag. The DB Mini will start at £50,000 (€59,000). Production will move from Coventry to facilities near Silverstone to help meet demand, expected to be far higher than for the Speedback DB, an Aston Martin Jaguar hybrid showcased at Goodwood Revival in 2014.
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Premiership race wide open, Cup glory awaits semi-finalists and Vettel wins 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: • ON Sa t u r d a y, we h av e Chelse a - Sp u r s a n d H ib s Aberdeen in the first semifinals o f t h e FA C u p a n d Scottish Cup competitions, followed on Sunday by Arsenal-Manchester City and the old firm derby between Celtic and Rangers. A total of 282,000 fans will attend these four matches. • There are also several importa n t C h a m p i o n s h ip matches coming up, including Burton-Leeds, Huddersfield-Fulham, Nottingham Forest-Reading, Sheffield Wednesday-Derby and Aston Villa-Birmingham, plus action in the Premiership as well. And don’t forget El Clasico, potentially this season’s La Liga decider between R e a l Ma d r i d an d Barcelona on Sunday at the Bernabeu. • Last weekend, after Tottenham Hotspur (2nd) had hammered Bournemouth 4-0, Manchester United beat leaders Chelsea 2-0 to technically throw the Premiership title race wide open. Wi t h si x g a m e s remaining, Chelsea are just four points clear of Spurs with Liverpool (1-0 winners at WBA) and Manchester City ( 3 - 0 v i c t o r s a t Southampton) 3rd and 4th. • C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s to Brighton & Hove Albion – they’ll be in the top flight
next season! Newcastle will jo in th e m fo r s u re , a long with one of five teams chasing play-off places - Huddersfield, Reading, Leeds, S h effield Wed n e s d ay or Fulham. • B irmin g h a m, Bris tol City, Blackburn, Burton Albion or Nottingham Forest will be demoted along with Wigan Athltetic and Rotherham to FL1. • Bolton Wanderers are favourites to join Sheffield United in the Championship and Doncaster, Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth will, it seems, climb out of FL2. • S a d ly, L e y to n O rie nt have lost their League status a n d w ill b e jo in e d in the National League by Cheltenham, Hartlepool or Newport County. • Lincoln City are set to re tu rn to th e F o o tb a ll L ea g u e , p ro b a bly a lo n g w ith Tr a n m e r e R o v ers , but spare a thought fo r Co v e ntry C ity, a Premier-
DID YOU KNOW? MANCHESTER CITY paid £26.2m to agents last season; Chelsea handed out £25m and Manchester United £19m. The lowest Premiership fee-payers were Hull City with £1.9m. The other divisional pay-out specialists were Newcastle United (£10.4m), Charlton Athletic (£608,000) and Portsmouth (£175,000) whereas Hartlepool’s output was nil; they never deal with agents!
ship club in 2001, who have slipped into FL2. • And Hibernian are back in the SPL • On Tuesday, Leicester, trailing 1-0, met Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, leading 2-1, played Bayern Munich in the second legs of the Champions League quarter-finals, followed last night by B a rc e lona , 3-0 down, against Juventus and Monaco, 3-2 up on Borussia Dortmund. Tonight, Manchester United play Anderlecht (level at 1-1) in the return leg of their last eight Europa League tie. • The bigge s t C ha mpionship crowd of the season – 52,301 – saw Newcastle held 1-1 at home by Leeds on Good Friday. • La s t w e e k, M a ryhill midfie lde r G a vin Stoke s s c ore d w ha t c ould be the fastest-ever goal in world football, after just 3.2 seconds against Clydebank in a We s t of Sc otla nd League game.
• Forty-s e ve n FL c lub ma na ge rs ha ve los t the ir jobs this season. RUGBY: • This weekend we have the s e mi-fina ls of R ugby Union’s European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup competitions. In the former, it’s Munster-Saracens (Saturday) and Clermont-Leinster (Sunday) and in the latte r it’s Sta de Rochelais-Gloucester (Saturday) and Stade FrancaisBath (Sunday). And tomorrow night, Munster ‘A’ play Jersey in the British/Irish Cup final. Meanwhile, Bristol ha ve be e n re le ga te d from the Aviva Premiership. • In R ugby’s Supe r Le a gue , the top ma tc he s ahead are Widnes-St Helens (tomorrow ), Wa rringtonWakefield (Saturday) and Hull-Castleford and WiganCatalan Dragons (Sunday). ROUND UP: • Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas finished 1-2-
3 in last Sunday’s excellent Bahrain F1 Grand Prix. The next race is in Sochi, Russia on April 30. • The overall winner of East er ’s Doni ngt on Par k BTCC was Ai den Moff at with Matt Neal second and Rob Austin third. • At the start of this week, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby and Stuart Bingham were all going well in the wor l d snooker cham pi onships at the Crucible in Sheffield. • GB have won five individual medals at the world t r ack cycl i ng cham pi onships in Hong Kong: Elinor Barker (gold and two silver), Katie Archibald (silver ) and Chr i s Lat ham (bronze), plus another gold i n t he wom en’s Madi son event ( Bar ker and Em i l y Nelson). • The third Moto-GP of 2017 takes place at the Circui t of t he Am er i cas on Sunday when Spain’s Maverick Vinales will be going
BAHRAIN F1: Vettel, Bottas and Hamilton on the podium.
for a hat-trick of victories. • Di vi si on One Count y cricket matches this weekend f eat ur e Ham pshi r eYorkshire, Lancashire-Somerset, Middlesex-Essex and Warwickshire-Surrey. • The British swimming championships are currently taking place in Sheffield, likewise the world ice hockey championships in Belfast and on Sunday, up to 40,000 runners could compete in t he annual London marathon, sponsored this year by Virgin Money. • GB boxer Ricky Burns lost his WBA super-welterweight belt to Julius Indongo in Glasgow. • And Todd Heap, former Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals NFL player, has t r agi cal l y ki l l ed hi s three year-old daughter in a freak accident by backing hi s t r uck over her on t he driveway of their home in Arizona.
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THE third Moto-GP of 2017 takes place at the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday when Spain’s Maverick Vinales will be going for a hat-trick of victories.
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Costa de Almería’s best guide to local sport
Badgers travel to Alboran ON Tuesday April 11 Badgers Bar Golf Society travelled to Alboran Golf Resort. A full quota of 28 players competed for the midweek Stableford. Well done to Lynn Sefton who came second in the Stableford and Barbara Goff for winning two nearest the pin’s and coming in with the only two. Full Results: 1st Chris Baker 37 points, 2nd Lynn Sefton 36 points, 3rd Martin England 33 points. NTP’s: 2nd Barbara Goff, 9th Jock Glynn, 12th Phil Bridge and 17th Barbara Goff. Two’s: Barbara Goff on the 17th. Badgers also play every Saturday. For further information call Duncan Smart on 634 331 059.
Golfing life’s a delight for Aguilon members THE grass is greener, the flowers are blooming and the wildlife is active, life on the golf course is a delight and the climate makes play enjoyable. Aguilon Members Club recently played the monthly medal on April 5 which proved to hold no fears for the players as four under par could not attain first place and most of the field carded good scores. Results: 1st Derek Manning 80-13 = 67 on a card play off. 2nd Les Raufer 86-19 = 67. 3rd Kevin Manser 82-14 = 68. Twos: Mark Newall scored two on the 3rd and 8th, George Holland, Andy Killen, Derrick Stephenson 8th, Kevin Manser, Ann Miles, Tony Phillips, Bill Pratt 12th. On Wednesday April 12 an Individual Stableford was played. It was another good day for members as again scoring was good, it was payback time
SPORT
FINALISTS: Dave, Jan, Linda and Keith.
Indalo Bowling Club play mixed pairs comp
MEDAL PLAY: Held no fear for the players. for all that the course threw at the members earlier in the year. Results: 1st Peter Death 40 pts. 2nd David Lees 38 pts on a card play off. 3rd Glyn Ombler 38 pts. Twos: Roy Bishop, George Holland, Rick Hull, Glyn
Ombler, Bob White 12th, Peter Death scored two on 14th and 17th, Ian Jenner, Julie White 14th, Chris Baker, Jim Laing, Phil Miles 17th. For further information log on to the website aguilonmem bersclub.com.
SOME 32 couples entered this keenly fought competition, the majority of which were husbands and wives. The weather was perfect for bowling and the sun seemed to bring out the best in the competing pairs. After some tough and compelling matches the semi-finals were contested between Dave Sewell and Jan Dando against Sue and John Mannall with Dave and Jan winning with some excellent bowling. The other semi-final was between Linda and Keith Harvey against Tony and Mary
Mullen. Again it was closely fought but Linda and Keith came out on top after a very competitive contest. The final between Dave and Jan and Linda and Keith started out neck and neck but Dave and Jan surged ahead and won in convincing style 22 to 13. It was a very good match to watch with a really good level of bowling. John Colguhoun, competition secretary and the competition organiser, presented the trophy. Visit www.indalobowl ingclub.org for more info.