7 - 13 December 2017
Holiday traffic bedlam DRIVERS have been warned to take care as millions hit Spain’s roads during this week’s pair of national holidays. Spain’s traffic directorate DGT are preparing for an estimated 6.7 million vehicles to hit the roads over the fiveday weekend and have warned drivers to exercise caution especially on roads heading out from city centres since Tuesday. The most intense traffic is expected on the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and in central Spain. Extra speed cameras and more patrols carrying out drug and alcohol tests on drivers will be deployed as well as a halt to all road works over the period. Six thousand Guardia Civil officers will be operating on the roads over the holidays as well as 800 other emergency service members and more than 13,000 road maintenance employees. The DGT has also warned of adverse weather conditions affecting the roads. Drivers have also been advised to return earlier on Sunday to avoid the night time rush back home.
COSTA DE ALMERÍA
YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM
Caught sock handed By Harrison Jones A dawn police raid on a farm in La Cañada ended with the arrest of two feisty burglars wearing socks on their hands. The routine police response, to a call from a security company notified of a burglar alarm sounding, escalated into a dramatic chase and altercation, according to police. Once inside the building, police briefly chased the two men, who they say
seemed startled by the National Police’s appearance and became very aggressive. One allegedly assaulted an officer before being arrested and the second was later found crouching behind bushes, carrying 30 pieces of jewellery, according to police. Both men were found with socks covering their hands - presumably to avoid leaving fingerprints - and stand accused of four burglaries. The three other burglaries - all in the La Cañada area - were linked to the men
because of the similarities in their methodology. The other incidents also occurred at night and i nvol ved st eal i ng goods which can be sold easily on the black market. The pair, aged 18 and 34, had allegedly forced a window to enter the building last week. Police say they found a pile of valuables next to where the pair entered the building. Police investigations continue. Photo by Policia Nacional
ISSUE NO. 1692
DAWN RAID: La Cañada and (inset) police swoop in. AN inmate at Almeria’s El Acebuche prison was convicted of intentionally punching a guard in the eye. The jailbird has had another 21 months added to his sentence for the assault. The guard took five days to recover from the injury and was awarded €200 compensation. The judge believed his testimony that the attack was entirely unprovoked. The court heard that the inmate had waited patiently for a vulnerable moment before launching the assault. Defence lawyers argued that the prisoner was suffering from drug addiction and not fully ac-
Jailhouse blues countable for his actions. The defence was dismissed, with the judge ruling there was no evidence to suggest he was in a state of acute psychological tur-
moil. The attack was heavily criticised by the prison guard union at El Acebuche, which claims attacks on staff have doubled recently due to insufficient numbers. Prison officials dispute that claim and say the incident was an unfortunate but rare event.
2
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
Unfair trade
Rich list AN Almeria Province rich list has revealed the average net incomes for residents of the region’s towns. Albox is the poorest (€15,294), whilst Almeria (€19,298), followed by Carboneras (€18,521) and Huercal de Almeria (€17,697), are the richest.
Rink sink THERE will be no ice rink in Almeria for this year’s Christmas celebrations. However, 120 other activities are being run. The Christmas lights were turned on last Friday in three stages.
NEWS
A loving farewell
NEWS EXTRA
ONLY five companies sell 40 per cent of the vegetables grown in Almeria, according to a Spanish bank’s research department, with more than 76 per cent of the total produce exported abroad.
www.euroweeklynews.com
By Karl Smallman and Matt Ford BRAVE brain cancer fighter, Leo the Lion may have gone, but he will never be forgotten. Hundreds of friends, family and supporters of the inspirational four-year-old gathered on Palomares beach in Almeria to pay tribute in a moving ceremony which saw 250 helium-filled balloons - many carrying hand-written messages - released into the sky. The Euro Weekly News team performed a simultaneous release of balloons outside their head office on the Costa del Sol, as did campaign support groups and individuals in other parts of Spain, the UK and beyond. An invitation-only funeral and cremation saw family and close friends pay their own re-
SOLIDARITY: The EWN team release balloons. EMOTIONAL: Family, friends and supporters gather on Palomares beach. spects on Tuesday, after many sent flowers or paid a visit to Leo as he lay in the chapel of rest over the weekend. A hearse carried him around Palomares prior to the service, allowing people to pay their respects and friends to wave goodbye. In the UK, thousands of Manchester City supporters honoured Leo with a minute’s applause during their home Premier League match against West Ham last Sunday. Days short of his fifth birth-
day (December 6), the courageous four-year-old passed away peacefully in his mother Karen’s arms last Friday as dad Jorge and sister Sofia stood by. His last words were, to Sofia, a very clear “I love you.” On September 2, 2015 Leo was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Since then he underwent surgery at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in the UK and, thanks to a fund launched late
last year, which the Euro Weekly News supported, travelled to Oklahoma in the United States for cutting-edge proton beam therapy. But sadly, it was all in vain. Karen recently told the Euro Weekly News: “I want people to remember Leo for the happy little boy that he once was, that cheeky little boy, the one who smiled no matter what... “I want to thank everyone for their continuous support during this journey to give Leo the best chance for a life.”
NEWS
CELEB FOCUS
‘Baby killer’ accused A FATHER accused of beating his son to death should be given over 26 years in jail, according to the Prosecutor ’s Office of Almeria. The man allegedly battered the 45day-old boy against the ground because his wife fed him instead of cleaning. He is accused of murder and a series of violent offences towards women.
Fire escape TWELVE people have been evacuated following a house fire in Carboneras. No one was injured in the incident, but the two-storey house on Calle Murillo sustained significant damage, according to Spanish media reports. There was also partial damage to nearby properties - evacuated by neighbours - but the house was reportedly empty at the time of the fire.
PETS
TIME OUT
Who is doing what and P6 who with, often in front of the cameras!
WEEKLY LEISURE INCLUDING PUZZLES, STARS AND MADDOCK’S VIEW ON LIFE
P46
All the latest news and advice on pets and petcare P65
SPANISH FACTS OF LIFE...40 Despite having the world’s fourth most widely-spoken language as its native tongue, Spain is home to a mind-boggling array of communication systems, from the Gomeran Whistle to Chinese, writes Harrison Jones.
Real twisters for the tongue SPAIN is a mixing pot of major languages, especially as European, Arabic and Asian residents settle in their own communities. The country’s history is littered with discarded sub-languages and the politics of retaining dialects that are spoken by so few people. Today, virtually all native Spaniards speak Castilian, the language foreigners somewhat simplistically refer to as ‘Spanish.’ Under General Franco’s fascist dictatorship, regional variations were marginalised and even banned in public, reinforcing Castilian dominance.
Cave arrest FORTY people have been arrested 13 in Almerian caves - accused of sexual exploitation. The police operation took place across several Spanish regions, including the Almerian municipalities of Vera and Roquetas. Some victims, including children, were rescued from the caves.
Gang falls POLICE say they have smashed a violent La Mojonera gang. Five members are accused of up to 22 crimes, including armed robberies, criminal damage and theft, in the Poniente Almeria region. The perpetrators are thought to be no more than 25-yearsold.
News 1 - 24
29
Leapy 35
TV 48
Tech 42
Letters 44
Health & Beauty 51 - 53
Social 54 - 56
WINDSWEPT: A valley in La Gomera.
ONE of the quirkier languages is known as the Gomeran Whistle and practised by inhabitants of La Gomera in the Canary Islands. As the name suggests, it is perhaps more song than language, but Unesco recognised the communication as the ‘only whistled language in the world that is fully developed and practised by a large community.’ As many as 22,000 people ‘speak’ it and schools teach how distinct whistles replace each Spanish consonant or vowel when communicating across wind-swept valleys. The confusion does not stop there, though, as numerous dialects remain. Andalucian and Canarian are common, though sub-vari-
A SERON-BASED cheese company has taken bronze in a global competition. Serones Artesano’s
PLUS THE REGULARS
Finance
Yet variations remain and are still so numerous that it beCHEER OF UNITY: Nearly all Spaniards comes a challenge to speak Castilian. even list them all. The most famous is be the only non-RoCatalan, which has seen a resurgence in mance language in Spain, which classiinterest since the controversial referenfies it as an official language alongside dum on Cataluñan independence. Also Galician, Catalan and Castilian. referred to as ‘Valencian’ or ‘Balearic,’ There are complications with other it is spoken by around 17 per cent of minority languages, like Aragonese, the population. Asturian and Leonese. These are all Aranese, or ‘Occitan,’ is also co-offirecognised - but unofficial - variations cial in Cataluña and can be heard in the of Castilian, and thought to be seriousnorth west of the region. ly endangered. Basque, or ‘Euskara,’ is thought to
Go whistle
Cheesey world win
P71
SPAIN, UK EUROPE & GLOBAL SPORT SCENE
Rainfall falls THE Beninar reservoir has recorded rainfall of 20 per cent lower than average this year. According to reports submitted to water management committees in the province, only 282 litres have fallen per square metre. The 2015/16 period was the driest year on record.
3
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
eties add to the difficulty of classification. Amongst others, Fala, Cantabrian, Extremaduran, Eonavian and Ribagorca, Mirandese, Benasquese, Asturian and Leonese are believed to still be in use in continually shrinking numbers. Aside from Basque, native Spanish tongues are all thought to be Indo-European in provenance. There are even sign language dialects. The closely related Catalan and Valencian sign languages are remarkably different to the traditional Spanish version. Minority sign language dialects are also still in use in the Canary Islands, Basque Country, Galicia and eastern Andalucia, but are much closer to the national version, which boasts an estimated 100,000 users.
gourmet goat’s cheese beat over 3,000 entrants. The company which was launched in 2015 has achieved national recognition and now exports to Europe.
145
Albox 57 - 60
Homes & Gardens 63
Classifieds 66 - 67
The total number of news and features which appeared in Issue 1691 of the Euro Weekly News Costa de Almería edition, including 61 local stories.
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
NEWS
Let it snow! Spain shivers as artic air rolls in
Photo by Spanish Highs/Twitter
4
GIBRALTAR: Flights to be trialled.
EWN online this week 147,445 Page views
Top 5 stories WINTER IS HERE: The view from the 3,011 metre Cerro Caballo in the Sierra Nevada, Granada.
flights from UK airports to 6,688 Charter Gibraltar trialled next July views
THE first flakes of winter have fallen across large swathes of Spain. It comes after the mercury plunged below zero in the wake of an arctic cold snap gripping the country. Amateur snappers flocked to social media to share photos of the wintry scenes, with
some stunning results. The bitter conditions follow a mild autumn and one of the driest Novembers on record. But the freezing weather is set to last, as a fresh cold front sweeps northern Spain over the weekend, with the icy blast to send temperatures plummeting for a second time.
Drivers behaving badly ALMOST 10,000 drivers have lost points on their licence so far this year in Almeria Province. Four out of every 10 penalised drivers are aged under 34 and the vast majority among that group are men. Of the 9,811 motorists with points docked between January and November, 1,669 were punished for using a mobile phone behind the wheel. The infraction
can cost a driver three points and a €200 fine. Despite awareness campaigns launched by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), a total of 1,457 people had points deducted for not wearing a seatbelt. Speeding remains by far the most frequent offence, with young men collecting a hugely disproportionate number of tickets. Driving under the influence of
drugs is an emerging problem. More than 500 drivers were found to have illegal drugs in their bloodstream when tested by police. Officers who suspected a driver was on drugs were proved correct in six out of every 10 cases. Just under 100 drivers ran out of points this year and had their licence suspended. Driving without a licence is a criminal offence that can result in jail time.
national taxi strike in Spain 4,305 24-hour tomorrow views
flight from Spain to UK diverts 3,794 easyJet due to ‘disruptive’ woman views
warnings issued as parts of 3,762 Weather southern Spain go below zero views
flooding in Andalucia forces 3,623 Serious train cancellations and school closures views
27 November – 4 December
www.euroweeklynews.com @euroweeklynews euroweeklynews +euroweeklynews
FOR COMMENTS FROM EWN ONLINE TURN TO LETTERS PAGE
Poll of the week Do you attend religious events over the Christmas period?
LAST WEEK’S POLL: With Black Friday out of the way, have you already finished your Christmas shopping?
Yes 20% No 80% CORRECTIONS At the EWN, we pride ourselves that reports are accurate and fair. If we do slip up, we promise to set the record straight in a clear, nononsense manner. To ask for an inaccuracy to be corrected. Email: editorial@euroweeklynews.com
NEWS
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
OUR VIEW
Spain is losing Big Mac battle THE crowning of San Sebastian as the world’s top food city is another feather in the cap for Spanish gastronomy. But as the country’s culinary heritage continues to attract international acclaim, Spain must be careful to retain its traditional mealtime values. An upswing in demand for Iberian ham from China has seen demand outstrip supply, while the famed Mediterranean diet increasingly appears more medical advice than lifestyle choice. And as the price of ham, olive oil and other delicacies rockets, working class Spanish families are increasingly turning to the same packaged, cost-effective fare that has sparked an obesity crisis across the globe. A recent report by two international think tanks concluded that the country is moving away from the Mediterranean diet, as the relentless rise of convenience and fast food sparks a profound cultural shift. The World Health Organisation says that Spain is one of the top European countries for obese children, while the proportion of overweight adults has increased from below 8 per cent in 1987 to 16 per cent today. The Mediterranean diet should include large amounts of fruit, vegetables, pulses, whole grains and olive oil, but importantly, none of this comes in a box. Foodie’s delight - page 20
Now we want to hear your views. YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION www.euroweeklynews.com
Victims saluted A MINUTE’S silence was observed in Almeria City to remember those who have perished in traffic accidents this year. Provincial head of traffic for Almeria, Jose Maria Mendez, mourned the 21 fatalities on the province’s roads so far in 2017. Another 76 people have been badly injured in the 578 serious traffic accidents that have occurred since January. The ceremony was also attended by senior Guardia Civil officials and Diego Gutierrez, a delegate from the Association of Victims of Traffic Accidents. He called for a road safety course to be compulsory for all drivers in Spain. By 2020 Almeria Province has pledged to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads by 50 per cent.
5
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
Thank-Hugh very much
What an Eiffel!
WELLHEELED: Paris Hilton.
Celeb focus
HE’S best-known for playing razor-clawed superhero Wolverine in the X-Men film franchise. But there were no knives being SHE’S the hotel heiress who shot to fame after sharpened after Australian actor her sex-tape leaked. Hugh Jackman jetted to But Paris Hilton has proven there’s Spain to promote his more to her than meets the eye latest film. after revealing that her busiThe star received ness empire is worth €2.5 bila rapturous receplion in a radio interview. tion at the premiere The blonde beauty recently of The Greatest announced she is to open an Showman, due to Ibiza hotel. The entreprebe released in Spanneur is calling the venture, Photo credit Twitter ish cinemas on Friday, Paris’s Boutique Hotel, and she EX-MAN: Hugh December 29. explained the venture would be Jackman in Madrid. “very futuristic and very Ibiza.” Speaking at the event the heartthrob confessed he would not be turning to directing now his stint as Wolverine has ended. He explained: “I would be a terrible director, the actors would hate me.” Jackman’s latest film sees him play Phineas Taylor Barnum, the creator of the Barnum and Bailey American travelling circus. Starring alongside Zac Efron and Michelle Williams, the musical boasts a soundtrack by Justin Paul and Benj Pasek who won Oscars for their work on La La Land.
Seeing double A SPANISH politi-
Photo credit Paris Hilton/Instagram
She’s a real pretty woman ACTING legend Richard Gere has been spotted showing off his gorgeous Spanish girlfriend at an awards ceremony in Madrid. The 68-year-old Officer and a Gentleman star certainly looked distinguished as he stepped out with Alejandra Silva, 34, at the Photo credit You Tube Harper’s Bazaar Awards. The silver fox wore a navy coat over a BESOTTED: white shirt as he snuggled up to the blonde Alejandra Silva and Richard Gere. businesswoman. Silva, whose father was for-
merly the vice-president of Real Madrid, is originally from Galicia and has made a successful career in PR. Most recently starring in Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer, Gere has been enjoying something of a comeback in recent years with a string of films. Originally from Philadelphia, America, Gere was previously married to supermodel Cindy Crawford, and is devoted to Buddhism.
cian who has been TAKE TWO: compared to Begoña Villacis. Prince Harry’s future wife Meghan Markle has become an internet star. But mother-of-two Begoña Villacis, 40, was able to see the funny side as she tweeted: ‘Between Buckingham Palace and Cibeles... I’m sorry but I’m sticking with Madrid.’ Her comments came after the leader of centre-right party Ciudadanos in Madrid received streams of messages via social media.
Chastain in Spain SHE’S been nominated for two Oscars and earlier this year tied the knot with Italian fashion boss Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo. Actress Jessica Chastain, 40, continued to live the high life appearing at a Madrid photo call to promote her latest flick Molly’s Game, flaunting her ample curves in a stunning knitted dress.
Photo credit Ciudadanos Madrid
6
8
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
NEWS EXTRA
Tunnel vision LA VIA VERDE will soon become the longest tunnel in Andalucia, and officials hope that the walking route - which will unite Hijate, Seron, Tijola , Armuña, Purchena, Olula and Fines - will become a tourist attraction when complete.
€325,000 scam SISTER companies in Almeria have been accused of fraud. MTSS and LGM are alleged to have created a network of companies in order to fraudulently claim grants from the Andalucian authorities worth nearly €325,000.
Tijola invests TIJOLA will receive €300,000 of investment from the Agricultural Employment Promotion Programme, to improve the town’s water supply network, schools and public spaces, after a PFEA deputy and the mayor viewed the project’s progress.
Crash panic FOUR people were injured in a car accident at the Nicolas Salmeron park in Almeria City. Local Police and medical services attended the scene and the victims have been transferred to Torrecardenas hospital for treatment.
NEWS
Arrests made in cafes, bars and restaurant thefts NATIONAL POLICE have arrested two men on suspicion of robberies in Almeria. The men, aged 27 and 42, allegedly robbed six of the city’s cafes, bars and restaurants last month. They are accused of stealing over €4,500 in cash, several electronic devices, bottles of alcohol and National Lottery tickets. One of the arrested men is known to police and alleged to have committed five of the robberies alone. The methodology of the robberies were similar, with all of the incidents committed between 2am and 6am in the downtown area of the
A NIGHT’S WORK: The robberies took place in the early hours before the culprits were held by police (inset). city, between November 1 and 14. The robbers forced their way into venues by bending the iron bars on the windows
and then entering through the holes. One of alleged perpetrators was provisionally detained.
Food bank fraud plot By Lindsay Hutchison A POLICE investigation launched at the beginning of November has found three people guilty of selling products marked with the official Food Bank stamp, a stamp which clearly states that the sale of these items is prohibited. The Food Bank is a nonprofit charitable foundation set up in 1999 to distribute food to the most disadvantaged families throughout the
province of Almeria. Two of those arrested were in charge of associations which were authorised to withdraw food from the European Aid Fund (FEAD). Leaders of various charities had reported two associations based in Roquetas de Mar, both authorised to withdraw food items for underprivileged families, yet both failing to make any charitable deliveries. Families for whom the products were intended were
contacted and reported that the deliveries had not reached their homes, which proved that the products were being withdrawn by the two associations but were not then being charitably donated. A third suspect, in charge of transporting the goods to a street market in Puche which takes place on Wednesdays and Sundays, was identified and all three individuals were arrested by agents of the National Police for the scam.
10
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
NEWS
Picture perfect THE association of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in Spain’ has held its annual assembly in Mojacar. The meeting saw 11 new locations added to the group, which now boasts 67 members. Formed in 2011, the network met to discuss its plans for the coming year, including a new guide, trips between the villages and tourist packages. T h e m a y o r o f M o j a c a r, R o s a M a r i a Cano, and the president of the Association, Francisco Mestre, led Saturday’s event. Cano said that she hoped the organisation could continue to provide a dynamic forum for councillors from all over Spain to share their experiences. She added that the assembly should help protect, preserve and promote the beauty
A HUGE marihuana growing operation was uncovered in Zurgena. Two people were arrested during a Guardia Civil raid on the uninhabited farmhouse. The local men, aged 37 and 42, have been charged with drug cultivation and stealing electricity.
SLEEPING BEAUTY: Mojacar by night. of the villages. A number of the new members are from Andalucia, including Segura de la Sierra, Zahara de la Sierra and Bubion.
Pot farm shut down Police found 315 fully-matured marihuana plants in a tool shed at the property. They became suspicious that the property might be being used to cultivate drugs after receiving reports of possible electricity
fraud in the area. Despite being officially uninhabited, the property was consuming huge quantities of electricity as the crooks installed heat lamps, air conditioners and humidifiers to grow their crop.
FINANCE
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
11
Protect your pensions from the lifetime allowance trap Are your UK pension funds safe from tax penalties of up to 55%? If you have been saving into pensions for years or have several funds, you could go over the UK government’s ‘lifetime allowance’ (LTA) without realising it. At £1 million (£1.3 million from 6th April 2018), the limit sounds high, but it counts all pension benefits (excluding the State Pension) and growth accumulated over a working lifetime. What are the penalties? If you exceed the limit, extra tax is payable whenever you access your funds – technically called a ‘benefit crystallisation event.’ How much you pay depends on the way benefits are withdrawn – rates are 55% for lump sums and 25% for income or transfers. So at best, the price for being over can cost you a quarter of your funds, at worst: over half. Being non-UK resident offers no protection. Usually, under the
By Gerald Turner, Partner, Blevins Franks double tax agreement, Spanish residents escape UK taxes on British pensions (except government service pensions). However, for those over the allowance, these rules do not apply – the LTA tax is applied in the UK first and is not recoverable. How can you check your position? Calculating how much of your allowance you have used is not always straightforward, so check
with your provider or financial adviser. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will first test your allowance when you start drawing your pension, then every time you access funds and when you turn 75. If you die before 75, any lump sums paid to your beneficiaries will also be subject to the LTA test and subsequent tax penalties. How can you protect your funds? A higher limit can be secured by applying for HMRC’s LTA ‘protection.’ This usually has strict conditions attached, however, so take guidance first. Expatriates have the option of transferring UK pension funds to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). Doing this can limit your exposure to LTA penalties while providing taxefficiency, currency flexibility and estate planning advantages. If you transfer UK pensions into a QROPS and your total benefits
are under the limit, you will not face LTA taxes. However, the QROPS must be within the EU or European Economic Area (EEA) – such as Gibraltar – otherwise you risk a 25% ‘overseas transfer charge.’ Once in a QROPS, funds are out of reach of LTA charges, no matter how much you have or how you access it. Those at or close to the limit should consider transferring and paying any tax charges now before funds – and tax liabilities – increase in value. Another option is to take your UK pension as cash and reinvest into a tax-efficient Spanishcompliant arrangement. In any case, before making any pension decisions, taking regulated advice is crucial to determine your most suitable approach and avoid pension scams. If you are near the threshold, consider acting sooner rather than later to prevent growth tipping you over the limit. The LTA is only set
to increase in line with inflation each April, so there will not be much leeway if you are already at the upper end. Regardless of whether the LTA will affect you, with Brexit around the corner, now is a good time to review your pension options. Living in Spain, you should regularly check your financial planning to make sure you take advantage of available opportunities and protect your wealth in the most suitable way for your particular circumstances. Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com.
12
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
Assault charge A MAN who attacked his wife and three people who tried to help her was convicted of assault by an Almeria court. The local man, aged 32, escaped prison and was instead fined and slapped with a restraining order preventing him from going near his victims. The incident took place in Almeria’s Nicolas Salmeron park. He began screaming at his partner and then attacked
€2.9
her in full public view. One man intervened and received several punches for his trouble. He lost a tooth and had his glasses broken. Another two people stepped in and were punched, kicked and even bitten by the assailant. He then ran to a nearby bar and grabbed a knife, which he used to chase the man whose tooth he had already knocked out. He was eventually subdued and arrested by police.
million was spent by Madrid’s council on Christmas lights this year, €350,000 more than last year.
www.euroweeklynews.com
NEWS
Cards, camera, action Man admits online fraud with aid of camera AN 18-year-old man has reportedly admitted using the credit cards of two customers from his workplace to make purchases of around €1,500 - without stealing the cards. A further two people - one of which is yet to be located - may have also been targeted by the youngster, who worked in the hotel industry in Vera, according to Spanish media. The Guardia Civil have said the number of victims could rise and that his em-
ployer was unaware of his action. Despite not having the physical cards, the man was able to make online purchases through photographs. Data from the images he obtained was enough to make internet purchases, which often only require an account number, name and sort code. The first victim reported that 15 transactions had been made on two accounts totalling €1,300 - despite the account owner not authorising the purchases and
being in possession of the cards. Another person reported three unrecognised charges to their account worth over €200. The purchases - including online bets, two televisions, a high-end mobile phone and console controls - and similarities between the allegations, led police to the suspect. He initially denied the charges but later admitted to the offence, before being arrested in Garrucha.
Almeria nominated for food title ALMERIA’S City Hall is supporting the city’s candidacy for Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2019. Local leaders want to make the city a hotspot for food-centred tourism in Spain. The city is well-known for its food - notably the diversity
and quality of its tapas - and its local produce. The mayor described the city’s cuisine as ‘excellent, traditional and innovative,’ while giving his backing to the bid. Various local groups have also thrown their weight behind the initiative. The provincial deputy of tourism, Javier Aureliano Garcia, claimed that the title could give the city’s tourism industry an 11 per cent increase. The competition is run by the Spanish Hospitality Federation and the Spanish Federation of Journalists and Writers of Tourism. The winner is expected to be announced in October next
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Tapas in Almeria, could be crowned next October. year, according to Spanish media. One local food blogger, Steve Homer, said the city “has some very talented chefs, but we are yet to see the very best of what they can produce.”
14
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
NEWS EXTRA
High-speed shenanigans
Garrucha raffles Rome GARRUCHA Council is offering a weekend trip to Italy in a Christmas raffle encouraging residents to shop locally, with tickets handed to shoppers until January 6 and various cash prizes on offer.
Holding fort THE 11th century Almeria fort is to be restored at a cost of €56,000 over the next two months as officials hope to preserve the monument and address security concerns.
EU funds CALAR ALTO ASTRONOMICAL CENTRE is to receive a €1 million EU grant, with the money to be used for improving the facility’s telescopes, cafe and energy efficiency. Andalucian authorities are expected to provide additional funding in 2019.
NEWS
PALMED OFF: A Moroccan woman was prepared to pay €3,500 to stay in Almeria.
Immigration scam fails TWO people have been given a suspended prison sentence and fined by a court in Almeria, for attempting to illegally register an immigrant in Spain. The pair intended to charge a Moroccan woman €3,500 in exchange for help in obtaining a residence card. The man and woman were each
3.4
given a six month sentence - suspended for two years - and given a €450 fine for falsifying official documents and aiding illegal immigration. They also paid a fake partner for the woman an unknown amount of money to help with the scam. After registering falsified documents, the attempt to deceive
million people are currently unemployed in Spain according to government statistics, with 7,255 losing their jobs in November alone.
Spanish authorities that the woman could legally remain in the country failed. Police realised that the Moroccan lady and her alleged partner did not know each other during an interview in December 2015, when their stories contradicted each other. The alleged couple were registered at the Almeria address of the sentenced man and woman, despite having no links to the property.
AN update on the Almeria to Murcia highspeed rail connection was presented by national public works minister, Iñigo de la Serna. He said that the deadlines for the granting of tenders had been shortened to 2018. The work itself is still scheduled for completion in 2023, a time frame that has met great resistance among Costa de Almeria and Costa Blanca business leaders. The minister also said that using a single, rather than double, track for the majority of the railway in Almeria Province was sufficient for local needs. In response, the platform for the Defence of the Railway in Almeria urged the government to tighten deadline works and aim for completion before 2023. The railway was originally meant to be finished by 2016. The platform, comprised of local politicians, business and community leaders, has been highly critical of the plan to use a single track through most of Almeria Province. The high-speed rail won’t just enable Almeria residents to travel to Madrid or Barcelona quickly, it is essential to transport the province’s enormous agricultural output to the rest of Europe. De la Serna claims a double track would be a waste of money in Almeria Province and that the current plans meet Madrid’s commitments to Almeria ‘100 per cent’. He says changing the plans now would only lead to more delays.
NATIONAL
www.euroweeklynews.com
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
17
Home alone Mum jailed for abandoning children
56.3%
www.euroweeklynews.com
She pleaded guilty to two child sex abuse. offences of child neglect and Prosecutor Zia Chaudhry attempting to pervert the told the court the woman had course of justice. falsely claimed that she’d Sentencing her to 12 arranged for a friend to look months imprisonment Judge after her children while she Robert Trevorwas away, but the Jones branded her friend had can“callous and selfcelled due to a becentred. reavement. She had “You showed created fake emails quite persistent to back up the lie. Latest news failure to perform In 2013, the and your parental duwoman’s youngest more as it happens ties and a breach child, aged three at of the trust, and the time, had been you then covered it found wandering the up. streets in the early hours of “You were asked to come the morning. home at the earliest opportuAnd earlier this year, the nity but you declined and resingle mum left her two mained until the expiry of youngest children in a car that week, displaying callous, while she visited a gym. self-centered indifference to the position of your children of Spaniards between the ages of 18-64 a thread which runs through speak more than one language. this case.”
A SINGLE mum has been jailed in the UK after she flew to Spain for a one-week trip and left her three children at home. The 37-year-old woman left her 16-year-old son to look after the others aged six and eight. The woman from Cheshire, who can’t be named for legal reasons, had flown to Spain to watch friends take part in a bodybuilding competition. Liverpool Crown Court was told she was found out when the youngest child told a teacher. The school contacted social services but the woman refused to fly home. Instead she tried to put the children with a woman who had been investigated for
EWN online
SITTING COMFORTABLY: The two leaders in Downing Street.
Rajoy tells May: Brexit talks will begin soon THE prime ministers of Britain and Spain have met in Downing Street for Brexit talks. Theresa May and Mariano Rajoy discussed the next phase of negotiations during a lunch meeting on Tuesday, which also covered citizens’ rights, Gibraltar and the Catalan referendum. Rajoy told May that he was “absolutely convinced” the next phase of Brexit talks would begin shortly, despite Monday’s deadlock over the Irish border. Writing in the Guardian ahead of the meeting, Rajoy said the two countries’ histories were “inextricably intertwined, and will continue to be so.” He added: “Britain can count on Spain’s loyal and sincere friendship.” May said: “I want to reiterate my support for
Prime Minister Rajoy on Cataluña. It is important that the rule of law is upheld and that the Spanish constitution is respected.” Thanking the UK for backing the Spanish government during the Catalan referendum, Rajoy wrote that Brexit would not break the countries’ ‘friendship’. Though he emphasised the importance of trade between the two countries, he later tweeted that ‘the main priority for Spain is and will continue to be the preservation of the rights and interests of citizens.’ His article did not mention Gibraltar, which has been a source of some tension between the two nations. There were a number of demonstrations in Britain protesting against the Spanish government’s conduct during the Catalan referendum.
18
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
NATIONAL
Key developments as Catalan election looms FOUR prominent members of the movement for Catalan independence have been denied bail as new polls suggest pro-independence parties could lose their majority. But in a surprise move, a Supreme Court judge dropped the international arrest warrant against the former Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont. The PDeCAT leader remains in Belgium, alongside four other former cabinet ministers, who have also had the international warrants dropped. Spanish warrants remain in place. He had fled the country after being sacked by the Span-
ish government for pushing ahead with plans for independence, following the Catalan referendum. Back in Spain on Monday, Puigdemont’s former vice-president, Oriol Junqueras; a former cabinet member, Joaquim Form and civic group leaders Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart were denied bail. Meanwhile, the latest poll predicts pro-independence groups will win only 67 of 135 seats in the December 21 regional elections, five short of their total in 2015. The percentage share of the vote is set to remain similar, according to the Sociological Research Centre poll, but
with pro-independence parties now running separately, their majority could be lost. Previous polls had shown anti and pro-independence blocs running neck and neck. Today’s Supreme Court ruling did allow bail to be set at €100,000 for six other former cabinet members. But Junqueras, Form and the leaders of Asemblea Nacional Catalana and Omnium Cultural - Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart - will remain in jail. The judge said he was concerned that the four might break the law if released, but added that he did not believe they would leave Spain.
FULLER MOON: The phenomenon over Segovia last week.
STAR PERFORMER: A meteor shower could be visible next week.
Shoot for the stars STARGAZERS will be treated to one of the most impressive meteor showers of the year next week. The Geminids are set to peak on next Wednesday night and the morning of Thursday December 14. Viewers’ experiences will vary depending on atmospherics, but southern Spain should see the spectacle comparatively clearly because it has less light pollution than many other areas. Depending on weather condi-
tions, space enthusiasts will be able to view up to 120 meteors per hour, according to space.com. As the name suggests, the shooting stars - which are visible worldwide for a number of days - appear to come from the Gemini constellation. The shower is thought to be nearly 200 years old and is one of the most famous in the astrological calendar. It has been getting stronger since because of Jupiter’s gravi-
ty pulling the shower closer to earth. Experts advise that binoculars are not necessary but suggest staying away from artificial light and allowing 20-30 minutes for the human eye to adjust to the dark. There is thought to be no danger of any meteors reaching the Earth’s surface. Meanwhile, last week a ‘supermoon’ was visible over parts of Spain. Two more are expected next year, in January in February.
20
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
NATIONAL
Foodie’s delight! Spain is home to ‘world’s best city’ ACCORDING to a major study commissioned by a British catering service Spain is top of the list of the world’s top 100 cities for food. San Sebastian, in the north of the country, led the rest of the world in the survey for Caterwings. And it’s not just based on the number of Michelin stars. Ratings from 20,000 food journalists and restaurant critics were taken into account to evaluate the quality of the local food scene in hundreds of cities worldwide. They also considered the number of restaurants per 10,000 citizens, the percentage of fast food outlets to restaurants, plus vegetarian and vegan options. The study also looked at affordability, calculating
SAN SEBASTIAN: ‘World’s best city for food’ and (inset) the quality of local cuisine. how many hours a person on minimum wage would have to work in order to afford a two-person dinner in a restaurant and the percentage of fast food chains as compared to restaurants. San Sebastian stands above the competition thanks to its affordable offer for tourists. Tokyo, the city with the most Michelin stars, comes second in the top 100, scor-
ing particularly low on vegetarian and vegan options, while New York is third. Spain had another two entries in the top 10, with Barcelona in fourth and Madrid in seventh. London squeezed into the top 10 at ninth place. Other notable appearances in the top 100 were: Glasgow (61), Manchester (64), Edinburgh (77), and Brighton (93).
22
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
COMMUNITY
Fun at the fayre THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT: Lady Ellen and Stuart Drury. PAWS-PATAS annual Christmas Fayre was a cracking success, raising over €1,800 for the charity. They would like to thank everyone who booked space for their stalls and to Peter and Raimonda at Scotty’s bar/restaurant who worked with great speed in delivering all the food and drink requests. A record crowd of people attended and were greeted by Father Christmas and given a raffle ticket with their €1 entrance fee. Music entertainment was kindly provided by Lady Ellen and Stuart
Drury. It was a long day for the PAWSPATAS organisers and with the sales of crafts, merchandise, soft toys, jewellery, books a whopping €1,860 was raised. This money will greatly help the shelter with its day to day animal care, vital shelter repairs and continuing neutering programme. Please help them raise a little extra by buying a raffle ticket for the grand prize draw which is being held at 4pm on Sunday at Scotty’s (near the Red Cross roundabout in Mojacar). Tickets are still
British councillor tells EU: stop holding expats hostage A BRITISH councillor representing Rojales, Alicante, has told a meeting of the European Parliament that senior politicians are holding expatriates ‘hostage’ to achieve their own objectives. Speaking in Brussels, Derek Monks expressed concerns that people who moved to Spain to take advantage of freedom of movement and labour now risked being exploited. “I expressed the con-
cerns of all of us who took advantage of moving,” the councilor told Euro Weekly News in a letter. “Senior politicians negotiating terms of the breakaway are using us as pawns to arrive at their ultimate goals,” he continues. “I expressed anger at this and pleaded for an end to this holding us as hostages to achieve other objectives.” Letters - page 44
on sale until that date at Scotty’s and will also be on sale at The Bedar Xmas Fayre tomorrow (Friday). You can also buy one of the 2018 calendars from our locales situated in Mojacar, Turre and Las Buganvillas which are packed with photographs and lots of PAWS-PATAS information. PAWS-PATAS continually needs volunteers to help assist in all areas of their charity work. For further information please visit the website: www.pawspatas.org or call: 678 490 217.
Sweet sounds COME and join The Rose Singers in their annual Christmas concert at Miraflores, Camping Los Gallardos. On Thursday December 14 at 7.30pm you will have the chance to join in with some of your favourite carols, have a turkey sandwich and a mince pie in the interval and try for a prize in the raffle, all in aid of ASADIS (Asociacion Amigos Discapacitados) supporting disabled children in the Los Gallardos area. Tickets are €8 and are available from Forget-Me-Not (Las Buganvillas), Total Entertainment (Turre), the Camping Los Gallardos shop, by calling Sue on 950 617 737 or on the door. Come along and join the fun and support this great cause.
A sweet time for all THE Anglican Church of Mojacar is holding a Christingle Service next Wednesday at 5pm. A Christingle consists of an orange to represent the world. A red ribbon round it represents the love and blood of Christ. Sweets and fruit represent all
God’s creations. A lit candle represents Jesus’s light in the World. Everyone will be given one of these Christingles while we sing carols, all are welcome to this special service and we would love to especially welcome your children, grandchildren and friends.
COMMUNITY
www.euroweeklynews.com
PS Thanks Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and all the staff at EWN and a great big thank you for your support. It means a lot to our members. Bill White, Indalo Players, Almeria Thank you so much for promoting our Christmas events. You will be pleased to know the extravaganza is now sold out! Anita Humphreys, La Cala de Mijas Lions, Malaga Again we thank you for your continued support for our concerts. Our audiences are growing thanks to the exposure you provide to us within your weekly publications. Our growing audience is also fantastic news for the charities that we support. Many thanks, on behalf of the choir and ASADIS. April Roa, Publicity Officer for the Rose Singers, Almeria Many thanks for your continued support. You including our news means so much to everyone, it is much appreciated. It creates a scramble to get a paper each week! Rod Manuell, The International Music Society, Fuengirola
GUYS AND DOLLS: Most of the cast under the watchful eye of FBI agent, Eric Mess.
Indalo Players strike again THE Indalo Players performed their murder mystery, ‘The Speakeasy Murder’ in El Cortijo. It was another complete sell-out and the audience were delighted with the dancing, the music and the fiendish murder. The very next night the whole play was re-enacted in the spacious Miraflores ballroom and again, the audience was delighted with all the mayhem you would expect from a sleazy nightclub in downtown Chicago during the 1920’s. The Indalo Players also enjoyed another full house at La Reva on Vera Playa. Same play but a different murderer. Among the audience members was Spectrum radio’s, Richard Shanley with his lovely wife, Jessica. They are always on the lookout for new members on stage, back stage or front of house. Please contact them by phone on: 671 810 819 or by email on: willianwhite9552@aol.com.
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
23
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
COMMUNITY Photo credit Albox Computer Club
24
DAVID SHEAR: Champion of the community has passed away.
Community hero passes away DAVID SHEAR, founder of Albox Computer Club and PIRdA (Proyecto Informatica Reciclada de Albox) has sadly passed away. He passed just after 8am on Monday November 27. His wife, Margaret was with him. David had been ill for some time but was relentless right up to the end and determined to help as many people as he could for as long as he was able.
David, who had worked a lifetime with computers (about 50 years!), decided that he wanted to help people understand their computers better. About 11 years ago, he enquired whether there was a computer club in Albox. He discovered that there was not but enquiries had been made by another like-minded person. That person was Fred Sheriff. David and Fred got together and founded Albox Computer
Club which continued for about another three years at which point they decided to register Albox Computer Club as a non-profit making association with the Junta de Andalucia. David felt that it was not enough just to educate people about their computers, he also wanted to help those who were unable to afford their own by providing them with one, thereby putting them on a more equal footing. This ethos also extends to different groups like charities, non-profit associations, small businesses, local government offices etc. This was achieved by accepting donations of broken or outdated computers, refurbishing them and donating them to deserving causes. The section dealing with the donation of recycled computers is an activity of Albox Comput-
er Club. That activity is known as PIRdA. PIRdA have just moved to their new workshop in Albox and will continue the PIRdA activity started by David. Their new location is Calle Ramon y Cajal 32, Albox. Among the donations PIRdA have already made have included families, schools, colleges, councils, libraries, Local Police, Red Cross, various cancer charities like: MACS y Asociacion Española Contra el Cancer (AECC); non-profit associations; Virgen del Rio (disabled persons’ association); Age Support; ABSE and many other deserving causes. For further information on Albox Computer Club and PIRdA, please check out their websites on: www.alboxcc.com and www.pirda.org. Rest in peace David.
26
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
FEATURE
Advertising feature
HOME COVER: Including change of locks and moving and storage expenses.
Home Insurance Home Assistance Home Assistance cover FOR any external or accidental event beyond the policyholder’s control, Línea Directa will send a qualified professional to handle the services required including: plumbing, electricians, glass repair, carpentry, locksmiths, appliances, TVs, antennas, bricklayers, intercoms, painting, blinds, plaster work, fitted carpets, floorboards, upholstery, varnishing and gardeners. Urgent change of locks If the insured cannot enter their property due to a damaged lock due to attempted break-in or the loss or theft or keys, or any other reason preventing the opening of the door, Línea Directa will not only pay for an emergency locksmith but also any labour costs. However, the cost of replacing the lock or mechanism is not covered under the policy. TV and video Should your TV or video appliance be accidently damaged or stolen, Línea Directa will provide another appliance of similar characteristics for a maximum of 15 days at no extra cost. Hotel, restaurant and laundry service If you are force to leave your home because
it has become uninhabitable due to an accident, Línea Directa will transfer you and any occupants insured under the policy, to a minimum three star hotel for a maximum of five days. During the forced abandonment, restaurant expenses up to a limit of €50. If the homeowners washing machine breaks down, any laundry expenses incurred are covered up to a maximum of two days and a daily limit of €30. Home surveillance expenses If your home is at risk from easy outside entry due to robbery, fire, flood or explosion, then Línea Directa will send security staff at its own cost until the event is remedied, for a maximum of 24 hours. Moving and storage expenses In the event of forced abandonment of your home, policyholders may request a house moving service up to a limit of €2,000. Línea Directa will search for removal services to help the insured move home and store furniture if required.
We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 309 More information about Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com
M
FINANCE
OPEC members agree to cut output
FOR the first time ever in Spain, a political party is to be brought to trial following the destruction of records concerning €48 million in Swiss bank accounts. It is alleged that the Partido Popular ruling party led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy held a secret fund containing the money in Switzerland and that former treasurer Luis Barcenas with the help of others destroyed evidence of this on laptop computers. Barcenas together with a former IT specialist and a party lawyer are being put on trial for harming
Photo Credit: Roman Voloshyn Shutterstock
Manufacturing boom in Spain The current state of the Spanish economy is so buoyant that Economy minister Luis de Guindos is now content that the end of year forecasts for GDP will be met. “November’s surveys produced a clean sheet of improved PMI readings for all countries, resulting in the best performance for Eurozone manufacturing since the height of the dot-com boom over 17 years ago,” noted Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at HIS Markit in the report.
By John Smith the computers and concealing damaging evidence before investigators were able to undertake their work. Prime Minister Rajoy has already appeared before a court to give information on his knowledge of financial impropriety within the PP but at that time made it clear that he had no idea of what, if anything, was going on. The former treasurer is also involved in what is known as the Gurtel affair which revolves
BUSINESS EXTRA
Sludge test SPAIN is testing new ways of treating wastewater and sludge as part of a European Union funded project. The aim is to reduce the risk of pollutants damaging the environment and recovering energy and fertilisers from the sludge.
Pension news NEW legislation to be introduced next year will make it easier for Spanish pension funds to invest in a wider range of products. This will remove current obstacles which prohibit investment in risk capital, hedge funds and real estate.
US changes MAJOR insurance company MAPFRE will be restructuring its international divisions and is pulling out of five US States. Whilst it will continue to offer insurance across much of America, it has decided to sell its New York business through an investment bank.
New VP for European Bank A S PA N I S H m i n i s t e r h a s a n n o u n c e d that he believes that the position of vice-president of the European Central Bank will be filled by a Spaniard. Luis de Guindos also confirmed
29
A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION | WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM/3.0.15/FINANCE
In the fourth quarter, without doubt, Cataluña saw a strong deceleration ... October has not been a good month, but we see a certain normalisation in November,” Economy minister Luis de Guindos on Spain’s accounts.
Producing wooden goods.
EWN
is the amount that Santander has raised by selling TotalBank, the US subsidiary of Banco Popular.
Spain’s ruling party to raise court charges
AT a meeting of the members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and selected non-members it was agreed to continue to reduce production. This group which includes Russia wants to see oil prices rise and are extending the curbs until the end of 2018 in order to combat the competition from shale oil which helped to stifle the market. Since the first reduction, prices have risen by 30 per cent.
A GLOBAL organisation has announced that the Spanish manufacturing sector is growing more quickly than even before the economic crisis. The spur to this has been increased production thanks to the winning of new business despite the Catalan crisis and is a 129-month high. Although these figures are very impressive, the report by IHS Markit shows that six members of the Eurozone have actually achieved better results but the news for the Spanish economy is encouraging.
€444 million
STAT OF WEEK
business & legal
Quote of the Week
Costa de Almería
7 - 13 December 2017
that he was not standing for the position of president of Eurogroup which consists of finance ministers from the 19 countries which form the Eurozone.
around a private fund allegedly made up from secret donations which were then dispersed to various party members and supporters. Luis Barcenas has so far denied wrongdoing and suggests that the Swiss funds were innocently held on behalf of a number of investors. The decision to actually try a political party will certainly raise a number of technicalities including who should represent the party in court and how any verdict will affect individuals if the party is found guilty.
Equal pay demand aids women COMPANIES who employ more than 250 workers will be required to correct any inequality in pay between men and women. This is to be Spanish government policy as it wants to ensure that men and women receive equal pay if they have the same responsibility and functions within the company. According to Spanish media, there is often as much as a 30 per cent disparity in salaries paid to women and companies will also be required to include unions in any review they undertake.
30
E W N 7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
LONDON - FTSE 100
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on opposite page
C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 4
PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY Anglo American 1,380.00 21.00 Associated British Foods 2,895.00 -53.00 Admiral Group 1,919.50 -3.50 Ashtead Group 2,185.00 286.00 Antofagasta 929.00 19.50 Aviva 509.75 -1.25 AstraZeneca 4,830.00 53.00 BAE Systems 565.00 13.00 Babcock International Group 735.50 38.50 Barclays 191.50 -2.00 British American Tobacco 4,700.00 -84.50 Barratt Developments 602.50 -3.50 Berkeley Group Holdings 3,534.50 -284.50 British Land Co 630.00 0.50 BHP Billiton 1,355.00 10.00 Bunzl 2,115.00 -34.04 BP 493.00 1.00 Burberry Group 1,727.00 11.00 BT Group 257.40 -3.40 Coca-Cola HBC 2,429.00 60.00 Carnival 4,855.00 89.00 Centrica 144.00 -0.60 Compass Group 1,535.50 36.50 Croda International 4,249.50 13.50 CRH 2,702.00 2.47 ConvaTec Group 214.90 20.90 DCC 7,260.00 105.00 Diageo 2,569.50 1.00 Direct Line Insurance Group 395.00 29.20 Experian 1,555.00 28.00 easyJet 1,415.00 9.00 Ferguson 5,392.50 62.50 Fresnillo 1,408.50 100.50 G4S 275.00 18.40 GKN 310.50 0.40 Glencore 339.65 0.05 GlaxoSmithKline 1,310.50 31.00 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,592.00 -1.27 Hammerson 521.00 1.50 HSBC Holdings 732.10 -1.90 International Consolidtd Airs Gr 613.50 0.50 InterContinental Hotels Grp 4,355.00 6.00 3i Group 910.00 25.50 Imperial Brands 3,067.00 2.50 Informa 696.75 -50.25 Intertek Group 4,977.00 -40.08 ITV 158.75 -1.15 Johnson Matthey 3,025.00 -6.00 Kingfisher 332.50 -1.50 Land Securities Group 929.50 -4.50
% CHG. NET VOL 1.55 19,250.16 -1.80 23,342.51 -0.18 5,503.03 15.06 9,490.28 2.14 8,983.62 -0.24 20,467.53 1.11 60,750.35 2.36 17,576.76 5.52 3,515.16 -1.03 33,032.14 -1.77 108,460.20 -0.58 6,117.24 -7.45 5,147.14 0.08 6,301.10 0.74 28,386.25 -1.61 7,107.91 0.20 97,217.50 0.64 7,311.75 -1.30 25,893.33 2.53 8,633.83 1.87 10,030.13 -0.41 8,077.91 2.43 23,715.10 0.32 5,618.36 0.10 21,621.31 10.77 3,756.34 1.47 6,351.10 0.04 64,036.46 7.98 5,010.50 1.83 14,187.34 0.64 5,594.68 1.17 13,303.49 7.68 9,454.35 7.17 3,982.17 0.13 5,320.75 0.01 48,769.38 2.42 62,934.53 -0.08 7,584.36 0.29 4,110.89 -0.26 147,240.09 0.08 12,568.10 0.14 8,197.13 2.88 8,743.62 0.08 29,271.43 -6.73 6,171.80 -0.77 8,388.27 -0.72 6,432.60 -0.20 5,853.42 -0.45 7,223.94 -0.48 6,906.49
COMPANY
PRICE(P)
Legal & General Group 256.50 Lloyds Banking Group ORD 65.75 London Stock Exchange Grp 3,803.50 Micro Focus International 2,381.00 Mediclinic International 690.50 Merlin Entertainments 357.90 Marks & Spencer Group 306.00 Mondi 1,796.00 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 216.50 National Grid 885.00 NMC Health 2,978.00 Next 4,452.50 Old Mutual Group 199.75 Paddy Power Betfair 8,400.00 Prudential 1,842.50 Persimmon 2,480.00 Pearson 705.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group 6,450.00 Royal Bank of Scotland Group 276.50 Royal Dutch Shell 2,382.50 Royal Dutch Shell 2,427.50 RELX 1,747.50 Rio Tinto 3,520.00 Rolls-Royce Group 863.00 Randgold Resources 6,450.00 RSA Insurance Group 632.50 Rentokil Initial 325.00 Sainsbury (J) 232.50 Schroders 3,442.00 Sage Group (The) 746.00 Segro 484.00 Shire 3,670.00 Smurfit Kappa Group 2,250.00 Sky 1,064.00 Standard Life Aberdeen 424.50 Smiths Group 1,490.00 Scottish Mortgage Invstmnt 442.00 Smith & Nephew 1,315.00 SSE 1,330.00 Standard Chartered 733.05 St James's Place 1,167.00 Severn Trent 2,171.50 Tesco 195.20 TUI AG 1,357.00 Taylor Wimpey 196.65 Unilever 4,213.50 United Utilities Group 817.50 Vodafone Group 226.00 Worldpay Group 420.40 WPP Group 1,290.00 Whitbread 3,580.00
CHANGE(P) -10.70 1.00 24.50 -108.00 125.00 6.00 -3.40 30.00 0.20 -2.52 0.29 20.50 4.85 75.00 -16.50 -60.00 -3.00 72.00 -0.10 18.50 39.00 33.50 18.50 6.00 -325.00 24.00 6.90 0.20 -8.00 -28.50 -6.92 8.50 -104.00 127.50 2.40 30.00 -8.60 5.00 -39.00 -5.35 -47.00 72.50 1.15 8.54 2.25 49.50 11.00 1.70 3.24 -17.00 12.00
% CHG. -4.00 1.54 0.65 -4.34 22.10 1.71 -1.10 1.70 0.09 -0.29 0.01 0.46 2.49 0.90 -0.89 -2.36 -0.42 1.13 -0.04 0.78 1.63 1.95 0.53 0.70 -4.80 3.94 2.17 0.09 -0.23 -3.68 -1.26 0.23 -4.42 13.61 0.57 2.05 -1.91 0.38 -2.85 -0.72 -3.87 3.45 0.59 0.63 1.16 1.19 1.36 0.76 0.77 -1.30 0.34
NET VOL 15,929.22 47,520.05 13,057.54 10,765.59 4,126.72 3,601.13 5,079.75 8,584.59 5,081.36 29,790.22 5,808.70 6,522.39 9,697.31 7,060.91 48,136.41 7,811.41 5,702.42 45,820.41 33,051.67 107,248.19 89,723.14 18,392.35 47,477.11 15,649.66 6,375.82 6,200.38 5,839.96 5,080.06 7,804.55 8,360.66 5,480.99 33,288.00 5,555.22 16,085.70 12,787.83 5,854.27 6,312.34 11,422.90 13,913.47 24,290.13 6,393.75 4,943.81 15,919.93 7,939.69 6,364.01 51,474.78 5,588.08 59,816.01 8,472.00 16,511.60 6,551.99
0.88175
1.13428 Units per €
US dollar ...............................................................1.18539 Japan yen............................................................133.929 Switzerland franc ..............................................1.16633 Denmark kroner ..............................................7.44203 Norway kroner.................................................9.84349 currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER
DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 4
COMPANY 3M AMERICAN EXPRESS APPLE BOEING CO CATERPILLAR CHEVRON CISCO SYSTEMS COCA-COLA DOWDUPONT 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 241,150 97,8600 171,050 271,380 141,520 119,51 37,600 45,97 71,01 83,46 17,8800 248,95 180,4200 154,76 44,6800 104,7900 139,9800 172,8700 55,87 84,260 59,88 36,3500 90,360 136,21 120,12 226,78 51,25 110,73 97,3500 105,2500
CHANGE% CHANGE VOLUME(M) -0,82% -1,990 143.809,58 +0,15% 0,1500 84.568,87 -0,47% -0,800 875.605,57 -1,96% -5,420 161.908,02 +0,26% 0,370 83.855,89 +0,44% 0,52 226.785,25 +0,80% 0,300 187.302,02 +0,44% 0,20 195.095,96 -1,32% -0,95 166.256,31 +0,20% 0,17 352.950,94 -2,24% -0,4100 155.552,06 +0,53% 1,31 92.923,58 +0,33% 0,6000 210.171,40 +0,51% 0,79 143.127,35 -0,36% -0,1600 208.776,57 +0,26% 0,2700 360.712,67 +0,47% 0,6500 376.032,21 +0,52% 0,9000 137.729,75 +1,09% 0,60 151.846,49 +0,11% 0,090 646.372,32 -0,89% -0,54 78.175,43 +0,25% 0,0900 216.582,30 +0,41% 0,370 228.592,61 +0,47% 0,64 37.296,54 -1,10% -1,33 95.932,20 -0,61% -1,39 219.343,57 +0,71% 0,36 208.346,83 -1,65% -1,86 200.689,02 +0,12% 0,1200 290.863,82 +0,41% 0,4300 159.186,91 M - MILLION DOLLARS
NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 4
COMPANY
PRICE
CHANGE NET / %
Most Advanced American Woodmark Corporation Aeglea BioTherapeutics, Inc. Stitch Fix, Inc. Foundation Medicine, Inc. Versartis, Inc. Ambarella, Inc. Titan Machinery Inc. Xunlei Limited Geospace Technologies Corporation Nutanix, Inc. Synlogic, Inc.
$ 127.70 $ 4.73 $ 23.60 $ 62.60 $ 2.25 $ 62.03 $ 21.57 $ 15.43 $ 16.39 $ 36.06 $ 11.20
28.10 ▲ 28.21% 0.73 ▲ 18.25% 3.56 ▲ 17.76% 9.40 ▲ 17.67% 0.30 ▲ 15.38% 7.76 ▲ 14.30% 2.57 ▲ 13.53% 1.78 ▲ 13.04% 1.75 ▲ 11.95% 3.26 ▲ 9.94% 0.99 ▲ 9.70%
$ 42.30 $ 2.60 $ 19.95 $ 20.34 $ 11.98 $ 2.19 $ 9.95 $ 5.45 $ 26.47 $ 5.275 $ 48.95
4.80 ▼ 10.19% 0.27 ▼ 9.41% 1.85 ▼ 8.49% 1.84 ▼ 8.30% 0.93 ▼ 7.20% 0.17 ▼ 7.20% 0.74 ▼ 6.92% 0.40 ▼ 6.84% 1.94 ▼ 6.83% 0.375 ▼ 6.64% 3.45 ▼ 6.58%
Most Declined Overstock.com, Inc. China TechFaith Wireless Comm Tech Lim Zumiez Inc. PetIQ, Inc. American Software, Inc. U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. QuinStreet, Inc. Aratana Therapeutics, Inc. Ichor Holdings Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.
32
E W N 7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
WINTER HEATING WILL BECOME PRICIER Electricity cost goes up A DEDICATED Spanish ecological group has highlighted the fact that some four and half million Spanish residents will face the arrival of winter in situations of energy poverty. Weather reports suggest that Spain is in for an exceptionally cold snap, prices of electricity have recently risen by 2 per cent and as so much is generated by relatively inefficient coal and gas turbines, then prices will continue to rise. As far as pensioner expatriates are concerned, the winter fuel allowance that their compatriots in the UK and indeed other parts of Europe receive is not granted here in Spain, as the British government introduced a temperature eligibility criteria which removed Spain from the accepted countries, saving the British government €11 million per annum. The last payment was made in 2014 and in announcing the decision to cancel the payments, the then Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith who was heavily pro-Brexit told a British newspaper: “It’s absurd and offensive that taxpayers are funding these payments for people who have retired to the Mediterranean and enjoy warm weather. The European Union has frustrated our attempts to address this issue in the past, but with our new temperature-based eligibility criteria we’re able to satisfy EU rules as well as prevent this obscene waste of taxpayers’ money.” According to ECOtias.com, the online ecological group, customers of the electricity companies in Spain have to pay the highest charges in Europe and although in theory, it is possible for those who live in poverty to claim assistance to pay their bills it is incredibly difficult. The group claims however that even the government accepts that the requirements to obtain the assistance are complicated and less than 50 per of those entitled are likely to actually apply and receive the financial assistance available.
Keeping warm at a cost.
To make things just that little bit worse, the financial support offered by the government doesn’t even come from national funds but from regional and municipal funds with no additional support from Madrid. Whilst other countries continue to look for new sources of cheaper, safer energy, Spain does not even encourage the creation of solar power by individual households any longer, following complaints from the large energy companies that their profits could be hit.
Unemployment a problem as the service sector is still erratic TH E e m p l o y m e n t situ a tio n in Spain continues to suffer a roller coaster effect, especially in major tourist areas where unemployment continues to rise. The overall national rate of unemployment increased by just 0.21 per cent with 7,225 more unemployed t h a n i n Oc t o ber, b u t th e numbe r wa s m u c h h i g h e r in th e Balearics and Malaga Province. Although the overall trend of unemployment is falling in Andalucia, Malaga saw the number increase for the fourth month in s ucces si o n a n d t h e r e are n o w 158,330 unemployed, an increase of 3 pe r c e n t o v e r t h e p rev io u s month and the largest increase for five years. Temporary contracts will increase during the months of December and January as shops and s ervice i n d u st r i e s e x p a n d th e ir work force to take into account Christmas, New Year and Three Kings activities, but then the figures of unemployed are likely to
More customers, more jobs.
EWN online Tweet us your opinions @euroweeklynews
increase again as the temporary contracts expire. There are still 3.47 million people registered as unemployed in Spain and with the fall in those contributing to the social services, the annual Christmas bonuses for pensioners will have to be found from somewhere. As the number of unemployed increased in the service sector, the good news was that an increasingly larger number of workers are being
recruited in the building sector w hic h suggest s t hat t he r i se i n house and commercial property c ons truct i on i s cont i nui ng at a pace. Whilst the government is generally very positive about the future state of the economy, there is no doubt that the Cataluña crisis has not been helpful, although Prime M inis t er Mar i ano Raj oy has pledged that the country’s economic growth could reach 3 per cent next year, if Cataluña returns to ‘normalcy’ after the election to be held on Thursday December 21. Whilst it appears that the situation concerning Catalan independe nc e i s becom i ng r esol ved, as those who pressed for the declaration are now modifying their demands, the fact that so many companies moved out of the region to ‘safer ’ provinces does mean that the employment situation there has become less certain and there will be some temporary ‘hiccups’ in the figures until the New Year.
Middle East remains a target SPAIN continues its wooing of major countries in the Middle East as it hosts the first Iran-Spain Joint Economic Commission in Madrid. Iranian Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mojtaba Khosrotaj is to cochair a meeting where he will discuss endorsement of agreements on economic cooperation. Signing the Iran-Spain Economic Cooperation Roadmap and several memoranda of understanding is also on the Iranian delegation’s agenda. Despite the dislike that America continues to display against the Iranian regime, Spain was quick to forge diplomatic and economic links with Iran once the international trade restrictions were lifted last year. As Saudi Arabia is one of Spain’s larger trading partners and is in direct opposition to Iran, the Spanish government will have to be careful about how close to Iran it is perceived to be.
Video game sales increase THE Spanish love video games, having spent €67 million on games and consoles this Black Friday. This information compiled by GfK Global and released by the Spanish Association of Video Games (AEVI) goes on to confirm that this shows an increase in sales of 22 per cent over the 2016 figures for the same period. The increase saw larger numbers of games and consoles sold, so the amount spent was not solely due to an increase in unit price. Whilst manufacturers and developers continue to bring new games and upgrade consoles, so the market for their product seems certain to remain strong.
www.euroweeklynews.com
Photo by Qurren Wikimedia
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
www.facebook.com/euroweeklynews
The Nissan Leaf Electric Car.
EWN online Join the conversation on our Facebook page
Car sales are strong NOVEMBER was a particularly good month for the registration of new passenger vehicles in Spain with a total of 104,200 sold, 12 per cent more than last November. Part of this success was due to some major offers by various dealers to coincide with Black Friday, but the total for the 11 months of 2017 is still up by 8 per cent over the previous year at 1.13 million cars. In the problematic area of Cataluña, sales to rental companies were down considerably but purchases by companies and private
drivers were well up and almost matched the national increase. Most successful manufacturer so far this year has been Renault followed by SEAT and Volkswagen. Spain is also beginning to see a definite increase in promotion of electric cars with larger public car parks installing charging points although due to the fact that few cars can travel further than 300 kilometres with a new charge, hybrid vehicles are likely to set the trend for the immediate future.
Huge refinery contract shared with Spanish group THE latest major contract to be awarded to a Spanish construction company is worth €1.135 billion from the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO). Working in conjunction with French company Technip and Korean Samsung, the Spanish company Técnicas Reunidas is taking one third of the overall contract worth €3.53 billion. The site of the oil refinery is in Sitra on the east coast of Bahrain and represents a major refurbishment of the entire factory with Técnicas Reunidas being responsible for renewing the crude oil unit, the vacuum unit, the hydrocracker (which releases different gases from oil), various plants and auxiliary services. In addition, the company will be involved in the joint purchase of equipment
and construction of the entire project. The refinery currently produces up to 360,000 barrels of oil each day and part of the reason for the upgrading of the plant is to improve both efficiency and to make the entire operation more environmentally friendly. This is an area where Spanish know how has achieved a great deal of success and the Middle East market has been exceptionally important to Técnicas Reunidas which has undertaken 25 major projects in the area, earning some €20 billion in the past 10 years. The announcement of the news of this new business award helped the company’s share price which has been performing poorly of late to increase by 1.5 per cent.
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
EWN
33
FEATURE
www.euroweeklynews.com
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
35
Photo by Shutterstock/You Tube
Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow...! LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT THE main, glaringly obvious reason that China and Russia consistently refuse to condemn, or completely sanction North Korea, is because that between them they have enough weaponry clout to finally dominate the western world. As allies, they are powerful enough to back up their ideals with a military might that could utterly annihilate both the USA and any other European democracy that chose to resist. The overwhelming force of these three countries would be more than capable of finally achieving what they have all been seeking for generations, a Communist domination of the planet. The fact that Communism, both Chinese and Russian, has become more ‘Westernised’ and capitalistic over the last 20 years or so, has nothing to do with it. These countries are still run by undemocratic dictators, who still use their citizens as pawns in their common, relentless ambitions to take over the world. The problem is of course that neither America, or the UK for that matter, will ever bow to these despots, however threatening they become. For this reason, and with the leader of our most powerful ally a bit flaky to say the
COLLUSION AND MANIPULATION? China, North Korea and Russia and (inset) Meghan and Harry. least, I believe we are even nearer to a nuclear holocaust than we were during the Cuban crisis. And there ain’t a darned thing we can do about it. Eat, drink and be merry folks, for tomorrow…! I don’t know about you, but I think Ms Meghan has our Harry completely by the short and curlies. Putty and manos come to mind.
Far from immediately jumping up and down with joy, as Harry suggested, I think ‘Mum’ would have been a little more cautious in her approach to this extremely assured and capable young lady, before succumbing herself to her undoubtedly charming persona. Unlike her lad, who is, at this point in time not quite sure if he’s on his a..se or his elbow. Time will tell my
friends, time will tell. As much as I welcome constructive criticism of my columnistic endeavours, I still abhor the vitriolic spitting, that seems to consume the small number of sad sacks of the ilk that descended on my recent, completely innocuous EU gaffe like a flock of indignant, jowl jiggling vultures. What I do fail to completely understand is why, if my comments cause such stress and mental suffering, they still continue to peruse them? This great paper is full of extremely competent and highly respected writers, so why don’t they simply pass me by? Believe me, both myself and my thousands of wonderful like-minded readers, wouldn’t miss them one iota, and frankly don’t need them either. Bye! Writing this in the sunshine of the extremely welcoming and still highly lovable Malta. What a pleasure to be back among this wonderful race of genuine and friendly people after so many years. Still consider this is where the ol’ boy could finally end his planetary innings. Have a good week. Be kind to someone. And whatever ya do. Always keep the faith. Love Leapy. columnists@euroweeklynews.com
Leapylee2002@gmail.com
Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
Your Belgian estate agent at the coast! You
38
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
FEATURE
Advertising feature
Seen a good movie lately? Mike Senker
In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man WHAT’S happened to the film industry? Well first it’s now the ‘movie’ industry. I come at this from a slightly different angle this week as I was in the ‘movie business’ for over 20 years. I could watch maybe 100 plus films a month. Now, I’m talking about when video first started in 1979, when films never went on TV for seven years after they left the cinema and remember there were only three TV stations then. There was no Sky, no cable, just old fashioned terrestrial TV. I now have unlimited access to as many movies as I want and, to be honest, most of them are absolute garbage. I don’t want a lot from a movie. I want to be entertained. I don’t like horror movies except maybe something like the first Alien and the Exorcist, which many of you wouldn’t know, was banned in the UK on video for 25 years. But I digress. I want my movies to have a beginning, middle and an end. I’m totally fed up with watching stuff now that starts brilliantly, keeps you interested for 90 min-
utes then just ends, leaving you not having a clue what happens. No Country for Old Men - glued to it, and then it ends, not a clue. Why? Doubt was another one. The list is endless just like these films. But I can’t be alone in wanting to know what happens at the end of a film. Sometimes there is an end but it’s almost like all the budget has been spent making the first and middle parts and there’s only $50 left for the ending! Then there’s the super hyped films - the Emperor’s New Clothes award for last year’s was La La Land. What a load of tosh. I couldn’t even be bothered to watch the end. Then, of course, is the studio’s biggest cop out. The reason you don’t see so many great movies any more like The Sting, Butch Cassidy etc is because they want to play safe and make sequels and now even prequels. Most do not work. They are crap. Yes there are a few exceptions but mostly they are a waste of time. Never ever, ever watch a remake of a movie you loved when you were younger or of a TV series you liked. I’d love to know what good movies you have seen lately or what movies have disappointed you. I can recommend a couple Book of Henry and Florence Foster Jenkins. columnists@euroweeklynews.com
Email me: mikesenker@gmail.com
It’s a caring business sitting in a house! R EM EM B ER the first ‘Home Alone’ movie with Macaulay Culkin left in his parent’s house while the y’re a w a y? Te e na g e children and worrying images of gouged Frenchpolis he d ta ble s a n d s ta ine d c a rpe ts a re on e thing, but how to manage if no one stays at home? How can you care for your prope rty w hen you’re on holiday? With both urba n a nd rural crime on the rise, an empty house over the holidays is never a good idea. Fortunately, today we have options that are inexpens ive a nd more s e c ure. Heard of ‘house-sitting’? House-sitting..? House-sitting is a way for homeowners to find c he c ke d pe ople to c a re for the ir prope rty a n d pets, without ‘care’ costing the earth. In fact, if you join the right online network the house-sitters are free! For them it’s a holida y. H ous e -s itting suits retired professionals w ho ma ke up a la rg e number of house-sitters, as they look for affordable travel after a lifetime of work, home and pet responsibilities. How to find out more Enabled by the internet ‘house-sitting networks’ are like social networks but with added security a nd re vie w s ys te ms a llow ing you to me et
RETIREES: Make up a large number of house-sitters. checked si t t er s onl i ne. They help you find sitters to look after your home, prepare specific instruct i ons and t hey f ol l ow those requests - it’s part of your ‘ house- si t t i ng agr eem ent .’ Check t he reputation of the network online (eg Trustpilot). Pets cared for at home The most popular use
for house-sitters is actually as pet-sitters, it cuts out the cost of kennelling. Moreover, pets remain in their home with their routines. Vets say this reduces animal stress especially when they sense their owners are leaving. It makes for happy pets, and a happy home.
Do you need a house or pet-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner now with a 20 per cent off introductory offer using coupon code PERFECT20. To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com
42
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
TECH FOR THE TIMID SMOKING has addicted us ever since Walt Raleigh discovered that sticking a leaf in your mouth and setting fire to it could do more than just burn your lips. But society’s greatest addiction is barely getting started: our smartphones. The internet is knee-deep in surveys as we know. One of the latest says 87 per cent of owners go to sleep and wake up with their smartphones. Younger users touch, swipe or tap their phones 2,617 times a day. Those of us closer to our sell-by dates may be slightly less hooked, but not necessarily. The biggest growth in smartphone use is now among the so-called ‘silver surfers.’ The figures for average teen messaging are truly breathtaking, not to mention thumb-destroying: 67 texts tapped out daily, with a staggering 1,831 a day coming in. I feel quite inadequate. Some 900 million texts sent every day according to the latest figures, and the best I can usually manage is ‘On way put kettle,’ or my standby to my other half during hypermarket ‘mazeophobia’: ‘Where hell r u?’
SMARTPHONES: Time to retrain the brain?
Smartphones are the new cigarettes After a decade of growing smartphone addiction, Terence Kennedy now shares a recognised medical syndrome: FOMO, the fear of missing out Never before has one device combined every element of modern mass media: telephony, texting, music, video, the internet, social media, video games and that most vital and most accessed material of all: cat
THURSDAY THOUGHTS By Graham Braben, Albox
I’m all for progress PERSONALLY, I’m all for progress. After all, without it we’d all still be driving Ford Capris and singing along to any combination of various members of the Osmonds that you can think of. But on the other hand, there are times when it can leave you open-mouthed, whilst you wonder quite what is happening. I’ve always enjoyed the Olympics, one of my first Olympic memories was Mary Rand winning the long jump gold medal at Tokyo 1964. I used to get up uncommonly early to watch it live on the BBC and found it so exciting largely because I should have been tucked up in bed at the time! If a report is to be believed then the Olympics of the future will be somewhat different. There are three sports - well I think they’re sports - that have been given the go ahead for recognition. Dodge ball. Arm-wrestling. And, the pick of the pops as the late Alan Freeman would have said, pole dancing! But progress keeps on coming. Driverless buses are one example. No longer do you have to put up with the driver telling you they don’t have the right change, or driving past your stop on the pretext they didn’t see you or didn’t hear the bell. One was even tested in Las Vegas last month… it crashed! As with most things, progress has its advantages and disadvantages but, personally, I embrace it wholeheartedly. Only yesterday I was playing Subbuteo while I was listening to records on my Dansette record player. No, I’ve always been on the cutting edge - just that mine needs sharpening a bit! columnists@euroweeklynews.com Readers interested in submitting articles for this guest column should send articles of around 250 words on topics felt to be of interest to the cosmopolitan EWN readership to editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
videos. Barely 10 years since the first iPhone changed the world forever, we are well and truly hooked. With almost as many mobile phones in the world as people, and two billion smartphones engaged in
a frenetic tapping routine even Fred Astaire couldn’t match, is it time to wave a red flag? Smartphone use makes us crash our cars, walk into lampposts, send inappropriate messages to the wrong people and heaven help us all, seriously wind-up Kim Jong-un. One American city has even conceded defeat and is embedding its ‘Walk’ and ‘Don’t Walk’ street-corner commands into the kerb, because it’s too much trouble for ambulatory texters to actually look up when crossing. Unlike man-flu which my partner steadfastly refuses to credit as a ‘real’ disease, smartphone addiction is now a recognised condition, though you do have to wonder whether treating it with therapy widely available online isn’t a bit like prescribing diet pills to an anorexic. If you recognise yourself even remotely in some of the above, perhaps it’s time to just put down your phone, get out there, and smell the roses. At least until someone invents a smartphone which can also produce odours, like the short-lived 1960 ‘Smell-o-Vision’ experimental movie. Perhaps my dear old granddad’s motto takes on a new life in this pixel-addicted era: ‘Everything in moderation ‘ except moderation.’
FEATURE
Turn off the tap THERE are some simple steps if you’re tapping too much: Set rules for your phone use; why not give it a break from nine in the evening to seven the next morning? Don’t use your phone while driving. Though under my wife’s household rules, texting over dinner will have far more serious consequences. Schedule break times from your smartphone or social media. Download an application if you’re really in trouble: among them, BreakFree and Menthal let you temper your online usage, while ColdTurkey and SelfControl let you block the really addictive sites. And when you really know you have a problem? If you identify with this recent headline from the Daily Telegraph: ‘One in 10 of us check our smartphones during sex.’ Seriously?
Flying by the seat of their pants while we shop till we drop 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
BRITISH AIRWAYS really created a storm with its latest wheeze: First on pays highest fare, last on gets cheapest deal (but may lose hand luggage to the hold). But, really, what else would you expect from an industry that refers to ‘pax’ as ‘self-loading baggage’? But the airports themselves are just as bad, aren’t they? Passenger activity there boils down to three things: departing, arriving and waiting with ‘pax’ a captive audience, with disposable income, usually lots of time, and literally nowhere else to go. So it shouldn’t surprise us that airports are carefully designed to make us spend, spend, spend our hard-earned cash. Well, they might think all
BRITISH AIRWAYS’ new ‘pay least, board last’ policy has caused uproar among travellers. (inset) Passengers queuing to board a British Airways flight. those wretched duty-free shops we’re forced to walk through after security are inclined to make us spend! However, after the usually long and frankly irritating experience of passing through them, the first thing I want to do is find somewhere quiet to sit down and recover. And another thing while I’m at it: most of us ‘browsing’ are only doing it to while away time. We’re not shopping. We’re either bored, or simply unable to find
somewhere to sit from a deliberate policy of limiting seats in overcrowded airports - Stansted particularly guilty in this respect! Oh, and I’ve missed out: the security checks that one time lasted as long as the flight; the flight delays and inadequate compensation; the sense that every official involved in the process is trying to catch us out and send us to the back of evergrowing queues; the bag-drop queues; the poor signage; the car
parking rip-off charges; the interminable wait for the lack-ofcourtesy bus; the dire, overpriced terminal food; the daft consumerism of terminal shopping. Not to mention fear of flying itself! Speaking of flights, if a British explorer recently rescued from the depths of the jungle of Papua New Guinea while trying to find a remote tribe should invite ‘volunteers’ to help him on a future trip, how about ‘volunteering’ a few of our MPs to join him? Names on a postcard please... Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘The Girl in the Red Dress,’ ‘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. columnists@euroweeklynews.com
44
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
OPINION & COMMENT
YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com
Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.
A nice tip for the summer SIR I am used to the tipping DNA of daily life in the US where I once lived. However, as an expat who has now lived in Spain for the last four years, I was interested to learn last week that a friend’s daughter who worked in a local beach bar this summer received a set €175 a week cash payment throughout the season from the bar owner to cover for tips received. The four other staff working at the bar- now all paid off for the winter - also received the same amount, a very fair tips system in my book, and a useful euro boost to each agreed monthly wage. Often I know tips are all put in one pot (rather than staff keeping individual tips received) and then equally shared out, but sadly some bar owners keep all tips left arguing that monies received can help ‘cover for breakages,’ a policy that seems very unfair in my view. N Stretton, Fuengirola
HAVE YOUR SAY
I RECENTLY had the pleasure of being one of the four guest speakers at the European Parliament Committee of the Regions in Brussels after being nominated by Valencia’s Regional Government. The main issue was citizens’ rights, and I expressed the concerns of all of us who took advantage of moving to Spain. Senior politicians negotiating terms of the breakaway, are using us as pawns to arrive at their ultimate goals. I expressed anger at this and pleaded for an end to this holding us as hostages to achieve other objectives. I also asked for consideration to be given to offer
Fernanda Correia-Sefzick/Twitter
A voice for the people
Mr Monks addresses the European Parliament. dual nationality for those interested or some form of European citizenship to ensure no future change of governments could seek to amend the agreements and to preserve our rights. On another issue, it has been stressed that the padron is to be used to determine who will be covered under agreements reached eventually in Brussels, and expatriates should check
All letters by email or post should carry the writer’s address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published.
if they are on the list as a priority. This in fact also applies to all countries, not just the British. The more we have on the padron, the more funds Central Government allocates to each town hall. It is in all our interests. Derek Monks Councillor Public participation, Integration and Coordination of Urbanisations, Rojales
Readers who have missed correspondence can see all letters - which can be edited before publication - posted on: www.euroweeklynews.com.
Flight from Spain to UK diverts due to ‘disruptive’ woman IT’S good that the airline took action and I do hope the person is charged and has a heavy fine to pay for causing the plane to land in France. Maybe if more people were fined the cost of the fuel, airport costs and delay times for staff and passengers they would behave in a more responsible way. Dawn Sanchez Young They’re a pain in the backside. I’ve been on those disruptive flights and had delays more than I like to mention. They should fine them and disqualify their passport. Margaret Downes
Workman killed in ice cream factory accident I’ve worked all over Spain. H&S is hit and miss depending what company you work for. I was a service engineer in power generation, this industry has always been strict. But the rest say no more. Colin Carter There are full EU regulations to cover all of this. Exactly the same as the UK. It is how they are implemented that are the issue. Alan Whitehead You are right Alan. Of course there are H&S rules here. In some cases stricter than the UK. However, they’re only as
Comments from EWN online
pit bull dog attack I have lost count of the number of these types of dogs without muzzles running off the lead in children’s play areas. Some heavy fines please! Justice Christopher
good as the folks overseeing them. Darren Briddon
Gosh I couldn’t agree more Christopher, I’ve seen many of these dogs in public spaces without muzzles and it frightens the hell out of me when I have a young child and two terriers with me. Vanessa Campbell
Leo the Lion: The roar has faded
It’s not the dogs, it’s ALWAYS the owners!! Julieann Sanchez Lewis
Fly high Leo, rest in love and laughter. We will remember your beautiful smile and bravery forever. Love to your beautiful family at this time. xxx Liz Bagshaw My thoughts are with his family, this little Angel has flown bless him. xx Sallyann Wiseman What a brave little warrior, Leo, up with the angels -sleep well. Pauline Pearson
Mother-of-three dies after
That’s not true Julieann. Any qualified experienced dog expert will tell you that NO dog is 100 per cent predictable in its behaviour no matter what the owners do. It’s an animal and these breeds are unfortunately more dangerous than other breeds and that’s why certain types of owners want them. But if people really think it is ALWAYS the owners’ fault then the owners should be prosecuted and jailed when the dog attacks. Then people might think twice about getting a breed that is lethal when it attacks and just get a regular dog. That would solve the problem. Lisa Centellas
Dear Nora WHEN I started to read your column in last week’s issue I was intrigued about the squabble between Gordon Ramsay and Michel Roux. That is actually not my concern, which is that most of the time people are referring to a chef regarding a Michelin star. Many experts have continuously explained and clarified the Michelin star is NOT connected to a chef, but always to the restaurant, the food, the service etc. Dr Ir Johannes Hagelen, Malaga
Mapped out IN your papers EWN and RTN you often show missing knowledge of Nordic Geography. Scandinavia is: Denmark, Norway, Sweden. Finland is not in Scandinavia but a member of the Nordic Countries which are: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the autonomous islands: Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland. Bjorn Beining, address withheld
Be warned WHILE strolling with my husband on Sunday at the marina in Cabopino, I was approached by two women thrusting carnations down my cleavage. While trying to extract the flowers I was robbed from my handbag so quickly that even my husband did not realise what was happening, and they disappeared when I gave chase. Please warn the public not to stop for anyone! Incidents like this are multiplying and it is not just the tourists that are being snared. What can be done? Anne Geddes, Costa del Sol
No nativity DOES anyone at the Euro Weekly News have any information about the Nativity Display on exhibition at the Palau in Altea? Last Xmas, we couldn’t find any information whatsoever about it, and finally walked up in the pouring rain, only to find that it wasn’t being displayed! Patricia James, Albir Editor’s note: We contacted the Palau who explained that they no longer have a Belen as for staffing reasons the installation opens only for functions.
46
E W N 7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM
Quick
Across 1 Chop up trees to get a badge (7) 5 Releases from custody with some cricket gear (5) 8 Flower seen in a dell up in the Lake District (5) 9 Disturb a US soldier by the gallery (7) 10 Psyche revealed by Macbeth, ostensibly (5) 11 Side with gal in trouble (5) 12 Push soldiers (5) 14 Drink from fractured pipes (5) 19 Introduction of Fairtrade butter extract (5) 21 Support for fifty on the boundary (5) 23 Hospital doctors bury bridge partners (7) 24 Die surrounded by gold? Goodbye (5) 25 Nervous of fickle teens (5) 26 African country seen rebuilt by girl (7)
7 Reveals aftertaste in several beer mugs (6) 13 Small bed by lake for inner circle (7) 15 In search of Neptune, sounds like (7) 16 A heap of snow lost at sea (6)
Code Breaker
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION FACING PAGE
17 A follower endures explosions (6) 18 A ceremony in a Spiritualist's meeting (6) 20 Stick to prohibition outside (5) 22 Exhaust water supply after day (5)
Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 16 represents N and 18 represents Z, so fill in N every time the figure 16 appears and Z every time the figure 18 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.
CROSSWORD PAGE
Cryptic
Down 1 Really enjoy dressing (6) 2 Rebel Euro MP's leader (7) 3 A number going to church for fish (5) 4 Pass by the Spanish part of church (6) 5 Army unit rebuilt a bridge (7) 6 Irish terrorists meet queen one from Baghdad, perhaps (5)
TIME
SPONSORED BY
Down 2 Beyond normal limits (9) 3 Do what one is told (4) 4 Widespread (9) 5 Abstract idea (7) 6 Associate (7) 10 Written account of money owed (4)
Across 1 Get or find again (7) 7 Large company of musicians (9) 8 Expense (4) 9 One (4) 11 Crude (9) 12 Answers (7)
English - Spanish
Across 1 Bracelet (7) 5 Principio (comienzo) (5) 8 Langosta (de mar) (7) 9 Sobrina (5) 10 Cuchara (para comer) (5) 11 Islandia (7) 12 Anchovy (salted, tinned) (6) 14 Codicioso (6) 17 Aisle (aeroplane, theatre) (7)
The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.
19 Oveja (5) 22 Listo (dispuesto) (5) 23 Más temprano (7) 24 Carreteras (5) 25 Chubascos (7) Down 1 Píldoras (5) 2 Book (5) 3 Government-licenced tobacconist's (7) 4 Tener miedo (6)
5 Desde entonces (5) 6 Promedio (7) 7 Martes (7) 12 To suck in (air or dust) (7) 13 Waterfall (7) 15 Rosary (7) 16 Votantes (6) 18 Laws (5) 20 Exilio (5) 21 Pears (5)
LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY
4
9
13
32
46
50
IRISH LOTTO Saturday December 02
‘ I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK - BUT SHE MISSES THE THRILL OF ACTUALLY SEEING THE LOVE AND HAPPINESS ON THE FACES OF HARRY AND MEGHAN! ’
10
11
18
27
28
42
BONUS BALL
38
Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.
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 T) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.
Tuesday November 28
BONUS BALL
6
12
2
TARGET: • Average: 6 • Good: 9
• Very good: 13 • Excellent: 16
7
42
18
Friday December 01
BONUS BALL
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
5
chip chop cope copy corp crop epic hope hype hypo peri pert pier pith pity poet pore port prey pyre ripe rope ropy tope topi trip type typo chirp coper crept crypt epoch hoper hyper optic perch picot piety pitch pithy porch price pricy repot ropey thorp thrip toper topic tripe trope typic chirpy cipher copier copter cypher photic pitchy poetic poetry pother pricey pyrite recopy trophy tropic pitcher trophic HYPOCRITE
24
29
11
LA PRIMITIVA Thursday November 30
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.
5
6
9
20
29
30
BONUS BALL
8 4
JOKER: 3 311 430 Saturday December 02
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
3
11
16
19
22
47
38 6
EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA Sunday December 03
11 40
18 50
BONUS BALL
CRYPTIC
Across:
Across:
Across:
1 Cuchitril, 8 Bone, 9 Calabacin, 10 Bottle, 13 Maleta, 15 Algas, 16 Deber, 17 Hairy, 18 Glove, 21 Sorteo, 22 Espejo, 25 Divertido, 26 Ayer, 27 Announcer.
1 Bodily, 4 Boosts, 9 Aloof, 10 Airdrie, 11 Sweeping, 12 Dill, 14 Disney, 16 Tokens, 19 Tone, 20 Valencia, 23 Cottage, 24 Annul, 25 Sermon, 26 Deters.
2 Harass, 5 Beta, 6 Retina, 7 Arms, 11 Less, 13 Uganda, 14 Drab, 15 Desire.
Down:
Down:
2 Usado, 3 Heart, 4 Travel, 5 Idioma, 6 Housewife, 7 Germany, 11 Taburetes, 12 Large, 14 Ashes, 16 Dustpan, 19 Loción, 20 Veneno, 23 Piton, 24 Judge.
1 Braised, 2 Drone, 3 Life peer, 5 Oars, 6 Surmise, 7 Steel, 8 Faint, 13 Moderate, 15 Senator, 17 Stables, 18 Latex, 19 Tacks, 21 Canoe, 22 Dado.
QUICK
Down: 1/8 Bear hug, 2 Harsh, 3 Arid, 4 Stalls, 7 Absurd, 9 Glade, 10 Pass, 12 Sham.
CODE BREAKER
TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Bring more zip to your life by putting the spotlight on your health. Getting out and about lifts the spirits, while perking up the diet with new foods brightens the system. As energy levels come up this week, be aware of what is happening around you.
6
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
ENGLISH-SPANISH
There are moments of boundless energy which really urge you to 'get up and go'. Make use of this at work, where most progress is to be made this week. Be you a politician, pensioner or anyone in between, the opportunities are there to be had. Slow progress on the love front should not see you fretting. At the moment, your priorities are paramount.
BONUS BALL
JOKER: 4 642 369
1
Your mind is positively buzzing with ideas. There has been so much progress in your personal life during the past year that it is hard to believe. However, you are capable of being very dynamic and single-minded. This is why, now, you may be patting yourself on the back. Keep colleagues on your side by taking a particular interest in them.
ARIES (March 21 - April 20)
EL MILLON: TGX83224
Sudoku
Don't chance your plans being disrupted by ill health. Get any problems sorted out now even if you think they are 'nothing'. When you are feeling good it is easy to take that for granted. Fresh foods and air mean more at the moment than making an extra few pounds.
12
46
35
AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19)
PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
EURO MILLIONS
1
YOUR STARS
BONUS BALL
52
Nonagram
47
FOR NEXT 7 DAYS
Saturday December 02
Kakuro
EWN
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM
SPONSORED BY
VIEW ON LIFE
MADDOCKS’
OUT
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
KAKURO
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) The chance to travel seems exciting but can be made even more so by including a few people who are on your wavelength. So busy have you been on the more mundane aspects of life that the 'big picture' may have faded into the background.
CANCER (June 22 - July 23) An authority figure may also be seen as a possible romantic attachment. Your talents and charm serve you well when approaching this person. Opportunities need approaching with eyes wide open, however, because they could be time-consuming and disruptive.
LEO (July 24 - August 23) Keeping up the activity level physically is really in your best interests this week. It is a pivotal point where your resolutions in this area could fail. With life very busy, it is still important to retain your priorities. A promise broken may still be restarted without trauma, just determination is needed.
VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Does someone in the family need your attention? Don't begrudge time spent with them, even if you are busy. Consider what you would want others to do if you were in the same position.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) With your enthusiasm socially at a peak, now is the time to get involved with anything that takes your fancy. A project involving music or painting will give you the chance to make new friends. Children and young people fill your time for a lot of this week and certainly give you a reason to smile.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) This week will see more progress on a health issue. Maybe you have recently given up something or taken to the gym. Recent weeks may have conspired to upset your best efforts. It is never too late to make a fresh start, though, especially right now. Someone who gives your confidence a boost also leads you to believe that anything is possible.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Avoid like the plague people who would dampen your spirit. It may not be deliberate but, if you are near repressed or depressed people, it may rub off. Find positive, active people to be near. If you have not started a form of exercise, then now is as good a time as any. Make it group activity if you want more social contacts.
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Romance will find you this week if only you are in the right frame of mind. You may be inclined to refuse festive social gatherings that hold no prospects for you, but don't close the door on anything. The right kind of companions are sometimes found in the strangest places.
48
E W N 7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de AlmerÃa
www.euroweeklynews.com
TV LISTING
THURSDAY 07 DECEMBER
5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm
FRIDAY 08 DECEMBER
SATURDAY 09 DECEMBER
SUNDAY 10 DECEMBER
5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 10:30pm 5:30pm 6:10pm 6:40pm 6:50pm 7:00pm 7:45pm 9:20pm 10:20pm 11:10pm 4:00pm 4:35pm 5:50pm 6:50pm 7:05pm 7:15pm 8:15pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm
MONDAY 11 DECEMBER
5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm
TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER
WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER
3:15pm 4:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm
Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Holby City Love, Lies and Records BBC News at Ten BBC London News
12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:45pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm
BBC Newsroom Live The Daily Politics Snooker Rugby Union Snooker Celebrity Eggheads Strictly - It Takes Two Snooker MasterChef: The Professionals Blitz Live at the Apollo
Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show Sounds Like Friday Night EastEnders Still Open All Hours Have I Got News for You Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special 2015
12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 6:15pm
BBC Newsroom Live The Daily Politics Snooker Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Strictly - It Takes Two Snooker Mastermind Only Connect The Year in Music 2017 QI
3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm
Tom Kerridge's Best Ever Dishes Demolition Operation Snow Tiger Escape to the Continent Mastermind Snooker John Noakes: TV Hero BP Confidential Snooker QI XL
4:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm
Countryfile Saturday Kitchen Best Bites Food and Drink My Life on a Plate MOTD2 Extra Snooker Ski Sunday Flog It! Snooker Employable Me
5:40pm 6:35pm
32 Brinkburn Street The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway The Blue Planet Celebrity Eggheads Strictly - It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Nigella's Christmas Table Employable Me Insert Name Here
6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm
The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway The Blue Planet Celebrity Eggheads Strictly - It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip MasterChef: The Professionals Rick Stein's Road to Mexico
6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm
Final Score Len Goodman's Partners in Rhyme BBC News BBC London News Pointless Strictly Come Dancing Michael Mcintyre's Big Show Casualty BBC News
7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 7:10pm 8:00pm 11:00pm
Songs of Praise Toy Story Blue Planet II BBC News BBC London News Countryfile Strictly Come Dancing Blue Planet II Attenborough and the Giant Elephant BBC News
9:35am 10:30am
Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show Panorama EastEnders Would I Lie to You? The Real Marigold on Tour BBC News at Ten
4:20pm 5:05pm
Armchair Detectives Escape to the Country The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Holby City The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show Mary Berry's Country House Secrets The Apprentice BBC News at Ten BBC London News
12:00pm 12:30pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 6:15pm 7:15pm 8:00pm 12:00am
6:05pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 5:00pm 6:05pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm
5:05pm 6:05pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm
The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway The Blue Planet Celebrity Eggheads Strictly - It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip MasterChef: The Professionals Peaky Blinders The Apprentice: You're Fired!
5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm
9:30pm
7:25pm 7:35pm 7:50pm 8:15pm 9:20pm 10:50pm
7:35pm 7:45pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm
9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm
10:00pm 11:00pm
5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm
Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Tonight Emmerdale Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!
6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:55pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:25pm
Judge Rinder Dickinson's Real Deal Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Judge Rinder's Crown Court Coronation Street
3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm
Endeavour The Chase Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs ITV News London ITV News You've Been Framed! Ninja Warrior UK I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! Through the Keyhole
1:55pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 10:00pm
The Chase How to Spend it Well at Christmas with Phillip Schofield ITV News London ITV News Ninja Warrior UK The Chase Celebrity Special I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!
4:00pm 6:10pm 6:45pm
The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street The Martin Lewis Money Show Coronation Street Hatton Garden ITV News at Ten and Weather
6:00pm
The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Save Money: Good Food How to Spend it Well at Christmas with Phillip Schofield Hatton Garden ITV News at Ten and Weather
3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm
Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Gino's Italian Coastal Escape Coronation Street Hatton Garden ITV News at Ten and Weather
3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm
12:25am
6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm
12:35am
7:10pm 7:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm
7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm
9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm
6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm
6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm
Four in a Bed Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Political Slot Great Canal Journeys Catching a Killer 999: What's Your Emergency? Born to be Free
3:00pm 4:40pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:05pm
Countdown Lost and Found A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun Four in a Bed Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast
3:00pm 4:45pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm
Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me A Place in the Sun Best Laid Plans Grand Designs Channel 4 News Guy Martin's WWI Tank X-Men: Days of Future Past The Drop
5:20pm 5:25pm
The Sorcerer's Apprentice The Snowman The Snowman and the Snowdog Channel 4 News Britain's Wildest Weather 2017 Coastal Railways with Julie Walters The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Includes sport and weather. Paul Hollywood Supershoppers 999: What's Your Emergency? Countdown Lost and Found A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Food Unwrapped Does Christmas Countdown Lost and Found A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Secret Life of the Zoo The Channel Vanished by the Lake
11:00pm
6:35pm 7:35pm 7:40pm 8:55pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 10:55pm 3:55pm 4:25pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 5:35pm 7:45pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:05pm 12:55pm 2:30pm 4:15pm 6:00pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 6:00pm 6:35pm
7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm
2:30pm 4:15pm
6:00pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm
The Flight Before Christmas A Star Crossed Christmas 5 News at 5 Neighbours 5 News Tonight UK's Strongest Man 2017 Traffic Cops at Christmas Brick Mansions 5 News Brick Mansions A Christmas Promise Christmas Under Wraps 5 News at 5 Neighbours 5 News Tonight The Gadget Show Brunel Eight Days That Made Rome Eight Days That Made Rome 5 News Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?! The Family Man 5 News The Family Man 5 News Weekend Santa Makes You Laugh Out Loud Football on 5 Football on 5
9:00am 9:30am 11:30am 1:30pm 3:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 11:00pm 9:30am 11:30am 1:30pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 8:30pm 11:00pm 12:00pm 4:15pm 6:15pm 8:30pm 9:00pm
9:30pm 10:00pm 11:30pm
Trolls Holiday Special 5 News Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End 5 News Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Need for Speed Chappie 5 News Chappie
3:15pm 5:15pm 8:30pm 8:40pm 10:45pm
The Christmas Gift Rooftop Christmas Tree A Rose at Christmas 5 News at 5 The Yorkshire Vet: Winter on the Moors 5 News Tonight Weather Terror Police Interceptors Concorde: Triumph and Tragedy
7:00am 9:30am 10:00am
5 News at 5 The Yorkshire Vet at the Great Yorkshire Show 5 News Tonight Steve Backshall's Hedgehog Rescue Jo Brand's Cats and Kittens Ben Fogle: Return to the Wild
9:00am
Season's Greetings Murder, She Baked: A Christmas Pudding Mystery 5 News at 5 The Yorkshire Vet 5 News Tonight Police Interceptors GPs: Behind Closed Doors Harrogate: A Yorkshire Christmas
1:50am 2:20am
11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 11:00pm
10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 7:00am 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 8:30pm 10:45pm 1:00am 2:00am 3:00am 4:00am
Good Morning Sports Fans Live European Tour Golf Live Ladies European Tour Golf Live European Tour Golf SKY Sports News SKY Sports News Live Pool: Mosconi Cup Day The Debate - Live Live European Tour Golf Live Ladies European Tour Golf Live European Tour Golf SKY Sports News SKY Sports News Ram Slam T20 Challenge Football The Debate: Derby Day Special Football Rugby Union Football Gary Neville's Soccerbox: Giggs Best Pl Goals Classic action from the Premier League. Best Pl Goals Soccer Pm Cricket Live Nissan Super Sunday Live Nissan Super Sunday La Liga Greatest Games Football Live NFL: Sunday Game A match from week 14 of the 2017 NFL season. NFL Gameday Week Live NFL: Baltimore @ Pittsburgh Total Goals Total Goals Good Morning Sports Fans Premier League Daily Sky Sports Daily SKY Sports News SKY Sports News Sky Sports Tonight Football The Debate - Live
Good Morning Sports Fans Good Morning Sports Fans Premier League Daily Sky Sports Daily SKY Sports News SKY Sports News Sky Sports Tonight Sky Sports Tonight Sky Sports News at Ten Cricket SKY Sports News SKY Sports News Ram Slam T20 Challenge Sf Football Live Fight Night: Katie Taylor SKY Sports News SKY Sports News SKY Sports News SKY Sports News
The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.
FEATURE
www.euroweeklynews.com
TV Couch Critic THOUGH unsure how many readers are also regular viewers of morning television, friends staying recently are avid Good Morning Britain (ITV 1, weekdays 06.00-08.30) watchers, so for a few days the show became background to breakfast preparation. It is presented by the lovely Susanna Reid, the delightful Charlotte Hawkins, the accomplished Ben Shephard and someone called Piers Morgan. Good Morning Britain (GMB) is much lighter viewing than the BBC early morning offering, though flicking between the two, some offerings are remarkably similar. What is not similar is the Piers Morgan effect. I thought Piers had decamped to the US (thankfully not to España) but it seems he has since returned and is now a regular on the ITV morning show. While I understand that controversy and over-the-top opinions can generate viewers, Piers takes this to a new and uncomfortable level. Some recent viewing gems include his guide to a good marriage: pick up your other halves’ socks; he thinks HE
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
Buenos-dias Piers a turn-off unlike must-view box sets
RANT: Piers Morgan not a morning delight! set up Prince Harry and Meghan Merkle plus his rant about how good the GMB show is compared to its BBC rival.
for a moment, having accidently caught the Victoria Derbyshire Show (BBC2, weekdays 09.00 and BBC News Channel) I am now a fan. Victoria and an excellent team of reporters tackle sensitive and sometimes hard-hitting original stories, audience debate and breaking news, all in an easy-to-watch BBC2 style; truly an antidote to Piers, if you need one. I am thrilled that the BBC is planning a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special (BBC1, Christmas Day, time TBC). Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will oversee six couples performing a routine which EASY TO WATCH: tells the story of What Victoria Derbyshire. Christmas Means to Me (them). Jeremy Vine is half of one On occasions his co-hosts are literaldancing pair; I have no words. ly lost for words and it is easy to see If seeking some stop/start viewwhy. ing whilst decorating the Christmas Keeping to the daytime TV theme
49
tree, Box Sets have to be the way to go. These are essentially entire series you can watch via a catch-up service. One of the best on offer is Game Face (E4, via All4) and sees the much underrated Roisin Conaty navigating through a clumsy and hectic life, punctuated with hilarious driving lessons with instructor Damien Molony. The BBC is now fully in the Box Set space and is showcasing some wonderful BBC3 programmes most of us would otherwise miss. Junior Doctors, Blood, Sweat and Tears doesn’t always sit well with the mince pies, but is a frank documentary series following what seven newlyqualified doctors get up to as they continue their training; one is going to really annoy you! The BBC are also offering three complete series of Josh; there is a lot to get through if watched back-to-back, but even with a break the show tends to grow on viewers; it’s a comedy about friends who go way back starring Josh Widdicombe, Elis James, Beattie Edmondson and Jack Dee. Jennifer Saunders puts in all toobrief appearances for only three episodes as Beattie’s mother, a true gem in the making! Critique - J S, Mojacar, Almeria
50
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
FEATURE
The wrong book for Spain! Photo by Ric Polansky
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.
BEFORE we came to Spain I had a few moments of reflection to imagine what books would best aid me through the upcoming adventure. The huge medical book allowed one to home analyse various symptoms, cross referenced against each other and what possible diagnosis or solutions might be advisable and utilitarian. Remember, this place of Mojacar wasn’t on the map, any map of Spain. Space was cramped for a long journey so only one other tome was hand carried, Walden by Henry David Thoreau. My coming journey to Spain unfortunately dove-tailed exactly with one of the books major premises: “I went to the woods because I wish to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die discover that
PARADISE: Water gardens within one year in La Parata. I had not lived”. That, for the time, summed up my sincerest feeling getting deliberate. Walden is not just required reading in all US high schools but contains the very skeletal essence of American’s self reliance, pioneer spirit, get it done yourself and rely on no one.
Well, upon reflection, it was a noble and admirable gesture for an unworldly young man to carry such fine words with him while stepping forth into ‘tierra incognita’. But now, having lived and worked for close to five decades in Spain nothing could be further from the actuality of the truth of existence here!
Spain is a society of amigos. You got a problem, share with your friends, one of their distant cousins can solve it for you. If you’re with the wrong set of friends, banditos, they’ll drain you dry. But good amigos are there forever and constant too. Conviviality is the order of the day. People that you meet on the way up of-
ten arise to essential positions that you will need in the future. Talk is essential, just chat that takes you nowhere often leads to important information being dropped. One Sunday we walked as a family up to the Parata to take them cold beers and extravagant nibbles they wouldn’t buy themselves. I remarked how great it would be to do a development there, but it lacked water. “No, no, on the contrary,” they corrected me. There were water springs in the not too distant caves and an aqueduct built by the Moors about 500 years ago which just needed to be cleaned out and wha-la, running water 24/7 right to their door. The next day I walked the line up to the water filled caves and started negotiating to buy the finca from the five brothers. Since that day, I have been perplexed that those living in the farmhouse never did such. They could have lived in a virtual garden of paradise. I guess, not all things are found in books (nor solved). Sometimes self reliance does come into play - even in Spain.
Advertising feature
Spectacular show for Aguilas ers, this event is the largest yet for ‘ A S H O W f u l l o f e n e rg y w i t h o u t Helping Hands and comes at no standing voices, unbelievable looksmall expense to produce. alikes, dancers, epic costumes and Located beachside the famous hits of and just five minutes the superstars!’ from the AP7 Helping Hands Sur, Aguilas exit, the a r e g i s t e r e d c h a r i t y, beautiful Hotel Puerare so very proud and So very to Juan Montiel is excited to present the proud and the venue for this last of three amazing excited to prespectacular event on shows. sent the last Saturday December Michael versus of three 16. Gaga features the A magnificent preoutstanding talent of amazing s h ow buffet is ofMampuele and Carshows. fered by the hotel at olina Serrato along just €14 and the with supporting main show tickets dancers and Magare priced at €20. num professional PA Further information and tickets and Lighting engineers. Priding can be obtained by calling Linda on themselves on producing top quali634 456 701. ty entertainment for their support-
HEALTH BEAUTY
&
Costa de Almería
7 - 13 December 2017
TO READ MORE
EWN
51
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
Advertising feature
Festive fun and frolics with MACS Sexy Santas THINK Christmas - think twinkly lights, colourfully wrapped gifts, sleigh bells, festive movies, turkey with the trimmings and Sexy Santas… wait. What? Yes, you heard right, Sexy Santas! A group of ladies (and men) in flirty Santa outfits, singing their hearts out to raise money for MACS, (Mojacar Area Cancer Support group). MACS has been supporting cancer patients and their families for more than a decade, helping with translations, equipment, advice and generally being a much-needed shoulder of support during difficult times while fighting this cruel disease. With no official government funding, fundraising is essential and groups like the Sexy Santas raise much-needed money to help keep this invaluable charity operating. Every year this fun group gathers together in the run up to the festive season and visits bars and restaurants in Mojacar and Vera, with joyful voices and rattling tins, putting smiles on the faces of the customers and extracting a few euros from everyone to help this worthy and much-loved cause.
HAVE FUN: With the Sexy Santas this Christmas. The Sexy Santas began in 1996, set up by a group of local ladies and was adopted by MACS in 2010 as part of the fundraising efforts. The concept went from strength to strength and and at one stage the group comprised 28 volunteers!
A cheeky bunch, the ladies decided to break from tradition and change the words to well-known Christmas carols, many of which have the audience roaring with laughter, especially when they hear ‘10 lords a licking’!
When did you last have your jabs? FOLLOWING the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) announcement measles was spreading across Europe, it is a good time to check whether you are up-to-date on your vaccines. While healthy adults will normally recover from the illness in around seven to 10 days, it is highly-infectious and can be harmful to teenagers, pregnant women, babies under one and those with a weakened immune system. One in 15 sufferers can go on to develop more serious conditions, including pneumonia and convulsions. According to Public Health England (PHE), the disease has broken out in three areas of England recently, while cases have also been reported in Romania, Italy and Germany, posing a risk to those who have not had two doses of their MMR vaccine. PHE recommended those travelling to these countries take travel health advice before departing.
MEASLES VACCINATION: Disease has broken out in the UK. Experts believe the outbreaks are linked to lack of immunisation due to widely discredited claims vaccines are linked to autism. The PHE have now reported 16 confirmed cases of measles in Leeds, 11 in Liverpool, and nine in Birmingham. Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE, explained, “the measles outbreaks we are currently seeing in England are linked to ongoing large outbreaks in Europe.” She added, “this
serves as an important reminder for parents to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children at one year of age and as a pre-school booster at three years and
four months of age.” So whether or not you are travelling in Europe this Christmas, it is worth checking whether your vaccines are up to date.
The Sexy Santas aren’t shy, the offer of folding-money rather than the jingling kind can raise a Santa’s skirt an inch or two - all in the name of charity and festive fun! This year the Sexy Santas are out and about on Saturday December 16. They have a packed schedule for the evening and the coming days will be spent rehearsing and putting final touches to the costumes. For a bit of fun and to help this superb local charity, come along to any of the venues to support the Sexy Santas and MACS. You will find them at the following locations (timings are approximate): In Vera at Pueblo Laguna - 8pm, in Los Gallardos at Miraflores - 8.45pm, in Mojacar, Dolce Vita - 9.30pm, Rose and Crown - 10pm, Kukis - 10.30pm and Imperial Chinese 11.15pm. In the meantime, the MACS team would like to wish all its supporters a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Contact MACS on 634 328 334, email them at macscancersupport@live.co.uk, visit the website www.macscancersupport.com or see the Facebook page.
52
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
Keeping dementia at bay WE are often advised to use regular exercise, supplements and a healthy diet to ward off dementia. But researchers have found the answer could be even simpler, with people in a happy relationship 30 per cent less likely to suffer from the disease. The results, which take into account 15 studies from the around the world, show married people cut their risk by almost a third, while widowed people increased their chance of developing dementia by 20 per cent. The British-led report, which used data from more than 800,000 people worldwide, suggested the interaction and care marriages provide was responsible for the
HAPPY RELATIONSHIP: Could be key. results. Researchers say they believe having someone to talk to keeps the brain active, while loved-ones are more likely to take medication, eat well and visit a doctor if re-
minded by their partner. Being in a loving relationship also makes people more likely to eat healthily and to go to the doctor if they are sick. A team at University
College London believe that conversely the stress of bereavement can impair the cognitive performance of widowers. The researcher’s explained, “our findings... are the strongest evidence yet that married people are less likely to develop dementia.” They added, “dementia prevention in unmarried people should focus on education and physical health and should consider the possible effect of social engagement as a modifiable risk factor.” Marriage has previously been shown to increase the chance of surviving a heart attack, and lower the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and type two diabetes.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Ask The Doctor
Brought to you by
Migraines and what to do
What a pain in the neck MORE than 80 per cent of back pain sufferers could be cured with a 10-minute treatment, it has been claimed. Around 90 per cent of those suffering from a slipped disc and given ‘gentle electrical energy’ in the spine were able to avoid surgery, while 81 per cent were left without pain. The side-effect free treatment uses electrical currents on the spine to relax muscles, removing pain in just one session, according to the study’s lead author, Dr Alessandro Napoli from Sapienza University in Rome.
He explained, “the results have been extraordinary. Patients have been relieved of pain and resumed their normal activities within a day. Following this treatment, inflammation and pain go away.” According to researchers, back pain from a slipped disc is caused when nerves become irritated, forcing the vertebrae to constrict and reducing the space between the spine’s discs. They claim a new treatment allows the distance between discs to expand again when the muscles are relaxed. Dr Napoli, who recently presented his findings at the Radiological Society of
North America’s annual meeting, explained, in 10 per cent of slipped disc cases the patient will not recover on their own, sometimes needing surgery. He added, “there’s a big gap between conservative treatments for disc compression and herniation and surgical repair, which can lead to infection, bleeding, and a long recovery period.” It has not yet been revealed if or when this treatment will become commercially available, however the study’s results show back pain sufferers were still pain-free one year after their treatment.
SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte. IS it normal to suffer a migraine? Migraines are a frequent cause of headaches but not all headaches are migraines. They can be intense and causing pulsating pain to one or both sides of the head. If you have these symptoms and they persist you should be evaluated by a specialist, who will carry out tests including a blood test and an MRI. What is the difference between a normal headache and a migraine? Migraines tend to affect specific areas of the head and can be associated with neuralgic symptoms including visual alterations, numbness or tingling sensation in the face or hands and even, although this is rare, temporary paralysis of the face or other parts of the body. They usually last between 24 and 72 hours and wear off gradually. Patients usually identify their
symptoms quite quickly and as time goes by can learn to prevent or reduce attacks by taking certain measures. How can I control these attacks? When they happen I have to stop what I’m doing and if I’m driving it could be dangerous. Attacks can be hard to control but usually if caught early they can be kept in check. Stressful situations should be avoided and those prone to migraines should get plenty of sleep at night and avoid anything they suspect sparks their attacks. What causes them? The causes are unknown, but genetics, hormonal changes and certain medicines are believed to be involved. Some patients also relate their attacks to certain foods or drinks including alcohol, smoked foods, chocolate, citrus fruit or caffeine.
If you have any questions for Dr Perez Belmonte, please send them to: jefemedico@helicopterossanitarios.com
HEALTH & BEAUTY
www.euroweeklynews.com
WE’RE often told ‘two heads are better than one’ when solving a problem. But does talking worries out actually help? Actually no, according to one expert. Robin Bailey, a senior lecturer in psychological therapies at the University of Central Lancaster, has told one publication talking about our concerns too much can make us more depressed or anxious. He says obsessively discussing one issue over and over again without a solution can cause panic and feelings of negativity, whereas conversations resulting in a plan can be positive. Experts call the phenomenon ‘co-rumination,’ where a group of people encourage each other to discuss problems to excess and focus on negativity, as well as focusing on hypothetical problems. Mr Bailey says the problem is most likely to affect women. He told one publication the concept is a “double-edged sword,” noting that co-rumination in children aged seven to 15 is shown to produce “high-quality” friendships but also anxiety and depression amongst girls, but not boys. Another study showed sharing problems with coworkers increased the risk of burn out and stress, however. Mr Bailey emphasised it could still be positive to talk an issue over, though, but that it is important to steer the conversation towards finding a solution which is
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
53
DISCUSSION: Can lead to stress.
It’s good to talk? then acted on. He added the benefits of co-rumination were only found in faceto-face conversations, including phone calls and texting, but not when using social media.
The expert claims sharing problems on sites like Facebook or Twitter only results in the negative consequences of the phenomenon, not the positive. So the next time you call a friend to
discuss something on your mind, acc o r d i n g t o M r B a i l e y, y o u c a n h e l p strengthen your friendship and feel better about your worries by focusing on solutions.
54
E W N Costa de Almería
7 - 13 December 2017
Update on food, drink, entertainments, what’s on and weekly happenings Photo by very bilbao / Twitter
TO READ MORE VISIT WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM
FANTASTIC BAND: Bantastic Fand will play the last concert of the tour in Almeria. N A C H O PA R A a n d h i s g r o u p , Bantastic Fand, will complete their nationwide tour in Almeria’s Cervantes Theatre. Before the concert, music journalist Joserra Rodrigo will present his book ‘Pasion no es una palabra cualquiera’ (Passion is no mere word), a collection of his previous writing on rock music and soul. The rock band will return to Almeria to finish the tour promoting their second album ‘Welcome to the Desert Town.’ Bantastic Fand is a rock band
Night of rock made up of seven musicians who released their first album, ‘Strong enough to refuse,’ in 2014. Founders Nacho Para and Paco del Cerro also formed the 90’s group ‘The Rivertones’ that performed at the Doctor Music Festival in 1998 with artists such as Bob Dylan, Deep Purple and Iggy Pop. This summer they headlined ‘The Last Waltz of Frias’ festival,
the most prestigious American rock festival in Spain. Tickets for the performance can be bought from the Cervantes Theatre box office or on the website Kuverproducciones.com for €12 in advance or €14 on the day (box office only). J o s e r r a R o d r i g o ’s t a l k i s a t 7.30pm and the concert starts at 9.30pm.
SCENE
OCIAL
Royal proclamation ALMERIA City’s ‘Three Kings’ have been named for next year’s ‘Fiesta de Los Tres Reyes Magos.’ This year the kings will have a unique resemblance to General Juan Jesus Martin Cabrero, Diego Cruz, musician and music promoter, and Jose Vicente Rull, manager of the HLA Mediterranean Hospital Group. A few days before the main event, the date of which is still to be determined, there will also be a ceremony which will see last year’s kings hand over their crowns to the newcomers. The parade is due to start at 7pm
on January 5 on the Rambla Obispo Orbera road, ending at the amphitheatre on Avenida Federico Garcia Lorca. As is tradition, the kings will throw out sweets to children during the parade, and will be attended by musicians, dancers and extravagant floats. The next morning, on January 6, it is custom for children to open the presents brought by the Three Kings, who typically fulfilled the role of Santa in Spain until the holiday became more commercialised, although Spaniards now tend to open presents from both.
ENTRIES for the sixth edition of HuercalOvera’s Cycling Race of the Piglet are now open. The race will take place on Sunday, January 7, beginning on the Avda Guillermo Reyna and will consist of 16 laps. Cyclists will race around an urban circuit which will run though avenues such as the Calle Alamo and Dra Ana Parra, before finishing back on the Avda Guillermo Reyna. Winners of each of the three categories, male, female and amateur, will receive a stuffed piglet toy among other prizes. Registration for the event is limited to 120 participants, with entry available via the website www.cronomur.es.
Piglet race to return
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
Photo by Ayuntamiento de Mojacar
SOCIAL SCENE
AMIGOS DE LA PINTURA: On display in Mojacar.
Art show opens THE Garrucha-based painting group Amigos de la Pintura are exhibiting for the first time in Mojacar, in the town’s art centre. The show is made up of 53 pieces, covering a variety of artistic styles from 20 artists. Led by Graciana Peralta, the groups popular inauguration also featured Mojácar’s councillor for Culture,
WHAT better way to celebrate Christmas and New Year than to POP open a bottle of cava with friends? A sparkling wine with Denominación de Origen (DO) status from Cataluña, cava can be produced throughout Spain, though about 95 per cent is from Penedes (near Barcelona) with Codorníu and Freixenet the major and best known among about 200 manufacturers. Cava in Catalan means ‘cellar’ with the name officially adopted in 1970 to distinguish it from French Champagne, though only wines produced in the champenoise traditional method may be labelled cava. The primary grape is Macabeu with faint floral aromatics and slightly bitter finish; Xarel·lo has stronger floral and fruity aromas while Paralleda has high acidity and citrus flavours, creating a balanced fruity sparkling drink closer to Champagne than Prosecco.
Raquel Belmonte. Miss Peralta, the director, stressed that all artists in her association are given the freedom to express themselves. She said: “everyone in the world can paint, they only need the enthusiasm and desire to find their own artistic expression.” Miss Belmonte added: “the Culture Department is open to all groups
that wish to exhibit in Mojácar.” Although there is high demand for next year, she said spaces were still available. Exhibition space is provided free of charge for artists or art groups wishing to showcase their talents. The free exhibition runs until December 31. Opening hours are 9am 1pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am - 1pm on weekends.
CAVA: Highly versatile when paired with food.
Spanish sparkle Produced in varying levels of sweetness, the driest cava is brut nature, p r o g r e s s i n g by Lorenzo through brut, Barbareschi brut reserve, seco, semiseco to dulce which is the sweetest. Dating back as early as 1851, cava can be white (blanc) or rosé (rosat), which is produced by adding small quantities of red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha or Monastrell. Though some regard cava as an aperitif or a drink served for a toast, in fact it
is highly versatile when food pairing as it can be light and refreshing all the way up to fullbodied. Its acidity and effervescence will compliment a whole range of foods including poultry, cured and smoked meats, fish and seafood in addition to light desserts and spicy Asian dishes. Cava prices range from a few euros per bottle to €30 for a Gran Reserva, though in all cases I do not believe you will be disappointed. Happy tasting.
BACCHUS CELLAR
55
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
SOCIAL SCENE Photo by Vicar Hip Hop Street/Facebook
www.euroweeklynews.com
GRAFFITI: Participants at work during the 2017 competition.
Graffiti contest deadline approaching EN TR IES to the 2018 H ip H op Street graffiti contest in Vicar will officially close on December 15. The popular street art contest will be made up of 23 participants, 11 of whom will participate as individuals and the rest will participate in four groups of three in the group competition.
Finalists will be announced on January 8, before the competition officially takes place outside the Vicar Sports Pavilion on January 20, with the chosen artists creating pieces with spray paint to a free theme. The prize for the winning group will be €1,200, while in the individual competition; first place will re-
ceive €600 and second place €400. Hip Hop Street graffiti is open to all artists, with the exception of last year ’s winners, and entries can be given in person or sent by mail to the House of Youth and Sports of Vícar, located at C / Escritor Fernando Cano Gea 56, CP 04738 Vícar Almería.
Off to a flying start
Christmas concert POPULAR choir The Rose Singers will perform their charity Christmas concert on Thursday December 14. The concert will begin at 7:30pm a t M ira flore s , Camping Los Gallardos and concert goers will have the opportunity to join the choir in singing carols throughout the evening There will also be turkey sandwiches and mince pies on hand during the interval and the concert will also hold a raffle, with all proceeds going towards Asociación Amigos Discapacitados (ASADIS) who support disabled children
Photo by Rose Singers/Facebook
56
CHARITABLE: The concert is in aid of ASADIS (Asociacion Amigos Discapacitados). in the Los Gallardos area. Tickets cost €8 each and are available from ForgetMe-Not (Las Buganvillas), To t a l Entertainment
(Turre), the Camping Los Gallardos shop, choir members themselves, by calling Sue on 950 617 737 or on the door.
NEARLY 20,000 tickets for next year’s Dreambeach Villaricos festival have been sold in less than a month. The event is the largest electronic music festival in Spain, which saw more than 175,000 people attend during summer 2017. The organisers of the festival announced that 19,000 tickets were sold for next year in less than a month, after they put a promotional price on five-day tickets which saw more than 4,000 tickets get snapped up in addition to the 15,000 that had already sold. The festival will feature ‘international stars’ of EDM (electronic dance music), techno, drum and bass, hip-hop and trance music.
ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
Local boys done good A YOUNG architect from Almeria Province has been put in charge of building a huge baseball stadium in Mexico City. Rafael Zamora Toledo was born and raised in Albox before moving on to study architecture in Madrid. Aged just 27 he is now overseeing construction of the Magdalena Michuca Baseball Stadium in the Mexican capital. It will have the capacity to seat 20,000 spectators and is a massive responsibility for the young man. Toledo works for a Chicago-based studio, moving to the Windy City three years ago as part of an exchange programme with Madrid Polytechnic. His talent and Spanish helped land him the baseball stadium job. He plans to stay in Mexico afterwards to help
design a nanotechnology laboratory. Toledo isn’t the only Almerian forging success in Latin America. Businessman Javier Berruezo Segura, CEO of the Tijola-based Promobys Group, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Paraguayan Chamber of Commerce. His firm have been investing in Paraguay’s real estate sector for seven years. It recently acquired one of four World Trade Centre towers in the capital Asuncion. The group owns 22 properties in the country, leasing five of them to the United Nations. With the award, Segura, aged 39, became its youngest recipient. Spain and Paraguay have forged strong business connections in the past 40 years.
www.euroweeklynews.com
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
57
58
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
He’s a winner BRITISH Kickboxing Team Captain Chris Aston, aged 2 6 , a l s o r a n k e d Wo r l d Champion, was demonstrating his skills at a studio in Albox following last m o n t h ’s v i c t o r y a t t h e World Association of Kickb o x i n g ( WA K O ) i n H u n gary. The champion hosted a Points Fighting Seminar at the Nemesis Studio in Calle Embajador Inocencio Arias. Aided by Nemesis coach and 3rd Dan Steve Evans and his son 2nd Dan Lee Evans, Aston instructed students for a full day of Kickboxing and is set to return to Albox in the late spring 2018 to host a Mega Points Fighting Seminar weekend. The Nemesis studio now run 16 Kickboxing and Kickfit sessions every week and is open to all ages.
KICKING OFF: Steve, left, with Chris and (inset) the trainees.
60
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
Prestigious chess event for Albox By Harrison Jones GRANDMASTERS from across the globe took part in a fast chess tournament in Albox this weekend. The 40th Open International Vincente Bonil saw Grandmasters (GM) from Spain, Venezuela, Argentina, Serbia, Britain and Bulgaria compete over eight rounds. Murcian GM Jose Carlos Ibarra Jerez took the €1,000 prize, after being crowned champion for the second consecutive year. He pipped the favourite Eduardo Iturrizaga from Venezuela, who finished second. England’s James ‘Jim’ Plaskett came in sixth. There are various varieties of fast chess - also known as speed chess - which restricts the time available for players to make moves.
CHECK MATE: Mayor Torrecillas said the event put Albox on Spain’s cultural and sporting map. Francisco Torrecillas, the mayor of Albox, said such activities put the area on “the national map” of culture and sport. He added that local authorities would continue supporting the event for
years to come. Entrants from Korea, Peru and Sweden were also among over 100 participants who took part in the Plaza de San Francisco event. Over €3,500 was handed out in prize money.
62
7 - 13 December 2017
E W N Costa de Almería
V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E W W W . E U R O W E E K LY N E W S . C O M
TO READ MORE
PROPERTY www.euroweeklynews.com
Property of the week
Advertising feature
Brought to you by Grupo Platinum
AN OASIS: The villa has a private pool and lots of sunbathing space, a kitchen fitted out to a high standard and a ‘romantic’ balcony. BEAUTIFULLY presented three bedroom detached villa on a private plot, just a short walk to the centre of town with shops, bars and restaurants and of course the famous beach. The property is set behind private gates, once you enter this oasis you will fall in love. The spacious and easy to keep garden has a private pool and plenty of space for sunbathing. Off road, private, secure parking. The lounge is extremely spacious and airy with access to the staircase to the first floor or straight ahead to the terraces and kitchen. It also has a fireplace for the winter months. The kitchen is fitted to a high standard and has all appliances including a dishwasher, a filtered drinking water tap. A Zanussi washing machine is housed in the utility room which leads off the kitchen. A down-
A lovely property
DETACHED VILLA: With easily maintained garden and pool. stairs shower room and toilet. Leading from the lounge is a spacious terrace and easily maintained garden (including
lemon, lime, olive and apple trees) a choice of terraces to give an option of different eating areas in or out of the
By Matthew Elliott
Sale stats revealed SEVEN in 10 Spanish buyers think properties are too expensive at present. A new study from Fotocasa revealed that buyers have spent an average of 8 per cent more on purchasing a property this year than in 2016. The average expenditure now stands at €173,000. In the current climate bargaining is vital and the majority of buyers have some success. Six out of 10 buyers managed to negotiate the price down, by an average of €14,000, roughly 10 per cent of the average
asking price. The study also shows that people are buying homes faster. Eight out of 10 buyers managed to close the deal in less than one year. Just over 60 per cent did so in less than six months. For sellers the process is naturally longer, but just over half still managed within half a year. Three quarters of buyers purchased a home to use as their main residence. Around 13 per cent bought property as a s e c o n d h o m e a n d 11 per cent as an investment, typically to be rented out.
ALMOST half of all the luxury real estate sold in Spain is within the thriving Madrid market. The Spanish capital accounts for 45 per cent of all luxury housing transactions. Both domestic and international investors favour the city for properties ranging in value from €800,000 to €1.5 million. The figures were released by Barnes Spain, which also revealed that a substantial proportion of international investors in Madrid are from Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. Barnes also said that Madrid is distinguished by the quality of its renovations. Location is everything in the capital so, rather than build luxury h o m e s i n u n d e s i r a b l e a reas, people prefer to remodel older homes in prime neighbourhoods. In 2017 alone Madrid residents have spent more than €2 billion combined on home renovations. Many do so with the specific intention of selling
sun. For safety, the front terrace leading from the lounge has a gate which can be closed to prevent children gaining access to the swimming pool. Easy maintained garden around the whole house. On the first floor, three double bedrooms, the master bedroom at the front of the house has a ‘romantic’ balcony with a view of the pool and lovely sea views. There is a comfortable queen sized bed with ceiling fan overhead and a spacious fitted wardrobe with plenty of storage space. The second bedroom has a double bed, dressing table and pine double wardrobe. The third bedroom also has wardrobes and a double bed with a balcony off to the side. The family bathroom has a bath with shower above offering the perfect choice for all the family. This is a lovely property. It is the perfect holiday or per-
€289,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Plot Size : 406 m2 Build Size : 121 m2 Private Pool OFFICE: Calle El Puntal 2, San Juan de Los Terreros 04648, Pulpi, Almeria. Tel: 0034 950 466 112 Buying or selling. Follow us on Facebook
manent home and we urge you contact us now to arrange to view it. The property is being sold fully furnished and includes many extras, a log fire, pool table, many terraces.
Tale of two cities
LUXURY: Madrid market favoured by elite.
their property while the market is hot. Meanwhile thousands of owners are taking advantage of high prices to rent out their homes. The average rent has shot up €17 per square metre this year. There is a major contrast with Barcelona, which has
seen the prices of luxury homes plummet by 20 per cent since the Catalan crisis began. Both wealthy foreign nationals, and multi-national corporations are reluctant t o b u y h o m e s o r o ff i c e s while the uncertainty lingers.
&
HOMES
GARDENS
www.euroweeklynews.com
SPONSORED BY
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de AlmerĂa
EWN
63
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM
GRAEME TYRRELL IF you are fortunate enough to have a well constructed fireplace or wood burning heater, it is a wonderful asset for keeping warm during the sh o r t d a y s a n d lo n g nights of winter. Gardeners have an advantage for having a supply of wood to burn from their own garden while improving the health of their garden. It is t h e r i g h t t i m e to prune deciduous trees and shrubs in winter and this can be a great source of kindling and logs for your fire. The Mediterranean trees that provide the best firewood are olives, almond, carob and to a lesser extent pine. They are readily available from the regular pruning on farmland and larger gardens but if y o u h a v e so m e o f these trees in your garden you will have ready access to your own supply. An enclosed fireplace that prevents sparks from flying out ma k e s t h e r a n g e o f wood that can be burned extended.
Wo o d s u c h a s p in e and cypress can spit out sparks profusely, but burn well with plenty of heat if well managed. M an y o th er tree s and s h ru b s c a n als o b e u se d such as citrus, mulberry, holm oak, hackberry, grape vine branches and they will g iv e v ario u s a mo u n ts of heat and lengths of time to burn according to the characteristics of the wood. It is a long term process to prepare firewood as living wood pruned off the trees is better left a year to dry out before burning to reduce their moisture level. Dead wood pruned off the trees can be used straight away. It is easiest to cut logs to size when still green as the saw will have less difficulty to cut through them as the moisture acts as a lubricant for the saw. The opposite is true for splitting wood as the drying process makes sawn logs shrink and crack naturally mak in g s p lit la rg e r logs much easier. I find it easiest to prune with creating firewood in mind so I cut the branches
to fireplace size as I prune. This ma ke s it e a s ie r to transport the prepared logs and branches straight to the wood shed ready made. Even with all the trees I ha ve , I s till ne e d to buy wood to keep the fireplace burning 24/7 during the coldest months but I appreciate that the cost of firew ood is us ua lly jus tifie d w he n you unde rs ta nd the time it takes for trees to grow and the work to prepare, store and transport it for the wonder of a living fire to keep warm. The ash from a fireplace can also be a benefit for the garden as a natural soil improvement. It should not be used in excess as it is very alkaline and is best used in combination with plenty of c ompos t a nd ma nure s tha t a re more a c idic to keep the soil ph balance ne utra l w he n a dding the ash. It is great for improving the s oil te xture w hic h makes it easier to dig and provides loads of carbon which is important for storing nutrition from the other organic fertiliser added to the garden.
Photo by Zulashi Shuttterstock
Winter cold has arrived, time to make your warm fireside sanctuary
REGULAR PRUNING: Cut wood to size for use in the fireplace.
PERMACULTURE EDUCATION SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Telephone: 666 33 33 35 info@permamed.org http://permamed.org/
PETS PAGE www.euroweeklynews.com
7 - 13 December 2017
Costa de Almería
SPONSORED BY
Puppy love
David THE Dogman LISTEN to David on TRE on Saturdays 10am to 11am Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9fm, 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 columnists@ewnmediagroup.com
I HOPE you have not purchased a puppy from the internet or pet shops, if so expect your puppy to have health problems. If you have answered a newspaper advertisement I hope you saw the mother. If you have a puppy I do hope that your vet has recommended a good puppy class for you to attend if not then in my opinion you have the wrong vet. Your new member of the family is cuddly, pretty and being spoilt! Your puppy is making toilet mistakes and possibly started to chew up anything in site! The main problem is that if the THE most wonderful time of the year has finally arrived, but make sure you keep your pets safe so they have a wonderful holiday too. Although decorations make your house look festive, make sure that they’re kept out of reach of animals or the new Santa figurine might just become your dog’s new chew toy.
65
PUGTASTIC: It is important to socialise your puppy from the get-go. truth be known you really do not know anything about your new member of the family. It is well
recorded that one of the most attentive times is when you buy your puppy. You will listen and remember
what was told to you by the ‘breeder’ who often knows very little about health, feeding, behaviour or train-
Have a happy howliday It’s also important to keep a watchful eye on fairy lights and power cords. Always tape or fasten the cords down so animals won’t get tangled up in them or be tempted to chew on them.
An electrical wire makes a tempting plaything for any animal, but if you get a new puppy or kitten for Christmas, you should be extra careful. Make sure your Christmas tree is weighed down so it does-
n’t get knocked over. Vets also suggest leaving the tinsel off your tree, as it can cause problems if it’s eaten. Certain Christmas foods can also cause problems for your pet’s digestion.
ing. Most if not all have no qualifications and the end result is that you are doing most things wrong. Your next outing will be your first visit to the vet for inoculations and an examination. You will most probably buy a collar and lead, believe me it will be the wrong type, and toys, please do not buy a harness. Your vet should be familiar with local training schools and should recommend you to a puppy class which is vital for both you and the puppy’s future. A vet that does not recommend a puppy class (many run their own puppy classes) is really out of date therefore you should seek another vet. So what is a puppy class? Many people do not think it important to go to a puppy class, however in my opinion it is vital to attend and is good for your morale as you realise you are not alone in your suffering. There is so much you need to know and a good class will first calm you down as well as your puppy. You will now realise that your puppy is perfectly normal and you will be given so much information about correct feeding, handling, advice on the correct collar and leash as so many of you do get it wrong.
66
E W N Costa de Almería
7 - 13 December 2017
SPONSORED BY AIR CONDITIONING
BUSINESS OPP.
DRAINS
HOME FURNISHINGS
ENGLISH ACADEMY. ANNUAL NET INCOME 70,000€. FULL SUPPORT. SELL 49,900€ PRINGLE VENDING MACHINE ROUTE. ANNUAL NET CASH INCOME 15,000€. SELL 19,900€. Tel: 697 834 934 (246774)
CHARITIES /CHURCHES ZURGENA branch of the Royal British Legion hold Branch Meeting on the 1st Thursday of the month. Coffee morning 3rd Wednesday of the month. Quiz night with a hot and cold buffet last Friday of the month. We also arrange outings to places of interest and have regular lunches together. (253989)
INSURANCE MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 902 123 309, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 902 123 309 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)
INTERNET
INSURANCE
GET YOUR business noticed online! Make sure that expats in Spain can find your product, service, restaurant, bar or shop. Contact Spain’s newest and brightest online directory TODAY. Call 951 386 161 or email mark.w@ euroweeklynews.com for more details.
LANGUAGE CLASSES
COMPUTERS
INSURANCE
DRAINAGE
MOSAIC WORKSHOP
For daily news visit www.euroweeklynews.com
MOTORING
WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)
PERSONAL
CLASSIFIEDS www.euroweeklynews.com
CLASSIFIEDS PETS
www.euroweeklynews.com
SITUATIONS VACANT
PLUMBING SERVICES
2ND HAND FURNITURE
SITUATIONS VACANT HGV CLASS 1 Drivers Required. Earnings up to £1000.00 per week. Tramping in the UK. Various shift patterns/ depots. Work for a couple of weeks, months or ongoing. Guaranteed tramping for the duration you are here. You choose your location. We supply the work. Trusted, reliable, professional. Enquire today: 0044 1487 842165 Text / WhatsApp 0044 784 662 4312 info@cambscontrac tors.co.uk www.cambs contractors.co.uk Find us on Facebook
THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs 6 euros, medium dogs 6.75 euros, big dogs 7.50 euros, cats from 5.25 euros a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre@gmail. com New opening hours Mon-Sat 9.30-12.30 and 18.00 – 19.00 Sundays 9.30-10.30 (255365)
KNOWLES PLUMBING. No 1 for plumbing! Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 950 137 197 or 606 807 797 (250103)
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
WE ARE looking for a full time local reporter for the Almeria edition of our newspaper. Candidates must have relevant experience and Spanish is a bonus. Please contact me for further details, jackie@euroweekly news.com
REMOVALS / STORAGE
SWIMMING POOLS GENECO Pool construction. Tel 950 478 086 for no obligation quote (93401)
TILING FLOOR AND WALL TILING SPECIALIST Not a jack of all trades, just a master of one! Call Steve Holman on 697 678 708 (255340)
TRANSLATION SERVICES
VARIOUS VIAGRA/Kamagra/Cialis/W eight loss pills the best prices in Spain! BUY ONE GET ONE FREE on certain items. Order securely & discreetly online: www.costapills.net Postal Nationwide delivery sales@ costapills.net (257883) VIAGRA, CIALIS, kamagra all areas mail order. 604 385 476. viagra4you19@ gmail.com (257503)
XXX RELAXATION
SOLAR POWER SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@suner gyalmeria.com (256957)
XXX RELAXATION Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the advertisements in this section offensive.
REMOVAL & STORAGE FULLY INSURED UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotrans port.com 634 336 468 or Freephone Uk 0800 999 33 68 (260418) UK-SPAIN-UK 18 years Experience. New Clean Vehicles running weekly. ONLINE QUOTES. Insured with RSA. 1cbm to ANY size move. Worried who to use? We’ll look after you. www.bmceuropean.com +44 8456 443 784 or 951 242 430. (257152)
SITUATIONS VACANT ARE YOU self-motivated and hard working? We are looking for administration/telesales candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@eu roweeklynews.com
VETS
EWN
67
68
E W N 7 - 13 December 2017
Costa de Almería
SPONSORED BY
FOR BEST RATES IN MOTOR INSURANCE CALL: 952 89 33 80
Clarkson Quote of the Week
MOTORING www.euroweeklynews.com
Telling people at a dinner party you drive a Nissan Almera is like telling them you have Ebola and are about to sneeze.” Some might say...
Mini’s electric marvel LA’s British invasion MINI brought its new Electric Concept to the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. It was the US debut for the British brand’s latest creation. Alongside the Electric Concept, Mini also wooed the American audience with 10 different models. Its Ice Blue Edition is designed exclusively for the American market and was paraded alongside the Mini Hardtop 4 and new Mini Convertible. But Mini’s venture into the emerging electric market was the most anticipated moment of the show. The Electric Concept is
Photo by Mini
By Matthew Elliott
NIFTY: Electric Mini will redefine small car market.
powered by a lithium-ion battery, emits zero emissions and is more mobile than the original, while maintaining the distinctive Mini look. Large scale production of the Mini Electric is slated for early 2019, exactly 60 years after the classic Mini invaded British streets. It will be released alongside hybrid plug-in model, the Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4. The hybrid Countryman can reach a top speed of 78mph on the electric motor alone. It switches into combustion mode when high performance is needed. Speeds of up to
189mph are possible. Another British brand has raised eyebrows at the LA Convention Centre. Land Rover has released what has been described as the most luxurious Range Rover in history. The SV Autobiography is an SUV with a luxury interior including power-close door, a hot stone massage option, bountiful leg space, 4G wifi, wine bottle holders, and a fridge. There is a plug-in hybrid version and a 4.4 litre SDV8 turbocharged diesel option. Prices start at around £170,000 (€193,000). The SV Autobiography comes with its own signature watch for an extra €5,000.
Fastest Jag in town THERE is a new fastest fourdoor production car on the planet. The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 supersaloon sped around Germany’s Nurburgring Nordschleife track in a record time of seven minutes and 21.23 seconds. The track is regularly used as a speed test for supercars. But the road legal Jaguar XE SV Project 8 would beat famous rivals, including the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT. With a 600hp engine, the engineers behind Project 8 claim it has a top speed of 200mph and can reach 60mph from a dead start in just 3.3 seconds. Jaguar call it “the most track-focused road legal Jaguar in history.” The British firm are keeping production limited to just 300 vehicles. Prices begin at j ust under £150,000 (€170,000).
MOTORING
www.euroweeklynews.com
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
EWN
69
ROAD TEST by Nick Fletcher
Peugeot 5008 GT Line MULTI-PURPOSE vehicles are declining in popularity as larger SUV models begin to dominate and a new contender has just been launched which will certainly shake up the SUV sector. The new Peugeot 5008 is a seven-seater with a lot of visual cachet, a spacious interior and styling cues from its already popular 3008 stablemate. Priced from €27,385 (£24,495), the new 5008 is radically different from its predecessor and is certain to attract a raft of younger family buyers who like charismatic street image yet with day to day practicality. The 5008 sets a new benchmark for quality cabin materials and standard of fit and finish for the brand and inside and out, this new model has a wow factor.
The engine range mirrors that of the smaller 3008, which uses the same platform, and embraces petrol and diesel units with varying power outputs, with manual and auto gearboxes available. There are four trim levels and a 30cm (12 inch) display screen is standard on all models, as is a touch-screen info system, climate control and parking sensors. On the road, the 5008 drives smoothly and is very composed on the corners, with minimal body roll. The car has a smaller than usual steering wheel which looks and feels a little odd but you quickly get
Stats panel Model: Peugeot 5008 GT Line Engine: 2.0 litre diesel Transmission: 6 speed manual Performance: 0-100 kph 9.6 seconds, top speed 207 kph (129 mph) Economy: 21.7 kpl (61.4 mpg) Emissions: 118g/km
Peugeot 5008 GT Line.
Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.
used to it. Driving position is great, with good forward visibility, and very supportive seating and well-balanced suspension combine to make the 5008 very comfortable. My test model was a top-spec GT Line model with a 2.0 litre 148 hp diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission. The 0-100 kph time of 9.6 seconds is nippy for this class of vehicle, and top speed is 207 kph (129 mph). Fuel economy is very good at 21.7 kpl (61.4 mpg). The GT Line model, priced at €34,931 (£31,245), has a lot of extra kit including keyless entry and push-button start, adaptive cruise control, leather seats, diamond-cut alloys, panoramic glass roof and multi-point massage facility on driver's seat. Wi t h s e a t s f o l d e d , l o a d c a p a c i t y i s a massive 2,150 litres. The new 5008 takes on established rivals such as the Renault Grand Scenic and newcomers such as the Skoda Kodiaq, and is certainly going to give those and other rivals - a hard time in the sector’s sales battle.
E W N 7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
MOTORING Photo by Twitter
70
TINY DANCER: Sir Elton with his luxury wheels.
Rocket Man’s revenge A BENTLEY once owned by Sir Elton John is up for auction. The S1 Continental Sport Saloon is being offered up to wealthy collectors at the Bonhams Bond Street sale. Rocket Man bought the car in 1976, when it was almost 20 years old. He spent a small fortune renovating the car he described as ‘the most beauti-
ful ever designed.’ The 1957 Saloon was soon equipped with air con, power steering and a stateof-the-art stereo system. In the early 2000s he sold it to businessman Sir Alan Sugar at a Christie’s sale. Sugar paid more than €200,000 for the car. Later he famously remarked: “Elton John
stitched me up with this Bentley. I bought it at auction, on the phone. Bid against myself I reckon.” Sugar made a loss on the car when he sold it six years later. But in 2017 it is expected to fetch between €450,000 and €550,000 as the classic car market enjoys a lucrative revival.
SPORT
7 - 13 December 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
UKSPORTSCENE with Andrew Atkinson
Premier League SPAIN and Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera is keeping focused on winning trophies ahead of the 2018 World Cup. “We are optimistic of fighting for every title this season,” said Herrera, ahead of United’s derby clash against Manchester City on Sunday. City are leading the Premier League title race but now that United have a fully fit squad available Herrera warned: “It’s great to have players back.” Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo and Marouane Fellaini have returned to the fold after injury and Herrera said: “With them in the squad we are stronger.” Meanwhile Spain midfielder and World Cup winner Juan Mata has praised United teammate Marcus Rashford: “Marcus is something special - a great mentality - and great qualities,” said Mata. Liverpool host Everton at Anfield on Sunday with Toffees new boss Sam Allardyce chewing over his hopes after signing an 18-month contract at Goodison Park. “I’ve taken over the reins to bring stability - I want to do much more - it’s my job to get among the European places, the FA Cup final or League Cup final,” said Allardyce. Premier League fixtures: (Saturday) West Ham v Chelsea; Spurs v Stoke; Burnley v Watford; Newcastle v Chelsea; Swansea v WBA; Crystal Palace v Bournemouth; Huddersfield v Brighton. Sunday: Manchester United v Manchester City; Southampton v Arsenal; Liverpool v Everton.
EWN
71
We go to the World Cup to try and win - Rashford and Mourinho say England have a chance 2018 World Cup with Andrew Atkinson ENGLAND’S 2018 World Cup hopes are alive and kicking with Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford ready to head for Russia for the Finals next summer. “We are doing our best to go there with a real plan and intensity to try and win the tournament,” said Rashford. England have been drawn with Belgium, Tunisia and Panama in World Cup Group G with their opening game against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18. England meet Panama, playing in their first ever World Cup, in Novgorod on June 24, and play their final group match against top seeds Belgium in Kaliningrad on June 28. Rashford, who has been in the England fold under three
managers in Gareth Southgate, Sam Allardyce and Roy Hodgson, said: “The players are gelling in a whole different way.” Southgate was appointed as England manager in November 2016, and Rashford, axed from England’s squad by new Everton boss Allardyce, said: “The set-up, aim and vision of where we want to go is much better.” England appear to have a great chance of reaching the last 16 in the 2018 World Cup and Rashford, 20, said: “We have to build our own plan once we get to the World Cup, to try and win it.” England qualified for the World Cup without losing a game in qualifying and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes they go to Russia with hope. “England must have a chance. There’s a great generation of players at different ages and with different qualities,”
said Mourinho. “They have good experience at club level, playing in the Premier League and in the Champions League. England have great potential,” said Mourinho. With the busy December schedule - United were in action against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday - and Rashford said: “It’s great to have all the games. We take one game at a time.” United, who last won the Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, finished sixth last season; winning the League Cup and Europa League under Mourinho. United host arch rivals and Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday; Bournemouth on December 13; travel to West Brom on December 17 and play Bristol City in the League Cup quarter final on December 20. “By the time it gets to Christmas, it calms down a bit. You
start to see pathways - to certain tournaments - and trophies,” said Rashford. Rashford, who joined United’s Academy aged seven, said: “You don’t start to think about England until you start playing in the England youth team. That’s when you start to dream about moments like this.” Rashford has been encouraged by England 1966 World Cup winning star and United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, 80, selected for four World Cups, who won 106 caps. “Someone who has won it before - that’s the biggest inspiration we can have as players,” said Rashford. Despite avoiding 2018 World Cup joint-favourites Brazil and Germany in the Group draw England boss Southgate was cautious. “We’ve been good at writing teams off - and getting beat we’re going to make sure we’re prepared,” said Southgate.
72
E W N Costa de Almería
7 - 13 December 2017
VALENCIA suffered their first defeat of the season as they were beaten 1-0 by 10man Getafe on Saturday. The result leaves Los Ches five points adrift of league leaders Barcelona and just a point ahead of third placed Atletico Madrid.
Costa de Almería’s best guide to local sport
THE Men’s and Ladies’ Singles Costa Almeria Area (CAA) bowls Singles Championships were played over several days this year, as opposed to several months in previous years. The new knockout competition over three days proved to be very successful. The Ladies Singles Knockout competition was played at Indalo Bowling Club from Sunday 12 until the final on November 14, with 22 entries from Indalo, Almeria and Cabrera Bowling Clubs taking part. The final was between Chris Parkinson, Ladies Captain of Almeria BC against the formidable Barbara Roscoe of Indalo BC. This was always going to be a tough game as both players
TO READ MORE
SPORT www.euroweeklynews.com
Men’s and Ladies’ CAA Singles Championships 2017 had convincing wins in their semi-finals against Barbara Davies and Linda Lester both from Indalo BC respectively. Barbara Roscoe won well, but the result did not reflect the standard that Chris had played. Many times, she was holding winning shot/s until Barbara came in with brilliant shots to scuttle Chris’s effort. All supporters appeared to enjoy the game and well done to both players. The Men’s Singles entries were very good, with 43 players taking part. Initially the venue was Mojacar BC (MBC) but changed to facilitate the numbers to Almeria BC (ALBC). The preliminaries to bring the numbers down to 32 players took place before the competi-
WINNER: Men’s singles winner Reg Birmingham. • SMILES: Ladies’ winner Barbara Roscoe. tion and a competitive contest was had right up until the semifinals and final, which took place on Sunday, November 26. One of the semi-finals was between a very new player
from ALBC, Stephen Byatt, who had an amazing successful route to this stage beating some very good players. Because of Stephen’s efforts, this game had the prospects of a classic
against his very experienced ALBC colleague Chris Ewer. Unfortunately for Stephen, who played well, Chris was playing his top game and won comfortably. The other semi-fi-
nal featured two more ALBC players Reg Birmingham and Austin Crilly, with Reg taking an early lead. Although Austin fought hard to close the gap to three shots on the 19th end, Reg continued to pressurise to win a great game. The Final between Chris Ewer and Reg Birmingham was another quality game. Both played extremely good bowls, but Reg never let Chris go ahead and won by four shots. On completion of the final, Ruth Compton, the CAA Delegada, thanked all players who took part, the umpires and markers who without the games would not be able to be played. She then presented trophy and prizes to the finalists.