Awarded Best
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Stolen goods seized in raid SEVEN people from Roquetas de Mar, including three youths who allegedly committed 40 thefts and drugs offences have been arrested. Police began their investigation after receiving several complaints from people stating their homes had been robbed. Officers probing the group of alleged thieves claimed it was made up of different nationalities and the ages of the adults ranged from 20 to 32. Police said eight mopeds, 16 motorcycle helmets, four bicycles, 24 mobile phones, four TVs and four computers were among the items seized in the operation. These would then be taken apart and their parts sold on the internet, according to the Guardia Civil. Around €560 in cash, 128 grams of hashish and more than 1,140 grams of substances believed to be for processing drugs were also found in the raid. Officers arrested the group’s members last Thursday and they have since been charged with multiple burglaries, thefts, fraud and drug crimes. Two of the detainees have been remanded in custody. The youths’ cases have been sent to juvenile prosecutors and the rest bailed. The investigation remains open and police said they have not ruled out making further arrests.
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Under threat British couple’s house faces demolition Credit: AUAN
ISSUE NO. 1708
Newspaper in Spain 2018
EXCLUSIVE by Joe Gerrard An elderly British expatriate couple’s Albox house could be torn down due to a change in the law voiding their planning permission. The Junta de Andalucia is currently trying to get the home demolished. The owners said they had several documents proving it was legal and that it had been taxed. Noel and Christine Payne, 76 and 73 years old respectively, said they had a licence of first occupation signed in 2003 by the then mayor of Albox Francisco Granero. The papers stated their property in the Los Guillenes area was in line with regional planning laws. “We bought the house in 2001. Before that we went to the town hall to ask about a construction permit and they told us there would be no problems,” the couple said. Mr and Mrs Payne were visited by police on Christmas Day 2009 who told them their house was illegal and the legal process was underway for it to be demolished. Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No (AUAN), an expat advocacy group, said changes to regional planning regulations on rural land meant that document became invalid.
“DISTRESSED”: Noel and Christine Payne said they had documents stating the house was legal. Albox Town Hall had informed the Junta the house could be granted legal status. The Junta maintains they are not buyers in good faith and have requested local authorities act on their demolition request, according to reports. Maura Hillen, the president of AUAN, told Euro Weekly News she did not understand the Junta’s position.
“We have been dealing with the Junta for years and have been working to try and get the law changed,” Hillen said. The AUAN president added the couple had been trapped in the “mindless bureaucracy” of the law which she added should be there to serve and not to punish people. “Mr and Mrs Payne did
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everything in their power to make sure their house was legal. But by the time planning permission was granted changes to the law were already going through. “The Junta should think about how changes in the law will impact on the lives of people like the Paynes,” Hillen added. Christine Payne said: “We looked into everything; we checked the licences and permissions. We were wrong to do so. It makes no sense.” The news comes as the Priors, a British couple, were awarded compensation this year after their house was torn down in similar circumstances in 2008, although they failed to win what they believed was due.
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NEWS EXTRA Awareness campaign ALMERIA’S city council has approved the authority’s participation in the ‘Starting from Zero’ initiative, a project launched by the Gypsy Secretariat Foundation last year to raise awareness of discrimination suffered by the Roma community.
Drug bust GUARDIA CIVIL officers arrested a 23 and a 29-year-old and seized some 62 doses of speed after stopping a vehicle in Las Negras, Nijar, in an effort to stop the movement of drugs through Almeria.
Ravine fall TWO people were taken by ambulance to Almeria City’s Torrecardenas Hospital after falling down a ravine in Nijar, with police stating they suffered head, back and arm injuries among others.
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NEWS
‘Captive’ women rescued Sex slaves forcibly held in cave houses By Joe Gerrard ARRESTS have been made across Spain and in Britain in connection with an international human trafficking ring operating in Almeria allegedly responsible for forcing Nigerian women into prostitution. Guardia Civil officers collaborated with Britain’s National Crime Agency and Nigeria’s National Agency for the Prohibition of People Trafficking for the operation which saw 89 people detained. A total of 58 of those have been charged with organised crime, human trafficking and money laundering offences. Forty three of these have been remanded in custody. A woman was also arrested in Middleton, Greater Manchester, on suspicion of being a ‘madame’ in the group which is known as Eiye Confraternity. The operation also saw 39
women, allegedly trafficked from Africa and across Europe to Spain, freed from ‘cave houses’ in Cuevas del Almanzora in Almeria. Police said the women were found to be living in “extremely” unstable conditions. A total of 18 of the alleged victims reported ‘voodoo’ rites were used in their home country of Nige-
ria to force them into the sex trafficking ring. The investigation began in Torrevieja, Alicante, after officers received a complaint from one of the alleged victims, a girl reportedly underage. The girl claimed she had been captured in Nigeria and subjected to voodoo-juju rites before being trafficked to Spain via the Libya to Italy migration route. The complaint resulted in an investigation which led to arrests in January, with information on the operation withheld until last week for security reasons. Police investigating the complaint claimed the group had several women under their control who were forcibly transported across thousands of kilometres to Spain. The women’s journey began in Nigeria in western Africa, where they were transported to
Photo by Guardia Civil
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ARRESTS: A total of 89 were detained in the operation which spanned Spain and Britain. Libya in preparation for crossing the Mediterranean into Europe after undergoing voodoo rites. The women, several of who were underage, were regarded as property by the group as they travelled from their home country to Lampedusa Island, Italy. It was from an immigration camp there that members of Eiye Confraternity in Europe picked up the women and sent
them to countries across the continent, including Spain. When the 39 women arrived in Cuevas del Almanzora they were put under the control of ‘madames.’ Many of these women had been forced into prostitution themselves in similar circumstances. Those held were saddled with debts of around €30,000 for the journey which they were forced to pay off with sex work, according to police.
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Spending half the average ALMERIA received almost half of the national average per person in investment from the central government in 2017, according to an Andalucian builders’ association report. The almost €164 per head figure was double that of the previous year, with the national average at €276.
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THE amount of children arriving alone b y b o a t o n t h e s h o res o f Almeria tripled to 172 by November last year compared to 2016, according to government data. The figure is reportedly higher than those from the years 2012 to 2016 combined and was 2,117 nationally.
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Holy Week PROCESSIONS have been making their way through the streets of Almeria’s cities since last Sunday to mark Easter, known as Holy Week in Spain. Adra and Mojacar have already staged parades to mark Palm Sunday and more celebrations are planned across the province until Sunday.
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Couch Critic 59
Health & Beauty 60 - 61
LENTING A HAND: Thousands of people have attended Holy Week parades in Malaga this week.
Social 64 - 65
Fire put out FIREFIGHTERS were called out in Almeria City to a blaze that started in a four-storey building housing a coffee shop on Avenida Padre Mendez. No one was injured in the fire which started at around 5.10pm on Saturday, according to the 112 emergency line.
Flight routes THE summer season has begun for Almeria Airport which is offering connections to 38 cities this year, 81 per cen t o f wh i c h a r e in E u ro p e . Airlines have reportedly scheduled around 6,900 operations, with the season running from last Sunday to the end of October.
THE biggest religious festival of the year is underway across Spain. Elaborate processions continue to take place today (Thursday), tomorrow and Sunday as Holy Week (Semana Santa) draws to a close. O rg a n is ed by brothe rhoods known as cofradias, the spectacular events see members known as nazarenos parade through towns and cities dressed in the capirote, a conical hood traditionally used
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to cover the faces of penitents. And while the more traditional, sombre processions take place in cities including Zamora in Castilla-La Mancha, where the celebration dates back to 1179, it is in Andalucia where glamour and a holida y a tmos phe re a re to the fore. The most jaw-dropping festivities take place in regional capital Sevilla and Malaga on the Costa del Sol, attracting hundreds of
Email: newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com or call 951 38 61 61 and ask for the EWN news team.
thousands of spectators and serving up some stunning images. The biggest draw in Sevilla is this evening’s La Madruga, which runs during the night on Maundy Thursday and continues into the early hours of Good Friday. In Malaga the cofradias carry huge, heavy t r onos ( t hr ones, known elsewhere as pasos) depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ or the Sorrows of Virgin Mary on their shoulders.
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Albox 66 - 69
Pets 73
Classifieds 74 - 75
The total number of news and features which appeared in Issue 1706 of the Euro Weekly News Costa de Almería edition, including 60 local stories.
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79 years on
NEWS
POLL OF THE WEEK Following his arrest in Germany, should former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont be extradited to Spain? LAST WEEK’S POLL: In the wake of national protests, should Spain introduce life prison sentences for a wider range of crimes?
Yes 86%
No 14%
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TOP RECOGNISING THE SACRIFICE: Citizens of Madrid search through the remains of their homes after the city was ‘liberated’ by the nationalist forces of General Franco (inset) in March 1939. SPAIN could finally be ready to exorcise the ghosts of its bloodiest internal conflict. This Saturday marks 79 years since the end of the Spanish Civil War. And a new museum in Teruel, Aragon, is set to become the first in the country dedicated to telling the story of the three-year battle. The war began when General Francisco Franco’s troops launched a brutal nationalist military uprising against the democratically elected Republican government of president Manuel Azaña on July 17, 1936. By 1937 the nationalists had captured much of northern Spain, while Madrid was under siege. In 1938 and 1939 they advanced on Cataluña, cutting off Barcelona from the capital and sealing Franco’s victory on April 1, 1939. But the conflict was distorted in the four decades until his death in 1975, as the dictator attempted to airbrush the Republicans from Spain’s history books, and the issue has on the whole been neglect-
ed by governments since. A recent survey revealed that 69 per cent of 14-to 17-year-olds in Spain received ‘little to no’ information about the civil war in school history classes. War memorials that appeared across Spain in the wake of the war named only the Nationalist dead, while the relatives of thousands of missing Republicans were told to ‘say nothing and forget’ as Franco brainwashed a nation. It is only in the last decade that a generational shift has been sparked, after the controversial Law of Historical Memory was in 2007 passed by socialist prime minister Jose Zapatero. The decree formally condemned the Franco regime and honoured victims on both sides. And it has culminated in a move that would previously have been unthinkable, as the city of Teruel, which was bombed by both sides in a famous battle, seeks the green light to begin work on the country’s first official civil war museum. Should it go ahead, it could mark an important step in Spain coming to terms with its fascist past.
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FOR COMMENTS FROM EWN ONLINE TURN TO LETTERS PAGE 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
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NEWS EXTRA Sanitation spending AUTHORITIES in Almeria have said they will invest more than €200,000 into improving the sewage networks of the Plaza de la Cruz de San Juan and the Carretera de la Estacion areas of Alba.
Gold award THE Diputacion de Almeria conferred its Golden Shield award on Iñigo de la Serna, Spain’s Minister of Public Works, for his commitment to the former Provincial Hospital building during a visit yesterday (Wednesday).
Road works ALMERIA CITY mayor Ramon Fernandez-Pacheco has told a meeting of more than 100 residents that the city’s council has invested €33,000 into improving a total of two kilometres of roads in the area.
OUR VIEW Brexit link triggers democracy doubt THE Vote Leave revelations bring into question the very democratic foundations of the UK. Pro-Brexit whistleblower Shahmir Sanni, former treasurer of campaign organisation BeLeave, claimed that his supposedly independent operation was used to funnel €712,000 to a digital services firm on behalf of the official Vote Leave campaign. He also said Vote Leave and BeLeave shared office space and the campaign fronted by Conservative MPs Boris Johnson and Michael Gove advised the latter how it should spend money. If proven, Sanni’s claims could mean the Vote Leave campaign violated election rules, according to reports, first by making an unofficial donation and second by working alongside another campaign organisation with which it did not share a spending cap. And the situation has arguably been worsened in the wake of evidence given to the Commons culture committee by former Cambridge Analytica employee Christopher Wylie. He told MPs: “I think it is completely reasonable to say there could have been a different outcome of the referendum had there not been, in my view, cheating.” When considered together, the allegations raise serious concerns about the Brexit result, and more importantly, whether Britain’s democracy remains intact. And that should trigger alarm bells in leavers and remainers alike.
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Glam Pam’s carpet stroll EX-BAYWATCH beauty Pamela Anderson turned heads after slipping into a silk gown for a charity event in Madrid. The blonde star, 50, has recently been involved in a family spat, but she was all smiles as she accompanied Marbella-based actress Maria Bravo on the red carpet at the Global Gift gala. Maria founded the international trust for needy children, and Pam has been a regular ambassador It comes after her 21-year-old son Brandon made the news for punching his father, and her exhusband, Tommy Lee in the mouth. She posted a blog on her website in which she wrote that her son hit his father “in the nose for all of us who he has hurt. “Now Tommy feels humiliated - and is attempting to destroy his own son. “This is the Devil - this is the disease of alcoholism.”
Back to her breast!
SIZZLING DISPLAY: Danielle Sellers.
o credit Twitter Phot
SILKY SKILL: Pammie hits the red carpet in Madrid.
Photo credit You Tube
SHE’S the former page 3 girl who found fame on ITV dating reality show Love Island. But Danielle Sellers showed she’s still got front after frolicking topless on a Spanish beach. The 23-year-old left little to the imagination after peeling o f f h e r b i k i n i t o p b e f o re p a d dling in the shallows while barely covering her assets with her hands.
On-off stars TOWIE-gether for good
ARGIE BARGIE: ‘The GC’ and James.
THEY finally confirmed their commitment to one another on an ITV reality show. And The Only Way Is Essex stars Gemma Collins, 37, and James ‘Arg’ Argent, 30, have splashed out on a holiday home on the Costa del Sol as they prepare to get married and start a family. Speaking to OK! magazine, Gemma said Arg was a ‘changed man’ after shocking viewers of the season 22 TOWIE pre-
mier by revealing ‘part of going to Spain is to relax my body to prepare for a baby.’ During a visit to a financial adviser on the show she added: “We got matching watches and we’ve bought a holiday home in Spain and now we’re setting up a joint bank account. “What it is, I’m a big roller, I earn well, I spend well. If Arg is watching the football, I’ll have a massage girl come round.”
Celeb focus Band of brothers IN THE
Photo credit Ayuntamiento de Mala ga
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Photo credit OK! Magazine
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SPIRIT OF HE’S starring in a THI NG S: The actor new series about the wo re a traditional life of Malaga-born white robe. painter Pablo Picasso. And Antonio Banderas, 57, was this week back in his hometown where he took part in traditional Palm Sunday celebrations alongside girlfriend Nicole Kimpel, 37, and daughter Stella, 21. The Hollywood A-lister donned a white robe as he joined local brotherhoods for the annual Virgen de Lagrimas y Favores procession.
The life aquatic SHE’S married to Australian Thor muscleman Chris Hemsworth. And Spanish actress Elsa Pataky has landed a starring role in the first Netflix series to be filmed in her hubby’s homeland. The 41-year-old beauty is set to play Adrielle Cuthbert, the ‘ruthless leader of a group of dangerous half-siren half-humans,’ in upcoming drama Tidelands.
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Photo by Guardia Civil
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NO SAIL: Police said the man may have made the false report to avoid sending the boat to a buyer.
Man held for false boat theft A 42-YEAR-OLD who allegedly falsely reported that his boat had been stolen has been arrested by the Guardia Civil in Pulpi. Police began their investigation after receiving the report from the accused which claimed the vessel and its trailer, worth a combined total of
around €10,000 were stolen. Guardia Civil officers said the 42-year-old provided little in terms of details about the theft, which led police to believe it may not have happened. It later emerged that the boat had been sold days before for €5,600, plus costs for repairs,
online. The man may therefore have reported the vessel stolen and hidden it to avoid delivering it to the buyer following an alleged disagreement over the price, police said. Officers have since arrested the man and proceedings for the case have been sent to a court in Huercal-Overa.
NEWS
Police acquitted in parade scuffle THE Provincial Court of Almeria has acquitted four Local Police officers of Nijar who were reported by a German detainee for alleged abuse. He had alleged that he sustained injuries after being asked to moderate his behaviour, which involved shouting and clapping while watching Holy Week paraders and referring to them as ‘fascistas.’ The ruling concluded that there was no evidence that the officers ‘dragged or assaulted’ the complainant while driving from the bar where he had been to the Local Police headquarters, or when they arrived. One of the eyewitness statements also described the detainee ignoring the urgings of police to calm down, reacting with strange gestures and even headbutting an officer to the ground. It was accepted by the court that two officers were then needed to restrain the man by handcuffing him, before his rights were then read and he was ushered into a police car.
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Red Cross helps 70,000 Mar Pageo, praised “the people who make it possible, to technicians, volunteers, companies and the voluntary sector. “They are all an example of dedication, courage and
effort because they are the ones that make a better Red Cross every day.” Thanks to the work of unheralded volunteers, nearly 70,000 vulnerable people benefited from Red Cross
programmes in 2017, of which 53.68 per cent were men, and 43.32 per cent were women. The charity’s main objectives are not only to improve living conditions, but Credit: Twitter/CruzRojaAlmeria
THE Red Cross in Almeria has presented its annual report showing that it helped almost 70,000 people t h a n k s t o t h e e ff o r t s o f 2,192 selfless volunteers. Its president, Maria del
CROSS FIT: The report shows the extent of the charity’s humanitarian work.
to develop activities that encourage the active involvement of the people they help. Last year, 27,628 people received food assistance, while 1,176 children were provided with educational equipment. Urgent help for those in extremely vulnerable situations was provided for 26,432 people, while 14,749 immigrants were cared for. Socially enriching programmes that the charity is involved in include the Red Cross Employment Plan, which works with Almeria companies to employ the disadvantaged. Red Cross Youth aims to reach out to young people with a history of anti-social behaviour, and to teach values that will enable them to integrate into society. “Red Cross will always be on the side of those who need us most,” added Ms Pageo.
NEWS
€600,000 to rescue ambulance service SIX companies have submitted bids for the tender of a new building for ambulances at the Hospital Torrecardenas de Almeria in a contract worth over €600,000. The council of Almeria is now reviewing the applications, and the project will include the complete remodelling of the building and its infrastructure. External works will also be undertaken to ensure that the premises are effectively connected and integrated with existing public services. Hospital Torrecardenas is already expanding with a new building to house the maternal and child wings, and up until now the emergency department had been highlighted as a weakness. Every speciality on the new premises will have the necessary waiting rooms, toilets, nursing and administrative spaces.
FINANCE
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UK inheritance tax to be simplified? If you struggle to navigate the UK’s Inheritance Tax (IHT) regime you are not alone. Whether you are setting up your estate planning or sorting out the estate of a departed family member, the system can be hard to follow. Getting your planning wrong may mean your family are faced with unexpected high inheritance tax bills. Now Chancellor Philip Hammond has acknowledged that the rules are “particularly complex” and has asked for a review. While this will not necessarily mean lower tax bills, hopefully the system will be simplified. UK IHT follows expatriates around the world, since it is based on domicile rather than residence. While long-term expatriates can adopt a ‘domicile of choice’ outside the UK, this takes time and is a complex area, so specialist advice and careful planning are essential. Assets situated in the UK are always liable to IHT. Expatriates should continue to
By Gerald Turner, Partner, Blevins Franks follow changes to the UK IHT rules, and understand how it interacts with Spanish succession and gift tax. Cross-border estate planning can be challenging, particularly if you have assets in different countries or complex family situations. IHT is charged at 40% on your total worldwide estate in excess of the current threshold of £325,000 (potentially £650,000 for a couple). This nil-rate band has not increased since April 2009.
A new Residential Nil Rate Band (RNRB) came into effect in April 2017: estates above the basic IHT threshold may be entitled to an ‘additional threshold’ before any IHT becomes due. Starting at £100,000 for the 2017/18 tax year, it increases by £25,000 each year until reaching £175,000 in 2020/21 (and then rises with inflation). It only applies to qualifying residential property which is left to direct descendants. Estates worth over £2 million receive a smaller allowance or nothing at all, depending on the value. While a higher threshold is of course welcome, this new ‘family home allowance’ has added extra complication. It has also been criticised for discriminating against those who do not have children or property. In January Chancellor Philip Hammond wrote to the Treasury’s Office of Tax Simplification: “Inheritance tax, and the system
within which it operates, is particularly complex and I would like to request that the OTS carry out a review. I would be most interested to hear any proposals you may have for simplification, to ensure that the system is fit for the purpose and makes the experience of those who interact with it as smooth as possible.” The letter suggests the OTS look at how the current gift rules interact with the wider IHT system and if the current system causes any distortions to taxpayers’ decisions. The OTS has since confirmed that it will carry out a review of a range of aspects of IHT and how it functions today. The overall aim is to identify opportunities and develop recommendations for simplifying IHT, from a tax technical and administrative standpoint. IHT is a good earner for the government. Receipts for the 2016/17 tax year hit a record high
of £4.84 billion - more than double 2009/10’s revenue. HM Treasury expects to raise £5.3 billion in 2017/18 and £6.5 billion by 2022/23. All this illustrates how important it is to take professional advice for your estate planning, if you want to make sure you are up to date on the rules, are navigating them correctly, and shielding your family from paying any more tax than necessary. The 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.
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NEWS
Couple makes big Gabriel gesture
THE MURAL: Adorns the wall of Gabriel’s grandmother’s house. A COUPLE living in the Basque Country have travelled more than 980 kilometres to paint a giant mural of young Gabriel Cruz. Mikel Herrero, a street artist from San Sebastian, and his girlfriend Olaia Chocarro, travelled for more than 16 hours to paint the mural in Las Horichuelas, where Gabriel went missing. Herrero told Spanish media that after their long journey, the couple travelled to Gabriel’s grandmother ’s house in the small town to ask
for permission from Gabriel’s father, Angel Cruz to draw a mural. He told Spanish media: “He was sitting, pensive, we were paralysed, my legs were shaking. We did not know whether to approach him or not, we did it and, at first, he gave us a hug, that family has something special, and with a breathy voice we told him our plan.” According to reports, the couple’s initial plan had been to paint a piece in the new park in Almeria City that will
be dedicated to Gabriel, but got a call from Angel with a different plan. “Ángel called us on the phone and suggested that we paint on the wall of the grandmother’s house, for us it was an honour, and he gave us the images we used to make the mural,” Herrero added. The mural, which took the couple three days to finish, measures five metres high and features two images of the eight-year-old as well as recreations of the small fish Gabriel used to draw.
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NEWS
Keeping tradition alive Photo credit; Mojacar Town Hall
THE religious events that traditionally take place in Mojacar over Semana Santa (Holy Week), started last week with the traditional Novena Prayers at the town’s Santa Maria Parish Church. On Palm Sunday, the Procession of the Donkey made its way from the Fuente to the Church, accompanied by the Municipal Band, for the blessing of the Palms and Olives, as well as a Holy Mass. On Monday there was a concert of Sacred Music performed by the Town Band along with the local ‘Embrujo Mojaquero’ choir at the Centro de Usos Multiples. The follow ing da y, on Tuesday, the Stations of the Cross were taken through the streets of Mojacar Pueblo, carried solely on the shoulders of women bearers. Today (Thursday) there
will be another mass to celebrate the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet at 7.30pm, follow e d by the procession from the Church through the s tre e ts a t 10.30pm with The Nazarene and The Virgin of Sorrows. The be a utiful orna te floats or thrones (tronos) with their sculpted images (pasos) have had to be
adapted to suit the special characteristics of the locality and the narrow, winding streets which make its passage especially spectacular. There are places where the accuracy of the bearers is essential as there are often only a few centimetres to spare between the tronos and t he houses and at t he Town Wall Gate the bearers
EASTER SERVICE: The blessing of the Palms and Olives at the Santa Maria Parish Church.
are required to be almost on their knees to allow the pasos to go through the gap. The Holy Burial procession will take place tomorrow (Good Friday) at 12.30pm from the Parish Church, once again going through the streets of the town accompanied by the Municipal Band. Mojacar Holy Week’s religious events come to an end on East er Sunday at noon after Mass, with the procession of the Risen Christ making an emotional l ast passage t hr ough t he town.
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Credit: @Pilot_Flyingnut/Instagram
NATIONAL
SKY JINKS: Images from the the pilot’s Instagram account.
Snapchat cockpit shock AN easyJet captain and his co-pilot have been suspended after filming Snapchat videos during a flight to Spain. The pair could be seen interacting with an owl and other animated characters generated by the app whilst in the cockpit and taking selfies. The captain then posted the images on his social media accounts, which have since been deleted. According to reports the footage was filmed on a Paris flight to Madrid. easyJet has said passenger safety was not compromised at any point, but it had been contacted
by passengers who branded their behaviour as ‘dangerous’ and ‘irresponsible.’ A spokeswoman for the airline told news outlets: “Whilst at no point was the safety of the passengers compromised, this falls well short of the high standards easyJet expects of its pilots. “It is not acceptable and is not representative of the thousands of highly professional pilots who work for the airline. “We take this issue seriously and, as such, the pilots have been suspended (in line with our procedures) pending a disciplinary investigation.”
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A MAN who attacked a woman from behind while his pal filmed it for a video that went viral has been forced to pay his victim €60,000 in compensation. In the video the 48-year-old woman can be seen falling awkwardly backwards to the ground. She was unable to work for 75 days after the attack because of cervical pain and injuries to her ankle, knee and wrist.
Mario Garcia Montealegre, kicked the legs of the woman from under her in Barcelona in February 2015 while his friend Alvaro Gragera videoed it and then uploaded it to social networks. The attacker presented himself to police when he learned they had issued a public appeal to find him. The prosecutor had called for a jail sentence and fine for both the attacker and the person who recorded it.
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NATIONAL
Video nasties
ASYLUM: Spain rejected around two thirds of all asylum requests in 2017.
Door swings shut AROUND two thirds of all asylum applications submitted to Spanish authorities in 2017 were rejected, according a refugee NGO. Last year was a record year in terms of the number of requests, with Spain receiving around 31,120 applications. That is double last year’s amount, according to the Spanish Commission of Refugee Aid (CEAR) and European Union data.
Requests for asylum made to the country made up around 4 per cent of the EU total. Applications made to Germany, Italy and France were higher at 222,560, 128,850 and 98,635, respectively. Almost a third of all applications submitted to Spain came from Venezuelans, at 10,350. Requests from Syrian citizens stood at 4,225, followed by Columbians at 2,460, Ukrainians, 2,265, Palestinians and Algerians both at 1,165, Salvadorans, 1,120, Hondurans, 970, Cameroonians, 750 and Moroccans, 525. Requests from male applicants made up 58 per cent of the total, while those from women made up 48 per cent. A total of 595 requests were resolved by granting the applicant refugee status, out of the 13,350 applications resolved. Around 4,080 applicants were granted subsidiary protection status. That means they were not granted asylum but were allowed to stay in Spain due to the risk of them facing serious harm if they returned to their home country. The number of requests pending resolution, when the figures for 2017 are included, now stands at a total of 38,880.
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E W N 29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
A great day ON Sunday March 18, at Mojacar Church, the Suffragan Bishop, the Right Reverend David Hamid conducted a Confirmation Service with the Eucharist for Roger Bennet, Xavier and Inara Sunshine from Mojacar church. Carole Robinson, from Llanos Del Peral Church, was unable to attend due to ill health but was later confirmed. A congregation of over 80 attended the service and enjoyed a lunch after.
MAX BURTEN-SHAW: Will be sadly missed.
A heartfelt tribute MOJACAR is righteously blessed with various theatre groups that keep the local public smiling and entertained. The Godfather of it all just passed this week. Max Burten-Shaw will be reunited with his long serving wife, Davina once again. For not only did they star in many productions together, they were essential in initiating and getting sent to Hollywood the famed play Cante Hondo that went on to win a Tony award. Thespians and theatre lovers can truly wear black in sadness for this great loss. Their brilliance radiated much further than our small village.
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COMMUNITY
Mojacar Bowls Club celebrates its fourth anniversary THE Mojacar Bowls Club, which is located at the Hotel Servigroup Marina Playa recently held a celebration for the fourth anniversary of its bowling green. They were joined on the day by members from other clubs in the area for a friendly competition, with the Director of the Cadena Servigroup Hotel Marina Playa, Ricardo Escudero and Mojacar’s councillors for Tourism and Sport, Emmanuel Agüero and Ana García also in attendance. Altogether, there were 100 players from the host Club and the Cabrera, Zurgena and Almeria Lawns Clubs, with the Cabrera team winning on the day. Four years ago, on March 7, 2014, the green was officially inaugurated by Mojacar’s mayor, Rosmarí Cano, along with oth-
PIECE OF CAKE: Mojacar Bowls Club members at the fourth anniversary celebrations. er provincial officials. Located outdoors and set 100 metres from the hotel, it has a 25-square-metre artificial lawn with six rinks that can accommodate 48 players. There is also a clubhouse with a bar, terrace and all the necessary facilities along with ball carts, markers and all the essentials to enjoy a day’s bowling. The Mojacar Bowls Club
was founded in 1994 with around 25 members, who played at ‘La Mata’ until it closed. With the collaboration of the local council and the Servigroup company, the current rinks were made and have been in full operation since their inauguration, with a membership that continues to grow without losing any of the sporting camaraderie created by its founders.
FINANCE
business & legal
Spain lodges FB complaint SPAIN has accused embattled social network Facebook of abusing the data of 21 million users. It comes as the Cambridge Analytica scandal continues to engulf the American firm, with the Brexit campaign and senior UK politicians including Boris Johnson and Michael Gove now implicated. And the Spanish Agency for Data Protection has accused the online giant of illegally collecting data on political ideologies, religious beliefs, gender and personal tastes of millions of accounts in Spain.
Quote of the Week
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€281
SPANISH Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy could finally get his 2018 budget passed. Negotiations have been frozen for weeks with opposition groups unwilling to sign off the conservative minority government’s proposals. But Albert Rivera, leader of centreleft Cuidadanos - Spain’s fourth-largest political party - has revealed that he has reached an agreement to support the budget after Rajoy ‘yielded’ to some of his demands. These include an increase of 2 per cent on minimum state pensions, a
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» BUSINESS EXTRA
Attack of the clones
Rise in audiences boosts gig profits ket comprised of Latin stars like Ricky Martin, Maluma, Luis Fonsi and Morat, were reasons for a fourth-year increase in live music profits,” says the study. Ricky Martin was the biggest draw, with 115,806 people drawn to his One World tour, while more than 91,000 saw November Rain hitmakers Gun N’ Roses and Colombian reggaeton star Maluma attracted almost 71,000.
CHINESE smartphone giant Xiaomi, which last year opened its first three shops in Spain, has achieved a ranking of fourth in the Spanish market within four months, ahead of the likes of Apple and LG, according to sales figures.
Bottling it MANAGEMENT company AENA is to ensure that all newsagents and vending machines in Spain’s airports offer small - 330 or 500 millilitre - bottles of water for sale at a maximum price of one Euro.
House that SPANISH real estate firm Testa has snapped up 1,458 rental properties from Valenciabased financial services group Caixabank for around €228 million, with the company forecasting the move to increase annual turnover by €8.7 million.
Vatican sparks outrage A SPANISH website is taking on the Pope. The Vatican has launched a crackdown on the commercial use of its name and emblems, and the move has triggered a debate over whether the Holy See is legally able to claim ownership of the ‘brand.’ But Gabriel Ariza of the online portal Info Vaticana.com argues that the Catholic Church
has started a ‘political witch hunt’ against the site for its exposing of corruption in the institution. “We have already taken down logos and other vestiges that can relate us to the Vatican, but they just want to shut us down,” he said. “We think that serving the Church is defending it from its enemies.”
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A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION | WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM/3.0.15/FINANCE
By Matt Ford salary boost for young workers, an extra week of paternity leave for new fathers, €1,000 per year grants for the education of children aged 0 to three years, income tax reductions for those earning less than €17,000 per year, and the dismissal of Senator Pilar Barreiro, who is under investigation for fraud, forgery and embezzlement. “The government knows how to count seats and without our support this [budget] could not happen,” Rivera told Spanish media. Rajoy must now appeal to other par-
Let me be clear: instead of risking a trade war, which he seems eager to wage, we should be aiming for greater cooperation. Make trade, not war, Mr President.” EU leader Donald Tusk urges Donald Trump to think twice over trade tariffs.
EWN
million. The post-tax profit posted by Spanish carmaker SEAT last year after the company turned over more than €9.5 billion in 2017.
Handshake boosts budget
FACE THE MUSIC: Ticket prices have come down after the government halved a controversial tax, with 91,000 paying to see US rockers Guns N’ Roses last year.
SPAIN’S live music industry is booming. A new report by the country’s Asociacion de Promotores Musicales (APM) shows that ticket sales increased by 20.6 per cent to €296.2 million in 2017. “Spain’s consolidation as an unavoidable destination for the big tours by international artists... especially in large venues selling out thousands of tickets, like the Rolling Stones and U2, as well as a new mar-
Costa de Almería
29 March - 4 April 2018
ties to get the budget approved, since he remains seven seats short of a majority vote despite Cuidadanos’ support. He is expected to appeal to Basque nationalist party PNV, but its leaders have repeatedly said they will not negotiate the budget while the controversial Article 155, invoked by Rajoy to impose direct rule over Cataluña last October, remains active. A PNV official said: “The latest events in Cataluña and Spain have left us very concerned, and talking about budgets seems a little frivolous… let them find support from other groups.”
Exec rakes in €20m salary REAL MADRID boss Florentino Perez’ number two has become the highest-paid executive in Spain. Marcelino Fernandez Verdes, CEO of civil engineering firm ACS and president of German subsidiary Hochtief, last year earned €20.46 million to top the national ranking by more than €4 million. The businessman is lined up to assume presidency of ACS when Perez eventually steps aside, with the latter’s pension fund currently amounting to a jaw-dropping €41 million, according to reports in Spanish media.
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C LOSING P RICES M ARCH 26
PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY Anglo American 1,703.50 45.90 Associated British Foods 2,440.00 -6.00 Admiral Group 1,825.00 -30.00 Ashtead Group 1,959.50 51.50 Antofagasta 963.80 22.80 Aviva 489.50 -3.60 AstraZeneca 4,820.00 32.00 BAE Systems 572.50 6.50 Barclays 210.00 5.65 British American Tobacco 3,950.00 28.50 Barratt Developments 522.00 -3.00 Berkeley Group Holdings 3,836.00 81.00 British Land Co 650.00 13.40 BHP Billiton 1,390.00 -4.60 Bunzl 1,934.75 -59.75 BP 464.50 2.05 Burberry Group 1,596.50 -56.50 BT Group 223.00 3.75 Coca-Cola HBC 2,385.00 -100.00 Carnival 4,650.00 66.00 Centrica 133.30 -1.40 Compass Group 1,525.00 58.50 Croda International 4,547.50 68.50 CRH 2,379.00 -0.15 DCC 6,540.00 0.00 Diageo 2,375.00 16.00 Direct Line Insurance Group 382.50 7.20 Evraz 386.00 -52.10 Experian 1,545.00 4.50 easyJet 1,637.50 45.00 Ferguson 5,183.00 -33.00 Fresnillo 1,277.50 69.50 G4S 242.25 2.25 GKN 427.50 -1.50 Glencore 364.00 5.50 GlaxoSmithKline 1,320.00 4.40 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,662.50 0.00 Halma 1,176.00 23.00 HSBC Holdings 668.00 1.40 International Consolidtd Airs Gr 620.00 21.00 InterContinental Hotels Grp 4,425.00 106.00 3i Group 855.70 -5.70 Imperial Brands 2,353.50 -20.50 Informa 712.20 0.00 Intertek Group 4,778.50 71.50 ITV 145.50 0.10 Just Eat 703.00 0.82 Johnson Matthey 3,105.00 19.00 Kingfisher 293.15 -3.55 Land Securities Group 935.00 10.30
% CHG. NET VOL 2.77 23,825.10 -0.25 19,229.77 -1.62 5,421.04 2.70 9,441.23 2.42 9,371.55 -0.73 20,226.73 0.67 61,213.80 1.15 18,222.16 2.76 35,327.44 0.73 89,108.13 -0.57 5,263.18 2.16 5,026.55 2.10 6,308.13 -0.33 29,467.63 -3.00 6,738.84 0.44 92,295.66 -3.42 6,926.28 1.71 21,714.08 -4.02 9,289.80 1.44 9,695.60 -1.04 7,387.70 3.99 23,586.59 1.53 5,914.72 -0.01 20,080.56 0.00 5,902.03 0.68 58,465.72 1.92 5,269.00 -11.89 6,243.75 0.29 14,317.48 2.83 6,333.48 -0.63 12,963.19 5.75 8,544.28 0.94 3,699.00 -0.35 7,389.30 1.53 51,813.67 0.33 63,166.04 0.00 8,015.99 1.99 4,403.84 0.21 135,655.19 3.51 12,566.08 2.45 8,410.45 -0.66 8,477.78 -0.86 22,508.19 0.00 5,921.30 1.52 7,787.09 0.07 5,826.78 0.12 4,880.00 0.62 6,001.47 -1.20 6,323.20 1.11 6,902.99
COMPANY
PRICE(P)
Legal & General Group 259.00 Lloyds Banking Group ORD 66.40 London Stock Exchange Grp 4,124.00 Micro Focus International 1,439.50 Mediclinic International 679.70 Marks & Spencer Group 270.00 Mondi 1,885.50 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 227.80 National Grid 772.50 NMC Health 3,251.00 Next 4,780.00 Old Mutual Group 214.75 Paddy Power Betfair 7,155.00 Prudential 1,875.00 Persimmon 2,721.00 Pearson 761.80 Reckitt Benckiser Group 5,900.00 Royal Bank of Scotland Group 252.50 Royal Dutch Shell 2,257.50 Royal Dutch Shell 2,220.00 RELX 1,450.00 Rio Tinto 3,555.00 Royal Mail 491.30 Rolls-Royce Group 851.50 Randgold Resources 5,824.00 RSA Insurance Group 627.50 Rentokil Initial 250.50 Sainsbury (J) 227.00 Schroders 3,439.50 Sage Group (The) 650.00 Segro 587.00 Shire 3,060.00 Smurfit Kappa Group 3,182.00 Sky 1,336.50 Standard Life Aberdeen 400.25 Smith (DS) 474.80 Smiths Group 1,508.50 Scottish Mortgage Invst Trst 447.50 Smith & Nephew 1,332.50 SSE 1,224.00 Standard Chartered 735.00 St James's Place 1,255.00 Severn Trent 1,853.00 Tesco 204.15 TUI AG 1,625.00 Taylor Wimpey 183.20 Unilever 3,737.50 United Utilities Group 691.00 Vodafone Group 195.50 WPP Group 1,080.00 Whitbread 3,660.00
CHANGE(P) 4.80 1.64 0.00 483.50 119.50 1.60 -16.00 22.00 17.20 -101.00 -204.00 -24.25 -220.00 49.00 226.00 1.00 35.00 -2.10 58.50 -28.50 12.50 -11.50 -37.90 -9.70 -108.00 2.90 -17.70 -0.50 221.50 4.00 -2.40 79.50 124.00 28.50 33.05 0.00 40.00 10.70 33.50 -7.50 21.50 163.50 148.00 1.25 113.50 -1.35 3.00 26.20 1.88 -15.00 -3.00
% CHG. 1.89 2.53 0.00 50.58 21.33 0.60 -0.84 10.69 2.28 -3.01 -4.09 -10.15 -2.98 2.68 9.06 0.13 0.60 -0.82 2.66 -1.27 0.87 -0.32 -7.16 -1.13 -1.82 0.46 -6.60 -0.22 6.88 0.62 -0.41 2.67 4.05 2.18 9.00 0.00 2.72 2.45 2.58 -0.61 3.01 14.98 8.68 0.62 7.51 -0.73 0.08 3.94 0.97 -1.37 -0.08
NET VOL 15,397.17 47,588.01 14,504.00 3,975.81 4,184.60 4,310.46 7,010.63 4,860.09 25,426.44 6,945.79 6,641.64 12,179.03 6,294.72 47,929.43 7,730.13 5,945.44 41,512.88 30,908.15 101,320.88 84,273.45 15,346.63 48,029.94 5,254.00 16,396.37 5,432.41 6,450.11 5,010.41 5,015.87 7,366.07 7,037.71 5,953.37 27,285.49 7,200.72 22,587.89 11,091.34 5,121.67 6,078.75 6,192.62 11,458.93 12,312.65 23,971.94 5,864.86 4,043.81 19,766.41 8,966.46 6,015.24 46,172.79 4,564.56 51,313.19 13,899.94 6,741.53
0,87286
1,14471 Units per €
US dollar ..............................................................1.23648 Japan yen .............................................................129.912 Switzerland franc...............................................1.17252 Denmark kroner...............................................7.44883 Norway kroner ..................................................9.56971 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 M ARCH 26
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 215,360 90,4500 164,940 321,000 144,290 112,98 42,420 42,33 63,06 72,89 13,0700 245,26 171,8000 148,89 49,3600 107,0100 125,1000 154,9800 53,41 87,180 64,63 34,4900 75,910 134,90 122,31 212,55 46,29 117,00 85,4200 98,5400
CHANGE% -3,50% -1,05% -2,32% +0,43% -1,78% -0,63% -1,51% -1,01% -3,90% -0,83% -2,10% -2,91% -1,99% -2,10% -2,89% -2,67% -1,79% -1,31% -1,31% -2,91% +0,33% -3,12% -0,65% -2,35% -1,42% -1,24% -1,26% -2,49% -1,97% -2,05%
CHANGE VOLUME(M) -7,810 128.330,25 -0,9600 77.782,88 -3,910 837.567,33 1,390 188.748,60 -2,610 86.315,09 -0,72 215.954,13 -0,650 209.708,45 -0,43 180.644,20 -2,56 146.883,44 -0,61 308.868,62 -0,2800 113.667,18 -7,34 93.262,27 -3,4900 200.806,05 -3,20 137.180,32 -1,4700 231.004,80 -2,9400 367.219,56 -2,2800 335.437,26 -2,0600 123.234,57 -0,71 144.111,38 -2,610 672.557,96 0,21 83.881,65 -1,1100 205.285,70 -0,500 191.495,44 -3,25 36.634,63 -1,76 97.962,55 -2,66 205.831,58 -0,59 191.157,05 -2,99 210.871,02 -1,7200 253.283,61 -2,0600 148.202,26 M - MILLION DOLLARS
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COMPANY
PRICE
CHANGE NET / %
Most Advanced CareDx, Inc. $ 7.52 Odonate Therapeutics, Inc. $ 24.01 Credit Suisse AG $ 10.57 SMART Global Holdings, Inc. $ 48.92 Fred's, Inc. $ 2.75 Arbutus Biopharma Corporation $ 5.20 Solid Biosciences Inc. $ 8.96 Foamix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. $ 5.29 ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ $ 19.21 The Dixie Group, Inc. $ 2.90 ProShares UltraPro Short NASDAQ Biotechnology$ 10.97
1.54 ▲ 25.75% 2.85 ▲ 13.47% 1.05 ▲ 11.03% 4.85 ▲ 11.01% 0.24 ▲ 9.56% 0.45 ▲ 9.47% 0.70 ▲ 8.47% 0.41 ▲ 8.40% 1.41 ▲ 7.92% 0.20 ▲ 7.41% 0.74 ▲ 7.23%
Most Declined Ferroglobe PLC Zions Bancorporation Westport Fuel Systems Inc Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Black Box Corporation resTORbio, Inc. Omeros Corporation Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. Calyxt, Inc. Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc. Melinta Therapeutics, Inc.
$ 11.085 $ 15.46 $ 2.54 $ 8.29 $ 2.05 $ 11.78 $ 14.09 $ 10.49 $ 15.35 $ 7.54 $ 8.45
3.435 ▼ 23.66% 2.22 ▼ 12.56% 0.33 ▼ 11.50% 1.03 ▼ 11.05% 0.25 ▼ 10.87% 1.40 ▼ 10.62% 1.66 ▼ 10.54% 1.19 ▼ 10.19% 1.67 ▼ 9.81% 0.82 ▼ 9.81% 0.90 ▼ 9.63%
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E W N 29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
Dram good performance BOTTOMS UP AS WHISKY SALES SKYROCKET SPANIARDS’ favourite tipple is whisky, a report says. According to the latest data from the Spanish Federation of Spirit Drinks (FEBE), 214 million litres of spirits were sold across the country in 2016. The boozy blowout produced revenues of almost €7.6 billion - €1 billion more than UK drinkers spent over the same period - and provided 330,000 jobs while swelling the public treasury’s coffers with €1.3 billion obtained via indirect taxes. And consumers chose whisky as their go-to imbibe, as year-on-year sales grew by almost 2 per cent for a 27 per cent market share. Trendy rival gin was the second-most popular spirit, accounting for 22 per cent of the market as sales increased by 9.9 per cent. But rum sales dropped by 2.3 per cent, leaving the Caribbean classic a distant third in the market with a 16 per cent share. Less popular still were liqueurs (13 per cent), brandy (9), anisette (7), vodka (5) and tequila (1). A FEBE official confirmed that figures for 2017 are currently being analysed but are not expected to differ wildly from 2016, meaning ‘whisky will be the most-consumed beverage, followed by gin and rum.’ Scotch whiskies topped the national brand ranking, accounting for 73 per cent of sales, with Johnnie Walker, Ballantine’s, J&B, Chivas, Grant’s and William Lawson’s among the most popular. The gin market was more evenly-spread, with 47 per cent of boozers opting for Spanish brands and 53 per cent preferring international products, with Malaga’s Larios 12 the best-selling overall. Rum sales were dominated by dark varieties, which accounted for
GIN AND BEAR IT: Spain’s thirst for whisky shows no sign of being quenched with gin a distant second.
86 per cent of the market, while the most popular brands included Bacardi and Havana Club from Cuba, plus Barcelo and Brugal from the Dominican Republic. But Vicente Montecinos, director of market research group NPD, believes that vodka will be the next big thing in Spain. “Vodka is a growing market,” he told Spanish media. “Spirits move slowly with fashions and trendy brands including Smirnoff, Absolut, Grey Goose and Zubrowka are becoming more popular. “The Spanish vodka Basmmon, made from potatoes, has won international awards and is another that is on the rise.”
EQUITY FUNDS ‘ARE LIKE MIGRATING BIRDS’ IT was the biggest real estate deal of 2017. The €10 billion agreement which saw American asset management firm Blackstone snap up the property portfolio owned by failed Spanish bank Banco Popular leads the worldwide ranking for sales involving a single asset or portfolio. It came after rival banking group Santander acquired Banco Popular for a token €1 last June, and involved forming a company of which Blackstone bought a controlling 51 per cent stake. The remaining 49 per cent remains with Santander as part of its Banco popular rescue package. It leaves Blackstone, which also picked up the housing portfolio of Catalunya Caixa - now part of BBVA - among others, as one of the largest real estate owners in Spain. And the huge deal was followed a few months later by American private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management successfully bid-
Photo credit Cruz Roja España
€10bn deal world’s biggest
BLACKSTONE: Now one of Spain’s biggest real estate owners after snapping up the property portfolio formerly owned by Banco Popular (inset) in the wake of the bank’s collapse. ding €5.5 billion for 80 per cent of BBVA’s property portfolio. “It is striking how some of the opportunistic private equity funds move in flocks like migratory birds,” says Borja Sierra, interna-
tional executive vice-president of real estate consultancy firm Savills Aguirre Newman. “One minute they are calm in a pond in Africa and then they start flying and travel 4,500 kilometres
to an island in the middle of the ocean to breed. “This happened in Spain from 2009. “One of the birds usually starts the flight and takes the lead, marking the direction of travel, and in this case it is Blackstone. “They have consistently been pioneers and trend markers for their competitors, and as big investors they don’t get involved in small operations.” Compiled by New York-based real estate number-crunchers Real Capital Analytics, the list shows that five of the 10 most expensive deals not involving a company takeover last year took place in China, with two in the UK. The latter pair of sales included the €5.1 billion acquisition of shares in a portfolio of hospitals and nursing homes by Chinese insurer Taikang, and a €2.1 billion stake in the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent purchased by Royal London Mutual Insurance Society.
Gross domestic product record as Aragon tops regional charts THE Spanish economy continues to grow. And new data from the National Statistics Institute has revealed that gross domestic product (GDP) last year rose most in Aragon among the country’s autonomous communities. The northern region saw its GDP increase by 3.6 per cent in 2017, with Asturias (3.5 per cent) and Madrid (3.4 per cent) completing the top three. These figures eclipse the European average of 2.4 per cent , wi t h onl y Cast i l l a y Leon (1.9 per cent), and La Rioja (1.8), plus the African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla falling to beat the benchmark. GDP per capita smashed records in 2017 with Madrid (€33,809) topping the rankings, followed by the Basque Count r y ( €33,088) and Navarra (€30,809).
€500m energy deal confirmed AMERICAN multinational banking giant JP Morgan has become Spain’s biggest investor in solar energy. The financial services firm has revealed it is to snap up a €500 million controlling stake in a 660 megawatt solar project in southern Spain and Portugal via its investment vehicle Sonnedix. The scheme includes a number of plants in Andalucia, Extremadura and Murcia, which will generate 495 megawatts, with the remaining 165 megawatts produced by Portuguese facilities. Together, the project will generate enough electrical e n e rg y t o p o w e r 4 0 0 , 0 0 0 h o m e s p e r y e a r, w i t h Barcelona-based supplier Audax signing a 20-year deal in what is reckoned to be the biggest long-term solar power contract ever agreed in Spain.
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E W N 29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
Spain remains on debt row TARGET BEATEN BUT DEFICIT STILL EXCESSIVE SPANISH Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has revealed that the country met its European Union (EU) debt target for the first time last year. The leader tweeted: ‘Spain achieves: we have in 2017 reduced the public deficit to 3.07 per cent (4.3 per cent in 2016). A fundamental fact to continue growing, create employment and guarantee our public services.” It is the smallest difference between public spending and revenue that Spain has registered since the financial crisis broke out a decade ago, and just beats the 2017 target of 3.1 per cent set by the EU. The final figure of 3.07 per cent is equivalent to an overspend of €35.7 million, a Treasury official confirmed. It sees Spain continue to claw its way out of a financial black hole triggered by the international banking crisis of 2008, which was later deepened after the country’s housing bubble burst in 2009. The twin collapse saw public debt soar to 11 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) after it climbed by more than €100 million in the space of a year. But the economy has recently spluttered into life, growing by around 3 per cent per year since 2015 and slowly reducing debt in the wake of sweeping cuts and tax increases which in 2012 totalled €65 billion of austerity measures. The government has been working to a model designed by Finance Minister Cristobal Montoro which has been dubbed the ‘Montoro adjustment,’ whereby a small increase in public spending is permitted provided the total is lower than the nominal growth in GDP (with inflation). Spain will however remain in the EU’s Excessive Debt Procedure (EDP), a corrective process for countries with a public deficit of more than 3 per cent, for at least another year.
Photo credit Ministerio de Hacienda/Shutterstock
MAN WITH A PLAN: Brussels believes that Mariano Rajoy could have reduced deficit further but chose not to do so.
It could soon be the only one of the EU’s 28 member states with an open procedure after the UK, Greece, Portugal and Croatia last year exited the process, with France expected to follow. EU officials reportedly believe that Rajoy’s government has intentionally maintained the EDP because if Spain was to reduce debt below 3 per cent new limits would be imposed, including a €7 billion ‘structural adjustment’ that would force Madrid into further cuts or tax hikes. The 2018 deficit target for Spain is 2.3 per cent, but there is a widespread consensus in Brussels that the country will again fail to meet it and will instead try to remain at least a 10th above 3 per cent in order to avoid the new adjustment, with regional and local elections due in 2019.
INHERITANCE TAX SHAKE-UP ANNOUNCED SPAIN’S highest court has ruled the Spanish practice that charges non-residents of Spain a higher rate of inheritance tax to be discriminatory and therefore unlawful. According to reports, this has now left the window open for those who have paid the higher rate to file claims for refunds. In a landmark case, the Spanish Supreme Court has ruled that the practice is no longer acceptable even if the non residents of Spain live in a third country that isn’t part of the European Union. As a result, non-European Economic Area (EEA) citizens that have paid Spanish inheritance tax in the last four years are expected to now be able to apply for a refund. According to Madrid-based tax partner of Cuatrecasas law firm, Antonio Barba, said the judgement w ill h a v e a ‘ h u g e i mp ac t o n Spain’s current inheritance and gift tax rules by not only forcing Span-
Photo credit Cuatrecasas/Shutterstock
Non-EU loophole slams shut
LEVY BREAK: Many non-EU nationals could be due a tax rebate, says lawyer Antonio Barba (inset).
ish authorities to amend the current legislation but “opens the door for taxpayers to claim refunds of all taxes paid under the discriminative rules in the past four years, the standard term of the statute of limitations for taxes.” He told International Investment: “We estimate several hundred nonEU taxpayers to be entitled to apply for a refund of inheritance taxes paid [by them] to Spain during the last four years. “Just t hi nk t hat m any provinces of Spain, [such as] Bal ear es and Andal uci a, where foreign investments in real estate are huge. “Most of the investors are EU residents - who are not affected by this last judgement, as the law was amended to give them tax breaks two years ago. But there are still quite a few investments from the US, Latin America, China, etc.”
Blue passport fury as British firm snubbed UK HOME SECRETARY Amber Rudd signed off a €560 million blue passport deal without knowing who had won the contract, it has been claimed. The controversial deal will see post-Brexit British passports produced by Gemalto, a European company listed on the Dutch and French stock exchanges. And accor di ng t o t he Home Office, the process was a blind tender, meaning ministers had no clue which firm submitted each bid. UK-based De La Rue and French company Oberthur also competed for the contract, with the final result sparking a major backlash, with critics calling the decision a ‘humiliating symbol’ of the postBrexit UK. But the Home Office said the deal will save taxpayers €137 million over five years.
Social security fraud savaged THE Spanish labour inspectorate has slammed a ‘huge’ social security fraud. It comes after the Social Security department revealed t hat an est i m at ed 300,000 ‘false’ self-employed people in Spain receive more than 75 per cent of their income from a single client. An official from the labour i nspect or at e t ol d t he Congress that the majority are forced to register as self-employed ‘so that the company that pays them does not have to pay social security.’ But the practice may now be living on borrowed time after Fermin Yebenes Salices, president of the Labour Inspectors’ Union, appeared before a government subcommittee to discuss reforms to self-employed labour laws in order to crack down on the problem.
FEATURE
29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
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I really do lose the will to live LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT
GREAT contender for our, ‘You thought you’d heard it all’ trophy this week. British police will now no longer attend any shoplifting episodes unless the ‘haul’ exceeds £200! Apparently, this new policy, which effectively decriminalises shoplifting, has been quietly introduced by ministers over the last few months. Well, we’re all in the wrong game, aren’t we? Personally, I see this as a great way to becoming an entrepreneur. We can become wholesale goods suppliers. All we need is a few trucks going around to various collection points and a staff of average ‘tea leaves.’ We then send them out to various stores, equipped with shopping bags and a calculator. When they have nicked £199 worth of goods, they simply leave the store and drop the stuff off at the pre-determined pick up points. Job done. Actually, the opportunities are limitless. We could supply our own shops. We’ll call them
GRENFELL TOWER: More questions are now being asked about the tragedy. SHOPLIFTING: ‘Effectively decriminalised.’ ‘Lifted.’ I can see us on every street corner. Pound and charity shops will become a thing of the past. One day we could even be quoted on the stock exchange. Ok Leapy, simmer down. Got a bit carried away there. Also, not quite sure how we could prevent stores from nicking their stuff back! You really couldn’t make it up though could you? Oh, and by the way. Don’t rely on shop se-
curity staff to do the plod job. They can be prosecuted for laying a hand on you! Sometimes I really do find myself losing the will to live. I see yet another toe rag fraudster has been convicted of pretending to be a Grenfell tower victim. This latest individual hailed from Zimbabwe and lived miles from the tower, yet still managed to con social workers into handing over £19,000 before being ‘sussed.’ With this in mind I decided to ask Google (yes, I do research occasionally!) just how many false claims had actual-
ly been made by these despicable fraudsters, who are already presumably enjoying the fruits of the UK’s utterly misguided luvvie approach to our immigrant population. What popped up to my request for more info was indeed something of a revelation. The Metropolitan Police Service have published a form under the freedom of information act. Far too lengthy to put in this blurb, it contains some 20 or so questions that have been put to the MPS since the tragedy. Talk about a waffle. ‘Not in the interest’ seems to be a phrase that crops up a great deal. I suggest those who are interested take a look. Enter ‘Information about the fatalities during the Grenfell fire tragedy’ and up it all comes in pdf format. Some weeks ago, I also took quite a lot of disdainful stick when I revealed information given to a friend of mine from one of the firemen who was actually on the scene. This brave firefighter told my associate he had seen at least 40 bodies in one flat alone. I see rather more official questions are now being asked about this previous ‘Leapy Rant’ revelation. Remember you read it here first folks. Have a great week. Enjoy the onset of spring. And whatever ya do. columnists@euroweeklynews.com
Always keep the faith. Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com
Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
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TECH FOR THE TIMID
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Give us a break
FEATURE
Make do and mend
Don’t cry for me Argentina if something breaks, says Terence Kennedy THERE’S rejoicing aplenty in our household when a device breaks. It means we can buy a new one without a guilty conscience. Filling your country mansion with gadgets by the thousand is all well and good if you’re a moneyed technophile like Stephen Fry though to be fair to the great man, manufacturers probably throw scads of free stuff at him in the hope he’ll promote it to his 13 million Twitter followers. As a lesser mortal I grew up with the constricting ethic that you only buy what you will actually use, and you don’t replace it until it breaks. And I’ve never got over it. In fact until repairing stuff started becoming something of a dead art a decade or two ago, I would even give up precious free time in hand-to-hand combat with a dodgy toaster, menacing an innocent amplifier with a deadly soldering iron or perhaps the most futile exercise of all, using a couple of euros’ worth of glue to do a reverse Humpty Dumpty on a vase costing just half that in the local sec-
DIY: ‘Do you feel lucky, punk?’ ond-hand emporium. Now when stuff dies we buy new stuff. Lots of new stuff. We’ve all got drawers full of dead phones, and even the poor in Africa would sneer at my old Nokia 1100. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to even open up our technology,
though the web has any number of people doing ‘teardowns’ of the latest devices - even on a thousand euros’ worth of new iPhone, the spoiled brats. Fortunately there is still some stuff you can build yourself if you are so waywardly minded.
When my computer died at the ripe old age of 10, I felt like a child with a new Meccano set (rather dubiously renamed Erector sets in the USA, where they don’t do double entendres). I got to work happily assembling my own Dagwood-sandwich-type computer from a case, a power supply, a motherboard, RAM chips, a hard drive, a gaggle of YouTube videos and more bad language than the average sailor. For the most part though, we just buy. It’s an ethic hard to knock when a friend recently spent more to fix an ageing laptop than it would have cost him to buy another one on eBay, or a new one for €50 extra. Oops, I just ‘accidentally’ dropped that irritating bedside clock I’ve hated with a passion every morning for years. Hooray I can finally buy a new one. As Groucho Marx said, if you don’t like my principles, I have others.
THE ‘Maker Movement’ is a worthy one but they’re fighting a losing battle. Look them up on the internet and perhaps there’s one near you, kindly souls with technical expertise, meeting locally over a weekend to repair all sorts of dead technology brought in by members of the public. ‘ M a k e r s ’ e v e n p ro d u c e their own cookbooks of repair recipes. Some are printed but they are mainly found online, if you’re brave enough to tackle technology designed to resist even the most determined siege. It certainly is morally satisfying to breathe new life int o a n o l d t o a s t e r, o r t o g e t that old Apple Newton back up and running again - even if only to find that Steve J o b s t o o k i t s p ro p r i e t a r y s o f t w a re w i t h h i m t o t h e grave.
Advertising Feature
Christina Sharp GLOBELINK INTERNATIONAL christina@globelink.co.uk.
YOU might be tempted to think that when it comes to our holidays, we are creatures of habit, and you would be right! However, there’s an undeniable trend that tour operators and travel companies have cottoned onto. Gone are the days where all we needed was sun, sea and a beach to lie on. Enter a new generation of travellers demanding ecotourism, archeological explorations, rain forest trails, and every variation of walking tours you can possibly imagine. It’s a funny thing, but the less we have to walk, the more we want to. Typically we live longer, fuller, fitter lives and people taking walking holidays tend to be higher income explorers, or empty nesters enjoying their hard earned freedom and leisure time. There’s no better way to immerse yourself in local culture, history and spectacular scenery than getting up close and personal and walking through your chosen location.
Take a walk on the wild side, Globelink’s got you covered Whether you opt for a guided tour with like-minded travellers, or goit-alone with the help of a trusted map and guide book, you won’t beat getting to know your surroundings than by feeling the earth under your feet. You’ll boost your knowledge; mental well-being; physical fitness and feel a sense of achievement, especially with the prospect of a gastronomic treat and a fine wine to finish off a perfect day’s exploration. Learn something new each day, or combine your favourite interests like history, archaeology, food and wine and meander through lavender fields of Provence, or across the Himalayas. Or retrace the route of Alexander the Great through Turkey, or tread a well-loved path through the vineyards of the Dordogne or Alsace. Perhaps you fancy something a little off the beaten track, like the
GLOBELINK: Will insure you up to age 89. vast wilderness of Iceland. Explore a roaring 100ft waterfall like Strútsfoss, or Jokulsa gorge and a coastal ridge walk through the ice and fire landscape of this majestic location. Stay closer to home with a meander through the Italian Sibillini
Mountains. Between Umbria and Marche, stunningly beautiful and steeped in ancient mythology with the Gola dell’Infernaccio, (the Gorge of Hell), and Cave of Sibyl. Unspoilt summits, rare wildflowers and wildlife and any discerning
foodies culinary heaven, with delicate mountain cheeses, black truffle, wild mushrooms and cured meats. At Globelink Travel Insurance, we will get your itchy feet covered and proudly offer Travel Insurance for people aged up to 89 years living anywhere in Europe. Unlike many insurers, our standard policy covers trekking up to 3,500m on organised tours and recognised routes. That includes helicopter rescue for medical emergencies. Don’t forget to add to your peace of mind by checking whether any pre-existing medical conditions are covered. We now include over 50 medical conditions as standard, including gastric reflux, diabetes, hypertension and more. Take a walk on the wild side with Globelink Travel Insurance: www.globelink.co.uk, or call (UK) +44 1353 699 082 or our Spanish link line 966 265 000.
PROPERTY S P E C I A L
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Shining sun on your savings F you have money burning a hole in your pocket, why not think about buying a second property in Spain and reap the rewards of a wise investment? You can choose to invest in property by either buying real estate as cheaply as possible to sell in the short term at a higher price or by investing in a steadily growing market to receive rental income over the longer term. Which option you prefer will dictate how and where you spend your hard earned cash. Valencia offers good opportunities for short-term resale properties. With rock bottom prices often 40 per cent lower than their peak in 2007, you can still grab a bargain but you need to act quickly. Prices are steadily on the rise given that investors are looking south of CataluĂąa in light of the general political instability there and the almost precrises levels of property in Barcelona. Another option is Madrid where residential property is currently about 13 per cent cheaper than in 2008. Here, the capital also offers promising returns with prices expected to grow by almost 11 per cent. For buy-to-let investments, look for areas that have steadily rising property prices. You need to also decide if you wish to offer either short-term or longterm rentals. However, with short-term rentals commanding prices of 400 per cent more over the summer months
I
GOLDEN RETURNS: See your savings grow under the Spanish sunshine. than monthly long-term rental prices, that choice can be an easy one! For short-term rental properties, consider locations close to golf courses or ski resorts. This means you can offset the majority of your annual mortgage repayments during the high season and take advantage of low season golfing and skiing rentals to provide a solid secondary income stream.
It will come as no surprise that properties along the Costas can offer fantastic opportunities for this. House prices along the Mediterranean coast are steadily on the increase, having witnessed a 3 per cent rise in 2017 and in the sunnier climes of the Canaries, house prices are expected to increase by almost 8 per cent in 2018.
For non-coastal options, Granada and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains can offer you serious rental income all year though. Whether for short-term resale or long-term rental, now is the time to capitalise on your savings as Spanish property prices slowly creep upwards since the economic crash ten years ago.
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Advertising Feature FIRMLY established as a leading real estate agency with the main office located in San Juan de los Terreros, Grupo Platinum Estates. They believe ‘clients are the foundation of their business.’ with a team of extremely active multilingual professionals, to offer advice and support when choosing to buy or sell a property, look no further than Grupo Platinum Estates. Their office opens seven days a week to ensure the best service to buyer and seller. Having gained a well-earned reputation for offering a quality service to all clients, why compromise? They work through every step making the buying process clean, simple and enjoyable. Keen to offer the whole package, they offer a range of associated aftersales services, including property rental and management, financial and insurance services, along with
Let 2018 be the year that you buy your home in Spain! Free Entry into a draw to win €5,000 * It’s simple!! Buy or sell a property with Grupo Platinum Estates in 2018 and you will be entered into a draw to win €5,000. There will be two prizes, one for a buyer and one for a seller. renovations and upgrades to your property, in collaboration with trusted partners. For property vendors, they guarantee maximum exposure of your property on sales portals in many different countries as well as in local publications. Agents located internationally all working hard to sell your home. New property listings are urgently required in all
price brackets and of all property types, to meet the needs of clients, following a brilliant start to 2018, with properties selling faster than ever, please make contact with them now. Looking to buy or sell on the coast of Almeria and Murcia and the San Juan de los Terreros area, don’t compromise on service, choose the experts, contact Grupo Platinum Estates today. Telephone 950 466 112 or 666 687 251 email info@grupoplatinum.com www.grupoplatinum.com.
* Buy or sell a property with Grupo Platinum Estates in 2018 and you will be entered into a draw to win €5,000* Each property can only have one ticket in the draw, so if there are multiple owners, sellers or purchasers, just one ticket will be given in joint names. Each prize has a maximum value of €5,000*. There will be two prizes. One for a seller. One for a buyer. The draw will take place in front of the notary public of Pulpi on January 10, 2019.
PAIN received a recordbreaking 82 million visitors in 2017, overtaking the US as the world’s second most visited nation. According to the Tourist Market Barometer, the average spending of tourists to Spain rose 13 per cent between January and November 2017. Unsurprisingly, British visitors were among the biggest spenders, contributing €17.4 billion to the Spanish economy, up 8.2 per cent on the previous year. The tourism industry has been an integral driver of Spain’s economy over recent decades, benefiting from the increase in cheap flights through low cost airlines, and affordable accommodation. However, the success of the lowcost tourism model is at risk of negatively impacting the exclusive end of the market, with Spain accounting for only 10 per cent of the wealthiest tourists in the world. But as local authorities set out ambitious plans to tackle the issue of mass market tourism, Taylor Wimpey
CREDIT: ABP PROPERTY MARKETING LTD
Tourism boom sees wealthy Brits snap up Spanish homes S
TAYLOR MADE: Discerning buyers are increasingly turning to Taylor Wimpey España. España (TWE), which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, continues to deliver high quality homes for discerning visitors. Mark Pritchard, TWE’s Sales and
Marketing Director, said: “It is fantastic to see Spain's popularity continuing to flourish, and we have certainly received a great number of enquiries from international vis-
itors looking to experience all that this wonderful country has to offer. “I do believe, however, that it is important to ensure that popular destinations such as the Costa del Sol remain sustainable, which is why we are focused on delivering quality homes in quality locations for generations to enjoy.” In terms of numbers, December 2017 saw the sixth consecutive month of growth in sales to British buyers for Taylor Wimpey España. The majority of transactions were made at the upper bracket of €450,000 and beyond, a trend never seen before. It is believed that with an eye on Brexit in April 2019, British buyers are splashing out more on Spanish properties to secure the right home either for holidays or retirement. For more information, interested buyers can contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit http://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those outside the UK can call +34 971 706 972.
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Property of the week
Advertising Feature by Voss Home
Calling all investors! IF you are looking for a property with great rental potential or a bargain villa to live in or use as a holiday home this would be ideal. Villa Gabi is a, modern style, recently decorated, 130m2 with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two storey villa on a low maintenance 303m2 walled and private garden just a few hundred yards from a shop, cafe, restaurant, doctors and school in the village of Urcal. Eight minutes drive to Huercal-Overa town and 35 minutes drive to the beaches at San Juan de los Terreros, Mojacar, Vera and Garrucha The villa was built in 2007 and has an impressive modern style on the outside and a more traditional, homely style inside. This property has been recently decorated inside and out and is located in a cul-de-sac on the edge of a small friendly village. Downstairs is the front covered
garden is a blank canvas. There is just enough room for an 8m x 4m swimming pool if required. The property is on urban land and under the Huercal-Overa Town Hall you can get permission for a swimming pool. Mains water and electricity are connected. Internet and phone can also be easily connected and the house has a security alarm. There is pre-installation for air con. Urcal village is a very welcoming, mostly Spanish, village with
3 bed, 2 bath villa for
99,950 euros award-winning hospital, twice weekly street markets (Monday and Thursday), local fiestas, numerous shops, cafes, restaurants, banks, sporting and leisure facilities, cinema and theatre, history buildings. Voss Homes is a British familyrun business with an office in the thriving, market town of Huercal-Overa. They concentrate on selling properties around Huercal-Overa, Zurgena, La Alfoquia, Taberno and Puerto Lumbreras. and look forward to helping you find you ideal property in Spain.
SUPERB PROPERTY: At a great price. porch which leads into a spacious, light and airy living/dining room, recently fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms and a large family bathroom. Upstairs is a large master bedroom with a walk-in dressing area with ‘his and hers’ fitted wardrobes and en suite bathroom. From the master bedroom and landing there are two large, private sun terraces to enjoy the views for miles over the village and countryside. The private walled and gated
PROPERTY SPECIAL
an expatriate community who wish to integrate. The community revolves around the Spanish run shop, cafe/restaurant, bar, health centre and school. Huercal-Overa is well-known for still being Spanish and for its
For more information or to arrange a viewing of Villa Gabi ref VH1185 please contact Voss Homes on 0034 950 616 827 or 0034 678 002 006 or visit their office in Huercal-Overa. They are just 1km off exit 553 of the A7 motorway, 100m from Lidl.
New property?
Don’t forget to… AVING just signed and sealed the contract on your new property, here’s a few helpful suggestions of the important tasks you need to do. First things first: change those locks! Who knows how many people have been given a copy of the keys to your new home since it was put on the market. Apart from giving you peace of mind, installing new locks and changing your alarm pin code is often required for insurance purposes - on which note, don’t forget to organise building insurance! Secondly, confirm with your lawyer that they have transferred all bills into your name and have registered you as the new owner of your property at the town hall (for the payment of council taxes). If
H
you are a tax resident in Spain, you are also required to register on your town hall’s municipal residency register (similar to an electoral roll). This is not a requirement if your property is your holiday home, however, doing so means you can access certain local benefits. Don’t forget that as a homeowner in Spain, you are now required to submit an annual tax return. This is the case even if you are not a tax resident and earn no income from your property, as you will still have to pay a small amount of tax. Also, be aware, that if you are planning on renting your property out, recent changes to the law mean that you must obtain the appropriate licence by registering your property at your local town hall for this purpose. And finally, don’t forget to install
KEYS TO THE DOORS: Change those locks! your TV and internet services - as well as air conditioning - so once you have completed these impor-
tant tasks you can slip off your shoes and relax in your cool new surroundings.
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Property of the week
Advertising Feature by Spanish Property Choice
Properties wanted urgently in Arboleas and surrounding areas! THIS fantastic detached villa can be summed up in three simple words, quality, quality, quality. The property is located in a very sought after residential area with similar stunning villas situated along the wide avenues of the surrounding location and with the local village being just a short drive away where you will find all of the local amenities, this house really does have it all. Upon entry into the superbly manicured gardens through the wrought iron entrance gate you can immediately see that this is one of those few and far between immaculate houses that really are hard to find and is hard to surpass in this style of house. The pathway from the entrance winds down through the ornamental gardens which have raised beds and are planted with indigenous plants, shrubs and
STUNNING HOME: Really does have it all. trees and where you will find the family sized swimming pool which has recently been completely refurbished. There is an adjacent area for sunbathing and taking in the lovely scenery. To the rear of the villa there are several separate zones, the first of which has raised flower beds and where you will find a table and chairs and a terrace which is enclosed with ornate balustrade. There is a barbecue garden with ample space to entertain vis-
PROPERTY SPECIAL
iting guests and family and there is a garden storage shed along with an additional workshop which also houses the villa’s central heating equipment which is fitted to every room. Finally to the outside there is a covered carport which is accessed via a private driveway that has enough parking for several vehicles. To the front of the main house there is a large part covered terrace again edged by balustrade. Through the main front door you
enter into the homely main lounge room of the property which is tastefully decorated to a very high standard and this leads through into the separate dining room which is of a good size with a door to access the rear terrace of the property. Adjacent to the dining room is the fully fitted kitchen with top quality fixtures and fittings along with granite work surfaces and solid wood cabinets throughout. The sleeping arrangement con-
229,950 euros sists of three good sized double bedrooms which have fitted wardrobes plus ceiling fans. The master bedroom benefits from having its own ensuite which is beautifully clad with high quality ceramic tiling to both the walls and floors along with excellent sanitary ware as is the family bathroom which comes with a lovely feel and design along with contemporary decor. So if you are looking for that luxury property in this wonderful area of southern Spanish then look no further just give our office a call today to book a viewing. For more details about this property visit https://www.span ishpropertychoice.com and to find out about Spanish Property Choice, the agents who have regularly appeared on Channel 4’s Sun, Sea and Selling Houses call +34 950 615 388.
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Five-hour home THIS brand new house in Spain took just five hours to assemble. The minimalist modern home in Valdes, a small town in Asturias, northwest of Madrid, reportedly took less than four months to build in a factory but was assembled in five hours in total on site. Designed by Studio Baragaño, the ‘Montaña house’ is described as a stylish mix between a traditional home and more modern houses found throughout the area. The house, built in wood and raised on pillars typical of many homes in the Iberian Peninsula, was constructed in a factory in Madrid and was later transported to Valde, where it was embellished by a local artisan with a traditional slate roof. It has two levels, with common living spaces occupying most of the bottom level while bedrooms accommodate the second floor. The designers reportedly drew inspiration from the architectural style of the traditional residential structure found in the region.
PROPERTY SPECIAL
Home is where the island is HE rich and fam o u s looking to expand their property portfolio can now buy their own island by surfing the web. More than 2,650 islands have been sold on the Vladi Private Islands website, and Pumpkin Key, near Miami, Florida, is available to buy for an eye watering £70 million (€79 million). The exclusive private island in the Florida Keys has one main home, built in 1985, which has three bedrooms and bathrooms, and has the highest price tag on the site. It also has its own private club, an airstrip for private jets and is just a 10-minute journey to Miami’s South Beach. Meanwhile, a 64 acre island off the coast of Shetland, Scotland is also available to buy and comes with planning per-
T
@LACYGCOOKE
LINGA FRANCA: The Scottish island is on the market for just €282,000 mission for a pier and a two-acre loch. Other spectacular islands up for sale include a similarly sized island in Fiji, known as the Remote Resort, which has been listed for €2.9 million (€3.27 million). Last year the average London home sold for
£481,000 (€542,000), making the Scottish island of Linga, on the market for £250,000 (€282,000) almost half the price. A huge, 35,000 acre island, 16 miles long and off the coast of Mexico, is on the market for £15 million (€16.9 million). Cerralvo Island has a breathtaking landscape which includes a 2,100ft mountainous ridgeline. The Isla Centinela in Spain comes with a
1920’s castle which is surrounded by water and is available to purchase for £3.5 million (€3.95 million). Farhad Vladi, CEO of Vladi Private Islands, said the website was set up in 1999 and more than 2,650 islands have been sold since. “Islands are pharmacies for the soul and you can control what you see. They are the best combination of lifestyle and investment,” he said.
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SMART: The Yeti app transforms the home into a smart home.
Watch out for the Yeti! A
Paseo del Mediterraneo 30, Mojacar Playa, Almeria
T: 950 473 104
E: info@mojacarhomeimprovements.com www.mojacarhomeimprovements.com
POPULAR new smartphone app that lets you control the smart devices in your home is looking to expand to Spain. Yeti, by a company called Netbeast, connects all your smart devices to simplify the control of your home and lets homeowners control, automate and monitor all their smart devices from anywhere, anytime. It supports a wide range of smart home devices from lights and wireless speakers to heating and security solutions, offering homeowners comfort, security and convenience. The company claim that with the app, homeowners will allow the home to be sim-
pler as it lets you control all your smart devices with one app instead of many, better as it gives you a variety of features to empower your house, smarter as it helps your devices to adapt to you and your habits and perfectlytailored as you can choose between local and cloud control Last year, the app’s owner company Netbeast were selected by Shuttle, a leading Spanish brand for start-up accelerators, to participate in its fourth edition of acceleration. Netbeast launched in January last year and has continued to grow 30 per cent monthly while an estimated 15,000 homes now use the brand. The company has now linked up with
Crowdcube Spain and is looking to raise €190,000 in funding. They have already received more than two thirds of that target, already securing more than €120,000 from 21 separate investors. Speaking to website Crowdfund Insider, CEO Jon Senra Deark said: “Our two target goals for 2018 are to expand support to up to 25+ smart home brands which will allow us to target more smart home users and will set up the perfect ground to launch a premium version of Yeti. “The second goal is to secure a partnership with a top real estate promoter within Spain which will allow us to push smart home technology within this market.”
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Advertising Feature by Price Brown
www.euroweeklynews.com
Property of the week
Detached villa with private swimming pool A BEAUTIFULLY presented detached villa in a quiet residential area. Lovely views over the countryside and in easy walking distance of the town of Turre with excellent access to the E15/A7 motorways and the main roads to the local towns and villages. On the lower level the property comprises: a covered east facing terrace, living room/dining room with air conditioning, newly installed wood burner, patio doors to the 8 x 5 swimming pool and terrace, a well fitted bright, light, kitchen with access to a service patio, a double bedroom with ceiling fans and built-in wardrobes. There is a further bedroom (currently being used as a dining room) with built in wardrobes and ceiling fan, and a full size bathroom with WC,
PROPERTY SPECIAL
Ref: DV1454 Agua Nueva, Mojacar, Turre
210,000 euros
DETACHED VILLA: Viewing is highly recommended. bidet and bath. Stairs from the living room lead to the upper floor with the master bedroom and a spacious walk-in shower room. The master bedroom has built in wardrobes, air conditioning and doors to a pri-
vate terrace. This very well maintained property which is turnkey ready, has a sensible price tag and viewing is highly recommended.
Contact us to make an appointment to view this property, or to look at our extensive portfolio, call in to our office on the Paseo del Mediterraneo 171.
If you are looking to sell your property call us now for a free, no obligation valuation. We look forward to hearing from you. www.pricebrown.com. sales@pricebrown.com. Tel: 950 478 915.
BEACH EXERCISE: Make friends and stay healthy
The Golden Years PAIN has just been listed ninth place among the top 10 retirement destinations in the world by the Annual Global Retirement Index compiled by the International Living Magazine. Among the various factors considered are the ease and cost of buying or renting a property, the cost of living, visa and residence options, and the ease of fitting in and enjoying a healthy and varied lifestyle. Of course, this news will come as no surprise to the many Brits who have already retired to some of the most popular expatriate communities in Albox and
S
Mojacar. Basking in almost year-long sunshine, these retirees have come to enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and top cuisine along some of the world’s best beaches. If you do decide to come and retire to Spain, remember there is much more to do than simply lie back under the sun. Depending on where you move to, there should be an endless number of activities that you can get involved in. From more active activities such as golf, sailing, hiking or cycling to - perhaps - somewhat less physically demanding activities such as drama groups or yoga and cooking lessons.
PROPERTY SPECIAL
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29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de AlmerÃa
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PROPERTY SPECIAL
PROPERTY SPECIAL
29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
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euros
Who wants a 360 degree view?
YOUR HOME: Or potential rental. views of the sea. The third bedroom with views over the golf course has an ensuite shower room. There are two bathrooms, a family bathroom with bath and a second bathroom with a shower. The apartment has an air conditioning and heating system which is individually controlled and it is sold furnished (according to inventory). Furthermore, an underground
47
Property of the week 239,950
Advertising Feature by Almeria Property Investments
THIS is without any doubt the apartment with the best views in Mojacar playa! From the roof terrace (92m2) you have unbeatable 360 degree views over the Marina golf course with its lake, the village of Mojacar, the fishing port of Garrucha and the beach. This lovely very spacious three bedroom, two bathroom apartment is located on the second floor of the complex, Playa and Golf in Marina de la Torre, Mojacar, only 100 metres from the beach. The apartment of 102.60 m2 has a spacious and bright living room with access to a southwest facing terrace with lovely views over the golf course with its lake, an open plan kitchen with all appliances and granite countertops, three bedrooms all with fitted wardrobes. Two large bedrooms have access to a second east facing terrace with a utility room and side
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parking space and a storage room are also included in the price. The apartment offers a lot of privacy and has, with its two terraces and its huge roof terrace, all the sun that you want to enjoy the Mediterranean climate. Located in the urbanisation
Playa and Golf, a quiet urbanisation with beautiful common areas, a large swimming pool overlooking the golf course, concierge, full gym and sauna. An excellent opportunity with great rental potential! Some 17 kilometres of fine golden sandy beaches, a perfect place to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea. Just a short distance from the beautiful white village of Mojacar and close to hotels, shopping centre, restaurants, supermarkets, health centre, etc and within a few kilometres there are three golf courses. There is a bus stop just a short walk from the complex with a regular service along the entire beach and to the village of Mojacar. Only 45 minutes from Almeria
airport. The airports of Murcia (one hour) and Alicante (two hours) are also easily accessible. An absolute must see with a selling price of €239,950. For more information or to arrange a viewing you can contact us by phone on +34 950 460 874 or +34 666 260 792, email info@almeriapropertyin vestments.com or pop in to our office! Almeria Property Investments is a real estate company specialising in selling beach properties (Mojacar to San Juan de los Terreros) and project management of new builds. We are based in Vera playa, in the Buganvillas area, next to the Dutch bar ‘Cactus’ and the shop ‘Luces.’ We offer a large variety of properties ranging from small budget apartments to large front line beach villas. All properties have the correct paperwork.
Your Belgian estate agent at the coast! You
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Record-breaking year for hotel investment
H
OTEL investment in Spain reached record levels
in 2017. According to a report by the Insights on the Hotel Investment Market in Spain 2017, a record €3.9 billion was spent in 2017, beating the previous record of €2.6 billion set in 2015. A total of 182 hotels changed hands last year, in comparison to 147 sold the previous year, while the average price per room also rose to an estimated €119,000. Most of the recorded investment came in the resort sector, which saw a 69 per cent increase and out-
performed the urban sector, which still rose by 31 per cent. Investment was also more widely distributed in Spain last year. Malaga accounted for 15 per cent of the country’s total with 18 hotel sales, totalling €516 million, while the Canary Islands were the country’s top investor destination seeing €939 million invested, contributing 27 per cent of Spain’s total. International investment continued to play a major role in the country’s market growth, with overseas investment reportedly accounting for more than 60
per cent of investments at €2.3 billion. Looking ahead to this year, real estate consultancy Irea’s hotel division expects hotel investments to remain high in 2018, but the uncertainty caused due to the unrest in Cataluña may prevent the investment in Spain from reaching last year’s totals. Miguel Vazquez, partner of Irea’s hotel unit, told Property Magazine International: “As in 2017, this year has started with a considerable number of deals in the latter stages of negotiation, which, if completed, could produce €600 million of investment in the first quarter of 2018.”
RECORD YEAR: Madrid’s Metropolis hotel.
PROPERTY SPECIAL
PROPERTY SPECIAL
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29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de AlmerÃa
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PROPERTY SPECIAL
OPINION & COMMENT
29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
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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.
WE are writing to express our concern regarding the increase in motor homes/caravans invading this beautiful area of coastline. Visiting cars to Playa Carolina beach (totally monopolised by mobile homes) found difficulty in parking. This serves as a car park and not a caravan park! Not content with parking on vast areas of local coastline it is now noted they are also using various spaces in town areas including the Health Centre. Please advise on local authority policy regarding this increasing menace? With thanks. David and Sally, Aguilas Editor’s note It would appear that the answer lies in the hands of local authorities and police. If these motor homes are parked illegally they can be moved on, although in some towns they are allowed to stay for 48 hours.
Pets or pests?
Photo Credit: Duncan Harris Wikipedia
Summer is coming and so are motor homes Mobile phones or cloaking devices? DRIVERS may have noticed that pedestrians leap out in front of you, whilst using their trusty mobiles as some sort of defence and not having even seen your car coming, are not alarmed when we have to make an emergency stop in order to avoid hitting them. The worst offenders are in the town, since there are plenty of zebra crossings for them to practise their art and anywhere near the crossing will do! Hybrid cars are great for drivers, but I reckon that in electric (silent) mode these will be a real hazard to the ‘mobiles’ who may only rely on their hearing to identify a road user.
UNAWARE: Phone zombies. We no longer have to remember anything any more cos with our trusty Smartphone, just click on Google and voila, there it is! Ah we knew that was what we had forgotten. Now where on earth did I put
my mobile phone? I know I will ring my mobile from my fibre optic landline and hope I did not leave it in silent mode - Telefonica is useful after all! Brian Johnston, Benalmadena
FRONT page news? Pet shame fury?
HAVE YOUR SAY
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.
Readers who have missed correspondence can see all letters - which can be edited before publication - posted on: www.euroweeklynews.com.
Carles Puigdemont held in Germany From fantasy to reality in one action - bet the smile has been wiped off this face now! David Baxter Criminals go to prison. Traitors doubly so.
Peter Harvey Great news.
Gill Reynolds
He should now face all charges levied against him and be made to pay for all the disruption he has caused to the whole of Spain. Jail him. Malcolm
Clocks going forward to be scrapped?
Comments from EWN online
Good! I cannot stand anyone spitting, absolutely disgusting. Janet Lawrenson
Pilots suspended over mid- Anti-tourism groups flight videos threaten summer protests Their crime was getting caught. I’m sure many of the pilots on the short haul flights mess around to relive the boredom during the two-hour flights. Engage auto-pilot, disengage brain. Ron Curtis
Yes! It takes me days to get into the new routine and the animals are totally confused? Carol Raines
I’m almost sure the plane landed safe and well so what’s the problem. Shel Louise
It was tried a few years ago, no one liked it. Maggie Champion
Almost everything mid flight is automated.
I hope not. It gives the illusion of summer coming. Marita Langley-May
Brit fine for spitting on cabin crew
I like the lighter evenings.
Hopefully BA will ban her for life too.
Lynn Nickeas
Should have had at least a five-year ban from flying. Gill Reynolds
Felicia Ang
Jean Gray
The problem here is that tourism is booming and it is making life hard for the average Mallorquines. The cost of renting a home is now almost the same as their monthly wage. Prices are soaring. The island is very rich because of tourism, but it’s not being passed on to the working people. Barbara Jago There are two sides to every story. Having lived in Mallorca I can understand both views. Although tourism is needed there are different types. I am sure you will agree with the locals when they say they are fed up witnessing hundreds of drunken youths chanting and screaming, etc etc in the streets, all night and every night of the week in some holiday areas. They want them to enjoy their island but not at the detriment of all else. Jan Andersen-Page
Since moving to the coast I’ve never encountered such hysteria about unwanted animals. It’s an industry here, over a hundred charities, thousands of soppy people wasting millions of euros, when an inexpensive injection would solve the problem. Then people could turn their attention to the desperate plight of the millions of hungry, brutalised humans right across our planet. The number of stray dogs in the world is nearly half a billion, and five million of these live in Spain. That’s just dogs. For goodness sake let’s put them down. We really need to take a serious look at our priorities. Edmund Taylor, Fuengirola
Big cats COULD you not run a piece asking all readers to report the location of any circus they know of (Issue 1707)? That way every single one could be checked and hopefully have their animals removed after local protests. “It comes after months of negotiations between officials from the circus, local authorities and animal rights groups, with lawyer Raquel Lopez from the DeAnimals law firm acting as mediator.” If the above is true and those animals were in such awful conditions how does this square with animal rights legislation? Is the law here so toothless? There should not have been negotiations, the animals should have been removed, the circus owners jailed pending trial, with prison time, large fines and life bans at the end of it. I have lived here 40 years and it shocks me that my adopted country still has such a long way to go. John Little, Alicante
Spitting mad BACK in the 40’s and 50’s, spitting was considered to be a health hazard, regrettably, in recent years it has become commonplace in a sporting context and most noticeably amongst the footballing fraternity. The revelation Jamie Carragher spat at a critic has caused outrage but isn’t it time for this disgusting and unhealthy habit to be condemned and stopped? It sets such a terrible example to children as they tend to mimic their heroes! Ken, San Fulgencio
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29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
I’m now a convert to BA Mike Senker In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man SO just when I thought Ryanair was getting their act together they mess up again. I was booked on a flight to the UK on Thursday. My hire car was booked and my hotel was booked and at 1am on Wednesday I got an email from Ryanair telling me my flight’s been cancelled because the French air traffic controllers are going on strike. Let’s just digress on to that for a moment. Why do the ATC think that by punishing the public anybody is going to have the slightest sympathy for their cause? Anyway, I’m now left with the job of finding a new flight to the UK. All the flights to Stansted were full and every other airport was too expensive or I couldn’t get a direct flight. Ryanair ’s choice was to cancel and get a refund or to book a new date which is no good to me because I was only going ‘til Sunday. I finally, at 2.30am, found a BA flight to a different airport to where my hire car was being collected. So I now have to contact them to try and get a car there and then return it to Stansted. I’m informed by them that to do that it’s going to cost me double the price I’ve al-
ready pre-paid. Why? Because when you prepay you can’t change anything. You have to start again even when changing the pick-up time. I finally told them I’d get car from the original destination and they agreed to change the pick-up time. All I had to do now was get from one airport to the other and my mate agreed to get me. I got to the airport expecting to see lines of people because of all the cancelled flights. Guess what - the only company that had cancelled flights to the UK was Ryanair! There were some cancelled by airlines going to France but to the UK none. This got me wondering why. So I asked the two pilots that were waiting to get on my flight. Well actually, I suppose technically, I was waiting to get on their flight and they told me it’s easier and cheaper for Ryanair to just cancel the flights than get involved with the admin and overtime payments to staff. They really don’t do themselves any favours. So I am now a convert to BA flights to London City Airport which, by the way, actually came with a meal included too. Maybe my mate at Talk Radio Europe, Bill Padley, can ask his ABTA contact why Ryanair always do the thing that manages to pee their customers off the most. columnists@euroweeklynews.com
Email mikesenker@gmail.com
www.euroweeklynews.com
FEATURE
LEGALLY SPEAKING Checking your details at the roadside WE answer some common driving questions, kindly provided by members of the Guardia Civil based in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, who set up the N332 website and Facebook page to help break down barriers. AS they go about their duties patrolling the roads of Spain, the Guardia Civil traffic police have a whole range of tools in their arsenal to both help those in need, and of course deal with those drivers who break the law. One piece of kit carried by all of the officers, often stored in the panniers of their motorbikes, or inside their patrol cars, is their Personal Digital Assistant, or PDA. ON THE ROAD: A Guardia Civil PDA in The device is linked via Bluetooth action. to a thermal printer, and so able to isthe officers can almost instantly find the insue fines on the spot, and pools its data with formation they are looking to confirm. the central office of the DGT traffic departHowever, when the information is not ment. linked, such as for drivers who haven’t The PDA can be used to check driver and swapped to a Spanish licence, then the vehicle details, such as if you are actually process takes a lot longer to complete, and qualified to drive, if you’ve been banned, if your journey is likely to be increasingly deyou own the vehicle you are driving, and delayed as a result. tails about that vehicle and its insurance. Converting your UK licence to a Spanish The whole process of checking the inforversion is a relatively easy process. It can be mation is almost instantaneous, but it can done at your local DGT traffic office, or you take a lot longer if the information provided can hire one of the many specialist advisors by the driver is either inaccurate, or unwho will complete the administrative process known. on your behalf, and a simple medical and One particular problem facing foreign dricomputerised reaction test is all that is keepvers is when they are not registered as resiing you from joining the many residents who dents in Spain, or have not transferred their have already converted and enjoy an easier licence to a Spanish one. life on the roads. For those who have, you are likely to be There is more information on the process sent on your way a lot quicker than those available at our website, n332.es, as well as with no registered details, as a single check links to find your local traffic office and the of a driver’s NIE number links all of the releinformation required to complete the process. vant driver and vehicle details together, so
For more news and articles visit www.n332.es or search N332 on Facebook.
WE are an apartahotel consisting of 130 privately owned apartments. Three quarters of these are in the letting pool, which is run as a hotel by our managing agent, who is also our administrator. Because of the conflict of interest, we have agreed by a large majority at last year’s AGM, to split the community from the business. Our administrator refused to accept this, so we called an AGM. The administrator refused IN general, yes, but if you have a notarial record of the proceedings and results, which should be called an
to send out the notice so we did it ourselves. We won by 50 votes to seven. We also invited the notary and our lawyer. We got a written and stamped report from the notary and the minutes taken by the lawyer. Now the administrator will not give us the legal minutes book. I have been told that we cannot bring a court case against him until the minutes have been stamped and registered. Can you advise? LS (Costa Blanca)
David Searl You and the Law in Spain
‘Acta de Presencia’, this should serve as the basis to request a judge to order the release of the minutes book.
Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.
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YOUR STARS FOR NEXT 7 DAYS AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Involvement in a situation connected with someone close may not be the best option this week. Giving advice is all well and good so long as you are sure of your facts. Your loyalty to someone is not in doubt but your help should be more from the sidelines than direct.
PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
‘ I’M A FACE IN THE FANTASTIC PICASSO SERIES DO YOU WANT SALT ON YOUR CHIPS? ’
Trivia from around the world *** Accents in Britain change noticeably around every 40 kilometres. *** There is a clinic in Cambodia where blind people are employed to give massages so they can make a living. *** The Ontario area of Canada has more than 250,000 lakes, containing about one fifth of the world’s fresh water. *** Algeria is the largest country in Africa, but only around 12 per cent of it is inhabited. The Sahara desert covers about nine-tenths of its land area, with the vast majority of its population living on the coast. *** Jerusalem in Israel has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times and captured and recaptured 44 times throughout its history. *** Ecuador became the first country to legally recognise
LOTTERY
UK NATIONAL LOTTERY
Saturday March 24
LOUDEST ANIMAL: The volume of a blue whale’s call is louder than the sound of a plane taking off.
DID YOU KNOW? Blue whales are capable of producing the loudest sound in the animal kingdom. Their calls can measure up to 188 decibels and it is possible to detect them at distances of 800 kilometres away, partly because sound travels better in water. the rights of nature in 2008. The law states that it has the
IRISH LOTTO
Saturday March 24
right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate itself.
Tuesday March 20
Friday March 23
5
2
17
26
16
36
24
25
37
11
49
40
BONUS BALL
36
44
Thursday March 22
‘
Mistigris - A joker or other extra card played as a wild card in some versions of poker.
EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA
Saturday March 24
Sunday March 25
1
7
17
18
3
24
34
21
23
9
8
LUCKY STARS
LUCKY STARS
9
8
EL MILLON: ZSK88461
20 36
50
11
World of English
46
39 35
‘
7
29
BONUS BALL
ARIES (March 21 - April 20)
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” Friedrich Nietzsche, philosopher
LA PRIMITIVA
EURO MILLIONS
11
59
‘
Mental fight means thinking against the current, not with it. It is our business to puncture gas bags and discover the seeds of truth.” Virginia Woolf, writer
Famous quote
3
43
Women’s wit
11
48
REINTEGRO
29
8
JOKER: 2 271 456
27
48
REINTEGRO
6
2
JOKER: 5 736 038
37
REINTEGRO
5
Some disruption to your plans annoys you but there’s no point getting in a huff. Outside influences cannot be stopped but you are able to keep calm yourself. Rising to the bait will play into someone else’s hands. Although a situation must be dealt with, do it in your own time and in your own way. Allow yourself the pleasure of saying ‘I told you so!’
It seems that you are putting a lot of effort into whatever you do without getting as much out as you would like. However, as the week goes by, you will realise that it is only a temporary situation. Sometimes, it takes others a period of adjustment before they are ready to accept changes of a personal nature.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) The brick wall that you start banging your head against this week is not an illusion. It is, indeed, true that others are not responding to you in an expected way. By Wednesday this wall will start to fall and people will be more receptive. There is a time and place for everything and you will find it eventually.
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Everything seems an effort at the beginning of this week but as energy levels pick up you will gain momentum. Tackle one thing at a time and realise that Rome was not, indeed, built in a day. As the weekend approaches you will begin to realise that you have been far more effective than you thought.
CANCER (June 22 - July 23) You really do need to come to an understanding with friends over a social matter, although this may take a little effort this week. It is clear that there are those who are less helpful than others, but this could be because of a misunderstanding.
Maybe you need to put forward your plans a little more forcibly so that no one can misunderstand.
LEO (July 24 - August 23) Be a social animal this week and you will strengthen both people and business contacts. After being busy last week, you may be inclined to take it easy. If it is the case that you really are low on energy, then use the telephone or email to full advantage to keep in touch.
VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Someone well and truly treads on your toes this week and it really puts your teeth on edge. There are some bridges that may not be mended at the present time and are best left alone. Show your generous side but resist the urge to give in on an important issue because you are likely to regret it later. .
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) What a lovely surprise to find that something you have always wanted is coming your way at last. Keep a firm hand with finances and take control if you want to organise things for the better. Your destiny is, for the most part, in your hands.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Be cautious this week with your money. You have been aware for some time now that a change in your finances is likely. You have this in common with many others in your situation. Seeking professional help can be free and can make a big difference.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) A special chance to try something new should not be passed over. No one expects wonders from you, they are happy just to see you enjoying life. A recent change in your attitude to your future is already showing.
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Your home life gives you the most satisfaction at the moment even though someone seems to be challenging you. Some things are best ignored until they go away of their own accord and that also often applies to people. There is a time for everything and choosing it will make a task that could be difficult that much easier.
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Across 1 Quietly shelve promise (6) 4 After a short time Sue’s ordered dessert (6) 9 Not many? Wrong, the opposite (7) 10 Exercise makes doctor unwell (5) 11 Two ways to get staff (5) 12 Second ruler promises to be significant (7) 13 Weak coffee blend is found here (6) 15 Standing, the street gets at us (6) 18 Run small vehicle for use on holiday (7) 20 Foundation and front of building unaltered (5) 23 Supply comedienne's final wisecrack (5) 24 Party leader has to be present and be in charge (7) 25 Some may reminisce; nice views are picturesque (6) 26 Fish's name for a hairstyle (6)
6 Prolong a race incident (4,3) 7 Listens, sort of, then joins up (7) 8 A source of inspiration can cause merriment (5) 13 Looks after Australian beer (7) 14 Certain after a time to see deletion (7)
Code Breaker
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION FACING PAGE
16 A colourful scene created by gold on furniture (7) 17 Beef's good and ready for eating (5) 19 Drink from fractured pipes (5) 21 Society to do away with talent (5) 22 Fish detected by its odour? (5)
Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 5 represents R and 14 represents J, so fill in R every time the figure 5 appears and J every time the figure 14 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 Spare recipe for fruit (5) 2 Additional piece of text rarely seen (5) 3 Cultivated chap served fish (7) 5 Group of monks giving command (5)
TIME
Across 1 Stout, strong and sturdy (6) 4 Strong wind (4) 8 Cause fear in (5) 9 Loud cry (5) 10 Harmonica (5,5) 13 Workplace for the conduct of scientific research (10) 17 To yearn or long for (5) 18 Reddish (5) 19 Outbuilding (4) 20 Unequivocally detestable (6)
English - Spanish
Across 1 Saturday (6) 4 Sword (6) 9 Calf (animal) (7) 10 Estar de acuerdo (5) 11 Autumn (5) 12 Fencing (sport) (7) 13 Antena (6) 15 Esfera (6) 18 Calefacción (7) 20 They (f) (5) 23 Molar (tooth) (5) 24 Breath (respiration) (7) 25 Trapo del polvo (6) 26 Avispón (6)
Down 1 Over hasty (4) 2 Informal party or social event (5) 3/18 Become angry (3,3) 5 In the middle of (5) 6 Stretch out (6) 7 Companion (6) 11 Serving dish (6) 12 Casual pants (6) 14 Courageous (5) 15 Exhibition of cowboy skills (5) 16 Organs of sight (4) 18 See 3 The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.
Down 1 Wise (5) 2 Bug (insect) (5) 3 Defeat (7) 5 Jerga (5) 6 Línea aérea (7) 7 Promedio (7) 8 Panadero (5) 13 Avergonzado (7) 14 Lectores (personas) (7) 16 Prefix (7) 17 Equal (5) 19 Imagen (5) 21 Lino (ropa) (5) 22 Corto (longitud, distancia) (5)
Hexagram
The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 six-letter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (TAUGHT) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.
APATHY AVIARY BREAST CHANCY CITRUS CREAKY CRUTCH EXPECT FICKLE HARASS OBLONG OCULAR PSYCHO QUAHOG SPHINX SQUEAK STUCCO TAUGHT (10) TONSIL
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Beyond 2 Medico 3 Screen 4 Gravid 5 Myriad 6 Raised 7 Judged 8 Ironic 9 Girdle 10 Jangle 11 Tundra 12 Valued 13 Pagoda 14 Please 15 Bedlam 16 Blanch 17 Versus 18 Employ 19 Beggar
Boggled How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules? • The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally. • Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms. • No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. • No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.
Kakuro
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 R) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.
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.
TARGET: • Average: 23 • Good: 32
4 letters: 1 point 7 letters: 5 points 5 letters: 2 points 8 or more letters: 6 letters: 3 points 11 points
TARGET: • Average: 18 • Good: 12 • Very good: 17 • Excellent: 21
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION leer terra terras tree trad trash true trues reel rete veer vert flee fleet fleer flop flour flout floe float floaty rhea rheas rash rase rues dart darter dash durra dues duet duty dopy dour doty dote plod ploy plot purr purdah purdahs poly pour pout pouty poet lour loud lout hart hard hear heart heard head advert auto your shard shad shear sheet sard sear ease turret tour typo tear teas tease tees atop
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION cent coin cone dent dine dint done dune icon into nice node note nude once tend tine tone tune unco undo unit unto cento coned conte count dined donut dunce indue noted ounce tined toned tonic tuned tunic undid unite untie coined docent induce induct indued noetic notice united untied conduit counted induced noticed eduction inducted DEDUCTION
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
QUICK Across:
CODE BREAKER
• Very good: 45 • Excellent: 59
SCORING:
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
1 Reporter, 8 Evade, 9 Donor, 10 Rate, 11 Allege, 13 Caviar, 15 Zinc, 18 Alibi, 19 Rifle, 20 Aperture.
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Nonagram
EWN
Down:
2 Exact, 3 Oven, 4 Tiddly, 5 Range, 6 Farfetched, 7 Leprechaun, 12 Facile, 14 Voila, 16 Infer, 17 Fret.
CRYPTIC
ENGLISH-SPANISH
Across:
Across:
1 Sluice, 4 Trusts, 9 Beseech, 10 Patio, 11 Lots, 12 Indicate, 14 Steed, 16 Peaks, 20 Adulates, 21 Urge, 24 Panda, 25 Enlarge, 26 Roster, 27 Starve.
1 Get up, 4 Upset, 8 Agarrar, 9 Elbow, 10 Spoon, 11 Cumplir, 12 Sastre, 14 Paloma, 18 Conocer, 20 Clave, 22 Chefs, 23 Elegido, 24 Snore, 25 Shape.
Down:
Down:
1 Subtle, 2 Upset, 3 Chef, 5 Repaired, 6 Setback, 7 Sloped, 8 Shine, 13 Delaware, 15 Truants, 17 Hamper, 18 Deter, 19 Delete, 22 Rarer, 23 Blot.
1 Glasses, 2 Trapo, 3 Partner, 4 Urraca, 5 Steam, 6 Tobillo, 7 Fewer, 13 Singers, 15 Archers, 16 Awesome, 17 Breeze, 18 Cocer, 19 Cesto, 21 Amiga.
App of the week Citymapper An app that lets users see the public transport schedules and systems of cities in detail. Users can check nearby departure times, find the fastest routes, follow stepby-step directions and receive alerts if lines are disrupted. New routes can also be created.
QUIZ: LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE 1. In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, what is the name of the merciless moneylender who speaks the lines: “lf you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? If you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”? 2. Stars of the famous US comedy TV show Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, what were the first names of Rowan and Martin? 3. In which decade did the comedian Charles Penrose record the famous music hall song The Laughing Policeman? 4. Name any two of the four original presenters of the television light entertainment programme Game for a Laugh? 5. Which 17th century Dutch artist painted the oil on canvas work known as The Laughing Cavalier?
6. Which chemical compound used as an anaesthetic in dentistry and surgery is also known as laughing gas? 7. Which five words complete this phrase from the poem Solitude by Ella Wheeler Wilcox: ‘laugh and the world laughs with you, ---- --- --- ---- -----’? 8. Which member of the kingfisher family is also known as the laughing jackass? 9. Which parody of the Nobel Prize is awarded every autumn to celebrate 10 unusual or trivial achievements in scientific research? Since 1991, the prizes have been awarded to ‘honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think’? 10. Who reached number six in the UK singles chart in 1973 with the novelty single The Laughing Gnome? Not a lot of people know that... the science of laughing and its effects on the body is known as gelotology.
Answers: 1. SHYLOCK, 2. DAN Rowan and DICK Martin, 3. 1920s – recorded June 1922, released April 1926, 4. JEREMY BEADLE, MATTHEW KELLY, HENRY KELLY and SARAH KENNEDY, 5. FRANS HALS, 6. NITROUS OXIDE, 7. WEEP AND YOU WEEP ALONE, 8. KOOKABURRA, 9. IG NOBLE AWARDS, 10. DAVID BOWIE
OUT
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BOOKS
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weather
Costa de Almería TODAY
TOMORROW VELEZ RUBIO
ALBOX
VELEZ RUBIO ALBOX
HUERCAL OVERA
HUERCAL OVERA
GARRUCHA
GARRUCHA
MOJACAR
MOJACAR
ALMERIA RETAMAR
RETAMAR
ROQUETAS
ADRA
SATURDAY
Almeria
Bilbao
Madrid
TODAY: MAX 21, MIN 9-S
TODAY: MAX 21, MIN 10-C
TODAY: MAX 15, MIN 7-SH
TODAY: MAX 14, MIN 5 - CL
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -
17 18 20 20 20 19
8 - Sh 10 - S 11 - S 11 - C 10 - Sh 10 - S
17 18 20 22 19 19
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -
9-C 11 - S 13 - S 13 - C 12 - C 12 - C
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -
12 7 - Sh 13 9 - C 18 11 - C 18 10 - C 16 8 - C 15 7 - Sh
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -
10 12 15 15 14 14
4 - Sh 7 - Sh 8-C 7 - Sh 6 - Sh 4 - Cl
Alicante
Benidorm
Mallorca
Barcelona
TODAY: MAX 20, MIN 10-S
TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 9-S
TODAY: MAX 18, MIN 10-C
TODAY: MAX 13, MIN 8 - C
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -
19 20 21 21 20 20
S: Sun
9-C 10 - Cl 11 - S 12 - Cl 11 - C 10 - C
17 18 19 19 18 17
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -
8 - Sh 10 - S 11 - S 11 - S 11 - C 10 - Sh
Cl: Clear
ROQUETAS
ADRA
Malaga
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -
16 15 17 18 20 17
C: Cloudy
10 - Sh 11 - S 10 - S 11 - S 11 - C 10 - C
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -
15 16 18 18 17 17
7 - Sh 8 - Cl 9-C 10 - Cl 10 - C 8 - Sh
Sh: Showers
VELEZ RUBIO ALBOX
HUERCAL OVERA GARRUCHA MOJACAR
ALMERIA RETAMAR ADRA
ROQUETAS
Sn: Snow
Th: Thunder
Euro Weekly News strives for accuracy, but cannot be held responsible for any errors in published forecasts
BIRTHDAYS
THREE beekeepers, three countries, and three gene ra tions from the pas t , pre sent and futur e . William, George and Tao all share in common their attempts to handle their relationship not only with the animals and nature but also with their families. William is a biologist and seed merchant living in England in 1851 who is working on a new type of be e hive. George, w h o lives in the United States in 2007, is engaged in a ba ttle agains t moder n fa rming with hopes h i s son can be his salvation. In China in 2098 Ta o works painting pollen onto trees long after bee s have died out. All three narratives on humans relating to nature and each other come toge ther in M aja Lunde’s The History of Bees.
ALMERIA
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Sudoku LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
• Brendan Gleeson, Actor; March 29, 63 The Dublin-born actor played Alastor ‘Mad Eye’ Moody in the Harry Potter film series, and has also featured in Gangs of New York, In Bruges and Troy. Gleeson worked as a teacher before debuting first in a play and then in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. • Eric Clapton, Musician; March 30, 73 Clapton first found success playing guitar for The Yardbirds. He went on to play for Cream and Derek and the Dominos and has also had a lengthy solo career. He is
nicknamed Slowhand due to the slow Blackburn, Scotland and shot to clapping from audiences while he replaces international fame in 2009 for her rendition broken guitar strings onstage. of Les Miserables’ I Dreamed a Dream at a Britain’s Got Talent audition. • Al Gore, Politician; March 31, 70 The Former Vice President of the United • Michael Fassbender, Actor; April 2, 41 States and Nobel Prize-winning climate The star of Inglourious Basterds and 12 activist served under Bill Clinton Years a Slave made his debut in from 1993 to 2001. He also ran the Band of Brothers TV series. He was born in Heidelberg, against George W Bush for the Presidency in 2000 in an election Germany and moved with his controversially decided by the parents to Kerry in Ireland when he was two years old. He Supreme Court. • Susan Boyle, Singer; April 1 57 married Alicia Vikander in Boyle was born and raised in Susan Boyle. 2017.
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.
Sierra Nevada SNOW REPORT Snow is forecast for today (Thursday) but skies should clear up over the weekend with highs of three degrees. It is expected to snow again on Monday and then temperatures will rise up to seven degrees as the skies clear. 117 of the 128 Sierra Nevada ski slopes are now open.
Word Ladder ARMS
RACE BACK
Move from the start word (ARMS) to the end word (RACE) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.
286 - Maximian appointed Roman Emperor Diocletian grants the general Maximian the title of coemperor, giving him control over the western territories of the Empire. He would go on to spend much of his time in the position putting down rebellions. 801 - Barcelona falls King Louis the Pious of the Franks captures Barcelona from the Moors following a siege which lasted several months. 1492 - Alhambra Decree Castile Queen Isabella orders all 150,000 Jews and Muslims living in her kingdom to convert to Catholicism or face expulsion in the Alhambra Decree. 1549 - Brazil capital The first capital of Brazil, Salvador da Bahia, is founded by Portuguese settlers. It later became the seat of the first Roman Catholic diocese established in the country. 1800 - Beethoven premier Ludwig Van Beethoven premiers his First Symphony at a concert in Vienna. He would go on to compose eight more, including the well known Fifth and the Ninth. 1856 - Crimean War ends The Treaty of Paris is signed between Britain, France, Russia and the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey), formally ending the Crimean War and making the Black Sea a neutral territory. 1959 - Dalai Lama flees The 14th Dalai Lama arrives in India and gains political asylum following an uprising against Tibet’s occupation by China which began in 1951. 2017 - Brexit begins The British government formally triggers Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union, officially setting in motion its departure from the bloc.
This week in history
Buzzing through time
TIME OUT
Solution ARMS AIMS RIMS RIME RICE RACE
58
DVD
Into the unknown
SCIENCE lover August ‘Auggie’ Pullman (Jacob Tremblay) is every inch the ordinary boy. But he doesn’t look it, he says. He has undergone 27 surgeries after being born with facial deformities. For most of his life he has worn an astronaut helmet in public to hide his face and he was home-schooled, with his parents fearing the reaction of other children. Auggies first day at school sees him and his family face new challenges in the film Wonder.
FEATURE
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TV COUCH CRITIC
29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
59
Amazing hotels, singing and a touch of class
by Adam Whalley-Lewis I HOPE that springtime has sprung wherever you are reading this. I’m writing this week’s piece in the beautiful Boulevar Cafe in Estepona, with a view of the Mediterranean, silently praying that Jane McDonald doesn’t go by on a cruise somewhere or that her army of loyal fans don’t descend on my café con leche - I check with the owner, seems I’m fine, Jane is sailing around Cuba apparently - catch up with Jane on 5 SELECT, Monday if Jane, cruising and a bit of singing are your thing. No cruise ships on BBC2 on Saturday evenings as Giles Coren and Monica Galetti guide us around some Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. Last week Giles and Monica were in Ireland, roaming around Ashford Castle. We learned that the castle, which is beautiful, was built over 800 years ago by the De Burgo family and more recently was home to the Guinness family. What I like about this programme is that it does what it says on the tin. Yes, we get to see wonderful hotels, but also get a glimpse of what is going on beyond the showpiece guest experience - Giles hoovering the walls and Monica doing something with falcons.
HATS OFF: The Real Full Monty Live.
DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN: Monica Galeti and Giles Coren in Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. If the chap cleaning and the lady covering the birds of prey segment doesn’t prove Auntie is committed to gender equality, I don’t know what would... Next time the Amazing Hotel is a former grain silo in Cape Town; Giles and Monica are tasked with cleaning the windows during the worst drought to hit the Cape for 100 years. It is a shame we can’t send over some of the rain that’s been falling across Spain over the last few weeks. If you caught Picasso’s Last Stand on BBC2 last week you netted a gem. The show used his final years in the 1960’s as a hook for Sir John Richardson (Picasso’s biographer) to try to
Travel
Elche: a city of variety ELCHE and its predecessor, La Alcudia, was settled by the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Goths and Moors. So it is safe to say that the city has some history. But the city offers far more than museums, in fact, part of its appeal is its variety. Th e c o a st a l l o c a tio n p ro v id es th e obligatory beach attraction but there are cultural options aplenty for those looking for a more sophisticated experience. Perhaps the most notable is the Basilica of Santa Maria, an impressive, Arabic-looking structure well worth a visit. Ano t h e r m u st f o r a rc h itec tu re is th e Torre de la Calahorra. If greenery is your thing then the Palm Grove of Elche should be right up your garden path, having been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Twinned with six towns - including Toulouse in France - Elche is within striking distance of Alicante, for those who want the allure of one of Spain’s largest cities. But Elche should be easily big enough for all your travel needs and boasts a
PALM GROVE: The city boasts a Unesco World Heritage site. number of top restaurants and hotels. The local football team, Elche CF, were in the top tier of Spanish football until last year, but could now make a return to La Liga in the coming seasons, giving football fans the chance to see giants like Real Madrid or Barcelona in very quaint surroundings.
persuade us that Picasso produced some of his best work in his final years. I don’t need to be persuaded. Sir John elegantly made the case, through memories of Picasso’s family and friends, that although his final pieces weren’t universally welcomed at the time and are some of his most explicit work, his creative genius shone through. For a short while, you can make your own mind up via BBC iPlayer. What did you make of The Real Full Monty: Live ITV on Wednesday night? I thought Alexander Armstrong and Ashley Banjo did a great job in pulling everything together whilst supporting the male celebrities to take every-
thing off in front of a live audience in Sheffield. The stripping celebrities wanted to raise awareness of testicular and prostate cancer and I take my hat off to them all. The personal stories were moving and made the show so much more than some of the preshow headlines suggested. This wasn’t just someone who used to be in EastEnders and a rugby hunk getting their kit off, this was a prime time push to save lives. A group of lady celebrities, supported again by Ashley, take a turn to do the same as the men and to raise breast cancer awareness tonight (Thursday) on ITV. Look out for Ruth Madoc in a Calendar Girls pose and Coleen Nolan showing the other ladies how it’s done. I applaud everyone involved. Happy Viewing.
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HEALTH BEAUTY
Hormones: a hot topic THE health and wellness industry is becoming increasingly more tailored to individuals and their body’s specific needs. The latest frontier to be tackled in the quest to keep everything running as smoothly as possible is hormonal health.
“
To find out whether your hormones are functioning properly you can get tested to check if you have any deficiencies.
Not only do hormones impact your mood, they also affect your health and having an imbalance can lead to all manner of conditions, such as exhaustion and fertility issues.
&
Hormones are produced by glands and are the chemical messengers that trigger activity in different parts of the body to help keep cells and organs working properly. To find out whether your hormones are functioning properly, you can get tested to check if you have any deficiencies. This can then give you an idea of whether you need to make any diet or lifestyle changes, or if you need to take any supplements. However these tests can be pricey but there are several things you can do regardless to help your body stay in check. Testosterone levels for example, can be boosted by doing strength training and ensuring your diet has enough good fat and protein. Meanwhile vegetables such as kale, broccoli and cauliflower contain a compound that helps the body to metabolise oestrogen.
EXHAUSTED: An imbalance in certain hormones can make you feel more tired than usual.
HAIR RAISING: Could a vegan diet really weaken your hair?
Could ve harm yo VEGANISM is gaining popularity across the globe, but several concerns have been raised over whether it could have an impact on your hair health. While many vegans are well informed about their diets, hairdressers have reported that their clients who have cut out animal products completely complain they have more brittle hair and weaker hair growth. This could occur because vegans find it more difficult to consume a high amount of protein after they have cut out meat, fish and dairy products. Hair is made up of a chain of
HEALTH & BEAUTY
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29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
Makeover your mornings THE morning can either be the best time of the day or the worst, depending on what kind of person you are. Whichever camp you fall into, how you start your morning can have a big impact on how the rest of the day goes. Making small changes to your morning routine could quickly make all the difference. Although it’s incredibly tempting to reach for the tea or coffee first thing, try drinking a cup of hot water and lemon first which will help to start your digestion, get your liver up and running, as well as rehydrating you. If you have a busy household, try setting your alarm 30 minutes before everyone else wakes up. This will give you time to take a nice long shower, read the paper or do some exercise; whatever you find most relaxing. You might find this becomes your most productive time of the day, and could help you make plans for the week ahead or pursue some creative activities. You could also use this time to meditate for five or 10 minutes, helping to clear your mind and get you focused for the day.
eganism ur hair? proteins so having a deficiency will directly impact your hair. Therefore, it is important to supplement your diet with alternative sources of protein such as pulses, and speak to a nutritionist if you need more advice. If you have weak hair, you can protect it against further damage by using treatments such as hair masks once a week, and avoiding colouring and heat styling as much as possible. Use a protective spray on your hair when it’s wet before you brush it and try to find a shampoo that increases hair elasticity and protects cuticles.
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SAD SIGNS: It’s reportedly possible to tell if someone is depressed from how they talk.
Feeling blue? IT’S reportedly possible to tell if someone is suffering from depression based on how they speak. According to new research published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, people with depression use particular words and speech patterns. The researchers studied large extracts of text from diaries, personal essays and speech to decipher whether depression affects how we communicate. They claim to have identified several significant differences in both style and content, when compar-
ing the language of those who suffer from mental illness. It would appear those with depression use a lot more words conveying sad or negative emotions, such as ‘sad’, ‘lonely’ and ‘miserable’. They use more first person pronouns and less third person pronouns as well as more ‘absolutist’ vocabulary, such as ‘nothing’, ‘always’, or ‘completely’. However, the researchers did stress that using this language on a frequent basis is not an instant mental
illness diagnosis and that it is important to monitor how you feel over a significant period of time before arriving at any conclusions. Other symptoms of depression include not taking pleasure in enjoyable activities, losing interest in hobbies and daily activities, having trouble sleeping, finding it difficult to concentrate and feeling useless. If you feel like this, visit: www.mind.org.uk/ or talk to your GP. If you think somebody else might be feeling this way, talk to them about it.
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FEATURE
Changes brought to Spain from the new conquistadores! 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.
IN 1970 there were few rules and almost all of them centred on how you were to be perceived by the ever observant public. Your personal community scrutiny was utmost within any and every village. No one wanted chins wagging or whispers growing into full grown town gossip and finger pointing. One of the laws was simply maintaining their personal dignity. Nothing was more important than always being able to walk proud. Of course, everyone wore black in one fashion or another. There was someone to be mourned and the neighbours needed to learn and consta n t l y k n o w o f y o u r g rief. Any meeting containing more than
MOJACAR: A melting pot of culture. 1 0 p eo p le in a room c re a te d a sombre mood similar to any funeral procession. Humour wasn’t part of everyday chatter and especially within the public domain. Life held few pleasantries. It was simply too serious not to be constantly and rigidly followed. In
truth it was drudgery but what else w a s the re ? The a ll-pow e rful church dogmas were followed on a daily basis even though the church itself was rarely crowded or used other than for a marriage or funeral. Forlorn was a good way to describe their everyday existence.
Hopeless (but that was too strong to e ve n cont em pl at ed) . I t was what it was and had to be endured. In retrospect that good rainfall of those daring visitors, following the Second World War wandering into Spain came as a new light and much needed fresh perspectives. Those visitors arrived with open hearts and wide smiles. The horrors of the past years of rationing and austerity could be easily forgotten in the new country of Spain full of sunshine and cheap drink and living. The neophytes congregated in the town plazas and let the ir hai r hang l ong, l augh unabashedly and attacked any suppos e d tenet or dogm a of soci al stratification. Life was to begin anew under a new sun, lived vigorously and enjoyed. The change for the locals didn’t happen overnight. I first noticed it when attending the funeral of a popular village personage when I witnessed young girls still clad in
full black but now in knee revealing mini-skirts. A change had begun. Best of all were the new invaders came with open hearts and big pockets. The educated class conscious British left behind them the medi eval st r at i f i cat i on and bl ossom ed under cl oudl ess ski es. While they burrowed into living and began t o r epopul at e once derelict houses they insisted their carpenters, plumbers and house maids drank with them and shared the good humour of the day. Unprecedented and it altered the course of Mojacar’s evolution towards one of mutual respect and conviviality. Both groups needed each other; unsuspected reasons that made them such good mates. The locals needed to know there was another life, not so stringent and controlled. The invaders needed flushing toilets, water and light. Both learned to achieve their goals working together and enjoying it.
Men choose tote bags for the style Nick Horne The Rich Pick Freelance correspondent, London, England OVER the years I have destroyed more briefcases than I care to remember, much less admit to, mainly by stuffing them full of paper, newspapers and magazines as well as other random objects. Of course some only use their briefcases to carry their lunch or more recently their lunch plus their laptops and sundry charging devices. The briefcase has been the staple accessory of the European male of a certain sort for decades. While the hat vanished, the briefcase strode on. So why have men adopted the tote bag? It is at root only a simple strong large square bag with robust handles. Yet a global trend has emerged and been seized upon by traditional all male brands like Dunhill London with their Duke tote costing €3,317, or James Purdey an Son - famed for their guns - with ‘The Keeper’ tote in two versions, heavy at €1,295 and lightweight at €1,025. Suitable for the campo or elite shopping streets of Milan, Marbella or Madrid. But French and Italian houses have not allowed the grass to grow under their feet. Berluti’s elegant ‘Silhouette Leather Tote’ at €2,681,
Ermenegildo Zegna Couture with their ‘Pelle Tessuta Brown Tote,’ a snip at €2,796. And Connolly England have created their casual Nubuck version which can be yours for just €1,146. Not to ignore the more traditional manufactures who have found a sudden extension into high end men’s fashion. One such is Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu of Kyoto, Japan, now celebrating 110 years of manufacturing canvas bags with unobstructed interiors and robust handles serving the task intended when first designed to carry heavy blocks of ice from the ice house to home. The brand has suddenly found a global demand from men looking for a practical and stylish alternative to the briefcase. As Ichizawa will only deliver mail order within Japan itself, you could visit their shop or they now have a stockist in London, Trunk Clothiers of Marylebone, who will deliver to
JAMES PURDEY AND SON, LONDON: ‘The Keeper’ a tote suitable for the shoot, field and town.
FIND YOURSELF A TOTE BAG • Museo del Prado www.museodelprado.es/en, Madrid. • Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu www.ichizawa.co.jp, Kyoto, Japan. • Trunk Clothiers www.trunkclothiers.com, London. • James Purdey & Sons www.purdey.com, London. • Dunhill London www.dunhill.com, London, global. • Berluti www.berluti.com, France, global. • Ermenegildo Zegna www.zegna.co.uk, Italy, global • Connolly www.connollyengland.com, London. • LL Bean www.llbean.com Maine, USA. Spain or pretty much anywhere. LL Bean of Maine in the USA have a similar heritage founded in 1912 and will deliver their version of the tote to pretty much anywhere on the planet. The question that is no doubt uppermost in your mind though is where did I get my current tote? The perhaps surprising answer is the Museo del Prado, Madrid.
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29 March - 4 April 2018
Update on food, drink, entertainments, what’s on and weekly happenings
20 years, 20 cities tour IT was 20 years ago that Fito Cabrales decided that he wasn’t completely happy playing with Spanish rock band Platero y Tu. With a burgeoning interest in rockabilly, soul and swing, he therefore formed Fito and the Fitipaldis to run alongside and they have been performing on a regular basis since 1998. Choosing just 20 venues around Spain, he has created a repertoire which will form the basis of the band’s performance but for each concert, Fito will invite surprise guests to appear which means that each gig will be different from the last. For this performance, the band will be joined by Paco and Fortu from heavy metal band Obus. Joining the tour as a support act is the one man band that is Muchachito who first found fame as
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Best of food in Huercal-Overa Left: Fit and the Fitipaldis. Right: One man band Muchachito. the leader of the band Muchachito Bombo Inferno. Sitting behind an array of drums with six foot pedals controlling different areas of percussion and with guitar in hand, this somewhat eccentric performer is guaranteed to warm up the crowd. The tour is selling out quite quickly so the bands will be appearing at the Apollo Theatre in Almeria City on Friday June 15 with tickets costing €33. Doors open at 7.45pm, Muchachito will appear onstage at 8.30pm and Fito and the Fitipaldis at 10pm.
vFOR those who enjoy good food, the fourth Almerian gastronomy and cuisine festival will take place on the Paseo de la Alameda in Huercal-Overa from April 13 to 15. After three years the local council is solidly behind the Degustho Almeria Festival and is looking to promote the brand it calls ‘Sabores Almeria’ through the products of the area and to position the province as a destination gastronomic of the highest importance. No less than six national and international names in gastronomy will be taking part, Rodrigo de la Calle (creator of the
BEST FOOD: Yolanda Garcia (third from left) and other chefs. green revolution concept, National Gastronomy Award), proprietor of the El Invernadero, a restaurant with four tables taking eight customers and a single set menu starring vegetables and healthy cuisine. Carlos Navarro Björk, voted the fourth most important exponent of sushi in the world, who will be explaining about Japanese cuisine in his workshop. Canal Cocina from Spain with more than 353,000 followers and El Gourmet, from Latin America who will teach visitors the secrets of their famous risoto a la gordor. Also present will be Andalucian chef Enrique Sanchez who appears daily on Canal Sur
Television and Michelin star chefs Yolanda Garcia as well as Jose Alvarez. This will be a genuine gourmet delight with presentations, interactive workshops, meetings with master chef contests, gastronomic showcase, children’s kitchen and even events that combine sport with cooking. Apart from the fun of workshops and the promotion of Almerian cuisine in order to increase sales for those involved in production locally, there is also an important additional aim which is to educate young people in the advantages of following a healthy yet enjoyable diet.
SOCIAL SCENE
29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
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WHEREVER you are in Almeria this Easter there will be the traditional Semana Santa parades with some starting in the morning and the bulk taking place in the evening. The actual parades are run by a series of brotherhoods who are groups of people associated with various churches with their own brand of clothing (often surprising visitors as many look similar to the robes worn by the Ku Klux Klan) but in fact they hark back to the days of the Inquisition when penitents were required to wear the Capirote (cone-shaped hat) but with their faces visible. Each colour represented the sin for which they were atoning for and slowly the hoods became longer until they covered the faces of the penitents. Nowadays the colour is chosen by the brotherhood and not every group wears the Capirote so that a number still cover their faces but using flat head coverings, whilst women tend to dress in black
Don’t Stop the Party THE town of Palomares will resound to the sound of music on June 2 at the Don’t Stop the Party Festival starting at 8pm in the football stadium. Entry to the general area costs €5 with special earlybird discount and €12 without discount. In addition there is a special fan zone costing €25 which gives those attending preferential access to the site as well as a numbered seat allocated on arrival. In addition there is a dance floor next to the stage and visitors will receive a welcome drink and have a chance to take special photos of the eight artists and bands performing. To make a booking visit w w w. t i c k e t e a . c o m / e n tradas-festival-que-no pale-la-fiesta-palomaresdel-rio.
Photo Credit: Michael Osmenda Wikimedia
Semana Santa in Almeria
PARADES: A young woman preparing to take part. with a mantilla or lace veil over their heads. Every procession needs three bands who play a range of different tunes (some better than others) and due to the enormous weight of the statues being carried, a bell ringer
walks in front of the parade, regularly indicating when rests are required so that the parade stops and the statues are taken off of the shoulders of those carrying them. Many parades include military and Guardia Civil bands
with senior offices often being involved in reviewing the march past. Large crowds watch these parades which have become a significant part of Spanish culture as well as a popular tourist attraction.
An unnatural fizz BACCHUS CELLAR by Lorenzo Barbareschi VINHO VERDE is not a ‘green’ wine nor a grape, but a region (DOC) for its production. It may be red, white or rose, and translates as ‘young wine’ usually consumed three to six months after harvest. Vinho Verde in northern Portugal the nation’s largest wine region - has produced wine for more than 2,000 years, and is now responsible for approximately 85 million litres each year, of which 86 per cent is white. Made from local grape varieties Loureiro, Arinto, Trajadura, Avesso, and Azal, the whites are lemon - or strawcoloured with 8.5 to 11 per cent alcohol. The most successful is Alvarinho, which displays tropical aromas, an
VINHO VERDE: A Portuguese gem. overall lemony character, high acidity and alcohol levels, and Loureiro which is more floral. White Vinho Verde are light and fresh and known for vibrant fruit, natural acidity and low alcohol which makes them ideal for pairing with seafood, salads and Asian cuisine, or served as an aperitif. The reds made mostly from Vinhão, Borraçal and Amaral grapes have an inky texture, are low in alcohol, have sour flavours and are seldom exported. The roses are fresh and fruity, and usually from Espadeiro and Padeiro grapes. Many of the Vinho Verde wines have a light fizz, origi-
nally a natural by-product of fermentation in the bottle, but nowadays a result of added carbon dioxide mainly for enmasse export as better labels do not have any bubbles. The Vinho Verde image as a young wine has led importers pressing producers to deliver wines freshly bottled, thereby preventing the development of high quality single-varietal labels. Popularity of Vinho Verde has surged in the last decade with consumers discovering it as one of the most affordable and versatile wines on the market, with prices from around €5. Happy tasting.
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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
For a good cause GLENN and Jayne Unwin from Albox Insurance attended a charity event at the Palace hotel in Madrid in aid of the Peter McVerry Trust Ireland for the homeless and Rais charity in Spain. Glenn and Jayne attended the event alongside the CEO of Liberty Seguros, one of the main sponsors of the charity. The event was on St Patrick’s Day and the total amount raised on the night was €410,210.
GLENN AND JAYNE UNWIN: At the Palace hotel in Madrid.
Life skills AROUND a dozen young people recently participated in a Leisure and Free Time Monitoring course in Arboleas. The course was developed by the Almeria authorities and is a new training programme aimed at the region’s youth. The course, which was free of charge, has been received with great enthusiasm
among the participants, who have been learning the necessary skills to boost their employability and help them find employment. The Youth Councillor, Angeles Martinez, visited them at the end of the course and thanked the students for the “great participation they have shown” throughout the training course.
ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
Undergoing a makeover THE mayor of Arboleas, Cristóbal García, recently visited different construction projects that are being carried out in various locations in the town, with the objective of personally verifying that the work is in progress. One of the stops that the mayor made was at the entrance to the Limaria centre, where road repairs are being undertaken over a distance of one-kilometre. The mayor said that “improving and transforming the image of Arboleas, including the town centre, is one of the main challenges we have imposed upon ourselves. “We think we’re doing a good job. With these projects and others that we plan to develop, our neighbours will perceive that we do not overlook any of our neighbourhoods. “The only thing that limits us is the funds,” he added.
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AGE SUPPORT Almanzora opened its new shop in Albox with a reception for volunteers and supporters. The ribbon was cut by Sharon and Stephen Garner of Spanish Property Choice - who had generously sponsored the event and are active supporters of the local
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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
New beginning community charity. The tasty buffet was provided by Bar Lepanto and the supporters had a chance to see
the new shop with all the stock ready for sale to the public from the next day. Jo Tissington, from Albox Town Hall, was also in attendance, as was Richard Tolman from Smooth FM. Roz, shop manageress, was delighted with the
opening, particularly as the move from the old shop in Arboleas had gone so well with help from the volunteers. The shop staff ’s appreciation for all the hard work done by Cathy, President of the charity, was shown when Liz presented
her with a bouquet. The staff are delighted with the light, modern, spacious shop. Cathy had also revealed that volunteers had worked hard to prepare the large shop - cleaning, painting and making the fixtures and fittings.
ALL SMILES: Sharon and Stephen Garner with Roz, manageress, and the volunteers.
Everyone is pleased that the Welfare Team are now based in the shop with the mobility aids that they have for hire. This will mean that shoppers can see how their donations help the charity to help older people in the Almanzora area - befriending, offering advice and support. Maggie, who is in charge of fundraising for the charity, announced that, ‘the new appeal is to raise funds for another hospital-style bed as the one we have is always in use.’ Sharon Garner, of the TV programme, ‘Sun, Sea and Selling houses,’ has offered to support this appeal and has already collected mobility equipment for the charity. The shop, opposite the Peugeot garage, in Albox, is now open for business and needs donations and more volunteers. If you can help please call in the shop 10am to 2pm Monday to Saturday.
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FEATURE
A recipe for leaving a very bad taste in the mouth 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
NEWS that the Metropolitan Police responded to calls relating to the recent KFC closures - ‘Please do not contact us about the #KFCCrisis, it is not a police matter if your favourite eatery is not serving the menu that you desire’ makes you wonder, whatever next? Last year, Police Scotland’s emergency call handlers were amazed when a woman reported the theft of her snowman. Other calls included a request to check a woman’s height, another reported a ‘dirty look’ from a neighbour and a
woman asked for help with a large spider in her home. Some 2.8 million 101 nonemergency calls are made every year in Scotland with just under half a million 999 emergency ones. Heck, if crime writers like myself came up with motives as weak as these for calling out the cops in our thrillers, we’d be nicked for wasting readers’ time! The East Midlands Ambulance Service was asked if storing cracked eggs in a fridge was a ‘health risk’. Other daft ‘nuisance’ calls included someone with a broken toenail, someone wanting a taxi home, another with toothache, and a patient who didn’t want to wait 30 minutes for their GP appointment. And according to the BBC, ambulances and emergency response vehicles were de-
KFC CLOSURES: Have prompted panic among Brits. ployed more than 1,500 times to five patients in 12 months, while a single patient reportedly called the ambulance service almost 10 times a day.
Maybe I’m being thick here (no need to comment), but why? I remember reading a story about the 1950’s when boys
were taught as Wolf Cubs (and maybe still are) how to make an emergency telephone call from a GPO red call box. Even at less than 10 years
of age, they had more accrued wisdom than all the examples of ‘adults’ quoted here. Finally, 999 calls due to loud bangs heard in Manchester city centre recently turned out not to be an emergency. It was a hen party popping balloons on a ‘Butler in the Buff’. Good grief! (Actually, that's not what I wrote originally but a much more restrained comment!) 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.nora-johnson.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
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many of us don’t consider what-if something happens to me, and whilst statistics show that air travel is a safe mode of any transport, we haven’t considered what if something happens, and therefore insuring ourselves. The creators of www.million-aircover.com believe their product fills a gap in the market in that it provides worthwhile financial stability to dependents and loved ones at a very affordable price. Customers may obtain this new policy via an online application process through the www.million-aircover.com website that has been made as simple and transparent as possible and more information can also be checked at www.facebook.com/millionaircover. Currently, any European Union resident over the age of 18 can apply for cover before they travel on scheduled flights, including most package holiday flights, using their debit or credit card. Customers can apply for cover up to the time
NEW INSURANCE: Tony Sheehan and Philip Armstrong Directors of Flycare Technology Ltd. of boarding their aircraft and may apply to cover any additional pre-booked flights in advance. Although air travel is generally considered to be very safe, there have actually been three deadly accidents so far this year in Iran, Nepal and Russia with a total of 187 fatalities which just goes to indicate that there is still a risk and the small cost of insurance could mean immediate financial support for your family in a worst scenario event. The creators of www.million-aircover.com are confident that this new product underwrit-
ten by first class, secure insurers will give travellers real peace of mind at a price point that is accessible to all. As a reader of Euro Weekly News, you can enter our free to enter prize draw with a prize of €200, by emailing your name, and entering E18 in the subject line to freedraw@millionaircover.com. The free prize draw closes at midnight on March 31, 2018. Any entry received after then will not be eligible for inclusion in the free draw. No purchase is required to enter the draw, you must be over 18 years old.
29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
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GRAEME TYRRELL THE recent wet weather this winter is enough to keep even the most enthusiastic gardener out of the garden. Waterlogged soil is best not walked on if it is for growing plants. The compaction of saturated soil is very damaging, as even when it dries out the effects of compression last and cause clods of soil in summer that are difficult for plant roots to penetrate. This doesn’t mean no gardening, indoor gardening is always a possibility. Tropical species are a very popular form of plant for indoor gardening. They give a different range of plants that cannot
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Growing the Sun Parasol or Mandevilla be grown in the outdoor Mediterranean garden. If you grow tropical plants in pots they can grace the terrace or balcony in summer and be retired to the indoors in winter, or they can be a permanent indoor feature in a bright, warm area of the home. A favourite, which is hardy
PERMACULTURE EDUCATION SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Telephone: 666 33 33 35 info@permamed.org http://permamed.org/
and fast-growing in the right conditions, is the impressive glossy-leaved trumpet flowered Mandevilla, also called the Sun or Summer Parasol. It originates from tropical Central America where it is a climbing plant. It was named after British explorer and diplomat Henry Mandevilla who first botanically identified it. A Mandevilla needs plenty of sunlight or it will not flower profusely. It is very cold-tender so must be kept in a warm place above 10°C throughout winter. They will thrive in a large container with a good soil mixture and will grow over a metre a year in good conditions and up to seven metres in length on maturity. It will need a trellis or struc-
Photo Credit: Barbara Siebert Shutterstock
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Peach Mandevilla.
ture to grow up or along to give it support, unless you keep it very well pruned in autumn when flowers are less frequent. Pruning is also recommended
to encourage multiple stems to spread growth by creating more branching to have a more intensive flower display. Prolific flowering can be fur-
ther promoted by pinching off the spent flowers and as flowers form mostly on the current years growth, the pruning is done in a way to encourage this new growth. If you are moving the container from outdoors for winter hibernation and protection from the cold, you can submerge the container in water for at least a few minutes to flush out any ants or other insects which you don’t want inside. Wash the upper part of the plant also and allow the plant to dry and drain well after soaking before moving inside. In winter, when temperatures drop, it is best to reduce watering so the soil mix is just moist as excess water amplifies the cold effect around the roots. Low light intensity in winter usually stops it flowering. This can be true in summer if indoors without sufficient light. The leaves may drop in winter if exposed to cold. If this happens reduce water to just moist.
PETS PAGE www.euroweeklynews.com
David THE Dogman columnists@ewnmediagroup.com
TRAINING dogs does not give the end product; dog’s natural instinct plays a vital role. Man first domesticated dogs because he had so many instincts which could be useful. When we think that man has used the dog for many thousands of years for his own benefit, it is very difficult to understand why so few owners and trainers can differentiate between instinct and intelligence. Instinct is an urge from within which makes a dog act in certain ways and has no connection with intelligence. A dog’s first instinct is to survive. When he is born the pup squirms about until he finds a teat and then sucks it. No intelligence or learning by any association plays a part in this process. The maternal instinct tells the female to clean up the foetal membrane etc and stir the puppy into action by licking it. The female is not taught this, she
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Dogs’ instinct has not seen another female do this. Most instincts provide pleasure to the dog and because the dog associates the action with pleasure the instinct grows stronger with usage.
In my opinion instinct is something which is either there or not there. Instinct can be strengthened, weakened or diverted, it cannot be put there and it cannot be taken
INSTINCTIVE: Dogs are wild at heart.
away, it might lie dormant, but once developed it can never be weakened again. I always explain this when people want their dog to be trained for man work, once aggression is raised in this manner it cannot be reduced. A dog with an obsession for chasing balls can be controlled by training and by providing other outlets for his energy,
the same way if a young dog is diverted the first time he chases a car he may give up the idea, but if he is allowed to chase cars the hunting instinct becomes stronger, and in no time it will be very difficult, even impossible, to cure the habit. Instinct covers survival, maternal, hunting, guarding pack and self-preservation. Self-preservation makes dogs furtive and afraid of the unfamiliar, this is no use to man. This nervousness in the domestic dog is, in my opinion, one of the common causes of problems in present-day dogs. This instinct of self-preservation has been weakened by simply breeding from bold dogs rather than nervous ones, but has never been entirely removed.
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CHARITIES/CHURCHES ZURGENA branch of the Royal British Legion hold Branch Meetings 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)
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REMOVALS/STORAGE FULLY INSURED UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotransport.com 634 336 468 or Freephone UK 0800 999 33 68 (256855)
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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)
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E W N 29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería
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In 1900, 40 per cent of American cars were powered by steam, 38 per cent by electricity, and 22 per cent by gasoline.
Yamaha electrifies the competition YAMAHA MOTORS has announced that its new TY-E electric trial bike will compete for the first time in the 2018 FIM Trial-E Cup.
Designed to optimise the unique advantages of electrical power, the TY-E is scheduled to race at Auron in France on July 14-15, and at Comblain au Pont in Belgium on July 21-22. Featuring advanced new technology, the TY-E has come straight from Yamaha’s ‘Evolving R&D’ programme, where employees have the opportunity to work outside conventional frameworks. They can devote up to 5 per cent of their working hours developing new concepts, and a beneficiary of that has been the development of a trial model for competition that can overcome typical EV obstacles. Key progress in the design can be seen in the harnessing of high torque output from small
Credit: Yamaha Group
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ROCKING RIDE: The Yamaha TY-E combines power and style sized and lightweight components, creating an easy, responsive and controllable riding character. The high rotation electric motor achieves strong off-road performance with powerful low speed torque and extended acceleration. Sophisticated motor control technology achieves an excellent response and the optimised flywheel ensures top class traction.
There is a newly designed high output battery pack and a light monocoque frame that adds to the dynamic rider experience. The FIM Trial E-Cup is the only sanctioned event where electric trial machines alone can compete. Kenichi Kuroyama, who is currently competing in the IA Super class of the All Japan Trial Championship, will represent the Yamaha Factory Racing Team in 2018.
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29 March - 4 April 2018 / Costa de Almería E W N
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VOLKSWAGEN has unveiled its Brand new €57,000 SUV, and the Touareg is the most technologically impressive model ever. Its kit list might be expected on a military grade tank and includes two giant displays and advanced safety systems that use thermal imaging and night vision cams. Infrared beams will pick out animals, pedestrians and cy-
TOTAL TECH: The VW Touareg oozes sophistication and class.
clists, and the hi-tech LED lights will flash to alert drivers to hazards. The Touareg is also packed with other driver assistance systems for traffic jams, parking and roadworks, while the highlight of the new interior is the ‘Innovision’ cockpit. It has a 12-inch instrument panel behind the steering wheel twinned to a 15-inch touchscreen on the dash.
The glass covered HD screens have a customisable ‘home’ screen to display sat nav, radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A luxurious interior - covered in leather and wood - also has a four zone climate control, eightmode massage seats and mood lighting with a 30 colour choice. The car also has four USB ports, wifi hotspots, a head-up display, as well as 810 litres of
Credit: Volkswagen facebook
New Volkswagen Touareg is the wheel deal
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boot space and a metre long retractable panoramic roof. This model is longer and wider than its predecessor but sits lower to the road and features a bold chrome-covered front. Volkswagen will offer the Touareg with a plug-in hybrid as well as V6 and V8 petrol and diesel engines, while the matrix tech will even convert to left hand drive if you travel abroad.
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THE NX300h is the first compact crossover from luxury brand Lexus and the latest version features more muscular styling, equipment upgrades and is a full hybrid available with front wheel or all-wheel drive. New crossover/SUVs seem to be launched almost every other week - they are the current ‘hot’ product on the motoring scene - yet even so, the NX300h still stands out with true visual presence. Beneath the bonnet is a 2.5-litre petrol engine with electric motor and battery pack giving 195 hp. The car can run on electric power alone, helping keep emissions down to 121 g/km, and saving fuel. Top speed is 180 kph (112 mph), the 0-60 kph 9.2 seconds and fuel economy is 19.2 kpl ( 5 4 . 3 mpg).
LEXUS NX300H: A small luxury
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ROAD TEST by Nick Fletcher
Lexus NX300h Premier The NX300h has silky driving dynamics with minimal noise intrusion. Electric CVT transmission provides smooth gearshifts and the suspension set-up gives a compliant and comfortable ride. With diesel in gradual decline, sales of hybrids are increasing and NX300h prices start at €39,373 (£34,895) for models which are well equipped across the range. All models get touch-screen infotainment system, with sat-nav, Blue-
tooth, CD player/digital radio, plus dual-zone climate control and alloy wheels. My Premier test model added much more kit including upgraded sat-nav with 30cm screen and surroundsound audio system, enhanced connectivity services, 360-degree camera, intelligent parking sensors and various other convenience features, taking the price to €50,092 (£44,395). The cabin has a quality look and feel, seating is comfortable and all models get a front armrest and electric seat adjustment. The dashboard layout is very good, with most of the control buttons set high up for easy view and touch. Four adults can be accommodated with ease and a fifth if necessary. There is good rear headroom
and the rear seats recline for greater comfort. The boot offers 475 litres of space, and with rear seats folded (they don’t go quite flat) there is a substantial 1,520 litres. It is hard to fault the NX300h. Certainly there are SUVs which offer more sporty handling, but overall, this eye-catching Lexus holds a strong hand, scoring well for low emissions, fuel-efficiency and generous equipment levels.
STATS PANEL Model: Model: Lexus NX300h Premier Engine: 2.5 litre petrol with electric motor Transmission: Electric CVT auto Performance: 0-60 kph 9.2 seconds, top speed 180 kph (112 mph) Economy: 19.2 kpl (54.3 mpg) Emissions: 121 g/km Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.
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La Liga Preview
SEVILLA host Barcelona as La Liga returns after the international break looking to halt Barcelona’s unbeaten season. Las Sevillistas are looking to bounce back from two consecutive defeats, a run that has seen them sit in sixth place, just two points above Girona and Real Betis in seventh and eighth. Champions-elect Barcelona however, come into the match yet to lose a La Liga game this season and will be looking to hit the 30 games unbeaten mark in the league as they travel to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Despite making the quarter finals of the Champions League, Sevilla could find themselves outside the top six before kick off if Girona get past Levante in the early kick off.
Credit: Twitter
Barcelona aiming for 30 game unbeaten mark
UNBEATEN: Barca made it 29 games unbeaten with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao. La Liga’s surprise outfit this season, Girona suffered their first defeat in four games as they went down 6-3 to Real Madrid last time out. Four from Cristiano Ronaldo
added to with goals from Lucas Vazquez and Gareth Bale saw Girona fall to defeat despite a noble effort to get back into the game. And they will now be looking to get straight back to winning ways
with a win against lowly Levante, who find themselves in the middle of a relegation battle and sitting just one place above the bottom three. Real Madrid will look to continue their good run of form as they travel to relegation threatened Las Palmas. Madrid have lost just one in their last six, while red-hot Cristiano Ronaldo took his tally to 17 goals in his last eight games with four, and will be confident of adding to that against the Gran Canarian side who find themselves six points adrift of safety. On Sunday, second placed Atletico Madrid host relegation threatened Deportivo La Coruña. Atletico were dealt a huge title blow before the international break as they lost 2-1 to Villarreal and
moved 11 points behind Barcelona, but will look to get back on track as they welcome 10th placed Celta Vigo. Elsewhere, bottom of the table Malaga host Villarreal as they seemingly head towards relegation from La Liga. Las Malaguistas, who have picked up just 14 points all season, snatched a rare point against Celta Vigo last time out but have now gone 14 games without a win since they beat Real Sociedad 2-0 on December 10. In the weekend’s other fixtures, Athletic Bilbao play Celta Vigo on Saturday before on Sunday, Eibar host Real Sociedad, Leganes face Valencia, Espanyol take on Alaves while Getafe are against Real Betis on Monday.
Premier League preview
THE Premier League officially returns this weekend as Chelsea host Tottenham in the London derby. Tottenham can all but put Champions League football out of reach for Chelsea with a win as they look to cement their place in this season’s top four. Spurs, who will be without the injured Harry Kane for the trip to Stamford Bridge, currently sit on 61 points in the final Champions League spot and a win will move them eight points clear of fifth placed Chelsea with just eight games left to play. League leaders Manchester City head to Everton on Saturday, knowing that a win will give them the opportunity to be crowned Premier League Champions if they beat rivals Manchester United at the Etihad on April 7. However, it will not be all plain sailing for the league leaders as Everton have found a recent resurgence of form of late. The Merseysiders are looking for their third successive victory on Saturday following wins against Brighton and a 2-1 win over Stoke before the International break. Elsewhere, Manchester United begin the era without Zlatan Ibrahimovic as they host Swansea City at Old Trafford. The Swede officially completed his move to LA Galaxy late last week having not played for the Red Devils since Boxing Day. In a battle at the bottom, West Ham host Southampton with both teams sitting dangerously close to the drop-zone.
Credit: Twitter
Chelsea host Spurs in London derby as race for top four heats up TEMPERS: Spanish players lost their heads and confronted the referee following the final whistle.
INJURED: Spurs will be without injured top-scorer Harry Kane. West Ham, who gave life-time bans to ‘at least five’ supporters last week after crowd trouble and pitch invasions against Burnley, sit just one point above the relegation zone, while FA Cup semi-finalists Southampton dropped into the bottom three thanks to Crystal Palace’s win against Huddersfield. Crystal Palace themselves face a tough fixture as they host free-scoring Liverpool at Selhurst Park in Saturday’s early kick off. The Reds put five past Watford in their last game, with in-form Mo Salah grabbing four for himself as he moved clear of the injured Harry Kane in the race for this season’s golden boot. The weekend’s other fixtures will see Brighton host Leicester, Huddersfield travel to Newcastle, West Brom are against Burnley, Watford face Bournemouth and Arsenal take on Stoke on Sunday.
Rugby Europe’s decision on qualifier imminent By Benjamin Park RUGBY EUROPE is set to make a decision later today (Thursday) on whether the Spain vs Belgium Rugby World Cup Qualifier should be replayed. In a game full of controversy, Spain lost to bottom side Belgium 18-10 in a game refereed by Romanian Vlad Iordachescu and two Romanian assistants; with the result meaning that Romania automatically qualified for next year’s World Cup instead of Spain. The Spanish Rugby Federation (FER) had asked for the referees to be changed prior to
the match and is believed to feel aggrieved by an estimated 19 different decisions against them and have since asked for the game to be replayed. Following the match, Rugby Europe’s referees’ selection committee had an initial meeting in Poznan on Friday with the information then given to a conference call between the Board of Directors on Monday, at which FER President Alfonso Feijoo was present. And in a statement following Monday’s meeting, Rugby Europe confirmed that the board needed ‘additional information’ before taking an ‘accurate decision’ on the matter. The statement read: ‘Rugby
Europe Board of Directors held a conference call this evening (Monday) to share and discuss the elements related to the Spain / Belgium game, Rugby World Cup 2019 Qualifier. ‘Rugby Europe General Secretary recalled the facts and submitted the reports of the different people and groups who have been consulted. ‘Board members unanimously requested additional information (in particular those provided straight ahead of the meeting to World Rugby) before taking an accurate decision. ‘A new meeting has been planned for Thursday March 29 in the afternoon.’
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LIONEL MESSI has admitted this summer’s World Cup could be his last. He told Fox Sports: “After this (World Cup), an important generation is going to leave and many players are going to change.” Costa de Almería’s best guide to local sport
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Griezmann on the move? Striker seeks summer solution By Benjamin Park ATLETICO MADRID forward Antoine Griezmann has admitted that he wants his future resolved before he travels to the World Cup with France in the summer. The French international has been continuously linked with a move away from Madrid over the past few seasons, with runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona reportedly favourites to secure his signature in the
summer transfer window. H o w e v e r, s o m e o u t l e t s maintain that the 27-yearo l d w i l l b e o ff e r e d a bumper new contract in a l a s t - d i t c h e ff o r t t o k e e p h i m a t t h e Wa n d a M e t r o politano. And the forward himself has now confirmed that he wants his future sorted, one way or another, before he boards the plane for this s u m m e r ’s Wo r l d C u p i n Russia. G r i e z m a n n t o l d L’ E quipe: “I want to travel to Russia without this concern. “It’s not about knowing where I’ll play, but about having the peace of mind if I’m still in one place or another. “It may be boring, but I have told my sister that,
whether I stay or not, this will have to be resolved beforehand. “What bothers me the most is that everyone asks me about this issue.”
RESOLVED: The Frenchman wants his future resolved before this summer’s World Cup.
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Valverde cruises to Cataluña title SPANIARD Alejandro Valverde has won his second consecutive Tour of Cataluña after his closest competitor crashed out in the final stages. Valverde held a 16-second advantage over Colombian Egan Bernal heading in to Sunday’s final stage but cruised to victory when Bernal fell towards the end of the race. The Colombian landed awkwardly after falling less than 10 kilometres from the finish line, as he was unable to avoid contact with another rider who had fallen just in front of him. He was unable to continue following medical treatment on the track of the 155-kilometre stage and was later taken away by an ambulance for treatment on a nasty looking shoulder injury. Thirty-seven-year-old Valverde eventually finished ninth on Sunday, managing to secure a 29-second overall lead over Movistar teammate Nairo Quintana and 47 seconds ahead of Frenchman Pierre Latour in third. The final stage was won by Briton, Simon Yates, and after the race, he told British media: “It was very difficult from the beginning. “I decided to try and go early, and it paid off. I wanted to try to get on the (final) podium but I fell a little bit short.”