ISSUE NO. 1549
EWN FRONT EXTRA
Sporty kids compete THIRTY Almeria schools are participating in the Millennium Sports Games during March and April. Some schools have already competed in Almeria City and the remainder will be heading to Purchena on April 9.
Sorbas roads FIVE paths measuring 2,492 metres in Sorbas are to get some care and attention thanks to a payout by the Junta de Andalucia regional government’s municipal road plan 2014. The budget has been set at €6 million.
Martial arts GUADIX has played host to the 13th edition of the Almeria Taekwondo Open. Forty-five athletes took part in the competition, which drew spectators from across the province.
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Political football IT was a full house in Albox for a meeting between the Junta de Andalucia regional government Minister for Planning, Marie Jesus Serrano, and residents of the Almanzora Valley, affected by the illegal homes issue. Organised by AUAN Almanzora, which campaigns to bring about the legalisation of homes in Andalucia currently considered to be ‘illegal’, the minister said work on the matter was ongoing. She added that she could not confirm changes to land zoning would be done before the upcoming local elections. AUAN’s President, Maura Hillen, said it was a matter of great importance to those present that this
change came about in advance of the municipal elections. Meanwhile, the PP party in Albox are unhappy that the PSOE are using the issue of illegal houses to win votes. They said: “Where were the PSOE when the houses in
Cantoria were demolished and where were they when Mr and Mrs Prior’s house was demolished in Vera?” The PP expressed their respect and solidarity with all owners of illegal homes but they believe that it is up to the Junta de Andalucia to
solve the problem by throwing out the POTA (Territorial Plan). They concluded by saying that Maura Hillen, as President of AUAN, should maintain a position of political impartiality. More on illegal homes issue: Page 8
Slight rise in jobless figures THE number of unemployed people in Almeria Province rose slightly by 0.18 per cent in February. The figure is an increase of 136 people compared to the previous month. Compared to February 2014, however, it is a drop of 2.97 per cent which equates to 2,347 people. Historically, the province usually sees an increase in unemployment figures in February, but the figure is still 136 people fewer than in February 2006. Male unemployment fell by 254 men and rose by 390 women, with men making up 49.5 per cent and women 50.5 per cent. In January and February €26.96 million was spent on combating unemployment, benefiting 39,239 people.
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INDEX News 1 - 34 Finance 35 - 40 Leapy Lee 41 Daily TV 48 Time Out 54 - 55 Letters 56 Health & Beauty 61 - 63 Food 65 - 69 Albox 70 - 75 Property 78 - 79 Homes & Gardens 81 Classifieds 82 - 84 Motoring 85 - 86 Sport 87 - 88
TIME TO GO: Four councillors resign from Garrucha Council.
Council crisis
COUNCILLORS Mari Paz Bonet, Alonso Soler, Isabel Paredes and Bernado Simon have resigned from the council in Garrucha and the Partido Popular (PP). This leaves the town’s mayor ruling in a minority. According to the councillors, the decision was motivated by a host of reasons including differences in working methods as a team as well as ‘undemocratic activities’ by Almeria Province’s PP.
The councillors have waived all job roles and responsibilities, with immediate effect, as well as all privileges associated with the positions, including offices, mobile phones and salaries. They have suggested that the mayor uses the money saved to pay a number of sports monitors in the town who have been without payment. The councillors wish to thank Garrucha’s residents for their support over the years.
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NEWS Junta funding ALMERIA town councils are to receive €19,833,559 from the Junta de Andalucia to hire unemployed people in community projects. The amount was announced by Junta representative Adriana Valverde. Poster released PULPI Town Hall has unveiled the new poster for the upcoming Holy Week. Black Bass from Pulpi was responsible for the design which features a weeping Virgen del Carmen. Events begin March 20.
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Church cheque thefts POLICE have arrested two people accused of fraud after cashing two cheques stolen from a church. They were taken from a drawer in the church of San Antonio de Padua in the Havana neighbourhood of Ciudad Jardin. Allegedly, the cheques were stolen by a person the police called ‘the Brain’
who then forged signatures and passed them to the two people to cash for €8,700. The Brain has fled with part of the booty to Stockholm in Sweden. The investigation began in February 2015 when the parish announced the cheques as missing. Four or five days previously the cheques were presented at a
bank. Bank staff, concerned about the validity of the two cheques, worth €4,350 each, contacted the parish to see if the priest had authorised the transaction. This raised the alarm at the church, prompting checks. Police then went on to arrest 21-year-old MA and 28-year-old JJA on suspicion of theft.
Junta help THE Junta has helped make life easier for a disabled homeowner in Velez Blanco by carrying out improvements on the ground floor of her home. The lady has a severe degenerative disease Almeria walking THE province has launched its hiking trails for 2015 with 65 routes and trails planned which is expected to see 5,000 participants. The season kicks off with Laroya. Registration is €5 or €15. Chirivel improvements THE province of Almeria has announced improvements to the town of Chirivel. Projects planned include a municipal warehouse and a multipurpose centre.
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Oria video
MINISTER of Justice, Emilio de Llera, has condemned the controversial video showing young men tied up at Oria’s youth centre. He described it as a montage from someone who had spurious motives.
Four years ALMERIA’S criminal court has sentenced a mother and daughter to four years in prison for attacking a security guard after they were stopped in their attempt to shoplift from an El Puche supermarket.
German Vera FOLLOWING a similar meeting with Brits in Vera, the town council has met with members of the German community. The meeting was to address needs and concerns and to hear ideas. Velez Blanco VELEZ BLANCO has marked International Women’s Day with several events in town for the female population. Events included a workshop aimed at boosting female values and a castle visit.
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Fifteen days DISGRUNTLED marble workers in Fines have been promised a compromise with regards to unpaid wages. The compromise from the Junta is to be carried out within 15 days PASSION OF CHRIST: Believed to be the oldest religious play in Europe.
Getting passionate about Christ at Lent
PEOPLE in Cervera in Lleida, Cataluña, take to the stage once a year at Lent to put on what is believed to be the oldest religious play in Europe. The play, a six-hour-long stunning representation of the Passion of Christ, is believed to have started in 1481 as notes found in the regional archives detail payment for building a stage for the play in that year. At the end of the 15th century it was a custom for religious representations of the story of Christ to be put on inside Cervera’s Santa Maria church, and notes have also been found from rehearsals for the play in 1534 when almost all the parts were played by priests. The Council of Trent (1545-1563), one of the Roman Catholic Church’s most important ecumenical councils, banned all non-liturgy events from churches, forcing the traditional plays to move out-
Quote of the Week It would be good for democracy if the Head of State was voted in rather than inheriting the title and I think King Felipe VI would be likely to win an election as he is very popular,” Podemos anti-austerity political party leader Pablo Iglesias said during an interview.
side to the Plaza de la Sebolleria square next door. Citizens continued with their traditional representations for many years, eventually moving inside theatres, until the start of the Spanish Civil War brought performances to an end. In 1940, the people of Cervera decided to recover the tradition and staged a modernised version of the Passion at the Teatro Principal for Lent. On March 12, 1967, the performances moved to the Gran Teatro de la Pasion de Cervera, with space for 2,200 spectators. Tourism Minister of Spain Manuel Fraga declared the performances of public interest in 1969, and the plays, which have been enhanced with modern sound and lighting effects, stage extensions and costumes copying traditional apparel, have been a constant success ever since with shows held every Sunday during Lent.
Number of the week
€23,500
is the amount the Spanish House of Commons spent on buying and repairing iPads in the last three months of 2014. The House provides every representative with an iPad as they are considered necessary for their work.
Huercal roads WORK is currently being carried out on various roads in Huercal Overa. Mayor of Huercal Overa, Domingo Fernandez, and councillor for Districts, Emilio Perez, visited the work to check progress.
Barcelona thieves A MARRIED couple from Barcelona have been arrested in El Ejido for stealing electronic goods from a shopping centre. The stolen goods were worth in excess of €2,400.
Drug trafficking A COURT has suggested four years in prison for two women who were caught by police while trying to smuggle heroin and cocaine. The Hungarian and the Russian were caught with 75.5 grams of drugs.
And finally... A GRANADA family has gathered more than 65,000 signatures in a week in support of Nicolas and Inmaculada, a Granada couple that was given a 21-month jail sentence and a €3,000 fine after neighbours complained about their dogs’ barking.
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La Mojonera thieves arrested GUARDIA CIVIL officers have arrested two individuals for suspected theft and a third for allegedly receiving stolen goods. The officers arrested 19-year-old AET and 35-year-old AEM on suspicion of thefts from a private dwelling in the town of La Mojonera. The men are alleged to have stolen two television sets, two mobile phones and a piggy bank containing cash. The police were alerted to a robbery in progress when the owner of the property surprised the thieves while they robbed his home. The officers also received a description of a vehicle at the scene. Officers were able to trace the vehicle which in turn led them to the stolen items and the suspected thieves. The investigation also led them to a third
TELEVISION SETS: Stolen along with mobile phones and some cash. person who had taken possession of one of the televisions. The other television was found concealed in bushes.
The detainees, along with the case details, have been passed to the magistrate’s court for processing.
Operation Reckless OFFICERS from the Guardia Civil have detained three people in Operacion Imprudente (Operation Reckless) after an incident ended
the life of a worker. A worker was perched on the top of a 14 metre high power line on the AL-2301 in Nijar when he suffered an electric
shock which threw him to the ground. The injuries sustained caused his death. The Guardia Civil officers began an investiga-
Our View
There is definitely spring in the air
C
OULD it be that the cold winter winds of the crisis are finally behind us? Dare we look ahead to a new and revitalised Spanish
lifestyle? It may simply be that Spring is knocking on the door, and the days are getting longer which gives us at the EWN a skip in our steps and the warm reassuring feeling that 2015 is going to be the turning point. We suspect it may also have something to do with the fact that the housing market is showing promising signs of growth for the first time in 10 years. Or maybe that the unemployment figures are at the lowest they have been for the last three.
But everywhere you turn there seems evidence that subconsciously people can feel the wind of change, although they may be nervous to admit it so as not to bring a curse on it. The golf courses have been manicured. The tennis courts have been painted, and the beaches are clean. The hotels have made the beds, and the town hall steps have been scrubbed. Semana Santa (Easter week) is on the doorstep, and the tourist season nearly upon us. Whatever the reason for this elated spirit, it’s time to Spring clean! Out with the old and in with the new. Start that new business, build that extension, buy that new bikini, and look forward to a bright new Spain.
Have your say and leave your comments at www.euroweeklynews.com
tion which analysed health and safety regulations and any lack of observance of such. The investigation included the analysis of the network, operation and distribution of stations, substations and power lines, direction of current, the different lines of tension in the area and the protocols of the company responsible for the maintenance contract. The result of the complex and laborious investigations revealed that the deceased had failed to tie a harness to the pole and had not established the presence of voltage. His team was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and a crime against workers’ rights by means of gross negligence because they didn’t stop the worker from climbing the pole without the correct safety measures in place. Forty-nine-year-old MBD from Almeria City, 41-year-old AM from El Ejido and 35-year-old JMPP from Roquetas de Mar have all been passed to the Court of Instruction in Almeria for processing. The officers have not ruled out further arrests.
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More bottle banks THE 48 municipalities of Almeria are to get 172 new glass recycling bins in addition to the 484 already in place. The installations form part of an initiative by Almeria’s waste management consortium.
Saving lives HUERCAL DE ALMERIA is holding free health workshops at the town hall. The remaining dates are March 19 and 26 from 10am until noon. The sessions focus on basic lifesaving techniques.
Green light ALMERIA Provincial Council has given the green light to works in five areas totalling more than €3.2 million. The works are focused primarily in the more rural areas of Almeria.
New kit VIATOR Council has delivered brand new sportswear to two local athletes, Maria Jose Rueda Castillo and Indalecio Navarro Torres, ahead of their imminent appearance at the Andalucia Surfcasting championships.
Racing record THE eighth edition of Albox’s Carrera Nocturan smashed its attendance records, according to the town hall. It announced that 275 runners took part in the race through the streets of Albox after dark at the end of February.
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Guardia Civil on target in Gador THE Guardia Civil has been celebrating two shooting championships and an Olympic trap competition. The championships began on Tuesday
March 10 and end tomorrow, Friday March 13, during the afternoon. This is the 21st sports shooting championship, the 27th instinctive shooting championship and the first Olympic trap. The events have been organised by the Guardia Civil and the town of Gador, where the events are being held. The championships are the first step in the selection process for a national team which will go on to represent the Guardia Civil in competitions which see civilians, and the military compete against each other at naLuis Rogelio Rodriguez-Comendador (second left) tional and international welcomed the new buses to the Almeria fleet. level. The competitions all take place at the shooting range in Gador’s Mediterranean Games centre from 11.30am on each of the four days.
City bus fleet increases
ALMERIA City Council has added five new buses to its fleet, including a new ‘caterpillar’ bus for the university route, bringing the number to three. The new articulated vehicle is 18 metres long with capacity for 109 passengers. It is destined for the university line where demand and density has been increasing rapidly. The route also covers the town hall so will benefit council workers and visitors. The announcement of the new buses was made by Almeria’s mayor, Luis Rogelio Rodriguez-Comendador, during his visit to view the five new vehicles. He spoke of the advanced technology of the vehicles and added: “The municipality is committed to renew and modernise the fleet vehicles.” He reiterated the subsidies available to pensioners and the disabled.
Boulevard works get under way WORK has just begun on the Boulevard Pescaderia in Almeria City with a budget of €120,000. The restoration work involves cleaning the floor of the boulevard, removing rubbish and debris. There are also schedules set to renew the greenery along the entire stretch. The reforestation of the area will be using elements and species of flora already present in the area. A number of stone walls are being constructed to encase the greenery and to keep it secure. According to Almeria City Council, the work is expected to last eight weeks. It comes as part of an aesthetics’ initiative to establish parks, cycle lanes, paving and leisure spaces around the city’s core.
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Race reaches milestone COUNCILLOR for Equality in Almeria, Carolina Lafita, has announced the final number of women and children who participated in the third edition of the Race for Women.
“This year has exceeded all expectations,” said Lafita. “We have achieved the challenge we had set of reaching 2,000 participants. In fact, the figure was far exceeded because
we reached 2,136. “Therefore, we can announce this third edition of the race to be a success.” A total of 1,612 women and 524 children joined the race which encompassed a circuit through the city centre. There were three distance choic-
es to run, ranging from 2,000 metres (one lap) to 5,000 metres (three laps). Mayor of Almeria, Luis Rogelio RodriguezComendador, also added his support. He said: “We have been overwhelmed by the race, proving that once again when we plan something, we get it.”
RACE FOR WOMEN: Numbers exceeded expectations.
Targeting the elderly LOCAL POLICE officers have arrested two Romanian women who are accused of deceiving and robbing elderly people outside banks. The two women were wanted by seven courts across Spain and had outstanding warrants for their arrest. The two are alleged to have approached their elderly victims claiming to be part of a charity organisation and asking for donations. The police allege that if donations were not forthcoming the two women, aged 20 and 25, used the time to pickpocket wallets.
Fire scare in El Ejido FIREFIGHTERS evacuated an El Ejido building after a fire broke out. The blaze, in a third-floor property on El Ejido Boulevard, began at 5am on Saturday March 7. There were no casu-
alties, although a five-year-old child was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and recovered quickly. Residents were able to return to their homes shortly afterwards.
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Poison alert POISONED meat is reportedly being left in areas where people walk their dogs around Arboleas. The authorihave been advised of the incidents.
RBL Mojacar MOJACAR branch of the Royal British Legion next meets on March 19 at the artisan centre in the pueblo at 11.15am and welcomes everyone, whether ex-services or not.
Wacky event BAR LA PLAZA VILLARICOS is hosting a Wacky Races event on Saturday May 16 to raise funds for local charities. Call 950 467 590 to enter or sponsor a team.
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Disappointment for campaigners CAMPAIGNERS for compensation for people who in good faith bought illegal Spanish homes have seen what they called “a golden opportunity” snuffed out in the Senate. Members of the Partido Popular (PP), meeting in the Senate Justice Commission to review a series of proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, voted against all amendments submitted by other political parties. This included a PSOE proposal to guarantee compensation prior to demolition to those who unknowingly purchased illegal properties. A spokesperson for AUAN, an association
representing Britons in Almeria affected by the issue of illegal houses in Spain, said: “The procedure for dealing with amendments to the Criminal Code is not yet concluded and the Senate is due to vote on March 12. However, given the attitude of the PP and given that the PP has a majority in the Senate it is unlikely that this amendment will now be approved. This is a blow for the victims who need justice now and a lost opportunity.” AUAN continued: “It seems that there is a lack of understanding of the impact of demolitions without prior compensation to purchasers in good faith. Not only
with respect to the violation of the human rights, the fundamental rights and the constitutional rights of the individual, but also the economic impact on society as a whole with regard to the reputation of Spain abroad and the confidence “From AUAN’s point of view, we continue to encourage all those who work towards legislation that is more just for all citizens. We always have a little hope but we are always prepared to face disappointment. Today is a day of disappointment. However, we will not give up and will continue to work for what we believe in and we believe in justice.”
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NEWS EXTRA
Boat rescues
CALMER weather brings a rise in immigrant attempts to reach Spain by boat. Emergency services have rescued 68 people from two boats off Almeria’s coastline.
UGT robbery POLICE are investigating a break-in at the UGT headquarters on Calle Javier Sanz in the provincial capital. Equipment and cash were taken.
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New business in Huercal Overa MAYOR of Huercal Overa, Domingo Fernandez, has been visiting new businesses in the town which have benefited from start-up subsidies. Over the coming weeks the mayor and Councillor for Employment, Monica Navaro, are visiting the 40 entrepreneurs who received subsidies in the latest round to see how their new ventures are progressing. In total, 80 new businesses have been launched with the subsidies, creating
Domingo Fernandez (left) with one the beneficiaries of the start-up subsidies. approximately 100 jobs. The initiative continues throughout 2015 with a
third call and €100,000 of aid available to entrepreneurs.
Mojacar kitesurfer takes on Europe AT just 11 years old, Osaia Reding has been selected to participate in the European Junior Freestyle Kitesurf championships to be held at Saint Pierre la Mer in the South of France from April 10 to 13. She will be in competing in the ladies nine to 19year-old category. Last year, Osaia participated in the Junior World Kitesurf Championship (PKRA) in San Pere Pescador, Catalonia, where she was the youngest competitor and was placed third in the world in the 11 to 14 category. This is her first participation in a European
HIGH HOPES: Osaia enters European championships. championship so the stakes and hopes are even higher. Her excitement and enthusiasm leads her to practise her favourite sport of kitesurfing off the beaches of Mojacar, opposite the Hotel Indalo,
whenever the wind blows. The town hall in Mojacar is proud to support the young athlete by being one of her sponsors, as it did last year when she competed in the World Championships.
Two more added to Calle Pisces investigation TWO more men have been added to the 10 suspects arrested in connection with the burning to death of a man in Calle Pisces in Villablanca, Almeria in November 2014. The man died in what is suspected to be a drug trafficking gang attack. Within 48 hours of the incident, the police had arrested four men and four women in
an operatrion which stretched across the province. Three of those arrested have been identified as alleged participants in a robbery in Cadiz where more than €150,000 was stolen. The burning victim was of foreign descent and approximately 40 years of age.
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Sol supermercado lends a hand SOL Supermercado and their customers in Albox have helped local food banks. The supermarket arranged a collection box for dried and canned foodstuffs which customers have generously been filling over the last few months. Vera and District Lions Club have organised its distribution to local food banks which are providing help to those people who are struggling in the current economic climate. Sol Supermercado will continue to collect goods in the coming months. In appreciation of the valuable work done, Sandie Tinkham, President of Vera and District Lions Club, presented the ladies of Sol Supermercado and their customers with a Certificate of Appreciation.
APRRECIATION: Lions President Sandie Tinkham thanks Sol Supermercado. Vera and District Lions Club works within the local community helping groups, charities and individuals as need arises.
Sister wars in the street A WOMAN has been admitted to Torrecardenas Hospital with stab wounds in her back, allegedly administered by her 24-year-old sister. Police officers from Gador and Huercal rushed to the scene and arrested the 24-
year old while emergency services cared for the victim. The incident occurred on the street at a little after 3pm on Saturday March 7 in Alhabia, 30 kilometres from Almeria City. The victim’s condition remains stable.
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Park opens THE 20,000-squaremetre Parque de la Estacion has finally opened in Almeria fter eight months of work. It is situated between the Ronda road and Sierra de Alhamilla street.
Gitano trees APPROXIMATELY 100 gypsy residents of the Pampanico neighbourhood of El Ejido have been planting trees to improve the area’s image.
ITV station VEIASA has been awarded the construction of a new ITV inspection centre in Las Tres Villas. It will have capacity to carry out 14,000 annual checks.
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Tomato prices plummet SOME tomato types have lost 50 per cent of their value in the last 15 days, according to data from Asaja Almeria.
Asaja (the association of young farmers) indicated that the average drop in prices was 26 per cent, with the price
paid to farmers only €0.30 a kilogram. An Asaja spokesman said: “Right now farmers are selling at below produc-
Women on course to boost business MORE than 20 women have taken part in a course in Huercal Overa to learn e-commerce and boost their businesses using the power of the internet. The course, which was hosted by the town hall, is part of an initiative to promote gender equality as driven by the provincial council. Mayor of Huercal Overa, Domingo Fernandez, said: “The initiative has been well received. Trade is a mainstay of our town and traders
E-COMMERCE: Using the internet to boost sales. are seeking new technologies and tools as a positive measure to further promote their
businesses and sales.” More courses are planned for the rest of March.
tion costs, losing an average of €0.10 per kilogram. The vine tomato fell 50 per cent in price in just 15 days, and in just the last week this variety lost 31.8 per cent, depreciating to €0.14.” Emergency meetings are now taking place to address the climate of unrest that is sweeping through Almeria. Meanwhile, Moroccan supply has increased by 8 per cent since January 2015, indicating that the price drop is not due to an excess of supply in the market. Francisco Vargas, president of Asaja, concluded: “Temperatures will rise and, considering the results we’ve been getting in all our horticultural products, we are facing the worst results in recent years and it will be difficult for farmers to sustain this loss of income.”
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Desert trail THE second edition of the Tabernas Ultra Desert Trail is to be held on March 21 and 22. The success of last year has been blown away this year because 2014’s 186 participants has grown to 800.
Sewage works HUERCAL DE ALMERIA has completed the sewage works on Calle Golondrina and part of Calle Ruiseñor. The work puts an end to the numerous leaks that had been plaguing the area for years.
Pechina jobs THE municipality of Pechina has announced employment offers in the town with a large increase during March. Twenty four people have been offered full time contracts of 35 hours for one month.
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Two smugglers arrested NATIONAL POLICE officers have arrested two people smugglers responsible for transporting immi-
grants from Algeria to Spain. The two were intercepted just off the coast of Almeria with 22
other immigrants, including two minors, in late 2014. The inflatable boat, six feet long by two
feet wide and powered by an outboard engine, was spotted by the provincial maritime service nine nautical miles off the Mojacar coastline. After months of research, the police were able to ascertain the full involvement of the two citizens in the management and coordination of a criminal group dedicated to the the good parts of my voice.” Will.i.am responded harshly: smuggling of foreigners “Sink or swim. It’s a battle. from the Algerian coast to You’re not supposed to be com- Almeria shores. Of the two individuals, fortable in a battle” But when the two girls took to one was already identified the stage, Sheena forgot her in an investigation in 2013 misgivings and belted out the as the leader of a group of classic soul number with gusto 10 people dedicated to smuggling of immigrants and passion. Rita Ora loved the perfor- by boat. The police were able to mance and added: “There’s nothing better than seeing two establish the two men had females actually supporting each charged between €500 and €800 per person to smugother.” It was Will’s decision that mat- gle them into Spain. When tered though and he kept the the boat was intercepted, girls on tenterhooks before he the two smugglers instructenthused: “Sheena - tonight you ed the passengers what to shined,” and put her through to say to the authorities in order to avoid detection. the next round.
Mojacar singer goes through to next round of BBC1’s The Voice MOJACAR fans watching The Voice on BBC1 were thrilled to see 26-year-old Sheena McHugh from Coalville in Leicestershire go through to the next round in the singing competition. Euro Weekly News readers will remember that Sheena was chosen by Spectrum FM to sing their Mojacar song to promote the Costa Almeria. Sheena was paired with Holly Barry for their stage battle, and Will.i.am chose Aretha Franklin’s Sisters are doin’ it for themselves for the two girls to sing. Sheena was concerned about the song choice. Speaking to Will.i.am, Sheena’s mentor for the competition, ahead of the battle, she said: “It takes away
SHEENA: Through to next round.
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Photography winners exhibition now on THE Museo de Almeria is currently hosting photographs from the win-
ners and runners up of the recent Andalucian Institute of Youth (IAJ)
photography competition. Director of the IAJ, Raul Perales, and Alfredo Valdivia from the Junta inaugurated the exhibition which can be visited from 9am to 7.30pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 3.30pm at weekends and on fiestas. Among the works that comprise the exhibition are samples from Maria Florencia Rojas, an Argentinian girl based in Malaga, and Ana Maria Ponce from Granada. The two girls won first and second prizes respectively. Other notable inclusions are from Sevilla’s Maria Cristina Aldehuela, Madrid’s Eva Fuentes and Almeria’s Maria Estela Garcia.
HANDCRAFTS: Some women still practice bobbin lace and macramé.
Old traditions are kept alive AS part of International Women’s Day the mayor of Almeria, Luis Rogelio Rodriguez Comendador, spent time with 260 women, examining handcrafts and skills that are as alive today as they ever were. The mayor met with the ladies at Ego Sport Centre in the provincial capital to see firsthand some of the traditional artisan products still being made using old techniques around Almeria.
The mayor said: “We wish to thank all these women for their effort in keeping these traditions alive despite the technological and digital age in which we now live. It is very difficult to interest the younger generations in these traditions so thanks to these women, the bobbin lace craft and macramé are still a reality today.” The meeting was attended by several women’s organisations to promote gender equality.
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ONCE promotes gender equality ONCE came up with a ticket design to help promote gender equality to coincide with International’s Women’s Day and under the banner, Equality Benefits Everyone. Five and a half million
coupons were issued for the sweepstakes, as announced in a meeting with representatives from ONCE. Deputy general manager for ONCE, Patrico Carceles, and Andalucia delegate for
ONCE, Cristobal Martinez, presented an image of the new coupon to the minister for Health and Social Policy at the Junta de Andalucia, Jose Maria Sanchez Rubio, and the head of the Andalucian Insti-
tute of Youth, Carmen Cuello. “The coupon recognises the value of women’s struggle for equality, displays ONCE’s commitment to equality and serves as a platform for the whole of society,” said
Patricia Carceles. Sanchez Rubio thanked ONCE and added: “This invites us to conduct a joint reflection that should lead to action to achieve a fairer society.”
Security forces are on the ball IN a week that has seen the IS terrorist recruiter Samira Yerou apprehended as soon as she touched down at Barcelona airport, it would appear that the Spanish anti-terrorist forces were back in action on Tuesday in Ceuta with the capture of another two Jihadists in a dawn raid. A statement from the Ministry of the Interior said the two Moroccan men arrested this morning have Spanish nationality, and are part of an active terrorist cell of which four other
members were arrested back in January. They also added that these men were prepared and poised to launch an attack on Spanish soil. Seeing as the two pairs of brothers arrested in January were described as “fitting the same profile as the Kouachi brothers” (responsible for the attack on the Charlie Hebdo offices on January 7 in Paris) it looks like the proactive fight against terrorism is very much ‘on the ball!’
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Man dies caving in Pupli A MAN has died whilst caving in Almeria. The 42-year-old was in the Geoda Cave in the municipality of Pulpi, which houses a unique rock formation and is popular with caving enthusiasts from around Europe. The man is believed to have fallen down a crevice.
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NEWS
€6m for rural road repairs AS part of the road improvement plan, Almeria Provincial Council is to make investments of over €6million for improvements to rural roads across 63 municipalities, benefiting more than 400,000 square metres of tarmac. Council President Gabriel Amat highlighted the commitment of the council to rural areas in the province and
stressed that these roads served to provide access to farms and ranchers. “It is a work which on one hand aims to improve the safety of drivers on them, while the local economy of the 63 municipalities will also be energised,” he said. Roads in Sorbas will receive a total investment of around €110,000, with Amat announcing that the contract has been signed, awarding the work to the company,
Eiffage Infraestructuras SA, who will pave five rural roads over a total of 2,492 metres. It will repair and return them to their previous state after they were affected by the heavy rains that battered the area a few months ago in the Sierra de los Filabres and the Almanzora Valley. The roads will retain their existing layout and width, but gutters will be added to held with surface rain flow.
Half of fatalities were not wearing seatbelts ALMOST half of those killed on Almeria’s roads in traffic accidents in 2014 were not wearing a seatbelt. According to data provided by Provincial Traffic Almeria, 44.4 per cent of people killed on the roads who should have been wearing seatbelts, were not. Coincidentally, all of those killed without wearing restraints were all drivers. Seatbelts are the most
effective safety device in a vehicle and reduces by half the chances of someone dying in a road traffic accident. The death toll of those travelling without a seatbelt in the province of Almeria is higher than in the whole country, which stands at 22 per cent. A total of 2,193 people were fined last year in the province for not wearing seatbelts.
E W N 12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
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NEWS PHOTOGRAPHS KINDLY PROVIDED BY MARK CLIVERD
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NEWS EXTRA
Greenhouse photos A GROUP of greenhouses in Almeria is the subject of an aerial photography series by German photographer Bernhard Lang. The complex covers around 350 square kilometre, the world’s largest.
Farming museum A FARMHOUSE in Andarax park is to be turned into a museum. The hope is that it will become a reference point for new generations on how Almeria farming worked in the 1930s, 40s and 50s before the first greenhouses appeared.
New bins EL EJIDO is installing 150 new waste containers (100 for the collection of municipal solid waste, 25 for paper and cardboard and 25 for the collection of light packaging) to replace bins damaged, vandalised or deteriorated over time.
READY FOR THE OFF: Seventy walkers took part.
ON THE ROAD: Route covered 12.5 kilometres in Lubrin.
Amigos walk for MACS
EXPAT and Spanish communities joined forces to support a local cancer charity with a sponsored walk. Seventy walkers went on a 12.5-kilometre hike in Lubrin and in so doing showed the high esteem that MACS (Mojacar
Against Cancer Support) is held by Spaniards and expatriates alike. The community spirit was felt from beginning to end and a sense of commitment prevailed for a service which so many people may need now or in the
future, said organisers. Amigos de Lubrin and MACS would like to thank Lubrin mayor, Domingo Ramos Camacho, who participated in the walk and provided access to many extra facilities, and to Ana from the tourist office and town hall.
Thanks go also to: Amador who opened Bar la Tasca for the event; event initiator and leader Mike Moran, and providers of food, drink and cooking, Juan Manas and Maria, Peter, Joaquina from Spar, David, Fran Cook and Geoff; Karen for posters and networking; Olive Properties for a large donation, and Sophia Wellness Centre for support. MACS, a registered charilibrary, and development of the ty, offers help and support open spaces in the mouth of the to people with cancer and Andarax. Work will continue on to their carers. Amigos of the airport expressway, the main Lubrin were very happy to entry and exit to the city from the give €950 to this worthy cause. area of Almeria Levante.
Mayor plans big improvements ALMERIA’S Mayor, Luis Rogelia Rodriguez-Comendador, has listed a number of projects he plans to initiate, should he remain in power after the May elections. The mayor said he intends to
further improve the city with projects like the elimination of the level crossing at El Puche, rehabilitation of the former headquarters of the Local Police, which will accommodate the new municipal
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NEWS
Viagra trafficking gang arrested POLICE in Premia de Mar, Barcelona, have caught an international Viagra trafficking gang which sold more than 150,000 tablets a month. Mossos d’Esquadra police force sources declared
that a 53-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman from Pakistan and India respectively had been arrested for illegal drug trafficking, smuggling and belonging to a criminal gang.
Adra recognises its valued women TOWN HALLS and municipalities across the region have marked International Women’s Day. In Adra, more than 700 people attended the Gala of Women, organised by the town hall, providing a night of tributes and reflections. Councillor for Women, Alicia Heras, read the manifesto of support for women, supported by all associations in the town and focused on full equality of rights. Heras said: “Despite the many accomplishments that have been achieved, there are still several inequalities, such as access and permanence in the labour market, wage discrimination, low participa-
tion and representation of women in positions of responsibility.” The councillor added: “Only when women participate actively and equally in all sectors of public and private life, can we have a fairer society.” Mayor Enrique Hernando thanked the women of Adra for making the town what it is today. He paid tribute to local women for their work with 40 representatives of various groups and associations taking to the stage to support the two women being honoured. They were Matilde Vargas Campoy, from the Partnership for a Better Life, and Carmela Cuellar by the Association of Women in Adra.
Police intercepted deliveries of more than 400,000 tablets.
More cash for Almeria fire crews ALMERIA is to add 10 firefighters to its ranks. Mayor Luis Rogelio Rodriguez-Comendador, speaking at the Firefighters Patron Saint celebrations, made the announcement as he pledged to ‘improve the provision of facilities for the body of firefighters in the capital’ in order to greater ‘manage the safety of the city.’ The budget has also risen this year meaning that the acquisition of another fire engine will be possible in the autumn and further investments will be made to improve existing equipment. “All this is further proof that we are fulfilling the commitments made to the professionals of this body,” the mayor said. Last year 1,087 interventions were recorded with crews attending 566 fires, 153 rescues and 368 technical assistances like home inspections, flooding and gas leak inspections.
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Man jailed for six years for aiding immigrants A MAN has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Provincial Court of Almeria for helping illegal immigrants enter the country.
The Algerian citizen, aged 33, was skippering a boat with 10 people on board; charging each of them €800 for the journey from
the coast of Oran, Algeria to the Spanish coastline. The dinghy boat was 4.3m long and 1.5m wide and did not have any security or safety measures on board with the court saying the man had put the occupants at danger. He was convicted as the perpetrator of a crime against the rights of foreign nationals. The boat was located by the Maritime Service of the Guardia Civil in be carried out and the final layer May last year sailing around three nautical of tarmac applied. miles south-east of Mesa Serrano said the new section of Roldan. motorway was vital to the people The occupants were of Almanzora and Albox because taken to the port of it is “an obstacle to traffic, road Almeria, where they safety and socio-economic develwere treated by the Imopment of the area.” The inframediate Response Team structure will benefit people living Emergency (ERIE) Red in 28 municipalities, with more Cross humanitarian aid than 70,000 inhabitants. team.
Albox motorway section to be completed by May THE Albox stretch of the Almanzora motorway is due to be completed by May. The Minister of Public Works and Housing of the Junta de Andalucia regional government, Maria Jesus Serrano, visited the works to check their current status and complications of this infrastructure. Technicians reported that drainage and signalling need to
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More employment for Tijola’s young TIJOLA’S unemployed people are to work to improve public spaces. Territorial Delegate of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment, Adriana Valverde, held a meeting with Mayor of Tijola, Mario Padilla, to develop projects under a range of schemes to help recruit young unemployed people aged 18-29, to carry out works and services of municipal interest. Tijola has now hired 54 youngsters to refresh urban public spaces in the town and maintain gardens and parks as well as cleaning and security work in the
Land change MODIFICATION of the General Urban Plan (PGOU) has been approved by the full council in El Ejido to change the classification of land on the road to Almerimar and the Bahia of San Miguel. The change has been approved so that greenhouses can be installed on the land.
streets and neighbourhoods. Valverde also highlighted the recent approval by the Governing Council of the Decree Law on urgent measures to promote employability measures, stability in employment and promoting selfemployment. The Andalucian Government is to allocate more than €422 million to further promote employment programmes and Almeria Province will have €19.8 million to carry out projects of social and community interest in municipalities which may hire unemployed youth.
Almeria man arrested in drug-gang bust A MAN has been arrested in Almeria accused of being part of an international network of drug traffickers. He was one of 24 individuals arrested as police dismantled the gang dedicated to drug trafficking based in Melilla with branches in different Spanish provinces, including Almeria, and countries such as Holland and Germany.
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NEWS
Survey measures level of concerns SPANISH residents’ concern about corruption and fraud has decreased, according to a report by the Centre for Sociological Investigations (CIS). The study conducted in February shows that it was a concern mentioned by 48.5 per cent of people interviewed, as opposed to 55.5 per cent in January and 60 per cent in December. Even though corruption still sits in second position of Spanish citizens’ biggest worries, it has dropped by more than 15 points since November of 2014, when it sat at 63.8 per cent. The study was created through 2,500 interviewees carried out between February 2 and 11 and shows that the main concern continues to be unemployment (78.6 per cent).
SPANISH PEOPLE: Concern over corruption decreased. Amongst unemployed people, 49.4 per cent thought it unlikely they would find a job this year, while in January the figure was 51.3 per cent. According to the report, optimism levels regarding the financial situation have grown, with a 2 per cent increase of people who think that things will get better within the next year.
Financial problems are the third most mentioned concern (24.9 per cent) and fourth position went to the political class and parties (20.1 per cent). Concern about healthcare has increased by 2 per cent, to 12.1 per cent. Worries over social problems also increased by 7 per cent and education by more than 2 per cent.
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down, you need enough space to mirror, signal and manoeuvre around it safely. If you get bumped from behind, leaving a gap may save your vehicle from colliding with the one in front. Keeping right unless overtaking Vehicles should keep right on roads with two lanes or more, unless overtaking. In built up areas, with two or more lanes, drivers should take the lane which best serves their destination. This lane should not be changed unless overtaking, stopping, unloading or turning off. In all instances, drivers should not block or hinder the normal flow of traffic from behind. Overtaking Overtaking is a potentially hazardous manoeuvre and must never be done on a bend, in limited visibility, on pedestrian crossings, on approaches to crossroads or intersections, or in tunnels. When overtaking a cyclist, drivers must
leave a minimum gap of 1.5 metres between their vehicle and the cyclist, at all times. Overtaking on the right hand side is prohibited in Spain. Negotiating roundabouts On approaching a roundabout, take notice of all the information available such as traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings, which can direct you to the correct lane depending on your exit. As a general rule, it is usually safest to keep to the right lane until you need to exit the roundabout. Signal before the exit you intend to take and use your mirrors to ensure there is no one behind who will be inconvenienced by your turning off. We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Línea Directa please call 902 123 309. More information on Línea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com. SAFE DRIVING: Drivers need to be prepared for the car in front of them to stop suddenly.
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Women of Spain demand equality THOUSANDS of people took to the streets across Spain on Sunday March 8, to call for equality between women and men to mark International Women’s Day. In Madrid, thousands joined a protest march called by more than 40 women’s groups which filled the streets of the heart of the capital city. During the march, which travelled along Calle Alcala from the Plaza de Cibeles to the Puerta del Sol, women chanted feminist slogans and brandished posters
demanding equal rights and pay and protesting against violence. Speeches given at the protest, which many Madrid politicians attended, blamed continued cases of gender violence on lack of budgeting to fight the problem and demanded free legal abortions for all. The upcoming local, regional and general elections are an opportunity for women to take part and exercise their rights, feminist groups stated. Citizens in Valencia
also marched for true equality between men and women. Equal pay for equal work and the right to abort were the main subjects at the march, organised by Coordinadora Feminista group. Gabriela Moriana, spokeswoman for the group, said: “Women have come out today because where equality and gender violence are concerned we are going backwards. Not only have we failed to reach the point we should be at, we’re actually getting further from it.”
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Public Prosecutor opposes DNA tests THE Public Prosecutor’s Office attached to the Spanish Supreme Court is against DNA tests being carried out on the former king of Spain. The prosecutor’s office supported the appeal presented by former King Juan Carlos’ lawyers against the admission to court of a paternity suit by Belgian woman Jeanne Sartiau, Europa
Press has reported. The office insists that the case should not be taken any further than a suit based on court hearing laws, stating: “Under no circumstances should the suit be accepted if no proof is provided.” The fact that a different version to that presented at the courts was given on a television programme by the woman,
who claims to be King Juan Carlos’ illegitimate daughter, was also mentioned in the statement. The Supreme Court agreed in January to hear the case, ignoring the Public Prosecutor’s arguments that the proof provided and the existence of a relationship between the former head of state and the woman’s mother were not credible.
Gas bottle users set to save THE price of a ‘bombona,’ the traditional orange butane gas bottle used in many Spanish homes, has fallen by 9.7 per cent in Spain. The government announced that the price of 12.5 kilo bottles, a typical sight for anyone living or visiting Spain, will be €15.80 for March and
April, and may see further reductions in May and June, due to a new formula used to calculate prices for liquid gases derived from petroleum. Although that is the official price, there may be variations as commission is paid to delivery men.
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Cyclists may be made to have insurance CYCLISTS should not only wear a helmet regardless of age, but also be registered and have mandatory liability insurance. These measures are proposed by the Department for road safety at the Institute for International Political Science in Madrid in a recently released report. The institute states that Spain’s leniency towards cyclists is contributing to creating risky situations in cities and towns. The reason for this is that cyclists are practically never held liable for the traffic accidents they cause Cyclists should therefore hold a mandatory liability insurance, given that
SAFETY RISK: Insurance for cyclists. they create certain safety risks for pedestrians and other road users, according to the researchers behind the report. The Institute believes it should also be possible for the police, and others involved in a bike accident, to identify cyclists via a visible licence plate.
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E W N 12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería COSTA BLANCA SOUTH
Marihuana raids TWO marihuana plantations found in Murcia were using electricity illegally from the national grid causing power cuts in the area. Five people have been arrested.
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News from our editions With six editions and read by more than half a million people, EWN is Spain’s largest free local English-language newspaper
A MAN tricked art dealers in Murcia into giving him a number of paintings, promising to pay for them later. He gave false personal details at several establishments in the city.
A POLICE clamp down on drugs in Torre Pacheco saw numerous inspections and searches taking place at pubs and clubs in the town. More than 100 people were questioned and 11 were arrested for being in Spain illegally.
Sporting activity A NEW multi-sports facility has opened in Pozo Aledo, San Javier, following an investment of €35,000 from the town hall.
COSTA BLANCA NORTH
Landmarks lost BENIDORM lost control of its Castillo and Tossal after the government delayed designating them cultural assets (BICs). Located inside the maritime demarcation line, they are now the Coastal Authority’s responsibility.
Birthday boy THE first Asian rhinoceros ever born in Spain recently celebrated its third birthday in Benidorm’s Terra Natura. Its keepers presented the rhino, named Susto, with fruit and branches shaped liked the number three.
Fast reaction
AXARQUIA
English lessons
Walking for equality MORE than 800 people took part in Nerja’s fifth edition ‘Walk for Equality’ celebrated last Saturday (March 8). Equality Councillor, Gema Garcia stressed: “Women do not want to have more rights than men, but not fewer either.”
Police problems
Police raids
do voluntary community work instead of paying fines for minor offences.
AN English course for tourism purposes has been launched by Almuñecar Council, earmarked at workers in tourism fields such as commerce and hotel industry to help them improve their services.
Art con
THE opposition IU party of Almoradi has criticised the ruling PP party for a lack of police, saying that the €13,000 spent recently on overtime could have employed new officers.
NEWS DESK
NOW USED: New use for an old path.
New route for La Vila hikers
A FORGOTTEN Villajoyosa path is now a hiking route with magnificent sea views. The 18-kilometre Ruta del Cantal starts out from the La Ermita district and crosses the countryside to the El Cantal ridge. “We have recovered an area of great beauty with this route,” declared Villajoyosa’s councillor for Sports, Pedro Ramis. “Collaboration with a 3.2 per cent increase and €984.67 million turnover. Exports jumped 6.7 per cent to €454.46 million.
Marina overhaul THE regional government invited tenders for a €3 million contract to remodel Calpe’s Puerto Blanco marina. The revamp specifies 110 moorings for 15-metre boats, reinforcing the breakwater and dredging.
COSTA DEL SOL
Better image
A BEAGLE that ate sausages laced with needles in Cabo de las Huertas (Alicante City) was saved because its owner immediately saw what happened. The Guardia Civil are now investigating.
THE run-up to the Andalucian elections on March 22 will be a much tidier affair this year in Marbella as social media and electronic noticeboards have officially replaced posters and glue as the way to share electoral propaganda.
Toys boost
Quiet please
NATIONAL sales of Alicante-produced toys rose last year for the first time since 2011
AS of next July, developers in Malaga City applying for first occupation licences will
from the Sendes i Muntanyes walking club has been fundamental,” he said. The walk is long, but not difficult and because it starts near the AP-7 exit and the N-332 it will be easily accessible to out-of-town walkers and hikers. “We are very satisfied,” Ramis added. “We always work with the clubs and when Vileros work together, we get good results.” have to prove that the properties are sufficiently soundproofed as part of a city scheme to fight acoustic contamination and improve citizen’s quality of life.
Players welcome MORE than 4,200 national and international sportsmen from 92 different teams spent time training in Benalmadena in 2014 and generated almost €1 million in income for the area.
Fugitive caught A BRITISH man wanted by UK authorities for burglary has been arrested in Fuengirola. The 28-year old fugitive is wanted for burglary and suspected of being involved in a number of break-ins in 2013-2014.
Community work NINETY-THREE people have so far made the most of a regulation which came into effect in Mijas last July allowing locals to
Charity race FOR the second consecutive year, Rincon de la Victoria will participate in the charity race ‘In Real Time,’ which will take place on March 15. It will simultaneously take place in other places such as Madrid, Valencia and Ethiopia.
Certified pool THE Spanish Swimming Federation has certified Torre del Mar’s municipal pool, which is now allowed to host national swimming, synchronised swimming and water polo competitions.
Cycling victory JAEN runner Manuel Beltran won the fifth edition of the ‘City of Almuñecar’ cycling race, celebrated last Sunday (March 8), which drew a total of 220 cyclists from all corners of Andalucia.
MALLORCA
Equality parade MORE than 200 people paraded around Palma streets last Sunday (March 8) to show their support towards gender equality on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.
Man injured A MECHANIC was severely injured in Palma after the trailer he was working on fell on his thorax, causing a cardiac arrest. The 36-year-old man was taken to Son Espases hospital where he remains critical.
Restricted parking MANACOR Council is looking to approve a new regulation to limit parking space in the Cala Varques beach area to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety in case of an emergency.
For more local news from our regions see www.euroweeklynews.com … EWN top for all the news from Spain.
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
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inance F
12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
business & legal Ortega’s fortune drops ZARA boss Amancio Ortega slipped to fourth place on the 2015 Forbes Rich List. For the second year running Microsoft’s Bill Gates, estimated to be worth $79.2 billion (€71.64 billion), headed the list. Mexican magnate Carlos Slim with $77.1 billion (€69.74 billion) came next, followed by US
investor Warren Buffett’s fortune of $72.7 billion (€65.76 billion) The Inditex chief’s $64.5 billion (€58.34 billion) wealth grew last year by ‘only’ $500 million although Forbes pointed out that this was largely caused by depreciation of the euro.
Department store has to tell THE taxman is on the tail of big spenders at El Corte Ingles. In 2008 the National Office of Fraud Investigation (Onif) attached to the tax authority, Hacienda, requested details of clients who racked up €30,000 a year or more on El Corte Ingles cards. The department store was given a month to supply the names and addresses of these customers as well as their card numbers and bank details. Failing to comply would be considered an offence, Onif warned. The department store objected and appealed to the High Court, which in 2012 sided with Hacienda.
El Corte Ingles again appealed, this time to the Supreme Court which has once more taken the tax authority’s part. The Supreme Court took the same line that it applied to 4B credit cards by ruling that a duty exists to provide information and collaboration whenever required by Hacienda. There have been at least 10 similar rulings in recent years, obliging banks and credit card companies to supply information even when users are not under investigation. This has included itemised records of users’ spending and not merely a final balance figure.
Forbes lists 21 Spaniards who boast a combined wealth of $116.3 billion (€105.20 billion). Five others - Francisco Jose Riberas Mera, Juan Maria Riberas Mera, Leopoldo del Pino, Isidoro Alvarez, Jose Maria Aristain and Enrique Bañuelos - lost their places this year.
B
usiness extra
Not our fault BANKIA’S customer care service received 48,298 complaints from customers last year. The part-nationalised bank settled 11,903 cases in the client’s favour and refused to investigate a further 2,396 complaints.
Not now THIS is not the moment to increase taxes, said Finance minister Cristobal Montoro. He was responding to calls from European thinktank and monitoring agency OECD to bring in more green taxes.
Big UK contract for Ferrovial FERROVIAL secured a €1 billion contract to construct part of the 25kilometre Thames Tideway tunnel. Together with Laing O’Rourke, Ferrovial will build the middle section of the €5.77 billion tunnel beneath central London. The BAM and Balfour consortium was allocated the western section of the tunnel, while a consortium headed by French company Vinci, will
build the eastern zone. The new sewer will tackle overflows from the capital’s existing 19th century system that spills millions of tons of sewage into the river each year. The contract due to be signed this summer underlines Ferrovial’s presence in the UK, currently the construction, services and concessionary group’s principal market.
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STAT OF WEEK DEFENCE exports fell by 24.3 per cent to €1.37 billion in the first half of 2014 compared with €1.82 billion in 2013. The government suspended 15 licences to sell anti-riot equipment to Venezuela.
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM / ANDY METTLER [WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION // WWW.EWNBUSINESS.COM
EWN
BILL GATES: Again top of the Forbes Rich List for 2015.
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E W N 12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
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PRICE
CHANGE NET / %
Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. $ 6.61 Celladon Corporation $ 24 Digirad Corporation $ 4.88 Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. $ 6.12 Diamond Foods, Inc. $ 30.34 Calithera Biosciences, Inc. $ 14.67 Finisar Corporation $ 22.23 Retrophin, Inc. $ 15.37 Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. $ 18.40 3X Inverse Gold ETN Velocityshares $ 78.7556 Barclays Inverse US Treasury Composite $ 36.401
0.99 ▲ 17.62% 2.54 ▲ 11.84% 0.48 ▲ 10.91% 0.59 ▲ 10.67% 2.86 ▲ 10.41% 1.36 ▲ 10.22% 1.90 ▲ 9.35% 1.31 ▲ 9.32% 1.46 ▲ 8.62% 6.0356 ▲ 8.30% 2.761 ▲ 8.21%
Most Advanced
Most Declined Energy Recovery, Inc. Hurco Companies, Inc. Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. Tuniu Corporation Meru Networks, Inc. Royal Gold, Inc. Curis, Inc. Caesars Acquisition Company Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. VelocityShares 3x Long Gold ETN
$ 2.79 $ 29.71 $ 7.10 $ 12.85 $ 12.63 $ 2.36 $ 63.03 $ 3.04 $ 6.58 $ 6.05 $ 10.5299
0.47 ▼ 14.42% 4.86 ▼ 14.06% 0.91 ▼ 11.36% 1.60 ▼ 11.07% 1.54 ▼ 10.87% 0.27 ▼ 10.27% 6.13 ▼ 8.86% 0.29 ▼ 8.71% 0.62 ▼ 8.61% 0.54 ▼ 8.19% 0.9301 ▼ 8.12%
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) CHANGE Centrica 241.95 -0.05 Coca-Cola HBC 1,153.00 -2.00 Compass Group 1,154.00 -15.00 CRH 1,772.00 -25.00 Diageo 1,911.75 -16.75 Direct Line Insurance 340.00 -1.70 Dixons Carphone 437.60 0.20 easyJet 1,668.00 -12.00 Experian 1,177.50 -9.50 Fresnillo 699.50 1.00 Friends Life Group 422.60 -6.90 G4S 297.30 2.00 GKN 360.20 -1.20 GlaxoSmithKline 1,544.75 -15.25 Glencore 291.80 2.30 Hammerson 657.50 -10.00 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,164.00 -6.00 HSBC Holdings 569.60 1.60 Imperial Tobacco Group 3,203.00 -17.00 InterContinental Hotels 2,639.50 -21.50 International Consldtd Air 545.75 -4.25 Intertek Group 2,571.00 -15.00 Intu Properties 342.50 -5.50 ITV 248.00 1.50 Johnson Matthey 3,355.00 -32.00 Kingfisher 355.50 -7.90 Land Securities Group 1,236.50 -28.50 Legal & General Group 279.50 -1.10 Lloyds Banking Group ORD 80.95 -0.48 London Stock Exchange 2,439.00 4.00 Marks & Spencer Group 502.75 -8.25 Meggitt 559.50 2.50 Mondi 1,332.50 -14.50 Morrison (Wm) Sprmrkts 206.10 0.10 National Grid 863.20 -2.30 Next 7,497.50 -32.50 Old Mutual 225.10 -2.00 Pearson 1,443.50 -6.50 Persimmon 1,722.00 -26.00 Prudential 1,658.75 -12.75 Randgold Resources 4,638.00 57.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group 5,775.00 -25.00 Reed Elsevier 1,127.50 -9.50 Rio Tinto 2,895.00 -22.50 Rolls-Royce Group 992.75 5.75 Royal Bank of Scotland 376.60 0.50 Royal Dutch Shell 2,016.75 -13.25 Royal Dutch Shell 2,124.75 -15.25 Royal Mail 425.15 0.15 RSA Insurance Group 411.65 -6.35 SABMiller 3,705.75 -35.25 Sage Group (The) 486.00 -5.40 Sainsbury (J) 276.70 0.10 Schroders 3,103.00 -48.00 Severn Trent 2,007.00 -24.00 Shire 5,212.50 -22.50 Sky 986.50 -9.50 Smith & Nephew 1,127.50 -16.50 Smiths Group 1,183.00 4.00 Sports Direct Internatnl 681.75 0.25 SSE 1,517.00 -1.00 St James's Place 936.00 -9.00 Standard Chartered 1,035.50 11.50 Standard Life 442.25 -2.75 Taylor Wimpey 147.80 -1.50 Tesco 240.90 -1.60 Travis Perkins 1,994.00 -16.00 TUI AG 1,151.00 -12.00 Tullow Oil 355.05 1.85 Unilever 2,840.50 -30.50 United Utilities Group 911.50 -13.50 Vodafone Group 217.80 -2.10 Weir Group 1,820.00 7.00 Whitbread 5,245.00 -60.00 Wolseley 4,062.00 -28.00 WPP Group 1,533.00 -8.00
% C H G. -0.02 -0.17 -1.28 -1.39 -0.87 -0.50 0.05 -0.71 -0.80 0.14 -1.61 0.68 -0.33 -0.98 0.79 -1.50 -0.51 0.28 -0.53 -0.81 -0.77 -0.58 -1.58 0.61 -0.94 -2.17 -2.25 -0.39 -0.59 0.16 -1.61 0.45 -1.08 0.05 -0.27 -0.43 -0.88 -0.45 -1.49 -0.76 1.24 -0.43 -0.84 -0.77 0.58 0.13 -0.65 -0.71 0.04 -1.52 -0.94 -1.10 0.04 -1.52 -1.18 -0.43 -0.95 -1.44 0.34 0.04 -0.07 -0.95 1.12 -0.62 -1.00 -0.66 -0.80 -1.03 0.52 -1.06 -1.46 -0.95 0.39 -1.13 -0.68 -0.52
VOLUME 12,024.74 4,208.52 19,494.82 14,642.17 48,509.45 5,125.50 5,035.47 6,673.10 11,749.89 5,147.20 6,051.88 4,581.86 6,001.16 75,874.99 37,905.53 5,235.17 5,549.53 109,148.63 30,818.33 6,283.08 11,213.94 4,172.82 4,582.60 9,938.66 6,940.56 8,542.73 10,000.23 16,673.45 58,119.63 8,448.39 8,356.15 4,455.69 4,946.73 4,810.27 32,544.90 11,511.38 11,142.82 11,888.30 5,356.93 42,920.44 4,244.84 41,623.96 12,888.65 41,257.72 18,485.42 23,942.13 79,090.12 52,224.79 4,250.00 4,244.74 60,371.83 5,291.33 5,294.71 7,121.97 4,866.94 30,888.47 17,121.41 10,226.95 4,654.16 4,078.54 14,982.25 4,908.78 25,320.36 10,654.96 4,857.42 19,698.25 4,998.93 N/A 3,216.46 36,848.12 6,307.47 58,294.44 3,868.60 9,627.32 10,636.01 20,272.50
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
www.euroweeklynews.com
12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
EWN
37
Copy writing and translations PROFESSIONAL writing services are not something many make use of despite their importance to business. Proven, a single spelling mistake on a website’s home page will reduce sales by 50 per cent. It suggests professional sloppiness and possible fraud. Although there is a pressing need for both translators and copywriters in Mediterranean Spain, there is little demand for either of these services. I may be wrong but I put this down to businesses here being more laid back than their northern European counterparts. There is perhaps a shortage of hard-nosed business professionals. Translating is of course the simple
Talking shop Mike Walsh Mike Walsh was for 20 years Regional Assessment Manager for the Guild of Master Craftsmen, Britain’s biggest quality assurance body for businesses.
www.michaelwalsh.es • 966 786 932
conversion of say English to Spanish or Russian. The translation will be a faithful copy of the original content. Like for like is rarely good. Russians who translate into English are fine at grammar but the results fail to communicate in a
way we are comfortable with. It is wooden and written in bureaucracyspeak. Russian businesses tend to favour copywriters whose first language is English. Copy-writing is a creative trade in which there is a need for word empathy. The copywriter takes uninspiring content and ‘sexes it up’: You sell the steak, the copywriter sells the sizzle. Fees charged for either services can be modest or challenging. Like much else in life you get what you pay for. Many translators are doing it ‘on the side.’ They have only their time to consider. These translators are inappropriate for such as legal and official docu-
ments that require a notary’s stamp. The copywriter is rarely paid his true worth. He or she takes your product on its blank sheet of paper and creatively spins a web of enticement to attract interest and buyers. Their fees are often high. So they should be. You see an advert; he sees many hours of inspired concentration. Their job is to create masterpieces out of a basic sales pitch. The true business professional does not count the cost of the investment as he expects returns to be far higher. A good copywriter can quadruple sales. You cannot put a price on that.
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E W N 12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
Are you the grumpy boots at work? Loose change RIGHT ATTITUDE: Make your work a happy place.
A look at finance for females
Jane Plunkett jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews.com
OUR jobs may fall under the word ‘work,’ but that doesn’t mean that we have to be miserable while doing them! Just today at the Health Centre I noticed that the receptionists that take the appointments always have long sour faces on them. Granted, their jobs are detailed and somewhat tedious at times, but being gloomy while working isn’t helping matters! I am not asking that they jump around and sing like they are in a Broadway musical, but cracking a smile now and then wouldn’t hurt. Find the right attitude: Just because someone pays
you to do something does not mean you can’t enjoy it or at least use the experience to help you get a job that you will enjoy. Given that most of us spend more waking time working than we do anything else,
putting in some effort to make our work gratifying for us too will have lasting implications, both in and out of the office. A bad attitude breeds a bad working environment, so being more cheerful can only make work a more pleasant place to
spend time. Acknowledge stress: If work for you is a pain, then it’s a good idea to try and figure out what it is that’s causing tension in your job. Maybe you can change the way you operate to ease the
Does he need to file a Tax Return? Q. Do I still need to do a yearly tax return? I have lived here for 11 years and always filed a Spanish income tax return. Each year I have received a refund because my income is modest and the bank had withheld Spanish tax on the interest payments they made to me on my capital. I own half a property in Madrid with my former partner. The Spanish rates, IBI, are paid every year, and there is a mortgage on the property of €90,000. It is my resident prop-
You and the Law in Spain By David Searl
A. Yes, you need to declare for Spanish income tax. There really is no set figure below which you do not need to declare. It is in your own best interest to declare each year. Keep in mind that declaring for tax and paying tax are two different things. First, as you say, after you apply your exemptions from Spanish income tax, including your deduction for being over 65, you will not owe any tax, so the Tax Agency will return to you any amounts
erty, which I have owned since 2011. I am an official resident and a pensioner, 67 years old. My English old age pension is basic, around €10,000 per year, and I have savings of about €25,000 in the bank at a ridiculously low rate of interest. I am not married. So, do I still need to make a return? If not, do I need to tell the tax office that I no longer need to send in a return? Can you advise? B.P. (Madrid) withheld by the bank. Even if this is now a very small amount. You may also have a reduction for your mortgage payments. This reduction was cancelled in 2013, but those who obtained their mortgages earlier are still entitled to it. Secondly, if you later wish to sell your Madrid property, you will find you can escape Spanish capital gains tax entirely on any profit you make. This is because you are over 65, the property has been your primary residence for three years, and you are a tax resident of Spain. You can obtain a certificate from the Tax Agency that you are tax resident even if you do not declare, but it is better to present three years of tax declarations.
Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.
stress. But, if this is not possible, then just acknowledge the stress and let yourself understand that you can’t change things, so you just have to accept things as they are and not get extra aggravated. Whether you are dismayed by your role, or your productivity, sometimes even just allowing yourself to acknowledge the flaws can be very freeing. You can only start to work on the problems after you admit them. Plan ahead: Think about what you want out of your job? Do you want more responsibility at work? Or less? Are you thinking about going off on your own? Start writing down your goals so that you have a clearer idea of where your career might be taking you. Sometimes a tough job can be a great training ground for future ventures. An ideal stepping stone, so enjoy every moment.
BUSINESS EXTRA
Foreign affairs CONSTRUCTION and services group OHL hopes to duplicate turnover to €8 billion between now and 2020. It has presented to Spain’s stock market regulator CNMV a strategic action plan centring on the US, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Spain and the Czech Republic which generate 85 per cent of OHL’s business.
Tower deal ABERTIS agreed to buy a 90 per cent stake in Italian company Wind Telecomunicazioni for €693 million. This will raise cash for Wind’s Russian parent company while Abertis, which also has interests in toll roads and broadcasting, will become Europe’s leading operator of telecommunications’ towers once the deal goes through.
No comeback TWO former Telefonica executives who each paid more than €1 million tax on stock options under 1999 legislation were refused compensation although the law was revoked as unconstitutional. They were told the Constitutional Tribunal made it clear that cases like theirs with a final ruling would not be reviewed.
OPINION & COMMENT
www.euroweeklynews.com
12 - 18 March 2015/ Costa de Almería
EWN
41
Watch out for the media manipulators OTHERS THINK IT
O
NCE again I was interested to see the new series of politician ‘rappers’ put out by Sky news this week. These heavily manipulated adverts, somewhat irreverently, portray our esteemed leaders as twitching entertainers informing us they are bringing down the deficit and so on. To my mind, by presenting these highly technical images, the media moguls have actually shown us all just how much they can in fact meddle with any of the information they gather before delivering it to its unsuspecting viewers. It’s all very well to make their technically tweaked twitchers
but this obviously unedited piece actually made Blair look even worse than what’s ‘er name who runs the current Green party. It was so laughingly bad, I actually got then spouse Pauline out of bed (no m e a n feat!) t o
360B / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
appear humorous (The one that presented a completely different ‘Queen’s speech’ some years ago I found particularly funny), however the practice can also be extremely misleading, and indeed dangerous. Some years ago, when the Murdoch media turncoats were scurrying around to appease their boss’s new mate Tony Blair I had cause to be watching Sky around 6am. They put out what was obviously the first airing of an interview with Blair, who was then leader of the opposition. I forget the gist of the interview,
watch it when it came around again. We duly waited in bated anticipation for its next airing. Finally on it came. Well. Frankly it was like a different interview all together. In the interim period of the two broadcasts, the bulls... boffins had hacked and honed the piece to such an extent, that his eloquence and wit shone through like a war deliverance of Winston Churchill. (Thanks Sky news, you nearly led to fisticuffs between me an ‘er indoors!) Far from coming over as a complete idiot, Blair looked unreservedly like a completely acceptable leader of the future. The media TONY BLAIR: Looked like a completely acceptable future leader.
has an enormous power to manipulate and influence the public. Consequently it is honour-bound to retain the highest standards of responsibility, truth and integrity. So do us a favour all you wags in the cutting and editing rooms, keep it light. Wouldn’t like Twitter and all your social media rivals out there to make you all out to be the power mad morons many of you actually are, would we! One thing they can’t control is the sub-titles for the deaf. Lovely one this week which interpreted Zimbabwe as Simm of Way. Now that’s what I call really manipulating the truth. By the way. Has anyone ever seen Andy Murray look smart in anything!?
Keep the faith. Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com
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E W N 12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de AlmerĂa
Thursday BBC ONE 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm MasterChef 9:00pm EastEnders 10:00pm Comic Relief: Operation Health 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:45pm Question Time 12:45am This Week
BBC TWO 5:15pm Three Up, Two Down 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Nature's Weirdest Events 9:00pm The Great British Sewing Bee 10:00pm Banished 11:00pm Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe Extra 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am This World
ITV 4:00pm Tipping Point 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:15pm ITV News and Weather 7:45pm Emmerdale 8:45pm UEFA Europa League Live 11:10pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:55pm The Great War: The People's Story 12:55am River Monsters
CH4 5:20pm Couples Come Dine with Me In South Wales three couples are cooking up a feast. 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Supervet 10:00pm Cucumber 11:00pm Gogglebox 12:05am Troy
CH5 4:10pm Cedar Cove: Homecoming 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Classic Car Show 9:00pm Britain's Worst Crimes 10:00pm Holiday Love Rats Exposed 11:00pm The Mentalist 11:55pm Extraordinary People 12:50am Access
SKY1 4:00pm Emergency Abroad 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Arrow 10:00pm Forever 11:00pm Flintoff: Lord of the Fries 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles
Friday BBC ONE 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm Comic Relief - Face the Funny 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:40pm Comic Relief - Face the Funny 2:00am Comic Relief - Making it Funny for Money
BBC TWO 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm A Cook Abroad 9:00pm Mastermind 9:30pm Gardeners' World 10:00pm Quelle Catastrophe! France with Robert Peston 11:00pm The Great Comic Relief Bake Off 11:40pm Newsnight 12:10am Artsnight
ITV 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Bear Grylls: Mission Survive 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights 12:40am 10,000 BC
CH4 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Million Pound Drop 10:00pm Gogglebox 11:00pm Kick-Ass 1:20am Cheltenham Festival Highlights
CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Gadget Show 9:00pm Angry Brits: Caught on Camera 10:00pm NCIS: New Orleans 11:00pm NCIS 11:55pm Law and Order: Special Victims Unit 12:50am True Crimes: The First 72 Hours
SKY1 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Flintoff: Lord of the Fries 10:00pm Stella 11:00pm Quiz Nights 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles
Saturday BBC ONE 5:30pm Six Nations Rugby Union 7:55pm BBC News 8:05pm Regional News 8:10pm Weather 8:15pm The Voice UK 9:30pm The National Lottery 10:20pm Casualty 11:10pm BBC News 11:25pm Weather 11:30pm Match of the Day 12:50am The Football League Show
BBC TWO 4:30pm The Great British Sewing Bee 5:30pm Final Score 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Gardeners World 7:30pm Afghanistan: A Service of Commemoration 8:30pm How We Got to Now with Steve Johnson 9:30pm Dad's Army 10:00pm Hockney 11:45pm Enigma 1:40am Puppet on a Chain
ITV 5:05pm Off Their Rockers 5:35pm Big Star's Little Star 6:35pm Local News and Weather 6:45pm ITV News and Weather 7:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:00pm Saturday Night Takeaway 9:20pm You're Back in the Room 10:20pm The Jonathan Ross Show 11:20pm ITV News and Weather 11:40pm Mercury Rising 1:40am Jackpot 247
CH4 5:15pm Come Dine with Me 5:45pm Come Dine with Me 6:15pm Come Dine with Me 6:45pm Come Dine with Me 7:15pm The Simpsons 7:40pm Channel 4 News 8:05pm The Restoration Man 9:00pm The World's Weirdest Weather 10:00pm Bridesmaids 12:30am True Lies 3:00am The Million Pound Drop 3:55am Hollyoaks Omnibus
CH5 4:45pm Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole 5:40pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 6:40pm The Nightmare Neighbour Next Door 7:30pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 8:20pm Police Interceptors 9:15pm 5 News Weekend 9:20pm NCIS 10:15pm NCIS 11:10pm CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:05am Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
SKY1 5:00pm Modern Family 5:30pm Modern Family 6:00pm Modern Family 6:30pm Modern Family 7:00pm Modern Family 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Holidaymakers 9:00pm Hawaii Five-0 10:00pm Lethal Weapon 2 12:15am Karl Pilkington: The Moaning of Life
TV LISTING
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Sunday BBC ONE 6:00pm Songs of Praise 6:30pm BBC News & Regional News 6:50pm Weather 6:55pm The Big Painting Challenge 7:50pm Countryfile 8:45pm The Voice UK 10:00pm Poldark 11:00pm BBC News 11:20pm Regional News 11:25pm Weather 11:30pm Match of the Day 2 12:40am Comic Relief: The Best Bits
BBC TWO 4:05pm Hi-De-Hi! 4:35pm Flog It! 5:35pm Galapagos 6:35pm Super Cars v Used Cars: The Trade Off 7:35pm Pompidou 8:00pm Comic Relief: The Best Bits 9:00pm Top Gear 10:00pm Dragons' Den 11:05pm Bluestone 42 11:35pm The Revolution Will be Televised 12:05am Burke and Hare 1:30am Lone Star 3:40am Countryfile 4:35am Holby City 5:35am This is BBC Two
ITV 3:40pm Tipping Point 4:40pm Licence to Kill 7:10pm Local News and Weather 7:20pm ITV News and Weather 7:30pm Celebrity Chase 8:30pm Off Their Rockers 9:00pm All Star Family Fortunes 10:00pm Mr Selfridge 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:15pm Bear Grylls: Mission Survive 12:15am LV Cup Rugby Highlights
CH4 3:00pm The Big Bang Theory 3:25pm Step Up 4: Miami Heat 5:30pm Location, Location, Location 6:35pm Channel 4 News 7:05pm A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 8:00pm Four Rooms 9:00pm Great Canal Journeys 10:00pm Indian Summers 11:00pm Britain's Racist Election 12:05am Eclipse
CH5 4:50pm Surf's Up 6:25pm A Bug's Life 8:10pm 5 News Weekend 8:15pm Lara Croft: Tomb Raider 10:00pm Killer Elite 12:20am Revolver
SKY1 3:00pm The Simpsons 3:30pm The Simpsons 4:00pm The Simpsons 4:30pm The Simpsons 5:00pm The Simpsons 5:30pm The Simpsons 6:00pm Moone Boy 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm About a Boy 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm Wild Things 9:00pm The Flash 10:00pm Hawaii Five-0 11:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles
Monday BBC ONE 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Inside Out 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Panorama 10:00pm New Tricks 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm Have I Got a Bit More Old News for You 12:30am Live at the Apollo
BBC TWO 6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Top Gear 9:00pm University Challenge 9:30pm Only Connect 10:00pm Kew on a Plate 11:00pm House of Fools 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather
ITV 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Arthur and George 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm The Jonathan Ross Show 12:45am A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones
CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:30pm Dispatches 9:00pm Food Unwrapped 10:00pm Britain's Benefit Tenants 11:00pm Raised by Wolves 11:30pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 12:35am 24 Hours in A and E
CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Gadget Show 9:00pm Police Interceptors 10:00pm Gotham 10:55pm Gotham 11:50pm Outbreak 2:15am Super Casino
SKY1 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm The Holidaymakers 10:00pm Moone Boy 10:30pm Arrow 11:30pm Critical 12:30am Hawaii Five-0
Tuesday BBC ONE 4:45pm Holiday of My Lifetime 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Ordinary Lies 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm Life After Suicide 12:45am The Double
BBC TWO 4:00pm Wogan - The Best of 4:45pm Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em 5:15pm Three Up, Two Down 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm The Hairy Bikers and Lorraine Pascale 9:00pm Back in Time for Dinner 10:00pm Horizon 11:00pm Nurse 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather
ITV 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm UEFA Champions League 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm UEFA Champions League: Extra Time 12:40am Carry on Up the Jungle
CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Mary Portas: Secret Shopper 10:00pm One Born Every Minute 11:00pm Gogglebox 12:00am First Dates
CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Police Interceptors 9:00pm Costa Del Casualty: Benidorm ER 10:00pm The Benefits Estate 11:00pm Most Shocking TV Moments 1:55am Super Casino
SKY1 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Modern Family 9:30pm Modern Family 10:00pm Critical 11:00pm Forever 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles
Wednesday BBC ONE 4:45pm Holiday of My Lifetime 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 9:00pm MasterChef 10:00pm The Billion Dollar Chicken Shop 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm A Question of Sport 12:15am Hollywood Homicide
BBC TWO 5:15pm Three Up, Two Down 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Britain's Got the Builders In 9:00pm Stargazing 10:00pm Back to Earth 10:30pm Eat to Live Forever with Giles Coren 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather
ITV 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Big Star's Little Star 10:00pm DCI Banks 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm Pop Gold 12:40am Duran Duran: One Night Only
CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Three in a Bed 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm First Dates 12:00am My Self Harm Nightmare
CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Trauma Doctors 9:00pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 10:00pm My Violent Child: My Secret Shame 11:00pm Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite 12:30am Neighbours
SKY1 3:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 4:00pm Emergency Abroad 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Wild Things 10:00pm Lethal Weapon 2 12:15am Stella
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E W N 12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
OPINION & COMMENT
The scales of justice are flipped on me! 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.
L
AST week I told you about how a house painter took my new car to buy more paint and disappeared. He never returned that evening so in outrage I went directly to the Guardia Civil to announce the crime and plead for justice. I was going to have my pound of flesh knowing well in advance the client was going to roast me alive slowly. No, I was gonna get the culprit at least hung, if not worse. I insisted the papers that needed filling out were for Car Theft - nothing less. They took an hour to fill out, writing down the vivid details and my embellished adornments. When we had
finished the sergeant pushed his chair back from the desk took a hefty long deep breath and started to pontificate. “Plankey,” the wizened man pronounced, “this painter is from our village, he hasn’t the money to pay you for the car, if he did take it as you say. “Furthermore putting him in jail will incur the fury and reprisal of the wife, her family and her distant cousins. Their dire predicament is the cause of your denouncement and the custom is for them to encamp at the front door of your house, announce to everyone within shouting distance the cruelty you have poured upon them. “After all, you did give him the keys. They will plead for
LOOKING BACK IN MOJACAR
NOT GUILTY: In Spain no such truth exists, no one would ever be found guilty. shelter, food, and become more than just a general nuisance… you will be deemed responsible in the entirety for
their plight. As the children become hungry or catch cold for the circumstances you have thrust upon them reprisals will be taken, day or night. Against you or any of your family they will all be deemed justified and warranted.” H i s mouth snapped shut. My brain exploded. The balloon of my anger had been pricked and whooshed away. Gone. As my eyes glazed over and my breathing became faint, my head started spinning uncontrollably and I instinctively fell back into the
bench. All the laws and understanding of how justice should be - flashed away while sitting on a hard wooden bench in a place called Turre. “Your only chance,” whispered my newly acquired mentor, “is to drop the issue until we can find the car. “Then, once knowledgeable of all the circumstances we will know what type of report to file. If it was stolen you can prosecute the painter, but what good is that if he has no money and you are going to set loose all his relatives upon you? Furthermore, if stolen, the insurance company doesn’t have to pay.” Hell, where I grew up they still hung horse thieves. But apparently in Spain no such truths exist, especially of the universal kind, wherein without considering situational circumstances. It seemed to me no one would have ever been guilty over here for anything. A truth I didn’t really want to learn.
Promises are like piecrusts Cassandra Nash
A weekly look - and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene
IN order to crawl out of recession Spain and Portugal introduced unloved austerity measures imposed by Brussels that hurt the most vulnerable of all. So did Greece, whose new president Alexis Tsipras was elected on the strength of promises to reverse austerity. The EU predictably called him to heel and Tsipras has now accused Spain and Portugal’s conservative governments of conspiring against him, fearful of the rising Left. Of course they fear the Left but their lack of support stems from believing that if they did it by the book and at great cost, then Greece can too. Neither Spain nor Portugal lied to join the single currency, neither frittered away the shoals of shimmering euros that flowed
from Brussels and used them to live beyond their means. That Greece did all this is not Tsipras’s responsibility. Making promises that Brussels and other EU partners will not allow him to keep is his fault and noone else’s.
subjects. Not necessarily. Picture a syllabus devised by mildewy clerics and imparted by earnest proselytisers with pat answers. Now picture theories posed by cool Stephen Hawking with his wheelchair and synthesised voice. Conflict? No contest!
Getting it right ANGEL GABILONDO, a former Education minister, is the PSOE’s candidate for the presidency of the Madrid autonomous region. He substitutes Tomas Gomez, a regional politician more popular with his own coterie than the party. Neither was Gomez popular with the electorate, leading the socialists to their worst-ever beating in Madrid during the 2011 regional elections. Gabilondo can certainly do no worse and possibly will do considerably better. He’s off to a good start with a call for politicians who care more about the population than internal party
By invitation only
STEPHEN HAWKING: No contest affairs, but how many will heed his words? Starting with his own party?
with regard to his theories. to evaluate ‘an understanding of the divine origin of the cosmos.’ The return to Creationism which this amounts to - has been criticised by teachers and PUPILS who study Catholic Reli- scientists amongst others, who gion at school will be expected claim that will conflict with other
Six-day wonder
FORMER president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero increasingly does his own thing. He caused feather-spitting fury by dining with Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias without warning the PSOE’s own leader, Pedro Sanchez. Then the governing PP had a hissy fit because Zapatero travelled to Cuba and met its president, Raul Castro, who declined to receive Spain’s Foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Maragall last November. After Iglesias at Christmas and Castro in February, the PSOE awaits Zapatero’s Easter outing with trepidation.
OPINION & COMMENT
www.euroweeklynews.com
12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
EWN
ITV is to revive fictional detective Maigret, starring Rowan Atkinson Richard Shanley
DISHING THE DIRT OF EUROPA DIGITAL
ROWAN ATKINSON will star in a pair of two-hour films Maigret Sets a Trap and Maigret’s Dead Man, both set in 1950s’ Paris. Stewart Harcourt (Marple, Poirot) will adapt Georges Simenon’s novels for the screen. Atkinson said: “I have been a devourer of the Maigret novels for many years and I’m very much looking forward to playing such an intriguing character, at work in Paris during a fascinating period in its history.” ITV’s Director of Television Peter Fincham said: “Maigret is a prestigious commission and we’re delighted to be working
ROWAN ATKINSON: To star as Jules Maigret. with Maigret Productions, Ealing Studios and Rowan Atkinson, to bring these stories to screen for our viewers.” Before his death in 1989, Simenon wrote 75 novels and 28 short stories featuring laconic, pipe-smoking police detective Jules Maigret. The character has previously featured in a number of TV and radio adaptations, with Michael Gambon starring in a well-
MAGGIE SMITH: Not leaving Downton Abbey.
received Maigret series for ITV between 1992 and 1993. The two new Maigret films will go into production this September. A spokesperson for Dame Maggie Smith has denied that she is planning to leave Downton Abbey. Smith sparked questions about the ITV drama’s future earlier this week when she publicly questioned how long she could keep working on Downton Abbey. “They
say this is the last one, and I can’t see how it could go on,” she was quoted as saying. “I mean, I certainly can’t keep going. To my knowledge, I must be 110 by now. We’re into the late 1920s.” Smith’s publicist has since released a statement to the media to insist that the actress was simply speaking in a light-hearted manner. “She has always been on the record as saying she’ll
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be with the show for as long as the show runs,” Smith’s spokesperson said. ITV refused to comment in January on ‘speculative’ reports that it is planning to end the period drama series. Smith has won a Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy Awards for her portrayal of the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey. If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or to expand on anything I have written about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europa-digital.com. I look forward to your comments and questions. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show every weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 and 106.8FM, now covering over 2000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalmeria.spectrumfm.net for the latest news and views.
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E W N 12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
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OPINION & COMMENT
Cliffgate: is the thin blue line getting thinner and thinner? Breaking Views A Costa del Sol resident for a number of years, Nora is the author of psychological suspense and crime thrillers. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/nora-johnson
H
AVE you been assaulted in South Yorkshire recently? Did eight police officers in five cars come to your home to conduct their enquiries? Did they hang around for five hours conducting those enquiries? Oh, and did they arrange for a BBC crew in a helicopter to record everything and broadcast it live to the nation? No? Thought not. That’s because you’re not famous and the alleged offence didn’t occur 30 years ago. If it happened to you yesterday, too bad! South Yorkshire police seem much more interested in the highprofile ‘historical’ stuff. This follows news that Sir Cliff Richard faces at least one more allegation of sexual abuse after police reports that their investi-
gation has “increased significantly in size.” As for Sir Cliff, he’s said the claims against him are “absurd and untrue” and he has “never, in my life, assaulted anyone.” The police have so far behaved with a staggering lack of judgement, and it’s hard to avoid the conclusion they’re now attempting to deflect public scrutiny away from the Rotherham child grooming scandal. It’s high profile and doesn’t threaten them - unlike Rotherham which is right on their patch and ongoing. The police usually leave the well-known accused in such cases in limbo for ages while they do little or nothing. That’s what’s happened several times in cases that have eventually been dropped. Take, for instance, the broadcaster, Paul Gambaccini, whose bail was extended seven times over a whole year. They owe it to Sir Cliff to investigate speedily and resolve this - one way or the other. It’s the least they can do. So, another nail in the failing reputation of the UK’s justice system and public trust in the police? Whatever your view, this case undeniably illustrates, yet again, the
unfairness of naming the accused and ridiculously long police investigations. It’s really hard to find safe ground on the naming issue. However, police and prosecutors rationalise that the surrounding publicity allows others who may have been wronged by the alleged offender to come forward: a fishing trip, in other words. Cases such as Sir Cliff’s are flawed and dangerous to the innocent party but, without anonymity, the current situation leads inevitably to a publicly declared presumption of guilt of the accused. Anonymity for both parties is the only answer.
SIR CLIFF RICHARD: Has said the claims against him are absurd and untrue.
Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
Nora Johnson
Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.89; £0.79) and iBookstore. Profits to Cudeca.
Educashun is just wot we need
T
HE nerdy, would-be world statesman Ed Miliband announced to great acclaim last week, that when the Labour Party forms the next government, it will reduce university tuition fees from nine to six thousand pounds. Now that’s what I call radical thinking; I almost fainted with uncontrolled admiration. But before Labour supporters start to reach for their telephones, let me say this is not a diatribe directed at Labour politicians - I am equally repelled by the lot of them, of whatever political persuasion. No, it’s this mind-set that our politicians seem to have and their ridiculous dream and target of sending every school leaver in the land to university that I don’t get. University was once the mark of excellence. A place where those above average abilities could hone their natural talent and academic abilities to the
Colin Bird Each week, Colin brings his slightly off-the-wall view of the world to the pages of EWN in his own irreverent style.
highest level. Because the truth is, we are not all equal. That’s not to say that the less academic amongst us are inferior. Quite the opposite. Many of my ex-school pals trained under the apprenticeship scheme and went on to become skilled mechanics or technicians. Others had careers as diverse as nursing, sales and construction occupations that were suited to their own particular fields of interest and aptitude, and did not require the university experience to achieve. One pupil from my secondary modern school, who plodded through the lowest academic stream for four years, used his talent of gardening to good effect and now owns two large garden centres in Hampshire. The point is we all have a niche
ED MILIBAND: ‘Labour party will reduce university tuition fees.’ in society and it’s just a question of finding it. An all round education and an awareness of our place in the world is what is
required in order to become an equally rounded individual. I recently watched a repeat of a TV quiz first aired in 2013. One
of the contestants was a university student who was asked to name the explorer who mapped New Zealand. His answer, Robinson Crusoe. And it got worse when asked by Julia Bradbury the show’s host, to name the book by H.G.Wells about a man who could travel to the future. Answer, Great Expectations. They weren’t even intelligent guesses. Anything less than a university education we are led to believe, will condemn your kid to a life sitting outside a tube station with a lurcher and holding out an empty cocoa tin for loose change. If you believe that Robinson Crusoe mapped New Zealand, then yes, this is a possibility. But what does it tell us about those who study economics or political science at university and then without proper jobs or real experience of the world, go directly into the business of politics? I rest my case.
E W N 12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
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ARIES (March 21 - April 20) An opportunity to do something socially arises. It is not earth shattering, but could have a great long-term impact. Others seem to have confidence in you and enjoy your company this week.
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GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Should things go absolutely perfectly for you this week, then I would eat my hat. I don't usually wear one but would go to a charity shop immediately.
7-Star Quiz
VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Taking a step back from the activity appeals right now. After an active time, energy needs building up. Basking in someone's glory shows you just how things could be.
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tars
CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Social life is squeezed because of business commitments. As you are a people person, there will be fun and times out aplenty this week. There is the chance to meet someone that you admire.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) The strong urge to make physical contact with someone leads to a bit of bother. Not that there is anything wrong with a few hugs and kisses.
LEO (July 24 - August 23) May we consider for a moment what you thought that you would be doing, right now, five years ago? Yes, do you see what I mean? Breaking away from an old habit could be the best thing that you have done for a long time. .
CLEAR
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) The past has been kind to you but also unkind. It is the same for most of us, so don't think that you have been singled out for a bumpy ride. SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) At some time in the future you may look back on this week and ask yourself, 'Why didn't I do that?' Let me help you to see the possibilities.
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.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
CAPRICORN (December 22 January 20) Feeling really balanced and calm? Being aware that you have full knowledge of a situation is good, isn't it? Absolutely anyone could snap at you this week and have no success at all in upsetting you. AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) More than one possibility presents itself in connection with a problem. A foreign visit or visitor figures highly in plans and solutions.
LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY
UK THUNDERBALL
IRISH LOTTO
EURO MILLIONS
Saturday March 7
Saturday March 7
Saturday March 7
Friday March 6
2
17
21
26
30
48
20
24 30
29 34
3
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THUNDERBALL
BONUS BALL
31
5
25
23
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50
LUCKY STARS 2
7
LA PRIMITIVA
EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA
SUNNY
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24 38
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C Cloud,
Sh Showers,
Th Thunder
Nonagram How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case D) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.
TARGET:
Average: 17
Very good: 31
Good: 22
Excellent: 38
baht, bath, beth, blah, both, hale, halo, halt, hare, hart, hate, heal, hear, heat, herb, hero, hoar, hoer, hole, holt, lath, loth, oath, rhea, that, abhor, altho, bathe, berth, broth, earth, haler, hater, heart, helot, horal, hotel, lathe, loath, obeah, other, rehab, theta, thole, throb, throe, troth, bather, bertha, bother, breath, halter, harlot, hatter, herbal, hotter, lather, loathe, threat, throat, tother, betroth, blather, brothel, loather, rathole, BETROTHAL
Word Ladder SOIL
Move from the start word (SOIL) to the end word (BANK) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.
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Malaga TODAY:
MAX 21C, MIN 14C
Benidorm
18 12 Cl 13 9 Sh 14 9 Cl
Sunday March 8
Saturday March 7
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Fri Sat Sun -
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GENERALS KNOWLEDGE
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Barcelona TODAY:
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TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) A new start with someone, socially, shows great promise. Consider what you want to get rid of in your life and plan how to approach the task. A bit of military precision goes down well.
TODAY:
BANK
BAND (SANK) BANK
PISCES (February 20 - March 20) A date on your calendar draws near. It seems less important than it did and you may be tempted to cancel. Think twice. The question of who to go on holiday with comes up and someone is keen to tie you down.
1. Appointed in January 2007, which South Korean diplomat is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations? 2. Which Labour politician, MP for Hamilton from 1978 to 1997 and for Hamilton South from 1997 to 1999, was Secretary-General of NATO from 1999 to 2003? 3. What was the name of the British Methodist preacher who founded the Salvation Army and became its first General in 1878? 4. What was the name of the General who commanded the Carthaginian army in the second Punic War (218–201 BC)? He crossed the Alps and defeated the Romans but was recalled to defend Carthage and was defeated? 5. Which 2000 film starred Russell Crowe as the loyal Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius? 6. Which American TV series that originally ran from 1979 to 1985 featured a 1969 Dodge Charger stock car dubbed the General Lee? 7. Which comedy performer played the role of General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett in the TV sitcom Blackadder Goes Forth?
T
isers
SOIL SAIL SAID SAND
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1. BAN KI-MOON, 2. GEORGE ROBERTSON (LORD ROBERTSON). 3. WILLIAM BOOTH, 4. HANNIBAL, 5. GLADIATOR, 6. THE DUKES OF HAZZARD, 7. STEPHEN FRY
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Crosswords
12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
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Cryptic
Quick
Across 1 Cook roast in fixed portions (7) 4 British capital’s ultimate crash (5) 7 Prepared steak or fish (5) 9 Short article at home, then call at the theatre (7) 10 Organise a run to the mountains (7) 11 It is said that these marquees are on edge (5) 12 Request we turn sideways (5) 14 Stirred up regal beer (5) 19 A portion of mushroom soup for a place to stay (5) 21 European nation curtailing an American test (7) 23 Prince Charming singer is determined (7) 24 Turn away from a green (5) 25 School head gets caught with one cake (5) 26 New renters are less forgiving (7) Down 1 Nasty scar for Mr Capone, the goodfor-nothing (6) 2 The main broken canoe (5) 3 Cedar’s nuts are revered (6) 4 A bitter cocktail goes to a priest’s head (7)
Across 1 Located (8) 5/24 Criminal who has been in prison repeatedly (4,4) 9 Chairs of state for monarchs (7) 10 Permit (5) 11 Tale (5) 12 Quick, clever reply to criticism (7) 13 Basic unit of currency in USA (6) 15 Playing in opposition to (6) 18 Bear the weight of (7) 20 Arranges by type (5) 22 Become one (5) 23 Easily broken, damaged or destroyed (7) 24 See 5 25 Clerical title (8)
5 Turkish leader at home once more (5) 6 Offer that leaves one feeling sore (6) 8 Tapestry is in an embarrassing position (5) 13 An erne’s tripped over trap7 (7) 15 A key year, that is, for a home on high (5)
16 Nurses delicacies (6) 17 Has a trying experience of stormy States (6) 18 Teacher in stream, swimming (6) 20 Protagonist hiding somewhere in New Zealand (5) 22 Tremble when she swallows a little potassium (5)
Code Breaker Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 2 represents X and 14 represents Q, so fill in X every time the figure 2 appears and Q 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.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC Across: 1 Shanty, 4 Demean, 9 Amass, 10 Arise, 11 Elton, 12 Restore, 13 Secret, 15 Layers, 19 Lorelei, 21 Stair, 23 Award, 24 Exert, 25 Tanner, 26 Beards. Down: 1 Sellers, 2 Apart, 3 Trainee, 5 Evans, 6 Epitome, 7 Niece, 8 Usurp, 14 Certain, 16 Austere, 17 Sprints, 18 Aided, 19 Least, 20 Lodge, 22 Alter. QUICK Across: 1 Deep, 3 Trembled, 9 Various, 10 Nanny, 11 Loyal, 12 Earned, 14 Polish, 16 Spends, 19 Ragged, 21 Awful, 24 Alert, 25 Inspect, 26 Insisted, 27 Thud. Down: 1 Develops, 2 Early, 4 Rested, 5 Minor, 6 Lantern, 7 Days, 8 Moulds, 13 Isolated, 15 Leaders, 17 Praise, 18 Admire, 20 Gates, 22 Fresh, 23 Taxi.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Raindrops, 8 Hielo, 9 Ostra, 10 Meat, 11 Pata, 15 Smoke, 17 Reina, 18 Afternoon. Down: 2 Abeja, 3 Noon, 4 Roof, 5/16 Put off, 6 Chemist, 7 Bacalao, 12 Amigo, 13 Jefe, 14 Tren.
16 Small fatty fish usually can-
19 Earlier in time (5)
ned (7)
20 Cause fear in (5)
17 Smother or suppress (6)
21 Spirited horse (5)
English - Spanish The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English. Across 1 Bibliotecas (edificios) (9) 6 Edad (de persona, animal, árbol) (3) 7 Canal (7) 9 Well (for water) (4) 10 Mouth (4) 14 Sunflower (7) 16 Mar (3) 17 Too much (9) Down 1 Plomo (metal) (4) 2 Heather (5) 3 Anclas (7) 4 Hijo (3) 5 Campana (de iglesia, puerta) (4) 8 Trees (7) 11 Basket (5) 12 Huevos (4) 13 Expensive (4) 15 Rojo (3)
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 (CHECKS) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues. AFRESH
PHASED
ARROWS
PIECES
BEARDS
REEKED
BLOUSE
SECURE
CEASED
SEDUCE
CHECKS (10)
SHEETS
CINDER
SPEARS
DISCUS
SPECKS
DOZENS
THENCE
GROWLS
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
Funagram Unscramble the name of a European country and its capital: THE GREEN CASE FUNAGRAM SOLUTION: DAMIAN LEWIS, GREECE, ATHENS
Unscramble the name of a famous British actor/producer: A DISMAL WINE
Down 1 Locations (5) 2 Violent disturbance (7) 3 Irritate (5) 4 Make certain (6) 6 Collection of maps in book form (5) 7 Anarchic (7) 8 Long-tailed black-and-white crow (6) 13 Interrupt (7) 14 Wading bird (6)
1 Roared, 2 Farmer, 3 Gloves, 4 Arises, 5 Normal, 6 Glassy, 7 Pierce, 8 Beings, 9 Splash, 10 Coiled, 11 Adverb, 12 Hurled, 13 Dealer, 14 Reward, 15 Header, 16 Ladder, 17 Endure, 18 Guided, 19 Seeing
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E W N 12 - 18 March 2015 / Costa de Almería
Witness for the defence I KNOW that Leapy Lee can defend himself perfectly well; after all, he has his column to do so. However, I think Bill Campbell has missed the point. Mr Campbell, please let me ask you this one question: “Did you ever, if only once, hear a Muslim singing “Allah save our gracious Queen” with their eyes closed and their hands on their hearts? I suspect not. Until that day comes, Mr Campbell, I am with Leapy 100 per cent and I think you should be too. With affection and gratitude for your excellent newspaper. Jonathan Allso, Valencia
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Newspeak peril BILL CAMPBELL’S attack on Leapy Lee contained the usual one-liners used by the liberal left to shut down any discussion with people of opposing views. I am referring to “the world has changed” or “you’re stereotyping.” Add “you’re a dinosaur” or “this is the 21st century” (as if you were 100 years out of date) and one has the full set. These phrases are a common trick used by pseudo-intellectuals who feel their use is an argument in itself to denounce any opposition. They despise anyone with (non-political) conservative attitudes, as they are so absolutely certain of their standpoint. Campbell says that the restrictions in Saudi “embarrass most Muslims.” Really! I presume he speaks for those in Syria, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen and Libya where I believe the nightlife is a riot! Similarly he believes only a tiny minority of Muslims are involved in recent atrocities. Who says so? The BBC or the Guardian? A recent poll showed almost 30 per cent had sympathy with events in Paris and who knows what is said in private? As someone who was born and lived in Blackburn for the first 33 years of my life I know a thing or two about ‘multiculturalism.’ The communities do not overlap, they don’t even touch and the town, like many others in the North of England, is in terminal decline.
Finally, he acts as an apologist for what he euphemistically terms “extreme behaviour” (straight from Orwell’s ‘1984’ newspeak). This sounds like what some said at the very start of the Second World War: “We shouldn’t bomb Germany or they’ll retaliate.” We all know where that one ended. Peter A Fletcher (by email)
Put to good use DOES anybody know of a charity or organisation that collects electronic components and printed circuit boards for recycling? I have a substantial number to dispose of and would rather see them used for a good purpose than leave them by a bin for the scavengers to take. Contact oldboy23@live.co.uk Bright spark, Torrevieja area (Alicante)
Stem the tide READING Mike Walsh’s latest dredgings from the depths of his paranoia, I am reminded of the folk who kept telling us in the 1930’s that Mr Hitler was really a nice guy who would not do any harm provided we gave him what he wanted. They went on saying that, even after Hitler had invaded Czechoslovakia and even after he invaded Poland. Interestingly, Mike seems to
LIKE a previous correspondent I don’t recognise those acid yellow flowers with trefoil leaves, but I can tell that this busy bee was investigating freesias. D Compton (by email) believe that absurd bit of propaganda, as he last week assured us that Poland’s army was bigger than Germany’s in 1939. I suppose it may have been bigger numerically, but that meant nothing in terms of effectiveness. Now he constantly claims that the crisis in Ukraine is all the West’s fault and the West has ruined that country. He completely ignores the fact that Russia has done its share of destruction, by invading the country and organising the secession of the Crimea. If Putin did not want to damage Ukraine, why did he annex the Crimea? It is, I am afraid, blindingly obvious that Putin has a longterm plan to reassert Russian domination at least over what used to be the USSR and probably over the former satellite states of Eastern Europe. He will not be stopped by giving him everything he asks for at each stage of the process. Mike would do better to support NATO and the EU’s moves to beef up its military presence and hit Russia economically. The countries which Mike says are
suffering because of the sanctions have made it clear that they would rather suffer that than be left at Putin’s mercy. Bill Campbell (by email)
Frankly spoken I AM in Spain for a few weeks’ holiday from Scotland and was both impressed and alarmed by Mike Walsh’s column. We would not find an article like this in the Scottish press. Well done, Mike, I will follow your articles from Scotland. Jim Mcallister (by email)
Word perfect IN a week when Russia’s last Opposition politician has been murdered, it is an embarrassment to the Euro Weekly News that Mike Walsh sets himself up as a mouthpiece for the Putin regime. He even stoops to the level where he copies the Kremlin vocabulary, calling Putin a statesman but the Ukrainian government skinheads. Why does an otherwise fine
paper allow itself to be tainted by his obscene columns? Greger Lindberg, Nerja (Malaga)
EHIC hint I HAVE just renewed my EHIC card after reading your article (Euro Weekly News January 2218 edition ) and have to point out that the advice you give is only for new applicants. For renewal you simply have to phone the number you gave and select option #2. After being referred to an operator and answering a few questions, giving full name, date of birth etc, the card will be renewed there and then and forwarded to you by post. Wendy Hunter (by email)
No-go zone WITH reference to the new pedestrian precinct at Paseo de Larios in Torre del Mar, I have already seen a number of cyclists using it, dodging around pedestrians and families. It needs to be made a nobicycle area before they knock someone down and injure them or worse. Michael Hill, Torre del Mar (Malaga)
Tell your mum NOT many here saw any reason for changing the Abortion law although Mr Rajoy was set on it. I suppose like politicians everywhere he depends on opinion poll results. Whatever, most people - most women were relieved when he changed his mind. As your newspaper mentioned, there is still the problem of parental consent for girls between 16 and 18, but isn’t that a minor issue? I’ve seen things change over the years and all the Spanish girls I know would confide in their parents, especially their ‘mami.’ Connie Bartholomew (by email)
The views expressed and opinions given in Letters are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements, and reject claims arising out of any action that a company or individual may take on the basis of information contained therein.
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OPINION & COMMENT
Advertising feature
Neptune Insurance, because insurance matters whether for car, house or pet INSURANCE, whether it is for a car, house, funeral, pet or travel, we all need it. So what better place to go than Liberty Seguros at Neptune Insurance in Albox? Here you will find Kevin Lewis, experienced in every aspect of insurance and a specialist in commercial insurance, Jon Salt, insurance consultant and recent arrival to the light and airy office and Janette Randles, experienced in all aspects of Liberty Seguros Insurances. Janette has recently joined the team at Neptune Insurance and will be dealing primarily with health insurance and funeral plans, however, she can help you with and advise you on any insurance you may need. Talking exclusively to Euro Weekly News Janette commented on the funeral plans: “None of us are getting any younger and
JON SALT with JANETTE RANDLES: New team members.
planning a funeral is something that most of us have on our ‘to do’ list but never seem to get round to doing, mainly because up until now you’ve had to pay a lump sum up front.
“Not any more! We at Neptune Insurance are over the moon to be able to offer funeral insurance plans up to the age of 75 and still keep your money in the bank. It is very simple and straight-
forward and all you have to do is pay an annual premium and decide which of our three plans suits yours and your family’s needs best. It is also great to know that when the inevitable
happens only one telephone call is needed and everything is taken care of for you, making it as stress free as possible for your nearest and dearest. We also have a very special offer on these funeral plans with a lifetime discount of 25 per cent.” For an informal chat or more information on funeral plans or any other insurance types, pop in and see us in Calle Malaga in Albox, next to Pricebusters supermarket and the Spanish butchers and we can advise you on which insurances are best for you. Alternatively you can email for a quote jan@neptuneinsurance.com or jon@neptuneinsurance.com or call 669 075 117. davidkevin.lewis@exclusivos. libertyseguros.es WHERE INSURANCE MATTERS
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OPINION & COMMENT
Gender wage gap widens in Spain The gender pay gap in Spain is widening with women earning an average of 19.3 per cent less than men, compared to a 16.1 per cent difference in 2008. What is your opinion on the matter? OWNER of The Pub in Formentera del Segura, Sheralee Selves, is not surprised to hear that female workers receive less pay than their male counterparts. “I’ve never experienced it here personally as I’ve always worked for myself in Spain but I definitely experienced it in the UK so can well believe it happens in Spain where I think women are still seen by some in a bit of a derogatory way,” she said, and added: “As an employer we always try and look after our staff and pay them more than the average and I would never think to pay a woman less than a man; if they can do the job they get paid. It’s so wrong to pay depending upon gender.” Florence Navarro, owner of Agua Flo, a spas, pools and accessories company in Los Montesinos, was shocked to find such a wage gap between men and women. “Women should absolutely be paid the same as men for the same job. I would never consider paying a
STREET TALK woman less, if anything they should be paid double as they have two jobs, the work they do at home and work itself.”
do other chores; it is in our nature to do so. If you are in work that is exactly the same as a man then there is no reason whatsoever to be treated differently. I fully support equal pay.”
Julie from Yorkshire Linen/Beds and More, Mijas Costa, said: “I don’t think there should be any difference in the rate of pay. If the job is equal, then the salary should be too. Women tend to multi-task too and after doing a day’s SHERALEE: ‘It’s wrong to work they often pay depending upon go home to pregender.’ pare dinner or
FLORENCE: ‘Women should be paid double.’
JULIE: ‘If the job is equal, the salary should be too.’
HEALTH & BEAUTY
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Above all else, my plan is to rest, eat well and hug my children lots! Erica Russell Watson: My journey – and I’m driving
4th March I SIGNED off my last blog feeling more than a little under the weather. I have likened my chemotherapy to an assault course in the past and until recently I had been metaphorically jumping over walls and racing along at a great pace. Last week I seemed to get a little stuck in the cargo netting! Not to worry as nothing lasts forever. Finally my body seemed to kick into action and my defence system rallied and my fever dissipated.
My dear friend Pepi called me to see if I was up to having a visitor. It was just what I needed so she came over. It was a beautiful sunny day and just sitting having tea and chatting with Pepi made me feel so happy. The small things take on greater importance when life changing events happen so now I appreciate every little happy moment.
Small things take on greater importance It was Andalucía Day so we went up to the football club. My son was playing in
a ‘friendly’ match. Wonderful Spanish music accompanied by a healthy portion of paella was just what the doctor ordered. We spent the afternoon there and then a quick icecream on the way home. I was starting to feel tired so went to bed and fell asleep. Sunday dawned and I really felt so much better. I decided as it was another lovely sunny day that I would flash up the BBQ. Jorge was coming over and wasn’t expecting a BBQ so that would be a nice surprise. He had just finished training in the gym and sent me a message to say he was on his way, extremely happy at the prospect of chorizo, chicken wings, burgers, pinchitos and the like! He wasn’t the only one… we all love a BBQ! I always like to mention
the special people in my life. I have to thank Jorge so much for all his support and love. He really does understand what I am going through because he is also a cancer survivor. I draw great
I strongly believe in remembering the good times strength from having him by my side. I am now in the last week in the run up to chemo session number six. I do feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel, but still have a further two treatments to go and
probably the toughest yet. I busy my head with thoughts of better days and of all the things I plan to do. For me the outlook is good despite everything that has happened to me and to us as a family. I strongly believe in remembering the good times, enjoying the here and now and looking forward to the future. Any other philosophy just wouldn’t be helpful. Lamenting your ill fortune or asking why me is frankly a waste of time and energy. It sounds so simple, but honestly thinking positive thoughts really does bear fruit. My plan for this week is to hug my children lots! And to tick off a few things on my ‘list to do’! I will above all rest, eat well and keep my fingers crossed that I will be in shape for my next treatment.
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
Eating too much salt could be good for skin protection WE all know that eating too much salt may be bad for your heart, but did you know it could be good for your skin? Scientists say that a high-salt diet causes sodium levels to build up in the skin, and that may boost the immune system and help fight off germs that cause bacterial skin infections. In an experiment, German researchers discovered that mice which
SALT: High sodium levels may boost immune system. were fed a high-salt diet healed infections in their feet more quickly. Professor Jonathan Jantsch, of the University
of Regensburg, said: “Up to now, salt has been regarded as a detrimental dietary factor; it is clearly known to be detrimental for cardiovascular diseases, and recent studies have implicated a role in worsening autoimmune diseases. Our current study challenges this one-sided view and suggests that increasing salt accumulation at the site of infections might be an ancient strategy to ward off infections, long before
antibiotics were invented.� Future studies will examine how salt accumulates in the skin and triggers immune responses, and why salt accumulates in the skin of aging adults. It is hoped that by getting a better understanding of how salt accumulates it might not only help to design drugs that specifically enhance local salt deposition and help to combat infectious diseases, but also may lead to new strategies to mobilise sodium stores in the aging population and prevent cardiovascular disease. It is not suggested that people increase their salt intake due to the known negative effects of high salt consumption.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
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Most people are more like their fathers than mothers SAD FILMS: Tendency to eat more popcorn.
Don’t watch weepy films if on a diet WANT to lose weight? Try watching comedies rather than sad films. US researchers say people ate more than double the snacks when they watched a sad film compared to a funny one. Their study offered a group of office workers a range of snacks while they watched the Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw film ‘Love Story’ and lighter, funny film ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’ Their study found that those watching ‘Love Story’ had eaten up to 36 per cent more popcorn. When a group watched George Clooney’s ‘Solaris,’ they ate 55 per cent more popcorn than those who enjoyed humorous film ‘My Big Fat Greek Weeding.’
IN terms of genetics, most people are more like their fathers. Although we inherit equal amounts of genetic mutations from our parents, new research has revealed we actually ‘use’ more of the DNA that we inherit from our fathers. Finding out whether we inherit variants of these genes from one parent or another is crucial for the development of diseases and treatments to diseases, like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. The study’s lead author, a Profes-
sor from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, (USA) said the research was the first to show that mammals are more genetically similar to their fathers than mothers.
PARENTS GENES: Crucial for the development of treatment of diseases.
For the study, researchers selected three different species of mice with different genes, bred them and quantified how much genetic information was inherited from the mother and the father for every single gene in the mouse’s DNA.
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OPINION & COMMENT
Conveniently assassinated
REDICTABLY, mainstream media describes murdered Russian politician, Boris Nemtsov, as ‘Putin’s opposition.’ Really? In election terms the playboy oligarch was less popular than Screaming Lord Sutch’s Monster Raving Loony Party. At least the latter gathered enough votes to gain seats. I doubt President Putin, with a popularity rating of 86 per cent, lost much sleep over such a ‘threat.’ Half a Prime Minister David Cameron has the gall to demand Russia hold a transparent investigation into the murder. Would this be the same Etonian who hides from view a score or more inquiries? These include the murder of government weapons expert, Dr David Kelly, institutionalised paedophilia, and lies told to get Britain into America’s various conflicts. Between 1970 and 2013 there have been 758 assassina-
Mike Walsh Mike, based in Mediterranean Spain, is an international journalist, author and professional writer.
tions worldwide of which only 8 per cent occurred in Russia, the world’s largest country. The US is well ahead in the ‘Assassination of Political Inconveniences’ League. Since 1865 more American heads of state have been assassinated than in any other country. Abraham Lincoln (1865), James A. Garfield (1882), William McKinley (1901), John F. Kennedy (1963). The latter almost certainly by the CIA. There were attempted assassinations of Franklin D Roosevelt in Miami on February 15 1933, Theodore Roosevelt, wounded in 1912, and President Ronald Reagan in 1981. In November 1950 Puerto Rican nationalists sought to murder President Harry S.
JOHN F KENNEDY: ‘Almost certainly assassinated by the CIA.’ Truman in a shoot-out. During and following World War Two there was a wave of convenient ‘suicides’ throughout the US. Harry Dexter White, Stephen Duggan and former US Ambassador to Britain John G Winant. General George S. Patton died when the Jeep he was travelling in was ‘accidentally’ rammed. The outspoken critic
of President Truman’s regime had earlier written to his wife and predicted he would not be coming home. Another US policy critic, US First Secretary of Defence James Forrestal. Diagnosed as being ‘deeply depressed’ he was placed in an upper floor room of a Washington hospital. On May 22, 1949 he ‘fell’ from its open window. Why
was a man in such a state not given a ground floor room with a sealed window? William Colby, a former CIA Director, spilled the beans. He should have taken the Edward Snowden route to Russia. Soon afterwards, Colby died in a mysterious boating ‘accident.’ As recently reported in EWN, over 40 high profile Western bankers have recently died under suspicious circumstances. The EU records more assassinations than does Russia; trying to catch up with the US perhaps? This might be a good time to remember that of late, no less than 12 notable US political figures have been murdered or been discovered dead under suspicious circumstances. These include Senators, Congressmen, Federal Prosecutors, a Federal Judge, a State Governor; all died after their questioning corruption or corporate malpractice. Name and shame: perhaps another time if I am still here to tell dead men’s tales.
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Costa de Almeria’s best guide to local restaurants
TO READ MORE VISIT: WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM/FEATURES/RESTAURANTS
Are you a bar or restaurant that advertises with EWN? AT EWN we have our clients’ best interests at heart. Getting your news out to the public can sometimes be a struggle, but we here at EWN want to help. Have you changed your menu, recently renovated or won an award? Do you have an upcoming charity event you’d like to
publicise? Do you have a new member of staff? Maybe you’d like to take part in our ‘Restaurant’ experience? Your establishment provides a meal for two which we will review and publish - with pictures - in your local edition. If you have any news of interest that you would like to get out to local readers, then please let us know. We cannot promise to publish everything, but we will do our best.
Please send your news and photos to whatson@eurowee klynews.com
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FOOD & DRINK
Hotel Family - All inclusive special night for two at €92 IN 1988 Michele and Rene opened their Hotel Family offering only two bedrooms in the beautiful setting of Agua Amarga. After 10 years of success through being an exclusive place to stay, they decided to expand to having seven more rooms, still being careful not to lose the uniqueness of their hotel. Set in the small whitewashed fishing village and on the edge of Cabo de Gata Nature Reserve, guests have plenty to visit in this very pretty area. There are lots of facilities at the hotel, double family rooms with air conditioning, flat screen TV, private bathroom and shower, some rooms have a sea view, and an outdoor pool. The outside solarium is spacious and the conservatory dining area is delightful as it looks out onto the pool area. Hotel Family is a hidden jewel looking out to sea but still offering easy access to the outside attractions.
OUTDOOR POOL: A spacious area to sit and relax in the sun.
HOTEL FAMILY: There are lots of facilities to enjoy.
Today many return to this welcoming and homely venue as part of its beauty is also great value for money. For the month of March you can stay at Hotel Family for one night at a fantastic price of only €92 for two people,
What a perfect way to sample this wonderful venue at an all inclusive price! As this is a remarkable special offer, Michele and Rene strongly advise guests book well in advance, as Mother’s Day is popular, and the weekends are
and that is not just for the room and the excellent surroundings. This special offer includes an evening meal for two consisting of three courses with a bottle of wine included, and the next morning, breakfast for two.
hurtling towards Easter. The offer is not available on the key Easter dates, but may extend depending on availability so it would be advisable to check. An exclusive experience at an exclusive price! Please call 950 13 80 14.
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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
Sponsored walk A REMINDER that March 22 is the date for APSA’s s p o n s o r e d d o g wa l k which leaves the square outside La Parrilla hotel
restaurant in Albox at 10.30am. Bring your fluffy pals along for the walk which comes in the choice of
five or seven kilometres. If you don’t have a dog, APSA can arrange one fo r yo u . J u s t l e t t h e m know in the shop beforehand. Sponsorship fo r m s a r e ava i l a b l e i n store. C o n g ra t u l a t i o n s t o Ray a n d A n n e T h u rgood, Barry Williams, Brian and Frankie Lewington, Linda Smith and Nicole Beauchamp who h ave a l l w o n p r i z e s i n APSA’s February raffle including fish and chips, discount vouchers and yoga sessions. Proceeds f r o m t h e ra ff l e g o t o wards helping the many animals in the care of APSA. Zumba classes are now underway with proc e e d s g o i n g t o A P SA . Contact the shop on Ave n i d a L e p a n t o fo r m o r e i n fo r m a t i o n , a g r e a t way t o g e t f i t while raising funds.
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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS
Albox medieval market returns ALBOX stepped back in time from March 6 to 8 while it hosted a medieval market. The market took place outside San Francisco church with a number of stalls offering food tasti n g , m i n e ra l s , h e r b s , handmade jewellery and accessories, leather goods, various sausages a n d a w i d e va r i e ty o f other food products.
For the children there wa s a c a r o u s e l a n d a bouncy castle to keep them occupied. Of course if they tired of that, there was the p e r m a n e n t c h i l d r e n ’s playground next to the church square. Entrance to the marke t wa s f r e e a n d a t tracted a number of visi t o r s ke e n t o b r o w s e , but also grab some pho-
to opportunities with a r t i s a n s i n m e d i e va l dress. The market’s focus was on handmade produce and goods, and shoppers were not disappointed by the range on offer. Tra ff i c wa s d i ve r t e d through the streets behind the church to enable the entire square and street to be used.
MEDIEVAL MARKET: The focus was C o u n c i l l o r fo r C u l t u r e , Francisco Carrillo, said: “Af-
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s on handmade products and goods and attracted many visitors. ter the great success of last year’s market, and taking in-
to account the great reception from residents,
the council decided to repeat the event.”
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ROAD WORKS: Improvements are being made to the surface and the general usability of the street.
Avenida Lepanto works WORK is currently being carried out on Avenida Lepanto in Albox, running from the Euro Weekly Office towards Mercadona. Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction at the moment and is likely to remain so for some time. The aim of the work is to improve the surface, refurbish the central reservation, improve visibility
and the general usability of the street. Repairs and improvements are also taking place on the decorative roundabout at the junction on Avenida Lepanto and Calle Canonigo Bartolome Marin The repairs and improvements are expected to last approximately two months and has a budget of â‚Ź60,481. Parking is not currently affected.
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Giving verbal praise
IF you give your dog a command, even a simple one like SIT then the reward of ‘good dog’ is given as the dog’s bottom hits the ground. Just a verbal praise given in a light happy voice can be enough for most dogs. Sometimes people will use food or a motivator for this reward system. I believe if you
David THE Dogman
Listen to David on TRE every Saturday 10 thru 11. Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9, Costa Calida 92.7fm Costa Blanca (Torrevieja to Elche) 105.1fm (Elche to Calpe) 88.2fm, (Calpe to Gandia & Ibiza) 104.6fm, (Denia to Valencia) 95.3fm Mallorca 103.9fm
have used treats for a couple of months a dog will now be content with the bright
happy voice which should be sufficient for such a simple command. As your commands become more difficult for the dog to achieve you can always up the reward, especially if you are doing scent work. A motivator that the dog really loves can now be used such as that special ball or toy. Most professional working dogs are rewarded in this manner as soon as they have found something. This reward for work well done is a must. Whatever you use, you only have a split second to give it on completion of an exercise. I like to use
WELL DONE: Verbal praise for most dogs is usually enough.
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my voice and a quick touch under the chin as my rewards. Think about the dolphin which performs in a show. He is being taught to jump out of the water. If he jumps about two metres, he gets a small whistle to call him back, and when he returns to the edge of the pool he is in, he gets a small fish. As his training increases, and he jumps about six metres or more out of the pool, he gets a huge instant whistle while he’s at the top of the jump, which brings him swiftly back to the pool edge where he gets a bucket of fish as his reward. Timing of any reward is important. (If your timing is out, you may be rewarding for the wrong action.) Watch the height he jumps from there on. The reward is always there for him immediately and he will give his best every time.
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Collecting for the dogs EW
IF you would like to donate dog biscuits or make a financial donation for The Dog House after their recent tragedies, you can do so at Colin the Card at Longo’s ferreteria in Albox. Caring people have already dropped off money and dog food to the popular expat hub. Speaking exclusively to Euro Weekly News, Colin said: “We’re really happy to help. The support from people
Co m N m Ne C u ig o h b rn ni ou e ty rh
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has been fantasd Ne tic. This morning we w have passed on approxs imately €300 in donations and 10 bags of dog biscuits. We’re a nation of dog lovers and it’s a pleasure to be able to help.” To find Colin the Card, head into Longo’s entrance and look for the ‘As seen on Euro Weekly News’ sign on the right.
Los Higuerales works THE sewage treatment plant in Los Higuerales, Arboleas is almost completed as predicted by the town hall. This is the fourth sewage treatment plant in the area, close to Rambla del Peral. Avenida Higuerales is also to be refurbished with new pavements and surfaces, cycle path, street lighting, trees and drainage.
TREATMENT PLANT: Work is almost complete.
Tough going for mountain bikers ONLY two members of the All Bike All Run mountain bike team entered the second round of the open of Murcia in Villanueva del Rio Segura, more than 57 kilometres of tough climbs and very technical single track with strong winds making riding even tougher. Shop owner Jose
Ibañez was a fantastic second in category Master 40 and Master 50 while rider Mark Saunders was in a good eighth position. On the same day in Huercal de Almeria, junior rider Christian Jiminez was in first place in the Rally Championship of Almeria.
Berja concert SUNDAY March 22 sees the Sevillan show from Los Cantores de Hispalis, La Pasion segun
Andalucia arrive at the Casa de la Cultura in Berja. The show has already thrilled 30,000 people in 30 venues across Spain. Tickets are now available from cantoresdehispalis.net.
Paws Patas PAWS PATAS is having a spring fair at Scotty’s Bar (by Indigo gym) in Mojacar Playa on Thursday March 26 from 11am to 4pm. There will be live music, wine tasting, a fashion show, raffle, tarot readings, zumba, line dancing demos, stalls and a barbecue.
It’s Party in Pink time MACS is the beneficiary at the Party in Pink on April 18 at 11.30am at Mojacar’s Kimrick. Grab your pink tutus and enjoy 80s music. €8 tickets available from Alison on 666 273 168 and MACS shops.
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Buster prefers to stay at home when Jim goes on holiday By Lamia Walker of HouseSitMatch JIM and Buster have been together for 12 years, as long as Jim’s lived in the Costas. It’s not a bad age for a Cocker Spaniel, though now his back legs are a little weak and he doesn’t wander far from the back patio when he goes out. In his earlier years he used to tear around the garden like a thing possessed whenever Jim shouted ‘Wanna go out?’ So these days when Jim plans a trip home, or to visit friends in Europe, he no longer takes Buster with him. Instead he organises a house sitter to come and stay with him to minimise disruption to his routine. Up until last year Buster would still eagerly jump into the car when he saw suitcases set by the door ready for a trip. Now it
was hard for him to jump anywhere, arthritis has taken hold. Philosophical as ever, Jim has decided that whatever time they have left together they will enjoy, but without pushing each other too far into discomfort. So Jim meets house sitters online through the HouseSitMatch network and ensures they come to stay a day or two early to keep Buster company while he gets ready and eventually goes on his holiday. His trips are a little shorter now, because he is keen to get home to make sure all is well. And so far, so good. Long live Buster! Download your Free Easy Guide to Housesitting from here www.bit.ly/eurown001 To find a petsitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on +44 (0)186 552 1508.
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PROPERTY
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AN immaculate apartment which enjoys great facilities such as secure allocated parking, outdoor and indoor pools, a children’s play area, private parking and well kept gardens. The apartment is on the top floor giving the most splendid views looking all over Vera Playa. The outside terrace is a good size and leads directly into the immaculately kept lounge which has built in air conditioning and high quality furniture. There are two good sized bedrooms, both with fitted wardrobes with internal storage units, a fully fitted family bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. All furniture can be included in the agreement. An apartment definitely worth a visit. There is also an option of you renting this apartment to ‘try before you buy’ or simply stay in whilst you visit the area looking for properties to purchase. Contact Emma to ask any questions or arrange a visit emma@spanishpropertychoice.com. Features: Communal pool, air conditioning, sea views, furniture included, terraces, mosquito blinds on windows, parking, low
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Ref: B298 Vera Playa
95,000€ Penthouse • 2 bedrooms • 1 bathroom • Plot Size 77 m² • Build Size 53 m²
APARTMENT: Definitely worth a visit.
community fees (€30 per month, approximately £24). Community fee covers buildings insurance, maintenance of pool and garden areas, lighting in communal areas etc. Telephone: 950 615 388.
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Immaculate apartment with splendid views in Vera Playa
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NETTLES AND GARLIC: Safer to use than chemical products.
Dick Handscombe
Gardening Corner By Spain’s best known expatriate gardening author living in Spain for 25 years.
A
S the weather warms up it is time for thoughtful gardeners to stock up on ecological fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides that are safer to use than many chemical products for the family pets and neighbours. Compared to 20 years ago there are now many products available to gardeners, most having been initially developed to support the growing of vegetables and fruit for export, but unfortunately recent emails from readers and my own research indicate that not all garden centres, horticultural shops and agricultural cooperative shops stock them. However some alternatives can be made by yourself and some companies allow their products to be purchased via the internet as outlines below. Some useful home made products Nettle fertilizer - If you see any nettles growing in your garden or in the nearby lanes and countryside, cut them and steep them in water for a couple of weeks and then strain off the leaves and use the liquid to give plants a spring feed to strengthen them
after the winter, including overwintered vegetables and fruit trees. The solution can be used as a foliar feed. Not much different to the preparation of nettle soup for human consumption in the early spring. In fact might make a bowl this week. Comfrey leaf fertilizer and compost accelerator - Fill a bucket or dustbin with leaves and then cover with water for three weeks before diluting with water and using to feed vegetables. Fresh leaves or the mush at the bottom are useful accelerators for the compost heap. If you would like some cuttings
email via ‘gardeninginspain@hotmail.com.’ Compost heap compost - Last year’s compost heap is now ready for mixing into soils and tree planting holes being prepared for plantings and for use as mulch on shrubs. Garlic insecticide Mash a head of garlic and pour hot water over it and then leave it for a couple of days while the insecticide ingredients are leached out. Then strain and use, neat or diluted in water, to spray any insect attacks and as a preventive against the geranium moth. With geraniums repeat the spraying weekly, as new
moths tend to come from neighbouring gardens where unsprayed plants can become breeding grounds. Plant a couple of garlic segments in containers planted with geraniums and under rose bushes to combat fungal attacks. Thyme insecticide Not as strong as a garlic spray but useful. Hang up bunches of leaves on the kitchen door to deter flying insects from entering. © Dick Handscombe www.gardenspain.com March 2015.
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CLASSIFIEDS MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 902 123 309, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 902 123 309 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)
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WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726) FOR SALE: Motorcycle 250cc Honda Rebel, 10,000km, ITV, one owner, 500€. 950 472 551 (232248)
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SPAIN - UK/UK - SPAIN. Deliveries. Best prices. Best service. Indalo Transport. 634 336 468 / www.indalotrans port.com. Find us on Facebook & Twitter. (230761) CAR TRANSPORTER. Call for excellent rates, fully insured, professional service. 952 816 582, email move@freinterna tional.com / www.car-trans port-spain.com (215605)
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Ford delivers most advanced performance model at Geneva FORD powered into the 2015 Geneva Motor Show with its most technologically advanced performance model range ever, including the global motor show debut of the all-new Ford Focus RS high-performance hatchback, and the European premiere of the all-new Ford GT supercar. Revealed with the help of former F1 driver Johnny Herbert, these exciting new models lined up on the Ford stand alongside the new Focus ST - available with a performance diesel engine for the first time, the highly acclaimed Fiesta ST, and the all-new
Ford Mustang. “The Ford performance vehicle line-up on show in Geneva stretched from a compact hatch to a supercar, and with 12 models to come through 2020, this promises to be a vintage era for driving enthusiasts,” said Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company executive vice president and president Europe, Middle East and Africa. “A passion for performance runs through our veins at Ford, and it’s our mission to make performance accessible to as many people as possible.” “Ford also is delivering exciting new products such
as the all-new Ford Edge SUV, and the new upscale Vignale product and ownership experience that will further expand our appeal,” Farley added. The third-generation Focus RS performance hatch pioneers the innovative Ford Performance AllWheel-Drive system, and is the first RS to offer selectable Drive Modes - including industry-first Drift Mode - and Launch Control. The all-new Ford GT supercar sets new standards for Ford innovation through performance with aerodynamics and EcoBoost technology.
Also on display for the first time in Geneva were two all-new EcoBoostpowered Ford motorsport vehicles, the Ford Fiesta R2 rally car and the MSA Formula single-seat, purpose-built race car.
RE-PLATE MATE Don’t take a chance! Don’t break the law! Take the hassle out of re-registering your vehicle onto Spanish plates We endeavour to better any genuine quotation 490 Euro + Road Tax + CO2 emission tax if applicable
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60 years of the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL One of Mercedes-Benz’s most iconic cars is celebrating its 60th anniversary
T
he eagerly awaited Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W 121) was launched in 1955. The twoseater Cabriolet technologically based on the upper mid-size category brought joy and colour to everyday life during the years of the economic miracle. Internationally the 190 SL set standards for a culture of comfortable travel with style and sporty elegance. Together with its ‘elder sibling,’ the 300 SL, it paved the way for the successful Mercedes-Benz SL tradition - culminating in the current R 231. Today the W 121 is a classic car that fetches exceptionally good prices. Experts in the industry and the general public alike had been dreaming of this car since the appearance of a prototype version at the International Motor Sports Show in New York in February 1954. The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL then appeared in its finished form in March 1955 at the 25th International Motor Show in Geneva where it met with a resounding response. German weekly newspaper ‘Die Zeit,’ for example, raved about the “Mercedes-Benz 190 SL with its irresistibly beautiful lines.” The impetus for developing the Roadster came from the US-American Mercedes-Benz importer Maximilian Edwin Hoffman.
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W 121), 1955.
TOP: Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W 121), 1995. RIGHT: Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W 121), 1955.
The 190 SL, which went into main production in May 1955, was an open-top, two-seater car for comfortable and stylish travel. Karl Wilfert and Walter Häcker designed its body with sporty lines and in a style reminiscent of the 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ (W 198) super sports car. Whereas the Gullwing Coupé was based on a complex space frame, the 190 SL Cabriolet had the short-
ened floor assembly of the 180 Saloon model (W 120) with self-supporting chassis-body structure. The 190 SL was powered by the newly developed M 121, a 77 kW (105 hp) 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine with an overhead camshaft. The MercedesBenz 190 SL stood for the feeling of being
The 190 SL became the dream car of the 1950s
alive in the ‘Swinging Fifties,’ for a colourful joie de vivre and lightness - as also shown by the car’s appearances in light-hearted German films of the time such as ‘Die Zwillinge vom Zillertal’ (The Zillertal Twins, 1957) and ‘Solange noch die Rosen blühn’ (As Long As The Roses Are In Bloom, 1956). The 190 SL primarily became the dream car of the 1950s against the economic backdrop of the starting recovery: never before had so many people had the opportunity to realise the dream of having their own car.
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W 121), 1955.
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Lewis revs up in Oz and a World Cup KO for England’s cricketers DID YOU KNOW?
Tony Matthews
International Sports A former football player and the world’s most prolific author of football books (more than 100 published), Tony is also the sports reporter for Spectrum Radio and lives in the Cabrera mountains.
The three oldest ‘competitive’ sports trophies still competed for are: (a) The Americas Cup (sailing), (b) the FA Cup (football) and (c) the Claret Jug (Open golf). The FA Cup is the oldest ‘ball’ prize.
Costa de Almeria
DIARY OF EVENTS: * The first F1 Grand Prix of 2015 takes place in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday (March 15) and reigning champion Lewis Hamilton is hoping to get off to a winning start as he bids to become the first British driver to win three world titles. No doubt team-mate Nico Rosberg will be out to stop him. * England are OUT of Cricket’s World Cup after losing their fourth game to Bangladesh. However, there are still some final Pool games remaining including South Africa-UAE, New Zealand-Bangladesh, Australia-Scotland and Pakistan-Ireland. Joint hosts Australia and New Zealand, reigning champions India and Sri Lanka are looking strong. More than 300 sixes have been hit in the competition so far. The quarter-finals will be played between March 1821, the semi-finals a few days later with the final on March 29. * On to football, and Real Madrid, 2-0 up, played Schalke on Tuesday and last night, starting at 1-1, Chelsea met PSG in the second leg of their last 16 Champions League ties. Tonight (Thursday) it’s Everton v Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League. Celtic meet Dundee United in the Scottish LC final at Hampden Park on Sunday (March 15) and there’s a full weekend of bread and butter League football. The 10 PL games are:
IN ACTION: Nico Rosberg. Arsenal-West Ham, Burnley-Manchester City, Chelsea-Southampton, Crystal Palace-QPR, Everton-Newcastle, LeicesterHull, Manchester UnitedSpurs, Sunderland-Aston Villa, Swansea-Liverpool and WBA-Stoke. In the Championship, four of the top teams meet: Middlesbrough-Ipswich and Norwich-Derby, while Bournemouth play Blackpool. It’s Bristol City-Gillingham and PNE-Crewe in FL1, Wycombe-Shrewsbury in FL2 and Rangers-Livingston in Scotland. * This weekend we have the third set of Six Nations Rugby Union matches with Wales-Ireland and England-Scotland (for the Calcutta Cup) on Saturday, followed by Italy-France on Sunday. * There are two days left of the 2015 Cheltenham National Hunt Festival and the three big races remaining are the Ladbroke’s World Hurdle today, followed tomorrow by the Gold Cup and Foxhunter Chase. My tips are Zarkander in the Hurdle, Road To Riches in the Gold Cup and Harbour Court in the Foxhunter.
SEVEN-DAY SOCCER ROUND UP... • This season’s FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on April 18/19 will feature Aston Villa (already through) and either Bradford C i t y / R e a d i n g , Liverpool/Blackburn and Man United/Arsenal. • QPR suffered their 18th PL defeat of the David Beckham’s sons WILL, it seems, enter the world of sport, Brooklyn as a footballer and Romeo as a tennis player.
season, losing 2-1 to Spurs. • Real Madrid (beaten by Athletic Bilbao) have surrendered top spot in La Liga to Barcelona who whipped Rayo Vallecano 6-1 with Messi netting a record-breaking 24th hattrick. Almeria and Granada both lost and are now in the in the bottom three. And the 2015 Copa del Rey final will see Barcelona play Bilbao. IN BRIEF... • Katarina JohnsonThompson has broken Jessica Ennis’s British heptathlon record in the European Indoor championships in Prague. • GB’s ice star Lizzy Yarnold completed a career ‘grand slam’ with victory at the Skeleton World Championships.
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Sport
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Cortijo Grande result CORTIJO GRANDE’S stableford was won by John Wardley with a good 34 points from hard to beat players Brian Harwood and Frank Mcgovern. The course remains open despite some difficulties. New machinery is expected to arrive soon to improve the course to a good standard. All visitors are welcome to join in on a Sunday morning for a round at the lovely old golf course.
Costa de Almería’s best guide to local sport
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Lightning does strike twice!
WHO says lightning doesn’t strike twice? At the Lorca Golf Resort the 19th Hole Golf Society had another hole in one. It was Mike Esposito again on the 10th hole, and a record for the society to have two hole in ones on the same course and the same hole in a couple of months. With the best weather of the year 29 members battled for the win in this mixed two, three and four ball Scramble with handicaps balanced accordingly. The team of Pat O Dwyer, Chris Crossby, Mike Palmer and Nick Pogson comfortably took the win with a net 50 shots with second place being decided on a card playoff. 1st Pat O Dwyer, Chris Crossby, Mike Palmer and Nick Pogson Nett 50, 2nd Geoff Smith, Nigel Greenwood, Andy Mitchel and Chris Murray. Nett 52 Nearest the Pin. 4th Hole Syd Walker, 8th Hole Mark Coffey, 10th Hole Mike Esposito, 12th Hole Mark Danson. The 19th Hole G/S is now arranging weekly games at various courses in the area, our home course, which we play fortnightly, is Aguilon. If you are interested in joining or playing with the 19th Hole give the secretary a ring on 610 340 653. Or email gs19thhole@hotmail.co.uk.
WINNERS: Of the individual stableford.
WINNERS: Of the Padfield Putter Trophy competition.
Greensome pairs PHOENIX played the annual Padfield Putter Trophy competition. The Greensome pairs, stableford event was competed for by 20 teams of two and scoring was close as the winners won only after a countback. First were Malcolm
Taylor and Derick Dale on 38 points followed in second by Carole Taylor and Jim Budd (38) with Brian Watts and Antonio Ubeda (37) in third. There were many opportunities for the players and 18 prizes were awarded.
The individual stableford on Monday February 23, saw a much improved performance by Antonio Ubeda to win with 44 points. Derick Dale (36) was second and Jim Budd (35) third. Ali Mahmud won the only two’s prize.