Euro Weekly News - Mallorca 7 - 13 January 2016 Issue 1592 by Euro Weekly News Media S.A.

ISSUE NO. 1592

7 - 13 January 2016

MALLORCA

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

Three Kings magic By Glynis German Mallorca welcomed the Three Kings - Gaspar, Melchor and Baltasar - who brought much merriment, mirth and plentiful presents to thousands of excited children on Tuesday January 5. Although they were only three, they managed to multiply and were found across the country, arriving in all manner of ways - from tractors or horses in towns and villages, to a beautiful sailboat in the Bay of Palma. The Kings’ advent in Palma was eagerly awaited by many who came from all over the island to enjoy Mallorca’s biggest parade, with preparations undertaken since last summer. The Three Kings arrived with their pages and entourage on one of Spain’s oldest sailboats, the Rafael Verdera, which was built in 1841. From their debarkation opposite the Lonja in Palma, they transferred to beautifully decorated floats and proceeded up to

Plaza Cort via the streets of Palma, accompanied by the excited shouts of children lining the pavements. Toni Socias, Artistic Director for Palma’s parade this year, had been working on the designs since last spring, with the construction of 15 of the many floats starting in September.

“The theme this year was the sea and I could see the children and their parents were delighted with the floats,” said Toni.

“Not only were each of the floats impressive, but children could still drop off their letters on one of the floats.”

WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

E W N 7 - 13 january 2016 / Mallorca

LOCAL NEWS

Nudity is not to be tolerated A GERMAN woman, 21, was arrested in Magaluf last Thursday for indecent exposure and resisting arrest. Her erratic behaviour made it impossible to appear be-

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

Born in the new year UNTOLD joy to happy parents as the first babies of 2016 are welcomed

fore the judge immediately and a medical examination showed that she could suffer from a medical disorder. She was released the following day.

Traffickers arrest NATIONAL POLICE arrested four men in Palma last week, accused of trafficking designer drugs including ecstasy, crystal meth and ketamine. The judge ordered the

imprisonment of two of the men, a Spaniard and a Bulgarian, whilst the other two were ordered to appear before the courts every Monday.

Fire damage to room A FIFTH floor apartment in Santa Catalina suffered damage after a fire started last weekend. According to the emergency services who attended the incident, the fire began because of a short circuit in a plug in one of the rooms. This was quickly extinguished by emergency services causing no further damage.

MAX: Arrived just after midnight and is one of the first babies of 2016. By Glynis German THE first baby to be born in the Balearics this year arrived at just 10 minutes past midnight and was born in the Hospital Comarcal of Inca. The baby boy, born to Moroccan parents, weighed

a healthy 3.520 grammes and was named Mohammed. Other babies born in the Balearics were a boy, MartĂ, at 53 minutes past midnight in Ibiza, followed by a girl, Julia, at 6.05am in Menorca. Son Espases welcomed baby boy, Angel, at 7.10am

with a fine weight of 3,950 grammes. Meanwhile on the mainland, one of the first babies born was to expatriate firsttime parents Dave and Elena Lowe in Torrevieja, Alicante. Max was born just seconds after midnight and weighed in at a healthy 4.4 kilos.

NEWS

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

Walker rescued

Featured News 3

Russian Press 19

Finance 21 - 26

Stocks 22

Leapy Lee 27

Letters 28

Daily TV 30

Vicki McLeod 33

Time Out 34 - 35

www.euroweeklynews.com

Biggest trial in Spain to begin next week THE King’s sister will sit on the bench By Glynis German ON Monday January, 11 the Noos trial will begin in which the King’s sister, the Infanta Cristina is accused of co-authoring two tax evasion crimes with her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, also on trial. The seating arrangements for Monday’s hearing were presented this week by the Balearic High Court and the Infanta will sit at the end of the last row of defendants with her husband and his excolleague, Diego Torres, will be on the same row. The case accuses 18 people of benefitting from six million euros of public funds and calls for between two

flickr by USAID

INFANTA CRISTINA: Accused of tax crimes.

and 26 years in prison. Alleged crimes include embezzlement of public funds, crimes against the Treasury and money laundering, amongst others. After the preliminary questions on Monday, with all suspects’ present, including the Infanta, it will be after her testimony that the Court will have to decide whether to keep the charges against her. This will only happen if the so-called Botin doctrine is applied. This states that an official suspect will not appear in court if the accusation of an offence does not come from the public prosecutor or those directly affected by the events under examination.

Our View 36

Colin Bird 36

Health & Beauty 38

Social Scene 41 - 43

Property 44

Legally Speaking 46

Homes & Gardens 47

Classifieds 48 - 49

Pets 50

Boats 51

Motoring 52

Sport 54, 56

Salaries down for public servants PUBLIC servants will no longer receive their salary supplements, the ‘n iv e l 3 3 ’ th is mo n th , muc h to the frustration of the Partido Popular (PP) who believe the government has no

right to cut this extra payment. If a public servant has served for at least two years in office, a bonus is added to the salary, which can amount to nearly €1,000 gross every month.

The PP are now preparing to challenge this rule although they are still not decided if this will be on an individual basis or in a coordinated group action.

NEWS

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

Start of school term NEW measures will be introduced in the first quarter of the year By Glynis German THE Department of Education and University has developed two protocols for schools in the Balearic Islands, one on gender dysphoria (transsexuality) and another on bullying. The Institute for Coexistence and School Success (Convivèxit) has been actively working on the development of the two protocols since last year. Throughout January the approval of the final drafting of the two protocols, with input from the entities involved, will be applied so that they can be introduced in the first quarter of the year to all schools in the Balearic Islands. Both protocols were developed by the Office of the Defence of Children and various education departments of the

BULLYING: New measures are being brought in to deal with the problem. Department of Education and University. In the case of the protocol on dysphoria, this has also had the participation of Ben Amics and the Mental

Health Department of the Ministry of Health. The bullying protocol had input from the University of the Balearic Islands and police

tutors. Bullying is a serious problem in Spain and between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of pupils from the ages of 10 to 15 years experience bullying.

Emergency calls busy over the New Year with many incidents CALLS to the emergency number 112 over New Year’s Eve were busy with a total of 912 calls made resulting in 68 incidents, 53 of them in Mallorca with one person taken to Son Llàtzer hospital

after having been attacked and injured with a weapon. As with Christmas Eve, many of the incidents were drunken or aggressive behaviour, fights in public, traffic accidents - with and

Disabled parking for all as loved ones use spaces SINCE Christmas Eve some two weeks ago, those suffering sight disabilities will now have the right to request a disabled parking badge to enable them to park in the disabled parking zones. At the present time, Palma Council is able to offer disabled parking for some 1,707 residents, a number that is not enough. Many complaints are also received

as to the ways non-badge holders abuse the system by parking in these designated spaces. It seems that family members of disabled badge holders often take advantage when their loved ones are no longer using the space and park their own cars there. This seems to happen a lot when a loved one dies or moves into a nursing home and the disabled badge is not returned.

without injuries, domestic fights, street containers being set on fire and vandalism amongst the usual rough and tumble that such a great night out brings. More than half of the calls

received were made between 8pm and 1am the next day, January 1. This resulted in no more than 100 calls being made each hour during the rest of the night.

EWN

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

Robbery with a corkscrew A REPEAT offender, 59 years, was the mastermind behind the robbery of a jewellery shop in the Paseo del Born in Palma on Sunday (January 3) using a corkscrew to get what he wanted. Finding the door open at around 4.30pm, he

walked in and having threatened to “do the woman in,” walked off with money from the till. After staff called the police and gave a description of the man, he was arrested for robbery further up the road in the Rambla.

Elderly woman found dead PALMA’S fire services discovered the body of an elderly woman on Monday (January 4) at her home in Montesión street in Palma. They had been called to open the door of

the dwelling when concerns were raised as to her well-being. It seems at first glance that her death is being treated as from natural causes. IBIZA AIRPORT: The plan was allowed to land immediately.

Better to be healthy than sorry MALLORCA’S health centres were closed over the

many recent public holidays, meaning patients had to wait

more than eight days to be seen by their family doctor or even a nurse. December saw health centres opening in the afternoons, but the waiting list was caused by not enough staff to cover the public holidays. The Balearic Medical Union (Simebal) is gathering information on all incidents dating from December 1 with special attention over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and strikes may be planned.

The nightmare flight never to be forgotten MAN was taken to the local psychiatric hospital A FLIGHT from Palma to Ibiza on Monday (January 4) nearly ended in disaster when a Romanian man, 44 years, tried to open one of the doors. It appears that the man, visibly distressed, was trying to commit suicide.

Due to the quick thinking of some of the passengers and the actions of the crew, they managed to overcome the man before disaster fell. The plane was allowed to land immediately at Ibiza airport and there the Guardia

Civil proceeded to arrest the man. Upon questioning him however, they discovered that he was suffering from diminished mental capacities and an ambulance was called to take him to the psychiatric hospital.

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

Jcn502 on Wikimedia Commons Flickr: Maciek Lulko

NEWS

Seven more fatal traffic accidents THERE were 33 victims By Glynis German

SEVEN people more than the previous year died in the Balearics in 2015 due to traffic accidents, some 33 victims in total. Across Spain the numbers continue to fall, but according to the acting Interior Minister, Jorge Fernandez Diaz, this decrease is too slow. Diaz presented the number of deaths on Spanish roads this week - 1,126 people died in 2015,

six less than in 2014. The register of deaths on Spanish roads began in 1960 when there were 1,300 deaths with a million vehicles and two million drivers on the roads. Ten years ago, the number of deaths was 3,000. Today’s number is low given that there are 31 million cars with more than 26 million drivers. Catalunia registered the highest number of deaths last year with Navarra registering the lowest.

EWN

NEWS EXTRA

Warmth over THE meteorological office (AEMET) warned 25 provinces to be on stand-by this week with rain, snow and strong winds expected. Mallorca could experience winds between 70 and 100 kms an hour.

Sudden jolt

SEPRONA: Will now investigate the case.

Untold cruelty, young mare hacked to death

A 47-YEAR-OLD man died in Sa Pobla when he was transporting two pallets on his tractor. He had to brake suddenly and the jolt caused a pallet to fall on top of him.

A YOUNG mare was found hacked to death at a property in Lloseta last weekend when her owner went to feed her. The mare had last been tended to on New Year’s Eve and all had been normal. However, upon his return, her remains were found minus her front leg as well as the back and skin on one side. The animal association, PACMA, has taken action to support the owner and has insisted that the town hall of Lloseta denounce the act and that Seprona investigate the case. The

Pay up!

town councillor for the environment, Marga Villalonga, is expected to meet with the owner soon. The owner, Ramon Figuerola, has been traumatised by the incident. A horse lover, he and some friends own a number of young horses at the property and he is worried that this senseless and mindless act of vandalism and cruelty may happen again. He has reported the matter to Seprona who will now have to investigate.

TWO repeat offenders, Charly and Forry, were arrested and charged with extortion, illegal detention and threats made to a couple in Mallorca. They had threatened them with damages if they didn’t pay €156,000.

E W N 7- 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

Local party insists on flood solution RESIDENTS in Son Ferrer have suffered for many years By Glynis German EVERY time it rains in Son Ferrer, the network of storm drains are not very effective when it comes to flooding. For many years residents in the area have suffered during heavy rains and Xisco Moreno, spokesman for Proposta per les Illes (PI) in Calvia, has had enough. Moreno has requested a budget to address

the problem of the drainage system in Son Ferrer, where every time it rains, floods occur. According to Moreno, the Calvia Town Hall budget for 2016 includes a portion to solve these deficiencies in Illetes but not other parts of the municipality that suffer similar problems. An amount of â&#x201A;Ź360,000 has been included in the budget for Illetes, but it seems that Son Ferrer has not been included.

Ex-mayor accused of harassment THE former mayor of Alcudia, Coloma Terrassa (PP) and the former Councillor for Social Services, Carmen Garcia (UxA) have been called to testify after being accused of harassment of a colleague at work.

It seems that a colleague in the town hall, who is currently being investigated for her role in the Nordesport Balear contracts by the anti-corruption team, presented the case against the two women and this will be heard in the Inca

courts next week. Apparently the woman struggled to work well with Garcia during much of Garciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last term in office and whilst the investigation was ongoing, the complainant was removed from her duties.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

Forest planned for Palma city CLIMATE change to be fought with trees By Glynis German THE plan to create a forest of some 34,000 square metres in Palma was presented this week by Deputy Mayor, Antoni Noguera, responsible for City Model, Urban Planning and Adequate Housing. The goal is to not only create a green space within the city which will be attractive to residents and visitors

alike, but also to combat climate change. The phenomenon of ‘island heat’ means that the temperatures in the city are even higher due to the tall buildings and the asphalt everywhere. The idea is to plant fast growing vines as well as pine and hackberry trees with the aim to provide shade, thus keeping about two or three degrees below city temperatures.

With some €500,000 available this year, plans include conserving the old velodrome situated in Miguel de los Santos Oliver street which dates back to 1903 and was the first to be built in Spain. The building there built in 1918, and designed by architect Gaspar Bennassar, will also be preserved, but the paddle courts will be demolished.

Strong winds cause havoc MONDAY night (January 4) saw the arrival of strong winds in Mallorca and Palma was no exception. The fire services were called out many times to attend to various effects the winds played on the city, mainly because of trees falling.

At Cami dels Reis street where it meets Cal Bizarro street, a tree fell on an electrical pylon causing Local Police to divert traffic. The electrical supply was switched off to allow the fire services to take the tree down.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

Mallorca taxis drive solidarity forward DRIVERS have joined a campaign to raise funds for Syrian refugees SOME 150 taxi drivers from all over Mallorca are joining a campaign to raise funds for Syrian refugees. A total of €1,800 has already been raised across Spain by taxi drivers and Mallorca is now joining to raise even more. The Taxi Association of the

Artesia Wells / Shutterstock.com

By Glynis German

TAXI SERVICE: Taking a ride can help refugees.

Balearics presented their campaign in Inca last weekend and drivers from Calvia, Inca, Andratx, Manacor, Felanitx, Cala d’Or (Santanyi) and Sa Pobla have put a poster in their vehicles with the message ‘send your best message of the year’ to travellers. People are invited to send a text message with the word ‘alianza’ and six euros will be donated to the NGO, Alianza por la Solidaridad, to use for medical attention in Jordan. For the next couple of months, every time you catch a taxi, you can support one of three clinics in Jordan who are treating refugees there as well as provide psycho-social care there. The number to send an sms to with the message ‘alianza’ is 38014.

NEWS

Centenary of poet and writer Llorenç Moyà ONE HUNDRED years ago this week, saw the birth of one of the most important writers in Mallorca. Llorenç Moyà was born on January 5, 1916 and was a poet, playwright and fiction writer with a degree in Law. He enjoyed being part of Mallorca’s intellectual set, and was a frequent contributor to the island’s news. Moyà wrote in the Catalan language and as homage to his literary legend, this year the town of Binissalem where he was born has declared 2016 to be The Year of Llorenç Moyà. Binissalem along with Palma Council will promote many events throughout the year with poetic readings, conferences, a round table and some of his works such as Polifem will be produced. Binissalem is also considering the making of a documentary as well as a travelling exhibition of his works. One of his most well known works is L’Adoracio dels Tres Reis d’Orient (The Adoration of the Three Kings), a theatrical adaption of his text and was shown on Wednesday January, 6 in Ses Voltes at midday or later by theatre group, Xamo Xamo, in Binissalem theatre at 5pm and 7pm.

Balearics closes 2015 with fewer unemployed BY the end of 2015 less people were registered as unemployed, 9.31 per cent compared to the same month of the previous year. December saw the total for those unemployed at 75,784, less than November by 1.82 per cent according to information published this week by the Ministry of Employment and Social Security. The majority of those unemployed are to be found in the service sector followed by con-

struction, industry, those without previous employment and agriculture. A total of 15,754 foreigners were registered and this is 1,332 less than the previous year with 6,420 from the European Union and 9,334 outside of the EU. The amount of contracts handed out was 23,407 in time for Christmas, with 2,797 of those being indefinite contracts, 228 more than the same month in 2014, an increase of 8.88 per

cent. Temporary contracts were 20,610, again more than the previous year, but less than November by 23.2 per cent. Not only was unemployment benefit delivered to many but other benefits included 37,883 contributory benefits, 33,089 grants, 2,867 active insertion income and some 133 grants for job activation. The total cost for unemployment benefits reached €62.89 million in the Balearics which meant an average of €922.40.

E W N 7- 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

San Sebastian leaves the church mass behind BELIEVED that religious services should not be mixed with local festivities By Glynis German vvTHE traditional church mass celebrated at the San Sebastian festivities are to be excluded from the official programme it was announced this week. The decision has not been made directly by the local government, but rather by the town commission for festivals, who believe that religious services should not be mixed with local festivities. That means that this year for the first time, the church mass will not be promoted from the town hall of Palma. The tri-party administration formed by PSOE, Més and Som Palma have always intended that Palma’s town hall be a secular institution and it seems that their wish to respect religious differences in Palma has already begun. The commission for festivals is made up of neighbourhood associations, unions, political parties and other social entities and it was at a long and heated meeting back in October when it was decided by a majority vote that these celebrations would be secular.

flickr by Carles Company

SAN SEBASTIAN: Festivities programme won’t include the church service.

Drama tournament to fight it out on stage TWELVE actors from Mallorca and Catalunia will compete in a drama tournament which will take place at the Mar i Terra theatre in Palma next week on January 11, 15 and 18. Four of the actors are from the Balearics and the idea behind the competition is to promote the talent of emerging playwrights on the island. Toni Luis Reyes, Marta Barceló, Vicent Tur and Juanma Palacios are four of the main heros of the hour and will fight for winning position in this creative tournament. The actors will only receive the unedited works which they will have to recite a few hours before the event, giving nerves and stage fright a whole different meaning. It will be up to the public to vote and eight will go through to the semi-finals and only four to the finals on January 18.

OPINION & COMMENT

7 - 13 January 2016 /Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

Advertising Feature

Euro has another winning week Commentary by Moneycorp EUR weekly currency update Although it was more a matter of sterling weakness than euro strength, the euro had another winning week against the pound, adding three quarters of a cent. It also beat the US dollar, but only by less than a fifth of a cent. There were no Euroland economic data or news to inspire investors: they simply carried on doing what they had been doing since the beginning of the month. A modest euro sell-off on Tuesday probably owed more to end-of-year position-squaring than to any change of sentiment. It has not been a great year for the euro, which has fallen by -10% against the dollar and by -6% against sterling. The year ahead might not be too clever either: more than one major economics team is looking for parity with the dollar. But there could be problems for the pound too, not least the political and economic uncertainty that will attend the EU referendum.

USD weekly currency update The dollar ended the year on a strong note, adding three quarters of a cent against sterling and losing only a dozen or so ticks to the euro. With only three working days to separate Christmas and New Year, and with the usual shortage of tradable economic data at this time of year, investors found little to inspire them. Their decisions were driven more by the desire to tidy up positions for year-end, and to realise profits (or losses), than they were by underlying sentiment. It has been a good year for the dollar, which has been 2015’s joint top performer among the major currencies with gains of 5% against sterling and 10% against the euro. (The Swiss franc shared the honours.) In the last month it has gone off the boil following the Fed’s anticlimactic rate increase but more than one analyst is looking for parity with the euro in the coming year.

Clarisse Musselwhite is Moneycorp’s Account Manager for Mallorca

She can be contacted on Tel: +34 902 887 243 Mobile: +34 687 932 472 Email:mallorca@moneycorp.com

902887243 mallorca@moneycorp.com CAD weekly currency update The Canadian dollar had another vaguely successful week, picking up a third of a US cent and adding nearly two cents against sterling. However, it was not so much an attack by the Loonie as a retreat by the Greenback and the pound. In the absence of any news or major economic data the US dollar was dogged by the sense of anticlimax that has surrounded it since the Fed’s small interest rate increase and the

pound was feeling the effect of fading expectations of any rate increase at all in 2016. The year-end reprieve does little to make up for what has been a shocking year for the Loonie. It is down by -14% against sterling and by -16% against the US dollar. Its fortunes in the year ahead will have a great deal to do with the price of natural resources, especially oil: if they remain low the Loonie is likely to do the same. AUD weekly currency update The Australian dollar put in the strongest weekly performance among the major currencies, adding one US cent and rising by three and a half cents against sterling. In the much-shortened week between Christmas and New Year there were no important economic data or news to influence its direction. However, the US dollar was held back by the sense of anticlimax that has surrounded it since the Fed's small interest rate increase and the pound was feeling the effect of fading expectations of any rate increase at all in 2016.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

Bonelli’s eagles to soar above Mallorca TO date 30 have been released FOR 20 years now, the Balearic government has been raising awareness about the Bonelli eagle (aquila fasciata) in Mallorca, with disciplinary measures introduced aimed at eliminating hunting, shooting and trapping of these beautiful creatures. Since 2007 studies have been carried out so that the species could be reintroduced in Mallorca. To date 30 eagles have been released with six of them sadly electrocuted and 19 managing to survive. When they are released, they are followed thanks to satellite tracking so that important information is gathered. It seems that electrocution is the biggest threat to the birds as they land on electrical pylons, possibly mistaking them for trees, much to their surprise. However, the electricity companies are working together with local departments

BALEARIC GOVERNMENT: Have been raising awareness about the Bonelli eagle to eliminate hunting.

COFIB and Natura Parc to find solutions which include modification of overhead electrical cables and

dangerous components being repaired. The electricity company, Elecnor, has been charged with the first phase of corrections on the power lines that present the biggest risk. The reintroduction of the Bonelli’s eagle is supported by Life Bonelli whose principal aim is to restore the population of the Bonelli’s eagle across the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. The positive impact of this project means other protected species such as the kite and the booted eagle will also have a chance to increase their populations.

New English nursery has opened its doors in Portol A NEW English nursery has opened its doors in the beautiful village of Portol in Marratxi. Co-founder and owner Hayley Debski has worked hard to set up her new school which caters for up to three-year-olds. Along with her colleagues

Marga and Silvia, the nursery encourages children to play freely in the garden, helping to look after the vegetable garden and the bunny rabbits too. “We have worked hard to create a homely, family environment in which children can

Free martial art class for Bruce Lee fans WING CHUN is a Chinese martial art and form of self-defence utilising both striking and grappling while specialising in closerange combat. On Saturday January, 9 there will be a free class held at 9am in Es Raco de Ses Idees in Palma, to introduce people to this martial art. Bruce Lee, the legendary actor and martial artist was said to have taught Wing Chun which trains the awareness of ones own body movement where balance is related to structure as a wellbalanced body recovers more quickly from stalled attacks and structure is maintained.

learn and grow with us,” says Hayley. “Our aims are to nurture the children in our care, show them love and respect and at the same time teach them to love and respect the world and the people that surround them.”

Road work guaranteed THE head of Sa Pobla Local Police Antoni Borras, said that a technical report submitted to the Consell de Mallorca has been approved, and as such various safety measures will be applied to the Sa Pobla to Albufera road. Measures include signs indicating distance as well as mirrors for improved visibility on the most dangerous crossings. The Sa Pobla end will have new asphalt soon.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

Stop now, I want to get off SLOW movement encourages simple activities like reading a book or travelling By Glynis German IF you have ever felt stre sse d b y t h e sp e ed o f the world today, then don’t worry, the slow movement is here! The slow movement is a global, cultural movement that promotes calm human activity. It proposes to take control of the time, giving priority to activities that affect the development of people. The slow approach seeks a balance between technology and the most essential human elements. The slow movement encourages simple activities like reading a book (slow books) or travelling and conn e c t i n g i n a d e e p er way with the country visited (slow travel). There are slow cities and Italy leads the way with cities hon-

SLOW MOVEMENT: Take a look at your way of life.

ouring traditions and traditional ways of doing things and valuing them. Slow c itie s ha ve le s s traffic, less noise and fewer crowds. Mallorca has been part of this movement with its own slow food movement, Slow Food Illes Balears, which was formed in 2007. This non-profit association brings together artisan producers, farmers, fisherfolk, bakers, agronomists, scientists, cooks, creatives, educators and journalists who all share a common interest: responsible consumption which embodies the slow way. Marc Masmiquel is a gra phic de s igne r ba s e d in Palma who is bringing his own ideas to the movement, that of slow design.

“Slow design celebrates di ver si t y and pl ur al i sm and is part of the process i nvol vi ng cr eat i on and creativity. “My work is not just to create a design for a customer but to go one step further, to encourage and find happiness and balance using the qualities of sensi t i vi t y, hum i l i t y and above all, time.” The slow movement allows us to become aware of how our way of living in the fast lane, consuming the way we do has an impact on our ver y bei ng, causing stress, depression and other imbalances. Perhaps 2016 could be the year we slow down and t ake a good l ook at our way of life, stepping back in time to savour, just a little.

NEWS

Inca jazz night THIS Friday (January 8) 11 talented musicians will gather and perform jazz at the cultural centre, Fàbrica Ramis, in Inca. Headed by trumpet player, Pep Garau with musicians playing trombone, sax, guitar, drums, Hammond as well as voice, the night is guaranteed to be entertaining. The musicians hail from different musical traditions jazz, soul, rock and classical. “The combination of individual baggage creates something new, something without a label and with a higher expressive power,” says Pep. “This is a reflection of the past 100 years of music in a current setting with a cutting edge.” Branca Santa play at 10.30pm, tickets €10.

Nutcracker presentation in Palma THE Minister of Culture, Heritage and Sport, Francesc Miralles, attended the presentation of The Nutcracker ballet which will open at Palma’s Teatre Principal this weekend. Those present included the directors and choreographers, Gavin de Paor and Laura Macías along with the director of the Balearic Symphony Orchestra, Joji Hottori, and the lead dancers Ryoko Yagyu and Michael Revie.

NEWS

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

RUSSIAN P RESS

Netflix coming to Russian TV NO further details available at the moment

NETFLIX: An online media streaming service.

THE American multinational online media streaming service Netflix will begin operations in Russia starting January 2016. Multinational Korean corporation LG confirmed that Netflix would enter the Russian market via its Smart TV technology, but offered no further details.

Space wait RUSSIA’S plan to embark on a moon exploration may have to wait because of the economic crisis. Roscosmos, the country’s federal space agency is now facing budget cuts from the government, jeopardising all major space programmes.

Record oil figures RUSSIA pumped a record 534 million tons of crude oil in 2015 even as it reeled from a fall in oil prices caused by a supply glut, energy ministry data showed this week. The country’s oil and gas production last year increased 1.4 per cent year-on-year. CRUDE OIL: A record 543 million tons.

Nuclear Dhaka BANGLADESH’S state-run Atomic Energy Commission signed a deal with Russia on January 1, to build two 1,200 megawatt nuclear power plants, an investment totalling $12.65 billion (€11.6bn). Russia will finance up to 90 per cent of the total cost.

Blogger bust A RUSSIAN court sentenced a blogger to five years in jail for what it said was his extremist activity on the Internet after he urged people to attend a protest against high transport fares and criticised Russian intervention in Ukraine.

Bomb scare ABOUT 500 people were evacuated from two railway stations in Moscow this week after police were tipped off about bombs being planted, but no bomb was found.

EWN

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

What did you do with your last boarding pass? IT’S possible to access your personal details

BOARDING PASS: A great deal of information is contained within this. By Steve Walsh THE common or garden boarding pass is a familiar sight to most of us, and once served its purpose is typically discarded without concern as soon as we land. But maybe we should take a little more care of that scrap of paper! We are all aware of the need to keep our digital data safe these days, and with the guile and cunning of an MI5 agent take all sorts of security measures with our mo-

biles, online banking, pin numbers and email accounts. However, did you realise that there is a great deal of information on that innocent little piece of paper you just left on the plane that hackers can use to access your personal data? For example: If a wouldbe hacker took a picture of the bar code on your boarding card, using a few of his software tools it’s possible for him to access your email address and telephone number. From there they

might even get access to your bank account or maybe even break into your home… after all he knows you’re on holiday! The broadcaster USA Today has released a video in which they show how easy it is for a hacker to access your information using just his mobile phone. So, the next time you brag on Facebook with a photo of your flight tickets to Barbados, don’t be surprised how much of your information actually ends up in the wrong hands.

Presents from kings preferred A RECENT survey conducted by DaWanda has found that Balearic residents are more traditional when it comes to gifts at Christmas. Seventy per cent prefer to wait for the Three Kings and receive gifts then, compared to 24 per cent who receive from Santa Claus, whilst 6 per cent receive from another traditional figure like those found in

Catalunia or Asturias. The type of present has to be more meaningful too with 49.5 per cent of gifts being educational and around 40 per cent of gifts being materials and kits with which to make things. Gone are boring presents with those questioned saying they want original and personalised presents from their loved ones.

FINANCE

Mallorca

7 - 13 January 2016

LONDON - FTSE 100

-2.09%

C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 4

€318 million is the amount Apple’s Italian subsidiary has agreed to pay to the Italian government following an investigation into tax fraud allegations.

STAT OF WEEK

business & legal

EWN

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

DOW JONES

-1.02%

C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 4

NASDAQ

-1.26%

C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 4

IBEX 35

-1.99%

C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 4

Record Boxing Day sales expected Nigeria NUMBER of people visiting the UK high street rose 11.7 per cent By John Smith THANKS to a long weekend in the UK with Boxing Day and its traditional sales falling on a Saturday, the retail analyst Springboard has forecast that this is likely to be a record year for sales both in shops

(€2,717,000) is the record amount of sales that Selfridges made between 9am and 10am on Boxing Day

“The government must take the big decisions on infrastructure, especially in aviation and energy, and get building roads, rail and more homes.” CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn.

Photo Credit Epizentrum Wikimedia

Quote of the Week

£2 million

BANK HEADQUARTERS: Twin towers in Frankfurt.

Deutsche Bank to sell Chinese shares By John Smith AS part of announced plans to increase its financial strength, Deutsche Bank has agreed a deal to sell its 20 per cent stake in China’s Hua Xia Bank for an estimated $4 billion (€3.66 billion) to the State-owned Chinese insurer PICC Property and Casualty Company.

and more importantly online. The number of people visiting high street shops on Boxing Day increased by 11.7 per cent compared with last year according to the company, and visits to shopping centres and retail parks also increased although not so dramatically, perhaps many remem-

“As we execute on Deutsche Bank’s strategic agenda, now is the right time for us to sell this investment,” said chief executive John Cryan according to the BBC. Earlier this year the bank said that it intends to reduce its staffing by 15,000 as well as selling a number of its businesses.

BUSINESS EXTRA

Barcelona Metro sale ACS construction group is selling, subject to final approval, 80 per cent of its holdings in Servicios, Transportes y Equipamientos Publicos, which in turn holds 50 per cent of one of the lines in the Barcelona Metro system. It anticipates that the sale will not only release capital for reinvestment but will show a profit of around €70 million for the company.

Hyatt hacking HOTEL group Hyatt is warning past guests of a security breach in its customer payment system, as it had found malware on the payment processing computers for some hotels. The company said the problem had been fixed, but advised past customers to check bank statements for any unusual activity.

The cost of the UK floods IN the view of accountants PwC, the cost of heavy flooding across northern England is likely to exceed £1.5 billion (€2 billion), with small businesses and insurance firms hit hard, and this was before the onset across Ireland and Scotland of

Storm Frank, so the final cost is likely to be much greater. The overall cost to the economy could run to about 0.25 per cent of UK domestic product, and does not take into account the irreparable loss.

bering the six-hour queue to exit Bluewater in Kent on December 21. It was interesting to note that many shoppers didn’t go out on Boxing Day until the late morning as they were busy checking websites to see what bargains were available and where.

card ban THE Central Bank of Nigeria has issued an order to local commercial banks to tell customers to stop using their debit and credit cards whilst abroad after January 2016, according to the BBC. It is anticipated that this should be a temporary measure in order to protect the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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

C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 4

PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY Anglo American 282.98 -16.47 Associated British Foods 3,277.50 -64.50 Admiral Group 1,620.50 -38.50 Aberdeen Asset Management 279.55 -9.85 Ashtead Group 1,089.50 -29.50 Antofagasta 453.70 -15.60 ARM Holdings 1,007.50 -31.50 Aviva 499.30 -16.70 AstraZeneca 4,527.50 -89.00 BAE Systems 489.60 -10.00 Babcock International Group 994.00 -22.00 Barclays 214.13 -4.77 British American Tobacco 3,693.00 -78.00 Barratt Developments 614.25 -11.75 BG Group 977.30 -7.70 Berkeley Group Holdings 3,622.00 -66.00 British Land Co 769.75 -16.25 BHP Billiton 738.85 -21.15 Bunzl 1,851.00 -34.00 BP 348.83 -5.17 Burberry Group 1,151.50 -43.50 BT Group 459.90 -11.80 Coca-Cola HBC 1,416.00 -32.00 Carnival 3,847.50 -18.50 Centrica 214.20 -3.90 Compass Group 1,153.50 -21.50 Capita Group (The) 1,184.50 -23.50 CRH 1,931.00 -40.00 Dixons Carphone 493.50 -6.50 DCC 5,572.50 -87.50 Diageo 1,824.75 -31.75 Direct Line Insurance Group 399.20 -8.30 Experian 1,170.50 -30.50 easyJet 1,726.00 -14.00 Fresnillo 703.50 -4.50 GKN 298.85 -9.55 Glencore 86.92 -3.56 GlaxoSmithKline 1,348.25 -24.75 Hikma Pharmaceuticals 2,268.50 -32.50 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,472.00 -34.00 Hammerson 588.50 -11.50 HSBC Holdings 522.10 -14.10 International Consolidated Air 601.50 -9.00 InterContinental Hotels Grp 2,580.00 -78.00 3i Group 471.55 -10.05 Imperial Tobacco Group 3,519.75 -66.75 Intu Properties 310.10 -7.20 Inmarsat 1,115.00 -22.00 Intertek Group 2,721.50 -55.50 ITV 270.95 -5.65

% CHG. NET VOL -5.50 4,308.54 -1.93 26,663.59 -2.32 4,669.48 -3.40 3,849.78 -2.64 5,677.72 -3.32 4,541.84 -3.03 14,779.82 -3.24 21,078.35 -1.93 58,475.02 -2.00 16,041.48 -2.17 5,168.02 -2.18 37,337.57 -2.07 70,950.86 -1.88 6,311.17 -0.78 34,339.73 -1.79 5,071.35 -2.07 8,129.74 -2.78 16,385.45 -1.80 6,366.46 -1.46 65,962.56 -3.64 5,449.21 -2.50 39,365.96 -2.21 5,407.60 -0.48 8,373.78 -1.79 10,988.74 -1.83 19,759.19 -1.95 8,168.37 -2.03 16,261.74 -1.30 5,757.31 -1.55 5,001.97 -1.71 47,272.45 -2.04 6,180.00 -2.54 12,088.46 -0.80 6,986.89 -0.64 5,231.94 -3.10 5,099.08 -3.93 13,579.75 -1.80 67,713.28 -1.41 4,689.59 -2.26 7,223.87 -1.92 4,803.91 -2.63 106,268.97 -1.47 12,429.74 -2.93 6,276.00 -2.09 4,724.22 -1.86 34,608.41 -2.27 4,318.66 -1.93 5,161.12 -2.00 4,527.81 -2.04 11,190.64

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Johnson Matthey 2,599.00 -58.00 Kingfisher 322.65 -6.85 Land Securities Group 1,157.00 -20.00 Legal & General Group 260.60 -7.20 Lloyds Banking Group ORD 71.70 -1.37 London Stock Exchange Grp 2,675.50 -68.50 Merlin Entertainments 447.55 -7.95 Marks & Spencer Group 437.15 -15.25 Mondi 1,296.00 -38.00 National Grid 923.45 -14.05 Next 7,137.50 -152.50 Old Mutual 170.05 -8.85 Provident Financial 3,273.00 -94.00 Prudential 1,479.00 -52.00 Persimmon 1,980.00 -47.00 Pearson 718.50 -17.50 Reckitt Benckiser Group 6,138.50 -142.50 Royal Bank of Scotland Group 295.75 -6.25 Royal Dutch Shell 1,511.75 -14.25 Royal Dutch Shell 1,529.25 -13.75 RELX 1,174.50 -22.50 Rio Tinto 1,920.50 -59.00 Royal Mail 437.05 -6.95 Rolls-Royce Group 561.00 -14.00 Randgold Resources 4,203.00 60.00 RSA Insurance Group 414.05 -12.45 SABMiller 4,054.00 -15.50 Sainsbury (J) 253.00 -5.80 Schroders 2,912.50 -63.50 Sage Group (The) 590.25 -13.25 Shire 4,539.50 -158.50 Sky 1,091.00 -21.00 Standard Life 381.40 -8.30 Smiths Group 915.75 -23.75 Smith & Nephew 1,174.50 -33.50 Sports Direct International 568.00 -9.00 SSE 1,505.50 -22.50 Standard Chartered 545.60 -18.10 St James's Place 979.75 -28.25 Severn Trent 2,146.00 -31.00 Travis Perkins 1,939.50 -33.50 Tesco 145.93 -3.57 TUI AG 1,208.00 -3.00 Taylor Wimpey 198.80 -4.30 Unilever 2,848.00 -78.50 United Utilities Group 930.00 -5.50 Vodafone Group 217.60 -3.40 Wolseley 3,606.00 -85.00 Worldpay Group Ord 3p Wi 303.00 -4.30 WPP Group 1,533.50 -29.50 Whitbread 4,334.00 -67.00

% CHG. -2.18 -2.08 -1.70 -2.69 -1.87 -2.50 -1.75 -3.37 -2.85 -1.50 -2.09 -4.95 -2.79 -3.40 -2.32 -2.38 -2.27 -2.07 -0.93 -0.89 -1.88 -2.98 -1.57 -2.43 1.45 -2.92 -0.38 -2.24 -2.13 -2.20 -3.37 -1.89 -2.13 -2.53 -2.77 -1.56 -1.47 -3.21 -2.80 -1.42 -1.70 -2.39 -0.25 -2.12 -2.68 -0.59 -1.54 -2.30 -1.40 -1.89 -1.52

NET VOL 5,596.30 7,749.21 9,502.33 16,163.85 52,816.56 9,654.40 4,632.82 7,501.25 6,545.27 35,766.01 11,060.40 9,014.87 4,968.50 40,133.09 6,253.46 6,115.25 45,033.88 19,958.21 60,794.47 38,534.08 13,496.08 27,825.07 4,554.00 10,783.36 3,942.19 4,407.64 65,948.34 5,088.52 6,830.40 6,593.67 27,707.05 19,356.13 7,819.64 3,815.52 10,813.19 3,432.20 15,471.97 14,786.92 5,346.19 5,244.80 4,991.57 12,298.32 7,285.61 6,643.57 37,746.54 6,460.89 57,996.54 9,770.34 N/A 20,583.55 8,136.46

Kleinwort Benson Elite PCC Ltd

0.74032

1.35077 Units per €

US dollar ..................................................................1.09243 Japan yen.................................................................130.100 Switzerland franc ................................................1.08695 Denmark kroner...................................................7.46296 Norway kroner.....................................................9.64623

currenciesdirect.com/mallorca • Tel: +34 687 906 226

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 4

COMPANY MMM 3M AXP American Express AAPL Apple BA Boeing CAT Caterpillar CVX Chevron CSCO Cisco KO Coca-Cola DIS Disney DD E I du Pont de Nemours and Co XOM Exxon Mobil GE General Electric GS Goldman Sachs HD Home Depot IBM IBM INTC Intel JNJ Johnson & Johnson JPM JPMorgan Chase MCD McDonald's MRK Merck MSFT Microsoft NKE Nike PFE Pfizer PG Procter & Gamble TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies UNH UnitedHealth VZ Verizon V Visa WMT Wal-Mart

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 150.64 -1.27 -0.84% 1.6M 69.55 -0.61 -0.87% 3.5M 105.26 -2.06 -1.92% 40.9M 144.59 -1.82 -1.24% 2.1M 67.96 -0.73 -1.06% 4.4M 89.96 -0.13 -0.14% 7.0M 27.16 -0.375 -1.36% 17.0M 42.96 -0.61 -1.40% 9.7M 105.08 -1.26 -1.18% 6.7M 66.60 -0.73 -1.08% 2.8M 77.95 -0.16 -0.20% 10.3M 31.15 +0.10 +0.32% 52.3M 180.23 -1.78 -0.98% 1.8M 132.25 -1.10 -0.82% 3.2M 137.62 -1.72 -1.23% 3.5M 34.45 -0.54 -1.54% 14.7M 102.72 -1.06 -1.02% 4.6M 66.03 -0.56 -0.84% 14.7M 118.14 -1.29 -1.08% 3.7M 52.82 -0.43 -0.81% 8.3M 55.48 -0.83 -1.47% 27.3M 62.50 -0.75 -1.19% 6.5M 32.28 -0.47 -1.44% 21.1M 79.41 -0.66 -0.82% 5.1M 112.86 -1.43 -1.25% 956.1K 96.07 -0.83 -0.86% 3.0M 117.64 -1.28 -1.08% 2.4M 46.22 -0.55 -1.18% 11.5M 77.55 -0.80 -1.02% 6.5M 61.30 -0.38 -0.62% 6.6M

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 4

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced Aemetis, Inc SteadyMed Ltd. EV Energy Partners, L.P. Kura Oncology, Inc. Memorial Production Partners LP Global Sources Ltd. Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. Star Bulk Carriers Corp. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. ProQR Therapeutics N.V. ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc.

$ 2.90 $ 3.13 $ 2.81 $ 8.40 $ 2.64 $ 7.80 $ 6.70 $ 11.9999 $ 6.83 $ 8.68 $ 15.04

1 ▲ 52.63% 0.66 ▲ 26.72% 0.41 ▲ 17.08% 1.12 ▲ 15.38% 0.35 ▲ 15.28% 1.02 ▲ 15.04% 0.79 ▲ 13.37% 1.1499 ▲ 10.60% 0.65 ▲ 10.52% 0.75 ▲ 9.46% 1.29 ▲ 9.38%

$ 12.20 $ 3.99 $ 2.0501 $ 16.31 $ 14.66 $ 4.42 $ 3.87 $ 20.08 $ 6.37 $ 17.33 $ 16.41

2.29 ▼ 15.80% 0.45 ▼ 10.14% 0.2299 ▼ 10.08% 1.54 ▼ 8.63% 1.27 ▼ 7.97% 0.37 ▼ 7.72% 0.31 ▼ 7.42% 1.45 ▼ 6.73% 0.44 ▼ 6.46% 1.19 ▼ 6.43% 1.09 ▼ 6.23%

Most Declined Flamel Technologies S.A. General Finance Corporation Erickson Incorporated SodaStream International Ltd. MyoKardia, Inc. Century Aluminum Company Bio Blast Pharma Ltd. Immune Design Corp. American Superconductor Corporation NantKwest, Inc. PHI, Inc.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

Spanish retail showing an upturn SPAIN’S national statistics agency has announced that retail hiring in November grew 1.8 per cent over the last year, which is the fastest rate since Spain entered the deep recession in 2008. Spanish shops are now said to be hiring at pre-crisis levels in what is the Eurozone’s fourth largest economy. Perhaps going in some way to explaining the need for additional staff, retail sales increased by 3.3 per cent in November compared to last y e a r, wh i c h is th e 1 6 th consecutive month of growth, according to the agency. Whilst final figures are awaited follo wi n g l a st m i n u te T h re e Kings spending, many large retailers believe this will be the best Christmas and New Year period for business since the country’s recovery started. One of the reasons for higher household spending in Spain is belie v e d t o b e t h e fa llin g o il prices which have helped reduce

Photo Credit Arseniy Krasnevsky Shutterstock

By John Smith

SHOPPING: Large retailers believe this will be the best Christmas and New Year period for spending since the recovery started. costs, although the public at large did not recognise the economic growth of the country by voting

for the incumbent government. A lthough Spa in’s e c onomy gre w 0.8 pe r c e nt in the third

quarter of the year, the high unemployment level and effective freezing of wages doesn’t really

bode that well for future confidence, al t hough any posi t i ve news has to be welcome.

Minimum wage in Spain is to increase by 1 per cent DESPITE the fact that the offer of 1 per cent increase in the minimum wage by the interim government of Spain was opposed by the two main unions UGT and CCOO as being insufficient, it appears that this offer is final and will be imposed for 2016.

The UK minimum wage is more than double that of Spain This means that the monthly minimum wage will increase by just €6.60 from €648.60 to €655.20, which is hardly likely to spur growth in consumer spending, although there could in theory be a review should a different government come into power in the next few months.

INSUFFICIENT: Increase is unlikely to spur growth in spending. By comparison, minimum wages in the UK, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Ireland and France are all more than double that of Spain.

At the same time, it has been announced that the state pension will increase by just 0.25 per cent, although this will require the extra withdrawal of

€281 million from the national pension pot which as previously reported has been ‘raided’ by the government during its last full term.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

BANKS will set their own fees By John Smith IF you think that bureaucracy at Spanish banks is bad, it is about to get worse as despite attempted intervention from the Bank of Spain, there will be not insignificant charges if you use your bank card to withdraw cash from a bank other than your own. Initially, there seemed to be the intention for each bank to charge the user two charges, one from the bank supplying the cash and the other from the bank that issued the card, which is what the Bank of Spain objected to as this is a double

Customers will be charged for withdrawing money from a bank other than their own charge for the same service. Now, even though they have been ‘advised’ by the minister for the economy to reduce their charges, the banks have got together and decided to impose charges anyway. Whilst irritating for the consumer, it isn’t impossible to live with, or is it? Rather than each bank charging the same amount,

they have all decided to go their own way and there are two tier systems introduced by almost every bank, whereby if they have an agreement with another bank, the charge will be lower than if they don’t have an agreement with the bank whose card is being used. Just to add to the confusion every bank has a different charge with the lowest being 50 cents charged by ING with a whopping €2 being charged by Caixabank, and all the other banks are charging something in between. You know it makes cents (for the banks)!

25 Photo Credit Rob Wilson Shutterstock

New Spanish ATM charges

EWN

ATM COST: Charges range from 50 cents to €2.

OPINION & COMMENT

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

What will next year hold in store? IT will be my 77th on the planet, at one point I didn’t think I’d make it past 30! LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

WELL, yet another year looms over us. I wonder what this one holds in store. It will actually be my 77th on this planet of ours. Not bad really, especially when you consider that at one point I didn’t think I’d get much further than 30! A record number of friends and colleagues have passed this year. I suppose that is one of the drawbacks of relative longevity. If you last long enough one day they will all be gone. Not sure I want to be around for that! Anyway here we go with the year of our Lord 2016. To be honest, if you were born in 1939 that very date sounds futuristic enough to boggle the mind. When, as a youngster, I lost myself in the adventures of Dan Dare in the Eagle comics, it never dawned that one day I would actu-

INCREDIBLE ENVIRONMENT: Distant planets, men walking on the moon.

ally live in the incredible environment depicted in those fantasy adventures. Instant visual communication. Spaceships to distant planets. Men walking on the

moon. Weapons of mass destruction! Odd is it not that humans can be so advanced in some respects and remain so primitive in others? We’re all still killing

each other. I reckon it’ll be about a thousand years more before we learn to live in peace with our fellow man. The abolition of all organised religions would be a step in the right direction. What mankind needs is a spiritual revolution. Something that is guided by the heart and the soul, instead of scribings in ancient manuscripts that are completely out of touch with the present day. Books that teach violence and disruption as a means of attaining the fast track to Shangri La and are so obscure in their content, they can be interpreted in any way our religious hierarchy deem fit. Dream on Leapy. So, all that remains is to thank you all for all your missives and interest. (Don’t worry, I can still take it!) Thanks also to the Euro Weekly News for still remaining one of the last bastions of free speech, and a very happy, peaceful and healthy New Year to you all. Keep the faith. Love Leapy. Leapylee2002@gmail.com

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

LETTERS

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION

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

Fraud refund after card scam DEAR John, You very kindly wrote an article in the EWN about the problems that I had when my bank card was scammed in an ATM in Elviria in September (EWN 1577), and €3,000 was fraudulently removed from my account with my bank refusing to refund the money. Whilst this was bad enough, I also had a serious fall which resulted in me having a major operation and then I was confined to a wheelchair and a not very pleasant rehabilitation centre. Now I’m delighted to say that although not completely recovered I am able to walk and drive again and I have today (December 29) received a letter from my bank advising that I will receive a full refund of the money stolen within the next two weeks. I was lucky enough to find a very good lawyer, who was able to explain to my bank that unless the money was refunded that he would approach the Bank of Spain on my behalf, as they have recently indicated that they are prepared to become involved in unresolved cases such as mine. The combination of your publicity for my loss and my very clever lawyer means that I can look forward to a much happier 2016 than I had expected following the loss and my accident, so many thanks to EWN for your help. Vera, Elviria

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

First baby born on Xmas Day KAYLEEN from Gibraltar was over the moon with the article published in the EWN last week regarding the birth of her son William, who was the first Christmas baby born in Gibraltar, and simply wrote: Lovely, thank you :-)

DEAR Michel, I would like to thank you once again for your generous gesture of donating €250 through your Giving While Living campaign. Your contribution allowed us to obtain 210 dozen, that is 2,520, eggs to give to the Los Caputxins food bank for distribution!!!! A million thanks, a huge hug and a very Happy New Year! Jenny in Mallorca

and their two children, staying in Can Pastilla, close to Palma Airport. It will be their first visit Mallorca. Just a thought, but would it be possible to join you at one of your now, world famous Curry Appreciation Evenings? We arrive on March 26, and return on April 2. Should such an event, not be taking place when we are on the island, perhaps there might be a chance to share a half decent bottle of vino tinto. I could then explain to Gabriela (5) and Teddy (2) about arrows and things! Very best regards sir. Robert and Marie Barnes Campoverde, Costa Blanca.

Curry night

PC brigade

DEAR Leapy, Myself and my wife Marie, visit Mallorca each year. Towards the end of March in 2016 we will again be dropping onto the island, but this time with my daughter, her husband

HI Leapy I felt I just had to drop you a quick note having read your Enoch Powell article in the Euro Weekly News. Fantastic piece Leapy, well written and spot on! Any of the thousands of

Giving While Living

No respect LEAPY, why is it only sections of the British community that criticise their own and assert they are no better than the immigrants who come to abuse the UK’s generosity? It’s something I’ve never understood. There’s not another nationality in the world that does this. No wonder immigrants don’t respect our country when we can’t respect it either. Annie Via website

Puzzle errors

CHRISTMAS BABY: Kayleen and her son William.

fluffy Liberals and PC brigade who appear to have an ever increasing voice in England, as well of course as the BBC which is clearly run by them would be hard pressed to accuse you of anything resembling racism with that article – much as they will try. I’m a person who grew up in the 50s and 60s so remember this speech very well and goodness me how his words have come to fruition… I, like you, now live in Spain and have done since 2000, and so from the ‘outside’ so to speak see my beloved England sinking further and further as time goes by, I think it’s all too late now to get our Country and our Anglo Saxon identity back – stable door and all that! Too late for our generation, it’s our children and more so our grandchildren I fear for. Rant over, once again great piece, jolly well done. Wishing you and your family a Very Happy New Year! Best wishes John San Roque, Cadiz

Wonderful donation DEAR Michel, It’s people like you who allow us to do what we do. This is a wonderful donation, thank you very much. We were hoping to be able to do some events and outings for the children over the Christmas period as they all get stuck in the homes and get quite bored, so Star Wars here we come, the kids will love it! Brilliant! We also put in food and goodies so they don’t miss out. The Bags For Christmas Appeal has done very well again this year and we have given the homes new pjs, slippers, underwear and loads of presents, we also have quite a bit of gels, shampoo and toothbrushes etc for the homes. We wish you all a very happy Christmas and a wonderful 2016. With loads of love, Tony and Lucy Make A Smile

MAY I first wish you all a Happy New Year! This is the first time that I have EVER written to a newspaper (and I’m nearly 80 years old!), so bear with me if I ramble a bit! I have been enjoying your paper here for nearly 10 years now and particularly like the puzzles section, they say doing puzzles keeps the brain active and stops you vegetating!! But you really got me all of a twist last week with the nonagram (my favourite). Could you please tell us what dictionary you use to validify all the words you use?! The rules state quite clearly NO PLURALS, so how can you have CHESTNUTS as the nine letter word? Likewise the following words: Chests, tenths, chutes, tushes, hues, huts, hens and thens, and the word echt I cannot even find in either of my dictionaries! I don’t mind finding the odd word I’ve never heard of and can’t find, but I think you’ve overdone it with this one! I’m all for learning new words to add to my vocabulary, even at my advanced age but this is stretching it a bit too far and I felt I had to comment. This week’s puzzle has gone the other way, you gave a target of 16 and so far I have 24 valid words (all in the dictionary!) Thank you Janice Brooks, Alora Editor’s note: Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention, we will look into the matter for future editions.

WHEN YOU WRITE All letters, whether by email or post, should carry the writer’s postal address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published. Letters may also be edited. Readers who have missed earlier correspondence can see all letters posted on:

www.euroweeklynews.com

The views expressed and opinions given in Letters are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements, and reject claims arising out of any action that a company or individual may take on the basis of information contained therein.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

TV LISTING

THURSDAY 07 JANUARY

FRIDAY 08 JANUARY

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:35pm 12:35am

BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Dickensian EastEnders Death in Paradise BBC News at Ten BBC London News The Age of Loneliness This Week

6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm

Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show Match of the Day Live BBC News at Ten BBC London News The Graham Norton Show Would I Lie to You?

11:00pm 11:25pm 11:35pm 12:25am

SATURDAY 09 JANUARY

7:00pm 7:10pm 7:40pm 8:30pm 10:05pm 10:55pm 11:05pm 11:25pm 1:00am

SUNDAY 10 JANUARY

7:05pm 7:20pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:20pm 11:30pm 12:25am

MONDAY 11 JANUARY

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

TUESDAY 12 JANUARY

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 12:40am

WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY

7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm

11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 1:15am

BBC London News Celebrity Mastermind Pointless The Voice UK Casualty The National Lottery Live BBC News Match of the Day: FA Cup Highlights The Peacemaker BBC News BBC London News Countryfile Still Open All Hours Antiques Roadshow War and Peace BBC News BBC London News Match of the Day: FA Cup Highlights Signs

7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:05am 4:45pm 5:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 10:45pm 11:15pm 12:00am 6:00pm 6:45pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am 12:50am 2:40am

Inside Out EastEnders Can You Stop My Multiple Sclerosis? Silent Witness BBC News at Ten BBC London News Tracey Ullman's Show Have I Got Old News for You

8:00pm

BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Holby City Silent Witness BBC News at Ten BBC London News Reggie Yates' Extreme UK A Simple Plan

7:00pm 7:30pm

BBC London News The One Show Dickensian Would I Lie to You? Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough BBC News at Ten BBC London News Match of the Day Masters Snooker Extra

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

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

Great British Railway Journeys Celebrity Antiques Road Trip World's Sneakiest Animals You Make Me Feel Like Dancing The Clare Balding Show Newsnight Darts

5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm

Great British Railway Journeys Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Mastermind What to Buy and Why Royal Wives at War QI Newsnight Darts

8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm

For What It's Worth Darts Flog It! World's Sneakiest Animals Victorian Bakers Dad's Army Live at the Apollo Insert Name Here QI XL Dragons' Den Ski Sunday Darts Dragons' Den My Mediterranean with Adrian Chiles Stephen Fry: A Life on Screen Masters Snooker Highlights Disconnect Countryfile Celebrity Antiques Road Trip University Challenge Only Connect Immortal Egypt with Joann Fletcher Insert Name Here Newsnight Masters Snooker Highlights Eggheads Great British Railway Journeys Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Victorian Bakers Stargazing 2016 Stargazing: Back to Earth Newsnight Race to Super Bowl 50 Great British Railway Journeys Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Trust Me, I'm a Doctor Stargazing 2016 Russell Howard's Good News Newsnight Masters Snooker Highlights

10:00pm 12:15am

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

12:15am 1:15am

Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Tonight Emmerdale Birds of a Feather Jericho Trawlermen Tales

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

Emmerdale Coronation Street The Martin Lewis Money Show Coronation Street Mr Selfridge ITV News at Ten and Weather Birds of a Feather Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

4:10pm 5:00pm

10:00pm 11:00pm 1:05am

6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 10:00pm 12:35am 2:35am

ITV News and Weather You've Been Framed! Ninja Warrior UK Take Me Out The Jonathan Ross Show ITV News and Weather Sex and the City 2 Jackpot247

6:00pm 6:35pm 7:05pm 7:35pm

Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands Endeavour ITV News and Weather Joanna Lumley's Trans-Siberian Adventure Rugby Highlights Jackpot247

4:30pm 5:00pm 7:00pm 7:20pm

8:30pm 10:00pm 12:50am

9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:30am

7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:40pm 12:40am 1:35am 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:40pm

12:40am

7:25pm

7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 11:40pm 12:40am

ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Griff's Great Britain Coronation Street Benidorm ITV News at Ten and Weather Saved The Chase Jackpot247

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

Emmerdale The Kyle Files Trawlermen Tales Saved ITV News at Ten and Weather Britain's Biggest Adventures with Bear Grylls Double Decker Driving School

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

Party Political Broadcast by the Conservative Party ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Midsomer Murders ITV News at Ten and Weather The World According to Kenny Everett The Kyle Files

4:10pm 5:00pm

10:00pm 11:00pm 11:35pm 12:35am

9:30pm 10:00pm 11:35pm 12:35am

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

Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Location, Location, Location The Restoration Man Big Fat Quiz of Everything 24 Hours in A and E

7:55pm 8:00pm

Countdown A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Amy Rude Tube Vampires Suck

7:00pm

Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Channel 4 News Location, Location, Location Britain's Wildest Weather 2015 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire The Day the Earth Stood Still

7:00pm 7:05pm 8:05pm

9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

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

9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

12:15am 12:45am

5 News Tonight Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild Britain's Bloody Crown Celebrity Big Brother Celebrity Botched Up Bodies Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

6:00pm

Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! Pussies Galore: Love Me, Love My Cats Puppies Make You Laugh Out Loud Celebrity Big Brother Lip Sync Battle UK Celebrity Big Brother Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the side

6:00pm 6:30pm 6:45pm 7:00pm

12:00am 12:15am

Game Changers Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs The Fantasy Football Club Sporting Rivalries Sporting Rivalries Barclays Premier League Review Football Gold Football Gold

5 News Weekend World War II in Colour World War II Battlefield Recovery Chasing Monsters Celebrity Big Brother Jason Manford Live At The Manchester Apollo Lip Sync Battle UK Tattoo Disasters

1:00pm 1:30pm 4:15pm 4:30pm 4:45pm 5:00pm 5:15pm 5:30pm 8:00pm 10:30pm 2:00am

The Mavericks European Rugby Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs European Rugby Sporting Triumphs NFL NFL

Over Her Dead Body The First Wives Club Herbie: Fully Loaded 5 News Weekend Star Trek: Generations Celebrity Big Brother The BAFTA Britannia Awards 2015 The River Wild Super Casino

9:00am 9:30am

The Mavericks The Sunday Supplement Goals on Sunday The Sunday Supplement Football Scottish Cup Football NFL NFL Football Gold

5:30pm

The Simpsons 17 Again Channel 4 News Ice Age: Continental Drift Walking the Himalayas Deutschland 83 The 80s: Ten Years That Changed Britain Footloose

1:50pm 3:35pm 5:35pm 7:35pm 7:40pm

Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News How to Lose Weight Well The Undateables Crashing Tattoo Fixers Bodyshockers

4:15pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Left to Die 5 News at 5 Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight Police Interceptors Ice Road Truckers Celebrity Big Brother Gotham Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Tricks of the Restaurant Trade Travel Man: 48 Hours in Paris Derren Brown Very British Problems 24 Hours in A and E

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

Home and Away 5 News Tonight Puppies Make You Laugh Out Loud Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun Celebrity Big Brother Secret Life of the Family Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

Countdown A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Mary Portas: Secret Shopper 24 Hours in A and E Bodyshockers The Undateables

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

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

9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

5 News at 5 Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords GPs: Behind Closed Doors Celebrity Big Brother I'm an Alcoholic: My Name is... Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

6:30pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am

8:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm

11:00am 12:00pm 1:30pm 4:00pm 6:30pm 10:00pm 1:30am

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

4:30pm

Barclays Premier League World Capital One Cup Highlights Capital One Cup Highlights FL72 SPFL Round Up La Liga Show 2015 Barclays Premier League World

Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits To be Announced Football To be Announced Football Gold European Rugby Special Fantasy Football Club Highlights

8:00pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 12:30am 3:30am

Premier League Legends Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits The Premier League Years Sporting Triumphs Boxing Ford Football Ford Football La Liga World 2015

9:30am 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 11:00pm 12:30am 2:00am

Big Bash League Cricket's Greatest Cricket's Greatest Cricket's Greatest Cricket's Greatest Big Bash League Cricket's Greatest The Mavericks Big Bash League Ford Football Ford Football Ford Football

5:00pm 6:00pm

OPINION & COMMENT

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

I’m having a week-long ‘Digital Detox’ Photo credit: 10 FACE / Shutterstock.com

ON average people spend almost nine hours a day looking at a screen Vicki McLeod

Family Matters I FIRST started using Facebook in 2008 at the insistence of my late, great friend Diane Foden. She’d send me an email inviting me to join and I would delete it without really reading it, then she’d send me another email. This went on for a while until one day someone actually explained to me what it was and said “Oh you’d love Facebook, you should join” and so I did. Since then I’ve made hundreds of connections through FB, made new friends, found old friends, discovered some of my friends have weird views I’m not so happy to know about. I’ve witnessed people meeting, dating, marrying, and divorcing on FB. I’ve had amazing support from people I’ve never met who share common interests, goals and crucially the same sense of humour to me. It’s also got its downside, that’s for sure. There’s now something called Facebook Addiction Disorder: you

FACEBOOK: Addicts would rather chat on messenger than meet up for a real chat.

can’t tolerate being away from the site for long, you think about it when you aren’t on it, you feel anxious if you don’t check your timeline, you would rather have a chat on FB messenger than actually meet up and have an actual chat with a real person. It’s like a drug: receiving and an-

swering a Facebook notification results in a hit of dopamine, a chemical neurotransmitter associated with the motivation and reward response in the human brain. It’s also affecting our attention span: since 2000, our collective attention span has decreased by 40 per cent. Internet addicts have 10 to 20 per

cent smaller brain areas responsible for speech, memory, motor control, emotion, sensory and other information. ADHD and aggression have been linked to internet addiction in children, and girls in particular can also suffer from depression and social phobia. Plenty to think about, everything is

okay in small doses, but you’ve got to keep an eye on it. Which is why now and again it’s good to stop. Just like some people don’t drink alcohol in January or stop eating chocolate for Lent, it’s important to apply a tad of self control, just to be sure. On average people spend almost nine hours a day looking at a screen and 20 minutes reading a printed page. I think the last time I read an actual book (not a Kindle) was some time in 2014. But people with significantly more FB friends tend to have larger orbital prefrontal cortexes which is the area for social behaviour and emotion, and it’s a very powerful communication tool in Mallorca. With all of these things in mind I’ve taken a week-long self imposed ‘Digital Detox.’ It only includes Facebook and Twitter, but that’s enough. I haven’t stopped using websites or emails. I’ve deleted the FB app from my phone so I don’t have the temptation to just take a peek. How will I get on? We’ll see. So instead of finding me on Facebook this week, you might want to try www.mallorcamatters.com.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

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

SPONSORED BY

EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREA

Word Ladder

YOUR STARS

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Extra pressures at work leave you feeling less than energetic. Check on your health and don't go overboard with the physical activities. Set out to become more

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

TOMORROW

agar cage crag ergo gate gear goat goer gore grot ogre raga rage toga agate agora argot cager cargo ergot gator gotta grace grate great groat agorae target toerag cartage cottage garotte regatta cottager GREATCOAT

CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

TELL THAT REF TO TAKE A TIP FROM FIFA THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE KICK THESE DAYS!

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

Sentimentality should not come into business or be allowed to upset your home life.

(December 22 - January 20)

Alicante LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Ruts are awful things to get into but even more difficult to get out of. Being cosy is one thing, but getting bogged down, mentally and physically, is another. All you need is to keep your optimism alive and use your imagination.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) The temptation to run round like a headless chicken is strong this week. There seem to be so many demands on your time that things become confusing. Be sure you are getting enough rest because this time of the year can be fraught for you.

TODAY:

Madrid

CLOUDY MAX 22C, MIN 11C

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 21 11 Cl Tues - 21 11 C Wed - 19 9 C

21 12 C 20 10 C 20 10 C

Almeria TODAY:

MAX 19C, MIN 12C Mon - 19 12 Cl Tues - 19 12 Cl Wed - 20 11 S

Fri Sat Sun -

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) A lost cause tries to demand your attention, but you must try to see the situation for what it is.

17 12 C 17 11 Sh 17 11 S

21 12 C 19 10 C 19 11 C

S Sun,

Cl Clear,

Sh Showers,

10-Star Quiz

IRISH LOTTO

EURO MILLIONS

LA PRIMITIVA

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

Saturday January 2

Friday January 1

Saturday January 2

Sunday January 3

17 29

19 34

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

37 39

38 44

LUCKY STARS

REINTEGRO

CLOUDY MAX 18C, MIN 13C MAX MIN

19 11 Cl 20 9 C 19 9 S

Mon - 19 11 C Tues - 19 8 C Wed - 18 7 Cl

10 34

32 35

REINTEGRO

CLOUDY MAX 23C, MIN 9C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 20 12 Cl Tues - 19 11 Cl Wed - 18 10 Cl

UK THUNDERBALL

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

MAX MIN

Mon - 19 12 Sh Tues - 19 11 Cl Wed - 19 11 Cl

Murcia

CLOUDY MAX 20C, MIN 12C

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.

CLEAR MAX 21C, MIN 11C 20 13 Cl 18 11 Sh 18 12 C

MAX MIN

Mon - 18 11 C Tues - 17 11 C Wed - 16 9 Sh

Sudoku

Fri Sat Sun TODAY:

MAX MIN

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Recent events have perhaps left a gap in your social life that is hard to fill. Patience is needed because it would be foolish to rush into something new if your heart is involved. Concentrating on work and other people will alleviate any loneliness. This may seem a shortterm solution but it is all that is needed for now.

Mon - 12 6 Sh Tues - 12 4 Sh Wed - 12 4 Sh

Mallorca

CLOUDY MAX 20C, MIN 14C

Benidorm TODAY:

MAX MIN

12 9 Sh 13 6 Sh 12 8 C

MAX MIN

20 13 S 19 12 Cl 19 12 Cl

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Fri Sat Sun TODAY:

Barcelona TODAY:

MAX MIN

Malaga

SUNNY MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

CLOUDY MAX 12C, MIN 10C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Are you suffering from winter blues? Although it is a common feeling at this time of the year, keep optimistic. There is so much to look forward to, in fact, that you are spoilt for choice.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) A situation could become complicated if you do not plan ahead. With a little thought and planning, matters can be kept simple which is always desirable. Be choosy about the company you keep because a bad character could taint by association.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Although health should be good, energy may be a little low. A bit of a mystery surrounds a close friend and your opinion may be sought. Hold fire until all the facts are known and you are sure a person has been honest with you because someone may try to keep you in the dark to get the right answer.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Social activities are likely to change at the last minute. If energy levels are not as high as normal, use this week for planning. With holidays in mind, the summer seems far away but maybe a weekend trip will fill the gap.

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 F) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

active, socially, and maximise on relaxation. you?

Nonagram

CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) There may not be enough time to do everything you want, so why can't you just reorganise your life so there is? Not as easy as it sounds, Pisces, unless you learn the magic word: no. Know your limits and stick to them.

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

A loss of patience with a situation shows this week but is not to your advantage. Whatever you feel, be subtle in your approach. Try to see your position clearly and the result will be that you realise you have more control than you thought.

CAPRICORN

for next 7 days

weather

TODAY

LOTTERY

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) A feeling that you should totally commit yourself to something or someone this week should be avoided. You will come up against a brick wall if a situation is forced. Time is all that is required to see things change for the better.

Average: 4 Good: 6 Very good: 8 Excellent: 10

Mallorca

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

SHIP BACK

TARGET:

MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

WORN CORN COIN CHIN SHIN (or CHIP) SHIP

WORN

TIME

www.euroweeklynews.com

Fri Sat Sun -

F Fog, Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

23 11 Cl 22 8 C 22 9 C

Mon - 23 9 S Tues - 22 9 C Wed - 21 8 Cl

C Cloudy, Th Thunder

THAT WAS 2015 THAT WAS (PART 1) 1. Which footballer won the FIFA Ballon d’Or (European Footballer of the Year) for the second successive year in January? 2. India honoured which billionaire philanthropist and his wife Melinda in January with the Padma Bhushan award for their work on improving health in developing countries? 3. Actor Eddie Redmayne won the Academy Award for Best Actor in February for his portrayal of which famous English theoretical physicist in The Theory of Everything? 4. Which tennis player beat Andy Murray in the Australian Open Men’s Singles Final in February, becoming the first man to win five Australian Open championships in the open era? 5. The family of which famous soul singer won a $7.3 million lawsuit for copyright infringement against Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I. holding that Thicke’s hit Blurred Lines resembled the singer’s 1977 hit Got to Give It Up? 6. The remains of which king of England, which were discovered in a car park in Leicester in 2012, were reburied in Leicester Cathedral in March? 7. Which former Beatle was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April? 8. Which cricketer became the highest wicket taking bowler for England in Test cricket in a drawn Test match against the West Indies in April? 9. Which non-European country was allowed to compete as a ‘guest entrant’ in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in May? Its entry, Tonight Again sung by Guy Sebastian, finished fifth with 196 points. 10. What is the name of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s second child who was born at St Mary’s Hospital on May 2? 1. CRISTIANO RONALDO, 2. BILL GATES, 3. Professor STEPHEN HAWKING, 4. NOVAK DJOKOVIC, 5. MARVIN GAYE, 6. RICHARD III, 7. RINGO STARR, 8. JAMES ANDERSON, 9. AUSTRALIA, 10. Princess CHARLOTTE (Charlotte Elizabeth Diana).

OUT

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

page

AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE

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

Quick

Code Breaker

Across 1 Sudden pleasurable excitement (6) 4 Call off (6) 9 Have in common (5) 10 Circus performer (7) 11 Turn around quickly (4) 12 People who help to open up a new line of research, technology or art (8) 13 Have sovereign power (5) 15 State of quiet (5) 18 Watched attentively (8) 21 Young reporters (4) 24 Menaces (7) 25 Once more (5) 26 Refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing (6) 27 Pressure (6) Down 1 Jobs to do (5) 2 Become fully aware of something as a fact (7) 3 Falsehoods (4) 5 Put into a proper or systematic order (7) 6 Nautical unit of depth (5) 7 Most recent (6) 8 Motor vehicle licenced to transport fare paying passengers (4)

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

SPONSORED BY

Crossword

EWN

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 17 represents M and 19 represents Q, so fill in M every time the figure 17 appears and Q every time the figure 19 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 Magician, 5 Code, 8 Nero, 9 Stoppage, 10 Amended, 12 Allot, 13 Albert, 15 Verses, 17 Terms, 18 Estonia, 22 Swan song, 23 Down, 24 Amen, 25 Dear dear.

Down: 1 Montana, 2 Gorge, 3 Issue, 4 Neon, 6 Oracles, 7 Exert, 11 Doris, 12 Adept, 14 Barrage, 16 Spanner, 17 Tosca, 19 Sigma, 20 Noose, 21 Bold.

QUICK Across:

12 Writing implement (3) 14 Rubbish or waste (7) 15 Number of sheets of paper fastened in a block (3) 16 Bravery (7)

English - Spanish

17 Licensed medical practitioner (6) 19 Arranges by type (5) 20 Posing no difficulty (4) 22 Causes to go somewhere (5) 23 Angler’s lure (4)

Down: 1 Argue, 2 Feast, 3 Courage, 4 Solemn, 5 Bills, 6 Running, 7 Suspend, 12 Shampoo, 13 Cottage, 15 Emperor, 16 Jewels, 18 Cases, 20 Union, 21 Parts.

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

Across 1 Fregaderos (5) 4 Hasta (5) 7 Tinte (producto) (3) 8 Escaleras de mano (7) 9 Waitresses (9) 13 Sandalias (7) 15 Goose (domestic) (3) 16 Track (path) (5) 17 Empates (en partidos) (5)

ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Blackmail, 7 Guapo, 8 Manga, 9 Tren, 10 Cups, 13 Spade, 14 Right, 16 Autopista.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Down: 2 Ama de casa, 3 Knot, 4 Alma, 5 Languages, 6 Brass, 9 Taste, 11 Neat, 12 Drip, 15/1 Tea bag.

Down 1 Silk (4) 2 Daughter-in-law (5) 3 Atrocity (9) 4 Desnudo (9) 5 Dedo del pie (3) 6 Último (final) (4) 10 Now (at this time, immediately) (5) 11 Pregunta (4) 12 Abanicos (para darse aire) (4) 14 Monja (3)

Hexagram

1 Affects, 5 Barns, 8 Gradual, 9 Lends, 10 Extra, 11 Missile, 12 Secret, 14 Begged, 17 Article, 19 Plump, 22 Peaks, 23 Earlier, 24 Obeys, 25 Shrinks.

Cryptic The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 sixletter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (GARTER) and one letter in four other cells are given as

ADVENT ARTERY CORRAL EERILY ELICIT EMERGE ESCROW FILTER GARTER (10)

GENIAL QUARRY RELIEF REPEAL TALLOW TAPPET THRALL TIPTOE UMPIRE UPTAKE

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Relief 2 Beetle 3 Allele 4 Ingest 5 Billet 6 Attend 7 Russet 8 Slater 9 Strict 10 Resent 11 Chalet 12 Astute 13 Letter 14 Sulfur 15 Events 16 Creaky 17 Quaver 18 Strain 19 Careen

Across 1 Characters in Beau Geste emphasising respect (6) 4 Takes off to find places to land (6) 9 Arrange a beat Wane (5) 10 A king beset by a depravity, greed (7) 11 Volunteer force’s excessive enthusiasm for island state (8) 12 Foundation headquarters (4) 14 Broke off from defence, as Eddie suggested (6) 16 Virginia rents out the servants (6) 19 A bill for the magistrate (4) 20 Coals are free in the Pacific (5,3) 23 Might be nicer in the South-East to be honest (7) 24 Girl having exercises to modify (5) 25 Determine to find a bed (6) 26 Volkswagen car, one in drive, perhaps (6) Down 1 Stretchy material that may come from Castile (7) 2 Clever turn-around for public transport (5)

3 More than half the team on another date were exhilarated (8) 5 Kate chopped wood (4) 6 Replicate a time it worked (7) 7 In restaurants we demand some veg (5) 8 Democrat is eager to be patron saint (5) 13 Shell out for a vehicle that will go fast (8)

15 Anti-anti-gas-explosion? (7) 17 On a lead, let off to frighten (7) 18 South African sheltering unknown dog (5) 19 Support front of building as is (5) 21 Begin to jump when surprised? (5) 22 Do business and distribute cards (4)

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

A reflection on 2015, where did those 12 months go?

OUR VIEW

AND I give you five of my New Year’s resolutions for 2016 Colin Bird A weekly look Each week, Colin brings his slightly off-thewall view of the world to the pages of EWN in his own irreverent style.

DEAR Diary It’s New Years Day. I reflect on 2015 with the usual end of year question. Where did those 12 months go? I assess my depleted wine rack and the empty spaces once filled with Rioja and Chenin Blanc. There were other wines too, but I cannot spell their names. I make a mental note to restock at the earliest. That’s resolution number one. The Princess and I have belatedly pulled the turkey wishbone. We attempted this on Boxing Day but it was greasy and we were so ‘merry’ it

RESOLUTION ONE: To restock the wine rack at the earliest. failed to snap, so we put it in the oven to dry. Uncharacteristically I won, entitling me to make the wish for continued good health, but an hour later one of the wardrobe doors fell off its track onto my foot. It has a full

length mirror and is very heavy. It hurt. Resolution two: Leave the wishbone inside the turkey. It doesn’t work. At a Christmas party, a lady whose name I cannot remember made a comment about her

unattractive grandson who was causing mayhem. ‘Don’t they grow up fast,’ she said. It’s a silly comment so I replied, ‘Not fast enough in his case.’ This attracted black looks from our hostess so I topped up my glass and

had another sausage roll. Resolution three: Stop making remarks about other peoples’ obnoxious grandchildren. They only see them as angels. My wife loves board games, so we played Mexican Train and she thrashed me again. You either have the ability to think several moves ahead or you don’t. I don’t. I am too busy thinking of my empty glass or the leftover pork pie yelling: ‘Come and get me, and bring the Branston.’ Resolution four: Never play board games with my wife again, unless I perfect the art of cheating. Watched some comedian on TV: ‘Live at the Apollo.’ ‘Live’ as opposed to what? A cardboard cut-out? Which brought me to resolution five: To reduce significantly my output of sarcasm. It will be tough. Happy New Year.

Falling cost of oil hurts Saudi Photo Credit I Anekoho Shutterstock

REVENUES and expenditure have gone against forecast John Smith Random thoughts... AT one time, Saudi Arabia was considered immune to financial difficulty, even with its population of 30 million and a birth rate exceeding deaths by 10 to one due to its massive oil reserves and the high cost of crude oil. Now, however, with the enormous drop in oil prices, it faces something of a dilemma as in order to keep revenues up, it has announced it will increase production, but this in turn means the price of oil is likely to continue dropping which will have a knock-on effect on international oil companies that purchase its product. Following the death of King Abdullah in January 2015, his successor, King Salman has revealed the first budget of his reign which is not good news for the people or economy of the kingdom. There is an overall budget deficit of $98 billion (€90 billion), the largest they have seen, with revenues 15 per

REVENUE: Saudi Arabia faces a huge dilemma after the drop in oil prices.

FLOODS: A disastrous time.

Calamitous weather WHAT a disastrous time it has been for the people of northern England and parts of Scotland, with rain that seems to keep falling and everyone apparently unable to do anything to stop the flooding. It is bad enough to be flooded once, but it almost seems as if Mother Nature is waiting for the floods to subside before opening the clouds once again. The knock-on effect is going to be dreadful for so many people as some companies won’t be able to afford to take a break whilst their premises dry out, and unless they are very well-insured will simply have to close down leaving their staff without work at a time when they have enough to worry about. Then there are those who either couldn’t obtain insurance because of their locations and because of previous flooding, whilst there are others who simply couldn’t afford to pay the high rates which insurance companies were charging, and so have lost everything. You can’t lay all of the blame on the insurance companies as at the end of the day, they do exist to make money and when they receive such an enormous hit like this, future premiums are bound to be increased in an effort to claw back some of their massive losses. Insurance is a gamble for both sides and this year, the insurance companies will find themselves on the losing end. Whilst Mr Cameron is busy making soothing noises, time will tell whether he can, or will do anything to help those who have lost so much.

cent down on forecast and expenditure up by13 per cent also against forecast. In order to help resolve the situation and to increase income, the Saudi ministry of finance announced it would cut fuel subsidies and increase petrol prices by at least 50 per cent, which would see the price per litre which is currently 21 euro cents increase to at least 32 euro cents bringing it in line with Iran. In addition, in what is probably a natural extension, diesel, electricity and water prices will also increase. As the largest member of the OPEC oil producing states, it appears to be increasing output in an effort to put the shale producing companies in the USA out of business, but so far the result has seen an overall drop in oil revenues by 23 per cent in 2015 compared to 2014. Spending on military and security projects has increased during 2015 as have salaries to civil servants and the armed forces. Now we If the economy continues to suffer want to and the increase in oil production does hear your views. not have the desired effect, then it is perfectly possible the Saudi govYOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE ernment may have to devalue the - YOUR OPINION Riyal, which is currently pegged www.euroweeklynews.com against the US Dollar.

E W N Mallorca

7 - 13 January 2016

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.EWNLIFESTYLE.COM

TO READ MORE

World’s first hangover cure A CLINIC in Australia has become the first to offer a hangover recovery centre. The ‘Hangover Clinic’, based in eastern Sydney, offers treatment for the morning-after symptoms of ethanol poisoning. The centre’s Rod Lang said intravenous fluids can be beneficial, as opposed to fast food. He told 3 News: “Having intravenous fluids can have benefits. As for having something like Maccas, that can be debated and that’s something that I wouldn’t be recommending.” Doctors assess each patient before treatment, although it isn’t cheap. The least expensive is the ‘Jump Start’ at $140 (€128). It lasts 30 minutes and consists of an IV drip, vitamin boost, and a choice of headache or anti-nausea medicine. For $200 (€183), the clinic offers a 60 minute ‘Resurrection’ remedy, featuring an IV drip, vitamin and antioxidant boost, oxygen treatment, and headache and anti-nausea medication.

HEALTH BEAUTY

Ask The Doctor

Brought to you by Helicopteros Sanitarios.

Depression signs

SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte. This week we have asked the doctor a few questions about depression, something that appears often at this time of year but many people try to hide. I seem to cry about everything at the moment and feel like it’s all too much. Could I be suffering from depression? These symptoms could indeed suggest a depression. A lack of energy and sadness are the main signs of this illness, which can seriously affect patients’ day-to-day life. My doctor has prescribed some pills for my depression but I’m scared of becoming addicted to them. Also, I don’t understand how pills can help with something that seems to be more emotional than physical. Are tablets really any help? Treatments for depression can generate addiction to some degree if not correctly administered yet they are usually extremely beneficial for the patient. They often help as, although symptoms seem more linked to emotions

than anything physical, they are generally caused by alterations of levels of substances within the brain. How long will I have to take the medication for? Sometimes treatment may be forever but in other cases, if the depression is caused by an external element, once the problem is solved the depression is cured therefore medication can be discontinued. However this must always be done gradually. Will my depression pass or will I be sad or on pills all my life? Treating depression involves more than just taking pills, and all patients should be referred to a Psychiatrist or Psychologist for possible therapy. Sometimes this is sufficient help to allow patients to stop taking their medication. So is there a way to cure my depression without having to take pills? In many cases sessions with a professional therapist is enough to allow patients to avoid medication or reduce the amount of time they need to take it.

The Coast’s Home GP service - wherever you are - at home - in the office - in the car - on the golf course your GP will get to see you any time, anywhere. A priceless service at an affordable price.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

...and the winner is nents and the world that he had won the elections. This was technically true because the PP was the most-voted party but it was a hollow victory. Those votes did not bring an overall majority and even if the fledgling Ciudadanos party backs Rajoy’s January investiture bid for another four years as president or abstains from voting against it, their combined votes will be insufficient. Despite Rajoy’s election night euphoria he must know if he makes it through the Moncloa door again his problems will only be starting.

Cassandra Nash A weekly look - and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene

...PABLO IGLESIAS who led Podemos party to third place and 69 seats in the national parliament. He will wield considerable power and definitely won’t be accused of being all style and no substance as that ponytail still needs a wash and trim.

Hollow victory IT would be tempting to say that the general election is over bar the shouting. Instead the shouting, which will have to be substituted by dialogue, is just beginning, along with the horse-trading. A triumphant Mariano Rajoy appeared on the balcony of the Partido Popular’s Madrid headquarters, announcing to his followers, oppo-

Ciudadanos BOGOF PABLO IGLESIAS: Led Podemos party to third place and 69 seats in the national parliament.

CIUDADANOS didn’t convince in the end although at one pre-election stage Albert Rivera’s party threatened to overtake the PSOE and give the PP a run for its money.

But too many voters feared a post-election deal with the PP and suspected that voting for Ciudadanos was an off-putting political bogof: buy one, get Rajoy free.

Telly addicts THE PSOE’s presidential candidate Pedro Sanchez didn’t pull it off. Winning only 90 seats he led the party to its worst-ever defeat, pushing left-leaning voters into the arms of Podemos. When Sanchez made off with the party leadership in 2014 he expected a two-way fight with the PP, not a four-way stretch including Podemos and Ciudadanos. He might have shone in the one-to-one debate with Rajoy but was eclipsed by Pablo Iglesias and Albert Rivera in their earlier cockfights. Politics entail more than televised debates, but try telling that to telly-addict Spanish voters.

Whoosh! There goes another year and, hopefully, some of its irritations 2015 is over and I can’t recall a year so full of irritating phrases Nora Johnson

the use of the stiff-upper-lip is often strangely reassuring, adding calm and self-control in these stressful times. After police tasered a terrorist who stabbed a man at a tube station in December, London Underground issued this no-nonsense, no-frills update: “Delays on the Central line due to a customer incident at Leytonstone.” WC Fields once said he spent most of his money on booze and fast cars...the rest he squandered. He was talking about money, but surely time’s important too? So, why do so many Brits squander their time whingeing? OK, had enough of all my own whingeing, next scandal please!

Breaking Views Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson

LOOKING back over 2015, I can’t recall a year so full of irritating phrases. Phrases like ‘with all due respect’ (almost always coupled with an insult or unsolicited advice). ‘It is what it is’.(In other words, ‘I have nothing helpful to say, but don’t want to stop talking yet.’ Weakest. Advice. Ever.) And, ‘Just sayin’. (Thanks for clarifying the thing you just said is a thing you are saying.) Not to mention all those buzzwords like ‘crisis’ (refugee crisis, euro crisis, political crisis, NHS crisis, housing crisis), and buzzwords relating to the economic downturn like ‘austerity’ (code for ‘the government’s broke’). TV subtitles (especially the BBC’s), essential for foreign-language dramas (though sometimes inaccurate), can

NO-NONSENSE: Update after police tasered a terrorist after a stabbing in a London tube station. produce amusingly unintended results. On a recent Match of the Day, for example, the camera focused on the former chairman of Aston Villa. “Great to see Doug Ellis here in his Villa scarf,” the commentator announced.

The subtitles translated this as ‘. . . here with Hezbollah’. Another subtitle error during an interview with Labour’s Neil Coyle about the death threats he’d received, the MP was quoted as saying that he

was trying not to let abusers ‘get in the waif doing my job’. Let’s trust she’s at least paid the minimum wage. The British capacity for understatement can sometimes sound weirdly irritating to non-Brits. But to us Brits,

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. All profits to Cudeca charity.

OCIAL

SCENE

7 - 13 January 2016

TO READ MORE

Mallorca

EWN

VISIT WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM/FEATURES/RESTAURANTS

Advertising feature

Gran Wok Restaurant AN experience that you will want to repeat over and over OWNER Yong and his wife Mae know how to spoil their customers and a meal at the Gran Wok restaurant is an experience you’ll want to repeat over and over! The Gran Wok restaurant in Palma’s Son Castello is easy to find as it sits on the main thoroughfare there, with parking just in front and is open every day of the year, offering freshly cooked food on the grill or in the wok. The home-cooked food means that when you arrive at the Gran Wok restaurant, after being shown to your table, it’s up to the buffet area to choose what you want to eat. Being fresh means that you choose the ingredients you want and decide whether you want it prepared in the wok or on the grill. Then take your plate to the appropriate cooking station and voila, the food is prepared right in front of your eyes! Customers can repeat this process any number of times so you’ll never leave the Gran Wok hungry. Freshly prepared starters include salads and sushi and if you choose wok, you can choose the sauce to go with your food to your liking. Seafood is a speciality, have it in

and every week day at lunchtime, you can enjoy a feast fit for royalty at only 9.95€. If you’re coming in the evening from Monday to Thursday, eat all you can for 11.50€ and at the weekends, the price is 13.95€ (drinks not included). Whenever you decide to visit the Gran Wok, you’ll be amazed at the choice of ingredients to make your meal the perfect one! And then you can go back to the counter and do it all over again, as many times as you can! Good appetite, or as they say in Chinese 好胃口

GRAN WOK: Freshly cooked food on the grill or in the wok. the wok or on the grill, only you decide! If you’re celebrating a special occasion, then why not hire the private room in which

up to 120 family and friends can gather and eat all they like! Special offers are Yong’s special favourites

Opening times: 365 days lunch, 12.30pm till 4.30pm and evenings, 8.15pm till midnight Reservations essential on weekends and public holidays Gran Via Asíma 5 Polígono Son Castello Palma 07009 Tel: 971 432 128 www.restaurantewokpalma.com

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

SOCIAL SCENE

Round table to discuss refugees in Mallorca TWO speakers have been invited along to form part of the discussion ON Sunday (January 10) various groups and associations will get together to form a round table discussion about the refugee crisis in Europe. The groups, mainly from the towns of Algaida, Pina and Randa, together with Algaida Solidari, Algaida Jove, COF Pina, Joves de Randa, AMIPA, and the Algaida Town Council, have invited two speakers to form part of the discussion. Lourdes Carrasco is a psychologist specialising in humanitarian aid and human rights and Christer Söderberg is a photographer and blogger who has recently spent time at various European borders documenting the plight of the refugees. Both belong to the Soller based platform, Soller with the refugees. “Large organisations, NGOs, even governments, are showing us that they are unable to cope with the refugee crisis. The challenge is to provide support, in money and logistics, to the thousands of volunteers who, as we celebrate these holidays, are carrying children and help-

REFUGEES: The challenge is to provide support, in money and logistics. ing refugees off dinghy boats in Greece and handing out blankets all along the Balkan Route,” said Soderberg. The event will take place at 5.30pm

in Algaida at the Casal Pere Capellà and hot chocolate will be served after a video screening to help raise funds for the refugees.

No to beach bars protest THIS Sunday, residents of Son Serra de la Marina and other concerned lovers of this natural beach in the north east of Mallorca, will gather to form a human chain protesting the local town hall’s plans to allow beach bars there. Deputy mayor of Santa Margalida, Joan

Monjo, last week dismissed the recent petition signed by 5,500 people claiming that only about 100 of those signatures belonged to Son Serra residents. Monjo insists that such a beach bar would be an improvement to the area and save on beach cleaning bills in the future.

Midsummer night’s dream in the winter THE Teatre Principal in Palma will show an adaptation of the play, Midsummer Night’s Dream, this week, starting tonight (Thursday 7) and then on Saturday and Sunday. ‘Deliri d’una nit d’estiu’ is directed by Bernat Molina and the main actors are Joan Bibiloni, Lina Mira, Alexandra Palomo, Rafel Fiol and Joan Manel Vadell. The actors form part of an amateur dramatic company and have very little experience but a lot of talent.

www.euroweeklynews.com

photo credit Aimee K Photography

SOCIAL SCENE

ISLA THEATRE PROJECT: Aimed at young people.

Acting opportunity for island’s youth ISLA THEATRE PROJECT are about to launch their new project, Palma Youth Theatre Company (PYT), which begins on January 14 and is aimed at young people from the ages of 12 to 18 years. According to Drew Donavan, founder of Isla Theatre and an actor and director; “theatre arts are vital for personal and social development and through theatre we are able to fully discover and understand the world in which we live as well as manage our emotions and for adolescents, this is vital.” There will be two groups, from 12 to 14 years and from 15 to 18 years. The younger group will meet every Thursday at 5pm for an hour whilst the older group will meet Fridays at the same time. The venue is the studio space at Earth Yoga in Santa Catalina in Palma. “What we aim to provide at PYT is the opportunity to grow and develop as citizens of the world, through theatre arts, and to build courage, creativity and expression on a deeper level. There will also be the opportunity for young actors to participate in professional productions with adult actors, in addition to youth performances.”

No to geoengineering, demo plans IF you are one of the many people concerned about geo-engineering, then today (Thursday) you have the chance to voice your concerns at noon in Plaza Santa Eulalia in Palma. Geo-engineering, the deliberate modification of the earth’s atmosphere to mitigate the effects of global warming, is becoming more and more of a concern to many citizens across the world and no less than in Mallorca. Many believe it causes illnesses as well as contaminating the atmosphere. One such practice believed to be very harmful, not only to the planet but also to humans, is the one of contrails, often referred to as chemtrails in the belief that governments are spraying harmful chemicals. Whatever your thoughts, today is your opportunity to make your opinions heard.

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

E W N Mallorca

7 - 13 January 2016

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

Pioneering virtual tours of property are now available A LONDON-BASED start-up has announced a partnership with CBRE, one of the world’s largest property services companies, which will see 360-degree digital tours of UK offices made available to interested viewers. Virtual Walkthrough will bring the pioneering technology, already used for some luxury homes, to the office market in a further omen of the advent of virtual reality in the property market. CBRE has tripled its technology spending in recent years in expectation of a huge digital ripple spreading through the industry, with knock-on effects for viewings and valuations. The technology integrates 360-degree photography with threedimensional imaging beamed through virtual reality headsets, allowing viewers to form a complete picture of the property. Airbrushing technology such as Photoshop is not allowed to hide flaws, although some wealthy owners are able to use it for security reasons to conceal high-value artefacts.

TO READ MORE

PROPERTY www.euroweeklynews.com

Not all bargains are value for money MY job in 2016 is to select the best ones to fit my customers’ requirements John Graham The property expert

WHAT a great way to start 2016, the magnificent ‘Reyes Magos’ or Three kings processions have been on the Costas and Balearics, leaving behind children and adults with happy smiling faces enjoying their Reyes gifts. The January sales are now on in all the big shops throughout Spain, with the Spanish and expats rubbing shoulders in a buying frenzy, seeking out the best bargains before someone else does. The changing rooms all over Spain are full of people, some are squeezing into a size that’s obviously too small but there’s 50 per cent off a famous brand and they are convinced they can match the pair of bright green trousers with something, and anyway one of their NewYear’s Resolutions is to lose weight, so no problem, everyone loves a bargain! To a certain extent the property market on the Costas and Balearics could experience something of a buying frenzy in 2016 from property investors and

PROPERTY: Prices are still at January sales levels. private individual buyers. In general property prices bottomed out and in some locations prices started to increase in the third and fourth quarters of 2015. Property prices are still at January sales levels but prices will continue to rise, in particular in prime locations and locations with strict planning permission. I have already noticed a substantial increase in activity from property investors from Europe and around the world, all asking me the same question and all more or less waiving a blank

cheque book, if I can find them the right bargain. Towards the end of 2015 the private sector showed signs of an increase in demand for properties at prices equivalent to 50 per cent off 2007 prices, and this will continue throughout 2016. New build properties becoming available in 2016 are competitively priced, and there is a high demand for these modern properties at prices that compete well with resale properties. To meet this demand developers and investors will need to work together in 2016. But not all bargains are good value, my job in 2016 is to select the best property bargains in the best locations so that they fit my customers’ requirements and stop them from buying the equivalent of bright green trousers that don’t fit. If you are looking to buy or sell a property in 2016 contact me we have properties & buyers. John Graham. Fellow of The Architecture & Surveyors Institute. Property Advisor. Gk.ipad@me.com

The new buy-to-let tax will drive up UK house prices THE 3 per cent charge will be in effect as of April 2016 By Matthew Elliott AN upcoming stamp duty surcharge is expected to see house prices rise across the UK, as buy-to-let investors seek to capitalise on lower rates before the 3 per cent charge comes into play in April 2016. After the Chancellor ’s autumn

statement which announced the stamp duty charge, house prices rose sharply in November and first-time buyers are anticipated to face great difficulty in competing with the wealthier investors, only finding respite once the new tax comes into effect. Naturally, buy-to-let investors are mounting a legal challenge against the

reforms which would see them pay more money, but accountants are also concerned that the greatest impact will be felt by smaller investors with one or two additional properties. Tenants are expected to be hit with higher rents while wealthy landlords and large companies will remain untouched.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

Service, or the lack of it, still winds me up!! Mike Senker

In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man LET’S start by saying I have been with the same mobile phone supplier for 12 years and their service, or lack of, still manages to wind me up. Every time I have a query with them I just wish I could swap to another provider, but it seems they are all as bad as each other. One of my biggest problems is their operators, and this isn’t only with phone companies, it happens with nearly all companies that offer an English speaking operator. They may speak English but they do not understand English - at least not mine. I decided to upgrade my phones so I went to my local service provider’s store which is all ramped up with their logos and products. This was last year by the way. I chose the two phones and agreed the price for the upgrade with the store manager. He told me they would be in stock within 14 days which was fine as I was going away. This was January and I returned the first week of February. I go in, ask if the phones

are there and am shown that indeed they are. As I go to conclude the transaction I notice that one phone is €50 and the other is €100 dearer. “What’s this all about?” I ask. “Price went up 1st of Feb,” I’m told. “But I ordered them in January and they have been here since then.” I’m told again that they have to charge me the new price. So I phone the company from the store and they agree I can have the phones at the old price. “Cheers! Give me the paperwork.” “Ah but you can’t have these phones.” “What? They are there on the counter!” “You have to order them direct as this store is not company owned and can’t do that offer but they will deliver them within 48 hours.” I get a phone call to confirm the order. They read out my address and it’s slightly changed because the town hall has changed the street name. “Ah sorry, it takes 15 days for us to change an address on our system.” “Ok don’t worry, use the old address.” “No can’t send it there now as you have changed it.” By now I am about to explode. But there is nothing I can do. So I wait the two weeks and finally get a note through the door saying they have tried to deliver the phones but no one was in and now we have to go to the depot to collect them!!!!!!!

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Spain change laws NEW legislation will meet the requirements of the EU AS part of a new series, we answer some common driving questions, kindly provided by members of the Guardia Civil based in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, who set up the N332 website and Facebook page to help break down barriers.

NEW LAWS: Will help create a standardised road network across the continent. WHILST renewing many of the older traffic laws in order to adapt to the modern world, Spain is also undergoing changes to legislation to meet the requirements of the European Union and help create a standardised road network across the continent. These changes are constantly being developed and adapted and, although many of them are aimed at creating safer roads, some of them are questionable, although they are to become mandatory in the New Year along with others. One of the changes that is causing most concern is that of pillion passengers on mopeds. From January, moped riders who qualify for the AM licence for mopeds are permitted to carry passengers, so long as the vehicle is adapted thereof. This new rule is regardless of the age of the rider. Prior to

this change, in Spain children under 18 were not permitted to carry passengers. So-called ‘Mega-Trucks’ up to 60 tonnes in weight and 25.25 metres in length are now permitted on the roads of Spain. This authorises trucks with more than six axles to travel through the road network, although special authority must be obtained so the impact on road safety can be assessed. The idea is reducing transportation costs and subsequently, passing savings onto consumers. Other law changes concerning matters related to sufferers of sleep apnea, the BTP category being removed from licences, and the government liabilities for medical costs in RTA’s involving fatalities, can be found on the N332 website in the new eBook The New Rules of the Road.

For more news and articles visit www.n332.es or search N332 on Facebook.

Who should do the work? I LIVE in a community of 27 units. In the shower I noticed the water was filthy, leaving a nasty residue in the bath. Our water comes from a central tank pumped to the houses. I went to the Administrator, who informed me the water system had undergone mainte-

You raise two questions here. Firstly, it is indeed quite ‘normal’ that some residue from work on a water tank or pipes leaves a residue that turns the water brown for a short period of time. The residents should

nance, and the residue from the pipes would have disappeared after running the water. It turns out a relative of his secretary has been awarded all the maintenance work. He has a cleaning company. I ask if this work should be done by a specialist company. V.F. (Costa Blanca)

David Searl You and the Law in Spain

have been warned to run the water until it cleared before using or drinking it.

Secondly, there is really no need for a specialist company to clean a water tank. In answer to your unspoken question about employing relatives, as long as they do a good job at a reasonable price, let it be.

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

HOMES GARDENS

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

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

SPONSORED BY

Time to set your resolutions Photo by Laurel F wikipedia

2016 is upon us and now is the perfect time to think of your gardening goals for this year Dick Handscombe

Gardening Corner By Spain’s best known expatriate gardening author living in Spain for 25 years.

WITH the festive season over and a day’s rest after the Three Kings celebrations, it is perhaps opportune to set some New Year gardening resolutions before you are overtaken by the winter cut back, which may need more days of winter exercise than normal. The extra work caused by the exceptional autumn growth of many perennial plants as a result of the almost perfect growing conditions of bright sunshine, light showers and heavy overnight dews. So what are your priorities for the year ahead? May I take the liberty of offering a few suggestions. 1. Finally make the garden an ecological haven and persuade your Spanish and expat neighbours to do likewise. There are plenty of ecological insecticides, fungicides and fertilisers available in thoughtful garden centres and agricultural cooperatives, and also by email. If stuck have a look at the website of Trabe, it has an English version.

KEEPING HENS: Means you will enjoy the freshest eggs possible. When I was at school I was taught that the air we breathe in non-polluted places included 20.5 per cent of vital oxygen. I read recently that with the heavy pollution of the Mediterranean coastal belt this is now down to 19 per cent, although it was 25 per cent in the time of the dinosaurs and the appearance of new plant species. 2. Aim to eat more of your Mediterranean diet from the garden and recognise that an essential ingredient in that diet was the absorption of around

Solar power saves money IF you’re lucky enough to have a home here in the Spanish sun then you may have already considered installing solar panels in a bid to save money on bills, become more environmentally friendly, or a little bit of both. Solar power had something of a renaissance back in the early 1990s when it was seen as something of a revolution and the way of the future. There were serious problems though, which held solar back and discouraged people from taking the leap. Solar panels require a large investment of £5,000 - £10,000 (€6,770 €13,550) for installation costs. Today, however, there is a variety of flexible financing plans and government incen-

tives that could see your panels become profitable in just a few years. With energy savings of around 50 per cent, panels can also add significant value to your property. Technology has come a long way from the old image of a home cast in panels that only work on sunny days. Nowadays technology developments have led to a new generation of solar collectors which take up a minimal amount of space, look stylish, and are incredibly efficient, working even on cloudy days and employing conservation systems for energy over the evening. If you’re considering solar power, look up all the relevant information, from subsidies to restrictions on your property.

350 grams of oxygen from herb smelling air. A full description of a traditional healthy holistic Mediterranean diet is provided in chapter 3.3 of my book ‘Living well from our garden Mediterranean Style – Spiritually, mentally, physically, gastronomically and economically’. 3. With forecasts of continuing reductions in annual rainfalls in the Mediterranean regions of Spain and further increases in costs per metre, aim to reduce the watering

needs of your garden by 20 per cent or more. The book ‘How to use less water in your garden – A practical guide to waterwise Mediterranean style gardening worldwide’ considers the water needs of some 30 types of gardens, presents some 300 practical ideas for reducing water needs and in appendices presents useful plant lists of the more drought resistant plants for our gardens. 4. Complete the winter cut back asap to enjoy the dry sunny winter days and give pruned

plants the maximum time to build up strength for spring growth. 5. Keep a couple of hens to eat kitchen and garden waste and lay two or three eggs a day of top quality. Friends who regularly buy even ecological eggs say the quality of the yolks do not equal those of the eggs they occasionally have from my hens. Hens can also make good friendly pets. We started to have a couple of hens when lo-

cal producers of eco eggs decided that EU regulations had become prohibitive, and we had an interesting experience on an AVE train from Cordoba to Valencia, in president class because the tourist carriages were fully booked. Once the ticket checker had left the carriage a well-dressed, 80-year-old lady sitting opposite us laid out small bowls of water and grain on her fold down table and then took out a fully grown hen from a basket to have its breakfast. She explained to us that she lived with her chicken pet in a seventh floor apartment in the centre of Barcelona. The hen had a metre square run on the balcony with a hen-door into the kitchen where it had a further one metre run and an egg laying box. This was next to the cooker so a fresh egg for breakfast could not be fresher. 6. With that I am off for my own omelette for breakfast filled with just harvested healthy shiitake mushrooms grown in the empty garage alongside Oyster mushrooms. These take less effort than any other vegetable. Try it yourself. © Dick Handscombe www.gardenspain.com January 2016

E W N Mallorca

7 - 13 January 2016

SPONSORED BY

PETS PAGE www.euroweeklynews.com

Behaviour is inherited DOGS are born with certain compulsions to behave in a specific way

David THE Dogman Listen to David on TRE every Saturday 10am to 11am Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9, Costa Calida 92.7fm Costa Blanca (Torrevieja to Elche) 105.1fm (Elche to Calpe) 88.2fm, (Calpe to Gandia & Ibiza) 104.6fm, (Denia to Valencia) 95.3fm Mallorca 103.9fm

BUTCH: Our competition winner.

Meet Butch, our funny pet photo winner! To find a pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on +44 (0)1865 521508 WE’D like to introduce you to Butch! He is a rescue dog who was found a few years ago abandoned with some other puppies, starving and desperate. He is now part of Sheila and Richard’s fur family living in Andalucia, in a lovely home with mountain views. He is much loved member of the family and has matured into a fun-loving, sweet-natured dog. Recently, HouseSitMatch sponsored a Funny Pet Photo

competition. And out of all the entries we selected this fun photo of Butch, dressed up in a Santa costume as the winner! The winners received a £10 Amazon voucher and a free homeowner membership to HouseSitMatch.com to help them find house-sitters. If we can help you please contact us or register as homeowners directly on our website www.HouseSitMatch.com. Happy New Year to one and all!

SO much depends on how your dog gets on in life. I thought it appropriate to write about ‘inherited behaviour’ because all dogs will certainly have inherited behaviour. The behaviour of dogs, like all animals, gets inherited via genetic predisposition and genetic memory. Genetic predisposition towards certain types of behaviour or attitudes in life are inherited at birth, much like the preprogrammed default factory settings you may find on a computer or TV when you buy it new. What they govern are things like a dog’s prevailing temperament, personality and the type of behaviour that comes instinctively to him when faced with different situations or events. As an example, everything from how readily he will pursue prey to how confident, fearful or aggressive he will become in more testing situations, and even how strongly he will emotionally attach to people making later separation

SHEEPDOGS: Know how to round up sheep without another dog showing them. issues more likely. Genetic memory is a rather different phenomenon. If an animal repeats a specific behaviour enough times, a ‘memory’ of this behaviour eventually gets stored in its genes and cells, which is then passed down from one generation to the next. This is how birds know when to migrate or how to build nests without any other bird showing them. Or how sheep-

dogs know how to stalk and round up sheep without any other dog showing them. It is purely down to the effects of inherited genetic predisposition and memory. The same phenomenon is behind all different and also far more genetically magnified working instincts found in different breeds of dog. In other words they are born with certain inherited compulsion to behave in a specific way.

Pet rights! THERE is a growing movement across the world to provide legal rights to animals which may impact on whether pets can be considered the property of owners as they are now. Last year the town council in Trigueros del Valle in northern Spain voted to define cats and dogs as ‘nonhuman residents’. In May a US court declared that four chimpanzees held in a research laboratory should be considered ‘legal persons’ and

therefore could not be property. Over Christmas a Brazilian nature reserve took in Sandra the orangutan, who became famous after an Argentinian Court ruled that, given her thoughts and feelings, she should be considered a ‘non-human being’ who was unlawfully held in a local zoo. It remains unclear where this brave new world will end up but at the very least the courts will soon hear some interesting arguments. SANDRA: The orangutan is now a ‘non-human being’.

BOATS

7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

Wakeskating, a new exciting sport THERE are now a number of competitions being held around the world THERE seems to be no restrictions on the minds of those who enjoy their water sports and one that is older than one might think but i s g a i n i n g a g re a t d ea l o f pop u l a r i t y, e sp e cia lly in th e USA, is wakeskating. Most people have heard of water skiing, which gave birth to wake boarding, so wakeskating is considered by many as a much mo r e a c c e ssi b l e a n d ex citin g sport. The problem with wake boarding is that generally speaking you need a fairly expensive motor boat to pull you along as a dec e n t a m o u n t o f w a k e is re quired, but with wakeskating this is n ’t th e

Marko Razpotnik Sest Wikimedia

By John Smith

WAKESKATING: The rider can perform the same sort of tricks as on a skate board. c a s e a n d a je t s ki or e ve n a winch is sufficient to allow you

to participate. The board is slightly smaller

than a wake board and is made from wood or fibre glass but the

biggest difference is that there are no straps or bindings so is genuinely like a skate board for the water. Each board is covered with grip tape or ridged foam to give both traction and to allow the rider to go bare footed if he wants to. The rider can travel at around 20 miles per hour and has the opportunity to perform the same sort of tricks that he could perform on a skate board, albeit at a greater speed and there are a number of competitions around the world, whilst in America companies with winches will t our t he count r y set t i ng up winches in quite small areas of water to allow aficionados to practise.

Lucy Watson to open London Boat show TELEVISION personality, model and one of the stars of ‘Made in Chelsea,’ Lucy Watson, who is also a keen sailor, will open the 10-day London Boat Show being held at ExCel and running from January 8 to 17. Exhibitors will range from boat builders through to fashion, travel operators and water sports companies from all over the world, ensuring there is something for everyone who visits and starting the boating year with a bang. Show attractions will include a Mediterranean Bay with waterfront cafés and a specially built pool hosting live demonstrations. There will also be hundreds of boats to climb aboard, a 60’s Revival showcasing boating highlights from the era, and themed discussions led by industry experts in the London Boat Show Theatre. Lucy will be at ExCel London on the morning of January 8 to welcome the first arrivals at the London Boat Show 2016, with an official opening and ribbon-cutting taking place in the Show at 11am. LUCY WATSON: Who is a keen sailor, will open the 10-day Boat Show. Featureflash Shutterstock

Trouble in Andraxt

THE NINIETTE: Bugatti approved super speedboat planned.

Bugatti Niniette IN issue 1591, we published an article concerning the plans for the production of a Bugatti approved super speedboat to be undertaken

Britannia one of the first superyachts NOWADAYS people talk about the superyachts of the rich and famous, but one of the forerunners and indeed one of the first to be commissioned has to be the Royal Yacht Britannia which was ordered from John Brown and Co Ltd on February 5 1952. Launched by Queen Elizabeth in April 1953, following trials, it was commissioned in 1954 and its first voyage took Princess Anne and Prince Charles to Tobruk where

they met up with Her Majesty and Prince Philip . This was the start of a story which saw the Royal Yacht undertake 696 foreign visits, covering over one million nautical miles and being considered for use as both a hospital ship and a ‘nuclear bunker’ in the event of world war three. Nearer in many ways to a liner than a yacht, it had a length of 412 feet and speed

of 21.5 knots with the capacity to cater for 250 guests and comfortably accommodate the needs of the Royal Family with 21 officers, a troop of Royal Marines and 250 Royal Yachtsmen. The vessel was finally decommissioned in 1997 with its last duty being the return of the last governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten back to the UK following the handing over of Hong Kong to China.

by Palmer Johnson in the USA. We are now pleased to be able to illustrate the 63 foot version of the Niniette.

ACCORDING to a report published by the German language ‘Mallorca Zeitung,’ a number of dry berths and boat repair shops have been advised by the council of Andraxt that they will be required to cease trading as the land on which they are set up is designated as an area for rural development and not for other commercial use. It would appear that up to 20 long established operations on a four kilometre stretch between Andraxt and the port are affected, although not all have been formally advised of the decision as yet. In the meantime, they have created an association which is intended to include all of those who may be affected and to represent them in discussions with the various authorities involved.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016

Mallorca

SPONSORED BY

FOR BEST RATES IN MOTOR INSURANCE CALL: 952 89 33 80

Motoring shorts

Retro Malaga A NEW YEAR’S treat for Classic car and motorcycle fans will hit Malaga on January 29, 30 and 31, 2016. The third edition of the Salon Retro Auto and Moto Malaga, will be hosting a ‘Classic-fest’ of historical, awe-inspiring and momentous machines from the past. Supported by the interest of clubs, groups, exhibitors and professionals, a full show for anyone with a passion for classic vehicles awaits. The exhibition will again take place at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos (Congresses and Exhibitions Palace) in Malaga from January 29 to 31, and will put the city of Malaga in the spotlight of automobile clubs, fans and the general public in Andalucia. The organisation hopes to surpass the 20,000 attendees last year, as more than 150 exhibitors will be displaying their goods and services for ‘all things classic.’

Clarkson Quote of theWeek

www.euroweeklynews.com

On the McLaren P1: “And as you hurdle around in a puddle of your own faeces, grinning like an infant, the car is working on ways to go even faster.”

Some might say...

Husqvarna riders take on their first Dakar Rally

THE off-road competition is one of the most gruelling in the motorsports calendar By Steve Walsh THE Dakar Rally 2016 marks a special milestone for the newly formed Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team, who will contest what is effectively the most important and gruelling off-road competition in the motorsports calendar. The 2016 edition of the Dakar Rally began with the prologue in Buenos Aires on January 2, and will be running until January 16. Riders will set off west through Argentina and follow the spine of the Andes moun-

DAKAR RALLY: Over the 13 stages riders will travel in excess of 9,000 km. tains north into Bolivia. They will then travel directly south,

False hopes have been raised as Schumacher fortune dwindles

THE German driver Michael Schumacher, who has spent nearly two years in a vegetative state after an accident in the French Alps on December 29 2013, is showing slight signs of

MOTORING

recovery, but nothing like the claims made in a German magazine stating: “Michael is very thin. But he can walk with a little help from his therapist.” The magazine quoted a ‘con-

fidant’ of the racing driver as saying: “He manages to walk a few steps. He can even raise his arm.” The publication went on to describe the improvement as a ‘Christmas miracle.’ However, Michael Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm, has denied a magazine report which claimed the severely injured Formula 1 star is walking again. The Telegraph reports that she said: “Unfortunately, we are forced by a recent press report to clarify that the assertion that Michael could move again is not true. Such speculation is irresponsible and it gives false hopes to many people involved.” During this time his wife Corinna has spent a fortune to try and save her husband. As reported by ABC.es, she is rumoured to have spent €14 million so far to try and bring Michael out of his present state. They also state Corinna has had to dispose of several items to aid the rehabilitation of the 46-year-old, including their private jet and chalet in the Alps.

criss-crossing the mountains until they reach San Juan in Ar-

gentina, where they will turn east to finish in Rosario.

Over the 13 stages they will travel in excess of 9,000 km and will be confronted with very difficult conditions that will test their navigation skills, bikes and bodies to their limits. Pablo Quintanilla said: “I am very happy with the Husqvarna factory bike because it’s reliable, very fast and very tough for this sport. This time we are not riding in Chile so there is no open desert, but the difficult navigation in Fiambala, Belen and San Juan, plus the altitude and rainfall in Bolivia will make it difficult for everybody.”

9 Series BMW: rumour or reality? MANY rumours have reported on the possibility that BMW might launch an innovative four-door coupe under the name Series 9, with Rolls Royce in its sights. However, BMW’s plans regarding the launch of this model are ‘something for the future.’ According to information disclosed by the network, the German company is preparing the BMW Series 9. Very little is known about this model, although rumours suggest it will be a

large-bodied four-door coupe built on the platform of the Series 7 but with abundant cosmetic changes and equipped with highly innovative technology. Named the 9 Series, the coupe will ride on a modified version of the platform that’s being developed to underpin the next Rolls-Royce Phantom. It will be as large as it sounds, but its weight will be kept in check thanks to the use of car-

bon fibre-reinforced plastic and ultra-high-tensile steel. The rumours of a rangetopping BMW coupe have been circulating for years without ever materialising. Company officials haven’t commented on the report, so only time will tell whether it’s finally coming true. The next Phantom is due out in 2016, meaning the 9 could arrive as early as 2017.

BMW: May launch a new and innovative coupe.

E W N 7 - 13 January 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

SPORT

England beat South Africa by 241 runs in the first test EXCELLENT win in Durban over the world’s number one team From back page

• Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, PSG, Ajax and Bayern Munich all started the New Year on top of their League tables. • Just after Christmas, Lionel Messi scored his 425th goal on his 500th appearance for Barcelona in a 4-0 win over Real Betis. • Ten-man Real Madrid drew 2-2 with Gary Neville’s Valencia and then learned that their appeal for being ‘kicked out’ of the Copa del Rey had been rejected by the Spanish FA. • Twelve players were yellow-carded in the recent Levante-Malaga game – a record for La Liga. • Recently, Don Howe, exWBA, Arsenal and England right-back, who also managed both his clubs and coached his country… Former Newcastle and

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek… El Salvador’s most-capped player Alfredo Pacheo (shot dead by bandits)… and former Wigan star Steve Gohouri (drowned in River Rhine) all lost their lives. • On Tuesday, Stoke met Liverpool in the first leg of the LC semi-final; Everton played Manchester City last night in the other ‘semi’. • Over the next four days there are 32 third round FA Cup ties including holders Arsenal-Sunderland, Birmingham-Bournemouth, ChelseaScunthorpe, Doncaster-Stoke, Eastleigh-Bolton, Everton-Dagenham & Redbridge, ExeterLiverpool (live on BBC TV tomorrow night), Manchester United-Sheffield United, Spurs-Leicester (re-run of 1961 final), West Ham-

NICE ONE DENIS... Question put to former footballer Denis Law last week: Would the 1960s Manchester United side beat the current one? Answer: Yes, 1-0. Why so close? asked the interviewer. ‘Well we’re all in our seventies now’ replied Law.

Wolves and Wycombe-Aston Villa. There’ll be some upsets no doubt! • And the transfer window is now open with players moving here, there and everywhere! CRICKET • England beat the world’s number one nation South Africa by 241 runs in the first test in Durban. Moheen Ali, with seven wickets, was voted ‘Man of the Match’. In the second Test which has just ended in Cape Town, England, backed by a ‘barmy army’ of 12,000 fans, smashed 629-6 declared in their first innings. Ben Stokes (258) and Jonny Bairstow (150 n.o.) put on 377 for the 6th wicket and Stokes’ double hundred was the fastest-ever by an Englishman (163 balls) and the secondfastest in Test history. MEADOWLARK LEMON: Former Harlem Globetrotters star has passed away aged 83.

• Martin Guptill smashed an amazing 93 runs off 30 balls (50 in just 17) for New Zealand in their 10-wicket ODI victory over Sri Lanka in Christchurch. • Sadly, Sussex cricketer Matt Hobden has died, aged just 22. ROUND-UP • Jockey Michelle Payne (30), on board Prince of Penzance, has become the first female to ride the winner in the 155-year-old Melbourne Cup. • Saracens (after an impressive 266 win over Leicester), Bristol and Scarlets top the Aviva Premiership, the IPA and Pro12 League Rugby Union tables. • Former Harlem Globetrotter basketball star Meadowlark

Lemon has died, aged 83. • Racehorse Lancelot du Lac has broken the 5 furlong track record at Chelmsford. • Gary Anderson beat Adrian Lewis 7-5 to win the 2016 World Darts Championship. Anderson is the only man Ever to claim a

nine-dart finish and record a maximum 147 break in snooker… and get a hole in one in golf! CONGRATULATIONS • Several sporting personalities received awards in the Queen’s New Year’s Honour’s list. It’s now Sir Anthony (‘AP’) McCoy. Ex-footballers Denis Law and Francis Lee, and former racing driver John Surtess received CBEs. MBEs went to England women’s footballer Steph Houghton, boxer Carl Frampton, rugby player Mark Queto, England netball captain Tracey Neville, sister of footballers Gary and Phil and BBC reporter Jackie Oatley. While cyclist Chris Froome and former tennis star and current Question of Sport presenter Sue Barker are now OBEs. BOXER: Carl Frampton has been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

EWN

Mallorca

7 - 13 January 2016

LIONEL MESSI: Scored his 425th goal on his 500th appearance for Barcelona in the win over Real Betis. Mallorca’s best guide to local sport

TO READ MORE

SPORT www.euroweeklynews.com

Supermen: Cech, Anderson, Bairstow and Stokes Tony Matthews International Sports A former player and now the world’s most prolific author of football books with almost 150 published since 1975, Tony is also the sports correspondent for Spectrum Radio and lives on La Pilica in the Sierra Cabrera Mountains overlooking Turre. Costa de Almeria

FOOT B AL L • After a hectic Christmas/New Year period, Arsenal (two wins out of three) are two points clear in the PL from Leicester who had two 0-0 draws and missed a penalty in the match against Bournemouth. • Arsenal’s ‘keeper Petr Cech has broken David James’ record of clean-sheets in the Premiership – 171 in 353 games against James’ 169 in 572 outings. • Manchester United, with a

terrific Rooney goal, ended their winless run with a 2-1 victory over Swansea. • Courtesy of two superb g o a ls b y To u re a nd A gue ro, Manchester City hit back to win 2-1 at Watford. • Sunderland beat bottom club Aston Villa (only 8 points out of 57) 3-1 in an early relegation battle. • WBA completed their first double over Stoke since 1977. • Middlesbrough (winners over Brighton and Derby), Burton Albion and Plymouth are top o f th e Ch amp io ns hip a nd Leagues 1 and 2, while Celtic, Rangers, Dunfermline and Elgin City head their respective divisions in Scotland. Turn to page 54

STEPH HOUGHTON: England women’s footballer has been awarded an MBE.