ISSUE NO. 1429
22 - 28 NOVEMBER 2012
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Robbers jailed after school stabbing TWO people have been arrested for breaking into the Llucmajor High School, attacking the concierge and stabbing her son, 21. The detainees are brothers, aged 42 and 36, with extensive
criminal records who have been charged with violent robbery. They broke into the school at night, wearing hoods and armed with a knife and a gun. They knocked on the door of the
HOME: Jorge Lorenze MotoGP champion (right) with
concierge’s house and when the 56year-old woman opened the door, they hit her in the head and tied her to a bed. The injury they caused her required stitches. When her son confronted them, he was stabbed in the back and lost a lot of blood, following which the attackers fled the area. The young man remains in a stable condition at Son Llatzer Hospital. Both detainees live in Palma city centre and were arrested by Guardia Civil with the help of the National Police. Their homes were searched and officers seized a gun, two knives and 104 marihuana plants José Ramón Bauza. found in a room set up as a greenhouse. They are thought to have taken part in About 500 fans another similar robbery at cheered him as he a villa in Costa d’en spoke from the Blanes, Calvia, in which a balcony of the couple were beaten and Consolat de Mar after tied up. On both a civic reception occasions, the intruders hosted by Balearic fled with nothing, leading President José Ramón police to believe that they Bauzà. are not professionals.
Champ finally returns home JORGE LORENZO could have been forgiven for expecting something of a chilly reception on his return home. The newly-crowned MotoGP champion had waited more than three weeks to return
to his hometown, which raised some heckles. Wrapped in a scarf for the open-top drive through the city, he promised the masses that in future he would come back more often.
FRONT EXTRA
Living life on the edge ALMOST 515,000 Balearic residents are now classified as living on the poverty line, which represents 46 per cent of the islands’ population. This applies to anyone earning less than €12,000.
Burglars held FOUR men have been jailed for six years for the armed burglary of an architect’s home. One of the men had worked there as a labourer and knew of the owner’s wealth. Two are still at large.
Rafa showtime THERE was a packed house to see Rafael Nadal conduct the Balearic Symphony Orchestra at Manacor’s new auditorium. The tennis star donated €150,000 towards the cost of the futuristic venue.
Dog hanging A PREGNANT pit bull has been found hanging from a well in Son Rapinya. An animal rights group has offered a €500 reward for help in the investigation, which is being carried out by the Guardia Civil.
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CHAMPION: Wiggins now wants to win the Giro d’Italia. Tour anyway. He wants to do a great Giro.
Sh Showers,
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Wiggins rides into town for training TOUR de France champion and Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins has arrived in Mallorca to train for next season. The star cyclist’s love of Mallorca is well known and he came to the island last August to holiday in Pollença with his wife and two children. There have been reports that he was house hunting in the Pollença area. Shane Sutton, Wiggins’s coach, said his charge would seek cycling immortality next season by winning the Giro d’Italia. Wiggins was injured earlier this month after being hit by a van in Lancashire. He said: “I think he’s probably hungrier now because the challenge is greater, but the expectation isn’t as big. Taking away the expectation has been fantastic and, off the back of that, he’ll have a great
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Serial crasher no fraudster
YOANN MORIN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
A PIG that gave its owner a lethal bite on the leg has been put down. Farmer Joan Llull, aged 74, had a stick with which to protect himself as he entered the pigsty to feed his animals. But when the 200 kilogramme swine charged him, he was knocked down and bitten. The bite was so powerful that it cut Llull’s femoral artery, causing him to bleed to death within minutes. A neighbour heard him scream for help and alerted the emergency services. When the Guardia Civil arrived at the scene they found the lifeless body of the farmer seated in a large pool of blood. Vets advised putting the pig in quarantine before finally killing it.
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A PENSIONER who was involved in seven car crashes over seven years has been found not guilty of insurance fraud. However, there can be little doubt that the woman is a jinx for other drivers, in each case she was not responsible for the crash. She and her daughter, who was with her during three of the crashes, were suspected of fraudulently obtaining €50,000 in insurance payouts. The crashes happened in Mallorca between 2003 and 2010. Eventually, her insurers and the courts became suspicious. But the court ruling said she was the victim in all cases and her innocence was never in doubt, though there was a suspicion that mother and daughter had failed to report that they had suffered whiplash.
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Pension win UP TO 500 retired health workers who lost pension credits last month will not now lose out after the Balearic government reversed its decision. The pensioners had staged sit-ins at the Health Ministry in protest at their treatment.
Health cuts THE Balearic health minister has said a further €48 million will have to be saved. That figure is approximately what it costs to run Manacor hospital per year.
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Tensions over €35m tax TENSION is mounting between the Balearic government and local business owners. The latest point of contention between them is the government’s decision to tax drink containers. Businesses which will be affected by the measure, such as shops and restaurants, have spent days trying to find out more about it, with little success.
The vice-presidency has told the local press there will be no further information until it has been discussed with the affected sectors. The reason for the tax is allegedly that drinks containers are highly contaminating, and it is estimated it will result in a yearly income for the Balearic government of €35 million.
It is not yet known whether the tax will be paid by the restaurants, bars or hotels which sell the drinks, or the companies which distribute them. If it is the first, it is feared it will be harder to control, but if it is the latter, distributors on the islands will be affected, while those which have their headquarters in other regions will not have to pay the tax.
Bomber tests
BAR owners in Sa Gerreria have accused Palma City Council of abuse of power in singling them out for breaking noise pollution rules. They claim measures forcing them to close early are ‘unfair and discriminatory’.
Red tape row CALVIÀ Council has rejected claims by builders it is taking too long to award construction licences due to ‘bureaucratic bungling’. The council said it was working with great agility to speed things up in the winter months.
Saying sorry BALEARIC Education Minister Rafael Bosch has apologised for the ‘image’ he gave during his taxpayer-funded jaunts to the island of Cabrera. He said the trips have been ‘misinterpreted’ and claimed he had no idea he would be eating lobster washed down with Champagne.
Chinese fair TASTY TREAT: But ham with true Iberian origins from pigs fed on acorns (inset left) faces an unsure future.
Top quality Iberian ham may have had its bacon
Q
UALITY Iberian ham appears in need of saving its own bacon. The Spanish government has introduced new rules regarding the production and sale of ham with true Iberian origin. This has caused much controversy among traditional producers who fear that the survival of legs of ham and other products will become endangered by more lowerquality goods marketed as true Iberian pork. In the past three years, production of true Iberian ham from pigs fed on acorns and bred outdoors has fallen 26 per cent, while produce from stall-bred pigs fed on animal feed has increased 34 per cent. True Iberian ham should come from pigs bred outdoors, allowed to reach a certain
Quote of the week
‘
N watch ews
A COUPLE from Mallorca will go on trial in Australia in the New Year. They were arrested, with two Spaniards, on a boat laden with 300kg of cocaine.
Arts cuts
Noise control
Mallorca
Drugs trial
A STUDENT accused of plotting a massacre at the Universitat de les Illes Balears has been undergoing psychiatric evaluations. Police found 140kg of explosive material and a diary detailing his plans at the home of socalled ‘Unabomber’ Juan Manuel Morales, aged 20.
TWO cultural organisations have been merged by the Balearic government as part of a costcutting measure. The school of dance and the musical conservatory will now be one body. Three other arts bodies have been abolished altogether.
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‘It is true that these measures are harmful for the people. But they are meant to produce growth, richness and welfare. Otherwise we would not take them.’
Spain’s President Mariano Rajoy, on the first anniversary of heading the government.
age and given a special diet, including acorns. However, under current rules, the pig can be slaughtered before it is 10 months old, in many cases be a cross-breed with American pork, and often bred in pens. Consumer organisations say that traditional methods are being taken elsewhere, leading to fears that the top products, one of the main figures of Spanish gastronomy and famous throughout the world, will eventually disappear. The government planned to change the rules, but traditional producers do not want products from animals bred in stalls, even if pure Iberian pigs, to be marketed with the Iberian origin.
Number of the week
26,961
fewer foreigners paid National Insurance (Seguridad Social) last month in Spain out of the 1,701,875 signed up, the Ministry of Employment has revealed.
THE Balearics have been included in a new central government strategy to attract Chinese tourists. The island way of life was launched at the Shanghai tourism fair.
Bike park PALMA City Council has been urged by opposition groups to provide more bicycle parking areas in municipal car parks.
Grassed out A MAN and a woman have been arrested for dealing marijuana in Son Gotleu after police were tipped off youths were seen hanging around outside a house, which is near a school.
and finally... A STUDY by 168 neurologists in Spain has revealed that 75 per cent out of 851 patients surveyed suffering from headaches did not receive proper health assistance, and additionally 45 per cent were not correctly diagnosed.
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Anger as mother expelled
Eviction figures are worse than thought
Between January and June there were 2,518 evictions in the islands, which was an increase of 30 per cent on the same period last year. If evictions were to continue at that rate more than 5,000 families will have lost their home by the end of the year. Last year, there were 3,656 evictions. As many wait for the central government’s twoyear moratorium on evictions to come into effect, some councils and churches in Mallorca have told banks that enforce repossessions they will cease cooperating with them. The new legislation has been criticised, however, as too restrictive. The TAXING: Residents in rural areas will see a rise of 38 per cent. Mallorca Platform for those Affected by Mortgages (PAH) claimed three in five of the people it is advising fall outside PORRERES Town Hall And residents in rural He also said he hopes the parameters set by the will increase rubbish areas will see a rise of 38 the taxes can be reduced PP government. collection tax by 6 per per cent, bringing the in 2014 if it is possible to Angela Pons, PAH cent in 2013 to €176 total to €145 per year. raise awareness spokesman, described the per year. That is despite the town amongst locals about law as a ‘sticking plaster having one of the lowest recycling and reduce the not based on reality.’ rubbish levels sent to the amount of rubbish The gravity of the plant in Son Reus, with produced to 1.5 kilos per situation in the Balearics just 1.7 kilos per person person per week. was put in further relief Supermarkets will per week. when details on mortgage The mayor, Bernat have to pay €1,200 per arrears revealed 17 per Bauça says the aim is for year, banks €1,600 per cent of homes were A MAN was sentenced to prison after stealing from a the town hall to raise year and bars and behind in home expenses Palma beach hotel. He was sent straight to jail by the €563,000 from rubbish cafeterias €900 per year. such as mortgage Court with no parole as he had a previous record. rates next year. This However, pubs will pay repayments, utility bills The thief slipped into the hotel in Acapulco Street amount, he said, is €600, which is €250 less and community charges. without being noticed before grabbing the receptionist’s needed to cover the than they pay now. That is the highest Meanwhile in Puigpunhandbag and personal documents. Then he stole a car costs of collecting and proportion in Spain and for his getaway after taking the keys from the office. transporting the rubbish yent, rubbish collection almost double the National Police quickly identified the culprit after generated by local taxes will be increased national average of 8.6 by €2.4 per year. viewing the security video. He was then arrested. inhabitants. per cent. UNIONS and so-called lactivists have criticised the ‘disgraceful’ decision to ask a breastfeeding mother to leave a council building. The mother was a regular visitor to the PalmaActiva offices in the old town, where she looks through the jobs notices. The agency, which is run by the city council, is active in the development and regeneration of the area. It appears that Dolors Domínguez was breastfeeding her 17-month-old daughter when she was asked to leave by a female member of staff who told her no children were allowed. The Association for the Promotion of Mother’s Milk (ABAM) said that “mothers should be allowed to breastfeed wherever they want.” It said what made the scandal “much worse was that it happened in a public building”.
REVISED figures for home repossessions show that the number of evictions in the Balearics is much higher than initially thought.
Barely a week ago consumer groups had estimated the number to be about 10 per day, but the new data shows the figure to be closer to 15 a day.
Rubbish tax piling up
Repeat burglar is jailed
All inclusive deals leave businesses out ALL-INCLUSIVE deals by hotels in Mallorca may be taking too much and leaving nothing for the remaining businesses. Furthermore, the new Tourism Law is too much in favour of hotels’ needs, said the Mallorca Tourist Businesses Association, ACOTUR.
During a recent meeting, attended by around 50 businessmen from different areas on the island, President Jose Tirado said hotels are given “a preferential treatment by the public administration.” ACOTUR members claimed urgent measures were needed to limit and control all-inclusive deals by hotels, “so
complementary tourist businesses like ours do not go broke.” All-inclusive resorts are holiday hotels including a minimum of three meals daily, soft drinks, most alcoholic drinks anjd gratuities in the price. Many also include sports and other activities, hence claims by businesses outside hotel resorts.
Mallorca
BRITISH
PRESS
Stories making headlines from the United Kingdom
Signing off CONFUSING signs cluttering the British countryside will be banned under new plans. The Government is to issue new guidance to local councils and highway officials.
Lock change LOCKS have been changed at the Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels, after a thief stole a set of keys from a sentry post. The Beefeaters, who famously guard the tower, reportedly did not give chase as rules prevent them leaving their posts.
Old trick A SCHOOLBOY who used sophisticated prosthetics to disguise himself as a pensioner while carrying out a violent armed robbery has been jailed. Brandishing two handguns and dressed up as an old man, 16-year-old Miles Alura and his two teenage accomplices were caught following a raid on a Kent jewellers.
No access MORE THAN seven million adults in Britain have never used the internet, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Top word THE TERM ‘omnishambles’ – coined by a political satire TV series – has been crowned by Oxford University as 2012’s word of the year. The term, defined as ‘a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged, characterised by a string of blunders and miscalculations,’ topped a list of words that reflect the past 12 months in the UK.
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Culture war ASSOCIATIONS of visual artists and cultural administrators have called on the Education and Culture Minister Rafael Bosch, Palma Culture Councillor Fernando Gilet and Council of Mallorca Culture Vicepresident Joan Rotger to resign because their policies are a ‘constant humiliation’ to the arts.
Quids in BANCA MARCH has had profits of €36 million for the first three months of the year. The Mallorcan bank also posted growth of 26 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Knife trial A MAN is to be tried for stabbing another man in the heart during a fight at a nightclub in Sa Coma. The victim survived after surgery following the attack in August of 2007.
22 - 28 November 2012 Mallorca
Missing teen found working as sex slave A TEENAGER from Palma, missing since May, has been found working as a sex slave in a Catalan resort.
Two men have been arrested in connection with the case. The girl’s mother reported her
missing in May and shortly after told police she had received threatening phone calls demanding she withdraw the complaint. It is not known if the girl worked as a prostitute of her own free will, but she did use the passport of an older relative to hide her age and avoid island’s hospitals. appears to have advised being identified by police. The shutdowns were against closing the Police discovered the vehemently opposed by Hospital General and the girl in the resort of Lloret locals and healthcare Joan March. de Mar. professionals when But plans to redevelop Meanwhile, in Ibiza a 24-year-old Spanish announced in April. the Son Dureta hospital, woman and a 62-year-old They were also a factor which closed last year Italian man have been in the resignation of the when Son Espases arrested over the sexual health minister last hospital opened, have exploitation of a minor. month. been scrapped in an It is alleged that the Now his replacement effort to save money. woman forced the young girl to shoplift and prostitute herself. The woman then used the money to buy drugs. And, in another sex crime, a homeless man has gone on trial for raping a woman with mental disabilities who was on holiday in Mallorca. NEW APPOINTMENT: Andrew Gwatkin. Prosecutors are demanding a seven-year sentence for the 29-yearold Romanian, who they THE Balearics have a new British consul, but he claim was aware of the won’t be based here. woman’s disability. Andrew Gwatkin, the current consul-general in He approached her at a Barcelona, will take over from Paul Abrey, who has Palma supermarket and left after seven years in the post. took her to a squat where There had been fears that the British consulate in he lived. There he forced the Balearics would be closed down altogether. her to strip before raping Instead, it has been downgraded to a viceher. He then robbed her consulate. A second vice-consul will be appointed to of gold jewellery. increase the number of customer-facing staff A week later he raped helping British nationals. her again after spotting Dave Thomas, Consular Regional Director for the woman in the street. Southern Europe, said the new set-up would ‘drive She then alerted relatives up’ customer service standards. who reported the crimes.
Hospitals to stay open following U-turn BALEARIC President Jose Ramon Bauza has announced a U-turn on the closure of two of the
Absent consul
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Cheeky calendar A CHARITY hopes to raise €40,000 from the sale of 2,000 calendars featuring nude images of Local Police from Llucmajor. Funds from the €20 calendars will go to the Associació d’Ajuda a l’Acompanyant del Malalt de Balears, which represents those who look after the sick.
Tough rules ADOPTING an animal from the Son Reus refuge has become stricter, with prospective owners now obliged to agree that the pet will be a companion and won’t be used for experiments or fighting. They must also provide proper shelter and exercise the animal.
Bottle fine A MAN has been jailed for 18 months after being found guilty of smashing a bottle on the head of his ex-wife’s cousin, whom he attacked in a nightclub. The assailant has been ordered to pay €2,000 damages to the victim and his wife, who was with him during the attack.
Chemist cash THE Balearic government has promised to pay pharmacies all monies owed after they threatened to charge patients the full, unsubsidised amount.
Mallorca
Residents petition for crackdown on crime RESIDENTS of Magaluf have begun collecting signatures for a petition calling for a crackdown on crime to
hand to the council. It has been started by a local woman who claims she was
Balearics are low cost
mugged by African women posing as prostitutes. The petition states that ‘the situation is no longer tolerable’ and poses a risk to the resort’s image. It adds: “Groups of young people, mostly sub-Saharan, surround and harass and attempt to rob innocent people. These attacks are becoming more violent and they are continuing threats to traders and residents of the area.” Calvià Council claims crime rates are falling and is studying a string of proposals which it hopes will improve the area. One involves limiting the number of areas where PRs can work to just seven. The PAYING TRIBUTE: Janice and Belinda van Brabant. council itself has also created 11 rural rambling routes and five cycleways, JANICE and Belinda van Brabant unveiled a plaque in the memory of Clem van initiatives that it hopes Brabent at SOS Animals in Calvia. will attract visitors all The family have raised €2000 at the remembrance service for father and year round. These can husband Clem, who was a huge animal-lover and supporter of the rescue centre. be viewed at The centre currently has 72 dogs which they are trying to rehome. www.visitcalvia.com. WARWICK UPTON PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS EXTRA
Animal-lover remembered
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ONE in four flights to Spain by low-cost airlines landed in the Balearics. And so far this year 7.9 million passengers have arrived at the islands on budget carriers, which is a 4.2 per cent rise on the same period last year. Nationally there were 32.9 million passengers, one third of them British. Meanwhile, Air Berlin, Palma’s number one client, has announced that it is scrapping its flights from the airport to Madrid, Barcelona and Santiago de Compostela.
Cracker of a fair AGE CONCERN Mallorca has organised a Christmas Cracker fair at Aroma Restaurant, El Toro. Saturday, December 1, will see stalls, a raffle and entertainment from Whiskers and Michelle Mae. Booking is essential, call 971 231 520.
‘Barbaric’ minister should quit say activists ANIMAL rights activists have said that Balearic Tourism Minister Carlos Delgado should quit following publication of photos of him hunting. The Partido Animalista (Pacma) described as ‘barbaric’ images of a smiling Delgado posing over a dead stag. He was giving Churchill
style V for victory signs while grinning from ear to ear with blood daubed over his face and with the testicles of a stag balanced on his head. Silvia Barquero, party spokesman, said: “We consider it inadmissible that someone who represents citizens should commit barbaric acts and defend
the mistreatment of animals. “Carlos Delgado should resign his position as Tourism and Sports Minister of the Balearic Islands.” The photographs, which were taken last year, have also caused consternation outside the animal-Loving community and throughout Spain.
Online polls showed overwhelming repulsion at his actions, while Aragonese nationalist MP Chesús Yuste said the images did nothing but damage Spain’s image abroad. La Sexta television featured them on national TV. At home, the Socialists described the photos as ‘lamentable’.
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Mallorca
Register to get healthcare THE British Embassy is reminding expatriate pensioners that they are still entitled to Spanish health care. But they are obliged to pay any charges that Spanish nationals have to. Under EU regulations the British government pays Spain an average annual cost to provide healthcare for its pensioners. Care is given to its citizens who are resident in Spain and have registered for an S1 form. They should get the same health benefits as a Spanish pensioner, but they also have to pay the same prescription fees. If applying for Spanish residency the authorities ask more and more for proof of healthcare. If you do not have an S1 form that could mean private health insurance, or the Convenio Especial (special scheme) run by some regional health authorities. It is a scheme where residents pay for access to the Spanish health system. The embassy added that for more details expatriates should get in touch with their local health authority in Spain.
GERMAN
PRESS
Stories making headlines from Germany
Switched off in Munich A MORNING power cut switched off most of Munich. Some areas regained power within 15 minutes, while others had to wait up to an hour, local press reported. ROME: The man was late for his flight and became unwell while trying to get onto the plane.
Tourist dies trying to board Ryanair flight A SPANISH tourist died trying to board a plane in Rome. The deceased was late for his flight from Ciampino airport to Bari in southern
Italy, at around 7am. He jumped through boarding security controls to get to the runway, but Ryanair staff refused to let him onboard as he did not have
a boarding pass. The 25year-old refused to go back down the steps, then grabbed the handrail saying he felt dizzy and unwell, passing out seconds later.
The airport’s emergency services tried to bring him round, but he died at the scene. A post-mortem is being done to determine the cause of death.
Cash payments over €2,500 made illegal by anti-fraud law AS of this week (Monday), it is illegal to make payments in cash exceeding €2,500. This is part of an EU-wide initiative to cut down on
money laundering. It is already in force in France and Italy. This new anti-fraud law was published in October, but has only just come into force to allow people time to adjust to it. Businesses or selfemployed persons found to carry out transactions of €2,500 or more will be fined 25 per cent of the amount involved in the CRACKDOWN: EU wants to reduce money laundering.
transaction, plus IVA. If someone reports they have received or been ordered to pay this amount in cash, they will be exempt from any fine. These reports can be made via
the Agencia Tributaria’s website www.aeat.es. Private individuals are not affected by this new law. So it would not apply to parents giving their children euros in cash.
Egged on PROTESTERS pelted Germany’s consul in Thessaloniki (Greece) with eggs and coffee leading to riot police intervention.
No relief A MAN in a wheelchair was refused use of the toilet in Düsseldorf city hall as he was told by the guard that “disabled persons pose a safety risk,” according to Bild.
Nazis rise EAST Germans empathising with extreme right-wing policies have grown from 10.5 to 15.8 per cent since 2010, a report by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation said.
Sick note EMPLOYEES in Germany can be asked to produce a doctor’s note from the first day they call in sick, a state labour court ruled.
Fake attack THE Mayor of Rickenbach was fined €18,000 for fraud as he faked a Molotov cocktail attack on his own office.
Death wish A 38-year-old woman in Fresing, near Munich, survived a car crash suicide attempt right after she had suffocated three of her four children to death.
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22 - 28 November 2012
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Mallorca
Tragic outcome to bullying case BULLYING at school is increasing. One of its most recent victims was 16-year-old Monica Jaramillo from Torralba de Calatrava (Ciudad Real). After bullying and hounding at her secondary school, Monica took advantage of her parents’ momentary absence to attempt suicide. Doctors at Ciudad Real General Hospital fought but failed to save her. “There are no words for such injustice and pointlessness,” said Monica’s parish priest at her funeral last week. But there were words from her family. Schools should be more careful when bullying is reported, Monica’s parents claimed.
FATAL CONSEQUENCES: Reports of bullying should be taken seriously. She was shy and did not make friends easily, her aunt added. But no girl of 16 should be
constantly harassed without the school lifting a finger to help, she said. Other girls often prevented
Most airport passengers using low cost carriers
easyJet and Ryanair land at El Altet. the total low-cost airline arrivals, followed by France with 6.1 per cent; an increase of 15 per cent from 2011. The evolution of low cost airline tickets in other markets was mixed. The largest percentage increase was in Denmark, with 29 per cent more through the month of October. The Balearic Islands saw the largest number of passengers, with Alicante ranked fourth in Spain.
Young Spanish drivers take it easy at the wheel INSULTING other drivers while at the wheel is done by 56 per cent of Spanish drivers aged under 25. This is the second lowest rate in Europe, right after the Turks (46 per cent). On the opposite side, the Swedes are the angriest drivers as 83 per cent of those surveyed
Food banks fraudulently used PHOTO: Rob Wilson / Shutterstock.com
LOW-COST airlines accounted for more than half the air traffic using Alicante’s El Altet airport in the first 10 months of this year. They transported 32.9 million passengers up until the end of October, representing a rise of 1.7 per cent over the same period last year. In contrast, traditional companies moved 23.1 million passengers from January to October, up 2.8 per cent. However, figures for October saw a general decline of 6.1 per cent. Passengers from the UK and Germany lead the entries in low-cost carriers, with 36.1 per cent and 19.7 per cent of passengers choosing this path; a slight decline of 0.1 per cent for the UK market and a fall of 0.6 per cent for the German market. Italy was down by 3.3 per cent in passengers holding 9.9 per cent of
admitted offending driving mates, findings by a study from Goodyear tyre company said. The French ranked second. The report also found that Spain is the most concerned country on drunk drivers, at 81 per cent, with nearby Italy at 73 per cent and both countries lead the table in
terms of concern to be struck by another car. Young drivers who live alone are more aggressive than those who live with their parents, since they are more prone to insulting (73 versus 63 per cent) or making obscene gestures (31 versus 25 per cent).
Monica from entering the toilets and would fill empty seats on the school bus with their schoolbags
so that she had to stand, her parents told reporters. Monica informed teachers of her problems but no action was taken and two days before the suicide her parents requested a change of school. The 16-year-old was not being subjected to continual bullying, the school decided, although two girls and their parents were contacted after Monica spoke to the school’s counsellor. He, too, decided that there was no ongoing bullying. Monica felt otherwise and two days later tried to take her own life and died shortly afterwards in hospital. In accordance with her wishes her organs were donated for transplant.
CADIZ homes for the elderly allegedly used food bank supplies for residents’ meals. These banks provide free provisions for the needy, a label not applicable to residents at the centres, who pay up to €1,800 a month to live there.
The fraud emerged during a Guardia Civil investigation into accusations that 11 homes used the health cards of 66 deceased residents to obtain medical supplies worth €9,000. Fifteen people now face charges for either or both offences.
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Mallorca
Brit is held for prostitute murder A BRITISH man has been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of a Nigerian prostitute. The woman was reportedly ‘thrown out of a window’ in Barcelona. She fell onto a glass roof and became hooked up on a metal bar, which probably saved her life and left her with just minor injuries. Joseph Stephen, aged 41, who lives in the city is said to be ‘violent and dangerous’ and has a criminal record. Catalunya’s version of the Guardia Civil – Mossos d’Esquadra – were called out to a ‘fight’ at the man’s flat at around 6am. The accused and the victim had reportedly been arguing about their sexual practices when the man became aggressive and tossed her out of a window. He has been remanded in custody.
Spanish book sells for thousands A FIRST edition, untrimmed and unopened copy of Federico García Lorca’s book ‘Impresiones y Paisajes’ has been sold for £7,500 (€9,300) at Bonhams auction house in London. It was expected to fetch just £6,000, but its rarity meant
Fired for five prawns A HYPERMARKET employee in Jerez del la Frontera (Cadiz) was fired after she was reportedly caught on CCTV camera eating five prawns from her fish counter stand. Employees are only allowed to eat food in designated areas. Since the
prawns were from the fish counter and not paid for, it is being treated as theft. The staff member had worked at the hypermarket for 14 years. After such long-standing service and loyalty, she was treated ‘shamefully’ by being sacked, said her lawyer.
Critics slam crude theme cards criticising women
MEANING: Beauty is on the inside, but yours is light years away.
PANRICO is withdrawing a series of picture cards from its popular Bollycao range. Included with the chocolate-filled buns, they feature humorous or grotesque pictures, whose wisecracking captions were criticised by family campaign group, Foro de la Familia. The cards are ‘machista’ and ‘crude’, according to Foro. “Amongst other things, they present an unacceptable image of women which we thought no longer existed,” said a spokesman. “Having listened to some of our consumers, although they are a small minority, the company has decided to end the television campaign and will stop including the picture cards in their products, despite the added expense,” Panrico announced. In a ‘plural and diverse’ society it is very difficult to use popular themes without upsetting someone, the statement added.
that the final bidder paid 25 per cent more than it was predicted to sell for. The Spanish poet’s collection of lyrical prose pieces was published in 1918, and documents a trip the 20-year-old made through Castile, Leon and Galicia in 1916 and 1917. This first edition is extremely scarce; it is said so few copies were sold that the disillusioned writer gathered together all those he could lay his hands on and set them on fire. Certainly no copies are recorded as having
SCANDINAVIAN PRESS Stories making headlines in Denmark, Norway and Sweden
Learn the language SWEDEN - All new foreign citizens in Sweden should speak Swedish, a survey of 4,600 people by the National Statistics Agency found.
Killer’s plea
RARE: First edition copy. sold at auction since 1975, and institutional copies traced seem to total just four, three in the USA and one in Madrid.
Cyberbullying: speak now IT has been revealed that 30.1 per cent of Spanish adolescents aged 10 to 16 are victims of cyber-bullying. An ever-growing form of victimisation, Spanish journal Adolescent victims of cyberbullying: prevalence and characteristics studied a group of 1,431 Spanish adolescents. American Writer Alexis Moore, founder of non-profit crime victim agency Survivors In Action, said there were no resources for parents on this online discrimination phenomenon. When learning that a young teen sharing the same name as hers committed suicide after being bullied, she wrote the book ‘A Parent’s Guide to Cyberstalking and Cyberbullying: Protecting your children as simple as 1-2-3’ to help empower, educate and inform parents. One hundred per cent of the book proceeds are donated to charity to aid victims and expand resources.
NORWAY – Mass killer Anders Breivik, convicted of murdering 77 people last year, complained that his prison conditions violate his human rights, his lawyer said.
Xmas moan DENMARK – A housing complex in Kokkedal with a Moslem-majority board decided not to pay the Christmas tree costs, raising criticism by Konservative party members.
Child abuse SWEDEN – More than 150 children, most of them foreign-born, have been victims of human trafficking in Sweden, a report by the Stockholm County Administrative Board reported.
Salmon’s up NORWAY – Salmon exports to Britain were boosted by lower prices as volume rose 30.5 per cent in 2012’s third quarter, the Norwegian Seafood Council said.
Cold cases DENMARK – Three murder investigations from the late 1980s may be reopened by the Copenhagen Police after reviewing evidence using new forensic technology.
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Social worker in abuse case A MADRID social worker has been arrested for allegedly raping and photographing children. Police seized so much pornographic material from the home of Rafael Prado that it will take several months to analyse, they believe. Employed by the city council’s Samur Social, an emergency service whose main function is to assist the needy, the 41-year-old was denounced by his own wife. Through his job, Prado organised summer camps for children and was a swimming instructor at the Parque Movil sports ground. At the camps he allegedly filmed himself raping and abusing children as young as seven, sources revealed. Prado was denied bail and remanded in custody.
Counting the cost of 14,684 blazes NEW measures for emergency action after massive fires may be adopted next year by the Spanish Government. A call will be made to all regional governments by the Forest Fires Coordination Board for new regulations. The decision was adopted after assessing 2012’s results, which yielded a total of 14,684 fires and minor outbreaks leading to 198,447 hectares of burnt surface, until the end of last October. Compared to previous years’ numbers, there were fewer fires (16,267 in 2011) but they were more destructive, since they surpassed the last decade’s burnt surface area average of 105,390 hectares. It should be noted that 25 per cent of the scorched surface this year was due to last summer’s two large fires in the Valencian Community. As a consequence of fires, 10 people died and nearly 300,000 were evacuated from 87 blazes this year. Figures from the Home Office and the different safety authorities also
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RUSSIAN
PRESS
Stories making headlines from Russia
Court swap THE Supreme Court and other main state courts may be moved from Moscow to St Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin said, pending a final decision.
Car tax
ASSESSMENT: There were fewer, but more destructive fires this year. found there were more fires outside high-risk periods, since last winter and spring were remarkably dry and warm compared to previous years. October was, however, very quiet thanks to heavy rainfall nationwide. The board qualified both preventive and first actions after an outbreak as efficient. However, the weather conditions and the state of vegetation made it very difficult to
Free meal ticket for national strikers A GRANADA city restaurateur watched guardedly as two young pickets entered his premises on November 14.
Mallorca-
It was the day of the national strike, but the owner of the well-known restaurant decided to open. His foreign clientele were oblivious to the strike and a day’s takings were important. But instead of making trouble, the pickets, wearing union stickers, sat down at a table on the terrace. They ordered Rioja and beer, fish, grilled vegetables, fried squid and endives with anchovies. No-one saw them leave and assumed they had left the €42.50. Instead of cash they found a note: ‘We believe there are motives for not using money today. We sympathise with your business, but we sympathise more with the national strike. Thank you for understanding.’
control oversized fires. Emergency aid was given by the state government in 542 out of the 718 fires reported to Civil Protection’s national emergency unit. The most intensive days were August 10 to 12, “when basically all state firefighting resources were used simultaneously in 19 different fires,” Deputy Minister Luis Aguilera said.
A minister and his conscience NOT everyone welcomed the Constitutional Tribunal’s gay marriage go-ahead. “I signed against homosexual marriage and I would sign again,” said Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz after the tribunal’s ruling on November 6. Fernandez Diaz made his feelings clear during a routine Senate control session while ostensibly answering a Navarra senator’s question on terrorism. His conscience dictates that matrimony can only exist between a man and woman, he said. “Naturally I accept the Constitutional Tribunal ruling,” the minister emphasised. “But that does nothing to make me alter my beliefs or conscience.”
THE national transportation tax, increasing an average 600 roubles (€15) for car owners in 2013, has been criticised by Civic Platform party leader Mikhail Prokhorov.
Air danger A PILOT was found guilty of breaking air safety rules when making an emergency landing in stormy weather at the Blagoveshchensk airport in the Amur region.
US poll FORTY-EIGHT per cent of 1,600 surveyed Russians would have voted for Barack Obama and 4 per cent for Mitt Romney, a state agency survey said.
Pirate bill BUSINESSES trading or distributing counterfeit goods may be fined up to 30,000 roubles (€742), if a new law is passed by the government.
Van attack A ‘NO’: Gay marriages. At the time when the 2005 law was passed by the former Socialist government, Fernandez Diaz - then an Opposition MP in the national parliament - signed an appeal on the grounds that it contravened Spain’s constitution. Fernandez Diaz’s views are not shared by the Justice Minister, Alberto Ruiz Gallardon.
A MAN driving an office supplies van in Moscow city centre was attacked in broad daylight by two unidentified men who smashed the car’s windows with a gun.
No tweets THE @Russia Twitter account has never been used and it remains unknown if it belongs to the government, a study revealed.
22 - 28 November 2012 www.euroweeklynews.com
Stat of week 3.5 per cent inflation was registered in Spain last month, while the nation’s Gross Domestic Product in the third quarter showed a 0.3 per cent loss.
Finance,
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A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 8 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION
Driving ambition by car makers SPAIN has a driving ambition to produce more vehicles. Despite sales nationally languishing, manufacturers want to produce more
vehicles than the current two million a year. The longer-term hope by the sector is to see sales rise to three million with improved buying facilities, better logistics, the elimination of number plate tax and lower energy costs. All these will help boost sales, says Anfac, the manufacturers’ association. Their plans foresee 2.5 to profit, sources said, million vehicles for export with adjustments that and 1.3 million for the home include cutting flights 15 market. Seven ministries per cent and disposing including Industry, Public of five long-haul and 20 Works, Economy and the short-haul aircraft. Treasury, will be involved if Iberia also wants to the scheme to increase introduce the wageproductivity and boost scale agreed with the business comes to fruition. low-cost airline Vueling “We have had a very for pilots on domestic positive reaction from the and European flights. government,” announced This would mean Anfac Vice-president Mario slashing current Armero. €64,000 pre-tax salaries Manufacturers also want to €27,000, although more official grants for the CCOO union claims prospective buyers pilots’ incomes are exchanging their present closer to €40,961 a year. car. Although energy Iberia’s plans are reforms have increased ‘barbarous’, according to manufacturers’ costs by 8 pilots’ union Sepla. per cent, they are working Instead they called for to lessen the impact, he an end to Iberia’s said. “Spain does not have merger with British to be a country of service Airways which they industries,” said Armero. claim is ‘emptying’ “This is the time to boost Iberia. our industries.”
MOTORING AHEAD: Manufacturers want to boost yearly output.
Sackings the last resort for Iberia SACKINGS are seen by the Spanish government as a ‘last resort’ for national airline Iberia. Between 2008 and last September, Iberia’s turnover fell from €2,272 million to €1,704 million. The company, which hopes to reduce staff by 4,500, has now explained its plans to Minister of Public Works, Ana Pastor. Restructuring needs dialogue on all sides, Pastor said, following talks with Iberia management and the principal unions. “And that should include every factor that would make Spanish dismissals the last option,” she said. Iberia hopes to return
Zara shows the ZARA’S policy of constantly introducing new lines, and rapid restocking, has brought praise from across the Atlantic. Having sung Mercadona’s praises, the New York Times is now praising Zara which is part of the Inditex empire built up by Spaniard Amancio Ortega, the world’s third-richest man. Masoud Golsorkhi, editor of culture and fashion magazine Tank, was
world how to sell quoted as saying Inditex has completely changed consumer behaviour. “With Zara you know that if you don’t buy it then and there, within 11 days the entire stock will change. And because the prices are so low, you buy it now.” Even high-end fashion companies including Louis Vuitton or Prada bring out up to six collections a year instead of two. “And that’s absolutely because of Zara,” according to the New York Times.
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How to deal with problem of 20 barking caged dogs
Q
COULD you please advise the legal situation on barking dogs? In June we moved to a semi-rural area on Costa Blanca. The problem of excessive barking very near our property has since arisen. There are about 20 dogs causing the problem; particularly half a dozen dogs kept caged. When people pass by and the dogs begin to bark, it sets off all the dogs in the area. We approached the handler but his response was dismissive and he said we You and the could complain as much as we liked but nothing would be Law in Spain By David Searl done. We made a ‘denuncia’ to the town hall with nine signatures, which was sent to the police. They replied that they cannot identify the source, as all the dogs bark. One of our major concerns is the danger these dogs pose. We have had nine instances of loose, unattended dogs coming onto our property. We have grandchildren aged two and three who are due to visit, and are keen for a solution before they arrive. M.R.D. (Xabia)
A
Dogs barking at night can be infuriating. Even worse is the danger posed by dogs running loose. Both of these activities can be punished by law. If you want to resolve the situation, you must go to the Juzgado de Guardia, the duty court, and make a formal charge against the owner of the dogs. This could include keeping dogs in unhealthy condtions, allowing dogs to run loose, not microchipped, and creating a nuisance at night. Perhaps some come under the ‘dangerous dogs’ regulations. The court is required to act upon your formal denuncia and should order police to investigate. Xabia surely has ordinances prohibiting these activities. You do not have to identify the owner specifically. The location of the dog pen should be sufficient. Use a Spanish lawyer to make sure your denuncia is in proper form. David will respond to queries but reserves the right to select letters which will be of interest to the greatest number of readers. You can also consult David through lawyers Ubeda-Retana and Associates in Fuengirola. ask@lawtaxspain.com or call 952 667 090.
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
22 - 28 November 2012 Mallorca
A debit card for children aged 6 YOUNGSTERS as young as six, and up to 16, are to be targeted for a pre-paid Visa debit card being launched by new company Pktmny.
£££ THE tax take from the nation’s investment banking industry is set to fall to £50bn (€62.5bn) compared to £87bn (€108.5bn) before the financial crisis hit in 2007, according to the Centre
B
ritish usiness riefs
for Economics and Business Research.
£££ RETAIL sales fell in October as shoppers bought less food and
clothing, slowing a revival that the government hoped would kick-start the economy.
£££ ELECTRICAL retailer Dixon’s boss Sebastian James has warned that unless multinationals including Amazon and Google are made to pay their fair share of tax then UK retailers are at risk of collapse.
Is international finance merely an ever ongoing juggling act? LURKING behind the international coverage of the US Presidential election, Greece’s financial woes appeared to be relegated to the ‘second division’ of newsworthy items. Only a few months ago there were strong signs that the EU barons were preparing Greece’s exit from the Euro, the only real concern being how this might be achieved ‘gracefully’. Antonis Samaras’s cobbled-together government squabbled over the extent to which the Troika’s austerity demands might be met, whilst increasing and more violent civil unrest, an overall rate of 25.4 per cent unemployment, rising to 58 per cent for the youth of the country, rendered acceptance of all or any of these proposals difficult. Samaras’s pleas for an extension of time to allow the so-far unsuccessful measures to mature, were falling upon deaf ears with, as usual, Ms Merkel being the most intransigent. Times change, however, and now the Troika leaders appear to have decided to soften their approach, perhaps as a last-ditch attempt to keep
FAMILY THOUGHTS: Life for the Greeks used to be simple and without ongoing financial worries.
Jim Collins Costa Blanca
the eurozone intact, with some interesting financial juggling being brought into play to counter the understandable reluctance of private bond buyers who, only a year or so ago, were forced to accept a 75 per cent loss on their holdings. Now, under the new plan, any loss on future bond sales will be in the hands of the European bail-out funds, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). If there should be what banking circles call a ‘haircut,’ it will be these institutions which suffer the loss, and as one respected financial
correspondent points out: “For the first time the German taxpayer will see real money which otherwise might have been used for pensions, healthcare and education, disappearing into the bottomless pit of Greek hand-outs.” Let us not fool ourselves. This latest tranche of Troika bail-out money - €31.5 billion might temporarily plug the hole in Greece’s public finances, but entities charged with monitoring the programme are already suggesting that a further loan of at least €20 billion, together with a massive write-down of still-outstanding debts, will be needed just to ‘keep the pot boiling’. But here we come across another interesting point. The ECB is barred from taking ‘write-downs’
so to get around the problem the proposal is for it to transfer its holdings of Greek bonds at cost price - to EU member states, which will then transfer any profit on maturity back to Greece. With this ‘smoke-andmirrors’ strategy, sleight of hand if you like, nobody takes a haircut even though, as explained in a recent article, it would mean the debt being partially forgiven, interest payments waived for a while if deemed necessary and maturities extended, pushing a proper resolution of the problem away into the future. Basically, a typical political manoeuvre. Surely the Greek people must be considering alternatives - anything with even the remotest chance of alleviating their misery. Many must be harking back to the days before their nation embraced the Euro. They hobbled along then, managing their own affairs; unemployment wasn’t the horrifying spectre it is now, and it would be less than surprising if they were thinking that returning to those times might provide a better life than the one they are enduring now.
22 - 28 November 2012
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
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www.euroweeklynews.com Back in April, the Spanish government announced details of its draft new anti fraud plan. One of the proposed measures related to assets held outside Spain and would affect most expatriates living here. Confirmation that this is going ahead was finally received at the end of October. Law 7/2012 of 29th October 2012 was published in the Official State Gazette the following day. It amends existing tax and budget legislation and adapts financial legislation to strengthen action to prevent and combat fraud. Most measures came into effect immediately. It arms the Tax Authority with powerful weapons to fight tax fraud and the hidden economy - one of the main priorities of the government’s economic policy. State Secretary for the Treasury, Miguel Ferre, described this new anti fraud plan as “the most ambitious legislation in this field since the 1970s”. If you live in Spain, it is important to understand what the tax rules are, and ensure you correctly report your income and assets and only use approved tax planning arrangements. Professional advice from a firm like Blevins Franks which specialises in tax and wealth management for British expatriates in Spain is invaluable. Reporting obligation Under the legislation, residents of Spain now have a new obligation to
Mallorca
Spain’s New Anti Tax Fraud Law New reporting requirements for overseas assets
by Bill Blevins, Financia l Correspondent, Blevins Franks
report all assets and rights held outside Spain, where they are: • Owners • Beneficiaries • Authorised signatories. A new reporting model will be created, on which all kinds of assets may have to be reported, including: • Bank accounts • All forms of securities • Capital • Life insurance • Real estate. Failure to comply with the obligation will have costly consequences when discovered by the tax authorities. A €5,000 penalty will be imposed for each omitted data - with a minimum penalty of €10,000.
An asset which has not been reported under this system and is discovered by the tax authorities will also be assumed to have been acquired with undeclared income. It will be treated as an ‘unjustified capital gain’ for the most recent tax year which is within the statute of limitations. Under Spanish law tax investigations can go back four years, so the income would be deemed to arise four years prior to the year the asset is discovered. It will be taxed at the marginal rates of income tax. This effectively eliminates the statute of limitations for undeclared assets, so the tax authorities can go back indefinitely to assess undeclared income and tax it at maximum rates, plus interest and penalties. It will be considered a “very serious offence” with a penalty of 150% of the tax due. Although this is new legislation, the obligation to report overseas income is not new. Anyone who meets the tax residence criteria in Spain is already liable for tax on their worldwide income and gains and is obliged by law to declare them accordingly. Except for the years when wealth tax was effectively abolished, they should also have declared their worldwide assets on their wealth tax returns where a liability arose.
So what is new and important about this legislation is the consequences for failing to report. The penalties are very severe and could be more than the value of the hidden asset/s. At the time of writing, the government has not supplied information on how the reporting is to be done. Further regulation will establish the terms. Limits to cash payments The new anti-fraud law introduces a limit to cash transactions where one party is a business owner or professional (credit institutions are excluded). Cash transactions now cannot exceed €2,500. This comes into effect 20 days after the law was published. Where one party is a non-resident, the limit is €15,000. Any breach will be considered a serious administrative offence. A penalty of 25% of the payment will be imposed. Both parties are jointly liable, so the authorities can bring action against either one. If one party voluntarily reports the transaction, they will be exonerated from paying the penalty. Measures to improve tax collection The legislation includes a series of
measures to strengthen the tax authority’s ability to collect revenue, particularly if the taxpayer attempts to escape their obligations by delaying payment, creating obstacles or concealing wealth. It toughens the penalties for resistance, obstruction, excuses or refusal to comply with tax inspectors. The penalties vary between €1,000 and €600,000. The times are changing for tax planning across Europe, perhaps even more so here in Spain. Professional advice is essential if you want to protect your wealth from unnecessary taxation and make sure your tax planning will stand up to scrutiny. A firm like Blevins Franks will guide you through your options for legitimate tax mitigation. The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual should take personalised advice. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com
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LONDON - FTSE 100 NC I
NET VOLUME 212.01 60.09 54.59 338.40 1,228.7 535.11 988.03 542.63 327.91 2,222.6 85.92 539.09 18,816. 5,508.3 901.84 10,794. 328.49 230.14
CU RR E
C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G. 4.70 1.42 19.00 1.79 17.00 0.81 5.50 0.55 32.50 1.95 11.00 0.92 18.00 2.53 33.00 2.37 1.50 0.05 5.98 1.87 -1.50 -0.16 1.33 0.44 8.70 3.71 -4.80 -0.48 37.50 2.00 10.10 2.42 21.84 0.70 7.33 1.45
ES
C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 19
PRICE(P) C O M PA N Y Aberdeen Asset Manag 334.95 Admiral Group PLC 1078.00 Aggreko PLC 2112.50 AMEC PLC 1000.50 Anglo American PLC 1696.75 Antofagasta PLC 1210.00 ARM Holdings PLC 729.00 Associated British Foods 1427.50 AstraZeneca PLC 2794.50 Aviva PLC 325.95 Babcock Inte Gr... 958.75 BAE Systems PLC 302.10 Barclays PLC 242.90 BG Group PLC 995.80 BHP Billiton PLC 1911.00 BP PLC 426.72 British A Tobacco PLC 3150.50 British Land Co PLC 513.00
0.80245
Units per €
United States $......................................................1.27709 Japan Yen ¥ ...........................................................103.668 Switzerland Francs................................................1.20458 Denmark Kroner ....................................................7.45796 Norway Kroner.......................................................7.36937
C O M PA N Y
PRICE(P)
British Sky Broadcasting BT Group PLC Bunzl PLC Burberry Group PLC Capita PLC Capital Shopping C Gr... Carnival PLC Centrica PLC Compass Group PLC CRH PLC
747.00 220.30 1024.50 1191.00 714.00 333.15 2455.50 314.35 691.50 1100.50
C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G.
DOW JONES
NASDAQ
C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 19
C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 19
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PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME
MMM 3M Co 88.50 AA Alcoa Inc 8.18 AXP American Express Co 54.30 T AT&T Inc 33.14 BAC Bank of America Corp 9.12 BA Boeing Co 70.77 CAT Caterpillar Inc 81.93 CVX Chevron Corp 102.40 CSCO Cisco Systems Inc 17.99 DD E. I. du Pont de Nemours and C... 41.95 XOM Exxon Mobil Corp 86.45 GE General Electric Co 20.15 HPQ Hewlett-Packard Co 12.85 HD Home Depot Inc 62.12 INTC Intel Corp 20.19 IBM International Business Machine... 186.94 JNJ Johnson & Johnson 69.19 JPM JPMorgan Chase and Co 39.53 MCD McDonald's Corp 84.12 MRK Merck & Co Inc 43.07 MSFT Microsoft Corp 26.52
+0.48 +0.13 +0.66 -0.28 +0.03 -0.27 +0.63 +0.78 +0.0487 -0.15 +0.31 +0.09 -0.23 +0.87 +0.16 +1.09 +0.12 +0.14 +0.0698 +0.27 -0.1398
+0.55% +1.61% +1.23% -0.84% +0.33% -0.38% +0.77% +0.77% +0.27% -0.36% +0.36% +0.45% -1.76% +1.42% +0.80% +0.59% +0.17% +0.36% +0.08% +0.63% -0.52%
14.2 NM 12.6 43.6 24.0 12.2 8.4 8.4 11.6 13.2 9.1 15.5 NM 22.0 8.8 13.5 22.7 8.2 15.8 19.7 14.3
1.24617
C O M PA N Y
Most Advanced Penn National Gaming, Inc. Capital City Bank Group OSI Systems, Inc. Ameristar Casinos, Inc. Global Tech Advance... Recovery Energy, Inc. Cyberonics, Inc. Del Frisco's Restaurant Group, Inc. InterMune, Inc.
2.00 1.30 -4.00 27.00 0.68 4.30 28.00 0.85 -1.00 10.00
0.27 0.59 -0.39 2.32 0.10 1.31 1.15 0.27 -0.14 0.92
NET VOLUME 1,080.9 2,535.6 64.49 183.16 210.32 322.63 65.78 1,417.8 452.93 259.64
PRICE
CHANGE NET / %
$ 48.23 $ 10.82 $ 63.94 $ 19.52 $ 5.35 $3 $ 52.44 $ 14.44 $ 8.94
10.62 / + 28.24% 1.56 / + 16.85% 9.05 / + 16.49% 2.67 / + 15.85% 0.64 /+ 13.59% 0.34/ + 12.78% 5.84 / + 12.53% 1.48 / + 11.42% 0.90 / + 11.19%
$ 2.81 $ 4.45 $ 47.49 $ 10.48 $ 45.07 $ 3.85 $ 5.15 $ 2.27 $ 2.21
0.77 / - 21.51% 1.21 / - 21.38% 10.99 / - 18.79% 1.97 / - 15.82% 8.03 / - 15.12% 0.52 / - 11.90% 0.50 / - 8.85% 0.21 / - 8.47% 0.19 / - 7.92%
Most Declined Sycamore Networks, Inc. China Auto Logistics Inc. Sears Holdings Corporation Viasystems Group, Inc. Sina Corporation Velti plc Easterm Virginia Bank... Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. CardioNet Inc
C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) CHANGE % C H G. VOLUME Croda International PLC 2274.50 -19.00 -0.83 100.69 Diageo PLC 1811.25 18.00 1.00 807.44 Eurasian Natural Rs ... 268.90 9.30 3.58 1,402.20 EVRAZ PLC 224.35 5.90 2.70 281.40 Experian PLC 1024.00 3.00 0.29 240.09 Fresnillo PLC 1921.50 41.00 2.18 40.82 G4S PLC 241.95 -2.00 -0.82 940.78 GKN PLC 204.30 3.30 1.64 689.15 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1319.75 2.00 0.15 1,328.07 Glencore International PLC322.85 1.30 0.40 3,412.11 Hammerson PLC 460.60 1.70 0.37 296.02 Hargreaves Lansdown PLC 758.75 6.60 0.88 300.23 HSBC Holdings PLC 607.25 11.50 1.93 4,284.19 IMI PLC 976.00 18.50 1.93 126.88 Imperial Tobacco Group 2416.50 22.00 0.92 202.99 InterContiHot Gro... 1579.50 8.00 0.51 306.32 International C ... 162.80 4.50 2.84 1,593.10 Intertek Group PLC 2789.00 -46.00 -1.62 184.55 ITV PLC 93.40 1.40 1.52 1,930.34 Johnson Matthey PLC 2276.00 21.00 0.93 32.33 Kazakhmys PLC 668.00 13.00 1.99 382.40 Kingfisher PLC 277.40 3.20 1.17 690.31 Land Secus Group PLC 766.25 4.50 0.59 324.38 Legal & General G PLC 140.90 1.20 0.86 1,449.84 Lloyds Banking G PLC 44.54 0.56 1.27 64,270.3 Marks & Spencer Group 368.65 2.10 0.57 606.41 Meggitt PLC 370.45 2.00 0.54 204.48 Melrose PLC 209.75 0.90 0.43 1,388.69 Morrison (Wm) Super 257.05 0.90 0.35 833.07 National Grid PLC 688.75 0.70 0.10 1,260.08 Next PLC 3578.50 37.00 1.04 56.48 Old Mutual PLC 167.85 1.70 1.02 596.42 Pearson PLC 1188.50 15.00 1.28 249.47 Pennon Group PLC 597.50 -1.71 -0.29 376.12 Petrofac Ltd 1509.50 17.00 1.14 145.30 Polymetal Int PLC 1128.00 17.00 1.53 40.81 Prudential PLC 856.25 16.50 1.97 627.23 Randgold Resources Ltd 6527.50 175.00 2.76 68.10 Reckitt Be Group PLC 3734.00 30.00 0.81 184.38 Reed Elsevier PLC 602.75 0.40 0.07 390.59 Resolution Ltd 227.40 -0.60 -0.26 430.42 REXAM PLC 429.60 -1.10 -0.26 208.56 Rio Tinto PLC 2989.50 56.00 1.91 916.79 Rolls-Royce Holdings 857.25 12.62 1.49 661.07 Royal Bank Scotla Grou... 280.10 2.60 0.94 2,294.08 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 2109.25 11.30 0.54 796.70 RSA Insurance PLC 111.05 1.48 1.35 1,423.00 SABMiller PLC 2626.00 7.00 0.27 271.77 Sage Group (The) PLC 300.05 -0.20 -0.07 795.67 Sainsbury (J) PLC 335.05 3.00 0.90 759.62 Schroders PLC 1538.00 20.00 1.32 46.84 Serco Group PLC 539.25 -10.70 -1.95 277.44 Severn Trent PLC 1523.00 -2.00 -0.13 97.12 Shire PLC 1724.50 -4.50 -0.26 349.35 Smith & Nephew PLC 643.50 2.77 0.43 215.44 Smiths Group PLC 1025.00 7.32 0.72 103.16 SSE PLC 1372.50 8.88 0.65 325.64 Standard Chartered PLC 1436.50 22.25 1.57 280.25 Standard Life PLC 302.75 2.61 0.87 851.31 Tate & Lyle PLC 753.50 -1.17 -0.16 180.13 Tesco PLC 317.12 2.15 0.68 3,012.06 Tullow Oil PLC 1343.50 3.15 0.24 359.62 Unilever PLC 2316.00 25.00 1.09 302.13 United Utilities G PLC 646.25 -1.00 -0.15 651.55 Vedanta Resources PLC 1056.00 19.00 1.83 142.73 Vodafone Group PLC 159.03 1.18 0.75 25,910.8 Weir Group PLC 1731.00 20.00 1.17 204.32 Whitbread PLC 2331.00 16.53 0.71 104.73 Wolseley PLC 2646.00 11.00 0.42 222.93 Wood Group (John) PLC 780.25 10.50 1.36 272.01 WPP PLC 809.25 7.00 0.87 201.24 Xstrata PLC 953.10 3.20 0.34 889.71
22 - 28 November 2012
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
EWN
Mallorca
www.euroweeklynews.com
When a woman is the higher earner then men need to add up situation! I HAVE a friend who makes a lot the women in question, or of money. whether it has a serious She has a high-up position in a consequence on their big company, works very hard relationship. and picks up a very healthy pay The answer is unclear as each cheque at the end relationship will play of each month. to a different tune. Her husband, on But one thing is for the other hand, is sure; a little thought terrible with about the subject money. will help keep a He earns nothing relationship intact. A look near to her wage So back to my at finance and despite the friend. for females general perception She started that perhaps he getting a little put Jane Plunkett might feel emasout that the past few jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews. culated being the holidays, bills and com lower earner out of general household the two, this is not necessities were the case. coming out of her earnings. In fact, he finds his situation Her other half was seemingly comfortable - sometimes a little taking for granted the fact that too comfortable - expecting her she would automatically pay. to pay for things just because, But then he redeemed himself. well, she can. Having been terrible with cash Women earning the same or for a long time, he surprised more than men is nothing new her with an amazing ring, which nowadays. she had admired while on a The big question is whether it holiday. The fact that he had bothers men, whether it bothers saved up for two years just to
Loose change
Catalan bank is set for takeover SABADELL BANK is preparing to acquire BMN’s branches in Cataluña and Aragon. BMN - Banco Mare Nostrum - is the result of an earlier merger between Cajamurcia, Caixa Penedes, Caja Granada and Sa Nostra, following the property boom collapse. Most branches to be disposed of belong to Caixa Penedes. The deal, if it goes through, will affect 462 bank branches, 2,000 employees and involve the transfer of 900,000 clients, said sources close to the operation. The planned merger is subject to certain conditions, announced Josep Oliu, President of Sabadell, which in June bought the
nationalised CAM bank for €1. These include transferring BMN’s toxic property and land assets to Spain’s ‘Bad Bank’, Sareb. Following stress tests by Oliver Wyman earlier this year, BNM was told it needed to sell assets in order to meet capital needs of €2,208 million. Sabadell will now take on €11,100 million in BMN’s customer loans and €8,800 million in customer deposits, but has not revealed how much it will pay. “The transaction will significantly increase Sabadell’s presence on its home ground and expand its retail business there, making it Cataluña’s fourth-largest bank,” said a Sabadell statement.
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HIGH EARNER: But partners can create money concerns. buy it impressed her no end. Even though the principal breadwinner in the relationship, she still wanted to be romanced and spoilt. Despite all the love in the world, if one party continues to pay for things resentment can build up. Therefore, it is important to keep the channels
BUSINESS BRIEFS
At the top BELEN ROMANA, Treasury Director General between July 2003 and October 2005 has been appointed head of Spain’s ‘Bad Bank’ Sareb.
Profits plunge DEVELOPMENT and sustainable energy giant Acciona’s third quarter profits plunged 64 per cent.
Too expensive VODAFONE, whose half-year Spanish earnings fell 11 per cent, admitted that the €24,000 million it paid for Airtel during the 2000 ‘dot.com’ boom was more than the company was worth.
of communication open and talk about the finances. She might be OK about footing all the bills, but maybe she’s not. He might seem OK about his missus being the high earner, but maybe he’s not. The only way to know for sure is to speak up and let your feelings be known.
Spain cannot chase debts in Ecuador BANKS will not be allowed to chase up immigrant workers’ Spanish debts in Ecuador. Spain’s 480,000 Ecuadorians are more affected by unemployment and mortgage foreclosures than any other immigrant community. There were a daily 50 evictions last year and a fair percentage involved Ecuadorians, claimed immigrants’ support group Conadee. Nor was eviction their only problem. “Hundreds are saying that banks threatened to recover their mortgage debts in Ecuador,” said Ambassador Aminta Buenaño. The Ecuadorian government headed by Rafael Correo has vetoed any attempt to square a citizen’s
foreign debt by impounding assets in Ecuador. Ecuadorians in Spain are also wary of the Pichincha España bank which last year acquired immigrants’ loans and unpaid mortgages from Bankia and a Spanish investment fund. Pichincha España will not pursue immigrant workers’ debts in Ecuador, an official said.
Seniors flush juniors away BATHROOM cleaners are big business... even though when it comes to the loo, elderly people clean up more than the youngsters. Whilst 27 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds hate to touch the toilet bowl, an impressive 92 per cent of over 65s are made of sterner stuff and have no qualms about getting stuck in to the cleaning. Overall that could mean up to nine million people are driven round the bend by the chore, claims a survey in Britain by global market research company Mintel. And 34 per cent of British expatriates follow the Spanish lead of saying bleach is best for that sparkling rim. With an estimated 43 million toilets in Britain just over half households have the bog standard one loo, almost a third have two, and a tenth have three. But when it comes to cleaning the loo, Britain is a nation of extremes with one in five cleaning the lavatory once a day or more, whilst one in 20 whip out their brushes just two or three times a month. A decidedly unfragrant 1.5 million (3 per cent) admit to cleaning the loo once a month or less.
High-flying pizza PIZZA now features on Vueling’s in-flight menu. Home-delivery firm Telepizza has signed a contract with the low-cost Spanish airline to supply individual Four Cheese pizzas. Easy to store and to prepare, they are the ideal aircraft meal, said Vueling.
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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
22 - 28 November 2012 Mallorca
Advertising Feature
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22 - 28 November 2012
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W EEKLY
ROUND - UP OF REGULAR AND OCCASIONAL TOPICS
EXPAT
EXTRA
LETTERS LEAPY HEALTH &BEAUTY FOOD
TIME OUT HOMES & GARDENS PETS TV
Forget sweetie, just get me a gin Ana JeffersonSmith takes an irreverent look at life as a singleton expat in Spain
COMMENT A taxing situation MARIANO RAJOY would like to lower income tax in 2014, but Economy Minister Luis de Guindos knows it is not going to happen. Spain’s priority is reducing the deficit, De Guindos insisted recently. And just how many people would a tax-cut affect? By 2014 more people than ever could be out of work. Having a job and paying tax even at the current rate would be their idea of heaven.
Ambitions SPAIN usually dislikes its politicians, bestowing affection after they die because they do little to earn it in life. The spat between Madrid’s mayor and the regional president - who belong to the same party does not directly affect the rest of the country. Nevertheless, it demonstrates that Spain’s politicians devote too much energy to defending their patch and not enough to doing what they are elected to do.
N
OW winter is setting in, the temptation to hibernate for the next few months is stronger than ever. The allure is to hide, watching re-runs of Sex and the City in my fluffy slippers with a box of Ferrero Rocher in one hand and a hot chocolate in the other. Who am I trying to kid? I really mean a strong G&T. In each hand. WHEN the initial results of the survey were published, many men scorned the findings, but people in Spain were keen to agree that women are better behind the wheel. “Women tend to concentrate more and can do two things at once, so yes, I would agree,” said Kevin Mooney from Guardamar on the Costa Blanca, who admitted that in day-to-day life his wife does ‘most of the driving’. Jean Blackwell, who divides her time between Benalmadena, Costa del Sol and Essex, UK, pointed out: “Women are more patient on the roads, and the older woman is definitely better behind the wheel than the younger woman.” Boutique owner Sam Buxton from Quesada on the Costa Blanca also views women as better drivers. “Men can be quite hostile, while women take more care.” Mallorca expatriate Bianca Hadley, originally from Holland but now living in Santa Ponsa, agrees. “Yes! Women are more careful, though there are some dreadful women drivers as well. I’ve terrible speeding fines but I have never been in an accident.” British expatriate Madeline Evans from Lo Crispin on the Costa Blanca feels the issue is based more on age. The main driver in her household, she says: “Older women drivers are definitely better, though I have found some of the younger ones
STREET TALK
As I see it...
So with my last remaining single lady no longer on the scene, what’s to entice me to kick up my six-inch-high, €1,000+ Louboutins that I try so hard to walk in, and paint the town red? Obliged to attend another friend’s leaving drinks, the guest list was as follows: Mr and Mrs Been-TogetherForever, Mr and Miss In-The-
Annoying-Honeymoon-Phase, Mr and Miss On-And-Off-But-VeryMuch-On-Right-Now, Mr and Mrs We’re-So-Overly-In-Love-We’rePretty-Much-Married. Plus, of course, lonely young me! I have no problem hanging out with other couples. But when every other word is ‘babe’ or ‘sweetie’ or ‘cutie’, I tend to seek another tipple.
Women are the best drivers Following a British study of 19,000 vehicles fitted with tell-tale black boxes, females were found to speed less, brake more cautiously and drive less after dark when most crashes occur. But what do others think of the findings? Laura-Jane Bruce reports.
FROM LEFT: Madeline Evans, Nick Clayton and Fernanda Fernandez.
tend to be the most aggressive and don’t like to be behind fellow women drivers.” Fernanda Fernández from the Mallorca capital of Palma also regards women as safer. “We cause fewer accidents because we are more prudent. Women have a sixth sense, that’s why we drive so well. Oh, and I park well, too.” Sheffield-born Nick Clayton agrees with the statistics, adding: “My wife is a very good driver but she drives like a man, and she’d admit that.” But Crispin Clarke, on holiday in Malaga with his partner Sheila,
disagreed with the findings and the views given by others. “I am a far better driver than Sheila, who often lacks confidence. I know parking is not everything, but my sister - and many other women - cannot even park a car straight, so how can you say they are better drivers?”
All the touchy-feely-kissy-ness does make me feel a little nauseous; I mean there’s a time and a place, and it’s preferably not in front of me. And when discussions arise on how fantastic Christmas will be spent together, that’s when I really do mentally freak out. I don’t sound bitter, do I? Clearly I need to simply keep in mind the perks of being footloose, single... and keen for real action! For starters, nightly - come to that matter, in fact, daily drinking is not an issue. I have the freedom to dine as I wish, with whom I wish. Additionally, I do not need to face questions about who, what, where and when I go out. I have the ability to be spontaneous and flirt with whoever I like! That last slice of pizza is mine. No ifs, ands or buts about it. And no non-singleton can say the remote belongs solely to them. But I can. Having popcorn and wine for dinner without having to worry about what a partner or spouse wants to eat is also a godsend. I can wear comfortable underwear, regardless of aesthetics. Those far-fetched dreams of running into and falling in love with my celebrity crushes are slightly more fathomable. And should the threat of loneliness start to creep in, there’s always my very own 50 shades Mr Grey, a short phonecall away. I think I already know what my priority is for this weekend...
Just fancy that THE corpse of an American night-shift worker who died on the front porch of his home remained in place for several days after a postman failed to report the incident, thinking the body was part of a Halloween display .
LIFE IN SPAIN
22 EWN www.euroweeklynews.com
22 - 28 November 2012 Mallorca
Domestic violence, a concern for society T HIS Sunday, November 25, is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In most Spanish towns and cities, conferences and workshops will be held. Everyone, including expatriates, should become involved in measures to rid Spain of one of its most shameful problems. So far this year, 55 women have been murdered in Spain due to gender violence, 45 of them by a partner or ex-partner. In the first half of 2012, a total of 62,967 cases of gender violence were reported to the authorities, figures from the Home Office show. According to them, 36 per
cent of cases were reported by foreign women, although 40 per cent of them refused to go ahead with prosecutions. It is very difficult to estimate the magnitude of the problem as less than 10 per cent of physical domestic attacks are reported. The number of reported cases is even lower if we consider psychological abuse. But why is domestic violence so common in Spain? Obviously, this is a hard question to answer but experts have identified alcohol and drug abuse as well as economical and social causes. This is also believed to be the SUPPORT: A gender violence information group in Sant Joan, Alicante. case in areas like Scandinavia*. In my opinion, Spaniards believe the problem goes deeper, citing the culture of the dominant, misogynistic male (the ‘macho’ or ‘machismo’). Having its source in the Franco era and the extreme Catholic repression that generations suffered, a role for each gender was established in the minds of many men and women. The man was the bread-winner and THERE are just six weeks left the woman dealt with home and before the end of the year, the family. This was respected by deadline for residents to sign both sides, and somehow it on the municipal register, worked. Then freedom came in officially known as the ‘padron’. the shape of women’s rights, the Town halls are doubling their efforts to contact foreign pill, divorce laws, the right to residents by post, phone and abortion, etc. Spain is still in the home visits. middle of a progressive change Expatriates are being advised of values. that the quality of public We may think violence is only services (health, education, attributed to a certain profile: safety, etc) is dependent on the men in their 50s or those older budget the state government and poorly educated for whom allocates for each town, democracy came too late. which is directly Of course, improvements Local and related to the have been made in education amount of people and a new generation has national benefits registered on the grown up believing in the values become accessible to padron. of gender equality. Sadly, COMMON GOOD: Expatriates in Nerja sign up to ensure the provision foreign nationals if With 32 per cent however, statistics reveal that of good quality public services. they sign on the of a population of about 30 per cent of domestic padron 23,100 being foreign registered, late October and the mailing. These are local benefits, but violence cases were committed residents, the town of more than 3,000 We have been contacted lots of some of padron’s national by people under 30. Nerja in Andalucia is an are British, far above times to confirm if they need to advantages include enrolling in There is clearly still much left example of the crucial role the 630 Germans and 500 renew their registration. In public education centres and to do. We should all do our bit to expatriates can play in the Swedes. most cases, they do. voting rights in local and EU build a better society. provision of local welfare. Out “Yes, foreign residents are Otherwise, they will be elections. Being registered also Campaigns organised by the of the nearly 7,400 foreigners reacting to the call we made in excluded, losing their benefits,” speeds up administrative different Councils for Equality Jacky Gomez from the Foreign processes: getting an NIE, (Delegacion de Igualdad) in Department at Nerja Town Hall driving licence, registering a every municipality have proved car number plate, applying for successful in raising awareness told EWN. Since the majority of subsidies, contracting water of a formerly hidden problem. Question: Do I lose fiscal residence in my home country expatriates in Nerja are people and energy suppliers, etc. There is an association in almost if I register? aged 60 to 75, they are given “But it is not just about the every Spanish town where help Answer: The padron registration has nothing to do with the ‘65 Card’ when they individual benefits,” Jacky is guaranteed So if you want to your fiscal residence, meaning that a citizen can be an register, providing special Gomez said. learn more, check your town inhabitant of a Spanish town and remain a tax resident discounts on bus passes, “I am amazed by foreign hall’s agenda for November 25. abroad. swimming pools, parking residents. They are very *Domestic Violence against Send your questions to: raul@euroweeklynews.com permits, and when buying conscious their town will lose Women Report, European glasses. so much if they don’t sign up.” Commission September 2010.
Deadline for registering on padron getting closer
Q AND A
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L etters OPINION & COMMENT
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Good-time girls a turn-off for decent people WITH deep regret it’s Adios Magaluf. After several years as a beach-front apartment owner I have sold up and am shipping out. I am sure I speak not just for my family but also friends and many holidaymakers, in all thousands of people, who won’t return to Magaluf due to the gauntlet of prostitutes we have to run to get to bars or back to our lodgings. They are like a pack of locusts who also mug the lonely and vulnerable. Sincere thanks to all the hardworking people of Magaluf. We had a great few years of enjoyment and happiness but sadly not any more. The pimp with his Hummer and the girls from Ghana should go to Hell for winter and not come back. Voice of the people, Magaluf (Mallorca)
Blood surprise I READ with interest your article Give Blood (Issue 1426) in Javea. I was an avid blood donor in the UK, managing to notch up 40 donations before coming to live in Javea in 2004. I arrived at the donor session at 9.30am and there were four Spanish people waiting with me. No-one from the transfusion service turned up until after 10am, and they didn’t attend to the first person until after 10.30am. When it was my turn I sat at the desk and said I was British. I was then told, in Spanish, that as I had lived in the UK between 1970 and 1996 I could not give blood. I am writing this so that other British people will not have the same thing happen to them. I just hope that if I ever need a transfusion there is some blood available for me. Wendy Ranger, Pinomar (Alicante)
Diesel shock THROUGHOUT my seven years in Spain, diesel prices have always been lower than petrol. So imagine my shock when I went to fill up my wife’s petrol car yesterday in the garage near the Iceland supermarket in Fuengirola, and the price of 95 octane was lower than diesel at the pumps. I am not sure of the reason and, interestingly, in the UK petrol pump
Snapped! By JP, La Cala, Fuengirola (Malaga)
P pub hotog r l em icati aphs pho ail w on sh for p o ton ews ith a f uld b ossibl e es @e ull e c uro wee aptio nt by klyn n to ews : .com
JUST one day after the EWN appeared with the report ‘Danger on death bend’ (Issue 1428 CDS) a car overturned at the N340 black spot, though the three occupants escaped serious injury. Three days later there was another pile-up on the bend. Having lived nearby for more than 20 years, sadly crashes often appear almost a part of weekly life, especially in the summer, though as your article indicated, hopes remain that a solution to the danger spot can be found.
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:
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prices are always lower than diesel prices. Perhaps things are about to change in Spain in 2013? N Speed, Los Boliches, Fuengirola (Malaga)
Wasted lives AT the time of writing this 395 British service personnel have been killed in Afghanistan by terrorist action. The politicians tell us they died defending the UK from terrorist attacks which originate in that country. I must ask would nearly 400 UK citizens have died in Britain if we hadn’t gone into Afghanistan? I believe it is the actions of the security services, MI6 and Police Special Branch in catching terrorists and exposing home-grown plots to maim and murder that are the ones saving British lives.
To me our servicemen’s and women’s lives have been sacrificed to solve Afghanistan’s problems, not ours. Tom Hawksworth, Santopetar (Almeria)
Seeing the light BRITISH cycling champion and Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins has recently been injured in a UK road crash. It amazes me that more cyclists are not hurt in crashes in Spain. While returning home on an unlit country road, four cyclists headed towards me... and while they had lights, they were not fitted on their bicycles, but they were wearing helmets with lights on, rather like miners’ hats. To me they were adding to the danger, for as they moved their heads the lights went everywhere. When will cyclists realise the dangers, and act accordingly? M Horton, Nerja (Malaga)
Eat healthily VERY much enjoyed Ulrica’s article The ‘C’ Word (Issue 1422), not least because my daughter had breast cancer and I know that a dairy-free and animal-fat-free diet really does
22 - 28 November 2012 Mallorca help prevent and halt cancer. I would like to recommend a very informative book as prescribed reading for all women, The China Study by T Colin Campbell, ISBN 978-193210066-2. Several women I know who have had breast cancer have kept the cancer at bay by changing their diet. Caroline Elliot (by email)
Bad medicine CONCERNING your article ‘Madrid holding up prescription payments’ (Issue 1427) I would be extremely sceptical about statements coming from the Valencian Health Authority. This authority has brought many pharmacies to the point of bankruptcy by diverting designated health funds from Madrid to pay other debts. Pensioners’ reimbursement in three months? Laudable but laughable. Incidentally, the 10 per cent figure for pensioners’ prescriptions reduces to 5 per cent for those on low incomes. Ken Bethell Puerto de Mazarrón (Murcia)
Under the carpet WHAT can be done when some VIPs are being linked to a paedophile scandal? Well, what I would do is have a very senior meeting and decide to have some innocent bigwig accidentally, but very publicly named, on Newsnight for instance. It must be done so that the targeted man can take legal action for lots of compensation, and that there could be no defence in a libel action. There, that should do it. Take the sting away, make it much more difficult to have a proper enquiry and most of the scandal gets swept under the carpet. Unfortunately, one or two may get pulled down, but only the ones that we don’t like anyway. Conspiracy theory anyone? Keith the Apicultor, (Malaga)
Go home WHENEVER Mike Walsh writes about the Spanish he creates dissention. If he is not happy here he should return to where he came from and stop his criticism. I would ask him to prove he can speak in the language of the country he has made his home before criticising. He is becoming a controversial fellow. Herminio García Formentera del Segura,( Alicante)
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.
MOVING BACK TO THE UK? Do you want to avoid excessive Spanish bank fees and get the best rate of exchange? Repatriate your funds safely and quickly through Moneycorp. Ask Moneycorp how you can go back to the UK with more money. Call Moneycorp on +34 902 887 243 or email mallorca@moneycorp.com Please quote Euro Weekly News Mallorca
OPINION & COMMENT
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EWN www.euroweeklynews.com
22 - 28 November 2012 Mallorca
Now free Qatada has positive role I L L EAPY EE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT For centuries lawyers and legal eagles have twisted, dissected, adapted, reinterpreted and amended vast numbers of laws, rules and regulations in Britain’s legal system. These people have now become an enormous consortium of nest-lining sharks, basically being paid a fortune to unravel and subsequently make even more complicated, the creations of their forerunning bloodsuckers, generally from taxpayers’ money. If I had my way I would appoint a committee of the best neutral legal minds,
have them begin to dismantle the whole sorry farce, and replace it with straightforward edicts of legal simplicity. Putting it all in an understandable language for all would be a start. Did Cherie Blair know what she was doing or what! Why doesn’t Palestine recognise Israel’s right to exist and have done with it? Peace would prevail, prosperity would return, Israel would withdraw from the Gaza Strip and both countries could look forward to a bright and happy future for their children and families. But they won’t, will they? Instead they continue allowing Hamas to throw missiles over into the adjoining ‘non country’ till it has no choice but to retaliate. Under the
SOUTH AFRICAN police caught a Lebanese man who swallowed 220 polished diamonds, worth an estimated €1.8 million in a bid to smuggle them from Johannesburg to Dubai.
Snake alert THAI customs officials seized 600 deadly cobras after stopping a vehicle. They were destined for use in traditional medicine and food.
FLAG WAVING: Palestine should recognise Israel. ensuing onslaught of an enormously powerful, ‘selfinflicted’ enemy they then start screaming how hard done by they all are. Fighting to remove an adversary that is NEVER going away is tantamount to giving a blessing to war without end. The absolute danger to
us all, of course, is Iran’s empathy for them, with its increasing nuclear capabilities. If Ahmadinejad puts a nuclear bomb into the middle of Tel Aviv, we can all kiss ourselves goodbye. Keep the faith Love Leapy Leapylee2002@gmail.com
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TEAMS of highly trained mice could be used to sniff out explosives and drugs at airports. Israeli firm Tamar Group is using specially trained rodents equipped with biological sensors which detect changes in heart rate and breathing.
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END COLUMN
’M beginning to warm to Abu Qatada. Not because of what he stands for, but for his almost super-human tenacity after once again being freed to walk Britain’s streets. Yet again this hulk adorns the nation’s front pages, initially upon gaining freedom, and then with his first request after leaving jail for a bigger house! You gotta hand it to him, haven’t you? I now seriously hope to see him still around for some time to come, for the longer he manages to flaunt and manipulate the laws of Britain the more it shows what a mishmash of ridiculous regulations they all are. And this, if it leads to change, will be a definite positive.
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S
O, I am back in Mallorca, and after the all-youcan-eat extravaganza which was the UK, I am now on a diet in order to fit back into my clothes. What was here in the newspapers to greet me on my return? Only photos of our Minister for Tourism on a hunting trip: Sr. Carlos Delgado with a set of dead animal’s testicles placed on his head and blood running down his face. That put me off my dinner, I can tell you. This is the same Sr. Delgado who on a recent trip to the UK for the World Travel Market was invited to a breakfast meeting by British tour operators. The tour ops roundly criticised its ruling bodies of Mallorca for not doing enough to solve the problems of Magalluf: the prostitutes, pickpockets and muggers, the frequent deaths of young people as they fall off balconies, and the terrible accidents that happen on Punta Ballena. The British tour operators bring hundreds of thousands of people to Mallorca every
New balls please year, and they have stated that the safety of their customers is of the utmost importance, so Mallorca must do something about this. And it is getting really difficult to understand how Mallorca is ever going to improve its standing with the UK tourist industry if they don’t get a grip on how the Brits feel about animals and how we feel about privilege and the abuse of the class system. Mallorca does have a class system, and most of us are on the lower rungs of the ladder whilst Sr Delgado is most definitely up there at the top. Why allow yourself to be photographed with animal
Family Matters
genitalia on your head? How does that make you appear? When a PR client tells me they don’t want to have a Facebook account because they don’t want to have ‘naked drunken photos’ of themselves Vicki Mcleod posted on the site, I tell them the simplest way to prevent that from happening is to not have the photos taken in the first place. A minister for Tourism should surely understand about first impressions and the media? I thought Mallorca was supposed to be restyling itself as a holiday destination for outside pursuits like cycling, climbing and sailing,
We need the tourists. perhaps he missed the memo. In the past year the main stories that have been in the
UK media about Mallorca are: David Cameron goes on holiday to Pollensa, Kerry Katona goes on holiday to Portals, young people are run over on Punta Ballena, young people die when they fall off balconies after having drunk too much in Magalluf, and our Minister of Tourism wears testicles on his head. Come along now! Mallorca desperately needs a makeover in the inter-national press and there are a handful of people independently working in PR on the island who are trying to do exactly that. I am going to join them and my mission will also be to get better coverage for our beautiful home. I will be organising press trips for journalists to come to the island in the new year, so if you have a business or would like to make a suggestion of some-where they should visit whilst they are here, then get in touch please by visiting www.familymatters mallorca.com and writing a comment under this article.
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BLURRY: The distinction between inmates in prison or in the Commons.
Crooks brighter than MPs
I
N terms of inmates, the distinction between Her Majesty’s prisons and Her Majesty’s House of Commons is becoming increasingly blurred. The main differences appear to be that a member of the House can rob and claim parliamentary privilege to stay out of jail; if prison inmates are caught with their fingers in the till they get extra time. In my experience your average career criminal is quicker witted than the sleepy residents of the two reptile houses situated in Westminster. Britain’s prisons have been described as universities for criminals. Some of my friends have done time. They tell me that when new batches of convicts arrive there is a ‘a glad you’re home’ camaraderie between regular residents. It is much along the lines of the back-slapping when sailors find they’re signed on to the same ship as former shipmates. Whilst working with prison officers at Manchester’s Strangeways Prison, I toured classrooms where crooks learnt new skills in the futile hope they would
chances of a conviction were slim. Happy to retrieve the Mike Walsh stolen vehicle one cop returned to the squad car whilst his colleague got vwww.michaelwalsh.es in the SAAB to drive it to International Journalism Europe Broadcaster the police station. Commentator International Radio Awarded ‘Writer of the Year’ Embarrassingly, he Mobile 0034 662 067 490 To comment on any of the issues raised in couldn’t figure out how Mike’s column, go to to get it in gear. The www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/mikewalsh younger of the two boys showed him how. discard old skills. On another occasion the My friends included control buttons of lifts in a policemen. Many high rise block of flats expressed grudging were constantly vandadmiration for the quick alised. An alternative wittedness of their design was manufactured clients. I was told of a hot to withstand kicks and pursuit through a bricks. The pillars of the dockland area in which a community smugly gathsquad car tried to keep up ered to admire their with a stolen SAAB. solution. Such was their Picture the moment. confidence of the new The police squad car panel being vandal proof rounds the bend to find they invited nearby youths the pursued saloon to do their damndest. stalled. The bonnet is They presumed they glowing, its doors open would kick hell out of the and a couple of grinning button panel. A youngster brats sitting on the approached, took a tube nearby bridge parapet. of super glue from his Pointing in the direction pocket and squirted its of a maze of streets they contents into the panel. I call out: “They ran that rest my case my lord. way, mister.” If this kind of quick I was told that the thinking and initiative youngsters were known could ever be redirected I to the police. One was 15 think the country would be years of age and his in far better shape. Maybe accomplice 13. The crooks should be bobbies knew, of course, conscripted. They would these were the two car surely be a match for the stealing culprits but ‘mujahideen’.
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Is this a bargain I see before me? L
IKE many a free thinking, free spirited woman I love a good bargain. The words 50 per cent off send shivers up my spine, and a red sticker stuck on a price tag can send me spinning in infantile delight. Like a cat following a pin prick of light I will pursue a red tag with the fervour of a witch finder dropped on the hillside of Pendle during the 1600s. I am an intelligent woman who fully understands the futility and damage of a consumerist attitude to life, but I find it virtually impossible not to feel an almost forbidden delight when passing through the glass fronted entrance to a shopping centre. As a young girl my idea of a good day out involved visiting my Nan and accompanying her toEast Ham market for her
I
Suzanne Manners Suzanne has a degree in Fine Art from Goldsmiths and an MA in Writing from Lancaster University. She is currently teaching in Alicante and writing a book for teenagers (which doesn’t have a vampire as its central character). To comment on any of the issues raised in Suzanne Manners’s column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/suzanne-manners.
weekly shop. I would stare open mouthed at all the bright bits of plastic hanging from the hardware stall and choke with excitement when she stopped beside the toy stall and purchased a small doll or book for me. I loved the feel of a brand new object nestling inside a crisp brown bag no matter its value, as long as it was new and shiny. I also have a thing for gadgets (not like that!) and have been known to groan with pleasure
when unwrapping a new mobile phone or computer. A friend recently purchased a new Kindle Fire and I must say I drooled when he lifted the shiny black box to reveal a perfect shiny black tablet nestled in white card like treasure salvaged from the ocean. In terms of gadgets I live vicariously due to lack of funds, which is just as well as my house would be full of electronic gear that would be out of date before I’d even signed the delivery form. So this Saturday was spent wandering, with a good friend who shares my delight in bargains and shopping centres, through the covered halls of Plaza Mar in Alicante. We flittered like magpies through gift shops and clothing stores trying on boots and cooing over crockery.
SALES: A blissful time for intelligent women. My friend has a high powered job in IT and I am about to become a fully fledged Art Teacher, but still we leave our brains behind at the entrance and skip (yes there was indeed some skipping) like girls through the hallowed halls. I bought some Christmas gifts (bargains) and she bought light fittings. Sated and happy we returned to our respective homes to gloat and preen over our purchases. Not only that but we discovered a €1 sandwich shop, gravy on the cake as they say. The joy of sharing this with a
like-minded person was immense as I have often had to hide this shameful secret beneath a veneer of cynicism. On visiting art galleries or museums I fidget and twitch with impatience until I can stumble excitedly into the gift shop and in intellectual safety purchase shiny art books or various useless knick knacks that gather dust on my shelves. At least it’s cheaper than a psychiatrist. Or as Tommy Cooper once said: “I went window shopping today. I bought four windows.”
Bear with a sore head
F you were an animal, what would you be? Quick and predatory like a leopard? Loyal and reliable like a dog? Or, like me, would you be a bear? Not a cuddly one of the teddy variety, but a fully-fledged grizzly is more like it. Partly because I love raw fish (sashimi, smoked or ‘gravad’), I can eat a month’s worth of food in one sitting and, if irritated, I have a tendency to roar. But mainly it’s because I go into hibernation this time of year. “Mum - get out of bed!” The kids call bright and early on a Sunday morning. “I can’t,” I groan. “Why?” they demand to know. “Back problems…” I mumble, trying to sleep mid-dialogue. “…can’t get it off the mattress,” I add in an attempt to close the discussion. Normally the kids win this tug-of-war, but left to my own devices, I would probably spend most of the day tucked away under the warm duvet, as the cold winds howl outside and the darkness falls earlier and earlier each evening. Is it just me or does the lure of a good movie, some mulled wine or hot chocolate in front of an open fire not appeal more than facing the elements ‘out there’? Hibernation in bears is more technically referred to as denning or
Expat Strife Swedish-born Ulrica is a freelance journalist living in Mallorca with her family. Her debut novel $Expat Wives is available on Amazon and iBooks. To comment on any of the issues raised in Ulrica’s column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/ ulrica-marshall
ULRICA MARSHALL ulrica @euroweeklynews.com
winter lethargy, which perfectly sums up my lack of energy and impetus come winter-time, symptoms which in humans are referred to as Seasonally Affective Disorder (SAD). Unlike the grizzly, the show must go on for us, so what can we bears do to survive this winter of our discontent? Experts recommend that we expose ourselves to as much natural sunlight as possible, especially during the hours of 6am and 8am. Pretty tough, since it’s pitch black for most of this time. For investigative purposes I set my alarm at 6am to verify this before nodding off again. So, if this is not possible, it may be worth investing in a dawn simulator or a box of light, which emits a light 10 times stronger than your average household lightbulb.
GRIZZLY: Hibernation is the best option for me at this time of year. What you eat also has a bearing on our hibernation instinct. Foods that
contain the amino acid tryptophan can help to increase levels of serotonin in the body, which can make you feel better. Foods rich in tryptophan are turkey, milk and egg whites. The experts also tell us to avoid alcohol and caffeine, but they always do, don’t they? Personally, I think a glass of Rioja Reserva cures many ills and life without my daily coffee is, frankly, inconceivable. Other than that, we are meant to exercise and keep a regular schedule (not sleeping in late on Sunday mornings, my kids will be delighted to hear). Of course, if the bear tendencies cannot be tamed with these home remedies, you might want to pop into your friendly doctors or speak to a counsellor. SAD is a recognised medical ailment and may need professional treatment if severe. If all this fails, then your only remaining option is to move to an even sunnier climate than we have here in Spain. The ideal is within 30 degrees of the equator, so get your map and protractor out and consider your options. I will have a look in the Atlas soon but perhaps a few more minutes in bed are needed first. Just one more press of the snooze button…
HEALTH & BEAUTY
30 EWN www.euroweeklynews.com
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Visit www.ewnlifestyle.com for more reading
Mallorca
Worrying is good for you
Looking younger WELL applied make-up can help you look up to a decade younger. The research, carried out for a beauty retailer, involved showing people photos of well-known women, first bare-faced and then with make-up. On average, the celebrities looked between five and nine years younger with make-up. Asked about their own look, the survey showed the older you are, the more reliant you are on make-up to turn back the clock.
PAINFUL: Sitting on your wallet can twist your spine.
Clothes can hurt CLOTHING is injuring millions of Brits each year. One in two adults said they suffer aches, pains or injuries from items such as handbags, bras, belts and hats. The British Osteopathic Association (BOA) published the data which said poor fitting bras are a source of back pain for many women along with heavy bags causing discomfort in the neck, back and shoulders.
Men were likely to suffer from back pain after keeping their wallet in their back pocket. The pelvis sits on the wallet and, over time, the spine twists. Overly tight hats can cause vascular compression and sunglasses can cause neck extension, headaches and neck pain. The BOA also warned women that ballet pumps are almost as dangerous as high heels, while flip flops can result in claw toe and toe pain.
Browsing blues USING your computer or tablet in the evenings could leave you feeling down. Researchers found that exposure to bright light at night increases levels of a stress hormone which can trigger depression and reduces the ability to learn.
NEUROTIC people are often told they will worry themselves into an early grave, but scientists suggest such a character trait could be good for your health. Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Centre made the discovery while conducting research into how personality traits may influence biology and predict harmful conditions. Neuroticism is usually marked by being moody and nervous, and has been linked to hostility, depression and drinking and smoking.
Botox out, CO2 in FORGET Botox, CO2 is the new anti-wrinkle remedy. As well as smoothing out wrinkles, it is claimed that carboxy-therapy can help get rid of dark under-eye circles and fade scars. The treatment involves an injection of naturally occurring carbon dioxide gas into your skin. This persuades the body it is lacking in oxygen, which prompts a release of the gas into the blood, improving circulation in the area. And that boosts collagen in skin cells, making the skin plumper and wrinkles less defined.
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R
YANAIR’S Michael O’Leary has hit the headlines yet again with claims he’s being blocked in attempts to operate flights where passengers stand during the journey at a cost of just £1 per ticket. He’s calling for standing room only cabins with the removal of the back 10 rows of seats. Arguing that seat belts would be useless anyway in a crash and should therefore be scrapped, he points out that they’re not required on the London Underground or on trains travelling at 120 mph. Why then on planes? Fuming at the authorities for denying him permission, he says: “The problem with aviation is that for 50 years it’s been populated by people who think it’s a wondrous sexual experience … when it’s really just a bus with wings.” What can’t be denied is that O’Leary’s a brilliant manipulator of the media. Rather than pay a fortune for advertising, he plants another silly story in the press and all the media pick it up (oops, guilty myself here!), giving him hours of free publicity. What next? Outside toilets? Strapping passengers to the wing? Getting passengers to stick
Master manipulator is fuming at no standing Breaking Views NORA JOHNSON Nora, who has lived on the Costa del Sol for a number of years, is the author of psychological suspense and crime thrillers. To comment on any of the issues raised in Nora’s column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/norajohnson
their arms out of the windows and flapping to reduce costs? Parachuting passengers out of the plane when it’s directly over the airport they’d prefer to land at rather than the one Ryanair’s taking them to? Or are slot-machines the solution? Coin-operated slotmachines giving passengers access to oxygen masks, lifebelts, emergency exits and chutes. Could this be O’Leary’s true vision of the future? No wonder O’Leary’s loaded, he gets
WHY SEATBELTS?: Simply a bus with wings! all this coverage free. But love him or loathe him, he’s created numerous jobs, a fact which is, indisputably, good for the ailing economy. Additionally, many European cities would be in dire straits if not for the tourists being bussed in by his planes. And as O’Leary himself would
say: if you don’t like ’em, don’t use ’em. Basically, you can’t help but admire the resourcefulness of everyone’s favourite love-to-hate Chief Executive whose strategy seems exclusively based on a weird sort of ‘anti-marketing’. Any publicity’s good publicity in
Michael O’Leary’s opinion but sooner or later it’ll backfire. But hopefully not in mid-air … Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘Soul Stealer’ & ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/ eBook (€0.89; £0.77) and iBookstore. Profits to Cudeca.
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LISTINGS
22 - 28 November 2012 Mallorca
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BBC1 6:00pm Newsround 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Young Apprentice 10:00pm Hunted 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Question Time 12:35am This Week 1:20am Holiday Weatherview 1:25am Panorama 1:55am Countryfile 2:55am Planet Earth Live 3:55am Antiques Roadshow .
BBC2
6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 8:00pm Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pm Great Continental Railway Journeys 11:00pm Hebburn 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am Dara O Briain’s Science Club 1:20am The Culture Show 1:50am An Island Parish 2:20am BBC News 4:55am How God Made the English
ITV
7:00pm London Tonight 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Tonight 9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm Corfu: A Tale of Two Islands 12:05am Grimefighters 12:35am The Late Debate 1:05am Jackpot247 4:00am Tonight 4:25am ITV Nightscreen 5:35am The Jeremy Kyle Show
Channel 4
7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm 4thought.tv 9:00pm Kirstie’s Vintage Home 10:00pm The Aristocrats 11:00pm Living with My Stalker 12:05am Rory Peck Awards 2012 12:10am 999: What’s Your Emergency? 1:15am Embarrassing Fat Bodies 2:10am Geordies Overboard 3:05am BT and Channel 4 Present...
Channel 5
6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Rolf’s Animal Clinic 9:00pm World’s Strongest Man 2012 10:00pm Hatfields and McCoys 11:00pm Navy Seals 1:15am Super Casino 4:55am HouseBusters 5:20am House Doctor 5:45am Divine Designs
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 23
BBC1 6:00pm Newsround 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Nigel Slater’s Dish of the Day 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Outnumbered 10:30pm Me and Mrs. Jones 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm The Graham Norton Show 12:20am The National Lottery Friday Night Draws T12:30am Live at the Apollo 1:00am EastEnders Omnibus 2:55am Weatherview
BBC2
6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 8:00pm Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm Mastermind 9:30pm An Island Parish 10:00pm Attenborough: 60 Years in the Wild 11:00pm QI 11:30pm Newsnight 12:00am The Review Show 12:50am Later... with Jools Holland 1:55am Jar City 3:25am BBC News
ITV
6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm London Tonight 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Island Hospital 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:30pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 12:10am Accepted 1:45am Jackpot247 4:00am The Skeleton Key
Channel 4
7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:30pm Unreported World 8:55pm 4thought.tv 9:00pm Come Dine with Me 10:00pm Sarah Millican: Chatterbox Live 11:00pm Alan Carr: Chatty Man 12:05am 4funnies: Dr Brown 12:35am Random Acts 12:40am 8 Out of 10 Cats 1:25am Full English 1:55am The Ricky Gervais Show 2:20am My Name is Earl 2:45am My Name is Earl 3:05am Bob’s Burgers 3:30am Bob’s Burgers
Channel 5
6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Cowboy Builders 9:00pm Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan 10:00pm The Mentalist 11:00pm Castle 11:55pm Law and Order: Criminal 12:55am Inside Hollywood 1:00am Super Casino 4:55am Motorsport Mundial 5:20am House Doctor 5:45am Divine Designs
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24
BBC1 4:00pm F1: Grand Prix Qualifying 6:30pm BBC News 6:40pm BBC London News 6:50pm Pointless 7:40pm Strictly Come Dancing 9:00pm Merlin 9:45pm The National Lottery Saturday Night Draws 9:55pm Casualty 10:45pm Live at the Apollo 11:15pm BBC News 11:30pm Match of the Day 12:50am The Football League Show 2:05am Weatherview 2:10am BBC News
BBC2
5:00pm Final Score 6:10pm Rugby Union 8:30pm Attenborough: 60 Years in the Wild 9:30pm Dad’s Army 10:00pm QI XL
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25
BBC1 4:00pm F1: Grand Prix 7:15pm BBC News 7:30pm BBC London News 7:40pm Countryfile 8:20pm Strictly Come Dancing 9:00pm Antiques Roadshow 10:00pm The Secret of Crickley Hall 11:00pm BBC News 11:15pm BBC London News 11:25pm Match of the Day 2 12:45am The Graham Norton Show 1:30am Weatherview 1:35am Film 2012 2:05am The Choir 3:05am Holby City 4:05am Paul Martin's Handmade Revolution 4:50am BBC News
Christopher Reeve
10:45pm Rolling Stones: Crossfire Hurricane 11:45pm The Rolling Stones at the BBC 12:30am A Culture Show Special 1:30am Dawn of the Dead
ITV
4:10pm The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor 6:20pm London Tonight 6:30pm ITV News and Weather 6:45pm The Golden Rules of TV 7:15pm You’ve Been Framed! 7:45pm Take Me Out 9:00pm The X Factor 10:45pm I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:45pm ITV News and Weather 12:00am Paul McCartney: Live Kisses 1:00am The Cube 1:45am The Store 3:50am In Plain Sight 4:35am ITV Nightscreen
Channel 4
4:55pm The Simpsons 5:20pm Come Dine with Me 5:55pm Come Dine with Me 6:20pm Come Dine with Me 6:55pm Come Dine with Me 7:25pm Come Dine with Me 7:55pm Channel 4 News 8:25pm 4thought.tv 8:30pm Heston’s Fantastical Food 9:30pm Stephen Fry: Gadget Man 10:00pm The Wolfman 12:00am Fatal Attraction 2:15am Micmacs 4:00am Hollyoaks Omnibus
Channel 5
5:15pm The Christmas Pageant 7:00pm A Christmas Visitor 8:45pm 5 News Weekend National and international news. 8:50pm NCIS 9:45pm NCIS 10:45pm CSI: Miami 11:40pm CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:40am Forensic Files 1:10am Super Casino 5:00am House Doctor 5:25am The Great Artists 5:50am County Secrets
CH5
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 22
7:15pm Superman
BBC2 6:30pm Indian Ocean with Simon Reeve 7:30pm Fawlty Towers 8:00pm Top Gear 9:00pm Return to Forgotten Britain 10:00pm Dragons’ Den 11:00pm Harry and Paul 11:30pm Hebburn 12:00am The Rolling Stones: Charlie is My Darling 1:05am Never Mind the Buzzcocks 1:35am Awaydays
ITV
6:00pm The Nation’s Favourite Number 1 Single 7:30pm London Tonight 7:45pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Surprise Surprise 9:00pm The X Factor Results Show 10:00pm I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:30pm ITV News and Weather 11:45pm Piers Morgan’s Life Stories 12:45am Rugby Highlights 1:40am The Store
Channel 4
5:10pm Hugh’s 3 Good Things 5:40pm Hugh’s 3 Good Things 6:10pm Fred Claus 8:20pm Channel 4 News 8:50pm 4thought.tv 8:55pm The Political Slot 9:00pm How Britain Worked 10:00pm Homeland 11:00pm Peep Show 11:35pm Kookyville 12:10am Down with Love 2:00am American Football Live
Channel 5
5:25pm Mermaids 7:15pm Superman 9:55pm 5 News Weekend 10:00pm Dirty Harry 12:05am Hatfields and McCoys 1:15am War Hero in My Family 2:15am Super Casino 5:00am House Doctor 5:25am House Doctor 5:50am County Secrets
MONDAY NOVEMBER 26
BBC1 5:25pm Léon 5:30pm Vip People 6:00pm Newsround 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Inside Out 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Panorama 10:00pm New Tricks 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Have I Got a Bit More News for You 12:20am The English Patient 2:55am Weatherview 3:00am Golden Oldies
BBC2
6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 8:00pm Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm University Challenge 9:30pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pm The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler 11:00pm Never Mind the Buzzcocks 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am Dragons’ Den 1:20am BBC News 5:00am Your Body Your Image 5:15am Dying for Clear Skin 5:25am Ask Lara 5:35am Ask Lara 5:50am Ask Lara
ITV
5:00pm Britain’s Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm London Tonight 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Little England 9:30pm I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm The Agenda 12:05am Inland Empire 3:20am Jackpot247
Channel 4
6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm 4thought.tv 9:00pm Dispatches 9:30pm Stephen Fry: Gadget Man 10:00pm The Curious Case of the Clark Brothers 11:00pm 8 Out of 10 Cats 11:50pm Full English 12:20am Random Acts 12:25am Alan Carr: Chatty Man 1:30am Secret State 2:25am The Good Wife 3:05am The Good Wife
Channel 5
6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan 9:00pm The All New Gadget Show 10:00pm The Patriot 1:15am Revealed 2:05am Super Casino 4:55am HouseBusters
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27
BBC1
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28
BBC1
5:25pm Léon 5:30pm Vip People 6:00pm Newsround 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Last Tango in Halifax 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Imagine... 12:40am Film 2012 1:10am The Big Easy 2:50am Weatherview 2:55am Vikings 3:55am Britain’s Hidden Hungry
6:00pm Newsround 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 9:00pm Supersized Earth 10:00pm Goodnight Britain 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm The National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 11:45pm Match of the Day 1:15am The Ghost and the Darkness 2:55am Weatherview 3:00am See Hear 3:30am Ian Hislop’s Stiff Upper Lip: An Emotional History of Britain
6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 8:00pm Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pm Dara O Briain’s Science Club 11:00pm Later Live... with Jools Holland 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am Storyville 1:20am BBC News 5:00am Spark
5:30pm Breakaway 6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 8:00pm Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pm The Hour 11:00pm The Culture Show 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am Great Continental Railway Journeys 1:20am BBC News 5:00am Ask Lara 5:15am Ask Lara 5:25am Simon Armitage, Writing Poems
BBC2
ITV
5:00pm Britain’s Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm London Tonight 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm The Martin Lewis Money Show 9:00pm You’ve Been Framed! 9:30pm I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm Take Me Out 12:50am Grimefighters 1:10am Jackpot247 4:00am Loose Women
Channel 4
BBC2
ITV
5:00pm Britain’s Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm London Tonight 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:30pm I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm The 40 Year Old Virgin 1:45am Jackpot247 4:00am Kiss Kiss Bang Bang 5:40am ITV Nightscreen
Channel 4
5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm 4thought.tv 9:00pm George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces 10:00pm Heston’s Fantastical Food 11:00pm Fresh Meat 11:50pm Random Acts 11:55pm Homeland 1:00am Pokerstars.Co.UK and Monte Carlos Casinos Ept Grand Final 2:00am BT and Channel 4 Present... 2:05am A Racing Portrait: For the Love
5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm 4thought.tv 9:00pm Sarah Beeny’s Selling Houses 10:00pm Grand Designs 11:00pm Secret State 12:05am Random Acts 12:10am Living with My Stalker 1:10am Abbey Road Studios: In Session with VW Beetle 1:40am Mumford and Sons: Gentlemen of the Road 1:55am Example at Itunes Festival 2012 Special
6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Highland Emergency 8:25pm Highland Emergency 9:00pm Rolf’s Animal Clinic 10:00pm Body of Proof 11:00pm CSI: NY 12:00am CSI: NY 12:55am CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 1:45am Forensic Files 2:10am Super Casino
6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm World's Strongest Man 2012 9:00pm The Removal Men 10:00pm Eraser 12:20am World’s Craziest Police Pursuits 1 1:20am Shops, Robbers and Videotape 2:15am Super Casino 4:55am House Busters
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34 EWN
22 - 28 November 2012
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For solutions: http://www.euroweeklynews.com/puzzle-answers.html
Time Out A year after his brother Tom’s death, Jack is still struggling emotionally. When he makes a scene at a memorial party, Tom’s best friend Iris offers up her family cabin on an island in the Pacific Northwest. Once there, however, he runs into Iris’ sister Hannah who is reeling from the abrupt end of a seven-year relationship and finds solace in Tom’s unexpected presence. A blurry evening of drinking concludes with an awkward sexual incident, made worse by Iris’ sudden presence at the cabin the next morning. A twisted tale of ever-complicated relationships is set in motion. 1h31m Director : Lynn Shelton Starring: Emily Blunt, Rosemarie Dewitt, Mark Duplass, Mike Birbiglia
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Avoid like the plague people who would dampen your spirit. It may not be deliberate but, if you are near repressed or depressed people, it may rub off. Find positive, active people to be near. If you have not started a form of exercise, then now is as good a time as any. Make it group activity if you want more social contacts.
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20)
Drugs, sex, blackmail and murder BOOKS Scott Learmont was recruited by British Intelligence while a postgraduate student of Mandarin Chinese and Classical Arabic, ‘two of the world’s most impenetrable languages.’ In the course of his career he has saved the life of the chief executive of Hong Kong, foiled an assassination attempt on a British Prime Minister and dined with an American President.
IF ITʼS YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK: The fact that you are so at home working in a group is indicative of your cooperative nature. Capitalise on this by applying your people skills to your work. In a busy world, relaxation counts.
Now Learmont has returned to his native Scotland, bought himself a house by the sea and hung up a shingle as a private eye. The novel opens with a northbound train. In the First Class compartment are an elderly Chinese man, Cliff Kwan and his nephew Ringo. They have
Y our S tars
Romance will find you this week if only you are in the right frame of mind. You may be inclined to refuse festive social gatherings that hold no prospects for you, but don't close the door on anything. The right kind of companions are sometimes found in the strangest places.
problems sorted out now even if you think they are ʻnothingʼ. When you are feeling good it is easy to take that for granted. .
AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19)
PISCES (February 20 - March 20)
Don't chance your plans being disrupted by ill health. Get any
books@euroweeklynews.com
Your mind is positively buzzing with ideas. There has been so much
progress in your personal life during the past year that it is hard to believe. However, you are capable of being very dynamic and singleminded.
ARIES (March 21 - April 20) There are moments of boundless
travelled to Britain because one of Cliff’s nieces, a student at a local university, has gone missing. Cliff seeks out Learmont and asks him to find his niece. Although a ‘half-hearted’ detective at best, Learmont agrees. In the course of the ensuing investigation, Learmont uncovers drug racketeering, sexual manipulation, blackmail and finally murder.
Xabi Alonso, Born November 25, 1981. He is a Spanish footballer who plays for Real Madrid as a midfielder. He also played for Liverpool, winning the UEFA Champions League scoring the equaliser in the final.
31
energy which really urge you to ʻget up and goʼ. Make use of this at work, where most progress is to be made this week. Be you a politician, pensioner or anyone in between, the opportunities are there to be had. Slow progress on the love front should not see you fretting.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Bring more zip to your life by putting the spotlight on your health. Getting out and about lifts the spirits, while perking up the diet with new foods brightens the system. As energy levels come up this week, be aware of what is happening around you.
SU DOKU
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21)
HOW TO PLAY 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.
The chance to travel seems exciting but can be made even more so by including a few people who are on your wavelength. So busy have you been on the more mundane aspects of life that the ʻbig pictureʼ may have faded into the background.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
CANCER (June 22 - July 23) An authority figure may also be seen as a possible romantic attachment. Your talents and charm serve you well when approaching this person. Opportunities need approaching with eyes wide open, however, because they could be timeconsuming and disruptive.
FAMOUS SCIENTISTS 1. Which English mathematician (1912–1954) developed the concept of a theoretical computing machine, a key step in the development of the first computer and carried out important code-breaking work in the Second World War? 2. Which German-born American theoretical physicist (1879–1955), was the founder of the special and general theories of relativity? 3. Which Scottish bacteriologist (1881–1955) discovered the effect of penicillin on bacteria in 1928? 4. Which Italian physicist (1745–1827) is best known for the voltaic pile or electrochemical battery, the first device to produce a continuous electric current? 5. Which Scottish-born American scientist (1847–1922) invented a method for transmitting speech electrically and gave the first public demonstration of the telephone in 1876? 6. Which Swedish chemist and engineer (1833–1896) invented dynamite, gelignite, and other high explosives, making a large fortune which enabled him to endow the prizes that bear his name? 7. Which Swedish astronomer (1701-1744) devised the centigrade thermometer? 8. Which French scientist (1743–1794), is regarded as the father of modern chemistry? He caused a revolution in chemistry by his description of combustion as the combination of substances with air, or more specifically the gas oxygen? 9. Which Greek philosopher and scientist (384–322 bc), a pupil of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great, founded a school (the Lyceum) outside Athens? He is one of the most influential thinkers in the history of Western thought and his work was central to Islamic and Christian medieval philosophy? 10. Which Greek mathematician and inventor, of Syracuse (c.287–212 bc) is famous for his discovery of the principle named after him? Among his mathematical discoveries are the ratio of the radius of a circle to its circumference, and formulas for the surface area and volume of a sphere and of a cylinder.
TARGET: Average: 11 Good: 14
Very good: 20 Excellent: 25
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION alar, alec (idiot), carl (miser), clad, dahl, dale, deal, dhal, earl, hale, halt, heal, held, lace, lade, lard, late, lath, lead, lech, rale, real, tael, tala, talc, tale, teal, alate, alder, alert, altar, alter, areal, chela, clear, cleat, dealt, decal, delta, haled, haler, laced, lacer, larch, latch, lated, later, lathe, leach, letch, ratel, acetal, alated, althea (plant), cartel, chalet, claret, cradle, daleth, halted, halter, herald, lather, rectal, talked, caldera, latched, tracheal, CATHEDRAL
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 L) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.
LEO (July 24 - August 23)
Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. Solution on website.
Just joking What’s a man’s idea of a balanced diet? A beer in each hand. I haven’t spoken to my wife in 18 months. I don’t like to interrupt her. How do you make a blonde’s eyes sparkle? Shine a light into her ear. How do you know it’s raining cats and dogs? When you step in a poodle. Have you got a funny joke? jokes@euroweeklynews.com Include full name and town you live in.
Does someone in the family need your attention? Don't begrudge time spent with them, even if you are busy. Consider what you would want others to do if you were in the same position. After all, you love a challenge so see this as a bit of a juggling act.
Word ladder CAMP
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) With your enthusiasm socially at a peak, now is the time to get involved with anything that takes your fancy. A project involving music or painting will give you the chance to make new friends.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) This week will see more progress on a health issue. Maybe you have recently given up something or taken to the gym. Recent weeks may have conspired to upset your best efforts. It is never too late to make a fresh start, though, especially right now.
BEDS
Move from the start word (CAMP) to the end word (BEDS) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.
CAMP CAMS CATS BATS BETS BEDS
Keeping up the activity level physically is really in your best interests this week. It is a pivotal point where your resolutions in this area could fail. With life very busy, it is still important to retain your priorities.
VIRGO (August 24 - September 23)
kakuro
10-star quiz
Nonagram
Your Sister’s Sister Drama comedy
1. Alan TURING, 2. Albert EINSTEIN, 3. Alexander FLEMING, 4. Count Alessandro VOLTA, 5. Alexander Graham BELL, 6. Alfred NOBEL, 7. Anders CELSIUS, 8. Antoine LAVOISIER, 9. ARISTOTLE, 10. ARCHIMEDES
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Crosswords CRYPTIC
ENGLISH - SPANISH
Across 7 Right, for example, Iʼm the key to the government (6) 8 I enter the rearranged salon to find the girl (6) 9 Global institutionʼs taken over this island (4) 10 Conclusive argument from a wrestler? (8) 11 Fate badly needs it (7) 13 Hotel next to the river is home (5) 15 Sap died an unknown character (5) 17 English paella is cooked with beer (4,3) 20 Take unawares and dismiss (5,3) 21 Ethereal but confusing year (4) 22 Diggers are children, itʼs said (6) 23 Fungus spoilt a cigar (6) Down 1 Watch out for second-rate merchandise (6) 2 New Zealander seen in a khaki windcheater (4) 3 Iced gin mixture before take-off helps the plane fly better in winter! (2-5) 4 Silent diplomacy includes Italy (5) 5 Reveal the princessʼs near (8) 6 Ron and Les mix, being people
QUICK
Across 1 Inexpensive (5) 4 Utilises (4) 9 Organise (7) 10 Expel (5) 11 Regret (3) 12 African country (5) 14 Outdoor sitting area (5) 15 Pivotal (5) 16 Go wrong (4) 18 Simple (4) 20 Egg-shaped fruits (5) 22 Japanese port (5) 23 Turnip-like vegetable (5) 25 Fasten (3) 26 Japanese dish (5)
Improve your Spanish - clues in Spanish, answers in English or vice versa. Across 1 Tail (of bird, horse, fish, plane) (4) 3 Melocotón (5) 6 Wolves (5) 8 Heron (5) 10 Aceite (3) 11 Otra vez (5) 12 Friend (f) (5) 13 Rum (3) 14 Brillo (de tela, pelo, zapatos, superficie) (5)
Co d e B r e a ke r
who donʼt mix (6) 12 Excavatorʼs plate (8) 14 Showing favouritism, section one has a likely leader (7) 16 Arkansas sailor in charge of language (6)
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS 27 Trap (7) 29 Get rid of (4) 30 Sediment (5) Down 1 Place of Christian worship (6) 2 Ahead of schedule (5) 3 Cooking vessel (3) 5 Wide-awake (9) 6 Detectives (7) 7 Fairground ride (6,5) 8 Crouch (5) 13 Garrulous (9) 17 Collects (7) 19 Brag (5) 21 Postpones (6) 24 Avoid (5) 28 Unhappy (3)
Play on Words ALL ALL ALL ALL SWORTH
LOYAL TIES
Answers: For all one’s worth, Divided loyalties
Funagram
Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 9 represents K and 15 represents Z, so fill in K every time the figure 9 appears and Z every time the figure 15 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.
18 English poet not quite frolicking (6) 19 English composer possibly lost by the hospital (5) 21 Sad to say, a young girl never finishes (4)
CRYPTIC - Across: 1 Winged, 5 Butter, 8 Goya, 9 Shameful, 10 Lipstick, 11 Trek, 12 Dear me, 14 Depict, 16 Snow, 18 Spurious, 20 Incident, 21 Shoe, 22 Assess, 23 Dressy. Down: 2 Idolise, 3 Gnats, 4 Dislike, 5 Black, 6 Treetop, 7 Educe, 13 Rawhide, 14 Doubted, 15 Coupons, 17 Nones, 18 Smees, 19 Issue. QUICK - Across: 1/6 Put off, 3 Basic, 8 Tbilisi, 9 Clean, 10 Lends, 11 Explain, 12 Pardon, 14 Stable, 17 Replica, 19 Singe, 21 Hello, 22 Applied, 23/25 Sea god, 24 Scary. Down: 1 Petal, 2 Thinner, 3 Bliss, 4 Shiver, 5 Cockpit, 6 Omega, 7 Finance, 12 Perches, 13 Ominous, 15 Bunting, 16 Sahara, 18 Polka, 19 Soppy, 20 Ended. ENGLISH - SPANISH Across: 1 Somewhere, 5 Dates, 7 Carta, 9 Thumb, 10 Rings, 11 Roads, 12 Italy, 14 Penknives. Down: 1 Sad, 2 Washbasin, 3 Escorpion, 4 Grass, 6 Trufa, 8 Renta, 9 Tarde, 13 Yes.
1. Unscramble the name of a popular BBC television drama series, first broadcast in 2003 (two words):WRIST, NECK 2. Unscramble the name of an English rugby union club currently playing in the Aviva Premiership: HOLD IN IRONS
15 Owner (5) 16 Roncar (cuando se duerme) (5) 17 Mouth (4) Down 1 Cuellos (de abrigos, camisas) (7) 2 Bibliotecario (9) 4 Inglaterra (7) 5 Butcher (9) 7 To smile (7) 9 Poppy (7)
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
Hexagram The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 six-letter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (HEDGES) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.
ASSERT ASTERS AVOIDS BAREST DARTED DESIGN DREAMS
Quote Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!
‘
Audrey Hepburn (1929 – 1993) British actress and humanitarian.
FEARED GANDER HEADER HEDGES(10) PLACID PRIEST SENSES
SINGER STENCH TESTED THANKS THUMBS
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Acting, 2 Tinder, 3 Tastes, 4 Course, 5 Island, 6 Intent, 7 Sender, 8 Inland, 9 Severe, 10 Danced, 11 Render, 12 Steeds, 13 Cinder, 14 Stench, 15 Misery, 16 Dealer, 17 Desire, 18 Slayer, 19 Normal.
FUNAGRAM SOLUTION 1. NEW TRICKS 2. LONDON IRISH
FOOD
36 EWN
22 - 28 November 2012 Mallorca
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A
S I write this it is a sunny afternoon with temperatures nudging into the low 20s. I am having trouble getting my head around the fact that the island is gearing up for Christmas! I am not a fan of the three-month build up to Santa’s arrival that happens in the UK with fairy lights and fake snow appearing in shop windows at the end of August but somehow here on Mallorca crimbo creeps up on you by stealth and takes you by surprise. This weekend the Christmas market begins in Palma with its many stalls of nativity scenes.
Christmas is coming FESTIVE CHEER: All celebrated under a clear blue sky.
Penn to Paper Laura Penn laura@spectrumfm.net. Laura is the Station Manager and Breakfast Show Presenter of Spectrum FM Mallorca 88.6FM
The Anglican Church in Palma is holding its Christmas Bazaar on Saturday and the Swedish church starts serving up the Gluhwein at its annual festive market. One of my chums actually confessed that she had munched her first mince pie this week. Mince pies in November?? No! I am no Ebeneezer Scrooge, but I do like to leave the holly and the ivy business until December. After all, only last week I was browning the boobies on the beach and now its panto time! …Oh no it isn’t …Oh yes it is!
The NOMADS (North of Mallorca Amateur Dramatic Society) is treading the boards this weekend with the story of ‘Babes in the Woods’. Good luck to all taking part, may the bums fill the seats and your baubles shimmer. Also up norf ESRA (the English Speaking Residents Association) has
organised its Xmas Bazaar at the Santa Domingo cloisters in Pollensa on Sunday. Its tinsel wherever you turn and yet you do have to think twice about fastening your inflatable climbing Santa to the balcony when it may just melt and stick to it! It is crazy to think that the annual ice rink returns
to the Plaza España in Palma on Sunday. Mallorca is turning into a winter wonderland under a cloudless sky. I did ponder that if we have one of our famous power cuts the rink will become a paddling pool. Keeping up with all the festive events happening on the island over the next month is a big job and at
the radio station we are doing our best to stay on top of the markets, bazaars, fairs, lunches, parties and charity functions. Emails arrive daily with new info and the best way to know the latest is to stay tuned to 89.8FM, and don’t forget if you have an event to add to the jolly yo-ho-ho-ness of it all email us the details and let us spread the festive cheer on your behalf. One final thought, for those desperately in need of any kind of cheer, the NGO Mediterranea has contacted Spectrum to ask people to donate sleeping bags, blankets and warm clothes to people who are sleeping in the streets in Palma this winter. All donations welcome at Dr Stomas surgery in Portals village, Planet Space in Son Bugadelles or at the Spectrum studio in El Toro.
FOOD
22 - 28 November 2012
Undercooked lamb’s liver is now off the menu
PINK LIVER: To overcook would ‘spoil’ the dish. taken the dish off the menu at their restaurants throughout
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Mallorca
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RAYMOND BLANC’s London restaurant has been stopped from serving a liver dish which left two diners with food poisoning. Blanc Brasserie in London’s Covent Garden no longer offers pink lamb’s liver after complaints of food poisoning during the summer. Guidance from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that lamb’s liver must be cooked at 70 degrees Centigrade for at least two minutes. Brasserie Bar Co, of which Raymond Blanc is the director, have now
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Britain, saying to overcook the dish would spoil it.
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ATIO gardens have been popular in Spain and other Mediterranean countries for two millennia. For many people living in historic centres of towns and villages, patio gardens are the only outdoor living space they have. As described in our book ‘Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style’, here are some ideas for successful patios: • They can be developed as a centre for family life • Natural shade being better than canvas sails or awnings, trees are typically planted in the centre or in one or more corners. Popular ones include palms, cordylines, rubber trees, figs, olives, bird of paradise, jacaranda, citrus, judas and trained galan de noche. Climbers over wires and beams are also used including roses, grape vines, bignonias and passion flowers • Colourful and perfumed walls can be created using a combination of trailing plants like petunias and geraniums in window boxes and climbers such as jasmine, passion flower, honeysuckle, clematis, plumbago, roses and bougainvillaeas • Cool evergreen plants should be planted in shady corners. Ferns, aspidistras, spider plants, pothos, mother-in-laws tongue, and succulents are ideal • Collections of flowering plants can be put in containers. Bulbs like clivias, cyclamens, amaryllis, freesias, irises, lilies, talbagias and agapanthas
Gardening Corner
By Clodagh and Dick Handscombe
Spain’s best known gardening authors who have lived and gardened in Spain for 25 years. www.gardeninginspain.com
• Containers for growing herbs, fruit and vegetables can be used as long as there is sufficient light. See the mini growing chapters of ‘Growing Healthy Vegetables in Spain’ and the three dedicated chapters in ‘Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style’ • Comfortable and stylish furniture chosen to match the style of the overall patio design. Iron, wood, wicker, bamboo, plastic are all possible. Perhaps swing seats and sky chairs. Screens and large plants can be used to create private corners. • Light music of your choice for relaxing. For an Andalucian style ambience quietly played guitar or flamenco music • The sound of water, for instance fountains in the centre of ponds, against walls, in corners, or stand alone. These days there are also numerous types of water features available • Small birds, fish and terrapins can add interest • Subtle lighting, perhaps a mix of spots, wall lights and standard lamps designed for external use as rain will certainly fall into
STYLISH: Furniture to complement patio design. the patio well at times • Stone slabs, terracotta tiles, glazed tiles and stone chippings can look attractive • Interesting artefacts such as a collection of ceramic pots or agricultural implements can be used. This week’s article is an extract from our book ‘Your Garden in Spain - From planning to planting and maintenance.’ ©Clodagh and Dick
Handscombe www.gardeninginspain. com November 2012
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Advertising feature
Mallorca’s newest Veterinary Clinic opens
CALVIÀVET, a brand new small animal veterinary clinic, opened last month in The Boulevard Business Park, Santa Ponsa. The clinic offers a complete and modern veterinary service for pets, with an emphasis on patient well-being and topquality care as well as exceptional customer service. With a full modern laboratory for in-house diagnostics, X-ray facilities, operating theatre, dental suite and an onsite grooming service, the practice has been customdesigned to help minimalise stress to patients during their visit.
Separate dog and cat waiting areas, consulting rooms and hospitalisation with special glass-fronted kennels and a ‘no bars policy’, make them feel comfortable and at ease. The vets behind CalviàVet are husband and wife, Dr. Juan Fernandez and Dr. Anna Pink. They came to Mallorca six years ago and have been actively involved in the development of a clinic in Port de Pollença. For the past year, Anna has been working as a mobile vet while CalviàVet was in development. The couple met while working in England and moved to Spain with two small children in search of a
Cars recalled TOYOTA ESPAÑA has recalled 17,113 Prius, Avensis and Corolla Sedan models. Defects have been located in a steering component in cars produced between August 2000 and December 2009, Toyota warned. The part could wear out if the steering wheel is ‘frequently and forcefully’ turned fully to the left or the right at low speeds, it explained. This could result in loss of steering ability, the manufacturer said, but stressed that ‘in no case’ would control of the vehicle be lost. A further 3,572 second generation Prius models produced between August 2003 and April 2009 were also recalled. Problems have been detected in an electric water pump, but although the hybrid powertrain could be affected, the petrol engine would continue to move the vehicle, a spokesman said.
VETS: Dr Anna Pink and Dr Juan Fernandez. better quality of life for their family. Juan finished his veterinary studies at the prestigious Glasgow Vet School. He then worked in England for more than 13 years, gaining valuable experience in small animal practice and developing his interest in orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. He became Head Vet in a veterinary hospital in Surrey, leading a team of surgeons. Anna lived in the UK for 10 years after graduating from South Africa’s veterinary university, Onderstepoort, and worked in several small animal clinics in south-east England. CalviàVet is opposite Eroski and on the way to Habitat Golf, with plenty of off-street parking. Consultations are by appointment between 9:30am and 1:30am and 3pm to 7pm Mon-Fri and 9:30-1pm Saturday Telephone: 971 695 108 24 hr emergency service 634 524 440 E-mail: info@calviavet.com www.calviavet.com
VET CLINIC: Offers a complete modern service.
22 - 28 November 2012
PROPERTY
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WITH the current crisis in full swing it is quite normal for communities to attempt to save money by choosing companies or workers who offer them the best prices, all fair and legal but it is quite a different matter to try to save money by illegal employment practices. Communities may think it
is clever to save money by paying wages to their gardeners, cleaners and repairmen without paying their social security or providing a proper contract. Little do they realise this false economy could lead to serious problems. If an uninsured worker has an accident, the community will be held responsible for compensation, the Spanish Social Security will not pay one Centimo for their time off work, nor will they cover physical injury or pay compensation to the family if the accident is fatal. All those costs will go to the community owners who opted to save money by not paying Social Security. Furthermore the amounts involved could be considerable. As a way around this,
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Mallorca
It’s a false economy to employ illegal workers By José Luis Navarro Solicitor for Intercala Administration
EWN
instead of taking on someone directly, a community may engage a company who employs workers illegally and by doing so can offer the community cheaper prices. To engage such companies could again be false economy, as the community would have a subsidiary responsibility where workers are not contracted legally with all their social security paid to date. It gets worse, in addition to all the potential compensation claims, the government will fine a community where a worker is found to be employed without their proper Social Security and this situation darkens further should the person working in a community be someone from a non EU country. In some cases working illegally on behalf of the community might even be
Spanish residency FOREIGNER’S who buy a residential property in Spain could be given temporary residency. This is provided they spend at least €160,000 on the property and spend six months and a day in Spain each year. Mariano Rajoy’s Government released their plans on Monday. Similar reforms have taken place in Portugal, Ireland, UK and Canada. The objective of this legislation is to sell apartments and houses built in the construction boom, now lying empty. Meanwhile, immigrant associations have described the plan as ‘unjust’, while the socialist PSOE party accused the cabinet of ‘turning a treat into a commodity’.
considered a criminal offence. The president, the administrator and whoever else is involved in this kind of illegal agreement may even face a prison sentence of two to five years. Even if the worker is Spanish or at least from another EU country, it could be a criminal offence if someone is found to be working without the obligatory health and safety measures approved by the Spanish Government. As from November 19 2012, according to the new Spanish Law 7/2012, communities can also be fined if they pay any amount over €2,500 in cash or by a cheque made out to ‘al portador’ ( the bearer). From this date all payments over €2,500 should either be made by bank transfer or by a cheque payable to an identifiable person or company. Should the payment not be made in this way, the government can and probably will heavily fine a community. Presidents, administrators and the members of a community may be happy to reduce the quotas by saving money by any of the above ways, but they will also be blind to the risks they are taking with the community’s money and in serious cases possibly the loss of their own liberty. It is also a surprise to see many owners still tend to be proud of their presidents and administrators when they save money on community works and services. Yet they never question if everything is being done legally or if there is a risk of having to pay a fine or compensation to a worker or his family. Regardless of the direct responsibility of the ones who made the decision to employ someone illegally, the community will be the one held responsible and all the owners will be made to pay.
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WHATS ON
22 - 28 November 2012
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What’s On
• Thurs November 22
- Markets Arenal, Ariany, Campos, Consell (Antiques), Deia (Son Marroig – Arts and Crafts), Inca, Portol, Sant Joan, Sant Llorenc, Ses Salines - CONCERT - Night of the Oscars . Piano concert by David Gómez at the Hotel La Residencia in Dey a. At 8.00 red carpet, photocall and Hollywood doubles . 8.30pm concert €35. - SHOW CONTEST in bars located in the Santa Catalina area of the Calle San Magí in Palma every Thursday night with the Gr an Final on Friday 23 November at 8pm at the Teatro Mar i Terra in Palma. • Fri November 23 - Sun Nov 26
- Markets Algaida, Binissalem (Art), C’an Picafort, Llucmayor, Maria de la Salut, Son Servera - PANTOMIME – Babes in the Wood by the NOMADS. Casa de Cultura in Alcudia. 8pm (Saturday and Sunday at 5pm). - NEW WINE FAIR in Santa Maria del Camí. One of the centres for Mallorcan wine hosts a small wine fair, with tours and tastings.
- AUTUMN FAIR in Sa Pobla. Plenty going on here at this autumn agricultur al fair, with farming exhibitions, arts & cr afts, markets and a horse show. - MUSHROOM F AIR in Mancor de la Vall. Another traditional autumn fair , this time dedicated to the forest mushroom the Esclatasang. Expect evening parties with bonfires and fireworks, followed by daytime market stalls and feastings.
Mallorca
SPECTRUM CALENDAR OF EVENTS
glass ‘Glögg’ (On Sunday too) - CAR RALL Y - 3rd Car Rally Sprint Conservas Rosselló starting at 8am from the plaza of the main road. Road closures. - ICE RINK ‘Ice park’ at Plaza España in Palma. 10am to 10pm. Special hours on the weekends. Until J anuary 20, €5 for 25 minutes and it includes skates . Gloves are required. • Sun November 25
• Sat November 24
- AQUATIC PARTY at the Santa P onsa Country Club from 4.30pm to 7pm. Snack included. Bring: swimsuit, goggles, armbands (if you are over 4 years and cannot swim well), towel and a change of clothes. Members Price:15 € Public Price:18€ - PANTOMIME – Babes in the Wood by the NOMADS. Casa de Cultura in Alcudia. 5pm - CHRISTMAS BAZAAR - at the Anglican Church. - CHRISTMAS MARKET at the Swedish Church. 11am to 8pm. Swedish handicraft, Christmas decorations and cards , Swedish
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- CHRISTMAS FAIR in Palma with markets at the Plaza Major, Ramblas and Plaza España. 10am to 9pm Monday to Sunday . until 6 January 2013. - ESRA North Christmas Bazaar at the Santo Domingo Cloister in P ollensa in aid of PRODIS, the day centre for disabled people in Pollensa, the Nov aedat Residencia and the Santo Domingo Residencia. 10am to 2pm. - PANTOMIME – Babes in the Wood by the NOMADS. Casa de Cultura in Alcudia. 5pm • Sat December 1
- B.I.C. CHRISTMAS FAIR. Festive community
By Laura Penn
fair with stalls, mulled wine, mince pies and Santa’s grotto. - AGE CONCERN CHRISTMAS CRA CKER. Lunch in aid of Age Concern Mallorca at Aroma Restaurant, El Toro. 1pm €25 • Sun December 2
- SUNDAY MATINEE – Ciudadanos Europeos holding a concert of tr aditional Xmas music at the Nixe Palace. • Sat December 15 & Sun Dec 16
- CHRISTMAS MARKET – at Alaró, goods from locals, also tr aditional British mince pies, German Glühwein and Christstollen, Italian Tarta al Testo and locally produced wines. Plus music and workshops on both days from 11am to 9pm. • Sun December 16
- CHRISTMAS FAYRE in C’an P astilla main square. 10.30am until 5pm. F ather Xmas will be arriving about 12.30. Entertainment and stalls. It went very well last year and the money r aised went to Asociacion de vecinos de Can Pastilla.
MOTORING
22 - 28 November 2012
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AMBORGHINI has unveiled the new Aventador LP700-4 Roadster. It is the latest opentop luxury sports car built by the Italian company for the price of €300,000, excluding taxes. On the heels of the coupe introduced in summer 2011, and with more than 1,300 already delivered to customers, the House of the Raging Bull is now offering the convertible version of the Aventador. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in three seconds and has a maximum speed of 350 km/h. It has a 6.5 litre V12 aspirated engine generating 700 hp, an ISR 7-speed gearbox and push-rod suspension. The new Lamborghini is immediately recognisable by the unique profile of its upper area, which extends along newly designed geometric lines from the removable roof to the engine hood. The two-piece roof is made
DREAM CAR: Aventador Roadster features new Dione 20”/21” alloys.
Ultimate in open-air driving from the Italian masters
entirely from carbon fibre using techniques that guarantee maximum aesthetic
performance and stiffness although each component is extremely light.
The two parts are removable, easy to handle and can be stored in the front
The new AMG MERCEDES-AMG has presented the high-end super sports car version of the gull-wing model, the new SLS AMG Coupé Black
HIGH END: The super sports car version of the gullwing model. Series. Inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 racing version, the fifth Black Series model from
Mercedes-AMG boasts a fascinating mix of breathtaking design, outstanding driving
Arabian luxury in new Rolls Royce cars ROLLS ROYCE is marketing a collection of Ghost family cars inspired by the tales of The Arabian Nights. The limited ‘One Thousand and One Nights Bespoke Ghost Collection’ will launch in three chapters. Chapter one will be unveiled at the Sharjah International Automobile Show (United Arab Emirates) next Wednesday. Chapters two and three will
follow in 2013. No prices were given. A series of two-tone paint schemes draw on a warm colour palette that serves as the backdrop for hand-painted coachlines. These intricately applied touches, expressing the Arabic words One Thousand and One Nights culminate in a design that frames the car’s door handles.
dynamics and uncompromising lightweight construction. With a kerb weight of 1550kg, the car has a power/weight ratio of 2.45 kg/hp. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine blasts out 631 hp at 7400 rpm and accelerates 100km/h in 3.6 secs. The gull-wing racing car developed in accordance with FIA GT3 rules is now a serious contender with the sports car elite. “We have drawn inspiration from the worldwide success of the SLS AMG GT3 customer sports racing car on both a conceptual and a technological level,” Chairman of MercedesAMG Ola Källenius said. Mark launch will be on June 2013, no prices as yet.
luggage compartment. In a few seconds it becomes an open top car.
SPORT
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22 - 28 November 2012 Mallorca
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Chelsea and City line up for super Sunday shoot-out A
FTER their recent domestic and midweek Champions League exploits, Manchester City and Chelsea - lying first and third in the Premiership respec-tively - play each other at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Twenty-four hours earlier, Manchester United take on QPR, West Ham meet Spurs in another London derby, WBA, having their best topflight start for 30 years, visit Sunderland and Newcastle make the longest PL trip to Southampton. And don’t forget that Liverpool, Spurs and Newcastle have important Europa League matches tonight. By finishing second to a brilliant Lewis Hamilton in the USA Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel now leads Fernando Alonso by 13 points, meaning it will be an intriguing final race of 2012 in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sunday. FOOTBALL ROUNDUP Arsenal won the 250th North London derby, repeating last season’s 52 victory over Spurs who had ex-Gunner Manny Adebayor sent-off.
CHASING THE TOP SPOT: Third-placed Chelsea take on Premiership leaders Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
SPORTS SCENE By Tony Matthews
WORLD NUMBER ONE: Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer to win ATP World title at London’s O2 arena.
A former football player and the world’s most prolific author of football books (more than 100 published), Tony is also the sports reporter for Spectrum Radio and lives in the Cabrera mountains.
Manchester United surprisingly lost at Norwich, Chelsea succumbed to WBA, Reading beat Everton to climb out of the bottom three and reigning champions Manchester City, who walloped lowly Aston Villa 5-0, have now scored in 39 successive home games.
Southampton defeated QPR whose manager Mark Hughes is now under severe pressure, Swansea won at Newcastle for the first time since 1980 (2-1), Sunderland recorded a victory (at last) and Luis Suarez netted twice in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Wigan, who lost Ben Watson with a broken leg. Crystal Palace, unbeaten in 14, Tranmere, Gillingham and Celtic, top the Championship, Leagues One and Two and the SPL respectively, while Wycombe sit 92nd and last in the FL. Steven Gerrard became the sixth England player
to win 100 caps, in a 42 defeat by Sweden for whom Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a quite brilliant goal. The Swede also became the first player to net four goals against England as boss Roy Hodgson handed debuts to six players. Northern Ireland’s 2014 World Cup hopes are in tatters after drawing 1-1 with Azerbaijan. The FA Cup second round will feature MK Dons v AFC Wimbledon. Remember the Dons (once called Wimbledon) moved to Milton Keynes in 2004, and a new club
(AFC Wimbledon) was formed to replace them. Lionel Messi, with a brace in Barcelona’s last win (3-1 v Zaragoza), is poised to break Gerd Muller’s 40year-old world record of 85 goals in a calendar year, set in 1972. ‘Leo’ needs just eight more in eight games. He’ll do that! Oh, Manchester United FC is £359.7 million in debt. GENERAL ROUND-UP • A record 18,000 crowd at London’s O2 Arena saw Novak Djokovic win the end-of-season APT World Tour final. The Serb was on court for almost a day during the tournament, covered 110 miles and won £1 million. He’s spent 168 hours (one week) playing competitive tennis in 2012. • The Czech Republic
beat Spain 3-2 to win a thrilling 100th Davis Cup final. Also in tennis Ivan Lendl wants to coach Andy Murray ‘long term.’ • West Indian Chris Gayle has become the first player to hit a six off the first ball of a Test Match (bowled by Bangladesh’s Sohag Gazi). And despite Alastair Cook’s superb 176 and Matt Prior’s 91, England (191 and 406) lost to India (521-8 declared and 77-1) by nine wickets in the first Test. • Frankie Dettori is being investigated by the French Horse Racing Authority after failing a dope test at Longchamp in September. • In recent Rugby Union matches, England, Wales and Scotland lost to Australia, Samoa and South Africa respectively, while Ireland’s ‘A’ team crushed Fiji 55-0. • Team GB Olympian Laura Trott won two gold medals at the Cycling World Cup in Glasgow. • Sir Chris Hoy might ride at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. • Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez (48) has become the oldest European Tour winner ever by taking the Hong Kong Open. • Carl Froch retained his IBF Super-middleweight title by beating American Yusaf Mack in Nottingham. • Boxing’s Ricky Hatton comes out of retirement on Saturday when he fights Vyacheslav Senchenko.