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ISSUE NO. 1483

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New ferry routes THE Balearia and Trasmediterranea ferry companies have just announced that there will be new ships covering the routes between the islands and the mainland over Christmas.

Private heliport A PRIVATE heliport has been given the go-ahead by the Balearic Government for El Toro Sailing Club in Port Adriano, Calvia.

Prices down THE price of second-hand housing in the Balearic Islands fell by 1.3 per cent in November, to an average of €1,812 per square metre.

Lit walkway THE Coastal Department has approved plans for a lit pedestrian walkway in Santa Ponsa which will cost €150,000 and be paid for by the Tourism Consortium.

5 - 11 DECEMBER 2013

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Search carried out for missing teenager her own house keys. She then called her father to let him know, but was unable to locate him and left a message with his secretary. Nothing has been heard of her since and her phone was turned off just 10 minutes later. She didn’t come home that night and her father says she has never done anything like this before. Guardia Civil, firemen and Local Police are searching for her near Magaluf aquatic park and in areas where she could have fallen. Malen lives with her family in Cala Vinyes and studies at the High School on Galatzo Urbanization.

A SEARCH is being carried out for 15-year-old Malen Zoe Ortiz Rodriguez, missing from Calvia since Monday afternoon. She was reportedly heading to her boyfriend’s home in Son Ferrer, but she never arrived at her destination. She was wearing pink shoes, a checked shirt, blue denim jacket, torn trousers and carrying a bright green skateboard. Her father says that at around 3.30pm she caught a bus and got off outside a Magaluf theme park. She called her boyfriend and asked him if she could go to his house, because she had forgotten

Farmers sentenced for dumping waste TWO pig farmers have been sentenced to three months in prison for dumping waste between 1999 and 2002 on a farm they managed in Manacor. They have also been fined and banned from farming for six months. They were initially facing six years in prison but pleaded

guilty in court to environmental crimes. The two men ran a pig farm between 1971 and 2003 with no opening or operating licences and without observing the necessary measures for waste treatment. Between 1999 and 2002 they dumped pig excrement on the

land, affecting neighbouring properties as water in nearby wells was contaminated. The water became unfit for human consumption due to the high amounts of nitrates in it. The case was at a standstill for four years and legislation from 2002 was applied to sentence them.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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THIS WEEK IN

EWN News 1 - 14

Finance 15 - 20

Monitor denies sex abuse claim THE former monitor for the Down’s Syndrome Association in Marratxi has denied charges of sexually abusing at least four women. During his statement to the Guardia Civil, the physical education teacher, 32, admitted only to having a sexual relationship with his girlfriend, who also worked at the centre. After appearing before a judge, he was released with charges. He had been working at the centre from 2003, and the abuse allegedly took place between 2007 and 2009 and came to light during some conferences about sex given

at the centre. The behaviour of one of the women attending shocked some of the tutors. She was examined by a psychologist and claimed that the monitor had sexually abused her. When psychologists talked to other women at the centre, they spoke of being touched inappropriately by the same man. The detainee says he never expected something like this to happen and explained that “people with Down’s Syndrome see sexuality in a different way” he added that “normal actions, such as a kiss on the cheek, are interpreted as something sexual.”

Letters 21

Daily TV 24

Leapy Lee 26

Time out 38 - 39

Classifieds 50 - 53

Sport 56

NEWS Body found POLICE found the body of a 61-year-old man in his home in Cala Major. Firemen were called to the scene to knock down the door. No signs of violence were found. Unroadworthy ONE in five vehicles in Mallorca does not pass its ITV (MOT) test on the first try, according to results from the regional government.

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5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

Islanders feel Spanish… FIFTY-FIVE per cent of the population of the Balearic Islands claims to feel as Spanish as they do Balearic. Data revealed from a survey carried out by Gadeso shows that the feeling of duality

continues to exist amongst the population and remains the same as when the last survey was carried out in February. However, while the number of people who feel more Balearic than Spanish has risen to 20 per cent, those who feel more Spanish than Balearic has fallen to 12 per cent.

Causes for this, the survey shows, may be perception of a degree of ‘abuse’ from central government, especially when it comes to the amount of money assigned to the area. On the other hand, it could be partly due to the ‘continuous attacks against the local language from the president of the Balearic Government, Jose Ramon Bauza.”

Stolen goods FOUR people, one of them under 18, were arrested for stealing goods from a property in Canyamel. They were caught in the act by the owner. Children injured SEVEN German children aged between 11 and 13 were injured in a collision between two vehicles in Calvia. They suffered neck strains but did not require hospitalisation. Sleeping drivers LOCAL POLICE in Palma arrested three drunk drivers who had fallen asleep at the wheel. Two of them fell asleep while stopped at traffic lights. Palma tests IN the run-up to Christmas, Local Police in Palma will increase drug and alcohol tests for drivers in different parts of the city. Blanket collection LOCAL resident Grant Ashley has organised a collection of blankets for the municipal dog shelter in Inca. Man beaten THREE people were arrested in Felanitx for allegedly beating a young man and stealing €20 and a mobile phone from him.

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ews watch

Constitution Day off

TOMORROW (Friday) Spain celebrates the day the current constitution was endorsed in a referendum. Most shopping centres will be open, but banks and public offices will be closed.

Ivory seized GUARDIA CIVIL seized items made of ivory during the search of a shop in Palma when the manager failed to provide documents to prove their origin was legal.

Badly hurt

INTERNET SHOPPING: There are some items which are often easier to find online.

Fill your stockings Online shopping taking off

ITH Christmas approaching, although it’s great to get in the spirit with a look around the shops accompanied by carols and decorations, there are some items which it’s often easier to find online. In Spain, some 15.2 million people shop online and although it has taken the Spanish some time to get into the habit of doing so, this year there has reportedly been a boom in the amount of online purchases and that’s before most people have started Christmas shopping. Although Spain remains well behind other European countries for online shopping and not to mention the USA, confidence is increasing. On a worldwide ranking, the UK comes in third position, with an expenditure of €91.7 billion per year online, well behind the number one, the USA, at €289 billion per year. In Spain, the average profile of people who shop online is a man, aged between 25 and 54, with university studies and a steady job. They spend an average of more than €800 per year, and between them generate takings of €10.4

Quote of the Week

I knew she was the wife of the president of the regional government and of a former minister.’ Miquel Martorell, a witness in the trial against Jaume Matas for coercion, who says he hired her as a PR for a Palma hotel to attract clients and improve business.

billion for companies selling on the internet. The favourites are Ebay and Amazon, followed by online discount sites Groupon, Groupalia and Letbonus; hotel booking site Booking.com; then El Corte Ingles; the site for buying tickets, Entradas.com; travel site Atrapalo.com; supermarket chain Carrefour; bookshop La Casa del Libro; Itunes, and in 10th place, fashion retailers Zara.

Number of the week

0.05

per cent is how much unemployment fell in November, compared to the previous month. This is the first time unemployment has dropped in November since 1996, with 2,475 people finding jobs and the total number of unemployed at 4,808,908 people.

SHOP ONLINE: There has been a boom in online purchases.

A WOMAN, 58, was seriously injured when her motorbike was involved in a collision with a vehicle in Portopi.

On trial TWO gas inspectors are standing trial for stealing money and jewellery from an 85-year-old woman who was living alone in Palma.

Family rescued A COUPLE and three children were rescued by police after they were trapped in their home in Manacor by a sitting room blaze.

Unhappy ending A MAN, 71, who had been reported missing from Calvia, has been found dead, two kilometres from the area where he was last seen.

And finally... How many EWN logos the same as this one can you find in this week’s paper? Visit www.euroweeklynews.com to enter your answer, for a chance to win €100! All correct answers will also go into a Christmas draw for a gift voucher to spend in local businesses.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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Prosecutor investigates alleged abuse

EDUCATION SKILLS: The Balearics has one of the worst levels.

Students behind THE Balearic Islands is amongst the four regions in Spain with the worst level of education. According to the latest International Student Evaluation by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and

Development (PISA 2012), students in the Balearics have the fourth worst level of maths skills and the third worst level of reading and science. Average skills in the Balearics for maths are 1.8 per cent behind the average for Spain.

THE Minors’ Prosecutor will ensure protection for schoolchildren in Inca who reported they had been abused. The Guardia Civil Women and Minors Team, which was handling the case, has handed it to the Minors’ Prosecutor. The parents of two boys aged six and eight reported that their children were forced to perform sex acts on a group of five or six boys aged between 10 and 13 who go to the same school. At that age, none of the boys can be questioned by the police or charged, however, they can be questioned with their parents.

Duke’s company paid for classes PRINCESS Cristina charged €6,672 to Aizoon for ‘coaching’ services, while her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, spent €700 on dancing classes also charged to the company.

The couple jointly owns Aizoon, a company which is believed to have been created solely as a cover to launder funds from the Noos Institute. The expenses were revealed in a

report given to judge Castro, handling the case against Urdangarin for corruption, by the National Police Financial Delinquency Group in the Balearic Islands.

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TRAIN ACCIDENT: The young man was listening to music on his headphones.

Young man hit by a train is stable A YOUTH, aged 17, was hit by a train in Soller when he crossed the railway tracks while listening to music on headphones. The accident took place around 3.30pm on the railway tracks near Son Oliva neighbourhood. The emergency services received many calls to say that a young man was run over by the train. Local Police and emergency units quickly arrived at the scene. He remains in intensive care.

5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

Scan appointment has been sent out for dead woman A WOMAN who died of cancer seven years ago has been given an appointment from the Regional Government for a mammography. The Majorcan woman has received an appointment for a medical scan to detect early stages of breast cancer. The unfortunate news is that she passed away from lung cancer seven years ago. Now members of her family, who say they are ‘terribly upset’ have begun legal action.

The woman passed away on June 2006 at the age of 50, at the oncology wing of the Son Dureta hospital, which should have informed the Regional Government of her death. Her name and surname are not common and there is only one other woman in Spain with the same name but she doesn’t live in Mallorca. That means there was no room for a common and honest computer mistake, said the family.

EWN

NEWS EXTRA

Roof falls A ROOF from Salesianos de Ciutadella school crumbled while it was closed. The adjacent church also suffered from the fall and the streets close to the incidents were shut for precaution.

Nasty shock A WOMAN escaped unharmed when her flat’s ceiling fell on her last Sunday in Mallorca. The woman did not suffer any injuries but she had to move out of her home while the ceiling was fixed.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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NOW FREE: The young woman was forced into life as a prostitute.

Sex slave freed A YOUNG WOMAN forced into prostitution by her boyfriend has been freed by the police. The accused, aged 32, and from Romania, had taken her passport and documents and kept all the money the woman earned. The young woman met the accused man in Romania on a social network. After living together for some time, the man proposed a move to Mallorca looking for a new life and promising her a job as a waitress or cleaning lady. Once on the island, the accused took away her passport to avoid her escaping

and placed her in a club to work as a hostess and dancer. As she didnâ€™t make enough money, the man started to give her clients and forced her to have sex with them. The woman tried to escape, but continuous threats and physical aggressions kept her working as she feared for her life. The woman finally took refuge in a friendâ€™s house and denounced the events to the police. Officers from the Fight Immigration and Falsification Networks Unit arrested the accused and freed the woman.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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Moderate optimism on financial recovery ENTREPRENEURS from the Balearic Islands are showing signs of moderate optimism towards the financial recovery of the region. Three out of four business owners believe the region will exit the financial crisis in 2015, a study carried out by

auditor KPMG has revealed. Specifically, 18 per cent of business owners consider the economy will grow again in the second quarter of 2014, whereas 46 per cent of them think this moment won’t come until 2015. “Balearic

entrepreneurs are said to have better information on the economic situation than those in the rest of the country,” the director of the KPMG office in the islands Eliseo Llamazares pointed out. “That is why they consider economic growth will come at a slow pace,” he added. In that sense, 61 per cent of the entrepreneurs polled claimed they will keep making adjustments in their businesses to fight the crisis. And 88 per cent of them mentioned they will reduce costs, whereas 55 per cent said they will reduce the staffing levels.

SINGERS: Fiona Stuart-Wilson, Waltraud Mucher and Cristina van Roy.

Britten centenary concert

THE theatre at Sa Taronja in Andratx is hosting a Christmas concert to

celebrate the centenary of the birth of British composer Benjamin Britten. The event highlight is a performance of his ‘A Ceremony of Carols’, which was written in 1942 and will be performed by Fiona Stuart-Wilson (soprano), Cristina van Roy (soprano) and Waltraud Mucher (mezzo-soprano), accompanied by Tamara Heideveld on the harp. These singers will also

perform solos, duets and trios spanning six centuries and all with a Christmas theme, including music by Peter Cornelius, Britten, Mendelssohn, and Hugo Wolf as well as some new arrangements of traditional Christmas carols. The concert starts at 9pm on December 27. Tickets can be bought at €15 each on the evening from Sa Taronja, Calle Andalucia 23 in Andratx.

NEWS EXTRA

Anti-drugs programme POLLENCA TOWN HALL is to launch a programme to fight drug addiction in local high schools after a survey revealed that more than half of the students considered they had easy access to drugs.

Jobless fall UNEMPLOYMENT in the Balearic Islands fell by 2,475 people last month. It is the first time in 17 years that unemployment fell in November, according to figures released by the Ministry of Employment.

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5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

Burglar exiled A YUGOSLAV thief has been exiled from Spain instead of being jailed.. A judge in Palma sentenced the 53-year-old to four years jail for breaking into a house in the early hours and stealing a laptop, a wallet and €150 in cash. He had a previous conviction for robbery and admitted the theft. After sentencing, his lawyer and the prosecutor made a deal for his expulsion from Spain for a period of 10 years instead of going to jail.

NEWS EXTRA

Christmas alliance TARGET FOR THIEVES: Copper cabling.

Major suspect in copper theft arrested in Mallorca POLICE have caught a man whom they think is one of the biggest copper thieves in Mallorca. The arrested man has allegedly stolen material worth €53,000 in recent times. A car was followed by police to a piece of quiet waste ground. There the officers, suspicious that the car

seemed heavily loaded, conducted a search. They found 200 metres of copper cabling in the boot. They believe it had been stolen from a local business where €6,000 worth of damage was caused when cabling had been stolen. National Police now think the

Drug death threats THREE men have been arrested for kidnapping and threatening young men who allegedly stole 1,000 marihuana plants from them. The accused allegedly broke down the doors of the victims’ homes and demanded €30,000 compensation for the theft. The aggressors beat up and threatened with death their three victims if they didn’t pay up for the marihuana plants. National Police arrested the three men for illegal detention and making threats. The investigation started after police received a complaint from one of the victims. The attack took place after the plants were stolen from the captors’ private property in Palma, the plaintiff explained. Even though the victims professed their innocence, the aggressors

EWN

MARIHUANA: Theft led to death threats. forced them to steal from other marihuana plantations to pay back the debt. Once they were

released, one of the victims went to the police, who arrested the alleged kidnappers.

arrested man, aged 41, who has 10 previous convictions, is one of the biggest copper thieves in the region and have linked him to three thefts of copper worth a total of €53,000. The man was not alone when arrested, but his companions managed to escape.

ENTREPRENEURS in Pollenca and the town hall are to continue a promotional drive for a second consecutive year. They are offering big discounts to boost sales during December.

Dead sheep DOZENS of sheep have been killed in Selva, apparently attacked by local farm dogs.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

NEWS EXTRA

Beach protected WIND shields have been installed along 1,200 metres of dels Tamarells beach, Pollensa to protect the artificial beach from erosion.

New logo RUBEN Rincon, a graphic design student, has created the new logo that will be used to identify the Mallorca sausage or sobrasada around the world.

Building plan A HISTORICAL building used to do laundry in Sa Servera is being refurbished following the original plan drawn up by architect Juan Guasp Vicens in 1905.

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Disabled on islands receive little help MORE than a half of the disabled people living in the Balearic Islands do not receive help from the authorities to carry out every day activities. A recent survey by the National Statistics Institute (INE) has revealed that 53.4 per cent of these people complain they can’t perform many activities due to a lack of help. This help, which should be provided by the regional government, can include assistance by trained people or the provision of devices to make their life easier. The Balearic Islands rank as the third region where most disabled people claim to be lacking help, only behind Murcia (60 per cent of disabled people) and Cataluña (56.7 per cent). The Canary Islands, Navarra and La Rioja are the regions where the fewest disabled people complain. By age, 59.3 per cent of the disabled older than 74 claim they

ON THEIR OWN: 53.4 per cent of disabled people complain about lack of help. need assistance, whereas 41.4 per cent of disabled people aged between 15 and 44 complain about the same thing.

As for their work situation, 44 per cent of disabled people are retired, 14.1 per cent are working and 12.4 per cent unemployed. The INE claims the unemployment rate among disabled people is 47.4 per cent.

NEWS

Plan to rob wife’s gran THE FORMER manager of the regional TV channel IB3 has been sent to prison for planning the robbery of his wife’s 80-year-old grandmother. His wife, who was also arrested, has been released with charges. According to National Police, four people broke into the victim’s villa in Leon (Castilla y Leon) and stole €5,000 and some jewellery after handcuffing her. Police believe the former manager was the brain behind the robbery because, even though he didn’t take direct action in it, he provided information about the victim’s house and customs to the other four men. The victim, a widow since November 2012, is the matriarch of a wealthy family of Leon. Six people were arrested in this operation, the former manager and his wife, and the four men who perpetrated the robbery. The manager was remanded in custody with three other men, whereas his wife and another man were released with charges.

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5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

Police drug operation ends in shoot-out in Malaga centre TWO men have turned themselves in, one a Briton suffering from a gunshot wound, after their car was riddled with bullets by police. Shots were fired at the the Vialia shopping centre at Malaga’s train station in a Guardia Civil anti-drugs operation. The Briton was the passenger in an Alfa Romeo which fled from outside Vialia during a Guardia Civil anti-drugs operation. The Portuguese driver also handed himself in to the National Police and both were arrested. The car was found abandoned with several bullet holes in it. Last Thursday agents ordered the shopping centre’s doors shut and appeared to be searching for something. Then the entrance to the shopping centre soon became the scene of a shoot-out in a drugs operation. According to a taxi driver, a lady of South American appearance kept passing his taxi walking up and down, obviously waiting to be picked up. A dark Alfa Romeo stopped by her and at that moment four or five men ran out shouting “Guardia Civil.”

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NEWS EXTRA

House fire in Petra A MAN suffered severe second degree burns after a fire in his home in Petra last Friday. The injured man was taken to hospital. His wife suffered a panic attack.

Street floods NEIGHBOURS keep complaining about the bad condition of So na Dolça street in Palma. In heavy rain the street floods and emergency vehicles can’t enter the road.

Dental help VIALIA SHOPPING CENTRE: Scene of the shooting at Malaga train station. The car immediately drove off and the lady was thrown to the floor and arrested by one of the agents. Witnesses spoke of five or six shots being fired. The woman arrived on a train from

Madrid, it is believed she was a ‘mule’ carrying drugs. Sources have indicated that large amounts of cocaine were found and this is part of an ongoing large scale police drugs operation.

A FOUNDATION in Manacor is hosting an event to raise money to help homeless people with dental hygiene. The idea is to give them a better chance of finding a job.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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Concert pianist is acquitted CONCERT pianist Laia Martin has been cleared of charges of noise pollution and causing psychological damage. The 28-year-old had been facing a potential jail term for allegedly annoying her neighbour, Sonia B. while rehearsing. The prosecutor had originally called for seven years jail, later reduced to 20 months. Martin, from Puigcerda, Gerona, was accused of ‘acoustic contamination’ and causing ‘mental injuries,’ as her neighbour claimed she had suffered after effects from having heard her play for 40 hours per week. The problem, she claims, lasted from October 2003, when the pianist was 18, until September 2007. She said the pianist caused noise levels above the legally permitted decibel limit. But Martin said that the woman was obsessed with her and denied rehearsing for eight hours per day as claimed. She was able to prove that she was studying away from home most of the time her neighbour claimed she was playing too loud. The complainant moved to Galicia in 2008 claiming she couldn’t put up with the

ANNOYANCE: Constant piano playing. noise which she said had caused her problems sleeping, nervousness, anxiety, panic, and problems during her pregnancy in 2006. The court found the sentences requested by the public prosecution and private accusation were excessive and said it could find no direct link between Martin’s playing and Sonia B.’s health problems.

NEWS 40% can’t afford the basic necessities FORTY per cent of people over 15 in Spain have difficulties paying for basic needs such as food, clothes, housing and medicine. This, according to a survey revealed by the National Institute of Statistics, is mainly due to limited income, rising prices, unexpected expenses or the financial situation of members of their household. Amongst people under 65, the percentage is 45 per cent, and for those over 65, it drops to 36 per cent, while two thirds of people who are unemployed or unable to work have difficulty paying for basic needs. The survey also reveals that 40 per cent of people who are not in education put this down to lack of time or money. Forty-one per cent of people say they can’t get a job due to lack of opportunities and 20.4 per cent say it is due to lack of experience or qualifications. The main reason for not having more of a social life or being able to practice hobbies is lack of free time, although for 40 per cent the reason is the cost.

BASICS: Not easy.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

AXARQUIA

Trafficker caught A MAN has been arrested in Motril for carrying 100 grammes of marihuana in his car. National Police believe he intended to sell the drugs in the town.

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News from our editions With six editions and read by more than half a million people, EWN is Spain’s largest free local English-language newspaper

Bad brothers

TWELVE people were evacuated from their homes after a fire started in a field in Arenas. The blaze didn’t cause any personal injury or property damage.

Driver freed FIREFIGHTERS freed a man who was trapped inside his car after it crossed the central reservation and overturned on the A7 motorway in Rincon de la Victoria.

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Calendar boys THE La Nucia Spartans American football team are doing their bit for charity. They have just launched their 2014 calendar in support of the Emaus-run children’s home in Altea.

Place your bets... THE foundation stone was laid recently for Benidorm’s new casino. Located on the one remaining plot of land at end of the Avenida del Mediterraneo, it should be finished by next July. It will provide around 70 direct jobs.

Conducted tour BENISSA Town Hall is organising a conducted tour on December 18 for foreign residents to get to know the town’s cultural and gastronomic traditions.

Deeply ambitious CALPE was named the ideal site for the deepest swimming pool in the world (51-metres deep). The Oceanus 51 group announced its choice of location during the Mediterranean Dive Show held recently in Calpe.

Phillipines aid THE Red Cross in Almeria City aimed to raise funds for the Phillipines by selling 1,000 five kilo boxes of horticultural products at €2 each. The products were donated by farmers from the area.

MORE than 300 youngsters between the ages of 16 and 30 from different parts of Almeria and Granada took part in the 15th Almeria Youth Fair FAJU 2013 held in Purchena.

Park vandalised

Fire scare

COSTA DE ALMERÍA

Youth fair

A PAIR of brothers, both with a criminal record, has been arrested in Almuñecar for reportedly stealing bikes worth €6,300 and possessing illegal weapons.

PLAYGROUND equipment at Los Almendros park in Rincon de la Victoria has been destroyed by unidentified vandals, the town hall has reported.

NEWS DESK

Skates on FUNDRAISERS: Groups such as the Pink Ladies support the community.

Pat on back for caring expats

CARING expatriates have been given a pat on the back for their charitable activities. European residents are proving they are integrating and wanting to improve the society they chose to live in by fundraising and supporting local causes, according to a local councillor. Foreigners are digging deep and providing resources for the health service of the Alicante Province, which has not gone unnoticed: “The foreign community is very generous. “They know the situation is

Alfaz committed ALFAZ DEL PI recently celebrated the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The day’s events began with a visit to Alfaz’s open-air market where local groups for the disabled sold their art and craftwork. Alfaz’s Town Hall allocates €500,000 a year for social welfare, training and promoting employment.

COSTA DEL SOL

Hikers rescued A MAN and a woman had to be rescued after they got lost while hiking in the Paseo del Pinsapo area of Estepona. It took a search party almost six hours to find them.

Top Paradors THE Parador in Antequera has been

very difficult and they want to help,” said Gunilla Herrero, Councillor for Social Welfare in Alfaz del Pi, adding: “They are aware of cuts in the welfare state, so they are very aware of contributing to the maintenance of health services.” One of the most generous donations made in the province was to the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), when the British community raised €400,000 in just six months, enabling the purchase of a new mammogram machine. listed in fifth place on the Top Ten Paradores 2013 ranking created by users of hotel search site, trivago.es.

Wanted man A GERMAN man, 32, who was wanted by the authorities in his country for several crimes including violent robbery, was arrested in Mijas.

Body found THE body of a man who disappeared after going fishing from Mijas with a friend has been found off the coast of Estepona. His friend is still missing.

Playmobil history UNTIL January 6, some 10,000 Playmobil toys will be on show at Antequera Bullring in an exhibition of history which expects some 25,000 visitors.

THE Russian circus on ice visits the Blas Infante, Vera, sports hall on Monday, December 23 at 7pm. Tickets available from the Convento de la Victoria in Plaza La Verja, Vera, price €16.

Easy win ALMERIA wheelchair basketball team Cuideme Almeria had an easy win against BSR Marbella, winning 87-37 in the National first division clash.

Tapas success THE third edition of the Ruta de la Tapa in Huercal-Overa has resulted in over 35,000 tapas being served. In total 23 establishments took part.

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

Cocaine seized OPERATION GOBE has seen 14 house searches carried out across Spanish provinces, including in Alicante and Murcia. More than 62 kilos of cocaine in several shipments from South America were seized, along with €32,000 in cash, more than 1.2 million fake US dollars and cheques with a total value of €175,533.

Female exploitation THE exhibition ‘Geography and the sexual exploitation of women’ has opened at Alicante University. The exhibition seeks to raise exposure of the ‘enormous invisibility’ of the situation of immigrant women in the world. The exhibition is on display until December 20.

Helping hand THE Torrevieja Costa Lions Club is now in full stride with fundraising for those in most need in the Philippines, following Typhoon Haiyan. With a prize draw and the generosity of the regulars at The Emerald Isle, the Lions were able to raise €1,609.36 towards their fundraising efforts.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

business & legal

Oil giant set to get compensation

(€11.03 billion) later reduced to $10.5 billion. (€7.72 billion). When YPF was nationalised Repsol lost half its oil and gas production. The basic terms of the deal were thrashed out when Repsol representatives met government officials from Spain and Argentina and the chief executive of Mexico’s state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex).

Tax breaks call for casino plans GAMING magnate Sheldon Adelson wants more than smoking concessions for his Eurovegas project. Adelson has plans for a complex of casinos and hotels in the Madrid suburb of Alcorcon and the regional government is ready to comply with his demands. As well as a suspension of Spain’s strict anti-smoking laws inside casinos, Adelson is asking for tax and labour law concessions, revealed sources close to negotiations. His company, Las Vegas Sands (LVS) also wants the Madrid regional government to commit to infrastructure links for the Alcorcon site and is lobbying for credit-betting

at the casinos. This is currently banned under Spanish law but allowed in the US as well as Asia where it has been linked to corruption, organised crime, money laundering and fraud. If obtained, Adelson wants assurance that these concessions will remain in place for at least 20 years. In return LVS would provide 240,000 direct and indirect jobs and is prepared to kick-start the project with an initial €9.8 billion investment. The Madrid regional government is willing to grant every Adelson request. It now remains to be seen if the national government is equally compliant.

usiness extra

Spend up FOR the first time in six quarters Spanish household spending grew in the quarter to end September. It increased 0.4 per cent from the previous quarter. Exports continued to rise with a 2.2 per cent increase, according to the National Statistics Institute.

Safer meat THE Spanish food industry has set out new Standard Operating Procedures for the meat sector, in a bid to restore confidence in ready meals and meat products after this year’s horsemeat scandal.

Public sector is shrinking BY July this year Spain had 2,547,720 public administration workers. This figure includes those employed by the State, the autonomous regions, local councils and universities. Of these, 1,357,953 are women (53.3 per cent) and 1,189,767 are male (46.7 per cent). Their numbers have fallen by 88,461 since last year and by 142,379 since 2012, according to the official Bulletin of Public

Administration Staff. Bearing in mind that university employees were not included in the Bulletin until 2012, the reduction over the last two years is in fact greater. In the last two years 97,617 council employees lost their jobs, 15.1 per cent of the total, followed by the 66,462 who worked for regional governments (4.9 per cent) and 25,268 employed by the State (4.3 per cent).

STAT OF WEEK A TOTAL of 14,856 house mortgages were signed in September which was more than August but less than in September 2012.

Photo courtesy Repsol.

€3.7 billion claim

THE BOARD of Repsol has given the green light to an outline $5 billion (€3.7 billion) compensation deal with the Argentinian government. In return for the dollar denominated government bonds, the oil giant will drop legal action against the Argentinian government for its nationalisation of YPF, a subsidiary of Repsol. Originally Repsol was demanding $15 billion,

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REPSOL: Oil company’s Madrid HQ.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

LONDON - FTSE 100 C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G. -9.10 -1.85 -6.00 -0.48 -23.00 -1.43 -2.00 -0.18 -20.50 -1.52 -8.50 -1.07 -4.00 -0.39 6.00 0.26 -14.50 -0.41 -3.10 -0.72 -10.00 -0.76 -0.60 -0.14 0.55 0.20 -8.50 -0.68 -22.00 -1.18 -4.85 -1.01 -4.00 -0.12 -5.00 -0.82

NET VOLUME 335.08 33.52 14.86 22.53 432.13 132.02 103.30 47.77 188.23 660.03 31.75 343.84 10,212.96 236.69 805.48 2,613.45 169.07 101.24

CU RR EN CI ES

C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 2

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) Aberdeen Asset Mngmnt 483.15 Admiral Group PLC 1235.50 Aggreko PLC 1581.50 AMEC PLC 1130.00 Anglo American PLC 1328.50 Antofagasta PLC 785.50 ARM Holdings PLC 1013.50 Associated British Foods 2299.50 AstraZeneca PLC 3499.25 Aviva PLC 426.35 Babcock Int Group... 1300.00 BAE Systems PLC 426.90 Barclays PLC 272.22 BG Group PLC 1240.25 BHP Billiton PLC 1837.00 BP PLC 477.20 British Am Tobacco PLC 3256.25 British Land Co PLC 605.75

0.82827

Units per €

United States $......................................................1.35786 Japan Yen ¥ ...........................................................139.465 Switzerland Francs................................................1.23102 Denmark Kroner ....................................................7.45960 Norway Kroner.......................................................8.30432

C O M PA N Y

PRICE(P)

British Sky Broadcasting Gr...811.00 BT Group PLC 370.85 Bunzl PLC 1388.50 Burberry Group PLC 1527.00 Capita PLC 994.75 Carnival PLC 2219.00 Centrica PLC 339.70 Coca-Cola HBC AG 1711.50 Compass Group PLC 923.00 CRH PLC 1529.00

DOW JONES

NASDAQ

C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 2

C O M PA N Y MMM 3M Co AXP American Express Co T AT&T Inc BA Boeing Co CAT Caterpillar Inc CVX Chevron Corp CSCO Cisco Systems Inc DD Dupont E I De Nemours & Co XOM Exxon Mobil Corp GE General Electric Co GS Goldman Sachs Group Inc HD Home Depot Inc INTC Intel Corp IBM International Business Machine... JNJ Johnson & Johnson JPM JPMorgan Chase and Co MCD McDonald's Corp MRK Merck & Co Inc MSFT Microsoft Corp NKE Nike Inc PFE Pfizer Inc PG Procter & Gamble Co KO The Coca-Cola Co TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies Corp UNH UnitedHealth Group Inc VZ Verizon Communications Inc V Visa Inc

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 133.51 85.80 35.21 134.25 84.60 122.44 21.25 61.38 93.48 26.66 168.94 80.67 23.84 179.68 94.66 57.22 97.37 49.83 38.13 79.14 31.73 84.22 40.19 90.74 110.86 74.48 49.62 203.46

+0.01 +0.21 -0.20 -0.47 -0.07 +0.02 -0.02 -0.16 -0.32 -0.17 +0.72 +0.01 -0.06 +0.71 -0.32 -0.26 +0.31 0.00 +0.53 -0.19 -0.15 -0.06 0.00 -0.25 -0.65 +0.12 -0.31 -0.53

+0.01% +0.25% -0.56% -0.35% -0.08% +0.02% -0.09% -0.26% -0.34% -0.63% +0.43% +0.01% -0.25% +0.40% -0.34% -0.45% +0.32% 0.00% +1.41% -0.24% -0.47% -0.07% 0.00% -0.27% -0.58% +0.16% -0.62% -0.26%

2.0M 2.1M 9.3M 1.7M 2.3M 3.7M 25.0M 1.4M 6.8M 21.4M 2.0M 3.4M 13.8M 2.9M 4.1M 7.1M 2.9M 6.9M 22.1M 1.7M 11.8M 5.0M 8.6M 917.1K 1.3M 2.0M 4.9M 1.0M

1.20732

C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G. -8.29 -1.80 1.00 0.00 -2.00 -12.94 1.30 -6.00 2.00 -24.00

C O M PA N Y

-1.01 -0.48 0.07 0.00 -0.20 -0.58 0.38 -0.35 0.22 -1.55

NET VOLUME 306.47 627.56 22.43 69.92 32.78 8.04 1,956.19 6.97 166.81 203.45

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

$ 10.80 $ 4.36 $ 4.03 $ 13.30 $ 9.78 $ 3.20 $ 5.72 $ 6.43 $ 3.46 $4 $ 8.96

2.10 / +24.14% 0.81 / +22.82% 0.45 / +12.57% 1.42 / +11.95% 1 / +11.39% 0.31 / +10.73% 0.50 / +9.58% 0.54 / +9.17% 0.27 / +8.46% 0.28 / +7.53% 0.58 / +6.92%

$ 8.19 $ 17.10 $ 13.79 $ 39.37 $ 7.21 $ 15.26 $ 7.05 $ 2.90 $ 13.785 $ 3.20 $ 11.55

3.34 / -28.97% 2.54 / -12.93% 0.97 / -6.57% 2.75 / -6.53% 0.42 / -5.50% 0.81 / -5.04% 0.37 / -4.99% 0.14 / -4.61% 0.655 / -4.54% 0.15 / -4.48% 0.51 / -4.23%

Most Advanced Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. Mecox Lane Limited China Finance Online Co. Limited Abengoa, S.A. AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. On Track Innovations Ltd Array BioPharma Inc. BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. Solazyme, Inc.

Most Declined Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. Fortinet, Inc. Exa Corporation Thoratec Corporation Fuel Tech, Inc. Sungy Mobile Limited Builders FirstSource, Inc. Performance Technologies, Incorporated RF Industries, Ltd. Curis, Inc. Education Management Corporation

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) Croda International PLC 2317.50 Diageo PLC 1945.75 easyJet PLC 1425.00 Experian PLC 1137.00 Fresnillo PLC 810.25 G4S PLC 260.70 GKN PLC 376.70 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1618.50 Glencore Xstrata PLC 308.72 Hammerson PLC 510.50 Hargreaves Lansdown 1205.00 HSBC Holdings PLC 679.50 IMI PLC 1461.00 Imperial Tobacco Gr PLC 2317.00 InterContnntl Hotels 1902.00 International Consldtd 364.80 Intertek Group PLC 3020.50 ITV PLC 189.35 Johnson Matthey PLC 3172.00 Kingfisher PLC 373.10 Land Securities Grp PLC 946.50 Legal & General Group 212.20 Lloyds Banking Group 78.18 London Stock Exchange 1618.50 Marks & Spencer Group 481.90 Meggitt PLC 497.40 Melrose Industries PLC 290.30 Mondi PLC 988.75 National Grid PLC 775.75 Next PLC 5472.50 Old Mutual PLC 197.75 Pearson PLC 1348.00 Persimmon PLC 1153.00 Petrofac Ltd 1260.00 Prudential PLC 1301.00 Randgold Resources Ltd 4257.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group 4888.50 Reed Elsevier PLC 884.25 Resolution Ltd 340.60 REXAM PLC 495.75 Rio Tinto PLC 3228.75 Rolls-Royce Holdings 1233.00 Royal Bank of Scotland 327.80 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 2120.75 RSA Insurance Group PLC 105.20 SABMiller PLC 3143.00 Sage Group (The) PLC 347.00 Sainsbury (J) PLC 397.80 Schroders PLC 2446.50 Severn Trent PLC 1749.50 Shire PLC 2736.00 Smith & Nephew PLC 810.50 Smiths Group PLC 1368.50 Sports Direct Intrntnl... 737.75 SSE PLC 1340.00 Standard Chartered PLC 1448.00 Standard Life PLC 348.70 Tate & Lyle PLC 787.00 Tesco PLC 341.52 Travis Perkins PLC 1791.00 TUI Travel PLC 367.80 Tullow Oil PLC 869.00 Unilever PLC 2474.00 United Utilities Gr PLC 651.25 Vedanta Resources PLC 868.25 Vodafone Group PLC 226.75 Weir Group PLC 2128.00 Whitbread PLC 3566.50 William Hill PLC 382.80 Wm Morrison Sprmrkts 262.90 Wolseley PLC 3302.00 WPP PLC 1343.50

CHANGE -9.00 -1.00 3.00 10.00 -23.00 -0.47 -2.10 -0.41 -1.10 0.34 -6.27 -2.30 -8.00 -8.00 -1.00 -1.90 -16.00 -0.40 3.00 -2.90 -7.00 -1.70 0.76 -7.00 -5.10 -1.70 -1.53 -16.00 1.00 -30.00 -1.30 -1.00 -6.00 -5.00 -6.00 -87.00 -21.00 1.00 -1.30 -3.80 -32.50 -2.00 0.52 -23.68 -1.28 -10.28 -1.27 -9.67 -18.00 -17.74 -37.00 -5.50 -5.00 -0.05 13.00 -0.50 -2.70 2.00 -6.45 -4.00 0.60 -0.50 5.00 -7.00 -16.50 0.00 -15.00 0.00 -2.80 -2.70 6.00 -7.00

% C H G. -0.39 -0.05 0.21 0.89 -2.76 -0.18 -0.55 -0.03 -0.36 0.07 -0.52 -0.34 -0.54 -0.34 -0.05 -0.52 -0.53 -0.21 0.09 -0.77 -0.73 -0.79 0.98 -0.43 -1.05 -0.34 -0.52 -1.59 0.13 -0.55 -0.65 -0.07 -0.52 -0.39 -0.46 -2.00 -0.43 0.11 -0.38 -0.76 -1.00 -0.16 0.16 -1.10 -1.20 -0.33 -0.36 -2.37 -0.73 -1.00 -1.33 -0.67 -0.36 -0.01 0.98 -0.03 -0.77 0.25 -1.85 -0.22 0.16 -0.06 0.20 -1.06 -1.86 0.00 -0.70 0.00 -0.73 -1.02 0.18 -0.52

VOLUME 14.77 247.85 128.13 161.68 114.56 86.06 196.12 329.16 3,672.20 74.10 32.36 883.84 10.72 60.76 32.78 618.15 34.26 882.40 17.93 392.14 77.58 324.26 23,159.58 6.02 115.92 102.28 140.07 61.80 412.54 21.72 364.33 58.14 63.38 116.26 304.23 29.85 49.95 235.36 121.63 59.41 315.40 253.77 1,088.27 302.89 748.46 126.75 50.83 1,061.60 6.34 43.01 161.87 29.17 21.99 38.61 337.59 201.30 140.37 77.44 2,545.05 42.43 110.76 405.66 255.87 347.48 45.27 4,942.30 82.88 17.26 136.88 702.56 23.05 124.98

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Momentum swings in Sterling’s favour THE Great British Pound started November in a prime position as it pushed towards the key level of 1.20 against the Euro and a 2013 year high. The move higher in the pound had been driven by economic data releases that far outstripped expectations from each sector of the UK economy with services, construction and manufacturing all performing strongly. The knock on effect of UK data surprising to the upside, led to the markets raising expectations of interest rates for the UK sooner than the Bank of England had set out in their forward guidance policy. The Bank of England has been drumming home the expectation that rates will not rise until 2016, however the markets were now pricing-in a rate rise in mid to late 2015. The reason for this divergence is the fact that robust

Ask the expert Peter Loveday Contact me at euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com

economic growth would help to trigger one, or a combination of several, of the Bank of England’s knock outs whereby interest rates would need to rise. As we moved through the month the rally in the pound started to fade, in particular against the euro, and there were two reasons for this. Firstly the UK economic data started to slow and new data releases that came in as expected or below led to a fall in the pound. Secondly the euro was also on a fantastic run and was garnering support from a weaker USD in light of the debt negotiation debacle and the expectation that

STERLING: Started November in a strong position. the US Federal Reserve was not looking to imminently scale back its asset purchase programme. The euro was the main beneficiary of USD weakness as it acquired demand as an alternative option outside the USD and economic data was showing a steady pace of recovery in Europe. However the story flip-flopped

once again following the interest rate meeting by the US Federal Reserve on October 30. The FOMC was surprisingly optimistic and kept the door open for a potential taper of their asset purchase programme in December or January against the markets expectation of March 2014 at the earliest. This ruffled a few feathers and

has also served to raise the pressure on the European Central Bank to do more to maintain liquidity in Europe should the US taper. In the meantime we have once again witnessed good data from the UK with service sector PMI rising at its fastest pace in a decade and almost simultaneously the EU downgraded its growth forecasts for 2014. It seems for the moment the pound is the favourite in the currency markets and there is a perception that the Bank of England will raise rates before the European Central Bank and potentially the US Fed, which is supporting the pound. If the UK economy can maintain its strong run the pound has a real chance of pushing to the next level and possibly targeting the 2012 highs of 1.25 plus.

Visit us at our Spanish offices in Costa del Sol, Costa Almeria, North Costa Blanca and South Costa Blanca. Telephone: UK +44 (0) 207 847 9400 SPAIN +34 950 478 914 Email: euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com • www.currenciesdirect.com

Fair play for getting a job Loose change

Vigo knowhow MEXICAN oil company Pemex confirmed its acquisition of 51 per cent of Vigo shipbuilders, Barreras. It will use the Galician firm’s expertise to construct tankers, the company said.

A look at finance for females

Jane Plunkett jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews.com

THE internet is a fantastic thing - it allows us to broaden our horizons and knowledge at the click of a button, while for jobseekers, it permits the sending of CVs far and wide across a country or the globe. But this type of globalisation also means employers are inundated with hundreds and thousands of emails from hopefuls looking for a job. And even if your CV is an incredible piece of work - worthy of any position - because of the amount of people vying for the same job, there is a good chance it could get lost in ‘cyberspace.’ That’s why a face-to-face meeting with a potential employer is always a good route to explore if unemployed. One way to get up close and personal with a possible recruiter is to go to a job fair. Human contact is the best way to

BUSINESS EXTRA

Not bad at all POTENTIAL EMPLOYER: Human contact is the best way to interact. interact with a person to really get a feel for their personality, abilities and interpersonal skills, therefore a job fair allows a jobseeker to demonstrate a lot more than is just printed in ink on a CV. Job fairs allow candidates to skip over the initial stages of applying for a job, by cutting out an initial online application, a possible phone screening process and the painful wait for an interview date.

But don’t waltz up to a stand at a job fair and just blurt out that you need a job. It’s very important to be extremely prepared. Find out about all the companies attending the event, visit their websites, and research what type of employee they are seeking. Take an ‘achievement portfolio’ with you - a letter from a former employer, qualifications anything that displays you’re a hardworker, and leaves a potential employer with a good impression. www.careersinwhite.com

MERILL LYNCH (BAC.N) bought two property loans worth €80 million from Spain’s Sareb. The ‘bad bank’ has sold on loans worth €900 million this year and will exceed year-end targets.

Bread line INDUSTRIAL baker Panrico halted bankruptcy proceedings after reaching agreement with the unions. A total of 745 workers will be dismissed and the remainder accepted an 18 per cent pay cut.

OPINION & COMMENT

Baby leave plans are a business catastrophe I DO hope the Spanish government is not listening to the ‘maternity news’ from the UK where it is proposed men and women can share up to 52 weeks of leave after the birth of their child. As the owner of a small business I can tell you it would be a huge blow to not only lose a member of staff, but also keep their job open for a year. It is not just the cost involved, it is the time and effort I must put in to train someone up, only to tell them ‘sorry you have to go now, maternity leave is over,’ just when they know what they are doing. Mind you, it made me smile when I saw people online saying never employ a woman under 40, it will cost too much if they have a child. They are missing the point - the father is entitled to use the leave should he so wish. So I suppose that strikes a blow for equality - as well as a blow to small businesses! Jason Dunne, Elche (Alicante)

Scooter peril JEREMY BARTHOLEMEW may think mobility scooter use in Benidorm is not a problem, but I think it is. I often see people zooming around on these contraptions with scant regard for pedestrians. I recently saw one youngish man (in his 40s) who looked rather overweight, zoom past a frail old lady nearly knocking her flying, hop off his scooter and walk into a bar. He couldn’t get inside quick enough! Perhaps if he walked to the bar in future he would not be quite so overweight. Also can you be done for being drunk in charge of a mobility scooter? Andrea Hunter, Benidorm, (Alicante)

Editor’s note: Benidorm Council is considering forcing people wishing to hire or buy mobility

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5 - 11 December 2013 /Mallorca

Letters YOURSAY@EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com, posted to Euro Weekly News, C/Moscatel 10, P-62, Polígono Industrial, Arroyo de la Miel, 29631 Benalmadena, Málaga, Spain or faxed to 0034 952 440 887

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

I took this snap while out and about in the Mojacar (Almeria) area. By Mike Lloyd. scooters to show a medical certificate or proof of being over 55-years-old. Both the client and business could be fined for not following the regulations. Mr Bartholemew felt it was a pointless exercise.

Ring of truth INTERESTING to see Life’s Electronic Essentials (Street Talk Issue 1481). We used to have a computer, scanners printers etc, but took it to the rubbish after a year. We could not afford to waste any more precious time looking at a screen with an hour glass icon saying ‘wait’! The most important electronic device in our house now is the telephone. A real one with a cable connected to a socket in the wall. Voice to voice is the surest way to be connected. The most common phrase amongst all our friends - poor souls - is “Didn’t you get my email? Well I sent it!” Get a life. Get a real phone. Ken Langridge, Moraira (Alicante)

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:

problems is Marxism plus democracy. The Russians tried it by the bullet and it did not work, we must try it by the ballot-box - the people’s choice - knowing that if we did not like it, then we can change it. We have nothing to lose but our chains! Bob Mitchell, Torremolinos (Malaga)

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Editor’s note: Street Talk asked people in the street which electronic device they could not live without. Most chose computers or smartphones.

People’s choice THE problems of Spain will not be solved by voting for a different political party and changing the government, for they are all of them the same. You have to change the society we live under, and that is capitalism which breeds wars, unemployment, homelessness, poverty, debt and hunger, as well as billionaires at the top. The answer to all our

None worse GARY WAITE may think no company in Spain is worse than Telefonica/Movistar, (Letters, Issue 1481) but sorry, none is worse than the Endesa power company. Their customer service is atrocious. I spent three hours over two visits waiting for attention. On a recent visit I spent two hours in the queue with 41 people waiting and just two staff attending. It showed with their unfriendly attitude. By contrast, the same day I walked into Emabesa water company’s office with a similar query. The friendly receptionist said there was no need to

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queue, as she could deal with the matter. In five minutes I was on my way. There is no doubt that satisfactory customer service is low on Endesa’s priority list. Mike Manning, Arroyo de la Miel (Malaga)

Not born to die IN reply to Bill Campbell who offered a very strong criticism of the Euro Weekly News , Leapy Lee and in particular your correspondent D Blanchette ( Letters, Issue 1477). D Blanchette suggested in an earlier letter the solution to the deprivations suffered by children in the Third World would be better solved if those countries practiced effective birth control. Mr Cambbell made no effective alternative suggestion, he merely scathingly criticised D Blanchette’s very sensible comments. The problems suffered in the Third World will certainly be alleviated by better education and medical care, but how long is that going to take, and how much will the rest of the world have to pay in the end? Will it be able to meet the bill? The world as a whole cannot support any further unchecked growth in population. The very expression used by the charities who solicit our help carries the answer: ‘No child should be born to die.’ As for the fact that Mr Campbell does not seem to like the EWN and Leapy Lee, he can stop reading it any time he wants to. Keith Hannam, Alhaurin el Grande (Malaga)

Smug relief THAT’S it, done and dusted! Yes for the first time ever I have actually got all my Christmas shopping done and cards sent well in advance. I can now sit back SMUGLY and put my feet up through the whole festive season and avoid the crowds! Now can anyone tell me how long you should defrost a turkey for? Andy Boyle (By email)

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

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

Cassandra Nash

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

T was reported with glee in Madrid that London has threatened to treat Scotland like a foreign country if it becomes one. This is just what Madrid wanted to hear, although Scotland’s situation is different from Cataluña’s where nationalists are agitating for a right-to-decide referendum. Scotland has that right and knows what will happen if it decides to go it alone. Monetary union with the pound sterling would be out of the question and shipyard contracts would go. Like Cataluña it would have to reapply for EU membership. Cataluña’s latest little ray of sunshine came from Bank of Spain governor, Luis Maria Linde. If Cataluña splits from Spain, banks like Sabadell, CaixaBank and Catalunya Banc risk failure without European Central Bank funds, Linde warned. The canny Catalans have the reputation of being as careful with their money as the Scots. Calls for national unity won’t change their minds, but bank balances might.

Tread softly NOW that crimes against humanity can be

Little rays of sunshine Time travel APOLOGIES to all who noticed the colossal error of giving November 23 as the date of John Kennedy’s death. If only the Doctor, who celebrated his 50th that day had lent me the Tardis, readers would have seen November 22 instead. investigated anywhere, pursuit of international justice can cause friction between allies. Spanish judge Ismael Moreno recently took up legal cudgels against six members of China’s ruling classes whom he holds responsible for genocide in Tibet during the Eighties and Nineties. Spain’s government is horrified.

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

Luis García

BANK OF SPAIN: ‘Banks may risk failure without ECB funds.’ Upset Chile over Pinochet, upset Argentina over its Dirty War criminals or by failing to hand over Franco-era suspects. But never, never upset China.

Smooth operator CARLOS FABRA, former president of the Diputacion in Castellon finally faced the courts. The politician behind Castellon airport - the air terminal with no planes - was dogged by allegations of bribery, corruption, influence-peddling and tax fraud. To general stupor - outside Castellon at least - he was pursued in a 10-year investigation that required nine successive judges, four public prosecutors and prompted 20 appeals by Fabra’s lawyers.

The last examining judge to take on the case claimed that he was being leant on from above, but the case was heard last October and the verdict recently made public. Fabra was cleared of all but tax fraud. Of the 13 years recommended by the prosecution he will go down assuming his 21st appeal is rejected for four and pay a €1.4 million fine. Ironic how it’s the tax that gets them in the end, just like Al Capone.

Difficult choice THE PP must soon name its candidate for Andalucia, and will not relish having to eclipse the PSOE’s Susana Diaz who heads the regional government. Both parties have disenchanted voters and corruption scandals, but Diaz has a daunting amount of shelf-appeal.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 /Mallorca

Thursday BBC1/ 4:10pm Pressure Pad 4:55pm Escape to the Country 5:40pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Restoring England's Heritage 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Keeping Britain Safe 24/7 10:30pm Mrs. Brown's Boys

BBC2/ 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 8:00pm Snooker 9:00pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pm The Silent War 11:00pm The Best of the Sarah Millican Television Programme 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am Snooker

ITV/ 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Show Me the Telly 6:00pm The Paul O'Grady Show 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 9:00pm Britain's Secret Treasures 9:30pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm The Jonathan Ross Show

CH4/ 4:10pm Countdown 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm Stephen Hawking in Brief 9:00pm George Clarke's Amazing Spaces 10:00pm Getting Rich in the Recession: The Man Who Buys Anything 11:00pm What Happens in Kavos... 12:05am Gogglebox

ITV2/ 4:00pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:05pm The Real Housewives of New Jersey 6:00pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 7:30pm You've Been Framed! 8:00pm Totally You've Been Framed! 8:45pm Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant 11:00pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here Now!

Friday

SATELLITE CHANNELS - SkyMoviesAction/

BBC1/ 4:55pm Escape to the Country 5:40pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm A Question of Sport 9:00pm Robbie Williams: One Night at the Palladium 10:00pm Have I Got News for You 10:30pm Live at the Apollo 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm The Graham Norton Show

BBC2/ 5:30pm MOTD - World Cup 2014 Draw 6:45pm Priceless Antiques Roadshow 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 8:00pm Snooker 9:00pm Mastermind 9:30pm Kangaroo Dundee 10:00pm Wild Burma: Nature's Lost Kingdom 11:00pm QI 11:30pm Newsnight

ITV/ 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Show Me the Telly 6:00pm The Paul O'Grady Show 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Off the Beaten Track 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:30pm ITV News and Weather

CH4/ 4:10pm Countdown 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm Stephen Hawking in Brief 9:00pm Jimmy's Grow Your Own Christmas Dinner 10:00pm 8 Out of 10 Cats 11:00pm Alan Carr: Chatty Man

TV LISTING

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1:25pm Sunday

• Daniel Craig • Judi Dench • Javier Bardem

Skyfall (Film, 2012) Veteran MI6 agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) is off the map. After dropping seemingly to his death on a failed mission, his presumed demise leaves the job of boss M (Judi Dench) on the line.

Tuesday BBC1/

BBC1/

4:45pm Christmas Kitchen with James Martin 5:30pm Flog It! 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...

4:45pm Christmas Kitchen with James Martin 5:30pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 9:00pm Nigel and Adam's Farm Kitchen 10:00pm Sports Personality of the Year at 60 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm A Question of Sport

BBC2/

Saturday BBC1/ 5:30pm Final Score 6:10pm My Family 7:00pm BBC News 7:10pm BBC London News 7:20pm Pointless 8:10pm Strictly Come Dancing 9:15pm Atlantis 10:00pm Casualty 10:50pm The National Lottery Live 11:00pm BBC News 11:20pm Match of the Day

BBC2/ 5:05pm Coast 5:30pm Snooker 6:30pm Flog It! 7:30pm Dad's Army 8:00pm Snooker 11:00pm QI XL 11:45pm Artificial Intelligence

Sunday BBC1/ 4:15pm Escape to the Country 5:15pm Nigel Slater's 12 Tastes of Christmas 6:15pm Songs of Praise 6:50pm BBC News 7:10pm BBC London News 7:20pm Countryfile 8:20pm Strictly Come Dancing 9:00pm The Paradise 10:00pm Britain and the Sea 11:00pm BBC News 11:15pm BBC London News 11:25pm Match of the Day 2

BBC2/ 7:00pm Flog It! 8:00pm Snooker 12:00am Hebburn 12:30am Never Mind the Buzzcocks

ITV/

4:25pm Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 7:20pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 7:45pm You've Been Framed! 8:15pm The Chase: Celebrity Special 9:15pm The X Factor 10:45pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:45pm The Jonathan Ross Show

5:30pm The X Factor 7:00pm You've Been Framed! 7:30pm ITV News London 7:45pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Coronation Street 9:00pm The X Factor Results Show 10:00pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 11:05pm ITV News and Weather 11:20pm FA Cup Highlights 12:05am Red Heat

CH4/ 5:10pm Come Dine with Me 5:40pm Come Dine with Me 6:10pm Come Dine with Me 6:40pm Come Dine with Me 7:15pm Come Dine with Me 7:45pm Channel 4 News 8:15pm Stephen Hawking: A Brief 10:00pm Unknown

ITV2/

5:05pm The Real Housewives of New Jersey 6:00pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 7:30pm You've Been Framed! 8:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:30pm You've Been Framed! 9:00pm Ocean's Eleven 11:30pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here Now!

4:00pm You've Been Framed! 4:30pm You've Been Framed! Christmas Special 5:00pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 6:35pm Small Soldiers 8:50pm Johnny English 10:45pm The Xtra Factor 11:45pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here Now! 12:45am Fake Reaction

CH4/ 4:05pm Gadget Man 4:40pm City of Ember 6:25pm Home Alone 8:30pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Secrets of the Terracotta 10:00pm Homeland 11:00pm Hanna 1:05am Fresh Meat

Monday BBC1/ 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Fight Back Britain 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Panorama 10:00pm Ripper Street 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Have I Got a Bit More News for You

BBC2/ 6:30pm Priceless Antiques Roadshow 7:00pm Celebrity Eggheads 7:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 8:00pm Great British Garden Revival 9:00pm University Challenge 9:30pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pm The Choir: Sing While You Work 11:00pm Never Mind the Buzzcocks

ITV/ 6:00pm The Paul O'Grady Show 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm The Royal Variety Performance 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm The Agenda

CH4/ 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm 4thought.tv 9:00pm Dispatches 9:30pm Food Unwrapped 10:00pm Liberty of London 11:00pm Fresh Meat

ITV2/

5:15pm You've Been Framed! 6:15pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 7:20pm The Perfect Storm 10:00pm The Xtra Factor 11:05pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here Now! 12:05am The 40 Year Old Virgin

6:00pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:30pm You've Been Framed! 9:00pm I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here Now! Trials and Tribulations 10:00pm Peter Andre: My Life 11:00pm The Holiday

Wednesday

4:45pm Cagney and Lacey 5:30pm Are You Being Served? 6:05pm 'Allo, 'Allo! 6:30pm Priceless Antiques Roadshow 7:00pm Celebrity Eggheads 7:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 8:00pm Great British Garden Revival 9:00pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pm Pilgrimage with Simon Reeve 11:00pm Hebburn 11:30pm Newsnight

ITV/ 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Show Me the Telly 6:00pm The Paul O'Grady Show 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm UEFA Champions League Live 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm UEFA Champions League

CH4/ 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm 4thought.tv 9:00pm Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners 10:00pm Heston's Great British Food 11:00pm Masters of Sex

ITV2/ 5:05pm The Real Housewives of New Jersey 6:00pm I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here Now! Trials and Tribulations 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:30pm You've Been Framed! Christmas Special 9:00pm I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here Now! Best of the Bush 10:00pm The Vampire Diaries 11:00pm Knocked Up

BBC2/ 4:15pm Orangutan Diary 4:45pm Cagney and Lacey 5:30pm Are You Being Served? 6:05pm 'Allo, 'Allo! 6:30pm Priceless Antiques Roadshow 7:00pm Celebrity Eggheads 7:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 8:00pm Great British Garden Revival 9:00pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pm Tudor Monastery Farm 11:00pm Mock the Week 11:30pm Newsnight

ITV/ 5:00pm Show Me the Telly 6:00pm The Paul O'Grady Show 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! Coming Out 10:00pm Lucan 11:30pm ITV News and Weather

CH4/ 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm 4thought.tv 9:00pm Superscrimpers Christmas Cracker 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm Gogglebox 11:45pm Jon Richardson: Funny Magnet

ITV2/ 4:00pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:05pm The Real Housewives of New Jersey 6:00pm I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here Now! Best of the Bush 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:30pm You've Been Framed! 8:55pm Two Weeks Notice 11:00pm The Only Way is Essexmas

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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OPINION & COMMENT

Who is being discriminated against slowly but surely being eradicated from our Western society. What next? How about LEAPY LEE SAYS IT declaring Christ non PC for ejecting money OTHERS THINK IT lenders from a place of worship (money lenders have rights too you know). Actually I T the risk of incurring the wrath of my won’t go there; the bible is positively riddled gay friends and colleagues, and I do with situations that would be considered non have a considerable number, I feel it PC in this day and age! I am of course in full only right to air my disagreement sympathy with Steven and Freddy, who found themselves in this unfortunate situation. I can with a recent court’s decision. assure them, if I were the owner of the Namely to reject the appeal by B&B hostelry in question, they would owners Peter and Hazelmary Bull that Should be have been more than welcome they were in their rights to refuse a equal rights to share a queen sized room to gay partners Steven for all. together. Freddy and Martyn Hall. The Judge declared, in so many words, that their Gay Discrimination cause was more important than the religion of the B&B proprietors. What right has any individual to reach a decision with such a far reaching implication as this? I believe in equal rights for all. To my mind, this deeply religious couple’s human rights have been completely run-over rough shod and ignored in the face of political correctness. It is yet another nail in the coffin of Christianity, which is, for some unknown reason,

Andrey Malgin_ Shutterstock.com

In closing this subject, I am old enough to remember signs on B&Bs in Bayswater reading ‘No Dogs. No Blacks and No Irish!’ PC and equal rights have quite rightly brought us out of those ignorant unacceptable days, but to my mind there comes a time to seriously question just how far the ‘other way’ can go, before PC equality becomes discrimination in itself. This latest example has I feel crossed that line and the religious views of the B&B couple should have been equally respected and upheld. I await the ‘slings and arrows.’ Another example of what I feel have become ludicrous judgements is the teacher who successfully sued Kirklee council for compensation, after claiming she was bitten by a flea in the school grounds! You really couldn’t make it up. Personally I’d like to have seen the ‘victim’s’ initial solicitor’s letter. The mind boggles. Have a good week. Always keep the faith. Love Leapy. Leapylee2002@ gmail.com

LEAPY LETTERS

Speak for yourself I usually agree with you, Leapy. But in your article about Prince Charles and Camilla you may have said it but a lot of people, me included, do ‘not’ think it. Prince Charles is a pathetic excuse for a man in all ways, surrounded by the usual sycophants. As for the ‘Royal Romance,’ have you never noticed how Camilla walks the obligatory three paces behind? Sorry, Leapy, but I know a lot of people who feel exactly the same as me. So on this occasion you do not speak for ‘all’ of us.

Joy Simmonds (By email)

CHRISTMAS FEATURE

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FATHER CHRISTMAS: Suitably attired in his red costume.

Did you know?

N Turkey, Noel Baba (Father Noel) is widely thought to bring New Year presents due to the countryâ€™s predominant Muslim population. - Little Christmas is one of the traditional names in Ireland for January 6, more commonly known in the rest of the world as the Feast of the Epiphany. Little Christmas is also called Womenâ€™s Christmas because of the Irish men taking on all the household duties for the day. Many women hold parties or go out to celebrate the day and children often buy presents for their mothers and grandmothers. - In Norway and Sweden, Little Christmas Day refers to January 13, and is regarded as the day when ornaments must be removed and leftover food must be eaten. - Christmas in July is celebrated in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in order to have Christmas with a winter feel as December 25 falls during their summer. - While the birth year of Jesus is estimated among modern historians to have been between 7 and 2 BC, the exact month and day are unknown. By the earlyto-mid 4th century, the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December 25, chosen to correspond with the day exactly nine months after early Christians believed Jesus was conceived. - The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century. From Germany the custom was introduced to Britain, first via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and then more successfully by Prince Albert during the reign of Queen Victoria. By 1841 the Christmas tree had become even more widespread throughout Britain. - While the majority of families in the UK open their presents on the morning of

Christmas Day, the Royal family is an exception, opening their gifts on Christmas Eve, following German tradition introduced by the Hanoverians. - Countries such as Japan, where Christmas is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have adopted many of the secular aspects of Christmas, such as gift-giving, decorations, and trees. - The US-based Coca-Cola Santa Claus was designed by the son of Finnish emigrants, Haddon Sundblom. - Urban myth has it that the red suit only appeared after the Coca Cola company started an advertising campaign depicting a red suited Father Christmas in the 1930s. However, the red suit was used long before, including by American illustrator Thomas Nast in the 19th century.

5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

EWN

E W N 28 November - 4 December 2013 / Mallorca

HRISTMAS in the UK is an important event for everyone, even for nonChristians, because it is a reason for celebration, for families to get together, and, as we all know, to eat plenty of rich and tasty food. Christmas decorations are put up in shops and town centres from early November and Christmas foods start to become available in stores. Mince pies are popular throughout the Christmas celebrations. They are fruit-based sweet pies, the ingredients of which are traceable to the 13th century, when returning European crusaders brought with them Middle Eastern recipes containing meats, fruits and spices. The early mince pie contained minced meat, suet, a range of fruits, and spices such as

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CHRISTMAS FEATURE

Set the turkey roasting and bri for a very traditional British fe cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. It is common in many UK households for children to put up advent calendars in their homes, which may either contain chocolates or Christmas scenes behind their doors which are opened every day during the countdown to Christmas. Many families tell their children that Father Christmas comes with his reindeer to leave gifts and it is traditional in many households to leave out a plate of carrots for the reindeer and

mince pies and sherry for Father Christmas to help him on his way. On Christmas Day, family and friends gather round for a traditional Christmas dinner, which is usually a turkey, traditionally with cranberry sauce, parsnips, and roast potatoes. Alternatives to turkey include roast beef, duck, goose, pheasant or honey glazed roast ham, as well as nut roast for vegetarians. Other accompanying foods are bread sauce, Brussels sprouts and ‘Pigs in a Blanket’ which are small sausages wrapped in bacon. The turkey is often stuffed with stuffing CHRISTMAS PUDDING: Full of alcohol.

This year’s Chris Would you want to

MULLED WINE: Contains brandy and spices. made traditionally of pork sausage meat and a wide choice of other ingredients, one of the favourites being chestnuts. During the meal, Christmas crackers, containing toys, jokes and a paper hat are pulled. The meal is normally followed by hot Christmas pudding with cold brandy butter. Christmas Pudding has its origins in medieval England, and is

IN an attempt to innovate, some brands have come up with Christmas concoctions which will either tempt you or put you right off your food. Pringles has launched sweet cinnamon and mint choc flavoured varieties. Pilgrim’s Choice cheese has unveiled a turkeyflavoured block of cheddar sometimes known as plum pudding or just ‘pud.’ The pudding is composed of dried fruits held together by egg and suet, flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and other spices. The pudding is full of alcohol, which means it can be aged for a

CHRISTMAS FEATURE

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5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

EWN

ing in the plum pudding estive season celebration

stmas innovations o try any of them? flecked with Brussels sprouts, grated carrot and bits of dried festive fruit. Back in Britain, Tesco has come up with mince pieflavoured crisps, Marmite has brought out a Champagneinfused version of the spread, and there is even a Christmas Dinner Pot Noodle for a quick solution for your festive meal. month or even a year. Traditionally puddings were made on the Sunday before advent started. Everyone in the household, or at least every child, gave the mixture a stir and made a wish while doing so. It was common practice to

include small silver coins in the pudding mixture, which could be kept by the person whose serving included them and was believed to bring wealth in the coming year. Other tokens included, such as a tiny wishbone (to bring good luck), a silver thimble (for thrift), or an anchor (to symbolise safe harbour). After lunch, it is traditional in many homes to finish off the meal with coffee, liqueurs and chocolates or biscuits. Later on in the day, many families eat trifle, Yule logs or the traditional Christmas cake. In the UK, Christmas cake is normally a rich fruitcake. However, there are many different variations. In any case, most are covered with a layer of marzipan and then a layer of icing, and commonly decorated with figures such as Christmas trees, holly, Santa Claus, reindeers, fir trees and houses. They are often

e day. n later on in th YULE LOG: Eate

made weeks before Christmas and doused with brandy every week until they are covered and iced shortly before Christmas Day. Some more natural products consumed around Christmas include nuts, especially roast chestnuts, and fruit, such as tangerines, although there are

MINCE PIE: Fruit base d and sweet.

probably more people nowadays who snack on sweets. Traditional drinks to accompany meals at Christmas are wine and Champagne, and there is also Port. For refreshments throughout the day, some of the most popular options are hot mulled wine and eggnog. Mulled wine contains

wine, brandy and optionally other spirits, as well as spices especially cinnamon and cloves, sugar, and often orange. Eggnog contains milk, sugar, eggs and most importantly whisky, brandy or rum. After Christmas, most people make meals out of the leftovers.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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EDUCATION

Oh no, it’s that time of school year again!

LEARNING: Schools use different events to cover all sorts of activities for the children to enjoy. I EXPECT many parents busy time of year, reading this will have but for your received their invitations children it is from schools inviting magical, exciting and them to nativity plays, new. carol services, pantoFor weeks they will mimes, or some such have been learning performance. lines, making costumes, Hankies at the ready having rehearsals and and video camera looking forward to their charged (school big moment on permitting), off stage. The dress you go with rehearsal has There is much as many been and if more to relatives as you ever sit education you can down and than sitting muster and watch the behind a desk arrive extra faces of even all day early to nab the most the best seat. hardened 12This is year one. year-old they will be After eight years the scanning the audience excitement may have looking for mum, dad or worn off. granny and the smile How many times do that beams across their you want to watch your faces when they spot little darling appear for a you is worth more than minute in an hour long a million shop bought production? How many trinkets. This is your times can a school choir child’s gift to you. murder ‘Away in a Their performance is Manger’? Well, for you the best they can make maybe it is an added it, they know you are commitment at a very there and they want to

NATIVITY PLAYS: For weeks they will have been learning lines. shine for you. Try to remember the innocence of being small and the need for approval and praise from family. Try to book your afternoon off work in plenty of time, dress up a little, wave back when you make eye contact and sit back and enjoy. By the time they reach the end of school performances you will never capture that magic again so easily. Schools use these events to cover all sorts of learning activities and the children enjoy them, there is much, much more to education than sitting behind a desk all day! Have a very happy festive season.

OPINION & COMMENT Nora Johnson

Breaking Views A Costa del Sol resident for a number of years, Nora is the author of psychological suspense and crime thrillers. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/ nora-johnson

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5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

EWN

Stop fiddling the figures and start locking up criminals!

REG MULHOLLAND, MP for Leeds North West, declared himself ‘amazed and appalled’ at the reported massaging of crime statistics. Four serving and retired police officers outlined to Parliament’s Public Administration Committee how cases of burglaries ‘disappeared in a puff of smoke,’ thefts were ‘cuffed’ as lost property, and rape and child sex offences were misrecorded. Frankly, it amazes me how ‘amazed’ some MPs were. And this is the real shock here: how can those who contribute to the running of the country be so naïve? Any target in any industry encourages dys-functional behaviour. We see this time and again in banking, hospitals, schools and, yes, the police. Slowly but surely it’s all coming home to roost, isn’t it? Hardly a

day passes without some report informing us how the banks fiddle interest rates, the health service fiddles the waiting lists, MPs fiddle their expenses and now, surprise, surprise, the police fiddle the crime figures. Basically, this is just another instance of the failure of targets applied to public services. Remember the almost evangelical way American business school ‘efficiency’ methods were applied to some UK government departments in the late 1980s?

Then the idea was applied to schools, with success judged almost exclusively on exam results which year on year improved while actual standards declined. The pressure on staff to achieve these targets led to ‘fiddling’ and the ‘cover-up’ of information

that’s so important in identifying social problems. What can be measured and then created as a target is not necessarily the essential part of the work that a teacher/social worker/ health worker/police officer does. The Government should act quickly to find an alternative to this Big Brother obsession with monitoring targets. This might help to put a halt to the decreasing public trust in the police service which, in the wake of GREG the Hillsborough MULHOLLAND: revelations, Plebgate ‘Amazed and many more and appalled shocking cases, is at massaging itself in the dock. of crime Finally, no great statistics.’ surprises here, then. “Move along, nothing to see, move along.” And response to the

‘fiddling’ reports from the top brass? One officer already faces disciplinary proceedings for his whistleblowing. Hmm. A convenient target? Who knows. Maybe a bit of conspiracy fever in the air with the JFK anniversary? (And he was definitely shot by the CIA, or Fidel or aliens innit.) Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘Retribution’, ‘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.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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OPINION & COMMENT

It takes more than a village Vicki Mcleod

Family Matters REMEMBER the summer of 2013? It seems such a long time ago now doesn’t it? Remember those two crazy boys who sailed around the island in their little dinghy to raise money for Mediterranea and Associacion Ondine? Nick and Sebastian (only 15 and 16-years-old) hopped into their little sailing boat called Rocky and circumnavigated the island in 10 days. They will never forget the summer of 2013 as they raised awareness for the charities and went through a rite of passage themselves. They made their parents, families and friends very proud. And they enlisted the help of 563 people who sponsored them, supported them, and encouraged them. What’s that saying about it taking a village to raise a child? It takes more than one person to

SAILORS: Nick (left), Kay (Universal Bookshop) and Sebastian. teach a child the ways of the world. It’s the idea that the influence, the impact that individuals and groups outside of the family have on young people, for better or for worse, is a crucial part of growing up. Some people say it takes a family to raise a child, not a village. But there does come a point in your life when however much you love your family you need to learn from other people

as well. This is one of the wonderful things about bringing a child up in Mallorca: the community around you as a parent, again for better and for worse (I can do without some people’s opinions, but then I guess they can probably do without mine, sometimes they spill out of me against my will), is incredible. This is one of the reasons that I find Sail Aid so moving. Two

RAISING FUNDS: Nick, Dr Stoma (Mediterranea), Sebastian and Brad (Associacion Ondine).

young men got in a dinghy and sailed around the island. They had to rely to some extent on their wits, and on their ability to meet (in their words) Very Nice People. Of course their families were there backing them up, driving to meet them at the end of the day to check they were okay, but there was a definite elasticising of the apron strings as they sailed further away from their mums.

But all the way round on their journey they found people who wanted to help them, who wanted to give them a meal or a shower or help them with the boat, so the village, or in our case, the island, was teaching them about some of the best parts of human nature. I proudly count myself amongst the ranks of Very Nice People, as I helped them to set up their blog and Facebook page, and helped them to initially get in touch with the newspapers. And I am very happy to announce that today (Thursday) at 7pm the Sail Aid guys will give a talk to The Supper Club at Mood Beach, and they will be selling the book that they have written about the amazing summer of 2013. Hope you can join me and them and encourage these two remarkable young people. You can enquire about The Supper Club meeting by emailing info@moodbeach.com. To read more about Nick and Sebastian, Mediterranea or Asociacion Ondine please visit www.familymattersmallorca.com.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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FEATURE

Who is this man they call Putin Mike Walsh Mike Walsh. Based in Mediterranean Spain, is an international journalist, author and professional writer.

USSIAN President Vladimir Putin this year emerged as the world’s most influential man. He has outmanoeuvred his Western critics whilst returning Russia to superpower status and sponsoring Orthodox Christianity. Intriguingly, the Western media lampoons and criticises him, but this hardly dents his growing popularity in the West. Facebook’s For Mother Russia portal uses images of the Russian leader to poke fun at US President Barrack Obama, yet over half FMR’s friends are Americans. The ex-KGB officer Vladimir is arguably more popular in Britain than is PM David Cameron and ‘whatsisname.’ It is nothing if not astounding that a man born in 1952 to a sailor, his mother a St Petersburg factory worker, could have risen to such heights. His name is now associated with Russia’s rise from the political and economic ashes. President Obama and David Cameron are not the only ones to despair when Vladimir appears. His schoolteachers cringed when

ST PETERSBURG: Putin (right) studied international law at the State University. each morning the eight-year old rebel emerged from his council flat. The youngster was the only student barred from membership of the Young Pioneers, the Soviet version of the Hitler Youth, for his rebelliousness. A keen sportsman, he is a martial arts enthusiast. Upon leaving school in 1970, Putin studied international law at St Petersburg State University. Then, after graduating, he

pursued his dream to work in the field of intelligence. Today, he makes fun of the US for their notoriety in surveillance. However, the enigmatic Russian leader was himself once charged with monitoring foreigners and consular officials. He served in Soviet Occupied Germany from 1985 until their pulling out upon the Soviet Union’s collapse. Putin lost his job in 1991 during the KGB

coup d’etat against then Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. It was then that he and his earlier mentor, Anatoly Sobchak, Mayor of St Petersburg, became reacquainted. Political life beckoned. During his tenure in office Vladimir Putin was not to be bought. His enemies conceded Vladimir Putin’s unwavering integrity. Self-exiled arch rival Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky is cited by media as saying: “Putin never took bribes during his time in office.” In 1996, he was invited by President Boris Yeltsin’s administration to serve as head of Russia’s Intelligence Service, now renamed the FSB. Appointed as Prime Minister in 1999 Vladimir Putin became the fifth head of government in 18 months. Elected with 52.94 per cent of the vote, he made an impression by demonstrating his no-nonsense approach to domestic terrorism. Faced down by Chechnya terrorists, Putin is on record as saying he would hunt down and kill militants ‘even when they were on the toilet’. Such was his popularity that he was to later win 71 per cent of the peoples’ votes and had an approval rating of 80 per cent. The West has denigrated this achievement but they would, wouldn’t they. Superman had arrived and the rest is - not quite history.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

ealth & beauty H TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.EWNLIFESTYLE.COM

Noise can affect your health WE go to work in noisy cars, relax at home listening to music on hi-fi devices, go out to bars and pubs crowded with people, go to concerts and football matches… Nowadays, avoiding noise is a difficult task and, without even noticing, many people have lost the value of a bit of peace and quiet. Now a Scientific Committee on emerging and newly identified health risks has stated in a study that listening to music at more than 89 decibels for an hour every day significantly raises the risk of deafness over five years. Between two-and-a-half and 10 million European citizens might be affected by an exposure to loud noise. And Spain is one of the most noise-polluted countries in the

QUIET! Spain is one of the most noise-polluted countries in the world.

world, coming only after Japan, according to the Committee. More than nine million Spanish citizens are exposed to noise levels way beyond the tolerance barrier of 69 decibels suggested by the World Health Organisation. Furthermore, the National Statistics Institute confirms that noise is the topic Spanish complain more about. “Noise is the most common problem in Spain ahead of pollution,” the Environment Ministry said in its annual report. Changing ‘in-earphones’ for headphones, trying to avoid the giant speakers at concerts, and using fewer drugs that can damage hearing (like some antibiotics) are some of the best ways to protect against deafness.

How to avoid muscle fatigue during exercise ATHLETES have been advised to eat at least 50

or 60 per cent of their daily count of calories from carbohydrate sources in order to minimise muscle fatigue. This can be easily achieved by including an adequate food combination high in carbohydrates in each important meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner), as well as keeping hydrated all the time, meaning taking liquids before, during and after practising sports. “There has always been muscle fatigue in sports, because athletes always set goals and try to push their own limits,” explained Doctor Til, Medicine Co-ordinator of the High Performance Centre of Sant Cugat (Barcelona).

Spot the signs of childhood diabetes TYPE ONE diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in children under 15, but little information is available. Here are five facts about childhood diabetes: 1. Diabetes is genetically predisposed in individuals following activation of the immunity of the patient. It is what is known as an autoimmune disease where the child’s own defences attack their own structures generating the disease. 2. There is no cure for diabetes. Research is under way into stem cells and vaccines. 3. Despite frequently told myths, insulin does not cause blindness; however, diabetes, if left untreated, can affect small blood vessels of the body, including those found in the retina of the eye which can lead to problems with sight. 4. Having too much sugar in the diet does not inexorably lead to the development of Type Two diabetes. Also, diabetics do not have to totally abstain from sugary foods, but must moderate and monitor their sugar levels. 5. The most common childhood Type One diabetes is not associated with being overweight, but playing sports regularly and moderately (especially at early ages) is essential for good control of their disease. Symptoms of childhood diabetes include: needing to go to the toilet more often; excessive and constant hunger and thirst; unexplained weight loss; headaches; tiredness and fatigue; irritability; blurred vision; nausea and abdominal pain.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

CROSSWORDS

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Time Out EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREAK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE

NEW ON DVD

Mallorca weather

EU Restrictions will be lifted on migrants after January the First.

MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

for next 7 days

Despicable Me 2 Now that Gru has forsaken a life of crime to raise Margo, Agnes and Edith, he's trying to figure out how to provide for his new family. As he struggles with his responsibilities as a father, the Anti-Villain League - an organisation dedicated to fighting evil comes calling, sending Gru on a mission to capture the perpetrator of a spectacular heist.

TODAY

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

Starring Steve Carell, Benjamin Bratt, Kisten Wiig and Miranda Cosgrove. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. Runtime 93 minutes. Rated U.

TOMORROW CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR

Important things are signalled by the stars. There are gains to be made in many different areas. Just keep believing things will work out for the best for you and they will.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Letting life get too tame will eventually irritate you no end. Your social life needs a boost which, in turn, helps romance blossom. It is easy to be a bit lazy when things are going smoothly. AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) A chance remark alluding to your past brings a flashback. This helps you to see a current situation more clearly. We all make mistakes and follow the same old patterns, but this time you are forewarned.

7-Star Quiz IT’S A MAN’S, MAN’S, MAN’S, MAN’S WORLD

1. By what stage name is the singer-songwriter, born in Brooklyn in 1943 and originally named Barry Alan Pinkus, better known? 2. Emmanuel Radnitzky was the real name of which American photographer, painter, and filmmaker? He was known for his photographs in which images were manipulated and superimposed on one another. 3. Founded in 1857, which port on the Irrawaddy River in central Burma (Myanmar) was the capital, until 1885, of the Burmese kingdom? 4. ‘She'll only come out at nights. The lean and hungry type’ are the first lines of which 1982 Top 10 hit single by Hall & Oates? 5. What is the medical name for the jaw or a jawbone, especially the lower jawbone in mammals and fishes? 6. What name is given to a book, document or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed? 7. What name is given to the standard literary and official form of Chinese, spoken by over 730 million people?

Your Stars

December 6: Alberto Contador is the only Spanish professional cyclist to have won all three Grand Tours of road cycling, and the youngest to have won a Tour de France. The third of four brothers, Contador found his passion for cycling thanks to his oldest brother. In 2012 he was stripped of his 2010 Tour de France and 2011 Giro dʼItalia after testing positive for doping substances in a control test.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Some exciting suggestions make you think twice about a current business matter. However, it may not be necessary to change but to consider the suggestion as a sort of 'add on' to a current project.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) An exciting project is bubbling away in your mind but may need financial backing. Take advice from a professional or someone with experience in these matters.

LIBRA (Sept 24 - Oct 23) Because you are intent on pleasing others, you may be cramping your own style. This is something that you have in abundance and it should be used. SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 22) A juicy bit of gossip comes your way this week and it is hard to keep it quiet. You must do so, however, because there is a lot riding on it. When people trust you, they are saying much about the relationship.

LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

UK THUNDERBALL

IRISH LOTTO

EURO MILLIONS

Saturday November 30

Friday November 29

6 21

17 25

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

SUNNY

Mon - 15 8 Cl Tues - 16 8 Cl Wed - 16 9 Cl

7 23

LUCKY STARS 4

Saturday November 30

10 43

LA PRIMITIVA

REINTEGRO 26

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA 24 48

SUNNY MAX 16C, MIN 7C MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 13 9 S Tues - 14 9 Cl Wed - 14 9 S

Fri Sat Sun -

Mallorca SUNNY

MAX 16C, MIN -1C

MAX MIN

Mon - 16 12 Cl Tues - 17 11 Cl Wed - 17 11 Cl

18 9 S 17 10 Cl 17 11 Cl

SUNNY

TODAY:

MAX 18C, MIN 9C

MAX MIN

14 0 S 13 -1 S 9 0 Cl

Mon - 10 0 Cl Tues - 12 1 Cl Wed - 11 2 Cl

Murcia MAX 17C, MIN 6C

MAX MIN

15 6 Cl 13 4 Cl 13 17 Cl S Sun,

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 14 8 Cl Tues - 14 9 Cl Wed - 14 11 Cl Cl Clear,

SUNNY

MAX 20C, MIN 6C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun Fog,

Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

19 5 S 16 7 Cl 14 6 Cl

Mon - 14 6 Cl Tues - 16 7 Cl Wed - 16 7 Cl

C Cloud,

Sh Showers,

Th Thunder

Nonagram How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case M) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

TARGET:

Average: 24

Very good: 44

Good: 31

Excellent: 54

deer, dent, diet, dine, dint, dire, dirt, edit, heed, herd, hide, hied, hind, need, nerd, reed, rend, retd, ride, rind, teed, tend, tide, tied, deter, diner, eider, hider, hired, indie, indri, third, tined, tired, treed, trend, tried, denier, dieter, dither, hinder, hinted, indite, reined, rented, retied, tender, tidier, tiered, tinder, inhered, nitride, INHERITED

Word Ladder LAST

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

REINTEGRO 3

MAX MIN

Mon - 12 17 Cl Tues - 13 17 Cl Wed - 13 8 Cl

14 6 S 13 7 Cl 12 7 Cl

Madrid

SUNNY MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

Mon - 16 10 Cl Tues - 17 9 Cl Wed - 17 11 Cl

19 9 S 17 10 S 17 11 Cl

TODAY:

Malaga

TODAY:

MAX 19C, MIN 11C

Benidorm

Sunday December 1

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX 12C, MIN 7C

12 7 S 12 7 C 13 8 S

TODAY:

SUNNY MAX MIN

Barcelona

LEO (July 24 - August 23) You work hard for your money. Make it worthwhile by trying to hold on to as much of it as possible. Someone who is charming and plausible may try to get you involved in a fast-track money making scheme. VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sept 23) By showing confidence in your own way of doing things, you inspire others. This is chiefly because you are at last finding a balance between work and home life.

TODAY:

MAX MIN

17 8 S 15 9 Cl 14 8 Cl

TODAY:

Fri Sat Sun -

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Fri Sat Sun -

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) The moment that you have been waiting for has arrived. A colleague has made a decision that is long overdue. You may be left shocked and speechless.

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.

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Sudoku

Almeria

SUNNY MAX 20C, MIN 8C

MAX MIN

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) During your social encounters this week you meet someone who offers to help. That is great, but ask your-self if you would be prepared to give anything in return.

PISCES (Feb 20 - March 20) Someone will most certainly come to the rescue when your situation changes. Have Plan B ready just in case. In continuing to think in the short term you do yourself no favours. Think now of a '10- year plan'.

Alicante TODAY:

WORD

WARD WORD

IF ITʼS YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK:

LAST PAST PART WART

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 December 21) The rather more serious side of your nature needs to take over this week. Someone in a higher position is keeping an eye on you.

MAGALLUF

1. BARRY MANILOW, 2. MAN RAY, 3. MANDALAY, 4. MANEATER, 5. MANDIBLE, 6. MANUSCRIPT, 7. MANDARIN (or MANDARIN CHINESE)

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CROSSWORDS

Crosswords

5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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Cryptic Across 1 Lack of variety in duet Iʼm arranging (6) 3 Priest entertaining extremely bored character from Greece (6) 8 Tom and Anna, agitated, in a state (7) 10 This aquatic creature can often be seen in Rotterdam (5) 11 Trunk from actorʼs office (5) 12 Gallery next to Sierra Nevada, for example (5) 13 Flown in the wind like hawks (5) 15 Sailors going round northern mountain lakes (5) 20 Turn out little Susan after the nurse (5) 22 Factory to design aircraftʼs tail (5) 24 Toddler gets a pound, but thatʼs the lot (5) 25 Have faith in a new Serb way (5,2) 26 Beefeaters drag us out! (6) 27 Ring-road to finish in Belgium (6) Down 1 Boy at orchardʼs entrance for fruit (6) 2 Foreign currency found in a remote part (5) 4 Scent starts a romantic affair (5) 5 Please German sailors with bird (7) 6 Catch a ring-leader taking a break (6) 7 Hang on a minute, sounds like animal feet (5)

Quick

9 A fuss about love (5) 14 A tinier change of idleness (7) 16 Drink containing very soft fruit (5) 17 What the poodle wears and plays? (3,3) 18 The Fates organised a banquet (5)

19 Remained sober, so we hear (6) 21 Sulphur taken by a youngster as healthy food? (5) V Awfully eager to have the same idea (5)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

Code Breaker Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 2 represents Z and 19 represents P, so fill in Z every time the figure 2 appears and P every time the figure 19 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

CRYPTIC Across: 2 Note, 4 Kind, 9 Termini, 10 China, 11 Ships, 12 Castles, 13 Ursine, 15 Friend, 18 Scalper, 20 Sepia, 22 Inapt, 23 Nominal, 24 Teak, 25 Wage. Down: 1 Mites, 2 Nereids, 3 Tries, 5 Incisor, 6 Drill, 7 Braised, 8 Finch, 13 Upswing, 14 Naphtha, 16 Expanse, 17 Trunk, 19 Abaft, 20 Samba, 21 Atlas. QUICK Across: 1 Sometimes, 4 Ass, 6 Range, 8 Table, 9 Spare, 10 Start, 11 Stupid, 13 Latest, 16 Share, 17 Pains, 19 Ample, 20 Merge, 21 Rue, 22 Permanent. Down: 1 Serious, 2 Minus, 3 Mother, 4 Average, 5 Saint, 7 Examine, 10 Stadium, 12 Unaware, 14 Torment, 15 Appear, 16 Sober, 18 Serve. ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Segun, 3 Brave, 7 Pasaje, 9 Amor, 10 Prisoners, 13 Road, 14 Escoba, 16 Shelf, 17 Stone.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION Down: 1 Sopa, 2 Uva, 4 Armario, 5 Ears, 6 Tejones, 8 Surname, 11 Arms, 12 Cage, 15 Cat.

Unscramble the name of a famous British television sitcom first shown in1998 (three words): TRY A HOMELY LIFE Unscramble the name of a famous London office building (two words): INTERNET COP

Play on Words

English - Spanish The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English. Across 1 Perdedor (5) 4 Sumar (totalizar) (3,2) 7 Demasiado (3) 8 Pila (electricidad) (7) 9 Estofado (4) 10 To avoid (6) 14 Aplaudir (actuación) (7) 16 Use (act of using) (3) 17 Sheep (5) 18 Deudas (obligaciones) (5) Down 1 Tin cans (5) 2 Humo (de fuego, cigarro) (5) 3 Tail (of dog, bull, ox) (4) 4 Activity (9) 5 Tinte (producto) (3) 6 Sueldo (3) 11 Pulgar (5) 12 Habitaciones (5) 13 Berry (4) 14 Garlic (3) 15 Foot (3)

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

OWNERS

BARREN

ROTUND

BITTER

SHINES

BOARDS

SWORDS

BREAST

THORNS

EITHER

TILTED

GANDER

VOLLEY

LEERED

WEARER

NEATLY

WOODED (10)

NIGHTS PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE

PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE DIGIT PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE

PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE

Answers: A finger in many pies, Neon lights

Funagram

Across 1 Military quarters (8) 5/24 Scrabble, for example (4,4) 9 End result (7) 10 Group jargon (5) 11 Forward rush (5) 12 Actual (7) 13 Calm and dignified (6) 15 Divides up (6) 18 Determination (7) 20 Summarise (5) 22 Apoplectic (5) 23 Journals (7) 24 See 5 25 Fidgety (8) Down 1 Footwear (5) 2 No longer working (7) 3 Worship (5) 4 Enthusiastically (6) 6 Possessor (5) 7 Aimless drawings (7) 8 Snag (6) 13 Young tree (7) 14 Bricklayerʼs tool (6) 16 Lie back (7) 17 Interfere with (6) 19 Monarchʼs domain (5) 20 Respond (5) 21 Nuisances (5)

KNEE LIGHTS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Spears, 2 Deaths, 3 Leader, 4 Scared, 5 Regard, 6 Mutter, 7 Wearer, 8 Single, 9 Create, 10 Wander, 11 Tested, 12 Enters, 13 Ladies, 14 Resent, 15 Seated, 16 Estate, 17 Rested, 18 Castle, 19 Direst

FUNAGRAM SOLUTION: THE ROYALE FAMILY, CENTRE POINT

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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COMMENT/BOATING

Do you want to be a millionaire? Ulrica Marshall

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 go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/ulrica-marshall ulrica@euroweeklynews.com

OULD you do with an extra few euros for Christmas? How about a cool €4 million? This is how much the holders of winning ‘billetes’ of the ‘Sorteo’ or ‘Loteria de Navidad’ in Spain pocketed last year; in all there were 180 winning ‘billetes.’ Even the second place wasn’t too shabby, with €1.25 million to help with all the knick-knacks needed during the festive season. The lottery here is among the oldest and biggest in the world. It has run unhindered by wars or dictators since 1812 and with the chances of winning better than other lotteries, most of the country takes part in the game. Of course, chances of winning are still microscopic at 1 to 100,000, but why let that spoil the dream. American psychologist Dr Stephen Goldbart says the lottery “lets you believe in magic,” and that punters believe they “will defy the extraordinary odds against winning.” The actual investment can be quite hefty at €200 per ‘billete’ if you set out to acquire

MILLIONS: What would you spend your winnings on? the so-called series, which are also split into less eye-watering tenths (décimo) of a ticket, sold at €20. Personally, I am already planning how I will spend my €4 million. It is not that I am entirely delusional - au contraire - I have worked out that not having won anything on any lottery, raffle or game in my entire life, I am now odds-on to swoop El Gordo to make up for such abysmal luck in past years. Someone that needs no luck to win the

lottery is the tax man. Yes, with a fat finger in every pie, Señor Impuestos also wants his cut from your stroke of luck; any winnings over €2,500 will see a 20 per cent slice going to the Government. The only question

is which luscious luxuries you would spend it on? A yacht? A pied-à-terre in Paris? A spending spree in Cartier..? The rich man’s world really would be your oyster. It is the ultimate question - only short of the one about a God - what would you do if you won the lottery? If you’re anything like me, you will already have the list prepared (be it on paper or perfectly recited in your head). I can assure you that a significant portion would go to help those truly unlucky. This year, the unwanted mantle goes to the victims of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. In case you decide to join me in my foolhardy gambling endeavour, do make sure to keep your eyes peeled to the TV set on Sunday December 22 - the day of the draw. If you hear a joyful shriek emanating from depths of the Mallorquin countryside, it will mean my spate of bad gambler’s luck is finally at an end. I won’t be holding my breath though…

The first floating city and the biggest ship ever built in one AN AMERICAN project is for a huge ship, or ‘floating city,’ with a capacity of 50,000 and budget of more than $10 billion (€7.36 billion). The megaship would have a length of over a

kilometre and a height equivalent to a 25 floor building. People living in the named ‘Freedom Ship’ would have schools, hospitals, tax free shopping centres, airports and banks. The project has received a lot of criticism from people who consider the ship ‘eccentric’ or a floating tax haven for millionaires. The project is not new and it was first introduced in 1999, but the director and vice-president of Freedom Ship International, Roger Gooch, explained that the project was paralysed due to the economic recession. “Now it seems that the project is alive again. It will be the biggest ship ever built and the first floating city in the world,” stated Gooch. To begin the construction of the ship, the company is recruiting a community of millionaires willing to live and make business in the ship. The prices start around $150,000 (€110,000) for a cabin and $10 million for a luxury home. Norman Nixon is the man behind the Freedom Ship’s design, who originally thought about a floating island placed in the Caribbean Sea. That idea evolved into the idea

MASSIVE: ‘The floating city could look like this,’ said creator, Norman Nixon. of the massive ship that would constantly sail round the world. The approximate speed of the ship would be 10 knots, so it would take two years to take a tour around the world. The ship would stop in the most important cities and would need a crew of 20,000 people. The project would not be built on the ground, but in the sea instead. The building process could take more than three years, estimated the creators. Even though the concept seems like a futuristic technology, similar ideas have come up in recent years and, maybe, a floating Monaco or International Waters Silicon Valley could become a reality in the next decade.

OPINION & COMMENT

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Making time for the children A recent survey in the UK showed that one in three fathers never play with their children, and three in five parents wish they had more time with their off-spring. We asked if the man in the street thought it was important to play with their children and if they had the time to do so. HAIRDRESSER Anneliese Briffa, from El Raso, Guardamar, does not want her two children, aged 10 and five, to have too many toys, believing everyone is too materialistic nowadays. She is currently encouraging her son and daughter to have a clear-out of their toys and give them to charity: “Children just want your time and attention.” She says as her and her husband both work, family time is crucial: “We always do family things at the weekend.” Retired nurse Irene Carter, from London says: “Children will always want as much time as possible and I think parents will

Annie

STREET TALK always feel they should have and could have given their children more of their time, but that’s the struggle working parents battle with.” Sergio Carcano, a 17-year-old student from Benissa, said his parents did not play at all with him when he was a child. He used to play on his own and he recalls his favourite toys used to be construction games like Lego. He thinks it is very important to play with children to ensure a closer

SERGIO CARCANO thinks his parents did not play enough with him

relationship with them. Annie Walker, who is retired and lives in Albox said: “It is important, it is good for bonding and children’s education. I didn’t have enough time, I would have liked more time to play with my daughter. We used to like doing jigsaws.” And Jacqui and Dave Lambert from Huercal-Overa agreed: “It is important to have interaction with your children. We always made time when we were not working and always spent bedtime with them. We would have liked more time given a choice. Kids didn’t have computer games back then, it was just TV.”

Jacqui & Dave

ANNELIESE: Children just want your time

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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& DRINKS

ood F

FOOD & DRINK

Costa de Almeria’s best guide to local sport

Mallorca’s best guide for local restaurants

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Pasta is the ‘goto’ meal PASTA is the meal most Britons turn to when having to make something quick for dinner, a study by Birds Eye has revealed. The Italian dish tops the list of the so-called ‘go-to’ meals, which are prepared and served in

less than half an hour, with 33 per cent of polled people mentioning it. It is followed by jacket potatoes (with 11 per cent of people preferring them), stir-fry (10 per cent) and beans on toast (8 per cent).

Coffee is best served 9.30am More than 1,000 people were polled in this study, and 49 per cent of them said they depended on these dishes week after week. And 33 per cent of those surveyed said they ate the same

dinner at least twice a week. This is despite 36 per cent of them considering themselves as ‘foodies,’ and 54 per cent claiming to look for different flavours when grocery shopping.

THE BEST way to start your day with energy is having a cup of coffee between 9.30 and 11.30am, neuroscientists claim. This is because of the interaction between caffeine and cortisol, a hormone that makes people alert and regulates their internal clocks. The levels of this hormone are usually higher shortly after waking up, which is why scientists argue it is best to drink coffee at least an hour later. This way the caffeine present in a regular cup of coffee would promote cortisol production and people would not develop a tolerance towards it. This is an estimated time as people would have their morning coffee depending on the time they wake.

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FOOD & DRINK

5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

Consume protein from unexpected sources PROTEIN is an essential nutrient for the body; it is the amino acids made in the body and comes from food. Our cells,

Scientists getting closer to artificial tastes SCIENTISTS at the National University of Singapore have developed a new technology capable of reproducing tastes electronically. The simulator recreates salt, sweet, sour and bitter flavours using electrodes to noninvasively excite the taste buds. This system could be used to bring people the ultimate viewing experience when watching cooking shows on television. Their creators, however, seem to have found a more therapeutic use to their invention. They believe it can be used to allow people suffering from diabetes to experience sweet flavours with no risk to their health. But it seems they still are a long way from reaching their destination as research has shown flavour relies on other factors including texture and smell. In any case, this system has proven to be more successful than previous attempts based on recreating tastes using chemicals, which were said to be expensive and chaotic.

tissues and organs cannot function without them and half of our body’s dry weight is made from protein.

Whilst common sources of protein are eggs, meat, dairy, fish, nuts and lentils, nutritionists say it’s important to consume

a wide range of protein from different sources such as dried apricots, sprouts, bagels, beetroot, kale and avocados.

Traditional cocido stew to help fight the cold

COLD weather is upon us and what better way to fight it than eating a traditional stew? Spanish gastronomy offers a wide variety of this substantial dish, but probably the best-known type is the Madrid stew or ‘cocido madrileño.’ This chickpea-based stew is said to have been created in the Middle Ages, and has ever since been present in the gastronomy of the Spanish capital. Many restaurants in Madrid serve it as a

speciality following family recipes that have proven enduringly popular despite the more modern food fashions in the country. The cocido madrileño is also a very popular dish to prepare at home for special occasions, and not only in Madrid, but also in the rest of Spain, each region adding a unique touch. The star of the cocido madrileño is the chickpea or garbanzo, which is accompanied with vegetables like potatoes, carrots and celery.

Buying fish the smartest way A RESEARCHER from the University of Wageningen, in the Netherlands, is working on a system to avoid nasty surprises when buying fish. Based on the fact fish release certain substances that cause water to conduct electricity more easily when caught, the PhD candidate has envisioned a tiny chip that would indicate how fresh the product is. Packed in with fish, the chip would measure the

substances that cause the effect and would enable people to know the freshness of the fish without opening the packaging.

The meat used to make a cocido includes pork and chicken, plus chorizo sausage, black pudding or cured Serrano ham. Traditionally, the cocido madrileño is eaten in three different steps or ‘vuelcos.’ The name ‘vuelco’ makes reference to every time the ingredients are poured from the cooking pot. In the first ‘vuelco’ people normally eat the soup, which is followed by the vegetables in the second ‘vuelco,’ and finally, the meat in the third ‘vuelco.’

As this almost ritualistic, way of eating cocido madrileño takes a long time, many people prefer to have all the ingredients served at once. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this traditional dish is what people do with its leftovers. Instead of heating them in the microwave, or even binning them, leftovers are used for other dishes. Spanish croquettes, cornerstone of the tapas culture, are often made using cocido leftovers.

EWN

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omes&gardens

HOMES & GARDEN

HBulbs can add beauty to any SPONSORED BY

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garden or apartment terrace DAFFODILS: Can be out for Christmas and the New Year if planted early.

Dick Handscombe

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

AST week we looked at the benefits of bulbs and bulbs for autumn and winter. This week we continue the story.

For late spring and summer. Summer bulb displays can be not only colourful but exotic. For us nothing can beat; a. a patch or pots of tall waving blue agapanthus, b. tall multi or single flowered specimen lilies, c. a pot or patch of Peruvian lilies, alstroemerias. d. a collection of interestingly headed alliums.

e. tall vivid coloured crocosmia (montbretia) in a mixed bed or growing as a clump through stone chippings. f. Patches of fritillaries brightening up glades in pine tree gardens. Cannas can be a success, but they need copious

watering to stimulate flowers. If you are a gladioli fan try the more dainty species rather than the large headed varieties. We believe that they fit better into Spanish gardens. If you like to grow the larger flowered varieties for cutting, we

suggest that you grow a line alongside the vegetable patch. For the autumn. Autumn flowering crocuses, the saffron/ azafran varieties and the lily related colchicums are the most typical.

For Christmas, winter and early spring. In the garden, patches of crocuses and daffodils can even be out for Christmas and the New Year if planted early in warm areas. In the mountains they will be later. Freesias and tulips will follow. For the naya and patio plant up pots of amaryllis, cyclamens, hyacinths, grape hyacynths and daffodils. Some success factors 1. Plant in well draining soil or compost in pots. Crushed seashells in a peat and leaf mould mix for pots and a well draining high in humus soil in the garden. Within the garden improve the drainage under each bulb by placing course sand, grit or crushed seashells at the bottom of planting holes. 2. Remember where you have planted bulbs in mixed beds so that you do not slice them in half or spike them when working the bed during the bulbs dormant season. If

forgetful clearly mark with a weatherproof label. 3. If the weather is very dry, water prior to and during the flowering period to stimulate and prolong flowering. 4. Give naturalised bulb areas a top dressing of bone meal or other organic fertiliser in the autumn. 5. Don’t be too hasty to cut back stems and leaves after flowering. Let them dry back naturally, the sap draining back into the bulb to stimulate growth for next year. Cut back when the leaves have become brown and are becoming easy to pull off. 6. Buy healthy nondiseased bulbs. 7. Plant up bulbs as soon as you receive them so that they do not dry out. They will have been stored by the grower under ideal conditions. This is not always maintained in retail nurseries so purchase as soon as they have bulbs on display. The final remnants in the boxes two or three months later may not be good buys. 8. Dust bulb areas with slug pellets, especially during the dry summer, as slugs and other earth pests can search out bulbs as a source of moisture. Once you have experienced a good show of bulbous plants we are sure that you will want to expand them for the following year!

HOMES & GARDEN

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Top interior design trends to update your home for this coming winter FOR those enthusiastic about keeping up to trend with the world of interior design, you may be thinking about the small touches you can make to your home to get it in line with the latest trends for this winter. To change things up from those bright summer colours, and make room for winter; here are some of this seasonâ€™s top interior design trends to get you planning the next look for your home. Wood burners These have been circulating as a trend for some time, and are never far from the glossy pages of interior fashion magazines. Stoves make the home look and feel warm during colder months, and also work as a great statement piece. Not only this, theyâ€™re great for sustainable living and protecting the environment. Tailored trend The tailored and preppy look that has dominated the catwalks in menâ€™s fashion has also shifted into interior design. This autumn opt for tailored upholstery, metal accents and preppy

WARMING TRENDS: From wood burning fires to raw materials such as stone and wood, get your home in line with the latest trends.

patterns to stay on trend. Upcycled styling Rather than keeping furniture looking old and vintage much like the shabby

chic styles that have appeared in the past, the upcycled style revives furniture. Think classic wooden side-boards painted with a whole host of bright colours, vivid

pink dining room chairs; or a bright plum chest of drawers. Textured monochrome For those who like to keep things simple, opt for classic monochrome styling with black and white. And to stay super-on-trend make monochrome accents stand out by playing around with texture. Opt for fur-like cushions or sheer lampshades, mix and match fabric to make every item a statement piece. Raw materials The trends for stone and wood is showcasing them in their natural stripped down state, and accentuating the beauty of the materials themselves in their natural form. Sticks, branches, and even wood stumps are set to be brought into the home, along with the showcasing of giant crystals, gems and geodes as a variety of home accessories.

E W N 5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

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Now is the best time to buy to let in Spain

BUYING a house to let in Spain is more profitable today than before the financial crisis, a study by property website fotocasa.es has claimed. According to the study, the average annual profitability when buying a house to let is 4.8 per cent, with around 21 years needed to recover the investment. This is an 0.8 per cent increase over 2007, the year in which the average property price in Spain reached its peak. Back then, the average time to recover this type of investment was 25 years. This has happened because sale prices have dropped more than rent prices since the financial crisis started, the study has revealed. Specifically, sale prices have decreased by 41 per cent in the last six years, while rent prices have decreased by 30 per cent. The Canary Islands, Murcia and

GOOD TIME: Buying to let today in Spain is more profitable than before the financial crisis. Castilla la Mancha are the most profitable regions to buy a house to let, the study points out. The Canary Islands offer a profitability of 5.1 per cent, above the national average, whereas Murcia and Castilla la Mancha offer a profitability of 4.8 per

cent. The Basque Country is at the bottom of this list with a profitability of 3.8 per cent. This means it would take 20 years to recover the investment in the Canary Islands, whereas in the Basque Country it would take an average of 26 years.

All wood and mirrors...

EWN

A CABIN in the Californian desert which has been remodelled with mirrors and LED lights that appear to make it see-through is a new art phenomenon. Phillip K. Smith III is the artist behind this architectural design. Set in Joshua Tree, California, the project called ‘Lucid Stead’ is a composition of an old wood cabin, reflecting panels, lights and custom electronic equipment. The cabin not only appears see-through, but it changes throughout the day. During daytime, the structure appears partially transparent thanks to the

LIGHT AND DARK: The cabin changes during the day.

mirrors’ reflection, but by night, square and rectangular mirrors light up in

red green and blue. ‘Lucid Stead’ is about tapping into the pace of change of the desert. When you slow down and align yourself with the

desert, the project begins to unfold before you, revealing that it is about light and shadow, reflected light, projected light and change,” said Smith.

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S’ R E IS R T E R RNE V A D CO

SPOTLIGHT

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MÁSMÓVIL launches new 10 GB Pay-as-you-go bundle

O you can feel closer to home if you decide to stay in Spain this Christmas. The MÁSMÓVIL Pay-As-you-go bundles are a great option if you live in Spain for part of the year only, or if you travel back home frequently, because you only pay for what you use. As a matter of fact, MÁSMÓVIL is the only operator that allows you to put your number on hold for up to nine months, every time you travel back home, so you’ll avoid those expensive roaming charges! The MÁSMÓVIL products are tailor made, designed to be simple and flexible, bearing in mind your wallet as well as your consumption. The new 10 GB Pay-as-you-go bundles are perfect for customers with high data consumption, making it easy to watch TV, listen to Spotify or talk on Skype. The bundles are of 30 days duration from the date of activation and may be extended or renewed once the 30 day period has elapsed, or the maximum

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Advertising Feature

Línea Directa reports on driving in winter L

ÍNEA DIRECTA is one of the key players in the fight to reduce the number of accidents on our roads. For almost 20 years, it has promoted research into accident rates in order to encourage safe driving habits. Due to the risks involved with driving in winter months, it now offers advice on how to act in adverse weather conditions.

With respect to the car: 1. Check your car, especially the mechanical components. Pay attention to brakes, lights, windscreen wipers and break fluid, antifreeze and oil levels. 2. Don’t forget to check the condition of your tyres including the spare wheel, checking pressure, tread and the grooves of each tyre, which must have a minimum depth of 1.6mm. 3. Always take a reflective jacket, two warning triangles

IN FOG OR RAIN: Keep your distance and slow down. and a torch with you. Also ensure that your mobile is charged in case you need to use it in an emergency.

With respect to driving: 1. If you often drive in snow, consider buying winter tyres. In any case, avoid any sudden movements and, as a general rule, do not overtake. Take

special care with snow which has turned into ice and always drive at low speeds. 2. If it is foggy or raining, adapt your speed and distance from the vehicle ahead to the weather conditions. Do not brake suddenly to avoid skidding. 3. Aim the vehicle’s heating system at the windows to prevent them from fogging up as a result of humidity. 4. When overtaking, reaching crossroads, leaving tunnels and in open spaces, be careful with any sudden gusts of wind, which might lead to a loss of steering and the vehicle overturning.

Call now for more information on 902 123 104.

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PROPERTY FOR SALE OPPORTUNITY. Beach front Santa Ponsa. Completely reformed 1 bedroom apartment, 60m2, American kitchen, bathroom, terrace 10m2, wonderful sea/beach views, community pool, MUST BE SEEN 129,000€. Owner 618 280 387 (216849)

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Next in Lexus revolution, RC coupe L

EXUS has unveiled the next step of its so-called ride and handling revolution, the new production-ready RC coupe. The new coupe by the Japanese manufacturer will be available with two engines: 3.5l V6 teamed with an eight-speed sequential transmission and 2.5l hybrid system. The dual injection 3.5litre V6 petrol engine produces maximum power of 234kW at 6,400rpm, and peak torque of 380Nm at 4,800rpm. An eight-speed Sports Direct Shift with paddle shift transmission optimises power delivery and economy. In M (manual) mode full torque converter lock up from second to eighth gears allows for down changes in just 0.2 sec. The hybrid variant - the first Lexus hybrid coupe uses a dual-injected 2.5litre four cylinder engine with a 105kW electric motor driven through an

NEXT STEP: Based on the GS model.

electronic continuously variable transmission with six step gears in a sequential shift-matic feature. Based on the GS model platform, the coupe differs in all dimensions from the GS and IS model

shorter in wheelbase than the new IS line, providing a road stance unique in the Lexus range. The headlamp design adopts the symbolic Lexus L-shaped motif front and rear.

There are two choices of aluminium wheels, a 10-spoke 19-inch and a five-spoke 18-inch. The RC interior stands out for making maximum use of contrasting colours, materials and lighting. High contrast interior colours emphasise design lines and accentuates the elegant cabin, the manufacturer claims. The driver’s cockpit is divided into operational and display zones. The upper zone houses the instrument panel and a seven-inch navigation screen while a layered console integrates a new touch interface. The seats use an integrated foaming construction method to ensure comfort and support.

lines. The RC features deeply contoured lines, and integrates the widest and lowest application yet of the Lexus spindle grille. It is 30mm wider, 35mm lower and 70mm

FERRARI: Broke all records.

Classic car auction A CLASSIC car auction held in New York raised $62.79 million (€46.18 million) in just two hours. RM Auctions and Sotheby’s, organisers of the event, obtained nearly $47 million (€34.57 million) selling a lot made up of two motorcycles and 31 classic cars, in the biggest motor sale in Manhattan in the last 10 years. A total of 11 cars registered record figures for their models, including a 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sports Coupe sold for $2.42m (€1.8m), a

1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster for $1.65m (€1.23m), and a 1933 Auburn Twelve Custom Speedster sold for $1.21m (€902,000). But the star of the event was a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, sold for $14.3m (€10.6m), a record for this model. It is, however, still far from the €38 million paid for a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO earlier in October. A 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Cabriolet, a prize jewel for car collectors, sold for $7.15m (€5.3m).

THIS year’s autumn exhibition at Madrid’s Prado Museum provides an insight into Spanish history, culture and art covering the period between 1650 and 1680.

An insight into Spanish history culture and art…

The King and Velazquez Velazquez had been influenced by Rubens and was acknowledged as one of the finest portrait painters of the baroque era, although never quite reaching the status of his contemporary, Rembrandt. During his visits to Italy, considered the mecca for artists, his talent as a portrait artist was recognised by Pope Innocent X. When he returned to Madrid as official artist to the Royal Family, his relationship with the King gave him access to the palace, which was a rare privilege. The first part of the exhibition displays portraits of the Pope and cardinals in Rome and includes two of King Felipe IV. A large section is devoted to the numerous portraits of the Queen, Mariana of Austria, Maria Teresa, both her stepdaughter and cousin, and especially her

ANKES

BY KIND PERMISSION OF KINGSTON LACY B

t was a defining moment in Felipe IV’s reign with political, military and financial crisis, and the culmination of Velazquez’s illustrious career as official artist to the royal family during the golden age of Spanish art. It also provides a comparison between his works and those of his assistants and successors, Juan Bautista Martinez del Mazo, his son in law, and Juan Carreno. Felipe IV had been going through a difficult period when he married Mariana of Austria in 1649. His first wife, Elizabeth of France, had died in 1644 and two years later he lost his 17-year-old son and heir, Baltasar Carlos, to smallpox. Two years after the marriage, La Infanta Margarita was born and in the same year Velazquez returned to Madrid from Rome. It was the start of an extraordinary close relationship between the King and the artist.

MUSEUM VIENNA

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HISTORISCHES

London-born journalist and author, Peter spends his time between Paris and Madrid. His novel ‘1066 The Conquest’ available on Amazon or www.1066TheConquest.com

5 - 11 December 2013 / Mallorca

BY KIND PERMISSION OF KUNST

Peter Fieldman

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COLLECTION THE NATIONAL TRUST

FEATURE

Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez daughter, La Infanta Margarita, wearing the traditional framed dresses in a variety of colours. His paintings of Felipe Prospero and La Infanta Margarita, were considered to be among the finest portraits of children up to that time. Although his earlier portraits were classical with the subject against a dark background, he took advantage of using real locations in the palace and adding personal objects such as flower vases, pets, and ornaments to give greater sense of family life, space and depth to his works. This is evident in his masterpiece, Las Meninas, which is included as part of the exhibition even though it remains in its permanent place in the Prado.

Las Meninas A family portrait Despite its complexity it remains a family portrait including La Infanta Margarita, her maids of honour, dwarfs and pets as well as Velazquez himself and the King and Queen, who are reflected in

the mirror. Velazquez is believed to have borrowed the idea of using mirrors in his works from the Arnolfini Marriage, Van Eyck’s

‘

Some works never been seen in Spain

masterpiece, in the National Gallery, London. Controversy has arisen over a ‘copy’ of Las Meninas, attributed to his son-in-law, which belongs to the William Bankes collection at Kingston Lacy in Dorset, UK, now part of the National Trust, believed to have been painted in 1660, the year of Velazquez’s death. It came to England during the early part of the 19th century. Art historian, Dr Matias Diaz, from the Spanish Royal Academy of Art, who has spent years researching the origin of the painting, said “I consider this work to be a first, smaller draft of Las Meninas, painted by the master himself.” This is contested by the exhibition’s curator, Javier

La Infanta Margarita in blue dress by Diego Velazquez Portus, who argues. “A simple study of the Kingston Lacy work shows it lacks colour and detail and it is not an original.” A close inspection reveals differences. There is a mystery over the Cross of the Order of Santiago, an honour bestowed on Velazquez by the King in 1659 and who ordered it to be added to his tunic in the main painting after his death. In addition the king and queen are clearly reflected in the mirror and he delicately holds the brush. In the Kingston Lacy painting the cross is not apparent, neither is the brush and the reflection in the mirror is unclear. There is also a likeness between this work and the family portrait of Martinez del Mazo painted in 1665. This controversy is likely to remain unresolved.

The continuity of Velazquez’s style The final section covers the period following the deaths of Velazquez in 1660 and the King

in 1665. These are works by Mazo and Carreno illustrating the continuity of Velazquez’s style. Margarita married her uncle Leopold of Austria to forge an alliance, which led to the transfer of several of these paintings to the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. The portraits of Queen Mariana, who became regent, while her son Carlos was a child, depicts her in mourning, while the young king, Carlos II, appears in his full royal regalia. The exhibition, organised in conjunction with the AXA Foundation, displays 29 major works of which 15 belong to Velazquez. Many of the works on loan from overseas museums and private collections, have never previously been on display in Spain. The Prado Museum Paseo del Prado, Madrid www.museodelprado.es The exhibition runs until February 9, 2014

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Sport

SPORT

Ian Bell, Cricketer One of the nominees for Sports Personality of the Year. TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Mallorca’s best guide to local sport

Play in difficult conditions for the weekend’s rugby matches By Lynda Demangeat RC PONENT claimed yet another victory at home in Principes de España against Girona on Saturday in the national league In cold, muddy conditions the home team were surprised by the speed and strength that their opponents began with. A penalty kick put three points on the score board but that was enough to

wake up the local 15 and they began to fight back. By half time the score was 19 - 3 thanks to tries scored in quick succession. During the second half the Catalans regrouped and due to some passivity and errors by RC Ponent managed to bring the score to a more equal 19 - 17. The Mallorquins responded quickly and even though Girona tried their hardest were unable to

deny the final three points from a penalty kick. As the first half of the Senior Regional League season reaches its final matches El Toro RC and Bahia RC continued their winning streak. El Toro RC played Dimonis in Manacor in difficult conditions. In a controversial match El Toro RC took the lead early on and never gave Dimonis the chance to catch up. Final score was 15 - 50.

Truc Menorca made the trip to Ibiza RC for the first of their encounters in this league. Although the game was fairly equal, Ibiza RC came out winners by 21 points to 3. El Toro RC still leads the Regional league table and have stretched their lead by six points over Bahia RC in second place. In the fifth leg of the Michel Rodier U16 Trophy the series of matches played in Principes de España were as competitively disputed as in previous competitions. The waterlogged pitch made running with any speed difficult and also any tackling. RC Ponent B team came out on top against RC Prince William was at the Ponent B and El Toro RC A Villa-Sunderland goalless and B teams. Once the draw. official matches were over In the Scottish Cup, the youngsters continued Albion Rovers, three with a friendly match won divisions below Motherwell, by Ponent RC. knocked out their SPL The match in Regional opponents 1-0; holders U18 league between Celtic battered Hearts 7-0. Dimonis and El Toro RC And Gareth Bale scored his was postponed until first hat-trick in La Liga as December 21 due to a lack Real Madrid beat Valladolid of players on the Manacor 4-0 to close the gap on side. Barcelona. A very successful Rugby And David Flitcroft has day was hosted by Pollensa lost his job as boss of RC in which around 100 Barnsley. children turned out in spite RUGBY - Australia of the weather. RC Ponent thrashed holders New were victorious in the U8 Zealand 34-2 to win Rugby and U10 competitions and League World Cup for the Agora Portals came out 10th time. A record crowd winners in the U12 group. for an RL game anywhere Senior Regional League in the world - 74,897 - matches to be played this packed into Old Trafford to weekend include El Toro RC see the final. at home to Bahia RC in Son AWARD CEREMONY - Caliu on Saturday. Corsaris The 10 people hoping to will play Dimonis and RC win the 2013 BBC Sports Ponent travel to Ibiza RFC. Personality of the Year are Truc Menorca are at Sir Ben Ainslie, Ian Bell, home against Pollença RC. paralympian Hannah For the younger teams El Cockcroft, Mo Farah, Chris Toro RC host the fifth Froome, Lee Halfpenny, Rugby Day beginning at Tony McCoy, Andy Murray, 11am on Saturday as well Christine Ohuruogu and as a match in the U18 Justin Rose. series against Pollensa RC.

Another bonus point for the visitors. Bahia RC and RC Ponent also played on a very difficult pitch in which the home team benefited from the strength of their forwards to beat RC Ponent 24 - 7. In other matches in this league Pollensa RC were again unable to score against their neighbours Corsaris RFC. Score at full time was 0 - 56.

Could it be England v Spain in World Cup draw which takes place tomorrow? Tony Matthews

International Sports A former football player and the world’s most prolific author of football books (more than 100 published), Tony is also the sports reporter for Spectrum Radio and lives in the Cabrera mountains.

Costa de Almeria

TOMORROW afternoon (Friday), 5.30pm Spanish time, the draw will be made for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil... and with England unseeded, we could see Roy Hodgson’s team in the same group as Spain, perhaps the host nation, even Germany, perhaps Holland or Belgium, while on the other hand, they could face two of the minnows. We’ll see. This weekend, 40 teams will compete in the FA Cup,

all hoping to make progress and then get drawn against one of the Premiership big boys in round three. There are also full Premiership/ Championship programmes, the pick of the games being Arsenal v Everton, Liverpool v West Ham, Manchester United v Newcastle, Southampton v Manchester City, Brighton v Leicester and QPR v Blackburn. And in the 4th round of Spain’s Copa del Rey, it’s Cartagena v Barcelona, Las Palmas v Almeria and La Murta v Real Madrid. FOOTBALL - In the latest Champions League matches, there were wins for Arsenal (2-0 v

SAO PAULO: 2014 World Cup is to be held in Brazil. Marseille), Manchester City (4-2 v. Plzen) and Manchester United (5-0 v. Bayer Leverkusen), Real Madrid (4-1 v. Galatasaray) and Ajax (2-1 v Barcelona). However, Chelsea (1-0 to Basle) and Celtic (3-0 v. Milan) both lost. United’s win in Germany was their biggest away in Europe for 40 years. In last weekend’s Premiership, the first League meeting since 1962 between Cardiff and Arsenal saw the Gunners, leaders by six points, win 30, Aaron Ramsey scoring twice against his former

club... Chelsea (with John Terry on target in his 400th PL game) came back to beat Southampton 3-1... Everton, with another Romelu Lukaku goal, whipped Stoke 4-0... Newcastle edged out WBA 2-1... Manchester City whipped Swansea 3-0... Manchester United drew 22 at Tottenham... Liverpool surprisingly lost 3-1 at Hull (this was the Tigers’ firstever win over the Merseysiders)... West Ham defeated hapless Fulham 3-0 (24 hours later the Cottagers sacked manager Maarten (Martin) Jol)... Norwich took out Crystal Palace 1-0... And