Euro Weekly News - Mallorca 6 - 12 February 2014 Issue 1492

EWN

GETS IT

.com

ISSUE NO. 1492

Falling numbers THE registered population of the Balearic Islands has fallen by 17,200 people in the past 18 months, according to local town halls. This includes natives and foreign residents.

Coke strike NINETY per cent of the staff at the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Palma has backed temporary strikes, according to union UGT, in response to plans to close the plant. An indefinite strike is planned from Monday.

WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Princess Cristina in court on Saturday SPAIN’S Princess Cristina is due to appear in court in Palma on Saturday for her supposed financial crimes in the Noos case.

The alleged infractions are related to the money laundering and mismanagement of funds connected to her husband, Iñanki Urdangarin, Duke of Palma de Mallorca.

Urdangarin was first implicated in November 2011 for diverting up to €5.8 million of public funds for personal benefit.

Now Princess Cristina has been summoned to appear in the Palma Provincial Court to confirm her direct

Juan Manuel Herrera/OAS

EWNFRONT EXTRA

6 - 12 FEBRUARY 2014

corroboration in her husband’s financial activities.

She will do so under strict security enforcement, and will presumably arrive at the court by car.

Palma’s senior judge Francisco Martinez Espinosa has authorised her arrival by car strictly for reasons of security.

The judge assured that he had not received any request or instruction from the royal family but had only received the police report with its advice on the security measures needed.

2

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

THIS WEEK IN

EWN News 1 - 14

Finance 15 - 20

Letters 21 NOW SAFE: The dog has reportedly killed dozens of sheep since 2012.

‘Killer’ dog now behind bars

A DOG which had reportedly killed dozens of sheep in Calvia since 2012 has been taken to the municipal pound.

The local town hall has confirmed the dog, from the Pou Redo property in sa Porrassa, Magaluf, which has allegedly killed dozens

of sheep and lambs, has been captured, following demands from the owners of farms in the area.

The farmers had complained that although they identified the owner of the dog and reported the case to the town hall, nothing had been done.

One of the farmers reported the first incident back in December 2012 when he lost almost 40 sheep. He has taken the case to court and the owner has been sentenced to pay him compensation at the rate of €2 per day for two months.

Daily TV 22

Leapy Lee 26

Time out 32 - 33

Classifieds 43 - 45

Sport 48

NEWS Home rescue A MAN was rescued after 20 hours trapped under fallen furniture in his flat in Palma.

The alarm was raised when he failed to go to work.

Underground fire FIREFIGHTERS put out a blaze in an underground garage in the Rafal Vell neighbourhood in Palma. The fire apparently was started in a tyre next to a shed and affected a nearby car.

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

Death fall ‘was murder’ TWO young men, 23 and 22, have been accused of the murder of an Italian tourist. The homicide was originally thought to have been an accident or suicide.

The victim, Martina Rossi age 20, died in August 2011 in Palma after falling from the sixth floor of the Santa Ana hotel in Cala Major where she was holidaying.

National Police said it was an accident but Rossi’s family was suspicious of the official story and hired a lawyer. Rossi’s home town of Genoa opened its own

investigation in 2012 which revealed Rossi was fleeing attempted rape by two individuals, both also Italian, whom she had met while on holiday in Mallorca. It stated she fell trying to escape to the adjoining balcony.

The two men, natives of Tuscany, are accused of homicide and sexual assault .

Top bosses WHOLESALER Mercapalma has been recognised for its excellence in management by the European Foundation for Management Quality. The award is given for excellence in leadership, development, training and constant improvement.

White wedding A YOUNG Mallorcan couple celebrated their wedding at 10 degrees below zero as winners of a once-in-a-lifetime prize from Ron Brugal rum.

They chose Panticosa ski resort in Huesca as their chosen location.

Marihuana ring FIVE more individuals have been arrested as part of a marihuana trafficking network in Palma. Guardia Civil confiscated almost 1,100 plants having already arrested two of the group’s leaders in Coll d’en Rabassa.

‘

3

N

ews watch

Motorcycle smash

THREE people were injured in Ariany on the Petra-Santa Margalida road in a motorcycle accident, one seriously. Their motorcycles collided and police are investigating how the accident could have involved all three of them.

Hard work LOCAL fishermen brought in larger catches in 2013 but made less money doing so.

More expensive catches, like prawns and other shellfish, are becoming less popular in the current market.

Death crash A MAN was sentenced to two and a half years for drunk driving on the Valldemossa road resulting in a 61-year-old woman’s death. The man’s blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit.

Fatal escape A HERD of pigs that escaped from a nearby farm outside Sant Llorens caused a car to roll over after running them over and killing them. The driver was taken to hospital.

EWN

Heart health

SANGRIA: Popular with Spaniards and tourists alike.

Cheers for the sangria

N

EW European Parliament wine labelling rules mean that only sangria made in Spain and Portugal will be allowed to be sold under the name.

Companies in other countries wanting to sell similar products now have a year to change the names to ‘aromatised winebased drink’ when labelling them.

They will have to clearly label where their variety of the drink is made.

The same rules apply to ‘sangria blanca’, the white wine

Quote of the Week You should shut up or recognise people’s achievements’ Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy referring to Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, Secretary General of the opposition Socialist party. He responded: “I won’t shut up. I demand explanations.”

version, also known as ‘clarea’.

The name ‘sangria’ comes from ‘sangre’ meaning ‘blood’, because of its colours.

The rule changes have been warmly welcomed by Spain’s Wine Federation (FEV).

Sangria, very popular with Spaniards and tourists alike, is normally made with wine, chopped fruit, especially oranges and lemons, and sweetener. Spirits like brandy can also be added, but for some this would make it a ‘zurra’.

However, there is no standard recipe and sangria

can be made to taste.

Lemonade or soda is often added to make the drink lighter and in Cataluña, a variety is made with cava.

The fruit is cut into thin slices or small cubes then mixed in with the wine, sweetener and, if used, the spirit.

After several hours to allow for the fruit flavours to blend with the rest of the ingredients, the ice and any last-minute ingredients are added.

It is frequently served in restaurants in one-litre pitchers for families to enjoy with their meal.

Number of the week

16

new speed traps costing €1.1 million have been bought by the General Traffic Department. The speed traps will control the speed of vehicles from fixed structures as well as from vehicles which can be placed in different locations when required.

CARDIAC and circulatory diseases have been named the principal cause of death in 2012 in the Balearics by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). The overall mortality rate in the Balearics, however, was below the national average.

Unwanted ads PRO-INDEPENDENCE political party MES has accused the Palma government of failing to eliminate excess unwanted signs and advertisements in Palma’s old city. They complain that the signs “deface the character and attractiveness of Palma.”

Smart place THE Cloud Destination consortium, formed from 11 Mallorcan companies, has signed an agreement with the Manacor government for the promotion of the Calas de Mallorca as a pilot ‘smart destination.’

And finally...

THE investigation into the death of three members of the same family in Alcala de Guadaira, Sevilla, in December, has ruled that they inhaled a poisonous gas emitted when lids from pesticide containers stored in their bathroom came into contact with water.

4

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

Machete attack on poultry

NEWS EXTRA

Armed hold-up

THE historic mill of sa Planeta in Andratx is set to receive its new cover with the help of the Mallorca island government. The mill dates back to 1784 and is a popular tourist attraction.

Positive signs UNEMPLOYMENT numbers are down 0.53 per cent in Baleares from last month, according to SOIB (Balears Employment Services). Baleares had the only redundancy decrease, with other regions averaging a 2.41 per cent increase.

Phoenix Media

A 46-YEAR-OLD man was arrested for holding up a petrol station in Port de Pollensa with a sawn-off gun. He ran away after the robbery but was found by Guardia Civil shortly after.

Mill restoration

NEWS

HARD TRAINING: Sir Bradley Wiggins (front right) and Team Sky’s lead sprinter, Norwegian Edvald.

Sir Bradley Wiggins pedals into Mallorca BRITISH superstar cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins is getting ready for the 23rd Iberostar Challenge cycling competition to start on Sunday in Mallorca.

The 2012 Tour de France cycling race winner, and multi Olympics gold medal winner, was spotted

training on the Bay of Pollensa with the Sky Team, to which he has belonged since 2010.

The team has been making the final preparations to the competition from their established base in Alcudia.

The Iberostar Challenge marks

the start of the European season for the team, which is now entering its fifth season on the road.

Also known as the ‘Vuelta a Mallorca,’ the cycling competition has been held in early February in Mallorca for 22 years now.

AN Austrian man, 30, was arrested in Alaro, after he allegedly killed poultry with a machete and attempted to attack his wife and daughter, aged two.

According to the Guardia Civil, he arrived at his home on the outskirts of the town apparently drunk or under the influence of some substance.

A violent row broke out between the couple in front of their daughter, he threatened them and grabbed two machetes. He hid one and took the other to the pen where they kept poultry. He began cutting the throats of chickens, ducks and other birds.

The woman locked herself inside the house with her daughter and alerted the police. When Guardia Civil arrived they found the man covered in blood with a machete.

6

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

NEWS EXTRA

Fatal racing THE lone survivor of a fatal car accident that killed two in Palma admitted the crash resulted from racing another vehicle. The car hit a concrete bench at high speed and burst into flames, killing the other two occupants.

Elderly bug AT least 40 residents of SARquavitae care home in Costa d’en Blanes in Calvia have suffered from a virus causing diarrhoea and vomiting. The source of the virus is unknown.

Passengers up BALEARIA FERRIES transported more than 1.2 million passengers within Baleares and back and forth from the Spanish mainland in 2013, a 12 per cent increase from the year prior.

www.euroweeklynews.com

Jury ‘no clemency’ for killers of girl, 8 THE jury in the case of eight-yearold girl Ainhoa who died at her mother’s hands has made their stance against her killers public.

The eight-year-old girl’s mother and her boyfriend were jailed for 12-and-a-half years and 10 years respectively over the death.

The jury stated: “We unanimously reject the possibility of any partial or total pardon of the punishment imposed on the accused, given the extreme seriousness of the judged acts.”

The couple received a reduced sentence through a plea bargain with the public prosecutor who withdrew allegations of regular abuse and attempted sexual assault.

The latest in the Ainhoa case is that the girl’s father has stepped forward to receive monetary damages, in this case up to €500,000.

The father had had minimal contact with BOAT FIRE: Firefighters put out dangerous flames.

Ainhoa over the last six agency Salvamento other vessels nearby on years.

On the other hand, the Maritimo, Guardia Civil fire. Firefighters fought and Llucmajor Local Police the flames for hours and girl’s grandmother, with all went to the scene.

Salvamento Maritimo said whom she had been living, The boat was towed there was no residual has refused any monetary compensation. clear so as to avoid setting contamination.

Three injured in boat blaze THREE people were injured when a boat at the s’Estanyol sailing club in Llucmajor caught fire.

Health officials reported that two of the victims suffered burns, one a 31year-old woman who was taken away for treatment and another who was treated on the spot. The third, a 51-year-old man, suffered smoke inhalation.

The eight-metre boat was tied up when it suddenly caught fire and was enveloped in flames in a matter of seconds.

Firefighters, ambulances, the Coast Guard

NEWS

New app for Palma old city INFORMATION on more than 300 businesses and tourist sites in Palma’s old city will be available electronically to the public on their phones on a new app.

The app can be downloaded free from www.palmashoppingguide. com, a website designed to promote small business in the heart of the city.

Restaurants, tourist sites, leisure and special cultural spots are all highlighted on the site with photos, descriptions, locations, comments and ratings.

The smartphone app is designed to increase local commerce by making new and old sites alike available and appealing to younger generations.

For more information on how to participate contact employment management companies Afedeco and Pimeco.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

Pipeline to bypass Establiments area THE proposed Redexis gas pipeline will avoid passing through the rural protected area of Establiments, in accordance with the Balearic Environmental Commission’s requests. The project was initially drawn up

by Endesa Gas, which later sold its rights in

the project to Redexis Gas in December.

The Commission demanded the gas company rework the plan so that the pipeline was laid alongside the Soller road, linking the central road of Son Reus with the Cami dels Reis and Can Valero.

The Commission also noted this would keep the pipeline on public land without affecting private property while also avoiding protected natural parks.

Among others, technicians from the Environmental Commission A MAN who stabbed another with a box listed protection of coastal forests, cutter has been jailed for five years for open spaces, rural spaces, fireattempted murder. prone areas and protection of A Palma court sentenced the 33-year-old several endangered local fauna man after hearing how he had entered the species among its reasons for Es Tres Germans bar on Las Avenidas de rejecting the initial pipeline plan.

Palma, then stabbed the man behind the After three years of resident bar multiple times. opposition to the initial project, that The victim fled to the street pursued by included a petition of 1,800 his attacker who continued to stab him signatures, the latest edition of the before the utility knife fell and was kicked Establiments residents’ newsout of reach by a passer-by. paper proclaimed an ‘important On top of the five year sentence, he also victory’ for the quality of life of has to pay the victim €1,000 and is prohibited residents in the village adjoining from contact with him for 10 years. rural Esporles.

Five years jail for attempted murder

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

EWN

7

8

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

Archaeological museum project FELANITX town has presented a project to build a museum next to the Des Clossos de Can Gaia archaeological site in the Portocolom area.

It has been drawn up by the Balearic Islands University (UIB) archaeologist David Javaloyas with the aim of showcasing the town’s cultural heritage.

However, there’s still no date to start the work, let alone a budget.

The project comprises the building of three areas, each with a different objective.

The first one would be an introductory area to introduce visitors to the museum.

It would be followed by an area where children could learn while playing.

The third area would be where a prehistoric cave would be reproduced.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

Two months and still no trace of Malen LAST Sunday marked two months since teenager Malen Ortiz went missing from her home in Calvia.

Guardia Civil are still working to find the 15year-old, of whom there is still no news. She was last seen heading to her boyfriend’s home in Son Ferrer.

She was wearing pink shoes, a checked shirt, blue denim jacket, torn

MALEN ORTIZ: Disappeared in Calvia on December 2. trousers and carrying a bright green skateboard.

The search operation was suspended on Tuesday to focus on new lines of investigation, Guardia Civil said.

These include the search of an abandoned house in the Sa Porrasa area, in Calvia.

During the first month since her disappearance, up to 80 people including Guardia Civil, Local Police and Civil

Protection helped search for Malen, but to no avail.

Now investigators are focusing on two possibilities that could explain Malen’s absence:

escape or abduction.

Even though at first it was believed the girl could have willingly left her home, new evidence made the authorities believe she could have been kidnapped.

In the meantime, Malen’s parents have called several times for help to find their daughter.

They have both appeared on media telling their missing daughter’s story and, above all, desperately asking that the search for Malen is not stopped.

Second casino drama THE project to bring a second casino to Mallorca has been halted only weeks after the regional government refused a petition for its temporary suspension.

Palma City Council has refused to grant a licence to the developer that won the public tender to build a casino in the Teatro Balear. It claims the project doesn’t comply with three points of the by-law regulating the city’s old town.

These are related to the maximum size of commercial establishments, the obligation of having a car park within the

establishment site, and not being next to people’s homes. The council also claimed the project doesn’t comply with the opening times regulation.

The Deputy Mayor of Palma, Jesus Valls, rejected any possible modification in the city’s regulations.

He claimed the council is acting for the general interest of Palma residents, and that it cannot ‘legislate à la carte.’

Valls also pointed out that the city council refused to grant the same developer a licence to extend the premises in 1999.

Two arrested in Palma for sending drug parcels TWO men have been arrested for allegedly sending a parcel containing 100 kilos of hashish to Palma from Valencia.

The drug was found by National Police and Guardia Civil during a joint operation.

They intercepted a package that had been

sent to Mallorca through a shipping company.

When they checked it they found it contained 100 kilos of hashish.

The arrested, based on the mainland, had travelled to Mallorca to take charge of the drugs.

The authorities believe they belong to a drug trafficking gang that would be smuggling drugs into Mallorca from the mainland.

They would do so by sending parcels through different logistics companies.

NEWS

Call for an end to oil drilling FOUR of the island’s primary employers have rejected the idea of oil drilling surveys.

Various petrol companies are seeking drilling rights in the Balearic Mediterranean but face an uphill climb with both government and the private sector seemingly opposed.

Afedeco, Asaja, Pimen and FEHM have expressed the fear of tourism, the island’s bread and butter, being negatively affected.

A joint statement from three of the above companies stated that they “stand for responsible and sustainable tourism, keeping in mind that the primary economic Balearic material is none other than the scenery, our natural spaces and the quality of the environment.”

They indicated that “simply the mention of oil surveys and prospecting is a grave mistake by which the image and brand ‘Baleares’ is harmed.”

They called on the Spanish government to put an end to any such initiatives.

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

Graffiti vandalism at PP’s Inca HQ THE conservative Partido Popular (PP) has suffered another act of vandalism, this time over the issue of abortion.

The site of the latest incident was PP headquarters in Inca. PP general secretary Miquel Vidal has condemned these ‘acts of vandalism’ which were conducted by Arran, a young leftist proCatalan independence organisation.

The organisation is also pro-feminist. The Inca headquarters facade was painted green with a message stating ‘abortion free’ next to the organisation’s signature.

Secretary Vidal lamented that Arran has repeated its vandalism against the PP, as this is not the first time that PP headquarters have

ARRAN: Opposition shown by graffiti at PP Inca headquarters. ‘suffered an attack from this independence group.’

In the case of the Inca offices, it is the fourth time in a year, though Vidal claims that the perpetrators of past incidents in Inca are unknown.

“The majority of us do not accept this as a form of expression… Thankfully not all of us share the same idea of a democracy,” Vidal insisted. He stated that the act has been reported to the Guardia Civil.

140 years for Red Cross THE Red Cross in the Balearics has celebrated its 140th anniversary.

President Jose Ramon Bauza and many other government and society notables were in attendance at the solemn event held at the great hall in the Escola de Hoteleria on the UIB campus. Part of the events included paying homage to the dedicated volunteers of the Red Cross

organisation and also sharing the principles of the Red Cross with all those present.

Red Cross Gold Medals were given to the Congregation of the Franciscan Daughters of Mercy and posthumously to Ana Francisca Bucher. Other medals of recognition were also handed out. The distinguished event ended with an address from President Bauza.

EWN

9

10

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

Inflated costs of city cat population control LOCAL associations working in animal protection suspect there are inflated costs behind animal control measures, especially with cats.

A Baldea representative stated that CEPAD (Centre for the Protection of Domestic Animals) charges the local government €150 for each cat that is put down and cremated, which it views as excessive. Baldea has countered with a cat sterilisation campaign where each city or town from which cats are brought in pays €20 for each male neutered and €30 for each female cat spayed.

The Marratxi Council has signed up, as have many area vets who will carry

OVERPRICED CONTROL: Spaying and neutering cats is cheaper than putting them down. out the procedures. The Baldea spokeswoman said the sterilisation route “is a much cheaper procedure and animals do not have to be killed.”

Both Baldea and the Animalista de les Illes Balears, another animal protection association, claimed that “controlled cat populations do not pose a risk, quite the contrary, they actually form an important part of an urban ecosystem.” They also said that controlled cat populations are not a threat to other local species.

Restaurant boss and two assistants arrested for workers’ rights abuses THREE people have been arrested by National Police for crimes of violating workers’ rights. The first was the coowner and administrator of a

restaurant industry-related business in Palma; the other two his assistants.

The owner is accused of abusing workers’ rights, falsifying documents,

embezzlement and threats.

The same businessman was also arrested a few years ago for his involvement in the illegal labour conditions of 40 foreign workers.

Police were alerted by an employee who stated various employees of the same chain of Palma restaurants were having their labour rights violated.

National Police along with Labour Inspection found some of these employees the majority of whom are Latin American - were under training contracts affording them significantly fewer benefits while requiring the same work as someone with a normal, full-time contract.

Employees worked nights and weekends without the benefit of any training whatsoever, in addition to working extra hours well beyond the legal limit, and without compensation.

The restaurants also set up a system of fines where workers were withheld their own tips for things like broken glasses or arriving a few minutes late.

Police verified company personnel used false stamps in claiming to pay local taxes and social security payments that were not actually paid.

12

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

AXARQUIA

Top destination HOLIDAY property website VacacionesenEspaña.es has placed Nerja as one of the top tourist destinations in Spain for European holidaymakers.

www.euroweeklynews.com

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

Man injured

THE birth rate in Motril was 10.40 children per 1,000 inhabitants in 2012, a new study by the University of Granada has revealed. This is above the regional average.

Not beneficial THE councils of El Borge, Iznate and Almachar have joined forces to fight against the recently approved European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2015-2020. They claim it will harm the local raisin, olive and goat sectors.

ALMERÍA

Hotel closes THE four-star Don Manuel Hotel in El Ejido has closed its doors. The hotel, which aimed at attracting businesspeople, opened in 2005 and has been a victim of the economic crisis.

Lawyer pay-out THE Council for Justice and the Interior has made a new payment of €354,784 to lawyers and procurators who provide a free judicial service in the province.

Coastal damage ADRA TOWN HALL and technicians from the provincial coasts department have been assessing the damage caused by strong winds along the coast last week.

Partaloa programme TWELVE youngsters from Partaloa took part in a computer workshop organised by the youth department of the Almeria Government to learn about social network pages.

Song contest VILLAJOYOSA will host the 21st Spanish Songbirds’ Championships.

They will be held on May 25 to find the best singers amongst canaries, linnets and finches.

POLICE have dismantled four illegal footwear factories in Elche. An employer whose workers handled toxic and inflammable products was arrested on health and safety grounds and for breaching workers’ rights.

Caring students

Birth rate

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Black shoes

A MAN, aged 50, was taken to the Santa Ana Hospital in Motril with injuries to his neck after falling from a height of four metres while pruning a palm tree.

SOME 600 students from the Jose Luis Villar Palasi school in Velez-Malaga are taking part in a campaign to collect clothes and toys for the needy.

NEWS DESK

PRETTY: But millions will fail to see Mojacar as a tourist destination.

Mojacar miffed!

Town snubbed in tourism video

By Stephen Lear A ROW has broken out after Mojacar was snubbed in a tourism promotional video featuring international singing star David Bisbal. Three local groups have spoken out and criticised the provincial tourism board after the town was omitted from the promotional video, which was recorded with the Almeria-born singer.

First to speak out was PSOE councillor, Manuel Zamora, followed by Izquierda Unida (IU) and Mojacar Positiva Se Mueve (MPSM). Zamora said: “The provincial tourism board’s video, which, by the way we all pay for as members, is generally pretty good, but at least one sequence with Bisbal should have been recorded with our people. Our town is a pioneer in tourism at provincial level.”

The video shows a brief image of the Playa de Los Muertos in Carboneras but fails to highlight any other coastal towns along the Levante coast.

The IU and MPSM parties went further, saying: “It is an unforgivable mistake and a real shame not to be part of it,” adding the responsibility lies with Javier Aureliano Garcia, chairman of the tourist board, who praised the agreement signed with the Almeria singer. Garcia visited Mojacar when it was officially declared one of the prettiest towns in Spain.

Speaking at the launch of Bisbal’s world tour, Garcia said there will be millions of people who will have immediate access to the image of the Costa Almeria. However, those millions are failing to see Mojacar as a tourist destination in the province.

Happy reunion

Star attraction

THE town of Bacares enjoyed its annual fiesta El Dia del Romero with a giant paella at the weekend, when many people who emigrated to Cataluña return to their home town.

ROBERT PLANT, former lead singer of Led Zeppelin, is performing at Cartagena’s El Batel Auditorium on July 26 as part of his summer European tour.

Tickets available from Ticketmaster.

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

Reopen demand

Illegal sweatshops A BUSINESSWOMAN has been arrested for operating sweatshops in the basements of two garages in properties in Cox and an old shoe factory in the Baiz Vinalopó area.

Peppers boost MURCIA’S pepper exports brought in a revenue of around €100 million last year to the region, 41 per cent more than in 2012.

OWNERS of the Tropic Garden 222 in Torrevieja are taking the town hall to court to demand it revokes a decree forcing the club’s closure. The premises were closed in August last year following complaints.

Safer summers A RAPID intervention lifesaving craft has boosted the lifeguard and maritime rescue service on the beaches of San Pedro del Pinatar. New equipment also includes canoes with defibrillators.

Compost ready EXCAVACIONES BLAS ANTEQUERA SL, contracted by Denia Town Hall in October to produce organic fertiliser at the municipal plant, has produced the first batch, made from garden waste.

Old road MIGUEL ANGEL PEREZ based his Master’s thesis on the importance of the Villajoyosa-Alcoy ‘Fish Road’. At least 2,000 years old, it was commercially and strategically vital during the Napoleonic Wars.

COSTA DEL SOL

Fire evacuation FIVE floors of an apartment building in Torremolinos had to be evacuated due to a fire on the sixth floor. Three people needed medical attention.

Hiker rescued A WOMAN, 52, fell and injured her hip while hiking in El Torcal area of Antequera. She was taken to the regional hospital.

Murder trial A MAN is facing 17 years in prison for stabbing a female friend to death in Fuengirola in March 2012. They allegedly argued over some money she had lent him.

Dog-proofed RONDA Municipal Parks and Gardens Department has announced that it will put fences around the Plaza de los Descalzos gardens to prevent dogs from entering.

Work accident A MAN, 47, was seriously injured when he fell from a ladder while working in Mijas. He sustained head injuries.

NEWS

Caught for attempted robbery TWO men were arrested after being caught by surprise trying to rob a flat in Binissalem.

The resident was at home asleep when he heard a bang.

He got up to see where it came from and saw the two men, presumably in their 20s, trying to enter through a window.

The robbers, noticing there was someone inside, fled the scene.

The witness followed them for some time until he lost sight of them.

He then reported the incident to Local Police.

Soon after, a police patrol saw two men in the train station who matched the description given.

It seems the men also had unsuccessful robbery attempts on other occasions, as both had a track record of similar incidents.

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

Headmaster charged as no place for gay couple’s child THE headmaster of a school in Sevilla has been charged for refusing to give a place to the

child of a gay couple.

He allegedly refused the boy in 2012 because he came from

a ‘homo-parental family’ which he said was against “fundamental rights and public freedom.”

The couple initially requested information from the school via email, saying they were homosexuals, and subsequently were told there was no room.

However, when they called up, but didn’t identify themselves, they were offered a vacancy.

STOLEN: Historical books and documents.

There is also proof that registrations were paid for by other parents after that date.

The gay and lesbian A MAN, 54, was arrested for allegedly Investigations began in May last year collective association, stealing valuable historical documents when two people went to the Provincial Colega, has asked the from the San Gaudioso Seminary in Museum in Huelva intending to sell Junta de Andalucia Tarazona (Zaragoza). The Guardia Civil historical documents. The managers of regional government to operation was carried out in Huelva and the museum, suspecting they were draw up a plan against Zaragoza, and resulted in the recovery of stolen, alerted the Guardia Civil. Some of discrimination in items dating between 1593 and 1808. the items have been damaged. schools.

Arrested for stealing documents

EWN

13

National Police save man’s life THREE National Police officers from Malaga Province rescued a man, 70, who fell onto train tracks.

The three men had just been sworn into their positions in Avila and were heading back to Malaga via Madrid. While waiting for the train, they saw a man fall onto the tracks with his luggage and hit his head.

The man, travelling with his wife, lay immobile on the tracks and an announcement alerted the officers a train was coming.

They jumped onto the tracks and picked up the man and his luggage while passengers signalled to the driver to brake.

The policemen then assisted the victim until he recovered consciousness and accompanied him to Madrid. He was taken to hospital by ambulance and admitted to intensive care with severe head trauma.

14

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

SPECIAL EDUCATION

SPAIN topped the list of countries for benefit fraud abroad committed against UK taxpayers, new figures reveal.

More than 750 cases were investigated in Spain last year by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Abroad fraud cost taxpayers an estimated £84 million (€101.5m) in 2012/13 - up 90 per cent in the last two years.

It is now the third largest type of benefit cheating and includes fraudulent claims for Pension Credit (£52m or €62.6m), Housing Benefit (£19m or €22.9m) and Income Support (£12m or €14.5m).

Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud,

said: “Benefits are there to help those who need it and the vast majority play by the rules and would not once dream of cheating.

“But there is a minority who really try to take the biscuit.”

If you suspect a benefit cheat in Spain, then you can call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) hotline on 900 554 440.

It’s free and confidential.

Abroad fraud includes claims by people leaving Great Britain after their claim starts, those failing to notify DWP before leaving the country or staying abroad for too long, and families who fail to report the death of someone living abroad

permanently and receiving benefits.

The Government is increasing the use of data sharing with foreign countries including Spain in order to combat fraud.

Richard West, Head of DWP’s counter-fraud teams said: “Benefit cheats need to know that even if they are out of the country, our teams will still investigate and where necessary bring them back to the UK to face justice.”

Cases referred to DWP are investigated and where an administrative penalty or criminal prosecution is appropriate, action is taken. In all cases DWP will seek to recover all the money overpaid.

CREDIT PAT NEARY/FLICKR

Spain tops ‘abroad fraud’ for benefit cheats

WALKING: There are many walking trails on the island.

Gaining an outdoor education EDUCATION is not limited to classroom based learning, particularly in the less clement seasons here in Mallorca.

With youngsters, whatever their ages, it is vital that parents take some responsibility for educational experiences which can be enriching and fun as part of normal family life.

We are blessed here on the island with a plethora of both cultural and sporting opportunities.

The art galleries, museums and theatres are family friendly and often put on events for specific age groups.

Sporting activities abound both on land and sea and if your family follow a particular sport there are bound to be lessons for beginners available, whether it be sailing, horse riding, climbing, football etc.

If you lead by example and educate

your children that there is more to enjoying life than electronic devices, you will have succeeded!

There are numerous opportunities through private lessons in drama, singing, music and performing arts.

Sadly we have recently lost the famed Bay Entertainers but there are many more companies looking for young people of all ages to become involved. It is also a fantastic way for the kids to meet new friends from other schools.

If all else fails why not just go for a fantastic walk or bike ride as a family? I do not have to describe here the availability of walking trails and cycle paths that are provided.

Look into local history or the archeology of the island, I promise you it will not only be the youngsters that will be educated.

Star has sights set on La Almoraima HOLLYWOOD star Salma Hayek has expressed her interest in buying La Almoraima property in Castellar de la Frontera, Cadiz.

The Mexican actress and her husband, French billionaire François-Henri Pinault, visited the property by helicopter.

Ninety per cent of the 14,113 hectares of the property are in Los Alcornocales Natural Park and the government intends to sell it for €300 million, which has caused much controversy locally. It was seized by the government from company Rumasa, but the Junta de Andalucia regional government and

environmentalists are against it becoming private property.

This is because most of it is in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve which has also been declared by the EU an area of Special Protection under the Habitat Directive.

Currently the part which is outside the park is used for farming and a small hotel, but the government has launched a new plan which could see it used for luxury hotels, golf courses, an aerodrome and a racecourse. The local town hall has rejected this and the Junta wants the whole area declared part of the Natural Park.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

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

business & legal

Electricity shock ELECTRICITY prices averaged €63.64 per megawatt per hour (MWh) in Spain last December.

This was the price charged on the ‘spot market’ where electricity is bought or sold for immediate or almost immediate delivery. This was 78 per cent dearer than Germany’s €35.75 average and double the €32.66 charged by Noordpool in Northern Europe.

France’s electricity was 28 per cent cheaper than in Spain although Portugal’s electricity prices, practically inseparable from Spain’s, averaged €62.99 MWh. Last December’s rise was caused by high wholesale market prices where electricity is traded between generators and suppliers. This was decisive in increases planned for January until the Spanish government annulled the rise.

De Guindos ever so chipper LUIS DE GUINDOS, Spain’s Economy Minister, was chipper after his recent Brussels visit.

Spain’s economy is set to expand in 2014 by nearly double the forecast 0.7 per cent, De Guindos told an Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) meeting.

“This will be the first time in six years that we’ll have growth of almost 1 per cent,” he said. He also predicted net creation of employment over the next few quarters, despite analysts’ doubts.

This was one of the questions De Guindos faced in the European parliament. How could

he talk of improvement, he was asked, when the unemployment rate was so high?

He was confident, the minister answered, of creating net employment but acknowledged that Spain was on “a long and difficult road” with many obstacles.

Principal amongst them was the country’s 26 per cent unemployment although the government’s labour reforms were getting results, he insisted, and Spain had become ‘very competitive.’

“Spain is now part of the solution, it’s no longer the problem,” De Guindos said when talking to the media at the end of the meeting.

B

usiness extra

Turnaround for Bair FORMER US regulator Sheila Bair replaced Lord Burns as an independent director on the Santander board. In the past she has criticised regulators who later accepted posts with big banks.

Small gains BANCO POPULAR has paid a dividend for the first time since 2012.

Investors received €0.04 per share and were given the choice of receiving cash or more shares.

Fruitful career moves SPAIN might be beset by unemployment, but there are still good jobs around.

The best are currently found in engineering, manufacturing and production.

Sales, IT and health are also contenders, according to a report from international recruitment and employment agency Adecco

Professional. Experienced credit risk portfolio analysts who assess investment options earn between €60,000 and €80,000 a year gross, Adecco said.

Market Access and Health, studying the function of lobby groups in the pharmaceutical sector, earn slightly less on €50,000 to €75,000 a year gross.

ELECTRICITY: Pricey in Spain for power.

EWN

15

STAT OF WEEK NEW mortgages fell by 27 per cent last year, accumulating a 43-month descent. A total of €1.48 billion was lent last year, a 26 per cent reduction on 2012.

16

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

currencies direct

C LOSING P RICES F EBRUARY 3

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) Aberdeen Asset Man PLC 384.35 Admiral Group PLC 1442.00 Aggreko PLC 1550.00 AMEC PLC 1037.00 Anglo American PLC 1423.00 Antofagasta PLC 860.00 ARM Holdings PLC 919.50 Ashtead Group PLC 788.00 Associated B Fo PLC 2690.50 AstraZeneca PLC 3881.25 Aviva PLC 439.85 Babcock Intl G...

1377.00 BAE Systems PLC 424.70 Barclays PLC 267.77 BG Group PLC 1041.25 BHP Billiton PLC 1794.25 BP PLC 474.42 British American T PLC 2919.50

C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G. -6.50 -1.66 -3.75 -0.26 4.00 0.26 6.00 0.58 -13.00 -0.91 9.64 1.13 -15.50 -1.66 -2.00 -0.25 -24.00 -0.88 22.50 0.58 -5.20 -1.17 -12.90 -0.93 -4.30 -1.00 -4.65 -1.71 19.00 1.86 -1.00 -0.06 -3.68 -0.77 3.00 0.10

NET VOLUME 1,184.34 51.29 163.43 231.30 1,300.58 671.01 1,159.02 193.15 176.34 460.06 1,412.98 121.11 1,850.31 13,562.08 2,466.60 1,287.30 4,479.92 827.78

COME DIRECT TO US AND START SAVING MONEY NOW- See our advert on page 19

0.82923

Units per €

United States $......................................................1.35106 Japan Yen ¥ ...........................................................137.515 Switzerland Francs................................................1.22129 Denmark Kroner ....................................................7.46183 Norway Kroner.......................................................8.45576

currenciesdirect.com/mallorca • Tel: +34 687 906 226 C O M PA N Y

PRICE(P)

C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G.

British Land Co PLC British Sky Br Gr...

BT Group PLC Bunzl PLC Burberry Group PLC Capita PLC Carnival PLC

653.75 884.25 384.35 1392.00 1424.50 990.00 2509.00

-3.00 8.50 0.94 3.00 -23.00 7.00 7.00

DOW JONES

NASDAQ

C LOSING P RICES F EBRUARY 3

C LOSING P RICES F EBRUARY 3

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 E I du Pont de Nemours and 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 WMT Wal-Mart Stores Inc DIS Walt Disney Co

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 128.19 85.02 33.32 125.26 93.91 111.63 21.91 61.01 92.16 25.13 164.12 76.85 24.54 176.68 88.47 55.36 94.17 52.97 37.84 72.85 30.40 76.62 37.82 81.28 114.02 72.28 48.02 215.43 74.68 72.61

+0.14 -1.60 -0.03 -1.27 +0.71 -4.82 -0.066 -0.53 -1.83 -0.37 -1.72 -0.08 -0.20 -0.68 -1.03 -0.64 +0.37 -0.54 +0.98 -1.09 -0.42 -0.25 -0.35 -1.08 -0.66 -0.52 +0.39 -5.45 -0.07 -0.61

+0.11% -1.85% -0.09% -1.00% +0.76% -4.14% -0.30% -0.86% -1.95% -1.45% -1.04% -0.10% -0.81% -0.38% -1.15% -1.14% +0.39% -1.01% +2.66% -1.47% -1.36% -0.33% -0.92% -1.31% -0.58% -0.71% +0.82% -2.47% -0.09% -0.83%

3.7M 4.8M 34.5M 9.7M 9.8M 15.5M 43.3M 5.8M 17.4M 40.3M 3.4M 10.6M 28.9M 5.2M 12.2M 18.2M 6.0M 16.3M 93.2M 4.3M 41.4M 13.0M 16.2M 5.2M 3.5M 4.3M 18.6M 6.1M 10.7M 7.8M

1.20593

C O M PA N Y

-0.46 0.97 0.25 0.22 -1.59 0.71

NET VOLUME

0.28

628.82 1,495.60 5,656.75 84.38 222.47 252.61 122.78

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

$ 12.97 $ 3.05 $ 4.40 $ 66.82 $ 4.06 $ 9.59 $ 2.45 $ 10.65 $ 36.58 $ 52.86 $ 40.48

3.20 / +32.75% 0.70 / +29.79% 0.84 / +23.60% 9.98 / +17.56% 0.59 / +17.00% 1.38 / +16.81% 0.34 / +16.11% 1.41 / +15.26% 4.31 / +13.36% 5.59 / +11.83% 3.95 / +10.81%

$ 7.52 $ 13.35 $ 27.01 $ 4.06 $ 37.84 $ 358.69 $ 41.12 $ 6.93 $ 5.44 $ 23.77 $ 5.76

3.05 / -28.86% 2.90 / -17.85% 4.04 / -13.01% 0.56 / -12.12% 5.17 / -12.02% 44.32 / -11.00% 4.88 / -10.61% 0.81 / -10.47% 0.57 / -9.48% 2.48 / -9.45% 0.595 / -9.36%

Most Advanced Solazyme, Inc. Lilis Energy, Inc. Zynga Inc. Computer Programs and Systems, Inc. Echelon Corporation Credit Suisse AG Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

Accuray Incorporated Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CEPHEID Proofpoint, Inc.

Most Declined DFC Global Corp InterMune, Inc. Constant Contact, Inc. Mecox Lane Limited Mattel, Inc. Amazon.com, Inc. Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Education Management Corporation Novavax, Inc. Johnson Outdoors Inc. Supertel Hospitality, Inc.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

C O M PA N Y Centrica PLC Coca-Cola HBC AG

PRICE(P) CHANGE 314.30 3.16 1598.50 -14.00

% C H G. 1.02 -0.87

VOLUME 2,948.62 85.23

Compass Group PLC CRH PLC Diageo PLC

915.50 1577.00 1816.50

5.40 6.00 16.00

0.59 0.38 0.89

920.03 535.59 2,309.95

easyJet PLC Experian PLC

1632.00 1048.00

-12.00 7.72

-0.73 0.74

359.11 471.55

Fresnillo PLC 780.00 G4S PLC 237.40 GKN PLC 393.25 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1580.75 Glencore Xstrata PLC 321.28 Hammerson PLC 521.50 Hargreaves La PLC 1472.00 HSBC Holdings PLC 623.40 IMI PLC 1484.00 Imperial T Gp PLC 2217.50 InterContinental H Gro... 1977.50 International C..

415.30 Intertek Group PLC 2835.50 ITV PLC 195.40 Johnson Matthey PLC 3228.00 Kingfisher PLC 367.30 Land S Group PLC 1025.50 Legal & General G PLC 214.50 Lloyds Banking Group PLC 80.44 London Stock E Group... 1823.00 Marks & Spencer G PLC 469.65 Meggitt PLC 512.00 Melrose Industries PLC 308.25 Mondi PLC 920.00 National Grid PLC 788.00 Next PLC 6237.50 Old Mutual PLC 173.40 Pearson PLC 1100.50

10.50 -1.47 -0.90 16.50 -1.33 -3.86 -13.72 -3.60 -13.00 -6.76 8.84 -1.30 4.35 -1.10 -3.00 -2.30 -3.25 -0.80 -2.87 -18.00 -1.34 -3.16 -0.90 -2.50 -1.00 -10.00 0.96 -11.16

1.36 -0.62 -0.23 1.05 -0.41 -0.73 -0.92 -0.57 -0.87 -0.30 0.45 -0.31 0.15 -0.56 -0.09 -0.62 -0.32 -0.37 -3.45 -0.98 -0.28 -0.61 -0.29 -0.27 -0.13 -0.16 0.56 -1.00

221.19 1,175.39 1,256.23 2,461.75 6,271.77 243.54 138.69 8,520.60 142.17 653.66 140.26 1,717.05 79.95 1,955.07 195.94 839.48 608.53 2,816.70 88,590.81 61.05 495.65 268.57 492.23 253.56 1,248.49 77.13 4,539.07 662.20

Persimmon PLC 1300.00 -13.60 Petrofac Ltd 1176.00 22.00 Prudential PLC 1212.50 -15.12 Randgold Rs Ltd 4316.00 121.00 Reckitt Be Group PLC 4637.00 73.34 Reed Elsevier PLC 886.50 -0.50 Resolution Ltd 349.70 1.20 REXAM PLC 500.75 7.92 Rio Tinto PLC 3260.75 17.50 Rolls-Royce Ho PLC 1177.50 -10.00 Royal Bank of S Grou... 337.20 -2.80 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 2223.00 -2.00 Royal Mail PLC 598.75 0.88 RSA Insurance G PLC 96.95 -0.10 SABMiller PLC 2716.75 -23.50 Sage Group (The) PLC 415.55 7.20 Sainsbury (J) PLC 348.00 3.06 Schroders PLC 2430.50 -36.00 Severn Trent PLC 1745.00 18.00 Shire PLC 3044.50 1.00 Smith & Nephew PLC 885.00 9.00 Smiths Group PLC 1437.00 -1.28 Sports Direct International...680.50 -3.00 SSE PLC 1319.50 12.16 Standard CPLC 1235.75 -4.00 Standard Life PLC 359.30 -6.48 Tate & Lyle PLC 751.50 -6.50 Tesco PLC 320.02 -0.37 Travis Perkins PLC 1763.00 24.00 TUI Travel PLC 422.70 -2.60 Tullow Oil PLC 794.50 4.00 Unilever PLC 2341.50 3.73

-1.04 1.90 -1.23 2.89 1.61 -0.06 0.34 1.61 0.54 -0.84 -0.82 -0.09 0.15 -0.10 -0.86 1.76 0.89 -1.46 1.04 0.03 1.03 -0.09 -0.44 0.93 -0.32 -1.77 -0.86 -0.12 1.38 -0.61 0.51 0.16

141.36 248.33 1,475.41 173.55 549.16 524.76 859.95 496.36 1,317.00 1,272.31 2,707.16 1,430.04 546.35 4,815.38 857.37 533.17 2,378.74 36.29 185.86 602.20 1,990.11 180.30 304.85 656.09 1,234.28 1,036.77 175.03 3,025.42 206.64 351.14 457.45 1,375.69

United Utilities G PLC Vodafone Group PLC Weir Group PLC

721.00 222.60 2145.00

4.86 -3.95 51.00

0.68 -1.74 2.44

365.90 21,243.15 351.40

Whitbread PLC William Hill PLC

3748.00 334.20

-2.00 1.80

-0.05 0.54

83.62 680.67

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

EWN

17

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

The UK recovery gathers momentum THE UK recovery is powering ahead and the pace of its recovery has even surprised the Bank of England (BoE).

At the end of January 2014, a Reuters poll showed that unemployment had fallen much quicker than expected to 7.1 per cent. The numbers have come as a shock to the BoE, which predicted last August that it could be early 2016 before the jobless rate hit 7 per cent.

BoE Governor Mark Carney always said the 7 per cent level in unemployment was not an automatic trigger for an interest rate hike but some commentators are now expecting that he would need to lower the threshold or add wage growth to the equation to hold off a rate rise.

Carney commented in Davos as the World Economic Forum was under way, that the UK economy has not reached “escape velocity”

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

yet and that this should help reassure British business that the path of interest rates will be consistent with a sustained recovery and a more balanced demand.

The pound has performed extremely well so far and remains one of the best performing currencies across the major pairs.

Sterling has closely reflected the UK’s improving economic environment and as of last year, Sterling became one of the hottest currencies to watch in 2014.

UK GDP data released at the end of January recorded another strong result rising to 0.7 per cent quarter on quarter and

ONE TO WATCH: Sterling one of the hottest currencies in 2014. annualised growth of 2.8 per cent, which will make the UK one of the best among the G-10 economies. In spite of the strong numbers, as the GDP data hit the wire, Sterling sold off instead of rallying as the whisper number was 0.9 per cent, which shows that the market now carries very high expectations for UK growth.

As the UK continues to grow, the picture is improving in the

Eurozone. The single currency area growth prospects are definitely more subdued and the performance of currencies has everything to do with expectations.

The European Central Bank’s (ECB) ongoing concerns about the “downside risks” to growth led many investors to believe that Eurozone data might still disappoint but the purchasing

managers index (PMI) data in January showed that the Eurozone business got off to a much better start this year than expected.

Stronger growth across the region was only let down by a lingering downturn in France. The result was healthily over the 50 mark that shows growth and it was also the highest reading since mid-2011 and beat all the forecasts in a Reuters poll of 25 economists.

One area of concern that could potentially weigh on the euro is the ongoing threat of deflation.

This could force the ECB to act more aggressively to counter deflationary pressures and this could weaken the single currency moving forward.

There is reason to be optimistic, but one cannot escape the question; is the good news likely to last?

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

Time to manage marine resources in order to safeguard global food security MAJOR changes in how the planet’s marine resources are managed and used are needed to safeguard global food security and ensure the well-being

of coastal and island countries.

That is according to Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Jose

Graziano da Silva. Speaking at the recent Blue Economy Summit in Abu Dhabi, he said: “We cannot keep using marine and aquatic resources as if they

A CHILL wind seems to be blowing through the Spanish football transfer window.

It has ground to a halt as memories of hundreds of millions of euros worth of deals are a thing of the past.

No deals for more than €1.5 million - peanuts in the football world - have been made.

The reason for that seems quite clear - moneybags clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona who have negotiated themselves the lion’s share of TV rights’ money - are happy with their summer spending. The rest of the clubs in the Primera

Liga don’t have any money.

The effects of strict economic controls and constraints on spending have now kicked in. Not only do the smaller clubs (in Spain every club except Real Madrid and Barcelona) not earn the hard cash of the big two, they cannot raise the finance to buy new players without falling foul of UEFA rules. These rules saw Malaga banned from European football.

In sharp contrast, in the English Premier League big deals are still being made.

Juan Mata’s move to

Manchester United from Chelsea cost €44 million.

The difference between the two leagues is a more equitable sharing of the TV rights’ money amongst all clubs, so allowing them the income to compete in the transfer market without falling foul of the rules.

In Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona simply cut off the rest of the clubs without so much as a backward glance.

The financial gulf makes it hard to see how any other clubs can break the duoply at the top of Spanish football.

Laszlo Szirtesi / Shutterstock.com

A chill winter transfer wind...

€44 MILLION: Juan Mata

were endless. And we cannot keep using our oceans as a waste pool.”

Serious threats to ocean health such as pollution, overfishing, and altered weather and rising sea levels resulting from climate change must be tackled in earnest starting now - argued the FAO’s chief executive to a collection of heads of state, environment and fisheries ministers, and other key stakeholders.

“The health of our planet itself, our health and food security, depends on how we treat the blue world,” he said.

On average, nearly 17 per cent of animal protein consumed worldwide comes from fisheries and aquaculture, and in many small island developing states the figure is much higher.

But 30 per cent of world fish stocks are estimated to be overexploited, depleted or recovering from depletion, with economic losses in marine fisheries resulting from poor management, inefficiencies, and overfishing adding up to $50 billion per year, FAO studies show.

18

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

Is our financial future going to be based on child’s play?

DO you remember what toy you loved to play with as a child? Was it a doll? A kitchen set or a truck?

According to a new and lively debate surfacing over children’s toys, what a child plays with could influence their future prospects in the job market.

I remember being obsessed with any sort of craft, especially beading necklaces or making clothes. I didn’t, however, grow up to work in fashion.

My brother was fanatical about his toy soldiers and he now earns a living valuing property. So just because a child plays with Lego or a train set or a tea set, it doesn’t necessarily mean those kids will grow up to be builders, train drivers or waiters, does it?

According to a British Education Minister, some psychologists and other supporters for the argument, toy marketing exploits gender stereotypes, pushing dolls, cookery sets and pink princesses

Loose change A look at finance for females

VODAFONE and Liberty Global are both showing interest in Spain’s ONO with a view to extending their cable offer. An announcement is expected within the next few weeks, sources said.

MORE than 340,000 workers were laid off between January and November 2013. Year on year, the 19,646 redundancy plans announced during this period fell by 21.9 per cent.

jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews.com

GIRLS’ TOYS: Dolls, cookery sets and pink princesses. towards girls, and action men style dolls, construction kits and racing cars towards boys.

Official government figures in the UK reveal that more than 80 per cent of science, research, engineering and technology professionals are male. Whereas, 82 per cent of those in care, leisure and other services are women, with 78 per cent of administrative and secretarial workers being female too.

Bad quarter Studies on the matter have shown that traditionally boys were given toys that involve action, construction and machinery, while girls were directed towards dolls and perceived ‘feminine’ interests, like hairdressing. The message being that boys should be making

Q. The terrace of the apartment which is above mine covers a large part of my You and the ceilings. Water seeps through when it rains hard, as it did last winter.

Law in Spain On advice from the administrator, my

By David Searl ceiling was repaired and repainted and was paid for by the community. Now we are discussing repairs to the above terrace which should be carried out before any further damage is done. I am informed by the administrator that, as the terrace also acts as my roof, it is a common area. He agrees that the repairs should be done, but the president does not agree and therefore will not sanction any repairs. He intends to wait until our AGM next October. So my understanding is that where a terrace forms a roof to another apartment, then it is a Common Element according to ‘The Spanish Law of Horizontal Property’. Is this correct?

F.T. (Costa del Sol) has the ‘uso exclusivo’ of its terrace. In any dispute, the Spanish courts’ rule means individual owners are also responsible for the maintenance of their terraces, not the community. It is not in the law, it is jurisprudence. So your

Two suitors

Fewer lay-offs

Jane Plunkett

If roof terrace leaks, who will fix it?

A. Yes, the terraces which form the roofs of flats below are considered as Common Elements of the community. This means on the face of it, that the community is responsible to pay for damages and repairs. However, each flat

BUSINESS EXTRA

upstairs neighbour can be held liable to fix his own terrace or pay for damage.

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952-667090

things and problem solving and girls, caring and nurturing.

It’s all banter at the moment, but some shops are taking it seriously. In fact, Marks and Spencer, and London toy store Hamleys have scrapped ‘girls’ and ‘boys’ labels.

BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA) lost €849 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. That was less than expected as gains in Latin America offset a write down in its Chinese assets as it reduced its stake in China Citic Bank Corp.

Black economy getting stronger THERE has been a resurgence in the black economy over the last few years according to the Ministry of Finance (Gestha).

In its latest report Gestha calculated the black economy to be worth €253 billion, that is nearly a quarter (24.6 per cent) of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2008, at the start of the crisis, the figure was an estimated €60 billion less.

The report, called ‘The Underground Economy Takes its Toll. The Increase in Fraud during the crisis’ highlights that it is smaller business which is more likely to operate in the black economy.

It said: “The underground economy has increased, particularly in the regions most affected by the problem of unemployment and the bursting of the property bubble, such as Andalucia, the Canaries, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha and other

regions in the central belt.” As fraud increased between 2008 and 2012 areas with concentrations of big business, national and international, have been least affected.

Those areas include Madrid, Barcelona Tarragona and La Rioja. But the fact big businesses in those areas tend to be above board, does not necessarily mean a bigger tax take. Many international companies can take advantage of financial instruments to pay their tax in countries like Ireland and Luxembourg, so the Spanish taxman loses out anyway.

The report does not include figures from the Basque Country, Navarre and Ceuta and Melilla, which have different tax systems.

OPINION & COMMENT

Cruel dog owners must be punished AGAIN the subject of mistreatment of dogs has raised its ugly head.

I am the proud owner of two abandoned dogs which I walk on a daily basis. I often feed stray dogs that wander the campo, and know of several animals that are chained up 24/7. Many are left to protect derelict properties, and only receive a visit from the owner to be fed and watered when they feel like it.

I know we do not have the right to tell the Spanish how to conduct their way of life, but when you are an animal lover, you cannot ignore such cruelty. Yes, there are many foreigners who are also cruel to animals, and they should be dealt with accordingly.

Many Spaniards love and look after their animals, but there are many that regard an animal as a necessity only. Once they are past their usefulness, they are either abandoned or disposed of.

The local vets deal with cruelty on a regular basis, but they are limited to what they can accomplish. What I would like to see is the authorities - Guardia Civil and Local Police - made to implement the existing laws, and fine these ignorant, cruel owners.

Animals feel pain, get bored, and need regular exercise the same as humans. They are loyal, give affection to their owners, and only ask to be fed, watered, exercised, and given a bed and shelter.

What condition are these poor dogs in, being chained up 24/7?

Have they had yearly injections?

If anyone out there can offer advice on how to tackle this ongoing problem, it would be most appreciated.

Dave Turre (Almeria)

Right attitude IT is heartening to read that Spanish workers actually want to work (Almeria, Issue 1491).

In France, the Junta’s decision to drastically restrict opening times at the Alcazaba in the summer would be seen as a triumph for the working man, i.e. no work! The French favourite.

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / 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

EWN

21

Pradera. And I’m almost 80 years old! Lack of education and development? No, because what an absolute delight to have discovered her voice! Of course she’s good! Magnificent!

She won’t replace Amalia or Edith in my mind, but she will surely add to it!

Thank you for having brought her to my attention through the letter from John Westwood (Issue 1491).

Antonio Michel (By email)

A sad farewell

SOMEWHERE over the rainbow, way up high, there’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby. This photo was taken from Casa de las Hijas, Competa (Malaga).

William Glen Bourne (By email) The Alcazaba in Almeria is a great place and it is sad the Junta fails to recognise its overall importance. It is never just about the money but we have been so conditioned to accepting money as the god that we have lost sight of other, more important, things.

I hope the workers can make the Junta appreciate that fact and encourage them to become more creative in their thinking.

John Gardner (via euroweeklynews.com)

Sound idea I WAS intrigued by the article in last week’s paper ‘Quiet’ awnings tested’ (Costa del Sol Issue 1491) in a bid to reduce noise levels emanating from bar and restaurant terraces.

If it works, what a brilliant idea!

The article said that after testing various materials, such awnings could be made compulsory. But why stop there?

They should also be made compulsory for apartment blocks, especially during the summer, when the hordes descend and sit

WHEN YOU WRITE All letters, whether by email or post, should carry the writer’s postal address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published.

Letters may also be edited.

Readers who have missed earlier correspondence can see all letters posted on:

www.euroweeklynews.com

out all night partying, oblivious to the fact that some of us are not on holiday and have to get up for work in the morning.

I am not a killjoy and like to see people enjoying themselves, so it would be the best of both worlds if the night owls could be cocooned in these sound-proof canopies and party to their hearts’ content, while the rest of still get a good night’s sleep.

Jane Morrison (By email)

Bad name I HAVE two friends who live in the Axarquia, having bought their

house legally. They pay their taxes and put money into the Spanish community.

Now they are worried sick that they could be at risk of having their house demolished.

Something needs to be done to help all these people. Who would want to move to Spain if they demolish all those houses? It would give Spain a terrible name.

Sheila (via euroweeklynews.com) Editor's note: The EWN reported that locals feared 17 homes could be demolished after they were declared illegal by the Junta de Andalucia regional government. They were built with town hall permits.

Potentially, thousands more homes could be affected.

New discovery EDITH PIAF, indeed Amalia Rodriques, were singers in their own right, both magnificent in their genre, with voices one can love for life. Unfortunately, I had not ever heard of Maria Dolores

ALTHOUGH maybe many readers will not know who Luis Aragones was, I am writing these lines in loving memory of a great man who sadly succumbed to leukaemia last Saturday morning.

He was the man who converted the Spanish international football team into the all-conquering squad feared by all other footballing nations today.

Until Aragones, the Spanish national team had never had success in international competition. It was a standing joke to say ‘Let’s see who will eliminate Spain in the quarter finals,’ but this man changed all that.

On taking over the team in 2004, he defied the know-alls of the Spanish media by leaving out the sacred cows Raul Gonzalez and Guti, the two favoured players from Real Madrid, and giving a chance to a new generation of talented youngsters.

Pilloried by the national media, Luis stuck to his guns and persevered with his young squad.

Defeat in the 2006 World Cup in the first round of the last 16 had the press baying in unison for his immediate removal from the post.

Through it all Luis Aragones stuck to his guns, nurtured his budding young talents to develop their own style of play previously quite unknown in international football.

After the stunning victory over Germany in the final of the European Cup, 2008, Luis, by now sick of the criticism from the media even though finally vindicated by success, stood down from the post.

Rest in Peace, Luis Aragones.

Your true worth is appreciated by the real football fans throughout the entire world.

Jonathan Allso, Valencia

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.

22

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

Thursday

Friday

SATELLITE CHANNELS - SkyMoviesAction/

BBC1/

BBC1/

4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Pound Shop Wars 9:30pm Inspector George Gently 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Question Time

4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm A Question of Sport 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Room 101 10:00pm New Tricks 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm The Graham Norton Show

BBC2/ 4:15pm Coast 5:15pm Lost Land of the Jaguar 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Great Continental Railway Journeys 8:00pm Horizon 9:00pm Restoration Home One Year on 10:00pm Royal Cousins at War 11:00pm Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe 11:30pm Newsnight

ITV/ 4:00pm The Alan Titchmarsh Show 5:00pm Britain's Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Tonight 9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm Birds of a Feather 10:00pm Benidorm 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm Exposure: Fashion Factories Undercover

CH4/ 4:10pm Countdown 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Supersize v Superskinny 10:00pm Big Ballet 11:00pm Bodyshockers

ITV2/ 5:10pm The Real Housewives of New Jersey 6:30pm Dinner Date 7:30pm You've Been Framed!

8:00pm You've Been Framed!

8:30pm You've Been Framed!

9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Two and a Half Men 10:00pm The Big Reunion 11:00pm Fake Reaction

BBC2/ 4:30pm Winter Olympics 8:30pm Great Continental Railway Journeys 9:00pm Mastermind 9:30pm An Island Parish 10:00pm Torvill and Dean: The Perfect Day 11:00pm Alan Davies ApresSki 11:30pm Newsnight

ITV/ 4:00pm The Alan Titchmarsh Show 5:00pm Britain's Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm The Martin Lewis Money Show 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Piers Morgan's Life Stories 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm The Americans

CH4/ 4:10pm Countdown 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast 10:00pm Peter Kay: Live and Back on Nights!

11:00pm The Last Leg 11:50pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine

ITV2/ 5:10pm The Real Housewives of New Jersey 6:05pm The Millionaire Matchmaker 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed!

8:30pm You've Been Framed!

9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Two and a Half Men 10:00pm The Faculty

TV LISTING

www.euroweeklynews.com

4:40pm Sunday

•Michael Douglas •Kathleen Turner •Danny DeVito

Saturday BBC1/ 5:30pm Six Nations Rugby Union 7:55pm BBC News 8:05pm Regional News 8:08pm Weather 8:10pm The Voice UK 9:35pm The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins 10:25pm Casualty 11:15pm BBC News 11:28pm Weather 11:30pm Match of the Day

BBC2/ 5:30pm Final Score 6:10pm Winter Olympics 8:00pm Winter Olympics 9:00pm Torvill and Dean: The Perfect Day 10:00pm Dad's Army 10:30pm The Culture Show 11:30pm My Beautiful Laundrette

ITV/ 5:15pm Local News and Weather 5:25pm ITV News and Weather 5:40pm Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith 8:10pm Splash!

9:40pm Take Me Out 10:55pm The Jonathan Ross Show 11:55pm ITV News and Weather

CH4/ 5:25pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:35pm Come Dine with Me 7:05pm Come Dine with Me 7:35pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Bigfoot Files 9:00pm Walking Through History 10:00pm Hostages 11:00pm Source Code

ITV2/ 5:55pm Horrid Henry: The Movie 6:55pm FYI Daily 7:00pm Horrid Henry: The Movie 7:50pm The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor 8:50pm FYI Daily 8:55pm The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor 10:00pm The Shawshank Redemption

BBC1/

The Jewel of the Nile (Film, 1985) All-action sequel to Romancing the Stone, which finds adventurer Jack and romance writer Joan once again fighting like cat and dog. However, when Joan is imprisoned by a tyrannical dictator while travelling in Africa, Jack rushes to rescue her.

Sunday BBC1/ 6:00pm Songs of Praise 6:35pm BBC News 6:50pm Regional News 6:55pm Weather 7:00pm Fake or Fortune?

8:00pm Countryfile 9:00pm Call the Midwife 10:00pm The Musketeers 11:00pm BBC News 11:15pm Regional News 11:20pm Weather 11:25pm Match of the Day 2

BBC2/ 5:30pm Winter Olympics 8:10pm Winter Olympics 9:00pm Top Gear 10:00pm Dragons' Den 11:00pm Alan Davies Apres Ski 11:30pm QI XL

Monday BBC1/ 4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Inside Out 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Panorama 10:00pm Britain's Great War 11:00pm BBC News

BBC2/ 5:10pm Winter Olympics 8:00pm Winter Olympics 9:00pm University Challenge 9:30pm Food and Drink 10:00pm Horizon 11:00pm The Culture Show 11:30pm Newsnight

ITV/

ITV/

6:50pm Local News and Weather 7:00pm ITV News and Weather 7:15pm Dancing on Ice 8:45pm All Star Family Fortunes 9:30pm Dancing on Ice 10:00pm Mr Selfridge 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:15pm Birds of a Feather 11:45pm Piers Morgan's Life Stories

4:00pm The Alan Titchmarsh Show 5:00pm Britain's Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm DCI Banks

CH4/ 6:30pm Deal or No Deal 7:30pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast 9:00pm Scandimania 10:00pm Babylon 11:35pm The Bank Job

ITV2/ 4:45pm The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas 5:25pm Garfield 2: A Tail of Two Kitties 6:25pm FYI Daily 6:30pm Garfield 2: A Tail of Two Kitties 7:00pm Rumour Has It...

8:00pm FYI Daily 8:05pm Rumour Has It...

9:00pm Best of You've Been Framed!

10:00pm The Magaluf Weekender

Tuesday

CH4/ 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Dispatches 9:30pm Food Unwrapped 10:00pm Benefits Street

ITV2/ 5:10pm The Real Housewives of New Jersey 6:05pm The Millionaire Matchmaker 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed!

8:30pm You've Been Framed!

9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Two and a Half Men 10:00pm Mom 10:30pm Dads

4:00pm Perfection 4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Death in Paradise 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:30pm Weather 11:35pm A Question of Sport

BBC2/ 5:00pm Winter Olympics 8:00pm Winter Olympics 9:00pm Children's Emergency Rescue 10:00pm Inside the Animal Mind 11:00pm House of Fools 11:30pm Newsnight

ITV/ 4:00pm The Alan Titchmarsh Show 5:00pm Britain's Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm River Monsters 9:00pm Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

10:00pm Births, Deaths and Marriages 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:35pm Sports Life Stories

CH4/ 4:10pm Countdown 5:00pm Deal or No Deal 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Location, Location, Location 10:00pm The Taste 11:00pm Secrets of the Pickpockets

ITV2/ 4:05pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:10pm The Real Housewives of New Jersey 6:05pm The Millionaire Matchmaker 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed!

8:30pm You've Been Framed!

9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Two and a Half Men 10:00pm The Shawshank Redemption 11:00pm FYI Daily 11:05pm The Shawshank Redemption

Wednesday BBC1/ 4:00pm Perfection 4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 9:00pm Waterloo Road 10:00pm Outnumbered 10:30pm Mrs. Brown's Boys 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:30pm Weather 11:35pm Match of the Day

BBC2/ 5:00pm Winter Olympics 8:00pm Winter Olympics 9:00pm The Restaurant Man 10:00pm Line of Duty 11:00pm Inside No 9 11:30pm Newsnight

ITV/ 4:00pm The Alan Titchmarsh Show 5:00pm Britain's Best Bakery 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Midsomer Murders 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 Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Restoration Man 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm First Dates

ITV2/ 4:05pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:10pm The Real Housewives of New Jersey 6:05pm The Millionaire Matchmaker 7:00pm Dinner Date 8:00pm You've Been Framed!

8:30pm You've Been Framed!

9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Two and a Half Men 10:00pm Benidorm 11:00pm The Magaluf Weekender

FINANCE

EUROPEAN PRESS

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

EWN

23

Interest Rates To Remain Low - Bank of England Could UK interest rates rise this year?

There has been speculation about the possibility since unemployment figures fell faster than expected.

However the Bank of England responded by saying that rates will remain “well below historic norms” in the medium term.

The Bank of England (BoE) base rate has been held at 0.5% for 58 months now, benefiting borrowers but harming savers.

The new BoE governor, Mark Carney, broke with tradition in August by issuing forward guidance to reassure businesses and homeowners. He announced a policy where the Bank would not consider raising interest rates until the headline rate of unemployment fell to 7%, which they expected to be in 2016.

Unemployment has since fallen faster than expected, hitting 7.1% at the end of November, according to data released on 22nd January. This led the media, the markets and some economists to speculate that we could

By Peter Worthington, Senior Partner, Blevins Franks

see a rate rise in the near future.

However, many other economists dismissed talk of an imminent rise as it would be too harmful to the economic recovery.

The Bank itself had reiterated since August that the 7% target would not automatically trigger a rate rise, but rather a discussion on the possibility of one.

Following the release of the unemployment data, Mr Carney

quickly stepped in to reassure businesses there would be no immediate rise.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 24th January, he said there is still some way to go to recover from the financial crisis. This means rates are likely to remain “well below historic norms” in the medium term, even as the economy recovers.

Even though unemployment is falling, the economic recovery has not yet reached “escape velocity”, and many of the headwinds holding the economy back will remain for some time.

The Governor promised business leaders that the degree of stimulus would remain “exceptional for some time,” and that the path of interest rates would be consistent with a sustained recovery.

Inflation fell below the Bank’s target of 2% in December for the first time since November 2009, allowing interest rates to remain

low even though the economy is growing.

Mr Carney also implied that the Bank will drop the simple link between interest rates and unemployment, and focus on a broader range of economic indicators.

The minutes of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee’s latest meeting, released on 22nd January, also clearly stated: “Members therefore saw no immediate need to raise Bank Rate even if the 7% unemployment threshold were to be reached in the near future… When the time did come to raise Bank Rate, it would be appropriate to do so only gradually.”

Although savers will be the ones to suffer again, the Bank will put the needs of the general economy first.

With the economic recovery still fragile, it is risky to raise borrowing costs, including mortgage interest payments. Resolution Foundation, a UK thinktank, warned that a million households would face dangerously

high mortgage and borrowing payments if the base rate increased to 3%.

On the other hand, a rate rise would come not a moment too soon for savers who have lost billions since the rate was cut to its historic low, as a result of inflation being higher than interest rates.

It is essential, particularly for retirees, to understand the impact inflation has on your savings over the longer-term. It is important to ensure your capital is working hard for you and in line with your personal circumstances. You need to speak to a professional wealth manager to discuss your personal objectives and risk tolerance, to determine the most effective strategy for holding your savings to achieve your aims.

To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com.

24

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

Valentine’s Day Trivia: (from Researchmaniacs.com) * About 3 per cent of pet owners give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets. * Retailer Hallmark has more than 1,330 different cards specifically for Valentine’s Day. * American women say they’d rather receive chocolate than flowers on Valentine’s Day. * About one billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year. The holiday is second only to Christmas in terms of the number of cards sent. * Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. * Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentine’s Day chocolate box in the late 1800s. * The Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare’s lovers Romeo and Juliet lived,

receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine’s Day. * About 110 million roses, most of them red, will be sold this year * St Valentine is indeed the patron saint of love, but he has many other duties. He is also the patron saint of beekeepers. He also wards off fainting and epilepsy, and protects travellers and happy marriages. * The most fabulous gift of love is the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife, who died in childbirth.

Famous Valentine’s Days: Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, an ‘improvement in telegraphy’, on Valentine’s Day, 1876.

Notorious Valentine’s Day: Chicago, 1929, when seven people were gunned down in the assassination attempt of mobster Bugs Moran by Al Capone and his gang.

On February 14, 1779, Captain James Cook, the great English explorer and navigator, was murdered by natives of Hawaii during his third visit to the Pacific

island group.

Sir Alexander Fleming introduced his mould-byproduct of penicillin, which was one of the great developments of modern medicine, on February 14, 1929.

Love Quotes All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.

-Charles M Schulz The best smell in the world is that man that you love.

-Jennifer Aniston The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.

-Blaise Pascal The Eskimos had 52 names for snow because it was important to them: there ought to be as many for love.

-Margaret Atwood True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked.

-Erich Segal I want a man who’s kind and understanding.

Is that too much to ask of a millionaire?

-Zsa Zsa Gabor

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

True facts about Valentine’s Day

THE oldest known Valentine in existence is from 1415 AD. It was sent

by French nobleman Charles Duke of Orleans to his French wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. The greeting is now located in the British Library in London. After Agincourt, Charles d’Orléans was kept prisoner in England for 25 years. He passed much of

his time writing dolorous poetry, including the St. Valentine’s Day note that tells of his sadness at being parted from his love.

During the Middle Ages, there were superstitions which said you could determine what kind of man a girl would marry on the basis of the first bird seen on Valentine’s Day. Seeing a robin meant

marriage to a sailor, a sparrow to a poor man, a goldfinch to a wealthy man, and a dove to a kind man.

In Wales, wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons.

The decoration meant, ‘You unlock my heart!’

century, and declared authentic by Rome in 1779, was given to the cathedral. In 1782, when the archdeacon of Almeria died, he donated the body, blood and relics of Saint Valentine to the cathedral and they were put on show for everyone to see for many years, with celebrations being held every year on February 14.

Although the remains disappeared during the war, it is believed they may have been buried in

ENIGMAS AND LEGENDS OF ALMERIA: Does it hold the truth?

Adaptation and translation by Jennifer M. Leighfield, from Alberto Cerezuela, Enigmas y Leyendas de Almeria, Ed. Circulo Rojo, 6th edition, May 2009. www.editorialcirculorojo.com

the gardens.

On February 14, 1965, celebrations were held,

and a monument to Saint Valentine in the Parque Jose Antonio was blessed by the priest.

However, in 1969, the church banned celebrations for Saint

25

Today, an ‘x’ on a card or letter represents a kiss. This practice has its origins in medieval times, when illiterate people would sign documents with an ‘x’ and seal it with a kiss to show their sincerity.

Pope Gelasius declared February 14 to be Saint Valentine’s Day in 498 A.D. During Victorian times, it was considered Valentine’s Day, bad luck to sign a although some local Valentine’s Day celebrations remained. card.

The other two who St. Valentine’s Day was could be the ‘real’ Saint declared an official holiday Valentine are a bishop of in 1537 when England’s Interamna (modern Terni), King Henry VIII declared it or a martyr in the Roman for the first time. province of Africa.

Wearing a wedding However, it is more ring on the fourth finger than likely that the one dates back to ancient in Almeria is not the Egypt, where it was patron saint of lovers believed that the vein of who died in Rome on love ran from this finger February 14, but one of directly to the heart. the others of the same We associate love name (there are 14 with the heart, but in documented in total).

Shakespeare’s time love resided in the liver.

Is Saint Valentine buried in Spain?

SAINT VALENTINE was killed on February 14 and his remains were taken to the Basilica de Terni, in Italy.

In 1965, when Almeria cathedral’s archives were being sorted, documents were found proving the body of a martyr named Valentine, which was taken from the Roman catacombs in the 18th

EWN

26

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

Murderers milking legal system T

OLD you those murdering toerags who slaughtered Lee Rigby would milk the British legal system for all it was worth!

Last week, the first one commenced his opening, farcical appeal. No doubt the other waste of space will follow suit. If any of the countries whose customs they purport to sympathise with had been faced with their actions and bragging confessions, the pair of them would have been dancing on the end of a rope or headless within a week.

The world must truly believe the Brits have completely lost it.

One of their finest, unarmed young soldiers is hacked to pieces in full public view. The killers, with the lad’s blood still dripping from their fingers, confess on live television that they have done it in the name of Islam, and what happens?

Well, I’ll tell you. No doubt they’re on priority treatment in the nick - basically because most

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

of the cons have a more intelligent view of justice than the legal profession, and would, if they could, remove ’em from society permanently.

They will enjoy three meals a day, no doubt Halal, which means separate kitchens and a special chef (well, wouldn’t want to infringe their ’uman rights, would we?). Visits from legal parasites and social workers, including psychiatrists, will be numerous.

As they are segregated, they will have all the comforts in their cells, television and so forth.

Without question there will have been visits from doctors and hospital trips to make sure they are both making a healthy recovery - and the irony of it all, is their enemies, i.e. the British public, will be paying for it.

In the words of my hero, ‘you really couldn’t make it up’.

SYSTEM: It may be legal, but is it justice?

Personally, I would have worked on ’em for a week to make sure they named all their accomplices,

fellow terrorists and anything else advantageous to my country, and then give them a rousing sendoff to the virgins and paradise their clerics of hatred promise they’ll attain for killing people.

Job done.

I see yet another schoolteacher has decreed there will be no winners or losers in sports events. No doubt they will stay firmly entrenched in their place of work for the duration, despite the fact that their actions are dangerous ideals that won’t prepare their charges for the future at all. Sacked, of course, is the instructor who brought his teams up to win an event if they could! It’s all gone mad, hasn’t it?

Where do they find these people, I ask myself.

And finally I still wouldn’t trust ‘Foxy’ Knoxy any further than I could throw a 20-ton truck.

Keep them Es coming and, whatever ya do, always keep the faith.

Love Leapy Leapylee2002@gmail.com

LEAPY LETTERS

No guts I AGREE with what you say (Issue 1491) about people playing the race card for no valid reason.

I wonder if a British newspaper would have dared to print your article? I doubt it. They would use the excuse that it was racist.

This is the problem with the UK, no one has the guts to tell it as it is.

It’s about time the UK found some courage.

Phillip Walker (By email)

Sort of...

I SORT of agree about too many people playing the race card, but in order to play it, racism must first exist. There is no doubt that it does, maybe not as bad as it was 40 years ago, but it is still there.

Philip Adams (By email)

Keeping the home fires burning Vicki Mcleod

Family Matters IT’S quite the coldest, darkest, trickiest part of the year now isn’t it? Everyone wants to hunker down and hide indoors.

We got a load of new wood in last weekend with some serious hunkering down in mind. My husband gets quite Neanderthal (‘Man Make fire’), he does like to stoke up the wood burner as if it is the Flying Scotsman.

So we were pretty toasty and comfy on Saturday evening, right up to the moment I realised the roof was on fire.

Downstairs we didn’t realise that there was a problem. But upstairs there was a weird smell. It turned out that this was the smell of the ceiling burning.

At first I just thought that the new wood had a peculiar smell. The chimney goes through the room where our office is, that’s the room with the PCs and the cameras, in fact all the things which we use for our jobs.

When I discovered that the roof of our office was aflame I didn’t exactly panic.

It was confusing. How could it be

BOMBEROS: The firemen impressed me with their calm, friendly attitude. possible that the ceiling be burning? My husband and I swung into action with buckets of water.

At this point I realised I hadn’t ever rung the emergency number : I had to Google ‘Spain Emergency Number’ (it’s 112 by the way). I got as far as “I have a fire in my house” in Spanish before I

started freaking out and losing the ability to understand or speak any language except gibberish. Meanwhile my husband switched to ‘Man Put Out Fire’ and got on with it.

The ‘Bomberos’ joined us from Santa Ponsa, and we were also visited by our Local Police and then the Guardia.

Together we figured out that the sap from the newly cut wood had condensed at the top of the chimney and ignited residual soot.

The police and the firemen impressed me with calm, friendly, and thorough attitude.

I ended up chatting with one of them and discovered that he really liked cats.

Absurdly we talked about our cats that were all lined up on the stairs in a ‘What’s going on?’ formation, whilst his colleagues went up on the cherry picker to check the fire was out completely.

It was nothing like the horrendous destructive fire that ravaged through our valley last year, but these were some of the guys who had been fighting it.

I’ve got to say that I thought they were fantastic.

So: the fire was put out, and no one was hurt, but it certainly spooked us.

What if I hadn’t smelt the strange odour? What if we’d nodded off downstairs, what if, what if? The next night we sat in the living room in our jumpers, coats, hats, scarves and gloves, the cats were pretty miffed there wasn’t a fire to arrange themselves in front of. They’ve submitted their complaint in triplicate. www.familymattersmallorca.com.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

EWN

29

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

I just want to look awesome...

THERE is a pair of purple velvet jeans hanging in my wardrobe. I bought them from a trendy little designer store in London. I wore them on my first date with my husband. They haven’t fitted me for nine years. Why am I keeping these jeans? Because they made me look awesome, and one day I want to wear them again.

I write for a living. So I spend most of my day sitting down and staring at a computer screen digging around in the back of my head looking for the right words. This might be why whilst my backside has been spreading, my eyesight has been worsening.

Or it could be because I crossed the threshold into 40 a little (ahem) while ago. I can’t say that I have a problem with inactivity; personally I am a big fan of the great indoors. But I sit down a lot. When I stand up I make noises that I would associate with my grandmother getting up from her chair by the fire. This is not a good thing.

What example am I setting to my ‘mini me,’ our daughter. My little chica is eight. She does two PE lessons at school, and after school Hip Hop and

WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Vicki Mcleod

Health Matters Judo clubs. But she’s also a big fan of watching awful teeny cartoons and camping out on the sofa: she is following in her mother’s footsteps, well now I’m changing the path that we’re both on.

Recent research studies have shown that 40 per cent of children are now either overweight or obese by the age of five, and that without intervention, it’s very likely they will remain that way through to adulthood. I was a fat kid, growing up a fat kid isn’t fun.

You’re judged all the time as lazy or stupid, and it also has serious implications for your life expectancy, your confidence, your future. And I don’t want that to happen to my daughter. I’ve promised myself many times before that I will get fit, I will lose weight, but now I’m making promises for my little girl, and those

EXERCISE: Make it enjoyable. are the sort of promises you can’t break. The difficulty is not making the commitment but seeing it through.

How do we fit effective and enjoyable exercise into our already established daily routines of school and work? How do we find things which we both want to do?

My daughter G is eight, I am in my forties. She likes watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch and drinking apple juice, I like drinking red wine and watching Midsomer Murders. And never, so far have the twain met.

We have to start, and the gym at the Country Club in Santa Ponsa is where we are going to begin. I don’t have anything to wear. Well, I do, but my outfit also doubles as my pyjamas.

Will anyone notice?

Avoid the dreaded cellulite A NUTRITIONIST has come up with a list of factors which can encourage the formation of unsightly cellulite.

Dr Carlos Jarne, micronutrition graduate at the University of Burgundy (France) and anti-aging medicine (University of Barcelona) said factors to watch out for include: • A sedentary lifestyle • Tight clothing and high heels impede its return and alter the mechanisms of pumping blood • Smoking causes alterations in the microcirculation and increases free radicals in the skin

• An excess of alcohol increases stored fat • Stress, anxiety and frustration can cause an increase in brain hormones that stimulate the deposit of body fat • Certain medications (thyroid treatments and contraceptives) may

induce the appearance of cellulite • Digestive disorders can promote obesity and therefore increase cellulite. The intake of fat, carbohydrates, salt and processed sugars should be reduced drastically • A low-fibre intake

causes constipation and increases resistance of the veins in the legs • It is also important to drink plenty of water • A diet focused on meats and fermented dairy (cured cheeses, etc) will also possibly have an impact in forming cellulite.

30

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

PETS/BOATING

MORE than 250 athletes participated in the 2014 ProRigging Trophy held by the Royal Sailing Club of Palma (RCNP).

The Trophy boasted 167 boats participating from clubs from Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza.

With the Mistral wind blowing over 13 knots with gusts up to 22, Juan Manuel Calafell (Club de Vela Port d’Andratx) left as champion of the Optimist class.

The young sailor from Andratx has one year left in Optimist and plans to jump up to 420. Aina Colom (Club Nautic S’Arenal) placed second and Marcos Plomer (CVPA) came out in third.

Also in Optimist class, Jordi Llado (RCNP) came in first in the sub-13 category. Emma Vanrell (RCNP) placed first in sub-11, and Laura Homar (Club Nautic S’Arenal) came out on top in the D Group.

The Menorcan Joan Cardona (RCNP) won decisively in Laser Radial, followed by Tomeu

By Laura G Guerra with the permission of RCNP

Results from 2014 ProRigging Trophy held by Royal Sailing Club of Palma

WINNERS: ProRigging Trophy participants with their awards.

Torrandell (CNA) and Bartomeu Garcia (Club Nautico de Portocolom).

Aina Bauza was the top female competitor. As in the first outing, Cardona kept out front and had

no problem maintaining the lead.

In the Laser 4.7, Antoni Salva (RCNP) won, putting his club companions Maximilian Kimpel and Antonio Sbert in second and third, respectively. Meanwhile in

Snipe, Teo Matheu and Pedro Cabrer (RCNP) came out ahead of fellow RCNP sailors Kai Dost and Xim Enseñat.

Enric Noguera and Rafael Vallespir caused a sensation in the

420 by beating world champions Xavier Antich and Pedro Terrones (CNA) who were resigned to accept third place.

Pets can get jealous too SPONSORED BY For all dog treats please call:

971 887 007 / 634 152 813

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

DOGS and cats can be emotional creatures, and that means they can get

jealous if their owner gets a new partner.

Both species are creatures of routine and a new partner can cause disruptions, causing stress, making it important to take care when bringing a new person into their lives.

Signs of jealous behaviour to watch out for in dogs include jumping up, barking and nipping.

Perhaps another more obvious sign is when your pet dog tries to get in between you and your partner when sitting on the sofa.

Cats being cats their signs of jealousy are different. They tend to sulk, hide or go to the loo in inappropriate places.

For people planning to introduce their pet to their new partner consider meeting your date while out on a walk with your dog. That means your new partner meets your dog on neutral territory, and will

MOVISTAR TEAM: Iker Martinez and Tara Pacheco finished fourth in Miami.

Good sailing FIRST DATE: Introduce your pet to a new partner outside of the home. feel less anxious.

Before you introduce your date to your pet, tell them to avoid eye contact or interaction with the animal, especially if they are coming into your home for the first time.

If you are entertaining your guest at home, avoid shutting your dog or cat away. The animal will

associate the anxiety of being away from you with your new partner.

It is important to give the animal in question something to do and keep it occupied when introducing a date.

For your local radio frequency log onto www.talkradioeurope.com

MOVISTAR team sailors Iker Martinez and Tara Pacheco finished fourth in this year’s first ISAF Sailing World Cup race, held in Miami last weekend.

The Spanish duo was unable to beat Britons Ben Saxton and Hannah Diamond in the fight for the bronze medal in the Nacra 17 category.

Italians Vittorio Bizarro and Silvia Sicouri won the gold medal, followed by Austrians Thomas Zajac and Tanja Chiara Frank.

Highlight of the competition was the Medal Race held on Saturday, which was marked by winds of between eight and 10 knots.

Martinez and Pacheco are now training for the next ISAF Sailing World Cup race, to be held in Palma from March 29 to April 5.

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

EWN

31

Advertising Feature

Euro holds steady against sterling Commentary by Moneycorp

EUR An unremarkable performance by the euro saw it hold steady against sterling as it lost a cent and a half to the US dollar. The euro zone economic statistics were a mixed bag that did no lasting harm and gave the currency no particular lift: Consumer and business confidence was broadly better and unemployment was down to 12% but inflation fell back to 0.7%, the level that upset the euro’s applecart two months ago.

USD Although the dollar was not the top performer it had a good week, strengthening by a cent and a half

against the euro and the pound. It was helped on its way by news that the US economy grew by a provisional 0.8% in the fourth quarter of 2013. Further assistance came from the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut by a further $10bn the amount of stimulative money it prints every month.

CAD Even though the Loonie seemed to be permanently on the defensive it still managed to strengthen by three quarters of a cent against sterling. It did less well against the US dollar, falling by half a cent. The only significant Canadian data were Friday’s consumer price index

Clarisse Musselwhite is Moneycorp’s Account Manager for Mallorca

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

902887243 mallorca@moneycorp.com numbers, which showed inflation accelerating to 1.3%. The news sent the Canadian dollar higher, turning what could have been an uncomfortable week into a half-decent one.

AUD It was a good week for the Aussie but only because it started out from a fouryear low seven days ago. The Australian dollar strengthened by three cents

against sterling and by half a cent against the US dollar, sharing joint first position for the week with the Japanese yen. Its recovery was based on nothing more compelling than an absence of fresh bad news.

NZD Then NZ dollar did not perform as well as its Australian cousin last week but neither did it set off from a four-year low.

The Kiwi lost a cent and a quarter to the US dollar and a cent to the pound.

Its main stumbling block was the failure of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to raise its official cash rate benchmark.

A rate increase was not predicted by most analysts but recent hints from Governor Graeme Wheeler had led some investors to think that one was on the cards.

32

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

CROSSWORDS

www.euroweeklynews.com

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

Mallorca weather

NEW ON DVD MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

for next 7 days

Justin and the Knights of Valour Justin dreams of becoming one of the Knights of Valour, but his father Reginald wants him to follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer. After an inspiring visit to his beloved grandmother, he bids farewell to his supposed lady-love Lara, and embarks on a quest to become a Knight.

Along the way he meets the beautiful, feisty Talia, a quirky wizard, Melquiades and the handsome Sir Clorex, who teach him in the ancient ways of the Knights of Valour.

TODAY

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN IN 2013 1. Which word completes the title of the only UK Top 10 hit single by singer Patti Page, who died in January: (How Much Is That) -----in the Window?

2. Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who died in April, was the member of parliament for which constituency from October 1959 to April 1992?

3. The MGM movie star Esther Williams, who died in June, set multiple national and regional records in which sport in her late teens?

4. At which Olympic Games did athlete Donna Hartley, who died in June, win a bronze medal as part of the Great Britain 4x400 metre relay team?

5. What was the name of second youngest of the singing Nolan Sisters, who died in July?

6. What was the name of the ‘family matriarch’ of the Beale and Fowler family in EastEnders, played by actress Anna Wing, who died in July?

7. In which 1969 American ‘road movie’ written by and starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, did actress Karen Black, who died in August, star as a call-girl named Karen?

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

Your Stars

65

Joaquin Sabina. Born on February 12, 1949. A Spanish singer, songwriter and poet, Sabina began composing aged14. He went into exile in London during General Francoʼs dictatorship using a fake passport. In 1975, he began singing in bars and performed before George Harrison, who gave him a five-pound note as a tip, which he preserves to this day.

hope to fit in everything you would like to say. Don't allow Monday or Wednesday's tensions to spoil opportunities for settling something important.

useful. One clue to this week's planetary crossword puzzle is 'What word could also mean success?' Check it out, and make it work for you.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Throughout this fortunate week, whatever else you decide, refuse to discard your hopes and wishes. As a Gemini, you like to have two strings to your bow of life, which gives you an alternative option, especially if the going gets tough.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Pave the way for any ambitious schemes you may have, rather than actually starting them. With your ruler the Sun eclipsing your kindred fire sign, determined Aries, you are now more likely to get the support and affection you need from the powers that be or someone who thinks the world of you.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) The solar eclipse in your opposite sign of Aries intensifies your willpower.

Before you say 'go', find out where you stand. It might pay you to leave things be for a little longer to see if anything begins to change.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) The planets mobilise your streak of Scorpio daring, but don't stretch your limits. Your most effective weapon against personal and work-related pitfalls is your ability to be objective. Your desire to make specific situations and conversations work needs to be combined with your faith that they will work.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Even if the opposite to what you want happens, it could prove

Sudoku 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.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 December 21) The main gist of the solar eclipse in fiery Aries and the link between plucky Mars and your ruler friendly Jupiter will stir surprises.

Whether you create the right atmosphere all round depends on how you interpret other people's views.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

CAPRICORN (December 22 January 20) Hard-working, enterprising and selfsacrificing are just some of the words that describe your zodiac sign. It will be these qualities that count. Friday will boost your powers of persuasion, but you won't have too much to complain about if you follow this lucky trend into next week's encouraging tide.

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

UK THUNDERBALL

IRISH LOTTO

EURO MILLIONS

Saturday February 1

Saturday February

Saturday February

Friday January 31

35

36

41

48

13

14 31

20 32

14

29

30

33

36

45

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

29

11

35

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

8

10 16

31

9

LA PRIMITIVA

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

SUNNY

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Mon - 15 11 C Tues - 15 9 C Wed - 14 8 C

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX 19C, MIN 11C

TODAY:

SHOWERS

Fri Sat Sun -

16 9 Sh 18 12 C 18 13 Cl

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

S Sun,

MAX MIN

10 4 Sh 11 7 Sh 12 7 Sh

Mon - 14 7 Sh Tues - 11 4 Sh Wed - 9 4 Sh

Murcia

CLOUDY MAX 17C, MIN 12C 14 9 C 15 12 C 16 11 C

SHOWERS MAX 13C, MIN 6C MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Mon - 18 13 Sh Tues - 16 11 Sh Wed - 15 10 Sh

Mallorca Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

Mon - 17 14 C Tues - 17 12 C Wed - 16 12 C

17 11 Cl 17 13 C 17 14 C

Madrid

Malaga TODAY:

CLOUDY MAX 17C, MIN 13C

TODAY:

MAX 15C, MIN 11C

14 8 C 15 10 C 14 10 C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 18 14 C Tues - 18 12 C Wed - 16 11 C

17 11 S 18 13 S 18 13 S

Benidorm

Barcelona TODAY:

CLOUDY MAX 19C, MIN 13C MAX MIN

Mon - 20 13 C Tues - 19 11 C Wed - 18 10 C

19 9 S 19 12 C 19 12 C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 16 12 C Tues - 16 11 C Wed - 14 11 C Cl Clear,

SUNNY

MAX 23C, MIN 11C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun Fog,

Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

19 7 Cl 21 10 C 22 11 C

Mon - 21 12 C Tues - 20 9 C Wed - 18 8 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 T) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

TARGET:

Average: 4

Very good: 7

Good: 5

Excellent: 9

adit, arid, darn, dart, dint, dirt, drat, nard, raid, rand, rind, road, toad, trad, trod, adorn, dinar, ditto, drain, droit, idiot, indri, nadir, radii, radio, radon, triad, adroit, inroad, ordain, TRADITION

9

13

27

28

31

34

REINTEGRO 11

2

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

MAIN

Sunday February 2

Saturday February 1

15

LUCKY STARS 8

TODAY:

Word Ladder

LOTTERY 34

Almeria

SUNNY MAX 20C, MIN 12C

MAX MIN

avoid getting tongue-tied or dogmatic on Tuesday and Friday. Promising potentials appear, especially if you spruce up your competitive streak.

27

Alicante TODAY:

31

44 51

47 52

REINTEGRO 6

ROAD

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

LOAN ROAN ROAD

7-Star Quiz

TOMORROW CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) A vivid star pattern portends a frantic personal and social diary.

Ensure that any tight planning is carefully handled, especially if you

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Stand by for a week of whoosh and whirl. More importantly, try to

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

MAIN LAIN LOIN

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Education, media, creative and social connections are given star merit. The solar eclipse in your own sign bursts with vitality and success, more so for an array of bold moves, replace-ments and makeovers covering your personal affairs.

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

IF ITʼS YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK: Your sphere of friendships, relationships and career issues are delightfully aspected.

Circle June and August for making contact with those who can point you in the right direction.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) One thing is certain, when you come through this week's restless planetary antics, you won't be totally the same Piscean who walked in. Whether you're figuring out numbers, analysing your dreams, or getting into a playfully social mood, there'll be much to enjoy and put to the test.

CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

Starring Antonio Banderas, Freddie Highmore and Saoirse Ronan. Directed by Manuel Sicilia. Runtime 96 mins. Rated U. AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Eager Mars meets affluent Jupiter and enriches your financial forecast. It might show a foretaste of money to come, or onstream benefits. If you intend to make alterations to your personal and home interests, you'll undoubtedly cope with both offbeat and upbeat activities.

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

1. DOGGIE, 2. FINCHLEY, 3.

SWIMMING, 4. MOSCOW, 1980, 5.

BERNIE (Bernadette Therese) Nolan, 6. LOU BEALE, 7. EASY RIDER

www.euroweeklynews.com

CROSSWORDS

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

Crosswords

EWN

33

SPONSORED BY

For more information about the sponsor go to www.lineadirecta.com

Cryptic

Quick

Across 1 A finch is seen in hide (6) 4 Look for Tontoʼs Mount (5) 8 To do this would upset teach (5) 9 The first man and the worker were very determined (7) 10 Pull out of additional court case (7) 11 A solid form once adjusted (4) 12 Bird found hiding in the Louvre Museum (3) 14 Deliver offspring on the radio (4) 15 The latest information from New South Wales (4) 18 Dat is funny, a bit (3) 21 Ring fellow from country (4) 23 Clung to redheadʼs make-up (7) 25 The potential uses for a Greek hero (7) 26 Find a suit and get a flat in South East (5) 27 Entertains crowds (5) 28 Matches one in underwear (6) Down 1 Football clubsʼ score is wrong (6) 2 Ghost commanding a form of respect (7) 3 Private network made from nitrogen nitrate (8) 4 Damage rebuilt cars (4) 5 Protagonist hiding somewhere in New Zealand (5)

Across 1 Motionless (6) 5 Africa expedition (6) 8 Just (4) 9 Large, old, luminous star (3,5) 10 Brilliant person (6) 11 Non-metallic element (6) 12 Sports event (4) 14 Allow (3) 15 Very small (4) 16 Quagmire (6) 18 Most recent (6) 20 Coin worth a quarter of an old penny (8) 22 Close (4) 23 Rough (6) 24 Effortlessly (6)

6 Aristocratic bird was in front (6) 7 Players beginning to exhibit class (5) 13 Dishonest Tuscan he reformed (8) 16 Justify authorisation for arrest (7) 17 Alcoholic drink can be a real laugh before church (6)

Code Breaker Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 9 represents B and 11 represents Q, so fill in B every time the figure 9 appears and Q every time the figure 11 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.

19 Bloomer is seen during time sun is above horizon (5) 20 Dreads exotic snakes (6) 22 Declares a piece of poetry is unfinished (5) 24 Clues found in a Mickey Spillane novel (4)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC Across: 1 Start, 4 Berths, 9 Tableau, 10 Papaw, 11 Eden, 12 Enchain, 13 End, 14 Opal, 16 Ally, 18 Ail, 20 Crowned, 21 Ache, 24 Omega, 25 Probing, 26 Screen, 27 Felon.

Down: 1 Setter, 2 Amble, 3 Tier, 5 Especial, 6 Topsail, 7 Sewing, 8 Muted, 3 Elongate, 15 Pioneer, 17 Across, 18 Adapt, 19 Reagan, 22 Chill, 23 Golf.

QUICK Across: 1 Belts, 4 Session, 7 Witness, 8 Alike, 10 Shirt, 11 Excites, 12 Petty, 14 Usual, 19 Observe, 21 Stare, 22 Stole, 23 Imagine, 24 Pirates, 25 Great.

Down: 2 Lattice, 3 Spent, 4 System, 5 Stances, 6 Idiot, 7 Wise, 9 Easy, 13 Torment, 15 Avarice, 16 Boss, 17 Series, 18 Mere, 20 Scour, 21 Slang.

ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Pages, 3 Calvo, 5 Rey, 7 Marisco, 9 Loaf, 10 Pavo, 14 Desmayo, 15 Fur, 16 Gorra, 17 Ovens.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION Down: 1 Peral, 2 Same, 3 Cara, 4 Oro, 6 Years, 8 Scarf, 11 Otros, 12 Nada, 13 Rojo, 14 Dog.

Funagram

Play on Words

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

Across 1 Sabroso (5) 3 Regalos (5) 6 Regla (norma) (4) 7 Head (part of body) (6) 9 Waitresses (9) 12 Bitter (in taste) (6) 13 Firewood (4) 14 Key (door) (5) 15 Now (at this time, immediately) (5) Down 1 Bull (farm animal) (4) 2 Savage deed (9) 3 Uvas (6) 4 Kitchen sink (9) 5 Estrella (4) 8 Blood (6) 10 Pelota (4) 11 Cup (vessel, amount) (4)

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 (ROUSED) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.

AWARDS

LISTEN

BADGER

RARELY

BANNER

REARED

BASKED

ROARED

BROKEN

RUGGED

BUGLES

SEATED

COARSE

SHAKEN (10)

FACTOR

SIGHED

GLOSSY

THREAD

HURRAY

Unscramble the name of a famous British journalist, newsreader and television presenter: OUR FINE CAB

NEDRAG

Answers: Back garden, Down-to-earth

Unscramble the English title of a famous opera, first performed in 1816 (four words): OBSERVE THE FIREBALL

Down 2 Taunt (5) 3 White ant (7) 4 Moth's pupa (9) 5 Unhappy (3) 6 Mendicant (5) 7 Decrepit (3-4) 11 Complete list of items (9) 13 Alligator pear (7) 15 Lockjaw (7) 17 Change (5) 19 Shoulder cover (5) 21 Anger (3)

E A R T H

E A R T H

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Desert, 2 Deeper, 3 Panted, 4 Surged, 5 Troops, 6 Seated, 7 Orange, 8 Turned, 9 Indent, 10 Roused, 11 Speeds, 12 Advent, 13 Tested, 14 Ruined, 15 Veered, 16 Weeded, 17 Steeds, 18 Darted, 19 Seared

FUNAGRAM SOLUTION: FIONA BRUCE, THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

34

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

Car smoking ban a good idea?

THE UK House of Lords has backed a plan to ban people smoking in cars if there are children in the back. It could become a criminal offence leading to a fine and penalty points. We asked if you agree with this move, or should people be allowed to make up their own minds?

Should Spain follow suit, or is anti-smoking legislation going too far?

‘I

THINK it should be banned for the child’s health,” said Suze van Wingerden, aged 63, who is spending the winter in Guardamar (Alicante) from Holland. She admits she and her husband both smoked when their children were young, but have since quit: “We know better now. I don’t even think people should smoke outside unless it’s their own home as the smoke still affects you when blown by the wind.”

Full-time mother Charlie Monterry-Garcia, aged 35, from Guardamar, agreed it should be banned, but feels it isn’t the government’s job to police it: “No one should need a law to stop people from smoking in a car with children, it is just

STREET TALK

common sense. If anyone cares about the health of their child they shouldn’t be doing it.”

Miriam Llorente, a 29-year-old midwife from Valladolid who lives and works in Benissa (Alicante), thought it was a drastic measure, but agreed with it. She added: “I think it would be nice to have this law protecting children in Spain but the government should first carry out an awareness campaign before approving any prohibition law.”

Alan Kennt, 71, is retired and lives in Albir (Alicante). He said: “I disagree with this law because I think everybody should do what they want in their own vehicle and hope this law never arrives in Spain.”

But Eileen Strain, aged 73, from Partaloa (Almeria), felt it should be banned. “It is not a good thing when children are involved in passive smoking. I think

Spain should follow suit. It is unfair on other passengers breathing in smoke. In my opinion smoking while you drive is more dangerous than using a mobile phone.”

Anne Karlstron, 60, who is retired and lives in Zurgena (Almeria), is not sure a ban is feasible: “We are part of the European Community with many directives from Brussels; the UK is one of the few European countries that adheres to the directives. Given there is a court of human rights in Brussels, one would assume you could appeal to them against such a law, because no one has the right to dictate my personal preferences.”

FROM LEFT: Eileen Strain, Miriam Llorente, Suze van Wingerden and Anne Karlstron.

The end of the Med as we know it?

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 on any of the issues raised in Ulrica’s column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/ulrica-marshall

ulrica@euroweeklynews.com

D

O you enjoy gazing out over the turquoise sea while enjoying a ‘copa de vino’ with friends?

Perhaps the odd dip into the clean, refreshing waters in summer-time? Well, enjoy it while it lasts because it could all be about to change.

The Spanish government has granted Cairn Energy plc permission to begin oil exploration right here on our doorstep, so to speak. Initial plans centre on an area between Valencia and the Balearic Island of Ibiza.

Scant regard was given to the fact that although the Mediterranean Sea makes up 1 per cent of the world’s ocean surface, it is home to more than 18 per cent of the world’s marine species, an ecosystem highly

NOT WANTED: Oil rigs could be a disaster. affected by the proposal, according to environmental group Oceana.

And even if the thought of killing a few (million) fishes and

crustaceans is not enough to make you sleep uncomfortably at night, perhaps the prospect of potential oil spills will. In 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oil rig

disaster in the Gulf of Mexico affected nearly 80,000 square miles - if something similar were to happen to here, it would wipe out much of the Mediterranean

Sea as we know.

Helpfully - from Cairn’s perspective - the current Spanish government led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy fast-tracked environmental policy for speedy approval of such proposals, which could previously be contested and fully analysed without a time limit.

Presumably Mr Rajoy plans to take his seaside holidays in other locations in the future or he enjoys a fine oil slick with his morning swim.

If you prefer the Mediterranean as it is, there is still time (albeit only a few days by the time this edition goes to press) to make your voice heard.

Environmental support groups are lobbying to review the decision in parliament, but need a minimum of 30,000 signed petitions (sent in triplicate) by February 10 this year to do so.

For more details on how to support them, go to www.alianzamarblava.org/es/ blog/alegar-proyecto/

36

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

& DRINKS

ood F

FOOD & DRINK

Costa de Almeria’s best guide to local sport

Mallorca’s best guide for local restaurants

TO READ MORE VISIT: WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM/FEATURES/RESTAURANTS

Turning to love and romance….

WHAT was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for you? With Valentine’s Day round the corner thoughts turn to love and romance… but it is not just the thoughts that count, is it?

Sometimes I feel sorry for couples on Valentine’s Day. There is so much pressure to do something… anything… or you clearly do not love the person that you are spending your life with. A bunch of flowers grabbed from the garage doesn’t cut it and don’t even think about the ‘I show you that I love you every day’ routine as that won’t wash either.

So instead extortionate amounts are paid for red roses, restaurants hawk up the price of a table for two and the yet-towed females secretly wonder if this is the night that he will propose… yes you know you do!!

Debate still rages as to the

Penn to Paper Laura Penn origins of the day itself as there were at least three martyrs during Roman times called Valens.

I like the theory about the one who was a kind-hearted priest who married couples against the wishes of Emperor Claudius II and was beheaded for his trouble on Via Flamina, north of Rome on February 14 AD. Hence a day of commemoration was established

by Pope Gelasius in 300AD (old romantic) only to be removed from the calendar of saints by Pope Paul VI in 1969 (old spoilsport)!

How the date became associated with courtly love and romance is unclear but who really cares as long as he turns up having shaved and hiding a diamond ring about his person (okay Zircon will do!)

In Spain they celebrate any saints’ day at the drop of a sombrero so Saint Valentine is no exception but why have one day for lovers when you can have two? The other day is La Diada de Sant Jordi on April 23, the accepted date of the death of Saint George in 303AD. Now a man who can kill a dragon single-handedly and rescue a princess, that’s more like it!

This date is also known in Mallorca as El Dia de la Rosa or El Dia del Llibre due to the exchange of gifts of roses and

ROSES: Prices rise exorbitantly.

(you guessed it) books. This second 24-hour indulgence in romance came about much more recently when some enterprising bookseller realised that scribblers Josep Pla, Miguel Cervantes and William Shakespeare all died on the same date.

So here is a plan for you on Valentine’s Day: ditch the roses (I never liked cut flowers

anyway… they are already dying), forget the pizza for two and give your loved one a copy of ‘50 Shades of Grey’ instead explaining that this is how romance is shown here in Spain.

Does this explain why I will probably be curling up with only one of those books on Feb 14?

Laura Penn presents the weekday Breakfast Show Monday to Friday from 8am till 12 noon on Spectrum FM 89.8FM

FOOD & DRINK

www.euroweeklynews.com

BAR ROSITA: Prides itself on being a lively hub in the village of Calvia.

Advertising Feature

Rositas; the original one and only bar ROSITAS, the original one and only famous bar and restaurant situated in the beautiful village of Calvia prides itself on being a lively hub for many years.

Rositas not only entertains its local residents, but it is also a favourite with tourist and holidaymakers alike. In fact, people travel from all over Mallorca to get the one and only Rositas welcome and service and of course their mouth-watering meals and fun filled entertainment.

Rositas has a varied menu which includes original favourites such as beef and Guinness pie and chicken and mushroom pies, all freshly cooked with home-made pastry and fillings, lasagne, curry, burgers, tapas and much more all served with proper hand cut chips. Also coming soon will be new menu choices including delicious deep fried Camembert with cranberry, Rositas mega club sandwich, jacket potatoes with a great choice of fillings and don’t forget Sally’s freshly made desserts such as banoffee pie and carrot cake to name just a few.

A new daily special will be on offer which will include spicy prawn pasta, quiche Lorraine, escalopes and much more.

Having had a fabulous start to the New Year, Rositas would thank everyone for their support over the Christmas and New Year period and for making the Christmas party so much fun. The New Year started with a sell out Sunday roast and will continue every Sunday and don’t forget to join them for their fish and chip Fridays.

The fun and entertainment will continue throughout the year, a new menu will be available from February and they also have plans for fancy dress parties (details and dates to be confirmed) with free buffets and the usual fantastic family atmosphere, as always everyone is welcome.

In March they will have a special Mothers’ Day lunch consisting of three courses and with live music for only €14.95.

If you would like to contact Tony and Ann or to make a reservation please call 662 204 859.

Pudding can be good FOR pudding lovers everywhere the good news is that a new study shows that eating dessert can be good for you.

But before you reach for the extra large bread and butter pudding and sink back into the sofa to eat it while watching TV, you need to be having a traditional family meal at the table.

That is because an ‘occasional dessert’ can help lift family food and increase interaction between members of the family.

But the really important part is for

families to sit down to a meal together.

Children benefit from that by boosting their self esteem, and so helping them do better at school and making them less likely to develop eating disorders.

Professor Geoffrey Beattie, who advised on the study for German frozen food company Coppenrath & Wiese, said: “We’ve known that sharing food has huge psychological, cultural and emotional significance. It’s a critical part of our evolution and core to our everyday social world.”

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

EWN

37

38

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

omes&gardens

H

HOMES & GARDENS

SPONSORED BY

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

Some tips on making the best possible use of your shredder

TIPS for using the shredder safely 1. Always wear a face mask or at least enclosed goggles. Chippings do fly occasionally.

2. Wear strong gloves and a long-sleeved top to avoid scratches when you pick up and feed material into the machine, especially prickly cuttings from bougainvillaeas etc.

3. If your machine is noisy wear ear muffs or plugs to avoid damage.

4. Don’t shred palm leaves, cacti and other very fibrous prunings as the long, stringy fibres tangle themselves around the centre of the blades and jam up the machine.

5. Always disconnect the machine from the mains when dismantling to remove a blockage.

6. When doing the winter clean-up, separate the

turn shredded material into good compost for use in lightening and enriching soil. So in the meantime make as much progress as possible with the winter cutback and keep the shreddings piled up. They will come to no harm.

Dick Handscombe

Gardening Corner

By Dick Handscombe Spain’s best known expat gardening author about to start his 26th winter cut back.

prunings into three piles: a) Large pieces of woody prunings that can be cut up for firewood rather than overloading the shredder. Check the maximum diameter recommended by the manufacturer in the instruction book. b) Small and medium diameter material e.g. greener, softer prunings from shrubs, herbs etc. c) Use larger, longer prunings from bougainvillaeas, lantanas, etc, to push the lighter material down to the blades.

7. We find it best to shred the day we prune.

BEST: Always shred on the same day as pruning.

Even lantana cuttings harden up overnight and make shredding harder work than it needs to be.

Hard material also creates greater noise!

8. Always switch off and take out the extension lead plug when you finish for the day.

Then dismantle the machine to clean and oil the blade. Also wipe out the feed chute.

9. Store the shredder in the garage or under a tree well covered with two strong waterproof sacks.

10. If your machine has plastic flaps at the top of the feed tube, replace these if they crack or pieces break off.

11.

Check the condition of the electric lead and plugs on a regular basis and replace if the cable chaffs or

looks loose where it enters the plug.

12. If you have a petrol powered machine follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for maintenance needs.

In the next edition we will discuss how to best

Stop press After the initial testing of the book about our walk across Spain we amended the title and cover.

The final title is ‘Our 52 day retirement adventure along the Spanish Pyrenees’ and the book is available in a traditional book format or as a Kindle E-book from Amazon Books worldwide. It is a useful purchase as a present for a friend or relation living within or outside Spain, as well as a fireside read for yourself.

© Dick Handscombe www.gardenspain.com February 2014

Green living in your home GOING green in your home cannot only save you money, but also lead to a healthier lifestyle and, of course, a more environmentally friendly one.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to go green, making small changes will soon add up. Energy conservation is the best way to make your home more environmentally friendly and will ultimately save you money in the long run, so try these simple tips: Swap light bulbs: While the initial cost of low energy or LED bulbs might be higher, it doesn’t take long for energy and money savings to show.

Windows: Check your windows to ensure hot air isn’t leaking out and equally in the summer, hot air isn’t coming in, to save on those air-con costs.

The cheap solution is to use DIY plastic insulator kits or, if you have a bigger budget, invest in new windows.

Appliances: Reduce your appliance load and replace inefficient appliances by checking energy efficiency ratings.

Water: Check for any leaks. That small drip on the kitchen sink will soon add to a lot of wasted water and a higher bill. Try fitting taps and showerheads with flow regulators and aerators.

www.euroweeklynews.com

PROPERTY

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

roperty P TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Increased interest shows the worst may now be over THE highly-awaited recovery of Spain’s troubled property market is set to happen at long last, but not at the hands of individual househunters.

The past 12 months in particular have seen a boost in interest in Spanish property by foreign investors looking to cash in on the highly depressed property prices which tumbled from their pre-crisis highs.

Spain has a stock of 650,000 unsold homes, with average prices having fallen by 30 per cent since the start of 2008, government figures show.

Industry insiders say this increased interest signals the worst may be over.

In 2013, Spain’s state-organised ‘bad bank’ took €54 billion of troubled property loans from the balance sheets of the country’s nationalised lenders, the Financial Times reports.

Sareb has begun to place these assets into portfolios to be sold to investors, which has helped generate confidence that a floor may have been set on prices.

International real estate investment consultant Gaspar Lino said: “I am

MORE ACTIVE: Gaspar Lino. seeing the trend of interest revived in Spanish property as I am a lot more active with international investors and funds seeking my advisory services to enter the Spanish property market.”

Gaspar Lino is the CEO of the Peninsula, a property group with more than 1,100 homes under development or management, representing a volume of sales in excess of €300 million.

Financial Times reporter Miles Johnson wrote: “The question all

those with eyes on Spain’s economy are asking is whether this increased interest from supposedly ‘smart money’ is an indication a floor has been placed under the property market, or whether such deals are simply speculative bets on heavily distressed assets.”

A rush of deals from private equity groups has been used by supporters of both sides of the argument to justify their case, according to the Financial Times.

“Since the end of summer a number of real estate portfolios have been sold to more adventurous private equity buyers such as Blackstone and HIG Capital,” Johnson reveals.

Investment in European commercial property hit the highest level since the credit crunch in 2013, CBRE data shows. Activity was up 21 per cent year on the year to €154 billion.

Meanwhile, Gaspar Lino feels he has a more rounded understanding of the current situation due to his firsthand local knowledge coupled with a global perspective on real estate.

Rent: Know where you stand WHEN renting a property, the most essential thing is to read the lease agreement before signing because whatever it says is what legally counts.

Unless the lease agreement says

otherwise, costs are usually shared like this: The landlord pays the Suma IBI bill, the community of owner’s bill, rubbish taxes, the house insurance and the maintenance insurances.

The tenant is responsible for paying water bills, electricity bills, gas and phone bills.

If anything is broken the landlord is usually responsible for paying for the washing machine and boiler breakdowns but not when it is minimal damage or if it is shown that it was the tenant’s fault. guidelines of the property.

The tenant is responsible 2. Talk to the manager or president for daily wear such as of the community of owners to ensure replacing broken crockery the seller has no debts against them: or utensils and for because if he does not pay, the debt changing light bulbs, etc. goes with the property and the new If an issue should arise, buyer will be liable. the best advice is to 3. Read the rules of the community, negotiate without a fight. if any, as they may include limitations For landlords it is and restrictions on what you may want recommended to take out to do with the property. good insurance and tenants should always try 4. Finally, ask the seller to show you to take care of the the Suma IBI receipts to make sure they have all been paid. property and pay rent on time.

Buying a used home in Spain THERE are certain things to keep in mind whenever you buy a used home in Spain.

The four main things to check when buying a property to avoid potential pitfalls and problems are: 1. Go to the ‘Registro de la Propiedad’ (Property Register) and ask for a ‘nota simple’ of the property you are interested in. They will provide you an accurate description of the building including who the current owner is, if it is mortgaged or has an ‘embargo’ (seizure order) and all the community

EWN

EWN

41

42

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

Advertising Feature

Keeping up the highest standards of care

B

LUEBIRD CARE, one of the main care providers in East Sussex, UK, is looking for staff in Spain.

Since opening in April 2010, the company has had some significant achievements that it is very proud of.

To continue with that success Bluebird is always looking for experienced care staff to work as live-in carers on a rota basis.

In the UK the company’s high quality standards are now being recognised by many privately funding customers and health practitioners including GPs, District Nurses, Occupational Therapists as well as the NHS and Local Authority.

They are also proud to be a member of the Trading Standards Support with Confidence scheme and helps with sponsorship to many of

PROVIDING CARE: With a ‘good old fashioned service.’ the local charities and organisations who provide support to vulnerable people.

What sets them apart from the rest are their strong values of ‘Good old fashioned service.’

They go that extra mile to make sure the little things that matter to you, matter to them as well.

They give the customer the same familiar friendly face to care for them, as they know how important it is for customers to build up trust and rapport with their carers.

All staff go through a rigorous interview process and training programme to ensure they are the right kind of caring person that will be permitted to wear the

Bluebird Care badge.

Their mission is, and will

own homes with familiar friends, relatives and Anyone interested in possessions finding out more about around Bluebird and what they can them.

No offer, please call or email them. upheaval. email No stress. eastbourne@bluebirdcare.co.uk Bluebird Tel - +44 1323 727903 Care have been very successfully recruiting people in Spain for quite some time.

All that they ask is that prospective staff have care training and/or certification, a caring nature naturally, and are excellent at communicating with others in excellent English.

The most important attribute is good common sense and an ability to follow rules and regulations and be able to always be, to enable people provide high standards of to live independently in their care.

www.euroweeklynews.com

CLASSIFIEDS

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

lassifieds C

EWN

43

FOR RESULTS EVERY WEEK

BOATS / CARS / JOBS / SERVICES / PETS / BIKES / FURNITURE / PROPERTY / MOTORING / FOR SALES

ADMINISTRATION SERVICES

BUILDING SERVICES

DINING OUT

INSURANCE

INTERNET

DELFINOS (Crazy Dolphin). Menu del dia - 3 courses and drink 9.95€. Dinner for 2, 19.90€. 971 676 449 (216841)

DRIVING LESSONS

CARS FOR SALE RENAULT MEGANE 1.9 DCI. Dynamic 2005, 5 door, new engine, clutch, tyres and battery.

ITV until end of 2015. Price 5,500€. Part exchange welcome.

Tel 609 305 670. (216882)

LEARN TO DRIVE IN MALLORCA. Scottish Driving Instructor now qualified to teach in Mallorca.

Classes in English or Spanish. Obtain your Spanish licence easier or have refresher lessons and get behind that wheel. Interested!

Call 648 133 929 (201557)

FLOORING

CONVERTIBLE Mercedes 500SL, 2006 RHD, 1 previous owner, FSH, just serviced, 26k miles, blue/grey, condition new, divorce forces sale, beautiful car.

18,500€. Tel 971 676 480 / 0044 7826 222 221 (216899) MINI CLUBMAN 2011, 30,000km, one careful owner. 12,500€ ONO. 687 898 494 (216925)

CAR HIRE

FOR SALE/WANTED X-FILES Complete Series Videos - 35€ or swap for DVDs of Series 6-9 (sub-titled) or Series 9 ‘HOUSE’ (sub-titled) 616 673 142 (216921)

FRIENDSHIP ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

FIND LOVE IN THE SUN w w w. i w a n t 2 m e e t y o u . c o m .

Browse for free Spain’s No 1 online dating site. Bringing ex-pats together. (219566)

BOATS

www.MallorcaSolos.com / Social events and activities (216918)

HEALTH & BEAUTY

AIR CONDITIONING CHIMNEY SWEEP ‘SOOTY & SWEEP’, chimneys swept, repaired and installed. Tel 971 231 623 / 629 547 685 (216900)

LIVE MUSIC LIVE music with the fabulous Rosae, every Saturday night at Delfinos ( crazy Dolphin ) Tel 971 676 449 (216841)

CLAIRVOYANTS TAROT Reading. African Spiritualist solves problems - love and business. Tel: Ibrahim 626 502 803 (216597)

COMPUTERS

www.euroweeklynews.com

For daily news visit www.euroweeklynews.com INSURANCE

ANTI-FOUL Removal Machine. Top of the range Farrow system, environmentally friendly, slurry blasting machine, complete with many spares and 60m blast hose. Cleans most surfaces, stone, wood, pools etc. Suit small marine business or contractor. 661 435 765 (216909)

Price per word: 0,42€ + IVA minimum 15 words - Discount: Book 10 weeks, get 2 weeks free - Deadline: 4pm Mondays Contact: Phone (0034) 971 682 795 • Fax (0034) 971 680 438 • email classifieds@euroweeklynews.com • www.euroweeklynews.com

44

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

MOTORING

www.euroweeklynews.com MOTORING

PROPERTY SERVICES

MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 902 123 153, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 902 123 153 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)

PETS P E T - C O U R I E R S . C O M – If you love your pet try us first – we are the best. Door to door service throughout Europe.

Specialised vehicles – bespoke service. Full legal service including documentation if required. For further information call or e-mail us: Tel: (0034) 651 033 670 or (0034) 637 066 227. Email: info@petcouriers.com or www.petcouriers.com (206497) FELIX Dog and Cat Kennels.

Based at Manacor. Boarding available. Home sitting Island wide. Tel 689 795 049 (216870)

PET INSURANCE

RUSSIAN TRANSLATION

PROTECTAPET. Spain’s leading pet insurance. 965 756 371. www.protectapet.eu (216721)

DARRMAR Excavation, demolition, overgrown gardens cleared, ponds and swimming pools, reforms prepared, tree felling & landscaping. 608 790 007 (81692) WE CLEAR building rubble, garden rubbish, furniture etc. Quick & reliable. Tel 629 547 685 (216900) BRITISH property services in Mallorca. Construction & home reform services. Our promise: We WILL beat any price like for like ISLANDWIDE. All work guaranteed. See our large advert in this edition.

Contact us at enquiries@j-mac.es or tel 971 230 136 (216755)

PROPERTY FOR RENT LLUCMAJOR. Completely furnished first floor apartment with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen, lounge, terrace, 450 euros/month. Ref 2940 Inmobiliaria Llucmajor. Tel 971 662 402 (215771) APARTMENT, Costa de la Calma, frontline, sea views, furnished, new kitchen/bathroom.

Water/community included. Long term 750€ pcm. 608 790 007 (216914)

INTERNET

SCND HAND FURNITURE

PROPERTY maintenance services.

Renovation, painting, decorating & gardening. Last years rates! Trustworthy and high standards Bart: 634 323 062 (216822)

REMOVALS THE MAN & VAN ISLAND WIDE REMOVALS & STORAGE. CHEAP, CHEERFUL, FAST, EFFICIENT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY LEGAL. Tel: 626 792 037 (216884)

REMOVALS / STORAGE

ACCOMPANY your pets to their new home. Fully licensed pet transport service. Denise www.petchauffeur.eu 952 197 187 / 696 233 848 i n f o @ p e t c h a u f f e u r. e u (215263)

FREE FOR YOU FREE. MOBILE PHONE SIM CARD CALLS TO THE UK FOR ONLY 1 CENT PER MINUTE FREE CREDIT WORTH 12 EUROS.FREE MOBILE PHONE CALLS. CALL NOW TO FIND OUT HOW. TEL 902 887 091 WWW.TELITEC.COM (0)

SITUATIONS VACANT

RUBBISH CLEARANCE

PET TRANSPORT

PROF. SERVICES

VAN MAN FAST, FRIENDLY, EFFICIENT. REMOVALS, STORAGE 25 euros p/h. 638 478 204 (216880)

CLASSIFIEDS

REAL ESTATE

For daily news visit www.euroweeklynews.com

EXPERIENCED FEMALE HOUSEKEEPER available now for full/part time positions. All duties performed to a high quality. Trustworthy, friendly and hard working.

Duties can include school runs,cooking and shopping. Flexibility and reasonable rates. Call now on 634 349 418 (216822)

CLASSIFIEDS STORAGE 50m3 Dry secure storage space available, Poligono Son Bugadelles. 250€/month. 971 231 623 / Mob 629 547 685 (216900)

TELECOMS FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070 (0)

www.euroweeklynews.com

XXX RELAXATION READERS OF A SENSITIVE DISPOSITION MAY FIND SOME OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS IN THIS SECTION OFFENSIVE. BIZARRE DREAMS and FETISH FANTASIES Tel 670 210 581 (209776) VIP escort, Mariana www.escortsmallorca.com - 698 250 674 (206953) ATTRACTIVE, Russian lady offers sensitive Tantra massage. Tel 676 165 727 (216885)

TV & SATELLITE

MANACOR, 24 hours, 6 friends, Natural French, half an hour 60€.

Calle de la Pao, no 25 bajos. 647 487 486 (201624) NICE AND SEXY GERMAN GIRL MAKES YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE 661 016 936 (209776) NATALY, beautiful blonde lady, soft skin, voluptuous breasts, great figure, offers TAO massage.

Tel 631 568 004 (Cala Major) (216908)

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

EWN

45

Put your business on the fastest growing directory!

L A I C S P E FOR R OFFE T I M E T FIRS INGS now s LIStT u t ac Con

Telephone: 952 561 2 245 Fax: 952 440 8 887 directory@ewngetsit.com

MOTORING

www.euroweeklynews.com

6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

otoring M TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

EWN

SPONSORED BY For best rates in motor insurance call: 952 89 33 80

Fresh identity for Fiat and Chrysler FIAT and Chrysler have acquired a new corporate identity following Fiat’s acquisition of the minority equity interest in Chrysler Group LLC in January.

The board of directors of Fiat has also approved a corporate reorganisation and the formation of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) as a fully-integrated global automaker.

It has been decided as well to establish Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., organised in the Netherlands, as the parent company of the group.

The FCA common shares will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with an additional listing on the Mercato Telematico Azionario (MTA) in Milan.

FCA is expected to be resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat and Chairman/CEO of Chrysler Group, said: “Today is one of the most important days in my career at Fiat and Chrysler.

“Five years ago we began to cultivate a vision that went beyond industrial cooperation to include full cultural integration at all levels.”

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

NEW TECHNOLOGY: An electro-mechanical servo steering system improves steering properties.

New generation of Polo to be launched in spring NEW engines and new technology shape the latest edition of Volkswagen’s Polo, to arrive on the market this spring.

Along with the basic versions (Trendline, Comfortline and Highline), the new generation of the car will also be offered as a GTI, BlueGT, CrossPolo and BlueMotion model.

The entire range of the Polo, manufactured at the company’s factory in Landaben (Navarra), has been reconfigured.

All petrol engines have been converted to new three- and four-cylinder versions.

The power levels at market launch are 44kW/60PS (indirect injection/MPI), 55kW/75 PS (MPI), 66kW/90PS (direct injection/ TSI) and 81kW/110PS (TSI).

Also new in the Polo are three direct injection three-cylinder turbodiesels (TDI).

They now all generate their power from 1.4 litres displacement (previously 1.2 and 1.6 litres).

The power range is identical to the previous model: 55kW/75PS, 66kW/90PS and 77kW/ 105PS. The Polo of 2014 offers a range of new convenience and safety functions that Volkswagen claims is unique in its class.

A new electromechanical servo steering system improves steering properties. The car also offers the new optional Sport Select suspension which uses electronically controlled dampers - so that drivers can choose between two tuning characteristics at the press of a button.

That means that the software and hardware of these systems follow the infotainment world of the larger Golf.

Depending on the version they may offer functions like a Bluetooth audio streaming, a proximity sensor, two-finger map zooming in navigation mode and interfacing of the mobile phone to the vehicle’s exterior antenna.

POLO 2014: Manufactured in Navarra.

47

48

E W N 6 - 12 February 2014 / Mallorca

SPORT

www.euroweeklynews.com

port S Balearic successful weekend ANDY MURRAY Was the star of the Davis Cup

TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Mallorca’s best guide to local sport

THE best of the younger players from the Balearic Islands had a very successful weekend in Denia as part of the second ‘Torneo Terra De Retrobament Fundacion Balearia.’

The youngsters in the U21, U18 and U16 Baleares selection teams played AKRA, a team from Alicante and won convincingly in every match.

The U21 won by 0 points to 51. The U18 had a try scored against them but scored 17 in return and the U16 won by an outstanding 67 points to 0.

Needless to say the coaches were extremely satisfied and although there is still plenty of work to be done, the teams will enter the National Championships later in the

RC Ponent was victorious in the U8 and U10 category, whilst Agora Portals were victorious in the U12 group. Following the games the players and supporters joined in an enjoyable ‘tercer tiempo.’

Due to several teams losing players to the tournament in Denia, some of the planned matches in the Regional League were postponed from the weekend to be played at a later date.

Those that were played were between TRUC Menorca and Ibiza RC and a local derby between Corsaris RFC and Pollença RC. In the game in Menorca, the home team had a narrow U14: El Toro RC with the ball against RC Ponent. victory over the visitors by 18 Teams from El Toro RC, RC matches where the level of points to 14.

In Pollença, Corsaris RC Ponent, Mallorca Bocs and the competitiveness and quality of were victorious over an home team participated in play continues to improve. improving Pollença team. The match began badly for Pollença as the forwards of the home team made the most of any advantage and kicked at key moments.

Johnstone 4-0, and Pollença RC began to Inverness CT, who had fight back but Corsaris equalised with nine men, RFC was the stronger defeated Hibs on penalties. team throughout and WINDOW CLOSED - finished with 64 points When football’s January to 12. transfer window closed at Matches to be played 12 midnight last Friday, a next weekend in the Cristiano Ronaldo total of 422 players had Senior League include found a new club... there second placed Bahia RC was sent-off in were 182 completed deals, at home to leaders El Real Madrid’s 1-1 with Crystal Palace signing Toro RC; Ibiza RFC draw with Bilbao. six new recruits. against RC Ponent; GREAT WIN - For the Pollença RC play TRUC first time since 1986, Great Menorca and Dimonis RED CARD: Ronaldo makes Britain are in the quarter- RC will meet Corsaris his way to the tunnel. finals of the Davis Cup after RC. defeating the USA in San The girls are back in FOOTIE FACTS - Last beating Aston Villa 2-1; Diego, California. Star of action in the fifth leg in weekend Sunderland beat WBA held Liverpool 1-1, the show was Andy Murray the Feminine League to Newcastle 3-0 - their third Manchester City lost 1-0 at who won both his singles be played in Manacor. matches. successive win in the home against Chelsea.

In the U18 League COLD OLYMPICS - Dimonis RC play El Toro Arsenal clipped Crystal North-East derby. The last time they achieved this was Palace 2-0, hapless Fulham Eighty-eight countries will RC and on Saturday in almost 90 years ago. Stoke lost 3-0 to Southampton, be taking part in the 2014 Son Caliu the eighth eclipsed Manchester United West Ham beat Swansea Winter Olympics which Rugby Day hosted by El for the first time in 30 2-0, Hull and Spurs drew start in Sochi, Russia, Toro RC is planned. tomorrow (Friday). Team years, winning 2-1; Everton 1-1.

As always, spectators In Scotland’s LC semi- GB will be aiming to win at are very welcome to any bounced back from their 40 Merseyside defeat by finals, Aberdeen beat St least four medals. of the fixtures.

season feeling very confident.

The sixth leg of the league for the U14-year-old players took place on Saturday in Son Caliu. Teams from Agora Portals, RC Ponent and a combined El Toro RC, Mallorca Bocs and Dimonis team turned out with plenty of support for an exciting morning of rugby.

As always the youngsters fought hard in each game, but the strongest continues to be Agora Portals. This team won both of their encounters followed by RC Ponent. The customary ‘Tercer tiempo’ took place after the matches where the players shared their experiences off the pitch.

A sunny but windy Sunday saw Agora Portals host the seventh Rugby Day in the series for the younger players (U12, U10 and U8).

El Toro RC

By Lynda Demangeat

England unlucky at rugby, but Britain ‘Great’ in Davis Cup and Winter Olympics start in Russia 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

SIX NATIONS rugby continues this weekend with Ireland playing Wales, England take on Scotland for the Calcutta Cup on Saturday, while on Sunday, it’s France against Italy.

There’s also a full programme of Premiership

football, the top games being Liverpool-Arsenal, Chelsea-Newcastle and Norwich-Manchester City, plus the Welsh derby between Swansea and Cardiff.

Inconsistent Manchester United play struggling Fulham, Crystal Palace take on WBA in a vital sixpointer, and Everton visit Spurs.

In the Championship, inform Leicester welcome Watford, FL1 table-toppers Brentford host Crawley and the top two, Chesterfield and Scunthorpe, meet in FL2.

Red for Ronaldo