Euro Weekly News - Costa de Almeria 8 - 14 May 2014 Issue 1505 by Euro Weekly News Media S.A.

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ISSUE NO. 1505

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Fire forces out residents MORE than 20 residents had to spend the night in the sports pavilion in Adra after their flats caught fire. Cruz Roja (Red Cross) and charity Caritas were on hand with food and bedding.

Illegal homes pledge A SOLUTION is near to the problem of ‘illegal’ homes facing the threat of demolition. Esteban Gonzalez Pons (pictured), Vice-secretary General for research and programmes of the governing Partido Popular political party in Spain, pledged that the demolition of ‘illegal’ homes “will not happen again in the future.” The statement drew rapturous applause from a packed meeting in Fines where he was speaking to members of AUAN (the association of Britons affected by planning irregularities in the Valley of Almanzora). In his speech, Pons spelled out several amendments to the current system including changes in legislation. Many home-owners who bought their houses in good faith complete with building licences from town halls have found themselves in a legal limbo after the Junta de Andalucia regional government withdrew the licences. It said they should never have been granted in

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Greenhouse OK FARMERS who can prove their plots were authorised for agricultural use before 2002 can now install greenhouses in Sierra Gador.

Road reopens PULPI COUNCIL have announced the reopening of the A-1205 and its connection with El Benzal. The road had been closed since the floods of September 2012.

Mother’s bonus ONCE (Spain’s national organisation for the blind) has given a cash bonus to two households in HuercalOvera and Almeria, splitting €80,000 between them, in its Mother’s Day draw.

the first place. Several homes have been demolished, with hundreds more facing the possibility of demolition orders. Pons promised “full transparency of regulations to protect good faith in purchases and to prevent corruption.” He said: “We will continue defending the more appropriate

persons, to legalise your houses while protecting the environment.” He continued: “We know this is a problem that should not be left because most of the people suffering in this situation are elderly. An imminent solution is near. “I just want to say one thing. Our presence here today is proof; proof of our commitment to your problem.

“Your problem is our problem,” Pons declared. Maura Hillen, President of AUAN, said: “We wanted a good turnout from affected residents tonight. “The room had a seating capacity of 700, yet it was standing room only, and people were spilling over outside so we are very pleased.” In a private meeting prior to Pons’s speech, AUAN met with SOHA (Save Our Homes in Axarquia), Len and Helen Prior - whose home was demolished and who are still awaiting compensation - and senior PP politicians, including Andalucia PP’s President Gabriel Amat. Geraldo Vazquez, the lawyer for AUAN, SOHA and other associations representing 40,000 homeowners, was also present.

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NEWS THIS WEEK IN

EWN News 1 - 34

Finance 35 - 40

Letters 47 YOUNG HOPEFULS: Participants had to design an advert.

Festival Spot Express hopefuls After their hard work, the entrants were shown a movie and given food and drinks. Prizes will be awarded this weekend. First prize is €1,000 as chosen by the jury and a special audience award is worth €500. The weekend event was the brainchild of Lagar Productions with the collaboration of Huercal-Overa and Almeria councils, University of Granada’s School of Communication and Information, Universities of Malaga and Alicante, and the Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Almeria (AJE).

Daily TV 52

Leapy Lee 54

THIS weekend saw dozens of young entrepreneurial hopefuls from all over Spain come together to pitch their advertisements in Huercal-Overa. At the town hall, the entrants were welcomed by the mayor of Huercal-Overa, Domingo Fernandez, and the councillor for Commerce and Tourism, Monica Navarro. Participants had to use their creativity to design an advert, liaising with local businesses to get feedback. This gave them valuable insight into working businesses.

Time out 56 - 57

Property 79

Classifieds 81 - 83

Sport 87 - 88

NEWS Car thieves arrested LOCAL Police in HuercalOvera caught two individuals trying to steal a car. Officers stopped the theft then gave chase, eventually catching them in Calle Hernan Cortes. RBL Bikathon in Vera SUNDAY May 11 sees a bikathon with the Royal British Legion Mojacar branch. 10:30am - 6:30pm in the car park next to Consum supermarket, Vera Playa. Stalls, food, music and more. New city homes BARRIO Alto in Almeria is to get 48 new homes. The project has received 15 tender proposals and includes parking, open spaces and a new road. Organ donors goal RUNNERS in Almeria at the weekend helped to raise the number of organ donors in Spain. The goal is to gain 10,000 new donors. Seven thousand have registered so far. PSOE hit streets PSOE representatives took to the streets across Almeria Province last weekend to distribute 36,000 leaflets in an effort to encourage votes for the European elections on May 25. Nicked in Nijar NIJAR Guardia Civil located a man (21) after he left his mobile phone in a warehouse he had just burgled. They arrested him and found various stolen goods in the boot of his car. Alcazaba record VISITORS to the Alcazaba and other sites of historical interest in Almeria City have reached a record 90,575 in the first four months of 2014, almost 8000 more than 2013.

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Albox pool is to open at last ALBOX citizens will be able to enjoy the swimming pool this summer, as the town council has signed a contract with Procosona to complete works. A total of €187,500 will be spent to complete construction of the 12 by 25 metre pool, as well as the installation of a lift for people with disabilities. There is also work planned for the changing rooms, gardens, lawn area complete with sun loungers. The estimated time for completion is 45 working days. “Our intention is to open the door to these facilities this summer, that residents can enjoy the new services. This is our commitment and therefore our team is working to the maximum, despite the many obstacles, to end the work soon,” said Mayor Rogelio Mena.

ews watch

Market winners announced

MAYOR Gabriel Amat of Roquetas de Mar has announced the winners of the recent tender for works on the market. Work begins now to complete by summer 2015.

Truck crash TWO trucks crashed at kilometre 563 of the A-7, causing traffic diversions for three hours. There were no people injured.

Over limit LOCAL POLICE stopped a man at Vera last week for driving erratically. When tested, the man was found to be five times over the legal limit for alcohol.

Return of an icon THE new neon Tio Pepe sign in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid is due to be lit in an official inauguration today (May 8). The Tio Pepe advertisement watched over the central square from the late 1950s until 2011 when it was removed. The Sherry bottle, topped with a Cordoba hat, wearing a short torero jacket and brandishing a guitar, was originally fixed to the top floor of the Hotel Paris. But the building, belonging to a Mexican property group, was leased to Apple Retail Store and the sign was removed during renovation work. Tio Pepe owners Gonzalez Byass always assumed it would return, but when they found it was absent from plans for the revamped building they challenged them, suggesting that restoration “should be obliged to include the historic Tio Pepe sign.” It emerged that the building’s owners did not want to renew the Tio Pepe contract but other sites offered a new home to the emblematic advertisement. Now, it is back with a new, improved, slim-line figure. Up to 20 people worked on the final touches to put the advertisement in place on the top of Number 11, Puerta del Sol, with the help of a crane, causing much expectation amongst the press, local residents and tourists alike. The original Tio Pepe figure was created in 1935, coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of Gonzalez Byass, and the following year, it was used for the first time in an advertisement. The brand Tio Pepe was registered back in 1888. Luis Perez Solero designed the image, which has changed its appearance 12 times since its creation. In 2009, the sign was declared part of Madrid’s historical heritage. Tio Pepe is made in Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz, and is a dry Sherry made from the Palomino grape.

EMBLEMATIC: Tio Pepe stands proud once again above Puerta del Sol in Madrid.

In hiding POLICE have arrested a man during the course of a robbery in Vera. He was in the process of stealing computer equipment and had hidden under a car to avoid detection.

Swan Lake BALLET enthusiasts were treated to Swan Lake and Sea Sing in Vera last week. The dancers were from across Andalucia.

Bedar fire STRONG winds fanned the flames of fire in Bedar last week, resulting in two hectares of scrubland destroyed. INFOCA were supported by land and air.

‘

Quote of the Week I haven’t been paid with money in an envelope in my f***ing life”, Vice-President of the Government, Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, following accusations in parliament that she had been paid almost €600,000 illegally by the conservative Partido Popular in the past years.

finding work. For the first time, there were more Spaniards (53 per cent) than there were foreigners. Just over 12,000 found a job thanks to the Caritas Employment and Social Economy Programme.

went to Catholic charity 77,072 people Caritas in 2013 to ask for help

Number of the week

And finally... AN overweight man, 46, suffered a heart attack after being caught shoplifting in a Lidl supermarket in Madrid. He was hiding packets of ham worth €12 under his clothes and attacked staff who caught him. He died in hospital shortly afterwards.

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NEWS Orphans to Disneyland SPANISH Property Choice would like to give a big thank you to all the businesses and individuals that have supported them so far with the ‘Orphans to Disneyland’ trip which is planned for later this year. Already, Bill Lester (Spanish Property Choice’s maintenance man) has jumped 855 feet off the Stratosphere tower in Las Vegas. Billy (43) is actually scared of heights! Wendy (Bill’s wife), also 43 was adopted, so the charity feels quite “close to home,” and SPC would like to endorse it, also the business is based in Vera, and would like to give something back to the local community. All costs associated with the above stunt were met by Spanish Property Choice rentals. Last weekend they held a raffle, and many generous local businesses donated gifts. They are raising money to take the orphans from Vera orphanage to Disneyland and have already raised €6,644 towards the trip. However, there is a still a way to go, so any further donations are much appreciated. If you would like to donate to this good cause then please either call into the Spanish Property Choice office on, Avenida Del Mediterraneo 363, Mojacar Playa. Or email rentals@spanishpropert ychoice.com for further details.

Bringing home the trophies CHILDREN from La Escuela Deportiva Municipal (EDM) in Huercal-Overa triumphed last weekend at the Carrera Alcantarilla.

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Revving up MOTORBIKE fans have a treat planned on May 17 as Concentracion Motera 2014 hits the town. Events start at 9am. Entry is 10 Euros and includes paella and two drinks

Free cars HOTELS in Cabo de Gata are offering free hire of electric cars to promote ecological tourism in the area. The offer is available to paying hotel guests.

Pupils from the school soared ahead in children’s races, a half marathon and a 10km air base race, bagging themselves seven trophies. Children and adults competed in races and enjoyed the facilities on offer. Sliding down zip lines, crossing trenches and watching demonstrations were all part of the fun on offer at the Alcantarilla air base. The children thoroughly enjoyed their day and made their school very proud. Every child that took part received a medal as well as goodies from prize draws. Sports councillor, Alonso Mena, commented

PROUD MOMENT: Pupils from the school bagged seven trophies between them. “The participation of EDM was again very good, as we are used to. Our children have won several trophies and especially enjoyed playing sports with their friends and families. The town council are delighted that the team has the name of our town shining through so many competitions.”

Vandal arrested GUARDIA Civil officers have arrested a man for causing damage to an advertising board and a bus stop in El Ejido. Residents reported the man as behaving in a bizarre manner, screaming incoherently, and brandishing an iron bar. The man, in a state of distress, then attacked the advertising board and the bus stop with the iron bar, causing major damage. The man (BL) aged 27 was arrested by Guardia

DAMAGED: Bus stop was smashed with an iron bar. Civil and faces a charge of damage to public property and a further charge of disturbing public order.

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More work placements in Huercal-Overa SCHOLARSHIPS have been awarded to 30 young

COAG asks Tejerina for help with their concerns COAG (Coordinator of Organisations of Farmers and Ranchers) have asked the new Minister for Agriculture, Food and Environment (Isabel Garcia Tejerina) to speak with professional agricultural organisations and address the main concerns of the industry. Secretary General of COAG, Miguel Blanco, said “it is vital to have a firm and resolute commitment to social and professional structure and agriculture essential for the creation of employment opportunities and development in rural areas.” Miguel Blanco pointed out a variety of issues, but in particular, the agricultural budget, as it was ‘hacked’ by 41 per cent over the last three years.

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Up for election MAITE PAGAZAURTUNDUA has been put forward by the UPyD party for candidacy in the upcoming European elections on May 25.

Illegal fishing POLICE have disrupted unlicensed fishing of immature fish and seized six octopi and two cuttlefish, in Enix and Almeria. The cephalopods were given to charity.

adults in Huercal-Overa, launching the second year of work placements in Huercal-Overa. The internships start on May 1 and run for three months. 2013 was the first time the initiative had run, and was deemed a success by the organisers, who reported that 50 per cent of the youngsters had gained employment at the end of their training. Mayor of Huercal-Overa, Fernandez Domingo, signed the agreements with councillor Monica Navarro in a ceremony at the town hall. Navarro said that the internship programme was borne of the council’s desire to address the issues of unemployment, and to reduce the figures of those out of work. She said, “thanks must go to the businesses that have joined this programme,

because the young people will have the opportunity to take their first step towards gaining experience and acquire skills after having completed their education.” This year has seen the budget almost double from 2013, offering an additional 10 placements, benefiting young people who have completed their studies in the last five years, yet still not acquired employment. The working day is five hours, and the youngsters receive €300 per month compensation, 80 per cent of which is paid by the council, with the remaining 20 per cent being covered by the businesses. There is also the opportunity to extend the course in individual cases if it is seen to be of further benefit to the relevant students.

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Vigil held MONDAY May 5 saw 12 Catholic organisations hold a prayer vigil in Almeria City. The event was held in Claras convent next to the Ayuntamiento for ‘Get linked to justice.’

Tobacco and drug smugglers caught GUARDIA CIVIL seized 1,750 packets of rolling tobacco worth in excess of €8,000 last week, during routine checks of passengers and vehicles at Almeria port. One person was arrested during the operation, which is part of a preventative initiative developed for public health and safety. The initiative randomly spot checks vehicles and passengers when they pass through the nothing to declare section at the port, as well as at harbours along the coast. It also enables Guardia Civil officers to check vehicles in the area. The officers also confiscated 300 grammes of marihuana from a man at Roquetas de Mar. The man (aged 22) was the passenger in a car that was speeding around the streets of the town.

Football for food YOUNGSTERS from the Socialist party in Nijar have managed to collect 100 kilograms of food for the needy in Almeria, five times more than 2013. The ‘Intercultural goal’ initiative saw youngsters competing in teams in a football tournament. This is the second tournament, and organisers were thrilled that there were double the teams from last year. The general secretary for Socialist Youth in Nijar, Ainoha Salmeron, explained that the initiative promotes the inclusion of those groups at risk of social inclusion, whilst also promoting sporting activities. She said it has “resulted in a success of participation and donations”. She went on to say, “In view of the results of this tournament, we believe the solidarity of our young Nijar people has been demonstrated. We will look to repeat the event next year.”

Sewage help ORIA and Los Cerricos will benefit from substantial work to be done on the sewerage system through 2014/ 2015. The contract is worth €342,600.

Parrots rescued HUERCAL-OVERA Council have congratulated the Guardia Civil on their prompt action with regard to the theft of two parrots from the town park. Alonso Mena, councillor at HuercalOvera, reported the theft in the middle of April, and the Guardia Civil responded immediately. Within a short time, the parrots were located in an underground garage, seemingly unharmed and in good health. The Amazonian parrots are thought to be quite valuable, and considered a real asset to the town park. Officers have arrested a young man (17) on suspicion of burglary, and have handed him to the juvenile court for judgement.

Dodgy juice NATIONAL POLICE have arrested five people who were bussing to Italy to distribute hashish. The hashish was discovered in the bases of juice cartons and taped to their abdomens. PARROTS SAFE: Returned to the town park.

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NEWS Credit: Pere López

AGREED: Barcelona court ordered return of the girl.

THE Spanish government has held meetings this week to bring ‘kidnapped’ girl Ximena home from Mexico. As reported in last week’s Euro Weekly News, Ximena was taken by her

Getting Ximena home at last Squares for remodelling

maternal aunt shortly after her mother died from leukaemia. This was more than four years ago. Ximena’s Almerian father has been campaigning tirelessly ever since to get his young daughter home again, despite a court ruling initially in the aunt’s favour. But now the ELOISA CABRERA, deputy mayor of Roquetas de Mar National Supreme Court has announced the remodelling of a number of the of Mexico and the town squares. First on the list is Plaza Limones de Provincial Court in Aguadulce. She said: “We are ready to start preparaBarcelona have agreed tory work for construction on the Plaza de Limones de with him, issuing a return Aguadulce, a public space needing major renovation.” order from Mexico.

No smoking competition PONIENTE hospital and health district are holding a photographic competition in the run-up to World No Smoking Day on May 30. Entry is open to students in western Almeria, who have until May 20 to submit their images. There is a limit of two photographs per student, and they must be submitted to WhatsApp number 671 561 380, accompanied by a message stating the title of the image, the photographer’s name, school, course, and contact information. The work must be completely original, and no photomontages allowed. The theme must be related to No Smoking Day. A jury will make their decision on May 28 and will notify the winner. There will be a ceremony on May 30 at the Poniente Hospital. First prize is an MP5 device and a certificate, while second and third prize winners will have an MP4 device and a certificate.

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Brits get their own help desk in Zurgena ZURGENA Town Council has started providing services to its British residents in their own language. The ‘Help Desk’ which is on site at the Zurgena Town Hall offers English speakers the option of managing all types of processes that are normally only available in Spanish, in their own native tongue, easing the worries of conveying problems, making suggestions or asking for help with town issues. The initiative is being organised by the Department of Social Welfare, Health and Education in conjunction with the British Seniors Community headed up by Jim Simpson. Amongst the services implemented in the last few days are support and information about Social Security, medical records, and helping bereaved families of British origin. “Implementing a Help Desk was essential to further integrate the British community in our town and to assist in troubleshooting or exploring procedures that are sometimes so complex that one would struggle to understand them in their native language,” said Ana Gonzalez, councillor for Social Welfare, Health and Education. This new initiative comes in addition to other initiatives promoted by the town such as briefings on Spanish healthcare for British residents, and the ‘Days of the Third Age,’ which were held in both Castilian and English. In Zurgena there are approximately 1,300 residents of British and Irish origin, so its inception is being welcomed by many. Luis Diaz, mayor of Zurgena, explained that any “Zurgena citizen, regardless of their nationality, has the right to receive all necessary information and assistance from the City Council.” He went on to invite all who needed it, to avail themselves of the advice and services provided by the Help Desk.

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PSOE candidate speaks out MARI CARMEN ORTIZ (PSOE) criticised the PP in Almeria saying, “Spain is the only country in Europe that has not only refused to drop tax, but has chosen to raise it.”

Massive increase in olive oil exports for Almeria FIGURES announced by a recent Estacom report for Almeria have shown January and February this year to have exported 614,000 kilos of olive oil, a massive increase of 457 per cent compared to the same period in 2013. These exports equated to a turnover of 777,000, almost 350 per cent more than the previous year. Most exported olive oil heads across to Italy, with 69.3 per cent of the product heading east and valued at almost €540,000. Switzerland took 10.5 per cent and Poland 6.1 per cent. Outside Europe, Mexico, the United States, Jamaica and Japan also enjoyed Spanish olive oil. Nearly 20,000 hectares of olive

New routes THE Government has approved a new contract for two sea routes to Melilla, from Malaga and Almeria. The budget is €15,400,400 and runs for two years from September.

Mayor visits Huercal-Overa works HUERCAL-OVERA mayor, Domingo Fernandez, has made a visit to the works included in the town improvements. In particular he surveyed the new cycle path which runs from the bus station to the edge of the town. The cycle path is already in operation while other works continue. Accompanying the mayor were councillor for Work and Services, Alonso Mena, and councillor for Economics, Maribel Sanchez. Fernandez commented, “the cycle path is key to access and mobility. Once you have completely changed this area, access to the town is improved. “The results so far have been very good. It not only improves mobility with the bike path, but also with the footpaths. We’ve got a pretty attractive aesthetic with the artificial grass on pavements and the new street lamps.” Further works include improved pavements, roads and security as well as children’s play areas.

groves in Almeria were dedicated to the cultivation of exportable oil in the 2013-2014 season, an increase of 0.3 per cent on the period before. Of this area, 82 hectares are groves for ‘table olives’ and the remainder for mills. Thirteen thousand hectares of olive groves are irrigated. The harvest itself amounted to 52.8 million kilos, an increase of 2.9 per cent on 2013, 10 million kilos of which were sent for oil production.

Seron clean-up SERON Town Council has approved financing for improvements to building facades in the town centre. A budget of €40,000 has been set aside for whitening and repairing the facades. Each facade owner that applies will get council funding of €2 per square metre, to cover a total of 20,000 square metres of facades.

Chick gift ENVIRONMENTAL agents in Almeria have donated a 50-day-old Bonelli’s Eagle chick to Navarre where the species is at risk of extinction. CYCLE PATH: In operation.

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Second Jihadist arrested GUARDIA CIVIL, in collaboration with French police, have arrested an alleged Islamic ‘jihadist’ in Almeria. Abdelmalek Tanem (25) is said by police to be a member of two terrorist groups, both under the leadership of Al Qaeda. From October 2013 to January 2014, Tanem is believed to have carried out ‘combatant’ work, and was also an alleged ‘facilitator’ on the Turkish/Syrian border. Abdelmalek Tanem, born in France, is the second terrorist to be arrested this year, after Mohamed Sadik Abdeluahid was detained on January 5.

PARTICIPANTS: The popular event included walkers, runners and cyclists.

La Sierrecica a success again! MORE than 600 people came together for the third edition of La Sierrecica at Huercal-Overa last week. The popular outdoor race event included walkers, runners, cyclists and, this year as a first, horses. The day began early with various bars in the vicinity overflowing with participants grabbing a bite to eat and a drink before setting off. The cyclists headed off first, followed by the walkers and runners, and finally the horse riders. People of all ages got involved and, in particular, large family groups and friends. Representatives from the town hall were also in attendance. The weather was perfect for the race, and everyone enjoyed the scenery. Councillor for Sports, Alonso Mena, said: “This is the third year the event has been organised, and there has been a good atmosphere.”

Lucky escape for cliff walker GUARDIA CIVIL came to the aid of a man last week who had fallen from a cliff at Cala Higuera close to Cabo de Gata. The man had fallen approximately 20 feet from the cliff on the southern coast of Almeria. Unfortunately, due to the terrain, access to the man was difficult, so the Guardia Civil called for the assistance of the Almeria Maritime Service, who were able to support from the water. The man had several fractures to his leg and symptoms of hypothermia. Guardia Civil transferred the walker to San Jose where he received urgent treatment before being transferred by ambulance to Torrecardenas Hospital.

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Great start THE first weekend in May boasted temperature highs of up to 28º Celsius in coastal areas, with only a couple of degrees lower inland.

Teresa wins TERESA FIAZ has won the 4th edition of the poster contest to raise awareness of the importance of blood transfusions, organ-ised by the School of Art and the Blood Service.

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Alleged paedophile arrested at airport NATIONAL Police have arrested a man aged 24 at Almeria airport for four alleged sexual assaults on minors. The man, who was travelling back from Belgium where he had been studying, had been under close police surveillance since February while they examined the evidence. When officers saw that he had booked a plane ticket to Almeria, they planned his arrest. He was first brought to their attention by the authorities in Alicante after a young boy reported that the 24-year-old man had befriended the child and gained his trust on social networks. The ‘friendship’ moved on to WhatsApp, where the man suggested meeting for sex. The meeting never happened and the case was brought to police attention. The investigation began, leading to an advertisement where a website was offering services as a ‘sitter’ to care for children. The police were able to match the telephone number to that of one associated with requests for homosexual activity. Officers raided two homes associated with the man and found video files, photographs, and other paedophilic content. The man had also been communicating with other men and distributing material of a sexual nature on social networking websites. Police are continuing their investigations in order to identify any additional victims.

Turre fountain to get a facelift TURRE’S town fountain is being updated with a budget of €200,000 for the first phase. The water supply, drainage, and power supply are to be renovated and parts replaced where necessary. The surrounding area is also to be extended. Arturo Grima, Turre’s mayor, gave heartfelt thanks for the support being given to Turre, pointing out the importance to the town and its appeal to tourists.

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Kiss of death for proposed five star Mojacar hotel? MACENAS Hotel in Mojacar has been dealt another blow by the expiration of its licence. Only a skeleton structure stands where the proposed five star hotel was to be built. A few months ago the planning licence expired, and the town council has enforced the decision. This means the developer now has to begin the administrative procedures again and financial obligations to resume work. PSOE representative, Manuel Zamora, called this a “final blow” and a knock to the “investments that create jobs.” He continued, “as a reminder, this is a five star hotel with an investment of €44 million, 200 rooms, and an estimated 150 job opportunities once complete.” Zamora pointed out “If we consider that in these matters, the law is stricter, this could mean the hotel is never built because the new rules do not allow for it. To make matters worse, this decision will mean the return of part of the fee already paid for the granting of the licence - more than €300,000.” He concluded: “The government team should have contacted the developers and extended the planning permission as granted in 2007, which could have been done without any problems, allowing building work to continue. “I know that others have had this done. We should note that building was stalled by the developer because of the economic crisis but what if the economic cycle changes and they would like to finish and open the hotel? “Do we want it completed and jobs created? Or do we want a hideous unfinished structure in that area?”

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Approval for Vera roadworks to begin GABRIEL AMAT, leader of Almeria Provincial Council, met with Vera’s mayor, Jose Carmelo Jorge, this week and presented investments of almost half a million euros for roadworks in Vera. The aim of the project is to improve the town’s infrastructure and to provide a better quality of service to residents and visitors. The work involves remodelling, junction management, storm drain improvements and paving. The works affect the village, RC-5e sector, areas Natsun, Las Marinas and Cabuzana. Streets affected are Labradores, San Cleofas, Juan Anglada, Paseo Miguel de Cervantes, Calle Francisco de Castilla, Avenida Cañada Julian, Calle Alcazaba, Calle Albardin, Calle Esparto, Calle Vera Colina, Avenida Salar, Avenida Ciudad de Castellon, Calle Mare Nostrum, Calle las Conchas, Calle las Arenas, Calle Fuensalida, Calle Rio Andarax and Calle Rio Almanzora. Amat stressed the importance of the investments for the town of Vera saying, “tourism is one of the economic pillars of Vera and the provision of quality services and infrastructures will result in a higher quality of visit for all.” The next step in the process is project approval by the town council and to award the work for contract.

Refurbishment plan for Bayarcal BAYARCAL has been given investments worth €77,825 thanks to the Agricultural Employment Development Plan managed by the town council. Cleaning and paving of streets, refurbishment of public spaces, gardens and trails plus tree pruning, are all to be covered in the upcoming works. Locations receiving the benefit are the Barrios Alto, Rambillo and Casa Nuevas, as well as the old cemetery, the new cemetery parking area, Talama festival zone, Los Molinos trails, Los Prados, El Peñon, Alto Prado and the water tanks. This comes from a budget of €28,711.44. Improvements inside the town itself, to include paving, have an overall budget of €49,114.80. The investments include wage costs, social security payments, and material costs.

Gador’s iconic building now one step closer WORK has begun this week on Gador’s brand new multipurpose building. The building will play host to various workshops, training courses, conferences and activities. Cofunded by Gador Town Council and Almeria Provincial Council, the building work costs €743,700 and is expected to be completed by October 2014. Mayor of Gador, Eugenio Gonzalez, expressed his pleasure with the start of construction and recognised the efforts of the local council to bring it to fruition. He explained that the building will be a focal meeting point for residents and various groups, due to its hosting such a variety of activities. The new building at La Paz, near the Health Centre, has a total area of 1,324 square metres, four floors and 52 parking spaces.

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The price of life NATIONAL POLICE in Figueras, Cataluña, have freed a young woman, of Romanian extraction, who was sold into sexual slavery for €1,500. The woman was being forced, through threats and sexual violence, to work as a prostitute. The young woman is aged 19 now but when she was originally bought she was a minor. She was ‘purchased’ for €1,500 by two pimps who exploited her in Italy and Spain. A few months later, they sold her on to another couple of pimps, again for €1,500, who took her to work at a club in Figueras. The case came to the attention of police when the Romanian Embassy was alerted anonymously that a young woman had been sold into sexual slavery in Spain. A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of selling the victim.

May Day protest march of thousands THOUSANDS of people took to the streets to protest to the government about the employment situation on May 1, officially the world’s Workers’ Day. “Without jobs there is no recovery,” was the motto under which the thousands congregated all over the country. The leaders of the Communist Party and the unions, Ignacio Fernandez Toxo and Candido Mendez respectively, took the opportunity to denounce the government’s actions to create employment as ‘propaganda,’ as evidenced by the lack of growth in any sector. Toxo pointed out that “there are 27 million unemployed in Europe of

MADRID: Workers’ Day protest. which six million are in Spain and for them the crisis is not coming to an end - nor will it until they get jobs. Where is this recovery that the government speaks of?” Mendez weighed in on the matter by asking about the pensions, grants and family benefits that are not reaching their intended recipients due to the huge amount of paperwork now requested by the government. Both leaders agreed that there can be no recovery without more employment. Mariano Rajoy’s government has yet to answer.

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EWN

700 storm over Spanish border AROUND 700 African migrants charged Spain’s barbed-wire border fences at the country’s North African enclave of Melilla. The migrants clashed with Spanish and Moroccan border police, with Spanish authorities confirming that 140 of the migrants managed to enter Spanish territory - despite the best efforts of border control. It was the latest wave in a tide of African immigrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean into Europe. Spain’s two North African exclaves of Melilla and Ceuta are key entry points and have proved vulnerable to repeated attacks by hundreds of immigrants over recent months. Yesterday’s migrants rushed the fences in two waves, with 500 arriving in the early hours and another 200 a few hours later. By the afternoon, more than 150 people remained near an outside border fence. Reportedly, they fended off police by setting fire to their clothing and throwing it at them. Police resorted to the use of pepper spray to try and force the migrants down from the 20-foot high fence. Spain’s Interior Ministry statement said that some migrants were treated by Red Cross staff at the scene, with five taken to hospital. Some 12 police officers were injured. The 140 new arrivals to Spain were taken to the region’s temporary immigrant centre, which now contains more than 1,900 immigrants. The Interior Ministry statement said that this facility is now way “above its maximum capacity.” The EU has been asked to assist in the immigration situation, which is becoming increasingly more difficult and strained. The cost of border enforcement is also spiralling.

E W N 8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

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UK judge backs mother over Spanish father A UK judge has sided with a British mother against her Spanish ex-husband. Jennifer Jones sparked a media frenzy in 2012 when she went on the run with four of her five children on the day that they were supposed to be returned to their father at Cardiff railway station. Spanish soldier Tomas Palacin Cambra, 54, said ex-wife Jennifer Jones, 47, was in contempt of court and should be committed to prison. However, the court ruled in favour of Llanelli-born Ms Jones and spared her a jail sentence following an emotive letter from one of her children. High Court judge Sir James Munby described Jessica’s account of her family’s trouble as ‘one of the saddest things’ he had ever heard. Daughter Jessica, 16, told the presiding High Court Family Division judge she would rather die than go to Spain to live with her father. The youngest two children, Eva, 10, and David, eight, now live with their father and eldest sister Sara, 17, in Spain but Jessica and Tomas, 14, refused to go back. All of the children were born in Britain. Jessica, who is due to sit her GCSEs this year, revealed that she is scared of her father, who has a bad temper, and would consider suicide if she was forced to return. When asked how she would feel if her mother was jailed, Jessica replied: “I’d have a break down. There’s nothing my mum could have said or done to have made us go back to Spain. “I don’t understand why he would want to put mum in jail. This is just too much.” The custody battle has been long-running and upsetting following the breakdown of the marriage between Ms Jones and Spanish army officer Tomas Palacin Cambra in 2008. Outside London’s High Court Ms Jones said: “This victory, if that is what it is, feels very hollow, because at the heart of this terribly sad matter are five children who are no longer together as a family as they should be. “It’s so hard on all of them. They should be together, playing and smiling and doing all the things siblings do together. “I will never give up fighting to reunite them.” A judge ruled that the children could be identified when appealing for help in tracing them in October 2012. Once they were found after a five day search Court of Appeal judges concluded that there would be no way of reapplying anonymity because of the amount of publicity the case received.

Father acquitted of sexual abuse A MAN, 44, who had been sentenced to seven years in prison for abusing his 12-year-old daughter, has been acquitted. In 2013, Almeria Provincial Court sentenced him considering it proved that in October 2009, the girl and her brother were staying with their father in Antas, Almeria. The man had allegedly been drinking and entered the girl’s bedroom, where he sexually abused her. When she awoke, he left the room. She claimed to be suffering from posttraumatic stress. The sentence, which has now been overruled following an appeal, was based solely on her testimony and did not include the testimony of her brother, 16 at the time, who was sleeping in the same room when the abuse allegedly occurred. He also claims in 2012, his sister had told him the story was false and her mother had pressured her into reporting the alleged abuse. Neither did it take into account the testimony of the man’s new partner, who said that while the children were in their home in Antas, he had never left the bed he shared with her on the few nights he was there. Plus, several times, the girl had reported her mother and her new partner, with whom she lived in Barcelona, for abusing her, and later retracted her statements. Therefore, the Supreme Court has considered that the presumption of innocence was not maintained in this case and the man has been acquitted.

UNDER SCRUTINY: The AVE high-speed train line construction contract.

Nine arrests in AVE corruption case THE Guardia Civil has arrested nine people for alleged irregularities in the construction of the high-speed AVE railway linking Madrid and Barcelona, which led to improper billing of some €6 million. Reportedly, the suspects are from Adif, the agency that manages infrastructure projects in Spain, and executives of a construction company who allegedly wrongfully made profits on the AVE project. Investigators are looking into whether executives of contractor Corsan worked with certain Adif officials and third parties to benefit at the expense of the Spanish government. Officials said prosecutors suspect that documents were altered to make it look like the contractor had done more work than it actually had. The authorities are also examining the possibility that the contract itself was conducted under irregular conditions, according to the prosecutor’s office.

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NEWS

Banana thrower freed A YOUNG man who threw a banana at Barcelona football player Dani Alves, causing a storm about racism in Spanish football has been freed pending a court appearance. The man, 26, was detained by National Police and after being interviewed he was allowed to leave. He stands accused of provoking discrimination, hatred and/or violence against a person or persons for racial motives. Villareal Football Club identified him, withdrew his membership and gave him a lifelong ban from the grounds. A judge will decide whether to prosecute the case in court or just apply a fine.

Housework for Spain’s children, by law UNDER a new draft law approved in the Spanish Parliament last week children will be legally obliged to do housework and respect their schoolteachers. The Child Protection Bill would mean that Spanish parents and teachers have a weapon in the war against disobedient children. If the bill is passed, children under 18 in Spain will be legally obliged to do household chores “in accordance with their age and regardless of their gender.” Children and young people will also have to “participate in family life” and respect “their parents and siblings,” according to Spain’s ABC newspaper. And when it comes to school there are obligations there too, with children having to “respect school rules” and “study as required.” The law also states that Spain’s youth should take a responsible attitude towards public property and the environment. CHORES: Children reminded of responsibilities.

More EU candidates THE BOE (official state news bulletin) has published the details of the 39 Spanish candidates for the European elections on May 29; there will be four more than in the 2009 elections. The electoral committee has rejected the proposals of only two parties, the Canary Unity Party and the Green EcoPacifists due to irregularities in their paperwork. Neither party had presented their list of individual candidates and the Greens presented photocopies of their proposals rather than the originals. The most popular are thought to be the PP and the PSOE, although minority parties including the VOX party and the Partido X (Xparty) are gaining ground the nearer the elections get.

Even though the draft law doesn’t set out penalties for children who fail to fulfil these requirements, it does mark a shift in legislation, with its focus on the responsibilities of children. The draft law also means that all

job applicants wanting to work with children will have to provide a copy of their criminal record. The bill seeks to establish a list of those who should not be allowed to work with children and youngsters.

Mallorca to ban bikinis in Palma’s public places MALLORCA is considering a law to ban the wearing of swimwear outside of bathing areas in the capital Palma. The proposed measure for popular holiday-destination Mallorca is said to be part of a wider campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour. The law could see scantily-clad tourists fined, with some fearing that unsuspecting visitors to the island may end up being targeted by the authorities for inappropriate attire. However, many Mallorca citizens are reportedly fed up with seeing underdressed tourists away from the island’s beaches and would welcome the bikini ban. The proposed ban, with details in Palma City Council’s ‘Ordenanza Civica,’ or ‘Good Citizen Plan,’ is said to be close to being made law. Under a section entitled ‘etiquette,’ the Ordenanza states that it will be forbidden for anyone to be ‘naked or nude’ in public places or ‘devoid of superior clothing.’ The proposed prohibition will not apply to promenades or streets adjacent to the beach. Apparently, no specific penalties have yet been agreed for the plan.

E W N 8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería COSTA BLANCA NORTH

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NEWS DESK COSTA DEL SOL

Art show ALTEA announced that ‘Balconades’ pictures will be displayed on Old Town balconies between July 18 and August 31. Artists have until June 13 to present their work.

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

Train works WORKS on the AVE high-speed train tracks between Antequera and Granada will affect circulation on part of the A-92 motorway throughout this month.

Stamp of success VILLAJOYOSA Town Hall has saved €72,000 on postage in the last five years. Savings were made by improving the notification system and staff reorganisation, municipal sources said.

No apology A MEETING held between Malaga Bishop, Jesus Catala, and the family of a transsexual child, ended without an agreement from the bishop to apologise for his comments.

Debt settling PEDREGUER Town Hall finished 2013 with a €1.7 million surplus but cannot reinvest this in improvements to the municipality. Instead, it must pay off the previous council’s debts, sources lamented.

Esperanto convention MORE than 150 people from all over the world were expected in Ronda for an Esperanto congress, which included classes and a flamenco recital.

Not looking

Law-abiding THE crime rate in La Nucia dropped by 6 per cent last year while police efficiency rose by 27 per cent during the same period.

Bitter taste THE Gandia area ended this year’s citrus fruit campaign with 30 per cent losses compared to 2013. Growers blamed low prices for oranges and rising costs.

Calpe most sought after with Trivago CALPE was the most looked-for Marina Alta location on the Trivago website in 2013. Trivago, which looks for and compares the prices of 500,000 hotels worldwide, is used by more than 45 million people a month. The Valencian Community accounted for 10.2 per cent of all Spanish searches on the internet hotel comparison site. In all, 4.6 per cent of these enquiries were for Calpe, compared to 1.7 per cent for Javea, Benicassim and Cullera (both in Valencia Province) or Denia’s 3 per cent. The average value of a Calpe booking cost €475, according to Trivago, followed by Javea (€415) and Denia (€392) although Benidorm bookings at an average €549 were the highest-priced. “Although we must not ignore the traditional promotional channels, it is obvious the use of online searches is becoming increasingly popular,” said Calpe’s councillor for Tourism Jan Van Parijs. “Calpe hotels and the Tourist department are all in favour of new technology,” Van Parijs added.

CALPE: In favour of new technology.

A WOMAN caused an accident during the Malaga Triathlon when crossing the road in front of a cyclist, who sustained a broken collarbone.

Hunters protest THE Andalucian Hunting Federation is against plans to convert the Sierra de la Nieves area into a National Park, as they say it would affect ‘social hunting.’

AXARQUIA

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

Almuñecar gymnasts GYMNASTS from the Almuñecar Rythmic Gym School have gone through to the finals in the individual competition. They will be held in Conil, Cadiz, on June 1.

Restoration project THE new regional president of Murcia has promised to support the initiatives to restore two emblematic monuments in San Pedro del Pinatar, the Floridablanca bathing station and the Molino de Quintin windmill.

Red Cross RED CROSS members gave the children of the Algarrobo an informal chat about the importance of reading; around 250 children between the ages of six and 10 attended the event.

BBQ ban THE lighting of any form of fire or BBQ in Murcia’s regional parks is now prohibited. The ban came into force last Thursday and will remain in place until October.

Casino closure CARTAGENA’S Parque Mediterraneo casino is to close after being forced to enter into voluntary bankruptcy proceedings following a decline in the number of customers.

now available to see online.

Plane drill A DRILL was held at Son Sant Joan Airport in Palma, simulating a plane hijacking, in which firemen, police, army, airport authorities and others took part.

Cine tourism NERJA hosted a round table on the ‘Present and Future of Audiovisual Production and Cinematographic Tourism in Nerja’. The council sees cinematographic tourism as a possible new revenue stream for the town.

Helping families HELP Association Vega Baja donated €988 to families in Catral and through the AMICS office food parcels were gathered and distributed.

MALLORCA

Cyclist dies A GERMAN cyclist, 65, died from a heart attack on the road from Santa Margalida to Llubi. He had got off his bike and was pushing it when the attack happened.

Bus accident FOUR women were slightly injured when a bus in Palma had to brake suddenly when a taxi crossed its path. The taxi driver reportedly fled the scene.

Top temperature THE region of Murcia had its hottest April since 1941. According to the Meteorological Agency, the average temperature was 17.9ºC, 3.7 above average.

Happy video THE Mallorca version of the ‘Happy’ video, recorded in March with the participation of hundreds of people, is

Dangerous riding A SWEDISH cyclist, 40, was injured when he lost control of his bike while overtaking a car on a downhill stretch of road in the Serra de Tramuntana.

€40,000 in La Herradura CONCEPCION GUILLEN, from La Herradura, was the winner of €40,000 on the EuroMillons when she got five numbers right. She shared the prize with 13 other winners.

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NEWS

SPAIN: Longer jail terms.

Longer stays in Spanish prisons SPAIN comes sixth in Europe on the list of where prisoners receive the longest sentences. Spanish prisoners spend an average of 19 months in prison whereas their European counterparts spend an average of 10 months behind bars. A report by the European Council in Brussels, under the title ‘Space 2012,’ has revealed that Spain has a tendency to hand out longer prison sentences than other European countries; only the Ukraine (38 months), Azerbaijan (30 months), Portugal (24 months), Romania (24 months) and Moldavia (21 months) sentence their prisoners to more ‘hard time.’ The lightest sentences are handed out by Italy (10 months), France (nine months), UK (eight months) and Germany (seven months).

Caballe singing for supper SPANISH opera singer, Montserrat Caballe has been called to declare in front of a judge to defend herself against accusations of tax fraud. The soprano is accused of defrauding the Inland Revenue service (Hacienda) of €508,000 by not having declared a bank account she holds in Andorra in which she keeps around €1.5 million, payments for concerts she has done outside Spain. According to the government they want to interview her about the fact that she is ‘technically’ a resident of Andorra but ‘actually’ resides in Spain. The Inland Revenue service also wants to question her about the income she receives from concerts given outside Spain, but which should be declared here as this is her official residence. She is booked to appear on May 9.

86 per cent pay rise to buy a house YOUNG Spaniards wanting to buy a house would need a pay rise of around 86 per cent and all they would be able to afford would be 53 square metres. Only one in four Spanish youths is emancipated; the rest are, economically, forced to continue living with their families. According to a study by the CJE (Youth Council of Spain) Spanish people under the age of 30 would need to spend 56 per cent of their salaries on a mortgage, and then only if they got a raise of 86 per cent on the paltry amount they already earn as they are the second-worst paid young people in Europe. Ricardo Ibarra, President of the CJE, has underscored the dramatic situation that the youth of the country are going through; in his opinion the government “has limited itself to waiting for better times” and is “doing nothing to help.”

Nasty attack AN unidentified woman attacked the leader of the Cataluña socialist party and called him a ‘son of a *****.’ Pere Navarro, leader of the PSC, was in the cathedral in Tarrasa when he was punched in the face and shouted at by the woman, who ran away. She has been described as middle-aged with no distinctive characteristics.

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EUROPEAN PRESS

S CANDINAVIAN P RESS

Stories making headlines in Europe

GERMAN PRESS Berlusconi ‘absurd’ THE German government has dismissed remarks made by former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi as ‘absurd’. He said Germans did not believe that the concentration camps had existed.

BRITISH PRESS Homeless magazine SWEDEN - A magazine, Faktum, sold by the homeless, has caught media attention after it covered the story of homeless Swedes who beg in Spain’s most popular tourist areas.

Shakespeare high A COMEDY troupe has taken Shakespeare to new heights and marked the 450th anniversary of his birth by performing an abridged version of one of his plays on an easyJet flight from Gatwick to Verona.

Capital UFO A BIZARRE object was spotted hovering above North London prompting some to speculate that it could be a UFO. The object appeared to be black in colour and was rotating.

Celine Dion punishment GARETH DAVIES , from Kent, has been fined £3,000 and had his sound equipment confiscated for playing Celine Dion’s power ballads too loudly in his council flat.

Rottweiler vote RUSSELL HOYLE , from Teesside, is alleged to have provided false information to the electoral register after his pet Rottweiler, Zeus, was issued with a voting card.

Sick days WORKERS in the north-east of Germany are the sickliest with an average of 18.5 days off a year in Mecklenburg. In the south-east, the average was 12.1 days per year in Bavaria.

EU drugs SWEDEN - Tabloid Aftonbladet has singled out eight European Parliamentary candidates who have confessed to using narcotics; among them two Centrists and two Greens.

Duck walk PASSERS-BY in Peckham, London, were surprised to see a man walking two ducks on a lead down the busy high street; apparently nobody in the area seemed to think it was weird.

Nutella gang A GROUP labelled the ‘Nutella Gang’, so named for stealing 2,500 jars of the chocolate spread, have been imprisoned for a total of 15 years and six months.

Human rights NORWAY - Norway’s human rights record took a slamming in a UN hearing when Saudi Arabia and Russia highlighted its shortcomings on protecting its Muslim minority.

RUSSIAN PRESS Three bodies THREE dismembered bodies have been found in St Petersburg. The bodies, thought to belong to a woman and two boys, were found in cardboard boxes in a vacant lot in the Krasnogvardeysky district of the town. RUSSIA ONLY: Internet to be named after children’s character.

Luxury Berlin FOREIGN tourists in Berlin are spending more than ever, with the rich Chinese leading the way followed closely by the Russians and Middle Eastern countries.

Arctic whisky NORWAY - A group of enthusiastic amateurs plan to launch the world’s first Arctic whisky distillery on the island of Myken, off the north coast of Norway.

Ten dead A WILDFIRE raging in Siberia caused an explosion at a munitions depot, killing at least 10 people and forcing the temporary closure of a section of the Transsiberian railroad.

Junk rating CREDIT rating agency Standard & Poor’s has cut Russia’s credit rating to near junk status and has now turned its sights on the country’s blue chip companies including Gazprom and Rosneft.

Good month DENMARK - March saw the lowest ever number of traffic deaths with only 195 accidents that caused personal injuries; the second lowest figure for March in a decade.

Cheburashka net A RUSSIAN senator has proposed the creation of a Russia-only internet, which would be separate from the US and EU. He wants to name it after the popular children’s character Cheburashka.

Unrelated sanctions PRESIDENT PUTIN has said that the new punitive measures taken against Russia by the West are based on false claims of supposed interference in Ukraine.

NUTELLA GANG: Jailed for stealing the choc spread.

Otter comeback TWO otters, a male and a female, have been spotted in the lake area of Nieuwkoop, raising hopes that the species could be making a comeback to the busiest part of Holland after an absence of 30 years.

DUTCH PRESS Funny king AFTER the first year of his reign, the Dutch consider King Willem-Alexander as more charming, more humorous and less formal than his mother Beatrix when she was queen. Beatrix is considered to be more compassionate and more concerned, a survey by Maurice de Hond shows. them fatal. They include all kinds of violence like mistreatment, rape, kidnapping and murder.

biggest bicycle park. The threestorey building near Central Station will hold 12,500 bicycles.

Suicide attacks TWO jihad fighters from The Netherlands committed suicide attacks last year. One attacked a civilian target in Iraq with a rucksack bomb, the other committed suicide with a car bomb in Syria.

Honour crimes LAST year there were some 500 notifications of so-called ‘honour’ crimes in The Netherlands, 20 of

Bike parking BUILDING company BAM has received an assignment from Utrecht to build the world’s

E W N 8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

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A note from the

Editor

The green, green, grass of home s the grass greener on the other side? It would appear not with recent reports saying 90,000 British expatriates have moved back to the UK in recent years. Another survey, admittedly of a very low sample group, suggests people moving to Spain and other Mediterranean countries are more miserable abroad then they were at ‘home.’ There is no doubt that many people who move to Spain fail to settle in. Difficulties with the language and culture of what is after all a foreign country, can lead to loneliness, and even depression. For those who have to earn a living difficulties can multiply, with generally lower wages and high rates of unemployment.

Come rain, wind, hail, snow and fire What to do if your home is damaged by atmospheric phenomenon

But for most of the estimated 1.2 million Britons who have set up home in this country Spain is all it is cracked up to be. Yes there are downsides - stifling bureaucracy being chief amongst them - but most expatriates find the benefits far outweigh the problems. Not just the weather (though that is certainly a huge advantage) but the general lifestyle. Just a little effort in learning a few words of Spanish can take people a long way to making the most of their life in Spain. Expatriates have to realise it is not Bournemouth in the sun (no insult intended to that wonderful city), and an attempt, no matter how small, to integrate into the Spanish way of life can reap huge dividends. Yes, some fail to settle, but for the vast majority the grass is greener in Spain.

AS the climate has warmed globally, some types of extreme weather have become more frequent and severe in recent decades. Extreme heat, intense precipitation, and drought, are on the increase. Heat waves are becoming longer and hotter. Heavier rainfalls and flooding are more frequent. In a wide swing between extremes, drought is also more intense and more widespread. Small changes in the averages of many key climate variables can correspond to large changes in the weather. These changes are extremely difficult to predict and this weather variability can be extremely costly. Other atmospheric phenomena, such as hail, snow and fire, previously uncommon in regional

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Peace-of-mind with Linea Directa Linea Directa give you this promise: “We understand that your peace-ofmind is important, especially in your home. As adverse weather conditions become more common, Linea Directa will ensure you are fully covered from their diverse effects. “When you take out a home insurance policy from Linea Directa you can breathe more easily. We can’t predict when extreme atmospheric conditions occur, but we can be there to ensure if any damage should occur, you won’t have to worry. Our aim is to provide peace-of-mind.” If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 104. More information on www.lineadirecta.com.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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Fish firm could still be afloat THE Pescanova board has submitted a new restructuring plan to the Spanish courts. Banks owed money by the company would replace brewers Damm and financial holding company Luxempart as owners of the company. The proposal is the outcome of an agreement between Pescanova - whose frozen fish products are still a household name - Damm, Luxempart and the banks. The agreement would not modify the write-off conditions, said Pescanova’s bankruptcy administrator Deloitte. Instead, it would involve replacing the stakeholders financially supporting the company’s bailout, Deloitte assured financial regulator CNMV. Creditor banks would take over ownership of Pescanova while board members Jose Carceller of Damm and Francois Tesch of Luxempart would resign. The banks will retain €1 billion of debt, while injecting €115 million of capital, according to sources quoted by Bloomberg. The banks will also retain €300 HOPE: Pescanova’s Galicia plant in Cha pela, Redondela.

million of super-senior debt, €400 million of senior borrowing

and €300 million of junior facilities.

Jobless queues shrank in winter THE number of people out of work in Spain fell by 2,300 people in the first three months of this year. The improvement was a minimal 0.04 per cent but this was the first time that the number of jobless fell in the first quarter of the year since 2005. That was the apparently good news, but the unemployment level rose to 25.93 per cent of the working population. Unemployment figures might have fallen during four consecutive quarters but the number of people newly in work once more has also fallen. In the second quarter of 2013, unemployment diminished by 230,900; the third quarter saw a reduction of 103,900 and the fourth a fall of 7,800. By the first quarter of this year, unemployment fell by just 2,300. Worse still, the reduction owes less to creating employment than despondent jobseekers no longer actively and officially registering as looking for work, analysts said. In the meantime, the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 per cent between January and the end of March because the working population decreased by 187,000.

usiness extra

Taxman’s IT probe SPAIN’s tax office plans to examine small shopkeepers’ cash registers to determine whether they use software aimed at tax avoidance. Farmacias (chemists) will also be targeted, Hacienda announced.

Payback time GERARDO DIAZ FERRAN will stand trial for plundering the Viajes Marsans travel agencies. He and seven collaborators must meet a civil responsibility bond of €1.67 billion to cover a possible guilty verdict.

Deoleo loses its Spanish flavour BANCO MARE NOSTRUM (BMN) has sold its 4.85 per cent stake in the Deoleo cooking oil company for €21.2 million. The BMN stake was bought by private equity firm CVC, which also purchased Bankia’s 16.5 per cent. Both previously needed cash from the Spanish government and were obliged to sell their Deoleo holdings under the bailout terms. The Dcoop olive co-operative, which initially tried to block the CVC deal, is also selling an 8.64 per cent holding. The private equity firm intends to back a refinancing deal for Deoleo, which still has a €500-million debt despite recapitalising and a slimming down operation since 2010. Sources said CVC expects to acquire more than 50 per cent of Deoleo despite the Spanish government’s misgivings that a foreign firm could eventually control a ‘nationally strategic’ company.

CREDIT: HombreDHojalata/Wikipedia

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

business & legal

STAT OF WEEK ORANGE ESPAÑA’S turnover fell by 1.2 per cent in the first quarter of this year. Mobile earnings were reduced by 16.2 per cent to €621 million but income from landlines improved by 9.9 per cent.

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

LONDON - FTSE 100 C LOSING P RICES M AY 6

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) Aberdeen Asset Mngmnt 430.65 Admiral Group PLC 1396.00 Aggreko PLC 1652.00 Anglo American PLC 1549.50 Antofagasta PLC 798.25 ARM Holdings PLC 893.50 Ashtead Group PLC 882.50 Associated British Foods 2916.00 AstraZeneca PLC 4743.25 Aviva PLC 528.50 Babcock International 1223.00 BAE Systems PLC 403.70 Barclays PLC 246.65 Barratt Developments 379.65 BG Group PLC 1255.00 BHP Billiton PLC 1916.50 BP PLC 501.45 British Amrcan Tobacco 3396.25

C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G. -15.30 -3.43 5.00 0.36 8.00 0.49 -15.50 -0.99 8.00 1.01 7.50 0.85 9.00 1.03 15.00 0.52 -65.00 -1.35 5.50 1.05 15.00 1.24 2.50 0.62 -11.75 -4.55 4.50 1.20 3.50 0.28 -15.00 -0.78 -0.20 -0.04 -1.00 -0.03

NET VOLUME 661.28 25.01 76.65 140.56 248.15 320.05 144.60 36.32 351.07 700.31 95.14 327.26 11,371.03 281.57 1,008.25 239.86 1,026.80 198.22

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0.82198

1.21657 Units per €

US dollar..................................................................1.39135 Japan yen ...............................................................141.935 Switzerland franc ................................................1.21776 Denmark kroner ................................................7.46402 Norway kroner...................................................8.26035

currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914 C O M PA N Y British Land Co PLC British Sky Broadcasting BT Group PLC Bunzl PLC Burberry Group PLC Capita PLC Carnival PLC PRICE(P) 690.00 886.00 379.35 1659.00 1481.00 1099.50 2384.50 C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G. 3.50 -3.00 1.80 7.00 -11.32 5.00 5.00 0.51 -0.34 0.48 0.42 -0.76 0.46 0.21 NET VOLUME 69.17 236.17 456.10 14.23 123.59 41.27 38.64

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES M AY 6

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES M AY 6

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 140.61 87.36 35.76 131.96 104.52 125.36 22.96 67.39 102.91 26.58 156.35 78.69 26.17 191.26 100.00 54.22 101.14 58.63 39.43 73.29 29.96 81.70 40.76 90.65 116.82 75.23 47.39 207.13 78.62 81.22 +0.49 +0.43 +0.13 +2.02 -0.49 +0.64 +0.015 +0.54 +0.90 -0.10 -2.53 -0.71 -0.24 -0.18 +0.69 -1.36 -0.29 +0.41 -0.26 +0.30 -0.79 -0.22 -0.19 -0.35 +0.30 +0.20 +0.27 +2.71 -0.50 +0.91 +0.35% +0.49% +0.36% +1.55% -0.47% +0.51% +0.07% +0.81% +0.88% -0.37% -1.59% -0.89% -0.91% -0.09% +0.69% -2.45% -0.29% +0.70% -0.66% +0.41% -2.57% -0.27% -0.46% -0.38% +0.26% +0.27% +0.57% +1.33% -0.63% +1.13% 2.7M 3.3M 15.9M 4.0M 3.2M 4.2M 17.9M 3.1M 7.6M 16.6M 3.0M 3.5M 20.7M 2.2M 5.4M 25.2M 3.5M 8.1M 22.5M 2.3M 54.9M 4.6M 10.2M 1.9M 2.8M 4.5M 12.6M 3.4M 4.6M 5.7M

C O M PA N Y

PRICE

CHANGE NET / % 1.82 ▲ 29.45% 2.86 ▲ 16.32% 0.75 ▲ 11.87% 0.36 ▲ 10.68% 2.49 ▲ 9.34% 8.26 ▲ 9.29% 2.67 ▲ 9.24% 1.02 ▲ 9.02% 0.22 ▲ 8.63% 0.571 ▲ 8.54% 0.30 ▲ 8.22% 1.68 ▼ 21.71% 4.84 ▼ 19.36% 0.45 ▼ 11.03% 2.55 ▼ 9.73% 0.2201 ▼ 8.73% 1.59 ▼ 8.26% 1.30 ▼ 7.98% 0.27 ▼ 7.52% 0.60 ▼ 7.13% 2.39 ▼ 6.83% 0.80 ▼ 6.54%

Most Advanced Cadiz, Inc. $8 China Mobile Games and Ent Grp Limited $ 20.38 Medical Action Industries Inc. $ 7.07 Arotech Corporation $ 3.73 Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. $ 29.14 B/E Aerospace, Inc. $ 97.22 AAON, Inc. $ 31.57 Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. $ 12.33 Atlanticus Holdings Corporation $ 2.77 IntriCon Corporation $ 7.26 pSivida Corp. $ 3.95

Most Declined Tecumseh Products Company BroadSoft, Inc. Ambassadors Group, Inc. Universal Display Corporation China Auto Logistics Inc. SciQuest, Inc. Lifetime Brands, Inc. Biota Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Jive Software, Inc. Benefitfocus, Inc. The KEYW Holding Corporation $ 6.06 $ 20.16 $ 3.63 $ 23.67 $ 2.2999 $ 17.66 $ 15 $ 3.32 $ 7.82 $ 32.60 $ 11.43

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) Centrica PLC 325.80 Coca-Cola HBC AG 1475.00 Compass Group PLC 949.50 CRH PLC 1743.00 Diageo PLC 1833.25 easyJet PLC 1653.50 Experian PLC 1121.00 Fresnillo PLC 825.50 G4S PLC 239.00 GKN PLC 384.10 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1636.50 Glencore Xstrata PLC 318.72 Hammerson PLC 577.00 Hargreaves Lansdown 1188.00 HSBC Holdings PLC 604.70 IMI PLC 1533.00 Imperial Tobacco Group 2531.00 InterContinental Hotels 2182.00 International Consldtd 408.70 Intertek Group PLC 2943.00 ITV PLC 185.60 Johnson Matthey PLC 3338.00 Kingfisher PLC 423.85 Land Securities Group 1063.00 Legal & General Group 214.90 Lloyds Banking Group 79.56 London Stock Exchange 1830.50 Marks & Spencer Group 442.50 Meggitt PLC 478.25 Melrose Industries PLC 289.35 Mondi PLC 975.00 National Grid PLC 838.50 Next PLC 6562.50 Old Mutual PLC 203.90 Pearson PLC 1107.00 Persimmon PLC 1368.50 Petrofac Ltd 1473.50 Prudential PLC 1373.75 Randgold Resources Ltd 4760.00 Reckitt Benckiser Grp 4840.00 Reed Elsevier PLC 874.25 Resolution Ltd 302.65 REXAM PLC 504.25 Rio Tinto PLC 3220.50 Rolls-Royce Holdings 1027.50 Royal Bank of Scotland 334.55 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 2519.50 Royal Mail PLC 541.50 RSA Insurance Group PLC 97.67 SABMiller PLC 3221.50 Sage Group (The) PLC 422.90 Sainsbury (J) PLC 321.80 Schroders PLC 2615.00 Severn Trent PLC 1843.50 Shire PLC 3446.00 Smith & Nephew PLC 917.25 Smiths Group PLC 1327.00 Sports Direct Intrntnl... 787.50 SSE PLC 1534.50 Standard Chartered PLC 1283.25 Standard Life PLC 388.60 St James's Place PLC 788.75 Tesco PLC 287.00 Travis Perkins PLC 1769.00 TUI Travel PLC 432.50 Tullow Oil PLC 884.75 Unilever PLC 2611.50 United Utilities Group 796.00 Vodafone Group PLC 225.25 Weir Group PLC 2671.00 Whitbread PLC 4110.50 William Hill PLC 357.10 Wm Morrison Sprmrkts 197.90 Wolseley PLC 3484.00 WPP PLC 1292.50

CHANGE -3.27 -8.00 4.00 16.00 6.50 10.00 -3.00 -6.50 0.90 1.40 9.32 -0.50 5.00 -5.75 -1.00 10.00 17.00 -9.95 2.10 12.00 1.10 31.00 -2.50 4.00 0.63 -0.06 6.00 1.50 1.10 3.80 1.50 0.00 -45.72 1.30 13.00 41.00 10.00 5.00 20.00 0.00 -2.50 1.60 0.78 -27.00 1.64 3.00 -13.00 3.14 0.00 -31.00 0.40 0.22 2.00 11.00 -21.00 -0.50 7.00 -0.10 4.00 -5.00 4.00 3.50 1.55 10.00 0.60 1.00 5.00 1.62 2.35 17.00 41.00 1.42 1.60 9.00 6.00

% C H G. -0.99 -0.54 0.42 0.93 0.36 0.61 -0.27 -0.78 0.38 0.37 0.57 -0.16 0.87 -0.48 -0.17 0.66 0.68 -0.45 0.52 0.41 0.60 0.94 -0.59 0.38 0.29 -0.08 0.33 0.34 0.23 1.33 0.15 0.00 -0.69 0.64 1.19 3.09 0.68 0.37 0.42 0.00 -0.29 0.53 0.15 -0.83 0.16 0.90 -0.51 0.58 0.00 -0.95 0.09 0.07 0.08 0.60 -0.61 -0.05 0.53 -0.01 0.26 -0.39 1.04 0.45 0.54 0.57 0.14 0.11 0.19 0.20 1.05 0.64 1.01 0.40 0.82 0.26 0.47

VOLUME 909.18 16.57 158.49 36.11 215.67 52.59 72.13 40.77 191.94 200.37 331.58 1,174.19 44.76 87.07 2,226.50 28.43 125.93 73.01 204.01 27.65 509.50 24.54 202.21 39.00 264.76 7,616.14 3.49 158.63 24.19 58.78 35.38 207.95 17.85 330.78 181.87 726.78 90.28 104.04 26.46 46.50 273.72 197.17 50.68 239.09 170.70 1,667.83 291.40 78.79 444.96 87.45 40.86 953.79 2.56 18.74 101.19 389.36 15.26 10.52 165.15 201.82 292.25 79.68 1,340.57 13.40 33.48 142.24 92.02 69.59 3,805.83 22.45 15.37 231.53 969.49 36.09 146.48

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

EWN

European Central Bank easing in the spotlight ANOTHER European Central Bank (ECB) meeting has come and gone with no action taken. The ECB has left the door open for more easing should the need arise; the ammunition is loaded and ready to be fired. The ECB could look to cut the deposit rate into negative territory or possibly introduce Quantitative Easing for the Euro area or another LTRO programme. The fact that inflation is falling and well below the 2 per cent target is the main reason why expectations are increasing for more action to come from the ECB. The Euro has so far managed to shrug off the expectations of a move by the ECB and has kept hold of most of its recent gains. If we do see further policy action from the ECB, it is expected that the single currency will weaken against the USD and the Pound. This Euro weakness could be

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

magnified if the market continues to perceive that both the UK and the US are on the path to raising interest rates in early 2015. Recently we have seen mixed economic data from the US but regardless the FOMC has continued at a pace of $10 billion per month. US growth came in at a very disappointing 0.1 per cent for the first quarter against a forecast of 1.1 per cent but this still does not look likely to detract from the current plan of tapering. As we stand, the Euro is trading strongly against the USD but more certainty on the US recovery and the timings of rate hikes would quickly erode these gains. For the short-

The Pound is nicely positioned for further gains against the Euro. term it looks likely that the Euro will not come under pressure against the USD. In the UK the Pound is trading firmly on the heels of the UK’s strong recovery witnessed in the last six months. UK Industrial Production data released in April came in well above expectations, giving the Pound a boost across the currency markets and first quarter GDP was only marginally below expectations but still at a healthy 0.8 per cent. This bodes well for the manufacturing sector and growth moving through 2014. There is still a concern that UK data after a very good run could start to disappoint and subsequently weigh on the Pound; however, this latest release moves some way to dispel this fear. UK data will need to come in at or above expectations to maintain the rally into the Pound. If the strong data run

does play out, we will move towards an environment where the Bank of England will need to hike interest rates earlier than expectations of a rise in spring 2015. The Pound is nicely positioned for further gains against the Euro if the expected scenario of ECB easing and strong UK growth plays out. Ongoing economic data from the UK will be key and inflation data from the Eurozone will be closely watched. Recent data for Euro area inflation was still weak for March and this leaves the yearly total for inflation at just one third of the ECB’s target. The activity of the ECB is going to be the main driver to GBP/EUR; as it stands they are trying to avoid policy action but the tipping point looks to be approaching whereby they will have to act further and this should reinforce a marked decline in the Euro’s fortunes.

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

I RECALL a boss telling me that if his staff If a job has been done well then thank worked as hard as he did they would not them for it privately and publicly. be working for him but Your staff are working against him ambassadors. If as business rivals. I employees are unfairly couldn’t argue with treated or have Mike Walsh that. negative opinions Mike Walsh was for 20 years Regional Many employers about your business Assessment Manager for the Guild of Master Craftsmen, dream of how sucthey will broadcast Britain’s biggest quality assurance body for cessful their business them. Why not give businesses. would be if staff could them a reason for www.michaelwalsh.es • 966 786 932 show the same saying how wonderful commitment as they their business is? do. Some bosses do get more out of their Staff are partners. If they are treated staff than do others. How do they do it? with respect, if unexpectedly rewarded for This can be down to having a personality having done well, they will respond well. and an empathy that inspires commitment Staff are shareholders in your business. and loyalty. Sadly, such qualities are not Why not treat them as shareholders and shared by all. There are, however, ways by show them how they as well as you benefit which you can motivate staff to be more from their business’s success? impassioned about their jobs. A profit-sharing scheme is always a good Encourage staff to work with your idea but not always practical. This doesn’t business instead of for it. Remind mean you can’t set targets and offer employees that they are a vital part of the rewards for meeting targets. team necessary to make it successful. The entire sales industry thrives on If you give them tasks explain why they commission and rewards based on sales’ need doing. turnover. Think, does the salaried If you have a business strategy why not salesman work as conscientiously as does let them know about it. Thank staff, the commission only salesman? This recognise their contribution. There are few answers your own question. better incentives than appreciation shown. It might also inspire you.

Talking shop

Credit Zarateman Wikimedia Commons.

Staff stimulus

SELL-OFF: Iberdrola is divesting itself of 25 per cent of its Spanish distribution network for €3 million.

Power company’s ‘Spanishness’ in decline IBERDROLA is set to divest itself of 25 per cent of its Spanish distribution network for around €3 billion. Investment bank Morgan Stanley will handle the deal which according to Iberdrola is the result of the Spanish government’s reforms to the sector. The decision underlines comments from the group’s president, Ignacio Sanchez Galan, last February when he emphasised the need for “predictable and stable” regulation. “We are now more British, Mexican and Brazilian than Spanish,” Sanchez Galan declared in a moment of rash honesty. He afterwards hastened to defend the reforms introduced by Spain’s President Mariano Rajoy and was careful to emphasise Iberdrola’s ‘Spanishness’. This is now brought into doubt following the news of the sale, although in the past Iberdrola also examined the possibility of selling part of its UK distribution network before shelving the plan. Iberdrola wants to balance the books, observers say, and cash in on its Spanish network following the adverse effects of government reforms.

E W N 8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL BUSINESS EXTRA

Does your wardrobe hide a gold-mine? IT has suddenly got hot so I’ve changed the bed covers to the summer duvet, and the gas burner has been packed away. Next on the list: a wardrobe change! Out with the woolly jumpers and in with shorts and flip-flops. It’s at this time of the year with the usual wardrobe changeover that it’s often revealed just how much money is wasted on clothing and accessories that have barely or never been worn. Stuff that once screamed out as essential ‘must-haves’ in a shop or

Healthier FCC SPANISH multinational construction company FCC cut its losses by 78 per cent to €31 million in the first quarter of 2013. This was due to refinancing and strategic planning, the chairman Juan Bejar said.

Turnaround AIR EUROPA has backtracked on plans to lay off staff. The high court upheld a clause in the collective agreement that vetoes redundancies while outsourcing to other firms.

Loose change A look at finance for females CASH GENERATOR: Sell your old handbags and clothes. worth of goods just sitting around unused. So what’s a girl to do? Either get rid of some clothes or get a bigger wardrobe. In the States an app called ‘poshmark’ is available whereby women can upload photos of their unwanted gear and sell it on. It works a lot like Facebook and with Instagram quality pictures that are attractive and fun to navigate. You create a page where you post pictures of everything from tops and dresses, to shoes and handbags. Shoppers can follow you, ‘like’ your items and make a purchase. It’s not available in Europe yet, but a pioneering young techie could create a similar one, as the app is a massive success in the US. Meanwhile, for women in Europe with lots of clothes and accessories clogging up the wardrobe there is always eBay or sites like Asos Marketplace, where fashion-hungry women can snap up bargain-priced designer handbags, while finance conscious girls can get rid of unwanted items and make a little profit for themselves along the way.

Jane Plunkett jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews.com

Share offer SANTANDER BANK is offering €4.686bn in shares for the remaining 25 per cent of Santander Brasil. It will issue around 665 million shares - 5.8 per cent of its total - in an offer representing a 20 per cent premium over the subsidiary’s last closing market price, Santander said.

magazine is now gathering dust. My wardrobe isn’t exactly the French Riviera of highfashion, but if we imagine all the closets of all the women in Spain or Europe or America combined, there must be trillions of euros

Can he alter façade without consent? Q. I am the president of a community of 16 houses, eight pairs of semi-detached houses. You and the One owner wishes to build an extension to his facade. All but one member has voted against Law in Spain the project, as based on my understanding of By David Searl Article Seven of the Law of Horizontal Property. This one member sent an email to all 16 owners saying: “According to my lawyer, ‘Communidad’ only has an effective vote about ‘alterations’ until the 10th year of the houses being built. Since the houses were officially built in 2005, after 2015 any negative decisions to alterations of any type can be overruled by the town hall.” Can you confirm that this is not correct? M G (email) A. Yes, I can. For any alterations which affect the exterior of a building or complex of attached houses, two conditions are necessary. One of these is a favourable vote by the Community of Property Owners and the other is a building permit from the local town hall. There are two possible exceptions to the need for approval by the community vote. If the town hall itself or other building authority has ordered repairs or work carried out, this work does not need community approval. This does not include extensions. The other possibility exists only in Catalonia, where such a provision can be written into the original Statutes of the Community. Catalonia has its own set of community rules. Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

Financial crisis causing more identity theft CRIMES arising from identity theft have evolved during the financial crisis. “We’ve gone from house purchase to internet fraud,” said a spokesman for the National Police’s Economic and Fiscal Unit (UDEF). “We also see everything from using a stolen ID for a mobile phone contract to buying a top-ofthe range car on instalments,” said a spokesman for the police’s Economic and Fiscal Delinquency Unit (UDEF). Victims of ID theft often find they are burdened by debt, he added, and it is vital to officially report the loss of an ID card or passport as soon as it has been stolen. Victims also need to consult the RAI, Spain’s official list of debtors, to check whether their ID has been used to incur hire-purchase or other debts. Not only are loans now harder to come by but banks require extensive documentation precisely to avoid being stung by professional identity thieves. They work in small groups, the police said, and tend to be young and Spanish. “A mugger who snatches Crimes range from your bag or house purchase to wallet containing an internet fraud. ID is unlikely to use it but knows there is a market for stolen IDs. The price varies, but it’s rarely more than €50 per document.” Often it is used over a period of time to create a false identity and win the confidence of the person or entity to be targeted.

OPINION & COMMENT

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EUROPEAN PRESS

8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

EWN

Olden Mojacar - a daily circus Ric Polansky Ric Polansky moved to Mojacar in 1969 as a pioneer developer. He reads extensively and has travelled in South America panning gold and looking for El Dorado.

IF I could wave time’s magic wand and send you back to early Mojacar’s halcyon times in the 70’s, you wouldn’t have liked them. The area was populated by a kaleidoscope of foreign characters whose subtle nuances and blatant efforts to shine for all those that viewed them made them more like circus personalities competing for the centre ring. They each wanted to glow brighter and more effervescent than anyone around them. Bohemians they all were. Even the tiniest eccentricity was embellished and carried about as a badge of great

BACK IN TIME: The locals honour for all to behold. It was a populace of characters all having escaped from a Hollywood ‘D’ movie swaggering and fretting for their everyday audience. I was awestruck! I was baffled and, of course, conned and bamboozled by the glittering array of folk that populated my new surroundings. They dominated it with the power of Saracen sword wielding tourists. The world would be run their way. The very day

would rarely give the aliens a glance of recognition. glance of acknowledgeLOOKING ment or blink a BACK IN recognizance. Mojacar’s natives just shrugged their MOJACAR shoulders as they had been doing so since long before existed for them to dance the Phoenicians. They knew all too well in the spotlight of their this new lot of conquerors glowing egos. The burro mounted would also be enshrouded Spaniards, somewhat in Argaric colours and appalled by the shenan- brought to understand and igans and ‘carry on’ of the live to the resonance of the new invading army, beat a disappearing sound of the quick retreat to the silence retreating burro’s hoof. Dust to dust, with but the of their cortijos. The local village inhabitants would buzz of a fly thinking he’s rarely give the aliens a made a noise or shone for

an ephemeral moment. Their older ways would return within rhythmic lapping of the waves - just like before. But if you’d come from Iowa, the most spectacular event witnessed in growing up was drunk Olly Olson walking into the bank without a shirt on one hot summer morning. These new folk didn’t know whether they had clothes on and if they did, or were informed of it, they just might take them off to astound you. Sounds

horrific probably, but they were all good with it, generous, always offering to take you for a drink or three to calm your nerves or reopen your air passage to breathe again. Lords and Ladies abounded, as were knighted Sirs and loquacious nobodies. Ben Rappaport would reluctantly show you his Auschwitz number tattoo. But before you could ruminate about the immensity of it all, a loud roar of laughter would peel between the houses in dire warning that the grandest ogre of them all was approaching. Soon you would be engulfed by the frenzied antics of New York artist, Fritz Moony. He was a man still so loved that his many followers have created a website eulogising his particular brand of historic terrorism that he shared with us all.

When institutionalised theft is legalised Mike Walsh Mike, based in Mediterranean Spain, is an international journalist, author and professional writer.

HY are service providers, in particular banks and utility companies, so bad at doing the simplest of tasks? Let’s face it, with computerisation it has never been simpler to collect and manage data on water, electricity, financial transactions, telephone and internet usage. Can they get it right? Does a rocking horse have a wooden willie? Newspapers publish topics of public interest. One of these is crime, which includes institutionalised theft. How else do you describe the deliberate complexity and lack of

accountability in direct debit bank raids carried out by water, electricity, banking and telecommunications companies? As Woody Guthrie surmised: “As through this world I’ve wandered, I’ve seen lots of funny men. Some rob you with a six gun, and some with a fountain pen.” Unscrupulous and arrogant, the anti-customer attitudes displayed by service suppliers are a constant bone of contention. Yes, mistakes are part of the human condition, as are coincidences. However, we notice that when these hapless quasi-criminal institutions make mistakes they are invariably made to favour their bank accounts, not ours. Have a nice day! If I hear that idiotic remark one more time from a utility, bank or telecoms company, I swear I will swing for the consequences. I do not know if I have ever met anyone out of

a military uniform more intent on making certain I have a bad day. I was recently billed three times for two months’ internet use. Between supplier and bank visits there was a maze of obscurity that would try the patience of a saint. Buck passing. They invented it, they live by it. How about a computer error that puts money into my account? Then I too can set up an impenetrable wall of confusion to stop them reclaiming it. No, for them it is a case of ‘heads I win, tails you lose’. They cut off your internet, your water, gas or electricity, they freeze your bank account. You sort it. How did they end up controlling our lives as they do? Who allowed them to? My poor wife spent unproductive days working her

LEGAL ROBBERY: Banks and utilities that steal. way through a confusing system of money transfer. Earlier, she lost an hour’s work sorting out a computer scam. Perhaps the newspapers would be better employed scrutinising the shareholder lists of these thieving magpies. I am sure they will find the state’s legislators and the otherwise elite have their scummy fingers predominantly in these institutions, too. The only thing that changes over the years is that bandits also move with the times. “When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorises it and a moral code that glorifies it.” Frederic Bastiat, (1801-1850) French economist, statesman, and author

E W N 8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

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FEATURE

Tom Hardy is “amazing” in series two of Peaky Blinders, says his female co-star Richard Shanley

DISHING THE DIRT OF EUROPA DIGITAL

TOM HARDY is “amazing” in series two of Peaky Blinders, actress Sophie Rundle has said. The Dark Knight Rises star will play a guest role in the BAFTAwinning drama’s next run. “Sometimes with second series, people think it won’t be as good as the first, but [his casting has] just taken it to a whole new level,” Rundle - who plays Ada Shelby - told Digital Spy. “It’s brilliant that he’s done it.” The actress revealed that Hardy worked closely with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight to create his character. “I was sort of trying to stalk him around the set, because he’s just brilliant,” Rundle joked. “He’s done

TOM HARDY: The Dark Knight Rises star will play a guest role in the BAFTA winning drama. legendary work and all the boys were just fan-girling over him the stuff he’s done in this show is just amazing!” Peaky Blinders will return to BBC 2 in late 2014. David Threlfall, Nico Mirallegro and Ashley Walters have been confirmed for new BBC drama The Ark. The one-off drama, from the makers of Death in Paradise, is a retelling of the biblical story of Noah and The Ark. The Not Like That, Like This actor will star as Noah, while Joanne Whalley (The Borgias, Jamaica Inn) will take the role of his wife Emmie. Commenting on his role, Threlfall said: “The story jumped off the page at me from the first reading. It’s not just a family saga but the first family saga. It takes its inspiration from many faiths and speaks of values which should be shared across all

cultures. It was something I immediately wanted to be part of.” Emily Bevan (In The Flesh), Hannah John-Kamen (The Hour, Death in Paradise) and Georgina Campbell (One Night) have also been cast in the drama, which has been written by Hustle’s Tony Jordan. Belinda Campbell, Executive Producer, said: “The Ark is a timeless tale which will touch those who are both familiar with the story from the Bible, as well as those who are seeing it for the first time. Warm and humorous, it tells the tale of the impact on a family when an ordinary man undertakes to do an extraordinary thing.” If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or to expand on anything I have written about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europadigital.com. I look forward to your comments and questions.

OPINION & COMMENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

EWN

Dogged resolve needed to go to tourist beach THE new dog beach in Fuengirola (Malaga) - who on earth came up with that one? Has Fuengirola recruited a Tourist Prevention Officer? Let me say straight away that I am a dog lover. However, come on, this dog beach hasn’t been thought through at all. Let’s start with the location. It is only about 100 metres along the beach from the fourstar IPV Palace Hotel. Then we have the many hundreds of tourists staying at Club La Costa and taking advantage of their direct access to the beach. Which beach? The dog beach! So this new dog beach is sandwiched directly between two of the biggest-volume holiday destinations in town. You can see it on TripAdvisor in a few weeks’ time, can’t you? “Don’t go to Fuengirola, there’s a dog beach where dogs fight and go to the toilet. It is not only unpleasant, but also very dangerous.” I couldn’t believe it when I went down there a couple of days ago. There was a pit bull terrier, a Staffordshire bull terrier, an Alsatian and even a Rottweiler, and none of them was either on a lead or wearing a muzzle. The greatest worry of all is that there are young children on this very same beach. It seems to be a disaster waiting to happen. Someone is likely to get badly mauled here! To make things worse, this dog beach is around 10 metres from the main coastal dual carriageway, which already has an atrocious reputation for accidents. Is there a fence or barrier to stop dogs running off the beach directly onto the road? Er, no! If Fuengirola truly has employed a Tourist Prevention Officer, he or she is doing a fine job with the new dog beach. You really couldn’t make it up. Stuart Wright (by email)

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

“A GENTLEMAN only ever wears black socks,” the Spanish say, so whoever lives in this modest village house must be quite a gent! F Ashman (by email)

copy of the Euro Weekly News and was quite disgusted by the letter from Tom Hawksworth, ‘Supply and demand is nature’s way’. I expect you will have received many letters from readers equally outraged by this man’s attitude to people in developing countries. He is fortunate enough to have received an education and good healthcare, but appears to begrudge people in less well-off countries even the right to exist. I was so furious that I kept the page and brought it back to the UK with me so I could write to you. On a more positive note, I have just looked at the Euro Weekly News online and was impressed enough to save it in ‘My Favourites’. Jane Everitt (by email)

Grim futures IT was very heartening to read the letter from Tom Hawksworth about the constant need to feed children in Africa that really should never have been born into a life of misery. In the big scheme of life, Mother Nature - or God, depending on your beliefs allows them to be born to people who have little hope of ever sustaining them. People, especially those who have never been to such places merely dig into their pockets for a small amount to send off. The kinder thing is either not to send anything or to encourage new colonisers to go and live there to govern and guide the people to a better life. Tom is to be admired for not being scared in these silly times of being called ‘racist’ for speaking the truth. Well done, Mr Hawksworth, for stating the obvious about those being wrongly born to parents who have no hopes of bringing them up on their own. Thank you, Euro Weekly News, for having the courage to print his letter and hopefully this one. Brian Deller, Manilva (Malaga)

Wrong song A WADE from Benahavis (Malaga) wrote about the ‘nuisance’ of the birdsong from sparrows (Letters, Issue 1503). He should just be grateful he can hear some birds and is not plagued by constant road noise or aircraft flying low as some people are. Or he could try living on the South Coast of England where we are, and being plagued with constant screeching from seagulls almost 24 hours a day! He should be grateful he has his hearing, not like many who would love to hear birdsong from whatever species. J Rogers, Fuengirola (Malaga)

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

Is this all the protection the police can give? The tenant is still in the same apartment and the rent has not been paid. Jack Threlfall (by email)

Lights out EARTH HOUR has recently passed with more countries joining every year. The idea is that we all switch off our lights and electrical appliances for one hour in a bid to save Mother Earth and to heighten people’s awareness that we need to take care of our planet. Spain was part of this with town halls, cathedrals and monuments right across the

Rough justice A LANDLORD asking for the rent of his apartment was attacked by the tenant with a crowbar, leaving him with head injuries and hospitalised. The police were called and the landlord denounced the tenant, but when the case went to court the tenant was fined €200.

country switching off but, sadly, not Rojales Council who continue to burn lights unnecessarily. Just one example of this – and I doubt that it is the only one – is the sports centre next to the Norwegian school in Ciudad Quesada, Rojales (Alicante). This sports centre is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday. You would think that lights only need to be on during the hours of darkness or twilight when the centre is open. Rojales Council prefers to burn the 14 streetlamps all night every night. Why? If it is a question of security there is already a security camera, linked directly to the police station, covering this area. Apart from the environmental aspect there is also the financial one. With so many people having their homes repossessed and being fed by Caritas and other charities this council needs to rethink its priorities. J Billet, Rojales (Alicante)

Harsh verdict WHILE in Spain last week with my husband, I picked up a

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

E W N 8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

Has the sun set on expats? Nora Johnson

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

S SPAIN, the most popular EU destination for expats, losing its appeal? Last year, one in four British expatriates said adiós to the sun, sand and sangría, according to recently released data from the Spanish National Institute of Statistics. A five-year, double-dip recession with unemployment at 26 per cent is given as the main reason for the British exodus. Thousands of Britons who headed to Spain during its decade-long building boom have headed back in search of work following the property market crash of 2008. Tortuous legal disputes with the Spanish authorities over property rights are another reason, plus changes to tax laws affecting nonSpanish residents. However, those who migrate to the Mediterranean are actually less happy than if they had remained behind,

ADIOS: One in four UK expats left Spain last year, according to recent data. according to recent survey data conducted by a university on 329 migrants from Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, France, and 73 from the UK, who resettled in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus! Asked how happy they were on a scale of 0-10, they scored 7.3 on average, compared with 7.5 for 56,000 people studied back home. Reasons given for this: language and cultural problems. Now, to take this ‘research’ at face value, isn’t this simply another instance of people, already unhappy with some aspects of their lives, believing their problems will all melt away in the Mediterranean sun? Sadly, after the honeymoon period, their

unresolved issues return with a vengeance, exacerbated by the fact that they’re living in an unfamiliar country with a language they’ve probably never bothered to learn. For those who are genuinely ‘happy’, it probably wouldn’t make the slightest difference whether they lived in Tajikistan, Timbuktu or Tesco’s. Anyway, I’m sure those returning will be welcomed with open arms in Blighty, except for London and the south-east where, from all accounts, it’s standing room only. And a final word on that ‘research’. Out of around five million Brits who live overseas, the researchers combed the four countries mentioned and identified only 73 British respondents? Maybe they visited one bar in each country? (Which makes you wonder how the rest of the time was spent. Break in the sun behind a façade of conducting research, surely not!) There are so many slips here that, as as a survey, it’s pointless. But isn’t that true of any social ‘science’ survey? Nora Johnson’s thrillers Retribution and The De Clerambault Code (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.89; £0.77) and iBookstore. Profits to Cudeca.

E W N 8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

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SPOTLIGHT

The weakest to the wall: Spain in crisis HE Spanish crisis is generally discussed, alongside those of Italy, Greece and Portugal, presenting dubious statistics indicating usurious rates of interest paid on the loans and the variations of the same. When examined in a little more depth the effect of the economic policy being carried out to chastise the frivolous ‘PIGS’ (an extraordinary term to employ with regard to the birth places, respectively, of democracy, mathematics, medicine, western philosophy, art, architecture and navigation, to mention just a part of their contribution to European culture) is not only morally wrong, but ineffective. The protestant pastor’s daughter, born in the privations of the Eastern Block, at some deep level of her puritan psyche, is out to punish these wine-drinking siestasleeping Latins with her draconian cuts. Impervious to the arguments against her economic illiteracy, she presses on and in so doing ensures not only acute suffering for all, but that the weakest are going to the wall. Just how economically smart is it to allow a generation of children from the poorest families to go hungry (now including the middle classes, as Spain follows Romania in the child poverty pecking order)? JORDI EVOLE: Taking civil servants to task.

By Dr Trish Watson Author: Eternal Spain: Crisis and Corruption. Available on Amazon.

There is evidence of children arriving at school on an empty stomach and of teachers arriving with sandwiches to feed them. This is no rumour, but televised interviews with parents and head teachers discussing this outrageous situation. Long term unemployment in Spain immediately implies poverty and hunger, as those who had previously enjoyed full employment come to the end of their two year dole period (a word implying small portion and also ‘painful,’ or ‘doleful’) have no more benefits available to them. They have to pay all their local taxes, school fees, medicine without the least aid, at a time when local governments in many regions hit by corruption scandals are heavily in debt. They are, of course, losing their houses, as hundreds of thousands of dispossessions are carried out because the government refuses to follow the EU rulings that many of these are illegal. The Law of Dependency (Ley de la Dependencia 2007) was unanimously voted in, giving rights to disabled people, including benefits to patient and carer. They also received contributions to pensions and other benefits, but 75,000 women carers have

One woman recently interviewed on Spanish TV cared full-time for her mother, waiting five years for a pension she never received. Life is reflecting the magic realism of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, whose Colonel waited years for a pension that never arrived.

had contributions stopped and payments reduced. Moderate dependency has been removed from the waiting list. Many of those on the waiting list have since died and their descendents, who maintained them and gave up work to do so, are not to be paid what is owing to them. Woman are, of course, heavily prejudiced against, as their traditional role as mother/carer creates expectations both at family and state level, as the requirements of the dependency law are not met. Grade 3 is the maximum grade of dependency and not granted lightly. One couple interviewed on the show, applied three years ago for the maximum €600 payment and finally received €400, without the possibility of back pay for the waiting period. The physiotherapist costs €300 a month and the carer who comes daily, to do what the wife is unable to, costs €500 monthly. This means that the payment received hardly

covers the basics. Juame is a young man suffering from a degenerative disease which has left him in a wheelchair, in the care of his ageing parents, able only to use his hands. He wrote to the PM, Mariano Rajoy, explaining his case. He received a reply from the head of the PM’s kitchen cabinet, quoting the law in an inhumane manner, without any individual recognition or empathy. Celebrated investigative journalist Jordi Evole’s Sunday night programme is rumoured to be under threat, despite the highest ratings, because of his outspoken and daring revelations on the Sexta channel. On hearing Jaume’s plea, he rang the mobile of the civil servant in question and taped his replies, which went out on a programme watched by millions. The (not overly bright) bureaucrat played right into his hands, with a series of set phrases to fob the boy off and an Oscar-winning performance as the cruel baddy who refused the boy an interview. It’s not difficult to see why Jordi Evoli is unpopular with the government. Nice one, Jordi! Paul Krugman appears to be the only economist capable of taking into account the total panorama and factoring in the deleterious effect of poverty in his economic assertions. Poverty is, as European governments are now demonstrating, relatively easy to create and extraordinarily difficult to eradicate. The hungry kids, weakened or made ill by malnutrition, are not going to be the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. It would be interesting to hear comments from the expat community regarding their experience in this matter.

Dovidena/Flickr

SOUP KITCHEN: Many relying on charity to eat.

E W N 8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

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TV LISTING

Thursday BBC1/ 5:30pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm MasterChef 10:00pm Parking Mad 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News

Friday BBC1/ 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm Spring Kitchen with Tom Kerridge 5:30pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm A Question of Sport 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm MasterChef 10:00pm Have I Got News for You 10:30pm Outnumbered 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm The Graham Norton Show

SATELLITE CHANNELS - SkyMoviesAction/

Tuesday BBC1/ 4:00pm Countdown to Chelsea Flower Show 4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Happy Valley 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:30pm Weather 11:35pm Party Election Broadcast by the Conservative Party 11:40pm Monks

Wednesday BBC1/ 4:00pm Countdown to Chelsea Flower Show 4:45pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 9:00pm Watchdog 10:00pm MasterChef 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:30pm Weather 11:35pm Party Election Broadcast by the Labour Party 11:40pm A Question of Sport

10:00pm Sunday

Mission: Impossible III (Film, 2006) Super spy Ethan Hunt is enjoying retirement with his new fiancee, when an old colleague is kidnapped by psychotic arms dealer Owen Davian. Hunt must race into action to save his friends, and the world.

BBC2/ 5:30pm The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain 6:15pm Antiques Roadshow 6:55pm Party Election Broadcast for the European Parliament by the An Independence from Europe Party 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Great British Menu 8:00pm Football 10:30pm Blurred Lines: The New Battle of the Sexes 11:30pm Newsnight

•Tom Cruise •Philip Seymour Hoffman •Ving Rhames •Billy Crudup •Michelle Monaghan

Saturday BBC1/ 4:30pm Monkey Planet 5:30pm Bolt 7:00pm BBC News 7:10pm Regional News 7:15pm Weather 7:20pm Pointless 8:10pm The National Lottery: In It to Win It 9:00pm Eurovision Song Contest 2014

Sunday BBC1/ 4:15pm Final Score 6:30pm Points of View 6:45pm Songs of Praise 7:30pm BBC News 7:50pm Regional News 7:55pm Weather 8:00pm Countryfile 9:00pm Antiques Roadshow 10:00pm The Crimson Field 11:00pm BBC News

Monday BBC1/ 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm The Storms That Shook the South West 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Panorama 10:00pm DIY SOS The Big Build 11:00pm BBC News

BBC2/ 4:30pm Life in Cold Blood 5:30pm The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain 6:15pm Antiques Roadshow 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Escape to the Continent 8:30pm Great British Menu 9:00pm The Minster 9:30pm Gardeners' World 10:00pm Natural World 11:00pm The Trip to Italy 11:30pm Newsnight

BBC2/ 4:05pm Coast 4:45pm Great British Garden Revival 5:45pm Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 6:15pm Antiques Roadshow 6:55pm Party Election Broadcast by the BNP 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 8:30pm Great British Menu 9:00pm The Big Allotment Challenge 10:00pm Watermen: A Dirty Business 11:00pm Later Live... with Jools Holland 11:30pm Newsnight

BBC2/ 4:45pm Great British Garden Revival 5:45pm Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets 6:15pm Antiques Roadshow 6:55pm Party Election Broadcast by the Green Party 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 8:30pm Great British Menu 9:00pm Under Offer 10:00pm Coast 10:10pm Coast Australia 11:00pm Episodes

ITV/ 5:00pm Ejector Seat 6:00pm The Paul O'Grady Show 7:00pm ITV News London 7:25pm Party Election Broadcast by the English Democrats. 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Tonight 9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs 10:00pm Wanted: A Family of My Own 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm Party Election Broadcast by the Conservative Party

BBC2/ 5:15pm The Prisoner of Zenda 7:00pm Natural World 8:00pm Flog It! 9:00pm Dad's Army 9:30pm A Culture Show Special 10:30pm Generation War: Our Mothers, Our Fathers

BBC2/ 6:15pm Antiques Roadshow 6:55pm Party Election Broadcast by the English Democrats Party 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 8:30pm Great British Menu 9:00pm Nature's Weirdest Events 10:00pm Copacabana Palace Hotel 11:00pm Mock the Week

BBC2/ 5:30pm Inspire: The Olympic Journey 6:00pm Flog It! 7:00pm Escape to the Continent 8:00pm Australia with Simon Reeve 9:00pm Top Gear 10:00pm Hidden Treasure: The Comedy Vault 11:00pm QI XL 11:45pm A Beautiful Mind

ITV/ 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Ejector Seat 6:00pm The Paul O'Grady Show 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Weekend Escapes with Warwick Davis 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Lewis 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm Party Election Broadcast by an Independence From Europe

ITV/ 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Ejector Seat 6:00pm The Paul O'Grady Show 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Big Star's Little Star 10:00pm Billy Connolly's Big Send Off 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather

ITV/ 4:05pm All Star Family Fortunes 5:05pm Off Their Rockers 5:35pm Tipping Point 6:35pm Local News and Weather 6:45pm ITV News and Weather 7:00pm Let Me Entertain You 7:30pm You've Been Framed! 8:00pm Britain's Got Talent 9:00pm Amazing Greys 10:00pm Prey 11:00pm The Americans

ITV/ 5:00pm Ejector Seat 6:00pm The Paul O'Grady Show 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 11:10pm ITV News at Ten and Weather

ITV/ 4:50pm You've Been Framed! 5:20pm Midsomer Murders 7:20pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 7:45pm Catchphrase 8:30pm Off Their Rockers 9:00pm Vera 11:00pm Perspectives

ITV/ 6:00pm The Paul O'Grady Show 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Gino's Italian Escape 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Prey 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather

CH4/ 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Posh Pawn 10:00pm Heston's Great British Food 11:00pm Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 11:55pm The Island with Bear Grylls

CH4/ 4:30pm Deal or No Deal 5:30pm Draw it! 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:35pm Unreported World 9:00pm Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 10:00pm Gogglebox 11:00pm Alan Carr: Chatty Man

CH4/ 5:30pm Draw it! 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Embarrassing Bodies 10:00pm Mr Drew's School for Boys 11:00pm 16 Kids and Counting 11:55pm Coppers

CH4/ 4:30pm Deal or No Deal 5:30pm Draw it! 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Supervet 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm Derek 11:35pm Cardinal Burns

CH4/ 5:05pm Come Dine with Me 5:40pm Come Dine with Me 6:05pm Come Dine with Me 6:40pm Come Dine with Me 7:15pm Come Dine with Me 7:40pm Channel 4 News 8:05pm For the Love of Cars 9:00pm Grand Designs 10:00pm The Wolfman

CH4/ 4:10pm Ever After 6:30pm Deal or No Deal 7:30pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Posh Pawn 9:00pm For the Love of Cars 10:00pm Fargo 11:05pm Season of the Witch

CH4/ 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Britain's Most Extreme Weather 10:00pm The Island with Bear Grylls 11:00pm Miracle Hunter

ITV2/ 5:05pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 6:10pm The Real Housewives of Miami 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 Tom Daley Goes Global 11:00pm Celebrity Juice

ITV2/ 4:40pm Totally You've Been Framed! 5:45pm You've Been Framed! 6:15pm Star Wars 7:15pm FYI Daily 7:20pm Star Wars 9:00pm Britain's Got More Talent 10:00pm You've Been Framed! 11:00pm Celebrity Juice

ITV2/ 4:45pm FYI Daily 4:50pm Zookeeper 5:45pm Britain's Got Talent 6:45pm Britain's Got More Talent 7:45pm You've Been Framed! 8:15pm Star Wars 9:15pm FYI Daily 9:20pm Star Wars 11:00pm Viral Tap

ITV2/ 6:10pm The Real Housewives of Miami 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 Mom

54 E W N

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OPINION & COMMENT

Fostering rules plain ridiculous

HE UK Social Services’ recent decision to bar a white couple from fostering a black baby didn’t surprise me in the least. These departments are awash with staff, who are themselves of ethnic origin and often emerge as the worst racists of all - people who treat the rules of political correctness as a blueprint for their very existence. I wonder what sort of outcry there would have been had they denied a white child to a black family on similar grounds? Before you accuse me of racism (yawn), I’ll cite you a couple of personal experiences. The first concerns two, quite comfortably off, married friends of mine. This couple, who had already adopted and fostered a number of children, approached their local authorities, with regard to adopting an eight-year-old young man of Mid-East origin.

To cut an extremely long and frustrating story short, they reluctantly had to finally give up on the idea. They simply could not comply with all the rules and stipulations the authorities confronted them with. The main issues were schooling and almost unbelievably, diet. The department insisted that instead of my colleagues enrolling (and paying substantial fees) for the lad to attend a local, highly respected private school, they wanted him driven over an hour away to a public school, which was predominantly attended by Muslim children (sound familiar!). Among many other stymies and stipulations, the final nail came when they declared he must have a Halal diet, insisting the couple’s kitchen must be ‘cleansed’ and completely changed to accommodate this directive. The last they heard, this young lad was still in the

children’s home awaiting someone more ‘acceptable’ to come along. The other case I experienced was when my dear, then 90-year-old mum, was placed in a care home in the South of England. It soon became clear she was obviously not happy. Although racism was not even in her vocabulary, the fact that there were no Caucasian people employed, made her feel confused and somewhat out of place. One day I purposely turned up unexpectedly and was disgusted with what I discovered. The residents were unkempt and the whole place was mucky and simply reeked of urine. I decided to move her as soon as possible. Over the next couple of weeks every home I visited was run by people of ethnic origin. It was for some (and probably still is) a very lucrative racket, with the residents simply regarded

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT

NO SENSE: Fostering rules no surprise.

cries of racism as an excuse for any form of common sense. as a means to an end. We simply have to stop listening to these pathetic

You know it makes sense. Keep the Faith. Love Leapy. Leapylee2002@gmail.com

The history of the FIFA World Cup: 1986 Mexico By Tony Matthews THE 13th World Cup competition was staged in Mexico from May 31 to June 29 1986 and it was the second to feature a 24team format. Colombia had been originally chosen as the host nation by FIFA but withdrew due to economic reasons. The 1986 tournament was won by Argentina - their second title in eight years, having been champions in 1978. The Argies were captained by Diego Maradona who scored the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and also netted what was later voted ‘Goal of the Century’ in the same quarterfinal encounter to knock out England 2-1. These were two of the five goals that Maradona netted during the tournament, and he also created another five for his team-mates in other matches. Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 in the final at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca before a massive crowd of 114,580. In fact, an aggregate total of 2,393,031 spectators attended the five matches giving an average of 46,019 per match. Argentina and Italy, Mexico and Cordon Press

WINNER: The two faces of Maradona. Paraguay, Russia and France, Brazil and Spain, Denmark and West Germany and Morocco and England qualified for the second round from the six groups. Facts: • In England’s group games, Gary Lineker - the tournament’s top-scorer with six goals - bagged a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Poland and Ray Wilkins was sent-off against Morocco. • The biggest wins of the tournament were Russia 6 Hungary 0 and Denmark 6 Uruguay 1. • Belgium beat Spain 5-4 on penalties in the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw.

NEXT WEEK: Italia 1990 and victory for West Germany.

E W N 8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

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CROSSWORDS

NEW ON DVD MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE The Lego Movie THE Lego movie is an AmericanAustralian computer animated adventure comedy co-written and directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. It stars Chris Pratt and Will Ferrel and is based mainly on the Lego line of construction toys. The wizard Vitruvius attempts to protect a super weapon called the Kragle but fails... what will happen? The running time is 100 minutes and it is rated for all audiences.

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

Almería weather for next 7 days VELEZ RUBIO

TOMORROW ALBOX HUERCAL OVERA

VELEZ RUBIO GARRUCHA ALBOX MOJACAR HUERCAL OVERA

RETAMAR GARRUCHA ROQUETAS

MOJACAR ALMERIA RETAMAR ADRA ROQUETAS

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) The brick wall that you start banging your head against this week is not an illusion. It is, indeed, true that others are not responding to you in an expected way. GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Everything seems an effort at the beginning of this week but as energy levels pick up you will gain momentum. Tackle one thing at a time and realise that Rome was not, indeed, built in a day. CANCER (June 22 - July 23) You really do need to come to an understanding with friends over a social matter, although this may take a little effort this week. It is clear that there are those who are less helpful than others, but this could be because of a misunderstanding. LEO (July 24 - August 23) Be a social animal this week and you will strengthen both people and business contacts. After being busy last week, you may be

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK: Many things have changed in recent months and you will need to bend with the wind in the months to come. You do not have to give up all that you hold dear; however, you may have to realise that an era has passed. See what beckons.

inclined to take it easy. If it is the case that you really are low on energy, then use the telephone or email to full advantage to keep in touch. VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Someone well and truly treads on your toes this week and it really puts your teeth on edge. There are some bridges that may not be mended at the present time and are best left alone. LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) What a lovely surprise to find that something you have always wanted is coming your way at last. Keep a firm

Your Stars

May 8, Marta Sanchez. Singer. This Spanish singer has often been called the Queen of Spanish pop after being the lead singer of Ole Ole and one of Spain’s biggest sex symbols of the 1980’s. Her father was an opera singer and she began her career with Cristal Oskuro before being discovered by Ole, Ole.

Alicante TODAY: Fri Sat Sun SUNNY MAX 23C, MIN 15C MAX MIN MAX MIN

Almeria TODAY: Fri Sat Sun SUNNY MAX MIN

MAX 25C, MIN 17C MAX MIN

24 16 Cl 24 17 Cl 25 17 Cl

Mon - 24 16 S Tues - 24 16 Cl Wed - 24 16 Cl

25 18 S 26 19 S 28 19 S

Mon - 26 18 Cl Tues - 26 18 Cl Wed - 26 18 C

Barcelona TODAY: Fri Sat Sun SUNNY MAX MIN

Benidorm MAX 21C, MIN 16C MAX MIN

TODAY: Fri Sat Sun -

CLEAR MAX 22C, MIN 17C MAX MIN MAX MIN

hand with finances and take control if you want to organise things for the better. SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Be cautious this week with your money. You have been aware for some time now that a change in your finances is likely. You have this in common with many others in your situation. Seeking professional help can be free and can make a big difference. SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) A special chance to try something new should not be passed over. No one expects wonders from you, they are happy just to see you enjoying

life. A recent change in your attitude to your future is already showing. Luck is just waiting for you to invite her in. CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Your home life gives you the most satisfaction at the moment even though someone seems to be challenging you. Some things are best ignored until they go away of their own accord and that also often applies to people. AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Involvement in a situation connected with someone close may not be the best option this week. Giving advice is all well and good so long as you are sure of your facts. PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Some disruption to your plans annoys you but there’s no point getting in a huff. Outside influences cannot be stopped but you are able to keep calm yourself. Rising to the bait will play into someone else’s hands. Although a situation must be dealt with, do it in your own time and in your own way. ARIES (March 21 - April 20) It seems that you are putting a lot of effort into whatever you do without getting as much out as you would like. However, as the week goes by, you will realise that it is only a temporary situation. Sometimes, it takes others a period of adjustment before they are ready to accept changes of a personal nature.

21 16 S 21 16 Cl 21 15 Cl

Mon - 20 14 Cl Tues - 20 15 Cl Wed - 22 16 Cl

23 18 Cl 23 19 Cl 23 18 Cl

Mon - 23 17 S Tues - 23 18 S Wed - 22 18 S

Malaga TODAY: Fri Sat Sun SUNNY MAX MIN

Madrid MAX 22C, MIN 16C MAX MIN

TODAY: Fri Sat Sun -

CLEAR MAX MIN

MAX 25C, MIN 15C MAX MIN

23 16 S 24 18 Cl 27 18 S

Mon - 25 17 S Tues - 27 17 S Wed - 27 17 Cl

31 15 Cl 31 14 Cl 29 12 S

Mon - 29 13 S Tues - 29 13 Cl Wed - 31 13 Cl

Mallorca TODAY: Fri Sat Sun SHOWER MAX 37C, MIN 26C MAX MIN MAX MIN

Murcia TODAY: Fri Sat Sun Fog, Sn Snow,

CLEAR MAX MIN

MAX 29C, MIN 15C MAX MIN

36 26 Sh 25 26 Sh 36 26 Sh S Sun,

Mon - 36 26 Sh Tues - 36 26 Sh Wed - 36 26 Sh Cl Clear,

30 16 Cl 31 18 Cl 32 17 Cl C Cloud,

Mon - 29 16 S Tues - 31 16 S Wed - 29 17 Cl Sh Showers,

6-Star Quiz

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 1. By what stage name is the Israeli singer Sharon Cohen (born Yaron Cohen), whose song Diva, won the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in 1998, better known? 2. Cliff Richard has represented the UK in the ESC on two occasions (1968 and 1973); name the two songs he sang? 3. In which country was the first ever ESC held, in May 1956? 4. What was the title of Abba’s 1974 ESC winning song? 5. What was unusual about the result of the 1969 ESC? 6. Which actress, best known for playing the role of Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders, represented the UK at the 1991 ESC? 1. DANA INTERNATIONAL, 2. CONGRATULATIONS (1968) and POWER TO ALL OUR FRIENDS (1973), 3. SWITZERLAND (Lugano), 4. WATERLOO, 5. FOUR COUNTRIES (Spain, UK, Netherlands and France) WON THE CONTEST, 6. SAMANTHA WOMACK (JANUS)

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.

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

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

TARGET:

Average: 7 Good: 9

Very good: 14 Excellent: 17

cede, clod, code, cold, cord, cred, deco, deer, dele, doer, dole, dolt, dote, lode, lord, redo, reed, retd, rode, teed, toed, told, trod, cered, coder, cored, credo, creed, décor, deter, dolce, doter, elder, erode, older, treed, colder, decree, delete, leered, recede, reeled, retold, teredo, elected, erected, ELECTRODE

LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY Saturday May 3

Word Ladder LA PRIMITIVA Saturday May 3

UK THUNDERBALL Saturday May 3

IRISH LOTTO Saturday May 3

EURO MILLIONS Friday May 3

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA Sunday May 4

PART

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

BONUS BALL 28

THUNDERBALL 9

BONUS BALL 32

LUCKY STARS 2 11

REINTEGRO 37 1

REINTEGRO 6

WITH

PART PARS PATS PATH PITH

WITH or PART PARS PATS

PITS WITS WITH

CROSSWORDS

www.euroweeklynews.com

8 - 14 May 2014 / Costa de Almería

EWN

Crosswords Cryptic Across 1 Bishop puts a stop to diver’s danger (5) 4 Set off, and without a meal (6) 9 Drove back at speed to let you know (7) 10 Reduce Mayflower stores (5) 11 God of war espied (4) 12 King surrounded by menservants or knaves (7) 13 Poem for odd oldies (3) 14 Look! A fish bone one discarded (4) 16 Some insane Roman (4) 18 Worry about a tap (3) 20 Press or key source of metal (4,3) 21 Where one may eat food providing calcium and iron (4) 24 Delete from Opera search engine (5) 25 Nice tax break is incorrect (7) 26 Pushes steamship around East Sussex resort (6) 27 Stuff being vandalised (5) Down 1 Prohibit any form of fig tree (6) 2 Scandinavian boatmen or sea-faring characters (5) 3 Cork discovered in Japanese allspice (4) 5 Appealing for gull I ran around (8) 6 Were any revised at the end of December (3,4) 7 Badger one animal almost and another (6)