Euro Weekly News - Mallorca 25 - 31 December 2014 Issue 1538

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25 - 31 DECEMBER 2014

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READERS AND ADVERTISERS A MERRY XMAS

Infanta to face trial THE Infanta Cristina is to stand trial for her alleged participation in the Noos corruption case.

Judge Jose Castro announced on Monday (December 22) that the Duchess of Palma and younger sister of King Felipe VI will have to stand trial for her alleged co-operation in two tax offences committed by her husband Iñaki Urdangarin.

According to the judge, the role played by the Infanta (pictured) enabled her husband Iñaki Urdangarin to defraud Spain’s tax authorities of €337,138 through Aizoon, a company they both own.

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Judge Castro decided not to apply the Botin Doctrine in the Duchess’s case, according to which the

investigating judge may decide to close the case if neither the public prosecutor nor the affected parties wish the suspect to be prosecuted, and ruled that the private prosecution against the Infanta – represented by trades union Manos Limpias – is enough to take the king’s sister to trial.

Neither the Anti-Corruption Public Prosecutor’s Office nor the Spanish tax authorities – the affected party – think there is proof that the Infanta committed a crime which would make her criminally liable in connection with the Nóos case.

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INDEX News 1 - 16 Finance 17 - 22 Letters 23 Leapy Lee 24 Daily TV 30 Time Out 32 - 33 Health & Beauty 34 - 35 Food 37 Homes & Gardens 38 Property 40 Classifieds 42 - 43 Boating 44 - 45 Motoring 46 Sport 48

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EL GORDO DRAW: Winning ticket-holders celebrate.

Lady Luck smiles on the Balearics

THE islands may have missed out on this year’s top prize in the El Gordo lottery, but part of the second and fourth prize went to ticketholders in Palma.

The winning number for the second prize was called at 12.28pm and each holder of a 10th share of the winning ticket - 92845 for a prize of €1,250,000 - will

take home €125,000. The winning tickets were sold at Carrefour General Riera and Coll d’en Rebassa, on Calles Passatemps, Porta Pintada, Luca de Tena in Palma, as well as in Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, Coruña, Tenerife, Almeria, Toledo and Pamplona.

Lady Luck also smiled on the holders of tickets 67009

and 07617, some of which were sold in Manacor, Arta and Llubi. Each winner gets €20,000 of one of the two €200,000 fourth prizes.

The first Spanish Christmas lottery was held in Cadiz on December 18, 1812, and has become so popular that about 75 per cent of Spaniards buy a ticket or a share of one.

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Overnight stays OVERNIGHT stays at Balearic hotels dropped by 7.1 per cent in November, totalling 305,988, said the National Statistics Institute. Every hotel guest stayed 3.94 days on average.

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Tourism drives island economy TOURISM is more important to the Balearic Islands in terms of economy than it is in much of the rest of Spain.

The tourism industry plays a crucial role, accounting for 45.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), which is in stark contrast to figures in other parts of the country.

In the Canaries and Valencia, for

instance, tourism only makes up 31.2 and 12.6 per cent of GDP respectively, and in Andalucia the figure is a mere 12.5 per cent.

Figures from a study conducted

by Exceltur show that tourism on the islands is also a major driving force for job creation, with 153,059 new jobs last year, 1.7 per cent more than in 2012. Moreover, tax revenues from tourism totalled

€2.2 billion, almost 40 per cent of all taxes collected in the autonomous community.

In 2013, the private sector invested €656 million in tourism, 5.2 per cent more than in 2012, which in part contributed to attracting 11.1 million holidaymakers last year and to increasing the number of overnight stays to 93 million (+3.7 per cent).

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Transport woes ALTHOUGH the occupancy rate at Portolocom hotels this year is estimated at 74 per cent, tourists complain about the lack of inter-city public transport. The council is working on putting such a system in place.

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Stones thrown A GROUP of unidentified individuals threw stones at officers of Fundacion Circulo Balear (FCNB) in Palma, breaking windows. FCNB holds Balearic radical groups responsible.

New strategy THE Balearic Regional Government has worked out a strategy to boost tourism on the islands through the participation in specialised tourism fairs. Quality and competitiveness are crucial when promoting tourism, said Councillor Jaime Martinez.

School dinners A TOTAL of €900,000 has been earmarked to finance part of the cost of the meals served to schoolchildren in school canteens. To be eligible the children’s families must satisfy specific economic and social criteria.

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ews watch

New Year

NEXT week your edition of Euro Weekly News will be on the streets the last day of the year - Wednesday, December 31, instead of our usual Thursday. Happy New Year.

More visitors THE influx of tourists to the islands increased by 26.6 per cent in November year-onyear, said the Balearic Statistics Institute. Data shows that 220,600 holidaymakers paid a visit to the islands during November.

Problem solved

Festive bingo THIRTY bars and cafés on the islands have notified the Balearic Regional Government of their intention to hold Christmas bingos. Three of these cafés are in Palma.

Construction project PHASE TWO of the project to build a boulevard on Platja de Muro (1,200 metres long) will reportedly cost €837,379, jointly financed by Muro Council and Consorcio Bolsa de Plazas.

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VIKING MARAUDERS: Catoira festival re-enacts Spain’s Viking past.

Quest for answers to Viking past

S

PAIN is hardly renowned for its links to fearsome Viking warriors, but a chance discovery has put a Spanish archaeologist on the trail of ancient Scandinavian raiders in her home country.

Dr Irene Garcia Losquiño of the University of Aberdeen is preparing a dig next spring in the Galicia Region, where a storm uncovered a set of anchors from Viking longships. Although there are written accounts of Viking raids in Northern Spain, archaeologically speaking, the Iberian pensinsula has been a barren hunting ground for Viking experts. Each year, however, locals in the Galician area of Catoira hold a Viking festival where they stage a re-enactment of the Viking raids that occurred 1,000 years ago.

Dr Garcia Losquiño thinks that she may be able to

Quote of the Week We can’t send a police squad to watch over a nativity scene, we appeal to people’s social conscience,’

said Santiago mayor Agustin Hernandez after a statue of the baby Jesus was stolen from the city’s nativity scene for the second time in three years.

uncover rare archaeological evidence of a Viking presence in Spain. “On the beach where the anchors were found was a big mound which locals thought might have been a motte-and-bailey construction, which was used by the later Vikings in France,” Dr Garcia Losquiño told The Herald Scotland. “But with the help of a geographer using tomography we now think this was a ‘longphort’, a Viking construction only found in Ireland during the early Viking age, and very similar to English Viking camps, where they would winter, after taking over the harbour.”

The Spanish archaeologist is planning a spring dig in Galicia and also in Sevilla, where a Norse warband was said to be active in the area for three years. Some of the Spanish sites are marshlands, with perfect conditions for preserving ancient treasures.

THE Porto Pi Shopping Centre will not now have to close its doors after its management submitted a document to Palma Council certifying that its facilities were in full compliance with all security measures included in the Emergency and Evacuation Plan.

Major investment THE Balearic Port Authority will invest €27.8 million in five ports, namely Palma, Alcudia, Ibiza, Mao and La Sabina. In Palma the allocated €9.3 million will serve to improve the port’s facilities and expand terminal six, among other projects.

Home leave MORE than 100 prisoners in Palma will be granted temporary Christmas home leave. The rest of the inmates will be served a special menu on the 24, 25 and 31 and attend a mass officiated by the Bishop of Mallorca, Xavier Salinas.

CREDITlev radin / Shutterstock.com

Number of the week

80,000

is the number of UK students who cannot find places on nursing courses because the NHS is hiring qualified nurses from countries like Spain and Portugal for a fraction of the cost of training a nurse in England.

And finally...

A FUGITIVE wanted in Spain for murder has been sending postcards from the Caribbean to his trial judges. The Frenchman has been on the run for six years for a murder in Huesca in 2006, but despite admitting to the crime, prosecutors could not prove motive or premeditation, resulting in the fugitive’s temporary release and subsequent abscondment.

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Three held for bid rigging plot NATIONAL POLICE in Palma arrested three former Palma de Mallorca Public Water Utility (Emaya) managers for their alleged involvement in a bid rigging scheme dating back to 2008 and 2012.

It’s alleged that the detained awarded contracts for the handling and delivering of Emaya’s internal memos to a company one of them reportedly had business dealings with without a proper call for bids.

They were fired from Emaya earlier this year following an internal investigation launched by the company after detecting irregularities in the awarding of the contracts. The investigation files were later sent to the Anti-Corruption Public Prosecutor’s Office so it could determine if the detained were criminally liable.

The case has now taken a further turn with the arrest of the three former managers, who stand accused of crimes against the public administration. The investigation is ongoing.

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Ambitious waste reduction goal MALLORCA has set itself an ambitious waste reduction goal for the year 2020.

In compliance with a new waste management plan presented by the Insular Council of Mallorca, the island will try to reduce its waste production by 48,000 tonnes before 2020.

Awareness-raising recycling campaigns will play a big part in the plan, said local authorities.

By recycling 68 per cent of cardboard and crystal and 28 per cent of lightweight containers, for example, Mallorca residents will be able to reduce their annual waste production by more than 10 per cent, said Environment

REDUCING WASTE PRODUCTION: Recycling will play a big part in the plan. councillor Catalina Soler.

The island currently produces an estimated 480,000 tonnes of waste.

Jailed for attempted homicide A MAN has been jailed for three years for trying to kill his neighbour.

During the trial, the accused admitted to having stabbed the victim in the stomach with a pair of scissors in June 2012 over an argument between their families.

The scissors pierced the victim’s large intestine and he had to undergo emergency surgery at Son Llatzer hospital.

The attacker fled and was later detained by National Police in es Molinar. He was also sentenced to pay the victim €6,572.

Our View

It’s time for a New Year resolution

I

T’S that time of year again when a lot (but not all) of us cherish those last few days of over-indulgence before embarking on our well intended, but often fruitless journeys to better ourselves. Be it giving up smoking, joining a gym or promising to be a better person, come January 1 life will get that little bit harder for those full of good intentions. Yes, it’s time to decide on a dreaded New Year’s resolution.

Every year we know that whatever we decide to give up, take up, do more of or do less of will take determination, willpower, effort and strength. For those that stick with it, the rewards are plentiful. Giving up smoking will improve your health, be less of a strain on your finances, and make your teeth whiter!

Joining a gym will make you fitter, feel better and more often than not,

look better too. Learning a new language is unbelievably rewarding.

But boy, are they all hard to stick with! It’s so much easier to give up when something is hard, which is why so many of us soon fall back into old habits despite resolving to rid ourselves of them.

Setting small attainable goals throughout the year instead of making huge, sweeping changes on January 1 can often be the best way to approach a New Year’s resolution.

And by sticking with our resolutions through the difficult times (usually at the very start), we will soon find rewards that we may never have expected: a happier outlook, pride, the fulfilment felt from overcoming something difficult. Whatever resolution you make in the next few days assuming you make one at all perseverance is the key.

The best of luck to all of you!

NEWS NEWS EXTRA

Drug smuggler GUARDIA CIVIL at Palma Airport have detained a man for hiding 40 cocaine pellets weighing 430 grammes in his body.

The man was taken to Son Espases hospital where an X-ray revealed the pellets he had swallowed.

Failed return A CHILD molester who had escaped from a Jaen jail has been detained by Guardia Civil in Algaida. The man had been granted a temporary leave of absence from jail and failed to return to the facility.

Speakers up DATA shows that the number of Catalan speakers on the Balearic Islands has increased by 40 per cent in the last few decades, from 440,000 in 1986 to 617,000 this year. The majority (60 per cent) learned the language at home.

2015 budget THE Balearic Islands’ General 2015 Budget approved by the Balearic Parliament after two days of debate - totals €4 billion. As many as 593 amendments to the budget were discussed, and only six adopted.

Symphonic orchestra THE Symphonic Orchestra of the Balearic Islands will play a New Year’s concert at Trui Teatre in Palma on January 1, 8.30pm.

Tickets €40-50. 971 783 279.

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Teen arsonist causes alarm in playground A TEENAGER set a slide on fire at a children’s park in Camp Redo and as a result his father may have to cover the repair costs.

The 14-year-old reportedly climbed all the way to the top of the wooden slide and set it alight, to the astonishment of parents

and children alike. They alerted the emergency services and police and firefighters arrived on the scene to put out the fire, which they did within a matter of minutes.

Police questioned witnesses to try to determine what had

A feast of Italian music in Soller EARLY music group The Archduke’s Consort will bring a feast of Italian Renaissance and baroque music to Soller on Saturday, January 3.

The concert – entitled La Dolce Vita – includes music by Italian composers Monteverdi, Landi, Merula, Steffani, Galileo, Caccini and Sigismondo d’India. It will explore the rich range of passions

in Italian music with its beautiful melodies, dances and enjoyment of all the good things in life.

Soprano Fiona Stuart-Wilson will be accompanied by the beautiful sounds of harp, lute, viola da gamba, dulcimer and percussion.

The concert is taking place at La Capella de les Escolapies in Soller at 8pm.

happened, identified the arsonist, who cannot be prosecuted because of his age, as well as his father, and drew up a report.

The teenager’s father could be asked to pay for the repairs out of his own pocket, according to police sources.

Highest petrol prices in Spain THE Balearic Islands have the highest petrol and diesel prices in Spain, according to a new study.

The study, carried out by kelisto.es, found that petrol and diesel prices are up to eight cents more expensive than anywhere else in Spain.

In the case of 95 octane petrol, Balearic car owners pay €1.46 per litre and €1.39 per litre of diesel.

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Cheap sweaters among most hated presents THREE out of every four people on the Balearic Islands have been given what they considered to be a disappointing Christmas gift at some point in their lives.

This is one of the conclusions drawn by a study on how to give successful Christmas gifts to Balearic men and

women, carried out by DaWanda.es.

According to the research, one in every three people thinks they give much better gifts than the ones they receive.

The study looked at 2,500 Spanish internet users between 18 and 60 years of age and compiled a list of some of the

most hated Christmas gifts.

Most male respondents said they did not like getting the ‘typical cheap and itchy sweater’, or underwear and pyjamas.

Women, on the other hand, tended to dislike cheap perfumes, mini home

appliances and low quality costume jewellery.

Alberto Lorente, the general manager of DaWanda.es, said giving a successful Christmas present is about touching the heart of the person who is to receive it.

New dog beach in Mallorca SANTA MARGALIDA has declared Playa de Na Patana a dog-friendly beach.

After being declared as an area accessible to dogs, the beach – located to the east of Ca’n Picafort – will be open for dogs and their owners all year.

For the time being though, dogs must be kept on a leash. However, the council has plans to adopt an amendment to a municipal ordinance which will allow them to run free on the beach before next summer.

SCHOOLCHILDREN: English and maths grades lower than languages.

Bilingual Balearic children BALEARIC children between eight and nine years of age are perfectly bilingual.

A study by the Education Department among third-grade

students attending 302 Balearic schools shows that the children speak both Catalan and Spanish fluently.

Data also indicated that their grades were a bit lower in English and maths.

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Two held for 16th century cross theft GUARDIA CIVIL officers have detained two Alcudia residents for allegedly stealing a fragment of a cross dating back to the late 16th century.

The investigation which led to their arrest started in September

when the Guardia Civil learned that someone had found the fragment at a rural property in Petra.

Further inquiries led the police to discover the cross had been missing since the 1990s from the San Miquel de Campanet

chapel and that it had been declared an object of cultural interest.

The alleged thieves were identified as A.H.H., 31, and D.G.B, 32, and later detained.

The relic will be returned to Campanet Council.

(Flickr by Army Medicine)

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EBOLA PROTOCOL: Healthcare workers are required to don protective suits.

Patient has malaria, not Ebola A SUSPECTED Ebola patient under observation at Son Espases Hospital has instead tested positive for malaria.

The 38-year-old man went to a health centre in Palma with a fever and told doctors that he had recently been in Mali, which is one of the countries most affected by the latest Ebola outbreak, along with Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Authorities at the hospital thought it wise to initiate their Ebola protocol and isolate him.

He underwent a series of tests, which proved negative, though he did test positive for malaria. The hospital ran a second series of tests and submitted the samples to Hospital Carlos III in Madrid to definitively rule out the possibility of him having Ebola.

Fewer foreigners THE number of foreigners registered with Spanish Social Security on the islands dropped by 23.52 per cent compared to October, and now totals 55,316 people, according to the Labour Ministry.

Better bins SELECTIVE waste collection in Manacor has increased by 20 per cent since the council started providing the service in June, said Environment Councillor Bernat Amer during the presentation of 18 new bin lorries.

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Princesses sign Christmas card ROYAL princesses Leonor and Sofia have signed their first official Christmas card as Leonor, Princess of Asturias, and Sofia, Infanta of Spain.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia chose two pictures taken on the day of their coronation for this year’s official Christmas card from the Royal Household.

While the front of the card sports a picture of the royal couple waving from a balcony of the Royal Palace, a family photo with their daughters is placed inside opposite a handwritten message and signatures from the king and queen and both princesses.

In the message, King

ROYAL FIRST: Young princesses sign official card.

Felipe and Queen Letizia express their desire for Christmas hope and goodwill to outlast the festive days.

Novelties this year include the red colour of the card and the addition of the letter R after the king and queen’s signatures.

Meanwhile, the king’s

parents King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia chose a work of art for their Christmas card.

The Adoration of the Magicians by Lucas Jordan is depicted on a card from which the letter R after the signatures has disappeared as they no longer reign.

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A Christmas message from the Euro Weekly News WE would like to extend a huge thank you and happy Christmas to our valued readers, without whom the Euro Weekly News (EWN) would not be Spain’s largest, free, local newspaper, reaching more than half a million people every week.

We wish you every success in 2015 and we look forward to continuing to bring you all the news from your communities.

At the EWN we believe in our community and we never stop striving to do what we can. We look for goodness and we emphasise it in our pages, and we try to help people to integrate by making the community stronger.

We believe in helping others who

are less fortunate, weaker, or older, as one day we know that will be us.

In order to move on, we learn from our mistakes, and our passion, energy and our belief carry us forward.

As Thomas Watson once said: “To be successful you have to have your heart in your business and your business in your heart.”

We would also like to wish a very merry Christmas to all our advertisers. When you come on board as an advertiser with the EWN, you become part of the EWN family, and your business is treated like our own.

We put our heart and soul into making it work, and each and every one of our advertisers is treated like a valued family member.

A very big thank you and merry Christmas to you all.

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Schoolteachers at Drunk-driver is arrested ‘burnout’ point A LARGE percentage of high school teachers on the islands suffer from ‘burnout syndrome’.

According to a study conducted by teacher and researcher David Sanchez Llull, 33 per cent of teachers working at Balearic high schools are affected by it.

The fact that one third of them are not able to do their best can affect their students’ academic performance, he warned.

Burnout is a general state of physical, mental and emotional

exhaustion brought about by prolonged and excessive stress. It reduces productivity and leaves people feeling increasingly hopeless and helpless.

Although it has not been officially recognised as a disease, the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) say it can result in more serious disorders, said Llull.

According to the EU, there are an estimated 40 million people suffering from the condition.

Couple held for cashing stolen cheques A MAN and a woman have been detained for stealing thousands of euros using stolen cheques.

The investigation that led to their arrest started after a woman lodged a complaint with the Guardia Civil in Palmanova when she realised someone had withdrawn

around €20,000 from her account using cheques stolen from her.

The police think the man took them from the victim’s cheque book, forged her signature and gave them to his accomplice – a Spanish woman living in Palma – who then cashed them in Calvia.

A DRUNK DRIVER has been arrested for running over a motorcyclist and fleeing the scene.

The driver reportedly ran a red light on Calle Aragon de Palma and hit a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction. The driver then sped away leaving the motorcyclist lying on the ground.

National Police officers witnessed the incident and called an ambulance. The drunk driver was eventually

HIT-AND-RUN: Local Police witnessed the incident which left a motorcyclist injured. caught in Son Hugo and a breath test revealed he was over the limit.

Power cable laid WORK to lay the second of two submarine power cables between Mallorca and Ibiza concluded last week.

The €25-million common power grid project aims at guaranteeing a stable and

quality electricity supply for the Pityusic Islands Ibiza, Formentera, S’Espalmador, and other islets - and finding a solution to the islands’ energy ‘isolation’ by combining the two existing power grids.

Naval museum Scared horse caught THE project for the construction of the naval and tourism museum is well under way.

Fundatur - which will reportedly invest €5 million in the project - has three months to choose where the museum will be based, at either the Soller Naval Base or at the old Balearic Port Authority.

A RUNAWAY horse which escaped from the Son Pardo racetrack has been caught by Guardia Civil and Local Police officers in Palma.

For reasons unknown, the horse was spooked during a trotting exercise and galloped out of the racetrack and onto a motorway.

Staff alerted the police and the animal was later caught. It suffered no harm.

NEWS NEWS EXTRA

Tobacco sales DATA shows that no Spanish autonomous community has seen a sharper increase in tax revenues from tobacco sales in 2014 than the Balearic Islands (+1.48 per cent).

Domestic violence THE Balearic Islands rank first in Spain for the largest number of complaints lodged with the police for domestic violence, followed by the Canary Islands, Valencia and Murcia.

Warm winter THE Mallorca office of the State Meteorology Agency foresees a warm winter with average rainfall levels.

Temperatures during the first quarter of the year will reportedly average 11°C (maximum 15°C - minimum 7°C).

More police presence at Christmas LOCAL POLICE in Palma are beefing up security for the Christmas season.

The number of people going for walks and on the city streets in general increases considerably at Christmas and New Year, especially around leisure areas.

For that reason 20 additional police officers will be patrolling the streets from December 18 until January 14, Local Police have announced.

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COMPARED with the rest of Spain, people from the Balearic Islands appear to be the group with the least gamble in them.

While every Spaniard spent an average of €61.50 on tickets for the ‘El Gordo’, the traditional Christmas lottery – nearly €2 less than last year – those from the Balearics spent on average just €33.50, according to the Spanish

FLICKR BY JLMARAL

Islanders cautious about El Gordo

CHRISTMAS LOTTERY: Spaniards spent an average of €61.5 on tickets.

State Lottery (LAE).

Trying your luck and

Palma UNESCO bid PALMA COUNCIL has unanimously approved an institutional statement supporting the city’s candidacy for inclusion on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. To be included on the list, the sites have to be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of 10 selection criteria. According to the statement, Palma satisfies two of the basic UNESCO standards.

Three held for making threats NATIONAL POLICE officers have detained three brothers accused of trying to coerce a family into withdrawing a complaint.

In March, two families had a row over the alleged theft of marihuana plants in Platja de Palma. It is believed one family accused the other of stealing the plants and lodged a complaint against a woman and two of her children.

Three of the brothers, aged 21, 25, and 29, surrounded the complainants, pulled a knife and threatened to kill them unless they withdrew the complaint. They promised they would and agreed to meet the others to show them proof that they had.

Instead they went to the police and denounced them.

taking a shot at the big one is a yearly tradition in Spain, and according to LAE, people from Madrid, the Basque Country and Valencia spent on average €74.50, €74.10 and €69.50 respectively.

However, the biggest spenders are in Castilla y Leon, with an average spend of €90.80 per person.

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E W N 25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca COSTA DEL SOL

Increasing costs ACCORDING to a report drawn up by Andalucia’s Audit Office, the construction and operating costs - until 2042 - of the Malaga Metro will increase to €2.6 billion, 113 per cent more than originally expected.

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

NEWS DESK COSTA DE ALMERÍA

Documents recovered MOORISH documents detailing surrender to the Christian armies during the 15th century have been found and restored.

They are currently on display at the Museo Arqueologico Provincia.

Tornado report

Tabernas helipad

THE tornado that hit the Costa del Sol in late November covered approximately seven kilometres in 15 minutes, said the State Meteorology Agency. It formed at sea and caused serious damage in Torremolinos, Churriana and near Malaga airport.

TABERNAS has opened the eighth helipad in the province. The helipads are for medical use in order to transport patients direct to the capital’s hospital, saving a lengthy journey by road.

Drivers tested

THE Junta has put 118 mining plots out to tender in Almeria. Almeria is the Andalucian province with the highest number of available mineral plots, occupying 88,175 hectares.

SIX drivers tested positive for drugs and one was caught driving without a licence in just 90 minutes at a police check-point on the road to Campanillas.

Flights increase LOW cost airline passengers at Malaga airport increased by 10 per cent up to November this year, making it second in Spain for volume of low cost company users. Only Barcelona had more passengers.

Council helps out COIN Council has approved measures to help families with low or non-existent income by halving their water bills as long as the property does not use more than 45 cubic metres every three months.

AXARQUIA

TV magnet MORE than 40 audiovisual productions have taken place in Nerja during 2014. One of the most important ones was the shooting of the international action movie, ‘Pursuit.’

Bank aid LA CAIXA bank has aided Frigiliana’s Caritas foundation with €1,250 to help the town’s poorer families during the Christmas season.

Mining plots 2ND EDITION WINNERS: Manuel Molina, who came first, holds his prize piglet aloft.

Piglet racing, but not as you know it THE third edition of the Carrera Ciclista del Cochinillo (piglet cycling race) was rescheduled in Huercal Overa.

The race was moved from December 18 to December 21 and participated in by professional cyclists including Juan Antonio Sanchez Navarro, Javier Chacon Quesada and Manuel Martinez Costa who all compete in Spain.

The race gets a huge amount of media coverage due to its uniqueness, with previous journalists coming from Britain, China, Denmark, Greece and South Africa. The race directed cyclists

through a Huercal Overa street circuit in 16 laps, starting and ending at Avenida Guillermo Reyna.

Councillor for Sports, Alonso Mena, highlighted the good reception, adding: “Carrera Ciclista del Cochinillo is already a landmark in the holiday sports programme both for our province and those nearby.” He went on to encourage everyone to get involved in future races.

The overall winner gets a trophy and a live piglet. There are also prizes including hams and wine for the first three in each category.

Band anniversary

Long wait

NERJA’S Municipal Music Band marked its 25th anniversary with a Christmas concert held last Saturday (December 20). More than 500 musicians have been members of this band during its trajectory.

FAMILY doctors’ Christmas holidays will not be covered, the regional Health department confirmed. The CCOO union warned that appointments would be scarce in 11 health centres administered by Alicante General hospital.

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Lucky escape

Legal action

THE Spanish Red Cross has awarded volunteers, associations and institutions of Axarquia with medals for their performance in social issues.

FIREMEN rescued a 24-year-old British climber who fell 20 metres from the Penya Roja cliffs near Gandia. No bones were broken but he was admitted to Francesc de Borja hospital for a thorough check-up.

VALENCIAN community residents launch 45 lawsuits for every 1,000 inhabitants compared with the national average of 43.7. Spain’s most litigious region is Baleares with 58 cases per 1,000 people.

Sport for everyone

All clear

Food donation

THE Council of Velez-Malaga celebrated the second Day for Integration through Sports.

Launched by the Social Services department, it was aimed at encouraging people with disabilities to practice light physical activities.

CAMPELLO’S Fisherman’s Monument, formerly covered in graffiti, has now been cleaned. The town hall’s Maintenance department used a special gel but had to wait until rain stopped before it could be used.

USAR-13 presented 1,000 kilos of supplies to Alfaz’s Social Volunteers.

They were donated by the 300 people who ran or walked with their dogs up to the Albir lighthouse in the ‘Marcha Canicross.’

Volunteer’s excellence

Bumper turnover COSENTINO, one of Almeria’s largest companies has announced a total turnover for 2014 of €560 million, an increase of 14.7 per cent on 2013.

Family aid MORE than €173,000 has been earmarked for 26 families in Alhama, Illar, Terque and Santa Cruz de Marchena. The money comes from the Junta and is for home improvements.

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Lucky escape FIREMEN rescued a 24-year-old British climber who fell 20 metres from the Penya Roja cliffs near Gandia. No bones were broken but he was admitted to Francesc de Borja hospital for a thorough check-up.

All clear CAMPELLO’S Fisherman’s Monument, once covered in graffiti, has now been cleaned.

The town hall’s Maintenance department used a special gel but had to wait until rain stopped before it could be used.

Long wait FAMILY doctors’ Christmas holidays will not be covered, the regional Health department confirmed. The CCOO union warned that appointments would be scarce in 11 health centres administered by Alicante General hospital.

Legal action VALENCIAN community residents launch 45 lawsuits for every 1,000 inhabitants compared with the national average of 43.7. Spain’s most litigious region is Balearics with 58 cases per 1,000 people.

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15

Advertising Feature

Inflation slows, but does not do as much damage as it might have done

THE hot topic in financial markets last week was Russia’s ruble, which has lost 40 per cent of its value in the last three months. The Russian central bank eventually brought it back under control, but not before several major international firms including Audi and Apple announced that they were halting sales to the country. Investors are well aware that Germany and Austria, to name but two euro zone members, are feeling the economic pain of EU/US sanctions against Russia. And if Germany is feeling the pain the rest of Euroland will be hurting too.

With one glaring exception the UK ecostats were helpful to the pound.

Employment was up, jobseeker numbers were down and retail sales in November were strong. The problem was inflation, which unexpectedly slowed from 1.3 per cent to 1.0 per cent. It did not do as much damage as it might have done to sterling though. Investors had already been primed by the Bank of England to expect a sub-1 per cent inflation rate and the governor said the lower cost of oil would

Commentary by Moneycorp

Clarisse Musselwhite is Moneycorp’s Account Manager for Mallorca

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

902887243 mallorca@moneycorp.com

EUROZONE: Members feeling the economic pain of sanctions against Russia. be “a net positive for the UK Economy.”

After a turbulent few days investors will be looking forward to a bit of a rest in the coming couple of weeks. A calm and steady FX market is by no means guaranteed, but the reduced liquidity will make it near-impossible to predict or

interpret such price moves as do occur.

Anyone with payments to make in the next fortnight should arrange them in good time and double-check the details because errors become twice as expensive when the weekend has four days instead of two.

16

E W N 25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

S CANDINAVIAN P RESS

www.euroweeklynews.com

Stories making headlines in Europe

BRITISH PRESS Begging problem SWEDEN – Romania’s Social Affairs and Labour Minister Rovana Plumb will visit Stockholm in January to discuss the problem of the increasing number of Roma people begging on Swedish streets.

Search stats DENMARK – Google has revealed that the most searched for subjects by Danes during 2014 were the iPhone 6, the football World Cup, and Robin Williams. Also in the top 10 were the Eurovision Song Contest and the Ebola virus.

Hottest year DENMARK – 2014 was the hottest year on record in Denmark, with an annual average temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists have put it down to climate change.

Comfort food SWEDEN – A new study has revealed that more than one in 10 people living in Stockholm regularly indulge in comfort eating. Reasons include stress, worry and loneliness.

Ban KO’d NORWAY – Norway has ended its ban on boxing after three decades of being outlawed. Norwegian world champ Cecilia Braekhus can now defend her title on home turf.

Oil permits NORWAY – Energy company Statoil has been awarded four new offshore exploration permits in New Zealand, building on its existing position in the country.

No kissing

Hitchhiking Romeo

BRITONS travelling to Dubai for some winter sun have been advised by the British Embassy not to hold hands, avoid Christmas kisses and not to be drunk on the street. Foreigners often fall foul of the UAE’s strict rules.

A BRITISH traveller has hitchhiked across the USA solely by using a dating app to woo women into giving him lifts. He would buy his ‘dates’ a gift as way of thanks.

Nativity clueless

A BRITISH soldier’s letter has revealed that German and British soldiers bonded during the unofficial Christmas truce of 1914 by telling jokes about the French.

NO KISSING: Be careful in Dubai.

RUSSIAN PRESS Online favourites

BRITISH and German soldiers met recently to participate in a game of football – Game of Truce – to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the famous series of impromptu games between opposing soldiers during an unofficial ceasefire on the Western Front during World War I.

Poisonous trees

THE Sochi Olympics was the number one subject Googled by Russians in 2014. Other popular searches included the Ukraine crisis, Eurovision 2014, pop star Zhanna Friske and television show Fizruk.

MORE than half of all German Christmas trees tested have been found to contain poisonous chemicals. Friends of the Earth Germany had trees tested for 150 different types of pesticides.

Kim Jong Un invite RUSSIA has invited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to attend the Victory Day ceremony in May which marks the end of World War II. It is currently unclear whether Kim will accept the invitation.

Politician of the Year

‘PUTIN’S TIGER’ has reportedly returned to Russia after going on a killing spree in China. Ustin the tiger was released into the wild under an animal protection programme and crossed into China where he has been accused of slaughtering chickens and goats.

DAVID HASSELHOFF will be singing in the New Year at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. He will be the star performer at a five-hour concert set to attract hundreds of thousands of revellers.

Truce remembered

Mobile drunks

Tiger returns

PRESS New Year with Knight Rider

A SUSPECTED former Auschwitz guard will go on trial for murder in spring 2015. The 93-year-old is charged with 300,000 counts of accessory to murder. He worked at the concentration camp in 1944.

Having a laugh

RUSSIANS have voted President Vladimir Putin as ‘Politician of the Year’ 2014 for the 15th consecutive year. A survey showed that 68 per cent of Russians voted for President Putin.

GERMAN

Auschwitz trial

NINETY-NINE per cent of Britons don’t know what the Bible says about the nativity story and five per cent think that Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem because they were moving house, a survey found.

THE NHS has launched a series of mobile ‘drunk tanks’ to take care of boozed-up Brits this Christmas, instead of them being sent to A&E or police stations.

The 65-foot vehicles feature state-of-the-art medical facilities.

EUROPEAN PRESS

Road tolls TOXIC: Half contain pesticides.

Train birthday THE fastest train in Russia, the Sapsan, celebrated its fifth birthday in mid-December. The high-speed train covers the 650 kilometre journey from Moscow to St Petersburg in just three hours and forty-five minutes and can reach speeds of up to 300 kilometres per hour. There are plans to upgrade the track to allow 400 kilometres per hour.

FOREIGNERS will be required to pay a road toll to use autobahns from 2016. German drivers will have to buy a sticker to display in their car windows but will be entitled to claim the amount back. Cars without stickers will have to pay a toll.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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

25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

business & legal

EWN

17

STAT OF WEEK SIXTY PER CENT of Spain’s fruit and vegetable production is destined for export. Of this, 95 per cent goes to EU countries with the remainder going to notoriously demanding Japan, China and the US.

IAG reaps the benefits of restructuring IAG has increased its lead over Ryanair thanks to Iberia and budget airline Vueling.

“We were in intensive care, now we’re on the ward and soon we’ll be leaving hospital,” said Iberia president Luis Gallego.

BA and Iberia merged in 2011 to create IAG, acquiring Vueling in 2013. Restructuring

RECOVERY: IAG sees increase.

BT not won over

by Telefonica BT will not be buying O2, the UK mobile group owned by Telefonica.

Instead it has chosen EE, Britain’s largest mobile provider, for £12.5 billion (€15.7 billion) and is now in talks with O2’s German and French owners, Deutsche Telekom and Orange.

If the deal goes through Deutsche Telekom and Orange will take respective 12 per cent and 4 per cent stakes in BT. Negotiations are expected to last several weeks and the outcome will then need the approval of BT shareholders. Should it not succeed in pulling off the EE deal, BT

“remains confident” that it will still be able to deliver on its plans, sources revealed.

Ironically, BT sold its own mobile network BT Cellnet – now O2 – in 2002. It was acquired by Telefonica in 2005 for almost €23 billion and is now valued at £9 billion (€11.3 billion).

BT returns to the mobile market in order to offer packages with mobile, landline, internet and television connections.

Telefonica declined to comment on BT’s decision, although sources revealed that the Spanish company could now seek a UK agreement with Hutchison, Sky, Virgin Media or Talk Talk.

B

usiness extra

Dinner date EXACTLY 32.7 per cent of Spanish shoppers will shop in Mercadona for their traditional Christmas Eve dinner. A further 26 per cent use Carrefour.

Jobs safe THE new PeugeotCitroen van will be built in Vigo and not Trnava (Slovenia), guaranteeing jobs for 7,000 workers and indirect employment for another 12,000.

Big spender MEXICAN telecoms magnate Carlos Slim is now principal shareholder in Spanish construction company FCC.

Talisman to accept Repsol offer REPSOL is buying Talisman Energy for $8.3 billion (€6,640 billion) and assuming its $4.7 billion (€3,760 billion) debt.

The Talisman board unanimously approved the offer, which it has advised shareholders to accept. The transaction will be financed principally by the $6.3 billion compensation for the expropriation of Repsol’s Argentinean subsidiary, YPF.

Losing YPF prompted Repsol to seek alternative markets and the Spanish multinational will now be investing approximately half of its exploration capital in North America, compared with 22 per cent in Latin America. Output will increase by 76 per cent, boosting reserves by 55 per cent and situating Repsol amongst the world’s 15 biggest privatelyowned oil companies.

which began in 2012 was plagued with labour disputes, redundancies and cutting out routes but now IAG is reaping the benefits with this year’s 32,637,741 passengers.

This is 9.5 per cent more than in 2013 and the distance separating IAG from Ryanair, the second-biggest player in Spain has doubled.

Although Ryanair remains the biggest individual airline with 25.8 million passengers, this shows a 1.1 per cent drop on 2013’s figures.

The Irish company is followed by Vueling whose 17.3 million passengers represent a 16.8 per cent increase on last year and Iberia, with 10,148,710 passengers.

18

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LONDON - FTSE 100

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US

C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 22

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) 3i Group PLC 453.60 Aberdeen Asset PLC 429.70 Admiral Group PLC 1319.50 Aggreko PLC 1551.00 Anglo American PLC 1212.00 Antofagasta PLC 749.75 ARM Holdings PLC 974.50 Ashtead Group PLC 1163.00 Associated Brtsh Foods 3207.00 AstraZeneca PLC 4571.50 Aviva PLC 496.55 Babcock International ... 1070.50 BAE Systems PLC 467.35 Barclays PLC 239.85 BG Group PLC 918.20 BHP Billiton PLC 1403.75 BP PLC 425.48 British Amrcn Tobacco 3507.50

C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G. 5.00 1.11 0.60 0.14 11.00 0.84 14.00 0.91 19.50 1.63 6.00 0.81 3.00 0.31 5.00 0.43 13.00 0.41 6.00 0.13 1.59 0.32 15.00 1.42 4.60 0.99 1.92 0.81 16.70 1.85 25.50 1.85 12.40 3.00 7.50 0.21

NET VOLUME 41.24 279.62 8.17 8.92 185.58 117.70 134.20 27.30 31.10 130.59 320.19 67.34 258.23 946.22 1,262.29 736.43 2,192.81 80.05

See our advert on page 21

1.27628

0.78352

Units per €

US dollar .................................................................1.22575 Japan yen...............................................................146.881 Switzerland franc ..............................................1.20356 Denmark kroner ................................................7.43845 Norway kroner....................................................9.01703

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

PRICE(P)

British Land Co PLC BT Group PLC Bunzl PLC Burberry Group PLC Capita PLC Carnival PLC Centrica PLC

771.50 408.30 1769.50 1631.00 1086.00 2825.50 274.80

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

DOW JONES

NASDAQ

C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 22

C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 22

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 KO The Coca-Cola Co DIS Walt Disney Co 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 IBM International Business Machine...

INTC Intel Corp 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 TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies Corp UNH UnitedHealth Group Inc VZ Verizon Communications Inc V Visa Inc WMT Wal-Mart Stores Inc

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 165.48 92.90 33.54 126.23 91.71 112.93 27.77 41.95 92.89 73.29 93.64 25.62 193.28 101.93 158.51 36.37 105.55 61.93 93.22 59.58 47.66 94.84 31.94 92.05 105.75 115.59 102.49 47.02 261.67 85.16

+0.18 -0.27 +0.03 +0.56 +0.02 +3.90 +0.12 -0.44 +0.28 +1.06 +2.48 +0.48 +1.67 +1.26 +0.83 -0.65 -1.26 +0.45 -0.45 +0.60 +0.14 -2.24 -0.03 +0.05 -0.20 -1.37 +0.25 -0.03 -2.49 -0.78

+0.11% -0.29% +0.09% +0.45% +0.02% +3.58% +0.43% -1.04% +0.30% +1.47% +2.72% +1.91% +0.87% +1.25% +0.53% -1.76% -1.18% +0.73% -0.48% +1.02% +0.29% -2.31% -0.09% +0.05% -0.19% -1.17% +0.24% -0.06% -0.94% -0.91%

4.9M 7.2M 40.2M 7.7M 9.7M 15.7M 59.6M 24.0M 12.8M 7.0M 38.5M 86.7M 4.8M 12.5M 8.9M 76.8M 19.2M 22.8M 10.3M 17.4M 64.6M 13.5M 44.9M 14.0M 3.9M 7.9M 8.0M 31.3M 3.9M 12.1M

4.00 3.70 10.00 9.00 10.00 14.00 2.10

C O M PA N Y

0.52 0.91 0.57 0.56 0.93 0.50 0.77

NET VOLUME 94.13 384.09 13.93 21.79 31.30 28.13 1,019.68

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

$ 5.27 $ 7.85 $ 16.43 $ 5.94 $ 37.94 $ 13.90 $ 33.06 $ 4.80 $ 6.87 $ 5.67 $ 4.38

1.57 ▲ 42.43% 1.87 ▲ 31.27% 3.36 ▲ 25.71% 1.10 ▲ 22.73% 6.69 ▲ 21.41% 2.45 ▲ 21.40% 5.62 ▲ 20.48% 0.80 ▲ 20% 1.01 ▲ 17.24% 0.82 ▲ 16.91% 0.60 ▲ 15.87%

$ 6.11 $ 23.35 $ 19.77 $ 13 $ 27.23 $ 6.64 $ 33.80 $ 12.86 $ 12.56 $ 30.82 $ 2.62

4.74 ▼ 43.69% 5.55 ▼ 19.20% 4.11 ▼ 17.21% 1.68 ▼ 11.44% 3.32 ▼ 10.87% 0.7599 ▼ 10.27% 3.45 ▼ 9.26% 1.26 ▼ 8.92% 1.20 ▼ 8.72% 2.84 ▼ 8.44% 0.24 ▼ 8.39%

Most Advanced Fate Therapeutics, Inc. Corium International, Inc. Aratana Therapeutics, Inc. Security National Financial Corporation Omega Flex, Inc. UBIC, Inc. Immune Design Corp.

Roka Bioscience, Inc. Approach Resources Inc. Minerva Neurosciences, Inc Parnell Pharmaceuticals Holdings Ltd

Most Declined ImmunoGen, Inc. The Finish Line, Inc. Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Landec Corporation Digimarc Corporation Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc. National Research Corporation Veritex Holdings, Inc. Momo Inc. Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) CHANGE Coca-Cola HBC AG 1245.00 10.00 Compass Group PLC 1092.50 6.95 CRH PLC 1536.00 13.00 Diageo PLC 1838.75 5.00 Direct Line Insurance ... 290.75 2.00 Dixons Carphone PLC 458.85 -3.00 easyJet PLC 1653.00 3.00 Experian PLC 1099.00 12.00 Fresnillo PLC 751.25 12.50 Friends Life Group Ltd 374.55 1.76 G4S PLC 277.55 1.50 GKN PLC 346.35 2.99 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1396.75 4.50 Glencore PLC 303.02 5.10 Hammerson PLC 614.00 3.50 Hargreaves Lansdown 1013.50 11.10 HSBC Holdings PLC 613.50 5.90 IMI PLC 1254.50 10.00 Imperial Tobacco Group 2861.00 3.00 InterContinental Hotels 2591.00 10.00 International Consoldtd ... 470.05 1.20 Intertek Group PLC 2377.50 22.00 Intu Properties PLC 333.85 -1.70 ITV PLC 211.15 1.10 Johnson Matthey PLC 3413.50 60.50 Kingfisher PLC 327.70 3.40 Land Securities Group PLC1165.00 10.00 Legal & General Group PLC245.30 2.60 Lloyds Banking Group PLC 76.54 0.40 London Stock Exchange Group...2231.5023.00 Marks & Spencer Group PLC476.60 0.60 Meggitt PLC 515.50 4.00 Mondi PLC 1070.50 11.00 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets PLC177.151.02 National Grid PLC 918.45 6.86 Next PLC 6500.00 6.69 Old Mutual PLC 190.20 1.90 Pearson PLC 1189.50 8.01 Persimmon PLC 1576.00 -2.20 Petrofac Ltd 731.00 8.50 Prudential PLC 1525.50 12.00 Randgold Resources Ltd 4366.50 -66.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC5307.50 30.00 Reed Elsevier PLC 1083.00 5.00 Rio Tinto PLC 2923.25 52.50 Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC 879.25 8.50 Royal Bank of Scotland Grou...391.95 3.40 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 2290.75 69.00 Royal Mail PLC 414.40 0.60 RSA Insurance Group PLC 448.40 -1.10 SABMiller PLC 3383.75 9.00 Sage Group (The) PLC 457.05 -0.62 Sainsbury (J) PLC 241.60 1.80 Schroders PLC 2732.50 39.00 Severn Trent PLC 2034.50 19.00 Shire PLC 4662.00 39.00 Sky PLC 895.00 6.00 Smith & Nephew PLC 1118.00 29.00 Smiths Group PLC 1081.50 9.00 Sports Direct International...696.50 2.50 SSE PLC 1627.50 4.00 Standard Chartered PLC 942.90 15.60 Standard Life PLC 414.15 4.90 St James's Place PLC 806.25 6.50 Tesco PLC 186.80 1.45 Travis Perkins PLC 1825.00 0.00 TUI AG 1071.50 0.00 Tullow Oil PLC 439.35 14.80 Unilever PLC 2645.50 15.65 United Utilities Group PLC 930.75 9.50 Vodafone Group PLC 224.43 -0.60 Weir Group PLC 1935.00 31.00 Whitbread PLC 4695.00 9.62 Wolseley PLC 3675.00 24.00 WPP PLC 1345.00 17.50

% C H G. 0.81 0.64 0.85 0.27 0.69 -0.65 0.18 1.10 1.69 0.47 0.54 0.87 0.32 1.71 0.57 1.11 0.97 0.80 0.11 0.39 0.26 0.93 -0.51 0.52 1.81 1.05 0.87 1.07 0.53 1.04 0.13 0.78 1.04 0.58 0.75 0.10 1.01 0.68 -0.14 1.18 0.79 -1.49 0.57 0.46 1.83 0.98 0.87 3.10 0.15 -0.24 0.27 -0.14 0.75 1.45 0.94 0.84 0.67 2.66 0.84 0.36 0.25 1.68 1.20 0.81 0.78 0.00 0.00 3.49 0.60 1.03 -0.27 1.63 0.21 0.66 1.32

VOLUME 42.30 88.21 45.23 127.01 103.29 94.43 30.81 103.40 72.29 42.70 27.47 61.38 446.34 1,105.93 26.80 17.45 968.07 16.79 97.47 15.92 388.31 10.13 87.02 155.46 32.73 183.50 82.51 620.95 5,273.49 18.14 261.79 20.82 104.05 989.65 345.96 16.05 565.70 217.55 57.51 274.67 120.24 49.08 60.27 102.05 323.88 385.08 220.44 349.46 59.09 99.56 56.94 118.81 385.91 40.44 24.45 62.15 121.81 179.82 33.95 40.15 112.43 391.45 110.62 28.12 2,350.26 14.26 21.64 327.26 131.11 103.28 2,405.78 61.36 15.97 21.66 114.99

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Modern book business pushes forward MANY businessmen and women, especially those in retirement, have acquired much knowledge and expertise over the years. This reservoir of experience is invaluable to newcomers whose business experience leaves much to be desired. Why not publish your advice so others can benefit from it?

Most of us recall periodicals like the Exchange and Mart. In its Business Section, one would find books and booklets promising riches by purchasing advisory books. Much of it was ‘How to be a Millionaire in 12 Months’ pie in the sky promises. In fairness, there were many booklet gems from which I, and I

Talking shop Mike Walsh Mike Walsh was for 20 years Regional Assessment Manager for the Guild of Master Craftsmen, Britain’s biggest quality assurance body for businesses.

www.michaelwalsh.es • 966 786 932

am sure many others, benefited.

By buying such help books and booklets I found my business ventures were less hassle and more profitable.

Each time I forked out £4.95 or whatever, I received returns with bells

on, thank you very much.

Self-publishing business tutors back then had little choice but to invest in the considerable upfront costs of printing and distributing their booklets. A minimum book order might be 1,000 for which one had to wait months for delivery. If the books failed to sell then that was their problem.

Self-publishing is so much easier now.

After the book has been written, assisted by an editor cum ghost-writer if necessary, the laptop completes the preparation. When my books are ready I sell them through Amazon and Amazon Kindle.

I complete the online process, which takes an hour or so. Within 24-hours I quickly check the proof and my book is immediately on sale throughout the world. I receive royalties each month.

It sounds easy enough and for those who can, like everything else, it is easy.

Self-publishing has shown remarkable progress. It makes it easier than ever for those retired to pass their experiences on to newcomers. The books ordered online are printed to order and posted direct to buyer. No stock to carry and costly mailing is ducked. Amazon does it all all. Times have indeed changed.

Mahou turns to US craft beer THE Maho-San Miguel group acquired a 30 per cent stake in US company Founders Brewing.

Founders is a family enterprise, based in Michigan, established 17 years ago. It produces craft beers, some aged in bourbon barrels and others with flavours that range

On the ball at Iberdrola VICENTE DEL BOSQUE, manager of the Spanish side that won the 2010 World Cup and crashed out of this year’s competition, is now on the board of the team’s sponsor, energy group Iberdrola.

Del Bosque has collaborated with Iberdrola since 2010 when he joined its Advisory Council in Castilla y Leon

production, focusing on innovation and intensifying its presence in its existing markets.

On its website Founders’ stressed that Mahou is also family-owned. “It is a 125-yearold, seventh-generation, familyowned brewery based in Madrid,” Founders said.

“Mahou will bring its unique experience and strong networks to build our brand in Spain and beyond,” the statement continued. The Mahou deal would also bring liquidity to longstanding shareholders, Founders said.

Mahou-San Miguel sells its

brands in more than 50 countries although its 10 key markets are located in the UK, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Scandinavia, the US, Chile, Equatorial Guinea, China and India. International sales now represent 13 per cent of the group’s global turnover.

More traffic on toll roads THIS year toll roads will chalk up increased traffic for the first time since 2006.

According to ministry of Public Works figures, they have been used by an average 16,400 vehicles a day, approximately 3 per cent more than 2013’s daily 15,932 average.

Despite this increase, the volume of traffic on Spain’s toll roads is roughly the same as it was in the late 90s when there were 1,700 kilometres of paid motorways compared with the present 2,560 kilometres.

This is the outcome of an accumulated 33 per cent reduction since 2006’s daily average of 23,909 vehicles.

AIDA RICCIARDIELLO

BUSINESS EXTRA

from blackberry to chocolate.

Neither company revealed how much buying into Founders had cost Mahou but the acquisition will help the Spanish firm to tap into the growing international market for craft beers. Both companies will boost Founders’ growth in the US by increasing

INCREASE IN USE: Three per cent more vehicles travelled on toll roads this year.

The predicted increase by the end of 2014 confirms the tendency that was detectible since the beginning of the year, with – apart from last March - toll road traffic slowly increasing each month.

Sources in the sector attributed the rise to a “more stable macroeconomic environment,”

boosted by increased tourism and “favourable meteorological conditions.”

Toll charges will be frozen in 2015 for the first time in five years, while the ministry of Public Works also plans to reduce charges during offpeak hours on some motorways, following agreements with concessionary companies.

Second term as CEOE president for incumbent Rosell JUAN ROSELL was relected as president of the CEOE, Spain’s federation of employers.

It will be the second four-year term at the head of the CEOE for Rosell, who negotiated Spain’s labour market reforms with Mariano Rajoy’s government in 2012. This was a closerrun contest than that of September 2010

when Rosell obtained 444 votes compared to his competitor’s 247.

This time round Rosell obtained 345 votes against the 312 that went to his only rival, Antonio Garamendi, who is president of the small and medium business-owners’ association, Cepyme.

Much of Rosell’s support came from Spain’s car and machinery

manufacturers, retailers, building contractors, the chemicals industry, technology, finance, services and catering.

A former journalist who has been president of several companies, Rosell, who is 57 and married with three children, has degrees in civil engineering and political science.

On learning the results of the ballot, Rosell declared that he would continue to be guided by ethical principles during his second and last term as CEOE president. Employers must continue the process of improving governance and transparency, he insisted: “We have to regain and demand good practices within the CEOE.”

20

E W N 25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

Loose change A look at finance for females

Jane Plunkett

ROMBOSTUDIO

How to survive the party season, while still holding it together at work DON’T CRASH: Drink water, exercise and eat!

jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews.com

‘TIS the season for many late nights out - as our calendars fill up with work parties, holiday gettogethers, happy hours and New Year and Three Kings festivities.

It’s all go in December and January and oh so much fun at the time, but the chances are that at least one morning you’ll wake up with a throbbing headache, an aching stomach and a deep desire to hide in bed all day and sleep off that horrible hangover.

But unfortunately for you and festive mid-week drinking - it’s a workday. So what can you do?

SWEAT IT OUT It is so tempting to pass on

exercise when the world is still spinning once you wake up, but a 30-minute run or an active yoga class is the best thing you can do for your aching body.

Sweating out all those beers and cocktails is what will actually help you to feel human again.

Ramping up your heart rate will

help jump-start your metabolism, making you feel better faster.

WATER IS LIFE Remember this. Drink a glass of water between alcoholic drinks while out celebrating, as this will keep you hydrated and will also slow you down on consuming too much booze.

Start drinking water the moment you get up too, and then don't stop - fluids are the key to counteracting your alcohol-induced dehydration.

DON’T SKIP BREAKIE Even though your stomach may be in knots getting a good breakfast in is vital. As appetising

as greasy bacon and sausages may be to some, a fatty breakfast is not always the best option, as it can irritate your stomach and lead to nausea.

Cook up some eggs instead, which are a good source of protein. Served with some toast, this should get you through a difficult morning at the office.

DISTRACT WITH STYLE Try to take the attention away from your puffy red eyes and killer alcohol breath by scrubbing up nice for work.

Have an extra long shower to get rid of the booze and cigarette stench.

Although you may be tempted to get into all black and throw your hair in a ponytail - to draw attention away from you, brighten up your appearance with a nice skirt or colourful jumper. Cheery clothes will help downplay the lack of sleep and dehydration that's likely showing in your face.

Wheelchair access obligatory?

Q. I am president of a large community where we need your advice as to the correct law You and the regarding wheelchair access. Part of our community does not have wheelchair access Law in Spain for owners. One owner has requested that we

By David Searl install access. The cost is estimated at €6000.

The owner’s annual fees are €1200. This owner is over 70. Our urbanisation was built in 2005. The owner in fact does not need it himself at the moment but he has a friend in a wheelchair who regularly visits. What is the picture?

T.A. (Costa Blanca) A. The short answer is that an owner over 70 years of age, whether or not he requires a wheelchair at this time, can request the installation of ramps, a lift, or other facilities to ensure wheelchair access to his flat. This does not require a majority vote of the Community AGM and the Community as a whole is required to pay the costs, as long as the share of each owner does not exceed his present regular payments for a year.

These measures are set out in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the new Article 10 of the Law of Horizontal Property, revised in 2013. Read the Horizontal Law in English in the 2015 edition of my book, You and the Law in Spain. In your case

BUSINESS EXTRA

Amazon pickups AMAZON clients will now be able to pick up their orders in 2,400 Correos post offices throughout Spain. Collecting Amazon orders rather than having them delivered is Spaniards’ preferred system and the Correos agreement, allied to Amazon’s existing arrangement with 1,200 local shops, will provide approximately 3,600 pick-up points.

‘Grey ratio’

you estimate the total cost at €6,000. If we suppose 100 flats, then each owner will face an extra assessment of €60.

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

SPANIARDS aged 65 or over exceed the working population by 26 per cent, a recent study found. Despite an ageing population and relatively few births this is lower than the EU’s 27 per cent or Japan’s 40 per cent but well above India, Mexico, Turkey or Brazil’s 10 per cent difference.

OPINION & COMMENT

Gib Open Skies exclusion is non-starter KINDLY note that contrary to Spanish media reports, Gibraltar’s inclusion remains in place as per the Cordoba agreement of 2006.

It can only be rescinded with the full agreement of the UK government, which will not be forthcoming. The UK government has called it a non-starter to exclude Gibraltar from any Open Skies format.

It is the Spanish government that has to convince all that it wishes to renege on the 2006 Agreement signed by them.

Thank you for a very good and useful newspaper.

Eric Sciacaluga (by email)

www.euroweeklynews.com

Letters YOURSAY@EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

T

our aRUST dvert isers

WE D

O!

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

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

Whose fault?

I HAVE rarely come across such a paranoiac writer as Mike Walsh.

He compulsively interprets each and every world political development as the result of the devilish machinations of the US or the EU. Any sensible person would agree that it is not wise to provoke Russia, or anyone else for that matter. It is also clear that politics in the Ukraine is a very dodgy marshland.

However, the fact remains that it is Russia, not the EU, which has already stolen part of that country and is making a pretty good impression of wanting to steal more of it.

Mike flings in mentions of Budapest and Gdansk, etc; is he saying that the West was wrong to want those movements to succeed? Does he think that Hungarians and Poles want to return to Russian domination?

It may be that the loss of the South Stream pipeline will hurt many in Eastern Europe, but who is doing the hurting? Russia.

If it stays cancelled the pipeline will be replaced by another, routed through Turkey and the same Balkan countries.

To call Kiev “a baseball bat regime” is to insult the brave people who sat out in the cold to protest against their arbitrary government, something few would dare to do in Putin’s Russia.

An “international journalist”

LOOK closely at the reeds in the background and you’ll see a Grey Heron with its back turned. As I put my camera away, it took flight - the ornithological version of the one that got away!

Andrew Fields, Altea (Alicante)

should not be governed by paranoia or throw out loose statements like this.

Bill Campbell, Mojacar (Almeria)

Real records?

ONCE AGAIN we are faced with headlines claiming that record numbers of tourists are coming to the Costa del Sol. But there is no indication as to how these figures are arrived at.

They may possibly be too low: we all know that many flat rentals are never declared to the authorities.

Those driving from outside Spain and occupying undeclared accommodation won’t show up in tourist numbers.

Conversely, they may well be exaggerated, as taking figures of airport arrivals is highly dubious.

Most expat residents fly back to their country of origin several times a year and many, like those receiving medical treatment at ‘home’ go much more often.

We all know people who commute to work weekly in the UK. Are all these coming and goings recorded as tourists?

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

It seems that Spain is clutching at any straw, whether to show rises in property sales or the number of tourists. We are reminded of the saying that “there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.”

David Chown (by email)

Pat on the back I FEEL I ought to say a few kind words in support of Exclusive Shuttles.

Recently a friend came to visit me from England and booked a flight from Gatwick to Alicante with a shuttle seat to Los Gallardos. The flight left at

8.30am and was due to arrive at 10.30pm.

The plane developed a fault so the passengers had to wait and transfer to another plane, which arrived at 10pm and flew out at 10.30pm, arriving in Alicante two hours later.

Exclusive Shuttles waited two hours for her. What a fantastic story! If they had not waited she would have been in terrible trouble having to get from Alicante to Los Gallardos, so very well done!

Mr Barnett, Los Gallardos (Almeria)

Bandwagon WITH regard to Bill Cosby, this is all being blown up and made into another bandwagon.

Back in 1968 I worked as a plugger for a record company and each week I was at Top of the Pops. All the girls in the audience should have been 18 years old or more but a lot were 15 or 16.

They came with one thing in mind: to s--g a band, DJ or road crew and a lot kept a record of who they had been with. This lust

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was not driven by the males. If you were a DJ at that time with young totty lusting after you, this messed up your mind.

Plus, why did Savile’s case only come out when his will was published?

Stuart Campbell (by email)

Heartless cheat WE found a recent article about homeowners dealing with unpaid taxes interesting.

We believe many more homeowners are involved, including owners of holiday homes that do not as yet know.

In my street here in Camposol there are at least two in the same situation and the last update from Facebook gave a number in excess of 180. A lot of people involved are, as we were, a little embarrassed to let the truth out.

We were recommended the person referred to in the Euro Weekly News article when purchasing our retirement home.

After signing at the Notary we were informed that our deeds had to go to Madrid to be registered.

A few months passed and upon inquiring we were informed that they were held up in Madrid.

Every time we asked for our Escritura we were given excuses that sounded plausible and this continued for two years.

Checking with the tax office we found that monies paid to deal with the purchase had indeed not been paid into the tax office, so the commission and tax money disappeared with the person herself.

Our problem including taxes amounted to more than €18,000 and ours is not the highest debt.

Now we have to sell our home to pay off the debt and move back to UK to rent. My wife is suffering a severe, stress-related illness which, as she is already disabled, causes us a lot of new problems.

A T Barber, Camposol (Murcia)

Bright idea A READER recently complained that a calendar she had purchased went through the till, appeared on her supermarket bill and promptly disappeared. She asked for suggestions as to its fate, so here’s mine: it slipped through the gap between the conveyor belt and the counter-top.

Sonia Johnson (by email)

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

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E W N 25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

A Christmas war letter...

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT 11TH DEC 1944.

‘C’ SQDN. Q. BAYS B.N.A.F.

M

Y dearest girl, Received today a beautiful letter from you dated the 1st Dec. Very quick, eh!

So happy you are both well, as it leaves me, but of course still longing to be with my dear ones again, whom I love so much. So happy you got the lemons OK. Were they ripe? As they were green when sent. Should love to be home when our son starts school but can promise nothing, only live in hope. Was sorry to hear of Joan’s husband being wounded I trust it’s not too serious. Nothing more has been heard of my cousin who was also wounded.

The weather here has been lovely this last week, just like the weather we used to like to go for walks, especially Sundays

ALL SMILES: Second World War soldiers display their Christmas goodies. when I used to take our son out while my girl prepared dinner and after dinner getting ready to go out, perhaps to the park, sneaking little kisses when we thought no one was looking.

You have made me so happy especially with such a dear son to crown all the other happy things. So pleased to hear the boy is in the pink, for the end could be in sight and it could soon be over.

It’s been a long time, dearest, but worth it to rid the world of such an evil race. Am having a few days’ rest now but not for long. It’s going to be hot while this little lot’s on but when finished will be the end of Hitler.

We are now looking forward to Christmas which under the conditions we try and make happy. There’s a Christmas tree for the local children. They have

never had Christmas, not knowing what the word means. Of course they are very poor. People in England do not realise the real meaning of poverty.

Sorry I could not send you or our son a Christmas present they are much too expensive for me. I went into town last week and they wanted three pounds for two postcard sized photographs.

The old feet haven’t been too bad this year. Expect they are shrivelling up with old age or perhaps it’s the ‘tootsie’ powder you sent. Incidentally all the Regi knows about my tootsie powder, as I left an empty tin around with your handwriting on it.

Well, dearest, must close now. A very happy Christmas to you and our lovely boy. Remember me to all. Cheerio.

Yours for always my sweetheart Your loving Bill This letter sent by my Dad from the front line in Egypt during the Second World War. Dedicated to the millions who gave their lives so we could all be here to celebrate this Christmas. Happy Christmas, everyone.

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

What is your favourite Christmas memory or experience?

J STREET TALK

ULIAN from English Steps in San Pedro de Alcantara says that his favourite Christmas memory is from when he was very young and having Christmas dinner at his granny’s house, eating sherry trifle. His granny would wrap a 20p coin in silver foil and hide it inside the trifle and Julian would keep eating and eating until he found the coin.

His granny was heavy-handed with the sherry in the trifle, so Julian became very drunk!

Mark from The Sky Doctor in San Pedro de Alcantara says there should be good drunken memories: “You always know when you’ve had a good Christmas when you’re hungover on Boxing Day!” Conor at Charlie’s Property Angels in Marbella and Torrequebrada said that six years ago he volunteered to help at The Crisis Shelter for the homeless, which that year was in the old BBC building in Isleworth, London. He found it a very fulfilling and rewarding time helping others over Christmas, when they feel the most alone. In his eyes it’s what Christmas should really be about.

Alicia and Cati, of Eat Away, a brand

new, outside catering and events company in the Calvia region of Mallorca, are hoping that this Christmas will be the most memorable one.

Alicia said: “We have opened the new business, with great hopes for the New Year, but I have many memories of the fiestas of recent years. I have always run bars and cafes, so the holiday time is a busy time for me. But the best thing is seeing happy customers, which in turn makes me happy.”

Cati said: “We are very excited about the new venture, but my favourite memory of Christmas was when I played my first solo concert, with acoustic guitar, here in Mallorca. That was a night I will always remember.”

Paula Read Kenny, from Sophia Wellness Centre, Arboleas, said: “My favourite Christmas memory has to be as a child. At seven years old I got my

first bike, a yellow Tomahawk, and was the proudest girl in the world.

“I only got this great present from

Mark.

Santa because I must have been such a good girl all year.”

HACO MUEBLE’S Mark Strien, in Altea, said family Christmas dinners are always his favourite memories of Christmas back home in Holland: “It has been about eight years since I was back in Holland for Christmas so those memories are always special, the usual traditions and drinks around the tree. I think for most people when they move away from their home country, those Alicia and Cati family memories are always the best.”

Samantha Biddles, from Algorfa Town Hall, said her favourite Christmas memory was just last year: “We raised money locally for food hampers and stood there on Christmas Eve all day giving them to needy families.

The look on the Samantha Biddles faces of all the people was just lovely.”

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E W N 25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

Guide to the festive season Vicki Mcleod

Family Matters FOR many people, the holidays and Christmas can be not only a very happy and joyous time reuniting with family and friends, but also a very stressful time. Old patterns of behaviour emerge, our stress levels go up, and our ability to cope flies out the window. There’s stress and constant motion for many, as well as feelings of being overwhelmed, depression and even loneliness for others.

Are you spending Christmas with your extended family? Are you dreading it? How are you going to cope? One idea is to pretend that they’re dead, really, it may sound like a terrible idea, but it works.

Here’s your ‘cut out and keep’ strategy guide to making it

through the festive season.

1) Try not to say something you will regret. Think before you speak. Keep an eye on what you are drinking if susceptible to an alcohol fuelled blabfest.

2) Bring back up; perhaps bring a new friend to keep everyone on their best behaviour.

3) Try to stay at a hotel if you can afford it, it keeps some space between you and the rellies.

4) Under no circumstances should you commit to any event in the future, be vague. Get through the days.

5) Be helpful, do the washing up, drive someone home, keep busy.

6) Engage people in conversation, get them to speak about themselves, people love to answer questions.

7) Get out of the house, if you feel like you’re in a pressure cooker then grab your shoes and get outside. Take the dog if you can, the dog can take the blame

MERRY CHRISTMAS: We hope you have a great time. if you have to escape every couple of hours.

8) Get a perspective. Imagine you are looking down on yourself and your relatives from the ceiling: watch with amusement, and detachment. Observe.

9) Pretend everyone is dead.

Imagine the feelings. Then remember that they aren’t and feel happy to see them all alive.

You may even start to feel grateful for them!

10) Imagine living with these people all of the time, in close confinement. Imagine how stressful it would feel to be in this situation forever, then realise that it will all be over soon. And try to find something positive to remember the day by.

So, start with yourself. The most important thing to remember is that we can’t make anyone else be different. All we can do is resolve that we

ourselves will do something differently. There is no point in arguing, cajoling or even reasoning if people are resistant.

Be positive. Act happy and you’ll get happy. When I was growing up, my mum used to tell me about how lots of people got really depressed over Christmas.

I asked why. I couldn’t imagine how anyone could feel anything but excitement. My mum would say, “Well, it’s because some people don’t have family to spend time with.” When I was a teenager, I decided she had it backwards: people got depressed over Christmas because they had to spend time with their families. But family obligations can be better with a little preplanning. If someone wishes you a ‘Happy Christmas!’ then remember it’s down to you to make it one. Happy Christmasses don’t just happen.

I hope you have a great time, lots of love, O, G and V xxx www.familymattersmallorca.com

The true spirit of Christmas...

Colin Bird Each week, Colin brings his slightly off-the-wall view of the world to the pages of EWN in his own irreverent style.

A

s Christmas nears, I find myself being pulled irresistibly back in time by the invisible silver cord that binds us all to our childhood days, and in particular to one Christmas Eve decades ago.

Like all small boys, Christmas Eve was the one night of the year when no encouragement was needed to hit the wooden hill. I would snuggle down into cool sheets, safe and secure beneath layers of coarse, heavy blankets topped off with my mother’s winter coat for good measure. No electric blankets or duvets then, but with a rubber hot water bottle at my back and a stone one at my feet - being ever so careful not to stub my toe - I was soon toasty warm.

TOASTY WARM: a magical night from childhood.

The muffled voices of my parents in the tiny living room drifted up to me from below.

The distinct smell of hot cocoa wafted tantalisingly through the open door of my bedroom, blending in strange harmony with the faint odour that emanated from the black Valor heater strategically placed on the landing between our two small bedrooms. That and the

coal fire below were the full extent of our winter heating.

Nine o-clock on the big round faced alarm clock beside my bed. Was I the only child in the whole world still awake?

Everyone knew that Father Christmas only called when children were fast asleep. But with visions of a long woollen sock full of traditional goodies and a pillow case bulging with

exciting shapes that would magically appear on my bed in the morning, how was sleep possible?

The glass in the metal framed window was blurred with a filigree pattern of frost both inside and out despite the efforts of the paraffin stove, but in one pane, an unfrozen aperture perfectly formed as if the Christmas Angel had

breathed gently on the glass until the thin layer of ice had retreated to reveal the full Christmas moon.

It was shining brilliantly down on the world from a clear star filled sky as surely it should on this special night and as I imagined it had over that Bethlehem hillside, I was transfixed.

Before finally drifting into a dreamless slumber to await the imagined sound of tinkling reindeer bells somewhere above the eaves and the soft tread of fur boots on floor boards, I gazed in childish wonder, and promised myself that I would remember always this perfect moment - through every Christmas and every year of my life yet to come.

And so it has been.

May your Christmas be as full of magic and may you always remember your own special night with joy and hope and love, holding dear the true spirit of Christmas.

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E W N 25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

By Luis Salazar FOR many the Tom Hanks character in The Terminal is as far from real life as you can get. The story of a man who ends up living in an airport terminal, while a good yarn, was far-fetched. No one does that in real life.

Think again. Approximately 30 homeless people live at Barajas Airport in Madrid.

One of them is Edu. He decided to go out for a walk. But not for just any walk. He planned to walk the 332 kilometres that separate Madrid from Zaragoza. He was not exactly busy at the time.

If it is difficult for the average man to find a job, it is even harder for a man who has just been released from prison after 10 years behind bars.

He did the maths and calculated that it would take him roughly 20 days to reach his goal.

On the first day, dusk found him looking for the Barcelona motorway and he decided to spend the night at Terminal 4 in Barajas Airport. And that was the end of the road for him.

Madrugada Verde / Shutterstock.com

Barajas Airport, my home...

Barajas Airport, and, inset, Tom Hanks in The Terminal.

Fast forward a year-and-a-half and Edu still lives at the airport, surrounded by flight crews, passengers and suitcases. And he is not alone.

Close to 30 homeless people call the airport home, most of

them invisible to the average traveller. But just how do they manage to blend in and go unnoticed? The trick lies in looking just like them.

They are well-dressed, look clean, carry their luggage around like

normal tourists, and some spend all day long walking around the airport window shopping as if they were waiting for a plane

that will never take off.

The homeless living at Barajas Airport have found a roof, clean bathrooms, heating, 15 minutes of free internet a day, security, anonymity and 24-hour cafés.

Technically speaking, airports are public places, so ENAIRE - the Spanish public body that operates most airports in Spain - lets them live there as long as they do not cause any problems.

Some have come up with a clever way to earn a few euros: they use small hooks to pull the luggage trolley tokens out of the vending machines and sell them to the passengers. “We do what we can to survive,” said Andre (fictitious name).

When it gets dark and the temperature drops, even more homeless move in for the night and sleep on newspapers scattered on the floor of the terminal’s hidden corners. But while Tom Hanks’s character had a happy ending, there is no such outcome in sight for his Spanish equivalents. For them a lonely Christmas is in store.

FINANCE

EUROPEAN PRESS

www.euroweeklynews.com

25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

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The UK Autumn Statement.

How Does It Affect You? The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, delivered his Autumn Statement on 3rd December. There were a few announcements which may affect expatriates, depending on your circumstances.

Personal tax allowance The personal allowance will increase from £10,000 to £10,600 from 6th April 2015.

The Government still believes there is a ‘strong rationale’ for removing it for non-UK residents, but that this is a ‘complex change’ for those affected.

Consultation will continue on this matter.

Capital gains tax charge for non-UK residents The Government released a document to explain how this charge on gains arising on disposal of residential properties will work. In summary: ■ Gains arising before 6th April 2015 will not be taxed. Individuals can rebase the value of their property to the value as at that date, or opt for the gain

By Peter Worthington, Senior Partner, Blevins Franks to be time-apportioned, or the whole gain to be taxed.

■ The Annual Exemption will be available to individuals (£11,000 from April 2015) and trustees (£5,500).

■ The rate applicable will be 18% or 28% for individuals, 28% for trustees and 20% for companies.

■ Losses can be offset on gains on other UK residential properties, and carried forward to set against similar gains if unutilised in the

current year.

■ Private Residence Relief (PRR) elections can only be made if the non-UK resident spends at least 90 days in their UK properties during the relevant year. This may have an impact on their UK residence position, so consider this carefully and take advice.

UK residents owning overseas property can also now only make an election for PPR if they spend more than 90 days in their properties in that jurisdiction that year.

ISAs From 6th April 2015, the ISA (or NISA) threshold will increase from £15,000 to £15,240. Note that while non-UK residents may hold ISAs, they cannot add to them.

From 3rd December 2014, ISA holders will be able to pass on their ISA benefits to their spouse/civil partner on death, via an additional ISA allowance usable from April 2015. The value then becomes liable

to income tax.

Pensions For annuities providing ‘death benefits,’ the 55% tax charge on death is abolished. This brings annuities into line with income drawdown plans, which will see the so-called ‘death tax’ removed from next April. It will only apply where the payment occurs after 6th April 2015. If the person who dies is 75 or over, beneficiaries will have to pay tax on the amount received at their marginal rate of income tax. This levels the playing field between pensions and annuities. The changes do not affect people in final salary pensions.

There is still no clarity on the position of Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS).

Stamp duty The ‘slab system’ which operated under the old rules in respect of the stamp duty charge on property

purchase has been abolished from midnight 3rd December 2014.

The new system means that buyers will only pay the rate of tax on the part of the property price within each tax band - like income tax.

If any of these changes may affect you, seek specialist advice relating to your personal circumstances.

Remember you need to take the tax rules of both the UK and Spain into account to determine the best solution for you.

Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

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

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E W N 25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

Thursday BBC ONE 3:00pm Top of the Pops 4:00pm The Queen's Christmas Broadcast 2014 4:10pm Puss in Boots 5:40pm BBC News 6:00pm Strictly Come Dancing Christmas 7:15pm Doctor Who 8:15pm Miranda 8:50pm Call the Midwife 10:00pm EastEnders 11:05pm Mrs. Brown's Boys 11:40pm Michael McIntyre's Very Christmassy Christmas Show 12:40am BBC News

BBC TWO 3:45pm Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms 6:00pm The Queen's Christmas Broadcast 2014 6:10pm James May's Toy Stories 7:15pm Morecambe and Wise in Pieces 8:15pm University Challenge 8:45pm Dad's Army 9:15pm Blackadder's Christmas Carol 10:00pm Tim Rice - A Life in Song 11:30pm QI 12:00am Marvellous

ITV 4:00pm HM the Queen 4:10pm The Queen's Garden 5:10pm ITV News and Weather 5:20pm Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas 6:20pm You've Been Framed!

6:50pm Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs 7:50pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 9:00pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Downton Abbey 12:00am ITV News and Weather

CH4 3:05pm Scrooged 5:00pm Big 7:00pm Arthur Christmas 9:00pm Frozen at Christmas 10:00pm Alan Carr: Chatty Man 12:00am 8 Out of 10 Cats 1:00am Father Ted 2:05am Father Ted 2:35am Father Ted 3:00am Father Ted 3:30am Crazy Heart 5:25am Secret Eaters

CH5 4:25pm Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 7:10pm Michael Buble's Christmas Songbook 8:05pm Chas and Dave's Xmas Knees Up 9:00pm Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs 12:05am Muriel's Wedding 2:20am Super Casino 5:00am House Doctor

SKY1 3:00pm Modern Family 4:00pm H.M. The Queen's Christmas Message 4:10pm Modern Family 5:30pm Modern Family 6:00pm Modern Family 6:30pm Modern Family 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Best Christmas Movies Ever 11:00pm Predator 1:05am Trollied 2:05am The Flash

Friday BBC ONE 3:20pm My Family 4:15pm Monsters, Inc. 5:40pm The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists 7:05pm BBC News at Six 7:20pm BBC London News 7:25pm Still Open All Hours 7:55pm The Boy in the Dress 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Marvel Avengers Assemble 11:40pm BBC News 11:50pm BBC London News 12:00am Match of the Day

BBC TWO 4:30pm Victoria Wood: That Musical We Made 5:30pm Final Score 6:25pm War Horse at the Proms 7:45pm University Challenge 8:15pm The Two Ronnies Christmas Show 9:00pm Victoria Wood's Mid-Life Christmas 10:00pm That Day We Sang 11:30pm Hunky Dory 1:15am The Winslow Boy

ITV 4:45pm Off Their Rockers 5:15pm Downton Abbey 7:15pm ITV News and Weather 7:30pm Emmerdale 8:00pm Coronation Street 9:00pm A Christmas Cracker 10:00pm Birds of a Feather 10:30pm Through the Keyhole 11:30pm ITV News and Weather 11:45pm Out of Sight 1:50am Jackpot247 4:00am The Jeremy Kyle Show USA

CH4 4:50pm Turner and Hooch 6:50pm Channel 4 News Includes sport and weather.

7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 9:00pm Bear's Wild Weekend with Ben Stiller 10:00pm The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2014 12:00am Alan Carr: Chatty Man

CH5 4:15pm The Ladykillers 6:00pm A Shot in the Dark Second in the series of Inspector Clouseau comedies.

8:05pm Rob Brydon Live 9:00pm Morecambe and Wise Live!

1973 10:25pm Tommy Cooper's Christmas 11:25pm Carry on Christmas 12:25am The Greatest Ever Carry on Films

SKY1 3:00pm Harrow: A Very British School 4:00pm The Flash 5:00pm The Simpsons 5:30pm Treasure Island 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm The Simpsons 9:30pm Agatha Raisin: The Quiche...

11:30pm A League of Their Own 12:30am Football's Funniest Moments

Saturday BBC ONE 3:10pm Sport Relief 2014 - The Final Score 4:10pm How to Train Your Dragon 5:40pm Kung Fu Panda 2 7:00pm BBC News 7:10pm BBC London News 7:20pm Celebrity Mastermind 7:50pm Pointless 8:40pm The National Lottery 9:30pm Bruce's Hall of Fame 10:40pm Mrs. Brown's Boys 11:15pm BBC News 11:35pm Live at the Apollo 12:05am Not Going Out

BBC TWO 3:40pm Yes, Minister 4:45pm The Eagle Has Landed 6:55pm Dad's Army 8:30pm Operation Grand Canyon with Dan Snow 9:30pm Top Gear 10:30pm James May's Toy Stories 11:30pm QI XL 12:15am Harry and Paul's Story of the Twos

ITV 3:30pm Back to the Future Part III 5:40pm Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas 6:40pm ITV News London 6:50pm ITV News and Weather 7:05pm You Saw Them Here First 8:00pm Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 10:50pm Darcy Oake: Edge of Reality 11:45pm ITV News and Weather 12:05am An Audience with Joan Rivers

CH4 4:35pm Zulu 7:20pm Channel 4 News 7:40pm Guy Martin's Passion for Life 8:10pm Mission: Impossible II 10:30pm 50 Funniest Moments 2014 12:35am X-Men: The Last Stand 2:35am The Raven 4:30am Hollyoaks Omnibus

CH5 3:45pm Watership Down 5:35pm Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 7:35pm World's Strongest Man 2014 8:35pm Chas and Dave's Xmas Knees Up 9:30pm The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies 10:30pm 5 News Weekend National and international news.

10:35pm The Haunting of Radcliffe House 12:25am True Crimes: The First 72 Hours 12:55am Access 1:00am Super Casino 4:10am Kids' Hospital at Christmas

SKY1 3:00pm Modern Family 3:30pm Modern Family 4:00pm Modern Family 4:30pm Modern Family 5:00pm The Flash 6:00pm Portrait Artist of the Year 2014 7:30pm Futurama 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Moonfleet

TV LISTING

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Sunday

Monday BBC ONE

BBC ONE 4:45pm Raiders of the Lost Ark 6:35pm BBC News 6:50pm BBC London News 7:00pm Celebrity Mastermind 7:30pm Countryfile 8:30pm Still Open All Hours 9:00pm Antiques Roadshow 10:00pm Last Tango in Halifax 11:00pm BBC News 11:15pm Regional News and Weather 11:20pm BBC London News 11:30pm Match of the Day 12:55am The Football League Show

BBC TWO 5:30pm Final Score 6:30pm Flog It! 7:00pm John Carter 9:00pm Top Gear 10:00pm Racing Legends 11:00pm House of Fools 11:30pm Never Mind Buzzcocks 12:00am The Wrong Mans

the

ITV 3:20pm Catchphrase 4:20pm E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 6:35pm ITV News London 6:45pm ITV News and Weather 7:00pm The Queen's Garden 8:00pm Unbelievable Moments Caught on Camera 9:00pm All Star Family Fortunes 10:00pm All New It'll be Alright on the Night 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:15pm Through the Keyhole 12:15am Rugby Highlights 1:10am The Store

CH4 3:35pm The Simpsons 4:00pm The Simpsons 4:30pm The Simpsons 4:55pm The Simpsons 5:25pm The Simpsons 5:55pm Channel 4 News 6:00pm Celebrity Fifteen to One 7:00pm The Golden Compass 9:00pm The Hotel 10:00pm Homeland 11:15pm Gogglebox 12:50am Rude Tube Christmas Cracker 2014 1:45am Father Ted

CH5 3:10pm Black Beauty 4:55pm Out of Africa 8:00pm World's Strongest Man 2014 8:55pm 5 News Weekend 9:00pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

10:00pm Most Shocking Celebrity Moments 2014 12:55am Autopsy: Michael Jackson's Last Hours

SKY1 3:00pm Treasure Island 5:00pm The Flash 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Futurama 8:00pm The Flash 9:00pm Got to Dance 10:00pm Modern Family 10:30pm Trollied 11:00pm Football's Funniest Moments 12:00am A League of Their Own

5:05pm Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 6:55pm BBC News at Six 7:10pm BBC London News 7:20pm The Muppets 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Miranda 10:05pm Mapp and Lucia 11:05pm BBC News at Ten 11:20pm BBC London News 11:30pm Darcey Bussell's Looking for Audrey 12:35am Sport Relief 2014 - The Final Score

BBC TWO 5:30pm Big Dreams Small Spaces 6:30pm Wild Brazil 7:30pm Nature's Weirdest Events 8:30pm Operation Grand Canyon with Dan Snow 9:30pm University Challenge 10:00pm Snow Wolf Family and Me 11:00pm Dave Allen: God's Own Comedian 12:00am The Wrong Mans 1:00am Notorious 2:40am The Apprentice 4:40am The Mekong River with Sue Perkins

ITV 6:35pm The Chase 7:30pm ITV News London 7:45pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Countrywise 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Christmas Epic Fails 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:15pm Atonement 1:25am Jackpot247

CH4 3:50pm Brewster's Millions 5:50pm Channel 4 News Includes sport and weather.

6:30pm Hollyoaks 7:00pm The Italian Job Classic comedy crime caper.

9:00pm Mini Cooper: For the Love of Cars 10:00pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 11:00pm The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2014 1:00am NFL 2:00am The Omen

CH5 6:35pm What the Dambusters Did Next 8:00pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

9:00pm World's Strongest Man 2014 10:00pm The Rock 12:50am Reservoir Dogs

SKY1 5:00pm The Flash 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Modern Family 7:00pm Modern Family 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Modern Family 9:30pm Modern Family 10:00pm An Idiot Abroad 11:00pm Micky Flanagan's Detour De France 12:00am Trollied

Tuesday BBC ONE 3:10pm George of the Jungle 4:35pm Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 6:35pm BBC News at Six 6:50pm BBC London News 7:05pm Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Mapp and Lucia 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:15pm BBC London News 11:25pm Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End 2:00am The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

BBC TWO 5:00pm Big Dreams Small Spaces 6:00pm Wild Brazil 7:00pm Flog It! 7:30pm Nature's Weirdest Events 8:30pm University Challenge 9:00pm Sacred Wonders of Britain 10:00pm Snow Wolf Family and Me 11:00pm Charlie Brooker's 2014 Wipe 12:00am Dave Allen: the Immaculate Selection

ITV 4:20pm From Russia with Love 6:35pm The Chase 7:30pm ITV News London 7:40pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Wilderness Walks with Ray Mears 9:00pm Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 11:30pm ITV News and Weather 11:45pm Birds of a Feather 12:15am American Gangster

CH4 3:25pm Deal or No Deal 4:25pm The Parent Trap 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:05pm Come Dine with Me 9:00pm Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 10:00pm David Blaine 11:20pm The Look of Love 1:20am Damien: Omen II

CH5 5:15pm Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 8:00pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

9:00pm World's Strongest Man 2014 10:00pm Elvis by the Presleys Uncut 12:00am Elvis '68 Comeback Special

SKY1 3:00pm Greggs: More Than Meats the Pie 4:00pm The Flash 5:00pm The Flash 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Modern Family 7:00pm Modern Family 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Modern Family 9:30pm Modern Family 10:00pm 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy 11:00pm Britcam: Emergency on Our Streets 12:00am An Idiot Abroad

Wednesday BBC ONE 5:15pm Top of the Pops 6:20pm Pointless 7:05pm BBC News at Six 7:20pm BBC London News 7:35pm Celebrity Mastermind 8:05pm Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 10:00pm Mapp and Lucia 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:15pm The Graham Norton Show 12:15am Queen and Adam Lambert Rock Big Ben Live

BBC TWO 4:10pm Coast Australia 5:00pm Big Dreams Small Spaces 6:00pm Wild Brazil 7:00pm Flog It! 8:00pm Tigers About the House: What Happened Next 9:00pm University Challenge 9:30pm The Help 11:50pm Mock the Week 12:20am Jools's Annual Hootenanny 2014

ITV 3:20pm The Queen's Garden 4:25pm Goldfinger 6:35pm The Chase 7:30pm ITV News London 7:45pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Rita and Me 10:00pm A Funny Old Year 2014 11:00pm Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This 12:55am ITV News and Weather 1:10am Carry on Camping

CH4 3:15pm Home Alone 3 5:20pm Fantastic Mr. Fox 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:30pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Frozen at Christmas 10:00pm Alan Carr's New Year Specstacular 12:05am 50 Funniest Moments 2014

CH5 4:10pm The Dirty Dozen 7:05pm Tommy Cooper's Christmas 8:00pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

9:00pm World's Strongest Man 2014 10:00pm Britain's Favourite Sitcoms 1:00am The ABBA Years

SKY1 3:00pm Greggs: More Than Meats the Pie 4:00pm Football's Funniest Moments 5:00pm Modern Family 5:30pm Modern Family 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Modern Family 7:00pm Modern Family 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Football's Funniest Moments 10:00pm An Idiot Abroad 11:00pm Karl Pilkington: The Moaning of Life 11:55pm A League of Their Own 12:55am New Year Fireworks Live

32

E W N 25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

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

Mallorca weather

NEW ON DVD

for next 7 days

MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

This Is Where I Leave You This comedy-drama based on the book of the same name

by Jonathan Tropper tells the story of four siblings returning to the family home upon the death of their father. Requested to stay a week, they and their free-speaking mother – along with a collection of exes, spouses and might-have-beens – must come to terms with emotional and tattered relationships and re-evaluate their shared history. You can choose your friends but you certainly can’t choose your family.

Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Jason Bateman, Tina Fey and Jane Fonda. Run time 103 minutes. Rated R.

TODAY TODAY

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

TOMORROW CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) This being a family oriented week, much of it may be spent getting together with relatives and going over old times. Perhaps you are compiling a photo album for older members of the family or vice versa.

less visible. However, don't think of the hard work involved but rather the brilliant outcome. You will be popular.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) An exciting invitation may set tongues wagging and make a loved one jealous. You, meanwhile, are quite bemused by the whole thing.

What comes out of this week is that you are of considerable value to others.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) An interest in technology is not something new to you. What is great, though, is that the penny has suddenly dropped. This week sees you understanding more and wanting to know more.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Being asked to take on a new and demanding task this week may see you wishing that you had been

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) An urge to get moving must mean that spring is round the corner.

7-Star Quiz FESTIVE FUN 1. Band Aid’s single Do They Know It’s Christmas? was originally released to raise money for relief of the 1983–1985 famine in which African country?

2. What is the surname of the Scottish musician who co-wrote Do They Know It’s Christmas? with Bob Geldof?

3. In which country is ‘sochivo’, a porridge made from wheat, barley, rye or rice, often the first dish in the traditional 12-dish Christmas Eve supper (Svyatah Vecherya)?

4. Adeste Fideles is a Christmas carol that has been attributed to various authors, including the 18th century hymnist John Francis Wade. What title did the English Catholic priest Frederick Oakeley give it when he translated it into English in 1841?

5. Which part of the festive turkey is also known as the merrythought or furcula?

6. First broadcast on Christmas Day, 1986, an episode of which programme was the most watched UK television programme of all time, with 30.1 million viewers?

7. Which mechanical drawing toy invented by Frenchman André Cassagnes was the best-selling Christmas toy in 1960?

December 26, Pablo Puyol, dancer and singer. Malaga-born Puyol began studying biology before switching to drama and started his professional acting career in Madrid with the musical Grease. He has appeared in numerous TV shows and short films.

EL HORMIGUERO

39

Certainly, you are questioning where you want to be in the months ahead. A house move or work placement may be on your mind.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Be aware that not everyone is willing to work as hard as you. When approached by someone wanting you to trust them, be sure of their motives. Do what you feel is right but remain firmly in control, especially financially.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Social demands are made, but

TODAY:

SCORPIO (October 24 November 22) Someone with a largerthan-life imagination makes you smile but that was not their intention. Try to be diplomatic and steer them in a different direction.

LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

UK THUNDERBALL

IRISH LOTTO

EURO MILLIONS

Saturday December 20

Saturday December 20

Saturday December 20

Friday December 19

32

40

42

2 29

12 32

1

6

12

21

23

45

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

28

3

17

23

29 39

LUCKY STARS 5

Saturday December 20

31 44

8

LA PRIMITIVA

12

20

22

26

34

40

REINTEGRO 16

2

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

MAX MIN

SUNNY

20 32

Fri Sat Sun -

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

Mon - 18 9 Cl Tues - 18 9 S Wed - 17 9 C

Madrid

18 10 S 16 11 C 17 11 Cl

Fri Sat Sun -

12 1 S 11 4 C 13 4 Sh

MAX 12C, MIN 3C MAX MIN

Mon - 13 6 C Tues - 11 5 C Wed - 12 4 C

Murcia

MAX MIN

15 8 Cl 14 9 C 16 10 Sh

SUNNY MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Mon - 17 11 Cl Tues - 17 11 C Wed - 17 11 Sh

CLOUDY MAX 17C, MIN 8C

S Sun,

17 8 Cl 17 9 Cl 18 9 Cl

TODAY:

MAX 18C, MIN 8C

Mallorca Fri Sat Sun -

CLEAR MAX 17C, MIN 8C MAX MIN

MAX MIN

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

MAX MIN

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 19 12 Cl Tues - 18 12 Cl Wed - 18 12 Sh

Benidorm

Malaga Fri Sat Sun -

17 10 Cl 17 12 C 18 12 Cl

TODAY:

MAX 16C, MIN 8C

13 6 C 12 8 C 15 8 C

SUNNY

CLOUDY MAX 18C, MIN 10C MAX MIN

Mon - 17 9 C Tues - 18 9 S Wed - 16 9 C

17 8 Cl 17 9 Cl 17 10 C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 16 9 S Tues - 15 9 Cl Wed - 16 9 C Cl Clear,

CLEAR MAX 17C, MIN 7C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun Fog,

Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

17 6 Cl 17 8 Cl 20 9 C

Mon - 19 9 S Tues - 18 8 Cl Wed - 18 9 C

C Cloud,

Sh Showers,

Th Thunder

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

TARGET:

Average: 18

Very good: 33

Good: 23

Excellent: 40

agin, gain, gale, gave, gean, gear, gene, girl, girn, give, glee, glen, gran, grin, ling, rage, rang, ring, agile, agree, align, align, angel, anger, angle, eager, eagle, eager, gavel, genie, genre, given, giver, glare, glean, gnarl, grail, grain, grave, green, ingle, lager, large, leger, liege, liger, range, regal, reign, vegan, verge, angler, avenge, earing, enrage, gainer, genera, Geneva, genial, glaive, gravel, graven, greave, grieve, laving, linage, linger, raving, regain, regale, regnal, avenger, engrave, enlarge, evangel, general, gleaner, leaving, leering, lineage, realign, reeling, reeving, veering, vinegar, levering, ravelling, reveling, REVEALING

Word Ladder SLED

Sunday December 21

16

TODAY:

Barcelona TODAY:

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Be aware that leopards do not change their spots, they merely hide them. Those who demand your trust need a cool checking out and don't be afraid to say 'no' as and when necessary.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 December 21) Sometimes, you find it hard to do things just for the pure enjoyment of it. Realise that not everything has to have a purpose or a profit. Look round this week and seek out something that will please your senses and bring a smile to your lips.

1

Fri Sat Sun -

try to shuffle them to the weekend. Be diplomatic or someone close could become irritated. Keep an eye on the small print because something fundamental may have changed in a long-standing arrangement.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

23

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Career and home are in disharmony but a bit of compromise soon sorts things out. You don't like playing the 'bad guy', but honesty is also important to you. Speaking your mind can be liberating although, initially, you may see it as a nuisance and embarrassing.

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.

22

Almeria

CLOUDY MAX 17C, MIN 7C

MAX MIN

Sudoku

18

Alicante TODAY:

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

21 37

REINTEGRO 0

DOGS

DUES DOES DOGS

Your Stars

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK: This will be a super year for romance in all its guises. Physical relationships can be important to you and this year is all about getting a balance.

SLED SUED SUES

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Contact with a less than ideal situation makes you realise just how lucky you are. It has been clear that the weeks are changeable and your situation at the moment far from settled.

MAGALLUF

1. ETHIOPIA, 2. URE (Midge Ure), 3. RUSSIA, 4. O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL, 5. WISHBONE, 6. EASTENDERS (when Den Watts handed over divorce papers to his wife Angie), 7.

ETCH-A-SKETCH

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Crosswords

25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

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

Cryptic

Quick

Across 1 Speechless like the crossword solver sometimes (4,3,5) 7 Girl with an article for the fete (4) 8 Change of diet not a remedy (8) 9 Upset baby's plaything (6) 10 It is why one has intelligence (6) 11 Catch some wine tasters (3) 12 Hilaire Belloc uncovered protestor (5) 14 Like the female bird, anaemic looking (5) 16 Insincerity conceals an evil act!

(3) 18 Understand a luxury car is kept in the attic (6) 20 Shrewd sort of statue (6) 22 On watch when living at sea (8) 23 It's a method, but not here (4) 24 This stranger is disturbed by such personal emotion susceptibilities (12) Down 1 Escape from can? (7) 2 It’s clever to start some more art

Across 1 Bottle material (5) 4 Father or mother (6) 9 Put in order (7) 10 Prickly shrub (5) 11 Large water pitcher (4) 12 Exterior (7) 13 Play on words (3) 14 Appeal (4) 16 Cooker (4) 18 Be victorious (3) 20 Check closely (7) 21 Counterfeit (4) 24 Fact of being elsewhere (5) 25 Put back (7) 26 Large wild cats (6) 27 Live in (5

(5) 3 Marshland shelters careless blonde (6) 4 About to right a counter (6) 5 Tests or distributes (7) 6 Letter of credit to me contains more of the same (5) 13 Nobleman that is king

previously (7) 15 Sets up careless parents (7) 16 Purloins duck between beginning and end of shifts (6) 17 Chew the fat about ‘Net art (6) 19 Put up with a sailor, one of the French (5) 21 Coach for bride’s retinue (5)

Code Breaker Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 2 represents G and 5 represents D, so fill in G every time the figure 2 appears and D every time the figure 5 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC Across: 1 Rococo, 4 Canals, 9 Cargo, 10 Plato, 11 Arena, 12 Sterile, 13 Tacked, 15 Crisis, 19 Amnesia, 21 Cured, 23 Serve, 24 Elope, 25 Tidies, 26 Angers.

Down: 1 Radiant, 2 Cycle, 3 Carcase, 5 Apple, 6 Adagios, Score, 8 Moose, 14 Centred, 16 Raccoon, 17 Saddles, 18 Cases, 19 Asset, 20 Scene, 22 Reeve.

QUICK Across: 1 Cockerel, 4/6 Long jump, 7 Spoof, 9 Round, 11 Stain, 12 Plain, 13 Elapse, 15 Assess, 19 Jeans, 21 Llama, 23 Tense, 24 Large, 25 Damp, 26 Fearless.

Down: 1 Costume, 2 Cross, 3 Errand, 5 Groan, 8 Flats, 10 Drake, 14 Apart, 16 Shawl, 17 Success, 18 Fleece, 19 Jaded, 20 Sane, 22 Agree.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

fatigued (5)

22 Fill with wonder (5)

19 Disclose (6)

23 Potato (4)

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

Across 3 Muñeca (4) 4 Diversión (entretenimiento) (3) 6 Ponche de huevo (6) 7 Platos (para comer) (6) 11 To roast (4) 12 Duende (3) 13 Juguete (3) 15 Cometa (5) 16 Camels (8) 18 Abierto (6) 19 Campanas (de iglesias, puertas) (5) 21 Beard (5)

Down 1 Plum pudding (5,2,5) 2 Acebo (5) 4 Chimenea (9) 5 Comida (4) 8 Trineo (4) 9 Regalo (4) 10 Cocina (aparato) (5) 14 Gold (3) 17 Cornamenta (de ciervo) (7) 19 Bebé (4) 20 Estrella (4)

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

ANGELS (10)

INLAND

ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Dieciseis, 8 Acera, 9 Grain, 11 Lana, 12 Kiss, 14 Tall, 16 Arma, 19 Ayuda, 21 Chico, 22 Camareros.

ASTERS

LARDER

BEARDS

MUTTER

CANNOT

NOISES

CURSED

NOVELS

DEALER

ORDERS

Down: 2 Items, 3 Cual, 4 Sign, 5 Ida, 6 Hacksaw, 7 Anillos, 10 Rat, 13 Sad, 15 Aviso, 17 Rama, 18 Ache, 20 Uva.

ELDERS

RENDER

GINGER

SCENES

HEARTS

TINSEL

HEDGES

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Funagram Unscramble the title of a UK Christmas number one hit single from the 1950s (two words): CHARMS A BATTLESHIP FUNAGRAM SOLUTION: SAVIOUR’S DAY, CHRISTMAS ALPHABET

Unscramble the title of a UK Christmas number one hit single from the 1990s (two words): YOUR SAD VISA

Down 1 Small beard (6) 2 Concur with (5) 3 Dispatched (4) 5 Cherished desire (8) 6 Building (7) 7 Large domesticated bird (6) 8 Juicy fruit of the gourd family (5) 13 US name for dummy (8) 15 Ahead (7) 17 Go away (6) 18 Physically and mentally

1 Shreds, 2 Seduce, 3 Desire, 4 Hauled, 5 Raised, 6 Wheels, 7 Fields, 8 Trails, 9 Leered, 10 Firing, 11 Massed, 12 Rigour, 13 Traits, 14 Pierce, 15 Corona, 16 Retain, 17 Scurry, 18 Scream, 19 Uprose

34

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When chemo gets serious, a seasonal choir lightens the load Erica Russell Watson: My journey – and I’m driving

17th December TODAY was an early start. I had to shake the sparrows out of the trees!

As with every chemotherapy session you need to have a series of blood tests to check you are in a good state to take the treatment. If your immune system is compromised you might not be able to have the chemo on the scheduled day.

I arrived in Malaga at 7am and staked my claim to third in the queue outside the hospital for my blood test or ‘extraction’ as it is known here!

Finally the doors swung open and in I went to get my number and wait to be called.

It was over very quickly; these people are pros as they must do a staggering number of ‘extractions’ on a daily basis!

Armed with my ticket, up I went to the oncology section on the eighth floor and handed it in and collected my appointment slip to see the oncologist later. It seemed unusually quiet, which was a good sign. I would hopefully collect my bone scan results and be given the all clear to proceed with chemo. In the meantime I went for breakfast.

I walked out into the cold morning air and with the sun rising and my stomach grumbling I made a beeline for a café. Always a good sign when you see lots of Guardia Civil and firemen having their breakfast, so I stopped there

to take on fuel or bunkers as my father would call it. A lifetime of sailing the high seas as Commodore in the Merchant Navy and my father’s terminology still rings in my ears!

I ordered my usual breakfast and people-watched, one of life’s most fascinating pasttimes, I have to say. I finished my breakfast and headed back to the hospital. I went and sat in the waiting room and saw some familiar faces. It was a very pleasant atmosphere and I sat and read my book. At 10am I was called to see the oncologist. I couldn’t believe it, normally I had to wait much longer but today was my lucky day.

In I went. My oncologist is a charming woman. She asked how I felt after my first session. I told that aside from a little cold I had tolerated the treatment very well. I also told her that I had had my coil or IUD removed. She was pleased. She told me my blood test results were perfect and that my immune system was in good shape so there would be no problem in receiving my second dose of chemo. I asked her for the results of the bone scan. She looked at my file online and said: “Good news, totally clear.” I have to say I wasn’t expecting anything negative but it is always good to have positive news. It seemed that the cancer was localised and hadn’t spread.

Whilst having my breakfast, I had bought an ice pop which the nurses kept in the fridge for me. It is important for the last dose of chemo in the session that my mouth is cold to reduce blood flow and possible ulceration of the mouth. Let’s not go into that! I just enjoyed eating my ice pop!

SANTA SALUD: The surprise choir cheered everyone up.

So I went and sat in my giant reclining seat and waited for the nurse to take my blood pressure and then put the line in. There was a young nurse, just graduated, who tried to put the line in my hand and didn’t manage it. So trusty Jesús came and got the line in a vein further up my arm. I haven’t got the best veins so it took about 20 minutes but they managed it in the end by stimulating the veins with a bag of boiling hot water. Once the drip was in, I relaxed. The first bag provides me with a stomach protector. Then your vein is cleaned out and the next bag is hooked up; then the same flushing out process until the last bag, which is toxic orange, and then one final flushing of the veins. All in all it took about three hours.

I wasn’t bored; suddenly a group of ladies arrived to accompany the lady in the chair next to me who was very nervous. They had musical instruments, Santa hats and flashing glasses, chocolates and even a bottle of aniseed! I declined the alcohol preferring to enjoy

their spirit! Jorge took photos of us all and the time flew by as we laughed. What a great way to take your mind off things!

I was disconnected from the machine as it made its final beep and it was time to go.

Fantastic, two down and six to go! I went with Jorge to visit his uncle, who also has cancer - seems to be quite an epidemic these days - and to have lunch with his family whom I regard as my family too. I can’t express the love and gratitude I feel toward them all. They have looked after me and cared for me in the most wonderful way.

After lunch it was back to my house as the children had arrived back from school and they had activities in the afternoon. Business as usual and my children, although they love me and care a great deal about how I am, it doesn’t get me off the hook when it comes to jobs around the house.

Oliver chirps: “Mum, where are my football socks? You have to collect my report from school on Friday.” Isabella

informs me: “You have to buy me a red tutu today for the end of term dance. I have a sore throat and you need to sign this form for school.” And so it goes on but I like the routine.

Later it was time to drop Oliver at football and collect Izzie from her dance class.

Then they were hungry!

It had been a long day. I took off my wig and put on a scarf. The wig gets itchy after a while. Jorge joked saying I was like a Kinder egg but full of surprises. I was starting to get used to the strange reflection that greeted me in the mirror although I still had quite a lot of hair. I tried hard not to rub my eyebrows too much as I hoped they would hang on for a bit longer. I wasn’t quite ready to see a frameless face with two blue orbs staring back at me!

That was it until 7th January, so time to concentrate on Christmas.

My tree twinkled at me every morning and I had the joy of the imminent arrival of my family to look forward to.

Life wasn’t bad at all.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

75% of mothers gain weight after birth STRUGGLING to lose your baby weight? You’re not alone, with many women not only struggling to lose the extra pounds gained during pregnancy, but actually putting on weight.

Researchers from the University of Chicago and Houston Methodist Hospital found that 75 per cent of new mothers were heavier a year after giving birth than they were before they became pregnant.

Analysing data from nearly 774 low-income women, the researchers found that one-third of those who were normal weight before pregnancy became overweight or medically obese one year after childbirth. It is believed that as well as diet and exercise, the pressures of being a new mum could be the culprit.

The researchers said the low-income status of the 774 women surveyed may also have affected the results, with a lack of time or money for gym memberships and the possibility that they might not even have a safe area to take a walk and exercise.

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Runners’ groups spur growth of a sport that’s no longer lonely RUNNING groups have been instrumental in the growth of the sport in Spain.

In the last decade, the number of running fans has been increasing due to the sport’s simplicity and the low cost involved in taking it up, with just some trainers, comfortable shoes and willpower needed to begin.

With its origins going back to the 1970s in the USA, where it was largely seen as a sport exclusively for men, now it is open and enjoyed by everyone and is ever more popular in Spain.

It is estimated that around 10 per cent of the population are regular runners and the Madrid and Barcelona marathons

SOCIAL SIDE: People running together, sometimes with a beer afterwards, has seen the sport spread. are amongst the largest in the world.

The latest ‘alternative’ runners’ groups are known as ‘Beer Runners’, ending their running sessions with

a beer at a bar. Its origin is found across the pond in Philadelphia, where the first group was created in 2007 following a study led

by Dr Manuel J Castillo at

the University of Granada, concluding that beer can help the recovery of water after exercise.

The practice has spread over the last two years to

more than 40 cities with upwards of 15,000 participants, meaning that what was once a lonely sport, is now a very social activity.

Older people are becoming healthier OLDER people are becoming healthier each year.

A study by the University of Oxford, England said that older people should not be seen as an extreme burden on the National Health Service (NHS). The study found people born in each year

from 1912 were increasingly less likely to need emergency treatment and a 70-year-old now was spending less time in hospital than a 70-year-old five or 10 years ago.

Healthier diets, reductions in smoking, more vaccinations and

preventative drugs have all helped to keep people healthier in later life.

The news comes after a charity warned that the NHS was having to fork out millions of pounds every year because of delays in getting elderly patients back into

their own homes following a hospital stay. Charity Age UK said the average patient needing adaptations to their home, such as handrails, was forced to wait in hospital for an extra 27 days while improvements were made allowing them to go home.

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Donkey dies after 150-kilo man takes ride

PLATERO, a five-month-old donkey taking part in a nativity scene in Lucena, Cordoba, died after a 150kilo man climbed onto its back.

No policemen or guards were about to stop the man climbing over the fence to the scene outside the town hall, pushing the delicate animal about then clambering on top of it.

Two days later locals notified the council that little Platero was obviously ill and could hardly stand up and a vet was called.

After examining the donkey the vet decided to take Platero to an animal hospital to try and treat extensive internal injuries but the young animal died the following morning.

Photos of a man apparently on the back of Platero are doing the rounds of the town by WhatsApp while the council awaits an official vet’s report before searching for the suspect. If the report proves that Platero was killed by the man’s impromptu ride, police will identify him and start legal action.

The Donkey Defence Association and Circulo Podemos Animalista Lucena group representatives declared: “We will move heaven and earth to ensure that the council pays for its negligence and the culprit pays for his repulsive crime.”

How to clean up cat urine

IF you have a cat that has urinated or made a mess where it shouldn’t it is important to clean up properly.

If not it is likely to return to relieve itself in the same spot. Here are a few tips: • One should clean up when the cat is not in the room, otherwise the cat thinks its mark gets attention.

• Consider redecorating after cleaning up if the spraying has been going on for a long time.

• Never use bleaches or disinfectants. They smell like urine to a cat, as does anything pine, rose or lemon scented.

• Disinfectants that go cloudy are poisonous to cats.

• Use warm water with 10 per cent solution of biological washing liquid or powder.

• Alternatively use one tablespoon of Napisan and

David THE Dogman

Listen to David on TRE every Saturday 10 thru 11.

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one tablespoon of biological washing powder to one pint of water. Then rinse the area thoroughly in cold water and let it dry or dry it with a hair dryer if time presses.

• Next spray surgical spirit. Use a nail brush to get this into fabric and crevices. This gets rid of the fatty residues that prompt a cat to top up his own marks. Dry this off completely.

• Any curtains that have been sprayed with urine should be sent to the dry cleaners and linen machine washed.

• With moveable mats

REPEAT OFFENDER: Cats return to the spot. and small carpets get these cleaned somehow if you can or throw away.

• Do not try to save money on cleaning because in the long run the more thorough one is the

cheaper it all will be. A spraying/middening cat can cause a lot of grief and nothing is too much to stop it early on.

• The edge where the skirting board meets laminated flooring will have a pool of spray urine if the site has been used repeatedly. Use a silicon sealant between the two. Then cover with heavy varnish of the sort used to varnish boats to make a barrier between the sprayed urine pool area and the outside world.

• The intersection between tiles collects a pool. Clean the tiles - scrub in the intersection - then put the heavy boat varnish in the intersection or even over all the tile surface as well.

For professional petsitters, ask this mum and son couple of explorers

By Lamia Walker of HousesitMatch AN AUSTRALIAN mother and her son have been travelling around the world for three years.

In that time Ruth and Louis have been house and petsitting in over 30 countries. Ruth is a travel writer, and reviews hotels for a living. They are digital nomads. Because of the vast distances between cities in some

parts of Oz, Australians are used to home schooling, connecting with teachers by phone or radio. Now the internet enables home-schooling from anywhere!

As a travel writer Ruth has been fortunate in that she can take her work and her son with her. They write a blog about their experiences. On their travels they’ve cared for a wide variety of pets and farm animals. There were

cats and dogs in Australia, geese and hens in France, dogs and horses in Spain, turkeys in Turkey, parrots and goats in Fiji!

In Australia Ruth was a professional gardener.

She can care for fruit orchards and vegetable gardens in domestic plots.

Louis has been brought up to respect whichever host home they are caring for, and is equally happy helping his mum with the domestic duties, and he

especially loves caring for the animals.

They are currently touring Europe, and are a great example of the professional housesitters and petsitters available on HouseSitMatch.com.

Download your Free Easy Guide to Housesitting from here www.bit.ly/eurown001 To find a petsitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on +44 (0)1865 521508

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

Do you have news for our readers?

AT EWN we have our clients’ best interests at heart. Getting your news out to the public can sometimes be a struggle, but we here at EWN want to help.

Have you changed your menu, recently renovated or won an award?

Do you have an upcoming charity event you’d like to publicise? Do you have a new member of staff?

Maybe you’d like to take part in our ‘Restaurant’ experience? Your establishment provides a meal for two which we will review and publish - with pictures - in your local edition. If you have any news of interest that you would like to get out to local readers, then please let us know. We cannot promise to publish everything, but we will do our best.

Please send your news and photos to whatson@euroweeklynews.com

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omes&gardens

HOMES & GARDEN

HA very Happy Christmas to SPONSORED BY

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

gardeners throughout Spain Dick Handscombe

Gardening Corner

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

HOW fast the gardening and social years go round and earlier writing deadlines creep up on one.

Am writing this early morning with a fusty head as only came out of hospital last evening after a rough week and health scare. Somehow half the words get typed looking like Latin Plant Botanical names, but let’s persevere.

First Christmas Best Wishes to our friendly EWN team, who have been keeping the compiling of the EWN running smoothly this week, plus all EWN

gardening readers whether seasoned or newcomer gardeners.

Fortunately temperatures are keeping warm and there is little rain forecast at the time of writing, so Christmas Day can start with a traditional leisurely beach or country walk followed by tostadas coated with tomato, garlic and olive oil with a festive coffee and brandy.

No more required with a big festive meal ahead.

Over lunch let’s raise a glass to those readers unfortunate to be in hospital over Christmas.

Having just survived five days of a modern prisonlike medical environment with no thought given to the mental and motivational sides of survival and recovery, I would like to raise a Christmas Challenge.

I experienced kilometres

FESTIVE FLOWERS: Brighten up window sills with poinsettias. of bare white walls and ceilings with black speckled floors. Many windows were difficult to look through, but where you could you could see large areas of lower stone

chipping covered flat roofs and bare patio areas just waiting to be brightened up to cheer staff, patients and visitors.

How wonderful it would

be if the many expat gardening, sculpture, painting, photography, tapestry clubs, often coordinated within the umbrellas of local U3A Groups organised to offer

install and maintain such things as the following, as a united Mediterranean coastal Christmas present.

Low maintenance patio and roof top gardens.

I am reminded of the expansive cacti and succulent gardens on various levels of the flat roofs of the Hotel Reina Isabel in La Palma Gran Canaria.

A hotel developed initially to serve the early overwintering British tourists.

Temporary or permanent exhibitions of colourful cheerful sculptures in the patios, on roof tops or waiting rooms.

Temporary or permanent exhibitions of paintings and photographs in public areas and corridors I thought that most of our readers will not yet be ready to think about garden related New Year Resolutions so held them back until next week.

So until then enjoy your well-earned seasonal rest from gardening.

Finally a great thanks to the many readers who have purchased during the past 12 months, copies of my Amazon Kindle book ‘Our 52 day retirement adventure along the Spanish Pyrenees’ which was launched in an EWN article last Christmas. The book is also in hard copy. © Dick Handscombe www.gardeninginspain.com December 2014

OPINION & COMMENT

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An African Queen to crown all Mike Walsh Mike, based in Mediterranean Spain, is an international journalist, author and professional writer.

WHEN on December 12, MV Mutambala, a ferry operating on Lake Tanganyika sank in a storm there was little news coverage.

The disaster claimed the lives of up to 150 passengers, mostly women and children. Strong winds and overloading are said to be the cause of the tragedy.

It is not uncommon for ships operating on Lake Tanganyika to sink, usually for the same reasons.

Still operating on the lake today is a ship that really does appear to be unsinkable. What a remarkable history this ferry has. The 1,600 ton MV Graf von Goetzen was built in Germany in 1913 but not in a conventional way. The shipbuilders, Meyer Werft, built the Goetzen in thousands of parts.

After assembling it to make

TROUBLED WATER: Lake Tanganyika is second largest in the World. sure all was as it should be the MV Graf von Goetzen was disassembled and its parts packed in 5,000 crates. These boxes were shipped to East Africa, which was then a German Protectorate.

Germany’s economy in 1913 was on a high as were German spirits. That year, the Kaiser’s daughter Viktoria Luise, was to marry a commoner. In common with millions of fellow Europeans, thousands of Germans emigrated, many to

Germany’s overseas colonies and protectorates.

On reaching the East African port of Dar es Salaam these thousands of crates, each containing bits and pieces of the 234 feet ferry-liner, were unloaded. These were then shipped across the jungle savannah to Kigoma, a small lakeside town 1,300km distant.

Teams of master fitters and shipbuilders arrived soon afterward and set about rebuilding the liner. Lake

Tanganyika, the second largest lake in the world, borders four countries; it is the length of England and is an average 50km in width.

In 1917, three years after the outbreak of the Great War, British troops advanced on Lake Tanganyika. Scuttled to prevent the ship from falling into British hands this fine vessel appeared to have met its Waterloo at the bottom of this fantastic lake.

The surrendering Germans were taken into captivity and were to

remain in concentration camps until 1920.

Later raised to the surface, the Graf Goetzen, now named Liemba, was returned to service. In 1951, it became internationally famous. The Liemba is the gunboat, Luisa, in the movie, African Queen. The stars were Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.

Today, this proud liner still carries passengers from township to township, delivering produce to markets, and offering a vital supply linkage to the four Central African republics.

Yes, it was disheartening to learn of the recent sinking of the MV Mutambala with such terrible loss of life. Somehow, I am relieved to know that the ship involved was not the MV Graf von Goetzen, sorry, MV Liemba.

If this wonderful maritime adventurer ever reaches its climax may it go up in a ball of flames without loss of life as anything less would be too unbearable to think about.

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Christmas in Abu Dhabi for crews

BOATS EXTRA

Super plans PLANS for a new £15 million superyacht berthing and short stay/rental accommodation at Marina Bay in Gibraltar have been filed with the Development and Planning Commission by the developer of the marina, Ocean Village Investments Limited.

New projects THE Italian CRN shipyard has presented two new projects - a 72 metre and an 80 metre yacht designed by Fracesco Paszkowski characterised by stylish and streamlined design. Described as a ‘natural evolution of the stylistic features’ of their 61 metre predecessor, the superyachts can be viewed at www.crn-yacht.com.

BOATING

SHORE CREWS: Will be working on repairing and maintaining all the boats.

WHILE the sailors of the Volvo Ocean Race get a wellearned break and return home to their families for the Christmas period, the shore crews will be spending Christmas in sunny Abu Dhabi, working on the boats so they are ready for the third leg of the race.

Working in 24-degree heat, the crews will be repairing and maintaining all seven boats in time for the in-port race on January 2. According to the Volvo Ocean Race official website, most of the shore crews and boatyard staff will at least have Christmas Day off for a bit of rest and relaxation, and plenty of Skype time with their families back home.

Classic yachts for sale TWO classic ocean racing yachts have been put up for sale in order to make way for the new breed of 2015 boats.

The Clipper Round the World yachts have been listed for sale with broker Berthon International, and start from €311,000. According to Yachting & Boating News, the ocean racing yachts, which have taken dozens of crew around the globe, are being sold to make way for the new generation of Clipper 70s. The Clipper 68

Ed Dubois designed yacht was the backbone of the Clipper Race fleet between 2005 and 2012, until the Clipper 70 was introduced in 2013.

Clipper is calling the sales as a “unique opportunity to own and operate a superb sailing machine.”

According to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who briefed Ed Dubois on the design, the yacht was designed so that it could be sailed safely by amateur crews, but also as

a good ocean racing boat.

“So anyone looking for a good strong rugged boat that’s reliable and easy to sail, that can take anything you throw at it, and the Southern Ocean takes some beating, these are the boats,” he said.

The 68-foot yachts for sale have berths for up to 20 crew and come equipped with a comprehensive sail wardrobe by Hyde Sails. Immediate delivery is available, ready for the 2015 season.

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25 - 31 December 2014 / Mallorca

EWN

45 SAMU LANG

BOATING

SUNSEEKER: One of the best-known luxury yacht manufacturers.

BOATYARD: Boats need to be ready for the third leg.

ROUND THE WORLD RACE: Clipper yachts.

240 jobs have gone naturally at Sunseeker LUXURY yacht maker Sunseeker has expected, the restructuring has had axed 240 jobs, the majority of which minimal impact on our direct boatwere voluntary redundancies or building activities,” said a statement ‘natural’ leavers. from Sunseeker. “The overall The company - famous for outlook for the business providing yachts for James Outlook remains positive and the Bond movies and one of the board believes Sunseeker is remains now in the best shape best-known luxury yacht manufacturers in the world positive possible to maintain its strong had previously announced that position at the forefront of the global leisure marine industry up to 300 jobs would go as part of a ‘strategic review’ in order to from our base in Poole (Dorset, UK).”

Sunseeker currently employs more increase efficiency.

“The skilled craftsmen on our shop 2,000 people at seven different sites in floor remain key to the business and as Dorset.

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

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SPORT

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Sport Mallorca’s best guide to local sport

Rory McIlroy with the US PGA trophy Will 2015 bring even more rewards for the No. 1 golfer?

TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

A hectic festive season of top sport Tony Matthews

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

Costa de Almeria

Preview AS always there is a full programme of football matches on Boxing Day, as well as December 28/29, while there are 10 Premiership games scheduled for New Year’s Day before 64 teams compete in the third round of the FA Cup between January 3 - 6. This is why clubs have such big squads!

On Boxing Day, there are two London derbies in the Premiership - Arsenal v QPR at The Emirates and Chelsea v West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United play Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion entertain the reigning champions Manchester City.

In the Championship, it’s much-improved Birmingham City v Derby County, high-flying AFC Bournemouth v Fulham, inform Brentford v Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough v Nottingham Forest and Watford v Wolves.

The big games in FL1 are Bristol City against Yeovil Town, Notts County v MK Dons and Walsall v Swindon Town, while

LEWIS HAMILTON: Hopes for a third championship.

Burton Albion meet Tranmere Rovers, Newport County play Plymouth Argyle, Oxford United welcome Shrewsbury Town and Wycombe Wanderers play Luton Town in FL2.

Then, a few days after Christmas everything kicks off again in the PL with Manchester City against

Burnley, Newcastle United v Everton, QPR versus Crystal Palace, Southampton v Chelsea, Spurs against Manchester United and West Ham United v Arsenal.

Elsewhere the top games in the other three Divisions are Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough, Derby

County v Leeds United, Ipswich Town v Charlton Athletic, Millwall v AFC Bournemouth and Wolves v Brentford, Gillingham v Bristol City, and Swindon Town v Port Vale, Luton Town v Portsmouth and Shrews-bury Town v Wycombe Wanderers, plus Celtic v Ross County and

Inverness Caley Thistle v Aberdeen in the SPL. Looking into my 2015 ‘Golden Globe,’ wouldn’t it be great to see: England’s cricketers win every Test Match they play in 2015; Rory McIlroy triumph in every golf competition he takes part in; Lewis Hamilton repeat his Formula 1 Grand Prix exploits by winning the driver’s championship for a third time; Amir Khan continue beating his opponents in the ring; GB’s athletes collect medals in track and field events; England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales all register record breaking victories in Six Nations matches; and Andy Murray win three major tennis tournaments.