Euro Weekly News - Mallorca 10 - 16 December 2015 Issue 1588

ISSUE NO. 1588

10 - 16 December 2015

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MALLORCA

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

DON’T MISS OUR CHRISTMAS SPECIAL PAGES 31 - 36

Palma charity is given the star treatment FILM highlights the sterling work of the volunteers

By Glynis German Films about the homeless and those in need are few and far between but a British woman and her colleagues at Palma

Pictures have really pushed the boat out by producing a short film that will help save lives this Christmas.

Jennifer Sykes has been a beacon of light in Mallorca,

collecting food for the hungry in Palma for three years.

Always on the look-out for fresh ideas to help the local community, Jennifer brainstormed with friends and de-

cided to create the film to highlight the work of Operation Kilo, a long-standing campaign to collect food for the Caputxins Convent. She told the Turn to Page 3

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LOCAL NEWS

Violent teenagers involved in attack LOCAL POLICE of Palma arrested four adolescents last weekend for a violent attack on another person when they tried to steal his belongings.

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NEWS

Search for missing woman CCTV footage from the station was studied to see if she had taken a train

The four were charged with violent robbery in the early hours and requested a writ of habeas corpus from the night court.

Mallorca will shine ACCORDING to an analysis released by Amazon Spain this week, the Balearic Islands will be one area to shine more brightly this Christmas.

Balearic households have pur-

chased more Christmas lights and decorations per capita from Amazon in the last quarter than other regions. And across the country, Christmas trees will be 9cms taller too.

Reminder

ABANDONED CAR: Was located by the Guardia Civil having been parked in Binissalem.

By Glynis German

WE would just like to remind our advertisers of our upcoming 2015 festive deadlines: Kindly ensure you send us the necessary material for the December 17 (1589), 23 (1590) and 30 (1591) editions by no later than Friday December 11 and for the January 7 edition (1592) no later than Monday December 21.

BINISSALEM was the scene of a search for a 65-year-old woman who went missing last week (December 3) after dropping her grandchildren off at school in the Arenal area.

Her car was located by the Guardia Civil

on Sunday morning having been parked and abandoned in Binissalem. The Guardia Civil, Local Police, fire service department as well as civil protection units from Binissalem, Lloseta, Alaro, Montuiri and Son Servera were organised to look for Maria Pascual Bibiloni. A helicopter was also on the scene and family members

along with neighbours from the village joined in.

CCTV footage taken from the station in the town was studied to see if she had taken a train. According to neighbours the car had been parked all weekend before being found. The car was not forced and the woman’s whereabouts remain a mystery.

NEWS

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Mace attack

FEATURED NEWS

Vehicle damaged

Spain decides on government SPANISH voters will decide on who should run the country for the next 4 years

A MAN unable to get out of Mercat de l’Olivar car park last week took his frustration out on a parked vehicle with a medieval mace. Although bystanders tried to restrain the man, he escaped before the police arrived.

Fatal fall Father died A MAN, 52, fell eight metres to his death while on a walk with his wife and daughter in Punta d’es Caló, Arta, earlier this week.

Dog rescued After fall A DOG fell more than 10 metres into a hidden cave in the Escorca area at the weekend while out hunting with its owner and had to be rescued by the fire brigade.

Pest control Thorough work RATS, cockroaches and mosquitoes should not be a problem this winter as 85,000 manhole covers and 26,000 rain collectors in Palma have been treated against the pests between January and October.

Photo of attendees to the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the failed coup of 1981, in 2011.

By John Smith THE POLLS open at 9am on December 20 when Spanish voters will be encouraged to turn out to elect a government which should run the country for the next four years.

There are four main parties which have a chance, albeit in some cases as part of a coalition, to form the government. The current incumbent is the Partido Popular or PP whose leader Mariano Rajoy came to power in 2011 and his centre-right, conservative and catholic party has an overall majority The majority of opinion polls forecast that although PP will gain the largest number of seats (between 118 and 121), it will not give them a majority and if they are to continue in government, they will need to form an alliance with anoth-

€61,393.56 is the basic annual salary paid to members of the Congress of Deputies although they are allowed to claim additional expenses

er party, probably Ciudadanos.

The Partido Socialista Obrero Español or PSOE is a social-democratic party of the centre left.

Led by Pedro Sánchez it is seen as the nearest rival to the PP but is forecast to

win between 95 and 98 of the seats so would certainly not be in a position to form any government, unless it was able to ally itself with at least two other parties. Ciudadanos, Party of the Citizenry, describes itself as being centre-left and non-nationalist.

Led by Albert Rivera, its main support is in Catalonia where it opposes any form of Catalan Independence and it is forecast to run PSOE a close third with 57 to 61 seats.

Podemos translated in English as ‘We can’ is an unashamedly left-wing political party founded in March 2014 by Pablo Iglesias a former University lecturer in political science likely to obtain 20 seats.

If the forecasts are anywhere near correct, then Spain is likely to see a coalition for the next four years.

Attempted coup During election vote MANY will remember the televised scenes of the attempted coup by a group of 200 armed Guardia Civil officers who entered the chamber of the Spanish Congress of Deputies during the vote to elect Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo as the country’s new Prime Minister. King Juan Carlos I denounced the coup.

Euro Weekly News: “Initially the idea was to film a documentary about the wonderful job that Caputxins does. However, after talking to the director

Aaron Dormer and Director of Photography, Juanjo Martí, we decided to make a short film which will hopefully encourage people to donate to either the Caputxins project or any other

worthy cause on the island.”

The film was shot last Saturday December 5 with a cast of friends and family and the crew donating their services, and Palma Pictures generously lending

Good turnout ELECTIONS were held last week to choose the Consell de Mallorca board members and staff council.

The turnout was positive at 64.4 per cent and 21 board members with 13 staff members were elected.

Animal march International Day

Quote of the Week Is it me or has Villacís eaten a whole factory full of cakes and is getting a bit chubby?”

A PP official on Begoña Villacís, a Ciudadanos spokeswoman, in the run up to the election.

Film short to help the homeless From front page

Board elected

equipment and studio facilities.

Dolores, lead volunteer from the convent, said: “Every December, Jenny and her colleagues collect for those in need and this year they have gone

beyond all expectations. I am delighted with them and can’t wait to see the film.”

If you wish to participate in this good cause, please contact Jennifer on 971 226 232.

TODAY (Thursday) is International Animal Rights Day and a march is planned for this afternoon with animal lovers invited to gather in Palma’s Plaza España at 5pm. The purpose of this day is to remind human beings that animals deserve to be treated with equal kindness and respect.

Rapid unit Palma benefits HEALTH service IB-Salut has introduced its second rapid intrevention unit in Palma, consisting of a doctor, nurse and driver.

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INDEX News 1 - 16

Featured News 3

News Desk 18

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Paris talks hope for a positive outcome CLIMATE change summit is nearly at an end

Russian Press 20

Finance 23 - 28

Stocks 24

Leapy Lee 29

Letters 30

Daily TV 38

Time Out 40 - 41 COP21 CONFERENCE: Let us hope the future of the planet is secure.

Our View 44

By Glynis German

Colin Bird 44

Health & Beauty 45 - 46

Social Scene 47 - 49

Vicki McLeod 50

Homes & Gardens 51

Pets 51

Property 52 - 53

Legally Speaking 54

Classifieds 55 - 56

Motoring 57 - 58

Boats 59

Sport 62, 64

THE Balearic government, represented by the Directors of Environmental Education, Environmental Quality and Waste, Sebastià Sansó, and Energy and Climate Change, Juan Groizard, attended the United Nations climate summit (COP21) in Paris this week.

The summit, which ends tomorrow, started on November 30 with negotiators from 195 countries gathering to try to reach a deal aimed at reducing global carbon emissions and limiting global warming to 2C. The Mallorcan government representatives formed part of the Spanish central government delegation and were kept informed on a

daily basis about the state of negotiations taking place in the French capital.

They were there to renew the local government’s clear commitment for the islands to be using 100 per cent renewable energy and to be free from greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050.

The government also confirmed its duty that the Mediterranean remains free

from oil exploration too.

The Minister of Planning, Energy and Mobility, Joan Boned said “we must act now to achieve this objective and implement a strategy to combat climate change which is needed immediately.”

Tomorrow is the last day of the COP21 conference let us hope that the future of the planet is secure.

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Kites flying high RECOVERY programme a success this year THE kite recovery programme in Mallorca is a success this year with 117 probable pairs formed, according to the local government.

That is 40 more couples than last year and is cause for much celebration. Probable pairs is the term used because they have been ob-

served entering or leaving the same nests, fighting with others.

Furthermore at least 93 chickens were born this year, observed in 50 different nests. Good news for this creature which was on the verge of extinction in the mid 1980s when there were only a dozen pairs.

PROBABLE PAIRS: In total, 117 pairs have been formed this year.

Study shows Balearic residents generate most waste in Spain A STUDY released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) earlier this week shows that Balearic citizens generate the most amount of waste in Spain.

With the average amount of waste being 467.6 kilos per person, Balearic citizens generate 727.4 kilos each,

New director elected JOSEP MANCHADO was elected as the new Director of the Environmental Department and was sworn into his new role yesterday.

Manchado has a degree in Geography from the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) and was director of land management, urban planning and environment at the Council of Menorca from 2001 to 2003.

During this period he also directed the Island Territorial Plan of Menorca. He has also worked in the private sector in the field of environmental consulting and planning.

The selection process to hire a new director had more than 40 participants and was conducted in a transparent and open manner.

nearly 260 kilos more.

In 2013 the Balearic Islands produced a total of 809,400 tons of urban waste, with 607,200 tons sorted as mixed waste, 29,300 tons glass, 38,200 tons paper and cardboard and 14,000 tons as mixed packages.

According to the INE statistics based on data collected from 2013, in that year 467.6 kilograms of municipal waste were collected per capita, 2.4 per cent less than in 2012 and the final waste reached 45.5 million tons, 1.4 per cent more than in 2012.

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NEWS

Daesh or ISIS? THERE have been a number of different names used to describe the terrorists who have invaded parts of Iraq and Syria, many of which are unprintable but in order to assist our readers to identify the group in question, we have stuck to the word ISIS. In the opening statement in the House of Commons by David Cameron on December 2, he said: “I feel it is time to join our key ally France, the Arab League, and other members of the international community in using as frequently as possible the terminology Daesh rather than Isil. Because frankly this evil death cult is neither a true representation of Islam nor is it a state.”

He added later in the speech: “These women-raping, Muslim-murdering, mediaeval monsters are hijacking the peaceful religion of Islam for their warped ends.”

The name Daesh is used by both President Obama and

President Hollande of France, although they pronounce it differently and we at Euro Weekly News now feel that the time is right for us to change as well to use the word that everyone will come to recognise over the coming months.

Ironically, the word is an Arabic acronym derived from the phrase ‘al Dawlah al-Islameyah fi Iraq wal-Sham’ or literally, ‘Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham’ (which refers to Syria or the Levant State). It actually means ISIS or Isil but because it is a short word, some parties in the Arab world have taken it to be in-

tended as an insult as it is a shortened form.

If by using the word Daesh we insult any of its adherents, then we have no problem with that at all.

David Cameron will use same terminolog y as Obama and Hollande.

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Fight between families in Son Gotleu ruin holiday FIVE people were arrested and four injured when a fight broke out in the Son Gotleu area of Palma on Tuesday’s public holiday this week.

A family disagreement between two Roma clans was the origin of the fight which

took place at about 1pm in Tomas Rullan street.

Starting as a verbal match, the tone quickly became more threatening as family members appeared with knives and other objects including hammers. The police

were called and were quickly on the spot bringing control back to the neighbourhood.

The injured were treated on the spot and then taken to nearby hospitals. Investigations continue which may lead to more arrests.

Election fever hots up in Mallorca ENGAGED in a series of televised debates PALMA Arena was site of the latest campaign blitz to hit the Balearics as Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias drew over 5,000 to the venue which was packed to full capacity on December 8, with people reportedly standing outside. The left-wing leader, whose insurgent party is in fourth place in national polls, denounced corruption and referenced the high rate of bribery and nepotism across the Balearic Islands.

The venue chosen for the rally was once used to sentence Jaume Matas, ex-president of the Partido Popular in the Balearics and ex-leader of the

Govern Balear, to jail for misappropriation of public funds, forgery and bribery.

Leadership candidates for the four main parties fighting Spain’s hotly contested general election on December 20 are

travelling across the country vying for votes, with the Socialist Party candidate Pedro Sanchez holding rallies in Mallorca last week. They are also engaged in a series of televised debates.

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NEWS

Palma bishop called to attend the Vatican MATTER has been handled with extreme secrecy

By Glynis German

THE Bishop of Mallorca, Javier Salinas, was called to the Vatican last week over an episode that has secular connections that directly contravene his episcopal ministry. The Vatican have been considering his re-

Cough up A PHARMACY in Sa Coma was the victim of a hold-up last week when an armed robber, brandishing a large knife, threatened two members of staff and demanded money from the till. The thief made off with â‚Ź800 but no-one was injured. Guardia Civil from ArtĂ are investigating.

placement as a consequence.

The matter has been handled with extreme secrecy by the Mallorcan church hierarchy in part because of the possible consequences for the diocese and for the moral of the local Catholic community.

Since Salinas took office in January 2013 he has been characterised as having a low

profile without pursuing any ambitious reforms within the Church and avoiding any interference with the political institutions of the Balearics.

However, it seems that the delicate hierarchical situation weakened his position as head of the diocese of Mallorca, although this role passed without any major mishaps.

Bus left hanging on in Cala Ratjada A BUS nearly ended up in the sea in Cala Ratjada when its brakes failed last week. The bus driver and two passengers were unhurt and were rescued by the emergency services.

The bus had been travelling down Avenida Nereidas when the brakes failed. The driver tried to control the vehicle but hit a wall by the sea where the bus remained suspended over the water until it was removed by a crane. The vehicle suffered major damage.

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NEWS

Remembering those killed in Civil War WREATH-LAYING and ceremony held

By Glynis German ALARO paid an emotional homage to the victims of Franco during and after the Spanish Civil War. The 11th Historical Memory Day was held last week at the municipal cemetery where a floral wreath was placed by the plaque commemorating the victims.

Marçal Isern, spokesman for the Asociacion para la Recuperacion de la Memoria Historica (Recovery of Historical Memory) presided the event and highlighted the fact that this year, Alaro changed the name of the local school. It is now named after the last republican mayor of Alaro, Pere Rossello i Oliver, who was a person who called for a quali-

ty public education and was killed by the nationalists.

Writer and former priest Jaume Santandreu also said a few words and was critical about the church which had never been held accountable for its part in Spain’s recent history. He ended his speech by reading a poem which was well-received by those present.

Secondhand shop opens at market DEIXALLES Foundation opened a new shop at the local market in Sóller this week in which they will sell secondhand and recycled goods. The opening was attended by various officials from the town hall as well as President of the Deixalles Foundation, Francesca Marti.

The foundation aims to contribute to

building a more just and sustainable society by promoting the social inclusion of people experiencing or perhaps at risk of exclusion in Mallorca. This is done through activities related mainly to preventing waste and improving the environment. This shop is among 12 others to be found in Mallorca and the Balearic Islands.

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Raising awareness of kidney disease SPECSAVERS running fundraising scheme SPECSAVERS in Santa Ponsa are raising awareness of kidney disease as well as money for research to find a cure.

Kidney disease affects one in 10 people in Europe, but many people don’t know they have it or that they are even at risk.

Martin Blake, Store Director of Specsavers Opticas, recently helped his brother-in-law by donating one of his kidneys and

has raised over €1,300 so far this year for the cause. Martin’s ambition is to raise €2,000, and throughout December they will be collecting donations in store.

All funds collected will be split between Kidney Research UK and ALCER Spain.

Specsavers also collaborate with Calvia Lions Club to organise regular diabetes testing events and tested around 150

people in 2015. The November screening to celebrate World Diabetes Day tested 40 people and referred three people to seek medical attention due to their results. They are planning their first testing event for 2016, which will be held at the end of January.

Visit the store on Avda Rei Jaume 1, 117, Locales 14 y 15, Santa Ponsa.

Driving too close causes near miss THE Guardia Civil are looking for the male driver of a white or silver BMW for harassing another driver, almost killing her in the act.

A 31-year-old woman was reportedly driving her car towards Inca on Saturday afternoon when she noticed a BMW approaching from behind her at full speed,

flashing its lights and attempting to make her pull into the slow lane. Due to her fright at the sudden and aggressive appearance of said car, the woman pulled over but lost control and flipped over several times before ending up at the side of the motorway. She was attended to at the scene by the emergency services.

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NEWS

TRANSPARENT PRICING: The price the customer sees is the price that they will pay.

JetsGo Holidays touch down in Mallorca

By Glynis German JETSGO HOLIDAYS, a new independent tour operator

based in Palma, is launching its first service between the island and the UK’s third biggest airport, Manchester, from May 28, providing a boost to the island’s economy and the creation of new jobs.

The company is offering holidays to Mallorca from just £220pp (€314) for seven nights self-catering, with flights back to the UK starting from just £49 (€70) one-way.

JetsGo Holidays aims to offer great value holidays, whilst providing a relaxed and fun service. Its main unique selling

point is having transparent pricing, which includes 20kg baggage allowance free of charge, and no debit or credit card fees, ensuring the price the customer sees is the price that they pay.

It has been set up by a British and Spanish team who have come from the likes of Thomson Holidays and Cosmos to join the growing number of travel companies now making Palma their base of operations.

Daniel Reilly from JetsGo Holidays said: “We offer a range of three to five-star ac-

commodation in all of the main resorts on the island from self-catering apartments to luxury all-inclusive resorts. We’ve made the decision not to offer below three-star holidays to ensure a higher standard for customers.

“Those looking for flights back to the UK to visit friends and family will also be able to find some great deals starting from just £49 (€70) one-way.”

As well as flights and holidays to Spain, JetsGo Holidays also offer more than 100,000 hotels throughout the world, plus transfers and car hire from over 100 airports.

In a change from the norm, school half-term holidays start from just £299pp (€426), which JetsGo Holidays hope will help families who have traditionally been a target for high prices, to have a break in Mallorca during the peak periods.

Both flights and holidays can also be secured with just low deposits from £75 (€107) per person making it more affordable and easy for customers to secure the best deals early and pay later.

Flights will be available next summer from May 28 until September 24, departing Manchester Airport at 15.20 and from Palma at 19.50.

Flights and holidays are available to book online at www.jetsgoholidays.com.

OPINION & COMMENT

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Euro strengthens against sterling Commentary by Moneycorp EUR weekly currency update For most of the week the euro was playing a waiting game, waiting for the European Central Bank to make its big announcement on Thursday. Having been primed by president Mario Draghi more than a month ago, investors were expecting another dose of ‘whatever it takes’ to get euro zone inflation back up to its 2% target. That expectation was fed by Wednesday’s provisional consumer price index data, which put inflation at just 0.1%.

In the event, the ECB said it would cut its deposit rate from -0.2% to -0.3% and extend its asset purchase programme for another six months. To say the least, the news came as an anticlimax. The euro shot higher, strengthening by 2% against sterling. On the week it is up by four cents - 3% - against the pound and by a roughly similar proportion against the US dollar.

USD weekly currency update Until Thursday the dollar was doing fairly

well. The US economic data was not the punchiest ever seen, manufacturing activity, as measured by the Institute of Supply Management’s purchasing managers’ index, touched a six-year low. But a string of Federal Reserve bosses continued to hint that dollar interest rates would begin to head higher this month and that was all investors seemed to care about.

The dollar’s bull run came to a dramatic end on Thursday when the European Central Bank revealed its latest measures to lift euro zone inflation from 0.1% to its 2% target. To say the least, they came as an anticlimax and the euro shot higher. Typically, as investors bought the euro they sold the dollar. So the dollar ended up with a loss of three and a quarter cents to the euro - 3% - and it was down by a quarter of a cent against sterling.

CAD weekly currency update It was an eventful week for the Canadian

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 dollar. On Tuesday the Loonie was looking the worse for wear as a result of data showing that the Canadian economy contracted by -0.5% in September, bringing quarterly growth down to 2.3%. On Wednesday it strengthened after the Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate steady at 0.5%. Although no change had been expected by investors, the BoC statement showed no sign of any inclination towards lower interest rates. On Thursday the Canadian dollar,

along with other commodity-oriented currencies, took a dive after the European Central Bank failed to deliver the aggressive money-printing measures that investors had expected.

The outcome was a loss of quarter of a US cent for the Loonie and it fell by more than a cent against sterling. This Friday’s Canadian and US employment figures could also push it around.

AUD weekly currency update During most of the week the Aussie did fairly well, gaining the best part of five cents against sterling. It was helped on its way by some respectable Australian economic data, which showed stronger activity in the manufacturing sector, continuing growth in retail sales and faster growth in gross domestic product, which expanded by 0.9% in the third quarter. The Reserve Bank of Australia also contributed by keeping its benchmark interest rate steady at 2% and making no suggestion of future cuts.

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NEWS

Planting trees in Calvia AIM is to reforest areas destroyed by fire

By Glynis German STUDENTS and tourists from the Calvia area will take part in reforestation events organised by Calvia Town Hall’s Environment Department.

The purpose is to reforest

those areas in Calvia which were affected by fires as well as maintain other areas al r eady pl ant ed i n r ecent years.

“The aim of the exercise is to maintain the attractiveness of the landscape in the area and get back the envi-

ronmental value that we lost i n t he f i r es,” sai d a spokesperson from the organisation.

The f i r st event wi l l be held today (Thursday 10) and pupils from Son Caliu school will be responsible for planting the trees.

Manacor to build new clinic MANACOR Town Hall met with local government representatives of the Health Department this week to prioritise the construction of a new health clinic for the city of Manacor.

The mayor of Manacor, Pedro Rosselló (PP), stated: “We explained our needs for a new clinic to the Health Department and we are satisfied that they are making our new health centre a priority too. In this way, we will be able to reduce the load on our existing clinic as well as the local hospital.”

The city council will assign land to the Health Department which will then initiate plans for the construction of the new health centre.

Deputy Mayor Catalina Riera (PI), commented: “We already have land available on the other side of town which was actually presented to the government back in 2013, but they were unable to start the building then.”

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NEWS FROM OUR FIVE OTHER REGIONS

COSTA DEL SOL

Fugitive caught

A new green area for Denia GARDENS to be restored by the parks and gardens department

By Linda Hall

DENIA has new public gardens, ceded by the Asuncion parish church.

The town hall and the local church reached agreement on opening up the gardens that flank Cuesta de la Madre Amparo to the public.

The overgrown and padlocked gardens that were once part of the grounds of a former hospital adjoin the 17th century building that now houses the town hall in the centre of Denia.

The Parks and Gardens department will restore the gardens which will be opened each morning and closed at nightfall.

GARDENS: In the former grounds of the old hospital.

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Bollywood filming

Books for children

Tram plans

Driver injured

CARTAGENA is being used as a location for the shooting of a Bollywood film. Film crews are using various locations around Cartagena such as the town hall, the Municipal Archives and the Military Museum, as well as points in La Manga, to serve as the backdrop for filming of the Bollywood movie ‘Nannaku Premotho.’

TO mark the International Day of Disability, the Denia Marina Salud Hospital has distributed a collection of specially written books from Atresmedia to the Pediatrics ward to entertain hospitalised children, encourage reading and educate them about integration of people with disabilities.

THIS week, the Public Works Agency of the Junta de Andalucia regional government told Velez-Malaga Mayor Antonio Moreno Ferrer the names of the two experts who have been appointed as part of the committee to bring back the town’s tram service.

A MAN, 26, was injured when his vehicle fell from a height of 15 metres on the N-344 in Almeria. Firemen, Local Police, Guardia Civil and paramedics attended the scene and the man was taken to Torrecardenas Hospital.

Car thieves FIVE suspected members of an organised group dedicated to the theft of luxury vehicles have been arrested.

The gang are believed to be operating from Madrid, but were caught in Alicante Province after attempting to steal a BMW from El Campello.

Close proximity RESIDENTS in Elche have complained about the city’s ‘Christmas Village’ with the proximity of the Christmas booths to some buildings and apartments as they are worried about the risk of theft to their homes with the booths placed close to the balconies of the first floors.

Christmas treats JIJONA manufacturers will sell 60 million tablets of Turron this Christmas, 89 per cent of their annual Spanish production.

Shoreline fishing THE tradition of shoreline fishing in the Marina Alta, hunting for Octopus, Sea Urchins and shellfish in particular for your own consumption may become something of the past soon due to the overfishing and illegal poaching.

Tapas for toys UNDER the premise that no child is left without a toy this Christmas the Solidarity Tapas initiative in Sant Joan d’Alacant has been launched. The campaign involves donating a disused toy in good condition during the Christmas fair, in return they will be given a tapas prepared by the prestigious Cooking School.

Unemployment up UNEMPLOYMENT in Benidorm has risen 11 per cent, registering 665 more unemployed than the previous month of October, amounting to a total of 6,613 people out of work, concentrated mainly in the services sector.

NEWS

AXARQUÍA

New speaker PP-A representative and president of the Malaga Provincial Council Elias Bendodo will no longer give the opening speech at Torrox’s las Migas Fair on December 13 following objections from other political factions.

Hate crimes RINCON DE LA VICTORIA has become the third municipality in Spain, after Torremolinos and Marbella, to offer free legal counsel to the victims of hate crimes, thanks to an agreement signed yesterday by the Mayor, Encarnacion Anaya, and the Dean of Malaga College of Lawyers, Javier Lara Pelaez.

New drink AXARQUIA company La Huerta de Carolina is ready to launch a new prickly pear drink, which was presented to the public in Velez-Malaga

by PP Representative and Sustainability Councillor Francisco Delgado Bonilla.

For more local news from our five other regions see www.euroweeklynews.com

COSTA DE ALMERÍA

NATIONAL POLICE officers in Malaga have arrested a 37-year-old Moroccan man under an international arrest and extradition order from the authorities in Morocco for alleged domestic violence and cruelty one year ago.

Villas approved MARBELLA’S Town Planning department has announced that two building licences for a total of €1.1 million were approved last week. The licences are for two villas with pools, one on Santa Clara urbanisation and the other in Cerrado de Elviria.

Scenes to visit

Immigrants rescued

TWO nativity scenes have been opened for public visits in Ronda. A municipal scene has been set up at Santo Domingo convent, while the local brotherhood’s association has announced their own is on display at Iglesia de Padre Jesus church.

TWENTY illegal sub-Saharan immigrants were brought to Almeria Port after being rescued by lifeguards south of Almeria. The boat was spotted by a plane and was carrying 27 people.

Work announced

No post SOME 43,000 people in the historical centre of Almeria have been without a post office for five years and plan to launch action to reach the central government in order to demand one.

Water cut RESIDENTS of Vera were without water for seven hours on Saturday December 5 due to a problem at the central tanks in the Camino de Enmedio area at around 7.30am.

Pedestrian friendly WORK has been carried out under the PFEA rural employment scheme to build pavements on the avenue leading to the Centro de Agua y Salud and the Albox health centre.

RONDA Council has announced plans to improve drainage systems on part of Avenida de Malaga, one of its main streets. The area affected will be between Los Angeles and Miguel de Cervantes school and €162,000 will be spent including pavement repairs.

Gas leak TWO people, a 45-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man, had to be taken to hospital for treatment after a gas leak at the home in Puerto de la Torre, Malaga City, in the early hours of Friday morning (December 4), emergency services reported.

EWN top for all the news from Spain.

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E W N 10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

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NEWS

RUSSIAN P RESS

Proposal for new sanctions RUSSIA may scrap investment projects in Turkey

PRESIDENT PUTIN: New proposals.

IN response to Turkey’s downing of a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border, President Putin proposes to impose sanctions to freeze or possibly scrap investment projects in Turkey.

Russia had plans to build a nuclear power plant worth $20 million (€18,368,000).

Anti-terror THE Moscow department of Trade and Services has asked public enterprise owners to hire additional security and pay attention to employees who spend a large amount of time abroad, following threats from international terrorist groups, such as Daesh.

Daesh fight CHAIRMAN of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko confirmed Russia will continue free weapon delivery to Afghanistan’s military, and will closely observe the

Tiger befriends goat TIMUR the goat has befriended Amur, a Siberian tiger, in Primorsky Safari Park. He chased Amur around the enclosure and invaded his sleeping shelter. Amur, banished to the roof, appears to have accepted Timur and the two are firm friends.

current situation in Afghanistan.

Russia has been supplying weaponry since 2010.

Death penalty rejected RUSSIA’S Presidential Human Rights Council have

FIRM FRIEND: Amur the tiger and Timur the goat. unanimously rejected requests to re-establish the death penalty as punishment for terrorist crimes.

They said it would be both inhumane and ineffective, and will issue an official statement later in the week.

Hilton Hotel developments THE Hilton Worldwide Hotel chain has announced plans to construct a new upscale hotel in Moscow.

The company will reportedly invest $102 million (€93,676,800) and the hotel will include 220 rooms and 52 suites.

The project is set for completion in 2018.

FINANCE

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Big trouble looms for Big Mac owners REGULATORS ready to announce investigation into tax deal FOLLOWING agreements made at the G20 meeting in Turkey in November, where governments agreed to review the use of ‘tax havens’ by huge corporations in order to avoid tax, it is now ru-

is the amount of revenues that McDonald’s have paid into a Luxembourg subsidiary staffed by 13 people, according to unions

HISTORIC: Plaque on the wall of Almack House.

Zara founder looks to buy in London

By John Smith AMANCIO Ortega, owner of Zara, is reported to have offered €320 million to purchase Almack House near St James in London.

Many reports have erroneously called this a historic building which housed a well-known club in the 18th century, but that building was actually blown up dur-

moured that European Commission competition regulators are getting ready to announce an investigation into a tax deal between fast food chain McDonald’s a n d L u x e m b o u rg , a c c o r d i n g t o Reuters.

I n M a y, C o m m i s s i o n e r M a r -

Banks need to be able to go wrong and have the resources to deal with that.’ Sir Jon Cunliffe, deputy governor of the Bank of England on the future of banks

Photo Credit The Liberal Party flickr

Quote of the Week

€4 billion

ing the Second World War and was rebuilt completely.

The current building was recently offered for rent at an approximate cost of £750,000 (€1 million) per annum including business rates.

This appears to be part of Ortega’s strategy to purchase commercial property in London.

BUSINESS EXTRA

Christmas tree IT is estimated that the global market for Christmas trees is worth $4 billion (€3.75 billion), with Europe alone consuming 60 million trees every year.

As the economies of various countries improve, so purchasers are looking to obtain more elaborate and expensive decorations.

Regional deficits THE Spanish Fiscal Authority has announced that the autonomous council’s regional deficit will be more than double the original forecast by the end of 2015 at more than double the amount forecasted.

It has therefore advised the Treasury to apply preventative measures in Extremadura, Cataluña, Murcia and Valencia to ensure this deficit does not carry over to the end of 2016.

PP promises income tax cut IN a speech to supporters, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy indicated that if re-elected in the upcoming elections, his party would cut income tax and create two million jobs over the next four years.

This follows good news concerning the drop in

23

$50,000 (€47,000) a day is the daily fine that the Bank of China is due to pay from December 8 until it complies with a US court request to give details of customers accused of selling fake goods.

C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 7

By John Smith

EWN

unemployment but although his People’s Party (PP) is expected to win the largest number of seats on December 20, polls indicate the votes will be fairly evenly split and he may not even be able to form a coalition government.

grethe Vestager started looking into trade union allegations that the restaurant chain avoided paying more than €1billion in corporation taxes between 2009 and 2013.

McDonald’s have denied that any impropriety has taken part on their behalf.

IBEX 35

+0.33%

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Pension reserves THE Employment Ministry is to take €7.75 billion from Spanish pension reserves to allow for the extra Christmas payment, according to Tomas Burgos, Secretary of State for Social Security.

The reserve is therefore said to be reduced to €31.77 billion which is nearly 50 per cent lower than when the current government came to power.

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3i Group 488.65 7.35 Aberdeen Asset Management 307.90 3.90 Admiral Group 1,646.00 28.00 Anglo American 375.10 -0.95 Antofagasta 488.40 -3.30 ARM Holdings 1,117.50 1.50 Ashtead Group 1,071.50 19.50 Associated British Foods 3,581.50 96.50 AstraZeneca 4,520.25 78.25 Aviva 511.75 4.25 Babcock International Group 1,045.00 3.00 BAE Systems 513.25 4.75 Barclays 229.60 -0.05 Barratt Developments 613.75 0.25 Berkeley Group Holdings 3,598.00 -4.00 BG Group 1,006.75 -18.25 BHP Billiton 781.70 -6.00 BP 351.98 -7.72 British American Tobacco 3,842.50 61.50 British Land Co 820.75 6.75 BT Group 485.83 6.48 Bunzl 1,930.50 23.50 Burberry Group 1,215.50 13.50 Capita Group (The) 1,254.50 14.50 Carnival 3,520.00 71.00 Centrica 209.95 -1.45 Coca-Cola HBC 1,562.00 15.00 Compass Group 1,175.00 14.00 CRH 1,967.00 12.00 Diageo 1,914.75 23.75 Direct Line Insurance Group 411.35 1.85 Dixons Carphone 481.85 2.25 easyJet 1,707.00 32.00 Experian 1,223.50 16.50 Fresnillo 700.50 -1.50 G4S 232.55 -0.25 GKN 298.50 2.20 GlaxoSmithKline 1,336.25 17.25 Glencore 87.66 0.37 Hammerson 617.75 15.75 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,484.00 4.00 Hikma Pharmaceuticals 2,195.00 38.00 HSBC Holdings 523.80 0.50 Imperial Tobacco Group 3,580.50 29.50 Inmarsat 1,131.00 22.00 InterContinental Hotels Grp 2,609.00 41.00 International Consolidated Air 588.75 4.75 Intertek Group 2,877.00 24.00 Intu Properties 316.15 5.15 ITV 273.75 5.85

% CHG. NET VOL 1.53 4,680.46 1.28 4,028.68 1.73 4,515.97 -0.25 5,271.60 -0.67 4,847.46 0.13 15,708.84 1.85 5,295.18 2.77 27,589.85 1.76 56,130.96 0.84 20,532.17 0.29 5,253.73 0.93 16,088.94 -0.02 38,511.71 0.04 6,107.10 -0.11 4,922.39 -1.78 35,005.69 -0.76 16,636.79 -2.15 65,770.57 1.63 70,484.81 0.83 8,308.35 1.35 39,966.27 1.23 6,389.92 1.12 5,346.90 1.17 8,234.78 2.06 7,455.13 -0.69 10,516.16 0.97 5,637.16 1.21 19,277.66 0.61 16,056.42 1.26 47,549.04 0.45 6,142.50 0.47 5,522.41 1.91 6,653.24 1.37 11,930.31 -0.21 5,172.99 -0.11 3,612.11 0.74 4,883.19 1.31 64,185.28 0.42 12,732.29 2.62 4,721.55 0.27 7,019.92 1.76 4,289.84 0.10 102,112.65 0.83 33,986.30 1.98 4,985.78 1.60 6,063.49 0.81 11,909.71 0.84 4,603.65 1.66 4,114.90 2.18 10,784.07

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Johnson Matthey 2,727.00 21.00 Kingfisher 347.70 -5.70 Land Securities Group 1,228.50 22.50 Legal & General Group 270.25 2.95 Lloyds Banking Group ORD 73.01 -0.01 London Stock Exchange Grp 2,661.50 46.50 Marks & Spencer Group 501.75 4.45 Meggitt 378.50 1.50 Merlin Entertainments 435.00 6.30 Mondi 1,500.50 10.50 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 146.65 -0.95 National Grid 911.40 10.30 Next 7,897.50 -42.50 Old Mutual 201.70 2.50 Pearson 778.75 -3.25 Persimmon 1,973.50 29.50 Prudential 1,530.50 25.00 Randgold Resources 4,269.50 -19.50 Reckitt Benckiser Group 6,344.50 138.50 Reed Elsevier 1,202.50 19.50 Rio Tinto 2,081.50 0.50 Rolls-Royce Group 614.25 19.75 Royal Bank of Scotland Group 303.15 -0.65 Royal Dutch Shell 1,548.00 -37.50 Royal Dutch Shell 1,556.50 -43.00 Royal Mail 467.30 1.30 RSA Insurance Group 444.35 7.65 SABMiller 4,039.50 4.50 Sage Group (The) 621.75 10.25 Sainsbury (J) 244.35 -0.65 Schroders 2,936.00 52.00 Severn Trent 2,187.00 -3.00 Shire 4,545.50 41.50 Sky 1,115.50 1.50 Smith & Nephew 1,123.50 10.50 Smiths Group 1,004.00 -1.00 Sports Direct International 696.00 -1.50 SSE 1,452.50 10.50 St James's Place 1,006.00 16.50 Standard Chartered 521.90 -2.90 Standard Life 404.00 5.40 Taylor Wimpey 199.55 0.65 Tesco 161.80 -0.80 Travis Perkins 2,029.50 5.50 TUI AG 1,158.00 21.00 Unilever 2,851.50 58.50 United Utilities Group 950.25 0.25 Vodafone Group 218.68 3.13 Whitbread 4,584.00 11.00 Wolseley 3,936.50 55.50 WPP Group 1,524.50 21.50

% CHG. 0.78 -1.61 1.87 1.10 -0.01 1.78 0.89 0.40 1.47 0.70 -0.64 1.14 -0.54 1.26 -0.42 1.52 1.66 -0.45 2.23 1.65 0.02 3.32 -0.21 -2.37 -2.69 0.28 1.75 0.11 1.68 -0.27 1.80 -0.14 0.92 0.13 0.94 -0.10 -0.22 0.73 1.67 -0.55 1.35 0.33 -0.49 0.27 1.85 2.09 0.03 1.45 0.24 1.43 1.43

NET VOL 5,545.07 8,238.78 9,533.95 15,884.55 52,109.96 9,081.39 8,196.81 2,969.28 4,345.93 7,234.75 3,446.59 33,712.09 12,138.16 9,812.90 6,414.65 5,959.18 38,706.19 3,994.34 44,326.77 13,293.81 29,274.00 10,930.44 19,552.74 61,748.64 39,034.37 4,660.00 4,440.18 65,220.97 6,588.29 4,706.26 6,518.49 5,209.12 26,648.00 19,149.85 9,954.58 3,967.51 4,174.29 14,320.01 5,171.12 13,361.18 7,849.18 6,471.14 13,229.95 5,036.36 6,669.68 35,847.02 6,477.94 57,148.13 8,310.93 10,092.81 19,617.67

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US dollar ..................................................................1.08220 Japan yen..................................................................133.521 Switzerland franc ................................................1.08289 Denmark kroner ..................................................7.46052 Norway kroner .....................................................9.34978

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DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 7

COMPANY MMM 3M AXP American Express AAPL Apple BA Boeing CAT Caterpillar CVX Chevron CSCO Cisco KO Coca-Cola DIS Disney DD E I du Pont de Nemours and Co XOM Exxon Mobil GE General Electric GS Goldman Sachs HD Home Depot IBM IBM INTC Intel JNJ Johnson & Johnson JPM JPMorgan Chase MCD McDonald's MRK Merck MSFT Microsoft NKE Nike PFE Pfizer PG Procter & Gamble TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies UNH UnitedHealth VZ Verizon V Visa WMT Wal-Mart

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 158.22 +3.84 +2.49% 2.2M 71.10 +0.68 +0.97% 5.0M 119.03 +3.83 +3.32% 57.8M 148.50 +2.94 +2.02% 3.9M 69.98 +0.34 +0.49% 5.3M 89.71 +0.86 +0.97% 13.2M 27.48 +0.53 +1.97% 28.1M 43.29 +0.83 +1.95% 16.5M 114.24 +2.35 +2.10% 8.8M 67.75 +1.52 +2.30% 6.3M 78.86 +0.45 +0.57% 20.2M 30.49 +0.46 +1.53% 58.2M 189.99 +4.79 +2.59% 3.5M 134.53 +3.60 +2.75% 5.4M 140.43 +1.51 +1.09% 4.6M 34.94 +0.90 +2.63% 24.9M 102.95 +2.16 +2.14% 7.8M 67.89 +2.09 +3.18% 17.8M 116.20 +2.81 +2.48% 7.8M 53.64 +1.05 +2.00% 13.7M 55.91 +1.71 +3.15% 44.0M 132.01 +3.21 +2.49% 3.7M 32.80 +0.41 +1.27% 31.6M 77.83 +2.09 +2.76% 12.0M 114.06 +2.77 +2.49% 2.2M 95.73 +1.03 +1.09% 9.2M 117.74 +2.74 +2.38% 3.6M 45.71 +1.15 +2.58% 14.2M 80.40 +2.11 +2.70% 9.9M 59.66 +0.62 +1.05% 10.4M

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 7

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced Relypsa, Inc. Pixelworks, Inc. Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. Presbia PLC Affimed N.V. 3X Long Silver ETN Velocityshares Daily Inverse VIX ST ETN Velocityshares CytomX Therapeutics, Inc. Proshares UltraPro Nasdaq Biotechnology AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Sinovac Biotech, Ltd.

$ 29.14 $ 2.92 $ 184.08 $ 6.47 $ 7.31 $ 11.66 $ 30.34 $ 23.66 $ 55.03 $ 29.17 $ 6.18

6.82 ▲ 30.56% 0.37 ▲ 14.51% 20.89 ▲ 12.80% 0.67 ▲ 11.55% 0.67 ▲ 10.09% 1.03 ▲ 9.69% 2.67 ▲ 9.65% 1.99 ▲ 9.18% 4.47 ▲ 8.84% 2.27 ▲ 8.44% 0.48 ▲ 8.42%

$ 8.05 $ 8.66 $ 4.46 $ 5.5384 $ 3.03 $ 12.25 $ 6.858 $ 11.82 $ 12.15 $ 45.67 $ 6.53

1.7424 ▼ 17.79% 1.87 ▼ 17.76% 0.92 ▼ 17.10% 1.1316 ▼ 16.97% 0.5201 ▼ 14.65% 2 ▼ 14.04% 1.002 ▼ 12.75% 1.65 ▼ 12.25% 1.55 ▼ 11.31% 5.45 ▼ 10.66% 0.77 ▼ 10.55%

Most Declined FuelCell Energy, Inc. InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp.

Vanguard Natural Resources LLC Daily 2X VIX ST ETN Velocityshares Hercules Offshore, Inc. Vanguard Natural Resources LLC Breitburn Energy Partners LP Vanguard Natural Resources LLC Vanguard Natural Resources LLC GLOBAL BLOOD THERAPEUTICS, INC. ReWalk Robotics Ltd

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E W N 10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

Printing banknotes not making profit

PAPER BANKNOTES: Production will be cut due to falling demand.

NOVEMBER: Unemployment figures show a drop of 27,071.

Spanish unemployment figures drop in November

By Marcus Hopkins UNEMPLOYMENT in Spain has fallen in November, reversing a three-month trend.

With the general election just three weeks away, the timing couldn’t be better for Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his People’s Party.

Figures from Spain’s Labour Ministry show a drop of 27,071 in November, reducing the number of unemployed to 4.15 million.

Although unemployment has been reduced by 362,818 people in the last year, Spain’s 21.1 percent unemployment rate is still the second highest in the EU. Quarterly unemployment surveys, preferred as being more accurate by economists, suggest the unemployment rate for the third quarter to be 5 million.

In March 2013, the number of jobless reached 6 million. Mariano Rajoy is hoping that Spain’s gradual economic recovery over the last couple of years will sway chances of election victory when the country goes to the polls on December 20.

tile takeover from France and has issued a number of profit warnings.

It has also announced that some work from the company’s printing plant in Gateshead is to be transferred to Malta, but the Tyneside operation will become one of three global ‘centres of excellence’ for printing currency, so there will be no job losses there.

Although 300 jobs will be lost in Malta, where banknote printing will end.

The other two centres will be in Kenya and Sri Lanka, which are major purchasers of bank notes from the company.

Following the announcement, the value of the companies increased by around 4 per cent.

Facebook founder to gift his shares to charity

By John Smith IN an open letter which was posted on his Facebook page on December 2 to his new daughter Max, whose birth has just been announced, Mark Zuckerberg explained that he and his wife Priscilla Chan intended to give away 99 per cent of their shares in the company he founded.

The shares currently valued at around $45 billion (€42.5 billion) will be given to the charity Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to make the world a better place for Max to grow up in, according to the letter. The shares will not be donated in one tranche but will be passed over during their lifetime.

In his letter Mr Zuckerberg said the aim of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is ‘to advance human potential and promote equality for all children in the next generation’.

“Its initial areas of focus will be personalised learning, curing disease, connecting people and building strong communities.”

In a statement to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Facebook said that Mr Zuckerberg ‘plans to sell or gift no more than $1bn of Facebook stock each year for the next three years and that he intends to retain his majority voting position...for the foreseeable future.’

He said more details about the donation will be released once he and Ms

Photo Credit President of Mexico

Photo credit Hdepot, Wikimedia

THE world’s biggest banknote printer, De La Rue, will cut production as demand for paper banknotes falls.

The company, which prints some 150 national currencies as well as UK passports, said it would reduce its production lines to four from eight and cut its print capacity from eight billion to six billion banknotes annually, even though it produces British notes through its Debden facility and has recently won a 10-year contract to print polymer £5 and £10 notes for the Bank of England.

De La Rue has struggled in the face of greater competition as well as having to fight off a hos-

Photo Credit Suranga SL Shutterstock

By John Smith

INITIATIVE: Zuckerberg plans to give away 99 per cent of shares.

Chan return from paternity and maternity leave, but this does appear to be a move away from previous charitable work

through Facebook, which cynics have suggested were as much for business reasons as for altruism.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

EWN

27

By John Smith BANKS and credit card companies, who have in the past offered attractive schemes to encourage their customers to use their cards regularly, may soon start to rethink their policies as the Payment Systems Regulator set out how the new cap on fees plastic card companies can charge retailers will be policed.

The cap was introduced on Wednesday December 9, and while it may not see an increase in charges for consumers yet, many plastic card companies are considering or have already cut back on cashback or reward schemes.

Tesco greatly reduced its reward scheme for Clubcard credit card users from December 1 whilst even earlier, RBS dropped its Your Points scheme in July, upsetting up to a million customers, and Capital One reduced cashback on its card in June.

The regulator insists that the new

Photo Credit Andresr Shutterstock

New reduced card fees for retailers may hurt club cards

CUTBACKS: Many plastic card companies are considering cutting back on cashback or reward schemes.

fee regulation should appeal to new credit card providers as it could encourage them to enter the market, although this seems to be a strange argument if the revenue to be generated is to drop significantly.

Up until now, retailers have been charged a fee by card issuers when a debit or credit card is used as payment and the fee could be as high as 2.5 per cent for some transactions.

Now the fee will be capped at 0.3 per cent for credit card transactions and 0.2 per cent for debit card transactions.

According to the European Commission, charges were costing retailers across the euro zone up to â‚Ź9 billion a year, although it has been observed that most retailers were prepared to either pay the fee or increase their prices accordingly.

One thing can be fairly certain and that is if the card suppliers start to lose money, they will look to the card holder to help replace the loss.

OPINION & COMMENT

10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

Only way is to fight for our ideals GIVE our fighting men and women all the support they need to finish the job LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT MAKE you laugh don’t they? Or perhaps crying would be a more appropriate reaction. I’m talking about the politicians who this week voted against bombing Daesh targets in Syria; or more specifically, the main excuse they used to justify themselves.

‘Ah’ they simpered; ‘If we do this we would give them an excuse to bring more acts of terror onto our streets.’ Just how many ‘acts of terror’ do they need before they get some bottle and realise we are in a war?

We’ve had a soldier almost beheaded in the street, buses and trains blown up, an unprecedented rise in the number of Islamic terror plots uncovered, and this week a knife attack on innocent victims by an Islamist lunatic in a tube station.

What will it take to wake these pacifist pillocks up in the real world? A dirty

POLITICIANS VOTED: Against bombing Daesh targets in Syria. bomb in the middle of Trafalgar Square?

Don’t believe that’s beyond the realms of possibility either! If we continue to turn the other cheek, we’ll have ‘em both sliced off.

Please don’t get my attitude wrong. I too believe that peace and love among all human beings is the final harmony that will bring us all together as one. But vast numbers of others don’t! Millions would

like to see all the non-believers of their violent and suppressive religious views, wiped off the face of the Earth.

The only way for us to live in a peaceful democracy is to put all our ideals on hold and fight for it. The words of an elite ‘Gunny’ sergeant, who was guarding the American Embassy when I lived in Jeddah comes to mind. I had many long discussions with this remarkable man, who believed fervently in peace and the love of our fellow men.

He also firmly believed that some of us are put on this world to fight and preserve it. And that, he said, was the job of him and his fellow servicemen.

Give our fighting men and women all the support and weaponry they need to finish the job. Hopefully at least our children will then be able to enjoy a future filled with the peace and love we all so passionately desire.

Keep the Faith Love Leapy Leapylee2002@gmail.com

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E W N 10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

LETTERS

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OPINION & COMMENT

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION

Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments straight on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com

Keep on telling it as it is and perhaps the penny will drop DEAR Leapy Lee, In response to both your latest articles, I’m in full agreement. Yes, you would think everyone has got-it by now but if you dare talk as you do, there are still many who will scream Islamophobic, racist and the like. We didn’t wake up to reality after 9/11 or the subsequent attacks in London, Madrid plus so many more - in fact hardly a day goes by, when there isn’t a report of a Muslim atrocity somewhere in the world.

Deal with the problem at source is a popular political comment and I agree - just close down the Mosques and deport the preachers of hatred, because contrary to the established view, terrorism has everything to do with Islam.

Keep on telling it as it is Leapy and perhaps eventually, the penny will drop.

Terry O via Website

Not so caring RE: Local hospitals in top 20 for patient care I cannot speak for all hospitals but knowing the top hospital in Torrevieja I wonder how is the patient care in the last 20. I had my wrist broken, but not dislocated. So I got a so-called ‘cast.’ This cast consisted of several layers of plaster on the upper part of my wrist and arm. The rest consisted of bandage. As every orthopaedic nurse knows this is no cast and cannot fix broken bones. I tried to mention this to no avail.

I got the next appointment with a specialist after five days. Inevitably in these five days a dislocation developed. I told the specialist, but he made a cast over the dislocation anyway. He sent me away for three weeks.

After one week my wrist suddenly hurt like hell. I went to the hospital.

They did X-rays and, what a surprise, the wrist was dislocated. They gave me an appointment for the operation, all proceedings went quick and well. I had a drip and was transferred to my room.

My room was excellent, no qualms here. The nurses were nice

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

Highway Code Just read this week’s copy of Euro Weekly News (issue 1587). In particular Gemma Quinn’s article on page 25, titled The Rules of the Road.

How ironic, I had gone into various book shops in Torrevieja to see if there was a Spanish highway code but written in English!

To which it seems there is not despite an apparent large call one available.

So, do you know, is this booklet a Spanish version of a highway code?

If it is, or as near as damn it, I would recommend the local British in this area to purchase, download and read it!

And make money for the children’s cause.

I welcome your thoughts.

John Bryant.

and friendly. I waited with the drip.

Thursday evening came and went, Friday evening came and went. Saturday morning i told the nurses in the department, I would wait until midday.

If no operation I would the take the drip out and leave the hospital.

And so it went. I left the hospital with a displaced joint. There are some lessons to be learned. They cannot make a proper cast in the emergency department, there is no proper organisation in scheduling the operations…

You cannot leave a patient for so long on a drip if you do not know when the patient is due, you can make the venous access some minutes before the operation.

In Spain I have never seen a nurse

or doctor wash her/his hands. The same is true for the health centres. On the other hand the specialists are usually first class.

Arnold Dietz

Would France show solidarity?

I HAVEN’T always agreed with Leapy or his view on other subjects, but I most definitely agree with his comment on ‘solidarity from France.’ No I do not think they would be so quick to assist us if the

how long it took the ambulance to arrive. I had the same thing happen to me. My friend was out here on holiday and we had been out for the evening. She went into the bedroom to change her shoes and had a heart attack.

We called the ambulance straight away and one of the neighbours gave her mouth to mouth and CPR but couldn’t keep it up for the 45 minutes it took for the ambulance to get to the flat.

By the time the ambulance eventually got to her she was dead.

Then the ambulance men tried to revive her, but after she was dead that long it was all done in vain.

All my neighbours were really worried because it could have been any one of us. You don’t expect to wait 45 minutes when it is an emergency. It just isn’t good enough.

Irene Shepherd

The better person

boot was on the other foot. Think about the comments with the Calais situation when France had an influx of immigrants, “if the illegal immigrants want to go to the UK, who are we to stop them. If that’s where they want to go why should we stop them?” !!!

LD, Los Alcazares

It’s not good enough DEAR Sir, I read in the paper the other day about the man who died at the sports centre on Orihuela Costa and

WELL I feel England as always has been the better person... Again a syndrome we seem destined to promote... But it is genuine and these atrocities I feel are not over.

Yes Belgium has finally awoken from something akin to complacency, yes England should do the same. Whether this will happen remains to be seen!!!!!! I do feel closed gates and bolting horses springs to mind!!!

Well in all this disaster I do feel for Muslims who are against this extremist behaviour, murder in my book... But they need to be seen condemning this extremism... And I feel they are not...

Yours sincerely Carolyn

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

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.

C

HRISTMAS

10 - 16 December 2015

Mallorca

EWN

31

S P E C I A L

Winter wonderland IF the Christmas spirit has really got you and that image of Dickensian children ice-skating under gaslight while singing carols is what you yearn for, you can catch a little of this magic by going ice skating; the ice rink has returned! You can find it on Parc de Ses Estacions (just north of Placa Espana). It’s open from 10am to 10pm and will cost €5 for 25 minutes of skating (skate hire included).

CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS: A sight to behold in towns across the island.

The magic of Christmas shines through in Mallorca THE old town of Palma is renowned as the focal point of yuletide celebrations

By Steve Walsh THE old town of Palma comes alive with festive spirit at this time of year and is renowned as the focal point of yuletide celebrations.

The sound of jingle bells fills the old town as people marvel at the magnificent Christmas decorations on the Paseo Maritimo, which are truly a sight to behold. But it’s not only the old

town that pushes the boat out.

Venture out of Palma and you will discover that every town on Mallorca is festooned with Christmas cheer.

Christmas offers all different

kinds of events, experiences and shopping opportunities to enjoy.

Especially as many shops stay open on Sundays during December, which is ideal for making the most of the weekends.

32

E W N 10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

SOME of the most vibrant and popular activities in town at Christmas are the street markets. A visit to the Christmas markets in Puerto Portals and Plaça Major will be a treat for children and adults alike.

Puerto Portals opens on December 11 and runs until January 6. Hours are

www.euroweeklynews.com

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Something for everyone at the market midday until 9pm Monday to Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays until 10pm.

The seasonal market will be full of festive cheer, with 40 Christmas stalls.

As well as giving you plenty of original gift ideas, you will be able to sample and enjoy international food including: Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese and ecological gastronomy.

Santa can be visited on December 234 at 4 pm, and the Three Kings on January 5 at 6 pm. There will also be a children’s party on January 5, at 4pm.

On December 26, the music group

The Smooth Voices will be headlining the evening on the Boulevard.

Plaça Major will be open daily from 10am until 9pm.

This year, Plaça Major market will be filled with a variety of stalls selling every kind of Christmas decoration and gift.

Traditional festive celebrations SEASON runs until Three Kings Day on January 6

By Steve Walsh TAKING a traditional look at Christmas in the Balearics, we see that the season officially begins on December 8, when people take part in the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and pretty much continues straight through until January 7, when a lot of tired-eyed children go back to school after their fun-packed Three Kings Day.

The renowned celebration of the kings throughout the Hispanic world has a special importance in Spain. In fact, the worship of the Three Kings is taken so seriously on the Iberian Peninsula and in the Balearics that the three Orientals are not placed into the many nativity scenes (belens) until the actual day of their historical arrival, January 6.

However, that doesn’t mean that Father Christmas takes a

back seat at all. Due to many years of outside influence, the inevitable lore of Papa Noel has taken its place in the hearts and minds of children, and is now firmly established in Spain. Even to the point that, since most children go back to school the day after Three Kings, a lot of families choose to split present-giving between December 25 and January 6, giving them more time to play with their presents.

34

E W N 10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

GET IN THE SPIRIT: Enjoy the season in style.

Festive eating-out VENUES galore for a great Christmas and New Year’s Eve

By Steve Walsh AFTER the hustle and bustle of a busy summer, Christmas in Mallorca is a time to relax, recharge, and celebrate. Whether you wish to take it easy and use the holiday season to wind down in peace, or get caught up in the spirit of the festivities and party hard, there is bound to be a perfect scene for you somewhere on Mallorca with some spectacular things to see and do.

The holidays in Mallorca are not only about spending time with family and friends and enjoying the traditional spiritual meaning of the season, but

are also a time for celebrating the year and seeing it out in style with a party season packed with fun and pleasure. Merry Christmas!

Dining out ideas over Christmas While it’s true that a lot of restaurateurs choose to close their doors for winter, there are many that do remain open, often creating menus with a special Christmas flavour.

Have a look through our Social Scene pages to find the best places to join family and friends for a beautiful Christmas meal in a great atmosphere on Mallorca this December.

Eat, drink and be merry!

FEATURE

10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

37

The times they are a-changin’...

But where’s it all going to end?

THESE days in Britain there are far too many politically-correct, but ineffectual appointees by domdeen shutterstock

Nora Johnson

Breaking Views Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson

RECENTLY I wrote about the state of Britain which seems to have struck a chord amongst many of you judging by the comments on this paper’s Letters page and also my website.

Some authorities - and the individuals employed by them - seem hopelessly confused, utterly lost. And hugely detached from the mindsets of the taxpayers who pay their salaries.

Things seem to have taken a major turn for the worse over the past few years.

First off, take the way the allegations of historic sexual abuse have been handled by UK police. Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini has accused

STATE OF BRITAIN: Some authorities seem hopelessly confused. the Metropolitan Police of relying on “rumour and accusation” rather than evidence during its investigations into his past. Having spent a year on bail after being falsely accused of sex

abuse in the 1970s, he said the centuries-old British legal principles of objective, evidence-based investigations had “mutated” under post-Savile ‘Operation Yewtree.’

Despite successful prosecutions (including Gary Glitter, Rolf Harris and Max Clifford), it’s also had its failures (Freddie Starr and Jim Davidson, both publicly arrested but never charged).

Yet according to a major study, 450,000 children suffered sexual abuse in the two years to March 2014, the police and the authorities reportedly aware of only a fraction of the cases, having investigated just 50,000 incidents. Wouldn’t police time and money be better spent on these more recent crimes?

Secondly, take the example of a former deputy children’s commissioner who failed to warn the Charity Commission or the government (which was giving the charity millions of pounds annually) about Kids Company because she was intimidated by the celebrity friends of the charity’s ‘charismatic’ founder. Sue Berelowitz (severance pay: £134,000; rehired, ini-

tially, on £1,000/day) admitted she became concerned that money was being wasted and few children were using the services.

So, the overseer was too timid to oversee and the auditors appointed overlooked key problems! What a terrible admission from someone in a (well-remunerated) position of authority to allow herself to be ‘intimidated.’

These days there are far too many of these politically-correct, but ineffectual, appointees.

What a sad indictment - the times are indeed a-changing in the UK at least. As I wrote last time, where’s it all going to end?

Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.89;£0.79) and iBookstore.

All profits to Cudeca charity.

38

E W N 10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

TV LISTING

THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER

FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER

SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER

SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER

MONDAY 14 DECEMBER

TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER

5:25pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:35pm 12:35am

Flog It! Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders BBC Music Awards BBC News at Ten BBC London News Question Time This Week

8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm

The One Show A Question of Sport EastEnders Citizen Khan Have I Got News for You Peter Kay's Car Share BBC News at Ten BBC London News The Graham Norton Show

10:30pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:35pm 9:30pm 10:20pm 10:30pm 11:00pm 11:20pm 12:40am 1:40am 1:45am

7:10pm 7:20pm 8:20pm Dancing 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:20pm 11:30pm 12:40am 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:35pm 11:45pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:35pm 12:35am

WEDNESDAY 16 DECEMBER

5:25pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:35pm 12:35am

Casualty The National Lottery Live Mrs. Brown's Boys BBC News Match of the Day The Apprentice Weather for the Week Ahead BBC News

BBC London News Countryfile Strictly Come Antiques Roadshow The Hunt BBC News BBC London News Match of the Day 2 Citizen Khan BBC London News The One Show Fake Britain EastEnders The Taliban Hunters Crimewatch BBC News at Ten BBC London News Crimewatch Have I Got a Bit More News for You BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Holby City Luther BBC News at Ten BBC London News Sports Personality The Final 12 Live at the Apollo Flog It! Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show Cuffs The Apprentice BBC News at Ten BBC London News The Apprentice: Why I Fired Them Film 2015

8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am 1:15am 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am 6:15pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 10:45pm 11:45pm 1:50am 6:20pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm

11:00pm 12:00am

7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am 7:30pm 8:00pm

9:00pm 10:00pm

11:00pm

Celebrity Antiques Road Trip MasterChef: The Professionals The Last Kingdom Russell Howard's Good News Newsnight The Secrets of the Mona Lisa Fifa, Sepp Blatter and Me Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Mastermind An Island Parish: Falklands Alex Polizzi: Hire Our Heroes QI Newsnight Artsnight Football: Euro 2016 Draw The Great Pottery Throw Down Japan: Earth's Enchanted Island Dad's Army QI XL Top of the Pops 2 The Prestige The Winslow Boy Nativity!

Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Horizon Monty Don's Secret History of the British Garden Professor Green: Suicide and Me Seven Years in Tibet Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Mary Berry's Absolute Christmas Favourites Only Connect Simply Nigella Back in Time for Christmas Live at the Apollo Newsnight Horizon Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Stargazing Live: Brit in Space MasterChef: The Professionals Back in Time for Christmas Mock the Week Newsnight Race to Super Bowl 50 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Journey Down the Yukon - A Soldier's Challenge MasterChef: The Professionals Love You to Death: A Year of Domestic Violence The Apprentice: You're Fired!

8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:40pm 12:10am 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:40pm 1:45am 5:30pm 6:35pm 6:45pm 7:45pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 11:05pm 12:10am 4:00pm 6:00pm 7:35pm 7:45pm Weather 8:00pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:40pm

1:30am 8:00pm 8:30pm

9:00pm 11:00pm 11:40pm 12:45am 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 11:40pm

Emmerdale Tonight Emmerdale Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs Britain's Oldest Crooks ITV News at Ten and Weather The Late Debate UEFA Europa League Highlights

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:55pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am 1:10am 2:05am

Emmerdale Coronation Street Gino's Italian Escape: Islands in the Sun Coronation Street Piers Morgan's Life Stories ITV News at Ten and Weather 300 Jackpot247

5:00pm 6:00pm

Doc Martin ITV News London Catchphrase ITV News and Weather The Chase: Celebrity Special The X Factor The Jonathan Ross Show ITV News and Weather

6:00pm 6:35pm 7:05pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

The X Factor The Scorpion King ITV News London ITV News and Jekyll and Hyde The X Factor Results Show The World According to Kenny Everett ITV News and Weather

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

9:00pm 10:00pm 12:15am 1:20am

2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 6:20pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

The Martin Lewis Money Show Coronation Street Las Vegas with Trevor Mcdonald ITV News at Ten and Weather The Nation's Favourite Beatles Number One Jackpot247

6:00pm

Emmerdale Countrywise Series celebrating rural Britain.

Midsomer Murders ITV News at Ten and Weather The Jonathan Ross Show Freeze Out

7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

1000 Heartbeats Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street You Saw Them Here First ITV News at Ten and Weather Being Kevin Pietersen

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am 1:00am

5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:05am

The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Political Slot The Secret Life of 6 Year Olds 18 Kids and Counting First Dates Gogglebox 24 Hours in A and E Liberty of London Posh Pawnbrokers Couples Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News TFI Friday Gogglebox Alan Carr: Chatty Man First Dates Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Channel 4 News The World's Weirdest Weather Grand Designs Red 2 TFI Friday Adam Hills: Happyism Live The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons The Simpsons Marley and Me Aladdin Channel 4 News Britain's Wildest Weather 2015 Homeland Gogglebox Mama

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:55pm 7:35pm 7:40pm 8:05pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:25pm 12:25am

1:00pm 1:35pm 3:20pm 5:05pm 7:00pm 8:35pm 10:55pm 11:00pm 1:25am

Couples Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Dispatches Supershoppers Do Christmas Our Guy in Latvia Fargo 24 Hours in A and E

6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm

Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The World's Most Expensive Christmas That's So Last Century Tattoo Fixers Pokerstars.Com Shark Cage

8:00pm

Posh Pawnbrokers Couples Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Supervet 24 Hours in A and E Peep Show Toast of London 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

11:00pm 1:50am

9:00pm

10:00pm 11:00pm 11:55pm 12:50am

4:45pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:55am

Neighbours 5 News Tonight Kids' Hospital at Christmas Alex Polizzi's Italian Islands Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild UK Lonely at Christmas Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

Neighbours 5 News Tonight World's Ultimate Strongest Team 2015 Ice Road Truckers The Definitive History of Star Wars How Star Wars Changed the World Greatest Sci-Fi Movies 5 News Weekend Fail Army Police Interceptors Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

Football League Tonight The Definitive History of Star Wars How Star Wars Changed the World Fail Army The Christmas Shepherd Meet the Santas Mrs Miracle 2: Miracle in Manhattan A Country Christmas Story Scrooge 5 News Weekend The Blind Side True Crimes: The First 72 Hours 5 News at 5 Neighbours 5 News Tonight Police Interceptors Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole The Best of Bad TV: The 70s Super Casino

6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 12:30am 1:00am 1:30am 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:30am 12:45am 4:45pm 5:15pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 12:30am 3:30am

11:30am 1:30pm 4:30pm 7:30pm 8:25pm

10:30pm 11:00pm 12:30am 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 12:00am 12:30am 1:00am 2:00am

Britain's Craziest Christmas Lights The Dog Rescuers at Christmas with Alan Davies Meet the Psychopaths CSI: Cyber CSI: Cyber Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole

6:30pm 7:00pm

A Star for Christmas 5 News at 5 Neighbours 5 News Tonight My Crazy Christmas Obsession GPs: Behind Closed Doors Can't Pay? Benefits Special Suspects Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

5:30pm 6:00pm

7:30pm 8:30pm 11:00pm 11:15pm 12:15am 12:45am

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 11:00pm 11:15pm 12:15am

Barclays Premier League World Premier League 100 Club Premier League Boxing Mosconi Cup Pool Boxing Barclays Premier League World Fantasy Football Club Highlights La Liga Show 2015 The Fantasy Football Club Boxing Football Boxing The Fantasy Football Club Football Gold Barclays Premier League Review Boxing Boxing Boxing Ford Saturday Night Football SNF: Game of the Day SNF: Match Choice SNF: Match Choice Sky Sports Boxing Gold Goals on Sunday Ford Super Sunday Ford Super Sunday Football League Goals Football Villareal meet Real Madrid in La Liga.

Football's Greatest II Ford Football Special Cricket Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits Football League Goals Ford Monday Night Football Premier League SPFL Round Up Football League Goals NFL: Giants @ Miami SPFL Round Up Fantasy Football Club Highlights Barclays Premier League Review Football Football Gold Barclays Premier League Review La Liga World 2015 Football Gold Premier League Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits Premier League 100 Club Premier League Football Gold Football One2eleven Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits One2eleven

40

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Word Ladder

MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

THIN BACK

EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREA

Mallorca

for next 7 days

TODAY

Move from the start word (WORE) to the end word (THIN) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder.

You must only change one letter at a time.

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

WORE WORN CORN COIN CHIN THIN

WORE

TIME

www.euroweeklynews.com

E W N 10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

TOMORROW

‘ I’M PERFECTLY SAFE, MOTHER - I’VE GOT THIS BIG GERMAN SHEPHERD!’

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Who is trying to push you into a corner? Maybe it is being done so

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) A rather slow start to the week leads you to feel bored but be assured that the weekend will be far from dull. A recent conversation or correspondence with an old friend leads to unexpected contact.

Nonagram

TARGET: Average: 10 Good: 13 Very good: 19 Excellent: 23

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

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION aced aged chad cued dace dang dean duce dune dung egad gaud hand head hued nude ached cadge caged caned dance dunce nudge augend canned duenna gunned hanged unaged unhand changed dunnage handgun nuanced UNCHANGED

TODAY: Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

18 11 C 17 9 C 18 8 S

Mon - 18 9 S Tues - 19 10 C Wed - 19 10 S MAX 19C, MIN 12C Mon - 19 10 S Tues - 20 11 S Wed - 21 11 C

16 8 S 17 8 S 16 8 C

18 11 C 17 11 C 17 11 S

S Sun,

Cl Clear,

Sh Showers,

8-Star Quiz

IRISH LOTTO

EURO MILLIONS

LA PRIMITIVA

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

Saturday December 5

Saturday December 5

Saturday December 5

Friday December 4

Saturday December 5

Sunday December 6

50

51

56

6 30

27 33

1

6

17

25

31

38

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

23

10

29

8

17 27

18 39

LUCKY STARS

1

7

2

11

13

14

28

46

REINTEGRO

21

5

CLOUDY MAX 18C, MIN 8C MAX MIN

18 7 S 18 6 C 18 8 S

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

7

31 34

33 48

REINTEGRO

6

SHOWERS MAX 18C, MIN 12C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 18 11 S Tues - 18 12 S Wed - 19 12 S

UK THUNDERBALL

5

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

15

MAX MIN

Mon - 17 11 C Tues - 18 10 S Wed - 20 12 C

Murcia

SHOWERS MAX 18C, MIN 12C

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.

11

CLOUDY MAX 19C, MIN 9C 19 9 S 18 9 C 18 9 C

MAX MIN

Mon - 16 9 C Tues - 16 9 C Wed - 16 9 C

Sudoku

10

Fri Sat Sun TODAY:

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 14 4 C Tues - 14 5 C Wed - 15 4 C

Mallorca

CLOUDY MAX 16C, MIN 9C

Benidorm TODAY:

MAX MIN

15 4 C 15 3 S 14 4 S

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

19 11 C 18 10 C 18 10 S

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Fri Sat Sun TODAY:

Barcelona TODAY:

MAX MIN

Malaga

SUNNY MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

CLOUDY MAX 14C, MIN 6C

TODAY:

Almeria TODAY:

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) A great feeling of joy comes over you more than once in the week ahead.

Your inner child has been set free, and this is likely to be because of recent restrictions, which are now lifted. Do not feel guilty about this because it is a choice that will serve you well in the future. Right now, things may seem like a bit of an effort for small reward.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Your attention is needed on more than one front, and some decisions are at odds with your personal thoughts and attitudes. Being reminded that 'business is business' does nothing to relieve your conscience. You may

Madrid

SHOWERS MAX 17C, MIN 11C MAX MIN

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) A disagreement with a friend upsets you but is short-lived. To avoid such a situation in the future, look at how you should have dealt with it. There is always something to know that guides us to a better position. It will make you smile someone has taken you for a fool as you have the last laugh.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) After the 2nd it is much easier to see the path ahead. This is particularly true of a financial situation, so there's no sense in fussing until you understand what needs to be done.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Everything on the home front is emphasised and there will be a flurry of activity. Get others involved in any changes. Work in the garden or painting is much more enjoyable and half the work if you enlist the help of someone you get on well with.

Alicante

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Are you willing to take a risk on someone who has let you down before?

Looking into their recent past is likely to tip the balance. What you find shows clearly if there has been a change of heart on their part or if they are trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) When discussing a holiday with others, be aware that agreement is not always easily met. Although you are not inclined to compromise, it is necessary to go with the majority decision.

subtly that you have not even noticed. Who wants a decision from you? Appear to take pressure lightly and not give in to an irritation.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) It is difficult to avoid repeating mistakes made in the past. Your approach to certain situations has not changed and therein lies the problem. Someone who blames you for a mistake shows ignorance but that does not make it less upsetting.

Travel arrangements may have to be changed at the last minute. Do not fret, however, because success is more likely later in the month. During a dream, or when reading a book, an idea comes to you. Can this really make a difference to your future? You may need to act quickly to start a new project but progress will require patience.

LOTTERY

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) The need to plan ahead is frustrating when you know exactly what ought to be going on.

Patience is something that you need to cultivate, or you risk upsetting someone close. Spending time with a colleague makes you realise how good things could be, but a lot of effort is involved.

Pushing ahead does not guarantee results.

have to upset someone by telling the truth, which may affect your longerterm finances.

(November 23 - December 21)

Fri Sat Sun -

18 10 C 18 9 C 19 7 C

F Fog, Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

Mon - 20 8 S Tues - 21 9 C Wed - 22 9 S C Cloudy,

Th Thunder

NOTED PEOPLE Answers are all names of famous people who have appeared on Bank of England banknotes 1. Born in Norwich in 1780, which English Quaker prison reformer was a leading figure in the early 19th-century campaign for penal reform?

2. Following the 1666 Fire of London, which English architect was responsible for the design of the new St Paul’s Cathedral (1675–1711) and many of the city’s churches?

3. Miss Havisham, Sam Weller, Sarah Gamp and Uriah Heep were all famous fictional characters created by which 19th century English writer?

4. What was the name of the English engineer, who, with his son Robert, built the famous Rocket (1829), the prototype for all future steam locomotives?

5. What was the name of the English nurse and medical reformer who, in 1854 during the Crimean War, improved sanitation and medical procedures at the army hospital at Scutari, achieving a dramatic reduction in the mortality rate?

6. What was the name of the naturalist on HMS Beagle for her voyage around the southern hemisphere (1831–6), during which he collected the material that became the basis for his ideas on natural selection?

7. Which British soldier/statesman served as commander of the British forces in the Peninsular War (1808–14) and in 1815 defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo?

8. Which English composer is best known for the Enigma Variations (1899), the oratorio The Dream of Gerontius (1900) and for patriotic pieces such as the five Pomp and Circumstance marches (1901–30)?

Not a lot of people know that… a new 10 shilling note was planned that featured Sir Walter Raleigh, but, given the estimated lifespan of the note, it was decided to replace it with the 50p coin.

1. ELIZBETH FRY (£5 from 2002 to present), 2. SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN (£50 1981-1996), 3. CHARLES DICKENS (£10 1992-2003), 4. GEORGE STEPHENSON (£5 1990-2003), 5. FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE (£10 1975-1994), 6. CHARLES DARWIN (£10 2000-present), 7. DUKE OF WELLINGTON (£5 19711991), 8. SIR EDWARD ELGAR (£20 1999-2010).

YOUR STARS

SAGITTARIUS

AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE

Crossword

Enjoy filling in the following puzzles and check the answers in next week’s edition

Quick

Code Breaker

Across 1 Plans (7) 5 Stories (5) 8 Inspect (7) 9 Celestial bodies (5) 10 Sharply inclined (5) 11 Aversion (7) 12 Tried out (6) 14 Frayed (6) 17 Lay out (7) 19 Armoured vehicles (5) 22 Taunt (5) 23 Disperse (7) 24 Takes a break (5) 25 Gratify (7) Down 1 Put on clothes (5) 2 Reserve (5) 3 Brief look (7) 4 Stable (6) 5 Jobs (5) 6 Departing (7)

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OUT

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Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 7 represents F and 19 represents P, so fill in F every time the figure 7 appears and P every time the figure 19 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC Across: 1 Shaken, 4 Estate, 9 Cadre, 10 Swanage, 11 Butchery, 12 Gift, 14 Tokens, 16 Valets, 19 Acre, 20 Barracks, 23 Outcome, 24 Stale, 25 Tenner, 26 Reject.

Down: 1 Sackbut, 2 Audit, 3 Elephant, 5 Stay, 6 Avarice, 7 Elect, 8 Usurp, 13 Lacrosse, 15 Keratin, 17 Suspect, 18 Cameo, 19 About, 21 Cease, 22 Code.

QUICK Across:

7 Hang freely (7) 12 Farm vehicle (7) 13 Cries of distress (7) 15 Allure (7)

English - Spanish

16 Untidy states (6) 18 Requires (5) 20 Jottings (5) 21 Apologetic (5)

Down: 1 Seals, 2 Partner, 3 Ripe, 4 Scarce, 5 Lasts, 6 Escapes, 7 Several, 12 Repairs, 13 Suppose, 15 Seaside, 16 Temple, 17 Stood, 19 Edges, 21 Bait.

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

Across 1 Tiburones (zoológico) (6) 4 Weapon (4) 8 Enemigo (5) 9 Enjuagar (5) 10 Abeja (3) 11 Deal (agreement) (5) 12 Sacos (5) 15 As (naipes) (3) 16 To bring (news, luck etc) (5) 18 Enfermera (5) 19 Celery (4) 20 Mirror (6) Down 1 Sábana (de cama) (5) 2 Sand (5) 3 Teclado (8) 5 Rum (3) 6 Hacha (herramienta) (3) 7 Regalos (obsequios) (8) 13 Meat (5) 14 Floor (of room) (5) 16 Aunt (3) 17 There (near you) (3)

Hexagram

1 Suppress, 7 Stays, 8 Aeroplane, 9 Tea, 10 Song, 11 Access, 13 Sorted, 14 Passes, 17 Scared, 18 Have, 20 Pit, 22 Repeating, 23 Shoes, 24 Restless.

ENGLISH-SPANISH Across:

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

1 Casar, 3 Cabra, 5 Mil, 7 Alambre, 9 Rana, 10 Belt, 13 Rescate, 14 Son, 15 Sacro, 16 Twins.

Down: 1 Camareros, 2 Real, 3 Cual, 4 Aceitunas, 6 Lunes, 8 Beers, 11 Caro, 12 Rent.

Cryptic The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 sixletter 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 (FRIEND) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.

ADORES AROUND CRINGE DERAIL FEEBLE FRENZY FRIEND (10) GORGON HERALD LAMBDA

MORTAL PRISON REASON REDIAL SCREEN THIRST VERSUS VIOLIN WALRUS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Goblet 2 Coyote 3 Faulty 4 Hither 5 Gloomy 6 Aerate 7 Rhombi 8 Devour 9 Assert 10 Bovine 11 Redden 12 Auntie 13 Bodied 14 Shanty 15 Random 16 Rabbet 17 Suture 18 Bamboo 19 Member

Across 1 Church, if not then, a football team (7) 5 Look happy as a result of chewing limes (5) 8 Fake endless call (5) 9 Vendors, we hear are profiting from the sale of salt containers (7) 10 Drunk missed tea cup (9) 12 Governed artist’s quarter (3) 13 Mean attempt to follow friend (6) 14 Possibly faster than a machine gun attack (6) 17 Stick to this measurement (3) 18 Stop protecting Capone, it’s very common (9) 20 A number walk wearily around, it’s hard work (7) 21 Country lover was in some trouble (5) 23 Climb up a series of notes (5) 24 Streets are arranged for dogs (7) Down 1 Dealt with policeman and journalist (5) 2 End of June leave for oneself (3) 3 We stare around at jumper (7)

4 Fools, second rate (6) 5 Only about five find the answer (5) 6 Irene gets a bit giddy when drunk (9) 7 It’s free to enter five points for flavouring (7) 11 Sensational play made moral blunder (9)

13 Swashbucklers traipse around (7) 15 On the way in, start building (7) 16 States on about handouts (6) 18 Start pulling string for venue (5) 19 Crackpot, going back, is getting capital in Africa (5) 22 Indeed, it’s in middle of prayers (3)

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FEATURE

Mindfulness technique Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia

NEXT time your child is stressed out, try a mindfulness exercise with them as it can help reduce their agitation

By Marcus Hopkins MINDFULNESS is a technique derived from Buddhist meditation around 2,500 years ago. It is a very simple technique for reducing anxiety, worry and stress. It is also known to help build self-esteem.

Recent studies suggest that mindfulness meditation practice has a substantial positive effect on improving how a person feels. Mindfulness has been used in settings as diverse as schools, hospitals and military training centres.

A study at the University of Massachusetts in the USA found that 90 per cent of those involved experienced a significant reduction in anxiety.

Other research has shown that mindfulness has helped to reduce anxieties associated with cancer, eating disorders and business related stress.

Mindfulness can be very easy to do. It helps to reduce anxiety by taking your thoughts away from your problems and onto something you can really focus on in a very simple way. You are simply making yourself aware of the moment. It helps you to reconnect your body with your mind. It helps you to really connect with the present moment.

As an example, instead of gulping down your next coffee as usual, take time out to use the cof-

MINDFULNESS TECHNIQUE: It helps to reduce anxiety. fee as a mindfulness exercise.

Try to focus solely on the drink in front of you, preferably with nobody around. Pick up the cup.

Feel its weight. Smell the aroma. Be aware of how hot or how warm the cup is. Take a good

look at the colour of the coffee. What type of brown is it? How many bubbles are floating on the surface? Then take a sip, just a small sip, and keep that sip on your tongue for a while. Savour the taste. Is it bitter? Is it sweet? How hot is it?

How does it affect your taste buds? When you swallow, become aware of the feel as the coffee slips down your throat, down into your stomach.

Done correctly, you can make this exercise with the coffee last for quite a long while, even an entire lunch break if you don’t mind it going cold. Just a few minutes of this type of focus often helps reduce stress though.

Mindfulness can be such a simple way of reducing anxiety that it has been used by military personnel in some countries.

You can create mindfulness in virtually any situation. Pick up a pebble on a beach as another example. How heavy is it? How does it feel in your hand? Is it smooth or rough? Look closely at all of its colours. Just focus on the pebble, nothing else, just you and the pebble. The effect of this focus is to calm the mind.

Next time your child is stressed out, try a mindfulness exercise with them. It works with people of all ages, and has been used to help children reduce agitation.

Mindfulness comes in many forms, some religious, some like the two exercises above are simply therapeutic. It’s also a technique recommended by the NHS in the UK. Give mindfulness meditation a try if you feel stressed out this Christmas.

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10 - 16 December 2015

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HEALTH BEAUTY

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Christmas stress: Will you choose to be a survivor or a victim?

HOPEFULLY the festive period will be a happy time, but for some it can lead to worries and despair CHRISTMAS-TIME. A time of festivities, love, joy and stress, stress, stress!

Hopefully Christmas will create lots of happiness for you and your family. For many though, this is a time of financial hardship, loneliness and worry. It’s also a time of stress, and at times lots of it. What are the best ways of surviving yuletide stress? What are the best ways of ensuring you don’t become a victim?

Planning ahead is always a great idea. If you’re worried about paying for presents, suggest to family and friends a maximum price for each present. It’s important to make giving fun, but it’s impossible to create fun if you’re spending cash you simply don’t have.

Photo credit: Janko Hoener, Wikimedia.

By Marcus Hopkins

PLAN AHEAD: Have a stress-free Christmas.

If you happen to have plenty of cash, think of the others in your circle of friends who may be struggling.

Your suggestion may be of real help

to them. Think Finance, a loan provider, suggested 45 per cent of people in the US would prefer to skip Christmas due to financial worries.

Recent research suggests that given the choice, children would choose to have more of their parents’ time over any expensive present. The gift of time is the supreme form of giving, yet how many of us forget this?

Consider having a Kris Kringle with family and friends, where everyone draws a name out of a hat and buys a present only for that person or suggest making an agreement to buy presents just for the children.

Unless you’re financially secure, don’t blow next month’s money on just one day. The thought of debt can easily increase stress and depression.

Christmas is a time for spirituality and friendships. Family and friends want to be with you, rather than with a present that will be soon forgotten.

Hopefully your Christmas dinner will be wonderful, a creation any

masterchef would be proud to call their own. But if the turkey burns and the roast potatoes get cremated, don’t worry. You still have the veg, pudding, mince pies and cheese. Plenty of people don’t have any of these.

Many won’t have any food at all this Christmas, so your disaster with the meat isn’t really much of an issue.

When it comes to relationships, stress, anxiety and feelings of depression are common during the festive season. Create real festivity and happiness by avoiding known triggers.

Avoid chatting about topics you know are contentious in your family and don’t make anyone feel unheard.

Christmas gives choices. Choose to cherish the time wisely. Gift the gift of happiness and a time that will be treasured, however your Christmas time goes.

Getting into shape post-pregnancy FitFoxy

Looking Good, Staying Trim

I BELIEVE more women engage in postpregnancy exercise, than pre or during pregnancy exercise, purely to lose the excess weight accumulated during the pregnancy.

However, the danger of post pregnancy exercise must not be underestimated. The hormone relaxin, which is responsible for allowing all connective tissue in the body (muscles, ligaments) to stretch, is still very much present in your body after giving birth, and can be present for up to six months. Overstretching or over-exerting

yourself at this stage could leave you with a permanent injury; however, the benefits are vast.

I recommend you consult with your doctor and speak to an exercise professional before embarking on a post pregnancy programme. Remember your body has just been put through a lot of trauma…

Be kind to yourself. Here are a few tips: • No physical stress for first two weeks after birth.

• Don’t resume full daily activities for six weeks after delivery.

• If you have had a C-section, no exercise for eight to12 weeks.

• Keep correct posture at all times.

• Avoid hyperextending of joints.

• Wear a sports bra, two if required.

• Exercise from a stable base (sitting down, holding on with one hand, etc).

• Pay attention to your lower back.

• A slow gradual 10-minute warm-up and cool down.

• Avoid lying on your front in early stages of post pregnancy.

• Avoid impact training (running, etc).

• Avoid sudden changes in direction.

• Avoid severe bouncing movements.

• Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise .

• Stop exercising if your breasts become hot, swollen or hard.

Core and abdominals As important as it is for you to return your mid-section to where it was pre-pregnancy, be sensible with the abdominal exercises you do in the first few months. In the meantime, you could make a start on safely strengthening your core by exercising the pelvic floor every day.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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Heart attack signs

10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

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Blog My treatment journey update! in the wake of being told I have breast cancer 2014 was a whirlwind of operations and tests Erica Russell Watson: My journey – and I’m driving

SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte.

DEAR Doctor, A relative had a nasty scare one night recently, which luckily was nothing more than that. In the early hours of the morning he thought he was having a heart attack, and talking later we realised we really didn’t know what the signs are or how to act in this sort of situation.

Could you please give us some tips on how to recognise the signs and what to do?

Dr Perez Belmonte replied: Heart attacks are currently the most common cause of death amongst human beings, so it is very important to recognise the signs and know what to do.

Although initial signs can vary a lot from one person to another depending on factors including age, gender or medical conditions, they usually come with a feeling of oppression in the centre or left-hand side of the chest, which can sometimes spread down the left arm or up the neck.

Heart pain is usually identified by patients as the worst pain they have ever felt, although some

people have heart attacks without any chest pain at all.

Other common symptoms include sweating, difficulty breathing, a general feeling of not being well or sudden extreme fatigue.

For people with diabetes the first sign is usually breathing problems rather than chest pains and this can sometimes cause fainting.

Anyone with any of these symptoms, especially if they are elderly or at risk (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smokers, etc) or has a history of heart problems, should call a doctor or get to a health centre as quickly as possible.

The person making the call to a doctor or ambulance team needs to stay as calm as possible and give as many details as they can.

The patient meanwhile should be lying down, taking deep breaths and trying to stay as calm as possible.

As always, prevention is the best remedy so anyone with heart problems or risk factors should see a cardiologist and a specialist in Internal Medicine.

The Coast’s Home GP service - wherever you are - at home - in the office - in the car - on the golf course your GP will get to see you any time, anywhere.

A priceless service at an affordable price.

IT is hard to believe that I started chemotherapy over a year ago. So much has happened since then. Having got through chemo I had radiotherapy and then spent the summer trying to regain my strength and take stock. I was very tired, both physically and mentally.

The long-term side-effects reared their ugly heads. The worst one being lymphedema. As I had my lymph nodes removed I developed painful swelling in my right arm as a result of my body’s inability to drain away lymph fluid.

I now have regular physio and lymphatic draining massages, wear a compression sleeve and do exercises to control the swelling. I have to be careful not to lift with my right arm so I have adjusted the way I do things.

The pins and needles come and go in my feet and you can get ‘chemo brain!’ Chemotherapy can affect your

memory and I often find myself grappling for words or wracking my brain to remember things. This will improve with time.

My scars are pretty good but I still have quite a lot of pain and I am constantly reminded of the post-operative trauma in my body. The veins in my arms have been seriously compromised by the

I am determined to get better and stronger each day as I have too much to live for chemotherapy and finding a workable vein for a test is a trial and I often faint because it is such an ordeal.

My eyebrows haven’t grown back very well but my hair is nice and thick.

My eyelashes are like a scattering of spider’s legs! Not the most serious issue I know but nonetheless annoying.

All these issues are expected and you learn to live with them. The important thing was my revision in November.

I went for blood tests to check tumour markers, etc, a CAT scan, and a

mammogram on the remaining breast.

After the tests I went to see my oncologist. It was good news, no cancer in the other breast, good blood results and the tumours in my lungs had disappeared.

The only thing my oncologist didn’t like was that the fact the tumours had vanished in response to chemo and as a result were more likely to be metastatic cancer. So, not a new tumour but one derived from the original breast cancer.

The next step is to keep an eye on my lungs. I am having a bone scan to rule out any spreading as I have had some pain. They are checking my hormone levels to ensure I am not producing too much oestrogen which is the enemy!

I also need an abdominal scan. If all is well I will then meet the plastic surgeon to discuss reconstruction.

I feel optimistic and as always would not be feeling so positive without the love and support from my family, friends and nearest and dearest. It is a long haul recovering from cancer and then keeping it at bay. But I am determined to get better and stronger each day as I have too much to live for.

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OPINION & COMMENT

Christmas past and presents, has all the excitement gone?

OUR VIEW David Muscroft Shutterstock

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BY MARTIN BALZERAK SHUTTERSTOCK

SANTA’S days are surely numbered as Operation Yule Tree closes in Colin Bird A weekly look Each week, Colin brings his slightly off-thewall view of the world to the pages of EWN in his own irreverent style.

IT’S that time of year again when the fat man with the flowin g wh i t e b e a r d a n d rosy cheeks is greasing up the blades of his sleigh and putting his production staff on maximum overtime in readiness for another hectic Christmas Eve delivery.

But wi t h t h e a d v e nt o f Xboxes, iPads and Smart Phones , a l l t h e r o m an ce and ex c i t e m e n t wi t h th e traditio n a l o p e n i n g o f prezzie s like M &S sweaters, smelly bath stuff and Black Magic under the tree on Christmas morning has almost disappeared.

Who actually puts out a pillow case any more? And

PRESENTS: With the advent of new technologies, traditional gifts have disappeared. in these times of political correctness, it’s only a matter of time before someone s ta rts a s k in g q u es tio n s about a bloke who shacks up with a regiment of male dwarves for 12 months a year.

Santa’s days are surely numbe re d a s O pe ra tion Yule Tree closes in.

Presents are an increasing problem. The lessening choice of what to buy each other becomes commensurate with the advancement

of years, and at the risk of us ing a w e ll w orn a phorism, just what do you buy someone who has everything?

The proble m is c ompounded when I am also told, ‘don’t buy me choco-

l at e, I need t o l ose som e weight.’

This limits things considerably, but I’m sorry, Princess, you gave away your real intentions when you t ol d m e t o hi de m y own stash of chocolate so t hat you woul d not be tempted, then proceeded to tell me exactly where that hiding place should be.

One thing that is noticeable in Spain is the laidback atmosphere in the supermarkets at this time of year. Visit a Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s or any of the other big stores in the UK right now, and it will be a madhouse of spending.

Even on Christmas Eve, when occasionally I have needed to drop in to Dialprix for some last minute cooking sherry, it has never been anything other than business as usual.

I think I know what to do HOPEFULLY no-one will bring up the history of straight bananas or curved cucumbers

By John Smith THAT just about sums up the situation with regards to David Cameron’s wish to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s membership of the European Union.

Having initially said that he did not want to reveal full details of his negotiating hand before serious discussions get under way, the EU indicated that it was a bit pointless to have a negotiation without knowing what was wanted so he wrote to them with a wish list.

Economic governance which should recognise that there are more currencies in the EU than just the Euro and by extension the pound should not be disadvantaged.

Competitiveness which would ensure that EU regulations are reduced made less onerous on business and red tape is cut.

Immigration would be reviewed and far less generous benefits would be paid to those from the EU states who settle in the UK until they have been there for a number of years.

Sovereignty should remain in the

David Cameron and Martin Schulz President of European Parliament.

RAF Tornado

Britain now takes action AFTER a huge amount of rhetoric and very conflicting opinions, a decision has been reached by Parliament to allow the RAF to take action against terrorist targets in Syria and within an hour of the Commons vote, tornado aircraft were in the air and attacking a Daesh controlled oil field in that country.

The recent shooting down of a Russian aircraft by Turkey has added to the tension and confusion, with both sides claiming the moral high ground, whilst Russia has accused Turkey of being the major customer for Daesh controlled oil.

The general situation with air strikes has divided public opinion with many in favour of taking the war directly to Daesh, whilst many others object to the concept of any form of warfare in which there is always the possibility of mistake and loss of innocent lives.

Many politicians in Spain who may favour direct action against Daesh are keeping a low profile until after the election, whilst those on the broad left are clear in their worry about becoming involved and have indicated that they would look to call a referendum to gauge public opinion.

France clearly wants to punish those who were responsible for the attacks on Paris but the main question is whether air strikes will be enough or whether the next step will require NATO and possibly Russian troops to enter the fray and if so will the split over the future of Syrian president al-Asad be yet another major problem?

hands of national parliaments which should be able to block EU legislation.

Good general points admittedly, but not many people go into an important negotiation without anticipating disagreement and most sensible people and even politicians would expect to ask for far more than they expect and then settle for what they want.

As they are pretty vague demands, it does seem that the negotiations could be quite complicated, so much so that the Prime Minister has, not surprisingly, said that he now doesn’t expect a response during December.

There is a commitment to hold a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union no later than 2017 and he has indicated that if he gets the bulk of his requests approved then he will recommend to the electorate that Britain Now we should remain within the Union. want to There is about 18 months to go for hear your views. him to negotiate with the other 27 member states and hopefully, YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE no-one will bring up the history - YOUR OPINION of straight bananas or curved cuwww.euroweeklynews.com cumbers.

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Cinema in Palma

Festive fun evening at the Christmas Fair

TEMPLE Grandin, the film, will show on Saturday at 6pm at the Film Club organised by Es RacĂł de Ses Idees in Palma. The film is about Temple Grandin, an accomplished scientist with autism who developed the hug box, a device to calm people with autism. She is a prominent and widely-cited proponent of the rights of people with autism and of animal welfare.

BOUTIQUE market, carol-singing and an ice-skating rink Photo Credit Zurijeta Shutterstock

By Glynis German THE JoyRon Foundation will host a Christmas Fair at The Boat House in Palma tomorrow (Friday) and raise funds. There will be carols by candlelight as well as a boutique market with some 50 stalls to enchant with special treats, decorations and gift ideas.

Al l p r o c e e d s f r o m th e c a ro l singing and the stalls will go to the foundation, which brings comfort and joy to children in need in the Balearics.

The cost for the carol service is â‚Ź5 (children under 12 go free) and this includes a carol sheet, a candle and a glass of mulled wine!

There is also a barbecue, mince pies and even a ice-skating rink for the children.

The fair is from 6pm until 11pm.

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GOOD CAUSE: Funds will be raised for Balearic children in need.

E W N 10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

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Photo Credit cynoclub shutterstock

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Death chat BINISSALEM hosts the first Death Café tomorrow (Friday) where the topic of conversation will be... death. It starts at 6.30pm in the ecological café L’Exquisit and there is no charge to attend.

DOGS GALORE: Raising funds to ensure their well-being.

Peace and goodwill to island’s animals SPAP society holding a fair with a difference THE Mallorca animal protection society, known locally as SPAP, have organised their annual Christmas Fair to take place at their premises in Palma this Saturday (December 12) from 5pm till 9pm.

There will be vegetarian and vegan food on sale as well as hot chocolate and lots of goodies for sale. Music will be provided by the Trio Pirates Pirats, Carmen Rojas with The Edge of Gaga and Tom Trovador.

SOCIAL SCENE

Drinking chocolate for a good cause SHAMBHALA Foundation will be supported by a solidarity chocolate celebration to be held on Sunday (December 13) at the Hotel Horizonte in Palma and the following weekend (December 18, 19 and 20) at the Fabrica Ramis in Inca.

The foundation seeks to assist, protect and promote young people in Mallorca who find themselves in distress or at risk of exclusion due to negative economic, social or cultural reasons and is dependent on donations to continue its good work.

There will be hot chocolate on sale as well as fun for all the family with workshops for every age. The foundation also invites visitors to bring milk and other food items which will be donated to the soup kitchen in Inca so no-one goes without this Christmas.

SOCIAL SCENE

10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

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Aikido demonstration THE way of harmonious spirit

By Glynis German

SKILLFUL: Aikido is one of the most complicated of the Japanese martial arts.

Christmas Market PUERTO Portals will host their V Christmas Market starting tomorrow (Friday, December 11) and which will continue until Three Kings on January 6. Fun for all the family with hand-crafted items, workshops, carol singing, musical performances and lots of activities.

Like many of the Christmas fairs organised this year, Puerto Portals is also collecting food items to give to those in need and visitors are invited to bring with them milk and other necessary items for the food bank.

The fair is open daily from 12 noon till 9pm.

Open day at holistic school ALTERNATIVE school, Escola Activa de Mallorca (EAM), will hold an open day on Sunday (December 13) starting with a talk about the school and its philosophy at 11.30am and followed by a musical performance. There will be a market, games for everyone as well as food for sale.

The school is located in Marratxi and teaches infant and primary levels in an holistic manner.

Workshops THIS weekend, the organic farm Son Barrina in Llubi will host workshops for children between the ages of six and 12 years in art and permaculture.

The workshops will be facilitated by artist Daniella Querol who is also a permaculture practitioner as well as an educator. More information from eco-kids@permamed.org.

AIKIDO INCA will present a demonstration of their sport at an event organised by Palma City Council in conjunction with the Consell

de Mallorca this Sunday (December 13) in Germans Escalas sports centre in Palma.

There will be demonstrations on Aikido from pupils as young as three years-old, and it starts at 10am.

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FEATURE

It’s a dog’s life as Cookie settles in MY daughter La Gidg and I had been talking for a while about how we might be able to get a small dog Vicki McLeod

Family Matters I’M trying my best to not look at the news anymore. Donald Trump’s recent insane pronouncement, another shooting, another death, another flood, another person being arrested for fraud, another species about to die out.

I need to take a break from the news: it’s too much to take in. That’s ironic, given this article is for a newspaper (but you can also read it on my blog mallorcamatters.com). Instead I have been looking inwards, at myself and at my family and trying to make sure each and every one of us is happy, or at least happier, than we were. I’ve found inspiring lists like these: • Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes a day • Dream more while you are awake • You don’t have to win every argument, agree to disagree • Don’t take yourself too seriously, no one else does • Life is too short to waste time hating

NEW ADDITION: Cookie is a cat-sized male adult dog and has now joined us in our home. anyone, so get rid of those ill feelings • No one is in charge of your happiness, except you • Read more books than before • Sleep for eight hours a day • Smile and laugh more

• Drink plenty of water, at least two litres a day • Forget issues of the past, don’t remind your partner with their mistakes of the past • However good or bad a situation is,

it will change • Call your family often.

And yes, some of it I should certainly do more of, and I am trying, but really what can make an instant impact on your life? Get yourself a Cookie.

My daughter, La Gidg, and I had been talking (plotting) for a while about how we might be able to get a small dog into our house without my husband minding too much. We knew that we couldn’t have a big dog as they are so much responsibility, but a small dog which doesn’t need too much walking and is about the same size as a biggish cat? Shouldn’t be a problem.

Now all we had to do was wait for the right one to come along. This week it happened. My daughter was on a sleepover and I got word there was a cat-sized male adult dog looking for an immediate home. After a chat with his fosterer (Kim from Dogs For U) and a chat with my husband, I went and met Kim and took Cookie home with me.

My daughter didn’t have a clue that her dream was about to come true until she got back and we introduced her to our new family member.

Now Cookie is settling in nicely and seems to be fitting in just fine, all he wants to do is be with his new people, get a cuddle and a biscuit and in return we get a very waggy tail, stinky kisses and unbridled joy. Happy days.

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HOMES GARDENS

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Polytunnel benefits BECOMING more popular each gardening year in the UK Dick Handscombe

Gardening Corner

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

POLYTUNNELS first appeared in the 1960s once the plastics industry managed to produce reliable wide-width polythene sheeting.

They become more popular each year in the UK and can also be useful in Spain, especially the large walk-in frame tunnels covered in plastic for growing a wide variety of crops, from lettuces to raspberries and protecting potted plants during frosty months.

The size is whatever you like, but typical sizes for plots are widths of two to five metres and lengths of two to 20.

A minimum workable height at the centre of the tunnel is two to two and a half metres. There are two basic designs available to buy, semicircular arc and high tent shape.

Well designed, constructed and maintained, they can last for years. There are two common spellings Polytunnel and Poly Tunnel. Use the one you are most comfortable with.

The benefits are: • Crops grow quicker, earlier and possibly larger.

• They are per square metre less expensive than glass or polycarbonate greenhouses.

• There is a wide range of sizes available.

• They absorb the sun and achieve the most productive germination and Spring growing temperatures two to six

weeks ahead of the open garden according to your location.

• They protect growing plants from rain, frost, snow, hail and gales.

• Using irrigation tubing with drip holes, built-in close planting in rows can be achieved.

Splitting the growing area into zones, a multi-zone irrigation system will allow you to give blocks of small and large vegetables, soft and tender fruit trees the water they need.

Kits to allow liquid fertilisers to be metered into the irrigation water system are also available.

What to look out for when buying a polytunnel: • Strength and tear-ability of plastic sheeting cover.

• Ultraviolet resistance and

quoted lifespan of the sheeting.

• Quality of galvanised or protective painted metal framework.

• Ease of construction.

• Seal-ability of doors.

• Possibility of fitting a temperature controlled fan so you can use it through the hottest months.

• Ability to partly roll the sides up if you don’t want the cost of a fan.

Risks to your investment: • Planning laws need to be checked before construction.

• Poor fixing and air seal at soil level to stop strong winds getting under the plastic and ballooning it. (c) Dick Handscombe www.gardenspain.com December 2015

PETS Harnessing full potential of canine equipment SPONSORED BY

Get up with the cat chat

USING a harness is growing in popularity among many pet owners

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

A DOG harness is a piece of equipment similar to harness tack for horses.

There are various designs, depending on the type of use.

Harnesses can be used on Seeing Eye dogs in the assistance of a disabled person, on working dogs that haul a cart or sled, or even in sporting events, such as in the Scandinavian practice of skijoring and pulka.

Harnesses are also worn by non-

working dogs for training purposes.

A harness is often worn in conjunction with a dog collar and used as an alternative for a dog leash attachment. While a collar only encircles the neck, harnesses have a loop that surrounds the torso as well, with connecting straps between them for added reinforcement and control.

The design allows for distribution of force which may prevent choking; a dog will also not be able to slip free from a harness as they may easily do from a standard collar. Harness usage is growing in popularity among many pet owners, especially for those with smaller breed dogs.

Assistance dogs will sometimes wear a harness if part of their job requires guiding or providing physical mobility for a disabled person. Generally, the harness design includes a built-in handle for the person to grip; this type also offers reinforcement to the handler as well as a padded breastplate for the dog’s comfort.

Sled dog harnesses vary depending on the purpose of the animal; the two basic duties of a sled dog are hauling freight or some sort or racing.

Harnesses come in three main types: the freight harness, the H-back harness, and the X-back harness. Dog sports are growing and more types of harnesses are being developed, including the Y-back style and guard or distance harness.

The freight harness is often an H-back harness that forms a ladder-like effect across the back with a wide chest band and sometimes extra padding.

Racing harnesses are often lighter and shorter than freight harnesses. The Xback harness gets its name from the straps that form an ‘X’ across the back of the dog.

The Y-back is a hybrid that is somewhat similar in appearance to the Hback. The tug line attaches to the harness on top of the dog’s back and stretches parallel to the ground or upwards to what is being hauled.

MORE CONTROL: Dog harness.

CATS are fiercely independent creatures and more aloof than dogs. It can take a while to communicate properly, if at all. If you’re curious about what your cat is saying to you then follow this short guide.

Noises: Short meow: “Hiya, what’s the story?”

Multiple meows: “I’ve missed you!”

Mid-pitch meow: “I want....”

Drawn-out mrrraaaaaoooow: “Mate, it’s been five hours since you filled my milk tray.”

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V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E W W W . E U R O W E E K LY N E W S . C O M

Dodgy dealing A REPORT from financial consultants Analistas Financieros Internacionales (AFI) has said that €238 billion worth of dubious real estate deals continue to burden the Spanish banking system.

The situation has made it increasingly difficult to build up capital ratios and accounts for almost 9 per cent of assets within the banking system, with banks expected to be more selective in their lending.

TO READ MORE

PROPERTY www.euroweeklynews.com

Resale property prices register a slight drop

UK house prices rise HALIFAX has published its forecast for 2016 which suggests that house prices in the UK are expected to rise by between 4-6 per cent.

Demand for property has increased in the latter half of 2015 while the number of new homes on the market stayed at a record low. The results nevertheless indicate a slowing down of the rapid rise that has marked recent years and an expected rise in interest rates should slow the market further.

NEW CYCLE: Developers planning properties aimed at particular buyers.

A MONTHLY report by pisos.com online property site has revealed that resale property prices in Spain registered an average price of €1,522 per square metre in November.

Compared to the same month in 2014 this means the price has dropped 3.01 per cent, whereas compared to October 2015 it increased 0.82 per cent.

Pisos.com director Miguel Angel Ale-

many stated that the market has managed to recover from a heavy blow during the recession and prices are unlikely to enter freefall again.

“Now is the start of a new cycle during which developers will be planning properties aimed at particular potential buyers with nothing left to luck as the crisis taught us all to be careful, study locations and make sure our projects

won’t be left in the air,” Alemany said.

The most expensive resale properties can be found in the Basque Country (€2,808 per m2), Balearic Islands (€2,070 per m2) and Madrid (€2,042 per m2) and the cheapest in Castilla-La Mancha (€945 per m2), Extremadura (€1,138 per m2) and Murcia (€1,180 per m2) according to the November report.

Artificial crystal lagoon development relaunched ONE of Spain’s greatest development projects of recent years, the Alcazaba Hills Lagoon on the Costa del Sol, is now to go ahead after years of set-backs.

International company Crystal Lagoons intends to invest €121 mil-

lion in the residential complex which will include 450 flats placed around the lagoon, with beaches and capacity for both swimmers and nautical sports.

The Costa del Sol complex, which was halted in 2009 and will now be

relaunched thanks to the lagoon, will be built on a 30-hectare plot.

They will be aiming to provide holiday homes for middle class European buyers with particular focus on people from the UK, Germany and Holland.

PROPERTY

10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

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€1.2m investment for Marina d’Or project CHINESE investment in Spain’s biggest resort developmen t c o u l d se e € 1 . 2 billion poured in to ensure a massive expansion, with three golf courses, several hotels, a n e w t heme park, i n d o o r sk i i n g , an d over 30,000 homes as part of an original plan shelved

in 2010.

The Wand Group, led by China’s richest man Wang Jianlin, would take a 75 per cent stake in the resort, self styled as ‘vacation city.’

The move would follow several other high-profile investments from the Chinese consortium including a

€50 million payment for a 20 per cent stake in Atletico Madrid FC in 2014.

The property development section of Marina d’Or, located in Oropesa del Mar in Castellon Province, has been in court administration since May of last year as it sought protection from creditors.

It’s good news for mortgage holders

MORTGAGE PAYMENTS: Will bring families a little relief before Christmas.

THE 12-month Euribor rate, used as a reference for the majority of variable interest mortg a g e s i n Sp a i n , c o n tin u e s o n its downward trend bringing families a little relief in the run-up to Christmas.

Mortgage payers due for revision of payments are likely to save an average amount of €18 per month as the Euribor closed November at 0.0079 per cent, well under the 0.335 per cent registered in November 2014.

For an average mortgage of €120,000 to be paid in 20 years at a rate of Euribor + 1

per cent, El Mundo reported, monthly payments will drop from €570 to €552.

December, XTB analyst Jaime Diez reported, will be a month of uncertainty for the Euribor as Central European Bank measures may force it to fall further.

The consequences of further drops, the analyst said, will be beneficial to families and businesses which will be able to take out or refinance loans.

However, this will be bad for the banking sector as it will further reduce its benefits.

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I’m a grumpy old git, get me out of here!

Mike Senker

In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man ‘I’M A CELEBRITY, Get Me Out of Here,’ Celebrity Big Brother - I watch both. Plus others like Celebrity Master Chef, because Mrs S loves them, (not sure why she watches this as there is only so much you can do with a takeaway menu), along with The Only Way is Essex.

But it has got me thinking about what constitutes being a celebrity these days. There are people taking part that are only famous for being on TV in other reality TV shows.

Now, in the case of some of them, that means them just getting drunk and making absolute idiots of themselves. Others come from being ex- soap stars, some are imported from American reality TV shows that I’ve never seen or heard of. I saw one from a show called ‘16 and Pregnant’… this foul mouthed woman was a celebrity for being 16 and pregnant, so technically it could be said she was an overnight success.

It’s what I call train crash TV. You know you shouldn’t be watching it but somehow you can’t look away.

It must be hard to find any older UK celebrities because quite a few of them are in prison and most others either can’t cook or have nothing in the attic, don’t like coach trips and don’t want to have to wash their bits on national TV. When I was younger a celebrity was someone famous, someone everyone knew. Sure there are still plenty of real celebs but they would never be seen in any of the above mentioned ‘shows.’ I mean I’m not sure how many Baldwin brothers there are but I don’t recall the real famous one doing it, only all the others! Celebrities have to be talented.

They have to have given something to achieve that status. Not just to have dropped their drawers on national TV and finished the night by vomiting into their handbag. I do have a couple of exceptions to the annoyance of reality TV and that’s the now defunct Dancing on Ice and Strictly Come Dancing.

At least the participants of these two shows are learning a new skill and seem to be chosen a little more carefully. Ok enough of this, “I’M A GRUMPY OLD GIT, GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!”

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OPINION & COMMENT

LEGALLY SPEAKING

10,000 drug test kits for Local Police AS part of a new series, we answer some common driving questions, kindly provided by members of the Guardia Civil based in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, who set up the N332 website and Facebook page to help break down barriers.

Flickr thanks to Andrew Sutherland

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NEW KITS: Local Police will be able to better monitor the roads.

THE Direccion General de Trafico, (DGT) has invested in the provision of 10,000 drug testing kits which it will give to Local Police around Spain, in order for them to better monitor local roads for drivers under the influence of drugs.

The kits will be shared with 100 municipalities across 15 provinces where 450 officers have also been trained in their use. The overall goal is to reduce the consumption of drugs and narcotics at the wheel, and thus improve road safety on urban roads.

Under the agreement with local authorities, the police will be required to

carry out at least 20,000 drugs tests in 2016.

The latest statistics for urban and local roads, collated from data in 2014, show that 61 per cent of all incidents causing injuries and 26 per cent of all deaths on the roads occurred in the areas policed by the local authorities. In addition, 4,740 people were hospitalised.

These figures show that incidents with victims in urban areas still account for a significant percentage of road incidents in Spain, and so the DGT is widening its overall enforcement campaign to take in these roads and thus reduce the number of incidents.

For more news and articles visit www.n332.es or search N332 on Facebook.

What income must I declare?

I am a pensioner resident in Spain. I receive a Spanish pension of around €9,000 a year. I also receive two pensions from the UK, which total €8,000 euros a year. I have no other income.

I fail to see how you could make this deduction from my article of November 26. If you are tax resident in Spain, you are subject to Spanish income tax on your worldwide income, including, of course, your Spanish income.

From your article of November 26, would I be correct to assume that my liability for tax in Spain would be for the UK pensions only? If so, what percentage would that be?

D.S. (Costa Blanca)

David Searl You and the Law in Spain

Your Spanish pension is less than €22,000, but no tax has been deducted from it, so it is subject to

income tax.

From here, and after deductions, it looks like around €2,000 in tax.

I urge you to see a Spanish tax consultant and make a proper declaration. The consultant may be able to find more deductions for you, as well.

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

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10 - 16 December 2015

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10 - 16 December 2015 / Mallorca

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Swedish superyacht based on design concept of Vapour GT car THE pilot house is raised to give good panoramic visibility around the entire vessel DESIGN supremo Eduard Gray has built an award winning international design studio with a focus on innovative and highly characteristic industrial design which specialises in speed and machines that go fast on land and water.

Having come up with the concept of the Vapour GT car, he decided to expand the idea and produce a light hearted design study exploring the limits of yacht design based on the car, which he has named the Kraken after the mythological sea monster of Nordic myth.

It is laid out as a catamaran and has four decks including accommodation in each hull. The wildly raked windscreen is in fact a skylight for a large lounge on the owner’s deck and the pilot house is raised to give good panoramic

Photo Credit Gray design

By John Smith

MONSTER OF THE SEAS: The Kraken is laid out as a catamaran with four decks.

Yacht evacuated off Cape Verde

Student project Aleksey Stemmer Shutterstock

THE skipper of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers yacht Magritte contacted the World Cruising Club on the evening of December 3 to advise that his vessel was taking on water off the coast of Cape Verde and he was unable to identify where the problem was situated, nor he could resolve it.

Based on advice from the Falmouth Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, a Mayday was issued and the yacht’s Location Radio Beacon was activated and the life raft was readied in anticipation of a possible need to abandon the yacht.

Coastguards in Cape Verde were alerted and co-ordinated the evacuation of the four British crew by a cargo vessel SCL Basilea which diverted to provide assistance. It reached the British flagged Magritte early the following morning.

CARGO SHIP: Diverted to provide assistance.

The cargo ship with the rescued crew is expected to arrive in Spain on De-

visibility around the entire vessel.

The metallic paintwork is accentuated by intense red highlights, chrome bright work and dark stained teak decking. There is a large beach club and reception area at the aft of the yacht and a large space for a helipad at the bow.

The Kraken is truly a monster of the seas, intimidating regardless of whether you are a pirate or not and with a length of 75 metres and prospective speed of 35 knots, it promises to be a spectacular yacht if ever produced.

This is not quite as far-fetched as it might seem as Gray design has signed a deal with Ronn Motor Group to bring a unique offering of integrated super performance hyper cars with a performance super yacht to the luxury market.

cember 12, but the fate of the Magritte is not currently known.

TWO boats were launched by students of the Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy in the UK during the first week of December, after completing an internationally recognised 38-week course.

A 19-foot cold moulded

Robert Steward electric motor launch and a 16 foot traditional clinker Norwegian Faering were launched at the slipway in front of crowds of friends, family members and supporters of the Boat Building Academy.

E W N 10 - 16 December 2015

Mallorca

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Motoring shorts

The silent danger of electric cars HYBRID and electric cars pose a 19 per cent higher risk of pedestrian collisions compared to gasoline powered vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US. Plans are being made to install artificial noise-making systems to alert other road users of their presence.

First-timers in more accidents A STUDY by LV Car insurance has shown UK drivers who pass their test first time are more likely to be in accidents, while those who tested multiple times are less likely to commit drugs and alcohol offences.

The report puts the findings down to overly confident drivers having ‘rash’ behaviour.

Clarkson Quote of theWeek

MOTORING www.euroweeklynews.com

These newer supercars are much kinder to the environment as well. For example, this one here: the only thing coming out of its tailpipes are baby foxes.

Some might say...

Porsche to unveil new 911 Turbo AVAILABLE in both coupe and convertible versions DETROIT will see Porsche present the new 911 turbo models at the North American International Auto Show in January, while the cars themselves go on sale in Germany the same month.

Available in both coupe and convertible versions, the 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S will boast an additional 20hp power, a sharper design and enhanced features. Turbochargers with larger compressors in the S and modified inlet ports and higher fuel pressure in the 911 Turbo will enable power outputs of 580 hp and 540 hp respectively.

A dynamic boost function has been added to the engines to improve response by maintaining the charge pressure during load changes. Fuel con-

sumption is further reduced whilst driving performance continues to excel. The 911 Turbo S Coupe can reach 100kph in 2.9 seconds with a top speed of 330kmh (205mph) and yet consumes only 9.1l/100km due to advanced transmission management and gear change mappings.

The Porsche Stability Management (PSM) now also has a sport mode which makes it possible to approach performance limits more closely, and comes replete with an advanced communications system involving active messaging and warning lights.

New design features include three-dimensional rear lights, 20-inch wheels, new door handles and a reworked rear body.

The new generation Turbo possess similar characteristics to the successful Carrera model and offers a wider look for the front end with double fillets for the narrow LED front lights.

The newly minted Porsche Communication Management system features a highly devel-

oped infotainment system with UNVEILING: North American online navigation and a multi- International Auto Show. touch monitor integrated into imaging. Smartphones can be the centre console. integrated more easily via WiLatest traffic information can Fi, and a quality Bose sound be accessed and routes visusystem comes as standard. alised with 360-degree satellite

For technology lovers: Audi’s new hybrid SUV COMBINES the ample size and efficiency of a diesel electric plug-in TECHNOLOGY lovers and families will appreciate Audi’s latest model, the Q7 e-tron which combines the ample size of an SUV with the efficiency of a diesel electric plug-in.

The powerful hybrid features Audi’s most advanced technology, with an sat-nav system that knows when a built-up area is approaching and adapts its power sources in advance, whilst factoring in traffic and switching between its diesel, electric and hybrid modes.

It’s a heavy vehicle at almost 2.5 tonnes but with a total of 369bhp, 516lb of torque, 3.0 litre VG diesel engine, and a 34 mile EV range, driving is a smooth affair with a settled, light steering making the weight easy to forget.

A vibrating engine nullifies typical diesel vibes and keeps

Photo by Thomas Doerfer, wikipedia

58

LATEST MODEL: The Q7 e-tron. outside noise to a minimum, while an efficient heating system uses the car’s own electri-

cal activity to save power and increase the EV range.

Coming in at a relatively

steep £65,000 (€92,000) the etron will be available this month in the UK.

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OPINION & COMMENT

Creating harmony for Christmas and beyond A REASONABLE time to look for similarities rather than differences between peoples and faiths

By Marcus Hopkins CHRISTMAS is intended to be a time of peace and harmony. Perhaps a reasonable time to look for similarities rather than differences between peoples and faiths.

Four hundred and eighty Muslim soldiers currently serve in the British army. The Ministry of Defence want to increase the percentage of Muslims in the military. To achieve this, it is essential for British Muslims to feel that they will be accepted within the army, as they are. Muslim Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi, born in Pakistan and who moved to Britain when he was 12, paid the ultimate price for Queen and country, being killed in action in Afghanistan.

Sheffield born boxer Naseem Hamed, one of Britain’s greatest boxing talents is another Muslim so many British are proud of. In the business world there is Sir Anwar Pervez, Britain’s richest Muslim. According to the Sunday Times rich list,

LONDON BUSES: Adverts are being placed on them with the slogan ‘United against extremism.’

Sir Anwar and his family “would be even richer if they did not give large sums to charity.”

Then helping to protect the streets of London was Ugandan born Tarique Ghaffur, formerly one of Britain’s most senior police officers, whose parents came from modern day Pakistan.

The actions of terrorist groups such as Daesh is giving Muslims a terrible name in the UK. But

that is exactly what Daesh are trying to do, but only if we allow it. Remember that in the last few weeks, along with attacks in Paris, Daesh have bombed Muslim targets too.

At this time of year, and at this present moment, creating harmony demands that peaceful Christians and Muslims stand together. Jesus, who Christians celebrate at this festive time, is al-

so one of the most revered figures of Islam, as is Mary, facts often forgotten in the West.

A UK Muslim charity, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK is continuing its campaign to counter extremist rhetoric, with advertisements being placed on 100 London buses with the slogan ‘United against extremism.’

Holding out a hand of friendship to people from a different tradition, a different culture, even a different mind-set, can be a catalyst to building a more harmonious future. Politics and religion whether in Spain, the UK, Ireland or elsewhere, can only be managed when people work together to end distrust and suspicion.

Peace happened in Northern Ireland, even though it took years to achieve, and even though difficulties persist. It took people from all sides, all backgrounds to become brave enough to grasp the pain of getting to know the other side again.

Then, once trust and understanding was built, the hatreds of the past began to dissolve.

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SPORT

Top dogs Leicester and Cherries’ know ‘Howe’ but Chelsea and Liverpool don’t!

THE Foxes top the Premier League after win at Swansea Tony Matthews International Sports A former player and now the world’s most prolific author of football books with almost 150 published since 1975, Tony is also the sports correspondent for Spectrum Radio and lives on La Pilica in the Sierra Cabrera Mountains overlooking Turre.

Costa de Almeria

FOOTBALL • Last weekend, by winning 3-0 at Swansea, Leicester City (with a Riyad Mahrez hattrick) leapt to the top of the Premiership. Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth stunned Chelsea 1-0 at the ‘Bridge’ (the biggest win in the Cherries’ history). Stoke City beat Manchester City 2-0.

Arsenal defeated Sunderland 3-1. Watford clipped Norwich 2-0 and Newcastle shocked Liverpool 2-0. The games between Manchester United and West Ham, Southampton and bottom club Aston Villa and WBA and Spurs ended level. Crystal Palace met Everton on Monday.

• Brighton & Hove Albion (3-2 winners over Charlton), Middlesbrough (2-0 victors at Ipswich) and Derby County (0-0 at Sheffield Wednesday) stand one-two-three in the Championship.

• In the Champions League on Tuesday, Manchester United required a good result in Wolfsburg as neighbours Manchester City took on Borussia Monchengladbach and last night, Arsenal needed to beat Olympiakos by two goals in Cyprus.

• This evening Fenerbahce play Celtic in Turkey, Liverpool visit FC Sion in

Switzerland and Tottenham meet Monaco, all in the Europa League.

• The draw for the 3rd round of the FA Cup, made on Monday, includes: ArsenalSunderland, BirminghamBournemouth, ChelseaLeyton Orient or Scunthorpe, Everton-Dagenham & Redbridge or Whitehawk, Exeter-Liverpool, Manchester United-Sheffield United, Norwich-Manchester City, Oxford-Swansea, Salford City or Hartlepool-Derby County, Southampton-Crystal Palace, Spurs-Leicester (a re-run of the 1961 final), WatfordNewcastle, West Ham-Wolves and Wycombe-Aston Villa.

• The 32 ties will be played between the January 8 - 11.

• On Saturday, the draw takes place for the Euro 2016 Championships in France.

Next month’s League Cup semi-finals will feature Liverpool-Stoke City and Manchester City-Everton. For Liverpool it will be their 16th last four appearance.

• Despite fielding six reserves, Barcelona whipped Villanovese 6-1 before 68,000 fans at the Nou Camp to reach the last 16 of the Copa Del Rey. Soon after the La Liga leaders drew 1-1 at Valencia, managed now of course by Gary Neville.

• Real Madrid have been thrown out of the Spanish Cup for fielding an illegible player, Russian Denis Cheryshev, in a first leg tie in Cadiz.

• This weekend the top PL games are (on Saturday) Manchester City v Swansea City (early kick-off) and

DID YOU KNOW? Since August 1992, Liverpool have won more penalties in the Premiership than any other club, 120 in total, of which 103 have been converted, 18 by Steven Gerrard.

Arsenal have had 117 spot kicks, Manchester United 111, Newcastle 110, Chelsea 107 and Manchester City 68.

In all PL and Cup games, 1992-2015, and not including shoot-outs, Liverpool have had 135 penalties, scoring 117.

Bournemouth v Manchester United, followed on Sunday

by Aston Villa v Arsenal, Liverpool v WBA and Spurs v Newcastle United.

• Police have arrested several more high-ranking FIFA officials in relation to the bribery scandal. At least 16 members could now face charges of corruption and money-laundering.

Last Monday’s BBC Panorama programme revealed that President Sepp Blatter and his cronies may well have been involved in a one billion US dollar organised crime syndicate.

• FIFA will announce a £67 million loss on the last financial year. Where has all the money gone, we ask?

• And there is now a strong possibility that the number of countries who will compete in the World Cup finals, could rise to 40.

Round and about • Twenty-six Italian athletes face bans following an investigation by the country’s drug authorities.

• Aussie Neil Robertson (with a brilliant maximum 147 break) beat Liang Wenbo (China) in the UK snooker final in York.

• And Marc Leishman made it a double for EDDIE HOWE: The Cherries’ biggest win.

Australia by pipping Swede Henrik Stenson to win the Sun City golf challenge.

Elsewhere, the American Bubba Watson and Spain’s Sergio Garcia (with his first triumph in two years) also registered tournament victories last weekend.

• Former top golfer and world champion Tiger Woods is now ranked 400th in the world rankings… and three tournaments this month are the Ladies Masters in Dubai, 9-12 December, the USPGA in Florida, 10-12 and the USPGA in Orlando, 12-13.

• Fiji beat England 28-17 in the final of the Rugby Sevens in Dubai.

• In F1, Toro Rosso will switch to Ferrari next year, Renault have confirmed the Lotus takeover and Red Bull have secured a Renault deal.

• My choice for BBC Sports Personality of the Year is Andy Murray with Lewis Hamilton a close second.

LEICESTER CITY: League leaders.

British boxing champions

By Tony Matthews SINCE the introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules in 1895, only eight British boxers, Tyson Fury being the latest, have officially been recognised as a World heavyweight champion at an approved and professional level. And here they are, listed in order of their triumphs: • Bob Fitzsimmons (undisputed, 1897-99) • Lennox Lewis (WBC, 1992-94) • Michael Bentt (WBO, 1993-94) • Herbie Hide (WBO, 1994-95) • Frank Bruno (WBC, 1995-96) • Henry Akinwande (WBO, 1996-97) • Herbie Hide (WBO, 1997-99) • Lennox Lewis (WBC, 1997-99) • Lennox Lewis (IBF, WBA, WBO, 1999-2000) • Lennox Lewis (IBF, WBC, 2000-01) • Lennox Lewis (WBC, 2002-04) • David Haye (WBA, 2009-11) • Tyson Fury (WBA, WBO and IBF, 2015-16) Fact File • Bob Fitzsimmons who was born in Helston, Cornwall, held the world title for a little over two years, from March 1897 until June 1899.

• Fitzsimmons was also the first boxer to win a world title at three different levels. Having claimed the middleweight crown in 1891, he then added the light-heavyweight belt to his tally in 1903.

• It was then another 93 years before the next British boxer was crowned world champion, Lennox Lewis won the WBC belt in December 1992.

• Lewis, regarded as one of Britain’s finest boxers, held a world title for 2,346 days, only 17 short of Muhammad Ali’s total but a long way adrift of Wladimir Klitschko’s record of 4,382 which, of course, came to end on November 28 at the hands of Tyson Fury.

• Lewis was involved in a total of 14 title defences. The record is held by American superstar Joe Louis with 25. Klitschko had 23.

64

EWN

Mallorca

SPORT

10 - 16 December 2015

ANDY MURRAY: One of the favourites to win the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.

Mallorca’s best guide to local sport

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www.euroweeklynews.com

All the news from Mallorca rugby Baleares Girls prepare for Provincial Competition The Baleares Girls Selection team were busy preparing for next weekend’s Provincial Championships in Cordoba with a match against El Toro RC U18 team. The boys held nothing back and it was a tough match for both teams. The score was irrelevant as it was match practice the girls were after and the chance to play as a team. They will be playing against teams from Andalucia, Castilla-Leon, Murcia, Basque Country and Madrid B. Baleares Under 16 team History has been made by the El Toro RC U16 player, Sofía Vicente who has been selected as the first girl to be chosen to play for the Baleares U16 team. She joins the boys who make up the rest of the team in prepa-

ration for the Provincial Championships.

Sofia will be playing as part of her club team next Saturday at 12.30 in the fourth leg of the Baleares U16 League.

Other teams taking part will be RC Ponent and the newly formed Rugby Union de Clubs with players from Bahia RC, Mallorca Bocs, Corsaris RC and Pollença RFC. Baleares Senior League The planned match between El Toro RC and Corsaris/Dimonis RC combined team was postponed by the latter and will now be played next weekend.

The match between Shamrock RC and RC Ponent was halted after 45 minutes by the referee due to technical problems with the licences of some of the players. It is hoped these difficulties can be resolved and the match finished

FRIENDLY MATCH: The Baleares Girls Selection and El Toro RC U18 team. at a later date. As it was a holiday weekend no other matches or competitions were played.

Coming up next weekend: The Baleares Girls’ team travel to Cordoba for the Provincial Championships.

El Toro RC is at home in Son Caliu to the mixed team of Corsaris / Dimonis RFC. Kick off is at 4.30pm.