Euro Weekly News - Mallorca 24 - 30 March 2016 Issue 1603

ISSUE NO. 1603

24 - 30 March 2016

MALLORCA

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Euro Weekly News stands in solidarity with the people of Brussels to whom we send our deepest condolences.

Silent love on the wings of the wind REMARKABLE solidarity shows why Mallorca flourishes Flags were raised at half mast across Mallorca as citizens and civic leaders united in their unanimous condemnation of the atrocious terrorist attacks in Brussels.

The political class at the Balearic Parliament held a moment of silence in tribute to the victims, and their lead was dutifully followed by public institutions of all shapes and sizes.

President of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol, offered her heartfelt condolences to families and called for unity across nations to combat the scourge of terrorism, while the island’s bishop Javier Salinas prayed for the victim’s eternal rest.

As long term expatriates and local residents will know, Mallorca is a wonderfully closeknit society, and this was reflected in the moving, mournful

Flickr Malcom Surgenor

By Matthew Elliott

scenes which crept across an island which has a strong relationship with the heart of Europe through its expatriate communities.

Unfortunately Britons and Spaniards alike know all too well what it means, and how it feels, to experience terrorism and bloodshed on their shores.

But just as this experience revives fear and confusion, it also nourishes the collective strength of a people who will not be cowed by the actions of cowards, no matter how vile.

What is now clear beyond all doubt is that, in this interconnected world we live in, the fate of the few is shared by the many. Many on this island have been to Brussels, know people there, and welcome their tourists with open arms year after year. It is a connection they share with the people of Paris and London, and one which was celebrated yesterday in a show of unity and defiance.

Luckily there were no victims among residents of the Balearic Islands, though there were a few near misses. But when it comes to defending ourselves against the barbarism of those who would have us dead, it will not be luck which saves us, but one another.

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LOCAL NEWS

Funds for refugees A TOTAL of €5,500 collected since October through a fund to help refugees will be shared equally between the charities Pro-Activa Open Arms and Doctors without Bor-

ders. Representatives of those involved in the fundraising effort will decide how the money is to be used in a participatory process at the theatre of Arta.

Easter holiday haven ACCORDING to TripAdvisor’s annual survey of Easter travel trends, the Balearics is the most expensive destination for tourists during the upcoming holidays.

Prices for a hotel stay are almost €50 more than the national average. The number of Spaniards travelling for Easter holidays has also increased 8 per cent compared to 2015.

Unexpected delay A GERMAN couple driving on their way to the airport had to be admitted to hospital instead after their car collided with another vehicle on the road between Al-

gaida and Santa Eugenia.

The couple, who are in their 70s, were returning back to Germany after spending a few days on holiday in Mallorca.

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NEWS

Hotel room thief sentenced to jail HE will also have to pay compensation to his victims

By Sandra Galo A MAN who confessed to stealing from hotel rooms in Cala Vinyes and Peguera during the months of June and July of 2015 has been sentenced to jail.

After confessing to the crimes on March 17, he was sentenced to three and a half years by a Palma criminal court. The man is from Algeria and may be able to replace the sentence with a five-year expulsion from the territory. He will also have to compensate victims by paying €2,020 for objects and money stolen. Another man of Spanish nationality charged with receiving stolen goods was given a sentence of nine months in prison.

Last summer, the Guardia arrested these two individuals suspected of at least a dozen burglaries of hotel rooms in Calvia.

The stolen items were then sold on the black market. The detainees were part of an organised gang specialising in burgling hotels and selling drugs.

flickr by Duncan Joint

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CALA VINYES: Items and money were stolen from hotels rooms.

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Your papers, your views

FEATURED NEWS

Brexit, a view from a QC specialising in EU law

Our readers have been expressing their views on an article from a lawyer who specialises in European matters as it appeared on our website,

www.euroweeklynews.com Here are just a few of your comments and remember we like to hear from everyone regardless of which side of the fence you may sit.

Photo Credit Number 10 Crown Copyright

INFORMED opinion from George Peretz QC

Biased view Well at least the author doesn’t pretend to have written a balanced article. It’s the equivalent of a ‘vote for me’ poster.

One eyed jack

Hard to register

George Peretz QC

Well, after several attempts to register to vote I finally succeeded, not the best to use or is this because they don’t want us to vote? If you do try to register Do NOT give up! But please DO vote! It’s OUR future even if you have never voted before! Philip Broadbank

FORMER CHUMS: David Cameron and Michael Gove.

ONE of the first things you learn when you study EU law is that one of its main aims is to protect EU citizens who move to other EU countries.

In one important European court case, it was said that any EU citizen can claim “civis europeus sum” – I am a European citizen. So every Brit working, living or owning property in Spain has the basic right to be treated in the same way as a local, and that basic right means that they can get a job, start their own business, or buy a property on the same basis as Spaniards.

They can’t be made to pay more taxes than Spaniards. In most cases, they can use public services such as health on the same basis as Spaniards and they can even vote in local elections.

Depending on the final outcome of any post-Brexit deal, all of those rights could vanish if the UK leaves the EU. Brits wanting to buy property in Spain could be stopped from doing so in certain areas (as they are in Switzerland).

Brits could be made to pay unfair extra on their rental incomes (as France tried to do before it was stopped by the

EU) and they are likely to find access to local health services becomes more expensive and difficult, as it is anywhere outside the EU. Further, Spain, as a member of the Schengen zone, is bound by EU rules to administer a work permit system for highly-skilled workers from non-EEA countries. It is also entitled to stop lessskilled workers from outside the EEA from working at all.

You could avoid some of those problems by applying for long-term resident status. But it is largely up to Spain how it deals with such applications. For example, it could impose requirements that you speak excellent Spanish and are integrated into Spanish culture and even as a long-term resident you wouldn’t have rights you enjoy as an EU citizen, for example to have members of your family come and join you.

What do Brexiters say?

First, they point out that Brits lived in Spain before the EU. That’s true. But they had no automatic right to work, run a business and so on without the say-so of the Spanish government. Rich Brits,

like the prominent Out campaigner Lord Lawson, with his house in France, are probably fine. Countries always welcome the wealthy, and they can pay extra taxes and charges. Less rich Brits may well find things harder.

Second, they argue that the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties will help. But the problem with that argument is that Article 70 of that convention, the clause they rely on, only protects rights and obligations ‘created through the execution of the treaty prior to its termination’.

It is very unclear what those words mean in the case of Brexit. They would probably stop Spain from confiscating a house bought before Brexit – although the European Convention on Human Rights would probably prevent that anyway. But it is hard to see that that clause would give Brits any continuing right to be treated as an EU citizen in the years after Brexit, when it came to matters such as the rights to work, not to pay extra taxes, to use public health care, to buy further property, or even to carry on living in Spain.

Further, it would be for the Spanish courts and lawmakers to interpret and apply this rule, there would be no right to complain to the EU if it wasn’t respected. So the claim that the Vienna Convention offers any solid protection to expat Brits is simply incorrect, and even Brexiters do not claim that anything in the Vienna Convention could help Brits who merely plan to live or work in Spain but have not yet done so.

Third, one can also argue that the UK would do a deal with EU countries to protect the position of British expats, but since Brexiters want to be able to stop or control migration from other EU countries to the UK, and since any deal would have to be even-handed, we can’t expect that any such agreement would give Brits living in or planning to live in Spain anything like the same rights they enjoy now.

The truth is Brexiters care much more about meeting migration targets than they do about the position of the one to two million Brits living on the continent, or the millions more who would like to move to the continent when they can.

Do vote Please vote, but understand that ‘fear articles’ like this one are just that, they have no basis in fact this is a piece of fiction designed to scare. Look at the real facts and then make your minds up. Tony Kenny

Make up your own mind This isn’t about balance sheets, trade deals, and other people’s opinions. It is whether you as an individual, think that current EU policy with regard to the Turkish question is right for you. If you have the slightest unease then you must vote out. But don’t take any notice of me, as I am scared witless.

You must make up your own mind. Brexit Now

Important vote If you can vote in this referendum then you should, this is a very important referendum, in fact probably more important than a general election as you will probably never get the chance to vote again on this!

Vote with your head and your heart. Mike in ESP

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INDEX News 1 - 23

Featured News 3

Finance 25 - 30

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British police officers requested in Mallorca MUNICIPALITY wants to repeat last year’s successful collaboration

By Sandra Galo

Stocks 26

Leapy Lee 31

Legally Speaking 32

Daily TV 34

Letters 36

Vicki McLeod 38

Time Out 39 - 42

Our View 44

Colin Bird 44

Health & Beauty 46 - 47

Social Scene 50 - 51

Property 52 - 53

Homes & Gardens 54

Classifieds 55 - 57

Pets 58

Boats 59

Motoring 60

Sport 62, 64

SPANISH delegate to the Balearic Islands Teresa Palmer has asked the Minister of the Interior for British police to be put on patrol again this summer.

Palmer wants to repeat collaboration with police from Britain, by having two British officers patrol with the Guardia Civil for a few days in the areas of Palmanova and Magaluf.

Calvia Mayor Alfonso Rodriguez Badal emphasised that the municipality appreciates the work done last year by a pair of British officers, who sparked the interest of national and international media.

The mayor reiterated his request that more police come and for a longer period of time calling last year’s cooperative a ‘valuable experience’.

flickr by Jonathan Skaines

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BRITISH POLICE: May be on patrol in Mallorca again this summer.

Palmer did not confirm the presence of the officers this year, but said the Ministry of the Interior is in the process of request-

ing future collaborative agreements with foreign police, to repeat the experience of having mixed international patrols.

Palmer added they have already requested increased police presence this summer and for the officers to stay for longer.

NEWS

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New cultural centre in Sant Llorenç OPENED in the location of the old cinema SANT LLORENÇ has just opened its new cultural space in the location of the town’s old cinema.

El Espai 36 (Space 36) is a modern multifunctional building located in Carrer Major 36. It cost a total of €2.3 million to complete and is in the place where the old Sala Rigal cinema once stood.

Guests are greeted at the entrance by a large canvas painted by local artist Guillem Nadal. El Espai 36 includes a multipurpose room on the ground floor with a capacity for 336 people, a basement with dressing rooms and service areas. On the other two floors, there are up to five large rooms.

One of the rooms is equipped for culinary use and can be used for cooking classes.

The centre also has a large open-air terrace on the roof.

Wetland recovery plan CALVIA intends to recover wetlands along the coast to enhance the ecosystem.

The current administration is proposing one of its most ambitious goals in the area by planning to regain wetlands in order to enhance the ecosystem.

The proposal will be on display to the public for two months before being drafted.

Speaking of the Marina of Magaluf, General Director of Planning, Housing and Environment Jaume Carbonero said the goal is twofold. He explained it would be to recover the natural space, stressing the importance of the area for migratory birds.

Carbonero also spoke about the possibility of recovering the lagoons which would help solve the problem of flooding of areas like Son Ferrer.

flickr Vidal flickrbybySami SamiOueslati Oueslati Vidal

By Sandra Galo

SANT LLORENÇ: The village of Sant Llorenç now has a new cultural centre.

Two arrested for shooting bank sign NATIONAL POLICE have arrested two men for firing a rifle at the neon sign of a bank in Palma. The two men, a 55-year-old Spaniard and a 21-year-old Bulgarian national, are residents of the area and were allegedly using the sign for target practice.

On February 2, employees of the bank situated in the Avinguda del Comte de Sallent saw the sign would not turn on because of the damage caused by the bullets. National Police started an investigation and in a house search, they discovered the rifle, ammunition and a homemade silencer.

La Caixa Bank volunteers A TOTAL of 197 volunteers from La Caixa Bank have collaborated in charity activities on the Balearic Islands.

The bank’s volunteer programme currently has 18 activities which are used by 642 people.

Theft in Son Llatzer A WOMAN filed a complaint with the National Police and the Son Llatzer Hospital for a theft committed in her grandmother’s hospital room.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours at Son Llatzer, the woman reported. Her grandmother’s handbag was taken containing various documents, a rosary, three gold rings and €70 in cash.

The woman informed police that there were also thefts in other rooms taking advantage of the lack of night security at the hospital.

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NEWS

FOR the occasion of Father ’s Day celebrated on March 19 in Spain, the Balearic Family Forum de-

fended the need for fathers to play a more active role in the family.

The Forum expressed its

concern that society suffers from a great deficit of fathers and one of the biggest problems fathers face is how to balance their work and family lives.

The issue of balancing work and family has increased considerably compared to last year when the percentage of fathers voicing concern that they couldn’t spend enough time with their children was 60 per cent, 11 per cent less than this year.

Sixty-eight per cent of parents surveyed said that if they could leave their jobs to look after their children, they would. For the first time, the percentage is higher with men (69 per cent) than with women (66 per cent).

The Forum also criticised the obstacles mothers encounter in the workplace and urged fathers to support their professional plans.

flickr by Antonio Rodríguez Fernán

Family Forum defending role of fathers in society ES CAP BLANC: The La Marina Solar Park is planned for the area of Es Cap Blanc.

Llucmajor solar park plan revised REDUCTIONS proposed in size of the site

By Sandra Galo THE developer for Llucmajor’s proposed solar park has presented authorities with a drastically reduced version of the photovoltaic project.

La Marina Solar Park which had been planned to fill 97.4 hectares with the photovoltaic system will now occupy only 20.23 in the modified project. The new proposal represents a reduction of 47.16 hectares and 70,506 modules.

The company Llucmajor Photovoltic plans to install the park in the area of Marina-Cap Blanc near the bay of Palma and the Red Electrica substation which is in the process of being built.

Both the La Marina and Santa Cirga solar parks have faced opposition. Manacor’s Santa Cirga photovoltaic park has already presented two reductions to the initial plan and is now awaiting political approval. La Marina, however, is still pending both technical and political approval.

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Squatters living in luxury chalet NEW residents have changed the locks and are illegally connected to electricity and water

By Sandra Galo RESIDENTS in Sant Marçal have denounced squatters living in luxury chalets in the area.

Home help pilot project FOURTEEN municipalities in Mallorca will participate in a pilot home assistance care programme.

The Mallorcan Social Services Institute has launched a pilot project of Home Care Service in 14 municipalities on the island including Inca, Lloseta, Alaro, Binissalem, Santa Maria, Consell, Porreres, Felanitx, Campos, Arta, Capdepera, Son Servera, Ses, Salines and Sant Llorenç.

According to the Council of Mallorca, the initiative consists in the application of the model of integral attention centred on the person at home.

The service will also detect possible cases of risk and prevent unnecessarily institutionalising those who are able to continue living in their own homes when adequate care is provided. The programme will also improve the welfare of families and caregivers by offering information, training and support programmes.

A plan of attention is to be put into action which includes helping to promote order, general cleaning of the home, shopping, creating menus and other such tasks. The programme will also include a personal hygiene care plan, medication management, support and will help the person to move around inside the home.

The squatters are reportedly gypsy families who residents say are acting as an ‘organised mafia.’ After problems with squatters a year ago in a show home, neighbours are once again con-

cerned about squatters who are now living in a luxury chalet which is owned by the Banco Popular and is on sale for €500,000. It occupies 1,200 square metres of land and includes a pool.

According to those who have denounced the squatters, the new residents have changed all the locks and illegally connected to the electricity and water mains.

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NEWS

Growth of foreign Balearic workers ISLANDS increase is higher than national level

By Sandra Galo THE Balearic Islands leads in the growth rate of foreign workers after a rise of 4.9 per cent last month compared to January.

A Ministry of Employment and Social Security report reveals that the Balearic Islands has signed up a total of 2,729 foreigners to the social security system during the month of February.

The increase in the Balearic Islands is higher than that of the national level and puts the Balearic community at the head with the highest increase of foreign contributors.

Of the foreign workers in the Balearics, more than 30,000 are from European Union countries and 27,982 come from non-member nations.

In terms of sector, 342,985 belong to the general system, 15,220 are self-employed, 5,892 work in private homes, 1,195 work in agriculture and 133 work in sea-related jobs.

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FOREIGNERS: Can be found working in a variety of sectors.

Assaults on our doctors increase THE Balearic Islands is one of the Spanish regions with less assaults on doctors.

Information published by the Observatory of Assaults of the Medical College (OMC) revealed that assaults on doctors in both public and private practice in Spain increased by 4.94 per cent compared to the previous year.

Nationally, 361 assaults were registered in 2015 compared to 344 in 2014. Madrid had the highest number with 77 reported cases followed by Andalucia with 66. The Basque Country and Ceuta, on the other hand, had the lowest registered assaults of doctors with each reporting only one case. The Balearics meanwhile reported five cases last year of this type of aggression.

President of OMC Juan Jose Rodriguez Sendin explained that it is necessary to raise awareness of the problem. He also observed that doctors in the public health system suffered more assaults than those in private health care with 312 cases compared to 49.

Group of youths arrested NATIONAL POLICE have arrested six youths for allegedly burgling apartments and businesses in Palma.

The perpetrators, aged between 16 and 20, are of different nationalities and have prior records of criminal activity of various kinds according to police sources.

The investigation began at the beginning of January when National Police detected a series of burglaries in the Palma areas of Son Gotleu, La Soledad, Pere Garau and the Poligono de Levante.

The group are believed to have used force to break through doors and enter flats and premises to steal objects of all kinds including mobile phones, jewellery, personal computers, and cash.

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NEWS

Businesses express their concerns MEETING has been called in search of a solution

By Sandra Galo BUSINESS owners want to talk with Palma City Council to address the growing activity of hawkers in the area.

Pimeco, which represents the employers of small and medium-sized enterprises in Mallorca, announced that it will meet with Councillor for Public Safety Angelica Pastor to try and find a solution to the growing problem of ‘top mantas’ (hawkers who sell illegal products on blankets or sheets).

In a statement, Pimeco explained that the meeting comes following increasing concern among businesses ‘after seeing first-hand the increase in illegal hawking’ in main tourist areas of Palma and the expected negative consequences that this illegal trade may have on businesses during the Easter holidays.

President of Pimeco Bernat Coll said that they have been watching how since late February more and more illegal street vendors have been appearing.

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TOP MANTAS: Businesses want more restrictions of illegal street vendors called ‘top mantas.’

Cycling network improved CALVIA City Council’s decision to improve bike paths in the municipality was applauded

by Ciudadanos (Citizen’s) party spokesman in Calvia Carlos Tarancon.

Tarancon’s party presented the motion ‘to have roads that allow cycling without putting the cyclists in danger and ensure a peaceful coexistence between bicycles and motor vehi-

cles’. Tarancon urged the Calvia City Council to co-ordinate with the Balearic authorities so that those roads that are not under municipal jurisdiction are also included in the measures.

During the plenary meeting, the council referred to ‘the poor state of some roads including the road connecting the roundabout at Cala Figuera with Son Bugadelles industrial estate.’

Teenager is critical A 16-YEAR-OLD boy is in a critical condition after hitting a car head-on while driving a moped.

The accident occurred on March 19 in Calle Samil at about 8.15pm as the teenager was riding his moped in the direction of Arenal.

A car appeared from a perpendicular street (C/Fotja) and although it obeyed the traffic sign and stopped, the boy reacted by veering left and crossing the lane into an oncoming car.

Emergency personnel attended to the boy for more than 40 minutes before he could be taken to hospital.

FINANCE

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Modelo 720 In 2016 Have you submitted your Modelo 720 yet? Do not forget that the deadline is 31st March. Residents of Spain need to submit Form 720 each year, listing their overseas assets where applicable. If you have previously submitted a form, you only need to declare assets if they have grown a certain amount or you have sold or closed them.

Besides confirming what you have to declare this year, this is also a good time to consider whether you are holding your assets in the most tax-efficient vehicles for Spain. If you have investments that were set up with UK taxation in mind, you may be paying more tax in Spain than you need be.

Summary of the rules There are three reporting categories, based on bank accounts, investments and immovable property. You have to report all assets in a particular category if the value of your total assets in it amounts to over €50,000. This only applies to assets located outside Spain.

By Simon King, Partner, Blevins Franks In general, you are obliged to report assets if you are the owner, settlor of a trust, beneficiary from a trust, authorised signatory, or have the authority to dispose of the asset.

This includes assets held by companies, trusts etc.

You need to report even if your personal share of assets is less than €50,000. With joint assets, each owner needs to declare the full value

(not pro-rated) and indicate their percentage of ownership.

In most cases, assets are valued using the wealth tax rules as at 31st December. For assets held within financial institutions (eg bank accounts), you also need to declare the average balance over the last three months of the year.

2016 declaration For your 2016 Modelo 720, you declare the assets owned as at the end of 2015.

If you have already submitted Form 720 in the past few years, you only need to report again if: • The value of an existing asset grew by more than €20,000, or • You sold an asset/closed an account, or • You obtained a new asset.

Penalties As a resident of Spain, you are legally obliged to correctly report all your overseas assets on Modelo 720.

There are severe penalties for failing

to do so.

We have always stressed the importance of correctly declaring your income/gains and assets in Spain on Modelo 720 and on your tax returns. With the new global automatic exchange of information between tax authorities, omissions and inaccuracies will easily be uncovered by the Spanish tax office.

Challenge to Form 720’s legality You still need to submit Form 720, even in light of the recent investigation by the European Commission (EC). This focused on the disproportionate penalties imposed for the non-submission or incorrect submission of information, and whether having no statute of limitations on submissions infringes on EU law. We still have to see how Spain responds. In the meantime, you should submit your form as required.

Many Spanish residents are paying higher taxes as a result of Form 720.

However, Spain actually remains a tax-efficient country for British retired expatriates if you take specialist advice. You may find that using other, legitimate arrangements would provide you with tax advantages you are missing out on now. Using compliant tax planning structures can save you tax and provide peace of mind. You should review your assets now to make sure they are in the best structures going forward.

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

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

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NEWS

Waiter fined for burning clients A WAITER has been sentenced to pay a fine for burning two German tourists with the alcoholic drink absinthe.

The waiter from a pub in Arenal lit the drink on fire

with a lighter in the summer of 2011. The two clients were accidently burned by the fire and sustained second-degree burns on their faces, necks, arms and chests. Both took

more than 100 days to heal and the burns required medical treatment and surgeries.

One remained hospitalised for a period of 13 days.

The bartender admitted to

the facts before the court.

The judge imposed a fine of 12 months at €3 a day for grievous bodily harm and set compensation of more than €6,000 for each victim.

flickr by Alexandre Afonso

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PLAÇA DEL MERCAT: Plans are being made to enlarge the square.

Changes to Plaça del Mercat area

SQUARE will be enlarged and improved

By Sandra Galo THE Palma City Council is planning a €1.7 million remodelling project for the Plaça del Mercat.

The project will remove all the roads currently surrounding the area except for Uni Street.

The square will be made into a

larger space with the statue of Antoni Maura in the centre.

The project plans to enlarge the space from 1,331 square metres of walkway to 2,656 square metres.

The new design will mean the elimination of 31 existing parking spaces and traffic

around the square with only delivery vehicles permitted to enter.

Councillor for Infrastructures and Accessibility Rodrigo Romero said the project will probably be implemented next year since 2016 is being dedicated to other improvements.

New fish found in Balearics A NEW species of fish has been discovered in the red algae of the Balearic Islands.

The Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) has announced that scientists from the Balearic Islands, Croatia and Germany made the discovery.

The fish, which barely reaches three centimetres in length, has been named Speleogobius Llorisi in honour of the ichthyologist Domingo Lloris.

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Hospital activity growing ACTIVITY in the Porto Cristo Llevant Hospital grew 30 per cent in 2015.

The centre has experienced an average increase of 600 new patients each month since its opening in July of 2013.

Last year, emergency services attended more than 13,000 patients representing an increase of 58 per cent from 2014. More than 800 surgeries have been performed. Hospital stays have shown the highest increase with a total of 5,751 patients representing a rise of 70 per cent compared to last year.

The rehabilitation unit has already had more than 10,000 sessions and has also added a pool which sets it apart from other centres in the Balearics.

The Llevant Hospital located on 12,000 square metres also includes a residence for elderly dependents. It has a total of 64 beds distributed in 12 double rooms, 40 individual rooms with six beds in the ICU and nine in emergency cubicles.

Work to improve the safety of walkways

BALEARIC Government spokesman Marc Pons confirmed Marivent Palace will not be open to the public this summer but there would be news in the summer as to when it will open.

CALA MILLOR: The two municipalities governing the area are working to improve safety for pedestrians.

SON SERVERA and Sant Llorenç municipalities have decided to improve the safety of walkways and public spaces for residents and tourists in Cala Millor.

The traffic of certain vehicles in-

cluding bicycles, Segways, electric scooters, four-wheel bikes, rollerblades and tandem bikes in crowded areas along the seafront of Cala Millor poses a constant danger to pedestrians and the two town halls governing the area are working together to remedy the problem.

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Marivent Palace

CERTAIN vehicles post a constant danger to pedestrians along the path

By Sandra Galo

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NEWS EXTRA

flickr by keith’s captures

NEWS

Following requests by residents, both administrations have launched criteria which they want to put in motion in an ordinance to regulate the use of certain vehicles in an effort to bring order to the chaos which occurs each year especially during the high tourist season.

Painted path MORE than 500 people participated in painting the walkway along Cala Rajada’s seafront on Saturday March 19. Twenty artists took part in the event which will stay until the end of the season.

Chinese aim THE Balearic Tourism Agency is organising a tour in Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera for a group of Chinese journalists. The aim is to publish information in China about the Balearics as a holiday destination.

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Power cables electrocution SANT JORDI residents are furious over the recent electrocution of a dog by a section of power line that they have been complaining about for years.

Angry residents said that a person could also die if they come into contact with the cables. The land in question is on the road between Sant Jordi and Casa Blanca. Both the Gesa electrical company and Local Police have received complaints from land owners expressing concern

for the danger. However, no action had been taken.

The discovery of the dog electrocuted by a cable near the ground has finally caused authorities to take action by cutting the power to that section, and last week officials from Gesa and the Council of Industry reviewed the system.

Residents, however, are still concerned saying that there are other sections of high voltage cables in disrepair and in danger of falling.

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Balearic Ports are high in rankings FIGURES based on number of passengers passing through

By Sandra Galo THE Ports of the Balearic Islands rank third in the Mediterranean for the number of passengers that pass through.

According to MedCruise’s 2015 annual statistics, the ports of the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) have gone up a point in their classification regarding the number of cruise passengers that have passed through the ports. It is now in third position of Mediterranean ports behind Barcelona and Civitavecchia with 1,996,533 passengers. MedCruise shared the statistics at a presentation in the Seatrade Cruise Global held this month in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA).

The ports of the Balearics, with the port of Palma in the lead, move from fourth to first position of the ports with the highest number of cruise passengers in transit.

The Balearic ports are also up from fourth to second place in ranking in terms

CRUISE SHIPS: Palma is a popular port of call. of the number of registered stops in 2015 behind Civitavecchia and ahead of Barcelona with 788 ships a year.

The APB is looking for the Seatrade Cruise Global to help in positioning it as

a low-season destination.

MedCruise, an association of ports in the Mediterranean and adjacent seas, is seeking the growth of the cruise industry in this area.

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Specsavers Spain celebrates 10 years WILL be offering free eye tests, special offers and a competition

NEWS

Organs from cardiac arrest deaths

By Sandra Galo SPECSAVERS OPTICAS in Santa Ponsa will be offering free eye tests, special offers and a special competition to celebrate 10 years in Spain.

In celebration of the 10year anniversary, Specsavers Opticas will offer glasses for just €10.

The popular Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition will run throughout April and May, and the store in Santa Ponsa will also be continuing to raise funds for kidney charities with a very special event on May 14.

Jose Angel Moral-Tajadura, Retail Development Consultant and Business Development Manager for Specsavers Spain commented: “We are very proud to have succeeded in Spain despite the financial crisis, and become known for our low prices, quality products, excellent customer service and professional services.

“We look forward to the next 10 years and invite the local community to come and visit their local stores in April and May, to take part

SPECSAVERS OPTICAS: Is celebrating 10 years in Spain. in fun activities and take advantage of some amazing promotions.”

To join in the celebrations and enter the competition, pop into the nearest store,

visit the website www.specs avers.es or find SpecsaversOpticas on Facebook.

ORGAN donations should grow by 30 per cent in the Balearic Islands due to the technique of harvesting organs from people dying from cardiac arrest.

Currently in the Balearics, removal of organs for donation is only done when a person is declared brain dead.

Now extraction of organs will be implemented after a patient flatlines (known medically as asystole). Dr Rafael Matesanz, director of the National Transplants Organisation, believes that this will allow the Balearics to increase the collection of organs by 30 per cent, and is an altruistic action that saves people’s lives.

Matesanz explained that the Balearic Islands along with La Rioja, Aragon and Asturias still do not remove organs from patients in assisted cardiorespiratory death, but he believes they should adopt this

technique to not be left behind.

When it is fully implemented, Matesanz predicts a growth of between 20 and 30 per cent in the number of donations.

The main reason that the Balearics should remove organs from patients dying from cardiac arrest, is that most of those who are brain dead and have organs removed for donation are victims of traffic accidents who have suffered head injuries.

The number of traffic accidents, however, has decreased over the years and, as a consequence, so have the number of donors.

The regional transplant coordinator Miguel Agudo said that donations from cardiac arrest patients will probably be implemented in Son Espases Hospital as well as in hospitals in Ibiza and Menorca later in the year.

New Son Serra protest coming ENIVORNMENTAL group SOS Son Serra is not satisfied with the Santa Margalida council’s plan to reduce the chiringuito project on the Son Serra Beach.

The association has therefore decided to stage another protest, in the form of a human chain. The protest has been scheduled to take place on April 28.

The group got toge the r for a protest in January, and 5,000 people s how e d up to prote s t the chiringuitos.

The allegations which were presented against the initial project will no longer be relevant.

Now that modifications have been introduced, it will be necessary to process all of the allegations again.

PROTEST: Environmental group is not satisfied with the council’s chiringuito plan.

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NEWS

Underage drinking problem

By Sandra Galo UNDERAGE drinking, according to the Quality Leisure Platform of the Balearic Islands (POQIB), is the biggest problem facing the area today.

In a plenary session held in Can Campaner, the POQIB explained its objectives in dealing with the problem including enforcing the rules on alcohol sales and consumption, creating healthy nightlife alternatives for young people, and the importance of using social networks.

POQIB finds that it has ‘serious difficulties’ in taking this issue to the centre of social and political debates and is concerned about the low social perception of the problem and risks involved and explained that this results in not considering responsibilities regarding the problem nor taking action to stop it.

The meeting was attended by Health councillor Patricia Gomez, General Director of Public Health Maria Ramos and the regional coordinator of

the Addictions Programme Rosa Aranguren as well as representatives from the University of the Balearic Islands, various town councils, municipalities, groups of parents, and business owners in the nightlife industry.

During the meeting, Health councillor Patricia Gomez stressed that thousands of the tourists that come to Mallorca are young people attracted by the nightlife offered here, the low price of alcohol and its easy accessibility which often generates risky and uncivil behaviour which can also be seen in many of the popular fiestas of the island.

Gomez warned that these habits have immediate negative consequences which are sadly often seen in the media, but she added that there are also long-term effects and it is necessary to act even though it’s not easy.

Gomez explained that this is such a complex problem that it

flickr by Daily Collegian

YOUNG people are attracted to Mallorca by the night life offered and the low price of alcohol

RUBBISH: Just one of the many problems caused by drinking. cannot be addressed independently and to succeed there must be a collaborative effort.

She added, “Only if we join forces and facilitate cooperative work will we become aware of

the problem and place it in the centre of social and political debate.”

The Platform is based on four principles including a good understanding of the issues re-

lating to the Balearic nightlife, commitment of participants to create a safe and healthy nightlife, cooperation among participants and the establishment of effective measures.

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24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

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New grants for economic activity ESCORCA Council hoping to help families

By Sam Croft THE Escorca Council will open a l i n e o f g r a n t s fo r people who wish to establish or develop some kind of economic activity in the rural a r e a s i n t h e t o w n ’s

municipal boundary.

Mayor Antoni Solivellas s a id : “ We are lo o k in g to help those families that are in tere s te d in e x p lo iti ng s o me fa rm, w h eth er it is their own or by making an agreement with the owner.”

Riding the bus A NEW campaign is allowing the children of Palma to learn first-hand about what makes their city a great place to live. Nursery and primary school students from different schools in the community board the city’s tourist buses and are then chauffeured around, just as if they were on holiday.

The programme has a dual purpose. In addition to encouraging the children to discover the city, they also have stories read to them that touch upon important social issues such as equality, abuse, and diversity.

The bus tours began in February, and are expected to go on until April.

The exact quantity of the grants will be known at a later date, after the budget for this year is approved.

In the 1960s, Escorca had 600 inhabitants, while today the re a re only 200 re gis tered residents.

Park trashed in Capdepera THE Canyamel Children’s Park in Capdepera was vandalised in the early hours of the morning on Monday March 21.

Rubbish was strewn all over the park, leaving it in deplorable condition. Cleaning and maintenance workers were quickly deployed to the park to clear it up as well as they could so that the little ones can use it again.

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Help needed to send food

NEWS

Advertising feature

flickr by Alexanyan

MORE containers need to be sent to Lesbos

Home Insurance and Public Liability WHAT IS PUBLIC LIABILITY IN REGARD TO HOME INSURANCE? If someone slips or falls and suffers an injury whilst on your property, they could make a claim against you for damages. Public liability insurance will cover you against these types of potential third party claims. Here are some examples so you can better understand the risks involved if you fail to protect yourself against third party liability, also known as public liability.

LESBOS: Mallorca will be sending containers of food and material to the island.

TYPES OF THIRD PARTY OR PUBLIC LIABILITY

By Sandra Galo AN initiative spearheaded in Inca by Antonia Triguero to collect food to send to refugees in Lesbos is in need of funds.

Triguero explained that she got the idea of shipping the containers filled with food after attending a conference given by photographer Xavi Ferre and firefighter Onio Reina from the ProemAid charity explaining their experiences with the

refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos.

Triguero said they are now in need of funds to pay the cost for the remaining containers to be shipped. The original idea, she explained, was to send a single container to Barcelona, but due to the great response of residents who donated 12 tonnes in only three days they are now asking for financial help to send more containers.

Donations can be made to the bank account of Proem-Aid (Proem-Aid ‘Contenedor Mallorca’).

Mattress fire causes residents to be evacuated from building ABOUT 20 residents and an eagle had to evacuate their

homes after a mattress caught on fire in an apart-

ment in Palma.

Firefighters took half an hour to put out the fire which caused a great amount of smoke.

The incident took place in the early hours of March 16 at Son Armadans 21, in Palma.

According to emergency services sources, the fire started shortly before 6am when an electric blanket apparently set a mattress alight.

The homeowners were, however, able to move it onto the terrace to prevent the fire from spreading inside the building.

All the residents from the six floors of the building had to be evacuated.

One of the residents affected, an enthusiast of falconry, was also able to safely evacuate an eagle he had in his home.

If you own a swimming pool, paddle court or if you are renting out your property as a holiday home, anyone visiting your property could potentially make a claim against you for injury if they hurt themselves. You could be held liable even if it was their fault entirely.

This also includes tradesmen entering your property in order to maintain it, such as gardeners, electricians, and swimming pool or boiler maintenance. Public liability insurance will cover you against any potential third party claim resulting from an injury happening on your property. You will need to check which types of third party cover you require for your property and take out a specific policy to cover, for example, medical claims or negligence.

COVER YOURSELF AGAINST DAMAGE CAUSED TO THIRD PARTY PROPERTY Should the structure of your property cause any material damage to another property (through explosion, water, or fire damage), you will be held responsible for any costly repairs. To avoid having to foot the repair bill you must take out a home insurance with public liability.

WHAT DOES PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE COVER?

Should a third party injure themselves on your property, they could make a claim against you for medical costs to cover their treatment. This can be expensive, especially if they have private medical insurance. You may also have to pay for any legal costs incurred should the claim require legal representation or court settlement. Linea Directa can provide you with advice on how to check how much public liability insurance you currently have and provide you with options on how to adequately cover yourself and your family.

We hope the information provided in this article is of interest.

If you would like to contact Línea Directa please call 902 123 309 More information on Línea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com

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NEWS

Roving reporter Matthew Elliott was sent to Competa, a small village in the mountains, with nothing but the clothes on his back for 24 hours and a cover story. His mission – seek charity and report on his findings. Also come back alive (for insurance purposes).

An innocent abroad

HEAVY rains, ferocious dogs and evergreen British spirit lie in wait

COMPETA: Flush with avocado trees, it is perfect for the penniless... just not in a storm.

A SPLUTTERING Euro Weekly News van spat me out amid the stark void of the sierras, so clueless as to where I was that they might have blindfolded me on the way. Stranded for 24 hours with no money or phone, I was tasked with finding charity by throwing myself at its mercy. It had all seemed more romantic indoors.

Throwing caution to the wind, I flung on my hood and made haste for the whitewashed village nestled in the hillside. I crept around the silent streets like a sly drifter and was barked at ferociously by a salivating sentry, a piercing silence in between its roars.

Ignoring the buck toothed grin of an extra from Deliverance I dived under a thick avocado tree. To hell with orders I thought, I’ll see out my sentence in blissful ignorance under the shade. Just as my mind slipped briefly into that narcotic state of pseudo sleep, thick raindrops fell, and the skies thundered. I needed help.

The undercover story was that my imaginary Spanish girlfriend, Maria, had thrown me out of the car after a heated battle of wills. I stuck to the tale because it was infinitely more plausible than the dawning reality that my boss was discreetly trying to assassinate another wayward writer.

In the British quarters, by which I mean the only bar open, my story was met with wild laughter and disbelief but I wasn’t to worry, the party here would go on till the wee hours and we’d find a room for you. There were stories of home tinged with regret.

Needless to say one thing led to another

that an EWN rescue mission was and, in evergreen British spirit, matters soon due to beam me up like ET when swept swiftly out of control. The bed I’d been the sun set and graciously acpromised disappeared, shuffling down the cepted her kindness. cobbled streets cackling in ecstasy, and I was Determined to escape the rain I sought utterly alone, angry, and craving shelter with sanctuary in the church, only to find its great all my being. wooden doors locked A fitful sleep that veered To hell with from within. Burning at between the terrible fury of whatever bitter irony being too cold for comfort, orders I was at work I swore at and vivid dreams of a crying thought, I’ll see the sky. statue of the Virgin Mary, was out my sentence in Hood strapped on I cut short by the barmaid, surblissful ignorance continued my march prised to find a lonesome exunder the shade back up to the mounpat sprawled by the flickering tains. A stray dog apembers of the fireplace. peared from the mist and walked by my side I shuffled out into Saturday with ringing until the hail-storm began. church bells and Johnny Cash between my Cloistered under a bending tree waiting on ears. I quickly caught the attention of a wild my lift back to Benalmadena I kept myself haired Irish hippie raised in the slums of east warm with a song before my saviour came London, and a privately educated Guardian and swept me away. reader prone to quoting philosophers with a slow and deliberate air. They had met each day for years, an odd couple studying the Then suddenly it happened world’s woes, and welcomed me with coffee, I lost every dime cake and conversation.

But I’m richer by far When the two went their separate ways I With a satisfied mind was offered the use of their tab in case I was Money can’t buy back hungry or still stranded. It was a gallant gesture of trust and goodwill and I was surprised Your youth when you’re old by a surge of overwhelming gratitude. It was Or a friend when you’re lonely time to go and as I shivered back up the mounOr a love that’s grown cold tains to the agreed rendezvous the rain came thundering down.

The wealthiest person An old Spanish lady, fearlessly friendly, ofIs a pauper at times fered me a ride back to Competa, my erstwhile Compared to the man prison for a day, I hadn’t the heart to explain With a satisfied mind

Spare a shilling?

Later I was to reflect that human kindness is still alive and well and to this day I am indebted to all those who lent a helping hand. In this dog eat dog world it’s so easy to believe we live in, they had no cause to look twice. In reply I can only perform my own small acts of charity in the future, and certainly mean to do so at the earliest opportunity.

When you’re alone, you will find kindness in the simplest of actions.

The thrusting open of a car door, the scribbling of a telephone number, can raise your spirits so intensely you could smother a donkey in kisses and pledge to become a kind of karmic knight sowing sunshine and righting wrongs.

I learned that life is about being open. If I had my phone handy, doubtless I would have either buried my head in it, or simply called a friend.

Here, faced with the choice of asking for help or freezing to death, I found that a friendly smile opened doors another me would never have knocked.

To be sure I was soaked, shaken and exhausted, but the experience of losing your ego, at the mercy of mankind rather than in the comfort of bed, is something I wouldn’t change for the world.

NEWS

24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

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Dogs shot dead in Selva POLICE hunting perpetrator

EWN

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Work accident in industrial estate

By Sandra Galo LOCAL POLICE have joined forces with the Guardia Civil to investigate the deaths of two dogs shot dead on a farm in the municipality of Selva.

The large dogs were discovered last week on the Can Tomasset rural road between Selva and Moscari with .22 caliber bullet holes in their bodies.

A resident of the area found the animals lying on the ground and alerted Local Police. The officers discovered one of the animals dead and the other, a female, seriously wounded. The dead male was a Spanish mastiff. A vet arrived on the scene but had to put the female down because the bullets had hit the bone and the injuries were irreversible.

The police alerted Guardia Civil officers from the Nature Protection Service who took

Service sector revenue is up THE service sector of the Balearic Islands registered a 6 per cent increase in January of this year compared to January 2015.

This growth is above the national average as this sector increased by only 2.4 per cent in the rest of Spain, according to figures published on March 22 by the Spanish Statistics Institute.

Galicia, with a 7 per cent increase, was the only Spanish region able to improve upon the figures of the Balearic Islands.

A 67- YEAR- OLD m an suffered some scrapes and br ui ses af t er bei ng i nvolved in an accident at his workplace in a Marratxi industrial estate.

The accident occurred on March 22 a little after 10am in a furniture shop l ocat ed i n Cal l e Gr em i Teixidors.

Appar ent l y, t he m an, who according to police sources was the owner of the business, was standing

SPANISH MASTIFF: One of the dogs killed was a Spanish mastiff. statements from a neighbour who reported hearing gun shots moments before the discovery of the animals. The

agents said that this was not an isolated event and that similar acts had been committed previously in the same area.

Local Police are now maintaining a greater presence in the rural area in an effort to ‘hunt down’ the perpetrator.

Palma Cathedral has gone green THE Palma Cathedral has become the first ‘green’ cathedral in Spain.

The cathedral uses 100 per cent renewable energy, thus contributing to the objective of ensuring that the environmental impact of its carbon footprint is zero.

Axpo Ibera presented the president of the Council of Canons a certificate guaranteeing that all the energy used by the cathedral is

from renewable sources. Axpo is an international leader in energy trading and in the development of tailored energy solutions for its clients.

The Cathedral has established a policy of energy management in line with the concern for environmental problems recently expressed

by Pope Francis who stated that ‘a crime against nature is a crime against ourselves.’

New cultural centre opened SANT LLORENÇ has just opened its new cultural centre where the village’s old cinema used to be.

The centre called Espai 36 (Space 36) is a modern multifunctional building located in Carrer Major 36 (hence its name). It cost a total of €2.3

million to complete and is in the place where the old Sala Rigal cinema once stood.

A large canvas painted by local artist Guillem Nadal hangs at the entrance to greet guests as they enter. Espai 36 includes a multi-purpose room on the ground floor with a capacity for

250 people and a basement with dressing rooms and service areas. In the other two floors, there are five large function rooms. One of the rooms is equipped for culinary use and can be used for cooking classes.

The centre also has a large open-air roof terrace.

Hospital to be converted for citizens THE Palma City Council is negotiating with the Balearic government to convert some of the old Son Dureta hospital facilities for citizens’ use.

Councillor for Citizen Participation Eva Frade announced in a recent commission of Cit-

izen Services that the Urban Planning department is interested in using part of the hospital which is not in use as a cultural centre for the neighbourhoods of Sa Teulera, Dureta and Son Armadams.

on a forklift, counterbalanci ng i t . Suddenl y, he flew off and injured himself.

Guardia Civil and Local Police officers went to the scene along with an ambulance, which took the man to a hospital in Palma.

His injuries were not as serious as they initially appeared and it was soon conf i r m ed t hat t he m an had not suffered any internal injuries.

E W N 24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

NEWS

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RUSSIAN P RESS

Time and space NEW exploration programme has been approved photo credit shutterstock by FotograFFF

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SPACE AGENCY: Has struggled in recent years.

AFTER a long wait, the Russian government has finally approved its new federal space exploration programme, which comes with a budget of 1.4 trillion rubles (€18.5 billion), to be spent over the next decade.

The Russian space agency has struggled in recent years. The original proposal asked for 3.4 trillion rubles, but economic hardships led to the budget being shaved down significantly.

Empire expanding VICE MEDIA is set to launch in Russia. The American media outlet will initially be available digitally, and will later segue into TV channels, either on its own or in collaboration with local broadcasters. The youth-oriented media giant is currently steamrolling its way across eastern Europe one country at a time.

Crash claims denied THE Kremlin has vehemently dismissed claims it was behind the Polish president’s plane crash in 2010. Polish Defence minister Antoni Macierewicz recently made strong comments which seemed directed at Moscow, leading Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to brand the

Making enemies of the US PUTIN: Been framed as an enemy of the US.

Putin credit Frederic Legrand – COMEO

THE Kremlin is unhappy with a pre-election video launched by Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The video features a clip of Clinton barking like a dog followed by a clip of Putin laughing, and frames Putin as an enemy of the United States. The Kremlin has argued that the video is an attempt to ‘demonise’ Russia.

words as “unfounded, biased, and nothing to do with the real circumstances of this tragedy.”

Banned food bill LAWMAKERS in Moscow have presented a new bill that would crack down on the distribution of illegally imported food. The bill, which has been introduced as a response to Western sanctions stemming from the Ukraine crisis, suggests that vendors caught distributing banned foods receive fines of up to 1 million rubles (€12,743).

Sanctions stay US State Department spokesman John Kirby has indicated that the sanctions

against Russia will not be lifted until Crimea is returned to Ukraine. Kirby stated the US “will not accept the redrawing of borders by force in the 21st century.” March marks the second anniversary of the annexation of Crimea.

Activist attacked A PROMINENT human rights activist was the victim of a humiliating attack in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. Igor Kalyapin, head of Russia’s Committee Against Torture human rights group was ambushed by about 15 people, who threw eggs, cake, flour, and paint at him before kicking him a few times.

FINANCE

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€14 billion is the amount of oil revenue that went missing from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation during 2014, according to government auditors.

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India’s Richard Branson in trouble

Mapfre forecast

VIJAY MALLYA’S Kingfisher Airline failed in 2013

DESPITE the fact that it turned in lower that anticipated profits due to South American downturn, Spanish insurance giant Mapfre is forecasting a significant turn around between now and 2018, and expects turnover in 2018 to increase to €31 billion.

It intends to pay dividends to shareholders accounting for 50 per cent of its profits, and expects that these will account to 5 per cent of turnover.

By John Smith I N D I A N e n t r e p r e n e u r Vi j a y Mallya, who was once compared to Richard Branson, inherited a fortune from his father and at one time was considered to be a rising star in the Indian financial firma-

is said to be the amount that Vijay Mallya owes to creditors following the collapse of Kingfisher Airline.

“What’s a bloke got to do in your job to get the sack?” A question asked of George Osborne by BBC Radio 4 presenter John Humphrys following the March 2016 budget.

Photo Credit Joseph Sohm Shutterstock

Quote of the Week

€1.2 billion

DONALD TRUMP: On the campaign trail.

The ‘Last Trump’ LOVE him or hate him, you can’t ignore Donald Trump.

The well-respected Economist, in its list of risks facing the world, includes him in the top 10.

According to their report, if what he says is what he intends, then he is seen as being potentially more economically

ment, but when his Kingfisher Airline failed in 2013, he is said to owe huge amounts of money in unpaid debts.

Creditors managed to block a payment of €66 million due to be paid to him by drinks firm Diageo, after he sold them one of the

disruptive than if Britain leaves the EU, although he is not considered quite as dangerous as a future crash of the Chinese economy.

On the bright side, the review anticipates he will be beaten in the election by Hilary Clinton, assuming she wins the Democratic nomination.

BUSINESS EXTRA

European airline growth IBERIAN AIRLINES, part of the IAG group, has announced that it will be introducing new routes to China and Japan and will be recruiting cabin staff who have a knowledge of the languages of those two countries, or are of Chinese or Japanese origin.

Due to these expansions and a general growth in business, the company is looking to employ a further 50 pilots to add to the 80 recruited in 2015.

In addition, the German airline group Lufthansa has reported a 55 per cent rise in earnings to €1.8 billion thanks in part to lower fuel costs, and despite a series of strikes by pilots and cabin crew due to changes in working conditions.

Thanks to this, the company expects profits to rise slightly during 2016, and it will be resuming the payment of dividends to shareholders.

Investors flee sterling FOLLOWING the news that investors were withdrawing funds from Spain due to the uncertainty over the forming of the next government, it is the United Kingdom’s turn to suffer from investor jitters, with over £6 billion (€7.8 billion) leaving British shores in January alone, according to the Bank of England.

The big fear of course is the possibility of a vote to leave the EU in the June referendum, and also an underlying belief that the British economy is not as resilient as the market first thought, which has to some extent been confirmed by the reduction of growth forecasts revealed in George Osborne’s latest budget.

companies he inherited, and they have tried to auction Kingfisher House in Mumbai with a starting price of €19 million but without success.

In the meantime, Mr Mallya is said to have fled to London to try to escape his debts.

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PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3i Group PLC 450.05 -0.60 Aberdeen Asset Mangmnt PLC 287.20 -4.90 Admiral Group PLC 1918.00 2.00 Anglo American PLC 538.05 -17.70 Antofagasta PLC 502.75 -12.00 ARM Holdings PLC 1011.50 2.00 Ashtead Group PLC 874.50 -2.50 Associated British Foods PLC 3415.50 -7.00 AstraZeneca PLC 3915.75 25.50 Aviva PLC 480.10 -6.42 Babcock International Group... 940.75 -5.00 BAE Systems PLC 496.25 -0.80 Barclays PLC 161.60 -0.60 Barratt Developments PLC 572.25 1.00 Berkeley Group Holdings 3212.00 27.00 BHP Billiton PLC 818.80 -11.90 BP PLC 354.20 -2.75 British American Tobacco PLC 3979.50 2.50 British Land Co PLC 700.75 -4.50 BT Group PLC 445.73 -1.30 Bunzl PLC 1976.50 -4.00 Burberry Group PLC 1341.50 -13.00 Capita PLC 1044.00 0.00 Carnival PLC 3491.00 -7.00 Centrica PLC 225.65 -0.70 Coca-Cola HBC AG 1446.50 -9.00 Compass Group PLC 1216.00 -5.00 CRH PLC 1947.00 5.00 DCC PLC 5860.00 -10.00 Diageo PLC 1865.25 -3.50 Direct Line Insurance Group 375.90 0.40 Dixons Carphone PLC 437.30 -3.70 easyJet PLC 1503.00 -11.00 Experian PLC 1200.50 -6.00 Fresnillo PLC 981.00 -7.50 GKN PLC 290.85 -2.00 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1389.75 4.47 Glencore PLC 155.90 -5.00 Hammerson PLC 574.00 2.00 Hargreaves Lansdown PLC 1313.00 -10.00 Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC 1830.50 2.00 HSBC Holdings PLC 448.03 -0.80 Imperial Brands PLC 3812.50 5.00 Inmarsat PLC 919.75 -5.00 InterContinental Hotels Gr 2792.00 -5.00 International Consolidated 563.75 -1.50 Intertek Group PLC 3135.00 -18.00 Intu Properties PLC 316.35 -0.50 ITV PLC 242.30 -1.70 Johnson Matthey PLC 2587.00 -12.00

% CHG. -0.13 -1.68 0.10 -3.19 -2.33 0.20 -0.29 -0.20 0.66 -1.32 -0.53 -0.16 -0.37 0.18 0.85 -1.43 -0.77 0.06 -0.64 -0.29 -0.20 -0.96 0.00 -0.20 -0.31 -0.62 -0.41 0.26 -0.17 -0.19 0.11 -0.84 -0.73 -0.50 -0.76 -0.68 0.32 -3.11 0.35 -0.76 0.11 -0.18 0.13 -0.54 -0.18 -0.27 -0.57 -0.16 -0.70 -0.46

NET VOL 39.52 362.58 22.84 559.46 191.00 93.05 38.51 11.50 235.53 704.41 13.94 266.03 2,386.32 97.08 63.10 454.81 1,985.52 196.59 181.55 810.82 25.40 51.31 93.67 17.28 534.86 6.67 104.02 73.38 3.65 232.91 86.00 98.25 52.56 56.03 65.23 99.69 411.37 6,616.77 62.92 31.01 27.75 2,985.27 76.31 88.50 22.60 402.20 15.85 29.22 560.36 15.02

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Kingfisher PLC 349.70 -3.20 Land Securities Group PLC 1093.50 -1.00 Legal & General Group PLC 239.35 -1.80 Lloyds Banking Group PLC 70.01 0.11 London Stock Exchange Grp 2871.50 -21.00 Marks & Spencer Group PLC 412.35 -4.90 Merlin Entertainments PLC 461.85 -0.10 Mondi PLC 1314.50 1.00 National Grid PLC 971.30 -2.70 Next PLC 6547.50 -85.00 Old Mutual PLC 194.65 -2.00 Pearson PLC 900.50 5.50 Persimmon PLC 2092.00 2.00 Provident Financial PLC 2956.50 -18.00 Prudential PLC 1362.75 -8.00 Randgold Resources Ltd 6392.50 -115.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC 6589.50 -10.00 RELX PLC 1261.00 1.00 REXAM PLC 623.50 -0.37 Rio Tinto PLC 1994.00 -21.00 Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC 710.00 -6.45 Royal Bank of Scotland Gr 235.20 -0.90 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 1696.50 -11.00 Royal Mail PLC 477.10 0.70 RSA Insurance Group PLC 473.75 3.16 SABMiller PLC 4237.00 3.50 Sage Group (The) PLC 611.25 -1.50 Sainsbury (J) PLC 276.35 3.30 Schroders PLC 2729.00 -23.00 Severn Trent PLC 2139.50 -3.00 Shire PLC 3769.50 78.00 Sky PLC 1012.00 0.00 Smith & Nephew PLC 1121.00 1.00 Smiths Group PLC 1106.00 -1.00 Sports Direct International 426.40 1.40 SSE PLC 1464.00 -6.00 Standard Chartered PLC 492.85 -0.80 Standard Life PLC 369.30 -0.50 St James's Place PLC 935.75 -4.00 Taylor Wimpey PLC 188.00 -0.30 Tesco PLC 193.75 -1.10 Travis Perkins PLC 1800.50 -18.00 TUI AG 1030.50 6.00 Unilever PLC 3084.75 -13.50 United Utilities Group PLC 915.50 0.00 Vodafone Group PLC 216.67 -0.65 Whitbread PLC 3956.50 31.00 Wolseley PLC 3839.00 -4.00 Worldpay Group PLC 272.65 -1.00 WPP PLC 1584.00 -4.00

% CHG. -0.91 -0.09 -0.75 0.16 -0.73 -1.17 -0.02 0.08 -0.28 -1.28 -1.02 0.61 0.10 -0.61 -0.58 -1.77 -0.15 0.08 -0.06 -1.04 -0.90 -0.38 -0.64 0.15 0.67 0.08 -0.24 1.21 -0.84 -0.14 2.11 0.00 0.09 -0.09 0.33 -0.41 -0.16 -0.14 -0.43 -0.16 -0.56 -0.99 0.59 -0.44 0.00 -0.30 0.79 -0.10 -0.37 -0.25

NET VOL 190.06 114.94 924.55 6,835.94 61.18 239.38 183.49 126.56 374.93 27.17 574.79 142.66 39.64 21.13 335.23 27.42 109.46 134.96 39.79 227.57 284.79 918.99 396.80 96.60 126.41 153.02 134.83 1,276.96 15.47 22.55 276.33 103.47 30.16 84.08 367.43 116.03 992.03 205.37 28.20 437.46 798.34 31.20 35.61 107.48 45.80 1,913.67 62.98 23.59 78.52 113.09

Kleinwort Benson Elite PCC Ltd

0.78075

1.28080 Units per €

US dollar ....................................................................1.12456 Japan yen.................................................................125.282 Switzerland franc................................................1.09408 Denmark kroner...................................................7.45356 Norway kroner....................................................9.46008

currenciesdirect.com/mallorca • Tel: +34 687 906 226

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES M ARCH 21

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 165.33 +1.58 +0.96% 5.9M 61.22 +1.14 +1.90% 8.3M 105.92 +0.12 +0.11% 44.2M 133.96 +3.26 +2.49% 9.1M 75.47 -0.43 -0.57% 13.8M 97.69 +0.80 +0.83% 14.4M 28.33 +0.14 +0.50% 43.1M 45.60 -0.17 -0.37% 23.9M 99.20 -0.40 -0.40% 10.2M 64.86 +0.27 +0.42% 7.0M 84.20 +0.10 +0.12% 19.6M 30.92 -0.04 -0.13% 52.4M 157.60 +4.69 +3.07% 7.4M 131.35 +0.47 +0.36% 8.1M 147.09 +0.05 +0.03% 12.1M 32.68 +0.70 +2.19% 49.9M 107.50 +0.76 +0.71% 14.8M 60.48 +1.73 +2.94% 29.6M 124.08 +0.92 +0.75% 14.8M 52.25 +0.72 +1.40% 14.4M 53.49 -1.17 -2.14% 67.6M 62.99 -0.19 -0.30% 13.2M 29.45 +0.11 +0.37% 81.9M 83.15 +0.40 +0.48% 33.6M 115.76 -0.07 -0.06% 5.2M 99.05 +0.21 +0.21% 9.5M 126.72 +2.19 +1.76% 6.9M 53.24 -0.39 -0.73% 23.2M 73.78 +0.64 +0.88% 15.0M 66.95 -0.50 -0.74% 23.2M

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES M ARCH 14

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced Affymetrix, Inc. Ascent Capital Group, Inc. QuinStreet, Inc. Cerulean Pharma Inc. Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. Destination Maternity Corporation Peak Resorts, Inc. Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. BioScrip, Inc. CIM Commercial Trust Corporation

$ 15.99 $ 15.94 $ 3.44 $ 2.41 $ 4.25 $ 10.05 $ 3.36 $ 4.03 $ 12.37 $ 2.23 $ 18.38

1.97 ▲ 14.05% 1.95 ▲ 13.94% 0.41 ▲ 13.53% 0.28 ▲ 13.15% 0.49 ▲ 13.03% 1.13 ▲ 12.67% 0.36 ▲ 12% 0.43 ▲ 11.94% 1.28 ▲ 11.54% 0.23 ▲ 11.50% 1.8799 ▲ 11.39%

$ 4.30 $ 14.59 $ 43.50 $ 2.94 $ 4.26 $ 14.66 $ 2.64 $ 2.20 $ 11.27 $ 7.29 $ 9.93

1.67 ▼ 27.97% 4.38 ▼ 23.09% 10.18 ▼ 18.96% 0.46 ▼ 13.53% 0.56 ▼ 11.62% 1.91 ▼ 11.53% 0.34 ▼ 11.41% 0.27 ▼ 10.93% 1.29 ▼ 10.27% 0.81 ▼ 10% 1.10 ▼ 9.97%

Most Declined Nuvectra Corporation WAVE Life Sciences Ltd. Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Cadiz, Inc. Hanwha Q CELLS Co., Ltd. Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. TOP Ships Inc. Titan Machinery Inc. CNinsure Inc. Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

28

E W N 24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

SEAT’s first profit since 2008 Photo Credit Ghoster Wikimedia

THE increase in sales and production enabled the creation of 350 new jobs

By John Smith

SEAT ATECA: Available this summer.

Stock Exchanges to merge POSSIBLY with an eye to the Brexit, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) has announced that it wishes to merge with its German equivalent, the Deutsche Boerse (DB) in what is described as a ‘merger of equals’, with a combined worth in the region of €27 billion.

The shares in the new company will be split on an almost equal basis with 45.6 per cent going to LSE shareholders and the balance to DB shareholders.

One of the main reasons given for the merger is the operating savings they expect to make of €450 million a year, which represents about 20 per cent of their joint operating costs.

LSE will be bringing the Milan Borsa Italiana to the ‘party’, which means the new group believes that the “combination of London, Frankfurt and Milan will provide a platform for financing and promoting economic growth of European companies, and be an attractive offering to Asian and US companies looking to access investors and capital.”

Photo Credit Don’t worry Wikimedia

THE Volkswagen group has announce d t h a t i t s su b s id ia ry in Spain, SEAT, posted a €6 million profit for 2015, compared to a 2014 loss of €66 million, and was its first profit in seven years.

Sales increased by 11 per cent to €8.3 billion so the percentage of profit is tiny, but this is one piece of good news for the company that has been transformed, following the revelation that the parent had been responsible for misrepresenting diesel emission figures across a whole range of models.

“SEAT’s progress in 2015 was twofold, not only did we obtain a positive result for the first time s ince 2 0 0 8 , b u t we a c h ie v ed it during a year of major challenges.

We are i m p l e m e n t i n g th e rig h t strategy that enables us to face the challenge of sustaining long-term profitability with optimism.”

“We h a v e a b r i l l i a n t fu tu re ahead of us thanks to the launch of new products and the integration

of new technologies in both the field of mobility as well as connect i vi t y,” sai d Luca de Meo, President of the SEAT Executive Committee, during the presentation of the 2015 annual results.

The growth in sales for the third year i n a r ow, exceedi ng t he 400,000 vehicle barrier in a single year, was the result of recuperation in southern European markets, growth in Germany, SEAT’s main market, and the brand’s success in Mexico.

The increase in sales and production enabled the creation of 350 new j obs i n t he ent i r e SEAT Group, including 100 engineers at the Technical Centre, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, as well as 48 young graduates of the company’s vocational training school.

SEAT expect s t o i ncr ease i t s growth in 2016 thanks in part to launch of the Ateca, the brand’s first SUV, which was created at the SEAT Technical Centre and will be available this summer.

DEUTSCHE BOERSE: Merger with the London Stock Exchange described as a ‘merger of equals’.

Both organisations will keep their operations in their own countries on the assumption that the deal is completed either

later this year or early next year, and it will have an LSE chairman and DB chief executive.

In order for this deal to pro-

ceed however, shareholders in each company have to accept the recommendations of their respective boards.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

29

George Osborne presents March budget

By John Smith DURING a 62-minute speech on March 16 in his third budget in 12 months, Chancellor Osborne pleased a few people and irritated a few, but didn’t really come up with anything extraordinary.

Trying to be upbeat, he had to admit that his earlier growth forecasts were not going to be met, and therefore were amended to 2 per cent for 2016, down from 2.4 per cent, with slightly better but still reduced growth forecasts for the following years.

Mr Osborne was still confident that the UK forecast was stronger than for any other major western economy.

As was to be expected, he also reminded everyone that the Brexit, if it went ahead, could affect his financial forecasts, but he didn’t play that card too often or too strongly.

He sees this as a budget for the young and for the future, as there will be a tax imposed on sugary drinks by 2018 and a portion of the funds collected (as-

Photo Credit Cabinet Office flickr

HE didn’t really come up with anything extraordinary

CHANCELLOR GEORGE OSBORNE: Presented the new budget without too many surprises. suming that drink manufacturers don’t change their recipes), will be dedicated to sports facilities for the young.

Keeping with children in particular he has found funds to allow for all schools to become

academies by 2022, and there is some suggestion that the school day should increase nationwide by an hour.

For those trying to get onto the property ladder, those under 40 by April 2017 will be able to

save money in a ‘Lifetime ISA’ so that if they save up £4,000 per annum, the government will contribute 25 per cent extra to the savings. All of this will be tax free and will be operable until the saver reaches 50.

The annual ISA limit for regular ISAs is to rise from £15,000 to £20,000, which will please many although with such low interest rates, ISAs whilst safe are not terribly profitable.

The personal tax allowance is to rise to £11,000 in April 2016 and £11,500 in April 2017, which is worth in the region of £3.50 per week, but the higher rate threshold will increase to £43,000 this year and £45,000 next year, which did not impress those listening on the opposition bench.

All alcoholic drink duty will continue to be frozen as will fuel tax, but cigarettes will increase in price by inflation plus 2 per cent.

There is to be a further increase in insurance premium tax which will hurt motorists and others, as it is to be raised by 0.5 per cent to 10 per cent on all insurance except life insurance.

This extra levy will be used on flood defences in vulnerable areas.

Inflation is forecast to remain low, spending cuts will continue and more money will be spent on capital projects such as railway infrastructure, which will help to see the creation of a further 1,000,000 jobs by 2020.

Debt targets are going to be missed and borrowing will continue to rise in the foreseeable future.

One possibly unexpected bone of contention was the fact that he had done nothing to remove the 5 per cent vat on women’s sanitary products, which was heavily criticised by his own back benchers who object to the fact that the tax is effectively imposed by Brussels.

Finally, there was considerable criticism from the Labour party about the cuts in the proposed increase in Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to the disabled. This decision led to Jeremy Corbyn accusing the Chancellor of ‘declaring war on the disabled’, which he naturally denied.

Chinese group not disenchanted with FIFA DESPITE ongoing scandals, the Wanda Group has signed a deal to cover 2018 until 2030

By John Smith NEW FIFA president Gianni Infantino must be absolutely delighted that his team has managed to attract their first major Chinese sponsor, the Wanda Group, which has signed a deal to cover 2018 until 2030.

Although the value of the deal has not been revealed it is rumoured to be one of the biggest in FIFA history, supposedly topping the contributions received individually from Adidas, Coca-Cola, Gazprom, Hyundai and Visa, who spent over €150 million with FIFA in 2015.

Chinese firms have been involved with minor sponsorship in the past but this investment from Wanda, which is the largest private company in China operating in most areas of entertainment and retail sales including sports, is certainly a real feather in the cap for FIFA. The fact that the contracts for both Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 finals respectively have been the cause of considerable controversy doesn’t seem to have put off Chairman Wang Jianlin, who has a stake in Atletico Madrid and

Photo Credit Stefen Chow/Fortune Global Forum flickr

WANG JIANLIN: Chairman of the Wanda Group. has undertaken to arrange skills development for Chinese players in Spain.

China is an increasingly important market for soccer and players such as Didier Drogba, Ramires and Gervinho have been lured to that country by promises of high salaries

as they reach the twilight of their careers.

The Chinese love to bet and soccer has become so important that there are even accusations of match fixing in the English leagues as well as in other European countries.

Speaking at the announcement of

the sponsorship deal, Mr Infantino said: “We are pleased to welcome the Wanda Group to FIFA. A company that has a long affiliation with football has been an active supporter of the game for many years and shares our enthusiasm to develop and strengthen football.

“As FIFA President, I am committed to providing stronger support for football development to our member associations, and I believe that the relationship with Wanda will support us to continue the ongoing development and growth of the game in China and all over the world.”

In response, Mr Wang said “We are highly motivated to promote football across the country and to inspire a new generation of youngsters. The Chinese government is committed to this development and as a company we strongly support these efforts. In order to professionally grow the existing grassroots movement into a sustainable and well managed sport, we are delighted to tap into the vast experience of the most competent advisor – FIFA.” With all of this activity and the fact that China was renowned for building football stadiums all over Africa in the 1970s, perhaps this enormous investment from the Wanda Group will be repaid with the finals being awarded to China before the sponsorship agreement expires.

OPINION & COMMENT

24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

31

There’s only one solution THE game, in my opinion, is well and truly up!

Orlok/Shutterstock.com

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

WHEN are our pussyfooting politicians going to realise that there is only one solution to the ‘refugee’ problem? They have to annihilate the reason for them all coming here in the first place. They must completely destroy Daesh.

Their latest attempt at a solution is a sick joke. This week’s meeting of European leaders should have been to form a war cabinet.

So what do they do instead? Decide to give billions of euros to Turkey, promising its 68 million mainly Muslim residents a fast track into the EU if they take them all back! This to a country that is no more European than the Peruvian Incas and whose alien culture, unleashed without restriction on to our societies, would be the final nail in the coffin of Western ideals and democracy as we know it.

ALIEN CULTURE: Will be unleashed without restriction on to our societies.

And the biggest laugh of all? Every single one of these immigrants is entitled to legal representation to decide whether they should be made to leave or not! ‘Uman

rights lawyers and judges are rubbing their hands and packing their bags as we speak, en route to the Greek islands for a working holiday that will take years, and who’s go-

ing to foot their undoubtedly exorbitant fees? I don’t really have to insult your intelligence do I? It’s all a very expensive joke, perpetrated by politicians with no more courage than the Lion of Oz. Well, I’ll tell you if we don’t take the bull by the horns and enter into a full, no holds barred war against these animals, we are all finished. We need a European army of at least a half a million troops, kitted out with all the modern hardware necessary to complete the job. There really is no other way.

Despite my earlier misgivings, recent events have absolutely convinced me, if we want to retain any national identity and indeed our sanity, we simply have to opt out of Europe. Quite frankly, when the leader of our nation has to go cap in hand to Brussels to plead for the right to lift the tax on tampons, the game, in my opinion, is well and truly up!

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

32

E W N 24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

I’m not doing this PC stuff anymore Mike Senker

In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man I’M still in the USA and I know I have written about this place before but I have to relate a couple of things that have happened to me whilst I’m here.

I went to see a doctor in Houston and then took a flight to Las Vegas on a small puddle jumper. That is what they call the planes that fly the short trips. I get in my seat and buckle up ready for my flight. I’m in the window seat. I look up and coming down the aisle is a large man - a very large man! I’m talking omg large!!

Now let me point out he is not fat (I’m not even sure I can say that anymore). He is just a huge bloke and of course he manoeuvres into the middle seat next to me. Now I’m not a great chatter on a plane and never have been.

I’m not interested in striking up a conversation with a complete stranger who wants to know my life story.

So as soon as I sit in my seat I make myself busy. It used to be reading all the stuff in

the seat pocket, including what to do with the sick bag, but now I just put my headphones in either to watch a film on my laptop or listen to music.

Anyway he sits down and within a few minutes he has his head back and is asleep, but he has the whole armrest and is now well into my seat too! So what do you do? Well I’m not well known for my ‘suffering in silence’ abilities, so when the cabin crew lady with the trolley asks if I want anything out comes, “yes, a bigger seat please as I’m sharing mine with him!”

He looks at me and says “what’s the matter?” I tell him that he is invading my space (I’m being American – it’s what they say).

There is no apology. Nothing. Just a big huffing noise and a horrified look from the air hostess. Well, I’m not doing this PC stuff anymore. He moves his arms so I can have my seat to myself. I really don’t get it. Why am I made to feel bad because he is a big guy?

The rest of the flight was OK but I don’t think I’m on his Christmas card list, and it was interesting to see the reaction of other people who heard what was going on. What would you have done? I’d be interested to know. Email me at mikesenker@gmail.com.

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Address changes NOTIFY the DGT to avoid hefty fines 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.

TRAFFIC FINES: Driver didn’t receive notifications as they were sent to an old address.

THE importance of ensuring that the information relating to your driving licence is correct has been highlighted recently in the case of a former resident of Elche in Alicante Province, who discovered that he had been clocking up traffic fines without receiving notifications.

The problem only came to light when the treasury seized his bank account, prompting an investigation as to why, which resulted in the 52 outstanding traffic tickets, valued at almost €6,000, being brought to light.

The sanctions were all relating to a stretch of the A-7 motorway near Mijas in the province of Malaga, where the maximum speed limit is 80km per hour and protected by a multi-point radar system where the speed is monitored for a stretch of road, not just at the visible point of the monitoring equipment.

The driver, who moved to Benalmadena in 2013, claims to have notified the DGT of his change of address, but the sanctions were all sent to his previous Elche home.

His lawyer has filed several appeals to contest the fines on his behalf, but he has already paid half of the fines through his seized bank account.

The driver also said in an interview that he had no knowledge of how the speed monitoring equipment worked and will be “more careful” in the future.

A trial date has been set to resolve the matter one way or another, but not until 2018.

Fines and sanctions can be checked by individuals on the DGT website www.dgt.es under the section ‘Trámites y multas’, which can be found on the front page. There is also information available in English (and other languages) as to what to do if you receive a fine.

Remember to always inform the DGT of any change of address. If your town hall has a collaboration agreement with the Traffic Department you can do it in your town hall, in other cases you will have to go to nearest DGT office. Remember your NIE and your new padron.

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

What if the Minutes are altered?

IF the official Minutes of an AGM, as published to the members, contain items that were not on the original Agenda, and were not even considered at If items appear in the official Minutes Book, which were not discussed or voted at the Annual General Meeting, this technically amounts to fraud in a public document.

The Minutes Book is an official and legal record, registered with the Spanish Notary. Any owner can im-

the meeting, but have been implemented by the President and the Administrator, what rights do the owners have?

RP (Costa del Sol)

David Searl You and the Law in Spain

pugn the incorrect Minutes Book by going to court. If the judge rules there is a serious problem, the Book and the AGM can be annulled.

This solution seems

rather drastic unless the actions taken involve spending large sums of money or major changes to the building.

An extraordinary General Meeting could be called to accept or reject the changes, or the issue could be left to the next AGM for modification or acceptance. At the very least, it is bad practice.

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

34

E W N 24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

TV LISTING

THURSDAY 24 MARCH

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

FRIDAY 25 MARCH

8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 10:30pm 11:00pm 11:15pm 11:25pm

26 MARCH

SUNDAY 27 MARCH

MONDAY 28 MARCH

TUESDAY 29 MARCH

WEDNESDAY 30 MARCH

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

The One Show A Question of Sport EastEnders MasterChef Boomers Mrs. Brown's Boys BBC News at Ten BBC London News The Graham Norton Show Room 101

6:15pm 6:45pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

5:15pm

1:40am

The Voice UK The National Lottery Live The Voice UK Casualty BBC News Weather Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Biker Boyz

7:35pm 7:50pm 7:55pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:20pm 11:25pm 11:30pm 12:00am

BBC News Regional News Weather Countryfile Antiques Roadshow The Night Manager BBC News Regional News Weather Would I Lie to You? Little Fockers

7:45pm 7:55pm 8:00pm 8:30pm

Regional News Weather The One Show Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers EastEnders Marvel's Avengers Assemble BBC News Regional News Weather

12:10am

SATURDAY

BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders MasterChef DIY SOS The Big Build BBC News at Ten BBC London News The Autistic Me This Week

8:00pm 9:55pm 10:05pm 10:35pm 11:25pm 11:40pm 11:45pm

9:00pm 9:30pm 11:40pm 11:55pm 12:00am 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:40pm 11:45pm 12:45am 1:45am

9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 1:15am

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

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EastEnders Holby City The A Word BBC News Regional News Weather Life in Debt Valley Facelifts and Fillers Weather for the Week Ahead BBC News

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Flog It! Pointless BBC News Regional News The One Show MasterChef Secret Britain BBC News Regional News Weather A Question of Sport Boomers

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

10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:10am

Eggheads Too Much TV Big Dreams Small Spaces The Secret History of My Family Line of Duty Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle Newsnight The Women's Football Show

7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm Survive 11:00pm

Eggheads Antiques Road Trip Too Much TV Mary Berry's Easter Feast Mastermind Gardeners' World Springwatch QI Night Train to Lisbon The Tempest

8:30pm 9:00pm

11:40pm 12:40am

9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:15pm 11:45pm 2:05am

Big Dreams, Small Spaces Gardeners World Easter from King's Tribes, Predators and

7:00pm

Made in Britain Dad's Army Being the Brontes Jane Eyre Passion

12:05am

Springwatch Gareth Malone's Great Choir Reunion Natural Born Winners Tribes, Predators and Me Thirteen The People v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story Youth Without Youth

7:45pm

University Challenge Island Parish Shetland The People v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story Eddie Izzard: 27 Marathons in 27 Days QI XL Natural Born Winners Antiques Road Trip Eggheads Too Much TV This Farming Life Bake Off: Crème De La Crème Inside Obama's White House Scrappers Newsnight Weather Coast Australia Antiques Road Trip Eggheads Too Much TV This Farming Life Horizon Employable Me Live From the BBC Newsnight Weather Inside Obama's White House

8:30pm 11:00pm

12:20am

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7:40pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm

9:30pm 10:00pm 12:00am 12:15am 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 11:15pm 11:55pm 1:05am 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:40pm 12:45am 1:10am

ITV Evening News Emmerdale Tonight Emmerdale The Cruise Bear Grylls: Mission

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

10:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather Speeding Wars Murder, She Wrote

11:00pm 12:05am

Coronation Street Britain's Whales and Sharks Coronation Street Britain's Whales and Sharks ITV News at Ten and Weather Benidorm Octopussy Jackpot247

6:00pm

Saturday Night Takeaway International Football Friendly The Jonathan Ross Show ITV News and Weather International Football Friendly Highlights

2:30pm 5:00pm 6:30pm

ITV News and Weather The Chase: Celebrity Special Our Queen at 90 ITV News and Weather Corrie: The Road to Coronation Street Aviva Premiership Rugby Highlights

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

7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 12:25am 4:00am 7:10pm 7:40pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am 2:45am

ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green Coronation Street Maigret ITV News at Ten and Weather The Jonathan Ross Show

6:00pm

Local News and Weather ITV Evening News Emmerdale International Football Friendly ITV News at Ten and Weather International Football Friendly Highlights The Cube

6:00pm

ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Big Star's Little Star Grantchester ITV News at Ten and Weather Bear Grylls: Mission Survive Richard Wilson on the Road Jackpot 247

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:15pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:50pm

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

The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Ugly House to Lovely House with George Clarke 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Alan Carr: Chatty Man Tattoo Fixers

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

Couples Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Unreported World Food Unwrapped Travel Man Gogglebox The Last Leg First Dates

6:25pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm Disaster 9:00pm

Channel 4 Racing Channel 4 Racing Speed with Guy Martin Channel 4 News The World's Weirdest Weather Shakespeare's Tomb The Heat The Change-Up Hollyoaks Omnibus

7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:55pm 10:00pm 10:40pm

Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade Channel 4 News The Secret Life of the Zoo Great Canal Journeys Indian Summers Gogglebox Inglourious Basterds Embarrassing Bodies

2:25pm

Couples Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Guy Martin's Wall of Death: Live The Island Fresh Meat 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

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

Couples Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners One Born Every Minute First Dates 24 Hours in A and E

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

Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Shipping Wars Shipping Wars Channel 4 News Summary

10:00pm 12:20am

1:15am 5:10am

3:25pm 5:10pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:55pm 10:00pm 12:00am

11:00pm 11:55pm 1:00am

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

Home and Away 5 News Tonight Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild UK Medical Mysteries Trauma Doctors Cop Killer: Britain's Worst Crimes Left for Dead by the Yorkshire Ripper Super Casino

7:00pm 7:30pm

5 News at 5 Neighbours Home and Away Police Interceptors Concorde Air

1:30pm 6:15pm 8:30pm 11:00pm 11:30pm

All New Super Scary Plane Landings Air Force One Aircrash: The Miracle of Flight 32

12:30am

NCIS: Los Angeles NCIS: New Orleans NCIS 5 News Goal Rush Live Championship Boxing Super Casino Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

11:00am 1:00pm 8:30pm 12:30am 12:45am 1:00am 1:15am 1:30am 3:00am 3:15am 3:30am

Soccer A.M. Football Live Fight Night Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Sporting Rivalries Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs

Dogs Make You Laugh Out Loud Watership Down Greatest Animated Movies Now That's Funny!

Penn and Teller: Fool Us in Vegas 5 News Weekend Due Date Bounty Hunters

12:30pm 2:30pm

Football Live Championship Rugby Union Live Championship Rugby Union Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Goals on Sunday Fight Night Goals on Sunday

8:00pm 11:30pm Hits 12:00am 12:30am

1:30am 2:00am

4:45pm 7:15pm 7:30pm 7:45pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 12:30am

BPL Legends Kell Brook's Greatest Hits Live Premier League Darts Kell Brook's Greatest Barclays Premier League World La Liga Show 2015 Live Super League Football Football Boxing The Fantasy Football Club A League of Their Own Boxing Super League Highlights

5 News Neighbours Home and Away Police Interceptors Weather Terror Police Interceptors The Tube: Going Underground Gotham Goal Rush Person of Interest

12:00pm 12:15pm 12:30pm 1:30pm 3:45pm 6:00pm 8:30pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am

Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Goals on Sunday Football Live Super League Live Super League Football Sporting Mavericks Sporting Mavericks Fantasy Football Club Highlights

Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight Police Interceptors Britain's Horror Homes Benefits by the Sea: Jaywick Most Shocking Moments in Pop Lip Sync Battle UK

5:00pm 6:00pm

Football Gold The Premier League Years Footballs Greatest Teams Live International Football La Liga World 2015 Football Gold MLS Goals Round Up Show

Neighbours Home and Away 5 News The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies GPs: Behind Closed Doors Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

Botched Up Bodies

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

5:00pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 6:45pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 11:00pm 2:00am

La Liga World 2015 Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits Sporting Triumphs Sporting Triumphs Football Gold Sporting Triumphs Football Sporting Triumphs Fantasy Football Club Highlights

36

E W N 24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

LETTERS

OPINION & COMMENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

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

It’s almost sit on a Brit time

Expat hypocrisy I CAN see that lots of expats are up in arms about Spain’s bullfighting tradition and I am glad that animal welfare is finally receiving the attention it deserves.

However, I’m curious as to whether many expats here actually walk the walk or are just squeamish about a practice which is unfamiliar to them.

Let’s be frank for a second, anyone who complains about bull-

around the world.

It is going to be a nail-biting finish, and a few sleepless nights for the expats before June 23.

B Kendall from Benidorm

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

A lonely isle Phil Holmes Shutterstock

YEP, the summer months are fast approaching and thoughts turn to the lazy days spent at the beach.

There’s nothing better than ensconcing down on hot days with all the compulsory paraphernalia.

In my case, book, newspaper, crossword puzzle, cool bag containing a beer or two, water, and food. Swimming, strolling up and down the seashore having a dose of shut eye after lunch, perfect.

Then, what happens: “It’s let’s sit on a Brit time!”

It seems to be a national pastime of every other nation on earth to want to get near or actually sit on Brits when you are on the beach. Regardless of there being enough room to sit, the Chinese population have to take cover under your parasol. My wife found herself one day actually touching one lady, after she plonked herself down. She almost bit a piece of her sandwich, she was so close.

The Spanish are excellent at it but the Germans, Russians and Italians get just as lonely and need to feel close. However, the world leaders in this field are undoubtedly the Bulgarians. Experts to a man.

Having spent a holiday there, I can vouch for that. Arriving there well in to the early hours we decided the beach and rest was the place the following day. We hired beds and parasol and I was out for the count lying on my stomach.

When I woke, a lady’s bum was almost touching my forehead as she was bending down and her family were all under our parasol eating crisps. We still giggle about that to this day.

Roll on summer!

Philip from San Fulgencio

The Royals RE: Colin Bird’s column My brother trained as a tool maker at Huntley Bourne & Stevens. Also my late mother-inlaw worked at H&P biscuit factory, collecting her weekly ration of broken biscuits, also discounted ones if required.

Also is Colin aware of the recent demise of, I consider, Reading FC’s post war greatest centre forward, Ronnie Blackman?

Dennis Marshall via email

Thanks David DEAR Leapy, For once, and unusually, I find myself disagreeing with you.

How will the UK survive outside the EU? Clearly Obama has now put a fly in the ointment and whatever special relationship was said to be between us and the USA has just gone out the window.

As you say, our old trading partners in the Commonwealth have moved on and found new suppliers and markets, so the only choice is to become even less significant in the world and face extinction as the Roman Empire did, by looking inwards and not outwards.

At the end of the day it is an island in the middle of nowhere if it does leave. Sorry but for once I think you’re wrong, and who cares how many more Muslims arrive, you and I are not there, and as long as they are not extremists that should be ok, it’s the fundamentalist nutters you need to worry about!

Phil Holman via email

fighting while munching on a bacon sandwich or cooking with supermarket meat is a hypocrite, there’s really no two ways about it.

Livestock suffer in abominable conditions, with chickens having their beaks cut off, cows essentially raped on a daily basis to stimulate milk production, and pigs often resorting to cannibalism.

This is because meat eating has become such a huge global industry that animals are essentially products on a factory line, living short, miserable lives with a brutal death awaiting them. We have become alienated from that process and no longer see the misery and death before it reaches our plate.

At least those who support bull-

fighting are willing to witness the death of an animal and treat it well before its demise. It’s far less sickening than the hypocrisy of those who feel automatic outrage without looking at their own impact on the world.

Maureen from Javea

Quid pro quo DEAR Sir, When people uproot and go and set up home or buy property in another country, they should be very wary of the consequences if events don’t always turn out as planned.

Nobody knows exactly what is

going to happen if and when the UK leaves or stays in the Eurozone.

If the UK had a good deal, why did Cameron need to go and get a better deal before the referendum, and did he get a better deal?

The UK does more trade outside the Eurozone than in, that’s a fact.

Germany trades more BMWs, Mercedes and Audis with the UK than the rest of the other 27 members put together, that’s a fact.

Does anyone really think Germany will put a 20 per cent trade tariff on their goods to us? Never.

The UK pays in much more than the benefits it gets out, so I think it is now time to leave, and concentrate on new and better trade deals

I WOULD like to express my gratitude to David the Dogman for his article on the dangers of chocolate to dogs. As a proud Finn, living in Fuengirola for many years, I have my lovely Finnish Spitz Oskari constantly by my side. Indeed I believe he has saved my life many times, whether I know it or not.

Last September I unwittingly left some chocolate lying around my home (I have a weakness for dark chocolate and vodka), and poor Oskari of course devoured some.

Needless to say he became frighteningly ill and I was lucky that, firstly, he only ate very little, and secondly that my ex-wife Johanna noticed his discomfort very quickly and immediately rushed him to the vet.

Fortunately he was fine but it was a terrible scare and I wish I had read an article like yours before! I hope all the dog lovers out there take careful note!

Caspar from Fuengirola

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.

38

E W N 24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

Every parent’s worst nightmare: Having a missing child like Madeleine McCann 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

NINE years after the disappearance of her d a u g h t e r Ma d e lein e fro m their Po r t u g u e se h o l id ay h o me , Kate McCann revealed she’ll be in an ‘eternal state of limbo’ until she discovers what happened. “All parents of m i ssi n g c h i l d re n s ay th e same thing. You just can’t rest without knowing, often it’s like a physical thing, limbo, a feeling, just not at peace.”

But she hasn’t lost hope in finding Madeleine, despite resources being recently scaled back by police, an operation that has cost to

date over £11m.

No Way Back, the latest in my psychological crime thriller series featuring journalist Alice Myers, has a character based on a Kate McCann-like figure.

A woman who can’t rest until she discovers the fate of her own daughter who went missing 26 years earlier. A woman so obsessed with clos u re an d p e a c e of mind in he r unending search for the truth, she’d maybe contemplate blackmail, even murder.

The plot focuses on the discovery in a P ea k D is tr ic t villa ge of the body of another young girl, who ee rily re s e mb les the mys te rious stranger’s child who disappeared in similar circumstances, by a family man and soon the prime murder susp e c t. T h is u n lea s he s a tra in of events that devastates him, his fami-

ly and local community alike.

When his attempts to clear his name fail, hampered by the stranger from his past, his friend Alice desperately risks her life to bring the killer to justice.

Everybody has secrets that are safely stored away. But when secrets are unleashed, the truth can w re a k ha voc – a nd the truth c a n kill. Vengeance and unspeakable crimes close in on this tiny Peak District village.

Everyone has an opinion about the McCanns. They made a huge error of judge me nt w he n the y le ft their children alone, but they’ve paid the highest price for it. But then, should parents leave their children in a car when they nip to the shops, or in a pram outside them?

But it’s not just about what they did, it’s what the kidnapper did.

Someone abducted Madeleine and the McCanns have to live every day with that knowledge. A tormented family that needs closure, peace of mind whatever the outcome. Does the Kate McCann-like figure in my just-published thriller with its final double twist find this?

Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘No Way Back’, ‘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.

KATE MCCANN: Recently said she’ll be in an eternal state of limbo.

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In fact, more and more people are on the look out for short, bargain getaways and there are some excellent deals out there. Insurance is an essential part of travel and a great insurance option for budget savvy travellers is to take out an Annual Multi Trip policy with Globelink Travel Insurance.

In order to guard against travelling abroad with invalid insurance there is one thing you shouldn’t be economical about, and that’s telling your insurer about your medical history.

More and more people are finding they are not insured from the moment they check in at their local airport. Either through naivety or misplaced judgment travellers are not coming clean about pre-existing health issues that may affect the terms of their insurance.

Imagine the pre-existing condition suddenly

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Being coy about material medical details could end up costing you a great deal. flares up and requires medical attention. No point in hoping the insurance claims investigators won’t cotton on to the facts as they always do, that’s their job! It doesn’t pay to be coy about important medical details. If you end up needing to cut your holiday short due to ill health, kiss goodbye to around €880 on average. Add the cost of medical expenses while abroad, and you could be looking at more than

twice that sum, depending on where in the world you are. If your condition warrants your flying home with a medical escort, expect to run up an average bill of around €4,700 in Europe, and that’s flying economy class. As for repatriation by air ambulance from the US or Australia, typical costs run into tens of thousands... Not the kind of holiday ‘splurge’ most people budget for.

A new UK law being brought in this year will

make it hard for travellers to leave out important medical details on their insurance forms. This can only be a good thing, since it should help to cut down claim disputes.

The flip-side is that the law does expect you to fill out the online form honestly and accurately when applying for, or renewing your travel insurance. A ‘little white lie’ could leave you without proper cover precisely when you need it most. Often conditions are eligible for automatic coverage even though they have been left out of the form unbeknownst to many travellers trying to keep costs down.

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If you’re in doubt or unsure about anything please contact us, we’re here to help.

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TIME OUT

24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

Famous quote

This week

MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

‘

Life is too short to read a bad book.”

James Joyce.

in history 1306, Robert the Bruce was coronated King of Scotland.

1533, Henry VIII divorced his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

1669, Mount Etna in Sicily erupted, killing 20,000 people.

1807, The first railway passenger service was launched in England.

1854, The Crimean War began as Britain and France declared war on Russia.

1878, The British frigate Eurydice sank, resulting in the deaths of 300 people.

1884, The first long distance telephone call was made from Boston to New York.

1901, Australia held its first federal elections.

1906, ‘The Census of the British Empire’ indicated that England ruled 1/5 of the world.

1924, Greece became a republic.

1933, About 55,000 people held a protest against Hitler in New York City.

1939, The Spanish Civil War ended as Madrid fell to Francisco Franco.

1970, The Concorde made its first supersonic flight.

1973, Women were permitted on the floor of the London Stock Exchange for the first time.

1976, The President of Argentina, Isabel Peron, was deposed by her country’s military.

1989, 240,000 barrels of oil were spilled by the Exxon Valdez tanker in Alaska’s Prince William Sound.

Women’s wit

‘

Do your thing and don’t care if they like it.

Tina Fey

FOTO Credit Tinseltown / Shutterstock

World of English

‘

Is there another word for thesaurus?

‘YOU CAN RUBBISH THE CITY ANTONIO - BUT YOU CAN NEVER RUBBISH THAT FANTASTIC VIEW’

Kakuro

for next 7 days

Mallorca

weather

Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.

TODAY ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

TOMORROW ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

SUNNY MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

22 14 Cl 22 14 Cl 23 12 Cl

Benidorm MAX 18C, MIN 12C Mon - 21 12 S Tues - 21 12 C Wed - 21 12 C

SUNNY MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

21 13 S 19 14 Cl 21 13 S

MAX 18C, MIN 11C Mon - 19 12 S Tues - 19 13 Cl Wed - 20 13 C

SUNNY MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

17 11 C 18 13 S 19 11 C S Sun,

MAX MIN

Mon - 17 8 C Tues - 17 7 C Wed - 17 8 Sh

17 9 Sh 22 8 Cl 16 7 Sh

Madrid MAX 17C, MIN 11C MAX MIN

Mon - 19 12 Cl Tues - 20 11 Cl Wed - 19 12 C Cl Clear,

TODAY:

Fog,

TODAY:

SUNNY MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

19 9 C 20 11 S 19 9 Cl

CLEAR

MAX 18C, MIN 4C

19 7 C 18 9 C 14 4 C C Cloudy,

TODAY:

MAX MIN

MAX 17C, MIN 7C MAX MIN

Mon - 18 10 S Tues - 19 10 Cl Wed - 19 9 Cl

Mon - 16 6 Cl Tues - 16 5 Cl Wed - 17 6 Sh Sh Showers,

SUNNY MAX 23C, MIN 10C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

26 13 Cl 26 13 Cl 24 12 Cl Sn Snow,

UK THUNDERBALL

IRISH LOTTO

Saturday March 19

Saturday March 19

EURO MILLIONS

LA PRIMITIVA

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

MAX MIN

Mon - 21 11 S Tues - 22 12 C Wed - 21 12 C

Murcia

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

23 13 Cl 24 14 Cl 21 12 C

Mallorca CLOUDY MAX 13C, MIN 6C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

SUNNY MAX 22C, MIN 12C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 19 13 Cl Tues - 19 13 C Wed - 19 13 C

19 14 Cl 20 14 Cl 21 13 Cl

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Barcelona TODAY:

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Bilbao

Almeria TODAY:

Malaga

SUNNY MAX 17C, MIN 13C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Mon - 23 11 S Tues - 23 11 Cl Wed - 23 11 Cl Th Thunder

LOTTERY

Alicante TODAY:

39

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SPONSORED BY

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

EWN

Saturday March 19

21

27

12

7

13

Friday March 18

14

14 31

34

15

40

54

33

Saturday March 19

Sunday March 20

1

12

12

21

35

16

44

45

53

19 26

36

21

39

42

49

13

24

18

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

22

4

18

LUCKY STARS

5

11

37

REINTEGRO

17

6

REINTEGRO

6

E W N 24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

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

David Bowie: The Final Changes A two-disc documentary celebrates the life and music of David Bowie.

This set follows Bowie and his musical history from his earliest ventures within the industry through to his most daring and creative projects, and records arguably the finest musical catalogue produced in the rock era.

Funagram

Just Joking

Unscramble the name of English actress, writer and comedian: COURT REPLY

Q: How does NASA organise a party A: They planet

Unscramble the name of a famous Marx Brothers’ film (two words): BUNK SEEMS NOISY

A vulture boards a plane carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess says, “I’m sorry, but we only allow each passenger one carrion.”

FUNAGRAM SOLUTION: LUCY PORTER, MONKEY BUSINESS.

NEW ON DVD

SPONSORED BY

Hexagram

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

BEETLE BUREAU CANNOT CREAKY EASIER EFFORT FABRIC GERMAN HITHER INTERN

The two DVDs give some insight into the musical and cultural icon, by offering previously unknown information and revelations. This collection features classic and rare footage, interviews with Bowie and those closest to him, as well as recorded live and studio performances.

Mariano Rajoy, March 27 Politician Leader of the Popular Party (PP) and Prime Minister of Spain for one term who was unable to form a working government after the 2015 election but carried on for several months as interim PM whilst his opponents tried to form a coalition.

61

Lord Alan Sugar, March 24, Entrepreneur, 69 Self-made multimillionaire, Lord Sugar is a very successful businessman and recently became the star of BBC's version of reality show The Apprentice. He was the chairman of Tottenham Hotspur from 1991 until 2001 and was the founder of electronics company, Amstrad.

Sir Elton John, March 25, Singer, 69 Real name Reginald Dwight, Sir Elton has become a rock legend who has sold over 250 million albums in a career that's spanned more than 50 years.

Flamboyant and prone to tantrums, he is now the proud father of two sons with husband David Furnish.

Keira Knightley, March 26, Actress, 31 Having started acting at the age of six, Keira Knightley has gone on to be one of the most recognizable British movie stars who has won a BAFTA, been nominated for an Oscar and found real fame in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Lady Gaga, March 28, Pop Singer, 30 Like her predecessor Madonna, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born in the USA of Italian extraction and has gone on to become a fashion icon, hugely successful pop singer and a putative actress.

Eric Idle, March 29, Comedy Actor, 73 One of the founding members of the Monty Python comedy group who went on to produce a range of different TV shows, including the Ruttles, a parody on the life of the Beatles and then wrote the hit musical Spamalot as well as appearing in a number of Python films.

Eric Clapton, March 30, Musician, 71 A musician, singer, and songwriter who is widely considered one of the greatest guitarists of all-time and in his early playing career was nicknamed God. Played with John Mayall and was founder member of Cream and Derek and the Dominos before following

MARINA RADIUM REGENT REGIME RETAIN SEETHE STRAIN TEETHE TINGLE (10)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Duplex 2 Sexton 3 Teller 4 Needle 5 Cartel 6 Twenty 7 Meteor 8 Nuance 9 Timbre 10 Mantis 11 Valued 12 Rabies 13 Rental 14 Jumble 15 String 16 Oracle 17 Relate 18 Pigeon 19 Desire

YOUR STARS TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) The urge to get ahead at as fast a pace as possible is apparent this week. Some would say not before time. However, you know the art of choosing the moment and it has not been until now that you have felt the time was right. This is a truly expansive week and one in which your powers of imagination are given full rein.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) The company is so interesting that you can hardly tear yourself away and new experiences are arriving every day. You could be forgiven for getting a little over-excited.

When travel brings you face to face with a stranger, you find that a bit of information you hear has to be acted upon.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Someone close gets a real stroke of luck this week and no doubt the benefits will rub off on you. It seems that some fortune will come your way by the end of the month and lead you to see a situation in quite a different light.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Someone you have been holding at arm’s length recently is insisting on getting closer. Charm and tact alone may not save the day, but enlisting the help of a friend could.

Travel and career are well-aspected

ARIES

(March 21 - April 20)

A friend of long standing comes up with some bright ideas to get you out of a tricky situation. Don’t be surprised. You have for a long time now underestimated their worth. Your friend will be surprised when you show your gratitude in an immediate and physical way, but if there is anything better than finding a new friend, it is finding an old friend has hidden talents. and, if you are expecting a financial windfall, you may have a bit longer to wait.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) The hard work you have been putting in recently has left you tired and, at times, quite tetchy.

This week you will start to see the rewards of your efforts which will undoubtedly help you to keep up the momentum.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) This is a highly sociable week, and you could meet some new faces that not only attract but inspire you. You are a social butterfly, and this brings out your Libran flutteriness.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) You dominate the scene this week and no one is in any doubt about what you are aiming for. If you want to impress someone new to

your circle, however, try a bit of cunning as opposed to browbeating.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Communication and selfexpression are what it’s all about this week.

Although you may feel that indulging yourself is in some ways selfish, you should realise that you are entitled to some fun.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) The call of romance is strong but so is that of your business life.

The two will clash to the detriment of each other if you do not plan ahead and pace yourself.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Such is your popularity this week that you can be assured of success in many things. Remember that first impressions can be the most accurate and don’t be tempted to make too many allowances for others.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) For some time you have been trying to settle a certain matter.

Although it is in your nature to get things out of the way quickly, this has not been possible. The chance to make progress this week is welcome but be sure that all is not what it seems.

TIME

EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREA

10-Star Quiz EASTER EGGHEADS 1. According to English folklore, which sweet rolls baked and served on Good Friday will not spoil or grow mouldy during the subsequent year?

2. For which English Premiership club side has England Number 8, Nick Easter played since 2004?

3. In which ocean is Easter Island (also known as Rapa Nui and Isla de Pascua) to be found?

4. Located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Easter Road is the home ground of which Scottish Championship football club?

5. On which racecourse in Surrey was the one mile, flat horse race for three-year-olds, the Easter Stakes run up until 2009?

6. The final episode of which long-running television soap opera set in a fictional motel in the English Midlands was broadcast on Easter bank holiday 1988?

7. What name is given to the seventh Sunday after Easter, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles?

8. Where did the armed insurrection known as the Easter Rising or the Easter Rebellion take place in April 1916?

9. Which famous American ‘song and dance man’ starred alongside Judy Garland in the 1948 musical film Easter Parade?

10. Which Russian jeweller was best known for his famous Easter eggs, made in the style of genuine Easter eggs but using precious metals and gemstones rather than more mundane materials?

Answers 1. HOT CROSS BUNS, 2. HARLEQUIN FOOTBALL CLUB (HARLEQUINS or QUINS for short), 3. South-eastern PACIFIC Ocean, 4. HIBERNIAN (HIBS), 5. KEMPTON PARK (Sunbury-on-Thames), 6. CROSSROADS (CROSSROADS KINGS OAK), 7. PENTECOST (also called WHITSUN), 8. IRELAND, 9. Fred ASTAIRE, 10.

Peter Carl FABERGÉ, also known as Karl Gustavovich FABERGÉ

40

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

TARGET: • Average: 13 • Good: 18 • Very good: 25 • Excellent: 33

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION aged dare dear drag dreg drug egad gaud grad read rude rued adage darer drear durra garda grade guard radar raged ruder urged argued grader regard guarder REARGUARD

SOUND OF THE WEEK This Is Acting

By Sia Released by: Inertia, Monkey Puzzle and RCA. THIS IS ACTING is the seventh studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Sia. The album is composed of songs written by Sia but rejected by other artists such as Rihanna and Adele. It was released on January 29, 2016, and sold 81,000 copies in its first week.

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AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE

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

Quick

Cryptic

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

CRYPTIC Across: 1 Resists, 4 Blear, 7 Aorta, 9 Chagrin, 10 Austere, 11 Barge, 12 Dense, 14 Began, 19 Trade, 21 Ascribe, 23 Toadies, 24 Shame, 25 Swede, 26 Suspect.

Across 1 Seasoned lad set about (6) 4 Sticks graduate to new direction (6) 9 Celia changed her name (5) 10 Radical former Tory leader's mere blunder (7) 11 Manages and speaks about exercise (8) 12 Make a choice from five of the entrants, initially (4) 14 Traps laid for tin god (6) 16 Makes fun of back-combs (6) 19 Grumble about strobe effect shows (4) 20 A veil can hide a Spanish city (8) 23 Go score another for cheapskate (7) 24 American lawyer in apt suit (5) 25 Upset some Mossad denigrators (6) 26 Trader who hands out cards? (6)

Down: 1 Reagan, 2 Stake, 3 Sachet, 4 Bramble, 5 Error, 6 Rennet, 8 Rosie, 13 Sterile, 15 Anita, 16 Status, 17 Masses, 18 Desert, 20 Adage, 22 Costs.

QUICK Across:

Down 1 Secretly trails Cliff's backers (7) 2 I have knowledge about long French river (5) 3 Eve dealt out grand (8) 5 Performs in contact sports (4) 6 Coolest wild cats (7) 7 Screen is back with First Lady (5) 8 Ward off a returning pariah (5) 13 Promotion in tranquil evening air (8)

Code Breaker

15 Reported a few slipped up (7) 17 The rats run amok then go to pieces (7) 18 Went steady with someone who was behind the times (5) 19 Origin of book unaltered (5) 21 Swim or go on all fours (5) 22 No, Lawrence, pay attention (4)

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet.

In this week’s puzzle, 3 represents C and 19 represents S, so fill in C every time the figure 3 appears and S 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.

2 Tent areas (5)

Across 1 Medical practitioner (6) 4 Attempting (6) 9 Arrives (5) 10 Impressively large (7) 11 Zone (8) 12 Lure (4) 14 Classified (6) 16 Poses for (6) 19 Guide (4) 20 Speculating (8) 23 Grinning (7) 24 Courageous (5) 25 Stable (6) 26 Latest (6)

1 Snakes, 4 Apples, 9 Eager, 10 Storage, 11 Slip, 12 Basement, 13 Lying, 15 Brush, 18 Ambition, 21 Bags, 24 Genuine, 25 Aside, 26 Resign, 27 League.

3 Watched (8) 5 Hazard (4) 6 Copy (7) 7 Visitor (5) 8 Hit with an open hand (5) 13 Achievable (8) 15 Understand (7) 17 Section (7) 18 Arbitrate (5) 19 Continues (5) 21 Representation (5)

Down 1 Makes up one’s mind (7)

22 Discover (4)

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

1

2

3

4

5

8

1 Sheds, 2 Angrily, 3 Earn, 5 Pioneer, 6 Leave, 7 Sweets, 8 Asia, 12/15 Big Ben, 14 Nothing, 16 Sharing, 17 Danger, 19 Bends, 20 Obey, 22 Scene, 23 Game.

ENGLISHSPANISH Across: 1 Steam, 4 Crabs, 7 Nacer, 8 Crema, 9 Ice, 10 Drop, 11 Ruta, 13 Oro, 15 Roads, 16 Largo, 17 Plans, 18 Sueño.

Down: 1 Sand, 2 Escarlata, 3 Mariposas, 4 Cacerolas, 5 Afeitarse, 6 Scar, 12 Trap, 14 Pozo.

6 7

Down:

9

CODE BREAKER 10 11

12 14

13

15

16

Across 1 Lapel (6) 4 Flower (4) 7 Monday (5) 8 Hasta (en el tiempo) (5) 10 Films (movies) (9) 13 Pequeño (5) 14 Campanas (de iglesias, puertas) (5) 15 Blue (4) 16 Strawberries (6)

Down 1 Vendor (4) 2 Lentil (7) 3 Tablet (medicine) (8) 5 Regla (norma) (4) 6 Pepino (8) 9 Towels (7) 11 Island (4) 12 Bears (animals) (4)

E W N 24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

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By Nora Johnson THE plot focuses on the discovery in a Peak District village of the body of a young girl - who strongly resembles a child who disappeared in similar circumstances 26 years earlier - by a family man and soon the prime murder suspect.

This unleashes a train of events that overwhelms him, his family and the local community alike.

When his attempts to clear his name fail, hampered by a mysterious stranger from his past, his journalist friend Alice Myers desperately risks her life to bring the killer to justice. Everybody has secrets. But when secrets are laid bare, the truth can wreak havoc - and kill.

Revenge and unspeakable crimes converge on a sleepy Peak District village and there is... No Way Back. books@euroweeklynews.com

BE it the vibrant nightlife, authentic cuisine or lively fiestas, all of these elements combine to make Spanish cities some of the best places to visit not only in Europe but the world. Spain, being such a huge country boasts one of the most widely diverse cultures and landscapes on the continent.

1 Sevilla Sevilla has made it to the top! The capital of Andalucia, is a city steeped in tradition. There are lively festivals, buzzing nightlife, and many tourist attractions. The city is bursting with culture. There are so many important historical landmarks and the Cathedral is chief among them, thought to be the burial place of Christopher Colombus. A must-see city.

2 Madrid Spain’s capital is widely known for its buzzing nightlife. A large mix of people from a diverse ethnic groups, makes it one of Europe’s top cosmopolitan cities.

There are a plethora of landmarks such as the Royal Palace, the residence of the Spanish Royals. Visit the Puerta del Sol where important festivals, gatherings and street performers are held. Plaza Mayor, known for the lively San Miguel Market is another interesting spot.

3 Cadiz Cadiz is an ancient port city in southwest Spain. A 16th-century base for exploration and trade, it has more than 100 watchtowers. The 18th-century waterfront cathedral is stunning with a huge golden dome with views of the city and the sea. There is so much history here and the cool Atlantic breeze creates a fresh sea-side atmosphere. At night, the sweeping light of the lighthouse and historical walkway are truly magical.

4 Malaga Malaga is a port city on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol. It is a cosmopolitan town with a nice mix of tradition and yellow-sand beaches. Looming over the modern skyline are the city’s two hilltop citadels, the Alcazaba and ruined Gibralfaro. Visit the soaring Renais-

Sudoku

Map My Run We are always looking for ways to be a little healthier, so start by downloading Map My Run to your smartphone. With this app you can log over 600 types of work out, record GPS-based activities, and view detailed stats.

If you prefer to jog rather than run, the app will still track it. If you prefer to walk rather than jog, the app will still track and analyse your data. You can review your performance after every work out, and receive audio feedback.

Play on Words NAWATTME

SEVILLA: A must-see city. sance cathedral, nicknamed La Manquita (‘one-armed woman’) because one of its towers was curiously left unbuilt.

Malaga is a world apart from the adjoining Costa del Sol; a historic and culturally rich provincial capital.

5 Barcelona In north-eastern Spain lies Barcelona, which is one of the country’s top destinations for tourists. There is individual architecture, lively shopping, and buzzing nightlife. Works by Antoni Gaudi are everywhere to be seen across the city.

Stroll along the La Rambla, a tree-lined avenue and sun-bathe on Barceloneta, one of the city’s most popular beaches.

6 Granada Right beneath the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Southern Spain, Granada is the capital of Granada Province. A rich blend of traditional culture, good nightlife and spectacular architecture make Granada high on the list. The most famous attraction here and possibly in the whole of Spain is the Alhambra, a pinnacle of Moorish art. A medieval complex it is a beautiful combination of art and water fountains.

7 Valencia In the eastern part of the country, lies Valencia. A huge impressive landmark now synonymous with Valencia is the cultural and entertainment complex known as the City of Arts and Science.

It includes a science museum, planetari-

um and an aquarium. There is the Fallas Festival every March, where each neighbourhood shows their papiermaché figures which are then ceremoniously burnt as the party continues into the night.

8 San Sebastian The capital of the Gipuzko Province, in the Basque country of northern Spain.

San Sebastian is a beautiful seaside city.

It has excellent beaches and some superb local cuisine. The old town features many historic buildings reconstructed in the 19th century after the city was nearly destroyed in the Napoleonic wars. Playa de la Concha is for many one of the best beaches in Europe.

9 Cordoba In northern Andalucia, this city has a historic quarter, a maze of tiny medieval streets, plazas and whitewashed courtyards all situated around the Mezquita.

This was originally a mosque and now a stunning cathedral which retains most of the original architecture. Places of interest include the Fortress of Christian Monarchs, The Street of Flowers and the Old Jewish Quarter.

10 Toledo Toledo is perched on a mountain in central Spain. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage and historical co-existence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures.

Boggled How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules? The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms.

No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.

TARGET: • Average: 16 • Good: 22 • Very good: 31 • Excellent: 40

SCORING: • 4 letters: 1 point • 5 letters: 2 points • 6 letters: 3 points • 7 letters: 4 points • 8 or more letters: 11 points

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION nadir nags dire diet diets dean idea ride read reap regent rite rites paid pair pang panged pangs pant pants page paged pager aide aired aerie anger angst ante ants aged agent hire hilt hilts gander gees geed gent gents grate graft eager enter entire tees teen teens tire tired tier three teed test tend lire liege lien lite liter lits rate raft rafts teeth tent tenth tents tone seed seer sent send stead stir steed steer star stone sneer snot soft soften sofa need nest note nose atone fate fates fats font fond onset often vote

Word Ladder TOLD

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

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.

App of the Week

BACK BACK

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

TOLD BOLD BALD BAND BANK BACK

No way back

Spanish Cities

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

TOLD TOLL TALL TALK TACK BACK or

TOP 10

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Answers:A bunch of fives, What’s in a name.

42

E W N 24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

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OPINION & COMMENT

Shoe Shoe-be-do...

OUR VIEW

IF shoes and handbags keep the princess happy, then who am I to argue?

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.

WHAT is it they build into the doorways of shoe shops that have this instant effect on my wife?

We could be browsing shop windows in the Zenia Boulevard, or on our way to meet friends.

But even if we are running late, it’s as if my wife’s underwear is lined with iron filings and there is a whacking great magnet hidden in the doorway, because she is invariably pulled violently into the zapateria.

I am not alone in this. My friends tell me that it’s the same with their other halves, who would all willingly cross a six-lane highway in Cairo if that’s what it took to get to the shoe shop.

You rarely see one close

SHOE SHOPS: It’s as if there’s a whacking great magnet hidden in the doorway. down, and if they do, it’s because they have either banned women (unlikely), or the owners have cashed in and gone swanning off to early retirement.

I bet if you looked at all the millionaires living in The Seychelles or Grand Cayman, you would find that most of them are ex-shoe chain proprietors or manufacturers.

I have never had the courage to actually count the number of pairs of shoes/ boots/sandals/flip-flops/slippers/wellies that my wife has accumulated, but I am confi-

dent that it would provide half the population of Torrevieja with footwear.

And it’s the same with handbags. Our women folk gaze like children at Christmas time through the windows of bag shops, their eyes glaze over and as if in a trance, they are compelled to enter.

Actually it’s all quite clever, because the purchase of either of these items is a handy justification to buy the other.

“Oh look at those red court shoes, just what I’ve been looking for to go with my new red handbag.”

Ah yes I think, but you bought that handbag to go with the red sandals you bought the week before that.

But I say nothing.

If shoes and handbags keep the Princess happy, then who am I to argue?

Oh look here she comes now with another pair that has caught her fancy.

HOW MUCH!!!

The Spanish government’s ways seem almost unfathomable IT’S strange we’ve had so little reaction from readers Photo Credit La Moncloa

John Smith Random thoughts...

I FIND it quite strange that we have so little reaction from readers about the current state of the Spanish government and the fact that it seems impossible for any party to form a stable relationship.

We may not be able to elect the government but we have elected to live in Spain, and whatever decision is made over the next few months will have an ongoing effect on the lives of each and every expatriate living here.

As has been reported in our finance pages, foreign investment is flowing out of Spain at a rate of knots, as there is a great deal of uncertainty about the future of the Spanish economy.

The caretaker government seems to

GOVERNMENT: The current state barely seems to raise an eyebrow. have overlooked the fact that it really isn’t terribly wise to use the national pension pot as a way of underwriting the economy, and it also doesn’t help to spend more than 100 per cent of GNP whilst continuing to borrow

money in ever-increasing amounts.

Who is to say however that the financial situation wouldn’t get worse under a left wing coalition that includes Podemos, as their financial plans call for huge amounts of invest-

Spanish tradition.

Photo Credit Antramir Wikimedia

44

Easter thoughts WHETHER you are a Christian or not, Easter in Spain in particular cannot be ignored as it is such an important part of the Spanish psyche.

To a foreigner, not brought up with the constant recognition of the church, the sight of the military, marching alongside men dressed in what look like coloured Klu Klux Klan outfits appears to be totally at odds with the message of peace that Easter is supposed to deliver, as Christ is said to have died for mankind’s sins over 2,000 years ago.

The church has a tradition all over Europe of having walked hand in glove for centuries with the rulers of the time, and in Spain the Franco government was supported to a great extent by the Catholic Church which has led to the tradition of the involvement of the military and Guardia Civil in the parades with the hooded Penitentes and various statues of Christ, Mary and the Saints.

This doesn’t deter the Spanish from enjoying a parade, a fiesta and a chance to dress up even if for the older people it is in black, but it is also a time for us all to reflect on our own lives and achievements.

Whatever you planned to reflect on, no one can ignore the fact that bombs went off in Brussels on March 22 causing indiscriminate death to randomly selected people.

If the bombs were placed

by Daesh then there is a double irony that it was undertaken so near to Easter, a festival honouring the birth of Jesus who is seen by Moslems as the precursor to the Prophet who forecast his future birth.

ment without really being able to see where the money is going to come from.

At least, now that that group is falling out internally, they will become a less attractive coalition partner, but just maybe they are hoping for a new election as they could be seen as a preferable choice to the existing parties.

Unemployment is still over 20 per cent and youngsters are in a pretty bad position as far as long term work is concerned, although there are temporary and short term jobs around.

Whilst people can get worked up about almost anything, the current state of government in the country in Now we which we live barely seems to raise an want to eyebrow. hear your views.

It is true that the individual can’t alter things but surely someone, YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE somewhere must have an opin- YOUR OPINION ion to share with the rest of us on www.euroweeklynews.com the current state of the government.

46

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TO READ MORE

The calorie deficit theory for weight loss

HEALTH BEAUTY

Ask The Doctor

&

Brought to you by

Essential tremor

WHERE is the proof that it works?

FitFoxy Looking Good, Staying Trim

FOR many years various slimming groups and dietary forums deemed ‘calorie counting’ as a scientifically proven and fairly easy method for keeping your weight down.

As a personal trainer this sort of dietary information has always been incredibly important when embarking on both weight loss and weight gain programmes with new clients.

Clients at a first consultation would generally be measured and weighed to establish their goals such as ideal weight, body fat statistics etc. This of course would enable me to set up their progression sheets.

For years myself and virtually everyone else involved in the health industry was informed by credited dietary and governing bodies with regard to nutrition, that for a client to lose one pound they would need a deficit of 3,500 calories.

As a trainer this was a clear and simple enough way for me to explain to my clients how to calculate and effectively monitor their daily and weekly weight loss.

It was simple mathematics, create a

SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte.

CALORIE COUNTING: No expert has been able to prove it works.

500 calorie a day deficit towards your total 3,500 calories for the week and bingo, you have lost one pound of unwanted weight.

Well sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the truth is that no scientist or health expert has ever been able to prove this or back up the information.

Of course there are those that will continue to use this formula in the absence of a reasonable solution, knowing what I now know, I will inform my clients that there is NO PROVEN FORMULA when it comes to weight loss, and it is wrong to misinform people that counting with food will lead to the weight loss they are aiming for.

It isn’t all doom and gloom, if you are forever finding yourself in a haze of dietary advice and continuously embarking on new eating plans as tried and tested by some micro celebrity of sorts. STOP! Clear out your cupboards and keep only unprocessed, clean foods, meat and dairy. No low fat diet food, plenty of vegetables, only wholemeal rice and pasta. If you must eat bread cut down and eat limited wholemeal only.

Make sure you have at least three meals per day. Snack only if you are hungry, and limit it to one morning and one afternoon.

Have a cheat day at the weekend and get back on track on Monday.

Losing weight - the key could all be in the mind WE have tried the endless faddy diets and latest fitness crazes in a bid to lose weight, but could the key be all in the mind.

Scientists claim that mindfulness, a meditationlike technique that is becoming increasingly popular, can help people to tune into the body’s hunger signals. This will result in only eating when you need to.

Mindfulness has already

been credited with a host of health benefits, from easing depression to boosting the immune system, and a leading British obesity expert has said it may be the ‘missing link’ in the search for an effective weight loss technique.

Dutch researchers carried out a series of studies to see if mindfulness stops people from eating excessively.

They analysed data on

more than 400 people who had undergone regular weigh-ins over two and a half years.

It found people who are ‘naturally mindful’ were better able to recognise when they are hungry, meaning their weight fluctuates less than people who are less aware.

Mindfulness involves blocking out distractions, focusing in the present and listening to your body.

Experimental blood testing RESEARCHERS believe that one day an experimental blood test may be able to detect a range of diseases including cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS).

The study is still in its early stages but researchers believe it opens up vast possibilities and could offer ‘huge potential’, however they admit it is still far from clinical use.

So far, the method has been tested on 320 patients and controls, and has shown success in finding diseases such as pancreatic cancer, diabetes, traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis.

DEAR doctor, I have an embarrassing problem.

I am within the Spanish health system but I speak no Spanish and my doctor speaks no English so, on my visits to my doctor my translator is always there and knows everything I wish to discuss, and this can be most embarrassing.

I’m a 70-year-old man and when I was 45 I developed Familiar Nervosa, commonly called essential tremor for which there has been no cure, but to some degree it can be controlled with varying success.

I have tried both drugs available and Propranol helped a bit, I currently take 40 mg twice a day.

One of its side effects is impotence and largely because of this my marriage failed 10 years ago, and I’m now a reluctant single man because of my inability to have an erection.

I understand a cure involving a 10-minute brain operation has been achieved in the USA and UK, but it’s not available to the public.

At my age it appears there’s no hope of a relationship and I’m unable to even discuss it.

DEAR Patient, Essential tremor is a neurological illness which, although not particularly serious, can cause disruption to daily life. Some medications such as propranolol are useful, but can have unwanted side effects, which include reduced libido and impotence.

If these effects seriously affect your life there are other types of treatment, which could be tried including primidona, clonazepam, gabapentina or mirtazapine, which may help control your symptoms while avoiding those unwanted side effects.

If the propranolol is controlling your symptoms, you could try another type of treatment for your erectile dysfunction such as Viagra or Cialis. Your doctor would have to supervise this treatment, after ruling out any possible reasons not to go ahead such as heart disease or other medications.

If you have any questions for Dr Perez Belmonte, please send them to: jefemedico@helicopterossanitarios.com 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.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

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EWN

47

Advertising feature

A new look for The London Look SPRINGTIME is here and with it new beginnings which can be seen all around the island, so why not give yourself a new look to add to the newness of the season.

The London Look, a Britishowned unisex salon in Palma Nova, can offer you a beautiful new look for the spring and upcoming summer months.

Hairstylist Leah offers clients a variety of services including hair design, colouring, and Brazilian keratin straightening treatment. Olaplex which is a great product for conditioning the hair whilst colouring or highlighting will soon be available to clients. For those planning weddings, Leah who specialises in bridal hair can help make the day even more special with beautiful hair designs for the bride and her bridal party.

For those who want to maintain the beautiful Mallorcan sun-kissed look throughout the year, the salon also offers FakeBake spray tans.

Owner and hairstylist Leah has 14 years of experience as a hairdresser.

She is originally from St Andrews,

Scotland where she trained as a hairdresser and has been living on the island of Mallorca for six years now.

The beautiful newly-reformed salon offers clients a welcoming and relaxed modern environment. The London Look uses Schwarzkopf products and stocks GHD irons and curling wands.

The London Look is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Earlier or later appointments are also available on request. In sum-

THE LONDON LOOK: The salon offers clients quality service in a welcoming and warm environment.

mer, the salon is open six days a week.

For more information or to make an appointment, visit The London Look on Facebook or call Leah at 871 236 091.

The London Look is located at the Passeig del Mar, 36, in the shopping arcade near McDonalds in Palma Nova.

photos by Paul Smith

World Glaucoma Week Credit World glaucoma week

IT is the leading cause of irreversible blindness

GLAUCOMA: The main characteristic is the loss of vision due to progressive damage that occurs in the optic nerve.

By Gemma Quinn GLAUCOMA is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and affects a total of 60 million people in the world.

In Spain, it affects around a million people but it is believed around 500,000 suffer unknowingly, making it known as the silent disease.

Glaucoma is an eye disease whose main characteristic is the loss of vision due to progressive damage that occurs to the optic nerve.

The main risk factor is ocular hypertension. If the pressure within the eyeball increases, the optic nerve is compressed and neurons that form are damaged, causing cell death of these and decreas-

ing the field of view patient. “The earlier the diagnosis the better and the sooner you can put the brakes on the disease,� said president of the Association of Glaucoma for patients and their families (AGAF), Delfina Balonga.

It is recommended you have eye tests every two years from the age of 40 and annually after the age of 50.

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OPINION & COMMENT

It’s the best job in the world WHEN I was younger I don’t think I appreciated that being a good mum and a wife were top of the list Vicki McLeod

Family Matters THERE’S this thing about being a parent which I didn’t realise would be such a joy. Maybe you’ve experienced it. It’s that moment that comes when you have been teaching your child something you want them to learn, you know you could just do it for them, but you also know when they learn it they will have really achieved something.

It’s not the same as the experience of watching your baby walking for the first time, or uttering their first word, they should do that naturally if you’re lucky enough that they are developing as they should. That’s exciting, but it’s not really got much to do with you has it?

No, I’m thinking about more specific things like learning to say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’. I remember when my husband and I drilled it into our daughter every single day, probably every hour on the hour.

We’d remind her time and again to say the magic words. Why? Because

FAMILY: I’m beginning to realise that the most important things I do aren’t the things I’m paid for. it’s part of our own upbringing I guess, and because we think it’s important to be polite. The day when she spontaneously said please without being prompted was a good one.

Being the mum of a 10-year-old

means I don’t have to remind her to mind her manners any more, but helping her to navigate more delicate and difficult subjects has become crucial.

There are tougher and tougher things to be taught and to learn, and as

she grows she’s having to deal with bigger issues. Coping with difficult people, being able to forgive, behaving kindly, acting with integrity and honesty, these are all things that we as adults sometimes can’t do, and we’re

certainly in that territory now with her.

It was English Mother’s Day and Spanish Father’s Day recently, and it’s to her credit that she didn’t need reminding to prepare a card, to bring breakfast in bed, to do all those little touches that make the day special.

But really, it’s the other days which stand out for me, the day when she improved her maths grade, because she’d realised that if she did what had been suggested and studied a little more she’d see the results, or the day when despite having been involved in a big row with some of her friends she acted the diplomat and negotiated a truce.

When I think about what I do for a living, and what I do in general I’m beginning to realise that the most important things I do aren’t the things I get paid for.

Being a good mum and a wife are top of the list whereas when I was younger, and dumber, I don’t think I appreciated they are the best jobs in the world. We all like to ask children what they want to be when they grow up, I’m trying to raise a child who, when asked that question, will answer ‘Happy.’ mallorcamatters.com

In the nightmare garden IT’S tempting to refer to the children’s television characters PABLO IGLESIAS: Lacks Iggle Piggle’s innate empathy.

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

IT’S tempting to refer to Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias as Iggle Piggle but he lacks the character’s innate empathy.

All the same, baby-faced Iñigo Errejon is a dead ringer for Makka Pakka, although the wildest imagination couldn’t turn Carolina Bescansa into Upsy Daisy.

Increasingly restive Podemos components En Marea, En Comu Podem and Compromis make pretty decent Tombliboos, though.

Getting rid of grandad MARIANO RAJOY, acting president since the

Seen and not heard THE rest of Spain is wrapped up in its own affairs, making order out of chaos to form a government and Cataluña seems quiet for a change. Could it be that Cataluña only plays up when it has everyone’s attention?

night of December 20, continues to bleat that he and the Partido Popular won the general elections.

His party might have been the most-voted, but Spain voted with its feet by depriving the PP of a workable majority or allies prepared to shore it up.

It’s Rajoy’s own fault that voters don’t want a two-party system because he governed autocratically, often by decree, thanks to a stonking great majority.

Also he is 60, going on Methuselah, with no father-figure appeal – just a tetchy grandfather who his despairing party would like to abandon in a petrol station far from home.

Talk it over SPAIN’S four principal parties will have to do a conjuring trick to pull a government out of a top hat.

Only people paid to comment on the current four-ring circus have much interest in a process that is anaesthetising the electorate.

“They’re all the same,” they complained before the elections and now because they see leaders protecting their own interests.

This might be true of Rajoy for wanting to retain power and Iglesias for snatching it. Doubtless Pedro Sanchez and Albert Rivera are equally power-hungry but at least they are giving dialogue a chance.

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SCENE

Toastmasters Youth Leadership Programme runs for second time PARTICIPANTS simply learn from each other by evaluating the speeches and the meeting in general

By Sandra Galo MALLORCA WORDSMITHS is currently running the Youth Leadership Programme for the second time with many young people participating.

The meetings are organised and run by volunteer Toastmasters from Mallorca Wordsmiths and take place for nine consecutive weeks on Wednesdays from 5.30pm to 7pm. This Youth Leadership programme which spans three months started in February and will continue with three more sessions on April 6, 13 and 20.

In the programme, young people are shown how to implement what they learn in exactly the same way as members of the club.

They learn how to prepare and present speeches, take part in Table Topics (impromptu two-minute speeches), manage time, look out for distracting words and mannerisms and become aware of what they are saying by using

YOUNG PEOPLE: Are shown how to implement what they learn. the Word of the Day. Feedback is a large part of the Toastmasters programme. There are no professors or teachers. Participants simply learn from each other by evaluating the speeches and the meeting in general. Apart from the Gala dinner which is held at a hotel for the young

people and their parents on the last week, the programme is sponsored by Mallorca Wordsmiths and is entirely free. The amazing programme is for young people from 11 - 17 years of age.

Mallorca Wordsmiths flies under the Toastmaster International umbrella, a global organisation founded in 1924

by Dr Ralph Smedley.

It now has more than 330,000 members in 126 different countries with around 16,000 clubs. It is a fantastic programme of personal development, communication and leadership skills which takes place in a friendly environment with like-minded people.

Forty-four members of Mallorca Wordsmiths meet every Wednesday from 8.30pm to 10pm at the Horizonte Hotel in Bonanova. The first and third Wednesday of the month meetings are held in Spanish with the second and fourth meetings in English.

Guests are welcome to attend the meetings held in the evenings any time.

For more information, go to https://mallorcawordsmiths.word press.com or visit Mallorca Wordsmiths Toastmasters Club on Facebook.

OCIAL Campos May fair IN preparation for the Campos May fair, mayor of the city Sebastia Sagreras urged residents to buy and consume local products.

Sagreras pointed out that the effort and perseverance of local farmers is admirable and also has social, traditional and environmental functions. He emphasised that awareness should be raised of their value to the community. The mayor said that the first step is to buy local products urging residents with the words ‘Drink Mallorcan milk and eat cheese from here!’

This appeal to purchase local products is motivated by preparations the town hall is making for the upcoming May fair in Campos, popularly known as the ‘Fira de ses Vaques’ (The Fair of the Cows).

SOCIAL SCENE

24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

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3rd Annual Street Food Festival SPRING receives a jump start in Port Adriano with the third annual Street Food Festival to be held on March 25, 26 and 27.

The festival is a fun gastronomic event to be enjoyed with family or in the company of friends. Fifteen vintage food

Dance World Cup TWENTY-SEVEN students from Angela Bruno Dance Factory will participate in the national ‘Dance World Cup Spain’ competition on March 24, 25, 26 and 27.

The Dance World Cup Spain will be held in Sitges, Barcelona where 27 students of Angela Bruno Dance Factory will perform 30 choreographies in a wide range of styles and categories including different styles of Jazz, modern-contemporary, ballet, Hip-Hop as well as musical theatre pieces.

trucks from Mallorca as well as the mainland will be offering a wide variety of tantalising dishes. Gourmet, American, local and ecological food are just some of the options available at the Street Food Festival.

There will also be cakes and pastries to satisfy all

types of sweet tooth.

To add to the fun this year’s festival will feature a live performance of the music group Monkey Doo performing swing music from the 1920’s and 30’s.

‘Marga and Rita’ will make an appearance to liven up the

event by passing out white daisies to help spread the joy of spring as well as organising different types of activities for children including balloons, face-painting and many more activities helping to make the Street Food Festival experience truly unique.

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PROPERTY

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House prices in Spain have turned an important corner BUYERS confidence is at an all time high and property prices are at rock-bottom but are rising John Graham The property expert

GREAT news and it’s official, residential p r o p e r t y p r i c es in S p a in have increased by just under 2 per cent on average in 2015.

We have been waiting for almost a decade for this news, but house prices have now turned a very important corner, it’s the first time Spanish house prices have increased since 2007.

The news is as important for buyers as it is for sellers, buyers have more confidence in buying a property when they are buying at rock bottom prices that are also increasing in value.

For those of you looking to sell, it makes it easier if prices are rising in your region and helps you sell your property closer to the asking price.

Alth o u g h t h e a v e r a g e p rice o f property in Spain has increased for the first time in a long time, there are variables in price rises per region throughout Spain.

SPAIN: First time house prices have risen since 2007.

For example on the Costas, the highest price increases are in the Balearics Islands Mallorca and Ibiza, Malaga on the Costa del Sol and Alicante, but in a few regions prices have dropped, such as Almeria and Murcia.

Buyers now can’t lose, prices will never be as low as they are today, prices are at rock-bottom, between 33-48 per cent below 2007 prices.

Buyers will now benefit from an immediate increase in the value of their property, which is forecast to increase by an average of 6 per cent by the end of 2016.

Compare this to leaving money in the bank and it’s now a win-win for the buyer and property investor, now buying a property in Spain.

Talking about property investors, they are flocking to Spain. My in-

vestment department is seeing an increase in business from the big international funds who we are advising on multi-million euro property investments.

So what does this all mean to the average owner of a property in Spai n l ooki ng t o sel l t hi s year ?

Well, buyers confidence in buying property in Spain is at an all time high, with foreign buyers buying a big percentage of properties on the Costas and Balearics.

Therefore regardless of where you live, if you are looking to sell and want the best price you must ma k e sur e your hom e i s i n good condition, as good as, if not better than other similar properties in your area.

To help you take advantage of the positive market conditions, in future articles I will give you tips on how to get the best price for your home, starting with the spring clean.

If you are looking to sell or buy property contact me for professional advice.

John Graham Fellow of The Architecture & Surveyors Institute.

Email. Gk.ipad@me.com

Ban extended LICENCES for tourist rentals have been a contentious issue across Spain, as regions including Andalucia and Mallorca seek to restrict the ability of property owners to rent out their homes to tourists.

In Barcelona a moratorium on new licences was issued, as the authorities sought to cobble together new laws on the practice and now it has been extended for another year.

The moratorium was due to expire in July but the local authority has extended it for administrative reasons, while they await the passing of a draft bill that will determine the precise method in which licences are granted.

The new regime of leftwing Mayor Ada Colau has proven controversial in property sphere. The former citizens’ rights activist has criticised a possible bubble emerging in Barcelona’s housing market.

Escalating rental prices and house prices have distinguished the Catalan capital in recent years, but opinion is divided as to whether various developments have had a positive or negative impact on the city.

PROPERTY

24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

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Property wealth report Credit Meunierd / Shutterstock

IT is predicted that Spain will see growth in the next 10 years

GROWTH: The super wealthy will increase their property buying habits over the next 10 years.

By Emily Chettle A NEW property wealth report has been released and interesting stats reveal that the super wealthy, people with more â‚Ź27.6 million, will increase their property buying habits in the next 10 years with Spain seeing growth.

The report shows that although the portfolios of these ultra-high net worth individuals are usually very diverse, real estate is their preference, with approximately 35 per cent of their fortunes invested.

Within the commercial sector, offices, hotels and shopping malls are firm favourites for investment, however residential investment is the first choice of these investors and will continue to soar

over the next 10 years.

The predictions are for a 41 per cent growth at a global level with Spain seeing 14 per cent growth, which although is positive, the rate of the increase will be considerably lower than previously. Ultra-rich investment has decreased by 3 per cent globally, while in Spain it’s a fall of 14 per cent. The fall has been affected by global economic uncertainty and falls in oil prices.

Again, London takes the lead as the preferred city for the ultra-rich, followed by New York and Paris. The number of these ultra-rich residing in Madrid id 467 whilst Barcelona has 227.

The latest Prime International Residential Index was also published which analy-

ses the performance from the top 100 luxury second homes around the world.

This year it includes five Spanish destinations - Madrid, Barcelona, Ibiza, Marbella and Mallorca.

Madrid and Ibiza jointly occupy 20th position on the index, climbing from 32nd and 35th positions respectively.

Barcelona, Marbella and Mallorca also improved in the rankings over last year, now occupying 29th, 35th and 47th positions respectively.

The most expensive city in the world is Monaco, according to the statistics, Vietnam is the most attractive, Meribel is the preferred winter spot for the ultra-rich, and the Gold Coast in Australia is the best location for a second home.

Foreigners dominate the Spanish market WITH foreign buyers behind 17 per cent of all the home sale transactions made in Spain throughout 2015, more details have now been released on the geographical spread of the purchases which makes for interesting reading.

There were more than 69,000 homes bought by foreign buyers in the Spanish property market across the year and the Valencian region was by far the most popular with 20,269 home purchased.

A rather distant second was Andalucia, home to the Costa del Sol, with 14,398 homes sold.

Catalonia took third spot on the list with more than 10,000 homes sold, while the Canary Islands saw 7,286 transactions with

foreign nationals.

The Balearic Islands feature prominently on the map with more than 5,000 homes sold.

The Balearics did, however, top the table when it came to foreigner purchases as a percentage of the overall market, with a huge 40 per cent of all transactions including a foreign national.

This is in stark contrast to the capital Madrid where just 9 per cent of homes sold went to foreigners.

Foreign demand has risen substantially over the past year and continues its steady climb from the dark days of the crisis. Figures are still, however, dwarfed by the halcyon days of 2006 across all areas.

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GARDENS

Purchasing and planting bougainvilleas POPULAR in Mediterranean gardens providing a fantastic display of colour flickr by waferboard (garden Inukshuk)

Dick Handscombe

Gardening Corner

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

BOUGAINVILLEAS are one of the most popular climbers in Mediterranean gardens. A fully grown plant will give a fantastic display of colour from early summer to January when they are normally pruned.

The colour of bougainvilleas is produced not by flowers but by coloured bracts. The actual flower is the long thin white growth inside the bract. There are many varieties and cross pollinations of bougainvilleas to choose from. For convenience we therefore list the most commonly found varieties by colour.

1. Purple - Very vigorous and produces compact bracts close to the main branches. As this variety keeps its shape well, it is suitable to grow as a standard in a terrace pot.

2. Red - Vigorous but not as compact as the purple variety as it produces bracts from longer side shoots giving a cascading effect.

3. Double red - not as fast growing as the above. Produces very large bracts. One advantage is that when flowering is finished these bracts

BOUGAINVILLEAS: A good range of colours. gradually dry to a browny colour and do not fall to the ground. Grows well in a pot but not as a standard.

4. Pink - Vigorous and does produce a good show of colour with a cascading effect.

5. Yellow, bronze, orange, lilac and white Slower growing, harder to establish and more affected by changing conditions.

To add interest there are many hues of most colours. Garden centres often stock dwarf, varie-

gated and mixed colours.

Bougainvilleas can be quite temperamental.

They like to get their roots far down into the ground so are best in a rich open structured soil.

They grow particularly well when planted adjacent to a path or terrace where the roots can search for retained water underneath, and are also kept cool in the hot summer months.

They find it difficult to get going in heavy clay or if planted over bedrock a foot or two below the

surface. If after several months they show no signs of strong growth, try moving them to another part of the garden and they may suddenly take off.

Purchasing Don’t buy the largest plant you can see. It has probably been over forced in ideal hot house conditions. You are better to buy a one and a half metre high plant with a good root system and wellshaped branches.

Season to plant Preferably in the autumn or spring in coastal areas. But in inland valleys where there is a chance of frost or cold burning winds wait until spring.

Planting Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and fill with a good organic two to one compost/soil mix.

Aim to plant to the same soil level as in the nursery pot. Before planting fill the hole with water and allow it to drain off. Remove the plant and place in your prepared hole, infill, firm down well and water. Stake and tie up to wall, fence, post or tree. Shade roots by covering with gravel, rocks or mulching. © Dick Handscombe March 2016

Rocking out with the endless possibilities MANY people think that rocks are boring, but they are actually as versatile as they are sturdy.

The possibilities with rocks are endless. Many people use them to build rock gardens, but that’s real-

ly just the tip of the boulder.

Put them in your flower garden. If the flowers are just starting to grow in, the space may seem dreadfully bare, and the rocks can serve as something to catch the eye. Once the flowers grow in they’ll be the stars, and they’ll be in some rock solid company.

You can make stepping stones or even a whole path through a garden using rocks. Or if you have a fishpond, you can use them to create a lovely waterfall.

Not so ambitious? Just make a little Inukshuk. An Inukshuk is a manmade landmark typical among the Inuits of North America.

Their historical significance is a matter of debate among historians, but for you, building an Inukshuk could be a pleasure, a kind of landmark on life’s journey.

A way for you to say to the world: I was here.

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Advertising feature

Q-mapp the sexy app WITH continual technological advances everything can be found online these days. A new app is offering an online version of adult classified ads to red-blooded users.

Similar to apps such as Uber, it locates people who offer sexual services in the town via an interactive map showing shoppers who is available in the area before they ‘add to basket’.

The app can be accessed at www.q-mapp.es ‘Q-mapp’, from any browser (Chrome, Safari, Explorer…) and from any device including mobile phones, tablets, or PCs. Customers can remain as anonymous users or register if they wish, which allows for regular updates.

Registered users can also access an interactive map in any Spanish city updating them of the whereabouts of local ladies of the night.

Additionally, it comes with a search engine enabling users to choose a profile, chat to women in the area and the possibility of calling her on the phone.

With the benefit of a state of the art tool positioning individual ads on a map, the app uses modern, cutting-edge technology to promote

REGISTERED USERS: Can access an interactive map in any Spanish city updating them of the whereabouts of ladies of the night. A search engine enables users to choose a profile and chat to women in the area.

the oldest profession known.

The company is at the frontline of the market, knowing where their closest potential clients are.

The ads also have complete mobility, if a change of location occurs with just the click of a button adverts get updated with a new location and a new advert is not needed.

A user’s visibility is also a setting that can change according to individual desires.

As a marketing tool the functional app is reasonably priced, with a minimum cost to be included on the map of €0.40 a day or €12 a month. It allows its users complete independence and they don’t have to be exposed in the street.

‘Q-mapp’ (www.q-mapp.es) and its creators want to make it clear that it is completely in opposition to the illegal trafficking of humans for sexual aims. The new ‘web app’ also has a social aim which is “taking prostitution off the streets.”

Society can be hypocritical but the reality is that there is a big percentage of the population that uses this type of services.

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Layla is first to get to know the house-sitters Housesitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting and the experience and checked sitters get free accommodation! To find a pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on +44 (0)1865521508

PUPPIES: Are hard work and you need to be committed.

So... You want to breed?

HERE are some of the misconceptions behind dog breeding that need to be considered LAYLA: Loves having company and positions herself at the centre of the action.

PHILIPPA lives deep in the campo in Loja, Granada. She loves living in Spain with her family of pets which includes several donkeys, three dogs and three cats. Pet care with multiple pets has been a challenge for Philippa until recently.

Up until last year Philippa found it difficult to go on holiday or visit family in England, because it wouldn’t be fair to rely on neighbours for more than a few days to care for all her animals. Now she uses HouseSitMatch to find house-sitters online and Layla, her oldest cat, is always first in line to get to know them.

Layla has lived with Philippa ever since she first moved to Loja. She is a very friendly soul and always curious. She gets particularly excited when a new house-sitter moves in to help Philippa with the pets. She stays with them keeping a close eye.

Eric the latest house-sitter, who lived with Layla and the others for six weeks this winter, found she would position herself at the centre of the action waiting for a cuddle when he was unpacking shopping, or making dinner or just pottering about the garden.

Pet priorities PETS across the world are uniting to fight for their rights, with initiatives being implemented that should reflect their growing status as global citizens.

In India a taxi service exclusively for pets has been set up, after an entrepreneurial couple found it impossible to find a taxi willing to cross the country’s wild traffic for the sake of

CONE: Could be the end.

taking their dog to hospital.

The dynamic duo have just a few cars at their disposal, but have already made a

huge difference to local pet owners.

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, a creative new company is looking at ways to replace the socalled ‘cone of shame’ vets put around pet’s necks to keep them from biting or scratching.

They are working on preventing vision impairment and sound amplification that can seriously irritate pets, and have discovered a new style which can fit on all kinds of animals.

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

FOR the next couple of weeks I will be looking at different elements of dog breeding. The highs and lows, the do’s and don’ts.

This week I explore some of the misconceptions behind dog breeding.

Part 1 So why do you want to breed from your bitch?

To make lots of money!

Do you realise the actual expenses involved in breeding, such as advertising, stud fee, vet bills, food, to name a few?

It would be good for the children to watch the birth and play with the puppies as they grow up! Actually, the gory part of the whelping repulse most children who are more than happy to skip the viewing of the miracle you planned for them to see.

A litter of puppies growing up is usually too rowdy for small children who

are usually disinterested or terrified of the leaping creatures with sharp teeth and nails. If you want the children to see a puppy growing up, buy them one of their own.

If you want them to watch the litter being born, it’s better and easier to find a breeder who will let them come over in t h e middle of the night to watch the puppies being born.

We love Fifi and we want another one just like her! The chances that you will get another one just like her are very slim indeed.

Everyone who comes to the house and sees Fifi wants one of her pups when she has a litter!

But... just wait until your litter of 12 is ready to go to their new homes, watch those people back out with excuses such as ‘the children are too young, the children are too old now to be bothered with caring for a dog, we are going to have a baby, the house is too small, we are moving in three months (wait till then), the carpet is too new, grandma doesn’t like dogs, the old dog hasn’t died yet, it might not get along with our cat.’

The list goes on and on.

Because we really love puppies!

You’d better be sure you love puppies because until you have them, you can’t imagine how much is fully involved, such as: The mess the litter makes. Can you put up with constantly cleaning and scrubbing up after the puppies, their whelping box, the yard, the kennel, or wherever you keep them? As soon as you feed them, they dump out of the other end.

They then step in it, roll in it and drag it through whatever else is in the puppy box at the time. With a large litter of puppies, there is always something to be cleaned up.

The responsibility you have with the litter is not as small for you as it is with Fifi, when taking care of them until they are ready to go. Most of it is up to you and you are tied to the litter like any new mother, only you can’t take the litter to the in-laws at the weekend, or anywhere else for the weekend, for that matter.

You had better be content to spend all your time at home. There will be no more all day shopping sprees or any other activity that keeps you away from home for too long, as you have to be there to feed the pups four-six times a day.

BOATS

24 - 30 March 2016 / Mallorca

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EWN

Chris-Craft Big year for yacht designs come to the from Zuccon International Balearics

59

By John Smith

CHRIS-CRAFT Balearics has been appointed to operate alongside Princess Motor Yacht Sales, who have p r o v i d e d y a c h t sales and service in the region for more than 20 years.

The new division, covering the islands of Formentera, Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca, will offer a full range of new and preowned sports-cruisers, day boats, launches and

bow riders from 22ft to 36ft.

M o re th an € 1 2 5 , 0 0 0 has already been invested in setting up a sales and service centre for ChrisCraft in the popular Puerto Portals marina in Mallo rc a an d o n c re a tin g a dedicated new website.

New models will also be available for demonstration and sale from two further sales points at Port Adriano and Cala D’Or.

Boat shows collide A CLASH of dates between the Las Palmas and Denia boat shows will give some headaches to those who love to see some of the most graceful and attractive vessels around.

As previously reported, the 33rd Palma Boat Show runs from April 28 to May 2, but starting just one day later the 9th Denia Boat Show also finishes on May 2.

SEVEN new vessels designed by Zuccon International are currently being built by the Ferretti Group with two by Ferretti Yachts, two by Custom Line and the other three by CRN shipyard in Ancona and Zuccon’s architects have also developed two new projects for 50 metre yachts.

Zuccon has been commissioned to redesign Ferretti Yachts’ entire range, over a period of three years. The first models presented cover a wide range: the first one will be the entry level, the Ferretti 450, while the second is the Ferretti 850, a 26-metre model with sporty lines, and both will be unveiled at the 2016 Cannes Yachting Festival.

Both the Navetta 37, a large displacement vessel, and the ‘older sister ’ Navetta 42, the biggest yacht ever built

by Custom Line, were shown in concept at the Miami Beach Yachts Show 2016.

The CRN shipyard is working on several new units, all made in steel, including the M/Y CRN 131, a 74 metre dis-

Photo Credit Zuccon International Project

THEIR architects have also developed two new projects for 50 metre yachts

ON SHOW: The Navetta 42 and Navetta 37 yachts. placement yacht and two other superyachts of 79 and 50 metres, so 2016

promises to be an exciting year for the Zuccon International Project.

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Mallorca

SPONSORED BY

FOR BEST RATES IN MOTOR INSURANCE CALL: 952 89 33 80

Catch me if you can THE number of offences being committed in the UK by motorists has more than halved in the last 10 years.

However, the Transport Select Committee suggests that this is down to fewer traffic police officers patrollin g t h e r o a d s r a th e r than improved driving standards.

Since 2004, the number of recorded offences has fallen from 4.3million to 1.5million in 2014.

The government, however, has conceded that if no one is out there watching then speeders, tailgaters as well as the downright dangerous a r e g e t t i n g a w a y with it far more often.

Police numbers across England and Wales have reportedly fallen from 5,327 to 3,742 between 2010 and 2015.

Clarkson Quote of theWeek

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Cycling is seen now not as something that might be exhilarating or even useful, but as a frontline propaganda weapon in the war on capitalism, banking, freedom, McDonald’s, injustice, Swiss drug companies, rape and progress.”

Some might say...

Aston Martin’s DB11 premieres FIRST deliveries to begin towards the end of 2016

By Matthew Elliott LUCKY attendees at the 86th International Geneva Motor Show caught a glimpse of the new Aston Martin release the DB11, which has been launched under the luxury British manufacturer’s ‘Second Century’ plan.

The new model, described as an ‘authentic, dynamic, sporting GT in the finest Aston Martin tradition’, is powered by a 5.2 litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, and features pioneering aerodynamics and an outstanding design.

A lighter aluminium structure allows the DB11 to be more powerful and efficient than any other DB model, and is considered the firm’s most important new introduction to the luxury market in more than a decade.

Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer said: “DB11 is the absolute embodiment of what an Aston Martin should be, and we have worked tireless-

NEW DB11: Features pioneering aerodynamics and an outstanding design. ly to ensure that the DB11 combines both exceptional design with the latest technology throughout. A brand new bonded aluminium platform, clever aerodynamics, a new characterful twinturbo V12 and class-leading infotainment systems are just a few aspects

which make this the sports car that will proudly spearhead Aston Martin’s second century plan.”

Practical developments include enhanced interior space with more head and legroom, an extended luggage space, and wider door apertures. Spe-

cialised leatherwork, coordinated colour tones and a generous abundance of style options makes the DB11 truly open to the kind of personalisation that currently dominates the luxury market.

The new engine, which was developed in-house, sees 608PS1 (600BHP1) and 700Nm1 of torque. It allows a top speed of 200mph and a 062 mph time of 3.9 seconds. Power is matched by greater efficiency through bank activation and excellent stop-start technology.

The sheer capability of the DB11 is demonstrated through is multiple driver-selectable dynamic modes of GT, Sport and Sport Plus. Add into the mix new electric power steering and Torque Vectoring, and drivers can enjoy an experience which combines incredible comfort with magnificent road agility.

Recommended retail price is £154,900 (€187,236) in the UK with first deliveries of the DB11 car scheduled to begin towards the end of 2016.

Daley and McCann to auction their TV motors Photo by Kieran White via Flikr

Motoring shorts

MOTORING

MINDER: TV motors will be sold at auction.

NEXT month sees TV’s Minder fans being given a chance to own a piece of motoring history with Arthur Daley’s Daimler Sovereign and Terry McCann’s Ford Capri to go under the hammer.

H&H Motorcars are to sell the two cars and know only too well the show’s connection with the vehicles should see prices go up to £45,000 (€57,817) for Daley’s luxurious Daimler, while Terry McCann’s Ford Capri could fetch

up to £85,000 (€109,214) on auction day.

The 1981 Daimler Sovereign, has only recently been fully restored to its TV glory after being used from series four to series seven of the show. It is said that George Cole, the actor who played the inimitable Arthur Daley so loved this car, that in the mid-1980s he nearly bought it for himself, before it was eventually given away in a competition.

The restoration cost around

£5,000 (€6,424) and has seen the car re-finished in its original TV colours, along with significant mechanical improvements.

With just 43,990 miles on the clock, auctioneers’ estimates put the price at between £35,000 (€44,970) and £45,000 (€57,817).

Meanwhile, along with the luxurious Daimler will be a two-litre Ford Capri driven by Daley’s Minder of the show’s title, Terry McCann, played by Dennis Waterman.

Cyber sabotage THE FBI has released a statement warning American drivers of the threat of criminals ‘hacking’ their vehicles.

Once considered something of a fringe conspiracy theory more at home in films, cybersabotage is now considered a genuine risk for many drivers in the age of advanced vehicular software and cloud based systems.

Threats range from remote transmission killing to the scanning of credit card information.

Fuel duty FUEL duty in the UK was frozen for the sixth year running in the 2016 budget, saving the average driver £75 (€96).

Downing Street propagandists claimed that since petrol prices had dropped the government had considered a rise, but elected against it to protect working families.

The government is set to absorb £27 billion (€35 billion) from British drivers this year.

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Leicester seeking glory as England win the Grand Slam

SPORT

NICO ROSBERG: Won the first Grand Prix of 2016.

AND Rosberg triumphs in the first Grand Prix of 2016 in Australia 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 • Leicester City beat Crystal Palace 1-0 last Saturday to go eight points clear in the PL title race. Tottenham reduced that to five 24 hours later by ‘Kane-ing’ Bournemouth 3-0 but with only seven games remaining, the Foxes are certainly ‘on the run’.

• Elsewhere, Arsenal (third) kept in touch with a 10 win at Everton; United won the Manchester derby with a Marcus Rashford goal; the showdowns between Newcastle-Sunderland and Chelsea-West Ham both ended in draws; Southampton, two down, hit back to beat Liverpool 3-2; Stoke won 21 at Watford and there were also vital 1-0 victories for

Norwich (at WBA) and Swansea (v bottom club Aston Villa).

• The top six in the Championship are Burnley (75 points), Brighton and Hove Albion (71), Middlesbrough (70), Hull City (66), Derby County (64) and Sheffield Wednesday (62).

• Burton Albion (74 points) and Wigan Athletic (68) are looking strong in FL1, while Northampton Town (82 points and unbeaten in 18 games) lead Oxford United by 11 and both are ‘coming up’ from FL2. Celtic and Rangers top their respective divisions in Scotland.

• The two-legged quarterfinals in the Champion League on 5/6 and 12/13 April are: Barcelona-Atletico Madrid, Bayern MunichBenfica, Manchester CityPSG and Real Madrid-Wolfsburg.

• The last four two-legged Europa League ties on 7/14 April are Borussia Dortmund-Liverpool, SevillaAthletic Bilbao, Shakhtar Donetsk-Braga and Villar-

real-Sporting Prague.

• There are full FL1 and FL2 programmes over the Easter period, but no PL/Championship games.

However, we have several international friendlies including: Czech RepublicScotland, Italy-Spain and Wales-Northern Ireland tomorrow; Netherlands-France and Republic of IrelandSwitzerland Friday; Germany-England in Berlin on Saturday; Romania-Spain on Sunday; Northern IrelandSlovenia and Ukraine-Wales on Monday and EnglandNetherlands at Wembley, Germany-Italy, Republic of Ireland-Slovakia and Scotland-Denmark next Tuesday.

• The West Ham-Manchester United 6th round FAC replay will be on April 6.

RUGBY UNION • Last weekend 193 points were scored as England beat France 31-21 to clinch the Grand Slam for

the first time since 2003.

Wales hammered Italy 67-14 and Ireland defeated Scotland 35-25 in the other matches.

FORMULA ONE • Nico Rosberg made it four victories in a row by winning the first Grand Prix of 2016 in Melbourne.

Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton was second with Sebastian Vettel third.

Remarkably, Spain’s Fernando Alonso escaped serious injury on lap 17. His McLaren clipped the rear of Esteban Gutierrez’s Haas, careered off the Albert Park track, flipped twice and sent shards of debris flying off the vehicle’s body before plummeting into the barriers. The race was delayed for 16 minutes.

• Bahrain stages the next race on April 3.

CRICKET • England, after losing heavily to the West Indies in their opening T20 World Cup game in India, bounced back in style to beat South Africa in their thrilling second group game.

Set 230 to win, Joe Root (83 off 44 balls) and Jason Roy (43/16) led the run chase as England won by two wickets.

• In other group games, New Zealand defeated Australia and a crowd of 61,839 saw hosts India comfortably beaten by rivals Pakistan.

• Yesterday England met Afghanistan, South Africa play West Indies tomorrow and England-Sri Lanka and New Zealand-Bangladesh do battle on Saturday. The final is on April 3.

ROUND-UP • Jorge Lorenzo won the first MotoGP of 2016 in Qatar. And r e a

Dovizioso was second, Marc Marquez third and Valentino Rossi (riding in his 23rd year) fourth.

• Robbie Grabarz (high jump) won silver and Lorraine Ugen (long jump) and Tiffany Porter (80m hurdles) earned bronze medals for GB at the World Indoor Championships in Portland, Oregon.

• Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka won the men’s and women’s singles titles at the Indian Wells tennis championship. The ATP/WTA Miami Open is now underway in Florida.

• Three of my four tips at Cheltenham WON – sorry that Cue Card fell in the Gold Cup. Over 282,000 spectators attended the fourday festival.

SPORT RELIEF • Last weekend a record £60 million was raised by sports stars, TV and film celebrities and the general public in the annual Sport Relief challenge, which ended with Eddie Izzard running two marathons in one day, 27 in succession.

DID YOU KNOW? Twelve months ago (March 24, 2015) Leicester City, having just lost 4-3 at Tottenham, were bottom of the Premiership, heading for relegation! They completed the ‘great escape’ and are now on course for glory. How times change.

JORGE LORENZO: Won the first MotoGP of 2016.

LEICESTER CITY: Five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

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SPORT

24 - 30 March 2016 FERNANDO ALONSO: Miraculously escaped unharmed from a spectacular crash at the Australian Grand Prix.

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El Toro RC Girls Crowned Baleares Girls Sevens League EL TORO RC girls' team were crowned Baleares Sevens Girls League Champions in Son Caliu after the last set of matches on Saturday March 19 in front of packed stands with supporters cheering on the home team girls, El Toro, Bahia RC, Shamrock RC and Corsaris RFC. The girls played well and there were some exciting moments but El Toro RC kept up the standard of their last few tournaments and won all their matches beating Shamrock RC by 39 points to 7, Bahia RC by 15 to 5 and Corsaris RFC by 20 points to 5.

Bahia RC came a deserved second place after beating Corsaris RFC by 12 points to 5 and Shamrock RC by 17 points to 10. In the remaining match Corsaris RFC beat Shamrock RC by 17 points to 10. All of the girls participated in the victory celebrations with a ‘tercer tiempo’ (post match) prepared by the veterans and senior members of El Toro RC. Baleares Senior League The last match of the Baleares Senior Men's League for El Toro RC was against RC Ponent on Wednesday

able to score another two tries taking the full time score to 32 point to 0.

RC Ponent suffered as they had their third game in the space of 10 days on Saturday when they played their last match of the league against Corsaris/ Dimonis combined team. Even though they had beaten them a week earlier on home soil it was a different case this time playing away in Pollença.

RC Ponent were unable to score during the first half and it was only once their opposition was reduced to 14 men for a yellow card that they were able to add points. Final score was 40 points to 14. The win gave Corsaris / Dimonis combined team the Baleares Senior League Championship.

SENIOR LEAGUE: Final match saw heavy tackling. evening under floodlights. The first half of the match saw some heavy tackling and possession was fairly equal but once El Toro RC found their rhythm most of RC Ponent's attempts

to score or break through the defence were thwarted.

During the second half the El Toro RC players continued their attacking play and accurate passing which gave

them the edge. RC Ponent gave away penalties for dropping the scrum and also lost a player to a yellow card incident. Long sprints down the pitch with support meant that El Toro RC were

Coming up next week As it is Easter the matches for the JJ Garcia Trophy between the top four teams will be played during the first weekend of April. Corsaris / Dimonis combined team will play fourth placed Ibiza RC and runners-up El Toro RC will play RC Ponent. The winners of these two matches will meet the following weekend.