Issuu

ISSUE NO. 1610

12 - 18 May 2016

MALLORCA

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

Long live the Blue Flag By Sandra Galo Mallorca was in quite a stir recently when it was announced that the region renowned for its beautiful beaches had lost 12 Blue Flags, the most of all the regions of Spain. Blue Flags certify a high standard of water quality, environmental management, safety, services and accessibility, as well as education for both beaches and ports. Despite the loss, which includes three in the municipality of Palma, three new beaches in Mallorca have received Blue Flags this year, making a total of 35 Blue Flags flying over beaches of the island. President of the Blue Flag Association Jose Ramon Sanchez explained that the beaches have lost their flags because over the years the criteria has become “more demanding,” and also pointed out

that the treatment of the water should be “of quality.” Spokesperson for the Balearic Government Pilar Costa called on citizens to not get worked up over the loss, pointing out that 11 ‘candidates’ in Ibiza were not submitted for Blue Flag certification. She also added that in recent years, many municipalities have chosen not to submit beaches as candidates for a Blue Flag. As a nation, however, Spain continues to lead in the world rankings with a total of 686 (586 beaches

and 100 ports). One out of five beaches along the Spanish coast flies a Blue Flag. Worldwide, one out of every six Blue Flags that will be flying this summer will be over a Spanish beach.

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LOCAL NEWS

A spectacular sight THOSE in the vicinity of the Club de Mar in Palma port on Friday (May 6), had their curiosity sparked by the sign of a sailing ship docked there which looks very different

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Hospital smiles

from the usual visitors. The Russian ship, Shtandart, is a replica of a frigate designed by Czar Peter the Great in 1703, and has appeared in various films.

flickr by David Martín :: Suki_ ::

Solar park worries REPRESENTATIVES of the Cap Blanc-Punta Regana Defence Association met Llucmajor mayor Jaume Tomas last week, to convey concerns about the size and location of a large solar park planned in the Sa Marina area, weighing territorial protection against renewable energy. The group worries about the visual impact of the park if it is built on the proposed site.

Archaeological works released THE family of archaeologist William Waldren (1924-2003) has handed his archives over to the municipality of Valldemossa.

The archaeologist devoted himself to studying Mallorcan prehistory, making a series of discoveries in Son Matge and the Son Muleta cave.

CLOWNING AROUND: Sonrisa Medica clowns entertain children in hospitals around Mallorca. By Sandra Galo HOSPITAL clown Aspirino has made more than 100 appearances this year, performing in the Hospitals of Son Espases, Llatzer, Manacor and Inca, thanks to the support of Endesa Electric Company. The agreement between the Sonrisa Medico (Medical Smile) charity and Ende-

sa was made through the Adopt a Hospital Clown programme. According to Endesa, the company sponsored the nurse-clown, played by actor Camil Casasnovas, who has brought smiles to more than 25,500 children and families. Aspirino documents his experiences at the hospitals in his blog ‘Diario de un

payaso de hospital’ (Diary of a hospital clown) at the sonrisamedica.org website. The actor also participates in sessions to raise awareness of the work carried out by the organisation, and the importance of a child’s emotional state for recovery. Sonrisa Medico is a non-profit organisation that has brought humour to public hospitals in Mallorca since 1994.

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Your papers, your views

Featured News 3

Finance 23 - 28

Stocks 24

Leapy Lee 29

Our View 30

Colin Bird 30

Daily TV 32

Letters 34

Vicki McLeod 36

Time Out 38 - 39

Health & Beauty 40

Social Scene 41 - 43

Property 44

Homes & Gardens 46

Pets 47

Classifieds 48 - 49

Boats 51 - 52

Motoring 54

Sport 55 - 56

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Double duty By Sandra Galo

THE Palma City Council will more than double the number of officers for the summer season. A total of 136 Local Police officers will be patrolling areas in the municipality including the city centre, Cala Major, the Paseo Maritimo and Playa de Palma from May 23 to October 23. An extra 94 police officers coming from other units or as interim workers who have had their contracts renewed will join the 42 current officers. Palma Mayor Jose Hila explained that it is a “huge increase” compared to last year which was less than half the number for this season. He added that the day shifts have increased by 50 per cent and the night shifts by 100 per cent in an effort to “solve problems” that weren’t able to be resolved last year.

flickr by B C

MOUNTED POLICE: Palma will double police presence this summer. Councillor for Citizen Security Angelica Pastor said that the increased police presence initiative is “ambitious” and features two novelties. One is

that the Maravillas station will now be open 24-hours a day. The other is that two officers will be assigned to observe and collect information to analyse

how the system is working to be able to make improvements as well as develop informative campaigns on issues like alcohol consumption in the streets.

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Balearic obesity is the lowest in Spain ACCORDING to the Spanish Cardiology Society, the lowest obe si t y r a t e s i n Spai n a r e i n t h e Balearic Islands. Th e Balearics have the lowest rates of obesity registering at 10.5 per cent. Ca t a l u ñ a i s se c ond-lowest with 15.5 per cent. The highest rate s, o n t h e o t h er hand, are in Asturi a s, Ga l i c i a a n d Andalucia. The Spanish Cardio l o g y So c i e t y points out that 39.3 per cent of Spaniards between the ages of 25 a n d 6 4 a r e c o n sidered overweight, and more than 21 per cent of them are categorised as obese. Th e d a t a c o m es fro m a n u t r i t i o n a l study of the Spanish pop u l a t i o n , wh i c h ana l y se d a t o t a l of 3,8 0 0 m e n a n d women. Men were fou n d t o b e m o r e prone to being overwei g h t wi t h a n otable weight gain in the 25-34 age group. Women tended to put on weight later in life. Professor at the University of Navarre Javier Aranceta-Bartrina emphasised the need for preventive measures to be taken. He pointed out tha t b e i n g o v e rweight suggests a poorer quality of life and a n i n c r e a se d burden for the health service, and stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

GLOBAL FESTIVAL: The walking tours are inspired by Jane Jacobs.

Jane’s Walk festival By Sandra Galo AROUND 140 people took part in the opening day of Jane’s Walk, with a route focusing on Germans who work in the city of Palma. The route was led by Mallorca Zeitung journalists Stephanie Schuster and Patrick Schirmer Sastre. One of the Germans spotlighted on the route was Christoph Hafner of Pep Lemon. Another was Gerhardt Braun, a gallerist in the Born area of Palma. The third stop on the route was at the Council of Tourism to talk with journalist Alexandra

Wilms, the head of press for Biel Barcelo. The route also included a stop in Son Gotleu to analyse living conditions there, and finished up in the historic centre with the ‘Via Corrrupta’ guided tour of places symbolising corruption in Palma. Jane’s Walk is a global festival of citizen-led walking tours inspired by North American journalist, writer and activist Jane Jacobs, which aims to get people to tell stories about their communities, explore their cites and connect with neighbours. Jane’s Walk took place on May 6, 7 and 8.

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NEWS EXTRA

Clean up

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Electrifying train lines

Destructive caterpillar flickr by Alain GAVILLET

DURING the first half of May, various clean up events will take place in the municipality of Calvia. The initiative is part of the European Clean-Up Day campaign to raise citizens’ awareness of waste.

Driver left POLICE are looking for the driver of a vehicle who fled the scene of an accident leaving behind her car and three injured passengers. The incident took place at 3.45am on Saturday May 7 near IES Son Pacs.

Double talk ACCORDING to a report on the Catalan language in the Balearics, almost 60 per cent of foreign residents in the Balearics say that they can speak Catalan and 37.5 per cent say they can write it.

TRAINS: Mallorca’s trains should be running on electricity in early 2018. By Sandra Galo THE project to convert Mallorca’s trains to a railway electrification system has been moved forward a year and is now in place for early 2018. Vice president and councillor of Innovation, Research and Tourism Biel Barcelo and councillor of Land, Energy and Mobility Marc Pons announced that they

have taken steps to request bids for the electrification of the trains. It is expected that the winning bidder will be announced later this year and work will begin early in 2017. With the new time frame, the total electrification of the railway should be a reality in early 2018. The system will save €630,000 each year on energy costs and stop the emis-

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sion of around 630 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The project involves the installation of all the overhead power cables in the sections not currently using electricity, as well as the construction of six substations which will supply energy to the cables. The work will be co-financed 50 per cent by the European Regional Development Fund.

CONCERN is rising that an invasive caterpillar that kills palm trees may reach the Llevant Park and destroy the protected palms growing there. The caterpillar of the paysandisia archon moth eats the tender leaves of the palms and then attacks the trunk causing the tree’s eventual death. The caterpillar has already caused the death of trees in the urbanisation of Montferrutx in Colonia de Sant Pere. The Council of Environment is launching immediate efforts to stop this possible plague from reaching the mountains of Arta and jeopardising the palms there. The village of Pollensa has been very affected and a new area has also been discovered in Andratx. According to Director of Natural Space Caterina Amengual, the caterpillar entered Mallorca in 2002 through Formentor, but the problem was not dealt with immediately.

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Mooing the Trenc-Salobrar natural park THE Balearic Agricultural Professional Organisation (Asaja) has requested that the draft bill for the declaration of Trenc-Salobrar as a natural park include farming initiatives. In a written document presented to the Balearic Council, Asaja has asked that the bill include the conservation, maintenance and improvement of the economic viability of farms within the scope of the future natural park. Joan Simonet, manager of Asaja in the Balearics, said that the procedure of first consulting and meeting with those affected should have been carried out, rather than directly present-

ing the draft bill to declare the land a natural park. Simonet pointed out that the original proposal considered the presence of farms in the area but makes no mention of the presence of cattle farms. He also added that the bill provides for the inclusion of representatives from the farming and livestock sectors in the Park Advisory Board, although this does not appear anywhere in the initial text. Asaja considers it “unacceptable” that the construction of two car parks in the area affects lands that are intended for agricultural use when there is land not being used for this purpose.

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Holi, a festival of all colours By Sandra Galo PALMA’S Plaza Major was packed on Saturday (May 7) for the celebration of an Indian Hindu festival welcoming spring, called Holi. D e s pite the ra in, more than 2,000 people attended the colourful celebration featuring typical Indian music and dance. Attendees donned white clothes for the celebration, also known as the festival of colours. D uring the fe s tivitie s , participants threw an array of coloured powder in the air, showering the attendees with a rainbow of colours. The multi-coloured Holi pow de r, ma de from ric e flour, was dispersed three

flickr by Mar Martha May Marlene

COLOUR FESTIVAL: The Holi festival has become popular on the island in recent years. times during the colourful event, which started at 6pm and finished around 10pm.

These festivities, which are organised by the Holi Mallorca Festival of India,

have been gaining popularit y on t he i sl and i n r ecent years.

Celebrating Europe Day with bouncy castles PALMANOVA held its annual Europe Day celebrations on Sunday, May 8, with a variety of activities for the whole family. The all-day event, which was organised by the Calvia City Council, included a

market along the seafront, with more than 400 metres of stands offering a host of international food and drink as well as an array of handicrafts. Visitors enjoyed a wide selection of live

music throughout the day. The event also included a ceremony for the ‘European Citizen of the Year’. Bouncy castles, a ball park and acrobats added to the festivities.

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Slamming down drug trafficking FIVE of the six detainees from a drug trafficking operation which took place in Son Banya have been sentenced to prison. About 70 heavilyarmed police controlled access to the Son Banya area of Palma in an antidrug traffcking operation, that resulted in the arrests on Thursday May 5. The operation dubbed Portazo (Slam) took place in the morning shortly after 10am, with police searching five homes. Officers discovered various amounts of cocaine, heroin, hashish as well as money and scales used for weighing drugs.

LA SOLEDAD: The Balearic Symphony Orchestra will finally have a home.

A new home for the band By Sandra Galo THE Balearic Symphony Orchestra will finally have its own headquarters in the neighbourhood of La Soledad. The Palma City Council made the decision to hand over the land for the construction of the cultural centre Casa de Musica (House of Music), which will also be used to host performances by bands and artists from around the Balearic Islands. Spokesperson for the Palma City Council Neus Truyol

2 million euros will be donated to the construction of the new cultural centre

reported that the board approved the start of the process to transform the land located at Calle Brotat into the cultural centre. The centre is the result of an agreement between the regional government and the Foundation Fundatur which

will donate €2 million for its construction. The centre will accommodate the orchestra and be the main venue for their concerts. It will also promote other cultural activities including the participation of music groups in Palma and the rest of Mallorca as well as the other islands. Councillor Truyol called the plans for the centre good news now that Palma can count on this important musical centre and the symphony finally has its own headquarters.

Resident discount stand COUNCILLOR for Territory, Energy and Mobility Marc Pons will meet with provisional Minister of Public Works Ana Pastor this month to request improvements in the region’s connectivity. The council has reported that it will reaffirm its opposition to “any harmful measure affecting the 50 per cent resident discount.” Priority issues for the community will also be addressed including improvements in air connectivity and compliance with agree-

ments related to roads and railways. Councillor Pons will put on the table the necessity of establishing as soon as possible a flat rate of €30 for inter-island flights. He will also remind the minister about the documentation recently submitted regarding the maximum price fare system in effect in other territories like Sardinia, as evidence of the lack of impediments in European legislation in using a similar model in the Balearic Islands.

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Keep behaviour under control By Sandra Galo IN preparation for the summer season, the City Council of Llucmajor is preparing a new civic ordinance, intended to prevent anti-social behaviour in the coastal town of Arenal. The new regulation prohibits the consumption of alcohol in streets, as well as street drinking parties and hawking. To achieve control, it also aims to set a restriction on the concentration of people in beach areas. The practice of balconing will also be prohibited. The text was written with the collaboration of Local Police, the Palma Town Hall and the Guardia Civil. Second Deputy Mayor Gori Estarellas explained that officials took into consideration ordinances from other areas that have similar concerns, including Calvia and Palma. He added that a balance needs to be

flickr by Alf Igel

ARENAL BEACH: The area will be subject to a new civic ordinance. found between what tourists are looking for and the tranquillity that year round residents desire. Estarellas points out that the measures focus on prevention rather than repression, and added that leaflets will

be given out in hotels for tourists to be informed of the new regulations. The initial text has already been presented to the neighbourhood association and will also be presented to hotels so that they can make contributions.

Going once, going twice THE Palacio de Congresos convention centre, which is still lacking management, now has new conditions for the tender of the complex. According to mayor of Palma Jose Hila, the convention

centre and hotel will now be leased for an initial period of 15 years, renewable for three years at an annual price of €1,580,000 plus VAT, with a 5 per cent variable based on total revenues.

Hila noted that the new conditions “would benefit the administration,” which is a 50 per cent shareholder in the complex. According to Mayor Hila, the centre is expected to help the economy of the island during the winter months, and will also help in creating jobs on the island. Hila explained that the bid specifications include numerous requirements which are flexible, to encourage more companies to tender for the centre, adding that “the more companies the better.” The Palacio de Congresos is expected to be in use later in the year. Representing the regional government, which holds the other 50 per cent of the shares, Balearic Vice President and councillor for Tourism Biel Barcelo highlighted the economic importance of having the centre running by the end of the year. Barcelo added that the administrations would reserve the complex eight days of the year to organise events.

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Sterling weakens against the euro Commentary by Moneycorp

EUR weekly currency update Among the major currencies it was the big beasts that had the better week and the commodity-oriented ones that came off worst. In general, investors were concerned that global economic growth was showing signs of frailty. They expressed that concern by tending to favour the allegedly safe euro and yen and, on this occasion, the US dollar. Give or take a dozen ticks the trio were unchanged against one another on the week. All three strengthened by about 1.25 per cent against sterling, which was hampered by disappointing measures of private sector business activity in the UK. For sterling that meant the loss of one and a half euro cents. May Day and Ascension Day holidays ate into the week, leaving less space on the agenda for euro zone economic data. There was still room, however, for the monthly round of purchasing managers’ index readings. They were far from sparkling but still better than their UK equivalents.

USD weekly currency update So-so economic data, uncertainty about interest rates and softer commodity prices all contributed to a vague unease among investors. The result was an equally-vague drift towards the ‘safe’ euro and yen and away from the supposedly ‘risky’ commodity-related currencies. For once, the US dollar shared the benefit of this trend, strengthening by a cent and three quarters against sterling, and remaining just about unchanged against the euro and the Japanese yen. Although the US economic data was nothing to shout about, neither were those from anywhere else. The three UK purchasing managers’ indices, which measure activity in private sector firms, all disappointed, coming in lower on the month and below forecast. What helped the dollar most were a couple of comments by Federal Reserve worthies, who warned that investors should not dismiss the idea of a rate increase next month. It still isn’t likely but it is, apparently, possible.

Clarisse Musselwhite is Moneycorp’s Account Manager for Mallorca

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

902887243 mallorca@moneycorp.com CAD weekly currency update It was a difficult week for the Canadian dollar which, on Tuesday and Wednesday, suffered its biggest two-day drop in more than a year. The Loonie started Tuesday on the back foot because of a weekend fall in oil prices, and there was a general drift away from ‘risky’ commodity-oriented currencies towards the ‘safe’ euro and yen (and, on this occasion the US dollar too). On Tuesday morning the Canadian dollar

crossed below the trend line that had supported its rally against the Greenback since mid-January, triggering further selling. On Wednesday, poorer-than-expected Canadian trade figures provided a fresh excuse to offload the Loonie. In all, the Canadian dollar lost two and a quarter US cents and it was down by three cents against sterling. The US dollar succeeded because of a less dismissive attitude to interest rate increases this year: the pound lost out because of disappointing figures for private sector business activity in the UK. AUD weekly currency update For a second week the Aussie was the weakest-performing major currency. Investors were not overly enchanted by any of the commodityrelated currencies, preferring the safe-haven euro, Japanese yen and US dollar. Their concern stemmed from doubts about the global economy, doubts which were fed by lacklustre economic data from around the world.

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Court orders Jihadist be imprisoned By Sandra Galo

AUDIENCIA NACIONAL high court Judge Carmen Lamela confirmed that alleged Jihadi terrorist Mohammad Harrak will be sent to prison.

Twenty-six-year old Harrack, who was allegedly in close contact with Daesh leaders, is accused of recruiting fighters to join the Jihadists in Syria. Given the seriousness of the charges, Judge Lamela has rejected an appeal against his imprisonment due to the danger of him

leaving the county. According to the Ministry of the Interior, Harrak represents a “clear threat to national security” since he directed his efforts to facilitate the commission of terrorist acts in Spanish territory and in other European countries. The Ministry added that this oper-

ation allowed the rapid neutralisation of “a direct threat.” Harrack posted radical messages to recruit fighters as well as promoting and facilitating travel to conflict zones in Syria and Iraq. He also urged that terrorist acts be committed in Spanish and European territories.

School burglary THE Guardia Civil has detained four people for the burglary of 23 computers from the Gaspar Sabater public school in Palmanyola. Three more suspects are also under investigation for the burglary of the school during the Easter holidays. The perpetrators allegedly entered the

school through a window of one of the classrooms of the primary school building taking 23 laptops belonging to the Council of Education. Investigations by the Guardia Civil in Pont D’Inca led to the identification of the suspects. Fourteen computers have since been recovered.

Red flags on beaches TWO beaches closed to swimmers due to the presence of contaminants in the water have now been reopened with a yellow flag. The beaches at Ciutat Jardi and Can Pere Antoni had red flags flying following their contamination by a mixture of sewage and rainwater which occurred early on Saturday May 7. New chemical analysis will be taken to determine if a green flag can be flown.

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Lighthouse shines again THE small Sa Puntassa lighthouse of Colonia de Sant Jordi has a fresh new look. After years of apparent neglect, the City Council of Ses Salines petitioned Ports of the Balearic Islands to restore the little lighthouse,

which received a new coat of paint. With its newly painted black-andwhite stripes, the emblematic lighthouse has returned to its former glory. Its spotless beauty was shortlived, however, due to some graffiti

spray-painted on the structure in fluorescent pink. The lighthouse emits bursts of light in intervals of 10 seconds to help vessels to locate the Port of Colonia, as they pass through the strait of Cabrera.

flickr by Joan

Crackdown on pirate taxis PIRATES: The government is taking steps to stop illegal taxis from operating at the Son Sant Joan Airport. By Sandra Galo THE Balearic Government has set up a surveillance system of eight cameras at the Son Sant Joan Airport’s entry and exit points to combat pirate taxis. Councillor for Land, Energy and Mobility Marc Pons presented this ‘emergency plan against intrusion in the trans-

port sector,’ during a press conference. According to Pons, the plan consists of a series of measures to deal with the problem of illegal taxis, which increases with the arrival of the tourist season. The cameras, according to the Director General of Transport Jaume Mateu, are already operative and will be a ‘helpful

tool’ for the Guardia Civil, which is intensifying controls during the first months of the tourist season. The cameras, which record vehicles’ licence plates, will be used to help gather information for a database to assist officials in identifying suspicious vehicles that enter and leave the airport. Fines for offenders can reach up to €6,000.

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Buried drug money NATIONAL POLICE have found €25,000 in a thermos buried in land belonging to the infamous Raul drug clan, in the municipality of Llucmajor. The discovery of the money was part of a police drug-trafficking operation carried out recently in Son Banya, which resulted in the arrest of seven people.

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‘Yob’ seekers CITIZEN’S group ‘Ciutat de s’Arenal’ has submitted an official complaint regarding ‘entertainment venues’ in the s’Arenal-Playa de Palma area which are using adverts promoting alcohol consumption, with offers of free beer, happy hours, party boats, or an ‘open bar plus t-shirt’ deal for only €23.

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Now for the birds By Sandra Galo

THE S’Albufera Natural Park recently hosted a visit from acclaimed tour company Birdquest bringing it a step closer to becoming a first-class destination for ornithological tourism. The park received the visit from renowned ornithologist Marc Beaman and his team of professionals from the Birdquest birding tour company which Beaman founded in 1981. Beaman is a well-respected ornithologist and has authored various books on birds including writings about species in the Palaeartic region (comprised of Eurasia north of the Himalayas and North Africa and part of the Ara-

bian peninsula). Maties Rebassa, Director of the Park, accompanied the distinguished group around the park showing them some of the facilities for birdwatching and how the park is managed, as well as some of the area’s most emblematic species of birds. Birdquest, the only global company that has been able to observe more than 10,000 bird species worldwide, came to Mallorca to celebrate its 35th annivers a r y. T h e v i s i t t o S ’ A l bufera Natural Park was one of the main events in its programme. Of the 120,000 annual visitors to the park, about half come to observe the 200 species of birds that live in the area.

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Mallorca online rentals skyrocketing By Sandra Galo THE online tourist rental company Airbnb expects more than 160,000 visitors to Mallorca this year, staying in the 8,000 holiday homes being offered through their website. The rise of the Airbnb company on the island has been spectacular. From 2013 to 2015, the number of travellers using the online platform has increased sixfold. According to the company, Mallorca is ‘the first in holiday homes.’ More than 83,000 tourists used Airbnb to find lodging in Mallorca last year (excluding rentals in the city centre), and the numbers are expected to double this year. During the Easter Holidays, the growth was evidenced with 3,668 people renting lodging on the island compared to 2,000 in 2015. Last summer, around 45,000 people rented housing in Mallorca through Airbnb. If the trend continues, numbers could reach up to 90,000 for this summer season. Airbnb pointed out that the 83,000 visi-

flickr by mundopisos

RENTALS: Airbnb calls Mallorca ‘the first in holiday homes.’ tors who stayed in homes advertised on their website represented only 0.7 per cent of the 12 million tourists who came to Mallorca last year and are not part of ‘mass tourism,’ but rather ‘responsible tourism’ which respects the environment.

The company added that half of the money spent goes into the local economy where the rental is located. Airbnb has more than 1,500,000 listings in 34,000 cities and 190 countries.

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Sub-aquatic shutterbugs CALVIA has hosted the first Apnea Mallorca Open Cazafoto-sub competition, which took place at Calo des Monjo near Peguera. Organised by the Apena sports club, itself based in Calvia, the event essentially comprises a sub-aquatic photography competition, with participants challenged to capture the lives of sea creatures inhabiting the Mallorcan coastline using underwater cameras and scuba gear. Scores obtained in the event are submissable for the Balearic championship, administrated by the Balearic Federation of Underwater Activities.

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Expat community makes a difference SEVEN years ago, when a group of mainly British expatriates in Palmanova decided to take action against the extreme poverty which exists in Peru, little was it realised just how much their fundraising, and the scope of their efforts, would grow. Since that time, some 300 children attending a school in a shanty town near the country’s capital, Lima, have been fed twice a day, every day, to combat the malnutrition and related diseases they suffer from. A paediatric and maternity clinic was also set up, as healthcare in Peru is not free, making it very difficult for poor people to obtain the treatment they need. The group have additionally refurbished and equipped the kitchen at the school and also

fully equipped a computer room for the children, as well as providing general financial support for the running of the school. One of the organisers, Chris Barter, explained that the group decided to concentrate their help upon children because it was felt that the future of Peru lay very much in the hands of those who are now children, so it seemed an obvious place to start. Three years ago, Padre Eugenio, the former curate at San Lorenzo Church, Palmanova, and now a missionary in Peru, found that there was an urgent need for an orphanage to be set up for young teenagers in a very poor village, Quebrada Verde, south of Lima. He approached the group for help and it immediately responded, becoming the orphanage’s main financial supporter. The need is so great for orphanages in Peru, as families completely disintegrate under the pressures of extreme poverty, that the group is now having to double the capacity of this home. This is involving extensive construction works, which are now almost complete, and then the home will need to be

re-equipped and furnished. In addition to these projects, the group also provides support for disabled people from the area. All this work in Peru is entirely funded by donations and sponsorship from the Englishspeaking community in Mallorca, mainly from the southwest of the island. On Saturday, May 21, the annual Feed a Child coffee morning will be held in the San Lorenzo hall and patio in Palmanova (next to the Palmanova Palace Hotel) from 10.30am to 1pm to raise additional funds. There will also be handicraft stalls and a raffle at the event and all are most welcome to attend. Entrance will cost only €4, and for this price, unlimited tea or coffee will be provided, together with a slice of home-made cake. CHILDREN: Receive vital assistance from Mallorca expats.

Gino Santa Maria / Shutterstock.com

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May 16 deadline to register for Brexit postal vote BRITISH expatriates living in Spain have until Monday May 16 to register for a postal vote in the EU Referendum. That is the deadline for making sure you can receive your ballot papers in the post and send them back in time for your vote to be counted. Voting papers will be sent out in the week beginning May 23. If you do miss the deadline for a postal vote, you can still register at www.gov.uk/registerto-vote, but you will need to choose someone in the UK to vote for you, known as a proxy vote. Alex Robertson, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission, says: “If you register to vote by

May 16 it should be easier to vote by post, as postal votes for the referendum will be sent out earlier than usual, giving you more time to receive, complete, and return your ballot pack to the UK. “If you wish to vote by proxy, bear in mind that the person you choose to vote on your behalf must be registered and eligible to vote at the referendum. “The EU Referendum is going to be a significant event and we know lots of UK citizens will want to make their voices heard. Please spread the word. You can go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk for more information.” British Ambassador Simon

Manley added: “Ultimately, it is for the British people to decide whether we should remain in or leave the European Union, but, whatever they think on the issue, I would appeal to my fellow Brits in Spain not to miss the chance to have their say in this once-in-a-generation referendum.” Worldwide, more than 140,000 Brits living overseas have now completed the voter registration process since the start of the year. But nearly half of British expatriates in Spain who are eligible to vote in the UK still remain unaware that they can go online to register to vote, according to a survey by expatriate website AngloInfo, carried out for the

SIMON MANLEY: Urges all expatriates to register before the deadline. Electoral Commission. In fact, you can apply online in five minutes with just your National Insurance number and passport to hand. Simply go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote by May 16. Expatriates can use: http://bit.ly/22zluRK as the link to take other British residents in Spain to the ‘register to vote’ webpage.

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The euro note will disappear By John Smith AS predicted earlier this year, the European Central Bank (ECB) has announced that it will no longer produce the €500 note because of concerns it could facilitate illegal activities, which were highlighted by a European Commission question in February concerning the need for that note. Supposedly introduced at the demand of the German government as it

Quote of the Week

€1.8 trillion is the estimated annual amount of illegal money in the world financial system according to bank reports.

was withdrawing its DM1,000 note which equated to €500, it has proven to be popular with criminals and forgers and because of the way it was regarded, the UK government asked banks to stop handling €500 notes in 2010, whilst many shops around Europe are wary about accepting them. The ECB says the €500 banknote remains legal tender and will always retain its value.

The Rolling Stones have never given permission to the Trump campaign to use their songs and have requested they cease all use immediately,” says a statement on behalf of Mick Jagger and the band.

Chrisloader Wikimedia

BUSINESS EXTRA

BERSHKA: Is part of the Inditex Group.

Still the world’s second richest THE Inditex Group, of which Amancio Ortega still holds nearly 60 per cent of the shares, continues to go from strength to strength with a net profit for their last financial year of €2.8 billion. With dividends of 60 cents per share, paid half now and half in November, he is due to pocket €1.11 billion. His daughter, who inherited 7 per

cent of the shares from her deceased mother, will receive around €94 million. There is an old saying that money attracts money which to some extent is true, but there is no doubt that the owner of Zara and eight other brands, has done an incredible job in building such an incredibly powerful and popular group.

Banco Popular HELPED in no small part by a drop in bad debts, Banco Popular announced that its net profit for the first quarter of 2016 had increased by 2.6 per cent to €98.7 million. Although this isn’t a huge return for Spain’s sixth largest lender, it is still not only a positive result but is also slightly ahead of analyst’s expectations.

Cash issues AS long ago as 2009, Zimbabwe stopped producing its own bank notes because it could not keep up with the incredible rate of inflation, and it instructed its banks, businesses and citizens to use the US dollar as the official medium of exchange. Now because of a shortage of US dollar bills, it will produce a range of ‘quasi’ US dollars in a range of relatively low denominations, which will be supported by a €180 million package from the Africa Export-Import Bank.

Cigarette advertising rules THE highest court in Europe has rejected a claim by international tobacco companies appealing against a law being passed by the EU that will standardise packaging and ban the advertising of e-cigarettes. The Court of Justice found that the laws “did not go beyond the limits of what is ap-

€250,000 is the amount that the EU proposes a country could be fined for each asylum seeker it refuses to take under the quota system.

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propriate and necessary.” Under the new rules health warnings will have to cover 65 per cent of the front and back of the packet, and although the rules are due to take effect from May 20, the new packets will not be on sale until stocks of existing cartons have been cleared.

It will stop issuing the note around the end of 2018, when it will bring in new €100 and €200 banknotes which themselves are likely to become the bank note of choice for the money launderer. It has been argued that with the growth in debit cards, high value notes of a range of major currencies should be phased out to discourage their use by criminals, but this is unlikely to occur.

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BA Group’s profit drop IAG which owns Aer Lingus, BA, Iberia and Vueling has seen significant profit increases in the last year, but is warning of a slight slowdown due to worries about terrorism and Brexit, as well as a possibility that a strong dollar would offset fuel price drops. The city was not happy with the conservative position the group took, but CEO Willie Walsh was clear that by reducing growth forecasts from 5.2 to 4.9 per cent, he was being prudent.

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PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3i Group PLC 462.60 4.30 Admiral Group PLC 1941.50 22.00 Anglo American PLC 613.55 -36.34 Antofagasta PLC 422.50 -19.10 ARM Holdings PLC 945.50 14.50 Ashtead Group PLC 879.50 2.50 Associated British Foods PLC 3130.50 30.00 AstraZeneca PLC 3859.75 61.50 Aviva PLC 426.15 0.00 Babcock International Grp 941.50 5.50 BAE Systems PLC 492.00 2.90 Barclays PLC 160.78 -1.30 Barratt Developments PLC 528.25 3.50 Berkeley Group Holdings 2931.00 22.00 BHP Billiton PLC 821.45 -23.30 BP PLC 359.47 -1.35 British American Tobacco PLC 4213.25 14.50 British Land Co PLC 734.75 5.32 BT Group PLC 444.75 1.25 Bunzl PLC 2074.50 16.00 Burberry Group PLC 1193.50 -2.00 Capita PLC 1005.00 5.00 Carnival PLC 3487.50 38.00 Centrica PLC 208.25 -1.70 Coca-Cola HBC AG 1394.00 17.00 Compass Group PLC 1256.00 14.00 CRH PLC 1991.00 20.00 DCC PLC 6280.00 60.00 Diageo PLC 1885.00 12.50 Direct Line Insurance Group 378.20 1.15 Dixons Carphone PLC 418.00 6.50 easyJet PLC 1452.00 37.00 Experian PLC 1262.00 12.00 Fresnillo PLC 1077.00 -26.00 GKN PLC 275.10 0.50 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1452.75 13.00 Glencore PLC 138.75 -6.90 Hammerson PLC 584.75 3.50 Hargreaves Lansdown PLC 1266.00 18.00 HSBC Holdings PLC 433.95 2.20 Imperial Brands PLC 3791.50 34.50 Informa PLC 666.00 6.00 Inmarsat PLC 831.75 19.50 InterContinental Hotels Grp 2681.00 -1.00 International Consolidated 513.00 5.00 Intertek Group PLC 3317.00 31.00 Intu Properties PLC 299.10 2.60 ITV PLC 217.95 1.30 Johnson Matthey PLC 2894.00 12.00 Kingfisher PLC 361.20 3.70

% CHG. 0.94 1.15 -5.60 -4.33 1.56 0.29 0.97 1.62 0.00 0.59 0.59 -0.80 0.67 0.76 -2.76 -0.37 0.35 0.73 0.28 0.78 -0.17 0.50 1.10 -0.81 1.23 1.13 1.01 0.97 0.67 0.31 1.58 2.61 0.96 -2.36 0.18 0.90 -4.74 0.60 1.44 0.51 0.92 0.91 2.40 -0.04 0.98 0.94 0.88 0.60 0.42 1.03

NET VOL 97.83 21.76 1,087.64 544.45 123.71 41.77 9.45 251.98 461.14 15.11 289.85 2,758.41 310.82 33.94 1,527.62 2,566.06 130.13 199.46 841.36 17.93 93.66 43.14 11.30 926.26 9.59 138.35 43.06 6.59 200.93 318.39 247.55 177.82 84.59 130.38 108.85 451.62 10,733.36 31.06 25.39 1,609.25 152.28 36.20 211.71 90.21 356.31 10.05 26.63 830.82 28.21 294.05

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Land Securities Group PLC 1170.00 11.00 Legal & General Group PLC 217.00 1.30 Lloyds Banking Group PLC 65.33 0.28 London Stock Exchange Grp. 2623.50 28.00 Marks & Spencer Group PLC 417.30 3.70 Mediclinic International PLC 875.75 2.50 Merlin Entertainments PLC 437.15 5.90 Mondi PLC 1310.50 6.00 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 191.90 0.64 National Grid PLC 995.60 3.70 Next PLC 5282.50 18.85 Old Mutual PLC 175.60 1.40 Paddy Power Betfair PLC 9030.00 145.00 Pearson PLC 818.00 -2.00 Persimmon PLC 1967.50 17.00 Provident Financial PLC 2860.00 23.00 Prudential PLC 1308.50 5.20 Randgold Resources Ltd 6095.00 -70.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC 6789.00 58.50 RELX PLC 1229.50 8.00 REXAM PLC 630.75 3.50 Rio Tinto PLC 2040.75 -93.00 Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC 645.25 -1.25 Royal Bank of Scotland Grp 213.55 -0.20 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 1752.50 -8.00 Royal Mail PLC 494.60 -0.10 RSA Insurance Group PLC 482.70 3.90 SABMiller PLC 4213.00 9.50 Sage Group (The) PLC 589.00 8.00 Sainsbury (J) PLC 266.35 -0.20 Schroders PLC 2454.50 11.00 Severn Trent PLC 2242.00 3.00 Shire PLC 4063.00 54.00 Sky PLC 946.50 9.00 Smith & Nephew PLC 1154.50 17.50 SSE PLC 1494.50 -6.37 Standard Chartered PLC 496.52 -1.95 Standard Life PLC 321.00 2.20 St James's Place PLC 867.50 7.00 Taylor Wimpey PLC 182.20 0.60 Tesco PLC 158.90 -0.40 Travis Perkins PLC 1853.00 13.00 TUI AG 1020.00 20.00 Unilever PLC 3136.75 28.50 United Utilities Group PLC 942.50 0.20 Vodafone Group PLC 219.00 0.25 Whitbread PLC 3826.00 23.10 Wolseley PLC 3919.00 28.00 Worldpay Group PLC 260.95 1.60 WPP PLC 1608.50 7.00

% CHG. 0.95 0.60 0.43 1.08 0.89 0.29 1.37 0.46 0.33 0.37 0.36 0.80 1.63 -0.24 0.87 0.81 0.40 -1.14 0.87 0.66 0.56 -4.36 -0.19 -0.09 -0.45 -0.02 0.81 0.23 1.38 -0.08 0.45 0.13 1.35 0.96 1.54 -0.42 -0.39 0.69 0.81 0.33 -0.25 0.71 2.00 0.92 0.02 0.11 0.61 0.72 0.62 0.44

NET VOL 80.21 417.90 6,412.36 24.42 259.21 62.78 75.38 69.37 265.47 369.71 22.53 435.73 18.34 258.39 29.75 62.34 364.46 57.49 155.15 190.69 24.01 884.46 255.62 686.64 543.66 141.13 76.21 82.10 122.09 321.77 8.92 16.22 282.27 179.11 390.73 172.92 709.50 331.86 65.14 780.85 1,801.12 24.72 65.68 90.81 66.35 1,661.32 17.51 36.33 164.04 152.20

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US dollar ....................................................................1.13924 Japan yen ................................................................122.498 Switzerland franc..................................................1.10487 Denmark kroner ..................................................7.43949 Norway kroner.....................................................9.34485

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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 168.89 +1.12 +0.67% 1.6M 64.51 +0.59 +0.92% 3.7M 92.72 -0.52 -0.56% 43.7M 133.26 +1.18 +0.89% 2.5M 73.36 +0.57 +0.78% 6.9M 101.86 +0.44 +0.43% 6.0M 26.53 +0.32 +1.22% 25.6M 45.32 +0.26 +0.58% 8.6M 105.54 +0.61 +0.58% 7.4M 64.26 +0.59 +0.93% 1.8M 88.51 +0.47 +0.53% 8.0M 30.12 +0.23 +0.77% 28.3M 158.85 -0.68 -0.43% 2.3M 135.70 +1.03 +0.76% 3.4M 147.29 +0.82 +0.56% 4.9M 30.04 +0.14 +0.47% 19.6M 112.74 -0.14 -0.12% 6.1M 61.60 +0.36 +0.59% 11.1M 130.58 +1.30 +1.01% 4.4M 53.60 -0.49 -0.91% 10.5M 50.39 +0.45 +0.90% 24.8M 58.43 +0.24 +0.41% 7.3M 33.58 +0.01 +0.03% 23.2M 82.13 +0.83 +1.02% 6.3M 110.45 -0.30 -0.27% 1.3M 101.12 +0.83 +0.83% 3.7M 132.04 -0.27 -0.20% 2.6M 51.12 +0.28 +0.55% 9.8M 77.72 +0.36 +0.47% 6.2M 68.25 +1.04 +1.55% 9.8M

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES M AY 09

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced Sierra Wireless, Inc. Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. Gibraltar Industries, Inc. QLogic Corporation Cellectis S.A. Clean Energy Fuels Corp. Argos Therapeutics, Inc. AveXis, Inc. The Advisory Board Company Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

$ 17.78 $ 34.90 $ 2.56 $ 29.30 $ 13.61 $ 30.92 $ 3.15 $ 5.85 $ 25.33 $ 32.89 $ 7.15

3.19 ▲ 21.86% 6 ▲ 20.76% 0.37 ▲ 16.89% 4.06 ▲ 16.09% 1.83 ▲ 15.53% 3.97 ▲ 14.73% 0.40 ▲ 14.55% 0.70 ▲ 13.59% 2.81 ▲ 12.48% 3.55 ▲ 12.10% 0.75 ▲ 11.72%

$ 6.91 $ 16.17 $ 13.81 $ 12.945 $ 5.47 $ 7.59 $4 $ 6.52 $ 11.15 $ 13.76 $ 5.10

8.76 ▼ 55.90% 10.42 ▼ 39.19% 6.53 ▼ 32.10% 3.035 ▼ 18.99% 1.25 ▼ 18.60% 1.71 ▼ 18.39% 0.85 ▼ 17.53% 1.24 ▼ 15.98% 2.01 ▼ 15.27% 2.43 ▼ 15.01% 0.90 ▼ 15%

Most Declined KemPharm, Inc. Endo International plc Intersect ENT, Inc. FireEye, Inc. Dimension Therapeutics, Inc. SPI Energy Co., Ltd. Corium International, Inc. Nuvectra Corporation El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. NanoString Technologies, Inc. MISONIX, Inc.

E W N 12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

Photo Credit Orium Wikimedia

Russians exposed in Portugal By John Smith

Sir Philip Green upset IN a public statement, multimillionaire Sir Philip Green has called for Frank Field, Labour MP and chairman of the Commons Committee examining the demise of BHS to resign due to comments he has made. Mr Field said in an interview he would recommend stripping Sir Philip of his knighthood if he did not repay £571 million (€742 million) to the BHS pension fund, and Sir Philip believes that “he is clearly prejudiced.” According to the BBC SirPhilip said: “Clearly he has already made his decision as to what he feels the punishment should be, without even hearing any evidence from anybody about BHS or the circumstances of the last 15 years.” The crux of the argument is that Sir Philip allegedly earned millions from the company before selling it on for just £1, and now the taxpayer may have to pick up the pension black hole.

LEIRIA STADIUM: Portuguese team Uniao de Leiria was once managed by Jose Mourinho.

Some of the top league clubs such as Benfica and Sporting Lisbon were also visited by the police, not because they were suspected of any irregularities, but because they had purchased Russian players for their teams, and it was thought that documentation concerning the transfers might be of assistance to the investigation. According to Europol, there is a nexus which incorporates crimes carried out in Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Germany, Moldova and the UK, so it is possible that this could be the first of a number of similar raids across Europe.

Double bogey for Adidas ALTHOUGH one of the leaders in the world of sporting/trendy apparel, German manufacturer Adidas has admitted that it needs to sell much of its marginally profitable golf business. Whilst the bulk of its business continues to grow, g o l f i n g clothes have taken a nose dive being at the height of popularity in the US in the year 2000 following the success of Tiger Woods. Since that time, sales have basically declined although Adidas, through its three main brands Adams, Ashworth and TaylorMade, does hold a significant part of the market even though the sports equipment including clubs is struggling. The problem for the company is that the somewhat untrendy clothing, which so many golfers decide to wear, is not versatile and with a declining market and sales of only €900 million representing just 5 per cent of turnover, it is a market that is more trouble than it’s worth. Overall, the general business is growing, particularly in North America where the company has aligned itself with a number of popular fig-

Photo Credit Keith Allison Wikimedia.

EUROPOL, the EU law enforcement agency has announced that working with the Portuguese police, a gang of money launderers consisting mainly of Russian ‘frontmen’ at various football clubs has been closed down. The aptly named Operation Matrioskas (the Russian dolls which are enclosed inside each other), saw officers spend a year investigating the activities of various investors in different clubs in Portugal, which culminated in the arrest of a number of those apparently involved in the money laundering scheme. The main investigation centred on Uniao de Leiria, once managed by Jose Mourinho but having fallen on hard times, it dropped to the bottom tier of Portuguese football. After going bankrupt the club was taken over by Russian businessman Alexander Tolstikov, who along with two others is reported to have been detained and charged.

Officers spent a year investigating the activities of various investors in different clubs in Portugal, which culminated in the arrest of a number of people.

TIGER WOODS: Golfing clothes were at the height of popularity in the US in 2000, following his success. ures such as Kanye West. That aside, the company announced a 31 per cent rise in quarterly sales of

its core brand in North America, thanks to a rise in marketing, including a series of partnerships with high-

profile people including Kanye West, as well as top sportsmen such as Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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Photo Credit Simon Wade Wikimedia.

Rotten news for Apple

APPLE STORE: Situated at Hangzhou West Lake. By John Smith ALTHOUGH often touted as a company that cares about people, Apple does have a bit of a reputation for understandably trying to protect its trademark by going to law, but on this occasion it has received a verdict which will not be to its liking. The Beijing Municipal High People’s Court ruled in favour of Xintong Tiandi Technology which uses the name IPHONE on a range of leather goods including handbags and it registered that trademark in China in 2010. It must be doubly irritating for Apple as it first tried to register the iPhone name in the country in 2002, but this was not accepted until 2013, three years later than the IPHONE registration. A spokesman for the American giant made a statement saying “Apple is disappointed the Beijing High People’s Court chose to allow

Xintong to use the iPhone mark for leather goods when we have prevailed in several other cases against Xintong. “We intend to request a retrial with the Supreme People’s Court and will continue to vigorously protect our trademark rights.” The court ruled that Apple could not prove it was a well-known brand in China before Xintong Tiandi filed its trademark application in 2007 especially as their iPhones only went on sale in China in 2009. Sales of the company’s phones have shown a surprising drop on a worldwide basis, but in China which has been a very important market their sales have nosedived by more than 25 per cent and coupled with this is the fact that a law passed in March requiring all content shown in China to be stored on servers based on the Chinese mainland resulted in the closing down of iTunes, although the company does hope to resurrect this business soon.

Steel still confuses INDIA plays a very important part in the world steel trade with plants in India itself and through subsidiary companies around the world. Much has been made of the Tata group and its decision to divest itself of its Welsh plant in Port Talbot where it is said to be losing £1 million (€1.3 million) per day. Advertising this loss seems hardly likely to attract potential purchasers and of the nearly 200 contacts it made in a search for a buyer, two have actually presented proposals, one from Excalibur Steel UK

Limited which would be a management buyout, hopefully with worker and government participation and the other from Liberty House, also Indian owned, which would change the business from raw production to recycling. Tellingly, Excalibur are still trying to find bank funding and anticipate around 1,000 job losses if their bid is successful, whilst Liberty have a track record of success in the business and have indicated on more than one occasion that they would expect no job losses.

In the meantime, another Indian steel giant ArcelorMittal has forecast that global demand for steel will stabilise and possibly increase very slightly in 2016 with a marked improvement in the Chinese market. Despite the fact that ArcelorMittal does not operate within the Chinese market, because its operation is so large, its comments are normally treated seriously and hopefully its view of a slight recovery will prove to be correct, if nothing else for the good of the British steel industry.

12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

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OPINION & COMMENT

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12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

EWN

There will be war in Europe LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

CAMERON’s claims that we would be more at risk of war should we leave the EU is ludicrous.

Sweden, a country that has been the most welcoming to Muslim/Arab immigrants is already verging on civil war. Recent rioting lasted more than a week.

It is the pathetic rambling of a man, slowly but surely losing the

battle to keep the UK aligned to an organisation that is failing its members on a scale that is becoming more dangerous as we speak. Be under no illusions however, there will be war in Europe, irrespective of whether we opt out or not. The adversary is already within. Leaving the EU and consequently securing our borders will make us safer, mainly by keeping the numbers of the militant Islamists population down and more manageable when it all kicks off. It has, of course, already begun.

Sweden, a country that has been the most welcoming to Muslim/Arab immigrants is already verging on civil war. Recent rioting involved untold numbers of young Muslim men and lasted more than a week. Hundreds of cars were set alight and one resident described the area as looking like a battle scene. On a recent visit to the country Mr Mudan Zahran, himself a Muslim, stated that Sweden’s welcoming and tolerance have been abused by Muslims. They have responded to Sweden’s kindness, by seeking to

DAVID CAMERON: His claims that we would be more at risk of war should we leave the EU is ludicrous.

Islamise the country. Another resident remarked: “I just feel sad for the insults we get from many Arabs and Muslims in this town. We look on them as Swedes and they look on us as the enemy!” How heart-wrenching and how telling is that? Germany has also received a series of riots perpetrated by Islamist militants. Last Ramadan largely unreported incidents involving mobs shouting Allahu Akbar torched cars and attacked the police in a series of incidents lasting up to four days. France and Belgium have also experienced Islamic violence in their towns and cities. And on it goes. One of the results of the authority’s unwillingness to engage the situation is the emergence of many far right organisations. Support for these parties is growing by the day. And they are prepared to meet violence with violence. Result? Civil war. EU or no EU.

E W N 12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

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OPINION & COMMENT

When less can be more When it came to award for Best Set, the adjudicator was gushing in his praise of our minimalist effort.

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.

AS a lapsed luvvie who has not been involved in amateur dramatics for several years, I was looking forward to attending a play by a new group, ACTS, in Benijofar recently. It was a fun evening with excellent performances from each member of the talented cast. But inevitably it got me reminiscing about past productions that I have been involved in dahling. A highlight of the year was the Drama Festival Season. We usually entered several in our corner of East Anglia, and on one particular occasion we were on a roll with the play we had chosen. We had already won Best Director, male actor, junior actor and the coveted Best of Festival award, so ap-

LAPSED LUVVIE: I haven’t been involved in amateur dramatics for several years. proaching the final event we were confident of giving a good account of ourselves. Another group was staging ‘Round and Round the Garden’ – the last play in ‘The Norman Conquests’ trilogy. But our mouths dropped

open in disbelief as they proceeded to erect a set that was composed of Astro Turf, picket fencing, garden furniture and 20 young leylandii in pots. It was like an episode of Gardener ’s World. Ours required a simple set depicting a village hall

that was under refurbishment. Two step ladders with a plank, and a few tins of paint lying around, which were shuffled around between scenes to give the impression of the passage of time. A dust sheet was draped over the plank, allowing

one of the characters, dressed in a dark business suit, being able to enter against a light background. And that was it. On the final night of the festival, the awards were being handed out, and when it came to Best Set, the adjudicator was gushing in his praise of our minimalist effort. The faces of the cast responsible for the poor man’s Kew Gardens set said it all, but the looks of shock were soon tempered with the reality of having to return all of the borrowed items to the garden centre. It was one of those times when less was definitely more.

The transatlantic trade investment John Smith Random thoughts... IN the 1970s and later, science fiction writers imagined a world which was not dominated by warring nations, but by warring multinationals which literally employed and deployed armies of human beings who were used as pawns by these gigantic corporations. Europe has been wooed by the USA into discussing the possibility of a new and ‘exciting’ trading partnership, which is supposed to encourage greater freedom of trade and supposedly promises huge financial benefits to member states of the EU. L a rg e n u m b e r s o f p e o p l e , r e membering the phrase ‘Beware Greeks bearing gifts’, have been sceptical about the benefits and how US Corporations would benefit from this partnership. The fears are now spilling over into government circles especially as Greenpeace has leaked a number of classified documents, which do not show the USA in a

MATTHIAS FEKL: The French trade minister. particularly appealing light. A great deal of the negotiation has been confidential, but the French trade minister Matthias

Fekl said a freeze in the negotiations was the “most likely option,” without a change from the USA as Europe was offering a lot

OUR VIEW Credit Duc Dao Shutterstock

BULLIES: Can be caught.

Cyber bullying AS we move into the cyber realm, with more and more people connecting to others across the world, the very fact that many of these contacts are anonymous appears to have given certain people of limited intelligence, or others who are deliberately malicious, a unique opportunity to insult individuals and spread lies about them in a manner never before seen. For some reason, people who wouldn’t dream of insulting someone to their face consider that the internet, emails and Facebook are open forums where literally anything can be said without the possibility of being caught. The really stupid are easily tracked down through their IP addresses, but there are more devious individuals who manage to route their insults and threats via a number of IP addresses, or purchase an anonymous address so that they can’t be traced. In most of Europe now, whilst cyberbullying is not in itself a crime, there are plenty of laws which can be interpreted if prosecutors wish to take action against such activity, and the more threatening it is the easier it is to prosecute. The EU is looking to introduce direct laws to combat this activity, especially as there are so many documented cases of self-harming and even suicide amongst teens who have been attacked mercilessly by their peers. It is sad that as technology progresses, even areas that bring happiness to so many people are hijacked by the ignorant and despicable in order to obtain somewhat vicarious entertainment.

with little in return. “It is an agreement which, as it would be today, would be a bad deal,” he said in a French radio interview. TTIP could “unravel” the international climate change deal agreed in Paris last year, and there appear to be few safeguards for French agriculture (of major importance to all French politicians), nor was there sufficient protection for its industry. Despite the fact that this is supposed to be a Union negotiation, various member States are considering their personal positions and there doesn’t seem to be a large amount of support for this pact. Although Britain was known as America’s poodle in the days of Bush and Blair, any involvement in the partnership could be moot in the event that it leaves the EU, and already President Obama has indicated that it can go to the back of Now we the trade queue if it does leave. want to There have been numerous pubhear your views. lic demonstrations against the TTIP and perhaps on this ocYOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE casion, French self-interest - YOUR OPINION could be in the interest of all of www.euroweeklynews.com Europe.

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FRIDAY 13 MAY

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The One Show A Question of Sport EastEnders Invictus Games 2016 Have I Got News for You BBC News at Ten BBC London News The Graham Norton Show Witless

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Can't Touch This Pointless The National Lottery: In It to Win It Eurovision Song Contest 2016 BBC News Weather Peter Kay's Comedy Shuffle Buster

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Regional News Weather Countryfile Spring Special Antiques Roadshow Undercover BBC News Regional News Weather Match of the Day Texas Rangers

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Would I Lie to You? Peter Kay's Comedy Shuffle I Want My Wife Back BBC News Regional News Weather Have I Got a Bit More News for You The Graham Norton Show BBC News Regional News Weather Leicester's Impossible Dream Gary Lineker's Story of the 2015/16 Premier League Season Gareth's Invictus Choir The One Show Weight for Love Nature's Epic Journeys BBC News Regional News All the latest local news. Weather Jimmy Hill - A Man for All Seasons F.A. Cup

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Flog It! Eggheads Big Blue UK Antiques Road Trip Natural World Peaky Blinders Mock the Week Newsnight Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit MasterChef

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Nick Baker's Wild West The Food Detectives The Extraordinary Collector Gardeners' World Rick Stein's Long Weekends Mum Newsnight Artsnight

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Gardeners' World Attenborough's Passion Project: Lost Worlds, Vanished Lives Attenborough's Passion Project: Darwin's Tree of Life Dad's Army The Hollow Crown Margin Call

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Choose the Right Puppy for You Britain's Ultimate Pilots: Inside the RAF Burma's Secret Jungle War with Joe Simpson Louis Theroux Stupid Man, Smart Phone Rescue Dawn

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Swimming Choose the Right Puppy for You The Great British Sewing Bee Upstart Crow Newsnight Weather Burma's Secret Jungle War with Joe Simpson

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Antiques Roadshow Eggheads Swimming Bake Off Crème de la Crème Old School with the Hairy Bikers Later Live... with Jools Holland Newsnight Weather Great British Railway Journeys Antiques Roadshow Eggheads Swimming Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit In Plain Sight QI Newsnight

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Tonight Emmerdale Bargain Shop Wars What Would be Your Miracle? ITV News at Ten and Weather ITV News London Crash: Anatomy of an Accident Murder, She Wrote

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Coronation Street Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant Coronation Street The Secret ITV News at Ten and Weather ITV News London Die Another Day Jackpot247

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ITV News and Weather You've Been Framed! Bang on the Money Britain's Got Talent Play to the Whistle ITV News and Weather The Dark Knight Jackpot 247 Murder, She Wrote

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Local News and Weather ITV News and Weather The Chase: Celebrity Special Let's Do it: A Tribute to Victoria Wood The Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration ITV News and Weather Pop Gold

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ITV Evening News Emmerdale River Monsters Fierce Marcella ITV News at Ten and Weather What Would be Your Miracle? Bargain Shop Wars

Coronation Street Tonight at the London Palladium Killer Women with Piers Morgan ITV News at Ten and Weather Europa Final Highlights British Touring Car Championship Highlights

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The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Kirstie and Phil's Love it or List it 24 Hours in Police Custody Grayson Perry: All Man How to Get a Council House The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Unreported World George Clarke's Amazing Garden Rooms Gogglebox The Windsors Very British Problems Rude Tube Formula 1 Channel 4 Racing A Place in the Sun Homes by the Med Channel 4 News Grand Designers Great Canal Journeys X-Men: First Class G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

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Shipping Wars The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Eating Well with Hemsley and Hemsley Food Unwrapped What Britain Buys Very British Problems Shipping Wars The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Obsessive Compulsive Country House Cleaners How to Get a Council House Locked Up 24 Hours in A and E Couples Come Dine with Me Four in a Bed Shipping Wars The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Supervet One Born Every Minute Never Seen a Doctor Gogglebox

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Channel 4 News Grand Designs Guy Martin: Last Flight of the Vulcan Bomber Paul Merton's Secret Stations Indian Summers Gogglebox Formula 1

On Benefits: Life on the Dole Violent Child, Desperate Parents He Dumped Me So I Trashed His House... And Other Revenge Extremes Up Late with Rylan

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Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight The Gadget Show Revealed: The Truth About the Holy Grail - Ancient Mysteries Ben Fogle: The Great African Migration Alex Cross Super Casino

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5 News Horror Homes and Landslides GPs: Behind Closed Doors Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords Up Late with Rylan On Benefits: Life on the Dole

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OPINION & COMMENT

12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Mike Senker

In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man

Flickr credit by Fernando RAYO

AS part of the series, we answer some common driving questions and keep you updated on the latest driving and road news 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 MONITORING: Devices include Pegasus-equipped helicopters. ate over a fixed distance of road and monitor the average speed between two points on that section. These devices are often considered to give a more realistic impression of recorded speed as the driver doesn’t usually react instantly when they see one, and so the average is more likely speed recorded. Red-light cameras: This equipment does not measure the speed of a vehicle but takes a photograph if the vehicle fails to stop at a red light. Pegasus-equipped helicopters: Pegasus is the name of a recording device fitted to most of the DGT traffic helicopters. Distinctive by their yellow and light blue colouring, these ‘eyes in the sky’ can catch offending motorists from a kilometre away and at a height of 300 metres, recording the average speed and vehicle characteristics, as well as monitoring for other traffic violations.

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

First Occupation Licence? TO register your property for shortterm holiday lets under the new Andalucian law, the form to get the licence requires a copy of the First Occupation Licence. I have owned my home for 20 years and I cannot find this licence.

Properly, yes, the First Occupation Cert i f i c a t e sh o u l d b e available on subsequent sales of the property. S o me mu n i c i p a l itie s have a Second Occupatio n C e rt i f i c a t e t o replace it. However, thou-

I believe it was issued by the town hall to the builder or developer so he could sell the property. Without it I understand services cannot be connected. Do subsequent purchasers of the property need it? RP (Costa del Sol)

David Searl You and the Law in Spain

sands of long-term Andalucian property owners are in the same situation that you are, without the certificate.

Your solution is to go to your town hall and request a copy of the certificate they originally is s ue d, or a doc um e nt which can replace it. D iffe re nt tow n halls handle it differently, but this is the place to start.

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

Serves you right

Five devices to monitor traffic

SPAIN operates a network of traffic monitoring devices, not only looking for drivers who are speeding and for those who skip through red lights, but for such bad practices as using a mobile phone. Here are the five types of monitoring devices currently in use: Fixed cameras: These devices are located along the road network, usually at the side of the road, or sometimes on poles or across the carriageway, and monitor vehicles as they pass, recording those which exceed the limit. Mobile radars: These operate with an operator, or usually a small team, and are often in unmarked Guardia Civil vehicles, as well as those in marked cars belonging to traffic law enforcement groups, including the DGT. Depending on the type of equipment, the recording vehicle can be static or moving. Fixed-section radars: These devices oper-

EWN

WHAT is it with rucksacks? They used to be something you used to go camping with. You and your family or friends would go off into the big wide open spaces with your hiking boots. It carried your tent and supplies or maybe if you went trekking off round the world. Or you were in the army and you were going off to fight a war somewhere. Move forward and now everybody is using them. Well except me because actually they have turned into weapons of mass destruction but that’s another article! They were meant to be used in fields, long open roads, the wilderness. Where they were not meant to be used was on aircraft with the exception of being a red beret commando or member of the SAS, and for some reason there was a need for you to leave the plane whilst it was at about 20,000 feet, then they are a handy place to keep your parachute. They definitely should not be used on trains and confined spaces. I was on the train to Madrid and there was a family that got on after I was already comfy in my seat and the

whole bloody lot of them had a rucksack on their back! And I tell you they were enormous!! As the dad tried to get one of the children settled he turned round and nearly took my head off. Do they not realise that they are the human equivalent to an articulated lorry? They need space to manoeuvre! They should all be fitted with the same warning beeps. This idiot was swivelling about nearly taking the heads off all those nearby. Me, being me, was the only one who gave him the ‘Oi’ treatment. It never fails. It has to be more than a tut when facing possible head injury. Then there is the whole performance of taking the rucksacks off and getting them in the overhead storage which turns into an episode of the Krypton Factor having to move everything around them to get these huge accessories to fit. As luck would have it there is a happy ending to this story. Dad had to move one of the children to a seat further down the carriage and so he wanted to move his rucksack as well. In all the confusion he must have given his son the wrong one and as he put it on his back and let go and stood back the child toppled over with his legs in the air like a flipped over tortoise. Of course I rushed over to see if I could help... Well, actually, I nearly spat out my coffee with laughter and thought serves you right!

E W N 12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

LETTERS

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OPINION & COMMENT

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION

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

A gentleman’s response IN response to Philip in San Fulgencio, Missing the UK! (Issue 1607). This bar in Quesada, which uses optics which Mr Philip has never set foot in, does have 50ml optics for branded named spirits, not your Aldi or Lidl brands which he is probably used to! He is probably one of the many expats that each day go from bar to bar chasing the happy hours trying to get as much for their euros as possible. This bar doesn’t do any happy hours or cheap branded alcohol. It prides itself on only selling the best-named brands. Even the Spanish suppliers of the spirits agree that by using the 50ml optic is the correct amount that customers should be getting, not getting a bartender who holds the bottle and tries to count to 10 then stops, of course everyone counts at the same speed so they all get the same measure (not!). By using the optics everyone is guaranteed to receive the exact amount, so there is no arguing! Mr Philip adds that the spirits are not anywhere near the gentleman’s size! Not sure how he can say this as he has never been in the bar! He needs to look for himself before he comments about something he knows nothing about! So I suggest if Philip goes to Quesada and enters the bar and looks for himself and takes the little birdie who told him about the so-called sinister happenings in the bar, then he can comment himself rather than sit and write about something he knows nothing about! Albert Henderson, Ciudad Quesada.

Thank you! YES! Yes! Thank you! The return of the Nonogram has arrived! ‘Thinking Cap’ on again and it’s a toughie this week too! It’s nice that you take interest in what your readers think! Happy Lesley from Alcalali EWN reply: It’s our pleasure Lesley, EWN gets it!

Soul singing I HAVE never written a letter to a newspaper. I will soon be 89 but I felt I had to reply to ‘Earl from Alicante’ in issue 1608. How can anyone say that songs like Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art, and so many others, are ‘ridiculous’? I love singing, as much as I am able to with a poor voice, at the Calpe Christian Fellowship each

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

A plea for help

children, and great grandchildren from the shackles of a Europe, dominated by unelected policy and lawmakers which are taking over our country. To me it is as important as those that gave their lives for me and the freedom of the UK. What happens to me if the UK leaves the union is not important, it is the family that follows that will benefit and thrive in a free and open UK. C V Williams, El Cucador

Queer as folk

I SPENT some time (months) in Spain recently where I witnessed the plight of just one of the ill-treated hunting dogs. This dog needs help. He is fed once a week, if he knocks his bucket of stale water over he is left without water. He lives in a shed with a dirt floor 24/7. The shed is filthy... as for mental stimulation or exercise, those are non-existent. I have a home waiting for him in the UK (a friend of mine with a large garden will take him

Sunday and ‘worshipping’ Jesus, and remembering through Holy Communion all that he suffered to pay for our sins. Read the bible Earl, and learn. Ps I do so much enjoy EWN, thank you. Irene

Atlantic angle EURO WEEKLY published a letter from ‘Dario via email’ in issue 1609 that pensioners living here “should have a Spanish social security number which entitles you to healthcare if we are in or out of the EU.” Those of us who are non-EU Americans (and I believe Canadians or Aussies) living here on retirement residencia visas are required to maintain private healthcare insurance. Although living here legally requires paying Spanish income taxes on our worldwide income, we don’t have access to

on), but I need a foster carer to keep him for three weeks so that we can get him ready to travel. Is there anyway you can help or at least publicise his case so that the owner realises the dog needs help? Even if he is sent to a rescue centre in Spain it would be a better life than he has now. In desperation, Leigh Walton EWN reply: We have forwarded Leigh details of a refuge centre.

the Spanish social security system, nor do we get Spanish-paid healthcare. As we never paid into their social security system, why would Spain be responsible for our retirement healthcare here? I have heard British retirees say that things wouldn’t change much if the UK withdrew from the EU. Logically, everything in place through the EU would have to be newly-negotiated by Spain and a non-EU United Kingdom. Retired Americans and most other non-EU citizens certainly don’t receive the benefits and privileges of EU citizens. We spent hundreds of dollars for documents and fees to get our residence visas. Each time we have to renew, it involves multiple trips to Malaga and Torre Del Mar, with photocopies and more photocopies! From healthcare to work permits, to residence permits and renewals, to driveing licence exchanges - all would have to be bilaterally negotiated. Just

imagine a Spanish government insisting that Gibraltar also had to be included in the negotiations! A British friend told me Spain needs the UK more than the UK needs Spain. Maybe so, but Spain needs the EU even more. When the Scots were considering independence, the Spanish made clear their concerns. Spanish leadership could be expected to take a similar tough position on relations with a non-EU UK. Assurances by supporters for leaving the EU that there would be only minor impact for British pensioners here should be taken with much scepticism! Ron Adam

Brexit blues WHAT could not be achieved by force of arms has now been done by stealth. It is my duty and responsibility to vote OUT, to help free my children grand-

IN response to Fine outlook for LGBT, Costa del Sol issue 1609. LGBT travellers don’t need ‘LGBT activities’ or ‘gay/bi services’. We pick our destinations according to, firstly, safety, and secondly, cultural acceptance. Can we hold hands with our partners in public, admit to being gay in conversation if it comes up (or introduce our partners as such)? Will our husbands (for men) and wives (for women) be accepted as such if necessary (for everything from hospital visits to being able to share a hotel room)? Single LGBTs might be keen to see bars, cafés, etc catering to them exclusively. This isn’t segregation. We’re a minority and it’s hard to meet each other. After all, the U3A bars under-50s, doesn’t it, and isn’t considered discriminatory? No, because it’s a society for over-50s no longer in work to meet others in their situation and of their age. Ditto LGB bars. Couples aren’t bothered, unless they’re in an area where they have to keep their relationship very much under wraps for fear of reprisals or even prison. Happily, Spain doesn’t need to make too much effort there (for tourists. It’s crying out for a ‘scene’ for residents). It’s one of the most accepting, if not THE most, countries of LGBTs and those of us living here are actually surprised if we encounter homophobia elsewhere - we’ve forgotten what it’s like! (After all, marriage has been legal for 11 years, longer than in the UK). Kally

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.

E W N 12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

Drug use is on the rise Vicki McLeod

Family Matters MALLORCA, as beautiful and friendly as it is, is not perfect. It’s got its fair share of issues, just like everywhere has. I mean, we’re not on the Midsomer Murders scale where every week there’s a suspicious death, but we do have an issue with drugs. Let’s get this straight out there from the get go, I’m not anti or pro marihuana, I couldn’t care less if you grow the stuff then smoke in your back garden or your house. But I wonder if you know about the potential health risks for yourself or your children. Around 20 per cent of all Spanish teenagers by the age of 15 have smoked cannabis. A news report came out this week warning of this rise in the use of cannabis in Spanish teenagers and young people, and how much damage it can do their long-term health. Scientists at the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have warned of the risks to mental health and cognitive skills in adolescents, which have been outlined in research that has been published. There is a link between neuro-psychological damage from cannabis and starting to smoke the drug at an early age. Cannabis alters the structure

MALLORCA: We do have an issue with drugs. and connectivity of an underdeveloped central nervous system, which can lead to loss of memory and concentration. It can also affect the reflex-

es and trigger Amotivational Syndrome which leads to apathy and lack of interest in the world. It can also mean the person smoking it is at risk of

experiencing psychotic episodes. Raise the subject though and you’re immediately warned to not stick your head above the parapet and make a noise. Challenge someone and they will claim it’s much better for them than tobacco. But why smoke anything at all would be my reply. My husband thinks it’s because they’re bored, maybe it’s to do with escaping, or just to get the high. There are much healthier ways to achieve a high, exercise or the feeling of achievement are just two. The Spanish EDEX Foundation (www.edex.es) has produced a guide called Drugs: Know More / Risk Less, which offers tools to parents to improve their communication with their children. (You can also check www.talktofrank.com for an English version). They recommend you look out for mood swings, short-term memory problems, changes in eating or sleeping habits or a sudden drop in academic performance. I know, it all sounds a bit like your everyday teenager, but keep them peeled and don’t go mad if you find they have been smoking. Remembering my own adolescence what a stroppy madam I was back then, I know that being heavy handed or trying to force a person to change doesn’t work. What does work is giving the person the facts and letting them make their own mind up, and giving them alternatives. mallorcamatters.com.

E W N 12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

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EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREA

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MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

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Alicante

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

BATH

TIME

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TODAY:

Madrid

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AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Primarily, you are wanting to see some appreciation. That is understandable given the efforts that you have made. Do not be annoyed, however, if it is a while coming yet. Others are not always as well tuned in as you. If necessary, use a go-between discreetly to make sure of progress.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Improvising within a new business situation may not give you the perfect answer to a problem. What it will do, however, is give you an insight into the way others live. Until now, your approach to life may have been a little one-sided.

(April 21 - May 21)

ground. It’s an exciting time when you may find it easier to do things alone. This does not mean you have to feel alone as others can be told of your progress.

through your situation. Don’t let pride make you miss out on a solution. VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Not everything in the garden is rosy but you are made of strong stuff. Your conviction that something is right helps you in discussions. Support given to a loved one may be misguided, especially if it is a huge financial gamble.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) A recent holiday has set your mind racing. This being a romantic time means that you can get a little overexcited. Your romance may not be set to last but you should fully enjoy it nonetheless. Relatives issue words of warning but they have only your best interests at heart.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Part of being ‘you’ is your independent mind. Some may try to change that this week. Why would someone want to make you more dependent on them? Could it be that they feel insecure? Giving reassurance may be all that is needed. We all feel the need for appreciation.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) This is a time to enjoy the present and look forward to the future. Don’t forget, along the way, to congratulate yourself for all that you have achieved in the last year. Sometimes you do not blow your own trumpet and people appreciate you in a quiet way.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Opposing opinions on a matter close to your heart see you hesitating. There is nothing wrong with asking for advice. The chances are that you know someone who has already been

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Increased activity in your love life means less time to really concentrate on business. Make sure that priority financial matters are dealt with. Not doing so will see you kicking yourself later on. A close relationship is going well. There’s no reason to wonder why, the charm offensive is obviously working. ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Keeping an eye on your health is particularly important at the moment. Because you have been active, it could be that you need to give yourself a bit of time. Pampering and just plain relaxing are all going to stand you in good stead during the coming week.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Trying to be everything to all people is tiring. No one knows this more than you. Give yourself a little time and space this week because it will make a great difference to your spirits.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) An appetite for something new means that you tread unknown

IRISH LOTTO

Saturday May 07

BONUS BALL

EURO MILLIONS Tuesday May 03

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Mon - 27 15 Cl Tues - 28 15 C Wed - 28 16 C

C Cloudy, Th Thunder

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

Nonagram

TARGET: • Average: 10 • Good: 14 • Very good: 20 • Excellent: 26

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION ambo balm barm beam bema berm lamb lame loam male mare marl meal mere mole more move ream roam amber amble ameer amole blame bream embar ember lamer merle molar moral morel mover ombre realm ambler marble marvel morale ramble remove movable removal moveable REMOVABLE

Sudoku

Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9. There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

MAX MIN

20 14 Sh 21 13 C 21 12 C

Murcia

CLEAR MAX 24C, MIN 15C MAX MIN

Opening your mind to a new idea has convinced you that it is time for a change in direction. This is such a time, but not all changes will be permanent. Give yourself a way out of any situation this week. Using your tact and charm, it will require only a little application to please everyone.

TAURUS

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 19 14 C Tues - 20 15 C Wed - 21 15 Sh

Benidorm TODAY:

MAX 20C, MIN 13C

MAX MIN

22 15 C 22 15 C 20 14 Sh

CLEAR

TODAY:

REINTEGRO

15 32

18 34

REINTEGRO

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

YOUR STARS

‘ BACK HOME NOW - I WOULD BE PHONING YOU TO SAY THAT I WAS GOING TO WORK LATE AT THE OFFICE ’

Mon - 23 17 Cl Tues - 24 16 S Wed - 25 16 S

Answers 1. AER LINGUS, 2. SEVEN (1970, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1996), 3. The highest PEAKS/MOUNTAINS in Ireland, 4. HIBERNIA, 5. GIVE IRELAND BACK TO THE IRISH, 6. PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON, 7. SHERGAR, 8. CORK, 9. MARY ROBINSON, 10. BALLET/DANCE

Solution BATH BATS BITS SITS SINS SINK

SINK BACK

MAX MIN

22 14 C 24 15 Cl 25 16 Cl

Mallorca

CLOUDY MAX 21C, MIN 14C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 23 10 S Tues - 24 11 S Wed - 24 12 S

SHOWERS MAX 20C, MIN 13C

TODAY:

Barcelona TODAY:

MAX MIN

19 9 Sh 21 9 C 21 9 C

Malaga

CLEAR MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

CLOUDY MAX 16C, MIN 8C

TODAY:

OUT

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12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE

page

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

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC

Code Breaker

Quick Across 1 Meet the requirements or expectations of (7) 5 Instances (5) 8 Enraged, angry (5) 9 Pamphlet (7) 10 Small lake (4) 11 Situation (8) 13 Scallywag (6) 15 Wreckage (6) 18 Ready (8) 19 Heroic poem (4) 22 Draw back (7) 23 Depart (5) 24 Be worthy or deserving (5) 25 Admit to a wrongdoing (7) Down 1 Ship's captain (7) 2 Educate for a future role or function (5) 3 Look for (4) 4 Lemon or banana coloured (6) 5 Single-reed woodwind instrument (8) 6 Person engaged in military service (7)

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Crossword

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Across:

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 10 represents Q and 24 represents T, so fill in Q every time the figure 10 appears and T every time the figure 24 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.

1 Trial, 4 Realism, 7 Elation, 8 Riser, 9 Scope, 10 Element, 11 Nicest, 13 Trader, 17 Garbage, 19 Casks, 21 Abase, 22 Astride, 23 Sleight, 24 Sweet. Down: 1 Treason, 2 Imago, 3 Loiters, 4 Rennet, 5 Instead, 6 Merit, 8 Roe, 12 Carnage, 14 Recites, 15 Respect, 16 Repast, 17 Grass, 18 Aye, 20 Spine.

QUICK Across: 7 Smooth fabric of silk or rayon (5) 12 Long-tailed parrot (8) 14 Protective covering that provides protection from the weather (7) 16 Triumph (7)

English - Spanish

1 Invades, 5 Coats, 8 Sells, 9 Pioneer, 10 Special, 11 Share, 12 Upset, 14 Asked, 19 Drops, 21 Examine, 23 Private, 24 Tease, 25 Steal, 26 Largest.

17 Marked by intense agitation or emotion (6) 18 Jewish holiday (5) 20 Stage of development (5) 21 Blueprint (4)

Down:

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

1 Insist, 2 Value, 3 Dislike, 4 Supply, 5 Cooks, 6 Average, 7 Sorted, 13 Promise, 15 Scatter, 16 Adapts, 17 Reveal, 18 Recent, 20 Snail, 22 Image.

Across 1 Gemelos (de camisa) (9) 6 Espada (arma) (5) 7 Between (5) 9 Cucharillas (9) 13 Arriba (indicando situación) (5) 14 To swim (5) 15 Frambuesa (9)

ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Apio, 3 Naipes, 8 Easiest, 9 Rie, 10 Ordenador, 12 Ron, 13 Prefijo, 15 Please, 16 Rojo.

Down 1 Thing (object) (4) 2 Vase (7) 3 Tapa (de caja) (3) 4 Grandson (5) 5 Honey (from bees) (4) 8 Fork (cutlery) (7) 10 Cobertizos (para animales, herramientas) (5) 11 Fácil (sencillo) (4) 12 Rezar (4) 14 Plumilla (de pluma) (3)

Hexagram

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Down: 1 Age, 2 Insurance, 4 Anteayer, 5 Periodico, 6 Seed, 7 Receipts, 11 Trap, 14 Oro.

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

ABLATE ABLAZE (10) CATTLE CLARET CLOUDY MAGNET MUTTER NEWTON OGRESS PETREL

PLATEN REGRET ROSTER SURTAX TEAPOT TRACER TREMOR VESSEL ZEROES

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Inhere 2 Delete 3 Enable 4 Huddle 5 Treble 6 Feeble 7 Asleep 8 Double 9 Serene 10 Plural 11 Render 12 Repeal 13 Neuron 14 Planar 15 Trauma 16 Ethane 17 Mallet 18 Meager 19 Marvel

Across 1 Furniture material from quite a known source (4) 3 Resident's money in account mix-up (8) 8 Saint has lots of paper for courses (7) 9 Sweden and Norway take in country girl (5) 10 South Carolina beer measure (5) 11 Warning! Former girlfriend has sufficient (7) 12 Mr Spielberg's seen TV production (6) 13 Mix boron with spice for muscles (6) 16 Put off ill feeling after religious education (7) 18 Belgian port without an oaf (5) 20 Sent back elegant passenger vehicles (5) 21 Piece of music features feline in 2 A number eager about land area (7) loose coat (7) 4 Famous general seen in classic US 22 Sample of epic men's design (8) terminal (6) 23 Play around with stew (4) 5 A funny pose for a Greek author (5) 6 Small boats feature in an Eastenders’ Down episode (7) 1 Team leader inquires about work 7 Thrill seekers did several spins (10) assignments (5) 9 Figures its cat sits awkwardly (10)

12 Small, quiet religious ceremonies for fairies (7) 14 Improve leave, set off with Lawrence (7) 15 Annoy the French after final tee (6) 17 Criticise leaders of sportsmen leaving after the exercises (5) 19 It’s reported the dogs have reached the tops of the mountains (5)

E W N Mallorca

12 - 18 May 2016

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Wean yourself off the addiction MANY experts now believe sugar is just as deadly an addicti o n a s d r i n k an d drugs, wi t h m a n y p e o p le consuming far too much. Whilst it may be easier to lay off t h e swe e t s a n d chocolate, nutritionists say it is th e h i d d e n su g a r in foods that catch people unaware, such as in pre-made pas ta sa u c e s a n d b a k ed beans. So w h a t c a n y o u d o to help wean yourself off sugar? Try and keep your blood sugar balanced and avoid low blood sugar that will make y o u wa n t t o g o an d get something sweet. Don’t go longer than three hours without eating, especially women, or your blood sugar

levels will drop and y o u r b o d y w ill crave something sweet. Weaning yourself off sugar can b e e a s ie r fo r some than others. Some may prefe r to g o co ld turkey, others g rad u a lly re duce it. First, after removin g th e o b v io u s s o u rce s fro m th e h o u s e, s u c h a s chocolate and cakes, it is recommended to take out of y o u r d iet all th e s av o ury fo o d s th a t c o n ta in ad d e d sugar. S a v o u ry fo o d s s u c h a s sauces like Dolmio, which recently changed its packa g in g to s h o w th e s u ga r

HEALTH BEAUTY

Ask The Doctor

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Obesity issues

HIDDEN SUGAR: Catches people unaware.

content, contain added sugar so look for healthier or home-made ve rs ions . O the r foods deemed healthier such as yoghurts and cereal bars can also contain high levels of sugar so check the labels. Next, stop adding sugar to your hot drinks and other foods s uc h a s c e re a l. C he c king the pa c ka ge of your cereal will show you there is already sugar in it.

Detoxing from sugar can be difficult and it is normal to struggle with headaches, cravings, tiredness, spots and an upset stomach, but a fte r the initia l firs t fe w days your body will start to recalibrate itself. Cutting out sugar can reprogramme your taste buds and can improve your body, mind a nd mood, he lping you to s le e p be tte r, ha ve brighter and clearer sight and be less stressed.

SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte. AS friends and colleagues start muttering about bikini season and diets, the doctor answers a few questions on obesity, referred to by some as the plague of modern times. What’s the difference between being overweight and being obese? There are different levels of excess fat and obesity. The best indicator is the body mass (BMI) index, which is calculated by dividing weight by the square of height in metres. If the result is between 25 and 29.9 the patient is overweight, if it is more than 30 they are considered obese. Is obesity dangerous? Why? Obesity is a major cardiovascular risk, meaning obese patients are more likely to have heart attacks, strokes, etc. Today it is considered as the most common preventable cardiovascular risk and it has virtually become the epidemic of the 21st century. It is not just an aesthetic problem, it is a real health

risk. Also, type two diabetes is usually associated to obesity and almost all patients with this type of diabetes are obese. What can I do to control obesity then? Although there are other causes, the most common is a simple imbalance between the amount of energy we put into our bodies (what we eat) and the amount we use up. Therefore the best way to control obesity and lose weight is to reduce the amount going in by following a balanced, low calorie diet and increase the amount used with moderate, daily exercise. I have no self-control and find it very hard to exercise, what can I do? It isn’t easy. Losing weight is a complicated task, which needs real involvement from the patient with support from a medical professional such as a Specialist in Internal Medicine. They can help motivate the patient and give advice on the best diet for them and a moderate, daily exercise plan.

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.

E W N Mallorca

12 - 18 May 2016

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SCENE

Cancer aid recognition By John Smith THE Calanova Cancer Care Charity Shop in San Augustin, 358 Ave Joan Miro was at the grand reunion of the AECC, the Spanish Association of Cancer Care in the Balearic Islands, and received an award for all the constant help it has given them. Jaime Aguilo the director said, as the award was presented, that it was for the Calanova Cancer Care Charity Shop for all their continuous help to their Association and help with formation of services to oncology patients. They had helped to initiate Colon Cancer tests as a normal part of social services, with a trial run in the village of Muro and very soon this will be expanded to take in the whole of Mallorca for those over a certain age. The award was presented to Angela McGrath, on behalf of the shop, by Carlos Simonet, the secretary of the Executive Commission of the Committee of the AECC of the Baleares. Sadly Teresa Martorell the president of the AECC for the last 16 years and Jaime Aguiló, who has been the director for the last 40 years are both retiring

GRAND REUNION: A group photo of those who attended the event. and both received a sustained standing ovation from the large audience. The new president is Dr Javier Cortes and their new director in the Balearic Islands is Ana Belén Velasco. Those involved with the shop are ex-

tremely proud of the award and have it on show in the shop, as it is an award not only for everyone who helps there but also for all the people who have donated items and everyone who has bought items.

Anyone who would like to help in the shop for a few hours a week would be most welcome, and everyone should stop in and browse through this interesting and quite amazing shop in San Agustin.

OCIAL

Medieval merriment EVERY year the village of Capdepera travels back in time to celebrate its inauguration by King Jaume II in the year 1300 by hosting a medieval market. This year’s celebrations will be held from Friday to Sunday (May 13-15) at the Capdepera Castle starting around 10am each day. Visitors will be transported back in time to the Middle Ages with costume-clad artisans and entertainers adding to the festivities and wooden coats of arms representing townspeople’s family names hung from windows and balconies around the town. An array of artisans will be demonstrating their trades during the market which can then be purchased. The streets will be filled with smells of local delicacies to tempt all palates. The event includes concerts, medieval arms exhibitions, jesters, jugglers, giants, conferences, circus shows, clowns and much more.

SOCIAL SCENE

Artist designs clothes TALENTED young Mallorcan painter Maria Puerto Fullana has collaborated with the global company Vida to create a collection of clothes based on her work. Twelve-year-old Maria’s latest exhibition in Barcelona entitled ‘Explosions’ captured the eye of the department of art and design of the company based in California (USA) which invited Maria to collaborate as a design artist in creating a clothing collection based on her work. According to founder and CEO of Vida, Umaimah Mendhro, the company brings together designers and makers from different parts of the world that “produce beautiful original artful products made responsibly.” Maria has had her art exhibited through ICAE (International Children’s Art Exhibition) in 18 different countries and four continents and has had five of her own expositions. With this new endeavour, her art is now reaching into the fashion world. The clothing line can be viewed and purchased at http://shopvida.com/col lections/voices/maria-puer to-fullana. Proceeds will go into Maria’s educational fund.

12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

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Specsavers Opticas event By Sandra Galo SPECSAVERS OPTICAS arrived in Mallorca in 2011 and is celebrating its five year anniversary and Specsavers’ 10 years in Spain with a fantastic charity event in store on Saturday May 14. The event will be held from 10am to 1.30pm with all proceeds going to Kidney Research UK. Everyone is invited to come and join in the fun. Throughout the day there will be food and smoothies in return for a charity donation, face painting for the children and makeovers from Mary Kay make-up. Frame stylists will be on hand to offer style advice and guests will be able to enter

the Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards and be in with a chance to win €500. The Calvia Lions Club will be present at the event, conducting a free diabetes screening. Results will be given immediately and if positive, patients will be referred for medical advice. Also during the event and from May 3 to 14, Specsavers Opticas is offering glasses for just €10 to reward customers for their loyalty and celebrate the 10-year milestone. Store Director Martin Blake commented “Please celebrate with us at the store on Avenida Rei Jaume 117, on May 14 from 10am and help us to raise money for a great cause.”

Visit Specsavers Opticas on Facebook to find out more or for more information visit www.specsavers.es. Enter the Spectacle Wearer of the Year awards via Facebook and at en.specsavers.es/loveglasses until May 29.

EWN

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12 - 18 May 2016

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PROPERTY

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Tips on what the buyer wants to see John Graham The property expert

I’M writing about the psychology of selling your property and in previous articles I’ve talked about the step by step build up to this point in the selling process, the arrival of the potential buyer who is now ringing your door bell. So far so good, your neighbourhood or community looks good as does the exterior of your property and the buyer obviously thinks your sales price is attractive. But have you done everything you can with the interior of your home to make sure that you will sell today? There are at least 10 things that most people have in common when buying a home, so this week let’s start with the first two points, and next week we will take a look at other important points until we cover all 10. 1. Let’s start with the most obvious point, which is making sure that your home is bright and shiny clean with a capital C. Carpets, curtains, bed covers, sofas all need to be spotless before a potential buyer’s visit,

HOME INTERIOR: Make sure your property is spotless and clean. time to visit the dry cleaners and supermarket for a full range of cleaning products. If you have marble or tiled floors that look a bit stained or dull you should seriously consider hiring a floor cleaning company to come in and bring your floors back to life, you’d be surprised how good this makes the rooms look. Once everything has been cleaned top to bottom, it is much easier to keep everything sufficiently clean for future buyer visits. 2. The fact that your property is spotless and clean is a good start, but there are bad smells that you want to get rid of and

good smells you want to introduce. Let’s start with the bad smells: no cooking on the day of the buyer’s visit, even with the extractor on at full power, the smell of your breakfast or lunch will linger. If you have pets, including birds, they give off a smell as does their food and bedding, so make sure all your pets and bedding etc are out of the house well before the buyer’s visit. Villas built 25-30 years ago had very basic damp proofing and can now suffer from the smell of damp especially after a heavy rainfall. My advice is to get your local builder in and solve the problem before the

buyer’s visit if you can. The same applies to properties with poor ventilation in the bathrooms and cupboards: mould smells are unpleasant and unsightly so you should arrange to have extra ventilation fitted. Next week we will take a further look at more of my top tips and more dos and don’ts in preparing your property for the buyer. If you are selling your property and would like advice please contact me by email at gk.ipad@me.com. John Graham is a Fellow of The Architecture & Surveyors Institute.

E W N 12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

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Top-notch quality products TIP TOP MALLORCA offers top-notch quality products and services ranging from awnings and blinds to aluminium/PVC windows and doors for homes and businesses around the whole island of Mallorca. Tip Top Mallorca are premium suppliers of awnings and blinds, both interior and exterior, ensuring clients the best protection to more fully enjoy Mallorca’s hot summer sun. Along with awnings and blinds, the company also specialises in high-quality aluminium/PVC windows and doors. Tip Top has recently become an official distributor of ‘Markilux’ Red Dot award winning awnings manufactured to the highest standard of engineering and design, with special features including LED lighting and heat lamps. The company is an official distributor for ‘Bandalux’ internal blinds with an extensive range of models and colours. All of Tip Top Mallorca’s internal and external blinds can be operated and linked together straight from your smart phone, tablet or computer using the new ‘SOMFY’ Tahoma Wi-Fi technology. Tip Top’s premium aluminium windows and doors with thermally insulated profiles and intelligent glass from ‘Guardian Sun’ will give clients an A* energy efficiency

AWNINGS: Tip Top is an official distributor of Markilux Red Dot award winning awnings. rating. The company’s PVC windows from Deceuninck are the first manufacturers to replace steel with carbon fibre giving them an A*** energy efficiency rating. The British-owned company established by Neil McKendry, will shortly be celebrating 30 successful years of trading on the island. The company has a proven track record of quality and service providing

clients with quality products installed by Neil and his qualified team of professionals. Tip Top Mallorca is based in the Poligono Son Bugadelles in Santa Ponsa at Passaje 19 de marzo (next to the BP station). The showroom is open Monday to Friday 9am 6pm or Saturdays by appointment. For more information contact Neil McKendry on 971 693 004 or email info@tiptoptoldos.com.

Clean and green By Eleanor Hawkins IF you’re lucky enough to have a lemon tree in your garden, you may or may not know that this gives you access to a lot more than just

something to add a slice of to your G&T. Lemons have natural bleaching, degreasing, antibacterial and fresh-scent properties which make them ideal for environmentally-

friendly household tasks. Here are a few tips green cleaning experts have shared for making the most of your lemons, and remember you can quarter and freeze them as they last a long time frozen. 1. Clean the air: Simmering cut-up lemons in a pan of water for an hour will get rid of musty smells. Another idea is to sprinkle a few drops of lemon juice inside your hoover bag before hoovering. An eco air freshener can also be made by mixing lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. 2. Banish ants: Lemon juice and peels are pet and human friendly, but will discourage ants from entering. Work out where they are getting in and spray the area with lemon juice, then pop bits of lemon peel into holes and cracks. 3. Disinfect: Wiping surfaces, door handles, phones, remote controls and other often touched areas with a mix of lemon juice and water helps disinfect them.

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Mallorca

12 - 18 May 2016

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DOGS AND DOGS: Is run by people who truly care about animals.

HOUSE-SITTER: Shirley made a list of places to visit.

SHIRLEY, one of our sitters, has always loved animals and has had cats and dogs for as long as she can remember. When her last pet passed on she realised that she had reached a near retirement age and now wanted to travel. Shir l e y m a d e a l i s t o f places where she could house-sit, and hopefully get free accommodation in exchange for caring for other people ’s p e t s a n d h o mes while they were on holiday. Ronn a a n d B r i a n h ad lived in Malaga for some 14 years, and ever since arriving w i t h t h e i r o wn d o g s found themselves drawn to help abandoned dogs and cats all o v e r t h e i r n e ig h bourhood. To th i s d a y t h e y r ais e money t o c a r e f o r a b a n doned pets wherever they see them, going to the market in Coin to sell donated second-hand goods to raise funds for food for the strays. After years of working all

week and then with the pets at the weekend they decided to take a holiday, so they registered with HouseSitMat ch.com and met Shirley online. “Shirley came to us last October and we went away on holiday for the first time a n d n e v er w o rried a b o ut getting back to our six cats and three dogs. Our minds were at peace knowing that we trusted the person who was looking after all of our animals. Shirley came back again in December while we were back in England, and this time she took on feeding all my s tray an imals th r e e times a week,” said Ronna Clark. H o u s e -s ittin g ca n b e a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, a n d th e ex p e rie n ce d a nd checked sitters get free accommodation! Register now with 50 per cent off using coupon code SPECIAL50. To find a pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com.

FOR 25 years, Dogs and Dogs has offered pet owners in Mallorca quality products and services at affordable prices coupled with specialised attention. With locations in Santa Ponsa and Sa Coma, the pet shops attract clients from around the island. Miguel, the owner of Dogs and Dogs, explains the difference that sets his shop apart from bigger more impersonalised pet shops, is that it is run by people who love animals and have a genuine interest in their clients. Apart from the personalised attention clients receive, Dogs and Dogs offers quality products from local and international providers including brands from Germany and England. The shops boast more than 160 square metres filled with a

wide range of products for almost any need a pet owner may have. From a great selection of food to collars, beds, pet-friendly pest control and grooming equipment, Dogs and Dogs offers something to satisfy every type of pet owner. Dogs and Dogs also sells small animals including rabbits, hamsters, small birds and fish and offers grooming services for both dogs and cats. The Santa Ponsa shop also offers clients a delivery service including pet pick-up and delivery. Consultant services are available for pet food and fishkeeping. A client card can be obtained for accumulating points which can then be used towards the purchase of products and services. The staff speaks a variety

of languages including English, Spanish, German, and Russian. Dogs and Dogs in Santa Ponsa is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 2pm and, in the afternoon, from 4.30pm to 8pm. On Saturdays, the shop is open from 9.30am to 2pm. The Sa Coma shop is open from 10am to 9pm Monday to Saturday. During the summer

months, it is open on Sundays from 10am to 2pm. Dogs and Dogs Santa Ponsa is located at Avenida Jaime 1, 117 Loc 9 and 10 and can be reached by phone at 971 694 393. The shop in Sa Coma is in the Eroski shopping centre located on the Avenida de las Palmeras. For more information visit www.dogsanddogs.com.

E W N Mallorca

12 - 18 May 2016

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On the Porsche Cayenne: “Honestly, I have seen more attractive gangrenous wounds than this. It has the sex appeal of a camel with gingivitis.” Some might say...

Sotheby’s Monaco auction By Matthew Elliott THIS forthcoming Saturday May 14 the prestigious biennial RM Sotheby’s Monaco auction will take place and features an exquisite variety of lots of exceptional value, both monetary and historical. It will hopefully carry on the flames of the 2014 auction which raised an astonishing €41 million in sales. The hotly anticipated 2016 edition will emphasise competition greats and is also beautifully timed to take place alongside the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, making this a truly memorable weekend. One of the world’s most glamorous auctions, the RM Sotheby’s sale will showcase a pantheon of motoring legend beginning with what is thought to be the only Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider of its kind to be sold in Europe. The last 275 sold by RM Sotheby’s secured an astronomical €24 million and the organisers will be expecting a similar price for the

1968 model up for grabs on Saturday. The other star of the show will be a Ferrari American Barchetta which actually competed in the 1951 and 1952 Le Mans 24-hour race, and could summon an enormous €9 million bid if the seller’s estimates are met. Also on the cards and certain to draw the attention of the attending superrich

is the world’s only road-legal Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution, which also won the Canadian GT Championship three times. With its six-cylinder engine sparked up with a pair of KKK turbochargers to produce 600hp, the sleek model is expected to fetch just under €3 million. Classic

Porsches will be in high demand as always and RM Sotheby’s won’t disappoint buyers with a wide variety that also includes a 911 Carrera RS (€400,000); a 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring (€600,000); a Carrera GT (€800,000); and a 959 ‘Komfort’ Stage II expected to fetch a cool €1 million.

FERRARI 275: Only one of its kind to be sold in Europe.

Motoring shorts

The fourth wave INSURANCE premiums are set to drop dramatically as the momentum towards driverless cars gathers steam and further technologies contribute a decreased likelihood of accidents. Research by major global insurer Swiss Re has indicated that the enhanced connectivity between cars and various driver assist mechanisms will significantly improve road safety, while Volvo’s chief executive described the rise of autonomous vehicles as the “single most important advance in automotive safety” in years. The research also suggests that by 2020 the majority of new cars sold worldwide will be connected to the internet and other cars and some have described the potential advances as representing the fourth industrial revolution. Insurers have cautioned drivers against developing a false sense of security.

LaFerrari Spider A BASIC philosophy behind the luxury vehicle industry, on both the creation and purchasing sides, is that if you are going to have a flash car you may

as well be seen in it. When someone sees fit to spend hundreds of thousands on a supercar that screams for attention, it is a safe assumption

that they want people to see them enjoying their moment of glory. So it should come as no surprise that Ferrari has announced

Lotus cars lighter LOTUS has announced that it has managed to shave 207 kilograms from the weight of its cars in the first quarter of 2016, continuing a trend towards the lightweight elixir of a solid metric tonne. Its heaviest car manufactured at the Lotus site in Norfolk weighed 1,395 kg, and many of its Elises are much closer to around 1,000. Lotus has pioneered a lightweight approach to manufacturing and has now created its very own Lightweight Laboratory where engineers use special techniques and material to strip away excess baggage. Carbon fibre, forged alloy wheels, carbon sports seats, louvred rear windows and thinner body pan-

els are key, as is the philosophy spouted by CEO Jean-Marc Gales who says “to make a perfect sports car, you must consider weight your enemy.”

ELISE: Many close to 1,000kg.

that it will build a roofless ‘Spider’ version of its already hugely desirable LaFerrari hypercar, supercars being the top 1 per cent of cars and hypercars the top percentile of supercars. As matters stand, the cabin and seating in the LaFerrari is so low it’s difficult to catch a starstruck glimpse of the lucky driver but the convertible model will remove all the doubts as to who is behind the wheel. The news will also excite collectors who missed out on the 499 LaFerrari units which quickly sold out regardless of a €1.27 million asking price. The Spider model will likely feature exactly the same strengths as the original, with a V12 hybrid engine that creates 950bhp and 663lb ft of torque, hitting 97 kph in less than three seconds. Together with the Porsche 918 Spyder and the McLaren P1, the LaFerrari’s release in 2013 saw it join the elite of high-performance sports cars and become the company’s most powerful road car.

SPORT

12 - 18 May 2016 / Mallorca

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Khan knocked out as Norwich and Newcastle may go down 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 • If Sunderland (excellent 3-2 winners over Chelsea last Saturday) beat Everton in last night’s game, then Newcastle and Norwich will be relegated from the Premiership with Aston Villa. • Last weekend, champions Leicester beat Everton 3-1; Spurs (second) lost 2-1 at home to Southampton; Liverpool edged Watford 2-0; Manchester United won 1-0 at Norwich and Crystal Palace defeated Stoke 2-1. The games between Villa – Newcastle (0-0), Bournemouth – WBA (1-1) and Manchester City – Arsenal (2-2) were all drawn. • On Tuesday Swansea’s 41 win at West Ham was their first there for 60 years. Last night, the Hammers

(versus Manchester United) said farewell to Upton Park, their home since 1904. • Burnley and Middlesbrough will be in the PL next season. The play-offs (coming up) will feature Sheffield Wednesday v Brighton and Derby v Hull. • Burton Albion have gained promotion to the Championship, seven years after playing in the Conference in front of barely 1,000 spectators. • Oxford and Bristol Rovers have been promoted from FL2, Accrington Stanley miss out, while Hartlepool’s 775-mile-round trip to Plymouth ended in a 5-0 hammering! • Spurs’ midfielder Moussa Dembele

KHAN: Knocked out by Canelo.

DID YOU KNOW Thirteen teams have been relegated from the Premiership and have not returned, and they are: Barnsley, Blackpool, Bradford City, Cardiff, Coventry, Fulham, Leeds, Oldham, Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Swindon, Wigan and Wimbledon. And the three oldest League clubs all come from the Midlands: Notts County (formed in 1862), Stoke City (1863) and Nottingham Forest (1865).

received a six-match ban for ‘violent conduct’ towards Chelsea’s Diego Costa at the end of the recent London derby. MOTOR SPORT • Jorge Lorenzo dominated last Sunday’s French MotoGP at Le Mans, winning 10 seconds ahead of teammate Valentino Rossi, with Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales third. One bizarre incident saw both Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez slide off the track at almost exactly the same time. • Despite what can only be described as a ‘trying day’ for the Dynamics Honda team, GB driver Matt Neal left Thruxton Park tied on points with Rob Collard, with a podium finish in the final race of last Sunday’s BTCC meeting. • Coming up on May 22, we have the Portuguese Rally and the MotoGP World C h a m p i onships from Mugello, Italy. TENNIS • After

RELEGATION?: Newcastle and Norwich.

beating home favourite Rafael Nadal in the semis, the top British player, Andy Murray, was then beaten two sets to one by Novak Djokovic in the final of the Madrid Open. Serbian Djokovic has now been world number one for 199 weeks. BOXING • Last Saturday, Bolton boxer Amir Khan, moving up two weight classes, was knocked out by Mexican Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in a WBC Middleweight fight. On the same night, GB’s Anthony Crolla stopped Venezuelan Ismael Barroso to retain his WBA lightweight crown. ROUND-UP • Who is Michelle Payne you might ask? Well, she’s a jockey, who, last November, became the first female to

LORENZO: Dominated the French MotoGP.

win Australia’s most famous horse race, the Melbourne Cup, when she rode 100-1 shot Prince of Penzance. Michelle has certainly packed in a fair bit into her 30 years on earth. Her mother died when she was just six months old; she’s lost two of her siblings; another has Down’s syndrome and she has overcame a career-threatening injury. Now she’s a best-selling autobiographer and her life story is being made into a movie. Well done lass. Brilliant. • The Inv i c t u s

Games, an international paralympic-style multi-sport event, featuring 500 athletes from 15 countries and created by Prince Harry, are underway in Orlando, Florida. And HRH believes that Team GB can win at least 20 medals. • Coming up, we have the Spanish F1 Grand Prix from Barcelona on Sunday, the Geneva Tennis Open starts on Monday, this weekend it’s the final fixtures in La Liga (with Barcelona at Granada and Real Madrid at Deportivo, both going for the title), there are various promotion/relegation play-off matches north and south of the border, next Wednesday (May 18) it’s Liverpool versus holders Sevilla in the Europa League final in Basle, and a week tomorrow England play Sri Lanka in this summer’s first cricket Test.

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12 - 18 May 2016

MAN UTD: Were among many clubs stunned by Bayern Munich’s €35 million signing of 18-year-old Renato Sanches from Benfica.

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Support future athletes ON May 22, 2016 the ninth Liberty Seguros 10km race will take place in Madrid. This vastly popular marathon has the objective of helping young athletes of the ‘Team Liberty Insurance Paralympic Athletics’ to realise their dreams of becoming professional paralympians. These individuals struggle every day to succeed and advance in the professional paralympian arena, and strive to represent Spain internationally in future Paralympic Games. Registration is no more than €10, however, those that do not wish to take part in the race can contribute to the development of the young athletes by making a donation. This can be done by bank transfer with the reference clearly marked as ‘Dorsal Zero’ to the following account with IBAN number: ES73 2038 1042 7560 0080 7227. Along with the traditional 10km run, this year Liberty Seguros is set to launch the ‘Carrera de la Superación,’ a 1,000 metre race that has been specifically designed for those that have a disability that impedes them from taking part in the main 10km race. More information can be found at: www.carreraliberty.es. Use the hashtag #SeSalen to support the athletes on social media.

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Remembering Seve Ballesteros Ahead of the fifth anniversary of the death of Seve Ballesteros, Spain’s greatest-ever golfer, here are some fascinating facts about the former champion, compiled by Tony Matthews: Born Severiano Ballesteros Sota on 9 April, 1957, Pedrena, Spain; died also in Pedrena, 7 May, 2011. • From birth, Seve had a physical defect whereby his right shoulder hung down below his left. • He was just 10 when he played in his first tournament, taking 10 shots at the opening hole, eventually finishing 5th on 51 over par for nine holes. • At the age of 12, he was expelled from school for fighting and bad behaviour! • Seve started cycling when he was eight and later owned 12 bikes, using them to keep fit. • He enjoyed boxing as a youngster, and it was in the ring that he first injured his back, which caused him trouble throughout his golfing career. • He turned professional in April 1974 and played in his first ‘big’ tournament that same year - the Spanish Open at La Manga - carding rounds of 83 and 76, and missing the cut by six shots. American Jerry Heard won the event and collected £4,336. In contrast, Seve’s first profes-

sional wage was just £15. • In 1976, he finished joint second with Jack Nicklaus at the Open at Royal Birkdale… soon after bailing hay with his father and caddying for his brother Manuel. The winner that year was Johnny Miller. • Dick Draper, a British policeman, caddied for Seve in the mid 1970’s. • A Santander doctor, Cesar Campuzano, lent Seve $1,000 to help get him through his first year as a professional. Seve paid him back by giving him the ball he won the 1979 Open with. • Before the 1980 Masters, Seve walked the whole course, taking notes of every fairway and every green. • His favourite football team was Racing Santander. He was just an ordinary fan, who paid the entry fee and either stood on the terraces or sat in the stand with his mates. Nothing special. • During National Service, Seve earned £2-a-week teaching Air Force officers how to play golf! • In the 1985 Italian Open, Seve had eight birdies in a row and his third round score of 64 contained nine birdies and an eagle… a record at the time. • The tattoo on Seve’s left arm showing him punching the air, was also painted on the door of his house.

• In 1988, Seve married the daughter of the owner of Banco Santander, Carmen Botin, who was at the time, one of the richest women in Spain. • In May 2007, Seve played on the Champions Tour in Alabama. His first tee shot missed the 75-yard-wide fairway by a distance. He finished with a double bogey and a round of 78. With two more horrible rounds of 81 and 73, he finished joint last of 78 participants. He returned to Spain straight away!

SEVE: Spain’s greatest ever golfer.