www.soltimes.com
SOLTIMES JUNE 2013
11
Police dog wins gold medal for bravery from UK charity
A Spanish police dog has been awarded a medal by a British veterinary charity. According to a report by ThinkSpain, The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) has given 21 medals to guide dogs, police dogs and airline sniffer dogs over the years, and the latest to net the prestigious award is Ajax, whose bravery saved the lives of an entire block of police officers and their families four years ago. He and his guide, Sergeant Juan Carlos Alabarces, were working voluntarily with the Crown explosives squad in trying to trace a bomb in Mallorca on July 30, 2009. Basque terrorist cell ETA had already let off an explosive device in the resort town of Palma Nova, part of the larger municipality of Calvià, killing two police officers, and it was believed there was another, as yet unexploded bomb still
in the area. Ajax sniffed out a bomb underneath a vehicle outside the Guardia Civil station, which is attached to the living quarters where officers and their families have ‘company’ flats. The bomb had a movement sensor, meaning it would go off if it detected anyone or anything moving near it. Despite this, Ajax’s training allowed him to creep up on the bomb without activating the sensor and, once he had alerted his guide to its presence, emergency services were able to evacuate the entire block and detonate the device under controlled conditions. Nobody was hurt – although but for the plucky pooch’s actions, several lives would almost certainly have been lost, including that of his guide. The gold medal from the UK-based People’s Dispensary for
Teruel aerodrome ‘ideal for space travel’
Teruel airport has been deemed suitable as a base for space travel by a team of six aeronautical engineers.
The ‘Grand Earth’ team, students of a master’s degree in air transport operations management at the National Aeronautical University in France, says the climate, geographical location and installations are ideal for space travel, and the best among the initial 10 European airports shortlisted. The length of the runway is one of the Rafael Nadal became the first tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles tournament eight times, beaing David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in Paris today, to become the undisputed ‘King of Clay’. He has now won 59 out of 60 matches at Roland Garros and has had a sensational start to the 2013 season, winning 43 of 45 matches and seven titles since his return in February from a seven-month injury lay-off. His 59th match win on the red dirt in Paris also takes him past records set by Roger Federer and Guillermo Vilas, while his 12th major title moves him above Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver on the all-time list. “I’m very happy, very emotional,” he said after the match. “It’s a very important
key points taken into account, since it needs to be more than 2.5 kilometres for launching space vessels, and the one at Teruel aerodrome is just over 2.8 kilometres. It is also the highest-altitude airport in Spain and has a very low volume of air traffic, two other features which are essential for this purpose. Director of Teruel airport Alejandro Ibrahim says short sub-orbital trips are set to become the tourism of the
future and many European and USbased companies are also already researching the possibility of air-travel via space to cut down journey times of long-haul flights. These companies include Space Adventures, Virgin Galactic, Space Expedition Corporation, Blue Origin, Armadillo Aerospace, Rocket Plane Limited, XCOR Aerospace, Astrium, and Dassault.
Nadal beats Ferrer for eighth French Open title
victory for me.” Ferrer, playing in his first major final at the age of 31, was a worthy adversary and pushed his compatriot harder than the score might suggest, but never threatened an upset. Despite his loss, Javea-born Ferrer will move up to No. 4 in the ATP world rankings tomorrow, above Nadal at No. 5. “Yeah, it’s strange, no?”, Ferrer told interviewers after the match. “I lost the final against Rafael, but tomorrow I am going to be No.4 and him No. 5. But anyway, I (ex)change. I’d prefer to win here and to stay No. 5! [...]
I have good praise in Spain, outside of Spain. I don’t care if I am more famous or not. I am happy with myself; I am very happy with my career. I will try to be (among) the best players of the world for (a few) more years.” The final was interrupted by a brief protest high in the stands during the second set that was quickly followed by an intruder leaping onto the court brandishing a flare. Security guards managed to bundle the man to the ground as he approached Nadal, for which Nadal expressed his thanks by shaking a security guard’s hand before returning to the action.
Sick Animals is awarded for ‘an outstanding act of bravery’’ or ‘exceptional dedication to duty and social commitment’, and its Spanish equivalent is the Cruz de San Jorge, or Cross of Saint George – the highest-ranking bravery award in the country. Ajax is the first dog in Spain and only the second outside the UK to receive the medal. It will be presented to him at the El Bosque Theatre in Móstoles, Madrid, during the Police and International Military Guide Dogs annual ceremony.
The Charity Shop Calle Galera No6, Almerimar (Behind Bar Ankara)
Please help me find my forever family! My name is Candi. I am about one year old and very sweet. I have a broken back leg after being hit by a car, but I am resting and mending at Gill´s house, the vet says it will heal but I may have a small limp. Please give me a Foster or permanent home.
Candi
If you can help me PLEASE Contact the Charity shop on 950 497 193
Monday - Fri 10am-2pm Saturday 11am-2pm In Association with Animales de Berja
VOLUNTEERS WANTED