The Weekend World Newspaper - Issue 1 by ClearVision Marketing

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

GIBRALTAR

News and events from the Rock See page 31

EEKEND WORLD

NEWSPAPER WITH A DIFFERENCE

Style solutions and real estate See page 46

MONEY MATTERS

Is Spain final recovering from the recession See page 60

Simply Media Group launches a brand new FREE newspaper. This English language newspaper will rival that of the other newspapers on the coast in every way. Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

Finally Going Home After months of waiting, the first victims’ remains from the Germanwings plane which crashed into the French Alps are being flown from France to Germany, 11 weeks after the disaster that killed all 150 people on-board

HOMES

WEEKEND WORLD - 1

OZENS of victims’ relatives from the March 24th crash in the French Alps have been awaiting the return of the remains. In the first repatriation, 44 coffins have been flown from Marseille to Duesseldorf. Germanwings parent company Lufthansa has chartered a plane

to bring the coffins to Germany, and has said that other remains will be repatriated by month’s end. Elmar Giemulla, a lawyer for families of 34 victims, said many relatives “don’t want to realise that their children are dead. It will be brutal when they see the coffins, but it is necessary, because they need

AFRICAN BOY FOUND IN SUITCASE REUNITED WITH HIS FAMILY THE 8-year-old Ivory Coast boy caught being smuggled into Spain in a suitcase last month has finally been reunited with both his mother & father. Adou Ouattara, was returned to his mother at a youth centre early this week where he has been cared for since bor-

SPORTS

Round-up of recent sporting events See page 98 Adou reunited with his mother

Teddy bears dressed in the uniforms of a Germanwings pilot and a flight attendant sit in the centre of a wreath outside the Germanwings headquarters at Cologne-Bonn airport

closure.” Investigators believe co-pilot Andreas Lubitz, who had a history of depression, intentionally crashed the A320 flying from Barcelona to Duesseldorf. The victims who originated from 18 countries, including Australia, Argentina and Japan, but most of those on board were either Spanish or German. Sadly, though some families are still left without a definite date of when the bodies will be ready because of clerical errors

der police discovered him on May 7th in the suitcase of a Moroccan woman. The boy’s father, who lives legally with the mother in Spain, was arrested hours after the boy was discovered and was jailed on abuse charges for trying to have him smuggled into the country, but he too has been freed on bail so the family have finally be re-united Through his lawyer, the father has said he knew nothing of the suitcase plan, believing his son was to be brought in by car with a visa he had paid for. Memorial close to the crash site

made on the death certificates in France.

ERRORS The mayor of the French village of Prads-Haute-Bleone, near the crash site, who signed the death certificates, said there had been slight spelling errors “of foreignsounding names” on six or seven of the documents“ but all the certificates left three weeks ago and as soon as we get the corrections requested by the prosecutor we will carry them out.”

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

2 - WEEKEND WORLD

WE HAVE LIFT OFF Congratulations to us on our first issue of The Weekend World newspaper and welcome to those who have been waiting for a newspaper with a ‘difference’ from the media group that brought you Perfect Homes Magazine, Décor Magazine, PURE FSHION Magazine, The Clinic Magazine Sunsearch Luxe Magazine and many others… Simply Media Group is the largest English media advertising and publication group here and as our readers are from every country in the world we know you are the most important part of our business. With this in mind we aim to always give you original editorials and news from not just here in Spain but from around the world. As members of the British Press Association and EFE we aim to ensure that all our news is current, factual and more importantly interesting to you the reader. Editor in Chief: Mr Stan Israel Production Manager: Ms Lisa Brown Production Assistant: Rachael Wyer Design & Layout: Jackie McAngus Graphics: Sherelisa Bossi Published by Simply Media Group SL CC Atenea Nº 18 – 19 CN 340 – KM 168.5, Estepona T: 951 127 200 info@simplymedia-group.com www.simplymedia-group.com The Weekend World reserves the right to make grammatical & spelling corrections as and when deemed necessary and to classify correctly and advertisement. Although ever care and attention is made to ensure the advertisement is correct at time of print, regrettably mistakes do sometime occur The Weekend World accepts no responsibility for the content of advertisements, nor for any claims made by advertisers Deposito Legal Nº: MA 298-2013

UK NEWS

E’VE all done it, most British people living in other EU countries have at one time or another returned to the UK for either routine doctors’ visits or planned hospital visit and because of language barriers many of us fail to register with our local doctor in our new country, particularly in the early stages following a move abroad. In some cases bureaucracy plays a part and registering with local health authorities can take years. But under new NHS guidelines that have come into force, people who use the NHS will be asked to declare that they are ‘ordinarily resident’ in the country. Those who live elsewhere in the EU, and who want planned treatment could find themselves forced to pay up-front. “Free NHS treatment is provided on the basis of someone being ‘ordinarily resident’. It is not dependent upon nationality, payment of UK taxes, national insurance contributions, being registered with a GP, having an NHS number or owning property in the UK,” read a statement issued by the Department of Health. Even expats seeking emergency treatment during short visits home could also face steep charges if they don’t have

Expats fall victim to NHS reforms

“Most expats visiting the UK will continue to get free NHS care provided they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by Spain” their paperwork from their new country in order. These new guidelines have been introduced as the NHS seeks to claw back £500 million a year (€695 million / $746 million) in lost revenue. Long-standing European arrangements state that EU citizens should seek healthcare in the country they live in, regardless of their citizenship and this will be authorised and billed back to their country of residence. But in a change to UK guidelines, expats who want treatment in the UK have to show a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by their new country of origin. Until recently, former UK residents were automatically entitled to use the NHS for free if they fell ill dur-

ing a visit, and in practice, many expats used the NHS for planned treatment. But now this right has being removed with the UK Department of Health confirming there is no longer a ‘grace period’ following a move - the moment you leave the country you lose your right to NHS treatment. This new guideline would mean that charges faced by patients without an EHIC card or proper insurance can be significant. Intensive care beds are charged at a rate of £1,800 a day (€2495, $2683) plus the cost of procedures and drugs. Even hospital outpatient visits can be costly, at £248 per visit (€348, $369). The Royal Berkshire NHS Trust, one of

George Osbourne to cut public health spending by £200 m A

SPOKESPERSON for the Department of Health has confirmed that ‘The NHS budget will remain protected, but difficult decisions need to be made right across government to reduce the deficit. ‘Local authorities have already set an excellent example of how more can be done for less to provide the best value for the taxpayer. The £200 million cut in 2015-16 was announced by the chancellor on 4 June as part of cuts totalling more than £3 billion across Whitehall departments. George Osborne said the savings would contribute to the government’s aim of reducing the national debt by

£4.5 billion. Karen Middleton, the chief executive of the CSP, warned that cuts to public health spending could damage programmes to prevent ill health and jeopardise greater integration of services. ‘These short-sighted cuts came just hours after Jeremy Hunt spoke of the importance of tackling obesity and supporting public health,’ she said. ‘Prevention is absolutely crucial if we are to overcome the major public health challenges of obesity and physical inactivity and we must accept it costs money upfront – that is the nature of the beast.’

59 NHS Hospital Trusts in England, says on its website that patients who leave a debt could find their details registered with the UK Border Agency, meaning they could be stopped next time they try to enter or leave the country.

RIGHTS This rule however will not affect the tens of thousands of UK state pensioners who have retired to Spain after spending their working lives in Britain - as long as they fill in the correct paperwork. “They will continue to have the same rights to NHS care as people who live in England. This applies to all pensioners who receive a UK state retirement pension and registered for healthcare in Europe with an S1 form,” confirmed the Department of Health guidelines. A spokesman for the British Embassy in Madrid said: “Most expats visiting the UK will continue to get free NHS care provided they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by Spain – so they should make sure they get one, make a note of its expiry date and renew it before it runs out.” The good news for those who have relocated to Spain is that once the bureaucratic hoops have been overcome they can expect world class healthcare. Although beleaguered by cuts in public spending as Spain has weathered the economic crisis, its healthcare system was ranked seventh in 2000 on the only occasion the World Health Organisation, the UK is listed in 18th position.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 3

UK NEWS

We need to deal with the cause of migration head on

Just deal with it

RIME Minister David Cameron has said the causes of migration must be dealt with, not just the consequences, after the British warship HMS Bulwark launched a mission to rescue at least 500 migrants on Sunday 7th June. British, Swedish, Spanish and Italian ships were launched to help about 10 migrant boats that called for assistance on Sunday, the Italian coast guard said, following the rescue of thousands of others in the Mediterranean this weekend. “HMS Bulwark is currently in the Mediterranean because we want to save lives. Britain is a country that doesn’t walk on by – we’re a country with a conscience and that’s right. But we also need to do more to stop people leaving their countries in the first place,” said Cameron.

FLOOD “That’s what we are using our aid budget for, that’s what we’ll be talking about at the G7 – how we put a Libyan government together. We need to deal with the causes of this migration, not simply with its consequences.” Millions of pounds in British aid funding will now need be diverted from existing projects around the world targeted specifically at stopping the flood of migration across the Mediterranean from Libya, under plans being considered by Downing Street. But while Downing Street acknowl-

edges that a significant number of these are Libyans fleeing fighting in the country, the bulk, they say, are from other African countries taking advantage of the lack of Government and migration controls in Libya to find a better life in Europe. Government officials believe that if British aid money was diverted to countries like Niger and Eritrea - where a significant number of those people being picked up come from - overall numbers could be stemmed. They cite one scheme where the Department for International Development pays for food vouchers to subsidise the incomes of people living in refugee camps. Another point which David Cameron is looking to raise is the issue of corruption. “Corruption is a cancer at the heart of so many of the challenges that we face in our world. We’ve seen it in football recently but also corruption is what stops so many countries from succeeding, corruption is what brings about some of the challenges to our security. So I’m putting it on the table here and saying this is something we must not turn a blind eye to as perhaps was done for too long in the world of football,” he said.

4 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 5

UK NEWS

MINORITY REPORT SOFTWARE BECOMES REAL

Former England footballer Sol Campbell has confirmed his intention to run to replace Boris Johnson as Mayor of London by signing up for a hustings with rivals in the contest for the Conservative nomination. The ex-Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur defender said he could “bring something new to the table” but acknowledged he is not going to be a “frontrunner” in the race. Campbell, who will take part in an event alongside other candidates for the Tory nomination on July 4, said he wants to “change London for everybody”. The footballer, who also played for Portsmouth and Newcastle in his top-flight career, told the Sun: “I’m going in with my eyes wide open. I know I’m not going to be a frontrunner. “But I look at people who have been in politics for five, 10, 15 years, and muck up, you see them muck up and think ‘You guys are supposed to be pro!’ People that have gone to Oxbridge, had thousands spent on their education, and I mean they are royally mucking up.”

Chief John Anderton, was able to track down and apprehend homicidal criminals before they actually committed their crime. Aided by precogs captive psychics whose brains were hard-wired into a police supercomputer Anderton and his colleagues could sift through “previsions” of future crimes which the psychics have seen in the future and prevent any misdeeds from happening. Amazingly, today fiction has become fact. A new 2015 precrime system is being pioneered. The software called ‘Persons of Interest’ (POI) was developed by the Wynyard Group, a New Zealand security and intelligence company who works with intelligence agencies across the world including the FBI & GCHQ The system currently used by New Zealand’s police and government agencies analyses data on known offenders and at risk groups by comparing emails, text messages and social media activities and alerts law enforcement officials of any impending threat.

WORKING CLASS

INNOCENT

British Police in talks to introduce ‘Precrime’ software to catch would-be criminals

HE concept of ‘Precrime’ technology first hit our screens in Steven Spielberg’s 2002 blockbuster movie The Minority Report. The story illustrated how Tom Cruise’s character, Precrime

SOL SUBSTITUTES BORIS

He added: “I bring something new to the table. This is a whole new road for me, something I can get my teeth into, but I just felt it was something I had to do. “I come from a working-class background, it wasn’t easy for me at all, but I worked hard. And now it’s about giving something back.” Earlier this year Campbell ruled out standing for Parliament in Kensington and Chelsea, insisting that his “ambitions lie elsewhere in the political arena”, and he campaigned alongside Tory candidates in the run-up to the general election. Asked whether he could count on the votes of Spurs fans still bitter over his 2001 move to north London rivals Arsenal, Campbell said: “If we keep thinking about football, we’re not going to do anything. We are dealing with people’s lives here. “I want to change London for everybody.” The Conservative Way Forward group confirmed that Campbell had signed up to take part in its mayoral hustings next month. A Conservative Way Forward spokesman said: “We are delighted that candidates like Sol Campbell are throwing their hat in the ring, and coming to debate the future of London at our hustings on 4 July. It’s decision time. The starting gun has been fired. Other candidates now need to decide: are they in or out? London’s future is at stake.” Also in the running for the Tory candidacy are entrepreneur Ivan Massow, current deputy mayor Stephen Greenhalgh and London Assembly member Andrew Boff, while MP Zac Goldsmith has also been tipped as a potential challenger.

Critics say the use of such technology is an affront to human rights and could destroy centuries of legal precedent, leading to a generation who are innocent only until predicted guilty. While supporters point out that at present, such analysis and decisions are made by individuals prone to making mistakes and unable to take into consideration the wealth of information a computer can deal with. Others disagree; one major benefit for its use in the UK could be for child protection and welfare particularly with a child who has been placed on a, at-risk register where information has not been shared with other agencies, another could be the monitoring of paedophiles and their associates.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

6 - WEEKEND WORLD

LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS

Voodoo gang busted for exploiting women

Voodoo artefacts at a market in Lome, Toga

PANISH National Police announced on early this week that they broke up a ring of human traffickers who used juju voodoo and animal sacrifices to coerce women into prostitution. Officers rescued four victims and arrested six

SPANISH JOB MARKET SHOW NEW SIGNS OF RECOVERY SPAIN’S job market continues to improve. New figures released by the Labor Ministry reveal that last month, 213,015 workers were signed up to the Social Security system, this is a 1.25% increase on its previous month. Compared to the same month last year, May 2015 has seen an increase of 592,937 people, a 3.57% rise gain employment. This figure is the strongest since 2005, with the total number of workers signed up to the system now totalling 17,221,310.

GROWTH Registered unemployment also saw positive figures in the fifth month of the year, falling to 4,215,031 people. Excluding seasonal factors, the figure remains positive, with a drop of 34,160 people, according to the ministry’s advance figures. “What’s really important here is that every day there are more people working and contributing to the system,” said secretary of state for Social Security Tomás Burgos in a statement released by the ministry. In terms of areas of the economy, the hostelry sector saw the highest growth (65,563 new contributors), followed by administrative activities (23,096), commerce (19,726) and construction (14,172). Public administration, meanwhile, saw a fall of 11,226 social security affiliates.

members of the organization that used juju voodoo rituals to sexually exploit women, according to a police report. Traffickers reportedly promised the women from Nigerian jobs in Spain, only to force them into prostitution once they brought them to places such as Lanzarote in the Canary Islands and Palma de Mallorca in the Balearics. The traffickers had put the women through a juju voodoo ritual that used the victims’ finger nails or public hair and involved animal sacrifice in front of idols in a temple in order to “guarantee that the women complied with everything they demanded, under threat of death to them and their families”.

OBEDIENCE Juju is a practice originating in West Africa, often characterized by amulets and spells. It has commonly been used to drive Nigerian women into sex trafficking in places like Italy and the United Kingdom by exploiting the women’s fears of the powerful ‘magic’. The women in Spain were also coerced into assuming a debt of up to €50,000, pledging subservience to the group’s madam and the pimps. “Through this ritual, they had to accept full subordination and obedience to the madam and her collaborators until they had completely repaid the imposed debt,” police said in a statement. The traffickers sought out underage girls to obtain the “maximum profitability”, according to police. They also looked for women with precarious financial and family situations, who would be more likely to be deceived by an offer of work in Europe. Police began the investigation into the network in February after finding a woman of sub-Saharan origin who appeared to be a victim of trafficking who then confirmed their suspicions. All traffickers from the group who were in Spain have been arrested and charged with human trafficking for sexual exploitation, membership in a criminal organization, forced prostitution or pimping and crimes against the rights of foreigners.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 7

LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS

Avoid the Nº 4 at all costs

ITH over 300,000 Chinese tourists expected to visit Spain this year and a million by the end of the decade, hotels are rushing to adapt in order to receive a “Chinese-friendly” stamp of approval. Among the adjustments required hoteliers need to ensure that any room booking given to a Chinese guest is not associated with the number 4 whether this be room number of located upon the 4th floor. Why? Because in Mandarin the number four sounds so similar to the word for death that the Chinese go to great lengths to avoid saying it. There should also refrain from any physical contact when greeting guests and the hotel’s visiting card should be presented with both hands. The restaurant menu and other hotel information should be offered in Mandarin, fruit should always be served in portions, never whole. Hot water should be served with meals, especially if the guests have ordered meat, and all rooms should have a kettle, so guests can use them to cook noodles. Furthermore, waiters should remember to serve the eldest or the most highly educated person first.

FRIENDLY The Chinese Friendly International, a world tourism organisation whose endorsement is recognised in all 28 EU member states estimates that 100 million Chinese will leave their country to holiday this year. “It’s paradoxical that Spain, the biggest tourist destination after France and the United States, is practically unknown in China,” said Kurt Grötsch, the chief executive. Currently, there are 14 hotels in Spain which have been rated Chinese-friendly. “ While every hotel wants to ensure its rooms are filled with paying guests one Barcelona hotel which has been approved as Chinese-friendly since 2013 has stated that it no longer wants to be associated with this type of tourism as it drives away other visitors. German tourists, in particular, are inclined to cancel their reservation if they know there will be Chinese in the hotel, a hotel spokesman claimed. Chinese visitors can be very disruptive. They can be rude to other guests, they talk loudly and smoke in areas not designated for smoking. With this in mind the Chinese government has drawn up a blacklist of citizens who behave badly abroad. People found guilty of antisocial behaviour, vandalism, gambling or going to strip clubs will be placed on the list for two years and will face additional, unspecified punishments.

With four sentences the Supreme Court will finally solve the tangled web of the Algarrobico Hotel

WO of the sentences are already solved, but the Supreme has decided to announce all four together in September It will end years of legal wrangling and will finally rule on whether the Algarrobico hotel (pictured above) on the Carboneras beach built by Azata del Sol will be demolished or not. So all four sentences include firstly whether the land where the hotel is built is legally buildable, after two contradictory verdicts from the Andalucía High Court of Justice; secondly the legality of the works licence also validated by the Andalucía High Court and the two last rulings concern the appeals from the constructor against two sentences from the Andalucía High Court of Justice which will determine if the land where the hotel is located should pass into the ownership of the Junta by exercising the right of withdrawal which was granted in 2006.

LIMBO The magistrate in the Supreme Court, Rafael Fernández Valverde, has informed that two of the four procedures are resolved, and ready for sentence, but rather than create any more judicial limbo by only announcing half the sentences now the judge has decided to wait until September, when the future of the hotel should be finally decided. The magistrate gave a word of warning. It’s not enough for a demolition order to be issued, it has to be carried out, and he gave an example of a building in Vigo which remains standing despite a demolition order made in 1990.

Fernández Valverde was visiting Almería when he gave the update, attending the tenth edition of a meeting between the General Council for Judicial Power and the Superior Council of the Architects Colleges in Spain, and during the debate they discussed the idea of removing politics from town planning, which would mean replacing the

politicians with technicians. ‘If a citizen in Belgium or England saw that a politician was taking an interest in an urban design in any municipality, he’d put his hands on his head. The architects have to come up with the technical design following regular criteria’ so said Fernández Valverde.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

8 - WEEKEND WORLD

LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS

Bizarre but true

osters have been put up around a tiny village situated in Northern Spain telling passing pilgrims

‘No pooing’. The signs have been posted by residents who complain that pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela often “leave deposits” on their way through the village, sometimes in the street right in front of their homes. Last year more than 240,000 people travelled the Camino to reach the shrine of St James - a pilgrimage that dates back to the ninth century - the majority on foot but others choose to do it by bicycle, or on horseback. Pilgrims tend to stay in hostels and religious lodgings such as convents and monasteries along the route and use local facilities when they are available. “From time to time we have had complaints from individual landowners about pilgrims going to the loo on their property,” admitted Maite Moreno from the Federation of Friends of the Camino de Santiago, the organization that oversees the pilgrimage paths. ”But this is the first time I have heard of a community doing something to try and stop it,” she told The Local. “The problem is that people go when they need to go. We would encourage pilgrims to be thoughtful about this but we don’t issue them with rules or anything,” she said. “There is no official guide to being a good pilgrim but we expect people to use their common sense, be polite and of course pick up after themselves,” she added. Some in the village of Lastres say the signage is already showing benefits. “People definitely notice them, they stop and take pictures,” Jose Ramon, a resident of Lastres told local Galician newspaper El Progreso.

EU tells Spain it must accept more asylum seekers

HE EU’s executive body dismissed a plea by Spain’s foreign minister that Spain’s own economic situation and battle to control illegal immigration at its own borders should be further taken into account when determining the quotas. The quotas were announced by the European Commission in its European Agenda on Migration on 27th May 2015 and will become mandatory once voted in by the Council of Ministers. It was deemed that Spain will be required to take 4,288 of the 40,000 asylum seekers currently in Italy and Greece destined to be relocated across EU member-states. The figure represents 10.72 % of the total, a far cry below France at 16.88 % and Germany at 21.91% Spain will also be expected to take in a further 1,549 people over the next two years under the voluntary scheme to settle 20,000 people fleeing conflict who are currently residing outside the EU. The quota per country is based on a redistribution key that gives population size a weight of 40%, with a further 40% based on economic growth, 10% on unemployment and 10% on former engagement with asylum seekers. But Spain had argued that both unemployment and immigration figures be

Spain will have to accept more asylum seekers under controversial quotas issued by the European Commission after its complaints over the plan were ignored.

given more weight in the calculation. Ahead of the proposals, Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Garcia-Margallo had asked that the fixed quota would reflect Spain’s high unemployment rate (which stands at 24 %) as well as the nation’s previous efforts to

MODEL BEHAVIOUR

HE Slovakian model Mayka Kukucova who is accused of murdering her British millionaire ex-boyfriend Andrew Bush has been moved to a different jail after a catfight with another inmate turned violent at their prison in Granada near Malaga. Maria Kukucova, 25, who was extradited to Spain and subsequently arrested last year, was thrown into isolation along with the Mexican woman she accused of stealing her mini-skirt. The prisoner she tussled with has now been released from the maximum-security Alhaurin de la Torre jail. Kukucova put in a transfer request after alleging she was being scapegoated by prison warders who blamed her for the incident instead of treating her as the victim of an assault. The couple in happier times

absorb asylum seekers. “Pledging to take in migrants to whom you cannot provide work would be, in my opinion, providing a bad service,” he argued at a meeting in Brussels earlier this month. The plan took no account of the “huge effort we are making to control migration from Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal which impacts the whole EU”, Margallo added.

PROTECTION The new measure is intended to apply to the 24,000 Syrians and Eritreans who arrived in Italy after April 15th and are deemed to be in need of protection. A further 16,000 migrants who arrived in Greece from the two countries should also be relocated, the EU said. The European Commission said the chosen number represents approximately 40% of asylum seekers in clear need of protection who arrived in Italy and Greece last year. More than 1,800 migrants have died in the Mediterranean in 2015 - a 20-fold increase on the same period in 2014. Some 60,000 people have already tried to make the perilous crossing this year, the UN estimates. Countries will be offered €6,000 per person, for every person relocated on their territory under the proposal.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 9

LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS

‘10 Killer’ in court

Numbers are up

ITH a 4.4% growth in tourism already achieved for the 1st quarter of this year (Jan–April), tourist numbers for this summer are expected to be the highest ever recorded. Last year the Costa del Sol welcomed 10.2 million visitors to its shores, Elías Bendodo, the president of the Costa del Sol tourism board, explained that during 2014, it was noted that 60% of the visitors had in fact

been to the Málaga province before, with 15.4% frequent flyers with ten or more visits under their belt. So with this in mind Elías Bendodo signed an agreement in Madrid at the beginning of February with Spain’s Industry, Energy and Tourism minister José Manuel Soria to steer additional funds of €1 million towards 11 dedicated protourism projects in the province to help bolster its already world-class tourism image. These projects are thought to include infra-

NOT THE CASE According to the study, most smokers are unaware of where their cigarettes or rolling tobacco comes from and what constitutes as a legal sale. In Andalucia only a third knew that officially tobacco can only be brought in Spain as “estancos” and from automatic vending machines. According to Juan Moreno, the president of UCA- UCE, smokers are keen to buy cheaper cigarettes but ignore the potential health risks involved in purchasing contraband products. Despite this and other arguments it appears, though, that illegal cigarette production and smuggling is on the increase across Spain.

structural improvements to popular hiking and rural attractions, residential upkeep in certain towns and villages, and improvements to roads and other key parts of the region’s street furniture. Last years the average visitors spent approximately €835 so this commitment of additional spending could see the province gain in excess of €8 billion in tourists spending which would be a welcomed boast for many local businesses.

BOO HOO

What a Fag

CCORDING to a market study presented by multinational tobacco company Altadis and the Consumers’ Association of Andalucia (UCA-UCE), contraband tobacco accounts for one in eight of all cigarettes in Spain, this means as much as 38% of all smokers purchasing their cigarettes and tobacco through illegal channels. The prevalence of illegal cigarettes is attested to by recent arrests whereby a clandestine factory in Seville was busted in January of this year for producing up to 65,000 packs of cigarettes a day and hauls like the one in March in which 83,000 packs of illegal cigarettes were intercepted in Huelva.

ERMAN serial killer Abdelkader Salhi has appeared in the Malaga Provincial Courts for the brutal murder of three women; two sexual workers and a masseur. Salhi, 46, became known as the ‘10 killer’ after he allegedly murdered two prostitutes on August 10th and September 10th in 2011. After an extensive police operation Salhi, was arrested at a gym near his home in Fontana Beach, Riviera del Sol, a kilometre from the first victim’s house in October 2011. At the time of his arrest, he was using a forged Irish passport which was in the name of Martin Sparitt. He also had allegedly forged French and Italian passports but was identified as being born in Wiesbaden, Germany, to a Moroccan father and German mother.

PP looks to introduce punishment laws if you boo at the Spanish National Anthem.

OLLOWING the loud boos and jeers heard from the stands of Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium at the King’s Cup final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao when the Spanish National Anthem was played, the Popular Party (PP) is examining a law change to ensure that such actions do not go unpunished in the future. The jeering was “an event that offends us,” it was an “insult” and a “horror” said PP spokesman Carlos Floriano. The Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez phoned King Felipe VI personally to express his solidarity after the jeering, and party sources have said that the kind of democratic regeneration it defends includes “bringing back prestige to the institutions,” which is a complete contrast to the behaviour and contempt shown towards the Spanish anthem at the Nou Camp. The Catalan regional premier Artur Mas, who led the pro-sovereignty effort that ended with an informal referendum on in-

dependence last year, however plays down the importance of the incident stating, “I have attended other King’s Cup finals, for instance the one that these same two teams played in Valencia, and there was also jeering,” he said after Saturday’s game. “If the Spanish government insists on issuing threats and being ridiculous, the only thing it will achieve is for people to feel like booing even more.”

CRIME Carlos Floriano said the Popular Party was analysing legislation in other countries where attacking national symbols is a crime, and says the party vehemently disagrees with a High Court ruling that found that similar booing at the 2009 King’s Cup final was acceptable in a country with freedom of expression yet with the PP’s political term coming to an end, no legal reform can possibly take place before parliament is dissolved in late September.

German national Abdelkader Salhi in court Salhi, was charged with murder, aggravated robbery, identity theft, fraud and document forgery and upon visiting his apartment in Calahonda police found the body of a third woman. Police also discovered that he had served time in prison after being sentenced to 18 years back in 1988 for killing a woman during a robbery in Germany. In his testimony Salhi, told the Judicial Police of the Guardia Civil that he felt ‘a great disgust & loathing’ towards prostitutes because they had been the cause of his parents’ separation because ‘his father was accustom to using their services’. The first victim, Susana MF, originally from Argentina, was killed on August 10 in Calahonda, Spain. The 45-year-old was found dead by her son the next day at her apartment with 17 stab wounds. She also had a pillowcase round her neck and a pillow over her face while her credit card and mobile phone had been stolen.

MISSING The second victim, Maryuri Alice PG, 47, originally from Ecuador, was killed exactly one month later on September 10th in an apartment she shared in San Pedro de Alcantara. She too had been stabbed numerous times 13 to be exact and again her credit cards and mobile phone were also missing. The body of the third victim was discovered by Police in an apartment in Calahonda. The body of German-born Brigitte SR, 49, was found on September 2nd, although death was estimated to have taken place about a week prior. The Public Prosecutor’s Office at Malaga Provincial Court has warned he may face up to 63 years in jail if found guilty. He is charged with various crimes including one of murder and two of manslaughter and also a total of €240,000 in damages for the families of the three deceased.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

10 - WEEKEND WORLD

LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS

Ronaldo’s mum stopped at airport with €55,000

The 61-year-old mother of the Real Madrid football star, Dolores Aveiro, was stopped last month while trying to leave Spain for Portugal with €55,000 inside her carry-on luggage. Officers of the Spanish Civil Guard temporarily took Ronaldo’s mum, a cook by profession, into custody because the amount exceeded the travel limit of €10,000 for traveling abroad. Because Aveiro could not account for how she had obtained the €55,000, officials confiscated €45,000, but allowed her to continue on to Portugal with the permitted €10,000 amount. This remaining money will stay in police custody until Aveiro can present documents to show from where exactly the money came. Trying to leave Spain with an amount of money that exceeds legal limits is not considered a crime, but rather an administrative offence. Aveiro’s money is in the custody of customs officers with the Tax Agency, who will negotiate an economic sanction against her because she infringed regulations designed to prevent money laundering. To recover the funds Aveiro will have to pay the fine as deemed by the tax agency.

The mother of star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo was stopped at Madrid’s airport for trying to take far too much cash out of Spain on her way home to Portugal.

Moving money overseas? Get bank-beating exchange rates and fee-free transfers

Get in touch T +34 952 906 581 E costadelsol@currenciesdirect.com W currenciesdirect.com

SPA - Weekend world 1/4 page - v1.indd 1

05/06/2015 10:44

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 11

LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS

The HITS & MISSES TO MARK the 1st anniversary of the abdication of King Juan Carlos, we take a look at the high and low points of King Felipe’s first year on the throne. HIT Slashing his own salary by a fifth In his first royal budget as king, Felipe announced that he would earn 20% less than his father had as King, earning praise for a concrete step in trying to redeem the royal family’s image, especially during a time of severe belt-tightening for the majority of Spaniards.

MISS Ongoing saga of the Infanta Cristina It has been one headache after another when it comes to the ongoing fraud case involving King Felipe’s sister, the Infanta Cristina. In December 2014 it was announced that she would be tried in court for tax fraud, a first for the Spanish royal family. This announcement cast a long shadow over Felipe’s first Christmas speech as king and has been causing embarrassing headlines for the Spanish royal family all year.

HIT King Felipe bans freebies for Spanish royals In another move to reverse the commonly held view of the royal family are a bunch of freeloaders, King Felipe announced in December 2014 that members of the royal family were no longer allowed to accept expensive gifts, including free flights and favours that “could compromise the dignity of the institution”.

MISS Living in the shadow of Juan Carlos King Juan Carlos may have abdicated, but his legacy as a blunder-hit royal continues. This year, despite trying to keep a low profile, Felipe’s father became embroiled in a paternity claim as well as facing fresh allegations of a long running affair in a sensational new book that has been flying off the shelves in Spain.

HIT Speaking out against Spain’s brain drain Despite attempts by the Spanish government to cast the country’s brain drain in a positive light, King Felipe made a powerful speech at a Spanish National Research Council event in November 2014 calling on the Spanish government to prevent the country from suffering a “lost generation” of scientists.

MISS The commemorative peace coin ‘celebrating’ Franco’s dictatorship The first commemorative coin to bare the face of Spain’s new monarch caused controversy by declaring “70 years of peace” in Europe. The coin was made in celebration of 70 years since the end of the Second World War but many Spaniards argued that Spain was far from living in peace during the 36 year fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.

HIT More transparency In December 2014, the Spanish government launched a new transparency portal, partly in response to a series of governmental corruption cases that had seriously eroded the

A fresh and modern look trust ordinary Spaniards had in their politicians and monarchy. Members of the public can access never before seen data on the Spanish royal family, government and various other public institutions.

MISS A mischievous nephew Felipe’s nephew, Froilán has been nicknamed the royal bad boy and hopes that he might start behaving himself now that he is fourth in line to the throne have been shattered. He shot himself in the foot (literally) as well as failed his end of year exams (twice), which got him kicked out of school. He recently hit the headlines after a “don’t you know who I am”? hissy fit in a Madrid theme park during which he hurled racist abuse at a teenager who asked him to queue up like everyone else. Not exactly the best example of Spain’s next generation of royals.

HIT Introducing a fresh, modern look Felipe has undoubtedly brought a new, modern face to the Spanish monarchy and Spaniards have welcomed the fresh new look of their royals. King Felipe and Queen Letizia are regularly referred to as “Europe’s best looking royals” with Queen Letizia featured regularly on the fashion pages around the world. Felipe has also been a uniting force; the entre royal family, including Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia (who, it is often rumoured, live separate lives) turned up for little Princess Leonor’s First Holy Communion in May.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

12 - WEEKEND WORLD

LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS

Ashya returns to Marbella

Ashya on the mend

IX year old Ashya King will return to the Costa Del Sol this week to host a party in celebration of his remission from the brain cancer that had previously put his life at risk. Aysha will be joined by 14 other young cancer sufferers and their families alongside his own parents for the

party which is being held on 13th June at the Hospital High Care in Marbella, the hospital where Ashya underwent rehabilitation following the proton beam treatment in the Czech Republic; that has according to recent scans cleared his brain of any sign of the brain tumour he previously suffered from.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT SAYS COUNTRY ABLE TO HOST 2022 WORLD CUP THE British government says England is ready to step in and host the 2022 World Cup if the tournament is stripped from Qatar amid the corruption scandal engulfing FIFA. “Obviously if FIFA came forward and asked us to consider hosting it, we have the facilities in this country and of course we did mount a very impressive, if unsuccessful bid to host the 2018 World Cup,” culture secretary John Whittingdale told the House of Commons. However, Whittingdale acknowledged that “it does seem very unlikely that another European country would host it in 2022” because Russia is due to stage the World Cup in 2018. Swiss authorities are investigating the bidding contests for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments, and have seized documents at FIFA headquarters as part of their corruption probe.

Proton beam therapy It was very different circumstances that brought the family to Malaga province last year. Having discharged their son from the care of Southampton General Hospital, a European arrest warrant was issued and Aysha parents were taken into custody after being found in the province. They were however, released following widespread outrage after it quickly became apparent that Brett and Neghema King were in fact seeking alternative treatment for their desperately ill son. The Director of Hospital International Marbella High Care, Hernan Cortes Funes, recommended they fly to Prague for Proton Therapy Treatment after identifying it as a much less invasive treatment with less risk of damage to Ayshas still developing brain than the family where being offered I Southampton, to which his parents objected.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 13

14 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 15

GENERAL NEWS

Churchill’s secret bolthole could soon be brought back to life

HIDDEN HISTORY

FOUL PLAY ANIMAL activists demand Britain’s oldest pub change its name to ‘Celebrate intelligent Chickens’ Activists have called on an eighth century pub to change its name from ‘Ye Olde Fighting Cocks’ to ‘Ye Olde Clever Cocks’ to reflect today’s compassion for animals. Animal rights group Peta (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) wants the St Albans pub to adopt a new name to ‘celebrate chickens as the intelligent, sensitive animals they are. The pub, which is in the Guinness Book of Records as the UK’s oldest, has had its current name since 1872 due to its history of cock fighting a sport which was banned outright in England and Wales in 1835 but now ‘Ye Olde Fighting Cocks’ is facing a call to change its name.

Ye oldest pub in England

N ABANDONED Underground station used by Winston Churchill as a bunker during World War II could soon become London’s latest go-to bar or gallery under a plan launched by the city’s transport agency. Tucked neatly away under the luxurious Mayfair area, Down Street was opened in 1907 but closed in 1937 and its dark warren of tunnels have sat silently for the last 83 years gathering a thick layer of black dust. Now Transport for London (TfL) hopes it will be the first of seven or eight off-limits empty stations under the capital to be leased for commercial use. During the war, the station was first used as the emergency headquarters of the British rail system.

Down Street station, then and now

BOMBING It was then used by Churchill and his war cabinet for meetings to avoid Nazi bombing before the better known Cabinet War Rooms in Whitehall were built. The station is equipped with a kitchen, a dining room and a bathroom used by Churchill and his staff. Officials believe that a jumble of telephone cables lying in a corner also points to the station’s use as an underground communications centre. The plan is for the parts of the station of greatest historical interest to be opened to the public for tours, while some 400 square metres (4,300 square feet) would be leased for commercial use. One tunnel could become a shoe shop, according to plans sketched out by the architecture firm Carmody Groarke for TfL. The most promising space

is the former lift shaft, which has a surface area of 156 square metres. Designers say that on different levels it could host a mini-theatre or restaurant, a boutique and a bar. Around 100 investors have shown interest and now have until June 22 to submit their proposals. For inspiration bidders can look at two other Underground stations; An unused part of Clapham North has become an underground urban farm and a tunnel at Charing Cross station used as a James Bond film set will be hosting cinema screenings later this month.

The owners of the pub that has roots in the eighth century say they won’t be changing its name. Pub landlord Christo Tofalli told local newspaper The Herts Advertiser: “Every time someone comes in to this pub, they are being exposed to a bit of the country’s history and we celebrate the fact that cock fighting was abolished more than 150 years ago. From the feedback we have received we can see that our customers from wherever they are feel strongly that it’s important to preserve our national identity as well as local history.” In its lengthy history, the pub has had at least two other names, including its original title of the Round House. After cockfighting was banned in 1849, the pub was called The Fisherman — but that change was relatively short-lived. In 1872, it was back to Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, according to the pub’s website. On the pub’s Facebook page, its owner thanked customers for their support, summarizing the public’s response as “1. History rocks 2. Pubs rock 3. Chicken jokes.” Elsewhere, local punters took to social media to express their outrage at the suggestion. Alasdair Melville, 31, used to work at the pub having attended St Albans Boys Schoo and is now Director of Hawk & Chadwick Estate Agents in the St Albans and Harpenden area added ‘Rather than worrying about the name of a pub, I think PETA should worry about looking after chickens at chicken farms for example. There is a better way to make a point.’ PETA have said that even if the pub’s not going to change its name, it wants to raise awareness of the plight of chickens, which it calls “one of the most abused animals on the planet.”

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

16 - WEEKEND WORLD

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Denmark world’s least corrupt country – again A new global study has concluded that Danes enjoy the world’s best and fairest rule of law.

N a study released by the World Justice Project (WJP), Denmark narrowly nipped Norway to claim first place as the world’s least corrupt country. Both nations scored 0.87 in the so-called ‘Rule of Law Index’, in which 1 is a perfect score, but Denmark was given the highest global rating. The index ranks 102 countries on how the rule of law is experienced by citizens and claims to be the most comprehensive study of its kind. Denmark ranked first in constraints on gov-

ernment powers and absence of corruption, while it came in sixth in the world in terms of regulatory enforcement. While Denmark, Norway and Sweden took the top three spots, the bottom of the list was rounded out by Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Venezuela. The United Kingdom was placed in 12th position a drop of 2 places from last year with Spain gaining 4 places moving up from 28th spot to 24th. The scores were determined from assessments of 1,000 respondents in each country

and local legal experts. Key indicators included: constraints on government powers; absence of corruption; open government; fundamental rights; order and security; regulatory enforcement; civil justice; criminal justice and informal justice. The top 10 countries in the WJP Rule of Law Index were: 1. Denmark 2. Norway 3. Sweden 4. Finland 5. Netherlands 6. New Zealand 7. Austria 8. Germany 9. Singapore 10. Australia

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 17

18 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 19

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

LOST LOVE Any hope that the love locks clinging to Paris’ famed Pont des Arts Bridge would last forever have been unromantically dashed by the city council’s as the locks have been removed!

HE touching but toxic gesture of love between couples that sign their names on a padlock, lock it to the bridge railing and throw the key into the river Seine below symbolizes a love that cannot be broken. It started about a decade ago on several historic bridges and seemed so romantic and sweet that it attracted ever more couples “locking” their love forever in the world’s most romantic city. As the craze spread through Paris, as happens with many “genuine” local traditions it was “discovered” by diverse interests in the tourist industry and simply spun out of control. The “secret” love ritual turned into a massive attraction, newlyweds now make it a central feature of their honeymoon package. Widely regarded as an eyesore on Paris’ most picturesque bridge, which overlooks the Eif-

Workmen removing the love locks

fel Tower, the padlocks have also became a symbol of danger after a chunk of fencing fell o under the sheer weight of the them. The city council have announced that the several hundred thousand padlocks in places around Paris cause “long-term heritage degradation and a risk for visitors’ security.”

GRAFFITI The bridge, which overlooks the Eiffel Tower, was closed for one week in June while the padlocks were removed. Currently, the Pont des Arts is covered with graffiti-covered plywood panels, but they will be replaced with artwork from international artists, according to the No Love Locks campaign. Then in October, glass panels will be installed on both the Pont des Arts and the Pont de l’Archevêché, another bridge crossing the Seine river.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

20 - WEEKEND WORLD

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

MID fears of resurgent anti-Semitism across Europe, Spanish officials have arrested an unnamed woman for online incitement to

kill Jews. The woman, 28, a foreign national residing in Ribaforada, Spain, uploaded a number of videos calling for the maiming and “extermination” of Jews and Zionists, Eldiario reported (Spanish). Officials issued an arrest warrant for the woman due to the “brutality of the content” she created, for which she is expected to be tried on several counts of inciting hatred and violence through audio-visual material on various social networks.

CONFISCATED A number of her videos garnered thousands of views, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior said in a statement. Officials also confiscated computer and video equipment from the woman’s premises when she was arrested last week.

Woman arrested in Spain for online antiSemitic videos Foreign national, 28, garnered thousands of hits with posted clips calling on viewers to ‘catch and kill all the Jews’ In one video, three women in Muslim garb were reportedly seen chanting, “Catch and kill all the Jews. Strike them and make the Jews bleat like animals. Exterminate the Zionists. Exterminate them, exterminate them, the world will be better off,” while one of the women stabbed a doll of an Orthodox Jew with a knife.

The Anti-Defamation League praised the move, but claimed that little else was being done to stem the tide of growing anti-Semitism across Europe. “If you call for Jews to be killed, you should be prosecuted and go to jail,” ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman said in a statement. “That should be the standard,

especially in Europe where we have seen several anti-Semitic murders over the past few years. Spain deserves praise for upholding that principle in this case, even though Spain and other European governments have failed to prosecute other instances of clear incitement to murder Jews,” he said. In an ADL survey publicized last year, 29%of Spanish interviewees were found to harbour anti-Semitic views — higher than any other Western European group. Of those canvassed in Spain, 65% said Jews are more loyal to Israel than their home countries, while 53% said Jews hold too much power in the business world.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 21

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

22 - WEEKEND WORLD

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

PIRATE FREED FROM JAIL

Tony Blair takes new role in fighting antiSemitism BRITAIN’S former prime minister, Tony Blair, is taking a new role in combatting anti-Semitism in Europe, days after stepping down as the international community’s Mideast envoy. Blair revealed last week he will chair the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation, a group which champions legislation and dialogue on tolerance. Writing in The Times newspaper, Blair and businessman Moshe Kantor argue that racism in the name of religion must be tackled with new laws. They cited a report by the Kantor Center at Tel Aviv University, which found 2014 was one of the worst years in the past decade for anti-Semitic incidents. Blair quit his position last week, leaving a post that had begun with great hope but which struggled to deliver in its quest to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

REDRIK NEIJ (pictured above), the Swedish co-founder of the illegal file sharing site Pirate Bay, is celebrating his release from jail after spending more than six months in prison. The Pirate Bay icon, 37, has been in prison in Skänninge in Sweden since November 2014, following his arrest on the Thailand-Laos border. He had been on the run for four years since 2010, when he escaped to Southeast Asia after being released on bail following a sentencing for hacking crimes. After serving two thirds of his 10-month jail term, Neij headed to Murphy’s Irish bar in Jönköping in southern Sweden to celebrate his release. “Finally, I am enjoying a beer,” he told regional newspaper Jönköpings-Posten (JP). Describing his time in prison, he said he had

been placed alongside a group of “professional criminals” who had spent “more time in prison than in the real world during their adult lives”, he said that he had had access to 13 cable television channels and had spent most of his time watching sci-fi series. Unlike some of his peers, he had not been given access to a computer or been allowed to go online. “They considered me to be a super hacker,” he told the paper.

SHARING He described his experiences on the run and in prison as “worth it”, adding: “I stood up for freedom of expression.” Founded in 2003, The Pirate Bay evolved into one of the most visited sites for sharing copyrighted works, allowing users to skirt fees and share music, film and other files offered

on the site. The site’s founders Fredrik Neij, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg and Peter Sunde were sent to prison in 2009 for promoting copyright infringement with the website. Also sentenced to a year was the financier of the site, 50-year-old Carl Lundström. In addition, the group was ordered to pay a total of 46 million kronor ($6.9 million) in damages for copyright infringement to the music and movie industry. Neij told JönköpingsPosten that he had no plans to resume working for the site, which has managed to remain online, despite being deemed illegal.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 23

ADVERTORIAL

24 - WEEKEND WORLD

LA MANGA CLUB Sports & Leisure

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 25

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

PINK FAMILIES 21 down just another 175 to go!

N the days following Ireland legalisation to allow same-sex marriage, another country has already added its approval to the growing list of nations where couples of any gender can walk down the aisle, Greenland’s parliament voted unanimously to adopt Danish laws allowing equal unions on Tuesday 26th May. This means that there are 21 countries around the world that recognise same sex-marriage these are:

try to legalize gay marriage in 2013 was New Zealand. The bill passed with a wide majority. Seventy votes in favour and 44 against. New Zealand was the first country in the Asia Pacific region to legalize gay marriage.

1. The Netherlands The first legal gay marriage in the world took place in Amsterdam in the Netherlands on April 1, 2001.

16. Brazil

2. Belgium Belgium legalized gay marriages shortly after the Netherlands in 2003. 3. Spain In 2005 the first same-sex couple married in Spain 4. Canada National legislation was passed in Canada to allow for same-sex marriage in 2005. 5. South Africa South Africa was the first African country to legalize gay marriage. This became legal in 2006. 6 and 7. Norway and Sweden Norway and Sweden legalized gay marriage three years later in 2009. 8, 9 and 10. Portugal, Iceland and Argentina In the following year (2010) three more countries legalized gay marriage: Portugal, Iceland and Argentina. Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage. 11. Mexico On March 4, 2010 Mexico City’s Legislative Assembly voted 39-20 to uphold the freedom to marry for same-sex couples on December 21, 2009. The law defines marriage as “the free uniting of two people.” The bill also legalizes adoption by gay couples 12. Denmark In June 2012 same-sex marriage became legal in Denmark. This law was passed 23 years after they had passed their civil partnership act in 1989. 13 and 14. Uruguay and New Zealand The second Latin American country to legalize gay marriage was Uruguay in April 2013. The marriage equality law was approved by the Senate 23 votes to 8. The second coun-

15. France France’s upper house of parliament voted to legalize gay marriage in April 2013. They approved the bill with only small changes. The bill was passed in the lower house in May 2013. Brazil also legalized same-sex marriage in May 2013. This development followed years of having the rights of same-sex couples in the spotlight. In 2011 same-sex couples were legally entitled to legal recognition of their relationship if they lived together. But it wasn’t until May 2013 when a ruling was made that required civil registers in Brazil to perform same-sex marriages. 17. USA In June 2013 the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was repealed in the US. This meant that the US federal government now recognizes same-sex marriage. However, as states in the US are still able to make their own decisions regarding the legalization of samesex marriage many have not accepted this move. Currently only 13 states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Washington and Vermont) and Washington, DC allow the union of gay couples. 18. UK In 2013 the UK government backed a bill to legalize gay marriage, and on July 18th 2013 the Queen’s Royal Assent was granted to the bill. The bill then officially became law once its Royal Assent was announced in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Lords formally approved the bill on July 15th 2013, and it went back to the House of Commons for their final approval on July 16th 2013 to ensure protections for transgender couples. The new law, for example, enables married individuals to change their legal gender without having to end their marriage. However, in England and Wales established Churches of England and Wales are still banned from conducting same-sex marriage. Regardless, the first gay weddings took place one minute past midnight on Saturday March 29 2014. 19. Luxembourg Lawmakers in Luxembourg approved samesex marriage in June 2014. A Partenariat (PACS), which is a legal alternative to mar-

riage, was available for heterosexual and same-sex couples since 1994. The same-sex marriage bill was passed with a majority of 56 votes to four votes. 20. Ireland With much fan-fare and media hype, Ireland’s national referendum on the 22nd May to legalise same-sex marriage was voted in marking a pivotal moment in the evolving relationship between Church and State. 21. Greenland On the 26th May 2015, MPs in the country, which has a population of 57,000, voted unanimously to adopt Danish legislation on the issue. Going into effect from the 1st October 2015, the new law also grants adoption rights to same-sex couples. This recognition has reignited debates in

Australia, Italy, Northern Ireland and other nations where as yet they do recognise samesex marriage, “If a country which is religiously conservative by cultural history can vote for marriage equality, then surely a modern Australia can endorse marriage equality in 2015”, said Bill Shorten, the leader of the opposition Labor Party Australia. The Vatican has of course condemned the move with a senior Vatican official attacking the legalisation of gay marriage in Ireland, describing it as a “defeat for humanity” this outburst has not however changed Italian public opinion a survey published by Italian newspaper La Stampa found that 51% of voters support gay marriage in a country in which the Catholic Church still wields considerable political influence. Times are a changing!

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

26 - WEEKEND WORLD

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

GOD’S BANKS PROFITS SOAR

HE Vatican bank, officially called the Institute for Religious Works, has announced that in 2014 it has managed to increase its profits by €2.9 million on the previous year with a year-end profit of €69.3m. Once tainted by scandal and intrigue a management team was introduced in early 2013 as part of an overhaul ordered by the Pope to stamp out corruption & money laundering. Under this root-and-branch reform, the bank has closed down more than 4,500 accounts and it is believed that 550 were shut down primarily because it was deemed that their holders did not meet new, stricter criteria regarding tax evasion, money-laundering and transparency. Although this loss did impact the balance sheets initially, the man responsible for the Vatican’s finances Cardinal George Pell (who heads the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy) says he found millions of Euros “tucked away” off balance sheets in sectional accounts. Until the reforms ordered by Pope Francis, the bank had a distinctly patchy record on financial propriety and transparency. Most notorious was its involvement in the bankruptcy of Italy’s largest private bank, the Banco Ambrosiano, in 1982. Its president, Roberto Calvi, nicknamed “God’s Banker”, was found hanged beneath London’s Blackfriars Bridge, with investigators unable to rule whether he had commit- The Swiss Guard guarding ted suicide or was murdered, possibly by the Mafia. the Vatican’s millions

Closet thief

MYSTERIOUS thief preying on German government offices appears to have struck again - and stolen the loo seats from the brand new interior ministry. Days before ministry officials moved into their new €208 million offices, someone broke in and stripped the bathrooms of everything they could move: toilet seats, taps, even toilet paper holders. The incident comes just two months after burglars stole all the taps from the new building for Germany’s spy agency the BND (Bundesnachrichtendienst). Thomas de Maiziere, who as interior minister and responsible for security, is facing embarrassing jibes from colleagues that he can’t even secure the lavatories in his own offices. Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière has recently spoken with concern at the rising frequency of break-ins in the country, lecturing Germans on the need to be vigilant about securing their homes however after a second government break-in this year, de Maizière is facing embarrassing jibes from colleagues that he can’t even secure the lavatories in his own offices it seems he no longer has a leg to stand on or rather a toilet seat to sit on!

Thomas de Maiziere, who as interior minister is responsible for security, is facing embarrassing jibes that he can’t even secure the lavatories in his own offices

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 27

28 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 29

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Sotheby’s to sell art saved by Monuments Men A 1901 painting of Two Riders on a Beach by Max Liebermann is to be sold at auction in London next month by the heirs of the original owners. It was held by Hildebrandt Gurlitt, Hitler’s art dealer, and was only recovered last year. One of the rightful heirs -- to whom the painting was returned -- last remembered seeing it the day his greatuncle property developer & tycoon David Friedmann signed over his estate to the Nazis at a villa in what is now Poland. He was later arrested in November 1938 in the wake of Kristallnacht -- a series of attacks against Jews in Germany and Austria. “I was instructed to wait outside the room in which the paperwork was being signed,” David Torén was quoted by Sotheby’s as saying in a statement. “It was in there, in the conservatory, that I sat opposite the beautiful painting of the two horse riders on the beach”. In 1942 the painting was sold by the Nazi regime and eventually bought by Hildebrandt Gurlitt, an art dealer who had been instructed by Adolf Hitler to take great works from museums and Jewish collectors. It was seized in 1945 by the Monuments Men, a group

by George Clooney. In 2012 a total of about 1,600 works, including valuable works by Picasso, Monet and Chagall among other masters, were discovered in home owned Gurlitt’s son Cornelius, who has since died. A task force investigating the provenance of the paintings said in December it had received more than 200 queries about specific works by possible heirs.

RISING

Two Riders on a Beach which was recovered last year formed by the Allied armies to protect cultural treasures, but then returned to Gurlitt in 1950 in the absence of documentation on its rightful owner. The work of the Monuments Men was turned into a 2014 film directed, produced and written

Sotheby’s said the sale of the painting would take place on June 24th and estimated the minimum sale price at €480,000 rising upwards to €771,000. “I am 90 years old now and blind so, while the return of the paintings after so many years is of huge personal significance, I can no longer appreciate the painting as I did all those years ago,” said Toren, who escaped Germany, grew up in Sweden and now lives in New York. The Gurlitt trove has thrown a spotlight on the problem of looted art still held by museums and in private collections nearly 70 years after World War II.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

30 - WEEKEND WORLD

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NETFLIX CONFIRMS SPAIN LAUNCH

FTER months of speculation, US online streaming service Netflix has officially confirmed it will be launching in Spain this October, with a reduced catalogue that boasts series and films similar to those available on the versions of the streaming service available in France and Germany Although the exact details are not yet known, the Spanish service will offer both national and international film and TV content. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said in a recent interview, “I think Spain is going to be one of our most successful countries, there is a very high penetration of broadband Internet, and people are used to e-commerce and have shown they are interested in our product.”

DISTRIBUTION The catalogue of series and movies available at launch time is likely to be more limited than that offered in the US and the UK. What’s more, two of the major series that Netflix produces itself, House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black, will not be on the platform because Canal+ already owns their Spanish broadcast rights. However, many other original Netflix series that have yet to part with their distribution rights in Spain, such as Daredevil – the most-viewed of its own shows on the platform – Marco Polo, Bloodline, Grace and Frankie, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, will all feature on the catalogue at launch time. Upcoming offerings such as Sense8, Narcos

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and French series Marseille may also be included as well. Netflix will be available for smart TVs, tablet devices, smartphones, computers, and video game consoles, and content will be available both dubbed into Spanish or in its original version with Spanish subtitles. Netflix’s arrival in Spain has been a long time coming as a result of several issues, including the country’s high digital piracy rates and the large royalty payments demanded by the Spanish film and TV industry. The exact subscription price hasn’t yet been decided, but it is thought it will be similar in price to that of other European countries.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

EEKEND

WORLD

focuses on

GIBRALTAR

WEEKEND WORLD - 31

32 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 33

FOCUS ON GIBRALTAR Gibraltar MEP, William Dartmouth regrets resignation of the Rock’s Governor

OLLOWING the announcement of the resignation of the Governor of Gibraltar William Dartmouth MEP, who represents the Rock in the European Parliament said, “I am very sad to learn of the resignation of Sir James Dutton. I share his obviously deep sense of frustration at discovering that our Foreign Office regarded his job as little more than ceremonial. He is a man who has taken his responsibility to the Rock and its people with the utmost seriousness”.

Resignation regret

DEFENCE Dartmouth went on, “As Governor he represents Her Majesty the Queen directly and not the British government and his role is to be responsible for external affairs, internal security and defence. It is not a job that can be second guessed by a Foreign office bureaucrat. Nor indeed a Government that seems to be more concerned about pandering to Spain. It is doing this as part of its tactical manoeuvring to obtain European Union reform than it is to standing up for the interests and safety of Gibraltar. “Sadly I presume that the next Governor will not have the distinguished military background of Sir James and if that is so there is little chance of Gibraltar having an enhanced Royal Navy presence to halt the persistent incursion of Spain into Gibraltar’s territorial waters. “The Military importance of Gibraltar is higher now than it has been in decades, with the growth of Islamist terrorism in the Maghreb and the current migration crisis in the Mediterranean. Now is not the time to downgrade the Rock or its Governor”.

Vindication for Controversial Reef laid in Gibraltar

T has been a source of contention for over two years, the artificial reef that drew furious protests from Spain when it was laid in Gibraltar waters is now “exploding with life” according to Gibraltar’s department of the environment. Reports by the department’s team of divers say that the 70 concrete blocks sunk near Gibraltar airport’s runway are already home to a large range of marine species from octopuses to triggerfish to conger and moray eels. The creation of the reef in July 2013 led to accusations from Spain that it was a deliberate ploy to prevent its fishing fleet from operating in the area. An area that Spain claims as its own, because it doesn’t recognise Gibraltar’s right to territorial waters. In retaliation Spain intensified border checks causing crippling delays for traffic in and out of Gibraltar and has blocked Gibraltar from joining the Single European Sky Project. Greenpeace, Celia Ojeda (Spain) spokesman for oceans and fishing, stated that Spain and Gibraltar have “plenty of other problems to solve in Algeciras Bay, such as the high levels of pollution. This is a diplomatic conflict over maritime sovereignty and not an environmental one”.

POLAND REMOVES GIBRALTAR FROM TAX BLACKLIST POLAND has removed Gibraltar from its list of countries it considers are non-cooperative for tax purposes. The move releases Gibraltar-based companies from previous restrictions. It follows steps taken by the Gibraltar Government to ensure compliance with international standards in the area of tax transparency, including its adoption of the Common Reporting Standard, it’s signing of tax information exchange agreements, and it’s entering into Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) arrangements with the United Kingdom and the US.

JURISDICTION Poland now joins a number of other countries which have taken similar measures to recognize Gibraltar as an internationally cooperative jurisdiction in the area of tax information exchange. Over the last six months or so, Canada, Estonia, and Italy have also removed Gibraltar from their lists.

34 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 35

FOCUS ON GIBRALTAR

SECURING THE STRAITS

T is the world’s busiest shipping lane: around 110,000 vessels traveling between south-east Asia, China and the Middle East and the Atlantic coastline of Europe, Africa, and the United States, passed through it 2014, while around half of the world’s trade, a third of its oil and gas, and 80% of the goods and gas consumed by the EU, all move through this 100-kilometer maritime corridor. The Strait of Gibraltar constitutes as a security headache of mass proportions. Ships in the Strait pass along two channels just 2.5 nautical miles wide in either direction, the Mediterranean’s two busiest ports; Algeciras, which has become a strategic point in the transport of goods between East and West, handled around five million containers in 2014, while across the Strait in Morocco, three million more went through Tanger Med I, which was opened in 2007.

ATTACK Between them, these two ports handle more than 13 million containers a year, so any serious event that interferes with the passage of ships – such as a catastrophe, terrorist attack, spill, or accident involving a ferry or oil tanker would bring a halt to the movement of traffic setting of chain reaction that would endanger energy supplies, send oil and prices up, and rock the world economy creating a global crisis. Since the attacks of 9/11, the USA has placed the Strait at the centre of NATO operations to counter the ongoing threat of jihadist groups and their illegal activities most notably drugs, arms, and people trafficking. Morocco is the world’s secondlargest producer of hashish after Afghanistan, and most of this enters Europe via Spain, in fishing boats, speedboats, light aircraft, or containers, only five % of which is checked when arriving via Algeciras port.

To counter this illegal activity and to safeguard the Straits there is a huge military presence: as well as the US and British vessels, the bulk of the Spanish fleet is stationed there. Above, the skies are patrolled by British aircraft station on Gibraltar and Spanish, and US aircraft operating out of the Morón air base, two hours inland in Seville province. The Pentagon was granted Spain’s permission to station up to 3,000 marines at Morón, from where they can be flown to anywhere in Africa as Washington feels this is the hub of radical Islam. The Royal Navy and US fleet have installed sophisticated monitoring equipment throughout the area, there is also an artillery operations centre near Tarifa that is able to detect

In 2014 Al Qaeda published within its propaganda publications Resurgence to intensify attacks on the planet’s main choke points with the goal of destabilizing the global economy. Among its objectives Al Qaeda mentioned the Strait of Gibraltar.

naval targets up to 20 kilometres away, and Patriot missiles stationed in San Roque that can identify threats at up to 150 kilometres. Across the waters, Morocco has its own naval base at Ksar es Seghir, where its European-made warships are stationed. At a glance, with such military presence you would think war was imminent!

ENCLAVES Around 600 kilometres north of Gibraltar, the Civil Guard’s National Centre for the Coordination of Maritime Surveillance of Coasts and Borders, located in a huge bunker in Madrid, receives information 24 hours a day. This is the Interior Ministry’s eyes and ears on the Strait of Gibraltar. On the huge screen that dominates the room each meter of the border fences around Spain’s North African enclaves in Ceuta and Melilla can be seen, along with the rest of Morocco’s Mediterranean coastline, and every palm tree all the way from France to Portugal. It also monitors each patrol area, whether on land, sea, or air, along the west coast of Africa.This information can also be crosschecked in real time with data supplied by the EU’s Frontex border agency, along with Eurosur’s drones, reconnaissance aircraft and satellites. But are or do these countries working together? After all the peculiarity of the Strait is that there are so many different problems, threats, and opportunities packed into such a small space. There is nowhere else like it on the planet. To begin with, it’s not really one frontier – it’s four: the United Kingdoms with Gibraltar itself; Spain with Morocco at Algeciras; Spain at La Linea; and Ceuta’s with Morocco. Over the centuries, this mix has created unique economies, ways of life, and cities that face off against each other across the border. They all seem to have made the best of it, although diplomatic relations make it seem impossible at times.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

36 - WEEKEND WORLD

FOCUS ON GIBRALTAR

IT’S ONLY 12 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS UNTIL GIBRALTAR MUSIC FESTIVAL

Tribute to The Rolling Stones FOLLOWING last summer’s announcement of its partnership with the Rolling Stones (and the launch of the first Zenith / Rolling Stones watch), Zenith is back with a new, limited edition 1969 Chronomaster watch to celebrate the partnership. This time around, the watch with is given what might be considered more of a rocker’s look, with a black-DLC finished titanium case and a black strap stamped with a British flag (Union Jack) motif. And unlike the first model which had the Rolling Stones tongue on the dial, this version nicely integrates it into the rotor, visible through the sapphire caseback. Exclusively available at: Radhika, 60 Main Street, GIbraltar T: +350 200 63360 E: radhika@essardasgroup.com TAX-FREE SHOPPING!

THE 4th annual Gibraltar Music Festival takes place in Victoria Stadium on the Rock of Gibraltar on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September 2015. With Nashville rock heroes Kings Of Leon and pop icons Duran Duran already announced to headline Victoria Stadium this September, more names have been confirmed for Gibraltar Music Festival 2015. The latest additions include Paloma Faith, Madness, Kaiser Chiefs,

Hudson Taylor, Dub Colossus, Kristian Vinales (DJ set), Jeremy Perez & Tom Stott, Headwires and Guy Valarino. In addition to the aforementioned headline acts, the line-up already includes Estopa, Tom Odell, The Feeling, Reach, Paddy Taylor, Strange Brew and more. Tickets are priced at £65 per day general entry, or £79 for both days.

A New Zenith El Primero 1969 Chronomaster Special Edition

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 37

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

38 - WEEKEND WORLD

FOCUS ON GIBRALTAR

COULD GIBRALTAR’S 300-YEAR-OLD TRADITION OF MILITARY GOVERNORS COME TO AN END?

OLLOWING the resignation of Sir James Dutton (pictured above), the governor of Gibraltar, earlier this month, there has been growing concern that his replacement could be a civil servant beholden to Whitehall and less likely to stand up to Spanish confrontations than that of a retired general with military experience. Sir James Dutton, the current governor, announced recently that he was resigning after only two years with many quoting that he had become increasingly frustrated at the Foreign Office’s lukewarm interest in the territory, and bored by the pace of the job.

The FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) is now searching for his replacement, who is expected to take up the roll in September but fears are growing that the new appointee could be a “grey suit” accustomed to taking orders rather than that of a decorated military leader who gives the orders! “People in Gibraltar are very worried,” said a senior source inside the government of Gibraltar. “They think that Sir James Dutton might be the last military governor and we will now end up with an FCO mandarin.” The FCO has already published an advert for the role of governor, describing the job as “a key channel of communication between Her

Majesty’s Government and HM Government of Gibraltar (HMGoG).

RESPONSIBILITIES The role, with a salary ranging from £85,000 to £162,500, is advertised on the civil service recruitment website and, with wording which has raised eyebrows in Gibraltar, states that it is “also open to existing senior military officers” and recent retirees. A spokesperson said: “The role of the Governor requires an exceptional individual with a wide range of skills, as set out in the job description, to exercise his/her responsibilities.

It is essential to appoint the best person for the job. “The most effective way of doing this is to maximise the number of potential applicants and to allow serving or retired civilian as well as serving or retired military officers to apply. “This is the same approach taken towards the last recruitment process. It will be rigorous and the MoD will be fully involved. It is very possible that, as in previous years, a retired or serving military officer will be appointed, but not a certainty.” The FCO has denied that it is intending to convert the role into a civil service post. But on the Rock, few are convinced.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 39

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

40 - WEEKEND WORLD

SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL EXPATS CLUB Made any plans for June? The Weekend World has rounded up a list of some of the best events in Spain, from a wine throwing battle in La Rioja to a high speed air race in Lleida.

SONAR

CULTURE n W B Yeats Exhibition, Ateneo de Madrid, June 2 – 14th To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Irish poet, William Butler Yeats, the month of June will see the Yeats Society Madrid organise a series of cultural events in close collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland. n Vogue Like A Painting Thyssen Museum, Madrid June 30th - October 12th This exhibition brings together sixty fashion photographs inspired by painting. The photographs, from the Vogue Archive, are the work of great photographers over the past three decades.

MUSIC FESTIVALS n Sonar, Barcelona, June 18 - 20th This festival in Barcelona is for music lovers looking for new progressive sounds from international artists of the electronic music scene. The festival has a wide range of activities, DJ sessions, concerts, and multimedia art exhibitions. n Mulafest, Madrid, June 25th – 28th Madrid’s festival of all things urban includes concerts by some of the world’s hippest DJs, a skate park, tattoo convention, fake beach and street food. Glasgow producer/DJ Hudson Mohawke and Belgian brothers 2ManyDJs are just two of the big draws to this year’s festival. A ticket for the Friday and Saturday, including entrance to concerts is €35.

BATALLA DE VINO

AIR RACE 1 WORLD CUP n International Sephardi Music Festival Córdoba June 8 - 13th Held annually in Córdoba’s Botanical Gardens since 2002, this event is designed to promote deeper understanding of the traditions of Sephardic culture, including music, talks and typical dishes.

FIESTAS n Madrid Pride, Madrid June 23rd – July 2nd By far the largest gay parade in Spain and with around two million people taking to the streets. The Madrid Orgullo has become one of the main fiesta’s of the capital with activities are centred around Chueca. n Batalla de Vino (Battle of Wine) La Rioja, June 29th A town in the province of La Rioja hosts a festival to celebrate the feast of San Pedro. After mass a peaceful battle begins where litres and litres of wines are thrown on participants on either side of the battle.

SPORT n Air Race 1 World Cup Lleida, Catalonia June 28th A great fun spectator sport which might leave you with a crick in the neck, Air Race 1 is the first international title in the sport of formula one air racing, when eight airplanes race around simultaneously on a circuit at speeds of up to 450kph.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 41

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

42 - WEEKEND WORLD

SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL EXPATS CLUB

VO Cinema Showings Please check with the cinema for any last minute time changes. Leisure Cinemas King’s Bastion, Line Wall Road Gibraltar +350 200 72272 Jurassic Park 3D (12A) 18.30, 21.30 SPY (15) 19.00 Big Game ( 12A) 21.45 _______________________ Cine Teatro Goya Carrer de Av. Julio Iglesias s/n, Marbella 951 196 665 / 951 196 666 Tomorrowland (12ª) 20.00 SUITE Francaise (15) 22.30 UP (U) 18.15 Poltergist (15) 18.00, 20.30 Insidious 3 (15) 18.15, 22.30 _______________________ Cine Pixel CC La Trocha, Ctra Malaga 951 315 039 Tomorrowland (12A) 18.15 Mad Max (15) 18.10 Avengers. The Age of Ultron (12A) 18.30 Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (PG) 20.00 Insidious 3 (15) 20.10

Moors & Christians T HE Almeria town of Mojacar celebrates its famous festival of Moors and Christians from June 12th – 14th. This three day spectacular celebrates the peaceful submission of the Moorish stronghold to the army of the Catholic Kings, and the peaceful co-existence of the two cultures with parades, dancing, concerts and children’s activities. Nearly all the local people are involved in organising this event, which takes place every year during the weekend closest to 10th June. The festivities will begin on Friday 12th at 12 noon with the opening of the mediaeval market, located on the main square “Plaza Nueva” where stallholders - all dressed in period costume offer artisan products for sale.

On the same day, at 21.30h, the gathering of ‘trabuqueros’ takes place, the troops regroup and the key to the city is handed over by the Moorish king to the Christian king. As darkness falls the entry of the troops into the town is recreated, followed by the traditional opening speech for the festivities by the adult and child ambassadors and as the clock strikes midnight the party begins.

FESTIVITIES Saturdays begins with the parade of horses, a dressage demonstration and a mediaeval tournament between Moors and Christians. There is also a march by the Moorish and Christian troops to the business park, accompanied by music & fanfare. The last day of festivities begins with a gathering of Moorish and Christian fusiliers and a race on the beach. In the evening, the festivities are brought to an end with an impressive

parade by Moors and Christians in bombastic costumes loosely inspired by medieval fashion. The Christians wear fur, metallic helmets, and armour, fire loud arquebuses, and ride horses. In contrast, the Moors wear ancient Arab costumes, carry scimitars, and ride real camels or elephants.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015 ADVERTORIAL

WEEKEND WORLD - 43

Charity Golf Day

HE 21st June sees a golf day at Guadalmina South Golf Course. Organised by Trisha Mansfield which promises to be a very exciting event. The cost of the golf day is very kindly being donated by the Real Club de Guadalmina which means that all entry and buggy fees will go directly to ADANA. In fact every cent raised will go to help the dogs at the shelter. Normally it costs 130€ to play this course but participants in this event will only pay 60€ which includes a cocktail and small lottery prizes. An evening dinner is also planned, just 25€ which includes a half bottle of wine and a main course of

LEXIE - a small male Podanco, Awaiting Adoption

either roast beef or salmon en croute. Whilst enjoying dinner you will be entertained by a tango and flamenco exhibition (to be confirmed) and music. There will also be a chance to purchase raﬄe tickets and take part in an auction of green fees from various golf clubs in the area. As if this wasn’t enough, there will also be a fashion show, featuring clothes in a very affordable price range, modelled by real people, with ‘normal’ figures, some of whom have bounced back from serious health problems. The show will also star some of our shelter dogs strutting their stuff on the catwalk! As you will gather, this event is taking a great deal of organising, please support it in any way you can. If you are unable to attend then perhaps you could donate prizes for the raﬄe, hotel, hairdressing, nail and beauty salon vouchers are particularly welcome. We would like to thank the hole sponsors, Speed Financial services, Ibex Insurance, Antonio Guerrero Motors, the Euro Weekly and all those that are working incredibly hard to make this event a success.. For further information or to offer help/ donations please contact Trisha Mansfield at trishaa60@gmail.com Golf fees to be paid in cash on the day. Dinner must be paid in advance.

PROTECT YOUR PETS M

ANY people who live in Spain need to be made aware of one of the most dangerous natural enemies of dogs that can be found in some gardens and in the countryside. The processionary pine caterpillar as the name suggests makes its home in a certain type of pine tree. This tree is very popular here in Spain and is a protected species so even if you have pine trees in the garden you cannot cut them down. There is only one generation per year and most of the time the caterpillars are not seen and therefore not a threat. The most dangerous time is in spring / summer when they start to come down from the pine trees in search of food. The caterpillars can do a lot of damage to pine trees and when they have stripped a tree of all its needles they will form a long line and begin their search for other pine trees and more food.

Thaumetopoea pityocampa This processionary line makes them particularly attractive to young children, who are used to their non-toxic cousins in England. However, dogs are very much at risk as they tend to sniff the caterpillars and inhale the poison. They are very easy to see. Just look for white cocoons similar to candy floss in the trees and make a hasty exit. Whatever you do, do not stop and go walking about under the trees. The long line they form makes them easily identifiable, hence the name. Long hairs give out poison that when touched irritates the skin. Allergic reactions are not unknown and if ingested the consequences can be dire. The allergic reaction can be caused by the tiniest bit of dust that floats down from an infected tree. You do not have to touch the caterpillar.

44 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 45

W ANNOUNCING... BIRTHS

MARRIAGES It’s a boy!

Congratulations on the birth of Eion Peter Brown who was welcomed into the world on the 18th May 2015 weighing 7lb 10oz

It’s a girl

On June 4th Victoria (née Thomlin) and Spencer, welcomed son Noah into the world, weighing a healthy 8lb, 2oz

With warmest wishes to a very special couple Lisa, Patricia Stan & Neil wish Annette (nee Wilsher) and Kevin Murphy heartfelt congratulations on your marriage. May your bond last forever, and should it ever change, may it change to a firmer and better one Sunday 14th June, Nerja

BIRTHDAYS AND SPECIAL DAYS Happy 8th Birthday Sophia

Have a Great Day Lots of love from Georgia, Kenny, Selza & Diego xx

He’s the Nº1 man in your life So thank your Father this Father day in the most public way

Share your news with friends and family by placing a notice in your local newspaper For some friendly helpful advice call

951 127 200

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

46 - WEEKEND WORLD

EEKEND

WORLD

focuses on

HOMES

Sponsored by

www.ark-arctitects & 670 340 865 & 670 342 347

66 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

FOCUS ON SOTOGRANDE

THE SPORT OF KINGS & NOVICES!

SANTA MARÍA POLO CLUB, is the largest polo club in Europe located in the prestigious residential area in the world – Sotogrande, offering an extensive summer calendar of events. Set in a landscape of spectacular beauty with more than a million square meters of gardens, 9 luxury polo fields of the highest quality ensure privacy & fun for all at all times. International brands like Land Rover, Bacardi, Lexus, Cartier, Bulgari, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Hublot, BMW, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Hackett, Carrera & Carrera, Air France, Vodafone, EFG

WEEKEND WORLD - 67

Bank or Nespresso, among others, have decisively supported the clubs events.

BUILDING A FUTURE To introduce the next generation to this incredible sport and its exceptional facilities the Santa María polo club has specially created the Polo Academy for college students. The Academy is designed to make the game accessible, affordable, safe and fun. As well as introducing children to the game it will also be a platform to empower the very best players to compete on the International stage as part of their Elite Squad. The Polo Academy takes place at the Santa María Polo Club and open to children aged 8 to 18, from beginners to advanced level, all year round. For more information visit: www.santamariapoloclub.com

68 - WEEKEND WORLD

FOCUS ON HEALTH & BEAUTY

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

Is Sugar the new Tobacco? A new global campaign called Action on Sugar is underway to bring to light and help reduce “hidden sugars” in food by pulling together international experts in obesity and labelling sugar as “the new tobacco.” This voluntary group of scientific, academic and medical obesity experts believe that by reducing the sneaky sugar hidden within foods can help battle lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

ABOUT SUGAR CONSUMPTION In most homes and offices around the world, millions of us grab a sugar fix or two to get us through the day, whether it’s an iced cupcake, a bar of chocolate or a can of Coke. Sugar consumption has tripled in the past 50 years and now accounts for a fifth of our total calorie intake. And its women more than men who are turning to sweet snacks to help them cope with stress, long working hours and money worries. Sugar is a quick fix to boost our energy levels and lift our moods – and we’re fast becoming a nation of addicts. That’s the nature of sugar because one mouthful leaves you wanting more. So why have we become so sugar dependent? Jeff O’ Connell the author of Sugar Nation: the Hidden Truth Behind America’s Deadliest Habit and the Simple Way to Beat It, explains how the chemicals released by sugar travel the same pathways to the brain as cocaine and heroin. The brain receptors and neurotransmitters when feeling of pleasure release the Dopamine. Dopamine receptors are all over the brain and yes these levels surge though not nearly as much as when taking heroin or cocaine but they do release a pleasant feeling of contentment making us crave more! It’s not entirely our fault that we’ve become so addicted to sugar. For a number of years health message have been that fat, which is high in calories, is the enemy and we should aim for a diet that is low in fat and high in carbohydrates, our diet should include ‘plenty of potatoes, bread, rice and pasta, plus at

least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, but these starchy foods and fruit convert to sugar in the bloodstream, so while we’ve been trying to eat healthily we’ve actually been consuming a diet rich in sugar. Fruit – which is how many of us get our five a day – is high in fructose, which affects blood sugar levels. We all know table sugar is sucrose, but drinks and foods also include glucose, fructose, maltose and other -oses, and they’re all sugar. The fructose in cheap sweeteners such as corn syrup, which is used in everything from cakes to soft drinks, can suppress leptin, the hormone that carries the ‘stop now, you’re full’ message to the brain, so it’s no wonder that the increase in our consumption of sugar has coincided with a rise in obesity levels. A study at Cambridge University’s Medical Research Council found that overweight people ate nearly three times as much sugar daily as their thinner counterparts. In the UK, we’re three stone heavier than we were in the mid-1960s, and in the US the problem is even worse. What’s more, a legion of scientists is claiming our addiction to sugar also makes us moody, forgetful, anxious and panicky and is increasing our risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Diets high in sugar have even become a focus of cancer researchers. The theory is that increased blood sugar levels provoke insulin surges that may feed tumour growth, because insulin is an anabolic hormone which encourages things to grow.

Shockingly, sugar also makes us look older. ‘A diet high in sugar and high-glycaemic carbohydrates, such as breads, rice, potatoes and baked goods, can create a chemical reaction that makes skin more stiff and inflexible, leading to premature ageing,’ says Dr Nicholas Perricone, dermatologist and leading authority on diet and ageing. ‘Sugar molecules attach to collagen fibres and cause them to lose their strength, so skin becomes more vulnerable to sun damage, lines and sagging.’ In the past seven years, cases of type-2 diabetes have increased dramatically across the globe in the USA alone there are 29.1 million people with the disease with 8.1 million unaware they have it likewise in the UK and across Europe there are an estimated 55.2 million people with the condition. Experts agree that while withdrawals from sugar and refined carbs could include cravings, headaches, low energy, irritability and even jitters and night sweats, it usually takes just four

to seven days before cravings start to wane (see the box opposite to find out how to curb them). ‘Try it for 21 days and see if your energy and mood improve,’ Hyman suggests. ‘If you’re eating in a way that balances your blood sugar, you won’t have the cravings and energy dips because your body is getting a steady supply of energy from the protein and vegetables in your diet and from your fat stores,’ he says. ‘The body responds quickly, and feeling better makes people want to keep going.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 69

Foot & Sports Clinic Marbella About the Clinic The concept of the Foot & Sports Clinic Marbella is to ensure a complete range of orthopaedic patient care with the support of the latest equipment and highly specialized and trained staff. Our goal is to offer the complete circle of clinical examination, diagnostic finding, treatment (conservative or surgical), up to complete rehabilitation and prevention on the highest professional level possible.

“We assure the patient of the best orthopaedic or surgical treatment”

The conservative, non surgical treatment is being performed in the FSC Marbella in the depatment of physiotherapy. Here we can treat all kinds of structural and functional disorders of the locomotor system and obviously also perform postsurgical rehabilitation.

For appointments please call:

951 96 88 00

We also perform computerized static and dynamic foot pressure diagnostic finding and computerized gait analysis. With the help of 3D Scans of the feet we can offer customized insoles but also any kind of orthotic devices.

english

In our clinic we you are also offering a revolutionary pain therapy. This new method does not make use of any kind of medication or infiltration and treats the pain causing origin at its roots. It is a totally new approach in treating pain. Our statistics confirm that 80% of our patients achieve a totally pain free situation, the remaining 20% show significant pain relief.

DO YOU HAVE A SUGAR PROBLEM?

n People who are extremely irritable when they go without for treatment too longisand to The eating postsurgical beingturn performed in the FSC Marbella under the supervision of sugar for a quick snack Dr. Spurek until successful rehabilitation is achieved.

offer patient solutions and cover their n People with hormonal imbalances who turn to sugar as aWe way tothe boost their mood

český

www.fscmarbella.com

necessities, by establishing a personalized

Furthermore, the idea we want to Constant anxiety, fatigue, and constant sugar cravings aretreatment all signsplan. of an addiction, Dr. Teiteltransmit, is the importance of prevention. It is baum says. There’s no one amount of daily sugar that is a sign of sugar addiction, it all important to prevent structural anddepends functional damage the locomotor infancy. on whether a person feels poorly and exhibits the symptoms of thetofour types ofsystem sugarfrom addicts.

If you’re constantly turning to sugar for an energy boost or craving a sweet treat, Teitelbaum says you can typically treat your addiction by drinking more water, eating a more balanced diet, eliminating soda, and sleeping more. Some addicts are triggered by stress, so identifying and eliminating the source of your stress is key. If you’re suffering from a hormonal imbalance, you might want to talk to your doctor about hormone therapy or supplements.

español

-Orthopaedic surgery and Traumatology -Pediatric orthopaedic surgery -Foot and Ankle surgery -Sports Medicine -Pain Therapy -Physiotherapy and rehabilitation Center -QRSW Magnetic ﬁeld Therapy -Custom made insoles -Computerized 3D Scan -Golf Concept -Computerized static and dynamic Pedobarography -Computerized gait analysis

D Spurek Surgical procedures are being performed through Dr. himself, specialist in Orthopaedic surgery and Traumatology, Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, author of Beat Sugar Addiction NOW!, anAnkle internist who certified Foot - is and Surgeon andstudies specialistsugar for Sports Medicine. Basically every type of orthopaedic surgery, also addiction and has identified four types of sugar addicts: minimal invasive surgery is being offered, depending of the problem with the support of some of the most recognized n People who are constantly tired and turn to sugar forspecialists an energy boost in Europe to assist during surgery.

n People who constantly crave “a little something sweet”

deutsch

Avda. Ricardo Soriano 50 - Edif. Terra local 2 - 29600 Marbella Tel: 951 96 88 00 - Fax: 951 96 88 37 - info@fscmarbella.com

TURN YOUR BODY INTO YOUR BEST OUTFIT

FREEZE STUBBORN FAT

SIX WAYS TO CURB CRAVINGS n Chromium helps stabilise blood sugar levels to prevent cravings. n L-glutamine appears to fuel the brain to help prevent 4pm fogginess. Opt for the powder form, and add one to two teaspoons to a litre of water and sip through the day. n Cinnamon keeps blood sugar even and tastes great when added to yoghurt or smoothies at breakfast. Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon in 20ml aloe vera juice at 3pm to keep cravings at bay. n Meals containing protein — such as eggs, full-fat yoghurt, poultry, fish, pulses, beans, tofu Clinic offersolives now CoolSculpting® by Zeltiq (FDA approved), or lean meats — and fats Cirumed such as nuts, and seeds, olive, flaxseed and nut oils and a non-surgical contouring treatment that freezes stubborn fat, avocados, along with vegetables, provide a steadier fuel to the brain than sugar and rewhich then is naturally eliminated from your body. fined carbohydrates. No needles, no special diet, no supplements, no surgery.

Andsnack most importantly, little to no downtime. n A mid-morning or afternoon with protein and healthy fats, such as a handful of BraIt’s safe, medically-cleared and effective. zil nuts or almonds (avoid cashews as they’re high in sugar) keeps cravings at bay.

n Run up the stairs just five minutes brisk walking or stair-climbing raises blood sugar naturally by encouraging the liver to release its glycogen (glucose) stores into the bloodstream.

Cirum Clinic offers now CoolSculpting® by Zeltiq (FDA approved), a non-surgical contouring treatment that freezes stubborn fat, which then is naturally eliminated from your body. No needles, no special diet, no supplements, no surgery. And most importantly, little to no downtime. It’s safe, medically-cleared and effective. Cirumed Clinic /// Avenida Ramón y Cajal 7 – 4 /// 29601 Marbella /// Tel: +34 952 775 346 www.cirumed.es /// www.alexanderaslani.com /// www.alexander-aslani.es

Cirumed Clinic /// Avenida Ramón y Cajal 7 – 4 /// 29601 Marbella /// Tel: +34 952 775 346 www.cirumed.es /// www.alexanderaslani.com /// www.alexander-aslani.es

70 - WEEKEND WORLD

FOCUS ON HEALTH & BEAUTY

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

The secret of the most beautiful women on earth can now be yours The prestigious cosmetics company MASSUMEH arrives in El Corte Inglés of Puerto Banús, in Marbella.

he best kept secret of the most beautiful women in the world has been revealed to the rest of us mere mortals. It’s called Massumeh, a leader in the cosmetics world. Celebrities such as the Empress Farah Diba, Queen Noor of Jordan, Isabel Preysler or the

Royal families from Kuwait or Saudi Arabia have all admitted that they are big fans of these products. Massumeh has managed to combine to perfection, the more traditional knowledge about plants from ancient Persia with the most revolutionary scientific and dermatological advances which have been

elaborated using exclusive Swiss biotechnology. By incorporating these best-selling products in your daily beauty routine you will visibly notice the results because the products are formulated based on aromatic essences and botanical extracts from the East that have been refined and developed with the highest technology and quality controls. Unique treatments combined with the most advanced technology and secret formulas of the Royal Courts of ancient Persia, based on the merger of the mysteries of the Silk Road, the charm of the Eastern world and the latest developments of high cosmetics. Ancient potions and exclusive elixirs made with aromatic essences and botanical extracts from the East, perfected and elaborated in Switzerland using an exceptional concentration of extracts of caviar, gold, Sapphire, Pearl, malachite, Amethyst, rhodochrosite, rock crystal, silk, Royal Jelly, DNA complex, hyaluronic acid, resveratrol, saffron, argan, sequoia, Blue Lotus, marine elastin, vitamins, rose water from Damascus, etc. These are only a few of the ingredients of these creams, used by the most admired faces of the Royal houses of East and West, not counting the numerous personalities of our country. More than 20 years of experience and research have resulted in these magic formulas that protect and regenerate even the most sensitive skin. Since it opened its aesthetic center 15 years ago, people from around the world arrive to Madrid to be left in the care of Massumeh and her daughter Nasrin, who

besides their hospitality offer their customers a paradise of textures and smells that transform the skin providing smoothness and luminosity. In addition to caviar or rose, Massumeh formulas introduce innovative ingredients in the world of current cosmetics, as the whole cells of Saffron, or the mixture of protein silk and gold increases the power of penetration of the active agents of these ingredients. In addition, there are other components, traditionally used in ancient Persia for the protection of the skin of the women, such as semiprecious stones.

Massumeh products are suitable for all types of skins and ages. They are equally suitable for men, who are becoming more and more regular users of these treatments. Although the quality and effectiveness of these cosmetics is easily proved, undoubtedly their best endorsement is the trust placed from important personalities of the international social scene.

www.massumeh.com C/ GENERAL ARRANDO, 9 - BIS. BAJO. (MADRID) TEL.: 91 448 76 00/01 EL CORTE INGLÉS DE CASTELLANA (MADRID) EL CORTE INGLÉS DE PUERTO BANÚS (MARBELLA)

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 71

72 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

EEKEND

WORLD

focuses on

FINE DINING

WEEKEND WORLD - 73

74 - WEEKEND WORLD

FOCUS ON FINE DINING

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

‘NEW SPAIN’ WINES IN MIAMI M ARTIN Cerda, a Hispanic marketing and advertising executive is bringing a touch of Spain to the Miami shores by importing and distributing a new line of wines under a concept called “New Spain.” He is bringing in Spanish wines whose roots go as far back as Roman - even Phoenician - times, but that are new to many American palates. The wines, 47 of them so far, feature ancient grapes such as prensal, manto negro and xarello, now vinified to go with modern cuisines. “We select wines that are fruit-forward, light on oak or un-oaked, dry on the palate without being too tannic,” Cerda said. “We are foodies and strong advocates of pairing wine with food for emerging cuisines including Thai, Peruvian and the new Spanish cooking from Catalonia or the Basque Region.”.

BUILDING A FUTURE Cerda argues that the Spanish grape garnacha, with its light body and sweet red fruit, is bettersuited to the American palate than the Rioja grape tempranillo, with its heavier, darker fruit flavors.“New Spain” wines can go with established cuisines as well, he says. His Bodegas Ribas “Sio” Red Wine, with its opulent black fruit flavours, is excellent with a traditional charcoaled New York strip steak, he says. In his new endeavour, Cerda is going back to his roots. Both of his grandfather’s grew up in the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, the 250-square-mile island 200 miles off the Spanish coast. One was a winemaker, the other a coffee seller.”Pollenca, the little town where they grew up, was founded by Romans who grew grapes. Several of the wineries Cerda represents also are helping revive ancient varieties, including the inky red grape sumoll in Penedes, most of which had been torn out replaced as too temperamental. Cerda values the heritage. “I’m using the knowledge from being born into a winemaking family and a life-long passion for wine,” he said.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED n 2013 HMR Mont Rubi White Wine DO Penedes, Spain (100 percent xarello): aromas of herbs and flowers, flavours of ripe pears, fullbodied, won Best in Glass Silver Medal at the 2015 Veritage Miami competition; n 2013 “Plic, Plic, Plic” Red Wine. DO Montsant, Terra de Falanis, Felanitx-Mallorca, Spain (50 percent garnacha, 50 percent carinena): aromas and flavours of black cherries and dark chocolate, long, mineral-tinged finish, won Best in Glass Gold Medal at 2015 Veritage Miami;

RECOMMENDED n 2014 “La Florida” Blanco Joven White Wine, by Covinca-Longares, DO Carinena, Zaragoza, Spain (100 percent macabeo): light, lively and crisp, with honeyed aromas and lemon/lime flavours; n 2012 Bodega Ribas “Sio” Blanc White Wine, Vi de la Terra Majorca, Spain (prensal, chenin blanc, viognier): straw yellow hue, aromas and flavours of white flowers and citrus, fruity and dry, mineral finish. n 2014 Rosa Negra Rose, by Covinca-Longares, DOP Carinena, Spain (50 percent garnacha, 50 percent tempranillo): light and crisp and dry, with tart strawberry and raspberry flavours; n 2012 Bodegas Ribas “Sio” Red Wine, Vi de la Terra Majorca, Spain (50 percent manto negro, 25 percent cabernet sauvignon, 15 percent syrah, 10 percent merlot): ripe black plum and clove aromas and flavours, full-bodied and smooth, opulent, ripe tannins;.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

FOCUS ON FINE DINING

WEEKEND WORLD - 75

SOUR GRAPES? Brothers Roca: Joan, Jordi and Josep

HE battle to be the world’s No. 1 restaurant once again felt like a tussle between Spain and Denmark, with Italy caught in the middle, with El Celler de Can Roca, the Catalan restaurant owned by three brothers, was once again crowned the world’s best restaurant knocking Denmark’s Noma off the top spot. This is the second time the Girona eatery has topped the World’s 50 Best Restaurant awards in London, after taking the number one spot back in 2013. Joan, Jordi and Josep Roca each bring their own speciality: the first is head chef, the second creates the desserts, while the third sibling is in charge of the wine were praised for the “collective genius”. This victory once again reflects the vitality of Spanish cuisine. Spanish restaurants have so far topped the list at over half of the last 13 ceremonies, with Catalan chef Ferran Adrià winning five times – in 2002 and between 2006 and 2009 – and the Roca brothers triumphing twice. The awards, which have been running for 13 years and is a reference point for food-

As Spanish restaurant is re-crowned world’s best ies worldwide was sadly hit by allegations of corruption this year by way of accusation of cosy deals between restaurants and jury members. A group of chefs and critics calling itself ‘Occupy50best’, have slammed the awards, saying the criteria was “opaque” and has called upon sponsors to boycott it.

The awards, run by trade magazine Restaurant, lauded the brothers’ combined talents as a “holy trinity”

Ran by British media group William Reed, the criticism seems to focus on the methodology used to select the best restaurants. The jury which is made up of 972 “independent experts” including food writers, chefs, restaurant owners and gourmets in 27 regions have to select their choice of seven favourite restaurants where they have eaten in the past

18 months, but critics say this system is open to abuse since the jury do not have to offer physical evidence of having actually visited any particular restaurant. An internet petition against the competition which has amassed more than 350 signatures, including those of France’s Joel Robuchon and Italy’s Giancarlo Perbellini, is calling for sponsors to boycott the “opaque” awards. “The jury members, appointed by backroom

Award winning El Celler de Can Roca

politics, vote anonymously, without ever having to justify their choice of a restaurant or even to prove that they actually ate there!” the petition read. Surprisingly, or not the bulk of the complaints have come from France, which in the last two years has failed to make it into the top 10 and has never managed to win first prize this maybe just a case of sour grapes!

76 - WEEKEND WORLD

FOCUS ON FINE DINING

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

The Spanish way of life is not as healthy as you think.. T HEY may serve up some of the best food in the world, but Spaniards still don’t quite know how to eat, a new study out shows. Seven out of ten Spaniards may think they are eating right, but most are actually not dishing up their recommended helpings of fruits, veggies and fish, according to a study by Nestlé released last week. One out of six people skipped at least one of the three main meals of the day while 70% do not eat the five recommended mid-sized meals they should each day - breakfast, a midmorning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack and dinner. Another 90% did not eat a proper breakfast or ate breakfast at all. “The results show that there are significant differences between perception and the reality of our nutritional habits,” the study said.

GULPING And looking at what kinds of food Spaniards consumed also showed a difference between how much they thought they were eating and how much they actually were.The vast majority of Spaniards said they drank sufficient water each day, but the study showed that only 21% were actually gulping down the recommended eight glasses of water a day. In reality, Spaniards drank on average about five glasses of water per day. And Spaniards were also eating much more red meat than they should. One serving of red meat a week is considered the healthy amount, but Spaniards were consuming more than twice that amount at 2.5 portions per week on average. Beyond eating habits, Spaniards had some other not so healthy tendencies. Although overall the Spanish passed the test when it came to exercise, with more than 60% engaging in physical activity other than walking,

more than 40% of women don’t do any form of regular exercise. Spaniards also failed to make the mark when it came to sleep habits with more than a quarter saying they slept less than seven hours at night. Additionally, 83% used electronic devices before bedtime instead of doing something like reading or listening to music that better prepares the body for restful sleep.

LAZY Spaniards gave a lot of reasons to explain why they didn’t eat what they should, ranging from ‘I don’t have good food at home’ to ‘I forgot’ to ‘I’m lazy’. “The Spanish make all kinds of excuses for why we do not eat well,” the report said. For fish, of which only 30% of respondents ate the recommended three to four weekly servings, most said they did not eat enough due to the price. The main reason given for not getting enough sleep was not having the time or being stressed (39 %). Another reason was that people said they had trouble falling or staying asleep (29 %). But having not so healthy habits hasn’t stopped Spaniards from living long, full lives. Another study in April showed that Spain had the highest life expectancy in Europe while Spanish women were found to be the secondlongest living in the entire world in a separate study last year.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 77

FOCUS ON FINE DINING

78 - WEEKEND WORLD

HETHER you’re a resident or visiting foodie on the Costa Del Sol you should not leave the province, renowned for its cuisine, without having visited one of its Michelin starred restaurants. There are 4 restaurants that have been awarded at least one Michelin Star with Malaga and Marbella leading the offers.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

Malaga’s Michelin Stars

Restaurante El Lago Urb. Elviria Hills Avda. La Cumbres s/n 29604 – Marbella, Spain T.: (+34) 952 832 371 restaurante@restauranteellago.com

Under the guidance of chef Diego del Rio is the restaurant El Lago in Marbella which boasts amazing views. Located in the area of Elviria, it is surrounded by a beautiful lake and golf course which are easy on the eye and clearly demonstrate the essence of the Costa del Sol. At night, lighting plays an important role in this delight for the senses. The kitchen continuously mixes Andalucian products where the most appropriate preparation technique is applied for each different texture and flavour. Recommended is the tuna tartar with ajoblanco de Kimchi and crisp apple and quinoa, as well as shoulder of suckling lamb, vegetable tabbouleh and soy and orange yoghurt. As for desserts, the selection of Andalucian cheeses will not disappoint.

that incorporates a contemporary look and an impressive glass-enclosed wine cellar. The creative cuisine on offer from chefs Marcos Granda, Hideake Yoshioka and Jaume Puigdengolas showcases impressive culinary expertise and is based around traditional dishes from Málaga province. It also has boasts a particullay interesting wine list.

Restaurant Jose Carlos Garcia

The kitchen is enclosed in a glass cube where passer-bys can follow the live performance over the hot stoves which José Carlos García’s team puts up with daily. Innovative cuisine that is both light and delicate and can also be enjoyed on the terrace which is open during the spring and summer months, and makes it possible to savour the dishes at the same time as admiring the sights of the most important monuments of the city. All this is brought with the breeze and the panoramic views offered by the Mediterranean sea.

Skina

Plaza. de la Capilla Puerto de Málaga 29001 T.: (+34) 952003588

Restaurant Dani Garcia

Skina is located in the heart of old town of Marbella, in a small historic pedestrian street. This miniscule restaurant has an interesting and bold design

Here the dining room consists of six welcoming dining tables allowing to taste what the menu offers at only a few metres from the yachts and boats that expose the Port of Malaga. Owing to this reduced number of tables, its guests can savour each dish in a tranquil and intimate atmosphere.

The most creative cuisine direct from Dani Garcia and his two Michelin Stars has arrived to Puente

C/Adúar, 12, 29601 Marbella (Málaga) T.: (+34) 952 76 52 77 restauranteskina@hotmail.es

Puente Romano Beach Resort Marbella 29602 Marbella T.: (+34) 952 764 252 info@dgarcia.es

Romano Beach Resort Marbella. The Malaga Chef and his kitchen of ‘contradiction’ presents ‘Dani García Restaurant’, an innovative gastronomic experience, where the forefront of cooking techniques are applied to traditional Andalusian recipes. The tasting menu “Once Upon a Time” features the contrast of hot & cold playing heavily with textures and opposing flavours. This menu will surprise you on many levels due to Dani Garcia’s commitment to producing daring, creative dishes using high quality ingredients, resulting in a more edgy version of the traditional. Dani Garcia offers this gastronomical experience through the tasting menu and a la carte. An intimate restaurant with open plan kitchens, where every member of staff works towards the same goal – to offer you an authentic, gastronomical journey of excellence.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

FOCUS ON FINE DINING

Italian cuisine - it’s not always just about the...

WEEKEND WORLD - 79

PIZZA

Pizza Margherita Invented in Naples in honor of the first queen of Italy, the Margherita pizza is the triumph of Italian cuisine in the world. INGREDIENTS Serves 6 For base 2 lb Italian “00” flour or all-purpose flour 1 oz fresh yeast 2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt For the sauce 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 lb mozzarella cheese basil leaves to taste 1 lb canned tomatoes salt to taste PREPARATION 2 hours and 10 minutes preparation + 6 minutes cooking On a wooden or marble work surface, shape the flour into a well. Place the yeast, salt and warm water in the center. Be careful not to let the salt come in contact with the yeast. Knead the dough vigorously with your hands for 15-20 minutes, or in a mixer, until the dough is soft and smooth.

Once you have the right consistency, adding a bit of water or flour if necessary, shape the dough into a ball. Cover with a plastic bowl so that the dough is protected from the air. Let rise for 3 or 4 hours at room temperature for about an hour in a warm place. Once the dough has doubled in volume, divide into 6 balls, cover with a sheet of plastic wrap and let them rise at room temperature for a couple of hours or in a warm place for about 45 minutes. As soon as the balls have doubled in volume, prepare the tomato sauce and place it in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and 1/3 of the olive oil. Knead the dough, then flatten them using your fingers. Use a ladle or a spoon to spread a good amount of tomato sauce on the pizza. Then, cover with mozzarella, torn into pieces. Garnish with a couple leaves of basil and bake in a 480° F oven for 5 or 6 minutes. Once ready, remove the pizza from the oven. Garnish with more basil and a drizzle of oil. Serve immediately. www.academiabarilla.com

Marinated Anchovies

Insalata Caprese

Quick and easy to prepare, marinated anchovies are a classic maritime antipasto. Covered in oil, the marinated anchovies can be kept for a few days in the fridge.

This classic is one of the simplest and most delicious of salads. It requires only the right ingredients and the right season.

INGREDIENTS Serves 4 1 kg fresh anchovies 1 liter of white wine vinegar Garlic and peperoncino Olive oil

INGREDIENTS 3 vine-ripe tomatoes 1 pound fresh mozzarella20 to 30 leaves (about 1 bunch) fresh basil Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling Coarse salt and pepper

PREPARATION Carefully wash the anchovies under running water. Remove the heads, gut and fillet. Place them on a plate, cover with vinegar and leave to marinate for two hours. Remove from the marinade, shake off the vinegar and dress in olive oil flavoured with finely chopped garlic, peperoncino and parsley. www.mymediterraneandiet.net

PREPARATION Layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, adding a basil leaf between each, on a large, shallow platter. Drizzle the salad with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. www.foodnetwork.com | www.elegantlyyours.wordpress.com

80 - WEEKEND WORLD

FOCUS ON CELEBRITIES

Out of order S

UPERMODEL Kate Moss was escorted from a flight at Luton Airport by police after reports that she was being disruptive. No complaints were made and she was not arrested following her arrival into Luton from Bodrum in Turkey. A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “We were called to assist staff in escorting a passenger from a flight arriving into Luton airport. The passenger had been reported as being disruptive on the flight. “Officers attended and escorted the passenger from the plane. No formal complaints were made against her and she was not arrested.” An easyJet spokeswoman said: “easyJet can confirm that police met flight EZY2232 from Bodrum to London Luton due to the behaviour of a passenger on board.” Moss, 41, has been one of the world’s best known faces for more than two decades and has spent more than half her life in the public eye. Famously discovered by Storm model agency founder Sarah Doukas aged 14 at JFK airport, her early ascent to global fame saw her starring in Calvin Klein ads. She has graced thousands of covers and walked down countless catwalks since a photoshoot in style magazine The Face made her a star. Her waifish looks, party lifestyle, and a string of celebrity partners, including Johnny Depp and Pete Doherty, have kept her in the headlines for years and she has worked with almost every major fashion designer, including Louis Vuitton and Stella McCartney, as well as being the face of make-up company Rimmel. The model rarely gives interviews but has spoken about the toll her work took on her, especially in her early years in the industry. She told Vanity Fair she had a nervous breakdown while she was still a teenager while working on a campaign for Calvin Klein in the early 1990s. But Moss recovered and her career has gone from strength to strength. She posed in bunny ears for the cover of Playboy magazine last year. The Croydon-born catwalk star featured in 18 pages of the January/February issue of the racy magazine, as well as the cover, to celebrate her 40th birthday. In 2011, she married rocker Jamie Hince in a star-studded ceremony in a rural Cotswolds village, with former partner Jefferson Hack - the father of her daughter Lila - among the guests.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

Miley bares all Arise Sir Lenny

Miley Cyrus follows in Kim Kardashian’s footsteps and poses naked on cover of Paper magazine - with pet pig Bubba Sue THE cover of Paper Magazine is currently the best place to find weird nude pictures of celebrities, thanks to Kim Kardashian’s trailblazing photo shoot. Miley Cyrus posed for the magazine’s summer 2015 cover embracing her pet pig, Bubba Sue, wearing nothing but mud. It’s actually sort of shocking that it took so long for this to happen given Mileys love of “shock tactics” Creative director Diane Martel – who directed Cyrus’ We Can’t Stop video – and photographer Paola Kudacki worked on the shoot which featured “a glass pyramid, some body paint and very little clothing”.

INSANE

LENNY Henry says being offered a knighthood was “a lovely feeling” and “like being filled with lemonade”. The comic told BBC Radio 2’s Chris Evans that the honour, expected to be officially confirmed on Friday, was “wonderful”. He said: “It was lovely, it was a lovely feeling, it was like being filled with lemonade for 10 or 15 minutes but as people found out and started t o ring it was a bit overwhelming.”

The magazine has promised to publish “more absolutely insane photos” of the Wrecking Ball singer in the issue. The former Hannah Montana star adopted Bubba Sue in August of last year after the death of one of her dogs. She isn’t the first celebrity to buy a pig. Actor George Clooney played dad to 300 pound pig Max for 18 years until he passed away in 2006, and TOWIE star James ‘Arg’ Argent bought a micro pig for then girlfriend Lydia Right only to find that they actually had a fully grown farm animal on their hands.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

FOCUS ON CELEBRITIES

Singer linked to footballer after dinner date

IS RIHANNA DATING REAL MADRID’S KARIM?

T was only a matter of weeks ago that she was linked to Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio but it looks as though Rihanna (pictured right with Karim) may have found herself a new love interest. The FourFiveSeconds singer is now rumoured to be dating Real Madrid footballer Karim Benzema after they were spotted having dinner at New York City Cuban restaurant Coppelia. A photo, which has emerged from the dinner date, shows Rihanna, 27, sitting across the table from the French sports star while talking to friends who joined them for the evening. The singer was first linked to French football player Karim Benzema during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Game of Thrones headed back to Spain THE HBO hit will film portions of season six in the country, the network announced. Spain was an important location in season five, with the country serving as the setting for Dorne, a land newly introduced this year. For season five, the show shot in Osuna and Seville, with the latter city reporting tourism had increased fifteen percent as a result of the show. Thousands of extras applied last year when a casting call went out in Spain. Filming will take place in the cities of Girona and Peniscola. More specifics on the shooting locations are to be announced as production nears.

An eyewitness told E! News “Rihanna and Karim were [seated] across from each other, there were about four people at the table and a few more on another table from the same party. They came separately and they were speaking French at some point.” Earlier in the night before they visited the 24-hour diner, the rumoured new couple are said to have partied at The Griffin nightclub in the Meatpacking District. With Benzema now on the scene, it appears that the increasing dating rumours between RiRi and The Wolf Of Wall Street actor DiCaprio have fizzled out. Speculation that the pair were in a secret relationship had swirled for several months after they were spotted on nights out a number of times, however, the Grammy-winning singer shut down the reports in March.

WEEKEND WORLD - 81

Superstars on the Rock

TWO of the world’s most popular bands will be descending on the Costa del Sol in September, after the Gibraltar Music Festival announced part of its line-up last week. The festival’s fourth edition will also become the first to be a two-day event, on the weekend of September 5 and 6. After months of speculation, it was revealed the event will be headlined by Duran Duran on the Saturday and Kings of Leon on Sunday. Jonathan Scott, one of the event’s producers, said he was “delighted with the progress made in recent years. Securing these headline acts has not been easy, plus the move to make this a two day event also present its own challenges, but we are confident the end result will be two amazing days of music.”

For one night only

ELTON John returns to the Costa del Sol for one night only British singer / songwriter Elton John looks set to return to the Costa del Sol after an absence of over ten years. The 68-year-old will be appearing at Malaga’s Martín Carpena on 15th July as part of his latest tour. Accompanied by his band, Sir Elton, who boasts a vast repertoire of hits that span several decades, is being billed as the event of the year in Malaga province. The last time Sir Elton graced our shores was back in June 2005, where he performed to some 13,000 people at the Mijas Hipodrome Racecourse. Ticket prices will range between 60 and 215 euros and are expected to sell out fast.

82 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

FOCUS ON CELEBRITIES

Victoria Beckham incurs the wrath of TOWIE stars over anti-Essex comment

“I can’t believe Posh Spice has slagged us off – she is one of us, she should be proud to be from Essex”

HE 41-year-old fashion designer, Victoria Beckham (pictured right) who was born in Harlow, reported joked that the county ‘isn’t a very nice place’ earlier this week, sparking outrage from a couple of the TOWIE stars. But former Spice Girl Victoria has brushed off the criticism and posted a picture to Instagram with the message: ‘Essex girl and proud of it!’ Although VB has denied that she’s embarrassed of her home county, Jasmin Walia has responded. “It’s a great place. It’s a bit sad that she’s trying to forget her roots. When I read what she

had said I was shocked”. Former Towie star Joey Essex (above) said “I can’t believe Posh Spice has slagged us off – she is one of us, she should be proud to be from Essex”. “I haven’t got a clue what Posh Spice is going on about when she says our home town is not very nice, after all, she was the one who invented the Essex pout.” The Towie team who have been strutting there stuff in Marbella while filming the next series are quoted as saying “She’s a local girl done good. She should be proud to have come from there and made it.”

WEEKEND WORLD - 83

84 - WEEKEND WORLD

FOCUS ON MOTORS

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

EEKEND

WORLD

focuses on

MOTORS

WEEKEND WORLD - 85

86 - WEEKEND WORLD

FOCUS ON MOTORS

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

ITALIAN STYLE AT ITS GREATEST Incredibly generous in terms of the size of the spaces, degree of comfort, level of service, and profusion of elegance: the Azimut Grande Collection expresses everything that a Boat-owner could asks for in a flagship, perfectly balancing the allure of Italian style with a rigorous design concept, for sheer excellence.

From the raised pilothouse to the layout of the crew spaces that to enhance on-board professionalism, every detail has been designed to fulfill â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and anticipate - every possible desire.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

FOCUS ON MOTORS

WEEKEND WORLD - 87

OREMOST among the new features introduced by concept and exterior designer Stefano Righini, is the raised wheelhouse. The boat’s name - RPH - actually stands for Raised Pilot House, giving some indication of the importance of the decision to separate the wheelhouse from the main deck. This is accomplished by creating a half deck which gives the boat owner and guests more space and maximises privacy from the crew. The designer has also managed to integrate the raised wheelhouse with the vessel’s hallmark exterior lines, retaining that special Azimut Grande family look.

Sense of Liberation Thanks to the raised wheelhouse, the Azimut Grande 95RPH has five cabins - four guest cabins on the lower deck and the boatowner’s cabin on the main deck towards the bow. The exceptional view and large bathroom make the boatowner cabin a veritable suite with an unparalleled sea view. There is also a liberating sense of space in the 95RPH saloon; here, Righini has created a real sense of continuity between inside and outside, thanks in part to the double, floor-to-ceiling picture windows. Another Azimut Grande trump card is without doubt the exceedingly spacious flybridge (+60 m2) - awarded Best in Class; it includes a cushy exterior dinette that seats 10, a mini bar, Jacuzzi, and comfortable sunbathing area.

Luxurious end Elegant The layout sleeps 10 with the boatowner’s suite and four VIP cabins, each with a private bath; there is also a day head. The four-member crew has three cabins and two baths to the bow, with separate access to the kitchen located on the main deck. The luxurious and elegant interiors are by Studio Salvagni Architetti for Azimut Yachts, a proven collaboration that has led to such successful models as Azimut 80, Azimut 84, and Azimut 88. To the stern, there is a garage with pivoting platform for a + 4-metre tender jet; the engine room has two MTU 16V2000 M84 motors which, when combined with the planing hull with skeg, provides for significantly improved directional stability, enabling maximum speeds of 26.5 knots and cruising speeds of 20 knots. The 12,000-litre fuel tank and 2,000-litre water tank ensure great range, even for long crossings. Despite be-

ing a vessel with an overall length of nearly 29 metres, the Grande 95RPH falls within the 24-metre cut-off and therefore can be registered as a pleasure craft. In many countries around the world this is a distinction which offers the boat owner serious advantages both in terms of crew management and administration, with significant savings in time and money. This is because pleasure crafts do not require a professional captain or engineer and have reduced crew requirements. In addition, the registration procedures are definitely simplified, with the corollary benefits for charter use: regulations are in conformance with MGN280 guidelines, MCA equivalent for under 24 metres. The Grande 95RPH is the Grande collection’s first model since it was incorporated into the Azimut Yachts family, now with five collections: Atlantis, Magellano, Flybridge, S and of course - Grande. Specs: n Length overall 28,62 m (93’11”) _____________________________________________________________________________ n Beam max 6.94 m (22’9’’) _____________________________________________________________________________ n Draft to keel at full load 2,05 m (6’9’’) _____________________________________________________________________________ n Engines 2 x 2.200 mHP (1630 kW) MTU 16V2000 M84 _____________________________________________________________________________ n Maximum speed 26.5 Knots _____________________________________________________________________________ n Cruising speed 20 Knots _____________________________________________________________________________ n Full load displacement 110 t _____________________________________________________________________________ n Fuel tank capacity 12.000 l (3,170 US gls) _____________________________________________________________________________ n Fresh water capacity 2.000 l (528 US gls) _____________________________________________________________________________ n Cabins 5 + 3 crew _____________________________________________________________________________ n Heads 6 + 2 crew _____________________________________________________________________________ n Building material GRP _____________________________________________________________________________ n Exterior styling & concept Stefano Righini _____________________________________________________________________________ n Interior designer Salvagni Architetti _____________________________________________________________________________ For more information visit: www.azimutyachts.com

88 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

EEKEND

WORLD

focuses on

TRAVEL

WEEKEND WORLD - 89

90 - WEEKEND WORLD

FOCUS ON TRAVEL

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

For glamour and sophistication it’s hard to beat

ITALY

And where better to sample the Italian dolce vita than on the Amalfi Coast?

Sorrento Sorrento is one of Italy’s most famous resort towns. Placed on a perch high above the Mediterranean, it is like a balcony over the sea with views that extend from the island of Procida across the Gulf to Naples and Mount Vesuvius. The city sits on the bluff that ends abruptly at a sheer cliff that plummets straight down to the sea. It has, for more than two millennia, enjoyed the status of a seaside destination, starting with the Greeks. It came into its own as a summer destination during the Roman era, when emperors Agrippa, Tiberius and Augustus had their splendid villas here.

fronting the streets, attesting to the town’s prosperity. The Villa Comunale is a civic park bursting with blooms and trees, a popular gathering spot for the citizens. Piazza Vittoria contains the Temple of Venus, or what remains of the ancient structure. The church of San Francesco has a cross-vaulted cloister that hosts concerts and art exhibitions. And don’t miss the Romanesque Duomo, the city’s cathedral that dates back to the 1400s. It has gorgeous doors with a fresco over the portal. It’s accompanying bell tower has a clock faced with maiolica tiles and there are ancient columns shoring up its base. The Museo Correale di Terranova is worth a

visit; it is a patrician palazzo of old that the noble counts donated to the city, along with the family’s private art collection. There are three centuries of masterpieces and an unusual clock collection in the villa’s halls. Sorrento may just be the ideal destination: it has two beautiful marinas, a lively city centre, gorgeous views, fabulous restaurants and sidewalk cafes. It is a welcoming place with interesting streets to wander, shops to peruse, beaches to enjoy and food specialties to savour. Sorrento Image: Norbert Nagel / Wikimedia Commons

Sorrento sits in a sheltered spot on the promontory, protected by the surrounding hills. It has been an important port for centuries of seafarers. It has been called “La Gentile” (“the nice one”) for its mild climate, elegant streets and gardens and friendly residents. It has welcomed travellers for many millenia and the tradition of hospitality is carried on proudly. The name derives from the Latin adaptation of “sirens,” a reference to the mythical musical mermaids who lured Ulysses and his crew with their melodic but deadly songs. It is said that the sirens lived in the rocks below Sorrento. It was an important resort for the Romans and traces of their opulent homes and gardens can still be seen, along with the Porta Romana, the ancient gateway to the city. It saw a series of invasions by the Goths, Byzantines and Normans, and was attacked by Saracens and Barbary pirates before becoming a city-state, then falling under the domain of the Kingdom of Naples. The centre of the city’s life is Piazza Tasso, which is full of energy and people at all hours. Corso Italia is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops but the entire historic centre has life, sights and eateries tucked away in the side streets. There are pretty palaces

Salerno Salerno is often overlooked but it’s a lively city and a crucial crossroads. For a brief period (February to August 1944) Salerno was the capital city of Italy, during the liberation after the allied landings before the fall of Monte Cassino to the allies and the subsequent liberation of Rome. This busy port town is situated between two of the best-known seaside areas of Campania - the Amalfi Coast and the Cilento National Park. Salerno was the scene of the Allied landings during World War II and suffered much damage, but today the city has become an important commercial centre which boasts one of the largest seaports on the Tyrrhenian coast. While it has a prevalently modern appearance it still retains an interesting and characteristic historic centre with

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

FOCUS ON TRAVEL

WEEKEND WORLD - 91

Ravello Ravello is one of the most charming towns on the Amalfi Coast. It offers some of the best views of the famous coastline, with sweeping seascapes and breathtaking scenery. It is, in short, an ideal location. While the origins of Ravello date back to the Roman era, it was the Middle Ages that gave it wealth and status, when the inhabitants were involved in maritime trade with the Orient. The newly enriched families of that age built castles, villas, churches and civic buildings to show off their wealth and to rival their richer, influential neighbouring town of Amalfi. Amalfitans gave Ravello the name, “Rebellum” (rebel). The town’s villas offer vivid vantage points for the views. Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo are famous for their encompassing panoramas. Villa Rufolo inspired the composer Wagner when he wrote his famed opera, Parsifal. Ravello is still known for its musical events, including the Ravello Festival, which is strongly connected to the composer and his symphonies. The town boasts its cultural roots, too; just stroll the alleyways, enjoy the architecture and piazzas to see the town’s history and pride at its best.

“Rome became intolerable. It was affecting my vision. Up here on the hill in Ravello my eyes cleared.”

The Cathedral, dedicated to San Pantaleo, was inaugurated in 1087. The simple facade hides a lovely church with grand 12th century entry doors and a pulpit placed atop six spiral columns.

Gore Vidal

The cathedral’s museum houses sculpture and art dating back to Roman and Medieval times. Ravello is home to the fascinating little Coral Museum, a showcase of craftsmanship in the art of the coral jewellery and decoration. The town is noted for its devotional chapels and votives that are attached to and painted on walls all over the city. Ravello Images: www.ibellhop.com & www. palazzoavino.com

a maze of charming alleyways and a wealth of beautiful buildings and monuments. Salerno has a long history. Probably of Etruscan origin, it became a Roman colony in 197 BC. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was

conquered by the Goths, the Byzantines and the Lombards. In 839 AD it became the capital of an independent Lombard principality. Robert Guiscard, the Norman ruler, conquered Salerno in 1077, making it the capital of his domain. Under the Swabian rulers, it declined while Naples rose in prominence, and in the 15th century the Angevins granted it to the powerful Colonna family. It was later passed around other noble families whose names are well-known - Orsini, the Sanseverino and the Grimaldi. Salerno is well known for its hot nightlife and entertainment scene, called the “movida”. People gather in the street to chat, dine, stroll, drink and hang out with friends as well as meet new ones. Venture into the alleys of the historic centre to reach the piazza Largo Campo, another popular gathering spot.

Nearly every night in the summer and every weekend night in the winter is busy with the “movida”. If “movida” isn’t your style, take a tranquil stroll along the Lungomare, the seaside promenade, which is one of the longest in Italy. Stop in at the Bar Nettuno, across the road from the Lungomare, for the best gelato (ice cream) in town. The many wonderful sights of Salerno include the Cathedral (Duomo), a 12th century Romanesque building dedicated to the apostle, St. Matthew, who is the city’s patron saint. His body and that of Pope Gregorio VII (who was banished in Salerno) are kept inside the church. The Diocesan Museum is located in the seminary in Piazza Plebiscito, and contains sev-

eral lovely paintings, along with a famous ivory baldachin (altar canopy) from the 12th century, with biblical scenes and an illuminated Papal Proclamation, also from the 12th century. The Provincial Museum, housed in a restored wing of the former medieval abbey of Saint Benedetto, holds important archaeological items found in the town and in various sites in the province, including a remarkable bronze cast head of Apollo dating to the first century BC. Facing the Museo Provinciale is the interesting Romanesque church of Saint Benedict, consecrated by Gregorio VII, who lived in the attached monastery. The Longobard castle known as Castello di Arechi enjoys a great view over the town and the Mediterranean Sea. This Byzantine structure is one of the important sights of Salerno offering spectacular views.

FOCUS ON TRAVEL

92 - WEEKEND WORLD

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

Amalfi The architectural and artistic values of its monuments and historical buildings, the indescribable beauty of its landscapes, its folklore and traditions have made, and still make, Amalfi a place without comparison, so much so that it has been said:

“For an Amalfitan the day he goes to heaven is just like any other day” Amalfi thrives as a picturesque tourist centre. Its origins date back to times of legend and it is said that Hercules, son of Jupiter, created Amalfi to give it as a present to a girl who had beautiful blue eyes the same colour as the sea.

The glorious past and the beauty of the landscape has made this city an important centre of attraction for tourists from across Europe. Narrow alleyways wind through the town and up the slopes between the sea and the mountains. Until the 1800s the coast’s steep terrain meant that overland access to the region was possible only by mule. Amalfi is one of the most historic towns along the Amalfi Coast, having had a glorious history as a maritime republic whose status joined the ranks of coastal powerhouses like Pisa, Venice and Genoa. It was a trade bridge between the Byzantine and western worlds for centuries, and its importance in that historic trading league is celebrated every June with the Regatta of the Four Ancient Maritime Republics, alternating between the four cities who battle it out once again for seafaring bragging rights. It’s a spectacular event. The city starts at the water’s edge with a pretty promenade along the Mediterranean and a marina full of colourful boats and their international flags. The focal point of the historic centre is the Piazza del Duomo, in front of the striking cathedral. The piazza is clustered with sidewalk cafes and elegant shops, but the sixty steps leading to the church beckon to be scaled to visit the Byzantine style structure that bears Moorishinfluenced arches and decoration. Dedicated to St. Andrew, the Duomo di Sant’Andrea is a truly beautiful structure. Inside is the hidden Cloister of Paradise, dating back to 1266, with a forest of columns, Arabesque arches and an amazing fresco. The crypt is highly decorated and is also worth a visit. Looking around the town and the surrounding hills, you’ll quickly see that the primary product of the area is enormous orbs of lemons, picked fresh to make limoncello liqueur and are also used in local dishes. The lemon motif shows up in regional ceramics and citrus scent fills the air as you meander about. The Emerald Grotto is one of Amalfi’s natural wonders, at Cape Conca. It emits an eerie emerald hue that emanates from its depths thanks to an underwater crevice that refracts the sunlight.

Amalfi Image: www.ibellhop.com

Today it is hard to grasp that pretty little Amalfi, with its sun-filled piazzas and small beach, was once a maritime superpower with a population of more than 70,000. For one thing, it’s not a big place you can easily walk from one end to the other in about 20 minutes. For another, there are very few historical buildings of note. The explanation is chilling because most of the old city, and its populace, simply slid into the sea during an earthquake in 1343.

Positano What had been a sleepy fishing village is now a swanky destination popular with the jet set and common travellers alike. Positano clutches impossibly to the cliffs of Monti Lattari, a pastel-dappled landscape the scrambles up the hillside from the Mediterranean Sea. It sits above the glittering gulf with views that sweep over the sea to the islands and coastal towns; it is itself a sight to see on its steep perch. Here, the “streets” take the form of passageways among the houses and steep steps that interlink the alleys. Only one road traverses the town - Viale Pasitea, where shops, cafes, hotels and villas huddle together to take advantage of the vehicular access and “wider” space. Other shops, eateries and coffee bars are tucked away in the lanes that you access by foot. Positano was originally a Roman set-

tlement where wealthy patricians had seaside villas. Ruins from that epoch are found near the Church of Assunta. It was the site of a Benedictine abbey dating back to the 9th century, then grew when the people of Paestum fled coastal raids that destroyed their homes and took refuge here on the safer, steeper cliffs. Positano was pillaged by Pisa, sacked by the Saracens and raided by pirates, all lending to a decline. Emigration at the turn of the 20th century left it in a sleepy state, until the construction of the coastal road raised its fortunes and its status and Positano prospered as a playground of the rich and famous. Literary and artistic types flocked here and the masses quickly followed, drawn by the scenery, the unusual setting, the charming aspect of the town itself and the nearly constant sunshine. It is a seductive place. Terraces shore up the buildings and almost every turn offers

a visual bounty to enjoy. The most prevalent point of reference is the colourful tiled dome of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, smack in the middle of town. Everything else tumbles down toward the water from here. The beach at the marina is known as Spiaggia Grande (big beach) because it is one of the Amalfi Coast’s largest. This is the central seafront for the town and there are several excellent seafood restaurants just above the beach. A pathway leads over to the Fornillo Beach, a more peaceful place to lay out your beach towel and enjoy the surf and sun. You can also take a water taxi to one of the many coves and sandy spots that dot the cliffs and are reachable only by boat. Ferries depart the marina to link Positano with other towns along the Amalfi Coast and the islands. When you tire of the water, you can head to the hills to hamlets like Nocelle and Montepertuso. A bridge near Punta Germano spans a deep crevice and is called Ponte dei Libri (Bridge of Books) because of the unusual strata layers that look like tomes lined up. There are good challenging hikes in these hills for outdoor enthusiasts. Cuisine is naturally centred on seafood and other fresh produce plays an important part. Everything is fresh and light, with local white wine to compliment the meals. Lemons are abundant and used in everything from roasted potatoes to gelato to the potent after-dinner liqueur known as “Limoncello”. Hand-made pastas and excellent pastries are also produced here and should be sampled. Positano is an enticing town that enjoys perennial popularity because of its stunning location, stellar views and star power.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 93

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

94 - WEEKEND WORLD

W TEASERS...

ACROSS 1 Lather 5 Close 9 Man 13 Again 14 Keyboard instrument 16 Many millennia 17 Location 18 Crown 19 Alumnus 20 Precipitous 22 Iotas 24 Resorts

26 Negatively charged particle 27 Kneecap 30 Free 33 Scaremonger 35 Curses 37 Toss 38 Anagram of “Amend” 41 Liveliness 42 Quietens 42 Flogger 48 Intensify 51 A baby´s room

52 A French dance 54 G G G G 55 Adjuvants 59 Gladden 62 Stinging remark 63 Queues 65 God of love 66 Wicked 67 Barges 68 Knights 69 Sort 70 Sea Eagle 71 Achy

Answers in issue 2

DOWN 1 Back talk 2 Module 3 Abhorrent 4 Cleaning device 5 Excluding 6 Anagram of “Sire” 7 Small terrestrial lizard 8 Eager 9 Deep purplish red 10 Relating to aircraft 11 Give temporarily 12 Terminates 15 Point of greatest despair 21 Inside of your hand 23 Incite 25 Slender 27 Gloomy atmosphere 28 Not silently 29 An Old Testament King 31 Showman 32 Contemptuous look 34 Explosive 36 Agile 39 A very long period 40 Medication 43 Readable 44 Petty quarrel 46 Tall woody plant 47 Futile 49 Iniquities 50 Beginner 53 Adult male singing voice 55 Assist in crime 56 A pioneer in electrochemistry 57 Trickle 58 Stitched 60 Unit of pressure 61 Being 64 South southeast

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 95

W IERD W ORLD

Germany

A three week old lamb, named Birke, has been discovered in a Munich brothel during a narcotics raid. Prostitution in Germany is legal although keeping a lamb in a brothel is not, and a 25-year-old prostitute was subsequently arrested. Despite showing the police documents from veterinary authorities she was forbidden to keep the animal as the document did not include brothels as suitable living conditions for lambs. According to the animal protection group the animal was turned over too, Birke was comfortable and drinking from a bottle during his brief stay with the Munich Police.

Taiwan

Scientists in Taiwan have discovered a way to produce robotic muscles that stretch and flex like real tissue, using gold plated onions! Artificial muscles have previously been created using live tissue, the problem being that this tissues has to be kept alive, the

and covered herself in dirt to stay warm, and also resorted to drinking her own breast milk for energy. After being rescued 2.5km from the race track and enjoying an emotional reunion with her family Mrs O’Brian told reporters “I’m not a very good orienteering woman”.

To achieve the muscular movement scientist first took a single layer of onion skin, washed and freeze dried it then painted it in liquid gold before an electrical current was passed through it causing it to contract. The team from the National Taiwan University are now looking at ways to reduce the voltage necessary to make the technology suitable for implementation into robots and other automated machines.

A deparate husband rang the lost property section of East Yorkshire Motor Services, begging for help, after leaving his holdall on the number 17 bus in Scarborough, Yorkshire. The reason for the mans ditress being that the bag contained a steamy video of himself and a lady who was not his wife. Confessing the affair to the bus service employee, the gentleman in question was more concerned his wife would find out than recovering the bag. Depot Manager Chris Agar explains ‘He admitted that he was married and his wife was not in the movie but his girlfriend was, all we can assume is that someone on the bus decided to walk off with the holdall and got more than they bargained for.’

USA

23-year-old Dominyk Antonio Alfonseca from Virgina has claimed that “asking for money is not a crime” after posting videos and a photo of himself demanding $150,000 (£98,000) in bonds via a written note, on Instagram. He was arrested with a large amount of money shortly after entering the TowneBank in Virgina beach and handing the teller a note allegedly saying “Police take 3 to 4 minutes to get here, I would appreciate if you Ring the alarm a minute after I am gone… make sure the money doesn’t BLOW UP ON MY WAY OUT. :-)”. Videos posted to the photo sharing app showed the teller putting cash into a bag. A photo of the note used was also posted.

Mexico

Critics of Mexican state politician Renato Tronco Gomez have accused him of attention seeking after he has advertised for a body double to help him with official engagements. Mr Tronco Gomez has said the idea would help his constituents if he can be in two places at once and cope with his many obligations. “I am not trying to fool anyone because my double will always identify himself as my double,” he said. “If singers and comedians do it, why not? I used to send representatives to events I couldn’t attend and the idea of a double

New Zealand

humble onion skin removes this problem , although it does come with some problems of its own including reduced durability and water resistance.

A competitor taking part in a 12.5-mile cross-country race near Wellington has been rescued by a helicopter with heat-seeking equipment after becoming disorientated and having to use mud and breast milk to survive. Susan O’Brien feared for her life during a night of high winds and rain in the New Zealand wilderness. She was forced to dig a hole in the ground in which she laid

SUDOKU Sudoku is one of the most popular puzzle games of all time. The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9. As a logic puzzle, Sudoku is also an excellent brain game. If you play Sudoku regluarly, you will soon start to see improvements in your concentration and overall brain power.

6 4

3 7

5 6

1 9

8 8

emerged two years ago as a joke.” However some tasks will be off limits such parliamentary roles and the politician’s family responsibilities. “My double will not be able to attend sessions of parliament, because (you vote) with your fingerprint and I’m not going to cut off my finger to give it to my double,” he said.

5 8

2 7

“There is going to be an agreement that he can’t sleep with my wife, nor live in my house, nor be father to my children.” 4 people have applied so far for the role that would require training in how to speak and act like the politician, and the successful candidate would be paid as an assistant. Mr Tronco Gomez wife will play a large part in selecting the body double with Mr Tronco Gomez adding “She knows me inside and out.”

Slovakia

A nun has been accused of stabbing a 7-year-old boy during an RE lesson in the town of Kysucke, Nove Mesto in northern Slovakia. She reportedly called the child to the front of the class and proceeded to remove a needle from her handbag and stab him in the back of the hand. The boy, Adam Chelko, was told that was how jesus suffered and he would succumb to the same fate should he misbehave. A school spokesman said: ‘We strongly disapprove of this sort of teaching method. ‘When I contacted the Sister she told me that the class had been learning about Jesus Christ and personal sin.’ ‘She added that the children had been invited to voluntarily experience mild pain so they could empathise with the theme. ‘She said she had invited the pupils to prick themselves if they wanted to but were not forced to. ‘She denies stabbing the boy and says he did it himself. ‘Either way this is inappropriate behaviour and will not be tolerated in this school. Despite this explanation the boys mother is still very concerned what may happen in the future especially during religious festivals such as easter, saying next time the nun may “crucify one of the students or hammer a nail into their hands’

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

96 - WEEKEND WORLD

W CLASSIFIEDS... FOR ALL OUR LOCAL BUSINESS NEEDS CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM: 952 127 200 EMMA.SALES@SIMPLYMEDIA-GROUP.COM n 50 cents per word n If placed in a balck & white - additional € 20.00 + IVA n If placed in a colour box (colour) - an additional € 30.00 + IVA

AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING installation. Service & repair to any make or model, also repair fridge/freezers, bottle coolers, car A/C & A/C on boats. All work guaranteed. All areas covered including campo. Contact Williams Refrigeration: 952596404/679284959 ______________________________________ AIR CONDITIONING installations, repairs and service. Quality installations -20 years’ experience on the coasts. All Areas Covered. www.envirocarespain.com info@envirocarespain.com 952663141/670409759 ______________________________________ AIR CONDITIONING repairs + installation. Tel. Jim 652023012 ______________________________________

RENOVATIONS large or small; including bathrooms, kitchens, building work, replacement windows and doors. Competitive quotations. All areas covered. www.spainmultiservices.com / info@spainmultiservices.com ______________________________________ HMS PROFESSIONAL builders. General reforms, extensions, pools, damp specialist. We improve on any competing quote. Any size job. Call 610502623 ______________________________________

BUSINESS SERVICES ACCOUNTANTS. English and Spanish Accountants for all accounting/ bookkeeping jobs. Tax and company formation. Professional, reliable, confidential. Tel: 952440773 ______________________________________ BUSINESS 1st have 2 Breakfast Networking groups on the CDS. Mijas Costa & Estepona. Est since 2009, 30 plus members meet twice a month, new referrals at each mtng. +34 664227400 www.business1st.es ______________________________________ INVITE potential clients inside your business with a VIRTUAL TOUR from Plush Global Media. Prices from 60€, added to Google+ and Facebook! Sell your property faster by using virtual tour photography. Prices from 100€ for 2 bed apartment. Contact: 951193436 ______________________________________

MISLAID your payslips/ P60 or other paperwork? Recovery document service available, fast confidential, reliable. 617910147 alan1l@yahoo.co.uk ______________________________________

____________________________________

BUILDERS PROMAS BUILDING, a professional team of builders with over 10 years experience in Spain who carry out any reforms from complete houses and extensions to smaller home improvements, swimming pools, kitchens, bathrooms, patios and more. www.promasbuilding.com Call Andy on 699582569 ______________________________________ FREE CONSULTATION UNTIL 30.08.2015! Estomar91 offers a bespoke construction service, with the architect, design and planning team working closely with a client on each individual project. www.etomar91.com +34 952 816 686

BUY/SELL SECOND hand shop, buy and sell. Tim’s established in 1992. Atalaya ( San Pedro). New opening hours: Tuesday – Friday10:30am – 7:00pm Saturday 10:30am – 2:00pm Sun + Mon (closed) 666903499 angelsmarbella@gmail.com ______________________________________ HOUSE clearance specialists. Houses, gardens, garages cleared. Cash on collection. Man & van removal services. Fast & reliable Call Rich: 639 229 604 / Joanne 649 9777 23 ______________________________________ HOLA CREDITO. Instant short term loans against valuables. Quick, easy and always discreet. Tel: 900 123 457 www.holacredito.com

CLEANING SERVICES CARPET & UPHOLSTERY professionally cleaned, 20yrs experience, wet or dry clean. Honest, reliable service. 678808837/952669701 ______________________________________ OVEN CLEANING, domestic, commercial & professional cleaned from 40 euros. www.ovencleaningcostadelsol.com 632569282 ______________________________________

DECORATORS NO NEED TO PAINT, we won’t just paint your property we’ll PROTECT it with longlasting, waterproof and breathable wall coating! Looks like normal paint, but last 10 times longer! Flexible so no cracking, peeling or flaking! www.noneedtopaint.com info@noneedtopaint.com 640 519 482 or 952 594 425 ______________________________________ CASA TASHAM is a bespoke Interior Design company offering a personalised service and great rental packages from 8,500 euros. All furniture is purchased directly from major suppliers so we can offer a full service at very competitive prices. Natasha Mills: +34 699 02 15 57 www. facebook.com/casatashaminteriors

DRY CLEANERS HOT OFF THE PRESS The only genuine ECO friendly dry cleaners in Southern Spain. WHY ? We don’t use any petrochemicals in our dry cleaning process. We only use pure natural silicone. Los Jarales, Calahonda, km197 952 930 392 ______________________________________

GARDENERS EXPERTGARDENERS - a company for maintenance, design and construction of gardens, maintenance of pools and installation of system irrigation. Tel. 656327329 Email: info@expertgardeners.es ______________________________________ DREAM GARDENS: Landscaping architecture, design, water features, irrigation. Specializing in beautiful gardens. Also planning/maintenance. 610502623. www.dreamgarden.es ______________________________________ IRIS-IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPES. New installations and problem-solving. Turf (supply and laying). Garden and patio constructions. Clearing and maintenance. 676747521

BARBER SHOP OPEN: Monday to Friday 10am - 6pm Tel: David on 661 190 175 Next to Man Friday’s Supermarket, Benamara

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

HEALTH MARBELLA CHIROPRACTIC. Serving Marbella more than 10 years. Dr Mark Lane, AEQ member. Family wellness practice. English and Spanish spoken. Free health class. Exit 170 o_ A7. C.C. Guadalmina, San Pedro de Alcantara 952 880 398 info@marbellachiropractic.com ______________________________________ SKIN Specialist - NHS Registered. Treats all kinds of skin problems. Consultation 70 euros. Dr. Eva Fuengirola / Calahonda 664747267 www.dermadelsol.com ______________________________________ PROFESSIONAL Sports massage. 15 year’s experience. 1 hour: 40E, 1.5 hours: 55E. Elviria. Wendy 952852330/ 634310821 Mobile Services +10E ______________________________________ ITEC diploma courses in holistic massage, sport massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, SPA and beauty therapy. Now available intensive holistic massage course with online support. 951311216 www.naturaclass.net ______________________________________ OPTICA BANUS specializing in luxury brands. Professionals in vision & style. Free eye test. 952 815 702 info@ opticabanus.com ______________________________________

INSURANCE AFFORDABLE private health Insurance linked to Bupa. For quotation call 952383127 / 670217272 / 649072417 ______________________________________

LOCKSMITHS SECURITY of Spain. 24 hour locksmiths. 30 years’ experience. www.securityofspain. com Call Daren. 636770865 / 952660233. ______________________________________ LOCKSMITH 24/7 Emergency/ Appointment. Doors opened without damage, locks changed, patio doors, windows secured. Call Paul 657466803 ______________________________________

MOBILITY Scooters, electric wheelchairs, wheelchairs, for sale or rent, new batteries supplied and fitted. 609581139 www. mobilityscootersdirectspain.com ______________________________________

MOTORS TYRES-2-U.COM the Coasts ONLY to your door mobile tyre fitting store. Puncture repairs, callouts , new tyres. 7 days a week. +34 676186499 www.tyres-2-u.com Malaga to Gibraltar ______________________________________ CALLING AUDI OWNERS! Need an Audi Specialist to keep your Vorsprung Durch Technik in the shape it left the factory? Bright Sky Cars, Audi Specialist. Sales & Service 14 years Audi experience. www.facebook.com/brightskycars

WEEKEND WORLD - 97 BRITISH mechanic workshop. Repair, service & ITV to all makes of cars, van and SUV’s Call Steve 951 914 025 / 605 407 369 ______________________________________ Nº1 CARS for all your luxury car needs. Services & Repairs, Painting, ITV, Diagnostic & testing All makes models, cars, motorbikes & scooters info@no1marbella.com 952 926 544 / 952 898 603 ______________________________________

PETS EURODOG, boarding Kennels & Cattery, fully licensed & sanitary approved, safe, secure and loving environment. Large kennels & play areas. Fully refurbished, inspections welcome. www.eurodog.es 952464947 679786669 ______________________________________ PETCARE Pet Hotel: Alhaurin El Grande. Holiday accommodation for dogs & cats. Individually heated/air-con kennels. 952112284/ 685400216 www. petcarespain.com Follow us on Facebook at Petcare Spain ______________________________________ STEFANIES Kennels and Cattery Estepona. Est. 1986. Excellent facilities. Viewing welcome. 952790943 www. stefanieskennels.com ______________________________________ TERRAVET Veterinary Clinic, complete veterinary service, emergencies, housecalls, dog and cat grooming. San Pedro Alcantara. Tel: 951500175. Emergencies: 663363626. www.terravet.es

STORAGE MARBELLA Dry warehousing storage space available short or long term excellent rates. Collection and delivery can be arranged call 952 816 582 or email move@freinternational.com ______________________________________ BRITANNIA Southern. Worldwide container shipping. Proven track record. Customs formalities and advice. Quality packing materials sold. 952470707 www.southern.es ______________________________________

SWIMMING POOLS & GARDEN POOL Covers and Rollers: Quality covers at competitive prices. ______________________________________ 20 years’ experience all areas covered. www.envirocarespain.com / info@ envirocarespain.com 952663141/ 670409759 ______________________________________ PERFECT POOLS: Maintenance/repairs, professional and reliable service. All areas covered from 70 euros p/m. www.perfectpools.com / info@ perfectpools.es call 650348785

SKY / TV MISSING your UK Free to Air Channels? We offer the most reliable and cost effective solutions to replace the UK channels +movies, sports & series. No monthly fees. Contact us 952937582 -663271531 or info@pjsat.tv ______________________________________ ALL sky channels free view no dish no card. Internet only. 1.5 MGB speed only. No Contract ! Irish Channels. Jose Sotto 952443838 670443838 josesotto@ono.com ______________________________________ SOTOSKY. Installation and maintenance of all types of electronic equipment. Antennas, SKY TV, home cinemas & Domotic call 956 795973 www.sotosky.com ______________________________________

VAN/CAR HIRE SELF DRIVE VAN HIRE – half day rates, daily rates and weekend special rates. Car hire also, daily, weekly, long term and rent to own. Contact AutoOasis – 952623297, info@arrowcars.es www.autooasiseurope.com ______________________________________ CAR hire. Long & short term. No petrol extras 607 334 610

VACANCIES

______________________________________ Sotogrande Veterinary Clinic has over 10 year’s experience. Our team consists of veterinarians, veterinary assistants and groomers united by a common goal: to provide the best care to improve the quality of life and the health of your pet. www.veterinariosotogrande.com / 910 327 715 / 685 849 370 ______________________________________

SECURITY DO YOU FEEL SAFE IN YOUR “HOME SWEET HOME”? Would you like to remotely control your door locking, your alarm or your car tracking system? Prosegur, the 3° security company in the world, can Offer you that! Andreea Rosca 620 69 08 07 ______________________________________

REMOVALS & STORAGE WWW.SPAINUKSPAIN.COM Vehicle leaving Spain 9th-19th-29th, returning 10th-20th-30th. Prices from 90 pounds per m3. Cars 525. Bikes 325. Dogs 395. Cats 295 including vet checks/ travel with your pets. Various vehicles cater for your needs. 952596213, 665150227

Media Group Creating the best magazines

Simply Media Group Media - an exciting and growing media company is recruiting:

TOP QUALITY SALES EXECUTIVES are required to sell for rapidly expanding magazine & Newspaper Company. Experience in media sales is essential, as candidates will be required to liaise with businesses and individuals at all levels. Candidates must be professional and with a smart appearance, able to drive and have there own car. The post is offered with a good basic salary (OTE) and candidates MUST possess a “can do” attitude, be target driven and fluent in both English & Spanish.

FREELANCE JOURNALISTS & CONTRIBUTING WRITERS for new English language newspaper and magazine publications. In the first instance please send your CV by email to:

info@simplymedia-group.com

PLEASE MENTION THE WEEKEND WORLD WHEN CONTACTING BUSINESSESS

FOCUS ON GOLF

98 - WEEKEND WORLD

Academy of fun this summer

THE Los Arqueros kids golf summer school is run by the M&G (Miguel and Gabriel) Golf Academy. The Academy is based in Los Arqueros and they are running weekly camps during the school holidays for kids, aged from five to 16 years old, who are on holiday here or living in the area. The classes will be run in groups with a maximum of six children per group. The classes will run from Monday to Friday in the mornings and will be about 1 1/2 hours long. The class type will be dependent on natural ability and handicap and groups will be decided by Miguel and Gabriel. The price is 100 euros for the week long course. The groups will be taken on the course to play a few holes later in the week. For registration please contact the caddie master on 0034 952 78 46 00. Mobile: 0034 647 82 32 08 or 0034 626 43 40 18. E-mail: mggolfacademy@ hotmail.com

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

Woods’ problems are mental not physical T

HE former number one suffered his worst professional round as he slumped with a 13-over-par 85 on the third day of the Memorial Tournament in Ohio. Faldo, who is now an analyst of the game, said that this has been ‘going on for a while’. He said that for a golfer, the real problem begins when he fears the shot before hitting the ball, saying that this was the case with Woods and that’s why he was not comfortable. Last week’s round at Muirfield Village, a course at which Woods has tasted victory on eight occasions, was only his third in the 80s in the entire career with Woods still searching for a swing fix during a practice round this week with coach Chris Como, said Faldo.

BOGEYS The weekend’s golf was far from vintage Tiger Woods but at least the 14-times major champion rebounded at the Memorial Tournament to beat his third round score by 11 shots. A day after posting a career-worst 13-over 85 at Muirfield Village, Woods scratched out a two-over 74, showing glimpses of good form but once again countering it with plenty of bad. Buoyed by hitting nine of 14

Six times major champion Nick Faldo has opined that Tiger Woods’ slump on the golf course is a result of mental problems fairways, the most of the week, Woods had five birdies in his round and at one stage looked like he may have turned a corner at three-under through 12 holes. But two bogeys and two double bogeys on his last six once again exposed flaws in the former world number one. The 39-year-old remained last in the tournament at 14-over 302, the worst 72-hole total of his career, but was pleased with some aspects of play. “Today was a lot bet-

For a golfer, the real problem begins when he fears the shot before hitting the ball, said the analyst and former major champion.

ter ball-striking wise but I didn’t finish off very good,” he told reporters. “Today was what I’ve been doing on the driving range and that was finally nice to see. I got solidness back, I was hitting the driver with both shapes, cuts and draws,” Woods said.

Woods admitted Saturday’s 85, only the third time he had failed to break 80, was a humbling experience. But he insisted it was a necessary pain as he continues to go through swing changes with coach Chris Como. With his next start the U.S. Open coming on June 18 time is running out to get it right if he is to halt his major winning drought, which will hit the seven-year mark if he cannot win at Chambers Bay. Woods will now take a few days off to let a blister on his left index finger heel before ramping up his major preparations. “Hopefully, in two weeks’ time things will be a lot better and I’ll be ready to try to win a U.S. Open,” he said.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 99

SPORT NEWS

PAIN’S women’s football team have make history this week by taking part in their first ever World Cup, which kicked off in Canada on June 6th and runs until July 5th. Perhaps surprisingly in a country known for its passion for the beautiful game, women’s football has been much slower to take off in Spain than in other countries. While just the word Spain is often synonymous with football champions, Spain’s captain Veronica Boquete has played down the team’s chances: “You could say they are zero,” she told news agency Reuters. “It’s the first time we are playing in a World Cup and there is still a big gulf between us and the main powers due to conditions in the professional game but not due to quality.” Currently ranked 14th in the world, the Spanish team, coached by Ignacio Quereda, made its World Cup debut against Costa Rica in Montreal’s Olympic Stadium on June 9th, with a laboured draw of 1-1. Trouble lies ahead however, with the other two teams that make up Group E - Brazil and South Korea, ranked seventh and 18th in the world, respectively.

PHYSICAL “The players are enormously motivated and committed,” Quereda said “Costa Rica is an opponent at our level, the most beatable. Brazil is an established side and will make it hard for us and Korea is a very physical and well-organised team,” added the 64-year-old. Spain’s team is hoping to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero to do so they have to come among the top three European teams in the World Cup. The team’s historic participation in this year’s Women’s World Cup will bring visibility to a sport that ironically, is often ignored in Spain, home of the world’s greatest (male) football teams. According to Spanish daily, El País, there has been a vicious circle when it comes to women’s football in Spain, “small audiences, lack of media coverage, lack of sponsors and lack of investors.” For Spain’s captain, Veronica Boquete, it comes down to a lack of practical equality in Spain that is ingrained in other countries, especially those

SPAIN’S WOMEN STRIVE FOR GLORY AT WORLD CUP in Scandinavia: “In the nordic countries, in Sweden, the society is more equal. Equality is not just theoretic, but practical. There, there is a respect and admiration for women footballers, for sportswomen. In Spain, it’s different”. In Spain, women footballers play alongside

their jobs or studies, making a career out of the sport often involves emigrating. Boquete, currently plays for FFC Frankfurt, in Germany and has just signed for the female Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich. Not being able to play football full-time is one of the reasons that Spain’s adult teams do not

tend to fulfil the promise of the country’s flourishing women’s youth teams, but now with its first appearance on the World Cup stage and the visibility it brings, Spain’s women footballers are hoping that the country with the world’s most passionate footie fans will put gender aside and support their sportswomen this June.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

100 - WEEKEND WORLD

SPORT NEWS

THE START OF A NEW SPORTING ERA

HE Games, which will take place every four years, were devised by the European Olympic Committee and launched at their General Assembly in Rome in December 2012 with Baku named as the first host city. Thirty-eight of the 49 EOC members backed the Games, which provide a European equivalent of the multi-sport Asian Games and the Pan-American Games, both of which have been part of the calendar since 1951. Representatives of 50 European nations will compete, with the opening ceremony taking place on Friday June 12th and the closing ceremony being held on Sunday 28th. The committee said the event “is in no way intended to be a copy of the Olympic Games” and is “a tool with which to enhance the attractiveness of sport.” SO WHICH SPORTS ARE BEING SHOWCASED? The new Games will play host to some new disciplines after the Olympic Committee

Tomorrow, Friday 12th June, Azerbaijan lifts up the curtain on the first-ever European Games when its capital, Baku, will welcome some 6,000 athletes to this inaugural sporting festival. made its selection from an “overwhelming” number of suggestions. Twenty sports will be on the agenda -- 16 Olympic events and the other four making their debuts in this format. First, the familiar ones: aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, judo, volleyball, boxing, canoe, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon and wrestling will all be there. And what of the newcomers? Well, they’re 3x3 basketball, karate, beach soccer and sambo. The first three are self-explanatory -but what exactly is sambo? And how do you do it?

Sambo has its roots in the military history of the Soviet Union, of which Azerbaijan was a part. A martial art, it was devised as an element of Red Army training in the 1920s with the intention of sharpening soldiers’ handto-hand combat skills. Throwing, groundwork and submissions are all elements -- the sport has echoes of both wrestling and judo, but rules and restrictions are different -- and the name is a truncated version of the Russian for ‘self-defence without weapons’, so Iwe should expect Russia to do well in this one. What are the incentives for athletes? They are twofold: both the winning of med-

als for their country and opportunities to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Baku will host 253 medal events, with direct Olympic qualification at stake in disciplines including the triathlon. SPAIN’S CONTENDERS There will be six Olympic medallists among the 214 Spanish athletes heading to Baku. Six of them already have an Olympic medal to their names who will be looking to use their experience to add to their collection in Azerbaijan. GREAT BRITAIN’S CONTENDERS Great Britain is sending its largest overseas contingent since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The team features Jones, Olympic champion boxer Nicola Adams, London 2012 canoe sprint gold medallist Ed McKeever and judo silver medallist Gemma Gibbons. The second European Games, which will take place in 2019 will be hosted by The Netherlands.

AUTOMOTIVE • ELECTRONIC • DIAGNOSTIC

ALL MAKES • ALL MODELS • CARS, MOTORBIKES & SCOOTERS

POLIGONO INDUSTRIAL LA ERMITA C/URIANO 45 - 29600 MARBELLA T: 952 926 544 - 675 530 409 - info@no1carsmarbella.com

www.no1carsmarbella.com Open Monday to Friday from 09:00 - 18:00 continuously

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 101

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

102 - WEEKEND WORLD

SPORT NEWS

A return to form Lewis Hamilton said he needed a return to winning ways as he took the chequered flag at the Canadian Grand Prix - but stopped short of labelling his victory as a relief.

HE reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton (above) had missed out on a win last time out in Monaco after a late pit-stop allowed Mercedes team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg to seal a second straight success. But Hamilton, like so many times in the past, was untouchable in Montreal as he dominated a race which passed by with very little incident. The win, the 37th of his career, moves him 17 points clear at the top of the drivers’ standings and he insisted it was simply more proof of his ability to lead from the front than any relief at getting back on the top step. “Did I need this? I think so,’’ he said. “I love Montreal. I love this track, I love this city and (it’s been) really just a fantastic weekend, great to get back onto the top step. “I didn’t feel I had the most comfortable balance and had some under-steer but I didn’t feel under too much pressure. It was never too serious. It was a great race. I don’t feel like I needed to be (relieved) - I was quicker all of the previous race weekend. We had the problem that enabled Nico to win. It is not a relief it is good to continue with good strength. It is good that the team continue to be strong and move forwards as well, that is the impressive thing.” Mercedes head of motorsport Toto Wolff was pleased with the performance given the stinging criticism of the team after the decision in Monaco, especially given Hamilton’s

race engineer Peter Bonnington lost his father earlier in the week. “I must say that after Monaco, it was very difficult for the team to handle the criticism,” he said. “We were exposed to massive criticism, it looked like all the victories and the world championship was forgotten and suddenly a bunch of idiots were managing the team”.

BATTLING The podium was completed by Nico Rosberg in second place with Valtteri Bottas of Williams, the first non-Mercedes or Ferrari car to finish in the top three this season. Ferrari was third with Kimi Raikkonen fourth and Sebastian Vettel battling up from 18th on the grid to finish fifth. But it was not a good day for McLaren as both of their cars were forced to retire and, for the first time, there was public frustration from Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard hit out at his own team when asked to go into fuel-saving mode. Felipe Massa also progressed well through the field to take sixth for Williams and Pastor Maldonado scored his first points of the season for Lotus as he came home seventh, with Romain Grosjean in 10th making it a good day for the team. Nico Hulkenberg finished eighth for Force India and Red Bull scored minor points with Daniil Kvyat’s ninth-placed finish.

F1 TABLES (after Round 7 of 19) 2015 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship 2015 POSITION

DRIVER

TEAM

POINTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Sebastian Vettel Kimi Räikkönen Valtteri Bottas Felipe Massa Daniel Riccardo Daniil Kvyat Romain Grosjean Felipe Nasr Sergio Perez Nico Hulkenberg Carlos Sainz Jr Max Verstappen Pastor Maldonado Marcus Ericsson Jenson Button Will Stevens Roberto Merhi Fernando Alonso

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Scuderia Ferrari Scuderia Ferrari Williams Martini Racing-Mercedes Williams Martini Racing-Mercedes Infiniti Red Bull-Renault Infiniti Red Bull-Renault Lotus-Mercedes Sauber Sahara Force India-Mercedes Sahara Force India-Mercedes Scuderia Toro Rosso-Renault Scuderia Toro Rosso-Renault Lotus-Mercedes Sauber McLaren Honda Manor Marussia-Ferrari Manor Marussia-Ferrari McLaren Honda

151 134 108 72 57 47 35 19 17 16 11 10 9 6 6 5 4 0 0 0

2015 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship 2015 POSITION TEAM

POINTS

1 Mercedes 2 Ferrari 3 Williams-Mercedes 4 Red Bull-Renault 5 Lotus-Mercedes 6 Force India-Mercedes 7 Sauber 8 Scuderia Toro Rosso-Renault 9 McLaren-Honda 10 Manor Marussia-Ferrar

285 180 103 54 23 21 21 15 4 0

Next Race: Austria 21st June

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

WEEKEND WORLD - 103

SPORT NEWS

IR Bradley Wiggins gave everything he had to raise the standard of a “torturous” and “relentless” UCI Hour Record but the Beamonesque mark he targeted was beyond even him. Tickets sold out in seven minutes to watch Wiggins ride around in circles for 60 minutes, targeting fellow Briton Alex Dowsett’s record of 52.937-kilometres. And the 2012 Tour de France champion, four-time Olympic gold medallist and world time-trial champion delivered in 54.526km, he even had the strength to raise his bike above his head in celebration. “I’ve got to be happy with that. I couldn’t have done much more,” Wiggins said. Wiggins had set himself a target of over 55km (220 laps) and a record which would last a generation, thus bearing comparison with Bob Beamon’s long jump world record from 1968 which lasted almost 23 years.

PRESSURE He did everything in his power, even shaving his beard, to perform, but the conditions at the Lee Valley VeloPark - formerly known as the Olympic Velodrome - were not conducive to such a distance and Dowsett may be among those encouraged to try again. Wiggins recorded the same distance to that achieved on Wednesday in a full dress rehearsal at lower - and therefore more favourable - pressure. “I couldn’t have done any more today with the conditions. It was 1030 (bar) pressure,” Wiggins added. For the 35-year-old Wiggins it was a one-time opportunity, with the Rio Olympics next summer likely to be his swansong. “I won’t go for it again,” he added. Wiggins became the sixth rider to win the Tour and claim the Hour Record, which is said by those who have accomplished it to be their toughest athletic challenge. Wiggins had shorn of the beard he has grown since his distinctive sideburns sported in 2012 attracted too much attention. He began ahead of his scheduled start while Sky Sports was on an advertising break.”I was just ready to go. I’ve waited long enough,” Wiggins said. Roared on by the partisan crowd, which included fellow Tour winner and one-time Hour Record holder Miguel Indurain, he speed was consistently around 54.6kph, well ahead of the pace set by Dowsett in Manchester on May 2. He passed Dowsett with just under two minutes to go on a challenge which was more mental as he knew his physical capabilities.” When you’re out there you think it’s never going to end,” he added. Wiggins would like to see multiple road time-trial world champions Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland and Germany’s Tony Martin bid for the record and thinks Dowsett, who is 26, may have another go. His next major goal is next March’s London Track World Championships, where the team pursuit is the big goal, but Wiggins may also ride the 4km individual pursuit in a bid for a fourth world title in the non-Olympic discipline. By then his beard should have grown back.”I feel naked without it,” Wiggins added.

SIR BRADLEY WIGGINS SMASHES ALEX DOWSETT’S HOUR RECORD

MGM MARBELLA SIGN BRITISH CHAMPION AND TWO TIME ABA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

ARREN Baister (pictured far left) feels the time was right for him to turn professional because his heart was no longer in the amateur game. The cruiserweight from Sunderland has turned his back on Team GB to join the paid ranks, and will be part of Matthew Macklin’s gym in Marbella. With 14 months until the opening ceremony at the Rio Olympics, the 29-year-old is denying himself the chance of competing at the world’s greatest sporting event, but he believes it is the right thing to do. “I enjoyed my time on Team GB but to-

wards the end it was getting a bit monotonous,” said Baister, who missed out on a medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games when he was narrowly beaten by Samir El-Mais in the quarter-finals. “I’ve seen it all and done it all and to be honest it’s not a nice time to go through in the build-up to a major tournament. It’s quite a stressful time, so to go through all the training camps and build-up, my heart wasn’t in them.” Baister will not be relocating to Marbella as former GB team-mate Tom Stalker did, but will remain in the North East. “I will be

doing camps out there but I won’t be living out there,” he said. “I’ll still be based in Peterlee, working with Dave Binns and training alongside Glenn Foot. “The beauty of being part of MGM (Macklin Gym Marbella) is at any time they can fly me out there at short notice for training camps, so I’ve got the best of both worlds really. “I’m going to be at home, training at home, but when I need to go away for a bit of solitude, I can head out to a camp.” Baister is already eyeing up Matchrom’s planned show for Newcastle in October.

Issue 01 June 11 - 24, 2015

104 - WEEKEND WORLD

SPORT NEWS

‘I want Filipe Luis & Carlos Tevez’ Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone CONFIRMS

EEKEND

WORLD

Diego Maradona believes he’ll be a FIFA vice president if Prince Ali wins presidential election

TLETICO Madrid coach Diego Simeone says he hopes to sign a double whammy this summer with Juventus attacker Carlos Tevez and Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis this summer. Atletico have been regularly linked with a move for Argentina international Tevez through recent weeks, with Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta having recently acknowledged that the 31-year-old could move on. Asked in a recent interview whether he had spoken to Tevez recently, Simeone said no conversation had taken place but he was “excited” about the idea of his compatriot playing at the Estadio Vicente Calderon. “The truth is I have not spoken with Carlos, but I know the club is speaking with his agent,” Simeone said. “It is always exciting to have players like Tevez. He has the best thing about this game -- he bleeds football, apart from the number of goals he is capable of scoring each season. He would be an ideal signing for our idea of football at Atletico Madrid.” Atletico are also keen to sign Luis, who left the Spanish club for Chelsea in a €20 million deal last summer but had little involvement under Jose Mourinho. “Filipe Luis is a player we like a lot as a kid but who also knows us well and has given a lot to the team,” Simeone said. “I hope it happens.”

It’s in the “hands of God”

NOW I’M A AIMING TO REACH FOR THE TOP

FTER the surprising win of Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka at the French Open tennis tournament, at the Roland Garros stadium, Wawrinka still insists he still has ground to make up to be considered on a similar level to that of the big four despite his shock final victory over Novak Djokovic. Djokovic was strong favourite to clinch his first title at Roland Garros and complete a career Grand Slam but Wawrinka outplayed the world No 1 to win 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4. It means a second Grand Slam success for the Swiss, who last year won the Australian Open to join Juan Martin del Potro as the

only men since 2005 to lift a Major trophy other than Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. His latest triumph over Djokovic was particularly impressive given the way he overpowered the Serb with a number of brilliant base-line winners, but Wawrinka believes he needs to be more consistent. “I’m trying to be more consistent at every tournament but so far it’s just me. I’m not as strong as the big four. They are winning everything,” Wawrinka said. “But I’m certainly strong enough to win some of the big titles during the coming years. With Wimbledon next on the tennis schedule I’m sure all eyes will be on Warinka. Wimbledon begins on June 29th – July 12th

IEGO Maradona believes he could become a FIFA vice president if Prince Ali of Jordan wins the upcoming presidential election. The Argentine legend and World Cup winner has long been a critic of FIFA and alleged corruption in world football’s governing body, and this is despite having been banned by FIFA for a failed drugs test at the 1994 World Cup and ostracised by his own country’s football association after a failed stint as national team head coach. The 54-year-old sees himself as a perfect fit to help with the upcoming reforms, and claimed on Argentine television that there’s a strong possibility of him stepping into the upper ranks of FIFA if Ali bin Al-Hussein can beat off the likes of Luis Figo and Michael van Praag in the upcoming ballot. “If Prince Ali wins, I have a great chance of being vice president of FIFA,” Maradona said. “And if I get there, I’m going to clean up everything!”