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EEKEND
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
GIBRALTAR
National Day - a fun day out for all the family Page 37
WORLD
NEWSPAPER WITH A DIFFERENCE
There really is healthy pizza! Page 72
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Issue 05 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
Spanish fire shots at Gib fishermen
S FOOD & FINE DINING
WEEKEND WORLD - 1
PANISH customs officials have been accused of firing four shots and throwing bricks at a Gibraltar vessel within British Gibraltar Waters, as tensions continue to escalate between the neighbouring nations. In what has been described as an ‘extremely serious escalation’, Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said the incident “put the lives of innocent Gibraltarian civilians at risk” and “represents an extremely serious escalation of the repeated Spanish violations of British-Gibraltar sovereignty”. The Spanish foreign minister Sr Margallo has reiterated that the waters that surround Gibraltar are
Gibraltar accused Spanish customs officers of firing four shots in the direction of one of its fishing boats in latest act of aggression surrounding The Rock Spanish, as if he is the principal judge in the International Court of Justice, and has threatened to continue with the incursions in what are, in fact, legally British waters. The incident which occurred on Saturday afternoon, involved two men on board a Gibraltar registered pleasure boat who reported that, whilst fishing well inside British Gibraltar territorial waters, four pistol shots
were fired in their direction by the crew of the Spanish Customs vessel (SVA) ‘AGUILA IV.’ The crew claim that the Spanish vessel ordered the pleasure boat to stop its engines but when this was not done, the AGUILA IV circled the boat and the SVA crew then attempted to board it, the pleasure boat then took evasive action. It was during this time that the shots were fired by the SVA crew apparently into the sea near the boat and objects, which they believe to have been bricks, were allegedly thrown at the local men. A Gibraltar government spokesman said that the two men had all the required fishing permits and were not behaving in any way illegally.
LIVES AT RISK
TRAVEL
New Orleans 10 years after Hurricane Katrina Page 92
The Spanish Customs vessel ‘AGUILA IV’
Spanish man fakes his own kidnapping CITY FM MALAGA Preferred media partners. See our ad and schedule Page 44/45 WWW.CITYFMMALAGA.COM WASSAPP 620018828
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YOUNG man from Cartagena, in southeast Spain, has been arrested after faking his own kidnapping. An unidentified man, believed to be in his twenties, was reported missing on Friday by his concerned father after ‘kidnappers’ made contact with the family. The
regional office of Spain’s National Guard were told how the young man’s captors had issued several ultimatums – including that they would “chop off his legs” and “kill him” – should the family fail to pay the ransom. Continued on page 2
This is the third incident involving the SVA in as many weeks. Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said “this represents an extremely serious escalation of the repeated Spanish violations of British-Gibraltar sovereignty. There is no law enforcement excuse this time. The Spanish authorities have put the lives of innocent Gibraltarian civilians at risk. These actions are criminal offences in Gibraltar. Solely by being in the area, the SVA boat was in violation of treaties and the International Law of the Sea” he said. “Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar will not tolerate, under any circumstances, the intimidation or harassment of Gibraltar vessels in British Gibraltar territorial waters. We are working closely together with the UK Government so that necessary and appropriate action is taken to counter this unacceptable threat”. Earlier this month, Gibraltar was outraged when a Spanish boat continued its chase of alleged drug traffickers into the Rock’s territorial waters. Continued on page 2
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
2 - WEEKEND WORLD
NEWS
Fake kidnapping Continued from page 1 As well as threatening the family, the kidnappers also appeared remarkably well informed about their properties and personal wealth. The police immediately launched a search for the boy, which included drafting in a police negotiator to help deal with the supposed captors. However, with the police operation well underway, the son returned home, “safe and well”.
SUSPICIOUS Police became suspicious and after investigating further uncovered that the son’s kidnapper was the local poker hall owner, who had allegedly been in on the extortion the entire time – the son had allegedly racked up a large debt. Under questioning, the son confessed the entire stunt which he had planned with the poker hall owner and both were arrested and are currently awaiting charges. This is not the first instance of “fake kidnapping” in Spain. In what must make Cartagena the centre of false kidnappings, a 28-year-old woman was arrested in the city in June 2015 after faking her own kidnapping in order to get money out of her partner.
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ON A BENDER
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40-YEAR-OLD British holidaymaker, who has not been named, decided while in a drunken state it would be a good idea to scale one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks the Bridge of Germans and after what must have been an arduous task perched himself precariously on the narrow ledge, and nodded off. Police were called to the city centre bridge - known as the Bridge of the Germans because it was gifted to the city by Germany in gratitude towards locals who helped rescue sailors from the shipwrecked vessel Gneisenau in 1900 - after calls from worried passers-by around 2am on Saturday morning.
BEMUSED At first bemused officers failed to spot him - before looking up at the arches to see him lying outstretched on his back across one of them. The bizarre incident got even stranger when after numerous attempts they failed to rouse him from his deep sleep - and had to call firefighters who reached him using an extendable ladder . The fire crew brought him down in a cherry picker after finally managing to wake him. A police source said: “The most difficult thing was not rescuing him but waking him up. When we got him down it was clear he’d had a few too many drinks. This was certainly a first for us. We’ve had people sleeping on
bridges but never above them. It’s a miracle he didn’t fall during the night and do himself serious damage.” Once down from the archway, the holidaymaker was arrested for “disturbing public order” and now faces charges.
Spain on alert after first case of mosquito-borne virus detected
Last night the picture of him sleeping on the bridge - initially confused for a fake because the image was so extraordinary - was being shared across social networking sites and the holidaymaker is now being dubbed the Bridge Ninja.
GIBRALTAR SHOOTING Continued from page 1
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HE European Centre for Disease Control has published a Rapid Risk Assessment after a 60-year-old Spanish man became the first person to contract the chikungunya virus without having travelled to an infected area such as Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent The 60-year-old man, who has not been named, “developed symptoms in early July while travelling in France,” the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) said in a statement. “He had no history of travel outside the EU during the last three months and was most likely infected in the city of Gandía, Valencia community in Spain.” This is the first time that chikungunya - a mosquito-borne viral disease - has been reported without travel to the affected area. While the virus is rarely fatal, it can be severely debilitating, leaving those infected suffering with joint pain for years after. The most common symptoms of the virus are fever and joint pain, while other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash - similar to those experienced with dengue fever. There is currently no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat the chikungunya virus infection. The best way for travellers to protect themselves is by preventing mosquito bites. The ECDC advises travellers to “use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and trousers, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens”.
Mr Picardo (pictured above) accused the Spanish of acting with undue bravado and ultimately allowing the alleged criminals to escape. The Foreign Office said that it has lodged a protest with the Spanish government over the latest action by the SVA officials. “We have protested this incursion to the Spanish government at a high level and have also raised our extreme concern over the reported interaction between the Spanish vessel and a Gibraltarian pleasure craft during the incursion,” said a Foreign Office official. “We take seriously any reports of attempts by Spanish law enforcement agencies to interfere with vessels in British Gibraltar territorial waters and threaten or intimidate their crews. We continue to work closely with HM Government of Gibraltar and the Royal Gibraltar Police to establish the facts surrounding the incident.”
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
WEEKEND WORLD - 3
NEWS
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HE bravery of a few passengers aboard the express train from Amsterdam to Paris last week may have averted horrendous bloodshed. But their courage made up for another failure of surveillance and detection. And the incident showed once again that protecting Europe from terror attacks is an almost impossible job. Why? Because jihadi networks hide among the millions of Muslim immigrants living in Europe and travel by would-be jihadists to and from the killing and training grounds of Syria and Iraq is far too easy made simple by the free movement of travel across Europe’s 26 countries.
COOPERATION Airports may have tightened security, but rail and other transport hubs across Europe have not. In addition, cooperation among European intelligence services - while improving - is not as thorough as it should be after all the 26-year-old male suspect, named as Ayoub El Khahzzani, is believed to have been a person of interest for three Eu-
How did they all get it so wrong? European intelligence services are facing questions over their apparent failure to coordinate their action and stop the gunman who attempted a terrorist attack on a Paris bound train ropean intelligence services. According to Spanish officials, the Khazzani family moved to Spain in 2007. They were originally from Tetouan, a town of high youth unemployment on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast and long a recruiting ground for jihadist groups. The family later
moved from the capital, Madrid, to the port city of Algeciras just 10 miles across the bay from Gibraltar. He is reported to have been convicted for drug offences and to have spent some time in a Spanish jail. A Spanish counter-terrorism source claims Khazzani came to the attention of authorities for mak-
ing hard-line speeches defending jihad. So who should have been monitoring him? After his release, Khazzani moved to France where at some point in 2014, he travelled to Syria, apparently to receive military training and fight in the country’s civil war. Having returned from Syria, Khazzani is understood to have relocated to Belgium. Long before he went to the Gare du Midi in Brussels to board the train from Amsterdam to Paris, Khahzzani was on the radar of the security agencies. According to French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, the Spanish intelligence services tipped off France over his ties to “radical Islamist movements” when it seemed he was preparing to travel there early in 2014. Beyond that, there appears to be disagreement between French and Spanish sources about who knew what and when and what was communicated with both sides blaming the other for the apparent lack of surveillance.
SERIOUS RISK
Left: Suspect Ayoub El Jhahzzani. Centre: Americans Anthony Sadler and Aleck Sharlatos and Chris Norman, a British man living in France, pose with medals they received for their bravery ( REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol). Right: Spencer Stone used Jiu-Jitsu to take out the gunman and was injured in the attack
AT LEAST 14 SUSPECTED ‘IS’ MEMBERS ARRESTED IN SPAIN AND MOROCCO
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OROCCO’S Interior Ministry said 14 people were arrested in raids in several cities across the country, including Nador and Hoceima on the Mediterranean coast close to the Spanish enclave of Melilla, as well as Fez and Casablanca. One of those detained had previously been arrested under the country’s anti-terror law. A Spanish Interior Ministry statement said one person was arrested in the central town of San Martin de la Vega, just south-east of Madrid. It said the members of the group, whose leader was among those detained, maintained close contact with each other in Melilla. Both ministries said the network was aimed at recruiting fighters for the Islamic State to fight in Syria and Iraq and also to carry out IS-type actions in Morocco and Spain. Moroccan and Spanish authorities have previously carried out joint operations focused on the two Spanish enclaves in North Africa, Melilla and Ceuta, and the surrounding Moroccan cities. The operation, carried out Tuesday morning, comes as Europe remains on high alert after passengers on a Paris-bound train tackled and disarmed a man with guns and a box cutter halting what authorities say could have been a deadly terrorist attack.
Spanish authorities have been cracking down hard on suspected Islamic extremists since the January attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris, including working to stop citizens from fighting and training in the Middle East. Spanish police have arrested 50 suspected jihadi militants and recruiters so far this year. Interior minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz (pictured right) said last month that 126 people had left Spain to join the Islamic State group in recent years. Of these, he said 25 had been killed and 61 remained abroad. He said that of the 25 known to have returned, 15 were in prison and 10 were free, and there are arrest warrants outstanding for 15 others whose whereabouts are unknown. Spain said the continual dismantling of cells showed the Islamic group’s determination to attack those countries it considers enemies.
In France, Khazzani was classified as a grade 3 threat, meaning he was considered to pose a serious risk. Those identified as a threat to national security are graded on a scale from 1, the highest risk, to 16, the lowest. Police and intelligence services would have routinely been notified whenever the 26-year-old Moroccan passed through an international airport, or went through passport control. However, under the Schengen agreement, travellers are not required to show their passports when they cross borders between the 26 European countries. France, Spain, Belgium and Spain - countries he is known to travelled to in recent years are all in the Schengen area. Britain is not. The public perception that if someone is known to the authorities as a “person of interest” they are under surveillance is wide of the mark. To carry out normal surveillance on a suspect on a permanent basis, you need 20 to 30 agents and a dozen vehicles. And these are just the requirements for a “quiet” target. If the suspect travels abroad, the figure could go up to 50 or 80 agents and necessitate co-operation between the services of various countries. So in fact to keep watch on all the potential suspects, you’d need between 120,000 and 500,000 agents throughout Europe. Making it a Mission impossible! Three people were injured in this latest terrorist attempt but no one died during the incident, and authorities credit US, French and British passengers for stopping Khazzani, who they said was armed with the assault rifle, nine magazines, a pistol and a box cutter. For counter-terrorism to work we must adapt current legislation but this will inevitably infringe on human rights so while we blame the intelligence services for not stopping this latest attack it seems they are doing as much as they can with both hands tied behind their backs.
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
4 - WEEKEND WORLD
UK NEWS
A NOT SO AMUSING AMUSEMENT PARK
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RITISH artist Banksy, has opened a new exhibition called Dismaland in the British seaside town of Weston–super-Mare in Somerset. The park will be at this location for five weeks from August 22nd to September 27th 2015 and the official website of this park has put up a statutory warning to those who want to visit it about the uneven flooring and visuals that are not recommended for young children and could be disturbing for them. They also warn about the swearing and the colourful language used in the park. At first sight you will see three large galleries, a hand crafted miniature world and a gothic sculpture park in a tiny big top tent. There quirky rides, ironic displays, impossibly challenging fair games and sour grumpy employees who match the mood of the park. Dismaland features 10 new works by the famous provocateur along with the contributions of 57 other artists from all around the world. The visuals in the park are quite strange and eerie. There seems to be a strange sense of aesthetics in the park. There is a masked man sitting on the carousel making lasagne with the horse sculptures. An armour plated riot control vehicle which is equipped with sniper posts, grenade launchers has now become a children’s slide. There is a sculpture of a person seated and being attacked by seagulls. It seems quite unlike a theme park that is as colourful as it can get and as cute and child friendly as possible. This is a sharp contrast to the traditional theme park as everything here looks dull, grey and dismal. This definitely defies our image of a park and is surely nowhere close to being the happiest place on earth.
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Crowds in tears as inspirational boy completes gruelling triathlon Inspirational Bailey Matthews was roared over the finishing line by crowds close to tears as he cast aside his specially-adapted walking frame to finish the last 20 metres of his first ever triathlon unaided
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AILEY’S parents admitted to being “overwhelmed” by the reaction of the crowd, who cheered him over the line after completing a 100 metre lake swim, 4,000 metre bike ride and 1,300 metre run as part of the Castle Howard Triathlon in North Yorkshire. Bailey Matthews 8, from Doncaster crossed the finish line to complete his first ever triathlon at Castle Howard in front of hundreds of people, who stayed behind to watch him finish, roaring their encouragement as he stepped away from his specially-adapted walking frame to finish the last 20 metres of the race unaided. His mother Julie Hardcastle told a local newspaper: “You could see his little face when he came round the corner and saw everyone,that was his way of finishing in style and showing everyone what he could do. It was the response from the crowd that pushed him to do that.” Bailey, from Worksop, was born nine weeks early and diagnosed at 18 months old with a form of cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects movement and co-ordination, making every-day tasks much more difficult. His journey to taking on one of the country’s most difficult triathlon courses started when his father Jonathan Matthews, himself a keen triathlete, started pushing him in a wheelchair round a five kilometre course at a weekly Park Run event. The 47-year-old, from Doncaster, then adapted a walking frame so Bailey, who needs regular physiotherapy to help with his mobility, could get round the course himself. He soon expressed the desire to take on a triathlon, and embarked on training using a bike fitted with special stabilisers and trips to a local lake to practice swimming. Mr Matthews said: “The majority of what he does is self-propelled. He sets his own goals when he is swimming and says ‘I am going to do x amount
of metres today’. He is more than eager to get out and do something. If we can make that easier for him then that it what we will do.” He added: “The response has been quite overwhelming. One lady asked us if he did it as a sponsorship thing, but he just did it because it was something he wanted to do.
DETERMINED Bailey’s mother Julie, 40, said: “Bailey has always been very determined. If he wants to do something he will find a way to do it, even if it is not the conventional way. “He has always struggled with getting dressed, things that parents of other children take for granted, he does struggle with, just everyday things are more difficult for him, but he never lets it bother him. He doesn’t see himself as different to anyone else”. Yvonne Turner, one of the race organisers, said: “It was an amazing sight. “His Dad helped him with the swim and he did the cycle section with the help of stabilisers. Race support people were with him throughout but when he got to the running section he kept trying to push his walker away. “At the end he was so determined to finish unaided he shoved it away and set off alone. He fell initially but got up
and crossed unaided.” Pictures of Bailey crossing the line have caused a sensation on Facebook, where they have been shared nearly 3,000 times and liked by more than 33,000 people. One Facebook user, Lisa Tallents, wrote: “This fantastic little boy brought me to tears when I watched him leave his frame to walk over the winning line in my home town. Well done to his family for helping and supporting him to do this. Well done Bailey, you really are an inspiration. Xx”
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
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UK NEWS
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
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UK NEWS
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HE fields of gold dotting the UK countryside in recent years have been hard to miss, with blooming rape flowers turning the landscape into an ever-expanding vibrant yellow patchwork each April and May. onsumer research group Kantar Worldpanel confirms that demand for rapeseed oil is soaring. UK sales rose by more than 24 per cent in the year to March this year, while sales of sunflower oil, vegetable oil and extra virgin olive oil fell by 3 per cent, 12 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. Rapeseed is now the fastest growing vegetable oil in the UK. But why are we developing a taste for an oil most of us only recently dismissed as bitter and tasting of cabbage? And could it ever usurp olive oil – the holy grail of gourmet cooking oils – in our kitchens?
REFINED One key reason for its rising popularity is that until recently, most of us have only known the cheap, nasty stuff that’s pressed using heat and chemicals, and often labelled generically as canola or vegetable oil. But in the past few years the price of rapeseed oil has risen and UK farmers have spotted a market for high quality cold pressed versions – sometimes labelled premium, virgin or extra-virgin. These oils are altogether different to the cheaper, refined stuff: they are buttery, nutty and – according to con-
Have we really fallen out of love? Is our love affair with olive oil finally fading? There are signs that a healthier, sunshine-coloured rival is winning us over: It’s called rapeseed oil verts – delicious. Another key selling point is the health-giving profile of rapeseed oil. It has the lowest saturated fat content of any cooking oil, half that of olive oil and it is rich in Vitamin E and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. With a higher smoke point than olive oil – which can be toxic at very high temperatures – rapeseed oil is a better option for frying
and roasting. But despite its rising popularity, rapeseed oil is still a bit of a Marmite ingredient and many consumers are yet to be convinced. Chefs like Tom Kerridge, Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson all sing the praises of rapeseed oil’s delicacy, arguing it doesn’t interfere with the flavour of other ingredients in the way that olive oil does. Rapeseed oil is popping up on restaurant menus across the country, in everything from cakes, chocolate puddings and ice cream to mayonnaise, dressings and a dipping for bread. Chefs are even incorporating the seeds and the green leaves of rape flowers into their dishes. No one is predicting the end of olive oil as a kitchen staple – Kantar figures show that sales of standard olive oil are steady. It will continue to be adored for its lovely flavour – many chefs now consider it a seasoning as much as an oil – and valued for its health benefits. But with recent reports of olive oil prices spiralling after poor European harvests and a bacteria outbreak affecting Italian olive trees, as well as continued concerns about olive oil fraud – rapeseed oil might be about to have its day in the sun.
GLOBAL STOCK MARKET TURMOIL WIPES $182 BILLION OFF FORTUNES OF WORLD’S WEALTHIEST THE world’s 400 richest billionaires are $182 billion (£116 billion) worse off following the recent turmoil in global markets, new research has shown. Fresh evidence of a slowdown in China, the world’s second-largest economy, triggered a sell-off in stock markets around the world. Britain’s blue-chip FTSE 100 index and New York’s Dow Jones entered “correction” territory, down at least 10% from highs hit earlier this year.
LOSER The biggest loser in dollar terms was Warren Buffett, the world’s third-wealthiest person, who saw $3.6 billion wiped off his fortune last week according to the Bloomberg Billionaires’ index, as shares in his Berkshire Hathaway fell more than 5%. Ivan Glasenberg, the head of Glencore, saw the value of his holdings drop $237 million over the week as shares in the commodities giant hit a record low on Friday in London. The collective net worth of the 400 billionaires tracked by Bloomberg is still $3.98 trillion, however. Analysts cautioned that the week’s dramatic falls need to be put into context, especially for “value investors” such as Buffett, who is famous for holding stock in companies for the long term. “For them that’s a fractional percentage, even though $182 billion is a big number,” said John Collins at the wealth manager Aspiriant. “A week like this feels really bad, but when you take a step back, in a big picture view it’s not a disaster by any means.”
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
8 - WEEKEND WORLD
LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS
A LEOPARD DOESN’T CHANGE ITS SPOTS
Next Spanish government must restore human rights & repeal gag law
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MAN, who has just finished serving 20 years in prison for killing a person during a bank robbery in Marbella, has been detained once again. The Guardia Civil has detained a 48 year old alleged armed bank robber in Pinos Puente who supposedly carried out an armed bank robbery in the Granada town on August 13. The suspect had left prison at the end of May, having completed a twenty year sentence for a bank robbery in Marbella, where he killed one person, among other crimes and after leaving jail he made his home in the marginal area of Pinos Puente. Video evidence from the bank in Pinos Puente (above) shows he entered the bank branch when it was empty, and intimidated the cashier with a gun and threatened to shoot, demanding all the money be placed in plastic bag he was carrying, a total of 2,000 €. The Guardia Civil then inspected the videotape and despite the man hiding his face with a cap and wearing dark glasses, they managed to identify h8im. The difficulty in the operation was, however, trying to track down the suspect as he had not been in Pinos Puente for long and the residents in the marginal area are reticent in collaborating with the police, so the agents established a vigilance team in the area until finally the presumed robber was intercepted and detained.
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HE Public Security Law, effective since July 1, places limits on venues for public assembly, permits authorities to perform immediate deportations without due legal process and allows for harsh punishment of those deemed to be resisting arrest. The Spanish government coming to power following the upcoming December 20 elections must restore human rights in the country repealing the Public Security Law, also known as the “gag law,” a representative of a prominent human said in a recent interview.
“All political parties have to change the current situation. Economic crisis have had a huge impact on human rights in Spain. So we ask, we demand on any political party who will reach power to make changes in respect of human rights,” said Ignacio Jovtis, research and policy manager at Amnesty International Spain.
The new law stipulates fines for those who insult police officers, refuse to be identified and post photographs of police officers on social media. The lower house of the
Spanish parliament approved the bill mid-December 2014, triggering large protests across Spain. It is impossible to enforce Spain’s recent Public Security Law as the line between what is legal and what is illegal is blurred, Jovtis said.
“If the distribution of an image is not authorized, then a fine can be imposed. The question is – who has to authorize the distribution of this recording? And the second – the fine can be imposed when the success of an ongoing operation is endangered. But what is a success? There is no definition in the law, and therefore we think that it is too wide,” Jovtis explained. Jovtis also stated that with the enforcement of the socalled gag law, judges will have less evidence in court, as people will not be authorized to take pictures, as it could be violation of the law hindering the outcome of many crimes.
Despite the crisis there are 178,000 millionaires in Spain Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
WEEKEND WORLD - 9
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
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LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS
Cross regional funding in the Spanish Health Service will end next year THE Health Cohesion Fund is removed in the 2016 State Budget, but in reality if hasn’t been funded since 2013.The fund was created in 2001 to finance specialist assistance for patients from another autonomous community and who needed urgent treatment. The general secretary of the Health Ministry, Rubén Moreno, confirmed the end of the fund in Congress, and announced a replacement but with no extra funding. In theory, if Central Government keeps its promises, next year the new so-called Fund of Guaranteed Assistance (FOGA) which will allow the regional administrations to compensate each other on the costs spent treating residents and tourists from other regions, although initially only for First Aid, including prescriptions. Later, if the system works, for example a resident or tourist living say in Murcia who needs a specific treatment only available in Andalucía, can get access to the medical care in the other region and then the SAS Andalucía Health Service would invoice the SMS the Murcia Health Service the cost.
Activist beaten with live duck A MAN was whacked with the bird while he filmed the annual “duck chase” in the Catalonian seaside town of Roses, where every August ducks are thrown into the Mediterranean and then caught and brought back to the shore by swimmers. “Continue, continue. Continue to abuse, I am filming you. A little bit of empathy for the animals. They also have a life, like your children or your family,” the man who was filming can be heard saying in a video of the incident released by animal rights group Animal Rescue España.
CHANTING The footage shows a young woman wearing a white bathing suit attacking the man with a duck -- holding it by the legs as she repeatedly lashes him with it. As the attack goes on, animal rights activists gathered on the shore can be heard chanting, “you would not do that to your dog,” before they were removed by police. Every year since 1918 about 50 ducks are thrown into the sea in the town north of
An animal rights activist was beaten with a duck by a Spanish woman defending one of the country’s most bizarre and controversial festival traditions
on what residents think, if they want to keep this festival, a tradition that will celebrate its centenary in two years.” While the ducks are not killed, Animal Rescue Espana said they suffer “stress, internal haemorrhaging, pain, The Spanish woman shows no mercy when it comes to both the duck and fear and suffering.” The the animal rights activist group launched a petiBarcelona, with swimmers then racing in to tion on the Change.org website demanding catch them and bringing them ashore how- that Roses ban the “duck chase” as well as bull ever they can.But after Sunday’s incident, the runs. The petition has thus far received over town’s mayor is deciding whether to an end 10,000 signatures since it was launched on the “duck chase”. August 14. Interviewed by local online news site Em- Spain has many controversial animal-based porda, the mayor of Roses, Montse Mindan, traditions, often in honour of patron saints, prosposed “holding a referendum next year which animal rights groups argue are cruel.
Twisted firestarter A MIDDLE-AGED woman from Madrid has been arrested on suspicion of starting at least nine fires around the popular tourist town of Mijas. The Guardia Civil reportedly apprehended the woman as she attempted to start another fire in bushland on the outskirts of Mijas on August 14th. The woman, who originally comes from Madrid but now lives in Mijas, is now suspected of having started at least nine fires close to the Riviera del Sol area of the town. She was originally thought to have been German, but the Guardia Civil has now confirmed the woman is Spanish and lives in Riviera del Sol. Police initially became suspicious after there were several fires around the town within a short space of time. They long suspected the blazes had been started intentionally and launched an investigation. The woman, who has not been named, was found when police saw her getting out of a grey car before using a lighter to set fire to some scrub. The flames soon began to spread due to high winds and
the woman hopped back into her car and drove away.After ringing the fire brigade, the police pursued the woman, who was arrested and taken into custody in the town of Fuengirola. The woman claimed she was about to leave Mijas and urged police to question her quickly as she “had to catch a plane”. The last fire allegedly started by the woman spread over two and half hectares of land, getting dangerously close to a residential area. Spain has suffered several large wildfires during the unseasonably hot summer. Over 1,000 people were evacuated from the village of Hoyos in Extremadura while hundreds of people fled their homes in Catalonia in late July after intense wildfires. In a case of unfortunate timing, Spanish firefighters went on strike as several large wildfires continued to blaze in various areas of the country. Despite registering nearly 1,000 intentional fires per year, Spain prosecutes very few people. In 2014 there were 9,771 such fires and only 120 prosecutions.
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
WEEKEND WORLD - 11
LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS
Police discover hashish smuggled into Spain disguised as olives
Thieves steal safe from hotel room A 41 YEAR OLD French businessman and his wife have reported a theft from the luxury five star hotel Meliá La Quinta in Benahavís. The businessman who works within the travel industry reported to police that the theft took place last Friday and must have taken place when he and his wife were dining in the hotel between 8.15pm and 11.15pm. Upon returning to their room they found the safety chain behind the door prohibited their entry. With the help of hotel employee who gained access from the adjoining room and crossing over to their terrace, the couple discovered their room had been ransacked. All their personal belongings were in the safe which had been located inside a wardrobe, and when they opened the door they discovered the safe had been forced off the anchors which fixed it to the wall. Apart from the jewellery, with a value of 100,000 € the couple claimed
they had lost 18,000 € in cash, two iPhones, and a portable Apple computer and their passports. When asked by investigators if the couple had any idea who could be behind the theft, they responded no, but the businessman considered they must have obtained information from somewhere.
HOLIDAY The couple, who were spending a fortnight’s holiday on the Costa del Sol, had to be relocated to another room. Sources at the hotel assured they had done as much as possible for the affected clients and they were collaborating with the Guardia Civil in an attempt to establish how the break-in occurred.
Spanish train drivers call strikes for September TRAIN drivers from the national operator, Renfe, have announced that they will stage a series of 24-hour strikes across Spain in September. The Spanish union of train drivers and workers, Semaf, has called a four day strike during September. The 24 hour strikes will take place on September 4th, 11th, 14th and 15th confirmed sources from the union. The union added that it “did not rule out” the possibility that other unions would also take part in the strikes. The “lack of progress” in discussions on a collective bargaining agreement by Renfe, as well as a failure to reach an agreement on the subject of human resources “has left us no alternative but to go on strike” the union con-
firmed. Another national workers’ union, the CCOO, announced last week that it was preparing to strike in September after negotiations broke down with Renfe over calls to increase workforce numbers. According to estimates by CCOO, Spain’s national railway operator needs 1,125 more employees to address “the serious situation of the lack of maintenance on the company’s trains”. Train workers are planning to protest outside Spain’s Ministry of Public Works on Saturday September 12th.
SPANISH police have seized 1,284 hashish capsules hidden in jars of olives in the southern port of Algeciras. The three plastic jars, containing a total of 10 kilos (22 pounds) of hashish, were discovered inside a car coming off a ferry from Tangiers in northern Morocco, police confirmed in a statement. Each hashish capsule was barely bigger than an olive. Police arrested the driver of the car and his passenger. Spain’s proximity to North Africa, a major source of hashish, and its close ties with its former colonies in Latin America, a key cocaine producing region, have made it a major gateway into Europe for drug traffickers. Smugglers often resort to creative methods to get drugs past Spanish customs. In recent years, police have found cocaine inside breast implants, a wig, hollowed-out pineapples, a plaster cast encasing a man’s broken leg as well as inside a 42-piece crockery set.
12 - WEEKEND WORLD
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
WEEKEND WORLD - 13
LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS
Barcelona police fail to see the funny side of cardboard cut-out cop A CARDBOARD cut-out of a policeman decked out in riot gear has been removed from a central Barcelona square, after the Catalan police force failed to see the funny side of the joke. The life-size image of a riot officer from the Mossos d’Esquadra - complete with helmet and blood-spattered shield was painted onto cardboard for Barcelona’s famous Gràcia street fiesta. The cardboard riot policeman which had eyeholes so people could get their photographs taken behind it, was one of hundreds of decorations installed for the Catalan capital’s biggest and most colourful street festival, which welcomes thousands of visitors every year.
DISRESPECTFUL Los Mossos d’Esquadra removed the cut-out after claiming it was “disrespectful” and have lodged an official complaint with the fiestas committee, la Asamblea Libertaria de Gracia, for allowing the use of an image of a police officer. Local residents reacted angrily to the removal of the cut-out. Twitter user Nat lunar wrote “Tonight the police removed this funny photo cut-out from Plaza John Lennon.” Rules have been tightened under Spain’s controversial new Citizens Security Law, which detractors have dubbed the ‘gag law’ for limiting freedom of speech, and photographing police officers, and even police cars is now a crime.
FRAUD SCANDAL SUSPECT ARRESTED Spanish airport arrest adds a new twist to fraud scandal linking former IMF chief
A
FRAUD investigation into former International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Rodrigo Rato (pictured right), which has embarrassed Spain’s conservative government, made headlines again last week following the arrest of a suspect in the case as he was about to board a plane for Mexico. Mr Rato, a former finance minister with the ruling Popular Party, has become a symbol of corruption among Spain’s elite, which has fuelled the rise of new parties ahead of a general election this year. On Sunday police detained the head of Albisa, a firm Mr Rato owns and which Spanish authorities suspect acted as a front to collect illegal commissions, judicial sources said. The man was about to board a flight at Madrid airport headed for Mexico when a judge ordered he be held without bail and his passport withdrawn because of the risk that he could destroy evidence and flee. Mr Rato is a formal suspect in two fraud investigations related to his time as CE at Bankia, a Spanish lender bailed out by the government in 2012. The near-collapse of Bankia almost brought down Spain’s financial sector, which later that year received €41bn in European aid. Mr Rato made headlines again in April when he was briefly arrested as part of another investigation into allegations of tax fraud and money laundering. He denies any wrongdoing.
DENIED The case further embarrassed the government when it emerged that Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz held talks with Mr
The Beckhams sell their Madrid home David Beckham and his Spice Girl wife Victoria have finally sold their home in Spain, eight years after they moved out. David & Victoria purchased the lavish property in the luxury resort of La Moraleja, Madrid in 2005, two years after signing with Spanish team Real Madrid in 2003. The five-bedroom property was placed on the market in 2007 after Beckham joined LA Galaxy and moved the family to Los Angeles. But the property has failed to sell amid the country’s economic downturn and it reportedly sat empty for years. The power couple purchased the villa from a French couple for £3million and have now agreed to sell it to a wealthy Spanish entrepreneur who heads a plastic waste disposal firm for £4.2million. The sale - finalised almost ten years after its June 2005 purchase and eight years after they moved out - means Beckham has cut an important tie to the city he emigrated to after leaving boyhood club Manchester United.
Rato, a former leading light of the Popular Party, at his office on July 29. Last week the minister denied interfering in the legal case against Mr Rato, telling a parliamentary committee the former IMF chief had sought the meeting with him because he had received threats. Spain’s National Office of Fraud Investigation suspects Mr Rato of having collected commissions from companies that received Bankia contracts when he was the head of the lender, and of having bought a hotel in Berlin with the money, according to sources close to the investigation. Mr Rato was Spain’s finance minister in the late 1990s, and MD of the IMF from 2004 to 2007. He resigned as MD in 2007, midway into his term. He said “family circumstances and responsibilities, particularly with regard to the education of my children” were the reason for leaving the post earlier than expected.
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
14 - WEEKEND WORLD
LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS
Brave woman comforts dying bull In an extraordinary act of bravery, an animal rights activist jumped into the Malagueta bullfighting ring to comfort a dying bull in Malaga, Spain
F
OR a few moments, Virginia Ruiz, 38, from Marbella,wwww was able to lay her body over the bull and shield him before arena officials and fans violently hauled her away. “I could hear him crying in pain and I jumped down, walked across the ring to where he lay dying,” Ms. Ruiz explained, “He looked at me and I believe he felt my energy. I wanted to give him love before he left this earth,” she said. As she was pulled off the bull, the crowd of bullfighting fans jeered, yelling “fuera!” (“get out”) in unison. “They called me names, they kicked me, they spit on me, they told me to go back to the kitchen and they called me a whore” said Ruiz. Ms. Ruiz attended the bullfight alone on a day that had free admission — she did not buy a ticket to enter the 9,000-seat arena. She claimed her intention was to merely film the cruelty in the ring, which was only three quarters full despite the free admission. Impulsively, when she heard the bull cry out, she jumped down and walked toward him.
most recent human casualty was matador Miguel Ruiz Perez, who was gored to death by a bull after taking part in an annual summer festival in Lerin, northern Spain. Ricky Gervais has led the charge against bullfighting and associated events, using his millions of followers on social media to grow awareness and condemn the “barbaric” sport. The 54-year-old comedian thanked all the “wonderful Spanish people” who want to see an end to bullfighting.
A LEFT-WING council in Galicia is trying to seize the palatial summer retreat of Francisco Franco and open its gates to the public. The secluded property was left to the dictator’s descendants after his death in November 1975, and every August a stream of relations visit Pazo de Meiras, a mock-fortress, in Sada, north-western Spain. Last summer, Franco’s granddaughter, Carmen Martinez-Bordiu, invited the Spanish gossip magazine ¡Hola! to the “historical family house” to announce the break-up of her latest relationship. Galicia was Franco’s home region and has for the most part remained a stronghold of Spain’s ruling conservative Popular Party (PP). But the PP was ousted in local elections in May by a Leftist coalition backed by the Spanish anti-austerity party Podemos.
STATUS
CRYING “Because I was walking, not running, they [the crowd] didn’t yet realize I am an activist until I got very close to the bull,” said Ruiz. “He was still alive before they could do the final stabbing with the small knife in the back of the neck. He was crying, he tried looking at the people,” she said. Once Ms Ruiz was removed the bull was then stabbed to death. So far this summer, seven people have died after being gored by bulls during festivals across Spain - four of them were killed recently. Despite the unusually high number of people being killed as a result of the bull-running, there has been a growing amount of attention in recent months on the terrible cost to the animals involved in these Spanish events. The
Radical Spanish mayor eyes up Franco’s summer palace
Ms Ruiz, who has been an activist opposing bullfighting since 2008, says that she feels “ashamed” that the blood-sport is allowed to continue in Spain and said that she wants the world to know that it does not “represent” the majority of Spanish people. She added: “There is more to Spain than bullfighting. We are a wonderful people. We are seen as a third world country instead of European.” Last year more than 7,200 bulls and steers (castrated bull calves) were killed by bullfighters across Spain. Ms Ruiz stands by her actions, saying she knew she did the right thing. She now faces a notice for trespassing and will have to pay a fine of up to 6,000 Euros.
The new mayor, Benito Portela, intends to change the status of the house and grounds to that of a “public facility with free access”, opening the gates of the fortress. “The ultimate aim is to get the Pazo back,” Mr Portela said. The property’s status as a private family home is already disputed. In 1938, in the middle of the civil war, pro-Franco businessmen in the area decided to buy the property as a gift for Franco, who took control of Spain the following year. They raised the money through public “donations” and it has been documented that public employees had their pay docked in order to finance the magnificent present. The mansion has been declared a site of special cultural interest; two years ago, the family was forced to open the property to the public for four days each month after a lengthy legal dispute. In order to take further control of the property, Sada’s council chiefs will have to negotiate with the regional government, which remains in the hands of the PP. As a first step, the council has requested control of organising the public visits, which are run by a private firm.
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AUTHORITIES say Spain has seen a record 38 million tourists in the first seven months of the year as a weak euro and security issues in other beach resort nations like Tunisia make it a more attractive destination. The state tourism office said Friday the January-through-July figure was 4.7 percent up on the record set in the same period in 2014. British tourist arrivals, at nearly nine million, topped the list for the period. The tourism office said July saw a record number of 8.8 million visitors, up 6.3 percent on July 2014. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says the country expects a record 68 million tourists for all of 2015, three million more than the record set in 2014. Tourism represents about 11 percent of Spain’s GDP.
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
WEEKEND WORLD - 17
LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS
Drought and forest fires could mean Mediterranean resorts losing out to cooler climes and holidaymakers travelling outside peak season, startling EU report predicts
T
HE traditional summer holiday in Spain and other popular Mediterranean holiday destinations is at risk from droughts and forest fires because of global warming, a European commission report has warned. It suggests that British holidaymakers fleeing the UK for their traditional summer break are likely to opt for alternative destinations to avoid the sweltering heat, which has this month seen thermometers in Cyprus hit a whopping 63C & Spain 47C These frightening predictions will send shockwaves across the Mediterranean, where millions of people’s livelihoods depend on the influx of visitors each year - bringing an end to the traditional exodus to the Mediterranean, with experts suggesting that the trips Brits make in the future will be shorter and outside peak season to avoid the worst of the searing heat. In contrast, northern European countries could see a rise in tourist numbers and related income, with resorts in the Balkans across the former Soviet east benefitting from the dire consequences of man-made global warming. Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia and Slovakia are likely to gain the most, the report claims. The findings analysed by Joint Research Centre are based on the conservative estimate that global temperatures will rise by an average of 2C (3.6F) by the end of the century. Such a rise would probably increase desertification, droughts, forest fires and the widespread death of animals, such as dolphins, from disease, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This rise in temperature would impact on tourism and the revenues generated could be slashed by up to 0.45 per cent of GDP per year in Mediterranean countries, while
Climate change could see tourists swap the Med for the Baltics the north of the continent would gain by as much as 0.32 per cent. The report states: “One could expect tourists would distribute their holiday pattern more evenly during the year and take shorter holidays in order to benefit, for instance, from more clement weather conditions during the other seasons.”
MODEST Jacqueline McGlade, the chief scientist for the United Nations environment programme (Unep) said the report was modest but robust, and that tourism operators should be doing more to prepare for the effects of a warming continent. “It is absolutely clear that the comfort zone for humans in the Mediterranean is going to be under seasonal threat from climate change, in the short term it will be disruptive but it is also an opportunity for the industry to offer the public different types of travel experience that cater to more diverse tastes and styles than just the sunshine beach holiday.” She said the industry should also become more aware of increasingly common extreme weather events, such as dust and sand storms, and adapt its loss and damage insurance policies – and back-of-the-brochure weather information – accordingly. A spokesman for Thomas Cook said the com-
The Darß Peninsula on the Baltic Coast
pany “considers a range of potential factors in its long-term planning, and these include climate change and whether or not it could have an impact on its business model”. Other operators said terrorism was currently viewed as a bigger threat to Mediterranean tourism, but that climate concerns were being closely followed.
A spokeswoman for Thomson Ski Holidays said they were “fully aware of the threat of climate change and doing our utmost to counterbalance it”. Thomson sees itself as a pioneer in the environmental field, having developed policies on carbon offsetting and sustainable resort accommodation.
The dying days of the phone booth IN an era of smart phones and iPad the humble phone booth is something of an antique – especially to today’s generations but it wasn’t so long ago that the phone booth was a necessity and the only means of communication for many. With is why the news that all public phones in Spain will be completely removed by 2017 is sad. Currently there are 25,820 public phones left in Spain, a quarter of the number in 2000. In the last three years alone, 40 percent have disappeared, simply because none of them could cover their maintenance costs a cost undertaken by Telefónica, the privatized former state monopoly responsible for the country’s network of public telephones. In the last 13 years, as the telecommunications industry has grown Telefónica has struggled to make public phones pay for themselves but for the moment, Telefónica is obliged to maintain a
reduced network until the end of 2016, based on one telephone per 3,000 people in large and medium-sized communities, with at least one in villages of less than 1,000 inhabitants. That adds up to around 30,000 phones in a country with 50 million cell phones, more than one per person. The first public phones in Spain were installed in Madrid in 1928 in a bar in the Retiro Park, and required tokens. But it wasn’t until 1966 that the government of Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco began installing coin-operated booths in the streets. Today these relics seem of little use to people and in some countries, like Belgium, there are no public phone booths at all, but for the moment, here in Spain, in the absence of callers, they provide other uses – During the day shelter from the suns powerful rays and at night a stop gap for the homeless searching for a place to sleep.
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
18 - WEEKEND WORLD
LOCAL AND REST OF SPAIN NEWS
SPORTS CLUB BANNED ON FACEBOOK FOR SEXY NAME AN athletics club in southern Spain has been banned from using their name on Facebook…because it sounds too sexy. The Sexitano Athletics Club (El Club Atletismo Sexitano) from Almuñécar in Granada, southern Spain ran into trouble when trying to make a Facebook page for its sports group. Facebook claimed the group’s name could not be used because of its “sexual connotations”. But Facebook’s moderators obviously do not know their Spanish history. The town was originally a Phoenician colony called Sexi and the town’s inhabitants became known as sexitanos, a name that has endured to this day.
The club’s treasurer, Manuel Alonso, explained that the club has been having problems registering its name “for some time” but had recently tried again to no avail. “We didn’t mind putting a space between the letters in the word ‘sexitano’ or using an ‘h’ but neither were possible,” he said. The group was forced to change the first letter of its name. Screen shot: Facebook The group decided to change the first letter of the word, changing sexitano to çexitano - and was finally accepted by Facebook. Many people have asked about the name change and according to Alonso, it must be down to the fact that “Facebook’s policies prohibit the word ‘sexi’ from being used and that Silicon Valley doesn’t know anything about Almuñécar and its Phoenician origins.”
HISTORY “We have to defend our history, our identity but of course, if I could speak to Mark Zuckerberg I would tell him that the town was the Phoenicians’ first point of contact along the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula,” he told Spanish news agency Efe. “I would tell him that the place name Seks, or Ex, encompasses an archaeological complex comprising of the town’s three necropolises. And that this place name became Sexi, the name by which the town was known during Phoenician and Roman times, and where the current word ‘sexitano’ comes from”. The town’s inhabitants are referred to as sexitanos as well as the lesser used Almuñequero. It is not the first trouble the sexual-sounding moniker has caused for the town; the group Antiguo Sexi (Ancient Sexi) saw its name changed in the United Kingdom where “they didn’t believe the name or where it originated from”, according to Alonso.
MALAGA’S ANSWER TO THE LONDON EYE HAS OFFICIALLY OPENED MALAGA’S big wheel has opened with too great fanfare - it was hoped that it could be opened last week to mark the end of the feria, but ongoing tests raised concerns over the wheel’s foundations so the opening was delayed. However, over the weekend the lights were turned on, giving locals a glimpse of the transformation to Malaga’s skyline.
Located parallel to Muelle de Heredia, the 70metere high wheel, named Mirador Princess, is to operate for a period of at least eight months it has 42 air conditioned cabins each offering a 360 degree views over the city. The giant wheel is the largest travelling wheel in Europe, with 1000 people per hour able to travel around on. Each cabin has space for eight people in it. The wheel will be open between the hours of 11am through to 1am at a cost of seven euros per person. Malaga is following in the footsteps on Pamplona, Valencia and Zaragoza all of which already have big wheel attractions.
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A thousand euros – a dream salary
I
N the summer of 2005, a 27-year-old called Carolina Alguacil (pictured above) wrote a letter to the EL PAÍS Newspaper about an emerging lowwage generation. Headed “I am a mileurista,” (mil euros is Spanish for a thousand euros) it attacked Spain’s labour market, characterized by short-term contracts and low wages. Alguacil wrote: “The mileuristas are those young people aged between 25 and 34, college graduates, well-educated, who speak foreign languages, have postgraduate qualifications, masters, and diplomas. They normally start out in the hostelry sector, and have spent long periods working unpaid as what are euphemistically called interns.” After several years, they might finally get a full-time contract, she wrote, but “the bad thing is they never earn more than €1,000 a month, with no bonuses. And you’d better not complain…” The term mileurista has come to define the plight of the best-educated generation in Spain’s history.
When “milleurista” was coined in 2005 – a term denoting someone living on €1000 per month – it highlighted the plight of young workers with insecure, low-paid jobs
GENERATION A decade ago, when Alguacil wrote her letter, the Spanish economy was already slowing down, and hundreds of thousands of university graduates like her were discovering that there weren’t enough jobs to go round. The euro had sent prices soaring, wages were falling, and the property bubble had burst. Today, the mileurista generation has grown up – but after a decade has anything really changed? The media may state that the recession has officially ended, but in a country where around 5.4 million people are out of a job, people are fearful about the future, men’s
wages have on average fallen by around 17 percent, and women’s by 14 percent over the last five years. Most new jobs are part time,
and turnover of fixed contracts has risen by 23 percent since 2011. It’s also easier and cheaper than ever to fire people thanks to labour reforms. Of the millions of jobs lost in Spain over the last five years, 2.5 million were posts occupied by people aged under 30.
PHENOMENON But as Josep Oliver, a professor of economics at Barcelona’s Autònoma University, points out, the roots of the mileurista phenomenon date back to before the crisis, and things are not going to change much even if the economy picks up. “There are structural factors, such as the fact that the global labour force has tripled in the last three decades. That drives wages down, as happened between 2001 and 2005, but with the crisis the trend has increased; and as technology improves, more jobs will be destroyed,” he says. When the concept first appeared in 2005,
mileuristas aspired to stop being so, but now people have become fatalistic,” says José Luis Nueno of the IESE Business School, adding that Spain has increasingly become a lowcost economy. In Spain, the best-educated generation ever has the worst outlook since Spain returned to democracy, and it feels that it’s paying for others’ excesses. Until now, many of these young people had been able to count on help from their parents. But some have exhausted that safety net. So does this mean that young people will rise up and protest? In an answer NO! mileuristas no longer measure themselves against somebody earning €1,500 or €2,000, they compare themselves with the unemployed, and those who have nothing whilst earning €1,000 may not be a lot it’s still something and for the mileuristas generations that appears to be all they can hope for.
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
22 - WEEKEND WORLD
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Calais: A ‘dying’ city but not quite Baghdad
C
ALAIS was once known as a cultural hotspot in northern France, with a five-kilometre beach that beckoned visitors to stay rather than pass through. Now, tourists are being warned to close their car windows and lock their doors as they drive past. So what went wrong? For almost 20 years, the city has increasingly acted as a gateway for thousands of migrants and refugees from all over the world desperate to get across the English Channel to the UK. But kept back by border checks, ever tighter security and the geographical barrier of the 42-kilometre (26 mile) stretch of sea, the migrant community has been forced to set up a temporary home in camps around the city from the infamous Sangatte to the latest “The New Jungle”, and while all those caught up in the chaos - whether despairing migrants, infuriated lorry drivers, or British tourists - have come and gone over the years, the city itself and its beleaguered population have been unable to escape.
REPUTATION The ever-worsening situation has worn out the locals, who say that not only is the reputation of Calais ruined but that tourists aren’t interested in stopping by anymore, meaning businesses are hit hard and young people are desperate to leave at the first opportunity. “When I say I come from Calais people immediately think I live in a town that’s under siege,” says business student Lucas Caudmont. “Our reputation has been tarnished.
Historic Calais has been blighted by the everworsening migrant crisis in Europe, but while residents claim the port city is dying a slow death, it’s nowhere near as bad as the UK press make it out to be
Calais, once known as a cultural hotspot in northern France, now home to migrant camps
When I hear people saying Calais is overrun by migrants I get frustrated and angry. Calais is really beautiful, a cultural town, it’s architecturally rich and historical. But all people seem to concentrate on is the migrant problem.” His sentiments are echoed by many of the city’s 70,000 residents, most seem to think that it’s not the migrants who are the problem, rather that it’s the international attention on their efforts to smuggle themselves through the nearby Channel Tunnel to the UK. Indeed, many say that the migrants are polite when they come into town, keeping
to themselves or making the effort to speak French when buying food or drinks. However others speak of a darker side to the problem, in particular the unconfirmed rumours of recent sexual assaults by migrants, and large scale brawls known to break out inside the camps among migrants of differing nationalities. “I work near the migrants and I’m a bit scared. I don’t know what they will do to us. If I wasn’t able to find a job here I would leave for southern France,” said Matthieu, a mechanic who works in the Channel Tunnel. A local baker added: “This place is
SLEEP LIKE A PRINCE HOW would you like to spend the night as a French king in Versailles? This dream may soon be possible as the Palace of Versailles considers turning some of its mansions into a luxury hotel. The state-owned Palace of Versailles is inviting bids from private companies to create and run a hotel in three of its 17th century mansions for a period of 60 years. The mansions on offer include the Grand Contrôle, the Petit Contrôle and the Pavillon and candidates will have until September 14th to
The Palace of Versailles could soon open as a hotel
place their bids. The project will require a large investment, with between €4-7 million needed to repair the roof and walls alone. But the price does not appear to have deterred some potential buyers, with reports that the leading hotel chain AccorHotels has expressed an interest in placing a bid, the Journal du Dimanche reported. This isn’t the first time such a project has been launched. In 2011 the palace granted the Belgian company Ivy International SA a licence to turn part of the historical monument into a luxury hotel for a period of 30 years. However the project, which the Palace hoped would bring in €300,000 a year, was later abandoned. “We have an agreement with an investor but this one, for now, has not managed to accomplish the project,” Catherine Pégard, president of the Versailles estate told Le Figaro last year. “He will probably have to rethink things.” Over seven million people visit the palace – France’s third most visited tourist site – every year, which was the principal residence of French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. The Palace was recently in the spotlight for very different reasons when a sculpture, supposedly representing the vagina of a queen, was installed in its gardens. The sculpture was later vandalised, causing the British-Indian artist behind the sculpture to blast the “intolerance towards art in France”.
dead. The tourists don’t want to come here and the people who live here are scared.” The presence of the migrants has also caused a split in the local population. A recent march in support of the migrants also saw anti-immigration group “Sauvons Calais” (Let’s Save Calais) demonstrate outside the Town Hall holding banners reading “Calais - a clean city, made dirty by migrants.” There were also recent reports of far-right youths driving around Calais at night attacking migrants. However, if it wasn’t for the fact that the New Jungle was on the eastern side of town and that Channel Tunnel terminal was on the south west, the residents of Calais might not even notice the migrants were there - especially considering that the campsite now has its own shop, church, mosque, and school. And indeed, save for those migrants crossing the town at night to reach the tunnel, and those who choose to hang out in the city’s parks, residents say the majority of the 4,000 or so migrants stay out of town, with many remaining in their campsite. If images of a Calais under siege are overblown, the city’s economy has been affected particularly when it comes to tourism. Only a tiny proportion of France’s 83 million or so annual visitors will ever set foot in the city.
SHADOW A taxi driver, Jeff, says that the city is just a shadow of its former self. “There’s no tourism here - there’s nothing. The newspapers all say that Calais is like Baghdad, but when the tourists actually come into the city they say it’s beautiful,” he says, while waiting in a line of taxis at Calais train station. “This is very bad news for tourism. It’s bad for taxi drivers, hotels, restaurants & camping sites...” Pierre Nouchi, the owner of La Sole Meunière restaurant, says that business has seen a 40 percent drop compared to last year’s holiday season, and that the vast majority of the ten million people who annually pass through Calais never stop. “And the problem isn’t the migrants; it’s the image of Calais. The media has unfortunately said all these dramatic things about Calais - but there’s absolutely nothing like that in the centre of the town,” he said. “The media has killed us.” Nouchi, who is also the president of the local UMIH union which represents bars, clubs, hotels, and restaurants, says there’s not much he can do. “All we can say is that it’s nothing like Baghdad - come and see for yourself. This is a tourist city we have a superb beach, the town hall, a magnificent lace museum and total security. Yes, there are migrants, but they’re on the edge of the town just like they are in Paris, London, in Italy and Greece.” Most of the residents believe the migrant problem was part of a Europe-wide problem which required a Europe-wide intervention. Nicolas, a business student, said. “If all of Europe worked together, then maybe we could come to a solution.”
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
EGYPT SEEKS $25M TO BUY BACK ANCIENT STATUE THE Egyptian government has urged its citizens to help raise nearly $25 million so the country can buy back an ancient statue sold at auction by Christies in London last year. Egyptian Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty called on Egyptians worldwide to donate money to help return the 4,500-year-old “irreplaceable masterpiece” to its native country. The painted limestone statue of an Egyptian royal scribe called Sekhemka (pictured right) was sold at auction in July 2014 to an unknown buyer for nearly
$20 million by Northampton Museum to help fund its renovations. The sale has angered Egyptian authorities and raised a number of ethical and legal questions.“The sale of the statue is an indelible stain on the museum’s reputation and is a moral crime against world heritage in general and the Egyptian heritage in particular,” said Mamdouh el-Damaty “I am calling all Egyptians around the world to help Egypt to preserve its ancient Egyptian heritage and to collect the required fund to buy the
Sekhemka statue. The Sekhemka statue belonged to an ancient Egyptian court official and scribe during the fifth dynasty from 2,400 B.C. to 2,300 B.C. It was later found during excavation from the Sakkara archaeological site, about 16 miles south of the Giza pyramids. The statue was then acquired by Spencer Compton, the second Marquis of Northampton, during his trip to Egypt in 1849-50. It was later given to the Northampton Museum by the third or fourth Marquis prior to 1880.
Miracle bra stops bullet A WOMAN in Mecklenberg-Western Pomerania survived being accidentally shot in a hunting accident, because her bra somehow stopped the bullet. The 41-year-old tourist from North Rhine-Westphalia was on a bike ride with her husband when the incident happened. The pair were crossing a field near the town of Gadebusch when they unknowingly entered the path of a boar hunt. Suddenly, the woman felt a pain in her chest. Looking down, she saw
that she had been hit by a rebounded shot – but the underwire of her bra had deflected the blow causing the woman to suffer just abruise. The woman’s husband spotted the alleged shooter in the next field and immediately approached him to explain him what had happened leading to a scuffle. “Those in charge of the hunt then broke it up straight away,” said police spokesperson André Falke. Gadebusch Criminal Commission is now investigating the incident on suspicion of injury caused by negligence.
TEEN SWIMMER FINDS €16,000 GOLD BAR IN LAKE
The gold bar found by a teenage girl swimming in Königssee
A 16-YEAR-OLD girl discovered the gold bar last week while swimming in the Königssee (King Lake) where she was on holiday with her family. The 500-gram bar, which she found at a depth of two metres (6.5 feet), is worth an estimated €16,000. Upon finding the gold bar the young lady turned it over to the authorities, who are now working to determine its origin. Bars of gold usually have a number engraved into them, but police have stated that this gold bar’s number was at first sight not discernible. Specialists from the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office are now working to make the number visible again. Police divers scoured the lake floor for further valuables but found nothing. “If no rightful owner is found and the bar is not related to a crime, then the girl will probably be able to keep it,” a police spokesman said.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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NGRY over European sanctions on Russia, Vladimir Putin has been threatening to get back at the West by destroying food that slips through his import bans. And last week, he made good on that promise. The government released photos of tons of cheese being bulldozed in what Russian media have called “Black Thursday,” named for the big Wall Street crash in 1929 that marked the start of the Great Depression in the U.S. Russian state-run publication RIA Novosti reported Russia was working to burn 250 tons of products, including apples, peaches, pork, tomatoes, carrots, and lots and lots of cheese.
For the love of cheese
FINES The Federal Service for the Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare said explicitly that “eating” the food was not a legitimate way of destroying it and threatened people with hefty fines if they ate it. Sites to destroy the products from Poland, Germany, Morocco, Denmark and other countries were set up in several different Russian cities, including Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg. Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday the process might be “visually unpleasant,” but that it was necessary because the food was technically “contraband” because it had been let in to Russia illegally. Putin limited goods imported from the West in August 2014 in response to Western sanctions on Russia for its involvement in the war in Ukraine. Russia has extended its food embargo until June 25, 2016.
The Kremlin says despite the embargo, foreign foods are still finding their way to some supermarket shelves because of a lack of enforcement. Border police will be inspecting food warehouses and supermarkets in Russia, looking for smuggled foods, it said. Many people have taken a stance against the destruction of so much food that they say could be used to feed the hungry in Russia.
A change.org petition to cancel the mandate has taken off with almost 300,000 signatures. Peskov said the government would review the petition. Experts have continually warned that in the years it would take for Russia to reach selfsufficiency, prices will continue to rise and this will ultimately hurt the impoverished population.
At time of going to press: Six people suspected of being part of a major smuggling ring sneaking banned products into Russia have been arrested for illegally importing the cheese. The six individuals include two organisers and four “active participants - aged between 29 and 58. The six now face charges of large-scale fraud, with police tracking down other possible members of the group.
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MESSAGE in a bottle thrown into the sea 108 years ago by British scientists has washed up on a beach in Germany, believed to now be the oldest message-in-a-bottle ever found. Marianne Winkler, a retired post office worker, found the message from the past while on holiday with her husband on the North Sea island of Amrum. Mrs Winkler found the bottle in April, but was shy of publicity and the full story has only now emerged. “It’s always a joy when someone finds a messagein-a-bottle on the beach,” she told the Amrum News, a local German website. “Where does it come from, who wrote it, and how long has it been travelling on the winds, waves and currents?” But when Mrs Winkler stumbled on her message-in-a-bottle, she had no idea quite how old it would turn out to be. Written on a piece of paper inside were the words “Break the bottle”. “My husband, Horst, carefully tried to get the message out of the bottle, but there was no chance, so we had to do as it said,” Mrs Winkler said. Inside they found a postcard with no date but a message promising a reward of a shilling to anyone who returned it. The message was written in English, German and Dutch, and it asked anyone who discovered it to fill in the information on where and how they found it. Then return the bottle to the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth.
World’s oldest message in a bottle washes up after 108 years “So we did as it asked, and the story took its course,” said Mrs Winkler. The couple sent the postcard to Plymouth in an envelope to avoid it getting damaged in the post. “It caused quite a stir when we opened that envelope, as you can imagine,” said Guy Baker, communications director at the Marine Biological Association. It turned out the bottle was one of 1,020 released into the North Sea between 1904 and 1906 by George Parker Bidder, a former president of the association. Bidder released the bottles as part of a project to find out about deep sea currents. The bottles were specially designed to float
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just above the sea bed, so they would be carried by the currents deep below the surface. “It was a time when they were inventing ways to investigate what currents and fish did,” Mr Baker said. “Many of the bottles were found by fishermen trawling with deep sea nets. Others washed up on the shore, and some were never recovered.” With the data from The oldest message in a bottle in the world, found by the Winkler family (left) and George Parker Bidder who released the bottle into the North Sea between the bottles that were 1904 and 1906 as part of his research found, Bidder was able to prove for the first bottle was claimed in Germany last year, but time that the deep sea current flowed from has not been recognised yet. That message east to west in the North Sea. He also discovwas released by a German hiker in 1913, and ered that plaice generally swim against the had been missing for 101 years. But Dibber’s deep current – valuable commercial informessage -in-a-bottle mation for the fishing would beat both of trade. “Most of the botthem. “We think this tles were found within “It caused quite a bottle was one of the a relatively short time,” stir when we opened last batch he sent out, Mr Baker said. “We’re in 1906, so that would talking months rather that envelope, as make it 108 years old,” than decades. you can imagine” said Mr Baker. It is now thought that It is impossible to tell the postcard Mrs Winwhether the bottle has kler discovered may be been at sea for all that the oldest messagetime, or was washed up long ago and burin-a-bottle ever found. “We’re still waiting ied in sand, or even lay simply unnoticed, he for confirmation from the Guinness Book of said. Records,” Mr Baker said. The current recordBut the association made sure of one thing: holder spent 99 years and 43 days at sea. It Mrs Winkler got the shilling reward promised was released in 1914 as part of a similar sciin the note. “We found an old shilling, I think entific experiment and found in 2013 in a we got it on eBay,” said Mr Baker. “We sent it fishing trawler’s net. to her with a letter saying ‘Thank you’.” The discovery of an older message-in-a-
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FILIPINO BOY WHO STUDIED OUTSIDE OF McDONALD’S GETS SCHOLARSHIP
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FTER the heart-breaking photo of homeless 9-year-old Daniel Cabrera, from Mandaue City in the Philippines, studying on the sidewalk outside a McDonald’s restaurant went viral, people all over the world have stepped up to help the boy and his family, and now the young boy will be able to fulfil his dream of becoming a policeman after donations of cash, school supplies and a college scholarship have poured in. The photograph (below), posted on Facebook last month by a college student, showed Daniel doing his homework on a wooden stool placed close to a McDonald’s window to catch the light from the store. The 20-year-old medical technology student, Joyce Torrefranca, captioned her Facebook post: “I got inspired by a kid.” It was then shared close to 7,000 times on the social networking site and reported by local television and now, Daniel has been rewarded with a scholarship received from McDonald’s Philippines - which will give Daniel a basic education covering his school expenses, including supplies and his uniform, through 12th grade. ‘’As Filipinos, we are proud to meet a boy so determined to succeed in life,” Kenneth Yang, McDonald’s Philippines presi-
dent and CEO said in a statement. “It is with an open heart that we grant him a scholarship to help him achieve his goals.” Daniels mother Ms Espinosa and her three youngest children, including Daniel, have been living in her employer’s mini-grocery store since their shanty home was gutted by fire five years ago. Ms Espinosa who earns just 80 pesos (£1.14) a day working at the store and as a domestic helper for the store’s owners in their nearby home described the boy as a tenacious child with a single-mined focus on getting an education. “He is a very studious and determined boy... he would insist on going to school even without his lunch money because I have no money to give,” Ms Espinosa said. “He always tells me: ‘Mama, I don’t want to stay poor. I want to reach my dreams’.” Through the scholarship, Daniel, who attends Subangdaku Elementary School, will also receive a monthly allowance. Because of this support, the diligent 9-year-old, who often does his homework outside the restaurant, has promised to study even harder Despite strong economic growth in recent years, roughly one quarter of thePhilippines’ 100 million people still live on less than one dollar a day, and giant slums dominate all major cities.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Giant dinosaur tracks found near Hannover S CIENTISTS say the tracks belonged to a long-necked dinosaur and are believed to be between 135 and 145 million years old, from the Cretaceous period. They measure about 1.20 metres in diameter and stretch over 50 metres. The new prints were found at a quarry in Rehburg-Loccum, outside Hannover and have been hailed as a major find. “There are only a few comparable sites worldwide,” said Annette Richter, a palaeontologist from the Lower Saxony Stat Museum Hannover. What makes the discovery so unusual is that 90 footprints have been found preserved in a continuous trail of more than 50 yards. “The special thing is that the tracks are on such a long trail – and the dinosaur has made a sharp turn, which is unusual,” Benjamin Englich, the excavation director. He added
Researchers announced this week that they had discovered more than 90 dinosaur footprints in a quarry outside Hannover
that the footprints were “astonishingly deep”, measuring 43 centimetres into the ground. The palaeontologists estimate that the di-
nosaur would have weighed between 25 and 30 tons and had a long neck. “The footshape and type of step taken is very typical for long-necked dinosaurs. They left behind elephant-like footprints,” Englich said The new discovery comes just days after claims an earlier find in the area may be the footprints of a mother dinosaur and its offspring. Footprints believed to have been left some 142 million years ago by smaller, carnivorous Megalosauripus dinosaurs were found nearby in Münchehagen
SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE: IS THE ‘BIG ONE’ COMING? A 4.0 MAGNITUDE earthquake on the Hayward fault line has increased fears that the ‘Big One’ could come any day The earthquake which struck along the Hayward fault line in northern California was registered at 6.49am (2.49pm BST), on August 18.The tremor, described as a “quick, short shake” by a witness, was centred less than a mile north of Piedmont, northeast of Oakland and comes after a similar 4.0-magnitude tremor hit the same fault line on 22 July. That quake caused no major damage when it struck at the border of Fremont and Union City. This new shake opens up fresh debate Tom Brocher, a scientist from the USGS, claims the Hayward fault line is a ticking time bomb. He told CBS San Francisco: “We keep a close eye on the Hayward fault because it does sit in the heart of the Bay Area and when we do get a big earthquake on it, it’s going to have a big impact on the entire Bay Area. “The past five major earthquakes on the fault have been about 140 years apart, and now we’re 147 years from that 1868 earthquake, so we definitely feel like that could happen any time and that something is coming.” The Hayward fault, which is less well-known than California’s famous San Andreas fault, runs from San Pablo Bay in the north to Fremont in the south and passes through the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, Hayward and Fremont. In 1868, 30 people were killed after a magnitude-7.0 quake hit the fault line and damage worth the equivalent of several million dollars was caused. That quake was known as the “great San Francisco earthquake” until the magnitude-7.9 shock on the San Andreas Fault on 18 April 1906.
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POLISH authorities have held a crisis meeting in which they warned treasure hunters against trying to unravel the mysteries of a gold-laden train said to have been discovered in nearby mountains, warning it may have been booby-trapped by the Nazis. The meeting came in response to claims that two men had discovered a legendary ghost train which was used to carry Nazi loot but disappeared in 1945. Legend has it that a train left the city of Wroclaw — then called Breslau and part of Germany — in April 1945 laden with gold and travelled south-west before disappearing into the hills around Walbrzych. Earlier this week it emerged that the two men behind the discovery, a Pole and a German who are remaining anonymous, had sent a letter to the town’s council claiming to have found an armoured train with “precious metals” at an undisclosed location. Poland’s culture ministry revealed that it had been approached by a man who claimed to represent the treasure hunters, who asked for money in exchange for naming the location. The cul-
ture ministry refused to bargain and told the man to report the find to the appropriate local authority. Tomasz Jura, a local historian who has researched the wartime history of the Walbrzych region, said he was “90 per cent certain” the train has been found. But not all are convinced. “So many times in the past we have had information like this and so many times it has come to nothing,” said Joanna Lamparska, a historian who has written extensively about the Walbrzych region. “Fourteen years ago we had a similar ‘sensation’ but nothing was found. Not many people believe in this latest claim.”
Part of a subterranean system built by Nazi Germany in what is today Gluszyca-Osowka
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EPEATEDLY classified in the international rankings as one of Spain’s best golf courses, Real Sotogrande Golf Club has been an integral part of Sotogrande for over 50 years. It is considered as one of the major masterpieces of Robert Trent Jones who chose this course as one of his five favourites from more than 500 courses he designed worldwide according to his book GOLF – THE MAGNIFICIENT CHALLENGE – published in 1988
FOCUS ON SOTOGRANDE
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
An ace in the hole
ORIGINS The courses origins are closely bound to the creation of the Sotogrande urbanisation in the early 1960s. Joseph McMicking chose this enclave in the south of Spain to develop the best residential area of the time and it was his vision of the future and his desire that Sotogrande would last for many, many years. This was why he laid the foundations of his project in completely unknown parameters of quality in Spain at the time.
Joseph McMicking with bhis wife Mercedes
The Great Argentinian golfer Roberto de Vicenzo
It is no wonder then that he called upon the most prestigious designer of the time, Robert Trent Jones, to design the RSGC course. McMicking insisted that Trent Jones personally choose the land on which the golf course would be built within the area where the urbanisation was located. Sotogrande was the first work of Trent Jones in Europe and marked a landmark in the construction of courses on this side of the Atlantic, not only due to its magnificent design, but also in the innovations that surrounded the project: it was the first course in Europe to
be seeded with Bermuda 419 and the first to install a totally automatic system of irrigation. In 1965, having been built by the architect Luis Gutiérrez Soto, the clubhouse was inaugurated and the RSGC held its first major tournament; the Spanish Open Championship. This was won by Roberto de Vicenzo with a total of 279. One year later, at the age of 44, the Argentinean became the oldest player to win the British Open, after an exciting duel with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. The course quickly became highly appreciated by
both amateurs and professionals, thus turning Sotogrande into a prestigious venue for competitions. In 1970 the Sherry Cup was born, the original version of the present-day European Championship of Nations Cup at RSGC, which is presented every year to the best amateur from 20 European countries, former winners include Padraig Harrington, Sergio García and Rory McIlroy. In 1994, King Juan Carlos I granted Sotogrande the title of Real (Royal). From its origins, the club has had six presidents: Alfredo Melián (1964 to 1979), Emma Villacieros de García–Ogara (1979-1989), Walter Rodriguez Figueroa (1989–1997), José Antonio Polanco (1997–2005), Antonio Martín Urquijo (2005– 2010) and the current president, Felipe Oriol Díaz de Bustamante. The club remained part of the Sotogrande urbanisation until 1979, when the members acquired the course and today it is considered to be one of the best members´ clubs in Europe.
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FOCUS ON SOTOGRANDE
Soto burglar SIS Proposed apprehended expansion A SPANISH man has been remanded in custody in connection with 10 burglaries and three robberies in Sotogrande and Estepona. He was arrested following the most recent incident during which the unnamed man allegedly stole 1100€. Working with private security in Sotogrande, the Guardia Civil used CCTV footage to identify a vehicle used in a burglary in Estepona entering Sotogrande with one set of licence plates and leaving with another. The Spanish officers attempted to stop the vehicle to carry out a search but when signalled to pull over the driver accelerated and collided head on with the police vehicle. The driver then fled on foot across the motorway where he hid amongst the undergrowth. He was quickly located by a Guardia Civil officer and a struggle ensued during which the officer received minor injuries. The man been linked to a further 12 crimes since his arrest, 10 of which were also committed in Sotogrande. The vehicle and two sets of licence plates were seized and the man will face the courts at a later date yet to be confirmed.
Tri-Roque This year’s Tri-Roque will be the third San Roque Triathlon with an increase in participant places from 250 last year to 300 this year - promising to be better than ever. The prerace fun will begin on Saturday 12th September at Torreguadiaro Beach with a day full of activities including a tapas route, children’s entertainment, beach sports including beach rugby, volleyball and beach tennis, a musical concert and a raffle. The gruelling race will take place on the morning of 13th and will consist of a 750m swim, a 20km cycle race and a 5km run. The running and cycling will lead through Sotogrande urbanisation and the swimming leg will take place in Sotogrande Marina. Prize presentations will begin at 12:30. Registration in open until 11 of September and more information can be found on www.sanroque.es
THE management team of Sotogrande International School attended a meeting last week during which they presented their proposal for expansion of school facilities to both the Mayor, Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix and Planning Officer Juan Manuel Ordonez. Specifically the school proposed a large sports area to occupy land adjacent to the existing campus. Ordonez explained the proposal for the land is being considered but the council has to investigate the urban viability in providing the infrastructure they are requesting. The Mayor agreed that although the school deserves the major expansion project proposed, the land sought is within a green area and several stages of consultation and planning must be passed.
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South facing and private
EL CASAR DE PANIAGUA, SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN
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outh-facing 3 storey townhouse in El Casar Zarza with southerly aspect and private access to the communal pool. The groundfloor comprises of an entrance hall, 1 bedroom with a shower room, storeroom, fitted kitchen with service patio and living-dining room with access to the porch, garden and communal pool. The 1st floor comprises of the master bedroom ensuite with terrace and 2 further bedroom that share 1 bathroom. On the 2nd floor there is the 5th bedroom with a shower room, terrace and balcony. Includes double glazing, central heating by radiators and air conditioning.
Plot: 210 m² | Built: 202m² | Terrace: 70m² Bedrooms: 5 | Bathrooms: 4 Price: 360.000 | Ref: CAS-1508
POLO GARDENS, SOTOGRANDE COSTA, SPAIN
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tunning contemporary attached house in the heart of Sotogrande Costa. This elegant designed home, fabulously light and bright offers superb spacious accommodation comprising of an entrance hall, guest cloakroom, lift with access to all floors including 5th basement bedroom suite and a large multi car garage. A double bedroom suite, an eat-in fitted kitchen, a lovely living/dining room leading to a covered terrace and the private garden and pool. On the first floor is a fabulous master suite with 2 en-suite bathrooms, a large terrace and 2 further double bedroom suites. Underfloor heating and air conditioning. Communal paddle tennis court, swimming pool and a fully equipped gymnasium.
Plot: 370 m² | Built: 539 m² | Terrace: 111m² Bedrooms: 5 | Bathrooms: 6 Price: 950.000 | Ref: HPG-1409 Holmes Property Sales, S.L. Tel: +34 956 79 53 40 Galerias Paniagua | Local 21 | Avenida Paniagua s/n | 11310 Sotogrande | San Roque | Cádiz | España email: info@holmesotogrande.com
www.holmesotogrande.com
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SOTOGRANDE ALTO, SPAIN
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ith lovely southerly views to both San Roque golf courses, this traditional style villa is in immaculate condition. Accessed via a pretty courtyard the accommodation offers, on the ground floor, entrance hall, guest cloakroom, living/dining room with fireplace leading to a covered terrace, garden and pool, 3 double bedroom suites and a fabulous eat-in kitchen, accessed externally is a good size laundry room. The master suite is on the first floor and takes full advantage of the fabulous views. Underfloor heating and partial air conditioning. Sold unfurnished but will include fixture and fittings.
Plot: 1.618m² | Built: 443m² | Terrace: 32m² Bedrooms: 4 | Bathrooms: 4 Price: 1.650.000 | Ref: HSN5-492
SOTOGRANDE ALTO, SPAIN
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spacious 3 storey villa with views to Valderrama golf course. It comprises on the entrance level, of an entrance patio, living room, dining room, fitted kitchen, guest toilet and covered terrace. On the lower ground floor there are 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a TV room. The master bedroom is on the top floor. It will include aluminium double glazing, terracotta floors, landscaped gardens, automatic irrigation system, alarm, satellite, hot/cold air conditioning and underfloor heating in bathrooms.
Plot: 2.984m² | Built: 500m² Bedrooms: 4 | Bathrooms: 4 Price: 1.200.000 | Ref: HSN5-834 Holmes Property Sales, S.L. Tel: +34 956 79 53 40 Galerias Paniagua | Local 21 | Avenida Paniagua s/n | 11310 Sotogrande | San Roque | Cádiz | España email: info@holmesotogrande.com
www.holmesotogrande.com
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FOCUS ON GIBRALTAR
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HE residents of Gibraltar have long spoken a mixture of English and Spanish in their daily lives; living so close to the Spanish border has meant the British overseas territory has developed a unique variety of Spanglish known as Llanito. But the dialect - a mixture of English, Spanish with Portuguese, Italian and Jewish influences - is now under threat as younger generations increasingly live and learns in a monolingual environment. “These days, children are taught in English in school and for the past 20 years it has been English, English, English,” Gibraltar historian and author of the world’s first Llanito dictionary, Tito Vallejo Smith said in a recent press article. “We have much less contact with Spain than in the past,” he added, “in the past mothers were Spanish and children spoke English and they communicated in a mixture of the two which was Llanito. Nowadays all the mothers speak English,” he added. The dialect originally came about because of the need for workers of different nationalities, who came to Gibraltar, to communicate effectively. They knew little bits of both languages so melded them together to form Llanito. “That is why many Llanito words are work-related, and these are the ones which are dying out the fastest because these days everyone works in English.” But while some see the decline of Llanito as a natural consequence of modern times, there is a view that renewed tensions with neighbouring Spain are accelerating that decline,
ADIOS LLANITO! Gibraltar’s dialect is under threat GIBRALTAR’S unique ‘Spanglish’ dialect of Llanito is under threat. Is it natural consequences of modern times or are Gibraltarians turning away from Spanish for political reasons? with the damage that Spain is inflicting on Gibraltar with its insults and constant bullying it makes it a language of the oppressor. While Gibraltar, a tiny territory on Spain’s south-western foot, was ceded to the British by Spain under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, Spain still claims sovereignty over the territory and surrounding waters. After a diplomatic thaw towards Gibraltar under the socialist government of Jose Luis Rodrigues Zapatero, tensions over the Rock have escalated since the Popular Party of Mariano Rajoy came to
power. A dispute over fishing rights, controls imposed by Spanish at the border and countless “incursions” by Spanish police and military vessels into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters - waters not recognized by Spain have led to noisy complaints from the UK government to Spain and vice-versa. A Cervantes Institute opened on the Rock in 2011 was closed earlier this year, a victim of the breakdown in relations and a move that many fear will have a lasting impact on Spanish being spoken and as a result the survival of Llanito. “While the government does what it can to encourage Spanish - it is taught in schools here - it is being spoken less by young people and that is a real shame,” said the Gibraltar government source.
CULTURE “Mr Margallo (Spain’s foreign minister) has not helped by withdrawing the Cervantes Institute from the Rock, which was really the only official cultural link here with Spain,” he explained. “It means inevitably that links with the UK are strengthened even more and adds to the dominance of the English language here,” he added. For Vallejo, the expert on Llanito in Gibraltar, the dialect will continue but in a different form, more as the odd loan word peppering sentences of English. And while younger generations might not grasp the dialect, older Gibraltarians enjoy using it to wind up their grandchildren:
Tito Vallejo Smith with his dictionary of llanito. Screen grab: Pepe Marín/YouTube
“Older people often use Llanito words in conversation when they don’t want the younger generation to understand what they are talking about which causes a lot of ‘Grandma, what are you saaaaaying?’,” laughs Vallejo. Common Llanito phrases and vocabulary English: Yes, but at the end of the day Spanish: Si, pero a fin de cuentas Llanito: Si, pero at the end of the day English: Man, I’m telling you that I can’t Spanish: Hombre, te digo que no puedes Llanito: Hombre, I’m telling you ke no pue English: Hoover Spanish: Aspirador/a Llanito: Juva English: Salted peanuts Spanish: Cacahuetes Llanito: Saltipina
The mane event
A CHARITY event organised by former Miss Gibraltar, Shyanne Azzopardi, raised over £24,000 for Cancer Relief Gibraltar last weekend. The event, held in Casemates Square saw the beauty queen shave of her lustrous locks raising £13,000 for the cause. A 12 hour skip-athon by members of Wellington Boxing Club also took place adding £11,000 to the coffers. For more information on The Caner Relief Centre and services offered by Cancer Relief Gibraltar please visit www.cancerelief.gi
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FOCUS ON GIBRALTAR
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HE backdrop to this annual event on 10th September dates back to 1992. The then chief minister, Joe Bossano, went to the UN to argue for the right to self-determination and in doing so gave rise to the Self Determination for Gibraltar Group (SDGG). At an initial glance, people new to the subject might wonder why there was any need to raise the issue. Self-determination is, after all, fairly fundamental in the Western world. It hasn’t always been thus and Gibraltar’s right to it has been threatened relatively recently. The SDGG’s site is, happily, most informative on the subject. Gibraltar came under UK rule in a process started when it was taken by allied forces in 1704 in a conflict ending in 1713. By 1960 the colonies were becoming independent as the Empire dissolved and Europe asked for a list of all colonies from all countries. In 1963 the UK presented its list to the UN Committee of 24 but, according to the SDGG’s history, it “neglectfully” didn’t ask the populations themselves. This was a particular issue in the case of Gibraltar because Spain still considered (and in some quarters still considers to this day) that it had a valid
Family fun day out... but with a serious note claim to the Rock. So, in 1967 there was a referendum and Gibraltar stayed British, overwhelmingly. After negotiations with the UK a new constitution was put in place in 1969. There have been other refinements since; the Lisbon Agree-
ment in 1980 particularly signalled that things might change and in 1984 there was an agreement to renegotiate relations. But it was Mr. Bossano’s UN visit in 1992 that re-affirmed the need for Gibraltar’s right to self-determination.
In order to generate popular support for selfdetermination the newly-formed SDGG held the first National Day in John Mackintosh Square (the Piazza) on 10 September 1992 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the day in 1967 when the sovereignty referendum was held. The first National Day was so successful that the avalanche of people that spontaneously turned up could not fit into John Mackintosh Square, so the following year the location was changed and celebrations were held at the Casemates Square and the Naval Ground. Over the years the format has changed; political speeches have been shortened and in 2007, the Government took over the running of the event from the SDGG and in 2008 the emphasis shifted from political affirmation to a civic celebration.
RED & WHITE
NOT EVEN IF ALL THE APES AND CHILDREN IN GIB SMOKED THE well-known Gibraltar hater, José Manuel García Margallo, Spain’s Foreign and Cooperation Minister, has been at it again. In an interview on Antena 3 he highlighted the action Spain is taking in the fight against this type of contraband, and the controls they have established to capture the illicit traffic. Although he explained ‘nobody can prohibit a tobacconist from selling tobacco’ or tobacco being exported to Gibraltar, he doubted that the imported tobacco could be consumed ‘not even if all the children and the Barbary apes smoked’. The Spanish Minister who is on record of saying he will not step on Gibraltar until the Spanish flag is flying, spoke about his relationship with Fabian Picardo which ‘had its ups and downs’ but ‘the
root of problem is always the same’ and claimed the problems reside with the economic model of the Rock. “A territory of 6.5 square kilometres which is the third largest economy in the world without natural resources, can only be explained by the contraband tobacco and the tax regime which only benefits the Gibraltarians and not those outside” he said Regarding the British sovereignty of the territorial waters he said “what Spain says is international law must be complied with’”and added he was in favour of negotiations to open the process of decolonisation with Gibraltar. Margallo said he was prepared to talk to the Gibraltar Government, but only ever to defend the interests of Spain.
National Day is now celebrated as a family affair on the Rock, kicking off with Gibraltarians dressing in their national colours of red and white, a children’s fancy dress display before moving on to a massive street party with food and drink stalls including the national dish, calentita. A school choir performs and the Mayor recites the names of people who have received the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour, along with a reading of the Gibraltar National Day declaration. Doves and balloons are released from the Parliament Buildings and the school choir leads the singing of the Gibraltar anthem. There is a bouncy castle for the kids at Casemates Grand Square as part of a fun day and the event rounds off with fireworks. The political element has not been completely lost, however. At the core of National Day is the assertion that Gibraltarians insist on their right to self-determination and always will. Recent British Governments have been supportive of this, with Prime Minister David Cameron sending a video message in support of the day on one recent occasion. In this election year for Gib you can expect the politics to be an important facet of the event. If you’re a resident you’ll be well aware of the implications of Gibraltar National Day and the events taking place during the day; if you’re visiting on the 10th of next month, enjoy the celebrations and have fun.
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n Feria de Ajoblanco - 05 September Almachar Every year on the first weekend of September, the village of Almachar pays homage to the traditional Andalusian soup of Ajoblanco. The whole village transforms into one large party with families and local businesses giving out free samples of the local wine, muscatel grapes and, of course, gallons of Ajoblanco. Ajoblanco – translates literally as white garlic – is a popular dish found in many regions of Southern Spain and parts of Extremadura. A traditional cold soup made from bread, crushed almonds, garlic, olive oil and sometimes vinegar. The soup is a perfect example of a Spanish/North African fusion that has been adapted, yet preserved throughout time. And it tastefantastic!!
Thousands of visitors come to the village on the day of the festival and they are invited to try this local dish. At the same
n Astronomy Nights 2015, Yunquera Observatory, Yunquera, Sierra de las Nieves, Malaga.
SPONSORED BY CITY FM MALAGA
Broadcasting from Nerja to beyond Calahonda on 106.2FM and from Elviria to Gibraltar via 106.8FM
Made any plans for September? The Weekend World has rounded up a list of some of the best events in Spain, from a festival celebrating cold garlic soup to BEFREE - the largest gay festival an Andalucía time, the village becomes a showcase for various historic and artistic objects, and traditional scenes are enacted with puppets dressed in period costumes from last century. The festival day in Almáchar is completed with verdiales folk groups, rociero type choirs and all kinds of flamenco.
ceptional performances from musicians and dancers, and many surprises from the PAPA World Tour Parties as well as pool parties, beach parties and various club nights. For more information visit www. befreemarbellagayfestival.com
n BEFREE - 01-06 September Marbella
n Gibraltar Music Festival - 05 & 06 September, Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar.
BEFREE is the largest gay festival in Andalucía and will be hosted by the city of Marbella from 1st – 6th September. The festival aims to open the market for gay tourists to Marbella benefitting all business sectors in the area with collaborations of the most important national and international brands in the LGBT community. You can expect world class DJs, ex-
Gibraltar’s 2 day musical extravaganza returns with over 25 world class acts that include Duran Duran, Paloma Faith and Union J on Saturday the 5th and Kings of Leon, Madness and Kaiser Chiefs on Sunday the 6th. Tickets are still available for both days separately or you can purchase a weekend pass from www.gibraltarmusic festival.com.
A GOYA LOVE AFFAIR THE Feria Goyesca de Pedro Romero takes place during the first week of September every year and is the best known Ronda festival. The main attraction is the bullfight which takes place on the first Saturday of the month in the Real Maestranza bullring. Before the bullfight there is a procession of horse drawn carriages through the streets of Ronda with everyone dressed in 18th century Goyesque costumes. The matadors themselves also wear this traditional attire.
n XV International Crafts Festival Marbella - daily until 15 September, Plaza Antonio Banderas, Puerto Banus Want to travel the world without leaving Marbella? With this fair you can, the XV International Crafts Festival Marbella, runs daily until 15th September, Plaza Antonio Banderas, Puerto Banus and offers all kinds of handicrafts and exhibits from different countries and cultures. From leather products to Argentinian decorative knives and jewellery and silk garments from India; rustic furniture and handmade carvings. The fifteenth edition of Marbella’s International Crafts Fair is host to products from all cultures which make the fair a world leader to promote and sell the work of the more than 100 artisans involved in it.
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 Fantastic Four(12A) 16.30 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (12A) 18.30 Vacation(15) 19.00 Pixels 3D(12A) 21.15 Paper Towns(12A) 21.30 _______________________
HERO The fairly modern tradition of dressing in these 18th century costumes (referred to as Goyesque due to coming from the times of the celebrated Spanish painter Francisco de Goya), dates back to just 1954 when local bullfighting hero Antonio Ordóñez arranged a festival in honour of the 200th anniversary of Pedro Romero who is generally considered the founder of modern bullfighting. Goya painted idyllic situations with bullfighters in traditional trajes de luces (bullfighting costumes) complete with stylish trousers and hair-nets. Goya’s women were also traditionally portrayed, wearing ornate dresses and mantillas (traditional Spanish head-dresses). The painter portrayed the nobility that he knew so
Astronomy nights run from 22:00 every Saturday until the end of September. Using the large observatory telescope you can contemplate galaxies, nebulae, craters and mountains of the moon and learn to distinguish constellations. An activity for the whole family, places are limited and reservations can be made on 952 482 173. Enjoy a sky full of stars like you have never seen. Entry cost 6€. Free parking available.
Cine Teatro Goya Carrer de Av. Julio Iglesias s/n, Marbella 951 196 665 / 951 196 666
intimately because they were the people he spent many of his days painting. These paintings invoked views of the most idyllic of times, that the town of Ronda pays homage to year upon year with their festivities. Goya painted a famous portrait of Pedro Romero which is currently on display at the Kimbell Art Foundation in Texas. This Ronda tradition of dressing Goyesque
for the bullfight is now arranged by Francisco Rivera Ordoñez who is the grandson of Antonio Ordoñez. Thousands of people from all over the world head to Ronda for the festival so hotel accommodation can be scarce - as can tickets for the bullfights. For more information please visit www. turismoderonda.es
Fantastic Four(12A) 15.40, 17.50, 20.00, 23.00 Vacation(15) 15.45, 18.00 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (12A) 16.10 Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation(12A) 20.15 Paper Towns(12A) 18.00 The Age of Adaline(12A) 15.45, 22.45, 20.15 Inside Out(U) 16.15, 18.30
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d on y be om o t fr M a d j n 8F r Ne M a 06. 1 m F ro 06.2 via f ng n 1 ltar i t o a s ca nda ibr d oa ho o G Br ala ia t C vir El
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ADRID’S museums are moving away from the traditional to embrace new artistic forms and the latest brings a touch of haute couture to the capital’s celebrated art scene. The Thyssen Museum in the Spanish capital forms part of the famous “golden triangle of art” along with the Prado with its portraits by Velazquez, and the Reina Sofia, home of Picasso’s acclaimed Guernica. In its latest exhibition ‘Vogue like a Painting’ the gallery is stepping away from its traditional exhibits to fuse high art with high fashion. The museum first ventured into fashion as recently as October 2014, with an exhibition dedicated to French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy showcasing a selection of the de-
THE CAPITAL EMBRACES HAUTE COUTURE signer’s creations from 1952 - 1996 including the iconic black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Buoyed by the success of the Givenchy exhibi-
tion, the Thyssen is now showing ‘Vogue like a Painting’ which merges fashion and art even further, not only celebrating the beautiful clothes and shoes but the painters and artists who inspired the fashion photographers. The exhibition displays sixty fashion photographs from the archives of Vogue magazine that have been inspired by classical paintings. Taken by eminent fashion photographers of the 20th and 21st centuries who have taken inspiration from artist’s right back to the 16th century, the photographs reflect devices commonly used by painters, including theatrical settings, dramatic lighting and carefully staged compositions. From photographic recreations of still lives to eighteenth century British group portraits,
the exhibition covers a plethora of artistic styles. Even classical paintings are emulated, like Erwin Blumenfeld´s photographic recreation of Johannes Vermeer´s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Other artists referenced in the fashion photographs include everyone from Zurbarán and Gaugin to Salvador Dali and Edward Hopper while the fashion photographers include such prominent names as Cecil Beaton, Annie Leibowitz and Mario Testino. The photographers use beautiful settings, colours and styles to evoke famous paintings that please the eye of both an art critic and a fashion lover. Vogue: Like A Painting is running at the Thyssen Museum until 12th October 2015.
SUGGS
MY STORY IN WORDS AND MUSIC
LIVE AT THE NUTTY BAR
2nd Line • Puerto Deportivo Marbella
TUESDAY 8TH OF SEPTEMBER DOORS OPEN
@ 20:00 Tickets available from The Nutty Bar 50’s Diner on the Frontine of the Puerto Deportivo Marbella or at suggsticketsmarbella@gmail.com
SCHEDULES MONDAY to WEDNESDAY Neal Adams Breakfast Dave Wakelins Morning Show Andy Phillips Afternoon show Dave Hixson THURSDAY & FRIDAY Neal Adams breakfast Nikki Addis Morning Show Andy Phillips Afternoon show Dave Hixson
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09.00 - 12.00 12.00 - 15.00 15.30 - 18.00 09.00 - 12.00 12.00 - 15.00
Entradas a la venta en el Nutty Bar 50’s Diner de primera línea en el Puerto Deportivo Marbella o a través de suggsticketsmarbella@gmail.com
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EEKEND
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VER dreamed of a house where you can change the design of a room with a press of a button? Well that dream may not be far away thanks to YO! Sushi founder Simon Woodroffe’s new home concept designed to make better use off space in city centres with plans to release to market in 2016. The YO! Home is designed to squeeze a bed, kitchen, lounge, dining room and bathroom into a one bedroom studio flat. When you enter the YO! Home it would appear to be an ordinary studio flat but can then change into numerous different rooms with a bed even coming down from the ceiling to fix onto a couch and create your bedroom.
The home is aimed at those unhappy with the lack of space in city centres but don’t want to or can’t afford to move further out and while the design is just a prototype right now, planning will begin next month to create the first of these homes in Manchester. Hopes are high for the designs with developers already setting their sights on places such as Manhattan, Buenos Aires, Tokyo and Shanghai. The flats are expected to go on the market in 2016 with prices beginning at around £150,000. Jack Spurrier, the Managing Direction of YO! Homes, said: “Our vision is tower blocks of single space YO! Homes in city centres around the world, from Manhattan and Buenos Aires, to Tokyo and Shanghai, changing the way people live in small spaces whilst addressing the growing population issues. “But any journey or adventure starts with a first step. And our first step is in Manchester.”
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YO! Sushi founder launches spacesaving homes to revolutionise the house market
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Those luxury touches that would previously have been considered price prohibitive, even at the very top end of the market, are considered standard features within the Lord Byron Interiors range. Each & every component is conceived, designed and manufactured in our own UK factory, ensuring the same consistently high standards and build quality. ‘QUALITY’ should not be confused with ‘LUXURY’. A facade may present the appearance of luxury, but behind the facade is where the real quality becomes self evident. Quality lies with the choice of materials, and achieved with top quality traditional cabinet making practices.
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THE PERFECT BLEND OF RETRO STYLE AND MODERN COMFORT FEATURED in the Elle Decoration Magazine the Busnelli Armadillo Chair by designer Gianni Pareschi, is a genius reinterpretation of a model introduced in 1969. There is a beautiful blend between the traditional craftsmanship of the seat and the technicality of the structure. The supporting frame is a curved metal tube with a bright chrome finish giving the chair a retro feel and the seat with its internal heart in supporting fabric with padded insertions is the perfect position for that lazy Sunday afternoon with the newspaper.
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When dimensions matter
THE new collection Roberto Giacomucci designed for Kubedesign is fully dedicated to the world of light. Showcased during the Fuori Salone, Furniture Show 2015, in Milan, the collection represents the natural enrichment of the now iconic collection XXL. Consisting of 5 versions of lighting bodies in a strictly XXL dimension, with a strong impact thanks to a new and appealing graphics. A three-dimensional cardboard, which is enriched by Plexiglas and by a fresh and suggestive design which does not go almost unnoticed in any place we position these lamps which express more and more the technological and aesthetical potential the structural cardboard by Kubedesign expresses more and more, ranging from architecture made of cardboard, to accessories, to furniture.
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ELL over half of the vast country of Saudi Arabia is desert. The Nefud desert in the north is linked to the Rub’ al-Khali desert in the south by the sand dunes of yet another desert, the Ad-Dahna. In the centre, on a vast highland plateau just beyond the dunes, is the capital Riyadh. The Tropic of Cancer runs through Saudi Arabia and there is a prevailing desert climate, with temperatures ranging from 40°C to 50°C in summer and 5°C to 15°C in winter. This is the setting for a daringly complex project to create a huge botanical garden just a stone’s throw from the capital. The project plans to conjure up a park of over 2,200,000 m² with plants from all over the world, including examples of extinct species and those that have survived evolution and climate shifts. This unusual garden is intended as a gift from the city of Riyadh to the Saudi King Abdullah, and it will also represent a powerful tool for learning about, and understanding, the origins and consequences of climate change and the transformations the world’s ecosystems undergo. It will help think about the choices we will face in the future and how we can effectively foster sustainable development. The heart of the park will be two intersecting crescent moons housing various pre-historic ecosystems. It may seem strange today, but Saudi Arabia’s swathes of burning deserts were once covered millions and millions of years ago with vast stretches of Savannahlike grasslands enjoying abundant rainfall feeding a network of rivers which flowed all year round and harboured crocodiles and herbivorous dinosaurs.
KING ABDULLAH INTERNATIONAL GARDENS The History of our planet in a botanical garden Paghera takes on a new challenge in the world’s driest desert in Riyadh
THE PAGHERA TOUCH Designed by Paghera, landscapers & architects who are leaders of complex restorations and territorial transformations felt the project should establish a stronger link with its surroundins and believed that the key to fulfilling this project was to create an oasis, one of the largest in the world. The 4000-space car park will be based underground beneath an artificial dune overlooking the park. The 50 metre-high dune will house a luxury hotel, reminiscent in style to the desert castles that were once home to the aristocracy under the caliphs. The ho-
jewel as the centrepiece of the two crescent moons will be the Wadi Garden, created in the bed of an erstwhile stream whose waters have scoured a deep depression in the terrain. The river will be resurrected thanks to artificial rain and the recycling of rainwater and water from artesean wells. A system of oases will be created along the course of the river, providing pathways flanking a series of small lakes, waterfalls and luxuriant greenery, an earthly paradise in the desert to be enjoyed either on foot or using golf carts.
BUTTERFLY GARDEN
tel terraces will host restaurants organised under traditional Arab tents, evocative of Tuareg camps, with stunning views over the crescent moons and surrounding park. The
dune itself will be surrounded by a sea of splendid flowering meadows planted with species from some of the harshest deserts in the world, most of them succulents, which are used to extreme climates and are able to withstand extremely high temperatures and long periods of drought. Looking up, the park can also be admired from the air, via a 6 kmlong system of air-conditioned cable cars offering a complete tour with stop off observation points. Set like a
The huge garden will host a number of pavilions, which will be used together with the two crescent moons to showcase the plants, trees and flowers gathered from all four corners of the globe. Nearby are 150,000 m² of greenhouses where native species will be cultivated. A 6450 m² aviary provides an opportunity to study and observe exotic species of birds in a tropical rainforest habitat, preserving an environment that is fast disappearing in other parts of the world thanks to indiscriminate logging. Then there is a butterfly garden of almost 5000 m², divided into two different habitats: an exotic habitat with tropical vegetation kept at a constant temperature of between 21°C and 29°C and another one with native butterflies, trees and bushes. Among the other attractions is a physic garden, a pavilion exclusively for medicinal plants and herbs from all over the world, and a water garden with a study of water in all its forms, from ice to snow and steam.
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
FOCUS ON HOMES
Lastly there will be a maze garden with a large spherical fountain at its centre. Not far away is the seed bank which will stock seed from our planet’s plants and flowers. This enchanted futuristic botanical garden, constructed using cutting edge technologies from nothing in the middle of the desert, has all the potential to become both a valid scientific centre and a popular tourist attraction. A sort of green, eco-sustainable theme park where visitors can discover nature on a planetary level and find out how to safeguard our environment for future generations.
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
Rental prices rise across Spain Summary: The rental market in Spain is seeing prices rise, suggesting the property market is recovering.
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We protect those you love the most 170,000 businesses and 200,000 households and individuals put their security in our hands. Daily reports of intrusions and robberies occupy the media at an increasing rate. At Prosegur we offer the latest technology in order to maximize the protection of thousands of homes and businesses. The extensive experience, market knowledge and quality of services tailored to each client that makes Prosegur a benchmark in security systems. Our latest la Anti-Intrusion Alarms protects households using the most advanced technology, including video-verification. The equipment is connected to the ARC (Alarm Reception Centre) so that in the event of an alarm going off, Prosegur’s operators can verify the state of the property.
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Rents across Spain for residential property are increasing, a further indication that the property market is on the road to recovery. Over recent years, rental prices have fallen in line with sales prices, but the latest data from Fotocasta.es reveals that the average rental costs reached €7.10 per square metre in July, marking a rise of 4.8% compared to the same month in 2014, Spainih News Today reports. While these prices are still 30% lower than the peak of €10.12 reached in July 2007, it is still an indication that some of the damage caused in the global financial crash of 2008 has been repaired. In the aftermath of the crash, sales decreased sharply across Spain, with the steepest falls happening in Aragon, where rents plummeted by 41.4%, the Comunidad (35.4%), Cantabria (35.35%) and Andalucia (27.5%). In July this year, prices in Murcia gained 2.6% and Madrid added 1.6%, while Asturias, the Balearics and Cantabria all experienced an increase of 1%. Whether you’re moving to Spain or transferring money overseas, it’s important to keep on top of the currency market. For more information contact us on +34 952 906 581 or visit currenciesdirect.com
Let’s talk currency Plaza de Las Orquideas, Local 6, Nueva Andalucia, 29660 Marbella T +34 952 906 581 E costadelsol@currenciesdirect.com W www.currenciesdirect.com
Moving money
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Las Brisas
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Площадь виллы 1.000 м2 | Площадь участка 3.200 м2 5 спален | 6 ванных комнат Уникальный особняк в современном стиле в Лас Брисас (Новая Андалузия) Цена по запросу
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years
10
WITH PASSION
10 YEARS… 10 UNIQUE DESIGNS! BOCA DO LOBO CELEBRATES THEIR 10TH ANNIVERSARY A rarely seen passion for Design, craftsmanship and unique materials was the starting point of Boca do Lobo’s successful creative journey 10 years ago. Today, the luxury brand is one of the Interior Design World’s finest. BOCA DO LOBO was created to bring excellence in furniture design. Since 2005 we have been working to share the best Portugal has to offer: the knowledge of its people who design and create furniture art, the tradition of working with the noble material of wood, and the artisans and joiners who create the pieces with their years of wisdom and experience and their love and dedication to the art that they perform. It all started with Soho, one of Boca do Lobo’s most iconic creations so far. Launched in London in 2005, this luxury sideboard opened the way for Boca do Lobo’s first international steps and is still today one of the brand’s best sellers. The uniqueness of its essence
is embodied in the different techniques applied to its drawers, which go from glass to wood, lacquer in different colours to mirror and gold leaf. It is inspired by the eclectic spirit felt on the streets of the Soho neighbourhood, embodying a true cosmopolitan essence. Gold came in 2006 and represents a landmark for luxury furniture. Entirely finished in gold leaf, this contemporary screen is home jewellery specially created to adorn and embellish a contemporary living room or bedroom. Gold proves that space dividers can be statement pieces without obfuscating a room’s décor. Over time Boca do Lobo’s designs have become increasingly more mature. The luxury brand has perfected its unique concept of Emotional Design and creating pieces that actually made users create an emotional bond with them becoming more and more like pieces of artworks rather than utilitarian furniture
www.bocadolobo.com | info@bocadolobo.com
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
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MONEY MATTERS
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Fraudsters flood over 55s with pension scam offers
S
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CAMMERS are relentlessly contacting the over 55s with cold calls, texts and emails to lure them into pension frauds, according to a new survey. Consumer watchdogs in the UK say research suggests 40% of over 55s are regularly targeted by crooks posing as bogus pension advisers and around 10% of those contacted fell for the sting and lost money. The main focus of the scammers involves offers to transfer pension tax-free lump sums into unrealistic high risk investment opportunities. Fraudsters typically offer a high return overseas investment that does not exist to tempt retirement savers to switch their cash into the bogus scheme. The latest scams as reported by the Citizens Advice: - Crooks posing as pension advisers request access to the victim’s retirement savings to reinvest them but fail to explain what the investments are and how they work - Retirement savers agree to take part in a free pension review and are often visited at home by the fraudsters who use the chance to gather personal information that will give them access to the victim’s pension and other financial accounts - High risk investments with reported high returns are offered in return for pension cash, such as fine wine, overseas property. These scams often involve a team of at least two fraudsters. One gathers information while the other pushes switching cash out of the pension. Often these involve investments in South Africa. Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy said: “These fraudsters are deliberately targeting the over 55s time and again with offers of false investment opportunities.“Taking up these offers will result in the money disappearing and will undermine the victim’s chances of having enough cash for a comfortable retirement.”
Fraudsters step up campaigns She also confirmed that the watchdog is seeing increased attempts to steal retirement savings since pension freedoms were introduced in April 2015. “In the past few months, more cases have been reported and the fraudsters are changing tack to take advantage of people who trust them with large sums of money,” she said. The research found: - 80% of fraud targets were contacted by an uninvited phone call - Another third were contacted by email - Another third were contacted by post - 20% received cold-call text messages “If you are contacted by a scammer the two giveaways are they are seemingly offering free advice and some sort of high return investment which is not generally available through a reputable company,” said Guy. She also added that independent financial advisers charge for consultations and that regulators insist high risk opportunities are only offered to ‘sophisticated investors’ who understand the consequences of losing their money.
Spain’s public debt rises to 95.9 per cent of GDP in June SPAIN’S public debt rose to 95.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in June, according to Reuters calculations based on Bank of Spain data and output estimates included in the 2016 budget proposal. Debt stood at 1.053 trillion euros ($1.17 trillion) in June, the data showed on Friday, up 12.64 billion euros from a month earlier, when the debt-to-GDP ratio was 94.7 per cent based on the government’s GDP estimate for 2015. The government expects public debt to reach a high this year of 98.7 per cent of GDP before falling to 98.2 per cent next year and dropping to 93.2 per cent by 2018.
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
TRANSFERRING CASH ABROAD TO SNAP UP A HOME? RESEARCH - it definitely pays off ... T HE strong pound is making it attractive for Brits wanting to buy a home abroad. The pound recently hit a seven-year high against the euro, which is being held back following the Greek crisis. Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa are also struggling against the strength of sterling and even in the States the pound recently hit a seven-month high against the dollar. So not only will your money go further, but with many foreign countries still offering cheaper properties than they were before the credit crunch – your money will go a lot further. But buying a property abroad means you’ll have to exchange large sums. So researching and choosing the right option can save you money. So what are the strengths and weaknesses of the different types of money changers?
BRINGING BACK THE CLASSICS During their 1787 trip to the Crimea, Admiral Fürst Potemkin gave his Empress, Catherina The Great, a local vodka which she enjoyed very much. Its recipe was handed down during the ages and is still being used to make a fine Vodka. Fürst Potemkin Vodka is an elegant Vodka with a delicate taste, a pleasant palate and a smooth finish. The recipe for this premium vodka has been composed by Fürst Potemkin himself. It won him the heart of Catherina the Great.
With a range of options for those moving money across borders, we look at the pros and cons of each High Street Banks
Eight out of 10 people use their bank to buy and send foreign currency abroad. Your bank is the obvious choice as it’s familiar to you and closely regulated. Fees for transfers can be expensive depending on how fast you need the money to arrive, whether you order it online or not and where it is going – transfers outside other European countries are costlier. Moving money from your British HSBC
account to a HSBC account overseas is free. Otherwise you pay from £4 (for online orders) to £30 for currencies outside Europe on phone or branch orders. Other mainstream banks – Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds – charge from £10 to £40. The charge is £10 by NatWest for standard euro transfers while Barclays’ priority orders will cost £40. In addition, the receiving bank or any other foreign bank handling the transfer may also make a charge. Expect it to take one to two days for transfers within Europe and up to 12 working days for transfers to other countries.
Currency brokers There are hundreds of specialist foreign currency brokers in the UK & Spain and they’ve been in existence for years, but they’re still relatively unknown. Fees are lower, typically starting at £4 for a transfer, and are often waived. There are no fees on large amounts with companies such as Smart Currency Exchange (smartcurrencyexchange.com), Currencies Direct (currenciesdirect.com) and HiFX (hifx.co.uk). Currency brokers, such as Moneycorp (moneycorp.com) and HiFX, say their exchange rates are 3-4 per cent cheaper than the major banks. This could make a difference of as much as £8,000 on a £200,000 property purchase. You can check out the best live rates easily on comparison sites like Currency Transfer (currencytransfer.com) and My Currency Transfer (mycurrencytransfer.com). The latter also tells you when your funds will arrive, if there are charges and their verdict on the broker. Transfers are quicker than using a bank. With mainstream currencies such as US dollars and euros, the money should arrive the following day if not sooner. It’s free to open an account with a broker and can be set up almost instantly. However, do check that it is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the provision of payment services. To be on the safe side, it’s best to go for a firm that’s been operating for many years. You can ring them up for a chat and you will usually be assigned the same specialist to deal with you. These specialist currency firms will be able to guide you through the process and suggest options available. For instance, you can lock into the current exchange rate if you are worried that it may worsen, even if you don’t need the money for some time to come. This is known as a forward contract and can fix the rate for at least a year.
Peer-to-peer currency providers These are the newest kids on the block. They work by matching buyers and seller, cutting out the middle man. Your money is sent via the peer-to-peer currency provider. If there is no one who wants to buy your currency, the firm will step in and make the exchange. As a result, the rates are closest to the wholesale market rate. Their exchange rate margin ranges from 0.15 per cent to 0.5 per cent. On top of this there is a small charge – TransferWise (transferwise.com) charges 0.5 per cent on amounts over £2,000, CurrencyFair (currencyfair.com) has a £3 or €3 fee and Midpoint has a sliding scale of 0.5 – 0.3 per cent depending on the amount. TransferWise, which started four years ago, and Midpoint (midpoint.com) which has been going for almost two years, are authorised by the FCA. However, CurrencyFair was launched in Australia and is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland meaning it comes under the European Communities Payment Services regulations. These firms don’t have as many currencies on offer as brokers – CurrencyFair has 16 currencies available, TransferWise has twice as many – and they don’t have the same services as brokers. You can only take the live rate available at the time so you can’t fix the rate through a forward contract.
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The leader in security not only protects you when you are home: i t is also there when you are away. l ALARMS l ACCESS CONTROL l MOBILITY SYSTEMS
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Contact us today for a FREE no obligation home meeting on: Office: 951 242 684 (10am - 5pm) Mobile: 691 219 354 Email: info@AESandalusia.es
Testimonials from existing clients: “Having contacted two or three Financial Advisers and waiting over two weeks for any news or advice, I contacted AES through an advertisement in a local newspaper, having checked the companys in-depth advice on the web. The response was immediate, they phoned to set up an impartial meeting to advise me what was involved and required. We met again and I was impressed with AES´s service and efficiency and would not hesitate to refer them to friends and family as Financial Advisers to trust.” Iain “I spoke with several other Financial Advisers and AES were the only ones who took the time to explain everything clearly. I am now very happy with the outcome.” Mr.H “AES wrote an article on investment in a local newspaper which impressed me with its statement of honesty in locating the investment to suit their clients. I telephoned them to obtain some further information and an interview. On meeting, I found the adviser to be truly interested in how my husband and I managed our finances and how best we could invest to provide a good return. He provided clear details, both verbally and printed, which were easyto-follow, step-by-step, and always with backup so that we were reassured. The adviser was experienced in financial management and well qualified, as can be testified. That was very important to us too. He was not intrusive with his advice and listened carefully before suggesting how we could proceed. His attention to detail was most impressive and generated confidence.” Mr. & Mrs. G
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015 ADVERTORIAL
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ADVERTORIAL
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ADVERTORIAL
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
T
HE likely toll of long working hours is revealed in a major new study which shows that employees still at their desks into the evening run an increased risk of stroke – and the longer the hours they put in, the higher the risk. The largest study conducted on the issue, carried out in three continents and led by scientists at University College London found that those who work more than 55 hours a week have a 33% increased risk of stroke compared with those who work a 35- to 40hour week. They also have a 13% increased risk of coronary heart disease.
INACTIVITY The findings will confirm the assumptions of many that a long-hours culture, in which people work from early in the morning until well into the evening, with work also intruding into weekends, is potentially harmful to health. The researchers, say they cannot state categorically that long hours cause people to have strokes – but their study shows that there is a link, and it gets stronger as the hours people put in get longer. “Sudden death from overwork is often caused by stroke and is believed to result from a repetitive triggering of the stress response,” they write. “Behavioural mechanisms, such as physical inactivity, might
FOCUS ON HEALTH & BEAUTY
THE RISK OF WORKING HARD Danger highlighted by research suggesting those working a 55-hour week face 33% increased risk of stroke than those working a 35- to 40-hour week also link long working hours and stroke; a hypothesis supported by evidence of an increased risk of incident stroke in individuals who sit for long periods at work. Physical inactivity can increase the risk of stroke through various biological mechanisms and heavy alcohol consumption – a risk factor for all types of stroke – might be a contributing factor because employees working long hours seem to be slightly more prone to risky drinking than are those who work standard hours.” The study showed that in comparison to a 35-40 hour week, doing up to 48 hours increased the risk by 10%, up to 54 hours by 27% and over 55 hours by 33%. Dr Mika Kivimaki, from University College London, said
Technology may have changed in 10 years but ICE hasn’t! I
MAGINE sitting at home waiting for a loved one to arrive and not knowing where they are. Imagine ringing the police but they can do nothing until the person has been missing for at least 48h hours, then imagine ringing the hospitals; they don’t have anyone with your loved ones name but they may have unidentified patients. Now imagine what it must be like for the emergency services trying desperately to try and locate a loved one’s next of kin because a person has suffered an accident or worse, is critically injured.
HEADACHE This entire headache can be avoided by one simple action by adding an I.C.E number (In Case of Emergency) into your mobile device. I.C.E is a contact phone number of the person or persons whom you would like to be contacted if you find yourself in an emergency situation. The brainchild of Bob Brotchie, a clinical team leader for the East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust in 2005, he hatched the plan after struggling to get contact details from shocked or injured patients. Bob, a paramedic, said: “I was reflecting on some of the calls I’ve attended at the roadside where I had to look through the mobile phone contacts struggling for information on a shocked or injured person. It’s difficult to know who to call. Someone might have ‘mum’ in their phone book but that doesn’t mean they’d
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want them contacted in an emergency. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE we’d know immediately who to contact and what number to ring. The person may even know of their medical history. Here in Spain - with its eclectic mix of tourists, travellers and expats - if something happened to a loved one how are the emergency services going to contact you? By entering the acronym ICE (In Case of Emergency) into the mobile’s phone book, users can log the name and number of someone who should be contacted in an emergency. If you have more than one contact name you can use ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, etc. Research carried out by Vodafone shows that more than 75 per cent of people carry no details of who they would like telephoned following a serious accident. This year I.C.E celebrates its 10th anniversary so be cool and join the gang.
that in the 35-40 hour group there were fewer than five strokes per 1,000 employees per decade. And that increased to six strokes per 1,000 employees per decade in those working 55 hours or more For many people, cutting down on working hours would be difficult or impossible, but most of us could reduce the amount of time
we spend sitting down, increase our physical activity and improve our diet while working and this might be more important than the amount of time we spend at work. We should all consider how the working environment could be altered to promote healthy behaviour that will reduce strokes, irrespective of how long we work.
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ADVERTORIAL
To recreate what nature intended is never easy… IF something happens to your natural teeth, what do you do? In the past dentures really were the only solution however, over the past two decades the increase in dental implants has grown dramatically and today many people now are benefitting from a safe, medically proven alternative that delivers confident living and a beautiful smile. Dental implants have changed the face of dentistry over the last 25 years and today Straumann & Branemark dental implant systems define this revolutionary procedure. A dental implant is actually a replacement for the root or roots of a tooth. Like tooth roots, dental implants are secured in the jawbone and are not visible once surgically placed. At The Dentists – Sotogrande we offer a variety of stateof-the-art techniques to permanently replace missing teeth, tissue and bone. Dr Manuel Fernandez Lopez our specialist in surgery and the surgical placement of implants delivers precision treatment using only the best products placing an emphasis on enhancing the look and function of your mouth, your confidence and your lifestyle. As with most treatment procedures in dentistry today, dental implants not only involve scientific discovery, research and understanding, but also application in clinical practice. The practice of implant dentistry requires expertise in planning, surgery and tooth restoration; it is as much about art and experience as it is about science. Located in the quiet area of Paniagua in Sotogrande, The Dentists – Sotogrande is at the pinnacle of Total Dental Health Care, Specialist Dental Services and Aesthetic Enhancement. Your visit will be an altogether unique and uplifting experience, You are simply required to relax into an environment that allows for the ultimate in time, privacy and luxury, while we deliver a truly positive experience that will improve your quality of life for a lifetime.
www.dentistsotogrande.com
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
FOCUS ON HEALTH & BEAUTY
WEEKEND WORLD - 71
11 reasons to stop drinking fizzy drinks S
CIENTISTS have issued a warning over fizzy drinks, claiming that they cause a death toll of 184,000 adults every year. But this is not the first time they have been put under the spotlight. Full of sugar, chemicals and (usually) with zero nutritional value, fizzy drinks are something that we have been warned against on countless occasions, even if they do look appealing when the sun comes out. And it’s not just the ‘full-fat’ versions. Diet fizzy drinks can also have extremely harmful effects. Here are 11 reasons to try and quit your fizzy drink habit. 1 THEY CAN INCREASE OUR RISK OF CANCER
Research suggests that sugary drinks can give us cancer, heart disease and diabetes. So is it time to ditch them? 5 THEY CAN MAKE US VIOLENT
10 THEY CAN MAKE US FAT
A study carried out on teenagers found a link between drinking fizzy drinks, violence and the likelihood of them carrying a weapon. The researchers found that even teenagers who drank just two cans a week were more aggressive towards their friends and those who drank five or more cans a week were also more likely to have drunk alcohol or smoked at least once in the previous month.
This one may seem obvious. However, what you may not know is that diet soft drinks can still affect our waistline dramatically. A study found that those who drank diet fizzy drinks saw their waistlines expand nearly three times as much as non-drinkers and even more so than those drinking non-diet versions.
There have been many studies that have looked at the links between various types of cancer and fizzy drink consumption. They suggest: • Drinking just two sugary soft drinks a week increases the amount of insulin the pancreas produces and can double the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. • Drinking just one fizzy drink a day could increase a man’s chance of developing prostate cancer by around 40 per cent. • Drinking just one-and-a-half cans a day can increase a girl’s breast cancer risk by 22 per cent. • Some chemicals that are used to colour soft drinks can cause cancer.
6 THEY CAN CAUSE PREMATURE BIRTH IN PREGNANT WOMEN
2 THEY CAN RAISE OUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE
As well as affecting the body, fizzy drinks have been found to alter the protein levels in the brain, which could lead to hyperactivity.
Scientists in America found a strong link between the proportion of daily calories from foods laden with added sugars (like fizzy drinks) and death rates from cardiovascular disease. They claimed that drinking three cans a day could triple our risk of heart disease. 3 THEY CAN LEAD TO DIABETES Sugar-laden drinks have been proven to increase cases of Type 2 diabetes. A study conducted between 1990 and 2000 estimated that the increased consumption of sugarsweetened drinks contributed to 130,000 new cases of diabetes. 4 THEY CAN CAUSE LIVER DAMAGE A study from 2009 found that sugary drinks can cause fatty liver disease and drinking just two cans per day could lead to liver damage.
Pregnant women were warned against drinking diet fizzy drinks after a study taken in Denmark on 60,000 women. Those who drank artificially sweetened soft drinks, whether fizzy or still, were found to be more likely to give birth prematurely. It was thought that the chemicals in the artificial sweetener changed the wombs of the women. 7 THEY CAN CHANGE YOUR BRAIN
8 THEY CAN CAUSE PREMATURE AGING Phosphates used in fizzy drinks, as well as many other processed foods, has been found to speed up the ageing process. This is not bad just in terms of wrinkles, but also health complications that some with age, such as , chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular calcification. 9 THEY CAN CAUSE EARLY PUBERTY A Harvard Medical School study of 5,583 girls aged nine to 14 found that those who drank just one-and-a-half cans of soft drink a day had their first periods earlier than those who did not. This consequently meant that their risk of cancer increased.
11 THEY CAN INCREASE OUR RISK OF ALZHEIMER’S Scientists in America found that mice fed the equivalent of five cans of sugary drinks a day had worse memories and twice the amount of brain deposits associated with the disease than mice without added sugar in their diet. This suggests that fizzy drinks could be linked with Alzheimer’s.
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015 ADVERTORIAL
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ANNABEL MILNES-SMITH
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INO Y Mar is ideally located in the main street San Pedro, opposite the 24 hour chemist. It opened on the 4th July this year. This restaurant is like none other on the Costa del Sol with a magical formula and in every respect resembling a pizza, Beata has brought a healthy alternative to San Pedro that will appeal to all pizza lovers. Being an avid aficionado of pizzas, I was intrigued to discover and sample this unique culinary experience. As I was heading towards the restaurant on a gloriously sunny day, I could hear the strains of Ibiza Chill. I knew, before I even arrived, I was in for a tranquil and tantalizing gourmet afternoon. I was warmly greeted by owner Beata, before being guided to my table with opulent comfortable velvet chairs, reflecting the interior decoration, by her highly efficient Manager Jesus Ruiz. It was now time to start my journey of discovery into my love of pizzas without the guilt factor. I could not wait. Beata explained her brand-new culinary sensation. Beata told me “I am the first to have them here. We serve Flambees. An Alsatian flatbread topped with a layer of crème fresh with traditional pizza toppings. They are much healthier and replicated the most incredible tasting pizzas with biscuit thin crust. We have a large selection of savoury, spicy and sweet selections. Seven years ago, I started this concept in my tapas bar in Holland. It worked brilliantly. I also served them in my tapas bar in Poznan. Now I have brought them exclusively to the Costa del Sol.
TEMPERATURE Flambées are also known as Alsatian Pizza or Flammkuchen resembling a thin base pizza. Legend says that the creators of this dish were Alemannic German-speaking farmers from Alsace. A tarte flambée would be used to test the heat of their wood-fired ovens. At the peak of its temperature, the oven would also have the ideal conditions in which to bake a tarte flambée. The embers would be pushed aside to make room for the tarte in the middle of the oven, and the intense heat would be able to bake in 1 to 2 minutes.” Whilst enjoying a glass of Vinos Para Ti white wine; she has the exclusive concession of their company here on the coast, I browsed the menu which mirrored a culinary map of the world. There were over 20 choices of Flambees including Bologna, (crème fresh, minced meat, Bolognese sauce and cheese), Malaga (crème fresh, chorizo, onion, cheese and olives), Mexico (crème fresh, spiced minced meat, cheese and paprika), Cannes (crème fresh, salmon, balsamic cream) Mumbai (crème fresh, chicken tikka, onion and paprika), and deserts include crème fresh, apple cinnamon and calvados and crème fresh, banana and Nutella. The menu is comprehensive and caters to all tastes. However, it only took me a matter of minutes to make my selection. A starter followed by one of the Flambees; ‘The Marbella’. It was now time for the feast to begin. To compliment our drink’s, Beata’s brought me a mountainous amount of her finest Iberico ham, finely sliced from her ‘Rolls Royce’ of ham slicing machines which she fell in love with and paid15, 000 Euros following a trip to Italy! This has become a part of her treasured accoutrements that has accompanied
At last ‘healthy’ pizza PHOTOS: Richard Paine-Smith
Beata Kuper introduces an innovative healthy gourmet concept at her new restaurant Vino y Mar, San Pedro her in the openings of her many restaurants throughout Europe. My chosen ‘entrada’ is a personal favourite of mine. Chorizo cooked in red wine; rarely found in Marbella, however, is recognized as a dish familiar to Menorca. It brought back many happy memories of dining on this glorious Balearic Island. It was mouth-watering,
Beata (second left) and some of her staff
not too spicy but with an abundance of herbs served with freshly baked bread. It resembled a chorizo Pil Pil in a cast iron skillet. This was complimented by a glass of their house Rose blush ‘Gerion’ house wine. There followed the grand introduction of The Flambee. I was positively salivating at the thought of it. My expectations were
realized when The Marbella Flambee was produced on the table. Comprising crème fresh, topped with serrano ham, rocket and manchego cheese, lightly salted with added herbs including oregano, thyme and rosemary with a wafer thin base, was quite simply a heavenly gourmet experience. With eyes bigger than stomach, this was certainly enough for four people; however I was not going to put that to the test! Hand on heart, if I had to choose between a pizza or Flambee, the latter would certainly take precedence, especially departing knowing I had not piled on the kilos!
TAPAS Other diners wishing for alternatives, have the choice of international dishes, including Tapas, cold and warm, (Russian salad, Spanish meatballs – Albondigas, and grilled mushrooms stuffed with garlic, onion and bacon) with a large selection of starters, salads, steaks, mixed grills and fish of the day caught by Pino Forte. Pino is a renowned fisherman who works closely with Beata and ensures delivery of the overnight catch directly to her door. These include octopus, scampi, sardines, sole and prawns. For those with a sweet-tooth, they can indulge in their home-made naughty puddings such as Crème Brulee and a magnificent selection of homemade ice creams. Aside from serving Vino Ti wine, she also imports others from Berlin and Poland and here in Spain from Bodegas in Barcelona and Granada. They are all reasonably priced; a bottle of their house wine is 14 Euros. Although, if you are taking wine away, a discount can be granted. Whilst enjoying my sumptuous new dining experience, I discovered Beatas’ background was fascinating. Having hailed from Poland, completed a Hotel and Gastronomy degree and realized after having spent time in Spain for many years, that tapas bars simply did not exist in Poland. She opened the very first there, aptly named ‘Tapas’ during the communist era in the year 2000. No easy feat. This tapas restaurant is still located in the
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Flambées are also known as Alsatian Pizza or Flammkuchen resembling a thin base pizza
Now to the crucial questions of opening a new establishment. What was your best moment? “This was when two famous musicians arrived at my restaurant and asked me if they could have their English breakfast at 4pm. I said, of course. Beata made such an impression on them that they are playing on the 28th SeptemOver the past twelve years, Beata has spent ber – the date for her official opening. Their several months a year in Lanzarote, Gran Canames will be released naria and Fuerteventuwith the official invitara to alleviate her tion. daughter Vivian’s bronThe worst? “I had ten chial problems. Vivian “Ask not what you people who wanted now aged 22, felt the can do for your to eat ten portions of need for more excitecountry. Ask what’s our fish of the day and ment, glitz and glamI only had enough for our and proposed a for lunch.” six. However, wantnew destination. MarOrson Welles ing to keep everybody bella was on the top happy, I offered them of her list. Beata fell in a selection of the fish love with the Costa del flambees. They loved them. Crisis over and Sol and never left. Therefore, it was a natuthey departed contented….thank heavens!” ral progression for the Vino Y Mar brand to The other was whilst I was present. The make its mark on the coast. Having opened shelves of their fridge with their new stock her flagship Restaurant Beata’s Vino Y Mar in of wine gave way. The noise was could be Nueva Andalucía, Beata was offered a prime likened to a missile going through a plate position in San Pedro. After much deliberaglass window. Beata, unperturbed by the tion, she decided to switch locations and disruption to her customers and the loss of opened Vino y Mar in the main street of San valuable merchandise, immediately offered P, as it is known locally. everyone dining, a complimentary bottle on Beata then elaborated on why she chose San the house which thank heavens had been Pedro for her next establishment, “The atstored in a separate refrigerated compartmosphere here is electric, with tremendous ment. Most restaurateurs would have caved personalities and beautiful Spanish people, under this unprecedented disaster but Beathe position is more than perfect. Since ta being the consummate professional, just opening, I have attracted many nationalities continued, with business as usual. of clientele. This has helped enormously by Beata for the past fifteen years has been in the many languages I speak including Ruspartnership with Radek, who oversees the sian, Polish, German, English, Italian and management of all her restaurants in EuSpanish. Old Town of Poznan and is thriving under the management of Beata’s sister and daughter. She went onto open another bar and a club. She also owned a tapas bar in Holland and following that a bar in Berlin – Restaurant Vino Y Mar, which is still there to this day.
One of the range of tapas, Spanish meatballs
Beata’s ‘Rolls Royce’ of ham slicing machines
rope. His loyalty to her is highly commendable. At least once a week he flies in to oversee operations; he ensures that Vino Y Mar runs smoothly and despite a few hiccups, which any new business incurs, is continuing to go from strength to strength. With the introduction of Flambee’s, Vino Y Mar is fast becoming the buzz word for dining not only in San Pedro, but as the word has spread across the Costa del Sol. Her final words as this interview comes to a close, “I just want to live my life here and be happy, happy, happy, crazy, crazy, crazy and fun, fun, fun. Well there is no doubt with her unbounding enthusiasm, love of life and her extraordinary and mouth-watering cuisine. Beata will be true to her word in all mannerisms with her clientele made up from visitors, expats and residents, who not only wish to relish her superb healthy cuisine but be captivated by the contagious happy, crazy and fun ambience it exudes in the heart of San Pedro. Their strapline says it all; a quote from Orson Welles “Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.”
Wines are imported from Berlin and Poland and here in Spain from Bodegas in Barcelona and Granada
Vino Y Mar, Avenida Marques del Duero 71, 29670 San Pedro Alcantara, Marbella or log onto www.vin-y-mar.es. Open 6 Days a week from 09:00 for Breakfast through to 02:00 Monday-Thurday and until 03:00am Friday and Saturday. For reservations please call 952 818 976. Chorizo cooked in red wine, resembling a chorizo Pil Pil in a cast iron skillet.
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IGS, higos in Spanish are a popular fruit all around the Mediterranean and Spain is no different. Figs have been a part of the diets of Mediterranean cultures since ancient times, and are often mentioned in the Bible. Spain, Italy and Greece are among the primary figgrowing countries in the world. In Spain figs are grown in several provinces, including Huesca, Lérida, Ávila, Cáceres (in the Gredos mountains), Murcia and Alicante. Like other fruits, figs are eaten fresh or dried, and used as ingredients in desserts and sweet-savoury recipes. The fig tree is somewhat unique in that it produces two crops of fruit every year. The first fruit that the fig tree produces every year is called la breva in Spanish and ripens in June and July in the Northern Hemisphere. These are the fruits that form on the old wood of the tree and actually spend the winter as small “bottons” on the branches. The second crop is simply called the fig orhigo and ripens from August to October. Figs are actually the inverted “flower,” and contain hundreds of small seeds on the inside. Both crops of fruit are shaped like pears and can vary greatly in colour. On the light side figs can be almost white to yellowish green to purple and almost black on the dark side.
Spanish Varieties There are many kinds of figs, but two varieties that Spaniards love to eat and they are both named Cuello de Dama. One is a white fig that is very sweet with a thin skin. It is grown in the central part of Spain in the Tiétar Valley of the Gredos Mountains. The other Cuello de Dama is a sweet black fig with a flattened shape, thicker skin and a pretty purple flesh. This variety is grown in Lérida and in Huesca.
Nutrition Information Figs are full of vitamins and nutrients. A large fresh fig has only about 47 calories, but 7% of recommended daily fibre, as well as plenty of calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Health Benefits In addition to their taste, both early season and common figs contain many properties which are beneficial for the human organism. They are at the same time laxatives, in-
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BEING SINFUL WITH FIGS
crease immune system defences, and reduce the level of cholesterol in blood. They are rich in water content, dietary fibre, organic acids and minerals such as potassium, calcium and carbohydrates, and therefore have a high calorific value. These nutrients convert the fig into a source of energy, invigoration and remineralisation: they are extremely healthy and as such ideal for
pregnant women, children or sportsmen and women. Figs are also recommended against stress and tiredness. Indeed, the Greeks supplied them to athletes competing in the Olympiads.
Choosing and Storing Figs When choosing ripe figs, look for soft, wrinkled fruit that yields to a gentle touch. Figs
Fig, pear and goat’s cheese salad This salad recipe includes walnuts, which are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and also provide protein while figs and pears contain an abundance of fibre. A perfect summer salad. Ingredients 4 fresh figs, cut into quarters 50g walnut halves 175g goat’s cheese log, broken into pieces 1 tsp honey Juice of ½ lemon 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil ½ tsp Dijon mustard 2 pears, cored and thickly sliced 70g bag of rocket Method Heat the grill to medium. Place the figs, walnut halves and goat’s cheese on a lined baking tray, then grill for 5-6 minutes, to soften the figs and cheese and bring out all the flavours. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, lemon juice, olive oil, mustard and some freshly ground black pepper. Place the pears and rocket in a large bowl and toss together with the dressing. Divide among 4 plates and top with the grilled figs, walnuts and goat’s cheese.
that are ripe are very soft and tender. Unfortunately, that also means that they only last 3 days in the refrigerator. So, it is important to buy them shortly before using them. Freeze fresh figs in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer to store them for longer periods. Dried figs can be purchased year-round, and should be stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.
Spanish fig & almond balls A festive version of Pan de Higo, a dried fig cake that the Spanish traditionally eat with cheese and a drizzle of honey. Ingredients 100g whole almonds, toasted 500g pack dried whole figs, hard stalk and centre of base removed 85g dried apricots, chopped into small pieces 50g dried cranberries 1 tbsp brandy 1 tbsp clear honey 1 tsp ground cloves 100g sesame seeds, toasted Method Whizz the almonds in a food processor until most are finely chopped, then tip into a large bowl. Roughly chop the figs, then whizz to a smooth sticky paste. Scrape onto the almonds then, using your hands, mix together well with the dried fruit, brandy, honey and cloves. Divide the mixture into 6 and roll into balls. Tip the sesame seeds onto a tray, then roll the balls in them until covered. Cover the tray loosely with a clean tea towel, then leave the fig balls to dry for a week before packaging. Will keep in a cool place for 2 months.
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The spice of life
“To share a relaxed meal with friends or colleagues is one of life’s little pleasures”
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Las Dunas
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Urb: Guadalmansa, Edif Saliñas, Local 6, CN 340 KM 163 – 164, Estepona
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For reservations or take away orders please call 951 27 82 86
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Open Tuesday-Sunday Lunch: 13:00 -16:00 and Dinner 18:00-23.00
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“Sheikh rattle n roll” Sheikh is the super freindly owner. A nice guy. His food is freshly cooked. I LUURVE my indian food and my meal was excellent. We’ve had takeaways and they’re excellent too.
NO two people in the country will agree on the exact recipe of a favourite dish. Recipes are handed down from generation to generation, verbally in the kitchen and are closely guarded secrets in most cases, but all agree, a dish is well cooked when the spices blend into the well cooked meat. The spices should not have disparate flavour, or taste raw. No one spice should over-power the other and be so intrusive as to completely hide the true taste of the vegetable or meat dish being cooked. It should help maintain and enhance the character of the dish, give it colour and fragrance and leave you wanting more!. Spice Village situated on the New Golden Mile, prides itself on offering the most exotic and delicious dishes from India in a warm relaxed atmosphere. Our food is freshly made to order, so whether you prefer mild dishes such as Chicken Korma, Chicken Tikka Masala or a fiery Vindaloo or Phal dish we can ensure you’ll find the right curry to suit tantalise your taste buds.
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PAIN has been sweltering under a seemingly never ending heatwave since the end of June, and one perhaps unsurprising - effect is that sales of summer food have skyrocketed. Spaniards are sticking to what they know, with gazpacho - a cold tomato soup typical during the summer months in Spain - and Horchata - a refreshing drink made from tiger nuts - among the favourites. Gazpacho sales have risen by 51 percent during the heatwave, while horchata sales are up 46 percent according to consultancy Nielson. For Asís González de Castejón from Nielson, one reason for the sharp increase in sales is the severity of this summer’s temperatures in comparison to last year’s cooler summer: “Two such different summers have led to spectacular growth, especially during the second week in July when sales of summer foods rose by 14.5 percent,” he told Spanish news agency Efe. The Spanish idiom “de gazpacho no hay empacho” meaning “You can’t get enough of a good thing” epitomizes the Spanish love affair with this cold tomato soup. Originally a classic from Andalusia, at the height of the summer gazpacho becomes a staple of menu ‘del dias’ the length and breadth of Spain. The ice-cold low calorie cold soup usually served during the hottest part of the day will energize anyone suffering in the current heatwave. It can be drunk in a tall glass with ice or sipped from a spoon from a serving topped with cubed raw ingredients and croutons. Every family will have its own recipe but its constituent parts are tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and cucumber. Sometimes with bread and peppers added.
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Gazpacho: Spaniards are craving cold soup Sales of the summery soup have skyrocketed by over 50 percent thanks to Spain’s long-running heatwave How to make gazpacho: (serves four to six): 1 thick slice of bread (most people don’t use the crust, I do) 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into quarters 1 kilo ripe plum tomatoes, quartered and hard white parts removed 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar 6 tablespoons of olive oil salt Roast the bread in a frying pan without any oil, until the bread has dried, but has not browned yet.
Cream the pepper in a blender or food processor. Then add the tomatoes, salt and garlic and cream. Mix in the oil, vinegar and breadcrumbs. Taste and add more salt if necessary, or add water if the soup is too creamy.
Turn the bread around once. Mince the bread to breadcrumbs in a blender, set apart.
Poor into a serving bowl cover and let the soup chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
TO DOGGY OR NOT TO DOGGY? WE all love to eat out, but sometimes we just can’t finish that mouth-watering meal and surprisingly a recent survey has revealed that most people feel too embarrassed to ask to take food home for good ‘ole Rover. It seems there’s a certain stigma attached to requesting our leftovers. Whether it be because the eatery is too fancy? Or there’s too little left on your plate? In the US, it’s standard practice, and restaurants usually offer to bag up what’s left of their giant portion before you ask. But in France, home of gourmet cuisine, it isn’t seen as a sophisticated thing to do. And in Italy, well, don’t even bother asking.
SHOCKED When America’s First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters dined in a popular Rome restaurant in 2009, staff were shocked when she asked for a ‘doggy bag’ to take her leftovers home and had she not been the first lady, they would probably have said no! ‘Gen Y’ is particularly loathed to make the request, with more than a quarter of 18-26-year-olds surveyed saying they wouldn’t dare ask for a doggy bag, even if they wanted one. And many diners suspect it’s inappropriate or disrespect-
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ful, particularly in a classy restaurant - a bit like wearing jeans and flip-flops. Restaurants aren’t helping the situation either. Most that were surveyed refused point-blank or told diners to pack their own containers. SO WHO’S RIGHT? Well some restaurants may claim it’s against food safety laws. That’s not true. Food boards in every country say it’s up to the restaurant, but advise taking the precautions of dating the containers and giving instructions on how to safely store and reheat the food. The other issue here is food waste. Food waste is a bigger pollutant than cars and industry, with consumers the biggest contributors to food waste so why don’t we dispense with formality, pack some Tupperware dishes in our Louis Vuitton’s and just get on with it – after all Rover will appreciate it!!!
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015 We all dream of a place in the sun, and for those holidaymakers here on our sunny shores who wish to be reminded of the “sun, sea & sangria lifestyle” then these modern Spanish wines paired with a few tasty tapas will transport you back to the sunshine coast. Here are some vinos that have the charm and staying power to make you feel like its fiesta time...
CODORNIU CUVEE BARCELONA BRUT: Catalonia in north-eastern Spain is the home of cava (meaning cellar) and Codorniu produces some of Spain’s best bubbly. Made using the traditional method, this latest release is inspired by the city’s modernist architecture and the embossed label certainly looks the part. A blend of three cava grapes – macabeo, xarel-lo and parellada – the tiny beads of bubbles have an attractive, creamy texture with a delightful flowery nose and well-balanced fruit. Enjoy any time of day with seafood, fried fish, assorted cheeses and cold meats.
EL PATITO FEO GRACIANO 2009, NAVARRA A gentle giant that is at its peak, it’s important to decant this wine (a carafe will do), to aerate it and leave the sediment standing at the bottom of the bottle, not your glass. You will then be rewarded with an inky-black beauty from the Navarra wine region (Rioja’s next-door neighbour) that’s intense, spicy and fragrant. Pungent with blackberries and forest fruits on the nose, it spends six months in oak and the smooth velvety flavours are rich and ripe with a twist of black pepper on the finish. Perfect with cured sausage.
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SIX WINES THAT WILL GIVE YOU A TASTE OF THE COSTA DEL SOL SENDERO DAS MEIGAS GODELLO 2009 Godello is a white grape from Galicia in north-west Spain and worth seeking out if you’re fond of a rich, fresh style with delightful honey and apricot flavours. Ranked as a high-quality grape by the experts, prices remain competitive considering the buzz around these aromatic wines. Opening with apricot and honeyed notes, the silky, soft palate is concentrated with bright, citrus flavours and the lush finish is balanced.
VENT DEL MAR GARNACHA NEGRA SYRAH 2011 With a growing fan base, garnacha is the rich, vibrant red we all want to chew on when it’s in the hands of a talented winemaker. The finest vines, and most expensive wines, come from Priorat, south of Barcelona, but this little gem from Terra Alta (next-door) can hold its own. The high altitude delivers a wine with a fresh, minerally character, so the violet aromas, rich raspberry and cherry fruits with ripples of cassis, have a juicy freshness to the bright berry notes.
BODEGAS MUGA RIOJA BLANCO 2014 With such a treasure trove of tempranillo from the country’s most prestigious wine region, white Rioja can sometimes be overlooked. Not so with this blend of 90 per cent viura with a splash of malvasia to add a little fat and richness. With a good use of oak, balance and freshness, the expressive bouquet of honey, orange blossom and sweet vanilla notes leads to apple and subtle pineapple flavours, and the acidity brings a lift to the creamy texture. Try with shrimp, serrano ham and manchego cheese.
VINA REAL RIOJA CRIANZA 2011, SPAIN An excellent vintage from historic producer CVNE, this Crianza has a little bit of ageing in American and French oak, along with bottle ageing, and is drinking beautifully now. Elegant and ripe, it’s tempranillo dominant with a small proportion of garnacha, graciano and mazuela and the winemaking team suggest pairing it with rump steak and pork meatballs to complement the brambly aromas, structured, savoury palate with cedar overtones and well integrated tannins.
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
Star slammers GEORGE Clooney was joined by wife Amal and several celebrity friends including Cindy Crawford, who is married to George’s business partner Rande Gerber, James Blunt and acclaimed fashion photographer Mario Testino to celebrate the launch of his tequila brand Casamigos in Ibiza. The group paired canapés with Casamigos tequila cocktails at the rooftop bar before enjoying DJ Aviciis resident DJ set at Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel. As George and Amal approach their one year anniversary, after marrying in Venice in September 2014, they are preparing to start a new chapter in their life together my moving into a luxurious 9 bedroom mansion in Sonning, Berkshire.
Rafa’s brief break
MR PROVOCATEUR LOOKS like things are getting serious between Lewis Hamilton and Rihanna, following yet another date in New York last week – the pair where spotted sneaking into and out of The Griffin bar just minutes apart. And whilst Lewis returns back to the day job he left Ri-Ri with a sweet reminder $10k worth of sexy underwear. Apparently Lewis gave his stylists $10,000 to buy Rihanna some “really sexy lingerie”, but had no idea what brand to buy – Fingers crossed it’s just you Lewis who gets to enjoy it!
RAFAEL Nadal has taken a brief break from his US Open preparations to attend the launch of the new Tommy Hilfiger Underwear Campaign. The world number 8 is the face and body of the new campaign and was in New York to promote it with just 6 days to go before the final Grand Slam of the year. Designer Hilfiger said of the new campaign “We’ve completely revamped our men’s underwear collection with a look that’s modern, athletic and bold — the new styles are amazing, the fit is dynamic and the quality has never been better”. In a racy clip for the underwear, tennis god Nadal is shown heading into a locker room in a pair of jeans and stripping down. The ad stops just short of showing him sans undies.
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
84 - WEEKEND WORLD
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
I
T is the stuff of holiday nightmares. After an early start from the UK to reach your chosen villa in the sun, you arrive many hours later, ready to relax poolside with a chilled drink. But when you come to the door, you discover another family is already there, and neither they the homeowners nor the booking agent have the slightest idea who you are. Worse still, the person to whom you made a hefty payment three months earlier has vanished, their mobile phone disabled and bank account emptied. The internet has given new life to the market for holiday homes, allowing travellers huge choice and convenience when booking a break. But just as with any internet marketplace, its rapid growth has attracted those willing to exploit its technology to commit crimes at arm’s length.
Holiday Hell Some 1,569 cases of holiday booking fraud were reported in 2014, according to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, a section of the City of London Police. This amounted to £2.2m taken from unsuspecting UK travellers, with an average loss of nearly £900.But actual fraud is likely to be far higher. Sean Tipton, a spokesman for ABTA, the association for travel agents and operators, said: “Most people don’t report fraud because they don’t know where to go, they don’t think it’ll do any good or they’re embarrassed.” A common type of fraud is “spoofing”, where fraudsters either hack into the accounts of owners on rental home sites or create fictitious pages or websites advertising homes that do not exist or are already booked legitimately. They might send spoof emails pretending to be the owner — often dressed up to look like an email from a well-known rental brand — which then inveigle the traveller to send money to the criminal’s bank account. Other types include fake airlines, where travellers buy a fake ticket from a fraudulent online provider or pay for one that never arrives, and sporting or religious fraud where criminals concoct fake tickets or accommodation for the World Cup or trips to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia — events in such high demand that people are tempted by what seems like a bargain buy.
Take Precautions Rental home companies say contacting owners before and after booking is one of the best anti-fraud checks. Erica Chang, senior regional director at HomeAway UK, says: “We advise people to call the phone number on the ad and ask them specific questions about your booking, things you want on your holiday, about your travel dates, about availability. If you start to feel a little uncomfortable, your second port of call should be our customer care service.” A site’s staff should be able to verify whether a fake telephone number has been used or double-check the details of the property. There is nothing to stop a clever swindler posing as a fake “owner” on the phone, but most are looking for a quick gain and will be reluctant to spend time answering detailed queries about a fake or “spoofed” property. Eagerness to end the conversation and complete payment should be another red flag for travellers.
FOCUS ON LEGAL MATTERS
Legal forum
AVOID HOLIDAY SCAMS
WEEKEND WORLD - 85 ment systems offered by the bigger home rental sites. These give reassurance that the payments are going to the right recipient, and if anything untoward happens will provide a certain level of compensation. HomeAway Payments, for instance, means a payment is covered against internet fraud for up to £10,000. Booking with credit cards such as Visa or MasterCard typically offers similar or higher amounts of protection from fraud. Outside the “walled garden” of a secure payment system, there is much less protection. Western Union, banker’s draft or cashier’s cheque, for instance, are discouraged by the big sites. Airbnb, for instance, discourages users of its hosting services from venturing beyond its payments systems. “If a transaction happens outside of our platform and we have no record of it, it is very difficult for us to provide any assistance,” it says. Depending on the circumstances, HomeAway may offer up to £700 to a customer defrauded even after booking outside its secure payment system. Lastly, email can offer the fraudster another avenue of attack: home rental websites will usually have their own email communication systems, so owners and clients cannot email each other without going through the site. Resist the temptation to go off-grid if invited by an “owner”, as this may be an attempt to inveigle you into revealing sensitive financial information or persuade you to transfer cash for a fake booking outside the site’s payment system.
Turning the tables Not all holiday home scams are perpetrated on the holiday-maker. One variant, though less common, targets the owner. How does it work? 1. The fraudster gets in touch and asks to book time, often over a long period to increase the value of the payment. 2. He says he had already paid for a stay elsewhere, but the other owner had to cancel after a supposed catastrophe, such as flooding or the roof falling in. 3. The cost of the stay at the other place was, say, £5,000, compared to £3,000 at your place. Another alarm bell can be an absence of reviews or a very recent clustering of positive reviews. “The more reviews a home has, the more comfortable you can feel with the owner and the home. It shows a lot of people have travelled there. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not fraudulent, it’s just less likely to be,” says Ms Chang. When booking a property through a company, keep an eye out for slight changes to the company name in the website address, as variations can indicate spoofing. I f paying online via a reputable company, there should be a secure connection indicated by the letters “https://” at the beginning of the web address. Last-minute bookers should be particularly vigilant as criminals target peak periods — summer holiday or school breaks — when people are hunting for bargains. They can also charge more during these periods because demand is high. Their pricing is often finely judged, Mr Tipton says: “If the market rate for a villa is £2,000 they won’t offer it for £500, they’ll offer it for £1,500. They’re not stupid.”Equally,
users should be suspicious of gorgeous houses in glamorous locations being offered at popular times for £500 or less a week. If a low-ball offer seems too good to be true, it very probably is.
Payment systems One of the best sources of comfort for those booking is to go through the bespoke pay-
4. He says that for “simplicity” he will instruct the other owner to send you a cheque for £5,000. You can then wire the difference of £2,000 directly to him. 5. The cheque arrives from the alleged landlord. You bank it on receipt and transfer the difference. Being a foreign cheque, it appears to have been deposited safely but then bounces. Your phantom guest vanishes.
Watch out for Paypal Scammers HERE in Spain many expats belong to buy/sell Facebook groups, and it’s been highlighted recently that scammers are using this form of communication to target potential scam victims by advertising items for sale then scamming their victims on a Paypal payment system. Paypal is a generally safe way to pay for goods, but in these cases the scammers are asking users to use the GIFT MONEY function rather than using the normal payment method with a good excuse proffered as to why the payment should be offered a GIFT - One thing users should be aware of is that if you make a GIFT the money then cannot be claimed back via Paypal. There is no protection with a Paypal GIFT payment so Paypal are unable to mediate should you try to enter into a dispute. To protect yourself never agree to GIFT money on Paypal .
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
86 - WEEKEND WORLD
PET CORNER
When your cat wants to go outside IF your cat was previously an outdoor cat and you plan to keep her inside, then good for you! Following are some suggestions to help make the transition easier on both of you. - Spay or Neuter: Spaying or neutering will rid your cat of those hormonal urges to go out and seek a mate. This will result in a calmer, friendlier cat. - Play Schedule: Schedule play times during the times your cat would normally be outside. This will distract her from her normal routine and establish another, safer routine. - Window Seat: Be sure your cat has a view of the outdoors and a sunny place to lie. Cats like to watch birds, so putting a bird feeder outside this window is likely to make it a favourite spot for your cat. - Scavenger Hunt: Give your cat a game to play by hiding bits of dry food around the house. Hide the food in paper bags, boxes and behind open doors. This will give her exercise and keep her busy so she doesn’t think of going outside. This is especially good to do right before the family leaves the house for the day. - Attention: Try to give your cat extra love and attention during this difficult transition. - Aversive: If your cat still won’t give up meowing by the door, try an aversive. Leave strong citrus scents by the door or hide behind a wall and shake a pop can filled with coins to interrupt the behavior. When she is quiet, walk out and give her a food treat and encourage her to play or cuddle.
WE INVITE READERS’ COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS ON DOGS AND CATS. PLEASE SEND THEM TO: info@simplymedia-group.com
Home and housebreaking puppies P
UPPIES are so adorable with their softness, big eyes and lovable ways! For sure, everyone loves puppies but these cuddly furry creatures require so much care especially in home and housebreaking them. Here are some important information in home and housebreaking your puppy:
FEEDING Feed your puppy with a superior brand of dry puppy food. Do not give him table scraps and as much as possible, do not change brands. If you need to change, feed your pup gradually within a period from 4 to 7 days. Alternately, feed your pup with the old brand followed by the new one while phasing out slowly the old. Do not feed him with tinned food as it loosens stool and makes housebreaking more difficult. An hour after eating, most puppies will defecate so you can control his elimination time based on your feeding schedule.
CLOSE SUPERVISION In order to housebreak your puppy, you have to supervise him at all times especially when outside his crate or newspaper covered area. When he starts sniffing the floor, circling or running around, he is giving signs that he needs to eliminate so bring him immediately to your properly designated area. If your puppy defecates in the wrong place, stop him by saying NO in a loud assertive tone. Apply deodorizer on places where he eliminated so he will not go there again. Potty place must be free of distractions; your pup must not consider play a part of potty.
CONFINEMENT When your puppy is left alone in your home; it is recommended that he must be placed in a crate or confined area. Confinement is
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a good way to keep your puppy safe and prevent housetraining accidents. However, it should not be used as a form of punishment, for isolating pets for a long time, can be very detrimental to your pet. Confinement can be the source of behavioural problems like excessive barking, self-mutilation, digging and hyperactivity. Puppies also need the essentials like exercise, daily companionship and playtime.
SAFETY ZONE, GREY ZONE & DANGER ZONE In a puppy’s daily life, there is a thing called temporary “Safety Zone”. It is the time that the owner can trust the puppy to hold his urine after he has defecated or was taken for a walk. To know your puppy’s safety zone, you should first record for several days your puppy’s urinating and defecating schedules. After that, deduct 15-30 minutes from the period of minimum interval between elimination. Do not let puppy drink a lot of water during that time to make the safety zone work. Grey zone and danger zone are those outside this safety zone. Also, closely supervise your puppy when he is not confined in his crate.
BE PATIENT, WAIT Do not return from a walk until your puppy defecates. Before your puppy has the chance to soil in his crate or on your floor, make sure to take him outside first thing in the morning. As a pet owner, patience must be exercised in waiting for your puppy to eliminate outdoors before going back inside. Do not forget to praise your puppy afterwards by
Know one wants a hot dog
giving him a nice treat. If your puppy is taking a very long time to eliminate and you still have some chores to finish, you can crate your puppy for the meantime. Then, every 15-30 minutes take him outside until he finally defecates.
INTERACTIVE SOCIALIZATION They say that no man is an island. Even puppies also treasure company like humans do. It is vital that your puppy gets to interact with lots of friendly people. Family or friends can visit your home if your puppy is not immunized yet. However, if your puppy already has the necessary vaccines, it is a must to let him interact with the outside world. May it be new people or just the sights of the street, your puppy will surely enjoy a stroll outside.
PRAISE & REWARD Every good deed must come with a reward especially for puppies. If your puppy feels that you are satisfied with his good behavior, then he will feel happy too. In order to train your puppy, try to call out a trigger word like potty or bombs away. Then if your puppy will obey, give him a treat right away. Make sure that you do not delay your praise as it will be ineffective if not done immediately. Easidri, best known for its High Performance Cooling Coat and absorbent Grooming Towel, has added a new product to its range that’s ideal for spring and summer: the Easidri Cooling Mat. The mat is available in five sizes and contains special gel inserts that stay cool at all times and are housed in an advanced waterproof composite fabric outer that’s durable, wipe clear and puncture resistant. The mat has been designed for indoor and outdoor use. It’s safe, easy to use and doesn’t require any form of soaking – the gel is cold all the time. It’s great for in the house and garden but also in the car to help keep your dog comfortable when he’s being transported in warmer weather.” For more information on these products, see www.easidri.com.
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
WEEKEND WORLD - 87
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
88 - WEEKEND WORLD
W
EEKEND
WORLD
focuses on
MOTORS
Motors is sponsored by
✆ 620 690 807 www.prosegur.es
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
FOCUS ON MOTORS
WEEKEND WORLD - 89
Sneak – Peak at Frankfurt Motor Show 2015:
NEW PORSCHE 911 SET TO BE REVEALED
Ferrari reveals their stunning 488 Spider convertible THE convertible version of the Ferrari 488 promises to be the most powerful Spider the company has made to date with a planned release in late spring / early summer 2016. Using the same 660bhp engine as the GTB Coupé, the turbocharged V8 Spider has the same claimed 3.0-second time for the 0-62mph dash and a slightly reduced 0-124mph performance of 8.7sec compared to the coupé’s 8.4sec. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are unchanged at 24.8mpg combined and 260g/km. The top speed is 203mph and peak power is delivered at 8000rpm. The folding hard-top is similar to its 458 Spider predecessor’s. Taking 14 seconds to fold up or down, in which position it lies flat on top of the engine, the hard-top is 25kg lighter than a cloth equivalent. Though the 488 Spider is slightly heavier than the 488 GTB, at 1420kg dry with optional lightweight equipment, the difference is only 50kg and it’s 10kg lighter than the 458 Spider. The 488’s space-frame chassis (made of 11 different aluminium alloys plus other metals such as magnesium) means there is
no reduction in the Spider’s torsional rigidity, which is claimed to be 23% higher than the 458 Spider’s. This is Ferrari’s most aerodynamic drop-top. Flying buttresses behind the seats send cooling air to the engine cover and intakes, with the rear spoiler (unchanged from the coupé) channelling air through a gap on the rear lip. The GTB’s speed and throttle-adjustable rear diffuser stays too. A three-position electric glass window behind the seats acts as a wind stopper or a noise booster. The 488’s suspension has been made slightly more compliant to reflect the greater likelihood of the convertible being used on the road rather than the circuit. Exhaust noise is also slightly less extreme with the roof off. The Spider will make its official debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, with a pricing structure expected to reflect the previous relationship between Ferrari coupés and convertibles of a €30k hike. The coupé starts at €250,000, meaning the convertible will probably be priced somewhere between €280,000 and £300,000 with extra’s.
PORSCHE is set to comprehensively revamp its 911 flagship to keep it fresh before the launch of the all-new generation in 2018. The pictures here show a prototype on a development drive near Cape Town, South Africa. The most significant change is said to be a new turbocharged horizontally opposed sixcylinder engine. This, in 911 Carrera format, will displace under 3.0 litres and develop up to 365bhp. The word is still not out on the size of the turbo engine in the 911 Carrera S, but output
is said to be around 415bhp. Styling changes include a revised front bumper, slender LED daytime running lights and bigger air ducts for more effective cooling. At the rear, apertures on the bumper help to draw hot air from the engine bay. The interior will feature a new steering wheel-mounted driving mode control with four settings. There will also be a new multimedia system taken from facelifted Cayenne. The new 911s will be on sale in UK towards the end of 2015.
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Call Andreea Rosca 620 69 08 07 • www.prosegur.es
FOCUS ON MOTORS
90 - WEEKEND WORLD
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
October sees new regulations for driving with children
T
HE regulations for driving a vehicle with children as passengers is about to change from 1 October. The new rules simplify the existing law, but are you aware of the current legislation regarding travelling with children in your car and other vehicles? Read on to find out about the four main points and latest
changes that could affect you, your family and your child’s safety. Height regulations Any child under the height of 1m 35cm must sit in the back of the car. They must not sit in the front of the car whilst an
adult is driving until they are taller than 1m 35cm, usually around the age of 12. The only exception is if all the back seats are occupied by children in car seats. In this case, a minor can sit in the front of the vehicle, but only in a legal and safety regulation certified seat appropriate for his or her age, weight and height. Assemble child seats according to manufacturer’s instructions It is not obligatory to assemble a child’s car seat in one direction or another. They can face frontwards or in the opposite direction. However, you must assemble the seat in the way that has been instructed by the manufacturer. The general rule is that babies and children more or less up to the age of four, or 18kg in weight, should sit in a rearward-facing seat, but this is not obligatory. The only exception is if the seat is apt for mounting in the front passenger seat and the airbag hasn’t been deactivated. In this instance, it is prohibited to set the chair up so that it faces the front windscreen. Rules for travelling in a taxi Children are allowed to travel in the back of a taxi without a child-restraint system or car seat provided that the taxi is only driving around an urban or city area. In vehicles of more than nine seats In a vehicle of nine passenger seats or more, the driver is obliged to inform those travelling with him of the legal requirement to fasten their seatbelts. This should be done via signs, pictures or audio-visual means, so that the information is visible from the position of each seat.
IT’S OFFICIAL - London is the most congested city in Europe LONDON is the most congested city in Europe, according to new research. A study by transport information company Inrix found that the capital’s drivers spent 12 working days (96 hours) stuck in traffic last year. This is 14 hours more than the total for 2013. Researchers attributed the rise in congestion to economic growth and increased urban populations. The latest figures show that London has overtaken Brussels to become the continent’s most congested location, with 74 hours wasted in the Belgian capital in 2014.
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
FOCUS ON MOTORS
Driving another vehicle:
WEEKEND WORLD - 91 ADVERTORIAL
One of the most often asked questions is whether a policyholder can drive another vehicle on their insurance in Spain or Gibraltar and the answer is usually NO. It is the vehicle that is insured, not the person. In Spain and Gibraltar the vehicle is normally insured in the name of the owner and is generally for any driver with a full valid licence and the level of cover is not affected by who drives the car – if it is comprehensive for the policyholder, then it is comprehensive for any other driver who is covered under the terms of the policy (there might be some age restrictions and you might have to name the drivers on the proposal form and schedule). There are a few insurers, like Ibex Insurance that may offer a discounted premium for restricting drivers or apply age limits for certain vehicles.
Cover available: Most insurers in Spain will only offer Third Party Only cover for new policies where the car is over eight years old, although if you have comprehensive cover before the car reaches that age they will continue to offer comprehensive for as long as you own that vehicle and maintain that policy. Therefore, if you are considering changing your insurer but you have comprehensive now and your vehicle is eight or more years old, consider the implications of having a reduced premium but substantially reduced cover. Most insurers will allow you to include Hire Car cover, protect your No Claims Discount and include Breakdown & Legal Protection for a small additional premium. You should check this with your broker or insurer.
Documentation: When driving in Spain it is a requirement to carry your vehicle and personal documents –driving licence, evidence of payment of the circulation tax (Permiso de circulacion), Spanish MOT card (Tarjeta & Certificado ITV), log book (ficha tecnica), certificate of insurance (for UK vehicles), Green Card and copy of the receipt. For further up-to-date information you can refer to www.dgt.es When driving in Gibraltar if you get stopped by the Police you are given 5 days to produce documents, however, to avoid any problems you should carry your driving licence and certificate of insurance.
What to do if you have an accident: In the event of an accident, you need to complete a European Accident Statement form together with the other driver and if you do not have one of these documents in your car you can obtain one from your broker or insurer. Even if the Guardia Civil or the RGP are called and they are to prepare a Police Report, you still need to complete the
Motor insurance – some basic questions answered form and both drivers have to sign it for their respective insurers as this is the basis upon which a claim will be submitted and handled. Ideally you should take photographs of the incident then look for any witnesses before any vehicle is moved. If there is any injury or if the road is blocked because either or both of the vehicles cannot be moved you MUST call the emergency number 112 or the Royal Gibraltar Police 199. If someone is seriously injured do not try to move them, unless they are in danger. Help
keep them safe, calm & warm and wait for the emergency services. If the Guardia Civil or the RGP are called you must NOT move your vehicle under any circumstances even if the road is blocked as they will need to see the incident in situ to properly prepare their report, and if you can show photographs it will help. The Guardia Civil or the RGP report will NOT apportion blame but simply quote what each driver has said and provide a sketch of
the road and the incident. Switch on hazard warning lights, put on your high visibility jacket and put the emergency triangles in place. The first one about 50m behind the car and a second one about 100m behind the car. If there is no injury, and it is clear who is at fault, the vehicles can be moved and you do not need to call the Guardia Civil or the RGP and can resolve the situation amicably.
To discuss your motor insurance requirements in more detail just call into one of the Ibex offices in Gibraltar, Estepona or Fuengirola and speak to one of our customer advisors who will be happy to help you throughout the term of your policy.
Sam, Fi and Carrie-Ann on 952 887 125, Angela & Shauna on 952 581 561, Rachelle, Lynette, Michelle, Lorrain or Sarah on 350 200 44628.
92 - WEEKEND WORLD
W
EEKEND
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focuses on
TRAVEL
New Orleans
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
FOCUS ON TRAVEL
WEEKEND WORLD - 93
10 years after hurricane Katrina, New Orleans’ tourism industry is reborn T EN years after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the city’s tourism has not only rebounded. It’s practically been reinvented. New Orleans had just 3.7 million visitors in 2006, the first full year after Katrina. Last year, there were 9.5 million visitors. The city has 600 more restaurants than 10 years ago and hotel occupancy rates are higher than they were before the levees broke on Aug. 29th 2005, flooding 80 percent of the city and killing hundreds. Attractions have blossomed beyond classics like the French Quarter, Garden District and The National World War II Museum. Today’s must-sees include the hipster Bywater neighbourhood, the new Crescent Park along the Mississippi River and the St Roch rebuilt historic market. Bourbon Street is still packed with tourists, and live music once more spills out of seemingly every door on Frenchmen Street in the nearby Marigny neighbourhood. But now visitors flock to the art houses on St. Claude Avenue too. Here’s we take a look at New Orleans’ tourism comeback, including new attractions and Katrina commemoration plans.
NEW ORLEANS TOURISM BY THE NUMBERS The city’s population is down 18 percent from 2004, from roughly 460,000 to 378,000. But its tourism statistics are almost as high and in some cases stronger - than 10 years ago. The city had 9.5 million visitors last year com-
pared to 10.1 million in 2004, the year before Katrina, according to the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. The city now has nearly 39,000 hotel rooms, according to the visitor’s bureau, a few hundred more than it had in 2004 and 10,000 more than at the end of 2005.
NEW ATTRACTIONS New attractions include Crescent Park on the Mississippi riverfront; a streetcar spur into the trendy Bywater area; a permanent Katrina exhibit at The Presbytere museum and the Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum, which tells the neighbourhood’s story of devastation and rebuilding. The new Lafitte Greenway, a linear park built on an old railway, offers bike paths and strolls through a series of neighbourhoods. And the Viking River Cruises company is opening its first U.S. offices in New Orleans in 2017 with two ships for Mississippi cruises. This isn’t the first time a destination has used a catastrophic event to reinvent itself. For example, Miami’s rebuilding after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 helped turn it from an old-school winter getaway to a stylish luxury destination. Even the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan post-9/11 recast New York’s financial district as a tourist hub. Of course, New Orleans isn’t without problems, including the highest murder rate of any big city in America. Tourists aren’t usually victims of violent crime, but shootings and the city’s reduced police force have made headlines. And while economic development has lured millennials and entrepreneurs, that’s led to higher living costs which threaten the very mix of race, class and culture that makes the city so unique.
THE FOOD SCENE New Orleans has always been known for its unique food: Gulf seafood, Creole cuisine, beignets, po’boys and gumbo. But now the ethnic and contemporary restaurant scenes, less noticed by many visitors before the storm, are booming too, making the city even more of an international foodie mecca. New Orleans now features 1,400 restaurants, from holes in the wall to high-end, from classic Creole cooking to contemporary, ethnic and fusion cuisine. Latin and Vietnamese eateries, long established in certain pockets in and around the city, have modernized and gone main-stream.The craft cocktail trend has helped fuel the renaissance of the bar scene in New Orleans, birthplace of the Sazerac. Classic restaurants like Galatoire’s, Brennan’s and Antoine’s are thriving, but so are those run by newer chefs.
94 - WEEKEND WORLD
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
FOCUS ON TRAVEL
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Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
FOCUS ON TRAVEL
WEEKEND WORLD - 95
Sherry, flamenco, tapas and horses…
is there anywhere more quintessentially Spanish than Jerez de la Frontera?
J
EREZ’S sherry festival officially opens on the first Saturday of September every year as part of “Las Fiestas de la Vendimia y Otoño”. It is a three week long party involving sherry, horses and flamenco. The origin of the festival is the annual celebration of the grape harvest. Jerez de La Frontera, one of Spain’s three sherry producing towns, celebrates its wine harvest with an abundance of colour and joie de vivre on the weekend closest to 8th September, with the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. The festivities kick off with a flying start as the Andalusian, usually eye-catching, queen of the vintage occupies her seat of honour with her handmaidens in tow. This queen of sherry, responsible for every auntie’s favourite aperitif, is raised onto her glorious wagon draped with all manner of pleats, flora and succulent grapes.
GOODIES Within a very short time children tail the cart hoping to catch sweets and goodies tossed into the air from mask-wearing courtiers. The masses converge on the Plaza de Arenal to pay further respects to the queen as the bodegas (sherry houses) let the sherry flow. There is a packed program of parties, bullfights, motorcycle races, exhibitions, concerts and flamenco dances; and not to forget the church mass followed by the blessing of the vines. Jerez has the good fortune of lying in the Al-
barriza zone, renowned for its chalk-rich and sandy sun-baked earth that provides more than adequate growing conditions for the sherry that is becoming more and more popular. The grape is Palomino. Very ordinary really but let us not forget that it is the process that makes Sherry not just the grape. Once pressed it is stored in oak barrels. Soon flor (yeast) naturally appears on the surface, miraculously preventing oxidisation whilst giving the wine its distinct flavour. Note that a sherry from nearby San Lúcar de Barrameda (Manzanilla) will taste different to one from Jerez or El Puerto de Santa María precisely for its flor. Manzanilla also has a distinct flavour distinguished due to the area’s salty breezes that modify the sherry. Frankly, this region of Spain is one of the most beautiful of all, the lifestyle is chilled and the countryside has a golden light to it, and with a shot of sherry inside you it all seems to glow brighter.
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
96 - WEEKEND WORLD
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9 4
39 42 45
46
47 51
52
53
54
56
57
63
58
60
61
66
62
63
64
69
ACROSS
47 Exact duplicate
1
55
59 59
65
49 Confined
11 Heating chambers
38 Withdrew one’s words
51 Dancer Fred
12 “War and __”
40 Unenthusiastic
13 Miscalculated
43 Narrow cut
10 Sulk
54 Paper towel brand
21 Lessen
45 Renovates
14 Old saying
55 Inclines
23 N.L. team
48 “Put up __ up!”
15 Acting part
25 Seat for many
16 Finished; done
56 Putting to sleep before surgery
17 Singing voice
60 Emcee
26 “Shake __!”; cry to a slowpoke
50 Sierra Club’s focus
18 Types; sorts
61 Actor Alan __, Jr.
27 Etna’s output
52 Laziness
19 TV producer Norman __
63 Wall painting
28 Plains tribe
53 Single bite
64 Ending for Ann or Paul
29 Female relative
54 Swerves
32 By oneself
56 Toboggan
34 Vienna’s nation: abbr.
57 Common metal 59 Delight
Nitwits
6 “__ You Wish Upon a Star”
20 Approximate number 22 Stupor
65 Consumer
24 Bawls
66 Look into; investigate
25 Consecrated
67 Get rid of
35 In __ of; as a substitute for
26 Female grad
68 Little boys
36 Staircase piece
29 Requirements
69 Good judgment
30 Caesar’s language: abbr.
DOWN
31 Laundry problem
2 Elegant poems
33 Some SeaWorld performers
4 Selfcenteredness
37 __ since; from the time that 39 Vote into office 41 Clubs or hearts 42 Hydrogen and nitrogen 44 Yellow shade 46 Look at
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.
36
44
51
12
19
35 38
11
22
28
37
10
16
23 26
6
15
17 20
4
1 Go out with 3 Breathe heavily
51 Hearth residue
58 Arrests 62 Fresh __ daisy
Solution to puzzle from issue 5
1
6 3
1
7 2
2
8 2 5
2
4
5
7
6
3 6
2 5 1
3 8
9 6
1 3
3
5
9
5 8 6
4 8
8 7 3 6 9 5 3 5 6
WORD SEARCH Find all the words in the list as quickly as possible!
Q Q R D Q V L E K E H S W E N P Q K X U D K F A Q Y C T A B H R W J Q I F B Z L U T K Q O R O A C P R X E I B A E B S R K L I E A O A I A Z Y T T C N A R F A A Z U N T F Y R A Z A O B L A B R N N D E L F I N A L K O I O X A A D R B S D V U L T M X B Q V L W L E R A A X U G U A R A N I L K I C K G E N H A U P U C V W O C Y G V H R N S I T O H Y O I D C I Z B M A H O E I D O F S L I T A S G X A L R N N T W D H P Z D X E S P R R B A M S E K L H B I R R L M R G D K V L I X G
5 Homilies 6 Judge’s orders 7 Sock problem 8 Big game 9 Snuggle up and get comfy 10 Baked beans ingredient
9 2
BAHT BALBOA BIRR BOLIVAR DINAR DOLLAR
DRAM FRANC GUARANI KRONE KWANZA LITAS
METICAL NAIRA NEW SHEKEL OUGUIYA POUND QUETZAL
RAND RUFIYAA TALA TENGE TOLAR
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
WEEKEND WORLD - 97
W EIRD W ORLD
UK
Port Talbot man Barry Kirk, who also goes by the name Captain Beany has had a passion for baked beans for 30 years since he set a world record for the longest amount of time sat in a bath of baked beans in the
1980´s. Now Captain Beany has taken his bean obsession a step further by having 60 baked beans tattooed on his head. The bizarre inking is all in the name of charity with donors asked to contribute £60 per bean in
exchange for the donors initials to be included within it. £3600 has been raised in total for the Marlie-Grace Roberts appeal, which raises funds for a three-year-old girl with cerebral palsy. Captain beany also runs a museum from his home named The Baked Bean Museum of Excellence.
versity café, is made from yoghurt developed in the university lab from cultivated bacteria extracted from gorilla faeces.
CODEWORD Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number! To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters. 5 3 5 18 22 4
The desert is report to have a distinct flavour and costs 399¥ (2.80€) per portion.
24 13 12 22 24 20 2 26
SPAIN
D
16 12 5 12 7 2 12 19 6 15 16 12 9
F
25 2 9 22 4 19 3 6
6 15 4 16 1 10 17 2
F
26 2 22 15 10 22 6 8 2 4 20 3 24
D F
15 16 26 6 4
F D
3 10 3 6 2 26 8 24 14 2 14 24 19 22
D
16 16 22 22 6 21 26 19 15 15 19 18 12 16 4
D F F
25 3 17 12 2
AUSTRALIA
The Australian government is considering limiting the sales of Vegemite as it has been blamed for a rise in cases of domestic violence. Described as a “precursor to misery” by Nigel Scullion, Indigenous Affairs Minister, the marmite substitute is being brought in bulk to make moonshine sparking a rise in antisocial behaviour with some reported cases of children having been absent from school with hangovers attributed to the savoury spread.
A 32-year-old tourist has been questioned by police in Barcelona after he was found to be secretly filming nude sunbathers on the popular Sant Sebastiá Beach. The devious man whose nationality has not been reported was able to hide an entire video camera within a double cheeseburger which he carried with him as he walked around the nudist beach. His plan came unstuck though after the lower bun of the burger disintegrated; following which beach-goers quickly surrounded the man whilst authorities were summoned.
Solution to Wordblock puzzzle from issue 5 liquidise - liquids - liquid - Delius - delis duels - dulse - idles - quids - sidle - slide slued - squid - deil - deli - dies - duel - dues ides - idle - lids - lied - quid - side - sild - sled slid - sued - used - Deus
12 19 8 16 24 21 3 7 22 6 23 12 6 11 23 12 24 4
Solution to CODEWORD from issue 5
20 5 2 22 8 13 18 1
22 1 18 23 14 7 22 1 6 9 15 16 1 16
S T O C K Y S T I G M A T A
22 16 16 12 25 19 12 7
24 12 26 3 11 12
25 4 26 18 8 21 21
P U N O R V V
D
16 4 1 20 18 8
3 13 23 16 21 16 1 3
A U T H O R E X C A V A T E
23 23 17 24 6 10 8 8
1 2 2 6 19 24 18
C C B L I F R R
3 16 8 26
2 6 26 23
1 5 6 22 1
E A R N Z I N C T W I S T
22 18 19 16 23
S O J A C
15 2 26 2 1 22 4 2 24 4 1 2 22 11
F D
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 14
2
3
15
F
16
4 17
5 18
6 19
WORD BLOCK From the 9-letter grid, find words of 4 letters or more. Words must contain the middle letter, and there is at least one nine-letter word. Target: 20 words
7 20
8 21
9 22
10 23
11 24
12
13
25
26
D
Vegemite has almost cult status in Australia and started as a wartime substitute for marmite.
20 6 25 25 18
17 18 7 10 8 6 3 26 11
H I P P O B O Y F R I E N D
6 14 24 3 18 8
I K L E O R
25 6 3 23 3 15 3 16 24
24 16 22 22 18
P I E C E M E A L L A S S O
12 24 24 18 15
Q L L O M
JAPAN
22 12 4 6 17
9 18 18 11
17 24 4 3
S Q U I B G O O D B L U E
Researchers at Kyoto University Japan have created an unusual desert made from gorilla excrement. The cheesecake, which has been made in limited quantity and sold in the uni-
23 6 4 4 5 2 4 11
C I U U W Z U D
16 17 26 18 8 15 16 24
19 3 8 17 18 16
A B N O R M A L J E R B O A
8 18 26 26 16 24 8
R O N N A L R
10 6 13 16 1 6 18 26
10 24 3 3 23 7
F I X A T I O N F L E E C Y
Solution to SUDOKU puzzles from issue 5
I L N
F S G
I I M
1 6 9 3 2 7 4 5 8
3 9 7 2 1 4 8 6 5
8 5 2 4 9 1 6 7 3
4 5 2 3 6 8 7 9 1
7 3 4 5 6 8 1 2 9
6 1 8 9 5 7 2 3 4
9 4 7 2 5 6 3 8 1
7 6 9 4 2 5 3 1 8
3 8 6 7 1 4 5 9 2
8 2 1 7 3 6 4 5 9
2 1 5 8 3 9 7 6 4
5 3 4 8 9 1 6 2 7
4 9 3 6 7 2 8 1 5
9 7 6 5 8 3 1 4 2
5 7 1 9 8 3 2 4 6
1 8 5 6 4 2 9 7 3
6 2 8 1 4 5 9 3 7
2 4 3 1 7 9 5 8 6
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
98 - WEEKEND WORLD
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100 - WEEKEND WORLD Barclays Premier League Table P Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Man City 3 3 0 0 8 0 8 9 2 Leicester 3 2 1 0 7 4 3 7 3 Liverpool 3 2 1 0 2 0 2 7 4 Man Utd 3 2 1 0 2 0 2 7 5 Crystal Palace 3 2 0 1 6 4 2 6 6 Swansea 3 1 2 0 5 3 2 5 7 Everton 3 1 1 1 5 4 1 4 8 Norwich 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4 9 Arsenal 3 1 1 1 2 3 -1 4 10 Chelsea 3 1 1 1 5 7 -2 4 11 West Ham 3 1 0 2 6 6 0 3 12 Watford 3 0 3 0 2 2 0 3 13 Bournemouth 3 1 0 2 4 5 -1 3 14 Aston Villa 3 1 0 2 2 3 -1 3 15 Stoke 3 0 2 1 3 4 -1 2 16 Tottenham 3 0 2 1 3 4 -1 2 17 Newcastle 3 0 2 1 2 4 -2 2 18 Southampton 3 0 2 1 2 5 -3 2 19 Sunderland 3 0 1 2 4 8 -4 1 20 West Brom 3 0 1 2 2 6 -4 1
Sky Bet Championship Table P Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Ipswich 4 3 1 0 8 4 4 10 2 Brighton 4 3 1 0 5 2 3 10 3 Charlton 4 2 2 0 5 2 3 8 4 MK Dons 4 2 1 1 5 2 3 7 5 Hull 4 2 1 1 6 4 2 7 6 QPR 4 2 1 1 9 8 1 7 7 Cardiff 4 1 3 0 6 4 2 6 4 1 2 1 4 2 2 5 8 Middlesbrough 9 Birmingham 3 1 2 0 5 4 1 5 10 Sheff Wed 4 1 2 1 5 4 1 5 11 Nottm Forest 4 1 2 1 3 3 0 5 12 Preston 4 1 2 1 2 2 0 5 13 Burnley 4 1 2 1 4 5 -1 5 14 Brentford 3 1 1 1 6 5 1 4 15 Leeds 4 0 4 0 4 4 0 4 16 Derby 4 0 4 0 3 3 0 4 17 Wolves 4 1 1 2 5 7 -2 4 18 Bristol City 4 1 1 2 5 8 -3 4 19 Reading 4 0 3 1 2 3 -1 3 20 Huddersfield 4 0 3 1 3 5 -2 3 21 Fulham 4 0 2 2 4 6 -2 2 22 Blackburn 4 0 2 2 3 5 -2 2 23 Bolton 4 0 2 2 1 5 -4 2 24 Rotherham 4 0 1 3 4 10 -6 1
All results as at 26.08.2015
Spanish BBVA La Liga Table P Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Eibar 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3 2 Celta de Vigo 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3 3 Atl Madrid 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3 4 Espanyol 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3 5 Barcelona 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3 6 Real Betis 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 7 Villarreal 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 8 Real Madrid 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 9 Valencia 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 10 Real Sociedad 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 11 D. de La Coruña 12 Málaga 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 13 Rayo Vallecano 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 14 Sp. de Gijón 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 15 Sevilla 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 16 Levante 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 17 Las Palmas 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0 18 Ath Bilbao 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0 19 Getafe 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0 20 Granada CF 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
100 - WEEKEND WORLD
SPORT NEWS
Champions League will have a strong Spanish flavour
S
PAIN became the first country to have five teams in the Champions’ League group stage in one season after Valencia squeezed past Monaco 4-3 on aggregate in the playoff round despite a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday. Valencia joined holders Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, who got an automatic berth as last season’s winners of Europe’s second-tier Europa League. On a night of pulsating action, Malmo, Dinamo Zagreb, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Shakhtar Donetsk also booked money-spinning group stage spots in Europe’s premier club competition. Swedish champions Malmo made the group stage for a second straight season after captain Markus Rosenberg and a Dedryck Boyata own goal gave them a bruising 2-0 win and
4-3 aggregate triumph over Celtic to overturn a 3-2 first-leg away deficit. Former European Cup winners Celtic lost their lead after Rosenberg met a corner the ball sliding in off his shoulder. Malmo missed several chances before Boyata’s desperate attempt to clear in a goalmouth scramble ended with the Celtic defender sliding the ball into his own net. “We are at least as good as last year, particularly at home,” Rosenberg told Sweden’s TV6 after Malmo kept a 10th straight clean sheet at home in European qualifying. Dinamo qualified for the third time in the past five seasons, beating Skenderbeu 4-1 at home to complete a 6-2 overall victory against the Albanians.
FEELING HUNGRY? – YOU WILL BE AFTER WATCHING THESE GUYS PLAY! A FEW years ago, a Spanish third division club gained international attention by launching a broccoli themed away kit. The idea came from the fact that broccoli was one of the region’s top exports Well, now the kit-maker that brought you La Hoya Lorca’s “Clockwork Broccoli” kit has a new food based offering for CD Guijuelo: the ham kit.
Who is Aleksandr Kokorin, the Dynamo Moscow striker linked with Arsenal move?
Guijuelo
Guijuelo is known for its jamon iberico, so why not make Lady Gaga jealous and cover an away kit with images of it? With this new ham inspired kit, there is now an entire meal’s worth of Spanish lower division food themed strips with the broccoli kit (La Hoya Lorca), ham kit (CD Guijuelo), the octopus kit and beer refreshments kit (CD Lugo). Anyone for tapas?
Lugo
La Hoya Lorca
ALEKSANDR Kokorin is reportedly on the brink of signing for Arsenal from Dynamo Moscow. But who is the Russian forward? The 24-year-old began his youth career with Locomotiv Moscow before moving to Dynamo Moscow. He quickly became an integral part of the Dynamo side, making 24 league appearances in 2009. Anzhi Makhachkala met his €19m (£13m) release clause in July of 2013, but he never played an official match for Anzhi. He was injured when he signed and then by August, when the whole Anzhi squad was put up for sale he was signed again by Dynamo, ending his brief spell. He has, however, yet to score more than 10 league goals in a single season.
Issue 06 Aug 27 - Sept 09, 2015
WEEKEND WORLD - 101
SPORT NEWS
NASTY NICK
Italian champion kicked off Tour of Spain cycle race after hitching a lift
I Nick Kyrgios hit with ban and hefty fine for ‘appalling behaviour’ at Montreal Masters after the young Australian made offensive comments during a match relating to Wawrinka’s girlfriend
N
ICK Kyrgios has been handed a further fine and will be given a 28-day suspension if he transgresses again, following his offensive comments directed at Stan Wawrinka in Montreal a fortnight ago. The Association of Tennis Professionals has announced that it would fine Kyrgios an additional $25,000 (about €22,000) and ban him for 28 days if he does not meet certain conditions over the next six months. Kyrgios was originally fined the on-site maximum of $10,000 (€ 8,800) after a court microphone at the Montreal Masters picked up his post-match comments to Wawrinka in which he claimed that Thanasi Kokkinakis, his Australian Davis Cup colleague, had “banged your girlfriend”. He was also fined $2,500 ( €2,200)for unsportsmanlike conduct following a comment made to a ball person during the same match. The ATP inquiry concluded that Kyrgios had committed a “major offence”. The world No 37 will be ordered to pay the additional fine and serve the ban if he incurs any fines for verbal or physical abuse or accumulates fines totalling more than $5,000 ( €4,400) for any offences at ATP tournaments over the next six months. Gayle David Bradshaw, executive vice-president of the ATP, said that the incident had “reflected poorly on our sport”. He added: “Nick has expressed regret and the best result would be that he learns a lesson from this incident and that he understands he is responsible to the tour and to fellow players for both his actions and his words. It is with these factors in mind I feel he should have the opportunity to ‘earn’ his way out of additional sanctions.”
TALY’S Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) was thrown out of the Vuelta a España on Sunday for holding onto his team car while trying to re-join the favourites after getting caught in a crash during stage 2. Release of the overall classification was delayed while the race jury met to decide whether the 2010 Vuelta champion would be assessed a time penalty or thrown out of the race. The jury announced its decision after seeing video of the incident. Nibali, who also won the 2013 Giro d’Italia and 2014 Tour de France, was sent back to Italy along with the sports director driving the car, Alexandre Shefer.
PENALTY “We saw the videos, we waited to see them on Europort,” said the race jury president, Bruno Valcic. “We watched the film together with Astana director Stefano Zanini”. The penalties are really clear, the commissaires had to disqualify Nibali from the race. The sports director driving the car, Alexandre Shefer, is also out of the race, and the Astana team car will only be able to continue with one car in the race for two days.“It was a really tough decision, but looking at the TV images, it was really clear, we had no other option but to give the penalty to the rider.” Nibali and his teammates Paolo Tiralongo, Diego Rosa and Fabio Aru were among the many riders caught up in a large crash during the stage, and it took a while to get fresh bikes to everyone who needed one, Nibali included. IAM Cycling’s David Tanner was unable
to continue following the crash. Nibali remounted and chased through the caravan to finish 31st, 1:28 down on stage winner and new race leader Esteban Chaves (OricaGreenEdge). Race director Javier Guillén quoted “This image is bad for cycling, for the sport, and the consequences of this decision are bad for the Vuelta, we have lost a big rider. Any other decision would be hard to understand. The rules have to be followed.” Astana began the race with three leaders, but must now turn to Aru and Mikel Landa to lead the team with three weeks still to ride in the Vuelta.
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With Federer retaining the Nº2 seed - is an Andy Murray win at the US Open now impossible?
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OLLOWING his impressive Cincinnati Masters win Roger Federer has retained his No. 2 seeding for the U.S Open a spot he has held since October last year thus ensuring Andy Murray remains firmly in third place meaning the new French Open champion’s road to the U.S Open will be a tough one. It may only have a peripheral effect on the year’s fi-
nal Slam, but could have big ramifications if the draw plays out in a specific way. If Andy had successfully made it to the Cincinnati Masters final he would have achieved a 2nd place seeding and he’d have been assured of not seeing world No. 1 Novak Djokovic until the final and would have had a 50% chance of not being in Roger Federer’s half too. Now there’s a 50% chance Murray will be on
the same side of the draw as Djokovic for a possible semi-final matchup and a 100% chance he’ll be in the same half as either Djokovic or Federer. At No. 3, the belief going into the tournament is that you’ll have to beat both Djokovic and Federer in some order to win the title.
CHANCE At No. 2, there was a chance you’d only have to beat one. Of course, there’s a different point of view too: While Murray won’t be pleased at his new reality neither Djokovic nor Federer will want Murray in their half either given the impressive tennis the Scot is playing. Right now, retaining his No. 2 seed is great
for Federer, but not if he gets Rafa in the quarters and Murray in the semis. Meanwhile, Murray’s No. 3 seed could feasibly see him on the opposite side as Djokovic and Rafa, and paired with Federer. Regardless of all of this, we still also have to look at the Rafa Nadal problem. With Nadal likely to be seeded from No. 5 to No. 8, each of the top four seeds has a 25% chance of being stuck with Rafa in their quarter. Who knows? That might be a good thing with Nadal’s recent struggles. Or the Open could be the start of a Rafa resurgence. A draw is just a draw it’s how the players react that makes it so compelling - The U.S. Open starts Monday August 31st
BAILIFFS TAKE POSSESSION OF LOTUS F1 CARS JUST hours after Lotus produced a surprise first F1 podium finish at this weekend Belgian Grand Prix, its ongoing off-track issues returned to dampen the celebrations as bailiffs moved in to impound its cars as part of a dispute with former reserve driver Charles Pic. The Frenchman has taken Lotus to court over his claim the team didn’t honour a contract to give him more seat time in the car last season as part of his test and reserve driver duties. With the case ongoing as it goes through an arbitration court, a court order meant Lotus was unable to take its cars from the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, with bailiffs arriving to enforce the transport ban just hours after Lotus celebrated Romain Grosjean’s unexpected run to third. Though Lotus is confident it will quickly resolve this particular issue, the news
comes as Lotus admits it is now in increasing financial trouble as creditors line up, thus making its run to the podium in Spa-Francorchamps – which in turn lifts it to fifth in the constructors’ standings – all the more timely. The team has been in talks with Renault regarding a potential takeover but the French manufacturer has yet to finalise the deal. It is believed that Lotus F1 Team Ltd currently owes some £18 million (€25 million) to several creditors, suppliers and contractors.
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F1: Let the race begin F ORMULA 1’s summer break has passed with little action apart from Lewis Hamilton documenting his partying exploits and the mystery surrounding Jenson Button’s burglary, there has been little of note. So the drama of Spa Francorchamps, one of the greatest races of them all was a great place to start to get the F1 juices flowing again and with a further eight rounds to follow before the season finale on November 29th anything can happen. Here we ask the serious questions; Will Nico Rosberg challenge Lewis Hamilton? What’s next for Jenson Button and is Sebastian Vettel a serious threat? CAN ROSBERG CHALLENGE HAMILTON? Which Nico Rosberg will turn up in the second half of the season? The man who faltered in Hungary, letting a glorious opportunity slip through his fingers? Or the remorseless competitor of Spain and Austria, who managed to put Hamilton in his place? The German needs to be nothing short of perfect in the remaining eight races if he is to confound almost everyone in the paddock and snatch the world title from his team-mate. There has been little sign this season he can muster the consistency to pull it off. IS VETTEL A SERIOUS CONTENDER? A reborn Sebastian Vettel is lurking in Mercedes’ shadow should they start taking each other out, as they did in Spa last year. Vettel has Ferrari behind him, a team who will not hesitate to use team orders if they sense a sniff of title glory. Although Mercedes have at times been suspect operationally – Hamilton’s ill-fated pit stop in Monaco being the best example – the fundamentals are all in their favour. Unless something extraordinary happens, Vettel and Ferrari should be too far back. WILL BUTTON SURVIVE AGAIN? The most interesting question this Thursday for Jenson Button will be: were you gassed while on holiday or not? But then the interrogation will turn to its usual subject: will you be in Formula One next year Jenson? In his defence he probably doesn’t yet know. But, other than to prevent him going elsewhere, to Williams perhaps (there is unlikely to be space there now), it is hard to see McLaren giving him another year. Many would prefer to see Button bow out on his terms rather than go through the painful waiting game once more. IS THERE HOPE FOR MCLAREN-HONDA? It is not as if Button is driving for a stellar team at present. The head of Honda’s F1 engine programme, Yasuhisa Arai, has been promising big improvements in the second half of the year. They need them. The Japanese manufacturer has underperformed woefully. Down on power, reliability, and fuel economy, they are facing a tortuous journey to acceptability, let alone victory. Can they make it to the top? Meaningful progress in the next eight races will keep the sense of hope and optimism alive. WILL KIMI PROVE EVERYONE WRONG? There is something sad about seeing a driver who used to thrill and stun the sport fade away with little more than a whimper. Yet despite all that, Ferrari have retained the Finn. Perhaps Valtteri Bottas just didn’t quite do enough. Plenty of questions remain about Raikkonen though. In the last year and a half he has been comprehensively outgunned by both Alonso and Vettel. He has been a long way from the great driver of 10 years ago. WHO IS THE FUTURE? With Bottas overlooked by Ferrari, who is the brightest spark in F1 at the moment? Despite a suspect half-season, Daniel Ricciardo’s stock is still high, but the real excitement is around
17-year-old Max Verstappen. His debut has been staggering. Perhaps Ferrari have him in mind for 2017. WILL THE SMALL TEAMS TAKE THE NUCLEAR OPTION?
Ignored at every turn in their plea to make Formula One more affordable, the sport’s smallest teams face a choice. They can keep quiet and hope for the best, or launch an official complaint to the European Commission. A full-scale investigation would have far-reaching consequences for F1 and would in all likelihood scupper CVC’s hopes of selling the sport on.
CAN FORMULA ONE CONVINCE THE WORLD IT IS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
Silverstone and Budapest was a welcome antidote to the doom and gloom which dominated much of this year so far. Talk of F1’s irreversible demise is premature, but much hinges on the next few months. A more radical vision for the cars and rules needs to be agreed for 2017 – the sport’s technical chiefs are working to a very tight schedule – and F1 needs to find a way to stop it falling off the radar as it has done between races this year.
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FROM 18 September to 31 October the Rugby World Cup will be hosted by England and Wales and is set to become the biggest competition in the sport’s history. The six-week tournament, encompassing 48 matches at 12 venues in England and at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, is expected to attract 400,000 international visitors and generate as much as £1 billion for the UK economy. A total of 20 teams will compete in the tournament with each team placed into various pools based on their seeding. The pools are as follows: Pool A - Australia, England, Wales, Fiji, Uruguay Labelled as the group of death, group A will be fascinating! With three teams in the same group who could all be considered as potential winners, it promises to be a tense and high quality pool with rivalries to match. England and Australia are two teams that have become synonymous with success on the Rugby World Cup stage. If Wales play to their potential, they have the physicality and strike runners to cause many team problems. Prediction: England to win the pool with Wales as Runner Ups. Game to Watch: England vs Wales Saturday, September 26 kick off 20.00 (UK time) Pool B - South Africa, Samoa, Scotland, Japan, USA Pool B is interesting; obviously South Africa will be firm favourites to top this pool, but there are four other teams in the group who are all capable of beating each other. It’s a tough call between Scotland and Samoa, but it is widely felt that Scotland will edge it on points difference. Prediction: South Africa to win the pool with Scotland as runners up. Game to Watch: Scotland vs Samoa Saturday, October 10 kick off 14.30 (UK time) Pool C - New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga, Georgia, Namibia New Zealand will begin this pool as favourites, and should win every single game comprehensively. Tonga vs the currently World Champions will be a very physical affair with huge hits coming from both teams. Prediction: New Zealand to win the pool and Argentina as runners up. Game to Watch: New Zealand vs Tonga Friday, October 09 kick off 20.00 (UK time) Pool D - France, Ireland, Italy, Canada, Romania Pool D will be interesting, Ireland and France will both expect to qualify from this pool. Italy won’t be afraid of Ireland and France and will target them as two games they could potentially win. If France lose their opening match against Italy, pool D will make for very interesting viewing! Prediction: Ireland to win the pool and France runners up Game to Watch Ireland vs France Sunday, October 11 kick off 16.45 (UK time).
There’s something about Bolt FOR 30 years former world 1500-metres champion Steve Cram has been commentating on athletics, but he has never uttered anything more impassioned than the words he used to greet Usain Bolt’s victory inside the Bird’s Nest Stadium on Sunday. “Bolt has saved his title, he’s saved his reputation, he may have even saved his sport,” the BBC’s chief athletics commentator said. “It was the result that everyone wanted, apart from Justin Gatlin. I’ve never been happier commentating on a 100m final.” There is something about Bolt that causes people to put aside any sense of objectivity, add the fact that
the men’s 100 meters final included 5 drug cheats it is little wonder Bolts victory was history in the making. Darren Campbell, a British 4x100m relay gold medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, appeared to speak for the entire athletics community when he said: “The sport needs to sort itself out and we have that opportunity to start from a positive position thanks to the great Usain Bolt. Talk about a hero – we’ve witnessed greatness.” This was a victory that touched a nerve across the sporting world and beyond. Athletics has its hero and it was time to rejoice.