The Courier Edition 353 by TKO UK

THE WEATHER

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Edition 353

See page 2 for the week’s forecast

AIR DEATH PLUNGE

65-year-old Scotsman, Donald Milne, died after a weekend air crash on the Costa Blanca. Mr. Milne, who was a former Scottish rally champion, was killed after his biplane was involved in a collision with an emergency helicopter at the Mutxamel aerodrome near Alicante City on Saturday afternoon (picture from the Información newspaper). The helicopter had been 30 feet above the ground and coming to land after being involved in the fighting of a forest fire in the north east Valencia region town of Culla. According to the Provincial Fire Brigade of Alicante, the "tail rotor of the helicopter was hit by the plane" and the helicopter

Friday 5th January 2018

pilot's expertise made it possible to land, without the crew suffering any serious injury. Mr. Milne, who was originally from Banchory in Scotland and had been living in Spain for the last 20 years, received cardiopulmonary resuscitation until he regained consciousness, before his transfer to Alicante General Hospital, where he died later. His funeral took place on Tuesday, attended by his widow Fiona, and his two sons Freddie and Quintin. The helicopter was one of eight that had been used to stablilise the Culla fire that destroyed one-and-a-half square miles of trees. The state aviation safety agency has opened an investigation to find out what

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caused the crash. Mr. Milne won the Esso Scottish Rally Championship in 1991, and was known for having helped Colin McRae in his early years leading up to his world championship in 1995. Flying was said to be a

passion after his rallying career was over, and Mr Milne, used helicopters for business as well as fun, but was said to have preferred fixed-wing aircraft for leisure. He had recently purchased two craft at his Spanish base.

FALLING FIGURES

he official population of Orihuela has fallen to below 80 thousand residents, according to figures produced by the National Statistics Institute (INE). This confirms projections back in November, as previously reported in The Courier, with councillor Noelia Grao claiming this is impacting on services for the Orihuela Costa. The INE says the municipality has just over 76 thousand residents, taking it back to levels last seen in 2006, though Orihuela council says that another two thousand registrations need to be added to the final total. The number of

people registering on the municipal padrón is crucial for authorities like Orihuela in getting funding from the national government, and follows the falling trend also logged in neighbouring areas like Torrevieja. The biggest falls are on the Orihuela Costa, with a three thousand drop in those people registered, taking the figure to 28 thousand that are on the padrón. Around half of the fall is accounted by British residents no longer on the register, either because they have failed to renew or have left the area. The Información newspaper reports that an indicator of population is the number

of householders that are registered as users of water, with figures up to 10 thousand more than on the padrón. Orihuela's statistics councillor, Noelia Grao, told Información that the lack of padrón registration has been costing the Orihuela Costa dearly. For example, in the fact that the area

could have an extra health centre if everybody who lived there signed up to the register. Last March, Orihuela council launched a high-profile campaign aimed at getting non-Spaniards onto the municipal padrón, with reports that 1,200 people did register between May and September.

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Friday 5th January 2018

New Year Babies

Diana Killer Confesses

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The first baby of the New Year to be born at Torrevieja Hospital entered the world at 11.36 am on Monday and weighed in at 3.4 kilos. Pictured with the maternity unit team, the arrival of Chaine Nail Bengherbia was the perfect start to the year for her parents, Naoual Djebane and Walid Bengherbia, who are both Algerian nationals. The first baby of 2018 born in the Valencia region

was a girl called Faryal weighing in at 3.1 kilos at Alicante General Hospital, whilst Carmen María was the Murcia region’s first baby of the year, being born just 33 minutes into the year at Cartagena’s Santa Lucia Hospital. The first arrival at San Javier’s Los Arcos Hospital was born at 3.19 am, and was a male baby called Victor, weighing in at 3.46 kilos.

La Marina Leak Three people, including a five-year-old girl, were rushed to hospital in Elche, after being poisoned by a butano gas leak at their La Marina village home on Saturday morning. Two women, aged 72 and 42, in addition to the child, were taken to Vinalopó Hospital in Elche for treatment, after emergency services arrived on the scene shortly after 6.00 am.

she was being followed. José Enrique Abuín Gey, 41, finally confessed after his wife Rosario Rodríguez, changed her story and admitted she had not been with her husband on the night Diana vanished. Police said that he had been their prime suspect since November 2016. After a few hours of interrogation and displaying what police described as 'an arrogant attitude', he finally caved in and revealed he had killed Diana and dumped her body down a shaft in a disused warehouse in village of Asados in Rianxo. He then took police to the location. Early on New Year's Eve, Abuín Gey, known as 'El Chicle' and who goes by the

name of Enrique, claimed he had tried to rape the sixthformer after approaching her as she walked back to her holiday home after the village fiestas. Abuín Gey claims Diana tried to fight him off, and he strangled her and dumped her body down a well shaft in a disused warehouse in Asados. She was tied up and had weights attached to her to stop her body floating to the surface. The killer's confession came after he firstly claimed he had accidentally run her over and, panicked as had an appeal against a sentence from a massive drugdealing swoop 10 years ago. He then disposed of her body.

Road Plan Greenlit

Drunk Pensioner

A row over a car parking space in Elche turned nasty after a drunk 72-year-old man assaulted the person he was arguing with, and then threatened to kill him. Eyewitnesses reported that the irate man went to his car after the assault, and then took out a sheaf that had a two-and-a-half-inch knife in it, and said that he was prepared to use it. The National Police were promptly called by the victim and when they arrived on

One of Spain’s highestprofile missing person cases has seen the body of 18year-old Diana Quer discovered last Sunday in a well in the Rianxo area of A Coruña province, about 15 kilometres from her family's holiday home in A Pobra do Caramiñal. Her killer was remanded in custody without bail but has refused to testify in front of a judge, whilst his wife, charged with aiding and abetting by covering up the crime, was released. Diana had been missing since the early hours of Monday, August 22nd, 2016 at around 2.20 am when she sent a WhatsApp message to a friend in her home town of Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, saying she thought

the scene, the assailant tried to drive off, only to collide with a parked car. The agents smelt alcohol on his breath, and a test showed that he was over three times the drink-drive limit. He tried to hide the blade before the police arrived, but they found in the car and seized it. The 72-year-old has been charged with traffic safety offences and for making serious threats.

Official approval has been granted to a final draft for the A-7 highway between Orihuela and Monteagudo in the Murcia region to be expanded to three lanes. The work will cost over 84 million euro, with the extra lane being put in between the Orihuela-Benferri turn at kilometre 545 through to kilometre point 559. The Ministry of Development project will also include new safety barriers and 4.5 million euro of environmental improvement measures like putting up noise absorption screens and new paths for livestock.

THE WEATHER FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

Stop Press Thursday 18:00 Published by TKO Media & Entertainment S.L. Printed by Localprint S.L Depósito legal A - 188 - 2014 ISSN 2530-6146 The Courier (Torrevieja) The Courier, its publishers, members of staff and its agents do not accept responsibility for any readers letters or claims by advertisers nor can it be held responsible for any errors in advertisements which are reproduced from poor artwork, low quality electronic data or inadequate instructions for text or other layout features. Further no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by an error, inaccuracy or nonappearance of any advertisement, although all advertisements produced are checked prior to insertion. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE incorrect insertion and that no re-publication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement. E&OE. NO PART OF THIS NEWSPAPER MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHERS.

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Keeping An Eye Almoradi council is set to install 60 CCTV cameras in key areas around the town as part of new local security plan. Mayor María Gómez made the announcement at a ceremony recognising the work of a number of local police officers, who collaborated in operations with the Guardia Civil. Gómez said that the cameras would be placed in outside areas like the Plaza de la Constitución as well as public buildings such as the Cultural Centre or the School of Music.

Ancient Bridge

Paying The Price Finance Minister Luis de Guindos has put the cost of the Catalan independence crisis to the Spanish economy at around a billion euro. He said it was due to the slowdown in the Catalan economy after the unauthorised independence referendum in October. Madrid's warnings about economic damage were a big part of its campaign against Catalan separatists in last month's regional election. But this is the highest estimate yet. Mr de Guindos said growth in Catalunya had slowed from 0.9% to 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2017. "Catalunya used to have growth above that of Spain, it was one of the drivers of the Spanish economy," he said. "However, in the fourth quarter, it's become a burden." Led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Madrid invoked powers provided for

by Spain's constitution to suspend the region's, sack its government and parliament, and call fresh regional elections in a bid to head off the secession drive. But separatist parties won the most seats in the December 21st vote, and with the Catalan issue likely to drag on well into 2018 there are fears the crisis could hamper Spain's

recovery from the 20072008 financial crisis. More than 3,100 companies have already moved their legal headquarters from Catalunya, including major banks and retail firms. De Guindos blamed "enormous uncertainty, concern and a loss of confidence generated by the previous (Catalan) government".

Unhealthy Combination Remains of an old bridge dating back to the 16th century over the river Segura in Rojales have been discovered in an archaeological investigation of the area. The find has been

described by Rojales heritage councillor, Inmaculada Chazarra, as "one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the town for decades". The foundations were

uncovered during a survey, and the old bridge was apparently supported on two large bases on either side of the river, the remains of which is still on the right bank of the river.

Better Connection A faster free internet service has been launched at Alicante-Elche airport, promising better access to high definition material. The improved WiFi service is being provided by airport operator Aena, and users can obtain a log-in for the network called Airport Free WiFi Aena via social networks like Facebook or via the Aena website, www.aena.es. The service is being rolled out across all of the airports in Spain, and once users have registered, all the log-

Some Alicante Province health centres and hospitals have been stretched to the limit over the holiday season, due to a combination of reduced opening hours at local centres and an increased number of people suffering from flu. Health ministry figures showed that the last week of 2017 logged in 327 cases of flu per 100 thousand residents in the Orihuela area, compared to just 29 the previous week. With lower staff and the rise in flu cases, health services have found themselves stretched according to a report in the Información newspaper, not helped by the fact that the annual

influenza bout has started in the southern part of Alicante Province, as opposed to “coming in” from the north, as in previous years.

Normal staffing levels at all medical centres and hospitals resume this Monday 8 January after the Three Kings holiday weekend.

Touch and Learn in details will be kept in the system for up to a year, so

visitors can use the service each time they are here.

Two new touch-screens have been installed on the Orihuela Costa to provide 24-hour tourist information. The interactive screens were officially launched by Orihuela’s tourism councillor Sofía Álvarez, who said that

the system has an environmental bonus of reducing the number of tourist leaflets that are published. The two screens are at the tourist information area at Zenia Boulevard and also at the Playa Flamenca town

hall, with half of the costs subsidised by the Valencian Tourism Agency. The screens work in a variety of languages including Spanish and English, and link up to the Orihuela Tourist website.

Friday 5th January 2018

All Go For Corvera

Murcia’s Corvera Airport will run services “as soon as possible” according to AENA, who were awarded the 25year-contract to operate the facility by the Murcia government at the end of last year. That sounds the final death knell for the current regional facility at San Javier, which is also run by AENA, who operate nearly all of

Spain’s airports, including Alicante-Elche, and who became the sole bidder for the Corvera franchise in the autumn, after two competitors pulled out at different stages of the process. AENA have already pledged all the workers at San Javier a guaranteed transfer to Corvera, and with the summer flight schedules

already declared, the earliest that Corvera could logically open, would be this November. The Murcia government have not yet declared an opening date, but sooner, rather than later, local residents and holidaymakers will face an extra 30 minutes on their journey time to go to Corvera, when San Javier shuts for good.

It’s A Brugal Date

A court date of February 2019 has been pencilled for the start of the trial in the socalled Brugal corruption case, which involves six million euro of alleged bungs connected to the awarding of waste disposal contracts in Orihuela. Reports last November suggested that the sheer amount of evidence that still needed to be collated meant

that it could have been up to three years before the hearings started, with the court having 81 volumes of summaries to process on an investigation that started back in 2006. There are 34 defendants including two ex-mayors of Orihuela, Mónica Lorente and José Manuel Medina (pictured), as well businessman Ángel Fenoll. Fifteen of

the defendants were in public office at the time that the alleged offences took place. Prosecutors are calling for Lorente and Manuel Medina to face eight and 12 years respectively behind bars if convicted of fixing a rubbish disposal tender for the municipality. 34 cases of civil liability are still being processed through the Orihuela courts.

Bin Lorry Upgrades

Better Monitoring

Torrevieja council is to advertise a new contract to maintain 200 traffic and video surveillance cameras, as the authority rubbished claims from the local police union that the Vyriato surveillance network was not functioning as well as it should be. Councillor Javier Manzanares (pictured left with council official Luis

Rebollo) said that it was the council’s intention to make sure that Vyriato was working well because “it is a proven system to improve security in the area according to the Guardia Civil and local police”. Manzanares slammed criticism from the local police that the “system was down”. “It is irresponsible to say that the network was not

working, with 75% of fixed traffic cameras all functioning as normal,” the councillor added. The police union launched an attack on the council at the start of December, as reported in The Courier, quoting sources from the video control room that could not provide footage of an incident, despite cameras being present in the area.

Four new leased rubbish collection lorries are set to be leased by Orihuela council, with two of them being assigned to the Orihuela Costa. Road cleaning councillor Damaso Aparicio told the Información newspaper that a five-year contract worth

two million euros is set to be approved by the Orihuela government team, and will then be advertised as a boost to a 17-strong fleet that is suffering from age. Most of the current vehicles in service are well past their normal lifespan for service, with the council

tendering an annual maintenance contract for them at 314 thousand euro per annum. With no local garbage disposal site at the moment, the vehicles have to make long journeys to either Xixona or Murcia to dump their loads.

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Daddy Knows Best

A court has ruled that not only can parents legally monitor their children’s conversations on social media, but that in certain cases it should be considered their duty as legal guardians. A landmark case between two divorced parents went to appeal, with the father cleared of wrongdoing and breach of privacy laws by the Pontevedra Provincial Court in northern Spain,

which has set a precedent for parental supervision of minor children and their activities online. “Both my children told me that their father took them to their bedrooms and went over my daughter’s conversations with them,”the child’s mother told the court. “He asked my son for his phone’s password too but he refused,” she added. The prosecution argued

that the father had breached Spain’s privacy laws, but the judge ruled that such laws were superseded by Article 154 of the country’s civil code, which pertains to the rights and responsibilities of parents. Judge María del Rosario Cimadevila Cea ruled that social media use, including WhatsApp, “requires attention and vigilance on the part of the parents or guardians.”

Electric Shocker

Spain’s equivalent to the UK Consumers Association, FACUA, has attacked the Madrid government for allowing electricity prices to rise over the last few months. Between December 1st and Christmas Day alone, bills rose by 3.2%, meaning the average household will now pay around €81.87 for the month. Since August, electricity bills have risen by a typical €10.05. FACUA complains that the government 'continues to bow down to' utility compa-

nies instead of 'acting to protect customers' interests'. “This winter is proving to be another especially hard one for households on low incomes – for yet another year, they are being prevented from putting on the heating, or being cut off because they are unable to pay their bills, given the absence of any effective measures by the ministry of energy to ease power poverty,” FACUA states. Electricity bills have been going up consistently for seven months in 2017, FACUA denounces, com-

pared to three months when they dropped and another two when they remained unchanged. FACUA says these 'unjustified' increases show that consumers are 'victims of a near-monopoly' and 'lack of competition in the energy market', leading corporations to 'speculate with tariffs'. The consumer group wants to see IVA on electricity reduced and the government to intervene in pricing, periodically reviewing tariffs and fixing them to make them more affordable.

Friday 5th January 2018

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New Quiz For Ramirez

San Fulgencio mayor Carlos Ramirez is facing another court date, after being disbarred from public office in November by an Orihuela court over prevarication. Ramirez is appealing that verdict and denies that he did anything wrong over a series of grants to a local sports club. Pending that appeal he remains in office, and he resigned from the Partido Popular, with five of his councillors deciding to support him, and therefore they were thrown out of the PP. They continue to run to the San Fulgencio authority. The InformaciĂłn newspaper reports that Ramirez has another trial in his sights with anti-corruption prosecutor Pablo Romero calling for a 27-month jail sentence over alleged fraud over the non-tendering of a public contract, as

well as a six-month ban from public office for administrative prevarication. Also facing the same charges and calls for punishment is JosĂŠ Antonio M.S., manager of Servicios Deportivos SC. The prosecutor alleges irregularities in the hiring of the company to provide cleaning services for La Marina sports centre. No date for a trial has yet been set. Meanwhile Ramirez and his ex-PP councillors voted through a 16-million-euro municipal rubbish collection contract in a 12-minute pre-Christmas plenary meeting of San Fulgencio council. The franchise will last for 22 years, with one of the opposition parties, the PIPN, saying that they intend to take legal action over the awarding of the contract.

Inching Upwards

Motorway toll charges in Alicante Province and the Murcia region went up on Monday in the first price rise for four years. It means there will be a tiny rise of around two percent on tariffs, with charges linked to the inflation rate. For example, the journey

on the AP-7 between Alicante City and Valencia City has gone up by 30 cents, making the journey cost approximately 17.30 euro, whilst travellers between the south of Alicante Province and Benidorm have a ten-cent rise.

Friday 5th January 2018

Oh Yes, They Are! 2018 is starting with some good old fashioned thighslapping fun with the Rojales Pantomime Group staging Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves in Los Montesinos. This new version of Ali Baba has all the fun of a traditional pantomime, a hissable villain, a couple of knockabout comics, a pair of dishy lovers, a slightly dimwitted prince, a larger than life dame and a camel called Charlie! The show will be staged at the Escuela de Musica y Cultura in Los Montesinos on Thursday January 11th and Friday January 12th, with curtain-up at 7.30 pm, plus a Saturday matinee on the 13th at 2.30 pm. Tickets cost seven euro for adults and five euro for children, and can be bought

On With The New

The New Cardenal Belluga Theatre Group are preparing for their spring show on the back of November’s success of their production, Let Us Entertain You, which ended up raising two thousand euro for two San Fulgencio-based charities. The group are after more people to help out with the sound, lighting, and stage arrangements, and if you are interested in getting involved with a friendly company, then please call Tom Ford on 966 790 547 or 691 737 442.

Stagestruck News from a variety of outlets, with proceeds again going to local charities. They also be

reserved by calling Christine on 678 212 034 or email shimserv@gmail.com.

Lodge Donation

The Philip Scott lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB), popularly known as The Buffs, recently presented the Paul Cunningham nurses charity with a donation of 250 euro.

Meanwhile, the charity need more volunteers for their four shops in Playa Flamenca, Quesada, La Marina and Almoradi. For more details, please telephone 966 790 363.

Helping The Needy

A wonderful amount of 840 euro was raised last month at the latest charity night held at the Quesada Fish & Chips Restaurant, with the money going to help buy food and treats, packed up in special boxes, for needy Rojales-based families over the holiday season. Entertainment was provided by Johnny Scott, who performed for a reduced fee and having won the football

scratch card competition, he donated his 100 euro winnings to the final total. The 840 euro was handed over to Rojales social service councillor Lourdes Lopez Tajes, pictured second right, with residents integration councillor Derek Monks on her right, along with Johnny Scott on the far left alongside event organisers Marlene Brown and Joan Rampton.

The Stagestruck Theatre Group had to postpone their annual pantomime due to ill health, but the good news is that they are starting rehearsals this month for their summer production, which is a musical comedy written by the group’s director, Leigh Humphries. In the meantime, a small group of Stagestruck members have been performing Murder Mysteries in local

bars, and the whole company recently showcased their individual talents with an evening of variety (members pictured) at Leaf’s Bar in Pueblo Bravo, Quesada on two evenings, which included singing, dancing, comedy sketches and monologues. Just under a thousand euros was raised from ticket sales and raffle tickets, which will be made up to two thousand euros including

the money raised from the Murder Mysteries. The sum will be donated to the Torrevieja Alzheimer's Association. If you would like to be informed of forthcoming Stagestruck shows, performances and events, then please ask for your name to be added to the mailing list via e-mail at leigh.humphries58@gmail.c om.

Twenty-One Years In Dolores There was little help for abandoned animals in this part of Spain over a quarter of a century ago, until back in 1992 a group of ex-pats from a variety of European countries, some of whom were vets, set up the charitable organisation now known as S.A.T. Their first animal refuge in Los Balcones soon ran out of space, with more than 40 dogs very quickly arriving at their door in desperate need of help. In 1997, a finca, owned by an elderly German lady, was bought in Dolores. The lady was doing her best to rescue animals, and already she was caring for 48 dogs and 60 cats. With a great deal of help from volunteers and money raised by supporters, the

existing finca was refurbished and kennels built. These days there are many other animal charities, but S.A.T. is still full to capacity and in desperate need of even more fundraising to keep going. Volunteers work very hard six days a week in the seven charity shops as well as events including with the Fun Dog Show, and these provide the main source of income for the charity. All the dogs are loved and cared for by a small team of devoted staff and volunteers who do an amazing job of cleaning, walking and caring for them until they find their ‘forever home’. There is also a dedicated vet who with his compassion, energy and enthusiasm provides an

AT YOUR SERVICE

We’d love details of your charity events, amateur dramatics, and choral concerts! The Courier would love to hear from you as we gear up for another busy autumn across the Costa Blanca and Mar Menor. Send you snippets and photographs to thecourier@tko media.

exceptional service. If you wish to visit the kennels, with a view to adopting one or more of the dogs, S.A.T. is open daily (except Wednesday, when the vet is in-house) from 11.00 am to

1.00 pm, or if you would like to volunteer to help walk the dogs, please telephone 966 710 047 and leave a message. You can also email info@satanimalrescue.com.

Friday 5th January 2018

Sleepers Helped January Scorcher

Rough sleepers in Orihuela Costa have been helped over the Christmas and New Year thanks to the efforts of the charity Help at Home Costa Blanca and the church family of the International Christian Assembly in Torrevieja. The charity used its funds to buy many bags of food essentials and toiletries, and from its stores of donated items, it provided blankets and clothing for those living in makeshift shelters on

waste ground. The church congregation also brought in tinned and bottled foods and all of this was distributed over the festive period. The idea for the food and clothing distribution came from Eileen Mayes, a past president of the charity and member of the church, and who is also a member of the Salvation Army. She said: "Back in Britain, the Army do a huge amount of work at this time of the

year looking after the homeless and rough sleepers and I thought it appropriate to try to help such people living in this part of Spain too.” "I am extremely grateful that the charity and church responded so generously to help people who have hit bad times, often through no fault of their own." In the picture, you can see two of the rough sleepers receiving gifts from church members outside one of their shacks.

Torrevieja and Orihuela basked in temperatures of 23 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday this week ahead of this weekend’s expected arrival of a cold front which will take temperatures down to a daytime maximum of 13 degrees over the next week. Torrevieja’s Project

Mastral and MeteOrihuela say that warm westerly winds brought the springlike weather, which saw people taking to local beaches and enjoying the terraces of bars and restaurants. A cold northerly front is expected to go through Spain today leaving some parts of the country with

heavy rain and snow, along with the drop in temperatures. Forecasters suggest that some snow might fall on higher ground in Alicante Province this Saturday. Despite the cold start last month, December was the third warmest since 1941 in Alicante Province after 2015 and 2015.

End Of An Era

Carmen Franco, the only child of dictator General Francisco Franco, has died at the age of 91. Her grandson, Luis Alfonso de Borbon, confirmed her death in an Instagram post last Friday, but he gave no more information. In a recent interview with

the El Mundo newspaper, Carmen Franco revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer. Journalist Nieves Herrero, who published a novel in November about Franco’s life based on interviews with her, reported that she had died at her Madrid home after saying goodbye to

loved ones. General Francisco Franco joined a military uprising in 1936 and ruled Spain from the end of Spain’s Civil War in 1939 until his death in 1975. His daughter married Spanish aristocrat Cristobal Martinez-Bordiu in 1950. They had seven children.

4 am Bar and Disco in Torrevieja

Busy Bar/Café in La Marina

Ice Cream Cafeteria and Bar in Alicante

The opportunity to buy such a well-known busy bar in Torrevieja does not come around very often. This is a large, fantastic unit in the heart of where it all happens. No competition and with lots of foot traffic plus a 4 am license. Fully sound-proofed. Inside: 250 sq m and 350 sq m outide terrace. Close to the new location of the Friday market.

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY to purchase the lease of a café/bar/restaurant located on a busy high street in the centre of a Spanish village just 300 metres from the blue flag white sandy beaches nearby. Huge expat clientele throughout the area. East-facing front terrace with outdoor dining and many more covers inside. Fully equipped.

Located in an eye-catching position near to the Alicante Port, this unit with glass-fronted shop window is ideally positioned to catch shoppers, tourists and local residents all year. The business itself, which is still in its infancy, has boasted a good summer’s trade, and could be expanded to sell other goodies such as smoothies etc.

Property ID: 1070 - 210,000€

Property ID: 1054 - 30,000€

Property ID: 1060 - 15,500€

Laundry and Dry Cleaning Business in San Fulgencio

Well-Known Local Golf Bar in Entre Naranjos

Fish and Chip Shop on the Orihuela Costa

This well-established commercial laundry business is up for sale after 20 running. The whole premises are being offered freehold and consist of the launderette on the upper level and an additional premises on the lower level that is included too. The business is being sold fully furnished with two washers, two dryers and two ironing tables.

Great business opportunity in a golfing area full of European expats. Very busy and popular bar, with good turnover. This popular bar/cafe has a yearlong full programme of events, shows, bingo, quizzes, karaoke, darts, pool, dominoes, and even a skittle alley. The first bar on Entre Naranjos, so known by a lot of people over the years.

This leasehold property is located between two busy Irish bars and a popular shopping centre. It has 104 covers: 32 inside; 40 on the front terrace and 32 at the rear, with the facility to extend. The leasehold is for another three years and can be renewed. If you fancy setting up a good old fish and chip business, here’s your chance.

Property ID: 1048 - 195,000€

Property ID: 1055 - 60,000€

Property ID: 1053 - 39,000€

Family Run Bar/Restaurant in a Popular Tourist Area

American-Style Diner-Bar-Restaurant in Torrevieja

Successful Restaurant in La Zenia

This well-established, well-known family run is fortunate to have a continuous passing trade. The business has made its mark due to its warm friendly welcome and delicious homemade English food. Inside and out, 80 customers can be seated. The premises is fully licensed, plus has free wifi, sound system, BBQ area, covered patio and good parking.

This American-style diner is in a great location in Torrevieja and front line to the sea, bringing good passing trade on a daily basis. The terrace is just a stone’s throw away from the water’s edge giving amazing open views with a cool summer breeze. Recentley refurbished, all furniture and installations are new. Air conditioning and plasma screen.

Successful well-known restaurant located in the most popular area of La Zenia, in front of a large shopping centre. Internal seating for 66 customers and an outstanding terrace space seating 86 customers for al fresco dining. Fully fitted and ready to go. Total area: 207m2. This a great investment opportunity which makes this a must-view.

Property ID: 1022 - 49,500€

Property ID: 2597 - 45,000€

Property ID: 1046 - 125,000€

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Book your place at the Blacktower Financial Management 2018 Workshops today! Keith Littlewood, International Financial Adviser at Blacktower, Costa Cálida 2018 will see Blacktower Financial Management opening a new office in the Costa Cálida region.

In today’s financial climate it is essential you do everything you can to make sure your money is safe and secure, and what you want to transpire in the future has the best chance of happening. If you need advice or if have any questions regarding the above you can contact me, Keith Littlewood DipPFS, on 657 684 094 or email keith.littlewood@blacktowerf m.com or visit www.blacktowerfm.com for more information.

Based in San Pedro del Pinatar, you will be able to visit a financial adviser for a free initial consultation about your own personal finances or attend one of the workshops that will be taking place in January and February 2018 in the prestigious suites located in the town centre. The workshops will be covering subjects that are very important for expats living in Spain such as: • Asset Declaration – Modelo 720 • Tax-Efficient Investing • Pension Pots in the UK - all the options explained • Wealth Management Refreshments will provided during workshops and

be the the

opportunity for you to book a further appointment if you feel appropriate. If you think you would benefit from attending one of

120 Avenida Dr. Artero Guirao 2C San Pedo Del Pinatar 30740, Murcia, Spain

these workshops, book your attendance as soon as possible as places will be limited, stating which of the above subjects are of interest.

Workshop. To book a place, please send an email to keith.littlewood@blacktowerf m.com or phone 657 684 094 and quote Costa Cálida

We will then contact you confirming your attendance and to give you the time and full location details.

The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Blacktower Financial Management (International) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV in Spain.

Pets

Friday 5th January 2018

Adoption Corner

Grooming At Home

ARAMIS Aramis is a beautiful ginger and white young cat who is aged around three years who is being looked after by the K9 charity. He has a brother, Athos, who is all ginger and slightly shyer. Both boys would make ideal outdoor cats as they are excellent hunters, and to learn more about both of them, then give K9 a call on 600 845 420.

CARDHU Cardhu is a 16-month-old medium-sized crossbreed weighing about 20 kilos. He has grown into a confident, playful, happy boy who gets on well with his kennel mates and loves to go for walk. He needs a home with a secure garden as he can jump a one point five metre wall easily! For more information please contact the SAT kennels on 966 710 047 (leave a message) or email info@satanimalrescue.com.

JILLIE & QUEENIE Jillie on the left who is very affectionate with her shy sister Queenie, are two pretty calico tortie cats who can be homed separately. They are about a year old, very lovely and sterilised. Their owners have to go back to the UK for serious health reasons. For more information about Jillie or Queenie please phone PEPA on 650 304 746 or email p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail.com.

LEO

Leo is almost nine and has been with APAH all of his life. He is a bit arthritic now, and will feel his age in kennels over the winter. It is hoped to get a home for him where he can be warm and cared for, and APAH will cover all his medical costs. If you are interested in giving lovely Leo a warm and loving home for the time he has left, please call 630 422 563 or 616 210 850.

Many dog owners prefer to leave haircuts to professional groomers. It’s a job that really takes some know-how and experience to do properly – particularly for dogs with long, continuously growing hair.But there’s no reason that you can’t become an expert at cutting your dog’s hair, though there may be the occasional comic result along the way! The great thing is that hair grows back, it might take one centimetre per month, but eventually that slightly uneven first attempt will start to look much better! EQUIPMENT Clippers can be extremely cheap and you can certainly use any style of clippers, rather than having to buy specialised pet clippers. Some are able to be sharpened, which will extend the life of the clippers. When humans use clippers they usually use plastic guards to clip at a longer length. These tend to snag in longer hair coats so are less useful in pets. For around the paws and ears, a sharp pair of scissors is useful, as some areas will be fiddly to use with the clippers. Also make sure you have plenty of treats on hand and a good brush. GETTING READY When you start out, having someone to hold your pet is ideal. Groomers will save their backs by always using an elevated table and may even have an apparatus to hold the dog in place or to clip the collar to. Clipping up on the kitchen table can be a great way to keep your dog from moving, but make sure you put a non-slip mat on the table first. HOW OFTEN? If your dog has a continuously growing coat, clipping every six to eight weeks is ideal. If you are able to brush your dog regularly and prevent mats from forming, grooming is not as necessary, but if your dog matts easily you may need to clip the coat short more often. In some ways a longer coat can provide an insulating layer to protect against heat and cold.

POLLY Polly is a 16-week-old kitten and it would be great to find her a forever home for this New Year. She has been in a foster home since she was five weeks old, Polly is a confident kitten who loves cuddles and is very playful. For more details, please phone Pets in Spain on 645 469 253. www.petsinspain.com.

For dogs that feel the heat however, clipping the belly so your dog can cool down by lying on the ground can help, while still providing protection from the sun. CLIPPER CARE To keep your clippers clean and running smoothly it is worthwhile investing in some clipper spray to keep the blades clean and lubricated. The spray can also be used if the blades are getting hot while clipping your dog. Keep the blades sharp; they are more likely to cut if they are blunt. You will need to have them professionally sharpened in the same place that would sharpen knives. After you use your clippers, brush them free from hair with a toothbrush and apply some blade oil or the clipper spray. DOING IT PROPERLY • If your dog is dirty bathe your dog first, using a shampoo made for pets. • Once the fur is dry, brush out any snags or mats. • Use clippers in the direction of hair growth in long smooth strokes. • Use scissors for touch-up and for trimming around extremities: legs, ears and face.• Around the eyes, ensure there is no hair growing over your pet’s eyes that could interfere with vision. If your pet is wiggly, using blunt-tipped, curved scissors helps. • After brushing give your pet a good brush, or if you haven’t already bathed your pet, give him a bath. • To clip the paws, brush against the direction of hair growth to push the hair between the toes upwards and cut with the scissors. You can use the clippers to do the underside of the feet. TIPS FOR NERVOUS DOGS If your pet is a little nervous about the clippers, get some treats and get him accustomed to the noise of the clippers first. Keep any sessions short and give lots of praise, attention and treats for staying still, even for a short time.

SUKI Suki is an 18-month-old small-medium sized girl. She has a very sweet character and is a lovely dog, who gets on well with other dogs. Suki was found wandering and was a bit nervous at first, but warms up very quickly, and would make make a very loyal companion for a lucky person. For more about her, please telephone PEPA on 650 304 746 or email p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail.com

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Baby Killer Jailed

A 21-year-old Columbian woman who stabbed her newborn child to death and then dumped the body in a bin back in August 2014 has been jailed for 15 years. The sentence was handed down after an Alicante Provincial Court jury found her guilty of homicide, with prosecutors reducing their initial 20-year call for her to be put behind bars, after she confessed to the crime.

Vanessa Q from Cali in Colombia, who was aged 18 at the time, gave birth to the baby at her home in the Alicante Province town of Alcoy, and then went alone to the Virgen de los Lirios hospital for treatment. Nursing staff were concerned as to what happened to the child, with the mother eventually breaking down, and revealing what she done.

The body had been put into a bin just around the corner from the town’s National Police station. The woman gave birth to the baby in the bathtub of her family home, with nobody else apparently aware of the pregnancy, including her boyfriend. The child was then immediately stabbed twice with a knife that she got from the kitchen to cut the umbilical cord.

Drought Hits Lemons

New Centre Timetable

Orihuela Costa’s unfinished Emergency Centre in La Zenia is on schedule to be opened in 2019, with Orihuela council making the necessary changes regarding current health and safety regulations, in addition to making the building design more energy efficient. The Valencia regional government’s director general for emergencies, José María Ángel, has said that all that remains to be done is for the project to be formally approved by the Finance ministry, and then the work will be put out to tender. The latest timetable has

slipped back over promises made over the last 18 months that the work would be tendered in the autumn of 2016; followed by a slippage to last summer; and then to the autumn of 2017. Officials have claimed that once the builders move in, it will take only six months for the structure to be finished. The Valencia administration will pump in two point two million euro to finish the project which was abandoned in 2012 when the contractor went bust. Funds that were originally allocated for the building are being recovered but there is a

shortfall of around half a million euro in terms of equipping the first floor of the centre, which the authorities in Orihuela and Valencia are planning to address. The facilities will accommodate the National Police, Guardia Civil, the Orihuela Local Police, plus civil protection and forestry brigade teams. The total size will be just under five thousand metres, with the basement area housing a car park, gym, cells, whilst the ground floor will have a reception area, offices, changing area, bedrooms and a dining room.

Clearer Highways

The ongoing drought has caused a 30% drop in local lemon production according to the young farmers association (Asaja) in Alicante Province. Asaja Orihuela president, Jose Vicente Andreu, told the Información newspaper

that the region, which accounts for some 40% of Spain’s lemons, has seen production fall by a third due to a lack of water. That means, according to Vicente Andreu, the normal size and quality of lemons demanded by the European

export market are not being produced, resulting in a slashing of profit margins. Future harvests are nto expected to be any better, with the artichocke, another Vega Baja specialism, also being badly hit, with a fifty percent fall in crops.

Last winter’s closure of the N-332 in the La Mata area of Torrevieja caused by severe flooding close to the junction with Avenida de Los Europeos should not be repeated thanks to improvements, which were finished a few weeks ago. The Información newspaper reports that road works funded by the Public Works ministry involved creating two new floodwater drainage areas (picture from Informacion), with similar work also being carried out further south on the N-332 around the Orihuela Costa, Pilar de la Horadada and San Pedro del Pinatar areas.

Friday 5th January 2018

Very Strong Approval

Orihuela’s beaches and coastal councillor Luisa Boné (pictured left), along with tourism councillor Sofía Álvarez, have said that approval ratings by beach users had gone up by nine percent in 2017, compared to a year earlier. That means a satisfaction level of 89 percent, based on an overall leap of 15 percent in just two years, despite complaints from residents and organisations like the Federación de Asociaciones de Orihuela Costa (FAOC), over the

state of the local beaches. The survey is compiled by an independent company, and the most rated spots by residents and tourists were Punta Prima and Mil Palmeras (both shared with adjoining municipalities) for the state of their beaches, along with the quality of the information boards in addition to police and lifeguard services. No separate breakdowns for La Zenia or Playa Flamenca were declared in an Orihuela council news release.

The latest beach satisfaction survey carried out in the summer season between June and September also showed a higher appreciation of Orihuela Costa beaches by domestic tourists, compared to previous years. Álvarez said 73 percent of tourists chose the Orihuela Costa last year for the quality of the weather and beaches; 55 percent for shopping; 42 percent for dining out; and 38 percent because of the local golf courses.

Driving Forward

Spain's car industry is expecting to produce three million vehicles this year, returning to levels hit just before the 2008 financial crisis, according to the motor manufacturers association, ANFAC. The sector is expecting to see the final figures for 2017 to show around two point

eight million vehicles manufactured, which is down some two point six million on the 2016 figures. But for this year, apart from manufacturing some three million vehicles, Spain's automobile sector expects to increase the sales of alternative vehicles which use alternative ener-

gies, such as electricity, natural gas, liquefied gas. Car production has played an important role when it comes to Spain's economic recovery, also helped by schemes implemented by the government to try to boost sales during the recession, most notably the PIVE subsidy scheme.

Landmark Ruling

An Almeria court has ruled that a bank employee who committed suicide after a row with a customer, died in a 'work-related accident', meaning his family is entitled to claim compensation. 'Death in service' payments are made by mutual insurers linked to the social security, or national insurance system, where a staff member's demise is directly linked to his or her work – normally within working hours, although sometimes outside of these depending upon the circumstances.

Additionally, widows', widowers' and orphans' pensions are increased in the event of death in service. In the case of the Almeria man, who worked for the Cajamar bank in the city (branch pictured), he had taken his own life just minutes after a heated dispute with a customer relating to a sum of money paid into an account. Judge Óscar López refuted Cajamar's insurance company's claims that there was no way of proving cause and effect.

He said a 'clear link' could be seen between 'a prior work-related conflict', which is 'unquestionable', and the deceased's 'state of stress and nervousness' suffered 'as a result of said conflict'. As well as the verdict meaning death-in-service compensation must now be paid to the man's family, the judge ruled that the employee's spouse and children should get their pensions, which are non-contributory and lifelong or, in the case of the orphans' pensions, continue until adulthood.

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Disgraceful Behaviour

An unnamed British drunk who assaulted two paramedics at San Javier airport in November has been fined 180 euro for a minor assault and ordered to pay 400 euro in compensation to the medical workers. The hearing took place last week. Check-in staff at the airport refused to allow the drunken woman to fly back to Britain, and as she stumbled out of the facility, she collapsed and suffered a head injury.

The reward for the two quick-acting Samur workers was to have the intoxicated female flaying at them with her feet and hands, and she had to be put into restraints normally used for people with psychiatric problems. Guardia Civil officers and security staff helped the medics to stop the unwarranted violence. The drunk was eventually carted off to San Javier’s Los Arcos hospital, where her unhelpful behaviour con-

tinued, and it needed eight staff members to get her to behave like a member of the human race. One of the Samur employees told the La Verdad newspaper: - "She was lying on the floor and bleeding. She kicked us in the head and in our sides and kept insulting us and spitting at us.” The paramedic added that the sentence handed out by the San Javier judge was “on the lenient side”.

Up The Workers

Spain's minimum wage is to go up by four percent this year, with the potential for a further rise over the next two years, if employment and growth rates continues to improve. A deal was struck between Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and trade unions which will see the

country's lowest paid workers receive just over 28 euro more in their pay packets per month this year.. By 2019, Spain's minimum wage will theoretically be raised to 773 euro, a five percent increase, and in 2020 it will go up to 850 euro a month, which equates to a 10 percent rise.

“(Spain has suffered) an intense devaluation of it salaries,” Unai Sordo, leader of the largest union, the Workers' Commissions, said after signing off on the agreement. “This is a boost to rebuild the salaries of people who lost most in the economic crisis.”

3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa in Quesada

Y RT E OP THE R P F O EEK W

This is a wonderfully presented, very homely villa situated in a quiet residential area of Quesada. It is only a 10-minute walk to Quesada high street, therefore, meeting the best of both worlds. Quesada is a thriving little town, with plenty going on and a huge variety of businesses. As you enter the villa, there is a front conservatory with glass curtains, which is a fantastic place to sit and relax during the winter months when it’s possibly too cold to sit outside. The ground floor has a large living area with a spacious kitchen and 1 double bedroom and 1 bathroom. There is also an underbuild, which could be used as a self-contained flat with another living area consisting of 2 double bedrooms, 1 ensuite and a small kitchen. This is great if you have plently of family and friends coming to stay regularly or look after a family member. There are 3 outside areas. The solarium is idyillic with beautiful mountain views - a beautiful sight first thing in the morning!

Property ID: 178 - 155,000€ 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Detached Villa in El Presidente

2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Villa in Campoamor

NIN

Realistically priced, this contemporary Spanish villa is for sale in the sought-after El Presidente estate. An extremely private family villa situated on a corner plot with outstanding qualities that must be seen to be fully appreciated. This villa is situated on a good sized plot of 420 m2 and is close to local amenities. You can see the Med from the solarium.

This superb 2 bedroom 2 bathroom detached villa is being sold fully furnished also with a private pool. It is located in Campoamor, close to beaches, golf courses, a shopping centre and all the amenities you will need. There are two floors, a private pool, terrace, conservatory, air-conditioning, double-glazed windows and gas central heating.

Property ID: 795 - 269,950€

Property ID: 116968 - 179,995€

Properties wanted, all areas. We have clients waiting. 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Villa in La Zenia

3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Detached Villa in Denia

Completely renovated in 2002 with double-glazed windows with mosquito nets and blinds throughout the house, central heating system with radiators (gas), central vacuum system, covered barbecue , games room, air conditioning, drying area and an open garage in a nearby building for two cars and nice Mediterranean garden.

This 3 bed 2 bathroom villa is south-east facing and located in a gated urbanisation. The property comprises three bedrooms, one on the ground floor, two bathrooms, a nice and spacious living-room/dining room with separate modern fitted kitchen. There is space for parking and several large sun terraces, plus a communal swimming pool and garden.

Property ID: 063460 - 299,000€

Property ID: 018872 - 165,000€

3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Quad in La Zenia

Ground-Floor Studio Apartment in San Luis

This fabulous 3 bed quad is situated just 2 min from Zenia Boulevard, and only 3 min from the beaches. It comprises 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge/dining room with log burner, fully fitted American style kitchen. There is a fully glazed porch area leading to the terrace and private swimming pool, a covered al fresco dining area and a rooftop solarium.

An unfurnished ground-floor studio apartment situated in the popular area of San Luis in Torrevieja. The property is located on a main public transport route and is close to all amenities including the local health centre and supermarkets. A great project for someone who likes the challenge of completely transforming a property and making it their own.

Property ID: 063006 - 185,000€

Property ID: 134 - 25,000€

3 Bedroom 3 Bathroom Modern Villa in Benijófar

3 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Apartment in Campoamor

New residential of modern design located next to the urban nucleus of Benijófar. The houses consist of 2 floors and have a magnificent Mediterranean style garden with private pool of 5×3 and independent parking plot. Pre-installation of air conditioning, underfloor heating in bathrooms, electric blinds, preinstallation of alarm.

First-floor apartment with access from the kitchen to a plot of 250m2. The property is close to all local amenities and less than 500m from the beaches. There are 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a living/dining room, kitchen with access to garden and sea views. The apartment boasts a driveway and is sold fully furnished and equipped. Reduced by 100,000 euro.

Property ID: 081008 - 260,000€

Property ID: 0162570 - 125,000€

Health

Friday 5th January 2018

Cervical cancer deaths in over-50s predicted to rise sharply Cervical cancer diagnoses and deaths in England are predicted to rise steeply among women over the age of 50 in the next two decades, even though deaths from the disease among the young who have been vaccinated are likely to be almost eradicated, according to a new study. The HPV jab is radically changing the outlook for cervical cancer among women living in countries where it is routinely given to schoolgirls aged 12 or 13, before they become sexually active, and brings hope in the developing world of reducing the deaths where they are highest. A study of the likely scenario up to 2040 in England, published in the journal Lancet Public Health, says cases are likely to drop by 75% among young women for whom vaccination is now the norm. Deaths from cervi-

cal cancer among the generation who were 17 or younger when the programme was introduced in 2008 will virtually disappear. But there are continuing problems for older women who have never been vaccinated against the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is responsible for triggering most cases of cervical cancer. Approximately 60% of women are infected at some time with HPV. Most clear it from their system, but the vaccine does not work well in women who have ever encountered HPV. Diagnoses and deaths in the 50 to 64 year-old age group are predicted to go up. The number of cases will rise by 62%, say epidemiologists at Queen Mary University London. That could push deaths up by 143%, from 183 in 2015 to 449 in 2040. “The main reason for this is

that the population is ageing and women currently 25-40 will not benefit from vaccination – and they are in the age range where the likelihood of getting an HPV infection is quite high,” said Dr Alejandra Castanon from Queen Mary, one of the authors. Sexual practices among the 25 to 40 age group, and par-

ticularly having multiple partners, put them at greater risk of infection with the sexually-transmitted virus. “Unfortunately, the risk of acquiring an HPV infection that will progress to cancer has increased in unvaccinated individuals born since 1960, suggesting that current screening coverage is not sufficient to maintain –

much less reduce – cervical cancer incidence in the next 20 years,” says the paper. Cervical cancer may also now be thought of as less of a threat, even among women who have not been vaccinated. The older women get, the more likely they are to feel secure, particularly if they have one long-term partner. Perhaps as a result, fewer women have been going to be screened – but an infection takes at least 10 years to cause cancer. The authors and the charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, which funded the research, say there must be more effort to increase screening rates – and that the new more accurate form of screening, a test for HPV infection – is needed earlier than the planned introduction in 2019. Robert Music, chief executive of the trust, said: “This

research should serve as a wakeup call and the need for action. Continued declining cervical screening attendance will cost lives at all ages and must not happen. We are faced with an ageing population and risk among older women rocketing, therefore changes to the programme which could reduce this risk must be explored, including increasing the screening age from 64 and self-testing.” In an editorial in the journal, Nicolas Wentzensen and Mark Schiffman from the Centers for Disease Control in Bethesda, US, say there is an argument for vaccinating women up to the age of 30 in developing countries, after a test to establish they are not infected with HPV. This can help increase herd immunity, by reducing the amount of virus circulating in the community.

Ban sale of energy drinks to under-16s Energy drinks should be banned from sale to young people under the age of 16, health experts have warned in light of a study showing they have unacceptably high levels of sugar and caffeine. The study in the journal BMJ Open analyses the sugar, caffeine and carbohydrate content of energy drinks, which include brands such as Monster and Rockstar as well as supermarket ownbrands. In both 2015 and 2017, the average sugar content of the energy drinks was more than the entire recommended daily maximum for an adult in the UK. The campaigning group Action on Sugar, whose researchers carried out the study, is calling for a ban on sales to under-16s. “This study illustrates the huge contribution of energy drinks to sugar intake, which is linked to the development of obesity and various types

of cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes and rotting our children’s teeth. They are completely inappropriate for children to consume, form no part of a healthy balanced diet, and

should be banned for under16s,” said its chairman, Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London. TV chef and food campaign-

er Jamie Oliver has also called for a ban on sales of energy drinks to children, as have teacher groups. Energy drinks are marketed for general consumption, rather than for athletes, who

are targeted with so-called “sports” drinks. Children and teenagers drink them more than older adults, even though energy drinks with high caffeine levels over 150mg per litre have to carry a warning that they are not recommended for children or pregnant women. The study found that the 43 products carrying such warnings contained the caffeine equivalent of nearly two cups of coffee. “Since children and teenagers are the main consumers of energy drinks, manufacturers should consider reducing levels of caffeine,” says the study. That would also help reduce the sugar levels. “The removal of caffeine also allows for the removal of 10.3% of sugar without affecting taste, which has the potential to reduce body weight of adults by 0.6 kg, without any change in

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sugar-sweetened drinks consumption,” says the paper. Soft drinks are responsible for 30% of the sugar intake of children aged 4-10 and 40% of those aged 11-18. Energy drinks were typically sold in 500ml cans and bottles, which is larger than a standard soft drink. In 2015, 86% of products in 2015 exceeded the maximum daily recommendation for sugar intake for a child aged 7–10 years (24 g/day – equivalent to six teaspoons of sugar) and 78% in 2017. The threat of the sugary soft drinks tax, which the government plans to introduce in April, has led to some reformulation of some of energy drinks to reduce their sugar levels – but only by 10% on drinks that are still very high in sugar. Almost all – 95% – would receive a red label for sugar content under nutritional traffic light warnings.

Health

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WHY WHEAT IS BAD FOR YOU Grains include wheat, barley, corn, rice, millet and sorghum. They have been a staple food of many cultures for millennia, however, they are not particularly healthy. This is because of the way that they are produced. Like many staple foods, they are mass produced to sustain populations in times of needs. While these foods have served, and continue to serve humanity, the problem today is that they are being genetically modified. One of the most heavily genetically modified grains is wheat. Interference with this crop has been going on since the mid-1970s. As a result, today’s wheat is a completely different plant to what it was 50 years ago. Think about that – within two generations humans have completely changed a food source. Why alter wheat at all? Science has been trying to grow more resilient forms of wheat that will lead to bigger harvests. It has especially concentrated on designing wheat that is immune to common diseases and insects. This objective appears to be harmless, but it has resulted in the addition of more forms of toxins to the plant. It has also increased the concentration of toxins that were already known to

lectin. Every human being develops an adverse reaction to WGA, but it will cause more severe problems in some people than in others. There is no test for WGA sensitivity in wheat. WGA and other lectins have been linked to many chronic diseases including coeliac, diabetes, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, obesity, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, hormonal imbalances, and many other diseases.

be present in the grains. In the past, people could tolerate the levels of naturally occurring toxins. However, because today’s wheat has a much higher level of toxins, many people have become wheat intolerant. This means that they experience unpleasant side-effects when they eat it, such as bloating and digestive discomfort. There are other problems with modern wheat. The older wheat, called spelt, as well as other grains, such as rye, are still a healthy food option. Luckily these grains are commonly available in supermarkets, so replacing wheat in your diet is an easy process.

Wheat is a common staple of many people’s diets. From bread and pasta, to cereal and cake, it appears at nearly every meal time. However, it is not a food that should be eaten every day – in fact, it is something that ought to be avoided altogether. Here are five reasons why you should avoid this grain if you want to maintain good health.

sensitivity. However, it is important to release that the gluten sensitivity test only checks for Alpha gliadin, which is one of the main four types of gliadins in wheat. There are numerous other proteins in wheat that cause abdominal problems including bloating, abdominal pain, cramps, irritable bowel, coeliac etc.

1. Wheat contains gluten: While many people understand that gluten is found in wheat, what they do not know that is that gluten is a name for different types of proteins. The main components of gluten are gliadin and glutenin. Gliadin is what people are sensitive to and it is what will be tested for when checking for gluten

2. WGA (Wheat Germ Agglutinin): Researchers have found that a particularly toxic form of protein called WGA in wheat. This is even worse than gluten! WGA is known as a lectin. Lectins are chemicals that plants use to defend themselves against infections. The Lectin in wheat, called WGA, is one of the most toxic forms of this

3. Wheat is grown with more chemicals than any other plant: Studies show that nearly 90% of all wheat consumed is grown with the herbicide called Roundup. Roundup mainly contains a chemical called glyphosate, and recently, WHO listed glyphosate as a likely cancer causing compound. Glyphosate is known to destroy beneficial bacteria in the gut, which opens the body to all sorts of chronic illnesses. It has also been directly linked to autoimmune diseases. This type of disease describes a situation whereby the body starts to attack itself.

existing nutrients. One study showed a reduction of up to 30% in zinc, copper, iron and magnesium when compared to wheat from the 1960s. 5. Fibre in wheat is not healthy: Wheat is promoted as a good source of fibre and conventional medicine advises patients to eat wholemeal wheat to provide themselves with sufficient fibre. Contrary to this advice is that wheat contains one of the worst forms of fibre in nature called Amylopectin. Unlike other fibres that help to maintain the bulk of food and allows for easy passage of digesting food through the bowels, Amylopectin begins digestion in the mouth. Enzymes in saliva start digesting wheat and dissolving it even before it arrives at the stomach and intestine which makes it a poor fibre. It is also harmful to your teeth and increases the likelihood of cavities. Worse still, wheat is a huge contributor to weight gain because of its effect on blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that two slices of bread will increase blood sugar more than six teaspoons of white sugar, which makes wheat cause more weight gain than sugar.

4. Less nutrients in wheat: Studies comparing the wheat of today to wheat grown seventy years ago shows that there is a fraction of the

Call 965 071 745, 966 189 074 for a Full Body Diagnostic Scan. For more information visit www.medb.es

Are larger wine glasses encouraging excessive alcohol consumption? by Tony Simson "How wine glasses have doubled in size since the 1990s and are driving higher consumption rates," said a recent newspaper headline. The headline is based on a study completed by researchers at the University of Cambridge following concerns that increasing glass sizes in England may be influencing how much alcohol people consume. This research provides some evidence that glass sizes have increased over the years, which may have led to greater alcohol consumption. But it only looked at glass size, not the amount of alcohol drunk, so can't prove that the increase in glass size has directly led to higher rates of alcohol consumption. The Mail Online's headline is therefore misleading. People can be prone to

what's known as the unit bias heuristic, which is when we measure amounts in discrete units (such as a glass of wine or a cup of coffee), rather than thinking about the total amount we're consuming. So if a glass is larger, people may drink more than they're aware.

This study presents an alternative option for addressing excessive drinking in the UK. It makes the case for regulating glass size in licenced premises and encouraging proportional pricing, which may increase the demand for smaller glasses of wine.

Food & Drink

Friday 5th January 2018

Chunky Butternut Mulligatawny

Turkish One-Pan Eggs & Peppers (Menemen)

This gutsy dish is genuine street food and a brilliant family dish for brunch, lunch or supper. This spicy soup with basmati rice and apples is chunky, warming and wholesome - plus its low in fat and calories to boot. Ingredients 2 tbsp olive or rapeseed oil 2 onions, finely chopped 2 dessert apples, peeled and finely chopped 3 celery sticks, finely chopped Â˝ small butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, chopped into small pieces 2-3 heaped tbsp glutenfree curry powder (depending on how spicy you like it) 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 1 tbsp nigella seeds (also called black onion or kalonji seeds) 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes

1Â˝ l gluten-free chicken or vegetable stock 140g basmati rice small pack parsley, chopped 3 tbsp mango chutney, plus a little to serve, if you like (optional) natural yogurt, to serve Method Heat the oil in your largest saucepan. Add the onions, apples and celery with a pinch of salt. Cook for 10 mins, stirring now and then, until softened. Add the butternut squash, curry powder, cinnamon, nigella seeds and a grind of black pepper. Cook for

2 mins more, then stir in the tomatoes and stock. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins. By now the vegetables should be tender but not mushy. Stir in the rice, pop the lid back on and simmer for another 12 mins until the rice is cooked through. Taste and add more seasoning if needed. Stir through the parsley and mango chutney, then serve in bowls with yogurt and extra mango chutney on top, if you like.

Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 2 onions, sliced 1 red or green pepper, halved deseeded and sliced 1-2 red chillies, deseeded and sliced 400g can chopped tomatoes 1-2 tsp caster sugar 4 eggs small bunch parsley, roughly chopped 6 tbsp thick, creamy

yoghurt 2 garlic cloves, crushed Method Heat the oil in a heavybased frying pan. Stir in the onions, pepper and chillies. Cook until they begin to soften. Add the tomatoes and sugar, mixing well. Cook until the liquid has reduced, season. Using a wooden spoon, create 4 pockets in the tomato mixture and crack

the eggs into them. Cover the pan and cook the eggs over a low heat until just set. Beat the yogurt with the garlic and season. Sprinkle the menemen with parsley and serve from the frying pan with a dollop of the garlicflavoured yogurt. Prep: 10 Mins Cook: 25 Mins Serves 4

Spanish Meatball & Butter Bean Stew

Prep: 25 Mins Cook: 40 Mins Serves: 6

Ingredients

(optional)

350g lean pork mince 2 tsp olive oil 1 large red onion, chopped 2 peppers, sliced, any colour will do 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tbsp sweet smoked paprika 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes 400g can butter beans, drained 2 tsp golden caster sugar small bunch parsley, chopped crusty bread, to serve

Method Season the pork, working the seasoning in with your hands, then shape into small meatballs. Heat the oil in a large pan, add the meatballs and cook for 5 mins, until golden brown all over. Push to one side of the pan and add the onion and peppers. Cook for a further 5 mins, stirring now and then, until the veg has softened, then stir in the garlic and paprika. Stir

everything around in the pan for 1 min, then add the tomatoes. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 mins. Uncover, stir in the beans, the sugar and some seasoning, then simmer for a further 10 mins, uncovered. Just before serving, stir in the parsley. Serve with crusty bread for dunking, if you like. Prep: 15 Mins Cook: 35 Mins Serves: 3

Food & Drink

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Food

Friday 5th January 2018

Chicken & Ham Lasagne

Ingredients 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (around 700g) Â˝ medium onion, sliced 2 bay leaves 200ml white wine 100g butter 100g plain flour 500ml semi-skimmed milk 140g sliced smoked ham, cut into strips 200g young spinach leaves 225g no pre-cook dried lasagne sheets (about 20 sheets) 200g grated Mozzarella 25g parmesan, finely grated Method Put the chicken breasts in a medium saucepan with the onion, bay leaves and wine. Pour over just enough water

to cover, around 200ml. Put a lid on top and bring to a gentle simmer. Poach gently for 15 mins or until the chicken is just cooked. Transfer the chicken to a board and strain the liquid into a jug. Melt the butter in a large non-stick saucepan over a medium heat. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon and cook for about a minute. Gradually add the milk, a little at a time, stirring well between each addition to ensure the sauce stays smooth. Once all the milk has been added, stir in the reserved cooking liquid and continue cooking for a further 2-3 mins. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cut the chicken into small

chunks and stir into the saucepan. Add the ham and spinach and cook until the spinach has wilted. Spoon a third of the chicken mixture into the base of a 3-litre lasagne dish (about 26 x 18cm). Top with a third of the lasagne sheets. Repeat the layers twice more, ending with lasagne. Scatter the mozzarella and Parmesan on top and season with black pepper. Can be frozen at this stage. Bake for about 25 mins or until the lasagne is tender, the topping is well browned and the filling hot. Prep: 20 Mins Cook: 50 Mins Serves: 6-8

Double Choc Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

Method

100g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature 100g light brown sugar 100g caster sugar 1 egg, beaten 150g self-raising flour 2 tbsp cocoa powder Âź tsp salt 200g milk chocolate 150g chopped into chunks and 50g melted for drizzling 75g peanut butter (crunchy or smooth is fine) handful of salted peanuts, roughly chopped milk to serve, optional

Heat the oven to 180c/160 fan/gas mark 4 and line two baking trays with parchment. Using a food mixer or electric whisk beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and whisk to combine then beat in the flour, cocoa powder, salt and chocolate chunks until fully incorporated. Using a spoon swirl the peanut butter through the cookie dough. Scoop the dough into 12 large cookies onto the two

trays using a dessert spoon, leaving plenty of room between each cookie as they'll spread. Bake in the oven for 9-10 mins until still soft and melty in the middle. They will look underbaked but will harden once cool. Drizzle over the melted milk chocolate and top with a few chopped peanuts and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Serve with a glass of milk for dunking.

Prep: 20 Mins Cook: 10 Mins Serves: 12

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.com The Three Kings Visit Orihuela and the Coast It seems like the Christmas holidays were never going to end, not that any of us here were complaining, but today, Friday 5 January marks the culmination of a month-long series of festivities, parades Christmas events, religious masses and services, with the fiesta of the Reyes Magos or Three Wise Men. Many municipalities will be heralding their arrival in just a few hours’ time.

Focusing on the area of Orihuela and Orihuela Costa, the main events out in the streets will be the traditional Cabalgata de Reyes or Three Kings Parade. In the main city of Orihuela this will begin at 18.00h and travel through the streets of the city from its starting point at Las Espeñetas until it finishes in calle San Gregorio. “The Department of Fiestas takes a great deal of care and love to organise this parade, making sure that every detail is perfect in order to ensure that this is a magical night especially for the children and that this air of magic fills the streets of Orihuela,” said Orihuela’s councillor of Fiestas. “This is a very varied parade, filled with much hope and emotion, predominantly aimed at the little ones. There will be dancing, huge floats, music, animals and cartoon characters including the likes of Aladdin,” she added. Visitors will also see a representation of the traditional Bethlehem scene as the Wise Men approach the baby Jesus, having been first guided by the star of the East. At the end of the night, children attending the event will receive gifts from a train that has been loaded up with presents. Prior to the main event, at 10.00 am, the Three Kings will be formally received by the Mayor of Orihuela, Emilio Bascuñana, at the town hall. He will hand over the keys to the city so that during the night of the 5th, the Kings can visit all the homes in the municipality and leave gifts for all the children. Orihuela Costa Parade And, this year, if all goes according to plan and the event isn’t cancelled at the last minute, the Coast will also be having its very own Three Kings parade this evening. This event has been organised by the Department of Commerce. The Coast’s procession will start at 17.00 h from the Town Hall of Playa Flamenca and follow calle Nicolás de Bussi until it arrives at the Zenia Boulevard Commercial Centre. This procession will also feature floats, children’s animation and dancing, but most likely on a much smaller scale than that of its city counterpart!

.com Events Calendar

The roscón de reyes is full of gold

Until Friday 5 January, 2018 Alicante Christmas Craft Market on the Avenida de Federico Soto Until Sunday 7 January, 2018 Alicante Ice Skating in the in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento Toboggan Run in the Plaza de la Montaneta

This year, the traditional Three King´s Cake, the Roscón de Reyes, has taken an exciting twist, with some unusual surprises hidden in them from certain shops. Traditionally, a small figuring of one of the Kings is hidden inside the cream-filled ring, and, so long as the lucky recipient doesn´t break a tooth, tradition dictates that good luck and fortune will follow. However, this year, the El Corte Inglés department store has added an extra bonus, by hiding gold ingots inside their rings, with a staggering 48,000€ worth of prizes up for grabs. If gold doesn´t tickle your fancy, then maybe the surprise from a manufacturer in Alicante will, as they have hidden “adult” toys in their rings, certain to add pleasure to the celebrations. That said, you better hurry if you want to participate, as you only have Friday to purchase your King´s Ring. But, if you miss out, don´t worry, all is not lost, you just have to turn your attention to Easter and start buying Cadbury´s Cream Eggs, as for their 2018 campaign they have created exclusive white chocolate eggs, which can bag the lucky finder two thousand pounds, although for those of us who don´t like white chocolate, even two grand is not enough! Good luck

Local Markets Friday Albatera, Almoines, Banyeres, Benejuzar, Beniarres, Benidoleig, Crevillente, Daimus, Denia (Rastro), El Verger, Finestrat, Gata de Gorgos, Granja de Rocamora, L’ Alfas del Pi, Monforte del Cid, Monstesinos, Moraira, Muro de Alcoi, Oliva, Onil, Petrer, Pilar de la Horadada, Playa de Daimus (summer evenings), Rafol d’ Almunia, Sella, Tibi, Torrevieja, Villalonga. Saturday Alcoi, Alicante, Almoradi, Alqueria, Banyeres, Bellreguard, Benifairo, Benissa, Callosa d’En Sarria, Calpe, Castalla, Castell de Castells, Catral, Elche, Elda , La Font d’En Carros, La Romana, Gaianes, Hondon de las Nieves, Novelda, Ondara, Pedreguer, Tavernes de la Valdigna (summer evenings), San Vicente del Raspeig, Salinas, Relleu, Santa Pola, Xalo (Jalon) Rastro Sunday Benidorm, Elche, La Nucia, Campoverde, Algorfa, La Marina, Zoco, Almoradí street market, Lemon Tree Road, Mil Palmeras. Monday Agres, Callosa d’En Sarria, Cox, Denia, Elche, Formentera, Granja de Rocamora, Ibi, La Nucia, Llocnou de Sant Jeroni, Parcent, Petrer, Penaguila, Playa de Miramar (summer evenings), Monover, Real de Gandia, San Pedro del Pinatar, Santa Pola, Sax, Torremendo, Xeraco Tuesday Alicante (Rastro), Aspe, Altea, Barx, Bellreguard, Benijofar, Campo de Mirra, Castalla, Elda, Orihuela, Palma de Gandia, Piles, Playa de Piles (summer evenings), Rafelcofer, Relleu, San Fulgencio, Sella, Tibi, Villalonga, Xalo(Jalon), Xeresa Wednesday Ador, Albatera, Alcoi, Alqueries, Almoines, Banyeres, Barx, Benjema, Beniaries, Benidorm, Benilloba, Benitatxell, Biar, Callosa de Segura, Calpe (Rastro), El Campello, Elda, Guardamar del Segura, La Font d’en Carros, La Mata, Muchamiel, Monforte del Cid, Novelda, Orba, Ondara, Petrer, Polop, Potries, Rotova, San Miguel de Salinas, Sella, Teulada

Friday 5 January, 2018 Benijófar Three Kings Parade from the Plaza Miguel Ortega finishing at the Church Almoradí Three Kings Parade from the Colegio Canales to the Plaza de la Constitución Guardamar Three Kings Parade Formentera del Segura Three Kings Parade 18:30 Rojales Three Kings Parade, leaving the medical centre at 18.30h San Miguel de Salinas Three Kings Parade at 18h from the church square Orihuela Three Kings Parade from Las Espenetas to calle San Gregorio 18:00 Orihuela Costa Three Kings Parade along calles Nicolas de Bussy from 17:00, Salvador Dali finishing at Zenia Boulevard Santa Pola Three Kings Parade 19:00 Torrevieja Three Kings Parade in the port area. Saturday 6 January Torrevieja 8th New Year-Three Kings Concert by Torrevieja Symphonic Orchestra, 7pm (Peter has tickets to give away in his show) Orihuela Grand Three Kings Concert in the Glorieta Gabriel Miro Sunday 7 January, 2018 Rojales The Jungle Book (in Spanish) at 17.30h at the Capitol Theatre Torrevieja 8th New Year-Three Kings Concert by Torrevieja Symphonic Orchestra, 7pm (Peter has tickets to give away in his show) New Year Gala 2018 - Virgen del Carmen 19.30h - music, ballet etc. Rojales Cuevas del Rodeo Art and Craft Market Tuesday 16 January, 2018 Torrevieja The St Petersburg Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker at the Auditorium Friday 19 January, 2018 Torrevieja Rosalía & Raul Refree - flamenco music concert by rising flamenco star Rosalia Saturday 20 January Torrevieja Creating Your Dream 2018 workshop at Casa Ventura

Thursday Agost, Agres, Albatera, Alguena, Alicante, Aspe, Benidoleig, Campoamor near Cabo Roig medical centre, Cocentaina, Hondon de los Frailes, Llocnou de Sant Jeroni, Pego, Playe de Bellreguard (summer evenings), Rafelcofer, Rojales, Tavernes de Valldigna, Villajoyosa, Xabia (Javia), Xixona (Jijona)

Sunday 25 February, 2018 Denia Eco Fair and Vegan Picnic

CLASSIFIE SITUATIONS VACANT Solar Power - Sunlife Solar Solutions have vacancies for both a Solar Installation Engineer and a Solar Thermal Engineer (or plumber with pool heating experience). Call 965 271 717 or send your CV to info@sunlifesolarsolutions.c om RADIO SALES - Come and join the team at TKO. Email your cv to admin@tko.media, full training is given so donÂ´t be shy, email us today. Field and telesales reps wanted, full training given, experience desired, call The Courier 966 921 003. Radio Sales - RADIO COSTA MEDIA needs selfemployed salesperson for Torrevieja & surrounding areas. Call 685 901 265 or please email info@radiocosta.eu Realtor vacancy - Proven track record, experience, local knowledge all essential. Car essential, multi-lingual desired. Send CV to: office@easybuyproperties.com CHURCH SERVICES Torrevieja Christian Fellowship at Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas 68, Torrevieja 03183, all welcome to their friendly and lively 10.30 am. Service each Sunday morning. Tele: 966700391 or visit our website on www.tcfspain.org. International Christian Assembly, Calle Pilar de Horadada 5, Torrevieja. Evangelical non-denomina-

tional church. Sunday services 11am. Children's church 11am.. For more information lease Telephone today: 966 799 273 or 660 127 276. QUIZ MASTER Experienced quiz-master /question setter with personality. If you would like a quiz master that is entertaining, and is available to host quiz nights in local bars. Tel: 664 838 581. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES VENDING ROUTE Good monthly cash income. Financing available. 697 834 934 FOR SALE DUE TO RETIREMENT New and Used Furniture Business, well known, repeat business from regular clientele. Trading for over 10 years. Only serious applicants need apply. For more information Tel: 620 582 063 SERVICES STRUCTURAL SURVEYS Mark Paddon BSC Hons Building Surveying MCIOB. CAAT. Buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and defect reports. Tele. 653 733 066 www.surveryorspain.com

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TRELI ON THE TELLY WITH ALEXâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;TRELINSKI

The acid test of whether a new tv drama series hits the mark is always at the end of the first episode when you want the next instalment to hit the screen quickly. Using that as a standard, BBC 1's McMafia passed the test with flying colours, and we only had to wait a day for the second episode! I always exhibit an element of caution when a new programme is heavily hyped, and that was the case with McMafia, with trailers appearing at the back end of November, but fortunately the buzz that was created has been worth it. Some viewers expressed comments that they found McMafia to be slow and the plot to be confusing, leading me to believe that too much of the New Year alcohol was in their blood stream. We even got the predictable views that they expected some kind of new version of The Night Manager (series two scripts being written right now), but why have a copy of something that was, and should be very different? I found the writing and plotting of McMafia to be

Norton Shows Style

well executed, with our lead character played by James Norton being the Britishbrought-up son of a Russian family living in exile in the UK, after crossing too many paths with business and Russia mafia rivals back home. Norton, as we've seen in Happy Valley, Grantchester, and in War & Peace, has that rare gift of immediately grabbing your attention (no wonder some people see him as a Daniel Craig replacement as James Bond), and he's perfect as the son trying to live an honest life trying to run his own enterprise, with no influence from other members of his family. Of course, events take a turn for the worst with the killing of his uncle who seemed to be involved in a dodgy deal, and Norton's path crosses with a slimeylooking character played by the excellent American actor David Strathairn, and we are not sure whether he is telling the truth or not. Two episodes in, McMafia (Srathairn's character explains the show's title based on the book penned by ex-BBC journalist Misha

Glenny) is an enjoyable feast of intrigue, backed up by some great location shoots. Tucked away on BBC Four was Eric, Ernie, and Me, based on the biography of scriptwriter Eddie Braben, who made Morecambe and Wise into megastars during

their time at the BBC. What was interesting about this drama was that Eric and Ernie, though not portrayed as baddies, were shown to be demanding in their script requirements, and this was a departure from their normal cuddly and friendly image. The pressure was

immense on Braben, and it hit him health-wise as he worked tirelessly on delivering new ideas and high quality scripts. In all aspects of television down the decades, writers have never got the appreciation and financial rewards that they have deserved, and Eric,

Ernie, and Me was a good reminder of just how important they are. It's great to see Carla back on Coronation Street, and of course rekindling her wonderful friendship with Roy as she has to deal with some serious health issues. That and cold-assassin Ken Barlow threatening Billy in McMafia style at his hospital bed to keep his trap shut over his trip to countryside with Peter Barlow, keeps Corrie right at the top of the soap pile for me. The recasting of Rory on Mrs. Brown's Boys just didn't cut the mustard for me after Rory Cowan quit the show last year. Where did Brendan O'Carroll find such a whimp? The fun with the original Rory was all the laughs and corpsing scenes, and he was irreplaceable. So, just write him out please Brendan! After a bargain basement festive schedule that lacked any imagination, ITV are coming out fighting from this weekend, which can only be good for viewers. Much as I'm a BBC fan, we need a strong ITV putting out quality entertainment and drama

Meanwhile, Cain is livid that he wasn’t told everything. Elsewhere, Alex receives some advice. Monday Laurel and Bob cover their hurt as they say they don’t want each other. Later, Brenda reveals that Heath has hit Arthur when he was asked about Bob’s affair. Bob sees Brenda in a new light after she handles the situation well, so he vows to get her back. Meanwhile, Sarah demands answers. Elsewhere, Paddy is wary of Robert.

Tuesday Bob vows to get Brenda back. Bob leaves a trail of clues that Brenda must follow, but after many mishaps, will Brenda find her man? Will Bob get to propose, and if he does, will Brenda say yes? Meanwhile, Debbie receives a phone call from the police asking to speak to her and Charity. Both are shocked when they arrive at the station, but why? Elsewhere, Robert smells a rat.

Later, Chrissie commits a huge betrayal behind Lachlan’s back, when she manages to get Belle to end their relationship after telling her all about his mental problems and his episode in the attic.

Friday Having finally got hold of Matt, Luke arranges to meet him at a bar in town. When he arrives early, Luke is intrigued to spot Matt deep in conversation with Meanwhile, Robert hires a Phelan. private investigator to find out if the Whites are hiding anything and he’s shocked to hear about their plans to move to Australia. Elsewhere, uncertain.

Brenda

Also today, the Dingles rally around a family mem- With Phelan gone, Luke ber. approaches Matt. Matt admits that he has no idea where Andy is and that the back-packing story was Phelan’s invention. Finding out from Seb that Phelan has gone to the new development site, Luke arrives at the mill and demands to know what’s happened to Andy. Thursday With Victoria’s help, Robert snatches Seb At the mill, Luke quizzes as the Whites pack the car Phelan about Andy, conto leave. He sets off at vinced that he knows more pace with Seb in his car. than he’s letting on. When Phelan fails to answer The Whites frantically take Luke’s questions, Luke chase with Lachlan in the resolves to report Andy front seat. The Whites are missing to the police and in hot pursuit as Lachlan tell them all he knows. But tells a shocked Chrissie as Luke goes to leave, that he knows what she Phelan smacks him over said to Belle and lunges for the head with a rock. the steering wheel. The car veers into the opposite The men fight and Luke lane into the path of a lorry. punches Phelan, knocking him unconscious. Luke staggers to his car and sets off, but Phelan gives chase in his van. Will he be able to stop Luke?

Wednesday Although the Whites are planning to

In turmoil, a tearful Kate approaches the Nazirs and tells them that she’s leaving for Devon. Rana follows Kate out of the pub and begs her not to go, but their farewell is cut short by the arrival of Sophie. Deeply upset, Kate tells Rana that she’s going to go and stay at Carla’s house to try and get her head together. The girls watch sadly as Kate’s taxi pulls away.

Wednesday Phelan makes it clear to Seb that he knows he’s been snooping around. Seb is unnerved. In a bid to stay out of Phelan’s way, Seb helps Eileen at the cab office, but is Phelan on to him? Meanwhile, after a fruitless meeting with the bank, Zeedan tells Rana they’ll have to put their business on hold for now. He asks Robert for his old job back at the Bistro. When Sophie admits that she really likes Kate, Rana is quick to put her off, saying that Kate wouldn’t be interested.

Monday Tipsy Kate and Sophie arrive home from a night on the town, which ends up in a doorstep snog.

When Eileen spots Phelan’s toolbox, she asks him to fix a door. Assuming the gun to be in the toolbox, Seb looks at Phelan with baited breath. Phelan quickly changes the subject and Eileen is left none the wiser.

Meanwhile, Moira makes Sophie is thrilled, but when Ross a generous offer. Will Rosie unwittingly lets slip he agree to work for her? about the kiss to Rana, she’s gutted. Lachlan’s actions have consequences, but will Meanwhile, Saira and everyone be okay? Hassan take Imran, Rana

Unable to take anymore, Seb gathers his things and is intent on doing a runner. Eileen wants to know what's going on. Terrified, Seb tells her that Phelan is not who she thinks he is .

Meanwhile, Harriet confides in Laurel about how she’s feeling. Elsewhere, Ross makes a decision.

tries to get the job at the launderette. Is she right to be optimistic when she tells her family that she has the job in the bag?

and Zeedan for lunch at the Bistro, where they raise a toast to Zeedan and his business venture.

move to Australia, Chrissie fails to convince Lachlan to go.

Friday Reality hits home for one resident.

SOAPS

Friday 5th January 2018

Monday Shirley tells Whitney that she’s no longer needed at the Queen Vic. As Whitney considers other options, she confides in Bex by revealing that there might be a new opportunity for her in Yorkshire. Just as Whitney starts to consider leaving Albert Square, she’s in for a shock as Tiffany arrives on her doorstep unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Masood is playing the big shot as he tries to show everyone how successful he is with his new ice cream business. He even tells Jack that he’s interested in renting one of his flats and will pay the money upfront. However, Masood is secretly desperate to get the money together. Elsewhere, Karen lands herself a job interview at the launderette, which is now re-opening. Tuesday As Tiffany’s return to Walford causes a stir, Whitney tells her that she’s moving to Wakefield for a new job. Tiffany has other ideas as she’s keen to move back to Albert Square full-time, so she gets up to no good. How will this affect Whitney’s plans for the future? Meanwhile, Masood learns that Mariam and Arshad have taken in a new foster child called Daisy. The day takes a turn for the worse when Masood is asked to look after Daisy for a few minutes and she goes missing. Elsewhere, Karen has a difficult interview with Mr Papadopoulos Jnr as she

Thursday Mel Owen returns to Albert Square after nearly 16 years away, but the big question is why she’s back. Ian is surprised when Mel turns up at the cafe unexpectedly and they start to catch up. When Mel uses the conversation to her advantage, has an ulterior motive for returning been revealed?

Sacha and Donna are anxious when they have to admit an injured inmate from prison.

After a conversation with Ric, Sacha is determined to find a way to protect his friend, but will he only make things worse? Meanwhile, Jac has filled her schedule on her first day back in surgery, but is wrong-footed when Gaskell challenges her with a complicated crossspecialism case. Frieda can only watch as Jac powers through, but will she come to regret it?

Week Days 08:00 Breakfast with Peter Hurst 11:00 Mornings with Dennis Christian - DC, AM to PM 14:00 Afternoons with Alex Trelinski - Alex in the Afternoon. 17:00 Drivetime (AKA Tea Time) with Mark Nolan

Weekends Saturday 09:00 Breakfast with Tim Bridge 12:00 Saturday Afternoons with Paul Norman 15:00 Saturday Sports with Alex Trelinski 18:00 Entertainment Power 20:00 Northern Soul

Sunday 09:00 Breakfast with Tim Bridge 12:00 Soul & Mowtown 14:00 Gary Jackson 16:00 The Retro Chart 18:00 Classic Country

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Friday TV 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Rip Off Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Wanted Down Under 12:45 Close Calls: On Camera 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Father Brown 16:00 I Escaped to the Country 16:45 The Farmers’ Country Showdown 17:30 Antiques Road Trip 18:15 Pointless 19:00 News 20:00 Celebrity Mastermind John Humphrys puts four more celebrities in the spotlight in another episode of the classic quiz. Taking part tonight are comedian Dane Baptiste, vlogger Grace Victory, actress Annie Wallace and broadcaster Martin Bell. 20:30 Match of the Day Live: Liverpool v Everton Coverage of the thirdround fixture at Anfield, as the Merseyside rivals face each other with a place in the fourth round at stake. In one of his first interviews after being appointed Toffees manager, Sam Allardyce made it clear that he believes his new club should be targeting a place in European club competitions, as well as aiming to reach the domestic cup finals, but if he is to deliver on that proclamation in his first season he must first steer his charges past their cross-city rivals. 23:00 News 23:35 Graham Norton’s 00:25 Enterprice 00:50 Film - Shanghai Noon (12) 02:35 Weather 02:40 News

07:00 Flog it! Trade Secrets 07:30 The Farmers’ Country Showdown 08:15 Antiques Road Trip 09:00 MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00 News 12:00 Westminster in Review 13:00 Coast 13:10 Film - The Triple Cross (PG) 15:15 Dolphins: Spy in the Pod 17:15 Planet Earth II 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Railway Journeys 20:00 Attenborough and the Empire of the Ants David Attenborough tells the story of two physically identical species of ant that live in the same area in the foothills of the Swiss Alps, but have two very different strategies to survive the harsh environment. 21:00 Mastermind Quiz 21:30 Christmas University Challenge 2017: The Grand Final Which university will be Christmas University Challenge champions? 22:00 Rome Unpacked Giorgio Locatelli and Andrew Graham-Dixon explore Italy’s iconic capital, discovering the generations of ordinary Romans who have left their mark on the city’s culture and gastronomy. 23:00 QI 23:30 Newsnight 00:05 Deep Water 01:55 Looking for Fred Astaire 02:55 My Passion for Trees 03:55 The Ultimate Disco Movie

BBC announce debut series of Mister Winner

Following a successful pilot, broadcast as part of the Comedy Playhouse earlier this year, Mister Winner is set to return to BBC One for a six-part series in 2018. It stars Spencer Jones (Upstart Crow, Tim Vine Travels Through Time) as the ironically named Leslie Winner, who despite all the best intentions is forever finding himself in disastrous situations. Leslie was last seen winning the heart, and hand in marriage, of his girlfriend Jemma Smith (Aimee-Ffion Edwards - Detectorists, Peaky Blinders), but not before his elaborate plan to propose from within a shark tank took a turn for the worse! The pilot also featured Jemma’s parents, the anxious and hot-headed Chris (Shaun Williamson -

EastEnders, Extras), who tried to control his anger through children’s colouring books, and his calm and optimistic wife of 30 years, Teresa (Dorothy Atkinson Call The Midwife, Mum). While supportive of their daughter’s relationship, Leslie’s many mishaps took their toll, especially when he accidentally electrocuted Chris’ beloved koi carp. What more could possibly go wrong in the series for a man named Winner? Spencer Jones says: "The pilot episode was one of the best times I've ever had on set, so I cannot wait to get stuck in again with such a brilliant, funny, and talented group of actors. Thanks very much to the BBC for getting behind us, and championing a show we all hope people will laugh at and love."

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07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 News 15:00 Midsomer Murders 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 News 20:00 Emmerdale Reality hits home for one resident. 20:30 Coronation Street Luke begins to see through Phelan’s deceit. 21:00 River Monsters A fishing community on a Pacific island is being terrorised by something in the water that leaves mysterious puncture wounds on its victims. 21:30 Coronation Street Phelan resolves to stop Luke from reporting Andy missing.

07:20 3rd Rock from the Sun 08:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:30 Frasier 11:05 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00 Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 13:00 News 13:05 Couples Come Dine with Me 14:05 Posh Pawn 15:10 Countdown 16:00 The Secret Life of the Zoo 17:00 A Place in the Sun 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 News 21:00 Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast Comedian Greg Davies joins Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty at their Southend café. Jamie makes a Welsh lamb kebab, while Greg learns how to make a Thai green curry.

22:00 The Big Soap Quiz: Coronation Street v Emmerdale In what is fast becoming a regular annual event, Stephen Mulhern quizzes stars of Corrie and Emmerdale on the biggest events in the Yorkshire Dales and on the cobbles of Weatherfield over the past 12 months. Drama and laughs are to be expected as the soap giants' cast members battle it out to be on top, but will the Rovers Return or the Woolpack reign supreme?

22:00 The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years Director Ron Howard’s documentary charting the period the Beatles spent on the road. Their first gigs with the classic line-up took place around Liverpool in 1961 and their last concert took place in San Francisco in 1966. During that brief span, they helped to forge a global pop culture. This film incorporates restored footage from the live shows, starting in Manchester in 1963, and includes several of the songs in their entirety.

23:00 News 23:40 Guess the Star 00:40 Take Me Out 01:30 Jackpot247 04:00 Alphabetical 04:50 ITV Nightscreen

00:10 Film - The Bourne Legacy (12) 02:40 Film Piranha 3DD (18) 04:05 Prince 05:00 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA

Serial drama Kiri, coming soon to Channel 4

BAFTA-winner Jack Thorne (National Treasure) returns to Channel 4 with a powerful and compelling new 4-part serial drama. Kiri examines the abduction of a young black girl, named Kiri, who is soon-to-be-adopted by her white foster family, and the trail of lies, blame, guilt and notoriety that follows. At the heart of the drama lies Miriam, played by BAFTA and RTS award-winner Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax), an experienced, no-nonsense social worker who loves and believes in her job, but has a maverick and instinctive approach to protecting the children in her care. Miriam arranges for Kiri to have an unsupervised visit with her biological grandparents. But when Kiri disappears during the visit,

the fingers of suspicion and blame from the police, the press, and even her colleagues, point firmly at Miriam. As the media spotlight around the story intensifies, Miriam, as well as both sets of families, are forced to ask the toughest questions, not just of themselves, but of each other. Tobi (Lucian Msamati Taboo, Luther), who is Kiri’s birth grandfather, finds both his race and dysfunctional relationship with his son, the prime suspect in Kiri’s disappearance, put under the microscope. Meanwhile Alice (Lia Williams - The Missing, The Crown), Kiri’s fiercely articulate white foster mother, watches as her family starts to crumble under the pressure of very public grief.

07:00 Milkshake 10:15 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 10:40 Film - Igor (U) 12:15 Animals Make You Laugh Out Loud 12:45 GPs: Behind Closed Doors 13:40 News 13:45 The Hotel Inspector 14:35 Family Secrets 16:20 Film - Deadly Paradise (15) 18:00 News 18:35 Barging Loving Celebs 19:30 News 20:00 Greatest Celebrity Wind-Ups Ever! Joe Pasquale narrates a selection of clips of pranks pulled on celebrities. Highlights include Ant and Dec setting up Simon Cowell, and Joe Swash undergoes a spa treatment with a difference. 21:00 Costa Del Celebrity Travelogue and cookery series. Five famous friends travel to Spain to sample life on the Costa Blanca. Anne Diamond reunites with old presenting colleague Nick Owen and chef Ainsley Harriott. They are joined by politician’s wife Christine Hamilton, and actress Vicki Michelle. During their first few days they explore Valencia, and meet with a local legend to cook an authentic paella. 22:00 Celebrity Big Brother All the action from inside the infamous House. 23:00 Will and Grace 23:30 Celebrity Big Brother 00:05 Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit on the Side 01:00 Super Casino 04:10 GPs: Behind Closed Doors 05:00 My Mum’s Hotter Than Me!

07:00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 07:55 Dress to Impress 08:45 Emmerdale 09:50 Coronation Street 10:25 Ellen DeGeneres 11:10 Who’s Doing the Dishes? 12:10 Dress to Impress 13:10 Emmerdale 14:15 Coronation Street 14:45 Ellen DeGeneres 15:35 Jeremy Kyle 18:50 Take Me Out 20:00 You’ve Been Framed! 21:00 Two and a Half Men 21:30 Superstore 22:00 Film - Bridesmaids (15) 00:35 Family Guy 01:35 American Dad! ITV3 07:00 Classic Coronation Street 07:55 Judge Judy 08:20 Heartbeat 09:20 The Royal 10:25 Judge Judy 11:50 Film - Blue Murder at St. Trinian’s (U) 13:35 The Royal 14:40 Heartbeat 15:40 Classic Coronation Street 16:50 Agatha Christie’s Marple 18:55 Heartbeat 19:55 Murder, She Wrote 21:00 Rosemary and Thyme 23:00 Foyle’s War 01:05 Inspector Morse ITV4 07:00 The Chase 07:50 Pawn Stars 08:35 Ironside 09:35 Quincy, M.E. 10:40 Minder 11:45 The Sweeney 12:50 The Professionals 13:55 Ironside 14:55 Quincy, M.E. 16:00 Minder 17:05 The Sweeney 18:10 The Professionals 19:10 Sporting Funnies 19:20 Storage Wars Texas 19:50 Pawn Stars 20:45 Hornblower 23:00 Film Goodfellas (18) 01:55 The Sweeney 03:00 Fifth Gear

Doctor Foster Don't hold your breath

Doctor Foster fans are used to waiting a long time for more drama from the series – there were nearly two years between season one's shocking finale in 2015 and the much-anticipated season two premiere in September this year, after all. But if you're already counting down the days until you get to see new episodes of Doctor Foster once again, you'll be waiting a very long time. Series star Suranne Jones dropped by The Graham Norton Show recently where Graham wasted no time in grilling the actress on the possibility of a season three. "There are no plans," she shared, "because everyone is busy and I am working all of next year so I just don't know." Booo! That's not what we want to hear, Suranne.

Although, whether or not a third season could actually happen at all following the season two final is another question entirely. Doctor Foster writer Mike Bartlett has previously hinted that a third series of the show is certainly possible, but a lot of conversations need to be had first. "You can see the ending," Bartlett said. "Tom's gone. So there's a question mark. In a way that is a question mark at the end. "And I think it works as an end to this series and all the things that have been going on. Clearly there's potential there. But obviously there would have to be lots of conversations." During the chat with Graham, Suranne also opened up about the show's overwhelming success and how it differed to every other project she'd worked on.

Friday 5th January 2018

The Voice UK

Dancing on Ice

Saturday - ITV

Sunday - ITV

Emma Willis hosts the seventh series of the singing contest, which this year sees Olly Murs joining returning coaches Will.i.am, Tom Jones and Jennifer Hudson on the famous spinning chairs. The search for a star kicks off, as usual, with the first in a series of rounds of blind auditions, as the panel listen to each contestant with their backs turned, ensuring that they judge the performance on the strength of vocal ability alone. Those who succeed here will progress to the Battle and Knockout phases.

Celebrities and professional figure skaters pair uponce again as Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield reunite as hosts of the popular dance contest on ice after a four-year break. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are also back, though as judges rather than mentors, alongside Jason Gardiner and Ashley Banjo. This year's contestants are Donna Air, Cheryl Baker, Alex Beresford, Candice

Charlie Hicks and Elaine Renko are detectives who, whilst investigating a murder in the inner city, stumble upon proof that the world faces certain destruction - in five years. It’s a terrifying reality that the British government is trying urgently to suppress. Hicks and Renko find themselves pursued by ruthless Security Service operatives, who are trying to kill them in order to keep secret the truth about the mysterious cosmic event. The pair must use every bit of their ingenuity to protect themselves and those they love.

Shakes-Drayton, Brooke Vincent and Stephanie Waring.

Vera Hard Sun

Saturday - BBCOne

Brown, Kem Cetinay, Antony Cotton, Max Evans, Lemar, Jake Quickenden, Perri

Sunday - ITV DCI Vera Stanhope is called to a chilling murder scene when the charred remains of a body are discovered in an abattoir incinerator. With limited forensic evidence, she is disturbed to identify the body as DC Harry Fenton, a respected police officer from the Northumberland & City Fraud Unit. A club man, Vera and Aiden meet Harry’s grieving family and friends in a tightly-knit fishing community who are shocked to learn of the devastating murder. Vera looks to Harry’s fraud team to try and find answers, but she begins to sense that all is not what it seems. One of Harry’s former colleagues continues to rub Vera up the

wrong way by poking her nose into the investigation. Whereas DC Jac Williams gives Vera a useful tip off. And then one of Harry’s old fraud cases begins to cross

over into Vera’s enquiries. Aided by DC Kenny Lockhart and pathologist Dr Marcus Summer, Vera discovers a web of secrets that lead her to Harry’s killer.

Saturday TV 07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Mary Berry Everyday 13:00 News 13:15 Football Focus 13:45 Match of the Day Live - Fleetwood Town v Leicester City 16:00 Money for Nothing 17:00 Final Score 18:10 Celebrity Mastermind 18:40 News 19:00 And They’re Off... for Sport Relief 19:40 Pointless 20:25 Wedding Day Winners Lorraine Kelly present a series which sees two pairs of nearlyweds and their friends and family come together for a wedding day like no other. Jampacked with fun family games, dare-devil stunts, surprises and a show-stopping performance, the couples and their loved ones play for dream prizes throughout the show. 21:30 Casualty Connie takes matters into her own hands, while Dylan struggles to keep things together at the helm of the ED.

07:10 The Wonder of Animals 07:40 Naomi’s Nightmares of Nature 08:10 The Pets Factor 08:30 Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch 09:00 The Dengineers 09:30 Deadly Top 10 10:00 World’s Sneakiest Animals 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Pets: Wild at Heart 13:00 Hairy Bikers’ Mediterranean Adventure 14:00 Back to the Land with Kate Humble 15:00 Rome Unpacked 16:00 Film - The Letter (U) 17:30 Natural World 18:15 Trust Me, I’m a Doctor 18:45 Tom Kerridge’s Lose Weight for Good 19:15 Hugh’s Wild West 20:15 A House Through Time Charting 180 years of history as lived through by the inhabitants of a terraced house in Liverpool. 21:15 Dad’s Army Mainwaring helps a widowed friend of Godfrey to gather in the harvest.

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07:00 CITV 10:25 News 10:30 Saturday Morning with James Martin 12:30 The Hungry Sailors 13:30 News 13:40 Endeavour 15:40 The Greatest TV Moments of All Time 17:35 News 17:55 The Chase: Celebrity Special 19:00 Catchphrase 20:00 Take Me Out Paddy McGuinness presents a brand new series of the dating show, as an all-new line-up of 30 single girls from across the UK hope to find the man of their dreams. 21:00 The Voice UK Presenter Emma Willis is joined by new coach Olly Murs and returning coaches Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson and will.i.am. The series kicks off with the blind auditions, where the singing hopefuls will have to truly command the stage if they want to get those infamous red chairs spinning.

22:20 News

21:45 Grand Tours of 22:35 News Scotland’s Lochs Paul 22:35 Hard Sun Unruly Murton travels from Loch 22:50 Film - Spectre (12) A police detective DCI Charlie Gairloch to Loch Maree. cryptic message from Hicks is deeply suspicious Bond’s past, sends him on of his new partner DI Elaine 22:15 Feud: Bette and a trail to uncover a sinister Renko. But their first inves- Joan Joan begins filming in organization. While M battigation exposes a secret Louisiana and is frustrated tles political forces to keep that will connect them for by the convivial atmos- the Secret Service alive, life. phere that Bette is creating. Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the truth 23:30 Match of the Day: FA 00:00 Live at the Apollo behind S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Cup Highlights 01:05 The 00:45 QI XL 01:30 Later... NFL Show 01:35 The with Jools Holland 25th 01:30 Jackpot247 04:00 Resident 03:00 Weather Birthday Show 03:30 This Babushka 04:50 ITV 03:05 News Nightscreen is BBC Two

07:05 Triathlon 08:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:50 Frasier 10:25 The Big Bang Theory 11:50 The Simpsons 12:45 Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 13:45 Darts 18:30 A Place in the Sun 19:30 News 20:00 Spying on the Royals Documentary examining an espionage operation conducted to gather information on Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. 21:00 Princess Diana’s ‘Wicked’ Stepmother An examination of the turbulent relationship between Diana, Princess of Wales and her formidable stepmother Raine Spencer, who rose from humble origins with the help of her larger-than-life mother, the novelist Barbara Cartland, to become a countess and a member of the royal family. 22:00 Film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (12) As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts, Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance. 00:40 Film The Transporter (15) 02:25 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 03:15 Hollyoaks Omnibus

07:00 Milkshake 10:35 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:10 Dogs Make You Laugh Out Loud 11:40 Christmas Cruising with Jane McDonald 12:40 Film - West Side Story (12) 15:30 Film - The HundredFoot Journey (PG) 16:30 News 16:35 Film - The Hundred-Foot Journey (PG) 17:55 News 18:00 Playful Pups Make You Laugh Out Loud 19:00 The Wonderful World of Puppies 20:00 Greatest Celebrity Wind-Ups Ever! Joe Pasquale narrates a selection of clips of pranks pulled on celebrities. Highlights include Ant and Dec setting up Simon Cowell, and Joe Swash undergoes a spa treatment with a difference. 21:00 Blind Date A dashing digger driver gets his pick of the single girls, and a drama teacher is looking for her leading man. Plus, did Devorshka and Larry find love in Ayia Napa, and was pug-loving Ollie and Lauren’s date in Brighton hot dog or dogmeat? 22:00 Celebrity Big Brother All the action from inside the infamous House full of famous faces. 23:00 Worst Celebrity Pop Songs Ever 00:45 Lip Sync Battle UK 01:15 Super Casino 04:10 Secrets of the National Trust with Alan Titchmarsh

07:00 Emmerdale Omnibus 10:00 Coronation Street Omnibus 13:00 The Big Soap Quiz: Coronation Street v Emmerdale 14:00 Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway 14:30 You’ve Been Framed! 16:05 Film - Legally Blonde (PG) 17:55 Film - Hotel Transylvania (PG) 19:40 Film - The Mummy (PG) 22:00 Film - The Hangover (18) 00:10 Family Guy 01:10 American Dad! 02:05 Film - Paranoia (PG) 04:00 Teleshopping ITV 3 07:00 Judge Judy 07:20 Murder, She Wrote 09:25 Film - Death on the Nile (PG) 12:05 Foyle’s War 14:10 Columbo 15:55 Midsomer Murders 00:00 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher 02:00 On the Buses 03:00 ITV3 Nightscreen ITV 4 07:00 Barcelona’s European Glory 07:10 The Protectors 07:35 The Professionals 10:30 ITV Racing 11:30 Barcelona’s European Glory 11:40 Pawn Stars 14:30 ITV Racing: Live from Sandown and Wincanton 17:00 Nijinsky’s Triple Crown 17:05 Film - Khartoum (PG) 19:45 Film - Dr. No (PG) 22:00 Film - The Enforcer (18) 00:05 Film Platoon (18) 02:25 Car Crash Global: Caught on Camera 03:25 Tommy Cooper

Sunday TV 07:00 Breakfast 08:30 Match of the Day 10:00 The Andrew Marr Show 11:00 The Big Questions 12:00 Homes Under the Hammer 13:00 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:15 Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out 14:40 Match of the Day Live: Shrewsbury Town v West Ham United 17:00 Escape to the Country 17:30 Songs of Praise 18:05 Antiques Roadshow 19:05 News

07:20 Coast 08:20 The Instant Gardener 09:05 Gardeners’ World 09:35 Greatest Gardens 10:05 Countryfile 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:30 Raymond Blanc: How to Cook Well 13:00 Food & Drink 13:30 The A to Z of TV Cooking 13:40 Natural World 14:40 Money for Nothing 15:10 Talking Pictures 15:50 Film Ladies in Lavender 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Ski Sunday 19:00 The Real T. Rex with 19:30 Countryfile Matt Chris Packham Baker is in the stunning Gisburn Forest to discover 20:00 Robot Wars World the wild woods at dawn. Series The second of two specials pitting champions 20:30 Still Open All Hours from past series against Granville has a new idea for rivals from other countries. growing the business: offering fitness classes. 21:00 Dragons’ Den A serial entrepreneur pitches his 21:00 Attenborough and online greeting card busithe Sea Dragon David The ness, a Surrey-based naturalist joins a team of inventor is hoping his word scientists examining the game could become a fam200 million-year-old fos- ily Christmas favourite, and silised remains of an a duo bring their healthy ichthyosaur, a vast sea breakfast and snacking creature which was discov- products to the Den in the ered on Dorset's Jurassic hope of some festive cheer. Coast. 22:00 A Life on Screen 22:00 McMafia Alex Michael Palin tells the story receives an offer from behind his success. someone claiming to be an old friend, but has no idea 23:00 Film - And Now for who is behind it. Something Completely Different (PG) 00:25 Film 23:00 News 23:30 Match of Strictly Ballroom (PG) the Day 00:30 The 02:00 Countryfile 02:55 Women’s Football Show Holby City 03:55 This Is 01:05 Weather 01:10 News BBC Two

07:00 CITV 10:25 News 10:30 River Monsters 10:55 The Voice UK 12:30 Tipping Point 13:30 News 13:40 A Right Royal Quiz 14:40 The Big Soap Quiz: Coronation Street v Emmerdale 15:45 Catchphrase 16:45 News 17:10 Film - Happy Feet Two 19:00 Dancing on Ice Celebrities and professional figure skaters pair up as Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield reunite as hosts of the popular dance contest after a four-year break. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are also back, though as judges rather than mentors, alongside Jason Gardiner and Ashley Banjo. 21:00 Vera The detective investigates when charred human remains are found in an abattoir furnace, and attempts to deduce who they belong to and how they came to be there. The bones are identified as belonging to a fellow detective, and she uncovers a web of dark secrets as she investigates his fraud squad. Brenda Blethyn returns for an eighth series. 23:00 News 23:10 Film Captain Phillips (PG) 01:35 Great Art 02:30 Jackpot247 04:00 Sunday Night at the Palladium 04:50 ITV Nightscreen

07:15 The King of Queens 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 10:30 Sunday Brunch 13:30 Live: BDO World Championship Darts 18:30 The Great British Bake Off 19:45 News 20:00 The World’s Wildest Weather Incredible stories and aweinspiring footage of some of the world’s wildest weather, from Alpine avalanches to Pacific cyclones, told and filmed by Brits abroad. 21:00 The Biggest Little Railway in the World Dick Strawbridge leads a team of enthusiasts attempting to build the longest model railway in history, stretching 71 miles from Fort William on the west coast to Inverness on the east coast. The project faces an early challenge navigating the Caledonian Canal, but a train ferry proves an ingenious solution. 22:00 SAS: Who Dares Wins 25 men are sent to Morocco’s unforgiving Atlas Mountains to see if they have what it takes, physically and mentally, to pass a unique version of SAS Selection. 23:00 Film - The Sweeney (15) 01:10 Film - Moonrise Kingdom (PG) 02:55 Grand Designs 03:50 Location, Location, Location

07:00 Peppa Pig 10:45 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:20 Pets Make You Laugh Out Loud 11:40 Film - Groundhog Day (PG) 13:40 Film - Practical Magic (12) 15:40 Will and Grace 16:10 Blind Date 17:15 Film - The Love Punch (12) 19:00 The Two Ronnies In Their Own Words Documentary celebrating the lives and careers of one of Britain’s best-loved comedy double acts, with memorable of clips moments from their shows and contributions from family, friends and colRevelations leagues. include how they first got together and how Ronnie Barker came clean about a secret that he had kept hidden for years. 21:00 Aviva Premiership Rugby Highlights Mark Durden-Smith and David Flatman present the best Aviva Premiership action from across the weekend. 21:55 News Celebrity Big 22:00 Brother All the action from inside the infamous House full of famous faces. 23:00 Film - Hot Pursuit (12) 00:50 One Night with My Ex 01:50 Lip Sync Battle UK 02:15 Super Casino

07:00 You’ve Been Framed! 07:50 Emmerdale Omnibus 10:40 Coronation Street Omnibus 13:35 Take Me Out 14:40 The Voice UK 16:20 Film - The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (PG) 18:25 Film - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (14) 22:00 The Ibiza Weekender 23:00 Family Guy 00:30 American Dad! 01:30 Film - Delivery Man (PG) 03:30 Teleshopping ITV 3 07:00 Murder, She Wrote 08:50 Heartbeat 10:55 Columbo 12:35 Foyle’s War 18:50 Endeavour 21:00 Les Dawson: An Audience With That Never Was 22:00 Tonight at the London Palladium 23:00 Agatha Christie’s Marple 01:00 Midsomer Murders 02:50 Executed 03:45 Road to Avonlea 05:35 On the Buses ITV 4 07:00 World Cup Rivalries 07:20 Minder 08:10 The Sweeney 09:00 Storage Wars Texas 12:25 Pawn Stars 14:45 Film - The Sea Wolves (PG) 17:10 Film Khartoum (PG) 19:50 Hornblower 22:00 Film Ransom (15) 00:30 Film RoboCop 3 (12) 02:35 The Professionals 03:35 The Protectors

Friday 5th January 2018

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Rip Off Britain: Holidays 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Wanted Down Under 12:45 Close Calls: On Camera 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Father Brown 16:00 I Escaped to the Country 16:45 The Farmers’ Country Showdown 17:30 Antiques Road Trip 18:15 Pointless 19:00 News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Inside Out

07:00 Flog It!: Trade Secrets 07:30 The Farmers’ Country Showdown 08:15 Antiques Road Trip 09:00 Antiques Roadshow 10:00 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Coast 14:15 Brazil with Michael Palin 15:15 Himalaya With Michael Palin 16:15 The Great British Winter 17:15 Planet Earth II 18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Railway Journeys

21:00 EastEnders Whitney ponders her future in the Square.

20:00 Match of the Day Live coverage as the draw for the FA Cup fourth round takes place.

21:00 Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury Julia heads to Old Harry Rocks in Dorset

21:30 Panorama Samantha Poling goes undercover to reveal the tactics being used to hide assets and retain wealth for rich people who have been declared bankrupt.

20:30 Kate Humble: Off the Beaten Track In the Cothi Valley, Kate herds and milks goats, and in Capel Iwan, she tries her hand at trotting.

21:30 Coronation Street Seb begins to harbour suspicions about Phelan.

20:00 Emmerdale Sarah demands answers. 20:30 Coronation Street Kate thrills Sophie with a kiss.

22:00 Silent Witness Nikki struggles to come to terms with life back home and seeks out fellow pathologist Sally Vaughan for support, only to learn she is nowhere to be found. Crime Agency investigator Guy Bernhardt asks Nikki to help him by employing pathologist David Cannon, the chief suspect in Sally's disappearance.

21:00 Only Connect The Dandies and Arrowheads return.

22:00 Surgeons: At the Edge of Life Cameras follow surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre staff and patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

22:00 Next of Kin On the same day that a terrorist attack brings London to a Mona standstill, GP Harcourt receives the devastating news that her brother Kareem has been kidnapped on his way home to the UK from his charity clinic in Lahore. Her family's horror is aggravated by the attentions of the police counterterrorism unit and their interest in Kareem's teenage son Danny.

23:00 News 23:45 Have I Got Old News for You 00:15 Miriam’s Big Adventure 01:15 Graham Norton 02:05 Weather head 02:10 News

23:00 Insert Name Here 23:30 Newsnight 00:15 Robot Wars World Series 01:15 Natural World 02:15 Joe Orton Laid Bare 03:35 This Is BBC Two

23:00 News 23:40 Piers Morgan’s Life Stories 00:40 Killer Women with Piers Morgan 01:35 Jackpot247 04:00 Jeremy Kyle

21:30 University Challenge Quiz.

07:20 3rd Rock From the Sun 08:05 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:30 Frasier 11:05 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00 Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 13:00 News 13:05 Live: BDO World Championship Darts 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 News 21:00 How to Lose Weight Well Dr Xand and dietician Hala return to oversee proceedings as they help more people attempt the most hyped and written about diets on the market today. In the opening edition, Becky and Sheena are put on shortterm diets, Bex and Lea go on six-week programmes, and Jake and Callum are given four-month plan, while Xand finds out if diet pills actually work. 22:00 The Undateables Those seeking a partner include 19-year-old chef Luke from Hull, who has Tourette's syndrome and finds it hard to control his physical and vocal tics, as well as bookseller Sam, 25, from Cambridgeshire, who has Asperger's and finds the gay scene intimidating. 23:00 First Dates Hotel 00:05 Derry Girls 00:40 Hunted 01:40 SAS: Who Dares Wins 02:40 Flat Pack Mansions 03:35 Cabins in the Wild with Dick Strawbridge

Monday TV 07:00 Milkshake 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:15 GPs: Behind Closed Doors 13:10 News 13:15 The Hotel Inspector 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Film - Killer Mom 18:00 News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 News 20:00 Car Crash TV Petrolheads ditch the rules in Not the Highway Code, there are narrow escapes in Lucky Pedestrians, then there are the drivers whose speciality is Barking Parking, all leading up to the Car Crash TV Driver of the Week. 21:00 Police Interceptors A door-knock arrest snowballs into a firearms stand-off for Damo, Spike uncovers a stash of cannabis stored with lethal shotguns, police dog Ronnie lands right on top of a wanted man, Ben legs it after a runaway driver, and Paul catches a hitand-run driver who kicks off in his car. 22:00 Celebrity Big Brother All the action from inside the infamous House full of famous faces. 23:00 Not So Sweet Sixteen 00:05 Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit on the Side 01:05 Celebrity Botched Up Bodies 02:00 Super Casino 04:10 GPs: Behind Closed Doors

07:55 Dress to Impress 08:45 Emmerdale 09:20 Coronation Street 10:25 Ellen DeGeneres 11:10 Who’s Doing the Dishes? 12:10 Dress to Impress 13:10 Emmerdale 13:45 Coronation Street 14:45 Ellen DeGeneres 15:35 Jeremy Kyle 18:50 Take Me Out 20:00 You’ve Been Framed! 21:00 Two and a Half Men 21:30 Superstore 22:00 Family Guy 23:00 American Dad! ITV 3 07:00 Coronation Street 07:55 Heartbeat 08:55 The Royal 10:00 Judge Judy 11:20 Love Your Garden 12:25 The Darling Buds of May 13:35 The Royal 14:40 Heartbeat 15:40 Coronation Street 17:20 On the Buses 17:55 Rising Damp 18:25 George and Mildred 19:00 Heartbeat 20:00 Murder, She Wrote 21:00 Lewis 23:00 Foyle’s War ITV 4 07:00 The Chase 07:50 Pawn Stars 08:35 Ironside 09:35 Quincy, M.E. 10:40 Minder 11:40 The Sweeney 12:45 The Professionals 13:50 Ironside 14:55 Quincy, M.E. 15:55 Minder 17:00 The Sweeney 18:05 The Professionals 19:05 Storage Wars Texas 20:00 Pawn Stars 21:00 Parking Wars 22:00 River Monsters 23:05 Film - Wanted (18) 01:15 Film - Book of Eli(14)

Tuesday TV 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Rip Off Britain: Holidays 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Wanted Down Under 12:45 Close Calls: On Camera 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Father Brown 16:00 I Escaped to the Country 16:45 The Farmers’ Country Showdown 17:30 Antiques Road Trip 18:15 Pointless 19:00 News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders Tiffany is back and immediately causes mischief. 21:00 Holby City Sacha finds his allegiances tested as he struggles to judge whether his patient can be trusted or not. 22:00 Silent Witness Nikki's suspicions about David Cannon are roused further when she discovers blood in the boot of his car an with Thomas's support she takes samples to process. Does it belong to Sally Vaughn? Meanwhile, the uncovering of the body from the 16-year-old murder shines the spotlight on three people who went to the same school. Emilia Fox stars, with Julian Rhind-Tutt and Alex Macqueen. 23:00 News 23:45 Canvey: The Promised Island 00:25 Inside Out 00:55 Stacey Dooley Investigates 01:55 Weather 02:00 News

07:00 Flog It!: Trade Secrets 07:30 The Farmers’ Country Showdown 08:15 Antiques Road Trip 09:00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 10:00 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Coast 14:15 Brazil with Michael Palin 15:15 Himalaya With Michael Palin 16:15 The Great British Winter 17:15 Planet Earth II 18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Railway Journeys 20:00 Rick Stein’s Road To Mexico Rick starts his journey in San Francisco and enjoys legendary dishes like hangtown fry oyster pancake. 21:00 Inside the Factory Gregg Wallace is in the Netherlands at one of the world’s biggest sauce factories. Its annual output is a quarter of a million tonnes of condiments, and more than 50 of this heads to the UK. 22:00 House of Saud: A Family at War Documentary following Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has pledged to transform the country. Cameras examine the new leader’s dramatic commitment to end extremism.

07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 News 15:00 Judge Rinder 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 News 20:00 Emmerdale Robert smells a rat. 20:30 Save Money: Good Food Susanna and Matt are in Essex with the Evans family. This family rely on pre-made sauces and packets for their meals and make nothing from scratch. Desperate to save money and go on a holiday Matt will be showing them some family favourites. . 21:00 The Martin Lewis Money Show The financial journalist and co-host Angellica Bell present a January `bill busting’ special. 22:00 School for Stammerers A moving portrait of living with a stammer, following a handful of sufferers. Jessica, Tony, Mueid, Riley, James, and Emily all seek the same thing - life without their stammer.

23:30 News 00:15 Girlfriends 01:15 Tonight 23:00 Inside No. 9 23:30 at the London Palladium Newsnight 00:15 NFL 02:05 Jackpot247 04:00 01:05 Surgeons: At the Loose Women 04:45 ITV Nightscreen Edge of Life

07:10 Kirstie’s Fill Your House for Free 07:20 3rd Rock From the Sun 08:10 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:35 Frasier 11:05 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00 Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 13:00 News 13:05 Live: BDO World Championship Darts 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 News 21:00 The Secret Life of the Zoo Golden poison frog Pablo has lost interest in his partner Maria, so bad boy El Loco is brought in to shake things up. Baby porcupine Marion faces off the meerkat mob, an there’s a power struggle in the chimpanzee habitat. 22:00 24 Hours in A&E Marie, 31, arrives at St George's A&E after collapsing at home with an unexplained headache. Doctors work fast to ascertain the cause of her collapse, with potentially devastating results. Marie's joined by her partner Cameron and her young child. Cameras also follow Eileen, 87, who comes in with shortness of breath and a high heart rate. 23:00 Working Class White Men 00:00 Naked Attraction 01:05 How to Lose Weight Well 02:05 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 02:55 Warship

07:00 Milkshake 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:15 GPs: Behind Closed Doors 13:10 News 13:15 The Hotel Inspector 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Eyewitness 18:00 News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 News 20:00 Secrets of the National Trust with Alan Titchmarsh - The Lake District Alan reveals some surprising facts about Beatrix Potter, and Joan Bakewell investigates a small island in Grasmere and its role in the National Trust's creation. Plus, Oz Clarke visits a nursery housing some of our rarest plants, Jon Culshaw visits a time capsule in Gloucestershire and Suzannah Lipscomb travels to Blakeney Point. 21:00 Diet Secrets and How to Lose Weight A team of doctors, dieticians and scientists give the inside scoop on superfoods. 22:00 Celebrity Big Brother - Live Eviction Emma Willis is on hand as one of the celebrity housemates faces eviction. 23:35 One Night with My Ex 00:35 Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit on the Side 01:35 Celebrity Big Brother 02:05 Super Casino 04:10 GPs: Behind Closed Doors

07:55 Dress to Impress 08:45 Emmerdale 09:20 Coronation Street 10:25 Ellen DeGeneres 11:10 Who’s Doing the Dishes? 12:10 Dress to Impress 13:10 Emmerdale 13:45 Coronation Street 14:45 Ellen DeGeneres 15:35 Jeremy Kyle 18:50 Take Me Out 20:00 You’ve Been Framed! 21:00 Two and a Half Men 21:30 Superstore 22:00 Film - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (PG) ITV 3 07:00 Coronation Street 07:50 Heartbeat 08:55 The Royal 10:00 Judge Judy 11:20 The Darling Buds of May 12:30 The Darling Buds of May 13:35 The Royal 14:40 Heartbeat 15:40 Coronation Street 17:20 On the Buses 17:55 Rising Damp 18:25 George and Mildred 18:55 Heartbeat 20:00 Murder, She Wrote 21:00 Midsomer Murders 23:00 Foyle’s War ITV 4 07:50 Pawn Stars 08:35 Ironside 09:30 Quincy, M.E. 10:35 Minder 11:40 The Sweeney 12:50 The Professionals 13:50 Ironside 14:55 Quincy, M.E. 15:55 Minder 17:00 The Sweeney 18:05 The Professionals 19:05 The Car Chasers 20:05 Pawn Stars 21:00 The Chase: Celebrity Special 22:00 Britain’s Busiest Airport

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Friday 5th January 2018

COME AND JOIN US! It’s the perfect time to consider joining Find A Spanish Property as a property associate, as property prices are on the rise, and the market is blossoming. 2016 was a positive year for the real estate market with prices having bottomed out the year before with modest price rises. Things have really kicked in during 2017, in strong contrast to the recession period that kicked in during 2008 and 2009. Official government figures confirm that prices are rising this year, and outside the cities of Madrid and Barcelona, Alicante Province which features the Costa Blanca, and the Murcia region with the Costa Calida tourist area, are two of the biggest areas on mainland Spain which are seeing substantial rises in demand along with price increases. The cranes are back with new homes being built by the coast, and the re-sale market continues to rise, fuelled by low interest rates in Spain. Statistics show that demand for homes from British buyers is still high, despite pessimistic fears last year over the Brexit factor, coupled with purchasers from across Europe, and even further afield. Recent surveys show that the majority of British people living in Spain are aged 65 and over, and website statistics confirm that older British nationals with no mortgage on their UK property are still very much looking at Spain as their area of choice to buy a holiday home, or even somewhere to retire to. It’s a great time to get involved in becoming a seller of real-estate in Spain, especially since most of the cowboys disappeared thanks to the recession nearly a decade ago. We like to think that we’ve played our own small part in helping to seeing them off, by offering an honest business that people are proud to recommend and that we now want to substantially expand.

Getting Started We will remove the pain and hassle of starting up your own estate agency by setting the all-important website that will market your business. The costs are cut, and you don’t need any experience of running an agency or experience of sales. We can do that for you, but you will need to promote your website and of course to generate new opportunities.

What You Get:• • • • • • • • •

Your Own Domain Name A Find A Spanish Property Dynamic and Responsive Website with YOUR Contact Details, Ready to Go. 100´s of Properties, Growing Daily, Including New Builds, Resales, Renovation Projects and Deals. Automatic Targeted News Stories and Articles for YOUR Website Free Social Media Content For YOUR Use Business Promotion Pack - Business Cards, Flyers, etc Discount Newspaper and Radio Advertising Full Training and Support Package Plus MANY Other Optional Extras

What happens next? With our support you can advertise YOUR website anywhere you wish in local and social media, newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, it´s up to you. Once an enquiry is made it comes to YOU and your account manager, the decision is made by YOU as to how to proceed. You can get involved in the whole process as much or as little as YOU wish. Full legal documentation and support is provided by our independent legal team. Upon sale we will provide accounting documentation which details your commission. Throughout the entire process we will liaise with you and have full agreement on every aspect, including such things as picking up clients from the airport; property tours; taking them to solicitors; and signing those final papers. That’s our job, whilst as an Find A Spanish Property Associate you can get involved in as much or as little as you like.

What Have You Got To Lose? This is really the best time in a decade to get involved with the Spanish property market and to earn our generous commissions. Get in touch with us now to learn more.

Wednesday TV 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Rip Off Britain: Holidays 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Wanted Down Under 12:45 Close Calls: On Camera 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Father Brown 16:00 I Escaped to the Country 16:45 The Farmers’ Country Showdown 17:30 Antiques Road Trip 18:15 Pointless 19:00 News 20:00 The One Show 21:00 The Truth About Looking Good Consumers in the UK spend over £9 billion a year on beauty products, but do they actually work? How much of what they promise is based on scientific evidence? Cherry Healey teams up with scientists to put everyday cosmetics to the test. 22:00 Miriam’s Big American Adventure Miriam’s adventure starts in Indiana where they’re busy shaping the next generation of mini model citizens at summer camp. Not keen on kids and even less keen on patriotic “enforced jollity” Miriam joins the hundreds of young campers as they begin their days pledging allegiance to God and the US flag and end them sharing thanks around a fire. She meets evangelical camp counsellor Bobby and is persuaded to try her hand at pottery with some alarming results. 23:00 News 23:45 A Question of Sport 00:15 And They’re Off! For Sport Relief 01:00 Weather 01:05 News

07:00 Flog It!: Trade Secrets 07:30 The Farmers’ Country Showdown 08:15 Antiques Road Trip 09:00 Fern Britton Meets... Stef Reid 10:00 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 News 12:30 Daily Politics 14:00 Coast 14:15 Brazil with Michael Palin 15:15 Himalaya With Michael Palin 16:15 The Great British Winter 17:15 Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough 18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Railway Journeys 20:00 Rick Stein’s Road To Mexico Rick continues down the Californian coastline through Los Angeles and into San Diego. 21:00 Tom Kerridge’s Lose Weight for Good Tom is turning the spotlight on the dieters in the group who say they are too busy, or too inexperienced, to cook healthy meals. 21:30 Trust Me I’m a Doctor Michael Mosley runs an experiment to test the claim that coconut oil can cut cholesterol. 22:00 Fighting for Air Dr Xand van Tulleken conducts the first ever largescale experiment using people to try and bring about a quantifiable improvement in air quality for a single day. 23:00 Mock the Week 23:30 Newsnight 00:15 Inside the Factory 01:15 DIY SOS 02:15 The Real T. Rex with Chris Packham

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Emmerdale frank with

20:30 Coronation Street Seb tries to keep out of Phelan’s way. 21:00 Britain’s Brightest Family Hosted by Anne Hegerty, this new quiz show sees sixteen families from across the country take part in a knock-out tournament to win the coveted title of Britain's Brightest Family, and a holiday of a life time. 21:30 Coronation Street Craig anticipates a night of passion with Bethany. 22:00 Girlfriends Sue reluctantly faces the arrival of her birthday, and tensions rise when her son Andrew confesses a secret at her birthday celebrations. Linda finds herself facing an accusation surrounding Micky's death, and Gail is determined to try and rekindle the spark between her and Dave before their divorce is finalised. 23:00 News 23:40 Britain’s Busiest Airport 00:40 Holiday Horrors: Caught on Camera 01:35 Jackpot247 04:00 Tenable 04:50 ITV Nightscreen

07:10 Jamie’s Comfort Food 07:20 3rd Rock From the Sun 08:10 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:35 Frasier 11:05 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00 Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 13:00 News 13:05 Live: BDO World Championship Darts 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 News 21:00 Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer meet the Tuck family in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, who have grown weary of their cramped, three bedroom semi-detached home. Kirstie offers her thoughts on ways the family could change the downstairs of the property, while Phil sets out to find a suitable house they could buy instead. 22:00 Kiri Four-part drama, starring Sarah Lancashire. Social worker Miriam is caught up in a police investigation when a young girl called Kiri goes missing on one of her supervised visits. As the search for her intensifies, Miriam is publicly blamed by the police, the press, and even her colleagues for putting the girl at risk. 23:00 999: What’s Your Emergency? 00:05 24 Hours in A&E 01:05 European Tour Poker 02:10 Film - The Social Network (PG) 04:15 Grand Designs Australia 05:10 Location, Location, Location 06:00 Coast vs Country

07:00 Milkshake 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:15 GPs: Behind Closed Doors 13:10 News 13:15 The Hotel Inspector 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Film - The Wrong Babysitter (12) 18:00 News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 News 20:00 Starting Up, Starting Over - Cotswold Haberdashers Julie and Trevor are giving up their successful businesses to follow their dream of a quieter life. They intend to spend their time together running a haberdashers in a beautiful village in the Cotswolds. 21:00 GPs: Behind Closed Doors A patient who has anxiety and depression as a result of the abuse she has received from her neighbours seeks advice, Valentine is struggling with anxiety as she awaits the beginning of her genderreassignment surgery, and Rhiannon is hoping that Lizzie has some good news about her over-sized, claw-like toe nail. 22:00 Celebrity Big Brother All the action from inside the infamous House full of famous faces. 23:05 Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit on the Side 23:50 Football 01:10 Police Interceptors 02:10 Super Casino 04:10 GPs: Behind Closed Doors 05:00 Now That’s Funny! 05:45 House Doctor

07:00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 07:55 Dress to Impress 08:45 Emmerdale 09:20 The Cube 10:25 Ellen DeGeneres 11:10 Who’s Doing the Dishes? 12:10 Dress to Impress 13:10 Emmerdale 13:40 The Big Soap Quiz: Coronation Street v Emmerdale 14:45 Ellen DeGeneres 15:35 Jeremy Kyle 18:50 Take Me Out 20:00 You’ve Been Framed! 21:00 Two and a Half Men 21:30 Superstore 22:00 Film - 22 Jump Street (14) 00:15 Family Guy 01:15 American Dad! ITV 3 07:00 Coronation Street 07:50 Heartbeat 08:55 The Royal 10:00 Judge Judy 11:15 The Darling Buds of May 13:35 The Royal 14:40 Heartbeat 15:40 Coronation Street 17:20 On the Buses 17:55 Rising Damp 18:25 George and Mildred 19:00 Heartbeat 20:00 Murder, She Wrote 21:00 Endeavour 23:00 Foyle’s War 01:15 Inspector Morse ITV 4 07:00 The Chase 07:50 Pawn Stars 08:30 Ironside 09:35 Quincy, M.E. 10:35 Minder 11:40 The Sweeney 12:45 The Professionals 13:50 Ironside 14:50 Quincy, M.E. 15:55 Minder 17:00 The Sweeney 18:00 The Professionals 19:05 The Car Chasers 20:00 Pawn Stars 20:55 River Monsters 22:00 Film - The Enforcer (18) 00:00 Film Hard Target (15)

36 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Rip Off Britain: Holidays 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Wanted Down Under 12:45 Close Calls: On Camera 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Father Brown 16:00 I Escaped to the Country 16:45 The Farmers’ Country Showdown 17:30 Antiques Road Trip 18:15 Pointless 19:00 News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders Mel Owen makes her return to Walford, but why is she back? Big Cats 21:00 Documentary following ultimate cat species from around the world, from the lions of Tanzania to the tiny rusty spotted cat of Sri Lanka, 200 times smaller than a lion but just as curious. The film also peeks into the secret lives of the Canada lynx, which lives further north than any cat, and follows an African leopard and mother, which for a decade has worn a radio collar allowing scientists to follow every twist and turn of her existence. 22:00 Death in Paradise DI Mooney and the team enter the high-stakes world of poker when a finalist is poisoned during the Caribbean Poker Masters tournament and the only suspects are sitting round the table. 23:00 News 23:45 Question Time 00:45 This Week 01:30 Weather 01:35 News

Friday 5th January 2018

07:00 Flog It!: Trade Secrets 07:30 The Farmers’ Country Showdown 08:15 Antiques Road Trip 09:00 MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Coast 14:15 Brazil with Michael Palin 15:15 Himalaya With Michael Palin 16:15 The Great British Winter 17:15 Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough 18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Railway Journeys 20:00 Rick Stein’s Road to Mexico Rick enjoys a San Diego steak and eggs diner special before crossing the border into Mexico for chicken burritos and fish tacos. 21:00 Hairy Bikers’ M e d i t e r r a n e a n Adventure The bikers begin their Sardinian adventure in Cagliari, where everyone is in high spirits for the feast of St Efisio. 22:00 A House Through Time Historian David Olusoga follows the residents of the house in Liverpool from the 1850s to the 1890s. The house’s inhabitants are living through one of the fastest periods of change the world has ever seen. 23:00 Live at the Apollo 23:30 Newsnight 00:15 A Life on Screen 01:15 Labour: The Summer that Changed Everything 02:15 Imagine...

07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 News 15:00 Judge Rinder 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 News 20:00 Emmerdale Lachlan feels betrayed. 20:30 Tonight Series of topical investigative reports exploring the stories behind the headlines. 21:00 Emmerdale Ross makes a decision. 21:30 The Cruise: Return to the Mediterranean Documentary following staff and passengers on board the Royal Princess during a busy summer season around the Mediterranean. Strong winds threaten to prevent the ship docking in Marseilles, which has a huge knock-on effect across the ship. 22:00 Transformation Street Documentary following people born into the wrong body through the highs and lows of lifechanging gender reassignment surgery. Filmed over 12 months, the first film introduces Lucas as he begins the transition from female to male and Wendy, a railway worker counting down the days until her surgery. 23:00 News 23:45 Great Art 00:45 Postcards 01:10 Jackpot247 04:00 Tonight 04:25 ITV Nightscreen

Thursday TV

07:20 3rd Rock From the Sun 08:10 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:30 Frasier 11:05 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00 Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 13:00 News 13:05 Live: BDO World Championship Darts 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 News

07:00 Milkshake 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:15 GPs: Behind Closed Doors 13:10 News 13:15 The Hotel Inspector 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Film - Dear Diary, I Died (PG) 18:00 News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 News

21:00 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces George Clarke returns with a fresh selection of ingenious and eccentric builds created by pioneering small-space designers around the UK. Throughout the series George also travels through Japan, where ground-breaking design and innovation blend seamlessly. To begin George visits a canal boat conversion in Dudley, a cattle trailer in Yorkshire being turned into a luxury holiday camper and - in Japan - a dynamic, multicoloured open-plan space. He and right-hand man Will Hardie also get their heads together to build their own four-ton treehouse.

20:00 Baby Ballroom Reality series following the young dancers of Zig Zag Dance Factory in Wolverhampton. Mia and Andrei live together after Mia’s family effectively adopted Andrei. Jack and Emily get their first taste of the ballroom world.

22:00 Hunted The hunters track father and son fugitives Rob and Alex to a remote church. Former police firearms officer Jamie uses a cash machine. City girls Sandra and Mella reach Scotland. 23:00 Derry Girls 23:35 The Undateables 00:35 Working Class White Men 01:35 The Secret Life of the Zoo 02:30 Food Unwrapped 03:30 How to Retire at 40

21:00 Big Family Values: More Kids Than Cash Documentary series looking at how big families make ends meet. This week’s households include the family of ten from Essex who are getting by on one income when they receive some bad financial news, the home-schooling single mum of seven who is working two part-time jobs to make ends meet, and the childhood sweethearts uprooting their seven children for pastures new in a bid to save money. 22:00 Celebrity Big Brother All the action from inside the infamous House full of famous faces. 23:00 Celebrity 100% Hotter! 00:05 Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit on the Side 01:00 Super Casino 04:10 GPs: Behind Closed Doors

07:00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 07:55 Dress to Impress 08:45 Emmerdale 09:20 Coronation Street 10:25 Ellen DeGeneres 11:10 Who’s Doing the Dishes? 12:10 Dress to Impress 13:10 Emmerdale 13:45 Coronation Street 14:45 Ellen DeGeneres 15:35 Jeremy Kyle 18:50 Take Me Out 20:00 You’ve Been Framed! 21:00 Two and a Half Men 21:30 Superstore 22:00 Release the Hounds 23:00 Celebrity Juice 23:50 Family Guy 00:45 American Dad! ITV 3 07:00 Coronation Street 07:55 Heartbeat 08:55 The Royal 10:00 Judge Judy 11:25 The Darling Buds of May 13:35 The Royal 14:40 Heartbeat 15:40 Coronation Street 17:20 On the Buses 17:55 Rising Damp 18:25 George and Mildred 19:00 Heartbeat 20:00 Murder, She Wrote 21:00 Agatha Christie’s Marple 23:00 Foyle’s War 01:15 Inspector Morse ITV 4 07:00 The Chase 07:50 Pawn Stars 08:35 Ironside 09:35 Quincy, M.E. 10:40 Minder 11:45 The Sweeney 12:50 The Professionals 13:50 Ironside 14:55 Quincy, M.E. 15:55 Minder 17:00 The Sweeney 18:05 The Professionals 19:05 The Car Chasers 20:05 Pawn Stars 21:00 The Chase: Celebrity Special 22:00 Film - From Russia With Love (PG)

Downton Abbey's Mrs Hughes has some Gillian Anderson confirms that she really good news about the rumoured film is quitting The X-Files Phyllis Logan has revealed some very exciting news about that potential Downton Abbey film. The actress played Mrs Hughes in the ITV drama from the first series in 2010 to the show's end in 2015, and has now revealed that the cast have been asked about their respective diaries – which can surely only mean the crew are trying to schedule in a production time. "Everyone's been asked what's going on between this date and that date," Phyllis told the Mail on Sunday. "So we just hope that all the elements – because there are so many – come together. "To have a last hurrah with all the characters, going back to the castle and seeing all the old muckers will be fantastic. I'm certainly up for it." If that wasn't exciting enough, Phyllis also revealed there's a potential script being sent out to the stars of the ITV series too. "There's a potential script coming our way, slightly rewritten," she added. Rumours of the Downton Abbey kicked off more or

less the moment the series ended, but in 2017 fans were given solid news that a film would actually be happening, even if we then had to survive through the cast describing getting together to film it as a "logistical minefield". "It's been tricky," Joanne Frogatt said in September. "There has been a lot of goodwill from all of us, but logistically, it's a bit of a minefield. It's very difficult to get 22 actors together." Still, Phyllis has given us

more news to look forward to, and while we're already looking forward to seeing our favourite characters once again, we've got nothing on Phyllis reflecting on the joy of playing her character, Mrs Hughes. "It was a great show to do and a great character to play and I will forever think fondly of Mrs Hughes," she said. "In fact, it was one of the best gigs of my life and opened up so many other avenues and put a different spin on my career."

It's official: Gillian Anderson really is leaving The X-Files at the end of its upcoming season. Anderson stunned long-time fans of the sci-fi franchise in October when she said that season 11 "will be the last" for her, although she quickly walked back the certainty of stepping away from the show for good. With the launch of the new episodes only days away, Gillian is doubling down by telling TV Insider that she is now truly hanging up her FBI badge in order to devote

more time to other projects, like American Gods and potentially even more of The Fall. "I've said from the beginning, this is it for me," she said. "I was a bit surprised by people's [shocked] reaction to my announcement… because my understanding was that this was a single season." This sad turn of events brings to mind the latter years of the original X-Files, which broke up the Mulder and Scully team thanks to

David Duchovny quitting as a series regular. Does the departure of Scully mean that The X-Files will be put to rest once again after the 11th season? At least according to creator Chris Carter, probably not. "There are a lot more XFiles stories to tell," Chris Carter has teased. "Whether we get to tell them is a question mark. The truth is out there." The X-Files returned on Wednesday on Fox in the US. Channel 5 airs the show in the UK.

Home Computing

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RICHARD CAVENDER

BlueMoon Solutions www.bluemoonsolutions.es

BlueMoon Solutions is the computer and IT services company on the Costa Blanca. BlueMoon Solutions comes to you at home or at work. Their personal service covers from Alicante to Pilar de la Horadada.

Richard moved to Spain ten years ago having left his management background behind in the UK and decided to use his IT skills to help home users and small businesses with their PC problems. Now a relaxed 'computer man' he is out and about in the Spanish sun every day, making house and shop calls and using his vast experience and qualifications to sort out the problem there and then. Computers are his hobby as well as his work so don’t be surprised to get an answer to your email in the early hours!

ADVICE: John was interested in anti-malware software

ADVICE: Brian was experiencing a blue box appearing around items on his computer screen

Hi Richard. Have you any information on the two following software packages; "adblock and "adwcleaner"? And if so, are they worth installing? Regards John

Hi John, I am not familiar with either, I tend to recommend MalwareBytes for this sort of function.

Email: office@bluemoonsolutions.es Mobile: 655 044 970

When I type I get a blue oblong around the letter, which obstruct the letter. A similar oblong about the size of a credit card choses randomly to appear, sometimes surrounding an item or just on its own. This oblong outline can also be the width of the page or just a nuisance. It is random on a number of com puter program. Cheers

Hi Brian, it sounds like you have turned on the accessibility options. Here is a link that should help you… https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows

Website:www.bluemoonsolutions.es NEW: Tel: 965 987 032

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bluemoonsolutionsspain/ Alternatively, why don’t you sign up for my newsletter. You can do this by going to:www.bluemoonsolutions.es/newsletter.

FILL IT IN

CODE CRACKER

Fit the words into the boxes.

Code Cracker is a crossword puzzle with 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.

DOUBLE CROSS-WORD Solve the Double Cross-Word puzzle using either the standard or cryptic clues, the answers are exactly the same.

3 letter words Ace Aim Ale And Awe Ear Era Err Koi Moi Net Oct Pam See Tea Tis

4 letter words Afar Alba Amah Aves Bass Bola Clad Dodo Edge Ewer Held Ides Imps Iota Isms Lass

Lose Mute Nail Near Nerd Noel Noes Noir Ogre Oven Rand Rasp Sari She's Sled Slit Soap

Span Tong Tows 5 letter words Aloof Attic Emeer False Gloat Havoc Mooli Mould Patio Peter Ranch Salsa Shews

Stone Stove Tesla Tooth Trees 6 letter words Batter Slinks 9 letter words Criterion Simulcast 10 letter words Diminuendo Interstate 11 letter words Ostentation Spendthrift

Standard Clues

Cryptic Clues Across

Down

Across

1 Able Scot’s tricky hurdle (8) 7 Shiver when she drinks a cocktail (5) 8 Dead inmate Ian is hidden (9) 9 Yank a vessel (3) 10 The girl who’s crazy about one? (4) 11 Irritating plant unsettles us and son having left (6) 13 And little Sally put her foot in it (6) 14 Begins again concerning those tidings (6) 17 Good person a short time in charge, not dynamic (6) 18 Even a drone has a right to an ale (4) 20 The network contains more than one (3) 22 Move round behind old stove (9) 23 Inexperienced getting one in a church area (5) 24 Asks advice from diplomats around Tuesday (8)

1 Work I and you mark as a drug (5) 2 Class Australian sheep farm (7) 3 Part of the Burma-Siam landmass (4) 4 Editorial chief? (6) 5 Hates wrong speed (5) 6 The result of US Eagle’s associations (7) 7 Boiled the seed in error (7) 12 Black bra came undone (7) 13 Session with a painter when it’s time for everyone to eat (7) 15 Timeless characteristic of white tern altered (7) 16 Star sign about a fierce woman (6) 17 A boom in unusual icons (5) 19 The right fish and the means to catch them (5) 21 Weapons held by Neil Armstrong (4)

1 Obstruction (8) 7 Tremble (5) 8 Lifeless (9) 9 Pull hard (3) 10 Servant (4) 11 Stinging plant (6) 13 Light shoe (6) 14 Renovates (6) 17 Motionless (6) 18 Ale (4) 20 Pair (3) 22 Change the position of (9) 23 Unsophisticated (5) 24 Looks up (8) Down 1 Addictive narcotic (5) 2 Television channel (7) 3 Largest continent (4) 4 Head (6) 5 Hurry (5) 6 Associations (7) 7 Raged (7) 12 Gruesome (7) 13 Perching (7) 15 Endless (7) 16 Bad-tempered woman (6) 17 Relating to sound (5) 19 Spins (5) 21 Weapons (4)

Quiz Word

Across 1 It’s Not Unusual, in 1965, was which singer’s first British number one hit single? (3,5) 7 What name is given to a broad white stripe running the length of a horse’s face? (5) 8 In which 2000 Ridley Scott film did Russell Crowe star as Maximus? (9) 9 Chickadee is the North American term for which small songbird? (3) 10 What nickname is shared by Derby County FC and the American football team based in St Louis? (4) 11 What was the Roman name for the Isle of Wight? (6) 13 See 22 14 What name is given to a hot spring in which water intermittently boils, sending a tall column of water and steam into the air? (6) 17 What title is given to a person who manages the financial affairs of a college or school? (6) 18 What is the name of the French military cap with a horizontal peak? (4) 20 What name is often applied to a pilot who has shot down many enemy aircraft? (3)

22/13 What was the name of the French revolutionary who assassinated JeanPaul Marat in his bath in 1793? (9,6) 23 How many times have Nottingham Forest won the European Cup (now known as the UEFA Champions League)? (5) 24 Which large expanse of water is linked to Lake Huron by the Detroit River and to Lake Ontario by the Welland Ship Canal and the Niagara River, which is its only natural outlet? (4,4) Down 1 The name of which large cat can precede snake, shark and beetle? (5) 2 By what name is Burma now known? (7) 3 According to Scandinavian mythology, who was the supreme god and creator, god of victory and the dead? (4) 4 In Britain, what name is given to a dish served between the fish and meat courses at a formal dinner? (6) 5 Boy From New York City, Daddy Cool and Duke of Earl were all British top 10 hit singles for which ‘doo-wop’ group? (5) 6 In Greek mythology which creature

QUICKIE Across

Down

1 Bother (4) 3 Exocrine gland (8) 9 Passionate (7) 10 Dwell (5) 11 Exhausted (5) 12 Ape (6) 14 Ruler (6) 16 Exchange goods (6) 19 Squirm (6) 21 Disorder (5) 24 Adjust (5) 25 Hunting dog (7) 26 Vespers (8) 27 This place (4)

1 Filled with terror (8) 2 Range (5) 4 Presume (6) 5 Fetter (5) 6 Distinguished (7) 7 Prosecutes (4) 8 Glass vessel (6) 13 Keep safe (8) 15 Act of help (7) 17 Agreement (6) 18 Defeated (6) 20 Gripping device (5) 22 Possessing life (5) 23 Naked (4)

SPANISH-ENGLISH CROSSWORD

Improve your Spanish - Clues in Spanish, answer in English or vice versa. Across Down 1 Alfombra (grande) (6) 4 To sing (6) 9 With you (7) 10 Switzerland (5) 11 Honey (from bees) (4) 12 Bayas (7) 15 Más fácil (6) 16 Escarabajo (insecto) (6) 19 Gerente (7) 21 Race (racial origin) (4) 24 Now (at this time, immediately) (5) 25 Granary (7) 26 To adore (6) 27 Cherry tree (6)

Fill It In

Sudoku

1 Pepino (8) 2 Corredores (7) 3 Malvado (4) 5 Surtido (variado) (8) 6 Dos veces (5) 7 Leer (4) 8 Huesos (5) 13 Cobweb (8) 14 Traffic lights (8) 17 Trapecio (en gimnasia, circo) (7) 18 Pesar (objeto, persona) (5) 20 Nickname (5) 22 Cow (animal) (4) 23 Coffee (4)

had the head, arms, and torso of a man and the body and legs of a horse? (7) 7 What was the surname of the composer of the operas Peter Grimes (1945), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1960) and Death in Venice (1973)? (7) 12 What name is given to ‘a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behaviour’? (7) 13 What is the name of the famous dry red Italian wine produced in Tuscany? (7) 15 Siwash and Cowichan are both Canadian types of which knitted garment worn on the upper body? (7) 16 Which tropical fruit shaped like an elongated melon, with edible orange flesh and small black seeds is also called a papaw? (6) 17 Porto Novo is the capital of which West African country? (5) 19 What was the first name of the comedy actress Ms Handl, who starred in over 100 films including Carry On Constable and Carry On Nurse? (5) 21 Which river of central Europe, flows 1,159 km (720 miles) from the Czech Republic through Dresden, Magdeburg, and Hamburg to the North Sea? (4)

SUDOKU

Last Week’s Solutions Quizword Across: 1 Mahogany, 7 Speke, 8 Helen Hunt, 9 Lag, 10 NATO, 11 Barley, 13/22 Harold Macmillan, 14 Heroes, 17 Subway, 18 Khan, 20 Ike, 23 Anita, 24 Rosemary. Down: 1 Mahon, 2 Holster, 3/5 Gene Kelly, 4 Nougat, 6 Bee Gees, 7 Stalker, 12 Alabama, 13 Habitat, 15 Ophelia, 16 Pancho, 17 Sepia, 19 Nancy, 21 Five. Double Crossword Across: 1 Site, 3 Barbecue, 9 Serious, 10 Caste, 11 Ether, 12 Maniac, 14 Shaped, 16 Breeze, 19 Triple, 21 Babel, 24 Umber, 25 Alleges, 26 Tattered, 27 Asks. Down: 1 Suspense, 2 Torch, 4 Assume, 5 Bacon, 6 Cascade, 7 Even, 8 Hoarse, 13 Cellists, 15 Acrobat, 17 Rebels, 18 Decade, 20 Purse, 22 Bogus, 23 Aunt. Quickie Across: 1 Select, 4 Banter, 9 Almoner, 10 Beret, 11 Dance, 12 Arraign, 13 Trustworthy, 18 Crouton, 20 Shame, 22 Extra, 23 Engrave, 24 Sorbet, 25 Assess.

Span - Eng

Down: 1 Shandy, 2 Lemon, 3 Confess, 5 Amber, 6 Tarnish, 7 Retina, 8 Breadwinner, 14 Rooster, 15 Resigns, 16 Access, 17 Defers, 19 Tease, 21 Adage.

Code Cracker

Friday 5th January 2018

XAVI FOJ TO ENTER 28TH CONSECUTIVE DAKAR RALLY Cooper Tire 4x4 ambassador is preparing his 28th Dakar Rally.

Foj was honoured with Dakar Legend status earlier this year, becoming one of only six competitors ever to be awarded the title. The Spaniard joined Nani Roma, Stephane Peterhansel, Cyril Despres, Franco Picco and Yoshimasa Sugawara in receiving Dakar Legend distinction. During his Dakar career, Foj has secured two class victories, nine podium finishes and has an impressive run of 13 consecutive finishes to his name. Completing all of the special stages on a single Dakar event is an accomplishment many drivers and riders aspire to. The Dakar is famously known as the toughest endurance event in global motorsport. In its 40th anniversary year, the 10th edition of the Dakar to be held in South America will start in Peru, crossing through Bolivia and finishing in Argentina after 14 stages and a total of over 8,000km. The 2018 edition of the Dakar will be the 10th in which Foj has competed on Cooper

tyres. His Toyota Land Cruiser 150 will be shod with the all-new Cooper Discoverer S/TMAXX POR – a tyre Foj assisted in developing for extreme off-road adventures. Foj revels in the challenge of the Dakar, and especially in the T2 category, which is a cross-country class for production vehicles. Ahead of next month’s Dakar Rally, Cooper Tire visited Foj at his home in Barcelona to find out more about his extraordinary life, what makes him tick and why he lives and breathes the Dakar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6Tkae1viRA. An architect by trade, 58-year-old Foj also still works at his family business, a limestone quarry just outside his home town of Barcelona. He entered his very first Dakar in 1991 in a converted quarry truck, before switching to cars the next year. Xavi Foj commented, “Dakar is my life, concentrated into two weeks. A lot of my daily time is thinking in motorsport, thinking in Dakar. My objective is to try and win again the Dakar in a production car.”

INFINITI V6 MAKES WARD’S 10 BEST ENGINES LIST FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

The INFINITI 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine has again been named as one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for 2018. The VR-series engine has the distinction of being one of just two engines on the list to receive the award for a second consecutive year. Available in the INFINITI Q50 sports saloon and the Q60 sports coupe, the advanced VR-series engine delivers 400 horsepower and 475 NM of torque. Tom Murphy, Managing Editor, WardsAuto described the engine as ‘smooth and refined, yet devastatingly fast, with brilliant midrange acceleration and an uncanny ability to get off

the line in a hurry.’ Boasting a series of innovative technologies the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine delivers an engaging driving experience while remaining efficient thanks to the use of direct-injection, minimal mechanical friction and turbocharging. Lightweight aluminium construction also helps to keep vehicle weight low and increases engine response to deliver an engaging driving experience. The VR-series engine is the successor to INFINITI’s VQ engine, which appeared on the Ward’s 10 Best Engines list for 14 consecutive years.

CITROËN UNVEILS ITS DRIVER LINE-UP FOR 2018 Contesting the full season next year, Kris Meeke will spearhead the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, whilst Craig Breen will drive the second Citroën C3 WRC at ten rounds of the championship and Khalid Al Qassimi will appear in a third car at a handful of rallies. Sébastien Loeb will be making a much-anticipated return to the WRC with the brand in Mexico, Corsica and Catalonia. Meanwhile, Stéphane Lefebvre will be tasked with driving the Citroën C3 R5 on its debut season in the WRC2. Reaching the historic figure of one hundred World Rally Championship wins is one of the objectives that Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT has set itself for 2018. To secure the two victories needed to break this record, or indeed even surpass it, the team will once again be putting its faith in Kris Meeke, now capable of winning on any surface, as demonstrated by the five WRC rallies he has won since starting to compete for Citroën at world level in 2013. On the return of Citroën to the WRC as a works team this year, the 38 year-old Briton bagged the Citroën C3 WRC's maiden victory in only its third event, on the Mexican gravel, before also excelling on the tarmac in Corsica. The second part of the season confirmed his ability to take on the responsibilities of team leader. The highlight being a second, resounding win on the gravel and tarmac of Rally Catalunya, and a determined attitude, befitting that of a leader. Meeke will be supported in showcasing the qualities of the Citroën C3 WRC at ten rounds of the championship by Craig

Breen, who enjoyed an incredibly consistent first full season in the WRC, so much so that he racked up no fewer than six fifth-place finishes. After learning about rallying at world level in 2016 as part of the Abu Dhabi Total WRT and finishing an impressive third overall in Finland, the 27 year-old Irishman is very determined to build on the experience acquired this year and secure more podiums in 2018. The 2018 season will also see the LoebElena crew back competing for Citroën, thus reforming a partnership that has already claimed nine world drivers' and co-drivers' titles (2004 to 2012), eight manufacturers' titles (2003 to 2005 and 2008 to 2012) and some seventy-eight rally wins. After retiring from full-time involvement in the WRC at the end of 2012, and having contested only four rallies in 2013 and made a one-off appearance at the 2015 Rallye Monte-Carlo, Sébastien Loeb will be looking to find the feeling specific to rallying when he drives the second works Citroën C3 WRC in Mexico, Corsica and Spain. It will be a chance for the rally legend to enhance his illustrious record even further at events where he has previously won on six, four and eight occasions respectively, whilst also enabling Citroën's 'Red Army' to benefit from his immense, almost unrivalled experience. The team's loyalty is also reflected in the continuing involvement of Khalid Al Qassimi, who will drive a third Citroën C3 WRC on a few occasions, whilst Stéphane Lefebvre will be given the task of promoting the new Citroën C3 R5 in the highly competitive WRC2 class.

FASTER GEARSHIFTS AND MORE FUN: DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION IN THE MINI As a brand well known for it’s sporty character, MINI is set to further enhance it’s reputation with the introduction of a new transmission to the range. Extremely fast gear changes, a high degree of shift comfort and optimised efficiency – just some of the benefits of the new 7-speed Steptronic automatic double clutch transmission available for the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI 5-Door Hatch and the MINI Convertible. Customers can now order this new transmission in conjunction with selected engine varients as an alternative to the standard 6-speed manual transmission. The double clutch transmission is operated by a newly designed electronic selector lever. Further enhancing the premium charchtaer of the vehicle, the new selector lever always returns to its original position after changing between driving mode D, neutral position N and reverse mode. The parking lock is activated by pressing the P button. S mode can be activated by shifting the selector lever to the left from position D, allowing the driver manual intervention. The electronic controller paired with the new double clutch transmission includes a shift strategy based on navigation data and supports both the engine start/stop function as well as coasting in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Design principle drawn from motor racing. The design principle of the double clutch transmission has been adapted directly from motor racing. Just like on the race track, it allows MINI drivers to accelerate by enabling upward gearshifts without torque interruption. The driver can keep the accelerator pedel pressed down while the transmission control sets the shift points precisely - within just a fraction of a second the ideal engine speed is always available after the gearshift to ensure a continuous increase in speed. Transmission control always knows which is the right gear. In order to have the appropriate gear ready for the next shift, the electronic control system of the

new double clutch transmission permanently analyses the driver's intentions and the situation on the road. This analysis incorporates numerous data points, including the accelerator position, engine speed, road speed and MINI driving mode. As a result, fast gearshifts can be made to respond appropriately to sudden changes. If acceleration has to be unexpectedly interrupted, for instance, the double clutch transmission takes no more than a fraction of second to make the next gear down available instead of the next gear up. Seven gears, enhancing performance and comfort. The increase in drive positions compared with the 6-speed manual transmission benefits both performance and comfort. The seven gear double clutch transmission enables a broader spread of gears, thereby reducing the differences in engine speed between the various drive positions. Together with the direct engine link that is characteristic of the double clutch transmission, the reduced rev jumps intensify driving fun when accelerating. This applies to automatic shifts in D and S modes as well as to manual interventions in the selection of drive positions in M mode. In S mode the gearshifts occur at increased engine speeds and with further increased shift dynamics. In S mode, the driver can also spontaneously switch to manual shifting. Here, manual gear selection is sequential. The selector lever is briefly moved forward to shift down and raised slightly in order to move up to the next higher gear. Optimised efficiency with engine start/stop function and coasting mode. The 7-speed double clutch transmission electronic control system offers a wide range of progressive functions to increase the efficiency of the MINI. In order to avoid unnecessary consumption of fuel when stationary, the double clutch transmission also allows use of the engine start/stop function.

ASTON MARTIN RACING SIGNS NEW DRIVER MAXIME MARTIN Maxime first came to Aston Martin’s attention in 2010

Christmas came early for Aston Martin Racing, as the team received a special delivery in the form of Belgian GT and DTM ace, Maxime Martin. The 31-year-old has joined Aston Martin Racing to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship ‘super season’, which starts in Spring 2018. Paul Howarth, Aston Martin Racing Team Principal said: “We’ve had an eye on Maxime for several years now, so we are delighted to welcome him to Aston Martin Racing. He is an exceptionally talented GT driver and he is the perfect addition to our high-calibre driver line-up.” Following in the wheel tracks of his father - four-time Spa 24 Hours winner, JeanMichel Martin – Maxime started his own racing career in the Mini Cooper Challenge where he won the 2005 World Cup. After a brief spell in single-seaters he found his feet in GT racing, working his way up via the Megane Trophy where he was Vice Champion in 2008 and the Clio Cup France where he was crowned champion that same year. Maxime first came to Aston Martin’s attention in 2010 when he competed against Aston Martin Racing in a Ford GT in the FIA GT1 World Championship. The following year saw his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans where he finished seventh overall in the Marc VDS Lola Aston Martin DBR1-2. As a BMW factory driver since 2013, Maxime has been a constant in many of the world’s best GT series and in the German DTM Championship. Speaking about the announcement, Martin said, “I’m extremely excited to join Aston Martin Racing for the WEC super-season. I have driven other Aston Martin Racing cars in the past and have been in contact with the team for the past few years, but I am quite honoured to take the next step with this great manufacturer. It’s a new challenge for me and also a big change, but I feel that this is the right moment to make this move, especially with the race debut of the new Vantage GTE. I have competed at Le Mans three times before, but to come back again next year as an official Aston Martin Racing driver is an amazing feeling. I very much hope we can look forward to a lot of success together”. Maxime will have to wait until the new year to get his hands on the new Aston Martin Vantage GTE, which will continue its rigorous test programme in the lead up to the new season. The full Aston Martin Racing driver crew configurations will be announced in 2018.

Sport

Friday 5th January 2018

THE ETIQUETTE TOP TEN

A few days into the new golfing year, I hope that you have made and are keeping to those resolutions to keep to some basic golf etiquette that will make life better for you and your fellow players, writes JOHN FARMER. Below is a personal top ten list that I try to keep to, and hopefully it makes a fair of bit sense. I hope you agree! 1. DON'T BE SLOW Evaluate your pace of play honestly and often, and if you're consistently the slowest one in your group, you're a slow player, period. Encourage everyone to move quickly enough so you find yourself right behind the group in front several times, both early and late in the round. 2. KEEP YOUR COOL Throwing clubs, sulking and shouting profanities makes everyone uneasy. 3. RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE'S TIME Because time is our most valuable commodity, there are few good reasons for breaking a golf date. Always make your tee times! 4. RUNNING REPAIRS One of those two-pronged devices is fine for repairing pitch marks and know how to do it correctly. As for divots, replace them or use the seed mix if packed on the side of your buggy. 5. BE A SILENT PARTNER Always stand still from the time a player sets himself until the ball has left the club. Even with the advent of spikeless shoes, the etiquette rule of never walking in someone's line of play on the putting green is an absolute. The area around the hole in particular is sacred ground.

Winning Trophies

The Sailing Association Mar Menor (SAMM) recently presented their trophies for the autumn series of races, which saw 16 races completed between September and November. The results are determined using the “low points” system with each boat able to drop the scores of their 6 worst races leaving 10 scores to count for the series. The clear winner with 8.75 points was the Topaz Duo sailed by Julian Singleton (pictured) with the scores for

nine first places and one second place counting. Second was the Laser 2000, Shoestring Tres, sailed by Tug Wilson, whilst third was the Gamba, Shoestring Uno, which was skippered by Dianne Hardwick (pictured) for most of the races, but her crew varied from weekend to weekend, depending on who else from the Shoestring Group was able to compete each day. The Spring 2018 Series is scheduled to start on Sunday March 11th.

6. MAKE YOUR BUDDY 'INVISIBLE' Your aim when driving a buggy should be to leave no trace you were there. Because we tend to look where we're going and not where we've been, it's easy to damage the turf and not realise it. Avoid wet areas and spots that are getting beaten up from traffic. 7. LOOKING NEAT Your appearance speaks volumes about you as a person, and the neatly appointed golfer, like a businessman, gives the impression he thinks the golf course and the people there are special. 8. TURN IT OFF I don't know all the gadgets and settings on mobile phones, but do whatever you have to do to keep it quiet. And if you absolutely have to make a call, move away from the other players. 9. LEND A HAND It's easy to help out your fellow players, if you just pay attention. One obvious way is looking for lost balls -- better yet, watching errant shots so they don't turn into lost balls. And if you see a buggy out of position or a provisional ball that needs picking up, don't just walk by. 10. THE LITTLE THINGS There are a hundred bits of etiquette I haven't mentioned, like laying the flagstick down carefully, tamping down spike marks when you're walking OFF a green, letting faster groups play through, and so on. All of these things are learned by observing, with a sharp eye and a considerate heart. Just know that golf has a way of returning favours, and every piece of etiquette you practice will be repaid tenfold.

A Liverpool Welcome

If you are a resident or a holiday-home owner or just a holidaymaker visiting the Torrevieja area, and you happen to be a Liverpool fan, then you can join the Costa Blanca Official Liverpool Supporters Club (OLSC). The club meets for each Liverpool match at Kennedys Bar, Calle Dinamarca 9 (corner of Pola de Siero), close to Playa de Los Locos in Torrevieja, and have been getting together for over a decade. Local OLSC chairman, Bill Connerty said:- “I established the club over ten

years ago recognising the need for like-minded lovers of Liverpool FC to meet together to share their enthusiasm of the game in a friendly pub environment. Just come along to the next Liverpool game and sample the atmosphere”. To become a member of the Overseas Liverpool Supporters Club, international membership is available at £17.99 with a members pack; a digital match day programme; and a quarterly magazine. Pop along on a match day or check out the website, www.lfc-spain.com.

Rugby Round Up

The final round of FERRMUR Murcia Federation matches of 2017 saw ITV Vega Baja Orihuela lose by 58 points to 31 at Murcia XV (action pictured above). The result means that in the men’s division, Orihuela have gone down to fourth place in the table, with Lorca taking the third position. Cartagena University are on top, and they are followed by Murcia XV.

The Mar Menor Squalos had a convincing victory over bottom side Totana in their clash at Torrevieja’s Nelson Mandela stadium, with the Squalos winning 545 to stay fifth in the table In the cadetes league, ITV Orihuela Vega Baja lost to Murcia University by 59 points to 29, whilst in the women’s league, Murcia University thrashed Elche by 50 points to 5.

Sport

A NEW YEAR FOR TORRY

CD Torrevieja will be pleased to put last year behind them after suffering a gutless relegation from the Valencian third division, and then struggling to put a squad together for their new life in the Preferente Group Four. Coach Pedreno worked wonders defying early predictions as his side have produced one of the best defensive records in the division, but also one of the worst scoring teams in that

category. Even those defensive credentials came under the spotlight as they leaked three goals at leaders Hercules back in December, and then worryingly their last match of 2017 produced a three-one home defeat to Elda (photos from that game). The good news is that Torry are just one point off the play-off zone, with plenty of matches still to come through to the spring. They

will have to be on their mettle though this weekend as they go to Rojales for a local derby clash against CD Thader, who have been showing glimpses of returning to the top form they showed last season. Another issue for Torry are the poor attendances, even when the side were second in the table for a long time, with football fans sampling more entertaining fare and cheaper entrance fees at many other local clubs.

HOPE FOR ALMORADI

Life for new coach Coco looked pretty grim at Almoradi, where after an opening win in November at Orihuela B, the side have struggled, often against pretty poor opposition. Changes on and off the field were forced after ex-CD Cox coach Juanan Cases was fired for allegedly losing the support of his players, after being brought in during the summer to revitalise the club who enjoyed one sea-

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son in the higher level of the Valencian third division. Sadly, the last match of the year only attracted a couple of hundred spectators for the visit of leaders Hercules B, but Almoradi (pictured before the game) delivered with Sergi Murcia putting them in front early in the second half, only for David to grab a point in the 79th minute. This was a big morale booster ahead of the second

half of the Preferente Group Four season, with Almoradi in 14th place in the table, but only three points above the drop zone, and in the opposite direction, ten points off the play-off zone. They start this New Year programme this weekend with an away trip to Elda Industrial, who are just two points above them, and who may be more confident after a win at Torrevieja in their last outing of 2017.

Improving Thader

Injuries have blighted the first half of the CD Thader Preferente season, with the Rojales-based side widely fancied to do well in group four in the current campaign on the back of making into the play-off’s last year, and keeping a settled squad of players.

The good news for Thader followers is that key men are coming back and the results and performances are getting better, including an excellent final flourish for 2017, with a two-one victory at promotion-chasing Villajoyosa (team picture before kick-off).

Thader are now only seven points off the promotion positions and will fancy their chances in this weekend’s 2018 opener as local rivalry rules the roost as they will play against a CD Torrevieja side that have faded after a decent start in Group Four.

Monte On A Roll

There’s no doubt that 2017 was a great year in the history of CD Montesinos, with the team getting promoted to Valencia Primera Regional Group Eight. After a shaky start, and missing key players through injury, Monte have found their feet and go into the second half of the season lying fifth in the table, and being the division’s top scorers with 40 goals from their 14 outings. They are fifth in the table and are nine points behind second-placed San Joan, and in a campaign that they

were looking for simple consolidation, they have more than surpassed expectations. Vaz is continuing to bang in the goals but with an eye to improvement, defensive lapses and converting penalties is something that the team need to work on. They have no problems in attracting good home gates and an impressive away following that is the best in the whole of Group Eight, and there was not surprise that over 540 spectators piled in for the final match of 2017 as they entertain old local rivals Racing San Miguel

(photos from the game). The surprise was that the clash ended goalless in a cracking game, with Monte having 24 points to their name. Carlos Perez, the CD Montesinos coach, set his sights on 35 points for safety before the season started and that is still his primary goal for the club. After the San Miguel game, he said:- “Let´s see how high we can finish”. The first match of 2018 sees Monte away this weekend to mid-table Guardamar.

Friday 5th January 2018

Dembele’s Return Not Good Enough

La Liga returns this weekend after the festive break, with leaders Barcelona entertaining Levante this Sunday afternoon. Barca are nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, and the omens are not good for Levante, as Barca remain undefeated after 17 games played so far, whilst Levante have not won any of their last six matches in all competitions. Barca’s record signing Ousmane Dembele was set to return from a long injury lay-off in last night’s Copa del Rey match against Celta Vigo. Dembele, who joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in August, made only three appearances for the La Liga leaders before rupturing his hamstring against Getafe on September 16th. The 20-year-old French forward, who had a surgery in Finland, returned to training in December and received his medical discharge on Tuesday.

Fourth Time Lucky

Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho has already chosen his Barcelona shirt number, according to reports in Spain. However, the jersey Coutinho has set his sights on comes with a catch. The Brazilian is edging closer to a move to the Nou Camp with Barcelona desperate to get their man this month. The La Liga leaders, who failed with three bids in the summer - the latest coming in at £114m - are willing to make a January offer in excess of £130million for the 25-year-old. And with the move seemingly edging close, Coutinho has apparently chosen what number he wants to wear for Barcelona. According to Diario Gol, the Brazilian star wants to claim the number seven shirt. Which would make sense given the midfield maestro wore the same number at Inter Milan. However, the chance of Coutinho getting the shirt he wants depends if current holder Arda Turan (pictured below) moves on. The Turkey international looks set to depart Barcelona having failed to appear in La Liga this term

Real Madrid start La Liga in 2018 away to Celta Vigo on Sunday, languishing fourth in the table, and a massive 14 points behind their deadly rivals Barcelona. Real have long been known for their willingness to splash the cash on the globe’s top talent and have regularly broken the transfer fee world record. They kept their powder dry last summer though with Theo Hernandez the most high-profile of their buys, coming in from Atletico Madrid for £26.6m. Real have paid the price for their lack of spending and failure of their star men to perform, with latest reports suggesting that Real president Florentino Perez (pictured above) is looking at a number of key signings. According to Diario Gol, Real are planning to break up the Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema forward line that has served them for the past three-and-a-half years. In their respective places they want to bring in Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, Hazard from Chelsea and Kane from Tottenham. Neymar’s arrival at the Bernabeu is unlikely to happen this year though, with Real believing a two-year stay at PSG may be necessary. One player who could move quickly is Kepa Arrizabalaga (pictured below) from Athletic Bilbao, with Real planning to buy out his contract. The club are then planning to snap up Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea at the end of the season to play ahead of the Spanish goalkeeper.

Sport

Keep It In The Family

Elche have signed the 32-year-old midfielder Jony Ñiguez. Ñiguez, the older brother of Spanish international Saul and exElche player Aaron, who recently terminated his contract with UCAM Murcia by mutual consent. He becomes the fourth member of the Ñíguez family to wear the Elche shirt. after his father, Boria, and of course his brothers Aaron and Saul He has extensive experience of Segunda Division B playing for Villarreal B, Ontinyent, Mirandés, and as well as being involved in the Segunda with Real Madrid Castilla, Guadalajara and Alcorcón, as well as seeing action in thefirst divisions of the Portuguese and Slovenian leagues. The club have further strengthened their midfield by provisionally signing Crevillente-born José Antonio Ferrández Pomares from Albacete Balompié. 29-year-old Josan(pictured below), as he's known, has previously played for La Hoya Lorca, S.D. Huesca, UCAM Murcia and Albacete. The deal is subject to a medical injury being cleared up, and once that happens, his contractual period with the Ilicitanos will begin. Meanwhile, Diego Benito has left the club by mutual agreement. The first match of 2018 sees the Ilicitanos entertain CE Sabadell tomorrow afternoon(Saturday) with the Segunda Division B clash kicking off at 5.00 pm. Elche lie fourth in the table, occupying the last play-off position, a point behind third-placed Cornella.

Third Division News Much More Marco

Marco Asensio will feature in Real Madrid’s starting XI more often during the second half of the 2017/18 season, according to a report in the Marca newspaper. The team’s recent struggles will force coach Zidane’s hand as Asensio is one of the players who could rejuvenate the squad and completely turn things around for Madrid. Asensio was the hero for Real Madrid during the first few games of the season but even though he’s played more minutes than what he did during his first campaign as a Real Madrid player, he has not featured in the team’s starting lineup as often as most fans and analysts expected given the quality of his play during the pre-season and the Spanish Super Cup.

Orihuela open up their 2018 fixture list in the Valencia regional third division away to seventh-placed Torre Levante this Sunday afternoon (3.30 pm kick-off). Orihuela lie second in the table, and their final match of 2017 saw them go to the leaders Levante, who got the only goal of the match after 14 minutes, with Orihuela (pictured before kickoff) playing well, especially in the second half, and deserving at least a draw for their efforts. The result means that Levante are five points ahead of Orihuela in the standings, with Orihuela looking to boost their fire power by signing 20-year-old Venezuelan striker Marco Farisato on loan for the rest of the season from Valencia CF, after a short spell at Cartagena. Crevillente’s final game of 2017 was a disappointing one-nil defeat at relegation-threatened Almazora thanks to a late firsthalf penalty, and so far in this campaign, Crevillente have shown themselves more than capable of playing good football and getting results to match. They are lie 10th in the table, nine points off the play-off zone, and begin their account for 2018 with a journey to the team just above them in the table, Villarreal (Sunday, 3.30 pm kick-off). Elche Ilicitano are just above the relegation zone, and rounded-off 2017 with a two-nil defeat at promotion-chasing Eldense. Their 2018 opener is a tough clash at third-placed Castellón this Sunday afternoon, kicking-off at 5.00 pm.

In The Money

Zidane’s Concerns

La Liga leaders Barcelona received a record 146.2 million euro last season from television rights, figures from La Liga show, earning seven million euro more than champions Real Madrid. The 20 clubs in Spain's top flight took in 1.247 billion euro, rising from 1.237 billion from the previous year, with Barca earning an extra 6.2 million than the year before. The income is distributed according to results in the last five years, explaining why Barca, champions in 2013, 2015 and 2016, earned more than Real, who won the title last season for the first time since 2012. Real earned the second biggest amount, 140 million euro, Atletico Madrid picked up the third largest share, 99 million, while Athletic Bilbao took the fourth largest sum, 71 million. Leganes, who in 2016 were promoted to the top flight for the first time ever, earned the smallest amount of all the teams, pocketing 39.3 million. Last season was the second campaign in which La Liga sold its television rights collectively following a change in the Spanish law in 2015. Under the previous system, based on club's negotiating their deals individually, the league earned a total 851 million euro from television rights. La Liga, which controls the top two divisions in Spanish football, distributes 90 percent of income to the top flight, with 10 percent going to the second tier Segunda Division. The league is currently negotiating its next television deal, coming into effect from 2019-20, which the organisation's president Javier Tebas says could be worth 2.3 billion.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has spoken on the possibility of being shown the exit door at the club. Zidene is unsure of what his future holds, admitting that “you never know” what can happen at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real are famous for sacking coaches, with Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti among those to be discarded in recent years, despite bringing success. Real Madrid trail rivals Barcelona by 14 points — though they have a game in hand, with Zidane accepting that he simply has to focus on the next six months. When asked about the situation at the club, Zidane said, “It’s sad, but here you never know.” “I will try to end the season in the best way because we have many possibilities to win things again and that’s really motivating for me and for the team. I can’t look further than the six next months I have ahead.” Zidane also said the club was open to dipping into the transfer market following injuries to some key players. “Maybe now that I will explain it in French it will be easier to make it clear,” he added. “We can sign new players until January 31st. The possibility is there and anything can happen, but what I said before and the most important thing for me is that I’m very happy with my squad, and whatever happens for better or for the worse, I’m the one who built this squad and I take responsibility for that.” “I take responsibility for my choices and for everything I did, I won’t blame anyone else if things don’t go well, like it happened in some games.” “We are here, we’re still alive in the three tournaments left, and I say it forcefully and resolutely. Then in June we will see what happens, but today we are here and we are still in a good position, that’s for sure,” he said.

At Long Last

Messi On Top

Diego Costa has been finally been unveiled as an Atletico Madrid player, three months after agreeing to leave Chelsea in a £57m deal. Costa was presented alongside fellow new signing Vitolo ahead of an open training session in front of 25,000 fans at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday to bring the curtain down on 2017. The Spain international is eager to begin his second spell at Atletico after being confined to the club's training ground since September, shackled by the club's ban on registering new players. "I've waited a long time for this day, I've been working hard and training hard but there's nothing else to do, I need to play, I'm tired of training," Costa told a news conference. Atletico are currently second in La Liga but Costa's return cannot come soon enough for Diego Simeone's side, who are nine points adrift of leaders Barcelona and had their confidence rocked by elimination from the Champions League group stage.

www.thecourier.es

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was voted the Best Footballer of the World for 2017 in the annual poll conducted by the Marca newspaper. Marca readers voted for the Argentinian ahead of his rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who last month won the Ballon D’Or award. Marca’s editorial said that: - “The discussion has already moved to whether or not Messi is the greatest player of all time, and few words are left to describe him”. Behind Messi and Ronaldo, the final list in Marca also included Isco, Harry Kane, Luka Modric, Kylian Mbappé, Gianluigi Buffon, Neymar, Sergio Ramos and Kevin De Bruyne.

FIXTURES Friday 5 January English FA Cup 20:55 Liverpool V. Everton 21:00 Manchester United V. Derby County Saturday 6 January English FA Cup 13:45 Fleetwood Town V. Leicester City 14:00 Middlesbrough V. Sunderland 16:00 Aston Villa V. Peterborough United 16:00 Birmingham City V. Burton Albion 16:00 Blackburn Rovers V. Hull City 16:00 Bolton Wanderers V. Huddersfield Town 16:00 Bournemouth V. Wigan Athletic 16:00 Brentford V. Notts County 16:00 Cardiff City V. Mansfield Town 16:00 Carlisle United V. Sheffield Wednesday 16:00 Coventry City V. Stoke City 16:00 Doncaster Rovers V. Rochdale 16:00 Exeter City V. West Bromwich Albion 16:00 Fulham V. Southampton 16:00 Ipswich Town V. Sheffield United 16:00 Manchester City V. Burnley 16:00 Millwall V. Barnsley 16:00 Newcastle United V. Luton Town 16:00 Queens Park Rangers V. MK Dons 16:00 Stevenage V. Reading 16:00 Watford V. Bristol City 16:00 Wolhampton Wnders V. Swansea City 16:00 Wycombe Wnders V. Preston North End 16:00 Yeovil Town V. Bradford City 18:30 Norwich City V. Chelsea English Football League ‐ League One 15:00 Northampton Town V. Southend United 16:00 Charlton Athletic V. Oldham Athletic 16:00 Oxford United V. Blackpool 16:00 Plymouth Argyle V. Bury English Football League ‐ League Two 16:00 Accrington Stanley V. Chesterfield 16:00 Colchester United V. Cheltenham Town 16:00 Forest Green Rovers V. Port Vale 16:00 Grimsby Town V. Morecambe Scottish Championship 16:00 Brechin City V. Morton 16:00 Dumbarton V. Dunfermline Athletic 16:00 Falkirk V. Dundee United 16:00 Livingston V. Queen of the South 16:00 St. Mirren V. Inverness Calnian Thistle Scottish League One 16:00 Airdrieonians V. East Fife 16:00 Alloa Athletic V. Albion Rovers 16:00 Ayr United V. Arbroath 16:00 Queen’s Park V. Stranraer 16:00 Raith Rovers V. Forfar Athletic Scottish League Two 16:00 Annan Athletic V. Montrose 16:00 Cowdenbeath V. Edinburgh City 16:00 Elgin City V. Clyde 16:00 Stenhousemuir V. Peterhead 16:00 Stirling Albion V. Berwick Rangers Sunday 7 January English FA Cup 13:00 Newport County V. Leeds United 15:00 Shrewsbury Town V. West Ham United 16:00 Tottenham Hotspur V. AFC Wimbledon 17:00 Nottingham Forest V. Arsenal Monday 8 January English FA Cup 20:45 Brighton / Hove Albion V. Crystal Palace Tuesday 9 January English League Cup Leg 1 20:45 Manchester City V. Bristol City English Football League Trophy 20:30 Bury V. Fleetwood Town 20:30 Oldham Athletic V. Leicester City U21 20:45 Charlton Athletic V. Oxford United 20:45 Luton Town V. Peterborough United 20:45 Portsmouth V. Chelsea U21 20:45 Rochdale V. Lincoln City 20:45 Yeovil Town V. Forest Green Rovers

Information correct at time of publication but subject to change at short notice.

Sport

WALCOTT MOVING

UP FOR THE CUP

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has reportedly decided that he would be open to moving to AC Milan on a six-month loan deal. Walcott has struggled for playing time in the Premier League this season, with the attacker featuring for just 50 minutes across five substitute appearances. Former club Southampton are also said to be keen on signing the striker before the end of the month.

RONALDO RUMOURS

It’s FA Cup third round weekend, and there are two belters to get us going this Friday evening, with Virgil van Dijk, the world's most expensive defender, possibly making his Liverpool debut against Everton at Anfield tonight (live on BBC 1, 8.55 pm kick-off), as Reds boss Jurgen Klopp faces off against his Blues rival Sam Allardyce. Between them, Everton and Liverpool have 27 final appearances and 12 trophy wins, however, for both of these Merseyside rivals, the last season in the FA Cup was a forgettable one. Both the teams lost by a 1-2 scoreline at home, early in the competition last time – Everton to Leicester City in the third round and Liverpool to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fourth round. Manchester United begin their bid to win a 13th FA Cup when they face Championship high-flyers Derby County at Old Trafford tonight. The Red Devils endured a difficult Christmas period, drawing three consecutive Premier League matches after losing to Bristol City in the Carabao Cup on December 20nd. They

then returned to winning ways at Everton on Monday evening. The Rams, under manager Gary Rowett, have gone unbeaten in their past seven matches and are second in the Championship, and though a cup run would be good for the bank account, the club’s priority is most certainly a return to the Premier League. You will always get at least a couple of surprise third-round results, and two games that could provide them are Watford’s match against Bristol City and Swansea’s trip to Wolves, with both championship sides in with a chance of a Premier League scalp. Two other potential surprises to look out for are Exeter’s home game against West Brom and Southampton’s trip to Fulham, in what isn’t exactly the most exciting third round fixture list of all time. Sadly there are no non-league sides around to emulate Lincoln City’s exploits of last season, and that’s what the cup is all about for many people, and that’s why this weekend’s results will not get the casual football fan too excited.

MURRAY’S AUSSIE AGONY

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly received three offers to leave the Bernabeu. Despite only penning a new long-term deal last summer, Ronaldo has allegedly requested that his current club lower his price-tag. According to El Chiringuito, three clubs are ready to make official approaches for Ronaldo, with one said to be expected in the coming days, with rumours linking Manchester United and Paris SaintGermain to the striker.

Britain's Andy Murray has pulled out of the Australian Open after failing to recover from an ongoing hip injury. The three-time Grand Slam champion has not played a competitive match since Wimbledon last summer. "Sadly I won't be playing in Melbourne this year, as I am not yet ready to compete," said Murray, 30, who said he will be assessing all his options. The Australian Open starts on January 15th. "I appreciate all the messages of support and I hope to be back playing soon," Murray added. Murray explained how demoralising it is to be short of fitness despite six months of painstaking rehabilitation. He stressed surgery was still something he wanted to avoid, but that it was now something he may have to con-

sider. Meanwhile, Britain’s top ladies player, Johanna Konta hopes to defend her Sydney International title next week despite retiring with injury in the Brisbane International quarter-final. The British number one needed treatment on her right hip during the deciding set against Elina Svitolina yesterday and ended the match when serving at 3-2 down. Konta, 26, will be assessed today but is "unclear" on what the injury is. But her focus on Sydney will ease concerns she may miss the Australian Open. "I will definitely give it the maximum amount of time to be able to play in Sydney," said Konta.