The Weekender Issue 38

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ISSUE 038

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Thursday 29th March 2018

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New Appeal over missing mum A £100,000 reward is offered for information over the disappearence of Lisa Brown, a mother of one, from Alexandria, Scotland.

Lisa was 31 when she vanished from her home in Guadiaro in Cadiz on November 4 2015.

The appeal comes from Lisa’s family and is backed by the Foreign Office and, the Spanish Authorities, and UK charity Crimestoppers.

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SEVEN DAY WEEKENDER THE sun is out - remember the shades and hats people and Easter is here; the crowds are heading for the coast.

The great getaway starts from Spain’s cities tonight (Maundy Thursday) as people jump into cars and head off to enjoy a mini-getaway over the long weekend.

Sadly, there is always a spike in road accidents, and a corresponding jump in fatalities in the rush to leave and get back home at the end of the weekend.

The police do their best to control matters and each year call for drivers to be safe behind the wheel but it remains a tough time for the emergency services.

Hire cars are also in demand

at airports as toursists arrive to spend a little time in the Spanish sunshine (although the weather can still be a little tricky) and can find themselves a tad fazed on the region’s roads and by some of the habits of the Spanish driver.

Also causing concern can be cyclists enjoying a ride out on their machines; they should be aware of the increased road traffic but should also be aware of people on foot (also known as pedestrians) on what Americans like to call ‘the sidewalk’.

The Weekender almost lost a journalist this week to a family riding in convoy on a pavement; the ‘cyclecade’ led

by Daddy Bear, followed by

assorted little bears and with Mummy Bear bringing up the rear.

Easter is the start of the holiday season for Costa Blanca businesses and usually a good time is had by all at the resorts.

In the words of the Hill Street Blues watch sergeant: ‘Be careful out there”. We care about the health and safety of our readers!

Meanwhile it is time to indulge in a little bit of chocolate therapy and maybe a traditional hot cross bun and relax.

At the Weekender offices and in the Galaxy Radio studios the number of disgarded chocolate wrappings show the choc fest has started early. Enjoy!

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Design & Production

Media Director

Senior Reporter

Local Reporter

Marco Baiardo

Marco Baiardo Jr.

Adam King

Simon Russell

Andy Mansell

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Triple stabbing deaths THE Guardia Civil have opened an investigation after three members of the same family were found stabbed to death at a property on Tenerife on the Canary Islands. The victims are said to be a 70-yearold man, his wife and stepson; the older male victim is known to be a local businessman with interests in the Los Cristianos resort area.

by Simon Russell

It has been confirmed that the bodies were discovered by a grandson on the farmhouse where they lived in Arona.At this moment the Guardia Civil have stressed that they have not ruled out any hypothesis regarding the tragedy and refuse to speculate as to the reason behind the tragedy.

Gang preyed on vulnerable girls TEN Algerian men, including two minors, have been arrested in connection with a series of sexual assaults on girls in Alicante who ran away from a juvenile centre. It is alleged that the gang targeted vulnerable young women, tempting them to join their gang with offers of drugs, alcohol and gifts. However once they had agreed the girls, one of who is only aged 14, were locked up and sexually abused. One of the three girls, aged 17, is still missing while the other two have been returned to care.

The investigation started after the girls went missing from the centre where they

by Matthew Richards

were housed. This eventually led police to the Algerian gang who it is believed have carried out similar attacks in the past.

The group were also involved in other criminal activities and various goods have been

seized including mobile phones, bicycles and computer equipment. Charges include sexual assault, sexual abuse, corruption of minors, robbery with violence, forced robbery and belonging to a criminal organisation.

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Slippery separatist finally caught

by Simon Russell

SPANISH authorities have revealed that a tracking device was attached to the car that Carles Puigdemont was travelling in before being stopped and detained in Germany this week.

It looked like the exiled Catalan separatist leader had once again given authorities the slip after leaving Finland where there was an international warrant in place for his arrest.

However his luck finally ran out and German police stopped

him after being tipped off by their Spanish counterparts.

This prompted riots in Catalonia and Madrid as fresh protests about Madrid’s handling of the affair saw people from both sides taking to the streets. Once again the police were accused of being heavy handed with some protestors being injured.

The German authorities have yet to decide whether to deport Puigdemont to face trial in Spain for sedition and

some are saying that German lawyers are unhappy with aspects of the Spanish arrest warrant. He is being detained in a jail in Neumunster due to a high risk of flight, and his lawyer has said that Puigdemont is resigned to “an extended spell in jail� both in Germany and Spain.

German lawyers have up to 60 days to decide whether to deport him and have admitted a decision before Easter is extremely unlikely.

Senior smashes A septuagenarian and an octogenarian were both involved in car accidents on the same day in southern Alicante province last week. The first incident involved an 88 year old and his 77-year-old female passenger who were hospitalised after the

by Matthew Richards

man drove off the road between San Miguel and Torrevieja.

Later the same day a 79-year-old man and his 72-year-old passenger were also taken to hospital after

driving into a ditch near Tibi.

The man had broken his pelvis and his female companion had bad contusions. There appeared to be no obvious cause in either accident, which occurred last Wednesday during windy but dry weather.

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

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New appeal over missing Scot The family of Lisa Brown, a mother of one child from Alexandria, Scotland, will launch a fresh appeal in the province of Cadiz, today Friday 23 March, for information on her disappearance in Spain more than two years ago.

The appeal is supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Spanish authorities and is backed up by a reward of up to £100,000 from the family, which is supported by UK charity Crimestoppers.

Ms Brown was 31 when she vanished from her home in Guadiaro, Cadiz province, on November 4, 2015.

Craig Douglas, Ms Brown’s brother, said their family believes that there is a ‘wall of silence’ among the English-speaking community in southern Spain over his sister’s disappearance.

“We are sure that people know what happened and ask them to think of a little boy who asks every night when his Mummy is coming home. We also hope that the reward might persuade people to tell us what happened,” Craig said in a press conference in the locality of Los Barrios, in the province of Cadiz, to launch this appeal.

Roger Critchell, Crimestoppers

Director of Operations, said: “The family are desperate to find out what happened to Lisa. We understand that people are not always willing to go to the police so we would urge them to contact Crimestoppers with 100% anonymity through our phone line and our online form.”

Critchell also participated in the press conference, in which the British Ambassador Simon Manley said he hoped the launch of this appeal is effective.

“Citizen collaboration is essential in these kind of cases,” the Ambassador said. “Cooperation between Spanish and British security forces is another key element, and both countries have an excellent relationship in this field.”

Those with information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and 900 555 111 in Spain or via the web form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/giveinformation/give-informationonline/.

The reward will be paid out to any providing substantial information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible or results in identifying the whereabouts of the body. The reward will be valid for six months

Suspect on the run

SPANISH courts have issued an international arrest warrant for British murder suspect Simon Corner (above right), prompting fears he has left the country.

Lisa Brown went missing from the home she shared with Corner in Andalucia. Bloodstains and other forensic evidence gave the authorities reason to think she was the victim of a violent incident although, despite extensive searches, no trace has been found of her or a body.

Spanish police had sufficient evidence to bring Corner to their suspicion, although he had previously managed to leave Spain for the Far East before being questioned. In April 2016 he was arrested in Denmark under a previous international arrest warrant and returned to Spain. Controversially he was released on bail in March last year and, as Lisa’s family feared, the new international warrant indicates he may have fled the country again, although his passport was con-

fiscated as a condition of bail.

Earlier this year Corner had missed two court signing-on sessions, prompting the original issuing of a national arrest warrant.

Corner, aged 35 and originally from Liverpool, has always denied any involvement in Lisa’s disappearance.

However Spanish investigators think that Corner, a boat-owner, may have dumped her body at sea. Whatever the truth, they remain keen to talk to the man, so far the only “person of interest” in his girlfriend’s disappearance.

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THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

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LTHOUGH still a tragic toll, the five, possibly six, women murdered as a result of gender violence in the first quarter of 2018 is the lowest figure in Spain for a decade. Last year

by Matthew Richards

by 22 March 16 women had been killed by partners or expartners.

Official victims so far this year include Jennifer

Hernandez from Tenerife, Pilar Cabrerizo (Granada), Adela Fortes (Malaga) and Paz Fernandez (Asturias).

Authorities think the name of Dolores Vargas is also likely to be added to that list.

Her body was found by the road of the A-5 motorway near Toledo having been intentionally run over several times. Her boyfriend has been linked to the death and is currently in hiding.

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Super schools SPANISH paper “El Mundo” has published its list of what it has judged to be the best 50 charter and private schools in the Valencia Community. Charter schools receive government funding but operate outside of the

by Simon Russell

state schooling system. The list was judged on a number of criteria including languages, facilities, diversity, university entrances, staff and many others.

Number one on the

listing was Mas Camarena in Paterna with 94 points out of a possible 100 followed

by Laude Newton College in Elche (91 points) and San Antonio Abad in Valencia City (also 91). The top ten features two schools from

Elche, two from Alicante City and one from Alcoy while the Lope de Vega in Benidorm is 27th with 83 points. The paper has said that its list is not definitive, merely the result of the criteria they decided to apply.

Baby sweetener for Turron Town BEST known for making the turron nougat delicacies that bears its name, the Valencian town of Jijona is offering financial incentives to expanding families. The move comes as the town is becoming concerned at the increasing drop in

by Matthew Richards

its population, currently standing at 6,800 down from a level of 9,000 in the 1980’s.

Any residents giving birth will be paid €150 for each child from the town halls coffers with an initial

€8,000 being put aside for the incentive. Known as “baby cheques”, Social Services Councillor Maria Carbonell has said that this is part of a larger package to encourage people to have children and, just as importantly, for young families to stay in the town.

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

Living on an island A Spanish island previously owned by a British family has now been sold to a private buyer after attempts for it to be returned to public ownership failed.

The three by

by Simon Russell

one kilometre S’Espalmador is part of the Balearics and authorities from nearby Formentera were keen to purchase it. However the Spanish government

was unable to provide funding and it has now been bought by a family from Luxembourg for €18 million.

S’Espalmador was initially purchased

by Briton Bernard Cinnamond in 1932 for the grand sum of 42,500 pesetas, about €250.

The island had passed down through the years to Mr Cinnamond’s

grandchildren who recently decided to sell the property. Although they would have given the Formentera government first refusal, the Cinnamonds decided to accept the recent offer. However the new owners are still subject to strict laws regarding construction and tourism, as the entire 137 hectares of land is a nature reserve.

Fibre for all PRIME Minister Mariano Rajoy has announced the details of an ambitious project that aims to bring fibre-optic broadband to almost all of Spain by 2021.

Given the not very catchy title “Plan 300x100”, if successfully implemented the initiative will mean Spanish access to fast internet and digital technology

by Matthew Richards

will far outstrip that of any other European country.

The plan has an investment of €525 million, much of it from telecom giants such as Telefonica and Orange. The target of 95% coverage by the end of 2021 has actually already been achieved

in Madrid and the Basque Country and the challenge now will be to reach most of the more rural areas and provincial towns scattered across Spain. A further €45 million has been set aside for ensuring satellite based broadband can be accessed by the 5% of the country without broadband by 2021.

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THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

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THE refusal of Algorfa’s mayor to supply his police with breathalysers has raised eyebrows in some corners, not least as he was caught drink driving himself earlier this year. Manuel Ros was three times over the limit when he was stopped near the Vega Baja town where he leads the council and many think he was lucky to keep his job.

The police union

by Simon Russell

say they have put in five separate requests for their own breath test machines but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears and they need to borrow equipment from other forces. Mayor Ros was not breathalysed by his own officers when he failed the test in January but by police from Benijofar – who do have the requisite equipment.

Bitcoin bonanza A Ukrainian computer hacker arrested in Alicante earlier this month had around €120 million worth of cyber-currency Bitcoins in an account. Described as a computer genius and one of the world’s top hackers, Denis K was thought to be part of a gang working for the so called Russia mafia.

The cybercriminals may have stolen up to a billion euros from over 40 countries, although much of that money would never have made it into their own pockets due to the mafia’s involvement.

Financial hacks included programming cashpoint machines to empty money as well as the Bitcoin thefts.

Denis moved house frequently to avoid detection and took a number of on-line precautions to hide his identity. However the cyber police are also becoming highly skilled and eventually their efforts led to the arrest of the man in the San Juan beach area of Alicante where he lived with his wife and child.

Police have seized PC’s, software, half a million euros worth of jewellery and two high end cars. They have also frozen various bank accounts and seized two properties worth an estimated million euros. Three other men all thought to be hackers who worked with the suspect, are also being sought by police.

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

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Finance Feature provided by...

Chorus Financial is a trading style of Tourbillon Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (Gibraltar), Licence Number FSC1118B and registered with the UK FCA as an EEA Authorised firm, reference 539348.

Is leaving money in the bank all that safe?

By Tracy Storer

Senior Partner Chorus Financial

Time flies, and seems to get faster as you get older! How often do you reminisce about the past and then realise it was 10/20/30 years ago!

Let’s take 1997 for example; the year the world mourned the death of Diana, the Princess of Wales, and the UK saw a landslide general election victory for the Labour Party under Tony Blair. Katrina and the waves won the Eurovision song contest with Love Shine a light and the year that channel 5 was launched. The average price of a house was £68k and a litre of petrol?... 61p.

It’s crazy how live evolves, the people and memories we pick up along the way, the mistakes we make and lessons we learn. Whilst technology is constantly changing and the way we do things is different, there is always one thing that stays the same – inflation.

I cannot tell you how many times I have sat down with clients who haven’t taken inflation seriously. It was only last week that a client walked into the office and during his financial review it was revealed that before moving to Spain, 20 years ago, he sold his UK property and brought a Spanish property and had £70k surplus.

Not knowing what to do with it, he decided to leave it safe and secure in a UK bank account.

The years have passed and my

client has settled into Spanish life and has never looked back.

The £70k he originally put in his UK bank was still there and over-all he was happy with his life decisions. That was until I calculated the effect of inflation on his £70k, in today’s terms his £70k is worth the equivalent of £46k meaning he’d lost £24k in spending power – and people think the bank is the safest place to keep your money!

Over that same period, if my client had placed his money into a cautious investment, returning 4% after fees, that £70k would now be worth £153k beating inflation by £33k.

As a truly independent advisory, Chorus have access to the whole of the market, however two providers who have proved incredibly popular

with our clients here in Spain are The Prudential & Old Mutual.

These FTSE 100 companies have a combined 40 million clients worldwide and have set up solutions specifically for Expats in Spain. It’s reassuring for our clients that we only recommend solutions from well-known, ‘house-hold name’ institutions.

The Prudential and Old Mutual Spanish compliant bonds offer a whole host of advantages which can include tax efficiency, inheritance tax mitigation, ease of accounting and no requirement to report on the Modelo 720 as an overseas asset.

Inflation risk is real and should be taken seriously. You don’t need to take aggressive financial risks to protect

against it, just sensible financial planning.

If you have any questions about these products or their suitability for you then please contact me today on 693 107 044 or email t.storer@ chorusfinancial.es Investment contracts are intended as medium to long term investments, and all investments have some level of risk. Figures in this article are examples of what can be achieved, and cannot be guaranteed; the value of your investments can go down as well as up. Fees and charges can vary and will be fully explained to you before any advice can take place. This article should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular product.

Chorus Financial are a trading style of Tourbillon Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (Gibraltar), licence Number FSC1118B & registered with the UK FCA, ref. 539348.

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

Stay safe at Easter DUE mainly to the influx of visitors, Easter week is often the busiest time of the year for the emergency services in the Alicante area. Much of the incidents they are called out to attend are preventable with some common sense,and the Alicante fire fighters consortium has issued some simple advice regarding driving, hiking and other common activities.

As you probably know, roads will be very busy this week, often with people who do not know the area or are

by Simon Russell

not even used to driving on the right. Advice for people on longer journeys includes checking the vehicle before your journey, respect speed limits and never drink or take drugs behind the wheel.

If you are going on holiday when you arrive at your destination make yourself familiar with escape exits, trip-switches, fire extinguishers etc. Be careful with lighting fires, barbecues and discarding cigarettes and be aware

of the effects of excessive alcohol, especially if you are in charge of small children.

Hiking is popular in the area and the reason many people come to Alicante on holiday. However hikers should treat the activity as a serious pursuit and always wear suitable clothing including footwear, take maps, know their route and ensure they have a mobile phone with them plus plenty of liquids, preferably water.

Easter is a popular time for hikers before the weather gets too hot, but also one of the busiest periods for the mountain rescue teams who are often called out to attend preventable incidents.

Finally they ask that you be aware of neighbours, especially the elderly, who are on their own and vulnerable. They have also asked that people living on their own inform trusted neighbours if they are going away – every Easter there are call outs from concerned neighbours when the occupant in question has actually left to spend time with friends or family.

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Windy weekend

A windy week across the Valencian Community reached its peak last Saturday with gusts of up to 145 kmph recorded in Alicante province. Firecrews were called out on over 200 occasions for everything from fallen trees to fires fanned by the strong winds. A petrol station in Pedreguer threatened to become a major incident as the wind made extinguishing the flames difficult after spreading to wasteland where furniture and old vehicles caught

by Matthew Richards

fire. Four fire engines were needed to bring the blaze under control and the petrol station was closed due to danger of re-ignition.

Some of the strongest winds were recorded in the Vega Baja and Torrevieja where two palm trees were felled in the town. A tree was also blown over in a car park in Orihuela and Almoradi recorded several incidents, although no-one was reported hurt in any municipality. In Calpe a

lorry was toppled over and ended up on a roundabout while a marquis erected for a book fair in the town was badly damaged.

Across the region sporting events, markets and festivals were cancelled due to the danger from the winds and Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante was closed. There were reports of injuries including someone who had a finger crushed in a door and an elderly man blown to the ground and hurt but none were said to be serious.

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Back In

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

£5,000 REWARD FOR CHARITY IF VANDAL WHO DEFACED DAVID BOWIE STATUE COMES FORWARD A David Bowie superfan has said he will donate £5,000 to the homeless if the vandal who sprayed graffiti on the UK’s first David Bowie statue hands himself in. Alex Laurent, who runs more than 100 David Bowie tribute groups, has made the gesture after the words ‘feed the homeless first’ was sprayed on the tribute just 48 hours after it was unveiled.

He told the Bucks Herald: ‘Let’s see if they have the conviction to be convicted.’ Alex added: ‘I am saddened and embarrassed by my fellow Brits actions, but accept this could happen easily elsewhere in the world. ‘Having worked for David Bowie for many years, I can say that he was not a person that would encourage a statue, but he was fiercely British and loved his country.’

The memorial was put up at Aylesbury’s Market Square in Buckinghamshire, where Bowie made his debut as Ziggy Stardust.

Sculptor Andrew Sinclair told Metro. co.uk: ‘I don’t think the vandal thought about it and can’t face up to what he has done.

‘I think he was stupid and ill informed and if he really believes in that why doesn’t he start a kickstarter

campaign. ‘It’s totally stupid because not a penny is public taxpayer money and that has been very clear from the beginning. ‘The campaign focused on Bowie fans and what he has done is mind-blowingly stupid.

‘In the aftermath of the vandalism people have taken it to their hearts and really come together.’

Mr Sinclair and his team have spent the last two years working on the sculpture, but he says it was ‘bad news this morning’ when he heard about what had happened. He said: ‘It has been a big part of our lives.

‘It was an opportunity not to be passed out and he is such a mercurial character. ‘I wanted to create something that wasn’t conventional I wanted something very unusual ‘I’m really touched and moved by the reception and I think art should have a wow factor and I think I have managed to achieve it with this.’

COCA-COLA IS PLANNING TO CLOSE TWO OF ITS SITES IN THE REGION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF ALMOST 300 JOBS.

The US drinks giant announced it will shut its manufacturing site in Milton Keynes and a distribution centre in Northampton.

Both sites would close next year, with a total of 288 jobs at risk if the proposed changes are implemented.

A company statement said: “We know today’s news will be upsetting for our people at these sites, and our immediate priority is to support them throughout the consultation process.

“We are proud of our longstanding links with both towns and have not made these proposals lightly.

“However, we believe the proposed changes are necessary as they would provide significant improvements productivity and create greater efficiency across our manufacturing and distribution operations in Great Britain.<

“If these proposed changes are implemented they could result in the total loss of 288 roles, and the sites would close in 2019.

“At the same time we are proposing to transfer production and warehousing to other GB

sites. We expect to create 121 additional roles across our manufacturing and distribution networks, providing potential redeployment opportunities for impacted colleagues.”

Britain BLACK CAB RAPIST WORBOYS WILL STAY BEHIND BARS

A decision to release black cab rapist John Worboys from jail has been overturned by the High Court.

Three judges ruled today (March 28) that the Parole Board must make a “fresh determination” in the case of the 60-year-old serial sex attacker following a challenge by victims.

Parole Board chairman Nick Hardwick resigned ahead of the ruling, according to unconfirmed reports.

The judges, Sir Brian Leveson, Justice Jay and Justice Garnham, said the board should have “undertaken further inquiry into the circumstances of his offending.”

They said due to their findings the “release decision will be quashed” and the case will now be “remitted to the Parole Board for fresh determination before a differently constituted panel.”

During a hearing earlier this month, lawyers for two women who brought the challenge, argued that the decision by the Parole Board to release Worboys was

“irrational” and should be overturned.

Worboys’ release was first granted in January, however at the conclusion of the hearing on March 14 the judges continued a temporary bar preventing the Worboys release.

Worboys, who now goes by the name of John Radford, was jailed indefinitely in 2009 with a minimum term of eight years.

He had been found guilty of 19 offences which included rape, sexual assault and drugging, committed against 12 victims.

However, police believe he committed crimes against 105 women between 2002 and 2008, when he was caught.

The judges heard that Worboys, who has served 10 years behind bars, including remand time, has denied committing any offences other than those for which he was convicted.

The Parole Board argued that its decision was “lawful and rational” and was based on appropriate evidence.

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

HIGH TECH CHOC: UK’S NEW MILKYBAR IS WORLD FIRST

Nestlé UK and Ireland has unveiled Milkybar Wowsomes, the first chocolate bar in the world to use Nestlé’s innovative sugar reduction technique.

Nestlé researchers made a scientific breakthrough when they transformed the structure of sugar through a newly developed process using only natural ingredients. Inspired by candy floss, experts created aerated, porous particles of sugar that dissolve more quickly in the mouth. This allows someone to perceive the same level of sweetness as before while consuming less sugar.

With the help of this new technology, Milkybar Wowsomes has 30% less sugar than similar chocolate products

and contains no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colours or flavourings.

Milkybar Wowsomes has milk as its number one ingredient, contains crispy oat cereal pieces, is a source of fibre and is gluten free. The range has products in a number of different sizes for different occasions and the largest sized bars are 18g and have 95 calories each.

The achievement is all the more impressive as it has taken little over a year for Nestlé teams in Switzerland, the UK and the Czech Republic to take the scientific and technological breakthrough and turn it into a new confectionery product. Milkybar Wowsomes will appear in stores across the UK and Ireland in the coming weeks.

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CHEATING is just not cricket and the antics of Australian players during a South African test are not the only rule breakers making the news – the organisers of the ‘Leave’ campaign ahead of the 2016 referendum also find themselves on a sticky wicket.

It is alleged Vote Leave and other groups have been ball tampering and used a “common plan” to swerve spending control rules during the referendum campaign – and this goes beyond plastering battle buses with a promised extra £350 million a week for the NHS should Britain leave the European Union.

Back in Westminster, MPs of the Commons Media Committee are debating the accusations of cheating ahead of the poll amidst claims ‘leavers’ have trapped leg before and the parliamentary umpire should raise a finger and declare them ‘out’.

A former employee of Cambridge Analytica (CA) has been giving evidence to the politicians; Christopher Wylie was the whistleblower – saying leave groups used Aggregate IQ, a “franchise”, to dodge controls.

He said using information from CA data bases via Aggregate IQ, the leave groups were able to target swing voters ahead of the historic poll.

CA is also in the news over claims it amassed the data of millions of Facebook users without their consent and used it to influence the outcome of the United States presidential election in 2016, which saw Donald Trump move to the White House.

Vote Leave has denied accusations it broke spending rules on the campaign trail. MPs are investigating whether the law was broken over strict spending limits by the group co-ordinating its activity with other like-minded campaigners.

Labour MP Frank Field said while he supported Brexit, he believed that if the legislation was breached and offences committed, the “full weight of the law” should be thrown at anyone discovered to have played a culpable part.

However, Conservative Sir Edward Leigh suggested claims of underhand behaviour and ‘influence’ were “grossly exaggerated. He added voters had “the good sense to make up their mind” and backed Brexit by a 52% to 48% margin.

Former volunteer Shahmir Sanni has claimed Vote Leave may have dodged spending controls by using a different pro-Brexit group, BeLeave; giving it £625,000 but insisting the money be spent with Aggregate IQ, a Canadian

Nearly full for Easter ALICANTE and San Juan are predicting a good Easter for visitors and, based on early booking figures, expect to be about 95% occupied.

2017 levels for the long weekend hit record levels at just over 95% and the Tourist Department is confident these figures will be matched or surpassed this year.

The new

by Simon Russell

motorhomes area at Playa San Juan is fully booked in what is its first Easter, with a mixture of foreign and domestic visitors parking there. To ensure that plots are not blocked the maximum motorhome stay is 48 hours, but the area is still booked up for the near future.

The city is also expecting an influx of up to 10,000 passengers from cruise ships arriving in the port during April, another improving sector.

This week the cruise ship “Auzura” berthed in Alicante in between its trip from Southampton to Barcelona with 3,000 mainly British tourists on board.

Tel: 671935072 See our Advert Page 8

firm Vote Leave used for digital advertising.

Vote Leave, which would have exceeded its £7 million limit if it used the money itself, has denied the allegations which are also being investigated by the Electoral Commission – it maintains it only gave money to BeLeave with the commission’s consent.

And CA has said Mr Wylie had stopped working for them in July 2014 and did not have direct knowledge of its work and practices afterwards – it also denied links to Aggregate IQ; and the Canadian firm has said it never had a contract with CA or acted illegally.

Mr Wylie maintained he was “absolutely convinced” that Vote Leave, BeLeave and other leave groups had a co-ordinated campaign plan and decided to use Aggregate IQ. “All these companies somehow, for some reason, all decided to use Aggregate IQ,” he said. “When you look at the accumulation of evidence, I think it would be completely unreasonable to come to any other conclusion than this must be coordination.”

And he rejected the companies claims they were separate corporate entities; saying Aggregate IQ was essentially “a franchise” of CA and its parent firm the SCL Group.

He believes Aggregate IQ, with access to CA data, targeted between five and seven million people it was believed could be persuaded to vote for Brexit, playing a “very significant role in Leave winning”.

He said: “I think it is completely reasonable to say there could have been a different outcome of the referendum had there not been, in my view, cheating.”

However, the whistleblower was challenged over his role in the affair; there were leaked emails suggesting he unsuccessfully pitched for work with Vote Leave after leaving CA in 2014.

Tory MP Julian Knight said: “You tried to set up in business as a type of CA, hawking your wares to Vote Leave and they said ‘no’, and now you are here in front of the committee, making suggestions about Brexit.”

It was also suggested politicians should wait for a decision from the Video Assistant Referee – the Electoral Commission – before making any decision on rule breaking.

90% dodging fares A police spot check on an Alicante TRAM found that only 15 out of 106 passengers had purchased a ticket or had a valid travel pass. The search, at the University of Alicante station, also found two people in possession of

by Matthew Richards

drugs and one carrying a knife; all have been detained.

The check was carried out last Thursday and took three hours; the ticket offenders have all been

issued with €50 fines, reduced to €35 for prompt payment. However from 1 April this will be rising to €100, part of the reason the operation was carried out, a gentle reminder to travellers of the penalties they could shortly face.

16

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

Hikers helicoptered out POSSIBLY the only two 20-year-olds in Spain not to have a mobile phone had to spend a night trapped on a remote mountain near Callosa after they could not let anyone know they had got into problems. The pair, residents of Almoradi, found themselves trapped on the Callosa de Segura with the night drawing in on Monday. They had become trapped as they

by Simon Russell

did not have suitable climbing equipment and could neither ascend nor descend.

They had to spend the night on the mountain, although fortunately the weather was fairly mild after recent poor conditions. On Tuesday morning a fire-fighter from Andalucia, who was

on a walking holiday with his family, spotted the trapped pair and alerted the emergency services.

They were winched out of the area and after a medical check were confirmed to be in good health. Mobile phones are one of the items you are advised to always take when hiking, as well as suitable clothing and plenty of water.

Luke Skywalker opens Skywalk

M

ARK Hamill, the actor who plays Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series of movies, was in character as he opened the new Skywalk Bridge at the Rock of Gibraltar Nature Reserve, even using a light sabre to cut the red ribbon.

by Matthew Richards

The new structure’s most striking feature is the glass platform which you can stand on to see both Africa and Europe, so no place for people that don’t like heights, presumably not an issue for a galactic space pilot.

The makers have said that the glass platform can take the weight of eleven cars and stand winds of up to 150 kmph. It is actually constructed from four layers of super-strength glass and is 340 metre above sea level making for breath-taking views.

Paedophile teacher arrested A 70-year-old man has been arrested and detained accused of sexually abusing a pupil at the music school in Torrevieja where he is a teacher. The allegation is that he had been affectionate with the 12-year- but this developed into something more after

by Simon Russell

he started giving her “one to one” training away from classmates. After the girl became uncomfortable with the man touching her, she told her mother who in turn reported the incident to the Guardia Civil.

The accused has been a teacher for over 20 years and the authorities are investigating to see if there are any similar incidents in his background. They have also confiscated his phone to check for any other evidence or inappropriate child images.

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

17

Don’t bring a bottle O

NE of the more controversial Easter traditions is the annual “botellon” party on Alicante’s Santa Faz beach area.

The botellon is a Spanish wide tradition where groups of youngsters gather outside drinking, especially as the weather warms up. However the Santa Faz event has got out of hand in recent years with up to 20,000 taking part. Underage drinking,

by Simon Russell

drugs, theft, vandalism and car crimes are all prevalent and the mess left afterwards can take days to clear.In recent years children as young as 10 have had to be hospitalised with alcohol poisoning as a result of heavy drinking at the beach party.

Police and local authorities in Alicante have promised a

crackdown this year, focusing on underage drinkers and car thefts in particular. They will also sanction people selling or supplying alcohol to minors. Favouring the carrot and stick approach, the council has said it will be setting up a number of events, sporting and musical, that will hopefully draw some youngsters away from the botellon.

Massive fire closes schools A fire on an industrial estate in Elche caused major disruption on Tuesday including the closure of two schools due to fear of toxic fumes. The centre of the blaze on the Carrus Polygon was a unit containing compacted cardboard and plastic, both highly flammable and toxic materials. The smoke and flames could be seen over a large part

by Matthew Richards

of the city and fire crews from Almoradi and San Vicente joined the Elche crews as well as a firefighting helicopter.

It is not clear how the blaze started, with employees in the unit saying that smoke and flames appeared in one of the cardboard bales

which soon spread despite their efforts to extinguish it. The thick columns of smoke were bad enough to slow traffic on the nearby motorway and force the closure of the schools and other industrial units.

The incident took around six hours to bring under control and the area then had to be monitored in case it reignited.

18

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

Motoring

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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2018 There’s hardly a shortage of crossovers on the market.

Everyone and their aunt has some sort of SUV-style model in their line-up. Flavour of the month has become a regular on the menu it seems. Not to be left behind, Mitsubishi has this - the Eclipse Cross - its version of the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson.

So what makes the Eclipse Cross stand out from the crowd?

Mitsubishi uses lots of words like ‘defiant’ and ‘engaging’ when talking about the styling. There’s certainly a lot going on, whether you like it is personal preference - but it is at least not generic.

Mitsubishi describes the cabin as its ‘best interior ever’.

It certainly feels well made and step forward from the likes of the

ASX, with less hard plastics and a generally nicer feel throughout.

We wouldn’t say it’s as good as something like a SEAT Ateca but everything works intuitively and it feels solidly built.

Practicality wise it’s a good family car. The coupe-esque rear end may cut into the load space somewhat - and that split rear tailgate glass compromises the view out the back - but we’re assured you can fit four golf bags in the 448-litre boot while the rear seats slide back and forth plus also recline.

There’s just one engine at launch - a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol. The lack of a diesel will mean high mileage drivers ruling out the Eclipse Cross but a PHEV is on the way. The 1.5-litre petrol is an

impressive unit that’s responsive yet quiet and with 163PS isn’t short of power. Claimed economy is 42mpg in a two-wheel drive model - you’ll probably be seeing around early 30s in real life.

The standard six-speed manual is far better than the optional CVT automatic. The latter is fine at a sedate pace but ask for any meaningful acceleration and you’re greeted with the usual whine as the engine sits at constant revs.

Where the Eclipse Cross falls down is on the road. It’s not especially good to drive with too much lean in corners, a hard ride on models with bigger wheels and artificial feeling steering.

It’s disappointing given how compared to the competition and not much that would tempt you while well-equipped - there are to choose an Eclipse Cross over promising the rest of the car is.

It’s also not that cheap no base-level cars here - there’s many of its better-to-drive rivals.

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THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

Sport Murray returns to training

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Former world number one Andy Murray has returned to training at Patrick M o u r a t o g l o u ’s academy in France, almost three months since undergoing hip surgery.

“Andy Murray arrived on Friday night and will stay until at least the first week of April,” a member of the academy told AFP. The threetime Grand Slam champion has been targeting a comeback for the grass-court season in June, but

his resumption of training will increase the possibility of an earlier return than expected.

A video posted on Instagram showed Murray practising on a hard court at the academy near Nice with his coach Jamie Delgado.

The 30-year-old Briton has not played competitively since a quarter-final defeat

by Sam Querrey at Wimbledon last July, and has since slipped to 29th in the world rankings

England fans given World Cup Travel Advice As tension between the UK Government and the Kremlin intensifies, travellers heading for Russia are being warned to beware of anti-British harassment. The new Foreign Office advice also tells tourists and business travellers to avoid “commenting publicly on political developments”.

The updated travel advice follows widespread condemnation of the Kremlin after Moscow refused to explain how a Russian-made nerve agent came to be used on a former spy and his daughter in Salisbury.

It is aimed specifically at British nationals who are

currently in Russia or due to travel in the next few weeks, and says that “heightened political tensions between the UK and Russia” could result in British visitors being harassed.

The advice is to remain vigilant, follow the security and political situation closely and not to comment publicly on the present row.

The Foreign Secretary told the BBC’s 5 Live Breakfast: “Russia is a great country. I don’t want to see an outbreak of Russophobia. Our quarrel is with Putin’s Kremlin.”

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place in Russia from

14 June to 15 July 2018.

There are 11 host cities and the geographical distance between some of them is vast, so travel and accommodation plans must be made well in advance.

As many avid England fan will know, England has been drawn in Group G and will

play Tunisia in Volgograd on 18 June, Panama in Nizhny Novgorod on 24 June, and Belgium in Kaliningrad on 28 June.

If you are planning to travel to Russia to watch the World Cup visit www.gov. uk/guidance/be-on-the-ballworld-cup-2018

European Open glory for MVG Michael van Gerwen captured his first European Darts Open title of 2018 with a thrilling deciding leg victory against Peter Wright.

The Dutchman was expected to have too much for an out-of-form Wright but initially struggled at the Ostermann Arena in Leverkusen, as the Scotsman began the stronger of the two.

Wright, who has suffered three consecutive 7-1 defeats

in the Premier League, pounced on missed doubles in the opening leg to find double 17 to break before a stunning 110 finish enabled him to move two clear.

An 80 checkout gave the world number one his first footing in the game, but then he could only watch on as further costly misses allowed Wright two holds and another break to lead 5-1.

An 11-dart leg for Van

Gerwen closed the gap to three at 5-2 before he capitalised on some slack tungsten from Wright to rattle off three more legs and level at five-all.

World No 2 Wright then regained his composure and broke back with an excellent 81 checkout to lead 6-5 before another hold with an under-pressure 78 checkout put him on the brink of retaining his European Darts Open title.

23

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

Sport

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Ball Tampering 12 Month Ban Steve Smith and David Warner have both been banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia (CA) for their roles in the balltampering controversy in South Africa, according to an Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) report on Wednesday.

Axed captain Smith, vicecaptin Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft have all been sent home from South Africa for their role in a scandal that has rocked Australian cricket.

“I understand that Steve Smith and David Warner are getting a 12-month ban from the game in Australia,” ABC’s chief cricket commentator Jim Maxwell was quoted as saying in the report.

“People who are paid that sort of money, by us, watching television, buying tickets, buying merchandise... it’s a disgrace what they’ve done. Certainly I hope thatWarner and Steve Smith never get to play the game again.”

Husband and wife Darryl and Sally Llewellyn, both cricket fans, agreed.

“I think it’s a big embarrassment,” said Sally. “I mean, there’s no need for the Australians to cheat because they’re a bloody good team. So, yeah, it’s very disgraceful.”

Darryl concurred with many on social media, including former England batsman Kevin Pietersen, in casting doubt over whether coach Darren Lehmann had been unaware of the plot, as the Cricket Australia investigation concluded.

With reports in the British media that he was about to resign

having proved baseless, Lehmann is free to serve out his contract until after the Ashes tour of England next year.

He is certain to have to do so with a new captain and at least part of it with a new top order after both his openers, Warner and Bancroft, and his best batsman, Smith, were sent home.

Joe Burns, Matthew Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell are on their

way to South Africa to plug the gaps for the fourth test against the Proteas, which starts in Johannesburg on Friday with the tourists needing a win to tie the series 2-2.

Tim Paine, who made his debut alongside Smith against Pakistan in 2010 but had a significantly less successful career since, will lead the side after being announced as Australia’s 46th test captain by

Sutherland on Tuesday.

It marks a remarkable turnaround for a player who was considered a surprise selection when he was included as wicketkeeper for last year’s Ashes series.

“Three and a half months ago he was thinking he might never play (domestic) Sheffield Shield cricket again, now he’s the captain of Australia,” former test bowler

Stuart Clark told Fox Sports TV. “He’d some big shoes to fill given those that have gone before him. I know Tim, Tim’s a good guy, Tim knows cricket. He’s led Tasmania a little while.

“It’s a big ask given what’s gone on before but there’s no reason why he won’t be successful at it. It’s important to start the process of restoring the faith in the Australian cricket team.”

Nadal to return in Davis Cup next month

Rafael Nadal will make his return from a hip injury at the Davis Cup after being named to Spain’s team that will face Germany in the quarterfinals.

Nadal, 31, has not played on tour since retiring in the fifth set of his lasteight match against Marin Cilic at the Australian Open in January.

He has continued to be troubled by the hip issue and was forced to

withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open.

However, Nadal — who will return to world No. 1 after Roger Federer’s loss to Thanasi Kokkinakis in Miami — will play some part in Valencia beginning April 6 as Spain looks to seal a semifinal berth.

He will line up alongside Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, Feliciano Lopez and David

Ferrer.

“Rafa is getting better, getting out of the injury and training more,” Spain captain Sergi Bruguera said. “There’s still a week and a half left before the games start and there is time [for him to be fit].”

With Federer opting out of the clay-court season, a fit Nadal will be targeting an 11th French Open title at Roland Garros in May should he remain healthy.

24

THURSDAY 29TH MARCH 2018

Your Weekend Starts Here!

Sport

“£20 Joshua knocks Joseph Parker out”

Joshua and Parker go head to head on Saturday night in a heavyweight unification bout at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in front of more than 80,000 spectators. Joshua will put his WBA ‘Super’, IBO and IBF titles on the line against WBO champion Parker.

Speaking at today’s final press conference, Joshua urged fight fans to place their bets on him winning by knockout. He told Sky Sports: “If I’ve got £20 in my pocket, I believe Anthony Joshua knocks Joseph Parker out for sure.

“Parker is a champ and has done well... he will add something to my life journey. It’ll be over Sunday, and I will look back and learn from it and move forward.

“I’m looking at Parker, who’s a lively challenger.

He’s a champion for a reason.

If I’m victorious, then I can look at future plans. For now, my future stops on Saturday.

I don’t want to lose. The fear of being defeated keeps me

going. I’m preparing for a 12-round fight, which isn’t a problem to go the distance.

I believe I will knock Parker out for sure.”

Joshua comes into the bout with 20 knockout victories from his 20 fights, but Parker also has an impressive history with 18 knockouts in his unbeaten 24-fight record.

The Kiwi is also in confident mood ahead of the Cardiff blockbuster. He said: “It’s great to be here. We’ve had a great build-up and a great camp. I can’t wait to put on a great display on 31 March. I’m confident, sharp and my movement is better than ever. I’m taking those belts back to New Zealand.”

David Haye, speaking

to the Daily Star: “Anthony Joshua is an absolute monster of a man. Once he starts punching the face, [it] gets real pretty quick.”

Gary Cornish, speaking to Boxing News Online: “Parker’s not that big.

Joshua’s power will be too much for him. I think about round four or five Joshua will stop him.”