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Sergio Ramos accepted his medal wearing a shirt in memory of the Sevilla footballer who died last year, Antonio Puerta. That side will have a new manager though, with the departure of Luis Aragonés confirmed. The man, who is almost 70, has won 38 of the 54 games he has supervised since July 2004. The Plaza has already been the centre of the Euro 2008 championships with a large screen broadcasting all the games. During the final last night one person was seriously injured with a head injury, and 120 more needed medical assistance during the game, with a total of 26 people being taken to Madrid hospitals, mostly for slight injuries. (230/06/08) Spain Says Goodbye to the Old-Fashioned LightbulbA proposal to ban the lightbulbs in three years time has cross-party support. A Spanish Congress Committee has agreed to ban conventional light bulbs in three years time. It’s been calculated that the old light bulbs consume 3% of the total energy produced in Spain, and they will be replaced, except in exceptional circumstances, by low consumption bulbs. Such circumstances could be in some medical situations for example.
Minister Gives Details of Electricity Price RisesFrom next month electricity bills will be monthly instead of every two months. The Government has been giving more details about the increase to electricity prices which is to be introduced in Spain from 1st July. Minister for Industry, Miguel Sebastian, said on Friday that electricity bills received by some 25 million people in Spain would increase by an average of 5.6%. This increase comes in addition to the average 3.3% rise imposed at the start of the year. International Mass and ProcessionThis evening, Saturday the 28th June, there will be an International Mass and Procession through the streets of Algorfa leaving from the Village Church at 20.00 hours. The Mass Service will be held in Spanish and English. This is a fabulous way to meet our Spanish neighbours and enjoy uniting together in a Christian Mass. (28/06/08)
Children's Finger and Toe Nails Fall Out
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| In three separate incidents this weekend, lifeguards had to pull swimmers from the water on La Marina beach. Two adults and one eight year old holiday maker were saved from the rough conditions created by the afternoon winds and strong currents. Despite continual warnings from the lifeguards all the incidents occurred whilst the red flag was flying. |  |
On Saturday afternoon a 23 year old Spanish woman got into difficulties when the inflatable she was lying on was overturned by large waves. Alert lifeguards noticed that when she surfaced she was continually being hit by the large waves and started to swallow a lot of water. By the time two lifeguards had reached her she was having difficulty breathing. The lifeguards brought her to the safety of the beach where an ambulance crew took her to hospital.
Like a lot of the beaches up and down this part of the coast, waters can become very dangerous very quickly. In a brief interview with La Marina lifeguard Lucio Cobo, he warned our readers of the dangers, “People come from all over to holiday on our beaches, many think that the Mediterranean coast is shallow and calm and because there is little tide swimming is safe. This is not the case.
Very dangerous rip tides appear from nowhere as the currents change direction.” He added, “Almost every afternoon the wind gets up and the water becomes rough. Even though we fly a red flag, people still go in the water. We do not have the authority to stop them.”
Whilst our reporter was interviewing Lucio, a very frightening incident took place.
Two lifeguards sprinted into the water and dragged an eight year old boy out of the surf. He had been playing near the edge when a large wave knocked him over. The guard on duty in the lookout tower watched the incident unfold, he told us, “I could see that every time he tried to stand up he was knocked back over.
Every time he was being pulled further back into deeper water. I radioed one of the lifeguards below on the beach and they responded very quickly.”
After being checked over by the ambulance crew that is present at La Marina beach during busy periods, the boy was declared fit but frightened. It took a further ten minutes to locate the mother of the young boy. She was found at the beachside bar.
We asked the boy’s mother how she thought the incident occurred, she replied with a shrug of her shoulders, “I just left him paddling by the edge of the water because I knew he couldn’t swim. I thought he would be safe there whilst I went for a quick drink.”
Founder of the CoastRider’s beach safety awareness campaign, our editor Aoife Leddy said, “I find it frightening that so few people (tourists and residents alike) are aware of the dangerous currents along this stretch of coast. The most sensible, strong swimmer can be caught up in a rip so it’s vital to be aware and stay vigilant.
Keep an eye out in the CoastRider for safety tips throughout the summer as part of our beach safety campaign.” Courtesy of CoastRider. (25/06/08)
338 jobs will be lost when the Alicante factory which makes black cigarettes closes next year.
European unions are currently meeting to decide whether to organise demonstrations against the plans from Imperial Tobacco to lose jobs across Spain and France.
Imperial owns the Spanish company Altadis and has announced 1,000 jobs are to go in France and nearly 900 in Spain, 338 in Alicante where an end is seen for the production of black tobacco.
A statement from the CCOO union said that other jobs in Cádiz and Palazuelo in Cáceres are also under threat. They say the Imperial plan for early retirement would not work in the Alicante factory where most of the workforce will not be 55 years old by next year. (25/06/08)
Foreign tourist numbers are up in Spain by 3.5 percent so far this year British tourism is considered to be the motor of the economy on the Costa Blanca. Latest numbers show that the region welcomed 1.2 million British visitors this year to May, 21% of the total number according to the Ministry for the Economy. |
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Nationally Spain saw 20.9 million foreign tourists arrive over the first five months of the year, the number 3.5% higher than in 2007 over the same period, and 21% of the visitors came from the U.K. (25/06/08)
A group of 51 pupils and four teachers from the Gaya Institute of San Vicente del Raspeig, a college in Elda, had to spend Saturday night at Deauvais in France airport after Ryanair cancelled their flight without giving any alternatives for them to return to Alicante, as reported yesterday by one of the teachers of the expedition.
To return home the party were forced to travel in three busses, changing at Orleans and Barcelona. The teachers were outraged, summing up that "cheap flights sometimes are the most expensive".
We party were due to catch the Ryanair flight at 22.15 hours. Initially the flight was delayed and then subsequently it was cancelled "for technical reasons", according to the information provided to the party from Ryanair. "The solution they gave us was to catch a train the next day or an evening flight at another airport with a surcharge of 245 euros per person," explained Professor of Gaya. They were also informed that Ryanair would not provide hotel facilities" said a teacher.
"We called the Spanish embassy but they did nothing to help", explained the teacher.
The Teachers have been told that Ryanair will refund the return ticket.
The party were due to arrive by bus at Alicante at 7.00 pm today.
This newspaper has tried unsuccessfully to contact Ryanair to hear the company's version of events. Courtesy of Información. (23/06/08)
The move comes after 65-year-old Paul Brown drowned during a heroic attempt to rescue two men who had been caught out by sea currents last June.
Following the tragedy Mr Brown’s partner Marion MacBrayne wrote to the town hall asking for a series of measures to be implemented to improve safety.
Some of her suggestions have been taken on board in this year’s provisions.
The town hall has announced that spending on beach safety has increased from 270,000 euros last year to 295,000 in 2008.
Mayoress Marylène Albentosa explained: “This has resulted in the creation of 11 new Red Cross lifeguard posts bringing the number up from 50 to 61.”
The plan also involves a two-hour extension to the lifeguard service with Red Cross volunteers now operating from 10.00 to 20.00.
Sra Albentosa was at pains to stress the importance of beach safety to the town hall with Guardamar’s eight beaches covering some 12 kilometres of coastline.
She also spoke of the need for the local authority to respond to the safety needs of tourists and visitors.
At the same time she stressed the important role of the Red Cross in the delivery of the service and welcomed their participation and collaboration.
Red Cross president Adelaida Plaza has also advised beach goers to respect warnings and adhere to the flag system with a red flag indicating that swimmers should not be in the water. Courtesy of Costa Blanca News. (22/06/08)
ABUSOS Urbanísticos No (AUN) – the association that defends the rights of property owners in the Valencia Region – is set to go national.
AUN vice-president Charles Svoboda made the announcement at a meeting held in Hondón de las Nieves on Tuesday.
Former Canadian diplomat Mr Svoboda explained: “Very soon we will form a national association which is a logical step.
“The LRAU (land-grab law) spurned ugly cousins and there are now variations on this law all over the country – in Andalucía and Castilla-La Mancha for example.
“A national institution will give us more clout in Madrid and put more pressure on the government.”
Tuesday’s meeting was the first to be held in the south of Alicante province by AUN since its inception more than five years ago.
Members and interested parties came from as far afield as Monocarp, Tibia and Grange de Roamers to take part.
They heard that AUN is run by a group of volunteers whose aim is to protect the rights of small property owners, protect the environment and work for sustainable development.
Mr Svoboda, who opened the meeting, updated members on the action AUN is taking in Europe to put pressure on regional and national government in Spain to end land law abuses.
Mr Svoboda said Valencia’s land laws had been seen to be in breach of European directives in the tendering of public contracts and as a result the government could suffer heavy fines.
He added: “We want them to change the laws so that some cowboy outfit can’t come along and impose a development scheme on people so they lose their land whilst claiming it is in the public interest.”
Mr Svoboda also revealed that AUN is aiming to get up to 15 development abuse cases in front of judges at the European Court of Human Rights.
He added that if the courts rule in the favour of the complainants then local town halls could face multi-million-euro fines for each day that they are in breach of European law.
Mr Svoboda added that promoters have tried to blame AUN for causing the current slump in the property market by creating bad publicity for Spain – something AUN denies.
“All we have done is to publicise what is happening here,” he explained. “The genie is out of the bottle and they won’t get it back in until they fix this.”
The meeting also heard from residents who are affected by abusive Town Plans.
Stewart Muir from Monóvar told the audience that resident associations were fighting a new Town Plan (PGOU) that could see Monóvar grow six-fold in the coming years.
Another member of the audience said that under the proposed Town Plan of Hondón de las Nieves she could lose her land to a new golf course.
British residents also stated that a proposed bypass around Hondón would affect their properties.
Alberto Doménech from the Asociacion de Vecinos de Hondón de las Nieves told the meeting that Hondón’s new Town Plan had been drawn up without the participation of residents and that they had not agreed to it. Courtesy of Costa Blanca News. (22/06/08)
Hundreds of Brits have joined forces to bring a class action against the Spanish Government in a bid to reclaim an estimated £86m in overpaid capital gains tax (CGT).
Storm brewing: The Spanish government could owe up to £86m. This is Money reported back in April that Britons who sold a Spanish property between between June 2004 and December 2006 could be owed cash as a result of a Spanish Government's capital gains tax 'scam'.
So far a plethora of UK citizens who sold a property in Spain have joined the fight to reclaim money from the Spanish government, who overcharged them Capital Gains Tax by 20%.
However, where as initial conservative estimates put the total amount to be reclaimed at £11,000 per person over the past three months hundreds of Brits have registered average reclaims of more than £19,300 each totalling more than an estimated £86m.
The tax loophole, originally exposed by currency exchange brokers HiFX and Spanish lawyers, Costa, Alvarez, Manglano & Associates came about after British non residents paid a Spanish Non Residents' Income Tax rate of 35% on any capital gains, compared to a rate of 15% paid by Spanish nationals.
The 20% overpayment not only totals a profit somewhere in the region of an estimated £86m, but also contravenes European Community Treaty rules on discrimination and therefore was unduly charged by the Spanish Government.
British people applying for a refund are also set to add on missing interest at a compound rate of 6% to their reclaims, meaning payouts could be on average 26% larger than first thought. But while hundreds have already joined forces in a bid to reclaim their tax, thousands more are still to come forward.
But those who sold property previous to June 2004 have already missed out on being able to make a reclaim on their overpaid tax, as under Spanish law claims can only be made dating back over a four year period, meaning millions more have become victim to this tax trap.
Spanish lawyer, Emilio Alvarez, says: 'If anyone believes they have been affected by this they need to move quickly, due to stringent legal restrictions some people have already missed out but thousands of Brits can still join forces and fight to get the Spanish tax authorities to pay back the money owed.
'In some cases potential claimants are being put off by the lawyers who acted for them during the sale as they are being told that they will not be able to get hold of the necessary forms (Form 212) or that this consumer campaign will not succeed. As a result, we are offering to speak to the Spanish Tax Office on behalf of any clients who have doubts to ascertain whether or not they are eligible and get the forms they need.'
For more information, and details of how to register your interest, visit Spanishtaxreclaim.co.uk, call the helpline on 0845 680 3849 or Click here to e-mail. Courtesy of Philip Scott, This is Money. (22/06/08)
Airport Security Advice, Deception Thefts, Handbag Snatches and Pickpockets
Click link above for advice.
The warmer weather usually brings with it family and friends escaping the cold and damp of more northern parts. Our local airports have been targeted by thieves who sense that people arriving on holiday tend to let their guard down. The advice is simple and if followed will hopefully prevent our visitors from becoming victims of these individuals and gangs at Alicante or any other airport. (20/06/08)
Up and down the Costas we hear of one developer after another going into liquidation. Thousands are left without homes after spending their whole life savings on their dreams.
Others are left in the midst of building sites, and for some the end is almost in sighten along comes Iberdrola to cut them off. In a recent incident, Iberdrola cut off the supply to an Urbanisation which had two residents that were critically dependant on an electrical supply to keep them alive during the night.
Iberdrola claim that the supply had been cut of by mistake, as the engineer had not picked up the email cancelling the disconnection.
The supply was returned after a few hours. Despite negotiations to pay the bill from the residents’ community fund, and Iberdrola being made aware of the dependant residents, they still intended to cut the supply off.
In the latest round of cut offs, 200 properties on the urbanisation of La Zenia Elite on the Orihuela Costa have been without electricity or water since last Wednesday. It is believed that over €40,000 is outstanding to Iberdrola from developers Tecnologia Urbanistica.
It is not known at this stage how much is owed to Aguagest but it is believed to be a considerable sum, even exceeding the electricity debts.
Unsurprisingly residents are furious.
One woman we spoke to said, “I can understand them cutting of our electricity, I am not happy about it, but to cut off our water supply is surely illegal. I believed that water is a basic human right. Not a bargaining stick that can be used to recover debts that Aguagest have allowed Technologia to run up.” She added, “The engineer from Iberdrolla told us not to bother complaining to the council as we were all living here illegally as none of us have habitacion certificates. Talk about putting the boot in.”
Just as the CoastRider was going to print, we received news that through the help of the local council, water has been restored to the urbanisation.
The whole system is fundamentally flawed and the laws need to be changed to prevent further similar occurrences. There are four parties involved and all are at fault, Iberdrola/Aguagest, the developer, the town hall and the homeowner.
Let us look firstly at the Homeowner: It is very rare that you would ever find a Spaniard moving into a property that has not been fully signed over and has all the correct certification. Why then do ex-pats continually fall into this trap? Is it because they are desperate to move into their dream home or have they been ill advised by their solicitors? In short, if you do not have the full deeds then do not move into your new home. Obtain written confirmation from your legal advisor that everything is in place and is legal.
The Council: despite denials by various councils that it is nothing to do with them when things go wrong, they are in fact as much to blame.
They should ensure that the developers do not allow anyone to reside in a property without a habitation certificate. They have a duty of care to the residents of their community. By allowing them to inhabit buildings that may not be fit, they are breaking this duty of care.
When building licences are granted, the council should insist in a bond being put in place to protect buyers from developers becoming bankrupt.
The developer: It is well known that many developers are unscrupulous and will try any tactic to avoid paying out any more than they really have to.
By allowing homeowners into their houses, they can release more funds more quickly. Once the properties have been fully paid for they are often loath to come back and sort out any problems. They should be held more legally responsible for their financial accounts. If they are shown to be knowingly trading whilst debts are spiralling out of control, without letting those that they are indebted to know the situation, then severe sentences including custodial ones should be handed out to the executives of these companies.
Utility companies: It is shocking to find out that the utility companies are happy to let developers run up debts for many hundreds of thousands of Euros for months, before taking action. Caps and credit limits should be put into place that is guaranteed against bonds, and these limits should be strenuously maintained.
In reality the above issues have merely been covered in brief, but if some of the guidelines are followed, then perhaps more people might be living the dream instead of the nightmare. Courtesy of Coast Rider. (20/06/08)
We often joke abut the ladies that populate the roundabouts in the area but prostitution is one of the oldest forms of female and male enslavement still being practised in the 21st century.
There is a new organisation called AMUNOD whose tag line is ‘Ladies of the night searching for the day’. They aim to help by providing support counselling and practical help in getting other types of work. They have offices in Benidorm, Alfaz del Pi, Orihuela and Torrevieja. The Torrevieja office is on calle Maldonado, 55. They say it is wrong to see prostitution as a profession; it is only a way of surviving and is one of the most serious forms of human exploitation. ‘Everyone has the right to live a life with dignity; working together we can ensure that right is made effective.’ Courtesy of Coast Rider. (20/06/08)
In a recent press statement the Independent political group C.L.A.R.O have reacted to the news that the current health concessions being afforded to most EU citizens will be withdrawn.
In their statement they claim, “The withdrawal of the Valencia Health Care concession enabling certain British and other European Union citizens to benefit from health care in Valencia under the Spanish Social Security system will have serious consequences for many whose decision to live in Spain was partly based on the existence of this concession.
The advice of the British Embassy in Madrid that those affected should consider taking out private health insurance does not satisfy the situation of those who cannot afford private insurance and in some cases, an existing medical condition would exclude them from the scope of private insurance.
The British Embassy in Madrid states that it is in close contact with the Valencian government regarding the issue. C.L.A.R.O. hopes that solutions are being sought to avoid hardship for those who will be affected.
The decision of the Valencian regional government is no doubt based on financial considerations and it is appreciated that the withdrawal will be phased out so that those with SIP health cards will continue to benefit from access to health care until the expiry of their present cards. The withdrawal of the concession does not affect either pensioners or those employed in but essentially early retirees. The number will not therefore be great. In the case of British citizens, most early retirees would still be eligible for health care under the National Health Service if they were living in the United Kingdom.
It should surely be possible for the United Kingdom and Valencia government authorities to find solutions for the relatively small number of British citizens living in Valencia who could otherwise face real hardship.
C.L.A.R.O. suggests all those who will be affected should contact the British Embassy in Madrid informing them of their situation and urging the Embassy to take a lead in defending their interests and finding a solution to the problem.”Courtesy of Coast Rider. (20/06/08)
A man of Iranian origin shot himself in the head yesterday, in an ice cream shop/cafeteria in Albufereta after throwing acid at, and shooting a young 29-year-old Russian waitress. Fortunately the waitress was not seriously injured and was later discharged from the General Hospital.
It appears the aggressor and the Iranian had been having a romantic relationship, but the victim said after that the only link they had was friendly. The alleged assailant was in a coma last night in Alicante's General Hospital.
The events occurred shortly after the six o'clock in the Negro y Blanco ice cream shop located in Cologne Roman Way, in the Albufereta. The place had just opened to the public and a young waitress named Tatiana was outside cleaning the bar when a man arrived. No words were exchanged as the man apparently threw a corrosive liquid that was carrying.
The waitress received only splashes of acid and tried to flee, but the man shot at her with a small 7.65 mm caliber pistol. The woman received an impact on one leg from a large machete, which the man was also carrying. The man then pointed the gun to his head while the waitress was screaming "this is no joke ".
While other employees began to flee, Tatiana was pulled to the ground and her attacker began to shoot at the bar several times.
Police and health services were immediately alerted and several police cars and two ambulances were quickly at the scene.
The assailant was taken by the staff of SAMU to the hospital in a critical condition. The man appeared to be identified as Shapour Ghazani, 44 of Iranian nationality.
According to police sources, the woman managed to spray the acid that was thrown at her before the corrosive liquid could act. She also received two bullet wounds, one went cleanly through her left thigh and the other grazed her right thigh.
The woman said that the only connection she had had with the attacker was friendship and that she had never done anything that might induce him to think there might be something more.
The victim left the police in a patrol car to escape to the large number of photographers who were concentrated in front of police station to enquire about the incident.(19/06/08)
Around fifty council homes have been affected by the invasion of the harmless reptiles.
Motril Ayuntamiento has met today with the fifty or so local residents who have been affected by a plague of 'culebras de herradura', horseshoe whip snakes. The snakes are inoffensive and protected and they have taken residence in the roofs of some homes in the town.
Following several unsuccessful attempts by the local fire service to capture the snakes, the local Town Hall says that they are unable to deal with the problem as the only way to kill the snakes is to remove the roof and they have called for the help of the Junta de Andalucía who own the assisted housing concerned.
The snakes, typically two centimetres across and a metre and a half in length, feed only on small insects or birds and their eggs.
Fortunately, Motril is nearly 4 hours away by car, from Algorfa!
For more information on the snake see http://www.iberianature.com/material/horseshoe_whipsnake.htm (19/06/08)
Front-Centre, Mayor of Algorfa, Antonio Lorenzo Paredes
The Mayors of the Vega Baja showed solidarity against the proposed rise in water tariffs when they met in the city council chambers of San Miguel de Salinas to form their concerns. The Taibilla plans to increase tariffs of 25.9% on the price of water.
Photo courtesy of Louise Clerk, Round Town News
Monica Lorente, Mayoress of Orihuela, and spokesperson for the meeting, related to Rodríguez Zapatero’s three promises, “more water, more quality and cheaper.”
The next step for the Mayors will be to take their concerns to headquarters of the Union, in Cartagena, where they will take their place at the Council as representatives of the municipalities using Taibilla water.
Background
There is a huge ongoing water debate in Spain, such as:
What is Taibilla Water
The Taibilla ensures the distribution of water in our area. Its Comprehensive Plan of Works was first approved by Royal Decree on August 1, 1930. Although the network was created in 1927 to supply water to the vast geographic area belonging to three autonomous regions: Murcia, Valencia and Castilla La Mancha. The network incorporates two rivers: Jucar and Segura.
Currently the annual demand for water is approximately 240 hm3 to a stable population exceeding 2,300,000 inhabitants, which in the summer months exceeds 3 million. (17/06/08)
The three transport associations that have been behind the lorry drivers strike in Spain which severely disrupted petrol and food supplies last week across the country, Fenadismer, Confedetrans and Antic have announced today that they are temporarily suspending their strike action which started a week ago.
The three groups say in a joint statement that their demands, including a minimum tariff for work, remain in place, but they say they are suspending the strike as they do ‘not want to cause more damage to the already suffering economy of the industry’.
They repeat a previous claim that the government has acted irresponsibly in the case, by pretending to end the dispute early when it reached agreement with the other driver associations.
The three groups say they are willing to look for solutions to end the crisis, but also are willing to hold more demonstrations and other acts in the future. (17/06/08)
More than a hundred residents of three housing blocks were evicted yesterday afternoon in Rocío del Mar, Torrevieja, due to a fire that started on the fourth floor. According to a Torrevieja Firefighter, there was only material damage to the property where the fire occurred and neighbouring properties suffered scorching. |
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Sources indicated yesterday that the fire started about 17:00 hours on the fourth floor of a five floor building. The property was inhabited by a woman at that time who escaped into the street by herself.
Once on the scene firefighters evicted three apartment blocks, as the smoke was expanding rapidly to neighbouring apartments.
Firefighting troops had to enter through a balcony to extinguish the fire which was located in the kitchen and dining room areas. It took the Firefighters two hours to extinguish the fire.
The buildings of some 200 dwellings were not however fully inhabited, as the properties are usually only filled during the summer or holidays. (16/06/08)
An estimated 30,000 lorries to gather in Madrid today.
An estimated 30,000 lorries have departed from different points of Spain today to meet and demonstrate in Madrid ‘for the amount of time necessary’. The demonstrators, who continue to be unhappy at the increased costs of diesel, say they will continue a series of protests if the Government refuses to meet with them today.
The lorry drivers are members of the Platform for the Defence of Transport and set off at 5pm on Sunday evening from 42 Spanish provinces. President Manuel Núñez said they intended to stay in Madrid until they reach ‘the principles of an agreement’ with the Ministry for Development, in their demand for minimum obligatory tariffs and that their diesel costs rise no more for the next six months. The new protest puts in doubt the Government’s claims that things would be back to normal by Monday.
President of the Independent Union of Self Employed Drivers UITA, José Fernández, estimated that 30,000 lorries will arrive in Madrid later tonight. It comes after the lorry drivers claim the Government has not responded to them after they asked for more talks, and set a deadline for a response of 2pm Sunday.
A lorry driver is in a serious condition after his vehicle was thought to be hit by a stone thrown by a picket from an overhead bridge, which led the driver to lose control of his lorry, which then overturned. The vehicle was part of a convoy being protected by the Guardia Civil on Sunday afternoon on the motorway between Santander and Torrelavega.
Meanwhile the effects of the lorry drivers strike action last week has been seen in the prices of foodstuffs in the wholesale markets across the country. Lettuce and pepper prices have almost doubled in seven days, and tuna and hake are up in price by 52% and 28%. There is also a shortage of onions in many areas, leading to large price increases.
Fire destroyed 37 heavy lorries and plant at a company in Ibiza on Sunday afternoon. Articulated lorries, cement mixers, cranes and excavators were affected and police have opened a full investigation.
In the Alameda Industrial Estate in Málaga, three loaded lorries caught fire in the early hours of Saturday for reasons that are still being investigated by the National Police. There were no injuries.
Attorney General, Cándido Conde-Pumpido, has meanwhile confirmed that the Prosecutors’ Office is investigating the incidents seen last week to see if any crimes were committed by the strikers and pickets. If so, the judiciary would act firmly, he said. (16/06/08)
More than 180 million Euro is being spent on the prevention and fight against forests and campo fires in the region this summer.
The Infoca plan against forest fires in Andalucía today reaches full operation with more than 4,800 people, 40 fire-fighting planes and 131 vehicles available for use. More than 180 million € will be spent this summer in the prevention and fighting of forest and campo fires in Andalucía, all controlled with the latest digital systems.
Interestingly this year, part of the official prevention program is the traditional method of using a shepherd and his flock to keep down vegetation in key areas as a way of stopping the spread of the flames. More than 22,000 sheep are taking part in the Infoca plans this year.(16/06/08)
Further to discussions on our Forum regarding Algorfa mail we are now in a position to write the facts on our Newspage.
Around 28th May we were approached by an Algorfa neighbour, Alan, asking for help. Alan hadn't been receiving mail for several months and was obviously concerned. On a visit to his bank, he was informed by the cashier that their mail to him had been returned by Correos, who had written on the letters 'Wrong Address - Return to Sender'.
Alan promptly went to the Correos office in the village asking why the address was wrong. The post lady in the village told Alan that the letters were addressed wrongly and she typed out the correct address, which stated the address as being 03160 Almoradí! Not content with this, Alan went into the Correos office in Almoradí where again, he was told his address was 03160 Almoradí. At this point Alan asked for our help.
On asking others about their mail, everyone to the man said they had been experiencing problems. At this point we asked our Administrators, Tax & Law, Almoradí to obtain confirmation. Tax & Law sent a member of their staff to Almoradí Correos to ask for confirmation. Their staff member returned confirming our address as being 03160 Almoradí. It was also pointed out to them by the Correos staff that ALL of Algorfa's urbanisations, i.e. La Finca, Lo Chrispin, Montebello and Montemar, should have the 03160 Almoradí address. However this information was only verbal.
We were still not convinced, and at this point the Manager of Tax & Law visited Almoradí Correos. He also returned, confirming that a member of staff at the Correos had told him the same story.
On 3rd June we visited Almoradí Correos, together with a Spanish translator. The object of the visit was to issue a formal complaint to the Correos for failing to inform residents of Algorfa the change of address. We of course asked to meet the Manager. Luis, the Distribution Manager received us and after hearing of our experiences he appeared shocked and amazed. He said he had heard nothing of the sort and that Algorfa residents should use the 03169 Algorfa address.
Luis also confirmed that he will be carrying out an internal investigation to discover who has been issuing the wrong information.
We have now received an official Correos letter from Luis confirming the correct address, the letter also explains how our letters should be addressed and how urbanisation mailboxes should be configured.
We are pleased to say that we have got to the bottom of this problem. Any change of address should first be confirmed, then issued by both the Ayuntamiento and the Correos.
(15/06/08)
The transport strike that kept Spain in suspense has been deflated yesterday with the process of gradual normalisation to industrial sites and roads after serious incidents on Wednesday, which resulted in a truck driver being severely injured and six burned vehicles in San Isidro.
Reinforcement of police action and a pre-agreement reached between the Ministry of Public Works and most companies in the sector were crucial to ending the dispute.
Distribution of food and fuel, albeit slowly in the case of markets and supermarkets, will hopefully restore stocks to normality in the coming hours, although many shop counters yesterday, remained empty of meat, fruits, vegetables, and especially fresh fish. The fishing fleet in the province remained moored yesterday, but today the fleet will return to sea. However, fishermen announce new moves in the coming weeks, together with Alicante farmers, where they plan to go to Madrid next Tuesday in a demonstration against the high price of diesel and other problems in the sector.Meanwhile, today taxi drivers start their strike in Alicante and Elche. |
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The Provincial Federation of business associations and Transport of Goods Alicante (Fetrama) agreed yesterday evening to return to work and to condemn the violent incidents that have occurred over the past four days, as well as expressing their solidarity with those affected.
Supermarket deliveries are particularly strong, products were delivered by trucks which were escorted by security forces, as reported by industry sources, who indicated that some areas began to regain normality yesterday. Among the products exhausted were milk, oil, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits and preserves.
The butchers of the Central Market in Alicante, yesterday stated they have enough product on their counters, "we provide small businesses that have been able to weather the storm," argued one of the traders.
The hardest product to find was fresh fish. Most of the fish Central Market has been closed since Monday. However, prices of some products, such as chirlas, have skyrocketed, going from 9 to 16 euros. The fishermen's associations of Altea announced yesterday that the boats will leave today for the sea.
Petrol stations also began to fill their tanks yesterday, although 20% of them continued to have shortages, according to the guild's president, Emilio Córcoles. Several convoys departed from the CLH plant, escorted by security forces, but later in the afternoon, they began to move without any escorts. (13/06/08)
It was announced today at a press conference the government delegate for the Valencia region, Ricardo Peralta, together with the Executive subdelegation in Valencia, Luis Felipe Martinez, offered the latest information on the strike.
Peralta said that, according to data supplied by the National Police Corps and the Civil Guard, at 12.00 pm today, the three provinces recorded "widespread normality".
Through operations there is now free access and free movement within the industrial estates, where pickets have been focusing their actions.
To date, the Security Forces of the State (FCSE) have arrested a total of 11 people - five in the province of Valencia and six in the Alicante - for allegedly causing criminal damage.
The latest arrests took place this morning, when agents arrested four members of a picket in the industrial estate of Riba-roja, who were armed with several knives and blunt objects. The four joined a fifth arrested yesterday in Sagunt.
In the province of Alicante, the Civil Guard arrested five people in the estate of San Isidro, and another who is accused of running the picket on the estate of 'Las Atalayas'. For its part, the Corps continues to investigate the torching of a truck yesterday in Alicante, whose driver was seriously injured. Courtesy of Información. (12/06/08)
Supermarkets in the Valencia region have today begun to replenish stocks where products had been depleted in recent days. Several hundred trucks from distribution centers are now back on the road, although there are still problems with some perishables such as fish.
According to the association of Supermarkets de la Comunidad Valenciana (ASUCOVA), things are starting to normalise "thanks to the actions of the State Security Forces, the efforts of suppliers and logistics workers," according to their spokesman, Andoni Monforte.
Between today and tomorrow stocks of products will begin to normalise in supermarkets, now that the main distribution sites have been unblocked, including The Oliveral of Riba-roja and Quart de Poblet, in the province of Valencia, and San Isidro, in Alicante.
Throughout the morning merchandise will be replenished on the shelves of supermarkets, including meat products, fruits and vegetables, tomorrow there will be "absolute normality", according to ASUCOVA forecasts.
"We are working hard with suppliers and several hundred trucks have already left distribution centers," reiterated Monforte, "it was "incomprehensible" that one hundred people could block the work of 1,600 trucks as they daily replenished supermarkets in the Valencia region. Courtesy of Información. (12/06/08).
A similar strike which started on Monday in Portugal has now been called off.
Minister for Development, Magdalena Álvarez, has appealed to ‘the responsibility of the two lorry drivers’ associations still on strike’, Fenadismer and Confedetrans, after signing an agreement with the representatives of the rest, 88%, of the sector, but despite her call the strike has not been called off.
Late last night she called on the two groups to accept the package of 54 measures the Government had put together and call of the strike. However a statement from Fenadismer said that none of the groups to reach agreement with the Government were actual owners of their own lorries, and they continue to demand a minimum tariff for their transport services which would at last cover their costs, and they say, see an end to the strike.
In Portugal the lorry drivers who have also been on strike since Monday have now ended their strike action and accepted a package of measures negotiated with the Government to compensate them for the higher price of diesel. The Portuguese Transport Minister hopes that all will return to normal shortly.
Meanwhile, The wife of the Málaga lorry driver who suffered second degree burns to 25% of his body when pickets set fire to his lorry while he was sleeping in the cab, has said that what is happening is like terrorism. The injured man works in a company called Acotral, which distributes goods for the Mercadona supermarket chain and which is not following the strike. He had been held effective hostage by the pickets in Alicante since Saturday.
His wife, Petra García Palomar, said the victim was just a simple worker who did what he was told, and she told the El Mundo newspaper that the Government knew what was going on last weekend and did nothing to stop it. ‘I support the strike’, she said, ‘but the way they have chosen is not legal’.
She said the pickets knew there was someone asleep in the cab because the curtains were closed. (12/06/08).
The deal is with the CNTC, the National Commission for Road Transport which represents 82% of the drivers, but has not been agreed by the two other drivers' associations which called the current strike action.
The Spanish Ministry for Development and the CNTC, reached an agreement last night on 54 measures to improve the conditions for lorry drivers. However the agreement does not mean an end to the strike action, now in its third day, as it has not been supported by the two rival lorry drivers groups, Fenadismer and Confedetrans who called the current stoppage.
The Minister for Development, Magdalena Álvarez, has said that the new agreement has not yet been signed, because they are ‘open’ to the other lorry driver associations joining the deal. She said the Government was not prepared to negotiate a deal association by association.
However the new deal still falls short of the main demand of the drivers on strike – for the establishment of a minimum tariff, with Magdalena Álvarez saying that such a tariff would be illegal under EU legislation, but the CNTC welcomed the new deal as ‘realistic and possible’.
The Minister said the new deal was supported by 82% of the industry, and had come about after the implication of seven ministers. She said it had the intention of ‘restructuring the balance and solvency of an activity which has been affected by the increase in the price of fuel and by a decrease in demand’. (11/06/08).
The threat of shortages of some raw materials in the province of Alicante is real and started with what triggered transport strike: fuel.
The second day saw the truck driver's strike had blocked almost all the industrial sites in the province and strategic installations such as the CHL refinery in Elche, Alicante, which supplies fuel to all service stations of the province.
All petrol stations yesterday suffered shortages, in whole or in part, because the avalanche of drivers who, for fear of running out of fuel, went en masse to refuel during the weekend.
The president of the Association of Provincial Service Station Employers in Alicante, Emilio Córcoles, met yesterday with a government subdelegation, Encarna Llinares, asking not only to ensure fuel supply from CHL in Alicante, but to coordinate with the Government of Murcia, requesting fuel from the refinery in Cartagena, which supplies service stations in the Vega Baja.
The pickets did not have too much work yesterday, as many industrial sites such Elda or Orihuela, activity was completely paralysed.
Incidents and Arrests
Fetrama president, Juan Rico, confirmed "some trailers have been set alight from Disfrimur, which caters to Mercadona" from its logistics centre of las Grenadinas, in the municipality of San Isidro. In the incident a woman was slightly injured.
A bus was also burned in Almoradí, Rico confirmed, "we condemn the use of violence by pickets, and we are unaware of any possible link between this incident and the strike."
In the city of Alicante, sites of Atalayas and the Pla de la Vallonga. pickets had blocked the exits and entries by heavy vehicles.
There were also incidents in the Marina Alta, specifically in Denia, Ondara, Xàbia and Gata de Gorgos, while in Villena truckers returned to concentrate on highway service areas. In Benidorm there were no incidents, but the supply of butane is causing problems, although deliveries of butane have been freely moving, there are now no supplies.
The impact of stoppages in traffic was much lower than Monday, but protests have created problems on some roads. The A-31 (Alicante-Madrid) recorded traffic moving up to 11 kph. On Alicante's ring road the A-70, queues reached three miles during the morning. In the afternoon these deductions were extended to the CV-86, Route Park Alicante. In the north of Elche, traffic registered up to 5 kph.
Fresh fish is in very short supply and starting today other retailers such as butchers will affected by the blockade as pickets have prevented the entry of meat to slaughterhouses. Fruits and vegetables may have a few more days of margin, but not too many, according to warnings from farming organisations.
The Confederation of Autonomous Taxis, which represents 50% of taxi drivers in the Valencia region, met yesterday in Elche and agreed to convene a merger next Sunday in El Altet. The Confederation hopes the Taxis Trade Union will join in the protest. Courtesy of Las Provincias (11/06/08).
There have been several incidents across the country on the second day of the strike, with petrol stations running dry and markets seeing a shortage of fresh produce.
The second day of the indefinite strike action called by two lorry drivers associations in Spain saw an increasing effect in supplies of petrol and other goods to the public.
There were numerous traffic problems across the country caused by blocked roads or lorries travelling at a snail’s pace.
Access to Madrid was blocked for a time on the A1, A3, A4, A5 and A6 roads, and there were some additional violent incidents involving pickets in addition to the tragic death of a picket in Granada.
In Irún at the French border the Basque police arrested two pickets after they threatened the driver of a van with a screwdriver. In Alicante pickets set fire to and gutted a lorry, and a lorry driver was arrested and another taken to hospital in Motril, Granada after riot police were called in to the town’s port.
Foreign lorry drivers at the La Jonquera frontier into Spain in Girona claimed that they have been held hostage there for two days without food or water.
Lack of supplies are now being noted across the country as a result of the strike. Petrol stations in many areas have now run dry, not least as a result of panic buying. The Service Station Associations of Madrid and Cataluña have both guaranteed future supplies in both regions, with police escorting the petrol tankers supplying the petrol stations.
The Mercedes car factory in Vitoria has closed because of a lack of parts, and a similar situation has affected the Seat plant in Martorell in Barcelona.
Fruit and vegetables are no longer being moved in Granada or Almeria provinces, and fresh fish is increasingly hard to find in many of Spain’s markets.
Supermarket shelves are also beginning to empty in some areas of the country, with the main wholesale market in Madrid, Mercamadrid predicting that things will really be noted by the public in two days time. The large hypermarket chains across the country have not yet seen their supplies affected however.
Ferry companies have cancelled 14 routes from the mainland to the Balearic Islands for tomorrow, Wednesday. The Baleària company says it has been forced to take the measure because of a lack of fuel, and Iscomar is in the same situation in Palma.
60% of the construction sites in Málaga province are now reported to be at a standstill because of the strike. Courtesy of Información (10/06/08).
The Association of Provincial Service Station Employers in Alicante said today that petrol stations in the province have "a widespread problem of supply" as a result of the strike called by transporters, to the extent that "some have fuel for four hours, others have supply for a couple of days ", according to Europa Press reported today.
Petrol stations in the province, according to sources, have attempted to "fill their storage tanks, as much as possible, at the very last moment before the strike was called."
However, due to people brimming their car's tanks with fuel, instead of purchasing their 'normal' amount, a shortage of petrol has occurred in the province.
The Association indicated that some petrol tankers are getting through picket lines, using police escorts. Therefore, some petrol stations with a 'closed' poster hanging, could reopen once their stock of fuel has been replenished.
In addition, the Association of Provincial Service Station Employers regretted that the rise of fuel "has already been hurting us", because "of the high charge per litre."
The Association detailed, that in the province of Alicante there are about 300 service stations which employ about 1,800 people directly, each gas station has an average of five or six employees. Courtesy of Información (10/06/08).
The promotors blame Greenpeace for the collapse in the market after the ecologists published simulated photos of how the region would be flooded because of climate change.
Four real estate companies from the La Manga are claiming 27 million € in damages from Greenpeace after the ecologist organisation printed simulated photos showing how the local area faced flooding because of climate change.
The photos were included in a Greenpeace book called Photoclima, and were widely printed in the media (including TypicallySpanish.com) when first published in November last year.
Greenpeace claims the photos show the best possible outcome of climate change, with sea levels rising half a metre in the year 2050, but even that would be enough to flood La Manga.
The real estate companies say that as soon as the photos were published, they started to receive dozens of calls, especially from foreigners, who had just purchased property and who were worried by the ‘catastrophic predictions’ of Greenpeace.
A statement from Greenpeace confirmed the complaint had been received. They said the real estate companies involved are Inversiones Dos Mares S.L., Faher Holidays S.L., Bureau Investment and Nuevo Pozo Estrecho S.A., who have accused them of sinking the real estate market in La Manga. The letter threatens legal action unless Greenpeace accepts ‘a friendly agreement’ and the 27 million € deal.
The ecologists say they have placed the matter in the hands of their lawyers because they consider the builders are trying to make them responsible for the difficulties the promoters now face in a saturated real estate market which has arisen because of urban speculation. (10/06/08).
Talks are set to continue as the striking lorry drivers association continues to demand a minimum tariff for transport services.
Cataluña was the area of Spain which was most affected on the first day of the lorry drivers strike action in protest at the high price of diesel yesterday.
Panic buying has left 40% of petrol stations in the region empty already as hundreds of lorry drivers blocked roads or drove at very reduced speed to bring traffic chaos and gridlock to some areas. In Madrid an estimated 15% of petrol stations have run dry as media reported hysteria and widespread panic buying of fuel.
Regional Catalan police, Los Mossos d’Esquadra, have been employed protecting tanker drivers making fuel deliveries to petrol stations.
Some shopkeepers and petrol stations say they have built up their stocks fearing a prolonged demonstration.
The Minister for the Interior, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, called for the public to keep calm, stating that there were no general supply problems for petrol or electricity. He said his ministry has put a special operation in place which would protect the rights of those on strike, but also ensure public order and movement.
Even so, there were long delays at times on access roads to Madrid on the M40, Barcelona on the Ronda del Litoral, Valencia at Ribarroja, Valladolid where markets were blocked and on the Carranza bridge into Cádiz. The port of Bilbao has also been blocked.
A meeting between the National Federation of Transport Associations in Spain (FENADISMER) and the Government has ended without agreement, with the transport workers continuing to demand a minimum obligatory tariff. However sources at the Ministry for Development said that there had been ‘important advances’ made.
Fenadismer represents only 18% of the total number of lorry drivers and others, such as the larger Spanish Confederation of Merchandise Transporters, CETM, has not joined the strike. However, at the frontiers with France at Irún and La Jonquera, it was the action by pickets which drew attention, with lorry drivers who were working facing smashed windscreens and other attacks from the pickets.
Fenadismer says they will be continuing their strike action today having rejected a pre-agreement which was reached yesterday afternoon between the rest of the sector and their clients. Fenadismer President, Julio Villaescusa, said their main demand of a minimum tariff for transport service was still not being met.
Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, called on the strikers to return to work, saying the disruption was not the best way to find a solution to their problems.
Government representatives will restart talks on how lorry drivers can be compensated for the higher fuel prices later today, claiming that there is still ‘margin for negotiation’.
The Director General for Road Transport, Juan Miguel Sánchez, has said that the Government will take more measures to face the crisis, and said he was confident for an early resolution of the conflict. (10/06/08).
The British club claims that Real Madrid has been hounding their Portuguese star player, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United has carried out its threat and reported Real Madrid to FIFA, football’s international body, claiming that they have been hounding their Portuguese star player Cristiano Ronaldo to move to the Bernabeu. FIFA says that they have received documentation from Manchester United and they are looking at it.
The player is in Austria for the Euro 2008, and the Portugal team says he will not be making any comments, but there have been recent press reports in his name claiming that he wants to make the move to Spain.
Real Madrid has made several statements praising the player’s talents over recent weeks, while his mother has been reported as saying he will be staying in Manchester. (10/06/08).
Police arrested the 57 year old in Orihuela on Sunday morning.
A 57 year old British man has been arrested in the Los Altos urbanisation in Orihuela, accused of sexually abusing his 14 year old daughter in the family home.
Local police acted after receiving a complaint from the child’s mother, and decided to arrest the Briton at 4am on Sunday morning.
He is now with the Guardia Civil in Pilar de la Horadada, in Alicante, facing charges of dishonestly touching his daughter sexually. (10/06/08).
Sale of land collapses in the cities where there are over 50,000 inhabitants in the Alicante province because of economic uncertainty, harsh demands of the banks and the difficulties that gripped the real estate sector.
Only 29 transactions for the sale of plots were registered with the Ministry of Housing in the fourth quarter of 2007. This data comes from Alicante, Elche, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Alcoy, Elda and Orihuela. Representing a decrease of 80.8% over the same period last year.
In turn, the price per square metre of land also suffered a slowdown to a 33.2% fall in the province and places the average price as 352.7 euros, the lowest figure over the past three and a half years. (09/06/08).
The Archbishop's own television channel now broadcasts on Digital Terrestrial Television.
The Madrid Archbishop has been fined 1.5 million € for causing interference to a pornographic television channel.
20 Minutos reports First Instance Court number 38 in the capital found Canal TMT guilty of ‘uninterruptedly interrupting the channel by broadcasting on the same frequency’ and fined the bishop's channel the 1.5 million.
The Difusión y Ventas company had ceded a frequency to the Bishops until May 2006, and after that the channel received a licence to broadcast on digital terrestrial television. (09/06/08).
Lorries blocking the frontier between Spain and France at La Jonquera this morning
Transport workers and lorry drivers in Spain have started strike action today which threatens to create serious supply problems across the country in a short period of time.
Transport workers in both Portugal and France have also joined the strike action.
Already a fear among drivers of possible future supply problems has led to long queues for petrol in service stations. The service stations say however that there is no need to panic.
The indefinite strike officially got underway at midnight, and just half an hour later the frontier between Spain and France at La Jonquera in Girona was blocked by protesting lorry drivers who succeeded in stopping traffic in both directions.
The protestors say they are prepared to bring the country to a standstill after rejecting a package of measures put together by the Ministry for Development. Julio Villaescusa, President of the National Federation of Road Transport Associations, (Fenadismer), dismissed the Government measures as ‘already being in existence for years’.
The Government had said it would spend 55 million € offering help to the autonomous regions in Spain for drivers who wanted to opt for early retirement, but they also commented that lorry drivers and transport workers needed to accept what was the real price of fuel. The strikers are demanding more help in facing those increased diesel costs, which have risen by 20% over the past year.
In Spain wholesale markets across the country fear that there will be ‘serious problems’ in supply in the short term because of the lorry drivers’ action.
Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, has said that the Government is ‘clearly sensitive’ to the impact of the petrol price rises, but they were, as was their obligation, prepared to face the consequences of the strike action. (09/06/08).
Thousands of naked cyclists took to the streets of Madrid, A Coruña, Valladolid and other cities across Spain on Saturday to demand greater use of bicycles and more infrastructure for cyclists. The cyclists say they feel ‘naked’ in the heavy traffic of the cities and that they were showing their ‘fragile bodywork’ to demand greater respect from other road users. |
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(09/06/08).
A Statement From the British Embassy
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(08/06/08).
The system of ‘Student Exchanges’ - providing 'hands on learning' in another country’s language and culture - has existed for quite a few years.
Taking the language student out of the classroom, to practice what they have learnt, in live practical situations, is a much more intense and fun way to learn any new language.
For those that are learning Spanish, wouldn’t you just love to spend a weekend as a guest in the home of a local Spanish family? Such a scheme akin to you spending a weekend with a Spanish native has been formulated in our very area!
Tobias Neugebauer has put his brilliant initiative of 'Student Exchanges' into practice.
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Tobias’ idea of organizing language and culture exchanges was born in late 2005, while working for a company providing services to mostly UK citizens residing, and living on an urbanisation on the Costa Blanca. Tobias found that European residents often feel isolated. He observed that the gulf between expat residents and the local Spanish population was vast. Tobias saw the potential to mix traditional customs, enabling the exchange of cultural information and linguistic knowledge.
This is how Convers languages and cultural exchanges were created. The organisation is run as a fully registered agency called ‘Convoca Encuentros Lingüísticos’ which works in close contact with Murcian language schools and local authorities.
The objective of the programme is to create opportunities, where Europeans and native residents of Murcia and Alicante are in contact with each other, to learn more about each other’s culture and language.
Convers’ programme offers different modules, depending of course what is convenient for both parties. It is possible for European families living in either Murcia or Alicante to host a Spanish student for a period of one day to one month, for the purpose of exchanging conversation opportunities in Spanish/English. Compensation for out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
Apart from deciding the length of time students will be staying with their hosts, Convers would need to know both parties interests, enabling Convers to tailor the program, making it interesting and comfortable for everyone.
Please see Convers’ website for more information and application form.
Tobias is presently organising an excursion which will be an opportunity to see Convers in action and to practice your Spanish, and for you to help a student of English. See details below from Tobias:
Hello The school year is coming to an end and before many of us begin our summer holidays we are arranging a final excursion, where we hope you will be able to join us. Our excursion has been arranged to cater for those who have limited walking abilities and for those who prefer to take regular coffee breaks. Excursion: “Green surroundings of Murcia”Saturday, 21st June 2008
10.00 Welcome at Santo Angel
(Murcia) meeting point As usual transport is through the use of private cars, please contact me if you need a ride. The excursion will start in Santo Angel and at mid day we will make a transfer to Alcantarilla where the excursion will end before 6 p.m.
For payment, please indicate your name and date of the excursion with your deposit to CAJA MURCIA 2043 0090 31 0200552148 (Payments are not refundable). |
(07/06/08).
STARK
However, number crunching for those on a tight budget makes stark reading as disposable income is squeezed. The current UK basic state pension is £90.70 per week. At last summer's average, it converted across to give a payment of 128.79 euros. But at the close of currency markets on Wednesday, the same basic pension was only worth 112.99 euros - a shortfall of 15.80 euros a week. This gloomy outlook is worsened for any expat servicing a Spanish loan or mortgage with their UK income, as well as having to meet rising community fees and local taxes. It means a radical rethink of the household budget at a time when the news is full of stories of falling property prices and the so-called 'credit crunch'.
TOURIST
Unfortunately, businesses here in Spain reliant on a buoyant UK tourist market are also starting to suffer. A weak pound has a knock-on affect on holidaymakers heading for the sun and their favourite costa. With Britain on the edge of recession, visitors are facing their own financial difficulties at home and seeing savings buy less holiday spending money. A family of four arriving with £600 last summer were rewarded with 852 euros to enjoy investing in a little bit of Mediterranean life. However, again at the close of play rate on April 9th, the same £600 is only worth 747.60 euros - the family losing more than 100 euros that could have gone on a night out, shopping, or a visit to one of the popular tourist attractions. While tightening belts, it must be remembered that currency markets are notoriously fickle but some speculators say sterling - or GPD on exchange rate lists - will weaken several more points before making a recovery. Courtesy of Round Town News (07/06/08).
The misinterpretation of rules governing the issuing of local ‘padrón’ town hall registration certificates and the new foreign residents certificate have finally been cleared up by the government delegates’ office in Alicante.
Until now people applying to register on the padrón were told they first needed to get a foreign residents’ certificate, yet when they have applied for this document they have been told they first need to be registered with their local town hall.
This impasse has led to many people being unable to obtain SIP health cards and register children in schools.
Altea mayor Andrés Ripoll and foreign residents’ councillor Carolina Punset took the government delegate to task over the matter following an avalanche of complaints from the town’s foreign community over the way the legislation was being misconstrued.
After months of fighting, Altea has issued the following statement.
“The government delegates’ office has issued an order in which citizens from other EU states can be incorporated onto the town hall register (padrón) if they present an identity document such as a passport or NIE without the need to present a Certificado del Registro Central de Extranjeros (foreign residents certificate).
“Eliminating this bureaucratic obstacle is essential for certain EU residents that urgently need, for example, to get their children into school or obtain health cards.” Courtesy of Cost Blanca News (07/06/08).
A large number of trucks moving at slow speed in the A-7, in its passage through Betxi (Castellon), yesterday
Transport sector in the province of Alicante yesterday agreed the call for an indefinite strike from midnight of Sunday/Monday.
The sector's main cause of protest is the rise in fuel. Some petrol stations in Alicante yesterday recorded more traffic than usual in anticipation of the protest which could result supply problems.
Failure of negotiations held in Madrid yesterday between representatives of transport and the national government, determined the Provincial Federation of Transport of Alicante (Fetrama) and the Union of Small Carriers to support strikes, which could result in the congestion of some main roads.
From midnight on Sunday, no truck will enter or leave the port, although the convenors ensure that there will be no pickets, Jose Quirant told La Información newspaper.
The chairman of the PP, Mariano Rajoy, announced yesterday that his party will present in court next week a series of measures to help hauliers, farmers and fishermen. (07/06/08).
"Telefonica Negro" yesterday became the first boat participating in the Volvo Ocean Race to reach Alicante, which will be the departure point for the Volvo Ocean Race starting on 11th October from Alicante Harbour.
The hull of the boat arrived in the impressive Antonov 124 from New Zealand after travelling for three days with stopovers in Jakarta (Indonesia) and Baku (Azerbaijan).
Antonov 124 is the second largest cargo aircraft in the world, only surpassed by his "older brother", the Antonov 225. The huge plane landed yesterday at the airport in El Altet about 8:15 a.m. with great expectation by employees of the terminal.
The unloading of the plane's precious cargo was treated with the utmost care. Traveling with the hull of "Telefonica Negro", one of the two Telefonica boats in the Race, was a member of the Spanish team who will participate in the Round the World Race which starts from the port of Alicante.
It took more than five hours to unload the boat from the Antonov, as it was a complicated and delicate maneuver. The operation was complicated because of the size of the boat (over 21 metres in length and breadth of between 5 and 5.70 meters). The plane was selected because of its high storage capacity.
Security measures were extensive for the unloading operation from the aircraft. Ten people who travelled on board the Antonov were specialists in loading and unloading special cargos.
With the help of a crane jib, the boat's unloading was completed five hours after landing, while a special transport truck patiently waited to take boat to it's destination at the team base in Pier Poniente.
At 16.30 hours, "Telefonica Negro" was rested on it's "cradle" and the Team will now start the work of finishing the boat to prepare it for the Race
Telefonica's other boat team, "Telefonica Azul" plans to arrive at Alicante in middle of June, but this time, the operation will be simpler, because she is only arriving from Valencia.
It has taken six months of intense work in Auckland to build a boat that will compete with the best in the Volvo Ocean Race.
The Spanish team, with Pedro Campos as CEO, has placed their confidence in the Southern Ocean Marine shipyard based in Tauranga (New Zealand) which has extensive experience in construction of ocean racing boats. The boat's revolutionary hull was designed exclusively for the team Telefonica. (06/06/08).
A flying visit from the world's biggest aircraft will landed today Alicante at 08:30 hours.
The plane has been commandeered to carry the new boat for the Telefonica team which the team will use when competing in the Volvo Ocean Race starting 11th October. The boat will be flying in from Auckland, New Zealand, having made two refuelling stops in Indonesia and Azerbaijan.
See two YouTube videos showing you the big bird landing and shows you around the interior.
(05/06/08).
Never before had so much excitement been generated at the Miguel Hernandez University before an investiture. The Star of the investiture was Liverpool FC's coach, Rafael Benitez as he was awarded an honorary doctorate.
The Liverpool coach mingled amongst students of Elche's Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, he spent time speaking to them, posing for photos with anyone who asked.
This was probably the first time a Spanish university awarded its highest distinction to a soccer coach.
There was a festive atmosphere at the visit of Benitez. Benitez's affable and charismatic personality permeated throughout the act of investiture, which reached its climax when exceptionally, the director of the choir, Rafael Prieto, accompanied by piano performed - "You'll never walk alone" - the anthem of Liverpool FC. All those present raised a standing ovation.
Benitez, has a degree in physical education, diploma in Business Studies and has studied Medicine for several years. In addition to doctoral studies, he has trained as a Master of football, basketball monitor and has managed in three languages. Tragically though, a serious injury cut short his career as a player.
The Investiture attracted a large crowd from the media, including one from China, Benitez even tried to communicate with him in Chinese. (05/06/08).
Spanish Internet connections, among the European countries, are the most expensive and slowest. The cheapest Internet connection in Spain is 580 euros per year, which is 200 euros more than the cheapest connection in France, according to a study by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU).
According to Europe Press:
Average Annual Cost € |
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| Belgium | 645 |
| UK | 601 |
| Spain | 580 |
| Portugal | 556 |
| Italy | 470 |
| Netherlands | 419 |
| Germany | 419 |
| France | 389 |
To create this report, OCU selected the cheapest deals in ADSL, with or without unbundled loop, the cheapest cable, the best offer and have taken into account different profiles of consumers.
Four out of ten Spanish households have an Internet connection, which, according to the consumer organisation, Spain ranks well below the European average, currently at 54%.
The OCU said "only a privileged few have access to networks with the choice of more than one operator, and as a result, competition is stifled.
Moreover, according to the OCU, a third group does not even have access to broadband, and the solutions offered to them are "weak and expensive".
The OCU stressed that in general, other countries have cheaper broadband access, with higher speeds, than that available in Spain.
Finally, OCU called on the authorities to act, ending discrimination in Internet access towards a large group of consumers and to take effective measures to reduce the final price paid by consumers. (06/06/08).
The average new builds over the past seven years, in the province stood at 13,000 properties - a downturn of over 96%.
Alicante's Association of Housing Promoters of the province (Provia) calculated that the building sector is approaching a complete stoppage, a figure representing 96% less than average over the past seven years for the same first period.
The lack of building activity, coupled with the fact that in the province there are about fifty thousand new homes, completed or nearing completion, without a buyer, has caused nearly 60% of Provia partners to freeze prices and new projects until they are able to sell the assets.
It is expected that May through to August, the figures will be even worse. (06/06/08).
This Saturday sees another cultural outing take place in Almoradí. Keen to encourage the participation of international resident, organisers contacted the CoastRider with details. The event takes place on Saturday, 7th June, with a guided tour around some of Almoradí's most significant historical buildings. The Teatro Cortés, the Chapel on Calle España and the San Andrés church will all be visited with a local guide.
At the end of the tour at around 12 noon, there will be an open concert in the church. The church organ is of great historical significance in Almoradí dating back to the 18th century and having survived the earthquake of 1829.
All those interested in participating are asked to gather at the front main door of the church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. This guided cultural tour is a monthly event organised by Almoradí's Council for Tourism. The excursion is totally free and previous registration is not necessary - simply arrive on Saturday morning at the church in Plaza de la Constitución.
Also during the tour, the history of the theatre will be explained as well as details of prominent figures who have acted their. Visitors will be able to stand on the stage, visit the VIP boxes and will be shown backstage to the actor's dressing rooms.
The history of the church will also be explained, including how an old hospital was destroyed during the war and some years later, was restored and preserved to become the Chapel where civil weddings and official acts now take place.
The guides will also explain the sculptural features of San Andrés church.
If this Saturday's guided tour doesn't suit your schedule, please note that further tours take place on 5th July and 6th September. Courtesy of CoastRider (04/06/08).
Long before many of us have taken our first dip in the ocean for the 2008 summer season, a glittering ball is being planned for the autumn. The date for this very special event is Saturday 25 October 2008.
Organisers are hoping that by publicising the event early, people will secure the date in their diaries for what promises to be a sumptuous, bib and tucker affair.
The location for the charity ball is the beautifully refurbished banqueting hall at the Castillo de Conesa of San Miguel de Salinas, where guests can soak up the atmosphere and sample food prepared by the Castillo’s chefs who are renowned far and wide for their excellent cuisine.
President of the HELP Association Vega Baja, John Saunders, whose wife, June, is organising the grand charity ball, said: “This will be a very special evening indeed and will give people the opportunity to dress up, eat, drink and dance the night away in the castle’s impressive banqueting hall. We hope that the groups and societies which have supported HELP Vega Baja in the past will support us again by reserving a table or two at the ball. We also hope to welcome new supporters to this year’s event – whether they are couples seeking an ideal venue for a wedding anniversary, or business associations and social groups looking for a unique evening out.”
The HELP Association Vega Baja is a registered charity which assists thousands of people of all ages who live in, or visit, the Vega Baja region every year. Events such as the grand charity ball are essential fund raisers for the charity to enable its team of volunteers to continue offering vital help to the community, and to run its two offices and 24 hour emergency helpline.
The price per ticket is 50 euros, which includes welcome drinks and canapés, a four course sit-down meal with a vegetarian option, and unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks throughout the meal. Music and dancing will follow, as well as a grand raffle. All profits from the evening will go to the HELP Association of Vega Baja.
Reservations or enquiries can be made by email (Click to e-mail) or by telephone on 966 710 005 or 662 079 222. To find out more about the beautiful Castillo de Conesa, you can go to the website at www.san-miguel-de-salinas.com/uk/castillo.asp
Media enquiries to: Rebecca Griffin - 653 453 331 - Click here to e-mail. (0406/08).
Taibilla prepares a rise in the rate of drinking water for nearly 26%. The increase reflects the imminent opening of two new desalination. The plants will ensure the resources to supply its 79 municipalities but at a higher cost.
An economic report justifying the increase will be presented on Thursday, next week at the Board of Directors. The Boards decision is not binding, as it will need the approval from the Ministry of Environment.
The opening of two plants represent an increase of expenditure (the desalinated water is more expensive than the Taibilla or the flow from the Tagus-Segura) but guarantees the supply of 34 municipalities in Alicante, 43 of Murcia and two of Albacete.
With this increase, a cubic metre of water will increase from 43.26 cents to 54.46. Carrillo said that this will result in an average monthly increase of one euro per person for a family of five members. Most municipalities have a billing system that penalizes large consumers the benefit those who with moderate use. (0406/08).
The famous Spanish 'freaki' made 16th place in this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade.
The character of Rodolfo Chikilicuatre who represented Spain at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest with Baila el Chiki Chiki, is to be killed off tonight by the actor who has been playing the character, David Fernández.
He will be killed off on tonight’s BFN late night show on the Sexta television channel with the show’s presenter, Andreu Buenafuente.
Rodolfo Chikilicuatre, was an Argentinean character created for the show initially for a gag about a guitar and a vibrator, but the personality quickly proved popular with the public who voted on MySpace for the spoof song to represent Spain in Eurovision this year. He managed 16th place for Spain, the highest showing for four years, although many across Europe did not see or appreciate the joke.
Meanwhile the song has proved popular as a ring tone, and Chikilicuatre will go down in time as one of the most famous freaks to have been produced in Spain. (0406/08).
The Spanish Congress on Tuesday approved the creation of a register specifically for paedophiles.
Under the decision made only the judicial authorities and the security forces will have access to the new list, but its creation is intended to put an end to the lack of coordination which has been happening in Spain and which was so tragically highlighted in the case of Mari Luz Cortés, the five year old girl from Huelva who was now thought to be killed by Santiago del Valle, a paedophile who should have been in prison at the time on previous charges.
Mari Luz’s father watched the debate in Congress from the viewers gallery yesterday.
Congress also approved some amendments which were placed by the Catalan party CiU which called on the Government to toughen up on the sentences for those who carry out sexual crimes against children. (0406/08).
They steal a prostitute's purse and cause a car accident when fleeing.
A vehicle collided head on against a van on the CV-95, near the municipality of San Miguel de Salinas, injuring four people with one having to be rescued by firefighters One of the cars was a Seat Toledo, which was occupied by five Lithuanian men, which moments before the collision had allegedly stolen a young Romanian prostitute's bag. |
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According to the Fire chief, the co-driver of the vehicle that caused the impact was trapped and had to be freed by removing the right door of the vehicle and cutting out a rear seat. A waiting SAMU ambulance urgently transferred him to the Torrevieja district hospital.
Three of the Lithuanians tried to make a dash for freedom, abandoning their companions. Eventually two of them arrested by San Miguel Guardia Civil. (0306/08).
The charity "Noah's Ark" is to close its doors to the public.
Economic problems and adaptation to new zoo legislation requirements have led the animal rescue centre, located between the municipalities Guadalest and Benimantell, to close after 10 years.
The manager of the facility, Serafin Domenech, expressed his "sadness" by the closure of the centre, where thousands of people "have been able to enjoy and learn".
Starting this week, the steady trickle of visits to the Ark will have to be discontinued after the implementation of new Zoo laws which now only allow access to school groups or campus visits.
Domenech explained that in order to face reality, he has been forced to take "one of the most difficult decisions", which is none other than that of having to dispense with most of his team. (0306/08).
The singer, famous for her role in the Madrid Movida, has been photographed with three banderillas stuck in her back.
In a campaign organised by the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and AnimaNaturalis animal rights group in Spain, the famous ‘Movida’ pop singer Alaska, has taken off her clothes in protest at bullfighting.
The campaign slogan is ‘The naked truth – bullfighting is cruel’, and at a press conference to launch the campaign today the singer claimed that even now ‘there are people whose attitudes are starting to change’.
Photographer Juan Gatti captured the singer naked for the campaign and then added three ‘banderillas’ spiked into her back.
Alaza said she wanted to ‘make an impact’. ‘I probably won’t convince the convinced’, she said, ‘but there are people who are starting to change’.
‘There is an animal’, she added, ‘which has not asked to be there’.
Alaska adds her name to the supports of PETA which already includes the likes of Naomi Campbell and Linda McCartney. (0306/08).
200,000 random breathalyser tests are to be carried out on roads across the country over the next two weeks to tie in with a new advertising campaign.
The DGT traffic authority is to carry out 15,000 breathalyser tests on Spain’s roads every day for the next two weeks to total some 200,000 in total.
The testing will be concentrated at night and also at lunchtime at some 800 special Guardia Civil control points. Local councils will also step up their controls in Cataluña and the Basque Country where responsibility has been transferred from the Guardia Civil.
The controls are part of a new awareness campaign, which comes with the statistic that a third of all fatal accidents in the country have alcohol involved. More than 92,000 drivers were found to be over the limit at the wheels of their cars in Spain last year.
The new campaign ties in with an advertising blitz which started yesterday (Monday) and continues until the 15th of the month. It has the slogan ‘Whatever age you are, you have to drive with zero alcohol – the risk also goes with you’.
The D.G.T. reminds drivers that levels over 1.2 grams of alcohol per litre of blood constitute a crime under the new Penal Code. (0306/08).
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Scientists are investigating the possible influence of atmospheric 'climate oscillation' in the North Atlantic
People are wondering about the causes of this exceptional spring, which has broken all May weather records, but the causes are not always specific regarding what happens in the atmosphere. (Left: Just 20 minutes of water flooded Mutxamel (Nth of Alicante) yesterday. |
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One factor that may have influenced the unpredictable climate, is the so-called 'North Atlantic oscillation (NAO)', a periodic atmospheric process in which low pressure moves from northern latitudes of the southern ocean and vice versa, determining the weather conditions in nearby countries. In Spain, normal atmospheric pressure exceeds that of northern Europe, but presently northern European climate pressure is exceeding that of Spain.
The NAO index compares the difference in air pressure between two parts of Atlantic: Ponta Delgada in the Azores and Stykkisholmur in Iceland. If in Azores pressure is lower, the NAO is negative, but if it is higher, the NAO index is positive.
For Spain, it is believed heavy periods rain are indicative of negative NAO, while dry periods occur when the NAO is positive.
Most of the winter periods in the Valencia Region, have a positive NAO. The problem is that while El Niño can predict the weather, NAO needs much more investigation. (02/06/08).
The Ministry of Social Welfare of the Generalitat Valenciana has launched a website where citizens can access relevant social welfare publications for free .
The website of the Ministry (www.bsocial.gva.es) has included 34 publications, where citizens can can perform free downloads of 2 to 18 books and pamphlets.
With this new incentive, the Government seeks to become increasingly closer to citizens by offering a service that can be accessed at any time. (02/06/08).
More than 10 million bottles of the wine will be produced for the first time this year.
The official D.O. wine from Alicante is proving ever-popular. Export sales in the first quarter of this year were up 19% on the same period a year ago, at more than 755,000 litres, according to the President of the Controlling Council for the region, Francisco Amorós.
He said the improvement in sales came as a result of the excellent quality of Alicante wine and with the entry of new bogedas into the official domination area. This year he said the region would produce as many as 11 or 12 million bottles.
Most of the wine for export is sold in France, but there had also been increases in sales in Russia, Japan and Belgium and sales in countries as far-flung as Cameroon and Angola.
(02/06/08).
The Eastern European gang carried out non-violent thefts across the provinces of Alicante and Albacete.
The Civil Guard in Altea has broken up a criminal gang made up mostly of people from Eastern Europe which has been robbing homes in the provinces of Alicante and Albacete.
Those arrested are six men and a woman, aged between 26 and 45 who were living in Altea, Alfaz del Pí and La Nucía. Their nationalities are Romanian, Russian, Moldavian, Lithuanian and Spanish.
Two large vehicles were impounded by the authorities, together with a large amount of jewellery, fake documents, computers and mobile phones, a 7.65 calibre pistol and tools used for breaking and entering.
The recovered jewellery is to be placed on show in the Altea Civil Guard barracks so it can be recognised and claimed by its owners. (02/06/08).
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Updated: January 2009 |
Yesterday in Alicante