Roscón de Reyes, a seasonal treat

Roscón de Reyes is a traditional Three Kings treat. Shaped like a large doughnut and usually tasting a little of lemon, it is decorated with dried fruits and contains a surprise or two for the lucky finder. The gift is usually a coin, though sometimes it also contains the traditional dried bean as a joke. Its origins go back to the round cakes that were offered to the god Janus during Roman Empire times. It is available at this time of year at bakeries and supermarkets.

EasyJet passengers to Gibraltar in emergency evacuation at Málaga

(Agencies/Photo: GibChronicle) Passengers on a Gatwick to Gibraltar flight yesterday found themselves sliding down the emergency shutes of their aircraft after landing safely at Málaga, where they had been diverted by  bad weather on the Rock. The plane was apparently struck by lightning and, according to AENA, the airport managing company, the measure was taken as a precaution by the captain. The lightning struck after the plane had already come to a standstill, and there were no injuries. According to The Gibraltar Chronicle, passengers found themselves safe, shoeless and a little shocked in the terminal. One report said that the smell of smoke had set off the alarm in the aircraft.This incident comes amidst extreme bad weather.>

Junta invests €1.75 million to improve water supply for Jimena and Castellar

(Agencies) The Council for the Environment, through the Water Agency of Andalucía, has begun work on water supply to Jimena and Castellar (Photo: EuropaSur). The project, which will cost some €1,750,000, is aimed at improving both the quality and quantity of the water presently available to the municipalities. Work has begun at the Majarambú wells in Castellar, from where it will be pumped to the water treatment plant (WTP) at Arenillas, from where the pipes will take the water to the municipalities. The underwater pumps to be used will have a capacity of 20 litres per second. The project also includes more pipes for Castellar that will eventually be attached to the Campo de Gibraltar's general network.

Water, water everywhere in the Campo de Gibraltar: stay at home, advise authorities

(Agencies/Photo: Andalucía Información) Although the forecast for today promises a break, the weather over the last 48 hours (Christmas Eve and Day) has brought little but rain and problems all over the Campo de Gibraltar. The Guadiaro Valley (photo of the main road from Jimena towards the coast) had the most problems, as we've been reporting all along. Some 300 litres per square metre were measured at the weather station at Cepsa's Gibraltar-San Roque refinery. The result of rainstorms that haven't been seen in the area for at least 11 years is a whole series of roads being closed, homes, garages and fields being flooded throughout the Algeciras Bay area and inland. Some examples:>

Odyssey ordered to return treasure to Spain

(Agencies) Judge Steven D. Merryday, of Tampa, Florida, yesterday ordered Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. to return treasure it extracted from the sunken Spanish frigate Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. Judge Merryday rejected the latest appeals  presented by the US company regarding gold and silver coins and other objects in an ongoing legal battle resulting from Odyssey's claim to the treasure from the Spanish vessel sunk in 1804. The treasure reached the US in a somewhat obscure manouevre  via Gibraltar. (Read more about it here.)

Lorca dig ends without finding his remains

(Agencies) The earthly remains of the greatest Spanish writer of the 20th century have not been unearthed in Alfacar, against all expectation.  The evidence not only fails to reveal anything about Lorca’s whereabouts – it strongly suggests that no human being was ever interred in the lonely olive grove, utterly contradicting all the traditional lore surrounding the poet’s mysterious death.

Between 1923 and his tragic shooting in 1936, Lorca produced several collections of poetry and wrote half a dozen dramas which, between them, set the Spanish speaking world alight.  He became immensely famous and, in his native Granada, bitterly hated by the town’s Fascist elements, who regarded him as a “leftist” and a practising homosexual.>

Santa María Polo Club is awarded Sports Promotion prize by the Sports Press Association

(Photo by Paisajes Aéreos) The Sports Press Association of Cádiz has awarded the Santa María Polo Club this year's prize for Sports Promotion as a recognition of its work promoting the sport and in making the Campo de Gibraltar an area of reference at European and world levels. Among the best clubs in the world, Santa María has three tournaments among the World Polo Tour (WPT), the Ignacio Domecq Memorial in the Challenge Cup category, the Sotogrande Gold Cup in the Grand Slam category (ranking with the British Open at Cowdray Park and the US Open at Palm Beach), and the Silver Cup, which ranks in the WPT Championships Cup with The Queen's Cup at the Guards Polo Club and the US Gold Cup.>

Ten illegal homes knocked down in Chiclana: 28 arrested

(Agencies/Photos: EuropaSur) CHICLANA - The developer, knife in hand, and members of his family, climbed onto the rooftops to stop the demolition. People renting some of the homes are considering legal action against the developer, Antonio Tocino Verdugo, for never advising them that the houses were scheduled to come down as the result of a judgement against him. Local Police and an anti-riot Guardia Civil unit turned up early yesterday morning, just ahead of the demolition machinery, and cut off adjacent streets. Just before that they had arrested 28 people for resisting authority. They were released during the morning after making their statements.>

Oil tanker runs aground in La Línea

(Agencies/Photo by EuropaSur)The oil tanker Vermaoil XXI ran aground just after 8 this morning, having been blown onto the Poniente beach in La Línea. All emergency procedures were put into place rapidly, though no fuel leakage has been detected as yet. A sister tanker, the Vermaoil IX is being assisted at sea by tugs based at the port in Algeciras.The same storm also blew a sailing boat onto the western  (poniente) beach. According to a communiqué by the Algeciras Port Authority, both tankers had been anchored in waters close to Gibraltar, their usual anchorage. Each ship has been slapped with a €200,000 surety against possible damage and will have to remain at Algeciras until these are paid. Capitanía Marítima has filed against them for non-compliance with several regulations, including alleged neglect on anchorage.

All I want is a hippo...

Okay, Shirley Temple is cupcake sweet but, hey, it's Christmas time...

New ORANGE ALERT for province (8.32pm: UPDATED TO ALL OF ANDALUCÍA)

We received a new weather warning from Jimena's Protección Civil. YELLOW ALERT for wind tomorrow Monday, December 21, and an ORANGE ALERT  for rain tomorrow and Tuesday, December 22. The warning has gone out to the whole province, as you can see on the map. Included in the e-mail were a series of precautions to be taken just in case, translated below. Up to 80 ltrs/m2 is expected in some places.>

Enjoy the parties!

Life can be summarized in these four bottles...

Damn! We're already on the third!
Enjoy the parties! (Thanks to Rocío for this.)
The local police and the Guardia Civil will be out in full force throughout the season, breathalyzing everywhere. Anything above 0.25 will get you arrested, fined and points taken off you license.
But 'don't drink and drive' is not just a slogan, it means you don't drink not because you might get caught but because it will save your life and those around you. Not to mention other road users.
We mean it: Enjoy the parties!

102 children take part in Castellar 'Living Nativity Scene'

CASTELLAR - A total of 102 children of the Tierno Galván infants' school in Castellar took part today in a belén viviente ('living nativity scene'). Shepherds, stars, Romans, angels, sheep and, naturally, Joseph, Mary and Jesus, as well as the Reyes Magos (Three Kings, or Magii), were on a three-level stage to offer this year's Christmas Pageant. The whole thing was organized by their parents and teachers as a good-bye to the children's first  term at school.

Aminatou Haidar's return to her Sahara home dominates Spanish press today

(Press Review) El Mundo says Spain has had to note that Morocco is in control in the disputed Sahara area. A statement from the Spanish Government says ‘while the matter is resolved by the United Nations, Moroccan law applies in the Western Sahara’. The paper says that Aminatou described her return as a triumph for the Saharawi cause. Most papers have the photo of her leaving hospital in Lanzarote at the end of 32 days on hunger strike.

ABC headlines that it was Paris which agreed the deal with Rabat, and also notes that Morocco has reached ‘a suicy agricultural agreement’ with the EU.

Público headlines that Haidar has won her battle, and notes that Rabat stopped the press going to the El Aaiún airport to block any photos of her return.>

Ryanair to open Málaga operations base

(Agencies) Ryanair has announced a new operations base to open in Málaga in June next year, which will be the low cost airline’s 38th base worldwide and its fifth in Spain. Four aircraft are to be permanently based at the facilities. The company's CEO, Michael O’Leary (photo), gave the news at a press conference in Málaga on Wednesday, announcing that the new base will bring with it 19 new routes from the Costa del Sol capital, bringing Ryanair’s total routes at Málaga Airport up to 39 and its number of flights per week up to 360. The new routes include connections in Spain with Santander, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza and Valladolid, and, in Europe, with Berlin Schonefeld, Munich West, Paris Beauvais, Stockholm, Oslo and Venice.>

Second large cocaine haul: 24 arrested in Algeciras

(Agencies) Twenty-four suspects were arrested this week in an anti-drugs operation linked to the port in Algeciras, according to news reports. The total haul amounted to 213 kilos of pure cocaine coming in shipments of  bananas from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Thirteen of the suspects worked at Algeciras port and included stevedores, crane and forklift operators and security guards. At a press conference held at the Guardia Civil command in Cádiz, it was revealed that the operation began its investigation in November last year and officers assigned to the operation also seized 26 vehicles and €42,000 in cash. Documentation relating to a number of un-named companies, apparently registered in Gibraltar, is being scrutinised at present.>

Algeciras and Gibraltar are linked again, 40 years later

(Agencies / Photo: EuropaSur) Forty years after the last voyage of the Punta Europa ferry that linked the Rock with Algeciras across the bay, the two are once again 'in touch' by sea. Named in honour of its predecessor, the Punta Europa Segundo ('the Second') docked in Gibraltar on Wednesday with authorities, business people and local press aboard, to be met by their counterparts on the Rock. It was the catamaran's inaugural run. With room for 150 passengers, the Punta Europa II's schedule includes five daily return trips on Monday to Friday, and three on Saturdays - a new public transport aimed at workers on either side and another tourist attraction.

'I love Gibraltar,' says Miss World on her return home

(The Gibraltar Chronicle, by Alice Mascarenhas / photo by Johnny Bugeja) Gibraltar came to a buzzing standstill yesterday afternoon, showered in red and white, and bathed in sunshine, to welcome Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino back home. There were unprecedented scenes of jubilation of enormous magnitude, with an entire population wanting to join in this once in a lifetime celebration, wanting to be a part of history – not just local but world history.

On Main Street the crowds were three and four lines deep, with flags unfurled, and confetti hurled high into the air. In John Mackintosh Square the scene was simply unbelievable – standing shoulder to shoulder Gibraltarians jam-packed in the square rocked in cheer. The Spanish press itself cited some 15,000 people.>

Weather alert for Campo de Gibraltar and the whole province

Protección Civil has sent us a yellow alert warning of bad weather for tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday. "Residents are warned to take special precautions for rain and to take the necessary measures to protect themselves and others," it says. Our Weather Widget predicts stormy weather for all next week, until Christmas Day at least.

Thousands protest against global warning

Thousands of people all over the world, including Spain, have been mounting demonstrations against global warming to coincide with the top-level talks now being held in Copenhagen (which, according to reports are about to fail to meet any agreement among 128 nations - unsurprisingly). However, we feel that the most significant protest of all may be the one in our illustration (Thanks, Sheila!), though we're not absolutely certain where exactly it was held. Probably not in the Campo de Gibraltar, where it is in't cold enough, is it? (On a more serious note, see a BBC News report on the talks on JimenaPulse.)

La Viña de Liñán

Christmas at El Anón: book now!

Jimena's premier establishment is taking bookings for Christmas Lunch. Roast turkey with their special apple and walnut stuffing, sausages wrapped in bacon, roast vegetables, broccoli, cranberry sauce and gravy; followed by Christmas Pudding, Brandy Butter and mince tarts with cream. All of it preceded by a light seafood salad. Sounds delicious! And, of course, Christmas crackers! Also, we're told that there are other choices for vegetarians and those who want to eschew the traditional. All of it for a mere €33 per person, including wine. Suzanna tells us to book in advance or you'll miss out: 956 640 113. (El Anón will be closed on Christmas Eve.)

Property News

Brought to you by:

Property in Spain is still 27% overvalued, despite the fact that prices have plummeted across the country in the last two years, according to a report compiled by Aguirre Newman - the property consultancy says that Spain home prices need to fall further, primarily due to the glut of unsold Spanish properties on the market...>

Wossis, then?

Is it a Christmas present? Is it a musical instrument? Is it where you keep the honey? Is it a tradition? It's all of the above. It's a zambomba (pronounced 'thambomba' and not to be confused with a bombona, a bombero or a bombón). And you'll be hearing it's peculiar sound from now until after Reyes (Three Kings, January 6) In various shapes and sizes, the most 'typical Espanish' is a pottery vessel (where honey used to be kept before fridges) covered in sheep- or goat-skin with a small hole into which is placed a stick. It is this latter hat makes a sound against the skin. See it in action below>

Miss World to receive a homecoming pageant

(Agencies) Plans for a multitudinous welcome for Kaiane Aldorino, the Miss Gibraltar who became Miss World on Saturday, may be dampened by the weather. But the feelings of Gibraltar will not be affected at all, say several reports. Kaiane will arrive at Gibraltar Airport tomorrow, Thursday, at 4 pm on a private jet chartered by the Gibraltar Government. No. 6 announced yesterday that Ms Aldorino will be met by the Chief Minister Peter Caruana and members of her immediate family. Members of the public are invited to greet her from a special enclosure on the airfield next to where the aircraft will park. People wishing to attend at the airport must arrive at the terminal by 3.30 pm at the very latest, as they need to be bussed out to the airfield. At 4.45 pm Kaiane will parade through Main Street, from Casemates Square to Cathedral Square in (weather permitting) an open-top car.>

Unpaid municipal workers cut access to Gibraltar this morning

(Agencies/Photo: EuropaSur) About 100 municipal workers cut access to thefrontier on the La Línea this morning for an hour in a demonstration demanding salary payment for November and their annual extra. Local Police, of whom about 40% have not been paid thus far either, tried to put some order to the traffic jam that went back for several kilometres. Drivers trying to get into Gibraltar made their horns sound for over half an hour. A spokesperson for the police union said that the union is planning a vote on whether to hold an 'indefinite strike' on December 20th.

Seven Local Police cars have their tires punctured

(Agencies/Photo: EuropaSur) LA LÍNEA - Councillor for Security Gabriel Gonzálvez denounced in a press release today that seven Local Police vehicles had had their tires punctured, an act of vandalism he attributed to "impudence of union pickets", adding that the incidents "occurred minutes after some unionists had been at the police station. We are not against the rights of the unions, but they aren not playing by the rules.">

Puente Mayorga water pipes 'leaking for weeks'

(Photo: EuropaSur) The water pipe that transfers water from the Guadarranque reservoir to supply ships for Ceuta has been leaking for almost a month, according to reports. San Roque Council accuses the Agencia Andaluza del Agua of neglecting their calls for immediate repair. Councillors Salvador Romero and Manuel Melero have declared that, "with the media talking about the need to save water" it is shameful that the water authorities are doing nothing about it. "They could at least cut it off while no water is being shipped," adds Romero.

El Cobre residents warn of neglected horses

(Photo: EuropaSur) Neighbours of El Cobre have contacted EuropaSur to denounce the presence of several horses in a state of neglect in a field nearby. Local residents have been feeding them for months. Six horses, two mules and a donkey were in the field until recently, though some of them have been removed presumably by their owner. Letters have been sent to the Department of the Environment in Algeciras, and statements made to both the Local Police and the Guardia Civil's Sprona unit, but no solution has been forthcoming.

Catalonia 'referendum', a damp squib

(Agencies) Voters turned out yesterday in 166 municipalities of Cataluña in a non-binding 'referendum' aimed at putting pressure on the central government in negotiations for a new Estatut ('statute' in Catalan). Only 30% of those able to vote did so, 200,000 of 700,000 and considerably less than the 50% turnout for a referendum on the Estatut throughout Cataluña in 2006. Of these, the vote was overwhelmingly in favour of independence from Spain. However, most of the national media points out that the 166 municipalities were chosen for their 'independence approval' numbers, and, of course, the referendum has 'no legal validity whatsoever'.

Catalonia independence from Spain: 'non-binding' voting today

Over 700,000 people in Catalonia, in the North East of the Iberian Peninsula, are going to vote today in 166 pueblos on the region's independence from Spain. The smallest of these, Sant Jaume de Frontanyà (Barcelona), got ahead of the general poll some months ago, resulting in a 'Yes' of 90%. Catalonia (a.k.a. Cataluña or Catalunya in the Catalan language) is the most productive of Spain's autonomous regions and has long hankered after independence from what is considered as 'Madrid-centric' dominance. However, the Spanish Government has not authorized today's poll and it is thus 'non-binding', according to the Ministry of the Interior.

Have a laugh, it's Sunday!

Sponsored by

This came in via e-mail but unfortunately we neglected to keep its source (thank you, whoever it was!). But if you think you've seen Spanish menu translations, you haven't seen this one from 'The Casa Gallega' , wherever that may be (click on image to enlarge). It's one of the reasons not to use an online translator, which is why it's sponsored by The Translation People...

Spaniards arrested in joint Guardia Civil and RGP operation

(Gibraltar Chronicle) Royal Gibraltar Police and Guardia Civil officers raced in a joint effort to catch a suspected smuggler at sea on Thursday, it has emerged. As a result of information received, RGP officers arrested Spaniard José Antonio López Lara, 34, of Puente Mayorga, San Roque, after a chase at sea involving both the RGP Marine Section and Guardia Civil launches. Lopez Lara was arrested for landing in Gibraltar without a valid permit after being stopped at Sir Herbert Miles Road, in the area of Sandy Bay. Police officers recovered six mobile phones, 1 radio transceiver, 1 hand held GPS satnav and 1 satellite phone, all housed in waterproof aquapacs.>

Gibraltar goes wild with glee as Kaiane grabs Miss World title

(Photo & text: Gibraltar Chronicle) It’s a Red Letter Day for Gibraltar today (yesterday). Kaiane Aldorino Miss Gibraltar has shot to the top and won the Miss World contest. The show was seen by millions world wide and rocked Gibraltar as results came in. Mobile telephones were blocked as people rushed to spread the news. “It’s a wonderful achievement for her and for Gibraltar. She's a special lady who deserves her huge success. A Gibraltarian again puts Gibraltar on the map! We'll give her a home coming fit for a queen. Congratulations to her and her family,” said Chief Minister Peter Caruana.>

Miss Gibraltar is Miss World 2009

By NKEMELENG NKOSI (AP)
JOHANNESBURG — Kaiane Aldorino from Gibraltar was named the new Miss World at a glittering two-hour pageant that put South Africa in the spotlight and featured traditional dancers and drummers.
The leggy brunette, dressed in white-lace evening gown, was crowned as silver confetti rained down onstage around her. She clapped her hands to her mouth when her name was announced.
"I have no words," she said when asked to describe how she felt. "I am really happy.">

Gibraltar hands over alleged drug smugglers

(Agencies) The incident that sparked a top-level row between Spain, Britain and Gibraltar is 'over', according to Spanish authorities. Four Guardia Civil officers were in hot pursuit of an alleged drug smuggling Zodiac-type boat set foot on the Rock last Monday and were detained by the Royal Gibraltar Police for some hours, their arms and boat confiscated. These last were handed back a couple of days later. The alleged smugglers, from Pontevedra in Galicia and supposedly with a track record for smuggling there, were handed over to Spanish authorities yesterday after appearing in court in Gibraltar and fined €5000 each for illegally importing a vessel as no drugs were found aboard their boat; they are now 'at the disposal of justice' in Spain, accused of 'obstruction of justice'. In the meantime,>

Reader's Question: Do you know the dates for the 2010 International Music Festival?

We received the question from a reader. Our reply: "Thank you for your enquiry, Peter. We have no firm dates for the 2010 Festival. If you follow JimenaPulse, you will notice that there are some very significant budgetary constraints, which may result in there being no festival at all. Naturally, it is to be hoped that there will be, but ... As they say, watch this space. Yours, The JimenaPulse Team." (Photo by JimenaPulse of 2009 Festival)

A pet is not a toy

This is a timely reminder that giving a pet as a Christmas present is not necessarily a good idea. In Spain, the number of abandoned animals increases geometrically during the first three months of the year. A pet, of whatever kind, is a living creature needing love, care and the attention appropriate for its species. If it is not an integral part of a family, it will suffer. And then, the cutest baby turns into a teenager and later into a wrinkly, all stages needing expensive veterinary services ... (Photo by photopostsblog.com)

If you're up to here with Christmas carols, there is an alternative

There are alternatives to Christmas carols and concerts. One of them is offered by the Liona Gilard Quintet (Bass- Miguel Angel Rodriguez Reyes; Drums- Andres 'Papa' Rodriguez; Keyboard- Diego Villatoro; Guitar- Oscar Bergillos; and Vocals- Liona Gilard), who are having a concert tomorrow evening, December 11, at Bar Azabache in Palmones, close to the new Pillars of Hercules buildings. Starting at 11.45pm, Liona, with a Brazilian, Israeli and Spanish background, specializes in Bossa Nova, samples of which you can hear on her MySpace profile.

92 year old drug smuggler arrested at Madrid airport

A 92-year-old woman was arrested recently at Madrid's Barajas International Airport after officers found more than four kilos of cocaine attached to her body. The arrest took place after the woman, in a wheelchair, and a much younger female companion arrived aboard a flight from Brazil with a connection for a flight to Tenerife. It was the older woman's behaviour that aroused customs agents' suspicions. Her younger companion bolted as soon as they were called over for an inspection, according to reports, but the 92-year-old was found to have several packages -amounting to over 4 kilos of cocaine- taped to her body. The companion was later arrested in another part of the airprot and both have been charged with possession and intent to sell. (Photo: illustration only.)

A 'bridge' coming up

Next Tuesday, December 8th is a National Holiday ('Immaculate Conception') in Spain, as is December 6th ('Día de la Constitución'), which happens to be on Sunday. Therefore, one can expect a puente ('bridge') on Monday 7th. Indeed, schools throughout Andalucía close on Friday, December 4th, and open again on Wednesday, December 9th. And then there's the Christmas Holidays, which run from December 23rd to January 11th this year. (Of course, it may not be as cold as our illustration suggests...)

Gibraltar Government promoting 'phantom website', says Opposition

Gibraltar's GSLP/Liberal Opposition yesterday accused Government of promoting a 'phantom website', according to The Gibraltar Chronicle. The website, supposedly aimed specifically at persons who may be interested in investing in Gibraltar, does not exist. In a statement issued yesterday the GSLP/Liberals said that this can only give a very poor impression, particularly to foreign investors from outside Gibraltar who may be interested in setting up on the Rock. However, our own investigation elicited the image (left), which we arrived at through Government's own website, admittedly after several clicks on various links. The Chronicle goes on to say>

Guadiaro River Interpretation workshops programme for December 11 and 12

The fifth edition of the annual Guadiaro River Interpretation Workshops is scheduled for December 11 and 12 at the Casa de Cultura in San Pablo de Buceite. Photography, environmental education and activities are on the programme, as well as discussions on the future of El Corchado (see full programme on JimenaPulse). Given recent controversy over a proposed reservoir in the area, this year's edition could be a lively one, even if a discussion on it is not on the programme. Organized by the Junta Municipal de San Pablo, the event has the support of Diputación de Cádiz, Jimena Council, GDR de los Alcornocales, Leader+ and Emprendedores Rurales Andaluces of the Junta's Consejería de Agricultura y Pesca. For more information call 956 642 205 or 956 642 385.

Prostitution ring arrested in Algeciras

The National Police Unit Against Immigration Rings and False Documentation arrested a couple accused of running a prostitution ring in Algeciras. After obtaining evidence from several women and court orders, the police raided 4 flats where they found 8 women who were allegedly being exploited by the couple. S.G.V, 44, Spanish, and N.D.L, 33, Brazilian, were taken into custody after the raid rendered computers, mobile phones and other evidence that supposedly shows that the women were extensively controlled and threatened so that they would be available 24/7. It was evidence from some of the victims that got the investigation under way in early November.

BNP 'would abandon 30,000 Gibraltarians'

(GibChronicle) Just months after lobbying for local votes for European elections British National Party Leader Nick Griffin has sparked furious criticism after he reportedly told a rally of Spanish fascists that the BNP would hand Gibraltar to Spain against the wishes of nearly all its 30,000 inhabitants. “Griffin hoped to make a quiet sop to Spanish extremists, but was exposed by anti-BNP campaigners,” says Graham Watson who represents Gibraltar in the European Parliament. He was angered by Mr Griffin’s comments.>

Gibraltar anglers criticize 'legal vacuum'

(GibChronicle) GSLP/Liberal Opposition continue to receive complaints from local anglers who, it says, are unable to fish because most of the limited space available is taken up by anglers from across the border. “There have been cases where just one of these anglers takes up a wide area of seafront by placing nine or ten fishing rods in a row,” said a spokesman adding that the Opposition has raised this issue both inside and outside Parliament on a number of occasions.

Unions denounce police 'brutality' against them in La Línea

(Photo & source: EuropaSur) Some ten union representatives went to the Juzgado de Instrucción in La Línea this morning to present a denuncia against the National Police, which was carried out yesterday when municipal workers were demonstrating against their not having been paid their salaries since October. One union delegate said that the Police charge against them was 'brutal' and that it occurred about 900 metres from the frontier with Gibraltar. They are also asking for the resignation of the Government Sub-Delegate for the Province of Cádiz, José Saucedo and the Genetral Coordinator for the Central Government in the Campo de Gibraltar, José Andrés Hoyo. The unions have declared that, while a general strike has been called off, daily protests will continue at least until December 5th, "to see if we get paid by then.">