Thursday, 31 March 2011
Albert Hammond to receive award from Spanish Music Academy
Two overpasses to be built to supplant pedestrian railway crossings
CASTELLAR (Agencies) Mayor Francisco Vaca recently signed an agreement with the railway infrastructure administrator, Adif, and the contractor whereby two pedestrian passes are to be builtat two spots in the municipality. One of them at the crossing near the Almoraima station, and the other linked to the road that leads to the cemetery. The agreement comes after improvements to previous plans were approved, and they are scheduled to begin in approximately 6 weeks time. These are part of the Adif plans to eliminate dangerous crossings for vehicles and pedestrians on the Algeciras - Bobadilla line.
Four try to sabotage Straits watch tower
LA LINEA (Agencies) Four men are in prison for attempting to sabotage the Guardia Civil's Servicio Integrado de Vigilancia Exterior (SIVE) monitoring station on Sierra Carbonera. The judge at the criminal court in La Linea sent the four to 'preventative prison' as some of them may have police records related to drug dealing and smuggling. They are all accused of trying to set fire to the SIVE cameras at the top of the hill, which happened last weekend, although they never managed to complete their 'job' before they were caught by the Guardia Civil, which reports that all systems are completely operative and relatively unharmed. The SIVE unit was created to combat drug smuggling and illegal immigration by real-time reports on shipping in the Strait, although it has also served to save many lives.
Who is Salustiano Muñoz del Campo and why is he on hunger strike outside the courts?
LA LINEA/ALGECIRAS (Agencies/Photo: EuropaSur) Anybody who has had to go through the court system in Spain is likely to be in sympathy with his cause. Or anyone who has tried to get paid by a council... These are two of the reasons Salustiano Muñoz del Campo has been on hunger strike for 20 days so far outside the courtrooms in Algeciras. He has been asking to get paid what is recognized as a debt by La Linea Council. He has been accused of blackmail and all sorts of other nice epithets but he says he will go to the end to get his money. He is there night and day, taking only liquids, and his family friends and sympathizers are getting very worried. He has been in hospital thanks to his strike, before that he had a restraining order because he kept protesting in front of La Linea Mayor Alejandro Sanchez's home and offices and went to jail for breaking it. He is owed €72,000, of which he has been paid €20,000, but he is claiming €650,000 in damages, which the court is asking him to prove. In the meantime, Salustiano carries on...
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Natural gas goes up by 4.1% tomorrow
SPAIN (Agencies) Although the government has decided that an increase of close to 12% is 'not viable' at this time, it has allowed a 4.1% rise in the price of natural gas - not the bottled one, as in bombona. This rise affects some 7.3 million homes that use the tarifa regulada, according to the Industry Ministry. The price of natural gas is closely related to that of oil, and we know what's been happening to that (a rise of 10% per barrel). So, the so-called TUR-1 gas contract (hot water and cooking) goes up by an average of 3.3%, and that of TUR-2 (plus heating), by 4.3%. The 'viability' or otherwise of a hike in electricity prices probably has more to do with the closeness of local elections than anything else. Therefore, expect it just after May 22.
Traffic police deploy 600 agents around Jerez for Grand Prix
JEREZ (Agencies) The Jerez Grand Prix for motor bikes is an annual event that brings out the Guardia Civil traffic police out in force. This year, it is being held this weekend, from April 1 to 3. Not only will there be 600 GCs around the race circuit but also 48 speed check spots, five helicopters and 20 breathalyser units to control things aming the expected 130,000 people coming for the race from Spain and all over Europe, and around 50,000 motorbikes. The operation is in effect since this morning, as many bikers have come in to watch the training sessions and run-ups to the races. (Note: watch for bikers on the roads who think they are on the circuit and act accordingly stupidly.)
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Ex-councillor arrested
LA LÍNEA (Agencies) Although he has been away from politics for some time, ex-Councillor Miguel Atanet, who was once in charge of the Ports and Fishing department of La Línea Council in the days of the GIL party's regime there, was arrested yesterday by memebrs of the National Police. Sources say that he was taken to the police headquarters, where he remained as this was being written. There is no news, however, as to the reason behind his arrest. Atanet was an elected councillor during the first mandate of Juan Carlos Juárez, later worked at the Town Hall and then went on to private business. Juárez was recently sentenced to seven years disqualification, as we reported here.
'A wee vote catcher'
The Gibraltar Chronicle, one of the oldest continually-published newspapers in the world, and one that we at CampoPulse often look to for reference, is not known for its sense of humour. Therefore we are very pleased to 'reprint' this item that appeared today on the august journal's online version. Of course, we are very close to April Fool - although the idea of a pissoir (a much more delicate French word for toilet, no?) close to the loop is not new, it is most certainly warranted. The article reads as follows, with the sub-headline as copied above:
eGaming summit today in Gibraltar
GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle) KPMG Gibraltar is today holding an eGaming Summit with the aim of bringing the sector's major players and service providers together to discuss Gibraltar's potential in the global marketplace. The KPMG eGaming Summit, which is by invite only, is being held at the Leisure Business Centre in Ocean Village. It sets out to bring together key stakeholders and decision makers to consider and debate how to ensure Gibraltar remains the premier gaming jurisdiction in light of developments and the direction of the sector both locally and globally. The Chief Minister Peter Caruana, will open the summit.>
Will royal couple visit Sotogrande?
Don Felipe asks for progress on Gibraltar question
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| Both royal couples yesterday |
MADRID (Agencies) Don Felipe, Prince of Asturias and heir to the Spanish throne, asked for progress in the contentious question of Gibraltar at the speeches after last night's gala dinner for Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, who are on their first official visit to Spain. Don Felipe urged that "our authorities advance in the historical bilateral questions that are still pending. In his speech, the Spanish Prince also pleaded for Spain and Britain to explore "new ways to cooperate in a time of crises and challenges", making special mention of the sea, which is one aspect of bilateral negotiations that remains stuck. The heir to the British throne, however, made no direct mention of Gibraltar, although he did try out a few words in Spanish at the beginning of his speech, thanking Don Felipe for "his kind words.">
Charles and Camilla on first official visit to Spain
SPAIN/Madrid (Agencies) Prince Charles and his wife Camilla arrived yesterday in Madrid from Portugal for the start of their first official visit to Spain, which will also include a stop in Seville as well as a private visit to the Duke of Wellington's estate near Granada. Spain's Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia (photo), the official hosts of the visit, welcomed the British royals as they stepped out of the black Mercedes that took them to the Pardo Palace on the outskirts of Madrid where they will stay while in the Spanish capital. Letizia, who wore a charcoal gray wool coat with matching shoes, kissed Camilla, who donned a cream-coloured dress, on both cheeks while the princes shook hands.>
Junta leaves Jimena and Tarifa macro projects out of POT
JIMENA/TARIFA (Agencies) In its latest revision of the Plan General de Ordenación del Territorio (POT) for the Campo de Gibraltar, the Junta de Andalucía has left out some of the projects that had previously been included. Principally impacted are Jimena and Tarifa, the former with a now un-backed golf resort of some €900million, and Tarifa with a similar golf project. The decision comes as the result of the financial crisis and affects major infrastructure investments of this kind. The Jimena Golf Resort tourist complex could go ahead via other means, according to Mayor Pascual Collado, as it is qualified as 'of regional tourism interest'. In any case the 700 homes in the project have not been scrapped by the Junta. Also, Collado points out that the POT establishes a series of other infrastructures, including necessary public works such as sewage and road improvements.>
Today's headlines
ABC (Over photo of Charles & Camilla visit) Prince asks for a solution to Gibraltar - ETA's minutes say Garzon would mediate between Government and Batasuna - Petrol shoots up, super95 at €1.33 a litre / EL PAIS Three judges open case of spies who contracted Aguirre - Ministry of Labour to wait 'til July for submerged workers to emerge - Obama allows CIA missions to support Lybian rebels / LA RAZON Eguiguren managed negotiation with ETA while PSOE was still in Opposition - (Over photo of Prince Charles) Gibraltar, español - One of the Lybian rebel leaders fought with Bin Laden / EUROPA SUR Prince asks Charles of Britain for progress on Gibraltar - €1,524 million hole in Junta companies - Junta stops several POT projects
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
María Montilla comes to Jimena’s Peña Flamenca
Flamenco singer María Montilla comes to Jimena’s Peña Flamenca this coming Friday, April 1 to offer a concert starting at 11.30 pm. The young cantaora was born and raised in Algeciras. Coming from a traditional flamenco family, María is making a name for herself in the area and beyond. It is an opportunity to see an upcoming star and enjoy 'El Mejor Ambiente Flamenco'.
easyJet offers ‘Ticket to Ride’ to celebrate Liverpool launch
GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle) Famed as the location of the real John and Yoko’s wedding more than 40 years ago, Gibraltar has strong links with Liverpool thanks to its Beatles connection that was immortalised in the lyrics of ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko’ in 1969. So it was not all that surprising that Lennon and Ono look-a-likes Alan James and Veninia Johnson were at Liverpool's John Lennon Airport (what else?) to launch the airline’s first flight from Liverpool to Gibraltar. The new route will provide Gibraltar travellers with a three-times-weekly service to Liverpool for as little as £27.99 (one-way, including taxes).>
Rota Naval Base drug organization dismantled
ROTA (Agencies/Photo: National Police) A drug ring operating at the US Naval Base in Rota was dismantled early yesterday in an operation by the National Police. The eight people arrested were mostly military personnel, or who had once been stationed there. Of the eight, six were Colombian, and two, Spanish. The arrests came about as the result of an investigation that began five months ago after the National Police received information that drugs were being sold on the base, but the gang was headquartered outside. Aside from the arrests, a large quantity of very pure cocaine was confiscated, along with the material used to weigh it, arms and €8,000 in cash, among other things (photo).
Jens Erik Sorensen's companies have licences cancelled
GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle) The Supreme Court has granted an injunction in favour of the Financial Services Commission against Mr Jens Erik Sorensen, Sorek Services Ltd and a number of other related parties following the FSC's cancellation of the licences held by the Sorek Group. As part of the conditions imposed on the cancellation of these licences the respondents were prohibited from undertaking licensable activities other than in relation to the transfer of client companies to a licensed company manager within a specified time frame, says the FSC. And they add: Investigations conducted by the FSC led to the conclusion that the terms of these conditions were not being met and that licensable activities continued to be conducted without the requisite licence.>
Town Planning Office opens without phones, computers or paper
ALGECIRAS (Agencies) The new Town Planning offices at Plaza de Andalucia (photo) opened its doors to the public earlier this week, although neither the computers or telephones are in operation. Photocopiers lack toner and paper. There are no folders and precious little to fold into them by the looks of it. This might possibly have something to do with the money the Council owes its usual suppliers, who may have refused to supply any more, or with its total debt of over €232 million. The opposition (PP) says so, pointing to other municipal offices in similar straits. The Town hall (PSOE), naturally denies it, saying that matter will be resolved by the end of the week or the beginning of next.
Manilva hosts Comic Festival this weekend
MANILVA (Agencies) The word cómic (with an accent) is not the word for comedian in Spanish. It refers to what used to be called comic magazines, or 'comics' for short. There is an enormous interest in Spain about the subject and it's a very healthy sector of the publishing business, too. Local fans will be wham!ing their way to Manilva, where a festival is being held this weekend. Artists in the medium will have a chance to learn a lot from experienced artists working with some of the world's top comic publishers, including Disney and Marvel. Yes, Spain exports many dab hands with the pen & ink. Also present will be local artists, many known well beyond the confines of the area, like Carlos Villanueva, Ricardo Tejeiro, Antonio Garrido 'Garry', Jesús Barony and young Cris L. Vargas, the author of the mural at Parque María Cristina in Algeciras. Films, shops specialising in the art, and others, and activities for the kids are on the programme. So shazzam! yourself to Manilva until Sunday, and have a colourful time.
Full programme for Jimena's History & Archaeology workshops
JIMENA You will find all the details of this year's History & Archaeology Workshops on our Upcoming Events calendar (just scroll all the way down). Starting on Thursday, April 6, there are all kinds of interesting lectures (in Spanish), including lectures on the restoration of the castle, on the Algeciras-Ronda railway, on the War of Independence (i.e. the Peninsular War), a battle re-enactment, and, importantly to those of us who knew the long-time Jimena resident, a tribute to archaeologist Hamo Sassoon. These among other things. Check the UpComing Calendar.
Prosecution raises stolen baby cases to the pre-procedure phase
CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR (Agencies) The Public Prosecutor (Fiscalía) for the Campo de Gibraltar is following up on the process begun several months ago, when the first case of stolen babies arose in the area. Having studied all the considerable amount of documentation, the next step is the pre-trial phase, local judicial sources confirmed. These also pointed out that this part of the process will be 'slow' and 'very complex', mainly because of the time passed since the days of the Franco dictatorship, when most of the cases supposedly happened.>On a recent visit to the area, the Government's Delegate for Andalucía, Luis Garrido García, praised the work being caried out by the Prosecutor as well as the various police forces that are trying to elucidate these cases. He said, "it is a chapter in our history that is insufficiently clear. These cases are painfully close to the family and personal tragedies of many mothers that have come to light." Garrido was unequivocal:>
E.On starts pumping electricity into the national power grid from San Roque
SAN ROQUE (Agencies) The Bahía de Algeciras Combined-cycle & Gas Turbine power center at Puente Mayorga began operating commercially on Monday, according to E.On. The €400million project involved repowering the 200-MW Unit-1 of the conventional Algeciras gas-fired plant and the second unit was retired. This makes the San Roque plant the company's most powerful in Spain. Tests have shown an output of 820 megawatts (plans were for 800), while the new plant has reduced sulphur dioxyde emissions by 98%, nitrogen dioxyde by 65% and particle concentration by 96% compared to the previous installation. There are 45 direct full time employees at the plant, although up to 700 worked on the renewal.
NCO residence goes up for auction at €1,8 million
TARIFA (Agencies) Tarifa Council has for many years asked for the old NCO residence to be returned to the municipality, but the Ministry of Defence has said that it can bebought for €1.8 million. This is not a figure the Council is willing to spend, given the neglect the building has suffered for a long time. In any case, the 1,300 m2 building was constructed on municipal land, leading the Council to see its return to the municipal patrimony as a right, or as Defence's obligation. The latter is not willing to>
Spanish air space veto on US military aircraft using Gibraltar
SPAIN/GIBRALTAR (Agencies) US military aircraft originating or whose destibation is Gibraltar are forbidden to use Spanish air space, according to a new defence cooperation agreement signed recently between the two countries. Spain's Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE, or Official State Bulletin) yesterday published the new operating procedure that has been in operation since February 1. Article 25.8 includes 'concrete norms' for the concession and processing of flight plans for military stopovers and overflights of US military flights. The new procedure substiturtes a previous one dated in 2007 and applies to "all organizations or agencies involved in the procedures [described above] of military aircraft and those civil aircraft used for military purposes of the United States." The new regulations specify that US military aircraft "having Gibraltar as the origin or destination of flights are forbidden to fly over Spanish sovereign air space, or stop over on Spanish territory." Therefore, "no Spanish airport can be included [in a flight plan] as an alternative aerodrome."
Today's headlines
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Truancy commission confirms downturn in number of truants in the municipality
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| I.E.S. Hozgarganta, Jimena |
JIMENA The municipal 'commission on absenteeism', charged with controlling and following up on possible truancy cases, met on Monday to review such cases in the municipality. At the meeting were Jesús Rodríguez, Councillor for Education (according to a Council press release but about whose position there is some controversy), and representatives of the schools, Local Police and the so-called municipal Educator. The conclusion, as might be expected if not believed, is that the number of children missing classes consistently is down compared to last year. Rodríguez publicly congratulated all the schools in the municipality for it
100 people to benefit from Proteja employment scheme courses
JIMENA (Press release) Mayor Pascual Collado held a meeting recently with the head of the Fundación Pública Andaluza de Fondo de Formación y Empleo (FAFFE), Fernando Guillén, and the provincial delegate for Education, Juan Bouza, during which an agreement was signed regarding several employment courses to be held in Jimena, via the Proteja Plan (Programa de Transición al Empleo de la Junta de Andalucía), which will give employment to about 100 people of the village. The courses will last for about three months, for 6 hours a day, with a grant of €536 per month per attendant, and scheduled to start in a few weeks' time.
War of Independence battle to be re-enacted in the castle as part of 18th History and Archaeology Workshops
JIMENA (Press release) This year's annual History and Archaeology Workshops, the 18th, take place from April 6 to 10 next. Given that much of the subject matter this time centres on Spain's War of Independence (called the Peninsular War in British history), as well as the Constitution of that same year (nicknamed La Pepa), one of the features of the edition is the re-enactment of an 1812 battle that is scheduled for Sunday, April 10, starting at 1.30pm. Among various lectures and round tables (see the full programme below), the one by History Professor Pablo Martín Gómez on the Battle of Jimena that took place on September 25, 1811, which sparked the idea for a recreation. The battle will be created and performed by the Asociación Histórico Cultural 'Por la Resistencia', from Algodonales, which has been organizing similar events in the mountain villages for a number of years. The idea is to recreate as closely as possible the battles that occurred at the time, using the uniforms, clothing and armament of the time. This is Jimena's way of being part of the celebrations for the bicentenary of the Constitution of Cádiz of 1812.>
Internatiopnal drug ring imported drugs through Algeciras port
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| Heroin haul |
ALGECIRAS (Agencies) The Guardia Civil in Algeciras took part recently in an internation anti-drug operation that involved police in Romania, Ecuador, Italy and even the DEA in the US. The ring brought in cocaine and heroin through Algeciras port from such distant places as Ecuador and Turkey. The drugs would then find their way north, principally to Romania, then on to other parts of the EU, which accounts for the arrests of five people in Romania. After much investigation, Operation Karpatos discovered that they maintained contacts with Colombian drug lords, as well as others from Ecuador and Turkey, to which last cocaine was delivered via Italy, in exchange for heroin, which travelled by lorry through Hungary and France, among other countries.>
Father takes 14 year old son's drinking binge to police
GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle/Brian Reyes / Photo: illustration only) When a 14-year old boy rolled home drunk on vodka recently, his father decided to tackle the issue head on. The following day, he marched the now-sober boy to New Mole House police station to file a complaint. He wanted to ensure that whoever sold his son the vodka was punished. A fortnight later, police reported the owner of a local shop for selling alcohol to a minor under 16. In due course, the owner will be summonsed to court and could face a fine. This was not an isolated case, however. For evidence of that, look no further than an operation against underage drinking carried out last weekend by the Community Safety Unit of the Royal Gibraltar Police.
Woman reports a colony of cats trapped inside a house
ALGECIRAS (Agencies/Photo: illustration only) A volunteer at the Prodean animal shelter in the Campo de Gibraltar, Ana Hernández, recently reported the abandonment of a 'colony' of cats that seems to have been trapped inside a home at Calle San Pedro de Alcántara, 55. She says there are about twenty felines that until last week had been taken care of by a woman who had squatted in the house but has since been evicted. As the house has been closed there is nowhere through which to feed the cats, which neighbours are willing to do. She reported the matter to the Local Police, who have yet to act on it.
Franco-Dutch consortium takes on Gibraltar power with mega-contract
GIBRALTAR (Agencies) The Government confirmed late last week that it has awarded the £123 million contract to generate and distribute the Rock’s electricity. The announcement follows the conclusion of a lengthy EU process including site selection studies, EU tender procedures, the carrying out of an Environmental Impact Assessment Study and the resolution of a legal challenge by nearby residents of the selected site at Lathbury Barracks (photo: approx. area marked). The Government has now awarded the contract for the construction of the New Power Station and related new electricity distribution infrastructure to a joint venture between ETDE SA and Volker Stevin Construction Europe B.V. in the sum of £122.8 million. This is the largest single contract ever awarded by the Gibraltar Government and is due to be completed by July 2013.
Chief air traffic controller accuses his bosses of threats because he blew whistle on Gibraltar risks
SEVILLA (Agencies/Image: bigariato2.blogspot.com, illustration only) A court in Seville recently agreed to investigate five top management staff at AENA, the national airport authority, for "threats and abuse " against the chief supervisor of the Southern Air Traffic Control section, Juna Carlos Fontecha. Fontecha alleges that the situation began in January 2010 when he decided to denounce "the dangers involved in flying in and around Gibraltar, sitation which was made worse by the new helicopter service flying from Algeciras." Physical threats and abuse also involved his wife, also an air traffic controller. The matter resulted in Fontecha receiving three very serious written warnings from AENA. However, having heard the testimony of the five bosses, the court decided yesterday to absolve them all.
Stevedores hold out for strike on April 8
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| Algeciras container port |
ALGECIRAS (Agencies) Union representatives at the stevedoring company in the port have decided to call a 24 hour strike on April 8, in protest against the new custom of contracting outside workers instead of those from the company itself. This strike is in addition to tose 2-hour ones called for on April 7 and 14 by various unions "so that the national port authority pronounces itself on the conflict, and gives clear instructions on current law in the matter." The latter strikes will affect all ports in Spain, while the former applies only to Algeciras.
Islamic community asks Ombudsman to help in their quest for a cemetery
ALGECIRAS (Agencies/Photo: illustration only) The Islamic community took advantage of a visit from the Ombudsman of Andalucía (Defensor del Pueblo Andaluz), José Chamizo (photo), to ask him for help in bringing about a cemetery and social centre in Algeciras. The president of the community organization, Kamal Cheddad, gave Chamizo a report detailing its activities over the past year. Cheddad said that they wanted the Ombudsman to intervene on their behalf with the Council, as they had been asking for negotiations for several months. There are over 7,000 Muslims residents in Algeciras, according to the organization, wo find it very difficult to bury their dead. hese have to be taken to another town for burial, or to Morocco, with the high cost this involves.
Pensioners arrested for selling heroin and cocaine
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| La Bajadilla, Algeciras |
ALGECIRAS (Agencies) The National Police arrested two people last week for selling drugs from their home in La Bajadilla, one of the town's less salubrious areas. A.S.F., 73, and his partner G.C.N., 65, recent arrivals to Algeciras, were selling doses of cocaine and heroin with a high degree of purity, in itself an unusual occurrence in that area. The police had trouble getting to the home on the upper part of La Bajadilla, but executed a search warrant and found numerous doses of both illegal drugs and over €7,500 in cash hidden in a sofa. Other confiscated material included mobile phones and precision scales with which each dose was weighed.
Council demands that Junta to take over paying for Primary schools
| C.E.I.P. Santiago, La Linea |
LA LÍNEA (Agencies) The Council is to begin the political action needed to have the Junta see that Article 52 of the Statute of Autonomy ('regional constitutions') "appears to say that it has exclusive competence over education." The town hall team under Mayor XXXXXXXAlejandro Sánchez says in a press release that, in common with other councils making similar claims, "it is claimed that the costs coming from maintaining education centres, costs of electricity, cleaning and staff such as porters, are wholly supported by the administartion with aqbsolute and exclusive competence, in other words, the Junta." The note adds that this should be resolved as soon as possible as the costs impact heavily on the municipal coffers. (Note: it will be remembered that primary schools were left uncleaned recently and had to close for a week. Costs of maintaining primary schools, in all its aspects, are the responsibility of the municipalities all over Andalucía. It is only those councils run by parties other than the PSOE that are now claiming the costs - just before local elections on May 22.)
Survey: only 57% of Gibraltarians approved of RGP service
GIBRALTAR (Agencies) According to a recent survey by the Royal Gibraltar Police itself, only 57% of Gibraltarians approve of the service offered by the force. This is only one point below the level of a similar survey carried out for 2008-2009. ·36% they do not approve, compared to 38% previously, while 7% did not answer. On the other hand, 51% said that police services had improved over the last twelve months, and 40% did not. Application of the traffic laws got only a 34% approval rating, while 58% disapproved. Questions on trusting the RGP came up with with 57% in the affirmative and 35% in the negative, with 8% abstaining from answering. The general question as to whether there was trust among residents elicited only 37% 'yes' answer, against a 51% in the previous survey, though that one did not have a 'don't know' section for this question, which leads the RGP to believe that many of those who answered 'yes' in 2008-2009 opted for the new section this time.>
Visitors Reception Centre is open to the public
CASARES (Press release) A new visitors' centre created under the Plan Qualifica scheme will allow for personalized information to tourists 24/7 and 365 days a year. Located at the entrance to the village on the Ronda road, the centre gives an overview of Casares and its features. In one room they can find out about where to eat, where to stay, ferias, traditions, etc. while another room delves into the history of Caares, including archaeological finds from digs at Villa Vieja and Cueva del Duque. A third room is dedicated to audiovisual material used as promotional material. In addition to the panels as described, the new centre is part of the information network for the Western Costa del Sol, that is included in the Plan Qualifica, covers over 5000 points of interest in the area and uses touch screen technology. Opening hours are from Monday to Friday 11am to 2.30pm and 4.30 to 6.30pm, and on Saturdays from 11am to 4.30pm.
Portuguese architect wins prestigious Pritzker Prize
PORTUGAL (Agencies) Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura (photo) has been named the winner of this year's Pritzker Prize, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of architecture, according to an Associated Press report. De Moura is the second Portuguese man to receive the honor, which comes with a $100,000 grant, following his mentor Alvaro Siza's win in 1992.Among the works the 58-year-old has constructed since opening his own office in 1980 are soccer team Sporting Clube de Braga's stadium, Braga's municipal market and Ibiza's La Casa das Histórias.
Chicago's Pritzker family have awarded the prize since 1979 to those who have made "significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture."
Chicago's Pritzker family have awarded the prize since 1979 to those who have made "significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture."
FC Barcelona members to vote on smoking ban
BARCELONA (El Pais) Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium will be the first in Spain to ban smoking if members of the Liga soccer club vote for the measure at its next general assembly. Until a decision is taken, the Catalan giant has recommended that supporters refrain from smoking in the stands, even though open-air arenas such as soccer stadiums are exempt from the anti-tobacco law that came in to effect on January 2. A complete ban on smoking inside Camp Nou has been proposed by the club president, Sandro Rosell, who on Monday announced the measure alongside the regional health chief, Boi Ruiz, and the president of the Barcelona Medical Association, Miquel Vilardell. "You can do what you want with your health," Rosell said, citing the number of children who attend games. "But not with that of others."
Gibraltar: £50 parking fines and clamps on the way?
GIBRALTAR (Source: Panorama) The government is toying with the idea of introducing £50 parking fines as part of its new parking plans beginning next week. An army of enforcement agents will descend on Gibraltar roads armed with new powers. The new plan includes the creation of parking schemes to make provision for different kinds of parking categories of citizens at different times of the day and in various different areas of Gibraltar. The first phase of the scheme will be launched next week in the north district and will be followed by a second phase before the summer. "Pay and Display" parking spaces for cars, where parking will only be available on payment of a charge and purchasing a ticket from a nearby machine, will be introduced and strictly enforced and policed as part of the government war against long-term parkers.>
Today's headlines
EL PAIS Catalan Socialists throw weight behind Chacón - Mortgages get the biggest hike since 2008 - ETA: "We do not allow threats. If there are arrests, ETA will act" - New alert: plutonium found on Fukushima ground / ABC (Over photo of Rajoy) Everything for free is not viable - Police inspector admits to being at Faisan when information was delivered - Three Junta de Andalucia departments knew about EREs / PUBLICO Fukushima spills plutonium - Berlusconi's mask - Catalonia socialists ask Zapatero to portpone succession debate / EL MUNDO PP demands Rubalcaba resignation for 'collaborating with ETA' - Ballesteros admits to being in El Faisan when information was delivered - State enters four cajas and injects €7,700 million / EUROPA SUR Algeciras unblocks City of Justice project - Plutonium found outside Fukushima reactors - Area prosecutors file pre-process investigation on stolen babies - Spain vetoes US military aircraft headed for Gibraltar
Monday, 28 March 2011
Walk celebrates opening of public way from Zahara to Benamahoma
BARBATE/GRAZALEMA (Agencies/Image: GoogleMaps, Benamahoma marked) Environmentalists, mountaineers, walkers and residents of the Sierras set out walking yesterday in order to celebrate the fact that Grazalema Town Hall has catalogued the road fro, Benahoma to Zahara de los Atunes as in the publicdomain, including it in the Inventory of the Corporation's Patrimony. An Ecologistas en Acción spokesperson said, "Our perseverance has paid off; at last it is acknowledged that this is a public way. It has been closed for seven years and stretches of it had been taken over by various landowners.
Cables stolen from new Palmones promenade
LOS BARRIOS/Palmones (Agencies) The newly opened promenade at Palmones was the victim of the crisis - or at any rate, of those who use the wretched crisis as an excuse for committing a crime. The lights will be off on the promenade because thieves have removed the cables that fed the lights. But that is not all. The promenade is something local residents had been asking for for a long time, but it seems that the vandals couldn't wait either. Just hours before the official opening, they defaced the garden close to the breakwater. The cables were recovered before the thieves made off with them, when the Local Police were alerted by a call from a resident, but they will take a while to be replaced. Copper, apparently, is a very saleable commodity at local (and presumably worldwide) junk yards.
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