New Housing Deal for AndaluciaSpecial Offers for 1Casa Clients

The Regional Government of Andalucia has signed an agreement with local town halls, unions, real estate promoters, builders, banks and financial institutions to create what is being described as the largest housing agreement in Spain. The idea is to guarantee access to housing for everyone in the region. The agreement will mean 700,000 new flats will be built over the next ten years with 300,000 of them being VPOs (subsidised housing for the less well off).

Changing of the Guard at Madrid's Royal Palace

The changing of the guard outside Madrid's Royal Palace has been made a public event.  Last Wednesday (12th December) a crowd of around 500 people witnessed the first public changing of the guard.  The ceremony will take place every Wednesday with the aim of bringing more tourists to Madrid. The ceremony had usually only taken place in the presence of members of the royal family or visiting dignitaries.

Malaga Remembers its Nazi Concentration Camp Victims

The provincial government in Malaga has paid tribute to the malaguenos who escaped into France at the end of the Civil War only to lose their lives in one of Germany's concentration camps.  A monument to the 148 victims who died in Mauthausen now stands in the gardens of the Diputacion Civic Centre in Malaga.

Eta Issues Terrorists with Disguise Manual

Eta, the armed Basque separatist group, has issued its terrorists with a disguise manual to help them escape the police, the booklet includes tips on how to use make up to cover cuts and bruises and the best way to wear wigs or false moustaches to keep one step ahead of the law, the illustrated booklet also gives camouflage tips.

The manual was revealed yesterday by the Spanish television channel Telecinco, which obtained access to the document from police sources. There are tips on how to make faces appear more oval, or what to do to make them seem ‘longer’.

Police now believe three suspected Eta terrorists involved in the murder of two Spanish Civil Guard officers in Capbreton, in south-west France, two weeks ago, may have used disguises to get away.

Traffic Authority in Spain Launches Breathalyser Campaign

The DGT traffic authority has announced it is to carry out more than 230,000 breathalyser tests across the country until 23rd December.  The tests will be carried out at more than 800 control points in an attempt to discourage drivers from drinking and driving. It is estimated that alcohol is to blame for between 30% and 50% of all fatal road accidents in Spain. Last December 237 people died and more than 1,000 were injured on Spanish roads.

Minimum Age to Ride Moped to be Raised to 15

The government has announced that it is to raise the minimum age for riding mopeds to 15, and that both practical and theory exams will be needed to obtain a licence. The plan aims to address the large increase in the number of motorcyclists who have died on Spanish roads this year. It is part of a wider package of measures which include replacing some roadside crash barriers which are lethal to motorcyclists.

Premature Baby Has Open Heart Surgery in Spain

La Fe hospital in Valencia has carried out open heart surgery on a premature baby girl who weighed 1.375 grams and suffered from a serious congenital heart disease. This is the first time this type of surgery has taken place in Spain.  The operation took place on 29th November and it lasted for ten and a half hours. It was carried out by a nine-member team from Children’s Heart Surgery Unit of La Fe hospital. The baby, who was born after 31 weeks and was 3 weeks old at the time of the operation, is making satisfactory progress.

Show Off Madrid Parking Attendant Crashes Porsche

A car parking attendant at a top Madrid restaurant has damaged six vehicles after losing control of a Porsche. It appears he had been trying to impress two friends with the car and was showing off when he lost control of it and crashed into six other cars which were parked on both sides of the street. The driver was slightly injured in the accident.

Charity Calendar Causes Offence in Spain

The Spanish consumers association, FACUA, has registered a formal complaint against Ryanair's 2008 charity calendar. The calendar shows the company's cabin crew in skimpy bikinis in poses which FACUA says are an ‘affront to the dignity of working women in general and, in particular, to cabin crew, by showing stereotypical images which the women in that profession have been fighting against for years.’ FACUA has registered complaints with the Employment Ministry's Institute for Women and with the National Consumers Institute and said it would be sending letters of complaint to Irish and EU authorities.

Global Culture Leaders Meet in Spain

The heads of seven leading cultural institutions, including the Sydney Opera House and London's Barbican Centre, gathered together on Friday in Spain to look for new ways to work together.  The two-day meeting is in the north-western city of Aviles, which will be home to a space-age cultural centre designed by award-winning Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer that will be shared by the seven institutions.  Work on the Niemeyer Cultural Centre, featuring a 1,000-seat auditorium, a 4,000 square metre (43,000 square feet) gallery and a multiplex cinema, is set to begin in March and is expected to last two years.  The five other institutions that will share the space are the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Paris Pompidou Centre, New York's Lincoln Centre, the Alexandria Library in Egypt and the Tokyo International Forum.

Linus Fung, chief of cultural services at the Hong Kong Cultural Center, said he hoped a Chinese opera would be held during the opening season of the 30.5-million-euro (45-million-dollar) Niemeyer Cultural Centre. "This is a way to foster cultural exchange," he said at the meeting, dubbed the "G8 of culture" in a reference to the annual gathering of leaders of the Group of Eight leading nations.

New Massive Leisure Complex to be Built in Aragon

A planned leisure complex is to be built in the desert area of Los Monegros, Aragon. The complex will be second only to Las Vegas in the number of casinos, hotels, restaurants, shops and other leisure facilities including a hippodrome, golf course, theme parks and museums. It comes under an agreement between the regional government and an international consortium, with 17 billion euros of private investment.  Construction is set to start late next year; it will cover an area of 2,000 hectares and provide 65,000 new jobs. The project, known as Gran Scala, will be built in three stages with the third phase not set to be completed until 2023.

Spanish Actor Nominated for Golden Globe Award

Spanish actor, Javier Bardem, has been nominated as Best Supporting Actor in this year's Golden Globes.  The nomination comes for his role as a sadistic psycho killer in the new Coen brothers film, ‘No Country for Old Men’. Javier Bardem has been nominated for a Golden Globe on two previous occasions for ‘Antes que anochezca’ (Before Night Falls) and ‘Mar adentro' (The Sea Inside).  Spain is also hoping to see the film ‘El Orfanato’ (The Orphan) among those nominated as Best Foreign Film.

Compulsory Purchase of Land for New Toll Motorway

Details of the expropriation of land for the new Las Pedrizas toll motorway were published yesterday.  The process will affect 528 fincas in 4 municipalities and will involve 9.6 million euros in compensation.  The companies, Fomento and Sacyr are finalising the constructive project which will be ready to start in January or February next year.

Junta Report Finds Against Sierra Nevada Cable Car

A report from the Junta de Andalucia has reacted unfavourably to the plan to build the longest cable car in the world, which would have run 19 kms from Granada City up to the Sierra Nevada ski resort. The report argues that the project would have a devastating impact on fragile local ecosystems.  The ruling was welcomed by conservationists who had campaigned to block the construction of the line. The department decided it would put at risk endangered bird species in a protected area of the mountain range. The Environment Ministry also came out against the project in October.

Malaga Suffers Lack of Rainfall

Figures from the National Institute of Meteorology (INM) show that this autumn has been the driest since 1999. According to the institute so far in 2007, just over 282 litres of rain have fallen per square metre in Malaga which is 40% less than the annual average of 438 litres. November, normally the wettest of the year, has been the 12th driest November since 1942 according to meteorologists.  The months in which the province of Malaga usually has rain are November, December and January so this leaves little time for rain. The province's water reserves are currently at 135.7 hectometres (22% of the total capacity).

Four-metre Python Spotted at Mouth of Guadalhorce River

Seprona agents (the Guardia Civil wildlife protection unit) have issued a warning about a four-metre python living at the mouth of the Guadalhorce River. The snake was spotted in the background of photographs taken by a bird-watcher.  The bird-watcher notified the Environment Department and an expert identified the python as one indigenous to Asia. The expert said that this type of python was capable of eating anything from a mouse to a large dog. It is believed the snake could have been a pet at some point.

World's Largest Private Ship Docks in Malaga

The largest private ship in the world sailed into Malaga last Wednesday (12th December).  The World, a 196 metre vessel, with 12 decks, 250 crew and 165 residential units is a floating urbanisation which is owned by its residents, where a small studio can cost upwards of half a million euros and a four-bed apartment, with three full bathrooms can cost up to 5 million euros. To join a cruise as a passenger one has to buy one of the apartments or studios or rent from its owner. The World's route is chosen by a majority vote of all the owners.

Alleged Murderers Face 34 Years in Jail

Two British men accused of murdering another Briton in Alora in 2005 face a combined 34 years in prison. Last week, the public prosecutor called for lengthy prison sentences for the accused father and son, who are also charged with stealing up to 2,800 euros from their victim's bank account after his death.  The case against the two Britons alleges that on 11th June 2005, the accused met the victim, known as Alfie, in Cartama on the pretext of an offer of work, but instead took him to a remote place where they attacked and killed him. The prosecutor asked the court to jail each man for 14 years on the charge of murder, plus an extra three years for robbery with force.

Alora Christmas Market

Alora is holding its first Christmas market today, Saturday 15th December in the Plaza Fuente Arriba.  There will be stalls selling local produce, children's activities, music, story telling and food tasting.  The market starts at 3.00 pm until 8.00 pm.  It has been organised by the Town Hall and AECA.

There will be another Christmas Fair held on Sunday 16th December at the Art and Music Station close to Alora train station.  This fair starts at 2.00 pm until 6.00 pm. 

Gymnastic 1 - 1 Malaga

Malaga lose the top spot to Numancia after only managing a draw last weekend. Malaga's game against Hercules this Sunday 16th December kicks off at 6.00 pm. Their next home game is on 23rd December.

Formula 1 News

For the second season running Formula 1 team, McLaren, have decided not to use Spaniard, Pedro de la Rosa as their race driver and have instead chosen Finnish driver, Heikki Kovalainen.  De la Rosa will be McLaren's third driver and Gary Paffett will help the Spaniard when necessary.

Spanish insurance company, Mutua Madrilena, has ended its two year sponsorship deal with McLaren after the first year and following the departure of Fernando Alonso. A statement from the company said that the decision was made in November and is not linked to the signing of Alonso with Renault.

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