Cristina Sanchez 1Casa News Digest - No 247 Spain' Current Account Deficit Halved Figures issued last week show that Spain's current account deficit was halved in the first nine months of this year compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, the Spanish government has passed its new law of Sustainable Economy,  which is a ten year plan designed to transform the country's economic management systems. Bank Wants Labour Reforms The governor of the Bank of Spain has begun pushing the government for labour reforms to provide more employment and help end the recession. The unemployment rate in the country is currently around 18% and recovery is expected to begin late in 2010. Two More Banks to Merge Two Catalan banks, Caixa Penedes and Caixa Laietana, have agreed a merger. The union of the two will create the ninth largest bank in Spain, with assets of €32 billion. London to Madrid in Eight Hours on Train An agreement between Spain and France has been made to create a new rail company linking Madrid and Paris, which would put London within eight hours of the Spanish capital by train. It could happen by 2012, depending on the AVE link between Figueras on the  French border and Barcelona being completed. Stand By to Repel Boarders! In the first incident of attempted piracy since the Spanish government gave permission for fishing boats to carry armed soldiers of fortune, a tuna fishing boat  from El Pais Vasco managed to repel two armed pirate boats at the weekend off the Somali coast. The pirates fired on the "Ortube Verria" with small arms and grenade launchers but the private vigilantes on board returned fire and persuaded the attackers to retreat after a half hour exchange of fire. Aid Workers Kidnapped Three aid workers from Barcelona Solidarity Action were kidnapped in Mauretania on Sunday. Local sources believe Al Quaeda may be involved. Temperature Controlled Bars The Spanish parliament has just passed a law whereby bars, restaurants and shops will be obliged to control temperatures in their premises. Temperatures will be restricted to no less than 26 degrees in summer, and no more than 21 in winter. The measure is, of course, to save energy, although there is no mention of TV's in the bars blaring non stop, and deafening music, often at the same time! Las Obras de Darwin There is an exhibition in Madrid about the works of Charles Darwin. The show is to celebrate the bicentenary of his birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of "The origin of species", and concentrates on the impact of the works in Spain following publication here 28 years later. The exhibition is on until January 1st. Collections at the Guggenheim A long running exhibition at the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao concentrates on the Guggenheim collections themselves, which began in 1937. The show is on until October 2010. Granada Scientists Discover Cancer Gene Scientists working at the university of Granada say they have discovered a gene that causes the death of cells affected by breast, lung and colon cancer. They believe that it is possible to use gene therapy to help chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer. Snow on Sierra Nevada Snow fell on the Sierra Nevada near Granada at the weekend. The spokesman for the skiing resort there believes that the slopes will be open for the coming "puente" (public holiday) next weekend. Can you believe it, only six days ago we were sipping a cold beer outside a bar on the town hall square in Álora (about 100 miles west) in temperatures of 25 degrees! Mediaeval Treasure Researchers ar the Universidad de Málaga are drawing up a digital catalogue of scientific and technical terminology from the Middle Ages. Books from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries have been lent by the library of Glasgow University and the investigators hope to have identified and catalogued a million terms by 2012. The books include subjects such as opthalmology, urology and the use of plants and herbs in medical treatments. First Five Star Hotel in Málaga Málaga's first five star hotel will open in the city centre in March 2010. ·El Vincci Selección Posada del Patio will have cost €22 million and will have 109 rooms. Part of the cost includes the excavation and investigation of Roman and Arab remains found on the site, which will be exhibited at the hotel. Taxi Fares Frozen for 2010 Taxi owners in Málaga have agreed to freeze fares in 2010 in order to stimulate demand. The number of journeys taken has dropped by 30% in the last two years. Ryanair flights to Oslo & Bologna Ryanair are to begin a new route between Málaga and Oslo next year. The service will consist of three flights per week, Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, beginning March 30th. There will also be flights three times per week to Bologna starting March 29th. Cruise Company to Have Terminal in Rail Station The American cruise ship line, Royal Carribean and Renfe, the national state rail company have agreed a plan to create a terminal in Málaga rail station for passengers arriving on the AVE high speed train to embark on cruise ships from the port. The facility will be called Puerto Atocha, and will manage passengers tickets and take charge of luggage from the moment of boarding the AVE in Madrid Atocha station, to having it delivered to the cabin on board the ship. A45 to Open By Year End The final stretch of the A45 motorway between Málaga and Córdoba should be open before the end of the year. The final touches are being put to the 100km section from Antequera to Córdoba for opening around December 20th. "El Rastrillo" Fiesta del Outlet A Christmas fair takes place at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos in Málaga at the weekend, December 4th to 8th. Free buses to the venue will leave from Plaza de la Marina at 90 minute intervals starting at 10.30 am. Retirement Apartments for Gays in Torremolinos A Málaga construction firm is going to build an retirement apartment block for the gay community in Torremolinos. The complex, called Arco Iris, will consist of 27 independent apartments and a social centre taking up the ground floor. Work is due to start in the spring. New Street Regulations in Marbella The Ayuntamiento of Marbella, acting on public demand, has just passed new bye laws regulating behaviour in the streets there. Among the activities which will be prohibited are; prostitution, skateboarding, roller skating, and performing massages and tattoing without a licence. Also included is tarot card reading, which we're sure must be a regular activity in Marbella! Álora to Step Up Fight Against Illegal Properties The Ayuntamiento of Álora recently agreed a plan to step up the fight against illegal dwellings in the municipality. There are already legal actions underway against 380 illegally built properties, and it is intended to prioritise actions against the most serious cases. Help is also being requested from the Diputación de Málaga, and the Junta de Andalucía. Cross Country Race in Álora The XV cross country "Ciudad de Álora" race took place at the weekend in extreme conditions of wind and heavy rain. Athletes of all ages from infants to veterans took part in the successful running of one of the most important events of its kind in Andalucía. Exhibition in Álora An exhibition entitled "30 Years of Progress" showing the work of the provincial government, La Diputación de Málaga, is on in the Casa de la Cultura from December 3rd to 13th. Día de la Constitución The flag raising ceremony and town band performance commemorating the day of the constitution takes place outside the Ayuntamiento at 12.00 midday on Saturday December 5th. Formula 1 McLaren is to test young British driver, Oliver Turvey, in Jerez this week. The team already has two world champion British drivers for next season, Jensen Button and Lewis Hamilton. Football Málaga gained a creditable 2-2 draw away at Sevilla at the weekend, after leading 2-0 at half time. The result lifts them off the bottom of La Liga, but still in the relegation places. The next opponent is Osasuna at La Rosaleda, Sunday December 6th, 5.00 pm. In the Copa del Rey, Málaga play Getafe at home in the next round due to be played between January 7th and 13th.   Welcome to the Secure way to buy a Value For Money Home in Spain! 1Casa is now bringing you the best selection of Key Ready, Mortgage Included, Homes in the Sun, all this from an award winning agent for your security and peace of mind. Buy with Confidence, Buy Direct with No Inflated Prices.       Cristina Sanchez, 1Casa REALLY Affordable Homes, Calle Cantarranas 1, Álora 29500, Málaga, SPAIN UK Callers call FREE 0800 081 1939, from Spain Call 952 495 509 or 952 497 473 Low Cost Homes in Spain here http://www.1Casa.com/1 Costa del Sol homes here http://www.1casa.com/3 1Casa is a Member of the Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP). It has been subject to the membership criteria and has committed to follow the Code of Conduct established to help the consumer in buying property overseas with confidence. AIPP, The industry body. The industry voice. 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