November 2006

‘Costa Killer’ back in court

By on November 30, 2006

A shiver runs down the backbone of the Costa communities as Tony King goes back on trial and back into the headlines.

THE British man convicted of the rape and murder of a Spanish teenager in 2003 is back in court in Málaga accused of a similar crime in 1999. Tony King is already serving a [...]

Trouble on the Hill

By on November 30, 2006

Alhambra management are “bullies,” tourists are viewing porn and the staff are revolting.

DISGRUNTLED staff from the Alhambra have mobilised against alleged harassment from el Patronato, the company in charge of the management of the 14th century palace, and the lack of communication between the two parties. Workers have been protesting under a banner reading “For [...]

“Prostitute killer” held in Germany

By on November 29, 2006

POLICE across Europe are searching through files of unsolved murders after a lorry driver in Germany was arrested in connection with a six-year killing spree across the continent.

Volker Eckert, 47, was detained in Cologne last month on suspicion of the murders of five prostitutes in Spain and France.

Street violence delays Eta peace talks

By on November 29, 2006

THE planned peace talks between the government and Basque separatist group Eta are in danger of never happening, according to a senior government official.

Interior minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba told radio station Cadena Ser that the escalating pro-Eta street violence in the Basque Country must stop before dialogue between the government and the group’s representatives begins.

Investigation confirms Alhambra ticket scam

By on November 29, 2006

A COURT in Granada has heard how up to 800 people illegally passed through the entrance to the Alhambra every 30 minutes.

A year-long judicial investigation into claims of illicit ticket sales for the 14th century Islamic palace found 10,000 counterfeit admissions were passed on to unsuspecting tourists.

Anyone for cricket?

By on November 27, 2006

by Michael Byass

THERE are certain times of the year when the make-up of global sporting action dictates that, for some people, football is pushed, if not to the outer limits of the universe, then maybe as far as Mars. This is, of course, a reference to the impending Ashes cricket series, which features England v [...]

Almuñécar bridge disaster – one year on and lessons still not learned

By on November 27, 2006

Two deaths on November 9 and the concluding investigation into the six Almuñécar deaths last year underline worrying trends in the safety of construction in Granada.by Lisa Tilley

IT has been another black week for the Spanish construction industry. As the investigation comes to a head into the deaths of six men in the Almuñécar bridge [...]

Editorial – Golf: a good walk spoiled?

By on November 27, 2006

It was infamous English landowner Nicholas Van Hoogstraten who labelled ramblers `the scum of the earth´ when they forced him over a long and ultimately successful campaign to open a footpath that went beside his house. In the United Kingdom, both singer Madonna and model Claudia Schiffer have also failed to re-route footpaths due to [...]

Spain economy at five year high

By on November 27, 2006

SPAIN’S economy is at its highest annual rate in five years thanks to the country’s booming construction industry, according to government figures.

Adiós to the Little Red Man

By on November 27, 2006

While the street signs are feminised in Madrid province, Granada towns are tackling gender violence in society.{mosimage}
IN the fight against the image of the Spanish male as the red-blooded, macho abuser, it seems that authorities all over Spain are taking the bull by the horns. Highly visible campaigns are springing up all over the country [...]

Police arrest 11 in connection with Marbella corruption

By on November 27, 2006

{mosimage}ELEVEN people including the former wife of jailed ex-Marbella mayor Julián Muñoz have been arrested in connection with town planning corruption in the Costa del Sol resort.

A one-time chairman of a top Spanish football club and the manager of a local bank were also detained as police made the arrests on November 14.

Police believe María [...]

The Annual walk for the Children of Tibet

By on November 27, 2006

THIS year’s walk – the twelfth – started, as ever, at the hermitage of Padre Eterno, between Orgiva and {mosimage}Pampaneira. The day was a classic high Alpujarran autumn day with clear blue skies and not even a hint of wind.

Walkers – who turned up in record numbers this year – set out on a medium [...]

Spanish homes to include solar panels

By on November 27, 2006

SOLAR panels are now compulsory on all new and renovated buildings in Spain as part of the country’s efforts to bring its building rules up to date and curb growing demand for energy, ministers said.

Until now Spain’s building standards have dated from the 1970s and have done little in seeking to improve energy efficiency.

“We have [...]

Ramblers fight back

By on November 27, 2006

A RONDA ramblers association is suing the town hall over a series of blocked footpaths.
The hiking group Pasos Largos has filed three denuncias demanding that the environment department reopen the paths.

The move comes just days after the association helped to organise a 1,500 strong protest against the closure of the GR7 footpath at the planned [...]

Goya Gone

By on November 27, 2006

A piece of Spanish art history disappears on route from Ohio to New York
AN early work by Goya was intercepted on its way from the Toledo Museum in Ohio to an exhibition in New York. Francisco de Goya y Lucientes is one of Spain’s greatest artists, whose later work contributes to the foundations of 19th [...]

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