There will also be a series and a video game THE albino gorilla at Barcelona Zoo, Copito de Nieve (Snowflake), will be the star of an adventure film which is due to be released in the winter of 2010.

THE government has approved a plan called MotoE, which will help people to purchase a motorbike. The scheme will be available until June 2010, with a total of nine million euros available.

They must travel in individual compartment with food and water THE Law for Animal Welfare that has just come into effect stipulates that any bull which will be used for fighting and has to travel more than eight hours to reach its destination must travel in a vehicle equipped with a GPS system, and in which each animal will be in an individual compartment with air conditioning, water to drink and specially prepared food.

The number of children illegally taken out of Spain by a parent after a marriage or partnership breakdown is steadily increasing and Ministry of Justice statistics for 2006 – the latest available – show that 178 children were, in effect, kidnapped by a parent. One of these was Sara, whose mother Leticia Moracho fought for three years before her daughter, now aged 11, could return from Basra where she was taken by her Iraqi father, Leticia’s former husband, on the pretext of a holiday in 2006.

So far this year at least 55 immigrants have died attempting to reach the Spanish Costas

You can now choose among 20 different electricity suppliers As of July 1 electricity prices across Spain went up by 2 per cent coinciding with the date when customers can now chose which electricity supplier they wish to use. So far this year, electricity prises have risen by 5.5 per cent. For many people, the desire to change providers due to their previous bad experiences with their existing one could be a dangerous temptation, as there is little information regarding what the differences are between the 20 companies. The price increase will only affect those with contracted supplies between 3kwh and 10kwh, affecting an estimated 22 million people. Natural Gas prices have fallen by 4.2 per cent, but who has natural gas anyway?  

There are only four swine flu deaths in Europe so far IN the early hours of June 30 Spain saw its first swine flu fatality after a young woman who had been seriously ill in a Madrid hospital died. The pregnant 20-year-old woman – of North African origin – was admitted to hospital on June 15 and had been in a critical condition until June 29 when doctors decided to carry out a caesarean in an attempt to save the baby. The child is premature but is reportedly in a stable condition. With this death the total death toll in Europe has risen to only four (three in the UK), and 311 worldwide. For many it is hard to be worried about a pandemic that has claimed so few lives so far, perhaps thanks to the containment by the authorities. The confusion lies in the statistic that every year around 500,000 people die around the world wide of flu. How can there be serious public concern when only four people in Europe have died of this particular strain so far? Some experts believe that if a strain with similar virulence to the 1918 influenza emerged today, it could kill between 50 and 80 million people

IN May unemployment fell by 24,741 people when compared to April. This is a 0.68 per cent drop. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero has described the news as ‘positive and encouraging’ that ‘must be a change in trend’ although he said that the news must be received with caution and prudence because ‘we are in a very serious economic crisis and there are many more months of difficult work ahead’.

“A GOOD policeman and a good Basque” – this was how Basque regional president Patxi Lopez described Inspector Eduardo Puelles. The 49-year-old was killed shortly after 9am in an explosion caused by a limpet bomb attached to the fuel tank of his car. On hearing the blast, Inspector Puelles’ wife ran from their nearby home, instantly guessing that her husband was the target. Although ETA did not claim responsibility for the killing, it bore all the hallmarks of the terror group. Lopez warned: “ETA have shown us the road to sorrow but we will show them the road to prison.” ETA has assassinated 39 people with limpet bombs; Eduardo Puelles died 22 years to the day that an ETA explosion killed 21 people and injured 40 in Barcelona. The carnage that day contradicted the terrorists’ reputation for giving prior warning of bombings to minimise civilian casualties, neither was there a warning 22 years later. Puelles, who had a brilliant 27-year service record, was head of an anti-terrorist unit investigating ETA. He was responsible for 70 ETA arrests in the last 10 years. As he did each morning, Eduardo Puelles would have looked beneath his car for explosives. Colleagues later said that Puelles probably missed the bomb because, unusually, it was planted near the fuel tank instead of near the driver’s seat. The inspector was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal for Police Merit on June 19 and the funeral service the following day was attended in Bilbao by Prince Felipe, Princess Letizia and the vice-president of the Spanish government, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega. The dead man’s brother declared that his brother was not a victim: “He is a hero in the fight for freedom.” On Saturday, at a rally in Bilbao, Puelles widow, Paqui Hernandez, said ETA had achieved ‘nothing more than one widow and two orphans’.

The victim died after he was savagely beaten by a gang of Spanish youths. Some say the attack was racially motivated by anti-British resentment; others say that it had nothing to do with it BY SAMANTHA KETT
A MURDER inquiry has been launched after 49-year-old British holidaymaker, Stephen Mallon, died following 12 days in a coma after he was allegedly thrown off a balcony during a fight between British holidaymakers and local Spaniards at a village pub in Competa (Malaga).
The victim is said to have suffered a brain haemorrhage as a result of the five-metre fall. He received emergency surgery at Malaga’s Carlos Haya Hospital but doctors were unable to save his life. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Mr Mallon died as a result of head injuries sustained during the fall. Since the incident on June 5, some reports in the local and international media have branded the incident as racially motivated, and others as the tragic outcome of a fight between two groups of youths. Since the fight, ten local people have been identified as having been involved in the brawl which led to the tragedy but, as yet, no arrests have been made.
Mr Mallon, a Bournemouth roofer – originally from Glasgow – had travelled to his holiday home in the village with twin sons Carl and Peter to celebrate their 17th birthday. Stephen’s wife, Theresa, 40, and 20-year-old student daughter, Jenny, were at his side when his life-support machine was switched off. Doctors had called them in England, breaking the news that Stephen was brain-dead and telling them to fly out to Spain. Did he fall or was he pushed? Police heard that a fight involving at least 30 people, mostly youths, broke out in the bar after a young man set upon one of the twins. Bottles and flowerpots are said to have been thrown. During the scuffle, which Stephen attempted to break up, he fell off a wall of some five metres in height. His family say he was lifted by three men and thrown over the edge, but others say he lost his balance during the brawl and fell. According to Stephen’s wife, Teresa, he and the couple’s two sons were enjoying a meal in La Estrella when they were approached by a young Spaniard who punched one of the boys. She claims they were set upon for no other reason than because the locals resent the presence of British people in the village. But some of those present at the time claim the punch-up started when one of the boys began to flirt with a girl in the bar, and her ex-boyfriend became jealous and hit him. This reportedly led to others becoming involved, turning the fight into a riot. The bar’s owner attempted to throw out the offenders but without success. Although ten people have been identified as having taken part in the brawl, police say they have been unable to convince anyone in the village to come forward. Given Competa’s close- knit community, most residents fear repercussions from those involved or their families if they volunteer information.
Hate crime or random violence? Some residents in Competa say pub fights involving drunken youths are nothing new in the village, and that they are afraid to go to bars at night for this reason. But they deny any presence of animosity towards the British or other foreigners. One British woman who has lived in Competa for ten years said: “The locals are the most hospitable people I know.” Competa Mayor Jose Luis Torres Gutierrez, who used to be a Catholic priest, says the riot was merely a fight between youths that escalated. He says the incident, which he calls ‘isolated’, has marked everyone. The mayor has publicly offered his condolences and the full support of the council to the family for the ‘unfortunate and tragic end’ met by Stephen. “We offer our hands to the family at this difficult time, and would like to stress that the people of Competa are extremely indignant about what has happened,” he stated. Another Competa resident says: “Such a story is unusual, not only in Andalucia, but in Spain, compared to the UK where it happens all the time. But as for racism, don’t forget Competa was one of the few Spanish towns with a foreign councillor, a Dutch national.” It is worth noting that more than half (54.6 per cent) of Competa’s 3,794 inhabitants are foreign. Furthermore, almost one in four Competa residents is actually British (22.7 per cent). Whether this incident was fuelled by anti-British sentiment or not, only time will tell, but to claim that there are tensions between the two nationalities living in Spain is generally thought to be both alarmist and, more importantly, incorrect. Are Spanish people hostile towards the British?
We asked the Spanish what they think
Although xenophobia remains a deep-rooted malady in many countries and cultures – not only Spain – few British residents have reported open rejection or hostility by the natives of their adopted country.
> Laura, 40, from Oliva (Valencia):  “It’s only the hooligans we don’t like. Those who drink too much and cause fights.”  
> Raquel from Huercal Overa (Almeria): “Animosity? Without them we would have no customers here on the Costa del Sol. To say there is animosity is ridiculous. Both communities coexist side by side without problems.”
> Pep who works in Puerto Portals (Mallorca) adds: “It’s rubbish, there is no anti-British feeling. There is anti-idiot feeling, regardless of their nationality!      I have plenty of British friends.”
> Paco from Fuengirola (Malaga) has run his chiringuito for 35 years and says: “Back in the 80s there was some animosity against the union-jack wearing drunken yobs that would flood the area in summer, but this has changed. These days it is much better; they are mostly retired couples who come here to enjoy the weather and the peace. The Spanish and the British have shared this town for many generations in peace.”

THE latest data regarding the flu virus in Spain for the week ending February 21, indicates that the average number of flu sufferers in Spain was 54.81 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

It was suggested at a British medical conference that chocolate should be taxed like alcohol and tobacco, to help stop the growing obesity problem.

Register before November 9 or lose your line!NATIONAL Pay as you go users must register

FROM April 1, a ’butano’ butane gas cylinder will cost three euros less, down to 10.5 euros. This 22.4 per cent reduction will save the average family 36 euros a year.

Pay-as-you-go users must register details before November 9

Old painting recovered, Green targets for Sweden, Legendary dancer dies, Pension losses for Norway, Chimpanzee hits back

When Andres Mariscal Puertas was born, seven years ago, his parents’ joy soon turned to apprehension.

For only 99 euros, you can take part in the draw for a luxury chalet in the beautiful setting of Palma de Mallorca

Spanish law on taxes for non-residents changed

Bridges for wildlife, Minister’s Afghanistan promise, ‘More psychologists’ call, No bird flu threat, Daimler lay-offs

Offer applies to tickets bought 24 hours before travelling

UK government being asked to step in over expatriate property scandals

Five years later and still no compensation from wealthy dog-owner who has declared himself insolvent

ACCORDING to data released by the Bank of Spain, the country’s banks granted 40 per cent less credit for the purchasing of property in 2008 than they did the year before, with the amount dropping to 87,074 million euros.

AT a press conference last Tuesday with Russian President, Dimitri Medvedev