Month: May 2013

525th Moors & Christians in Mojacar

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Mojacar is celebrating what it delicately calls “the 525th anniversary of the famous encounter between the Arabian and Andalucian cultures in Mojacar”. No doubt they don’t want to stir the Brits up over the whole Muslim thing. Anyhoooo. The annual Moors and Christians bash is being held between the 31st of May and the 2nd of June this year. Fiesta, party, ancient market, and, of course, the obligatory marches. All good fun. Full info and Continue reading 525th Moors & Christians in Mojacar→

Olive oil decanter ban dropped by the EU after much mockery

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The EU has decided to drop its plan to remove olive oil decanters from tables, meaning that my morning tostada is safe! The EU has dropped plans to ban restaurants from using refillable jugs and bowls of olive oil, after they drew consumer criticism and even ridicule. The policy would have forced restaurants to only serve olive oil in tamper-proof packaging, labelled to EU standards, as of next year. The move had been aimed at Continue reading Olive oil decanter ban dropped by the EU after much mockery→

New law for small businesses approved

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A new law aimed at helping small companies get off the ground will protect the homes of small business-people, help against bankruptcy, and allow non-EU residents who open a business automatic residency and work permits. The law actually contains a number of manifesto promises that the PP hadn’t yet got around to implementing, and people were starting to agitate for the changes promised. The ideas behind the new Ley de Emprendedores are three fold: – Continue reading New law for small businesses approved→

Almeria gets more blue flag beaches than ever before!

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21 beaches in Almeria have been awarded the “blue flag” for 2013, meaning that their services, installations, environmental quality, cleanliness and general state meet or surparsses EU standards. The award is given by the “Foundation for Environmental Education“, who I notice are currently looking for a new CEO. Where’s my CV? That’s 2 more than last year, although one beach (the one next to Almeria port) lost its flag due to contamination from the port. Continue reading Almeria gets more blue flag beaches than ever before!→

Palomares triple killer found “not guilty”

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The chap who shot and killed three gypsy leaders in Palomares during a revenge rampage (there was a blood feud between them) has today been found not guilty of murder by a jury in Almeria. José Antonio, who snapped on the afternoon of the 26th of July 2011, picked up his shotgun, found the three members of the gypsy clan in the main square of Palomares, and in front of witnesses, shot them dead as Continue reading Palomares triple killer found “not guilty”→

Blackmailer killer found not guilty of murder

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A businessman in Viator who in 2009 blew away two well known local gypsies who were extorting money out of him has been found not guilty of murder on appeal. The Appeals court has decided that he acted in self defence after the two gypsies, leaders of the well known (and feared) Los Pertolos clan from Almeria, had been extorting money with menaces from him for some time, and that he truly felt his life, Continue reading Blackmailer killer found not guilty of murder→

Coppers told to salute bosses

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Coppers across Spain must, as from today, bark “a sus ordenes, mi …” when addressed by a superior officer. (At your orders, my … insert rank). The Spanish police union says that it´s another step towards the militarization of the civil police force, and ask that a simple “morning, boss” be permissible. The Guardia have always had to snap this out, being a military unit, but the National, Local and Autonomous forces never did, something Continue reading Coppers told to salute bosses→

Junta attempt to legalise illegal homes overturned by the courts

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If your home is illegal, it stays illegal, say the Courts, despite the “planning law” attempt to legalise said homes. Seville’s Supreme Court has ruled that the Junta de Andalucia’s law which attempted to legalise 250,000 homes built illegally, cannot be used to legalise homes which were constructed against planning regulations. In a test case bought by a promoter facing six months jail and the demolition of his home in Seville, the Court ruled that Continue reading Junta attempt to legalise illegal homes overturned by the courts→

Andalucia’s government signs friendship deal with Cuba, Venezuela

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Well, it´s not as if they´ve got anything more important to worry about closer to home. The Junta de Andalucia, reports El Mundo, is signing a “friendship deal” with Cuba and Venezuela (basically, the Commie part of South America), and is angling towards entry of the Bolivian Alliance of the People of Our Americas (ALBA), a left wing free trade association promoted by Cuba and Venezuela which aims to (from their mission statement) “provide a Continue reading Andalucia’s government signs friendship deal with Cuba, Venezuela→