Three years since Amy Fitzpatrick disappeared from Mijas

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_Qf9b6IF6VfofQi6_FMlmfaLsg5M66_7fkwKvSZGCK56erOWgm_zmQgJETdpq4nbSswyJz8hVa4aR7cDhVJ-f9l6qp7MYlA7DwQK_gdKLcPoJBTcWXXwYpiMWSx_YhNvTwVCnH7Opt8/s1600/AmyFitzpatrickMissingGirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_Qf9b6IF6VfofQi6_FMlmfaLsg5M66_7fkwKvSZGCK56erOWgm_zmQgJETdpq4nbSswyJz8hVa4aR7cDhVJ-f9l6qp7MYlA7DwQK_gdKLcPoJBTcWXXwYpiMWSx_YhNvTwVCnH7Opt8/s1600/AmyFitzpatrickMissingGirl.jpg" /></a></div>Three years since Amy Fitzpatrick disappeared from Mijas: "This Saturday, January 1 2011, will be three years since the 15 year old Irish girl Amy Fitzpatrick missing from Mijas was last seen. She disappeared after a leaving a friend’s house in Urbanisation Calypso to walk back to her home on the Riviera del Sol Urbanisation in Mijas Costa.<br /> <br /> Speaking to the EFE news agency this Thursday, the family’s lawyer, Juan de la Fuente, said there have been no solid clues to Amy’s whereabouts this year, despite a reward of 1 million € which was offered by the family. The main response, he said, was from ‘clairvoyants or people who wanted to laugh at the family’.<br /> <br /> He noted 5 telephone calls received which he said corroborated information which the family had had ‘in mind’ since Amy first went missing, mentioning two British people known both to Amy and to her family. It’s understood that one is resident in Spain and the other in the UK."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Three years since Amy Fitzpatrick disappeared from Mijas

Three years since Amy Fitzpatrick disappeared from Mijas: "This Saturday, January 1 2011, will be three years since the 15 year old Iri...

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2011 breaks cost more | The Sun |Travel

2011 breaks cost more | The Sun |Travel: "HOLIDAYMAKERS are being urged to book early to avoid major price hikes at popular destinations next summer.<br /> Trips to Turkey, Egypt and the United States could cost up to £149 more per person, a travel firm study found.<br /> <br /> But the good news for cash-strapped Brits is that traditional Western Med favourites like Spain and Portugal will actually be CHEAPER.<br /> <br /> The Algarve looks the best value destination, with a family of four saving an average £96, followed by the Costa Dorada and Majorca."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

2011 breaks cost more | The Sun |Travel

2011 breaks cost more | The Sun |Travel: "HOLIDAYMAKERS are being urged to book early to avoid major price hikes at popular destination...

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Bay City Roller becomes victim of identity theft after imposter pretends he's a Shang-a-Lang star | Mail Online

<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1343030/Bay-City-Roller-victim-identity-theft-imposter-pretends-hes-Shang-Lang-star.html">Bay City Roller becomes victim of identity theft after imposter pretends he's a Shang-a-Lang star | Mail Online</a>: "As the bass player in the Bay City Rollers, Alan Longmuir was part of one of the biggest bands on the planet, racking up a string of hits in the 1970s.<br /> <br /> But while 62-year-old Alan is living a quiet life in Stirling, Scotland, a bizarre 'fan' is posing as the guitarist in Spain and dining out on tales of pop stardom.<br /> <br /> The Bye Bye Baby bassist admits he had his share of obsessed fans over the years but the fake Alan Longmuir is the first time anyone's gone as far as pretending to be him.<br /> <br /> The second Alan Longmuir reportedly lives in the Costa Blanca in Spain and has been telling people he is a former member of the 'tartan teen sensations'.<br /> <br /> The imposter bears an uncanny resemblance to the real Alan Longmuir and after telling a string of detailed stories about his time in the band and his personal life, the has managed to convince many that he's the real Roller.<br /> <br /> But the suggestion that he's living the life of an ex-pat in Spain has come as news to the real Alan Longmuir, who says he is surprised to hear his identity has been 'stolen'."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Bay City Roller becomes victim of identity theft after imposter pretends he's a Shang-a-Lang star | Mail Online

Bay City Roller becomes victim of identity theft after imposter pretends he's a Shang-a-Lang star | Mail Online : "As the bass play...

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UK councils revealed that thousands of parking tickets issued to foreign-registered vehicles had to be written off

tickets, worth millions of pounds, were issued over a two-year period by councils and police forces which had ferry terminals, ports and other transport hubs in or near their area.<br /> Responding to a freedom of information request, the councils revealed that thousands of parking tickets issued to foreign-registered vehicles had to be written off because they were unable to trace the drivers.<br /> Between July 2007 and October 2010, Westminster City Council wrote off 45,437 tickets worth £3.08m, with £3.2m still owed, while Portsmouth City Council wrote off £110,965 in parking fines between April 2008 and October 2010.<br /> Newcastle was close behind, revealing £84,470 in unpaid tickets had been written off between April 2008 and December 2010.:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

UK councils revealed that thousands of parking tickets issued to foreign-registered vehicles had to be written off

tickets, worth millions of pounds, were issued over a two-year period by councils and police forces which had ferry terminals, ports and oth...

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4 Spanish police convicted of torturing bombers

4 Spanish police convicted of torturing bombers: "Four of Spain's Civil Guard police officers were convicted Thursday of torturing members of the Basque separatist group ETA after they were arrested for bombing Madrid's airport in 2006.<br /> <br /> Tried in October, the officers were found guilty of beating and threatening to kill Mattin Sarasola and Igor Portu after they were taken into custody in 2008. The court said Sarasola had a gun pointed at his head, and Portu was dunked several times in a river.<br /> <br /> Thursday's ruling came on the fourth anniversary of the attack at Madrid Terminal 4, which destroyed a five-story parking garage, killing two Ecuadorean immigrants and wounding 41 people."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

4 Spanish police convicted of torturing bombers

4 Spanish police convicted of torturing bombers: "Four of Spain's Civil Guard police officers were convicted Thursday of torturing ...

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Pregnant Spanish women pushing to get 'baby cheque' bonus - Telegraph

Pregnant Spanish women pushing to get 'baby cheque' bonus - Telegraph: "Pregnant women in Spain are pushing to give birth before January 1st to receive the €2500 (£2130) 'baby cheque' from the government before the scheme ends and are asking to be induced or have caesarean sections."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Pregnant Spanish women pushing to get 'baby cheque' bonus - Telegraph

Pregnant Spanish women pushing to get 'baby cheque' bonus - Telegraph: "Pregnant women in Spain are pushing to give birth befor...

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Spanish police intercept 85 migrants in 2 boats off southern coast - Winnipeg Free Press

Spanish police intercept 85 migrants in 2 boats off southern coast - Winnipeg Free Press: "Civil Guards intercepted two boats carrying 85 migrants in waters off Spain's southern coast, an official for the country's Marine Rescue service said Wednesday.<br /> Fifty-seven migrants, including three women and a child, were found in the first boat, a dinghy-style, single-engine rubber boat, some 18 nautical miles (33 kilometres) from the port of Adra, the official said.<br /> The boat was spotted Tuesday afternoon by a Maltese ship after the husband of one of the women telephoned Spanish police from Morocco to say his wife was on a migrant boat.<br /> The migrants were mostly from sub-Saharan African countries. They are believed to have set sail from northern Morocco and had been at sea for some 15 hours.<br /> A second, similar boat was intercepted just before midnight Tuesday carrying 28 Algerian men in the same area, the official said. The boat is believed to have sailed from near Oran, in northern Algeria."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spanish police intercept 85 migrants in 2 boats off southern coast - Winnipeg Free Press

Spanish police intercept 85 migrants in 2 boats off southern coast - Winnipeg Free Press: "Civil Guards intercepted two boats carrying ...

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Spain launches sale of air traffic control in 13 airports - Latest news around the world and developments close to home - MSN Philippines News

Spain launches sale of air traffic control in 13 airports - Latest news around the world and developments close to home - MSN Philippines News: "Spain's government on Wednesday formally launched the privatisation of air traffic control in 13 airports, just weeks after clamping down on a wildcat strike by controllers.<br /> <br /> The privatisation of traffic control for the 'first 13 airports' was announced in the government bulletin, giving airport operator AENA one month to launch a tender, which will last about seven months.<br /> <br /> 'This is the largest structural reform in recent years of the airport sector,' the Transport Ministry said in a statement. 'The passenger will be the beneficiary of this reform because it will improve service quality.'<br /> <br /> The 13 airports are sprinkled across the country, including Valencia in the east, Seville in the south, the Canary Islands' La Palma, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote and the Mediterranean island of Ibiza.<br /> <br /> Others are in Alicante, Sabadell, Jerez, La Coruna, Vigo, Cuatro Vientos and Spain's north African enclave of Melilla.<br /> <br /> More privatisations are to follow."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spain launches sale of air traffic control in 13 airports -  Latest news around the world and developments close to home - MSN Philippines News

Spain launches sale of air traffic control in 13 airports - Latest news around the world and developments close to home - MSN Philippines N...

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Brutal 'Fagin' running Paris pickpocketing gang is arrested | World news | The Guardian

Brutal 'Fagin' running Paris pickpocketing gang is arrested | World news | The Guardian: "It is a Dickensian drama that has shocked France – young girls being forced to pickpocket on the Paris metro and beaten, burned or raped if they failed to steal €300 (£255) a day."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Brutal 'Fagin' running Paris pickpocketing gang is arrested | World news | The Guardian

Brutal 'Fagin' running Paris pickpocketing gang is arrested | World news | The Guardian: "It is a Dickensian drama that has sho...

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Brutal 'Fagin' running Paris pickpocketing gang is arrested | World news | The Guardian

<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/28/paris-metro-pickpocketing-gang">Brutal 'Fagin' running Paris pickpocketing gang is arrested | World news | The Guardian</a>: "It is a Dickensian drama that has shocked France – young girls being forced to pickpocket on the Paris metro and beaten, burned or raped if they failed to steal €300 (£255) a day."<br /><br />:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Brutal 'Fagin' running Paris pickpocketing gang is arrested | World news | The Guardian

Brutal 'Fagin' running Paris pickpocketing gang is arrested | World news | The Guardian : "It is a Dickensian drama that has sh...

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Flour fight turns Spanish town white

Flour fight turns Spanish town white: "An annual flour fight festival, ''Els Enfarinats,'' has taken place in the Spanish town of Ibi in Alicante.<br /> <br /> A spoof army dressed in full uniform and other bizarre characters engaged in a boisterous battle using flour and eggs as their weapons.<br /> <br /> The 200-year-old event takes place every year on the 28 December to coincide with the Day of the Innocents, the equivalent of April Fools' Day."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Flour fight turns Spanish town white

Flour fight turns Spanish town white: "An annual flour fight festival, ''Els Enfarinats,'' has taken place in the Spani...

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Spain helps out neighbour France in green power surge | Environment | The Guardian

Spain helps out neighbour France in green power surge | Environment | The Guardian: "Spain has bolstered its credentials as a world leader in renewable energy by exporting electricity to France for the first time. Heavy rain and strong winds during 2010 meant that renewables - principally hydro, wind and solar power - met 35% of Spanish demand.<br /> <br /> Wind power rose by 18.5% in 2010 and now meets 16% of demand. Luis Atienza, managing director of Spain's electricity grid, predicted that 'within three years wind power will overtake nuclear as an electricity source'. At its peak, on November 9, wind power met 43% of demand."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spain helps out neighbour France in green power surge | Environment | The Guardian

Spain helps out neighbour France in green power surge | Environment | The Guardian: "Spain has bolstered its credentials as a world lea...

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Spanish Household Power Prices to Jump - WSJ.com

Spanish Household Power Prices to Jump - WSJ.com: "Spanish government's move to raise household electricity prices by 9.8% from Jan. 1 could stoke inflationary pressures as the higher prices pass through households and into the larger economy.<br /> <br /> The increase will affect around 17 million Spanish households that rely on the so-called 'price of last resort,' the only one still set by the government after the sector was liberalized in recent years, Spain's industry ministry said late Monday. This price is available only to households using less than 10 kilowatt hours that decline to negotiate directly with power companies.<br /> <br /> The increase adds to inflationary pressures facing consumers. Spain's consumer-price index rose 2.3% in November from a year earlier, a pace that is among fastest in the euro zone and above the European Central Bank's 2% ceiling for the region."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spanish Household Power Prices to Jump - WSJ.com

Spanish Household Power Prices to Jump - WSJ.com: "Spanish government's move to raise household electricity prices by 9.8% from Jan...

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COSTA DRUGS BUST,James Lindsay, 51, and Englishmen David Tricks, 64, and John Hughes, 40, were lifted in the Catral area of the Costa Blanca.

James Lindsay, 51, and Englishmen David Tricks, 64, and John Hughes, 40, were lifted in the Catral area of the Costa Blanca.<br /> The three suspects are alleged to have used guns to hold up a rival British gang who had smuggled 1.2 tons of cannabis on to the Spanish coast.<br /> Half of the drugs haul was still missing yesterday.<br /> Police said a group of Brits had been buying huge amounts of cannabis from north African traffickers.<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Native-Alicante-Susan-Bearder/dp/1905430361?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Going Native in Alicante" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1905430361&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>A shipment arrived by boat on a beach at Denia, near Alicante, <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1905430361" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />on the Costa Blanca, on December 13. But the gang were allegedly surprised by five Brits armed with pistols and a rifle, who stole the cannabis.<br /> In a statement released by officials at the Court of Instruction in Denia, a spokesman said: 'After a long investigation, officers from the National Police discovered that the robbers planned to sell the drug to some Britons living in the Catral area.'<br /> The statement added: 'The officers intercepted a vehicle with a British man inside, who was carrying in the boot five large bags which had been used to carry drugs."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

COSTA DRUGS BUST,James Lindsay, 51, and Englishmen David Tricks, 64, and John Hughes, 40, were lifted in the Catral area of the Costa Blanca.

James Lindsay, 51, and Englishmen David Tricks, 64, and John Hughes, 40, were lifted in the Catral area of the Costa Blanca. The three susp...

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Three Brits under arrest in Spain for robbing rival gang's £6million cannabis shipment - mirror.co.uk

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Weed-Things-Didnt-Remember-Cannabis/dp/1440503494?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Weed: 420 Things You Didn't Know (or Remember) about Cannabis" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1440503494&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>Three Brits under arrest in Spain for robbing rival gang's £6million cannabis<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1440503494" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> shipment - mirror.co.uk: "Three men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing drugs worth £6million from a gang.<br /> <br /> The Brits allegedly held up their rivals at gunpoint after 1.2 tons of cannabis was smuggled into Spain.<br /> <br /> They are accused of being among a group of five who stole the shipment after it arrived by boat at Denia, on the Costa Blanca, on December 13.<br /> <br /> One man was hurt after his arrest and is under armed guard in hospital.<br /> <br /> A magistrate remanded the other two in prison."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Three Brits under arrest in Spain for robbing rival gang's £6million cannabis shipment - mirror.co.uk

Three Brits under arrest in Spain for robbing rival gang's £6million cannabis shipment - mirror.co.uk: "Three men have been arrest...

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Woman in Spain Faked Own Kidnapping to Test Husband | World | Epoch Times

Woman in Spain Faked Own Kidnapping to Test Husband | World | Epoch Times: "Spanish woman has been arrested for faking her own kidnapping to check out whether her husband would pay for her release, police reported on Monday, according to AFP.<br /> The woman sent a photo to her husband’s mobile phone in which her hands and feet were bound, together with a text message from a supposed kidnapper, saying that the woman’s release would cost the man 20,000 euros (US$26,332).<br /> Later on, the man received several text messages repeating the ransom demand and warnings that he should not go to the police.<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charca-Spanish-Manuel-Zeno-Gandia/dp/8492516534?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Charca, La (Spanish Edition)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=8492516534&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>During an investigation of the case, police spotted the woman’s vehicle and followed her to a shopping mall in Gandia<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=8492516534" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Woman in Spain Faked Own Kidnapping to Test Husband | World | Epoch Times

Woman in Spain Faked Own Kidnapping to Test Husband | World | Epoch Times: "Spanish woman has been arrested for faking her own kidnappi...

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What David Beckham Has To Do With Spain's Boom And Bust : Planet Money : NPR

What David Beckham Has To Do With Spain's Boom And Bust : Planet Money : NPR: "new skyscrapers that tower over Madrid.<br /> <br /> “It’s like some aliens have landed at one of the ends of the city,” says Patricia Gosalvez, a Spanish architecture critic.<br /> <br /> Those aliens say a lot — about the fates of David Beckham and other big soccer stars, about Spain’s economic boom, and about the real estate bust that could lead to the European Union’s biggest bailout yet.<br /> <br /> <br /> Less than 10 years ago, soccer fields covered the spot where the towers now stand. Madrid’s soccer team, Real Madrid, practiced there. In 2001, as Spain’s real estate boom took off, the team’s owners did something people all over Spain would do in the coming years: They sold their land for a ton of money.<br /> <br /> They got 480 million euros — more than half a billion dollars at today’s exchange rates. It was enough money to pay off all of their debts. And over the next few years, Real Madrid bought Beckham and three other soccer superstars."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

What David Beckham Has To Do With Spain's Boom And Bust : Planet Money : NPR

What David Beckham Has To Do With Spain's Boom And Bust : Planet Money : NPR: "new skyscrapers that tower over Madrid. “It’s like...

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Spain, Russia expel each other's diplomats - Israel News, Ynetnews

Spain, Russia expel each other's diplomats - Israel News, Ynetnews: "Spain says it has expelled two Russian diplomats and Russia has responded by expelling two Spaniards.<br /> <br /> A Spanish foreign ministry official says the Russians were expelled a month ago for 'activities incompatible with their status as diplomats.' The official said Tuesday that Russia responded by expelling two Spanish diplomats, but did not say when."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spain, Russia expel each other's diplomats - Israel News, Ynetnews

Spain, Russia expel each other's diplomats - Israel News, Ynetnews: "Spain says it has expelled two Russian diplomats and Russia ha...

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AFP: Morocco arrests six planning terror attacks

AFP: Morocco arrests six planning terror attacks: "Moroccan authorities said Monday they recently arrested six extremists suspected of using the Internet to plan acts of sabotage involving the use of car bombs both inside and outside the country.<br /> 'Ring members developed considerable expertise in bomb-making' through the Internet and planned to 'carry out acts of sabotage involving the use of car bombs,' according to a statement issued by the interior ministry.<br /> It said the suspects were targetting 'some foreign interests in the kingdom as well as several key national installations and security posts.'"<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

AFP: Morocco arrests six planning terror attacks

AFP: Morocco arrests six planning terror attacks: "Moroccan authorities said Monday they recently arrested six extremists suspected of ...

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Saudi royal buys landmark Crillon hotel in Paris

Saudi royal buys landmark Crillon hotel in Paris: "prestigious Hotel de Crillon in the heart of Paris has been sold to a member of the Saudi royal family.<br /> <br /> The 18th Century former palace, on the Place de la Concorde, is said to have been bought for around 250m euros (£212m, $328m).<br /> <br /> The Crillon is currently owned by US company Starwood Capital which acquired the hotel when it took over the Taittinger empire in 2005.<br /> <br /> An earlier attempt to sell the hotel to Saudi-backed JJW ended up in court.<br /> <br /> In April, the court ruled that JJW would have to pay Starwood 100m euros to settle the dispute, which involved an alleged breach of contract."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Saudi royal buys landmark Crillon hotel in Paris

Saudi royal buys landmark Crillon hotel in Paris: "prestigious Hotel de Crillon in the heart of Paris has been sold to a member of the ...

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Crackdown on UK benefit cheats who live abroad

Crackdown on UK benefit cheats who live abroad: "crackdown has been launched by the government on UK benefit cheats who live abroad.<br /> <br /> The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has joined forces with overseas counterparts to target the countries where the most cases take place.<br /> <br /> The DWP said the highest instances of fraud was recorded by people living in Spain, Pakistan, the US and Bangladesh.<br /> <br /> Scams include people not declaring they have moved abroad or claiming for relatives who have died.<br /> <br /> Others examples were of people working while abroad, having unreported assets such as property, savings or even yachts, or exaggerating a level of disability.<br /> <br /> Claimants are told to notify the DWP if they go abroad as it could affect entitlement to benefits."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Crackdown on UK benefit cheats who live abroad

Crackdown on UK benefit cheats who live abroad: "crackdown has been launched by the government on UK benefit cheats who live abroad. ...

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UK gang tried to import around 22 tonnes of class A and B drugs into the UK between February 2007 and April 2009, mainly from Spain

Man was 'chief executive' of drug smuggling gang - News - gethampshire: "gang tried to import around 22 tonnes of class A and B drugs into the UK between February 2007 and April 2009, mainly from Spain, with rented offices in Manchester and Bolton used as a front.<br /> <br /> Paul Hewett, 53, of Heath Lane, Ewshot, near Fleet, got 20 years for three counts of conspiring to supply drugs.<br /> <br /> Ian Hockerday, 53, of New Road, Milford, near Godalming, was given 12 months in prison after he admitted money laundering.<br /> <br /> They were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, December 22.<br /> <br /> Hewett was described as 'the chief executive' of the operation.<br /> <br /> He was jailed for 20 years for conspiring to supply class A drugs, and was also given eight-year and four-year concurrent sentences for two charges of conspiring to supply class B drugs.<br /> <br /> The Serious Organised Crime Agency said the group smuggled £117m worth of drugs, using pseudonyms and unwitting couriers to move them.<br /> <br /> Five other defendants were sentenced for their roles, receiving sentences from 23 to nine-and-a-half years in prison."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

UK gang tried to import around 22 tonnes of class A and B drugs into the UK between February 2007 and April 2009, mainly from Spain

Man was 'chief executive' of drug smuggling gang - News - gethampshire: "gang tried to import around 22 tonnes of class A and B...

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seaman in limbo in Spanish jail - NovaScotia - TheChronicleHerald.ca

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfc4sa_66As96Lp9pfnc5FmNyLCdVC6RQfI_CcgChdP4QfS80GqgzmkzD8idy7fZoVIpQsuNj5jj4TMDNUwEHKSEkAKXS-_dEEdghksqbV_2jl6GAtu6v_od_LOJ20MasD10aAANfT-g/s1600/PHILIP_HALLIDAY_Provincial_12-26-10_52GT4G6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfc4sa_66As96Lp9pfnc5FmNyLCdVC6RQfI_CcgChdP4QfS80GqgzmkzD8idy7fZoVIpQsuNj5jj4TMDNUwEHKSEkAKXS-_dEEdghksqbV_2jl6GAtu6v_od_LOJ20MasD10aAANfT-g/s1600/PHILIP_HALLIDAY_Provincial_12-26-10_52GT4G6.jpg" /></a></div> seaman in limbo in Spanish jail - NovaScotia - TheChronicleHerald.ca: "Philip Halliday was jailed last December after more than a tonne of the drug was found on the Destiny Empress, but he’s still waiting trial on a charge of trafficking in cocaine, his wife, Sheree, said in an interview.<br /> <br /> Halliday said her husband, who has always maintained his innocence, is languishing in a Spanish jail.<br /> <br /> 'He’s trying to keep his spirits up. He really is,' she said.<br /> <br /> That’s proving difficult because her 54-year-old husband is very sick, Halliday said.<br /> <br /> He is suffering from a gall bladder problem, which has been complicated by the fact that he has become jaundiced and that malady is affecting his liver.<br /> <br /> 'There is a very real possibility that he could develop septicemia and die,' she said."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

seaman in limbo in Spanish jail - NovaScotia - TheChronicleHerald.ca

 seaman in limbo in Spanish jail - NovaScotia - TheChronicleHerald.ca: "Philip Halliday was jailed last December after more than a tonn...

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Eel, Not Tuna: Europe's Top Chefs Push for Sustainable Seafood - TIME

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Planet-Sustainably-Caught-Albacore/dp/B002EYBB3A?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Wild Planet Sustainably Caught Wild Albacore Tuna No Salt, 5 Ounce Cans (Pack of 6)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B002EYBB3A&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>Eel, Not Tuna<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002EYBB3A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />: Europe's Top Chefs Push for Sustainable Seafood - TIME: "Faced with reports that the ocean's major commercial fish species will disappear by 2050 due to overfishing, many seafood-loving gourmets have been wondering if it's time to abandon their penchant for pesce. Governments aren't doing much to assuage those fears, having largely failed to step up with stricter regulations, as coastal nations like France, Spain and Italy lobby for the status quo. But today, a growing number of top chefs aren't waiting for their leaders to change course. 'If politicians don't want to take action,' says renowned French chef Olivier Roellinger, 'it's up to us as chefs and consumers to do what we can to improve things.' By scrapping endangered fish from their menus, and cooking up tasty eco-safe species many gastronomes have never heard of, chefs like Roellinger are launching a sustainable seafood movement, one recipe at a time"<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Eel, Not Tuna: Europe's Top Chefs Push for Sustainable Seafood - TIME

Eel, Not Tuna : Europe's Top Chefs Push for Sustainable Seafood - TIME: "Faced with reports that the ocean's major commercial f...

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Tourist areas such as the Costa Blanca could see price falls of up to 30%

Pain in Spain's housing market goes on | Money | The Observer: "Tourist areas such as the Costa Blanca could see price falls of up to 30%<br /> Reports on Spain's ailing housing market show sales volumes are down almost 50% since the summer and prices may suffer further falls of up to 30% — with holiday homes in tourist areas likely to fare worst of all.<br /> <br /> The Spanish market has collapsed since 2007, with prices of new coastal homes and older houses in inland 'white villages' popular with British buyers plummeting 50% or more.<br /> <br /> Now Spain's housing ministry – which counts domestic properties as well as foreign holiday homes – reports a record-breaking 48% drop in sales between July and September 2010. This coincides with austerity measures being introduced in Spain, including the scrapping of mortgage tax relief."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Tourist areas such as the Costa Blanca could see price falls of up to 30%

Pain in Spain's housing market goes on | Money | The Observer: "Tourist areas such as the Costa Blanca could see price falls of up ...

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Elderly Dutch couple, son found dead in Spain (Roundup) - Monsters and Critics

Elderly Dutch couple, son found dead in Spain (Roundup) - Monsters and Critics: "Spanish divers Saturday recovered the bodies of a Dutch couple from the Fluvia river, hours after police found the body of their 33-year-old son following an apparent family drama.<br /> It was not immediately clear how the Dutchman had died in a country house in Serinya, in north-eastern Spain.<br /> Police found a farewell suicide note from the man's parents next to his body, in which they said they planned to take their own lives in the nearby river."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Elderly Dutch couple, son found dead in Spain (Roundup) - Monsters and Critics

Elderly Dutch couple, son found dead in Spain (Roundup) - Monsters and Critics: "Spanish divers Saturday recovered the bodies of a Dutc...

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'Noddy' suspect tops wanted list - Shields Gazette

'Noddy' suspect tops wanted list - Shields Gazette: "SUSPECT described as the 'Mr Big' behind the killing of David 'Noddy' Rice was named one of Crimestoppers' most wanted men this Christmas.<br /> Allan James Foster is one of 12 wanted under Operation Captura, led by Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), which looks for people thought to be on the run in Spain.<br /> <br /> The dirty dozen were pictured on a Christmas tree designed to jog memories of people in the UK in case fugitives return home for Christmas.<br /> <br /> South Shields-born Foster, who Crimestoppers say also goes under the name of Shaun Michael Wilkinson, is wanted for the murder of Mr Rice in Marsden Grotto car park, in South Shields on May 24, 2006."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

'Noddy' suspect tops wanted list - Shields Gazette

'Noddy' suspect tops wanted list - Shields Gazette: "SUSPECT described as the 'Mr Big' behind the killing of David ...

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New Spanish bullet train link opened - Bloomberg

New Spanish bullet train link opened - Bloomberg: "Spain's king inaugurated Saturday the country's latest high-speed rail service linking Madrid with the Mediterranean port city of Valencia.<br /> <br /> The euro12.4 billion ($16.4 billion) project connects the capital to country's third largest city and is due to complete the 352 kilometer (219 mile) journey in 90 minutes.<br /> <br /> King Juan Carlos was accompanied on the inaugural trip by Queen Sofia, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and several prominent political leaders.<br /> <br /> Spain has invested heavily in its fast train network that now links the capital with seven major cities including Barcelona, Malaga and Valladolid along 1,599 kilometers (994 miles) of specially laid track."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

New Spanish bullet train link opened - Bloomberg

New Spanish bullet train link opened - Bloomberg: "Spain's king inaugurated Saturday the country's latest high-speed rail servi...

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Santander sends statements out to wrong addresses - Business News, Business - The Independent

Santander sends statements out to wrong addresses - Business News, Business - The Independent: "Santander has compounded its reputation for poor service by sending the bank statements of up to 35,000 customers to the wrong addresses.<br /> <br /> In the past week, current account holders with the embattled Spanish banking group have received the first page of their own statement and pages two and three of another customer's.<br /> <br /> Names, account numbers and recent transactions were listed on the statements, potentially exposing affected customers to the risk of identity theft. Santander insisted the details were not sensitive enough to allow fraud, but has briefed branch and call-centre staff to take inquirers through the full security system before allowing them access to accounts."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Santander sends statements out to wrong addresses - Business News, Business - The Independent

Santander sends statements out to wrong addresses - Business News, Business - The Independent: "Santander has compounded its reputation...

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A.C.S. Takeover Bid for Hochtief Rattles German Markets - NYTimes.com

A.C.S. Takeover Bid for Hochtief Rattles German Markets - NYTimes.com: "Talk about a takeover with a twist: few would believe that a debt-heavy construction conglomerate that relies on the stagnating Spanish economy for most of its revenue could take over a 137-year-old, cash-rich German blue chip.Florentino Pérez, chief of A.C.S., says the merger would create the world’s most powerful building services company.<br /> But such is the intent of Grupo A.C.S., a Spanish construction and building services company, in its audacious bid to acquire Hochtief, a German building conglomerate. The offer has rattled the political and corporate establishment in Germany and comes against the backdrop of Germany, Europe’s strongest economy, perhaps having to lead an expensive rescue of Spain, thought to be the next casualty of the euro zone’s debt crisis."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

A.C.S. Takeover Bid for Hochtief Rattles German Markets - NYTimes.com

A.C.S. Takeover Bid for Hochtief Rattles German Markets - NYTimes.com: "Talk about a takeover with a twist: few would believe that a de...

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Oil spill dissipates off Spain's Mediterranean coast - Monsters and Critics

Oil spill dissipates off Spain's Mediterranean coast - Monsters and Critics: "An oil spill from an offshore platform has apparently dissipated on the open sea, authorities in the Spanish port city of Tarragona reported Saturday.<br /> The officials in the northeastern Mediterranean coastal city said they were declaring the danger of oil pollution to the area after winds from the mainland helped to disperse the oil.<br /> But as a precautionary measure two special ships would continue to patrol the waters off the island of Mallorca to keep an eye out for any oil that might appear.<br /> The crude oil spill originated from an offshore platform of the Spanish company Repsol, creating a 19-square-kilometre oil slick. The incident was put down to human error, after a valve on the oil platform was accidentally opened."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Oil spill dissipates off Spain's Mediterranean coast - Monsters and Critics

Oil spill dissipates off Spain's Mediterranean coast - Monsters and Critics: "An oil spill from an offshore platform has apparently...

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Spanish police search for Dutch couple after son's body found - Monsters and Critics

Spanish police search for Dutch couple after son's body found - Monsters and Critics: "Spanish police were searching Saturday for a Dutch couple after finding the body of their 25-year-old son in an apparent family drama with fears that the couple were also dead, media reports said Saturday.<br /> The reports said police found the body of the Dutchman in a country house in Serinya in north-eastern Spain. The reports did not specify how the 25-year-old had died.<br /> But next to the body was a farewell suicide note from the man's parents in which they said they planned to take their own lives in the nearby Fluvia river. Police regarded the note as authentic, el Periodico de Catalunya newspaper reported."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spanish police search for Dutch couple after son's body found - Monsters and Critics

Spanish police search for Dutch couple after son's body found - Monsters and Critics: "Spanish police were searching Saturday for a...

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British man accused of starting Benidorm hotel fire sent to prision

British man accused of starting Benidorm hotel fire sent to prision: "50 year old British man, charged with setting fire to his fourth floor hotel room in Benidorm last Tuesday, has been sent to prison on remand.<br /> <br /> 13 people, all British holidaymakers staying at the Ambassador Hotel, had to be treated for smoke inhalation as a consequence of the fire, five of whom are still in the Marina Baixa District Hospital in La Villajoyosa.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Valencia-Michelle-Tea/dp/158005238X?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Valencia" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=158005238X&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>The Valencia <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=158005238X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />High Court 1 ruled remand for the Briton on Thursday after hearing the statement from the accused.<br /> <br /> Reports say he was staying with his mother at the hotel to celebrate his 50th birthday."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

British man accused of starting Benidorm hotel fire sent to prision

British man accused of starting Benidorm hotel fire sent to prision: "50 year old British man, charged with setting fire to his fourth ...

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Juan Antonio Roca insists he arrived in Marbella with his fortune

Juan Antonio Roca insists he arrived in Marbella with his fortune: "More interesting declarations from the man at the centre of Spain’s largest municipal corruption case, Juan Antonio Roca, as the Malaya case continues in Málaga.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beach-House-Marbella-Various-Artists/dp/B000NQPT6G?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Beach House Marbella 1" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000NQPT6G&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>The ex Municipal Real Estate Assessor in Marbella <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000NQPT6G" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Town Hall told the court that he had 1,000 million pesetas, (six million €), when he arrived in the town. Holding court in the first week of his declarations he attacked the police for ‘staining my image’.<br /> <br /> ‘They have presented me as a person without scruples who spent his time killing animals and hanging Miró paintings in the bathroom’. He said that nobody had been able to demonstrate the painting was an original.<br /> <br /> Roca insisted that he only drew up budgets for the Mayor, Jesús Gil y Gil, but has admitted having a 15% stake in the company used to buy and sell a plot of land in Puerto Banús where the building limit was increased 21 fold. He claimed he entered the deal with 742,000 ‘non declared €’, and left it with 800,000 €. The land was purchased by the Granada builder, Ávila Rojas."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Juan Antonio Roca insists he arrived in Marbella with his fortune

Juan Antonio Roca insists he arrived in Marbella with his fortune: "More interesting declarations from the man at the centre of Spain’s...

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Muslim ham complaint thrown out as 'abusive, sectarian, capricious and inadmissible'

Muslim ham complaint thrown out as 'abusive, sectarian, capricious and inadmissible': "The Children’s Prosecutor in Algeciras, Juan Cisneros, has definitively archived the complaint from a student of a secondary school in La Linea, who had denounced his geography teacher for talking about Serrano ham in class, as it offended his Muslim sensibilities.<br /> <br /> The teacher had been explaining how the climate at Trevelez in the Granada Alpujarra is ideal for the curing of its famous local ham.<br /> <br /> The prosecutor described the pupil’s attitude as ‘abusive, sectarian, capricious and inadmissible’ and ordered the definitive archiving of the complaint. He demanded all the documents in the case which had been placed with Instruction Court 1 in La Linea, and after studying them, threw it out.<br /> Juan Cisneros said ‘There is not even the minimal indication of any type of penal infraction’."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Muslim ham complaint thrown out as 'abusive, sectarian, capricious and inadmissible'

Muslim ham complaint thrown out as 'abusive, sectarian, capricious and inadmissible': "The Children’s Prosecutor in Algeciras, ...

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Several Britons arrested in new police swoops on the Costa del Sol

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vista-Point-ANDALUSIA-Spain/dp/B002QO045Y?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Vista Point ANDALUSIA Spain" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B002QO045Y&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>Several Britons arrested in new police swoops on the Costa del Sol: "Several Britons, two of them known to be drug traffickers were arrested last Saturday evening by the UDYCO specialist police in an operation carried out in Mijas <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002QO045Y" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Costa. The specialist police unit were assisted by National Police from Fuengirola and Mijas, together with officers from the SOCA, Serious Organised Crime Unit from the U.K. News of the police swoops has only just been released by the Spanish authorities.<br /> <br /> It’s thought that several of the most wanted British criminals could have set up a base on the Costa del Sol.<br /> <br /> A statement from the National Police said that the action took place in Mijas Costa in several establishments in urbanisations on the coast."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Several Britons arrested in new police swoops on the Costa del Sol

Several Britons arrested in new police swoops on the Costa del Sol: "Several Britons, two of them known to be drug traffickers were arr...

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The Spanish Ham Lawsuit and Other Muslim Problems Hitting Iberia :: Hudson New York

The Spanish Ham Lawsuit and Other Muslim Problems Hitting Iberia :: Hudson New York: "high school teacher in southern Spain is being sued for child abuse by the parents of a Muslim student who claims that the teacher 'defamed Islam' by talking about Spanish ham in class. The case is one of a growing list of recent controversies that illustrate the increasing assertiveness of Muslims in Spain at a time when Spaniards are slowly waking up to the integration challenges posed by uncontrolled immigration from Muslim countries.<br /> <br /> Although Spanish legal scholars are divided over whether the lawsuit has real merit, nearly everyone agrees that the case has potentially major implications for free speech in Spain. They also agree that the constant threat of lawsuits will force Spanish school teachers to carefully consider their choice of words in the future.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jamon-Iberico-Bellota-Negra-Sliced/dp/B002BL9ZQ6?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Jamon Iberico de Bellota, Pata Negra, Sliced Ham - 8 oz" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B002BL9ZQ6&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>The latest dust-up occurred at the Instituto Menéndez Tolosa, a secondary school in the town of La Línea de la Concepción in the southern region of Andalusia, where José Reyes Fernández, a geography teacher, was giving a lecture about the different types of climates in Spain. During the class, Reyes mentioned that the climate in Andalusia offers the perfect temperature conditions for curing Spanish ham (Jamón Ibérico<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002BL9ZQ6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />), a world-famous delicacy."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

The Spanish Ham Lawsuit and Other Muslim Problems Hitting Iberia :: Hudson New York

The Spanish Ham Lawsuit and Other Muslim Problems Hitting Iberia :: Hudson New York: "high school teacher in southern Spain is being su...

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Spain votes for tough smoking ban

 Spain votes for tough smoking ban: "Spanish lawmakers have voted to approve a tough new anti-smoking law, meaning that from 2 January, bars and restaurants will be no-smoking zones.<br /> <br /> Smokers will also not be allowed to light up on television broadcasts, near hospitals or in school playgrounds.<br /> <br /> The bill, proposed by PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and his governing Socialist Party, was passed in the lower house by 189 votes to 154.<br /> <br /> Bar and cafe owners fear the law will adversely affect business."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spain votes for tough smoking ban

 Spain votes for tough smoking ban: "Spanish lawmakers have voted to approve a tough new anti-smoking law, meaning that from 2 January,...

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Spain’s solar power subsidy cuts attacked

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Photovoltaic-Systems-James-P-Dunlop/dp/0826913083?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photovoltaic Systems" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0826913083&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>Spain’s solar power subsidy cuts attacked: "nvestors in Spain’s €20bn photovoltaic <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0826913083" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />solar power industry have protested against what they say is an illegal government plan to slash subsidies by up to €3bn ($3.9bn) over the next three years.<br /> <br /> The backers, including foreign private equity groups and specialist funds, are particularly outraged by the possibility that cuts will be imposed retroactively on plants built before 2008. They say this would be in breach of long-term contracts and drive many of them out of business, as well as hurting banks."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spain’s solar power subsidy cuts attacked

Spain’s solar power subsidy cuts attacked: "nvestors in Spain’s €20bn photovoltaic solar power industry have protested against what the...

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‘Cocaine fugitive’ Dennis Patrick O'Brien arrested in spain - Liverpool Local News - News - Liverpool Echo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_5kZXYzfIeeLISyAbKmsjH0iIiMVjMgq3avJwOTGZDlefDayFhxlQ34xRtnb0mNEyo3eZG4ewFZtK4TMoF2p7kHSB-UAsLaBG9yoAkm5XL8ptgQF6RcfhbFctJWPHhyphenhyphenFqORAGCrs9zY/s1600/obrian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_5kZXYzfIeeLISyAbKmsjH0iIiMVjMgq3avJwOTGZDlefDayFhxlQ34xRtnb0mNEyo3eZG4ewFZtK4TMoF2p7kHSB-UAsLaBG9yoAkm5XL8ptgQF6RcfhbFctJWPHhyphenhyphenFqORAGCrs9zY/s1600/obrian.jpg" /></a></div>Dennis Patrick O'Brien was apprehended in the Trafalgar Bar in the Costa del Sol resort of Calahonda on Saturday after four years as a fugitive.<br /> <br /> Merseyside Police issued a European arrest warrant for the Garston man in 2006 in relation to a conspiracy to supply 1.6 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of £166m.<br /> <br /> The 61-year-old’s arrest was the result of an ongoing operation by the Spanish National Police and the UK’s Serious Organised Crime Agency targeting bars in the region understood to be frequented by British criminals.<br /> <br /> Operation Captura, led by the Serious Organised Crime Agency and Crimestoppers, had named O’Brien as a wanted man thought to be on the run in Spain and his mug shot featured on the Captura website.<br /> <br /> O'Brien is a member of the Kelly family from the Garston area of Liverpool.<br /> <br /> In March 2007 O’Brien’s son, James Kelly, was sentenced to 19 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court for his part in the £166m cocaine conspiracy."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

‘Cocaine fugitive’ Dennis Patrick O'Brien arrested in spain - Liverpool Local News - News - Liverpool Echo

Dennis Patrick O'Brien was apprehended in the Trafalgar Bar in the Costa del Sol resort of Calahonda on Saturday after four years as a f...

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Here's How Wikileaks Killed Spain's Anti-Piracy Law

Here's How Wikileaks Killed Spain's Anti-Piracy Law: "Here's basically how it went down:<br /> Spain is apparently one of the worst countries out there when it comes to online piracy.<br /> <br /> Since most of the content that is being pirated comes from the US entertainment industry, the industry leaned on the US government to do something about Spain.<br /> <br /> The US government leaned on Spain, which drafted a tough law that would allow a government panel and a judge to block illegal filesharing sites.<br /> <br /> Then Wikileaks happened; the cables showed how the US government had leaned on Spain to get the law passed, which embarrassed the government.<br /> <br /> Now the law's dead."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Here's How Wikileaks Killed Spain's Anti-Piracy Law

Here's How Wikileaks Killed Spain's Anti-Piracy Law: "Here's basically how it went down: Spain is apparently one of the wo...

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Global Arab Network | Madrid: Qatar Airways introduces Boeing 777 for the first time in Spain | Aviation

Global Arab Network | Madrid: Qatar Airways introduces Boeing 777 for the first time in Spain | Aviation: "Commencing 1 January 2011, award-winning Qatar Airways will introduce its flagship Boeing 777 aircraft for the first time in Spain , operating on the daily non-stop Doha – Madrid route, Global Arab Network reports according to a press statement.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boeing-777-Professional-Add-Windows/dp/B000F9AP10?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Boeing 777 Professional Add-On" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000F9AP10&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>The Boeing 777-300<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000F9AP10" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Extended Range aircraft, featuring 42 seats in Business Class and 293 in Economy, offers more capacity than the Airbus A330s currently operating on the route.<br /> <br /> Through the upgrade, Spanish travellers flying from Madrid via Doha to destinations such as Melbourne, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Bali will be able to travel and experience the entire journey onboard one of the most modern and ultra-comfortable aircraft in Qatar Airways’ fleet."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Global Arab Network | Madrid: Qatar Airways introduces Boeing 777 for the first time in Spain | Aviation

Global Arab Network | Madrid: Qatar Airways introduces Boeing 777 for the first time in Spain | Aviation: "Commencing 1 January 2011, a...

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Dominguez protests her innocence | Herald Sun

Dominguez protests her innocence | Herald Sun: "WORLD steeplechase champion Marta Dominguez has appeared in court over drug trafficking allegations.<br /> <br /> The 35-year-old, who won 3,000m steeplechase gold in Berlin in 2009 after taking silver in the 5,000m in 2003 and 2001, denies she has trafficked in performance-enhancing drugs after being questioned in court over the allegations.<br /> <br /> 'I have never trafficked doping substances, I have never profited from this. I am innocent and in my house police did not find anything,' she told reporters after leaving the court hearing in Madrid yesterday.<br /> <br /> The 35-year-old arrived at court accompanied by her husband and a lawyer.<br /> <br /> She said she was implicated in the investigation into sports doping because of telephone wiretaps without giving further information."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Dominguez protests her innocence | Herald Sun

Dominguez protests her innocence | Herald Sun: "WORLD steeplechase champion Marta Dominguez has appeared in court over drug trafficking...

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Spanish Christmas lottery hands out $3 billion

Spanish Christmas lottery hands out $3 billion: "Spain's beloved Christmas lottery sprinkled 2.3 billion euros ($3 billion) in holiday cheer across the country Wednesday, handing out winnings eagerly welcomed by a nation facing 20 percent unemployment.<br /> One of the most awaited days of the year in Spain served up merry moments for people struggling to make mortgage payments and pay bills, or those seeking jobs. One lottery vendor said he had hired a medium to lure good luck.<br /> The government-run lottery billed as the world's richest has no single jackpot but operates a complex share-the-wealth system in which thousands of five-digit numbers running from 00000 to 84999 win at least something. It is known as 'El Gordo' (The Fat One) and dates back to 1812.<br /> Tax-free winnings range from the face value of a 20-euro ($26.31) ticket — in other words, you get your money back — to a top prize of 300,000 euros ($394,650).<br /> The sweepstakes, which goes on for three hours, informally ushers in the Christmas season. Many Spaniards spend the day glued to TV sets, radios and computers, waiting to see if they are among the lucky. People often team up to buy shares of tickets sold by bars, sports clubs and business offices."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spanish Christmas lottery hands out $3 billion

Spanish Christmas lottery hands out $3 billion: "Spain's beloved Christmas lottery sprinkled 2.3 billion euros ($3 billion) in holi...

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New twist in Dewani's murder - Sowetan LIVE

New twist in Dewani's murder - Sowetan LIVE: "A new twist in the murder of British tourist Anni Dewani, a private eye from Port Elizabeth revealed yesterday that her husband's UK family called him for help just hours after the couple were allegedly hijacked before anyone knew she was dead.<br /> According to Dave Miller, a former police investigator who runs the Johannesburg-based Sleuth Detectives, Shrien Dewani's brother and father called him in a panic in the early hours of November 13, about three hours after Dewani and Anni had been hijacked in Gugulethu, Cape Town.<br /> <br /> According to Miller, who grew up and still has a house in Port Elizabeth, Dewani had just made his way back to his Cape Town hotel after being released by the alleged hijackers, and his family were afraid attempts by police to find his wife were moving too slow."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

New twist in Dewani's murder - Sowetan LIVE

New twist in Dewani's murder - Sowetan LIVE: "A new twist in the murder of British tourist Anni Dewani, a private eye from Port Eli...

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Victory for the family: Couple fled UK after social workers took their child. Now they have been declared fit parents by Spanish officials and reunited with baby No2 | Mail Online

Victory for the family: Couple fled UK after social workers took their child. Now they have been declared fit parents by Spanish officials and reunited with baby No2 | Mail Online: "The couple had fled to Spain, where Daniel was born in February, after their other child, Poppy, now two, was seized by Suffolk social services and put up for adoption.<br /> <br /> They had deemed the couple ‘unfit’ parents who might emotionally harm their daughter in the future.<br /> <br /> This decision was roundly criticised in the Commons by local MP Tim Yeo as ‘tantamount to child kidnap’.<br /> <br /> Daniel was still being breast-fed by Carissa in hospital when Spanish social workers, acting on a tip-off from Suffolk, took him and placed him in an orphanage in Valencia.<br /> <br /> Now, in a snub to their UK counterparts, Spanish social workers say Jim and Carissa are no danger to Daniel.<br /> <br /> Jim, a 42-year-old legal adviser, and Carissa, 32, plan to sue Suffolk social services for breaking up their family.<br /> <br /> They are also taking their case to the European Court of Human Rights claiming their family life has been destroyed, as they prepare to fight a High Court legal battle to get Poppy back next month."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Victory for the family: Couple fled UK after social workers took their child. Now they have been declared fit parents by Spanish officials and reunited with baby No2 | Mail Online

Victory for the family: Couple fled UK after social workers took their child. Now they have been declared fit parents by Spanish officials a...

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The Government has drawn up new tougher rules on firearms in Spain

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wideview-See-Thru-Scope-Winchester/dp/B002GNKXYW?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Wideview See Thru Scope - Side Mount for the Winchester 94 and 96 firearms" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B002GNKXYW&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>The Government has drawn up new tougher rules on firearms<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002GNKXYW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> in Spain: "Spanish Government is preparing new strict regulations to limit the possession of firearms licences in Spain.<br /> Under the proposals a simple traffic fine for speeding or being over the alcohol limit would be enough to stop a licence for a gun being issued. Having a police record, for theft for example, would also be reason enough for no gun licence being granted.<br /> <br /> Hunters, shooters and arms dealers have described the ideas as ‘the last straw’. They claim that the legislation in Spain is already the harshest in Europe, and say the new plans ‘present gun users as if they were a risk to society’, according to Santiago Ballesteros from the Spanish Hunting Federation."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

The Government has drawn up new tougher rules on firearms in Spain

The Government has drawn up new tougher rules on firearms in Spain: "Spanish Government is preparing new strict regulations to limit t...

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Spanish PM Insists on Raising Retirement Age to 67 - ABC News

Spanish PM Insists on Raising Retirement Age to 67 - ABC News: "Spain's prime minister said Friday the government is set on raising the retirement age to 67 from 65 in the new year, despite strong resistance from some opposition parties and labor unions who are threatening another general strike.<br /> Spain's central bank and other financial institutions have urged Zapatero to make changes in the pension system as part of reforms crucial to helping the country slash its deficit to prepare for a coming wave of retirements and emerge from the economic crisis."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spanish PM Insists on Raising Retirement Age to 67 - ABC News

Spanish PM Insists on Raising Retirement Age to 67 - ABC News: "Spain's prime minister said Friday the government is set on raising...

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Why mortgages might be Spain’s next headache | Analysis & Opinion |

Why mortgages might be Spain’s next headache Analysis & Opinion : "Are mortgages the next headache for Spanish banks? Regulators think the country’s 630 billion euro home loan market can survive the slump relatively unscathed, just as in the last real estate crisis of 1992-1993. Spanish banks’ biggest problem is bad loans made to real estate developers. But it would be optimistic to assume that mortgages will emerge unscathed.<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Years-After-Bretton-Woods/dp/155775487X?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Fifty Years After Bretton Woods: The Future of Imf and the World Bank : Proceedings of a Conference Held in Madrid, Spain September 29-30, 1994" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=155775487X&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>In a recent presentation, the<span>Bank of Spain <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=155775487X" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>pointed out that conditions in 1993 were tougher than they are now.<br /> Unemployment hit 24 percent and interest rates soared to 13.9 percent, compared to 2.6 percent today. Even then, only 4 percent of mortgages went sour. And banks were able to sell repossessed properties after the bust without incurring losses.<br /> There are grounds for optimism. Despite falling property prices, Spanish home loans are on average worth just 62 percent of the value of the property. These loans are recourse, making it harder for borrowers to walk away. Spanish families will often help overextended homeowners keep up their mortgage payments. This is reflected in banks’ data: the proportion of mortgages classed as non-performing has fallen to just 2.6 percent."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Why mortgages might be Spain’s next headache | Analysis & Opinion |

Why mortgages might be Spain’s next headache Analysis & Opinion : "Are mortgages the next headache for Spanish banks? Regulators th...

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British government intervenes to help expats caught in Spanish property scams - Telegraph

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/El-Charro-Negro-Pedro-Armend%C3%A1riz/dp/B0002DB0HC?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="El Charro Negro" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0002DB0HC&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a><span><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0002DB0HC" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>British government intervenes to help expats caught in Spanish property scams - Telegraph: "A spokesman for the British Embassy in Spain said: 'The UK government has no authority to interfere in any matters relating to Spanish domestic legislation, whether national, regional or local.<br /> 'However, we continue to express concern at the impact these problems are having on the lives of some of our citizens and Spain’s reputation abroad, and we have raised property issues with ministers in Spain and regional governments on numerous occasions.<br /> 'We understand the regional government is currently working with town halls in affected municipalities to draw up inventories of illegal properties and to seek solutions."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

British government intervenes to help expats caught in Spanish property scams - Telegraph

British government intervenes to help expats caught in Spanish property scams - Telegraph: "A spokesman for the British Embassy in Spai...

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Victory for the family: Couple fled UK after social workers took their child. Now they have been declared fit parents by Spanish officials and reunited with baby No2 | Mail Online

Victory for the family: Couple fled UK after social workers took their child. Now they have been declared fit parents by Spanish officials and reunited with baby No2 Mail Online: "A baby boy who was snatched from his parents on the authority of social workers has been returned after tests showed the couple are perfectly capable of caring for him. Ten-month-old Daniel was back home with his parents last night after spending most of his young life in an orphanage.The smiling boy was cuddled by his father and mother, Jim and Carissa, whose names we have changed for legal reasons."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Victory for the family: Couple fled UK after social workers took their child. Now they have been declared fit parents by Spanish officials and reunited with baby No2 | Mail Online

Victory for the family: Couple fled UK after social workers took their child. Now they have been declared fit parents by Spanish officials a...

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Fears Grow Over Spain's Home Loans - WSJ.com

Fears Grow Over Spain's Home Loans - WSJ.com: "For months, Spain's residential mortgage sector has performed an impressive feat: Despite tumbling home prices and sky-high unemployment, just a small portion of mortgage borrowers have fallen behind on their payments.<br /> Now, some analysts and economists are wondering if Spain is in for a wave of defaults in coming months amid further job cuts meant to address the country's broader economic problems.<br /> While banks' biggest problem now is loans to real-estate developers, 'there are signs that the residential segment could become more stressed if unemployment remains high,' said Luis Garicano, a professor at the London School of Economics. 'And if interest rates go up, families could be really stretched.'"<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Fears Grow Over Spain's Home Loans - WSJ.com

Fears Grow Over Spain's Home Loans - WSJ.com: "For months, Spain's residential mortgage sector has performed an impressive feat...

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U.S. scolded Spain for withdrawing troops from Kosovo, cables show - Fox News Latino

U.S. scolded Spain for withdrawing troops from Kosovo, cables show - Fox News Latino: "United States scolded Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for withdrawing Spanish troops from Kosovo without consulting with its allies before doing so, according to documents disseminated by WikiLeaks and published in Spain by El Pais.<br /> The complaint was made during a meeting between Zapatero and U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden in the Chilean city of Viña del Mar in March 2009, a few days after the announcement by Defense Minister Carme Chacon of the withdrawal of Spanish troops from Kosovo.<br /> A report by the State Department states that Biden 'criticized the lack of consultation prior to Spain's withdrawal from Kosovo and requested Spain consult the United States earlier and in a more transparent fashion in the future.'<br /> The document says that Zapatero 'defended the decision to withdraw, but allowed that Spain could have consulted earlier with the United States.'"<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

U.S. scolded Spain for withdrawing troops from Kosovo, cables show - Fox News Latino

U.S. scolded Spain for withdrawing troops from Kosovo, cables show - Fox News Latino: "United States scolded Prime Minister Jose Luis R...

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Roubini Says Spain Risks Bank Run Without More European Support - Bloomberg

Roubini Says Spain Risks Bank Run Without More European Support - Bloomberg: "“Spain is too big to fail but also too big to be bailed out,” Roubini said today in a Bloomberg Television interview on “Surveillance Midday” with Tom Keene. He said the existing resources for bailouts are too small “to backstop the Spanish banks and the sovereign if there is going to be a run on them.”<br /> European Union leaders will meet this week amid discord about how to stem a debt crisis that’s caused Greece and Ireland to accept bailouts.<br /> “Unless the Europeans this weekend are going to decide to increase the envelope of those official resources, in the next few weeks you’re going to see a worsening of those spreads for Spain,” Roubini said, referring to the extra yield investors would demand to hold the country’s debt over that of Germany."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Roubini Says Spain Risks Bank Run Without More European Support - Bloomberg

Roubini Says Spain Risks Bank Run Without More European Support - Bloomberg: "“Spain is too big to fail but also too big to be bailed o...

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Spanish builder Pere Puig goes on shooting rampage and kills 4 dressed as a sheriff | Mail Online

Spanish builder Pere Puig goes on shooting rampage and kills 4 dressed as a sheriff Mail Online: "Spanish builder, who liked to dress as a sheriff, shot and killed four people on Wednesday after a bank refused to cash his cheque.The 57-year-old Pere Puig - known as the Sherrif of Olot after the mountain town in north eastern Catalonia close to where he lived - shot dead his employers, a father and son, as they ate breakfast in a bar, before driving to the CAM bank where, armed with a rifle or shotgun, he gunned down two staff, a man and a woman, according to Spanish media reports.Puig, a bachelor, who hunted at weekends with a .30-06 rifle, lived with his father. He was laid off work some weeks ago and is believed to have had money problems in recent days."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spanish builder Pere Puig goes on shooting rampage and kills 4 dressed as a sheriff | Mail Online

Spanish builder Pere Puig goes on shooting rampage and kills 4 dressed as a sheriff Mail Online: "Spanish builder, who liked to dress a...

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Man kills four in Spain shooting rampage

<span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crosman-764SB-air-rifle/dp/B0017DEJ1U?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Crosman 764SB air rifle" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0017DEJ1U&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0017DEJ1U" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>AFP: Man kills four in Spain shooting rampage: "57-year-old Spanish builder who reportedly liked dressing up as a sheriff shot and killed four people including his former boss Wednesday, police and media reports said.<br /> Armed with either a rifle or shotgun, he shot a father and son who were his employers in the mountain town of Olot, northeastern Spain, before driving his car to a bank where he killed two staff, a man and a woman, they said.<br /> He surrendered to police shortly after the rampage, one of the worst recorded in Spain in at least two decades.<br /> 'At about 9:00 am, Catalan police officers were alerted to the death of two people in an establishment,' the Catalan police said in a statement.<br /> 'Half an hour later they received information that a man responding to the same physical description entered a banking establishment and killed two employees,' they said.<br /> Soon after, 'the man suspected of being responsible for the four deaths was arrested by local police.'<br /> Police identified him only as 'Pedro P.P', aged 57 and of Spanish nationality."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Man kills four in Spain shooting rampage

AFP: Man kills four in Spain shooting rampage: "57-year-old Spanish builder who reportedly liked dressing up as a sheriff shot and kill...

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WORLD FOREX: Euro Tumbles On Spain Debt Worries - WSJ.com

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Euro-Politics-New-Global-Currency/dp/0300164009?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Euro: The Politics of the New Global Currency" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0300164009&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>WORLD FOREX: <span>Euro <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0300164009" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>Tumbles On Spain Debt Worries - WSJ.com: "The euro tumbled Wednesday, as news that Moody's Investors Service had placed Spain's credit rating on review for a potential downgrade revived market concerns about Europe's sovereign debt crisis.<br /> Earlier Wednesday, Moody's warned it may downgrade its ratings on Spain's government debt, adding that its banks may require as much as EUR90 billion in recapitalization funds. The country is grappling with a moribund economy and a troubled banking sector, which have unsettled markets and become a microcosm of the euro zone's recession-battered economies.<br /> The euro 'could remain vulnerable in the very near term,' said Citigroup's Valentin Marinov. 'The announcement by Moody's that it put Spanish credit 'Aa1' debt rating under review for possible downgrade is highlighting the lingering risk of renewed escalation of the tensions in the euro area periphery.'<br /> With the dollar broadly underpinned by encouraging data and signs the U.S. economy's pace of recovery is accelerating, the single currency fell more than a percent on the day in midafternoon trading.<br /> A big jump in regional manufacturing activity in New York, a rise in U.S. industrial production and a broadly in-line reading on U.S. consumer price inflation added to the dollar's gains against the euro. The Empire State Manufacturing and consumer price index reports followed strong economic data a day earlier that showed the U.S. economy is picking up steam and inflation is edging higher, but is still relatively benign."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

WORLD FOREX: Euro Tumbles On Spain Debt Worries - WSJ.com

WORLD FOREX: Euro Tumbles On Spain Debt Worries - WSJ.com: "The euro tumbled Wednesday, as news that Moody's Investors Service had ...

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Moody's outlook on Spanish banks still negative

AFP: Moody's outlook on Spanish banks still negative: "ratings agency Moody's said Monday it had maintained its negative outlook on the Spanish banking sector because of 'weak' capitalisation levels that are likely to persist for the next 12-18 months.<br /> 'The outlook for the Spanish banking system remains negative because banks' capitalisation, profitability and access to market funding are expected to remain weak,' the agency said in a statement.<br /> Moody's attributed the sector's problems to Spain's overall economic difficulties along with 'continued asset deterioration and the Spanish government's fiscal austerity plans.'<br /> The agency estimated that losses sustained by Spanish banks will total 176 billion euros (232 billion dollars), of which lenders have covered only half -- 88 billion euros -- through asset writedowns and reserves.<br /> Spain at the start of 2010 emerged from a 12-month recession, brought on by the global finance crisis and the collapse of the country's housing market, where banks had been heavily exposed.<br /> Continued weak growth this year -- momentum was stagnant in the third quarter -- and the country's large public deficit have unsettled financial markets, which have not been reassured by the Socialist government's austerity measures."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Moody's outlook on Spanish banks still negative

AFP: Moody's outlook on Spanish banks still negative: "ratings agency Moody's said Monday it had maintained its negative outloo...

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Sunderland grandad facing murder trial in Tenerife is allowed home for Christmas - mirror.co.uk

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ilfracombe-Devon-Mountain-Tenerife-Canaries/dp/B0014IHIAC?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Ilfracombe Devon 1867 Mountain Peak Tenerife Canaries" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0014IHIAC&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>Sunderland grandad facing murder trial in <span>Tenerife<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0014IHIAC" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> is allowed home for Christmas - mirror.co.uk: "GRANDAD trapped in Tenerife while he awaits trial for murder has been allowed his first Christmas home in two years.<br /> Stephen Johnson, 55, said he can’t wait to be reunited with his children, grandchildren and wife Joan, 54.<br /> Mr Johnson, of Sunderland, said: “Joan said it’s the best present she’s ever had.”<br /> He was arrested in 2008 for stabbing a Moroccan man, 25. He claims he was breaking up a fight and was identified as the killer by mistake.<br /> He said: “I’ll fight to prove my innocence.”"<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Sunderland grandad facing murder trial in Tenerife is allowed home for Christmas - mirror.co.uk

Sunderland grandad facing murder trial in Tenerife is allowed home for Christmas - mirror.co.uk: "GRANDAD trapped in Tenerife while he...

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14 now arrested in Spanish athletics doping scandal

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Himno-de-la-Guardia-Civil/dp/B0038G5CLA?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Himno de la Guardia Civil" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0038G5CLA&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>14 now arrested in Spanish athletics doping scandal: "<span>Guardia Civil <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0038G5CLA" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>carried out a large operation against doping in Spanish athletics on Thursday, with several searches being carried out simultaneously across Spain during the day. The operation is codenamed ‘Operación Galgo’.<br /> <br /> Fourteen arrests have now been confirmed in Alicante, Madrid, Segovia, Las Palmas and Palencia.<br /> <br /> At the centre of the case is the 3000m hurdles champion, Marta Domínguez, and her trainer, César Pérez, both of whom have been arrested. Fellow trainer Manuel Pascua has also been arrested with her manager, José Alonso and Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes, whose homes have also been searched. Dr Fuentes is also implicated in the cycling doping allegations known as Operación Puerto in which more than 50 cyclists were implicated."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

14 now arrested in Spanish athletics doping scandal

14 now arrested in Spanish athletics doping scandal: " Guardia Civil carried out a large operation against doping in Spanish athletics ...

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World steeplechase champ detained in doping probe

World steeplechase champ detained in doping probe: "Steeplechase world champion Marta Dominguez has been arrested along with two coaches and doctor Eufemiano Fuentes in the latest Spanish police investigation into doping in sport, local news reports said.<br /> The El Pais daily said on its website Thursday that the Central Operation Unit (UCO) of the Guardia Civil raided the homes of athletes, coaches and doctors earlier in the day in several cities such as Madrid and Las Palmas.<br /> Citing sources close to the investigation, the report said the raids were based on an order by a Madrid court and that police and Spanish anti-doping authorities are co-operating in the probe named 'Operacion Galgo' (Operation Greyhound).<br /> Police officials have so far not confirmed the probe which is the third against doping in the country - with Fuentes already at the centre of Operation Puerto in 2006.<br /> El Pais and state radio RNE said Dominguez was detained along with her coach Cesar Perez, coach Manuel Pascua Piqueras and Fuentes. El Pais said that Dominguez' manager Jose Alonso Valero was arrested as well."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

World steeplechase champ detained in doping probe

World steeplechase champ detained in doping probe: "Steeplechase world champion Marta Dominguez has been arrested along with two coache...

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AFP: Spanish air controllers refuse to answer prosecutors

AFP: Spanish air controllers refuse to answer prosecutors: "Air traffic controllers who shut down Spain's airspace in a 24-hour wildcat strike refused Thursday to answer prosecutors investigating possible sedition.<br /> Prosecutors are investigating air traffic controllers' actions after they called in sick en masse December 3, hitting the flights of an estimated 300,000 travellers on a holiday weekend.<br /> Spain's government forced them to return to work the next day by declaring a 15-day state of alert, putting the military in command and threatening jail for those who refused.<br /> It was the first state of alert in Spain since the 1975 death of dictator General Francisco Franco.<br /> They could face jail terms of up to eight years if charged and convicted of sedition for collectively abandoning their posts, an action the government has compared to doctors leaving a hospital.<br /> The first 12 controllers to go before prosecutors Thursday refused to testify at a Madrid provincial court, arguing they should be heard by a military court because the military was in charge, Madrid public prosecutor Eduardo Esteban said.<br /> The public prosecutor said a military court had nothing to do with the case, however, because the charges related to events that took place before the state of alert was declared."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

AFP: Spanish air controllers refuse to answer prosecutors

AFP: Spanish air controllers refuse to answer prosecutors: "Air traffic controllers who shut down Spain's airspace in a 24-hour wil...

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WikiLeaks: US hails Spanish prime minister Zapatero - Telegraph

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Juan-Carlos-Steering-Dictatorship-Democracy/dp/0393058042?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Juan Carlos: Steering Spain from Dictatorship to Democracy" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0393058042&tag=cosdelcri-21" /></a>WikiLeaks: US hails Spanish prime minister Zapatero - Telegraph: "<span>Spanish King Juan Carlos <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0393058042" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>also 'has influence with Zapatero when he wants to use it,' including in the appointment of the Spanish ambassador to Washington, according to the cables published in the Spanish newspaper El Pais on Monday.<br /> 'Zapatero is a wily politician with an uncanny ability – like a cat in a jungle – to sense opportunity or danger,' said one cable dated from the US embassy in Madrid January 21, 2009.<br /> 'It is dangerous to underestimate him, as many former rivals have found out too late."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

WikiLeaks: US hails Spanish prime minister Zapatero - Telegraph

WikiLeaks: US hails Spanish prime minister Zapatero - Telegraph: " Spanish King Juan Carlos also 'has influence with Zapatero when ...

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Boy, 9, washed away in flood in Spain - Telegraph

Boy, 9, washed away in flood in Spain - Telegraph: "child became trapped in the car as it was engulfed by swirling waters in a flash flood near the village of Almodovar del Campo near Ciudad Real.<br /> His father and 16-year-old brother were able to escape the vehicle before it was washed into the river Alcudia which burst its banks on Tuesday evening.<br /> Rescue teams recovered the child's body in undergrowth on a riverbank less than a mile from where the car was engulfed in water. The family, believed to be from Barcelona, have not been named."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Boy, 9, washed away in flood in Spain - Telegraph

Boy, 9, washed away in flood in Spain - Telegraph: "child became trapped in the car as it was engulfed by swirling waters in a flash fl...

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Three Britons to be tried in Granada for suspected drug dealing

<a href="http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_28190.shtml">Three Britons to be tried in Granada for suspected drug dealing</a>: "Three suspected drug dealers, D.J.B., L.W.P. and C.E.P., all from the UK, are in court later this month where they each face a possible six years in prison. Their trial starts on December 17 at the provincial court in Granada, Europa Press reports.<br /> <br /> The group was arrested after speeding off to avoid a Civil Guard control in Almuñécar on the night of February 19 2009. When they were arrested by the officers in pursuit, a haul of ecstasy, cannabis, marijuana and LSD was discovered inside their British registered Jaguar.<br /> <br /> Europa Press notes the charges against them as public health crimes, dangerous driving and disobeying authority. It’s understood that none of them have a previous criminal record."<br /> <br /> :Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Three Britons to be tried in Granada for suspected drug dealing

Three Britons to be tried in Granada for suspected drug dealing : "Three suspected drug dealers, D.J.B., L.W.P. and C.E.P., all from th...

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MARBELLA is finally cleaning up its act.

The town hall has given business owners in the old town three years to paint their shopfronts white or terracotta.<br /> The move aims to put an end to the spread of fuchsia and pistachio-coloured shops and bars in the historic quarter.<br /> “We have chosen these two colours to maintain a typical image of an Andalucian village,” said councillor Santos Pedrazuela.:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

MARBELLA is finally cleaning up its act.

The town hall has given business owners in the old town three years to paint their shopfronts white or terracotta. The move aims to put an ...

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controllers returned to their posts after the Government threatend them with criminal action.

controllers returned to their posts after the Government threatend them with criminal action. It is expected to take 24-48 hours for things to return to normal.<br /> <br /> The introduction of a ‘State of Alarm’ and the threat of criminal prosecution of the Spanish Air Traffic Controllers by the Government have resulted in all the controllers arriving for work in the 1500hr Saturday afternoon shift.<br /> <br /> AENA the Spanish Airports Authority has as a consequence re-opened Spanish air space, and flights are starting to get underway again.<br /> Minister for Development, José Blanco, warned however that it will take between 24 and 48 hours for things to return to normal.<br /> <br /> Spokesperson for the USCA Air Traffic Controllers Union on the Baleares, Javier Zanón, told El Mundo that the Guardia Civil had arrived ‘pistols in hand’ and ‘forced us to sit in front of the monitors’.<br /> <br /> The cabinet held an emergency session on Saturday morning and decided to declare a ‘State of Alarm’, after an estimated 90% of air traffic controllers walked away from their posts from 5pm on Friday night. <br /> <br /> The chaos was enormous, not least because it was the start of the longest bank holiday weekend of the year, and thousands of Spaniards were hoping to depart<br /> <br /> Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_28157.shtml#ixzz17FyVQYks:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

controllers returned to their posts after the Government threatend them with criminal action.

controllers returned to their posts after the Government threatend them with criminal action. It is expected to take 24-48 hours for things ...

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1m unsold or unfinished residential properties Santander to recapitalise property fund.

FT.com / Companies / Banks - Santander to recapitalise property fund: "Santander, the Spanish bank, will recapitalise a frozen €2.5bn ($3.4bn) property fund after failing to liquidate its assets in the country’s depressed real estate market.<br /> The bank, the largest in the eurozone, said on Friday that it would “contribute resources to the fund through the subscription of new units” to meet outstanding redemption claims and avoid winding up .The move comes just under two years after Santander sought regulatory permission to freeze payouts from the fund, called the Santander Banif Inmobiliario FII, to stop investor flight amid the global financial crisis and domestic property crash. It said at the time investors had sought to withdraw 80 per cent of the vehicle’s value – then €2.62bn – at once. It won approval to limit redemptions to 10 per cent of total investments.<br /> Spain’s housing bubble burst in 2007, and the subsequent downturn and credit crisis has left the country with almost 1m unsold or unfinished residential properties."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

1m unsold or unfinished residential properties Santander to recapitalise property fund.

FT.com / Companies / Banks - Santander to recapitalise property fund: "Santander, the Spanish bank, will recapitalise a frozen €2.5bn (...

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Spain disruption: Your stories comment

Spain disruption: Your stories: "Most of Spain's <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jerry-Garcia-Airspace-Collection-Forty-six/dp/B001EH22NG?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">airspace</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001EH22NG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> remains closed and tens of thousands of travellers have been stranded<br /> Thousands of travellers are stranded at airports in Spain after most of its air traffic controllers called in sick to protest over working conditions."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spain disruption: Your stories comment

Spain disruption: Your stories: "Most of Spain's airspace remains closed and tens of thousands of travellers have been stranded T...

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Spanish airport strike leaves passengers stranded | World news | guardian.co.uk

<span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aeropuerto-Airport-Picaros-Peluchinestareas-Spanish/dp/9501104087?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Spanish airport </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=9501104087" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>strike leaves passengers stranded World news guardian.co.uk: "Thousands of British holidaymakers have been left stranded in Spain after air traffic controllers walked out over working conditions.<br /> The Spanish government has declared a state of emergency over the strike, which has left eight airports including Madrid closed across the country and stranded 330,000 international passengers.<br /> The deputy prime minister, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, said the controllers – who called in sick en masse – had been ordered back to work and could face charges and jail under the military penal code if they refused.<br /> 'We said that if the situation in the airports did not normalise we would call a state of emergency. It's clear that the situation has not normalised,' Rubalcaba said following an emergency cabinet meeting.<br /> Airlines including Iberia and Ryanair have cancelled all Spanish flights until Sunday morning."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spanish airport strike leaves passengers stranded | World news | guardian.co.uk

Spanish airport strike leaves passengers stranded World news guardian.co.uk: "Thousands of British holidaymakers have been left strande...

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Spain declares State of Alert after wildcat strikes - Telegraph

Spain declares State of Alert after wildcat strikes - Telegraph: "Hundreds of thousands of passengers were left stranded by the walkout, which came during one of Spain's busiest weekends for travel.<br /> The Spanish government was holding crisis talks to try and force the air traffic controllers back to work, and police were gathering at the control centres in case the government decided to arrest the controllers.<br /> 'If the situation doesn't normalise, the government will declare a state of emergency,' said Alfredo Rubalcaba, deputy prime minister, ahead of a hastily assembled cabinet meeting in Madrid."<br /> <br /> DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.

Spain declares State of Alert after wildcat strikes - Telegraph

Spain declares State of Alert after wildcat strikes - Telegraph: "Hundreds of thousands of passengers were left stranded by the walkout...

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NATIONAL POLICE have dismantled a network trafficking with hashish between Spain and Morocco

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font: 16px "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">NATIONAL POLICE have dismantled a network trafficking with hashish between Spain and Morocco, seizing 1.5 tonnes of the drugs and arresting 12 people. The operation, in collaboration with the tax agency, was carried out in Malaga, Cartaya, La Linea</span></span>

NATIONAL POLICE have dismantled a network trafficking with hashish between Spain and Morocco

NATIONAL POLICE have dismantled a network trafficking with hashish between Spain and Morocco, seizing 1.5 tonnes of the drugs and arresting ...

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THE rapist of a British tourist has been sentenced to seven years prison by a Spanish court last week.

THE rapist of a British tourist has been sentenced to seven years prison by a Spanish court last week. The man T Vasile is a Romanian, and was found guilty of repeatedly raping the un-named British tourist at a villa just outside Villajoyosa in October of 2009. The woman had gone voluntarily with the man to the villa, but on arrival he attacked her, violating her on three occasions, and according to the Court, even tried to involve his dog in sexual acts.The woman managed to leave the villa, take a train to Benidorm and went straight to the police.When the police surrounded the villa, the rapist and two other Romanians tried to escape in a car, and rammed a police vehicle, fled on foot and fought with police. The driver of the police vehicle was seriously injured.Some residents believe seven years seems paltry by way of punishment for multiple rape, forced acts of depravity with an animal, what could be construed as attempted murder against the police when ramming their vehicle and violently resisting arrest.The leniency of the sentence has been put down to a split decision between the three presiding judges, with one dissenting on grounds of insufficient evidence of the rape.<br /> One would think that the serious injury of a policeman in the exercise of his duty would in itself warrant a harsh sentence.With good behaviour, T Vasily will be eligible for parole within the next few years.<br /> The British woman who was raped will be living with the memory of the ordeal for a lot longer than that.

THE rapist of a British tourist has been sentenced to seven years prison by a Spanish court last week.

THE rapist of a British tourist has been sentenced to seven years prison by a Spanish court last week. The man T Vasile is a Romanian, and w...

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FIVE-FOOT long snake caused havoc in the parking lot of an apartment block in Malaga,

FIVE-FOOT long snake caused havoc in the parking lot of an apartment block in Malaga, scaring residents and causing the access to the garage to be sealed off. The serpent was spotted in the parking area by the doorman of the building, who feared it could be dangerous and called the police.The environmental department of the local police arrived at the scene and managed to capture the snake without harming it.

FIVE-FOOT long snake caused havoc in the parking lot of an apartment block in Malaga,

FIVE-FOOT long snake caused havoc in the parking lot of an apartment block in Malaga, scaring residents and causing the access to the garage...

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British man who works in public relations in Marbella has been arrested accused of sexually assaulting a client.

British man who works in public relations in Marbella has been arrested accused of sexually assaulting a client. The 27-year-old detainee met his client in his place of work, and later shared two drinks with her and invited her back to his home.Once in his home the man allegedly grabbed the victim by the neck and hair and forced her to have sex with him. The victim was also of British nationality.After leaving his house the victim contacted a friend and told her what had happened. The victim then went to the police and filed a report and also went to hospital. Investigations to arrest the British man began in October.

British man who works in public relations in Marbella has been arrested accused of sexually assaulting a client.

British man who works in public relations in Marbella has been arrested accused of sexually assaulting a client. The 27-year-old detainee me...

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Police in Spain and Thailand arrested 10 people suspected of operating a counterfeiting network that provided fake European passports to terrorist groups

Police in Spain and Thailand arrested 10 people suspected of operating a counterfeiting network that provided fake European passports to terrorist groups linked to Al Qaeda in order to smooth their entry into Western countries, the Spanish Interior Ministry said yesterday.Seven people — six Pakistanis and one Nigerian — were arrested in Barcelona in raids late Tuesday and early yesterday. Three more people — two Pakistanis and one Thai — were arrested in Bangkok in the same period, the ministry said in a statement.One of the Pakistanis arrested in Bangkok, Muhammad Athar Butt, 42, known as Tony, directed the forging operation from Thailand, according to a Spanish security official. Butt was also in charge of cells in Brussels and London, said the security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was talking about a current investigation.The arrests struck at “an important passport operation for Al Qaeda, weakening its international counterfeiting apparatus, and therefore, its capacity to operate,’’ the ministry statement said, adding the raids came after a year-and-a-half-long international investigation, which is continuing.

Police in Spain and Thailand arrested 10 people suspected of operating a counterfeiting network that provided fake European passports to terrorist groups

Police in Spain and Thailand arrested 10 people suspected of operating a counterfeiting network that provided fake European passports to ter...

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Cage fighter Lee Murray was unsuccessful in an appeal against his 10-year jail sentence during a hearing in Rabat on Tuesday

The Press Association: £53m raid mastermind given longer sentence: "Cage fighter Lee Murray was unsuccessful in an appeal against his 10-year jail sentence during a hearing in Rabat on Tuesday. But prosecutors who argued that his original sentence was too lenient had their appeal upheld and Murray was handed an extra 15 years behind bars. The sentence was for his role co-ordinating the audacious raid at the cash depot in Tonbridge, on February 21 2006.<br /> A Kent Police spokesman said: 'We have been informed that during an appeal in Rabat, Lee Murray had an appeal against his sentence dismissed. Prosecution, however, had their appeal upheld regarding the previous sentence being too lenient. Lee Murray has been given a 25-year sentence for his involvement in the Tonbridge robbery. He was previously sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.'<br /> In June last year, the Moroccan authorities refused to extradite Murray, originally from Sidcup, south east London, after establishing his Moroccan nationality. Since then detectives worked closely with their overseas colleagues to ensure Murray does not escape justice.<br /> He was held in prison since his arrest at a shopping centre several months after the raid and has already served time for drug-related offences. In October last year, Murray's trusted lieutenant Paul Allen was jailed for 18 years for his part in the robbery."

Cage fighter Lee Murray was unsuccessful in an appeal against his 10-year jail sentence during a hearing in Rabat on Tuesday

The Press Association: £53m raid mastermind given longer sentence: "Cage fighter Lee Murray was unsuccessful in an appeal against his 1...

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Marbella needs extra credit | Costa del Sol | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain

Marbella needs extra credit Costa del Sol News The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain: "MARBELLA City Council has once again called on the banks for millions of credit to ensure liquidity in the municipal treasury. €10 million is the exact total this time round, and according to the City Council, the repayment period has also been defined. The policy will expire in December 2011."

Marbella needs extra credit | Costa del Sol | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain

Marbella needs extra credit Costa del Sol News The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain: "MARBELLA City Council has once again ...

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ILLEGAL PROPERTIES MADE LEGAL | Costa del Sol | Leader - News, Sport, Advertising, Property, Classifieds - Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Calida, Costa de Almeria, Spain

ILLEGAL PROPERTIES MADE LEGAL Costa del Sol Leader - News, Sport, Advertising, Property, Classifieds - Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Calida, Costa de Almeria, Spain: "Marbella Town Hall has given the go-ahead to regularise more than 200 properties which were built illegally during the time the GIL Party was in power. A total of 225 houses across two developments will now be legal under the new local development plan, the PGOU. Those urbanisations concerned are Santa María Green Hills in Las Chapas, and El Palmeral in Nueva Andalucía.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9wqpXGrdCBc1B8KGzIfdYx-8v-VzWYn_JkER0vr2Fo_EVE9C7HaWRpYToXaKGuwQWJtLek8xFnc2A7CeBIi5sQeaYh7ixKqMXVfRMHqW0BGAJV4qXekm4OmRedLGPsb-jEbkbcalizY/s1600/1143631304_extras_albumes_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9wqpXGrdCBc1B8KGzIfdYx-8v-VzWYn_JkER0vr2Fo_EVE9C7HaWRpYToXaKGuwQWJtLek8xFnc2A7CeBIi5sQeaYh7ixKqMXVfRMHqW0BGAJV4qXekm4OmRedLGPsb-jEbkbcalizY/s320/1143631304_extras_albumes_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It is understood the Town Hall hopes to regularise the situation of 1,000 of the 16,500 properties to be made legal under the PGOU before the end of this year."

ILLEGAL PROPERTIES MADE LEGAL | Costa del Sol | Leader - News, Sport, Advertising, Property, Classifieds - Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Calida, Costa de Almeria, Spain

ILLEGAL PROPERTIES MADE LEGAL Costa del Sol Leader - News, Sport, Advertising, Property, Classifieds - Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Ca...

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accused is the Chilean lawyer based in Marbella, Fernando del Valle faces a possible 17 years in prison and a fine of 36 million €

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRILMBe2OgbeCPu62Su7e3UhKxGkatoMgzzq9Wq94lyQkOTAiBTrpyyxKgV2Vqjig-GFmgkmbIuUIN36IQ-cbCjnM0nIIHVq-xkDBmitnN_rwJYG3Yc24ajHKYZHk7tNajrN5l61DLje8/s1600/fernandodelvalleandwife_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRILMBe2OgbeCPu62Su7e3UhKxGkatoMgzzq9Wq94lyQkOTAiBTrpyyxKgV2Vqjig-GFmgkmbIuUIN36IQ-cbCjnM0nIIHVq-xkDBmitnN_rwJYG3Yc24ajHKYZHk7tNajrN5l61DLje8/s320/fernandodelvalleandwife_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Lawyer calls for the Ballena Blanca money laundering case to be thrown out: "main accused is the Chilean lawyer based in Marbella, Fernando del Valle<br /> <br /> Defence lawyers acting for the Chilean lawyer based in Marbella, Fernando del Valle, the man at the centre of the Ballena Blanca money laundering case, have called for the case to be declared null and void.<br /> <br /> Horacio Oliva said in his final comments to the judge that his client suffered ‘unjustified interference’ of his basic rights during the instruction stage of the case. He said the arrest warrant issued against his client by Judge Miguel Angel Torres had an erroneous motive, and was more appropriate to the fight against terrorism or organised crime. He said they entered the office, destroyed it, and then obtained rickety evidence.<br /> <br /> The lawyer argued that Del Valle, accused of setting up companies which allowed the laundering of 12 million € of black money, with that of the taxi driver who drives a client to the shanty town on the outskirts.<br /> <blockquote>‘The taxi driver may be convinced that his passenger is going to buy drugs, but that does not make him an accomplice to the drug traffickers’.</blockquote><br /> <br /> Fernando del Valle faces a possible 17 years in prison and a fine of 36 million €, accused of aiding the laundering of 31 million € from illicit activities."

accused is the Chilean lawyer based in Marbella, Fernando del Valle faces a possible 17 years in prison and a fine of 36 million €

Lawyer calls for the Ballena Blanca money laundering case to be thrown out: "main accused is the Chilean lawyer based in Marbella, Fern...

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MARBELLA DAY COMMEMORATES ANDALUSIAN GYPSIES | Costa de Almeria | Leader - News, Sport, Advertising, Property, Classifieds - Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Calida, Costa de Almeria, Spain

MARBELLA DAY COMMEMORATES ANDALUSIAN GYPSIES Costa de Almeria Leader - News, Sport, Advertising, Property, Classifieds - Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Calida, Costa de Almeria, Spain: "In Andalusia, resides about 38% of the Spanish gypsy community and in recognizing that fact back in 1996, the Andalusian Parliament declared November 22 as the Day of the Andalusian Gypsies, which commemorates their arrival in Andalusia, on November 22, 1462.<br /> Last Monday Marbella's Day of Andalusian Gypsies the day was commemorated in the hall of the Municipality by the reading of a manifesto and the hoisting of the flag on the balcony gypsy Consistory."

MARBELLA DAY COMMEMORATES ANDALUSIAN GYPSIES | Costa de Almeria | Leader - News, Sport, Advertising, Property, Classifieds - Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Calida, Costa de Almeria, Spain

MARBELLA DAY COMMEMORATES ANDALUSIAN GYPSIES Costa de Almeria Leader - News, Sport, Advertising, Property, Classifieds - Costa Blanca, Costa...

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Spain Sells Stake in Lottery, Eliminates Jobless Benefit to Tackle Deficit - Bloomberg

Spain Sells Stake in<span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lottery-Master-Guide-Gail-Howard/dp/0945760388?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Lottery</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0945760388" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>, Eliminates Jobless Benefit to Tackle Deficit - Bloomberg: "Spain stepped up efforts to fight contagion from Europe’s debt crisis, saying it will sell stakes in its lottery and aiport-operating businesses to raise 14 billion euros ($18.3 billion) and ax a one-time jobless benefit.<br /> The government, which said in January it had no plans to sell the lottery, will dispose of 30 percent of the company, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said in Parliament in Madrid today. It will also allow the Madrid and Barcelona airports to be privately managed and let investors buy as much as 49 percent of a new operating company, Aena-Aeropuertos. The sales will raise around 14 billion euros, said a government official who declined to be named in line with policy"

Spain Sells Stake in Lottery, Eliminates Jobless Benefit to Tackle Deficit - Bloomberg

Spain Sells Stake in Lottery , Eliminates Jobless Benefit to Tackle Deficit - Bloomberg: "Spain stepped up efforts to fight contagion f...

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Spain Arrests Seven Terror Suspects - WSJ.com

Spain Arrests Seven Terror Suspects - WSJ.com: "Spanish police arrested seven men in <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Top-Barcelona-Eyewitness-Travel-Guides/dp/075666053X?ie=UTF8&tag=cosdelcri-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Barcelona,</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cosdelcri-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=075666053X" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> suspected of stealing passports for radical Islamic cells in Thailand and Pakistan, and collaborating with the group that carried out the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, the country's Interior ministry said Wednesday.<br /> The suspects, six Pakistanis and one Nigerian, are believed to be part of a European network that allegedly obtained passports to be forged in Thailand. The passports were later distributed to cells including al Qaeda, Pakistan's Lashkar e Taiba—which carried out the Mumbai attacks, killing 175 people—and Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers, the ministry said in a statement.<br /> This is the latest in a series of police stings in recent years against local cells linked to al Qaeda. Islamic terrorists haven't attacked Spain since the Madrid bombings in 2004 killed 191 people, but have remained active in the country.<br /> The Thailand-based head of the group, also a Pakistani citizen, was detained there, together with another Pakistani and a Thai national, the ministry added."

Spain Arrests Seven Terror Suspects - WSJ.com

Spain Arrests Seven Terror Suspects - WSJ.com: "Spanish police arrested seven men in Barcelona, suspected of stealing passports for ra...

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