It's throught that organic cucumbers from Andalucía are the source of the outbreak

The number of deaths in Germany thought to be caused by a variant of the E. coli virus found in a shipment of Spanish organic cucumbers from Málaga and Almería has risen to ten. The latest fatalities are elderly women, and more than 1,000 people have now been affected in total.

The outbreak, which began in northern Germany and has now spread to the south, is a particularly aggressive strain of E.coli and is resistant to many antibiotics.

The contaminated products were sold through the central market in Hamburg. There are no reported cases in Spain; the companies accused only export their crops and do not operate in the domestic market.

Austria has announced a ban on the sale of Spanish cucumbers, tomatoes and aubergines as a preventative measure, while France has announced three cases thought to be linked to the outbreak.

The European Commission is to investigate other possible origins of the contaminated cucumbers.

 

'Killer Cucumber' Bug From Spain

300 people in northern Germany are in hospital and around 500 more are being tested for the infection.
Organic cucumbers from Spain are thought to be the source of the bacteria, but travellers to Germany are also being advised to avoid eating raw tomatoes and lettuce.
The Robert Koch Institute, Germany's national disease centre, said 60 cases had been reported in the last 24 hours alone, and infections have also been confirmed in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Britain's Health Protection Authority has confirmed that three German nationals who travelled from the country fell ill after entering Britain.
One of the cases has been confirmed as having the infection which is causing this outbreak.
A spokeswoman for the HPA said the outbreak in Germany was "very, very serious" and that although the bug was infectious, there had been no reports of secondary infection yet in the UK.
Dr Dilys Morgan, head of the gastrointestinal, emerging and zoonotic infections department at the HPA, said: "The HPA is actively monitoring the situation very carefully and liaising with the authorities in Germany, the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as to the cause of the outbreak.

E.coli bacteria like these are responsible for the outbreak across Europe
"We are keeping a close watch for potential cases reported in England and are working with colleagues in the devolved administrations to recommend they do the same. In addition we are in the process of alerting health professionals to the situation and advising them to urgently investigate potential cases with a travel history to Germany."
The Food Standards Agency has confirmed that the offending cucumbers have not been for sale at any outlets in the UK.
A spokesman for the German consumer affairs minister Ilse Aigner said: "The European Union internal market has very strong safety rules and we expect all EU states to observe them," he said, adding that, for the moment, "one can only speculate about the causes" of the outbreak.
Those hit worst by the infection contract haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a condition that can result in renal failure, seizures, strokes and coma.
In Spain, a spokesman for the AESA food safety agency said investigations were also under way.
"The Andalusian authorities are investigating to find out where the contamination comes from and when it took place," he said.
"This type of bacteria can contaminate at the origin or during handling of the product," he added.
There has been no report of contamination within Spain, AESA said.

 

Spain's Primavera Festival this weekend.Jarvis Cocker says he's had sleepless nights ahead of Pulp's comeback gigs.

The indie band announced they were reforming last November, and play their first headline set at Spain's Primavera Festival this weekend.

"I've had a few anxiety dreams already," the singer told BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamacq.

"The favourite is usually wondering through a festival, then looking at your watch and realising you should have been on stage 10 minutes ago."

He added: "I've not had the one of being naked on stage yet."

Pulp, who scored hits with Common People and Do You Remember The First Time, have been on hiatus since 2002.

Cocker went on to record solo material and established himself as a radio broadcaster, while other band members pursued careers in production and film-making.

The frontman said they had resisted getting back together "for a long time", but jokingly denied being offered "a duffle bag full of money" to reform.

Guitarist Mark Webber explained that the death of a mutual friend had prompted the band to reconvene.

"I always thought we'd do something together again eventually, but when he died, I realised [we] should maybe grasp that opportunity," he said.

"I think that had a lot to do with it," agreed Jarvis Cocker. "You suddenly realise you can't take things for granted."

The group's most famous live show came at Glastonbury in 1995.

They were drafted in to close the festival after The Stone Roses cancelled at the last minute. The booking came so late that the band were forced to camp as all the local hotels were full.

Nonetheless, they received a rapturous reception, closing with a seven-minute singalong to Common People.

The band also premiered three new songs - Mis-Shapes, Disco 2000 and Sorted For Es and Wizz.

Webber said the lyrics to those songs were only finished the night before, with Cocker "hunched over" in his tent.

Pulp headlined the Pyramid Stage once more in 1998 and played their final gig at Rotherham's Magna Science Centre four years later.

The reunited band play UK festivals including T In The Park, Isle Of Wight and Wireless this summer.

TOWIE star Joey Essex has been burgled while enjoying a holiday in Spain.

The reality star, who is out in Marbella in the Costa del Sol with the rest of the The Only Way Is Essex gang, revealed the news on Twitter.

“Sorry aint been tweeting. Been Robbed by a melt ;)” he wrote.

The Sun reports that Joey had all his designer gear and cash robbed from his apartment, leaving him with only the clothes he was wearing.

Joey, who is going out with his co-star Sam Faiers, apparently told pals: “Everything’s gone, I’ve nothing left.”

British ex-pats face Spanish court over shares scam

gang of Britons appeared in a Spanish court accused of ripping off tens of millions of pounds in one of Europe's biggest boiler room scams.

Detectives believe the 15 suspected con artists were cold-calling thousands of UK residents and pressurising them into parting with their savings for non-existent shares.

The men - aged between 22 and 41 - were arrested earlier this week in an armed raid by Spanish and British authorities on their suspected headquarters in Palma, Mallorca.

Detectives leading the investigation said they were living "lives of luxury in the sun" from the scheme.

Officers appealed for potential victims to come forward. Dyno Medical, Inca Pacific Gold and Mining and Viking Gold Resources were named as fake companies linked to the gang.

Detective Superintendent Bob Wishart, from the City of London Police's Economic Crime Directorate, hailed the raid as a "major result" in the fight against boiler room scams.

"It is the first time in Spain that authorities believe they have dismantled an operation of this scale in its entirety," he said.

He said gang members were talking on the phones as the raids took place.

The officer added: "They were shocked when we went through the door. It was a real message for the crooks out there - we are very grateful for the work, support and co-operation we had from Spanish police."

Some of the younger members of the scheme are believed to have been lured into the operation by crime bosses who targeted them in British-speaking bars.

The 15, indicted under Spanish law, are: Liam Rymell, 23; Dominic Jones, 24; Shafiq Dad, 41; Omar Rana, 27 and Rashid Shafayat, 30, all from Nottingham; Danny Dilliway, 25, from Canvey Island, Essex; Farhan Khan, 24, from Hayes, Middlesex; John Bartlett, 22, from Mansfield; Tyrone Robinson, 23, from Mansfield; Chris Savva, 30, from Grays, Essex; Lee Fisher, 24, from Mansfield; Mohamed Ghazalli, 26, also from Essex; Anthony Baugh, 25, from Luton; Neil Simpson, 27, from Basildon; and Fahim Khan, 36, from south London but residing in Spain. Two German nationals also appeared in court in connection with the alleged con.

They appeared briefly in a Spanish court yesterday but are yet to face trial, City of London police said.

Boiler room scams involve fraudsters using high pressure sales tactics to con investors into buying non-tradable, overpriced or even non-existent shares. They are thought to cost the UK around £200 million a year

 

Owners of Spanish properties are being forced to dramatically cut their asking prices to attract purchasers claim recent media reports.

It is estimated there are close to 600,000 homes on the market looking for a buyer and another 200,000 developments still waiting to be completed.

The Bank of Spain figures show that prices have fallen 17 percent in the last four years with many sellers reducing their sales prices by up to 40 percent.

But this has created opportunities for fly to let holiday home buyers who have been picking up bargains at the bottom of the market in the hope they will see their investments increase in value in the long term when the market picks up again.

Former deterrents have been the week pound/euro exchange rate and the difficulty in finding a mortgage in Spain.

But there are now reports that banks in Spain are taking action to shift the backlog of properties they have taken over from developers who have gone bust by offering attractive deals such as 100 percent mortgages over 40 years.

gassed by raiders who stole the cargo of his lorry as he drove it through Spain.

Frank Chown, 70, said he and his colleague Tony Davey, from the Chard area were transporting goods for a company in a contract with the Ministry of Defence.

The raid took place in a motorway services station north of Valencia. The pair remember having a meal there, but nothing else before waking up hours later to find their truck emptied.

Mr Chown believes the pair were targeted with a mystery gas that was pumped into the truck and rendered them unconscious.


He said: "When I came around everything was gone. Our hearts were out of rhythm and we couldn't talk. It was as if we had powder in our mouths.

"It was like we'd been given an anaesthetic. We were groggy and nauseous.

"A German driver came over to see what the problem was. By then we had got out of the vehicle and were just walking round in circles trying to figure out what happened.

"The man went into the service station and phoned the police."

Mr Chown said the contents taken from the truck were of high value but security concerns prevent him from disclosing what they were.

He and Mr Davey also lost almost all of their personal possessions. In Mr Chown's case this included a camera, laptop and phone among items worth £4,500.

Recalling the incident which took place between Friday and Saturday, May 6-7, he said: "All I was left with was the pair of jeans I had on, a shirt and a pair of shoes.

"We found a couple of large rocks, which were not in the truck before, presumably to knock us back out if we woke up for some reason."

Mr Chown wants to alert travellers to Spain about the raid method.

He said: "When we met someone with the Guardia Civil who could speak our language, we learned that this is a very common occurrence.

"We were told police and paramedics are called out to similar incidents every day.

"They often receive a call to say someone has noticed a vehicle in an area which has not been moved for a while and when they investigate they find someone inside dead.

"The thieves spray gas in the vehicle. It's either a very heavy anaesthetic or what they use to knock out large animals.

"Then they wait a couple of minutes and knock on the vehicle. If there is no response they know that the gas has worked."

"It is not a widely reported thing but apparently it happens regularly.

"I want to warn people about it. As an outsider I wouldn't have had a clue about it."

Mr Chown, a lifelong Crewkerne resident, is married to Michele and they live at Curriott Hill. They have three grown-up children and two grandchildren.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office recommends visiting its website www.fco.gov.uk for advice to travellers.

In a similar case recently reported, a British woman on a Spanish holiday claimed to have been gassed and raped while her husband lay unconscious next to her.

The 56-year-old mother of two was assaulted at an hotel in Benalmadena, on the Costa del Sol, after a mystery gas was pumped into their roof-top bedroom.

The pair from Greater Manchester, were near the end of their holiday when the attacker struck at the Hotel Siroco.

volcano erupted in Iceland on Saturday night, forcing international flights to divert their courses away from the island nation, weekend media reports say.

The Grimsvotn volcano, Iceland’s most-active one, is located about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southeast of the capital, Reykjavik, the reports say. The volcano last erupted in 2004.

Iceland aviation officials ordered planes to fly outside a zone of 120 nautical miles (220 kilometers) in all directions around the volcano, which sits in a glacier, the reports say.

In April 2010, an eruption from another Icelandic volcano grounded 100,000 flights in the first six days, Bloomberg News reported.

Police arrested three men suspected of belonging to a smuggling ring on Friday in Navalmoral de la Mata, 194 kilometres (120 miles) west of Madrid.

The Interior Ministry says Spanish police have busted a gang that tried to smuggle cocaine into the country using a fake diplomatic bag purporting to come from the Swiss embassy in Peru.
Officers acted on information received from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to detect the bag as it arrived at Madrid's Barajas international airport, a statement said Saturday.
Investigators seized 11 kilograms (24.3 pounds) of cocaine from within the shipment which had arrived accompanied by falsified documents claiming it had diplomatic accreditation and immunity.
Police arrested three men suspected of belonging to a smuggling ring on Friday in Navalmoral de la Mata, 194 kilometres (120 miles) west of Madrid.

Marbella's quieter port could soon be attracting an A-list of its very own, after plans for a 400 million euro investment, including a cruise ship terminal, were approved.

Puerto Banus may be the most iconic port in southern Spain, but it could soon have a rival just down the road, thanks to a £350 million investment.

Marbella's La Bajadilla marina has always played second fiddle to her glitzy sibling which is the chosen hangout of celebrities, millionaires and anyone who wants to drool over superyachts.

But Marbella's quieter port could soon be attracting an A-list of its very own, after plans for a 400 million euro investment, including a cruise ship terminal, were approved.


Millionaires' hangout: Puerto Banus has long attracted the rich and famous

Qatari Sheikh Abdullah Ben Nasser Al-Thani, who owns Malaga Football Club, will extend the port and include a 200m quay for cruise liners in a bid to attract a new form of tourism of Marbella's shores.

Plans for a five-star hotel on the marina, as well as bars, restaurants, shops and supermarkets will revamp the eastern area of the city, bringing La Bajadilla in line with famous Puerto Banus in the west.

 
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Development chiefs have asked for the new marina to be 'emblematic', hoping it will become a top holiday destination.

It already has a tourist industry, with its own hotels and beaches, but the investment would attract a larger number of high-end visitors.

An industrial state, which has dominated the eastern coastline on the outskirts of Marbella for decades, will also be done away with to create an area for more urban development and green space. It will eventually be serviced by an AVE (high speed) train line, to link it with the rest of Spain.

The project is being referred to as the most important urban development in Marbella's history.


Big plans: La Bajadilla, 15 minutes east of Puerto Banus, is undergoing major redevelopment

Luxury marina Puerto Banus has long been a hangout for royalty and celebrities who like to be spotted on their private yachts.

It is also set to star in popular 'reality' TV show The Only Way Is Essex, as a hen night destination for the characters.

The redevelopment of Marbella's less tourist-friendly east side marks an effort by the Spanish authorities to invest in Spain's future after tourism dipped dramatically during the recession.

Recent visitor figures show that price cuts and special offers have been tempting Britons back to Spanish shores, with bookings in Benidorm up 16 per cent for the beginning of May.

The Balearic Islands have also seen a sharp rise in the number of British tourists visiting, with an average 25 per cent rise in bookings compared to 2010.

Ibiza is faring particularly well, with a 37 per cent increase in British holidaymakers.

Negotiations progressing well for new Ikea store in Granada

After five years of delays, negotiations with the owners of the land in Pulianas where Granada’s Ikea store is planned are reported to be progressing well, and Ideal newspaper reports that agreement could be reached before July.

Should the deal be closed, the paper indicates that work to prepare the site would be able to start next year.

It’s understood from Ideal that the Swedish multinational has expressed an interest in acting as the developer for the entire commercial centre where their Granada store will be built.

 

British pensioner was found dead on Wednesday

British pensioner was found dead on Wednesday after firemen were called out to a fire at her home in Torrevieja.

The fire team found the flat filled with thick smoke when they arrived on the scene shortly before 2pm, although there were no flames still burning by that time. They discovered the 88 year old’s body in the bedroom of the fifth floor apartment after ventilating the rooms.

Europa Press reports that there were still some embers throwing out smoke on the mattress and the wardrobe of the room where was found.
There is no news as yet on the victim’s identity or the causes of the fire.

Jamie Dempsey, 33, of Essex, was wanted by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) for allegedly conspiring to supply 299 kilos of cocaine in spring 2009.

His arrest comes after police released the identities of 10 suspected criminals hiding out on the "Costa del Crime". He was being questioned after officers raided a property in Marbella, police said.

Dave Cording, of Crimestoppers, said: "This is another great result which means that now 50% of the most recent batch of wanted individuals have been arrested.

"Not only is the campaign successful in tracking people down in Spain, but it displaces them as well, but as we can see, no matter where these wanted individuals run to, law enforcement will find them.

"I hope this further reinforces to fugitives, that you can run, but can't hide forever." He was arrested as part of Operation Captura, a multi-agency campaign which identifies wanted individuals on the run in Spain.

The European Commission proposed minimum standards for helping victims of crime across Europe

The European Commission proposed minimum standards for helping victims of crime across Europe on Wednesday, saying justice systems in many countries focus on pursuing criminals and sometimes neglect their victims.

The 27-nation European Union's executive wants to ensure that during investigations and trials, victims can expect certain basic standards, such as clear information and special protection for children and those suffering domestic violence.

Levels of assistance for victims of crimes ranging from mugging to human trafficking differ, creating confusion among EU and non-EU citizens about their rights in member states other than their home country, the EU executive said in a statement.

More than 15 percent of European Union citizens are victims of crime in the bloc each year -- many while on one of 1.25 billion trips Europeans make as tourists within the bloc.

'This directive will mean that you can rely on getting help whoever you are, wherever you go, whatever your country of origin and whatever the country where you stay,' EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding told a news briefing.

'Those basic rights will create confidence in the justice systems all over Europe.'

The proposal fits within the Commission's broader objective of creating an EU-wide justice area.

It has also proposed a regulation on mutual recognition of civil law protection measures, so victims of domestic violence, for example, could continue to rely on restraint orders if they travel or move to another EU state.

Crime victims are entitled to compensation under EU law and the Commission said it would see if this should be strengthened.

Reding cited Britain as a model, saying victims there used its support system more than happens in other EU member states.

'That shows that the victims have confidence and that there is someone that will help them,' she said, praising Britain's strong protection measures, and its specialised training for judges, prosecutors and police.

Spain, on the other hand, has a very low rate of victims seeking help from the state support system, illustrating its weakness, Reding said.

The proposals will now go to member states and the European Parliament for consideration.

The Criminal Division of the Superior Court of Justice based in Granada, has dismissed the appeal brought by British members of AUAN

The Criminal Division of the Superior Court of Justice based in Granada, has dismissed the appeal brought by British members of AUAN against the courts decision to archive the criminal complaint against the Minister of Public Works and Planning of the Junta de Andalucia, Sra. Josefina Cruz.
On March 9, 2011, in Parliament, the Minister referred to "the intrusion of people ... who are not of this country, who have settled here illegally”, to " the lack of respect for the culture of the territory, for the culture of the landscape and the culture of planning” and that "there are residents who have settled in good faith or not in good faith, and are now demanding the we solve a problem that they are responsible for having created".
According to the complainants, the Minister went on to ratify her remarks to the press, stating to the British newspaper ‘Costa Almeria News' that "My comments mean exactly what they say. Foreigners who have built illegal houses in Andalusia have shown no respect for us. I find it incredible that one seeks to defend people who have committed illegal acts."
The lawsuit was filed last month and in that same month the Supreme Court ordered the archiving of the complaint stating that the facts of the case did not constitute a crime. A few days later the complainants presented an appeal before the same courts.
This court has again ordered the archiving of the case, confirming its earlier decision. The Supreme Court considers that Sra. Cruz did not denigrate a group of people for being British, which would be a crime. Instead she criticised people who knowingly bought illegal houses and it was not relevant in a criminal sense that the words could be interpreted by public opinion as discrediting the British community in the area.
The court has given no leave to appeal against this decision. Maura Hillen of AUAN states, "We have to abide by the decision of the Supreme Court, and though the words are not regarded as criminally reprehensible, we consider them to be at least politically reprehensible, and have no doubt that this will be taken into account in the polls.
On the other hand, we cannot let the occasion pass without saying that if one considers the fact that this group of British people are in reality the victims of a lack of respect for the culture of the territory and a lack of respect for urban planning and are the victims of insensitive and at best careless public administration, one should not ask more people to come here to ‘settle'.
The government authorities need to decide if they are going to treat their customers well or treat them badly “. She added “A business who treated its clients this way would be on the way to bankruptcy

new flight route between London City Airport and Malaga in the Costa del Sol.

Britons planning to own or invest in a property in Spain will be interested to hear that BA CityFLyer, a British Airways subsidiary, is opening a new flight route between London City Airport and Malaga in the Costa del Sol.

The airline decided to run a new route from London to the Spanish property hotspot after an increase in demand from travellers at the airport.

BA CityFLyer has also announced an increase in the frequency of its flights to Palma on the island of Mallorca.

Ignacio Osle, sales and marketing director at Taylor Wimpey de Espana, said: "This is another positive step for Spain welcoming increased passenger numbers from London and the south-east of England.

The Costa del Sol is set to become the home of several adult only hotels

The Costa del Sol is set to become the home of several adult only hotels as owners look for new initiatives to drive additional business.
Hotels catering for adults only have become a hit with many holidaymakers that are looking for accommodation that are aimed exclusively at adults and offer less family based activities. Following this success it appears that more hotels will look to move into this market which is already proving to be a popular seller with European tourists booking through travel agencies.
The concept would not ban children completely as Antonio Aranda, manager of the Costa del Sol Hoteliers Association, was keen to clarify stating that the aim was “not to ban children from the hotels, but to organize the hotels as a place with activities to be enjoyed exclusively by adults”.
It wouldn’t actually be possible to create a completely adult only hotel as current laws in Spain do not allow hotels to ban children.
One of the successful hotels operating in this market is the Riviera Hotel in Benalmadena whose manager Miguel Bordera highlighted just what opportunities are available “Ninety-five per cent of our beds are taken by two European tour operators which since 2009 wanted the Riviera to become ‘adults only’.”
Another hotel which is planning to make the move is the H10 Andalucia Plaza in Puerto Banus who are set to soon become an adult resort.

Dean Rice was arrested on the Costa del Sol in February and then did "everything in his power" to avoid returning to the UK,

A former businessman who fled to Spain more than three years ago to avoid serving an indeterminate jail term has finally been put behind bars.

Dean Rice was arrested on the Costa del Sol in February and then did "everything in his power" to avoid returning to the UK, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

The 49-year-old has now started serving the sentence which will keep him in prison for a minimum of five years or until the parole board considers it is safe to release him.

Rice, who ran Erith Storage, was also jailed for nine months for jumping bail, ordered to be served at the end of the minimum term.

He was on trial in October 2007 with others, including his wife, over the brutal kidnap of a former employee. He fled the country while the jury was out considering verdicts.

Rice ordered the kidnap of former employee Alan Clarke after accusing him of stealing £500,000.

He was grabbed by three men in London and forced into a van. A woolly hat was pulled over his head, but he saw that one of the men had a gun.

He was "hog-tied" and repeatedly asked about Rice's money.

Mr Clark was taken to a remote farm in Shadoxhurst, Ashford. His mouth was taped and he was left tied to a radiator in a "crucifix" pose. He eventually broke free and jumped 15ft from a window to escape.

After Rice left the country, the Serious Organised Crime Agency named him as one of its most wanted criminals and appeals were made by crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers.

He eluded capture for some time before being arrested in the Spanish town of Alhaurin.

Prosecutor Andrew Espley told Judge Martin Joy: "He has done everything in his power to prevent coming back to this country, including making scenes on aeroplanes.

"It has been a complicated process to get him back to court."

Judge Joy told Rice: "The reality is that since your arrest you have made every effort to avoid coming to court. You have disrupted attempts to bring you here by plane.

"As a result, you have had to be brought here at great expense. You should be behind bars because you have been certified by the court as being a danger to the public."

 

Seven Britons are among 26 people who have been arrested in Spain after an investigation by Spanish police into a suspected dope-trafficking ring

uncovered 700,000 doses of performance-enhancing drugs and counterfeit medicines as well as 10,000 vials of human growth hormone.

Spanish police said the Britons, who have not been named but are all believed to be residents of Marbella, were “leading members” of the alleged network. Some of the illegal substances were reportedly imported into Glasgow before being packed and distributed to Europe via Manchester.
Among others arrested was the director general of a cycling club where, according to police, several former European and world champions were members. Local media reports said the club were based in the Madrid area and that the man was arrested on suspicion of receiving a “significant amount” of the red blood cell-boosting drug EPO.
Other drugs seized in 19 property searches across Spain included anabolic steroids and substances not intended for the sporting market, including hundreds of thousands of counterfeit Viagra tablets. It was these that are alleged to have been sent through Glasgow and Manchester.
The drugs haul was estimated to have a street value in excess of £3 million. Some substances were veterinary treatments and presented serious health risks if taken by humans.
The investigation, code-named Operation Lady, also uncovered a secret laboratory in the attic of a house in Elche, Alicante, where growth hormone bought in bulk from China was allegedly being manufactured to be sold on the internet.

Pippa (26) is set to jet out next Tuesday afternoon with an RTE TV crew in tow

Pippa (26) is set to jet out next Tuesday afternoon with an RTE TV crew in tow with the TV cameras accompanying her every step of the way.

The AR model has revealed to the Diary how her bridesmaids -- Niamh Martin and Avril Flynn, whom she has known since her schooldays -- are pulling out all the stops to ensure she has a send-off to remember by whisking her to the upmarket Spanish resort for an extended celebration.

Pippa (26) is set to jet out next Tuesday afternoon with an RTE TV crew in tow, who will capture the highlights for the couple's Newlyweds-style documentary programme, due to be aired after their star-studded wedding takes place at the Ritz Carlton on June 18.

Disappointingly for the Kildare model, a number of her close friends, including Rosanna Davison and Sara Kavanagh, will have to miss out on next week's festivities due to other commitments.

However, there will be no shortage of high-profile ladies to help Pippa toast her forthcoming nuptials, with a group of her former Assets colleagues, including Georgia Salpa, Nadia Forde and Michele McGrath, due to be holidaying in Marbella at the same time.

"I know a couple of the other models are there at the same time. It was actually just a coincidence but we'll definitely meet up with them," she explained.

"It's going to be mostly school friends. Unfortunately Sara Kavanagh can't go as she's on holidays at the same time and Rosanna has a couple of exams coming up.

"I've left it all up to Niamh and Avril, my bridesmaids, to organise so I'm not quite sure what's in store.

"I can't wait now. With all the organising of the wedding I had kind of forgotten about it but now that it's getting close I'm excited.

draining

"It will be nice to have a bit of a break because all the planning has been a bit draining.

"The cameras will be coming with us. It's funny, I forget they're there half the time now, they're like my friends," she laughed.

And it looks like they won't be short of events to film, with Irish/Italian beauty Virginia Macari planning a star-studded party for the visiting Dublin beauties next week.

The sultry brunette and her other half Kaste Dahl have their own apartment in the millionaire's playground and are planning a bash at the popular Ocean club next Friday, May 27, to welcome high-profile guests to their home away from home.

Blushing bride Pippa, meanwhile, won't have long to wait until she is topping up her tan once more, given that she and her other half Brian have just booked a three-week honeymoon in the exotic destination of Bali.

Pippa was speaking yesterday at the launch of a new People of the Year award for 2011, the 'Best Friend of the Year' award.

The svelte beauty joined her good pal Rosanna Davison, as well as rugby pundits George Hook and Brent Pope for the 'picnic'-themed shoot.

Jamie Dempsey, 33, of Essex,who allegedly conspired to supply 299 kilos of cocaine, was held during a raid on a property in Marbella.

Jamie Dempsey, 33, of Essex, had been wanted by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) since spring 2009.

Mr Dempsey, who allegedly conspired to supply 299 kilos of cocaine, was held during a raid on a property in Marbella.

His arrest comes after police released the details of 10 suspected criminals hiding out on the "Costa del Crime".

Dave Cording, of Crimestoppers, said: "This is another great result which means that now 50% of the most recent batch of wanted individuals have been arrested."

Spain's first 7-star hotel gets its building licence

Almuñécar Town Hall has announced that the building licence for Phase I of Spain’s first 7-star hotel, the Bahía Fenicia, which is to be built in Peñón del Lobo, between Marina del Este and Cotobro, is to be awarded this Wednesday, May 18.

The project comes from Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts under their Angsana brand and, in the first phase, will build the hotel itself and 55 residential villas, each with their own pool.

The promoters put in the licence application last month, and it’s understood that once the permission is officially granted, they will have six months to start construction. Phase I of the luxury hotel resort is due to open in 2013 and will provide 600 direct and indirect jobs.

 

Sheik Abdullah Ben Nasser Al-Thani's company say they will be investing 400 million EuroSheik Abdullah Ben Nasser Al-Thani

The Qatari Sheik, owner of Málaga Football Club, Abdullah Ben Nasser Al-Thani, has announced he is to invest 400 million € in the new port at La Bajadilla in Marbella.

He has been named winner of the tender to redevelop and extend the port with plans which include a circular wall and exterior dyke and a 200 metre quay for cruise liners.

The idea of attracting cruise ships to Marbella has been around in the town ever since the late Mayor, Jesús Gil y Gil, promised to build islands offshore.

The new port will have 1,220 berths. The current fishing port will be displaced and a new underground car park will give space for 450 vehicles in addition to the 683 places there are currently on the surface.

The Junta puts the cost of the project at 84 million, but the Sheik’s company has spoken of more than 400 million. The works project will be presented in six months, and construction is expected to take tw

Latest reports say Moroccan security forces have severely beaten anti-government protesters with batons, injuring at least ten people.

The protesters wanted to hold a demonstration on the southern outskirts of the capital Rabat in front of what they said was a secret government detention center.

However, anti-riot police dispersed the crowd before their rally could even begin.

Another demonstration has been planned in Morocco's commercial capital, Casablanca.

The protests are part of an anti-government movement which started in the African nation on February 20.

Human rights and civil groups as well as independent journalists have also joined the movement.

They are demanding constitutional reforms that would reduce King Mohammed's powers and make the justice system more independent.

The king has already announced some reforms in an effort to silence protesters. But protesters say that the ruling monarchy must make serious changes to the way it is running the country.

The protesters want an end to corruption, torture, and unemployment. The Monarchy is desperate to avoid an Egyptian- or Tunisian-style revolution.

one Spanish ticketholder scooped the life-changing £107 million.

In one fell swoop, the winner became wealthier than celebrity chef Jamie Oliver (£106 million) and singer and actor David Bowie, who has an estimated personal fortune of £100 million.

A National Lottery spokesman said: "This huge jackpot has been really exciting for players all over the UK and Europe.

"Even though a UK player wasn't lucky enough to scoop the big one this time, EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle has created two millionaires here in the UK this week.

"With a second EuroMillions draw now on Tuesdays, players have two chances a week to win a life-changing prize, as well as boosting returns to the Good Causes in the process.

"To date, over £2 billion has been paid out in EuroMillions prize money and more than 108 million EuroMillions prizes have been won in the UK."

Tuesday's jackpot is an estimated £13 million.

What is wrong with King Juan Carlos, 73

What is wrong with Spain's King Juan Carlos, 73, who seems only a shadow of his vigorous, dynamic and joke-cracking former self?
Speculation has soared about the monarch's health since he was seen leaning on a walking stick, looking pale and sickly, at a literary award ceremony two weeks ago.
Prior to that, Juan Carlos failed for the first time to attend the traditional Easter mass at Palma de Majorca cathedral. The palace said he stayed away to prepare himself for the Qatari emir's visit, but few Spaniards were convinced by that explanation.
Rumours about the king's poor health first took off when doctors removed a tumor from his lung a year ago.
The tumor was discovered less than two weeks after Juan Carlos had passed his annual health exam with flying colours.
Doctors said the tumor was benign and excluded any risk of lung cancer. The lung operation nevertheless forced Juan Carlos to give up his beloved Havana cigars.
Since then, the royal palace has repeatedly denied rumours about the king's declining health, attributing his walking difficulties to hip and knee injuries he sustained while pursuing interests in skiing and other sports in the 1980s and 90s.
A palace spokesman also commented on red spots that had been seen on the monarch's face, telling the news agency Europa Press that they had been caused by overexposure to the sun.
Juan Carlos has maintained a normal travel schedule over the past year, visiting several Gulf countries, Argentina, Russia, Germany and Morocco. He is now set to make a state visit to Switzerland later this week.
Such arguments failed to convince medical experts interviewed by the daily El Mundo, who said the king 'must have something.'
Juan Carlos' health is a cause for genuine worry for many Spaniards. The king enjoys a widespread popularity since thwarting a coup attempt in 1981.
For several years now, Juan Carlos has allowed Crown Prince Felipe to take over many of his official duties, but that is seen as forming part of the prince's education rather than reflecting the monarch's state of health.
The possibility of the king abdicating in favour of the 43-year- old prince is not the cards, as Queen Sofia clearly told her biographer Pilar Urbano in a recent interview.
'To abdicate? Never! The king will never abdicate ... Only death can make a king retire,' Sofia said.

The Bulgarian man arrested on suspicion of stabbing and decapitating a British woman in Tenerife has been named as Deyan Valentinov.

 

A 60-year-old woman was attacked in a supermarket in the town of Los Cristianos on the island on Friday.
The suspect is reportedly homeless and has a history of mental health issues and a police record.
According to local newspaper La Opinion, Valentinov, 28, had received treatment at the psychiatric unit of a local hospital in February after being involved in previous violent incidents.
He is currently being detained by Spanish police.

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A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said the victim's next of kin have been contacted.
Officials offered their condolences to the family of the victim, who is British but of Chinese ancestry, and are also in contact with local authorities in Tenerife.
Spanish media reported that witnesses saw the man enter a Chinese supermarket at the Valdes Shopping Centre and without saying a word, attacked the woman with a knife and then cut off her head.
A regional government spokeswoman said the killer is understood to have obtained a knife from inside the store to launch his attack.crimestopper.jigsy.com

The buildings which collapsed during the double earthquake that killed eight people in Spain should never have fallen down in earthquake of that magnitude

Up to 15,000 people have been left homeless in the southeastern city of Lorca after Spain's most destructive earthquakes in 50 years.
However, Luis Eugenio Suarez, the president of the Spanish Geological Association, told Italian publication Publico Online that a 5.2 magnitude earthquake "should not have claimed any victims" and that the buildings in Lorca "should not have fallen down".
He said: "Murcia, Andalucia and the Levante are areas of seismic risk. So they should have been prepared. An earthquake of 5.2 is not sufficiently intense to collapse buildings".
Buildings may have been more likely to fall if they had sustained previous damage.
Thousands of people camped outside overnight in the southeastern Spanish city of Lorca in fear of further tremors.

 

Thousands of people have spent the night outdoors in the Spanish town of Lorca

Thousands of people have spent the night outdoors in the Spanish town of Lorca in fear of further tremors after the country's worst earthquakes in 50 years killed eight people and injured dozens.

Residents began sifting through the rubble left by two earthquakes on Thursday morning as questions were asked about how such apparently minor tremors could cause such havoc.

Hundreds of people queued for food from emergency workers as they were prevented from returning to their homes.

Up to 20,000 people had spent the night in squares, parks and nearby countryside amid fears of aftershocks.

People slept in tents and cardboard boxes, while hundreds more bedded down on the ground with nothing more than their clothes and blankets.

Authorities put the number of injured at 120 and said three people were still in a serious condition. The number of fatalities was revised down from an earlier report of 10. Two pregnant women and a child were among those who died in the two quakes – which struck with magnitudes of 4.4 and 5.2.

Gibraltar’s Chief Minister met ‘informally’ with President Rodriguez Zapatero’s top Moncloa official Bernardino Leon to seek ways of getting the tripartite (UK, Spain, Gibraltar) process back on its feet.

“These were not negotiations” Mr Caruana stressed. But he made clear, at a press conference in Marbella, Spain that they were attempts to get back to the formal talking table.
Mr Caruana confirmed that the meeting with Mr. León had been informal, as the Moncloa later stated, and he reminded the press that they had known each other a long time. León was the Minister of State at the Spanish Foreign Ministry who had been an architect of the trilateral forum.
The meeting took place in the neighbouring Campo area and talks, besides current issues allegedly also included the waters issue and two recent incidents: the arrest of Spanish officers of two drugs smugglers in Gibraltar waters and the incursion of Spanish navy corvette Atalaya which attempted to order merchant vessels from the area.
The last incursion was viewed as particularly serious and unprecedented, in that a Spanish warship was attempting to interfere with a legitimate and important commercial activity in Gibraltar waters.
In the past, one view has been that incidents involving Guardia Civil vessels could be down to the actions of individual overzealous crews. But the incident with the Spanish Navy ship could point to a more formal strategy at government level.
Gibraltar, Britain and Spain have explored establishing a protocol for law enforcement agencies working the Bay of Gibraltar but progress toward an agreement has stalled against the background of a row over jurisdiction in Gibraltar waters.
In the House of Commons David Lidington the Europe Minister who was in Gibraltar just last month said “the UK remains fully committed to the Trilateral Forum as the best means of improving co-operation to the benefit of all the people in the region. I am confident that both the Spanish and Gibraltar Governments share this aim. Judicial, customs and police co-operation is one of the six areas currently being developed under the auspices of the forum”.
Meanwhile Jose Carracao, the Spanish PSOE senator, described the Spanish navy corvette incursion as “an error” and an “unnecessary gesture” at a time when what was needed was dialogue.
Senator Carracao was among the first in Spain to speak out about the incident, but he did not do so in his official capacity.
“I’m speaking in a personal capacity but, even if just this once, I have to agree with the Gibraltar authorities because this has been an unnecessary gesture, particularly at a time when the Spanish government is saying it would be good to talk” insisted Senator Carracao talking to Spanish reporters.

 

BENALMADENA Town Hall could face a stiff fine for not tackling noise from bars and discos in Puerto Marina,

BENALMADENA Town Hall could face a stiff fine for not tackling noise from bars and discos in Puerto Marina, one of the Costa del Sol’s busiest nightlife areas. It attempts over recent weeks to stop the resident’s case of excessive noise from bars to be taken to court has failed.

They reportedly hired the same lawyer that won a €2.8 million payout for 18 residents in similar case in Torre del Mar (Velez-Malaga). But residents complain of noise from premises with open doors, windows and outdoor speakers.

They also complain of noise from venues that are not licensed or carry out activities for which they have no permit, as well as those who fail to respect opening hours or allow noise above legal limits.

The plaintiffs have provided noise level measurements carried out in apartments by technicians from the Junta de Andalucia Environmental Department which prove that at times, levels reach 68 dB inside their homes, above the 64.6 dB limit.

In the past, the town hall has been lax about enforcing the laws, but with the threat of a lawsuit, the Local Police closed down several premises over the past weeks.

However, this hasn’t prevented the case from reaching the courts as a group of residents fights for their right to a good night’s sleep, and they claim they are willing to take it as far as it has to go.

The town hall has now been required to send Contentious-Administrative Court number 2 in Malaga all the documents which prove what has been done to do away with the problem, including the closing orders.

Between 1994 and 1999 Jesus Gil was deemed responsible for ‘causing losses’ to Marbella Town Hall estimated at €66.5 million to the town hall.

Mayor Angeles Muñoz fears the town may not be able to recover the millions owed following a ruling against nine people, including the four children of former mayor Jesus Gil. This followed news that a court sentenced the Gil’s children to pay back more than €105 million to the town.

Between 1994 and 1999 Jesus Gil was deemed responsible for ‘causing losses’ to Marbella Town Hall estimated at €66.5 million to the town hall.

His death does not relieve him of the civil or financial responsibility derived from his position as mayor, which instead is passed on to his children, since they accepted his inheritance, and therefore his obligations.

Gil’s four children, Jesus, Miguel Angel, Fernando and Maria Angeles will now have to pay the €66.5 million plus €39.2 million in interest.

The sentence is in response to a lawsuit brought against them by the Public Prosecutor in November 2005 in which the town hall, with Angeles Muñoz as mayor, became involved three years later.

Also sentenced were: former deputy mayor, Pedro Roman, who will have to pay €66m, former councillors, Marisa Alcala (€7.4m), Rafael Gonzalez (€92.9m) and Antonio Luque (€15.5m), and former Mayor Julian Muñoz, sentenced to pay €15.5m.

Moroccan editor Rachid Nini has been arrested

Moroccan editor Rachid Nini has been arrested as "a threat to national security", his independent newspaper, Al-Massae, has reported.

The prosecutor, Abdullah al-Balghaithi, announced a string of charges against Nini, such as "denigrating judicial rulings" and "compromising the security and safety of the homeland and citizens."

Nini has been an outspoken critic of many government policies and has written about corruption among government officials.

He has also called on numerous occasions for the annulment of Morocco's anti-terrorism law and for increased political freedom.

A Swiss woman wounded in a bomb attack in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh has died

A Swiss woman wounded in a bomb attack in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh has died after being evacuated to a hospital in Switzerland last week, authorities said on Friday.
Swiss President and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy Rey announced in Bern that the 25-year-old woman, who came the from the southern canton of Ticino, had died from her injuries at a hospital in Zurich where she was being treated.
Calmy-Rey said she had learned "this morning with great sadness and sorrow of the death of one of the two Swiss citizens who were injured following the bombing on April 28 in Marrakesh."
Two of the dead in the bomb explosion, a Swiss man and a Portuguese national who lived in Switzerland, were laid to rest at funeral services in Ticino on Thursday and Friday.
The other injured Swiss woman, who was also evacuated on a medical flight last week, was in a serious condition, Swiss news agency ATS reported.
All four were holidaying together in Marrakesh, Swiss media reported.
Sixteen other people were killed and 21 were injured when the explosion ripped through a cafe in Djemaa El-Fna Square, the tourist heart of the city of Marrakesh on April 28, Moroccan authorities said

The chief suspect in the cafe bombing in Morocco that killed 16 people is believed to have disguised himself as a hippie

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King Mohammed VI looks at flowers left at the site of the bomb blast at Cafe Argana.
Adel al Othmani reportedly entered the cafe in Marrakesh - Morocco's top tourist destination - heavily disguised and carrying a guitar.
"He walked into the cafe wearing a wig and carrying a guitar and the two bags where he hid the explosive devices," an unnamed source told Reuters news agency.
"He ordered an orange juice before leaving the cafe and behind him the two bags.
"He used a mobile phone to detonate the bombs afterwards."
Three men have been arrested in connection with the blast in bustling Jamaa el-Fna square on April 28, including al Othmani.

Interior Minister Taieb Cherkaoui speaks during a press conference on 6 May.
According to Morocco's Interior Minister Taieb Cherkao, he had shown "loyalty" to al Qaeda and was previously expelled from Libya and Portugal.
A Briton and eight French tourists were among the 16 killed in the bombing.
It was the deadliest attack in Morocco since 12 suicide bombers killed 33 members of the public in coordinated attacks in Casablanca in 2003.
The atrocity adds to the challenges facing King Mohammed as his previously stable kingdom battles to prevent uprisings similar to those elsewhere in the Arab world.

Hundreds of Moroccans demonstrate in Casablanca on April 24, 2011.
A series of demonstrations have been held in recent weeks with the protesters demanding regime change and greater democratic freedom.
The government has responded by offering public sector workers a pay rise, reform of the constitution and greater independence for the judiciary.
Protesters have accused it of trying to use the bomb attack to raise fears of instability and dissuade people from taking to the streets.

Seve Ballesteros has died after suffering a “severe deterioration’’ in his recovery from a cancerous brain tumor,

Seve Ballesteros has died after suffering a “severe deterioration’’ in his recovery from a cancerous brain tumor, Spanish television reported early this morning. He was 54.

The Spanish star was being cared for at his home in the northern Spanish town of Pedrena, where he has mostly been since undergoing four operations in late 2008, his family said yesterday.

Ealier yesterday, the golfer’s website said his “neurological condition has suffered a severe deterioration.’’

Ballesteros won three British Opens and two Masters with a game marked by spectacular improvisational play. One of the best-known personalities in Spain and the golfing world, he also won 50 times on the European Tour and is widely credited with transforming European golf.

Spanish golfers Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez were visibly upset after finishing their second rounds at the Spanish Open in Terrassa and declined to speak to reporters.

“We tried to talk to them after their rounds but they couldn’t even speak because they were crying. They couldn’t even talk,’’ Spanish Open spokeswoman Maria Acacia Lopez-Bachiller said. “This had to be the saddest competition in terms of ambiance today. I’ve never seen anything like it.’’

Olzabal teamed with Ballesteros to form the most formidable partnership in Ryder Cup history. Jimenez served as Ballesteros’ vice captain at the 1997 Ryder Cup in Valderrama.

“He really blazed the trail for Europeans,’’ said Paul Casey of England, who was clearly upset after his round at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, N.C.

PGA — Pat Perez was four shots behind playing partner Lucas Glover, then birdied five of the last six holes in the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, N.C., for a 7-under 65 and a two-shot lead.

Perez has made 18 birdies and is at 12-under 132.

Jonathan Byrd rallied from a double bogey on 14 — he went bunker to bunker to water — for a 68 that put him two shots behind along with Bill Haas (70).

Phil Mickelson delivered excitement and saved par from the water for the third time in two rounds. Most of his great shots were for birdie, and the three-time Masters champion wound up with a 66 to position himself nicely for the weekend. Mickelson was at 9-under 135 along with Glover, whose two late bogeys made him settle for a 68.

Champions — Mark Calcavecchia surged to a three-shot lead over Kenny Perry (65) in the Regions Tradition with a 7-under 65 in the second round at Shoal Creek in Birmingham, Ala.

Calcavecchia opened the round in a four-man group one shot off the lead, but birdied holes 10-12 to move into strong position to contend for his first tour win at the year’s opening major. He’s at 11 under entering the final two rounds.

The 13-time PGA Tour winner hasn’t made a bogey since opening the tournament with a double on the first hole.

European — Thomas Aiken shot a 4-under 69 for an 8-under 136 total to take a one-stroke lead in the Spanish Open at Terrassa.

Tiger Woods will return to competition at The Players Championship, which starts Thursday.

A PGA Tour official confirmed that Woods is entered in the tournament that he won in 2001.

Woods decided not to play at Quail Hollow because of what he called a minor injury to his left knee from hitting a shot in the third round at the Masters.

The PGA selected Bellerive Country Club of St. Louis to serve as the site of the 2013 Senior PGA Championship and the 2018 PGA Championship.

Gibraltar Private Bank and Trust Co. regained a small profit in the first quarter, despite its noncurrent loans growing 30 percent.

The Coral Gables-based bank posted net income of $49,000 in the first quarter, improved from its $6.6 million fourth quarter loss. Its net interest income increased slightly to $15.8 million in the first quarter.
The main reason for the improvement was fewer charges related to bad loans. Gibraltar took a $2.7 million expense to reserve for future loan losses and charged off $4.5 million in bad loans in the first quarter. That’s down from a $9.6 million expense and $9 million in charge-offs in the previous quarter.
However, the problems in the bank’s loan portfolio expanded at the start of the year, and its reserves did not keep pace.
Gibraltar reported $66.9 million in noncurrent loans, or 4.92 percent of its total loans, on March 31. That’s up from $51.3 million in noncurrent loans, or 3.92 percent, on Dec. 31. Its repossessed property declined to $11 million, from $13.1 million.
The bank’s $28.9 million reserve for future loan losses covered 43 percent of its noncurrent loans on March 31. That’s below the banking industry average and down from Gibraltar’s 56 percent coverage ratio at year-end.
In addition, the bank had $12.7 million in loans past due 30 to 89 days, but still considered current, on March 31. That’s up from $2.4 million in the previous quarter.
Gibraltar is under a cease and desist order from federal regulators, which told it to address its problem loans and deficiencies in its anti-money laundering compliance. The bank is also defending itself against a lawsuit brought by victims of disbarred attorney Scott Rothstein’s Ponzi scheme.
The bank recently added Adolfo Henriques as vice chairman, president and COO; Angel Medina Jr. as executive VP and chief credit officer; and Alba Prestamo as executive VP and chief administrative and risk officer.
Gibraltar was the 12th-largest bank chartered in South Florida as of Dec. 31, with $1.65 billion in assets. Its asset level did not change much during the first quarter.
The bank’s loans declined to $1.33 billion on March 31 from $1.39 billion on Dec. 31. It increased its deposits to $1.35 billion from $1.33 billion.
Gibraltar’s wealth management division finished the first quarter with $680 million in assets under management. That’s down from $697 million at year-end.