price of packaged holidays have bee reduced by up to 34 percent

price of packaged holidays have bee reduced by up to 34 percent compared to 2009 due to a fall in demand. The news may come as a surprise to many as the total number of Brits travelling abroad for holidays this summer is set to ri...

Marbella City Council is said to have seized €600,000 worth of goods last year that were destined to be sold by unregistered street traders.

Marbella City Council has launched a campaign to crackdown on illegal street traders that are said to be damaging the livelihoods of legitimate street traders and cluttering popular tourist coastal areas.The city council is seeking the support of regional councils to help them to clean up the streets and clamp down on illegal traders. The council is said to have seized €600,000 worth of goods last year that were destined to be sold by unregistered...

Marbella is the municipality with the greatest legal security of the coast

Marbella is experiencing a renewal after its property scandals, according to the new urban planning and development squad in the province of Malaga. Law is king and so is a promise to make Marbella an economic magnet for all the right reasons.KSD: Councillor, up to now, the Costa del Sol has been perceived in the United Kingdom as a paradise for the rich and, after the urban development scandals of recent years, a refuge for speculators. Recent...

Spain’s inflation rate rose in July to the highest in almost two years as an increase in sales tax came into effect.

Spain’s inflation rate rose in July to the highest in almost two years as an increase in sales tax came into effect.Consumer prices based on a European Union measure rose 1.9 percent from a year earlier after a 1.5 percent increase in June, the Madrid-based National Statistics Institute said in a statement today. That is the fastest rate since November 2008. A Bloomberg News survey of 14 economists gave a median forecast of a 1.7 percent increase.Spain,...

Benalmadena, John O’Neill (40) died at about 3am local time from gunshot wounds

John O’Neill (40) was described by his neighbours in Coolock as a lovely and decent person with no criminal background. Mr O’Neill, a plasterer, had travelled to Spain with his partner, three-year-old boy and nine-month-old girl.He died at about 3am local time from gunshot wounds...

Michelle Obama and her daughter will spend a private, mother-daughter trip

Michelle Obama and her daughter will spend a private, mother-daughter trip with longtime family friends at the Hotel Villa Padierna, a five-star luxury resort ranked among the top 30 best hotels in the world by Exped...

Sir Alan Sugar is under investigation by a Marbella judge in connection with the allegedly fraudulent purchase of two buildings of the Byblos Hotel

Sir Alan Sugar is under investigation by a Marbella judge in connection with the allegedly fraudulent purchase of two buildings of the Byblos Hotel in Mijas.The hotel closed down at the end of May, but a year ago the British businessman was awarded the tennis club and the spa of the hotel complex at public auction for three million €.Instruction Court 1 in Marbella has opened an investigation to see if there was fraud in Sugar’s bid, which was the...

John O'Neill from Coolock in Dublin was shot in Benalmádena in Málaga at about 3am following a row with another man in a bar.

John O'Neill from Coolock in Dublin was shot in Benalmádena in Málaga at about 3am following a row with another man in a bar.It is believed that the man returned to the scene armed with a firearm and shot Mr O'Neill in the stomach.Father-of-two young children Mr O’Neill was understood to be holidaying in the resort with his girlfriend at the time. It is believed she was in the bar with him when he was shot in the early hours of this morning. She...

Michelle Obama and her nine-year-old daughter Sasha are heading to the Spanish resort of Marbella for a private holiday.

Michelle Obama and her nine-year-old daughter Sasha are heading to the Spanish resort of Marbella for a private holiday. The White House has confirmed the trip, during which the pair will spend four nights at the luxury five-star Villa Padierna. President Barack Obama will not be...

Michelle Obama and her nine-year-old daughter Sasha are heading to the Spanish resort of Marbella for a private holiday.

Michelle Obama and her nine-year-old daughter Sasha are heading to the Spanish resort of Marbella for a private holiday. The White House has confirmed the trip, during which the pair will spend four nights at the luxury five-star Villa Padierna. President Barack Obama will not be joining them. Neither will the couple's older daughter Malia, who will be going to a summer camp in America inst...

There's an awful lot of rubbish out there that just won't sell at any price

"There's an awful lot of rubbish out there that just won't sell at any price," says Martin Dell of kyero.com, a website that lists 100,000 Spanish properties for sale by 1,500 estate agents. "There's huge developments on golf courses miles from anywhere, and bad-quality apartments in poor locations with no local amenities. When they talk about 40% or 50% discounts, even at that price they're not worth it."Torrevieja is the Spanish resort that exploded...

British community is distressed because of the uncertainty about legal proceedings.

reports relate to summary procedures in the Investigative Court Number 1 in Huercal-Overa. The investigation centres on alleged planning crimes and alleged construction without a building license. It is feared that demolition will be requested when formal charges are made because this appears to be the usual practise of the Prosecutor. The homes affected are in the area of La Aljambra in the municipality of Albox. The investigation was initiated...

Cristo de los Molinos complex uncertainty surrounding illegally built holiday homes in Marbella

uncertainty surrounding illegally built holiday homes in Marbella is still ongoing despite promises from the Town Hall that buyers wouldn’t be punished for the wrong doing of others. However new fears have emerged about whether owners of illegal holiday villas will need to pay for the granting of a license to make their properties legal.The new concerns have arisen after residents at the Cristo de los Molinos complex revealed they have been told...

Air traffic controllers in France have gone on strike which is causing major disruption to European flights

Air traffic controllers in France have gone on strike which is causing major disruption to European flights. The strike began late last night and is expected to go on until Thursday. Short and medium haul flights are worst affected with many carriers in the UK suffering severe delays and cancellations for flights routed either into France or through their airspace.The strike is in protest of plans to merge the 4000 French controllers into a unified...

News of the World reported that Katona consulted with plastic surgeons about a £5,000 operation during a holiday in Marbella, Spain.

representative for Kerry Katona has said that there is "no truth" to the rumours that the star is planning to have work done on her nose.The News of the World reported that Katona consulted with plastic surgeons about a £5,000 operation during a holiday in Marbella, Spain. An insider had claimed that the 29-year-old wanted her nose "fixed".The newspaper also suggested that the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner had developed a hole inside...

Malaga Judge has given green light and authorized the sale of the Hotel Los Monteros

Malaga Judge has given green light and authorized the sale of the Hotel Los Monteros in Marbella, which has been closed since 2009. The hotel which is held by the SL companies, Dajoal, Las Dunas Land and Aljoda will be sold to New Monteros S.L. and Monterotel S.L., both companies have promised to maintain the full team of employe...

second Puerto Banus style complex in Marbella’s Bajadilla marina.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani, who recently purchased Malaga FC has unveiled his intention to build a second Puerto Banus style complex in Marbella’s Bajadilla marina.The project would require an investment of 70 million euros and include the expansion of the marina with 400 additional moorings for small and medium-sized yachts.According to various reports in local press, the Sheikh had initially intended to buy Puerto Banus but lost interest...

First European Jazz Festival in Marbella adds Melody to the Town

First European Jazz Festival in Marbella adds Melody to the Town: "Events & Concerto SL, Marbella lacks culture, keeping aside the traditional Spanish flamenco and bullfighting. In comparison to tourist areas such as Cannes, Monaco, Nice, Antibes and San Remo, Marbella in general does not have much in offerings for the culture lovers. Hence, the promoter and various stake holders in the process, after carefully analyzing the need for some international...

Marbella: Spanish resort where Cheryl Cole and Kate Moss like to party | Mail Online

Marbella: Spanish resort where Cheryl Cole and Kate Moss like to party | Mail Online: "Nikki Beach, the Costa del Sol's most manic cocktail bar in the richest, raunchiest, dodgiest and most hedonistic strip of sand in Spain: Marbella. Since the swinging Sixties when jet-set figures such as Jackie Onassis, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot would regularly be seen bopping in its discos and Rolling Stones Brian Jones and Mick Jagger sunned themselves...

E.C.B. Winds Down Bond Purchases - DealBook Blog - NYTimes.com

E.C.B. Winds Down Bond Purchases - DealBook Blog - NYTimes.com: "Spain last week easily sold €3 billion in 15-year bonds at a relatively favorable interest rate of just over 5 percen...

15-Year Old Girl Dies on Park Ride “El Pendulo” in Spain (VIDEO)

15-Year Old Girl Dies on Park Ride “El Pendulo” in Spain (VIDEO): "15-year-old girl has died on Tibidabo amusement park in Barcelona, Spain. She was riding a park attraction called “El Pendulo” when the handle of the ride broke off in midair. The accident also left two people injured who were hospitalized; a young boy also suffered injuries, but since they weren’t serious he wasn’t hospitalized.Sara Jaurriete, director of the park explained the...

Spain has approximately 1 million Muslims. Burqas are rarely worn in the predominantly Catholic country

Feminist Wire Daily Newsbriefs: U.S. and Global News Coverage: "Spain's lower house of parliament will debate a proposal that would ban burqas in public this week. The proposed ban is based on the argument that the burqa is demeaning to women. The legislation, which was introduced by Spain's leading opposition party, the Popular Party, is largely supported by the ruling Socialist Party, according to the Associated Press. The upper house of the Spanish...

I’m staying put | Olive Press Newspaper

I’m staying put | Olive Press Newspaper: "owner of Buddha Beach Club, in Marbella, has denied reports that he is planning a move to Aston Villa.“I am staying put and looking forward to having a crack at the Champions League with Spurs,” he said over a beer at his beachside club, that he part owns with Ian Radford.The footballer, who has been in Marbella for over a month, added: “I’ve had a great time down here this summer and am sad to have to go...

group of Argentine women wearing white kerchiefs with the names of their missing children flew to Madrid and entered the chambers of Baltasar Garzon

Fourteen years ago, a group of Argentine women wearing white kerchiefs with the names of their missing children flew to Madrid and entered the chambers of Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon. He says they changed his life.The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo were seeking justice for those who had disappeared during Argentina's bloody 1976-1983 military dictatorship. Though the crimes happened on the other side of the world nearly two decades earlier, Garzon...

Portugal Telecom ended a board meeting late on Friday without reaching a decision on whether to accept Telefonica's 7.15 billion euros

Portugal Telecom ended a board meeting late on Friday without reaching a decision on whether to accept Telefonica's 7.15 billion euro ($9.2 billion) bid for its stake in Vivo. Telefonica first bid for the company in May.But a late plea by PT to extend the deadline for negotiations from Friday to July 28 was rejected by Telefonica.PT said in a fax, sent 21 minutes before the deadline expired at the end of the day, that talks had progressed with Telefonica...

James Bond actor Sean Connery is being investigated for alleged tax fraud involving the sale of two large tracts of land in Spain.

Investigators say a property firm linked to the 79-year-old actor failed to pay taxes after he and his second wife sold land they owned on the outskirts of Malaga, Spain a UK paper reported Thursday.The Daily Mail reported that the company, which also assisted in the sale of Connery's beachside mansion, Casa Malibu, in Marbella, Spain, failed to pay upwards of $2 million in taxes stemming from the sale of development rights to the land outside of...

Greenpeace criticised Friday the rapid building over of the Spanish coast

Greenpeace criticised Friday the rapid building over of the Spanish coast, publishing pictures of former fishing villages swallowed up by urban encroachment.Between 1987 and 2005, more than 50,000 hectares (123,550 acres) of natural coastline had been given over to urban or commercial use and this "destruction" was continuing at a pace of 7.7 hectares a day, it said in a new report.Spain's economic crisis had seen no let up in the construction, Greenpeace...

Greenpeace criticised Friday the rapid building over of the Spanish coast

Greenpeace criticised Friday the rapid building over of the Spanish coast, publishing pictures of former fishing villages swallowed up by urban encroachment.Between 1987 and 2005, more than 50,000 hectares (123,550 acres) of natural coastline had been given over to urban or commercial use and this "destruction" was continuing at a pace of 7.7 hectares a day, it said in a new report.Spain's economic crisis had seen no let up in the construction, Greenpeace...

British tour operator has collapsed leaving thousands of holidaymakers abroad

British tour operator has collapsed leaving thousands of holidaymakers abroad, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said.Greece and Turkey specialist Goldtrail, based in New Malden, south-west London, went into administration on Friday with an estimated 16,000 customers overseas.Goldtrail customers can call the CAA on 0203 4410846 for information.Though the company went into administration on Friday afternoon, some of Goldtrail's customers were...

Thursday evening you can experience the ´Nikki Beach Sunset Party`

NIKKI BEACH has to be one of Marbella's most exclusive and luxurious venues. The Mediterranean sea provides the perfect backdrop to this beautiful al fresco beach club, situated at the Don Carlos beach resort in Elviria, Marbella, which is about 15 minutes from the centre of Marbella. With its sophisticated and trendy clientèle, entertainment nights, dancers, musicians and DJs, Nikki Beach becomes the best party scene in Marbella.Now every Thursday...

11,000 elderly people in Malaga suffer abuse and neglect.

ACCORDING to the Spanish Society for Family and Community Medicine, some 11,000 elderly people in Malaga suffer abuse and neglect. Most of them are abused by relatives within their home and fail to report the aggression because they are afraid of being left alone. In many cases, the neglect is not intention...

make better use of electronic bracelets against domestic abuse which could prevent the deaths of many women in danger from their partners.

Social Welfare Minister, Micaela Navarro, appealed to judges to make better use of electronic bracelets against domestic abuse which could prevent the deaths of many women in danger from their partners. According to the councillor, there are some 3,000 bracelets available in Spain, and only 300 are being used. The bracelets can detect if the attacker is within one kilometre of the victim and begins to emit a sound if he approaches, giving the victim...

bull, which did not have protective padding on its horns, ran past Daniel before turning its head back and rammed its horns into his groin.

Landscape gardener from Yarm on Teesside was on the last day of his brother James' stag do yesterday when the horrific accident happened.A bull, which did not have protective padding on its horns, ran past Daniel before turning its head back and rammed its horns into his groin.The bull then flung Daniel into the air.His mother Jackie, who is a Stockton councillor, said Daniel is now recovering in a Spanish hospital.She added: 'I have been worried...

local police have captured a young ‘Macaca Silvanus’, more popularly known as a Gibraltar monkey.

Agents from Seprona, the Guardia Civil Environment Protection Agency, and the Almería local police have captured a young ‘Macaca Silvanus’, more popularly known as a Gibraltar monkey.The animal was found in the La Pipa area of Almería after a local resident alerted Seprona that it was on the loose. Local Police then established a watch until indeed the monkey was spotted, but found it was impossible to catch because it was so aggressive. They called...

Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who is brother to the late King Fahd, has arrived in Marbella for a summer break.

Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who is brother to the late King Fahd, has arrived in Marbella for a summer break.His entourage is of more than 100 people, and dozens of locals have also been contracted into service.Municipal sources have confirmed the prince arrived on Monday, and note that they have also taken rooms in several hotels including the Marbella Club, Puente Romano and Don Pepe.The Saudi Royal Family has been spending its holidays in Marbella...

Daniel Earl, 25, from Yarm was gored in the groin during the week-long event

Teesside man has been injured by a bull during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain.Daniel Earl, 25, from Yarm was gored in the groin during the week-long event, which sees bulls forced to run through the centre of the town.He was taken to a hospital in the area where he is currently being treated for his injuries and is due to return to Teesside on Saturday.A 27-year-old was killed by a bull during the same festival last ye...

Dolph-Lundgren usually lives in Marbella in Spain with his jewellery designer wife

Dolph-Lundgren originally from Sweden, Dolph usually lives in Marbella in Spain with his jewellery designer wife, Anette Qviberg, whom he married in 1994. They have two daughters Ida Sigrid, 14, and Greta Eveline, 8. In January last year, the family home was broken into by three masked burglars who tied up and threatened Anette, but panicked and ran away when they saw a photo of Dolph and realised whose house it was.The expendables is in Cinemas...

Yachts of fun for Nikki and Zoe | The Sun |Showbiz|TV

Yachts of fun for Nikki and Zoe | The Sun |Showbiz|TV: "TELLY babes Nikki Sanderson and Zoe Salmon know the key to a top summer holiday - find a yacht to hang out on. The pair headed to a Cuban themed party on a £50million vessel, courtesy of the owner of the exclusive Nikki Beach area in the Spanish resort of Marbella. Former Corrie star Nikki went for cut-off denim shorts and a bikini top while Blue Peter presenter Zoe donned a long flowing skirt...

rocker”s daughter strips become really common? Let’s find out the truth | Business, Life & Style, Entertainment Breaking News - ShutterVoice

Have strips become really common? Let’s find out the truth | Business, Life & Style, Entertainment Breaking News - ShutterVoice: "Rock and roll star Keith Richards” daughter Alexandra Richards has reportedly opted for some naked photo shoots for the French edition of Playboy magazine. This twenty three year old blonde stripped from top to bottom in a recent ad campaign held on a beach in Spain. Alexandra, the rocker”s daughter together with ”70s...

UPDATE 2-Spains' Banesto says resilient to sharp downturn | Reuters

UPDATE 2-Spains' Banesto says resilient to sharp downturn | Reuters: "Spanish bank Banesto (BTO.MC) posted a 6.8 percent fall in first-half profit after hiking bad-debt provisions, but said its capital levels were resilient if the Spanish economy deteriorated sharply.Banco Espanol de Credito SA (Banesto), majority-owned by Banco Santander SA (SAN.MC) and the first Spanish bank to report first-half results, said it made one-off provisions of 85 million...

BBC News - Alleged 'mafia boss' among suspects arrested in Italy

BBC News - Alleged 'mafia boss' among suspects arrested in Italy: "'top boss' of an alleged Italian crime family is among those arrested in a police sweep.At least 300 people were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of crimes including murder, money laundering and belonging to a criminal organisation.The Calabrian mafia, known as 'Ndrangheta, is one of Italy's major criminal organisations.Domenico Oppedisano, 80, said by police to be the family head,...

Benefit fraudster John Watkinson jailed after fiddling more than £118k | Mail Online

Benefit fraudster John Watkinson jailed after fiddling more than £118k | Mail Online: "offshore account in Jersey and villas in Spain and Turkey, the company director and his wife enjoyed a millionaire lifestyle. But for more than a decade Watkinson, 69, pleaded poverty and told officials he had just £20 to his name. John Watkinson and his wife in front of their yacht in Turkey. He claimed £118,000 in benefits while declaring he had just £20 in...

The Associated Press: Spain bulls gore 2 in scary run, 5 more injured

The Associated Press: Spain bulls gore 2 in scary run, 5 more injured: "Two people were gored Thursday during a tense and dangerous second running of the bulls at Spain's famed San Fermin fiesta, and at least five other people were hospitalized after falling or being trampled by the hulking beasts, officials said.Thousands took part in the dash to keep ahead of six fighting bulls and six bell-tinkling steers tasked with keeping the beasts together...

The First Major Fire of This Summer - RTN The Favourite Free Newspaper For The Costa Blanca, Costa Calida & Costa del Sol

The First Major Fire of This Summer - RTN The Favourite Free Newspaper For The Costa Blanca, Costa Calida & Costa del Sol: "FIRE in the Sierra de Mijas this week is the first to hit the Costa del Sol this summer, and due to the terrain, the regional fire fighting force (INFOCA) had to mobilize 160 people including the fire brigades of Mijas, Fuengirola and Coin to bring the fire under control. Only a week after the official start of...

Age Concern Costa del Sol - RTN The Favourite Free Newspaper For The Costa Blanca, Costa Calida & Costa del Sol

Age Concern Costa del Sol - RTN The Favourite Free Newspaper For The Costa Blanca, Costa Calida & Costa del Sol: "AGE CONCERN is a registered charity here on the Costa del Sol, and a branch of the Age Concern Hispania Federation that helps older people in the community to remain full members of society. They operate as a branch from Sotogrande to San Pedro/Marbella, but have case workers across the whole of Spain. Currently Age Concern...

OfficialWire: Da Bruno Marbella Restaurants Support The Caesar Scariolo Foundation

OfficialWire: Da Bruno Marbella Restaurants Support The Caesar Scariolo Foundation: "The Caesar Scariolo Foundation does wonderful work helping children with leukaemia and lymphoma and their families. Their work involves helping them in care situations and transporting them when the distance is substantial from their homes.The Foundation also does important work in helping the children and families deal with the huge challenge of the social and...

Skipping the rules on Marbella's beaches can cost up to 300 euros - RTN The Favourite Free Newspaper For The Costa Blanca, Costa Calida & Costa del Sol

Skipping the rules on Marbella's beaches can cost up to 300 euros - RTN The Favourite Free Newspaper For The Costa Blanca, Costa Calida & Costa del Sol: "Last year the highest fine was of €90 due to an error in the final transcription of the beach regulations. This has now been corrected. These regulations include general considerations such as not leaving rubbish, not swimming in the port areas, not taking cars onto the beaches without...

Latin King leaders can order “missions”—assignments given to subordinate members

Feds indict region men on gang related charges: "Latin Kings are organized by geographical locations into “regions,” each with its own rank structure including a “Regional Inca”—the highest authority in the region—and one or more “Regional Enforcers” tasked to enforcing discipline, the indictment states. Each region is comprised of separate “chapters” or “branches”—usually “named after a street or streets that run through the chapter”—averaging a...

Dubai Becoming Major Center For Drug Smuggling | AHN

Dubai Becoming Major Center For Drug Smuggling | AHN: "Dubai, United Arab Emirates Adam Gonn - Drug smugglers have taken advantage of Dubai’s strategic location and international trade to make the city a major transit center for global drug smuggling, local police claim. Police and customs officials in the United Arab Emirates say new statistics show the country’s economic powerhouse has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people arrested and...

IVA VAT goes up in Spain today

IVA VAT goes up in Spain today: "IVA/VAT goes up in Spain from today, July 1. Here there are three rates of VAT with the very basic items and foods charged at a 4% rate which remains unchanged. The reduced rate of 7% today goes to 8% and the normal rate of 16% goes to 18...

Spain closes her airspace to British military jets close to Gibraltar

Spain closes her airspace to British military jets close to Gibraltar: "Spain on Wednesday closed her airspace to British military jets in order to stop a training exercise close to Gibraltar, according to a British military spokesman.El Mundo reports that six Tornado F3 planes were to take part in the exercise which eventually went ahead anyway as Morocco opened up her airspace for the jets.The refusal from Madrid comes after several incidents between...

Burglary gang broken up in Sotogrande and the Costa del Sol

Burglary gang broken up in Sotogrande and the Costa del Sol: "Algeciras Guardia Civil has broken up what they say was an important gang of burglars who have been robbing luxury properties in the Campo de Gibraltar and Costa del Sol area in general and in Sotogrande in particular.Eight arrests have been made, the majority of Algerian origin, in an operation codenamed ‘Jungla’. One of those arrested is Spanish and two of the other arrests were made...

Health care in Spain is not universal

Health care in Spain is not universal: "Although the article in El País does not mention it, the Governments report identified EU residents as one of groups currently excluded from the system. They are excluded on exactly the same basis as the other groups. Therefore the revised system should, in theory at least, offer access to public health care to everyone resident in Spain not just Spanish Nationals. This seems logical and fair since it is taxes...

Health care in Spain is not universal

Health care in Spain is not universal: "El País article notes that only 27% of Spaniards know they may not be covered, even if they pay all their taxes.In theory all children and those who have no resources are always attended to, but there are four groups of people where people will be asked to put their hand in their pocket- The unemployed who have exhausted their right to benefit, and who have some sort of income or savings- Spaniards who have...