Spain Borrowing Costs Rise as Moody’s Decision Looms - BusinessWeek

Spain Borrowing Costs Rise as Moody’s Decision Looms - BusinessWeek: "Spain auctioned 3 billion euros ($4 billion) of Treasury bills at rising borrowing costs as a decision by Moody’s Investors Service on lowering the country’s credit rating looms.
Spain sold 1.17 billion euros of three-month bills at an average yield of 0.685 percent, compared with 0.624 percent at the last auction on Aug. 24. It sold 1.81 billion euros of six- month bills at a yield of 1.18 percent, compared with 1.037 percent in August, the Bank of Spain said. It had set a maximum target for the auction of 3.5 billion euros.
Moody’s said on June 30 it may cut Spain’s Aaa rating when it completes a review within three months. The government is also due to announce its borrowing plan for 2011 on Sept. 30 as it presents to parliament the most austere budget in three decades, which aims to cut the deficit in half in two years.
“There is a risk of a two-notch move, or one-notch with some warnings that they could go lower is feasible,” said Harvinder Sian, a senior bond strategist at Royal Bank of Scotland Plc in London. “A two-notch probably isn’t priced in.”
The spread on Spanish 10-year debt rose to 191 basis points at 11:14 a.m. in Madrid, compared with 187 basis points yesterday. The extra yield investors demand to hold Portuguese and Irish debt surged to euro-era records today, increasing pressure on Spain.
Fitch Ratings cut Spain to AA+ on May 28, citing concerns over economic growth. Standard & Poor’s ranks the nation AA after stripping Spain of the top rating in January 2009."

Holidaymakers spend greater in Spain this year

Holidaymakers spend greater in Spain this year: "TOURISTS have been spending greater and greater this summer in Spain, with August's figures showing the fourth consecutive month of increases.
The average holidaymaker in Spain spent 975 euros, according to research, or a daily figure of 98 euros.
And the largest spenders – chiefly because they represented the highest in number – were the British, who shelled out an average of 2.3 per cent greater this August than they did last year, the same increase as the Italians visiting Spain.
The French spent 5.5 per cent greater, but the Germans stumped up slightly less money on their holidays this year with a fall of one per cent.
But Scandinavians spent a whopping 12.3 per cent greater whilst visiting Spain this year than they did in 2009."

middle-aged British man has been arrested in Spain on suspicion of a string of armed bank robberies across the Costa del Sol

The Press Association: Briton held over Spain bank raids: "middle-aged British man has been arrested in Spain on suspicion of a string of armed bank robberies across the Costa del Sol and elsewhere, police have said.
The 49-year-old, who has not been named, is thought to be behind 15 hold-ups in the provinces of Malaga and Alicante, accompanied by a 31-year-old Russian woman.
Spanish police believe the pair could have stolen about 115,000 euros (£98,345) in the raids.
They are suspected of working together to carry out the crimes, a police spokesman said.
Detectives believe their modus operandi involved the woman first ringing the bell of the bank and when a member of staff opened the door she would be flanked by the man, who was armed with a pistol. He would then enter and rob the bank.
In some cases the man threatened staff by holding the pistol to their heads, detectives said.
When the pair were arrested, officers seized a car, a pistol, a laptop case, two wigs, a fake beard and moustache and a purse containing stolen money.
Officers from Spain's Civil Guard swooped following a five-month investigation beginning in mid-April and codenamed Operation Flanders.
The probe was launched after a bank robbery in the Malaga town of Mijas on April 16. This was followed by another one in the Alfaz del Pi area of Alicante.
The man and woman arrested are believed to have been responsible for both."

hostelry sector in Spain remains concerned about the Government’s plans to toughen the anti-smoking legislation in the New Year

hostelry sector in Spain remains concerned about the Government’s plans to toughen the anti-smoking legislation in the New Year, and have now requested that closed rooms be made available for smokers, and that these rooms not be served by the establishments’ personnel.

They say children would not be allowed in such smoking rooms, which would be no bigger than 30% of the establishment, and that the client would have to take his or her own drink there, and return the glass afterwards.

However the idea is likely to be rejected by the Health Commission in Congress.

The President of the Spanish Hostelry Federation, FEHR, José María Rubio, appeared before the Health Commission on Thursday to put the case, fearing the effects of the total ban on smoking in closed public areas from January 1, which he said would be ‘an economic disaster’. He said the smokers rooms could be individually ventilated perfectly, and said special ICO credits should be made available for the building work needed. José María Rubio predicted a fall in sales in restaurants of 7%, and in bars and cafeterias of between 10% and 15% if the smoking ban comes into effect.

Spanish casinos have also asked to be exempt from the legislation

Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_27286.shtml#ixzz10XFwYfNK

Prosecutor in Sevilla has called for a four year jail term for three people who are accused of defrauding British investors

Prosecutor in Sevilla has called for a four year jail term for three people who are accused of defrauding British investors. They attracted money with the promise of large returns in the purchase of upcoming artists, although in the end the paintings or works were never seen, with the excuse always that they were being re-valued.

The investors were initially sent a certificate which showed that they were the owners of the painting, and the promise that the art would be exhibited and then re-valued.

EFE news agency reports that one of the accused set up a company to sell art in 2000, and then launched a massive promotion to the British, in which the company sold itself as a large and solvent operation. The prosecutor says that the company achieved 770 clients and that four of the Britons defrauded alone lost 37,577 pounds.

The three accused have been named as Spanish woman M.C.A., her British boyfriend A.S.M., and the British woman, D.B.J. who worked in administration. They are accused of dismantling the operation in 2003, leaving an unknown number of people out of pocket.

The case will be heard over forthcoming months in Sevilla, with each of the accused facing four years in prison on a charge of continuous fraud, and facing a 5,400 € fine and the obligation to return the monies defrauded.

Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_27269.shtml#ixzz10XEEdtZo

UK landlord’s champion comes to the aid of expat Paul Shamplina, a leading and renowned UK tenant eviction expert and founder of Landlord Action

Paul Shamplina, a leading and renowned UK tenant eviction expert and founder of Landlord Action, has brought his services to Spain to help expat landlords protect themselves against rogue tenants.

Working with the UK’s leading independent referencing agency, FCC Paragon, Paul formed Spanish based company Paragon Advance España. With offices in Malaga and Madrid, the company is offering security to landlords in the form of tenant referencing and a rent warranty, services which Paul found from personal experience were not readily available in the Spanish property rental industry.

Paul comments, “when I purchased an apartment in Mijas, I trawled numerous agents in an attempt to find someone that could offer me the cover I wanted to ensure I not only found a legitimate tenant but, if they did end up defaulting on the payments, I wouldn’t lose out financially.


Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_27287.shtml#ixzz10XCCuqVC

UPDATE: European Regulator Suspends Glaxo's Diabetes Drugs - WSJ.com

UPDATE: European Regulator Suspends Glaxo's Diabetes Drugs - WSJ.com: "The European Medicines Agency Thursday suspended marketing authorization for GlaxoSmithKline PLC's (GSK) controversial diabetes drug rosiglitazone because fresh data show the risks of taking the drug outweigh its benefits, and it said the medicines containing it will stop being available in Europe within the next few months.
The EMA -- the decentralized European body responsible for licensing rosiglitazone in 2000 and which held an extraordinary expert meeting earlier this month to review the drug's safety"

sentenced to five years in prison for hijacking a Spanish ship

Seven Somali men get prison sentences for piracy convictions - CNN.com: "Seven Somali men were convicted in a Kenyan court and sentenced to five years in prison for hijacking a Spanish ship, the European Union Naval Force Somalia said Friday.
The hijacking occurred in May 2009 on a vessel in waters near the Gulf of Aden.
A crew member on the vessel was able to call a warship for help, according to the naval force.
The seven men were apprehended and transferred to Kenya to be prosecuted, the force said.
The European Union naval operation was launched in 2008 to tackle the outbreak of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia, an important shipping corridor for food aid delivery and other maritime transport."

Spain Accused Of Financing Terrorism

Algeria: Spain Accused Of Financing Terrorism: "French anti-terrorism officials warn of possible terror attacks in France, by North Africa based Islamic terrorists. France has sent reconnaissance aircraft and commandos to Niger to help find those who recently kidnapped uranium mine employees. The al Qaeda threat to the uranium operations there is a matter of great importance. Nuclear plants generate 80 percent of electricity in France, and the two mines in Niger produce most of the nuclear fuel for these plants (and seven percent of global production.)
Algeria warned France not to pay a ransom to Islamic terrorists in order to get the five French uranium mine employees back. Officials point out that a lot of the recent al Qaeda activity has been paid with ransom money. Algeria is particularly incensed at the ten million dollars quietly paid by Spain to Islamic radicals earlier this year to free three Spanish hostages taken in Mauritania and moved to Mali. Italy has also paid millions to Islamic militants in the past two years, to recover their citizens. The U.S., France and Britain say they do not pay ransoms, as it only encourages kidnappers. France believes some of the ransom millions paid to Islamic terrorists in the last year is financing planned terror attacks inside France."

BBC News - Bruegel painting revealed by restorers in Spain

BBC News - Bruegel painting revealed by restorers in Spain: "previously unknown painting by 16th Century master Pieter Bruegel the Elder has been revealed by picture restorers, the Prado museum in Madrid says.
The painting, The Wine of St Martin's Day, shows about 100 people celebrating the first wine of the season.
Before this find, there were just 40 signed Bruegels in existence.
The museum is now negotiating to buy the painting from its owners at a price of up to 7m euros ($9.4m; £5.9m), said the El Pais newspaper.

However, the painting could fetch up to 25m euros if sold on the private market, the newspaper estimated."

COURSE FOR GOLFERS WITH DISABILITIES | Costa del Sol | Leader - News, Sport, Advertising, Property, Classifieds - Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Calida, Costa de Almeria, Spain

COURSE FOR GOLFERS WITH DISABILITIES | Costa del Sol | Leader - News, Sport, Advertising, Property, Classifieds - Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Calida, Costa de Almeria, Spain

Spain's burnt out 'babysitter grandparents' urged to strike | World news | The Guardian

Spain's burnt out 'babysitter grandparents' urged to strike | World news | The Guardian: "call has gone out for grandparents around Spain to down tools this Wednesday and go on strike – because they're sick to the teeth of all that childcare.
For a country where half of all grandparents look after their grandchildren every day – one in eight for more than nine hours a day – the strike call threatens to disrupt the working lives of a significant proportion of the population and expose the extent to which this unpaid work is propping up the economy.
'We want grandparents to strike to prove they are a key part of the way this country functions,' said Manuel Pastrana, leader of the UGT general workers' union in the southern region of Andalucia. 'Learn to say no' and 'don't feel guilty' are the slogans, aimed at so-called 'babysitter grandparents'."

400-Year-Old Masterpiece Painting Discovered in Spain - Elizabeth Weingarten - Culture - The Atlantic

400-Year-Old Masterpiece Painting Discovered in Spain - Elizabeth Weingarten - Culture - The Atlantic: "team of experts at Madrid's Prado National Art Museum has identified Pieter Bruegel the Elder as the painter of a 400-year-old, previously unnamed masterpiece. The painting, called 'The Wine of St. Martin's Day,' is tempera on linen, and dates between 1565 and 1568. It illustrates a motley crowd attempting to get a sip of wine from the year's first vintage on St. Martin's feast day. The Prado has only one other Bruegel painting, 'The Triumph of Death.' There are now 41 signed Bruegel paintings in the world. 'The discovery of a Bruegel is an exceptional event and not something that is likely to be repeated,' said Angeles Gonzales Sinde, the Spanish culture minister. According to Prado director Miguel Zugaza, the collectors had no idea the painting was a Bruegel until they attempted to sell it last year."

Irregularities are alleged in the construction of 72 apartments on the site of the Sean Connery villa in Marbella

Irregularities are alleged in the construction of 72 apartments on the site of the Connery villa in Marbella

The judge in Instruction Court 1 in Marbella has charged Juan Antonio Roca, the ex Municipal Real Estate Assessor in the town, for perversion of the course of justice, misuse of public funds, and land ordination irregularities in the so-called ‘Goldfinger’ case.

This is the case investigating the alleged irregularities in the sale of the Sean Connery villa ‘Malibu’ in Marbella, and the construction of 72 luxury apartments on the front line beach site. The Agencia Tributaria Tax Authorities consider that there are ‘sufficient indications’ to think of commissions and several penal crimes.

Roca was taken to court on Thursday morning, and also to declare during the morning were the ex Marbella councillors, Tomás Reñones and Alberto García.

Money laundering authorities are also investigating the case along with Connery and his wife. They say the profits of the deal were 53 million €.

Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_27283.shtml#ixzz10X4QKkih

Is Spain carrying out any sort of discrimination against foreigners, following the high number of complaints

The European Justice Commissioner, Viviane Reding, has said that the European Commission is ‘monitoring’ whether Spain is carrying out any sort of discrimination against foreigners, following the high number of complaints presented by the protest groups representing those whose homes are under threat of demolition, be they built in protected areas, or under the regulations of the 1988 Ley de Costas.

Most of the people affected by the threatened demolitions are British citizens and others from northern Europe, who have chosen to live in the provinces of Almería and Málaga.

UKIP British Euro MP, Argentinean born Spanish accountant, Marta Andreasen, has been told in a written European parliamentary answer, to a question she placed on August 17th, that the European Commission has contacted the Spanish Authorities over the matter of the right to own property, as protected by the European Letter of Fundamental Rights.

In her answer, Reding said however that the Commission can only intervene ‘if the question affects the application of community law’ and added that ‘this connection has not been identified upto now’.

However, given the high number of complaints, the Commission says it is monitoring to see ‘if there is any discrimination on the basis of nationality’.

Marta Andreasen has been at the front of the fight to defend the property owners in Spain, and upset the Spanish Prime Minister last July when she compared the situation to that suffered by the British in Zimbabwe. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero firmly denied that allegation and said that it was up to the courts to act against the real estate predators. He defended the Spanish Coastal Law saying it protected the coast and combated abuse.

Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_27281.shtml#ixzz10X38Ecc0

Spain push for tax to help world's poor

France and Spain push for tax to help world's poor: "Spain called for a tax on global capitalism yesterday, telling the opening day of a UN summit on development the recession has made 'innovative financing' essential to help the world's poor.
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French President, and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the Spanish Prime Minister, spoke after Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, called on rich countries to 'not balance budgets on the backs of the poor.'
Canadian activists said Mr. Ban's request applies directly to the Canadian government's intention to freeze foreign aid next fiscal year as a deficit-reducing measure.
While the leaders of several developed countries have pressed the idea of launching a global finance tax before, speaking about it anew at such a widely attended summit gives it added weight.
'We can decide right here -- why wait?' said Mr. Sarkozy."

Google sues alleged illegal sellers of prescription drugs - Computerworld

Google sues alleged illegal sellers of prescription drugs - Computerworld: "Google is at its wit's end dealing with illegal sellers of prescription drugs that market medicines on its ad network, so it has decided to take some of these allegedly rogue advertisers to court.
In addition to pursuing the alleged violators, Google hopes that its action also serves as a deterrent against other illegal medicine peddlers, Google said on Tuesday.
Google has struggled with the problem for years, Michael Zwibelman, a Google litigation counsel, said in a blog post.
'It's been an ongoing, escalating cat-and-mouse game -- as we and others build new safeguards and guidelines, rogue online pharmacies always try new tactics to get around those protections and illegally sell drugs on the web,' he wrote.
Rogue prescription drug sellers have increased in number and become more sophisticated in their dealings, and 'a small percentage' of them have been able to dodge Google's efforts to block them from running ads on its network, according to Zwibelman. This occurs despite Google's tightening of its advertiser verification process and other screening and protection measures.
Google filed a similar lawsuit against peddlers of shady get-rich-quick schemes that use the company's name and brand to attract customers."

The Associated Press: Buju Banton testifies in drug trial in Florida

The Associated Press: Buju Banton testifies in drug trial in Florida: "Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton says he talked a lot about drugs with a U.S. government informant, but that doesn't make him a drug dealer.
Banton is on trial in Florida on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and aiding and abetting two others in possessing a firearm during the course of distribution.
The singer testified Wednesday that the informant he met on a plane last summer initiated their conversations about drugs. Banton said he made up ambitions to deal cocaine to impress the informant, who he believed would introduce him to music industry contacts.
Banton said he was surprised when the informant presented him with cocaine at a Sarasota warehouse in December, a meeting captured on video."

The Associated Press: Spain government inches closer to budget support

The Associated Press: Spain government inches closer to budget support: "Spain's government has reached a deal with a small opposition party that will help it pass a 2011 budget that is key to getting the deficit down, reassuring markets worried over the country's finances and its survival in power.
The ruling Socialist party leads a minority government that relies on support from opposition parties on a case-by-case basis to get laws passed. The government has become even more isolated of late as parties criticize its handling of Spain's economic crisis, marked by a 20 percent jobless rate and listless growth after nearly two years of recession.
Failure to pass a budget would be unprecedented and presumably force Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to call early elections.
The ruling party's spokesman in Parliament, Jose Antonio Alonso, announced Wednesday night a deal with the small Basque Nationalist Party that will probably guarantee its support for the budget. The Basque party's leader, Inigo Urkullo confirmed the deal and said his party has 'a lot of interest in the economic stability of Spain.'
But the budget is not a done deal yet."

World Briefing - Europe - Spain - Rwandan Ex-General Sought - NYTimes.com

World Briefing - Europe - Spain - Rwandan Ex-General Sought - NYTimes.com: "Spain is seeking the extradition on genocide charges of a former Rwandan general who has been the target of two assassination plots while in exile in South Africa, authorities said Wednesday, but Rwanda said it should have priority in prosecuting him. A Spanish judge charged Gen. Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa and 39 other members of the military in 2008 with the mass killings of Hutu civilians in 1994. General Nyamwasa, above in a 2000 photo, was shot in June in what his wife says was an assassination attempt ordered by Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame. A South African prosecutor said there was a second plot to kill the general while he was in the hospital. Rwanda’s foreign affairs minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, rejected allegations that her government had tried to kill General Nyamwasa, who is accused in Rwanda of trying to destabilize Mr. Kagame’s government."

Costa del Sol Malaya corruption case in court | Olive Press Newspaper

Costa del Sol Malaya corruption case in court | Olive Press Newspaper: "The Malaya case – which dates back to March 2006 – is finally coming to court next week.
Expected to take up to two years to complete, some 95 people stand accused in the dock.
As well as Marbella’s real estate assessor, Juan Antonio Roca, there will also be two ex-Mayors of Marbella, Julián Muñoz and Marisol Yagüe.
Roca and his cohorts are accused of accepting more than 33 million euros in bribes between 2002 and 2006 in return for planning permission."

Maurice Boland steps down from Talk Radio Europe (TRE) Marbella. | Olive Press Newspaper

Maurice Boland steps down from Talk Radio Europe (TRE) Marbella. | Olive Press Newspaper: "“I am not concerned about the adult involved, that is a different thing, but I would ask you to respect the privacy of the youngster and the family.”
He continued: “I need to talk to the family to see if they are prepared to talk to you. At the moment they are trying to come to terms with a difficult situation.”
Despite reports, he insisted that the police had not been called to the radio station on Monday, Boland’s last day.
Nor would he confirm if Boland – who is married with three children – was confronted by the family.
He said: “All I can say officially is that he is away on sick leave and will not be returning. A further statement will follow shortly.”
One of the station’s long-term presenters however, confirmed the incidents to the Olive Press, adding: “I have been called to a big meeting tommorrow.
“All I can say is that there was a huge error of judgement on Maurice’s part, but it was not illegal."

Spanish police early Tuesday arrested nine people

Spanish police early Tuesday arrested nine people for suspected links to the Basque separatist group ETA, the first such detentions since ETA declared a unilateral cease-fire earlier this month, an Interior Ministry spokesman told CNN.
Spain's Interior Minister said last week that police would not ease up on ETA, blamed for more than 800 deaths in its fight for Basque independence, despite its cease-fire declaration on September 5.
The government and most Spanish political parties received ETA's cease-fire announcement with scepticism, because the group has used previous cease-fires to regroup its forces for subsequent shootings and bombings.

Ricky Hatton was photographed in Marbella's Puerto Banus, Spain, when a horrified fan took the picture

British professional boxer Ricky Hatton was photographed looking bloated and sweaty as he struggled to stay upright while pals carried him from a bar after an all-day bender.

Hatton, 31, was in Marbella's Puerto Banus, Spain, when a horrified fan took the picture.

"It was really sad to see. He was such a mess, sweating and hugely overweight," the Sun quoted the fan as saying.

"He was obviously wired on something. It might have been just booze but I doubt it.

"By the end he couldn't stand up. He was clinging to his pals as they disappeared into the night," the fan added.

The picture had been taken a few weeks before the revelation that the boxer had been filmed snorting cocaine while on yet another marathon binge.

Hatton's friends said he has been trapped in a cocaine and booze-fuelled haze for months.

"His coke problem has been getting ridiculous. This wasn't just one party night out on the town. The fact he's being doing cocaine was an open secret among those close to him," a source said.

"In a way we're almost relieved he's been caught out because something had to be done. He couldn't go on like that," the source added.

Hatton, who was secretly filmed as he snorted cocaine through a rolled-up 20-pound note, acknowledged he needed professional help for a problem that had spiralled out of control.

"I've been in a bad place for some time. It's all down to me. I feel I have let everyone down especially all my fans in the country who have always supported me," he said.

UPDATE 2-MMC, Peugeot to make electric cars in Spain -Nikkei | Reuters

UPDATE 2-MMC, Peugeot to make electric cars in Spain -Nikkei | Reuters: "Japan's Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T) and partner Peugeot SA (PEUP.PA) plan to build a compact electric vehicle at the French company's plant in Spain, the Nikkei business daily said on Tuesday.
The two automakers will begin production of the vehicle by 2012 and target the European market, without output starting at a few thousand units a year and eventually climbing to 30,000-50,000 vehicles, the paper said without citing sources.
Mitsubishi Motors denied the report, saying in a statement that it had no plans for joint production of electric vehicles with Peugeot.
The two automakers will market the vehicle to postal firms, freight companies and government ministries and it will likely sell for less than 20,000 euros ($25,750) after factoring in government subsidies, the report said.
The car will be made at the French company's plant in the northwestern town of Vigo on a dedicated production line using Mitsubishi's technology honed from the development of its i-MiEV passenger electric cars, the Nikkei report also said.
Mitsubishi Motors has a broad-based alliance with French group PSA Peugeot Citroen that includes a deal for the Japanese automaker to supply electric cars under the two French brands.
Last week, Spanish Economy Minister Elena Salgado said Spain was in talks with Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T) about building a factory for electric car batteries in Vigo, PSA's biggest production site in volume terms. [ID:nLDE6811C6]
The 400 million euro plant could create around 1,500 jobs, Spanish newspapers reported last week."

Brazilian architect Niemeyer given Spanish award | ajc.com

Brazilian architect Niemeyer given Spanish award  | ajc.com: "Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer has received one of Spain's top awards for the arts.

Niemeyer was given a medal for the Order of Arts and Letters award, created in 2008 to recognize people or institutions that help Spanish culture flourish.
American singer Joan Baez received the award earlier this year.
The 102-year-old Niemeyer was tabbed for the award last year, but due to his health, he could not travel to Spain to accept it.
Instead, Spanish Culture Minister Angeles Gonzalez-Sinde traveled to Rio de Janeiro to deliver it to him Friday.
The award cited in particular the architect's design of the Niemeyer Cultural Center in the Spanish city of Aviles, his largest project in Europe."

Marbella to use YouTube to promote region

Costa del villas - Marbella to use YouTube to promote region: "Marbella to launch YouTube channel to attract new holidaymakers

Marbella town hall will use popular online video hub YouTube to promote itself as one of the most popular holiday resorts in Europe following the successful launch of the new website Marbella Exclusive.

The concept behind the YouTube channel is to encourage holidaymakers to post videos taken of their time in Marbella and the surrounding resorts such as Puerto Banus, Elviria and Ojen. With so many different attractions including a host of fantastic beaches, lively nightlife and top class restaurants, the tourist board for Marbella believe the best way to collate all of the information is by using real tourist videos.

The channel is due to be launched at the beginning of 2011 and it is hoped that the videos will be used both to attract new holidaymakers to the area and give those already in Marbella ideas about places to visit.

Plans are in place to stream the content into a number of hotels in Marbella ensuring the videos are broadcast to a wide range of visitors."

Julio Iglesias - Julio Iglesias' Marital Focus - Contactmusic News

Julio Iglesias - Julio Iglesias' Marital Focus - Contactmusic News: "Julio Iglesias thinks his new wife Miranda Rijinsburger has made him more ambitious and focused on the future.
Julio Iglesias' marriage has helped him to focus on the future.
The 66-year-old singer - who tied the knot with partner of 20 years Miranda Rijinsburger last month- said the couple's intimate union in Marbella was the 'culmination of many years of love'.
He said: 'It's the culmination of many years of love, mutual understanding, affection and unconditional support, a relationship that has brought us five children who are our very soul. If Miranda hadn't come into my life, my mind wouldn't be as focused on the future as it is right now - it would be focused on the present, and very likely, more and more in the past.
'When you have five kids, the future - their future - automatically becomes your focal point. And that makes you always look forward.'
The couple - whose children Miguel, 13, Rodrigo, 11, nine-year-old twins Cristina and Victoria, and three-year-old Guillermo made up five of the seven guests at the wedding - decided to wait to walk down the aisle until their offspring were old enough to understand what was going on.
Julio explained: 'They are thrilled. Now that they're older, they understood perfectly what the day meant and were very moved by it. And we were very moved by it, too, sharing such a special moment with them.'"

STALLONE, SNIPES, SCORSESE ADVISOR PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUD - Hollywood Celebrity and Entertainment Daily News

STALLONE, SNIPES, SCORSESE ADVISOR PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUD - Hollywood Celebrity and Entertainment Daily News: "financial adviser who was trusted by Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes and Martin Scorsese to handle their financial investments pleaded guilty Friday to charges ranging from defrauding clients that included many elderly of perhaps $50 million.
Well-known and respected Kenneth Starr (not the one with the Clinton impeachment), was charged with wire fraud, money laundering and investment adviser fraud, telling a Manhattan judge that he had been doing bad things since 2005. Starr’s (tricky?) lawyer said it was merely a “colossal error in judgment,” reminding the magistrate of all the good that her client has done (The old ‘kindly non-smoking, vegetarian German chancellor of mid-last century, who loved his dog Wolf’ defense).
The sentence guidelines call for ten years in the joint, which means 5 years if he doesn’t join the Mafia and kill too many while jailed. Starr was also granted a request for an alternate sentence, which might well mean that he gets assigned to the dreaded island of Bora Bora where he must suffer the tortures of heaven."

era of the Costa del Crime being a safe haven for on-the-run criminals

You can run, but no longer hide! | Olive Press Newspaper: "era of the Costa del Crime being a safe haven for on-the-run criminals may well have come to an end.
Despite the coastline still being Europe’s undoubted gateway for drugs, the old fashioned cliché that fugitives can easily blend in and settle into an uninterrupted life in the sun, no longer holds true.
With the recent news of James Tomkins arrest in Puerto Banus after a four year man hunt, it is clear that a crackdown on crime is in full force.
Indeed, it leaves just 15 of the 50 suspects – or 30 per cent – that were installed on Crimestoppers Most Wanted List still at large.
And when you consider that at least five of these were perhaps never here in the first place, and five are almost certainly dead, then there could be just Five Men Standing."

TV - News - 'X Factor' finalists 'warned over behaviour' - Digital Spy

TV - News - 'X Factor' finalists 'warned over behaviour' - Digital Spy: "finalists of The X Factor have reportedly been told to improve their behaviour or risk being thrown off the show.

Bosses are introducing ten new rules to keep the singers in line, following a string of alcohol binges, fights and sex romps, according to the News of the World.

Hopefuls are said to have already caused chaos at a hotel during Boot Camp and damaged a Marbella villa at the Judges' Houses stage of the competition.

A source said: 'It may seem far-fetched, but this is the most out-of-control bunch of finalists we have ever had. If they don't follow the rules they'll be kicked off. Some of them have acted like wild animals."

Shooting has started for the latest Bruce Willis action film on the Alicante coast.

Shooting has started for the latest Bruce Willis action film on the Alicante coast.

The thriller has the title ‘The Cold Light of Day’ and also stars Henry Cavill from The Tudors, and Sigourney Weaver.

It tells the story of an American whose family is kidnapped when on holiday in Spain. Bruce Willis only has a few hours to find them, and discover the connection between their disappearance and the secrets of his father.

The film will be shot entirely in Spain and is produced by Galavis Film, Summit Entertainment and Intrepid Pictures. It is directed by Mabrouk El-Mechri, and based on an original screenplay by Scott Wiper and John Petro, with revisions by Richard Price. Much of the production team is Spanish in what is a joint Spanish/United States project.

Ten weeks filming is expected in the Valencia region, as well as in Madrid and in the Ciudad de la Luz studios in Alicante.

Shooting started on Monday this week in Dénia, and continued Tuesday on the Cala de la Granadella beach in Jávea where some of the action scenes were shot.

Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_27121.shtml#ixzz0z1f4faYc

Simon Cowell’s luxury Marbella holiday villa has been trashed

Simon Cowell’s luxury Marbella holiday villa has been trashed by this years X-Factor hopefuls after twenty contestants enjoyed a wild party whilst staying in the Costa del Sol.

The contestants are currently staying at Cowell’s luxury holiday home whilst they receive coaching as part of the hit ITV show. However it seems that the excitement was a bit too much for some to handle as they ran rampage drinking expensive champagne and damaging exclusive furniture.

The carnage started on Sunday evening when contestants raided the bar and downed champagne and Sapporo beer that had been imported from Japan.

The wild wannabes then swam in the sea before stumbling back to the villa in a drunken state causing damage to furniture and destroying a £5,000 Persian rug.

Cowell, who was woken up by the excessive noise, spoke about the incident but seemed to be in a forgiving mood “Any damage will have to be paid out of their first royalty cheque if they make it - to teach them a lesson.”

Exactly who was involved in the partying is yet to be confirmed however it will soon be revealed as the show moves into the knock-out stages in the coming weeks.