Europe’s 16-nation currency rose for the first day in four against its U.S. peer

euro strengthened against the dollar as European Central Bank Governing Council Member Axel Weber said the rescue fund for indebted nations is sufficiently capitalized to calm the region’s financial markets.

Europe’s 16-nation currency rose for the first day in four against its U.S. peer after falling to a two-month low yesterday. The euro gained versus 12 of its 16 most-actively traded counterparts, rising for a second straight day against the Japanese yen.

“Weber’s comments may have helped lift some of the gloom surrounding the euro,” said Jane Foley, senior foreign-exchange strategist at Rabobank International in London. “International investors may be looking at the bigger picture, seeing a very strong German economy, and they aren’t so bogged down in the euro monetary union story.”

The euro gained 0.3 percent to $1.3369 at 3:55 p.m. in London. It slumped to $1.3285 in New York yesterday, its weakest level since Sept. 22. It hasn’t declined for four consecutive days since Aug. 24. The euro also appreciated 0.3 percent against the yen, rising to 111.77 yen from 111.40. Japan’s currency was at 83.63 per dollar from 83.54 yesterday.

Julio Iglesias buys property in Ojén, Andalucia | AboutProperty.co.uk

Julio Iglesias buys property in Ojén, Andalucia | AboutProperty.co.uk: "Until now, the mere 2,000 residents of Ojén, a petite village in the southern Spanish region of Andalucia, have enjoyed relative peace and quiet in their secluded homes.
But obscurity may no longer be an option, as a raft of new developments - not to mention a rather well-known lothario - look set to reinvent the whole area.
As Spanish celebrities go, there aren't many with a legacy and timeless appeal quite like global music star Julio Iglesias.
Having recently married his partner of 20 years, Dutch model Miranda Rijnsburger, the newlywed has chosen the quaint Andalucian setting of Ojén to call home."

Spanish boat repels pirate attack

Spanish boat repels pirate attack: "security team on board a Spanish tuna boat Sunday repelled an attack by pirates in the Indian Ocean, sources said.
The attack came in the early morning hours about 400 miles from the island of Mahe, the largest in the Seychelles archipelago.
The pirates' pursuit in skiffs of the tuna vessel, which belongs to the firm Albacora de Bermeo, lasted about 45 minutes and gunfire was exchanged but none of the crew members were injured.
This is the seventh attack by pirates on tuna boats in the past two weeks."

Sean Connery told to cough up cash | Herald Sun

Sean Connery told to cough up cash | Herald Sun: "SEAN Connery has been ordered by a Spanish judge to contribute to a $77 million bond as part of a money-laundering and property fraud investigation. Judge Ricardo Puyol named the former James Bond star as one of the individuals who must deposit the combined sum as surety in the probe into a number of property deals, including the 1998 sale of the actor's beachfront mansion near Marbella, Spain.
Connery and his wife Micheline made $8.5 million in the sale but allegedly failed to pay $2 million to the local authority.
The property was knocked down to allow for 72 luxury apartments to be built, despite planning permission for just five family houses."

Hubby Shrien Dewani target fear after carjack bride Anni funeral | The Sun |News

Hubby Shrien Dewani target fear after carjack bride Anni funeral | The Sun |News: "MURDERED honeymoon hijack victim Anni Dewani's funeral was held yesterday - amid fears her husband could be targeted by her killers.
British care home tycoon Shrien Dewani, 30, is to fly back to Cape Town this week to help identify two men being held for beauty Anni's murder.
But he will be under armed guard as cops there fear he could be targeted in a bid to stop him.
The driver of the couple's hijacked taxi is already in hiding, after fearing he would be killed because he too had seen the gunmen's faces.
News that Shrien, from Bristol, is to return to Cape Town came as detectives promised 'an explosive revelation' in the case.
A police source said yesterday: 'The new information will show this was not a random hijacking.'
Tragic Anni, 28, was killed after carjackers seized the cab she and Shrien, who married two weeks before, were travelling in."

Portugal is the nation widely regarded as next most in need of assistance after Greece and Ireland, with Spain and, possibly, Italy following behind.

"Even as the final details of the Irish rescue package are still being resolved, investors and economists are asking: 'Who's next?'
The answer has been plain for some weeks – Portugal is the nation widely regarded as next most in need of assistance after Greece and Ireland, with Spain and, possibly, Italy following behind. There has been intense fear in Lisbon, Madrid and Brussels about what would happen even if Ireland's problems were not resolved rapidly."

Juan Antonio Roca hands La Caridad estate to state | Olive Press Newspaper | News Spain

Juan Antonio Roca hands La Caridad estate to state | Olive Press Newspaper | News Spain: "estate worth 15 million euros is to be seized by the state to pay some of huge debts owed by former Marbella planning svengali Juan Antonio Roca.

Roca has agreed to hand over the La Caridad estate in San Pedro to pay off some of the 23 million euros he owes the authorities.
The eight hectare estate has a heliport, chapel, veterinary clinic and bodega.
Over 100 pure-bred horses valued at 400,000 euros were housed in the stables and a Miro painting was famously gracing one of the toilets.
Roca is currently being tried for his involvement in the Malaya corruption case."

Whitley Bay man's last moments in Gibraltar - Chronicle News - News - ChronicleLive

Whitley Bay man's last moments in Gibraltar - Chronicle News - News - ChronicleLive: "James Armstrong, from Whitley Bay, was on holiday in Gibraltar when he died.
The 65-year-old was “in a confused state” when he walked into HM Naval Base Gibraltar last July.
He walked past the security post and, when challenged by the guard, replied that he had a gun.
While the guard called for help, Mr Armstrong walked further into the base before stepping off a quay into the sea.
Coroner Charles Pitto recorded a verdict of accidental death.
He said the cause of death was drowning, though he also noted medical evidence of a blocked coronary artery and problems with alcohol."

Major Muslim festival now officially a public holiday in parts of Spain

Major Muslim festival now officially a public holiday in parts of Spain: "Locals will no longer have to ask for the day off work for the Eid al-Adha in Ceuta and Melilla

Preparations are underway in Ceuta and Melilla for the Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice which commemorates the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. It’s one of the most important religious holidays in the Muslim calendar and marks Ibrahim’s devotion to God and that God allowed Ibrahim to sacrifice a ram in place of his son.

The Eid al-Adha takes place in the two autonomous cities this Wednesday, 17th November and it will be the first time that the Festival is held there as an official public holiday. The move was recently approved by the Partido Popular governments of both Ceuta and Melilla where, as El Mundo newspaper reports, more than half the local population is Muslim. Up until now, they have had to ask for the day off work to allow them to celebrate the Eid al-Adha with their families."

Ronda to apply for World Heritage status

Ronda to apply for World Heritage status: "A new platform was presented in Ronda on Wednesday, which has been set up to work towards achieving status as a World Heritage city for the Ciudad del Tajo. The group includes the Mayor of Ronda, Antonio Marín and other members of the local corporation, as well as representatives from other political parties. The CEDER Centre for Rural Development and the CIT Centre for Tourism Initiatives are also represented on the platform.

It’s understood from Diario Sur that a motion to support the new platform will be debated at Ronda’s next council meeting."

The most handsome man in the world is from Málaga

The most handsome man in the world is from Málaga: "Málaga born Juan García Postigo has been crowned Mister World 2007. A year after obtaining the Spanish title, the 25 year old came out top against 55 competitors in the final held on the Chinese island of Hainan.

He’s now signed a contract which means guaranteed earnings of more than 100,000 dollars. He says he will spend next year living in London to improve his English and study dramatic art.

Before taking part in Mister España, Juan used to work as a wine waiter in his sister’s restaurant in Torremolinos."

Kate Middleton's boots of Spanish leather

Kate Middleton's boots of Spanish leather: "The British Royal Engagement has got the residents of Valverde del Camino in Huelva all excited..

The announcement of the royal engagement between Prince William and Kate Middleton has been welcomed particularly in the Huelva town of Valverde del Camino, famous for its footwear.

That’s because it has been revealed that Kate’s favourite riding boots are imported to the UK from the Herce-Valverde company in Valverde del Camino, and she is seen modelling a pair of them in the last catalogue for a top British firm."

"Britain has closed down its military communications centre at Gibraltar, wih such responsibilities having been transferred to Faslane in Scotland.

The last signal from 'CommCen Gibraltar' was on Friday; it said: 'I am closing down on all circuits.'

For over 130 years, Gibraltar has been a pivotal link in British military communications maintaning a constant watch - 'from submarine telegraph, through wireless and radio, to computer-controlled automated digital systems,' said a British military spokesman.

Gibraltar has had a permanent physical communications link to the UK since 1870."

Spain struggles to avoid link to debt-stricken Ireland

AFP: Spain struggles to avoid link to debt-stricken Ireland: "As debt-stricken Ireland heads for a Greek-style EU bailout, Spain is desperately trying to avoid being lumped in the same basket but analysts warn it will have to do more to keep investors happy.
There is 'absolutely no reason' to compare Spain with Ireland, Finance Minister Elena Salgado said on Friday.
'We are able to borrow fresh funds at practically the same (cost) as Italy and do much better than Ireland, Portugal and most certainly than Greece.
'I think the markets believe in Spain ... (which) has no need of any extra austerity measures,' she said.
In May, the EU and the International Monetary Fund bailed out Greece to the tune of 110 billion euros (150 billion dollars) to prevent a likely debt default that could have torpedoed the entire eurozone project."

The Irish crisis: advice for offshore savers - Telegraph

The Irish crisis: advice for offshore savers - Telegraph: "Ireland is poised to accept a loan from Europe of many billions of euros. But what about savers with money in Irish-owned banks? Are they in danger - or is the protection they have enough to stop them worrying about the safety of their money?
For expatriates, the Irish-owned banks have offered welcome competition for the UK-owned ones, often providing higher rates of interest.
But now savers need to decide whether they are happy to get the high rates on offer considering the worries over the financial state of the Emerald Isle."

8% of Costa del Sol children are stressed | Costa del Sol | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain

Euro Weekly News | 8% of Costa del Sol children are stressed | Costa del Sol | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain: "eight per cent of children between six and 12 in the Costa del Sol suffer from severe stress, a Malaga University study shows. If not cured, this problem, which is often caused by an excess of extracurricular activities or failure to adapt to the environment, can lead to depression, violence and other psychological problems later on in life.
Stress if an increasing problem in developed societies in which children are forced to face challenges to which they do not know how to respond, such as reject from classmates, lack of contact with relatives, learning difficulties and excessive demands.
Specialists insist that the best way to detect the problem is by talking to children and observing their behaviour, with excessive excitement, anxiety, lack of attention and sudden behavioural changes pointing to possible problems."

Mayor of La Linea Alejandro Sanchez has declared that he will be driving a hard bargain

Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801: "Mayor of La Linea Alejandro Sanchez has declared that he will be driving a hard bargain for the sale to AENA of the municipal grounds adjacent to the frontier, on which Spain’s national airport authority intends to build an access to Gibraltar’s air terminal.

This is one of the still outstanding measures agreed in 2006 under the Cordoba Agreement. The opening of the Cervantes Institute in Gibraltar is the other, as yet, unfulfilled commitment by Spain.


Speaking about the plot of land, Sr Sanchez said this was “one of the city’s most valuable assets,” and that he would defend “that we obtain everything that we want for selling it, to the last cent of an euro.”

The Mayor said that they had three potential business projects on the cards that would be compatible with the Air Terminal access infrastructure.

Blowing hot and cold once more, Sr Sanchez declared that he would be supporting the agreement noting that this was despite the fact that “La Linea had not been consulted or asked about it at any stage.”

He said the Ayuntamiento would be creating a local negotiating commission to give effect to the agreement he describes as “an administrative concession” and therefore allow the implementation of an international accord."

mayor of La Línea's plan to impose a toll on those entering or leaving the Rock

"All has gone quite in recent weeks on the mayor of La Línea's plan to impose a toll on those entering or leaving the Rock. The day for its promised imposition has long since past but Alejandro Sánchez still has the threat in his armoury and it could now be brought in to play in the argument over land for the AENA terminal at the new airport.

As revealed in Panorama yesterday the project to create a commercial - leisure complex on the land on La Línea's side of the border is moving forward. However Sánchez is adamant there is room within the plans for the Spanish terminal, indeed it could be an attraction for the hotels and other businesses in various schemes for the land.

The land at the border was once military land and whilst it has been handed over to the town hall there have been rows over the past decade as to whether the administration has honoured the terms under which it was ceded.

This again reared its head recently when the mayor suggested he would not hand over the land to the AENA but would sell it to private developers instead. Sánchez accused the AENA of not having shown any interest in acquiring the land, a claim hotly disputed by the airport authority and the ministry of public works that controls it."

Russian woman makes fake bomb threat against plane to stop daughter from getting married in Morocco

Russian woman makes fake bomb threat against plane to stop daughter from getting married in Morocco: "Looks like somebody won't be sending a wedding gift.
A Russian woman who disapproved of her daughter flying to Morocco to get married tried to stop the impending nuptials by calling a fake bomb threat on her daughter's plane.
Even worse, she told police that her daughter was the suicide bomber planning on blowing up the jet.
Authorities at Domodedovo Airport were forced to delay Wednesday's Moscow-to-Morocco flight and question the daughter, who was eventually cleared to travel.

Meanwhile, police traced the fraudulent call to the city of Yaroslavl, where the 56-year-old mother was arrested at home and charged as a 'telephone terrorist,' according to Itar-Tass."

French traveler on Ryanair from Morocco demonstration | French Tribune

French traveler on Ryanair from Morocco demonstration | French Tribune: "In excess of 100 furious travelers on Wednesday declined to put down a Ryanair flight subsequent to it was sidetracked to Belgium, trying that they be sent home, as per the police force and firefighters.
The travelers, mainly French travelers who were thought to land close to Paris subsequent to coming back from vacations in Morocco, be seated in a shady cabin in remonstration hours subsequent to even the crew and pilot had left the aircraft in southern Belgium at the Liege airport."