News Archive from Andalucia & Costa del Sol
In association with
Week October 25th to October 31st 2001
MOVE FOR INDEPENDENCE
Torremolinos announces decision to attend FITUR in its own right
By David Eade
THE TOP HOLIDAY RESORT OF TORREMOLINOS WILL HAVE ITS OWN STAND AT THE 'FERIA INTERNACIONAL DE TURISMO' (FITUR), WHICH WILL BE HELD IN MADRID IN JANUARY.
This is the first time the municipality will attend this major travel industry trade fair in its own right. In the past, the town has been part of the Andalucian delegation under the Costa del Sol banner at the prestigious tourism showcase.
Torremolinos has decided to go it alone as it disagrees with regional government's tourism department's strategy for the fair. The tourism department intends to include Málaga Province in a stand covering all of Andalucía. However Torremolinos has no intention of being included in a stand that features all eight provinces and has condemned the decision to drop the Costa del Sol trademark.
TRADEMARK TO BE DROPPED
The town's tourism councillor, Antonio Cerdán, pointed out that Málaga and the Costa del Sol accounted for 40 per cent of all the tourism received in the region of Andalucía. Of that total, Torremolinos, which is one of Spain's most popular resorts, accounts for 17 per cent. He described the decision to drop the Costa del Sol trademark at the fair as unjust and wrong as the area has been promoted under that title for more than 40 years.
The Director of the Costa del Sol Tourist Board, Ana Gómez, is not pleased with Torremolinos' decision. Sra Gómez considered it was a serious error in marketing terms for Torremolinos to be outside Andalucia's exhibit at the fair. However, she stressed that her own board had good working relations with Torremolinos, which was one of its principal partners.
500 MILLION PESETA FRAUD SMASHED
Investigations into false medical receipts continues
By Dave Jamieson
A MÁLAGA GROUP WHICH PRODUCED FALSE MEDICAL RECEIPTS, THEN CLAIMED UP TO 500 MILLION PESETAS OF PUBLIC MONEY FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY, HAS BEEN BROKEN UP BY THE GUARDIA CIVIL.
Of the four detained in the operation, one was formerly a doctor in the Andalucian Health Service, one formerly a medical inspector, and one a pharmacist. False receipts for prescriptions were submitted, always relating to retired patients, who are subsidised by the state for 100 per cent of the cost. Investigations into the group's activities began in April.
UNCOVERING FRAUD
Meanwhile, the Medical Inspection team of the province's health service has revealed that five other investigations into fraud are underway. These are mostly in pharmacies in Málaga which have a greater turnover and more opportunity to conceal fraud. Every year, an average of 18 chemists in Málaga are penalised for serious shortcomings following inspections.
MÁLAGA MOSQUE "INVADED"
News Staff Reporter
The mezquita in Málaga has been invaded by pro-Taliban immigrants, according to the President of the Islamic Al-Andalus Association, Félix Herrero. He called on regional government to re-establish legality and rights in the mezquita in the city's Calle San Agustín, following the appearance of a document attempting to justify the Taliban actions and their attitude towards the role of women. The document was displayed at the entrance to the mezquita, which is the Association's base. A spokesman for the alleged invaders, Mustafá Maya, said his group was "pro nobody" adding they were Muslims, and the only belief shared was the Islam, which signified peace.
Foreign residents add to diverse character of school
By Dave Jamieson
The School of Hill-Walking in Torrox opens its new season on Sunday, November 11, with a 12 kilometre route from Alcaucín to El Alcázar, in the Sierra Tejeda Natural Park. The organisation was founded in 1997, and last season enjoyed an unexpected increase in membership, with around 100 walkers participating on some excursions. An important factor in the activities is the number of foreign residents who take part, giving the school a diverse European flavour.
The area chosen for the first walk is known for the beautiful countryside and plants, and where many different animals, including the mountain goat, can be seen. The second walk, on November 18, will take members to the province of Granada, and walks of more than one day are planned, with participants spending the night in local "refugios". The school can be contacted through Torrox Town Hall, in Plaza de La Hoya.
BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGIST HONOURED
By David Eade
The Cádiz Deputation and Jimena Town Hall are organising the 9th edition of 'Days of History and Archaeology'. It will be held in Jimena between October 26 and November 16. This year's event will be in honour of British archaeologist, 'Hamo' Sassoon, who has dedicated much work to archaeological research in Jimena and the organising of this annual event.
Amongst the subjects being discussed this year will be the study and investigation of archaeology in Jimena, the Royal artillery factories of Carlos III in Jimena plus the bandits of the times of Fernando VII. All the talks will be given by respected experts. The ceremony to honour Mr Sassoon will be part of the closing ceremony presided over by the President of the Cádiz Deputation, Rafael Román, and the town's Mayor.
Meanwhile regional government and Jimena Town Hall have announced the second prize for investigation and archaeology of Jimena. Anybody interested in participating in this competition must present their documentation to the Culture Councillor at Jimena Town Hall before 14.00 on December 21. A tribunal made up of experts from the world of archaeology will then decide on the winner.
MIRÓ, MIRÓ ON THE WALL
News Staff Reporter
A major art exhibition has opened in Algeciras and will run to November 30. It is being held at the Club Financiero 'San Miguel' and features the works of the internationally celebrated artist Joan Miró. This is the first time such a major exhibition has been held in the Campo de Gibraltar region.
The exhibition includes many of Miró's lesser-known works and is causing much interest amongst art experts and the general public. The Director of the Club Financiero, Andrés Nieto, said this important exhibition marked the start of the 'Club Cultural' project, which would promote the works of young artists.
FIRST MISS AND MISTER AXARQUÍA
The first contest to Miss and Mister Axarquía has been held at the El Ingenio commercial centre at Vélez-Málaga. The event, hosted by Miss Spain 2000, Helen Lindes, and the actor and bullfighter Máximo Valverde, attracted 10 competitors for each title, who appeared in two informal outfits and one evening suit. Mariló Franquelo was chosen as Miss Axarquía while 20-year-old Iván González became Mister Axarquía.
FOREIGNER STABBED
A 36-year-old man said to be a foreigner and identified only the initials J.I. was stabbed in the thorax in Torremolinos. The incident happened in the afternoon and initially he was treated at the local health centre. He was then transferred by 061-service ambulance to the Hospital Clínico. It is believed his injuries are not serious.
TORROX LACKS LEISURE
A lack of leisure activities for tourists is highlighted in a new study by Torrox Town Hall. The Tourism Department's two million peseta report is based on research with Spanish and foreign visitors this summer. It reveals that while cultural and natural attractions are plentiful, there is a lack of complementary activities, such as cinema.
TSAR BOLÍN
The Kremlin Museum in Moscow is holding an exhibition entitled 'Bolín in Russia'. On display are the jewels designed for the Russian royals by the Mayor of Benalmádena's predecessors. The family of Enrique Bolín first started as jewellers in 1791 and during the subsequent years created items for the Russian Tsars and numerous other European royal families. The organisation of the exhibition first started in 1995 and has involved intensive research to find pieces held by collectors and museums throughout Europe.
MAN DIES SWIMMING
An 81-year-old German has drowned while swimming at Roquetas de Mar. The alarm was raised by a man on the beach next to Club Tropicana, and the caller was given instructions by telephone on how to provide emergency assistance, including mouth to mouth resuscitation. However, the victim was found to be dead when the emergency services arrived 20 minutes later.
NO TO MONORAIL
The IU Deputy and party co-ordinator in Benalmádena, José Luis Centella, along with local councillor, Elena Benítez, have held a meeting with the Public Ombudsman for Andalucía. The pair was protesting at plans to build a monorail in the urban zones of Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmádena Costa. They are especially concerned about the impact on traffic the monorail will have in the Avenidas Garcia Lorca and Constitución.
FLU VACCINE SHORTAGE
There's a shortage of flu vaccine in Málaga's health centres. The explanation given by the Andaluz Health Service (SAS) is that the suppliers have not yet met their agreed quotas. The campaign to vaccinate 145,200 people in the province began on October 1, and the SAS have given an assurance that everyone will receive the vaccine before its conclusion at the end of the year.