Middle East and Terrorism: Terror Threat in Spain Continues

Middle East and Terrorism: Terror Threat in Spain Continues: "Police in Spain and Thailand smashed a counterfeiting ring earlier this month, saying it aimed to provide fake European passports to al-Qaida. It's the latest example of Spain's place at the heart of European terrorist activity, serving as a staging ground for multiple plots and enduring the devastating March 2004 Madrid train bombings.

Despite its efforts, American officials have expressed concerns – and at times frustration – about Spain's terror growth, State Department cables released by Wikileaks show."

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British man faces nine years in prison for allegedly defrauding an urbanisation community in Nerja

British man faces nine years in prison for allegedly defrauding an urbanisation community in Nerja: "Capistrano Playa Urbanisation's own prosecution is calling for a 12 year sentence

The prosecutor in the Provincial Court in Málaga has requested a nine year prison sentence for the 51 year old British man, Michael Thirkettle, who is accused of accounting irregularities when President of the Capistrano Playa urbanisation in Nerja between the years 2006 and 2009.

Diario Sur reports the civil responsibility in the case has been placed at more than 150,000 €.

The prosecution contends the Briton, who was arrested by the Guardia Civil in May 2009, withdrew cheques from the community account for 31,980 € with the excuse of paying for work which was allegedly not then paid for."

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Bianca Gascoigne enjoys a Christmas break in the sun

Bianca Gascoigne enjoys a Christmas break in the sun: "glamour model, Bianca Gascoigne, the former step-daughter of the footballer, Paul Gascogine, has been spending a few days away from the freezing temperatures of the UK with a break in the sun on the Costa del Sol.

The TV presenter has been enjoying the warmer weather of Marbella over Christmas, where the German newspaper, ‘Bild’, said she has been cruising on a yacht with her friends.

Bianca’s ex stepfather was given a suspended sentence for drink-driving earlier this month, and, two weeks ago, saw another trial for a separate drink-driving offence adjourned when witnesses failed to show."

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Decks cleared for Dewani`s extradition to SA over wife`s murder conspiracy

Decks cleared for Dewani`s extradition to SA over wife`s murder conspiracy: "Extradition papers of Shrien Dewani, the Brit-Indian millionaire whose wife was murdered during their honeymoon in Cape Town last month, have reportedly been processed by the South African Justice Department, clearing the way for his extradition from the UK to stand trial for allegedly conspiring to kill his wife.

News 24 quoted ministry spokesperson Tlali Tlali as saying that the step was taken to ensure that any suspect alleged to have committed a crime in South Africa was brought back to stand trial in that country.

'The extradition papers which have now been processed by the central authority (DG, Justice Department) confirm that we are satisfied that our request to have Dewani extradited from the UK is compliant with the requirements of the existing agreement on matters of this nature, including the 40-day period within which to submit relevant papers,' he said.

'This clears the path for an extradition enquiry to take place in the UK on 20 January 2011,' he added."

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Tour of the London Poker Scene: The Fox Poker Club | PokerNews

Catman's Column -Tour of the London Poker Scene: The Fox Poker Club | PokerNews: "There may be snow outside, we may have just lost most of our fine Navy, including the great Harrier jump jet, but poker is booming in London. So without further ado, I shall be running a series of Catman's guide to Live Poker Venues. This week we start with the Simon Cowell of Poker, Chris North, MD of the Fox Poker Club. Next week, we will visit the shrine of European Poker, The Vic with the Mike Tyson of Poker, Mr Neil Channing. The Fox on Shaftesbury Avenue London has done everything to the letter in creating one of the best cardroom's in the UK, please do take a gander at my moderately crap video interview with Chris North, host and diamond boss of The Fox Poker Club."

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5 minutes with Nonie Creme

5 minutes with Nonie Creme: "If you haven’t heard of Nonie Creme chances are you’ve seen, and worn, her handiwork. The co-founder and creative director of Butter LONDON, a non-toxic line of fashion-forward nail shades, is a regular backstage at fashion week, custom mixing colours for top-line designers. The colour creations that prove popular with fashion circles end up coming to a manicure bar near you. “Many of our best sellers came straight off the catwalks,” she tells us. “British Racing Green at Vena Cava, Matte Finish Topcoat from Alexander Wang and Teddy Girl at Victoria Beckham’s show are a few favourites.”"

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Fashion and Beauty: Myra Yusuf’s award-winning design goes on sale - Features & Leisure - Huddersfield Examiner

Fashion and Beauty: Myra Yusuf’s award-winning design goes on sale - Features & Leisure - Huddersfield Examiner: "SCHOOLGIRL Myra Yusuf from Huddersfield will be able to visit High Street fashion chain Republic this week and see one of her own designs on sale.

Myra, who was just 14 when she beat 1,000 other hopefuls in the Young Fashion Designer competition held earlier this year, created a khaki green one-shouldered body-con dress, inspired by the military trend.

The competition, organised by the White Rose Centre in Leeds, had a top prize of an all-expenses paid trip to next year’s London Fashion Weekend as well as seeing her design in production.

Myra, who lives in Birkby and attends Rastrick High School, has her heart set on a career in fashion design and is being encouraged by her large, supportive family.

She is one of four sisters and has two brothers. Her mum and dad, Mohammed and Naseem Yusuf, paid to have one of their daughter’s designs, an East-meets-West dress with elements of both traditional Asian and Western fashions, professionally tailored.

The Republic dress, inspired by Myra’s favourite Chanel and Burberry designers, is being sold for £34.99 at the White Rose store and online."

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Icons and eyesores

Icons and eyesores: "From stellar frocks to shocking flicks, Kellie Hush looks at the highs and lows of the year in international fashion.

No more sex, please
Not even the fashion could save the cinematic disaster that was Sex and the City 2. Farewell Carrie et al, it's time to hang up your heels.

Best dressed
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They come from opposite ends of the fashion spectrum but both Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga were two names topping 2010 best dressed lists globally. The First Lady won fans with her knack for looking sharp in designer and high-street fashion and the singer for her OTT fashion risks, including a raw meat dress and a Giorgio Armani ensemble sparkling brighter than a galaxy of stars. Princess Mary and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy also ranked highly."

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1 Who or what was the Houlihan?

1 Who or what was the Houlihan?

a The new posh burger hangout in LA that the Beckhams frequent.

b The new London fashion week designer who already has the patronage of Anna Wintour.

c The skinny cargo pant beloved of celebrities because of its thigh- slimming properties.

2 What event linked Beyoncé, Julianne Moore and Julia Restoin Roitfeld?

a Tom Ford's ultra-exclusive catwalk show in New York. All three women modelled his new collection.

b The Oscars. All three showed up wearing Versace, causing red-carpet blushes and tantrums.

c The US Open tennis final. All three are huge fans of the sport and made Flushing Meadows look like New York fashion week.


Whose earrings?
3 Whose earrings are these?

a Miuccia Prada's. The designer took her catwalk bow wearing a pair of banana earrings which were such a hit that they have now gone into production.

b Anna dello Russo's. The flamboyant stylist loves a fruity accessory.

c Victoria Beckham's. She wore them because they complemented her tangerine dress.

4 Which unisex trend was much touted at the start of 2010 but failed to make a commercial killing?

a One-pieces. The loo issue proved too much.

b Aviator jackets. They quite literally bombed.

c Camel coats. An early sighting of Prince Charles wearing one kyboshed the trend.

5 Who lost the election, sartorially speaking?

a Sam Cam – her maxi dress was deemed too redolent of the Olsen twins by critics.

b David Miliband – the floral party shirt that he wore to signify the end of his front-bench career was a shocker.

c Nick Clegg – his pre-coalition ties were judged too one-note.

6 Whose much-lauded collection was often described as sleek, minimal and phenomenally expensive in 2010.

a Victoria Beckham's own label.

b Stella McCartney's spring ready-to-wear line.

c Phoebe Philo's collection for Celine.

7 What did Lady Gaga wear as a tribute to the late Alexander McQueen following news of his death?

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Will bank reforms help Spain?

 Will bank reforms help Spain?: "Spain is going to get rid of one of “the weak links of its chain”, i.e. to restructure the savings banks, which are planned to be enlarged so that the authorities could estimate their condition and help them in case of emergency.

Such savings banks are engaged in 50% of banking operations around the country, but they are burdened with bad debts.

In the meantime the Euro currency rate is moving back and forth around the same level. By now the price has stopped close to its low at 1.3072 and started to grow. According to the Department of studying Masterforex-V trading system , there is a newly-formed shortened wave. Getting over the MF pivot (1.3178) and MF SC will complete the entire wave started at 1.3497 and will initiate the formation of bullish wave B. Otherwise there is a possibility to see either bearish wave c(C ) or a shortened wave.
"

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Spain’s El Gordo 2.3 billion euros Christmas Lottery: Winning number 79250 - National Lottery | Examiner.com

Spain’s El Gordo 2.3 billion euros Christmas Lottery: Winning number 79250 - National Lottery | Examiner.com: "Merry Christmas Wishes from Barcelona, Spain. That's what these El Gordo lottery winners are singing after the equivalent of over $3,000,000,000—as in $3 BILLION DOLLARS—was handed out on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 in the Spanish lottery!

'Spaniards were glued to their televisions and radios Wednesday to find out if they were among the lucky winners in the annual Christmas lottery, this year worth more than 2.3 billion euros ($3 billion) distributed among more than 1,700 different prizes,' said Fox News.

According to the Barcelona Reporter, 'The world's biggest lottery El Gordo was showering prizes worth more than 2.3 billion euros on Spanish lottery El Gordo winners Wednesday. The Spanish Christmas lottery has been running for more than 200 years.' In fact, the El Gordo Lottery—which means The Fat One—has been going on since 1812."

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Here's How Wikileaks Killed Spain's Anti-Piracy Law

Here's How Wikileaks Killed Spain's Anti-Piracy Law: "Here's basically how it went down:
Spain is apparently one of the worst countries out there when it comes to online piracy.

Since most of the content that is being pirated comes from the US entertainment industry, the industry leaned on the US government to do something about Spain.

The US government leaned on Spain, which drafted a tough law that would allow a government panel and a judge to block illegal filesharing sites.

Then Wikileaks happened; the cables showed how the US government had leaned on Spain to get the law passed, which embarrassed the government.

Now the law's dead."

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Spain bans smoking in bars, restaurants | AHN

Spain bans smoking in bars, restaurants | AHN: "Spanish parliamentarians on Wednesday approved a tough anti-smoking law, which restricts individuals from smoking in an enclosed area. The ban will come into effect starting January 2, 2011. Smokers will not be allowed to smoke in bars, restaurants, or near school playgrounds and hospitals.

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero proposed the bill and the Lower House passed it by a 189 to 154 vote.
The move has upset bar and café owners, who fear that it will indirectly affect their business. Spain had already imposed anti-smoking law in 2006, but lighting up in any enclosed public space will end its famed image of smoke-filled bars, corner cafes and restaurants.
The lawmakers, meanwhile, rejected an amendment call to either allow casinos to have smoking zones or build sealed cubicles for smokers.
However, doctors are happy with the new legislation with the hope that this will help smokers to give up the habit.
Nearly 160 Spaniards die every day from smoking-related illness. Spanish Health Minister Leire Pajin has requested all citizens to share responsibility to make the new law a success."

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Vodafone Appoints Shameel Aziz Joosub Spain CEO to Turn Around Ailing Unit - Bloomberg

Vodafone Appoints Shameel Aziz Joosub Spain CEO to Turn Around Ailing Unit - Bloomberg: "Vodafone Group Plc replaced the chief executive officer of its Spanish unit as the world’s largest mobile-phone company tries to turn around the business in one of its worst-performing European markets.

Shameel Aziz Joosub, an executive director of Vodafone’s Vodacom unit in South Africa, was named CEO after Francisco Roman was appointed executive chairman, Simon Gordon, a company spokesman, said today via phone. The new CEO will report to Roman, he said.

First-half service revenue at the Spanish unit, excluding currency swings and acquisitions, fell 7.1 percent while declining 1.3 percent in Europe as a whole, Vodafone said in November. European service revenue accounted for about two- thirds of total sales last year.

Faced with unemployment at almost 20 percent in Spain and the deepest government budget cuts in three decades, Vodafone’s local unit has struggled to attract customers to higher-priced smartphones. Spain, reeling from the collapse of a debt-fueled housing boom, has the highest unemployment rate in the euro region and the third-largest budget deficit."

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URGENT APPEAL FOR DONATIONS!!! | Costa del Sol | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain

Euro Weekly News | URGENT APPEAL FOR DONATIONS!!! | Costa del Sol | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain: "PAD Animal Shelter in Mijas Costa was badly flooded by the torrential rains this weekend, resulting in the tragic loss of many cats and dogs. There was more than two feet of water and they currently have no electricity.

They urgently need foster homes for cats and dogs over Christmas, as well as donations of anything which could be of use, such as blankets, food, medicines, etc, to be taken to the shelter after Christmas when hopefully the shelter can open again, starting from scratch.

If you can help out in any way please call Mags on 655257712"

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Dentistry In Spain

Dentistry In Spain: "People travel to Spain for its beautiful coasts, Mediterranean diet, and late nights of salsa dancing, among other attractions. What most people don't know is that Spain houses some of the best quality dental care providers at highly reduced costs. Dentistry in Spain is as advanced as the best clinics in the UK and the U.S., but can cost up to forty percent less.
The country's distinctly rich history does not disappoint visitors interested in experiencing a uniquely vivacious culture that can counteract somewhat languid dental treatments. Nonetheless, the quality of care given by dentists in Spain does not disappoint those traveling for medical tourism. Dentistry in Spain is a highly successful industry."

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Madrid: Qatar Airways introduces Boeing 777 for the first time in Spain | Aviation

 Madrid: Qatar Airways introduces Boeing 777 for the first time in Spain | Aviation: "Commencing 1 January 2011, award-winning Qatar Airways will introduce its flagship Boeing 777 aircraft for the first time in Spain , operating on the daily non-stop Doha – Madrid route, Global Arab Network reports according to a press statement.

The Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft, featuring 42 seats in Business Class and 293 in Economy, offers more capacity than the Airbus A330s currently operating on the route.

Through the upgrade, Spanish travellers flying from Madrid via Doha to destinations such as Melbourne, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Bali will be able to travel and experience the entire journey onboard one of the most modern and ultra-comfortable aircraft in Qatar Airways’ fleet.

The two-class Boeing 777 offers Business Class seating in a 2–2–2 configuration, each with a seat pitch of 78-inches – or 6.5ft of leg room. Each seat converts into 180 degree horizontal flat beds. The aircraft also features a generous 3–3–3 configuration in Economy with up to 34-inch seat pitch. All seats provide personal touch screen seat back television screens with more than 900 interactive audio and video entertainment options, regardless of which class passengers are travelling in."

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Zara Phillips engaged to England rugby star Mike Tindall | Mail Online

Zara Phillips engaged to England rugby star Mike Tindall | Mail Online: "So understated is their romance, many people imagined they were engaged or married already. But today, the Queen's eldest grandchild Zara Phillips and her long-term boyfriend Mike Tindall finally announced their engagement.

Zara, the 29-year-old daughter of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, has followed her cousin William in taking the plunge after a lengthy courtship.

In a statement this afternoon she said: 'I was really shocked when Mike proposed but I am very happy.'

Tindall, 32, added: 'I am delighted that Zara has agreed to marry me. We are both very excited about the next stage of our lives together.'"

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Tourbus fire at London's O2 Arena ahead of Kings Of Leon gig | News | NME.COM

Tourbus fire at London's O2 Arena ahead of Kings Of Leon gig | News | NME.COM: "Around 60 firefighters are dealing with a tourbus fire at London's O2 Arena on the day that Kings Of Leon are set to play there.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade told NME that the firefighters were called to the scene at 8:18am (GMT) this morning (December 21) to deal with the blaze, with two vehicles on fire.

No injuries have been reported.

The spokesperson explained that the fire is taking place in a loading bay at the arena and is not affecting the seating or viewing area."

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BA Launches New Flights To Morocco

BA Launches New Flights To Morocco: "British property investors looking to buy real estate in Morocco will be encouraged by news that British Airways (BA) is launching new flights to the country in March next year.

BA has identified Marrakech as its top destination of 2011, in acknowledgement of the city's potential for growth in the tourism sector.

Commenting, the company's chief executive Willie Walsh said: 'Tourism and leisure travel is a crucial focus for us, so growing our holidays business is a major part of our business plan.'

BA added that the early response to the launch of the new route to Marrakech 'has been incredible'.

Meanwhile, according to experts at Experience International, Morocco is one to watch as we head into 2011, with it boasting a booming tourism market.

The news is sure to interest potential buy-to-let investors looking to purchase property in Morocco who will be able to benefit from the rise in visitor numbers."

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