Gaddafi Construction Projects in Marbella Costa del Sol Stopped

The Spanish Government has the first March stopped the construction of the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi construction projects in Marbell on the Costa del Sol.
It emerged at the end of February that the Libyan Bank, the Libyan Foreign Bank, which belongs to the Libyan state, owns 6.500 acres of land in Benahavis and that Marbella Town Hall commune had received an application for a permit to build an 18-hole golf course and 1.915 properties, in the form of luxury apartments, townhouses and villas on the land.
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The first March adopted the Spanish government – in line with sanctions from the UN and the EU – to stop all work in connection with the plans for the construction. The sanctions also mean that the current Libyan Board will not be able to sell or otherwise exploit the properties and land.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs owns Gadaffi and his family, perhaps several properties and investments in southern Spain, prepared by the Spanish authorities will now examine. It is also suspected that the family has other forms of investment in Spain, they are also been freeze

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FORMER UN secretary general Kofi Annan is coming to Marbella to talk about wine.

FORMER UN secretary general Kofi Annan is coming to Marbella to talk about wine.
The Nobel Prize winner will be the key note speaker at the Third World Conference on Climate Change and Wine, which is being held in Marbella next month for the first time.The main focus of his speech – which will be introduced by Pancho Campo MW, the first Spaniard to hold the title Master of Wine – will be on the responsibility of the corporate world in the fight against climate change.
And after the conference guests will have the chance to quiz the Ghanaian diplomat in a 30 minute question and answer session.
Organized by The Wine Academy of Spain, in conjunction with one of the foremost authorities on climate change research, the two-day event aims to raise awareness of the impact climate change is having on the global wine industry.
In particular, the conference will focus on ways to ease the problem, adjusting to the new climate and publicizing a business model for the wine industry that is more compatible with the environment.
While here, Annan and his wife will also be joined by the mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, to preside over an Official Dinner in aid of the Vicente Ferrer Foundation.

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Cabin crew at British Airways have voted overwhelmingly in favour of new strike action.

Cabin crew at British Airways have voted overwhelmingly in favour of new strike action.

The vote opens the possibility of strikes over Easter, although union sources have previously played down the prospect of any April walk-out.

The ballot was a re-run of an invalid vote held before Christmas.

The row began about cost-cutting but now centres on travel concessions taken from striking staff and disciplinary action against Unite union members.

The latest ballot - the fourth in less than two years - saw 5,811 Unite members vote in favour of strike action, while 1,170 voted against. The turnout was 72%.

The union now has 28 days to announce any strike dates.

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first of three Moroccan projects commissioned by BMCE (Banque Marocaine du Commerce Exterieur) may be an exception.

We haven’t always loved Foster & Partners developments in the Middle East. Although they are visually spectacular, we often wonder at the true sustainability of buildings that cost millions of dollars to construct. But the first of three Moroccan projects commissioned by BMCE (Banque Marocaine du Commerce Exterieur) may be an exception.

Albeit no quaint mom-and-pop straw bale building, the bank is nonetheless slightly less flamboyant than other F&P projects. By incorporating several energy-saving and passive design elements, the firm has kept the building’s carbon footprint to a minimum, while relying extensively on local materials, craftsmanship, and design.
The outer screen is made from a low-iron stainless steel that doesn’t heat up as quickly as conventional steel. Evoking traditional Arabic architecture, the screens help to keep the building’s interior nice and cool without sacrificing natural daylighting. Black granite and grey limestone are among the materials sourced locally.
A familiar scene in the Arab world, the dome was plastered on the inside with a technique called tadelakt, while exterior was sculpted with traditional ceramic tiles called zellige.The building is cooled without electricity with a system F&P call “earth tube.” Water circulated around the circumference of the building in underground pipes maintains a comfortable interior temperature. The first two BMCE banks are in Rabat and Casablanca, while a third in Fez is still being completed.

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Eversheds is adding Morocco to its expanding international network through a cooperation agreement that is expected to develop into a Casablanca office in the future.

Eversheds is adding Morocco to its expanding international network through a cooperation agreement that is expected to develop into a Casablanca office in the future.


Former Eversheds associate Mohamed Oulkhouir is establishing his own ­practice in Morocco to work in cooperation with the UK firm. Oulkhouir left Eversheds’ Paris office in 2008 to become Tangiers managing partner for Moroccan firm Balms & Cruz.

Eversheds Africa co-chair Boris Martor told The Lawyer that the firm was seeing “growing opportunities in North Africa, ­especially in Morocco”. He described Morocco as the most “significant hub” for the region.

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British Airways started new flights to Marrakech from London Gatwick on March 27,

British Airways started new flights to Marrakech from London Gatwick on March 27, 2011 in direct competition with low cost carriers.
The airline announced its new flights to Marrakech last November at the World Travel Market at ExCel in London.
Richard Tams, head of UK and Ireland sales and marketing, said at the time: "British Airways offers a real alternative to discerning travellers to Morocco. Unlike the low cost carriers, we offer fantastic all-inclusive fares with no stealth extras. The benefits you get on BA at no extra charge include a generous baggage allowance, drinks and snacks and much more.
"Marrakech adds another fabulous destination to our leisure network at Gatwick and I am confident it will be a huge success. It's a great starting point to explore Morocco; from trekking in the Atlas Mountains to exploring its amazing deserts and beaches and soaking up the atmosphere of the many medinas."
The chief executive officer of the Moroccan National Tourist Office, Mr. Hamid Addou, welcomed the announcement and said: "We're delighted that British Airways is returning to Morocco and Marrakech, where we know that there is a strong demand from the UK tourist market for flagship carriers.
"Marrakech is one of the key tourism destinations in the southern Europe and Africa regions.  Its brand image is very strong and we will reinforce it in our joint marketing programme."
A mix of Boeing 737s and Airbus A319s will operate the thrice-weekly service, which departs Gatwick on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, returning the same evening.
British Airways offers a wide range of hotels suitable for all types of holidays in Marrakech. Right in the centre of the authentic Medina, minutes walk from the Souks and the famous Place Djemma el Fnaa is the four-star Riad Karmela. For those seeking paradise during their luxury holidays coupled with a 27-hole golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the award-winning five-star Palmeraie Golf Palace is the place to visit.
British Airways last flew to Marrakech as GB Airways. The service operated from October 2002 until March 2008, when the route was discontinued following GB's takeover by easyJet.

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new Cafe Nikki, part of the forthcoming Nikki Beach, which is set in a lush garden overlooking waterfalls with a sprawling outdoor deck

Already open is the new Cafe Nikki, part of the forthcoming Nikki Beach, which is set in a lush garden overlooking waterfalls with a sprawling outdoor deck.  A European-style cafe, it offers 24/7 dining in the trademark Nikki Beach atmosphere, with a menu offering an exquisite blend of American cuisine and flavors inspired by international dishes.  Cafe Nikki features the Amazing Buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as the famous Sunday Amazing Brunch.  Cafe Nikki Happy Hour at the Tropicana Hotel & Resort offers an ambiance that's unique to the Las Vegas Strip, with open patio seating, live music/DJ, $5 specialty drinks, specialty ceviche and sushi bar every Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m.
Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine, which opened last August, offers sizzling prime cuts and Safe Harbor-certified fresh seafood in a South Beach-infused atmosphere of casual elegance.  Complementing the menu is a 200-bottle wine list that features wines from around the world, including rare vintages, and specialty drinks with a twist of Latin flavor, as well as Tropicana Las Vegas' signature Leblon classic caipirinhas and Ambhar key lime margaritas.  Biscayne offers regular specials, currently a Four-Course Tasting Menu & Wine Pairing for $39.99 per person with your Trop Plus Players Club Membership.
Coming soon is South Beach Marketplace, which will provide an array of casual food and drink shops, including Starbucks and Pellegrino Pizza, as well as Asian noodles and self-serve frozen yogurt/gelato.  These and other shops in development will all be open late (Starbucks will be 24 hours), with common seating that can accommodate up to 90 people.  South Beach Marketplace will be located right off the casino floor, adjacent to the entrance to the Tropicana hotel pool and Cafe Nikki.

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Actress Gwyneth Paltrow says she took help from Robert Downey Jr. to understand her role as an alcoholic

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow says she took help from Robert Downey Jr. to understand her role as an alcoholic singer in new movie 'Country Strong'.

'I actually emailed Robert Downey Jr., who has been sober for a long time, and asked him to explain addiction to me. And he wrote me the most amazing email. And it really helped me understand it,' contactmusic.com quoted her as saying.

The 38-year-old actress will play alcoholic singer Kelly Canter in the new movie 'Country Strong' for which she sought the advice of Downey Jr., who battled addictions to drink and drugs for many years, to get into the mindset of her character.

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O'Brien house in Marbella

The Lowry house at Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, and the O'Brien house in Marbella
What the tribunal heard:

Michael Lowry received a loan for £147,000 from the late David Austin, paid into an Isle of Man account. Lawyers for Denis O'Brien said that a short time previously he paid Mr Austin £150,000 for a house in Marbella. That money went into a Jersey account and was then used by Mr Austin to lend Mr Lowry the €147,000. Mr Lowry returned the money to Mr Austin on the day the tribunal was established. Mr Lowry said the "loan" was to help him refurbish a house on Carysfort Avenue in Blackrock, Co Dublin, which he had bought as a second home in July 1996. Mr Lowry said that, following his resignation as a minister, he no longer needed a house in Dublin. He said he sold it back to the builder in January 1997 and repaid the "loan" to Mr Austin the following month.

What the judge concluded:

This was a carefully-planned and covert payment of £147,000 by Denis O'Brien to Michael Lowry and that the money was "hastily repaid (to Mr Austin in February 1997) out of fear of possible disclosure at the time that the McCracken Tribunal was established". The series of transactions was a "belated attempt retrospectively to clothe those transactions with some commercial reality, in circumstances prompted by a realisation that at some point they might be uncovered".

What Denis O'Brien says:

"At no time did I make or attempt to make any payment to Michael Lowry. The purchase of a property in Spain by me and a loan which Michael Lowry took out in relation to a house in Dublin are two completely separate and unrelated transactions. Michael Lowry was not a beneficiary of what are two separate transactions."

The Mansfield property purchase
What the tribunal heard:

A property agent, Kevin Phelan, contacted Michael Lowry in 1997 to gauge his interest in investing in property in the UK. In 1998, Mr Phelan contacted Mr Lowry again to advise him of an investment opportunity in Mansfield. At a meeting in September 1998, Mr Phelan introduced Mr Lowry to solicitor Christopher Vaughan. At the same meeting, Mr Lowry advised Mr Phelan that he did not have the money to purchase the Mansfield property outright. Mr Phelan told him that he was skilled at putting com- binations of investors together.

In December 1998, Mr Lowry put down a 10 per cent deposit of Stg£25,000 on the Mansfield property through Mr Vaughan, having being convinced by Kevin Phelan that he would secure investors to cover the remainder of its Stg£250,000 purchase price.

Mr Lowry told the tribunal that Aidan Phelan was, unknown to him, introduced to the project by Kevin Phelan. Upon the completion of the Mansfield purchase, Michael Lowry and Aidan Phelan met and a 90:10 partnership arrangement was agreed in the latter's favour. By this time, Aidan Phelan had a close business relationship and financial association with Denis O'Brien as an adviser and associate. Apart from his involvement with Esat Digifone, Mr Phelan had been involved in Mr O'Brien's purchase of the Quinta Da Lago resort in the Portuguese Algarve and of a shareholding in Versatel Telecom NV. In or around December 1998, it was agreed that Aidan Phelan should receive a percentage fee of 3 per cent up to a maximum of $1.5m in payment for his work on Versatel.

On March 29, 1999, Aidan Phelan proceeded with Denis O'Brien's agreement to draw Stg£300,000 from O'Brien's Credit Suisse First Boston account in London. This money was transmitted directly to the client account of Christopher Vaughan, where it was credited to Michael Lowry. Mr Vaughan applied the bulk of that amount to discharge the balance on the Mansfield property.

What the judge concluded:

Mr Justice Moriarty says that the form in which the Stg£300,000 payment was made -- through Aidan Phelan -- "was motivated by a desire to conceal the fact that Mr O'Brien was the true source of the payment to Mr Lowry".

Falsification of documents relating to Mr Lowry's involvement in the Mansfield and Cheadle transactions, by solicitor Christopher Vaughan, had been "motivated by a desire to obscure from the tribunal a clear financial connection between Denis O'Brien and Michael Lowry and the payments by the former to the latter".

What Denis O'Brien says:

"The tribunal has yet again tried to connect totally unrelated transactions ... I had nothing to do with either the Mansfield (a derelict farm site in the UK Midlands) or Cheadle (a church hall in the UK Midlands) deals and knew nothing about them until they were brought to my attention by the tribunal in 2001. This is because I had no direct or indirect interest in either of them."

The Doncaster Rovers Football Club lands
What the tribunal heard:

Kevin Phelan had had dealings with Aidan Phelan and Denis O'Brien in connection with a number of substantial UK property ventures, one in Luton and the other at Doncaster Rovers Football Club (where Denis O'Brien was stated to be the sole investor with the assistance of Aidan Phelan as his adviser).

In meetings on September 23 and 24, 1998, with Mr Lowry and Kevin Phelan in September 1998, solicitor Christopher Vaughan formed the impression that Mr Lowry had a "total involvement" in the Doncaster Rovers transaction. He wrote to him in those terms in on September 25, 1998. Mr Vaughan later said that this letter was wrong and Mr Lowry had no involvement in the deal. Mr O'Brien told the tribunal that the lease had been bought by him for Stg£4.3m through an Isle of Man registered company called Westferry and that he (Mr O'Brien) had been introduced to the property by Kevin Phelan. Michael Lowry said he had no involvement in the Doncaster Rovers deal and never received the letter dated September 25, 1998, from Christopher Vaughan.

What the judge concluded:

Mr Lowry did have an involvement in the Doncaster Rovers deal, which "would entail a payment to, or a conferral of pecuniary advantage on him ( Mr Lowry), the source of which was the ultimate beneficial owner of Doncaster, that is, Mr Denis O'Brien". Mr Lowry did not acquire any legal title to Doncaster Rovers after the share transfer in August 1998.

What Denis O'Brien says:

"The Doncaster Rovers Football Club deal was exclusively mine. Michael Lowry had no hand, act or part in this deal. Indeed, the tribunal report makes no finding that Michael Lowry benefited from this transaction."

Sunday Independent

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nearly five years since James Hewitt left England, The Polo House, which has been open for two years, is a classic colonial-style redoubt. Airy and sumptuous, the restaurant is filled with imported dark wood from the Far East, with polo trophies and pony pictures dotted around .

, following a string of TV programmes and a slew of newspaper stories about his gallivanting.
His downfall had all begun after he reportedly solicited £10million for his collection of around 60 perfume-laden missives, which he had received during his affair with the former wife of Prince Charles.
The former cavalry officer quickly became one of the UK’s biggest hate figures, not helped when he went on to collaborate with Anna Pastanak on a book about the princess’s life.
Now well ensconced on the Costa del Sol and fronting a business that has proven highly popular, it is a time he is now hoping to forget.
Wearing his trademark grey cashmere cardigan, check shirt and shiny leather loafers, Hewitt is surprisingly engaging about his reasons for fleeing England for Spain.
“For 10 years I was stalked by the press,” he explains, sipping gingerly on his double expresso. “I eventually realised I was never going to be left alone in England and my life had become a huge pantomime in order to sell newspapers.
“I do take the blame in part, of course, but I was being used and things got out of control.
“I decided I was going to do something about it. I didn’t want to become a bigoted twisted fool and I couldn’t let them win, which is why I left England.”
It began the next chapter of his life, one where he has largely been left alone and where he has been able to forge a lucrative collaboration with one of the coast’s premier restaurateurs Ram Nandkishore, whom he describes as his ‘great business mentor’.



Part-financed through his own savings – and very much his idea – Polo House, which has been open for two years, is a classic colonial-style redoubt. Airy and sumptuous, the restaurant is filled with imported dark wood from the Far East, with polo trophies and pony pictures dotted around .
Extremely popular in the evenings – and particularly for Sunday lunch when it is not uncommon to have up to 100 diners – he can count Marbella mayoress Angeles Muñoz as a regular, as well as Mark Thatcher and Status Quo’s Francis Rossi… or at least until he had a blazing row with his girlfriend there a few months ago.
In particular, it is one of the few places on the coast, where people dine without thinking about budgets, believes James.
“I really felt Marbella had the potential for this sort of place when I moved here,” he explains. “I have eaten in so many places around the world and know a bit about wine. Quite frankly, there was not much else I could do,” he quips. “I don’t really work here either. I just hang about, march in and out. To be fair I have not really worked in my life before.”
It is this self-effacing side – and his obvious good humour – that immediately makes one warm to the former soldier, who went on to lead a squadron of 14 tanks and 150 men into battle during the first Gulf War.
“A sense of humour is the most important thing in life. It is vital to bring happiness and joy to people’s lives. I hope I do that,” he says.
A sense of humour is the most important thing in life. It is vital to bring happiness
Born in 1958 in Kent to a Naval officer father, he joined the Brigade of Guards at the age of 20, before heading to Ireland and later Iraq during Desert Storm.
“There were some pretty hairy moments and thank God we got through it with only three injuries during five days of fighting.
“You learn a lot about yourself in situations like that. There was a plethora of emotions. Fear, worry and euphoria and then at the end a steady calmness.”
It is this sort of state that he believes he is finally getting to in his life, down here in southern Spain.
By his own account his routine is a pleasant one. He pops into the restaurant when needed around five evenings a week and spends the rest of the time playing tennis and helping his partner Ram expand his Costa del Sol business empire.
“I have grown to love the area since I arrived here,” he explains. “I like the different pace of life and of course the weather. It takes a long time to become accepted but I am starting to feel part of the community.”
Indeed, he is so taken by the coast that, contrary to rumours, he is actually thinking of settling here more permanently.
“I am in fact selling my place in London and I will finally have some money to buy a bigger place here.
“I could not see myself ever moving back to London. I like the countryside and going to nice pubs or shooting or hunting foxes and anything else for that matter than annoys the politically correct lobby.”
It is a frequent theme of our conversation, which is peppered with attacks on the former prime minister Tony Blair, who he opposes in almost every way. A staunchly dyed–in–the–wool Conservative, there is a clear sense that with a Tory government in power back home, he might actually get on quite well in Blighty now. Indeed, there is even talk of opening a franchise of Polo House in London, in addition to Beijing and India.
“I hope I am no longer hated back home and people can see me for my successes over here,” he says. “Ultimately, I think the whole crisis I’ve been through brought about a lot of good,” he estimates. “I was right out of my comfort zone and there was a lot of soul searching. It was uncomfortable and I have had to work hard to improve myself. I now just want to be myself and I believe that I am a pretty decent chap, after all.”

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Debbie Harry was “absolutely” a drug addict for “a couple of years”.

The Blondie singer has admitted she “tried everything”, including heroin, and at one point in the late 80s was addicted to drugs.

When asked if she was a junkie, Debbie replied: “Absolutely. I guess for a couple of years.”

She described that period of her life as very difficult, saying: “It was depression… our record company dropped us, our manager walked out, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) walked in. Everything fell apart and I fell apart along with it. But ice cream was great.”

The Heart Of Glass hitmaker did, however, turn things around, going to rehab with her then boyfriend, Blondie guitarist Chris Stein.

She added: “Chris did it at the same time, we did it together. I think we both decided that it was overdue.”

Debbie also admitted she has tried drugs since, but has remained largely sober, and doesn’t even drink alcohol.

She said: “I think there was a short period where I did some cocaine, but I’ve never got seriously involved since then.

“I don’t’ have the head for alcohol. I don’t have the capacity. So, if I drink it’s a short evening - very short and very cheap!”

Blondie’s new album Panic Of Girls is released on May 30

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Fine art agent, Stephen Howes, presents his most comprehensive and thought provoking exhibition to date, presenting a group of modern artists with a wide range of styles for any kind of taste.

Fine art agent, Stephen Howes, presents his most comprehensive and thought provoking exhibition to date, presenting a group of modern artists with a wide range of styles for any kind of taste. Howes has spent months preparing this exhibition which includes not only acclaimed and sought after artists such as Don Clarke, Christopher Stone and Rowland Fade, but also relative new-comers including Felix Muyo, Marco Bombagh, Nicholas de Lacy-Brown, Johan Wahlstrom, and the controversial Andy Bonomo. The works on show from this group are worth a million euros. The show will take place at the Casino Marbella from 1 April to May 3rd.

The collection is being arranged in the privileged Marbella casino exhibition venue, the casino's entrance areas and walls have also been allocated to art for maximum and effective visibility. A great deal of thought and consideration was made especially in evaluating the painting or sculpture for the viewer’s personal intent, whether to add to an art collection, use in home decorating, purchase for resale or simply as an investment.

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I am concerned by the ease with which decisions to use force are taken in international affairs. This is becoming a persistent tendency in US policy

The statement from Mr Putin came after Russia abstained from the UN Security Council vote which authorised a no-fly zone over Libya and 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians against Col Gaddafi's forces.
Mr Putin, who was speaking to workers at a Russian missile factory, added, "I am concerned by the ease with which decisions to use force are taken in international affairs. This is becoming a persistent tendency in US policy," he added.
However, in one of the most public clashes between the two men to date, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said it was unacceptable to make such historical comparisons, warning such remarks risked stirring up even more trouble.
Mr Medvedev sharply rebuked Mr Putin, saying, "Under no circumstances is it acceptable to use expressions which essentially lead to a clash of civilisations. Such as [talking of] a 'crusade' and so on."

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Charlie Sheen will soon be hitting the road for his one-man show Charlie Sheen LIVE:

Charlie Sheen will soon be hitting the road for his one-man show Charlie Sheen LIVE: My Violent Torpedo of Truth, but could the embattled actor be coming back to the small screen?

On Monday, reports surfaced that CBS would consider welcoming Sheen, 45, back on Two and a Half Men – if an agreement with all the warring parties, including Sheen, Warner Bros. and show creator Chuck Lorre, could be reached.

But a source close to the situation tells PEOPLE that a deal is not likely: "I don't see that happening."

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The man claiming that one of JK Rowling's Harry Potter books was lifted from another work has been ordered to pay more than £1.5 million into court as security for the costs of the author and her publisher

The man claiming that one of JK Rowling's Harry Potter books was lifted from another work has been ordered to pay more than £1.5 million into court as security for the costs of the author and her publisher - or the case will be struck out.

The order was made by Mr Justice Kitchin at a hearing in the Chancery Division of the High Court.

The claim has been brought by Paul Allen, trustee of the estate of the late Adrian Jacobs, who died in 1997, who alleges that the fourth Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, was plagiarised from Mr Jacobs' book, Willy the Wizard.

Mr Allen is suing Ms Rowling and her publisher, Bloomsbury, for some £5 million.

Mr Justice Kitchen last year rejected an application by Ms Rowling and Bloomsbury to strike the case out - although he said it had only an 'improbable' chance of success.

Now he has ordered Mr Allen to make a series of staged payments into court as security for 65 per cent of the costs faced by Ms Rowling and Bloomsbury.

He said Mr Allen should pay £322.691 for Bloomsbury's costs and £571,613 for Ms Rowling's costs by April 21, with a further £24,650 for Bloomsbury's costs and £178,441 for Ms Rowling's costs to follow by August 5.

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Katie is and will always b the love of my life

The model agreed to a dinner date with one of Khan’s entourage, Saj Mohamed, the boxing champ claimed on Twitter.
And the new couple planned to go public, added Khan, 24, who tweeted: ‘Saj admitted they had a lengthy convo and it turns out in the nxt few days they announcing somat.’
Mohamed himself then wrote: ‘Katie is and will always b the love of my life.’
A friend of Price’s later dismissed the talk as ‘lads’ banter’.
It followed tension between Mohamed, 23, and 25-year-old Penna, after Khan’s friend branded the South American a ‘little bitch’.
At the weekend, it was claimed Penna was planning to dump Price, 32, anyway and had been using her for a career boost.
It came as the pair took Peter Andre’s children to see The X Factor tour together, followed by more soppy messages to each other on Twitter.

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La Zagaleta is home, or at least part-time hideaway, to about 200 business families, celebrities and assorted millionaires

La Zagaleta is home, or at least part-time hideaway, to about 200 business families, celebrities and assorted millionaires. Remaining plot prices start at about €2.2m, or €440 a square metre, while the most expensive of the estate’s palatial homes can still fetch in excess of €10m.

Despite its geography La Zagaleta is light years from the thousands of empty, identikit villas hanging grimly from the arid slopes or lined up in the soulless inland estates of the Costa del Sol and other Mediterranean strips. The second – or holiday – home segment is where Spain’s catastrophic property collapse started in 2007, eventually bringing the entire economy down with it. As the country struggles to shake off low or negative economic growth, more than 1m new or unfinished homes remain unsold around the country.

Discounts of up to 30 or 40 per cent abound as cash-starved developers, bankruptcy administrators or creditors look for quick sales to avoid punitive balance sheet write-downs. Sector experts say it could be another three to five years before the situation begins to look manageable.

The view from the country’s high-end housing segment is markedly less Dante-esque. With few serious oversupply issues, less onerous debt leveraging by developers and a ready – if reduced or war-weary – selection of potential buyers just a phone call away, the luxury end has been equipped to weather the crisis better than most. Coaxing buyers back into the market, however, has not been easy, says Borja Godoy, head of marketing at the Sotogrande estate, about an hour south-west of La Zagaleta.

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Former world champion Ricky Hatton says he is enjoying life as a promoter,

Former world champion Ricky Hatton says he is enjoying life as a promoter, although he admits to still dreaming of a return to the ring.

The 32-year-old has not fought since being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao almost two years ago and does not have any immediate plans to get back into training.

He is currently running Hatton Promotions and is busy with preparations for Amir Khan's WBA light-welterweight title defence against Paul McCloskey at the MEN Arena on April 16.

And Hatton is excited to be able to develop promising young boxers even if he still thinks about fighting again himself.

"I'm enjoying it massively," said Hatton, a former world title holder at two weights.

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17 euro-zone countries have made the direction in which they are heading very clear

Sooner or later, the euro-zone financial crisis will be over. Greek, Irish, Portuguese and probably Spanish creditors will have neatly trimmed hair, the banks will have had to shore up their inadequate capital, German exporters will continue to cash the profits from the euro their southern partners have obligingly weakened, and the eurocracy will have found other reasons to meet. But Europe will not be the same.

It will be changed in two very important ways. First, the 27-nation European Union will have fractured into separate groups of 17 and 10. Second, the economies of the Gang of 17 will be centrally managed by a Franco-German coalition, while the nations among the 10 "leftovers" will fight a losing battle to effect the policies of the EU of which they are paid-up members. Peaceful coexistence between the 17 and the 10 is no sure thing.

The 17 euro-zone countries have made the direction in which they are heading very clear. The felt need to prevent defaults by its overly indebted members is leading to a more pervasive system of central economic management. The 17 are to have access to Germany's balance sheet, in return for which Germany is quite properly demanding a say in how they manage their economic affairs. Not only their budgets, but all the factors that affect their international competitiveness: methods of wage bargaining; the generosity of their welfare states, including the timing and terms of retirement; regulations concerning access to various occupations; and, most of all, tax rates.

It's not on for Greece to borrow money from the stronger euro-zone countries while operating loss-making, nationalized transport systems; or for euro-countries to index retirement benefits to wage rates rather than retail prices, with Germany the payer of last resort; or for one member to maintain corporate tax rates at half the level of the group average. It has become clear that a one-size-fits-all interest rate must be accompanied by more uniform fiscal and related economic policies. Joy unbounded in Paris as the long-sought French goal of a 17-nation euro-zone "economic government" comes closer to realization, marginalizing EU institutions.

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“Limitless,” a thriller from Relativity Media LLC about a mind-expanding drug, opened in first place in U.S. and Canadian theaters with sales of $19 million.

“Limitless,” a thriller from Relativity Media LLC about a mind-expanding drug, opened in first place in U.S. and Canadian theaters with sales of $19 million.

“Rango,” the Johnny Depp animated comedy, held at second place with $15.3 million in sales for Viacom Inc. (VIA/B)’s Paramount and Nickelodeon divisions, researcher Hollywood.com Box-Office said today. “Battle: Los Angeles,” Sony Corp. (6758)’s special- effects thriller about an alien invasion, fell to third from first with sales of $14.6 million and “The Lincoln Lawyer,” from Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (LGF), debuted in fourth place with $13.4 million.

Revenue for the top 12 films this weekend fell 8.7 percent to $104.5 million from a year earlier, Hollywood.com said in an e-mailed statement, as new films failed to match the appeal of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” the box- office leaders a year earlier.

Domestic box-office sales this year have fallen 20 percent to $2.02 billion. Attendance is down 21 percent.

“We thought ‘Battle: Los Angeles’ would top the weekend,” Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box-office division of Hollywood.com, said in a telephone interview. “It’s an action movie appealing to teen males, and they all rushed to see it opening weekend. I thought it would do better.”

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