Monday 31 May 2010

Christopher ‘Christy’ Kinahan, who was arrested as part of a large police operation on Tuesday last week, has been remanded to custody and denied bai

The man who is the head of the so-called ‘Irish Mafia’ on the Costa del Sol, 53 year old Christopher ‘Christy’ Kinahan, who was arrested as part of a large police operation on Tuesday last week, has been remanded to custody and denied bail in the First Instance and Instruction Court Three in Estepona.

The judge has now taken the statements of 18 people, and also ordered prison on remand for Kinahan’s two sons and two others. A further three people were granted bail set at 60,000 €.

Nine others have now been released, but with charges still outstanding, one of whom also has to report to the court every fortnight, has his passport withdrawn, and has been told not to leave the country.

The group faces charges of money laundering, drug trafficking and the falsification of documents.

The police operation, called ‘shovel’ saw arrests in Estepona, Marbella and Fuengirola last Tuesday, as well as actions in London and Dublin and a total of 31 arrests.

More than 500 police took part in making the arrests and more than 200 mercantile companies are being inspected thought to have been used in laundering money obtained by the criminal activities of the gang.

The Spanish Interior Ministry said the gang invested most of the money in real estate on the Costa del Sol and in other places such as Brazil.

Major drug supply cut off to Ireland and Europe after Irish Mafia boss arrested | Irish News | IrishCentral


Major drug supply cut off to Ireland and Europe after Irish Mafia boss arrested | Irish News | IrishCentral: "Spanish police and Interpol detained over 30 people across Europe last week. Such is Kinahan's influence on Ireland's drug trade that the police believe that there may be a massive drug shortage in Ireland in the coming months.
Police fear unprecedented gangland violence as Irish drug gangs engage in a bloody power struggle.
It is believed that Kinahan neutralized practically all his competition in Ireland and had offered drug gangs cheaper drugs if they worked together and stopped tit for tat gangland murders.
The police began their operation in 2008 after police seized cannabis worth $14 million in a house beside an isolated bog in Kildare.
Kinahan had set up several bogus companies that specialized in 'importing' foodstuffs.
Using a small army of trucks, the 'food companies' distributed millions of dollars worth of drugs to Ireland's drugs gangs.
Spanish police have arrested several solicitors that helped launder Kinahan's drug money.
Brazilian police have seized Kinahan's property portfolio, which they believe is worth over $700million."

Sunday 30 May 2010

26 arrested as part of European crackdown on Dublin drugs gang | IOL

26 arrested as part of European crackdown on Dublin drugs gang | IOL: "Kinahan has been slowly building up an empire and set up his base in the south of Spain where he allegedly became the mastermind of the most powerful crime gang there and in Ireland.He was one of nine Irish nationals arrested in Spain, while one man was detained in Dublin.IT equipment, mobile phones, documents, bank account details and cash were seized during 29 raids on homes and businesses in Dublin and Co Meath by more than 100 gardaí.
Chief Superintendent Tony Quilter, head of the National Drugs Unit, said the work of the predominately Irish gang had a far-reaching effect across Europe.
“The fact that a number of prominent Irish criminals have been arrested I would imagine will impact to some degree on the drug market,” he said."

26 arrested as part of European crackdown on Dublin drugs gang | IOL

26 arrested as part of European crackdown on Dublin drugs gang | IOL: "Three Dublin men who were arrested by police in Spain during the week, appeared before a Spanish court
Irish gangland boss Christy Kinahan and his sons Daniel and Christopher Junior are suspected of drug smuggling and money laundering.
It is expected Christy, Daniel and Christopher Kinahan junior will be taken to jail near Malaga to await trial, but that will not be confirmed by authorities until later today.The three, along with another Irishman, 58-year-old John Cunningham, were among 34 people arrested in Spain, the UK and Ireland last Tuesday as part of an international investigation into a Spanish- based, Irish-led drug trafficking gang.
Cunningham was released on bail late last night.Under Spanish law, suspects can be held for up to two years without formal charges being brought."

Saturday 29 May 2010

downgraded Spain’s debt Friday due to Spain’s austerity measures which are seen as a threat to the country’s economic growth

Ratings agency Fitch downgraded Spain’s debt Friday due to Spain’s austerity measures which are seen as a threat to the country’s economic growth.
“The downgrade reflects Fitch’s assessment that the process of adjustment to a lower level of private sector and external indebtedness will materially reduce the rate of growth of the Spanish economy over the medium-term,” said Brian Coulton, Fitch’s Head of EMEA Sovereign Ratings.
Private debt includes household debt, company debt as well as bank debts.
The ratings agency slashed Spain’s triple A rating to AA+
Fitch warned in a statement that “the inflexibility of the labour market and the restructuring of regional and local savings banks will … hinder the pace of adjustment, particularly in the aftermath of the real estate boom.

Friday 28 May 2010

Costa del Sol Life - The No.1 Costa del Sol Blog: Costa del Sol Property involved in €650m plus Empire

Costa del Sol Life - The No.1 Costa del Sol Blog: Costa del Sol Property involved in €650m plus Empire: "LUXURY property empire worth €500 million in Brazil has emerged among the sprawling wealth of the criminal gang allegedly led by Christy Kinahan.

n the Costa del Sol poperty sector, 60 properties valued at approximately €150m have been identified as proceeds of the international drug trafficking and money-laundering network.

Spanish police also confiscated €100,000 in cash, at one address alone, and more than 20 luxury cars.

Spanish police said in a statement: 'The money obtained through illicit means by the group has been invested mostly in the real estate sector, in the Costa del Sol, as well as in other parts of the world such as Brazil, where the network possesses six tourist complexes and luxury residences.

'Investigators estimate that these complexes are worth around €500m.'"

Fashion Show at the Polo House | Marbella Costa del Sol

Fashion Show at the Polo House | Marbella Costa del Sol: "The Polo House would like to request the pleasure of your company for an afternoon of Glamour, Fashion and Style!
Polo House- Fashion Show by ·Starlet Styles·
Hand designed by former Miss Universe Ireland, Louise Doheny, Starlet is aimed at young, fashion conscious, women and offers one-of-a-kind celebrity inspired clothing and accessories
The show will take a place on Saturday 5th of June at lunch time, and guests will have a complimentary glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival."

Irish gangster held after international police sting | World news | guardian.co.uk

Irish gangster held after international police sting | World news | guardian.co.uk: "John Cunningham, 58, an armed robber and drug dealer. He was convicted in 1986 for the kidnapping of one of the heirs to the Guinness family fortune, Jennifer Guinness.
Eleven properties in Spain were searched during the early morning raids, the details of which were disclosed today. Both Cunningham and Kinahan can be held without charge for up to two years under Spanish law.
In Dublin, 29 premises were searched and one man in his 20s arrested. The places targeted include a solicitor's and accountants' offices.
Gardai are examining a number of front companies that operate in Ireland, the UK and Spain that claim to export food from the Iberian peninsula but which detectives believe are being used to transport cannabis and cocaine into Britain and Ireland."

'Irish Mafia' starts to declare on the Costa del Sol

'Irish Mafia' starts to declare on the Costa del Sol: "judge in Instruction Court Three in Estepona on Thursday started to take the statements from eight of the 31 people arrested in the operation carried out against the so-called Irish mafia in Spain earlier this week.100 luxury properties were searched in the operation and arrests made on the Costa del Sol, the U.K. and in Ireland.
Three of the eight to declare on Thursday arrived at the court in a police van at 4pm and left after 7pm amid high levels of security. National and Local police closed off local streets during the declarations.A second group of five started to declare after 7pm.The Costa del Sol group is alleged to have had connections to some 20 countries and be linked to a similar number of crimes including a shooting in an Estepona urbanisation in February 2008 in which a 28 year old lost his life."

Thursday 27 May 2010

€500m property empire in Brazil among gang’s assets | Irish Examiner

€500m property empire in Brazil among gang’s assets | Irish Examiner: "LUXURY property empire worth €500 million in Brazil has emerged among the sprawling wealth of the criminal gang allegedly led by Christy Kinahan.
the Costa del Sol, 60 properties valued at approximately €150m have been identified as proceeds of the international drug trafficking and money-laundering network. Spanish police also confiscated €100,000 in cash, at one address alone, and more than 20 luxury cars.
Spanish police said in a statement: 'The money obtained through illicit means by the group has been invested mostly in the real estate sector, in the Costa del Sol, as well as in other parts of the world such as Brazil, where the network possesses six tourist complexes and luxury residences."

Neighbours suspicious of security at luxury villa - Europe, World News - Independent.ie


Neighbours suspicious of security at luxury villa - Europe, World News - Independent.ie: "stunning villa where suspected gangster Daniel Kinahan was arrested during a dramatic dawn raid.
Armed police swooped on the €3m mansion just after 7am on Tuesday after sealing off nearby roads.
More than a dozen investigators spent the morning searching the property before seizing computer equipment and paperwork.
Yesterday it emerged that Daniel, son of alleged crime boss Christy Kinahan, bought the property last autumn and spent hundreds of thousands of euro renovating it and installing banks of security cameras around the perimeter."

Former model arrested in Argentina on drug charges - CNN.com

Former model arrested in Argentina on drug charges - CNN.com: "Angela Sanclemente, 30, was picked up the K-Lodges Hostel in Buenos Aires' Palermo neighborhood, police spokesman Maximiliano Lencina told reporters Wednesday afternoon.
Lencina said Sanclemente was registered at the hostel -- popular with foreign university students -- under the name 'Annie' and had told people at the hostel she was from Mexico. She had dyed her brown hair to blonde and was alone in the hostel when detained.
Lencina said Sanclemente has been in touch with her lawyer and will be questioned on Thursday by an Argentine federal judge. She will be transported Wednesday afternoon from the hostel to Airport Security Police offices at the Ezeiza International Airport, he said.
Interpol issued an international arrest warrant for Sanclemente in March. Investigators at the time said they believed she might be in Argentina, where authorities suspected she may be the 'queen-pin' of an international operation that uses models as drug mules to move suitcases loaded with cocaine out of the Buenos Aires airport."

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Spanish police link gang to Costa del Sol murder - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

Spanish police link gang to Costa del Sol murder - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie: "SPANISH police yesterday linked members of the criminal gang allegedly led by the Kinahan family to the murder of Paddy Doyle in Estepona in February 2008.
A police spokesman revealed pan-European crimefighting organisation Europol had brought together police from five countries in 2008 to coordinate a Spanish-led operation to smash the gang.
A statement released late last night by Spanish police said: 'Investigators managed to link a murder committed in Estepona in February 2008 to certain members of the organisation, as well as relating them to other crimes committed on the Costa del Sol, Holland and Ireland."

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Suspected Irish crime boss arrested - UK & Ireland, Breaking News - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Suspected Irish crime boss arrested - UK & Ireland, Breaking News - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk: "Christy Kinahan, dubbed the 'Irish Godfather', was held with his two sons when dozens of armed police descended on their 6 million euro (£5.2 million) mansion in Malaga, Spain.
The 53-year-old Irish-born British passport holder is alleged to be the kingpin of a global crime conspiracy which traded in drugs, guns and laundered hundreds of millions of euros in dirty cash.
Sources said Kinahan was one of the top targets for international crime-fighting agencies, including the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca), the Security Services, Europol and Irish An Garda Siochana. More than 750 police officers were involved in the raids co-ordinated by police in London, Dublin and Malaga.
The Kinahans were among 20 people, including four Spanish lawyers, held by Spanish National Police during raids at properties on the Costa del Sol, an area notorious for its links to crime"

Christopher 'Christy' Kinahan, 53, is said to be the network's bossUK 'Gangsters' Arrested On Costa Del Sol | UK & World News | Orange UK



UK 'Gangsters' Arrested On Costa Del Sol | UK & World News | Orange UK: "Armed police have arrested several suspects said to be major British gangsters running a drugs and gun supply network from their base on Spain's Costa del Sol.
Other alleged gang members are being held after a series of dawn raids in the UK and Ireland. A total of 32 arrests have been made.
The operation involved 750 police officers from three countries and represents the biggest deployment of officers from Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca).
Christopher 'Christy' Kinahan, 53, is said to be the network's boss.
He was arrested on the coast at Estepona at the £10m villa he has lived in for the past few years.
Kinahan is thought to have been behind a bet-to-lose horse-racing scam in the UK in 2004, in which top jockey Kieren Fallon and others were eventually acquitted when an Old Bailey trial collapsed.
His sons Christy Junior and Daniel have also been arrested in an operation involving armed police.
The crime gang is suspected of major drug trafficking into the UK and the rest of Europe, gun supply to inner city gangs in Britain and several underworld murders."

Thorn points to profit success | The Australian

Thorn points to profit success | The Australian: "Spanish authorities have stepped in to rescue CajaSur Bank, which is owned by the Catholic Church. CajaSur is heavily exposed to holiday homes on the Costa del Sol.
With 900,000 homes reportedly for sale, it will be more a case of Costa del Sold than the playground for both the rich and for pasty-faced Brits on package tours.
With divine help from Upstairs officially unavailable, it's up to investors to protect themselves.
Thankfully there are still some safe havens available, as financier Thorn Group's (TGA) numbers attest this morning."

Monday 24 May 2010

Cajasur gets bailout from Bank of Spain | SpanishNews.es

Cajasur gets bailout from Bank of Spain | SpanishNews.es: "Andalucian based Spanish savings bank Cajasur, controlled by the Roman Catholic Church has been taken control of by Spain’s central Bank Saturday amid growing concerns over Spain’s ability to clean out its public finances and creditworthiness.
Cajasur raked up hundreds of millions of euro losses as its struggled to cope with the growing financial crisis, which cost the bank 596 million euros losses in 2009 and 114 million in the first quarter of 2010.
The Spanish central bank plans to sell troubled savings bank Cajasur to the highest bidder as soon as possible. This is the second time the Bank of Spain stepped in in the bank since the beginning of the financial crisis in 2008."

Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | City & Business :: Pimlico Plumbers heads to Costa del Sol

Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | City & Business :: Pimlico Plumbers heads to Costa del Sol: "BRITAIN'S Pimlico Plumbers is expanding its operations in Spain’s Costa del Sol to meet growing demand from ex-pats and holiday home owners.
The company is to open a permanent office in Marbella in July and is recruiting 12 engineers to boost the operation.
Pimlico has been providing plumbing and property maintenance services in the region for two years, handling bookings from London.

From summer projects will be managed from the Marbella office, led by new operations director Craig Bly.
Managing director Charlie Mullins said: “I’m really pleased to be able to establish a much larger presence in Spain. What started out as a small job sending a couple of our vans over to Marbella to work on my holiday villa has turned into a very positive business opportunity."

Friday 21 May 2010

Slain rapper's lyrics used in shooter's defense in murder trial - latimes.com

Slain rapper's lyrics used in shooter's defense in murder trial - latimes.com: "'You be running when I shoot, I be shooting where you running,' he sang in his debut single released in 2008.

A year later, the rapper, whose real name is Roderick Burton, was shot as he allegedly ran from a gunman inside the Beverly Center's parking garage. He was struck four times, three in the back.

With the murder trial of his admitted shooter wrapping up this week, the work of the 21-year-old musician is center stage as jurors wrestle with two conflicting portraits of Burton: thug or entertainer.


» Don't miss a thing. Get breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox.

The defense attorney has drawn, in part, on the rapper's lyrics and Internet videos with alleged gang members to portray Burton as a violent gang member who was attacking his client. But prosecutors argue that Burton's gang ties are irrelevant and that his music was simply entertainment in a culture in which violence sells."

Europol meeting held in Marbella

Europol meeting held in Marbella: "200 people linked to the security of Europe met in Marbella on Wednesday this week to discuss the fight against organised crime.

The Europol chiefs want to speed up the flow of information between them, with the Spanish Director of the National Police and Guardia Civil, Francisco Javier Velázquez, saying it was the way forward in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and illegal immigration.

He also used the occasion to tell his European colleagues that crime levels in Spain are among the lowest in Europe."

Wednesday 19 May 2010

Another luxury hotel on the Costa del Sol closes | SpanishNews.es

Another luxury hotel on the Costa del Sol closes | SpanishNews.es: "Byblos luxury hotel in Mijas has just announced that it will be shutting its doors the coming 31st May. The five-star luxury hotel with 144 rooms owned by the Aifos real estate group which is under bankruptcy protection has seen a great number of celebritiy guests since its opening in 1986. Some of the most notable guests included the Rolling Stones and Princess Diana."

Problems engulf Spain property company | Olive Press Newspaper

Problems engulf Spain property company | Olive Press Newspaper: "MacAnthony Realty International – founded by beleaguered property magnate Darragh MacAnthony – is closing one of its overseas offshoots.
According to the Sunday Times the directors of MacAnthony Realty International Ireland (MRII) have agreed “in principal” to the liquidation.
MRII allegedly made loses of 2.87m euros on sales of 54m euros in 2007.
The company was not satisfied it could recover its 5.3m euro trade debt and cited the failure of suppliers as one of its biggest problems.
Meanwhile, MRI Overseas Property Limited has also gone into voluntary liquidation, despite the company insisting it was a UK subsidiary “that we never used”.
Also being wound up is MRI TV ltd, owing 300,000 euros, as well as MRI Media, with debts of 560,000 euros.
MacAnthony, chairman of Peterborough United FC, saw his team relegated this season, finishing bottom of the English Championship."

Monday 17 May 2010

Elderly women smuggle drugs as "mules" on cruise ship - Cruise Critic Message Boards

Elderly women smuggle drugs as "mules" on cruise ship - Cruise Critic Message Boards: "senior citizens posed as tourists taking cruise holidays around South America to pick up packages of the drug to bring back to Spain. Two women in their sixties, who were chosen as 'drug mules' because they were less likely to arouse the suspicion of authorities, were arrested as they prepared to disembark from a cruise ship when it docked in the port of Cadiz, south-western Spain."

Saturday 15 May 2010

Ash Cloud Threatens More Flight Misery - Yahoo! News UK


Ash Cloud Threatens More Flight Misery - Yahoo! News UK: "UK airspace could close from tomorrow until Tuesday because of a volcanic ash cloud, the Department for Transport has warned. Skip related contentRelated photos / videos
Ash Cloud Threatens More Flight Misery
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The Government has advised that it will be Britain's busiest airports in the South East that will face disruption.
Ministers have agreed that, from today, five-day ash prediction charts should be made available on the Met Office website. This has prompted the latest warning of closures."

IT’S PARTY TIME…

This year’s big summer party is at Marbella’s finest restaurant – VILLA TIBERIO on Sunday 23rd May. Visit the restaurant online, by clicking: www.villatiberio.com

The dress code is themed, ‘Gangsters and their Molls’. Men in power suits and outrageous ties and girls dressed as if they have had loads of stolen money thrown at them but have absolutely no taste.

The evening’s event programme is as follows:

On arrival, two Gangster Cars will be parked at the main entrance with a wonderful photo opportunity to capture your Gangster look, with the two ‘shoot out cars’ as a back drop. Men will also be ‘frisked’ for weapons by our carefully selected security girls. (Click on the poster)
From 7pm ‘bubbly’ will be served on the terrace. At 8pm a full ‘Villa Tiberio’ three course meal will be served. If you have never dined at this internationally famous restaurant, your taste buds have never lived!
During the meal, you will be entertained by two of the coast’s finest vocalists and an exclusive catwalk fashion show by INTERNATIONALFASHION DESIGNER
BARBARA WEBER COUTURE,
famous for her beautiful dresses and stunning outfits.
Two cinema style screens are being erected to promote the many corporate tables already booked. These will be punctuated by clips from some of the great gangster movies including ‘Bonnie and Clyde ’ and ‘The Untouchables’.
After dinner the UK band ‘Shack Attack’ take centre stage and the dance floor will come to life, lead by over 50 jivers who will later be taking part in a ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ style competition to be judged by representatives from each of the corporate tables.
Around 11pm the catwalk will be used again as everyone is invited to take part in a best dressed Gangster and his Moll competition.
Our friends at the charity PAD are still trying to feed and find good homes for over 75 homeless dogs and over 200 cats. To help them there will be a raffle which we hope will raise sufficient funds to keep this worthy cause on track.
At around midnight Shack Attack will return with dance music for everyone, slowing down with some ‘romantic ballads’ to round off the evening.
To join us, you will require an invitation. These are 75€ each and include everything listed above (except your raffle ticket). Even the dinner includes a choice of fine wines selected personally by Sandro Morelli himself.

Invitations can be purchased from a number of retail outlets. There are now just are four corporate tables available, for details on both subjects, call:
For more information about BARBARA WEBER click
Barbara Bonsai Palace April 2010

Friday 14 May 2010

Spanish judge Garzon says ready to face trial < Spanish news | Expatica Spain

Spanish judge Garzon says ready to face trial < Spanish news | Expatica Spain: "Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon says he is calm ahead of his possible suspension Friday for abuse of power linked to his controversial bid to investigate Franco-era crimes.
'Complicated situations are not handled with optimism, they are handled with calm, the calm of knowing that one is innocent,' Garzon said in Madrid on the eve of a special meeting of the General Council of the Judicial Power during which the governing body of Spanish judges will decide whether to suspend him.
To applause, Garzon said it was important to defend the principle of universal justice for all victims of dictatorships."

Goa constable wanted for drug-mafia link surrenders- Hindustan Times

Goa constable wanted for drug-mafia link surrenders- Hindustan Times: "Goa Police constable, who was evading arrest for over two months in a police-drug peddler nexus case, in which six of his colleagues and seniors are behind bars, surrendered before a local court Friday.
Sanjay Parab surrendered to the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Court at Mapusa, about 10 km from Panaji, Deputy Superintendent of Police or DSP (Crime Branch) Chandrakant Salgaonkar said.
The 30-year-old will be arrested once he is handed over to Crime Branch by the court, the DSP said.
Parab was amongst seven policemen booked by Crime Branch for alleged links with Israeli drug peddlers Yaniv Benaim alias Atala and David Driham alias Dudu."

BusinessDay - Deripaska in ‘Russian mafia’ probe

BusinessDay - Deripaska in ‘Russian mafia’ probe: "RUSSIAN metals oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who is under pressure from the Guinean government to repay tax and other obligations worth $1bn, has been questioned in a criminal case by a Spanish judge and prosecutor.
Deripaska has confirmed the interrogation took place over several hours in a Moscow office on Wednesday. He says he was a friendly witness, with no connection to the criminal activities that are being probed. The spokesman for the Spanish prosecutor and Madrid court records suggest otherwise.
It is the first time in his career Deripaska has faced questioning on his business practices and cash flows by a western judge in a criminal court proceeding. The Spanish interrogation was the first of its kind.
Spanish Judge Fernando Andreu Merelles and special prosecutor José Grinda were in Moscow on Wednesday to interrogate Deripaska, their spokesman confirmed in Madrid."

Euro plunges as growth worries mount - Newspointer.co.uk

Euro plunges as growth worries mount - Newspointer.co.uk: "euro hits a fresh 18-month low against the dollar and banking stocks across the continent tumble as prices in Spain turn negative for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century"

Thursday 13 May 2010

Euro Weekly News | Man sentenced for killing mother’s lover | Costa del Sol | News

Euro Weekly News | Man sentenced for killing mother’s lover | Costa del Sol | News: "21-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for murdering his mother’s partner with a hammer in May 2007. The two men were working together as builders on an urbanisation in Mijas Costa at the time. The attacker allegedly felt humiliated and abused by the victim while they both lived in the same household.
The two apparently had a violent argument, during which the accused hit the victim in the head twice with a hammer, knocking him to the floor. He then hit him eleven more times fracturing his skull and killing him. The victim was 29 years old at the time. The accused will also have to pay the victim’s wife and son 240,00 euros compensation."

Faithless concert in Puerto Banus | Marbella Costa del Sol

Faithless concert in Puerto Banus | Marbella Costa del Sol: "International dance superstars Faithless will headline the L.I.V.E event at the Bullring in Puerto Banus on July 31. The concert, organized by Kings of Production, will be the first time that Faithless – Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo – have played in southern Spain and they will be supported at the event by British reggae pioneers Black Slate, rising British bassline trio Platnum and DJs Tall Paul and Levi Lewis."

Wednesday 12 May 2010

Chanelle Hayes on alert as Jack Tweed takes to the beach | Metro.co.uk

Chanelle Hayes on alert as Jack Tweed takes to the beach | Metro.co.uk: "'Jack found it a bit overwhelming as he has not even taken his test in a car yet and nearly wrecked the large motor launch while maneuvering in the marina.' Earlier this week, Chanelle Hayes has said that she may be dating Jack Tweed but they won’t be sleeping together until after she has given birth.
Speaking to this week’s Closer magazine, Chanelle said: ‘I don’t think it’s right to have sex with someone when you’re carrying another man’s child, so there won’t be any of that until after the baby arrives – if we’re still together.’
The pair, who have both been housemates of the Big Brother house, were dating throughout the time Jack was in court accused with raping a teenage girl."

Tuesday 11 May 2010

Ash cloud shuts seven airports in Canaries, mainland Spain < Spanish news | Expatica Spain

Ash cloud shuts seven airports in Canaries, mainland Spain < Spanish news | Expatica Spain: "Volcanic ash from Iceland forced the shutdown on Tuesday of four airports in the Canary islands and three in the south of mainland Spain, the Spanish air traffic control agency Aena told AFP.
Both airports on Tenerife, plus those on La Palma and La Gomera, suspended operations at 4:00 am (0300 GMT), while those in Seville, Jerez and Badajoz shut down two hours later.
'We do not know when they could reopen,' an Aena spokeswoman told AFP, a day after the drifting cloud of ash led to restrictions on flying through Spanish airspace, but no airport closures."

Monday 10 May 2010

Police crack down on foreigners' crime on the Costa del Sol


Police crack down on foreigners' crime on the Costa del Sol: "206 foreign criminals have been arrested over the past year in Málaga province. In total the UDYCO specialist crime unit made 407 arrests last year, 104 more than in 2008.

It’s a 34% jump in the number of detentions and police say that is thanks to a new strategy which has seen a more selective control on international criminal networks that have looked to lie low on the Costa del Sol.

La Opinion de Málaga reports that Colombians have taken over the first place in the criminal league here, from the Moroccans and the British, and police say that those arrested are ever-more violent and better armed and equipped.

The nationalities of those arrested in 2009 were
Colombians – 37
Moroccans – 30
British – 24
French – 19
Romanian – 17
Italian – 12."

Costa del Sol Shooting

Costa del Sol Shooting | AMLASpain | News | Property | The Spanish Property MLS | Electronic Cigarettes: "Costa del Sol bar in 2008 an Englishman shot and seriously injured a fellow Brit.It happened in a bar at Puerto Banus.Last week a Malaga court sentenced the man to 9 years in prison.He was given 8 years for attempted murder and one year for illegal possession of a weapon.
At the time there had been some other shootings in the area and comments were made at the time that these were drug related settling of scores.However there was no mention of this at the trial.The two men involved were both in their 30´s and both were from Liverpool.They knew each other because they both attended the same gym.
During an argument at the bar the attacker shot the victim in the knee.After the victim fell to the floor the gunman shot him three times,in his arm,his genitals and his head.The man spent many weeks in hospital in Marbella and eventually lost the sight of his eye."

Friday 7 May 2010

Irish developer goes bust in Marbella | SpanishNews.es

Irish developer goes bust in Marbella | SpanishNews.es: "Alanda Homes is the latest victim of the property crash in Spain. Alanda Homes, which promotes and sells apartments around Marbella, has requested to enter a voluntary process of creditors in a Marbella court.
The drastic move comes as the Irish group MnInerney, owners of Alanda Homes, stopped funding the subsidiary as a result of negative prospects of recovery in the Spanish property market.
“The group has taken the decision not to invest more funds in its Spanish subsidiary of Alanda Homes apartment development,” McInerney said in a statement to stock exchanges in London and Dublin, where listed. “Therefore, Alanda Homes has requested the appointment of an administrator through the Spanish courts.”
If the judge accepts the request, Alanda Homes may stop payments to creditors until an agreement on debt restructuring is reached.
According to the latest data deposited with the Commercial Registry, Alanda Homes incurred losses of 9.6 million euros in 2008. At the end of the year, the company had a debt of EUR 13 million credit.
McInerney says that the net assets in its balance of Alanda Homes amounted to 4.5 billion euros. The Irish company has other subsidiaries in Spain, “which are not affected by the decision.” One is Alanda Club Marbella, which operates a resort, and another owns land in Sotogrande."

Thursday 6 May 2010

Valencia's Miguel knocks pedestrians down on zebra crossing

Valencia's Miguel knocks pedestrians down on zebra crossing: "Valencia's Portugese winger, Miguel Brito, was behind the wheel of a car that knocked down two elderly ladies in the Valencian town of L'Eliana today.
Miguel was on his way to this morning's training session in Paterna when the accident happened and subsequently arrived late.
According to a source within the club, Miguel was driving around a roundabout when he suddenly veered off to one side to avoid a van, which has stopped suddenly in front of him.
His car went up onto the zebra crossing and hit two elderly ladies. Neither suffered serious injuries, but they were both taken to hospital in Valencia by the emergency services.
Miguel had to complete all the police paperwork before he could leave the scene of the accident, making him late for his team's morning training session ahead of tonight's match against Xerez."

Flamenco singer Isabel Pantoja in corruption scandal - Telegraph


Flamenco singer Isabel Pantoja in corruption scandal - Telegraph: "Isabel Pantoja won the hearts of Spanish fans with a career spanning almost four decades in which she has sold more than four million albums.
But her relationship with the former mayor of seaside resort Marbella, Julian Muñoz, has put her in the spotlight for other less respectable reasons.
anti-corruption prosecutor in Malaga has accused her of laundering at least 1.8m euros (£1.5m) for her disgraced former boyfriend who was jailed in July 2006 for his part in a corruption scam that brought down the entire town hall of Marbella on the Costa del Sol.
The flamboyant 54-year-old singer is accused of using embezzled funds to purchase a portfolio of properties along Spain's southern coast that include a cattle ranch, an apartment, a hotel and disco, and a mansion named 'Mi Gitana' – 'My Gypsy' where she currently resides."

Iran orders Spanish television crew to leave < Spanish news | Expatica Spain

Iran orders Spanish television crew to leave < Spanish news | Expatica Spain: "Iranian government has ordered the expulsion of a Spanish television crew covering protests against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, one of the journalists said Monday.Yolanda Alvarez of the RTVE public broadcasting network said in a radio interview that the Iranian authorities 'have asked us to leave the country today.'She later said in a live television broadcast that she had received another call indicating she would be allowed to stay until Thursday, the day her visa expires."

body of a man, in an advanced state of decomposition, wrapped in plastic, with an anchor around the neck, and with the feet and hands missing.

Body found by trawler off the Costa del Sol: "body of a man, in an advanced state of decomposition, wrapped in plastic, with an anchor around the neck, and with the feet and hands missing, has been recovered by a trawler off the Málaga coast, close to the Torrequebrada casino, after it came caught in the nets.
The fishermen took the body into Benalmádena Marina where the judge and other authorities arrived.
The Civil Guard says it is waiting for the results of the autopsy before continuing with its investigation. As yet there has been no news about the possible identity."

Tuesday 4 May 2010

Euro Weekly News | Sea chase off the coast of Almeria | Costa de Almería | News

Euro Weekly News | Sea chase off the coast of Almeria | Costa de Almería | News: "customs officers arrested seven people who intended to bring a shipment of a tonne of hashish into Spain from Morocco. The investigation began more than a year ago when it was discovered that one of the members of the gang was in contact with Moroccan organizations that provided the drugs and the boats to transport them.
The officers were recently tipped off that a shipment was due to arrive from Morocco and surveillance was put in place. The boat approached the Mazarrulleque beach but when the occupants noticed the police presence they fled with the police on their trail.
After a chase at sea, during which the suspects through part of the load into the water, their motorboat ran aground and the officers arrested them on the Aguadulce seafront. One of them, who pretended to be a police officer, told the others that he would ‘protect’ their illegal activities.
The police confiscated some 880 kilos of hashish, two vehicles, a boat, four motors, a satellite phone and eleven mobile phones."

Saturday 1 May 2010

Liverpool gangster James ‘Pancake’ Taylor bailed over shooting of West Derby dad Nicky Ayers

Liverpool Echo - News - Liverpool Local News - Liverpool gangster James ‘Pancake’ Taylor bailed over shooting of West Derby dad Nicky Ayers: "James “Pancake” Taylor, 30, was allowed home after a day of questioning by detectives investigating the death of West Derby dad Nicky Ayers.
Ayers was gunned down outside his daughter’s home in South Cantril Avenue, West Derby, at around 12.10am on Thursday.
A post-mortem completed yesterday confirmed the 46-year-old, who managed the Western Approaches Sunday league football team, died from “multiple gun shot wounds”.
Police will not say how many times Ayers was shot but they have recovered up to six bullet casings from the handgun believed to have been used.
It is understood detectives have a vague description of the gunman."

Computer glitch reveals Spain’s unemployment rate | Spanish News

Computer glitch reveals Spain’s unemployment rate | Spanish News: "According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), a computer error caused the institute’s website to show data from the first quarter’s labor force survey.
ABC newspaper took advantage of the glitch and accessed the data, to find that Spain’s unemployment rate had reached 20.5 per cent in the first three months of 2010. Should the data turn out to be correct, this would be the first time in 13 years that unemployment exceeds 20%.
The same data would show that 4.6127 million people are out of a job in Spain, revealing a 286,000 rise compared to the previous year.
The INE has however denied that the figures are final and is suggesting that only on Friday will the definite figures be published and officially disclosed"

Liverpool Echo - News - Liverpool Local News - Liverpool gangster James "Pancake" Taylor bailed after being questioned over gangland execution of Nicky Ayers

Liverpool Echo - News - Liverpool Local News - Liverpool gangster James "Pancake" Taylor bailed after being questioned over gangland execution of Nicky Ayers: "James 'Pancake' Taylor, 30, was released after several hours of questioning over the shooting of Nicky Ayers, 46, in West Derby in the early hours of yesterday.
Taylor was arrested during an early morning raid at his Kirkdale home.
Ayers was killed by a gunman who shot him at least three times in South Cantril Avenue at 12.10am on Thursday."

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