Spains Under 25's unemployment in March increases to 41.2%

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union has published the unemployment figures for March 2010.

Spain remains the European Country with the second highest unemployment figure of 19.1%, an increase of .1% from February and 1.7% from march 2009 when the figure was 17.4%.

The overall percentage for the 27 EU countries is 9.6%, the same as February 2010, but an increase on March 2009 from 8.5%. For the Euro Area the corresponding figures are 10% for 2010 and 9.1% for 2009.

For the Under 25's the unemployed percentage is an amazing 41.2 %, a 0.6% increase from Feb. and a 4.9% from the previous year.

I cannot compare these figures with those for the UK as there are no figures available for Feb. & Mar. as they are not available to Eurostat. As a help to compare the total unemployed in the UK for January 2010 is shown as 7.8%, and for the Under 25's 19.7%.

Source: Eurostat

Los Verdes Orihuela blame CLARO for Cala Mosca Destruction.

Los Verdes have said on their new blog they believe that the CLARO political party is also to blame for the destruction of Cala Mosca!

That should please Bob Houliston, President of CLARO.

Read the blog article here:
Los Verdes Orihuela Costa: Cala Mosca

Terry Venables in row over Spanish sports complex

The Daily Telegraph reports that Terry Venables, the former England football manager has announced proposals for a luxury resort including 13 football pitches, 12 tennis courts, a golf course, horse-riding and sports facilities, a 95-room hotel and 300 housing units to be built in the mountain town of Penaguila.

Local critics claim the construction will destroy a picturesque, beautiful and peaceful part of southern Spain for the benefit of wealthy foreigners.

Mr Venables is reported as saying "It is ironic that it is being criticised by green campaigners when it is going to eco-friendly and sustainable".

Well that's alright then to destroy the natural environment in an eco-friendly way purely for money. Too much of Spain has already been destroyed by greedy developers with projects that the majority of people didn't and don't want or need.

It wouldn't surprise me if the rightwing Partido Popular control the town council of Penaguila as they just love destroying the environment for money.

Full article here: Terry Venables in row over Spanish sports complex - Telegraph

Education: Ending religious privilege

Naomi Phillips, head of public affairs at the British Humanist Association, puts forward the case to end religious involvement in education.

 Education: Ending religious privilege: ePolitix.com

Spain's most celebrated bullfighter (torturer) being in intensive care

Many papers are today carrying the story about Torero José Tomás, Spain's most celebrated bullfighter being in intensive care after very bad gored by a fighting bull in the town of Aguascalientes, in Mexico. He was given eight-litres of blood by transfusion after sustaining a life-threatening thigh wound.

He is known for a daring bullfighting style in which he gets particularly close to the bull. He got it wrong this time!

In 2002, at the peak of his career, he suddenly retired without saying why. In 2007 he returned to the bull ring, and told one interviewer 'living without bullfighting is not living'.

I wonder about the mentality of a person who feels his life must evolve around the torturing of an animal.

Whilst I would not wish him to loose his life, (the bulls that he enjoys torturing and killing are not offered such a wish) he only has himself to blame for the injury . How does the saying go 'what goes around comes around' or is it 'Reap what you sow'.

Perhaps this latest incident could make him rethink his attitude to 'Bull Tortuing' but I doubt it!

Here are a couple of the articles:
Spain's most celebrated bullfighter in intensive care after very bad goring - Guardian

Bullfight audience asked to give blood to gored Spanish matador... who needed 17-pint transfusion - Mail

Charismatic judge who pursued Spain's fascist assassins finds himself on trial

Powerful enemies are attempting to unseat the 'superjudge' who tried to bring the death squads of Franco's dictatorship to book.

The Partido Popular, the national opposition party, the governing party in the Valencia region, the Alicante province and in our Orihuela Town council backs the campaign against Garzón. The party was vocal in its criticism of the Franco case. "It is outlandish," said Manuel Fraga, a former Francoist minister who is the party's founding president. The party had also lashed out at Garzón for his recent investigation into a PP corruption scandal known as the Gürtel case. Party leader Mariano Rajoy has called the wave of pro-Garzón demonstrations "anti-democratic". Coming from the PP that takes the biscuit as I know from experience of local government.

Giles Tremlett of the Guardian has written an informative article:

Charismatic judge who pursued Spain's fascist assassins finds himself on trial | World news | The Observer

Why did I let this happen to me?

I was feeling a little bit down today until I read Melanie Reid's, The Times columnist, article entitled Why did I let this happen to me? . She broke her neck and back earlier this month and wrote the article from her hospital bed as she confronts her future.

A moving piece of prose which brought reality back to me as to how lucky I am with what I have. The blues have gone.

SAVE ME 2010

Use your vote to ensure that the present laws protecting animals from cruelty are kept in place, more carefully monitored, legally tightened up, and fully enforced.

Save Me 2010 is a group, founded by Brian May, who believe that every creature deserves a decent life and a decent death. They are not a charity, and are not affiliated to any political party. The group is therefore free in the coming weeks to support any political candidate we choose – any politician who serves the needs of animals.

Take a few minutes to look at the websie. SAVE ME 2010 - How will you vote?

The Pope Should Be Questioned in Sex-Abuse Cases

Detain or subpoena the pope for questioning in the child-rape scandal? You must be joking! All right then, try the only alternative formulation: declare the pope to be above and beyond all local and international laws, and immune when it comes to his personal and institutional responsibility for sheltering criminals. The joke there would be on us.

says Christopher Hitchens in the opening paragraph of his article entitled 'Bring the Pope to Justice' in the Newsweek magazine 3rd May edition.

I found it an interesting and thought provoking read.

See what you think; The Pope Should Be Questioned in Sex-Abuse Cases - Newsweek.com

Los Verdes have the gall.

On the Los Verdes party's new Weblog for the Orihuela Costa area (although there was no need to creat a new one as one already existed but that's probably another story) they have posted an article entitled Trees is Pau 26, march 2010. I could not let this go without posting the following comment on the article.

I am really surprised that Los Verdes have the gall to make this comment as if the proposal made by the party in April 2009 had gone ahead, "Los Verdes request the Council that an exchange is made between the use of the two plots of land, in that the PAU-26 area is used for the Eco-park" (against the wishes of, and without consultation with, the residents of the area) the plot of land would have been covered with concrete.

Without the help of Los Verdes the residents saved PAU 26 .

I would remind you of the wording in my letter of resignation from Los Verdes "I do not agree with the alternative location proposal for the recycling depot put forward to the Ayuntamiento by Los Verdes, without I would point out any prior consultation with the residents that will be directly affected, for the recycling depot. The proposal fails to protect either the quality of life of the residents or the environment of the area. It is an unacceptable compromise of principles".

You might find my article "Euro Weekly News article 'Orihuela school children do their bit for the environment' is a load of 'Utter Tosh'" about the tree planting of interest.

I hope they will have the courage to leave my comment attached to their article.

The Howard League for Penal Reform 'Take Action 2010' Campaign

The Howard League for Penal Reform has launched its new campaign, Take Action 2010, to stop the relentless rise in our prison population.

The Howard League for Penal Reform is asking as many people as possible to promise to take action for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.

Having been a Magistrate I ask you to consider looking at the link below to see if you are able to offer your support.

http://www.howardleague.org/take-action/

78% of the over 60 age group feel that older people are ignored by society.

A new  research poll, of people over 60, carried out by YouGov for  Age UK‚ the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ has revealed that 95% of adults of that age believe that getting older should be a time of enjoyment and celebration. However 78% of this age group feel that older people are ignored by society.

The polling also revealed that 82% of over-60s felt that older people’s voices were not heard as much as younger people’s. It also highlighted how work‚ not necessarily just age‚ may play a defining role in this with 64% saying they felt working people had a greater voice than those who were retired.

The same poll also found that when asked about what could be done locally to improve their lives‚ being treated with dignity and respect came top for the over-60s (46%). This was closely followed by 34% saying opportunities to learn new hobbies‚ and 32% citing that more frequent and accessible public transport would improve their lives.

Michelle Mitchell‚ Charity Director for Age UK said:

“As a group within society‚ people in later life often feel ignored and this research clearly demonstrates how this is a reality experienced by the majority. Ageing can present many challenges‚ particularly for those experiencing disadvantage. Age UK campaigns and provides services and solutions to help improve later life.

“However‚ we believe an ageing society presents tremendous opportunities that should rightly be celebrated‚ and it is heartening to see that this is a belief held by such a high percentage of those polled. The search to find these inspirational stories is just one way to celebrate later life and is a first step in ensuring that the voices of people in later life are heard loud and clear.”

Age UK is launching a new television advertising campaign. The advertisement – starring actor Brian Cox – will reach a wide audience and showcase the range of ways that Age UK can help‚ the products and services it offers and how people can get in touch.

Icelandic volcanoes can be unpredictable and dangerous

ScienceDaily (2010-04-16) -- If history is any indication, the erupting volcano in Iceland and its immense ash plume could intensify, says a researcher who has explored Icelandic volcanoes for the past 25 years.

Full article: Icelandic volcanoes can be unpredictable and dangerous

POWER2010: Get Involved in Reforming Your Democracy

"No guarantee, but worth a try" says the chairman of CLARO

In my article What are CLARO´s aims and what are they expecting to achieve? I referred to the letter by Mary la Zenia that appeared in the CoastRider newspaper and my expectation that it would appear in the other local papers in the Orihuela Costa area. Well it has appeared, all be it in a much edited version, which doesn't do justice to the letter, in the Round Town News 16th April issue. I have not seen it published in the other local papers, but this may be due to an oversight on my part.

I have still not read any direct response from CLARO to Mary la Zenia's letter in the local papers, a bit disappointing. 

However in it's previous weeks edition the RTN published an article entitled No guarantee, but worth a try in which Bob Houliston's, chairman of CLARO, response to criticisms made about the 'Save Cala Mosca' petition was reported. It was no more than another opportunity for CLARO to promote itself.

The article reports that acusations have been made about the petition but, wrongly, gives no details of them. How is the reader supposed to know what they are? Wouldn't it have been a more impartial article to have spelt out the case being made, and questions being asked, against the continuation of the campaign by CLARO.

In the final paragraph it states 'Bob Houliston confirmed to RTN that he will personally hand over the petition to the EU Petitions Committee next week in Brussels'. Any reader of the article would be lead to believe, make the assumption, that he (BH) is making a special journey to Brussels to carry out this commendable dead. Now this may be true, but is it a coincidence that he has family, who he visits, living in the Brussels area. Perhaps it is a convenient hand over of the petition!

Is the public being continually mislead on this matter?

YouGov poll puts Lib Dems in 2nd Place

The latest YouGov poll for The Sun shows the Lib Dems overtaking Labour by moving into 2nd place behind the Conservatives. Con 33% LD 30% Lab 28%.

The reaction from David Cameron and Gordon Brown should be interesting.

YouGov

Euro area annual inflation up to 1.4% - March 2010

Euro Area annual inflation was 1.4% in March 2010, up from 0.9% in February. A year earlier the rate was 0.6%. Monthly inflation was 0.9% in March 2010.

For the Eurpean Union area annual inflation was 1.9% in March 2010, up from 1.5% in February. A year earlier the rate was 1.3%. Monthly inflation was 0.7% in March 2010.

These figures come from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

What are CLARO´s aims and what are they expecting to achieve?

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed that despite sending notification to the editors of the local papers covering Orihuela Costa, of my two recent blog articles referring to the CLARO party and it's 'Save Cala Mosca'campaign: What value does CLARO's 'Save Cala Mosca' petition have Now? & Only 120 out of 28,000 Residents attend 'Save Cala Mosca' Protest, none of them (the editors) were prepared to publish an item criticising the CLARO campaign.

However I now must assume that my writtings were just not good enough (I can live with that) for today in the CoastRider newspaper the following letter has been published, and if the usual happens it will appear in the letters page of the other local papers.

Dear Editor,
Has CLARO really got it “claro”? What are CLARO´s aims and what are they expecting to achieve?
After picking up their flyer last week in La Zenia and reading all the newspaper coverage regarding “Save Cala Mosca” I am quite confused.
Have the 7,000 people who signed the petition been misinformed?
The mentioned piece of land at Cala Mosca is owned by a private person and was purchased years ago – most probably before all of us (ex pats!) arrived.
You and I agree that (not only) this piece of land should remain in its natural state but how would we react if we actually owned the land? I am sure if we are honest the Dollar sign would play a big roll! The whole of Orihuela Costa was a green area before we decided to purchase our “Spanish dream” and live here – did we worry about the environment and concrete jungle when we signed on the bottom line at the notary?
Perhaps instead of signing petitions we should fill in a donation form for the CLARO party to enable them to purchase the land from its owner and rescue it from its fate. Being honest with ourselves we could all do a lot more to save and protect the environment starting on our own doorstep.
Back to CLARO, I am sure their intentions are honourable, but do they really have the know-how and clout to carry out their intentions.
For the last couple of months I have been listening to the political broadcasts on a local radio station each Monday morning, and I always have the feeling that the radio broadcaster has more information than CLARO´s spokesman, Bob Houliston. All the same problems are churned over and over again but no solutions to these problems are offered.
We should all decide for ourselves what is important and we know what we would like to change or improve. Perhaps we should remember this when it comes to voting and vote for a party that actually has the capability to address the problems - our problems - and find a solution to them. I for one will be listening a little more closely to the PSOE party and a councillor called Pedro Mancebo from the CLR party who are very structured and in positions to move things forward instead of going around in circles.
CLARO should take a leaf out of their books and start behaving more like a political party instead of a group of neighbours who are experiencing problems with their community. This might then generate ideas and suggestions which would improve their, and our lives, here in Orihuela Costa.
Kind regards,
Mary La Zenia 

I am looking forward to read the response from CLARO to this letter.

Congratulations to Mary La Zenia, as she achieved what I didn't, but hopefully this will make the leaders of CLARO reappraise their current and future policies and actions if they want to survive as an independent local issue political party in Orihuela Costa.

Mary asked the question 'Have the 7,000 people who signed the petition been misinformed?' to which I would answer - yes - CLARO have mislead the signatories, by generating and perpetuating false hope of a successful outcome for Cala Mosca. Wasting residents time with further pointless demonstrations for unrealistic, un-achievable, goals.

To reiterate points made in my previous articles:
"Beware and tread carefully CLARO - the electorate is no fool";
"It is time I believe for CLARO to close the book on this matter and move on. There is plenty of work for the party to direct their efforts to in other areas that affect the environment and the lives of the residents of Orihuela Costa".

Mobility Scooter driver has put house up for sale to pay Damage & Legal costs

Following on from my previous posting about the laws on mobility scooters being changed in which the comment was made "There has to be an acknowledgement of the liability to the protection of the public, both physically and financially, in the case of accidents, by mobility vehicle users", an article in the Daily Telegraph entitled 'Disabled woman 'to lose home' after being sued for crashing mobility scooter into worker' clearly shows the need for users of mobility scooters to have insurance similar to that for cars, a public liability policy in effect.

Having been found negligent in her use of the scooter in a Morrisions supermarket resulting in a personal injury to an employee, Denise Bird, 42, who had been stacking shelves, Mrs Gloria Brown, the driver of the scooter claims she has been forced to put her house on the market to pay more than £16,000 she owes in damages and costs. Had she been required to have an insurance for the mobility scooter she would not have found herself in this situation.

With the increasing number of these scooters being used in public places, in many cases by untrained drivers, there will undoubtably be more and more incidents of personal injury claims being made against drivers of these mobility aids.

The sooner the consultation paper intended to protect pedestrians, other road users and owners of the vehicles themselves drawn up by the Department for Transport becomes law the better. Until that time the majority of scooter users will not consider paying for an insurance policy or undergo training.

One in ten British pensioners is an expat

This is a disenfranchised group that should and must assert itself. Changing one’s geographical location should not entail losing one’s democratic rights as a British citizen unless they are willingly surrendered.

says Emma Hartley in her article One in ten British pensioners is an expat – Telegraph Blogs.

The government's approach to expats is broken

In this article Emma Hartley discusses the effect on two matters which effect us Expats. The first is the inequality of the payment of the UK state pension depending on where the Expat settles. The second is the loss of the right of a UK citizen to vote in the UK elections after 15 years of absence from the country, even though taxes may still be payable in the UK. She raises the point of 'No taxation without representation.

Read her article here: The government's approach to expats is broken – Telegraph Blogs

Low pound leaves expats struggling with UK debt

Low pound leaves expats struggling with UK debt - Spend & Save , Money - The Independent