The socialist Rosa Fernandez on Wednesday 9th of July was voted in as the new mayoress of La Oliva (Fuerteventura) to succeed the vote of no confidence against the previous mayoress, Claudina Morales,of the Coaliccion Canaria party. The handover was made possible thanks to the seven votes of the PP councillors and two of the elected representatives of the PSC-PSOE, which gave an absolute majority to the new council.
Tense climate The plenary session was held amid a tense atmosphere, which was well attended by public, some of them came from Gran Canaria. The vote was interrupted several times by applause or boos of attendees.

A Lanzarote man has been accused of hiring a hitman to kill a local lawyer and an architect from Tenerife has been remanded in jail pending further investigation into the case. Oliver Rodríguez, a businessman and well-known rally driver from the island, is said to have recruited a German man for 20,000 euros to “deal with” the two men, who allegedly owed him money. The German was detained by police and another man a few weeks ago after the brakes of a car belonging to the lawyer were tampered with. Telephone taps ordered by a judge revealed further details of the contract and measures to pressure the two men into settling their debt. Two other businessmen from Lanzarote have been interviewed in connection with the alleged contract, which only came to light when reporting restrictions were lifted.

This summer there will be an increase in police presence in the Canary Islands. The Spanish Ministry for the Interior wants to increase security in tourist areas from July 1 to September 30. They have chosen ten regions, including the Canaries, and as many as 6,300 National Police and Civil Guards will take part in the exercise aimed at increasing controls on traffic and the movement of people in tourist areas, with a greater police presence in stations, ports, airports, hotels, beaches and camping sites, there will also be more police at shows and any events where there are large numbers of the public.

Whilst in England the cost of some scrap metals is on the increase, even to the point that houses and power lines are being stripped, here in Fuerteventura a company has paid the price for failing to clear up scrap items such as old vehicles, iron, oil and batteries. It has just been fined a total of 90,000 euros by the agency responsible for the port for breaches of management. ·

The beauty of Corralejo is featured in June’s edition of the glossy magazine Europa which is distributed free of charge to passengers onboard Air Europe’s planes all over the world. The magazine, which is dedicated to beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts, refers to the island as “La Isla Tranquila”, the peaceful island and claims that Fuerteventura’s beaches are second to none in the Atlantic. With reference to Corralejo in particular the publication describes Corralejo’s kilometre after kilometre of beautiful white sands with views of the Isla de Lobos as being the perfect place to forget it all. Corralejo town council’s department of Tourism is delighted with the coverage explaining that many would be visitors from the Spanish mainland are unaware that it is not necessary to travel to the Caribbean to find amazing white sands and crystal clear waters.

The first six months of 2008 have been difficult ones for many of the islands’ small shopkeepers due to the current international financial crisis and many of those resident in the islands are struggling to make ends meet and are therefore limiting any purchases to essential items.In an attempt to boost the income of the small and middle sized businessmen while at the same time helping the public purchase the clothes and electrical appliances they need FEDECO the local businessmen’s organisation has proposed that the official starting date for this year’s summer sales be July 7th instead of July 12th as was originally agreed. Many shopkeepers had already lowered their prices in unoffi cial sales, explained the Chamber of Commerce, which decided to accept the proposal, and there was no real reason why the customers should have to wait and extra week to make the most of the sale prices The Consumer’s Association was not however so in favour of the change explaining that many residents will have just been paid their salaries and will be tempted to spend too much money on the bargains. The Association urged
consumers to think carefully about what they really need and not to impulse buy.

Maspalomas in the South of Gran Canaria was a hive of activity in June when the crème de la crème of the designers and buyers gathered together for this year’s Gran Canaria Moda Calida beachwear fashion parade. The glamorous Eva Divine collection inspired by the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden years was the first example of Canarian design to be seen and Miss Bikini from Italy was the first international collection on the catwalk demonstrating a selection of tribal designs with other designers including Vitamina C ,Miranda Kerr, TCN, Andrés Sardá, America’s Diane Von Furstenberg, Israel’s Gideon Oberson and Guillermina Baeza among a long list of the world’s top beachwear specialists. This nineteenth edition of the Moda Calida catwalk show was a great success and was furthermore broadcast live on national and international television

The idea of paying tour operators 8 euros for every tourist they bring to Fuerteventura is the latest brainwave of the island’s Chamber of Commerce believing that this will be the most effective way of reviving the sector. The proposal, obviously aimed at helping the island rise above the actual crisis in the sector, is based on the theory that each tourist spends an average of ten days in Fuerteventura and that each tourist bed can be occupied three times a month which at 30,000 beds means around 90,000 tourists per month and a considerable amount of euros to be paid to the Touroperator responsible for bringing the visitors to the island each month! According to the Chamber of Commerce the huge bill for the “subsidy” should be footed by the Cabildo but justify the proposal explaining that the 300 million euro benefi ts , the recovery of the sector and the creation of 2,000 new jobs would make it all worthwhile.

Congratulations were in order for island capital Puerto del Rosario after the council was awarded three flags (of a possible five) by the National Jury for Responsible boroughs. The flags in recognition of refuse management, gardens & cleaning standards, Care of the environment and citizen participation were handed over at the beginning of June by the committee which has awarded a total of 79 flags throughout Spanish territory. Tamagon children’s park was the place chosen to fly the coveted (albeit somewhat miniature) green flag in recognition of the high standards of the borough’s gardens and the work carried out to improve the access to the capital the autovia del sur. Although the green flag was only flown for a short time the council hopes to install a replica on a permanent basis

The Spanish Coasts Division has announced that it is prepared to finance the creation of legal campsites in Fuerteventura with the aim of eradicatingthe problem of uncontrolled camping.
The official aim of the department is to provide an alternative for all those who are having their holiday plans quashed due to the application of the rules restricting the occupation of the coastline of the island by constructing official sites for the activity although the campers believe that the idea is more to control the very essence of their hobby which is the freedom to choose when and where they spend their break. Furthermore it is unclear whether there would be a charge for using the sites or whether or not they will be large enough to cater for everyone.

Although the Canarian transport workers did not take such an aggressive approach to protesting about the rise in fuel prices preferring to negotiate a solution with the regional government, it would appear that they have achieved their objective before their peninsular counterparts since the Canarian government has announced that professional drivers in the islands will be eligible for a thirty percent discount on fuel before the end of this year and not by 2010 as was originally promised. This 30% reduction will suppose a drop in income for the government of around 8 million euros for the Regional Government and although a small percentage of the Canarian transport workers believe there should be even more reduction the President of the Transport Federation Agustin Espino
believes that the 30% reduction is a huge step forward explaining that the government has kept its promise, backed the sector and has definitely not let them down.

The airbus A380 is undoubtedly the largest passenger plane in the world. It is capable of carrying 800 passengers and beats the Boeing 747 hands down, as far as comfort is concerned as well as marking the way forward for the future ofinternational air travel, yet the Canarian authorities are reluctant to adapt the
installations of the regional airports to allow the monster to operate. The maiden flight was made in France
in April 2005 carrying only the crew and heavy equipment to represent the weight of 800 people but it was not until October of the same year that the plane landed at the international airport of Frankfurt de Meno complete with passengers as numerous trial flights were made to investigate the best way to deal with what is also the heaviest plane in the world.

This new airbus is the shape of things to come. It is more respectful to the environment and much cheaper to run than any other plane since less fuel is used to carry more passengers and although the huge air transport machine will probably never wipe out the smaller charter planes which carry tourists back and forwards to the Archipelago the inability to cater for the giant could well be a stumbling block for the future of the islands. According to professional pilot Sergio
Herrera there is no real reason why the super plane should not be able to use the airports of the Archipelago.
Apart from the construction of adequate boarding bridges (fingers) which is a mere formality, Herrera explains that the only thing standing in the way of the airbus A380 are the politicians of the islands who are demonstrating the usual unwillingness to give way to progress!

Zapatero announces cheaper night time power

From now on we could well be getting up at the crack of dawn to do the washing or cook the lunch if Spanish premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has his way! The fact is that after announcing a 32% increase in the price of electricity used at peak times of the day Spanish premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero
tried to soften the blow by explaining that between 10pm and 12pm midday electricity will cost 47% less than at present. This is a considerable reduction for nightime power but exactly how many people will benefit from the initiative?The news was given a mixed reception since the majority consider that the reduction in the nocturnal tariff will only benefit those who are not employed outside the home adding that using electric drills, blenders, washing machines etc. is not feasible at three o’clock in the morning because of the noise involved. Others questioned the method behind the idea asking how the metres will know what time it is and how they will know that we are an hour behind in the Canary Islands?

Gay Pride

Two brightly decorated “guaguas” (buses) from Fuerteventura took part in the grand parade organized in Madrid on June 28th to celebrate “El dia del orgullo gay”, Gay Pride Day.
Sources estimate that around two million homosexuals, lesbians, transsexuals and bisexuals watched the parade as it moved through the streets of the capital
and Fuerte’s gua guas one of which was conditioned as a tourist information office and the other as a caravan attracted a great deal of attention.
Fuerteventura is very popular with gay and lesbian tourists since the sector is openly accepted by the general public and the gua guas together with the exuberant 2008 concert organized in Puerto del Rosario will no doubt consolidate the importance of the group for the sector.

High cost of living in the islands

Shopping in La Gomera is the most expensive than anywhere else in the Canaries whilst Fuerteventura is second followed closely by Lanzarote, El Hierro
after, followed then by La Palma. Tenerife and Gran canaria are the least exspensive as logically is where all the goods arrive at the 2 main ports of santa cruz in Tenerife and Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, before being transported the the other islands.

Monkey Business

An African monkey was spotted wandering round a hotel in Playa de las Americas Tenerife last week. Police specialists from the SEPRONA division were called in to trap the animal which did not have an identity chip. The member of the Cercophitecus Campbelli family of monkeys was taken to a local zoo since it was impossible to locate the owner.

New spotter plane for Canarian Coast

Spanish Home Office Secretary Alfred Perez Rubalcaba was proud to present Spain’s very first vigilance plane. Which will patrol the stretch between the African coasts and the archipelago in an attempt to control illegal immigration, drug smuggling and other illicit activities.
The CN 235 is in fact the first of two planes that will complement the activity of the 37 helicopters and other vehicles that keep watch over the coasts in search of fishing boats loaded with illegal immigrants. The airplane weighs about 16,500 kilos and can travel at a maximum of 245 kilometres an hour. It can fly independently for about ten hours and has a radar reach of 850 metres as well as featuring the latest technology in other equipment. The main advantage of the new plane is however that it will be able to operate further out at sea than the helicopters and as such will put a stop to the activity of the organized ma as which have chosen to operate “out of the reach” of the helicopter radars.

Road Safety

The small town of Bohmte in Germany has scrapped all its trffi c lights and road signs in a bid to cut down on crashes. The idea is based on the European
Union-supported ‘shared space’ concept of traffic management developed by the Dutch traffi c expert Hans Monderman. ‘Politeness pays - we have proved that,’
said Klaus Goedejohann, the mayor of Bohmte near Hanover. According to the plan, road users have to negotiate their behaviour with each other, rather than have it prescribed by rules - the idea being that people will pay more attention to what other road users are doing and hence cause fewer accidents.
Now the town reports not a single scrape, bump or pedestrian injured in the month since the scheme started and several other towns in Germany have
expressed interest in copying Bohmte.

Bear with a sore head

The 26 stone black bear went in to the water after being shot with a tranquilizer dart after it was caught roaming around a Florida neighbourhood. However as the drug took effect the creature panicked and started to drown. The wildlife officer wasted no time in jumping in to the rescue. As the animal struggled to keep its head above water, the wildlife officer slipped one arm under the bear to cradle its body and clamped the other on to the scruff of its neck, dragging it ashore. Incredibly all that the wildlife hero suffered was a few scratches from the bewildered bear. The animal later recovered and was released into a state national forest. The bear has fully recovered and has been relocated to Florida’s Osceola National Forest

Bring me sunshine

Millions of stressed-out office workers see less sunshine during the working day than coal miners, a survey has revealed. The majority of desk-chained employees now spend less than one hour a day in natural sunlight, as they increasingly skip lunch breaks and take their work home. An alarming 22 per cent see less than 20 minutes of daylight during the entire working day, the survey of 1,000 city workers found. The lack of sunshine in their lives has left two-thirds of workers feeling depressed, and four out of five feeling unmotivated by being stuck indoors.

One year on in a smoke free England

More people are trying to quit smoking, the air in pubs and bars is cleaner and rates of compliance with smokefree laws remain high, according to a new survey looking at the first year of Smokefree England, published today. The report Smokefree England: One Year On summarises key findings from businesses, health workers and the public regarding the Smokefree legislation which was introduced one year ago today. The key findings are: One year on Smoke free legislation has been a big success and changed lives - including healthier environments for people whose jobs exposed them to second hand smoke. Smoke free England has extensive public support - 76 per cent of people and 55 per cent of smokers reporting that they supported the law; and 98 per cent of all premises and vehicles that were inspected comply with the law Exposure for bar workers to hazardous secondhand smoke has been reduced by 76 per cent. Prior to smoke free legislation, non-smoking bar workers were found to be inhaling up to six times as much cigarette smoke as the average non-smoker Compliance rates are high: 98 per cent of all premises and vehicles inspected were smoke free in accordance with the law. Smoke free law has created a more supportive environment to help smokers quit the habit with a 22 per cent increase in the number of people quitting with local NHS Stop Smoking Services compared to the same period in 2006/07 between April and December last year. Minister for Public Health, Dawn Primarolo said: “We introduced this law one year ago to cut people’s exposure to secondhand smoke. It’s clear the law is working. Bar workers are inhaling far less smoke and most people think the law has had a positive effect on the country’s health. “This could not have been done without the tireless work and support of local authorities, business and health campaigners. I also commend smokers themselves for their willingness to protect the health of others by so readily complying with the law”. The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson said: “A year ago today in England, we took one of the most important steps forward in public health for many years. One year on and the smoke free law has been accepted by the general public and businesses alike. “We must do more if we are to continue to reduce the harm of tobacco use in our communities. Measures such as the introduction of picture pack warnings this autumn and the current consultation on the future of tobacco control are essential to keep up the momentum to create a truly smoke free future”. Professor Robert West, Cancer Research UK’s director of tobacco studies based at UCL, presented findings yesterday from the Smokers’ Toolkit Study at the UK National Smoking Cessation Conference in Birmingham. Results show that the smoke free law in England has helped more smokers to quit than ever before and will help prevent an estimated 40,000 deaths over the next 10 years. In 2007 the age of sale of tobacco was increased from 16 to 18 years and hard hitting picture warnings will appear on all tobacco products produced for the UK market from 1 October 2008.

Britains’ most dangerous road

A scenic route through a picturesque beauty area was named today as Britain’s most dangerous road. Topping the risk list for accidents is the A537 Macclesfield to Buxton road in the Peak District, according to the ITV programme Police Camera Action. The programme worked with the European road safety organisation EuroRAP to analyse main roads by compiling the number of serious injuries against the volume of traffic. The single-lane A537, known as the “Cat and Fiddle”, had has 250 fatal or serious accidents for every billion kilometres travelled on it. EuroRAP has given the A537 a black (high) risk rating, meaning you are up to 30 times more likely to be killed or injured on that stretch of road than a lower (green) risk road - the category that 76% of Britain’s motorways fall in to. “UK roads remain amongst the safest in the world and we’ve made significant progress in recent years in reducing incidents and casualties on England’s motorways and major A roads. Institute of Advanced Motorists Trust director Neil Greig said: “For too many young drivers and their passengers, rural roads are killers for which their driving tuition and driving tests may not have prepared them. “Deaths on our roads have fallen below 3,000, now we must lower the target to fewer than 2,000. Achieving a new lower target needs a greater focus on EuroRAP’s message that we must make roads safer, and more forgiving, when crashes happen. Only when we have five-star drivers in five-star cars, driving on five-star roads will British motorists have the road system they deserve.” The most dangerous roads by region are:
A259 Hastings-Eastburne
A48 Chepstow-Gloucester
A1065 Swaffham-Fakenham
A5 Daventry-Rugby
A53 Leek-Buxton
A495 Whitchurch-Welshampton
A537 Macclesfield-Buxton
A61 Barnsley-Wakefield
A688 Barnard Castle to the A68
A99 Latheron-Wick

Women's Land Army will eventually receive their badge of honour

A ceremony will be held at No.10 Downing Street on 23rd July for around fifty Land Girls from across the country representing their former colleagues. They will meet the Prime Minister and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, and be presented with their badges. Land Girls across the country will then be sent their badge and a certificate in the following weeks, and events will then be held in every region around the country to celebrate this formal recognition of the Women's Land Army's role in the war effort. Over 29,000 applications for the badge have so far been received. Further information Secretary of State Hilary Benn announced on 6th December 2007 that former members of the Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps would be awarded with a specially designed badge of honour commemorating their efforts during the Second World War. Due to the huge number of applications for the badge it has not been possible to acknowledge every application. However, all applicants not meeting the eligibility criteria have been advised in writing. All other applicants will receive a badge. Those attending the event at No.10 Downing Street have been selected at random from each region of the UK to represent their former colleagues. In addition a few Land Girlswho have been instrumental in organising reunions and other events for their former colleagues over the years have been invited in recognition of their efforts.

Alonso to sign

Rumour has it that super racing driver Asturian Fernando Alonso is about to sign a contract with Ferrari for the 2009 racing season. Alonso who had a difficult season with McLaren before going back to Renault and suffering even more hopes that Ferrari will turn out to be his best bet . Ferrari in turn believe that Alonso is the only driver capable of replacing Michael Schumacher.

WINDSURFING AND KITESURFING WORLD CUP

Fuerteventura has got the perfect weather conditions for the windsurfers and kite boarders, which is why year after
year the World Championships are held here.
Windsurfers and kite boarders will compete in 5 different events here in Sotavento from the 18th July till the 2nd
August 2008.
Spectators can relax on the beach with drinks and music in a 1,000 m² lounge area whilst watching the competitions.
In the evenings, thousands of tourists, locals and, for the prize-giving ceremonies, riders will mingle at the legendary
World Cup parties in the 2,000 m² party marquee.
The event is sponsored by the municipal of Pajara and the Spanish government.
18th July Registration in the Competition and Opening Ceremony
This is open to anyone who wants to participate in the Championships. The ceremony will take place in the Marquee
in Sotavento
19th July-23rd July Windsurfi ng PWA Slalom 42 Grand Slam
19th July-23rd July Kiteboarding PKRA Speed Grand Slam
24th July-28th July Windsurfing PWA Freestyle Grand Slam

First Olympic pool for Fuerte

Fuerteventura’s very first Olympic swimming pool was inaugurated mid June by the president of the Cabildo Mario Cabrera, the mayor of Tuineje Salvador Delgado and the manager of the Playitas Grand Resort Hotel Javier Stocker. The fifty metre long pool has eight lanes divided by floating corks and a subterranean gallery to carry out maintenance and repair work. The pool is also equipped for water polo and has changing rooms and graduated seating to accommodate 300 people. Cabrera underlined the importance of the pool for the island explaining that the installations would now attract a different type of tourism, that connected with sporting events adding that the German swimming team had used the pool to prepare themselves for the Peking Olympics and several reservations had already been taken from other swimming groups for the next few months. However the mayor of Tuineje Salvador Delgado commented that the pool was not only intended for professional use explaining that Playitas Grand Resort is a pool for everyone and as such is open to the public.