MARBELLA CLUB

Brit tourists face holiday hell as Spain's airport workers threaten devastating walkouts | Mail Online: "British tourists are facing holiday mayhem after airport workers in Spain threatened walkouts which could total nearly three weeks.

Unions announced 19 strike days in a move aimed at bringing the country’s tourism industry to its knees in a row over airport privatisation.

The industrial action was timed to coincide with the peak periods of Easter and summer, with strikes starting on April 20 and continuing into May, June and July."

FUERTEVENTURA EMBRACES VISITORS FOR THE ISLAND’S CARNIVAL SEASON: "Carnivals were temporarily abolished in mainland Spain under General Franco’s rule for over four decades. However in Fuerteventura, they continued unabashed to this very day due to the people’s indomitable spirit and love of a great party.

From March 5th to 13th in Puerto del Rosario and from March 16th to 27th in Corralejo parades featuring extravagantly decorated floats adorned with lavishly costumed locals wind their way through the towns’ ancient streets.

Local fiestas spring up en-route wherever residents and tourists congregate to watch the colourful spectacle with each village in the area decorating their own float in their own inimitable style.

But the priority is on having fun, so with masks, capes, face-paint, fishnets and fedoras, a wild, random procession of conquistadors and showgirls, pirates, pharaohs and clowns, rolls loudly through each town to the accompaniment of music and cheering."

Gary Moore’s funeral set for Brighton » Inside Ireland: "The body of former Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore will be flown from Spain to Britain today.

The lunchtime flight from Malaga to London will be accompanied by Moore’s girlfriend and his brother Cliff."

Celebs Kick Off NYC Fashion Week at Glamorous amfAR Gala - OK! Magazine - The First for Celebrity News: "Celebrating Fashion Week in NYC isn’t hard to do, but it’s great that celebs like Marc Mezvinsky and Chelsea Clinton, Richard Gere and Iman can also bring attention to a great organization! The stars stepped out last night in the Big Apple to attend the amfAR New York Gala, which kicked off Fall 2011 Fashion Week, at Cipriani Wall Street."

'True Grit' stars minded manners with teenage actress < German news | Expatica Germany: "Fourteen-year-old Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld kept her 'True Grit' co-stars on a tight leash on set, actor Jeff Bridges said at the opening of the Berlin film festival Thursday.
Bridges, who is also nominated for his role in the Western by director Joel and Ethan Coen, said he and fellow actors Matt Damon and Josh Brolin had to mind their manners around Steinfeld.
'She kept us all in line,' he told reporters. 'She had a cursing cup and if any of us used the s-word, I think it was five bucks.
'I ran a tab so I still owe her quite a bit of money,' joked Bridges, who picked up his first Academy Award last year for his role in 'Crazy Heart'.
'She made much more money from that jar than she did from the movie,' Brolin quipped."

How the Egypt Crisis Has Shut Down Show Business - The Hollywood Reporter: "The political crisis in Egypt has had a devastating impact on the entertainment industry in the country that has been called the 'Hollywood of the Middle East.'

'Everything is shut down; life is at a standstill,' producer Marianne Khoury, who runs MISR International Films (September 11, El Medina) with her brother Gabriel, told The Hollywood Reporter. 'People are glued to their TVs.'
Khoury supports the protesters and, with her company's work shut down, decided recently to help in whatever way she could. She took a carload of blankets to support the anti-Murbarak demonstrators, but her car was attacked by 'thugs paid by the government,' she said.
'It was an extremely traumatic experience,' Khoury added. 'People in the street saw the car full of blankets and guessed who they were for. The whole street attacked us with unbelievable violence and people started banging on the windows.'
She was pulled from her car by her hair before being rescued at the last second. 'Finally,' a shaken Khoury recalled, 'I was taken in a truck to an army checkpoint and sent home.'"

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/11/02/p830184/the-spanish-holiday-renaissance-begins#ixzz1Czo3dPVI

Jailed drug baron now faces losing his fortune, and £5m mansion - Manchester Evening News: "A millionaire property tycoon who masterminded a £300,000 drug deal has been jailed.

Paul Yearsley, 44, lived in a £5m, Georgian-style mansion with swimming pool and cinema, off Chorley New Road in Bolton.

He has been jailed for five years and four months after a trial at Manchester Crown Court – and he now faces losing his home and luxury cars.

A court hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act is expected to take place this year.

Yearsley organised the hand over of drugs and recruited ‘couriers’ Tony Dixon, 39, and Frederick Hoyle, 61.
Yearsley, who had claimed a disability pension since he was 28, said he funded his lavish lifestyle by selling cars and properties. But he was caught out and arrested after detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Agency mounted a year-long probe into his dealings.

He was arrested with Dixon and Hoyle at Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich, Bolton, with 120kg of cannabis resin.

All three men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs. Members of their families wept as they were sent down."

Scotland's most wanted man at centre of double murder hunt living life of luxury in Spain - The Daily Record: "Derek 'Deco' Ferguson has been hunted for four years by murder squad detectives probing two killings.
They are desperate to quiz him about the deaths of barman Tam Cameron, 49, and hoodlum Billy Bates, 43.
The Sunday Mail today reveals the fugitive's face in a bid to help track him down as sources claim he is living the high-life in a millionaire's playground in Spain.
Sources say Ferguson was smuggled out of the country by a gangland tycoon from Calton, in Glasgow.
He been hiding out in Puerto Banus on the Costa Del Sol where he has stayed one step ahead of Scottish detectives despite a warrant being issues for his arrest.
Meanwhile, the families of the victims in the double murder being probed by detectives hunting Ferguson are sti ll waiting for justice."

£5.5m lottery winner flees Spain penniless as bank seizes villa and bar | Mail Online: "When Lawrence Candlish won £5.5million on the National Lottery in 1997 it promised to make his dreams come true, including buying himself the double hip replacement he needed.


The generous factory worker immediately shared his fortune with his many relatives, splashing out £370,000 to buy seven houses in the same street in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear so that they could be close together.


Eventually he moved with his family to Benidorm on Spain's Costa Blanca to make a new life."
£5.5m lottery winner flees Spain penniless as bank seizes villa and barSince the hard-drinking Geordie's's win, which put him at 61 on the Sunday Times rich list, fortune has not been kind to him.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1349792/5-5m-lottery-winner-flees-Spain-penniless-bank-seizes-villa-bar.html#ixzz1Bry864N3

George Clooney: 2nd Celeb to Battle Malaria -... | Gather: "George Clooney fell ill with Malaria for a second time! Clooney caught Malaria in Sudan and Piers Morgan tweeted about the actor's condition on Twitter. He's not the only celebrity who fell ill with Malaria. Cheryl Cole was also a victim.

This is the second time in less than a year that a celebrity has caught Malaria! Cheryl Cole became ill with Malaria last summer after vacationing with Derek Hough in Africa. Luckily, she survived the illness.

For Clooney, surviving Malaria is an easier task than for most Sudanese. With his celebrity status and top notched handlers, it's given that every situation can be taken care of. There is always a back up plan.

Taking the proper medication and having a team of doctors to observe his condition paid off. George Clooney is back on his feet. So, will these two incidents thwart other celebrities from vacationing and visiting Africa?

It's highly unlikely. With wealth comes a certain level of comfort. Celebrities have a lot of money. Something as trivial as Malaria isn't going to keep their need for adventure at bay!"

Toll Brothers’ communities designed with luxury finishes, amenities » Naples Daily News: "Within the gates of Toll Brothers’ Estero communities, residents enjoy a lifestyle equal to that in any of Southwest Florida’s luxury communities, with manicured tropical landscaping, a selection of resort-style amenities and numerous activities.

“Toll Brothers not only offers homes designed with luxury features and finishes, but we have also developed communities that provide a lifestyle that is comparable to the area’s most luxurious gated neighborhoods,” said Ken Thirtyacre, division president of Toll Brothers Florida West Division. “The difference is that we have maintained modest homeowner association fees.”

For example, Belle Lago, a single-family community on Estero Parkway with prices starting in the mid-$300,000s, has outstanding amenities that include a grand clubhouse with a multipurpose room, fitness center, aerobics studio, library/craft room, game room, card/TV lounge and locker rooms. Outdoor amenities include four Har-Tru clay tennis courts, a half-court basketball court, and a resort-style swimming pool. Walking trails wind throughout the community, its nature preserves and its five parks."

Jamelia wins appeal against driving offence - Top Stories - News - Birmingham Mail: "BIRMINGHAM pop princess Jamelia has won a court battle after a judge accepted she didn’t know she was being prosecuted for speeding because of her jet-set lifestyle.

Speed cameras captured her Audi Quattro being driven at 43mph on a road with a 30mph limit in the city just after midnight on August 15, 2009.

Notice of the speeding offence was then sent to the 30-year-old singer’s Birmingham home but she failed to respond to it and was eventually convicted by magistrates, in her absence, of a charge of failing to give information in relation to the identity of the driver.

Jamelia, whose surname is Davis, of Barnt Green, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday and appealed against the conviction and sentence."

Stephen Dorff stars in new film 'Somewhere' | abc7.com: "In the new drama 'Somewhere,' a hard-living movie star is suddenly forced to perform another role: full-time father.

In 'Somewhere,' Stephen Dorff plays an actor who lives carefree at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont.

But then, this single dad is suddenly forced to care for his 11-year-old daughter, played by Elle Fanning. It's something new for both of them."

Top European Beaches: "1. Costa Del Sol, Spain
The climate of the Spanish beach, Costa Del Sol makes it one of the most popular beach destinations of Europe. This beach receives little rainfall, and so you can visit it at any time of the year. Different types of entertainment activities including the beach bars have made this beach popular among the youths.
2. Costa Dorada, Spain
The natural beauty with dunes and sand beaches has made Spanish beach, Costa Dorada a popular tourist spot. The shallow water of this area makes it an ideal place for the kids, and you can surely plan a family holiday here. A wide range of accommodation facilities are provided here to make your trip comfortable.
3. Costa Blanca, Spain
If you are looking for a thrilling nightlife, and need a perfect beach destination for partying with friends, Spanish beach, Costa Blanca is for you. It is better to plan a long holiday break when you are coming to Costa Blanca. Apart from the beach activities, you can check Terra Mitica, Entertainment Park in Benidorm.
4. Costa Del Garraf, Spain
It is rightly said that Spanish beaches attract everyone. Costa Del Garraf beach in Spain is not only the ideal holiday destination for straight couples, but also it is one of the best places for the gays. The beach located in Sitges is known to attract thousands of gay couples every year."

and will need to raise significant amounts of new capital to "resist additional adverse shocks".

The analysis of the weakness of Portugal's banks, contained in the, which took Ireland to the brink of bankruptcy.

There is however one important difference, which some will argue makes Portugal's financial predicament more perilous: Portugal's banks have not only been borrowing colossal sums from the ECB, they have also been lending billions of euros to the Portuguese government, so that it can finance the significant gap between what it spends and its dwindling tax revenues.

This is how the central bank put it: "the expansion of Portuguese banks' balance sheets in the first half of the year essentially reflected the financing of general government".

To celebrate these unique Keys events, KeysCaribbean Luxury Resort Villas & Marinas is showcasing a December Special Savings Offer that provides a lower nightly rate for each additional day booked; guests can receive a generous up to 50 percent off rates or free night stays at all KeysCaribbean luxury resorts all fall season; and a 100 percent cancellation guarantee.

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/11/p652851/keyscaribbean-luxury-resorts-offers-up-to-50-discount-free-night-stay-p#ixzz16nEDKR00

The Quandt family, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s dominant shareholder, vowed to carry on its commitment to the carmaker as Volkswagen AG’s Audi challenges BMW’s lead in luxury vehicles.

“We as a family are looking forward” to shaping the future with BMW, Stefan Quandt said at a Munich event today to mark the 50th anniversary of the shareholders’ vote approving the German family’s rescue of the luxury-car maker. “Lead, don’t follow - that’s the entrepreneurial calling of BMW.”

Investor Herbert Quandt fended off a takeover attempt five decades ago by Stuttgart, Germany-based Daimler AG, then called Daimler-Benz, by bankrolling development of the 1500-model midsize sedan. His family still owns 46 percent of BMW, and Stefan Quandt and Susanne Klatten, two of his children, sit on the supervisory board.

BMW surpassed Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz division as the world’s largest luxury-car maker five years ago and aims to almost double annual sales by 2020 to 2 million vehicles. That may not be enough to fend off Audi, which aims to leapfrog BMW and Daimler to become the largest maker of luxury cars by 2015.

Nicola Whittaker, 35, narrowly avoided jail after admitting leading a lavish life with gun-running ex-partner Paul Wilson.
But prosecutors believe she benefited from Wilson’s ill gotten gains to the tune of £426,030 – cash they claim was splashed on a posh house, jewellery and a boob job.
They want the money back from the mum-of-one who contested their Proceeds of Crime Act application at Liverpool crown court on Wednesday.
Most of the cash is tied up in the couple’s £250,000 home in Liverpool Road, Ainsdale – now worth up to £1m.
Prosecutors also want £82,000 spent on jewellery and £5,000 they claimed Whittaker spent on cosmetic surgery.
Whittaker, of Coronation Drive, Crosby, denied the jewels were ever hers and said her dad, Ronald Whittaker, paid for her surgery after she split from Wilson in 2006.
She said although Wilson initially bought her a boob job, she needed a second operation in 2008 because he hit her and split her implant.
Whittaker previously admitted money laundering and eight counts of concealing criminal property.
Her 12-month sentence was suspended for two years after Judge James Roberts accepted she had endured “extreme violence”.
She was given 300 hours unpaid work after the judge accepted she tried – but failed – to leave Wilson several times.
Prosecutors said the £30,000 deposit on the couple’s home and the £1,400 monthly mortgage payments from her bank account came from Wilson.