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			Sunday & Monday May 19-20 Edition #4044

Central government yesterday said that it intends to get the most use and make the most money out of the former royal yacht.

Plans to cash in on royal yacht

Palma.—Spokesperson for the Balearic government, Nuria Riera, said yesterday that the local government respects the decision taken by the king of Spain to give up the Palma-based royal yacht Fortuna. She said that the move was “positive and responsible” considering the recession gripping the country.

The 41.5-metre yacht was donated in 2000 by a business group, which included the Balearic government, but left the king open to criticism during hard times in Spain. Each refuelling of the yacht costs more than 20'000 euros.

The group, the Tourism and Cultural Foundation of the Balearics, had said it hoped the king’s presence on the island would draw holiday makers.
Like other assets including the royal palaces, the luxury yacht is owned by the state and managed by the National Heritage for the use of the 75-year-old king and his family. The National Heritage board must now approve the yacht’s transfer to central government which agreed yesterday to make the most use and money out of the yacht.

It also has the option to sell it.
Vice-President, Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said that the government is in the process of deciding what is going to be the most efficient and lucrative way of operating the vessel.

But, the move has sparked more controversy for the royal family.
Opposition parties here in the Balearics want the three million euros of tax payer’s money invested into the project by the former PP government to be refunded to the Balearic government.

Search for body of woman murdered in 1997

Palma.—The Guardia Civil murder squad yesterday began searching an estate called Son Llebre in Son Ferrer, for the body of a woman apparently murdered in 1997.

Initially, it was thought that Maria Pujol Escala went missing but new evidence has come to light suggesting that she was in fact murdered by her husband, Jaime.

The couple worked on the estate and the stepmother of a local neighbour and her brothers, came forward claiming that they know where the victim is buried but have been keeping their allegations quiet for decade for fears of reprisals from the alleged suspect.

Apparently, it was known that Jaime would regularly beat his wife and, unable to take any more, simply fled.
But now it appears that she was killed and her body was burnt on the estate where her bones are buried.
A team, of special sniffer dogs have been flown into help from Madrid.
The search continues.

Anger over new markets in Calvia

Palma.—Small businesses in Calvia have slammed local authorities after they approved the creation of a new market in the area, a move they believe to be a personal attack on their future.

The council is proposing two weekly markets in Peguera on Tuesdays and Santa Ponsa on Saturdays, both in the morning to “dinamise the economic activity in the area, promote trade and encourage tourism.” Most locals think differently though. “It’s insensitive from their part. They want to sink us and finish us completely,” they say.
The general belief is that local officials are placing too much pressure on the already saturated retail sector. Businesses are facing higher taxes, an increasing crisis and shorter tourist season and the creation of these markets will put them under even greater pressure. Authorities replied saying “they want to reach an agreement with the locals so everybody is happy.”

Summer’s here and that means that so too are the jellyfish and yesterday the 112 emergency centre mounted its annual help service.

Jellyfish warning issued in the Balearics

Palma.—With sea temperatures rising, the annual invasion of jellyfish is anticipated and the 112 emergency centre has published thousands of leaflets containing information of what to do if stung by a jellyfish.

The most impotent thing is to wash the sting with sea water, not soft or drinking water because that can apparently increase the amount of poison in the sting.

Neither should the sting be scratched nor rubbed.
And, while towels or sand should not be used to dry and clean the sting, products like alcohol or ammonia should not be used either.
Ice can be used but only if in a tight bag, remember, only salt water can be in direct contact with the sting and the skin.
The emergency centre also recommends the use of diluted vinegar, the kind which can be bought in any store and that the solution, along with ice if being used, be applied for a period of 10 to 15 minutes every five minutes. Victims are also advised to consult their pharmacist regarding an antiseptic cream which will prevent the sting from infection.

However, should the sting provoke nausea, sickness, vomiting, head aches or muscle spasms, then the victim should be taken to hospital and if stung by a Portuguese Man-o-War, the advice is to go straight to casualty.