Turf War in Central Mexico Leaves 8 Dead

<p>Eight homicides earlier this week in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato stem from a turf battle between rival drug cartels, officials said, noting that one of the gangs claimed responsibility for the slayings by leaving threatening messages next to five of the bodies. All of the victims were killed with firearms under very similar circumstances, state Attorney General Carlos Zamarripa Aguirre said. The most recent slaying occurred Thursday in the city of Acambaro, where a message was discovered that is “practically identical to the others that were found,” Zamarripa said. According to the state Attorney General’s Office, three people were killed in the municipality of Apaseo el Alto and one each in the cities of Celaya, Cortazar, Villagran, Acambaro and Salvatierra. Investigators found signs apparently signed by the Los Caballeros Templarios drug cartel at the crime scenes in Apaseo el Alto, Celaya and Villagran, officials said. The murders come approximately a month before Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit Guanajuato and a week after the discovery of 18 “drug messages” signed by Los Caballeros Templarios that ordered a rival gang to leave the state and avoid “generating violence” during the pontiff’s stay. Los Caballeros Templarios warned the Nueva Generacion cartel that “confrontations will be inevitable” and told its rivals to leave Guanajuato in peace. Neither gang, however, is based in that state, which has largely been spared the drug-related violence that has ravaged other parts of Mexico. The pope is scheduled to stay at the Colegio Miraflores in the Guanajuato city of Leon during his visit to Mexico. Benedict XVI will celebrate an open-air Mass in the morning on March 25 at the city of Silao’s Guanajuato Bicentenario Park, an outdoor venue that it is expected will accommodate about 750,000 people, who will need a ticket to enter, officials said. The pontiff is scheduled to visit three cities in Guanajuato state during his time in Mexico and will continue on to Santiago, Cuba.</p>

Turf War in Central Mexico Leaves 8 Dead

Eight homicides earlier this week in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato stem from a turf battle between rival drug cartels, officials s...

Read more »

Detectives investigating McNally's cold-blooded shooting in the first gang murder of the year now believe the chief suspect also killed his brother in February, 2009

<p><br />. And, that the gun-for-hire carried out the pub murder of Paul ‘Farmer' Martin over three years ago. Our CCTV footage shows him entering the Jolly Toper bar in Finglas to carry out the hit on 39-year-old Martin in August, 2008. Five months later, Graham McNally's body was found in a ditch on the former Dublin to Derry road -- he had been shot at least five times in the head. "There are links to suggest that all three murders were carried out by the same man," said a source. "Alan McNally's fatal mistake was when he swore to avenge his brother's death." SHOT He was shot six times in the Cappagh Nua pub in Finglas on February 2 in a killing that was dubbed the Love/Hate murder because of its similarly to a scene from the RTE drama. As the garda probe intensified they questioned a sister and niece of the chief suspect but they were later released without charge. Detectives made a major breakthrough in the case when they obtained CCTV linking relatives of the chief suspect to the crime scene. However, they have still not recovered the handgun used to shoot Alan McNally six times. The Herald previously revealed that McNally was murdered on the order of a violent thug who himself survived an assassination attempt in December 2010. McNally (36), from Cappagh Avenue, Finglas, had been warned by gardai that his life was under threat after rowing with criminal elements in Finglas and Coolock. He had been warned by gardai to be inconspicuous as they feared there was an imminent danger to his life. However, sources say that he ignored gardai and publicly boasted about getting revenge for his brother's death. This is thought to have led his killers to adopt a "let's get him first" approach. Graham was 34 when he was shot dead by slain crimelord Eamon 'The Don' Dunne's gang in January 2009. Alan was in jail at the time after he had a falling out with his former close associate Dunne who had suspected that he was trying to murder him. He was only released last October having served five and a half years for having €200,000 worth of heroin. Sources say that despite the warnings he made himself an easy target for a gunman by drinking in the same pub for 14 hours. Gardai are anxious to apprehend the hitman who could also be responsible for other gangland assaults in the city. 'Farmer' Martin was a known criminal believed to have been involved in over a dozen bank robberies in the late 1980s and 1990s. Speaking at his funeral, Paul Martin's local priest branded his killers as "sick people not fit to be called men".</p>

Detectives investigating McNally's cold-blooded shooting in the first gang murder of the year now believe the chief suspect also killed his brother in February, 2009

. And, that the gun-for-hire carried out the pub murder of Paul ‘Farmer' Martin over three years ago. Our CCTV footage shows him enter...

Read more »

'IRA' drug-gang linked to double British murder

<p><br />The "IRA" gang referred to in a British murder trial last week as running the drugs trade in Liverpool is almost certainly a mixture of local gangsters and their Dublin and Limerick-based associates, gardai believe. The mention of the gang came in the murder trial of Thomas Haigh, 26, who was convicted last week of the double murder of two men referred to as gangland "enforcers", David Griffiths, 35, and Brett Flournoy, 31. Both men were shot dead, their bodies burned in a car and then buried on a remote Cornwall farm in June of last year. The court heard that Haigh was a low-level member of a Liverpool drugs gang. He said he had been forced to carry out a drugs run to South America and to oversee the cultivation of cannabis plants at the farm in Cornwall to pay off a €40,000 debt to the gang which he insisted, in statements to police, was run by the IRA. When the two enforcers came to the farm there was a confrontation and Haigh shot the two dead and buried their bodies. He was convicted by a jury at Truro Crown Court last Tuesday and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years. In the UK a minimum term is the set time a prisoner must serve before he or she is eligible for parole. Garda sources last week said there has never been any evidence of an organisational link between the IRA and drugs criminals in the UK, but they are aware that former IRA members, including members of one well known family with both IRA and criminal links in south inner Dublin, has links to organised crime and drug dealers in Liverpool and the Midlands of Britain. These links, gardai say, go back for at least two decades and one of Liverpool's biggest drug dealers also was a close associate and bought drugs off John Gilligan and his gang. After Gilligan's gang was broken up during the investigation into the murder of Veronica Guerin in 1996 these links continued. Gardai know there were strong links developed by the major Dublin and Liverpool gangs as they rubbed shoulders in Costa del Sol holiday resorts where they owned villas. Liverpool, Dublin, Limerick and even Belfast-based ex-loyalists all became interlinked as they shared drug trafficking operations. Over the past two decades there have been persistent disputes and dozens of murders in the UK, Spain and Holland -- the centre of drug trafficking in Europe. Gardai said the most likely figures that Thomas Haigh was referring to as the "IRA" in Liverpool are members and associates of a south Dublin family-centred gang with close links to the criminal "Fat" Freddie Thompson. This family and their close associates are central to the drugs supply in Dublin and have well-established links with UK criminals. Ironically, gardai point out, the same IRA and Sinn Fein figures were closely involved in the anti-drugs movement known as "Concerned Parents Against Drugs" which was active in Dublin in the Eighties, picketing the homes of heroin dealers and carrying out vigilante attacks. During the Nineties this IRA group eventually became involved in extorting money from certain drug traffickers and then became centrally involved in drug trafficking. One of their associated former IRA families from Ballyfermot in Dublin became one of the biggest suppliers of heroin in the State, at one stage using private jets to import large quantities of pure heroin supplied by Dutch-based Eastern European traffickers. The major Irish drugs cartel in Spain, broken up by joint Spanish and European police action in the summer of 2010 also had strong links to Liverpool and London gangs. Gardai believe that the "IRA" associates of the Liverpool gang, referred to in the Haigh trial, are almost certainly the "ordinary" Dublin traffickers and their associates who were formerly in the IRA but who have continued "trading" on the IRA name in order to scare opponents. On Friday convicted drug dealer John Gilligan was given a further six-month sentence by the Special Criminal Court after he pleaded guilty to possession of a mobile phone at Portlaoise District Court in 2010.</p>

'IRA' drug-gang linked to double British murder

The "IRA" gang referred to in a British murder trial last week as running the drugs trade in Liverpool is almost certainly a mixtu...

Read more »

Pair Of Late Night Shootings In Coachella Valley

<p> </p><p>Two shootings happened within minutes of each other in the Coachella Valley Saturday night. The first, a drive-by in a Cathedral City neighborhood, according to police. It happened around 8:30 P.M. near the intersection of Shifting Sands and Ortega. A vehicle pulled up along side a car and someone inside the first vehicle opened fire, hitting a man inside the car, said officers on scene. The suspect vehicle then took off before officers arrived on scene. Emergency crews took the victim to the hospital, but there is no word yet on his condition. Investigators have not provided a suspect description, nor have they provided any information on the suspect's vehicle. The second shooting also happened around 8:30 P.M., this one in Coachella. Two men shot at a home on the 1600 block of 6th Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Deputies arrested the suspects, but are not releasing their names. No one was hurt in this incident. If you know anything about either of these shootings, call Valley Crimestoppers at 760 341-STOP. You can remain anonymous and could receive up to a $1,000 reward. PrintEmail</p>

Pair Of Late Night Shootings In Coachella Valley

  Two shootings happened within minutes of each other in the Coachella Valley Saturday night. The first, a drive-by in a Cathedral City neig...

Read more »

FOUR men have pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to charges linked to the Gambino crime family.

<p> </p><p>The charges result from a variety of activities including assault, loansharking, drug trafficking and trying to recruit illegal aliens to work in adult entertainment clubs. The US Justice Department described the four, Alphonse Trucchio, Michael Roccaforte, Anthony Moscatiello and Christopher Colon, as being "a captain, two soldiers and an associate of the Gambino organised crime family of La Cosa Nostra." Attorney Preet Bharara said, "For those who believe La Cosa Nostra's criminal activities and influence are on the decline, the sweeping charges in this case and today's guilty pleas should disabuse them of that notion". According to the Justice Department, Trucchio and Gambino family captain Louis Mastrangelo - who had previously pleaded guilty to criminal charges - supervised crews of street level criminals, known as soldiers and associates. From the late 1980s through 2010, Trucchio and his associates oversaw the Gambino family's narcotics distribution network, which was based in Queens, New York, the Justice Department reported. "Numerous drug suppliers, wholesalers and street dealers operated under the authority and protection of the Gambino family, in exchange for paying the family a portion of their profits," it said in a statement. Drugs they distributed included cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and the narcotic pain killer, Vicodin. The accused men's other illegal activities included extorting payments from business owners and strip clubs, stabbing one person and hitting another with a car while trying to collect a debt and operating illegal gambling enterprises. Charges are pending against 11 more defendants.</p>

FOUR men have pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to charges linked to the Gambino crime family.

  The charges result from a variety of activities including assault, loansharking, drug trafficking and trying to recruit illegal aliens to ...

Read more »

Deadly Honduran fire could be repeated in prisons across Central America, experts warn

<p> </p><p>The world’s worst prison fire in a century happened in a lockup like many in Honduras: a decrepit, suffocating place of overcrowded, dark cellblocks where many inmates were accused only of petty crimes. Experts warn a similar disaster could happen again in Central America, where a decade of crackdowns on drug trafficking, gangs and out-of-control street crime has left the region dotted with fire-prone prisons often crammed with more than twice the number of inmates they can safely handle.  Hundreds of prisoners remained in cellblocks unaffected by the fire that tore the overcrowded jail on Feb. 15, burning and suffocating 356 men in their locked cells. “You have this tremendous public security crisis and the quick answer that prevailed for all of these years is ‘iron fist,’” said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director for Human Rights Watch.</p>

Deadly Honduran fire could be repeated in prisons across Central America, experts warn

  The world’s worst prison fire in a century happened in a lockup like many in Honduras: a decrepit, suffocating place of overcrowded, dark ...

Read more »

Nguyen, 44, also known as "The Godfather" "The Boss" and "The Old Man" was the leader of the violent street gang, “The Young Seattle Boyz”

<p> </p><p>Nguyen, 44, also known as "The Godfather" "The Boss" and "The Old Man" was the leader of the violent street gang, “The Young Seattle Boyz” according to a release from the office of U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. Nguyen pleaded guilty in November to drug conspiracy charges, in conjunction with murder charges and organized crime charges in King County Superior Court. In January, King County Superior Court Judge Julie Specter sentenced Nguyen last month for second-degree murder in connection with a Tukwila killing. U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez sentenced Nguyen to more than 25 years in prison to run concurrently. Working together, federal and local law enforcement have taken a very dangerous criminal off the street,” Durkan said.  “This case shows how the strong  cooperation between our office and the King County Prosecutor’s Office improves public safety,” For more than a decade Nguyen had been operating as leader of the crime organization and was involved in laundering millions of dollars from numerous marijuana grow operations, drug trafficking and gambling operations. Nguyen and his associates were linked to murder, assaults and shootings. Among his many criminal activities, Nguyen laundered illegal money by buying home in Tukwila and Seattle and turning the homes into marijuana grow operations. “Criminals and criminal organizations use money laundering as a means to infuse their illicit proceeds into our local economy,” said Kenneth J. Hines, IRS Special Agent in charge of the Seattle field office.  “Dirty money was used to purchase homes in Seattle and Tukwila and those homes were turned into illegal factories manufacturing a controlled substance. Law  enforcement will not stand by while our neighborhoods are put at risk.” In 2009, Nguyen was finally arrested as the leader of a criminal enterprise, and specifically in connection with the 2007 murder of his “right hand man” in the gang, Hoang Van Nguyen. Quy Dinh Nguyen, the hit man he hired, Jerry Thomas, and the go-between, Le Nhu Le, all pleaded guilty in King County Superior Court just  as the trial was getting underway. The murder was prompted by a feud within the gang.  The violence was a way of life for Quy Dinh Nguyen.  As prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo, “Quy Nguyen himself has admitted to engaging in a long-term pattern of violence that was designed to maintain the profitability of his marijuana and gambling enterprises.” Le Nhu Le was also sentenced today for his role in the murder and drug enterprise.  He  was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of supervised release.  The sentence will  run concurrent with LE’s five year sentence in King County Superior Court.  A third defendant  Kristine Nguyen was previously convicted and sentenced for conspiracy to engage in money laundering. The case was investigated by a state and federal task force of law enforcement officers including agents and officers of the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), Seattle Police Department, and Tukwila  Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg, and  Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor Roger Davidheiser.</p>

Nguyen, 44, also known as "The Godfather" "The Boss" and "The Old Man" was the leader of the violent street gang, “The Young Seattle Boyz”

  Nguyen, 44, also known as "The Godfather" "The Boss" and "The Old Man" was the leader of the violent street ...

Read more »

India wants Italian ship captain to surrender

<p> </p><p>New Delhi wants the captain of Italian ship Enrica Lexia and two marksmen who shot dead two Indian fishermen to surrender to Kerala Police on Sunday after several rounds of diplomatic confabulations on Saturday culminated in a telephonic conversation between External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna and his Italian counterpart. Rome wanted the three to be permitted to go in return for a joint investigation into the incident. But in the conversation late in the evening, Mr. Krishna turned down the offer an hour after Kerala Chief Minister Ooomen Chandy sought the Central assistance to persuade the captain and the two security personnel to give themselves up. Mr. Chandy said his government was left with no option but to arrest the Italians after receiving advice on the issue from the State's Attorney- General, said government sources here. Mr. Krishna and the Indian Ambassador in Rome told the Italians that this was not a diplomatic row that could end with discussions. The question was that those responsible for killing two Indians must submit to the law of the land. The call from the Italian Foreign Minister capped a hectic day of activity in Rome, where the Indian Ambassador was offered options such as the despatch of a multi-Ministerial team to Kochi and a high-level investigation of the incident.</p>

India wants Italian ship captain to surrender

  New Delhi wants the captain of Italian ship Enrica Lexia and two marksmen who shot dead two Indian fishermen to surrender to Kerala Police...

Read more »

Backpacker held over 'drug fuelled' Costa Rica murder

<p> </p><p> </p><p>Alfred Alexandros Mill Saunders, 20, was arrested in Costa Rica after allegedly being found emerging from a tent where a Czech woman had been subjected to a knife attack. He is understood to be the son of a leading London psychoanalyst. Local police said Mr Saunders, thought to be from west London, had blood stains on his face and clothes when he was detained by the manager of the isolated eco-farm, who heard screams coming from the victim’s tent late on Wednesday night. Alexandra Drbohlavova, 20, from the Czech Republic, died after receiving up to 15 stab wounds to her face, chest and neck, police said. Police chief Johnny Fernandez Morales said detectives believed the attack may have been sexually motivated. “Mr Mill told us he can’t remember anything about what happened,” said Mr Morales. “He has now been remanded in jail while an investigating judge looks into what’s happened. “The manager of the farm, who is a British man, heard screaming and shouting and as he approached the woman’s tent saw Mr Mill coming out with a torch in his hand.  “He shone his torch at him and saw blood on his clothes and face. He managed to apprehend him and tie him up with the help of his wife.” Mr Saunders is believed to have arrived at the farm, near the town of Colonia la Libertad in Upala region of the country the day before the incident occurred. Local news reports allege that the assailant was under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack. Mr Morales said: “The mystery is what he was doing at the farm. He turned up the day before the incident with no luggage and virtually just the clothes he was wearing. “We believe he came from Nicaragua. We know from his passport he was well travelled and had been in places like Mexico and China before. “The farm manager says he doesn’t know him and he hadn’t arranged to do volunteer work, and it appears him and his wife have taken pity on him and allowed him to borrow a tent and stay.” The organic farm, Finca La Libertad, in the north west of Costa Rica, near the border with Nicaragua and close to the Rincon de La Vieja, a national park which contains a volcano and rainforest and which is popular with visitors to the country. The farm is so remote it has no postal or telephone services. It offers working holidays for tourists. It borders a network of national parks and the farm’s website details its conservation and “sustainable living” programmes. According to its website, “Finca La Libertad strives to support local conservation efforts through sustainable living and farming practices and sustainable forest management and aims to create a replicable model of these practices for local people and international visitors. “Some of the ways we do this is by applying permaculture design, organic farming, natural building and composting.”</p>

Backpacker held over 'drug fuelled' Costa Rica murder

    Alfred Alexandros Mill Saunders, 20, was arrested in Costa Rica after allegedly being found emerging from a tent where a Czech woman had...

Read more »

Alleged hitman not guilty but woman gets 12 years in prison for ordering her husband's death

<p> </p><p>Charles Michael G.C. has served three years in prison on remand and has now been found not guiltyThe accused in court - EFE A 22 year old woman has been given a 12 year prison sentence for ordering the death of her husband with a hitman. María Dolores M., a lawyer from Ciempozuelos, Madrid, contracted Eloy S. to act as a mediator with the hitman. Eloy S. the owner of a private security company, has been given a 12 year six month sentence for his role, and has been found guilty of murder. However the man originally accused of being the hitman, Charles Michael G.C., and who would have carried out the killing of Miguel Ángel S.P., was found not guilty. He was released on December 12 after being held on remand in the Alcalá Meco prison since May 2008, accused of being the material author of the three shots which did away with the ex husband of the lawyer at garage of their home in Ciempozuelos in May 2007. The prosecutor had called for a 45 year sentence for the alleged shooter.</p>

Alleged hitman not guilty but woman gets 12 years in prison for ordering her husband's death

  Charles Michael G.C. has served three years in prison on remand and has now been found not guiltyThe accused in court - EFE A 22 year o...

Read more »

British drug smuggler pardoned from life sentence in Philippines after 20 years in jail

<p> </p><p>A BRITISH thalidomide victim jailed for drug ­smuggling 20 years ago has been pardoned by the president of the ­Philippines. Billy Burton, born with shortened arms and twisted hands, got a life sentence after trying to take 12lb of cannabis out of the country. Benigno Aquino III’s decision came after a campaign for release on the grounds of Mr Burton’s poor health. Advertisement >> The 48-year-old, of Rufforth, North Yorks, will now return home and pay a £294 fine. He will never be allowed to return to the Philippines. Campaign leader Guy Tweedy said: "I've been campaigning for 20-odd months now. While we don't condone what he did, he's deteriorated as a Thalidomider and we had to get him out." Freddie Astbury, the president of Thalidomide UK, also welcomed the news. He said: "We were very concerned about his health because his health had deteriorated rapidly since being in prison. "Obviously, nobody supports why he was there but, at the end of the day, his health's deteriorated and he needs to be in a safe environment now and get all the help that he needs." Mr Astbury added: "The main thing is, get him back, get him treated and get him the health he deserves and as quickly as possible." Jago Russell, chief executive of Fair Trials International, said: "Thousands of people have spent this Christmas in jails all over the world, far from home. We are delighted that the Philippine government has shown compassion for Billy and that, for him, this ordeal is finally over." Mr Burton’s cousin, Angela Morris, said it was “the best present you could ask for”</p>

British drug smuggler pardoned from life sentence in Philippines after 20 years in jail

  A BRITISH thalidomide victim jailed for drug ­smuggling 20 years ago has been pardoned by the president of the ­Philippines. Billy Burton...

Read more »

Man arrested in Spain over Madonna song leak

<p> </p><p>Spanish police have arrested and charged a man with illegally leaking an early version of a new Madonna song. The 31-year-old is alleged to have put a demo of Gimme All Your Luvin on the internet in November. The investigation began after lawyers traced the recording to Spain. The man, described by police as a big fan of the singer, was arrested in Zaragoza. Madonna's first studio album in five years is due for release in late March, with the first single out next month. Police have not named the man arrested, but confirmed his initials as J.M.R. Officers in the northern Spanish city said they found recordings of the song in a search of the suspect's belongings. Madonna, 53, was said to have been "very upset" when the song first leaked last month. Her manager, Guy Oseary, tweeted about the incident and asked fans to help police any further leaks. The singer's upcoming album, her first since 2008's Hard Candy, has already been completed and will be released as part of a new three album deal with Interscope Records. It was also recently announced that the star will perform during the high profile Superbowl half-time show on 5 February.</p>

Man arrested in Spain over Madonna song leak

  Spanish police have arrested and charged a man with illegally leaking an early version of a new Madonna song. The 31-year-old is alleged ...

Read more »

Ryanair has cuts its Alicante services by 50% for next year

<p> </p><p>Ryanair has cuts its Alicante services by 50% for next year blaming the airport for forcing it to use ‘unnecessary’ airbridges. The airline, which claims the airbridges cost it 2million euros a year in fees, has appealed to the Spanish Commercial courts over the charges which is due to be heard in early February. Ryanair refutes claims from the airport that the airbridges are a safety issue and that Ryanair’s cutbacks were already planned. It added that if the compulsory airbridge use is withdrawn or if they win the appeal, the Alicante flights, traffic and job cuts will be reversed for summer 2012. Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said: “ AENA Alicante are now proving that inefficient airbridges and higher fees will result in the airport suffering route, traffic and job cuts. “We call again on AENA to reverse this abusive decision to force Ryanair and other airlines to use and pay for unnecessary airbridges at Alicante.” Ryanair had already cut its winter 2011/12 services at Alicante by 50%. A new base is being opened in Palma by Ryanair serving  17 new routes and sustaining up to 2,800 Balearic jobs. The new routes are Palma to Aarhus, Cork, Gothenburg, Haugesund, Kaunas, Krakow, Maastricht, Malaga, Magdeburg, Marseille, Oslo, Paris Beauvais, Poznan, Santander,Santiago, Stockholm, and Tampere. To launch the new flights, which go on sale tomorrow, Ryanair is having a seat sale from 9.99 euros for travel across European routes in late January and early February 2012.   This ends midnight on December 15th</p>

Ryanair has cuts its Alicante services by 50% for next year

  Ryanair has cuts its Alicante services by 50% for next year blaming the airport for forcing it to use ‘unnecessary’ airbridges. The airli...

Read more »

The methane time bomb - Climate Change

<p> </p><blockquote>The first evidence that millions of tons of a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide is being released into the atmosphere from beneath the Arctic seabed has been discovered by scientists. The Independent has been passed details of preliminary findings suggesting that massive deposits of sub-sea methane are bubbling to the surface as the Arctic region becomes warmer and its ice retreats. Underground stores of methane are important because scientists believe their sudden release has in the past been responsible for rapid increases in global temperatures, dramatic changes to the climate, and even the mass extinction of species. Scientists aboard a research ship that has sailed the entire length of Russia's northern coast have discovered intense concentrations of methane – sometimes at up to 100 times background levels – over several areas covering thousands of square miles of the Siberian continental shelf. In the past few days, the researchers have seen areas of sea foaming with gas bubbling up through "methane chimneys" rising from the sea floor. They believe that the sub-sea layer of permafrost, which has acted like a "lid" to prevent the gas from escaping, has melted away to allow methane to rise from underground deposits formed before the last ice age. They have warned that this is likely to be linked with the rapid warming that the region has experienced in recent years. Methane is about 20 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and many scientists fear that its release could accelerate global warming in a giant positive feedback where more atmospheric methane causes higher temperatures, leading to further permafrost melting and the release of yet more methane. The amount of methane stored beneath the Arctic is calculated to be greater than the total amount of carbon locked up in global coal reserves so there is intense interest in the stability of these deposits as the region warms at a faster rate than other places on earth. Orjan Gustafsson of Stockholm University in Sweden, one of the leaders of the expedition, described the scale of the methane emissions in an email exchange sent from the Russian research ship Jacob Smirnitskyi. "We had a hectic finishing of the sampling programme yesterday and this past night," said Dr Gustafsson. "An extensive area of intense methane release was found. At earlier sites we had found elevated levels of dissolved methane. Yesterday, for the first time, we documented a field where the release was so intense that the methane did not have time to dissolve into the seawater but was rising as methane bubbles to the sea surface. These 'methane chimneys' were documented on echo sounder and with seismic [instruments]." At some locations, methane concentrations reached 100 times background levels. These anomalies have been seen in the East Siberian Sea and the Laptev Sea, covering several tens of thousands of square kilometres, amounting to millions of tons of methane, said Dr Gustafsson. "This may be of the same magnitude as presently estimated from the global ocean," he said. "Nobody knows how many more such areas exist on the extensive East Siberian continental shelves. "The conventional thought has been that the permafrost 'lid' on the sub-sea sediments on the Siberian shelf should cap and hold the massive reservoirs of shallow methane deposits in place. The growing evidence for release of methane in this inaccessible region may suggest that the permafrost lid is starting to get perforated and thus leak methane... The permafrost now has small holes. We have found elevated levels of methane above the water surface and even more in the water just below. It is obvious that the source is the seabed." The preliminary findings of the International Siberian Shelf Study 2008, being prepared for publication by the American Geophysical Union, are being overseen by Igor Semiletov of the Far-Eastern branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Since 1994, he has led about 10 expeditions in the Laptev Sea but during the 1990s he did not detect any elevated levels of methane. However, since 2003 he reported a rising number of methane "hotspots", which have now been confirmed using more sensitive instruments on board the Jacob Smirnitskyi. Dr Semiletov has suggested several possible reasons why methane is now being released from the Arctic, including the rising volume of relatively warmer water being discharged from Siberia's rivers due to the melting of the permafrost on the land. The Arctic region as a whole has seen a 4C rise in average temperatures over recent decades and a dramatic decline in the area of the Arctic Ocean covered by summer sea ice. Many scientists fear that the loss of sea ice could accelerate the warming trend because open ocean soaks up more heat from the sun than the reflective surface of an ice-covered sea.</blockquote>

The methane time bomb - Climate Change

  The first evidence that millions of tons of a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide is being released into the atmospher...

Read more »

Britain was now “outside the economic policies of the EU.”

<p> </p><blockquote><br /></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote>It might even have been the day that the EU, as we have known it, ceased to exist. But for Europe’s leaders yesterday, all these unfortunate truths were at least partly concealed by making it the day for blaming Britain. “We have a very good result,” said the president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek. “Twenty-six versus one.” An agreement of all 27 EU members, said France’s Nicolas Sarkozy, was impossible “thanks to our British friends.” Maybe he was just tired – it was 5am – but as he ground out the words, the French president’s lip seemed to curl. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, told reporters: “I really don’t believe David Cameron was ever with us at the table.” In what seemed, at times, like the anti-British summit, lower-ranking figures circulated through the halls, turning up the rhetoric in the search for a scapegoat. Cameron had been “clumsy in his manoeuvring,” said one senior EU diplomat. Guy Verhofstadt, the former prime minister of Belgium, was on hand to tell us that Britain was now “outside the economic policies of the EU.” None of this is necessarily wrong. In the early hours of yesterday, by saying that he would not agree a treaty for closer eurozone “fiscal union” without safeguards for the City, Mr Cameron may indeed have brought Britain to a 50-year crossroads. But it is substantially beside the point.</blockquote>

Britain was now “outside the economic policies of the EU.”

    It might even have been the day that the EU, as we have known it, ceased to exist. But for Europe’s leaders yesterday, all these unfortu...

Read more »

Snowshoeing in Spain’s Sierra Nevada Mountains

<p><h1 class="entry-title" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 36px; font-style: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; clear: both; color: #000000; line-height: 42px; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"></h1><div class="entry-meta" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #555555; clear: both; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><div style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; float: right; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><div style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; float: right; width: 70px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="color: #373737; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"></span></div></div></div></p><div class="entry-content" style="font-family: 'PT Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; padding-top: 1.625em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; clear: both; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.976563); margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Do you have a map? Yes.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Do you have a compass? Yes.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Do you have a GPS? Yes.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Do you have an ice axe? No we are staying in the forest.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Do you have crampons? No, we have snowshoes!</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Paco was clearly going through a list drawn-up by someone else but found our reasoning acceptable and let us pass.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Although Spain’s Sierra Nevada contains the highest mountain in mainland Spain (Mulhacen 3472m), there is only one downhill ski resort in the range. Essentially, this is an undeveloped wilderness in winter where you can get away from it all and experience some genuine backcountry snowshoeing. Each day you can access a different part of the range from the relatively warm southern side with its pretty villages built hundreds of years ago when the Arabs ruled Spain. Dirt track roads lead to high starting points. It’s also possible to stay high in relative comfort at the Poqueira Mountain Refuge at 2500m or fend for yourself at one of a number of unmanned bivouac refuges to make a multi day trip.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The appeal for us running snowshoeing holidays there is the undeveloped nature unlike so many European alpine resorts whose association with skiing, après-ski, and chairlifts spoil the wilderness experience.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a href="http://www.snowshoemag.com/2011/12/05/snowshoeing-in-spain%e2%80%99s-sierra-nevada-mountains/caballo/" rel="attachment wp-att-61510" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1982d1; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-large wp-image-61510" height="450" src="http://www.snowshoemag.com/wp-content/uploads/Caballo-600x450.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin-right: 15px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffff; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 1px 2px 4px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #dddddd;" title="Caballo" width="600" /></a><strong style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Above Capileira</strong></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Leaving Paco to continue his questioning, we set off into the trees. The forest above Capileira is our favourite starting point when introducing people to snowshoeing or to this area. Capileira at 1300m is usually just below the snowline and breakfast of coffee and “tostada con tomato” can be had in one of a number of bars before heading up into the snow.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The usual summer road head of Hoya del Portillo is unobtainable, but it provides a good highpoint for a first day out on snowshoes. Up through forested valleys we tramped, passing numerous rocky outcrops, which gave us views of the valley below. The route that day would take us to the summer road head, which in winter was blocked by many feet of snow. We return partly through forest clearings and recently thinned trees, which offer ideal snowshoe terrain. One of the highlights in spring as the water starts to flow again is crossing an “acequia” one of the many water channels built by the Arabs who settled here in medieval times. Although, the Arabs are long gone, their legacy in these water channels and village architecture still remains. The style of building in the high mountain villages here are similar in style to the Berber villages of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><strong style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">A Trip to the Poqueira Refuge</strong></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">An alternative is to continue above Hoya del Portillo, which offers a good circuit up to the Poqueira Refuge at 2500m. Not easily possible as a day trip, the refuge does provide a “hotel” service 365 days a year. This modern refuge sleeps up to 84 and can be busy at weekends. Booking is advisable though at anytime of the year.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">From Hoya del Portillo it’s possible either to ascend through the stunted pines or easier up the fire break with its stunning views above the Poqueira gorge up to Valetta the second highest mountain in the range. Forty minutes above Hoya we come to the viewpoint of Puerto Molino. It’s from here that we get our first decent views of Mulhacen, mainland Spain’s highest mountain. An undulating ridge leads from here to Mirador Trevelez 2700m where we begin our descent down towards the hut. We skirt the hill of Alto del Chorrillo where we can see a huge cairn about 1km in the distance. This marks the way to the Refuge, which can be seen from the cairn.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">A night in the Poqueira Refuge is a great experience. Although the food is basic mountain fare, there are usually four courses and plenty of it. The log burner in the dining room provides plenty of warmth though a down jacket and sleeping bag are useful for upstairs.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">By spending two nights at the Poqueira refuge it’s possible to ascend Mulhacen. This is a more challenging proposition, and really only the South Ridge from Alto del Chorrillo is suitable for snowshoes – the West Ridge being steeper and requires ice axe and crampons.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">If choosing the West Ridge route, the ascent from the refuge to the Caldera bivouac refuge is up through the valley of the Rio Mulhacen. There is some avalanche risk here and starting early is a must as is having avalanche transceivers, shovels and knowing how to use them. Despite the difficulties, the summit on a clear sunny day offers some great views, of the entire range, and well beyond.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Returning to the valley from the Poqueira Refuge can itself be interesting. It’s possible to complete a circuit by either returning along the path running under the west side of the ridge we ascended back to near Puerto Molino or by descending down to Cortio los Thomas and by following the acequia, which brings us out onto a trail (driveable in summer) beneath Hoya.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><strong style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a href="http://www.snowshoemag.com/2011/12/05/snowshoeing-in-spain%e2%80%99s-sierra-nevada-mountains/march-sun/" rel="attachment wp-att-61511" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1982d1; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-large wp-image-61511" height="400" src="http://www.snowshoemag.com/wp-content/uploads/March-Sun-600x400.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin-right: 15px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffff; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 1px 2px 4px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #dddddd;" title="March Sun" width="600" /></a>Caballo, Europe’s Most Westerly 3000m Peak</strong></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Caballo is our favourite mountain and has been the source of many adventures. It’s a nice – though hard day – out from Lanjaron. Driveable dirt tracks take us up to near the road head at 2100m just short of the old ruined Ventura Refuge. Where the snowline starts varies, but it’s usually possible to reach the road head and have snowshoes on within 20 minutes of starting the ascent.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">It usually takes around four hours to reach the summit this way. Last march we were able to drive most of the way in a friend’s four-wheel drive and a group of us, including six-month old in a backpack, enjoyed a day of warm sunshine exploring the southern flanks of the mountain. From the old refuge we headed northwards ascending gradually until we hit a forest of stunted pines. An ascent to the top of the forest before leads to a diagonal traverse up to the ridge, which is then followed to the summit. The safest way back avoiding the avalanche risk of the Rio Lanjaron is to retrace your steps, which on a clear day gives views across to the mountains in North Africa some 150Km away. Allow three hours for the descent.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">If the snow conditions allow access to it’s possible to drive high, onto the West Ridge of Caballo, which provides the easiest and safest ascent. We’ve found it to be a nice route in April and early May – a four- or five-hour round trip.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><strong style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Puerto De La Ragua</strong></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">This is a cross country ski “resort” situated at 2000m. The road to this point is usually kept clear and it provides a good starting point for both easy snowshoe itineraries and for some more serious mountain itineraries. Parking with a café bar, restaurant makes this more of a traditional style alpine resort and good base for circular routes.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Following on from our Poqueira trip, we decided to head off to Ragua. We resisted the temptation to have a coffee, as the forecast for the afternoon was not so good. Instead we skirted the prepared cross country ski tracks and took a big loop to scale the easy rounded summits of Morron de la Cabanuela 2223m and Morron del Hornillo 2375m. From here we dropped down through the trees to follow the track for a short way back to base.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Care should be taken when returning through the forest, especially near the Baranco del Hornillo as there is some avalanche risk here. The more adventurous may wish to extend this itinerary to include the Morron del Mediodia 2753m though a cautious eye should be kept on the weather and time. On this occasion we just managed to enjoy the open tops before the wind got up by which time the café beckoned and we returned to the warmth.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><strong style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a href="http://www.snowshoemag.com/2011/12/05/snowshoeing-in-spain%e2%80%99s-sierra-nevada-mountains/mulhacen/" rel="attachment wp-att-61512" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1982d1; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-large wp-image-61512" height="450" src="http://www.snowshoemag.com/wp-content/uploads/Mulhacen-600x450.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin-right: 15px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffff; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 1px 2px 4px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #dddddd;" title="Mulhacen" width="600" /></a>Conditions and Technical</strong></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Spain’s Sierra Nevada lies a long way south relatively close to North Africa. Its height attracts the snow and there is usually reliable snow cover most years from 1900m in January, February and March. That said, we have found acceptable snow well into May, and the ski resort has remained open into May for the past three years.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The area can attract very high winds and because of the high altitude the climatic conditions can be very adverse. If contemplating the higher routes you will need experience in survival situations and be able to navigate well in snow. There are plenty of lower more sheltered routes in the forests for those windy days. The Guardian and staff at the Poqueira refuge are always happy to advise on conditions in the higher mountains.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The maps are for the most part accurate in what they show. If it’s on the map it’s usually there on the ground. However, none of the maps show craggy features; so much caution needs to be exercised if following a compass or GPS device in poor visibility as you may be walking off a cliff.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">To make the most of a trip to this region you should consider hiring a car. We hire small vans for the extra ground clearance negotiating the dirt track roads. Hiring four-wheel drive vehicles is better though expensive. Capileira is the best base if you do not have a car though you will have to walk an hour to the snowline. The Spa town of Lanjaron is a good base for access to a variety of routes, but you will need your own transport.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Mountain House Holidays will be running seven-day snowshoeing holidays based from the spa town of Lanjaron in February and March 2012, though we also take clients for daily-guided trips at other times.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">There is some information on our website for those wanting to plan their own trip, but we are always happy to share our experience with anyone who gets in touch.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">There are other guides available locally, but please be aware that only acceptable qualifications for snowshoe guides in Spain (and most of Europe) are International Mountain Leaders or IFMGA Guides.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><strong style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Summary</strong></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">There are few places left in Europe’s mountains that are undeveloped for skiing and winter sports. Spain’s Sierra Nevada remains one of these giving a truly wild backcountry feel. A higher level of commitment is needed though because of this lack of development. Rescue can be problematic with no dedicated rescue service; maps not including obvious features such as cliffs; and the combining of altitude and possible high winds giving sometimes arctic conditions. We have got to know the area over many years, sometimes turning back when conditions have dictated it. We expect to spend many more years further exploring the range.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">These days Mountain House guides are well known and Paco doesn’t bother going through his checklist with us, rather we engage in pleasant conversation about the mountains, weather and environment. As he says, “you know it all.”</p></div>

Snowshoeing in Spain’s Sierra Nevada Mountains

Do you have a map? Yes. Do you have a compass? Yes. Do you have a GPS? Yes. Do you have an ice axe? No we are staying in the forest. Do you ...

Read more »

Spanish suburbs transformed into land of shattered dreams

<p> </p><p>When Magali Quezada began working at a remittance office in suburban Madrid four years ago there were long lines of customers -- now she waits patiently for someone to walk in. "It used to be swarming with people, there were long lines of people who wanted to send money back home," the 34-year-old Peruvian said as she looked around the empty office at Torrejon de Ardoz. Like other Spanish suburbs, Torrejon saw a huge influx of immigrants during the years of a profitable real estate boom as millions of foreigners arrived seeking jobs in construction and the service sector. Immigrants account for about one-fourth of Torrejon's population. They come mainly from Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe and have helped keep the town's bars, cafes and beauty salons busy during the good times. But with immigrants especially hard-hit by the collapse of Spain's real estate bubble in 2008, stores are now deserted. "For sale" signs dot the windows of flats, and the suburb is plagued by unemployment and shattered dreams. "We got used to the good life, we had leisure time, we could buy a plot of land in our countries, we brought over our families. Now all of that is over," said Quezada who arrived in Torrejon a decade ago. Spain's unemployment rate soared to a 15-year high of 21.52 percent in the third quarter, the highest among major industrialised nations. But among immigrants the joblessness is even higher, standing at 32.7 percent. Many now struggle to meet repayments on car and and home loans given out with ease by banks when times were better. When Luis Mendes arrived in Spain in 1997 from Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony on the West African coast that is one of the world's poorest nations, he thought he found his land of opportunity. The 40-year-old worked long hours on a farm and then as a construction worker and got a bank loan for 100,000 euros to buy a 70-square-metre flat in Torrejon. "I earned a good living, I earned 1,800 euros a month because I would often worked overtime. It was enough to help my family who stayed behind," he said. "Today I don't work anymore. I received jobless benefits during a year but now I am not entitled to them anymore," said Mendes, who shares his apartment with his two brothers who are also out of work. He is facing eviction from his flat because he has not been keeping up with his mortgage payments. The street where Mendes lives has been nicknamed "eviction street" because several other people risk losing their homes over missing mortgage payments. Last month a group of about 60 activists who fight against home foreclosures tried in vain to prevent two bailiffs from evicting Consuelo Lozano from her first-floor flat in Torrejon. The 40-year-old unemployed cleaning lady had already sent her two sons and daughter back to her native Ecuador with her husband but she cannot walk away from her 200,000-euro mountain of debt. "It is a fight against giants and I am nothing beside them," she said, her eyes welling with tears, after she turned over her keys to the bailiffs. Lozano would like to go back to Ecuador but if she leaves Spain the debt on her flat would pass on to her sister, who is a guarantor of the bank loan. "I could go back to Ecuador but where would I leave my conscience which torments me?," she asked. Other immigrants, like Mendes, have no desire to return to their homeland. "It is very hard, I live very badly now. But it is even worse in my country," he said.</p>

Spanish suburbs transformed into land of shattered dreams

  When Magali Quezada began working at a remittance office in suburban Madrid four years ago there were long lines of customers -- now she w...

Read more »

Yard detectives investigating Maddie disappearance travel to Spain and Portugal

<p> </p><p>SCOTLAND Yard detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have flown to Spain and Portugal, it emerged yesterday. Three officers met colleagues in Barcelona last month. It is believed the visit was linked to reports Maddie may have been smuggled into the country after being snatched just before her fourth birthday on a holiday in Portugal in 2007. Advertisement >> Investigators hired by parents Gerry and Kate earlier uncovered a child porn ring in the city. A Met Police spokesman said there had been “good co-operation” between the forces. Scotland Yard was called in to review the case earlier this year following a request by PM David Cameron. The McCanns praised cops and added in a statement: “We are pleased that the review is making progress.”</p>

Yard detectives investigating Maddie disappearance travel to Spain and Portugal

  SCOTLAND Yard detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have flown to Spain and Portugal, it emerged yesterday. Thre...

Read more »

Speeding was identified as a possible cause of what is believed to be one of the world's most expensive ever road accidents

<p><div class="oneHalf gutter" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; float: left; width: 460px; color: #282828; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 10px; background-color: #ffffff;"><div class="story" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; margin-bottom: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; border-top-width: 2px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #666666; padding-top: 3px;"><div id="mainBodyArea"><div class="firstPar"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">Ferraris and a Lamborghini – plus a Toyota Prius – were among the vehicles involved in the crash, which witnesses said happened when a speeding car slid across a wet road surface.</p></div><div class="secondPar"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">Television footage showed mangled Ferraris – many of them racing red – and debris spread over some 400 metres of the eastbound side of the Chugoku Expressway, the main trunk road in southern Honshu.</p></div><div class="thirdPar"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;"><img alt="" height="287" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02074/ferrari-2_2074940c.jpg" style="display: inline; border: 0px initial initial;" width="460" /></p></div><div class="fourthPar"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">A pack of about 20 supercars was<strong> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8934718/Astonishing-accident-involving-eight-Ferraris-worlds-most-expensive-car-crash.html" style="color: #234b7b; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: none;">travelling in convoy on Sunday morning on a stretch of wet highway</a></strong> when the leading Ferrari slid into a guardrail, police said.</p></div><div class="fifthPar"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">Those behind slammed on their brakes, but for many of them it was apparently too late.</p></div><div id="tmg-related-links" class="related_links_inline" style="background-color: #f4f4f0; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #e5e5e5; margin-bottom: 8px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 460px;"><div class="headerOne styleNine" style="background-image: url(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/template/ver1-0/i/grey_dots.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffff; border-top-width: 2px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #d42f00; color: #262626; margin-bottom: 6px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat;"><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; text-transform: uppercase; display: inline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; line-height: 1em; border-top-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-color: initial; color: #333333;"><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">RELATED ARTICLES</span></h2></div><ul style="list-style-image: url(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/template/ver1-0/i/articleBullet.gif); overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; font-size: 1.3em; line-height: 1.3em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px;"><li class="bullet" style="background-image: url(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/template/ver1-0/i/sprite-icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 18px; background-position: 0px -1048px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 0.8em; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; display: inline; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8934718/Astonishing-accident-involving-eight-Ferraris-worlds-most-expensive-car-crash.html" style="color: #234b7b; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">'World's most expensive car crash'</a> </p><span class="relContDate" style="color: #545454; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px;">04 Dec 2011</span></li><li class="bullet" style="background-image: url(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/template/ver1-0/i/sprite-icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 18px; background-position: 0px -1048px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 0.8em; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; display: inline; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7361138/Supercar-crash-10-most-expensive-luxury-car-accidents.html" style="color: #234b7b; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Supercar crash: 10 most expensive wrecks</a> </p><span class="relContDate" style="color: #545454; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px;">25 Mar 2010</span></li><li class="bullet" style="background-image: url(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/template/ver1-0/i/sprite-icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 18px; background-position: 0px -1048px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 0.8em; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; display: inline; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8344468/Pagani-Zonda-F-supercar-crashes.html" style="color: #234b7b; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">£1.4m Zonda supercar crashes</a> </p><span class="relContDate" style="color: #545454; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px;">23 Feb 2011</span></li><li class="bullet" style="background-image: url(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/template/ver1-0/i/sprite-icon.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 18px; background-position: 0px -1048px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 0.8em; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; display: inline; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cristiano-ronaldo/4175679/Cristiano-Ronaldo-in-Manchester-Ferrari-crash.html" style="color: #234b7b; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Cristiano Ronaldo in Ferrari crash</a> </p><span class="relContDate" style="color: #545454; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px;">08 Jan 2009</span></li></ul></div><div class="body"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">"I've never seen such a thing," highway patrol lieutenant Eiichiro Kamitani told AFP by telephone. "Ferraris rarely travel in such large numbers."</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">Kamitani said 10 people – five men and five women – sustained slight injuries, in the accident. "It is highly possible that they were driving in couples."</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">"Many of them were probably on their way to Hiroshima," some 130 kilometres (80 miles) to the east, for a gathering of supercars there, said Kamitani.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">"Speeding was possible but we have yet to determine the exact cause," he added.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;"><img alt="" height="287" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02074/ferrari-3_2074941c.jpg" style="display: inline; border: 0px initial initial;" width="460" /></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">The Prius and a second Toyota also caught up in the 14-car smash were not thought to be part of the supercar pack. The three other vehicles involved in the accident were all Mercedes-Benz.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">An unidentified male eyewitness told the TBS network: "A group of cars was doing 140-160 kilometres (85-100 miles) per hour. One of them spun and they all ended up in this great mess."</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">The speed limit on that section of the highway was 80 kilometres per hour (50mph).</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;"><img alt="" height="287" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02074/ferrari-1_2074943c.jpg" style="display: inline; border: 0px initial initial;" width="460" /></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">"The front car crashed into the left embankment and bounced off toward me," another man told public broadcaster NHK.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">The highway was closed for more than six hours while authorities removed the wrecked cars.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">A 36-year-old self-employed man, who did not want to be named, described a scene of chaos as he was driving in the opposite lane at the time of the accident.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">"Cars were making a tremendous noise," the man, from Kanzaki, Saga Prefecture,<a href="http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T111204004152.htm" style="color: #234b7b; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> <strong>told Japanese media</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">One of the Ferraris was reported to be a F430 Scuderia, a model with a top speed of 320 kilometres per hour.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;"><img alt="" height="287" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02074/Expensive-Crash_2074844c.jpg" style="display: inline; border: 0px initial initial;" width="460" /></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">Kamitani said the lead Ferrari was being driven by a 60-year-old self-employed man from Chikushino, near Fukuoka, on the southern island of Kyushu.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;"><strong><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/" style="color: #234b7b; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: none;">Japanese</a></strong> media said the total cost of the pile-up could run to 300 million yen ($3.8 million), with new Ferraris retailing at more than 20 million yen each and Lamborghinis costing anything up to 30 million yen.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">Supercars are not necessarily owned by the super-rich in Japan. Many owners are young people who save up their earnings to satisfy their dream, according to media.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;"><img alt="" height="287" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02074/Expensive-Crash-SU_2074846c.jpg" style="display: inline; border: 0px initial initial;" width="460" /></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.7em; padding-left: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.48em; margin: 0px;">No one has been yet been charged over the accident.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="oneSixth" style="float: left; width: 140px; color: #282828; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 10px; background-color: #ffffff;"><div id="shareSide" class="shareFunctions" style="border-top-width: 2px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #666666; height: 162px; padding-top: 5px;"><div class="storyFunc addThisStoryFunc" style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; font-size: 1.2em; padding: 0px;"><ul class="shareThis" style="list-style-type: none; overflow-x: auto; overflow-y: auto; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><li class="shareThisShare" style="float: left; height: 24px; width: 140px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding: 0px;"><span class="shareLabel" style="color: #343434; float: left; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 10px;"><br /></span></li></ul></div></div></div></p>

Speeding was identified as a possible cause of what is believed to be one of the world's most expensive ever road accidents

Ferraris and a Lamborghini – plus a Toyota Prius – were among the vehicles involved in the crash, which witnesses said happened when a speed...

Read more »

Rich Egyptians weigh emigration as Islamists surge

<p> </p><p>For decades, Egypt's Westernised elite kept the country's growing religosity at arm's length, but a projected Islamist surge in the first post-revolution polls has driven many to think of moving abroad. Sporting the latest fashions and mingling in upmarket country clubs, Egypt's rich fear a victory for the Muslim Brotherhood and hardline Salafis in the first phase of parliamentary elections presages change ahead. "I hope they don't impose the veil and ban women from driving like in Saudi Arabia," said coquettish fifty-something Naglaa Fahmi from her gym in the leafy neighbourhood of Zamalek. In a nearby luxury hotel, Nardine -- one of Egypt's eight million Coptic Christians who are alarmed by the prospect of a new Islamist-dominated parliament -- is pondering a move aroad. "My father is seriously thinking about sending me and my brothers elsewhere because he thinks we won't have a future in the country with the Salafis," said the banker in her twenties. Ten months after a popular uprising ended the 30-year autocratic rule of Hosni Mubarak, millions of Egyptians embraced their new democratic freedoms earlier this week at the start of multi-stage parliamentary elections. The preliminary results to be published on Friday were expected to show the moderate Muslim Brotherhood as the dominant force, but with a surprisingly strong showing from the hardline Al-Nur party. Its leaders advocate the fundamentalist brand of Salafi Islam, rejecting Western culture and favouring strict segregation of the sexes and the veiling of women. They say they have been the victims of Islamophobia and sustained fear-mongering by liberals in the Egyptian media. Nevertheless, the fear that they will try to impose their values on the rest of society has driven Angie to consider leaving her comfortable Cairo life behind. "My husband recently got a job offer in Dubai. In the beginning I was hesitant, but now, with all that's happening, I'm encouraging him to take the job and I'll join him with our daughter," she said. "The Gulf has become more liberal than Egypt," she told AFP. For Ahmed Gabri, having the Islamists in power means having his freedoms restricted. "I will leave the country," said Gabri, a Muslim. "I will not stand living in a puritanical climate. Why don't they just let people live the way they want?" The next parliament will be charged with writing a new constitution and the idea of an Islamist-dominated assembly has sent shockwaves through some segments of society. Many stress the difference, however, between the different Islamist groups. "They don't scare me. We have democracy now which means we'll be able to remove them if they don't suit us," said Manar, a tall blonde in her 40s. "It's the not the Muslim Brotherhood that worries me because they want to appear in the best light, it's the Salafis that I'm concerned about," she said. Iman Ragab, a shop assistant, has resigned herself to the election's likely outcome. "This is democracy, you have to accept the results of the ballot," she said.</p>

Rich Egyptians weigh emigration as Islamists surge

  For decades, Egypt's Westernised elite kept the country's growing religosity at arm's length, but a projected Islamist surge i...

Read more »