Nerja News

There must be any number of better and more effective ways of reducing light pollution and certainly thousands of far safer ways for the bloated councils to save money.

Motorway lights are switched off at midnight… to cut pollution

The Highways Agency, the managers of England’s motorway network, says it has picked areas with low levels of overnight traffic and good safety records. However they admit there could be a slight increase in accident rates as a result, and there are fears that more roads will see black-outs as councils across the country try to save money.

Turning off the lights will, apparently, only fractionally reduce the annual electricity bill of the Highways Agency itself and, in fact, will cost them more in the short term as new equipment will have to be installed to enable the lights to be controlled from a regional command post.

As long as there remains a choice and doesn’t become the only option, although it is going back to the dark ages in many respects.

Shopping centre bosses approve ‘Asian squat toilets’ following cultural awareness course

And, of course, anyone who has had the misfortune to come across one of these contraptions, such as in parts of rural France, will know how unhygienic they can be and how prone to flooding if even a minor blockage occurs in the system.

Not to mention losing everything out of your pockets the first time you encounter one!

Although everyone is encouraged to eat sufficient quantities of fruit and vegetables to maintain health, the actual nutritional value of fruits and veggies is dwindling. This decline was first reported ten years ago and is a result of the desire to grow bigger produce at a faster rate, this produce not having enough time to absorb sufficient nutrients from the soil and synthesize them.

If organic produce is beyond your budget, there are a number of useful and simple tips given to get the most out of conventionally grown fruit and veggies.

In a bizarre, presumably senior, moment,  Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has accused the referee Howard Webb of favouring Spain and ‘robbing’ Holland of victory.

If anything, it was the other way round and if Mr Webb had stuck to the letter of the law rather than trying to let the game flow a bit, Holland would have started the second half with a maximum of eight players, maybe only seven. In that case, Spain would probably have wrapped the match up a lot earlier, although not guaranteed. more »

Murders and other serious crimes committed by prisoners released early from jail may have to be “accepted” by the public as part of attempts to keep down the cost of the criminal justice system, the probation watchdog suggested.

The story. What next? Putting out fires is becoming too expensive so let’s not bother?

The authorities in California have tried to stop this annual ritual, but in vain. This year was the 31st Annual Mooning of Amtrak in Laguna Niguel…Californians bare bottoms for passing trains…

Dear Mum, have found some ruins, must be Camelot.

The legendary figure of Arthur, knight and/or king, has always fascinated historians, with many theories arising as to when he might have lived, the location of his equally legendary stronghold, Camelot, and whether or not he actually had a round table. more »

Former Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, who spent six years as a hostage of leftist Farc rebels, is asking Colombia’s government for compensation. Ms Betancourt and her family are seeking $6.8 million in damages for ‘emotional distress’ and loss of earnings during her time as a hostage.

Colombian officials, however, appear to be rather surprised by this quest for compensation, pointing out that troops risked their lives to rescue her in 2008 and stating that she ignored advice not to go to the area where she was kidnapped.

The ship of the desert may have bad breath and an ill-temper but it has been supplying Bedouins with milk for centuries, and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that it could soon appear on the shelves of European supermarkets. Not entirely sure about promoting it as ‘almost like mum’s own’ though. more »

Spain can rest easy tonight in the knowledge that victory over Germany is assured…according to the now famous ‘psychic octopus’.

The two-year-old cephalopod, whose name is Paul, has become a national celebrity in Germany, predicting results with at least 70% accuracy….Story…

Following the furore surrounding poor reception with the new Apple iPhone 4 and the company initially blaming the problem on how people actually hold the phone, Apple have now sent out a letter to all iPhone 4 users after the discovery of a ‘problem’ or ‘mistake’. more »

For those who think that the vuvuzela is just a gimmick, here is a video with a bit of instruction on how to play the instrument followed by some Brahms and Ravel played by professionals at the Konzerthaus in Berlin. more »

Many complain about the extras, hidden or otherwise, with the so-called low cost airlines: baggage charges, insurance, charges for online booking when it is the only option available etc.

I was surprised, to say the very least, to find out that Flybe now charge you for a seat on the plane as an ‘extra’, six pounds each way on a trip from the UK to Spain. There is, of course, no alternative option but to purchase a seat!

It is obviously all over bar the shouting:

‘Psychic’ octopus predicts Germany victory over England

A Spanish company has just bought the world’s largest gold coin for $3.27 million, its exact material worth. The coin is a Canadian $1,000,000 Maple Leaf, weighing 100 kilos and measuring 53 cms in diameter. more »

The new Apple iPhone 4 has come in for some criticism due to a loss of signal strength or connectivity if you actually hold the phone.

Apple issues advice to avoid iPhone flaw

The casing of the phone is made of stainless steel, which also serves as its antenna, and Apple sells a rubber “bumper” that shields the sensitive area. Shouldn’t it be standard?

Some things just can’t be made up. A Council agrees planning permission for a family to construct a driveway to their house then builds a pedestrian crossing at the exact same spot. The council subsequently tries to prevent the family from using the agreed driveway and costly legal wrangles ensue.

Road to nowhere: Council wastes £130,000 on pedestrian crossing that cannot be used