Mediterranean diet keeps people 'genetically young'

Spain's obesity index above European average, below UK and Ireland

SPAIN -- According to a report on research in the US, on BBC News Online by Health Editor Michelle Roberts, following a Mediterranean diet might be a recipe for a long life because it appears to keep people genetically younger. Several years ago, this diet was preponderant in Spain and, of course, other Mediterranean countries, including Southern France, Italy to a certain extent and in Greece. Since then the intrusion of fast food, mainly in the shape of US franchises (McDonalds, Burger King, etc. etc.) has caused an alarming increase in obesity in this country. The latest reliable figures (May 2014) show that over 24% of the population is considered obese, or just under the indicators, that is, well above the average levels for Western Europe (18.5%), or with France (15.6%), Italy (17.2%), Greece (17.5%), Germany (21.3%) or Portugal (21,6%). However, both the UK and Ireland, are above the European average at 24.9 and 24.5% respectively.

Junta to invest €1.1 million in Algeciras court services

The new buildings should be ready for use in three years

Main courthouse, Algeciras

ALGECIRAS -- The Junta's Councillor for Justice anmd the Interior, Emilio de Llera, announced recently that the Junta will be investing €1.1 million is updating the court services in the city. He confirmed that his department is studying the possibility of rehabilitating and expanding the building on Avenida Virgen del Carmen, which houses the Algeciras section of the Provincial Court (Audiencia Provincial), with the idea of adding the Criminal Youth Courts, as well as the Youth Prosecution services and the Prison Vigilance service.The money would be found because rent would no longer have to be paid on the premises used for the above services on Calle Muñoz Cobos. The whole thing should be gradually completed in three years, added the Councillor, and would reduce to two the court services that are now spread out in four different locations.

Google News in Spain to close on December 16

Measure taken before a new intellectual property law is introduced on January 1

SPAIN -- Google will shut the service on 16 December before the law comes into effect in January, the firm said. The law allows Spanish publications to charge services like Google News if their content is shown on the site. But Google has argued against the ruling, saying that it makes no money from its search-based service"It's with real sadness that on 16 December we'll remove Spanish publishers from Google News, and close Google News in Spain," said Richard Gingras, head of Google News in a blog post on Wednesday.

Made me cry ...

You may have seen this already, I only saw it yesterday.
Quizás ya lo hayas visto, yo lo vi ayer y se me saltaron las lágrimas
(Abajo hay una traducción al español.)

Dear Mom and Dad:

I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number.

I am in a black plastic bag in a landfill now. Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was too dirty and too small, and the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge.

Would I still be at home if I hadn’t chewed your shoe? I didn’t know what it was, but it was leather and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get puppy toys.

Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did only made me ashamed I had to go at all. There are books on obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door.

Would I still be at home if I hadn’t brought fleas into the house? Without anti-flea medicine I couldn’t get them off me after you left me in the yard for days.

Would I still be at home if I hadn’t barked? I was only saying, “I’m scared, I’m lonely, I’m here, I want to be your best friend”.

Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn’t make me learn how.

Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach me manners? You didn’t pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent my time waiting for you to love me.

I died today.

Your loving puppy 

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