He attended a preliminary hearing yesterday afternoon in Palma charged with the alleged murder of his girlfriend at a converted lockup garage that they shared in Marratxi. He was then ordered to be held in the Palma prison and bail was denied to him.

Yesterday, the family members of the girl were still coping with what all had happened. Mother and sister of the victim attended the one- minute silence held in her memory in front of the Marratxi Town Hall. Last night a protest against domestic violence was demonstrated by members of women’s rights groups at Palma center. At midday today, a minute’s silence will be held in front of the Balearic headquarters, Palma.

Yesterday, more grisly details on how Laura was battered to death came into lime light. She was bludgeoned by a lot of objects including a TV remote that was found soaked in blood.

Members of the Guardia Civil suspect that they started arguing over some drug related issue. The victim also was an addict, but she wanted to kick this habit and also leave her boyfriend.

Emergency services came into action and a rescue operation was carried out. The Andratx police were the first to arrive. They were able go near the vessel and rescue the crew of dash-2 with the help of a Zodiac launch. Zodiac vessel police confirmed that all the 4 crew members were british and were middle-aged. The vessel had been anchored 300 meters from the shore where it suddenly lost control. Then the anchor system had snapped and the vessel drifted towards the beach and wedged on a sandy area.

No one was injured in this accident. They were taken to hotel Son Matías by the police where they spent a night. The next day, attempts to find solution to such calamities were made.

In collaboration with a similar organization in Balearics, the “GOB,” they staged a presentation to the press  yesterday before the campaign started intending to make the politicians and the public feel a sense of responsibility and act towards confronting the threat to our environment from the changing climate. The Coastal department has issued a warning that if the exploitation of the coastline continues, unchecked, at the present rate, then it will create problems for the ecosystem which is already under pressure due to changing climate. “Ecologists in Action” had explained that by 2050,the wind pattern changes and the temperature changes will have lead to a change in sea wave movement all around the Balearics, and in particular at Ibiza and the southern and eastern parts of Majorca and this might cause nearly 50 metres of the beach to be submerged. Besides the erosion of natural coastline, the effet on the tourisim industry of Balearics can be disastrous.

The organizer of “Ecologists in Action”, Pablo Cotarelo, informed that there are other factors which are exacerbating the threat. High  temperatures in the sea and the pressure due to increasing human population on the coastline had resulted in acidification of coastal waters. The sea flora and fauna are being subjected to erosion at 3% every year.

The minister stated that, in this period, the total amount of emergency cases admitted was 6.56 percent more than those in the same period last year. He said that this is a significant increase.

The analysis showed that for the cases admitted every day, last year the number was 1’135 people and now it has increased to 1’202. Of these, 12.11% had to be admitted in the hospital. The number of people undergoing surgery has also increased by 6.55%. The demand for specialists also increased by 3.85 percent and it continues to grow. 588’898 people had been given appointments in the first six months of the year.

The Regatta of 24th Conde De Barcelona, being conducted by Hispania Foundation, starts from Monday but the classic yachts from all over the world have started coming to Palma and the fleet of ships will be anchored near the Auditorium on  Paseo Maritimo for people to see.

The yachts that are taking part have been divided into three categories: Period vessels, Classic vessels and replicas . These yachts have been built according to the original design and made using the same materials and techniques of the time in which they were originally designed.

This yacht race will continue around Palma Bay  throughout the week. Before the prize distribution ceremony on Sunday, the sail past will be organised traditionally which will be presided over by King Juan Carlos.
Also, a lot of other activities will be organised at this regatta camp, organised on and around Paseo Maritimo. Perhaps, the most stimulating and attractive feature of this regatta are the famous classic yachts.

The Vintage Boat section of The Royal Hispania Foundation was formed in reverence to philosophy of Don Juan de Borbón, father of the present King of Spain, to recover the many dumped boats that spoil the ports and the beaches.
The main function of this Foundation is to assist the restoration of Vintage Boats and also to spread knowledge about them.

This will be a particularly busy time for the businesses in Palma and surrounding areas as many visitors are expected to attend, boosting the bars, restaurants and shops in the area.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBR6FPGe3Bw

Although on a freehold property, the banks in Spain may lend up to 60% of the amount, they will probably not be interested in financing the leasehold or rental business.

It may be possible to try to negotiate the terms directly with the business seller for the business, however; you have to understand that the seller would deal cautiously at this point of time as he hardly has anything in terms of security once he signs it over and there will probably be someone else interested in the business who has the money already available.

We can make introductions to banks that have their documentation in English and where with some additional security you may be able to obtain a “Credit Policy” which is similar to a UK overdraft. This may be available to help with refurbishment, but do not rely on getting this as part of your financial plan when buying a business.

If you have UK property then you may be able to secure a loan using that as security to buy a Traspaso based business.

Banking

We believe that the banking service in Mallorca is very simple and easy to understand. However it is different from the UK and you need to be aware of those differences.
There is no cheque clearing system here. If you write a cheque then it will appear in the recipients account as soon as he presents it, likewise it will be gone from your account at the same time.
To be honest cheques are not that common over here, most people still preferring and trusting the cash!
Credit cards, until very recently, were hardly ever seen over here, but they are now becoming more common.
Debit cards are usually provided by the bank when you open a current account but be warned. They normally have a daily spending limit on them This will catch you out and could be embarrassing. Even though you have the money in your account it will still stop you getting it via debit card if you go over your daily limit.
When using a debit card at a supermarket you will probably be asked for your passport as identification so carry it with you.

We would assist in opening a suitable bank account for you. All that is needed is your NIE number and Passport.

It will take 2 – 3 days to get the Sterling transferred from your UK account to your Mallorca account and the same will be converted into Euros at the exchange rate on that particular day.

Many banks here have agreements with UK banks to give preferential UK to Mallorca transfers.

Taxation

You will be pleased to know that the taxes in Mallorca are normally lower than in UK.
There are also two different methods of business Taxation to consider.  A standard system where you pay taxation on your profit and a modular system where various aspects of your business are assessed and then you pay a fixed amount per quarter regardless of your turnover and profit. It is important you choose the best method for your particular business.

There are varying rates of IVA (VAT) here in Mallorca, from 16% which is the standard rate for the usual things you would sell in your bar such as beer and spirits. There are other rates of IVA but your Gestoria will make sure you are charging and book keeping at the correct rates.

It is usual here and more or less expected, that you do not declare all your takings from your business, this is known as black money and the part you do declare is white money. This is why when you ask to view someones books over here you may not get the full picture of the true takings. Best if we don’t go into too much detail, suffice to say we can discuss this with you for any business that you decide to view!

Once again your Gestoria will advise on all the above.