The Night of the Matadors, held on August 31st at the Coliseo Balear, had a bloody finale (see photo) for Germany's boxing promise, Torsten May (proud winner of 15 professional matches). His opponent, recently proclaimed cruiser-weight champion, Adolpho Washington, beat this over-stimulated and clumsy Olympic champion during twelve rounds, rounding off with just about a K.O.
Businessman Matthias Kühn, new to the world of boxing, looked somewhat upset and sour-faced from his seat in the tiers. As local organizer of the event, this real estate tycoon had counted on double the income from the box office, and would now have to bear with (supposedly) some 84 million pesetas in loses. 
All in all, from the German's point of view, there was only one real champion. Private German TV channel, RTL, not only managed to pull off the "day after" party with great style, but was also very successful broadcasting the event live, a first for them in this field. The other boxing matches, Udo Jürgens's concert (he turned his head away in horror during the match), the laser show and the fireworks... all went perfectly. Even the very few Mallorquíns in the audience were quite impressed. A Spanish colleague described his experience at the Coliseo Alemán in so many words: "Once you are over being impressed by all the perfection you even start enjoying it."

He was only fifteen when he first visited the island, and Spain was still a dictatorship (see photo left). After 43 years and numerous other visits, King Juan Carlos is still faithful to his old summer love. Following several business lunches (with, among others, President Aznar and Gonzalez, leader of the opposition), two sailing championships held under the Royal Patronage, a fleeting visit to the site of the Biescas tragedy, several inaugurations and countless official obligations, here is the Royal Family again, posing for their traditional summer photo (see photo below) in the gardens of Palacio Marivent, their summer residence. What do you want to bet that next summer the Royal family will be back!

The game isn't new and it isn't only played in Spain: Forte dei Marmi vs. Rimini, Miami Beach vs. Malibu, Kampen vs. Baden-Baden - there are at least two spots in every country that compete for being the "chosen one". Here in Spain the dispute is between Marbella and Mallorca. This year the Balearic Island's touristic lure of attraction has won one over the so called Golden Costa de Sol. The Royal Family, famous film director Pedro Almodovar, Isabel Preysler and her husband Miguel Boyer, and a long list of famous figures have all spent a few days of leisure on the island. Even Princess Caroline of Monaco's ex, Philippe Junot (see photo below), a confirmed Marbella fan , has been here on a fleeting visit to the secluded mansion owned by millionairess Marta Chavarri (see photo above) - two times around divorcee - in the mountains of Sineu.

"What a woman!" was Mallorca News' reaction to the interview Mouna al Ayoub gave recently to the local newspaper, Diario de Mallorca. Our sincere admiration has quickly been shared by others: renowned photographer Helmut Newton was totally taken by this important tycoon's ex-wife's alluring personality. Newton has photographed our adoptive Mallorquina for the September edition of Vogue magazine, wearing luxurious Bulgari, Cartier and VanCleef & Arpels jewelry (see photo).