The ex- boyfriend of Cloe, the 15-year-old girl murdered in Orihuela Costa, has admitted to the crime in an appearance held at the Juvenile Prosecutor’s O ce. The teenager, who has been
detained in a juvenile centre since his arrest for the gender violence murder, gave a statement for more than three hours during which he was confronted with the evidence collected against him.
Although he tried to downplay his involvement in the events, the evidence was so conclusive that he admitted to killing his former girlfriend. Among the evidence are mobile phone messages that he exchanged with the other young man under investigation on the same night of the crime, in which they spoke openly about what happened. Although all these messages were deleted, the Civil Guard was able to recover them.
The young woman was murdered on 24th November in Orihuela Costa, the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The victim was fatally stabbed in the neck. The investigation suggests that while one of the arrested minors grabbed her by the neck, the other slit her throat. The investigation suggested that it could have been a crime of gender-based violence and that the teenager killed his girlfriend because he couldn’t accept she no longer wanted to be in a relationship with him.
Despite the severity of her injuries, Cloe was able to get up and seek help, making her way
from Mercurio Street to Venus Street through a narrow alley about half a meter wide, to her brother’s house. He took her in serious condition to the Torrevieja hospital, where she died shortly after. Her ex-boyfriend was initially arrested, but it wasn’t revealed until months later that a second suspect had been there on the night of the incident. After his arrest, he implicated the second minor. He claimed the murder was connected to an alleged drug debt and allegedly carried out by the second suspect.
Mobile phone geolocation systems determined that the two suspects were in the alley
the night of the crime.The two had been sending each other messages that night in which they spoke openly about what had just happened. Both had an option activated that would delete these communications once they were read, but the Civil Guard was able to recover them. In them, they spoke openly about how worried they were that Chloe was still alive when they left the alley. The communications continued until shortly before the ex-boyfriend was located and arrested.
Initially, the suspect was going to invoke his right not to testify, but he nally answered questions from the prosecutor and his defence attorney, Encarnación Obdulia Martínez. Although he has admitted his involvement in the crime, he continues to maintain that it was the other minor who forced him and continues to insist on the drug debt story.
AP7 tunnel to remain closed
The accident in the AP7 motorway tunnel at Pilar de la Horadada, which resulted in a lorry re in which the driver died, has caused major damage to the structure. It is now being reported that the tunnel will remain closed until at least mid-July.
Currently the tunnel is closed
south bound from the direction of Alicante to Murcia but can be used by tra c travelling in the opposite direction, from Cartagena to Alicante.
Damage to the tunnel includes lighting and communication circuits, the ventilation system, security equipment and cameras.
The tunnel was under construction with improvement and maintenance works at the time of the accident. Crews will now concentrate on repairing the recent damage, with the improvements postponed until September.
Rock choirs join forces for charity
The vibrant sound of the Rolling Tones Rock Choir is set to travel from Limerick, Ireland, to the sunny Orihuela Costa this May in support of a great cause. This dynamic adult choir will bring their infectious energy and powerful harmonies to the area in aid of A Helping Hand charity food and clothes bank.
Fifty- ve members of the choir will make the journey to Spain, where they’ll perform in a special fundraising concert at Rosie Maguire’s in Cabo Roig on Friday, 23rd May from 6:00pm, alongside Carla Stone’s popular local choir ROAR. It promises to be an unforgettable evening of live music, community spirit, and heartfelt support for those in need.
In addition to their Friday night performance, the Rolling Tones will also be raising their voices at Zenia Boulevard on Saturday, 24th May at 1:00 PM, once again in support of Helping Hands.
Shoppers and visitors can expect an uplifting midday show lled with favourites from the worlds of rock, pop, and disco—including songs by Meatloaf, Coldplay, ABBA, and Enrique Iglesias.
Both events are free to attend, and representatives from A Helping Hand will be there with collection buckets. If you enjoy the music, please consider donating generously to support their vital work within the community.
Known for their high-energy performances and big-hearted missions, the Rolling Tones Rock
Choir continues to prove that music has the power to connect, inspire, and make a di erence. Whether you’re part of the local community or just visiting the area, these events o er a fantastic opportunity to enjoy live music while supporting a truly worthy cause. Please go along and support—your presence will make a di erence.
After two years without, Orihuela Costa will have a Summer School
After two years without a municipal summer school in Orihuela, there will be one this summer. The Councillor for Education, Vicente Pina, has announced that registration will open from May 23rd to 30th for the 2025 Summer School, a service aimed at facilitating family life during the school holidays and offering children quality educational and recreational activities.
This year, the Summer School will have a total of 1,000 places, after expanding from 600 to 800, 200 of which will be fully subsidised by Social Welfare, based on the families’ socioeconomic status. The remaining 800 places will have a reduced rate determined by the enrolment period.
The contract for the service for the next three years (with the option to extend for two more) has been awarded to the Orihuelabased company Diverty School, specialising in children’s educational leisure activities, with a budget of €621,895.43.
“After overcoming
administrative difficulties in previous years, we can finally announce with joy that the Summer School is taking its first steps with full guarantees,” explained the Councillor for Education, Vicente Pina.
The successful bidder will have a professional team composed of 10 instructors with degrees in teaching, social education, or pedagogy, 10 instructors with technical qualifications in sociocultural animation or early childhood education, and 5 additional instructors specializing in physical education.
The Summer School will run from June 23rd to August 14th and will be held at various locations in Orihuela, as well as in other districts and Orihuela Costa, depending on demand. For his part, the technical coordinator of the successful bidder, Alfonso García Díaz, highlighted Diverty School’s experience, with more than 15 years in the education sector and a presence in several
municipalities in the provinces of Alicante and Valencia. “We want to offer the children of Orihuela, its surrounding areas, and the coast an excellent summer school. We have a highly qualified team and a comprehensive program of activities. Our priority is for the children to be happy and for the families to feel supported,” he stated.
The company will facilitate communication with families through direct channels such as Telegram, where constant and personalized information will be provided on the progress of the activity. In this regard, Alfonso García explained that “from the very beginning, we will be attentive to any suggestions or needs that parents may have.”
All information regarding the registration process, necessary documentation, and criteria for awarding grants will be available on the Orihuela City Council website and at the Department of Education.
Alcampo Spain to close 25 stores
The French retail chain Auchan, operating in Spain under the Alcampo brand, has announced plans to close 25 stores across the country, resulting in the loss of 710 jobs.
The decision is a result of changing consumer habits, with a growing preference for smaller shops and online purchases over traditional large-scale supermarkets, according to reports.
To adapt to these changes, the company is focusing its strategy on expanding smaller store formats and strengthening its digital retail channels.
The planned closures will span 13 regions in Spain, including Madrid, Valencia, Galicia, Navarra, La Rioja, and Asturias.
Auchan currently employs around 23,300 sta in Spain. Details of the restructuring plan were shared with labour unions during a recent meeting.
The company stated: ‘In this transformation process, it is essential to recover results and ensure sustainable growth in each and every shop. This is why Alcampo is launching a sta adjustment plan, a decision
which, although di cult, is responsible and necessary.’
Spain’s CCOO trade union reported receiving a list of a ected outlets, which includes several hypermarkets, though Auchan has yet to publicly identify the speci c stores set for closure.
Commenting on the situation, CCOO said: ‘This is all the information the company has provided to us. Now, the next step in this process initiated by Alcampo management is to establish a collective dismissal negotiating committee.’
The union added that during the initial meeting,
Auchan must present all necessary documentation so union representatives can review and initiate negotiations.
‘At CCOO, we will address this di cult situation, which is new to the company, with a clear understanding that the main objective is to maintain employment and, if workers leave, ensure they leave in the best possible conditions,’ the union concluded.
This announcement follows Auchan’s earlier decision, made late last year, to cut more than 2,000 jobs in France as part of a wider restructuring plan aimed at fostering growth.
Alicante-Elche Airport starts high season with new record
A new month, a new record. It’s become a tradition for Alicante-Elche Airport, breaking passenger records with each passing period. April closed with the highest number of passengers in its history for this month.
The high season has gotten o to a ying start at the El Altet terminal with more than 1.7 million passengers, 9% more than the same period in 2024. The rst month of the summer season has made its presence felt, closing with 1,732,423 passengers and almost 10,900 ights operated, 7.8% more than the same period in 2024.
This is an all-time record, further helped by the
fact that Easter falls in the middle of the month. The boost in international tra c has helped o set the drop in domestic travellers, which, at 220,101, is down 1.6% compared to April 2024.
With a 10.7% increase, international passengers once again account for the bulk of operations at Alicante airport, which registered 1.51 million foreign travellers. Once again, the United Kingdom is the main market with 586,853 travellers; followed by the Netherlands, with 109,897; Germany, with 96,650; Belgium, with 86,768; and Poland, with 85,714.
The rst four months of
the year have set records, with 5,432,165 passengers between January and April, a 12.7% increase compared to the same period last year, which holds the alltime record for passengers. Furthermore, with nearly 35,000 movements, the number of ights operated in these four months also increased by 13.5%, making it clear that 2025 is more than a candidate to once again record the highest number of travellers in the airport’s history.
Ahead of the peak season, the 30 airlines operating the route have scheduled more than 14.7 million seats. This wide range of services elevates Alicante Airport to its best summer season in its history, with 226 routes to 120 cities and some thirty countries.
New routes from Ryanair, Wizz Air and EasyJet , among others, and the addition of frequencies to the most established connections, have taken the airport’s service to unprecedented levels and for the rst time it has reached thirty countries, with new cities such as Salzburg, Belgrade and Chisinau, the capital of Moldova.
Cyberattack ruled out as blackout cause
The Spanish government said on Wednesday that it had ruled out a cyberattack on the national electricity grid operator as the source of the massive and mysterious power outage that hit the Iberian Peninsula late last month.
More than two weeks after the 28 April blackout disrupted telecommunications, halted transportation, and plunged cities into darkness across Spain and Portugal, authorities are still working to determine its cause.
ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez calls for patience as the investigation into cause of blackout continues.
The national grid operator, Red Eléctrica, con rmed that it had found no signs of a ‘cybersecurity incident’ during the disruption. This comes after the government had initially kept all possibilities open.
‘After analysing all the relevant data, we have not found indications that the system operator was targeted by a cyberattack,’ Ecological Transition
Minister Sara Aagesen (main image) told the Spanish Congress
In her address, Aagesen outlined a detailed timeline, noting that two major power uctuations occurred within 30 minutes before the grid failure at 12.33 pm.
She identi ed the precise locations of three key incidents that contributed to the blackout — substations in the southern provinces of Granada and Seville in Andalusia, and Badajoz in Extremadura
According to Aagesen, authorities are now working through hundreds
of millions of data points gathered from Red Eléctrica and power companies to assess whether the uctuations are connected to the widespread outage.
She also responded sharply to criticism from the right-wing and farright opposition parties, who have blamed the government’s focus on renewable energy and its intent to phase out nuclear power.
The inquiry into the blackout ‘will last as long as necessary’ and ‘we will not allow hastiness to take us away from the truth’, Aagesen said.
EU unlikely to get rid of all US tariffs
The European Commission is preparing minds for a trade deal with the US which sees tari s maintained on EU goods.
“With these tari s the US thinks it has evened the playing eld,” EU o cial Matthias Jørgensen told MEPs at the European Parliament, “It’s very possible that we do not get rid of all the tari s, then we might have to rebalance on our side.”
Since mid-March, the Trump administration has imposed 25% tari s on EU steel and aluminium, 25% on EU cars and 10% on all EU imports.
“It is clear from our discussions with the Commission that it will be di cult to go below 10% US tari s,” a European diplomat said as the 27 EU trade ministers met.
“We would have a very hard time in the council with 10% tari s,” Michal Baranowski, Polish economic undersecretary of state, predicted.
A member state’s o cial said France and Germany will be least happy with such an outcome while Hungary, Ireland, Italy would be less concerned.
After several weeks of deadlock in the trade negotiations, some movement is now evident.
“What is encouraging is that we are engaging actively both at expert and political levels,” EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said, adding that he’d had a “constructive” call with US trade secretary Howard Lutnick last Wednesday, and that both agreed to intensify the talks at technical level.
Sefcovic has already travelled three times to the US to meet counterparts. He seemed hopeful that a meeting with Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the trade US representative, could take place soon in Brussels or on the sidelines of an upcoming OECD meeting.
The EU has put on the table the possibility of facilitating imports of US lique ed natural gas, AI technology and soybeans, and zero-to-zero tari s on all industrial goods.
Jørgensen told the MEPs that there was also room to “strengthen transatlantic investments” but ruled out negotiation on nontari barriers such as EU legislation.
“We will be exible. But it is quite clear: each side needs to continue to respect each other’s regulatory autonomy,” the o cial said, adding: “EU legislation is not on the table.”
If the EU doesn’t manage to return to the status quo ante, the €95 billion list of retaliation presented by the Commission last week could be deployed to rebalance the situation.
“Letting the current unbalance persist inde nitely is not an option,” Sefcovic said, as US tari s now cover 70% of EU exports to the other side of the Atlantic.
Lobbying is under way over which US products should be listed - currently open to consultation by industries and member states.
France, Italy and Spain are vying to keep Bourbon Whiskey o the list to protect their wine and spirits from further US retaliation, as they successfully managed in the previous retaliation package which was suspended when US president Donald Trump announced a 90-Day pause in the trade war. The aircraft sector is also a concern for some member states, since the US launched an investigation after the EU included Boeing in its new retaliation package. EU champion Airbus is likely to come into the crosshairs of the US.
Benidorm Local Police’s double warning to visitors this summer
The countdown to the start of a new summer is here, that frenetic period on the beaches of the Valencian Community, with the arrival of thousands upon thousands of tourists looking to enjoy pleasant weather, sunshine, and excellent cuisine. Benidorm knows all this well, with its population increasing from approximately 70,000 during the summer to ve times its occupancy.
This is where the Benidorm Local Police comes into play, ensuring the experience is perfect for visitors. Hence, they work overtime to ful l their duties and, at the same time, try to put some humour into some of the situations they will have to face in the coming months.
To this end, they publish posts on their social media, reporting on all kinds of events and activities, sometimes in an informal and casual tone, and other times as a warning. In recent weeks, there has been a double dose of posts. The rst, in the form of a rescue after “45 minutes of fear,” of some “clueless” parents who had lost sight of their daughter. Fortunately, the
story had a happy ending, accompanied by applause.
“Our friend was perfectly ne with the Benidorm police,” o cers commented on social media. The security force also o ered advice for future visits to its beaches: “When you arrive at the beach, guide the little ones with visual references, but if you get lost, call us immediately. Our Beach Department is here to help you.”
The warning to tourists doesn’t end there. The Benidorm Local Police have published a second post reminding everyone that they are now “monitoring
the beach and the entire coastline.” This task is being handled by their “beach section with their quads,” who are already “increasing surveillance to ensure everything is as it should be. If you need help, call us at 092.”
It’s worth remembering that the Benidorm Local Police regularly share various campaigns on their social media, informing residents and potential visitors of all their activities and also adding a touch of humour when the situation allows.
At last, a new build home that adapts to you - not the other way round
La Finca Golf Resort (Algorfa) is unveiling a bold new concept in tailored living with Villas Caliza, a project that breaks away from the conventions of new-build housing in Spain. Traditionally, developers o er rigid designs with no room for personalisation, forcing buyers to carry out costly renovations after purchase to adapt the home to their needs or style. Agamax addresses this issue with an innovative solution: o ering clients the ability to customise their home from the very beginning, with expert guidance from the renowned design atelier AM Concept by Asun Montoya.
The ground oor stands out for its bright, open-plan layout. The living-dining room with integrated kitchen spans approximately 42 m² and opens through large windows to the terrace and private in nity pool, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. With a total built area of 198 m², and plots ranging from 307 to 377 m², each villa o ers a perfectly proportioned setting for comfortable Mediterranean living. This level also includes a bedroom with en-suite bathroom, as well as a separate guest toilet.
Upstairs are two further bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom and access to private terraces (measuring 16 m² and 5 m², respectively), o ering panoramic views over the surrounding landscape and the adjacent protected green zone. The basement level provides a versatile open space of over 50 m², complete with an additional bathroom. This area can be adapted to suit the buyer’s needs – whether as a private gym, home cinema, guest apartment or multi-purpose room. A covered garage with space for one car is also located on this level, alongside a second outdoor parking space that bene ts from shade throughout
the day. A private lift connection from the garage to the main oor is also pre-planned, ensuring full accessibility for future needs.
Villas Caliza stands out not only for its layout and exibility but also for the exceptional quality of construction. Natural limestone cladding, anti-slip exterior ceramic ooring, aerothermal climate control and solar panels ensure energy e ciency, comfort and durability. High-end nishes are speci ed throughout, while exterior enclosures and largeformat ceramic ooring provide continuity and sophistication inside and out.
Location is another key highlight. The villas are set in Calle Torrevieja (La Finca Golf
Resort), facing a protected green area that ensures unobstructed views and privacy. Just a 3-minute walk brings you to the resort’s commercial centre – with shops, cafés, pharmacy and more – while the ve-star hotel and golf clubhouse are only ve minutes away by car, o ering access to premium leisure and wellness facilities.
The nearby town of Algorfa is also just minutes away, and excellent road links connect you to Alicante Airport in 40 minutes and the beaches of Torrevieja in just 20 minutes. Schools, social life and year-round services make this a location suited for both holidays and permanent living.
We warmly invite you to discover this exclusive project in person. Visit our on-site information point at Calle Torrevieja (La Finca Golf Resort, Algorfa), where you can tour the show home and explore every detail rst-hand. For more information or to arrange a private appointment, contact us at +34 692 218 700 or by email at info@agamax.es. With just three homes available, Villas Caliza proves that it is now possible to buy a new-build home in Spain without giving up on customisation – setting a new benchmark for future housing developments on the Costa Blanca.
“The
The eurozone economy expanded by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025 on a quarter-over-quarter basis, according to a second estimate from Eurostat released recently.
This marks a slight acceleration from the 0.2% growth recorded in the final quarter of 2024 but represents a minor downward revision from the initial flash estimate of 0.4%. On an annual basis, the euro area’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 1.2%, consistent with earlier readings and in line with economist expectations.
Among member states for which data is available, Ireland posted the highest quarterly growth rate at 3.2%. Spain again proved resilient among major economies with 0.6% growth, ahead of Italy (0.3%), Germany (0.2%) and France (0.1%).
By contrast, economic contraction was recorded in Portugal (-0.5%) and
Slovenia (-0.8%).
Labour market conditions appear to be improving, with eurozone employment rising by 0.3% quarter-on-quarter in the first three months of the year. This surpassed both expectations and the previous quarter’s 0.1% gain. On an annual basis, employment was up 0.8%, matching consensus forecasts.
A strong performance in industrial output added to signs of economic momentum. In March, eurozone industrial production jumped by 2.6% on a month-overmonth basis, marking the sharpest one-month gain since November 2020. The figure beat expectations of a 1.8% rise and followed a revised 1.1% gain in February.
Eurostat data revealed robust monthly increases in capital goods (3.2%), durable consumer goods (3.1%) and non-durable consumer goods (2.3%).
Eurozone grows 0.3% at the start of the year
Intermediate goods saw a more modest rise of 0.6%, while energy production dipped 0.5%.
Among member states, Ireland led industrial output growth with a 14.6% surge, followed by Malta (4.4%) and Finland (3.5%). Meanwhile, output fell in Luxembourg (-6.3%), Denmark and Greece (both -4.6%), and Portugal (-4.0%).
On an annual basis, eurozone industrial production rose by 3.6%, its highest rate since 2022.
The March industrial rebound can be attributed to two key factors: the announcement of an €800 billion German fiscal stimulus focused on defence and manufacturing, and a pre-emptive surge in European exports to the United States ahead of anticipated tariff hikes under Donald Trump’s proposed trade policy.
EU president meets with Valencia flood victims’ associations in Brussels
Representatives from three associations formed in the aftermath of last October’s deadly oods in Valencia travelled to Brussels on Tuesday to meet with high-ranking European o cials and share their ongoing struggles. The devastating Dana storms, which struck at the end of October 2024, claimed 232 lives across Spain—224 of them in the Valencia region alone— triggering a wave of public outrage and calls for political accountability.
In a day of high-pro le meetings, the associations were received by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and a crossparty delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). The visit marked a signi cant moment in the victims’ e orts to gain recognition and support at the European level.
The three associations—
Asociación Víctimas Mortales Dana 29-0, Associació deVíctimes de la Dana 29 d’Octubre de 2024, and Asociación Damni cados de la Dana Horta Sud Valencia— represent bereaved families and survivors still grappling with the disaster’s aftermath. Their appeals highlighted what they described as negligence by regional and national authorities in both the preparation for and response to the oods.
“Our beloved have not died from an illness or in an accident,” said Rosa María Álvarez Gil, president of the Asociación Víctimas Mortales Dana 290. “They died because of incompetence, because no one knew how to do their job, and even worse, because the people in charge deny climate change.”
Von der Leyen extended her meeting with the groups beyond the scheduled time, in what participants described as a warm and constructive exchange.
The Commission president had previously visited Valencia during the European People’s Party Congress earlier this year, though a requested meeting with victims was postponed and only now ful lled in Brussels. Following the session, she posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the conversations would inform the EU’s future disaster response policies.
To date, the European Union has provided €100 million in emergency assistance through the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to aid Spain’s recovery. These funds target critical infrastructure repairs, including water, energy, healthcare, education, and telecommunications, as well as cultural heritage restoration. The European Commission is still reviewing additional documentation from the Spanish government, which estimates that over €4 billion in damage could qualify for EU support.
Evacuation after fire at chemical warehouse
A major fire caused by an explosion at a chemical products warehouse in the La Red industrial estate in Alcalá de Guadaíra near Seville in Spain’s south has forced thousands to remain at home due to fears of possible poisoning, authorities said.
The fire forced 80,000 people to be confined to their homes by toxic air that enveloped the town. One person has been reported injured and has been taken to the hospital with burns, according to reports.
The Andalusia Emergency Service reported receiving the first alerts at 1:20 pm from the company operating the warehouse, stating there had been an explosion at the facility.
As a preventive measure, the company evacuated all its staff. However, it has yet to be confirmed whether the incident caused any injuries.
The authorities have described the incident as “troubling” due to the fire’s scale and the burning material’s nature.
Civil Protection has sent an alert to all mobile
devices in the town of Alcalá de Guadaíra through the Es-Alert system to alert them of the fire and prevent them from leaving their homes.
Authorities have recommended “closing doors and windows so that the smoke does not enter” and “ using masks.”
The Junta de Andalucía regional government has also declared a level 1 emergency.
Firefighters from seven fire stations in the province, including nearby towns of Alcalá de Guadaíra, Utrera, Arahal, La Rinconada, Mairena del Alcor and Sanlúcar la Mayor, have been brought in to fight the fire.
The company that runs the facility has
been engaged in the distribution and commercialisation of chemical products since 1985.
Its facility has a surface area of 11,000 square metres, of which 4,500 are covered. Its storage capacity for bulk liquid products is 1,000 cubic metres, and it can store more than 5,000 pallets.
It has not been confirmed what material is burning at the moment, but the cloud of smoke generated by the fire is visible from municipalities located more than 80 kilometres from the site. The authorities continue to work to control the situation and prevent the fire from spreading.
The victims’ Brussels delegation also held discussions with approximately 15 MEPs from across the political spectrum, including the Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA, and The Left. Association representatives used the opportunity to directly criticize the right-wing Valencian regional government, led by Carlos Mazón of the People’s Party (PP), for what they describe as failures that contributed to the death toll and ongoing neglect of the victims.
In early March, tens of thousands rallied in Valencia calling for Mazón’s resignation— one of ve major protests since the disaster. The rst mass demonstration occurred in November, when over 130,000 people lled the streets of the city.
Condemnation
Carmina Gil, speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, condemned the lack of state
support. “We, the families of the victims, are not provided any psychological support to help us overcome this trauma,” she said. “We don’t have therapists, and we don’t have any compensation for the deceased. Meanwhile, compensation has been o ered for damaged vehicles, household goods— even tourism vouchers.”
In an open letter delivered during their Brussels visit, the three associations urged von der Leyen to publicly condemn President Mazón and call for his resignation. They accused him of gross negligence and claimed his administration has ignored the needs and voices of those most a ected by the oods.
As EU institutions consider the long-term implications of climate disasters across Europe, the voices from Valencia serve as a stark reminder of the human cost when emergency systems fail—and the growing expectation that accountability must accompany recovery.
Expat favourite Unrisen Queen come to Murcia
On Saturday, June 14th, the internationally acclaimed band Unrisen Queen will kick o their 15th Anniversary Tour, titled “15 Years in a LIVE-TIME”, with a spectacular concert at the Ginés Abellán Municipal Auditorium in Santomera, Murcia.
Unrisen Queen is a Spanish Glam Rock Band founded by Rubén Sabater, Pasku Frutos and Chema Casanova (ex-member)
that headlined two of the Freddie Mercury Memorials in Montreux (Switzerland).
The band was congratulated by Peter Freestone (Personal Assistant, friend and heir of Freddie), telling them that Unrisen Queen has the voice that is the closest to Freddie s.
In 2015, Queen Productions Ltd picked up the reins of the event, building something new
and bigger, with the purpose of raising funds in favour of the Mercury Phoenix Trust for the ght against Aids. Unrisen Queen was the chosen band again, for this rst edition; their performance and the party raised more than 56.000$. Since 2013, more than 150.000 spectators have seen the band live and now locals can experience the phenomenon for themselves.
Iberdrola warns of power outages across Alicante Province
Las Ramblas fire results in 50 evacuated News
Iberdrola has announced new power outages across 13 municipalities in the province . They will be in e ect from Saturday, May 17th to Friday, May 23rd. All of these are due to maintenance work to ensure service quality and facility safety, according to the company.
This means that power cuts will occur in Alicante, Agost, Alcoy, Aspe, Calpe, Elda, Ibi, Xàbia, La Mata-
Torrevieja, La Xara-Dénia, Muro de Alcoy, Mutxamel, Partida de Vallonga (Alicante) and Turballos (Muro de Alcoy).
Iberdrola will provide 24 hours’ notice of the start of the power outage by posting signs indicating the expected start and end times at the a ected entrances.
The company explains that if the work is completed before the indicated
time, it will restore power immediately and without prior notice. “Therefore, please avoid performing maintenance work on your facility during the outage period, as service may be restored earlier and could lead to serious accidents.”
The company advises that due to the national blackout on April 28, the work schedule for subsequent days may be modi ed.
Fifty people were evacuated from their homes this after a re broke out in a wooded area on Avenida de Las Ramblas de Oleza II, in Orihuela Costa.
The Provincial Fire Consortium received noti cation of a re spreading through the vegetation in the area. The re was declared a Special Plan against Forest Fires (PEIF) status 1 due to its proximity to residential areas. The Consortium mobilised aerial resources to assist with the groundbased extinguishing e orts and used two command headquarters units, one heavy urban re department, one heavy tanker re department, two heavy rural re departments, one non-commissioned o cer, one sergeant, two corporals, and eleven re ghters from the Torrevieja and Almoradí re stations, as well as
four forest re units.
In addition to re ghters from the Consortium and the Generalitat, local police, regional police, Civil Guard, forestry o cers, Civil Protection, emergency services, and SAMU (Saints and Muse) were also dispatched to the scene. Their medical team treated a re ghter with trauma.
Fire ghters managed to stabilise the re, which
a ected some of the residential homes in the development. At 11:12 p.m., the blaze was under control. The re ghters remained on the scene for 38 hours to prevent the blaze from reigniting.
The Orihuela City Council, in collaboration with the Red Cross, has set up the Municipal Sports Centre (CDM) as a shelter for evacuated residents who wish to spend the night outside their homes.
VISIT EL HONDO NATURE RESERVE IN CREVILLENTE
This beautiful protected nature reserve is located on the border of Elche and Crevillente where the rivers Rio Vinalopó and Rio Segura channel together to form a great natural lagoon.
It is considered one of the main wetlands of importance in the Valencian Community, since 1988 and was declared a natural park by the Generalitat Valenciana in 1994. The park appears on the RAMSAR lists and is classi ed as a ZEPA (Special Protection Area for Birds), due to the relevance and abundance of its bird life.
The park is known for its tranquil ambiance, picturesque landscapes dominated by reeds and ponds, and the abundance of wildlife with di erent species of birds, ducks and amingos. You can take a choice of walkways, stop at shaded observa-
tional spots to sit for a rest, and appreciate plenty of bird watching along the way. El Hondo Natural Park has a covered picnic area with its own bird watching station, and a visitor’s information centre with walking route suggestions, giving you the chance to discover as much of the park as you like and at your own pace. The visitors centre is open every day from 9am till 2pm and 12pm to 2pm on Saturdays. It has a mini exhibition hall presenting photographs of the reserve and informative panels about the area with audio visuals. The actual nature reserve is open to the public every day, all day and with free entrance. There is a car park with ample spaces and toilets on site. The nature reserve can be found at the following location: Finca el Rincón, Azarbe de Afuera, s/n, 03158 San Felipe de Neri, Crevillent.
Madrid airport to clampdown on homeless sleepers
Spain’s airport authority is set to restrict access to Madrid’s Barajas Airport during certain hours of the day as a precautionary step aimed at preventing an increasing number of homeless people from taking shelter in the terminals.
During these designated hours – and when flight activity is minimal –entry will be limited to passengers with boarding passes, airport staff, and people accompanying ticketed travellers, the state-owned airport operator AENA said late on Wednesday.
Although AENA confirmed that the new access rules will come into effect in the coming days, it did not provide an exact start date or specify the time periods during which the restrictions will apply.
AENA stated earlier this week that it had reached out to Madrid city authorities for assistance in addressing the issue several months ago but said that the response so far has fallen short.
‘Airports are not places
In recent months, Madrid’s airport has become an informal refuge, with homeless people setting up temporary encampments inside some terminals. Sleeping bags and makeshift bedding have appeared near restrooms and along terminal walls, with reports from local media estimating the number of individuals to be in the hundreds.
designed for living in, but rather are infrastructure solely for transit, which in no case offers adequate conditions for overnight stays,’ the airport authority said in a statement.
With the summer travel season approaching, responsibility for the situation has been mired in political wrangling between different levels of government, resulting in little progress.
GBP
Last week the Bank of England cut interest rates by 25 basis points, aligning with expectations. However, the split vote among MPC members (ranging from no cut to a 50bp cut) re ects recent economic uncertainty and supports the BoE’s gradualist approach to further easing.
Despite the cut to headline rates, the BoE struck a hawkish tone, signalling that policy will remain restrictive to manage in ation risks. This has helped the pound recover its footing against the euro.
The limited UK-US trade deal has also supported GBP, as it reduces uncertainty around transatlantic trade. While the UK didn’t secure major concessions, with the new trade framework agreed by the two countries maintaining a at 10% tari , the ongoing dialogue has been welcomed by investors.
There have been relatively lower levels of market volatility since and the pound continues to make further
gains against the euro, potentially until the EU secures a deal of its own.
In terms of data releases for the UK this week. Labour market gures were released on Tuesday, with the unemployment rate coming in as forecast at 4.5%. UK GDP came out on Thursday showing growth of 0.2%, above the 0% expected by markets.
EUR
The euro remains under pressure versus both the dollar and the pound amid expectations of further ECB rate cuts, possibly as early as June. Despite ECB o cials’ optimism that in ation will return to the 2% target by yearend, concerns over the economic outlook persist.
EU GDP came in slightly below the 0.4% expectation at 0.3%. Meanwhile, the European Commission has launched a public consultation on potential countermeasures to US tari s, though the priority remains securing a trade agreement.
National Police dismantle a large marijuana plantation in Orihuela
The National Police have dismantled an indoor marijuana plantation in Orihuela, containing 784 plants. The plantation was located inside a warehouse on the outskirts of the town. Four men have been arrested on suspicion of drug tra cking, document forgery, membership in a criminal group, and electricity fraud. The illegal plantation was being supplied with electricity through an illegal connection to the power grid.
The investigation began after reviewing various reports regarding the possible existence of a facility where illicit activity compatible with an indoor marijuana plantation could be taking place, on a property located on the outskirts of the municipality of Orihuela.
Through discreet surveillance of the surrounding area and other investigations, o cers from the Judicial Police Brigade of the Orihuela Police Station observed the activity of four individuals entering and leaving the warehouse. Investigators recognized this activity as a common practice among the owners of these types of plantations.
Among these typical actions, the o cers observed how the suspects, during their movements, carried out counter-surveillance functions, looking in all directions to ensure that no one could be
watching them during their routine entry and exit from the warehouse.
After con rming their suspicions, the exploitation phase of the operation began with the interception of a vehicle driven by one of the suspects. The trunk contained two green plastic bags containing marijuana residue, as well as other items used for growing plants, such as fertilisers.
The property under investigation was then entered and searched, leading to the arrest of a second perpetrator, while the other two individuals were detained at their respective homes.
Following the arrests of those under investigation, a search was carried out of the warehouse, which was divided into two separate rooms and used for di erent purposes depending on the owering stage of the up to 784 cannabis sativa (marijuana) plants found inside. Their growth and cultivation was encouraged thanks to a complete and modern lighting and ventilation system, and their electricity supply was later con rmed to be received through an illegal connection to the electricity grid.
Furthermore, those arrested had not skimped on passive technical means for monitoring the farm, as there was a set of cameras along the perimeter, creating a closed-circuit video
surveillance system with motion sensors. This system covered all access points to the plot, revealing a certain level of sophistication, creating greater security in the guarding and custody of the merchandise, typical of installations created by experienced individuals, with the aim of providing remote security coverage for the plantation located within. As a result, the electricity consumption generated by this set of facilities was so high that, through local residents’ demonstrations, it was learned that they had su ered power outages on several occasions, for no apparent reason, possibly due to the consumption peaks from the illegal connection typical of this type of plantation.
Finally, another piece of evidence indicating the criminal group’s expertise was the use of a forged document to rent the ship, a common practice among this type of organized gang; they impersonated third parties to conceal their true identity.
The operation ultimately resulted in the arrest of four people suspected of drug tra cking, document forgery, electricity fraud, and membership in a criminal group. The plantation was dismantled and all 784 plants seized.
New platform battles for family rights
A Platform for Fathers
A ected by Family Meeting Points (PEF) in Orihuela and Torrevieja has been created to denounce the situation experienced in these facilities, which provide specialised professional care to facilitate relationships between minors and their families during separation, divorce, or situations where family life is disrupted.
In a statement, the Platform points out that parents and families are “allegedly having their rights to be and act as parents with respect to our children violated by all or most of the professionals” at the company awarded the service and by “discriminatory regulations and protocols that do not guarantee the rights of minors to interact with both parents.”
The platform claims they are “treated unfairly” by professionals who, according to the platform, “issue reports that, for the most part, do not accurately re ect reality or the events that occurred,”
among other issues that generate discomfort and complaints from PEF users.
It claims that rather than solving or reducing the problems for which they were created, they are instead causing “family disconnection” and breaking the bonds between parents and children. From our perspective, instead of aiming for children to spend the least time possible in such places, the cases are unnecessarily prolonged with no results, causing greater harm than before the case began.
It alleges that fathers feel discriminated against, psychologically mistreated, manipulated, misunderstood, vili ed, scorned, sad, frustrated, unsupported by PEF sta , ignored, treated unfairly, and much more. All fathers are subjected to a gender violence protocol even when they have never been convicted of it or had a restraining order. We are also denied information, as users, regarding our cases or our children. The
aim of this Platform of A ected Fathers is, rst and foremost, to defend the interests and well-being of our sons and daughters— as well as our own—which we will do publicly until rights are respected, and true equality is established in the parental relationships of fathers wishing to exercise parenthood. We also aim to inform current and future users of the service about their rights, the regulations, real cases, legal precedents, and how to act and defend themselves against potential abuse they may be su ering or might su er. A top priority is to establish tools and methods to prove in court the kinds of practices and protocols being wrongly applied, which are allegedly causing severe psychological harm to users and bene ciaries of the PEF. The platform demands that governments take “urgent measures to ensure equal rights and emotional stability, especially for our sons and daughters.”
Spain identifies power failure ‘ground zero’
Spain’s investigation into the blackout that a ected the Iberian Peninsula in late April revealed initial power generation failures in three Spanish provinces — Granada, Badajoz, and Seville, Minister for Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen told the Spanish Congress of Deputies.
The substation in Granada was ground zero, and the power failure caused a loss of 2.2 gigawatts of electricity, causing a chain of grid disconnections. The cause of the substations’ failures remains unknown at this time.
During her speech at the plenary session, Aagesen said that the ongoing investigation has ruled out several hypotheses, including that the massive outage that started on 28 April was due to coverage, backup, or network size.
Saint Teresa of Ávila’s remains displayed for first time in over a Century
The remarkably preserved remains of Saint Teresa of Ávila, a revered 16th-century Catholic mystic and the rst female Doctor of the Church, have gone on public display in Spain for the rst time in over 110 years, drawing thousands of awe-struck pilgrims and curious onlookers.
The body of the Spanish saint, who died in 1582, was exhumed from a church in Ávila in August 2024 and has been displayed since Sunday, May 11, at the Basilica of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Alba de Tormes, in the province of Salamanca. The public viewing will continue until May 25.
Observers described Saint Teresa’s body as “incorrupt,” a term used within the Catholic Church to refer to a corpse that resists natural decomposition. Her face remains clearly visible and her limbs, according to witnesses, appear astonishingly intact— an extraordinary condition that has fueled belief in divine preservation.
Her co n, a silver structure encased in marble, was opened by Marco Chiesa, General Postulator of the Discalced Carmelites, on August 28. He described the condition of her mummi ed face as remarkably preserved. “There is no skin colour, because the skin is mummi ed, but especially in the middle of the face, it can be seen clearly,” Chiesa said.
Medical experts have begun
examining her remains using non-invasive methods such as visual inspections, X-rays, and photography. Samples have also been sent to laboratories in Italy, though conclusive ndings are expected to take several months.
Among early ndings were calcareous spines on her feet— bony projections likened to those found in sea urchins—which researchers interpret as signs of physical su ering endured during her life. Saint Teresa’s writings frequently described chronic ailments, including convulsions, dizziness, gastrointestinal distress, and periods of unconsciousness, which she attributed to her deep spiritual connection to God.
Chiesa noted that the calcareous formations would have made walking excruciating: “We know the last years were di cult for her... these thorns make it almost impossible to walk.”
Saint Teresa died at the age of 67 during a nal journey to Alba de Tormes, accompanied by Anne of St. Bartholomew, to visit a close friend. Three days after her arrival at the convent, she reportedly said, “At last, my daughter, I have reached the house of death.”
The last time her co n was opened was in 1914 by Father Clemente de los Santos, then the superior general of the Discalced Carmelites. At that time, the Diocese of Ávila declared her body “completely incorrupt,” echoing earlier observations from 1750.
Church o cials announced the latest developments via social media, prompting renewed devotion among Catholics. One comment read: “Her body is still incorrupt. Look for God’s miracles.” Security surrounding the saint’s remains is stringent. Ten separate keys are needed to open her co n—three held by the Duke of Alba, three by Alba de Tormes authorities, three by the Discalced Carmelite leadership in Rome, and one nal “King’s key” that is essential for access. The process includes unlocking an outer gate, the tomb, and then the co n itself.
Doctor of the Church Saint Teresa of Ávila was canonised in 1622 and became the rst woman declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970, recognized for her profound theological writings and spiritual reform. She is the patron saint of several groups, including religious orders, the ill, lace makers, chess players, and those who endure ridicule for their piety.
With her body now once again under scienti c scrutiny, researchers hope to uncover the reasons behind her exceptional preservation—and in doing so, perhaps gain deeper insight into how sacred relics can endure for centuries to come.
The ndings are the rst clear conclusions to be made public after more than two weeks since the blackout that saw Spain and Portugal grind to a halt.
Aagesen said this remains “an extremely complex investigation” because “millions of bits of data” are being analysed.
At the same time, the energy minister pointed out that, according to the data available, half an hour before the blackout, “two
The government is acting seriously to get to the bottom of it, Aagesen reiterated. “The government is working with rigour and not making hypotheses, because that is what the Spanish people deserve. Rigour and truth,” she explained.
oscillations in the Iberian system with the rest of the European continent” were recorded.
This observation coincides with preliminary reports from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), which pointed to “two periods of power and frequency swings in the synchronous area of continental Europe.”
Aagesen has assured that the government will continue “relentlessly” to “identify the causes” of this “extremely complex” incident, which “does not come with simple explanations”.
Spanish police dismantle money laundering ring
Spanish police have dismantled a Chinese-Arab criminal network accused of laundering $21 million in pro ts from drug and people tra cking, using the informal ‘hawala’ money transfer system
The investigation was launched after police disrupted a humansmuggling ring that had been transporting predominantly Syrian migrants from Algeria to Spain, prompting a deeper examination into the group’s nancial activities.
According to police, the Arab faction of the network was responsible for ‘the reception of money in any part of the world’, while a separate Chinese group provided the funds within Spain in return for cryptocurrency.
In January, law enforcement apprehended 17 suspects – primarily of Chinese and Syrian origin – with 15 arrests occurring in Spain, and one each in Austria and Belgium, in collaboration with Europol.
The head of the organisation, who was
based in Belgium and held ‘Jordanian-Palestinian nationality’, helped establish key connections within Spain, police chief inspector Encarna Ortega said during a press brie ng in Madrid.
He is believed to have overseen numerous activities, most notably the laundering of funds derived from both human and narcotics tra cking, Ortega said.
Spanish police reported that the group moved a total of $21 million between June 2022 and September 2024.
Authorities con scated a range of assets including
€205,000 in cash, over €183,000 in cryptocurrency, 18 vehicles, real estate, and illicit cigars valued at more than €600,000, which were intended for the Chinese market.
The ‘hawala’ system, rooted in trust and relying on a network of intermediaries with minimal documentation, is widely used across Asia and Africa for transferring funds across borders.
While it serves a legitimate role for many migrant workers sending money to relatives, the method has also drawn scrutiny for its association with terrorism nancing.
Two ´hugger muggers’ arrested in Pilar de la Horadada
The Civil Guard has arrested a man and a woman, both 38 years old, as alleged perpetrators of six crimes committed using the socalled “hug method” in the provinces of Alicante and Málaga. The crimes include the violent robbery of several highend watches in Pilar de la Horadada and Marbella, as well as jewellery and watch thefts in La Nucía, Calpe, and Pedreguer. The estimated nancial loss exceeds €140,000. After being brought before a court, they were remanded in custody.
On May 1st, o cers from the Investigation Area of the town’s Main Post observed a suspicious vehicle traveling at an abnormally low speed, its occupants paying particular attention to elderly people walking on the street. Suspicious, investigators checked the vehicle’s information and observed it linked to previous criminal acts. They proceeded to
identify its occupants, con rming that both had an outstanding arrest warrant for a robbery committed weeks earlier in Marbella (Málaga).
While the o cers were making the arrest, they received a tip-o that minutes earlier the same couple had committed another theft in Calpe, where, through caresses and physical contact, they stole two gold chains from a tourist.
Thanks to subsequent investigations, the detainees were able to be attributed to four other similar incidents that occurred since April. These include the violent robbery of several highend watches in Jávea, Pilar de la Horadada, and Marbella, as well as jewelry and watch thefts in La Nucía, Calpe, and Pedreguer. The estimated nancial loss exceeds €140,000.
Finally, the detainees were brought before the Investigating Court No. 2 of Denia, which ordered both detainees to be imprisoned.
The “hug method” is a common technique used by organised roving groups, who select elderly or vulnerable people as their preferred victims, attempting to distract them with feigned displays of a ection and steal valuables. Although in many cases physical contact is used as a distraction, they do not hesitate to resort to violence when the victim resists.
The Civil Guard reminds citizens of the importance of maintaining a cautious attitude in public. It is recommended to avoid displaying valuables, be wary of o ers from strangers, and avoid unnecessary approaches from unfamiliar people. If in doubt, it is advisable to ask another person for help and immediately contact the emergency number 062, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
SPECIAL OFFERS
SMART FUNERAL PLANNING: Regulated Vs Unregulated
In uncertain times, guarantee your funeral plan is safe
Expats across Spain are considering a pre-paid Funeral Plan, and many are wondering how they can choose a reliable funeral plan provider.
While it’s not mandatory to buy a plan from a UK regulated provider, here are some important points to consider.
Since July 2022, any funeral plan provider which offers a plan with a UK funeral option, is legally required to be regulated in the UK, whether they operate in the UK, Spain, or
even Australia and regardless of where the funeral eventually takes place. For the customers of regulated plan providers, this means extra protection.
Extra Protection - NO Extra Cost
With a funeral plan from a UK regulated provider, not only do plan holders benefit from having a funeral plan which covers them in Spain and the UK, they also receive financial protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
You may have heard of the FSCS, it’s the same scheme that safeguards all UK bank ac-
counts for up to £85,000. With FSCS protection, in the unlikely event of a regulated funeral plan provider’s failure, plan holders are guaranteed to receive either an equivalent funeral plan or financial compensation at the market value at the time. The FSCS ensures that firms handle consumers’ money responsibly to deliver funeral services promised.
Trust Funds Are Not All the Same A trust fund on its own does NOT guarantee financial protection. Many providers, both regulated and unregulated, use trusts to hold funds invested by plan holders to eventually pay for funeral services.
Thankfully, UK regulated funeral plan providers MUST have their trust funds based in the UK and must hold at least 100% of the amount it would cost to deliver the funeral when it’s needed. On the other hand, unregulated funeral plan providers may not have a trust fund at
“Always Look For This Symbol”
all, or they could have trust funds that are left exposed to abuse and financial mismanagement. For example, they may not hold enough money for the funerals in the future, and some unregulated providers have their trust funds established offshore in locations like Gibraltar.
You get assurance from a UK regulated provider that they are under strict financial control rules and critically for plan holders, under the protection of the FSCS.
Bigger For A Reason
In Spain, anyone can set themselves up and sell funeral plans. Recently, we’ve seen where that can lead. When it comes to choosing a funeral plan, look for a provider you can rely on to be operating not just next year, but for the next 20 years. Ask them how long they have been helping families and how
their money is managed. Ideally, you want a provider that has a dedicated team that you can trust will answer the call and be on hand to support your loved ones.
Ask These 3 Critical Questions:
How long they have been providing funeral plans?
Where is the trust fund administered? (some are based offshore)
Are they a regulated funeral plan provider? (look for the FSCS symbol)
Eight South American women rescued from Sexual Exploitation
National Police have rescued eight South American women from a brothel in Orihuela, Alicante, where they were being sexually exploited and forced to engage in drug tra cking. The operation was launched following intelligence reports suggesting women were being held and abused at the location.
The investigation, led by the Alicante Provincial Immigration and Border Brigade, con rmed the presence of women subjected to coercion and abuse. A 57-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman were arrested for their alleged involvement in crimes including prostitution, drug tra cking, and money laundering.
The victims were recruited through erotic websites with false promises of legal work. Upon arrival in Spain, they were forced into prostitution, required to give up half of their earnings, and were available 24/7 without the right to refuse clients. The women were not allowed to hold keys to
the apartment, could only leave to purchase food, and were constantly monitored by surveillance cameras. They lived in overcrowded conditions, sleeping in a poorly ventilated room with only three beds. When the number of women exceeded six, one was forced to sleep in the room used for sexual services.
The victims were also coerced into transporting cocaine in tobacco packs or plastic bags from designated drop-o points, typically carrying between
10 to 20 grams per trip. During a search of the premises, o cers seized seven packets of cocaine, three bottles of poppers, 29 sexual performanceenhancing pills, €350 in cash, two mobile phones, and documents linked to the criminal operation. The apartment, believed to have been purchased with proceeds from illicit activities, was also con scated.
The two suspects have been brought before the court as investigations continue.
This Week´s Movie Picks
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Saturday 24th May, ITV2, 10.00 pm
After the Kingsman headquarters is blown up by a psychotic criminal named Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore), the surviving agents nd their way to an allied secret organization based in Kentucky, named “Statesman”. The two agencies must now work together in order to save the world and take down the so called “Golden Circle”
Spy Kids 3: Game Over Sunday 25th May, ITV2, 2.15pm
Under-age agents Juni and Carmen Cortez set out on their newest most mind-blowing mission yet: journeying inside the virtual reality world of a 3-D video game designed to outsmart them, as the awe-inspiring graphics and creatures of gaming come to real life. Relying on humor, gadgetry, bravery, family bonds and lightning-quick re exes, the Spy Kids must battle through tougher and tougher levels of the game, facing challenges that include racing against road warriors and sur ng on boiling lava, in order to save the world from a power hungry villain
Tuesday 20th May
Wednesday 21st May
17:00 Tipping Point
18:00 The Chase
19:00 ITV News London
19:30 ITV Evening News
20:30 Emmerdale
21:00 Coronation Street
22:00 Code of Silence
23:00 ITV News at Ten
23:30 ITV News London
23:45 Twisted Twin
06:05 Wheel of Fortune 07:00 Good Morning Britain
Lorraine 11:00 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women
14:30 ITV Lunchtime News
14:55 ITV News London
15:00 James Martin’s Midweek Menu
16:00 Jeopardy!
17:00 Tipping Point
18:00 The Chase
19:00 ITV News London
19:30 ITV Evening News
20:30 Emmerdale
21:00 The Martin Lewis Money Show Live
22:00 The British Blood
Scandal: Poisoned at School
23:00 ITV News at Ten
XL 22:45 Hypothetical 23:30 Newsnight 23:58 BBC Weather
10:05 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine 12:30 Storm Huntley 13:30 Vanessa 14:40 5 News at Lunchtime 14:45 Home and Away
09:40 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom
09:50 Peppa Pig 10:00 Peppa Pig
10:05 Milkshake! Monkey Rhymes
10:10 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine 12:30 Storm Huntley 13:30 Vanessa 14:40 5 News at Lunchtime 14:45 Home and Away 15:15 Deadly Divorce Party 17:00 Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun
18:00 5 News at 5 19:00 The Yorkshire Vet 20:00 Cumbria: The Lakes & The Coast
21:00 Reuben: Life In The Dales
22:00 Faking It
23:15 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild
09:10 What’s New ScoobyDoo?
Thursday 22nd May
17:45 Villages by the Sea
18:15 Flog It!
19:00 Richard Osman’s House of Games
19:30
Haugh’s
06:05 Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club
07:00 Good Morning Britain 10:00 Lorraine
This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV Lunchtime News
14:55 ITV News London
15:00 James Martin’s Midweek Menu
16:00 Jeopardy!
17:00 Tipping Point
18:00 The Chase
19:00 ITV News London
19:30 ITV Evening News
20:30 Emmerdale
21:00 Coronation Street
22:00 Genius Game
23:15 ITV News
23:45 ITV News London
Friday 23rd May
18:15 Flog It!
Newsnight 23:58 BBC Weather
Saturday 24th May
04:50 Unwind with ITV
Jimmy and Shivi’s
Breakfast
Good Morning Britain
Lorraine 11:00 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV Lunchtime News
14:50 ITV News London
15:00 Live: ITV Racing Live
17:30 Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals
18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News London
19:30 ITV Evening News
20:30 Emmerdale
21:00 Coronation Street
22:00 Martin Clunes’ Islands of the Atlantic
23:00 ITV News at Ten
23:30 ITV News London
23:45 Around the World in 80 Days
09:40 The King of Queens
10:10 Frasier
10:40 Frasier
11:10 Frasier
11:40 Frasier
12:10 Undercover Boss USA
13:05 Channel 4 News Summary
13:10 Help! We Bought a Village
14:10 Find It, Fix It, Flog It 15:10 Countdown
16:00 A Place in the Sun
17:00 Narrow Escapes
18:00 Chateau DIY
19:00 A New Life in the Sun: Where Are They Now?
20:00 Channel 4 News
21:00 Location, Location, Location
22:00 Britain’s Most Expensive Houses
23:00 Johnny Vegas: Carry on Glamping
10:10 Frasier
10:40 Frasier
11:05 Frasier
11:35 Frasier
12:10 Undercover Boss USA
13:05 Channel 4 News Summary
13:10 Help! We Bought a Village
14:10 Find It, Fix It, Flog It
15:10 Countdown
16:00 A Place in the Sun
17:00 Narrow Escapes
18:00 Chateau DIY
19:00 A New Life in the Sun: Where Are They Now?
20:00 Channel 4 News
21:00 Bad Dog Academy
22:00 Taskmaster
23:00 The Horne Section TV Show
23:30 The Horne Section TV Show
09:30 Mixmups
09:40 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom
09:50 Peppa Pig
09:55 Peppa Pig
10:00 Milkshake! Monkey Rhymes
10:05 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine
12:30 Storm Huntley
13:30 Vanessa 14:40 5 News at Lunchtime 14:45 Home and Away 15:15 Served with a Side of Murder 17:00 Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun 18:00 5 News at 5 19:00 Police Interceptors
20:00 Heat Pumps: Are They Really Worth It? 21:00 Our Little Farm On The Prairie 22:00 Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts 23:00 999 Critical Condition
09:30 Mixmups
09:40 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom
09:50 Peppa Pig
09:55 Peppa Pig
10:05 Milkshake! Monkey Rhymes 10:10 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine 12:30 Storm Huntley 13:30 Vanessa 14:35 5 News at Lunchtime 14:45 Home and Away 15:15 Mummy’s Deadly Son 17:00 Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun
18:00 5 News at 5 19:00 Reuben: Life In The Dales
20:00 Prague With Michael Portillo
21:00 The Yorkshire Vet 22:00 The Secret Life Of Bees
23:00 Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts
10:40 Frasier
11:10 Frasier
11:40 Frasier
12:10 Undercover Boss USA
09:50 Peppa Pig
09:55 Peppa Pig
10:00 Milkshake! Monkey Rhymes
09:10 What’s New ScoobyDoo? 09:35 Scooby-Doo and Guess
Loose Women
14:30 ITV Lunchtime News
14:55 ITV News London
15:00 Gary Barlow’s Food and Wine Tour: Australia 16:00 Jeopardy!
17:00 Tipping Point
18:00 The Chase
19:00 ITV News London
19:30 ITV Evening News
20:30 Emmerdale
21:00 Coronation Street
22:00 Joanna Lumley’s Danube
23:00 ITV News at Ten
23:30 ITV News London
23:45 Dr. No
13:05 Channel 4 News Summary
13:10 Help! We Bought a Village
14:10 Find It, Fix It, Flog It
15:10 Countdown
16:00 A Place in the Sun
17:00 Narrow Escapes
18:00 Chateau DIY
19:00 A New Life in the Sun: Where Are They Now?
20:00 Channel 4 News
21:00 Millionaire Hoarders
22:00 Gogglebox
23:00 Open House: The Great Sex Experiment
10:05 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine 12:30 Storm Huntley 13:30 Vanessa 14:35 5 News at Lunchtime 14:45 Home and Away 15:15 You Can’t Escape Me
17:00 Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun
18:00 5 News at 5 19:00 Secrets of the Royal Traditions
20:00 Jewels of the Med
21:00 Cruising With Susan Calman
22:00 Draining Pompeii: Secrets Beneath The Ash 23:00 Our Favourite Ads: The Ones We
09:10 What’s New ScoobyDoo? 09:35 Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? 10:00 World’s Funniest Videos 10:25 World’s Funniest Videos 10:55 Dress to Impress 11:55 Dress to Impress 12:55 Dinner Date 14:00 Deal or No Deal
15:00 Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win
16:00 Hart of Dixie 17:00 Gilmore Girls
18:00 Dinner Date 19:00 Celebrity Catchphrase
20:00 Deal or No Deal
21:00 Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win
22:00 The 1% Club
23:00 Olivia Attwood: Getting Filthy Rich
08:00 Classic Coronation Street
08:35 Classic Coronation Street
09:10 Where the Heart Is 10:15 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 11:30 The Royal 12:30 Heartbeat 13:35 Heartbeat
14:40 Classic Emmerdale
15:10 Classic Emmerdale 15:40 Classic Coronation Street
20:00 Heartbeat 21:00 Vera 23:00 Agatha Christie’s Poirot
Sunday 25th May
Alan Titchmarsh
12:30 Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club
13:35 ITV Lunchtime News
13:50 Jeremy Pang’s Hong Kong Kitchen
14:50 In for a Penny
15:20 How to Train Your Dragon
17:20 From Russia With Love
19:30 ITV Evening News
19:45 ITV News London
19:55 Celebrity Catchphrase 21:00 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
22:00 Code of Silence
23:00 ITV News
23:20 The Taking of Pelham 123
09:55 The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge with Sandi Toksvig
09:40 The Smurfs 09:50 SpongeBob SquarePants
11:00 Sunday Brunch
14:00 The Simpsons
14:30 The Simpsons
15:00 The Simpsons 15:30 The Simpsons
16:00 Four in a Bed
16:30 Four in a Bed
17:00 Four in a Bed
17:30 Four in a Bed
18:00 Four in a Bed
18:30 Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It: Brilliant Builds
19:00 Channel 4 News
19:30 Formula 1 22:00 The Piano
23:00 The Handmaid’s Tale
23:55 Three Thousand Years of Longing
22 Kids & Counting 14:00 Inside the Tower of London 15:00 Inside the Tower of London 15:55 Inside the Tower of London 16:55 When Camping Goes Horribly Wrong 18:25 5 News Weekend 18:30 1980s Food: The Ones We Loved & Lost 19:55 Aldi’s Middle Aisle: How Do They Really Do It? 21:00 Summer in
Monday 26th May
Lorraine
This Morning
Loose Women
ITV Lunchtime News 14:50 ITV News London 15:00 Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club
16:00 Jeopardy!
17:00 Deal or No Deal
18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Richard Osman’s House of Games
19:30 Clive Myrie’s Italian Roadtrip 20:00 Earth’s Great Rivers
Springwatch 22:00 Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius 23:00 Pride & Prejudice
18:00 Tipping Point
19:00 ITV News London
19:10 ITV Evening News
19:30 The Chase: Celebrity Special
20:30 Emmerdale
21:00 Coronation Street
22:00 Code of Silence
23:00 ITV News at Ten
23:20 Twisted Twins
10:10 Frasier
10:40 Frasier
11:10 Frasier
11:40 Frasier
12:10 Undercover Boss USA: Celebrity Edition 13:10 Help! We Bought a Village
14:10 Find It, Fix It, Flog It
15:10 Countdown
16:00 A Place in the Sun
17:00 Narrow Escapes
18:00 Chateau DIY
19:00 A Place in the Sun
19:30 Channel 4 News
20:00 Jamie Cooks Georgia
21:00 Meal Deals: Behind the Bargain
22:00 Night Coppers
23:00 Virgin Island
09:40 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom
09:50 Peppa Pig 09:55 Peppa Pig
10:00 Milkshake! Space Explorers
10:05 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine 12:30 Storm Huntley 13:30 Vanessa 14:40 5 News at Lunchtime 14:45 Home and Away
15:20 Seduced By Murder 17:00 Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun
18:00 5 News at 5 19:00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly
20:00 Traffic Cops
21:00 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders
22:00 Fare Dodgers: At War With The Law 23:00 Police: Hour Of Duty 09:35 Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? 10:00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 11:00 Dress to Impress 12:00 Dress to Impress 13:00 Dinner Date 14:05 Deal or No Deal
Classic Coronation Street 08:35 Classic Coronation Street 09:10 Where the Heart Is 10:15 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 11:30 The Royal 12:35 Heartbeat 13:35 Heartbeat
14:40 Classic Emmerdale
15:10 Classic Emmerdale 15:40 Classic Coronation Street 16:10 Classic Coronation Street
15:05 Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win 16:05 Wheel of Fortune 17:05 Bee Movie 18:15 FYI Daily 18:20 Bee Movie 19:00 Celebrity Catchphrase 20:05 Shrek 2 21:10 FYI Daily 21:15 Shrek 2 22:00 The 1% Club 23:00 Family Guy 23:30 Family Guy 07:30 Classic Emmerdale
If you have a question or problem with any household technology needing my help or want to join the Technology Help Group, please email Brian at cbtechnology.help@ gmail.com.
As a group member, you would have access to the group website, which contains previous session notes, handouts and access to previous Costa Blanca People published articles.
Scan the QR code for a reminder of what the Costa Blanca Technology Help Group o ers.
Meetings at Dilly’s Bar, Av. Castuera, 3, 03184 El Chaparral, Alicante. Group meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 10:00 to 12:00. The Next meeting is on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025. You are welcome to attend.
“What is a Digital Certi cate and how do I install and use it”?
The Digital Certi cate, or Certi cado Digital in Spanish, is an electronic ID that enables you to manage a wide range of administrative processes from your computer.
A digital certi cate is an encrypted electronic document that allows public entities to identify people and companies when accessing a government website. It’s also called an electronic signature or digital signature.
It can be used, for example, for:
Your tech questions answered by Brian Hoile of the Costa Blanca Technology Help Group, helping over 400 members with their PCs , smartphones and more. Group members can attend meetings in person or online using Zoom or Teams.
Taxes report
Fines payment to the DGT (Dirección General de Trá co)
• Grants application • Empadronamiento (inscription on the municipal register)
Electronically sign o cial documents
• Consult Social Security
In Comunidad Valenciana your Digital certi cate is valid for 3 years. You will receive an email when it’s due for renewal.
To obtain a Digital Certi cate, you must make an appointment at your local Ayuntamiento.
You need to take a passport and TIE if you have one. If not a residency card/ green form. Also, padron just in case it is required. Give your name, email address and mobile number.
When the process is completed at the Ayuntamiento, you will receive a text and an Email.
The text includes a code to generate your certi cate.
To generate the digital certi cate in your web browser (You MUST use a Computer), you will have to access the web page: https://genera.accv. es/apsc/frontal/indexCC.htm
Follow the instructions that are provided.
You will then receive a second email. This will inform you that the Digital Certi cate has been generated and how to download it. Use File Explorer and open the downloaded le. This will open the le and use a Wizard to install the
Digital Signature on your computer. Follow the on-screen prompts to install your Digital Signature.
Once downloaded to your computer, you can export the Certi cate to a mobile phone or tablet.
To access the Digital Certi cate on your Computer, follow these steps:
1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type certmgr.msc and press Enter to open Certi cate Manager.
3. In the Certi cate Manager, double-click on the Personal folder to view the Certi cates. Select the Certi cates folder to see your Digital Certi cates. This certi cate’s name includes your details.
To use the Digital Certi cate, go to a website or Application that requires your Spanish Digital Certi cate, e.g. DGT and log in.
Join the Group by searching Facebook for “Costa Blanca Technology Help Group” Send your questions to cbtechnology.help@gmail.com
Brian Hoile Technology Help Group
New recycling bins for Orihuela Costa in June
The Orihuela City Council, through the Department of Urban Solid Waste, will begin distributing 758 new containers throughout the municipality in June with the aim of improving and promoting selective waste collection. This project has been awarded for €690,000 (VAT included).
The Councillor for Urban Solid Waste, Rocio Ortuño, emphasised that “this renovation responds to the need to adapt our waste collection system to the new objectives set by state legislation and the Local Waste Plan, and represents an important step toward a more e cient, clean, and recyclingfriendly model.”
The new containers are side-loading and top-loading models. Speci cally, the supply includes:
Rotourban model (side loading):
-80 units for packaging (yellow xed lid)
-140 units for paper and cardboard (blue xed lid)
-326 units for residual waste (gray contactless lid)
Rotoglobe model (top loading):
-80 units for packaging -132 units for paper and cardboard
All containers will be personalised with vinyl identifying each fraction in Spanish and the heat-printed City Hall coat of arms.
With this initiative, the municipality will add a total of 432 new containers for recycling (containers and paper and cardboard) and 326 for residual waste, thus reinforcing selective collection at source and compliance with environmental objectives.
Ortuño recalled that “the new 2022 Waste Law, approved
by the Government, has not only forced city councils to modify and increase the waste tax, but also imposes a new tax of €30 per ton of waste, which in the case of Orihuela represents an annual cost of nearly €1 million.”
The councillor added that the award of another batch of rear-loading containers will be formalized in the coming days, for a tender value of €110,000. This batch includes 877 units, which will also begin arriving in late June or early July, thus completing the renewal process of the municipality’s container eet.
Is that glass of Champagne actually good for your heart?
Alcohol has never been rst pick on Team Superfood, but that doesn’t mean having a drink once in a while is completely devoid of health bene ts. A recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology actually found that Champagne could reduce your risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
The large-scale study examined 56 non-clinical risk factors potentially linked to sudden cardiac arrest, including lifestyle, physical measures, psychosocial factors, socioeconomic status, and local environment. Researchers analysed data from over 500,000 individuals and discovered that 40–63% of sudden cardiac arrest cases could have been prevented by modifying just a few of these factors.
Perhaps most surprisingly, moderate consumption of white wine and Champagnealong with a positive attitude, healthy body weight, and high fruit intake - was found to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
So, does this mean you should sip Champagne on the daily? Not necessarily. Here’s what experts want you to know.
The study did not detail the
exact mechanisms at play, but the protective association between Champagne and a reduced risk of sudden cardiovascular arrest is likely due to Champagne’s polyphenol content (a group of naturally occurring plant compounds). This is because polyphenols improve vascular function, reduce in ammation, and increase HDL ‘good’ cholesterol, all of which minimise the risk of cardiac arrest.
White wine and Champagne also contain protocatechuic acid, an antioxidant that has shown promising potential for improving overall heart health by minimising free radicals in the body associated with chronic illness and heart disease.
Red wine has a high antioxidant content, which may increase HDL cholesterol levels and protect against cholesterol buildup, reducing the risk of heart attacks. More speci cally, red wine contains a type of polyphenol called resveratrol, which may lower blood pressure and protect the lining of heart blood vessels. Resveratrol can also decrease blood clots, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease.
Proceed with caution However, this doesn’t mean you have unlimited freedom with red wine, as excessive alcohol consumption (in any form) can lead to adverse health outcomes.
So how much Champagne does it take to reap these bene ts? The study did not provide detailed guidance on consumption levels, so there is no optimal frequency or dose to reap the aforementioned cardiovascular bene ts. Instead, “moderate consumption” is ideal, which means up to two drinks a day for men, and up to one drink a day for women. With that in mind, the frequency with which alcohol can or should be consumed is subject to interpretation. The World Health Organisation asserts that no amount of alcohol is bene cial or safe for your health. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, on the other hand, found lower mortality for moderate drinkers as compared to those who never drink, though more research is needed.
Bars & Restaurants
he best anti nflammatory foods
Plenty of foods have been shown to decrease in ammation. Some of the best antiin ammatory foods include fruits like avocados, blueberries, grapes, and green leafy vegetables. These foods contain antioxidants and compounds that help ush out in ammation.
In ammation is part of the body’s immune response. It occurs when tissues are injured by trauma, toxins, or other causes, and their damaged cells release chemicals that induce swelling. Your body can’t heal without in ammation. If it lasts a long time, in ammation can contribute to serious health issues, including obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
The good news is that there are plenty of foods that may decrease in ammation. Here’s a list of antiin ammatory foods, plus ways to incorporate them into your diet.
Some foods have been shown to reduce in ammation. Fruits and vegetables, in particular, have anti-in ammatory antioxidants and plant compounds. It’s possible that anti-in ammatory foods can help protect against some conditions. Some evidence suggests that longterm in ammation can increase the risk of health concerns like certain cancers, heart disease, and obesity.
Eating a healthy diet that’s balanced and consists of nutrientrich foods still provides you with nutrients that are essential for overall health.
Avocados
Avocados are a rich source of healthy fats and other nutrients like bre, magnesium, and potassium. Research has shown that avocados are also a source of carotenoids and tocopherols. Carotenoids are a type of pigment that has antiin ammatory and antioxidant properties. Tocopherols are a type of vitamin E that can also reduce in ammation.
A study published in 2019 looked at the e ects of avocado consumption in 51 adults who had overweight or obesity. The researchers noted that those who ate one avocado per day for 12 weeks had reduced in ammatory markers than those who didn’t.
Sliced avocados are delicious on salads, sandwiches, or soups. For breakfast, spread avocado on a slice of whole-grain bread.
Beets
This vegetable’s brilliant red colour is a tip-o to its equally brilliant health-promoting properties. Beets are packed with bre, folate, and powerful plant pigments called betalains. This pigment has anti-in ammatory
and antioxidant properties. Research is ongoing on the potential health bene ts of beets. Beetroot may not only reduce in ammation but also protect against cancer and heart disease. Try roasting beets and tossing them onto a salad. You might also try blending beets and carrots into a hearty, comforting soup.
Blueberries
Blueberries contain polyphenol compounds, which are known to have anti-in ammatory e ects. These compounds are also what give blueberries their distinctive blue colour. Try blending frozen yogurt into a smoothie or adding fresh ones to oatmeal or yogurt.
Fatty Fish
Fatty sh, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines, are foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are known to hinder processes in the body that promote in ammation.
fatty sh as a good source of omega-3s, as it’s high in protein but also low in saturated fat. Aim to eat 8 ounces (oz) of sh each week. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends eating grilled or baked sh instead of fried or breaded sh.
Ginger
This spice, common in Indian cuisine, has been shown to hold
anti-in ammatory properties in various studies. Ginger contains compounds known to reduce chemicals in the body that promote in ammation.
Try adding dried or fresh ginger to a smoothie or warm tea. You might consider talking to a healthcare provider or pharmacist about taking ginger in capsule or tablet form.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, may be key in protecting the body against pro-in ammatory molecules called cytokines. One of the best sources of vitamin E is leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, Swiss chard, and kale. Such vegetables are also high in nutrients like iron and vitamin A.
Nuts
Another source of in ammation- ghting fats is nuts. A study published in 2016 found that people who consumed ve or more 1-oz servings of nuts per week had lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) when compared to those who consumed fewer servings. CRP is an in ammatory marker.
All nuts are packed with antioxidants that can help the body ght o and repair the damage caused by in ammation.
Almonds are particularly rich in bre, calcium, and vitamin E.26
Walnuts have high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3.
Peppers
Colourful vegetables are generally part of a healthy diet. Bell peppers, which are available in a variety of colours, contain high quantities of antioxidant vitamins and lower levels of starch. Hot peppers, including chili and cayenne, are rich in capsaicin. This chemical is used in topical creams that can reduce pain and in ammation. Enjoy a variety of fresh peppers on their own or dip them into hummus. You can also grill or oven-roast peppers as a side dish.
Turmeric
Turmeric, which is a spice that’s a staple in Indian cuisine, is a rich source of curcumin. Research has found that this compound can reduce in ammation. A study published in 2015 looked at 117 people with metabolic syndrome. The researchers found that those who consumed 1g of curcumin and piperine (found in black pepper) daily for eight weeks had lower levels of CRP than those who didn’t. You can use turmeric to avour curries or soups. You may also try golden milk, which is a warm beverage made with milk and turmeric.
Snoop Dogg´s Cannabis beverages
The rap legend has never shied away from new territories and his latest move proves it once again. He’s diving head rst into the world of functional beverages, not with a timid toe in the water but with a full lineup of 7 hemp and cannabis-infused concoctions under the Iconic Tonics banner.
Industry insiders have been buzzing for a while about this shift. The functional beverage market is already surpassing $220 billion. Demand for low- or zero-alcohol options is surging as health-conscious consumers move away from sugar-heavy or boozy drinks in favour of something that ts their lifestyles. Meanwhile, cannabis beverages are emerging as a high-growth category, with the global market projected to skyrocket from $2.04 billion in 2023 to $117.05 billion by 2032, at an astonishing 57.5% CAGR between 2024 and 2032.
Snoop’s approach connects with a broader cultural shift. Gen Z, for example, is drinking 20% less alcohol than Millennials did at the
same age, signalling a major change in consumer habits. Studies point to a huge drop in annual expenditure on booze once you compare Millennials and Gen X to these digitalage trendsetters. And brands have responded by crafting new lines of nonalcoholic sparkling waters, adaptogenic drinks and hemp-based seltzers.
Snoop’s belief in delivering experiences that t “every occasion” see him investing in multiple brands rather than just one, betting on a broad consumer shift. He sees cannabis beverages as the next wave of mainstream
acceptance, especially if they show up where people already eat, drink and socialize. Data from the cannabis beverage sector supports this view. Though it remains a smaller slice of the overall cannabis market, projections run in the billions for the coming decade.
Snoop’s cultural weight accelerates that push. Other celebrities—Seth Rogen, Gwyneth Paltrow, Big Freedia—have dipped into this space, adding star power to the growing appetite for functional THClaced drinks.
Bars & Restaurants
Lorraine Kelly shared a huge health update as she nally returned to ITV on Monday morning after weeks o screen - and revealed a life-changing impact after having her ovaries removed.
The 65-year-old revealed that she underwent preventative keyhole surgery to remove her fallopian tubes and ovaries earlier this month, and has been o our screens recovering.
Today (Monday 19 May), Lorraine returned to her hosting role on ITV’s Lorraine, but before presenting the programme, she appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain to open up about how she’s feeling.
The 30-year-old wandered from stall to stall wearing a black sh net bra top with her nipples in full view while visiting the
Locals were ‘left horri ed’ as the couple walked through the market in the revealing ensemble.
Fred Sirieix has been dealt a bitter blow after his TV series was axed despite solid ratings.
The travel and food show, titled The World Cook, rst aired in 2022 and saw 16 chefs from across the globe go head-to-head in a culinary competition.
Contestants would be tasked with preparing local cuisine from the destination they had been own to.
James Argent has been branded ‘shameless’ for sharing clips laughing and singing on stage with his band - after receiving a suspended jail sentence for pushing his ex Nicoline Arthursson down some steps in Spain.
The TOWIE star, 37, was arrested earlier this month following the row with the Swedish beauty queen, with a two-year restraining order meaning he’s banned from contacting her.
Having returned to the UK last week in the wake of his arrest, James returned to Instagram to share snaps of his performance at a charity event.
Amy Childs has sparked concern among fans on Instagram as she showed o her recent weight loss in a pink minidress.
The TOWIE star, 34, posed in her home for the Sunday snaps, aunting her physique in the strapless baby pink number before heading out with the ‘school mums’.
Amy said she ‘felt like a princess’ as she styled her long tresses in a neat up do and wore a stunning palette of makeup.
Another voucher deal from Hotel Algorfa!
Hotel Algorfa welcomes you to another fantastic voucher deal! Enjoy a midweek escape and experience our delightful menus and entertainment.
From Monday to Thursday, stay with us for just €45 per person per night (minimum 2 people), which includes an overnight stay, an evening meal for two including a bottle of wine for 2 or a house beer each as well as breakfast in the morning!
Extend your stay for a second night
(room only) at a 50% discount – that’s only €22,50 per person!
Join us on Mondays for our lively games night, featuring Wheel of Fortune, Bullseye, music bingo, and Chase the Joker, with great prizes and guaranteed fun!
Tuesdays bring our Carnivore Menu: for just €23.95 for two, savor rump steak, gammon steak, half a rack of ribs, or a tower burger, all served with trimmings, plus a bottle of wine to share or a pint of lager/soft drink each.
Wednesdays offer
our Midweek Carvery, priced at just €7.99 or 2 for €15, featuring a selection of three meats, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables, crispy roast potatoes, and creamy mash. Plus, enjoy live entertainment on Wednesday evenings!
To book this offer, call us directly at 966 729 707 or visit us in person. Please note that this offer is not available for online bookings. We look forward to seeing you!
Bianca Censori has angered locals after baring her breasts in a sheer bra during a shopping trip with husband Kanye West in Spain on Saturday.
booths of an outdoor market in Mallorca.
Health & Beauty
When it came to retirement we decided that we would work five years longer and really make our plans to retire to Spain worthwhile. When we finally made the move; just six months later, my husband had a stroke. I am writing in to share my story and take my advice to, seize the day and don’t put things off as we did. We were greedy and decided that the small house we could afford, would be so much nicer if it was a bigger house with it’s own pool. If we’d made the move sooner, perhaps my husband would not have had the stroke. I love my husband dearly, but I am so weighed down with caring for him. There is little help here as family are expected to care for their family; and we have none over here. The financial burden is nearly wiping out all of our income and now we are breaking in to our savings. We are now looking at having to go back to the UK.
benefit available to all British ex-pats; it is not means tested. The extra money would make all the difference and mean you could get extra help with caring, which would allow you to take some much needed and regular respite. The lower rate of AA is approximately 88 Euros per week; the higher rate is 130 euros per week. Visit your GP and ask for a list of ailments and medication, and then send in an application to DWP in the UK. I strongly recommend that you use an Advocate like David Minto at Advocacy Costa Blanca to submit your application; the application is long and puts a lot of people off applying. David worked for the DWP in the UK and knows the benefits system inside out. He is lovely and will come to your house and complete the application for you. In the meantime you can also visit your local Social Security Office here in Spain; make an appointment and take a translator with you. There is help available. Nothing ventured; nothing gained.
You tell me that you lost both Firstly, look into claiming Attendance Allowance. The Attendance Allowance is a WRITE TO SARA IN CONFIDENCE. A PSEUDONYM WILL BE USED IF YOU WISH. SARA READS ALL LETTERS AND CAN GIVE A PERSONAL REPLY. EMAIL YOUR QUESTION TO SARA@ COSTABLANCAPEOPLE.COM OR SARA IS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS, TELEPHONE 650 054 467.
Rejuvenate Your Beauty
Routine at Indiana’s Hair and Lash Boutique
Facial with a Bonus: LED Light Therapy & HighFrequency Hair Treatment – Absolutely Free!
Did you know that every facial at Indiana’s Hair and Lash Boutique now includes two powerful bonus treatments— completely free of charge?
This exclusive o er enhances your skincare experience with state-ofthe-art LED light therapy and a high-frequency hair treatment, providing visible, lasting results for both skin and scalp.
What does LED light therapy do?
LED (Light Emitting Diode) therapy is a non-invasive treatment used to target a range of skin concerns. Red
Smart drinking tips for your workout
Staying properly hydrated is essential during exercise. More than 60% of your body is water, and you lose a lot of it through sweat. Water is often all you need for regular workouts, but for longer, high-intensity sessions, sports drinks or chocolate milk can help replenish electrolytes and provide energy.
1. Choose Wisely
Water is the best choice for most. For intense workouts over three hours, chocolate milk o ers a mix of carbs, protein, and key electrolytes like sodium and calcium. Sports drinks, coconut water, and foods like bananas or orange juice can also help replace lost minerals.
2. Drink Enough — But Not Too Much
There’s no one-size- ts-all rule for uid intake. A good starting point: drink 4–8 ounces every 15–20 minutes during your workout. For precise needs, you can weigh yourself before and after exercise to estimate sweat loss.
3. Don’t Overdo It
Overhydration, though rare, can be dangerous. It’s more common in endurance events like mara-
thons. Too much uid without enough sodium may lead to hyponatremia, a serious condition with symptoms like confusion, fatigue, and nausea.
4. Pre-Hydrate and Rehydrate Start hydrating 1.5 to 2 hours before a strenuous workout. Continue sipping uids during and after exercise to avoid “digging a hole” of dehydration.
5. Refuel with Protein and Carbs After exercise, your body needs to repair tissue and restore energy. A recovery drink like chocolate milk provides both protein and carbs to support recovery.
Staying hydrated helps you feel and perform your best. Listen to your body and drink smart!
light stimulates collagen production, reducing the appearance of ne lines and wrinkles. Blue light helps combat acne-causing bacteria, promoting a clearer complexion. The soothing wavelengths penetrate deep into the skin to accelerate healing, reduce in ammation, and improve overall skin tone and texture. It’s painless, calming, and ideal for all skin types.
And the high-frequency hair treatment?
Using gentle electrical currents, this advanced scalp therapy promotes healthier hair growth by increasing blood circulation and oxygen ow to the hair follicles. It helps to treat dandru , dry scalp, and hair thinning. The result? Stronger, shinier, revitalised hair from the roots up.
The Best Part? It’s All Included.
At Indiana’s, your facial doesn’t stop at the skin. These bonus treatments turn a simple appointment into a full rejuvenation session—for both your face and scalp. Ready to treat yourself? Book your appointment today and experience the boutique’s holistic approach to beauty. Glowing skin and vibrant hair await you.
Understanding breast cancer stages: What each one means for diagnosis and treatment
Breast cancer begins in the breast tissue and can vary widely in how it behaves and progresses. To help guide treatment and determine prognosis, healthcare providers use a staging system that categorizes breast cancer from stage 0 to stage 4. This staging is based on factors like the size of the tumor, involvement of nearby lymph nodes, and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The staging process begins after a con rmed breast cancer diagnosis. Your healthcare team may use a variety of tools to determine the stage. These can include physical examinations, imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs, blood tests, and di erent types of biopsies.
One common biopsy is the sentinel lymph node biopsy, which checks the rst lymph node likely to be a ected by cancer. Tumor samples are also often tested for hormone receptor proteins and HER2 status, which help further de ne the cancer’s characteristics.
Most providers follow the TNM staging system developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer. “T” refers to the size and extent of the primary tumor, “N” refers to lymph node involvement,
and “M” indicates whether the cancer has metastasized, or spread, to distant organs. In recent updates, the TNM system has been expanded to include biological markers like hormone receptor status, HER2 status, and tumor grade—how abnormal the cells appear under a microscope.
Stage 0 breast cancer, also called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), is the earliest form. It is noninvasive and con ned to the ducts or lobules. Most people with DCIS have no symptoms, and it’s often detected during routine mammograms. Treatment typically includes breast-conserving surgery and possibly radiation. The prognosis for stage 0 is excellent, with very high survival rates.
Stage 1 is when the cancer becomes invasive. It may still be small (up to 2 centimeters) and con ned to the breast or nearby lymph nodes. Treatment at this stage often includes surgery and may be followed by radiation, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy, depending on the tumor’s biology. The outlook remains very favorable, with nearly 100% ve-year survival.
Stage 2 breast cancer means the
tumor is larger or has spread to more lymph nodes, but not to distant organs. Symptoms might be more noticeable at this stage, such as a lump or changes in breast appearance. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, often tailored to the patient’s individual health and cancer type. The ve-year survival rate remains high at around 93%.
Stage 3 breast cancer is more advanced and often involves multiple lymph nodes or structures like the chest wall. Symptoms are more pronounced and can include skin changes, swelling, or nipple abnormalities. Treatment is more aggressive and usually starts with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery, followed by radiation and additional medication. The ve-year survival rate for stage 3 breast cancer is about 75%.
Stage 4 is metastatic breast cancer, where the disease has spread to distant organs such as the liver, brain, or bones. At this stage, the focus of treatment shifts from curative to palliative—managing symptoms and improving quality of life. While not considered curable, many people live for years with stage 4 breast cancer thanks to
ongoing treatments. The ve-year survival rate is approximately 32%.
Even after treatment begins, a process called “restaging” may be used to evaluate how well the cancer has responded or if it has returned. While the original stage is used for most statistical and treatment reference points, restaging can help guide future care decisions.
Living with breast cancer at any stage involves more than just medical treatment. Emotional support, lifestyle changes, and possibly clinical trial participation can also play a signi cant role in managing the disease. For those seeking cutting-edge therapies or struggling with
treatment resistance—particularly in stage 4—clinical trials may o er promising options.
A strong support network is equally crucial. Many patients bene t from connecting with friends, family, and breast cancer support groups to share experiences and receive encouragement.
Ultimately, understanding your stage of breast cancer empowers you and your healthcare team to create a personalized treatment plan. Whether newly diagnosed or navigating ongoing care, knowledge about your cancer stage can provide clarity and direction on your journey toward healing.
A quarter of a century of innovation, two and a half decades of cutting-edge technology, five lustrums of personalized attention, and above all, 25 years of dedication to service.
you,
German tourists arrested in Murcia for public indecency and reckless driving
Local Police in the Murcia region have arrested two German women on multiple charges including public indecency, reckless driving, disobedience, and resisting arrest, following a disturbing incident near the Nueva Condomina shopping centre last Friday.
According to La Verdad, the incident began when a concerned driver alerted authorities after witnessing one of the women masturbating in the open bed of
a moving truck while the other lmed with a mobile phone. Police arrived to nd both women completely naked. Reports from La Opinión de Murcia con rm that the tourists were lming a pornographic video in public.
Upon noticing the police, the women attempted to ee, driving recklessly along the A-7 motorway and endangering other motorists. During the highspeed pursuit, they executed dangerous manoeuvres, including unsignalled lane changes, before being intercepted by four patrol cars.
The women resisted arrest and displayed aggressive behavior toward o cers. They now face four charges, including a €150 ne for indecent exposure. Authorities emphasized the seriousness of the incident and praised the quick response of the police in maintaining public safety and order.
Ouigo launches €9 Summer train tickets between Madrid, Seville, Malaga, and Cordoba
With summer holidays approaching, low-cost rail operator Ouigo has announced the release of budget-friendly high-speed train tickets starting at €9. Available from 2 June to 14 September, the fares cover routes between Madrid, Seville, Malaga, and Cordoba, and can be booked via Ouigo’s website or app.
daily services on the MadridSeville route (three each way) and four daily on the MadridMalaga line (two each way), with most trains stopping in Cordoba. In total, more than 35,000 seats are o ered weekly.
7:44 p.m. Trains to Malaga depart at 7:19 a.m. and 3:23 p.m., with returns at 11:15 a.m. and 7:50 p.m.
The company will operate six
Departure times from MadridPuerta de Atocha to Seville are 7:40 a.m., 3:14 p.m., and 5:37 p.m., while returns from Seville leave at 7:38 a.m., 11:14 a.m., and
Children under three travel free without a seat, and kids aged 4–13 can travel for a xed fare of €7. Ouigo’s trains o er 509 seats per train, doubling to 1,018 with a dual train setup. Since entering the Spanish market in 2021, Ouigo has served over 16 million passengers.
Spain proposes stricter drink-driving limit of 0.2g/L to avoid false positives
Spain’s Directorate-General of Tra c (DGT) is pushing for a signi cant reduction in the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers, lowering it from the current 0.5 grams per litre to 0.2 grams per litre. The proposed limit, supported by DGT director Pere Navarro, aims to improve road safety while accounting for the potential of false positives from certain foods and drinks.
While some have called for a zero-tolerance policy, the DGT has clari ed that even drivers who haven’t consumed alcohol can test positive due to fermentation in the stomach from items like ripe fruit (especially bananas), alcohollled chocolates, sponge cakes with liqueurs, or alcoholbased sweets. Non-alcoholic beers, which often contain trace amounts of alcohol, and alcohol-based mouthwashes can also trigger low blood alcohol levels in breath tests.
To address this, the 0.2 g/L threshold is intended as a safety margin to avoid penalizing drivers who have not actually consumed alcoholic beverages. If a driver tests positive, they
can request a blood test at a hospital, accompanied by police. If the result con rms alcohol presence, the driver will be responsible for the cost of the lab analysis.
CHURCH AND CHARITIES
International Christian Assembly Evangelical Church. We welcome you to Sunday Service at 10.30 am (English) Calle Beniajan 14, Torrevieja, 03185 www.icatorrevieja.org Phone; 966799273 or 660127276 (SH) Join us at Salt Church. Sundays at 10.30am. We are a friendly Church, Bible centred in our teaching and informal in our worship.Calle Daya Nueva 12, Poligino Industrial Levante II, 03187 Los Montesinos. www.saltchurch.es Facebook: SaltChurchSpain
The Alfaz spiritual friends centre o er a warm welcome at “The Comm” (Ex The Forum/Mare Nostrum) Camino del Pincho 2, l’Alfaz del Pi, 03580, Alicante. Visiting medium every week - services starts 6.30 pm every Thursday. ‘Free Healing is available after the service. contact Dot 634 320 013 email: dorothydorothy608@gmail.com
LOCKSMITHS
657603495 (10781) Tracey slim mature lady massage for women, men, couples, with extra, petite long dark hair lives outside Quesada Tel 711006560 (1094) Mery is back, so sweet, caring, Dehesa de Campoamor www.sensualspain.net Tel672539332
and unwind with a one hour
call 679292678 (1092)
1053)
body Big natural breast. so sweet .La Zenia Turquesa St www. sensualspain.net Tel: 624 865 672 (1092)
Helen, wonderful Caribbean is back. House 77 La Zenia, Tel 665736488 www. sensualspain.net (1093)
I am Sara your young girl of 25 years with desire for you. I am located in Torrevieja and I also make you spend a very unique and pleasant moment Tel 613853917
Cindy, erotic massage, hot blonde, slim, sexy, caring, sweet, elegant, Tel 607735745 www.sensualspain.net
I’m Victoria your girlfriend for the best massage I’m in torrevieja playa del Cura I can come to you if you prefer call me and have the best time whit me 643906065
ed ads from as little as €4.20
Esquina Park Rangers
walking
football club
Esquina Park Rangers from Ciudad Quesada Rojales travelled to Turre in Mojacar on Sat 17th May to compete in an eight team Walking Football Tournament..
Teams from Cantoria, Camposol, Farnborough (UK), Hastings (UK) & Los Amigos (Mojacar).. Playing in two Leagues of four with the winners of League 1 playing the runners up of league 2 & winners of league two playing runners up of league one in the semis.Playing each team twice . Esquina with two wins, one loss & three draws was enough to proceed into the semis v Cantoria which finished one a piece after full time..It was Decided on a penalty shoot out with Esquina coming out victors..
Cove Yellow from Farnborough (UK) also won their semi final meaning it was the third Game that Esquina would play them. Cove winning two goals to one and drawing one a piece in the previous matches..
Into the Final Esquina comfortably winning two goals to nil with the Cove players wilting in the intense heat ..
This is the third time Esquina has won the Los Amigos Charity Trophy in the past four years ..
If Your interested in joining in this ever expanding sport please contact :: esquinaparkrangers2018@ yahoo.com
San Miguel Golf Society at Aguilón
“Sandwiches and Flask of Tea” packed for our Away Day at Aguilón down near Almería this week. About an hour and 40 minute drive for most of the group but easy on the AP7.
What a pretty course it was too. Describing itself as “desert-style” is not what we are accustomed to with the likes of Saurines and Altaona. On the contrary it was lovely and green with lots of pretty coloured oleander and bougainvillea dotted around the course. There might have been a ravine or seven on some of the holes making it interesting and challenging – especially for the Red Teers with the ludicrously cruel slope rating! Overall it was a popular course with some fantastic feedback. The fairways were lush and green,
and the greens were in very good condition. It’s a shame it’s as far as it is but well worth a visit and very good value.
We had a small field of 24 today due to cancellations –some had read the weather forecast, but we had lovely weather up until the last few holes when there were black clouds, thunder, lightning and the inevitable rain. We were lucky to finish without the klaxon sounding.
A big thank you to Victor and his team (Rafa in the Pro Shop and the ladies in the restaurant) – we were welcomed very warmly, and we look forward to going back very soon.
Some nice healthy scoring this week and a smaller prize field due to the numbers:
Gold: Greame Millington (35 points)
Silver: Guy Wade Palmer (35 points
Four “Twos” this week from John Batterby, Ian Flower, Jan Skog and Mike Kaylor – well done! Nearest the Pins were Roger Webb, Drew Niblock, Mike Kaylor, Ian Flower and Dave Friedman – no mean feat on those small greens. Ian Merga was the gracious recipient of the McBride Bottle this week and Roger Webb won the football card with QPR. North to Font del Llop next week – hopefully the weather will be nice for us.
Pictured Guy Wade Palmer (Silver), Tony Smale (professional PBomber at this stage) and Greame Millington (Gold).
QUICK CROSSWORD
ACROSS
Odd(8)
Just(4)
Bill of fare(4)
Seemed(8)
Less (5)
Entangle(7)
Sympathy(6-7)
Completely(8)
Large town(4)
Disorder(7)
Rebuffs(5)
Unintelligent(4)
Critic(8)
Hermit(7)
Strange(7)
Cherished thing(5,2,3,3)
Deductively(1,6)
Danger signal(3,4)
Weak (6)
Inundated(7)
To the letter(7)
East (6)
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
WORDWHEEL
Using only the letters in the wordwheel, take ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must contain the central letter and at least three others. Letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one nine-letter word in the wheel.
SUDOKU
Fill the grid so that every column, row and 3x3 square includes all the digits from 1 to 9
2. Prohibition – leave when you’ve got me back to the bar!(7)
3. Excuse before biblical quotation(7)
4. Ideal prospects, despite being tense after 13?(6,7)
