19 March - 25 March 2024

Brit arrested in Rojales for ‘reckless homicide’

The Guardia Civil has arrested a 38-year-old English woman and a 73-year-old man in Rojales as the alleged perpetrators of the reckless

homicide of her 76-year-old mother. They are accused of not having called the emergency services immediately after the elderly lady su ered a fall in

the home. The detainees did not call 112 until the early hours of the third day, when they realised that she had died. The Civil Guard considers that it

is a reckless homicide because the pair failed in their duty to provide assistance and the Guardamar Judicial Police are instructing the proceedings regarding this unusual event.

According to the investigations carried out by police o cers, the pair are believed to have been drinking alcohol at home, which explains the fact that they did not call a doctor before.

According to the data provided by the daughter of the deceased and the

man, the 76-year-old English woman su ered a fall when all of them were in the house in Rojales, located on Orihuela Street.

The accident occurred three days before they veri ed that the woman was no longer alive, at which time they called the emergency number 112 to ask for help.

However, the emergency services and the Local Police could not do anything to save the woman’s life and the Judicial Police of the Guardamar Civil Guard arrived at the house and proceeded to arrest the daughter and her mother’s friend.

According to reports in the Spanish press, the 38-year-old woman has a long history of assistance from the Social Services of the Rojales City Council due to lack of care for her children.

De nition

According to its de nition: “Reckless homicide is a crime in which the perpetrator was aware that their act (or failure to act when there is a legal duty to act) creates signi cant risk of death or grievous bodily harm in the victim but ignores the risk and continues to act (or fail to act), and human death results.

This di ers from negligent homicide, in which the perpetrator did not have the awareness of the risk but should have had it.

Alicante-Elche Airport awarded Best European Airport

Alicante-Elche airport has once again clinched the title of the ‘best airport in Europe catering to a passenger range of 15 to 25 million’, according to the latest accolade bestowed by the Airports Council International (ACI) for the year 2023. This marks the fourth time in the past ve years that the airport has claimed the prestigious honour, solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.

The esteemed award, set to be presented at the ACI summit and exhibition in late September, acknowledges the airport’s commitment to excellence in service and the provision of top-notch facilities. The recognition is based on extensive survey feedback collected from passengers utilizing the Costa Blanca facility, which witnessed a record number of travellers last year.

Passengers are surveyed on various aspects of their airport experience, including accessibility, amenities,

sta friendliness, security procedures, and wait times at security checkpoints.

Laura Navarro, the manager of AlicanteElche airport, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasising the airport’s dedication to prioritizing passenger needs and continuously enhancing its services and facilities to cater to diverse demands.

Spain has emerged triumphant with nine Aena-operated airports receiving recognition as Best European Airports across various categories. Barcelona secured the top spot in the category serving over 40 million passengers, while Palma de Mallorca claimed the title in the 25 to 40 million passenger segment. Menorca earned accolades in the two to ve million traveller category, with additional successes for

Almeria, Girona, Reus, Murcia, and El Hierro, each catering to less than two million passengers.

Maurici Lucena, chairman and CEO of Aena, lauded the collective achievement of the awarded airports, attributing the success to the dedication and hard work of all Aena teams. He emphasised that the accolades serve as a testament to Aena’s ongoing commitment to delivering top-quality service to passengers, further motivating the organisation to maintain its standards of excellence.

Cabo Roig leads St Patrick’s Day celebrations

Thousands of people descended on Cabo Roig on Sunday to be part of Spain’s biggest St Patrick’s Day parade and the largest parade in mainland Europe. The event, the 11th to be held in Orihuela Costa, kicked o at 3pm with 50 former members of the Irish army taking part along with oats, dance groups, motorcycles, vintage cars and a variety of musicians. The parade was led by Torrevieja Pipes and

Drums, followed by St Patrick (well local resident, Jose Antonio Marcia del Amo).

Former Irish minister and MEP, Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher who has spent more than 25 years in the Irish Parliament was star guest and accompanied Councillor for the Coast Manuel Mestre.

Of course, it was a sea of green as all nationalities dressed in emerald hues to show support for the Irish patron saint’s day. Local businesses joined forces to

decorate the strip and provided back-toback entertainment through the day and into the evening.

Many had special menus o ering traditional Irish dishes such as stew and colcannon and drinks deals.

The Orihuela Local Police force has taken a signi cant step towards enhancing o cer safety with the acquisition of bulletproof vests, as con rmed by the city’s security councillor. The investment, totalling 31,000 euros, aims to equip o cers with necessary protective gear for their duties, ensuring their safety in potentially hazardous situations. Immediate distribution of the vests to o cers has been assured.

In emphasizing the municipality’s commitment to the welfare of its local police force, the councillor stated, “With this purchase of bulletproof vests, we are reinforcing our commitment to guarantee the safety and protection of our Local Police, so that they can carry out their work safely in any risk situation.”

The newly acquired vests boast several key features designed to enhance o cer

safety. Firstly, they o er ballistic protection, capable of withstanding bullet impacts, thereby providing essential security during potentially dangerous encounters.

Local police are bullet proof

Additionally, the vests provide resistance against knife attacks, further fortifying o cers against various forms of assault.

Importantly, the vests have been tailored to accommodate female o cers, ensuring a comfortable and secure t for all personnel. Despite their robust construction, the vests are designed for optimal comfort and mobility, weighing in at 1735 grams. This lightweight design allows o cers to carry out their duties e ectively without compromising on

manoeuvrability.

Each vest is equipped with ballistic panels, a moisture protection cover, and an outer cover, further enhancing its durability and functionality. The acquisition of these bulletproof vests represents a signi cant investment in the safety and well-being of Orihuela’s Local Police force, underscoring the municipality’s dedication to supporting its law enforcement personnel in ful lling their duties e ectively and securely.

Spanish parliament passes controversial amnesty law

In a decisive move, Spanish MPs have voted to approve a contentious amnesty law aimed at Catalan pro-independence gures, including their symbolic leader Carles Puigdemont, who has been contemplating a return from years of self-imposed exile to evade prosecution linked to the 2017 independence referendum.

The bill, dubbed the ‘Organic Amnesty Law for the Institutional, Political and Social Normalisation in Catalonia’, received 178 votes in favor and 172 against in the Spanish Congress. The legislation aims to bring closure to years of legal pursuit stemming from the failed secession attempt that ignited Spain’s most severe political turmoil in recent history.

For Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the passing of the amnesty law marks a crucial juncture, as it ful lls a demand

put forth by Catalan proindependence parties in exchange for their parliamentary backing, which enabled him to secure another term in o ce. The approval follows a previous rejection of the bill by MPs six weeks ago.

The bill will now proceed to the Senate, where the rightwing opposition People’s Party (PP) holds sway and vehemently opposes the measure, vowing to impede its progress and potentially send it back to the Congress for nal endorsement.

This legislation stands as one of the most contentious pieces of law debated in parliament since Sánchez assumed o ce in 2018, even causing divisions within his own constituency.

While the government asserts that the amnesty could extend relief to hundreds of individuals, pro-independence Catalan group Omnium

Cultural contends that it should encompass approximately 4,400 people, predominantly comprising low-level o cials and ordinary citizens involved in organizing the referendum or participating in protests. Nevertheless, many individuals associated with the 2017 illegal referendum continue to face legal repercussions.

During the lead-up to the general election in July, Sánchez initially opposed the idea of amnesty. However, political calculations compelled a shift in his stance after the election yielded a hung parliament.

In securing another term, Sánchez found himself compelled to court the support of Puigdemont’s staunchly proindependence party, JxCat, and its more moderate counterpart, ERC. In return, JxCat insisted on the enactment of the amnesty law.

sending thick black smoke billowing over the western Campanar district of the city. The entire building was consumed within a mere 30 minutes, leaving approximately 450 residents homeless.

Initial speculations regarding the role of highly ammable cladding on the building in accelerating the re were

addressed, drawing parallels to the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster in London, where 72 lives were lost due to combustible cladding.

Tragically, just three days after the Valencia blaze, another high-rise re claimed the lives of a child and two adults in the Alicante Province city of Villajoyosa.

Spain and Morocco advance plans for 17-mile underwater tunnel

In a historic move poised to reshape transcontinental connectivity, Spain and Morocco have taken signi cant strides towards realising a long-envisioned project: the construction of a 17.2-mile underwater tunnel linking the two nations. While discussions for such an infrastructure began as far back as the late 1970s, concrete progress has been elusive until now.

Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, has emerged as a pivotal gure in reigniting hopes for the Fixed Link Project for the Strait of Gibraltar. Puente, succeeding his predecessor Raquel Sánchez, who rst revitalized talks in February 2023, has underscored the strategic importance of the endeavour for both countries and their broader regions.

In a recent development, the Spanish government con rmed the allocation of £1.96 million (€2.3m) of European funds towards updating studies related to the project, signalling a tangible commitment to its advancement. During a visit to Morocco, Minister Puente expressed eagerness to expedite discussions, emphasising the need for collaboration between Madrid and Rabat to propel the initiative forward.

The impending meeting

between Spanish and Moroccan o cials holds promise for furthering the project’s development, with plans underway to establish collaborative frameworks encompassing various transport initiatives. Puente stressed the signi cance of leveraging the strong bilateral ties between Spain and Morocco to foster infrastructure growth, citing mutual bene ts in economic, cooperative, and migratory realms.

Spanish stock market highest since January 2018

Amidst historical seasonal uctuations, the Spanish stock market has soared to its highest peak since January 2018, demonstrating resilience and defying traditional summer slumps. Encouraging economic indicators and attractive valuations have fuelled optimism despite historical trends.

pivotal role in driving the market surge. Major banks like BBVA, Banco Sabadell, and Caixabank S.A. have witnessed year-to-date share increases of 25%, 21%, and 19%, respectively. This growth is largely attributed to higher interest margins stemming from elevated interest rates within the eurozone.

The envisioned tunnel, as detailed by reports from Spanish daily La Razon and Moroccan state-owned media SNRTNews, is anticipated to span approximately 26 miles, incorporating a 17.2-mile underwater passage alongside a 6.3-mile underground segment. Described as a highspeed rail link, the project holds transformative potential for facilitating cross-border movement and bolstering regional connectivity.

While exact speci cations and timelines remain subject to o cial con rmation, the

initiative represents a landmark undertaking with implications extending beyond mere physical infrastructure. Rooted in decades-old aspirations for closer ties between Spain and Morocco, the prospective tunnel embodies a symbol of cooperation and progress transcending continental boundaries.

As the project inches closer to realisation, anticipation mounts for the transformative impact it could wield on regional dynamics, economic integration, and cultural exchange. With Spain and Morocco poised at the cusp of a new era in transcontinental connectivity, the forthcoming tunnel stands as a testament to the power of collaborative vision and crossborder cooperation in shaping the future of nations and continents alike.

The IBEX 35 Index, Spain’s benchmark stock market gauge, has surged by 5% within the rst two weeks of March, marking a remarkable 20% increase compared to the same period last year. The rally has been underpinned by stellar performances from key corporations and the robust health of Spain’s economy.

A standout contributor to this recent upswing is Inditex, the parent company of globally renowned fashion brands such as Zara and Massimo Dutti, constituting a signi cant 14% of the IBEX 35. Inditex reported a record net pro t of €5.4 billion for the scal year 2023, representing a substantial 30.3% surge from the previous year, propelling its shares to new alltime highs with a remarkable 7% increase.

Additionally, Spain’s banking sector, comprising nearly a third of the IBEX 35, has played a

Spain has outpaced the sluggish eurozone by achieving 0.6% growth in the nal quarter of 2023. The nation has also excelled in job creation, surpassing its European counterparts during the same period.

Strong growth indicators were evident in February, with the services and manufacturing sectors displaying robust expansion. The Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) surged to 54.7, marking the fastest growth in nine months, while the Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.5, signalling the rst expansion in a year.

Further bolstering con dence, retail sales have maintained steady growth for 14 consecutive months, unemployment has plummeted to its lowest level since 2008, and annual in ation decreased to 2.8% in February 2024, its lowest in six months.

Notably, the narrowing gap between Spanish and German

bond yields re ects growing con dence in the Spanish nancial system. The yield on a 10-year Bonos is only 78 basis points higher than that of a German bund, marking the smallest gap since January 2022 and well below historical averages.

Moreover, Spain’s tourism sector has staged a full recovery from the pandemic-induced downturn, with summer tourist numbers in 2023 matching those of 2019. With a potential surge expected in the upcoming summer, surpassing the record set in 2017 remains within reach.

Despite historical summer challenges, evidenced by the IBEX 35 typically experiencing declines from May to September, the prevailing positive momentum and compelling valuation o er a counterbalance.

The Paseo de Cabo RoigAguamarina will remain closed this summer

The socialist municipal group of Orihuela have reported on the status of the Paseo de Cabo Roig-Aquamarina and its opening le, to which they had access last February.

In this way, the socialist councilor, Milagros Lacárcel, explained that “in a few days the permit that the Provincial Coastal Service granted to carry out the work expires and it will not be able to be done because the expropriation process has not moved for months.”

However, according to the socialist councilor, this is not the only problem that arises, since, once the expropriation procedure began, “the owners of the a ected plots presented appraisal sheets in January that amounted to 1,200,000 euros for only 227 square meters. This is almost 17 times more than what the municipal technician of the city council calculated, a total of 69,113.03 euros.”

determine the Fair Price of the a ected properties. Therefore, before the summer, that section of the promenade will not be open, since the Justiprice has not been determined and since it does not have the authorization of the Coastal Service, which will have to request again.”

that “it will be the Provincial Expropriation Jury who will determine the fair price in view of the one sent by us and by the owners . From that moment on we will pay what corresponds to us and we will take the ride.”

Inauguration of the new Local Police Headquarters in Callosa de Segura

The president of the Alicante Provincial Council, Toni Pérez , inaugurated the new o ces of the Callosa de Segura Local Police Headquarters after the remodeling of a municipal building located on Jaime I street in the town. This action, included in the Plani ca plan, has had a budget of 604,764 euros and has been nanced 65% by the provincial institution, with the city council nancing the rest.

According to Lacárcel, everything indicates that this situation “will end up in the Provincial Expropriation Jury, which will take months to

For his part, the Councilor for Urban Planning and Housing in the council, Matías Ruiz, wanted to respond to the words of the socialist group by explaining

Likewise, Ruiz insists that the opening le continues its normal course and that “in the next few days the extension request will be sent to the Provincial Coastal Service while we comply with the procedure and deadlines.”

Together with the rst deputy mayor, Trinitario Grau , and the Councilor for Citizen Security, Rocío Cuadrado , the president has toured the new facilities that occupy the three oors of the building that, dating back fteen years, was built at the time under the name of the ‘House of Youth’.

The remodeling of the building

will provide the Local Police of the municipality with new facilities that are “completely renovated and fully accessible that have the capacity, not only to serve these public servants as a work center, but above all to provide citizens with the best service,” Pérez explained. In this sense, he has also shown his satisfaction because “with this type of actions we do what our vocation as a Provincial Council de nes, which is to be next to each and every one of our people.”

With the remodeling works undertaken, the new police headquarters will occupy a space of around a thousand square meters . On the ground oor, the main access has been adapted as a lobby and access

control, while the rst oor has been entirely dedicated to police o ces. On the third oor are the command o ces and other rooms for multipurpose use.

On behalf of the council, Grau thanked the Provincial Council for “its support in making this project a reality, which is in high demand and which will allow us to o er a better quality public service to citizens.”

“The commitment of the Provincial Council to Callosa de Segura is absolute as demonstrated by the di erent investments that have been promoted in the town in recent years, with works as important as those we have visited today and that are added to other projects,” he indicated. President Toni Pérez.

Doomsters put women o investing

Doom-mongering warnings about the risks of investing are deterring women from saving more money and have become an unnecessary barrier, a new study has found.

Women are investing up to 21 per cent less money because of ‘over-egged’ messaging about the risks taken when you invest.

That’s despite women holding 52 per cent of the 11.8 million Isa accounts at one of Britain’s largest stockbrokers Hargreaves Lansdown.

Women also tend to have a larger amount invested. The study found that alternative wording on nancial documents which is more informative and less o -putting to cautious investors would have a signi cant

impact on the amount savers invest.

This is because women typically have a di erent approach to overseeing money compared to men – many don’t see it as their own money, but rather family money shared with children, a partner, or parents.

This means women are less willing to take risks as they view themselves as shouldering more responsibility.

Six in ten women admitted they nd the terminology and wording used a barrier to investing.

However, women take appropriate risks and are less likely to invest impulsively. Women understand that building wealth is a slow

burn.

Having someone you can speak to about your concerns before you act can reduce bias and knee-jerk decisions that might a ect your long-term plans. Working with a nancial planner could help you assess your options carefully and decide what is right for you.

The friendly team at Seagate Wealth are on hand to help you every step of the way.

If you are thinking of investing and would like to talk over your plans with a quali ed adviser, then please give us a call on 965 704 338 or send us an email to: Contact@ seagatewealth.es

Firefighters intervene in a palm tree fire in Albatera

In response to a notice received last Thursday at 11:33 a.m., the Alicante Provincial Fire ghters Consortium has deployed an operation on the Camino Viejo de Elche, behind the municipal cemetery in Albatera. The intervention is due to a palm tree re fanned by the prevailing wind in the area, which has required the request of aerial means.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The resources deployed from the Crevillente and Elche parks include a command and headquarters unit, a heavy urban bomb, a heavy rural bomb, two forest

re ghter units and a heavy mother bomb, in addition to an Alpha 02 helicopter and an AT-

plane. 55. The re team concluded the re intervention at 12:25 p.m.

GBP

Last week, GBP held a solid footing following Chancellor Hunt’s Spring Budget on Wednesday and the revisions from the O ce of Budget Responsibility, raising GDP growth forecasts and predicting improvements for household disposable incomes. These trends were re ected in the market, with GBP/EUR and GBP/USD showing positive trends and nearing 12-month highs. The rates have corrected towards the end of this week, with the pound weakening slightly.

This week was a busy one in terms of UK data, with updates on the labour market and GDP included in the schedule.

Recent developments in the labour market indicate a slight easing, though overall conditions remain tight. With the unemployment rate hovering at 3.8% during the three months leading up to December, it remains historically low. Despite this, the pace of average earnings growth slowed to 5.8% year-on-year in Q4 2023, marking the lowest expansion rate since Q1 2023. Forecasts suggested that the unemployment rate would persist at 3.8% in January, but it came in slightly above expectation at 3.9%. On the other hand, average earnings growth was anticipated to marginally decelerate to 5.7% year-on-year but came in slightly below expectation at 5.6%.

Many newspapers focussed particularly on economic inactivity, which now stands at 21.8%. That means that 9.2 million working-age adults in the UK are not employed or looking for

work.

Shifting the focus to GDP, the UK economy managed to avoid the deep recession anticipated by many but did enter a shallow downturn in the latter half of 2023. GDP experienced a contraction of 0.1% in Q3 and further declined by 0.3% in Q4, partially attributed to a 0.1% month-on-month decrease in output observed in December. January’s GDP gures came in as expected, revealing a 0.2% month-on-month increase, signalling a modest improvement to the start of 2024.

The most signi cant economic event in the UK next week will be the next Bank of England rate meeting, which will take place on Thursday, March 21st. Markets expect policymakers to hold rates steady for the fth consecutive meeting

EUR

Last week, the ECB left interest rates unchanged for a fourth consecutive meeting at 4% last week. Lagarde continued to emphasise that it will ensure rates are su ciently restrictive for as long as required to reach it’s 2% in ation target. However, they indicated a rate cut in June is a possibility and the market bets are on three 25 bp cuts this year to 3.25%.

There were no signi cant data releases in the EU this week. Next week, we’ll see the release of the latest Manufacturing and Services PMI data as well as CPI In ation data for the single currency.

Disclaimer: This commentary does not constitute nancial advice.

Legends Fiesta 2024

The second annual Legends Fiesta was held on March 2nd & 3rd at Alannia Costa Blanca near Catral and a fab time was had by all. A two day music festival supporting local charity Rock Against Cancer. This year, on Saturday, we had Benny Conway as Billy Joel, Simon Jackson MBE giving his rousing Robbie Williams tribute, the phenomenal Earth Wind & Fire Tribute and live band Atlantis providing a tribute to Cli and the Shadows and mixing it in with some guitar legends. On Sunday there was Benny Conway as Elton, the brilliant Blues Brothers show, ever popular Take That Tribute Show and

BUSINESS PROFILE

local live band Free Ride providing some fast and furious rock and pop to play us out.

The food was really good and Alannia did us proud with fast and helpful service. Thanks to all at Alannia Costa Blanca ve star resort. Benimar buses helped ferry some people back and forth for those not staying at the site.

The ra e, online accumulator as well the the chuck buckets collected €1463.60 for Rock Against Cancer - nal total to be announced. Alannia gave the main prizes : Two 2 day stays at the resort and 5 Spa & Wellness vouchers for two people. Winners announced on

the website and Facebook page. We must thank Amanda and Adrian Hyde, Steve Wigan, Ellen Brown & Brian Parsons for manning the gates and depriving people of their cash for the ra e. Adrian also did a great job as compere and pro ciently kept the event on track back stage.

Legends Fiesta 2025 has provisional

dates for next March of 11th & 12th. There will be stayover packages announced as well as online tickets available in the coming weeks. The next major two day event will be Autumn Gold Fiesta October 15th & 16th at The Bar, Guardamar Park. Now we move onto to Summer Nights

In The Park, a series of monthly shows, again raising funds for Rock Against Cancer.

Tickets online at www.costablanca. events

Please note that all information contained within this Costa Blanca People Business Pro le has been provided by the client, and is therefore deemed correct and accurate. Any errors, omissions or inaccuracies are the sole responsibility of the client.

Almoradí students travel to Denmark thanks to the Erasmus+ project

A small representation of students from CEIP Canales and Martínez de Almoradí has traveled to Denmark within the Erasmus+ program . A group of 11 students, from 5th and 6th grade of Primary, and 5 teachers are carrying out di erent activities together with the host partners of the Danish school Darum Borneby, this being the rst time that Primary students from the town travel to a European country that is carrying out this project.

Throughout last week, students and teachers have experienced and learned the development of di erent active

and innovative educational methodologies typical of the Danish educational model, some of them as a tool to develop sustainable education. Likewise, they have visited organic gardens, wind farms, the island of Fano and the Viking museum of Ribe, among others. At the same time, they have made history again by being the rst nonDanish European school to visit the Esbjerg sustainable museum.

The director of the CEIP Canales y Martínez, Luis Ballester, states that “these European mobility activities are an authentic experience for students and teachers, as

they help improve linguistic competence and enrich the lives of the participants in every way, but They are also a fundamental tool to replicate educational models and practices in our center that help us improve the quality of the teaching we o er and obtain better results for our students.

With these European mobility activities, the CEIP Canales y Martínez closes its journey in Denmark and begins to work on its next activities that it will carry out in Germany and Italy, with which it will culminate its project. Transforming education for a sustainable and inclusive”.

Torrevieja health department signs new staffcontract

The Minister of Health, Marciano Gómez, and the representatives of the Works Committee of the surrogate labor personnel of the Torrevieja health department have signed an agreement on working conditions of the labor personnel to be terminated from the department. This agreement will govern the working conditions of this group of professionals until December 31, 2024 or until the signing of the new collective agreement.

In this regard, Marciano Gómez has expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached to improve the working conditions of some professionals who became directly dependent on the Ministry in October 2021 after the end of the health department’s concession contract. The Minister recalled that the objective of Health is to “equate the legal regimes of public health workers to avoid having rst-class and secondclass professionals.”

This agreement contemplates di erent labor bene ts, such as a reduction in the maximum e ective annual working day or improvements in remuneration for carrying out additional on-

call work, among other measures. In addition, it incorporates the commitment to continue with the negotiations to sign the new collective agreement.

Speci cally, and as the councilor recalled, “in May 2023, the previous heads of the Department and the workers’ representatives agreed on a set of implementation measures between 2023 and 2028. However, that agreement remained a mere gesture. , since its subsequent formal processing was not carried out and it lacked the mandatory report from the Ministry responsible for Finance.”

Despite this, Marciano Gómez detailed, “we have considered it appropriate to formalize an agreement, this time completing all the formal requirements for its validity, and without prejudice to its formal integration in the content of the future agreement.”

The Minister has indicated that the intention of the Ministry of Health is that all Valencian health workers have the same rights and working conditions, and to this end “we will work within a regulatory framework that allows us to establish order and unify criteria to equate the legal

regimes in the di erent health departments” he indicated.

As he explained, “we are an autonomous community in which the health system is made up of o cial, statutory and labor personnel, and in the case of Torrevieja, there are also labor personnel to be extinguished.”

For this reason, “our commitment is to create the speci c regulatory framework that guarantees the same conditions for all workers,” she insisted.

As indicated by the minister, “when we arrived at the Ministry of Health we found some agreements, which were made during the last legislature, without budget availability. In fact, there is a Report from the Attorney General’s O ce that declares them null and void.”

Therefore, “we must establish the appropriate regulatory framework and a real budget allocation that guarantees both the labor rights of workers and the quality of care that patients deserve. Our goal is that what we agree on is ful lled, and that each step we take is rm so as not to generate false labor and economic expectations for workers,” he insisted.

How to act in the event of an earthquake

Thursday 21 March marks 195 years since the earthquakes that devastated Almoradí and other towns in the Vega Baja region.

In commemoration of this day, the Red Cross in collaboration with the Almoradí Town Hall, will be holding a talk next Thursday at 6pm, in the town hall of the town hall, which will instruct and explain what to do in the event of an earthquake, how emergency teams intervene and coordinate and what guidelines the population should know to prevent further damage.

The talk will be given by Andrés

Chessa, provincial head of the Red Cross Emergency Unit in Alicante, who has experience as a responder in the Lorca earthquake in 2011 and in other major emergencies such as the DANA.

In addition to the talk, the Red Cross will bring a display of several emergency vehicles specialised in multi-victim care, health tents and shelter tents, to show more closely the deployment of resources that materialise in case of need.

The Red Cross has Immediate Response Emergency Teams (ERIE) that intervene in the event

of a catastrophe or calamity to provide immediate attention to the population. Such is the case of the DANA in the Vega Baja, where the Red Cross mobilized its resources for health support, evacuation and searches for people, together with its Provisional Shelter ERIE to provide care to the evicted population, or the recent re in the Campanar neighbourhood in Valencia, where the role of the Psychosocial Intervention ERIE specialized in psychological intervention for the people a ected has been fundamental.

385,000 euros won on the ONCE daily coupon in Orihuela

The ONCE Daily Coupon has distributed 385,000 euros in Orihuela in eleven coupons awarded with 35,000 euros each, in the draw last Thursday.

In Oihuela, Francisco Javier Pamies Bravo, ONCE a liate seller since July 2007, assigned to the Orihuela Agency, is the one who has brought luck to this town, with 350,000 euros in 10 tickets that he has distributed among his regular customers, since the kiosk on Calle Santa Justa, 1.

And Vicente Alberto López Martínez, ONCE seller since December 1999, assigned to the Orihuela Agency, has distributed 1 ticket awarded with 35,000 euros from his sales route in Benferri and Virgen del Camino . The ONCE Daily Coupon o ers a prize of 500,000 euros for the number plus the series, and 49 prizes of 35,000 euros for the ve gures of the winning number. Additionally: 450 prizes of 250 euros for the

rst four gures and another 450 prizes for the last four; 9,000 prizes of 25 euros in the case of three last or rst three; and the same for the rst and last two (6 euros), and a refund of 2 euros to the rst or last digit of the winning number.

ONCE coupons are marketed by the Organization’s more than 19,000 salespeople. In addition, they can be purchased from www.juegosonce.es, and in authorized collaborating establishments.

The amazing street food festival returns to Alicante

Food trucks, live music, and plenty of entertainment can be enjoyed once again at the Plaza Séneca in Alicante from 22nd-24th March. Choose from a tasty selection of international foods like Argentinian grilled meats, American burgers, Tex-Mex, Thai food, and French crepes, all served to you fresh from vintage food trucks. There will also be market stalls for you to browse around, o ering artisan crafts, fashion and jewellery. Then, on the Saturday at 1:30pm, the fantastic Liverpool Band will be performing, and there will be plenty of activities for children throughout the weekend.

OPENING TIMES: Friday 22nd from 7pm till midnight, Saturday 23rd from

12pm till midnight, Sunday 24th from 12pm till 10pm.

ENTRANCE: Free

LOCATION: Plaza Séneca (former bus station) Carrer Portugal, 17, 03003 Alicante.

TRANSPORT: For a coach service to the event, please contact EuroTour Guide on 679 35 95 96.

A SWEET STORY OF THE FOOD TRUCKS, HOW IT ALL BEGAN

A few years ago, a couple from Alicante felt the need to create something di erent and special for their wedding day. They wanted the guests to share the same special moment they were feeling, so they

began to look for ways to decorate the venue and serve them in a di erent way. It was the beginning of a company that was being created, Danra Events. Their rst cart, 4 years ago, a completely handcrafted wooden cart, began as a trinket shop. Since then, they have developed carts of popcorn, candy oss, ice cream, and hotdogs. As their family started growing as well as the business, they thought it was a good time to complement the carts with the rst vintage caravan, named Julia’s caravan. A caravan born from the love for the family and the love for sweets. Thus, o ering the service of sweet crepes with di erent avours in

a beautiful vintage caravan decorated with pretty details.

Then came the most characteristic food trucks yet: the Citroën HY and the Renault Estafette, which adorned and served various events in the Alicante province. Today, they are organizers of the best food truck fairs in the province with the brand Alacant Street Food Market, incorporating new and di erent types of food trucks into the events, with live music, children’s entertainment, and most importantly a great atmosphere! To be kept up to date with more events happening on the Costa Blanca, and new places to discover, visit www.costablancascene.com

Spain anticipates a recordbreaking Easter week in terms of tourist numbers

The tourism sector in Spain experienced a record-breaking year in 2023, but all signs point to an even better performance in 2024. The industry has yet to reach its peak, with hoteliers expressing high satisfaction regarding rst-quarter gures and anticipating a spring season poised for breaking records, especially with Easter week falling earlier in March this year. According to data presented by the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (Cehat) on Tuesday, occupancy rates are projected to be 14% higher than those recorded in the spring of 2023, already surpassing 2019 levels by 4%, the previous record year.

Jorge Marichal, president of the hotel employers’ association, remarked, “In the rst quarter of 2023, we hadn’t yet surpassed the occupancy of 2019, although the year ended on a high note. However, in 2024, we have already surpassed that level.” The upcoming spring is anticipated to commence with exceptional occupancy rates, with fewer cancellations and increased advance bookings, providing a signi cant stability

to businesses. Currently, guaranteed occupancy stands at 45%, marking a more than 10% increase over 2023 levels, with online searches for travel from France and Italy soaring by 25%. These heightened occupancy rates are driving up prices, with rst-quarter 2024 rates climbing between 4% and 6%, particularly during speci c dates, as Ramón Estalella, secretary general of Cehat, noted, “The rst days of Easter are not equivalent to regular public holidays.” Estalella also indicated that the price hike aligns with in ation during the initial three months of the year.

Furthermore, the employers’ association highlighted a “better distribution” of occupancy across ski resorts, urban, beach, and culturally appealing destinations due to Semana Santa processions this year. The price surge follows signi cant increases during winter, where tari s were 27% higher in nominal terms than in 2019, and even after discounting in ation, they remained 9% higher than prepandemic levels.

Destinations boasting improved Average Daily Room Rates (ADR) in their hotels

include the Madrid region (19 points above rst-quarter 2023 levels), Canary Islands (+14 points), Andalucía (10), and Catalonia (10). Marichal emphasized, “It seemed like things might slow down, but the momentum continues. The data illustrates that clients still desire hotel stays,” while also advising, “With unusually high occupancy levels expected for Easter week, it’s advisable to book now.”

While these optimistic forecasts prompt questions regarding the long-term sustainability of the tourism model and the potential growth in tourist numbers arriving in Spain, the confederation underscores the importance of focusing on the quality of tourists and their spending within Spain.

Many hotels are now extending their operational seasons into winter due to milder temperatures during those months, resulting in a signi cantly shorter low season. “Travel is no longer con ned solely to August and Easter; it’s now evenly spread throughout the year, which is excellent news for the hotel sector,” Estalella remarked.

This Week´s Movie Picks

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

Saturday 23rd March – Channel 5, 6.10pm

Because of the notoriety she gained from the Miss United States pageant, Gracie Hart’s (Sandra Bullock’s) life as an undercover F.B.I. Agent is over. In addition, Agent Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt) broke o their relationship. Begrudgingly, on the advice her boss, F.B.I. Assistant Director Harry McDonald (Ernie Hudson), Gracie decides to become the F.B.I.’s media-relations o cer. 10 months later, with the assistance of style coach Joel Meyers (Diedrich Bader) and a best-selling book about her experience behind her, Gracie becomes a designer-clad media darling and the made-up face of the F.B.I. The new Gracie is the exact opposite of Agent Sam Fuller (Regina King), a woman who, like Gracie before her pageant experience, has deep-seated anger issues. The two do not get along, but that doesn’t stop McDonald from assigning Sam to be Gracie’s bodyguard. The two are sent to Las Vegas, Nevada when Gracie’s friend, reigning Miss United States Cheryl Frasier (Heather Burns), and long-time Miss United States pageant host Stan Fields (William Shatner) are kidnapped there. At the F.B.I.’s Las Vegas eld o ce, Assistant Director Walter Collins (Treat Williams) wants Gracie to be solely the media spokesperson on the case, but Gracie wants to be back in the eld, especially when she uncovers some leads that Collins dismisses. Despite their antagonistic relationship, Gracie and Sam have to work together to follow these leads. Along with them are Joel and insecure F.B.I. Agent Je Foreman (Enrique Murciano), the foursome who, in addition to nding Cheryl and Stan, must elude Collins’ other Agents, Collins, who wants Gracie and Sam back on a plane to New York City, and who covets the case-solving glory for himself.

Despicable Me 3

Sunday 24th March – ITV, 4.45pm

After he is red from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru (Steve Carell) nds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis. But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother - a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin’s despicable footsteps - one former supervillain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad.

March

Friday 22nd March

00:40

Saturday 23rd March

15:15

00:50

01:45

04:40

07:00

07:25

07:50

08:15

08:40

Agatha Christie’s Poirot

21:00 Long Lost Family

22:00 The Savoy

23:00 Foyle’s War

Monday 25th March

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 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 on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 10:00 to 12:00. The Next meeting is on Wednesday 10th April 2024. You are welcome to attend.

“Is it possible to copy and transfer images or script from Facebook to either Email or WhatsApp?”

For text, you can simply highlight and copy and then paste to where you need it. With images,

Your tech questions answered by Brian Hoile of the Costa Blanca Technology Help Group, helping over 320 members with their PCs , smartphones and more. Group members can attend meetings in person or online using Zoom or Teams.

if you select an image, you can download it to your device. From there you can insert or attach the selected image.

“I want to buy a new mobile phone. What should I look out for?”

Consider things like:

•Price - Are you willing to splash out for the best phone you can nd, or something more a ordable?

•Size, shape, and design - You’ll be using your new phone a lot, so make sure it’s one you like holding.

•Operating system - iPhone or Android? Each comes with unique bene ts… and problems. iOS has excellent connectivity and can sync with your iPod, iPad, or Mac seamlessly. Androids are more exible as you can add more storage by using an SD card.

•Speci cations - Think processors, RAM, Storage - Internal storage is used for holding your apps, messages, photos, and les, and can often be expanded with an SD card.

•Display - Some phones o er displays with amazing quad-HD quality - though that usually means they cost more. Still, it can be worth the expense if you’re

using your phone to read small text, watch videos, or play games.

•Camera - Most smartphones come with cameras, but they can vary quite a bit; Decide what picture quality you need.

•Features - Do you want 4G capability or the latest 5G? 5G means much faster internet and NFC allows for things like Apple Pay.

“I have now bought a new phone. How do I transfer my Apps and information to the new phone?”

Most new phones are set up to ask you if you want to transfer Apps and information using their system. You will then need to install and open the same system (App) on the old phone. Connect both phones to the same internet connection and follow the prompts on both phones. Once completed you will then need to organise your new phone. I would recommend that you wait before you install your SIM card to the new phone until you have nalised setting up the new phone and have logged in to Apps that require your details.

Brian Hoile Technology Help Group

Join the Group by searching Facebook for “Costa Blanca Technology Help Group”

Send your questions to cbtechnology.help@gmail.com

Air Conditioning

Summer Breeze Air Conditioning

Tel: 696 248 422

Email: paulf3000@gmail.com

513 / 602 633 153

sales@platinumproperties.es www.platinumproperties.es

Avenida Maria Del Mar Rodriquez 23 Algorfa

Hearing

Protea Wellness Audiology

Tel: 698 418 642

Contact: @proteawellnessaudiology.es

www.proteawellnessaudiology.es

Calle Los Arcos 17 Ciudad Quesada

House plus Homes

966 719 849

admin@houseplushomes.com

www.houseplushomes.com

Calle Los Arcos

Local 4 Plata Baja, Ciudad Quesada, 03170 Rojales

M.A.V Transport & Removals 663595225 / (0044) 7786 737230 Email: infomavspain@gmail.com www.mavspain.co.uk

Facebook M.M.V.Transport&Removals

Go Satellite

Tel: 965725670

Info@freetvspain.com

www.freetvspain.com

Avenida De Las Naciones 36-2,

Ciudad Quesada Rojales

Solar Panels

Medsun Solar

Tel: 604 193 857

Email: info@medsunsolar.com

www.medsunsolar.com

Swimming Pools

Leak Tech

Tel: 966 194 179 / 627 752 965

Info@leak-tech.net

www.leak-tech.net

Please donate any items for families in need

Opening Hours

Tuesday & Friday 10am - 1pm

Thank you for your support

Helping over 200 families far and wide Find us on Facebook

We Need Your Help

Always help someone. You might be the only one that does.

Seagate are pleased to support the amazing charity A Helping Hand - a food and clothes bank charity.

They support hundreds of families that are in poverty and in crisis and they urgently need food and clothes donations from you. There is a constant need for help with simply the basic staples such as tuna, toilet paper, milk, tinned food, pasta, rice, soup mix, baked beans, olive oil. They also need hygiene

items such as washing detergent, shower gel, shampoo as well as baby items needed are nappies, hero baby milk 1 and 2 and baby wipes.

As we begin 2024, they are hoping to be able to provide for families throughout the next few months when times are hardest. January, February, and March are the toughest times for this charity, so please spare a thought and give what you can. You can drop o

your donation to their base in San Luis on Tuesday or Friday morning from 10am until 1pm or at over 20 drop o places around the area –check their Facebook page for locations. There are many bars and restaurants that also support the charity, as does BIG FM who are also a drop o point.

As the message on their Facebook page says, “Always Help Someone –You Might Be The Only One That Does”.

Hotel Algorfa on the Costa Blanca stands out not only for its exceptional accommodation but also for o ering the best entertainment experience in the region. From live music performances to themed parties and recreational activities, guests are guaranteed a memorable stay. The hotel’s commitment to providing topnotch entertainment options alongside comfortable rooms and excellent amenities sets it apart as a prime destination for travelers looking to unwind and have a fantastic time on the beautiful Costa Blanca. Whether guests seek relaxation or excitement, Hotel Algorfa delivers an unforgettable experience that caters to

Melody Makers singing group are feeling blue

Melody Makers, the Quesada based singing group unveiled their new summer look this week, where there was an array of blue on show.

The local group often perform in public to raise money for various charities, if you would like them to appear at your charity event or fundraiser, please contact them?

Melody Makers next public

performance is at the Lakeside Bar and Restaurant at their Easter Event on Sunday 31st March 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

Melody Makers is an international, mixed singing group, they are always looking for new members to join them, singing all genres of music from the 60’s to the present day. They are a friendly group, so why not

come along any Tuesday and have a chat with one of the members. No audition necessary and rst session free, so what have you to lose? They rehearse every Tuesday 2pm – 4pm at the Lakeview Bar and Restaurant, Calle Toledo 16, Quesada, 03170.

For further enquiries: lorraine. simpson@yahoo.co.uk or WhatsApp +34 663 75 17 73.

Movers and Shakers AGM meeting held

At the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Movers and Shakers on Thursday last, the President thanked local people for all the support the Association had received during 2023 – thanks were also extended to the Committee and Ambassadors to the Association: John from Restaurant Giovanni in Almoradi and Nikki and Steve from the Pines Restaurant in Benijofar.

This unstinting support contributed greatly to the Association’s ability to raise funds. As the Treasurer reported 8,813€ had been awarded through the Grant’s Scheme for equipment and respite care to improve the quality of life of the Members.

During her report, the

President highlighted instances of events organised by those other than the Committee during 2023: Member Alan Bannister organising two events raised 903€ for the Association and 580€ to be shared equally with another charity.

The Quesada Ladies Club raising 700€ at their summer fayre.

• Imanyo’s Golf Society donating 400€

• A Friend of the Association, Sandra Doolan, organising a cream tea and raising 423€

The President focussed on the essential role of volunteers and said:

“We are managed and run completely by volunteers. In a way, the Association is like a

jigsaw puzzle – all the pieces are made up of people contributing to the whole. A volunteer does not have to be an expert in a particular eld.”

“A good example of this is the volunteer Liaison O cer. As the membership increases so does the workload and we have been advertising for someone to work with Odette who would assist with meeting new Members to pro er advice about form lling, for example, the attendance allowance in the UK, providing information about other voluntary organisations or accessing Social Services.”

Anyone who is interested in volunteering for the Association may contact the President on: +34 711 008 250 or email at: marion.smith@amscb.org.es

From left to right: Treasurer Peter Jones, President Marion Smith, and Secretary Margaret Tozer

Health & Beauty

Do you want to feel Slim this summer?

Slim4Life Spring Special O ers will get you looking and feeling your best.

Like our award winners, join our fabulous supportive group of slimmers.

Slim4Life yearly awards presentation was held in their studio garden on Friday 23rd February.

The award celebrates both the Slimmer of year and the Maintainer of the Year.

For losing 5 stone Carey George was the front runner this year. Carey has also now been on maintenance for 6 months.

The successful Maintainer was Donna Gay, who has lost 6 and half stone and maintained for the year.

Slim4Life is not a diet club, but a Health and Slim4Life lifestyle group.

Other successful clients all received awards for their incredible weight loss results with SLIM4LIFE 2023 Slimmers of the Year

We all have hair on our bodies that we wish we didn’t have. From our legs to our faces to our underarms, we spend hours of our lives shaving, waxing, and removing that unwanted hair.

But there is a better way and here at Indiana’s hair and lash boutique we are so excited to announce this treatment will be available soon…

Laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is one of the most e ective ways to remove unwanted body hair. If you’re tired of shaving and waxing but aren’t quite sure if you’re ready for laser treatment, keep reading.

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a simple process, as long as it’s performed by a trained laser technician.

Here’s how it works:

A trained technician applies a laser light to the area of unwanted hair.

The pulses of light emitted by the laser attack the hair and the follicle, destroying the hair at the root and preventing it from growing back.

Hair grows in three di erent phases, and for the laser to e ectively destroy the root, the hair needs to be in the growth phase.

It is for this reason that multiple treatments are required. In order to capture each hair in that growth phase, you will need to have several sessions spaced out roughly four weeks apart.

Laser hair removal is the best method for permanent hair removal. Ready to learn why?

Here are just some of the bene ts of laser hair removal treatment:

1. It’s Quick

If it’s a quick solution you’re searching for, laser hair removal is the fastest way to get rid of unwanted hair.

You will have to have multiple treatment sessions, but most sessions only take a few minutes. The smaller the treatment area, the less time you’ll spend under the laser.

2. It’s Less Painful Than Other Hair Removal Methods

Laser hair removal is a lot less painful than most people think. Many people equate it to the feeling of snapping a rubber band against the skin.

Depending on your threshold for pain, you may nd it slightly uncomfortable, but the sessions are so fast that most people nd it easy to

endure.

3. It’s Precise

Laser technology is incredibly precise, making laser hair removal ideal for people looking to target and remove a few speci c hairs.

This makes it a great option, even if you’re looking to remove small areas of hair from the upper lip, nose, bikini line, or hairline.

4.

It Can Remove Hair From Any Part of the Body

With the exception of the eyelashes, laser hair removal can be performed on any part of the body.

It’s especially ideal for the back and bikini area, which can be hard to reach with razors and extremely painful to

wax.

5. It Prevents Ingrown Hairs

Shaving, waxing, and other methods of hair removal can cause ingrown hairs. If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, laser hair removal is an excellent option.

By destroying the hair at the root, you’ll never have to worry about those pesky hairs growing back in or curling back into the body and becoming ingrown.

6. It Saves You From Having to Endure Regrowth

Some methods, such as waxing and plucking, require that you endure a bit of regrowth in between sessions. With laser hair removal, you can enjoy smooth, hair-free skin at all times.

7. It’s a Long-Term Solution

Most people see permanent, lasting results with laser hair removal. In some cases, you may need a touch-up a few months or years down the line, but it remains one of the best long-term solutions available. At minimum, you will see a permanent reduction in hair growth that becomes easier to maintain over time.

Because it’s a long-term solution, it’s also cost e ective. Over the course of your lifetime, you can save hundreds or even thousands of euros, as there won’t be a need for monthly waxes or razor blade re lls.

Keep in mind that while laser hair removal works on all di erent skin tones, it is most e ective on people with light skin and dark hair. People with darker skin tones may experience temporary hyperpigmentation of the skin in the treated area.

If you’re fed up with tweezing, spending money on expensive razor blades, and making waxing appointments, it’s time to consider laser hair removal treatment. The side e ects of laser hair removal are minimal, and when the size of the area is small, treatment sessions only take a few minutes.

Why not phone or message Indiana’s Hair and Lash Boutique for more information and be hair free for summer.

Slim4Life Maintainer of the Year award to Donna Gay

Slim4Life Slimmer of the Year 2023 award to Carey George. Presented to a delighted Carey by Shirley Latham

Health & Beauty

Our family WhatsApp group is a nightmare. When one of us has booked a holiday, photos appear on the group of the resort, and how much it cost; this is before they have even gone. There then follows a boast by someone else who says they are going on an expensive cruise this year, and so on.... If my cousin posts photos of her grandchildren, there immediately follows a bombardment of similar photos from the rest of the family. When my niece graduated from University last year, there was only one message of congratulations and a jolly well done, (from me); most of the family did not respond, and the ones who did, could only manage a ‘thumbs up’. Then followed other posts of their kids achievements, with one saying that their child was also going to University next year. I saw my sister at the supermarket the following week, and she said she had been hurt that no one had properly congratulated her daughter, who knew she had Autism and had worked very hard to get to there. I honestly wonder if these people ever think of anyone but themselves. I want to leave the group; I came off Facebook for the same reason. When did being in a family become so unpleasant.

In my experience families have always been overtly competitive and unpleasant - it’s nothing new, but matters have been made rather worse by the creation of the Internet, and subsequent platforms such as Facebook and other chat groups. Of course there’s nothing stopping you from leaving the group; but not before posting one last message saying that you haven’t got time to read all the threads, and would rather meet up in person at the next holiday; but be warned, they may then subject you to a well rehearsed diatribe.

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.

Between 16 and 25 patients pass through the Sleep Clinic of the Vega Baja Hospital every Tuesday

It is increasingly common to come across people who claim to have sleeping problems: they have trouble falling asleep, they wake up a lot during the night or they wake up tired without the feeling of having had a restful sleep. And, furthermore, it is also increasingly common among young people.

In the Sleep Unit of the Vega Baja Hospital in Orihuela , between 16 and 25 patients visit the pulmonologist Sonia Martínez every Tuesday. It is the area of Pulmonology that treats these patients, since sleep apnea is a common disorder where breathing is interrupted or becomes very shallow. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea: this occurs when the upper airways become blocked many times during sleep, reducing or completely stopping air ow.

Sleep apnea “is a syndrome that is characterized by several symptoms; patients may have several sudden awakenings at night that occur after respiratory arrest. These are patients who get up many times to urinate because the kidney does not rest because they do not have a deep sleep and, because they do not have a deep sleep, the patient wakes up feeling like they have not had a restful sleep, tired and sometimes with a headache due to lack of oxygen at night. And since they haven’t rested, they are very sleepy during the day,” the doctor explains.

“The majority of these patients come for consultation for the rst time, some to collect results and others to check the device, but

every week about 16 new cases come for suspected sleep apnea,” says Martínez, who adds that this problem with the sleep “we are seeing it in patients of all ages, from even 20 years onwards. “Really in recent years we are seeing many more young patients.”

The main cause of this syndrome is obesity: “these are patients who are signi cantly overweight and who usually sleep on their backs; these two factors are what determine the collapse of the airway when the patient is asleep. The rst provisional treatment is to lose weight and we give them room to lose weight because that is what really solves sleep apnea, many times it is not easy for an obese patient to lose weight and they also become fond of the device that we send to sleep with which “They sleep wonderfully and forget to lose weight, that’s when sleep apnea becomes chronic,” says the pulmonologist.

On other occasions, the doctor explains to us that there may be people without obesity but with sleep apnea: “In these cases it is when the walls of the pharynx are very accid and collapse easily or with nasal problems such as vegetations or deviation of the nasal septum. . In these cases we recommend surgical operation to clear the air entry.

But the doctor insists that “obesity is the pandemic of the 21st century. Young people who come to consultation with sleep problems weigh at least 100 kilos. “It is a problem related to obesity and not age.”

The person in charge of the speci c consultation at the Sleep Unit of the Vega Baja Hospital advises, rst of all, to avoid obesity, to lead a healthy life to avoid the main risk factor not only for sleep problems but also for any health problem. . Secondly, avoid heavy dinners. It is advisable to have a light dinner so that digestion does not prevent our sleep. He also recommends always going to bed at the same time “because if you get the body used to it, it will get used to the fact that when that time arrives it is time to sleep, the body will even ask us to sleep when that time approaches.” But to do this it is also necessary to avoid light stimuli such as lamps or digital devices.

If falling asleep is also di cult for some people, in those cases he recommends taking melatonin: “It is the natural sleep hormone, there are people who have a low level of melatonin and this helps you fall asleep. It can be purchased in pharmacies or prescribed by your family doctor. What we do not recommend are benzodiazepinetype pills, which are psychotropic medications with sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, antiepileptic, amnestic and muscle-relaxing e ects, such as Or dal or Diazepam. The doctor explains that “these pills, in addition to creating dependency, have a tolerance e ect that means that as time goes by you need more doses to fall asleep and they depress the central nervous system and make you breathe less often throughout the night.”

Green lines tested on Spanish roads, but their signifi an e remains n lear

Spain’s road network boasts a plethora of markings and signs designed to enhance driving safety. Among the latest additions are green lines

positioned parallel to the hard shoulder white lines delineating road edges. However, the introduction of these colored lines has sparked

curiosity among motorists regarding their purpose.

The Directorate-General for Tra c (DGT), Spain’s roads authority, has clari ed that the green lines serve as an early indication of upcoming road con gurations. Positioned alongside the hard shoulder lines, these lines aid drivers in anticipating road conditions, thus reducing potential hazards and enhancing situational awareness.

Currently undergoing trials on the CL613 route from Palencia to Guardo, this

innovative measure mirrors practices already adopted in several European countries for interurban areas.

The signi cance of the green line lies in its e cacy as a visual aid, particularly on secondary roads. Its distinctive color renders it more conspicuous from a distance compared to traditional white lines. While currently undergoing trials in Palencia and León, the DGT may consider permanent installation based on the evaluation of the testing phase.

The overarching goal of this initiative, according to the DGT, is not only to curtail tra c accidents but also to foster a culture of responsible driving committed to road safety.

Despite substantial improvements in road safety in Spain in recent years, there remains room for progress. Initiatives like the green line are pivotal in advancing road safety standards, with the ultimate aim of reducing accidents, injuries, and fatalities on Spanish roads.

decade, the company anticipates hosting up to 10,000 tourists annually, facilitating simultaneous ights from its diverse launch sites. Ticket reservations are expected to open by the year’s end or early next year.

POOL MAINTENANCE

CHURCH AND CHARITIES

International Christian Assembly Evangelical Church. We welcome you to Sunday

Service at 11am (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 Montsinos. 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 - Service starts 6.30PM every Thursday. Contact Dot 634 320 013 Email: dorothydorothy608@gmail.com

WHAT´S ON

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Abbey Anglers

On Tuesday the 12th of March we shed the second round of the Spring cup on the Rio Segura in Murcia Town centre. Upon arrival the river was slightly low and running at a normal pace and despite a cold start it soon warmed up and the match was shed in nice sunny conditions.

The match was split into two sections with 5 anglers from the bottom of the ramp to the other side of the rst bridge and another six anglers forming the next section.

Winner on the day from peg 2 just after the reeds was Terry Stroud. Terry shed the method feeder with wafters tight across initially and late on caught a few down the middle with the cage feeder with bread. He weighed 16.94kg to take a narrow victory. Terry has been having a baron shing spell of late and it was great to see him take the spoils.

In second place and fresh from his good result at the Iberian Masters was Richard Smith. Drawn on peg 9 towards the Crystal bridge he shed the bullet cage feeder loaded with liquidised bread and bread on the hook. Richard caught some quality carp and weighed 16.06kg.

In third place was Graham Patterson from peg 1 at the bottom of the ramp. Graham also shed the feeder and weighed 12.94kg.

We were once again treated to a Victor

Meldrew moment by none other than our resident comedian, Richard Wood. Fresh from the weekends rally incident, on this occasion he left a sh in his net at the weigh in. His weight of 12.68kg was good enough for 4th place but he would have moved up slightly had he weighed the mislaid carp of about a kilo. Rods N Reels

The following day we shed the El Bosquet complex. 15 anglers turned up and we shed the match on pegs A1 to 16.

Winner from the end peg 16 was Jean Pierre Van Crussan, JP to his mates. Jean shed a small bomb with maggots or pellet and weighed 14 kilos.

In second place was the usual suspect, Neil McBirnie who shed the pole with borrowed maggots for 13.48kg.

Neil was followed closely by Richard Smith with 12.06kgs. The other sections were won by Alan Priest on peg 1 with 11.04kg and myself, Ian Brown from peg 11 with 9.40kg.

The next big match in the calendar will be the spring festival this will be held at the El Bosquet complex on Tuesday and Wednesday the 26th and 27th of March.

All the pegs will be used and the venue will be closed to the general public on these two days. Ian Brown

www.abbeyangling.es

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