Euro Weekly News - Mallorca 26 November - 2 December 2020 Issue 1847

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The people’s paper ISSUE NO. 1847

26 Nov - 2 Dec 2020

MALLORCA • WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

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HISPANO-ITALIAN SUMMIT THE Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, received the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, in the Patio of the Al­ mudaina Palace, in Palma at the beginning of the 19th His­ pano­Italian Summit on Wednesday November 25.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and senior Italian ministers met with Prime Minister Sánchez ac­ companied by members of his government to discuss a num­ ber of matters of mutual inter­ est.

Although the two met re­ cently (October) in Rome the decision to resurrect what used

to be a regular bilateral meet­ ing shows how closely the two wish to work together, espe­ cially as their countries will be the main recipients of the Eu­ ropean Union Recovery Fund which is currently being held up by Hungary and Poland.

The venue of the Almudaina Palace in Palma was finally de­ cided upon after much consid­ eration because Mallorca is considered to be one of the communities least affected by Covid­19.

This is the first Hispano­Ital­ ian Summit to be held for sev­ en years, with then Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy host­ ing that meeting.

MUTUAL INTERESTS: The two leaders at the Almudaina Palace.

An Epic Journey

Philip uses the sea and child’s paddling pool.

PHILIP JAMES BABER is swim­ ming around the entire navi­ gable 555 kilometres of Mal­ lorca to raise funds for the island’s Cancer Support Group, but with just a few days and 18 kilometres to go, he has raised €5,164 of his €7,000 target and needs help.

Philip is doing as much of this epic journey as he can on the open water, the remain­ der on a leash attached to a bungy attached to the back of his car in a tiny pool right out­ side his house in Mallorca’s Sierra De Traumantana mountain range.

He is doing this to raise awareness about the impor­ tance of Mallorca’s 980,000 residents respecting the need for many people with so­

called pre­existing medical conditions to be supported in their efforts not just to keep their immune systems as ro­ bust as possible but also, in

many cases, to continue self­ isolation until the risk of Covid­19 has disappeared.

The CSG supports people affected by cancer of all na­

tionalities and in donating money by calling 663 949 075 you will be helping to save lives as well as giving victims and their families respite.

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26 November - 2 December 2020

THE UK Government has written to more than 100,000 Brits living in Spain to help them prepare for the end of the transition period: • One of the largest UK Government direct mail campaigns to UK Nationals living in EU and EFTA member states, with 365,000 customers on Department for Work and Pensions

Message from the British Embassy (DWP) database contacted.

• UK Nationals resident before December 31 can continue living and working in Spain, but will need to register as soon as possible if they have not already done so.

• UK State Pensioners will

continue to receive their healthcare cover and pensions as they do now.

• UK Nationals Support Fund has so far assisted more than 37,000 UK Nationals in Spain.

The UK Government has written to 365,000 UK Nationals living in Europe with advice on the actions they need to take to prepare for the end of the UK transition period on De-

cember 31. This includes 102,087 letters issued to people on DWP’s database in Spain.

The letters, sent to UK State Pensioners and benefit recipients, give advice on how to register for residency and healthcare, exchange driving licences and check new passport validity rules online. It is one of the largest-ever mail outs by the UK Government to UK nation-

Palma Council budget THE Palma councillor for Citi­ zen Security, Joana Maria Adrover, has revealed that the 2021 budget for Local Police and the Fire Brigade will be €85,279,412.64 of which 75 per cent will be spent on the Police and 25 per cent on the Fire Service.

Around 50 per cent of run­ ning costs are taken up by salaries and associated costs and for the first time, the council will be looking to rent rather than purchase

cars and vans whilst €50,000 is aimed at the purchase of new motorcycles.

The council acknowledged that there has been a delay in paying overtime to both forces and that this will now be resolved with some €2.5 million back pay due to be reimbursed by the end of November.

In addition to new fire equipment, Fire Brigade offi­ cers will be issued newly de­ signed kit in the New Year.

als living in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

British Ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliott said: “Supporting UK Nationals is one of our highest priorities.

The organisations receiving funding to support British people with their residency are making a huge difference and, since 2017, we have organised nearly 300 outreach events.

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“Whilst face-to-face events are currently limited by Covid restrictions, we continue to provide support through our Facebook Live Q&As. “Our next session on residency is on December 1, so please do follow us on BritsinSpain on Facebook to take part.”

UK Nationals can find the most up-to- date information on actions they may need to take at gov.uk/livinginspain and on www.facebook.com/britsin spain.

Builder’s waster EARLIER this year large amounts of builder’s waste started to appear scattered alongside rubbish bins in Calvia and in No­ vember the local council issued a request to the public for as­ sistance in tracking down the culprits.

Although initially the matter was handled by Calvia Local Police, the Seprona Division of the Guardia Civil became in­ volved because of the volume of waste being illegally dumped on a regular basis in a protected area and between them, officers discovered the miscreants.

It appears that a company had been contracted by a builder working in Puerto Andraxt and instead of disposing of the material legally in an authorised dump, the contractor decided to save money by dumping the material illegally.

Action is now being taken against the contractor.

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NIBS EXTRA New HQ THE Mallorca Council has announced that it will pay for the construction of new headquarters for the Mallorca Fire Brigade in the industrial estate in Marratxi thanks to the supply of a suitable plot by the local council.

Woman arrested A DUTCH woman in her 60s has been arrested for allegedly attacking her husband with a bottle during an argument in their Palma flat as neighbours called the police due to the apparent ferocity of the row and the noise of the attack.

More parking THE Soller Council has plans to create a new multi-storey car park in an effort to reduce the problems with visitor traffic especially during the summer and once built, this will allow for certain streets to be designated pedestrian only.

Account query IT is understood that the finances of the Teatre Principal de Palma have been referred to the Madrid Court of Accounts as although annual audits suggested that the theatre was operating in surplus, up to €1 million appears to be unaccounted for.

WHILST many councils around Spain are reducing the amount spent on Christmas lights or scrapping them completely in order to divert the money to those in need, Palma Council is to have three separate Xmas lightshows.

Set in the Sa Murada area, the Ses Estacions park and Sa Ri­ era activities will run from 6pm to 10pm with different shows running up 35 minutes in length offering a selection of different light and music with a maxi­ mum capacity of 100 people and the possibility of entertain­ ing up to 4,000 people each night.

The light shows start today, Thursday November 26 and tickets must be reserved in ad­ vance on the ‘Tú fas Palma’ website whilst at

26 November - 2 December 2020

Xmas lights

Less adventurous Christmas lights from the past. https://bit.ly/UnaAbraçadaDeL lum there is a brief description of each of the nine different shows and their times.

The council has decided to go

ahead with these light shows in order to give local residents and their children something to cel­ ebrate and enjoy during these difficult times.

Diners’ addresses FOLLOWING a meeting be­ tween the Presidents of the two Balearic restaurant asso­ ciations CAEB and PIMEM and the Balearic Govern­ ment, a very controversial proposal has been postponed whilst new solutions are con­ sidered.

The original idea was that customers of bars and

restaurants would be re­ quired to give their names and addresses to the estab­ lishment so that it could be alerted in the event that a customer tests positive for Covid­19.

Complaints from the hospi­ tality sector as well as indi­ viduals about abuse of priva­ cy have prompted the

government to postpone (and possibly scrap) this mea­ sure whilst other ideas and proposals are considered.

One thing that was not es­ tablished during the meeting was the amount of aid that could be expected by estab­ lishments that are forced to install air purifiers on their premises.

Queen Forever S P A N I S H tribute band Q ueen Forever are back on the road after an extended break due to the pandemic and will be appearing at the Auditorium in P alma on F riday D ecember 11 at 9.30pm, subject to the usual regulations concerning the State of Alarm and social distancing.

They had a good 2019 playing before 6,000 people in Ibiza and getting into the semi-final of the T V G ot T alent show, but their main love is touring and this time, they will be celebrating Bohemian Rhapsody.

S o, if you have been starved of an evening of rock music, tickets to see Tolo Sanders (Freddie Mercury), Adrián Pujadas (Brian May), Diego Roldán (John Deacon), Haritz Caperochipi (Roger T aylor) and S ebastián R aimundo ( S pike Edney) are available from the Auditorium box office at €45 per person and are selling fast.

Dog seat belt fine A DRIVER in Calvia was sur­ prised to be stopped by Local Police and fined €80 (reduced to €40 if paid within 15 days) as his dog was not wearing a proper seat belt or restraint in the car he was driving.

According to the highway code, if anyone travels with a dog in their car anywhere in Spain, it must be well se­ cured so as not to fall, move

or affect the stability of the vehicle, nor should the ani­ mal distract the driver or im­ pair visibility.

According to the driver, he had a courtesy car as his was being tested for ITV and that the dog’s lead was tied to the seat belt on the back seat, but he accepts that the ani­ mal was not in a recognised restraint.

ALTHOUGH the Balearic Government has budgeted for a 0.9 per cent pay rise for civil servants, this does not include those working in the Balearic Parlia­ ment and all elected representatives will have their pay frozen during 2021.

Parliament has an overall operating budget of €14.7 million and three quar­ ters of this is spent on personal expenses whilst deputies (without other em­ ployment) salaries range from €57,949.92 (for sitting MPs without any portfo­ lio) to €72,106.51 for the President.

Payment is made for travel and accommodation costs for those representa­ tives from islands other than Mallorca who are required to attend Parliament.

AS it expects to see a dramatic increase in business in the run up to Christmas, the Marratxí Post Office has extended its opening hours so that instead of closing at 2.30pm, it will remain open for business until 6.30pm Monday to Friday.

EVEN though it admits that it may not have funding available, the Mallorca Council wishes to resurrect the 2010 plan to introduce a tram service from Palma to the airport and also extend an existing route so it is reviewing likely costs.

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Tree of Dreams Pay to be frozen

Opening hours

Tram service

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Manacor lockdown CHRISTMAS GIFTS: Launching the Tree of Dreams collection.

FOR the fourth year running, Caixa Bank branches in Spain will be running their Tree of Dreams initiative to provide Christmas gifts to vulnerable children and this will run in Mallorca for three weeks until December 11.

Customers of the bank’s 81 Mallorca branches will be encouraged to contact their local branch in order to find the wishes of a child, chosen by social services

or a charity as being deserving so that they can purchase the gift that they dream of.

Once it is purchased, wrapped and la­ belled, it can be dropped off at the same branch which will ensure that the gift is delivered in time for the Christmas cele­ bration.

Last year some 25,000 gifts were do­ nated across Spain thanks to this initiative.

ALTHOUGH the lockdown in Manacor was due to continue until Thursday No­ vember 26, the health department of the Balearic Government announced that due to the positive health situa­ tion, it was lifted two days early on No­ vember 24.

Spokesperson Pilar Costa said that because the number of new cases of the coronavirus pandemic reported daily over the two week period had dropped so quickly, it was appropriate to lift the lockdown.

Bicycle thief arrested OFFICERS from the Guardia Civil who had been investigating the theft of large numbers of expensive bicycles in the north of Mallorca since the sum­ mer had a breakthrough and arrested a 29­year­old male.

It appeared that he had been steal­ ing the bikes and supplying them to an outlet in Palma and when officers from Arta and Santa Margalida tackled the individual who lived in Alcudia, they discovered six bikes, one valued at around €9,000 as well as four elec­ tric scooters and other equipment.

In total some 80 bicycles valued at more than €85,000 were reported as stolen.

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26 November - 2 December 2020

Covid-19 card game A GROUP of Spaniards living in Ireland have created a card game based on the Covid­19 pandemic. The game, called simply Covid Game, was launched this month, and sold 500 copies in two days in Ireland. The game mixes the mechan­ ics of renowned card game UNO and the Spanish­created Virus game, but the theme is the pandemic.

It can be played by between two and six people, who will have to try to get four vaccines to win, while the rest of the play­ ers use coronavirus to prevent it. The creators decided to see the positive side of things and wanted to create something to keep people entertained in confinement while also learning

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COVID GAME: A small distraction from reality.

how the virus can spread. “It shows ways of spreading the virus, such as coughing, sneezing or shaking hands, and also how to protect ourselves with a mask , face shield, gloves, disinfec­ tant...,” they explain. These elements are on the cards, as well as some joke items such as toilet paper.

They say that they have not forgotten how bad things are, but wanted to make “a small distrac­ tion from the reality we are living in.”

The game is available in Spain from the creators’ website www.covidgame.me at €14.99.

Peacocks Administration A TOTAL of 4,700 jobs are now at risk as owners of fashion chains Peacocks and Jaeger announced on Thursday, November 19, that they have gone into administration.

The Covid­19 pandemic has made it hard for the group, controlled by retail billionaire Philip Day, to find a buyer for the two brands, which

have about 500 stores between them, and has meant they missed a deadline to sell.

“The continuing deterioration of the retail sector due to the impact of the pandemic and second lockdown has made this process longer and more complex than we would have hoped,” it said.

Things get Messi BARCELONA striker Lionel Messi had a nasty shock on Wednesday, November 18 when he returned from international duty with Argentina to find Spanish tax agents waiting for him as he touched down in Barcelona.

Messi, 33, didn’t even have a chance to enter the terminal before up to five officials boarded the customised jet, complete with a kitchen and two bathrooms, and asked the Barcelona captain and the entire crew to provide documentation.

Spanish sports daily, Marca, reported that Mes­ si was ordered to pay tax as he eventually headed through customs at Barcelona’s El Prat airport.

Speaking to reporters upon arrival, he said: “After 15 hours of flying, I come up against peo­ ple from the tax agency asking questions. It’s crazy.”

Uni testing A UK university is rolling out mass Covid testing for students before they head home for Christ­ mas.

The free asymptomatic tests will be available for all students planning to leave the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, over the inter­se­ mester break and those remaining in the town.

The tests are voluntary, but students have been strongly advised to take them as ‘young people, in particular, are likely to have no symp­ toms, but are still able to carry the virus back to family or friends over the holidays.’

The University is planning to open a Testing Centre by Monday, November 30, in the Universi­ ty Sports Centre.

World’s Deepest Diving Pool A 45.5­METRE (150­foot) deep diving pool, which opened near Warsaw, Poland last weekend, includes artificial underwater caves and Mayan ruins, and has 8,000 cubic metres of water ­ more than 20 times the amount in an ordinary 25­metre pool.

The €8.9 million Deepspot complex, which includes a small wreck for scuba and free divers to explore, can open despite Covid re­ strictions in Poland because it is a training centre.

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No Black Friday

CARREFOUR has agreed to suspend its ‘Black Friday’ sale events across France after Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called for supermarkets and online retailers to postpone them due to Covid lockdowns.

Shops selling non-essential goods are to remain closed during France’s second national lockdown and the events due to take place in stores across the country from November 27 to 29 are now set to be cancelled.

According to Reuters, a spokeswoman for Europe’s biggest retailer confirmed that Carrefour’s chairman and CEO Alexandre Bompard spoke with La Maire by telephone, stating: “Alexandre Bompard said he agreed to suspend the Black Friday operation from November 27 to November 29.”

26 November - 2 December 2020

56 Branches to Close Swedish

LLOYDS BANKING GROUP is still looking to lose 56 branches, which saw plans to push ahead paused because of Covid, resulting in around 160 job cuts by April 2021.

The company first announced the move back in January, however, the pandemic meant that it wasn’t able to carry out the plans, affecting not only Lloyds branches but also Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches.

According to the group, Lloyds

has already cut over 2,000 jobs since the start of September, after carrying out restructuring plans before the ‘second wave’ of the pandemic. A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson said: “In January this year we announced that these branches would be closing due to a decline in use.

“We paused these closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic and, after careful consideration, these planned closures will take place in March and April 2021.”

Pharmacy Testing CATALONIA: Pharmacies will start to perform tests.

PHARMACIES are set to help increase the number of Covid-19 tests that can be carried out in Catalonia. The Spanish Department of Health wants to make best use of the numerous pharmacies to increase testing capacity.

Once Catalonia starts to reopen in phases after the severe lockdown ends later this month, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health of the Generalitat, Marc Ramentol, wants to use the existing network of pharmacies in Catalonia to perform Covid-19 antigen tests.

Fugitive A SWEDISH crime gang fugitive, who was under a European Arrest and Surrender Order for the murder of two rival gang members, has been arrested in Barcelona.

National Police, in collaboration with the Stockholm-North Police, arrested the fugitive who worked as part of a gang known as the Risne Network in Barcelona and was also wanted for illegal possession of firearms, possession and use of explosives, extortion charges after demanding €293,756 and threatening to kill a third victim and his family, even exploding a device in front of the victim’s family home.

Upon searching two houses believed to be linked to the man, police officers seized various mobile phones, SIM cards, prepaid credit cards, cash and a 30cm blade machete.

Six other people were arrested as part of the investigation, and further raids uncovered explosives, a submachine gun and a pistol, as well as ammunition for these weapons.

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Parents pay up

ILLEGAL PARTY: Parents also wanted their children to do community service.

THE parents of 91 youths fined for holding an illegal party in Zamora in August each paid €3,000 fines and have asked that their children do community service.

The party, organised on social networks, attracted youths from all over Spain and was held in Vime de Sanabria, a town in Zamora with 60 inhabitants, between August 7 and 9.

The youths were evicted by court order by the Guardia Civil for breaching anti-Covid regulations.

The Castilla y Leon regional government delegation in Zamora, has confirmed that all of the fines have been received and processed, including €126,000 from the organiser of the event.

Many of the parents contacted the delegation to ask if, in addition to paying the fine, the youths can be given community service. They reportedly proposed this because they are so angry with their children for causing a health risk.

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26 November - 2 December 2020

VAT on Juice is unfair THE government has caused ‘confusion’ over plans to raise VAT on orange juice from 10 per cent 21 per cent, as if it were a sugary soft drink.

This has prompted the Ministry of Agricul­ ture to form a ‘common front’ with the re­ gional governments of Murcia and Andalucia to address the central executive and ‘reject’ such a ‘confusing move.’

They are asking that a natural product not be equated with drinks that are artificially sweetened, and have requested a meeting with the Ministry of Consumption, Alberto Garzon.

“An increase in VAT would mean an in­ crease in the cost of the final product and a

consequent decrease in consumption,” they have argued.

Minister Mireia Mollà, who plans to visit the Valencian citrus juice industry Zuvamesa, located in Parc Sagunt, recalled that added sugar is prohibited in fruit and vegetable juices by Royal Decree 28/2013 of October 11.

Therefore, “to tax the sugar naturally pre­ sent in the fruit creates confusion in the con­ sumer and has a negative impact on a strate­ gic sector for our territory.”

Mollà said a VAT increase would be “un­ fair” and would represent “a new blow to the juice industry, already very affected by the health crisis.”

Primitiva Millions - check now

A MASSIVE lotto win on the Primitiva Lottery means it’s time to check your tickets.

The draw held on Thursday Novem­ ber 19, in Madrid saw zero winners for the Special Category, although a winning ticket of €1.4 million was validated for the First Category.

A ticket sold in Nijar, Almeria, has won over €44,000 for a second category prize. There are also lucky winners for tickets sold in Barcelona, Madrid, and Asturias.

WINNING TICKETS: Sold in Barcelona and Madrid.

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HIGHWAY SAFETY

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TIPS FOR SAFER DRIVING Before setting off, adjust your mirrors, seats and climate controls so you don’t have to once you’re on the road. Wear your seatbelt at all times. Slowing down and reducing your speed gives you more time to react. Be constantly aware of what other drivers around you are doing and always expect the unexpected. Leave a two second distance gap between your vehicle and the one in front, and if the roads are wet, then double that distance to be on the safe side. Focus your attention on driving and don’t get distracted by your phone or any other electronic devices inside the car.

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Illegal Covid Tests GUARDIA CIVIL officers, as part of Operation CHERPI, have seized over 3,300 rapid Covid tests before going on sale illegally in various locations in the province of Valencia.

Two men and one woman, between the ages of 39 and 47, are being investigated for crimes against public health after officers learned through a pharmaceutical company that rapid Covid-19 tests were being carried out without authorisation, in a hardware

store in the town of Pobla de Vallbona and in a Bazaar in Manises.

After raiding an establishment believed to belong to the perpetrators, a bag with a Covid-19 test box was seized along with different utensils for its use, as well as used test kits too.

Guardia Civil officers ascertained that one of those under investigation had a contact within the pharmaceutical company and that several other companies had offered him

Ford factory closes THE Ford factory in Almussafes in the Valencian Community is set to close for a month, from December 17 to January 11, due to a drop in demand from the European market, particularly countries like the UK, France and Germany.

In a meeting between Ford bosses and ERTE, it was decided that these dates would have the least amount of impact on employees, as the plant was due to halt production for a few days over the Christmas period anyway.

At the beginning of November, Ford Almussafes had agreed to extend the ERTE to January 31, spreading 14 days of employment over the months of November, December and January. However, under the new agreement, all of the pre-arranged January stoppage dates will be moved to December.

significant money to purchase the rapid tests, all of various brands, which were being made available for use illegally.

Thief used child A 36-YEAR-OLD woman has been arrested in Malaga by the National Police for allegedly using a child to snatch books from a central bookstore, which she then sold online.

The owner of the shop lodged a complaint with authorities, claiming he had been ripped off to the value of €350 in a series of robberies on different days.

National Police explained in a statement that the thief followed the same modus operandi on every occasion, entering the bookstore with a child and when the proprietor’s back was turned, would slip the books into the child’s backpack to later sell online.

Police were able to trace the books through this online buying platform and arrested her.

80% recycle MORE than 37 million Spaniards - around 80 per cent of the population - claim to recycle.

According to data collected by Focus for Ecoembs, 95.3 per cent of those surveyed believe that recycling is important to curb climate change, with 80 per cent revealing they do so on a daily basis.

The organisation points out that every tonne of recycled plastic avoids 1.5 tonne less of greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2019 alone, 1,505,661 tons

of plastic containers, cans, cartons, paper and cardboard were recycled. This meant that 1.67 million tons less CO2 was emitted into the atmosphere - the same amount of carbon dioxide that a coal power plant emits in two months, says Ecoembs.

Recycling not only reduces polluting gases: thanks to reuse, 20.74 million cubic metres of water, 6.36 million Mwh of energy and 1.5 million tonnes of raw materials were saved.

Urban artist

PIONEERING urban artist Tamara Djurovic has died in Valencia, a city she settled in after years painting around the world.

The Argentine muralist’s work reflects the ‘innate strength of women’ and the day to day struggles they face, along with those who have fought for political or gender rights.

Known as ‘Hyuro’, Tamara was one of the few female artists who managed to break through in the field of international muralism.

In the last decade, she has completed projects in Argentina, Brazil, America, Morocco, Tunisia and Mexico.

Although she travelled across Spain, much of her ‘ground­breaking’ work can be found on Valencia City’s walls and buildings.

After a year fighting cancer, Tamara died at her home ‘with her mu­ sic, in peace and quiet, accompanied by her children and loved ones.’

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Police Fail ITV RENFE investment OVER 2,000 Guardia Civil vehicles have not passed the Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV) this year and at least 2,629 have accumulated more than 300,000 kms.

According to government figures, at least 3,562 vehicles of the fleet are older than 15 years old, however, if the renovation plans proposed by the Ministry of Interior are agreed to, the fleet will still not be ‘updated’ until 2028.

The worrying and ‘unfavourable reports’ on the ITV (Spain’s equivalent of the UK’s MOT) could have been even higher, according to the figures, since they did not include the data corresponding to Granada, Córdoba and A Coruña.

The highest incidence of failures has been found in the vehicles assigned to the Sevilla police force with over 290 failing to pass the ITV so far this year.

In some positive news for the Guardia Civil, vehi­ cles operating in Burgos, Ceuta and Murcia fully passed the inspection.

SPANISH railway company Renfe will make its largest investment in decades.

More than €3.5 billion will be invested in the renewal plan, starting in 2021, although the plan was launched last year. During the first half of the year, the company will award contracts to renew 50 per cent of its trains, which is expected to create 52,000 jobs. Most of the investment will be destined to improving short and medium distance services, which represent 80 per cent of Renfe’s operations.

There are some 1,016 trains, according to national reports, but since 2011 no new trains have been added, and many of those operating are more than 30 years

RENFE: New trains will be more energy efficient. old. Their estimated operating time limit is 40 years. New trains will be more secure, more accessible and more energy efficient and can run at up to 100 km/h.

Also in Renfe’s plans is to buy large capacity trains to service large urban areas. High speed trains will not be forgotten either, with some 40 new power heads planned.

Local Panaderias Essential PEOPLE now value their local Panaderia even more after lock­ down, after they tried baking for themselves. In March shelves were stripped of flour and other essentials as people tried to make their own bread. The home baking saw people value their lo­ cal Panaderia much more, as many returned after realising

how much skill a good loaf of bread takes to make, not to men­ tion the time and all the cleaning up afterwards.

The Provincial Association of Bakery and Pastry has found that local Panaderias are doing well during the Covid­19 restrictions, although larger bread manufac­ turers are suffering.

Immigrants get tents MILLIONS in European funds will be used to provide tents for 7,000 immigrants in the Canary Islands.

A total of €43 million will be used by the government to house 7,000 immigrants in temporary tents on Fuerteventura, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. The tents will be used to provide shelter for the people currently in the port of Arguineguin and in hotels. The port is currently housing over 1,300 immigrants and there are a further 5,500 people in various apartments and hotels.

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FEATURE

GO LOCAL

FEATURE

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26 November - 2 December 2020

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Advertising Feature

Two week Update THE House of Lords voted ‘overwhelmingly’ to strike out the parts of the Internal Market bill prejudicial to the Good Friday agreement. The election of Biden comes at an awkward time for the UK government, as Biden has criticised the bill, and if the UK does indeed end the year without an EU trade agreement, it will be more reliant than ever on cutting a deal with the US. The UK government missed its last possible deadline for agreement with the EU on a postBrexit trade deal, with a new target now for December 28. Chief Economist of the Bank of England Andy Haldane was typically optimistic that a Covid-19 vaccine means “things are going to get better at some point in the foreseeable future.”

Ten days ago, the European Parliament and the European Council agreed a €2 trillion package. Within days, Hungary and Poland vetoed it because they insist they are being unjustly treated for political reasons, and are refusing to back down. The assumption is that they will,

because to block the stimulus would be an act of economic self-harm, but it looks unlikely that they will do so in time for disbursements that had been planned for early January.

EU economic data did not figure highly in the fortunes of the euro. Eurozone inflation was steady at -0.3%, with national variations between Greece’s -2.0% and Slovakia’s 1.6%.

News that Biden had won the election was positive for global risk appetite, and a Biden Bounce sent equities and commodity currencies higher. It did nothing for the US dollar though, but it staged a recovery with the resurgence of Covid-19 inflections across the country. Trump continues to insist that he won the election, denying President-elect Joe Biden the chance to prepare for the transition in January.

A manifestation of that intransigence was when his Treasury Secretary instructed the Federal Reserve to return to the Treasury reserves intended to calm stressed markets. The Fed Chairman said no, raising concerns about the harmony of US monetary and fiscal policy.

A 3% rise in oil prices, which helped the NOK into first place, did influence the CAD but was not enough to overcome the drag of the USD. There were no problems among the Canadian economic data, almost all of which either met or exceeded forecast. A 1.5% increase in manufacturing sales more than compensated for the previous month’s 1.4% decline. Headline inflation came in at 0.7%, a four-month high.

Although, after nine years in the making, the ASEAN-centric Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was signed, bringing together 15 nations, including Australia and New Zealand. Embracing nearly a third of the world’s population and GDP, the RCEP could add $500 billion to world trade by 2030. Among a handful of appearances by Reserve Bank of Australia heavyweights, there were few references to economic and monetary policy. The highlight of the domestic economic data was employment. Unemployment rose to 7.0% even as the participation went up to 65.8% with the addition of 179k jobs. Investors were un-

Clarisse Musselwhite is Moneycorp’s Account Manager for Mallorca.

She can be contacted on Tel: +34 902 887 243 • Mobile: +34 687 932 472 Email:mallorca@moneycorp.com.

mallorca@moneycorp.com. derwhelmed and the Aussie did not budge.

As with the AUD, New Zealand’s participation in the RCEP can be expected to be positive for trade over time. The Kiwi did start the week strongly but that probably owed more to the weakness of the US dollar than to any trade optimism, as NZ data were in typically short supply. Its Business price indices showed manufacturers’ costs rising by 0.6% over the three months to September while factory gate prices fell 0.3%. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s monthly measure of credit card spending put spending in October 6.3% lower than in the same month last year.

To find out more about suitable solutions, please call us on +44 (0) 207 823 7400 or email partners@moneycorp.com Moneycorp is a trading name of TTT Moneycorp Limited which is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Service Regulations 2017 (reference number 308919) for the provision of payment services

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

26 November - 2 December 2020

EWN 15

Six tips for protecting and growing your wealth With current global economic uncertainty, prolonged low interest rates and the Brexit deadline on the way, it is more challenging to achieve decent returns and make the most of your money today. At times like this, careful planning plays an especially important role in securing financial security over the long term. Here are six key tips that can help.

1. Customise your strategy It is crucial that your investment approach is designed to meet your particular circumstances and goals, including your risk tolerance and income needs.

For example, are your financial arrangements tailored for your life in Spain or are they better suited to a UK resident?

With an ill-fitting investment portfolio, you could find that your money is not working as hard as you would like, is difficult to access, or is eaten away by inflation and/or unnecessary taxation.

By Cathal Rochford, Partner, Blevins Franks

2. Know your appetite for risk Before investing, you need to pinpoint the right balance of risk/return for your peace of mind, but it is extremely difficult to do this effectively yourself. An experienced adviser is best placed to ask the right questions and use appropriate tools to create a clear and objective risk profile for you. They can then recommend an appropriate blend of investments to match your specific profile.

3. Identify your timeline Generally, the longer you have to invest, the more risk you can afford to take. With time, you can ride out market volatility and benefit from compound returns.

Understanding your time horizon is also the key to ensuring your investments offer the right level of ‘liquidity’. You never know when your plans may change, so hold some liquid assets that can be easily sold if you need to access capital or change your strategy.

4. Diversify, diversify, diversify The higher your concentration in one particular investment type or area, the greater the risk. The best way to limit risk is diversification. By spreading out investments across asset classes, geographic regions and market sectors, you limit your exposure to any one area. You can take diversification further by choosing an adviser who uses a ‘multimanager’ approach to spread your investments out among several carefully-selected fund managers. This reduces your reliance

EUROPEAN NIBS DENMARK

GERMANY

Face masks

3D apartments

A STUDY of more than 6,000 Danes by specialist hospital Rigshospitalet was unable to find clear evidence that face masks provide significant protection against coronavirus transmission, although those involved do not rule out the fact that they might work.

A GERMAN construction company has begun work on a 3D printed three-storey apartment building located near Munich which will contain five separate apartments and the basic construction should be completed in six weeks before utilities are installed.

NETHERLANDS Threatening letters A SPATE of threatening letters sent to companies in the Netherlands continues and now with two new ones reported, a total of 17 around the country have received these letters which contain a white powder identified as pesticide.

BELGIUM Coke rebuff THE regional government in Brussels has decided not to renew the planning permission required for the huge CocaCola sign above the Place De Brouckère in the city centre as it is “out of proportion” according to one politician.

FRANCE No photos THE media in France is angry at a bill currently before the French Parliament which could make it illegal to film on duty police officers for security reasons, which means if passed, it would be difficult to films demonstrations or riots.

NORWAY Up in arms ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners are furious with the Norwegian government after it announced that it would offer licences for oil exploration in 136 blocks mainly in the Barents Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean, even though a previous offering is contested in court.

on any one manager making the right decisions in all market conditions.

5. Don’t overlook tax planning To help maximise your real returns and protect wealth for future generations, factor in tax planning when setting up your portfolio. Look for arrangements that shelter capital from tax while providing a tax-efficient income, and that enable you to transfer wealth to beneficiaries with minimal bureaucracy and inheritance taxes.

For expatriates, tax planning is complicated by having to work with the rules of more than one country. An adviser with crossborder expertise can ensure you meet your tax liabilities, in Spain and UK, while taking advantage of available opportunities.

6. Regularly review your strategy Your circumstances, aims and requirements often change over time. External influences such as changes in the law or tax rules

may also prompt a strategy rethink. You should review your financial planning around once a year to keep it on track, and with today’s challenging and changeable climate, regular reviews are even more important to help control risk and encourage a positive effect on portfolio performance.

To bring all these guidelines together, take personalised, quality advice from a regulated, locallybased adviser. With the right strategy in place for your life in Spain, you can help protect and grow your wealth – in real terms – not only during your lifetime but for the next generations to enjoy.

All advice received from Blevins Franks is personalised and provided in writing. This article, however, should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation or investment advice.

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com.

FINANCE EU Recovery Fund SPAIN plans to take full advantage of the financial aid in the European Union’s recovery fund, which could amount to €140 billion said Economy Minister Nadia Calviño at Bloomberg’s Capital Markets Forum Spain held on November 19.

UK borrowing THE Office for National Statistics (ONS) said UK borrowing hit £22.3 billion (€24.5 billion) last month, the highest October figure since monthly records began in 1993 and since April, total borrowing has hit £214.9 billion (€236.4 billion) thanks to the pandemic.

Pay freeze ACCORDING to the BBC, it understands that the Conservative government is considering a pay freeze for up to 5.5 million public sector workers in England which would include police, teachers and civil servants, but probably not NHS staff.

Car rental THE CEO and founder of Spanish specialist online car rental company Mario Carranza forecasts that consumers are ready to move away from the concept of purchasing cars and within the next decade will mainly rent for convenience and cost sake.

Electric vehicle recharging SPANISH energy companies are taking the concept of electric cars very seriously with two important announcements concerning deals with car manufacturers. Firstly, Ionity, the ultra-fast charging network in Europe comprising BMW, Mercedes Benz, Ford, Hyundai and Volkswagen (and its’ subsidiaries) has agreed with Cepsa to create an ultra-fast charging corridor which will connect Barcelona and Madrid.

Then, Porsche announced it has agreed with Iberdrola that it will install 35 Porsche Iberdrola High Power Charging Network stations across Spain which will be capable of recharging Porsche Taycan electric vehicles quickly.

STAT OF WEEK

www.euroweeklynews.com • 26 November - 2 December 2020

€210 million

turnover for small appliance firm Taurus as the Spanish company expands into Germany.

UK

A different Black Friday THIS year, Black Friday falls on November 27 and then the following Monday is Cyber Monday when stores online in particular reduce prices to promote trade.

In the past, shops have made some exceptional discounts on selected products in order to get people through their doors and often there have been quite unseemly struggles as bargain hunters fight with each other to get

their hands on the prizes.

This year will have to be different and some larger businesses are making all of their best offers online in order to protect both staff and customers from large crowds which would see social distancing com­ pletely ignored.

Like many other market­ ing ideas this one started in the USA and became popular about 20 years ago as the day after Thanksgiving was when

LEGALLY SPEAKING

people start to think about their Christmas shopping and took the day off fol­ lowing the Thursday public holiday.

Some argue that the name Black Friday origi­ nated in Philadelphia due to the volume of pedestri­ an and vehicle traffic which occurred on that day and it has since been adopted all over the world.

Another suggestion is that it is the day when re­

Vegan ice cream

Can they claim from president?

According to the Horizontal Act a community must hold an AGM at least once a year. The agenda items include the approval of the budget. The budget lists the expenditure and in­ come. At the meeting the owners may amend the budget and the financing and vote to raise or lower the fee each owner pays. Is this not correct? The State of Alarm has caused meetings to be delayed.

We have had our 2020 AGM. If no new AGM is held then the fees paid by owners have not been agreed at a meeting. Expenditures other than those for wa­ ter, electricity, insurance and maintenance can be regarded as ‘unauthorised.’ Can the owners later claim the costs from the president and administra­ tor?

R P (Costa del Sol) Let’s keep it simple.

The short answer YOU AND THE LAW is yes. With or IN SPAIN without specific authorisation of the AGM, the president of the com­ munity signs the cheques. He can be held responsi­ ble. If even one member of the community feels he has exceeded his authority, he can claim against the president for return of the money spent. The admin­ istrator, however, is an employee not an elected offi­ cer.

DAVID SEARL

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana and Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

consumer spending

tail stores start going into profit for the year, with their accounts coming out of the red and going into the black.

Whatever the reason, this has become a popular day to look for bargains and Spain has adopted the concept, although in the current climate there may not be much room to cut prices in smaller business­ es which have been hard hit by the various restric­ tions.

Credit: Pink Albatross

BUSINESS EXTRA

16

PINK ALBATROSS: Five top flavours to enjoy.

THEY claim that like the Alba­ tross, the founders of Spain’s first plant­based ice cream suitable for vegans and those with gluten problems, are mi­ grants by nature and be­ tween the two of them have lived in almost 15 countries which is why they named their brand Pink Albatross.

Pepe Biaggio and Luke Sal­ danha met through a mutual friend and since both are pas­ sionate about ice cream, the idea came up of creating an ice cream that everyone could enjoy, a product that was con­ sistent with their philosophy, principles and needs.

Not willing to give up his favourite dessert due to the paucity of good vegan fare,

Luke got together with Pepe, bought an ice cream machine, and began experimenting and creating ice cream at home.

Based in Madrid, the product is already in regional supermarkets and in online delivery platforms like Deliv­ eroo, but Pink Albatross wants to expand and fund­ ing is essential so, back in June they raised €551,000 and they have come to the attention of a German green food company and another headed by former directors of Nestlé.

Their dream now is to per­ suade Spanish supermarkets to stock their range of differ­ ent vegan ice creams and then expand across Europe.

TOTAL UK consumer spending in 2020 is expected to fall by a staggering £183.6 billion (€202 billion), a 14.9 per cent drop over 2019, due to the Covid­19 induced lockdowns, according to new research from Mintel’s flagship British Lifestyles report.

This equates to a drop in spending of around £6,600 (€7,250) per household ­ with the biggest decreases occur­ ring in the transport, food ser­ vice, and holiday industries.

Consumer spending in these three categories will fall by £140 billion (€154 billion) in total, or just over £5,000 (€5,500) per household ­ rep­ resenting around 77 per cent of the overall decline in con­ sumer spending this year.

Huge bonus MATT MOULDING, CEO of the Hut Group (THG), an e­com­ merce company which oper­ ates over 100 international websites selling fast­moving consumer goods and its own brand of beauty products, has just received a bonus.

It was based on share per­ formance which had to reach a certain level over 15 days and having achieved this, he has been granted shares in the company valued at around £828 million (€983 million).

He set the company up in 2004 with an initial invest­ ment of £500,000 (€550,000) and this year he is one of the best paid bosses in the world.

£500 million UK loan guarantee THE Government of Gibraltar in the form of Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo has welcomed the Written Ministerial State­ ment on Gibraltar’s Covid Response filed on November 19 by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & De­ velopment Affairs of the United King­

dom, Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP. The Written Ministerial Statement confirms that it has been agreed that the United Kingdom government will pro­ vide a loan guarantee to the Gibraltar government for a lending facility of up to £500 million.

This guarantee will provide resilience to the government’s finances by en­ abling Gibraltar to borrow at more favourable rates, relying on the UK gov­ ernment’s higher sovereign credit rating as the guarantor and confirming the Government of Gibraltar’s capacity to re­

pay the principal loan. The Chief Minister expressed his thanks to the British gov­ ernment and said “This is excellent news and I am delighted to be able to inform the community of this massive show of support from the United Kingdom at this difficult time.”

18 EWN

26 November - 2 December 2020

www.euroweeklynews.com

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US

LONDON - FTSE 100

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C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 23

PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3I Group 1.125,00 1.129,50 Admiral Group 2.899,0 2.932,0 Anglo American 2.177,0 2.185,1 Antofagasta 1.143,50 1.153,50 Ashtead Group 3.212,3 3.228,0 Associated British Foods 2.019,3 2.030,4 AstraZeneca 8.143,9 8.325,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 552,60 557,20 Avast 474,60 479,80 Aveva 4.257,8 4.300,0 Aviva 323,30 324,10 B&M European Value Retail SA494,80 499,10 BAE Systems 528,34 530,40 Barclays 139,47 140,86 Barratt Developments 649,00 656,60 Berkeley 4.791,0 4.824,0 BHP Group 1.678,60 1.686,00 BP 251,20 254,10 British American Tobacco 2.754,5 2.782,7 British Land Company 474,20 484,80 BT Group 120,76 123,65 Bunzl 2.417,0 2.441,0 Burberry Group 1.653,5 1.667,0 Carnival 1.201,0 1.204,5 Centrica 44,37 44,52 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.242,0 2.260,0 Compass 1.369,11 1.377,00 CRH 3.006,0 3.044,0 Croda Intl 6.220,0 6.314,0 DCC 5.562,0 5.682,0 Diageo 2.949,9 2.963,0 DS Smith 327,30 328,60 EasyJet 770,60 777,00 Experian 2.886,0 2.930,0 Ferguson 8.144,0 8.172,0 Flutter Entertainment 12.735,0 12.855,0 Fresnillo 1.140,50 1.150,00 GlaxoSmithKline 1.380,80 1.393,60 Glencore 199,99 200,20 Halma 2.361,0 2.386,0 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.488,25 1.508,30 Hikma Pharma 2.626,00 2.650,00 HSBC 382,75 385,40 IAG 164,55 166,50 Imperial Brands 1.491,39 1.498,50 Informa 574,40 582,60 InterContinental 4.561,0 4.586,0 Intermediate Capital 1.700,00 1.713,00 Intertek 6.136,0 6.162,0 ITV 91,88 93,90 J Sainsbury 218,00 219,90

% CHG. 1.118,50 2.891,0 2.154,5 1.141,00 3.209,0 1.995,9 8.136,7 552,60 468,60 4.224,6 321,18 491,20 525,80 139,18 648,95 4.781,0 1.665,40 248,37 2.752,3 472,40 120,65 2.417,0 1.638,5 1.173,7 43,92 2.241,0 1.356,50 3.005,0 6.204,0 5.562,0 2.943,9 325,10 747,13 2.864,0 8.122,0 12.730,0 1.130,50 1.380,06 197,02 2.357,0 1.484,63 2.618,00 379,48 161,00 1.486,80 574,00 4.508,0 1.695,83 6.135,8 91,59 217,40

NET VOL 48,18K 40,92K 26,75K 94,96K 6,55K 11,22K 59,37K 138,65K 521,66K 4,17K 540,52K 148,01K 152,84K 2,03M 61,99K 6,83K 382,77K 2,03M 17,74K 320,06K 3,92M 20,16K 78,28K 143,29K 1,33M 20,17K 36,64K 46,48K 22,39K 15,22K 23,46K 239,87K 489,66K 98,66K 7,46K 23,30K 80,11K 134,46K 2,47M 34,02K 23,05K 33,00K 390,05K 7,56M 50,62K 127,90K 17,42K 3,55K 1,02K 844,92K 274,24K

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

Johnson Matthey 2.308,0 JSC MMC Norilsk Nickel ADR 27,56 JSC VTB Bank DRC 0,944 Land Securities 682,10 Legal & General 263,00 Lloyds Banking 36,63 London Stock Exchange 8.092,0 Meggitt 388,80 Melrose Industries 162,57 Mondi 1.679,50 National Grid 929,00 NatWest Group 157,00 Next 6.750,0 Ocado 2.314,00 Persimmon 2.917,3 Phoenix 783,40 Prudential 1.276,50 Reckitt Benckiser 6.660,0 Relx 1.779,00 Rentokil 517,60 Rightmove 632,73 Rio Tinto PLC 4.858,0 Rolls-Royce Holdings 102,00 Rosneft 6,18 Royal Dutch Shell A 1.274,75 Royal Dutch Shell A 1.275,8 Royal Dutch Shell B 1.230,2 RSA Insurance 677,00 Sage 584,32 Samsung Electronics DRC 1.518,00 Sberbank 13,24 Schroders 3.058,0 Scottish Mortgage 1.049,06 Segro 912,20 Severn Trent 2.453,0 Smith & Nephew 1.461,44 Smiths Group 1.570,81 Spirax-Sarco Engineering 11.675,0 SSE 1.385,00 St. James’s Place 1.080,90 Standard Chartered 447,90 Standard Life Aberdeen 273,00 Taylor Wimpey 168,25 Tesco 230,56 Tui 476,15 Unilever 4.432,0 United Utilities 910,80 Vodafone Group PLC 123,67 Whitbread 3.060,0 WPP 737,40

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

2.361,0 27,61 0,948 694,00 263,80 36,80 8.182,0 396,40 163,70 1.680,00 930,60 159,15 6.756,0 2.327,00 2.938,3 783,40 1.286,50 6.740,0 1.790,70 524,80 644,20 4.865,0 104,00 6,20 1.285,70 1.286,0 1.239,0 679,00 591,00 1.518,00 13,34 3.061,6 1.060,00 917,80 2.464,0 1.473,50 1.587,50 11.845,0 1.390,24 1.097,00 450,90 273,39 169,90 232,50 478,96 4.466,0 917,60 124,46 3.085,4 742,00

2.297,0 27,52 0,941 679,40 260,07 36,14 8.090,0 387,90 160,20 1.671,50 925,40 156,80 6.640,0 2.278,37 2.890,0 778,00 1.274,50 6.650,0 1.775,50 516,40 632,73 4.803,0 100,82 6,14 1.264,20 1.262,0 1.218,4 676,00 574,40 1.517,00 13,18 3.020,0 1.045,00 910,80 2.446,0 1.459,00 1.569,26 11.667,4 1.367,00 1.080,90 443,60 269,40 168,05 230,30 450,10 4.419,0 902,60 123,31 3.030,4 737,40

35,59K 1,08K 40,29K 168,58K 893,88K 22,00M 3,60K 367,47K 985,42K 41,34K 417,29K 2,52M 21,25K 14,00K 56,65K 112,71K 204,89K 52,24K 9,59K 179,11K 11,14K 224,06K 7,81M 186,75K 38,77K 54,53K 1,34M 1,96M 333,69K 0,01K 345,07K 3,90K 314,42K 80,11K 19,99K 14,21K 4,93K 0,15K 34,90K 24,80K 486,15K 97,42K 440,52K 238,41K 502,21K 40,95K 132,26K 1,13M 28,79K 22,27K

0.88813

1.12264 Units per €

US dollar (USD) ......................................1.18714 Japan yen (JPY)......................................123.201 Switzerland franc (CHF) .........................1.08046 Denmark kroner (DKK) ...........................7.44733 Norway kroner (NOK) .............................10.6496

currenciesdirect.com/mallorca • Tel: +34 687 906 226 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 23

COMPANY 3M Alphabet C Amazon.com Amgen Apple Boeing Caterpillar Chevron Cisco Coca-Cola Facebook Goldman Sachs Home Depot Honeywell IBM Intel J&J JPMorgan McDonald’s Merck&Co Microsoft Nike Procter&Gamble Salesforce.com Tesla UnitedHealth Verizon Visa A Walmart Walt Disney

PRICE 172,89 1.742,19 3.099,40 223,17 117,34 199,62 172,23 85,79 40,97 52,67 269,70 223,35 269,81 202,00 116,94 45,39 146,36 114,57 214,09 80,45 210,39 132,98 139,30 258,04 489,61 334,70 60,04 203,88 150,24 141,07

CHANGE 172,95 1.774,00 3.132,89 225,09 118,77 206,58 173,12 86,31 41,39 53,25 273,00 224,81 272,37 203,33 118,04 45,88 147,94 115,65 215,22 80,81 213,29 133,53 140,35 265,02 502,50 337,66 60,33 208,11 152,76 142,61

CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 170,96 2,66M 1.741,86 2,31M 3.098,05 3,38M 221,48 2,96M 117,29 73,60M 199,17 18,23M 171,31 2,45M 84,88 8,30M 40,92 19,78M 52,59 15,65M 269,41 18,12M 222,63 1,85M 268,87 4,11M 200,50 2,36M 116,69 5,02M 45,33 24,20M 146,13 6,36M 114,09 12,72M 213,63 3,93M 79,73 8,03M 210,00 22,84M 131,91 4,32M 138,63 4,73M 257,82 7,29M 489,06 32,91M 331,71 3,70M 59,95 14,23M 203,81 9,65M 149,81 7,32M 140,86 8,49M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 23

COMPANY

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

+3.41% +2.64% +6.11% +2.62% +5.71% +2.23% +30.46% +3.59% +9.63% +4.50% +5.88%

615,525 4,487 12.59M 754,528 1.39M 347,658 3.95M 685,928 6.78M 2.74M 541,161

-1.26% -1.23% -9.27% -0.91% -0.57% -4.47% -4.65% -2.62% -3.80% -1.61% -1.93%

1.39M 2.31M 12.27M 307,785 3.38M 1.66M 208,877 8.53M 2.37M 4,152 32.91M

Most Advanced MercadoLibre Inc. Broadcom Inc. 8% Pfd. Series A Zoom Video Communications Inc. Trade Desk Inc. Cl A SolarEdge Technologies Inc. MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Dada Nexus Ltd. ADR MongoDB Inc. BioNTech SE ADR Atlassian Corp. PLC Cl A Bandwidth Inc. Cl A

Most Declined Alphabet Inc. Cl A Alphabet Inc. Cl C Workday Inc. Cl A Booking Holdings Inc. Amazon.com Inc. DexCom Inc. Credit Acceptance Corp.

NVIDIA Corp.

Intuit Inc. Atrion Corp.

Tesla Inc.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

Credit: Steve Bates CC/Norwegian Air

Norwegian Air seeks protection

NORWEGIAN AIR: Will continue to operate its route network and trade as normal.

FOLLOWING the government of Norway’s decision to withhold further support from the airline, and the on­ going Covid­19 pandemic, Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (Norwegian) has decided to initiate an examinership process in Ireland.

Norwegian has chosen an Irish process since its aircraft assets are held in Ireland and has taken this decision in the interest of its stake­ holders.

The purpose of the process is to reduce debt, rightsize the fleet and secure new capital. This reorganisa­ tion process protects the as­ sets of the Norwegian group while allowing the company to focus on the rightsizing of the group. The process is es­ timated to take up to five months.

Norwegian will continue to operate its route network

(currently limited due to the Covid situation) and trade as normal on the Oslo Stock Ex­ change Jacob Schram, Norwegian CEO, said: “Seeking protec­ tion to reorganise under Irish law is a decision that we have taken to secure the future of Norwegian for the benefit of our employees, customers and investors.

“Our aim is to find solu­ tions with our stakeholders that will allow us to emerge as a financially stronger and secure airline.”

The process of examiner­ ship in Ireland allows finan­ cially sustainable businesses to address elements of the business which require re­ structuring with the aim of protecting jobs and preserv­ ing the core value of the business.

Based on Norwegian’s cur­ rent cash position and the

Bank art collection THE first incarnation of what was to become the Bank of Spain was founded in 1782 and one of its first acts was to commission six paintings by young Spanish artist Francisco Goya and this started a trend that is followed by banks around the world.

Nowadays, many artists who are looking for recognition are being sought out by curators of bank’s collections throughout the world and they are becoming major sponsors of modern art with the expectation of some of the artworks becoming very valuable.

projections going forward, the company believes it has sufficient liquidity to go through the above­men­ tioned process.

BUSINESS EXTRA Four day week A NUMBER of Socialist and Green politicians from the UK, Germany and Spain have written to leaders including Boris Johnson and Pedro Sánchez encouraging them to introduce a four day working week to help combat mental health and employ more people.

No thanks THE Financial Times has reported that UK government officials are seriously considering publicly encouraging people to stop sending emails which simply say thanks as by doing this, there would be a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

McPology AS restaurants in the UK have closed and more people are using fast food delivery, McDonald’s is the first large supplier to apologise for breaching health and safety rules by not allowing those making deliveries to use toilets and washing facilities.

26 November - 2 December 2020

EWN 19

20 EWN

26 November - 2 December 2020

Carer arrested A CARER was arrested in Tocina, Sevilla, charged with stealing the jewellery of the elderly woman she cared for following her death.

Her accomplice was also arrested after they sold the jewellery at a pawn shop.

The detainees allegedly made a copy of the elderly woman’s house keys, and when the

woman died, returned the original keys to the family. When the jewellery was reported missing, Guardia Civil launched an investigation which included everyone who had access to the house.

The man had sold all of the victim’s gold jewellery, except a watch, which was returned to the woman’s son.

Online Booze Boom WINE retailer, Naked Wines, contributed to an online alcohol delivery boom this year as national and local lockdowns drove more people to order booze to be delivered.

Naked Wines saw sales online jump by 80 per cent in the six months to the end of September, with their base of active customers, who pay £20 (€22) into their account each month to spend on wine from indepen­ dent producers, jumping by 37 per cent in the last 12 months.

This means an increase of around 204,000 to 757,000 customers and has seen the company double its warehouse capacity in the face of a boom in de­ mand.

www.euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

The battle is already lost LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT SOMETIMES the double standards and pure unadulterated hypocrisy of the BBC simply defies the imagination. They have now decided to censor ‘A Fairy Tale of New York,’ the longtime Christmas classic by the Pogues ­ in case it upsets its younger listeners.

What a load of pure and utter codswallop. This is the same company that gives airtime to the mind numbing rap performers, whose lyrics often glorify the very worst the youth of today has to offer.

To be quite honest, I have always thought the lyrics of ‘Fairytale’ were a little on the strong side; but if it does need to be censored or banned, I suggest that the BBC gets its priorities right and starts restraining some of the so­called ‘music’ that promotes the gang cultures and other mind numbing rubbish that is corrupting our young and destroying all their sense of common decency and respect.

Basically what the BBC are telling its ‘younger listeners’ is that it’s ok to promote drugs and murder, but not ok to talk about ‘faggots in a drunk tank.’

Neither sentiment is particularly endearing, but given the choice it’s a no brainer. Mind you, we’d better tread carefully here, heaven forbid we should ‘upset’ anyone!

This next observation comes under the ‘just when you thought you’d heard it all’ heading. A bunch of illegal immigrants, who recently landed in the Balearics, have gone on hunger strike! They complained that they were not allowed to ‘come and go’ in the hotel in which they were ensconced.

Apparently, since their arrival, there had also been allegations of theft and hostility toward staff ­ with one immigrant complaining that his room didn’t have a sea view! Doesn’t this just show the contempt these entitlement refugees have for those in the West and in particular the UK? These people come from cultures whose morals and standards were exceeded by ours centuries ago. Most of them will never integrate or bring anything of value to our way of life. You

don’t bring people like this up to your standards; they drag you down to theirs; defecating in the street for example! The snowflakes that condone our liberal immigration policies never come near these illegals in real life.

The closest the privileged politicians and their cronies come to mixing with different cultures is with individuals that are already themselves privileged. It is the ordinary men and woman in the street that are forced to experience the bewildering change and culture upheaval as their localities are taken over and subsequently altered forever by the thousands of total strangers they are expected (often by law), to live and integrate with.

Well, I’ve always maintained it would all end in violence, but with the lily livered PC politicians selling out to Saudi money, I think the battle is already lost. There is one bright spark on the horizon however.

Apparently we have now beaten the flu virus. This year reported flu cases are down by a staggering 98 per cent. Now there’s a surprise!

Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland. Mon. Wed. Fri.

Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

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FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

26 November - 2 December 2020

Jamie’s HOW LOCKDOWN READING CAN Staff BECOME A REAL PAGE-TURNER Win SEVENTY staff, who worked at a closed Jamie Oliver restaurant, have won a legal claim of over £200,000 (€225,000) following a failure in the redundancy process.

All the staff worked at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall restau­ rant which the 45­year­old TV chef opened in Watergate Bay near Newquay in 2006.

The claim, which upon win­ ning means the staff will receive the equivalent of eight weeks’ pay, was made following the sudden closure of the property last December which was done without warning.

Staff claimed the compensa­ tion because the law states they should have been consulted in advance about the redundan­ cies, which are now set to be paid from a government scheme.

BBVA Sabadell merger SPANISH bank BBVA has con­ firmed that it is in talks with the smaller Banco Sabadell, which also owns TSB in the UK, regard­ ing a potential merger that would create a global financial institution worth €860 billion.

BBVA announced on Monday, November 16 that it has agreed to sell PNC, its subsidiary in the US, for $11.6 billion (€9.7 billion).

Currently, Sabadell has a market capitalisation of €2.3 billion com­ pared with BBVA’s €24.5 billion.

The Spanish banking sector is now going through three simulta­ neous mergers.

The first one is the tie­up deal for €4.3 billion announced in Sep­ tember by CaixaBank and Bankia, which will create Spain’s largest financial institution. But it is not just the giant lenders who are joining forces: the smaller Unicaja and Liberbank are in talks as well.

If the merger between BBVA and Sabadell pro­ ceeds, the resulting entity will be the second largest financial insti­ tution in the country.

AND so, once again, the UK is con­ fined to barracks, ordering online clothes, toys and, even more than during Lockdown 1.0, takeaways.

Those, that is, who aren’t turning to traditional comfort foods.

The company behind products such as gravy brand Bisto, custard­ maker Ambrosia and Mr Kipling’s cakes says people turned to comfort foods during the pandemic. (No mention, though, of the rise in the popularity of tripe. Plenty of that from the present UK government and some of its ex­special advisers.)

Premier Foods credited ‘excep­ tional’ demand throughout Lock­ down 1.0 for strong sales with profit figures for the past six months up 50 per cent.

It said it had gained over a million new customers during the period.

And it was benefiting from the lat­ est lockdown in England, which meant more people were eating at home. (Generally speaking, super­ market sales overall represent some of the few success stories across the

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson

UK so far this year.)

In fact, at any moment you almost expected Premier Foods to break in­ to song: ‘This royal throne of Kings, this sceptred isle... This land of sausage mash & gravy... This apple crumble pudding with steaming cus­ tard. This England.’

Premier claim that consumers had ‘turned to brands they recognise and trust.’ Well, sorry Premier, but there’s not one on your list (aside from Ambrosia custard served to me by a shirtless Daniel Craig) that could possibly cheer me up...

As for Lockdown 2.0 itself, there must be many who are already total­ ly fed up with all those well­meaning

suggestions that you should be do­ ing more ­ of everything. More bak­ ing. More gardening. More DIY. More carefully­curated Instagram photos of your Zoom backdrop.

Learn a new language. Take up drawing or oil painting. Now is the time to ‘write that best­selling, page­turning novel.’ ‘Write that ut­ terly gripping memoir.’ Read all those books you’ve been meaning to catch up with.

Hang on! I have started working my way through a massive pile of thrillers! Can’t think of a better way to relieve the mind­numbing bore­ dom of Lockdown 2.0!

Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘No Safe Place,’ ‘Be­ trayal,’ ‘The Girl in the Woods,’ ‘The Girl in the Red Dress,’ ‘No Way Back,’ ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribu­ tion,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Cleram­ bault Code’ (www.nora­johnson. net) available online as eBook (€0.99;£0.99), Apple Books, paper­ back and audiobook. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.

The Power of one’s Opinion ROBERT SHALLIS HOW powerful and important is our opin­ ion? Well, pretty powerful I would say, how­ ever, it is vital to remember ­ do not become confused between opinions and facts.

For example, if you failed a test, your opin­ ion could be that you’re a failure. The fact is, the test was hard but the reality is, you simply failed a test. You have allowed yourself to see it a different way based on your opinion. So, your opinion can have a powerful effect on how you see yourself.

One important thing to note, which can be considerably hard to grasp ­ other peo­ ple’s opinions of you are personal to them and actually nothing to do with you. It only becomes about you if you allow it to. Three people could have three completely oppos­ ing opinions of you depending on their per­ sonal view point for whatever reason that may be.

Other people’s opinions can be damaging as they can crush our dreams and destroy our hopes, depending on how easily influenced we are by them, even though they may not intentionally mean to do so. Our job is to take

REMEMBER: It all starts with you. heed of only one opinion, the most impor­ tant, the opinion we have of ourselves.

The opinion we have of ourselves is linked to the image we have of ourselves ­ our self­ image, it is a thought and a belief. The greater and more positive our self­image is, the high­ er the opinion of ourselves will be. Interest­ ingly enough, the more confidence and belief you have, the more opinions will change around you too as you begin to act like the person you perceive yourself to be. Always remember, it is your opinion that counts, do not get caught up in other people’s percep­ tions of you.

But what if you don’t have a good opinion

of yourself or a great self­image? Can it be changed? Absolutely, yes! We were not born with a low opinion of ourselves or a weak self­ image, it’s just what we’ve acquired over many years which has formed into a habit that doesn’t serve us well.

The quote ‘’as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he’’ (in other words, as you see yourself, so you are) is a great reminder to steer clear of the negative image you may have of your­ self and replace it with a new one. This will take time but eventually it too will become habitual and allow you to feel empowered with renewed confidence and belief. It’s sim­ ply a positive use of the imagination. It is im­ portant to trust in the process, trust in your­ self and above all, be patient.

Focus on what you do well and repeat whenever you can, this will never fail to rein­ force your confidence.

One final thing to note, is that you are nev­ er too old to change your self­image. Once you begin to change, people, things and situa­ tions around you will also appear to change as they will no longer impact or influence you in the same way.

So, give it a go, why not start now and watch the miracles unfold. See yourself as the person you really want to be as it all starts with you!

Rob Shallis www.robshallis.com

EWN 23

24 EWN

26 November - 2 December 2020

www.euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

Advertising Feature

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www.goldenleavesinternational.com • info@goldenleavesinternational.com • Facebook: goldenleavesspain

25

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YOUR STARS FOR NEXT 7 DAYS ARIES (March 21 - April 20) An opportunity to do something socially arises. It is not earth shattering, but could have a great long-term impact. Others seem to have confidence in you and enjoy your company this week.

Having been given the chance to show what you are really capable of, allow your talents to show through.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) A new start with someone, socially, shows great promise.

Consider what you want to get rid of in your life and plan how to approach the task. A bit of military precision goes down well. Cast your net wide. It may be necessary to invest in a few theatre tickets or a weekend away.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Should things go absolutely perfectly for you this week, then I would eat my hat. I don’t usually wear one but would go to a charity shop immediately. Rolling round in your mind is the thought that, just as things start to go well, another problem crops up.

Relax, anyway.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Social life is squeezed because of business commitments. As you are a people person, there will be fun and times out aplenty this week. Burning the candle at both ends works for a while and there is the chance to meet someone that you admire.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) May we consider for a moment what you thought that you would be doing, right now, five years ago? Yes, do you see what I mean? Breaking away from an old habit could be the best thing that you have done for a long time.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Taking a step back from the activity appeals right now. After an active time, energy needs building up. Basking in someone’s glory shows you just how things could be. Give a new relationship more of a chance to grow. The avenues this person can open up to you will put a twinkle in your eye and a blush on your cheek.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) The strong urge to make physical contact with someone leads to a bit of bother. Not that there is anything wrong with a few hugs and kisses. It is the person or the timing that could be wrong.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) The past has been kind to you but also unkind. It is the same for most of us, so don’t think that you have been singled out for a bumpy ride. Be aware that basing a decision made this week on what happened a long time ago could be a mistake.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) At some time in the future you may look back on this week and ask yourself, ‘Why didn’t I do that?’ Let me help you to see the possibilities. The emphasis is firmly on your social life and someone special is about to step into it.

HEXAGRAM The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 six-letter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (FAMOUS) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.

BEATEN COARSE CURATE ERRATA EXCUSE FAMOUS (10) FERRET FLORIN NEATER ODIOUS RABIES RADIAL RAMROD RESIDE SCHEME STRUCK TOWHEE TROPHY UNLIKE

LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY Sat 21 November

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Feeling really balanced and calm? Being aware that you have full knowledge of a situation is good, isn’t it?

Absolutely anyone could snap at you this week and have no success at all in upsetting you.

To say that the period is tranquil is an understatement.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) More than one possibility presents itself in connection with a problem. A foreign visit or visitor figures highly in plans and solutions. A change in someone close is brought to your attention.

Get people talking to make real progress. Some may be inclined to put their head in the sand but not you.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) A date on your calendar draws near. It seems less important than it did and you may be tempted to cancel. Think twice. The question of who to go on holiday with comes up and someone is keen to tie you down. Keep options open because things this week are changeable, indeed.

TIME OUT

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47

IRISH LOTTO Sat 21 November

6-19-21 27-28-36

BONUS BALL

32

EURO MILLIONS Tue 17 November

BONUS BALL

2

16-19-25 30-44

6

Fri 20 November

BONUS BALL

28-29-39 48-50

5 7

EL MILLON: GVD60324 LA PRIMITIVA Thurs 19 November

BONUS BALL

3-6-12 30-44-46

39 0

JOKER: 4553776 Sat 21 November

BONUS BALL

8-15-17 32-36-45

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JOKER: 7519816

2

TIME OUT

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www.euroweeklynews.com • 26 November - 2 December 2020

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CODE BREAKER

ENGLISH-SPANISH

The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 6 represents Z and 15 represents C, so fill in Z every time the figure 6 appears and C every time the figure 15 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

Across 1 Watch (on wrist) (5) 3 Furniture (7) 6 Calabaza (7) 8 Gracia (5) 10 Rocas (minerales) (5) 11 Hermanas (7) 14 Last night (6) 15 Poster (6) 17 Escándalo (7) 20 Dog (5) 21 Vestir (5) 22 Creer (7) 23 Wealth (7) 24 Escocés (5)

Down 1 Clothes shop (7) 2 Chistes (5) 3 Less (5) 4 Bordes (de asientos, andenes, pañuelos) (5) 5 Estofados (5) 7 Microondas (9) 9 To have a shave (9) 12 Pulgada (4) 13 Yolk (of egg) (4) 16 Leona (7) 17 Sweat (5) 18 From (indicating starting place) (5) 19 Pound (sterling) (5) 20 Píldoras (5)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION • LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION • LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION QUICK Across: 1 Bets, 3 Crude, 8 Destroyed, 9 Boxer, 10 Leap, 14 Even, 15 Fired, 18 Permanent, 20 Enter, 21 Idle.

Down: 1 Baby, 2 Tadpole, 4 Rare, 5/19 Dry run, 6 Ashes, 7 Adapt, 11 Elected, 12 Keeps, 13 Hides, 16 Cave, 17 Free.

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Custard, 5 Caper, 8 Okapi, 9 Steward, 10 Strange, 11 Piste, 12 Modest, 14 Probes, 17 Scrub, 19 Resting, 22 Edifice, 23 Adore, 24 Dense, 25 Diluted.

Down: 1 Crops, 2 Sparred, 3 Alien, 4 Dashed, 5 Creeper, 6 Pears, 7 Redeems, 12 Mislead, 13 Subside, 15 Bail out, 16 Friend, 18 Reign, 20 Stall, 21 Greed.

ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Patria, 3 Wolves, 8 Socks, 10 Redondo, 11 Darkest, 12 Roast, 13 Darts, 15 Spear, 20 Roads, 22 Estatua, 24 Skating, 25 Noisy, 26 Shovel, 27 Banker.

Down: 1 Posada, 2 Tocar, 4 Older, 5 Ventaja, 6 Smooth, 7 Truth, 9 Sweet, 14 Aparato, 16 Piton, 17 Crisps, 18 Weigh, 19 Lawyer, 21 Smile, 23 Thick.

CODE BREAKER

BOGGLED

FUTOSHIKI

erne preen drown drowned drew rower rowers rowen rowel rowels rowed sere serene spree slew slewed reps rend reword renew reed reel nerd newel need word worn wowed were wend ween weed owner owners owned owed brew brewed breed blend blew bleed lend lewd else unworn unwed quern queen quin newer newels eels ewer ewers inbreed deer leer leers

NONAGRAM gent girn gone grin hint hone hong horn into iron nigh noir note oven rein rent ring tern then thin tine ting tone tong torn vein vent vine vino envoi given goner groin heron hinge inert ingot inter intro neigh night niter nitre nitro north noter ovine reign rhino riven tenor thegn thine thing thong thorn tigon tinge toner trine govern heroin hoeing hornet ignore invert orient region roving throne throng toeing tonier trigon voting thriven vetoing hovering OVERNIGHT

HEXAGRAM

WORD LADDER

1 EXTENT 2 ARREST 3 ETHANE 4 BYPATH 5 ESTATE 6 TALLOW 7 LATTER 8 WARMTH 9 HAIRDO 10 REMOTE 11 OPTIMA 12 TOILET 13 METEOR 14 PAROLE 15 LETTER 16 THEISM 17 FILTER 18 WORTHY 19 LOITER

GROW GLOW SLOW SLOG SLUG (SMOG) SMUG

KAKURO

SUDOKU

www.euroweeklynews.com • 26 November - 2 December 2020

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

Mallorca TODAY POLLENÇA

ALCUDIA

CALVIA CALA D’OR

PALMA

ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

TOMORROW POLLENÇA

ALCUDIA

WEATHER Malaga TODAY: MAX 21 MIN 15 Fri 17 14 Sat 15 12 Sun 15 12 Mon 16 13 Tues - 17 13 Wed 15 13

Alicante TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 12 Fri 18 12 Sat 17 13 Sun 16 14 Mon 16 12 Tues - 19 12 Wed 19 14

Almeria TODAY: MAX 20, MIN 14 Fri 19 15 Sat 18 12 Sun 17 12 Mon 17 13 Tues - 16 14 Wed 19 14

Benidorm TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 13 Fri 19 15 Sat 18 16 Sun 19 15 Mon 19 14 Tues - 17 15 Wed 17 15

Bilbao TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 14 Fri 17 13 Sat 16 11 Sun 14 11 Mon 15 10 Tues 16 13 Wed 15 15

Mallorca TODAY: MAX 20, MIN 14 Fri 19 15 Sat 17 15 Sun 17 13 Mon 18 14 Tues 17 14 Wed 19 13

Madrid TODAY: MAX 17, MIN 13 Fri 16 15 Sat 15 12 Sun 14 12 Mon 16 13 Tues 17 14 Wed 17 16

Barcelona TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 14 Fri 19 15 Sat 17 15 Sun 15 12 Mon 16 13 Tues 18 13 Wed 19 12

27

TIME OUT

FUTOSHIKI Fill in the squares so that each digit from 1 to 6 occurs exactly once in each row and column. Greater-than and less-than signs indicate the relationship of the two adjacent squares. There is only one solution, and you can find it without guessing.

BOGGLED How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules?

• The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

• Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms.

• No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice.

• No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.

CALVIA ANDRATX

PALMA

CALA D’OR

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

SATURDAY POLLENÇA

ALCUDIA

CALVIA ANDRATX

PALMA

CALA D’OR

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

S: Sun

C: Cloudy

Th: Thunder

Cl: Clear

Sh: Showers

Sn: Snow

Euro Weekly News strives for accuracy, but cannot be held responsible for any errors in published forecasts

TARGET:

SCORING:

• Average: 18 • Good: 25 • Very good: 36 • Excellent: 57

4 letters: 1 point 5 letters: 2 points 6 letters: 3 points 7 letters: 5 points 8 or more letters: 11 points

KAKURO Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.

CRYPTIC Across 1 Seed can disintegrate when put in a container (7) 5 Team leader inquires about work assignments (5) 8 Grim extract from a Boris Pasternak novel (5) 9 Tom and Anna, agitated, in a state (7) 10 Drive back from outskirts of Rome with sign of life (7) 11 Edict possibly mentioned (5) 12 Organisation names clergyman's residence (5) 14 Not on with queen in bid (5) 19 Diana who sings about English flowers (5) 21 Condense a card game (7) 23 Char was operating the vehicle cleaner (3,4) 24 Doctor, the boy is not very intelligent (5) 25 Disgrace phoney Egyptian leader (5) 26 Oarsmen floundering in Mediterranean resort (3,4) Down 1 Safeguard key nurse organisation (6) 2 Affordable cooked peach (5) 3 Records the unmarried ones (7) 4 Young woman sorted out medals (6) 5 Garment cut in pieces (5) 6 Commence the French alarm (7) 7 Start sipping convenient drink (6) 13 European country changed its aura (7) 15 Sack fellow, an emergency worker (7) 16 Builds up secret development (6) 17 Cuts gardener's first trees (6) 18 Leo holds insect in shed (4-2) 20 Post the money for a bet (5) 22 Dire note in a melancholy tune (5)

TIME OUT

28

www.euroweeklynews.com • 26 November - 2 December 2020

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

SUDOKU

QUICK

Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9.

There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

Across 1 Foundation for something (5) 4 Card game (5) 7 Restores to a previous or better condition (9) 8 Look for (4) 9 Overly conceited or arrogant (6) 12 Be indecisive (6) 13 Not closed (4) 16 Large, long-winged seabird (9) 18 Discuss with reasoning (5) 19 In an unfortunate way (5)

Down 1 Fraudulent (5) 2 Large snake (7) 3 Short musical composition with words (4) 4 Surface made up of flat stones laid in a pattern (6) 5/17 Soldier's knapsack (3,3) 6 Involving danger (5) 10 Against (7) 11 Scarab (6) 12 Play for theatre, radio or television (5) 14 Unskilled labourer (5) 15 Chief or leader (4) 17 See 5

WORD LADDER Move from the start word (MUST) to the end word (SAVE) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.

MUST

SPANISH LESSON BACK SAVE

Christmas food menu Smoked Salmon – Salmon ahumado Prawn cocktail – Coctel de gambas Tomato Soup – Sopa de Tomate Lobster Bisque – Bisque de langosta Home-made pate – Pate de la Casa Cured meats – Embutidos

NONAGRAM

RACHEL AND FRIENDS

Roast Turkey – Pavo Asado Roast Potatoes – Patatas al horno Peas – Guisantes Brussels Sprouts – Bruselas Roast Parsnips - Chirivías Carrots - Zanahorias Stuffing - Relleno Pigs in blankets – Salchicas con beicon Chestnuts - Castañas Cranberry sauce – Salsa de arándano Christmas Pudding – Pudin de Navidad Brandy Sauce – Salsa de Coñac

How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case H) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

TARGET:

audreyquinton99@gmail.com

• Average: 11 • Good: 15 • Very good: 22 • Excellent: 29

PETS

IF you are planning a trip and your pet has been unwell, think about the kind of care they need.

A pet loving house­sitter can en­ sure they get their medications at the right time, and they get the care they need in their own home. This makes your absence that much easier to deal with in their fragile state.

30

www.euroweeklynews.com • 26 November - 2 December 2020

SPONSORED BY

Poorly pets need a caring hand We’d like to encourage you to plan ahead for house­sitters if you have trips planned over the holi­ days to see family and friends or just to get away. Now is the time to get ready. We will help you as much as we can. Our philosophy is that we are all in this together.

These are the steps one client has taken so far: 1. Registered as a Homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com 2. She chose a Premium ac­ count (£89 per year) to ensure she could get help online when need­ ed 3. Created a profile with photos of her pet and the house, inc fea­ tures of the property (ie swim­ ming pool) 4. Posted a house­sit advert stating the plans for a holiday in the spring, subject to Covid per­ mitted travel Do you need a pet­sitter in 2021? It’s best to get started right now.

How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our net­ work for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House­sitters

see your advert, they respond and you choose whom you’d like to care for your pets.

Trustpilot Testimonials ­ 4.8 / 5 Excellent rating (New Trustpilot rating scale) Here’s what members have said about us ­ HouseSitMatch found us a perfect house­sitter…

HouseSitMatch found us a per­ fect house­sitter while we were away in Canada and we were de­ lighted with the care and atten­ tion that HouseSitMatch took in helping us find the right person.

Ros Morris ­ Dog owner How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch. com ­ Choose a membership plan ­ Please note prices go up soon so sign up now on subscrip­ tion to secure these prices: • Standard (DIY option) = £69 pa • Premium (with support at each step) = £89 pa

Do you need a house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation!

Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20 per cent discount using coupon code P2020 - an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com.

Winter weather pet care WHILE the Spanish climate is milder than many and there is less chance of being snowed in, we all still feel the difference at this time of year and our pets are no luckier than us hu­ mans.

This means during colder months pet owners need to take a few steps to ensure their furry friends stay warm and healthy.

Pets which live outside during the rest of the year would probably really appreciate becoming indoor residents for the winter to stay warm and dry. If not possible, don’t assume their coats will keep them warm.

A warm, dry, draught­free kennel and some bedding are an absolute must. Remember that more energy is used up stay­ ing warm when it’s cold. Adjust and increase outdoor pets’ di­ ets accordingly and make sure they have access to fresh, run­ ning water.

Indoor pets, on the other hand, are likely to be far less ac­ tive at this time of year and even when out on walks will prob­ ably use up less energy.

This means unless you want to find yourself with a pudgy pooch or fat cat come spring you will have to feed them less.

The cold can particularly affect the delicate skin on pets’ paws, tips of tails and ears so watch out for any tell­tale signs such as firm, waxy skin or blisters. Apply Vaseline to delicate areas before heading outside and consider boots or hats if your pet seems to be suffering.

Finally, a word to the wise driver: always tap on your car bonnet or open it up and check inside before starting the en­ gine in the winter. Smaller animals and especially cats have a tendency to snuggle up next to warm engines which has led to many a horrific accident.

A diagnosis over the phone?

MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION Views of a Grumpy Old Man LAST November I was hospitalised with a chest infection which has never really cleared up and earlier this year I visited my specialist who examined me and gave me some new meds in the shape of what I call a puffer.

It’s what you have if you are an asthma sufferer which she said I wasn’t. It hasn’t really done the trick and I’ve been getting very wheezy again. I have private insur­ ance so I rang and they gave me an ap­ pointment for the following week. The day before my appointment I got a call saying that my specialist was not doing in­person appointments and would call the next day between 8.30am and 1pm.

My doctor did call the next day and asked me what the problem was. I said the main problem is that you are going to try and diagnose me over the ‘phone and charge me handsomely for the privilege.

She said that she wasn’t seeing any pa­ tients in person at the moment and of course, as she is a neumologist she is deal­ ing with Covid patients.

So I said what about all the people that

don’t have Covid? How are you going to examine them over the ‘phone? How do you do X­rays, blood tests or even just have a listen?

This is where it got interesting. She said that if I felt ill I should go to A & E and they would do all the tests there. I asked why she couldn’t arrange that and she said the hospital doesn’t want people coming there, queuing at reception and hanging around the waiting area even though they have a mask policy, social dis­ tancing and sanitiser everywhere. She said it wasn’t her decision but the hospital ad­ ministrators.

They felt, as A & E was using full PPE, that was the correct way to do things. She then said I should get a new puffer and maybe some antibiotics. I said are you re­ ally prescribing medicine to me over the ‘phone? So there you have it folks ­ meds prescribed over the ‘phone. I’m glad it wasn’t my prostate doctor. Gawd knows what he would have asked me to do with my ‘phone. Mind you, by the end of my chat with my chest doctor, I think she was about to suggest the same thing!

In all seriousness I think if your present system doesn’t work because of Covid, find one that does!!

Email:mikesenker@gmail.com

26 November - 2 December 2020 • www.euroweeklynews.com SPONSORED BY

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Ryan:

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