Euro Weekly News - Mallorca 7 - 13 January 2021 Issue 1853

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The people’s paper ISSUE NO. 1853

7 - 13 January 2021

MALLORCA • WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

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ANIMALS TREATED KINDLY DESPITE all of the problems of 2020, abandoned dogs in Palma have seen some major improvements in their treatment and a reduction in the num­ ber of dogs taken in. The Municipal Animal Welfare Centre of Son Reus has seen new resources and procedures aimed at improving the care of the health, welfare and safety of the animals it houses. Palma Council reports that 2020 is no­ table for the significant reduction in the arrival of animals, especially abandoned or stray dogs or those handed in by own­ ers who could no longer cope with them. There is an actual drop of 34 per cent between January and November com­ pared to the same period in 2019 and when coupled with the number of adop­ tions and recoveries by the owners, the centre has been operating at a healthy 40 per cent of capacity.

SON REUS: A haven for rescued animals.

A series of actions have been carried out to improve infrastructure, such as the construction of changing rooms in

the operating room building, with a special new automatic entry opening system and installation of two chargers

for electric vehicles. In order to speed up the collection of animals, a new electric van has been ob­

Help. Hope. Love THESE are the three words that describe HOPE Mallor­ ca, an association that was founded at the beginning of the pandemic in May 2020 by Heimke Mansfeld and Jasmin Nordiek. Since then, HOPE Mallor­ ca has been operating a food distribution station in Santanyí, in the southeast of the island and intends to also install a soup kitchen in Santanyí, which will serve hot food to those in need once a day. They are now desperate to obtain a ‘food truck’ to allow them to expand their collections of bulk food and deliver to more points

SPECIAL VISIT: Santa Claus distributed the gifts.

around the Island. Children were not forgot­ ten at this festive time and two days before the arrival of the Three Kings they made a special arrange­ ment with Santa Claus to visit the East 26 restaurant in Santanyi where he dis­ tributed around 400 pre­ sents to children and teenagers in the area. Singer and actor Ramon Ademes from Cologne en­ tertained those present, but also drove to Mallorca with a vehicle full of relief supplies and gifts from Cologne to Mallorca for distribution to those in need.

tained and a new EMAYA van will also be at the service of the Son Reus Centre and the human team has been strengthened with the temporary contract of a new veterinarian. Volunteers play an important role at Son Reus and new management struc­ tures have been introduced not only at the centre but for those who kindly act as foster carers especially for puppies. Life during the pandemic has not been easy, but it has been to guarantee care for animals at all times. Work shifts were organised in two bubble groups so that at no time would the Centre be at risk due to contagion or isolation of staff. Awareness campaigns are ongoing and it is safe to say that the results have been encouraging which is born out by the reduction in abandoned dogs and the increase in the number of animals who have been chipped.

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7 - 13 January 2021

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Government spokesperson Pilar Costa. Government spokesperson Pilar Costa specifi­ cally spoke of the need for residents to act re­ sponsibility and highlighted the weekend traffic jams as drivers took their families to see the weekend snow on the Sierra de Tramuntana.

Cut back on operations OF the four public health service hospitals in Mallorca, three, Son Llàtzer, Inca and Son Espases are facing so much demand for beds due to Covid-19 infection that they will have to reduce the number of operations they undertake. Minor operations will have to be postponed and surgeons will concentrate on emergencies whilst there will also be a review on the number of people who will be able to visit consultants whilst the epidemic continues. Staff at Son Espases have already agreed not to

take holiday during the festive season and a spokesperson has suggested that the hospital board is worried about the number of staff available to deal with new patients. One of the problems in Mallorca is not lack of funds to employ staff, but their scarcity as many either work on the mainland or look abroad. Whilst Manacor Hospital has not yet said it is affected, if the number of admissions increases, the Balearic Health Department may even need to seek beds in private hospitals.

AS was forecast by many, there were significant queues of traffic with people rushing out on Monday Janu­ ary 4 to the larger shopping centres which were closed by government decree over the weekend. The idea was that because of the need to purchase Three Kings presents there would be large numbers of people visiting these stores over the weekend when so

many were not having to go to work and thus infection by Covid­19 could have been ex­ acerbated. The problem however was that were sufficient people who either weren’t working or perhaps took time off in order for them to make their purchases and it is quite possible that the sit­ uation could be made worse because of the lack of social distancing.

RESIDENTS of a four­storey apartment block in Llucmajor had a rude awakening on the morning of Tuesday, January 5 when a fire broke out in a flat on the top floor in which two people were sleep­ ing. Alerted to the blaze, all residents were able to make a safe evacuation although one person was reportedly treated for smoke inhalation. Firefighters from the Palma and Mallorca brigades arrived quickly and with the street cor­ doned off by Local Police the fire which apparently broke out in an empty room was soon extin­ guished with no significant damage to the building. After ventilating the apartment, officers are now investigating the cause of the fire, which may be due to faulty wiring.

Normally following Three Kings, the January sales start in the same shopping centres however they will be closed next weekend but this time it could be bargain hunters out on January 11 who cause fur­ ther congestion. It takes up to 10 days for infections to become appar­ ent, so after a Christmas/ New Year spike, there could be a further spike towards the third week of January.

No injuries Credit: Bombers de Palma

AS Ibiza has new restrictions imposed by the Balearic Government, it seems likely that the Level 4 restrictions in Mallorca will not be re­ duced until the end of January unless there is a significant change in the number of positive Covid­19 cases discovered. There was a huge increase in Ibizan infections over the past fortnight and curfew will now start at 10pm, customers of bars and restaurants may only use terraces and no more than six people can get together in any group with this being in effect until January 26. With many Mallorcan residents out and about over the New Year period despite the plea to re­ main indoors and observe social distancing, the Balearic Government fears that there will be lit­ tle likelihood of the number of new infections dropping in the immediate future.

Credit: Balearic Government

New restrictions for Ibiza Three Kings presents

The fire was soon under control.

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NIBS EXTRA Comic Covid PALMA Council has produced a cartoon story aimed at children to educate them about coronavirus which shows an illustration of Arin, a member of the Covid-19 family who explains the causes of the pandemic and how to combat them.

Pirate’s Cave OFFICERS of the Manacor Local Police sealed the Pirate’s Cave of Porto Cristo last week in order to frustrate any attempts by illegal promoters to hold an event of any type in the cave to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Helping commerce FROM the start of 2021 Llucmajor Council has suspended the tax charged to bars and restaurants for use of public land or the roads and stall holders in the outdoor markets will pay 20 per cent less for their pitches.

Honorary award AN honorary award is to be made by the Calvia Council as a token of thanks to the group of four cleaning ladies who have worked so hard during the pandemic to disinfect and keep clean the barracks of the Local Police.

Bells banned IN an effort to stop people coming out onto the streets of Deia at midnight on New Year’s Eve to eat grapes, the council issued a decree that church bells should not chime the hour and reminded residents that curfew started at 10pm.

Constant aid ANDRAXT Council has announced that it will continue to offer financial support for those who have been affected by the pandemic including help in paying rent, buying food and ensuring constant supply of utilities such as electricity and water.

7 - 13 January 2021

Cancer charity aid THE Cala Nova Cancer charity has recently donated €12,000 to Aspanob who were desperate for money and much of this has been raised by generous donors, a Christmas raffle and sales from the charity shop situated at Avenida Joan Miro 354 San Agustin 07015 Palma. Opened in November 2011, it has raised almost €400,000 to help people with cancer in the Balearics and is now open from 10am to 6pm (10am to 2pm Saturday) but is in need of more volunteers, as without them, it may have to close some afternoons. Once shop expenses are paid, the entire remaining bal-

Credit: Cala Nova Cancer charity

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The Cala Nova Cancer shop. ance is donated to a number of local charities comprising: AECC (Spanish Association

of Cancer Care) ASPANOB (Association for Children with Cancer and

their Parents) THE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (for international residents on Mallorca) DIME (Palliative Care Association) that helps in Son Espases, Clinica Juan March and the General Hospital of Palma. The charity helped in the renovation of the two rooms for palliative care patients, repainting them, providing them with new interior and exterior furniture, putting a special awning to protect the General Hospital’s palliative care terrace from the sun. Anyone who wishes to help should visit www.calanovacan cer.com, the charity’s Facebook page or call 971 708 665.

Snow causes traffic jams

THE Balearic Government General Di­ rectorate of Emergencies and Interior has asked the population of Mallorca to refrain from visiting the mountain to see the snow. A massive influx of visitors in cars has caused traffic jams in various parts of the Serra de Tramuntana and police offi­ cers had to close the Caimari­Lluc road,

from Caimari; the MA­10 PK.20­45, from the Coll de sa Batalla to the Mirador de Ses Barques; and the road from Bunyola to Orient. The operation, coordinated with the affected councils, the General Direc­ torate of Traffic and the Department of Roads of the Mallorca Council, involved officers from the Guardia Civil, Local Po­

lice, staff of the UOP of Emergencies and groups of Civil Protection volun­ teers. Although some roads were re­ opened, everyone was reminded of the fact that Mallorca is in Tier 4 of the State of Alarm and all were encouraged to stay at home rather than go on ‘plea­ sure’ trips.

Cost of Covid

Baby part of gang

Overnight stays

THE health cost of Covid in the Balearic Islands during 2020 is between €170 million and €190 million, according to the regional Executive. These figures refer, among other things, to the purchase of material that the Balearic Health Service would not have had to buy under normal circum­ stances. This includes pandemic essen­ tials like masks, gloves, gowns, disinfection material etc. And in addition, as highlighted by the Minister of the Presidency Pilar Costa, the cost of hiring al­ most 1,000 health professionals to help in the fight against the killer virus. A further €26 million was invested in education, partic­ ularly at the beginning of 2020 when 560 new teachers were hired. More than €6 million was giv­ en to families hardest hit by the crisis and a total of €28.5 million was spent on social initiatives and aid.

CARRYING a baby in arms, two couples entered an apart­ ment in Platja de Palma after breaking in through a door, but a neighbour alerted the owner who called the National Po­ lice. When the officers arrived, they arrested the four including a girl classed as a minor (as she was under 18) who was car­ rying the baby and they explained that they were not look­ ing to rob the property but needed somewhere to squat. Although the noise of the break in on Sunday January 3 wasn’t heard by the neighbour, they became suspicious when they saw the four ferrying personal possessions out of the property which is when they called the owner. When interviewed by the officers, they changed the story and said that they were renting the property from a third party, but this was not believed as they all had criminal records and had residences in or around Palma.

THE number of overnight stays in tourist apartments in the Balearic Is­ lands fell by 79.49 per cent in No­ vember 2020, with 7,691 single­night stopovers. This is compared to 37,509 in the same month in 2019, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Tourist apartments on the islands registered an occupancy level of 9.85 per cent during weekdays in Novem­ ber, and 10.55 per cent at the week­ ends. Of the 7,691 visitors, 5,202 were foreign travellers and 2,489 residents of Spain. Overnight stays in tourist apart­ ments fell by 79.49 per cent in No­ vember in the Balearic Islands. Rural tourism accommodation welcomed 2,645 travellers during the same month, the majority na­ tionals (2,006). Statistics estimate that 147 rural tourism establishments were open in the community during November, (offering 2,490 beds). The occupancy rate was 9.34 per cent (17.4 per cent on weekends).

ERTE figures

GOVERNMENT figures show that the number of people in the Balearics on ERTE (furlough) at the end of 2020 was 30,983, approximately 4 per cent of the total across Spain. Although there has been a rise in the number across the country during December, the Balearic figures have re­ mained relatively stable. As is to be expected, the majority of those who have been placed in ERTE fall in the broad hospitality sector, in­ cluding travel, due to the reduction in tourists caused by the Covid­19 pandemic.

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Abandoned

cars

MANACOR has un­ veiled its new mu­ nicipal guarded vehi­ cle depot to tackle the problem of abandoned cars. The facilitiy is lo­ cated close to the Ecopark between the town and neigh­ bouring Felanitx. With capacity for 50 vehicles, the new depot covers an area of 2,565 sqm, is en­ closed and moni­ tored with eight video surveillance cameras. The facility, which cost €150,675, will provide an outlet for the current needs of the municipality, said Manacor Coun­ cil “making it possi­ ble to empty the floor of the subway parking of the square of Santiago which was used for towed cars in the last few years.” The Local Police car park will be used for vehicles removed from the public road for a short period (cars badly parked or removed by the crane), while the new deposit will be used for vehicles abandoned or im­ pounded by the courts for longer pe­ riods. “With this new fa­ cility we put order to the problem of abandoned cars,” said Mayor Miquel Oliver. “We have a lot of demand and little space. Abandoned vehicles were previ­ ously parked on the street and were an­ noying and even a danger, but now they will be re­ moved and there­ fore we can ensure better use of public space.”

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Aena Airport COVID testing AENA are set to launch Covid testing at 15 airports that have the highest throughput of travellers. They intend to create dedicated spaces for the tests to be carried out and private companies will be able to bid to run them. The companies will run and staff the testing areas, but will have to pay rent to Aena. It is expected that the lowest price point on the tests could win the six-month contract. The airports where testing areas are planned are AlicanteElche, Barcelona-El Prat, Malaga-Costa del Sol, MadridBarajas, Bilbao, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, César Manrique-Lanzarote Menorca, Tenerife South, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Sevilla, and La Palma.

SPAIN has announced that it will become Europe’s first country to register all citizens who refuse to take the Covid­19 vaccine as rollouts continue. In a statement on Monday, December 28, Spain said that it will regis­ ter and track all citizens who refuse to be administered with the coronavirus vaccine. It will share its register with other Eu­ ropean countries, but it will not be made public.

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Refusal of vaccine to be registered The identities of those on the list will be treated with the ‘ut­ most respect for data protec­ tion’ said the country’s health minister, Salvador Illa. In December a poll suggested that around 28 per cent of

Spaniards will refuse to take the vaccine, a dramatic drop from 47 per cent in November. Illa told La Sexta TV that “the way to defeat the virus is to vacci­ nate all of us, or the more the better.”

Family business donates grapes A G R E E N G R O C E R’S in Cantabria donated 400 kilos of grapes for New

Year’s Eve to the regional Health Service. Fruterias Gama has do-

nated the grapes which will go to the healthcare workers and patients in Valdecilla, Sierrallana and Laredo Hospital. The Laguatasig Arcos family, who represent Fruterias Gama, presented the grapes on Wednesday, December 30, to the management of the Cantabria Health Department. The grapes were transported with all health requirements in place. The family said that they wanted to contribute something to make sure that everyone in hospital in the area would be able to see in the New Year with their 12 lucky grapes, and “for a few moments, forget about the difficult situation which our country is going through.” Having started out as a small business, the company has now become a franchise, and they say that the donation is also a way to thank everyone who has placed their trust in them. Their shops also offer 10 per cent discount to anyone who is unemployed, furloughed or retired.

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Pope Francis ‘Saddened’ Travel Confusion for residents POPE FRANCIS sent a powerful message to the world in a televised address from the library of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on January 3. Standing next to a Christmas tree and nativity after his traditional Sunday Angeles blessing, Francis said that people must ‘take care of each other’ as we wait to see what the New Year will bring. “We don’t know what 2021 will reserve for us, but what all of us can do together is make a bit more of an effort to take care of each other. “There is the temptation to

take care only of our own interests. “The painful events which marked the life of humanity last year, in particular the pandemic, taught us how necessary it is to take an interest in the problems of others and share their concerns.” The Pope also urged people to follow Covid guidelines in an effort to keep everyone safe, and said he was “saddened” by news of individuals choosing to flout the restrictions for frivolous reasons. “They didn’t think about those who were staying at home, of the economic problems of many people who have

been hit hard by the lockdown, of the sick people, only about going on holiday and having fun,” he said. “This really saddened me,” he added The Vatican City is expected to receive its Covid-19 Pfizer vaccines in the coming days with the plan to vaccinate everyone in the City State and Holy See in the second week of January. To read the full speech go to https://www.euroweek lynews.com/2021/01/03/popefrancis-urges-people-to-takecare-of-each-other/

First Babies Of 2021 SPAIN welcomed the first babies of 2021 on the stroke of midnight. A baby girl in Catalonia came into the world right on the stroke of midnight as the bells were ringing in the New Year throughout the country. Little Yinara Car­ mona Jimenez weighed 3.15 kilos when she was born in Constani, according to the Ministry of Salut. Just minutes later, at 16 minutes past midnight, the community of Barcelona said hello to two new borns almost simul­

taneously, while Madrid welcomed its first baby at the same time. Baby Iris got her first glimpse of 2021 at Madrid’s Hospital del Henares and is the third child of a Romanian couple. Both mum and baby are doing well, according to the Madrid Ministry of Health. Arnau Artero was born at the Igualada Hospital in Barcelona at the same time Va­ leria Anchundia came into the world, weighing 2.7 kilos at the Vall de Hebron hospital.

Smartphone for elderly A YOUNG Spanish engineer has developed a smartphone designed for elderly users. Two years ago, Jorge Terreu, a 22-year-old engineering student from Aragon, decided to make a way to stay in touch with his 86-year-old grandmother Maximilliana while he studied in France as she struggled with using technology and couldn’t learn how to operate a modern smartphone. Terreu decided to modify a phone that would suit his gran’s needs by answering calls automatically as well as reading messages and notifications out loud. Today, his invention which he named after Maximilliana is used by 50 families across Spain and is expected to rapidly grow in the near future. At the beginning of the pandemic, he donated five prototypes to a Zaragoza hospital to help reconnect

elderly Covid patients with their families who were forbidden from visiting. His act of generosity grabbed the attention of the local media

of Aragon’s capital, which led a shrewd investor to spot the potential in the young engineer and his invention.

A GROUP of nine British expats living in Spain were barred from boarding an Iberia/British Air­ ways Madrid bound flight from Heathrow after staff told them their residency papers were in­ valid following Brexit, despite assurances from both the UK and Spain that this would not be the case. Among the passengers was Max Duncan, a Madrid based British journalist and photogra­ pher who took to Twitter to re­ port on the confusion. Despite possessing a Spanish Foreign National Identification (NIE) card and a Foreign ID card (TIE), airline staff told him that they were no longer valid fol­ lowing the UK’s exit from the EU on January 1. Duncan recorded a video in­ terview with a British expat cou­ ple who said they were “ab­ solutely gutted” by the situation. The woman told Duncan that “my husband is in need of ur­ gent medical care” and that “Spain is home.” Despite having all their required documents, the couple were not allowed to board the flight. The British Embassy in Madrid

responded to Duncan’s tweets, saying: “This should not be hap­ pening, the Spanish authorities have reconfirmed again this evening that the green residen­ cy document will be valid for travel to return to Spain as stat­ ed in our travel advice.” The Embassy made a Face­

book post saying it has re­ ceived several similar com­ plaints about post­Brexit travel confusion. It said that the Em­ bassy has requested ‘greater flexibility’ from the Spanish government and have high­ lighted these recent cases of confusion to Madrid.

Cristina Pedroche’s Dress CRISTINA PEDROCHE’S New Year’s Eve Dress was ‘A tribute to masks’ and took over 350 hours to make. Cristina set out to amaze the audience at this year’s New Year’s Eve show aired on Ante­ na 3, from the Puerta del Sol in Madrid. Every year the dress is different and A TRIBUTE: To masks. is bound not only to amaze, but also cause some controversy. The dress to welcome in 2021 took over 350 hours to make, was designed by Pedro del Hierro and as Cristina told the audience live, has 16,308 stones on the ‘mask tribute’ dress. Each stone had to be individually embroidered. Cristine said “With this dress I want to bring light to all the houses, it is a tribute to the masks that we use so much.”

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IN a statement issued by Spanish Health ministers it’s been agreed to use both vaccines indiscriminately. The director of Public Health Spain, Pilar Aparicio said on Sunday, January 3 that “there is no basic difference in their effectiveness. “Therefore, there is no need to establish any priorities when deciding which vaccine to administer and it will depend primarily on logistical issues.” Speaking to Ser, the minister added that the EMA was to evaluate the Moderna Vaccine on January 6 after which, with more information, Public

CREDIT:SALUDESPANA

Spain use both vaccines Town with 12

SPAIN: Will use both vaccines. Health would decide on a course of action to effectively use both vaccines. Finally, the minister added that the vaccine had been test-

ed in clinical trials on more than 30,000 people and no shortcuts had been taken in consideration of the vaccine’s safety.

inhabitants wins lottery A TOWN of just 12 inhabitants in Teruel, has won €3.9 million on El Gordo Christmas lottery. Each of the 12 inhabitants of Luco de Bordon had a ticket for the number which has received one of the fifth category prizes, 49760. The mayor, Jose Maria Lecina, said that the prize money, up to €3.9 million, has been won by residents, visitors and people who spend their summer in the town, and neighbouring areas. The tickets have been sold through the Virgen del Pilar Cultural Association in the town. The mayor also explained, that there will be no overnight millionaires, because the person who had the most tickets only had three, but that the whole town was happy with their winnings.

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Squatters out VIGILANTE neighbours took matters into their hands and scaled an apartment block to boot squatters out of a Barcelona flat. Frustrated, two young people had ‘taken over a neighbouring property,’ a group of residents armed with a ladder climbed over a balcony to get them out. A video shared on social networks shows five Terrassa neighbours climbing the ladder and storming the flat before dragging one of them out and forcing him down the ladder before he makes a run for it. The second flatly refuses to leave before Mossos d’Esquadra show up at the scene minutes later to ‘intervene and avoid public order problems.’ According to Mossos d’Esquadra, this was the pair’s second attempt to occupy the flat.

Changes to paternity leave from January THE New Year sees changes to the paternity leave in Spain, meaning that it will be distributed more equitably between fathers and mothers. Until 2007, only the mother had the right to take leave after giving birth, but changes have been made since then, especially from 2017 onwards. The latest General state Budget shows

that both parents are entitled to 16 weeks leave and to share responsibility for the child’s care. The new leave will be divided into two parts. First, six mandatory weeks will be received by both parents, uninterrupted and full-time, after the birth or the judicial resolution or administrative decision, in the case of adoption.

Second, the remaining 10 weeks will be taken in weekly periods, within the year following the birth or the adoption. However, this second set of weeks off must be agreed with the company, which could force the parent to take the break part-time and/or on certain dates. This will allow them to choose how to reconcile their professional lives with the care of the child.

Facebook Enhanced Security MORE SECURE: New laws may be implemented in the next few years.

Correos Creates Jobs IN some very welcome New Year news, state postal service Correos has announced the creation of 3,254 jobs through­ out Spain. Both full and part­time positions are available across a range of disciplines. Correos prides itself on its equal treatment of men and women and has added that people with disabilities are also welcome to apply for the jobs. Anyone wishing to apply can do so on the Correos website.

SOCIAL MEDIA giant Facebook is set to offer enhanced security to more users during 2021. During the U S elections over 70 per cent of those involved had the Facebook’s enhanced security, called Facebook Protect that used two-factor authentication. Facebook is now looking to offer this to more users. According to Axios, Nate Gleicher, head of security policy at the social media giant, said that Protect includes real-time monitoring, and is going to be offered to human rights advocates and reporters. Physical security keys for two-factor authentication will also be provided to significant users. Regular Facebook users will be able to get their hands on the keys too, but at a cost. It is predicted that social media will face continued criticism over security and new laws may be implemented in the next few years.

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Valencia Euromillions Ticket

I T was a very happy Christmas for one lucky punter as they bagged the top prize in the Euromillions draw on T uesday, December 22 to net a cool €43.7million. T he winning ticket was purchased in Valencia. Spain’s newest multi-millionaire isn’t letting the grass grow under his or her feet however, as the ticket has already been validated at the R eceiving Office in Sant Pere de Riudebitlles in Barcelona. It was a fortunate night all round, as two other players, based in Madrid and Barcelona, walked away with almost €50,000 each.

Nine-year-old hero Willie Thorne’s family feud ‘All heroes are now called Lucas.’

A BOY, nine, has become a hero after having the presence of mind to alert the emergency services when his mother fainted in their home in Toledo. The boy, named Lucas, called 112 and told the operator what had happened to his mum at around 5pm on Wednesday, December 23. He gave them the address to their home and opened the door to the Local Police who were the first to arrive, national Spanish daily ABC reports. Close on their heels was a team of paramedics in an ambulance, who took charge of the woman, who by then, was no longer unconscious. She was taken to hospital for

tests, accompanied by her husband, who had since arrived home. Lucas stayed with his aunt, who we imagine was very proud of him. The Local Police in Toledo reported the events on their Instagram account, saying that ‘now heroes are called Lucas.’ The mayor, Milagros Tolon, wished ‘Happy Christmas to all the heroes who do so much for others.’ Toledo Local Police have dedicated a section of the road safety lessons which they carry out at local schools on how to talk to the emergency services, although it is not known if the boy had attended one.

THE late snooker legend’s wife, former Miss Great Britain Jill Thorne, is locked in a bitter feud with Willie’s three children from his first marriage. Jill said that she wants to auction the star’s favourite cue to raise money for charity, but his children want the cue to ‘remain in the family.’ Jill told The Mirror: “His children said they wanted the cue back which I understand, but he had bequeathed it to me. “He would love it being sold off for charity.” Willie’s first wife Fiona, however, said that it was his wish for the iconic cue to be returned to his children after his death. “Willie was emphatic he wanted Tristan and not Jill to look after his affairs when he died, and there are several witnesses to that. “He was not very keen for Jill to have any involvement. “My family would not be supportive of Jill selling the cue and will not be stating anything to that effect. They were not Willie’s last wishes.”

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Hotel Bill

Scam

OFFICERS of the National Police who arrested a 35-year-old Spanish man for ducking out on a whopping €2,524 hotel bill in Valencia nabbed the thief in another hotel. The perpetrator racked up the bill when he booked into the hotel from December 12 to 15, before extending his stay until December 20. Hotel staff claim that the man actually departed early, but left all his belongings in the room, meaning that the accommodation couldn’t be rented out. The hotel subsequently charged the man’s card, but the transaction was declined and they called the Local Police after he repeatedly refused to pay up. Officials finally tracked the man down in another hotel where he was staying and have arrested him for fraud.

SIERRA ‘NATIONAL’ NEVADA THE Sierra Nevada is now one step closer to becoming a national park of Andalucia. A report issued on Monday, December 28 which is to be submitted to the councils of ministers for approval is another step closer for the resort to become a National Park of Spain. The park will extend over 23,000 hectares across the municipalities of Malaga, Benahavis, El Burgo, Istan, Monda, Parauta, Ronda, Tolox and Yunquera.

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A tapas date with Shakira Spain calls for urgent clarification

SHAKIRA and her footballer husband Gerard Pique are offering the chance to win a double date for tapas in Barcelona for a good cause. The Colombian singer has always been known for her charity work, and at just 18, she launched Pies Descalzos, a foundation that seeks to provide basic education to the most disadvantaged and lower­class children in her country. The pandemic has caused the situation to be­ come even worse, with many of them living be­ low the poverty line, so with this in mind, Shakira and her husband have come up with the plan to raise funds to improve conditions for these chil­ dren. To participate, all you have to do is make a do­ nation that will be used to build a community school. Shakira herself has explained it on her social networks. “When travelling is safe again, Shakira and Ger­ ard Pique want to invite you to dinner in Barcelona! Hotels and flights are included and each donation will go to the Pies Descalzos Foun­ dation,” she wrote. They promise to talk about anything the win­ ner wants over tapas at one of their favourite spots. The site is open for donations until March 5 and the winner will be announced on March 17, although they have said that the date will only take place when safety restrictions allow it. With donations from just as little as $2 to enter the sweepstakes, it might just be worth a try! Visit www.omaze.com/shakira for more infor­ mation.

SHAKIRA: Is known for her charity work.

Back to concerts NOTRE DAME, the iconic cathedral in the heart of Paris, has hosted its first concert since a devastating fire caused severe damage in April 2019. The cathedral hosted a televised live Christmas Eve concert featuring 20 singers, a solo Soprano, violinists, and an organ. The magnificent cathedral would usually host over 60 concerts each year, though since being heavily damaged in a fire has not hosted musical events for 18 months. The musicians and singers performed while socially distancing under France’s social distancing guidelines. The diocese told AP that the ‘highly symbolic concert’ was one ‘marked with emotion and hope.’ They expressed their job that concerts had returned to the cathedral, which boasts ‘musical heritage that dates to the Middle Ages.’

THE Spanish government called an urgent meeting with the Moroccan ambas­ sador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, to ask her for clar­ ification over the state­ ments of the Moroccan Prime Minister, Saadeddine El Othmani, in which he claimed that Ceuta and Melilla are “Moroccan like the Sahara.” Ceuta and Melilla are both in North Africa, but of­ ficially belong to Spain. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Cristina Gal­ lach, informed the Ambas­ sador that the government “expects all its partners to respect the sovereignty and

territorial integrity” of Spain. This comes despite both governments insisting that relations are excellent. The Prime Minister of Mo­ rocco made the comment on December 10 after Donald Trump recognised the sover­ eignty of Morocco over the Western Sahara. To be spe­ cific, El Othmani said in an interview with an Egyptian channel, regarding Ceuta and Melilla, that “the status quo has lasted for five or six centuries” and added that “the day will come when we will reopen the matter of Ceuta and Melilla, Moroccan territories like the Sahara.”

However, he indicated that now was not the time be­ cause the priority is to find a definitive solution to the Sa­ hara conflict. Following Trump’s an­ nouncement the US recog­ nised the Western Sahara as Moroccan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU and Co­ operation, Arancha Gonza­ lez Laya, maintained that this “does not depend on the will or unilateral action of a country, no matter how big this country is,” but rather “the centre of gravity is in the UN.” The UN considers the for­ mer Spanish colony a non­ autonomous territory.

PCR tests stolen SEVERAL PCR tests were stolen from a medical centre in Vizcaya, then wrecked and thrown in the street. Guenes Town Council shared on Twitter the im­ ages of the trashed PCR tests littering local streets. The Sodup Medical Centre was broken into, they re­ ported, since one of the win­ dows which accesses the room where the PCR tests to detect coronavirus are car­ ried out was left open. “Someone entered and took the tests, destroyed them and threw them around the

OPEN WINDOW: The tests were left littering the street. town,” the council said in a statement. The table where the tests were kept was left empty. Once it is discovered who

Sugar Loses Brother & Sister WITHIN two weeks after he lost his brother, Lord Alan Sugar announced that his sister had passed away from Covid. Lord Sugar took to Twitter on December 30 to reveal that his 88-year-old sister Shirley had passed away: “My eldest sister Shirley passed away today at the age of 88. She had been sick for a while but I guess Covid got her in the end to join our brother Derek who passed two weeks ago . RIP SHIRL” The sad announcement from the 73-year-old comes not long after he revealed that his “long-suffering” brother Derek had lost his battle with coronavirus that “complicated” his underlying health issues on December 15. “Today I lost my long-suffering brother Derek - another victim of Covid, which added to his underlying health issues. He was a lifetime passionate Spurs supporter. “I never forget my sister-in-law joking with me, thanking me for buying him the club. A sad day for us all in the family.”

took the tests, they could face fines as it is “an unnec­ essary attack against the public health of local peo­ ple” the town hall said.

Covid Care Home Scam YET another scam targeting old­ er people surfaced in Sevilla on Monday, December 28 when several fraudsters dressed in lab coats turned up at a nursing home in Aljarafe and tried to gain entry by claiming they were medical professionals there to administer the new Pfizer Covid­ 19 vaccines. Luckily, the quick­thinking staff had heard about a scam reported a few days previously where thieves posing as vaccine workers tricked their way into the homes of elderly people living alone. The nursing home staff immediately called the police and the scam­ mers, reported to have foreign accents fled the scene without gaining entry.

FEATURE

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7 - 13 January 2021

EWN 13

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Two week Update

CHRISTMAS came early for the pound, and off the back of the Brexit deal, sterling went from zero to hero. With two vaccines now available the UK government is hoping to crank up its inoculation programme. Although it has so far missed almost every self-set target, Britain has administered more vaccinations, and more per head of population, than any other European country. That has not been enough to prevent further widening of the lockdown area, and school closures are imminent. The announcement just before Christmas of new tighter restrictions for large parts of the UK, after the new Covid-19 variant strain was found to be much more transmittable, and “completely out of control” according to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, forced France to close the border, and over 40 countries blocked UK arrivals. While the loom of another lockdown and recession in the first quarter of 2021 has shook investors, the UK’s situation is far from unique and has not hurt the pound. Sterling reacted positively to the last minute trade deal with Europe, not because it was a good deal but because it was better than the feared no deal.

Both sides in the long-running Brexit argument can reasonably claim to have succeeded in their aims. The EU has protected the integrity of its single market, restricting the access of Britain and Britons to its territory and markets. The euro though struggled to keep up with sterling into the year-end, not because the common currency did anything wrong but because the pound was on a Brexit-deal-induced roll. There is, and will for some time remain, a degree of uncertainty about the economic aspects not covered by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). There were no hard economic data to affect the euro, though some confidence ecostats did appear before the break. IFO reported an improvement in business confidence while data from the European Commission and Gfk showed consumer confidence heading in opposite directions. In America the president still rails against the result of the election two months ago, with the US dollar 2020’s biggest loser, down by 3.5% against the GBP and by 6.4% on average. His effort to derail a defence spending bill came to nothing only because the Republican Senate overruled the Republican president’s veto.

Trump’s most recent intervention was in Georgia, where he attempted to railroad the Secretary of State into distorting the election result. He was recorded in a telephone call as saying “I just want to find 11,780 votes…” The state will be voting for both its Senators this week following an inconclusive result in November. A brace of Democrat wins would mean a 50-50 split in the upper house and would make the incoming president’s life less difficult, because the VP has the casting vote. Canada’s dollar did slightly better than average among the majors at the end of the year but still fared less well than its Australian and NZ cousins. In a defiantly positive end to a less than successful year, every one of the few Canadian economic data came in ahead of forecast. Retail sales went up by 0.4% in October, not exactly a stunning achievement but twice as much as expected. November’s 12.9% rise in building permits almost offset the previous month’s 12.6% decline. The Aussie just managed to edge ahead of the NZ dollar for an overall lead with an average gain of 0.7%. Most of the Australian economic data were not hugely helpful to the AUD, though No-

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. vember’s provisional 7% monthly rise in retail sales certainly did it no harm. Of greatest help to the currency was the general increase in risk-appetite among investors, who at times seemed ready to buy anything that moved. In close second place, the NZ dollar was up by an average of 0.6%. The only ecostat of any consequence came with ANZ’s Business Outlook, which put business confidence 13 points higher at 21.7, its highest level since March 2018. The survey found increased activity on every front, even though the growth is not being shared equally: “Construction is manic. Agriculture, while improving, remains subdued.”

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

14 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 January 2021 THE EURO WEEKLY NEWS is urg­ ing its readers to support local businesses in the community by going local through the lock­ down and for your Christmas shopping this year, instead of feeding online giants and super­ stores. This lockdown and festive peri­ od we challenge you to rediscov­ er your local high streets, mar­ kets, butchers, greengrocers and all of the wonderfully quirky inde­ pendent businesses in your area. Due to the Covid­19 pandemic, you may have to support many local businesses by ordering on­ line and making use of any click and collect services they can op­ erate if you are unable to get out due to health reasons or lock­ down restrictions. The joy of shopping local means that independent busi­

FEATURE

GO LO

nesses can help support the local community. Although it may be a euro or two cheaper elsewhere or online, consider where your money is ac­ tually going. By shopping at an in­ dependent store you’re putting food on a local family’s table, and there is no better time than Christmas to give back to your

community by making a small gesture and shopping in this way. Many local stores support local charities, support and sponsor lo­ cal sports teams and in many cas­ es the small independent stores are actually much more than just a small high street shop, they’re a family’s legacy, often passed down through numerous genera­ tions and support not just the current owner, but the genera­ tion before. For those stores which are new, that extra couple of euros spent there are supporting some­ one’s dream and ambition, and also the courage it took them to step out alone, which is no easy task. It takes quite a large chunk of money to set up an indepen­ dent store and compete with the multi­national and chains.

So be sure to pre­order your turkey from a local butcher and get your spuds from a local greengrocer, let us revive that community spirit and get to know our neighbours again. You could also consider pur­ chasing gift vouchers from local businesses to help them over the coming weeks, thinking out­ side the box can often lead to some fantastic ideas. Why not buy a meal for two, an hour’s tattoo time at a local studio, a hair cut at a local salon or an on­ line study course for someone looking to change their career path. As people are struggling with finances thinking about what friends and family may actually need is important too. Whilst it’s nice to give a glamourous gift

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

OCAL perhaps pre­paying a family member’s phone bill for the month would actually be a better gift. Helping people alleviate stress and worry, give the gift of peace of mind through these dif­ ficult times. Choosing to spend your mon­ ey locally will really make a dif­ ference in the recovery of the local economy. When we buy local, our money stays local, and it strengthens the local econo­ my in two ways. First, buying lo­ cal keeps money circulating within the local economy. Stud­ ies have shown that local busi­ nesses recirculate a greater share of every euro as they cre­ ate locally owned supply chains and invest in their employees. Data shows that local retailers return 52 per cent of their rev­

enue back into the local econo­ my, compared to just 14 per cent for national chain retailers. Money circulating through the local economy benefits everyone who is a part of each transaction. For example, let’s look at a local farmer growing produce. First, they sell to a local restau­ rant, which in turn prepares the fresh produce and sells it to local customers. The farmer pays its lo­ cal employees and the restaurant uses revenue from sales to buy supplies from a neighbourhood hardware store. This example illustrates how the recirculation of money in the local economy leads to a stronger financial foundation for our neighbours and communities. Buying local also fuels new em­ ployment and job opportunities

for people within our communi­ ty. Studies show, locally owned businesses employ more people per unit of sales and retain more employees over time. While buying local is financially compelling to our communities; the benefits to our environment are equally impressive. Buying lo­ cally reduces the processing of

7 - 13 January 2021

goods, packaging and transporta­ tion waste, which leads to less pollution. There’s a massive cultural shift underway redefining the way people make buying decisions. We’re seeing more individuals concerned about the environ­ ment, about how products are made and sourced, where mate­ rials come from, and a company’s overall social and environmental impact. Many businesses are joining our Go Local campaign by offer­ ing customers special offers and discounts throughout the festive period, more details to follow here soon. Just remember to follow the latest government advice and any guidance businesses have to keep everyone safe.

EWN 15

FINANCE May critical FORMER British Prime Minister Teresa May has been very critical about the Brexit deal that was finally signed off by Boris Johnson, saying that it did not adequately protect the financial services sector now or for the future.

Minimum wage PRIME MINISTER Pedro Sánchez gave beleaguered Spanish businesses some good news after confirming that there will be a temporary hold on the introduction of a higher minimum wage and also on certain aspects of labour reform.

Green spuds THE Albert Bartlett food company has reduced its annual use of plastic by 92 tons thanks to introducing reduced thickness, recyclable bags as well as removing plastic trays from its baking potato packs and thinner potato bags.

Sudden resignation MEDIA reports suggest that Emilio Lamo de Espinosa, President of the Elcano Royal Institute has resigned due to pressure from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Spanish Institute is a think tank specialising in international and strategic studies

Possible motorway charges AS the Spanish government looks to increase its income during 2021, through measures such as the Tobin and Google taxes, the fact that some former toll roads became free of charge has not been overlooked. Back in August 2020, Minister of Transport, José Luis Ábalos let it be known through an interview that he was considering charging for the use of the currently free roads although nothing was set in stone. Analysts suggest however that 2021 could be the year that charges of some sort are introduced on these and other major roads.

STAT OF WEEK

www.euroweeklynews.com • 31 December 2020 - 6 January 2021

€10,000

or more will have to be declared in advance if carried by anyone travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland after January 1, 2021.

Online beauty store

Bang goes your breakfast BREAKFAST in Spain for expatriates could be quite different as raw sausages if chilled fall foul of the agreements which cover chilled minced red meat and chilled meat preparations (eg raw sausages). Also falling fowl is any form of minced poultry meat plus certain dishes which include unpas­ teurised milk or cheese (eg lasagne).

Government guidance on Brexit, updated on De­ cember 28, states that UK producers of ‘chilled meat preparations,’ will be ‘prohibited’ from ex­ porting their goods to Eu­ rope as of January 1, 2021, including chilled raw sausages, chilled mince, ungraded eggs, and some unpasteurised milk, while some experts said they believe those goods will be allowed to

LEGALLY SPEAKING Will the 90-day rule change?

be exported if they are in a frozen state. The updated 1,426­ page Brexit deal between the UK and the EU says that each will have its own independent ‘sani­ tary’ rules on products of animal origin, which means that products from either side must first pass specific checks before being allowed to be exported. The chief executive of

the British Meat Proces­ sors, Nick Allen, speaking to The Mirror, is reported to have said, “We had given up hope that they would get this particular issue resolved before Jan­ uary 1. What we hope, and what one or two people have said to us, is that in the coming months we can negotiate an export health certifi­ cate, so this stuff can go to the Continent.”

Tesco Programme Credit: Salt Beer Factory

BUSINESS EXTRA

16

We have owned an apartment in Fuengirola for the past 19 years. We spend on average five to eight months there. I know there has been a longstanding law about the length of time we were allowed to stay in Spain, that is, 90 days in 180 days, but I have the impression that they have never strictly enforced the law. Do you think they will continue this relaxed implementation of the law, now that the UK is out of Europe? B W (Costa del Sol)

Investigation terminated NEW BRANDS: Thumbs up to Tesco.

Don’t count on it. We want to be very YOU AND THE LAW careful in using IN SPAIN terms like ‘never strictly enforced.’ Sometimes the 90­day rule has indeed been strictly enforced. People have been stopped at the border or at passport control at the airport and fined for exceeding the 90­day limit. The rule applies to all non­resi­ dents of Spain whether they are EU or not. There are tens of thousands of Britons who own homes in France or Italy or Spain who would like to spend more than 90 days in their second homes. The Spanish authori­ ties are aware of this problem and they are seeking a solu­ tion.

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.

THE Bank of Spain has indicated that it is very much in favour of Spanish bank mergers in order to ensure that they will be strong enough to weather any financial storm caused by the Covid­19 pan­ demic. Already Caixabank and Bankia have agreed terms whilst the pro­ posed merger of BBVA and Sabadell was called off after just

AFTER receiving a staggering bonus of £1 billion (€1.1 billion) and promising to pay his £750,000 (€825,000) annual salary to charity, Matt Moulding, the brain behind the UK Hut Group has gone on the acquisi­ tion trail. They have purchased online skincare firm Dermstore from US retailer Target for £259 mil­ lion (€285 million) and then added UK nutrition product sup­ pliers Claremont Ingredients and David Berryman for a further £59.5 million (€65.5 million). Only floating on the UK Stock Market in September of this year, the online beauty products company has seen share prices grow by 50 per cent since its launch.

ONE of the biggest prob­ lems that new brands have is in making contact with buyers for large supermar­ kets which is one of the reasons that Dragons Den is so popular as the entre­ preneurs in the show can easily make introductions, but at a price! Recognising this, Tesco in the UK started its Incubator Programme in 2017 in or­ der to choose emerging businesses who appeared to be likely to have a saleable product but may not have the knowledge of mass marketing and sup­ ply. Since then, Tesco has

worked with 28 different companies teaching them over one year all of the se­ crets of dealing with a mas­ sive group, understanding marketing, packaging and how to cope with dealing with supply across the UK market. This year, the Salt Beer Factory, a microbrewery sited in the UNESCO World Heritage village of Saltaire (Yorkshire) and only set up in 2018 has been chosen for the programme and has every chance of becoming a regular supplier to the su­ permarket chain from its already award­winning brewery.

Spanish banks merge

two weeks of discussions. The next joining of two banks is Unicaja and Liberbank which would make the new entity known as Uni­ caja Banco, Spain’s fifth­largest bank with assets in the region of €109 billion after agreeing terms in principle.

Unicaja with greater market value and assets is due to take 59.5 per cent of the new bank with Liber­ bank taking 40.5 per cent, with the two respective Bank chairmen tak­ ing senior positions for two years. With interest rates at all time lows and the fear of financial diffi­

AN investigation into the transfer of funds from Spain to Switzerland involving HS­ BC, directors of Santander and BNP Paribas in Spain has been concluded and no charges will be made at this time. The investigation started in 2017 and has now come to an end even though Anti­ corruption Prosecutors be­ lieve that a crime has been committed in as much as the transfer of money was hid­ den from the Spanish Trea­ sury. For technical reasons be­ cause of the way in which the transfer took place and the wording of current legis­ lation, it will not however be possible to lay charges against anyone. culty for lower paid workers as well as those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, many banks can expect to have to accept short term losses. This consolidation will however allow them to rationalise their busi­ nesses, reduce staff, cut costs and be in a position to tackle both na­ tional and international markets in the future.

18 EWN

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7 - 13 January 2021

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C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 4

PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3I Group 1.165,00 1.179,00 Admiral Group 2.950,0 2.955,0 Anglo American 2.529,5 2.545,0 Antofagasta 1.482,00 1.487,50 Ashtead Group 3.499,0 3.518,0 Associated British Foods 2.269,0 2.303,0 AstraZeneca 7.455,0 7.467,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 605,40 606,80 Avast 538,39 544,00 Aveva 3.333,0 3.340,0 Aviva 325,71 332,20 B&M European Value Retail SA522,00 525,80 BAE Systems 500,80 504,12 Barclays 144,28 148,68 Barratt Developments 662,40 684,60 Berkeley 4.711,0 4.848,0 BHP Group 1.997,80 2.008,50 BP 261,05 264,90 British American Tobacco 2.751,9 2.761,2 British Land Company 486,30 500,00 BT Group 133,60 135,90 Bunzl 2.514,0 2.517,0 Burberry Group 1.811,0 1.824,0 Carnival 1.370,9 1.399,5 Centrica 47,18 47,76 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.390,0 2.401,1 Compass 1.390,50 1.401,00 CRH 3.172,0 3.197,0 Croda Intl 6.620,0 6.646,0 DCC 5.354,0 5.362,0 Diageo 2.968,8 2.982,0 DS Smith 383,50 385,20 EasyJet 815,60 836,60 Experian 2.866,0 2.870,0 Ferguson 8.876,0 9.018,0 Flutter Entertainment 15.410,0 15.585,0 Fresnillo 1.199,49 1.200,20 GlaxoSmithKline 1.371,20 1.374,40 Glencore 242,10 243,85 Halma 2.510,0 2.514,0 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.521,99 1.540,06 Hikma Pharma 2.558,00 2.562,00 HSBC 377,63 383,15 IAG 161,05 165,46 Imperial Brands 1.558,00 1.565,00 Informa 554,60 559,60 InterContinental 4.739,0 4.793,0 Intermediate Capital 1.719,00 1.759,00 Intertek 5.760,0 5.760,0 ITV 107,30 109,25 J Sainsbury 227,70 229,00

% CHG. 1.162,00 2.923,0 2.471,5 1.462,50 3.486,0 2.267,0 7.402,5 599,80 537,50 3.214,0 325,10 519,60 493,50 143,30 660,00 4.711,0 1.962,20 257,50 2.742,5 484,50 133,45 2.450,0 1.801,5 1.361,5 47,14 2.370,0 1.374,00 3.131,0 6.606,0 5.238,0 2.929,9 378,80 791,57 2.818,0 8.864,0 15.330,0 1.159,00 1.357,40 237,55 2.475,0 1.518,03 2.545,00 377,60 160,55 1.553,50 554,00 4.674,0 1.712,00 5.700,0 107,05 226,00

NET VOL 41,50K 20,22K 281,53K 6,85K 49,03K 68,90K 63,80K 98,42K 4,74K 48,16K 247,85K 91,80K 178,30K 1,06M 55,56K 1,34K 353,02K 1,23M 29,65K 142,08K 1,88M 30,16K 37,57K 29,38K 2,51M 7,26K 162,92K 67,64K 12,63K 6,67K 32,53K 48,21K 259,33K 22,64K 21,63K 1,67K 110,26K 164,61K 4,90M 23,65K 7,14K 10,03K 177,63K 2,59M 23,43K 10,58K 32,89K 45,71K 11,11K 913,73K 263,51K

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

Johnson Matthey 2.481,0 JSC MMC Norilsk Nickel ADR 33,11 JSC VTB Bank DRC 0,995 Land Securities 676,70 Legal & General 265,70 Lloyds Banking 35,30 London Stock Exchange 9.214,0 Meggitt 473,60 Melrose Industries 181,04 Mondi 1.750,00 National Grid 879,60 NatWest Group 161,25 Next 7.072,0 Ocado 2.282,00 Persimmon 2.775,0 Phoenix 707,39 Prudential 1.377,00 Reckitt Benckiser 6.642,0 Relx 1.819,50 Rentokil 526,20 Rightmove 666,00 Rio Tinto PLC 5.667,0 Rolls-Royce Holdings 109,60 Rosneft 5,88 Royal Dutch Shell A 1.321,11 Royal Dutch Shell A 1.320,6 Royal Dutch Shell B 1.278,6 RSA Insurance 679,40 Sage 600,20 Samsung Electronics DRC 1.915,00 Sberbank 14,97 Schroders 3.359,9 Scottish Mortgage 1.221,94 Segro 964,60 Severn Trent 2.314,0 Smith & Nephew 1.562,00 Smiths Group 1.537,00 Spirax-Sarco Engineering 11.550,0 SSE 1.523,50 St. James’s Place 1.130,50 Standard Chartered 461,40 Standard Life Aberdeen 284,80 Taylor Wimpey 161,45 Tesco 234,26 Tui 486,70 Unilever 4.463,3 United Utilities 904,00 Vodafone Group PLC 122,26 Whitbread 3.109,0 WPP 799,80

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

2.491,0 33,11 0,997 691,50 271,40 37,24 9.216,0 481,00 183,60 1.758,00 883,60 169,85 7.254,0 2.316,96 2.839,0 713,00 1.380,50 6.676,0 1.825,00 528,20 668,60 5.690,0 113,00 5,95 1.329,31 1.329,4 1.288,2 680,00 600,40 1.918,00 15,10 3.387,0 1.224,00 969,00 2.325,0 1.564,50 1.544,50 11.555,0 1.533,50 1.155,50 472,80 286,70 169,15 236,08 495,10 4.472,0 913,00 123,26 3.162,0 809,26

2.450,9 32,75 0,980 676,70 264,70 34,92 9.124,0 471,10 180,94 1.742,50 874,00 160,50 7.054,0 2.267,00 2.763,0 706,41 1.347,50 6.562,0 1.810,00 510,60 656,24 5.584,0 108,65 5,87 1.311,40 1.311,6 1.270,2 678,00 589,00 1.909,00 14,94 3.359,9 1.211,00 954,40 2.304,0 1.534,50 1.519,50 11.420,0 1.511,50 1.127,00 461,10 283,40 160,95 234,24 480,00 4.427,0 902,40 122,00 3.102,6 795,44

3,65K 137,80K 43,55K 16,80K 181,35K 24,96M 17,83K 173,35K 184,42K 28,82K 407,04K 1,88M 20,55K 16,24K 57,88K 3,46K 13,77K 56,44K 121,45K 192,82K 7,30K 24,89K 1,88M 403,24K 33,65K 408,57K 80,46K 220,49K 51,16K 2,53K 122,85K 0,54K 269,96K 127,16K 1,77K 115,50K 18,22K 2,86K 171,41K 80,61K 24,46K 371,29K 1,70M 322,75K 685,73K 26,05K 122,30K 3,58M 6,69K 23,73K

0.89694

1.11666 Units per €

US dollar (USD) ......................................1.22737 Japan yen (JPY)......................................126.175 Switzerland franc (CHF) .........................1.08256 Denmark kroner (DKK) ...........................7.44113 Norway kroner (NOK) .............................10.4491

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 J ANUARY 4

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 174,79 1.751,88 3.256,93 229,92 132,69 214,06 182,02 84,45 44,75 54,84 273,16 263,71 265,62 212,70 125,88 49,82 157,38 127,07 214,58 81,80 222,42 141,47 139,14 222,53 705,67 350,68 58,75 218,73 144,15 181,18

CHANGE 174,87 1.758,93 3.282,92 230,25 134,74 216,90 182,10 85,20 44,84 54,93 277,09 263,93 265,95 213,00 126,03 50,19 157,66 127,33 214,93 81,94 223,00 141,79 139,29 222,79 718,72 351,09 58,80 219,82 144,27 183,40

CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 173,18 1,84M 1.735,42 1,01M 3.241,20 2,96M 225,89 1,82M 131,72 99,12M 212,70 10,49M 178,75 1,72M 83,96 8,35M 44,16 15,11M 54,27 8,49M 269,81 12,90M 258,00 2,04M 263,58 2,61M 209,67 1,41M 123,99 3,57M 48,72 28,58M 155,11 5,10M 124,82 8,58M 210,78 2,61M 80,38 5,26M 219,68 20,94M 140,37 2,95M 137,39 4,08M 220,17 6,01M 691,12 49,65M 344,05 1,97M 58,02 12,91M 216,20 5,92M 142,85 5,94M 180,27 7,07M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 4

COMPANY

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

+1.00% +0.94% +3.08% +1.97% +0.71% +1.57% +28.63% +1.92% +2.71% +1.47% +1.23%

393.39M 1.85B 2.92B 209.59M 1.77B 35.04B 11.56M 171.48M 7.53M 122.72M 462.77M

-2.20% -0.88% -2.08% -4.55% -7.51% -5.91% -2.51% -13.71% -47.70% -9.15% -4.66%

426.30M 9.63B 632.76M 2.21B 17.22M 106.62M 785.43M 17.88M 236,838 996.86M 275.15M

Most Advanced Booking Holdings Inc. Alphabet Inc. Cl A Netflix Inc. Equinix Inc. Alphabet Inc. Cl C Tesla Inc. Sigilon Therapeutics Inc. Align Technology Inc. II-VI Inc. 6% Pfd. MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Charter Communications Inc. Cl A

Most Declined MercadoLibre Inc. Amazon.com Inc. Trade Desk Inc. Cl A Zoom Video Communications Inc. GRAVITY Co. Ltd. ADR Stamps.com Inc. Lam Research Corp. Kymera Therapeutics Inc. TS Innovation Acquisitions Corp. Cl A Bilibili Inc. ADR Seagen Inc.

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Plan your own funeral WHILE death is still considered to be a taboo subject by many cultures, it is becoming more and more commonplace for people to plan their own funeral for a variety of reasons. There’s no need to feel shy about it, start talking about final wishes and fu­ neral plans with your family and get in touch with the experts at Golden Leaves to put your wishes down on paper. Here are seven reasons why you should pre­plan for your funeral. 1. Save money. Times are tight for many families, unfortunately, funerals are an inevitable expense. With Golden Leaves you pay today’s prices and avoid inflation. 2. Have it your way. Of course, when you pass away, your family will work their hardest to honour you in your memorial service or funeral, but only you know yourself and exactly what you want. When you pre­plan your funeral, you are making the decisions for yourself. 3. Lift a financial burden. Funerals are not cheap. There are a lot of items that cost a considerable amount of money and they add up quickly. When you pre­plan, you pay for your own funeral and remove the burden of footing the bill for your funeral from the members of your family. 4. Take more time. Most funerals are thrown together in about a week, which can lead to hasty decisions. When you pre­plan, you get the opportunity to be more methodical about the process and can make the day go exactly as you wish. 5. Get the details right. When you have your funeral your way and take the time to plan it, you can focus on all of the smaller details that might get over­ looked if your funeral is planned by someone else, song choice, clothing, flowers etc are all personalised touches you can choose to reflect you as a person. If you’re environmentally friendly look at eco­caskets and bio­ degradable urns, seeds of memory for family members to plant, all these personal touches reflect you. 6. P r e v e n t additional stress. Your family will be un­ der an enormous amount of stress when you pass away. You can ease at least a little bit of it by making sure all of your affairs are in order before you die. 7. M a k e y o u r f i n a l w i s h e s k n o w n . I f you want to be cremated, pre­planning allows you to arrange for this before death. If you have a specific request for your ashes, you can also make this known in your funeral plan. We all want to plan our own weddings, birthdays, christenings and anniver­ saries, so why should a funeral be any different? In fact, more so than any other event a funeral is a celebration of your life and only you can tell that story from your perspective, and your perspective is the only one that counts when that day eventually comes. Golden Leaves have a team of experts with over 30 years’ experience and will work with you to create a funeral that is totally unique to you and your wishes. Now is the perfect time if you are an expat living in Spain to get your paper­ work in order before the Brexit transitional period is over and all Golden Leaves funeral plans are residency approved, they can even help with other papers you may need to help you obtain your TIE and residency.

7 - 13 January 2021

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Town creates own cryptocurrency Credit: Lebrija Council

How 2020 hit exchange rates, and what to look out for in 2021

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

CURRENCY MARKET: Volatility can have a significant impact on transfers.

ASK THE EXPERT Peter Loveday

Contact me at euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com

IT can safely be said that the coronavirus pan­ demic turned 2020 into a year like no other. When last year dawned the world was a very different place from the one we’d come to know over the months that followed, and the currency market was one of many financial markets which experienced considerable upheaval. If you need to make currency transfers to or from Spain, you may have noticed the volatility in the currency market having a significant impact on how much your transfers were worth. 2020’s key exchange rates Highs • GBP/EUR ­ 1.20 • GBP/USD ­ 1.36 • EUR/GBP ­ 0.94 • EUR/USD – 1.23 Lows • GBP/EUR ­ 1.06 • GBP/USD ­ 1.14 • EUR/GBP ­ 0.83 • EUR/USD – 1.06 What happened in 2020? The pound was probably the strongest per­ former at start of 2020, with the currency still riding high on the euphoria that followed Boris Johnson’s landslide win in the 2019 general election. Sterling was supported by hopes that Johnson’s massive majority would aid the UK government when it came to pursuing a Brexit trade deal with the EU. However, priorities quickly shifted over the next couple of months as the coronavirus evolved from a localised epidemic (mostly contained to China) to a global pandemic. As a growing number of countries went into lockdown, we witnessed perhaps one of the most volatile months in currency market history. Driven by both a flight to safety as well as liquidi­ ty fears surrounding the world’s reserve currency, skittish investors flocked to the US dollar through­ out March. While most currencies suffered during this peri­

od the Sterling sell­off proved to be particularly dra­ matic. Currencies began to stabilise towards the end of March, and as the world began to emerge from lockdown at the start of summer the US dollar’s bullish run came to a close. The euro came into its own through the third quarter, with a strong rebound in growth and the announcement of a €750 billion coronavirus relief fund from the EU catapulting the single currency higher. The Pound also ticked higher during the sum­ mer in response to the UK’s sharp rebound in eco­ nomic activity and some Brexit optimism. However, as the days got shorter and tempera­ tures started to sink, it grew increasingly clear that the coronavirus was anything but beaten and a second wave of infections began to sweep across much of the world. Concerns over the second wave were tem­ pered somewhat by the announcement of multi­ ple coronavirus vaccines, which offered investors some light at the end of the tunnel. Other events started to drive currency market movement in the final quarter of 2020, including the US Presidential Election and the to­the­wire Brexit trade deal. 2021 and exchange rates With the UK no longer facing a no­deal Brexit the pound could see a lot more upside potential at the start of 2021 than it otherwise may have done. That being said, with the threat of another lock­ down looming, there may still be some dark days ahead for Sterling. 2021 will also mark the end of what is set to be Angela Merkel’s last term as German Chancellor af­ ter a decade and a half at the helm of Europe’s largest economy. The prospect of life after Merkel will prove unsettling to many EUR investors, and we could see the euro face some pressure as a result. At Currencies Direct we’re here to talk currency whenever you need us, so get in touch if you want to know more about the latest news or how it could impact your currency transfers. Since 1996 we’ve helped more than 325,000 customers with their currency transfers, just pop in­ to your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more.

Visit us at our Spanish offices in Costa del Sol, Costa Almeria, North Costa Blanca and South Costa Blanca. Telephone UK +44 (0) 207 847 9400 SPAIN +34 950 478 914 Email euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com • www.currenciesdirect.com.

LEBRIJA: Launch of the €lio to help promote the sale of goods by local businesses. THE town of Lebrija in Sevilla Province has come up with a novel way of helping those in need and promoting the sale of goods by local busi­ nesses. Alert to the fact that a number of families were suf­ fering financially from the Covid­19 pandemic, the council created the ReActiva Lebrija Plan which has made funds available to some 593 families. There is a twist however as it has created its own cryp­ tocurrency (like Bitcoin) called the €lio which is set on par with the euro (one for one) and depending upon in­ come and number of children aged under 18, families will be paid between €50 and €200 but in €lios. So far 165 local businesses

have been signed up to ac­ cept payment which must be 50 per cent €lio and 50 per cent euro in an effort not on­ ly to help those in need, but to also stimulate local sales. There are also several hun­ dred local businesses due to receive grants of up to €400 and they will also be paid in €lios in a bid to persuade companies to trade with each other. The payment of the amount granted will be made through a mobile application designed by the council which can be downloaded easily and free of charge through the play store or app store. At the moment however, the council has not explained whether it will exchange this cryptocurrency for euros if

Turkey trade deal A TRADE DEAL between Britain and Turkey was agreed during a video call on Tuesday December 29 when International Trade Secretary Liz Truss spoke with Turkey’s trade minister Rushar Pekcan. Last year, trade with Turkey was worth £18.6 billion (€20.5 billion) and the terms will be identical to those enjoyed whilst Britain was still a member of the European Union. According to Ms Truss, the UK has now agreed trade deals covering 62 countries plus the EU worth £885 billion (€974 billion) with more deals to be concluded.

asked to do so by the partici­ pating shops and businesses.

BUSINESS EXTRA Early Easter A SMALL range of Easter Eggs is already on sale in certain UK supermarkets according to numerous comments on social media wondering whether this was a ploy to get around Brexit hold ups or just to give people something to look forward to.

Tobin tax THE Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) has published a list of 56 companies with a market capitalisation of €1 billion or more as at December 16, as from January 16, sales of shares in those companies will attract a 0.2 per cent tax.

No longer confused THE Admiral Group best known for its insurance division, is selling part of its business, which will include online portal Confused.com, to RVU which owns Zoopla in a deal reported to be worth £508 million (€559 million).

FEATURE

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EWN 21

A step in the right direction Young forger LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT THIS year’s resolution should be for the white populace to declare they are utterly fed up from receiving all the unwarranted racism and prejudice they have been subjected to over the past year. Why is it only white people who can be racist? If even a small number of the accusations levelled at the whites had been used by Caucasians against non­ whites there would have been ‘offended’ demonstrations and a multitude of court proceedings that would probably have resulted in years of litigation. There really are far too many examples to go into. We have been accused of glorifying slavery ­ totally ignoring the fact that thousands of white lives were lost in the battles to abolish it ­ we’ve had our statues and culture attacked, with almost no retribution whatsoever; gone to unprecedented lengths to encourage diversity and still the non­white

populace continues to voice their discontent at the way they are ‘treated.’ A recent piece on SKY News actually for me took the whole tin. The subject they were airing introduced a number of black ladies complaining they weren’t allowed to wear their hair in a ‘natural’ way. They insisted that the reason they straightened it or wore wigs was because they were not welcomed into white society or work places with ‘afro’ styles. What a load of complete racist codswallop. Black ladies have been straightening their hair for years. Either because far more styles can be achieved or it’s more convenient, or purely because it enables them to actually get a comb or a brush through it! As the father of three daughters who have inherited afro hair and spent most of their lives attempting to straighten and control it, I do think I speak with some authority on the subject! Being made to feel ashamed to be white, has invoked such conscience stirring in the UK it has resulted in totally disproportionate reactions from the white population, especially those of the ‘woke’ genre. Despite black people making up a mere 17 per cent of

UK citizens, they are now witnessing unprecedented over exposure of black TV commercials, black pundits, black news people, black voice overs and black ‘experts.’ The programme I mentioned on SKY earlier went on for a full half an hour. I have NEVER seen Sky turn its newsroom over for this length of time on such an inconsequential subject. The woman who made a final comment on this marathon piece rather summed it all up for me. She ironically complained that black people were ‘under­ represented in the media!’ The mind boggles. This culture explosion is having a completely reversed effect on British society opinion. The indigenous white majority are seeing all their sincere efforts to overcome diversity now being destabilised by these utterly ill­advised and over the top acts of appeasement. The UK is not the USA and a simple recognition, or show of approval from ethnic recipients of the well intentioned efforts of the majority would be a far more positive step in the right direction. Keep the Faith. Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail,com expatradioscotland.com

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

What now for residency for UK citizens? CONSULAR MATTERS IN my career as a lawyer spanning some 30 years, this represents one of the biggest changes to UK citizens when it comes to living here in Spain. As of the end of the transition period December 31, 2020 British citizens and their non­EU family members will be subject to all Spanish immigration rules for third­country nationals, meaning the EU freedom of movement will come to an end. However, UK nationals and their fami­ ly members who have residence here in Spain before the end of the transition period in accordance with EU free move­ ment law, will maintain their free move­ ments rights after December 31, 2020. In compliance with EU Regulation 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 14, 2018 British passport holders travelling to Schengen countries for holidays,

business or to visit family do not re­ quire a visa for stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day­period, provided the visit is not for gainful activity ie work. Please note that the 90 days will start from the date they enter any of the Schen­ gen countries, including Spain. British citizens and their family mem­ bers will need a visa for journeys under­ taken after December 31, 2020 for the purposes of residence, studies for a peri­ od longer than than 90 days, work, pro­ fessional, artistic or religious activities. The good news is that if you are living in Spain before the end of 2020 and you can prove it, then you can get residen­ cia in Spain under what i am going to call the ‘old rules.’ You have until March 2021 in order to make your application and the Spanish government has a three month period in which to re­ spond. So what about UK citizens who move to Spain after December 31, 2020?. Well the following ‘new rules’ will ap­ ply: A. You will need a criminal record check

B. Health insurance in Spain will still be required C. A medical certificate which states that you do not have a disease which is dangerous to public health D. You will need to prove income of €2,151.36 per month for the first per­ son and €537.84 a month for each fami­ ly member. The figures for 2021 have not yet been published, so I have used the figures for 2020 as a guide. If for ex­ ample you are a single person and you have a year’s money in your bank ac­ count ie at least €25,888.32 then you don’t need to prove your income. I would add that you need to have at least this amount in your account for six months prior to the application. There are of course minor details but the ones listed above are the main ones. As with all my posts this isn’t legal advice. If you need help with Residency then myself and my bilingual team can help or you can instruct a lawyer here in Spain. I will deal with employment, opening a business via autonomo or as a limited company at a future date.

Marisa Moreno Castillo, Senior Lawyer at Just Law Solicitors and Consul for Denmark.

www.justlawsolicitors.com • contact@justlawsolicitors.com

NATIONAL POLICE have arrested a minor in Barcelona accused of manufacturing counterfeit euro notes and selling them online. As reported by the police authorities, the young suspect moved to a town near the Catalan capital where he allegedly manufactured counterfeit notes of 10, 20 and 50 and sold them online to buyers in various countries including the U K and Portugal. Sources claim he also gave

forgery courses online and revealed where to buy the necessary material and how to make counterfeit notes. The National Analysis Centre of the Bank of Spain determined the counterfeit notes are ‘very good quality forgery,’ describing the illegal activities as ‘very dangerous’ due to the difficulty in detecting the falsification of them. The investigation remains open and further arrests are expected to be made.

Beach Cleaning Volunteers THE beach cleaning volunteers of Moaña in Galicia, collected a massive 300 kilos of plastic in only a few hours, in the first of a series of beach cleaning operations. Over 30 locals including little ones, turned out to support the event even though it was raining and cold. It took several hours to clear the O Arnado beach of rubbish, most of which was plastic. The city council along with the Local Action Groups of the Fisheries Sector have set up the ‘Plastic-free Moaña’ programme. The aim of the programme is to clear the beaches especially of plastics, and to teach the next generation about the environment and the dangers of plastic.

Spain’s First Female Pilot LIEUTENANT Elena Gutierrez is the first woman to pilot the Spanish Air force’s Eurofighter jet alone, and her first solo flight took place on December 22. The milestone flight was part of the conversion course for the pilots of Wing 11 and Wing 14 of the 113th squadron. Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister took to Twitter to congratulate Lieutenant Gutierrez and said “Overcoming barriers, breaking glass ceilings, moving towards complete equality between men and women. Our society takes another step on this path. Elena Gutierrez is the first woman to pilot an Air Force Eurofighter fighter. Congratulations!!”

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Brexit - Currencies Direct

here to support you through 2021 and beyond IT’S safe to say that 2020 has been an extremely difficult year for all of us, with considerable disruption to our lives as we ad­ justed to life amid a pandemic. This disruption has been clearly reflected in the currency market, which has seen some dramatic volatility over the past 12 months. This was particularly notable at the start of the year when the GBP/EUR exchange rate shed al­ most 15 cents in the span of a sin­ gle month. Such extreme movements have created issues for people looking to move money to and from Spain. As was the case for most busi­ nesses, the coronavirus pandemic meant our team at Currencies Di­ rect had to adjust to rapidly changing circumstances. However, adjust we did and we’re proud that we’ve been able maintain our high level of service throughout the crisis and contin­ ue meeting our customers’ cur­ rency requirements without dis­ ruption. At the end of a challenging year, and after being overshad­ owed by the coronavirus pandem­ ic for many months, Brexit started to dominate headlines from Octo­ ber onwards. This injected fresh uncertainty into not just GBP ex­ change rates but also the lives of many expats living in Spain. Brexit and currency In terms of the pound, the fourth quarter of 2020 saw the currency touch some of its worst levels since the start of the pan­ demic against the euro before re­ bounding, but achieve new multi­ year high against the US dollar. This volatility only became more pronounced as December 31 approached without any clear indication of whether the UK and EU would agree upon a trade deal

Currency market has seen some dramatic volatility over the last year.

before the transition period ex­ pired. While the lack of certainty over the UK’s post­Brexit relationship with the EU made planning for the future difficult, at Currencies Direct we took steps to ensure a smooth continuation of service regardless of the outcome, offer­ ing certainty in trying times. Our company acquired a licence with the highly reputable Banco de Espana (the Bank of Spain) so our customers would experience no disruption to services no mat­ ter what. This also ensures that

our customers can be confident that their currency transfers are in safe hands and that we’re regu­ lated to the highest standards. Our commitment to security Peace of mind is key when mak­ ing international money transfers and at Currencies Direct we make the security of your funds our pri­ ority. Our top credit rating At Currencies Direct we’re proud to hold a level one credit rating with Dun & Bradstreet, meaning we have the lowest level of risk.

Segregated accounts At Currencies Direct we keep your money in segregated ac­ counts*, completely separate to the funds we use to run our busi­ ness. Award­winning service We feel that customer satisfac­ tion is a real testament to the dedication of our teams and the level of service they provide, so our five­star ‘Excellent’ Trustscore on Trustpilot is really important to us. We’ve also won a number of awards over the years, including

the 2020 MoneyAge Money Transfer Provider of the Year award. After a year like 2020, who know what 2021 has in store for us! However, if you need to move money to or from Spain in the year ahead our expert team at Currencies Direct are more than ready for whatever might be thrown at us. As always, using our services means you’ll also benefit from excellent exchange rates, no transfer fees and flexible transfer solutions.

At Currencies Direct we’re here to talk currency whenever you need us, so get in touch if you want to know more about the latest news or how it could impact your currency transfers. Since 1996 we’ve helped more than 325,000 customers save time and money with excellent exchange rates, no fees and expert support. With 20+ global branches, including 16 across Portugal and Spain, we’re never far away when you need us. Give us a call to find out more. *Please note, our bank providers do not monitor the funds we place on safeguarding accounts or how we operate these accounts, it is our responsibility to segregate funds.

EW YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

PALMA SPEED LIMITS

K Bryan

OUR VIEW As One Door Closes

JUST two days before the UK finally leaves the European Union, the British Parliament voted to approve the deal and thus we can all look forward to a future which may hold a few surprises. Whether you were for or against Brexit, the die is now cast and we all have to be prepared to discover how it affects not just Britain but expatriates, especially those of us in Spain. Spanish councils have benefited because so many people have signed on to the padron in order to be allowed to apply for residency and each additional body means increased financial support from Central Government. We are all still reeling from the effects of the pandemic which has hurt so many people not just from infection but the financial knock on caused by the lockdown and the Spanish states of alarm. Looking dispassionately at the UK situation at the moment, it would appear that those of us in Spain have probably had a slightly more comfortable time than friends and families in the UK. There have been mistakes on all sides, but everyone has to salute the health workers for their continued hard work and feel proud of the many who have worked to collect funds or cook for those unable to cope. Spare a thought for Gibraltar which had appeared to miraculously come through with no deaths and few infected and now not only does it have to cope with the uncertainty of Brexit, but also with the huge escalation in those suffering from Covid-19.

CORRECTIONS

Ironic, on the departure from the EU, Eddie’s entering the EU.

DW That’s a look of sadness of a future for the UK that the UK will lose with a national front government. Imagen de Nicole Pankalla en Pixabay

MOTORWAY 80km speed limit: Our car has a fuel consumption guage. At 120km it uses 8L /100km, At 80km this drops to 7L /100km a saving of 12-13 per cent ! So this means a reduction in pollution of a similar amount, however the journey will take 50 per cent longer so the overall level of pollution increases by 50 per cent - 12 per cent resulting in a pollution increase of 30-40 per cent! Traffic congestion also increases 50 per cent. Traffic Noise (which comes not from engines but from tyres on poorly designed surfaces, the normal on the Via de Cintura) will also increase by 50 per cent less a little for reduced speed. The Via de Cintura is already congested so a 50 per cent increase will be a disaster. Palma 30km Speed limits: Please ask the government how much valueable funds are being wasted on this project in the time of a pandemic when funds could be better spent. How much is the budjet? It would be better spent cleaning up all the vandalism caused by Graffiti? Mallorca is becoming like the Bronx, not welcoming to quality tourism, Now the vandals are graffiting the natural stone walls. The Via de Cintura is a disgrace, and it has become widespread. Prison sentences should be introduced.

The first lorry exits the Eurotunnel and marks the UK’s departure from the European Union

Not welcoming.

MD

Protests after a black man is shot dead by police outside Dublin Black, white or bloody any other colour, instead of demonstrating why don’t those gathering have a collection to give to any victims that have been threatened or attacked by a knife wielding attacker.

PH

Thanks Hi Leapy You so totally say what the normal man and woman are thinking, but do not have the voice to say. Hope you and yours have a great New Year and here’s to many more posts. PS Little Arrows was a massive fave of mine in my childhood. Best regards David

Incredible Health Service Hi, I had an incredible health experience earlier this month. Having had a heart attack 11 years ago and being treated at Velez-Malaga Hospital, they have on occasions had me back for a check -up. So I had this appointment. A problem! I was informed and after five days of intense tests, I was told I had to have a ‘Pacemaker.’ Do you feel tired? Do you have pains? No was the answer. Well you need the operation! When I asked? Tomorrow at 3.30pm, as quick as that! The operation was performed perfectly and the staff were outstanding, although I had to be in Intensive Care for one night, they could not do enough for me. This all happened from start to finish in less than 10 days! With the Covid virus isn’t it incredible and shows what a wonderful health service we have here. I consider myself very lucky and wish to thank everyone at Velez Hospital for all their help and what professional people they all are. P.S. this might not make the news, But I feel much better for letting out my feelings and admiration for these wonderful workers in the health system, especially under these hallowing and difficult times.

Black, brown, white, yellow, pink or whatever colour. The colour is immaterial it’s the crime that’s the subject and until reports like this stop mentioning colour we will have racism.

AM Take on the Police anywhere in the world now with a weapon of any sort and expect to get shot dead. Colour is irrelevant stupidity, hate, death wish, criminal intent, lunacy, religious fervency, sheer big headedness, trial of your Human Rights in reality, all count more than the colour of your skin.

D JA S Instant justice for a violent criminal it would seem. Well done the Irish police.

A MC

Boris Johnson’s Father Stanley Applies For French Passport Boris Johnson is not to blame for Brexit. It was David Cameron who held the referendum. The British people voted to leave. T May and Johnson had to carry out the instruction the people voted for. Stanley Johnson seem to have the correct background for French nationality French mother etc.

PG I bet he said to Boris “If you get Brexit done, I’m a Frenchman.”

AN

D Lowe

HAVE YOUR SAY

Even he has no trust in his son! Or he has been told more

All letters by email or post should carry the writer’s address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published. Readers who have missed correspondence can see all letters - which can be edited before publication - posted on: www.euroweeklynews.com.

than us.

JH

At the EWN, we pride ourselves that reports are accurate and fair. If we do slip up, we promise to set the record straight in a clear, no-nonsense manner. To ask for an inaccuracy to be corrected. Email: editorial@euroweeklynews.com

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YOUR STARS FOR NEXT 7 DAYS ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Is someone that you are closely involved with trying to drive a hard bargain? Are you surprised at the amount of time and energy that they are throwing at it? It could be that they are more passionate about it than you realised.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) You have been learning about certain people very fast. Do you feel as though you are in the middle of a soap opera? With the winter sun now low, it is possible that passions will fire up. Everything seems to revolve round one person and it is upsetting everything else.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) This is your week to sparkle and show how clever you are. Why be modest? Let others know what you are capable of; your talents will come out sooner or later. Don’t be embarrassed when paid a compliment, for it is richly deserved. You have put on a jolly good show of late and it is now time to listen to the applause.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Something that you had set your heart on, although still coming, is terribly slow. This is not a time to be a pessimist. Please don't, however, allow your tendency to put all your eggs in one basket trip you up. It is not necessary to go about things the way that you normally do.

LEO (July 24 - August 23)

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) This is not a time to take anyone for granted. At this time of the year people tend to look at their situation and ask if they are getting enough out of it. Neglecting someone now could store up a lot of problems for the future. Avoid doing anything that could lead to you being blamed later.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Now is your chance to go straight for what you want. The shock of having this opportunity could cause you to hesitate. Do bear in mind, though, that he who hesitates is often lost. The temptation to keep something for yourself is not selfish but sensible.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) A big change means big chances, so don’t let small things get you down. In the past six months you have come a long way. You are not back where you started. You are being given the chance to start again, but this time you have far more experience.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Challenges that do not please you are inevitable. That does not mean that your attitude towards them could not change. Indeed, unless you want to continue to be upset, it must. Luckily, you have mostly had your own way recently.

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 (DIRECT) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.

ARTERY CHEERY COERCE DIRECT (10) EASILY GORGON HEATER HEREBY HEROIC INGEST MASTIC NUTMEG POTENT SEARCH SECOND SHEATH SIESTA TREATY TRIUNE

LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY Sat 2 January

6-8-9 36-39-57

BONUS BALL

37

IRISH LOTTO Sat 2 January

3-6-18 26-42-47

BONUS BALL

1

EURO MILLIONS

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19)

You are moving on in an important area but do not burn bridges before you have others to cross. You will know why I mention this later in the week. You are able to influence others far more than you realise, but with your wish to keep things on an even keel you may be giving away too much. You need to keep a balance.

You have a chance to give someone great delight, so why not go ahead? Your insecure side tells you that it is too good to be true and there must be a catch. Why should there be? This is a situation that you may relax into as only you know how.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23)

PISCES (February 20 - March 20)

Is there a chance that you are burying your head in the sand? It is likely that something happening right in front of you is being overlooked or ignored. You are able to deal with this more easily than you think. Just take one step at a time and stick to your plan. Simply telling someone what to do instead of asking them to do it can work wonders.

Don’t look for spooks in the closet when there are none. Not only does it look silly but it wastes good time. Basing your actions on past disappointments can only lead to more of the same. Show confidence in others and they will show it in you. Sometimes, your patience wears thin but it is in your best interests to remain calm.

TIME OUT

Tue 29 December

BONUS BALL

3

7-32-39 40-45

8

Fri 1 January

BONUS BALL

16-28-32 44-48

1 9

EL MILLON: JHB90817 LA PRIMITIVA Thurs 31 December

BONUS BALL

4-5-7 15-24-38

41 0

JOKER: 2 876 717 Sat 2 January

BONUS BALL

6-13-19 37-38-43

15

JOKER: 8 180 708

9

TIME OUT

26

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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, 11 represents W and 16 represents Z, so fill in W every time the figure 11 appears and Z every time the figure 16 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 Toalla (5) 3 Cascos (7) 6 Llega (7) 8 Cap, top (of a bottle) (5) 10 Visera (5) 11 To adapt (7) 14 Outdoor (6) 15 Oysters (6) 17 Error (7) 20 Cocina (aparato) (5) 21 Good-looking (5) 22 Pill (7) 23 Allergy (7) 24 Sonido (5)

Down 1 Tram (7) 2 Hígado (5) 3 Until (5) 4 Letter (of alphabet) (5) 5 Sir (5) 7 Answer (9) 9 Robin (9) 12 See 13 13/12 Puerta trasera (4,4) 16 Camarero (náutico, aéreo) (7) 17 Magic (5) 18 Entre (más de dos elementos) (5) 19 Spy (5) 20 Vende (5)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION • LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION • LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION QUICK Across: 1 Create, 4 Pair, 8 Scrap, 9 Helps, 10 Criticises, 13 Unfinished, 17 Crane, 18 Organ, 19 Sell, 20 Affect. Down: 1 Cash, 2 Error, 3/18 Tip off, 5 Atlas, 6 Resist, 7 Checks, 11 Tender, 12 Quacks, 14 Frail, 15 Eagle, 16 Knot.

BOGGLED

ENGLISH-SPANISH

mine miaou main mane matt inept inapt iamb nipa nape napa natty nope cone coney cope cotta bane baton batt batty boat amine amino ambo atone atop pine piney pinata piano peon pain pane patty pone potty potto opine open otto apian auto tambour tabour tape tapa tone topi tope taut tout iota watt weir utopia utopian

Across: 1 Derecha, 5 Dolls, 8 Rozar, 9 Vacunar, 10 Donkeys, 11 Slice, 12 Speak, 14 Blusa, 19 Evoke, 21 Go to bed, 23 Aquatic, 24 Equal, 25 Setas, 26 Pescado. Down: 1 Dorado, 2 Razón, 3 Cerveza, 4 Advise, 5 Ducks, 6 Lentils, 7 Street, 13 Product, 15 Letters, 16 Petals, 17 Eggcup, 18 Adulto, 20 Éstos, 22 Bruja.

NONAGRAM

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Dallas, 4 Campus, 9 Pumas, 10 Adoring, 11 Observed, 12 Toot, 14 Evades, 16 Pauses, 19 Comb, 20 Valencia, 23 Condone, 24 Teeth, 25 Afresh, 26 Editor. Down: 1 Deplore, 2 Lambs, 3 Asserted, 5 Avon, 6 Poisons, 7 Sight, 8 Taper, 13 Talented, 15 Almoner, 17 Smasher, 18 Wages, 19 Cocoa, 21 Chest, 22 Dogs.

CODE BREAKER

FUTOSHIKI

dale dare dart date deal dear deer dele dell derv deva drat lade lard lead read reed retd teed trad veld alder dater dealt delta delve deter eared elder evade ladle lated laved rated raved tared trade tread treed veldt advert dealer delver derate elated evader leader leaved alerted altered averted raveled related treadle valeted ravelled traveled TRAVELLED

HEXAGRAM

WORD LADDER

1 MATURE 2 MORTAR 3 PRESTO 4 FRIEND 5 MUSLIN 6 DETOUR 7 VISION 8 COLEUS 9 INGEST 10 VIOLIN 11 REASON 12 INTENT 13 CARTEL 14 SQUINT 15 SORTIE 16 USURER 17 STEREO 18 STUPOR 19 THEORY

CATS CARS CARD HARD HERD HERO

KAKURO

SUDOKU

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Mallorca TODAY POLLENÇA

ALCUDIA

CALVIA CALA D’OR

PALMA

ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

TOMORROW POLLENÇA

ALCUDIA

WEATHER Malaga TODAY: MAX 17 MIN 6 Fri 15 7 Sat 12 8 Sun 12 7 Mon 11 9 Tues - 13 9 Wed 15 9

Alicante TODAY: MAX 17, MIN 8 Fri 16 7 Sat 17 7 Sun 16 8 Mon 16 9 Tues - 19 8 Wed 19 7

Almeria TODAY: MAX 17, MIN 6 Fri 17 9 Sat 15 7 Sun 13 8 Mon 15 8 Tues - 16 9 Wed 17 8

Benidorm TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 9 Fri 19 9 Sat 18 9 Sun 17 8 Mon 19 8 Tues - 17 10 Wed 17 8 Mallorca TODAY: MAX 17, MIN 7 Fri 16 7 Sat 17 8 Sun 17 8 Mon 18 9 Tues 17 7 Wed 16 8

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

Bilbao TODAY: MAX 18, MIN 5 Fri 17 9 Sat 14 9 Sun 14 8 Mon 13 8 Tues 16 9 Wed 15 8 Madrid TODAY: MAX 13, MIN 8 Fri 16 8 Sat 15 7 Sun 14 7 Mon 16 8 Tues 17 9 Wed 17 10

Barcelona TODAY: MAX 16, MIN 9 Fri 17 9 Sat 16 9 Sun 15 11 Mon 16 11 Tues 18 9 Wed 19 10

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

TARGET:

SCORING:

Average: 25 Good: 35 Very good: 50 Excellent: 64

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 Strange patterns found in the chapel (8) 4 Payment for travel and food (4) 8 Come round again about dog (5) 10 Drug present in diets or otherwise (7) 11 Prisoner opening religious community (7) 12 Appear to be trapped by perverse employer (4) 14 Stick a commercial at this place (6) 16 Quietly allude to and like better (6) 19 Determination shown by Greek leading Italian (4) 21 Field worker finding insect on vegetables (7) 24 Love to put a limit on speech (7) 25 Tends to disrupt races (5) 26 Instead it's in part of Chelsea (4) 27 Trek less confusing for flighty hunters (8) Down 1 Reversible jacket for defector (8) 2 Operator not getting on with sudden increase (5) 3 See Pat exchanging former currency (6) 5 Only an advance, say (5) 6 Little Edward's in a whirl (4) 7 Meals the queen found a problem (6) 9 Commander-in-chief goes to hospital: it's easy (5) 13 Demonstrations in support of experiments (8) 15 Keep damaged retina (6) 17 Natural ability held back by dictatorial fellow (5) 18 Cadge a light cake (6) 20 Spare change, one gathers (5) 22 One from Glasgow, perhaps, seen in racecourse (5) 23 Gave birth to a dull person (4)

TIME OUT

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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

Down

1 First drawing (6)

1 Unaccompanied (4)

3 Travel through water (4)

2 Rubbed out or off (6)

7 Advance of money (4)

4/18 Eat hastily (4,4)

8 Screamed (6)

5 Up to date (6)

10 Answered (7)

6 Below (7)

13 At the middle (7)

9 Changed to suit (7)

16 Reference point to shoot at (6)

11 Tracked down (6)

17 Become dimmer (4)

12 Building for housing cars (6)

18 See 4 Down

14 Ship's company (4)

19 Rigorous, harsh (6)

15 In this place (4)

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

ITEM

QUIZ BACK GLOW

THE BELLS ARE QUIZZING 1. Abba-Esque EP was a 1992 UK number one hit single for which English synth-pop duo, consisting of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke? 2. Between 1966 and 1979, England international midfielder Colin Bell played for which football team 394 times, scoring 117 goals? 3. Currer Bell was the pseudonym of which English novelist and poet, who was born in Thornton near Bradford on April 21, 1816? 4. Derived from the Latin for ‘bell’, what name is given to the art or practice of bell-ringing? 5. First published in 1940, For Whom The Bell Tolls is a novel by Ernest Hemingway that tells the story of Robert Jordan, a young American volunteer attached to a guerrilla unit during which conflict? 6. The Scottish-born scientist and engineer Alexander Graham Bell is credited with inventing and patenting the first practical telephone in which decade? 7. Tubular Bells, the debut studio album by Mike Oldfield, was released on May 25, 1973 as the first album on which, now famous, record label? 8. What is the name of the bell kept at Lloyd's in London and rung whenever there is an important announcement to be made to the underwriters. It had been salvaged from a ship that sank in 1799 with a large cargo of gold and bullion on board. 9. What is the principal reason to ring the division bell in parliament? 10. Where would you go to see the 216-ton Tsar Bell (also known as the Tsar Kolokol III)? Not a lot of people know that… the largest bell ever made was the Great Bell of Dhammazedi, which was forged in 1484 and weighed 330 tons. Unfortunately this bell was lost to the floods of the Burma River in 1608.

NONAGRAM

RACHEL AND FRIENDS

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 T) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

TARGET:

audreyquinton99@gmail.com

Average: 12 Good: 17 Very good: 25 Excellent: 32

Answers 1. ERASURE, 2. MANCHESTER CITY, 3. CHARLOTTE BRONTË, 4. CAMPANOLOGY, 5. SPANISH CIVIL WAR, 6. 1870s (1876), 7. VIRGIN RECORDS, 8. LUTINE BELL, 9. CALL MEMBERS TO A VOTE, 10. MOSCOW KREMLIN

PETS

30

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Cats are just as smart A NEW study at a Japanese university is once again backing up the age­old cat lovers’ theory that felines are just as clever as dogs. Forty­nine domestic cats were used for the study at Kyoto University, which tested their ability to remember which food bowl they had eaten out of after 15­minute intervals. The cats, reported psychologist Saho Takagi, appeared to remember exactly which bowls should still contain food, suggesting they had what is referred to as episodic memory. “Cats may be as intelligent as dogs, as opposed to the common view of people that dogs are much smarter. Also, an interesting speculation is that they may enjoy actively recalling memories of their experiences just like humans,” the scien­ tist said.

SMART CATS: May be just as clever as dogs.

SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE? - NO, SWANSEA! 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

IT’S often said that fact is stranger than fiction. Well, consider a few of these facts. A sleepless person and someone else who got onion juice in their eye were among the people who made 999 calls in 2020. One caller reported a pigeon with an in­ jured wing and another said they thought they had got faeces in a cut. Yet another had trapped their finger in a door. The Welsh Ambulance Service shared the examples while reminding people to call 999 only for serious or life­threatening emergencies. It said of the 457,375 calls made to the service

between October 2019 and September 2020, almost a quarter were ‘non­es­ sential’ ­ code for just plain daft! Other examples included someone with toothache and another person with a buzzing sound in their ear. Chief Executive Jason Killens said: “Our ambulance service exists to help people who are seriously ill or injured, or where there is an immediate threat to their life. That’s people who’ve stopped breathing, people with chest pain or breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, choking, severe allergic reactions, catastrophic bleeding or someone who is having a stroke.” He added, presumably through, err, gritted teeth: “People with toothache and trapped fingers still have a clinical need, but calling 999 for that need is ill­judged and misguided when there are so many other ways to access more appropriate help.” Pitiful, really pitiful; bring on the vaccine! I remember reading a story about

the 1950s when boys were taught as Wolf Cubs (and maybe still are) how to make an emergency telephone call from a GPO red call box. Even at less than 10 years of age, they had far more accrued wisdom than all the ex­ amples of ‘adults’ quoted here. Heck, if crime writers like myself came up with motives as weak as these for calling out the ambulance service in our thrillers, we’d be nicked for wasting readers’ time! You really couldn’t make it up if you tried! Fact really is stranger than fic­ tion... Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘No Safe Place’, ‘Betrayal’, ‘The Girl in the Woods’, ‘The Girl in the Red Dress’, ‘No Way Back’, ‘Land­ scape of Lies’, ‘Retribution’, ‘Soul Stealer’, ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora­johnson.net) available online as eBook (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, paperback and audiobook. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.

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Liverpool Lose But Stay Top For Now LIVERPOOL’S tenure at the top of the Premier League was looking to be over on Monday evening (January 4) as they lost 1­0 at St Mary’s to a dynamic Southampton side, inspired by for­ mer Reds player, Danny Ings’ strike after only two minutes, his 50th goal in the Premier League, taking The Saints up into fourth position after their deserved win, with their boss Ralph Hasenhuttl falling to his knees crying at the final whistle. Klopp’s men stay on top, level on points, ahead on goal difference from Manchester Unit­ ed, who have a game in hand, making the top of the Premiership this season a whole lot more ex­ citing than last season, whereby with this point Liverpool had all but won the title. Speaking with the BBC after the game, Jurgen Klopp claimed his players were just not up to the match, and that was quite clear when you re­ alise his team only had one shot on target during the whole match, and fans are now calling on so­ cial media for their one­time hero, Mo Salah, to be sold as soon as possible. It has to be said that Klopp is up against it with

Klopp’s men stay on top. his two main central defenders both long­term injury statistics, and it remains to be seen if he will stick with his younger players like Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips, or if he will go into the January transfer window and buy some cover.

Chelsea beaten at home COVID­DEPLETED Man City beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as they ran Chelsea ragged in the first half.

Back On Top LUIS SUAREZ scored a late winner to secure a 2­1 win over Alaves and fire Atletico Madrid back to the top of the La Liga table. Uruguayan Luis Suárez popped up in the 90th minute to spare the blushes of Felipe Au­ gusto who scored a late own goal against 10­ man Deportivo Alavés. Marcos Llorente put the visitors ahead after 41 minutes with his latest long­range effort and they looked good for the win when Victor La­ guardia’s 63rd­minute red card seemed to put an end to any comeback from the home side. However, an outrageous own goal from Fe­ lipe on 84 minutes meant an unlikely draw was on the cards until superstar striker Suarez scored a record­breaking goal ­ setting the record for the best start at the club in the 21st century. Atletico Madrid restored their two­point ad­ vantage at the top of the league ­ over Real Madrid who beat Celta Vigo on Saturday (Janu­ ary 2) ­ after a fourth consecutive league win. The defeat leaves Alves in 13th place with 18 points.

A Manchester City team seriously de­ pleted due to the coronavirus outbreak at the club, finished a miserable Chelsea team off at Stamford Bridge within the first 45 minutes, with a dominant display of attacking football, and scoring three goals without reply. Goalkeeper Ederson was a notable ab­ sence, with his American, reserve team stand­in, Zack Steffen, having a shaky start to his first Premiership match, when he was penalised for picking up a back­ pass after only a few minutes. German midfield general Ilkay Gundo­ gan opened the scoring with his strike in­ to the bottom of the net, and just three minutes later, 20­year­old Phil Foden dou­ bled the score, with Kevin DeBruyne fin­ ishing off a Raheem Sterling effort, to send City in 0­3 at the break. The second­half was plain sailing for Pep Guardiola’s team, although Callum Hudson­Odoi managed to slide a goal in at the back post on 90 minutes, but City ran out easy winners, and find themselves in fifth spot, four points off the top of the league. Another home defeat for Frank Lampard builds the pressure on him, and it remains to be seen if he will become another man­ agerial casualty this season.