Euro Weekly News - Costa Blanca South 8 - 14 April 2021 Issue 1866

The people’s paper ISSUE NO. 1866

8 - 14 April 2021

News

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH • WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

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STEADY DOES IT!

THE Valencian Community has the best accumulated C ovid incidence rate in Spain.

I n J anuary it had the worst, although the turnaround is due not to luck but the strict - and unpopular - measures introduced to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

And the president of the regional government Ximo Puig said he intends things to remain that way.

Speaking during a visit to the Rois de Corella health centre in G andia with Health chief Ana Barcelo, Puig declined to predict the C ovid situation this summer.

“What we want is to arrive at May 9, the day when the State of Alarm ends, in the best possible circumstances,” he said. “We want as much normality as possible.”

O n T uesday M arch 6, P resident P edro S anchez announced that the State of Alarm will end on May 9.

T he right prescription, Puig added, was continuing “with maximum prudence and without encouraging false hopes.”

H e also admitted that

there were some anti-Covid measures the Generalitat would like to lift.

“Nevertheless restrictions are the antidote that provide us with maximum capacity for response and prevention,” ever-cautious P uig added. T he region, with S pain’s lowest accumulated incidence rate, was in a positive situation thanks to the population’s efforts and vaccinations, he stated.

“We have done well up to now and we must not lose this position,” P uig declared.

GANDIA VISIT: Ximo Puig last weekend with Ana Barcelo and Gandia’s mayor Diana Morant.

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Elche’s early warning system Poems on demand A TEAM from Elche-based Miguel Hernandez University (UMH) is to monitor local

wastewater for Covid-19.

Samples will be taken from Elche’s Algoros, Are-

Pharmacies linked to steroids gang THE Guardia Civil arrested 14 Spanish men and a Ukrainian who allegedly trafficked anabolic steroids in the Vega Baja and Va‐ lencia.

Three men and two women are also under in‐ vestigation for involve‐ ment with the group.

The arrests were the re‐ sult of an operation launched in 2018 after the Guardia Civil found an‐ abolic steroids in a car dur‐ ing a routine check.

Their enquiries led them to a group who imported the steroids from Europe, China and South America.

Investigators also found that these were illicitly dis‐ tributed in three pharma‐ cies in Almoradi and San

Miguel de Salinas as well as two sports nutrition shops in Torrevieja and Al‐ moradi.

In all, Guardia Civil offi‐ cers seized 7,365 doses of various drugs which, as well as anabolic steroids included others to reduce their side‐effects of impo‐ tence and unwanted breast tissue.

As well as €11,154 in cash and two top‐of‐the‐ range vehicles worth €90,000, officers also con‐ fiscated two Local Police uniforms.

These had been used in the past by one of the traf‐ ficers in so‐called ‘vuelco’ operations when rival drugs gangs robbed each other’s merchandise.

nales del Sol and Carrizales treatment plants and analysed in a €40,000 project financed by the regional government, explained the UMH rector, Juan Jose Ruiz, and Mireia Molla who heads the Generalitat’s Environment and Agriculture department.

Jose Navarro Pedreño, lecturer from the U M H’s Agrochemical and Environment faculty who is heading the project, explained that analysing and evaluating the wastewater from all three plants will serve as an early warning system for the presence of Covid in the local population.

Previously, the UMH has centred on the Vega Baja and the Vinalopo Bajo’s wastewater, given the areas’ economic and environmental importance and its effect on coastal areas.

Now, owing to the pandemic, the regional government has asked the University to monitor on Elche’s wastewater as well as that of southern Alicante.

ORIHUELA Town Hall has installed five automatic ‘poetry dispensers’ in different parts of the city.

The dispensers will grant, on de‐ mand, ‘wishes’ in the shape of po‐ ems by the late Orihuela‐born po‐ et Miguel Hernandez, explained city hall’s Culture councillor Mar Ezcurra.

The dispensers can be found at the city’s Sorzano de Tejada Muse‐ um, Hernandez’s own house, which is now a museum, as well as

the Marina Moliner public library, the Casa de la Juventud youth cen‐ tre and Orihuela Costa Town Hall.

The wishes come under the headings of Desire, Freedom, Love, Justice and Kiss. Just press a but‐ ton and the dispenser will supply a corresponding Hernandez poem.

“The poet responds with works from his own marvellous universe, permitting us to leave with a wish turned into poetry in our pockets,” Ezcurra said.

Suez repercussions THE Suez Canal, blocked for days by the beached Ever Given, will have an economic impact on 28,000 Valencia region firms.

The situation would take a week to return to normal and holdups could continue for weeks, admitted Egypt’s Port Authority.

This in turn would stretch Valencian industries’ supply chain even fur‐ ther than usual, the Valencia Chamber of Commerce told the regional Spanish media, pushing up overheads with inevitable repercussions on consumer prices they said.

Twenty‐five per cent of Valencia Port’s maritime trade is carried out with Asia via Suez, and the traffic jam of approximately 400 ships could mean delays in raw materials for the province’s chemical, plastics, tex‐ tiles, metallurgical and electrical industries, Chamber of Commerce president Jose Vicente Morata predicted.

The Port Authority foresees “an avalanche” of 25,000 containers when ships finally start to arrive, generating huge transport problems.

The four‐hour holdups already affecting the port will inevitably in‐ crease, said Fenatport, which represents self‐employed port hauliers.

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Often washed ashore THOUSANDS of jellyfish known as By‐the‐wind‐ sailors were washed up onto Elche’s La Marina beaches.

Unlike the Por‐ tuguese man o’war whose sting is so dan‐ gerous that beaches are closed once they put in an appearance, the small purple jelly fish are harmless, ex‐ plained the www.medusas.org website.

The sails on their backs allow the jellyfish to catch the wind and travel on ocean cur‐ rents, but they are at the mercy of the wind with hundreds, and sometimes thousands, frequently washed up on Mediterranean beaches after stormy weather.

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NIBS EXTRA Dump setback THE region’s Upper Court of Justice (TSJCV) annulled Crevillent’s 2013 rubbish collection contract with Abornasa, which was the only company to put in a bid. The ruling, formally acknowledged during the last council meeting, arrived days after the TSJ confirmed that the Crevillent plant could not be enlarged.

No change SAN MIGUEL DE SALINAS Town Hall defended reclassifying land for building although it is prone to flooding during periods of heavy rain. The local Residents Association lamented that the local government, now controlled by the PSOE, should have authorised “without question” a decision by their Partido Popular predecessors.

No link AN Alicante teacher who died minutes after she was inoculated with the AstraZeneca antiCovid vaccination was not affected by the blood clots often associated with the vaccine, the regional Health department announced. She died as the result of a heart attack, sources close to the case revealed.

Bun fight VALENCIAN Community police were keeping a close watch throughout Easter on open countryside and picnic spots where families and friends traditionally gather to eat the mona, similar to a hot cross bun in flavour but not appearance. The authorities wanted above all to prevent overcrowding and flouting of anti-Covid regulations.

New number RESIDENTS wishing to contact Torrevieja’s Street Cleaning department should call between 9am and 1pm on their new number, 673 004 814, on Mondays and Wednesdays. The 966 702 390 number for householders requiring free collection of unwanted furniture or bulky items remains unchanged, the town hall said.

School days THE enrolment period for online admissions to the Valencian Community’s state primary schools lasts from May 25-June 2, with enrolment between July 1-16, and vacancies published on May 24. High school admission takes place from June 3-14, enrolment lasts from July 26-29 with vacancies published on June 2.

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Another anti-Covid weapon

A METER installed in Elche’s Glorieta will detect and measure airborne Covid-19 particles.

The pioneering project from Castellon’s Jaume I University, which received €99,000 funding from the BBVA Foundation, involves collecting air samples in Castellon and Valencia as well as Elche where Miguel Hernandez University (UMH) is collaborating with the initiative.

“The Glorieta is ideal for this study, owing to its bar and café terraces with a lot going on there,” said the UMH rector Juanjo Ruiz at the launch of the project.

PIONEERING PROJECT: The UMH and meter that will detect and measure the presence of Covid-19.

Samples will be collected each day for analysis in a process similar to coronavirus PCR testing in a procedure that is the same as looking for Covid

presence in wastewater.

The health authorities can then introduce measures, if necessary, in line with the Covid-19 air readings.

Elche’s mayor Carlos Gonzalez congratulated the investigating teams for the “enormously interesting” strategy in fighting the pandemic.

“Once again the UMH and city hall are working together in the general interest in a situation that is also enormously relevant,” the mayor added.

“This meter will provide us with very valuable information which can be used to make decisions and introduce counter-measures that will help to reduce the effects of the coronavirus and control its spread,” Gonzalez said.

Tourism looks inland WITH Costa Blanca hotels resigned to a 35 per cent Easter occupation, inland rural areas looked forward to an influx.

Indira Amaya, who is president of Ali‐ cante’s Association of Interior Tourism and also manager of an Alcoy hotel, was predicting a “very good” Easter as the holidays got underway.

Bookings were so buoyant, Amaya told the provincial press, that many es‐ tablishments had to hang out the ‘No

Future additions to El Palmeral THE first 15 palm shoots have emerged from seeds planted by pupils at the Jesus Maria school in Orihuela.

They were taking part in the El future del Palmeral en tus manos (The future of El Palmer‐ al in your hands) project to in‐ volve the young in the Environ‐ ment department in safeguarding the future of Ori‐ huela’s palm forest.

The seeds germinated over the weekend to the pupils’ sur‐ prise and delight.

“It was amazing that the palms should have sprouted so soon,” said Orihuela’s Environ‐ ment councillor Damaso Apari‐ cio who visited the school to in‐ spect the future date palms. “It was also a coincidence that they germinated on Palm Sunday.”

More than 1,100 palms are expected to sprout over the next week or so in germinators at Orihuela’s primary schools where fifth‐year pupils are cur‐ rently taking part in the project.

vacancies’ sign for the long weekend between Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday.

Alicante Province’s 200 rural hotels were likely to fill their combined 2,500 capacity, she said beforehand.

“This has been a shot in the arm for the sector after all the difficulties con‐ fronting us in recent months,” the asso‐ ciation president declared.

She attributed the encouraging book‐

ings to the nationwide travel restric‐ tions that have boundaries between all other regions.

“This has made people look inland for a holiday. And we are in a context where, fearing Covid infection, they want to avoid crowds,” Amaya said.

“They have looked for quiet places with attractive scenery, interesting ac‐ tivities and a very good gastronomic of‐ fer.”

Tajo-Segura uncertainty THE regional government’s Consell, equivalent to a Cabinet, rejected the central government’s plans to restrict the arrival of Tajo‐Segura water.

The Ministry of the Environment intends to re‐ duce the monthly water transfer to southern Ali‐ cante from 38 cubic hectometres to 27. At the last meeting of the National Water Council (CNS), the

Generalitat’s Environment department voted against the report which the Ministry has quoted to justify the cutback. Voting will continue, but the outcome is uncertain. The southern Alicante grow‐ ers who depend on the Tajo‐Segura water for their crops will vote against the reduction, while the Min‐ istry and the regional government are in favour.

Spray-paint destruction VANDALS have spray‐painted the Peña Negra archaeological re‐ mains in Crevillent.

The town hall has reported the defacement to the Local Police as well as the Generalitat’s Department of Education, Culture and Sport, Crevillent’s Culture councillor Jesus Ruiz announced. “We are asking the local population to help us in ensuring that these vandals feel the full weight of the law to prevent a repetition of this damage to our cul‐ tural heritage,” Ruiz declared. Peña Negra was once Herna, the most ancient city in the south‐east and Levante area, whose eighth century BC Phoenician remains can still be visited.

More protection ROJALES Town Hall signed up online to the nationwide cooperation pact with the police to protect gender violence victims.

Equality councillor and deputy mayor Inmaculada Chazarra ex‐ plained that the Guardia Civil and Local Police will collaborate on en‐ suring court orders safeguarding victims through the VioGen system are carried out. “This is a great day,” Chazarra said. “We have gone a step further in eradicating gender violence. There is a long way to go but the pact will help to put an end to this blight on society.”

Nice try PROPERTY owners with second homes in Alicante Province are ap‐ plying for damage certificates as an excuse to enter the region.

Belen Sanchez, vice‐president of the province’s College of Property Administrators (Coafa) revealed that members had received more than 800 requests for phony certifi‐ cates from owners, principally from Madrid looking for a way round an‐ ti‐Covid travel restrictions.

“We have refused categorically,” Sanchez told the Spanish media.

Even in the event of genuine damage, there was usually no need for an owner to travel, as problems could be dealt with by the Property Administrator or the Property Owners’ association, the Coafa vice‐president said.

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Ten-year grievance V A L E N C I A’ S A n t i ‐ Fraud Agency is in‐ vestigating a com‐ plaint centring on asphalting the Torre‐ vieja road where the mayor’s parents live.

According to the anonymous accusa‐ tion, the street in La‐ go Sol is affected by protection afforded to the Torrevieja and La Mata national park as well as the Coastal Law. The street was sur‐ faced in 2011 as part of the agreement with a company con‐ tracted to repave Torrevieja streets.

The project was car‐ ried out by a cousin of the local mayor, Eduardo Dolon, and a councillor’s nephew who were also awarded other as‐ signments.

According to the local Spanish media, Torrevieja Town Hall failed to reply to the Anti‐Fraud Agency’s request for docu‐ mentation regarding the Lago Sol question in September 2020, prompting a warning that the municipality could face a fine of up to €400,000 for non‐compliance.

Local government sources downplayed the complaint and announced that there was no record of a request for the documentation, which has now been provided.

The same source quoted in the media pointed out that the issue goes back 11 years and that other sections of Lago Sol’s roads were as‐ phalted at the same time as the street where Dolon’s par‐ ents live.

The complaint was an attempt to dis‐ tress the mayor’s family, they added.

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NEWS

See how Mark’s garden grows MARK BICKNELL recently re‐ turned to the Los Montesinos area after living in the moun‐ tains for the last five years.

“During that time, I had an allotment and learned how to grow fruit and vegetables,” Mark told the Euro Weekly News.

About two months ago he met a lady called Ines Perkins who has been helping vulnera‐ ble families with kids who sim‐ ply cannot afford to feed themselves, he explained.

“Many people, including my‐ self, have been donating food to help out,” Mark said. “How‐ ever, what I noticed is that people were buying non‐per‐ ishable items because that kind of food is survival food.”

This set him thinking and he

decided to ask a friend if he could use her land, which is far too big for her to maintain and is overgrown with weeds.

She agreed immediately and with his knowledge of garden‐ ing, Mark knew that he could provide a huge amount of fresh, healthy food to comple‐ ment what people were al‐ ready donating.

“This week I will be pegging out four 450‐square metre plots to grow seasonal vegeta‐ bles and fruit, mostly melons,” he said.

“My aim is to donate 80 per cent of this produce for Ines to distribute. The other 20 per cent is for the landowner to sell locally and for her own consumption, to offset the cost of additional water.”

WASTE LAND: This will soon start producing fresh vegetables for vulnerable families.

Learn more about Mark’s project on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/491071045604919 as well as https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCondhtGj8qD9y2QaUuDccog YouTube.

Mark also explained that he did not intend to set up a fundraiser because he does not want people to stop donat‐ ing food.

“This project will not be pro‐ ducing for a couple of months and I need people to keep fo‐ cusing on what they are cur‐ rently doing to provide imme‐ diate food relief.”

He is currently financing the

project himself, but it is worth the sacrifice, he declared.

“I will likely look at fundrais‐ ing in the early autumn be‐ cause by then, people will have seen this working and may wish to help me get ready for the winter crop planting.”

Mark wants this to be a year‐round operation because people are going to need help for some time in the future.

“I’m not sure what we will do when we aren’t needed so much, but there may be an op‐ portunity for some kind of edu‐ cation where people can come and visit and learn how to gar‐ den. Maybe schools could show an interest later on, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The priority is right now.”

He added that if anyone does want to help out while continuing to help Ines, that would be extremely helpful.

“The biggest cost that I face right now is the 500 metres of drip‐feed irrigation and 300 metres of chicken wire fencing and posts because we have discovered rabbits,” Mark re‐ vealed.

“Rabbits have plagued me and cost me so much in new plants over the years, so they need to be kept out. If a com‐ pany is interested in sponsor‐ ship, that would be great, but if not, it’s not a huge concern.”

When Mark spoke to the Eu‐ ro Weekly News, he was having a weekend off from work as in China, it is Qing Ming or ‘tomb sweeping’ festival.

“As I know that the land has been ploughed, socially‐dis‐ tanced teams of six volunteers will be descending on the property, rotating shifts every two hours, to put in ridges and furrows, installing the drip‐irri‐ gation tubes and then laying the mulch on top.”

Although the four plots will be prepared over this week‐ end, only two will go into pro‐ duction as the remaining two will be planted up to two or four weeks later, to extend the growing season.

The land will be ready but not planted as he wants to let the soil settle before planting time, Mark said.

“At the end of May, we should be able to provide some of the faster‐growing crops such as lettuce, but June is when we will really see things happening and we can really start helping a lot of peo‐ ple.”

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Alcohol Avoidance Don’t consume alcohol.

EXPERTS from around the world are offering varying opinions on how long you should avoid drinking alcohol for when getting your coron‐ avirus vaccine, but they do agree that alcohol should not be consumed near to being vaccinated.

According to Diario Sur,

Seasonal Flu MILLIONS of people around the globe are hoping that be‐ tween lockdowns and vaccines, the virus that causes Covid‐19 might soon be eradicated from our lives. Now, experts are warning that the virus might be with us forever, however, it won’t always be a deadly plague but instead, they expect it to mutate into a seasonal flu type of infection.

“This coronavirus is going to be here to stay,” explained Dr John Brownstein, chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital in the USA. “Eradication of this new coronavirus is basically impossible.

“Eradicating this virus right now from the world is a lot like trying to plan the construction of a stepping‐stone pathway to the Moon. It’s unrealistic,” says Michael Osterholm, an epi‐ demiologist at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

But even if the virus sticks around, new vaccines and new drugs to fight the virus mean it’s unlikely to cause severe ill‐ ness in the future. Offit predicts “that eventually, it will cause fewer deaths than influenza.”

drinking alcohol along with having a coronavirus vaccine can be compared to the fa‐ mous don’t drink and drive slogan, in that the two should never be mixed.

The expert reminder not to drink comes from the fact that alcohol affects the immune system and according to Ronx Ikharia, Doctor of Immunology and the documentary ‘The truth about boosting your im‐ mune system,’ alcohol affects the number of white lympho‐ cytes in the bloodstream, which weakens the immune response. The scientist went as far as to test out how vol‐ unteer’s immune systems re‐ acted after having three glass‐ es of white wine.

The time estimates for the avoidance of alcohol vary wildly though and the least likely to be followed comes in at a recommendation of 42 days after the vaccine, and two weeks as a minimum without alcohol before the vaccine. This regulation comes from Anna Popova, a leading Russian health authority.

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Fake Toys worth more than €16m

Counterfeit toys found.

OFFICERS from the Guardia Civil have removed 150,000 toys from sale after finding they were fake or did not meet safety standards.

According to the Guardia Civil, searches were carried out in warehouses, ports, airports and land customs precincts, finding

more than 1,900 infractions, including for labelling or safety of toys and resulting in 41 people being investigated.

In a joint action with the Tax Agency, the Guardia Civil carried out 61 inspections in Vizcaya, managing to intervene more than 26,000 counterfeit toys and laser pointers, with the total value of the intervened objects exceeding €36,000.

The Guardia Civil worked with the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) and the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ) to investigate.

The Guardia Civil said: “Thanks to the actions carried out in the 24 participating countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania , Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom and United States), during this first edition of the Ludus operation, nearly five million fake toys worth more than €16 million have been intervened.”

NEWS

Mega Yacht Collision IN a bid to see a Russian billionaire’s mega-vessel a family managed to sail their 20ft boat into the side of a £360 million mega yacht. The yacht which is owned by Russian industrialist Andrey Melnichenko, aged 48, was hit multiple times by the small boat. Melnichenko has a history of commissioning stylish new ships and is said to be worth $17.9 billion according to Forbes.

The multi-million-pound mega yacht was moored off the coast of Galicia over the weekend and many families with access to small boats flocked to see the stunning yacht in the Atlantic Ocean.

Sadly, though one family came into trouble after having set sail to see the enormous 469ft ‘Sailing Yacht A.’ As a small boat approached the yacht the waves and wind became too much for the small ship’s captain, and sadly the boat was pushed against the hull of the mega yacht. This left many paint marks down the side of the yacht and the incident will have to be reported to the mar-

itime authority by the yacht’s captain.

Footage of the incident which for many was hilarious but surely for the captain would have been mortifying, showed how the children on board the boat yelled in Spanish at the father as he tried to move away from the yacht.

The father fought frantically to start the backup petrol engine as he was seen to pull on the starter rope in an attempt to get away. The small boat was seen to repeatedly hit and drag along the hull of ‘Sailing Yacht A.’ The incident will now be reported to the Maritime Captaincy of Vigo.

Toxic Chemicals SCIENTISTS have discovered evidence that some masks contain toxic chemicals.

As the Covid‐19 pandemic continues to affect the world, masks have become an essential part of preventing the spread of the potentially deadly coronavirus. Although some scientists have suggested that evidence is emerging that certain face masks which are on sale to the general public could be potentially dangerous in the long run.

Scientists have found evidence of toxic chemicals in some face masks in trace form. According to scientists their preliminary tests have shown that traces of compounds such as formaldehyde have been discovered in some face masks.

Formaldehyde can cause a variety of symptoms such as burning in the throat, nose and eyes along with wheezing.

According to the MailOnline, Ecotextile News has evidence to support that some face masks do not meet the stan‐ dards that they are supposed to.

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Spanish Tax Return T H E dreaded process of ‘declaracion de la renta’ or declaration of income begins in Spain on Wednesday April 7, a period marred by confusion and anxiety for many expats living in Spain.

However, for the good or for the bad, the 2021 returns on income tax will be quite different than previous years because of the coronavirus

pandemic. For this reason, the Tax Agency has already activated its Renta Web Open site, where users can start uploading the necessary documentation and investigate whether they need to pay income taxes this year.

A major change affecting many taxpayers is that the amount of paid rent may

Warning Over Fake Bank Notes THE Guardia Civil has issued a warning over fake bank notes in a bid to ensure those spending and receiving money in Spain are not scammed.

Taking to Twitter, the Guardia Civil displayed a bank note for €39.95 and said: “It may seem funny and obvious to you, but some fakes are not as obvious as this.”

They added advice on how to avoid fake bank notes.

They said: “Touch the relief printing… Turn it over to see the holographic band… Look at it against the light.”

The Guardia Civil said: “You will prevent your “money” being worth nothing.”

have been altered during the pandemic if both landlord and tenants have “agreed to some type of reduction in the price of the lease” so that “the amount to be declared by the leaser will be the new amount agreed,” according to the Director of the Fiscal and Tax area of AGM Abogados, Carmen Rodriguez Calvo.

This relates to tenants and landlords who have come up with a new payment scheme together during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to current legislation there are two ways in which a tenant can deduct rental payments from their income taxes. The first option is to present a rental agreement that has been in place since before January 1, 2015 and has remained in place since then.

In this case, a tenant would be entitled to 10.05 per cent as long as the payment doesn’t exceed more than €24,107.20 per year.

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Piers Morgan’s Replacement

To be co-host on GMB.

ADIL RAY has confirmed via Twitter that he will be cohosting Good Morning Britain, alongside Susanna Reid and Kate Garraway, for the whole month of April, from Monday to Wednesday, filling the void left vacant by the departure of Piers Morgan.

The 46-year-old star of Cit-

Classroom cuts

THE Ministry of Education plans to reduce classrooms in 212 pub‐ lic infant and primary schools in Valencia for the coming year, a measure that has been justified by ‘the collapse of the birth rate.’

The changes proposed by Vicent Marzà’s department are a provisional measure, only for 2021‐2022, and based on demo‐ graphic, enrolment and supply criteria.

A document presented to the teachers’ unions on Thursday, April 1, reportedly shows that 144 classes will disappear overall compared to the current year.

There are 51 schools that will that gain classrooms as part of the proposals, 186 that will lose and 26 which are likely to stay the same because some classes will be added and others removed.

The education department will place classrooms in a ‘non‐func‐ tioning’ situation in that they will be ‘activated’ when necessary, according to the number of students and teachers available. They raised concerns that ‘deactivating a class’ is a step towards a ‘per‐ manent deletion.’

The union has reportedly been critical of the proposal after years of ‘constant increase in units’ and called a move with less classrooms and less professionals ‘worrying.’

izen Khan told his 77.5k followers on Twitter, “Some news for you... I will be cohosting @gmb throughout the whole of April Mon to Weds, starting this Monday with @kategarraway and with @susannareid100 after the hols. I would love for you to make it your daily wakeup if you fancy it! #goodmorningbritain.”

H e was inundated with posts from happy fans, with one telling him, “Congratulations A dil. L ooking forward to it as you always do a super job!” and another wrote, “ W ow!!! T his is great news, Adil! So excited and defo will be there. Congrats!!!,” or, “Congratulations! At last, I always thought you were the man for the job you’re very funny can’t wait.”

Although only sitting in for the month of May, Adil will certainly be hoping that it can lead to a more permanent position, on what is one of television’s most popular breakfast shows, as reported by the press.

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Important health checks missed due to pandemic, survey reveals A GROWING number of people are suffering eye-related conditions as a result of continued lockdown restrictions - with new research revealing 42 per cent of people have noticed sight deterioration since March 2020.

This represents a significant increase in the number of people noticing a deterioration in their vision during the first lockdown (34 per cent) as reported by Specsavers Ópticas last year.

Yet, the new study by the high street opticians shows that half

(50 per cent) of those suffering any deterioration are yet to address the issue and see an optician. It also showed that people are feeling ever more concerned about leaving their home.

These results were released for World Health Day on April 7, because an eye test is an important health check, and missing these tests can not only put eyesight at risk, but potentially other aspects of their health too.

Jorge Martínez de Lizarduy Araico, from Specsavers Ópticas,

says it is incredibly important for people to seek professional support if they have any concerns with their sight. He is also reassuring people that they have introduced a series of measures in store to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all customers.

“We estimate that approximately 7,500 Specsavers Ópticas customers failed to attend their scheduled sight test last year due to lockdown restrictions, and are concerned that some people

App To Protect Urban Birds THE Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO/BirdLife) has just launched the second edition of its campaign aimed at alerting Spaniards and expats alike about the danger to birds in urban areas due to the decimation of their nesting sites.

Every spring in Spain there are multiple re‐ ports of people destroying the traditional nesting sites of migrating birds, and the asso‐ ciation is working to inform the public about the benefits of encouraging wild bird popula‐ tions, as well as the fines associated with de‐ stroying organic nesting sites.

“It can involve the imposition of fines or

even constitute a crime against fauna punish‐ able by up to two years in prison and with fines of between €3,000 and €200,000,” a spokesperson for SEO/BirdLife told the Span‐ ish press. Because of the inherent threat to wildlife, the organisation has created a unique phone app that will allow users to identify, and therefore protect, the nests of birds in Spanish towns and cities.

The app is part of a campaign by SOS Nidos, whose main aim is to protect the common swift, which at this moment are flying in their droves from Africa to nest in their old stomp‐ ing grounds in Spain.

may have a symptom-free condition that has gone undetected.

We would urge those who have not seen an optician in more than two years to book an appointment as a matter of urgency.”

Find your nearest store at www.specsavers.es.

WORLD HEALTH DAY: An eye test is an important health check.

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Foreign Office Updates THE Foreign Office has updated its advice for UK nationals visit‐ ing Spain in a move expected to make it easier for expats to see their families.

The FCDO said: “Passenger travel from the UK to Spain is re‐ stricted to EU and Schengen as‐ sociated state citizens, those who are legally resident in the EU or in Schengen associated states, or those passengers who can demonstrate that their jour‐ ney is essential (including on compassionate grounds).”

It added: “Entry restrictions and testing requirements are currently in force for travel from the UK into Spain.”

It added that for those who are not otherwise allowed to en‐ ter the country, “those who can demonstrate through documen‐ tary evidence an essential need to enter Spain, will be allowed to enter the country.”

The news comes after Spain’s government announced on March 31 that vaccine passports will be ready by June. The an‐ nouncement was hailed as a major boost to Spain’s econo‐ my.

TOURISTS: Could return to Spain and continental Europe by summer.

If both the UK and Spain suc‐ ceed in their planned rollout of the vaccine, then the summer

could see British tourists return‐ ing to Spain and continental Eu‐ rope.

New Breast Cancer Jab IN what has been described as a ‘life changer’ a new cancer treat‐ ment that will take just minutes to administer rather than hours will now be available to patients that are fighting breast cancer.

The new treatment will give patients a better quality of life as it means that they will spend less time in hospital accessing treat‐ ment, and it will also free up more time for medical staff.

It is hoped that not only will the new injection give patients a better quality of life, but also reduce the chances of being infected by the potentially deadly coronavirus as patients will be in and out of hospital in record time.

The new treatment is set to be rolled out across England by the NHS and is named Phesgo and the treatment will be on offer to many patients who are currently undergoing chemotherapy dur‐ ing their fight against breast cancer.

It is expected that the treatment will be available to around 15 per cent of breast‐cancer patients, as those with HER2‐positive breast cancer will be able to access the treatment.

NEWS

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OFFICIALS turned away 40 passengers when they arrived at Alicante airport because of Brexit residency confusion.

The border officials sent dozens of Britons back to Manchester, without their luggage, on the same plane despite them having post-Brexit residency. The passengers were sent home and left angry and confused as they were told by the UK government that paperwork proving successful residency applications should be sufficient enough to enter Spain.

The immigration officials in Alicante had written to the passengers asking them to collect their TIE cards or residency permits. A 47-year-old offshore worker from Manchester, Stuart Miller, said that the situation was “absolutely diabolical” and asked: “What more proof do you need of residency?”

Ryanair airport staff in the UK had approved the passengers’ departure, however, the Britons were surprised to see a sign at the Spanish terminal that said ‘NO TIE CARD, NO ENTRY.’ Not only was the flight then delayed, but the returning passengers were also then informed that their hold luggage would not be sent back to

8 - 14 April 2021

Passengers Turned Around at Airport Because of Brexit Manchester until April 2.

Mr Miller’s wife, Caz, warned other travellers: “Whatever paperwork you have with you, and whoever tells you that you’re okay to travel, be prepared to be carted back on to the plane and sent back.

“The most confusing thing is the double standards. I think the airport policy depends on nothing more than the mood of

the officials at the border.

“Until 6pm on Tuesday March 30 only those who are legally resident or have sufficient documentation to prove residency [were] allowed to enter Spain.”

From Wednesday March 31, only those who have Spanish residence or their travel is considered essential will be allowed to enter Spain.

‘Key week’ in campaign THE Ministry of Health has sent SMS messages to people aged 79 and 65 in the Valencia Community who will be giv‐ en the Covid jab this week with plans to administer 224,000 doses ‐ the highest in a week so far.

This will see vaccines exceed one million across the com‐ munity by end of the week.

The Ministry has stressed that it is ‘very important’ that only those who receive an SMS message explaining where and when the dose will be vaccinated should attend the rel‐ evant health centre in this ‘key week.’

And the Health Department advised that, if for any rea‐ son, some people in these age groups have not received the SMS notification, they ‘should not be alarmed’ as they ‘will receive an appointment by other means for the next ap‐ pointment opportunity.’

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FACEBOOK joins TWITTER FACEBOOK has taken the deci‐ sion to join Twitter in letting users choose a chronological feed of content on their home pages.

Facebook will give more context on suggested content by enlarging the ‘Why am I seeing this?’ button, users will also be able to control who can comment on their posts.

The decision has been taken ahead of a first draft of the UK’s new Online Safety Bill, which will most likely give powers to Ofcom allowing them to audit how algo‐ rithms work on social media plat‐ forms.

Transparency in algorithms has become a focal point for regula‐

tors, with companies seen pro‐ moting harmful content and creat‐ ing echo chambers for people sharing conspiracy theories and ex‐ treme political and religious beliefs.

The move towards transparen‐ cy comes as the UK’s former deputy prime minister, Sir Nick Clegg, and now Facebook’s vice president of global affairs, pub‐ lished an article addressing ‘com‐ mon misconceptions about the al‐ gorithms’ impact on users and society.”

Another change Facebook will make is with who can comment on a user’s post, a feature that is used by Twitter.

NEWS

Traffic fines cancelled A STUDY shows that there are an increasing number of cases in which the courts rule in favour of the driver when appealing a fine from the Spanish Traffic Department (DGT).

In three years the number has risen by 14 per cent now accounting for around 50 per cent of fines being cancelled when appealed.

This happens especially when the fine was for speeding, as the study reports that the margin of er-

ror for speed radars is not being applied correctly. In a recent sentence, the DGT was sentenced to pay legal costs of €400 when the fine was appealed and the driver won the case.

The D GT explained that the margin of error can be calculated by a ‘rule of seven,’ that is, up to 100km/h, the margin of error is calculated by adding seven km/h; above 100 km/h, add 7 per cent of the speed limit.

T hat means, for exam-

ple, that if the speed limit is 110 km/h a fine would be issued at more than 117.7 km/h.

The seven is explained by the fact that the maximum error permitted on speed cameras and radars when they are checked is between 3 and 7 per cent.

Meanwhile, for set speed traps the margin of error follows the same rule, but instead of seven, with five, and regarding speed control from helicopters, the margin is 10 per cent.

900km away snitch THE Local Police in the city of Lugo, in north-western Spain in the region of Galicia, fined a man, who was walking in the street, with no mask in sight, while smoking.

They had received the tip-off from someone in Alicante, on the east coast of Spain, almost 900 kilometres away from where the offender was found. This person claimed that they had seen the man in a live video published on social media.

The police received the call while the viewer was still watching the

video in which they claimed they could see a man walking around smoking and not using a mask. The police located the man in Avenida de Ramon Ferreiro just as he was finishing the video.

Over the weekend, Local Police in Lugo fined another 30 people for breaching Covid safety regulations, several of them for attending parties in the early hours of the morning without using masks, breaching curfew and failing to abide by rules regarding the number of people who can get together.

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NEWS

‘Japanese Ikea’ MINISO, a Chinese multinational inspired by Japanese design con‐ cepts already has 27 stores in Spain and shows no signs of

slowing down. Founded by Chi‐ nese businessman Ye Guofo, Miniso has been fondly called the ‘Japanese Ikea’ as it sells ev‐

Milky Way discovery SPANISH scientists have discovered a new star struc‐ ture in the Milky Way. A team of researchers from the Centre for Astrobiolo‐ gy (CAB, CSIC‐INTA), has drawn the most detailed map to date of massive blue stars in the solar neighbour‐ hood, discovering in it a hidden structure they have named the Cepheus spur.

The map is so detailed that it has allowed the scientif‐ ic team to discover something that no one has seen until now: a structure made up of massive blue stars about 10,000 light‐years in length that extends from Orion to‐ wards Perseus, rising above the plane of the Galaxy.

“Massive blue stars (also known as OB stars) have a peculiarity that makes them especially interesting to as‐ trophysicists: as they have a short‐lived life span of a few million years,” said CAB. “Thus, in the same way that the dating of rocks re‐ veals the level of geological activity of a planet, the pres‐ ence of OB stars in the Milky Way is an indicator of activ‐ ity in our Galaxy, since they reveal regions of star formation.

“Where we find them we can say that the Galaxy is ‘alive,’ as new stars are being formed,” added the centre.

erything from larger furniture items to unique and kitsch deco‐ rative pieces. Founded in 2013, the brand now has more than 4,300 stores across 80 countries including Canada, the United States, Spain, Australia, UAE, In‐ dia and Mexico.

Its eclectic mix of products stems from the fact that Miniso collaborates with some of the most diverse and popular brands on the planet, including Coca‐Cola, Hello Kitty and Mar‐ vel.

The company’s motto is: ‘A better life has nothing to do with price’ as it hopes its image will create ‘a feeling of happiness and a feeling of joy.’

Ikea, meanwhile, has warned that its supply chain could be in‐ terrupted following several days in which some 250 boats were trapped in the Suez Canal after the Ever Given ship became stranded. Several containers of Ikea products were left floating in the passage, but at the time the company said it was doing all it could to ensure product availability.

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THE ongoing Coronavirus pandemic continues to rage around the world and although restrictions in Spain were set to limit group gatherings and potential infections over Easter, many people have been seen to breach the rules and carry on regardless with parties and Easter gatherings.

Many tourist towns were pleased to see business booming but this could potentially come at

Fears of Fourth Wave a cost. Spain had restricted the movement and the number of people who could meet over Easter for residents. EU tourists took advantage of time off and were able to enter Spain in order spend Easter in the sun.

Multiple areas in Spain saw nu-

merous breaches of coronavirus rules over Easter such as Barceloneta beach, which has been the scene of frolics and dancing for young people, with coronavirus restrictions such as masks seemingly forgotten.

Many provinces in Spain saw

NEWS

EASTER BREAK: Many were seen to be flouting the rules.

cases increasing ahead of Easter and some areas saw their risk classification increase to ‘very high’ or ‘extreme.’ It will be some days before the full consequences of the Easter break will be seen, although it is feared Spain could be headed for a fourth wave.

Environmentalists Attack EXPERTS claim Spain’s govern‐ ment is not complying with measures against climate change.

A group of environmentalists is now taking the government to court, claiming proposed amendments to Spain’s climate change law would avoid com‐ plying with some measures, in‐ cluding those to reduce green‐ house gases.

However, the government has rejected the claims, saying it is taking more measures on cli‐ mate change than those the Eu‐ ropean Union has set.

Vice President of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, said: “The European Union sets us an energy efficiency target of 32.5 per cent by 2030, and we have assumed an energy efficiency target of 39 per cent.”

The news comes after rising sea levels brought on by climate change were causing coastal concerns in Spain.

The sea level is currently ris‐ ing up to three centimetres each year, and the experts pre‐ dict that by 2100 it could rise by as much as 53 centimetres glob‐ ally, which would affect count‐

less coastal towns and cities around the world.

Throughout Spain, significant beach declines are expected, es‐ pecially in the Cantabrian Sea, Galicia and the Canary Islands,

according to the report. On the Catalan coast, the coastline will recede by around 20 metres by 2050, according to the most favourable projections, but could reach 41 metres.

24-Hour Crisis Centres THE Ministry of Equality has announced its plan to install crisis centres in every province of Spain to offer psychologi‐ cal and legal support to victims of sexual abuse which will operate 24‐hours a day, 365 days a year. The revolutionary initiative, which was set to be formally approved on Tues‐ day, April 6 at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, has re‐ ceived an investment of €19.8 million and promises ‘at least’ one centre in every province, as well as two in the au‐ tonomous Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

Responding to the fact that less than 10 per cent of sexu‐ al assaults are reported, the Ministry document clearly states that: “In no case is it necessary to file a complaint to facilitate care and intervention,” according to the Spanish press.

The plan is part of Spain’s commitment to the Istanbul Convention, officially known as the Council of Europe Con‐ vention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, which this country ratified in 2014. The scope of the centres will be wide, aimed at supporting women who are victims of sexual assaults, women subjected to forced marriages and genital mutila‐ tion, victims of sexual harassment and prostitution, among many others.

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NEWS

Rubbish Compensation A GARBAGE company has had to shell out €24,000 in compensation after a woman suffered a fall in Malaga.

Limasa III, the company that until a few months ago was responsible for cleaning the city streets, has been ordered to pay €24,722.39 in compensation to a woman who slipped and injured her-

self during the 2016 strike.

The court heard that on March 7 the complainant was walking with her daughter ‘and when she entered Calle Francisco de Rioja she suffered a fall due to the slippery surface of the pavement given the existence on the ground of rainwater and oil and other substances from the immense

Labour Reform THE vice‐president of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovkis, has asked Spain to provide a “broad and ambi‐ tious” labour reform that will “seriously” tackle the “very high” unemployment rate among younger people. Mr Dom‐ brovkis has insisted that new labour regulations must be the “first priority” of the recovery plan which will outline how the €140,000 billion European bail‐out will be spent.

“A broad and ambitious reform is the first priority be‐ cause the country needs to seriously tackle the duality of its labour market and the very high levels of youth unem‐ ployment,” Mr Dombrovkis said.

Spain still has another month before it has to submit the plan, at which point it will be examined by the Community Executive. If all goes well, Spain should receive an advance of €10 billion by the summer, with the rest of the money being provided once certain “milestones and objectives” are met.

quantity of garbage that had accumulated, which practically occupied all the space that pedestrians had to walk on.’

The woman’s legal team also pointed out that on this narrow street there were also several garbage bins overflowing with rubbish that had spilled onto the street. For the injuries she suffered, the woman initially sued Malaga City Council for €49,444.79; this was dismissed by the town hall, but now has been partially upheld to the tune of nearly €25,000.

During proceedings, Limasa argued that although the rubbish had accumulated because workers were on strike, there was more than enough room for the woman and her daughter to pass.

The company also blamed the rainy weather for her accident. In deciding on the amount of compensation, the judge ruled that while the garbage company was responsible, the woman’s own carelessness also contributed to the accident.

NEWS

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8 - 14 April 2021

Virtual Festival Tickets on sale

ONLINE FESTIVAL: And wellies will be optional.

Stranded in Morocco ALMOST 1,200 Spaniards took a boat and a chartered plane on Easter Sunday (April 4), after nearly 4,000 people were stranded in Morocco when the country closed flights to Spain on Tuesday March 30 because of health reasons.

Shortly after 5.30pm Spanish time, Balearia’s ship departed from the port of Tangier Med to Algeciras with 800 passen‐ gers aboard.

Around the same time that afternoon, an Iberia plane car‐ rying 348 passengers left from Casablanca (Morocco) to Madrid.

It is also expected that an Iberia plane transported 200 travellers from Casablanca to Madrid after they were strand‐ ed in the country when flights were closed with France and Spain on Wednesday March 31.

Although passengers had to fork out more money than ex‐ pected on their trip, including new PCR tests, transportation to Casablanca and additional nights in hotels, there is a gener‐ al feeling of relief on returning to Spain.

Iberia has made over 50 repatriation flights from countries including the Philippines and Austria ‐ places it has not previ‐ ously flown to ‐ since the beginning of the pandemic.

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL is set to return for one night only and this time will be in virtual format and wellies will be optional.

Amid the ongoing Coronavirus global pandemic many events have been cancelled in the last year. Glastonbury music festival is just one of these, and so far the iconic festival has been cancelled for two years running due to the Covid pandemic.

Organisers have now come up with a unique idea, which will allow music fans from Spain and elsewhere in the world to join in too. Tickets have now gone on sale for a one night special of live music, which will take place in May. The online event will include performances from Coldplay, Damon Albarn, HAIM, IDLES, Jorja Smith, Kano, Michael Kiwanuka and Wolf Alice, and will feature landmarks such as the Stone Circle and the Pyramid Field.

Music fans in Spain and across the world will be able to join in online as the event is set to be broadcast for four separate time zones. The live streams will be staggered and fans can select a time zone and payment denomination suited to their location.

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First wolf sighting in 100 years A WOLF has been captured on a hidden camera at a national park in Spain ‐ the first sighting in 100 years.

A camera hidden by Spain's Rural Agents in the wild captured the first im‐ age of a wolf in the Aigüestortes National

Morning movement VALENCIA registered two early morning earthquakes of similar magnitude.

The two earthquakes occurred around 4am on Sat‐ urday, April 3, though the Generalitat stressed that 112 had received no emergency calls as a result of the movements.

According to the National Geographic Institute (IGN), the first earthquake occurred at 3.49am in the Gulf of Valencia, with a magnitude of 2.5 and a depth of nine kilometres.

Minutes later, at 4.03am, the IGN detected a second earthquake of similar magnitude (2.6) and a depth of 21 kilometres.

IGN also confirmed another earthquake in the Mediterranean, magnitude 4.9, and further movement in Galicia (2.7), both slightly stronger than those which occurred in the Gulf of Valencia.

Park, in the Vall de Boí, Lleida, a situation that has not been recorded in at least a century.

“The snapshot was taken i n Fe b r u a r y a n d w e a r e l o o k i n g f o r g e n e t i c s a m‐ ples in the area in order to identify the specimen and its origin,” said Rural Agents.

A wolf has previously been identified in the Alta Ribagorza in Aragonese and, experts are now studying whether the im‐ age belongs to the same specimen or to a different one.

Members of the Depart‐ ment of the Environment of the Generalitat have ex‐ plained that until they have genetic samples they will not be able to know.

The photograph was tak‐ en as part of Rural Agents’ ongoing monitoring of the fauna at the national park.

Cameras that are activated by movement have, on other occasions, captured images of bears in the Pyrenees.

NEWS

Masks on Beaches THE Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities have agreed to discuss the law that requires the use of masks in swimming pools, beaches and other public places.

The new law, which was announced recently, had meant that masks had to be worn in public spaces regardless of whether people could stay 1.5 metres apart, which included beaches and by swimming pools.

However, the government has said it will now review the new law after facing criticism for introducing the move before tourist season.

Spain’s government had on March 30 introduced a new law surrounding face masks making them mandatory in all public spaces.

The law was changed to remove the exemption in a previous regulation which meant masks did not have to be worn outdoors if people could stay at least 1.5

metres apart from each other.

Andalucia’s law had made an exemption for those lying down near beaches and swimming pools however, while Spain’s new law does not, meaning mask wearing is now mandatory even on

the beach across Spain unless a similar exemption is put in place by the government.

C urrent fines for being found not wearing a mask begin at €100 and can rise to between €601 and €30,000 for more serious cases.

Fugitive Arrested THE National Police in Benidorm have apprehended a 58‐ year‐old man against whom the Belgian authorities had is‐ sued a European Detention and Surrender Order (OEDE) for crimes of drug trafficking and fraud. According to a state‐ ment from the Spanish authorities, the fugitive faces 10 years in prison once extradited back to Belgium.

Officers belonging to the Organised Crime Group of the Alicante Judicial Police Brigade learned that the unnamed criminal was hiding out in the Costa Blanca and launched a manhunt. Their investigations led them to a property in Benidorm where the suspect tried to flee on foot when he spotted the officers; the police gave chase and quickly ar‐ rested the man.

Once transferred to a police station, officers discovered that the fugitive had been up to his old tricks while hiding out in Spain and he had, in fact, been arrested for fraud charges in Benidorm, according to Spanish daily Las Provin‐ cias.

Food delivery skyrockets FOOD delivery has skyrocketed 60 per cent during the pandemic in Spain and has been attributed for the survival of many businesses.

The demand for home delivered food has soared by 60 per cent since the start of the pandemic in Spain with four out of 10 households ordering takeouts up to twice a week.

And the surge is believed to have saved many businesses from permanent closure.

Pablo Sánchez is one of the creators of dbar-

rio, an app created to group small businesses that did not have the facilities to make home deliveries.

“The hoteliers tell us that in the hardest months of confinement, food at home saved them from the final closure,” he told Cope.

Around 1,000 restaurants have joined traditional food delivery platforms, and have seen a steady growth in orders, with Sunday no longer the preferred day not to cook.

NEWS

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Apartment scam A COUPLE has been arrested over a €500,000 tourist apartment scam. The man, 35, and woman, 36, were detained for renting apartments for months using fake documentation and then placing them on the market for day and short term lets to tourists.

According to Barcelona police, the owners of the apartments have lost almost €150,000 as a result of the con, both for the non-payment of the monthly payments and for the legal costs of recovering the properties.

They had set up a systematic scheme based on a swindle that involved renting several apartments in the Eixample district of Barcelona for months at a time.

The couple then put the apartments on the tourist rental market without the owners’ knowledge and skipped the administrative procedures that regulate this type of activity.

They are believed to have made around €500,000 through the scam due to the higher cost of tourist leases, significantly higher than the cost of private use on the monthly market, in addition to the fact they were not

paying any taxes or duties.

The Russian couple, who live in Cambrils, were brought before the courts on Wednesday March 31, and face charges of fraud, document forgery and usurpation of civil rights.

Illegal Cobras seized THREE venomous and highly dangerous snakes were seized from a private home in Toledo after officers from the SEPRONA section of the Guardia Civil discovered that the owner was not in possession of the correct licensing or safety equipment to own the reptiles.

One king cobra - the largest poisonous snake in the world - and two forest cobras have been rehomed in the Terra Natura Park in Benidorm on the northern Costa Blanca.

A herpetologist (someone who specialises in the study and care of reptiles and amphibians) travelled

Mass immunisation

MORE vaccines have arrived in Spain, two million doses, than that of the whole month of January.

If forecasts are met, the pace will not stop increasing over the coming weeks. The majority of au‐ tonomous communities are finalis‐ ing the opening of mass vaccina‐ tion centres to administer more vaccinations and meet targets.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has labelled the pace of process in Europe as ‘unaccept‐ ably slow,’ and now Spain is de‐ ploying all means necessary to meet the goal of immunising 70 per cent of the population in

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preparation for the summer.

Madrid is to launch the Wizinik Centre Pavilion for those aged 60 to 65 to get immunised. The Basque Country are to open two more centres to add to the ones they are already operating. Galicia has prepared over 14 centres throughout the community. The Canary Islands will launch two cen‐ tres, one in each capital. Catalonia is awaiting 200,000 weekly doses to arrive and will then open six large infrastructures.

Aragon is currently operating four centres. The Valencian Com‐ munity will wait to have 57,000

doses a day to then multiply its ca‐ pacity. There will be an installation of mobile vaccination centres at Ri‐ oja. Andalucia and Murcia will con‐ tinue to open additional and larger centres to add to the ones they al‐ ready currently have in places such as sports halls.

To achieve the goal of immunis‐ ing 70 per cent of the adult popula‐ tion, arrival forecasts have to be met and there needs to be suffi‐ cient healthcare capacity to admin‐ ister the doses.

However, several experts believe that this should not be an issue in Spain.

from Benidorm to the capital of La Mancha to supervise the transfer of the snakes, the handling of which is extremely dangerous owing to the high level of venom their bite can deliver.

While two of the reptiles were in good physical condition, Enrique Sánchez, head of animals at Terra Natura said that the third had an abscess on her body which required surgical drainage by a vet.

According to the snake expert, while it is not against the law in Spain to keep these reptiles as pets, strict safety measure have to be followed, including having the correct anti-venom on the property, which the former owner did not.

The keeping of exotic reptiles in unsafe conditions unfortunately seems to be on the rise in Spain.

Last month, a 31-year-old man living in Central Spain was charged with crimes against animals when he was found in possession of no less than 45 venomous snakes, including cobras and green mambas.

His case was originally brought to the attention of the authorities when he claimed to have been bitten by a rattle snake while out walking in a field.

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EASYJET has announced three new routes connecting the UK and Spain for this sum‐ mer.

The new routes to Spain will connect Malaga, Alicante and Palma de Mallorca with the British city of Birmingham dur‐ ing the summer season.

The route between Malaga and Birmingham will be opera‐ tional from June 29 to October

New Flight Routes 30, with two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

This new route reinforces the airline’s commitment to Malaga, a city in which it will inaugurate its seasonal base in June with three aircraft, ac‐

cording to easyJet. Meanwhile, the route be‐ tween Palma de Mallorca and Birmingham will operate be‐ tween July 3 and October 30 with three weekly frequen‐ cies, on Tuesdays, Thursdays

and Saturdays. The three new routes are now available on the airline’s website.

The news comes as Spain has announced it expects to introduce vaccine passports to help tourism.

NEWS

‘Rural Erasmus’ Scheme

InN a unique move against the depopulation of remote areas of Spain, the government has launched a new ‘rural E rasmus’ scheme for the 2021-2022 academic year which will see students offered the opportunity to carry out their threemonth work experience in a village or small town setting.

“We want to launch a job exchange programme, training, in the style of what has been done with Erasmus in Europe, breaking borders.

That at least three months of the first work experience of our young people take place in this type of environment for an emotional and work connection,” explained the minister for the Ecological Transition and the D emographic C hallenge, Teresa Ribera, on Monday, March 29.

D uring the closing of a ceremony in the S enate, the government official announced that the first stage of the Erasmus plan would be offered to 100 students, with a special focus on ‘empowering’ women who want to work in this sector.

Ms Ribera added that this will be done through a series of training projects, digital training and loans to self-employed people registered in the smaller municipalities.

The minister pointed out that inland Spain in particular has seen a massive population decline in recent years, while its labour force has decreased ‘almost by half’ since the middle of the last century.

Additionally, twice as many women as men have chosen to leave rural areas in favour of larger towns and cities.

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EUROPEAN PRESS

EUROPEAN NIBS DENMARK

FRANCE

No loitering

Activists

THE head of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, Christoffer Badse says that the Danish government is abusing its power with the continuance of a loitering ban in ‘hippy enclave’ of Christiania, which Copenhagen Police argue is needed to restrict the spread of the coronavirus.

DESPITE the ongoing Covid-19 troubles, France 24 reports that there is a growing number of animal activist groups who rather than protest violently, work to free animals from ‘factory farms,’ peacefully picketing slaughterhouses and filming conditions in which both farm and laboratory animals are kept.

NETHERLANDS

NORWAY

Eurovision

Holiday homes

IT has been confirmed that audiences of up to 3,500 people will be allowed to attend rehearsals, semifinals and the finals of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest being held in Rotterdam this May as part of an experiment to monitor the safety of crowds.

AS health officials contacted residents in upmarket areas of Oslo to arrange appointments for them to have their vaccinations, they were amazed at the number who refused or asked for a different date as they wanted to spend Easter in their holiday homes.

BELGIUM

FINLAND

Window seat

Teen drivers

THE CEO of Belgian Rail company NMBS has threatened to cancel all trains to the coast after the government decided that passengers travelling to tourist destinations may only sit in window seats with all other seats left empty, which officials believe is a recipe for chaos.

ALTHOUGH the official age to obtain a driving licence is 18, it is possible for 17-year-olds to apply to drive and this number has increased dramatically.

According to Finnish traffic police, offences committed by these new drivers in 2020 have risen by 45 per cent.

GERMANY Prehistoric find AN eight-metre-long canoe discovered at the bottom of Lake Constance is believed to date from around 2,400 BC and is being brought to the surface a bit at a time due to the fact that its wood is so soft and fragile.

SWEDEN Alcolock TAXIS in Gothenburg are equipped with alcolocks which won’t allow the driver to start the ignition if there is alcohol detected, but due to a technical problem, some 300 cabs have been immobilised and are unable to operate which caused significant difficulties for local residents.

FINANCE Spanish arrival A SPANISH bound container ship arrived at the port of Algeciras four days late after being held up for six days by the blockage of the Suez Canal. The Mary Maersk vessel has a capacity of 18,000 containers and was the first blockaded vessel to arrive in Spain.

Back to work FOLLOWING in the footsteps of Orange and Vodafone, communications company Telefónica has instructed its work force to return to its call centres and offices, although staff will have the opportunity to alternate with home-working and those over 60 or in charge of dependents may be exempted.

Traffic flow THE volume of traffic on toll roads taken over by the Spanish Government fell by 37 .8 per cent in 2020 compared to a fall of just 31.5 per cent for other toll roads according to the Ministry of Transport.

Satan shoes A COMPANY working with rapper Lil Nas X which adapted Nike trainers by adding a drop of blood and a pentagram and calling them Satan Shoes sold all 666 pairs at around €800 each and has now been served an injunction by Nike to stop manufacture.

Joke backfires SINCE the beginning of the 16th Century, the French have played jokes on friends every Poisson d’Avril, (April Fool’s Day) but a joke by Deliveroo backfired dramatically.

The French team thought that it would be amusing to send bills for non-existent pizza orders costing up to €450 together with a promise of 50 free sachets of sauce.

Later, on the afternoon of April 1, the company made a statement via Twitter simply saying “We confirm that it was an April Fool’s joke. You can enjoy the evening by ordering the pizza of your choice.”

STAT OF WEEK

www.euroweeklynews.com • 8 - 14 April 2021

€70 million

is the amount that Spanish oil giant Repsol invested in research and development during 2020, despite all of the problems caused by the pandemic.

Four-day week

Largest ever investment BARCELONA‐based multi‐ category delivery company Glovo has raised €450 mil‐ lion in a funding round which is the largest in his‐ tory for a Spanish start up.

Glovo will invest in ex‐ panding its footprint in the 20 markets in which it cur‐ rently operates.

It is one of the leaders of the so‐called gig economy which is based on flexible, temporary, or freelance jobs, often involving con‐ necting with clients or cus‐

tomers through an online platform.

So confident are the owners of Glovo in its fu‐ ture that they have allo‐ cated €100 million for the creation of more dark stores (which are often laid out like supermarkets but are not open to the public).

It will also invest some of the latest funding into improving facilities in its Barcelona HQ as well as in the tech hubs in Madrid

LEGALLY SPEAKING

and Warsaw.

The company, which has a strong base of more than 10 million users is paying particular attention to growing its groceries and retail categories through key local partnerships and in its biggest cities, it’s al‐ ready able to provide ul‐ tra‐fast last‐mile delivery within 10 minutes.

To spur on the growth of its groceries category, Glovo will seek strategic partnerships similar to its

deals with supermarkets such as Carrefour, Conti‐ nente, and Kaufland, while also investing in its own in‐ frastructure and fulfilment centres.

This growth compares admirably with the situa‐ tion for Deliveroo which recently launched shares on the London Stock Ex‐ change, but took an imme‐ diate hit as their value dropped by some 30 per cent and investors lost €2 billion.

UK hospitality anger

Can Italian Exceed 90 days?

Credit: Flickr

BUSINESS EXTRA

28

We have had an apartment in Mallorca for over 20 years for our use during hol‐ idays. I have an Italian passport and my wife has an English passport. We have no intention to be permanent residents in Spain. We have been told that because I hold an Italian pass‐ port, I am not restricted by the 90‐day rule.

Does this ruling only apply to myself or is my wife equally entitled?

J C (Baleares)

EU citizens are not ex‐ empt from the 90‐ YOU AND THE LAW day rule. The IN SPAIN tourist stay of 90 days is a European Union rule which applies to EU citizens as well as to citi‐ zens of third nations. An Italian may not stay in France or any other EU country as a tourist for more than 90 days, for example. At the end of the 90 days he must re‐ turn to his home country, his country of tax residence, or leave the European Union completely. He may not re‐ turn to any EU country not his home for 90 days. Strict enforcement of the 90‐day rule is causing problems for many second‐home owners.

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.

A DECISION by the European Union to require Spain to in‐ clude the value of ‘bad bank’ lia‐ bilities still outstanding from the previous financial crisis has in‐ creased Spain’s debt position.

Initially the Bank of Spain re‐ ported that 2020 debt was equivalent to 117.1 per cent of the Gross National Product (ie, Spain owed more than it

PAY UP: But how far will WiFi reach?

AS Britain gets closer to eas‐ ing more lockdown mea‐ sures, those in the hospitality industry are angry about new rules concerning registration of customers from April 12.

Previously, if a group went out together, one person could register on the NHS track and trace site and then if there were any problems of contagion, they would be able to give details of all of those who accompanied them.

The new rules require that every person who wants to have a drink or meal has to either register online or give their details to a member of staff and there are fines for

establishments that don’t en‐ force this.

As initially guests can only be served in the open air on terraces or gardens, there is also a potential problem re‐ garding payment by debit or credit card, as if guests are not allowed inside the estab‐ lishment to pay, WiFi may not be strong enough to reach the exterior and this is yet to be decided.

In a joint statement, UK Hospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association and the British Institute of Innkeeping said the rules would add “more confusion and incon‐ venience for customers and staff.”

Spanish debt increase earned) but with this new re‐ quirement imposed by the EU’s body Eurostat, this has now in‐ creased to 120 per cent.

Much of the reason for this huge debt is the fact that the Spanish Government, like so

many others, has had to in‐ crease spending by way of assis‐ tance to individuals and busi‐ nesses due to the ongoing pandemic, as well as the signifi‐ cant drop in revenue caused by lockdown and lack of tourists.

As so many building compa‐ nies and lending banks had be‐ come bankrupt from 2008 on‐ wards, the Spanish Government in association with major banks created SAREB (known as the ‘bad bank’) to take control of

THE Spanish Government is to invest €50 million in an experi‐ ment to test whether there would be advantages in chang‐ ing to a four‐day working week without damaging the econo‐ my.

According to US news service Bloomberg, the concept has been promoted by left wing par‐ ty Mas Pais and some compa‐ nies in Madrid are already tri‐ alling the concept.

It is anticipated that the gov‐ ernment will invite some 200 companies throughout the country to take part in the three‐ year experiment starting later this year.

The fact that so many people have been working from home thanks to the pandemic has made it easier to trial the con‐ cept.

Boohoo Booboo AS online retailer Boohoo starts to bring all of its recent‐ ly purchased brands such as Dorothy Perkins into the group, price differentials are being discovered.

Most recently, a BBC re‐ porter discovered that both she and one of her friends had purchased the identical coat from two different Boohoo websites, one being Coast and the other being Dorothy Perkins, but on dis‐ cussion they discovered that one coat cost £34 (€38) more than the other.

The company said that each brand worked independently but a spokesperson confirmed that there would be a review and prices would be aligned. properties and debts.

Whilst it has reduced the €50 billion of negative assets it took over since being created in 2012, it still holds huge amounts of debt and as such, the EU be‐ lieved it appropriate to consider it an organisation effectively owned by the government, which is why the debt situation has on paper worsened.

30 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

8 - 14 April 2021

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

LONDON - FTSE 100

See our advert on previous page

C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 5

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) 3I Group 1.173,50 1.177,50 Admiral Group 3.057,0 3.143,0 Anglo American 2.898,5 2.910,5 Antofagasta 1.692,50 1.712,50 Ashtead Group 4.473,0 4.482,0 Associated British Foods 2.451,0 2.459,0 AstraZeneca 7.172,0 7.279,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 560,00 562,00 Avast 459,00 460,00 Aveva 3.504,0 3.556,0 Aviva 409,10 411,20 B&M European Value Retail SA533,60 534,80 BAE Systems 510,40 516,80 Bank VTB DRC 1,080 1,110 Barclays 184,00 190,04 Barratt Developments 764,00 764,40 Berkeley 4.527,0 4.534,0 BHP Group 2.068,00 2.119,50 BP 289,80 296,95 British American Tobacco 2.715,5 2.795,0 British Land Company 509,60 517,20 BT Group 156,45 157,20 Bunzl 2.360,0 2.363,0 Burberry Group 1.927,5 1.930,5 Carnival 1.625,8 1.642,4 Centrica 56,00 56,74 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.314,0 2.332,0 Compass 1.495,00 1.505,00 CRH 3.345,0 3.425,0 Croda Intl 6.418,0 6.418,0 DCC 6.282,0 6.326,0 Diageo 3.007,0 3.024,5 DS Smith 413,60 415,60 EasyJet 1.009,00 1.021,00 Experian 2.546,0 2.557,0 Ferguson 8.946,0 8.986,0 Flutter Entertainment 15.480,0 15.675,0 Fresnillo 894,80 900,20 GlaxoSmithKline 1.277,60 1.297,40 Glencore 285,65 289,40 Halma 2.438,0 2.450,0 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.581,00 1.586,50 Hikma Pharma 2.319,00 2.344,00 HSBC 423,20 427,00 IAG 209,55 209,75 Imperial Brands 1.488,50 1.514,00 Informa 572,00 578,20 InterContinental 5.044,0 5.070,0 Intermediate Capital 1.896,50 1.900,50 Intertek 5.720,0 5.738,0 ITV 121,80 122,35

% CHG. 1.151,00 3.036,0 2.838,0 1.686,00 4.327,0 2.426,0 7.148,0 557,00 451,40 3.433,0 405,30 527,80 508,60 1,072 183,86 749,40 4.449,0 2.061,50 289,80 2.710,5 504,40 154,25 2.321,0 1.896,0 1.610,6 54,10 2.307,0 1.475,50 3.340,0 6.340,0 6.238,0 2.990,5 407,60 984,20 2.506,0 8.624,0 15.460,0 863,40 1.271,60 283,75 2.386,0 1.546,50 2.275,00 421,00 198,94 1.488,50 560,60 4.980,0 1.843,50 5.606,0 120,25

NET VOL 775,49K 448,03K 2,44M 669,24K 791,50K 445,99K 1,52M 1,97M 1,69M 258,10K 5,12M 1,53M 5,38M 1,26M 79,55M 1,76M 233,15K 3,19M 47,49M 3,35M 1,29M 23,01M 457,09K 555,14K 819,24K 23,01M 193,57K 3,22M 871,04K 161,27K 149,27K 1,80M 1,82M 4,17M 1,29M 622,91K 218,26K 984,72K 6,50M 22,75M 722,74K 1,12M 425,82K 13,91M 47,81M 1,68M 1,80M 364,21K 377,16K 261,74K 6,84M

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

J Sainsbury Johnson Matthey Land Securities Legal & General Lloyds Banking London Stock Exchange Meggitt Melrose Industries Mondi National Grid NatWest Group Next Norilskiy Nikel ADR Ocado Persimmon Phoenix Prudential Reckitt Benckiser Relx Rentokil Rightmove Rio Tinto PLC Rolls-Royce Holdings Rosneft DRC Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B RSA Insurance Sage Samsung Electronics DRC Sberbank Schroders Scottish Mortgage Segro Severn Trent Smith & Nephew Smiths Group Spirax-Sarco Engineering SSE St. James’s Place Standard Chartered Standard Life Aberdeen Taylor Wimpey Tesco Tui Unilever United Utilities Vodafone Group PLC Whitbread WPP

238,60 3.014,0 701,60 283,50 42,77 7.234,0 490,50 173,55 1.884,50 863,50 196,70 8.114,0 31,06 2.092,00 3.024,0 712,80 1.551,50 6.498,0 1.835,00 500,00 595,60 5.480,0 108,92 7,33 1.411,11 1.412,2 1.335,4 681,80 625,00 1.856,00 15,12 3.547,0 1.164,00 948,60 2.307,0 1.359,50 1.566,50 11.590,0 1.457,00 1.289,50 490,20 293,90 182,75 227,95 380,70 4.022,0 928,40 133,66 3.490,0 934,00

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

243,90 3.064,0 712,20 285,00 43,04 7.254,0 490,70 177,35 1.894,00 870,40 197,65 8.232,0 31,78 2.095,00 3.029,0 717,60 1.568,00 6.556,0 1.836,50 502,00 598,00 5.602,0 109,84 7,57 1.424,51 1.424,4 1.346,6 683,60 625,80 1.860,00 15,55 3.574,0 1.175,50 949,60 2.322,0 1.378,50 1.566,50 11.640,0 1.463,00 1.295,00 500,60 294,90 182,90 229,05 386,20 4.084,0 931,60 134,12 3.502,0 937,80

238,00 3.013,0 690,80 279,30 42,39 6.988,0 478,00 166,50 1.854,50 858,90 195,30 7.940,0 30,97 2.042,00 2.957,0 703,20 1.538,00 6.466,0 1.816,50 483,90 583,20 5.466,0 105,30 7,32 1.410,20 1.410,2 1.334,0 681,20 611,60 1.830,00 15,10 3.507,0 1.143,00 933,80 2.281,0 1.357,50 1.530,00 11.410,0 1.450,50 1.270,50 487,70 291,10 178,00 226,10 370,00 4.016,0 919,40 132,04 3.417,0 922,20

3,43M 364,41K 1,09M 7,94M 113,06M 1,10M 959,52K 8,26M 637,41K 5,01M 7,69M 321,89K 1,05M 835,43K 606,43K 1,34M 2,91M 0 1,58M 3,21M 2,02M 2,03M 38,88M 4,15M 4,23M 4,23M 5,56M 2,31M 1,63M 24,29K 2,84M 352,84K 3,88M 1,55M 409,16K 1,42M 771,38K 129,93K 1,31M 910,49K 5,49M 3,29M 9,10M 11,24M 3,23M 2,89M 950,49K 36,62M 364,43K 1,63M

0.84854

1.17766 Units per €

US dollar (USD) ......................................1.17455 Japan yen (JPY)......................................129.916 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................1.1076 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4385 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................10.037

currenciesdirect.com/la-zenia • Tel: +34 965 994 830 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 5

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 192,70 2.137,75 3.161,00 249,17 123,00 252,96 232,74 105,75 51,98 52,51 298,66 327,64 307,75 216,80 133,23 64,55 162,83 153,71 225,21 77,09 242,35 132,53 134,28 218,72 661,75 367,07 58,30 216,86 135,62 188,97

CHANGE 193,92 2.142,94 3.162,44 250,00 124,18 257,88 235,00 105,86 52,07 53,15 302,40 329,66 308,55 217,97 133,93 64,89 163,84 153,79 226,22 77,46 242,84 134,69 135,48 218,93 692,42 372,69 58,39 217,74 136,89 189,10

CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 190,84 1,90M 2.096,89 1,70M 3.115,55 2,94M 246,41 2,18M 122,49 75,09M 251,31 10,93M 227,59 3,79M 104,21 8,52M 51,35 17,90M 52,46 15,83M 296,60 17,62M 324,16 2,66M 303,89 3,92M 215,49 2,11M 132,27 4,07M 63,58 31,42M 162,26 7,23M 151,55 16,56M 223,28 2,44M 76,82 8,70M 238,05 30,34M 132,21 5,72M 133,33 9,12M 213,37 7,76M 659,42 35,30M 365,76 2,98M 57,74 12,89M 212,30 6,14M 135,33 8,53M 185,59 7,75M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 5

COMPANY

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

Most Advanced Alphabet Inc. Cl C Alphabet Inc. Cl A Amazon.com Inc. Booking Holdings Inc. Lam Research Corp.

CoStar Group Inc. MercadoLibre Inc. Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings Inc. Series B Broadcom Inc. 8% Pfd. Series A United Therapeutics Corp.

MicroStrategy Inc.

+3.34% +3.26% +2.16% +2.26% +7.40% +4.80% +2.61% +78.85% +1.90% +14.99% +3.65%

3.63B 4.25B 9.29B 591.81M 1.57B 278.66M 878.62M 32.76M 40.08M 326.87M 283.11M

-13.15% -2.09% -1.37% -9.62% -0.93% -1.67% -1.84% -12.81% -3.29% -10.02% -3.78%

38.88M 447.97M 1.00B 102.53M 23.36B 57.06M 899.44M 84.67M 1.61B 13.02M 43.59M

Most Declined Discovery Inc. Series B SVB Financial Group Charter Communications Inc. Cl A U.S. Concrete Inc. Tesla Inc. BeiGene Ltd. ADR lululemon athletica inc.

BioXcel Therapeutics Inc. Futu Holdings Ltd. ADR Vor Biopharma Inc. Kodiak Sciences Inc.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

Woman is UK’s highest paid boss

ONLINE GAMBLING: Bet365 has offices in the UK and operates services in Spain.

THE majority shareholder and CEO of family‐owned gambling firm Bet365 has just been paid a staggering £469 million (€516 million) salary for the last financial year.

Denise Coates CBE and her brother John took over a betting shop business from their father some 20 years ago and since then she has shown herself to be an as‐ tute and successful business‐ woman whose company has benefited from the boom in online gambling.

Bet365 was actually set up in 2000 with a loan from RBS secured by the betting shop business which was later sold to Corals and the company which has offices in the UK operates interna‐ tionally with services in Spain and a small office in Gibraltar as well as opening

in Malta due to Brexit.

According to the BBC, sales for the year ending March 2021 were £2.8 bil‐ lion (€3.1 billion) but profits slumped to £194.7 million (€214 million) as interna‐ tional sporting events were cancelled due to the pan‐ demic.

Despite this, she was able to take the £469 million which is a combination of salary (up 50 per cent from the previous year) and divi‐ dends plus a further £85 mil‐ lion (€94 million) was paid to her charitable foundation.

There has been consider‐ able criticism of the amount that Ms Coates has collected which amounts to £1.2 mil‐ lion (€1.32 million) per day, but the company argues that it was a reasonable remu‐ neration and it had not cut staff salaries, laid off any

Spain and Africa SPANISH President Pedro Sánchez has unveiled his Africa Focus 2023 plan in Madrid saying he wants to see Spain expand its sphere of influence across the continent.

Confirming that there were no significant colonial links, he emphasised the fact that the continent is literally a few kilometres away from the Iberian Peninsula and that Spain already had strong diplomatic and economic links with many North African States.

He will be travelling to visit Angola and Senegal during the second week of April and believes that now is the time for Spanish companies to invest in Africa.

employees or used the fur‐ lough scheme.

BUSINESS EXTRA Japan business THE Japan-Spain Business Association and representatives of Barcelona Port have held discussions to analyse the impact of the EU-Japan Economic Cooperation Agreement (EPA) on economic relations between Spain and Japan, the impact of Covid-19 on trade between the two countries and the need to boost business.

Merger approved SHAREHOLDERS in both Unicaja and Liberbank gave their approval on March 31 for the two banks to merge in July of this year and become the fifth largest bank in Spain by asset with a value of more than €113 billion and 4.5 million customers.

More cancellations DESPITE the intention to hold the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona from June 28, its viability has once again been brought into question as two more tech giants, Google and Intel have decided to cancel, joining Ericsson, Sony, Nokia, Oracle and Facebook.

8 - 14 April 2021

EWN 31

32 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

8 - 14 April 2021

FEATURE

Ah well, perhaps they can sort it all out LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT WHATEVER the result of the Derek Chauvin trial, you can put your money on two indisputable facts. If George Floyd’s lawyers gain a favourable result and this police officer is declared guilty of murder, there will be wild celebrations and hysterical jubilations across the land.

Anything less and the rioters and looters, who are probably polishing their pilfering skills as we speak, will join untold millions of screaming hoards, who will spread mayhem, maiming and inevitably deaths all across our Western society. You can rest assured this situation will prevail for months, costing billions to beleaguered governments, who are already trying to manage economies teetering on the brink. And there’s the rub.

The various ruling factions simply cannot allow this to happen; the results would be catastrophic. Militant insurgents are now so numerous and

CONFLICT: Should not be allowed to happen.

the threat of violence so great, that the politicians are petrified of inciting them in any way ‐ it could ultimately cost them their jobs. Therefore, as we see time after time, appeasement is their only viable alternative. (The recent ‘Mohamed cartoon’ school confrontation is a case in point).

Unfortunately, these reactions are,

(correctly) interpreted by the militants as a sign of weakness and subsequently can create an even higher escalation of public disorder and extremism. With all this in mind, in the case of George Floyd, you can rest assured the defendant will be found guilty. I do however feel there is some possibility of a manslaughter verdict, the consequences of which will

be exactly the same as a ruling of not guilty!

So gird your loins for a resulting conflict that could lead to many of the cities, both in the UK and America resembling the worst days of Beirut ‐ an outcome I warned of some 25 years ago! Personally, after closely following this trial on Al Jazeera (without doubt

the channel to watch) and disregarding the fact that this Floyd individual was assuredly a drug taking waste of space; if you watch the previously unrevealed video footage and observe the ‘hand in pocket,’ cold arrogance of the police officer, as he knelt on the neck of this handcuffed criminal for some nine and a half minutes, his actions do appear to be unnecessarily excessive and, as it resulted in his demise, certainly in my opinion merits at the very least a verdict of manslaughter. Good luck everyone.

What with the pandemic, the threat of militant Islam, the ongoing unrest in the Middle East; genocide in parts of Africa, global warming and the diversity farce, it’s not exactly the sort of legacy I would have wished for my children. Ah well perhaps they can sort it all out. One thing is for sure, we certainly couldn’t.

Don’t forget to listen to my ‘alter ego’ on expatradioscotland.com. Also available on Google and Alexa devices.

Monday. Wednesday and Friday 1pm till 4. Join us for a laugh.

Keep the faith Love Leapy Leapylee2002@gmail.com

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

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

8 - 14 April 2021

EWN 33

Advertising Feature

What is the difference between an obituary and a death notice?

WHEN someone dies it is common to put an obituary or a death note in the press. As an ex‐ pat living abroad, you can contact the local En‐ glish‐language press to arrange the publication of a notice to announce the death of a loved one.

Different publications use different terminolo‐ gy, so check first that you are clear about what you’re getting, but generally the differences are: Death notice A death notice is a paid announcement in a newspaper giving the name and age of the de‐ ceased and details of their funeral or memorial service (date, location), and where donations can be made.

A death notice is generally written by the fami‐ ly to be submitted to their chosen publications.

They can include some details about their life, but are typically only a few lines long.

They are usually printed in local and national newspapers, or in publications issued by commu‐ nities to which the deceased belonged, such as churches and associations. They can be both in print or online. The publication will request con‐ firmation of the death.

Obituary An obituary is an article written by a newspa‐

per’s staff with a detailed biography of the de‐ ceased. Families can ask for it to be written and submit the details, but it is ultimately the news‐ paper that decides whether to publish it.

Major newspapers only write obituaries for well‐known people, but local newspapers will probably be open to publishing the obituary of someone prominent in the expat community. So‐ cial groups, associations and religious communi‐ ties may also agree to print an obituary in their newsletters.

An obituary can include details about the fu‐ neral or memorial service and are usually several paragraphs long.

Photos You will probably be allowed to include a photo of the person, which when accompanying a death notice will probably come at an extra charge.

Most newspapers will require digital images not printed photographs.

Helping hand If needs be, find out from the funeral home if they can help to write the death notice and ar‐ range for it to be published. Most will do this, some for free and others for a small fee. This will allow you to avoid the stress of having to contact the newspapers and making payments.

Choosing between them Death notices and obituaries serve different purposes; while the death notice simply informs the community of the death and details of where and when the funeral or memorial service will be held.

An obituary is more of a tribute to the life of the deceased and shares their accomplishments with the community. The choice of which one is best for you to honour your loved one is a very personal deci‐ sion.

Going digital In this digital day and age, many websites have been cre‐ ated which are dedicated exclu‐ sively to obituaries. They can be written and published on the site by relatives of the deceased or written in ad‐ vance by the person themselves to be published at a later date.

Writing an obituary for yourself may seem daunting, but it allows you to highlight your ac‐ complishments, choose how you want to be re‐ membered, express what life has meant to you and explain how you would like your loved ones to honour your memory.

www.goldenleavesinternational.com • enquiries@goldenleaves.com • Facebook: goldenleavesspain

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A Year in an English Garden: Flicker & Pulse The British Garden: Life and Death on Your Lawn The Sky at Night Between the Lines Between the Lines The Mary Rose: A Timewatch Guide A Year in an English Garden: Flicker & Pulse

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An Evening with Peter Alliss A Round with Alliss Art of France The Incredible Story of Marie Antoinette's Watch with Nicholas Parsons The Joy of Painting Walk the Line

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Live Women's International Football Catching Britain's Killers: The Crimes That Changed Us Lights Up: Harm Colour: The Spectrum of Science David Stratton's Stories of Australian Cinema Nolan: Australia's Maverick Artist

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Dream House, Nightmare Neighbour Rich House, Poor House 5 News at 5 Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight The Highland Vet Springtime on the Farm Intruder Shoplifters: At War with the Law

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FEATURE

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Who thinks of all this stuff?

MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION Views of a Grumpy Old Man WELL summer here is going to be fun for people that like to sunbathe on the beach as it’s just been announced that they will have to wear a mask at all times! Suntans will be interesting! Enough now - stop.

Spread the beds out and disinfect, like they did last year, take reasonable steps but to expect someone to wear a mask is just barmy. So you can lie on a beach, practically naked, and, on some, completely naked, and finish up getting nicked for having your chin, mouth and nose on display. Really?

Hopefully there will be thousands of people here during the summer. Do the police have nothing better to do? Or perhaps the people that rent the sunbeds will be asked to police it causing the same rows that are happening elsewhere in supermarkets and other public places. Then there will be the punters that sit on their own beds and chairs. It’s just crazy, will not work and will cause chaos. Who thinks of this stuff and what evidence is it based on?

Anyone watch the Panorama programme about Covid testing in a Milton Keynes lab

about the cross contamination and false positives? If not, find it and watch it, it’s scary. Funny enough didn’t see much about it in the press next day. Wonder why?

Mainstream telly is just a waste of time at the moment. I’m fed up watching programmes about baking, cooking and repairing. The BBC is in such a mess it’s now putting BBC2 regulars like Top Gear and Dragon’s Den, both considered a niche product, on to BBC1. I love a quiz, as my daughter always reminds me, but they are even repeating them at prime time. I have to confess my memory is getting so bad I still can’t get the questions right even though I’ve seen it before!

They have already got rid of BBC3 and just announced that BBC4 is now going to be an archive station which is just poncy BBC speak meaning it’s going to be used for showing even more repeats.

Just saw Mrs S reading an article about new euthanasia rules being put in place in Spain. I said to her that she had no need to look at all that sort of stuff as, thank goodness, she’s in extremely good health. She just looked up, grinned and said, with a twisted smile, on her face, “I wasn’t looking for me.” Ouch!

Email: mikesenker@gmail.com

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

8 - 14 April 2021

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8 - 14 April 2021

FEATURE

GO LOCAL

THE EUROWEEKLY NEWS is urging its readers to support local businesses in the com‐ munity by going local through the lockdown and for your all your shopping this year, instead of feeding online giants and super‐ stores.

During this lockdown, we challenge you to rediscover your local high streets, mar‐ kets, butchers, greengrocers and all of the wonderfully quirky independent business‐ es in your area.

Due to the Covid‐19 pan‐ demic, you may have to sup‐ port many local businesses by ordering online and mak‐ ing use of any click and col‐ lect services they can oper‐ ate if you are unable to get out due to health reasons or lockdown restrictions.

The joy of shopping local means that independent businesses can help support the local community.

Although it may be a euro or two cheaper elsewhere or online, consider where your money is actually going. By shopping at an independent store you’re putting food on a local family’s table, and there is no better time than now 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 local sports teams and in many cases the small independent stores are actu‐ ally much more than just a small high street shop, they’re a family’s legacy, of‐ ten passed down through nu‐ merous generations and sup‐ port not just the current owner but the generation be‐ fore.

BUY LOCAL: By shopping locally, independent businesses can help support the local community.

For those stores which are new, that extra couple of eu‐ ros spent there are support‐ ing someone’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 independent store and com‐ pete with the multinational

and chains.

So be sure to pre‐order your meat from a local butch‐ er and get your spuds from a local greengrocer, let us re‐ vive that community spirit and get to know our neigh‐ bours again.

You could also consider purchasing gift vouchers from local businesses to help them

To advertise here contact us on:

951 386 161

over the coming weeks, thinking outside 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

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

local salon or an online 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 perhaps pre‐ paying 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 difficult times.

Choosing to spend your money locally will really make a difference in the recovery of the local economy. When we buy local, our money stays local, and it strengthens the local economy in two ways. First, buying local keeps money circulating within the local economy.

Studies have shown that lo‐ cal businesses recirculate a greater share of every euro as they create locally owned supply chains and invest in their employees.

Data shows that local re‐ tailers return 52 per cent of their revenue back into the

8 - 14 April 2021

SPENDING LOCALLY:Will make a difference to the local economy. local economy, 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 exam‐ ple, let’s look at a local farmer growing produce.

First, they sell to a local restaurant, which in turn pre‐ pares the fresh produce and sells it to local customers. The farmer pays its local employ‐

ees and the restaurant uses revenue from sales to buy supplies from a neighbour‐ hood hardware store. This ex‐ ample illustrates how the re‐ circulation of money in the local economy leads to a stronger financial foundation for our neighbours and com‐ munities.

Buying local also fuels new employment and job oppor‐ tunities for people within our community. Studies show, lo‐

cally owned businesses em‐ ploy more people per unit of sales and retain more em‐ ployees over time.

A fantastic example of how to support your local commu‐ nity is with a Charity Gift cer‐ tificate, why not donate to your loved one’s favourite cause.

Just remember to follow the latest government advice and any guidance businesses have to keep everyone safe.

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8 - 14 April 2021

FEATURE

Advertising Feature

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And now, thanks to the re‐ moval of the infamous ‘sun tax,’ business and homeowners in Spain can harness this energy source by installing solar panels on their roofs and generating their own electricity.

Consumers, who install solar panels see an instant and massive reduction in their energy bills and, if they produce more energy than they consume, they even get paid for the surplus they supply to the national grid.

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THE TEAM: Helping consumers take advantage of solar energy and will take care of the whole process. tastic investment, which makes consumers long term savings while also reducing their carbon footprint and helping to save the future of the planet,” said Martin Tye, CEO of leading green energy company, Mariposa Energía.

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8 - 14 April 2021

MS BIPOLAR UP AND DOWN WITH BALANCE UNEDITED DATING with bipolar disorder can be tricky for so many reasons. You’ve got a bipolar routine to maintain, emotions to keep in check and a massive elephant in the room that you will have to deal with at some point. This evening I will be having a first date. The normal worries kick in and then the bigger worries take over. I have thought of every worse possible case scenario of what could go wrong, and is it really worth making such an effort that could potentially trigger another episode for me.

Family and friends message and ask if I am still going, “don’t cancel on him,” “give him a chance,” “you may be surprised.”

Okay, first dates are always scary - (or at least jittery). However, I find dating with bipolar to be considerably scarier. And that’s because if it was to work out, there will have to come a day that I’m going to have to tell him, I live with Bipolar.

Date fright Telling someone that you have bipolar early can lead to early dating rejection.

This is both positive and negative. Of course, any rejection is not nice and being rejected before the person gets to know you just because you have a

mental illness is horrible.

On the other hand, if someone is going to reject you for an illness that is not your fault and that you didn’t ask for, then why would you want to potentially be with someone that doesn’t undestand. It hurts less when someone you don’t really know rejects you rather than someone who you’ve invested some emotion into.

Yes, it’s true, I have bipolar disorder and anxiety. I’m also funny, smart, sweet and witty. I can really only hope that those things will balance everything out. I like to think that they do.

I am in the best place I have been in a long time, but there will come a point where I may be unwell but for now I will laugh through the confusion and take this at face value, enjoy having fun and try and not overthink.

Here goes … Ms Bipolar is putting herself out there!

Love Ms Bipolar x

msbipolar@euroweeklynews.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Greater demand for respite DEMAND for respite care has increased 50 per cent in the last 10 years in Spain according to data from a leading health care services provider.

The figures were released as summer started, a time when request for respite naturally occurs with families looking for temporary stays in nursing homes, of a weekend, fortnight or even a month, for a family member in order to give the primary caregiver some much-needed time off.

Family respite allows the caregiver to get the physical and psychological rest necessary to avoid what some call the ‘burned-out caregiver syndrome.’ Although this resource is

used throughout the year in times of convalescence, hospital recovery and unforeseen travel, it is especially required during holiday times.

Family get the much-needed time off as their loved one is cared for in professional centres receiving all the medical assistance and care they need throughout the day including rehabilitation programmes, occupational therapies or socio-cultural activities.

According to the data from Geriatros-SARquavitae, the average age of respite services is 82 years, and the average length of stay is 15-30 days in the summer and two to four the rest of the year.

RESPITE CARE: Family get some much-needed time off.

Are we that phone obsessed we can’t even walk in a straight line now?

DO you feel like you are old before your time? Could your mobile be to blame? It may sound a little far-fetched but scientists are claiming that our increased use of mobile phones, particularly as we are out and about walking down the street, is making us walk like pensioners. Taking slower steps, hunched over our phones as we send messages or check emails en route, is beginning to take its toll on the body and could lead to back and neck problems in the long term.

Scientists from the Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge carried out a study where they fitted 21 people with eye trackers and motion analysis sensors, while negotiating an obstacle similar in height to a kerb. Over 250 separate scenarios were examined as participants read a message on their phone, wrote a message, spoke on their phone and in which they did not use their phone at all.

The researchers found that writing a text was the most demanding activity and led to people looking down at their phone 46 per cent more and they looked down 45 per cent longer when reading a message. They also walked slower whilst reading a message and whilst talking on the phone. It also found that participants using their phone were less able to walk in a straight line leading them to be more at risk from bumping into other pedes-

MOBILE PHONES: Scientists claim they are making us walk like pensioners. trians, lamp posts and other obstacles in the street they would not necessarily notice when looking down on their phones.

The researchers said whilst using their devices they were walking like someone in their 80’s and this could affect their lower back and neck by altering their posture over time.

Using phones in the street is already chang-

ing some country’s policies and in China segregated footpaths have already been introduced in some towns with special lanes for those using their phones.

In the Netherlands, traffic lights have been added into the pavements for phone users who are always looking down for increased safety when crossing the road.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

www.euroweeklynews.com

Follow Med diet to help avoid cancer vDEMAND for respite care has increased 50 per cent in the last 10 years in Spain according to data from a leading health care services provider.

The figures were released as summer started, a time when request for respite naturally occurs with families looking for temporary stays in nursing homes, of a weekend, fortnight or even a month, for a family member in order to give the primary caregiver some much-needed time off.

Family respite allows the caregiver to get the physical and psychological rest necessary to avoid what some call the ‘burned-out caregiver syndrome.’ Although this resource is used throughout the year in times of convalescence, hospital recovery and unforeseen travel, it is especially required during holiday times.

Family get the much-needed time off as their loved one

«Mediterranean diet includes vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, fish and meat.» is cared for in professional centres receiving all the medical assistance and care they need throughout the day including rehabilitation programmes, occupational therapies or socio-cultural activities.

According to the data from Geriatros-SARquavitae, the average age of respite services is 82 years, and the average length of stay is 15-30 days in the summer and two to four the rest of the year.

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8 - 14 April 2021

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SOCIAL SCENE

Aid the Costas

DUE to the Covid pandemic, Villamartin Plaza was forced to postpone its fundraiser for local causes last year, but promises the event will be

worth waiting for when it fi‐ nally goes ahead on May 22 (12 noon) and May 23 (from 9pm).

“Aid the Costas is a festival

Discover the charms DISCOVER the charms of a Costa Blanca castle with free guided tours.

Free guided tours of Guardamar Castle offer the perfect opportunity to learn all about the history, battles and secrets of the charming coastal town.

Until Sunday, April 11, visitors can enjoy a free guided tour of the ancient castle, declared an Asset

of Cultural Interest (BIC).

Tour times are 11am to 2pm or 5pm-8pm (except on April 11 when there are morning tours only).

In the last couple of years, exciting archaeological discoveries have been made at Guardamar Castle, including remains of the wall dating from the 13th to 14th centuries. The oldest one is medieval Christian, 2.30 metres wide and 1.5 metres high.

Another important find is the lower part of the fortified bell tower of the old Renaissance church and of what was the entrance to the walled city in the 18th century, next to which is a moat.

The tour meets at the foot of the Castle; Plaza Del Rocio, Guardamar where there are places to park.

of music raising money for four charities very much in need of our help,” said organ‐ isers.

From 1pm, the line‐up will showcase ‘the best in music,’ along with two huge cash raf‐ fles with the chance to win €1,000 in each.

There will also be fun for the children with bouncy cas‐ tles and face painting.

“Huge acts the VMP All Stars and the Dr & The Medics will headline on the day, we are doing what we do in the Orihuela Costa ‐ help‐ ing those that need our help.

“If you cannot attend, you can buy your raffle tickets here safely online. No matter where you are in the world we can send you your win‐ ning money!,” added Villa‐ martin Plaza.

The event is in aid of the Apanee centre for disabled children in Torrevieja, the Franciscan Men’s Shelter in Gandia, the Little Pod Associ‐ ation for animals and the San José Obrero Orphanage.

8 - 14 April 2021 • www.euroweeklynews.com

SPONSORED BY

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Even if you are planning a short trip you’ll know that you simply can’t travel with some pets, they need to stay behind. So, plan ahead.

Take a moment to plan ahead for pet and house‐sitters, if you have trips planned later this year. Now is the time to get ready. We will help you as much as we can. Our philos‐ ophy is that we are all in this together. These are the steps to take: 1. Register as a momeowner on House SitMatch.com 2. Choose a Premium account (£89 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed 3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house 4. Post a house‐sit advert stating your plans for next year’s holiday Covid permit‐ ting.

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Attacks of Sleep and Weakness in Dogs NARCOLEPSY and cataplexy are disorders of the nervous system in the dog. Narcolepsy occurs when an animal suffers from ex‐ cessive daytime sleepiness, weakness, or brief losses of con‐ sciousness. The episodes are brief and go away by them‐ selves. Cataplexy is charac‐ terised by sudden muscle paral‐ ysis without loss of consciousness, remains alert, and can follow movement with its eyes throughout the episode.

The episodes of cataplexy also are spontaneous, brief, and re‐ versible. These disorders are rel‐ atively common in dogs. The causes are hereditary in Labrador retrievers, poodles, dachshunds, and Doberman pin‐ schers, possible immune system involvement, nerve disorder or Idiopathic (unknown) and pitu‐ itary macrotumor (brain).

For diagnosis the veterinary will perform a physical exam, in‐ cluding a blood chemical profile, In Costablanca Sur: Centro Veterinario de Diagnóstico por Imagen de Levante www.resonanciaveterinaria.es

a complete blood count, a urinal‐ ysis, and an electrolyte panel to rule out any underlying diseases.

Brain MRI should be strongly considered in sporadic cases of narcolepsy‐cataplexy because sometimes brain tumours could be the reason.

These attacks can be unpleas‐

ant but they are not life‐threaten‐ ing. If the episodes are frequent, there may be medications your veterinarian can prescribe to help control the frequency or duration of the attacks.

Neurology and neurosurgery department of Hospital Veteri‐ nario Marina Baixa.

47

PETS

What’s new pussycat?

CATS communicate in so many ways and the longer you’re with them; you get to understand what they want and what they are trying to communicate.

Every cat, like a human is unique and all of them have dif‐ ferent personalities, but there is a general body language that’s useful to know. Cats talk to us through their vocalisa‐ tions, facial expressions and their body movements.

Cats are languid creatures that lie around for most of the day and can sometimes have you wanting to come back as one in your next life!

They are special animals in their ability to be a mixture of independence but also be a close member of the family, but it is always on their own terms.

Anyway, you can be sure they are content when stretched out on their back and rolling over, but a highly de‐ fensive mode can take on this posture with extended claws and sharp teeth, preparing to fight, so beware.

When your cat is blinking very slowly, it’s not feeling drowsy and ready for another catnap, it’s being affection‐ ate, so return the affection by doing the same and your bond will become stronger. It also shows that they trust you.

UNIQUE: Talk through body language.

48 EWN

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50 EWN

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EWN 51

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BUY & SELL PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

CARE HOME

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life – damaging everything that is important to you. Englishspeaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aa-costablanca. org (93323) CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@hotmail.co m (95475)

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52

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CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462)

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ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.secretary@rbl. community

FREEMASONRY. Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact Harry Palmer Membership Committee. Tel: 966 712 326 or email: 2palmers.quesa da@gmail.com (95477) HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja. com and also on Facebook.

You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja.com.

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CHARITY LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English speaking church. For more information see our website w w w. l a s i e s t a e va n g e l i calchurch.org (10005)

ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH 1359. The association supports the welfare needs of ex-members of the RAF and their dependents. Due to ongoing covid-19 restrictions we cannot hold General Meetings at the moment. In normal times we provide a social hub for members and hold lunches every month.

To fund Welfare we raise money through the Wings Appeal. To find out more contact Chairman Tony at tony.elaine.cuenta@gmai l.com. For Welfare contact Andy on 0034 711 00 86 84. For general information on RAFA visit www.rafa.org.uk. .(238593) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Why not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@ gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control.

It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branches. britishle gion.org.uk/branch es/ori

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details Hon Sec 692 938 664.

(10004) ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman Paul Edwards on 618 644 934, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966 716 274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 921 996. (95455) STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers. With rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 654 801 260 or email strokesupport group@hotmail.com, website: torreviejastrokesup port.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473) THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.aca costablanca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465)

contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458) THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information.

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GENERAL SERVICES Man & Van, small removals, shopping/collections. Painting, Cleaning / Window Services available.

Santa Pola, Gran Alacant, El Altet & La Marina areas. No job too small. Affordable & reliable. Tel 711 073 074 (291407)

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8 - 14 April 2021 GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community. Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, de-flead. volunteers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709) P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED. By fostering an abandoned dog or spending a few hours each week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals.

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PET CHARITY EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorsecare.net www.easyhorsecare.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706)

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EWN 53

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Chinese Budget Mini Electric Car THE Hong Guang Mini EV has recently become the na‐ tion’s best‐selling EV, with the super‐compact electric model costing from just €3,775 new. The tiny, all‐ electric EV sold 25,778 mod‐ els in China in January ac‐ cording to the China

Passenger Car Association (CPCA) compared to 13,843 for the Tesla Model 3.

The car, which is produced as part of a joint venture be‐ tween state‐owned SAIC Motor (known locally as Wuling) and American firm GM Motors, is less than

three metres long, seats four people, has a claimed range of 170 Km and can be charged from a 240V mains socket.

Its battery and electric mo‐ tor produce 13kW of maxi‐ mum power and 85Nm of torque ‐ enough for a top speed of 62mph. The Hong Guang Mini EV could make an appearance outside China, as Wuling has said it plans to export the EV overseas.

“China has so many mak‐ ers of small and cheap elec‐ tric vehicles, however, most of them are low‐quality and low‐speed products that do not appeal to a wide market, said Sam Fiorani, at Auto Forecast Solutions. The Hong Guang Mini is the first time a major company has stepped up with a simple EV that tar‐ gets buyers looking for a real car.”

Reports have linked Wul‐ ing to a Latvian automaker who could sell a version of the car in Europe. However, the price is likely to be twice as high due to European en‐ vironmental requirements.

MOTORING

Introducing The New Toyota GR86 Sports Car

BRAND NEW: With a distinct driving feel.

THE Toyota GR86 is a brand new rear‐wheel‐ drive sports car that’s a successor in all but name to the GT86. The model is due to go on sale in Europe either late 2021 or early 2022.

Just like the GT86, the GR86 is the fruit of Toyota’s reaffirmed partnership with Subaru to build compact sports cars, with the latter brand’s BRZ model ‐ revealed late last year ‐ sharing the same platform and engines. Toyota claims that it has “engaged in a friendly rival‐ ry” with Subaru to develop two new sports cars with distinct driving feels.

Putting the new name to one side, the GR 86 copies the recipe for Toyota’s former 86, a rear‐wheel‐drive 2+2 coupe ‐ meaning it is once again mechanically identical to the Sub‐ aru BRZ. That both affordable sports cars lived

to see a second‐generation and keep doing battle with the likes of Mazda’s MX‐5 Miata and, somewhat tangentially, the soon‐to‐be‐ replaced Nissan 370Z marks a pleasant sur‐ prise.

Using the same chassis and engine as the BRZ, the GR86 is powered by a 2.4‐litre natu‐ rally‐aspirated flat‐four ‘boxer’ engine in place of the old 2.0‐litre unit.

Toyota has not confirmed specs for the Eu‐ ropean market GR86, but the Japanese version of the car produces 232bhp and 250Nm of torque with a redline of 7,400rpm. That’s 35bhp and 45Nm more than the car it replaces and results in a far quicker 0‐62mph time of 6.3 seconds ‐ 1.1 seconds faster.

Prices expected from €35,000.

MOTORING

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8 - 14 April 2021

EWN 55

SsangYong Korando - a more than worthy SUV contender ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack YOU could be forgiven for think‐ ing that it’s an SUV from a main‐ stream European manufacturer.

It has a somewhat old school premium look and although a little ‘heavy’ on the rear styling is obviously no automotive bar‐ gain basement. SsangYong made its name, as all such car makers do, with bargain price vehicles, but it has a long history that goes back to the mid‐1950s in its native Korea.

The range starts with the Tivoli hatchback, there’s the Ko‐

Great value for money.

rando and Rexton SUVs, plus the Rhino and Musso pick‐ups.

Prices for the range start from €15,223 (£12,995) for the Tivoli, the Korando SUV starts from a modest, by today’s standards, €23,872 (£20,395) and comes very well equipped. Cruise con‐ trol, auto lights and wipers, powered folding and heated door mirrors, Bluetooth, air con and a plethora of safety kit.

In top‐line Ultimate trim the Korando tested here (1.5‐litre petrol automatic) is €33,645 (£28,745) and the equipment list climbs dramatically with ev‐ ery possible kind of toy and gad‐ get you’ll ever need. This in‐

cludes remote operated power tailgate, nine‐inch touchscreen, privacy glass, navigation, Blue‐ tooth with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, leather uphol‐ stery, eight‐way power ad‐ justable front seats, heated seats and steering wheel and more besides.

Power comes from either a 1.5‐litre turbo charged petrol or 1.6‐litre turbo charged diesel engine, two and four‐wheel‐ drive options and six‐speed manual or automatic gears.

On the road my 1.5‐litre petrol proved a refined drive with smooth changes from the auto box. Performance isn’t earth shattering in that a small‐ ish engine pulling a fairly hefty SUV is not a recipe for the SUV grand prix.

Hence 60 mph takes a leisurely 12 seconds and the maximum speed is 117mph. The majority of the time the Korando doesn’t feel slow or underpowered, long hills apart when your right foot resolves the problem albeit with some audible protest.

Inside a modern, nicely laid

out dash is dominated by a use‐ fully large touchscreen and (hur‐ rah!) buttons. Generous seat adjustment and space ensures the occupants are well catered for and it’s a rather nice place to be with a premium feel.

There are downsides such as thinly spread dealerships, po‐

tentially larger than average de‐ preciation and euro rivals that offer more power and better economy. The Korando is still a genuinely good entry into the SUV arena and offers tremen‐ dous value for money, especial‐ ly lower down the range. It de‐ serves a much wider audience.

SPORT

56

8 - 14 April 2021

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A Barcelona Victory CAMP NOU: Battle is close at the top.

A BARCELONA win on Monday April 5, made sure that the battle at the top of Spain’s La Liga has never been so close, with only three more matches to be played this season, as they scraped to a dramatic 1‐0 victo‐ ry over 10‐man Real Valladolid, thanks to an Ousmane Dembele goal, at the Camp Nou. That single goal saw Barcelona win to move within one point of leaders Atletico Madrid, with Real Madrid in this spot, two points behind Barca, and the El Clasico coming up next

weekend is going to such a crucial game for both teams, with the loser surely then out of the running to win the league.

Real Valladolid came into this match with a record of only one win in their last 11 matches, and were devoid of several injured regulars, plus, had players out through a coro‐ navirus outbreak at the club.

The visitors had what looked a strong penalty shout denied for handball against Jordi Alba, as the home side rode their luck and

stepped up their search for a win‐ ner.

The result was a blow to the visit‐ ing team who had played magnifi‐ cently and held a below‐par Barcelona team at bay, looking good for a draw, even after Oscar Plano was red‐carded in the 79th minute.

But, the winning goal arrived as Ronald Araujo flicked on a cross from Frenkie De Jong and Dembele pounced to volley home at the far post in the last minute of normal time, for a Barcelona win.

Historic win THE evening of Saturday April 3, saw a historic moment in the histo‐ ry of Spanish football as the final of the annual Copa del Rey competi‐ tion took place in the La Cartucha stadium in Sevilla, except that it was the 2020 final, the one that was delayed from last year due to the pandemic.

This very high‐profile clash fea‐ tured two teams from the Basque region of Spain, who are massive ri‐ vals, Athletic Bilbao and Real So‐ ciedad, from San Sebastián, both from Spain’s top level of football, La Liga, with Athletic also in the 2021 final, which is being played in the same stadium in Sevilla, in two weeks time, versus Barcelona.

The victory went to Real So‐ ciedad by a slim margin of 1‐0, thanks to a penalty scored by their 23‐year‐old captain, Mikel Oyarza‐ bal, remarkably, only one of two shots on target from either team during the whole match.

Real’s possession of the Spanish cup will bizarrely only last for two weeks, until this year’s final takes place and they must hand it over,

but they will savour every second of it after not winning a trophy in 34 years, and in fact, only the fifth one in their long history.

The weather could not have been worse as a storm broke min‐ utes after kickoff, and rain lashed down, accompanied by thunder and lightning, with the thunder echoing inside the empty 60,000 seater stadium, as due to the pan‐ demic fans could not attend.

With the match level at half time, the start of the second half produced some drama, as a Martínez handball in the first minute led to a long VAR check for a potential penalty, which was deemed to have been outside the box, but then, a penalty did come.

Again it was Martínez, who seemed to clip the ankle of Portu, and referee Xavier Estrada Fernán‐ dez pointed to the spot and pulled out a red card, which he changed to a yellow after another five‐ minute VAR check, and the penalty remained, which Oyarzabal con‐ verted, and with it, sealed the win for Real Sociedad.