Euro Weekly News - Costa Blanca North 15 - 21 April 2021 Issue 1867

News

The people’s paper ISSUE NO. 1867

15 - 21 April 2021

No leaks THE regional government’s Plan Edificant is providing €106,000 for improvements to Altea’s Bellaguarda high school. This includes repairs to the leaks in the roof of the gym and the staff room with better drainage for sports pitches.

COSTA BLANCA NORTH • WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

NOT LONG NOW!

Nicelooking VILLAJOYOSA Town Hall has installed underground rubbish containers in Calle Andalucia, adjoining the Barbera dels Aragones park. As well as being easier on the eye, the new stainless steel containers are sturdier and more weather-resistant, municipal sources said.

SLIGHT RELAXATION: Ximo Puig and Ana Barcelo announce an increase in existing anti-Covid measures.

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Ministry says ‘No’ THE central government’s Environment Ministry will not take steps to prevent cliff rockfalls in Campello’s Baeza and Lanuza beaches.

Julio Oca, who is Beaches councillor as well as deputy mayor, revealed that the Coastal Authority, attached to the Ministry ‐ in‐ formed the town hall that “natural erosion should not be pre‐ vented.”

This is a normal process that replenishes the beaches below them, Costas said.

Faced with this official refusal to help, Oca went on to explain that Campello Town Hall was now signposting both beaches, while preventing access to avert potential accidents to members of the public.

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JAVEA Town Hall earned €2.03 million through planning permission licences last year.

Apart from 2019’s total of €2.5 million, this was more than any other year since 2003 when these licences brought in €2.55 million.

The town hall received another €1.4 million from the Constructions and Works tax, a further indication that pandem-

Ways and means ic or no pandemic, building continued in Javea last year. IBI rates accounted for another €17.39 million of the town hall’s total income of €42.69 million, which more than covered its total outgoings of €32 million.

Extra earnings from the property sector will help to compensate loss of earnings after the terrace table tax and the tax for opening a new business were eliminated, while fees for the beach bars and beach services were reduced.

AstraZeneca vaccine shunned THE Gandia Health Area has finished inoculating residents born between 1956 and 1957 with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

This area covers 41 municipalities which include all of La Safor and 10 in the adjoining Vall d’Albaida. A total 2,670 people were notified via phone calls to attend the Fallas Museum in Gandia.

Of these, 22.5 per cent failed to turn up, according to a report in the regional daily, Levante.

Although the Valencian Community’s Health department headed by Ana Barcelo failed to clarify the absences or comment on the reason, media sources attributed this to doubts as to the safety of the vaccine.

NEWS

Bumper nispero crop THIS year’s nispero season will be good, Marina Baja growers predicted.

They foresee a bumper crop of 13 million kilos, following a 2020 marked by bad weather and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Callosa’s Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) nisperos account for 50 per cent of Spain’s production and the earliest fruit is already being picked in some areas. The bulk will be ready within two weeks, with most going to Italy, which imports 80 per cent of the Callosa DOP’s crop.

Unlike last year, there was little rain when the trees were in bloom but more - of the right kind, growers said - when the fruit was setting. “The product will reach the consumer with zero insecticide residue,” said Rafael Gregori, president of Callosa’s branch of the Young Farmers’ Association (ASAJA).

“What’s more the fruit will be big with a FOUR men accused of gang‐rap‐ ing a 19‐year‐old girl in Callosa on New Year’s Day in 2019 will stand trial next July.

If found guilty, the four men ‐ dubbed the Callosa Manada ‐ face total sentences of 200 years.

These terms are far higher in each case than those imposed on five men calling themselves the Manada ‐ it means herd or

NISPEROS: Production is usually a family business.

flavour we haven’t had in years.”

Meanwhile, ASAJA Alicante continues to press for a permanent reduction of the IRPF income tax rate that growers must pay.

“Nispero production is a craft process and in 80 per cent of cases, the same grower plants, picks the fruit and sends it to small warehouses for hand-processing,” Gregori said.

“It’s not fair to pay such a high rate that does not correspond to the growers’ economic reality.”

July trial for Callosa Manada wolfpack ‐ who gang‐raped an 18‐year‐old student in Pam‐ plona in 2016.

The Alicante High Court has asked the men’s defence lawyers to present their provi‐ sional conclusions in writing, while at the same time remind‐ ing them of the possibility of

reaching a pre‐trial agreement should their clients wish to con‐ fess.

If one of the accused accepts the opportunity of plea‐bar‐ gaining, this could put the oth‐ ers in a ‘delicate situation,’ sources close to the case sug‐ gested.

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NIBS EXTRA Looking ahead

Tree safety VILLAJOYOSA’S Agriculture and Environment department has begun distributing a plant protection product provided by the regional government’s Environment department to combat the treekilling bacterium Xylella Fastiosa. This is available to owners of almond groves and other stone fruit trees who possess a current licence to use insecticides.

Picky eaters A MARKET gardener with land near the Pego-Oliva marsh complained that wild boar are decimating his produce. The latest incursion by a pack of them, judging by the hoofprints, devoured all of his vegetables except the onions which they dug up and subsequently trampled.

Big money THE most expensive house in Alicante Province is a first-line property located in Javea with uninterrupted views of the Portitxol islet, according to the Idealist website. With 10 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and a built area of 2,300 square metres, it is on the market for €12.5 million.

Cliff fall TEULADA-MORAIRA’S Proteccion Civil volunteers rescued two young women who fell while walking on the Portixolet cliffs in Moraira. One of the girls received first aid at the scene but her companion, who suffered multiple injuries, was evacuated by sea to Moraira port and later transferred to Denia hospital.

Lower bills OLIVA Town Hall uses 2.7 million kilowatts of electricity every year and an Environment Ministry audit found that it could save an annual €215,219 by substituting its existing lighting system. The local government will now spend an initial €150,000 on energy-efficient upgrades and an annual €200,000 in coming years.

Making sweet music ALFAZ Town Hall and the La Lira Music Society renewed their long-standing collaboration agreement.

The Culture department has allocated €65,000 to the Society which includes the 57 musicians who belong to the Banda Musical as well as the Music School with its 96 members aged between three and 18.

Despite the Covid restrictions, the school is functioning normally with in-person classes, La Lira’s president Miguel Juan Baldo explained when he met Alfaz’s Cul-

Photo credit: Alfaz town hall

SPAIN’S Under-19 Women’s Football team have been training recently in Albir. This year’s Under-19 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship should have been played in July and August but was cancelled owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, although the team are now working towards future competitions with their coach, Pedro Lopez.

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RENEWED: Alfaz’s long-standing collaboration agreement with La Lira Music Society. ture president Manuel Casado.

“The pandemic has had practically no effect on atten-

dance,” he said.

The school has 13 teachers who give classes in brass and

woodwind instruments, strings, piano and percussion.

Baldo revealed that the Banda Musical hoped to resume rehearsals after Easter in the open air on the Casa de Cultura esplanade at weekends.

The Band’s first concert again in the open air - is scheduled for May if the health situation permits, Baldo added.

More concerts are planned for July 11 during Alfaz’s Film Festival as well as on August 28 during the Estiu Festiu summer events in Albir and at Christmas.

Town hall reaches the coast BENISSA Town Hall recently opened a Citi‐ zens’ Attention Office (OAC) in the munci‐ pality’s coastal zone.

Residents had been asking for an ad‐ ministrative office nearer their homes for approximately five years to improve com‐ munications with the town hall, Benissa’s mayor, Arturo Poquet explained.

“It is my responsibility as mayor to pro‐ vide all services throughout the municipali‐ ty,” he said. “We would have liked to open

Shakespeare simplified THE Blind Cupid Shakespeare Com‐ pany and Quarantine Kids Story‐ time have joined forces to produce short‐form audio dramas of Shake‐ speare’s plays.

They aim to make classical con‐ tent accessible to young audiences and those new to the Bard with Charles and Mary Lamb’s adapta‐ tions.

“This is the perfect opportunity to showcase how Charles and Mary Lamb stripped down the most com‐ plicated plots to make them easier to follow and understand,” Quaran‐ tine Kids Storytime’s Sascha Cooper said.

The stories began on April 10 and continue each Saturday and Sunday at 2pm GMT until June 13.

The content is free but for those who can afford to, an Eventbrite page is available where donations will be gratefully received. The funds will go directly to both com‐ panies and the actors, all of whom have been affected by the effects of the pandemic.

The audio dramas are available on https://youtube.com/c/Quaran‐ tineKidsStorytime while donations can be made via the www.event brite.com website.

this office some months ago, but adminis‐ trative delays are what they are.”

“After working round the clock we can at last say that the town hall is present in the coastal zone.”

The office, equipped with human and material resources specifically aimed at providing support and information for the area’s many foreign residents, is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 2pm.

FINESTRAT Town Hall’s Budget was approved by all political parties for the second consecu‐ tive year.

This year’s €20 million figure includes €4 million from last year’s €8 million Budget surplus which can now be used in line with central government regula‐ tions.

The cash will be used for sev‐ eral ‘fundamental’ courses of ac‐ tion, the town hall announced, although €1 million will be used to reduce the municipal debt.

A municipal employee will attend to members of the public in English, French and German as well as Spanish and Valen‐ ciano, Human Resources councillor Jorge Ivars announced.

She will be dealing with ‘routine OAC is‐ sues’ that include clearing up general en‐ quiries, commencing administrative pro‐ cesses, helping with Padron formalities and providing assistance with telematic online procedures.

Finestrat Budget approved “We are going to improve in‐ frastructure including the La Cala health centre and the seafront promenade,” Fines‐ trat’s mayor Juanfran Perez Llor‐ ca explained.

“We shall also acquire land with funds raised by selling mu‐ nicipal land in the Bulevar com‐ mercial area to create more parking in the town centre,” Perez Llorca said.

“Finestrat is growing quickly

Cruz made more

accessible RAILINGS are being added to Avenida de Tokio which gives access to La Cruz (Cross) that crowns the Sierra Helada.

“We are installing 442 metres of wooden fencing with a handrail for greater protection in the steepest sec‐ tions,” said Benidorm’s Public Spaces councillor Jose Ra‐ mon Gonzalez de Zarate.

There will also be parking spaces where the road is wide enough, he added.

“This means the public can leave their cars near to La Cruz and enjoy strolling in the emblematic Sierra Helada national park,” De Zarate pointed out.

Access to the Cruz itself was restricted to pedestrians in September last year although those with reduced mo‐ bility can email controlaccesos@benidorm.org for autho‐ risation to use their vehicle.

and we need more parking spaces as well as another munic‐ ipal building.”

Better connectivity to bring the internet to all parts of the municipality was also included in the town hall’s plans, the mayor stated.

“This is something that has become essential now that so many people have begun work‐ ing from home owing to the pandemic,” he said.

Squatting made less easy in La Vila IT will now be easier for Villajoyosa’s Local Police to evict squatters.

Public Safety councillor Isabel Perona signed a collaboration agreement with La Vila’s courts that establishes set procedures to make it easi‐ er and quicker to remove occupants from ille‐ gally‐occupied properties.

“The protocol is designed to put into prac‐ tice the legal mechanisms that ensure time‐ consuming preliminary procedures have been completed by the time a case reaches the judge,” Perona said.

“This is a social problem that exists at na‐ tional level, affecting law and order as well as public safety, creating problems that our own municipality has experienced first‐hand,” the councillor added.

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Better than expected HOTELS and the hospi‐ tality sector had an ‘acceptable’ Easter, ac‐ cording to sources quoted in the Spanish media.

Terraces and interi‐ ors were full to their legal capacity although hotel occupancy was described as ‘discreet,’ especially as fewer ho‐ tels were open than would have been ex‐ pected pre‐Covid.

But the 40 per cent occupancy was better than the expected 35 per cent and in Benidorm ‐ where 15 establishments were open over Easter, this rose to between 60 and 70 per cent. Javea, was still more fortu‐ nate with 100 per cent occupancy.

The good weather helped, all sectors agreed, with cafes, bars and restaurants describing the Easter break as a shot in the arm.

Inevitably most of their business centred on pre‐lunch snacks and lunches, as all bars and restaurants were obliged to close by 6pm.

The same tourism sources pointed out that if the vaccination rate picks up speed and the number of coronavirus cases con‐ tinues to fall, restric‐ tions inside Spain could be eased.

It will be some time before foreign tourists and, above all, the British return, they pointed out now that the Easter rush was over.

April and May promised to be diffi‐ cult, they conceded: “But once internation‐ al tourism returns, the recovery will be swift,” they predicted.

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NEWS

TM Lions Supporting TM Social Services Easy does it from Front page »

MANY of those in our area who have struggled during the pandemic due to loss of work, reduced hours, etc, go to their local town hall for assistance. The Social Services department have responsibility for providing a response to any such requests.

Throughout recent years, TM Lions have maintained a relationship with both Teulada Moraira and Benitachell Social Services and as requested have provided funds to top up the provision of food vouchers to those in need. Across 2020, TM Lions donated a total of €6,000 to assist Social Services in their work.

To recognise this ongoing activity, a presentation was made to representatives of Benitachell Social Services by our President, David Harmer and our Vice President, Philip Butterworth. We are happy to continue to support their work in this area.

The donations the TM Lions make are only possible because of the genOUR April competition was held at the Severiano Ballesteros designed Alicante golf course, where we competed for our annual Alroreal Trophy.

This game is usually played at

erosity of our supporters. Fundraising remains difficult under the current restrictions, but we were able to make this money available and will continue to do so as long as we can.

To help us in this endeavour, please pop into the Lion’s Den charity which can be found a couple of doors away from Letters R Us beneath the Pepe La Sal supermarket on the Centro Comercial, Moraira, just past the fountain roundabout on Ctra Moraira-Teulada. We also have a GoFundMe page if you would like to support us but do not yet feel comfortable to go into the shop. You will find this at https://www.go fundme.com/f/teulada-moraira-li ons. This can also be accessed via our website or FB page.

Please help us to help those in need in our area. If you are interested in finding out more about our work and possibly joining Teulada Moraira Lions, you can find more details on our web page - www.tmlions.com.

THE Valencian Community is fully prepared for the end of the State of Alarm on May 9.

The regional government headed by Ximo Puig has spent months preparing for the scenario await‐ ing it once the six‐month period finishes, Generali‐ tat sources assured the national daily El Mundo.

This is a sore point in some regions which are complaining about the lack of legally‐defined anti‐ Covid guidelines after May 9.

“We shall arrive with a satisfactory Covid inci‐ dence, Spain’s lowest,” the same sources added.

“We have been prudent and have an adequate le‐ gal framework.”

Meanwhile, Puig and the region’s Health chief, Ana Barcelo, announced a slight relaxation of the present measures, allowing two family units to meet indoors, with groups of six in bars and restau‐ rants and for outdoor activities.

Barcelo stressed that eliminating restrictions af‐ ter May 9 was not the same as returning to normal‐ ity.

“Lifting restrictions is one thing but de‐escalation is another and we should be very careful,” she said, not deviating from the cautious policies that en‐ abled the Valencian Community to emerge from the third wave with the best incidence rate in Spain.

Busters Golf Society Altoreal Golf course but due to the Murcian borders being

closed we had to make alternative arrangements, as Alicante was available and also being a course that’s popular with all of our members it was selected, to play there for the trophy.

Alicante was a credit to its greens staff, the course and greens were in excellent condition, albeit the green played a little slow, but with great company and reasonable weather for April, a good day was had by all.

For our presentation we returned to our sponsors bar ‘Little Leias’ which is located close to Consum in Quesada, to be greeted by the staff who had prepared an assortment of sandwiches for us.

The results were as follows: NTP hole three Rob Ashman, the sixth hole was taken by our guest Duncan Roberts, Martin Collin won the 12th, then converted his nearest the pin to a two which resulted in him winning the two’s pot, Ian Allison

won the 17th, along with our soccer card by selecting Swansea, all nearest the pins won either a sleeve of golf balls or chose wine.

The competition resulted in requiring a count back as Stephen ‘Gilly’ Gilbert and Barry Grinsell both scored 33 points, also both players scored 17 points on the back nine, however Gilly ended up taking second place as he lost to a better back six, the winner and runner up both received wine with Barry taking home the Trophy... correction Barry will take the Trophy home when John Rush, last year’s winner, is able to return to Spain after the Covid restrictions are lifted as the Trophy is still in John’s Spanish home.

If you are interested in joining our small friendly society (it’s free ) please contact me at bustersgolfsociety@hotmail.co m stating your phone number, and handicap.

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AFTER 15 long years under construction, Benidorm’s iconic Intempo building, which dominates the city’s skyline with its two 193-metre-tall towers joined by a golden M-shaped dome, is finally set to welcome visitors this summer.

According to the tower’s owners, “90 per cent of the work is already finished” and the tallest residential building in Spain will throw open the doors of its 47 floors to guests in the coming months.

The stunning structure

ICONIC: Dominates the city’s skyline.

got off to a rocky start when construction began back in 2006 under Basque businessman Jose Ignacio de la Serna. The project quickly ran into trouble and was eventually bailed out of its €108 million debt in 2012.

Finally, the investment fund Strategic Value Partners (SVPGlobal) took over in 2018 and has committed a significant amount to updating the 256 homes in the building and the property is set to become the epitome of luxury and glamour on the Costa Blanca.

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Future of family firms MORE than 500 family businesses have closed for good in Valencia due to the pandemic.

One business a day has disappeared in the city since the beginning of the pandemic, with familyrun shops reportedly suffering the most during the crisis due to a lack of aid.

Every time Nuria closes the doors of her family’s hardware store at the end of each day, she fears that ‘it could be the last time,’ she and her sister told Las Provincial.

Nuria hopes that the family’s business for the last 70 years will not be one of the 513 that have lowered their shutters permanently, according to figures from Valencia City Council.

Those who are still hanging on are reportedly forced to dip into savings, ask for help from their families or take out bank loans to be able to continue.

Traders organisation Confecomerç estimates 15 per cent of small businesses will close as a re-

CREDIT: Twitter

Intempo Tower

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SMALL BUSINESS: Needs government aid. sult of the pandemic.

“For this reason, small commerce needs, more than ever, the government aid to arrive on time as at the moment it is their only lifeline.”

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Support for Spanish residency THE UK Government has extended support for vulnerable UK Nationals applying for residency in Spain.

• Additional £1 million of funding for charities and voluntary organisations across Europe to support vulnerable UK Nationals applying for residency, bringing the total to £4 million.

• Since March 2020, eight organisations have reached 350,000 vulnerable individuals using the UK Nationals Support Fund.

• Age in Spain, Babelia and IOM continue to support UK Nationals in Spain.

The UK Government is extending support for potentially at-risk groups including pensioners, disabled people and those with language difficulties who live in Europe by continuing the activity of the UK Nationals Support Fund (UKNSF) and supplementing it with an additional £1 million.

The UKNSF provides funds to eight organisations to support UK Nationals who need assistance with their residency applications. These organisations operate in 11 EU Member States and Norway, and since the launch of the Fund in March 2020, have provided practical support for UK Nationals who need assistance with the process of applying/registering for residency in 12 European countries, following the end of the Transition Period.

This funding is in addition to £3 million announced by the Foreign Secretary in March 2020. Figures just published by the Observatorio Permanente de la Inmigracion show that as of December 31, 2020 there were 381,448 UK Nationals holding a valid residency certificate or card in Spain.

The UKNSF will continue to operate in France, Spain,

Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Malta and Norway.

British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, said: “I am delighted that more funding has been provided to Age in Spain, Babelia and IOM through the UK Nationals Support Fund. These organisations provide vital support to UK Nationals who need additional help with their residency application in Spain, so I urge any UK Nationals who are struggling with the process to contact them for help.”

The UKNSF will continue to be delivered by: • The AIRE Centre - Bulgaria, Greece and Norway • Age in Spain - Spain • Asociación Babelia - Spain • Cyprus Residency Planning Group (CRPG) - Cyprus • Franco British Network - France • International Organisation for Migration - France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain • SSAFA - Cyprus, France and Germany

Travelling with Pets tween the UK and Spain.

After the British Embassy in Madrid issued advice on its Facebook page over UK and EU pet passports, and which were now valid, a number of users still reported confusion over the issue.

The embassy said: “Pet passports issued in Spain or another E U member state continue to be valid for travel to Great Britain and the EU. “If you have a UK pet passport you will need to update your documentation.”

Covid sniffer dog AFTER months of training, the German Shepherd ‘Roco’ responds by sitting down when he smells Covid-19 on samples used in training.

Trained by the Spanish Army’s canine unit, Roco has been sniffing out the killer virus for the past month with a 90 per cent efficiency in negative samples and 75 per cent in positive samples. Thanks to him, a project which was going to be shelved has been reactivated.

Colonel María Isabel de Martín, head of the Defence Military Canine Centre, said Roco “detects the positives and discriminates the negatives perfectly,” and, as a result of Roco’s success, revealed she had put her own working dog in the programme seven months ago though with no results so far.

She explained that viruses themselves do not smell, but according to several studies the disease produces a molecule that could be the one that is detected by the dogs.

Shots fired at 2 buses VANDALS targeted moving passenger buses with a pellet gun in Valencia.

Two EMT buses on the 99 route were fired at with a shotgun in La Malvarrosa, causing extensive damage to the rear windows and terrifying the drivers and passengers onboard.

The buses were shot at as they passed La Fe Hospital and reached the Congress Palace on Wednesday afternoon, April 7, confirmed the Local Police.

Pellet guns were fired at the EMT buses at the intersection of Calle San Rafael and Calle Beato Juan Grande, close to Avenida Malvarrosa.

Both incidents left the vehicles with broken

CREDIT: Flickr

BRITS in Spain have been reporting confusion over which pet passports they now need to use to travel with their dogs and cats between the UK and Spain.

Expats have been reporting that they are confused over which passports are now needed to allow pets to travel with their owners be-

Hugh Elliott.

• The Church of England Diocese in Europe - France This assistance builds on the ongoing outreach and guidance provided by the UK’s network of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates across Europe.

UK Nationals should visit the Living in Spain Guide at: gov.uk/livinginspain to check what action they may need to take.

UK Nationals can contact the three organisations in the following ways: IOM - The International Organisation for Migration (Andalucia, Castilla la Mancha, Castilla León, Ceuta, Extremadura, Madrid, Melilla and Murcia) • IOM Spain website • email: UKnationalsSP@iom.int • helplines: Andaluca, Ceuta, Melilla: +34 650 339 754, Madrid, Castilla la Mancha, Castilla León, Extremadura : +34 699 581 855, Murcia: +34 648 642 543, all available Mon to Thurs, 3.30pm to 5pm Babelia (Alicante, Valencia and Castellon) • Babelia website • email: info@asociacionbabelia.org • Babelia contact form • helpline: +34 865 820 229 available Mon to Fri, 9am to 2pm Age in Spain (Aragon, Asturias, Balearics, Basque Country (Pais Vasco), Canary Islands, Cantabria, Catalonia, Galicia, La Rioja, Navarra) • Age in Spain website • email: residency@ageinspain.org • Age in Spain contact form • helpline: +34 932 209 741 available Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm

NEWS

DRIVERS: Reported attacks to the police. and shattered rear windows, though fortunately nobody was hurt.

The drivers in both separate incidents reported the attacks to the police.

First Woman to Win HORSE-RACING history was made at Aintree in Liverpool, when Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, as she rode 11-1 shot, Minella Times to victory, never looking threatened for the whole race really, but then surging ahead after the 30th and final fence, to win by six and a half lengths.

It was a special day for trainer Henry de Bromhead as well, who had his two horses finish first and second, his 100-1 shot, Balko Des Flos, ridden by Aidan Coleman, the runner-up, with the favourite, Cloth Cap, ridden

by Tom Scudamore, pulling up at the third last fence.

Speaking after the race, Rachael Blackmore said, “I

cannot believe it, he was a sensational spin. I’m so lucky to be riding. It is unbelievable. He was just incredible and jumped beautifully. I tried to wait as long as I could. When I jumped the last and asked him for a bit, he was there. I don’t feel male or female right now, I don’t even feel human. This is just unbelievable.”

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BUCKINGHAM PALACE announced on Satur‐ day April 10 that the Duke of Edinburgh’s cere‐ monial royal funeral will take place at 3pm, on Saturday, April 17, at Windsor Castle, in St George’s Chapel, with a minute’s national si‐ lence being observed as it begins.

This final farewell to Prince Philip, who passed away on Friday April 9, aged 99, is guaranteed to be like no other royal funeral the country has ev‐ er seen, as the Queen and other members of the royal family attend all wearing face masks, and having to social distance, while following the

GOOD MORNING BRITAIN presenter Kate Garraway’s husband Derek Draper has returned home after being bed-ridden in a hospital intensive care unit for more than a year battling coronavirus.

Derek has been taken off all machines in the hospital and has gone home to his family, according to an exclusive in The Sun. Good Morning Britain star Kate and her two children 11-year-old Billy and 15-yearold Darcey - she shares with Derek have reportedly been warned by doctors that he still faces a “long and gru-

Duke Of Edinburgh’s Funeral coronavirus guidelines.

The funeral will be televised, and will take place entirely within the grounds of Windsor Castle, but all public elements have been can‐ celled, said a Palace spokesman, with it also said that Prince Philip had asked for a low‐key funer‐ al.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave his recom‐ mendation regarding national mourning, to the

Covid survivor elling” fight to full health.

However, they are all said to be “thrilled” that he is allowed to continue his recovery back home with them.

A friend told The Sun: “Kate’s dreamt of this day for so long, and can’t thank wonderful NHS staff enough. The children, who have been so remarkably resilient, have been so, so happy to have their dad home. There have

ACCORDING to the press, flight website Skyscanner has announced that prices are up to 51 per cent cheaper than last year, which is good news for Brits in Spain who are missing their families.

Skyscanner also announced its top 10 most searched destinations, which included London, Manchester, Dubai, Edinburgh, and Portugal.

While Spain did not make the top 10, Skyscanner Consumer Rights Expert said the lack of clarity “is keeping prices low for short-haul travel as capacity is not yet filled.”

He added: “As the rules around travel from

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been a lot of happy tears from everyone.”

The friend added that Derek and Kate are stronger than ever following his worrying health battle, before adding: “She has been such a rock, and a total inspiration to everyone in Britain battling their own horror stories with this pernicious disease.”

A former political spin doctor then psychologist, Derek was admitted to hospital on March 30, 2020, because he was having breathing difficulties. It’s been officially confirmed that Derek is Britain’s longest-surviving Covid patient.

Cheap Flights the UK become clearer, and airlines react by allocating planes to routes to serve demand, we expect to see attractive pricing being used by providers to compete for bookings.

“Competition between airlines and travel providers almost always benefits the traveller with better pricing and more choice.”

One Brit told the Euro Weekly News: “It has been so hard for people like myself whose families live in the UK.”

Queen, which was accepted, with a period of mourning to run from Friday April 9, up to and including the day of Prince Philip’s funeral, but, true to form, according to a senior royal official, the Queen said engagements will continue ap‐ propriate to the circumstances.

A senior Palace official said that a specially modified Land Rover that the Duke helped to de‐ sign will transport the coffin from Windsor Castle

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to the chapel, with the Prince of Wales and se‐ nior royals following behind it, on foot, but with‐ in the coronavirus restrictions.

Only 30 mourners are allowed to attend, which gives the Palace another headache, over who will be invited, but it is expected to be Philip’s children, grandchildren, and close family, with a Palace spokesman saying that the Duchess of Sussex has been advised by her doc‐ tor not to travel, after Meghan had apparently tried to travel, but did not receive the medical clearance to board a plane.

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Breakthrough in Crohn’s THE Spanish have now had a breakthrough in Crohn’s disease treatment. Crohn’s is a disease which affects both expats and Spanish alike and it is thought that in Spain some 300,000 people are currently suffering with the inflammatory bowel disease.

The breakthrough in the treatment of Crohn’s disease

A milestone discovery.

Vaccination Schedule JUST a day after Spanish President Pedro Sanchez an‐ nounced his ambitious vaccination schedule to the country, the European Commission threw cold water on his plans on Thursday, April 8, claiming that at this moment in time, they are not sure how many doses of the jab will be available in the third quarter. Mr Sanchez told the nation that they could expect some 87 million vaccines to arrive in Spain be‐ tween April and September, but EU bosses have revealed that this is by no means guaranteed.

Mr Sánchez pointed out: “This means receiving 3.5 times more doses than in the first trimester.” When the 87 million doses arrive, Mr Sánchez promised that “any compatriot who wishes can be vaccinated in this period.”

In his public address, Mr Sanchez boasted that Spain “has vaccination coverage of one dose in over 80s of 70.1 per cent,” while the average in the rest of Europe is 60 per cent.

However, other data refutes the Prime Minister’s claim, with countries such as Serbia, Hungary and Chile having al‐ ready surpassed Spain’s vaccination rate for the first dose.

has been labelled as a milestone discovery. Crohn’s along with ulcerative colitis which is another inflammatory bowel disease can be disabling to people who are affected.

The disease is now being diagnosed in increasingly younger people, but it can appear at any stage of life.

The breakthrough treatment is said to involve a minimally invasive surgical procedure and it is hoped that the treatment will help many people in the future.

According to Dr Antonio De Lacy, head of the General and Digestive Surgery Department at Hospital Quironsalud Barcelona “Digestive symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and tiredness, as well as weight loss, although aphthae or oral ulcers, skin alterations, eye inflammation and anal problems such as fistulas or abscesses can also occur.”

“The cause of this disease is not known, but everything suggests that there are multiple factors involved in its origin: genetic, immune system and environmental.”

NEWS

Petrol price rise EXPATS in Spain are feeling the pinch after it emerged the price of petrol has risen by more than €10 for an average tank since last April.

According to new figures, while the price of petrol has stayed steady over the past week, costs have risen by nearly 20 per cent in Spain since the same week last year, leaving the average tank of petrol costing more than €10 more.

The figures also showed that in the last month, the price of petrol has gone up by 1.86 per cent, com‐ pared to the 0.94 per cent that the price of diesel has increased.

The price hike has hit expats, business owners and tourists alike.

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NEWS

New book entitled ‘The Lady of the House’ features Almeria-based DJ Emma Keen ential women are interviewed.

For four decades, Emma Keen who now lives near Albox has been involved in the music industry in one role or the other and has been a radio presenter,

bar and nightclub DJ, voice-over artist, events and roadshow host and record company tour manager, but her true love is playing music.

She broke into the house scene in a big way when she spent seven years in Mallorca before returning to the UK to work on a special project, but the thought of the Spanish lifestyle kept reoccurring and four years ago, she and her husband decided to return.

This time rather than Mallorca they chose a small village near Albox for the peace and serenity, but Emma was amazed at the amount of DJ work that she found and very quickly was kept busy not just at weekends.

When she first started there was the need to transport cases full of vinyl records and turntables so her repertoire had to be fairly narrow and this was when she really concentrated on dance and house music.

Now however, due to incredible advances in technology, she can cater for many different

Credit: Blue Iguana Entertainment

THE ‘House’ music scene unlike many others, is very democratic and has no real barriers for female participants and this is underscored in a new book in which a host of different, influ-

Almeria-based DJ Emma Keen.

tastes and if a venue wants pop, rock, hits or Latin music, then that is no problem and rather than start playing from a set list, she judges the reaction of the audience and chooses each track to suit.

The lockdown hit her badly but she is now hosting two shows on the community based and expanding Almeria Radio which she can record at home but due to the ‘tech wizards’ who run the station, it is possible for direct interaction with listeners.

As the State of Alarm begins to unwind, she is looking forward to getting back on to the road and has a wide range of potential venues, from beach bars in Mojacar to clubs around the area and her favourite, a little bar in the middle of nowhere which she used to appear at weekly with an audience that ranged from 18 to 80.

Turning to the book, Emma is flattered and amazed that she will appear alongside such female giants as Candi Staton, Barbara Tucker, Kym Sims and

Kym Mazelle, but as one the earliest female house DJs, there is no doubt that her inclusion is only right.

‘The Lady of the House’ is authored by Ian Snowball and Laila McKenzie, both accomplished journalists in the music field in their own rights and has a foreword by international DJ Carl Cox (one of Emma’s all-time heroes).

The book will be a limited-edition, luxury hardback, coffeetable style book, only available through Kickstarter and available to pre-order up until May 6.

The authors of the book will donate £1 from the sale of every book to the Night Time Industries Association’s (NTIA) Savenightlife CIC and will be used to ensure that access to equal rights and protection for all women within the industry remains high on the agenda.

Emma told EWN “I can’t wait to get back to live shows. It’s not work, when you love what you are doing and can feel the positive reaction of your audience.”

NEWS

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Stranded in Portugal

BORDER CLOSED: Travel is for ‘essential reasons’ only.

WITH Portugal now entered into the second phase of deescalation, the country’s land border with Spain is still closed, with citizens allowed to cross only for ‘essential reasons’ until April 16, at the earliest.

It is reported that since the border was closed, more than 6,000 people have been turned back during the current second lockdown period, which has lasted around two months, with mainly only Portuguese citizens and legal foreign residents being allowed into the country by road.

Since April 1, the ministry of interior administration added more countries to the list of those whose citizens must not only present a negative Covid

PCR test at the border, but also go into 14-days mandatory quarantine, which has increased Portugal’s ‘red list’ now to 14 countries.

As a result, it has been necessary to have SEF border guards who are bilingual, at least speaking some English, to try and cater as best as possible to communicate with travellers who arrive at any of the 16 permitted border crossings.

Portuguese daily publication, Correio da Manhã, has reported that out of around 750,000 people who had tried to cross into Portugal, border guards had discovered 31 criminals who had existing arrest warrants out for them, who were duly arrested and put before the courts.

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Flights Cancelled again BRITONS in Spain are voicing concerns after budget airline Jet2 announced it was cancelling flights and holidays until June 23.

The airline said it was suspending flights until the end of June following Boris Johnson’s announcement over international travel plans, leaving some Britons in Spain voicing concern over trips being cancelled.

According to the news, Jet2’s chief executive, Steve Heapy, says his company wants to offer holidays but it needs “more clarity” from the government to achieve this.

He explained that those who have already got trips booked will be given a refund.

He said: “Where customers yet to travel are affected by any programme changes, we will automatically cancel their booking with a full refund, and our team of travel experts will be in touch to help them to book their summer getaway for later in the year.”

Speaking to the Euro Weekly News, owners of the Cuevas de Helena hotel in Benamaurel, Granada, said: “It is sad news but it does at least give clarity. We really feel for customers who had booked and had to cancel last year as well.

“We have had one family cancel this morning after the Jet 2 announcement they were due to come in 2020 then rebooked for June 2021.

“We are now wondering whether other airlines will do the same.”

JET2: The airline wants to have more clarity.

The owners added: “People want to see their families too, it’s not just about tourism.

“We would love for people to be able to fly from the UK so when Jet2 announced that it was sad news.”

Jet2’s chief executive explained why the airline was cancelling flights until June 23. He said: “After several weeks exploring how to restart international travel, with substantial assistance and input from the industry, the framework lacks any rigorous detail about how to get international travel going again. In fact, the framework is virtually the same as six months ago.

“Following the publication of the framework today, we still do not know when we can start to fly, where we can fly to and the availability and cost of testing. Rather than answering questions, the framework leaves everyone asking more.

“We know how much our customers want

to get away to enjoy their well-deserved holidays. We have seen buoyant confidence levels from UK holidaymakers, as well as strong demand for our ATOL protected package holidays and leisure flights.

“We are trying to run a business so that we can take customers away, but we need the government to provide us with clarity to achieve this.”

The budget airline offers flights from the UK to destinations across Spain, including Malaga, Alicante, Mallorca, Almeria and Barcelona, leaving some Britons in Spain concerned that trips booked by family, friends and tourists will be delayed.

Reacting to Jet2’s announcement, one Facebook user said: “Let’s hope the last half of the year is all go.”

Customers with holidays booked to Spain also took to Jet2’s Facebook page to react to the news.

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NEWS

How Foreign Holidays Traffic Tax liabilities Light System Will Work THE British Government’s Global Travel Taskforce hopes to resume international travel from May 17 at the earliest, and they have suggested using a traffic light system that will categorise countries based on their Covid-19 risk levels.

It may be a few weeks yet before we know the exact date when trips abroad can take place, and which countries will be subject to the most relaxed measures.

Here is how the foreign holidays traffic light system will reportedly operate: Green countries • People arriving in the UK from ‘green list’ countries will need to take a pre-departure test in that country • On or before the second day after arriving in the UK, they will need to take a PCR test • They will not need to quarantine on their return unless they receive a positive test • Test packages must be booked and paid for before travelling from a list of government-

approved providers Amber countries • People arriving from ‘amber list’ countries will have to quarantine for 10 days at home • They will have to take a predeparture test, then a PCR test on days two and eight • There will be an option for ‘test to release’ in which they can end self-isolation early if they test negative on day five by purchasing an extra PCR test • Test packages must be booked and paid for before travelling from a list of government-approved providers Red countries • Arrivals from ‘red list’ countries will have to quarantine for 10 days in a specific quarantine hotel • They will have to take a predeparture test, then PCR tests on day two and day eight • Passengers must book and agree to pay for a quarantine package before departing for the UK Green watchlist • This will identify countries

most at risk of moving from green to amber so travellers have some warning • However, the government ‘will not hesitate to act immediately should the data show that countries risk ratings have changed’ How the list will be decided • Countries in each category will be kept under review and the government will respond to data, focusing on variants of concern • Vaccination and infection rates, the prevalence of variants, a country’s genomic sequencing capacity and access to reliable scientific evidence will be considered • The restrictions will be formally reviewed on June 28 to see whether the measures could be relaxed, followed by reviews ‘no later than July 31 and October 1’ Passenger locator forms • The form - where arrivals must fill in their travel details, UK address, passport details, Covid test booking reference numbers and quarantine hotel invoice (if needed) - will be digitised ‘by autumn 2021’

Stricter rules for airlines breaching consumer rights • The Civil Aviation Authority will be given additional enforcement power to act on airlines that have breached consumer rights • A Covid-19 charter will be introduced from May 17, setting out what is required of passengers and what their rights will be What the government is still looking into • Ministers will work with the travel industry and private test providers to see how costs can be reduced ‘while ensuring travel is as safe as possible’ • This could include cheaper tests when returning home and they are looking into whether predeparture tests can be provided • A digital travel certification system is still being looked at and the Department for Transport is considering how Covid passports could help for countries using them • Work also continues to develop a system to facilitate travel certification for inbound travellers

RIGHT TO VOTE: But it could cause problems.

AS reported in London Loves Business this week, the British Government is planning on allowing more British expats the right to vote in UK elections, however, leading tax advisory Blick Rothenberg warns that this could come with a ‘sting in the tail.’

The government confirmed in March’s budget that British expats living abroad and who are not residents in the UK for tax purposes would be entitled to vote on an ‘indefinite basis’ in future UK elections.

This is in contrast to the rule in 2002 when only non‐ residents who had lived overseas for 15 years or less still had the right to vote.

A tax director at the firm, Robert Salter, said: “British expats overseas should consider carefully whether they wish to take advantage of this extended franchise be‐ cause it could cause problems in the future and mean that they are liable for UK taxes and in particular inheri‐ tance tax.

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FEATURE

Tax residency in Spain. Determination criteria.

Consequences of being considered a tax resident.

HAVING tax residency in Spain or not, can have very important legal and especial‐ ly fiscal and tax conse‐ quences. Thus, Spanish law understands that the person who is a tax resident in Spain, must pay in Spain for all of his income (salaries, pensions, etc).

Therefore, it is essential that you know if you can be considered a tax resident in Spain. Because, if so, you may be required to pay taxes in Spain for you worldwide in‐ come.

When you are considered as tax resident in Spain.

Tax residency is regulated in Law 35/2006, on Personal Income Tax. In its article 9, which considers a tax resi‐ dent, the person who: ‐ Remains more than 183 days, during the calendar year, in Spanish territory, or ‐ Has in Spain their main nucleus of activities or eco‐ nomic interests Diplomats, members of

consular offices, etc have spe‐ cial treatment in this regard.

Calculation of the 183 days.

To see if you are in Spain for more than 183 days, spo‐ radic absences are not taken into account. That is, vaca‐ tions, business or pleasure trips, etc.

They will only be taken into account, if it is proven that you are a tax resident in an‐ other country.

Therefore, if you are not a tax resident in Spain, it is con‐ venient to: ‐ Have a certificate of tax residence from your country. ‐ Prove that you were in that country most of the year.

Determination of the cen‐ tre of interest or activity.

This is the other criterion used to determine tax resi‐ dency.

If you are not a resident of Spain, you must prove that you have your main centre of interest in another country.

To determine this centre of interest, it is relevant, not on‐ ly where you have the in‐ come, but also the assets, ex‐ penses, etc.

Family presumption.

By law, it is presumed (al‐ though proof to the contrary is accepted), that one is resi‐ dent in Spain, when the spouse is not legally separat‐ ed and the minor children who depend on you, reside in Spain.

Residence Permit vs Tax Residence.

It is possible for an expa‐ triate, or foreigner to have a residence permit in Spain.

But this does not mean that they have to have tax resi‐ dence. Since they are differ‐

Carlos Baos (Lawyer) - White&Baos Tel: +34 966 426 185 info@white-baos.com White & Baos 2021 - All Rights Reserved.

ent concepts.

But, it is essential for peo‐ ple who request a residence permit in Spain: ‐ get advice on the type of residence permit. And if it im‐ plies the need to spend more than 183 days a year in Spain. ‐ get legal advice on the tax implications.

Conclusion As indicated above, you should be advised on the con‐ sequences of having a tax res‐ idence in Spain if: ‐ You have assets in Spain, or an economic activity. ‐ If you live in Spain most of the year. ‐ Or if you want to apply for a residence permit.

Double taxation agree‐ ments. Thus, it will have to be taken into account, if there is an agreement between Spain and your country. As it can be essential to determine tax residence.

If you want expert advice, contact us at www.white‐ baos.com

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Dangerous Dog Breeds EXPAT animal-lovers have welcomed the news that the Spanish government intends to do away with its list of potentially dangerous dog breeds and the restrictions that come with having a pet on the list, as well as imposing rules to ensure harsher sanctions against people that abuse dogs.

The General Director of Ani-

mal Rights of the Government, Sergio Garcia Torres, announced his intention to present a draft bill in May to modify the current 50/99 law on potentially dangerous animals so that the individual behaviour of each dog will be looked at rather than judging them by “the specific breed with which they were born,” and thus

Covid ‘Wealth Tax’ THE IMF has proposed a temporary Covid ‘wealth tax’ as a means of stimulating economic recovery.

In a move that could have a serious impact on Spanish and ex‐ pat business owners, not to mention entrepreneurs across the globe, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that it is considering imposing a surcharge on companies and in‐ dividuals in the higher income bracket as a means of generating the tax income needed to address increased public spending dur‐ ing the coronavirus pandemic. The temporary levy would also see an increase in taxes on wealth and inheritance.

The IMF has suggested that taxing those businesses which have prospered during the pandemic, such as pharmaceutical companies, would greatly contribute to economic recovery with‐ out negatively impacting on those who are struggling the most fi‐ nancially. The deputy director of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Depart‐ ment, Paulo Mauro, highlighted the need for additional funds to cover spending in health and education, but added that each country would need to take its own approach.

avoid “unfair prejudices.”

A National Registry of Companion Animals (SRPA) will be developed to coordinate the existing regional registries, so that data on all the country’s animals is available in real time.

Owners of dogs deemed to require ‘particular handling’ will be obligated to seek training and support so that their pets don’t pose a risk to the general public.

Not everyone is happy with the proposed changes, however. An Irish expat who lives on a small urbanisation with his wife told Euro Weekly News that he believes the law doesn’t go far enough to control the responsible ownership of pets.

He told EWN that a neighbour owns five large dogs that rush at the gate, barking and snarling, whenever anyone walks past.

“It’s gotten to the point where I won’t let the grandkids pass the house when they’re visiting,” he said. “It’s just not right, having those big dogs cooped up in a tiny garden. It’s no wonder they’re cross.”

NEWS

90-day rule IT sounds simple enough, how‐ ever, there still seems to be some confusion around how long non‐residents can stay in Spain and what type of visa you will need to have to reside in Spain for more than 90 days.

The government website states: “To stay longer than 90 days in any 180‐day period, to work or study, or for business travel, you must meet the entry requirements set out by the country you are travelling to.

This could mean applying for a visa or work permit.”

However, the issue is still causing confusion for some Brits.

British National, David, asked: “I would like to rent a property in Spain next winter for six months. Please could you tell me what do I have to do to be in a position not to have to be subject to the 90 days out of 180 rule?"

It was reported at the begin‐ ning of March that there would be no extension to the 90‐day

You must leave the Schengen area. rule, once you have been in Spain for 90 days, you will need to leave the Schengen area.

You will then have to wait for 180 days to come around be‐ fore you are permitted to re‐en‐ ter again.

An EWN reader, who would prefer to remain anonymous, told us “I arrived in Spain be‐ fore January 1, 2021, but didn’t apply for my residency until February 2021 due to various circumstances.”

“The process was quite diffi‐ cult, I had to get private health‐ care, get my NIE number, get my Padron in the town I live in, print out my bank statements for the past six months and prove I was in Spain before Jan‐ uary 2021, and also give details of my work contract and earn‐ ings.”

The anonymous reader is still awaiting an answer on whether their application has been ac‐ cepted or rejected.

NEWS

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Food Prices Soaring CALPE U3A DINING FOOD prices are going up around the world and for many this could not come at a worse time as jobs for many people have been affected by the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Many people have had to turn to food banks in order to survive already and as costs rise, more and more people could be pushed into food poverty.

Expats and Spaniards alike in Spain have seen costs rise recently and it was reported in January that Spain’s core inflation rate

had risen by 0.6 per cent in comparison to the previous year, as price rises in food, gas and electricity had a knock-on effect.

Companies all over Europe and the US and Canada have come under increasing pressure as the global pandemic has disrupted supply chains, and transport and packaging costs have increased.

According to reports suppliers are running out of ways to absorb cost increases, and these could be passed onto consumers more in the future.

Carp-R-Us CARP-R-US returned to the Jacarilla/Bigastro stretch of the Rio Segura for Round Four of their Spring Series hoping the weather would be kinder than on their last visit to this venue. As it was, the day remained dry although cool and breezy towards the end.

Dave Hutchinson predicted a difficult match following the changeable weather of the previous days, and so it proved to be.

This didn’t stop him winning with 5.50kg from peg 5 caught using pole and bread. Second was Roy Dainty with 4.50kg from peg 8, his catch included a rare gudgeon. Third was Dave Sutton with 2.07kg from peg 2, beating Steve Fell (2.05kg) on peg 6 by just 2g.

Anyone wishing to join the club can contact us through the club website: www.carp‐r‐us.weebly.com or email stevefell@rocket mail.com.

Some price increases may not be immediately apparent to consumers though, as it is predicted that supermarkets will reduce the number of special deals and multi-buy offers available to customers according to Bloomberg.

As the number of Coronavirus cases starts to increase after the Easter break, one factor that could dramatically affect food prices is the potential for local border closures. One concerned expat told EWN how during the pandemic and local border closures they had been forced to spend more as their local town did not have a large supermarket.

They said, “Because of changing restrictions, we have changed the way we shop as we don’t have access to a supermarket if perimeters are closed, so now we buy more household and store cupboard items.” They went on to explain how they felt value for money had been dropping and said, “However I think overall we are getting less for our money.”

In February it was reported that during the pandemic supermarkets had seen their takings increase by an extra € 3.1 billion.

ON Thursday April 8, the JUGS (just us girls) lunch was a great success and very well organised by Anita Sanchez.

The restaurant ‘La Cocina Esquina’ in Calpe was very welcoming with friendly staff. All Covid safety regulations were adhered to and ladies were seated four to a table.

It was a wonderful meal with an excellent selection on starters, followed by a main course and dessert. It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere and everyone was happy to be back in a restaurant with fine dining. We are looking forward to the next one. A big thank you to Anita for booking the great venue, contact Anita by e-mail at tinka.tinkabel@ya hoo.com.

Calpe U3A Men’s dining .

Following last month’s successful outing we have booked SU VA SHI. Menu with half a bottle of wine for €15.50. Thursday April 29 for 1.30pm, good parking outside the restaurant (beside the traffic lights opposite the Calpe bus station). Book with

Arthur on arthurandfreda@ya hoo.com.

Our Next General meeting that was to be held today, Thursday April 15 has been cancelled as the venue is closed to the public.

We are offering free mem-

bership to NEW members in 2021 contact Jan Luxton by email at membership@u3acalpe. org or check the Calpe U3A Facebook page. www.u3acalpe.org Good health to all and stay safe.

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15 - 21 April 2021 A TEAM of international scientists including Spanish scientists has developed a breakthrough new method of insulin administration. In what could change the lives of many diabetes patients, scientists have developed a method of delivering insulin by mouth and without needles. The study has only just been published in the Chemical Science journal.

It is hoped that this new research will lead to needle-free treatment for humans in the future. Speaking of the study and this new technology, Cristina Sáez explained that, “Compared to the two FDA-approved technologies, our system is biocompatible,

Insulin by Mouth highly stable in the stomach, cost-effective, specific and glucose-sensitive, representing a step forward in the future of oral insulin delivery and a new avenue towards the treatment of type 1.”

Many diabetes patients have to suffer from regular insulin injections in order to regulate and control the level of glucose in the blood and insulin injection treatment is not kind on the body as it has certain side

2nd Mysterious Monolith LOCALS have been shocked after a mysterious monolith appeared in Catalonia in the town of Aiguamúrcia, north of Tarragona on Saturday April 10. The town is

NEWS

not used to this attention, as they have a population of less than 1,000 people and the sleepy town is best known for its 12th century Santes Creus monastery.

It was only last year that monoliths mysteriously started to appear in the Utah desert and around the world.

The new Catalonian monolith is said to be around three metres tall and even has Egyptian hiero‐ glyphics engraved on it. Mayor Dolors Palma spoke of the monolith and explained that, “Unlike the others, this one is en‐ graved with Egyptian hieroglyph‐ ics which we have been told mean ‘the game has begun’.”

In March a mystery monolith turned up on a beach in Girona, on the Costa Brava. The metal monolith, more than two metres tall, and similar to the one which appeared back in November 2020 in the Utah desert and sev‐ eral others since then, was spot‐ ted on Sa Conca beach in the town of Castell‐Platja d’Aro, on Tuesday, March 30.

effects. It is hoped that in the future oral treatments will improve the quality of life of diabetes patients according to La Vanguardia.

In this new research scientists have focused on nanoparticle insulin delivery that is able to control blood sugar levels for around 10 hours. The trial though has not progressed to human testing yet. The team of scientists was led by New York University.

Raised Concerns STEP BACKWARDS: Russia not moving forwards.

BRITISH expats living in Spain have raised concerns over the giant step backwards that Russia has taken toward their LGBTQ+ citizens. Whilst Spain continues to show its progressive nature towards LGBTQ rights, including the recent proposals to issue fines of up to €150,000 to anyone found promoting gay conversion therapy, Russia seems be going backwards in time.

Spain’s Ministry of Equality has recently drafted a law which is considered a move towards “real and effective equality.” The new law would see hefty fines given out to those who provide and promote gay conversion therapy.

Conversion therapy is defined as ‘the practice of aversion, conversion or counter-conditioning methods, programmes and therapies,’ in the draft law.

One expat living in Spain told EWN how they have found Spain to be “inclusive and welcoming wherever in Spain they have visited.” The reader went on to tell EWN how Russia’s new laws are a “giant step backwards” and that this risks members of Russia’s LGBTI community “fearing for their lives” and seeking to leave the country out of fear.

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Gluten-Free Labelling GLUTEN-FREE labelling is set to change in Spain as it cannot be used as an advertising argument according to Aesan.

Gluten-free labelling which many consider to be extremely useful is set to change in Spain as the Spanish Agency for Food

Safety and Nutrition (Aesan) and the Ministries of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs have changed the regulations.

Many brands have taken to using the gluten-free label on products that naturally would not contain gluten, and this can

be seen by some as an advertising ploy set to promote their food above other similar brands. Many people though find this labelling super speedy when shopping as they can quickly and easily shop for gluten-free products without having to read all the ingredients.

A gluten-free diet for those who do not need it because of a medical condition is not advised and according to the Ministries of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, consumers should be aware that unless there is a medical reason, then a gluten-free diet gives no health benefits.

NEWS

€550,000 invested in hospital

VALENCIA’S Ministry of Universal and Public Health has invested more than €550,000 in expanding the emergency room, creating a new Hemato-Oncology Day Hospital and a terrace for psychiatric patients at Sagunto Hospital.

Head of health, Ana Barceló, visited the hospital last week.

She said she is delighted with the improvements made, from “the expansion of the emergency room, which has allowed the incorporation of new cubicles and a larger space for patients with different pneumological pathologies, to the new Oncology Day Hospital for treatments, with a greater number of armchairs and beds in a more intimate environment with more light.”

The new terrace for psychiatry patients has been adapted so that patients can have an attractive outdoor space.

In the emergency section, an adjoining

VALENCIA City Council estimates the Municipal Transport Company (EMT) lost €22 million in the sale of tickets during 2020 as a result of the pandem‐ ic.

This is compared to the income in 2019, figures that will be passed to the Ministry of Finance which has asked city councils for the mobility company balance sheets to access cash from a Covid compensation fund.

VISITING: Delighted with improvements. area of more than 200sqm next to the access to the waiting room, has been adapted to an area that connects with the observation area.

As a result, a separate waiting room for respiratory diseases, a triage consultation, two cubicles and an observation area for four beds and toilets have been created.

€22M losses City mayor, Joan Ribó, assures that the financing of transport in Valencia “will see further delays since the cen‐ tral government had assured that this line of funding would arrive promptly and now we see that it will not.

“In Valencia we have a historical deficit of funding with respect to the

rest of the metropolitan areas of Spain,” she said in a statement.

The Mmayor recalled that “in June 2020, Madrid and Barcelona received a special fund to compensate the losses of their transport authorities and their intercity buses,” while Valencia did not.

“It is now time for Valencia (to re‐ ceive the funding), and the swiftness in this case must be mandatory,” she said.

NEWS

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New Salary Measures Cheaper Mortgages FROM Wednesday, April 14 all companies in Spain will be legally required to keep comprehensive records of the salaries of their work‐ ers, a measure which the

government hopes will help to close the large pay gap that exists between men and women in this country, which currently stands at 22 per cent, according to Span‐

Predicting Breast Cancer A BREAKTHROUGH study of thousands of women in Spain has reportedly developed a model that is capable of predicting a person’s chances of getting breast cancer some 20 years in advance.

The research team from the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona announced on Thursday, April 8, that their new system can ac‐ curately predict the risks of a woman developing breast cancer at two year intervals over a period of 20 years. The findings, which were published in the Plos One journal, are a vast im‐ provement on previous models, which could predict cancer occurring over a 10‐year period.

The study, which looked at data from almost 122,000 wom‐ en between the ages of 50 and 69, found four main factors in determining the risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers determined that the biggest factor was a previous history of the disease within her family, followed by the person’s age, history of benign breast diseases and breast calcifications.

“At the same time, women with lower risk could go even longer between screenings,” said researcher Dr Marta Roman.

ish daily Levante. According to the Central Business Di‐ rectory (DIRCE), the new regulations will impact some 1.5 million companies throughout Spain, although the latest data available from the National Statistics Institute shows that roughly 900,000 of these businesses have only one or two em‐ ployees on their books.

According to the UGT deputy secretary general, Cristina Cristina Antoñan‐ zas, has acknowledged that the difference in salaries between women and men is currently “very high” and she is confident that the new systems “are going to put on the table that in many companies, there is inequality.”

Furthermore, workers will now have the right to ac‐ cess these records and can take up any issues with their union representatives.

Any unjustified inequalities can lead to fines of up to €187,000 for the compa‐ nies.

THE experts say mortgage rates this year will drop, making them cheaper.

According to the experts, fixed rate mortgages will gain ground on variable ones and will fall to 1 per cent on average in the middle of the year.

The news comes after a ruling by the European Union to require Spain to include the value of ‘bad bank’ liabilities still outstanding from the previous f i n a n c i a l c r i s i s h a s i ncreased Spain’s debt position.

M uch of the reason for this huge debt is the fact that the Spanish Government, like so many others, has had to increase spending by way of assistance to individuals and businesses d u e t o t h e o n g o i n g p a ndemic as well as the significant drop in revenue caused by lockdown and lack of tourists.

As so many building companies and lending banks had become

b a n k r u p t f r o m 2 0 0 8 o nw a r d s , t h e S p a n i s h G o vernment in association with major banks created SAREB (known as the ‘bad bank’) to take control of properties and debts.

Whilst it has reduced the

€50 billion of negative assets it took over since being created, it still holds huge amounts of debt and as such, the EU believed it appropriate to consider it an organisation owned by the government.

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NEWS

Fulfilling Dying Wishes Sun Exposure news A 66‐YEAR-OLD man who was arrested in Catalonia after driv‐ ing for 40 kilometres on the wrong side of the motorway with his boyfriend’s dead body in the car was fulfilling his part‐ ner’s dying wishes, it has emerged.

The man’s 88‐year‐old boyfriend, a Swiss national, was thought to have been terminally ill and died in Switzerland.

The incident took place at a checkpoint which the French border police were carrying out in Le Boulou. According to po‐

lice, they saw the man turn his car around and drive in the op‐ posite direction.

The French police alerted the Mossos d’Esquadra and several traffic patrols began to search for the vehicle, which had an ac‐ cident in Jafre, Catalonia.

Officers found the man did not want to get out of the car and they began to question him before he gave several stories, including one that he had turned around because he did not have a PCR test.

Officers then pulled off a cov‐ er that was on the passenger seat and found a corpse under‐ neath in an advanced state of decomposition, wearing a seat belt.

According to sources in the investigation, the passenger, pending confirmation in the post‐mortem, could have been dead for more than three weeks and doesn’t appear to present signs of any criminality.

The suspect, based on evi‐ dence found in the vehicle, had been driving for several days in various towns in Spain, includ‐ ing Madrid.

ANOTHER reason to LOVE SPAIN! Read on to find out why a stroll along one of Spain’s beautiful beaches may be better for you than you thought.

Sunlight causes the skin to release nitric oxide, which can reduce the ability of the coronavirus to replicate, according to a study from the University of Edinburgh.

The research, which was published recently in the British Journal of Dermatology, found increased exposure to the sun’s rays - specifically UVA light - was associated with reduced deaths from the virus. Researchers compared all recorded deaths from Covid-19 in the US from January to April 2020 with UV levels for 2,474 counties for the same time period.

The reduction in risk of death from Covid-19 could not be explained by higher levels of vitamin D, experts said - it was more likely to be as a result of the sun’s UV rays.

What is UVC? UVC, a relatively obscure part of the spectrum consists of a shorter, more energetic wavelength of light. It is particularly good at destroying genetic material - whether in humans or viral particles.

Luckily, most of us are unlikely to have ever encountered any. That’s because it’s filtered out by ozone in the atmosphere long before it reaches our fragile skin.

Or that was the case, at least, until scientists discovered that they could harness UVC to kill microorganisms. Since the finding in 1878, artificially produced UVC has become a staple method of

SUNLIGHT: Reducing deaths from Covid. sterilisation - one used in hospitals, aeroplanes, offices, and factories every day. Crucially, it’s also fundamental to the process of sanitising drinking water; some parasites are resistant to chemical disinfectants such as chlorine, so it provides a failsafe.

Doesn’t sunlight create vitamin D also?

As regards a lack of Vitamin D in our body, studies show very negative data. To begin with, lacking it exposes us even more to different types of infections that would decrease considerably if the levels of this vitamin were correct. There are already studies, carried out in 2007, that agree with those of the present and affirm that it produces protective effects against acute respiratory infections.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

Energy Company Sued SPANISH energy giant Endesa is being sued by prosecutors in Barcelona for alleged crimes against wildlife after hundreds of birds, many of them endangered, have been electrocuted by perching on faulty pylons and wires.

According to Spanish daily AFP, prosecutors claim that 255 birds died in the Osona region between 2018 and 2020, including protected species such as white storks and griffon vultures.

Wildlife experts claim that electrocution is one of the leading causes of unnatural deaths in birds, and each year it contributes to the fatalities of far too many endangered species.

Critics claim that the energy company has not followed up on its commitment to properly insulate its wires; however, a spokesperson for Endesa told AFP that they had acted “in full compliance with the law in environmental issues and especially in relation to birdlife” and in fact, that the company plans to invest “€4.6 million in Catalonia in adapting power lines to protect birdlife” in 2021.

ERTE continues IN a very welcome move, the third vice president and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Diaz has announced that the temporary employment regulation files (ERTE) will continue after May 31 “in a formula sim‐ ilar to the current one.”

Back on January 19, the Executive Committee of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) unanimously approved an extension of the scheme until the end of May. More than 3.5 million employees in Spain were placed on the ERTE furlough scheme when the coronavirus pan‐ demic hit, and Ms Diaz has praised companies for their solidarity and refusal to give up through such difficult times.

In other positive news for those in receipt of an ERTE payment, Spain’s Ministry of Finance announced that, in the coming days, a new regulation will be finalised that will allow people affected to split their personal income tax payments over a period of six months without accru‐ ing additional interest.

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Food 4 Future exhibition 2021 BILBAO in northern Spain is to have the prestigious honour of hosting this year’s Food 4 Future World Summit, an event which showcases the latest technologies that are transforming the global food industry by gathering more than 280 industry leaders across a plethora of disciplines focusing on meat, bakery, seafood, beverages, dairy and agriculture.

The event, which will take place in the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) between June 15 and 17, will

see industry professionals from around the world gather together to explore topics such as sustainability and world hunger.

According to the organisers, the Food 4 Future exhibit will welcome more than 5,000 visitors and 200 exhibiting firms to showcase the latest solutions in foodtech, robotics and automatisation, food security and processing and packaging techniques for the different segments of the food industry.

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Wearing masks in cars MASKS: Do not have to be worn in a private vehicle.

Climate Change Law THE Congress of Deputies has approved for the first time in Spain a new Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition on Thursday, April 8 as a means of reiterating its commitment to combating global warming. One of the major assurances Spain has given internationally with this new regulation is to achieve climatic neutrality by 2050, thus almost eliminating its use of fossil fuels. In order to meet this ambitious target, the Spanish government has set various goals along the way, such as ensuring that by 2030, 74 per cent of the electricity used in this country will come from renewable sources. In addition, by 2030 Spain has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 23 per cent compared with 1990.

This will be periodically reviewed, with the government hopeful that the targets can even be increased; the first review is scheduled for 2023, according to Spanish press. The law, which has remained in the pipeline for almost a decade much to the consternation of environmentalists, was finally passed with the vast majority of political parties in support of the measures. Only Vox opposed it. The regulations will now be out to the Senate, and if approved, which they are widely expected to be, could be implemented by May.

THE DGT has come forward to clarify the rules on wearing masks in cars, after rumours circulating that not doing so could result in a fine.

We have previously reported on this subject, but the General Directorate of Traffic has now come forward to clarify that these rumours are incorrect and that not wearing a mask in a vehicle is not a punishable act.

The D G T has shared a statement on their social networks explaining that ‘the use of the mask is a matter of public health’ and a sanitary measure, which the DGT does not have any rights to enforce. For this reason, its nonuse ‘is not a traffic offence’ so it is not punishable by a fine or losing points on your driver’s licence.

It is, however, mandatory to wear a mask on public transport and when taking a taxi and will incur a €100 fine for not complying, as outlined on the website of the Presidency of the Government.

NEWS

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NEWS

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15 - 21 April 2021

EWN 25

Cybersecurity In favour of digital passports Warning PET NAMES: Popular for log-in passwords.

CYBERSECURITY experts are urging people to create harder‐ to‐crack passwords after new re‐ search found 15 per cent of British people use their pet’s name as a log‐in. Tech sites in Spain have also warned resi‐ dents NOT to use town, city and region names like Marbella, Malaga and Mijas, as an exam‐ ple, because hackers are well aware of their usage and it makes it much easier to crack someone’s password.

The top of the list of common‐ ly used passwords was 123456, appearing more than 23 million times. The second‐most popular string, 123456789, was not much harder to crack, while oth‐ ers in the top five included ‘qw‐ erty’, ‘password’ and 1111111.

The most common name to be used in passwords was Ash‐ ley, followed by Michael, Daniel, Jessica and Charlie. When it comes to Premier League foot‐ ball teams in guessable pass‐ words, Liverpool are ‘champi‐ ons’ with Chelsea second.

It is important to remember that the same cybersecurity warning applies to family names

and birthdays, all of which can also often be gleaned from so‐ cial media. Make a list of your passwords and keep them safe.

Also change your passwords as often as you can.

N I N E out of 10 Spaniards said in a survey that they would use digital health passports to travel, while seven in 10 said that they would store their health data digitally if it meant less interaction with people and quicker passage through airports.

The survey was commissioned by the travel booking group Amadeus and highlighted Spanish participants’ willingness to use digital health technology following the Covid pandemic, as well as collecting information on their concerns about how, when and with whom the per-

Blood Clot Expert UNIVERSITY of Reading blood clot expert, Professor Si‐ mon Clarke, has claimed that having the AstraZeneca jab is no riskier than pregnancy, the contraceptive pill, or going on a long‐haul flight, saying that in his estima‐ tion, it was not rational to refuse the vaccine, as there was a ‘vanishingly rare risk’ of a blood clot occurring.

Mr Clarke told the press, “I don’t think it would be a rational decision because the risk of thrombosis is van‐ ishingly small. Also, I’m not quite sure you can even de‐ termine yet from the vaccine what the risk is when the sample sizes are so far very small.”

A spokesperson for the MHRA says that up to March 31, out of around 20 million first doses of the Astra Zeneca jab given across the UK, it had received 79 re‐ ports of blood clots, accompanied by low blood platelet count, and a total of 19 people have died out of those 79, although it has not been established what the cause was in every case.

Of the 19 who died, three were under the age of 30, and the figures suggest that the risk of a rare blood clot in people after receiving the vaccine, is the equivalent to four out of every million.

sonal information will be shared.

More than 35 per cent of participants were concerned about their health information being hacked and lack of transparency or control over where the information would

be shared.

As the travel industry looks for ways to get flights running again and with the upcoming summer dependent on tourism in many places, there is an increasing call for sharing traveller health data and mak-

ing mobility more flexible.

The European Union hopes to have its own ‘Digital Green Pass’ ready in time for summer and IATA, a global airline body, hopes to roll out a similar Covid-19 pass this coming spring.

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EUROPEAN PRESS

EUROPEAN NIBS DENMARK

FRANCE

Organic leader

Euthanasia bill

THE Danish food minister Rasmus Prehn has announced that the government will invest Kr40 million (€5.38 million) to establish the Innovation Centre for Organic Agriculture which will focus on research and collecting data to allow the country to double organic production by 2030.

THE French parliament is deeply divided over a new proposal to legalise euthanasia with the government allowing a free vote and the right wing vowing to oppose with amendments to try to ‘talk it out.’ If passed, France will join Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Spain.

NETHERLANDS

NORWAY

Deportation notice

Wildlife threatened

A PETITION to stop the deportation of a 13-year-old Syrian boy to Armenia has received 150,000 signatures.

His mother legally obtained an Armenian passport for him so he could leave Syria, but Dutch authorities have decided he could live with distant relations in Armenia.

EVERY six years, the Species Data Bank reviews possible additions for the Norwegian Red List of Species. It is now believed that due to either infection or intensive fish farming the status of wild salmon and wild reindeer should be upgraded to ‘near threatened.’

BELGIUM

FINLAND

Swan song

Mask ruling

NOTHING to do with Covid-19 as 88 swans spent 142 days in quarantine after being plucked from the canals in Bruges, where they were a popular sight. This was because of an outbreak of bird flu, but now they have been returned to their normal habitat.

IN 2020 a Finnish Agency ordered face masks from a local company and made an advance payment of €2.6 million, but the initial batch when tested was discovered to be inappropriate for medical use and a court has ruled that the money should be refunded.

GERMANY

SWEDEN

Volunteer militia

Green storage

SOON after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the German Government announced the creation of a voluntary militia which would see young people trained over one year to help cope with any disaster. Now the first 325 volunteers including 52 women have been enrolled.

STEEL company SSAB and Swedish state-owned LKAB are building an underground facility to store hydrogen near Luleå, in northern Sweden. Costing in excess of €25 million, the 100-cubic-metre cavern will be built approximately 30 metres below ground and should be open by 2022.

FINANCE BUSINESS EXTRA Angola support DURING his recent visit to Angola, Spanish President Pedro Sánchez gave a pledge to give financial support worth €250 million to help Angola’s business sector to increase exports in the agricultural and industrial areas to try to reduce the country’s dependence on oil.

Covid loans A REPORT in the Daily Mail revealed that British banks are writing to business customers advising that they expect repayment of Covid-19 loans made during 2020. There is fear that many will be unable to repay the loans which could lead to more bankruptcy.

Lower forecast BASED on the fact that the fresh pandemic regulations affected the Spanish economy negatively in the first quarter of 2021, the Minister for the Economy, Nadia Calvino has announced that the 2021 forecast of growth has been reduced from 7.2 per cent to 6.5 per cent.

Vauxhall decision AFTER the British Government announced that it was banning the sale of cars with internal combustion engines by 2030, Stellantis, owner of Vauxhall decided not to invest in production of a new model and is looking to the government to support the production of an electric version.

Wooing Middle East AFTER President Sánchez spent some days in Africa to discuss migrants, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha Gonzalez Laya has been touring the Baltic States and then the Middle East.

Spain needs investment and business and the still oil rich Arab States, especially Saudi Arabia, have been good customers for many years so this is an important undertaking by the Minister.

Her itinerary has included a formal visit to Kuwait, where no senior minister has been for many years as well as Iraq.

28

STAT OF WEEK

www.euroweeklynews.com • 15 - 21 April 2021

€10 billion

is the amount that Spanish construction giant ACS is prepared to pay Atlantia for its Italian subsidiary, toll road manager Autostrade.

Boost to the environment MORRISONS has pledged to be the first supermarket to be completely supplied by ‘net zero’ carbon British farms by 2030, five years ahead of the market.

Over the next nine years, the supermarket chain has said that it will work with its 3,000 farmers and grow‐ ers to produce affordable net zero carbon meat, fruit and vegetables.

Morrisons expects that the first products to reach net zero carbon status will

be eggs as early as 2022, followed by lamb, fruit, vegetables, pork and beef in the years to follow.

UK agriculture currently accounts for 10 per cent of all UK greenhouse gas emis‐ sions, with new research revealing that two‐thirds of people consider the envi‐ ronmental impact of the food they eat.

The National Farmers Union has asked farmers to work towards a 2040 net zero goal, and other super‐

LEGALLY SPEAKING

markets are working to‐ wards 2035.

As it is British farming’s biggest supermarket cus‐ tomer, Morrisons is unique‐ ly placed to reach this goal five years ahead of indus‐ try.

In addition, it has con‐ firmed that it will remove all plastic carrier bags from its stores over the next year and will switch from offer‐ ing plastic ‘bags for life’ to a paper alternative, saying the move will make it the

first UK supermarket to stop using plastic carrier bags completely.

It will take around a year to implement this particular change, so once movement between provinces here in Spain is again allowed, British visitors to its very successful store in Gibraltar can expect to see a number of changes to help the envi‐ ronment, but remember, there is currently a ban on taking dairy and meat prod‐ ucts back into Spain.

Funerals in the Covid era

Who is responsible?

We purchased a two‐bedroom ground floor apartment in Spain in 2005. We asked our solicitor to check that everything was in order and were told everything was okay. Soon afterwards the owners of the property above us informed us that one bedroom and the kitchen of our apartment were built in part of their garden.

Our solicitor said that everything would be okay and no action was required. Our neigh‐ bours have gone to court to demolish the kitchen and bedroom, which were built by the previous owner. The solicitor does not seem interested in contacting the previous owner so all the expense is coming to us. We would be most grateful if you could advise us on the law as to who is responsi‐ ble for this sorry mess.

P L (Costa Blanca) First, the previous owner and builder YOU AND THE LAW of the illegal IN SPAIN kitchen and bed‐ room, is responsible. Then, the Community is responsi‐ ble for not blocking the original work, done with no per‐ mit. Then, your solicitor has not served you well if he did not observe a difference in the seller’s title deed, show‐ ing one bedroom only, and your purchase contract, showing two bedrooms.

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.

BRITISH online fashion re‐ tailer Asos has announced its intention to raise £500 million (€550 million) via the placing of unsecured guaranteed convertible bonds.

The cash injection which will be raised through its wholly owned subsidiary Cornwall Jersey will be

Arrangements have to be different.

FUNERALS during the Covid‐ 19 pandemic have had to be arranged differently and this has been a concern for ex‐ pats in Spain and throughout the world.

The number of people al‐ lowed at funerals and memorial services has been limited and social distancing should be observed among those who attend. It is advis‐ able to check in your area for the latest guidelines.

It is important that anyone attending funerals remem‐ ber that the use of masks is mandatory and to keep their

hands clean with gel provid‐ ed on the premises.

Do not remain in commu‐ nal areas for too long.

A popular option used dur‐ ing the coronavirus pandem‐ ic has been virtual funerals, allowing loved ones to be present with no danger.

If the deceased had a fu‐ neral plan in place, then the funeral directors will ensure that all of the correct mea‐ sures are observed, both re‐ garding attendance and the procedures which need to be in place to prepare the body for burial or cremation.

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

Business booms for ASOS used to fund Asos’ global expansion strategy, as well as refinancing its ac‐ quisition of Topshop in February 2021.

Issued at par, the bonds due 2026 are set to be convertible into prefer‐

ence shares, which will then be exchanged for or‐ dinary shares in the com‐ pany.

The move follows the announcement on Thurs‐ day April 8 that Asos’ pre‐ tax profits had surged 253

per cent to £106.4 million (€117 million) in the half‐ y e a r e n d e d Fe b r u a r y 2 8 2021.

Speaking on the finan‐ cial results, Nick Beighton, CEO at the company, said that the group is “delight‐

New vehicle subsidies A REPORT by Reuters says that the Spanish Govern‐ ment has approved a plan to make available a total of €800 million through to 2023 to encourage electric car sales.

Private purchasers would be able to claim subsidies of up to €7,000 to allow them to purchase an electric vehi‐ cle, whilst councils in what are recognised as small towns as well as companies equipping new fleets of taxis, may be able to claim even larger amounts.

This extra encouragement follows an earlier announce‐ ment that the government intends to promote nation‐ wide production of electric cars as well as car batteries.

Plus Ultra controversy THE decision to ‘bail out’ Venezuelan airline Plus Ul‐ tra with a €53 million life‐ line by the Spanish Govern‐ ment continues to make shockwaves in parliament.

With just four aircraft and routes to Spain, Venezuela, Ecuador and Pe‐ ru, the airline represents less than one half of 1 per cent of flights to and from Madrid.

It was always known that junior partner in the Span‐ ish Government Podemos had links with the govern‐ ment of Venezuela and af‐ ter the Vox Party de‐ nounced the decision, now the heavier hitting Partido Popular (PP) has demanded an enquiry. ed with our exceptional” performance during the period.

Aimed primarily at young adults, the compa‐ ny does offer the possibili‐ ty to order online in En‐ glish via its Spanish website (in English and Spanish) with the ability to pay in euros.

30 EWN

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15 - 21 April 2021

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

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C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 12

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) 3I Group 1.238,00 1.247,00 Admiral Group 3.197,9 3.197,9 Anglo American 3.042,9 3.060,9 Antofagasta 1.714,50 1.721,50 Ashtead Group 4.550,0 4.558,0 Associated British Foods 2.438,8 2.472,2 AstraZeneca 7.299,7 7.304,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 568,20 571,60 Avast 462,55 471,40 Aveva 3.758,0 3.779,0 Aviva 403,85 405,49 B&M European Value Retail SA538,80 546,80 BAE Systems 506,40 515,20 Bank VTB DRC 1,100 1,112 Barclays 186,82 187,56 Barratt Developments 789,47 795,00 Berkeley 4.602,0 4.643,0 BHP Group 2.138,00 2.152,50 BP 294,33 296,75 British American Tobacco 2.783,0 2.790,5 British Land Company 509,80 512,80 BT Group 152,13 153,00 Bunzl 2.430,0 2.445,0 Burberry Group 2.038,0 2.050,0 Carnival 1.738,1 1.771,5 Centrica 58,30 58,46 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.422,5 2.425,2 Compass 1.566,00 1.567,56 CRH 3.547,0 3.560,0 Croda Intl 6.611,3 6.635,8 DCC 6.268,0 6.290,0 Diageo 3.167,2 3.172,3 DS Smith 409,20 415,10 EasyJet 955,60 964,40 Experian 2.648,4 2.659,0 Ferguson 9.352,0 9.364,0 Flutter Entertainment 15.100,0 15.275,0 Fresnillo 895,60 896,40 GlaxoSmithKline 1.300,37 1.315,93 Glencore 286,99 287,20 Halma 2.567,5 2.590,3 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.667,00 1.670,49 Hikma Pharma 2.426,00 2.436,00 HSBC 431,18 432,38 IAG 208,49 214,34 Imperial Brands 1.550,93 1.555,00 Informa 577,00 585,20 InterContinental 5.124,0 5.200,0 Intermediate Capital 1.980,00 1.982,00 Intertek 6.004,0 6.088,0 ITV 120,45 122,89

% CHG. 1.230,50 3.145,0 2.998,2 1.687,50 4.524,0 2.411,9 7.249,0 564,40 459,93 3.728,0 401,00 536,00 504,00 1,078 184,06 785,04 4.582,0 2.099,00 291,59 2.764,0 502,60 150,70 2.385,0 2.028,0 1.731,6 57,24 2.396,6 1.548,50 3.530,0 6.554,9 6.204,0 3.149,2 406,80 934,80 2.635,0 9.250,0 15.086,3 879,00 1.296,54 283,22 2.556,3 1.655,06 2.408,00 428,19 206,68 1.538,36 570,20 5.092,0 1.952,50 5.982,0 119,79

NET VOL 122,71K 12,24K 45,35K 239,64K 16,51K 33,92K 37,69K 273,03K 64,64K 54,68K 560,83K 237,44K 1,49M 194,13K 2,07M 48,23K 27,98K 661,59K 2,77M 484,40K 302,79K 4,67M 234,41K 73,38K 98,35K 2,50M 3,66K 16,99K 107,04K 9,95K 23,36K 64,71K 410,54K 1,09M 19,36K 67,78K 1,72K 157,76K 323,79K 1,66M 15,40K 48,24K 50,76K 454,14K 2,65M 59,10K 302,50K 44,92K 56,88K 36,41K 609,93K

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

245,20 3.166,3 712,63 297,70 43,33 7.448,0 480,22 174,21 1.880,73 897,29 196,98 8.094,0 32,64 2.104,59 3.180,8 746,40 1.549,50 6.613,0 1.915,22 511,82 600,16 5.699,0 110,66 6,90 1.397,75 1.397,6 1.335,5 683,40 648,71 1.851,00 14,69 3.642,5 1.199,00 970,98 2.423,6 1.394,70 1.602,87 12.260,0 1.538,00 1.341,00 492,70 299,20 188,15 233,64 381,00 4.122,8 961,60 134,07 3.461,4 938,20

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

246,40 3.173,9 715,70 298,76 43,59 7.480,0 483,67 174,30 1.903,50 903,00 197,80 8.362,0 32,64 2.141,59 3.215,7 747,80 1.554,00 6.636,0 1.923,87 514,00 616,57 5.703,0 112,78 6,95 1.401,11 1.401,4 1.339,5 683,40 652,23 1.853,00 14,73 3.643,0 1.211,01 972,20 2.437,6 1.398,12 1.625,66 12.335,0 1.556,00 1.345,50 496,00 304,30 189,98 235,02 397,58 4.139,0 969,18 135,16 3.510,0 941,12

243,84 3.126,0 706,00 294,80 43,06 7.382,0 475,86 170,78 1.871,50 893,60 194,85 8.028,0 31,17 2.090,59 3.179,0 736,80 1.533,50 6.580,0 1.903,50 510,44 596,00 5.617,0 109,36 6,81 1.381,25 1.381,6 1.320,8 682,60 644,20 1.844,50 14,32 3.615,0 1.188,28 961,00 2.415,6 1.389,46 1.597,00 12.190,0 1.531,00 1.327,50 487,00 297,30 186,89 232,95 374,90 4.113,1 956,17 133,55 3.427,9 932,20

89,30K 20,04K 35,70K 1,74M 15,38M 65,65K 10,79K 288,49K 9,55K 1,12M 2,96M 96,41K 623,89K 26,63K 81,66K 334,72K 142,10K 141,19K 20,62K 76,28K 74,24K 700,79K 3,86M 380,02K 808,32K 855,25K 274,26K 242,27K 54,73K 4,05K 531,68K 3,68K 724,26K 31,17K 13,59K 53,63K 15,76K 17,44K 115,90K 185,39K 624,62K 810,17K 757,00K 1,15M 796,42K 54,97K 56,25K 1,19M 34,85K 84,46K

1.15404

0.86631

Units per €

US dollar (USD) ......................................1.19069 Japan yen (JPY)......................................130.171 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................1.1001 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4370 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................10.115

currenciesdirect.com/moraira • Tel: +34 966 265 072 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 12

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 198,00 2.285,88 3.372,20 248,95 133,00 252,36 230,75 102,92 52,09 53,18 312,46 330,81 319,23 226,98 135,73 68,26 161,25 156,28 231,48 76,31 255,85 135,45 136,37 231,28 677,02 376,30 57,49 222,52 139,78 187,89

CHANGE 198,96 2.289,04 3.372,20 249,10 133,04 252,84 232,20 103,68 52,15 53,28 314,74 334,90 319,32 227,63 135,74 68,40 162,93 157,04 231,61 76,38 255,99 135,50 137,27 231,31 680,97 376,61 57,80 222,60 140,09 188,22

CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 196,06 2,16M 2.253,71 1,04M 3.288,90 4,34M 245,81 1,37M 129,47 106,69M 249,44 12,26M 227,54 2,48M 102,10 7,16M 51,68 13,14M 52,81 10,83M 310,33 15,99M 328,79 2,35M 314,75 4,61M 223,31 3,86M 134,71 3,02M 66,63 27,18M 159,78 8,42M 154,97 12,12M 228,87 2,73M 75,43 7,80M 252,44 24,33M 133,50 6,06M 135,56 5,86M 223,63 7,32M 669,43 21,44M 367,00 2,48M 57,25 13,87M 219,51 5,72M 138,71 6,89M 186,15 6,09M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 12

COMPANY

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

+2.21% +0.91% +3.03% +0.90% +0.90% +2.92% +1.83% +1.49% +1.14% +3.49% +14.86%

4.34M 239,783 344,677 1.04M 1.31M 951,355 355,327 168,179 67,202 175,503 1.51M

-9.51% -14.07% -17.33% -16.55% -2.61% -11.65% -3.13% -7.05% -0.99% -6.80% -2.02%

996,227 308,429 760,767 943,221 3.22M 199,984 7.44M 425,818 21.44M 514,533 158,084

Most Advanced Amazon.com Inc. Booking Holdings Inc. MicroStrategy Inc. Alphabet Inc. Cl C Alphabet Inc. Cl A Align Technology Inc. Intuitive Surgical Inc. CoStar Group Inc. First Citizens Bancshares Inc. Cl A Amedisys Inc. Lovesac Co.

Most Declined WD-40 Co. IGM Biosciences Inc. Applied Molecular Transport Inc. Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd. ADR Zoom Video Communications Inc. ALX Oncology Holdings Inc. Baidu Inc. ADR PriceSmart Inc. Tesla Inc. Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc. Cl A BeiGene Ltd. ADR

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

Exhibition visitors are highly qualified workers

Some of the keynote speakers.

THE Spanish Ministry of the Interior has agreed that all registered participants at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona may enter Spain despite current health restrictions.

This means that ex‐ hibitors, attendees or spon‐ sors from outside of the Eu‐ ropean Union will be able to fly to Barcelona from such countries as China, the UK and USA without fear of be‐ ing turned away at the air‐ port.

Currently, regulations prevent entry to Spain for anyone from a country out‐ side the EU due to the pan‐ demic, except in the case of highly qualified workers.

Therefore, in accordance with this rule, international organisers GSMA (Global System for Mobile Commu‐ nications) and the Ministry

of the Interior have come to an agreement that identi‐ fies all those attending the MWC within this category so that they can attend the congress.

Clearly the Spanish Gov‐ ernment is well aware of the international prestige that this exhibition brings to the country and is anxious to ensure that after last year’s cancellation, the Congress goes ahead be‐ tween June 28 and July 1 this year.

To some extent, they may be fighting a losing battle as a number of the tech giants such as Google and Intel have decided to cancel, joining Ericsson, Facebook, Google, Intel, Nokia, Oracle and Sony have already an‐ nounced that they have withdrawn.

To try to combat this, the

Co-op profits up THE Co-op Group in the UK has announced that it will repay £15.5 million (€17 million) of the Covid relief it received from the government’s furlough scheme.

It has had a good 2020 with a rise in turnover to £11.5 billion (€12.7 billion) and profits after tax and provisions also up at £77 million (€85 million) although that is only a tiny percentage against turnover.

The Co-op will not however return business rates support as it considered that this was given in “good faith” to help support its services including funerals and did not ever expect to have to pay it back.

show has now gone hybrid with the option of a virtual visit with direct contact with industry leaders which many may consider safer and more attractive this year.

BUSINESS EXTRA Debt resolved THE Villar Mir group has repaid almost all of the €68 million it owed to Santander with a series of different payments and according to Expansion.com, in order to raise the funds, the Villar Mir family had to sell some of the works of art they owned.

Sterling worries REPORTEDLY due to fears about the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the sale of which is generating a large amount of income for Britain, the value of the pound has taken a knock against both the dollar and the euro on international currency markets.

Another victim AN upmarket victim of the pandemic is the Barcelona based El Barri hospitality group which was a joint venture between chef Albert Adrià and the Iglesias brothers who have now placed the group which owned five restaurants into voluntary bankruptcy.

15 - 21 April 2021

EWN 31

32 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

15 - 21 April 2021

FEATURE

Hope of course springs eternal

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT MILLIONS of words have of course been written about the Duke of Edinburgh and his sad passing, but as an unashamed and staunch royalist I feel it perfectly reasonable to put in my own three penneth.

Of all the Royals the Duke has always been a favourite of mine. He was obviously a man of integrity with very strong principles, but although I think this sometimes made him something of a feared disciplinarian, particularly among his male offsprings, he always appeared to be fair minded and caring.

Despite the almost treasonably incorrect, Crown series, the vast majority of us have no idea what goes on behind ‘Buck House’ doors, but in the reports we actually have been a party to over the years, I concede he may have erred a bit when a young man’s fantasy succumbs to philandering!

However in public he never brought the Royal family into disrepute, he certainly didn’t ‘rebel’ against the tradition and heritage he married into (unlike others I could mention!).

PRINCE PHILIP: A favourite of mine.

Despite protocol asserting he always stand a pace or two behind the Queen, which I’m sure he hated, he was always there in support ‐ reiterating the old, slightly amended adage that behind every successful Queen stands a strong man! He was obviously the backbone of the whole family and hopefully his strength, dedication and leadership, will have been passed on to his decedents (hope of course springs eternal!).

Not suffering fools or sycophants gladly he often came out with remarks that could be somewhat scathing! I particularly like the one where he was asked after arriving at an airport how his flight had been? ‘Have you ever flown?’ he asked the irritating toady.

‘Why yyes’ replied the man. ‘’Well it was like that’ snapped the Duke.

Bit hurtful, but pretty typical I would have thought. My absolute favourite of course was the well‐chronicled reply he gave when asked a question about his daughter Princess Anne. ‘If it doesn’t fart and eat hay, she’s not interested’ he retorted.

Prince Philip was a complex and truly

exceptional man, who will be sadly missed by millions, but most of all by his dear wife of 73 years. Let our thoughts be with the Queen in these sad times of great loss.

Couldn’t let this piece go by without a mention of the despicable duo Winge and Minge. I don’t think you have to study rocket science to realise who sanctioned the cold and arrogant ‘tribute’ to the Duke they posted on social media. I’m sure by the time you read this it will have been announced that megalomaniac Megan’s doctors have recommended she doesn’t travel at this time. The fact that even later into her last pregnancy, she actually travelled over 11,000 miles to attend her LA baby shower will not of course go unnoticed by the general public.

Just how stupid does this arrogant woman think we all actually are? As for Harry ‐ well he’s just about as far removed from his Grandfather’s legacy as a Grandson could possibly be. Thank the Lord he’s only sixth in line!

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.

THURSDAY 15/04 FRIDAY 16/04 SATURDAY 17/04

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Eggheads Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Saved and Remade Remarkable Places to Eat Great British Menu Pandemic 2020 Mock the Week Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands Newsnight

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Live Snooker: The World Championship Flog It! All That Glitters: Britain's Next Jewellery Star Florida: America's Animal Paradise Top of the Pops: The Story of 1977 Elizabeth Taylor: A Life in Ten Pictures Burton and Taylor

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The Great British Sewing Bee Live Snooker: The World Championship Steve Backshall's Extreme River Challenge This Farming Life Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline Australia: Earth's Magical Kingdom FilmI, Tonya

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Richard Osman's House of Games Saved and Remade The Hairy Bikers' Mediterranean Adventure Mastermind Mastermind Different League - The Derry City Story Have I Got a Bit More News for You Newsnight

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Live Snooker: The World Championship Richard Osman's House of Games Saved and Remade The Hairy Bikers' Mediterranean Adventure All That Glitters: Britain's Next Jewellery Star NewMakeup: A Glamorous History Live at the Apollo

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Glacier Mountain Goats Walk the Line The Joy of Painting All Creatures Great and Small Topkapi Peter Ustinov: The Parkinson Interviews The Sky at Night Around the World in 80 Treasures

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Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Summer Holidays: What's the Truth? Tonight Emmerdale Britain's Brightest Celebrity Family?

The Queen and Her Cousins with Alexander Armstrong

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Countdown A Place in the Sun A New Life in the Sun Four in a Bed The Simpsons The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Dog House Taskmaster Frank of Ireland Naked Attraction

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Exotic Pop at the BBC Sounds of the 70s - New Wave Top of the Pops: 1990 Top of the Pops: 1990 Duran Duran: There's Something You Should Know Duran Duran: A Night In he 80's Pop Map of Britain and Ireland Exotic Pop at the BBC

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ITV News London Judge Rinder Tenable ITV London Weather Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street A Touch of Frost ITV News

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A New Life in the Sun Four in a Bed The Simpsons The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Food Unwrapped Rosie Jones Gogglebox 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Frank of Ireland

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Live Snooker: The World Championship The Young Montalbano Italy's Invisible Cities Top of the Pops: 1990 Top of the Pops: 1990 Sinatra: All or Nothing at All Italy's Invisible Cities

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Tipping Point The Chase ITV News and Weather ITV News London In for a Penny Game of Talents Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow The Jonathan Ross Show ITV News and Weather ITV London Weather Jaws

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Four in a Bed Four in a Bed Four in a Bed Four in a Bed Channel 4 News Grand Designs The Windsors: Inside the Royal Dynasty Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Qualifying Highlights First Man

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ITV London Weather Game of Talents In for a Penny Babe Midsomer Murders The Chase: Celebrity Special ITV News and Weather ITV News London Tipping Point: Lucky Stars Casino Royale ITV News and Weather

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Kirstie and Phil's Love it or List it Channel 4 News Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Highlights NewGuy Martin's Battle of Britain Gogglebox Walter Presents: The Hunter Sexy Beast

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The Chase ITV News London Party Election Broadcast ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Alan Titchmarsh: Spring into Summer Coronation Street Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip ITV News at Ten

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Four in a Bed The Simpsons Ackley Bridge Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Britain‘s Most Famous Family for Hire Jamie: Keep Cooking Family Favourites NewLucy, the Human Chimp 24 Hours in A&E

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ITV News London Party Election Broadcast ITV Evening News Emmerdale Ainsley's Mediterranean Cookbook Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip ITV News at Ten and Weather

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A New Life in the Sun Four in a Bed The Simpsons Ackley Bridge Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer Snackmasters: Shreddies Naked Attraction

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A Place in the Sun A New Life in the Sun Four in a Bed The Simpsons Ackley Bridge Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Location, Location, Location First Dates Hotel Second Hand for 50 Grand

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Live Snooker: The World Championship Call the Midwife: The Casebook Between the Lines Between the Lines Roman Britain: A Timewatch Guide This Green and Pleasant Land: The Story of British Landscape Painting

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Live Snooker: The World Championship Mark Kermode's Oscar Winners: A Secrets of Cinema Special Stephen: The Murder That Changed a Nation Horizon: How Big Is the Universe?

Undercover OAP: The Mole Agent - Storyville

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Live Snooker: The World Championship A303: Highway to the Sun Stephen: The Murder That Changed a Nation Lights Up: Adam Colour: The Spectrum of Science David Stratton's Stories of Australian Cinema A303: Highway to the Sun

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Live Snooker: The World Championship Watergate Stephen: The Murder That Changed a Nation Lights Up: Orpheus in the Record Shop Collective: Unravelling a Scandal - Storyville How to Make: Headphones

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5 News Weekend Susan Calman's Grand Day Out in the Highlands Barcelona with Jane McDonald Our Yorkshire Farm The Savoy: World's Most Expensive Hotels NewZara and Mike Britain's Favourite 80s TV Comedy

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Celebrity River Cruising in France Caravan Holidays with Shane Richie Happy Campers: Brits on Holiday Rich House, Poor House Changed My Life Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun Britain's Favourite 80s Songs

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FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

I don’t understand Bitcoin MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION Views of a Grumpy Old Man I’V E never really understood Bitcoin.

How can something you can’t see, feel or know where it comes from be worth so much real money now? And, to be honest, I’m quite happy with my ignorance. I know one Bitcoin is now ‘worth’ about €50k. I t seems to me that the people earning the most are the cybercriminals.

There’s only 21 million Bitcoin in circulation and some of those have been lost forever because people have forgotten or lost their passwords which makes theirs worthless. But here’s the scenario that makes them the most dangerous.

Imagine going to your car, and finding that you are unable to unlock the doors or start the engine. Then you notice a message on your ‘phone. It’s a ransom note indicating that your car has been locked down and taken hostage. You are required to send Bitcoin to an unknown address if you want to release your car.

Sound crazy? It shouldn’t. According to security experts this scenario is not an

impossible situation.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are fuelling a wave of ransomware attacks to the tune of $1.4 billion in the U S .

Hackers encrypt the victim’s data and then require the victim to pay a fee in Bitcoin or certain other cryptocurrencies to obtain the decryption key needed to release the data.

M ost ransomware attacks start as phishing emails. Hackers bombard hospitals, big corporations, universities and even cities. The University of California San Francisco paid hackers $1.14 million in Bitcoin after a ransomware attack.

T hat’s a shed load of dosh and the thieves got away with it and it’s only going to get worse.

I read that one hospital client received ransom notes from two distinct ransom crews that had infiltrated the hospital’s computer systems. The hackers had auctioned off access to the hospital twice! The criminals were in-fighting over who would get paid first! Guess what - most of it is coming from Russia and China, there’s a surprise!

I’d love to know if anyone ‘real’ has earned fortunes out of cryptocurrencies.

Email: mikesenker@gmail.com

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

15 - 21 April 2021

EWN 35

36 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

15 - 21 April 2021

FEATURE

OUR PLANET UNDER THREAT DAVID WORBOYS IT’S nice to be realistically opti‐ mistic. A positive outlook on life makes everybody feel good about everything. Unfortunately, most of us are quite the reverse. Either we envisage the worst outcome or we try to cover our apprehen‐ sive thoughts with a sunny show of confidence. For example, Boris Johnson portrays himself as an optimist, but in fact he simply seems to hope everything will turn out all right, regardless of the situation and the facts. The practi‐ cality of the solution to his prob‐ lems and the action required seems to be irrelevant. Blind opti‐ mism can result in huge misjudge‐ ments and negligence.

During my infancy the Second World War cast a huge threat to the survival of humanity. Once this nightmare was over, our planet re‐

WE HAVE BEEN WARNED: It will be more than the rhino and the tiger that will become extinct. covered and prospered, despite the emergence of guerrilla warfare and urban terrorism. The swinging 60s reflected the roaring 20s and the future looked bright.

Can we be optimistic about the future of our planet and its seven billion inhabitants today? Let’s look at some facts. The Covid pandemic has taken a reported three million lives, has severely restricted the way we live and work and has had a devastating effect on the world’s economies. Nobody knows when, if

ever, the pandemic will disappear or how life will be in the future. We assume that it will cease, but that life on Earth may never be quite the same as it was two years ago.

The nuclear threat is rearing its head again as American suprema‐ cy in the power game subsides in favour of China. It is not inconceiv‐ able that the current Chinese lead‐ ership would want, given the op‐ portunity, to take over control of the world. This would not mean the end of the planet, but it could

result in appalling suffering and subjugation for billions of people.

Then there is Artificial Intelli‐ gence. If human intelligence is overtaken by AI it could become not merely superfluous but sub‐ servient to AI. Most innovations, which have brought so much ben‐ efit to date, have sadly been abused. The development of phar‐ maceuticals, narcotics, online banking, social media, and air trav‐ el have all presented conveniences for the masses, but opportunities

for criminals. Hence, those few people who have developed and programmed AI could abuse their position and suppress the rest of humanity. Again, the planet would survive, but billions of us would be under the control of a few power‐ ful and probably evil manipulators.

Autonomous weapons operated indiscriminately by robots and pro‐ grammed to target selected groups or selected geographical areas are a horrific prospect which could wreak much more damage than ‘conventional’ nuclear warfare.

In the long term, however, all the above dangers to our future existence could become irrelevant.

If we do not solve climate change, the evidence is that our planet and the human race will eventually cease to exist. Whatever is left of our planet in the wake of Covid, nuclear destruction and Artificial Intelligence will succumb to the natural disintegration of the eco‐ system. It will be more than the rhino and the tiger that become extinct. We have been warned.

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

FEATURE

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15 - 21 April 2021

GO LOCAL

THE EUROWEEKLY NEWS is urg‐ ing its readers to support local businesses in the community by going local through the lock‐ down and for your all your shopping this year, instead of feeding online giants and super‐ stores.

During this lockdown, we chal‐ lenge you to rediscover your lo‐ cal high streets, markets, butch‐ ers, greengrocers and all of the wonderfully quirky independent businesses in your area.

Due to the Covid‐19 pandem‐ ic, you may have to support many local businesses by order‐ ing online and making use of any click and collect services they can operate if you are unable to get out due to health reasons or lockdown restrictions.

The joy of shopping local means that independent busi‐ nesses can help support the local community.

Although it may be a euro or two cheaper elsewhere or on‐ line, consider where your money is actually going.

By shopping at an indepen‐ dent 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 lo‐ cal charities, support and spon‐ sor local sports teams and in many cases the small indepen‐ dent stores are actually much more than just a small high street shop, they’re a family’s legacy, often passed down through numerous generations and support not just the current owner but the generation be‐ fore.

For those stores which are new, that extra couple of euros spent there are supporting someone’s dream and ambition,

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

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 butcher and get your spuds from a local greengrocer, let us revive that community spirit and get to know our neighbours again.

You could also consider pur‐ chasing gift vouchers from local businesses to help them over the coming weeks, thinking 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 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 bet‐ ter gift. Helping people alleviate stress and worry , give the gift of peace of mind through these dif‐ ficult times.

Choosing to spend your mon‐ ey locally will really make a dif‐ ference in the recovery of the lo‐ cal economy. When we buy local, our money stays local, and it strengthens the local econ‐ omy in two ways. First, buying lo‐ cal keeps money circulating with‐ in the local economy.

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

Data shows that local retailers return 52 per cent of their rev‐ enue back into the local econo‐ my, compared to just 14 per cent for national chain retailers.

Money circulating through the local economy benefits everyone who is a part of each transaction.

For example, let’s look at a local farmer growing produce.

First, they sell to a local restau‐ rant, which in turn prepares the fresh produce and sells it to local customers. The farmer pays its local employees and the restau‐ rant uses revenue from sales to buy supplies from a neighbour‐ hood hardware store. This exam‐ ple illustrates how the recircula‐ tion of money in the local economy leads to a stronger fi‐ nancial foundation for our neigh‐ bours and communities.

Buying local also fuels new employment and job opportuni‐ ties for people within our com‐ munity.

Studies show, locally owned businesses employ more people per unit of sales and retain more employees over time.

A fantastic example of how to support your local community is with a Charity Gift certificate, 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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FEATURE

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• Treating muscle knots • Increased circulation • Improved blood flow • Improved muscle function • Improved flexibility • Improved sleep • Pain relief • Loosens muscles • Relaxation Sarah specialises in treating pro‐ fessional athletes including the para‐ lympics team and professional cyclists of the Costa Blanca region.

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My name is Karan and I was born in London and have lived in the UK all my life. In 2006 I qualified from the university of Dundee as a dentist, and after many years working for the NHS and in private practice, decided to leave the UK behind me to start a new venture on the Costa Blanca. Since my move I have discovered there is a high demand for an English‐speaking dentist, and moreover, somebody who can offer alternative options other than implants to replace missing teeth. I have a keen interest in keeping up‐to‐date with new advances in the profession and a special interest in minimally invasive methods that are almost always less painful and versa‐ tile than alternative options. For the last seven years or so, I have been trying to perfect the art of creating a natural, painless and economical solution to re‐ placing missing teeth, and with much patience and perseverance, feel I may now have the art close to perfected.

In my spare time I enjoy a variety of sports and also to travel and spend time with family, I like to think of myself as somebody who is down to earth, but with a keen desire to stand out and do things slightly differently. I am very passionate about my work and one of my main focuses for the clinic is to ensure we have a relaxed working environment among colleagues with a focus on specialists who treat patients re‐ spectfully and ethically at all times. I am excited for what the future holds and I hope we can continue to grow and provide the area with a clinic they feel comfortable accessing and discussing any treatment need they may have.

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In 2001 Philip took a position in a private practice in Bermuda in charge of biomechanics and sports injuries, although still practising all areas of Podiatry.

Moved to Spain in 2007, registered Spanish podiatrist Colegio No 2524, Philip now works in five clinics around the Costa Blanca area.

My name is Marte Sofie Venema, a Dutch physiothera‐ pist (Msc) and I have been working on the Costa Blanca for 18 years. During the treatment it is important to give you the attention you need, therefore I listen to you, assess and together we explore the best possi‐ bilities. We will find what you need to get better health and quality of life. By the means of • manual therapy (massage / mobilisation /trig‐ ger‐points) • exercise advice or programmes with back/joint problems or after surgery • breathing techniques in case of COPD or hyperventila‐ tion • relaxation techniques or basic body awareness therapy in case of distress/anxiety/depression You are welcome to contact me for any question or to make an appointment. It’s my plea‐ sure to give you the time you need.

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FEATURE

WELL, DID YOU FALL FOR ANY OF THEM TOO? at midnight. Some rather bizarre require‐ ments were listed as desirable, including an ability to write ‘in mumbo‐jumbo.’

Those past decades must have been the last days of innocence. What was stated in the papers was generally taken to be gospel.

Nobody was looking for the spoof article.

Truth, after all, was sacred. In subsequent years, readers have become too canny to be taken in easily, and front‐page spoofs are of‐ ten all too blindingly obvious. Although this year’s had the advantage that recent political news is almost too bizarre to accept as gen‐ uine.

Take, for instance, all the fake news stories during Donald Trump’s term in office which read more like April Fool’s jokes. Or ‘alterna‐ tive facts’ as his spin doctors spun them. I mean, stories like he’s still refusing to accept the election result. No, hang on, that is true!

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

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

HOW did you spend Thursday April 1st this year? Did you have another think about a few things? For starters, what about that trip to Cornwall this summer in view of the compulsory Cornish language tests you’ll face in booths on the Tamar Bridge and the A30?

Or that ‘exclusive’ picture of Prince Harry and Meghan apparently saying their vows in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury ‐ dressed as Elvis?

Or HM the Queen appearing to address Oprah Winfrey on a computer screen for the ‘unbelievable moment’ when Her Majesty promised to “tell one’s truth”?

For decades, April Fool’s Day has given ev‐ eryone a great excuse to have a bit of fun. Or, I should say, for centuries ‐ one of the first references to springtime hoaxes is in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, when a vain cock is tricked by a fox in the Nun’s Tale.

APRIL FOOL’S DAY: How did you spend the time this year?

In more modern times, perhaps most memorable is the BBC’s classic 1957 Swiss ‘Spaghetti Harvest’ story. The three‐minute report resulted in masses of calls from view‐

ers wanting to buy spaghetti bushes.

Then in 1986 there were some fake job ad‐ vertisements connected to the abolition of the GLC, which had disappeared on March 31

Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘The Sentinel’, ‘No Safe Place’, ‘Betrayal’, ‘The Girl in the Woods’, ‘The Girl in the Red Dress’, ‘No Way Back’, ‘Landscape of Lies’, ‘Retribu‐ tion’, ‘Soul Stealer’, ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora‐johnson.net) available on‐ line as eBook (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, pa‐ perback and audiobook. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.

Nora Johnson’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

UP AND DOWN WITH BALANCE UNEDITED

THE ‘hurricane’ of emotions - high , low or both - and the after effects can be very daunting to consider.

However, I would have to say the ‘storms’ in your mind can be weathered and the sun does shine many days.

What I’ve learned so far… Know the storms are coming. This is the reality, you can’t avoid them, its going to happen… so make preparations for it. Have safety plans and people who can help you in your time of need. Remember that storms will pass. They can be scary and ugly and cause some damage. But they do end. Try to find the eye of the storm while you’re in it. Use your friends or loved ones to help you find that place. It’s the place you can sit and recognise what is happening to you.

Some people find it

WHILE most people have a cupboard full of herbs and spices at home, which they will arbitrarily add to dishes and culinary experiments, they are mostly unaware of the many health benefits they possess.

However, the nutritional value is much higher when the herbs and spices are fresh and organic and haven’t been sitting on a shelf for a long time. Try to grow them yourself if possible, but if you can’t, buy high quality organic products.

Most herbs and spices have antiviral and antibacterial properties and are packed with nutrients. Several are also high in b-vitamins and minerals.

Even sea salt contains more than 90 trace minerals, while many herbs and spices contain more antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables.

Turmeric, for example, contains curcumin which is a compound known to fight cancer and is often taken medicinally to reduce help reduce inflammation and improve joint mobility.

Meanwhile cayenne helps to improve the absorption of nutrients, boost circulation and protect against heart problems.

15 - 21 April 2021

Weathering the Storm - It’s worth it!

MS BIPOLAR

Staying spicy

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with the help of others, some can find it in their own minds.Give yourself time in the

‘cleanup phase’ to get back on your feet.

Think about the cleanup after a storm… houses need repairs… your body and mind also need TLC after things settle.Enjoy the sunshine. When it comes, take it in and appreciate your stability. Get things done or rest, or both, whatever works for you.

Be proud of your strength!

Make the most of the lessons. I believe each storm holds a lesson to be learned about yourself, your illness, your supports. Store those lessons to help you be even more prepared for the next storm.

I’ve just come out of the eye of a mixedmood storm. It’s whipped around me, sucked me in and spat me back out. But I am in ONE piece.

I might have bipolar, but I won’t let it have me.

Love Ms Bipolar msbipolar@euroweeklynews.com x

Sing your way to happiness HOBBIES have always been known to boost your mood; partaking in some time out of work and responsibilities to do something you enjoy, and joining a choir now seems to be the latest mood booster.

A new study in Australia has found that joining a choir can help fight against sadness and boost emotions.

The Australian scientists asked volunteers suffering from mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety to take part in their study

and try different social artsbased activities.

Singing was found to boost the immune system with just one hour of singing increasing levels of the immune proteins that help the body to battle illness significantly.

Each activity was undertaken once a week over nearly three months and volunteers were asked to describe how they felt at different

points of the day to measure the effects of the activity with singing shown to boost emotions. They found that writing poems in a group also made people happier and the scientists believe their findings could pave the way for more participation in arts-based groups to beat the blues.

SINGING: The latest mood booster.

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Toxic cocktail awaits retirement

RETIREMENT: Rather than being a fun and frivolous time, can actually be just as stressful as working.

WE are all living longer, but the quality of that life is not as good, as unhealthy lifestyles now mean today’s youth can expect to spend their retirement in poor health.

Obesity, lack of exercise and smoking are cited as the main problems leading to what experts are calling a ‘toxic cocktail’ of back pain, diabetes and dementia.

With women expected to live to an average age of 83 and men until 79, people can expect to spend those last two decades suffering from poor health.

Public Health England said a report found only 57 per cent of English adults carry out the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise and 29 per cent do less than

half an hour. Two in every three adults are now also overweight or obese.

A report has also shown that retirement, rather than being a fun and frivolous time, can actually be just as stressful as working, particularly for those leaving lowerpaid positions as they struggle with the pressure of making ends meet on their pension.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

By Clinica Britannia

DO YOU NEED A COVID-19 TEST FOR TRAVEL PURPOSES OR TO SIMPLY GIVE YOU PEACE OF MIND? CONTACT your Travel or Health provider to give advice on which test best suits your needs and then please take into ac‐ count the following in‐ formation.

• REAL TIME PCR NASAL SWAB TEST WITH RESULTS GIVEN WITHIN 24 HOURS. IN AN EMER‐ GENCY THE TEST CAN BE PERFORMED WITH RE‐ SULTS WITHIN TWO HOURS. • RAPID ANTIGEN SWAB TEST PERFORMED WITH RESULTS GIVEN IN 15 MINUTES. • POST COVID OR VACCINE TO CHECK FOR ANTIBODIES, THE ELISA TEST CAN CALCULATE IF AND HOW MANY ANTIBODIES THERE ARE IN THE BLOOD WITH RESULTS THE SAME DAY. • TESTS CAN BE PERFORMED SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME IF NECESSARY.

• IT IS IMPORTANT WHEN CHECKING FOR COMPETITVE PRICES THAT THEY ALSO OFFER A RAPID AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE. • MULTILINGUAL CLINICS CAN ENABLE YOU TO CONVERSE IN THE LANGUAGE MOST SUIT‐ ED TO YOU LIKE ENGLISH, SPANISH, DUTCH, FRENCH, ROMANIAN AND RUSSIAN. • ASK FOR RESULTS TO BE GIVEN IN THE NECESSARY LANGUAGE FOR YOUR DESTINA‐ TION COUNTRY.

Appointments Landline: 965 837 553 / 965 837 851 • 24H/365D Emergency Number: (+34) 607 255 755 • Opening Times: Mon - Fri: 9:00am / 5:00pm

Clinica Britannia Calpe Av. Ejercitos Españoles 16 BIS, 1st Floor, Calpe

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FEATURE

Dear reader, how was Easter?

LETTERS FROM

CANARIES WERE there chocolate eggs, the end of Lent and giving up whatever you’d deprived yourself of, or rabbits, chicks and egg hunts and church services?

Easter has lost meaning as a Chris‐ tian festival with the onslaught of glob‐ alisation and a commensurate decline of religious belief. Even Spanish Easter, normally alive and well, didn’t happen this year because of Covid.

Here on the islands though, Easter caused celebration, largely because the holiday temporarily saved the tourist industry from disaster. Al‐ though occupation was between 50 and 85 per cent of the Easter norm, ex‐ pectations have become more realistic as the pandemic continues and, in‐ stead of lamentation and gloom, the figures provoked cautious optimism.

As at Christmas, lots of visitors came from mainland Spain, lots from the other islands and some from northern Europe, with the notable exception of

CARGO: Has increased.

Brits. The pandemic has achieved more than any advertising campaign could ever hope to in attracting the na‐ tional tourist market here.

Another positive aspect, this time globally, is third world empowerment.

I love it that AstraZeneca’s Indian pro‐ duction operation apologises for the delay in meeting European delivery deadlines, pointing out it would be im‐ moral indeed to send vaccines else‐ where while its own population suffers an infection spike.

Finally! Tools for a balance of power shift! Farm out your dirty work to cheaper production areas, UK, Europe and USA, but beware!

It’s a reason to be cheerful, I reckon,

as is news that the Canaries and Balearics have been awarded an extra €2,000 million funding to keep them afloat in these times of disappearing tourism. Just as well, given the number of small businesses going under. The old ‘don’t put all your eggs in one bas‐ ket’ adage springs to mind.

The port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s seen an encouraging 43 per cent in‐ crease in cargo handling. Measured in TEUs (‘Twenty foot Equivalent Units: units for expressing container ship and terminal cargo capacity), this year’s fig‐ ures of 12,000 TEUs to date triple the 4,125 TEUs of the same period in 2020 and there’s further fun to be found in the 2021 version of the UK’s 10 yearly

census, which lists ‘Canarian’ as a na‐ tionality, featuring it as a ‘country of birth.’

It’s ironic that pre‐Covid, this Brit in‐ accuracy would’ve been seized upon

by Canarian nationalists as internation‐ al recognition of a nascent claim for in‐ dependence. Dependent and thankful as we now are to be both part of Spain and the EU, given the funds pouring in, the Canarian press expresses only amusement at the mistake. Would Britain have voted for Brexit, as the tabloids directed, had it known Covid was coming, I wonder?

Some Canarian businesses continue apace regardless of pandemics, as il‐ lustrated by the seizure of 19,000 kilos

VISITORS: Arrived over Easter. of hashish on a Panamanian registered fishing boat crewed by Ukranians. It was intercepted 170 miles south of Gran Canaria after suspicions were aroused by a lack of visible fishing gear.

Details are important.

Barbara Belt. barbarabelt@gmail.com EWN April 2021.

Barbara Belt’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

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Advertising Feature

Springtime diseases a danger for dogs EACH season has its own pitfalls and hazards.

These are some spring‐ time diseases and dan‐ gers for dogs: Wasp and bee stings are frequent in spring and can sometimes cause significant allergic reactions.

Adders come out of hibernation and their bites can cause important injuries.

Fertilizers and insecticides are used more at this time and it is necessary to avoid the contact of these products with pets.

Some plants and flowers such as daffodils, tulips, amaryllis, azaleas and rhododendrons can cause severe gastrointestinal upset, even death if ingested by your dog.

Encounters with other animals may be more frequent and problematic this time of year as many dogs tend to be more excitable and restless during the spring months, and this can lead to fights when interacting with other dogs.

Inciting factors can lead some dogs to escape the confines of their homes which can lead to accidents.

The activity of the sand flies that transmit Leishmaniosis be‐ gins and repellents must be used Many of these dangers will require veterinary care to cor‐ rect.

In Costablanca Norte: Anicura Marina Baixa Hospital Veterinario www.veterinariamarinabaixa.com

Active days out with your dog DOGS give so much love to their owners and most are regarded as a family mem‐ ber, adopting the same lifestyle.

Most owners take their dogs out on their usual walk‐ ing routine, but once in a while it would be interesting

for them to try other out‐ door activities. Dogs do have memories and giving them a different experience out‐ doors would keep them physically and mentally stimulated.

There are a few interest‐ ing and challenging options,

which include hiking trails or dog‐friendly parks.

Swimming is another good form of exercise for dogs and the chlorine in pools is not a problem for them ei‐ ther.

The sea is possibly more challenging, as it’s unpre‐ dictable and the dog might not be as safe. Playing fetch on the beach with all that fresh air is invigorating for dog and owner.

If you’re a fitness junkie that goes jogging every day, you could take the dog with you, so get a hands‐free run‐ ning leash to have round your waist.

Including the dog on fami‐ ly camping trips can be fun, especially if the dog gets their own tent to sleep in.

The important thing to re‐ member is to take a basic first‐aid kit and a plentiful supply of water, when out and about in the great out‐ doors. It’s also important to be aware of your dog’s level of fitness and not to give them too much of a chal‐ lenge.

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www.helpbenidorm.org and on Facebook VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, particularly Spanish speakers for interpreter service, and car owners. Tel President 607 387 040, Welfare 607 386 964, Interpreters 607 385 842, Equipment 663 495 396. We are an English speaking charity that assists residents and tourists of all nationalities in times of crisis, we also organise social events for members. We meet every Thursday at 10.30 in Jose Llorca Social Centre C. Goya s/n. Benidorm. It is opposite the Foietes Car Park where there is a Wednesday market.

Everyone welcome. It is 400m from Benidorm tram station and on bus routes 1 and 8. We loan out mobility and medical equipment including oxygen concentrators on a short-term basis.

(288658)

CLUBS/SOCIETIES SPIRITUAL FRIENDS Costa Blanca is a non-religious group of spiritually minded people who meet on Wednesday afternoons. Each week different clairvoyance, discussions, talks and demonstrations on spiritual or holistic subjects. email sp.fr.cb@gmail.com website www.spiritualfriendscostablan ca.com or contact Jan. 600 837 054 (10000)

COMPUTERS COMPUTER REPAIRS – Laptops/PCs Qualified Technician –648 065 224 No Call Out Charge No Fix No Fee andy@wizard-computers.biz (290467)

ELECTRICIAN CARE HOME

MB ELECTRICS. Approved electrician. Any electrical repair. Iberdrola paperwork. Affordable prices.

Miquel 655 282 175 www.mbelectrics.es (288732) www.euroweeklynews.com

SITUATIONS VACANT CARE /NURSING HOME. COMPLETE PROFESSIONAL CARE. REASONABLE RATES. CALL 697 834 934 (291981)

CHARITY El Campello Christian Community Evangelical Church - Life and Family Sunday Service in English at 10.00 a.m. and a Spanish Service at 11.45am. C / San Bartolomé 35 bajo, No.6 campellocc@gmail.com www.el campellochristiancommunity.org For more information call Juan Zuniga – 686 203 183 (Spanish) or Sue Bishop - 610 63 94 26 (English) THE SALVATION ARMY English Speaking Church of Denia Worship Service. Sunday 10:30 am Followed by a time of Fel-

54

FOR SALE WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

GARDENING SERVICES DAVID THE TREE GUY Cutting, trimming & removal of trees. Torrevieja, Alicante, Benidorm areas. 722 652 173 (291904)

GENERAL SERVICES MISTER Fix-It handyman, available in Jalon Valley area, hourly rates, 657 189 519 (290302)

GOLD WANTED

15 - 21 April 2021 • www.euroweeklynews.com SPONSORED BY

EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UP TO A €1000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686116297 (WHATS APP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsuranceinspain. com or email tracey@sosin suranceinspain.com (290495) BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@benefi cialinsuranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsuranceinspain. com for online quote. (291458) MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 902 123 309, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 902 123 309 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now!

(200726) STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure. com (2887610)

HEALTH & BEAUTY CHIROPODIST/PODIATRIST, Philip Mann, clinics in Benissa, Moraira, Javea, Calpe and Albir. 686 912 307 (282699)

COUNSELLING SUPPORT for a better present and happier future. Call Tanya, Counsellor/Psychologist 634 354 892 www.feelgoodcs.com (291137)

INSURANCE FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN

BENIDORM and surrounding areas. Two-man removal. 678 067 163 (289999) TRANSCONE TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS Fortnightly collection & deliveries to & from UK. All areas covered from Alicante to Valencia.

Tel. 603 307 962, (0044) 7925 553625 Email - aaronrichards88@ live.co.uk (290322) QUALITY LHD & RHD Vehicles bought & sold. All paperwork undertaken quickly & professionally.

Immediate payment for all purchases. Mobile / WhatsApp +34 600 726 221 Office +34 965 687 946 www.fwreurocars.com info@fwreurocars.com (291571) WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309.

(200726)

PAINTER/DECORATOR

LEGAL www.iurisunited.net Lawyers.

Tax advice and bookkeeping. All Gestoria Services. Experts in Brexit and Residence Permits. NIE Numbers. FREE 1st.consultation. Ask Oliver. Tel: 606 051 000 info@iurisunited.net (291473)

P&H Painting Services over 25 years experience. Calpe and surrounding area. Call 676 178 347 for your FREE no obligation quotation (291475) GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

MOTORING AUTO BASTIAN mobile mechanic. Tel 608 860 725. (290725)

REFURBISHMENT We specialise in refurbishing homes and restaurants. For more information please visit us on www.muxasari.com /english/ or Tel: 687 070 164

ROLLER SHUTTERS ROLLER SHUTTER REPAIRS, awnings, motors, mosquito blinds.

Calpe + 50 kms. 659 464 992 www.toldosalchemy.com (290412)

STRUCTURAL SURVEYS MARK PADDON BSc Hons.

MCIOB, CAAT - LOCKDOWN REMOTE WHATSAPP VIDEO ADVICE available for reduced fee Tel: 653 733 066 / 962 807 247 www.costablancasurveyors.com

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

DECORATORS W.D. GILMOUR. Painter & Decorator. Established 35 years in Moraira. ESTIMATES FREE. Call William on 609 691 776 or 966 490 602 (291535)

MISCELLANEOUS

REFURBISHMENT

FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070 (2001)

METAL WORK

WIGS WWW.WIGS-R—US.ES Indoor Market Rincon de Loix, Benidorm. Monday-Saturday 10-3. We also have Scrunchies, Extensions, Ponytails. Catalogue orders. Private appointments after 3pm. 681 049 502 (290625)

REMOVALS/STORAGE

TRANSLATIONS SPANISH INTERPRETER for all your appointment needs, has car.

Effective, Friendly & Affordable service. Call 609 679 808

WANTED

PETS NEED YOUR PETS TAKEN CARE OF? Not kennels, just a friendly home. Large fenced area. 699 790 080 Altea (288697)

PLUMBING RIGHT PLUMBER - plumbing & drainage for a honest, affordable, professional service call 656 303 236 (288474)

PROPERTY

PROPERTY WANTED RETIRED couple looking for long term rental in La Marina Baixa – prefer two beds. Needed urgently – call Janice on 0044 7736 251 800 (279523)

PROPERTY TO LET DOGS & ALL PETS VERY WELCOME - 500 year old beamed cottage set in beautiful valley of the charming Jesus Pobre village, Javea. Beautiful pool & garden. www.littlehouseinspain.com (290312)

For daily news visit www.euroweeklynews.com

XXX RELAXATION Please note that in Spain there is NO legislation banning adverts in this section. Neither regional nor national governments are able to pass such a law due to rules governing freedom of publication and printing.

READERS OF A SENSITIVE DISPOSITION MAY FIND SOME OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS IN THIS SECTION OFFENSIVE.

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MOTORING

www.euroweeklynews.com

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack IT’S one of those cars that many will know but few con‐ sider and it’s one of those cars that has reliability at its core.

Well it’s a Toyota! The Camry is a very stylish looking car and during my time several people stopped to express surprise that it was a Toyota. Most thought it looked too upmar‐ ket and expensive!

While not selling in anything like high numbers here, unlike in the US where it is hugely popular, the Camry is a car that deserves greater appreciation.

It may not carry a premium badge but it looks and feels very premium and there’s a so‐ lidity that almost wouldn’t be amiss in a German badged sa‐ loon, plus there’s that enviable

15 - 21 April 2021

EWN 55

Toyota Camry causes surprise! reputation for reliability.

Priced from €37,991 (£32,260) there are two ver‐ sions and both utilise the same 2.5‐litre four‐cylinder petrol electric hybrid with CVT auto‐ matic transmission. Standard fare is good with leather uphol‐ stery, adaptive cruise control, electrically adjustable and heat‐ ed seats, dual zone air condi‐ tioning, auto lights with high beam assist, auto wipers, pow‐ ered and heated door mirrors, Bluetooth and navigation all in‐ cluded on the lead‐in model.

On the road the 2.5‐litre en‐ gine is a smooth performer and although as with every CVT there’s a rise in revs under hard acceleration, the Camry does things with little fuss or audible intrusion. It doesn’t handle as well as a premium sporting sa‐

A smooth performer.

loon, but then you wouldn’t ex‐ pect it to, nonetheless it acquits itself remarkably well. Decent mpg, hybrid tech to charge the battery and a comfortable inte‐ rior all go to make the Camry a sensible choice and a nice place to be on any journey.

The Camry costs roughly the same as an entry level BMW 3‐ Series saloon and you get better kit, more space and arguably more exclusivity given how few Camrys are likely to be sold. One of the downsides is you’ll have higher depreciation, and the

Camry won’t impress those who value badge above all else. What this means in practice is that the Camry doesn’t have the premi‐ um pedigree we Brits love in our cars.

However, those who dismiss the Camry as a posh Uber are

missing the point, not least Mercedes Benz are taxis all over the world and still pro‐ duce high end premium cars.

The Camry has a style that be‐ lies its lack of premium badging and I would happily have one in the garage as my daily driver.

SPORT

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15 - 21 April 2021

to read more visit www.euroweeklynews.com

Real Madrid Edge Barcelona Medal Gained LAST Saturday April 10, saw one of the most important ‘El Clasico’ clashes in many years, as Barcelona, who are lying second in La Liga, travelled to the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in Madrid, to take on third‐placed Real Madrid, with a win for either team taking them to the top of the table, for tonight at least, with Diego S i m e o n e ’ s At l e t i c o M a d r i d side travelling to Betis on Sunday.

Six months ago it looked as though the La Liga title was already going to At l e t i c o , b u t s l o w l y a n d surely, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have reeled them in, making this a very exciting cli‐ max to the season, and a 2‐1 victory for Zinedine Zidane’s men sees them now topping the table.

Two first‐half goals from Karim Benzema after 13 minutes, and then Toni Kroos on 28 minutes, put ZINEDINE ZIDANE: Real Madrid manager.

Madrid in control at the

break, but, in a rain‐lashed, storm‐hit stadium, and with Ronald Koeman at the helm of the opposition, Real could not afford to relax, and, sure enough, in the 60th minute, it was defender Os‐ car Mingueza scuffing home on the hour mark, to set up a thrilling final stage of the match.

Casemiro picked up two quick bookings and was red‐carded, but Zidane’s hosts dug deep and survived a late scare as substitute Ilaix Moriba volleyed a shot in the final moments, that hit the cross‐ bar, with goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen beaten.

The framework of the Real Madrid goal was still shaking when the final whistle went, and so too were some play‐ ers, freezing cold, and forced to change their shirts during a clásico that unfolded amidst thunder, lightning and driving rain, with the wind whipping through the deserted stadi‐ um.

A SPANISH Olympic athlete has finally gained her rightful bronze medal after doping allegations from the London Olympics were upheld. As many expats and Spaniards alike may remember, the Olympic Games were over‐ shadowed for Russia, with dop‐ ing allegations.

Spain’s Ruth Beitia, from Cantabria, has now been named as the only Spanish athlete ever to have won two Olympic medals. She has now gained her rightful second Olympic medal after Russia’s Svetlana Shkoli‐ na’s suspension was upheld.

The Spanish athlete had origi‐ nally finished fourth behind Shkolina at the Olympics in Lon‐ don, but the Russian athlete was suspended for suspected dop‐ ing. In total 11 Russian athletes who appeared at the London Olympics were suspended due to doping suspicions.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has now upheld the Russian athlete’s suspension and the Spanish athlete has

RUTH BEITIA: Has now won 2 Olympic medals. been confirmed as bronze medallist. The Olympic high jump champion must be delight‐ ed after having waited so long for the final decision.

The Russian athlete saw her disqualification period altered to cover dates between July 16, 2012 up until December 31 2014. This means that her Olympic bronze medal that she obtained in London in 2012 has been annulled.

The Spanish high jumper, has since retired from the sport, but is now considered the only Spanish athlete to hold multiple Olympic medals.