Euro Weekly News - Costa Blanca South 13 - 19 May 2021 Issue 1871

News

The people’s paper ISSUE NO. 1871

13 - 19 May 2021

Fine news VEGA BAJA town halls no longer risk fines from from the Confederacion Hidrografica del Segura (CHS) if they clean or clear sections of the River Segura inside their boundaries without waiting for permission.

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH • WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

SPOTLIGHT

Bin it THE Sueña Torrevieja party has asked the town hall to install containers that can be used exclusively to dispose solely of face masks, which their spokesman pointed, out can take 450 years to decompose.

Sleep-over ELCHE City Hall intends to provide a permanent base where homeless people can sleep and shower now that the provisional centre in Carrus has closed with the lifting of the State of Alarm.

HELPING HANDS: Arcadi España, Vicent Soler, Mireia Molla and Jose Luis Saez helping to plant pines in Guardamar.

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FREE • GRATIS

New role for Cala Mosca

ORIHUELA COSTA now has a year‐round dogs‐allowed beach.

Luisa Bone, city hall’s Beaches councillor, last week signed an edict that, with immediate effect, allowed dogs on the Cala Cabo Peñas beach, popularly known as Cala Mosca II. Bone pointed out that Orihuela Costa has some of the finest beaches and coves on the Mediterranean coast.

“That obliges the local Administration to make the ef‐ fort to ensure that we are even more competitive in the tourist sector while at the same time boosting the local economy,” the councillor said.

With this in mind and in response to requests for a ca‐ nine beach from many residents and visitors to the area, the councillor explained that city hall had decided that this was the moment to set aside a space where dog owners and their pets could enjoy the beach.

“What is more, it is no longer sufficient to offer only traditional sun and sand tourism,” Bone said.

“As well as offering these strategic assets of both ex‐ cellent quality seawater and sand we need to make spe‐ cialist beaches available, like the surfers’ beach in Cala Cerrada or, as in this case, a beach where dogs are al‐ lowed.”

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NEWS

Top tourist destination Guardia Civil to the rescue ALICANTE has launched a nationwide to promote the city as a top tourist destination.

The new campaign ‘Alicante, Your Way’ was presented at the International Fair of Madrid and will run until June 15, following a €200,000 investment.

‘Alicante, Your Way’ will have a reach of 40 million promotional impacts in all media across Spain,

according to the deputy mayor and councillor for Tourism, Mari Carmen Sanchez.

The promotion shows the ‘new image of the city’ highlighting its "’array of attributes’ and placing it firmly as a ‘tourist, commercial, cultural, gastronomic, sporting and sustainable destination.’ “We restyled the ‘Alicante City & Beach’ brand to adapt to

Carp-R-Us ROUND eight of the Carp‐R‐Us Spring Series was held on the Eden stretch of the Rio Segura.

This stretch of water takes a lot of work to keep open, due to the quantity of reeds that line the river. This week, members of the club spent sever‐ al hours ensuring sufficient pegs were available for the match. It’s a pity the fishing isn’t always that good.

With Dave Hutchinson having an unusually qui‐ et match Roy Buttress ran out a clear winner with 7.70kg from peg 2. At the other end of the stretch Roy Dainty had 5.55kg from peg 17 for second, with Steve Fell third with 3.70kg (peg 10) and Dave Sutton fourth with 2.70kg (peg 6).

For more information about the club, visit our website carp‐r‐us.weebly.com .

the new times and adapt to the new needs that the tourism market requires at this moment,” Sanchez said.

“The aim is to adapt it and make it more dynamic, to be able to play with it much more without losing the cosmopolitan and Mediterranean style that the ‘Alicante City & Beach’ brand itself already has.”

Where did the sun go LAST month Alicante Province had fewer hours of sunlight than any other EU zone.

April 2021’s total of 80 hours of sunlight were also the fewest ever recorded for Ali‐ cante Province or the Valencian Community since records were first kept in 1901, re‐ vealed AEMET, Spain’s Met Office.

It was also wetter than usual with an ac‐ cumulated rainfall of 87.9 millimetres of rain, which was 77 per cent more than is normal for Alicante Province in April.

Although it was slightly colder, there were no dramatic temperature falls, with Elche and Novelda, for instance, registering tem‐ peratures only 0.4 degrees lower than usual.

AN anti‐vice operation in Almeria and Alicante resulted in four ar‐ rests last month.

The investigation began in Oc‐ tober 2019 when two Venezue‐ lan women approached a

Guardia Civil patrol in Roquetas, seeking help.They explained they had been lured to Alicante with offers of work and all travel ex‐ penses paid, but were forced into prostitution, working in brothels

Cable removed Photo credit: Torrevieja town hall

MAJOR OPERATION: Combined effort to remove cable and towers from hospital car park.

IBERDROLA and the town hall between them removed an over‐ head power line above the car park at Torrevieja hospital.

Eight Iberdrola employees and two crane lorries were needed to dismantle the two electricity towers that had supported a quarter of a kilometre of cable.

The €180,000 operation, which has also freed up more parking spaces at the hospital, was made possible because Iberdrola had already installed several medium‐tension underground cables that have not only substituted the overhead line, but also in‐ creased the available supply.

This will improve the service for Iberdrola’s clients in the area, Torrevieja Town Hall explained, while increasing the amount of power reaching the hospital.

owned by their ‘employers,’ a Spanish couple. This was the only way they could repay their air fares costing €1,500 and €2,300, they learnt.

Their earnings went directly to the Spanish couple aged 34 and 35 who added their board, lodg‐ ing and clothing to what they owed. Matters came to a head when clients complained to the owners about the women burst‐ ing into tears during ‘services.’

As a result, they were turned out into the street, with nothing but what they were wearing and warned that they must still pay off their debt.

They contacted friends in Eu‐ rope who sent an immediate money transfer and gave them a Roquetas address where they could stay.

Increasingly frightened by their former employers’ threatening phone calls, they went to the Guardia Civil, triggering the inves‐ tigation.

This resulted in the arrest of the Spanish couple as well as two Latin American women involved in recruiting and exploiting the victims.

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NIBS EXTRA Drink-driver A WOMAN driver responsible for a 55-year-old pedestrian’s death in Alcoy was remanded after testing positive for alcohol. Her vehicle ran off the road and into a wall, trapping the victim who was still alive after he was cut free by firefighters, but died hours later in hospital.

That’s steep A REGIONAL government project barring mountaineering and canyoning from 200 different Alicante Province locations has been criticised by climbing associations for its ‘haste’ in complying with EU environmental protection targets. Affected areas include the Sierra de Crevillent and the Sierra de Orihuela, which are much-visited by climbing enthusiasts.

Stalls return TORREVIEJA’S weekly open-air market has returned to its full size of 480 stalls, compared with the 220 that were allowed until the State of Alarm was lifted. Nevertheless, the Local Police and Proteccion Civil will be on hand to ensure that health and safety measures are still observed.

Sierra outing THE Orihuela Mountaineering Group (GOM) and the Environment department are organising a clear-up operation on Sierra de Orihuela on Sunday morning, May 16. Open to all nature-lovers aged over 12, participants will start out from Pinar de Bonanza, the Nuestra Señora del Pilar chapel or the Montepinar urbanisation.

Too soon VEGA BAJA parents with children at Early Attention Centres (CATs) for those with development or other problems will complain to the Ombudsman that they are being transferred to mainstream schools when they are four. According to Spanish law this should be delayed until they are six, they said.

Pedal away THE Generalitat spent €700,000 on a roundabout at the entrance to San Fulgencio’s El Oasis urbanisation, together with a bicycle lane giving access to the town centre. As well as improving conditions for drivers, it will be safer to cycle into town, said San Fulgencio mayor Jose Sampere.

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Vega Baja’s ongoing problems ORIHUELA’S mayor Emilio Bascuñana called for “immediate solutions” for problems caused by the 2019 storms and flooding.

During his meeting with Generalitat president Ximo Puig, Bascuñana reminded him that almost two years later Orihuela and the Vega Baja were still suffering the aftermath of the DANA (Upper-level isolated depression).

“While understanding the complexity of administrative procedures, while understanding the circumstance and while understanding everything, we see that time is passing and no specific ac-

PUIG VISIT: Problems still to be solved, Orihuela mayor told the regional president. tion has been taken,” Orihuela’s mayor said. “For instance, the Confederation Hidrografica del Segura commissioned a report some time ago from the Poly-

technic University of Valencia which we have not yet received,” Bascuñana said.

Orihuela was still waiting to recover infrastructure capable of

guaranteeing that the city would not suffer another catastrophe like the DANA disaster of September 2019, Bascuña pointed out.

At the same time, the mayor said he was aware of Puig’s Plan Vega Renhace, a type of Marshall Plan for the area.

“A great number of people are participating in this and I am grateful to everyone for all their efforts,” the mayor said.

“I also know that the president wants to find solutions for the Vega Baja’s problems, but we need them without further delay.”

Teleworking’s still a winner MUNICIPAL employees in Pilar de la Ho‐ radada are fighting orders to return to in‐ person work at the town hall.

Pilar’s mayor Jose Maria Perez signed the edict on Thursday May 6, with all per‐ sonnel expected to turn up on Monday but the three unions ‐ UGT, CSIF and SEP ‐ which represent the majority of workers have lodged an appeal against the order.

Some staff have been present at Pilar’s

Sierra needs protecting SANTA POLA Town Hall has asked the regional government’s Environment department to step up vigilance in the Sierra.

More officers from the Guardia Civil’s Nature Protection unit Seprona are needed there, as well as Environment rangers, municipal sources said.

The town hall also wants to know what measures needed to be introduced to ensure that the countryside remained in opti‐ mum condition while protecting it from vandalism and activities that harmed the environment.

Jorge Diez, Santa Pola’s Envi‐ ronment councillor, suggested that officially designating both the Cabo and the Sierra as Natu‐ ral Areas would be a step in the right direction.

His department was looking for solutions to the current prob‐ lems, Diez said, but meanwhile the municipality held a meeting with recently‐formed environ‐ mentalist association, Talaiola.

The councillor wanted to learn as much as possible about the fla‐ grant threats affecting the Sierra and to listen to the group’s sug‐ gestions and ideas, he added.

town hall throughout the pandemic while others have worked online at home. The latter complained that they have not yet been vaccinated and maintained that they could not reconcile in‐person work‐ ing with family commitments while there were no early‐morning or summer school activities.

Municipal sources countered by point‐ ing out that “each and every work station

is perfectly set up and provided with all health and safety measures required by the health authorities.” These include par‐ titions, protective screens and restricted visitor‐capacity, they said.

What was more, the same sources added in a parting shot, “Teleworking does not reconcile work and family commit‐ ments because it is impossible to telework with children at home.”

Get those butts off the beaches ALICANTE City Hall wants to banish smoking from all munici‐ pal beaches.

The measure was introduced last summer during the coron‐ avirus pandemic when the health authorities singled out smoking as an added risk.

The local government con‐ firmed its intentions at a recent meeting of the Tourism Board

where it was decided to extend the Playas sin humos (Smoke‐ free beaches) initiative that was tried out last year on the Ur‐ banova and La Almadraba beaches.

Alicante’s deputy mayor Mari Carmen Sanchez explained at the time that these two beach‐ es, popular with families and of different sizes, were deliberate‐

ly chosen to assess how to adapt sustainability and envi‐ ronment‐protection with tourism.

As in 2020, the Local Police will not fine those they find smoking on the sands, Sanchez explained. Instead they will sim‐ ply remind them that they are on a smoke‐free beach, she said.

New Torrevieja Drones for U3A groups the police

AS Spain gradually returns to a pre‐pandemic way of life, Torrevieja U3A advised members of two new groups.

The first is another arm of the popular Petanca group which has proved over the last few years to be a plea‐ surable pastime and enjoyed good membership. The new group will be of advantage to U3A members resid‐ ing to the north of Torrevieja as it will be close to Guardamar.

The second group, a new addition to the U3A um‐ brella, is the Canasta group which operates in the Hi‐ Life bar near Zenia Boulevard.

Full details of both groups can be found on the U3A website www.torreviejau3a.org.

Readers who would like to participate in some of Tor‐ revieja U3A’s many activities should visit their website where they will find details of all that the association has offer, together with information on how to join.

CREVILLENT’S Local Police have re‐ ceived two ultra‐modern drones that have cost the town hall €6,000.

They will now be able to use these not only during search‐and‐rescue opera‐ tions or supervising large events, but al‐ so during crime‐prevention operations inside the town, explained Crevillent’s Public Safety councillor, Josep Candela.

“These devices that have already been tried out in big cities are an im‐ mense technological leap forwards and we cannot get left behind,” Candela said.

“This is taking us along the path we need to follow to have a cutting‐edge police force that will be able to solve problems for the local population.”

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At cross purposes OPINIONS are divid‐ ed in Elche regarding the Cruz de Los Cai‐ dos war memorial in Paseo de Germanias.

This was erected in August 1944 by the Franco regime in memory of those who ‘suffered mar‐ tyrdom and death for Spain and for reli‐ gion.’

Its Francoist sym‐ bols were erased some time ago but the Cross’s removal enters into plans for modernising the Paseo, a move sup‐ ported by the PSOE and Compromis par‐ ties and some mem‐ bers of the local pop‐ ulation, although opposed by others.

The Partido Popu‐ lar party and Vox see no reason to elimi‐ nate the Cross while many of those for whom it is part of the city landscape do not want to see it go, regardless of politics.

Others want it re‐ tained for its artistic value.

Historian Miguel Ors told the Spanish m e d i a t h a t h e b e‐ lieved the Cross should go once the Paseo is remodelled.

“With all respect to‐ wards those for w h o m i t h a s r e l i‐ gious significance, its continued pres‐ ence tends to white‐ wash Francoism,” Ors said.

In contrast Gaspar Jaen, Elche’s former municipal architect for more than 10 years, wants the Cross to stay where it is owing to its ar‐ chitectural and his‐ toric value.

“Wanting to re‐ move the monument is a barbarity, de‐ spite the bad aspects of what it repre‐ sents,” Jaen de‐ clared.

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from Front page »

750 years old GUARDAMAR was in the spotlight last week with a flurry of Generalitat visitors.

As Guardamar celebrated the 750th anniversary of its walled town and castle, the regional government, the Generalitat, made an exception by holding its weekly meeting there instead of in Valencia.

During this meeting, members of the Consell - equivalent to the Generalitat’s Cabinet - approved a decree that will allocate €647,000 to assist local sectors affected by the pandemic.

“It was a busy morning,” Guardamar’s mayor Jose Luis Saez admitted afterwards.

He accompanied Vicent Soler, who heads the regional government’s Finance and Economy department, to the Fonteta

to view the progress made at the archaeological site which was first settled by the Phoenicians in the eighth century BC, followed by Iberians, Romans and Moors.

Saez then showed Public Works and Mobility chief Arcadi España the results of Generalitat spending inside the town before setting off with Mireia Molla, the Generalitat Consellera responsible for Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate and Environment.

A ssisted by members of the Forest Brigade, Saez as well as Molla, Soler and España planted the pine seedlings that are an important part of the ongoing project to regenerate Guardamar’s dunes and pinewoods and halt the desertification that is one of the Vega Baja’s gravest problems.

NEWS

Arrested 125 times

BREAK-INS: The thefts all occurred with a similar method of entry.

THE National Police in Alicante arrested a 45-year-old man drug addict for at least the 125th time in connection with a series of car break-ins across the city over the last 12 months.

Following his latest arrest this week, the Court of Instruction of Guardia ordered he be sent straight to prison.

Officers in charge of the investigation noticed a considerable increase in the number of reports of thefts from cars using force during the pandemic, all with a similar method of entry in that

the lock was forced or the windows were smashed. Further enquiries led detectives to the suspect who had been imprisoned three times for similar offences, during which time this type of crime reduced significantly.

Sources say that he had returned to crime on each occasion the day after his release, also breaching lockdown restrictions.

In the latest crime, committed last April, the prisoner was reportedly surprised by the victim inside his vehicle. He had forced the boot and was rummaging

around inside. When he realised he had been rumbled he ran off with items valued at around €2,000, but in his haste he dropped his wallet with identification inside.

He was located and arrested and it was learned he had also been arrested for allegedly robbing a youth at knifepoint for €5.

Tracking him down and issuing court summonses had apparently been complicated by the fact he continually moved around and, therefore, had no solid fixed address.

Fugitive caught NATIONAL POLICE in Valencia have detained a suspected killer wanted in Ukraine over the mur‐ der of two policemen during a

demonstration.

The officers were shot dead during riots in Kiev in 2013, when the detainee, carrying a rifle and

approximately 60 cartridges, al‐ legedly opened fire on the police.

“He took extreme security measures in order not to be de‐ tected by the authorities and continuously changed his resi‐ dence, spending the last weeks in a a remote rural area of the Va‐ lencian town of Puzol,” said the Spanish police in a statement.

Police investigations intensi‐ fied in April when it became known, through the Spanish At‐ taché in Ukraine, that the fugitive could be hiding out in Valencia Province.

Detectives learned the suspect used public transport to avoid de‐ tection, moving between Madrid and Barcelona over the last few years and, more recently, Valen‐ cia.

He was finally tracked down to a rural chalet, having previously rented several apartments in Pu‐ zol.

Officers set up surveillance and arrested the fugitive on his way to a local cafe.

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How to save the World IT appears that eating insects could apparently save the world, but would you be willing to not only try them, but eat them as a main source of food.

Many people are coming to terms with the fact that the way the world currently eats is not sustainable, and that a fun-

damental shift will have to be made in the future in order to prevent half the world being underweight, and the other half becoming obese.

According to the EATLancet international commission “civilisation is in crisis.” The commission looked into the global food chain in 2019 and

issued a warning that the human race could be heading for ecological disaster.

Research has shown that in the UK many people are willing to try out eating insects and the edible insect market is expected to grow dramatically over the next few years. Getting someone to test out eating an

Lost - An Eight Metre Long Grey Whale IN an incredible failure of nature, an eightmetre-long grey whale (eschrichtius robustus) - whose normal habitat is the vast Pacific Ocean - is totally lost and has been spotted heading through the Mediterranean towards the Spanish coast of Catalonia.

Specialists from the Generalitat’s fauna service, the Department of Territory and Sustainability, together with rural officers using helicopters, are at sea monitoring the waters off the coast of Catalonia in the hope of sighting the mammal they have dubbed ‘Wally’, who, it is feared, could die, unless he can be redirected back out into the Atlantic, from where he could cross back to his normal surroundings and his normal food source at the depth of the Pacific.

Wally, who can travel 80 to 90km per day,

was initially sighted near the Bormes-les-Mimosas coast of France, and then off Morocco in March, then again in Italian waters near Naples, and then Rome, and finally, Genoa, having entered the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar.

Eric Hansen, the director of the state biodiversity agency in southern France, told Reuters, “We are very concerned about its future, since its fat reserves, which is its fuel for travel, has been greatly reduced. The animal is exhausted and has only skin on bones.

We have not seen it eat since we started tracking it.”

Adding, “He is trying to get into the ports as if looking for a way out. His strategy should work and we hope he can return to Gibraltar in about a week.”

insect though is a long way off from it becoming a stable source of food.

There is much hype surrounding the future of food that is both good for the environment and healthy for your body. Many businesses are investing in the hopes that conscientious consumers will make sustainable choices for their food in the future.

Last year the world’s first synthetic chicken nugget was given approval by the Singapore Food agency, although many people will not be queueing up to try this.

Could you eat this?

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Arrested For Voting Twice THE National Police have arrested three people for voting twice in last week’s Elections in the community of Madrid.

According to EFE police sources, there have also been 10 further cases discovered.

The three people who have been arrested are a 40-yearold man and two women, aged 39 and 36, they are all of Spanish nationality. They were all arrested at three different polling stations in the Puente de Vallecas district.

Cases of double voting were detected 13 times until 6pm on Tuesday May 4.

The news follows the announcement that Pablo Iglesias, the founder and leader of the Podemos Party, has quit politics after his party was defeated by the conservative Popular Party in the elections.

The former political science professor, with his trademark ponytail, became one of the

fixtures of Spanish politics when the left-wing party, Podemos (we can), formed in 2014.

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Speed Control Campaign SPAIN’S General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) announced in a statement that it was going to launch a speed control campaign between May 10 and 16, a period in which traffic officers will intensify the monitoring of compliance with the speed limits established on all interurban roads.

The DGT has emphasised that road traffic accident data shows that excess speed is a key factor in road accidents, being the prevailing cause in 23 per cent of fatal accidents in 2019, where more than 300 people died in ac-

cidents in which speed was one of the concurrent factors.

As this will be a preventive campaign, the existence of all controls will be made obvious to drivers, either through variable message panels above the road, or circumstantial vertical signage when the road does not have such panels.

They reiterate that this type of campaign is designed to raise awareness among drivers about the importance of respecting established speed limits, maintaining that such limits are still necessary on the roads given their

Sadiq Khan Is Re-Elected

SADIQ KHAN, has won a second term as mayor of London, after winning 55.2 per cent of the votes, compared to the 44.8 per cent for Shaun Bailey, his Conservative rival, a smaller margin than his first term win five years ago, and the result had looked close until Khan went into a five‐point lead on Saturday May 8.

Mr Khan tweeted, “Thank you London. It’s the absolute honour of my life to serve the city I love for another three years. I’ll leave no stone unturned to get our city back on its feet. A brighter future is possible, and we’ll deliver it together.”

Sadiq Khan had won 1,013,721 first preference votes compared to his nearest challenger’s 893,051, and then he received 192,313 second preference votes, with Mr Bailey picking up 84,550.

direct influence on accidents.

The DGT also reminded drivers that on May 11, the modification of article 50 of the General Traffic Regulations will come into force with regard to speed limits in urban areas, whereby the limit will be 20kph on roads that have a single carriageway and pavement, 30kph on roads with a single lane in each direction, and 50kph on roads with two or more lanes in each direction.

NEWS

Equal Sexes Pay

A WAGE register has been creat‐ ed in a bid to close the inequality wage gap between women and men. Currently the gap in wages between the sexes in Spain is thought to be about 22 per cent.

In a bid to see the gap closed, companies in Spain will need to keep a register of salaries provid‐ ed to workers. When the regula‐ tion was first approved the Min‐ ister of Labour, Yolanda Díaz, commented on how the data

will permit workers to fight back against wage inequality. Fines of up to €187,000 can be given out by the Labour Inspectorate to companies found to have wage inequality.

According to INE, “The mea‐ sure affects almost 1.5 million companies, which are those with employees, according to the Central Directory of Compa‐ nies (DIRCE) as of January 1, 2020 of the National Statistics In‐

stitute (INE), although around 900,000 have only one or two employees.”

Many companies though could have trouble compiling the registers, so in a bid to help them the government devel‐ oped a tool to use. The tool is free of charge to companies and will also be voluntary as was confirmed to EFE by the Ministry of Labour.

Hospitalised After Visit to Caves

THE Basque Department of Health has reported that 10 people have been hospitalised, possibly in the incubation stage of ‘Q fever’, while another 19 are also showing symptoms, after they all visited the popular Baltzola ‘White Zombie’ caves, located in the municipality of Dima, in Vizcaya Province, with the caves now being closed off to the public.

It is reported that the first symptoms of suspected cases started showing in mid-April, of an infection produced by

CAVES: Now closed to the public. the bacterium ‘Coxiella burnetii’ and which is transmitted to humans through animals, normally from sheep, goats, or

cattle, and acute infection is usually presented in humans by fever, headache, and muscle pain, accompanied by lung infection, and liver problems.

The Department of Health are conducting an epidemiological study of the outbreak of this fever, and the Ministry has been ‘in direct contact with the rest of the competent institutions, in order to maintain the security and prevention measures adopted as soon as the cases are detected, and also to monitor the evolution of this episode.’

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13 - 19 May 2021

RENFE Monopoly Ends

THE National Spanish Rail Network (Red Nacional de Ferrocarriles Españoles, or RENFE) has lasted a stagger‐ ing 80 years without having any competition, but the rail service was opened to others in December 2020. It was ex‐ pected that the French low‐ cost rail service Ouigo would

enter the market and this has finally happened.

The new service Ouigo, is part of the French National Rail Society, also known as the SNCF Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français.

This could be great news for travellers as the French firm aims to undercut RENFE

Infoca New Helicopters BRINGING Andalucia to the forefront of firefighting in Spain, Infoca now has three brand new Super Puma helicopters, which will replace their previous Bell 412 helicopters, with the new models capable of carrying more firefighters, and also has a larger capacity water tank for fighting forest fires.

Built at the Airbus factory in Cadiz, which has a five-year contract with the Junta de Andalucia, the helicopters cost around €3 million (£2.6m). These helicopters also offer a higher level of security to the firefighters during any incident, and will be located at the three bases of Jerez del Marquesado, in Granada, Cartama in the province of Malaga, and, Madroñalejo in Sevilla, which means that Andalucia has more of these state-of-the-art helicopters than any other autonomous community in Spain.

Also, seven new fire engines were unveiled, at a cost of €2.38m (£2.06m), with six more planned for 2022.

prices, and the Spanish firm is sure to respond.

The first lucky travellers to benefit from Ouigo will be those travelling between Madrid and Barcelona, which is one of the highest travelled routes within Spain.

Competition will be fierce though as the route is also covered by air by Iberia, and RENFE already runs the AVLO service.

It is suspected that the French company will soon branch out to offer other routes in Spain.

The trains running on the Madrid to Barcelona line will have a staggering capacity of over 500 travellers and have a buffet car, which at present travellers will not be able to benefit from, as due to the ongoing Coronavirus pan‐ demic they are currently closed.

Prices will vary from €9 all the way up to €79 depending on time of travel and when tickets are bought.

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NEWS

Pilot Dies In Crash

THE deceased is a 66‐year‐ old British man who lived in Cartagena. The tragic acci‐ dent occurred on Saturday morning May 8 near Cala Reona (Cartagena) when the plane he was piloting

crashed into the sea. The causes behind the accident have not been disclosed at this time, according to a re‐ port by the Government Delegation of Murcia.

Around 11.30am the 112

Spain Pushes Ahead SPAIN’S end to the State of Alarm does not end the pandemic, but it does put it on the road to normality, with the goal of vaccinating 33 million citizens between July and August.

That milestone will make it possible to reach the longawaited herd immunity that, supposedly, will reduce the risks of this virus.It will not end with it, experts have said, because even if developed countries will have managed by then to defend themselves with the vaccine, there will still be many more (developing countries) without any vaccines.

The use of masks, hand washing, and social distancing will be maintained until herd immunity is reached. This has been indicated by Ministry of Health officials, who are confident that these measures will keep the virus at bay. Although they have warned that it is possible that these measures will be maintained through to the second half of the year, especially the wearing of masks, although while inside public spaces, as they have already done in Israel and Gibraltar, which is where the majority of the populations have been vaccinated.

Emergency Service received notice that the plane had fallen into the sea between the beaches of Dischargers and Cala Reona. Divers from Maritime Rescue and the Guardia Civil travelled to the scene of the accident to rule out the presence of other possible survivors.

Sources of the investiga‐ tion indicate that no one else had been injured and that the pilot was the only casualty ‐ he was also the only person listed to fly the plane that day.

Soon after the discovery of the body, the Emergency Services of Murcia con‐ firmed the death of the man. It is understood that the occupants of a leisure boat found the lifeless body of the pilot floating in the sea and transferred him to Cabo de Palo. They were al‐ so aided by a canoeist who had seen the accident. An investigation is underway by the Guardia Civil.

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13 - 19 May 2021

THE Spanish government, through Pedro Sanchez, recently presented to the EU, proposals for tax and labour reforms that the EU requires if Spain wants access to the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan - a fund that includes €79.5 billion in subsidies available until 2023.

The fiscal reform is ‘across the board’ and is set to increase per-

NEWS

Spain’s New Tax Reforms sonal income tax, wealth tax, inheritances, the price of diesel, and much more. This will of course affect British expats, who, before knowledge of the tax hikes were expecting to live in Spain on a fixed budget that

could afford them a decent lifestyle without too many headaches and not too much tax!

Here below is the breakdown of a tax reform that affects all taxpayers in Spain, some more than others.

The report sent to the European Commission lists the tax increases that it plans to put into force in the first quarter of 2023, which will bring Spain’s tax levels more in line with neighbouring countries.

There will be a ‘gradual increase of the tax system’s maximum contribution base,’ which in practice will result in a greater tax burden for those lucky enough to earn more than €2,400 net per month.

The contribution base, in Spanish, la base de cotización, is the gross monthly remuneration, including prorated bonuses, that a worker receives. At the moment, the maximum contribution base is €4,070.10 gross per month. Workers who earn more than that amount are exempt from paying tax on the remain-

PEDRO SANCHEZ: Has proposed tax and labour reforms.

der of their income.

For example, if a person has a contribution base of €5,000 per month, then they are not taxed for the extra €929.90 they have earned.

This modification of the maximum contribution bases, which the Spanish government aims to carry out gradually over the next 30 years, will also cause ‘a modification of the maximum pension so as not to alter the contributory nature of the tax system.’

Another part of Pedro Sánchez’s government plans for the country’s ‘tax harmonisation,’ places emphasis on wealth (patrimonio), inheritance (suce-

siones), and gift (donaciones) taxes.

These tax rates are currently decided by the Spanish State, however, all of the country’s 17 regions have the right to apply exemptions or conditions to make them more beneficial or detrimental to taxpayers, with the general trend generally being towards the former but this could soon change, however.

“In the area of taxation on wealth, there are significant improvements to be made, both from a technical point of view and from the perspective of implementing a coherent redistributive policy at a national lev-

el,” reads the government document.

There is a “need to apply wealth taxation in a more coordinated way between the different regions to guarantee a minimum and coordinated level of taxation, avoiding harmful tax competition between the different autonomous communities.”

The Spanish government has also hinted it intends to gradually phase out ‘La declaración conjunta,’ which is a tax law that allows couples who are married or with children to file their personal income tax return together.

According to financial experts, the cancellation of this tax option would affect two million households in Spain and would have negative and detrimental effects on divorced people and pensioners.

There has been so much negative reaction to the announcement in fact that Spain’s second Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Affairs Minister Nadia Calviño has since referred to the publication of the annulment of joint tax returns as a “misprint.”

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

13 - 19 May 2021

Bizum Scam warning

PAYMENT APP: Money can be sent to individuals within seconds, but is subject to fraud.

BIZUM is an app that makes pay‐ ments simple and immediate. For example, money can be sent to individuals in a matter of three seconds. If the amount is small, some banks do not request an ex‐ tra PIN. For large quantities, Bizum usually sends a message with a code that needs to be in‐ putted to process the payment.

The maximum amount that can be sent per day is €1,000 (£867), however, you can receive up to €2,000 (£1,735) per day. The speed of the payments and the option to send these small amounts has led to Bizum being an easy target for different types of fraud.

One of the most widespread types of fraud, as reported this week at the La Rioja Superior

Headquarters, is when the alleged buyer ‐ in this case, of a vehicle ‐ contacted the seller to make a de‐ posit on the purchase for the amount of €400 (£347) through the Bizum app. The seller then ac‐ cepted the procedure, however, instead of making the payment, the buyer sends a request of the €400 payment to which the seller accepts and unknowingly sends over €400.

Subsequently, when realising the error the seller attempts to contact the alleged buyer to re‐ quest the money back and the buyer does not reply. This was re‐ ported to the police.

Another case, which is a more widespread example, is where the victim receives a phone call from their company (supposedly) offer‐

ing to lower their bill or offer them a gift. When the victim accepts the offer, they then have to provide their bank account details and the scammer associates these details with Bizum. As a PIN number is re‐ quired to carry out the transaction, the victim, believing it is a code to activate the offer, provides the PIN and transfers are made.

These are the recommenda‐ tions to follow so as not to fall for the scam: • Contact the bank directly to take the corresponding security measures • Regularly monitor informa‐ tion online about yourself to make sure it cannot be used with‐ out your consent • File a complaint at the near‐ est National Police Headquarters.

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NEWS

AstraZeneca Vaccine Contract Happy Constitution Day Contract not renewed.

T H I E R R Y B R E T O N, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market stated on Sunday May 9, that the European com‐ mission will not be re‐ newing the contract for coronavirus vaccines with

AstraZeneca after June.

This news comes only shortly after the European commission started legal action against As‐ traZeneca as they had been said to not be hon‐ ouring the contract for the supply of coronavirus vaccines, and that they al‐ so did not have a plan which was considered “re‐ liable” to ensure deliver‐ ies were made in a timely manner as originally promised.

Brussels had already sent a legal letter on March 19 to AstraZeneca which was considered to be, “the first step towards the courts.” A conflict res‐ olution process is includ‐ ed in the contract be‐ tween the European Union and AstraZeneca but it has been deemed that this has not given a satisfactory result, so the “EU decided to initiate a legal procedure that has led to the termination of the contract renewal.”

to our Norwegian friends

ON Monday, May 17, we will say Happy Nasjonaldagen to all our Norwegian friends on the Costas.

It is Constitution Day, an offi‐ cial public holiday in Norway, which the Norwegians also call Syttende Mai (May 17) or less frequently, Grunnlovsdagen (Constitution Day).

Origins The Norwegian Constitution was signed on this date in 1814 and declared Norway an inde‐ pendent kingdom.

It was first celebrated by stu‐ dents and some other groups, and because the King of Sweden and Norway was reluctant to mark the day, it was banned for a few years.

This changed in 1829, follow‐ ing the Battle of the Square, al‐ though it wasn’t until 1833 that it became official. The first Chil‐ dren’s Parade to mark the day was in 1864, although until 1899, only boys were allowed.

Celebrations The day is not marked in a mil‐

PARADES: Mainly involving children.

itary manner, but instead with parades mainly involving chil‐ dren who wave the national flag while they walk through the streets, often stopping to visit se‐ nior citizens and war memorials, where flowers are often laid.

It is a way of bringing young and old together, and explaining to children the importance of the sacrifices that others have made for the country. People wear ribbons with the national colours, red, white and blue, as well as traditional garments.

The largest is held in the capi‐ tal, Oslo, and many people come from all over the country to take part and watch, as well as it be‐ ing televised. The parade passes by the Royal Palace and the Roy‐

al Family greets people from the balcony.

A day for children Parades usually end with the children singing the national and royal anthems and there is also time for them to shout, make noise, play games and eat treats.

Some places let off fireworks too.

The Norwegian communities abroad often celebrate Constitu‐ tion Day, especially in the United States and Canada, but also in an increasing number of countries worldwide.

Poet Henrik Wergeland is credited with having made the day a celebration for children rather than an occasion for mili‐ tary or patriotic activities.

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Ione Belarra Takes Over

Ione Belarra is the successor.

I G L ES I A S announced he was leaving his position in politics following defeat in the Madrid elections last week.

I glesias expressed that he wanted his successor to be female, which placed the ministers’ Irene Mon-

tero and Ione Belarra in the running. B oth ministers, as well as having an excellent relationship, are the number two and three of Podemos, respectively.

Following his exit from the coalition government, Iglesias pointed to Yolanda

Díaz, third vice president and minister of labour, as his successor.

However, at the moment, Díaz has refused the training. She has also said on several occasions that she does not militate in Podemos but in the PCE. Just one and a half months ago, Belarra came to the forefront in the coalition government and in United We Can as the new Minister of Social Rights and the 2030 Agenda.

The decision has not yet been made by Podemos as to whether the replacement will be carried out formally through a new assembly a year after the ‘Vistalegre I I I’ that reelected Iglesias for four years.

NEWS

ABBA returns

BJÖRN ULVAEUS, one of the songwriting geniuses behind the legendary Swedish hitmakers ABBA has informed Australian publication The Herald Sun, that the four original members of the iconic group have been in the studio in Stockholm, Sweden, and are discussing the band’s reunion.

Ulvaeus said on Saturday May 8, “There will be new music this year, that is definite, it’s not a case anymore of it might happen, it will happen,” revealing that the four of them are still good friends, and will release their first music since 1981.

Joined in the studio by Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, and Frida Lyndstad, Björn knows they are going to be making music that their fans have been waiting for, for such a long time, as he explained, “The four of us stand in the studio for the first time in 40 years and there’s just something in knowing what we’ve been through. It’s hard to describe, but there are such strong, strong bonds between us.”

Abba split at the height of their success in 1982, but they did reveal last year that they would be recording five new songs in 2021, after originally announcing in 2018 that they were planning on going into the studio, but now it has been confirmed for sure.

Thanks to the pandemic, the song releases of’'I Still Have Faith In You’, and ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’, had to be delayed, along with the planned ABBAtar hologram tour.

Airbnb Increasing In Demand T O U R I S T accommodation platform Airbnb has reported a significant increase in demand for accommodation in Spain. With the State of Alarm having ended on M ay 9, travellers can now move freely around Spain.

Airbnb has also reported a 30 per cent increase in searches being carried out by those over 60 years of age. The company wants to ensure that as the number of vaccinated people increases and conditions improve, senior travellers can make more plans to see family and friends as many have had to shield themselves dur-

ing the health crises due to the higher risk of suffering serious complications brought on by the virus.

Many seniors are wanting a guarantee of health security that is offered by a rental home, thus, the number of searches for this type of accommodation has increased. According to Airbnb, the elderly are also searching for accommodation that allows them to travel with their pets. They have revealed that the most sought-after feature by Spanish guests over the age of 60 is ‘pet friendly’ accommodation.

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NEWS

A Number 1 Album At 80 Iglesias Leaves Politics

AT 80 years old, Sir Tom Jones has become the oldest man to have a number one album in the UK. As reported by the Evening Standard, this is Sir Tom’s fourth number one album and his first since the release of Reload in 1999.

Sir Tom is also now the oldest artist to top the Official Charts Company rankings with an album that is new material.

The overall record for being the oldest person to top the charts is the late Dame Vera Lynn, with We’ll Meet Again - The Very Best of Vera Lynn. Her album was number one in 2009 when she was aged 92.

Fans have been celebrating Sir Tom’s achievement on social media, with one Twitter user joking: ‘Congratulations to Tom Jones! Should Top of the Pops be renamed Top of the Grandpops?’

THE Podemos leader and former deputy prime minister Pablo Iglesias has announced he is leaving the political stage for good.

Ayuso secured a landslide victory on Tuesday, winning 65 seats in the 136-seat Assembly (up from 30 seats in the 2019 election). Podemos won 10 seats (up from seven in 2019). Ponytailed Iglesias, 42, said to reporters on Tuesday evening (May 4): “I’m leaving all party politics - I won’t be an obstacle for the renewal of leadership our political force needs.

“We have failed, we have been far from putting together a sufficient majority,” said Igle-

PABLO IGLESIAS: Leaving all party politics for good. sias. “When you are no longer useful, you need to know when to withdraw,” he added.

Speaking after the conserva-

No Covid Tests

GIBRALTAR has confirmed that UK tourists will not need to be tested for Covid-19 after May 17 which is when international travel is planned to resume.

Fabian Picardo, the ‘Rocks’ Chief Minister said the British Overseas Territory is ready to offer a ‘great British staycation in the Mediterranean’ after travel restrictions are eased in Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown.

Gibraltar, which is close to the south coast of Spain, became the first nation to fully vaccinate its entire adult population in March after achieving the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe.

Gibraltar is home to 33,000 people and has had 4,286 cases as well as 94 deaths. According to data from Gibraltar Government, the last positive resident case of the virus was detected on March 23 and that person had recovered by April 8. After that, there were no active resident cases on the Rock.

tive People’s Party (PP) triumphed in the Madrid regional election in which he had stood as his party’s candidate, Iglesias said the time had come for him to “leave my post and leave politics.” However, the former politics lecturer added that he remained “very proud” to have led “a project that changed the history of our country.”

It was not an empty boast as, during the seven years since Podemos was born from the fury of Spain’s indignados movement, the far-left, antiausterity party has transformed the country’s politics.

After breaking through in 2014’s European elections, Podemos - together with the now moribund, centre-right Citizens party - brought an end to four decades of dominance by the duopoly of the PP and the Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE).

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NEWS

No More Masks

AS reported by SUR, Spain’s National Organisation of Con‐ sumers (OCU) has asked the central government and re‐ gions to lift the order on mandatory masks outdoors ‐ except for when there is close

contact with other people and there is no guarantee of social distancing.

The OCU has highlighted that “The constant obligation is an ineffective measure at the present time that causes citizen

Parties Begin AS the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the world, Spain finally saw an end to its State of Alarm. As many people still remain cautious of the potentially deadly virus, others took advantage of the end of the State of Alarm and many Spanish cities saw their streets flooded with people in less than an hour.

Cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastian, Sevilla, Salamanca and Bilbao saw locals rush to the streets in order to party and celebrate the end of the State of Alarm. The scenes across Spain have worried many Spanish and British expats alike as thousands of people rushed into the streets, many of which had abandoned masks and all social distancing.

One expat told EWN how the “scenes of partying after the State of Alarm ended were extremely worrying as they feared that the Coronavirus pandemic would rapidly begin to grow again, risking people’s lives and businesses.”

fatigue with a counter‐produc‐ tive result,” and asks that the mask use rules be modified and clarified.

According to the OCU, the scientific evidence that was col‐ lected since the beginning of the pandemic makes it neces‐ sary to look back at some of the prevention measures that were put into place when there was more uncertainty about the transmission of the virus.

The group has warned of the public’s “tiredness” around having to constantly wear a mask in the open air. They have also urged for care home and residence visitations for the elderly to be “standard‐ ised,” considering nearly all of the residents, users and work‐ ers have already been vaccinat‐ ed.

The OCU stresses that visita‐ tions to care and residential homes are vital to maintaining the mood and the mental well‐ being of residents and the fam‐ ily members that want to visit them.

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A MAN has been able to prove that it is possible to unlock his Samsung Galaxy phone using the tip of his finger that was severed two weeks ago.

The index fingertip of Kieran Higgins was unfortunately severed during an industrial accident.

He lives in Spain and is a semi-retired auditor.

Higgins has been keeping his fingertip in medicinal alcohol since the accident and now alleges that he can use the severed digit to unlock his mobile phone. Speaking to The Register, Hig-

A Useful Severed Fingertip gins explained his cunning plan to put his severed fingertip to good use. He explained, “I devised a cunning plan to register the fingerprint on my brand new shiny whatsit.”

“I extracted [the fingertip] from its grave of

medicinal alcohol, dried it off and... eureka! ... managed to register my dead finger on my phone.”

Unfortunately though the fingertip was too damaged to be reattached in hospital and medics

NEWS

were only able to bandage what remained of his injured finger and send him home with antibiotics and painkillers as reported The Mail Online.

He decided to keep his injured fingertip and explained to The Register that, “Keeping evidence and stuff is always a good idea.'”

“You never know when it’s gonna turn nasty.

So I kept it in case anybody asked me first... because insurance companies never like to pay out.”

Worry Over Planned Tax Increases

THE Spanish government is planning to hit airlines with a new tax from 2022 onwards, but this couold hit tourism too. The controversial plans have angered airlines who operate in Spain, and claim that the move would “be dev‐ astating for tourism.”

The new tax proposals were sent to Brussels as part of documents in order to pre‐ pare for incoming reconstruc‐ tion funds, with the aim of compensating for the aviation industry’s negative effects on the environment, via increas‐ ing taxes. The measure had

previously been submitted for public consideration last year, although this was put on the backburner when the Coron‐ avirus pandemic started.

This comes at a time when the ongoing pandemic is causing the biggest crisis for the airline industry in history.

The plans have raised strong objections from airlines.

Javier Gándara, president of ALA, the association that brings together many airlines who operate in Spain, said that domestic flights repre‐ sent “little more than 10 per cent of total emissions and many of them are essential, because they provide connec‐ tivity” between Spanish is‐ lands and the Spanish main‐ land.

He went on to propose al‐ ternatives to taxes and said, “Rather than taking resources away from the industry via taxes, we need to invest in more sustainable aviation with alternatives to paraffin such as electricity or hydro‐ gen, scale up the production of biofuels and develop in‐ frastructures so that aviation emits less.”

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NEWS

Raspberry Flavour Banana

THE exotic fruit that is grown in the Canary Islands is now also appearing on the Peninsula.

We are seeing more and more exotic fruits in our supermarkets, such as lychees, passion fruit and tamarinds, but the most recent is the red banana which, unlike the rest, doesn’t come from the other side of the world, but from the Canary Islands.

The red banana is not of the Cavendish variety, like the traditional Canary Island banana, and as well as the exterior colour difference they also have a different flavour. They are slightly smaller and have a tougher ‘bright purple, between purple and brown’ skin.

However, the interior of the fruit looks much like a normal banana, although, there is a slightly pinkish tone to it. The texture is very similar, but the flavour has subtle hints of red fruits, particularly raspberry.

Despite the premier of the red banana on the Peninsula, it is possible to find this variety in Spain outside of the Canary Is-

lands. “In the microclimate of Almuñecar the plant has adapted extraordinarily, in fact, it is much more robust than the other types of plantains and bananas that we grow,” explains Manuel Mateos, head of Tiendadefruta.com.

They are priced at €3.2 per kilo.

From the Canary Islands.

Hero rescues his neighbour A MAN in Spain has been called a hero after a dramatic rescue scaling a two-storey building to rescue his elderly neighbour who was about to plunge to her death from a balcony - almost 10 metres from the ground.

Twenty-four-year-old Camilo Medina scaled the building to rescue the 80-year-old neighbour who had become stuck on the balcony in Calahorra, in the La Rioja region, on Monday May 3. It is believed that the woman, suffers from Parkinson’s disease.

Medina said of the event: “I was in the store with my mother when my father came in saying that a lady was about to fall out of the window.

“Without thinking, I took the ladder from the store, climbed to the first-floor balcony and kept climbing up however I could.

Police officers arrived not long after, however, they could not enter the flat due to it being locked from the inside and Medina could not locate the keys. The woman’s son-in-law was called and was able to get into the flat.

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13 - 19 May 2021

Spain Ramps Up Vaccine Plan THE EU has concluded a deal with BioNTech/Pfizer for up to 1.8 billion extra doses of its Covid‐19 vac‐ cine, according to European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

This comes as Spain’s Presi‐ dent Pedro Sanchez is due to present on Friday at a Euro‐

Ursula von der Leyen.

New Maximum capacities WITH the end of the State of Alarm on Sunday, May 9, the president of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, announced the new maximum capacities for beaches, swimming pools and shows.

On Thursday May 6, the head of the regional government explained that municipalities in alert levels one and two will have audiences or spectators separated from each other by one seat in bullrings, shows and theatres. In municipalities that are in alert level three and four, a distance of 1.5 metres will need to be used between people.

With regards to swimming pools and beaches, there will no longer be a limit on hours, however, there will be a mandatory distance of 1.5 metres between groups that are out of the water.

From Sunday May 9, nightclubs are now able to stay open until 2am, however, the use of dance floors will only be permitted in areas in alert level one and users must wear masks.

pean Union summit in Porto, calls for the removal of trade barriers and logistical hurdles to reduce a global shortfall in vaccine production.

Several areas in Spain are now making appointments for people in the 55‐60 age group, who will receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, as a decision has not yet been made on the use of the Janssen drug.

“Happy to announce that the EU Commission has just approved a contract for guar‐ anteed 900 million doses (+900 million options) with BioNTech/Pfizer for 2021‐ 2023,” she tweeted from an EU summit in Portugal.

“Other contracts and other vaccine technologies will fol‐ low,” she promised.

Ms von der Leyen said Eu‐ rope is preparing the next stage of its response includ‐ ing giving booster shots, al‐ lowing for vaccination of chil‐ dren and teenagers, and dealing with possible escape variants.

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NEWS

Covid killer mask

AS reported by Ideal, on Thurs‐ day, May 6, the Catholic Universi‐ ty of Valencia (UCV) presented a mask that is capable of inactivat‐ ing SARS‐CoV‐2, influenza and multi‐resistant bacteria ‘in less than a minute.’ The presentation took place at the Valencia Carlos Campus.

The masks have been devel‐ oped in collaboration with Valen‐ cian company Visor Medical and the research has been ongoing by the UCV Biomaterials and Bioinge‐ ria Laboratory, led by Professor

Ángel Serrano, since the start of the pandemic.

Several months ago, re‐ searchers from the University and in collaboration with researchers from the United Kingdom, South Korea and Norway, developed fil‐ ters for masks that are capable of inactivating SARS‐CoV‐2 and mul‐ ti‐resistant bacteria in less than a minute.

An anti‐Covid nasal spray using carbon nanomaterials and benza‐ lkonium chloride is also being de‐ veloped by the Biomaterials and

Monthly ‘menstrual leave’ FEMALE employees at Girona City Council will have a monthly allowance of eight hours to be absent from work due to discomfort caused by menstruation.

It’s part of a flexible working scheme, and staff will have to recover the hours within a maximum period of three months, reports El Periodico. The proposal was approved last week unanimously by the General Negotiating Committee and is expected to be ratified by the plenary in June.

Female members of the Catalonian trade union, Intersindical, have welcomed the move which will mean employees won’t have to use sick or holiday leave.

Bioengineering Group led by Ser‐ rano and the University of Louisiana.

Megan Markle’s Royal Title THE QUEEN, 95, has been urged to instruct her lawyers to contact the publishers of Meghan’s 40‐ page children’s storybook to have the title of the former working royal blotted out. Meghan, 39, this week announced she had written a book to mark Archie’s second birthday on Thursday May 6.

On the front cover, the author’s name is listed as ‘Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex’ ‐ something which sent some royal fans into a frenzy now that she is no longer a working member of the Royal Family. A year on from Megxit and two months after the Sussex‐ es’ bombshell interview with Oprah was aired, many royal watchers said it is high time the Queen put her foot down and re‐ moved Harry and Meghan’s titles.

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FEATURE

Advertising Feature

THE RIGHT CAR INSURANCE

CHECK IT OUT: Shop around for car insurance and find out what’s included.

BACK ON THE ROAD As Spain eases restrictions due to Covid, many drivers are looking to get their car back on the road. But before turning the key we recommend you check your vehicle is good to go. Fluid levels may have dropped.

Check your oil, windscreen wash and coolant. Before checking the brake fluid, drive your vehicle for a short period, braking several times to fill the system. Top up with more brake fluid if the level is below the minimum. If the battery is flat you may need to jump start your car. Once running keep it turning over for 20 minutes. Check tyre pressures and any abnormal wear and damage. Take your vehicle for a drive and listen to the engine sound for any grinding, grumbling, whining or knocking.

BASIC INSURANCE Shop around for car insurance and find out what’s included. Does your insurance company have a national network of repairers that can collect your vehicle, undertake repairs and then return the car to you on completion? How does your No Claim discount work? If no claim is made against your policy, your re-

newal premium will be adjusted accordingly. If a claim is made, then your No Claims discount may be reduced. Línea Directa’s team of customer service experts can guide you through all your queries and provide clear answers.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS Travel Assistance from Línea Directa provides extra protection when you need it most. On-the-spot emergency repairs will be carried out on the vehicle if it is immobilised. If you run out of fuel, then your vehicle will be towed to the nearest petrol station. In the event of loss or theft of the vehicle’s keys, then Línea Directa will do everything in its power to obtain duplicates and dispatch them as quickly as possible to you.

WHY LÍNEA DIRECTA? Línea Directa has been providing comprehensive car, motorbike and home insurance to British expatriates and residents in Spain for over 20 years. Backed by a leading Spanish financial group Bankinter, with over three million customers nationwide. All services and documentation is in English. Call their English-speaking customer service staff on 952 147 834 and get a competitive quote today.

BEST PRICE. BETTER COVER.

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NEWS

Muslims go to church Celebrating Ramadan.

Summer Festival 2021 AFTER a year marked by Covid, the Barcelona summer festival returns with an edition marked by optimism, safe culture and a creative drive.

“Grec Festival 2021 is characterised by the effort to revitalise the cultural sector and support theatres, companies, local talent and creation, contemporary drama and languages,” said the city council, adding that “special attention has been given to the proposals led by women, who account for 55 per cent of the programme.” From June 27 to July 31 , the Grec 2021 Festival will offer around 100 shows of performing arts, music and cinema in 37 locations around the city.

Half of the festival will take place outside the main Montjuïc stage, in museums such as the CCCB, the Macba, the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Ethnological and World Cultures Museum.

There will also be shows at public facilities such as the Palau de la Musica, the Mercat de les Flors and theatres such as Borràs, Condal or Tantarantana.

To find out more, visit the InfoBarcelona website.

AS reported in Premier Christian News, a church of Santa Anna in the centre of Barcelona has opened its doors to Muslims who are celebrating Ramadan so that they can eat and pray together.

The current coronavirus restrictions in Barcelona means that the venues where the Muslim community would usually celebrate the religious festival are closed.

Muslims do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan, only breaking their fasting when the sun has set with a meal called Iftar.

People are very happy that Muslims can do Iftar in a Catholic church, because religions serve to unite us, not to separate us.

However, the campaign has not been welcomed by everyone, with people on social media complaining. The church responded to criticism in a Tweet: “As always when there is novelty there is criticism. As we are still in a pandemic the Association of Moroccan Women asked us for the possibility of celebrating Iftar for the homeless. Because we can do so, we welcome this celebration. Fraternity is about being welcoming.”

EUROPEAN PRESS

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EUROPEAN NIBS DENMARK

FRANCE

Harald Bluetooth

Great War

MORE than 100 years ago, a collection of Viking remains said to be linked with Harald Bluetooth mysteriously disappeared from the National Museum of Denmark. Now, thanks to some clever sleuthing by two archaeologists they have been found stored in a mislabelled box in the museum.

IN 1914 the 16-year-old William Swift joined the army and was sent to France, losing his life in 1917. Now a couple living in Noeux-les Mines in northern France have discovered a letter from his parents as they were renovating their property and have tracked down his descendants.

NETHERLANDS

NORWAY

Pavlov’s Dog

Joining PESCO

SCIENTISTS in Holland have taken 150 bees and conditioned them to recognise the smell of coronavirus using the Pavlov’s Dog methodology by feeding them sugar water whenever exposed to the virus. They believe that these bees could sniff out the virus in developing countries.

EU defence ministers have voted to allow Norway, Canada and the United States, to join the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) group designed to ensure seamless movement of military equipment across the EU in response to crises which was formed after Trump threatened to reduce support of NATO.

BELGIUM Two hour curfew FOR several months the curfew in Brussels started at 10pm and for the rest of Belgium at midnight but on Friday May 7, the people of Brussels were required to start curfew as usual at 10pm but then came out at midnight as curfew was cancelled.

GERMANY Clubbing it THE Berlin Building Committee voted unanimously to request the German Government to change the status of the city’s numerous clubs from entertainment sites to cultural sites. If approved, this will give these clubs greater legal protection and some reduction in noise level restrictions.

FINLAND Bumpy ride FINNISH police believe that they have uncovered a black market in the sale of often stolen bicycles with some suspects selling between 7,000 and 10,000 bikes over a four-year period and no tax has been declared on the profits from their sale.

SWEDEN Dead wrong A 33-year-old man from Gothenburg visited a local hospital as he had sprained his finger but a few weeks later was amazed to discover that he had been declared dead when a letter addressed to his estate arrived at his home. All is now resolved.

13 - 19 May 2021

EWN 31

FINANCE BUSINESS EXTRA Gary Lineker ACCORDING to Personnel Today, HM Revenue and Customs has accused TV pundit and former footballer Gary Lineker of having a £4.9 million (€5.4 million) tax liability as he should be considered a ‘disguised employee’ of both the BBC and BT Sports between 2013 and 2018.

Fewer jobless SPAIN lost 137,500 jobs in the first quarter of the year, according to a recent survey published by Spain’s National Statistical Institute (INE) but as more people return to work following the easing of the State of Alarm, unemployment fell by 16 per cent.

Garden insurance IT is estimated that British households spent more than £8.5 billion (€9.35 billion) on purchasing items for their gardens during lockdown according to research by MoneySuperMarket but many of those have overlooked the fact that expensive purchases should be declared for insurance and may not be covered.

Increased charges THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) has come out strongly against plans by Spanish airport authority AENA to raise charges at its 46 Spanish airports by 5.5 per cent and said that this “could damage Spain’s economic and employment recovery from Covid-19.”

Mercosur talks ONE of the negative aspects for Spain as part of the EU is the fact that it generally has to abide by EU regulations concerning trade and tariffs. This is particularly important to the country with regards to Latin and South America where language and cultural ties give Spain an edge with trade. For several years there have been discussions between the EU and the Mercosur countries (which includes all of the main South American economies) but because nothing has happened the Chinese are gaining ground and Pedro Sánchez has reportedly written to the EU urging this be resolved quickly.

32

STAT OF WEEK

www.euroweeklynews.com • 13 - 19 May 2021

€1.067 billion

is the amount that troubled IAG, owner of Aer Lingus, BA, Iberia and Vueling lost in the first quarter of 2021.

Diamonds are forever JEWELLERY manufacturer Pandora is phasing out all mined diamonds from its products and will in future be promoting the sale of lab‐cre‐ ated diamonds.

The Danish company which employs 26,000 people worldwide and uses mainly recycled gold and silver, has become a top name in rea‐ sonably priced collectable jewellery since 1982.

There has been much talk about ‘blood diamonds’

which have been dug up us‐ ing slave labour or stolen dur‐ ing civil wars in Africa but now, it is possible to be abso‐ lutely certain that the dia‐ monds in the new Pandora Brilliance collection are actu‐ ally made in a laboratory.

Aiming to transform the market for diamond jewellery with affordable, sustainably created products, Pandora Brilliance is initially intro‐ duced in the UK with global launch expected in 2022.

LEGALLY SPEAKING

The Pandora Brilliance col‐ lection was available from May 6 in the UK with prices starting from £250 (€275) and each stone ranges from 0.15 to one carat in weight.

The diamond jewellery market is expected to contin‐ ue to grow, and lab‐created diamonds are outpacing the industry’s overall growth.

Lab‐created diamonds are identical to mined diamonds but grown in a laboratory rather than being excavated.

According to Pandora, they have the same optical, chemi‐ cal, thermal and physical characteristics and are graded by the same standards known as the 4Cs ‐ cut, colour, clarity and carat ‐ be‐ fore being set within the Pan‐ dora Brilliance collection.

The lab‐created diamonds in the collection have been grown with more than 60 per cent renewable energy on av‐ erage and by 2022 will be 100 per cent carbon neutral.

We speak your language

Can they block account?

Our community bank account has been blocked until I give details of my personal pension income as president to the Caja Rural.

This comes as we try to change our account to a local bank branch and install a new administrator.

The three of us had to sign an astounding number of documents and now this. Is it not a violation of the Data Protection Act? The new administrator gave me no notice. Can you advise?

24/7 Helpline.

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.

ON May 6, World Password Day is celebrated, an event that aims to raise awareness about the importance of having secure passwords that protect personal infor‐ mation.

Data from the Acierto.com comparator says that very few people or companies know how to properly pro‐

WHEN choosing a funeral plan in Spain, one of the most im‐ portant reasons is being able to speak to someone in your own language.

Golden Leaves knows how important it is to have as little worry as possible at such a dis‐ tressing time, which is why the emergency helpline is available 24/7 and your call will always be answered.

The main language used by Golden Leaves is English but the team is multilingual.

Between 9am and 5.30pm from Monday to Friday, the of‐

fice based in Spain takes the calls in English. At other times, there is a specialist out‐of‐ hours team based in the UK manning the phones so that your call will be dealt with pro‐ fessionally whatever the time, by real people, not automated messages.

In any case, the Golden Leaves team will take action immediately and begin to act upon the plan which you had in place.

Your plan comes with an emergency contact card with all relevant numbers.

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

Strong passwords needed tect their computers and Apps that need passwords.

Among the most common mistakes is the use of per‐ sonal data or obvious words, simplicity, not combining let‐ ters and numbers, and so on.

Another common failure is

to use the same password for different services, some‐ thing that more than half of the respondents do.

At work, the issue be‐ comes especially tricky in times of pandemic, when many companies have been

SPANISH Minister of Eco‐ nomic Affairs, Nadia Calvino has written a foreword in the Spanish Video Game Associa‐ tion yearbook confirming the government’s support of the video game industry.

She says that the situation resulting from the pandemic has accelerated the process of digitalisation in Spain, which means that the pre‐ sent and future of employ‐ ment, trade, commerce, business contacts and leisure are digital.

Video games have estab‐ lished themselves as a widespread consumer prod‐ uct almost 16 million video gamers in the country, 46 per cent of whom are women and Spain is in the top 10 in the world in terms of market size, with a turnover that ex‐ ceeds €1.7 billion.

10p plastic bags

M G (Costa del Sol) 1. It is, un‐ fortunately, quite normal for any YOU AND THE LAW change in bank ac‐ IN SPAIN counts to produce all the confusion you have described. And when the account is a Community of Property Owners, with various persons having authorised signatures, even more so.

2. The bank’s request for your pension details seems extreme but it is not a violation of the Data Protection Act. Only a mis‐ use of your personal information would be that.

3. Blocking your account without previous warning is also ex‐ treme.

4. As to what you can do now, my advice is to establish a close personal relation with your new administrator and also with your local bank manager. Make sure the bank has your tele‐ phone number.

Video Game support

forced to digitise at full speed and implement tele‐ working in record time which has also resulted in the lack of training for em‐ ployees, the failure to imple‐ ment the appropriate securi‐ ty systems and barriers and

FROM May 21 in England, the minimum charge for plastic bags will increase from 5p to 10p per bag, and will be appli‐ cable to all businesses regard‐ less of size.

This is already in place in Scotland and Wales and the As‐ sociation of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the long‐ awaited extension of plastic bag charging to all businesses which will provide consistency for consumers and further op‐ portunity for retailers to raise money for good causes.

Environment Minister Rebec‐ ca Pow said, “The introduction of the 5p charge has been a phenomenal success, driving down sales of harmful plastic bags in supermarkets by a re‐ markable 95 per cent.” the absence of clear action protocols.

Limiting the use of com‐ mon passwords is also im‐ portant so avoid 12345678 and date of birth or name and other similar practices, but do include special char‐ acters mixing uppercase and lowercase and the longer, the safer.

34 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

13 - 19 May 2021

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

LONDON - FTSE 100

See our advert on previous page

C LOSING P RICES M AY 10

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) 3I Group 1.244,50 1.252,50 Admiral Group 2.973,0 2.981,4 Anglo American 3.429,5 3.509,0 Antofagasta 1.912,00 1.927,50 Ashtead Group 4.801,0 4.817,0 Associated British Foods 2.347,3 2.366,9 AstraZeneca 7.703,0 7.718,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 567,80 574,60 Avast 462,30 470,00 Aveva 3.300,0 3.342,4 Aviva 411,10 413,76 B&M European Value Retail SA578,40 580,80 BAE Systems 507,80 511,86 Bank VTB DRC 1,364 1,388 Barclays 184,44 185,00 Barratt Developments 788,20 790,80 Berkeley 4.869,0 4.876,0 BHP Group 2.414,25 2.417,50 BP 316,58 319,13 British American Tobacco 2.817,3 2.841,2 British Land Company 543,20 545,29 BT Group 169,85 170,60 Bunzl 2.332,0 2.351,0 Burberry Group 2.168,0 2.190,0 Carnival 1.610,2 1.640,4 Centrica 57,76 57,95 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.548,0 2.559,0 Compass 1.602,00 1.640,50 CRH 3.655,0 3.659,0 Croda Intl 6.706,0 6.744,0 DCC 6.180,0 6.222,0 Diageo 3.255,0 3.278,5 DS Smith 428,20 430,10 EasyJet 1.063,84 1.086,04 Experian 2.780,0 2.802,0 Ferguson 9.510,0 9.518,0 Flutter Entertainment 14.360,0 14.645,0 Fresnillo 930,71 941,36 GlaxoSmithKline 1.352,64 1.356,30 Glencore 328,50 330,00 Halma 2.576,5 2.604,0 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.745,47 1.758,03 Hikma Pharma 2.339,00 2.347,00 HSBC 450,05 451,20 IAG 209,00 214,20 Imperial Brands 1.607,50 1.621,00 Informa 570,60 578,40 InterContinental 5.072,6 5.148,6 Intermediate Capital 2.113,00 2.150,00 Intertek 6.072,0 6.178,0 ITV 126,43 127,23

% CHG. 1.241,00 2.956,0 3.420,0 1.896,50 4.777,0 2.347,3 7.668,0 564,80 459,60 3.288,0 410,59 576,60 507,20 1,364 182,88 782,80 4.799,0 2.387,50 315,80 2.814,2 539,06 169,20 2.324,0 2.164,0 1.607,4 56,54 2.546,0 1.599,00 3.644,0 6.698,0 6.162,0 3.253,5 426,60 1.047,00 2.772,0 9.398,0 14.360,0 921,40 1.349,32 323,30 2.571,5 1.742,99 2.334,00 448,85 207,64 1.607,00 570,40 5.068,0 2.113,00 6.068,0 125,46

NET VOL 29,41K 4,29K 47,79K 224,35K 23,18K 6,21K 237,25K 94,48K 335,28K 7,01K 172,56K 50,04K 92,50K 73,45K 5,99M 183,75K 80,09K 596,86K 806,31K 24,28K 42,93K 1,72M 37,33K 32,13K 112,78K 698,78K 21,35K 147,74K 17,27K 6,78K 22,36K 125,41K 300,76K 221,11K 90,38K 18,86K 3,51K 134,49K 113,98K 11,76M 30,87K 11,15K 15,07K 1,53M 3,01M 112,66K 61,86K 4,54K 6,26K 10,00K 196,55K

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

254,14 3.272,0 746,60 286,00 47,23 7.096,0 478,64 166,85 1.951,50 931,50 200,90 8.276,0 36,88 1.974,80 3.207,0 740,80 1.592,50 6.350,0 1.891,00 487,40 596,40 6.767,0 106,02 7,23 1.430,0 1.431,61 1.372,5 684,00 631,20 1.863,00 17,11 3.605,0 1.195,00 1.011,86 2.497,0 1.566,36 1.599,50 11.951,8 1.493,71 1.385,50 518,80 280,00 181,05 227,85 441,22 4.250,4 988,80 142,18 3.248,6 990,00

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

254,40 3.289,0 749,20 288,00 47,37 7.176,0 502,20 170,15 1.976,50 931,50 203,60 8.310,0 36,89 1.984,50 3.246,0 741,80 1.595,00 6.364,0 1.910,50 489,80 606,00 6.786,0 107,95 7,26 1.447,1 1.447,75 1.386,4 684,00 634,80 1.870,00 17,11 3.623,0 1.210,00 1.013,43 2.503,0 1.573,50 1.632,50 11.984,6 1.495,50 1.392,00 520,20 282,20 182,05 228,80 454,60 4.261,3 990,00 142,50 3.308,0 992,00

252,10 3.263,0 741,60 285,85 46,79 7.074,0 477,80 166,75 1.949,50 925,30 200,60 8.254,0 36,50 1.950,50 3.194,0 736,00 1.583,50 6.333,0 1.887,50 483,90 594,40 6.694,0 105,19 7,19 1.431,2 1.430,50 1.371,5 683,60 630,40 1.860,50 17,07 3.590,0 1.191,50 1.008,75 2.487,0 1.561,81 1.597,00 11.951,8 1.484,59 1.379,50 516,20 279,00 179,10 226,00 441,22 4.232,1 982,40 141,84 3.241,0 986,80

167,84K 14,70K 60,65K 455,23K 14,02M 30,43K 24,73K 369,04K 39,94K 380,84K 2,07M 1,40K 42,47K 24,51K 98,31K 172,77K 176,20K 44,87K 254,91K 230,44K 113,70K 72,82K 2,38M 40,93K 44,64K 22,53K 103,02K 514,85K 120,50K 1,37K 8,68K 11,25K 471,27K 5,32K 19,35K 11,31K 46,71K 0,42K 120,79K 19,40K 222,07K 218,48K 800,22K 1,17M 422,28K 26,07K 51,75K 3,77M 9,36K 149,72K

1.15682

0.86302

Units per €

US dollar (USD) ........................................1.2145 Japan yen (JPY)......................................132.335 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................1.0946 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4362 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................9.9631

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

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES M AY 10

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 203,07 2.398,69 3.291,61 254,21 130,21 235,47 240,99 110,02 53,43 54,51 319,08 370,89 339,25 228,79 145,46 57,67 168,50 161,24 234,84 78,41 252,46 137,81 135,15 216,50 672,37 417,65 58,72 232,12 140,20 184,84

CHANGE 203,87 2.416,41 3.330,89 255,73 131,26 235,91 241,89 110,67 53,68 54,77 322,94 371,65 339,81 229,70 146,14 58,01 169,18 161,50 235,72 78,66 254,30 139,36 136,03 221,25 690,00 419,02 59,07 233,22 141,72 185,12

CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 201,24 1,84M 2.390,00 1,16M 3.289,07 4,71M 251,78 2,51M 129,48 78,97M 227,99 12,82M 233,16 3,33M 107,70 10,27M 52,22 24,15M 54,16 10,64M 318,75 15,92M 360,93 3,38M 335,53 3,00M 226,37 1,96M 144,57 7,00M 57,24 19,96M 167,83 5,32M 157,02 14,26M 233,99 1,41M 77,89 11,68M 251,17 27,03M 134,72 10,57M 134,77 6,30M 215,09 5,77M 660,22 23,47M 414,07 1,85M 58,60 15,68M 230,71 4,53M 139,32 7,80M 181,51 6,89M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES M AY 10

COMPANY

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

+8.02% +2.09% +2.41% +11.55% +3.66% +7.10% +2.61% +0.73% +3.64% +9.35% +1.04%

1.13M 381,586 642,304 16.76M 250,288 2,625 718,916 1.16M 330,664 4.46M 1,860

-7.49% -61.95% -0.45% -5.25% -10.78% -6.99% -8.81% -13.64% -4.49% -3.51% -38.63%

2.93M 41.43M 4.71M 273,960 2.97M 9.34M 687,275 210,165 2.04M 546,828 25,398

Most Advanced Trade Desk Inc. Cl A Booking Holdings Inc. MercadoLibre Inc. Roku Inc. Cl A CoStar Group Inc. II-VI Inc. 6% Pfd. Charter Communications Inc. Cl A Alphabet Inc. Cl C Zebra Technologies Corp. Cl A BioNTech SE ADR Broadcom Inc. 8% Pfd. Series A

Most Declined Insulet Corp.

ChemoCentryx Inc. Amazon.com Inc. ICU Medical Inc. Appian Corp. Cl A Beyond Meat Inc. Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc. Cl A Universal Electronics Inc. Mirati Therapeutics Inc. Stamps.com Inc. Golden Arrow Merger Corp. Cl A

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

World Cheese Awards

FOUR-DAY FESTIVAL: Cheese is an important export product for Spain.

THE Guild of Fine Food has an‐ nounced that the World Cheese Awards will be held in the Spanish Principality of As‐ turias this year, taking place in Oviedo on Wednesday November 3.

Having extended Oviedo’s tenure as World Cheese Capi‐ tal following the event’s post‐ ponement as a result of the Covid‐19 crisis, the 33rd edi‐ tion of the competition will now form part of the Asturias Paraíso Natural International Cheese Festival 2021, run by the Instituto del Queso, in partnership with the Principali‐ ty of Asturias and the City Council of Oviedo.

This will be an opportunity for the global cheese commu‐ nity to come together after a year of unprecedented chal‐ lenges for cheesemakers and the industry as a whole as the World Cheese Awards will be

at the heart of a four‐day festi‐ val dedicated only to cheese.

The competition is set to be bigger and more international than ever before, following the record‐breaking 3,804 entries from 42 different countries judged in Bergamo, Italy in 2019.

According to a US Depart‐ ment of Agriculture report, Spain exported $593 million (€492.5 million) in 2020, main‐ ly to Europe but around 20 per cent went to other countries and with some 100 different types of cheese produced in the country the industry uses up around 28 per cent of Spain’s milk production.

John Farrand, managing di‐ rector of the Guild of Fine Food, commented: “Following the trials and tribulations of the past 12 months, we’re de‐ lighted to be making plans for the World Cheese Awards’ re‐

Second-hand clothes CONTINUING its commitment to sustainable fashion, George at Asda in the UK has announced it will be launching a new second-hand vintage fashion range in its stores, giving a new lease of life to pre-worn garments.

In partnership with vintage fashion wholesaler ‘Preloved Vintage Wholesale,’ the new concept will be rolled out across the UK, with customers able to buy vintage, retro and second-hand branded pieces, preventing thousands of tonnes of garments going to landfill each year.

Following a successful trial in Asda’s sustainability store in Leeds, George is now launching the sustainable fashion partnership in a further 50 of its stores.

turn to Spain. The cheese world has felt the economic impact of Covid‐19 in a big way, so this year’s competition holds greater significance than ever before.”

BUSINESS EXTRA Boohoo closures AFTER more than 200 years of trading, the last of the 101 Debenham stores on British high streets and shopping centres will close its doors as the brand, which was purchased

by Boohoo in January for £55 million (€60.5 million) goes online only.

Profit boom VALENCIAN based technology multinational Power Electronics which has a very strong presence in the USA has reported sales for 2020 at €490.7 million which is an increase of some 42 per cent over 2019 results. It sees long term growth in the field of battery production.

Buy back THE Frasers Group which is controlled by Newcastle United Football Club owner Mike Ashley and trades under such brand names as Sports Direct and House of Fraser has announced that it is prepared to spend up to £60 million (€66 million) to buy back its own shares.

13 - 19 May 2021

EWN 35

36 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

13 - 19 May 2021

FEATURE

Conspiracy theorists abound

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT CONSPIRACY theorists are everywhere.

Wearing my columnist hat, I have over the years, researched and investigated large numbers of these theories; from Queen Elizabeth 1 being a man, to Area 51, the assassination of Kennedy, the death of Princess Diana and the Twin Towers attack etc.

One thing I endeavoured to do is to always retain an open mind. This can give you a clear advantage over these theorists ‐ it is the one asset they most definitely do not possess! Once a CT has its teeth into something, irrespective of any proof to the contrary, they are virtually impossible to shake off.

With this in mind I thought I would delve a little further into the psyche of the compulsive theorists and what makes them actually tick. According to one school of psychiatry the paranoia that drives individuals to constantly scan the world for dangers and imagines the worst from others, is a throwback to Neanderthal times.

To mitigate threats from other tribes, these ancient humans needed to be suspicious of everything and everyone,

ONE THEORY: That the earth is flat. merely to survive. The doctors also reached the conclusion that many theorists were people who retained manipulative unusual patterns of thought, practised Machiavellianism, were insecure, lonely or stressed, which made them more inclined to believe in conspiracies and the supernatural.

These suspicious people are of course not always in the wrong. Although some of

their theories, ie that the earth is flat or the moon landing didn’t take place ‐ are laughable; there have been a number of instances where they were proven to be correct.

That the FBI was spying on John Lennon (True). Project Sunshine, where the US government was accused of stealing dead bodies to test for radiation after a nuclear explosion. (True). That as far back as 1950

tobacco companies were fully aware smoking was lethal and could cause cancer. (True) That you can be spied on through your laptop camera. (True ‐ and worrying!)

On the other hand some of their theories can be highly dangerous. Those who believe the Covid pandemic doesn’t exist could, if they were in charge, be responsible for the deaths of millions.

In 2016 the personal mail of John, Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager was hacked.

He was found to have ordered large numbers of pizzas. The conspiracy theorists decided that these orders were a code for a child sex ring run by the members of the diplomatic party. The shop who supplied the pizzas was subsequently attacked by a man with a semi‐automatic rifle! It was a miracle no one was killed. It ultimately transpired that Podesta really liked pizzas!

All I can say to the conspiracy theorists is keep believing what your heart and mind tells you. But please don’t patronise and pour scorn on others who hold a different point of view. What about turning your efforts to the biggest conspiracy theory of all; that we are merely figments of our own imagination? Now that is one I would truly like your views on. Good hunting!

Keep the Faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.

To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

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

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

13 - 19 May 2021

EWN 37

The animal welfare and the Law CONSULAR MATTERS AS Danish consul, practising lawyer and having adopted two rescue dogs, animal welfare is something close to my heart. Andalucia is considering a law to stop animals being abandoned and having to be put down.

There are general laws covering the whole country regulating the animal well‐being including the different as‐ pects such as the welfare of wild, farm, zoo and circus animals. Endangered species have special protection eg, the Lynx.

Now the Regional Government of Andalucia is going to make a step for‐ ward and have said that this wish to promote the protection, well‐being, and responsible ownership of animals is in its territory. The law will regulate movement, access to public spaces and transport and recreation areas. In this sense, it is possible for municipalities that have a beach in their municipal

DOG ADOPTION: I would recommend visiting one of the many shelters available in your area. area to make spaces suitable for dog access, also including access to estab‐ lishments and public transport. For eg, Fuengirola has been declared as a dog friendly municipality.

Also the treatment of pets in situa‐ tions of gender violence and pets of

homeless people, establishing that An‐ dalucian public administrations facili‐ tate those people who enter emergen‐ cy centres, shelters or sheltered flats.

They can do it with their pets, provided they are duly identified and registered in the corresponding registry.

In addition the regime of abandoned and lost animals is regulated, with new features such as the regulation of urban feline colonies, also creating a specific section of feline colonies in the Central Registry of Companion Animals.

Likewise, this draft law proposes

concrete measures that allow progress in reducing cases of abuse and neglect through education and awareness pro‐ grammes and sterilisation campaigns, while providing a solid and updated sanctioning regime that acts as a deter‐ rent.

The main points are that the animal that is to be adopted must be sterilised before it comes into season for the first time, unless a vet says otherwise. Pri‐ vate breeding or sale is to be made ille‐ gal and animals must be registered be‐ fore they can be rehomed.

If you are considering getting a dog here in Andalucia, I would recommend visiting one of the many shelters. In or‐ der to adopt my podenco and galgo, I had to enter into a contract to have them sterilised. As I said this this is just a proposal and if this does become law, I will let you know.

To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

Marisa Moreno Senior Lawyer at Just Law Solicitors and Consul for Denmark. Est. 1992 www.justlawsolicitors.com contact@justlawsolicitors.com

THURSDAY 13/05 FRIDAY 14/05

5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:40pm 9:00pm 10:00pm

Antiques Road Trip Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Dragons' Den Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop & Power BBC News at Ten Regional News and Weather

5:10pm 5:45pm 6:15pm 7:00pm

Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show A Question of Sport Enders Would I Lie to You? Have I Got News for You This Time with Alan Partridge BBC News at Ten

6:15pm 7:00pm

6:00pm

8:40pm 9:35pm 10:20pm 11:00pm 11:20pm

A Cup: The Road to Wembley BBC News BBC London News Weather MOTD Live: FA Cup Final I Can See Your Voice Pointless Celebrities Casualty BBC News Match of the Day

4:00pm 5:35pm 6:35pm 6:50pm 6:55pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:20pm 11:25pm

FilmCars 3 Dynasties BBC News BBC London News Weather Countryfile Antiques Roadshow Call the Midwife The Pursuit of Love BBC News BBC London News Weather

3:05pm

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Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show Panorama EastEnders Fawlty Towers The Pact BBC News at Ten Regional News and Weather Starstruck

6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 8:50pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:40pm 11:45pm

Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Holby City For Love or Money The Pact BBC News at Ten Regional News Weather Match of the Day

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Ultimate Cover Versions at the BBC Top of the Pops: 1990

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FEATURE

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EMBARRASSING EMAIL GAFFES 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

EMAILS can be irritating, can’t they? Especially the passive‐aggressive ones.

Ones like: ‘Not sure if you saw my last email.’

(Translation: I know you saw my last email, but you still haven’t done whatever was mentioned in it. I’m trying politely to ask you to do it this time.) Or: ‘Any updates on this?’ (Translation: I don’t really want an update, because I know what the situation is. Nothing has happened. I want you to do what you are supposed to do and then ‘update’ me that you have finally done it.)

‘Please advise.’ (Translation: What the **** is go‐ ing on?)

‘Passive‐aggressive’ is an interesting concept, isn’t it? It means a type of behaviour that avoids direct confrontation whilst being rude or sabotag‐ ing or undermining.

For example: ‘That’s an unusual jumper. Not many people can get away with that shade with your skin tone.’ ‘You’ve done very well, given your level of education.’ ‘It’s good that you have the time to... (insert activity here, such as exercise, paint, read...) despite your children/family’ imply‐

ing a neglect of your family whilst having time to indulge your own pleasures. And the classic ‘I’m not angry/upset; I’m just hurt.’

But have you ever written an email you regret sending?

When Radio 5 Live signed Andy Gray and Jonathan Pearce for the 2002 World Cup, the ex‐ ecutive editor of BBC sports news emailed a col‐ league: ‘I think they’re both c***s,’ copying in 50 staff, including Gray and Pearce. Oops!

In 2011 Gary Chaplin was forced to resign from a recruitment firm after he replied to an employ‐ ment inquiry that had also been sent to 4,000 other people, copying them all in. He told the in‐ dividual: ‘You are too stupid to get a job, even in banking.’ Oops, again!

But the original viral email blunder dates from 2000 when City lawyer Bradley Chait forwarded an explicit email from a Claire Swire to his col‐ leagues. It spread across the country and then globally. Mr Chait later said it was a hoax by col‐ leagues. Yes, right!

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’, ‘Retribution’, ‘Soul Stealer’, ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora‐johnson.net) available online as eBook (€0.99;£0.99), Apple Books, paperback and audiobook. All profits to Costa del Sol Cude‐ ca cancer charity.

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

13 - 19 May 2021

EWN 39

40 EWN

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13 - 19 May 2021

FEATURE

GO LOCAL

THE EUROWEEKLY NEWS is urging its readers to sup‐ port 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 superstores.

During this lockdown, we challenge you to redis‐ cover your local high streets, markets, butchers, greengrocers and all of the wonderfully quirky inde‐ pendent businesses in your area.

Due to the Covid‐19 pa nde m i c, you m a y ha v e to support many local businesses by ordering on‐ line and making use of any click and collect services they can operate if you are unable to get out due to health reasons or lock‐ down restrictions.

The joy of shopping local means that independent businesses can help sup ‐ port the local community.

Although it may be a eu‐ ro or two cheaper else‐ where or online, consider where your money is actu‐ ally going.

By shopping at an inde‐ pendent store you’re putting food on a local family’s table, and there is no better time than now to give back to your com‐ munity by making a small gesture and shopping in this way.

Many local stores sup‐ p o r t l o c a l c h a r i t i e s , s u p‐ port and sponsor local sports teams and in many cases the small indepen‐ dent stores are actually much more than just a

SPENDING LOCALLY: Will make a difference to the local economy.

small high street shop, they’re a family’s legacy, often passed down through numerous genera‐ tions and support not just the current owner but the generation before.

For those stores which

are new, that extra couple of euros spent there are supporting someone’s dream and ambition, and also the courage it took them to step out alone, which is no easy task. It takes quite a large chunk of money to set up an in‐ dependent store and com‐ pete with the multination‐ al and chains.

So be sure to pre‐order your meat from a local butcher and get your spuds from a local green‐ grocer, let us revive that community spirit and get to know our neighbours again.

You could also consider

purchasing 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 lo‐ cal studio, a hair cut at a local salon or an online study course for someone looking to change their ca‐ reer 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 glam‐ ourous gift perhaps pre‐ paying a family member’s

FEATURE

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13 - 19 May 2021

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

phone bill for the month would actually be a bet‐ ter gift. Helping people alleviate stress and wor‐ ry , give the gift of peace of mind through these difficult times.

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

Studies have shown that l o c a l b u s i n e s s e s r e c i r c u‐ late a greater share of ev‐ ery euro as they create lo‐ cally owned supply chains and invest in their employ‐ ees.

Data shows that local re‐ tailers return 52 per cent of their revenue back into the local economy, com‐ pared to just 14 per cent for national chain retail‐ ers.

Money circulating

To advertise here contact us on:

951 386 161 through the local econ‐ omy 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 restaurant, which in turn prepares the fresh pro‐

duce and sells it to local customers. The farmer pays its local employees and the restaurant uses revenue from sales to buy supplies from a neighbour‐ hood hardware store.

This example illustrates how the recirculation of money in the local econo‐

my leads to a stronger fi‐ nancial foundation for our neighbours and communi‐ ties.

Buying local also fuels new employment and job opportunities for people within our community.

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

A fantastic example of how to support your local community is with a Chari‐ ty Gift certificate, why not donate to your loved one’s favourite cause.

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

EWN 41

42 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

13 - 19 May 2021

FEATURE

What is holding you back?

ROBERT SHALLIS HAVE you ever had a wonderful idea or had a compulsion to achieve something amazing?

Something you think about day and night, and become excited to the point where you cannot sleep by imagining the outcome you de‐ sire?

You find it consuming your thoughts in a positive and fun way giving you renewed enthusiasm and a new sense of hope for the fu‐ ture.

You invest hours, weeks, months, sometimes even years of your time and energy only to find that the dream starts to fade away, your enthusiasm diminishes and a sense of so‐called reality knocking at your door saying to you ‘what were you thinking? Don’t be so sil‐ ly, you can’t do that.’

This is all too often the pattern for many of us resulting in that feeling of disappointment in our‐ selves, resentment and eventually thoughts of ‘what if, if only.’

So why is it that we spring out of

NEW IDEAS: Allow things to really start happening for you. the starting blocks, fired up, full of energy, excitement and enthusi‐ asm only to fall at the last few hur‐ dles and on many occasions, the first few?

When an idea is new and exciting it gives us Faith and belief making it feel so very real, achievable and

possible, but the problem is, that powerful enemy ‘doubt’ starts to edge its way in, gently reminding us of the potential difficulties that lie ahead in achieving your dream.

It builds that invisible wall in front of us stopping us from continuing any further. Confidence and the as‐

surance of the dream have all but disappeared.

So, what is the answer, how do you overcome the things that hold you back, how do you break through that invisible wall and fin‐ ish the race?

The key is ‘awareness.’ Once you become aware of your thoughts and feelings around certain situa‐ tions and events, you can then no‐ tice and catch yourself and switch back to where you need to be, change track and head back on the right path dismissing the usual ob‐ stacles always trying to get in your way which can be anything from a related financial challenge to a jeal‐ ous or overcautious friend outlining the many reasons why you should‐ n’t be following your desires.

There will always be reasons to hold you back but the key is to re‐ member that it is only yourself holding you back, everything else are just external distractions to help feed your doubts and fears until they prevail over that exciting initial belief you once had in your

dream and yourself.

Change is never easy as we’re not used to it and when the payoff for change feels overwhelming, we then tend to retreat.

The important thing to also re‐ member is that if you do fail at something, it simply means you have not reached the desired out‐ come, you are not a failure, if any‐ thing you are a success for trying as learning from one’s failings is the route to success.

So, notice what’s holding you back and know that you and only you can overcome that battle with‐ in. You can let life live you and let things happen to you or begin to live your life and allow things to re‐ ally start happening for you.

Rob Shallis www.robshallis.com

To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

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

44 EWN

13 - 19 May 2021

EMMA WALLSWORTH WELCOME to our new monthly article where you, your family and friends can all learn to make simple herbal creams, balms and salves in the comfort of your own home, whilst learn‐ ing about the individual health benefits of the selected ingredients. Our articles will include different eco friendly living tips, which can help us all reduce our carbon footprint.

A Little About Us Our family live on a 28 hectare farm which is situated in the desert region of Almeria. We have left 25 hectares fallow, in the hope to rein‐ troduce lost local wildlife from previously over‐ worked farmed land. The last four years have been a real eye opener to see just how quickly the land has grown and flourished when left.

Within four months the wildlife started to move back in. Every year we have had an increase in visiting birds including golden eagles, eagle owls, little owls, bee‐eaters, an array of different finches, hoopoes and many more, reptiles in‐ cluding snakes and lizards, insects and mam‐ mals including a large herd of wild boar of all sizes.

We live an eco friendly lifestyle which for us personally involves recycling waste which in‐ cludes plastics and metals/paper and glass, we have a number of compost heaps that dispose of any other waste which is then turned into compost and is then used on our land. We con‐ serve water and minimise the use of electric,

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Simply Natural FREE LEARNING with the Euro Weekly:

FEATURE

just turning off and unplugging sockets makes a huge difference. All this helps us as a family re‐ duce our carbon footprint.

We have 120 almond and olive trees, we use the organic oil in our home‐made products. Our family support a number of local charities by do‐ nating an amount to them from every single sale we make. So far we support AA Dog Res‐ cue, Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre and we reg‐ ularly donate to the Arboleas families in need charity. We buy our padded envelopes from our local Spanish post office (Correos) as an amount from each envelope bought goes to the WWF Reforestation project. Our family Facebook page ‘The Simply Natural Group’ is open to everyone.

Please follow our progress by scanning the Facebook QR code below and like our page. Sub‐ scribe to our YouTube Channel QR code below.

Happy Learning and stay safe everyone.

You can contact us at email: thesimplynaturalgroupltd@gmail.com.

Our next article will be on the 15th where you can learn how to make a soothing foot balm at home.

Face book The Simply Natural Group

YouTube Simply Back 2 Basics

HOME-MADE PRODUCTS: We have almond and olive trees and make organic oil.

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

www.euroweeklynews.com • 13 - 19 May 2021

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IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEK GO TO WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM FOR THIS WEEK’S ANSWERS

50 EWN

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13 - 19 May 2021

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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When we talk about copayments we refer to the amount that has to be paid by the policyholder each time he/she makes use of the med‐ ical services included in the policy.

This amount is independent of the premium paid by the insurance.

Health insurance with copay‐ ments Copayment is usually applied to GP and specialist consultations, di‐ agnostic tests and therapeutic acts and even to hospitalisations and emergencies. It can therefore re‐ sult in an important increase in the insurance cost.

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Choosing the right running shoes WITH the sun out, ever increasing numbers of people are getting their running shoes on and hitting the promenade. But if your trainers have seen better days, maybe

now is the time to upgrade and purchase a pair worthy of your feet. Here are some important features to look for in your next running shoe.

You should be able to slide your feet in and out of your shoe without too much difficulty, so

make sure the heel fits snugly, but isn’t too tight. Nor should the shoe’s upper feel tight, if it does then you need one with more space.

Within the forefront of the shoe, your foot should be able to move from side-to-side. If the

shoe is too narrow, you’ll feel pressure against the base of your little toe.

Remember, that as you run and build up a sweat your feet will swell. So make sure there’s a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe (not always the big toe) and the front end of the shoe. Be sure that your toes can

wriggle freely about.

It’s really important that the shoe feels right. So if you can, walk around the shop and get a feel for your new pair. Remember that any irritation you notice in the shop will be amplified once you hit the road. So take the time to be sure before you take the leap of buying your new pair.

NOT TOO TIGHT: Pick your running shoes for comfort.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

www.euroweeklynews.com

Suitable swim shorts

REGARDLESS of your body shape you’ll want to be body confident on the beach and feel comfortable in your swim shorts. So, whether you’re a man who’s tall and thin, short and stocky, or somewhere in between, this advice will help you choose the pair that’s best suited for you.

Tall men should choose swim shorts that end right above the knee. This length of short will draw attention away from your height and keep things in proportion. For shorter men, select a mid-thigh length as they will make your legs look longer.

If you’ve been working out, now is the time to really show off those muscles. Don’t be afraid to wear revealing shorts which are short and tight. After all, you didn’t spend all those hours in the gym for nothing.

Men who carry a few extra pounds around their midriff can feel less confident about their legs. If this is the case, select a longer pair of shorts as these can offer you some coverup. If you’re more confident, go for a mid-thigh fit.

At the other end of the spectrum, less well-built gentleman should opt for a pair of shorts with about a six-inch inseam.

Anything longer and you might look like you’re drowning in them.

For men of an average build, go for a pair of shorts which feature a narrower cut and a shorter leg. Selecting a pair that has an adjustable waistline will let you hide any hint of your love handles.

Once you’ve donned the right pair, get down to the beach and enjoy the sun.

STRUTTING YOUR STUFF: Get the right pair for the beach.

13 - 19 May 2021

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52 EWN

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13 - 19 May 2021

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Frictionless What does ‘recovery’ look like? thighs on you MS BIPOLAR

AS things steam up outside, now is the time of year to fold your tights away into the bottom drawer until autumn.

However, with the donning of summer dresses and the baring of legs, the heat of the sun can cause some unwelcome and unpleasant chaffing.

This rubbing of skin-on-skin is often unavoidable as most women’s inner thighs do touch.

However, it can be painful so remedies must be found to alleviate any discomfort. Some swear by Vaseline but a cheap and cheerful solution is to use roll-on deodorant. Yes, the very same one you have at home and use for your underarms.

Of course, the fact that roll-on deodorant will stop you from sweating is no great news. But, this deodorant will also act as a lubricant, and will even continue to work once it’s dry.

Save your tired legs from chaffing, allowing you to enjoy your fashion to the full.

UP AND DOWN WITH BALANCE UNEDITED

NO SWEAT: Use some roll-on deodorant to lubricate your thighs.

I’D like to say I’m in recovery from my bipolar disorder. I’m stable, I have a job, I take care of my family and I’m able to function somewhat successfully in this world, I know this won’t last forever, therefore I am going to hold on to every little bit of happiness and peace I can get.

What does recovery look like? It looks like you or me, to be honest. It looks like an average Joe going to work each day. It looks like your typical mama cooking dinner for her daughter.

It also looks like doctor visits every month and lots of pills. It looks like going out with friends and catching yourself smiling and laughing, and surprising yourself that you are actually enjoying yourself.

It’s making plans and not feeling daunted by them.

In the midst of this recovery, I’ve been writing this column over the last

18 months, and have blogged my journey to where I am now. I believe in being authentic and real, and telling the real story, no matter how ugly I think it is.

I’ve been on this journey for 10 years now and I know people look up to me for how much I’ve overcome. People need to see the highs of mental ill-

ness just as much as they need to know and understand the dips.

I feel I can give hope to others, I am living proof that it is possible to find some happiness, a breathing space to enjoy the little things in life.

I may fall again, but I know I can rise as I regain control of my internal demons, and take control once again.

But for now, I am just going to enjoy being me, with this I’d like to say I’m having a break from being Ms Bipolar, this isn’t forever, but for NOW! I can’t thank you all enough for taking the time to read my columns, to write your lovely letters of encouragement and for sharing your stories with me. Please know that you can still write to me on Facebook on @ Mswillowbipolar should you feel like you need any guidance.

Thank you to the EWN team for giving me the opportunity to tell my story and being so supportive on my journey!

You will see me again!

Love always, Ms Bipolar x

msbipolar@euroweeklynews.com

13 - 19 May 2021 • www.euroweeklynews.com

SPONSORED BY

Caring for your Covid Puppy DID you buy or rescue a puppy during the Covid lockdown? Many pet lovers did. So now you need to find sitters to care for your pup while you are away this holiday.

It is worth remembering that if you are planning a trip later this year. Perhaps you are already making plans for a post pandemic get away. Even if you are plan‐ ning just a short trip you’ll know that you simply can’t travel with some pets. Ma‐ ture pets may benefit from staying be‐ hind so they can follow their routines at home. So, plan ahead.

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

Patch loves his routine daily walks. plans for this year’s holiday Covid permit‐ ting Do you need a pet‐sitter in 2021? Then get started right now.

How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suit‐ able sitters. Join our network for a small

annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House‐sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets.

Trustpilot Testimonials ‐ 4.8 / 5 Excel‐ lent rating (New Trustpilot rating scale) Here’s what members have said about us ‐ HouseSitMatch found us a perfect house‐sitter…

HouseSitMatch found us a perfect hous‐ esitter while we were away in Canada and we were delighted with the care and at‐ tention that HouseSitMatch took in help‐ ing us find the right person.

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

Do you need a house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20 per cent discount using coupon code P2020 - an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com.

REPTILES can make excellent pets but can be expensive and difficult to care for.

Some reptiles can be unsuit‐ able for novices as they have very specific dietary and environmental needs, not to mention some can grow to an unmanageable size.

There are however, some rep‐ tiles that are suitable for begin‐ ners, but they still require a signifi‐ cant investment in equipment.

Thorough research before de‐ ciding on one of these pets and getting your enclosure set up be‐ forehand is essential.

The Iguana is not a great choice due to their size, tendency to be‐ come aggressive at maturity and their specific dietary and environ‐ mental needs. However, Leopard Geckos are considered to be ideal for the novice as they are relative‐ ly small and easy to care for.

Reptiles for beginners With snakes, the biggest obsta‐ cle for many owners is their di‐ etary needs. Owners must be will‐ ing to feed whole prey such as mice or rats. They do have the ad‐ vantage of often only needing to be fed once a week or less so they can easily be left on their own for a few days without a pet‐sitter.

Corn snakes and Ball pythons

are usually easy to care for and docile so make an ideal choice.

However, Ball pythons have a rep‐ utation for refusing to eat so a feeding demon may be required.

Turtles are another option but it can be very challenging to meet the housing and environmental needs of most turtles (aquatic tur‐ tles and tortoises).

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PETS

Advertising Feature

Urinary problems in dogs and cats HERE are some signs that may lead you to think that your dog or cat has a urinary tract prob‐ lem: Change in urine colour and in‐ creased turbidity Presence of blood in urine Strong smell of urine Straining or pain when urinat‐ ing He urinates at home or in the case of the cat outside the litter box Needs to be let out more often (Increased amount or frequency of urination) Licking the vulva or penis Fever Lethargy Higher water consumption.

Vomiting Changes in appetite Weight loss What Causes Urinary Tract Problems in Dogs?

There are many causes of low‐ er urinary tract problems, such as: Inflammation or infection of

the bladder or kidneys Presence of stones, crystals, or cellular debris in the bladder or urethra Trauma, congenital anomalies or cancer in the kidneys, ureter, bladder or urethra.

Prostate disease Spinal cord abnormalities Diagnosing urinary tract prob‐ lems requires your veterinarian to do a physical exam that includes checking the kidneys and bladder.

They will also likely perform a uri‐ nalysis. A urine culture, blood tests, ultrasound, or X‐rays may also be necessary, depending on findings. Sometimes it is even necessary to perform a CT scan for more complex pathologies.

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54 EWN

13 - 19 May 2021

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SOCIAL SCENE

Children’s Saturday Programmes Announced For La Lonja de Orihuela THE councillor for Culture and Youth of the Orihuela City Council, Mar Ezcurra, has announced the children’s programming that is scheduled to take place every Saturday until June 26 at the La Lonja de Orihuela Cultural Centre and also at the Alameda del Mar Civic Centre in Orihuela Costa.

The councillor explained that “It is about offering theatres, puppets, storytelling, concerts to the boys and girls of the municipality so that on Saturday mornings they can have a recreational and cultural plan.”

All activities at the Cultural Centre are free and operate with a reduced capacity, in strict compliance with the current Covid measures. See below for the itinerary on offer.

“The programme begins on Saturday May 15 and will run until June 26 and includes, in addition to theatres, puppets and storytelling, a didactic concert

ACTIVITIES: All about theatres, puppets and storytelling. that will offer ‘Camerata Antigua’, from the Professional Conservatory of Music of Orihuela, which will tell the brief history of the instruments and will perform the musical stories ‘In a Persian market’ and ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, as well as various children’s songs. So the little ones will be able to familiarise themselves with music,” said the councillor for Culture and Youth.

Children’s activities will

begin at 11am In Orihuela Costa and at 12am in Orihuela or can be consulted on the website culturaorihuela. com and are also available on the social networks of the Department Of Culture And Youth.

La Lonja is a multi-use cultural centre located in the heart of Orihuela City and was first built as a covered marketplace in 1926. It was designed by local architect, Severiano Sánchez Ballesta.

SOCIAL SCENE

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Advertising Feature

ST GEORGE HAS ARRIVED IN CATRAL! TREV and Debbie Massey have been in the hospitality industry for a number years and have a wealth of knowl‐ edge and experience. They moved to Catral three years ago opening the Dog & Firkin and have now recently opened the St George Sports Café & Lounge Bar. The St George opened its doors last week and is a lively Sports Café & Lounge Bar showing a huge variety of sports from around the world on brand new multi screens and offering bar snacks.

The Dog & Firkin is now in its third year and is going from strength to strength.

The traditional country pub has a lovely relaxed atmo‐ sphere with its warm and

THE DOG & FIRKIN: A traditional country pub. cosy feel where you can en‐ joy traditional pub food such as Sunday lunch, home‐made specials and pies with an out‐ side covered terrace for that al fresco feeling.

Both the Dog & Firkin and the St George have a great choice of traditional cask ales, local and international lagers, ciders and prosecco,

all on draught, bringing even more choice to Catral. They are also very proud to sup‐ port a number of local chari‐ ties and events within the community.

Watch this space as Trev and Debbie will soon be adding the Crafty Cod, a Fish & Chip Café to their Firkin Leisure Group.

The St. George, Catral - Tel: 865 758 517 The Dog & Firkin, Catral - Tel: 865 775 382

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13 - 19 May 2021

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EWN 59

CLASSIFIEDS ARCHITECT

attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aa-costablanca. org (93323)

BUILDING SERVICES J & J PAINTERS. Inside outside - clean - fast low cost. Torrevieja Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (290728)

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

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

CHARITY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life – damaging everything that is important to you. Englishspeaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Anyone wishing to

CARS WANTED

CHARITY

CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@hotmail. com (95475) CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462) CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.givinglight.com.(10006) FREEMASONRY. Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact Harry Palmer Membership Committee. Tel: 966 712 326 or email: 2palmers.quesada@gmail. com (95477) www.euroweeklynews.com

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HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area.

Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja. com. We also have a 24hour Emergency helpline which is available to both members and nonmembers on 966 723 733 (95456) INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday morning Sevices at 10am and 11:30am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorre vieja.org (95476) LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English speaking church.

For more information see our website www.lasiestae vangelicalchurch.org (10005) PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459) PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www.pilar church.org Reg No: 2009SG/A (95463) ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH 1359. The association supports the welfare needs of ex-members of the RAF and their dependents. Due to ongoing covid-19 restrictions we cannot hold General Meetings at the moment. In normal times we provide a social hub for members and hold lunches every month.

To fund Welfare we raise money through the Wings Appeal. To find out more contact Chairman Tony at tony.elaine.cuenta@gmail .com. For Welfare contact Andy on 0034 711 00 86 84.

13 - 19 May 2021 • www.euroweeklynews.com SPONSORED BY

For general information on RAFA visit www.rafa.org.uk.

(238593) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Why not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@ gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branches.britishle gion.org.uk/branches/ori huela-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier.

More info can be found on branch website www.ori huelacostarbl.co.uk. (95457) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granala cant.secretary@rbl.commu nity.

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details Hon Sec 692 938 664. (10004) ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman Paul Edwards on 618 644 934, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966 716 274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 921 996. (95455) STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers. With rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC

therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 654 801 260 or email strokesupport group@hotmail.com, website: torreviejastrokesup port.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473) THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.acacostablanca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465) THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461) THE BAKER Foundation Spiritual Centre Playa Flamenca. Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual centre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458) THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information. (253807) THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar will be closed for the immediate future due to Covid-19. Identification Fiscal G54713789 (95454)

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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 MAN & Van, small removals, shopping/collections. Painting, Cleaning / Window Services available.

Santa Pola, Gran Alacant, El Altet & La Marina areas. No job too small. Affordable & reliable. Tel 711 073 074 (291953)

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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)

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PET CHARITY EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorse care.net www.easyhorse care.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706) GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community. Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, de-flead. volunteers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709) P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED. By fostering an abandoned dog or spending a few hours each week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals. Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our website: www.pepaspain.com (95708) SPAMA GANDIA SHELTER. Dog and cat rescue registered charity, La Safor area.

500 animals awaiting rehoming. Phone Gail 962 896 118. Visit our website for directions. www.spama.org and view our new blog at w w w . s p a m a - s a f o r. blog.com.es PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM (95707)

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13 - 19 May 2021

MOTORING

The Best-Sellers In Europe Eight High-End Sports Cars TWO car models built in facto‐ ries in mainland Spain, were both in the list of the top‐10 best‐selling cars in Europe, up until March 2021, according to data from Jato Dynamics, namely the Opel Corsa and Peugeot 2008.

The undisputed leader, as

usual, was the trusty Volkswa‐ gen Golf, which sold 26,265 units, an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year, with the Peugeot 208 in second place, selling 25,429 units, up 169 per cent.

It has to be mentioned that during the corresponding peri‐

od of 2020, the pandemic had already taken hold, which will explain why these new per‐ centage increases have obvi‐ ously risen so dramatically.

The Spanish‐built Opel Cor‐ sa, assembled at the Stellantis group’s Zaragoza plant, was third, selling 24,540 units, an increase of 106 per cent, while the Tesla Model 3 electric car was in fourth, having sold 23,755 units, up by 55 per cent, showing an upward trend in the sale of electric cars.

In fifth came the Toyota Yaris with 23,033 units, up 91 per cent, and the Volkswagen T‐Roc selling 21,772 units in sixth position, followed by the Citroën C3, in seventh with 21,426 units, increasing by 223 per cent, and the Renault Clio with 21,219 units, up by 59 per cent in eighth place.

The Peugeot 2008, which is produced at the company’s Vi‐ go factory was ninth, selling 20,960 units, increasing by 271 per cent, and rounding out the top 10 was the Fiat 500, with 20,832 sales, up 159 per cent, as reported by mon‐ cloa.com.

I ALWAYS catch my breath when I see a high‐end sports car driving by, that unmis‐ takable roar of a high‐pow‐ ered engine, the gleaming paintwork, the sleek shape, it’s just so captivating.

Many of course are a lim‐ ited edition, which have to be ordered well in advance, but most of us are realistic and know we will never be able to own one of these cars, unless we have that lucky lottery ticket!

Here are the top eight most expensive cars in the world right now.

No1. Bugatti La Voiture Noire: Priced at €16.7m (£14.4m), it was built as a tribute to the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic.

No2. Rolls Royce Sweptail: This Rolls Royce is priced at €13m (£11.2m) and was a personal order from a client, and took four years to build, so it is the only one of its kind in the world.

No3. Lamborghini Veneno Roadster: The most exclu‐ sive model of Lamborghini, made to celebrate the 50th

TOP PRICE: The Bugatti La Voiture Noire. anniversary, comes in at a cool €7.6m (£6.5m).

No4. Bugatti Divo: €5m (£4.3m) is another limited edition, with only 40 ever made.

No5. Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita: A car built from car‐ bon fibre, which is not easy, hence the reason only two were ever made by the Swedish company, costing €4.5m (£3.9m) each.

No6. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+: Capable of reaching 490kph (304mph), this is one of the fastest cars on the planet, and comes

with a price of €3.5m (£3.02m).

No7. Aston Martin Valkyrie: Only 150 of these cars were built, in collabora‐ tion with Red Bull Racing, and were all sold in ad‐ vance, at a price of €3.4m (£2.93m).

No8. Lamborghini Sián: At a price of €3.3m (£2.84m), only 63 of this completely modifiable hybrid sports car were made. The name ‘Sián’ translates as ‘flash of light‐ ning’.

Anyway, I am just off to buy my lottery ticket!

MOTORING

www.euroweeklynews.com

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack MG was an iconic British car, but in terms of new models is now an iconic British badge.

Taken from the ashes of the Rover Group the Chinese car maker SAIC owns MG and pro‐ duces a small range of cars and SUVs in petrol, hybrid and all‐ electric.

The main models are SUVs, understandable given their popularity, and just two cars, one of which is the MG3 super‐ mini.

This five‐door hatchback is a smart and equipment laden model at, by today’s standards, a bargain price. The two mod‐ els start from €14,166 (£12,300) with standard equip‐ ment including air condition‐ ing, power windows, DAB sound system with Apple

An endearing car.

13 - 19 May 2021

EWN 63

MG3 - a budget car that’s fun!

Car Play, Bluetooth, remote steering wheel controls, eight‐ inch colour touchscreen, hill hold and auto door locking.

The higher trim version at €15,663 (£13,600) adds naviga‐ tion, cruise control, parking sensors and sports seats.

The Achilles heel of the MG3 is its engine, a four‐ cylinder, 1.5‐litre petrol unit that is best described as old school technology. Mated to a manual five‐speed gearbox the combination is adequate, but lacks sufficient power and at cruising speed you always find yourself going for a sixth

gear that isn’t there.

At 70mph the MG sits at around 3,200 rpm, which makes things a tad busy where a more relaxed gearing pattern would help. The need to work the engine also doesn’t help the economy, my mainly local driving week saw a 7.2 l/100km (39mpg) average.

On cross country roads the MG comes alive with decent steering and a slightly firm suspension set‐up that keeps the car sitting quite flat through energetic cornering.

The power is at the higher end of the engine’s rev range and with a nice g e a r

change makes it a fun drive.

The nearest equivalent Ford Fiesta will set you back an addi‐ tional €5,407 (£4,695), that’s a substantial difference. Of course, the Fiesta will depreci‐ ate less, most likely prove more durable on the quality

front and drive better.

Keep the MG for a longer time though and allied to that cheaper price tag it makes for an appealing proposition.

Despite some misgivings the MG is an endearing car, it han‐ dles well, is good fun and very

well priced. It’s comfortable with a good driving position and for those on a budget the cheapest way to get a new car that is a bit different, to the normal mass of budget cars, and actually doesn’t look like a budget model.

SPORT

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Lewis Hamilton Wins LEWIS HAMILTON won the Spanish Grand Prix on Sun‐ day May 9, at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, for the seven‐time champion to claim a record‐equalling fifth win in a row, extending his lead over Max Verstappen to 14 points, after an almighty battle with the Dutchman, who had to be content with second place in the end.

Hamilton had started the race on pole, alongside the Dutchman, but as the light turned green, it was Ver‐ stappen who got the drop on the Brit, firing his Red Bull down the inside of Hamilton’s Mercedes, forc‐ ing him to go wide, and roar‐ ing off in the lead on Turn One, and by the end of the first lap he was al‐

ready 1.7 seconds ahead.

Fortune favoured Hamil‐ ton when Yuki Tsunoda’s Al‐ phaTauri seemed to simply stop at Turn 10 for no rea‐ son, and the safety car came out until the race got going again on Lap 9, where Ver‐ stappen

again left the rest of the field standing as he took off, as reported by skysports.com.

Pit stops played a big part in the race, and with a set of fresh tyres, the Brit closed Verstappen down until he pounced on Lap 60, charging up to the Red Bull with DRS and braking late into Turn One to regain the lead, tak‐ ing the chequered flag al‐ most 16 seconds clear of the young Dutchman, with Valt‐ teri Bottas of Finland in third, and France’s Charles LeClerc in fourth.

The seven-time champion.

UEFA Europa League 2021 Final

Final to be held on May 26.

VILLARREAL, the ‘unfancied’ team from Spain’s La Liga have realised their European dream and reached the final of the 2021 UEFA Europa League, playing out a 0‐0 draw against Arsenal, at the Emi‐ rates stadium in London, on Thursday May 6, to win 2‐1 on aggregate.

Arsenal’s worst‐case scenario was that they need‐ ed one goal to draw level on aggregate and take the match to extra time, but it was never going to be, as the line of yellow shirts held solid at the back for the Spaniards, and it looked unlikely that the Gunners could hit the net anyway, the closest coming from a shot that hit the post from Pierre‐Emerick Aubameyang. Even with the game running away from

them, Mikel Arteta’s men simply didn’t look up for the fight, apart from Nicolas Pepe and Emile Smith Rowe firing efforts wide early in the second half, and an Aubameyang header that hit the post again towards the end. This result looks like ending Arsenal’s unbro‐ ken run of 25 seasons in European football, and com‐ ing at the hands of Unai Emery, the manager who they sacked in 2019, it must feel terrible for those in the halls of power at the Emirates.

With the other semi‐final ending in an 8‐5 aggre‐ gate win for Manchester United over Serie A club Ro‐ ma, Villarreal can look forward to one last European exploit in the final in the fabulous Stadion Miejski in Gdańsk, Poland, on Wednesday, May 26.