Euro Weekly News - Costa Blanca North 16 - 22 December 2021 Issue 1902

THE BEST FINANCE NEWS ON PAGES 38 - 41 Issue No. 1902

16 - 22 Dec 2021

No charge for charging LA NUCIA’S six new charging stations for electric vehicles will bring the municipality’s total up to 26.

The regional government’s Valencian Institute of Busi‐ ness Competitiveness (IVACE) provided a €27,492 subsidy towards the €34,365 cost, re‐ vealed La Nucia’s mayor Bernabe Cano.

The charging stations, which are currently being installed at the Coloma ad‐ ministrative office in Calle Barbaados and the Centro Social Nou Espai in Calle Serra d’Aitana, are expect‐ ed to be ready by Christ‐ mas.

So far this year, vehicles have recharged on 1,964 oc‐ casions at the existing 20 sta‐ tions, Cano said.

Throughout 2019, 2020 and 2021 there has been no charge for recharging, the mayor added, to encourage La Nucia residents to switch to electric cars and motorcy‐ cles, the mayor added.

COSTA BLANCA NORTH • WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

HARLEY SANTAS BRING SMILES

Photo credit: Lucy Grande

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FREE SPIRITS: Laden with gifts and goodies for children in local care homes.

FREE • GRATIS

Three Kings go missing MELCHOR, Gaspar and Baltasar have disappeared from the Nativity scene at the Pare Pere chapel in Denia.

Fr Enrique Oltra who is in charge of the chapel was sur‐ prised at the theft.

“Our Crib is very simple and modest,” he told the local Spanish media. “It is a pity that they should have left us without the Three Wise Men as Christmas approaches.”

The priest suggested that the theft must have taken place on Monday last week when the chapel was open most of the day.

“All of the Crib figures were present when I closed the chapel on the Sunday,” he recalled.

Fr Oltra has been prominent in moves to beatify Fray Pe‐ dro Esteve (1583‐1658), known as Pare Pere (Father Pedro), a Franciscan hermit who spent his last years in a small stone hut that adjoins the chapel.

Pare Pere is regarded with affection and veneration in Denia and many of the devout go to the chapel to pray, Fr Olta explained, while it is also a resting place for hikers in the Montgo national park.

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Christmas gifts for children in care AS promised, the Free Spirits Bikers descended on Sunday December 12 on Moraira’s American Bike Rental and Bar. The Harley‐Davidson enthusiasts group had exchanged their leathers for Santa Claus costumes and arrived laden with Christmas gifts and goodies for children in Salud y Co‐ munidad care homes (formerly Emaus).

These will be added to the Christmas Bags that the Make a Smile Chari‐ ty collects each year for the children, ensuring that they will not be left out when Santa Claus comes calling.

Lucy Grande, Make a Smile’s president, com‐ mented that she was asked by a very con‐ cerned young lady who had recently arrived at a

Salud y Comunidad cen‐ tre, “Now that I’m here, does Santa know where I am?”

As Lucy pointed out, the Free Spirits and all of Make a Smile’s sup‐ porters are making very sure that Santa will know exactly where to find her.

The red‐robed gentle‐ man will also have a good idea of what she and all the other chil‐ dren would like as they have written their Christmas wish‐lists and Make a Smile is also ask‐ ing for Amazon vouch‐ ers to purchase this year’s presents.

For more information about this Calpe‐based charity or to donate a Christmas Bag or Ama‐ zon voucher, visit the Make a Smile Facebook page.

Carols in Campello CAMPELLO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY (Vida y Fa‐ milia) hold their Christ‐ mas Carol Service on Sunday, December 19 at 11am.

This will be a joint service in English and Spanish at the centre in Calle San Bartolome, 35.

“With the help of the Alicante City Food Bank, our own efforts and through generous peo‐ ple donating money and food, we are providing food for 30 families ‐ more than 100 people ‐ who are in desperate need,” said Caroline Naylor, Campello Chris‐ tian Community’s secre‐ tary.

The Charity Shop, Bruised but not Broken, in Calle San Bartolome 55 has also been col‐ lecting food to supple‐ ment the Christmas gifts to these families, she explained.

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NIBS EXTRA EU bounty FINESTRAT is one of 11 Va‐ lencian Community munici‐ palities that will receive cash from the EU’s Next Generation fund. Local mayor Juanfran Perez Llor‐ ca revealed that the town hall will use the €3 million grant to improve accessibili‐ ty and sustainability, with plans including a lift up to the Castell.

Bridge doubts REGIONAL rail operator FGV awarded a €347,735 contract to specialists who will inspect the viaducts over the Mascarat ravine and the River Algar in Altea to decide whether to reha‐ bilitate or replace them.

Built in 1915 and 1913, nei‐ ther can take the weight of the new electro‐diesel trains.

Cyber-safe BENIDORM Town Hall will spend €262,081 financed by the Territorial Policies Min‐ istry on protecting munici‐ pal computers and other devices from cyberattack.

This involves providing all systems with different types of software that will guarantee the safety of all infrastructure, communica‐ tions and digital services and can respond to cy‐ berthreats.

Popular race THE Marina de Denia will be revealing details of the ninth edition of the Carrera Roscon de Reye, which it or‐ ganises each year, at 12.30pm on December 20.

The five‐kilometre route through the port and prom‐ enade, will, as always, be on the flat and suitable for all ages.

Tit for tat THE Ciudadanos party in Campello will vote for the town hall’s 2022 Budget on condition that it builds a new park to the north of the municipality. This could be financed with a €1.2 mil‐ lion allocation paid by Con‐ sorcio Mare for use of the Les Canyades landfill site.

16 - 22 December 2021

Christmas food campaign SPECSAVERS ÓPTICAS stores in the north of Costa Blanca will be collecting food throughout December for the Ali‐ cante Food Bank. The stores in Javea, Calpe and Benidorm are supporting this worthy cause to help them meet an in‐ crease in demand since the pandemic and ensure that no one in the Alicante Province goes hungry this Christmas.

The Alicante Food Bank (Fundación Banco de Alimentos de Alicante) is cur‐ rently supporting almost 45,000 people and distributing food via 186 charitable organisations, to ensure it reaches those who need it most. Prior to the pandemic they were supporting 35,000 people and at the very peak of the Covid‐19 crisis this number hit 50,000. Thankfully it has since seen a slight dip in demand, but it is not dropping as fast as they would like,

SPECSAVERS: Collecting food. so it is an ongoing challenge to ensure everyone has the food they need.

Specsavers Ópticas in Javea, Calpe and Benidorm have collectively decided to

choose this charity to collect for during the season of goodwill, to boost the stocks and ensure that vulnerable peo‐ ple will have enough to eat over Christ‐ mas and beyond. There will be food col‐ lection boxes in store throughout December.

Donations should be non‐perishable food items, toiletries and household products which are essential day‐to‐day items that no one should be without.

The items that are particularly in de‐ mand are oil, milk, rice, drinking choco‐ late, tinned fish and soups.

Find your nearest store and their opening hours on the website www.specsavers.es or find out more about the food bank and the excellent work they are doing by visiting www.bancodealimentosalicante.org.

Vaccination for non-residents ALFAZ is simplifying Covid vaccination for foreign residents.

The town hall’s Health and Other Nationalities departments recently issued information aimed directly at non‐Spanish resi‐ dents who have not yet been vaccinated but are registered on the municipal Padron.

They should first apply for a SIP health card at either of the health centres in Alfaz or Albir between 12 noon and 2pm.

In order to obtain the health card, they should bring a copy of

their Padron certificate and are advised to arrive with an inter‐ preter if they are unable to communicate clearly in Spanish or Valenciano. Once they have received the SIP card, they should wait for a month before returning to their health centre to re‐ quest an appointment for their vaccination. Jabs will be admin‐ istered in line with established procedures based on the appli‐ cants’ age group and health condition, not according to the order in which the vaccination request was made.

Chilly weather for anglers THE Teulada‐Moraira Fishing Club fished section B3 of the River Jucar for their latest Winter League match. The nine contestants had a chilly and windy start with a tem‐ perature of eight degrees

which failed to rise above 14 degrees throughout the day.

“The wind‐chill factor made it feel like six degrees and the fishing was a bit sparse with four of the anglers catching only one fish each,” the club

secretary Jeff Richards said.

Graham Sewell’s 23.5 kilos from Peg 1 was the best total weight of the day, with sec‐ ond best going to Ray Turvey (10.95 kilos). Mr O’s was the only dry net and overall it was

€50 Shopping vouchers ALL Benidorm residents who are over 18 and registered on the municipal Padron are eligible for €50 in shopping vouchers.

Toni Perez, Benidorm’s mayor explained that BenidormTeDaMas (Benidorm Gives You More) was the result of talking and listening to local businesses. “The scheme will contribute towards revitalising the town, while creating economic activity and employment,” Perez said, adding that the town hall has invested €3.09 billion in the initiative which should have an estimated repercussion of at least €6.2 million.

All over 18s whose names appear on the Padron will be able to download five €10 vouch‐

ers to be spent before December 31. Each voucher can be used as a discount on an outlay of €20 or more in participating shops or busi‐ nesses. To obtain the full €50 discount, it would be necessary to spend €100, the mayor said.

Speaking just before the weekend, Perez ex‐ plained the vouchers will be accessed via an app and specific web page provided by the town hall, together with a list of participating businesses.

“We shall be providing more information via the town hall’s official channels and the media with details of the starting date as well as the app for downloading the vouchers, available in Play Store and Apple Store,” the mayor said.

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good day with a total weight of 57 kilos and 24 fish, several of which weighed more than four kilos.

This was the last match un‐ til after Christmas, with the next match scheduled for Jan‐ uary 12, all being well with Covid rules.

For further information contact Frank Poveyon 966 490 338 and frank.povey@ btopenworld.com) or call Ray Craig on 966 492 083.

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Disco discord DENIA residents want the Generalitat to revoke the licence of a dis‐ cotheque located in Calle Marques de Campo.

They are currently col‐ lecting signatures which will be attached to the document that the town hall submits to the re‐ gional government.

Those living near the disco complained of the ‘continual irritants’ they must put up with, owing to the agglomeration of people and frequent fights during the early hours of the morning.

They are now calling for the establishment to change its activities and reduce its opening hours.

According to the local Spanish media, the disco management intends to introduce measures that have now been agreed with Javier Scotto, De‐ nia’s Public Safety coun‐ cillor, and the Local Po‐ lice chief, Jose Martinez Espasa.

This includes assigning private security guards, who will be in direct con‐ tact with the police, to the section of Marques de Campo between Calle Carlos Senti and Candida Carbonell.

The disco manage‐ ment shared the resi‐ dents’ worries, a spokesman said, and was working with the town hall and police for a solution to the situation, as they were also ad‐ versely affected by the situation.

and finally...

NORWEGIAN gifts for Alfaz. Members of the Norwegian volunteer group Frivilligsentralen Costa Blanca Nord are mak‐ ing sure that all local children receive Christmas presents.

They have spent €500 ‐ half of which they raised through coffee afternoons and selling lottery tickets ‐ on buying the gifts that will be passed on to Alfaz’s Voluntariado Social vol‐ unteers who run the local Food Bank.

Alfaz’s Residents’ councillor Martine Mertens recently visit‐ ed Frivilligsentralen members to thank them for their collabo‐ ration and to help wrap the presents. The remaining €500 will be used to buy heaters and other essentials.

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16 - 22 December 2021

Worth a try TREVOR SCOTT first contacted the Euro Weekly News in June 2019, describing his struggle to recover 110‐sqm of his land.

Sixteen years earlier a neigh‐ bour had usurped the 15‐metre strip to build a fence separating their properties, Trevor main‐ tained. He eventually lost a De‐ nia court case whose proceed‐ ings he barely understood and was ordered to pay €8,000 to his neighbour.

Earlier this year we received a jubilant phone call to say Calpe Town Hall had finally agreed the land was Trevor’s and his lawyer believed the Alicante High Court would reverse the original ruling.

Instead, Trevor later rang the Eu‐ ro Weekly News to tell us he had decided not to go ahead.

“Enough is enough,” he said.

So we were surprised when Trevor contacted us last week, revealing that he was taking one final long‐shot, this time with a different approach.

He recently bought what he was told was a Roman wheel at a local rastro, he said. Aware of Calpe Town Hall’s interest in Ro‐ man artefacts and the ongoing excavations at the Baños de la Reina site near the seafront, he has decided to donate the wheel to the local government in ex‐ change for his land.

Trevor admits he has no docu‐ ments certifying the wheel’s provenance or if it is actually Ro‐ man. Nor does he know if the town hall would even accept it.

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Trevor declared. “It’s worth a try.”

NEWS

Cockroach outbreak ON December 10, the trade union CSIF, demanded the management team in Clinico Valencia invest more in the cleaning, disinfection and prevention of infestations following another out‐ break of cockroaches. It is understood that this is not the first time an out‐ break has occurred this year.

Staff in the hospital have apparently reported that they have seen the in‐ sects in the corridor between Emergen‐ cy and Observation B, in front of the waiting room for the radiology service.

The area is believed to be near the reha‐ bilitation section, an area that is very busy with hundreds of people passing

Insects spotted in local hospital.

through the area daily. It is thought the cockroaches came out of the sinks in‐ stalled near the switchboard and moved around the hospital from there.

Pedalling for points in new scheme FINESTRAT and Benidorm are participating in Ciclogreen, a pi‐ lot scheme promoting sustainable travel for residents and tourists.Their town halls are collaborating with the initiative, together with water companies Hidraqua, its parent company Agbar Group and Dinapsis.

Dinapsis is a digital operations centre that integrates water, environment and environmental health services for the territo‐ ries where it is present. Ciclogreen was a prizewinner in the Di‐ napsis Open Challenge, with its app to record sustainable jour‐ neys, for which they accumulate points for discounts and

reductions in shops and businesses participating in the scheme.

The app ties in with the post‐Christmas sales in January and continues until the end of February. Not only consumers bene‐ fit, as the scheme will also provide indispensable information for both town halls when planning their mobility strategies.

Both Benidorm’s Innovation councillor Aida Garcia Mayor and Donna Plummer, Finestrat’s Business and Tourism councillor, welcomed the Ciclogreen scheme. Benidorm now has 110 kilometres of cycle lanes, said Innovation councillor Aida Gar‐ cia Mayor.

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16 - 22 December 2021

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Barbarians Rugby weekend Earthquake hits Granada

THE Barbarians S16 lost heavily to a very good La Vila side at the weekend but take positives from the match.

Facing a much bigger group of young men, the Barbar‐ ians mixed team comprising five ladies, played their hearts out in a physical en‐ counter.

All the players need to be content that they did as much as they could but were basically just outplayed and overrun. A great learning ex‐ perience for everyone con‐ cerned and which helps the growth of these players in months to come.

Sunday saw the seniors take on Castellon in another bruising encounter in Denia.

The BaBas made some ele‐ mentary handling errors ear‐ ly on which gifted the oppos‐

SENIORS: Took on Castellon in a bruising encounter. ing team to an early three points. Both teams traded tries and penalties from then on and it was only in the last 20 minutes the Barbarians pulled away to win a very tight match 24‐18. The win keeps the BaBas at the top of the table, but know they need to work hard on some key aspects of their game.

The last game of 2021 for the S16s is away to Tatami on December 18 and for the seniors it’s away to Orihuela

on the 19th. Please see our website www.barbarians marinaalta.com for more in‐ fo.

If you are interested in playing rugby on the Marina Alta, the Barbarians Rugby Club based in Denia, run S14 and S16 academy teams and a senior team which plays in the local Valencia league.

For more information call Mac on 609 646 349 (English) or Santi 676 612 357 (Span‐ ish). Thank You.

Booster jab extension SPAIN is to consider extending its booster jab rollout to people aged between 50 and 59 years old. Now, the country is offering booster jabs to people aged over 60 years.

The booster jab inoculation is progress‐ ing unevenly across the autonomous com‐ munities. Galicia is steaming ahead and has called for the age group for booster shots to be lowered.

On December 13, Galicia called on the Public Health Commission to lower the age range for booster jabs to people aged over 50 years old. The issue would need to be recommended by the vaccines com‐ mittee first before being discussed by the

VACCINES: Calls for age to be lowered. directors of public health.

According to sources in the vaccines committee, dropping the age limit was not on the agenda for the meeting to be held yesterday, December 15, but it could be added as it is already being discussed else‐ where.

AC C O R D I N G to the National Geo‐ graphic Institute (IGN), Alhama de Granada in the Granada Province was hit with an earthquake early on Tues‐ day December 14. The quake regis‐ tered at a magnitude of 3.2 on the Richter scale.

According to reports, no one was injured by the quake and no material

damage was reported.

The National Geographic Institute said the quake hit at just after 5.30am. The impact of the earth‐ quake was reduced as it hit at a depth of 53 kilometres.

No emergency calls were received and so far, no injuries or damage to property have been reported.

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NEWS

UK Omicron booster

BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on December 12. In a special pre‐ recorded broadcast, he warned the country of the impending danger brought about by the new Omicron Covid variant.

As part of an ‘Emergen‐

JOHNSON: We must act.

cy Omicron Boost,’ he urged every person aged over 18 to take advantage of the booster jabs. The third dose of the vaccine will be made available much quicker than first anticipated.

Speaking directly from Downing Street, the PM

Digital Nomad Visa SPAIN is set to introduce a Digital No‐ mad Visa to attract digital workers to the country and help them ‘set up in Spain.’

The measures have been approved in draft form and will now be sent to the Spanish Parliament. The digital nomad visa will attract people from other countries to Spain and allow them to work remotely while contributing eco‐ nomically to the country.

Under the new scheme, people would be able to work remotely in Spain for up to six months. This would apply to residents in non‐European Economic Area (EEA) countries as well

as people from countries in the Schen‐ gen Zone. EU passport holders will also be able to apply for the scheme.

Economic Minister Nadia Calvino commented on the scheme and said that it has been created to “attract and retain international and national tal‐ ents by helping remote workers, and digital nomads set up in Spain.”

The Minister pointed out that regis‐ tration fees will not be needed and that new companies will be easy to cre‐ ate: “Startups are the foundation of the new digital economy; they gener‐ ate highly skilled jobs and have high growth potential.”

said: “No‐one should be in any doubt: there is a tidal wave of Omicron coming, and I’m afraid it is now clear that two dos‐ es of vaccine are simply not enough to give the level of protection we all need.

“But the good news is that our scientists are confident that with a third dose ‐ a booster dose ‐ we can all bring our level of protection back up.”

He concluded, “At this point, our scientists can‐ not say that Omicron is less severe, and even if that proved to be true, we already know it is so much more transmissible ‐ that a wave of Omicron through a population that was not boosted would risk a level of hospitalisa‐ tion that could over‐ whelm our NHS and lead sadly to very many deaths. So, we must act now.”

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16 - 22 December 2021

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Catalan language row

FOLLOWING a ruling in favour of a Catalonian family who had pushed for 25 per cent of their son’s school‐ ing to be in Spanish, the High Court has had to discuss measures to pro‐ tect the boy and his parents from the region’s nationalists. The family have been the victims of harassment and abuse by some who view their re‐ quest as an attack on the area’s di‐ alect and culture.

According to reports, there was a WhatsApp group dedicated to dis‐ cussing the family and whether to identify them to the wider public.

Tweets have been shown to the courts that suggested stoning their

Attacks against family criticised.

house and shunning the boy at school.

One tweet said: “The other children should leave their class when lessons are taught in Spanish. If we don’t re‐ act, they’ll kill our language.”

The Catalan High Court sent instruc‐ tions out to the regional education minister, Josep Gonzàlez‐Cambray, as

well as to the head of the boy’s school, ordering them to take steps to protect the boy’s identity.

Gonzàlez‐Cambray condemned “any kinds of threats or violence” but did call the court’s decision to make 25 per cent of lessons be conducted in Spanish “an intolerable attack.”

The leader of the Catalan Socialist Party, Salvador Illa, has criticised the attacks against the family and reaf‐ firmed the school’s need to follow the decision made by the courts: “This doesn’t go against Catalan; it’s about complying with rulings, and still guar‐ antees Catalan as the educational cen‐ tre of gravity in Catalonia.”

Pool death inquest inconclusive FATHER-OF-TWO, Andrew John Openshaw was in Tenerife for a friend’s stag do when he fell into an empty swimming pool and suffered a ‘catastrophic brain injury’ that later cost him his life.

He was found by emer‐ gency services in an unre‐ sponsive condition, dressed only in his boxer shorts. An inquest that con‐ cluded on December 10 has proved inconclusive.

His family believe he was attacked before the fall in February 2014. He was giv‐ en just 48 hours to live, but survived three more years until he passed away on Ju‐ ly 15, 2017, at Salford Royal

Infirmary due to multi‐or‐ gan failure. Friends and family had raised more than £30,000 to bring him home to Leigh, Greater Manchester.

On the day before the fall, he had been seen con‐ suming ‘an unknown but significant quantity’ of alco‐ hol. Senior Coroner for Greater Manchester West, Timothy Brennand, said: “The precise circumstances as to what caused Andy to fall into the empty swim‐ ming pool cannot be estab‐ lished.”

Mr Openshaw was later questioned by police, helped by an intermedi‐ ary, and made an allega‐

tion of an assault before his fall. “These were inves‐ tigated by police and not deemed to be a viable ba‐ sis for the institution of criminal proceedings, as the veracity of the allega‐ tions cannot be verified,”

said Mr Brennand.

Andy’s wife Laura spoke at the inquest and said: “I am a firm believer that the truth never changes. I truly believe that there was something untoward that night in that country.”

and finally...

RECORD PRICE. Originally forecast to sell for around $70,000, a Harry Potter first edition sold for $471,000 at an auction in the United States. The price is a record for a 20th century work of fiction. Written by J K Rowling, the 1997 hardback British edition of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,’ with a colour illustration on the cov‐ er, was described by Heritage Auctions as “"magical, in‐ credibly bright and so very near pristine.”

• Diagnostic imaging and ultrasound Rx • Clinical tests and serological tests, internal medicine, parasitology • Soft Tissue Surgery and Traumatology • Ethology, behavioural disorders and animal behaviour • Physiotherapy, acupuncture, custom recovery and Healing touch • Ophthalmology • Dentistry and dental surgery & more • Import - Export

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16 - 22 December 2021

EWN Community Guides: How to avoid internet scams in Spain THE internet has brought many of us a way to stay in touch with loves ones abroad, buy from our favourite brands

around the world and book our travel.

Surfing the web also has its downsides though, and the

rise in online scams is one of them.

But how do we protect our‐ selves from internet scams?

The Spanish office for inter‐ net users, OSI, said there are five main ways to protect your‐ self when online, including when on your mobile, tablet and computer.

1. Configure your devices OSI said it is important to make sure all your devices are set up to protect you against harmful viruses and scams.

They recommend installing anti‐virus software on all your devices, installing any updates on it, not clicking on any links that are sent to you that look dubious and never to connect a USB to your computer if you do not know where it’s from.

2. Establish secure internet connections Having WiFi at home with‐ out a password not only allows other people to use your inter‐ net, potentially slowing your

There are several scams common online be aware of these.

connection, but could also al‐ low others to steal your details.

OSI recommends that you should put a good password on your WiFi. They also recommend tak‐ ing care when using public WiFi without a password, by not logging in to any services while connected to a public network and avoiding making banking transactions, online purchases or any other task that involves the exchange of private data.

3. Safeguard your infor‐ mation OSI recommends protecting the information we share on‐ line by configuring privacy op‐ tions on social media profiles and controlling who has access

to your posts.

4. Be careful with your on‐ line activity Many browsers offer the op‐ tion to remember information about us, including auto saving our passwords. However, this can be used by hackers so OSI recommends avoiding this.

5. Have information about the most common scams There are several scams that are the most common online and OSI says you should be aware of these.

They include phishing scams, fraudulent job offers and sellers claiming to sell items for much lower than their normal price to get access to your banking details.

NEWS

Christmas travelling BRITS wanting to head abroad to Spain will still need to be fully jabbed.

Spain is sticking to its tight entry rules ahead of Christ‐ mas. The rising number of cases of the Omicron vari‐ ant is a major concern.

Spain updated its travel restrictions on December 14 and is only letting fully vaccinated holidaymakers into the country. This in‐ cludes people heading in‐ to Spain from a country that is on Spain’s at risk list.

For Brits heading into Spain on holiday, Spanish rules mean that travellers will have to prove they have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency or by the World Health Organi‐ sation in the form of a vac‐ cination certificate. Trav‐ ellers will also need to have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before they arrive in Spain.

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16 - 22 December 2021

THE UK’s first gay dads are set to make history again as they look to register their new triplets’ birth certifi‐ cates with three parents list‐ ed on the document.

They are set to welcome the triplets after a £1 million journey to complete their IVF family through an Amer‐ ican surrogate.

Barrie Drewitt‐Barlow,

NEWS

Gay dads make history 51, is celebrating the news with fiance Scott Hutchin‐ son, 26, and ex‐husband Tony, 56. It was 21 years ago that Barrie and Tony be‐ came the first British same‐ sex couple formally regis‐ tered as parents.

In 1999, Barrie and Tony went to court to be allowed to have both their names on the birth certificates of their children who were born through a surrogate, the first time in Europe a same‐ sex couple had given birth

in this way. They were al‐ lowed to be ‘Parent One” and ‘Parent Two’ on the document.

This time, they will look to change the law again and have three parents listed on the certificates.

MODERN FAMILY: Are set to welcome triplets.

Choking baby saved ON December 11, officers from the National Police were able to save a young baby’s life. The baby had been choking and was unable to breathe.

According to the National Police, the incident took place in the Villaverde district of Madrid. The emer‐ gency services received a call to say that a young baby was semi‐conscious “apparently because she had choked on an object.”

Public Safety officers rushed to the scene of the inci‐ dent to help the 13‐month‐old baby girl. When the of‐ ficers arrived on the scene they found the child was not reacting to any stimulus. The girl also had her eyes closed. The officers stepped in and performed the Heimlich manoeuvre. The baby soon started to cry and began breathing again.

Due to the nature of the incident, the police officers rushed the baby and her mother to the hospital in the police car. The baby who had luckily been saved by the officer’s quick actions received medical attention at the hospital.

Airport chaos SPAIN’S Airlines Association (ALA) has urged the govern‐ ment to act urgently and asked the Ministry of the In‐ terior to hire more border staff at Spanish airports, fear‐ ing that Brit holidaymakers will be put off visiting Spain.

The ALA said there has been “chaos” at airports and that thousands of passengers have missed flights due to a huge queue at Madrid air‐ port.

Other airports affected in‐ clude Alicante, Malaga, Barcelona, Palma de Mallor‐ ca, Ibiza and Gran Canaria.

Because of Brexit, tourists from the UK now need to have their passports stamped every time they en‐ ter and leave the Schengen Zone, including Spain, and Brits are only allowed to visit Spain for 90 days out of ev‐ ery 180 under the new laws.

It’s thought that the new Brexit legislation has led to massive queues at border controls in Spain.

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16 - 22 December 2021

Hero sells medals

A ROYAL MARINE soldier who was recog‐ nised for his bravery in combat has sold his seven medals for £150,000 to ‘provide op‐ portunities’ for his children.

Sergeant Major John Thompson, 43, a sin‐ gle father of three from Devon, served in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

The medals included a Conspicuous Gal‐ lantry Cross (CGC) for ‘selfless and coura‐ geous actions.’

Before selling the medals, he said that his children already “know their daddy is a hero.” The medals were valued at between £120,000 and £140,000 by auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb, however, they sold for a whopping £150,000.

Sgt Maj Thompson, known as Tommo, said ON December 10, one very honest citizen gave the Mu‐ nicipal Police of Valladolid €1,000 in cash. It came from an ATM machine of a BBVA bank in the city.

According to Municipal Police, the woman went up to two police officers in the street and handed them the money. She explained that she had found it in the ATM machine of the BBVA bank located at the intersection

SOLD MEDALS: To provide for his children.

before he sold the medals: “The money will enable me to provide the best opportunities for them (his children) as they grow up.

“Being a father is the most important role I’ve ever had, which I didn’t fully appreciate when I was running around Iraq and Afghanistan, and I’m doing this for them.”

Honest citizen of Calles San Maria and San‐ tiago.

The bank’s office said that they are still trying to locate the owner of the €1,000 through the acknowledg‐ ment of a receipt found.

With the data protection law, it is not possible to use all the information shown

on the receipt, so the mon‐ ey is still being kept at the bank in the hope that the owner will come looking for it.

The police commented: “Fortunately, there are still very honest people around.

We will always applaud these gestures of civility.”

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NEWS

Italy fines Amazon

THERE’S more bad news for Amazon following the re‐ cent EU ruling the company had contravened its compe‐

tition rules. The vendor has lost a further case in Italy and has been fined €1.13 bil‐ lion.

Trump coup plans FOLLOWING the failure of Donald Trump’s case to keep documents relating to the January 6 storming of the capital private, the attack panel have started to re‐ ceive the paperwork. One of these is a PowerPoint that set out the plan for Trump to stage a coup.

The presentation titled ‘Election Fraud, Foreign In‐ terference & Options for 6 Jan,’ which was turned over by former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows makes several recommendations on how to stage a coup. This includes the suggestion Trump declare a na‐ tional security emergency that would enable him to stay in office.

The existence of the presentation and the fact that Meadows was in possession of it at the time, suggests at the very least that Trump and his allies were aware of the efforts to stop Biden from becoming president.

Understood to be 38 pages long, the presentation is based on already debunked theories about election fraud, all of which were tested in court and failed. The‐ ories ranged from China controlling the election sys‐ tem in some states, to the late Hugo Chavez having rigged the voting systems.

The antitrust authority in Italy believes that Amazon have been guilty of exploiting their market dominance. The company prospered mas‐ sively because of the pan‐ demic and the ensuing lock‐ downs. For many people buying online became one of the few means by which they could obtain the products they were looking for.

The fine, which is one of the largest in Europe, comes after the retail giant made extraordinary profits over the last two years. Amazon plans to appeal saying they “strongly disagreed” with the Italian regulator’s decision, going on to call the fines and proposed remedies “unjusti‐ fied and disproportionate.”

The Italian authorities be‐ lieve that the requirement to use Amazon’s own delivery service, harms competitors and strengthens the compa‐ ny’s own position. Further‐ more, third party sellers are prevented from gaining ac‐

AMAZON: Strongly disagreed with the regulator’s decision.

cess to the company’s Prime loyalty programme.

In addition, sellers are un‐ able to access special events, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Prime Day of‐ fers, further limiting their chances of selling their prod‐ ucts. According to the regula‐ tor access to such specials and offers are crucial to boost sales, as is the oppor‐ tunity to feature products.

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FEATURE

Acquisition of ownership by long use. Acquisitive prescription and the registry owner. Types of usucapion. Continued possession.

QUESTION about ownership and use: I live in a country house and I have been taking care of the plot next door for a long time. I look after the garden, prune the trees. Everyone knows that I have been doing this for years. Can I acquire this plot as an owner?

As we mentioned in a previ‐ ous article, there are many ways of acquiring property, among others, usucapion. In the last ar‐ ticle we spoke about the differ‐ ence between ordinary and ex‐ traordinary usucapion.Check it out on our website.

INTRODUCTION In this article we will discuss about usucapion and the regis‐ tered owner: how to claim con‐ tinued possession. We are going to focus on another way of clas‐ sifying usucapion: usucapion contra tabulas and usucapion secundum tabulas. What is the difference between the two?

On whether the usucapion is made in favour of the registered

owner of the property or not. If the usucapion is in favour of the registered owner at the land registry, it is called usucapion se‐ cundum tabulas. On the other hand, if it is in favour of a person who is not the registered own‐ er, it is called contra tabulas.

USUCAPION SECUNDUM TABULAS Usucapion secundum tabulas involves acquiring a property in favour of the registered owner.

It is the owner who appears in the register, but was not the true owner.

Why? Well, it could be for many reasons. Although it ap‐ pears in the registry, it could be acquired from someone who was not the previous owner or through a contract that cannot be understood as a valid one, etc.

Despite this situation, time plays a very important role in law. The Spanish Civil Code states that if a person has owned the property for a cer‐

tain period of time with specific characteristics, he or she can be‐ come the true owner of the property.

In this case, the usucapion of the real right in favour of the registered owner is admitted and favoured: the registration is considered a fair title and it is presumed that the registered owner possesses the property peacefully, uninterruptedly and in good faith.

USUCAPION CONTRA TABU‐ LAS In usucapion contra tabulas, the person who is in possession of the property does not appear as the registered owner in the Land registry. Therefore, there is a conflict between the owner on the register and the posses‐ sor who has used it against what is registered.

How can this situation arise?

Let us take an example: we buy a house by means of a private purchase contract, but we did not go to the notary, and the

deed was not granted. We have lived in this property for 50 years and, after several, we realise that the person who sold us the property does not appear as the owner. If we want to acquire the property by usucapion, we will go against the registered owner of the property that appears in the Register. Therefore, we will have to prove possession for a number of years and, further‐ more, that this possession has certain characteristics.

In the next article we will tell you about the problems we could find, in the claims for usu‐ capion against tabulas.

If you believe are facing an usucapion contra tabulas or usucapion secundum tabulas. If you have any question about ownership and use, contact our office and we will help you.

The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys information relating to legal matters.

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

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NEWS

Berlin vaccine wristbands Bishop stripped of power WITH calls for retail shopping in Berlin to become easier under the city’s newly en‐ forced ‘2G’ restrictions, the answer may lie in ribbons.

The so‐called ribbon regu‐ lation provides wristbands for vaccinated Germans so that they don’t need to re‐ peatedly show their vaccina‐ tion status at every store.

The wristbands can be used for those who have recov‐ ered from the virus as well.

The managing director of

the trade association Berlin and Brandenburg, Nils Busch‐Petersen said: “We hope that this will relieve the employees and take some pressure off.”

Businesses must clearly regulate the conditions for this, and the first shopping centres have already applied the scheme. Many trade as‐ sociations have requested the introduction of such rib‐ bons and they could become widespread soon. Germany’s

famous Christmas markets have already started using the system to ease the work‐ load on staff.

A spokesman for the health administration said: “There are no objections from our side. In Berlin, most shops are only open to vacci‐ nated and people who have recovered from Covid‐19. A negative corona test result is no longer enough. Excep‐ tions include supermarkets, drug stores and pharmacies.

Priti Patel for PM

HOME SECRETARY Priti Patel is said to be considering taking a run at being prime minis‐ ter and Conservative party leader. Boris John‐ son has been fighting off rumours regarding alleged government parties that were held while the rest of the country obeyed lock‐ down rules last year.

Johnson apologised last week after footage of a mock press conference was leaked. It showed former spokesperson Allegra Stratton joking about a Christmas party that should not have taken place.

The footage was reportedly shot on De‐

cember 22 last year. Only a week before this a party was said to have been held at Downing Street. During the film, multiple staff could be seen joking about a party.

Stratton commented in the leaked footage: “This is recorded … This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially dis‐ tanced.”

Confidence is said to be waning in the prime minister and MPs could possibly call a vote of no confidence. Patel had backed John‐ son as leader of the Conservative Party in 2019.

A CO N T R OV E R S I A L Spanish bishop has been stripped of his church powers after abandoning his clerical career to mar‐ ry a novelist known for her transgressive erotic novels, some of which contain references to Sa‐ tanism. Xavier Novell i Goma was Spain’s youngest ever bishop when he was appointed to the Catalan municipal‐ ity of Solsona in 2010, aged just 41.

Novell was a highly controversial member of the church, having supported and partici‐ pated in so‐called gay conversion therapy, and for being outspo‐ ken about his support for regional indepen‐ dence. He found him‐ self at the centre of more controversy at the end of August 2021 when he resigned from his post on ‘strictly personal grounds.’

It soon emerged he

The bishop fell in love.

had fallen in love with a 38‐year‐old clinical psy‐ chologist named Silvia Caballol, a novelist known for her transgres‐ sive and erotic books.

Sources say that the bishop confided in friends at the time and said: “I’ve fallen in love with a woman for the first time in my life, and I want to do things right.”

In a statement re‐ leased on December 11, the Spanish Episcopal Conference said that Novell had automatically forfeited his powers after marrying Caballol in a civil ceremony last month.

and finally...

TV SERIES. Acclaimed British filmmaker, 83‐ year‐old Ridley Scott has revealed that a pilot project is well underway to bring his movies ‘Bladerunner’ and ‘Alien’ to television screens in the form of a series. ‘Bladerunner’, starring Harrison Ford, and Rutger Hauer, hit cinemas back in 1982, and was an instant enormous suc‐ cess. ‘Alien’, another of his huge sci‐fi franchis‐ es, went on to spawn a whole trilogy of adven‐ tures in outer space.

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Rare gold coins recovered TWO valuable coins have been discovered by officers from the National Police in Leon and Ciu‐ dad Real’s Saceruela. The coins are tremisses, and one of them is said to be unique and very valuable due to its previously unknown onomastic variant.

The first coin was recovered as part of an operation carried out by the National Police to de‐ tect and recover items of histor‐ ical interest. Officers discovered that a person in Leon had found a coin when they were refur‐ bishing a house. The person was contacted and asked to come to the police headquar‐ ters. The officers then recov‐ ered the coin.

The coin was checked out by specialists and discovered to be a tremís of Sisebuto, a Visigothic king who reigned between 612 and 621.

Markings on the coin suggest that it was minted in the Murcia Province. This is only the third specimen of a Visigothic coinage with this provenance to be discovered. This makes the coin exceptionally rare which in‐ creases its value considerably.

VALUABLE COINS: Discovered by police officers.

The coin has now been given to the Provincial Museum of Leon.

Officers from the National Police recovered the second gold coin in Saceruela. Officers

were able to trace the person who had advertised the coin on social media. After travelling to the town, they recovered the coin.

NEWS

Spain-shaped town IN 2019, Spain had 8,131 mu‐ nicipalities spread throughout its territory. In recent years, the merger of towns and small cities has been the order of the day, due to economic and functional problems after the economic crisis.

Municipalities usually have their boundary dictated by whatever area they cover on the map of Spain. But one town with just 14,000 inhabi‐ tants, was custom‐built to re‐ semble the outline of Spain.

Badia del Valles is just 20km from Barcelona and is the birthplace of one of Spanish football’s most celebrated players, Sergio Busquets.

It was built in the 1970s, with the idea of reproducing the map of Spain. Thus, some of its streets represent the ter‐ ritory of the country, even with the corresponding boundaries.

They are all located within the town’s outline in their corre‐ sponding position on a map of Spain. For example, Calle Al‐

garve is located where the bor‐ der between Spain and Portu‐ gal would be.

This unique municipality was created to alleviate the high concentration of immigra‐ tion in Catalonia that came from other parts of Spain. The Ministry of Housing planned more than 12,000 social hous‐ ing units, although in the end only about 5,000 were built.

Juan Carlos I, and Doña Sofia, were invited as guests at the grand opening of the town.

Track and Trace breach A PUB landlord has apologised after abusing the NHS Track and Trace service to send a creepy text to a young woman who visited his bar.

In his statement, James Karran, who owns St Canna’s Alehouse in Cardiff, said he was “sorry for letting down his community” after sending this message to the woman: “Just so you know you’ve got a super pretty face, so you’re allowed to not wear a mask at the bar. Everyone else must wear one.”

The following day, there was a message left on the bar’s Facebook page from the woman’s part‐ ner. It read: “Last night my partner was the vic‐ tim of a GDPR breach. She went into this estab‐ lishment, filled out the Track and Trace. She proceeded to order a drink at the bar, but the barman/ owner told her to remove the mask as he couldn’t hear her apparently, but only for this man to see what she looked like. Then [he] took her details from the Track and Trace sheet and

PUB LANDLORD: Sent a creepy text message to a young woman who visited the bar.

messaged her illegally. My partner then left the establishment as soon as she had this creepy text.”

The pub did not issue a response until almost a month after the incident, on December 10, but said they will donate a Saturday night’s takings to Women’s Aid.

NEWS

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16 - 22 December 2021

Diana’s legacy at risk

PRINCESS DIANA had cham‐ pioned the international cam‐ paign against landmines. This worthwhile cause has been put at risk as the British gov‐ ernment has reduced its funding by 80 per cent.

Support from the UK has been used to help disarm mines in countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, Vietnam, Zim‐ babwe, Myanmar and South Sudan. This support has helped numerous people over the years and protected them from the danger of landmines.

PRINCESS: Campaigned against landmines.

Two years ago, Prince Har‐ ry visited Angola and fol‐ lowed in Princess Diana’s footsteps. He previously com‐ mented on the UK’s role in

Coffee doubles AROUND the globe, the price of coffee is said to be skyrocketing.

In the last 12 months alone, prices have shot up by 102 per cent. It is expected that prices will continue to increase into the New Year.

Consumers have not seen many price increases so far but this could change.

After water, coffee is the second most consumed beverage in the world. Numerous factors are causing the price of coffee to increase.

Coffee prices are increasing due to production issues in Brazil and Colombia caused by droughts and floods. An increase in demand along with high energy costs and increasing transport costs are also bumping the price up.

clearing landmines. Accord‐ ing to Harry, the UK had sup‐ ported landmines being cleared “through funding and the expertise brought by UK specialist organisations such as the HALO Trust and Mines Advisory Group.”

If Princess Diana were still alive Harry believes that she would still be fighting for this cause.

CEO of Mine’s Advisory Group (MAG) Darren Corma‐ ck, commented on the cuts: “It’s not right that children face being burned on the way to school. That shouldn’t be the kind of deadly equation that people have to calcu‐ late.”

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Fake document crackdown

IN a combined effort, the UK and Spain are cracking down on crooks using fake documents to help people gain Spanish citizenship. Officers from the Spanish Na‐ tional Police have been working with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Inter‐ pol to thwart an organisation focused on faking certificates and diplomas needed to obtain Spanish citizenship.

During the joint operation, more than 30 people have been arrested and offi‐ cers managed to identify more than 1,600 clients who had paid money to the criminal organisation.

Payments made to the organisation for their services had been between

€1,000 and €4,500.

To obtain Spanish citizenship, language competency (DELE) and cultural knowl‐ edge (CCSE) titles are required. It is thought that more than 1,300 people had obtained these documents from the criminal organisation already.

The documents are legally issued by the Cervantes Institute under the over‐ sight of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Justice.

Twenty‐nine people were arrested in Barcelona and one of the leaders of the gang was arrested in the UK. The majori‐ ty of people using the service were from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India.

Electric shock

ELECTRICITY prices continue to spiral out of control. After the most expensive Saturday and Sunday prices in history, December 13, set a record cost for Mondays.

The average price of electrici‐ ty on the wholesale market reached €268.21/MWh. This is an increase of 4.37 per cent on the day before.

The record costs came even though prices tend to relax compared to weekdays, due to the decrease in electricity de‐ mand. The maximum price was reached between 9pm and 10pm, when it hit €315.43/ MWh. The cheapest time was between the hours of 5am and 6am when it was €217.71.

Wholesale prices have a di‐

rect impact on the regulated tariff to which almost 11 million consumers in the country are connected. This serves as a ref‐ erence for the other 17 million who have contracted their sup‐ ply in the free market.

The constant rise in prices in the electricity market in recent months is being blamed mainly on high gas prices.

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NEWS

Drug haul at airport Monkees star dead at 78

THE Guardia Civil have an‐ nounced they found 20 ki‐ los of heroin at Lanzarote Airport and have taken a man into custody. The 46‐ year‐old man had the drug shipment concealed in his luggage and has been ar‐ rested on suspicion of drug trafficking.

It is one of the biggest seizures of this type of drug that has been carried out on the Canary Islands in recent years and comes after an‐

other cache of 10 kilos was discovered at Gran Canaria Airport at the end of Octo‐ ber. That shipment was found upon a passenger travelling from Brussels.

The announcement was made a week after the inci‐ dent, which occurred on De‐ cember 4. Suspicions were raised after a passenger who arrived on a flight from Amsterdam began to act anxious in the presence of the officers on duty. They

began to see other signs that something was amiss and began a random stop and search.

They found four parcels that were labelled as flour for making confectionery.

The contents were tested for the presence of opiates and the results came back positive. The merchandise was seized, and the passen‐ ger detained for the alleged responsibility of a crime against public health.

Car smoking ban doubt

THE Spanish Ministry of Health announced proposals to increase tobacco taxes and in‐ crease smoke‐free places before 2023.

These spaces include the terraces of estab‐ lishments and private cars.

Some Spanish law experts including Juan Jose Bestard, President of the Sanitary Sec‐ tion of the Madrid Bar Association, have questioned the constitutionality of banning smoking in cars and other measures pro‐ posed.

According to Bestard, the ban on smoking in one’s own vehicle would have a “complex

application.” This, he said, is because “there is legal coverage as long as it seeks to pro‐ tect the health of passengers. If the passen‐ gers are children, then yes, but there would be no justification for prohibiting a person smoking alone in the vehicle, unless it is ap‐ pealed that it constitutes a distraction to the driver,” Bestard pointed out.

“That would be a different matter, in the same way as eating, or looking at the mo‐ bile phone behind the wheel. But, limiting a smoker’s right to smoke while alone is de‐ batable.”

MICHAEL NESMITH, singer with 1960’s pop group The Monkees, has died at the age of 78. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death on De‐ cember 10.

It is believed the singer‐ songwriter died of natural causes, not long after fin‐ ishing a recent tour with the legendary band, in‐ cluding former bandmate, Micky Dolenz.

“With infinite love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully of natural caus‐ es,” said a statement from his family.

Famous for always wearing his trademark bobble hat, he played his iconic custom‐built Gretsch guitar on most of the band’s hit records in‐ cluding ‘Daydream Believ‐ er’ and ‘I’m A Believer’, penned by Neil Diamond.

The Monkees rose to

Mike had a solo career.

fame in the mid‐60s after being formed for a televi‐ sion show, a fact that nev‐ er sat well with Mike. In the show, aired between 1966 and 1968, the four members would get up to all sorts of antics and

play their hits.

This led the record com‐ pany to release their songs and they became a huge success all over the world, selling millions of records.

Mike had a solo career after leaving the band.

and finally...

A NEW batch of measures are being trialled by Meta, Face‐ book’s parent company, to help creators. Namely, they plan on testing a feature to provide live chat support with users who have lost access to their accounts.

Through this support line, the creators of Facebook and In‐ stagram can solve different problems in people’s accounts, as well as solve doubts about recent functions of the platform, such as Instagram Reels.

NEWS

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16 - 22 December 2021

Super Nintendo creator dies

MASAYUKI UEMURA, the engineer who was the lead designer of the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the Super Nintendo Enter‐ tainment System has passed away aged 78.

His death was confirmed on Thursday December 9, by the Ritsumeikan Centre for Game Studies at Rit‐ sumeikan University locat‐ ed in Kyoto, Japan.

Uemura first joined Nin‐ tendo in 1971, having previ‐ ously worked for the Sharp Corporation. Joining up with Gunpei Yokoi and Genyo Takeda, they worked on solar cell tech‐ nology for the Laser Clay Shooting System arcade game, which was released in 1973.

He subsequently became Nintendo’s R&D division manager, and it was under his leadership that the Nin‐ tendo Entertainment Sys‐ tem, and the Super Ninten‐ do Entertainment System were born. After his retire‐ ment in 2004, the computer and video game genius con‐

NINTENDO: Masayuki Uemura was the lead designer.

tinued to work as a consul‐ tant for Nintendo. Even into his 70s, Masayuki Uemura

combined this with his reg‐ ular routine as a professor at Ritsumeikan University.

New Covid variant detected ON Thursday December 9, experts from the IHU Mediterranee Infection in Marseille posted on their of‐ ficial Twitter account that they have detected another new Covid variant.

This latest strain was found in coronavirus patients from Forcalquier, in the Alpes‐de‐Haute‐Provence re‐ gion of France.

It has been registered on the GISAID network (Global Initiative on Sharing Avian In‐ fluenza Data), under the

name of B.1.640.2 and has al‐ so been dubbed the IHU vari‐ ant.

There is not a lot of infor‐ mation available yet, so no‐ body knows whether this strain will be as virulent as the first ones. According to the latest studies, the Omi‐ cron variant is not as danger‐ ous as Delta or Alpha, al‐ though it is thought to be more transmissible. Vaccine companies are racing against time to develop doses to counteract the new variants.

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NEWS

Phantom jellyfish

ONE of the ocean’s most elu‐ sive creatures stunned ma‐ rine biologists when it glided in front of their underwater cameras.

The giant phantom jellyfish has only been spotted in the wild around 100 times since

humans first discovered it in 1899. The creature lives in the so‐called ‘twilight zone’ be‐ tween 1,000 and 4,000 me‐ tres underwater.

Researchers at the Mon‐ terey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in America

Holiday fatalities OVER the Constitution and Immaculate Conception long weekend, 12 people lost their lives on Spain’s roads. In 2020, when movement restrictions were in place between the autonomous communities due to the coronavirus, 13 people lost their lives during the same holiday period.

According to the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), in the space of six days from 3pm on Friday, December 3 until midnight Wednesday, December 8 a shocking total of 10 fatal accidents occurred on Span‐ ish roads.

These 10 fatal accidents claimed the lives of 12 peo‐ ple. One of the accidents took place on a motorway while the nine other accidents occurred on conven‐ tional roads.

The majority of the accidents occurred on Sunday, December 5, with seven fatal accidents taking place.

So far this year over 900 people have died in accidents on Spanish roads.

were stunned at the sight of the massive creature.

“This ghostly giant is a rare sight,” they wrote. “The bell of this deep‐sea denizen is more than one metre (3.3 feet) across and trails four rib‐ bon‐like arms that can grow to more than 10 metres (33 feet) in length.”

It measures the same length as the biggest fish in the sea, the whale shark, and is around half the length of a London bus. This amazing creature is also used as a haven for other smaller crea‐ tures who swim within the jel‐ lyfish’s structure for cover from larger predators.

Ghostly giant’s a rare sight.

NEWS

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16 - 22 December 2021

Santa apology

A ROMAN CATHOLIC diocese in Sicily has had to issue an apology after its bishop told a group of children that Santa isn’t real. The diocese of Noto said Bishop Antonio Stagliano was trying to underline the true meaning of Christmas.

The diocesan communications director, the Reverend Alessandro Paolino, said Mr Stagliano was also trying to explain the story of St Nicholas, a bishop who gave gifts to the poor and was persecuted by a Roman emperor.

Quotes from the bishop appeared in the local

media saying that Santa doesn’t exist and that his red costume was created by Coca‐Cola.

“First of all, on behalf of the bishop, I express my sorrow for this declaration which has creat‐ ed disappointment in the little ones and want to specify that Monsignor Stagliano’s intentions were quite different,” Mr Paolino posted on their Facebook page.

“We certainly must not demolish the imagi‐ nation of children, but draw good examples from it that are positive for life,” he added.

Massive planet discovered A GROUP of astronomers has discovered one of the biggest ever planets orbiting an ex‐ tremely hot two‐star system.

This, despite previously be‐ lieving that such an environ‐ ment was too inhospitable for a planet to form in.

The planet was discovered

by Markus Janson, a profes‐ sor of astronomy at Stock‐ holm University, and col‐ leagues, according to research published on December 8 in the science journal Nature.

Janson and his colleagues found the planet using the

very sophisticated Spectro‐ Polarimetric High‐contrast Ex‐ oplanet REsearch instrument (SPHERE) on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile.

Named b Centauri (AB)b or b Centauri b, they described the planet as an “alien world experiencing conditions com‐ pletely different from what

we face here on Earth and in our Solar System.”

The planet is 10 times big‐ ger than Jupiter, making it one of the biggest ever found. Moreover, it revolves around the binary star at 100 times the distance than Jupiter does from the Sun, one of the widest orbits ever recorded.

STATS

1,792

The Eiffel Tower has 1,792 steps.

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NEWS

Extortion arrests FOLLOWING an investigation by the Judicial Police Brigades of the Denia Police Station, five people have been arrested for extorting money from dating website

users. The arrests come after complaints from four affected individuals.

All the victims had either used dating websites or had responded to dating ads on-

Mercadona pay rise for all staff MANAGEMENT at Mercadona, Spain’s largest super‐ market group, are aware of the tough times its staff have endured during the pandemic. With inflation at its highest in a long time, the company has rewarded its staff with a cost of living increase this year.

Juan Roig, Chair of the group, says that it is impor‐ tant as a “socially responsible company” to continue applying initiatives to satisfy the people who make up their workforce. He expects the inflation rate to continue at its current high level, saying that it is un‐ likely to fall below 5 per cent before the end of the year.

As a result, the company will raise the salary of its workforce from January 1 to bring it in line with infla‐ tion that is to apply the CPI rate at the end of the year. That way the company says, employees do not lose purchasing power.

line. In all cases they were contacted either through text messages or via instant messaging platforms. They then threatened physical harm unless they were appropriately compensated, or they would share the information with family members.

The police think that the messages were sent using an automated system and to large numbers of people, in the hope that someone would respond.

Once contact had been made, the perpetrators would research the targeted individual to make sure they knew as much as possible about their potential victim.

That information was then used to decide the amount of money demanded.

Three men and two women of Spanish and Brazilian nationality were arrested, each with their own role in the operation. The investigators believe that the criminals netted around €150,000 over the last year.

NEWS

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16 - 22 December 2021

Big tip waitress fired

RYAN BRANDT, a waitress at the Oven and Tap in Ben‐ tonville in Arkansas, was fired after refusing to hand over her share of a £3,300 tip. The customer asked for the mon‐ ey to be shared specifically between Ryan and another waitress.

Local company owner, Grant Wise, turned up at his wife’s favourite restaurant with around 40 guests. Mr Wise called in advance to tell the restaurant of his plan to tip just one or two members of staff and that his tip was not to be shared. Each of his guests con‐ tributed £75.

After they tipped Ryan and another waitress, the restau‐ rant manager demanded the pair hand over the tip and sacked Ryan when she refused.

A few days later, Mr Wise heard the news and returned to the restaurant to demand his money back, but the owner re‐ fused to speak to him.

Mr Wise posted on social media, “I’m saddened to hear the girl we tipped the other night has been fired from her

Waitress refused to share her tip.

job. I don’t fully understand why this would happen.”

He continued, “Nonetheless, I’m committed to showing her that there are great people in

the world that will do good when they can.” He subse‐ quently set up a GoFundMe page which has raised £6,580 so far.

Olympics boycott IT has been announced that no UK government minister or official will attend the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.

In a statement Boris Johnson said that this effectively amounts to a diplomatic boycott of the event due to be held in Beijing, China in 2022.

The news comes as the US and Australia announced diplomatic boycotts of the games because of human rights concerns.

Johnson was pressed at PMQs, saying that no diplomats were expected to go to the games. However, he added: “I do not think that sporting boycotts are sensible and that re‐ mains the policy of the government.”

Athletes from the countries boycotting the games will still be competing.

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NEWS

Cyber security flaw

CYBER security experts are in a panic over a newly discovered in‐ ternet software flaw that they are calling the “most critical vul‐ nerability of the last decade.” The widely used tool, Log4Shell, is quickly emerging as a huge threat to organisations all around the world, and therefore for their customers too.

“The internet is on fire right now,” said Adam Meyers, senior vice‐president of intelligence at the cybersecurity firm Crowd‐ strike. “People are scrambling to patch,” he said. “And all kinds of people are scrambling to exploit

SOFTWARE FLAW: A huge threat.

it.” Speaking on December 10, 12 hours after the system bug had been disclosed to the wider pro‐ grammer community, hackers had

‘fully weaponised’ the internet software flaw, meaning they have developed and distributed ways to exploit it.

The flaw was discovered in a tool that is used all over the world in servers owned by big groups such as corporations and govern‐ ments. Unless it is fixed, it grants criminals access to internal net‐ works where they can loot data, plant malware and erase crucial information.

“I’d be hard‐pressed to think of a company that’s not at risk,” said Joe Sullivan, chief security officer for Cloudflare.

Shark fin trade

IF you are an EU citizen, you can make your voice heard before it’s too late by voting to ban the EU shark‐fin trade.

Sharks are among the old‐ est creatures in the oceans and play an important role in the marine ecosystem. If sharks are gone, the entire sys‐ tem is disrupted ‐ you can help stop this by ending the shark fin trade.

Up to 273 million sharks are still killed worldwide every year almost exclusively for their fins, which are a popular delicacy in Asia. Exact figures are unknown due to the lack of reliable data and the num‐ ber of unreported cases of ille‐ gal catches. European coun‐ tries such as Spain, France and

Portugal are among the largest shark fishing nations in the world.

The EU Citizens Initiative ‘Stop Finning ‐ Stop the Trade’ is more than a petition. It is a once in lifetime opportunity to change EU legislation and save the sharks. This initiative aims to end the trade of fins in the EU including the import, ex‐ port, and transit of fins other than if naturally attached to the animal’s body.

Votes are being collected across Europe to introduce a proposal for a concrete amendment of the law on the trade with shark fins.

You can have your say here: https://www.stop‐finning‐ eu.org/

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

16 - 22 December 2021

Plastics report

A NEW report by the Food and Agriculture Organisa‐ tion of the United Nations (FAO) has said that al‐ though the use of plastic in agriculture has made it possible to increase pro‐ duction, plastics in agricul‐ ture are bad for people’s health.

The report, which calls for new and innovative solu‐ tions, says that plastic is used in many forms in agri‐ culture from the protection of plants and soil to irriga‐ tion and pesticides. They es‐ timate that around 12.5 mil‐ lion tonnes of the product are used every year, almost half of which is in Asia. In ad‐ dition, around 37.5 million tonnes are used in packag‐ ing of food products, 80 per cent of which is not recycled and ends up in the environ‐ ment, landfills, and incinera‐ tors.

Plastic that is not recy‐ cled is known to degrade rather than to break down,

ending up as micro‐plastics which are being dispersed around the planet and mak‐ ing their way into the food chain. More specifically the report said: “Despite the many benefits, agricultural

plastics also present a seri‐ ous risk of contamination and harm to human and ecosystem health when damaged, degraded or dis‐ carded in the environ‐ ment.”

Mandatory vaccines ruled out DURING a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday December 7, the majority of the European Union’s Health Ministers took a stand against the idea of adopting legal measures to force mandatory vaccines on European citizens.

This strategy has also been discouraged by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which believes that such a move should only be considered as an ‘absolute last resort’.

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Com‐ mission, although it is outside her powers, had recently rec‐ ommended opening a debate about mandatory vaccination to end the huge number of around 150 million people still un‐ vaccinated in the EU. Europe has several states with high vaccination levels, in‐ cluding Spain, Ireland, and Portugal, while countries like Bul‐ garia have only 25 per cent vaccinated, and Romania, 38 per cent.

The Austrian representative was allegedly the only one who mentioned the idea of making vaccination mandatory.

He explained the measures that his government plans to take, and, in statements to the press, several ministers spoke out against his idea.

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Ireland border concerns THE deputy premier of Ire‐ land has said he will raise concerns with the UK gov‐ ernment over their pro‐ posed plans to bring in ad‐ ditional paperwork for non‐Irish and non‐UK citi‐ zens, including those from the EU, when crossing the Irish border.

Under the Nationality and Borders Bill, they would need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisa‐ tion (ETA) to enter the UK, including Northern Ireland, creating a hard NI border.

The bill is currently going through the House of Com‐ mons. Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty said about the plans: “The British govern‐ ment’s intention to intro‐ duce a requirement for travel clearance for EU citi‐ zens, who are not Irish citi‐ zens, to cross the border in Ireland is disgraceful and shameful and undermines the Good Friday Agree‐ ment and the Common Travel Area.”

He raised his concerns

IRISH BORDER: Proposed plans are worrying.

with Leo Varadkar in the Irish parliament on Thurs‐ day December 9 as he claimed it would threaten livelihoods and the tourism sector in the northwest and place stress on residents.

He said: “Ireland once again faces the prospect of

the collateral damage of a Tory government in West‐ minster that doesn’t give a damn about Ireland, and it’s so divorced from the re‐ ality of life on the border that it could even counte‐ nance such a measure like this.”

and finally...

A CAMEL which escaped from a drive‐through nativity scene in Bonner Springs, Kansas in the US, led police on a chase for a whole day before it was caught. The escaped camel notched up speeds of 40mph as officers in a ‘commandeered’ golf cart chased it along the street.

The police were surprised at how fast the animal moved as they described the event as something out of ‘just another cop movie’. One officer jumped out of the golf cart to finally lasso the camel and return it to the show.

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16 - 22 December 2021

SANNA MARIN, the prime minister of Finland, has apologised for going out clubbing in Helsinki after having close contact with a confirmed case of Covid‐ 19. The Foreign Minister from her government had tested postive just a few hours before she went out for the evening on Satur‐ day, December 4.

Finnish PM apology The advice she was ini‐ tially given was that there was no need for her to isolate due to her full vac‐ cination record, but later a message was sent that reversed that decision and recommended self‐isola‐

tion until after a negative result. Critics have jumped on her decision to not originally self‐isolate until after she had been tested.

The prime minister has said that the message that

changed the advice given was sent to her work phone, which she had left at home. The message clarified she should avoid social contact until proven negative. She claims that as soon as she saw the

text on Sunday, she sourced a test immediate‐ ly and the result was neg‐ ative.

The criticism from her opponents came as a gos‐ sip magazine published photographs of the Finnish PM out at the Butchers Club, where she stayed with friends until 4am.

NEWS

Marin has been criticised.

Work party survey TO party or not to party? The return of the office Christmas party is being met with some reluctance, as the latest re‐ search from Mintel reveals more than four in 10 (41 per cent) British workers say the risk of catching coronavirus is making them feel uncomfortable about going to a work’s Christmas par‐ ty.

Fear of catching Covid‐19 remains high, as 43 per cent of consumers now say they are worried/extremely wor‐ ried, about catching the virus, like the 44 per cent who said the same in early November 2020. But it’s not just office

parties that are making consumers ner‐ vous, as one in four (24 per cent) Brits are uncomfortable/extremely uncom‐ fortable about going to a bar or restau‐ rant indoors.

One potential reason for lingering discomfort around socialising could be that the majority (61 per cent) of Brits say they plan to see their families at Christmas and don’t want to put any‐ one at risk. Meanwhile, 44 per cent of Brits say they are planning on having a smaller Christmas (with fewer people) this year, compared to before the pan‐ demic.

Sienna Miller case settled AC T R ES S Sienna Miller has settled her case against The Sun newspa‐ per after almost a decade of pursuing it through the High Court. She has claimed the paper “very nearly ruined her life” by allegedly “leaking” the news that she was preg‐ nant after her claim that they unlawfully gathered

information about her.

In a statement read out on her behalf, she has told how she felt her choice was “brutally” taken away from her by the paper and their publishers, News Group Newspapers (NGN).

The legal action was be‐ gun by Miller as she claimed she was the “vic‐ tim of unlawful informa‐

tion‐gathering by various journalists and executives at The Sun,” and that a medical records tracer was hired by them to discover more about her pregnancy.

NGN has denied the alle‐ gations of any illegal acts but has settled with Ms Miller for “substantial damages” without admit‐ ting liability.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

16 - 22 December 2021

Text warning

MANY people are getting ready for Christmas and buying their Christmas presents online.

Fraudsters are trying to take advantage with a text message scam.

According to TSB Bank, criminal gangs are us‐ ing text messages to pretend to be delivery com‐ panies. The scammers originally approach their victims by sending a text message which asks the victim to register details to allow them to track a parcel. The victims hand over personal in‐ formation without thinking too much about it.

A few days later the victims are rung up by

someone who claims to be from their bank. The scammers then use details gained from the text message to convince the victim that their bank account has been targeted and action needs to be taken immediately. Victims are then con‐ vinced to transfer money to a ‘safe account.’ At this point, the Christmas stealing fraudsters have won and take off with the victim’s savings.

The scammers have already conned one per‐ son out of £4,000 and another out of £7,000 by pretending to be from the Royal Mail, DPD and Hermes amongst others.

Test subjects wanted

A NEW study is looking for test subjects for antiviral Covid treatments. Partici‐ pants must be over the age of 18 and have certain un‐ derlying health conditions.

Participants must have Covid symptoms which be‐ gan in the last five days and have taken a PCR test that came back positive. The study will be carried out by the University of Oxford.

The study will test

whether new antiviral treatments for Covid‐19 can help people in the early stages of the illness recover faster and therefore reduce the number of people being admitted to hospital.

Those in the UK that have

a positive PCR result may be contacted by a health care professional about tak‐ ing part in the study.

You can also register yourself via the Oxford Uni‐ versity website www.pano ramictrial.org.

STATS

600

Buckingham Palace has over 600 rooms.

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NEWS

Trump 2024 optimism

DONALD TRUMP said his base would be ‘very angry’ if he did not decide to run

for president again in 2024, as the date for his an‐ nouncement comes closer.

Camels beauty show ban DOZENS of camels have been barred from a Saudi Arabian beauty contest be‐ cause of Botox and other artificial touch‐ ups.

The annual pageant, King Abdu‐ CAMEL FESTIVAL: Annual pageant. laziz Camel Festival, is a prestigious event in Saudi Arabia with $66 million awarded to those breeders whose camels are deemed to be the best in breed. With so much on offer, breeders will go to any lengths to win. This year the authorities decided to put an end to cheating by disqualifying 40 camels that had received cosmetic treatment.

Entrants in standard beauty competitions will recognise many of the practices including face lifts and botox injections, but per‐ haps what they may not recognise is the reshaping of humps, necks, and posture.

Such is the scale and extent of the technology in use, judges of the month‐long festival in the desert northeast of the capital Riyadh have been forced to act.

STATS

10

Einstein slept 10 hours a night.

Trump has long teased that he will announce another crack at the presidency af‐ ter the 2022 midterms have been completed.

Radio show host Hugh He‐ witt spoke to the former president on December 8: “I want to talk to you about 2024. You know your base better than anybody, you know, the people who come to the rallies. If Donald Trump decides not to run again in 2024, who out there will that base flock to?”

Trump replied: “If I do decide that I think my base is going to be very angry.”

He added, after some push‐ ing from Hewitt, “They will be very angry, I think we have a couple of people that are ‐ would be very good. But it’s, you know, very early. It’s very, very early.”

Trump told Hewitt that he’s optimistic about 2022 and 2024 as Republicans vie to retake the House, Senate and later White House.

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NEWS

Suicide capsule legalised

EUTHANASIA or assisted sui‐ cide is legal already in Switzer‐ land. The country has taken one step further and has now approved the use of an assist‐ ed suicide capsule. The Sarco capsule or machine was de‐ signed by Nitschke and Alexander Bannink.

The designers hope that their assisted suicide machine will allow people to die in a dig‐ nified manner. The person who wants to die is placed in‐ side the capsule. Once activat‐ ed the capsule makes the per‐ son fall asleep where they then die painlessly. The ma‐ chine uses nitrogen to help the person die without pain.

The person wanting to die

CAPSULE: Can be used around the world.

can activate the machine using a button inside the capsule. If the person is paralysed, then they can activate the machine by just blinking. The capsule can be made with a 3D printer so can be used around the world.

Once activated the machine

sucks out oxygen from the air until only 1 per cent remains.

The patient will start to lose consciousness within seconds of the process being started.

Death will occur within five to 10 minutes and will be pain‐ less.

British Airways axes flights MORE than 2,000 flights have been grounded until March 2022 by British Airways. A spokesperson said that it is not due to worries over the Omicron variant or coronavirus travel restrictions being put in place.

British Airways commented: “Like other air‐ lines, due to the continuing Coronavirus pan‐ demic we are operating a reduced and dy‐

namic schedule.”

Some countries in Europe are already begin‐ ning to re‐implement lockdowns to try to keep the virus at bay. The travel industry has been relieved though as initial reports suggest that the Omicron variant leads to mild symptoms.

Not much is known about the new variant at the moment.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

16 - 22 December 2021

Pension divorce limit

THE Supreme Court in Spain has set limits for granting an ‘indefinite’ compensatory pension after a divorce. The court considers that it is nec‐ essary to investigate whether the partner can earn an in‐ come in the future and sup‐ port themselves. The factors considered include age, health, education and whether there are children to take care of.

A compensatory pension is a benefit that one former spouse receives from the oth‐ er. This occurs when the breakdown of the couple cre‐ ates an economic imbalance compared to the situation when married.

The new limits were first set out in a ruling in Novem‐ ber. The Supreme Court par‐ tially upheld an appeal from a man who had been ordered to pay a considerable com‐ pensatory pension by the Madrid Provincial Court. He had originally been ordered to pay €2,000 indefinitely.

The Supreme Court has dropped this to a period of

Factors to be considered are age, health, education and children.

five years and to a payment of only €1,000.

The man had agreed that his wife who had stopped working to look after the fam‐ ily should receive a compen‐ satory pension. However, he

disagreed that it should be an indefinite pension and that it should be for such a high sum.

The Supreme Court partial‐ ly agreed with him and limit‐ ed the amount to be paid and the duration.

Tesco strike

TESCO warehouse workers and drivers are set to cause chaos in strikes just days before Christmas.

The supermarket has said it will make sure shelves re‐ main fully stocked during the strikes from Unite and the US‐ DAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers).

Union representatives have said that the dispute involves some 6,000 workers at distribution centres after a 4 per cent annual pay rise was rejected.

A spokesperson for Tesco said: “Our distribution col‐ leagues have worked tirelessly through the pandemic in or‐ der to keep products moving for customers. We are disap‐ pointed that some have voted to proceed, and we have contingency plans in place to help mitigate any impacts.”

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NEWS

Adele bans unvaccinated

ADELE is returning after a four‐year hiatus. Fans though have been shocked

after she banned anyone who is not vaccinated from her concerts. This will also

No smoking in cars

THE Spanish Ministry of Health has finalised an ambitious com‐ prehensive plan against smoking that introduces, among other issues, the prohibition of smoking in cars, the generic packag‐ ing of tobacco brands and limiting electronic cigarettes.

The European Union and the WHO now have ambitions to achieve a ‘tobacco‐free generation’ in Spain.

For this and ‘before the year 2023’ it will propose to increase smoke‐free spaces, including electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, such as terraces of bars and restaurants and the vicinity of public buildings.

The Ministry of Health also wants to adapt all the regula‐ tions against smoking ‘to the changes produced in the market with the appearance of new products and achieving progress in the regulation of smoke‐free spaces.’

These smoke‐free spaces also include ‘certain spaces of the private sphere’ such as ‘private vehicles.’

In addition, they want to stop the increasing covert advertis‐ ing and promotions on social networks and platforms of new tobacco products.

Spain plans to reach the goal established by the WHO of a relative reduction of 30 per cent in tobacco consumption by the year 2025.

include people who have only had a single dose of the vaccine.

The 33‐year‐old British su‐ perstar announced last month that she will perform to 4,000 people a night in a run of concerts from Jan‐ uary 21. The concerts will take place every Friday and Saturday after that until mid‐April.

Seventy‐six‐year‐old Sir Rod Stewart will also be per‐ forming at the same venue which can hold 4,300 peo‐ ple. He will allow unvacci‐ nated fans to attend though so long as they wear ‘masks at all times unless eating and drinking.’ Attendees will also need to have ‘a temper‐ ature check at the venue en‐ trance upon arrival.’

STATS

76

Halley’s comet passes the Earth every 76 years.

Adele to appear in concert.

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EUROPEAN PRESS

EUROPEAN PRESS DENMARK

Irish Hamlet

Plastic triumph

ALAS poor Hamlet, he wasn’t Danish but Irish according to research undertaken by medieval scholars. It is understood that the character was based on Amlothi whose tale was recorded in the 12th Century Deeds of the Danes and it is now believed that his name is not Scandinavian.

A REPORT by the Dansk Erhverv chamber of commerce suggests the average person in Denmark only used 32 plastic bags in 2021 which is four years ahead of schedule on an EU directive that requires all member states to average under 40 bags per person by 2025.

THE NETHERLANDS Art attack

Ironic fine

WHO needs another Rembrandt is a question being asked on Dutch social media, after the government there put up €150 million towards a €175 million price tag that the Rothschild family want for his The Standard Bearer?

Many suggest the money would be better spent elsewhere.

THE Dutch tax office is being fined €2.7 million by the data protection authority AP for discriminating against dual national families who were targeted in a childcare benefit scandal. Ironically as no individual employee has to pay, the fine will come from taxes collected.

BELGIUM Poor publicity

My Corona Risk

AN investigation undertaken by a group of three Belgian media companies has revealed that charity Poverello, an organisation which says it is there to help the poor, owns €50 million’s worth of real estate and has €14 million in the bank.

HEALTH platform Citizens on the Move has helped create Europe’s first online platform My Corona Risk which assesses the chances of becoming infected with the coronavirus and how severe the infection will be based on questions about their location, precautions taken and state of health.

GERMANY Fake news

Green credentials

THE German news agency DW has made it clear that a Facebook post entitled ‘Mistletoe, anyone?’ supposedly showing a DW article featuring hundreds of German anti-vaxxers kissing is not only fake, but uses a kiss-in photograph taken 10 years ago in Chile.

THE new Minister for Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir of Turkish descent who represents the Green Party in the German coalition government kept true to his beliefs by turning up at the presidential palace on a bicycle to collect his certificate of appointment.

FRANCE Happy ending

History sold

A MOUNTAINEER discovered a metal box in the snow near Mont Blanc in 2013 which contained a number of precious stones and it transpired that the box was from an Indian aircraft which crashed 50 years earlier. Now he has shared a €300,000 reward with the local council.

NAPOLEON first came to power following a coup in 1799 and so popular is he still that the jewel encrusted sword that he carried as well as five of his guns were sold at auction in the USA to an anonymous buyer for $2.9 million (€2.56 million).

NORWAY Sadly missed

Sad tree

THE late Kim Karen-Christine Friele was accorded the highest honour a Norwegian citizen can receive with a state funeral attended by members of royalty, the government and hundreds of admirers as she was remembered as the woman who had done the most to champion Norwegian gay rights.

THERE are tongue in cheek suggestions that because Manchester United sacked Norwegian football hero Ole Gunnar Solskjær that the annual Christmas tree sent to Trafalgar Square was below par and that London should be encouraged to buy a new tree and send the bill to Oslo Council.

EUROPEAN PRESS

www.euroweeklynews.com

EUROPEAN PRESS FINLAND

Light marvel

Biogas production

AS temperatures drop considerably in part of northern Finland, a natural phenomenon means that pillars of light are created when moisture in the air turns directly into ice crystals and they can reflect the light of a street lamp as they descend very slowly towards the ground.

THE southern Finnish port of HaminaKotka is doing its bit to help reduce pollution in the Baltic Sea as it has started the process of transforming the waste water discharged from arriving freighters into biogas that can be used as fuel for commercial vehicles.

IRELAND Fishy story

Disruptive solicitors

USING EU funds, the Irish Government plans to have 60 small fishing trawlers decommissioned whilst other European Union based fleets will continue to have access to Irish waters. Despite a payment of €12,000 per tonne of weight of each trawler, small communities may be wiped out.

IRISH law does not give any absolute right for a person arrested to be given access to a solicitor but in practice this does happen, however a new law being considered may give the Garda (police) the right to ban ‘disruptive’ solicitors from interviews.

ITALY Confession accepted

Christmas tree

A PRIEST aged 40 has confessed that he used money from the collection plate in his church in Tuscany to buy drugs which he then sold at sex parties and has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the court.

ACKNOWLEDGED by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest Christmas tree which is made up of lights and is 750 metres tall, it towers above the mediaeval town of Gubbio and its 700 lights are ‘adopted’ by residents who dedicate each light to their loved ones.

PORTUGAL Street brawl

Amazing space

IF Covid wasn’t enough, football hooliganism has returned to Lisbon where police had to break up a brawl between Benfica and Ukraine’s Dynamo Kiev supporters prior to their Champions League game leaving 12 in hospital and 54 arrested. Benfica eventually won 2 - 0.

SOMETHING went wrong with the snagging list in the 200-year-old Santa Maria do Castelo church in Tavira as what is believed to be an abandoned space for a small altar has just been discovered when a display case containing a statue was moved for renovations.

RUSSIA Clever marketing

Billionaire club

A BAKERY in St Petersburg has stormed the Russian internet with a video showing what appears to be Timothée Chalamet, star of the latest Dune remake, staring lovingly at a cake, but in fact it is a remarkable local lookalike who is the star.

EVERY year, Forbes magazine publishes details of the world’s richest people and the countries they come from. As we get near to the end of 2021, they estimate that Russian billionaires have a combined wealth of €556 billion, putting them third in the list behind American and India.

SWEDEN ABBA Mania

IKEA names

FORMED in 1989, British tribute group ABBA Mania is now being sued by the four members of ABBA who have just released their first new album in 40 years and are launching a virtual stage show. ABBA object to the words original and official in advertising.

A NEW campaign by the Swedish tourist office called Discover the Originals, has selected 21 popular IKEA products with names associated with different locations in Sweden and described them so that customers will recognise that they are not just toilet brushes or waste paper bins.

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FINANCE BUSINESS EXTRA Xmas lunch CHRISTMAS comes but once a year and this may be important to British family finances as according to analysts Kantar, the cost of lunch on December 25 will be higher than last year, with a 7 per cent hike on turkeys and 5 per cent on Brussels sprouts and Christmas puddings.

Bid rejected THE proposed takeover of mutually owned insurance company LV= by US investment company Bain Capital was only supported by 69 per cent of the members (shareholders) when a minimum of 75 per cent was required even though the offer on the table was £530 million.

Solar petrol REPSOL now has 272 service stations in Spain which are powered by solar panels on forecourt roofs just two years after it launched its green energy programme and plans to have installed the panels on a total of 400 locations by the end of 2022.

Cecilia for rent WITH fears that there will be insufficient staff available to man the pumps in pubs around Britain, even with the return to work from home, due to the Omicron variant, some landlords are considering employing Cecilia, a robotic bartender available to rent at £1,500 a month.

Fish wars DESPITE threatening Britain with sanctions if fishing licences weren’t granted to small French fishing boats, the Macron Government and the EU have now agreed a compromise. With other more newsworthy events catching the headlines, the British Government alongside those of Crown Dependencies, Guernsey and Jersey issued 83 additional licences, less than demanded but more than expected. In theory this should stop a Calais blockade on British goods, but much will depend on how many French fishermen were not granted licences and still feel hard done by.

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STAT OF WEEK

€66.577

billion is the latest estimate of the cost to Spain of the bail out for banks following the financial crisis and this may still increase according to the Court of Auditors.

Spain wants new startups TRUE to its word, the Spanish Gov‐ ernment is in the process of woo‐ ing new startup companies and foreign workers to the country as it wants to catapult Spain into the forefront of the digital economy.

It can afford to offer very attrac‐ tive deals to new employers and their workers thanks to the fi‐ nance guaranteed by the EU Re‐ covery Fund and it clearly plans to use the money received both as a grant and cheap loan to kickstart the new tech economy.

On Friday December 10, Minis‐ ter of Economic Affairs and Digital

Transformation, Nadia Calviño an‐ nounced that the new Startups law was ready to be presented to parliament for final approval ex‐ plaining that with this regulation to promote innovative en‐ trepreneurship, Spain is going to be among the most attractive countries for the creation of star‐ tups, “thinking very especially of the generation of opportunities for young people and in attracting investment and talent.”

In essence, the government will lower corporate tax to 15 per cent from the current 25 per cent for

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Grants for electric cars?

I know that Spain for some years has offered grants for purchase of new cars and tax rebates when you junk your old car. Is this still in effect and how would I find out about it?

M L (Costa del Sol)

Yes, it is DAVID SEARL called Plan Moves III and is YOU AND THE LAW now limited to IN SPAIN grants for all‐elec‐ tric and hybrid vehicles. It offers no grants for gasoline‐ powered vehicles. The plan went into effect in September and will run over the next three years. It offers total aid of €67.5 million. Specifically the maximum amount an indi‐ vidual can receive would be €7,000 if he buys an all‐elec‐ tric or a plug‐in hybrid vehicle and junks his present car more than seven years old. If he does not junk his old car, the grant drops to €4,500. The grant does not apply to ve‐ hicles whose range is less than 90 kilometres, so it cannot be used for mobility scooters. Private persons can get grants of 70 per cent to install charging stations. The best way to inform yourself is simply to go to your automobile dealer. He wants to sell you a car, so he will make sure that you get the best deal possible.

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

FRACKING is an important source of energy in the USA and was promot‐ ed by the Conservative Government under David Cameron in the face of considerable criticism from environ‐ mentalists. Although the go ahead was given for tests to be undertaken in the Midlands and north of England with companies looking to extract gas in particular, a decision was made by Whitehall to ban any large‐

startups and will cut taxes for for‐ eign workers who move to Spain to take up jobs in these companies or to become digital nomads, working for overseas companies but from a Spanish base.

For generations, bureaucracy has been considered a stumbling block for smaller businesses wish‐ ing to set up in Spain, but Calviño has indicated that the new law will make it far simpler to set up a company online without need for notary or registry costs and wom‐ en will be encouraged to be part of this digital revolution.

What is a pre-paid funeral plan?

WHILE many peo‐ ple plan their next night out or holi‐ day, most do not think ahead to their funeral.

From what type of service to have Pay for your funeral in advance. to the music, plan‐ ning a funeral can be difficult, but a Golden Leaves funeral plan can help prevent your loved ones from having to plan it for you in a different country and another language.

Golden Leaves Funeral Plans aims to support grieving fam‐ ilies during these times.

Its international division offers expat prepaid funeral plans in Spain. Purchasing a funeral plan with Golden Leaves en‐ ables you to plan, design and pay for your funeral services in advance.

Pre‐planning and pre‐paying at today’s prices ensures that your preferences are closely followed and respected, and the funeral fees stipulated in your plan are guaranteed to be paid, no matter how prices rise in the future.

Most importantly, you can take comfort knowing that your family is spared the emotional and financial burden of organising and financing your funeral in the time when they are least able to cope.

Contact Golden Leaves to begin choosing the right pre‐ paid funeral plan for you.

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

Possibility of action scale fracking following a number of minor earthquakes in 2019 which were blamed on the fracking experi‐ ments. Understandably those who had been involved in investing in equipment, licences and testing were aggrieved by the decision and re‐

quests were made for the govern‐ ment to reverse the decision which was not forthcoming. Now however, according to The Daily Telegraph, those involved have warned the British Government that they are considering taking legal action to try

Point of law A COURT decision in Ger‐ many may impact the whole of the work envi‐ ronment throughout the European Union as after having his initial claim re‐ jected by a lower court a man who worked from home has had his appeal upheld.

Very simply, as a home worker employed by a company, he claimed that as he fell down the stairs going from his bedroom to his study where he worked, he was entitled to be covered by his em‐ ployer’s accident liability insurance.

Whilst the Spanish Gov‐ ernment encouraged home working, the actual law concerning accidents in the home is undefined, but this may act as a use‐ ful precedent.

Industrial unrest WHILST there was little indus‐ trial action in Spain during the period from March 2020 until the end of summer 2021, things are beginning to esca‐ late with a number of demonstrations on the streets.

Farmers in Oviedo rode their horses around the city complaining about the rise in prices in almost everything, except their produce.

Metal workers in Cadiz Province became embroiled in quite violent conflict with the police and one of the main roads to La Linea de la Frontera was closed by strik‐ ers.

Now for Christmas, expect strikes from delivery drivers and even El Gordo lottery sellers. to recover some or all of the estimat‐ ed £500 million that they have spent.

Should this go to court and if the government lost, the compensation would have to be paid by taxpayers at a time when Britain is suffering from high electricity prices and the fear that important gas supplies from Russia could be cut off because of the UK’s stance against Russian policy on the Ukraine.

40 EWN

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16 - 22 December 2021

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C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 13

COMPANY PRICE(P) 3I Group 1.412,00 Abrdn 238,30 Admiral Group 3.076,0 Anglo American 2.976,5 Antofagasta 1.395,00 Ashtead Group 6.270,0 Associated British Foods 1.933,0 AstraZeneca 8.154,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 734,80 Avast 614,40 Aveva 3.276,4 Aviva 395,25 B&M European Value Retail 642,80 BAE Systems 546,92 Bank VTB DRC 1,224 Barclays 183,08 Barratt Developments 735,40 Berkeley 4.744,0 BHP Group 2.169,50 BP 342,85 British American Tobacco 2.749,0 British Land Company 515,20 BT Group 176,73 Bunzl 2.979,0 Burberry Group 1.831,5 Carnival 1.307,9 Centrica 67,02 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.473,9 Compass 1.527,00 CRH 3.804,0 Croda Intl 10.403,7 DCC 5.656,0 Diageo 3.954,0 DS Smith 392,40 EasyJet 517,54 Experian 3.645,5 Ferguson 12.485,0 Flutter Entertainment 10.940,0 Fresnillo 874,90 GlaxoSmithKline 1.606,60 Glencore 373,25 Halma 3.152,0 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.321,50 Hikma Pharma 2.220,00 HSBC 437,75 IAG 134,96 Imperial Brands 1.584,50 Informa 500,80 InterContinental 4.629,0 Intermediate Capital 2.200,00

CHANGE(P) 1.414,00 238,90 3.087,0 2.991,0 1.398,50 6.271,0 1.950,5 8.161,0 735,80 615,80 3.291,0 396,20 646,20 551,20 1,224 183,46 738,00 4.761,0 2.183,00 345,30 2.763,0 520,80 178,50 2.985,0 1.836,5 1.317,2 67,70 2.478,0 1.532,00 3.810,0 10.435,0 5.710,0 3.970,0 394,00 530,80 3.651,0 12.495,0 11.060,0 875,20 1.609,80 374,00 3.154,0 1.336,50 2.228,00 440,05 137,86 1.593,00 503,60 4.666,0 2.201,00

% CHG. 1.393,00 236,50 3.067,0 2.959,0 1.379,00 6.193,1 1.924,5 8.109,0 731,80 613,60 3.259,0 393,90 640,20 546,80 1,180 182,30 729,40 4.712,0 2.163,50 342,65 2.749,0 514,80 175,55 2.960,0 1.821,5 1.296,6 66,92 2.455,0 1.519,00 3.776,0 10.275,0 5.652,0 3.936,5 388,50 516,60 3.620,0 12.370,0 10.920,0 860,40 1.598,20 370,85 3.130,0 1.315,00 2.204,00 436,45 134,86 1.579,50 500,40 4.629,0 2.173,00

NET VOL 54,09K 228,22K 22,06K 344,00K 79,29K 4,66K 48,80K 179,45K 80,57K 141,78K 11,98K 777,01K 102,67K 167,83K 2,96M 1,30M 127,32K 13,23K 439,64K 4,15M 317,28K 133,16K 2,58M 29,72K 64,10K 129,42K 2,11M 36,29K 178,07K 46,64K 35,97K 6,39K 157,10K 346,65K 577,14K 45,88K 8,85K 16,17K 63,64K 703,41K 2,43M 21,90K 25,63K 29,18K 2,37M 3,25M 88,72K 138,49K 16,70K 8,89K

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

Intertek ITV 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 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 Taylor Wimpey Tesco Tui Unilever United Utilities Vodafone Group PLC Whitbread WPP

5.764,0 111,03 272,80 2.011,0 748,20 294,20 46,12 6.632,0 737,80 149,00 1.838,50 1.046,84 216,60 8.228,0 29,55 1.588,20 2.817,0 649,80 1.302,50 6.154,0 2.406,00 625,40 769,40 4.833,5 121,38 7,64 1.655,90 1.656,0 1.652,6 828,57 1.628,50 15,90 3.434,0 1.402,65 1.409,00 2.916,0 1.225,48 1.508,00 16.300,0 1.628,75 1.615,50 426,20 167,91 285,45 218,70 4.006,0 1.117,50 113,09 2.881,0 1.109,50

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

5.768,0 111,45 275,50 2.046,0 752,80 294,70 46,33 6.714,0 739,60 149,40 1.840,50 1.049,60 217,30 8.296,0 29,75 1.612,88 2.825,0 650,60 1.312,00 6.164,0 2.408,00 626,60 772,40 4.857,6 123,12 7,73 1.665,20 1.664,8 1.661,6 829,80 1.631,50 16,05 3.443,0 1.407,38 1.412,00 2.948,0 1.233,00 1.508,00 16.325,0 1.633,52 1.616,00 427,70 168,28 285,95 222,80 4.010,5 1.121,00 113,50 2.907,0 1.119,00

5.706,0 110,35 272,50 2.008,0 748,00 292,70 45,98 6.612,0 735,60 148,30 1.818,50 1.045,20 215,80 8.154,0 29,41 1.583,00 2.801,0 643,80 1.300,50 6.096,0 2.396,00 621,80 766,40 4.812,0 121,18 7,60 1.654,50 1.655,0 1.651,0 821,80 1.624,00 15,76 3.413,0 1.397,00 1.401,00 2.906,0 1.221,00 1.496,50 16.130,0 1.623,00 1.607,00 423,80 166,04 283,30 217,50 3.990,0 1.114,00 112,32 2.846,0 1.102,50

8,27K 486,76K 191,78K 34,90K 64,92K 612,64K 20,38M 67,47K 35,03K 446,81K 59,57K 156,17K 1,20M 12,48K 53,65K 24,71K 26,20K 75,88K 330,52K 65,01K 80,83K 85,06K 102,84K 44,18K 4,89M 261,27K 501,62K 515,68K 770,15K 233,42K 1,60K 748,06K 10,15K 387,76K 102,32K 14,32K 113,34K 39,71K 5,32K 15,40K 27,34K 537,15K 196,88K 749,86K 634,72K 227,74K 67,06K 4,94M 26,78K 378,45K

1.17275

0.85141

Units per €

US dollar (USD) ......................................1.12671 Japan yen (JPY)......................................128.116 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................1.0427 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4362 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................10.138

currenciesdirect.com/moraira • Tel: +34 966 265 072 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 13

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

PRICE 177,10 2.973,5 3.444,24 210,89 179,45 205,06 203,46 118,34 59,25 56,28 391,06 415,40 209,81 124,09 50,59 165,49 159,82 264,97 72,62 329,75 342,54 169,06 155,46 266,03 1.017,03 478,23 50,19 213,40 141,03 152,71

CHANGE 177,94 2.988,0 3.518,54 214,45 179,63 209,00 205,90 119,20 59,34 56,32 398,86 415,61 210,04 125,33 51,07 166,69 161,70 265,27 73,23 335,03 343,00 170,24 155,80 270,57 1.020,98 478,48 50,33 214,25 141,30 154,66

CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 176,11 1,54M 2.947,1 1,04M 3.410,00 2,97M 210,01 2,73M 174,69 112,53M 203,48 6,00M 202,11 3,31M 116,87 9,07M 57,91 19,22M 55,07 23,09M 388,66 1,88M 410,26 2,56M 205,82 3,24M 123,36 4,96M 50,05 22,58M 164,65 6,32M 159,13 10,12M 262,43 2,35M 72,25 11,39M 326,37 14,21M 334,79 36,99M 167,33 4,71M 153,43 6,88M 264,44 3,48M 982,53 19,66M 471,01 2,38M 49,99 17,90M 210,86 8,65M 137,57 12,52M 151,45 9,24M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 13

COMPANY

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

Most Advanced Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Cl A 1.54% NVR Inc. 1.23% AutoZone Inc. 1.89% White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. 1.84% UBS AG FI Enhanced Large Cap Growth ETN 1.67% Credit Suisse FI Large Cap Growth Enhanced ETN1.67% Markel Corp.

1.15% Oracle Corp.

15.61% Chemed Corp.

2.72% Martin Marietta Materials Inc. 2.83% Anthem Inc. 2.70%

1.57K 12.8K 161.27K 22.67K 35 575 39.15K 45.82M 98.69K 550.65K 1.22M

Most Declined Shopify Inc. Cl A Wayfair Inc. Cl A Sea Ltd. ADR HubSpot Inc. Generac Holdings Inc. Cloudflare Inc. Cl A Cooper Cos. United Rentals Inc. Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. Cl A Fiverr International Ltd. GXO Logistics Inc.

-2.23% -7.80% -6.62% -2.12% -3.44% -6.47% -2.17% -2.45% -1.03% -5.62% -7.61%

794.29K 2.75M 7.21M 577.85K 756.68K 5.64M 379.35K 599.97K 153.56K 749.57K 2.31M

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

Credit: @ThierryBreton Twitter

Mobile roaming with no extra fees

DEAL REACHED: Part of the negotiating team.

MOBILE roaming with no extra fees for EU residents is to be extended until 2032 after the presidency reached a deal with Euro‐ pean Parliament.

The EU’s successful roam like at home scheme will be extended until 2032, ac‐ cording to the provisional agreement reached on De‐ cember 9 by negotiators from the Council and the European Parliament.

The updated roaming rules will ensure that peo‐ ple can continue to make calls, text and browse the web while travelling in oth‐ er EU countries, without the fear of a shock when they get their bill, after the current roaming regulation expires on June 30, 2022.

The ‘roam like at home’ policy has made communi‐ cation easier and cheaper whenever people are trav‐ elling in Europe and is con‐ sidered one of the greatest success stories of the digital single market.

The revised roaming reg‐

ulation adjusts the maxi‐ mum wholesale prices to ensure that the provision of retail roaming services at domestic prices is sustain‐ able for operators through‐ out the EU although the fair use policy, which is de‐ signed to prevent perma‐ nent roaming, will contin‐ ue.

It increases transparency for services that may be subject to extra cost, and will also protect customers from bill shocks resulting from inadvertent roaming on non‐terrestrial mobile networks when on ferries or aeroplanes.

The provisional agree‐ ment reached is subject to approval by the Council and the full European Parlia‐ ment.

Unfortunately for those who have contracts with UK based mobile suppliers there will be no such pro‐ tection, due to Brexit, al‐ though Three are unlikely to start charging before May next year and O2 offer

Improvement of 15 fishing ports THE Junta de Andalucia is to invest in the improve‐ ment of 15 fishing ports as the Ministry of Agricul‐ ture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Develop‐ ment has allocated almost €8.2 million to carry out work.

This was confirmed on December 8 by Minister Carmen Crespo, who emphasised that this financial aid would cover 86 per cent of the total investment on these projects.

The beneficiary ports are Malaga, Fuengirola, Velez‐Malaga, Marbella and Estepona in Malaga Province; La Linea, Chipiona, Sanlucar de Barrameda, Puerto de Santa María, Barbate and Cadiz in Cadiz Province; Punta Umbria, Isla Cristina and El Rompido in Huelva Province and the port of Almeria.

some free roaming, but EE and Vodafone are charging already.

BUSINESS EXTRA Profits up THE Frasers Group in the UK has seen its pre‐tax profit soar by 75 per cent to £186 million in its lat‐ est half‐year results thanks to the reopening of stores following lock‐ down and a continued growth in its online busi‐ ness, although an Omi‐ cron Christmas may see a slow‐down.

Cherry picking LOOKING to boost its eco‐ nomic forecast depart‐ ment, the European Cen‐ tral Bank has appointed Oscar Arce, former direc‐ tor for Economics, Statis‐ tics and Research at the Bank of Spain as new di‐ rector general of its eco‐ nomics department, an important role which in‐ volves growth and infla‐ tion forecasts.

Flat line LATEST information from the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that GDP (Gross Domestic Prod‐ uct) rose just 0.1 per cent in November, well below the forecast 0.4 per cent growth due to ongoing sup‐ ply chain problems and staff shortages and this may get worse.

16 - 22 December 2021

EWN 41

42 EWN

16 - 22 December 2021

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT JUST how far back are we going with these accusations of so‐called ‘historical’ racism?

Thoroughly respectable citizens are now finding their careers and very livelihoods in jeopardy, merely because years ago they may have used a term or word that today isn’t considered acceptable.

As ludicrous as it may seem, you can bet that one day some woke committee, or another will suggest bringing the creators or participants of ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ or ‘The Black and White Minstrels’ to book.

It truly wouldn’t surprise me if compensation wasn’t sought from (ironically) the BBC, or some production company involved in these programmes of yore. Well, it’s all payback time, isn’t it?

The recent testimony of cricketer Azeem Rafiq was a case in point. His tearful account of experiencing racism in cricket and his naming of Michael Vaughn, who (a decade ago) was one of those censured, was enough despite a public apology, to just about destroy Vaughn’s whole distinguished career. At the hastily called public enquiry, the bleeding‐heart committee, with compassionately furrowed brows, delivered unctuous apologies, while the Yorkshire cricket club

www.euroweeklynews.com

Payback time awarded him £200,000 in ‘compensation’.

The fact that this same ‘sportsman’ had himself been accused and admitted making several anti‐Semitic and racist remarks some years ago, was conveniently omitted. He was also brought to book for harassing and sending vulgar messages to a 16‐year‐old girl. The biased media of course completely brushed over these facts, which never saw the light of day again.

From my experiences in apartheid South Africa, where the black community hated both the white and Asian ‘Cape coloureds’ (and vice versa) and Saudi Arabia, where I employed quite several Pakistani men, I can quite categorically state that the majority were the most blatant racists of all. The UK’s ethnic immigrant minorities are no strangers to racial inequality.

Whereas much of British so‐called racism has been steeped in light‐hearted humour and comedy (Manuel!) in their own countries of origin, many ethnic communities have experienced years of violence and hatred provoked by their different cultures and religions. The woke brigade are a gift from heaven for many of

these people and they will take every opportunity to make us all feel bad, while they craftily milk it for all its worth.

The recent case of actor Jussie Smollett, who faked his own racist and homophobic attack, is a similar case in point. I reiterate once again that I am not condoning racism in any form; but I won’t be sucked in by the crocodile tears of the ‘offended victims’ as if they are bewildered by it all, when their own societies have been steeped in it for eons.

Yet another American court case will be decided next week. Gird yer loins for the violent reactions and blanket left‐wing media coverage if the American white female police officer, who allegedly shot a black man by mistake, is found not guilty ‐ incidentally a verdict I would completely agree with.

Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon and Wed 1pm till 4 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

TV & Film Review by Laura Kemp

Streaming now: ‘And Just Like That…’

THE highly anticipated spinoff of the iconic TV show Sex and the City ‐ which ran from 1998 to 2004 ‐ has debuted on HBO Max with its first two episodes. The series continues from where it left off in the 2010 movie ‘Sex and the City 2’, following Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her girlfriends in New York.

There are some surprises in the spinoff so if you don’t want any spoilers, look away now. Shockingly, sex‐obsessed Samantha is no longer with us.

The first time we see Carrie, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis), the group is waiting to be seated at a restaurant. However, Samantha (Kim Cattrall) is missing.

Even though fans knew Cat‐ trall wouldn’t be involved in the reboot (allegedly due to her feud with Parker), her fate wasn’t known. But now we discover she has moved to London.

Back in New York, Carrie

has moved with technology and is now an influencer.

“Wow, Instagram, podcast,” exclaims Miranda. “I guess you’re passing as younger, too.”

So far, there’s been no sex.

For a show that was originally based on four single women and their relationships, the re‐ boot is surprisingly tame. The only person who seems to be having sex is Miranda’s horny teenage son, Brady.

The biggest surprise is that John Preston (Mr Big) dies at the end of the first episode. He is seen getting off his Peloton exercise bike and heading into the shower, sending a text to Carrie. He then falls to the floor, appearing to suffer a heart attack. Carrie returns home to find his body propped up against the show‐ er wall.

As she cradles his lifeless body in her arms, the episode ends with Carrie’s iconic voiceover: “And just like that...

Big died.”

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If you are looking to heat up your home, or even to add a beautiful fea‐ ture to your property, Chimeneas Calp will be able to find and fit the right fireplace for you.

Also offering an official technical service, financing up to 24 months without interest and advice on the best stove for you, Chimeneas Calp is located in Calpe and Benissa.

The company works with the best brands on the market, including Pi‐ azzetta, Superior, Edilkamin, Rocal, Hergom and Lacunza and has more than 40 years’ experience in the field.

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Christmas traditions

IF you’re getting into the holiday feel at this time, you may be already be getting involved with some traditional Christmas activities.

But to ramp up the festive vibes, why not take a look at some of our Christmas traditions to take part in that involve the whole family?

Christmas carols No Christmas would be complete without a trip to a carol concert, or even to do some carolling of your own.

writing their letters to Father Christmas to get all their presents in on time.

Making your own cards More personal than buying a box of cards, this year why not make some cards for your friends and family?

All you need is some coloured card, scissors and glitter to make your own set of festive notes this year.

Decorate your tree.

Letters to Santa If you have children, now is the time to get them to start

Write a letter to Santa.

44 EWN

CDS

16 - 22 December 2021

euroweeklynews.com

10 of the best comedy films at Xmas

CHRISTMAS is all about being together with those you love. And what better way to spend time together than in front of a classic festive comedy?

Here, the Euro Weekly News sets out the 10 of the best Christmas comedy films for you to watch this year.

These films include some of the classics from across the years, as well as some new movies you may not have seen, and also offer something for everyone, from the younger members of the audience to older relatives.

1. Jingle All the Way 2. A Christmas Story 3. Christmas with the Kranks 4. Elf 5. Bad Santa 6. Four Christmases 7. The Muppet Christmas Carol 8. Just Friends 9. Ernest Saves Christmas 10.Get Santav

To get the full Christmas film experience, add popcorn, hot chocolate, your favourite cinema-style pick n mix and a blanket to snuggle up together under.

POPCORN: Get in the mood.

euroweeklynews.com FROM pooping logs to midnight mass, Spain marks some parts of Christmas differently to the UK. And here are five of the best traditions.

1. The caga tio A tradition from Catalonia, the caga tio or pooping log is a log that has been given legs and a face and is fed by children before Christmas.

On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, children then hit the log with a

16 - 22 December 2021

CDS

Festive traditions around Spain CHRISTMAS traditions vary from country to country, and Spain has some of the best customs of anywhere in the world. stick and it poops out nougat.

2. Midnight Mass Many Spanish go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, known as La Misa Del Gallo, eating their main Christmas meal before or after mass instead of on

Christmas Day. 3. Three Kings In Spain, the Three Kings are the ones who bring children their presents on January 6 after parading through the town on January 5 throwing sweets for the children.

5 steps to the perfect Christmas party

GETTING everyone together over the Christmas period is one of the best things about the season, but putting together the perfect festive party can be difficult.

Here, the Euro Weekly News sets out the five steps to creating the perfect Christmas party this year.

1. Guest list Getting everyone you want to attend together and making sure that you have enough people to create a real party vibe is key, so take time to put together your guest list to make sure you invite everyone you want this year.

2. Food and drink Making sure you have plenty of food and drink in will keep everyone happy so get in all the classic favourites ahead of your party.

3. Directions and parking Make sure everyone knows how to get to the party by sending out directions with your invitations or a few days before the party. Similarly, make sure there is enough space for everyone to park when they get to you, by pointing out the nearest public places they can park in.

4. Pick the right music Add to the Christmas vibe with some festive

songs.

5. Find a fun game Finally, to ramp up the

festive feel, a fun game will make sure everyone gets involved.

4. Roscon The Spanish also often have a Roscon de Reyes over Christmas. This sweet bread ring, topped with fruits and sometimes filled with whipped cream, is the cake eaten at Christmas in Spain.

5. Basque Santa The Basques have their own version of Santa, Olentzero a mythical giant, dressed in peasant’s clothes and smoking a pipe. He brings presents for children on Christmas Eve in the Basque Country.

45

THURSDAY 16/12 FRIDAY 17/12 SATURDAY 18/12

6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:35pm 9:35pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 10:30pm 11:00pm 6:10pm 6:20pm 6:25pm 6:30pm 7:10pm 8:00pm 10:00pm 11:05pm

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WEDNESDAY 22/12

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

10:00pm

Pointless BBC News at Six; Weather BBC London News; Weather The One Show Sort Your Life Out with Stacey Solomon EastEnders MasterChef: The Professionals News at Ten

6:20pm 7:00pm

Pointless BBC News at Six; Weather BBC London News; Weather The One Show Spider-Man: Far From Home Have I Got News for You BBC News at Ten

5:10pm

BBC News BBC London News; Weather Weather Superman & Lois The Weakest Link Strictly Special Strictly Come Dancing: The Final Michael McIntyre's The Wheel BBC News

3:00pm 4:55pm

BBC London News; Weather Weather Countryfile at Christmas Antiques Roadshow at Christmas BBC Sports The Girl Before BBC News BBC London News; Weather

6:00pm

Pointless BBC News at Six; Weather BBC London News; Weather Mary Berry's Festive Feasts EastEnders Would I Lie to You? at Christmas The Girl Before BBC News at Ten

4:50pm 7:15pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm

Pointless BBC News at Six; Weather BBC London News; Weather The Goes Wrong Show: The Spirit of Christmas EastEnders Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook-Off The Girl Before

6:00pm

Pointless Celebrities Christmas Special BBC News at Six; Weather BBC London News; Weather The Repair Shop at Christmas The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special The Girl Before

4:40pm 7:05pm 7:40pm

7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm

5:15pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:30pm

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7:00pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:10am

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Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Mary Berry - Love to Cook Nadiya's Fast Flavours Surgeons: At the Edge of Life Mock the Week Newsnight

8:00pm

Africa's Lion Kings: Natural World Winter's Weirdest Events Flog It! Strictly: It Takes Two Richard Osman's House of Games Walking with Jim Moir Gardeners' World Winter Specials Vienna Blood Newsnight

8:30pm 9:00pm

Great Expectations Charles Dickens and the Invention of Christmas Flog It! Chris & Michaela - Under the Christmas Sky Whisky Galore!

The Snow Wolf: A Winter's Tale Madonna at the BBC Desperately Seeking Susan Madonna: Truth or Dare

8:00pm

Nigella's Cook, Eat, Repeat Christmas Special Last Woman on Earth with Sara Pascoe The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Beauty and the Beast: A Pantomime for Comic Relief The Ranganation Christmas Special

8:00pm 8:50pm 10:00pm

South Pacific Porridge Dad's Army Mastermind Only Connect University Challenge QI Christmas Special: Seasons Greetings Two Doors Down: Christmas Special We Wish You a Mandy Christmas

8:00pm

Remarkable Places to Eat at Christmas The Good Life Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing Dad's Army University Challenge A Taste of Christmas with Andi Oliver Impeachment: American Crime Story What We Do in the Shadows

9:00pm

Guys and Dolls Dad's Army Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em University Challenge The Hairy Bikers Go North for Christmas Inside the Christmas Factory Live at the Apollo: Christmas Special Secrets of the Apollo

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The Joy of Painting: Winter Specials University Challenge The Culture Show The Color Purple The Sky at Night A look back at the programmes from 2021.

Horizon: Seeing Stars James May at the Edge of Space The Culture Show

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Sounds of the 70s Top of the Pops: Christmas 1989 Saturday Night Fever The Ultimate Disco Movie Disco at the BBC Rod Stewart Christmas Concert: Old Grey Whistle Test The Story of A Fairytale of New York

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All Aboard: The Great Reindeer Migration The Lady in the Van The Galaxy Britain Built: The British Force Behind Star Wars Toy Empire: The British Force Behind Star Wars Toys Tales of Winter: The Art of Snow and Ice Disco at the BBC

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Natural World Swinging Christmas Daniel Barenboim: In His Own Words BBC Proms Classics: Barenboim Conducts the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the Proms Sound of Musicals with Neil Brand Handmade in the Pacific: Yidaki

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Top of the Pops: Christmas 1990 What We Were Watching: Christmas 1991 Keeping Up Appearances Xmas 1991: The Father Christmas Suit Pet Shop Boys in Concert The Ice House James May: My Sisters' Top Toys

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A Merry Tudor Christmas with Lucy Worsley Dinnerladies Victoria Wood: Seen on TV Some Santas with Jokes The Truth About Christmas Carols Bought with Love: The Secret History of British Art Collections

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Top of the Pops: Christmas 1978 Yes, Minister One Foot in the Grave Eric, Ernie & Me Stuffed: The Great British Christmas Dinner How Quizzing Got Cool: Tv's Brains of Britain Handmade in the Pacific: Taupoo

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Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Walk the Line Gordon, Gino & Fred: Desperately Seeking Santa ITV News ITV News London

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Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Walk the Line It'll Be Alright on the Night ITV News ITV News London

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The Chase: The Bloopers The Brits Are Coming Rolling In It: Christmas Special ITV News and Weather ITV News London Moneyball The Chase Celebrity Special Paul O'Grady's Saturday Night Christmas Line Up The Jonathan Ross Show

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Licence to Kill ITV News and Weather ITV News London The Pet Show Sitting on a Fortune Celebrity Christmas The Royal Variety Performance ITV News and Weather ITV London Weather Michael Bublé's Christmas In The City

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Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Gino's Italian Family Adventure Coronation Street The Big Soap Quiz: Coronation Street vs Emmerdale

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Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Gino's Italian Family Adventure Love Your Garden Philip: Prince, Husband, Father ITV News at Ten ITV News London

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Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs Coronation Street Madame Tussauds: The Full Wax ITV News at Ten

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Moneybags A Place in the Sun Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Dog House at Christmas One Night in Alton Towers Literally Just Told You

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Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Truth About Disability Benefits: Dispatches Sainsburys: Christmas Food Secrets Celebrity Gogglebox 2021

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Jamie: Keep Cooking at Christmas Bee Movie Channel 4 News A Lake District Farm Shop at Christmas Christmas at Chatsworth House 48 Hours to Victory The Equalizer 2 Daddy's Home 2

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Moneybags Kirstie's Handmade Christmas Eddie the Eagle Channel 4 News Devon and Cornwall at Christmas Escape to the Chateau at Christmas Guy Martin's Lancaster Bomber Catch Me If You Can

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A Place in the Sun Chateau DIY at Christmas Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Jamie: Together at Christmas Inside Liberty at Christmas

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A Place in the Sun Chateau DIY at Christmas Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Sarah Beeny's New Life in the Country at Christmas Amazing Spaces: George's Icelandic Adventure The Great British Truck Up

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Countdown A Place in the Sun Chateau DIY at Christmas Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Kirstie and Phil's Love it or List it First Dates at Christmas

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A Ring For Christmas 5 News at 5 Secrets of the Mega Christmas Buffet World's Strongest Man 2021 Inside the Tower of London Murder in Suburbia Critical Condition The Boy with No Brain: Extraordinary People

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Christmas at Dollywood 5 News at 5 Secrets of the Christmas Factory Secrets of the Imperial War Museum The Thames at Night with Tony Robinson Gregg Wallace's Magical Christmas Market

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Surviving Christmas with the Relatives Entertainment News on 5 Surviving Christmas with the Relatives Journey Back to Christmas 5 News Update Journey Back to Christmas Scrooge

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Entertainment News on 5 The Christmas Set Up A Unicorn for Christmas 5 News Update A Unicorn for Christmas 5 News Weekend A Winter Cruise with Jane McDonald Hamleys at Christmas Britain's Favourite 90s Toys

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Entertainment News on 5 Christmas Everlasting A Christmas Contest Entertainment News on 5 A Christmas Contest Surviving Christmas with the Relatives 5 News Update A Snowy Scenic Railway Journey

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A Nutcracker Christmas Entertainment News on 5 A Nutcracker Christmas Christmas CEO 5 News Update Cadbury's at Christmas & Other Chocolate Treats Harrods at Christmas Christmas Cruising with Susan Calman

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A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love Entertainment News on 5 A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love A Christmas Stray 5 News Update World's Strongest Man 2021 Christmas at the Tower of London

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FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

CLAIRE GORDON FINDING BALANCE IN AN UNEVEN WORLD AS the UK has been boiling with rage about Christmas parties held in No 10 a year ago, a new bill has passed through parliament that has made second class citizens out of more than six million British people. Anyone granted British citizenship can now have it taken away with zero warning, a move branded unconstitutional by human rights lawyers.

It also gives immunity to border force staff if people die during their operations and allows them to transfer refugees to offshore ‘processing centres’ where they can be detained indefinitely.

T he B orders and N ationality bill has been deemed dangerous and unethical by critics, yet it passed through the Commons after just nine minutes of debate, with its main backer, Priti Patel “delighted.”

Little has been written in the press about this, as the space has

16 - 22 December 2021

Smoke and mirrors been taken up with Christmas quizzes, cheese and wine, and leaked videos. While I support holding the government to account for breaking rules and showing disregard for the people they are supposed to represent, we must remember to stay alert.

For every scandal, something worse may be lurking. For every furore that fills column inches, there’s something else could be sneaking its way in. Just as Matt Hancock was conveniently thrown to the wolves as another controversial bill had its first reading, Allegra Stratton and others will provide cover as this unethical law-making is waved through.

The next piece of democracystealing, rights-stripping law will come via the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill, legislation that would not look out of place in an authoritarian regime.

Effectively banning the right to protest, it takes away the democratic right to dissent and the voice of people who are dispro-

portionally affected by government policy. Again, spearheaded by the Home Secretary, who made serious amendments to the bill while people looked the other way.

Patel is dangerous, and that’s why my inkling for what is next is so scary.

Boris Johnson has shown himself to be ruthless when it comes to axing people who disagree with his aims. But I think he will soon fall on the sword left out for him.

With the news that Patel is making a leadership move, I felt a scared resignation. When Johnson gets the chop, amid the inevitable uproar over this winter’s inescapable Covid deaths, a wolf in home secretary’s clothing will come through the door, and they will spin it like it’s an upgrade. Terrifying.

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

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

EWN 47

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

INEQUALITIES

From our Facebook

BREATH OF FRESH AIR: Claire Gordon’s column in complete contract to the view of Leapy Lee.

What a breath of fresh air to read Claire Gordon’s column last week in complete contrast to the views of Lee, in her statement quote! (The irony of people making these sorts of ignorant statements at a campaign aimed at making spaces more welcoming for people is completely lost) While she is specifically referring to LGBTQ+ everything she has said also applies to the continual ignorance shown by her fellow columnist towards the BLM movement who are only asking that more tolerance should be shown towards all genders. Thankfully the majority of the public through these organisations are now seeing the importance of equality as shown by the hundreds of thousands at football matches when every week the taking of the knee is widely applauded.

Many thanks Ramon

Last week’s Leapy I don’t always agree with you... but I really thought your article last week was spot on ... I really loved the statements from Sheikh Rahid too...

Regards

Import duty Yes I had the same problem, this time with a parcel from the UK, I had to pay €23.64, God knows where they got this amount from. But that’s what I had to pay at the Correos to get my parcel. But I didn’t know it also applied to Xmas cards. So there will be no more parcels and maybe Xmas cards and birthday cards now.

Susan

Bollotics!

Will you be partying with your family in the UK this year? While, 50,000 new cases are being spread daily by the partially masked partying, socialising, sport and concert attending home population, new restrictions will now apply to triple vaccinated Brits living in mask protected Spain, hiking the cost of seeing them this Christmas. Recent revelations have confirmed that Covid restrictions can be disregarded by government members and their cronies, and ‘lying’ has now been reclassified as ‘denying’. Welcome to bollotics! The new way to exercise power.

A disgruntled grandad

Janet

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME THE lead up to Christmas has been a tense time for everyone. In the UK, rows have erupted over breaches of public trust as the government asks people to follow guidelines that they seem to neglect themselves. Meanwhile, in Spain and elsewhere, there are fears of another wave of the pandemic just as everyone could sense normality returning.

But amongst the gloom,

CORRECTIONS

OUR VIEW

there are always moments of joy and cheer that restore your faith in humanity. On Sunday, December 12, fans of Sevilla-based football club Real Betis carried out their annual tradition of bringing soft toys to their pre-Christmas home game.

Following a signal, the toys are tossed onto the pitch and then collected by local charity groups and distributed to needy children around the

city. The initiative is aimed to ensure that no child goes without a gift at Christmas.

The sight of thousands of furry creatures raining down in the stadium from home and away fans is a heart-warming sight. It is a lovely gesture that brings a new meaning to the phrase ‘The Beautiful Game.’ It is also a reminder that despite our differences, we can come together in the name of a worthy cause.

CHILDREN’S VACCINATION: It is doubtful they will be useful.

Tom Batley Children who catch the virus are mainly asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms, they can also spread the virus whether vaccinated or not, so I can categorically say neither of my children will be getting this jab and most parents I know say the same!

Nikki Dean Absolutely not! Until these trials are completed and FULL implications and long term side effects are established, they shouldn’t even be thinking of moving on to the children!! NO NO NO!

Norman Shaw Absolutely yes, everyone should be vaccinated (unless for medical reasons) including children.

Christine Moore Children need to build up their natural immunity. The vast majority of kids that get infected are asymptomatic or only have mild symptoms.

Louise Catterall Definitely not. Children have a 99.997 per cent chance of surviving Covid yet the jabs have had no long term testing and results so far show they are causing paralysis, heart attacks, myocarditis and even death.

Ruma Jordan This is not a normal vaccine, it’s an mRNA treatment ... until the trials have finished and proven safe these should not be forced on anyone!

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

www.euroweeklynews.com • 16 - 22 December 2021

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

www.euroweeklynews.com

16 - 22 December 2021

EWN 53

Advertising Feature

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WHILE winter may be a time when we traditionally hiber‐ nate a bit, getting a little more sleep than normal, for many of us colder, wetter weather can still take its toll, leaving us looking tired.

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FEELING TIRED: It is possible to look wellrested while still tired.

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54 EWN

16 - 22 December 2021

By Clinica Britannia

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

By Clinica Britannia

Are you suffering pain?

I SUFFER with chronic shoulder pain and am now finding it difficult to go about my daily activities due to the pain and medication does not seem to help. It has really started to get me down, any advice?

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56 EWN

16 - 22 December 2021

TONI C. EASTWOOD OBE, MBA

#TheWomanBeyond I SAID I liked a great sporting analogy and here is another ‐ there is always so much we can learn from sport in life ‐ if we stop to think about it!!!

Jack Nicklaus once said that the real key to being a great golfer was “playing badly well.” I love that.

It’s one thing to play well when ev‐ erything’s good.

It’s an entirely different thing to be able to play well when things aren’t go‐ ing so smoothly.

Jim Afremow, one of the world’s leading mental toughness coaches and author of The Champion’s Mind calls it being “ugly but effective” and having “good bad days.”

So, we need to master the art of hav‐ ing good bad days. How do we do that?

What’s the trick?

Well, first, and I am talking from ex‐ perience here, expect to have some rough days and to do silly things on oc‐ casion.

www.euroweeklynews.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

GOOD BAD DAYS

I’m not sure which golfer said it but, they expected to have x number of bad shots in any given round, so when they had the inevitable bad shot they didn’t lose it. They just said, “Yep. There’s one!” And then they moved on.

We need to do the same thing in life.

We need to expect mistakes, the proverbial to hit the fan and rough patches when we’re not as connected as we’d like to be. That’s the first step.

Then we don’t fall into a destructive cy‐ cle of wondering what’s wrong with us.

We just need to acknowledge we’re not at our best and take the next baby step. (No big deal ‐ LOL!!!)

Now here’s what we DON’T want to do ‐ all the stupid things we tend to do when we’re stressed.

I know you know what I’m talking about.

I like to call those habits ‘kryp‐ tonite.’ The stuff that, for whatever reason, we tend to gravitate toward

when we can least afford to be se‐ duced by them.

What are they for you?

They’re different for each of us. You know those sirens who tempted Odysseus and his sailors ‐ making them crash into the rocks? Did you know that they sang a different song for each of the different sailors? Yep, sneaky eh!

What’s your song ‐ the one that leads you on a path that results in you crash‐ ing into the rocks and turning what could have been a good bad day into a really bad day?

Expect the challenges. Know your bad habits (Kryptonite). Steer clear of the rocks.

Stay Focused, Keep Positive and Choose to +1 in Every Moment. Fulfil Your Dreams and Awaken Your Great‐ ness!

Love, Hugs, High Fives and Fist Bumps Toni x

Toni Eastwood OBE, MBA #TheWomanBeyond

PS. If you want more out of life. Sign up for our January Visionary Women Programme and in just four, three‐ hour online sessions you could Reach Beyond Your Limits, Soar Beyond Your Barriers and Live Beyond Your Dreams and make 2022 your Best Year Yet. 25 per cent off for Euro Weekly News Readers ‐ Just Quote Offer Code EWN25 ‐ for more info and to book head on over to https://quantumvan tage.co.uk/visionarywomenpro gramme Don’t hold back another moment.

You could be just one step away…

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

Please do get in touch if you have any questions. Follow me, chat and share your thoughts and network with other fabulous women in my Visionary Women Facebook Group.

@tonieastwood

@SixSecretsToSuccess @VisionaryWomen

tonieastwoodobe

sixsecretstosuccess

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

16 - 22 December 2021

EWN 57

Advertising Feature

Going green is a no-brainer WHILE Covid has continued to domi‐ nate the headlines throughout 2021, the urgent need to combat climate change has also been brought to the forefront of our attention. In Novem‐ ber the world’s leaders met in Glasgow for COP26, a global conference aimed at curbing the earth’s rising tempera‐ tures to no more than 1.5 degrees above pre‐industrial levels.

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Simply visit www.mariposaenergia.es and upload a recent copy of your ener‐ gy bill for a free, no obligation quote or alternatively call them on +34 951 120 830.

If you want to take green energy a step further, Mariposa Energía also of‐ fers solar PV panels, allowing you to take full control of your electricity pro‐ duction. Thanks to the removal of the infamous ‘sun tax’ solar panels are now a great investment, which will deliver a return in just a few years.

The Mariposa Energía team takes care of the whole process for you, including the registration of all paperwork. Instal‐ lations come with a 20‐year fully com‐ prehensive guarantee and maintenance support is provided. Plus, there are low‐ cost finance options available.

“With the financial savings that can be made, coupled with the environmen‐ tal benefits, we believe going green re‐ ally is a no brainer,” Martin Tye added.

To find out more visit: www.mariposaenergia.es, call +34 951 120 830 or email info@mariposaenergia.es

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FEATURE

WHAT BURGLARS DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW! even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbour hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and listen. If he doesn’t, he’ll just return to what he was doing. It’s human nature!

To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a great way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invi‐ tation. And, if you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in the house.

Sorry if it happens to be yours …

But no hard feelings, eh? Just doing MY job.

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

WHEN I was last in the UK, I caught up with an old friend who’d just been bur‐ gled. She was livid as she’s most partic‐ ular about security. But not half as par‐ ticular as the burglar himself. Here are some things he WON’T be telling you as you’re about to leave your house for your Christmas or New Year holiday ...

Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your windows or delivering your new freezer. And hey, when I was working in your garden thanks for let‐ ting me use the bathroom where I un‐ latched the back window to make my return that bit easier.

I just love your flowers. They tell me you have taste. And taste means there are nice things within. In fact, those toys your kids leave outside always make me wonder what type of elec‐ Nora Johnson’s opinions

BURGLAR: Will break a window to enter, even if it makes a little noise.

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 on‐ line as eBook (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, paperback and audiobook. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.

tronic games are inside! alarm system.

Another point: I always knock first. If Sometimes I carry a clipboard. Some‐ you answer, I’ll ask for directions times I dress like a gardener and carry a somewhere or offer to clean your gut‐ strimmer. You see, I do my best never To read more articles from our columnists ters. (Just don’t take me up on it!) to look like an old lag. And two things I and to have your say in the comments go And, remember, a loud TV or radio can hate most? Loud dogs and nosy neigh‐ to www.euroweeklynews.com be a better deterrent than the best bours. I'll break a window to get in, are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

Advertising Feature

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SOCIAL SCENE ON Friday, December 10, 12 members of the Montgo Golf Society braved the winds again to play in a sta‐ bleford sponsored by the so‐ ciety.

The club said: “Even though it was difficult to stand up a few times, the scores were still good with Stella Fox winning on count‐ back from her husband Si‐ mon with 34 points. Also with 34 points and third was George Braddick. Helmut Pertler and Simon won nearest the pins.

“Next week there will be a two man Texas Scramble and to celebrate Christmas there will also be brandy and mince pies and a prize for the best festively dressed player. Time to dust off the Xmas jumpers, elves ears and party hats and have some fun.”

The receiver of this year’s Montgo Golf Society De‐ canter, presented by Neil and Marion Carter was Ge‐ off Willcock. Geoff stepped in to take over the role of Treasurer last year after pre‐ viously being captain for 20 months. Due to Covid re‐ strictions and cancellation of

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Montgo Golf

WINNERS: Of the recently played stableford.

competitions and the soci‐ ety’s AGM, Geoff had con‐ tinued as Captain before handing over in September of last year.

The trophy acknowledges the work Geoff has put in to help the society continue working well over the past two years.

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SOCIAL SCENE

€1,000 pantomime

A PANTOMIME by the Javea Members has raised more than €1,000 for Cancer Care of Javea.

The pantomime was the brainchild of Vice Captain Fer‐ die Fenton, and with the help, assistance and support of many members it all came to‐ gether on Thursday, Decem‐ ber 9 after weeks of script changes.

None of the performers had previously ‘trod the boards’ performing in ‘Jack Made the BowlStalk’ for the first time.

A review praised the as‐ suredness of Christina Harris playing Jack Trott, a cameo by Greg Sperring playing some lonely Aussie, Richard Potts

NEW PERFORMERS: In Jack Made the BowlStalk.

playing the prize cow Pat, the lost for words performance by Robert Samson as the dame Tilly Tally Trott, Christine Schulein who single handedly

kept the Giant (and husband) Joe Schulein in check and final‐ ly the ‘Voice’ or the Narrator performed by Trefor Evans.

They added that the icing on the cake was delivered by Yvonne Carvath who played the part of a ‘wannabee’ ac‐ tor, often strolling onto the stage at random moments only to be dismissed by the Narrator.

As the storyline concluded the Narrator announced that the show could not end till the ‘fat lady sings’, Yvonne re‐ alised this was her moment and strode to the centre of the stage with a microphone in hand, bravo Yvonne and bravo everyone for a night to remember.

The organisation thanked the ‘front of house’ boys and girls who supplied the drink, the back stage helpers and ev‐ eryone else who played a part in this production, as well as their sponsors and paying au‐ dience.

SOCIAL SCENE

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VIRTUAL CRAFT VILLAGE: Where you can find many artisans and their crafts.

FOR the second time this year, an authentic arts and crafts fair will take place on the Paseo de Lluis Vives in Oliva from December 21 to 23.

Each stall will offer something different and in many cases the arti‐ san will be working on his or her craft, so you can see with how much love, skill and patience they make their pieces.

One artist will be painting or drawing por‐ traits, while another will be decorating Socarrat mini‐tiles, which are tra‐ ditional from the area around Valencia, anoth‐ er will be creating pon‐ chos or crocheted hats, and another will be mak‐ ing figures or glass jew‐ ellery with a blowtorch.

Other artisans will give workshops for children, so they can make their own craft and take it home. For the youngest children there will be a carousel, board games and face painting.

There will also be jew‐ ellery made of sea shells, boxes decorated with resin, wooden clocks and juggling toys.

Crafts fair

The fair will be set up in the part of the Paseo de Lluis Vives opposite the covered market and opens on Tuesday, De‐ cember 21 at 5pm, on Wednesday December 22 and Thursday Decem‐ ber 23 from 11am to

2pm and from 5pm to 9pm.

For more information you, call Amata on 639 979 678.

You can also find many artisans in their Virtual Craft Village at www.puebloartesano.es.

16 - 22 December 2021

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PETS IF you are planning a trip later this year you still need to plan early for pet and house‐sitters.

Perhaps you are already mak‐ ing plans for a staycation get away. Even if you are planning just a short trip, you’ll know that you simply can’t travel with some pets. Young pets in partic‐ ular may benefit from staying behind so they can follow their

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www.euroweeklynews.com • 16 - 22 December 2021

SPONSORED BY

Need someone to cherish your pets? 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 homeown‐ er on HouseSitMatch.com 2. Choose a Premium ac‐ count (£89 per year) to ensure you can help online when need‐ ed 3. Create a profile with pho‐ tos of your pet and the house 4. Post a house‐sit advert stating your plans for next year’s holiday Covid permitting Do you need a pet‐sitter in 2021? Then get started right now.

How does it work?

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

House‐sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets.

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HouseSitMatch found us a perfect house‐sitter while we were away in Canada and we were delighted with the care and attention that HouseSit Match took in helping 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 sub‐ scription 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 a house-sitter or homeowner with a 50% discount using coupon code SUPER50 – an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com.

Advertising Feature

Brain Tumour in Dogs and Cats CANCER that affects the brain is not uncommon in old dogs and cats. The problem of the need for ad‐ vanced diagnostic imaging techniques such as High Field Magnetic Resonance (MRI) to detect a tu‐ mour in the brain means that it is often not diag‐ nosed. Although it occurs more frequently in ad‐ vanced ages, there are breeds in which it occurs in young dogs, such as the Boxer and Boston Terrier.

The diagnosis of a brain tumour involves a coor‐ dinated effort between the vet who usually cares for the patient, the neurologist, the radiologist, the oncologist and the surgeon. Given this situa‐ tion, it is necessary to advise the owners of the af‐ fected pets in the best way.

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

SERVICES

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16 - 22 December 2021

AIR CONDITIONING

PLUMBERS

CONSTRUCTION

AIR CONDITIONING

FLOORING

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64 EWN ELECTRICAL

PLUMBERS

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16 - 22 December 2021

REMOVALS & STORAGE

SERVICES

SERVICES

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16 - 22 December 2021

REMOVALS & STORAGE

REMOVALS & STORAGE

SOLAR ENERGY

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16 - 22 December 2021

REMOVALS & STORAGE

INSURANCE

www.euroweeklynews.com TV & SATELLITE

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I BUY RECORDS 50’s to the 90’s. Best prices for good records. Tel: 622 750 117 / 962 851 809 (293823)

CARS FOR SALE

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

CAMPING

68

CHARITY EL CAMPELLO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY Life and Family Sunday Service in English at 10.00 a.m. and a Spanish Service at 11.45am.

C / San Bartolomé 35 bajo, No.6 campel locc@gmail.com w w w. e l c a m p e l l o c h r i s tiancommunity.org For more information call Juan Zuniga – 686 203 183 (Spanish) or Sue Bishop - 610 63 94 26 (English) THE SALVATION ARMY English Speaking Church of Denia Worship Service. Sunday 10:30 am Followed by a time of Fellowship Everyone is welcome. Come as you are! For more information: Dieter Zimmerer +34 698 609 658 or Barbara Zimmerer +34 652 319 810 Email dieterz immerer@hotmail.com, www.centrosaron.com (10008) If you can read it, so can your clients.

Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161

INSURANCE

16 - 22 December 2021 • www.euroweeklynews.com SPONSORED BY

www.helpbenidorm .org and on Facebook VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, particularly Spanish speakers for interpreter service, and car owners. Tel President 607 387 040, Welfare 607 386 964, Interpreters 607 385 842, Equipment 663 495 396. We are an English speaking charity that assists residents and tourists of all nationalities in times of crisis, we also organise social events for members.

We meet every Thursday at 10.30 in Jose Llorca Social Centre C. Goya s/n.

Benidorm. It is opposite the Foietes Car Park where there is a Wednesday market. Everyone welcome. It is 400m from Benidorm tram station and on bus routes 1 and 8. We loan out mobility and medical equipment including oxygen concentrators on a short-term basis. (288658)

CHURCHES English church in Benidorm – check out our website http:// www.englishchurch benidorm.com

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

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INSURANCE FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UPTO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATSAPP TOO) OR VISIT www.sosinsurancein spain.com or email tracey@sosinsuran ceinspain.com (294212) BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@beneficialinsuranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsuran ceinspain.com for online quote. (294254) If you can read it, so can your clients.

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www.euroweeklynews.com METALWORK

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NAUTICAL INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon.

RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (294236)

MOTORS FOR SALE RETURNING to UK? Need a van? Peugeot Boxer Dec 2016 335 L3H2 Blue hdi, RHD, 83,000 miles. Excellent condition. Rhino roof rack. €15,000 (or equivalent GBP) PX Spanish considered. Tel 697 624 618 victoriabrandi@ya hoo.co.uk (294578)

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MISCELLANEOUS GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

16 - 22 December 2021

If you can read it, so can your clients.

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(200726)

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TESTIMONIALS

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16 - 22 December 2021

MOTORING

SsangYong Rexton - un ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack IT may be an unfamiliar name but SsangYong has been producing vehicles

since 1954. The company currently has a three mod‐ el line‐up ‐ the Tivoli, Ko‐ rando and Rexton ‐ plus the Musso pick‐up range.

It’s the large Rexton SUV that’s the focus of our road test this time. There are

two versions, the Venture and Ultimate, with the lead‐in ver‐ sion priced from €44,489/£37,995.

Both versions use a four‐cylinder 2.2‐ litre diesel pow‐ er unit mated to an eight‐speed automatic gear‐ box and se‐ lectable four‐ wheel‐drive with low ratio.

The standard equip‐ ment list is very generous even on the lower specification model. My Ultimate version is priced at €47,615/£40,665 and comes with leather upholstery, power adjust front seats, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, dual zone air condi‐ tioning, LED lights, power tail‐ gate, electronic cruise control, auto dimming rear mirrors, auto lights and wipers, rear privacy glass, keyless entry, exit and start, 3D camera and seven seats. Phew!

To say the Rexton is large is somewhat of an understate‐ ment. With seven seats it’s not

MOTORING

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16 - 22 December 2021

nfamiliar name, premium feel A welcome change from similar vehicles.

only a genuine family holdall but a properly capable off‐roader too. Fold down both rear rows of seats and you have the carrying capacity of a small van, albeit a very luxu‐ riously appointed one.

On the road the Rexton’s slightly old‐tech 2.2‐litre diesel isn’t the most refined unit, particularly under hard acceleration, but nonethe‐ less has a decent amount of punch and returns excellent fuel economy. If you found the roughest road surface possible I really don’t think it would upset the Rexton’s

interior comfort, such is the supple‐ ness of the ride. No vehicle of this size is designed for sports handling and twisting roads do highlight some

body roll if you’re too ex‐ uberant.

The build quality is ex‐ cellent and it has a premi‐ um feel throughout with sensible controls and but‐ tons as opposed to the increasing trend of over digitalisation. Styling is very subjective but it’s fair to say the Rexton is distinctive,

that overly large grille cer‐ tainly won’t be to every‐ one’s taste. On the positive side it’s a welcome change from vehicles that all look the same.

At its price the Rexton is tremendous value, but residuals will not be to the level of more established badges. Having already driv‐ en the excellent Korando, SsangYong’s smaller SUV, the Rexton is a similarly im‐ pressive story. Even bearing in mind the residuals don’t let the relatively unknown badge put you off investi‐ gating the range more thor‐ oughly.

Facts at a Glance Model: SsangYong Rexton Ultimate Engine: 2.2-litre turbo diesel Gears: 8-speed automatic with selectable all-wheel-drive and low ratio Performance: 0-100 kph (62 mph) 10.7 seconds/Maximum Speed 183 kph (114 mph) Economy: 8.59l /100km (32.9 mpg) WLTP Combined Emissions: 225 g/km WLTP Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets

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