Costa de Almeria 15 - 21 December 2022 Issue 1954

Tiptop Tower GIVE SUPPORT

MAZ’S Canine Rescue charity is dedicated to rescuing and saving abandoned and abused dogs and cats in Spain.

Built on a community of animal loving volunteers, they strongly believe that no healthy animal should be put to sleep. They work to find suitable homes for the dogs and cats in their care and have links outside of Spain that allow them to rehome dogs both within Spain and overseas.

Unfortunately, the sanctuary is under threat, and they desperately need your help. The charity has been given notice to leave the kennels by the end of May 2023. The landlady wants the land back for a private project and this leaves the charity with no premises.

With a duty of care to protect all of the dogs that they support, the charity has considered all possibilities and

sadly feel moving the dogs to another rescue would more than likely mean the dogs would be euthanised after assessment, and they cannot allow this to happen.

The dogs in the sanctuary have unfortunately been overlooked through no fault of their own, just because of their age, breed or time spent at the kennels, but this does

not mean the charity will ever give up on them.

The search for someone with rural land who may be able to support the charity continues and discussions with the mayor of Tijola are taking place, but ideally the charity would like to buy land so that the sanctuary can continue its hard work and more importantly, keep the dogs they care for safe.

A perfect property has been found, however, the charity has exhausted ways in which to fund the purchase as a whopping €100,000 needs to be raised.

The charity needs your help, please click here to support them https://www.go fundme.com/f/help­save­ourcanine­rescue­sanctury

For more information visit the website: https://mazsres cues.org/ or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ mazscaninerescue.

ALMERIA has put in a request to the central government to approve the renovation of the Tower of San Miguel and its surroundings in Cabo de Gata.

Jesus Luque, the councillor for Promotion of the City, highlighted the state of deterioration in which the Torre de San Miguel is in and reiterated the need to renovate and put the 18th­century building into use. “The tower is located in the Maritime Terrestrial Public Domain within the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata­Nijar and constitutes an Asset of Cultural Interest.”

Construction of the structure began in March 1756 by order of Ferdinand VI to protect the village of La Almadraba de Monteleva and its salt pans. Designed by the architect Tomas Warluzel d’Hostel it consists of two floors and access to the first floor via a staircase with a bridge.

ABANDONED DOGS: Need to find a new home urgently.

Image: Age concern

San Miguel Tower renovation.

Image: Pacoasen/Shutterstock.com

THE Club Deportivo Vera football team has a new supporters’ club called Peña Los Guiris. There is dispute regarding the origin of the word Guiri, but unanimous agreement that it now means a resident of foreign, invariably British, origin.

With so many of them living in Almeria’s Levante and Al­

Cheering guiris

manzora areas, a good number of British residents visit their local football grounds to cheer on local teams at the weekend.

This includes Las Viñas, CD Vera’s home ground, where English­speaking supporters

have decided to organise themselves into an official Peña (group) with a speciallydesigned banner.

The club recently declared on their social media accounts, in English, “We are proud of our first British supporters’ club. Great followers, very good football fans who support our CD Vera every Sunday. Thanks to the Los Guiris club.”

CD Vera currently play in the Primera Andaluza division, where they occupy ninth place with 19 points in the league table after playing 12 matches.

Kaleidoscopic show

AN immersive experience will bring the arts closer to locals in Almeria this Christmas. The ‘Posidonia. Un mar de luz’ exhibition is a space and sea­themed outdoor light and sound show at the Parque Nicolás Salmerón in the city.

After being launched on Tuesday, December 6, the park is set to transform into a kaleidoscopic seascape every afternoon and evening until Friday, January 6. The unusual exhibition synchronises strobe and other visual lighting effects with the sounds of the ocean and the seabed.

Opening the display, city mayor, María del Mar Vázquez, explained “The city council continues to create a dream Christmas. We are launching this innovative show at the Parque Nicolás Salmerón to bring us closer with our identity as a coastal city. The lighting display is also sustainable, using LED lighting and recy­

ON Monday, December 12, the traditional free distribution of Christmas flowers to citizens, businesses and neighbourhood associations in the municipality of Almeria began with the distribution of 15,000 flowers, almost doubling those distributed in 2021 and quintupling those distributed pre­pandemic in 2019.

cled materials.”

The unique exhibition is suitable for all ages, but is an excellent experience to do with children. Special shows will take place daily at 7.30pm until Wednesday, December 21, and each day afterwards at 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm, and 9.30pm.

Christmas spirit

the Almerian flowers which at this time of year becomes a fundamental part of the Christmas decorations in our homes, and also in our streets and shops.”

The councillor for Environmental Sustainability, Margarita Cobos, confirmed: “We don’t want anyone to be left without a flower pot, which is why we have almost doubled the number of

The delivery of the poinsettias began on Monday, December 12, in Nueva Andalucia. On Tuesday the distribution focused on El Alquian and the Plaza Virgen del Mar. On Wednesday the distribution moved to Cuevas de los Medina, San Vicente and Venta Gaspar. Today, Thursday the neighbourhoods of Plaza de Toros, San Felix and La Rambla become the focus for delivery.

A vibrant sound and light show is set to take place nightly as part of the Xmas programme.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Almería

NIBS EXTRA

Aiming high

VERA T own Hall signed a collaboration agreement with Iundenia, a centre which provides amateur and professional sports training. In return, Iundenia has installed a climbing wall and a via ferrata with cables, ladders and fixed anchors in order to provide diploma-level classes in rope-climbing.

Safe sanctuary

THE cloisters at the 18th century Virgen del Saliente sanctuary in Albox were restored after being ‘impractical’ for years, while deteriorated roofing no longer poses a danger. One side of the cloisters had been closed for a time, curtailing pilgrims’ traditional route inside the sanctuary, sources said.

Good news

A YOUNG woman of 22 last seen on December 4 contacted her family in Huercal de Almeria on December 8, the Guardia Civil announced. She was reported missing at 8pm the following day and the Guardia Civil and the SOS Desaparecidos association circulated a description and her photograph.

Glass record

A NON-PROFITMAKING glass recycling organisation presented Cuevas del Almanzora with a mini-igloo in recognition of the municipality’s commitment to sustainability. This summer the town recycled 27,838 kilos of glass, an 18 per cent increase on last year.

CANYAJAR organised the fifth edition of its annual Paella Competition on Sunday December 4.

This year, the money raised is going to the 11 Ukrainian children now living in the small town.

Last March, the Euro Weekly News reported how Canjayar’s population of 1,202 increased after the arrival of Ukrainian refugees, including 11 children, who were offered a home there by the town hall.

The competition was held at Aceites Andarax, the olive

A PERFORMANCE of classic ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ enchanted an audience in Almeria on Sunday, December 4. Guests packed into the Maestro Padilla Auditorium in the city to watch Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet performed by the Kyiv Ballet.

Dancers delighted the audience in the sold out performance which lasted for two hours. Dancers expertly performed the Christmas classic which tells the tale of a toy soldier who comes to life after a children’s Christ­

in in Canjayar, with contestants

of every variety.

Charming ballet

mas party.

Audiences marvelled at the solemn choreography, the perfect execution of difficult ballet techniques, and the dancers’ excellent skills on display. The show ended with a standing ovation and rapturous applause from an enamoured audience.

The performance also raised funds for Unicef’s humanitarian campaign in

Ukraine, the home city of the ballerinas. The sum of €1.50 from each ticket sold was donated to the fund. More than 20 dancers in the pro­

Paella fundraiser Indalo magic

MOJACAR inaugurated its lucky Christmas Indalo Route through the town’s Old Quarter on December 7.

Five decorative Indalos are contributing to the Christmas spirit and it was also hoped they would weave a little of their magic in a town waiting for the results of the Ferrero Rocher ‘We shine more brightly together’ competition.

The initiative is the result of collaboration between the Walt Was Here Association, a group which maintains that Walt Disney was born in Mojacar, together with the Mojacar Pueblo’s Business Owners’ Association, the Multicentre and Mojacar Town Hall.

The route begins in Plaza Nueva, where the first Indalo is located, continuing to Plaza de la Iglesia, Plaza del Parterre, Plaza del Fronton and the Multicentre, in front of the Tourist Office.

The Indalo, now adopted as

Professionals were amongst those taking part in the competition, but the first prize of 25 litres of extra virgin olive oil went to a family from Ragol.

“For me, it was important not only to take part but to do it so that the Ukrainian families had help from Ragol,” said one of the winners, Toni Escobar.

The day’s takings of €200 were presented to the town’s supermarkets and food shops, where the mothers can buy supplies up to the value of this amount.

duction are from Ukraine and were overwhelmed by the powerful support from the audience.

The Kyiv Ballet company is currently embarking on a world tour, performing both classical ballets and original pieces in different countries.

Spirit of Christmas

THE most wonderful time of year has arrived in style in Carboneras with the fun set to continue for the next month, as an exciting programme was launched by the council on Tuesday, December 6.

The festive programme got underway on Tuesday, December 6 as the town came to life with a spectacular lighting display. This year’s creations include a multicoloured vehicle, tasteful street decorations, starry lights, and a beautiful display on the town hall. The lighting display was further animated with a musical performance by Niño Seve.

Seasonal activities start back up in the town on Friday, December 16 when three days of musical events will bring the seasonal spirit to residents.

Almeria’s own symbol and Mojacar’s in particular, is depicted in a 2,500BC wall carving discovered in a cave in the Los Velez national park.

Its name Indalo is derived from Indal eccius ­ messenger of the gods ­ in Iberian, and the symbol was traditionally painted on the front of buildings to protect them from evil.

The programme of activities has something to appeal to everyone from now until Saturday, January 7 including traditional handicraft workshops, face painting workshops, visits from Father Christmas, musical and drama productions, Flamenco performances, and storytelling for children.

The town is also set to put on its traditional ‘Cabalgata’ parade of the Three Wise Men on Thursday, January 5, before a theatre production on the following Saturday closes the seasonal programme.

CANJAYAR COMPETITION: Held at local olive oil plant.

Photo credit: Shutterstock.com/ Kolombo Castro

MEMBERS of Huercal Overa’s international

Multicultural mixer

community are invited to a welcoming multicultural mixer on Sunday, December 18. The event is set to celebrate the contributions of global residents to the local community, with representatives from more than 30 countries.

Huercal­Overa is gearing up to host the town’s seventh ‘Intercultural Migration Exchange’, which takes place each year on the International Day of Migration. The international event declared by the United Nations aims to highlight the commitment of the

TURRE Town Hall recently organised its first Canine Unit Exhibition, held in Plaza de la Constitucion.

Mayor Maria Isabel Lopez pointed out that only three Almeria Province Local Police forces had canine units, and Turre was one of them.

Jero Asensio and Pedro Antonio Nuñez, Local Police offi­

global community in protecting culture, freedoms, and human rights everywhere.

Local mayor, Domingo Fernández explained, “The culture, folklore, cuisine, and music from a variety of nations have shaped Huercal­Overa’s community and made it what it is today, so we want to continue celebrating multiculturalism as a value.”

The day is set to begin at 11am at the Pabellón Municipal de Deportes y Juventud with a varied programme of activities including international food tasting, musical, and dance performances.

Faithful friends

cers from Huercal­Overa and Mojacar put their dogs through their paces first during the exhibition with Jose Antonio Garcia, Turre’s acting Chief of Police with Zeta, a Belgian shepherd, exhibiting last.

The mayor emphasised that

Turre’s councillors had voted unanimously in favour of creating the canine unit last March.

“This is a notable advance for Turre,” she declared.

“We decided on the canine unit as a preventive measure that would help to discourage consumption. It is also indispensable in detecting substances in places where it’s unlikely that they would be located during a regular search,” Lopez said.

“This facilitates and considerably improves the work of the Local Police in our municipality and, at the same time, the safety of Turre residents.”

AN enthralling fun day in Huercal­Overa is set to raise much­needed funds for a local animal shelter. The APA Nueva Vida shelter is staging an incredible all­day extravaganza on Sunday, December 18 including an Odyssey concert and a market.

The fun day is set to begin at 11.00am, giving shoppers a chance to find some unique, artisan Christmas gifts.

Animal aid

The action will continue until 3.30pm when an Odyssey tribute band will play a thrilling rock concert.

Alongside the inviting activities, guests can also tuck into delicious paella and enjoy drinks at the bar.

The event will be held at the Merendero de Rambla Grande on the outskirts of

Huercal ­ Overa, offering plenty of space for market stalls and the concert.

The APA Nueva Vida shelter takes care of sick and abandoned animals with a comprehensive policy which includes rescuing stray animals off the streets, and rehoming them in safe and loving environments.

Sporting stars

YOUNGSTERS in Nijar enjoyed a day of football fun at the Nijar Cup. More than 2,000 children from the local area got stuck into athletic activities over the bank holiday on Tuesday, December 6.

The cup, which took place against the backdrop of the World Cup, was an incredible opportunity for young people to get active, while honouring the values of sports and teamwork. Children represented La Liga teams in the tough tournament.

Parents and relatives also got into the spirit, making signs and posters to cheer

on their children, and there were plenty of emotional scenes.

Local mayor, Esperanza Pérez Felices, took to Facebook to express her pride at the children’s impeccable behaviour and strong sporting values, “Equality, camaraderie, team spirit, inclusion, and incredible efforts are just some of the values we see within these children.”

Felices also thanked organisers saying, “Behind the children was an enormous group of people, who made this amazing event possible.”

Smoke-free park

MORE than 1,600 people signed a petition calling for a no­smoking order inside the Cabo de Gata­Nijar national park.

Organised by the Almeria branch of the national cancer charity AECC, the initiative has been backed in writing by 11 different bodies and organisations.

“We are very pleased with the support and awareness of Almeria Province residents,” said Magdalena Cantero, president of the Almeria AECC.

“Each year approximately one million people visit the national park, and we want to deliver the message that they should not smoke

there,” Cantero added.

“Firstly, for the sake of their health, since 8.5 million people died worldwide from the consequences of tobacco in 2021. Secondly, to protect the environment because a cigarette end pollutes eight litres of seawater and takes 10 years to decompose,” she explained.

“What’s more, 24 hours after stubbing out a cigarette it continues to emit 14 per cent of its toxic substances.”

Cantero went on to say that tobacco harmed not only smokers, but also the people around them. “Its prohibition would also prevent a principal fire risk,” Cantero pointed out.

Shelter open day

COME and join the Paws-Patas team for the Open Day at Paws-Patas shelter near Los Gallardos on Saturday December 17, from 11.00am until 3.00pm.

There will be guided kennel and cattery tours, a raffle, games, BBQ, mulled wine and hot chocolate.

The entrance fee is €1 and there will be live music from Kay Frances and lots of stalls to help you complete your Christmas shopping!

Come join in the fun, do a little shopping, learn about what the shelter does and consider volunteering, fostering or adopting!

If you would like to take a tour of the cattery or of the dog kennels, please email cats@paws-patas.org or dogs@pawspatas.org to reserve your slot before they fill up!

If you would like to be a vendor at the event, please email kirsten@paws-patas.org. www.paws-patas.org

OPPOSITION councillors criticised Albox mayor Francisco Torrecillas for remodelling the town’s central roads over Christmas.

The latest municipal project, which involved barriers and streets that had been dug up and closed to traffic, was causing serious problems when parking, the PSOE party said.

This was having a negative effect “especially at this time of the year,” continued a statement that singled out the recently revamped Plaza de Salta where the benches have been removed.

“The people who liked to sit and chat in Plaza de Salta each day, seeking the shade in summer and the sun in winter, no longer have somewhere to meet,” the statement pointed out.

The party has now asked for the benches to be returned to the Plaza and called on the town hall to stop carrying out projects “without planning or foresight.”

These were causing traffic chaos and confusing residents who failed to understand why they had to live with the present situation, the PSOE maintained.

Bring back the benches On the right track

ADIF, responsible for Spain’s rail infrastructure, is preparing to lay part of the AVE track between Almeria and neighbouring Murcia.

A €510,000 contract to draft the plans for the 60kilometre section of track between Barriomar and the Lorca­San Diego station has now been put out to tender, Adif sources announced.

Initially, this will involve

building a track with the wider Iberian ­ gauge between Barriomar and Librilla which will be used to transport the necessary materials for laying the AVE rails.

Once the standard AVE track between Librilla and Lorca­San Diego is in place, the remaining Iberian­gauge section will be converted to the standard European

gauge used by the Spain’s high speed trains.

Work will begin on electrification, signalling, security equipment and communications systems once the railway lines have been installed.

There are also plans for Almeria City’s El Puche district, where Adif intends to store the ballast that will be used to form the trackbed.

The first snow recently fell in several Spanish National Parks and mountainous regions, and experts from Aemet weather agency announced on Thursday, December 8 that they believe

snow could return to low altitudes this year. Heavy rains across the country in recent days could turn into frost in some areas of the country including the Pyrenees where temperatures are expected to drop to a cool ­6ºC to ­8ºC.

Snow could then fall in inland regions including Asturias, Palencia, northern Madrid, southern Cantabria, La Rioja, Huesca, Ávila, Cáceres, Navar­

ra, and Lleida.

The coldest places in Spain have also been named and include La Torre de Capdella, in Lleida, Reinosa in Cantabria, Vega de Liordes in León, and Calamocha in Teruel. In Vega de Liordes, temperatures in the past have dropped to a staggering low of up to35.9ºC, while the other towns have recorded lows colder than ­24ºC.

A White Christmas? Quality of life

A SPANISH city has attracted global acclaim as it was named the world’s best city to live in for expats. The annual report revealed Valencia pipped Dubai and Mexico City to the post to take top place on the list.

The report was created by global expat network, InterNations and is based on several different indicators, including the quality of life, happiness of residents, beauty, and amount of green spaces. The platform selects and ranks the top 50 cities each year for foreigners to live or work in. Evidently, there is no shortage of

beautiful places in Spain, and this year’s list reflected that, with three Spanish cities making it to the top 20. Madrid came in at fifth place, while Barcelona was ranked the 14th best city in the world to live in. This year’s top 10 was made up by Dubai, Mexico City, Lisbon, Madrid, Bangkok, Basel, Melbourne, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore.

Interestingly, American cities did not make an appearance until the 12th position on the list with Miami, and no British cities made it to the top 20.

Betty Henderson CHRISTMAS is nearly here, but what are the chances of a white Christmas this year? And where are the coldest places in the country?

Registering for Spanish Local Elections - A Simple Guide

WHO can vote in Spanish local elections?

NB. there is no automatic right to vote in Spanish local elections for non­Spanish residents. You need to register your intention.

EU citizens: Simply go to your local town hall with your passport and ask to register. You should be on the Padrón to do this. They will give you the form and do the registration on the spot.

Non­EU citizens: Only countries which have a reciprocal arrangement with Spain can stand and vote in Local Elections. IF you come from a country which has a reciprocal agreement with Spain for its citizens. These countries are currently: Bolivia, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Korea, Ecuador, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, United Kingdom, and Trinidad and Tobago.

There are conditions:

1. You need to be on the Padrón (Municipal Register)

2. You must have had legal residence in Spain for at least three years

3. You need to complete the form to register on the voters’ roll (available at your Council Offices)

4. You need to register before January

15, 2023.

Remember to take your TIE/Residencia document, and your passport with you. If your TIE is Temporary ie for five years, please try to bring with you something that will demonstrate that you have been resident for at least three years: maybe a photocopy of your original Green Paper Residencia.

Forms can also be downloaded from my website, complete at home and taken to our local town hall for registration. https://billandersonmijas.es/vote­inspanish­local­elections/

You may receive an invitation to register from the Oficina del Censo Electoral. If you do, you can simply tick the ‘Yes’ box and post it back, Freepost.

If you don’t receive this, you must register in person at your local town hall. A form must be completed for each person who wishes to register.

You have the right to vote in these elections. Don’t let others decide who will spend your money from May 2023. Get registered and you make the decision.

The above information has been provided by Mijas councillor Bill Anderson.

Property prospects

Betty Henderson

SWEEPING changes are expected in the Spanish property market in 2023 according to a new report. The report released by property portal, forecasts a good year for home buyers next year. The report used data collected by the Unión de Créditos Inmobiliarios, on a ‘Property barometer’, and predicts changes based on stabilising inflation, but expects the property sector will still be

defined by the global economic situation. The report highlights that 2023 could be a better time to buy property, as house

prices are expected to fall after two consecutive years of rising. Another report by Bankinter forecasts gradual falls in property value of around 3 per cent in 2023. The adjustment could be triggered by lower household savings and higher mortgage costs. After a record year of property sales with 610,000 sales, numbers not seen since 2008, experts predict sales to fall by 13 per cent in 2023 before stabilising.

Stretching streets

YOU may have noticed that Spain has some impressive Roman architecture, including a large network of long, straight roads. And a new online map launched on Wednesday, December 7 has shed some light on the country’s longest roads.

The longest road in Spain is not in fact in either of the largest cities, but in the Murcian town of Cartagena. Here the Gran Vía de La Manga del Mar Menor stretches to an impressive 19 kilometres. The lengthy road was actually constructed in the 1960s to link up

new developments at Cartagena with San Javier and at nearly 20 kilometres long, along a coastal peninsula, it is quite a feat of engineering. The second and third longest roads in the country are both located in Barcelona, the Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanas at 13 kilometres long, and Calle València. The northern city is known for its long streets and hosts 13 of the 20 longest streets in the country. However, Madrid does make fourth and fifth place on the list with its 10 kilometre long streets Calle Alcalá and Calle Azalea.

IN EUROPE: Property sales and costs are set to fall slightly next year as inflation is stabilised.

Photo credit: No-Mad / shutterstock.com

EU travel requirements

ALL travellers to the EU from the UK will require to make use of the ETIAS authorisation system, which comes into force at the end of the year.

ETIAS is not a visa, but an electronic system that will allow Schengen member countries to better control movement in and out of the EU.

The system will bring about the consistent application of the rules:

• Reduce procedures and application times

• Improve the management of EU country borders

• Assist in detecting and decreasing crime and terrorism

• Impede irregular migration

• Reinforce the visa liberalisation policy of the EU

But most of all the EU believes that the new system will make travelling to the EU less of a hassle and a much safer experience for everyone.

ETIAS Requirements for UK Citizens

Currently UK citizens do not require prior approval or visa to visit the EU. However, this application will take a few minutes to complete, will cost the equivalent of €7.00 and will be valid for three years. The fee applies to those aged 18 to 70.

Duration of stay and moving around Europe

The ETIAS system does not change the policy that restricts

the visit of non­EU residents to 90 days in any 180­day period.

If you do overstay you could be fined, deported or refused entry in the future.

Once approval has been given you will be free to enter and move around Europe for business, tourism and medical reasons. It will also allow you to use Europe for transit purposes.

Applying for an ETIAS?

You will need to visit the official website or make use of the mobile application once available. You will you need to complete the application, with basic information such as name, address and passport details.

The process, which should take less than 10 minutes to complete, should result in your receiving authority to enter the EU within a few minutes.

Please remember that your application could be denied if you have a criminal record, pose a danger to society, have provided fraudulent information or pose a threat.

Entering the EU

As before you will need to be able to show a valid passport on entry (issue for no more than 10 years and have three months remaining at the time of your intended departure) and your ETIAS authorisation.

You may also be asked why you are travelling to the EU and whether you have the financial means to support yourself.

Peter McLaren­Kennedy

IN a hearing at the Old Bailey, the American woman who admitted to killing 19­yearold Harry Dunn by careless driving outside a US military base in Northamptonshire in August 2019 avoided jail.

A judge handed Anne Sacoolas an eight­month suspended sentence, which means she will not go to prison.

Scot free

Sacoolas admitted that her vehicle struck the young man’s motorcycle while driving on the wrong side of the road. She pleaded guilty to causing Harry Dunn’s death

by careless driving. Her two young children were in the back of her car at the time of the incident three years ago.

Following the crash in Northamptonshire, Sacoolas

was granted diplomatic immunity due to her work with the US intelligence agencies. Originally, she had claimed her husband was a diplomat, but her real occupation was later revealed.

Police investigators questioned her after Sacoolas returned to America. During the interview, she allegedly said that as he lay dying, Mr

THE UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is talking tough, promising to introduce tough new laws to put an end to what he called “unreasonable” union strikes and walkouts.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, December 7 said: “If union leaders continue to be unreasonable, then it’s my duty to take action to protect the lives and livelihoods of the British public.”

The statement came after Border Force staff announced that they would take industrial action over Christmas in a dispute over pay and working conditions.Downing Street has spoken of minimum service level restrictions being introduced, such as they have in Spain, but despite saying speed and urgency was critical no legislation has been forthcoming. Furthermore, there has been no indication of what the legislation might

Dunn asked her for help and ‘made a comment that he was driving on his side of the road’.

“It was when I got my kids to the side of the road that I realised what happened. It wasn’t until that point that I realised that I had driven on the American side of the road versus the UK side,” she continued.

Tough laws

look like, making it unlikely that it will be tabled before the Christmas holiday season.

With the “right to strike is a fundamental British liberty” former ministers have said that this is an area fraught with difficulties, complications and sensitivities. Frances O’Grady, General Secretary for the TUC, said that the government wants to make it harder for working people to win better pay and conditions.

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast!

BP warning

MPs have told parliament that BP should donate its ‘wartime profits’ to Ukraine of face a special windfall tax. MPs from both sides of the house also told the government during a debate to put pressure on the government to force BP to leave Russia altogether.

BP has a 19.75 per cent stake in Rosneft, one of Russia’s largest and most important oil producers. The company had said that it would divest of its interests in Russia soon after the invasion of Ukraine, however, it has so far not reduced its interests in the country.

The debate took place after Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge raised an urgent question on the matter. Opening the debate she said: “It is utterly shameful that a large, publicly listed British company profits from the sale of oil that is funding Putin’s war.

“BP must either voluntarily donate the entirety of its Russian dividends to the reconstruction of Ukraine, or the government must take action to force them to do so.”

Talented actress tributes

HI-DE-HI star Ruth Madoc has died upon being hospitalised last week after a fall that resulted in her requiring surgery. The star was in Torquay starring in a pantomime at the time of the accident.

Her death was confirmed by her agent on

Saturday, December 10.

In Torquay to perform in a Christmas pantomime version of Aladdin the former Hi ­ de ­ Hi! star had been forced to quit the show after her fall.

The talented actress was best known for her role as Gladys Pugh in the

80’s holiday camp sitcom, but as her agent Phil Belfield of Belfield & Ward Ltd said, she was “one of a kind and a unique talent loved by many. It is with much sadness that we have to announce the death of our dear and much loved

Border Force strike

PCS, the Public and Commercial Services Union, said on Wednesday, December 7 that staff will strike for eight says starting on December 23 and finishing on New Year’s Eve.

All airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham will be affected, effectively bringing to a halt immigration and passport checks.

Border Force staff join other PCS members from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Highways Agency and others in downing tools over the Christmas period.

Mark Serwotka, the union’s General

Secretary warned the strikes could “escalate” unless the government came to the party, adding that there was a prospect of coordination of unions representing Border Force staff.

It is estimated around 1,00 staff will be involved in the strike, however, that number could increase significantly should other unions join the strike.

The Border Force strike is not expected to result in the closure of airports but could result in significant delays for passengers, should its goahead.

client Ruth Madoc.

“Ruth passed away on Friday December 9 while in hospital following surgery for a fall she had earlier in the week, which led to her withdrawing from panto in Torquay.

“Thoughts are with her daughter Lowri, her son Rhys and all of her family.”

The Hi­de­Hi actress will be long remembered not only for her iconic role in the series, but also for her film and many stage appearances.

She will be missed.

Patient sabotage

AN elderly German woman has been arrested after she repeatedly switched off her roommate’s ventilator because the sounds it made annoyed her. The 72­year­old is being held on attempted manslaughter charges after being arrested on Tuesday, November 29.

In the alarming incident, the woman reportedly switched off the neighbouring patient’s ventilator after becoming annoyed by the sound that it made at a hospital in Baden­Württemberg, near Mannheim.

Although staff explained that the machine was vital for the other patient’s survival,

she proceeded to switch it off for a second time the same evening. The other patient, a 79­year­old woman survived the ordeal but had to be revived by staff.

Police in Mannheim released a preliminary report saying the woman “felt disturbed by the sounds coming from the oxygen device,” which resulted in her switching it off at around 8pm. After being warned about the dangers by hospital staff, she switched off the ventilator for a second time at around 9pm.

The woman is being held in prison while investigations into the matter continue.

Price breakthrough

AN agreement with Poland is set to end days of deadlock between EU countries over a price cap on Russian oil. EU members are seeking to cut Russian profits from the oil industry by using alternative sources and through measures including a price cap.

EU members agreed to a price cap of $60 per barrel on Friday, December 2 after Poland gave its support to the measure. Polish ambassadors to the EU wanted the price cap to be as low as possible, and were conducting research into applying a price cap at 5 per cent below mar­

ket value.

The EU price cap comes into effect this week, but will be reviewed in January and every other month afterwards.

However, the move has

been called futile by thinktank CSIS since a price cap of $60 is higher than current Russian oil prices of $52 per barrel. Oil industry experts estimate that Russia makes a profit of around $40 to $50

per barrel of oil, and the creation of an embargo could hit the Russian economy hard. Other international groups including the G7 are creating their own embargo conditions.

Hero’s welcome

THERE has been global recognition for Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky as he became the latest Person of the Year in Time Magazine. Announcing the decision on Wednesday, December 7, the American publication praised his courage in leading his country’s resistance to Russian invasion.

Each year, the magazine makes its selection of a person thought to have had the greatest influence on the world during the past 12 months. Zelensky joins notable past recipients of the title including Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, and Winston Churchill.

Zelensky was selected for this year’s ti­

tle thanks to his determination to stay and fight, rallying Ukrainians to remain steadfast in the face of the Russian invasion. Time Magazine highlighted his decision to turn down evacuation offers, calling it “fateful”.

The ‘Spirit of Ukraine’ was also named in the title, which editors described as being the Ukrainians who have “fought behind the scenes” since the April invasion.

Time Magazine’s editor, Edward Felsenthal, described this year’s choice as “the most clear­cut in memory.” Other finalists this year included the US Supreme Court, Iranian protestors, and the Chinese President, Xi Jinping.

Sea of Light

THOSE lucky enough to be in the Almeria City area will be able to catch A Sea of Light Christmas show.

A Sea of Light is a light and sound show with amazing visual effects of colours in space, creating a seabed atmosphere through the synchronisation of the lights with the music of the show. Until January 6 it can be enjoyed every evening

in the Nicolas Salmeron Park.

The show is located between the Fish Fountain and the Music Pavilion and will turn the Park into a seabed where there will be jellyfish, Posidonia, LED lights, particle machines and lasers together with a surround sound, placing the speakers in the front part of the enclosure and also in the back area. With this live

quadraphonic system, the characteristic cinema sound is achieved.

This new lighting attraction is in addition to the extraordinary Christmas illumination and will have daily shows at 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm and 9.30pm, with the exception that until December 21 the show will only be on at 7.30pm.

Spectacular scene

THE municipal Nativity Scene of Almeria can be visited in the Museum of the Guitar ‘Antonio de Torres’, without previous appointment, until January 6, every day, from 10.30am until 2pm, and from 5pm until 9pm.

It will only be closed in the afternoon on December 24, December 31 and January 5.

The mayor, Maria del Mar Vazquez, confirmed that: “The Brotherhood of the Prendimiento is in charge of the nativity’s assembly through its nativity scene workshop and I would like to congratulate them. Once again this year, they have done an excellent job of craftsmanship.”

NATIVITY SCENE: Excellent job.

Image: Almeria City Council

BUSINESS EXTRA Price pledge FINANCE

Gloompig

GREETINGS CARD supplier Moonpig which allows people to order cards online which are then dispatched by post, often from Guernsey, is having to reduce its 2023 sales forecast down by £30 million to £320 million due to the cost­of­living crisis and Royal Mail strike.

Foreign workers

ALTHOUGH Spain continues to have significant numbers of unemployed, there are still shortages of skilled workers in some industrial sectors so, in a change of government policy, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, José Luis Escrivá has said that employers may recruit from abroad.

Merchant bankers

FLEXING its post Brexit muscles the UK government is rescinding many of the restrictions introduced through the EU following the banking crash of 2008 in order to allow Britain’s financial market to be more competitive and banker’s bonuses are now uncapped as an added incentive.

El Gordo

THIS year’s El Gordo Christmas lottery in Spain will have more numbers than last year with 180 distributed throughout Spain rather than last year’s 172 and according to one mathematician quoted in Espansion.com, chances of winning the top prize are one in 100,000.

Coal power

WITH the current very cold weather in the UK, demand for electricity has increased dramatically and in case it is greater than available supply, the National Grid has instructed power station operator Drax to put two coal fired plants on standby.

STAT OF WEEK €2.85 billion

UK mortgage support

THE UK government turned to Martin Lewis for advice as he was invited to a high ­ level meeting which included major mortgage lenders and the Financial Conduct Authority on December 7.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is obviously very worried about the impact that the cost­of­living crisis and subsequent increase in base rates by the Bank of England will have on consumers, especially those with mortgages.

Generally speaking, for home owners, their largest monthly outlay involves repayment of mortgages and any increase coupled with the inexorable rise in the price of energy could potentially be crippling for the average family.

At the meeting, lenders committed to help all their customers by:

a) enabling customers who are up­to­date with payments to switch to a new competitive, mortgage deal without another affordability test.

b) providing well­timed information to help customers plan ahead should their current rate

be due to end.

c) offering tailored support to those who start to struggle with payments which will vary by lender, but may include extending the term of the mortgage to make monthly payments lower, a short­term reduction in monthly payments or accepting interestonly payments for a period where appropriate.

d) ensuring highly trained and experienced staff are on hand to help where needed.

The government said that it would make support for mortgage interest easier to access and those receiving universal credit may be able to receive help with their mortgage interest payments after three months.

Mortgage lenders, the FCA and the government will continue working closely together to ensure that the mortgage market works well for all homeowners, in particular those facing financial difficulty.

Wholesale digital currency

THE Bank of Spain is considering the launch of digital currency and has invited involvement in a feasibility study by financial institutions and technology solution providers.

Since before the pandemic, the Governor of the Bank has warned individual investors of the danger of investing in cryptocurrency and whilst some made significant fortunes, especially when profits were untaxed, others have made considerable losses.

The bank does however recognise that there may be a distinct advantage for a Central Bank to be able to make digital transfers of its own created currency.

It has decided, separate to any research being undertaken by the European Central Bank for the creation of a digital euro, that it wants to investigate the possibility of improving the efficiency, speed and security of whole­

sale transactions using its own digital currency.

In addition, this study can help quantify to what extent Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDCs) can contribute to adapting these channels to the needs and demands of a

growing digital society.

This study is therefore focused on three main areas: (i) simulating transactions involving CBDCs funds transfers; (ii) trialling the integration of a CBDC with the settlement of financial assets; and, in addition, (iii) analysing the potential advantages and disadvantages of a CBDC vis­a­vis traditional processes, procedures and infrastructures.

Those organisations who wish to cooperate with the Bank will have until January 31, 2023 to submit their proposals and apart from being able to show their ability to take part, must also agree to treat all of their work as completely confidential.

SPEAKING at a PSOE rally in Barcelona on Sunday December 11, where he was supporting the candidature of Jaume Collboni in next year’s Barcelona City elections, Presidenr Pedro Sánchez made one important pledge.

He said that he plans in 2023 to combat the real consequences of the war in Ukraine as they affect the ordinary people of Spain and one area that he intends to concentrate on is ways in which to combat the rise in food prices.

He said, “At the end of this year, when we approve the new aid package for people, the middle class and workers, we are going to incorporate mechanisms to contain the evolution of food prices.”

Santander fined

ON December 9, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced it has fined Santander UK Plc (Santander) £107,793,300 after it found serious and persistent gaps in its anti­money laundering (AML) controls, affecting its Business Banking customers.

It explained that between December 31, 2012 and October 18, 2017, Santander failed to properly oversee and manage its AML systems, which significantly impacted the account oversight of more than 560,000 business customers.

Santander had ineffective systems to adequately verify information provided by customers about the business they would be doing.

Ukraine aid

WITH Hungary consistently vetoing plans for the European Union to give financial support to Ukraine the other members had to be creative in pushing through this aid.

On Saturday December 10, it was agreed that aid amounting to €18 billion would be given to Ukraine during 2023 by circumventing the need for the funds to be guaranteed by the EU as each of the 26 states would give their own individual guarantees.

This has all come about because the EU won’t approve Hungary’s recovery plan and has threatened to freeze €7.5 billion that Hungary needs if it doesn’t rescind some of its allegedly undemocratic internal decisions.

is the cost to be shared by the European Union, France, Portugal and Spain to create the green hydrogen corridor (H2MED) which will eventually supply 10 per cent of the EU’s hydrogen needs.

COST-OF-LIVING: Martin Lewis offered his advice.

Digital currency attracts Bank of Spain.

3I Group 1.338,00 1.348,00 1.330,00 244,57K

Abrdn 186,00 193,30 185,88 408,77K

Admiral Group 1.994,0 2.004,0 1.975,0 72,87K

Anglo American 3.238,5 3.346,5 3.238,0 609,65K

Antofagasta 1.434,00 1.460,50 1.429,00 114,49K

Ashtead Group 4.916,0 4.971,0 4.915,0 65,97K

Associated British Foods 1.644,0 1.658,5 1.637,0 258,32K

AstraZeneca 11.346,0 11.388,0 11.266,0 212,78K

Auto Trader Group Plc 563,00 563,40 557,20 390,73K

Aveva 3.200,0 3.204,0 3.199,0 57,39K

Aviva 443,60 446,30 443,00 634,73K

B&M European Value Retail SA408,00 411,50 406,50 705,07K

BAE Systems 823,20 832,40 820,00 695,01K

Barclays 157,50 158,20 156,64 3,88M

Barratt Developments 406,70 408,50 403,60 613,04K

Berkeley 3.807,5 3.841,0 3.782,0 52,75K

BHP Group Ltd 2.612,00 2.626,50 2.596,00 282,84K

BP 456,95 463,45 455,05 9,76M

British American Tobacco 3.288,5 3.334,0 3.284,0 526,07K

British Land Company 395,60 398,90 393,70 366,76K

BT Group 113,00 113,80 112,50 2,88M

Bunzl 3.014,0 3.025,0 2.985,0 54,08K

Burberry Group 2.142,0 2.147,0 2.120,0 93,57K

Carnival 659,3 661,0 651,6 54,82K

Centrica 92,02 93,46 91,96 1,81M

Coca Cola HBC AG 1.986,5 1.993,5 1.970,5 51,53K

Compass 1.914,00 1.925,00 1.900,00 379,94K

CRH 3.232,0 3.245,0 3.207,0 176,02K

Croda Intl 6.830,0 6.838,0 6.722,0 3,68K

DCC 4.291,0 4.313,0 4.246,0 58,95K

Diageo 3.754,5 3.781,5 3.729,0 535,40K

DS Smith 325,30 327,30 313,00 1,43M

EasyJet 377,30 380,70 376,60 318,56K

Experian 2.914,0 2.926,0 2.881,0 100,37K

Ferguson 10.300,0 10.320,0 10.165,0 4,63K

Flutter Entertainment 11.985,0 12.055,0 11.950,0 29,76K

Fresnillo 864,80 893,00 860,20 130,14K

Glencore 542,20 556,00 539,80 8,43M

GSK plc 1.462,40 1.484,20 1.456,40 989,95K

Halma 2.092,0 2.094,0 2.069,8 12,30K

Hargreaves Lansdown 853,80 861,80 853,20 156,73K

Hikma Pharma 1.511,50 1.530,00 1.505,00 64,95K

HSBC 494,12 497,50 494,65 1,83M

IAG 132,94 136,00 132,88 1,63M

Imperial Brands 2.059,00 2.071,00 2.049,00 541,34K

Informa 628,00 631,00 622,20 423,96K

InterContinental 4.938,0 4.948,0 4.863,0 67,25K

Intermediate Capital 1.175,00 1.182,00 1.163,00 126,08K

Intertek 4.100,0 4.113,0 4.057,0 30,51K

ITV 74,46 75,30 74,28 1,41M

J Sainsbury 226,60 227,70 225,30 1,03M

Johnson Matthey 2.069,0 2.079,0 2.047,0 16,05K

Land Securities 622,00 627,00 614,80 193,31K

Legal & General 253,30 254,20 252,50 1,19M

Lloyds Banking 46,00 46,40 45,99 16,82M

London Stock Exchange 7.366,0 7.432,0 7.336,0 117,18K

Melrose Industries 127,60 129,05 125,90 1,70M

Mondi 1.492,00 1.497,00 1.471,00 254,04K

National Grid 1.022,00 1.026,00 1.020,00 865,74K

NatWest Group 261,80 262,90 259,80 2,42M

Next 5.882,0 5.908,0 5.810,0 43,11K

Norilskiy Nikel ADR 9,10 9,10 9,10 0

Ocado 695,20 698,80 681,00 293,27K

Persimmon 1.281,5 1.285,0 1.267,5 116,41K

Phoenix 602,00 605,60 601,80 141,32K

Prudential 1.078,50 1.082,50 1.061,50 971,35K

Reckitt Benckiser 5.866,0 5.892,0 5.846,0 156,09K

Relx 2.343,00 2.362,00 2.319,00 490,26K

Rentokil 536,40 539,00 532,00 265,19K

Rightmove 550,80 552,80 546,40 228,19K

Rio Tinto PLC 5.810,0 5.895,0 5.768,0 527,43K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 93,65 93,71 90,82 7,68M

Sage 781,40 785,00 779,40 229,38K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.155,50 1.160,00 1.154,00 2,21K

Schroders 453,2 454,7 450,0 246,42K

Scottish Mortgage 773,54 784,00 770,60 403,39K

Segro 802,16 806,60 793,40 208,16K

Severn Trent 2.732,0 2.756,0 2.728,0 41,46K

Shell 2.289,0 2.314,5 2.279,5 2,85M

Smith & Nephew 1.105,50 1.108,00 1.100,00 472,99K

Smiths Group 1.621,00 1.625,50 1.604,50 83,64K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 11.005,0 11.020,0 10.830,0 142,85K

SSE 1.700,50 1.709,50 1.697,00 133,26K

St. James’s Place 1.131,50 1.140,00 1.129,00 220,76K

Standard Chartered 594,40 597,20 590,40 550,90K

Taylor Wimpey 103,65 104,05 102,65 1,57M

Tesco 229,70 231,30 229,30 3,07M

Tui 144,75 146,75 143,35 651,38K

Unilever 4.160,0 4.165,5 4.134,5 95,48K

United Utilities 1.037,39 1.047,37 1.037,00 15,55K

Vodafone Group PLC 86,30 86,55 85,70 15,06M

Whitbread 2.628,0 2.637,0 2.599,0 97,26K WPP 836,10 840,40 833,60 228,59K

3M 126,00 129,44 3,79M

American Express 154,12 156,42 153,45 1,62M

Amgen 285,57 286,59 283,74 1,75M

Apple 142,65 143,52 141,10 61,77M

Boeing 179,08 184,88 178,61 6,63M

Caterpillar 230,92 232,50 229,54 2,18M

Chevron 173,54 176,40 172,03 7,95M

Cisco 48,99 49,20 48,62 15,96M

Coca-Cola 63,81 63,85 63,35 9,88M

Dow 50,56 51,43 50,31 3,81M

Goldman Sachs 358,08 362,59 356,05 1,96M

Home Depot 324,09 324,52 318,55 3,47M

Honeywell 213,35 214,59 212,21 2,17M

IBM 147,78 149,15 147,37 2,66M

Intel 28,44 28,60 28,07 28,36M

J&J 177,20 177,47 176,34 4,79M

JPMorgan 132,88 132,98 131,43 8,85M

McDonald’s 273,39 273,57 270,62 3,02M

Merck&Co 110,85 111,02 110,12 7,17M

Microsoft 247,40 248,74 243,06 22,54M

Nike 111,36 111,49 108,46 6,12M

Procter&Gamble 151,32 151,38 149,01 5,14M

Salesforce Inc 130,13 131,46 127,02 15,07M

The Travelers 187,72 189,21 186,97 848,62K

UnitedHealth 547,92 551,29 543,78 2,26M

Verizon 37,10 37,24 36,87 19,52M

Visa A 209,10 210,30 207,75 4,89M

Walgreens Boots 40,90 40,97 40,40 3,59M

Walmart 148,78 149,27 148,14 4,50M

Walt Disney 92,55 93,43 91,67 9,31M

Most Advanced

Melco International Development Limited +102.28% 17,731

Universal Robina Corporation +32.33% 26,000

DiDi Global Inc. +24.10% 34.704M

Wynn Macau, Limited +23.10% 60,515

Alibaba Health Information Technology Litd +22.55% 23,200

Prometheus Biosciences, Inc. +22.35% 4.447M

Wynn Macau, Limited +21.46% 28,105

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co. Litd +21.21% 63,600

Ciena Corporation +19.96% 10.71M

GDS Holdings Limited +16.87% 2.466M

FIT Hon Teng Limited +15.95% 29,795

Most Declined

Oi S.A. -50.00% 100,006

Chart Industries, Inc. -12.45% 3.83M

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. -11.57% 4.69M

Green Thumb Industries Inc. -11.43% 919,108

Lincoln National Corporation -10.86% 8.922M

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. -10.20% 1.067M

Lenovo Group Limited -9.40% 74,870

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. -9.20% 423,019

Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. -6.73% 1.897M

Avery Dennison Corporation -6.54% 1.303M

Embracer Group AB (publ) -6.54% 40,000

BUSINESS EXTRA

Not allowed

FOLLOWING complaints from those receiving an email promoting a fruit beer created by Scottish Company Brewdog which claimed ‘One of your five a day’, the UK Advertising Standards Authority has banned this wording, even if it was supposed to be ‘tongue in cheek’ as Brewdog claims.

Low rates

A REPORT by American investment company Morgan Stanley suggests Spanish banks are unlikely to increase interest on deposits for individual account holders as they appear to have plenty of cash available to lend and are increasing rates to generate profits.

Prices down

WHILST the cost of living keeps rising, UK house prices saw their biggest drop in 14 years in November, falling 2.3 per cent according to Halifax which is considered one of the most accurate pointers to the market.

Oil shortage

IT’S not just fuel oil that is seeing price hikes but due to a particularly poor harvest in 2022, the price Spanish olive oil in all its qualities has reached record highs and due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sunflower oil prices have also risen.

West Africa

CONTINUING its ‘love affair with Africa, the Agency for International Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) worth €1,496,000 with ECOWAS on December 6. The Economic Community of West African States is a regional political and economic union of 15 countries located in West Africa with a combined population of almost 350 million. This MOU is intended to help support Gender, Agriculture and Sustainable Energy in the Region.

Second hand temptation

BEWARE temptation to buy second­hand electrical goods online as Christmas during a cost­ of­ living­crisis is the ideal time for unscrupulous traders.

This advice from James Farmer, director of the Appliance Recycling Group in the UK is just as relevant to those of us living in Spain.

“Appliance poverty is a real issue, and the cost ­ of ­ living crisis means people are being forced to find new ways to save money,” he said. “When their washing machine or fridge breaks, they have no choice but to look for a quick and cheap replacement online.

James said sites like eBay had systems in place to protect buyers, but others were not so robust.

Facebook Marketplace in particular is a huge draw for people looking for bargains. It does have measures in place for users

First UK Freeports

GOVERNMENT approves first UK Freeports in a bid to generate business as few significant trade deals have been signed since Brexit.

The Freeports becoming fully operational on December 7, is according to the government, a major milestone in its mission to level up communities across the country and will help spread opportunity and drive economic growth.

Each of these Freeports in Plymouth, Solent, and Teesside will now receive up to £25 million seed funding and potentially tens of millions of pounds in locally retained business rates to upgrade local infrastructure and stimulate regeneration.

Freeports are special areas within the UK’s borders where different economic regulations apply and they essentially exist outside its borders for tax purposes.

They are not a new idea and the famous Cinque Ports created in medieval time were effectively Freeports and Britain still had a number until they

were abolished in 2012, although one still exists in the Isle of Man.

Businesses in Freeports can take advantage of tax incentives, unlocking muchneeded investment and bringing high quality jobs in industries of the future to some of the nation’s most overlooked communities.

The Levelling Up Ministry says that combined, the first three Freeports are expected to bring millions of pounds in investment and thousands of highly skilled

jobs, turbocharging local economies and benefiting the whole of the UK.

Parliamentary Under­Secretary of State Dehenna Davison said when announcing the formal approval:

“We are taking full advantage of the freedoms of leaving the EU and these Freeports will generate prosperity and spread opportunity throughout the UK by driving innovation and throwing open our doors to trade with the world.”

to report scammers and fraudulent posts, but people are still falling victims to unscrupulous sellers.

Always look for a picture of the item in situ ­ if it’s a fridge or washing machine it should be pictured in a kitchen or utility room. Pictures of the item outside or in a garage should ring alarm bells.

Don’t buy an appliance based on a photo; ask to see the appliance on a video call. A photo cannot indicate whether that appliance is capable of working.

Don’t fall for an offer of free delivery. Ask to collect the item, even if you are unable to. By engaging the seller, you have an address. When engaged, scammers will often tell you that the item is sold once you press for more details.

Don’t pay cash ­ a credit or debit card, bank transfer or PayPal is best.

Corruption crackdown

FOR a territory with a similar population to the town of Perth in Scotland, Gibraltar does, without doubt, enjoy an extraordinary influx of money from various quarters.

For decades there have been rumours and often unproven accusations, of corruption and there is no doubt that many have, over the years, managed to build impressive property portfolios.

Now, the government has decided to set up an independent Anti ­ Corruption Authority with apparently sweeping powers of investigation and protection for whistle blowers and this will be debated in Parliament with the opposition being promised the possibility of having the bill strengthened if appropriate.

It will be retrospective so there may be some sweaty palms although sometimes, in a small community, it’s not what you know, but who you know.

Legal loophole

ALTHOUGH Spain is one of its busiest European markets, according to El Periódico de España, holiday rental organisation Airbnb paid just €286,337 tax in Spain in 2021 and in the past 10 years total tax paid amounts to €1.15 million.

Much has been made over the years that certain countries such as Ireland offer special tax rebates to international companies locating their headquarters in such countries and this has been the legal loophole that Airbnb took advantage of.

Its Spanish subsidiary is only responsible for marketing and advertising so that the bulk of profits made end up in Ireland, although it is anticipated that new European wide rules will soon close this option.

PROTECTING BUYERS: Take note of where the appliance is.

Credit: Carlos Lindner Unsplash

TRADE DEALS: New Solent Freeport.

Credit: Solent Freeport Twitter

LEAPY LEE SAYS

OTHERS THINK IT

WITHOUT question, the news media from most major TV channels is absolutely running riot with derogatory and depreciating reports attacking the Conservative government.

Headlines are positively bursting with accounts of strikes that are causing chaos; people’s homes dripping with leaks and mould, thousand waiting for NHS treatment and attention, derogatory reporting on cost of living crisis and finance, and never ending plans of rescue from a future Labour government.

It’s all quite unbelievably left wing strategy to depict the country and its society falling apart under the present government.

Recently a report dropped into the anti ­ government media like an early Christmas present.

A black woman calling herself Ngozi Fulani complained that she had been racially insulted at a Buckingham Palace function by an elderly member of the Royal staff. Apparently she had been asked

It never ends

‘where she really came from’.

This could have meant nothing more than where her ancestors originated.

To this woman however the remark was slam dunk, and didn’t the media love it. Every TV news channel, particularly the BBC, screamed headlines concerning this ‘poor woman’ who headed an African domestic abuse charity organisation being racially insulted by one of the royal household.

No doubt by the time you read this article you will have learned her original name was Marlene Headley. The charity she represented was paying her £65,000 a year. She was a supporter of Meghan Markle and Black Lives Matter.

The next day social media, including Nigel Farage and even a number of black correspondents, ran a complete rampage over her allegations and accused her of plotting every move.

This second day of emerging news should have been plastered

over every news report on national TV. But was it? Of course not. Obviously under instruction from ‘upstairs’ the British media dropped the story of her name change like a ton of bricks. After all it didn’t run akin to their woke propaganda and leftie equivalence at all.

Rather than inform their viewers of something that simply didn’t adhere to their media narrative; they quickly reverted to pumping out their whole package of infested antigovernment rhetoric, all contrived to win Labour the next election. Never ends.

Keep the faith Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon and Fri. 1pm.

BE ALERT OUR VIEW

ALTHOUGH Christmas is the ‘Season of Goodwill’, it’s also the time when scammers and crooks can take advantage of people buying for Christmas and Three Kings.

Whilst children (and quite a few adults) love the thought of Christmas trees surrounded for days by wrapped presents, there are also plenty of burglars around the world who are dreaming of the same thing.

There will be a lot more value in your property over the Christmas period than any other time of the year so it is worth while checking your home insurance policy to ensure that in the unfortunate event of a break­in that the loss of your goods is covered and keep receipts to prove what you have spent.

In addition, if you have locks, shutters or burglar alarms make sure that they are in use as if your property is obviously well protected, the burglar could well decide to give it a miss. This is not to say that you are likely to be a target, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

The same goes for online scammers and Amazon has issued a general warning about the ways in which these scammers will try to trick you into giving them financial information, often purporting to be sending information from major companies.

Again, be alert in case you receive an unexpected email or call from a company regarding an order that you have supposedly placed and never give bank or credit card details in response and you can always check your orders separately with the company that the scammers claim to represent. Have a great and safe Christmas and New Year.

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

OVER many years Neater Heaters have become the first choice of many expats living in Spain.

Behind our stylish Scandinavian designs are a modern state­of­the­art convector heater that can match any on the market for economy and efficiency, and beats all the serious competition hands down on price.

The real secret of these heaters is the computer­age technology in the form of extruded aluminium in the construction of the heating element. This material and the design creates a huge surface area for heat transfer, which means more air can be heated for less cost.

Neater Heaters use convection principles and are designed so that the electricity you put into the heater is converted to heat as cheaply as possible. When you turn on the heater the element warms up rapidly and heats the air around it, this air rises and draws more cold air into the heater. Because the element is extremely efficient and is designed to have a huge surface area, a

large quantity of air is heated very quickly. If your room has the correct sized heater it will take about 20 minutes to warm up from cold, after which the heater eases off and works at about two thirds capacity, (de­

and economical, but as you would expect from a Scandinavian product, they are extremely stylish and practical. There is a model

that will suit anyone, from the BEHA, (Bluetooth option or Wi­Fi option) and the NEO Fi, so that you can control your heaters easily via a Wi­Fi app but still being able to control them manually if preferred, or the trendy original style Neo with digital controls and a choice of colours and if you are limited for wall space, then available for purchase are factory designed feet to enable the heater to be freestanding.

However, a few years ago we went one stage further and added the Turkish made Vigo heater. This heater shares the design technology and ethos of the current Neater Heaters, but it has two differences: The Vigo comes with a carrying handle, wall bracket, and feet included in the price; The larger Vigo models take up less wall space and go up to 2.5kw. They also have a digital display that indicates the reduced wattage that the heater regulates once the room has reached desired temperature, thus saving more money through reduced running costs.

Phoenix Retreats: Alcohol, drug or behavioural problems?

HAS your life become unmanageable?

Are you seeking help for your problems?

Are you concerned for a loved one?

If the answer to any of the above is YES, then we can help.

Not all people suffering with an addiction or behavioural problem can take the time out to go into residential treatment. The Phoenix Day Care programme offers a very effective, flexible and affordable solution.

Phoenix Programmes now offers a unique course of treatment for alcohol, drug and behavioural problems. The programme will provide a 360º change in your ways of thinking, your behaviours and a new way of life.

The course is delivered over 15 working days ­ three weeks using a day care model.

We are happy to provide options for local accommodation (to suit

your budget) if needed.

Here at Phoenix Programmes, we don’t believe that any two individuals have exactly the same problem and so, therefore, the courses that we offer are tailored to suit each of our client’s specific needs.

The courses are delivered in our private San Pedro treatment centre in an easy, casual environment. Using a mixture of lectures, group discussion and practical activities to deliver the message that change is possible. Each course is structured

into phases:

1. An introduction for our clients to identify the exact nature of behavioural problems

2. Identifying the problem and working through a process to bring about change

3. Implementing the process for change and working together to identify triggers which may lead to old behaviours and block continued progress into a new way of life

Our Senior Addiction Therapist, Chris Spencer, has 30 years of experience in delivering courses across the world to people from all walks of life, and is an internationally qualified alcohol and drug addiction therapist.

“Here at Phoenix Programmes we believe that recovery is to be enjoyed, not endured.”

Chris Spencer, Senior Addiction Therapist

DESERT SPRINGS GOLF RESORT VILLA

THIS delightful three bedroom Pueblo Villa is located within the quiet internal gardens of Desert Golf, providing stunning views across the championship Indiana golf course and mountain ranges beyond.

Built in an intimate and secure enclave, the villa shares beautiful individually landscaped communal gardens and a large swimming pool.

The villa is based on the precise shapes of the ‘casas del campo’ of the Almanzora Valley, with the exterior reflecting the heritage of tradition with large terraces and pergolas, whilst the interior offers a stylish contemporary home with modern appeal.

On the ground floor there is a large lounge/dining room with French doors opening up to the front garden with

terrace and barbecue area. The owners had the size of the lounge increased by removing the walls to the corridor.

There is a modern contemporary kitchen with all the white goods included and granite worktops. There are two downstairs bedrooms, which share a family bathroom. Again, the owner had the bathroom modified and it now features a beautiful walk­in shower.

The main bedroom is located on the first floor, leading out to a large open

PUEBLO

terrace with lovely views. This bedroom features an en suite shower room.

There is a fully landscaped garden and ample terracing for alfresco dining.

This villa is sold fully furnished and features a lot of extras : air conditioning in all bedrooms and the lounge, double glazing, high quality fitted kitchen, white goods, fitted bedroom wardrobes, outside lighting… and a parking space in a garage.

* The seller has reduced the price by €15,000 as a contribution to the annual maintenance costs.

This villa has high rental potential and makes an excellent holiday home for people who enjoy golf, the beach and a relaxing atmosphere! Key ready for your first holiday!

• three bedrooms and two bathrooms, 425 sqm plot

• Terrace, private garden with pergola

• Air conditioning and fully furnished

• Parking space in a garage

• Communal pool

VILLA: With beautifully landscaped communal gardens and pool.

Acupuncture relief

ACUPUNCTURE is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine. Fine needles are inserted at certain sites in the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes.

Acupuncture is often seen as a form of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM).

Western medical acupuncture involves stimulating sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles.

This results in the body producing natural substances, such as pain­relieving endorphins. It’s likely that these naturally released substances are responsible for the beneficial effects experienced with acupuncture.

A course of acupuncture usually creates longer lasting pain relief than when a single treatment is used.

Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an

energy, or ‘life force’, flows through the body in channels called meridians. This life force is known as Qi (pronounced ‘chee’).

Practitioners who use acupuncture in the traditional way believe that when Qi does not flow freely through the body, this can cause illness. They also believe acupuncture can restore the flow of Qi, and so restore health.

Fine needles are inserted into parts of the body.

Image: Leonardo da/Shutterstock,com

Festive reactions

AS the festive season is upon us, many are making sure they look their best for family and friends with beauty treatments including dyeing our hair.

If you are reaching for the bleach (or similar) this Christmas though, be aware of some basic tips to avoid falling prey to common allergy problems found with hair dye.

Hair dyes contain ingredients that can irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction and anyone who uses permanent or semi­permanent hair dye could be at risk of a reaction.

Some people are prone to a skin reaction called contact dermatitis which means their skin may become red, dry, scaly, bumpy, blistered, or irritated when they come into contact

with a particular substance.

The substance may either be an irritant, directly damaging the skin, or an allergen, triggering an allergic reaction that affects the skin.

Many permanent and some semi­permanent hair dyes contain a chemical called paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which is a known irritant and allergen and darker coloured dyes contain higher levels of PPD.

It is advised to always carry out a patch test before using a permanent or semi­permanent hair dye, this usually involves dabbing a small amount of the dye solution behind your ear or on your inner elbow and leaving it to dry. If you develop any irritation or feel unwell after the patch test, do not use the product.

Hair dye reactions.

Image: Vadiar/Shutterstock.com

RABBIT LOVER

LEAPY, always love your articles. You seem to know everything that is going on. What about this strange idea of the Spanish to ban keeping pets that have been kept by children for many years. Rabbits and guinea pigs are amongst them. I have never heard of an invasion of guinea pigs, obviously turfed out by their owners when bored with them. They wouldn’t last five minutes what with all the feral cats about. And tame rabbits don’t get on well if they escape.

What is the government going to do, knock on every door and demand the children hand over their beloved pets for slaughter? I hope this is not the case. Are they foreseeing dangerous mad rabbits taking over Spain.

When you see all the abandoned dogs in shelters and useless owners that allow them to crap all over pavements and park areas, surely cutting down on dog ownership would be more useful. Rabbits do not usually maul their owners or attack strangers ­ only in Monty Python of course.

Do you know the truth of this?

Veggie view

their new lives but still feel the need to stir the pot about the past.

Andrea, Alicante

Different tone

Leapy, I always enjoy reading your columns, I find them so refreshing however controversial. Must say though that I found the tone of last week’s column about Diana Dors rather sad, for such a wonderful friendship to turn so sour and to then have to deal with the loss of a friendship and at the same time deal with anger at the betrayal.

H Moore

Bleak sales

Sylvia

I love reading your column Nora, I find you write with such open sincerity and I enjoyed reading your latest column ‘Dinner parties from hell.’ I am vegetarian and have been for over 30 years and it was simply a food choice, yes I may be reducing my carbon footprint and alleviating my part in animal cruelty, which is obviously an added bonus, I will not however force my choices on other people or make anyone feel bad about the choices they make. Thank you.

G Farran

Royal fuss

I have been hearing about the release of the new Netflix series re Harry and Meghan and I am just wondering if I am the only one who couldn’t give a hoot for either of them and certainly wouldn’t want to waste several hours of my life watching them portray themselves as victims. I don’t understand why people proclaim to be so happy with

The Black Friday/week sales were more like the bleak sales, it was either overpriced goods reduced to an average price or goods reduced in price that nobody would want to buy or would only fit a size 50 (UK 141/5) feet.

All the hype about the sales weeks before to be sorely disappointed, and to top it off you get stuck in traffic on the way to the shopping centre, then there is nowhere to park and when you do eventually finish your shopping, all the restaurants are full so there is nowhere to have a coffee or a bite to eat. Only winners here are the shops.

Fed up consumer

Giving time

Following the sacking of Eddie Jones I can’t believe anyone would be thinking of getting rid of Gareth Southgate after England’s impressive performance in the World Cup.

In an age of social media, we’re far too quick to judge people based on their latest result instead of their overall work.

We need to give professionals more time to be good at their jobs and show what they can really do.

Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: 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.

Mr E Jenkins

TAME RABBITS: Wouldn’t last five minutes outside on their own.

IT truly is the most wonderful time of year. And what better way to spend it than with your furry friends?

But Christmas can also be a dangerous time of year for pets with unexpected decorations, trailing wires

and lots of guests around. Take these tips to keep your pet safe and happy throughout the festive season.

Decorations

Decorating your home is one of the most exciting parts of Christmas. But as a

pet owner, you should take extra care to ensure that your decorations are petfriendly. Many decorations can look like toys to pets and can lead to accidents from curiosity. Supervise your pet while in the living room or keep them away from small decorations that could cause choking or strangling.

Electrical cords Lots of holiday decorations need extra electric cords, and they seem to be everywhere in the Christ ­

mas period. Keep cords out of your pet’s mouth by taping them to walls where possible and unplug them when you’re out of the house.

Distraction Christmas is a very social season, but this can also be an overwhelming time for our pets. Distraction is your best friend to keep your pet calm and happy. Try introducing your pet to a puzzle toy and ensure your pet gets its usual exercise.

Photo credit: Agata Kowalczyk / shutterstock.com

ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeriabuilders. com (253556)

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LOCAL ANGLICAN (C of E) church services at Mojacar Los Llanos Del Peral and Alhambra. Communion every Sunday in Mojacar at 11am. Communion at Los Llanos every Sunday except the last Sunday in the month when there will be Prayer and Praise all at 11am. The services that were being held in the South American church Albox have now returned to the chapel and Communion is held on the second Thursday of the month at 11am. Priest in charge Rev Canon Alan Bennet telephone number 680 243 436. For further information, please go to The Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Calida web page. Or contact Tony Noble 950 069 103. (10002)

TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For worship. We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, towards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 617 914 156 (10021)

posting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, www.britishlegion.org. uk/counties/spain-north ZURGENA Branch meeting on the first Thursday, Coffee Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at Bar Trinidad, Arboleas, for further details please email zurgenarblchair man@gmail.com - (253989)

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NEWLIFE church invite you to celebrate Christmas with carols and readings on Sunday 18th December 11.am at Salmantino’s Bar. Just of E15 motorway, junction 682 for Albox. www.newlife church.eu. (302246)

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MOTOR INSURANCE . For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)

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

GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693

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WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs €7.75, medium dogs €8.50, big dogs €9.25, cats from €7.00 a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre@gmail. com fivebonehotel.com

KNOWLES PLUMBING No 1 for all plumbing jobs big or small. Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 606 807 797 or 684 143 560 (296493)

MOBILE homes & static caravans bought, sold and transported. +34 630 055 418 or elsyd7@hotmail.com (302142)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer? Call and see how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@ gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with sign-

ABBOTT ELECTRICS

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VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They

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ROAD TEST

byMarkSlack

SINCE first emerging from the Rover car company in 1947, as a prototype with a central driving position, Land Rover has been synonymous with off­road prowess. In fact the last Defender still owed much to its immediate postwar cousin.

Of course today the talk is still all about Defender, but this time in its newest form. Which brings me neatly on to talk about a completely different Land Rover!

The Discovery Sport, although having a trendy, upmarket image, is in today’s terms reasonably affordable.

Prices for the range start at €41,306/£34,480, and if that seems somewhat less than cheap, well I have recently been driving a Toyota RAV4 that’s listed at €40,477/ £35,500.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Electric assistance and in Hybrid Electric assis­

Facts at a Glance

The other thing that surprises with the Discovery Sport is a lead­in model with two­wheel­drive. More SUVs come in two ­ wheel ­ drive than four nowadays, but a two­wheel­drive Land Rover still comes as a surprise.

My particular Discovery Sport was the aforementioned lead­in model with

two ­ wheel ­ drive, turbocharged 2.0­litre diesel engine and manual transmission.

The easy way to tell a Sport from a standard Discovery is not only the size but the Sport doesn’t have that, to some, rather annoying offset rear number plate. The Sport comes with both petrol and diesel options along with Mild

The lead ­ in Discovery Sport may come at a surprisingly affordable price but of course, by the time you’ve ticked some option boxes the price can climb quicker than a Land Rover up a mountain. It’s far from difficult to add well into four figures purely on optional extras..

That said the standard, although it is rather more than that, specification is pretty decent with heated front seats, auto lights and wipers, heated and powered door mirrors, auto dimming rear view mir­

• Model: Land Rover Discovery Sport D165 FWD

• Engine: 2.0-Litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel developing 165PS

• Gears: 6-speed manual

• Performance: 0-100 kmh (60 mph) Petrol 9.8 secs

• Maximum Speed Petrol 201 kmh (125 mph)

• Economy: Petrol 6.38 l/100km (44.3 mpg) WLTP

• Emissions: Petrol 167g/km Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.

rors, dual zone climate control, cruise control, front and rear parking aids, tyre pressure monitoring system and Android Auto and Apple Car Play. As one would expect there’s also a panoply of safety kit and a myriad of other standard features.

Reliability has to be mentioned as there’s much talk about the lack of it with Land Rovers. While I know people who have had issues, equally I

know many that have experienced no issues whatsoever.

Despite my Discovery on having power to the front wheels it felt highly effective and confidence inspiring. Inside the Land Rover it’s a very nice place to be, a mix of modern tech and quality materials. Good power delivery, smooth gear changes and decent handling are the hallmarks of what is an impressive machine.

Hybrid

DISCOVERY SPORT: A mix of modern tech and old fashioned quality.

New campaign

THE Mini is getting into the Christmas spirit with its heart­warming ‘Driving Home for Christmas campaign’. The instantly recognisable car brand has partnered with children’s charity, SOS Children’s Villages, which supports children living in poverty, war and hardship.

For its Christmas fundraising campaign, Mini released its own video to Chris Rea’s classic Christmas tune, ‘Driving Home for Christmas’. In the touching video, people of all ages and dogs are shown getting into the Christmas spirit and making their way home for Christmas.

The song was chosen as it captures the festive feeling of being surrounded by love and family, a feeling many children affected by hardships long for. The choice of song also has an

added meaning, singersongwriter Chris Rea actually wrote the song in a Mini while driving home for Christmas 44 years ago.

The campaign is aiming to raise a huge total of €50,000 which will be used by SOS Children’s Villages in its work in more than 130 countries globally to support children by looking after them in safe

and supportive environments.

The iconic car brand first collaborated with the charity earlier this year with a campaign in April to spread love and compassion among children affected by the war in Ukraine in neighbouring Poland.

The video is available at: https://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=B2we7JdB7iY

Photo credit: vukAna / shutterstock.com

MINI: The iconic car brand have launched their ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ charity campaign to help support children across the globe.

Lions crash out

ENGLAND and France contested the fourth quarter­final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup on, Saturday, December 9.

Didier Deschamps named an unchanged side for the game after Sunday’s last­16 win over Poland. Gareth Southgate also kept the same lineup that disposed of Senegal in the previous game.

Aurelien Tchouameni put France in front after 17 minutes. He found himself in space and picked out the bottom corner of the England net with a vicious shot, beyond

Jordan Pickford.

In the 52nd minute, there was no disputing a penalty as Aurelien Tchouameni turned from hero to villain as he took Bukayo Saka out with a very clumsy challenge on the Arsenal Winger.

Harry Kane stepped up to face his Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris and smashed the penalty kick past him to level the scores. Kane’s strike draws him level with Wayne Rooney as the all­time leading goalscorer for the country.

Ousmane Dembele missed a golden opportunity in the 69th minute, but after 78 minutes France had the lead again. Olivier Giroud was on hand to convert a fine pass from Antoine Griezmann, giving Pickford no chance.

A big moment arose in the 81st minute with a further England penalty, Kane had the chance to become the outright top scorer for England, but somehow lofted his resulting kick over the bar resulting in France holding out for a 2­1 win.

The French team won.

Credit: Twitter@equipedefrance

FOLLOWING Spain’s loss to Morocco in the round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, manager Luis Enrique was relieved on Thursday, December 8, from his position by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. His replacement has been named as Luis de la Fuente, the current Under­21 national coach.

Rugby poor form Restoring national pride

The board of directors had a deadline of Monday, December 12 before which they had to approve the appointment of a new coach. Luis de la Fuente, will now step up to manage the senior men’s side.

As a player, he made his debut as a left­back for Athletic Bilbao. He also played for Athletic Club, Sevilla FC and finally

New principal

FRENCHMAN, Frederic Vasseur, 54, has been named as Ferrari’s new team principal, the current boss of the Alfa Romeo/Sauber team, will replace Mattia Binotto on January 9.

Fifty­three­year­old Binotto, who has been with the team since 1995, had resigned, according to a statement issued by Ferrari.

Andreas Seidl, 46, ex­McLaren team principal will join Sauber in January as Vasseur’s replacement, as the team build up to Audi’s takeover in 2026.

Vasseur will be charged with turning Ferrari into a team capable of winning the world championship.

Ferrari chief executive officer Benedetto Vigna said: “Throughout his career, Fred has successfully combined his technical strengths as a trained engineer with a consistent ability to bring out the best in his drivers and teams.

“This approach and his leadership are what we need to push Ferrari forward with renewed energy.”

retired at Deportivo Alaves. He won two league titles in the First Division, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup, all with Athletic Club.

At the age of 61, Luis de la Fuente faces one of the most important positions of his coaching career as the Spain coach. After the World Cup defeat, he now has to rebuild the national team and restore the nation’s pride in its football team.

EDDIE JONES has been sacked as head coach of England’s rugby union team ­ just nine months before the start of the team’s World Cup campaign.

The 62­year­old Australian, who coached England to the finals of the last Rugby World Cup in 2019 and three Six Nations titles, was sacked fol lowing a review of his team’s recent run of poor form dur

Break a leg

THE FC Bayern and German goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, has broken his leg in a skiing accident putting paid to the rest of his season.

Neuer broke his leg and had to undergo an operation that has meant a miserable end to a disappointing season for the German captain.

He told a national news site “While I was trying to clear my head while skiing, I suffered a fracture in my lower leg. It pains me to know that the current season is over for me.”

Bayern wished their leader a rapid recovery and said that the operation on his leg had been successful. They also con firmed that he would be out for the rest of the season. This after a disappointing end to the World Cup with a shock defeat.

ing the autumn internationals.

England won just one game out of four in the series and

were embarrassingly defeated by Argentina at Twickenham for the first time in 16 years last month, in their opening game.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU), announcing Jones’ dismissal in a statement on Tuesday December 6, said the team’s forwards coach, Richard Cockerill, would take over the ‘day­to­day running’ of the team.

Jones won three Six Nations titles during his seven years in charge of England ­ including a Grand Slam in 2016 ­ as well as two series wins in Australia, an unbeaten run of 16 matches and an Autumn Nations Cup. He leaves his post with the highest­ ever win ratio (73 per cent) of any England coach.

The next Rugby World Cup will be held in France, between September and October 2023.

Eddie Jones sacked as England’s Rugby Union Team head coach.

Shutterstock.com/ atsportphoto