Axarquia 6 – 12 April 2023 Issue 1970

AUTISM AWARENESS

THE community in Almuñecar came together for a heartwarming celebration which touched the hearts of individuals with autism in honour of World Autism Awareness Day on Sunday, April 2.

The local council joined forces with autism associations Alojha and Asinal to raise awareness of the need to improve the quality of life for people with autism. The goal was to ensure that autistic people in the community have an opportunity to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society.

María del Carmen Reinoso, the local councillor for Social Services, shared some details about the campaign, which is entitled ‘Building a more inclusive society for individuals with autism’, “We are partnering with Alojha and Asinal to spread awareness and educate our community about the importance of social inclusion for those with different abilities,” she explained. “Together,

Branching out

REGIONAL authorities from the Mancomunidad de Axarquia have completed a stunning transformation of the countryside in the region thanks to a reforestation project. Authorities visited the site on Monday, April 3 to view improvements made.

The reforestation project has injected new life into the stunning La Viñuela reservoir area thanks to a bumper investment from the regional authority totalling €4.5 million. More than 41,000 trees and shrubs have been planted, making the reservoir the perfect escape into nature for tourists and locals alike.

The President of the Mancomunidad, José Juan Jiménez, expressed his satisfaction with the project saying, “It’s not just about making the area more environmentally rich, but also providing new infrastructure and leisure spaces for our communities and the many visitors who come to enjoy the beauty of La Viñuela every weekend.”

From hiking and mountain biking trails to stunning viewpoints and picnic areas, there’s no doubt that La Viñuela is set to become the go ­ to destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers in the region.

last

we hope to raise awareness of the fact that we all have a responsibility to create a more equal and inclusive society, where every individual can

Toast to Torrox

TORROX is preparing to offer a sensory experience like no other as the town hosts southern Europe’s largest wine fair next month.

On Monday, May 1, more than 1,000 wine enthusiasts will gather at the El Faro de Torrox Costa lookout point to savour the best of the region’s wines.

This year’s aptly named ‘Cata Junto al Mar’ (Tasting by the Sea), is set to attract twice the number

of visitors as last year according to the mayor of Torrox, Óscar Medina and council organiser, Sandra Extremera who visited the site last week to check up on progress.

“The event is one of the reasons why the Torrox brand is so strong, and people are eager not only to visit but to return,” explained Medina, who added that the tasting event is part of the council’s campaign to promote the region’s gastronomy

enjoy their rights,” she added. Last week local schools also marked the international event with a charity run.

and typical products, after the town was named the first ‘gastronomic capital’ in the Malaga region. The council has timed the event to coincide with the

May Day bank holiday.

Registration for the event opens on Monday, April 10. Tickets are free but are required for entry.

Southern Europe’s largest wine fair is set to hit Torrox in May, inviting guests to sample delicious local wines.

Schools in Almuñecar celebrated World Autism Awareness Day with a charity run

week.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Almuñécar

First stone

THE mayor of Vélez­Málaga, Antonio Moreno Ferrer, together with the local council laid the first stone in an ambitious construction project to build a multipurpose cultural centre in the Las Golondrinas estate on Monday, April 3.

The project is set to receive a whopping €2.1 million investment, and will house a variety of activities for local residents including Municipal School of Music and Dance. This exciting development has been made possible thanks to funding from the EDUSI programme and will take about a year to complete.

The project will feature 10 music classrooms, eight instrument­learning classrooms, two dance studios, and a library, all of which will be surrounded by lush green spaces.

There will also be an auditorium that can seat up to 200 people, a cafeteria, and several offices.

The building will also have pedestrian walkways and safety features to make the area more accessible and userfriendly for everyone.

Olive excursion

Idyllic coastal escape

ALMUÑECAR will soon welcome even more guests to the coastal paradise thanks to a planned hotel development. Developers announced plans to build a brand­new hotel, just a stone’s throw from the beautiful Puerta del Mar beach.

The new development, called Apartamentos Turísticos Puerta del Mar, will consist of 39 exclusive tourist apartments, with a parking area for up to 90 vehicles, a pool, gardens, and a chillout bar, all located on a plot of land next to the health centre, just a few steps away from the shoreline.

The building will also have a modern design with sustainable, energy­efficient features. The hotel’s rooftop bar will also boast stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Developers announced their plans at a press conference alongside officials from the council including the mayor of Almuñecar, Juan José Ruiz Joya, and the councillor for Urban Development, Javier García, on Monday, April 3.

LOCAL residents are invited for a day of adventure and learning with the Lux Mundi Ecumenical Group in Torre del Mar. The group are taking an exciting excursion to Quaryat Dillar Olive Oil Factory and Granada on Thursday, April 27.

The group will start the day with a 30­minute coffee stop on their way to the family­owned Quaryat Dillar Olive Oil Factory, set

against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Visitors will be treated to a guided tour of the factory in English, where they will learn all about the fascinating olive oil production process. What’s more, they’ll get to taste the factory’s award­winning olive oils! Next, the group will head to the vibrant city of Granada, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Visitors will have free time to

explore, have lunch, or visit the stunning cathedral. The day will end with a return trip to Torre del Mar, but not before taking in all the sights and sounds of the beautiful region.

Tickets are available at the centre in Torre del Mar, with proceeds going towards the group’s fundraising efforts. The trip costs €38 for members and €40 for nonmembers.

They expressed their excitement about the new development, which promises to boost the local tourism industry, a major engine of the economy. The project has been created thanks to a new legal framework, the PGOU, which aims to guide developers in the region.

Making a splash

NERJA is diving into the world of eco-tourism with an exciting project, a brand new ‘Reef Park’. This artificial marine wonderland is set to display the world underwater in all its glory, as well as offering thrilling

activities for tourists seeking sustainable experiences.

The project, spearheaded by Tecnoambiente Andalucía in collaboration with Equilibrio Marino, promises a massive discov-

ery park that spans 3,000 metres squared and features six unique areas inspired by Mediterranean marine cultures.

Announcing the project on Monday, April 3, planners explained that the park will also have an exclusive marine location, just off the coast of the stunning El Playazo beach at a depth of 15 to 20 metres.

The local council also described the project as a game-changer for the town’s economy, saying it is guaranteed to draw in eco-conscious travellers from around the world and establish Nerja as a leader in sustainable tourism. Not to mention, it’ll complement the already impressive range of attractions in the area, while offering a unique experience.

Local councillor for the Environment, Javier Rodríguez added, “Nerja will make waves in the world of sustainable travel.”

Betty Henderson

The hotel’s modern design will make it both sustainable and comfortable for guests seeking a coastal escape.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Almuñécar (via email)

EXCITING TRIP: Members will visit an olive oil factory.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Rincón de La Victoria

YOUR

Charity court

NERJA PÁDEL has launched a new weekly charity pádel event raising funds for the Annai Home for girls in India. All are welcome to join the two hour sessions to have fun, improve their skills and develop new friendships.

Cat’s whiskers

LEO’S CAT REFUGE now has a brand­new charity shop on Calle Clavel in Velez­Malaga, which opened last Saturday. The shop will raise funds for the charity’s lifesaving work with cats in the community, while offering local residents some excellent bargains.

Gracias giveaway

TORRE DEL MAR’S 'Gracias' shopping campaign is set to thank locals for their loyalty to high street shops and reward customers for helping the town flourish. 10,000 raffle tickets are available from participating shops with five €200 vouchers up for grabs.

Kickin’ it

LOCAL football loving ladies are invited to join a walking football tournament which is set to take place in Competa in May. The tournament is a chance to have a kickabout and make new friends. To register interest, contact: 635 881 119.

Treasure tales

RINCON DE LA VICTORIA’S

Cueva del Tesoro is offering a free comic about the attraction to children visiting over the Easter holiday. The comic takes readers on a historical journey through the cave. The initiative will continue for school trips.

Social hour

A FRIENDLY social group is welcoming new members in Torre del Mar. The group meets each Friday at 1pm at Bodega La Barraca bar. The relaxed gathering is open to all and offers a space for conversation without heavy topics.

Easter message from the EWN

AS Easter approaches, the Euro Weekly News would like to wish all of our readers a happy and joyous holiday. Easter is a time of deep significance for many residents in Spain, as it represents the triumph of life over death and hope over despair. At the Euro Weekly News, we are proud to be a part of the vibrant and

diverse community in Spain. We believe that it is important to not only report on the news, but to also engage with the communities that we serve.

As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded of the values that are important to us as a community. We are reminded of the importance of compassion, forgiveness,

Unique art exhibition

LOCAL artist Margaret Riordan has opened an exciting exhibition that promises to delight art enthusiasts throughout the month of April. The exhibition, which opened on Tuesday, April 4, is being hosted at the popular Cafeteria JEMs on Avenida del Faro in Torrox and showcases an impressive variety of the artist's work.

Margaret Riordan is a selftaught artist who was born in Bristol, England, and has been painting and drawing for as long as she can remember. Her work has won numerous competitions at both local and national levels and she has sold over 300 pieces of art

at exhibitions and galleries throughout the UK, Europe, and North America.

Margaret’s inspiration came from renowned artists such as Jack Vettriano and David Downton, the fashion illustrator. Many of her works feature people and horses, whose movement she loved to capture. Arthritis unfortunately prevents her from pursuing painting as a profession, so her works are truly one of a kind.

The exhibition is open on weekdays from 10am until 4pm, except for Mondays. More information is available by email: mariordan@aol. com.

Lottery luck

Sergio spoke to reporters about the win explaining, “I’m ecstatic that I can make a difference in people’s lives. It’s about time my neighbours got a win!”

Driving ahead

and hope, and we are grateful for the opportunities to celebrate with our loved ones and neighbours. We wish you all a happy Easter. May this holiday bring you peace, joy, and renewed hope for the future, and may we continue to come together as a community in the spirit of love and unity.

ONE car business says it’s ready to take the motoring world by storm and become the biggest player in Axarquia. Grupo Ausol announced big plans for their future at a press conference on Monday, April 3.

Rincon de La Victoria’s coastal path boasts stunning views across the Mediterranean Sea.

A ‘shore’ hit

Betty Henderson RINCON DE LA VICTORIA unveiled an incredible new addition to the town’s Senda litoral, a stunning coastal path that connects towns along the Axarquia coast, on Monday, April 3.

Thanks to nearly €380,000 in funding from the local government, visitors can now explore the brand­new 165­metre section between Los Rubios beach and the Santillán stream with ease. The new path is complete with a sleek new bridge linking to the neighbouring town of Velez­Malaga.

sive new bridge.

At an opening ceremony, the mayor of Rincon de la Victoria, Francisco Salado pointed out the significance of the new development for the town, stating that “this project serves to preserve our coastline, opening up an area for the enjoyment of neighbours and visitors.”

Further investments in the path are also planned.

After the recent acquisition of Citroën, Peugeot, and Spoticar models in their dealership, businessman brothers Fernando and Javier Lisbona, alongside Eugenio Noguerol, have set their sights on adding even more powerhouse brands like Opel, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Abarth, and Jeep to their impressive roster.

At their flashy debut event, which began with a show of solidarity for the Cofradía de la Pollinica and the Virgen del Rocío, the businessmen from Grupo Ausol also revealed their fresh new logo, which pays homage to their roots in the Axarquia region.

The businessmen also highlighted that all current employees of the newly acquired brands have kept their jobs.

The massive win was made possible thanks to Sergio Cortés, a local seller who’s been spreading good vibes since 2019 in the Conejito neighbourhood. It seems Sergio has a magic touch as it emerged that he has actually sold 10 other winning tickets, worth a total of a whopping €35,000!

The National Organisation of Spanish Blind People (ONCE) runs the lottery, and proceeds from ticket sales go towards funding programmes and services for those with disabilities.

With draws taking place daily, the ONCE lottery is a household name in Spain with millions of players across the country.

The new path is already creating a buzz among locals and tourists alike, thanks to its sweeping views of the coastline set against the backdrop of Axarquia’s rugged hills and mountains. Visitors have flocked to the path since it opened to take in breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and marvel at the impres­

Even better, our news online and in print is FREE and we promise to always keep it that way.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Rincón de La Victoria

ONE lucky Torrox resident is €350,000 richer after striking gold in the ONCE lottery. The win was confirmed on Friday, March 31 alongside five other winners in Castilla La Mancha and Galicia.

Andalucia art

Betty Henderson

ART lovers are invited to escape the charming Axarquia village of Competa, where they can immerse themselves in the vibrant art scene at Galeria Luz de la Vida.

The hidden gem boasts a stunning collection of international art, featuring works by acclaimed artists like Anne­Barbara Lenzin, and Lieuwke Loth. The gallery is also gearing up for a special event on Tuesday, April 11 where author Linda Decker is set to present her coffee table book, ‘Impressions of Andalucia’.

Written by Linda Decker and accompanied by Peter Lawrence’s watercolours, the book transports readers to Andalucia’s enchanting Moorish villages, and show­

cases the region’s beauty. The event will begin with a presentation of the book by Linda at 7.15pm, followed by a toast and a social chat, where guests can purchase copies of the book. This month, the gallery is

Business overhaul

AN innovative programme is aiming to solve Axarquia’s most pressing employment issues, shifting the region’s business landscape. The Diputación de Málaga unveiled its revolutionary ‘Metapueblos’ plans which also aim to tackle the issue of rural depopulation on Friday, March 31.

The plan proposes a series of immersive educational courses. It promises to train jobseekers in cutting­edge industries such as bio­construction, agroecology, and renewable energy. Participants will also get to experience five and a half months of hands­on training with top companies, as well as receiving invaluable mentorship.

The project is set to create a new, exciting entrepreneurial ecosystem that will breathe new life into rural communities.

also hosting an exhibition by Javier González, an artist based in Almuñecar. Unique installations by the artist including two totem poles and ceramic sculptures are on display throughout April. The gallery is not only a feast for the eyes but also a calming oasis for the soul, complete with Moorish­inspired architecture and a serene garden.

Metapueblos is also seeking to close the gender gap by encouraging women to take part. And, with a generous eligibility criteria of 18­45year­olds, anyone in the province of Malaga could be eligible to benefit from the scheme.

LA VIÑUELA is preparing to host an uplifting community event, the second annual solidarity walk or run in support of women fighting breast cancer on Thursday, April 20. This event is all about showing solidarity with women fighting any form of cancer, especially

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

This initiative is a game­changer, according to Vice President, Natacha Rivas. She explained, “we want to change the fate of our smallest municipalities and breathe new life into the Serranía de Ronda and Axarquia, two of the most depopulated areas of our province.”

Stepping up

breast cancer.

The walk or run will cover a beautiful four kilometre course around the La Viñuela reservoir, starting at Restaurante El Pantano at 4.30 pm. Participants will receive a t­

shirt for their participation and a delicious healthy snack after completing the course.

Participants are asked to register for the event by visiting La Viñuela Town Hall’s website before Wednesday, April 12. A registration fee of €5 will be collected to cover the event costs and support breast cancer care charities including Esperanza Breast Cancer Association.

Originating from a Chinese proverb meaning that however big the task is, it starts with a small step.

The La Viñuela council is also offering transport, which can be arranged by calling: 679 343 446.

Nestled in the heart of Competa, the Galeria Luz de La Vida is also a delightful place to unwind.

Photo credit: Centro de La Luz (via Facebook)

The plan is aiming to breathe life and youth employment into Axarquia.

Photo credit: Diputación de Málaga

“A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Betty Henderson

ALMUÑECAR was captured in all of its glory last week as a team of talented Danish photographers arrived in the town. For an entire week, photographers and models from the prestigious Anja Ekstrom photography and fashion academy took part in intense, high ­ octane photoshoot sessions in various locations across the town.

The group’s visit to Almuñecar culminated in an impressive fashion shoot at the Marina del Este harbour on Sunday, April 2, showcasing the stunning results of the students’ learning during their week­long stay in Almuñecar. Students were taught theo­

Strike a pose

ry in the morning which was put into practice in the afternoon, where photographers

THE Arts Society Nerja are set to continue with their popular lecture series on Tuesday, April 11 with a fascinating talk entitled ‘Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: the Golden Age of Mexican Painting’.

Expert speaker Chloe Sayer will delve into the couple’s relationship and creative partnership during what is often referred to as the ‘Golden Age’ of Mexican painting. Sayer is an accomplished author, curator, and lecturer with extensive knowledge of Mexican and Latin American art

tested out techniques on how to use daylight to their advantage, what effects to use, and

Food bank back

how to capture models perfectly. The course was intensive, with hundreds of photos taken. The final selection will be published in various fashion or beauty media outlets worldwide. School founder and director, Anja Ekstrom explained, “During the week, several female photographers had the opportunity to put the theory they learned into practice. We conducted various photoshoot sessions in different locations throughout the town, accompanied by professional models,” explained Anja Ekstrom.

A brush with greatness

and culture. Frida Kahlo was a prominent 20th century Mexican artist known for her vivid and often surreal portraits. Her work is acclaimed for its exploration of pain, disability, and gender. The talk will get underway at 6pm at Nerja Cultural Centre, guests will also be able to attend online on Zoom if they cannot make the talk in person. Tickets cost €10 online at:

www.theartssocietynerja.com. Guests can also purchase a membership for the group’s next season, which costs €60 for 11 lectures.

The Arts Society Nerja is a cultural organisation dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of the arts through lectures, events, and educational initiatives.

DURING March, the Food Bank of Lux Mundi, Torre del Mar, the programme to deliver food and toiletries to families in need was restarted, thanks to the work of our volunteers and friends.

In those few weeks a large amount of food was collected and we were able to help 18 families, 56 adults, 12 children, six of them babies and a disabled child.

So we are asking you to continue helping us. The families referred to us have no alternative. Many come here find themselves without a job, others receive insufficient wages or face very difficult personal and family situations that do not allow them to cover their essential needs, such as food.

Could you help with any of these items: milk, rice, dried beans, tomato frito and tuna. Or, if you prefer, you can donate money.

All your donations are

recorded and a receipt is given that has a tax deduction. The total cost for one family is approximately €30 or €35 including nappies. Your monthly sponsorship of a family would help ensure they do not go hungry.

Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre, Torre del Mar, Avda. Moscatel 1’I’), Torre del Mar. Open Wednesday and Friday 10.00 till 13.00.

For further information Tel. 952 543 334 E­mail: lux mundi@lux­mundi.org

The bags of foods ready for pickup.

Skilled photographers from the academy made sure they covered all angles as models posed in an emblematic palace in Almuñecar.

Photo caption: Ayuntamiento de Almuñécar

THE latest report on surrogacy in Spain has found that 2,500 babies have been born via surrogate, despite the practice being illegal in the country. The news comes after Spanish sit ­ com actress

Ana Obregón faced backlash for announcing the birth of her baby via surrogacy in the USA on Wednesday, March 30.

Obregón’s decision attracted criticism due to the “clear poverty bias” be ­

Controversy over birth Destroyed by blaze

AN intense fire engulfed a famous restaurant in Spain, completely destroying the building on Thursday, March 30. According to the Catalan fire services, Bombers de la Generalitat, over 11 fire brigades were rushed to the site of the restaurant Fusta Mar, in the Arc de Barà campsite, which is located in the municipality of Roda de Berà (Tarragona province).

The fire was reported a few minutes after 7.00am, and despite several attempts by the fire department, nothing could be done to save the structure, which collapsed.

Firemen working at the scene said that the fire grew fast as the structure was entirely made of wood.

Fusta Mar was not only a famous gastronomic space but also held concerts and social events.

This restaurant had previously also been featured on a major Catalan show on TV3 called ‘Joc de Cartes’ and was frequently visited by people not only living at the campsite, but also from other parts of Spain.

Authorities have now said that investigations will be carried out by Mossos d’Esquadra, to check if there was any kind of criminal connection which resulted in the fire.

tween women who pay surrogates and women who become surrogates because they need the funds, according to Spanish Equality Minister, Irene Montero.

Obregón has previously talked about her struggles regarding children after she lost her only son to cancer at the age of 27 in 2020. She announced her happiness via Instagram with a cover she shot for iHola ! Magazine, writing “A light has arrived in my life, bringing happiness into my darkness. I will never be alone again. I AM ALIVE AGAIN.”

Spain’s law forbids the “transaction of a human being,” which includes surrogacy. However, there is a legal loophole that allows for the registration of children born through surrogacy abroad, in accordance with the Hague Convention. To register a child in a Spanish consulate, only a birth certificate is required.

Private jets soar

SPAIN has long been popular with the superrich and the country’s status as an exclusive destination appears to be here to stay. A report released on Thursday, March 30 found that Spain registered the fourth­highest number of private jet flights in the EU in 2022.

The report found that there were a total of 45,633 flights last year. In 2022, around 8 per cent of all private jet flights came from Spain, according to an analysis by Greenpeace.

The report showed that domestic private jet travel also increased by 74 per cent in just one year, from 26,239 in 2021 to 45,633 in 2022. The spike in private jet travel could be due to the pandemic, but it also raises concerns about emissions.

The increase in private

jet flights has led to a rise in carbon dioxide emissions. This trend is

alarming, considering that private jets are known to be the most environmentally ­ damaging form of transportation.

Palma Airport topped the list of the number of private jet flights in Spain, followed by Ibiza Airport. Both airports ranked ninth and 10th in Europe, respectively, by the number of flights in 2022.

Spain recorded the fourth highest volume of private jet flights in the EU.

Photo credit: Laurent ERRERA from L'Union, France / Wikimedia Commons

431,090 tons of olive oil produced in Spain in first 3 months 20222023 season.

Renfe free passes on sale New nursing home reforms

THE more than 7,000 deaths registered in residential centres for the elderly in the Community of Madrid during the pandemic has led to reforms which were made public on Friday March 31, according to a news source.

In specific cases, problems with catering, with cleaning of the buildings or with attention to the inmates may have contributed to this situation.

The new regulation will affect both public management centres as well as private ones that arrange places with the regional Administration. All of them must follow the new guidelines based on reducing the number of elderly per centre, and seeking more rigorous and individualised care.

The three main reforms are that centres for the elderly that have more than 50 places, whether new or already in operation, must organise at least 33 per cent of

the space in living units that do not exceed 25 guests. This allows more attention to be given to residents in more intimate and reduced spaces.

Also, the ratio of direct care workers will be 0.45, that is, 45 for every 100 older persons in those with more than 50 jobs. And, the residences that are built after 2024 may not have more than 150 beds and, at least, 50 per cent of the guests must have a single room.

RENFE users can now obtain the free travel cards for Cercanias, Rodalies, and Media Distancia. They will be available for travel between May 1 and August 31, 2023.

After the government approved the extension of the free travel passes during 2023 for recurrent passengers, Renfe is now offering users specific multi­journey tickets valid for each four­month period of the year.

Season tickets can be purchased via the Renfe Cercanias app. In the case of Media

Distancia, season tickets are obtainable via www.renfe. com and the usual sales channels. For Avant rail services, the 50 per cent discount on season tickets is maintained.

The Cercanias app allows the purchase of Cercanias and Rodalies recurrent season tickets by generating a QR code that can be downloaded to a mobile phone and subse

First female president?

YOLANDA DIAZ, Spain’s popular Labour Minister, announced on Sunday April 2 that she wants to be the first female president of Spain, at the official launch of her election bid leading the new political movement, ‘Sumar’.

In July 2022 Díaz launched the new political movement called Sumar (meaning ‘to add’) which she hopes will eventually include all parties to the left of Sánchez’s socialists.

In a crowded sports centre in the heart of Madrid with more than 3,000 people inside and another 2,000 who saw her speech through external screens, Diaz presented her project, defined as a

new ‘bill of rights’ and a democratic, economic and social ‘con tract’ for the Spain of the ‘next decade’.

“Today I am going to take a step forward, I want to be the first president of Spain. Because it is the time of women, because we women want to be the protagonists of history,” the leader of Sumar announced in a speech where she said she was “tired of guardianships.”

quently used at station access control.

To purchase the season ticket, although it is free, a deposit of €10 is required for Cercanias and Rodalies, and €20 for each conventional Media Distancia service.

Payment by credit card will allow the deposit to be automatically refunded, once the condition of having made 16 journeys during the four months has been confirmed.

Largely unknown three years ago, 51­year­old Díaz moved under the political spotlight in January 2020 when she entered the government as a representative of Podemos. Diaz presented her project.

Forest fires ravage Asturias

THE Military Emergency Unit (UME) of Spain joined the effort to extinguish more than 60 simultaneous forest fires that are raging across Asturias.

According to official reports on Wednesday, March 29, many of the fires were small in size and in areas of scrubland, but others pose a much greater risk and resulted in people having to flee their houses.

The condition was

made much worse due to the bad weather conditions, which resulted in strong gusts of winds and high temperatures of up to 29 degrees Celsius.

This, as per a news source, has resulted in the Asturian government requesting the intervention of UME. This has also been done to raise the level of emergency to phase two.

Local reports stated that more than 500 peo­

ple are working to extinguish the fires including Firefighters of Asturias, the Brigade of Reinforcement of Forest Fires (BRIF) of Tineo, personnel of forest companies, the guard of the natural environment, as well as personnel specialised in investigation origin of the fires.

Meanwhile, high ­ velocity wind in some areas prevented the fire­fighting work and defensive work was carried out.

Photo credit shutterstock

FOREST FIRES: More than 60 have started in the region.

Ship sinks offshore

TRAGEDY struck on Monday, April 3, when the ‘Vilaboa Uno’ sank off the coast of Cabo Mayor in Santander. Two crew members are confirmed to have died while another is reported to be still missing.

Another sailor is seriously injured from the original crew of 10. Seven members of the crew ­ of Spanish, Peruvian, Senegalese and Ghanaian nationality ­ were rescued alive from the Atlantic. One of them was seriously injured, having suffered severe hypothermia, but was discharged from the

hospital.Those who died from hypothermia were one from Santander and the other from Ghana, while the missing person is from Peru, as reported by a news source.‘Vilaboa

Uno’ sank in waters with a

REGISTERED unemployment fell in March in Spain in all the autonomous communities except in Madrid, where it rose by 1,013 unemployed. The greatest decreases were registered in Andalucia (­15,284 unemployed), Canarias (­5,775) and Castilla y Leon (4,446 unemployed).

The number of unemployed people registered in the offices of public employment services fell by 48,755 people in March in relation to February (­1.67 per cent) driven by the decrease in jobless people in the service

depth of 120 metres, which made rescue work extremely difficult. The bodies of the two deceased and the rescued fishermen were transferred to the fishing port of Santander.

Miguel Angel Revilla, the president of Cantabria, explained that the missing crew member could still be inside the boat due to the fishing boat sinking “very quickly”.

According to a news source, the ‘Vilaboa Uno’ fishing boat was built in 2000. Its crew had gone fishing for mackerel from the port of Santander.

Job figures

sector due to Easter week hiring, according to data published on Tuesday April 4 by the Ministry of Labor. This is the largest percentage decline in registered unemployment in the month of March since 2002.

At the end of March, the total number of unemployed was 2,862,260 ­ its lowest figure this month since 2008, according to Trabajo.

Ship sank off the coast.

Girl injured after bus accident

A 13-YEAR-OLD girl was transferred to the Virgen de la Arrixaca hospital after being hit by the bus on the Gran Vía Escultor Francisco

Salzillo , in the municipality of Murcia .

The event occurred around 7.58pm on Tuesday March 28, when the ‘1­1­2’ Emergency Coordination Centre in the Region of Murcia received a number of calls reporting the accident.

A Local Police patrol, a Mobile Emergency Unit of the Emergency and Emergency Management ‘061’, travelled to the scene. The girl was treated “in situ” and then taken by ambulance to hospital where she remained for treatment.

New chapter

Betty Henderson

PEDRO SÁNCHEZ is making waves in China! The Spanish president arrived in the global superpower on Wednesday, March 29 where he participated in the opening of the Boao Economic Forum, also known as the ‘Chinese Davos’.

During his trip, he had the opportunity to meet with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, as well as other key national figures including the Chinese Prime Minister, the President of the National People’s Assembly, and Chinese tour operators who work in the Spanish tourism market.

Sánchez talked about a variety of topics during his visit, including the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the economic ties between Spain and China.

However, the Spanish government carefully

avoided several sensitive topics including bans on technology companies Huawei and TikTok that several other countries have imposed due to concerns about potential espionage activities.

Despite controversies over technology and China’s international policy, Sánchez has remained op­

Rare dragon

A SPANISH zoo successfully bred five baby Komodo dragons for the first time in 10 years. The species, known as the largest surviving land lizard in the world, is now considered endangered, which makes their hatch in the institute ‘very important’.

“There are approximately 1,500 specimens left in the wild which is why the species maintenance and reproduction in animal institutions is so important,” said Milagros Robledo, Head of Herpetology Department at Bioparc Zoo in Fuengirola, Spain.

Scientists took 12 eggs after they were laid, five eggs were selected for incubation. It took eight months for the lizards to hatch.

“Komodo dragons are difficult to breed for a number of reasons,” said Jesus Recuero, Technical Director and veterinarian.

Taking a shot

Betty Henderson

timistic about the future of economic cooperation between Spain and China. During his visit, he emphasised the importance of continued collaboration between the countries.

Sánchez visited the country as a national representative rather than an EU delegate.

GLOBAL drinks giant Coca­Cola is shaking up the drinks market yet again with its latest venture into the world of alcoholic drinks. The brand announced the development of a mixed drink, combining its famous cola drink with Jack Daniel’s whiskey on Friday, March 31.

The iconic brand made its first foray into the Spanish market with the launch of Topo Chico, a refreshing, fermented beverage with an alcoholic twist that didn’t quite take off. However, the brand has not been put off, and is set to launch its Jack Daniels collaboration in the coming weeks.

The exciting collaboration was made possible by an agreement last year. The drink will come in a regular 330 millilitre can with both brands’ logos and an alcohol content of 7 per cent.

The Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez was welcomed to China on Wednesday, March 27 for a long-awaited summit between the two countries.

Photo credit: Pedro Sánchez (via Instagram)

Yousaf is first minister

AFTER victory in the race to become the new SNP leader, Hamza Yousaf has been elected as Scotland’s new first minister Humza Yousaf was officially elected as the new first minister of Scotland on Tuesday, March 28, after he was backed by a majority of MSPs.

This announcement comes just a day after he won the

race to become the new leader of the Scottish National Party.

Yousaf’s name was then submitted to the King, with a formal swearing in ceremony subsequently taking place at the Court of Sessions in Edinburgh.

While speaking to the MPs, Yousaf, as cited by a news source said, “I will never shy away from tackling the big is­

Terror alert in Northern Ireland

sues our country faces. I will lead a government that listens carefully and respects the views of all MSPs.”

He added, “My starting point will always be that we all want the best for Scotland and the people that we are so privileged to represent, and I will stand up unequivocally for this parliament and against any attempts to undermine devolution.”

Prisoner denied parole

CHARLES BRONSON has been denied parole after he spent nearly half a decade in prison due to ‘risk of future violence’.

The decision regarding his parole was taken by a board during a public hearing which started in March.

Bronson has been in and out of prison since 1974 and was jailed for the first time when he was 22 years old for armed robbery.

He has since admitted to nine rooftop protests and 11 hostage sieges, per a local news source.

The notorious prisoner, who is now 70 years old, will continue to sevre his sentence after the ruling by the board.

BRONSON: Will have to stay in jail.

The decision of his parole was taken after a two­day hearing, which resulted in the board ruling that he “doesn’t have the skills to manage his risk of future violence.”

The most recent parole hearing was the eighth time Bronson has asked for his release.

THE threat level due to a terror attack in Northern Ireland has been raised, as officials warn “attack is considered highly likely.”

The level was raised by the British MI5 after police were targeted by “groups intent on politically­motivated violence.”

The announcement of the change in threat levels comes just a few weeks before a visit by US President Joe Biden, who is scheduled to arrive in the middle of this month.

Tensions have been high in Northern Ireland, especially after an attempt was

made to murder a high ­ profile police official, Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, in Omagh last month.

According to Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton ­ Harris, by a local news source, “The threat level to Northern Ireland from Northern Ireland Related Terrorism is constantly monitored and is subject to a regular formal review. The threat level review takes into account a range of factors and analysis of recent incidents.”

He also added that “The decision to change the threat level is taken by MI5, independently of Ministers.”

Passenger dies on flight

A FLIGHT from Tenerife to Manchester Airport on Sunday night, April 2, issued an alert about three hours after takeoff when a female passenger required medical assistance.

A passenger on the flight told a news source: “A few hours into the flight a man was helping a woman he was with to the bathroom. She looked to be in quite a state and was in distress.

“She seemed to take a sudden turn. The cabin crew put out an announcement for any medical staff on board. Then the plane took a very dramatic veer to the right and it was clear something had changed and we needed to land straight away. Quite a few people were visibly upset by what was going on. She passed out, and they had oxygen and a defibrillator on board and started per­

forming CPR. They did this for around an hour until we landed at Newquay.

After landing, police talked to Jet2 staff and the plane eventually took off, arriving at Manchester about 10pm. A spokesperson from Jet2 said: “Regrettably, we confirm the customer sadly passed away. Our thoughts are with the customer’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

Betty Henderson

KING CHARLES III arrived in Germany on Wednesday, March 29, ahead of a highly anticipated visit to one of the UK’s closest partners in Europe.

The visit was also the monarch’s first official state visit as King due to a cancellation of a scheduled visit to France due to disruption from strikes and protests.

During the three­day tour, the King delivered a speech partially in German at a lavish state banquet on his first night. During the speech, King Charles also paid tribute to Germany’s “extraordinary hospitality” towards Ukrainian refugees, who have ar­

Meat the end Strengthening ties

and the fight against climate change, a topic he is passionate about.

Guests at the event, including the country’s former leader, Angela Merkel, enjoyed the speech which also had a sprinkling of jokes throughout. The King was joined by his wife, the Queen Consort, Camilla.

rived in the country after being displaced due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. He

A FRENCH

court sentenced a Rwandan man to four years in prison for starting the 2020 fire in Nantes Cathedral. Emmanuel Abayisenga was judged to be guilty on Thursday, March 30 for starting the blaze which severely damaged the Gothic cathedral.

also emphasised the countries’ shared commitment to protecting democratic values

British officials are hoping that the King’s visit will smooth over relations between the two nations following the UK’s 2016 decision to leave the European Union.

Fire-starter behind bars

Despite finding that Abayisenga was not mentally sound at the time of the fire, a judge ruled that he will face prison time for his actions, and will also be banned from the region for five years.

The man was a volunteer at

the Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s Cathedral in the city, and prosecutors alleged that he set fire to the building knowingly due to “huge anger and a feeling of revenge linked to his own administrative situation.”

LAB ­ GROWN meat has been a suggestion for many years now, but Italian officials say that meat grown in laboratories and other synthetic foods will not be allowed in their country. Members of the Italian parliament proposed a bill on Wednesday, March 29 to prohibit synthetic foods being produced or sold.

The proposed legislation would impose fines of up to €60,000 for violations of the ban. The move by the right­wing Italian government has been designed to protect the country’s rich food heritage as well as and promote consumer health.

Francesco Lollobrigida, head of the rebranded Ministry for Agriculture and Food ‘Sovereignty’, spoke of the importance of Italy’s culinary traditions while advocating for the bill to pass. The country’s

farmers’ lobby also supports the bill, while some animal welfare groups have criticised the decision.

In other parts of the world, synthetic food is becoming closer. Last year, Singapore gave regulatory approval for lab ­ grown chicken meat to be used in nuggets, while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared cell­cultured chicken for human consumption. However, the European Food Safety Authority has not yet received any applications.

King Charles III smiles alongside wife Queen Consort Camilla and German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife.

Scientist tastes world’s first lab-grown burger.

Photo credit: The Royal Family (via Facebook)

Photo credit: World Economic Forum Wikimedia Commons

Nantes Cathedral.

Photo credit: Eusebius (Guillaume Piolle) Wikimedia Commons

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Levelled off

DENMARK’S cannabis sales fell in 2022 after five years of growth, health authority figures revealed. Sales grew from approximately 30.8 million Danish kroner (€4.12 million) in 2018 to 64.3 million kroner (€8.63 million) in 2021, before falling to 62.5 million kroner (€8.4 million) last year.

THE NETHERLANDS

IT items

DUTCH companies spent €2.5 billion on telecommunications and computer services from India last year, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This accounted for more than 10 per cent of total spending in this sector and made India the country’s fourth-largest supplier after the US, the UK and Ireland.

BELGIUM

In a trap

BELGIUM’S Westmalle beer made by Trappist monks is under threat as all authentic Trappist products must be made inside an abbey and supervised by monks and nuns. Westmalle’s secular director Philippe Van Assche admitted that he doubted whether people would seek to become monks in 10 or 20 years’ time.

GERMANY

Early settlers

ARCHAEOLOGISTS found a large settlement from the early Neolithic era near DobelnGartitz (Saxony) covering an area of more than 10 hectares. The site, which contained dozens of houses, the largest of which was 30 metres long and eight metres wide, was clearly occupied for several hundred years.

FRANCE

Waste not

FRANCE’S president Emmanuel Macron wants to introduce a new pricing system for water that would encourage responsible and penalise waste. The plan is included in national efforts to cut down on water consumption, improve water management and combat the effects of climate change.

NORWAY

Good egg

NORWAY seeks an exemption to European rules on shelf-life for eggs, citing its good salmonella record. A recent directive stipulated 28 days between the date that eggs are laid and consumed, but Norway, which belongs to the European Economic Area (EEA), wants to continue its 35-day system.

FINLAND

Nickel project

BLUEJAY MINING began a short follow-up programme in Enonkoski (Finland) as the London-based company in partnership with Rio Tinto seek nickel-bearing ore. Bluejay explained that their objective is to test the geological model, following “encouraging” results from explorations earlier this year.

IRELAND

Welcome home

BALLINA (Eire) is anxious to greet President Joe Biden when he visits Ireland this month. The small market town, known for salmon fishing, considers Biden a native son as his great-great-great grandfather Edward Blewitt was born there before emigrating to Scranton, Pennsylvania, to escape the 1840’s famine.

ITALY

Hats off!

LEGENDARY Italian brand Borsalino is back in business again after it was driven into bankruptcy in 2017. Philippe Camperio, a French-Italian financier has put it back on its feet and revived sales of the fedoras worn by Humphrey Bogart and Michael Jackson while retaining traditional manufacturing techniques.

PORTUGAL Gas cash

PORTUGAL intends to auction the rights to sell hydrogen for injection into the national gas grid. Galp Energia will buy the hydrogen mixed with natural gas from producers and resell it to meet demand, a system aimed at boosting investment in production by giving suppliers a guaranteed buyer.

UKRAINE

Staying put

MONKS refused to leave the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery, Ukraine’s most revered Orthodox site which is the property of the government, after the deadline to vacate the complex expired. They belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which has long been accused of links to Russia.

SWEDEN

False alarm

POWDER enclosed in letters sent to 18 county councils in Sweden was harmless, police said. According to Swedish media reports, employees were evacuated in some places and at least two taken to hospital after the letters arrived although analysis later showed that the powder was not dangerous.

STAT OF WEEK €5.5 billion

will be paid out in dividends to BBVA, CaixaBank and Inditex shareholders in April and May, following record years and profits for both banks and the fashion retail giant.

BUSINESS EXTRA Charged up FINANCE

Booted out

BOOTS could be sold or floated by late 2023 as its US parent company is pressured into breaking up the global pharmacy giant. Owned by the Retail Pharmacy International Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, its investors and board members want to speed up plans to refocus the business on the US.

Bank ranks

IBERCAJA and Caixabank have higher liquidity ratios (LCRs) than other Spanish banks, management consultants Alvarez & Marsal found. Spain’s banks all exceed EU requirements but Ibercaja’s 306 per cent ratio and Caixabank’s 284.2 per cent mean they have reserves for three months and 2.8 months respectively.

Meters matter

ENERGY companies in the UK used warrants to install 94,000 prepayment meters in 2022, with Scottish Power and British Gas ordering most. The government has now agreed with suppliers to halt forced installations amid concerns that rules to protect vulnerable households were not complied with.

Lucky middle

SPANISH salaries grew in 2022 in all categories, although rises were below the inflation rate of more than 8 per cent. Middle management posts benefited most with an average increase of 6 per cent, compared with 3.4 per cent for executives and 3.71 per cent for employees.

Factory closes

MORE than 100 workers lost their jobs after Kettle Interiors, a Corby (Northamptonshire) furniture business went into administration. The administrator cited “economic challenges” including increasing freight costs for the familyrun firm which sold furniture under different brand names to UK and European retailers.

Next step for Cath Kidston

Linda Hall

NEXT has bought the Cath Kidston brand name for £8.5 million (€9.6 million) after the British retailer fell into administration for the second time in two years.

Cath Kidston, which once had 60 stores in the UK as well as worldwide franchise outlets, was bought by restructuring experts Hilco in July 2020 but put on the market again earlier this year.

Approximately 125 jobs could be lost as PricewaterhouseCoopers’ administrators prepare to close Cath Kidston stores in London, Ashford (Kent), Cheshire Oaks and York once their stock has been sold off.

The Cath Kidston website is also be­

ing licensed back to the administrators for 12 weeks.

Acquiring the vintage­inspired name is Next’s latest step in adding to its brand portfolio, which includes distribution rights to the US chains Gap and Victoria’s Secret in the UK.

Joules and the online furnishings specialists Made.com were also brought out of administration by Next

as the company helps ailing brands maintain a presence in the UK. Next is also using some of these well­known names to fill spaces in high street stores while reaching to a wider audience.

Next anticipates increasing prices more slowly over the next 12 months after better­than­expected annual profits. The retailer saw annual pre­tax profit increase by 5.7 per cent to £870.4 million (€990.1 million) in January, which was higher than the forecast £860 million (€978.2m). Full­price sales rose by 6.9 per cent year­on­year. The group, which raised prices to counteract higher costs, said price inflation was likely to be more benign than previously predicted.

Fishing for investment

ABANCA which owns 97 per cent of Nueva Pescanova,

synonymous with frozen fish in Spain, is reportedly looking for a business partner or a potential sale.

Based in Redondela (Pontevedra) Nueva Pescanova operates in 17 countries on five continents, selling its products in more than 80 countries.

Formerly known as Pescanova, which still appears on retail products, the original company collapsed and was refunded in 2015.

Kind gesture

HSBC is the first UK bank to delay closing a town’s only remaining branch until alternative arrangements are in place.

Banks agreed last year to fund hubs where all branches were closed and the cash machine network Link ­ which connects practically all the country’s ATMs ­ decided that a hub was needed to ensure continued access to cash.

Launching hubs has been slow, taking a year on average owing to difficulties in finding sites. This prompted HSBC to announce that it would suspend closures in Oakham (Rutland) Ripley (Derbyshire) and Colwyn Bay (Conwy) until cash deposit services were established.

Canadian seafood combine Cooke Inc was said to be in negotiations to buy a majority stake in the company in late February. It now has competition from US company Red Chamber

Group, which entered negotiations with Abanca in midMarch according to the Spanish digital newspaper, El Confidencial.

The deadline for paying a €150 million debt to Sabadell, Caixabank and Santander loomed at the same time although Nueva Pescanova announced beforehand that this would be paid “with total normality and full financial independence.”

Nueva Pescanova had total sales of €1.08 billion in the financial year that ended in

Essex freeport

DP WORLD, which owns P&O Ferries, will participate in the Thames Freeport in Essex.

Included in Rishi Sunak’s ports scheme, it will be co­run by DP World, car manufacturer Ford and Forth Ports, with a £25 million (€28.4 million) allocation in government funding. This will go to local authorities, as the government tries to attract another £4.6 billion (€5.2 billion) in public and private investment.

The port is expected to generate more than 21,000 direct and indirect jobs.

DP World dismissed 800 P&O employees without giving them notice in March 2022, replacing them with foreign agency workers paid less than the minimum wage.

The government said at the time that the employees’ treatment was “wholly unacceptable” and two months later cancelled a P&O Ferries contract in response to the sackings.

LOWER energy prices in the UK now mean that the cost of ultra ­ rapid charging for an electric vehicle costs less per mile than filling up with petrol.

The Electric Vehicle Recharge Report published by the Automobile Association found that drivers could save 8p (24 cents) per kilowatt by charging during off ­ peak hours, but emphasised that savings were made only when plugging in at the right time.

Electric vehicle charging was ‘brilliant value for money’ compared to filling up with petrol and diesel, the report said, but warned that different operators had different off ­ peak times, with some available only after 8pm.

March 2022, doubling its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) to €80 million compared with its €39.5 million results in 2020.

Despite these buoyant figures, the La Voz de Galicia predicted that the next fiscal year was likely to be “well below” the 2021 result.

Meanwhile, referring to negotiations with Cooke Inc and Red Chamber Group, Nueva Pescanova’s CEO Ignacio Gonzalez said Nueva Pescanova was not for sale.

Up goes Ale-Hop

GIFT shop chain Ale ­ Hop had a 2022 turnover of €170 million, 70 per cent more than in 2021.

Instantly recognisable because of the trademark black ­ andwhite cow outside the shops, Ale ­ Hop was boosted by increased post­pandemic sales but also expansion plans resulting in 48 new shops during the last financial year.

The company could meet the cost of the 2022 openings as a result of its policy of zero debt and reinvesting profits, said AleHop’s director general, Dario Grimalt.

The company, which now has more than 280 shops in Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Mexico, hopes to increase this to 300 by the end of this year.

Selling brand

RECKITT BENCKISER is selling its Spanish detergents division.

Headquartered in Britain, the €50 billion multinational which owns Durex condoms, Strepsils throat lozenges and Air Wick amongst other brands, will divest itself of Colon detergent and Flor fabric conditioner, two household names in Spain. It acquired both in the 1990s from the Catalan company Camp Hermanos, after fighting off Procter & Gamble in a bidding war, paying more than six billion pesetas (approximately €36 million) at the time.

Now, 30 years later, Reckitt Benckiser expects to sell for around €200 million.

Cutting salary

FLORENTINO PEREZ, president of construction, concessions and services company ACS, has forgone €1.5 million of his salary over the last two years. Owing to the economic slowdown during the pandemic he waived 30 per cent of the variable compensation added to his basic salary at the end of 2021, reducing this from €3.4 to €2.4 million owing to “exceptional circumstances”.

The Real Madrid president waived another €500,000 in 2022 after explaining that despite ACS’s good results, the group had not yet returned to pre­pandemic levels.

QUIRKY DESIGNS: Next has acquired the Cath Kidston brand.

IGNACIO GONZALEZ: CEO of Nueva Pescanova insists that the company is not for sale.

Photo credit: Cath Kidston

Photo credit: nuevapescanova.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

Asda compromise

ASDA is prepared to sell 13 petrol stations with adjoining grocery stores to allay competition concerns over its £600 million (€680.5 million) acquisition of the Co ­ op petrol forecourts. The response came in the wake of a Competitions and Market Authority’s warning made two weeks ago.

Pricey billets

A NEW luxury hotel, JW Marriott, has opened on Madrid’s Golden Mile in front of Four Seasons and the Canalejas Shopping Centre. “Expensive hotels are here to stay,” said AC Hotels president Antonio Catalan during the inauguration. “Tourism has more than enough clients but insufficient prices.”

Vauxhall plans

LUTON BOROUGH COUNCIL has approved plans to turn the site of the former Vauxhall engineering and styling centre into warehouses.

The manufacturer announced the end of Luton car production with the loss of 2,000 jobs in December 2000. The company, now owned by General Motors, blamed the decision on “rapidly changing European market conditions” and “over­capacity.”

Development company Prologis UK explained to a re­

Mango joins organisation

SPAIN’S Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) announced that fashion chain Mango has joined the organisation as an associate company.

The move follows the recent incorporation of Spain’s Retail Textile Association (ARTE), to which Mango and other leading clothing chains already belong.

Mango is the second big textile firm to join the CEOE in its own right after Zara owner, Inditex.

Toni Ruiz, Mango’s CEO explained that the incorporation would enable the firm both to put across its business vision and give greater visibility to the one the country’s outstanding brands.

Royal Mail impasse

cent council committee meeting they could boost the local economy with 450 jobs by creating 34,250 square metres of flexible industrial and logistics floorspace at the 18­acre Griffin House site in Osborne Road.

The hybrid plans will first require a favourable response from the Environment Agency.

A restored river channel will be running through the site with a wildflower meadow on one side and pedestrian and cycle access path on the other.

“We have worked hard to open up and celebrate the River Lea as a key feature by providing a linear park through the centre of the site,” Caroline Musker, UK head of planning at Prologis, said.

“This represents a £30 million (€34 million) investment in construction,” she revealed.

AS long ­ running talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) threatened to collapse, another strike looked inevitable.

The postal service, already losing more than a daily £1 million (€1.13 million), is projected to lose more than £350 million (€397.5 million) during the financial year that ends in April.

The board of the 507­yearold company has met in London, trying to find a solution, but warned that further walkouts could eventually see it put into administration.

The board regards the bombshell move to declare Royal Mail insolvent as a last resort, but the drastic measure has already been raised with the CWU.

Hopes of a deal have gradually faded, as obstacles not only include disagreements over pay but also changes to working practices, which Royal Mail maintains are interdependent.

LUTON: Council gives permission to develop former Vauxhall plant.

Photo credit: Flickr/Doyle of London

Euro

EUR/GBP: Unchanged at £0.88

EUR/USD: Down from $1.06 to $1.09

The euro witnessed some dramatic swings over the past month as a crisis in Europe’s banking sector infused volatility into the single currency.

At the start of March the euro was supported by European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate expectations, in response to stronger-than-expected inflation releases from France, Spain and Germany. EUR exchange rates then nosedived in mid-March after a 30% plunge in shares at Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse triggered a wider selloff across the European banking sector.

However, the euro was quick to bounce back. The ECB’s decision to press ahead with a 50bps rate hike helped the single currency to find its feet, before EUR surge after UBS’s acquisition of Credit Suisse stabilised European bank shares.

Going forward, EUR investors are

BUSINESS EXTRA

English fizz

TENTERDEN (Kent) winemaker Chapel Down had record sales of “traditional method” sparkling wine last year, selling 790,000 bottles, up from 522,000 in 2021. Revenue rose 53 per cent to £9.6 million (€10.9 million), offsetting a 45 per cent drop in still wine sales owing to a poor harvest.

Share shareout

FOLLOWING its 2022 results, Naturgy, formerly Gas Natural Fenos, is paying a dividend of €1.2 per share, of which 70 cents was paid out in August and November with the rest due this April. Naturgy will maintain the same dividend level next year, company president Francisco Reynes announced.

Currency outlook: Euro rocked by European banking crisis, Fluctuating Fed bets infuse volatility in US dollar

likely to keep a close eye on the European banking sector. Assuming no more hiccups emerge, the euro may be able to resume its positive trajectory.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Unchanged at €1.12

GBP/USD: Up from $1.20 to $1.23

The pound was initially buoyed as we entered March. Sterling sentiment strengthened as stronger-thanexpected UK PMIs boosted Bank of England (BoE) rate hike expectations.

This upside was reinforced by the announcement of a UK-EU deal to resolve the dispute over the controversial Northern Ireland protocol.

However, these gains were also immediately reversed following comments from BoE Governor Andrew Bailey, in which he suggested UK interest rates may have already peaked. Fears of potential policy divergence between the BoE and Federal Reserve then plunged the GBP/USD exchange to a threemonth low. Before a surprisingly

IN MARCH: The euro was supported by the ECB interest rate expectations.

strong rebound in UK GDP at the start of 2023 helped Sterling to rebound. After fluctuating amid the banking sector jitters, the pound then firmed following the BoE’s March policy meeting after the bank proved more hawkish than expected.

Looking ahead, if UK inflation indicators remain elevated it may boost expectations for additional BoE rate hikes and help to underpin the pound in the coming month.

US Dollar USD/GBP: Down from $0.82 to

$0.81

USD/EUR: Down from €0.93 to €0.91

The past month has been a rollercoaster ride for the US dollar. This started with a softening of the ‘greenback’ amid a bullish market mood in early March.

USD exchange rates then raced to multi-month highs after Fed Chair Jerome Powell stunned markets with a particularly hawkish testimony before Congress. Catapulting USD exchange rates higher as investors be-

Biggest contract ever

IBERDROLA formalised one of its largest-ever contracts on Tuesday March 28.

The Spanish multinational’s subsidiary Scottish Power, one of the UK’s largest green energy developers, formalised a £1.3 billion (€1.48 billion) contract with Siemens Gamesa for 95 wind turbines for the East Anglia Three project.

The offshore windfarm, the world’s second-biggest, will be constructed in the southern North Sea, 69 kilometres off Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.

Iberdrola president Ignacio Galan visited 10 Downing Street where he met the PM Rishi Sunak and Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Energy Security.

“The scale and ambition of this investment will support the UK’s commitment to net zero and energy security,” Galan said. “The East Anglia Three offshore windfarm will bring homegrown green electricity to the grid for 1.3 million homes. And, as part of the East Anglia Hub projects, it will deliver billions of pounds in investment and support thousands of jobs

BIG PROJECT: Iberdrola subsidiary Scottish Power will build world’s second-largest windfarm.

in the East of England and across the UK.

“I am delighted that Scottish Power and Iberdrola are investing in the UK, creating thou-

sands of jobs and crucially helping millions of families keep their homes warm with cheaper, renewable energy,” the Prime Minister said.

Calviño answers back

SPARRING continues between Spain and multinational Ferrovial, which is shifting its headquarters to the Netherlands. Economic Affairs minister Nadia Calviño again insisted that there was nothing to prevent a company from listing on both the Spanish and US stock exchanges, as Ferrovial maintains.

“The National Securities Commission (CNMV) and Stock Exchanges and Markets (BME) analysed this in depth, going to the United States to speak to their American counterparts who identified no differences between Spain and any other country that justified Ferrovial’s reasons for relocating to the Netherlands,” Calviño said.

gan to price in a 50bps hike in March.

However, the US dollar’s gain evaporated almost immediately as the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank reversed these rate hike bets.

The days leading up to the Fed’s March rate decision saw the ‘greenback’ fluctuate wildly as USD investors repeatedly repriced their Fed rate hike expectations.

The Fed ultimately delivered another 25bps hike. But its dovish forward guidance piled pressure on the US dollar and sent USD exchange rates tumbling to a one-month low.

Turning to April the direction of the US dollar may be dependant on the outlook for the global financial system. Further uncertainty, or fears of a recession could see demand for the safe-haven ‘greenback’ strengthen.

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From office to store

EL CORTE INGLES is transferring 2,324 office and administrative staff to its stores.

Last February, Spain’s leading department store chain announced that it would be taking this step to provide more support for its stores and shops “while addressing sales growth and improving customer care and service.”

A statement issued by El Corte Ingles explained that its agreement with the unions was based on maintaining employment and at the same time providing “voluntary severance” for the chain’s longest-serving employees.

Measures include an incentivised redundancy scheme for 630 employees who will be over 59 by June 30 this year, 40 more than was originally announced.

The agreement reached with the unions also improved the exit deal for employees who preferred to leave owing to the “substantial change” in their future roles.

That’s the spirit!

ON taking over as chief executive at Diageo, Debra Crew will be one of the few women at the head of an FTSE 100 company. Before her appointment as chief operating officer in October 2022, Crew was previously president of Diageo North America, overseeing the company’s largest market.

She joined Diageo in 2019 after heading tobacco firm Reynolds American, until it was acquired by British American Tobacco (BAT), having previously spent five years at PepsiCo.

Diageo, which makes Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Baileys and is the world’s biggest spirits manufacturer, employs 28,000 people globally and sells more than 200 brands in more than 180 markets.

DOWNING STREET: Rishi Sunak, Grant Shapps and Ignacio Galan.

Photo credit: Iberdrola

CAN anyone please tell me what is actually occurring on this planet of ours? The whole shebang seems to be teetering on some kind of destabilising precipice, with our so­called leaders stumbling through it all in a complete befuddled daze.

Politicians groping through a tangled jungle of confusion and governmental garbage, getting all their priorities wrong and having no knowledge or way of even vaguely coming to grips with it all. Those, who are laughingly under the impression that they can make a difference, are all rushing around, trying to look important and ultimately reversing up their own backsides. I cannot help but think we are yet again all pawns in some devious plan, set in motion by those who truly run our lives.

Shadowy figures, who walk the secret corridors of those who hold the wealth of the world to their electronic bosoms. These individuals instigate, and even rely on worldwide destabilisation, confusion and chaos to put their own

Good luck all

conniving and self ­ gratifying schemes into operation. Dividing and prospering is their specialty. Another Leapy rant I hear you say? Well I was accused of plenty of those, when I warned 30 or more years ago that if we didn’t come to terms and sort out the immigration problems, it would be too late and our enemies would be everywhere.

So, don’t dismiss the ol’ boy’s ramblings too flippantly. Look at the state we’re all in. Those who pronounced they were ‘offended’ with Christmas celebrations and preferred ‘Happy Holidays’ have managed to cover the whole of London’s West end with Ramadan lights and paraphernalia during the Christian celebration of Lent!

Most of the dissenters originated in the Middle East. They were welcomed into the country by a caring race of people, willing to share the peace and love instigated by their ancestors, who died in their millions to build a society of citizens that due to order and constructive hard work didn’t have to roam the land or exist in chaos.

I would also like to have been a fly on the wall of Putin’s palace when he met the Chinese PM. China isn’t quite ready to take over the world yet (50 years to go!) and its weapons are at the moment still electronic. The criminal elements of Russia are still fighting with the antiquated abilities of the Second World War, which the Chinese will only use when its enemies have been brought to their knees by electronics and nukes.

I just can’t shake off the feeling that the whole operation is some kind of smoke screen, devised by these hidden manipulators to create some form of new world order which will be beneficial to only them. Islamic leaders in Saudi Arabia don’t seem to be experiencing too much turmoil. They are actually building a whole modern city underground. When it all hits the fan, that’s where the Sheiks and all their oily mates will be.

Good luck all.

Keep the Faith love leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

BRITS BANNED? OUR VIEW

THE news that Amsterdam is trying to deter British stag groups from its famously tempting streets can only be good for other European destinations. After all, the campaign is hardly likely to stop stag groups travelling abroad, but it may just change where they go.

But is singling out particular groups ever really the answer to anything?

If what Amsterdam is hoping to achieve is fewer British men roaming the streets looking for cheap drink, legal drugs, and an availability of women for sale, perhaps they should begin by looking at what caused men to flock there in the first place; Holland’s own laws.

A famously open ­ minded culture though, it would probably go against the Dutch grain to delegalise some of the things the country is best ­ known for. Therefore, why not take the same liberal approach to the types of people who want to visit Amsterdam?

If what their government values highly is a live and let live society therefore perhaps it is unfair after all to single out one type of traveller.

Easter! Chocolate, parties, and booze…

EASTER is here and the yearly influx of visitors has begun. What is a happy time for most, can instil dread in others. Whilst the children are busy hunting chocolate eggs, the adults can get stuck into the booze. Or is that just you? Do you find every social event is an excuse for a drink? Does it feel like all celebrations end with a hangover?

Maybe you have humiliated yourself, or your partner with your drunken behaviour. Perhaps this has stopped you seeing friends completely, deciding it is just easier to sit at home and drink alone.

Does any of this ring a bell with you? Has your drinking become an issue for you, or those around you?

Is your life out of control and unmanageable? Are you feeling isolated and lonely because of your alcohol use?

Millions of people worldwide have admitted defeat in in trying to control their problem drinking.

Advertising Feature Call

They found a solution that works; Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) ­ a 12 Step fellowship group.

Here two members of AA talk about how their drinking led them to ask for help.

“My name is Ava. I always knew there was a problem with the way I drank, other people didn’t hide their drinking. Other people could

stop once they started. I was in denial. I was able to give up alcohol for short periods of time, so I kidded myself, that I was in control.

“There was no single occasion that I would count as my rock bottom. It was more a feeling of being totally broken and hating myself. I was sick of the lies. I had no self­respect. The unmanageability of my

life was getting worse, I knew I needed help.

“I went along to my first AA meeting. Everyone was brighteyed and they were laughing, I wanted some of what they had.”

“My name is Terry. My drinking really took off in my late 20s, when I partied constantly. I was aware of the quantities I was drinking; but I didn’t understand what the consequences would be, or how fast my alcoholism was developing.

“I couldn’t accept the feelings I was experiencing; my self­worth was low; and my dignity was damaged. I would wake most mornings and try to piece together what had happened the night before, call friends to fill in the gaps, and try and laugh it off. But really, I was heading down a very dangerous path.

“I called the AA helpline and there was a calmly spoken gentleman on the other end. He told me

he would take me along to a meeting of AA, which he did.

“All I really remember from that first meeting was the kindness given to me and the complete lack of judgement. To anyone struggling, it is up to you to decide your path. I can wholeheartedly recommend AA. Try a few meetings. It worked for me; it really did give me my life back.”

Are the consequences of your alcohol use getting too much? Is alcohol costing you more than money? If you are ready to stop drinking, or want support to help you try, then don’t wait until it gets any worse, get in touch.

There are meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, with friendly people who understand, held daily throughout the Costa del Sol. Meetings are free to attend, and anyone who thinks they may have a problem with alcohol is welcome.

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

LIKE an essential riposte to the continuing waves of appalling global events, crime novels have seen a sales boom, a trend unforeseen even by hard ­ bitten crime fiction detectives. Anxious about volatility in the real world, readers now seek reassurance in stories where baddies get their just deserts.

People face many challenges in life and crime fiction lets readers forget their own struggles. They like a ‘formula’. There’s a death. A detective investigates. The perpetrator is unmasked in a plot involving cunning clues, red herrings and final justice. No mystery at all!

One challenge one family recently faced was the tragic disappearance and death of Nicola Bulley. Coincidentally, my just­published thriller ‘The Couple across the Street’ begins with the disappearance in a river of a woman, Michelle. But that’s where the similarities ­ spoiler alert ­ end!

This novel was started a year ago before any hint of Nicola Bulley’s fate (my books take a year from research, first draft through to final version and publication). And the situation it depicts doesn’t

Know your neighbours?

And, yes, you guessed, the reasons concern a criminal act. Crime fiction, after all, is my passion. Triggered initially by the study of criminal law for a J D (Juris Doctor) law degree decades ago in Los Angeles (winning the Moot Court Prize ­ a surreal Perry Mason­type experience) where I lived for many eventful years. One morning shortly after Finals, for example, a tax law Professor was shot dead right in front of me! I never did discover if he’d upset some former client or just a student with poor grades…

And this latest suspense thriller? Nicola Goodwin never imagines herself as a widow in her mid­30s. Losing her husband to a sudden illness shatters her world, but then she unexpectedly meets up with Matt Collins, her childhood love.

As they reconnect after years apart, Nicola can’t help but fall for him.

DI Barbara Forster seeks answers with the help of Alice Myers, an investigative journalist and creator of an edgy truecrime podcast. As they dig deeper into Michelle’s life, they discover a complex web of secrets and lies that paints a much darker picture, the truth more shocking than anyone imagined.

Throughout it all, Nicola stands by Matt’s side, determined to show he is blameless and salvage their relationship. But with more deaths and the evidence mounting against him, she begins to wonder if she truly knew the man she fell in love with.

In the end, the truth emerges, but at a steep cost. Will Nicola be left alone once again, wondering if it was all worth it...

A story of how a past passion leads to betrayal and a terrible revenge ­ one that still torments the present.

arise just from feelings of sympathy for the bereaved family left behind. But for quite different reasons. Something that’s puzzled and intrigued me for decades and I needed to explore in this latest book.

You can make a difference

THE British Benevolent Fund was founded over a century ago to provide help for those Britons in Spain in extreme financial distress.

Over its many years of existence, the BBF has acted as a ‘charity of last resort’ for those who have nowhere else to turn. It has seen more than in its fair share of the worst that life can throw and the resilience of people once they have a lifeline.

Sometimes a small amount makes a big difference.

Barry was a 62, had been living as a resident in Spain for years, lived alone doing seasonal and temporary work.

When the pandemic began, he was an early casualty ­ but there was no work ­ the bars closed, and the streets empty.

He applied for state aidwhich was declined ­ had no savings and with no income was forced to go to food banks and charities to survive. He did not have the rent to pay and would soon be on the streets.

And there was no sign of work. One of the charities who were helping Barry was one of

the BBF’s many partner charities found at https://www.sup portinspain.info/ who got in touch with us to see if there was a way to helping him through.

The BBF always looks for a solution and any funds are used in order to find one ­ in this case ­ there was no work and the BBF does not have the resources for ongoing payments.

But a plan was put togetherin the hope that work would come ­ and he would move out of the apartment and move to a room in a shared property.

The lifeline was just enoughwithin a few weeks he had found some part time work and then a few weeks later some more work.

Within a year he was managing a bar on the coast.

It was a long year coming ­

and Barry had many dark days but the lifeline kept him goingfinancially and more importantly that people wanted to help spurred him to every effort to get back on his feet.

Where he remains.

The BBF can only help people like Barry with your help ­ if you would like to support our work with a donation please visit our website to see how www.britishbenevolentfund.or g. Thank you. Olaf Clayton, BBF Chair.

Their affair is passionate and all­consuming, but just as Matt finally decides to leave Michelle, his wife, Michelle disappears without trace. When a body is found and identified as hers, apparently a suicide, Matt’s infidelity is considered the primary reason by her grieving family.

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers (www.nora­johnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

Here comes trouble

EXPAND YOUR SPANISH

FIRST off, I’m showing my age by referring to Spanish and not Castellano.

They are one and the same thing but Castellano ­ Castilian in English ­ first became popular in Latin America when Español still had too many colonial overtones.

Spain’s bilingual autonomous regions latched on to it as well, as they are not necessarily pro­independence but always nationalist.

The Castellanos­Castilians themselves who live in the Madrid Community, CastillaLeon and Castilla­La Mancha obviously like the term, but while the Real Diccionario de la Lengua Española continues to refer to it as such, so shall I along with the others who feel the same way.

Despite their good intentions many of the English­speakers who come to Spain to live, spend long periods or holiday here as often as they can, fail to get to grips with Spanish.

It is a great help that from the moment they arrive on the Costas, they can manage perfectly well without speaking a word of the language, but it won’t encourage them to learn it.

All the same, there are times when you will need to say a few words, especially

when things go pear­shaped:

Where is the toilet…..¿dónde está el aseo?/¿dónde están los servicios?

I don’t feel well…..no me encuentro bien I need help…..necesito ayuda I have a problem.....tengo un problema

They’ve taken/stolen: my money/credit card/passport/wallet/purse/handbag/key s/ suitcase/backpack…me han quitado/me han robado: mi dinero/tarjeta de crédito/pasaporte/cartera/monedero/bolso/llaves/maleta/mochila

I have lost…..he perdido (plus the same sad list)

I am lost…..estoy perdido (perdida for females)

Where is the police station?.....¿dónde está la comisaría?

I want to report a crime…..quiero denunciar un crimen

On a lighter note, beware the translations that aren’t, beginning with the deceptive lookalike constipado. This is always good for a laugh as it is the Spanish version of a head cold, not constipation, although both refer to that unpleasant sensation of being bunged­up.

Nor is lift ­ off involved with un plano, which is a blueprint, a geometric plane and an adjective that means flat, but not an aeroplane.

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

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

Nora’s latest thriller.

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD

DURING my lifetime, emigrants from all over the world have sought passage to a life in Western Europe. My impression is that this has been a wonderful part of the world to live in. I have fond memories of life in England, Germany, France, Spain and Switzerland. I have not lived in my favourite country which is Italy but have spent four months in marvellous Vienna.

England always lacked sunshine and good cooking but had many redeeming features. There was a free and accessible national health service, a respected, reliable police force and judiciary, stability in local and national politics and a good education system. It had picturesque villages and thousands of traditional country pubs with real bitter ale. Churches were well attended and people were in general courteous to each other and welcoming to visitors from abroad. My base was in the Chilterns.

Germany likewise lacked a warm climate and tasty food but was a model of cleanliness and efficiency. Its streets were safe and its products, from

LIVING IN EUROPE WAS GREAT

Switzerland, had a lot of snow and ice in the winter but was well prepared for it. It was also expensive but salaries and the standard of living were high. It had a reliable transport system and, like Germany and Austria, was efficient, advanced and clean and tidy. I worked and lived in picturesque lakeside Zurich for two years.

BMWs and windows to clothes and stationery, were of the highest quality. Its streets were clean, and its roads a joy to drive on. The bars (or Kneipen) had a cosy character and excellent Pilsener beer or fine white wines. The salaries and social security were generous. I was based just south of Frankfurt for three years.

Only France is both northern and southern European. It is at the heart of Europe and, like Italy, it is both Alpine and Mediterranean. Its scenery and topography were exceptionally varied and striking while the affordable re ­

Common law partners regulation in Andalucia, Spain in 2023

CONSULAR MATTERS

IN Andalucia, Spain, there is no specific regulation for common law partners.

The legal system in Spain recognises marriage and civil unions (registered couples) but does not provide legal recognition for couples who live together without being married or in a civil union duly registered.

However, common law partners in Andalucia may have certain rights and protections under general Spanish law.

For example, they may have the right to inherit from each other, de ­

pending on the circumstances, and may have certain protections in the event of separation or death.

Additionally, common law partners may choose to enter into a cohabitation agreement, which is a private contract that can establish certain rights and obligations between the partners, such as property ownership and financial support.

It is important for common law partners in Andalucia to seek legal advice to understand their rights and options under Spanish law.

For more from our columnists please scan this QR Code

Marisa Moreno Castillo

Consul of Denmark and senior lawyer at Just Law Solicitors.

www.justlawsolicitors.com - contact@justlawsolicitors.com

gional food, wines and restaurants were second to none. For 10 years we had a property in Provence.

Spain was less developed, unregulated and poorly organised, but it always felt like home for me. It had a wonderful healthy outdoor life. The monarchy was highly respected and prices of petrol, transport, fine wines and eating out were far lower than in the other countries. The cities were glorious and coastal construction was under control. In 1975 I spent a summer working on the Costa Blanca and now live in Axarquia.

But immigrants from troubled, less fortunate countries want to move to the UK, because many of them speak some English and consequently already have relatives there. Ireland is far less accessible, especially for those desperate enough to risk boat crossings.

In their different ways they were all probably at their best 40 to 60 years ago, but are still among the most desirable countries to live in.

A day to remember

LINDA HALL

SPAIN’S a Catholic country, isn’t it?

As it happens, the Spanish Constitution of 1978 separated the state and the Church and that division is jealously guarded.

Constitution apart, even in the 60s a bottomless pit separated a large slice of the population and the Church. The more Republican and socialist ­ as my husband’s family were ­ the less likely to go to Mass or pay attention to doctrine, so as a lapsed Catholic I fitted in easily.

Nevertheless, we were married in church and there was no question of not christening our daughter when she was born. Nor was there any discussion regarding her First Communion because she had already made up her mind about that.

Children have fantastic First Communions in Spain, although I’m referring to the material and not the spiritual side of things.

When I made my own in England it was considered vulgar for girls to wear long dresses and the nuns tut ­

tutted at those who did (and there was always one who did). Veils and gloves, yes, but definitely no fripperies. It was a nice enough day but my lasting memory is of the dress which was made of stiff organdie and scratched horrendously.

Even in 2023 little Spanish girls (and their mothers) feel cheated if they don’t resemble miniature brides. In fact the bridal connection is so strong that First Communion frocks are sold in bridal shops at prices emulating the grown ­ up versions.

Boys make their First Communion less obtrusively than formerly, not like my husband who was done up in white silk like an abbreviated Ruritanian general despite his family’s anticlericalism.

Officially secular Spain now clings to customs that centre on the Church but don’t require commitment. If that means expensive clothes and sumptuous meals at weddings, christenings and First Communions, so much the betterspiritually if not financially ­ for those who otherwise don’t see the inside of a church from one year to the next.

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

From pristine Germany to mountainous Spain, Western Europe has been a wonderful part of the world to live in.

For more from our columnists please scan this QR Code

Photo Credits: David Worboys

Top class LETTERS

HELLO

I was just sitting down to message you and say congratulations to the team on an outstanding edition of Euro Weekly

The Women in Business section is top notch. These women are deserving of recognition, brilliant.

Apart from that the paper appears to have more interesting features than normal. I feel it’s like a Sunday paper but without the colour supplement.

Really first class. Thank you.

Berni Albrighton, Almeria

Dear Editor

IT is over 100 years since the First World War which lasted from 1914 till 1918 and this trench warfare is now being re­enacted in Bakhmut.

To get an idea of this, just watch ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’.

Absolutely horrific for all men there fighting for their country.

Putin has a lot to answer for!

Brian Johnston, Benalmadena

Delivery service

First of all I would like to thank you on behalf of the community of Caravaning & Camping La Manga for starting to recommence the delivery service of the Euro Weekly News to our site. It’s been long awaited and understand the reasons why due to the impact of the past few years that rocked the nation and the world. Hopefully we can all try and get carefully get back to some kind of normality, but not forget the virus still lingers on.

Anyway, having seen that we have received the first batch of papers. May I request an additional 50 copies be delivered knowing the amount of residents that reside here. The numbers will go up especially during the winter months from September to late March when the snow birds come down for the winter sun. The papers are so informative and would be gratefully received. Hopefully you can supply more now and a further increase later after the summer.

Yours gratefully

Mr S L Tryner (Resident)

Joe’s letter

Whilst I sympathise with him, he admitted living illegally in Spain for 13 years, only returning to the UK when the 90/180 day rule caught up with him. For 10 years of that 13 he would have been on a UK state pension, so if registered here, eligible for S1 free medical cover for him and his wife. He therefore did not ‘need’ two lots of expensive private

health insurance for 10 of the 13 years. He also paid non­resident tax unnecessarily for 13 years.

He said he and his wife did not register in Spain because they wanted access to NHS in UK. That of course was not legal. On returning to the UK he was not able to get a hernia operation on the NHS, so went private. Had they been legal they could have continued living happily in Spain and had free medical treatment for his hernia, gall stones, enlarged prostate, wife’s Parkinson’s, etc.

Lastly; He adversely compared his failure to get an NHS hernia operation with Gary Glitter, who had a knee operation on NHS. However Glitter although convicted, was legally entitled to NHS cover in UK.

Sorry Joe but honesty often is the best policy !

John Carrington

Blue Badge

Like Valerie Neale, I know that getting a Blue Badge is not easy, and it is not issued by one’s GP.

Some years ago I investigated the procedure which involved an appointment with Social Services at the town hall where the procedure is started.

Next, you go to your GP so that they can certify that the applicant, my wife in this case, does indeed qualify for a Blue Badge.

When you have that, back you go to the town hall, and are told you might get your Badge within two years! Because I drive and my wife has a wheelchair, I gave up as we have not met any situation, so far, where a Blue Badge would have helped. Regards.

Ken Cook, Gata de Gorgos

Breaking point!

Zimbabwe’s economy has been devastated by corruption and more than two decades of sanctions. The latest Al Jazeira four­part documentary has began to completely expose and reveal the illegal mafia type organisation that is ZANU­PF. It is clear that the Zimbabwean president position is unattainable after the exposure of the gold scandal. Gold Smuggler, Ewan Macmillan tells us that another Gold smuggler Simon Rudland has unfettered access to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, Mr John Mangudya. It was also revealed that the gospel minister, Ubert Angel, obtains the highest level rank of dimpomacy in Zimbabwe. Angel is heard saying in his own words, “The president will rule until he dies.” Corruption in Zimbabwe is clearly at an all time high. The world cannot watch such atrocities happen and do nothing.

Michael Tinarwo

PETS

Five misunderstood canine behaviours

EVER wonder what your dog is thinking or trying to tell you? Here are the top five misunderstandings between humans and their dogs.

1. Tail wagging. Yes, we thought that one was clear but apparently they don’t always wag their tails when they are happy, this movement can also show signs of anxiety, stress, tension, or aggressiveness.

2. Yawning, isn’t always a sign that your dog is tired. Dogs yawn when they want to convey their disgust!

3. The play bow. A dog’s position when he wants to play is his head on his paws and bottom in the air. This position doesn’t necessarily mean he wants to play, he can also be claiming possession of something or even be asking for space.

4. A playful dog. This isn’t always a good sign, it can mean they find it difficult to manage their emotions and is linked to nervousness in a dog. Dogs usually play for a time and then rest.

5. Smiling. If you think your dog is smiling unfortunately you are mistaken. In fact, dog experts say this smile­like expression on a dog is more indicative of a stressor.

Petsitters care for Dolly the dog

MANY of our pet owners find trusted pet­sitters through our network because the pets love the company. Dolly is a perfect example of that. She loves playing and having a pet­sitter in­house while her owners are away suits her and her owners perfectly. If you are planning a trip later this year, register now to find pet­sitters in time.

Even if it’s just a short trip, you’ll know that sometimes you just have to leave pets at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from staying in their own home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed. Let us help. Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and petcare. These are the steps to take:

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com

2. Choose a Premium account (£89 per year) to ensure you can help online when

needed

3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose. How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House­sitters see your advert, they respond and you

Children & pets

DO your kids and pets see eye to eye or does skin and hair fly? We know that having a pet can benefit our kids, they can help with learning, provide comfort and company to kids. They have even been known to boost a kid’s self­esteem and keep them healthy. As both children and pets both vie for their parent’s/owner’s attention how can we keep the peace between them? Also how can we help them to play nicely? Here are some top tips to help our furry friends get along with our childen.

choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets.

Trustpilot Testimonials ­ 4.9 /

5 Excellent 10 out of 10 for housesit match.com

I have had nothing but good and helpful service from the people who run this site, and my experience has been excellent. Tristram Cosgrave ­ Dog and cat owner, Malaga How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesit match.com.

Do you need a housesitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either housesitter or homeowner with a 50% discount using coupon code 20EWN – an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com

Animal Welfare Law Spain

THE new animal welfare law approved by the Spanish Congress of Deputies is now in effect. What do we need to know about this new law and what’s new. Here are the 10 new obligations for dog owners.

1. Take out civil liability

insurance for damages to third parties, whatever the breed or size of the dog.

2. Take a mandatory course. Everyone who has a pet or wants a pet must take a course and will have a period of two years to do it. All the details are not clear yet about this course but it will be free and online.

3. All dogs must pass a sociability test, those that don’t pass will be required to wear a muzzle and a short leash until they improve.

4. A dog may be alone at home for a maximum of 24 hours. They cannot live on balconies or in basements. The fine for this can reach

€10,000.

5. Pets must be integrated into the family nucleus and kept clean.

6. Avoid uncontrolled reproduction. Breeding may only be carried out by approved breeders.

7. It is forbidden to leave them at any time inside a closed vehicle.

8. They can not be tied up or wander through public spaces without supervision.

9. They should not deposit their droppings or urine in places of habitual passage. If it happens the owner must clean them.

10. Facilitate veterinary treatments.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

1. Supervise the interaction between our children and pets. Our pets, even though they are part of the family, are still animals after all and we cannot eliminate the risk of aggression towards children. Especially as kids are known to pull a tail or an ear every now and again.

2. Assign an area where the pet can retreat to when he needs time alone without interaction with the little ones.

3. It helps to define the different areas in the household so for example a play area and a rest area. The use of security gates can help identify each area.

4. As well as training your pets it is helpful to educate children how to play and interact with animals, respecting them and their space.

5. When bringing a pet into a household or a baby into a household with an existing pet it is helpful to warn the animal or the child beforehand.

Train

Pawsome teachers

IN an effort to help children manage their emotions and improve the relationship between animals and other children some schools in Spain have introduced dogs to the classroom.

They hope this initiative will help combat bullying at schools and stop violence against dogs. It is a programme of Assisted Interventions with Animals (IAA) that is specifically designed to work on empathy and emotions toward them.

With 24.4 per cent of primary and secondary Spanish students observing bullying in their school this is a very important topic. This programme offers emo­

tional intelligence tools and develops social­emotional skills among minors and works on the benefits of mindfulness through this practice. Nuria Máximo, the director of the URJC the Animal and Society Chair spoke about the positive feedback that has been received from this programme and because of this has decided to renew it again for a third year.

Some of this course is taught online but some modules are taught in person with experts in educational psychology and canine educators. They use dogs that have been adopted and already trained.

Dolly loves playing with her petsitter while her owners are away

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Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid - refined capability

ROAD TEST byMarkSlack

THERE seems to be more and more SUVs on the road, whether this is entirely personal choice on behalf of the buyers or clever marketing is a very debateable point.

SUVs do get a bad press though and it is unfair as despite being billed as overly large gas guzzlers not all SUVs fall into that category. There are many smaller versions and even the larger ones now come with self­charging or plugin hybrid as part of the power deal.

Suzuki has a long and well ­ deserved reputation for making very capable off ­ roaders but have of recent years moved into SUVs with two wheel drive. Whether you’re looking at the Ignis, Vitara or S ­ Cross they all have the option of two or four­

Electric vehicles - the future?

WITH the new Fisker Ocean achieving an official longest range on a single charge, is there a future for electric cars in Spain?

The Fisker Ocean has achieved the highest range of any electric SUV in an official WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) test, having achieved 440 miles with its range­topping Extreme specification. That would take you from London to Glasgow on a single charge.

With this emerging innovative technology and the lack of available charges in Spain could this latest news help Spanish residents decide on whether to finally take the plunge and a purchase an electric car?

The Fisker Ocean is being built in Austria and will go on sale at the end of April for around €40,000. With top models also having solar panels on the roof to provide more power in sunny conditions, this could be the ideal car model for Spain.

wheel ­ drive. The S ­ Cross has just been relaunched in new mild or full hybrid form.

Priced from €29,630/ £26,099 even the lead model is bestowed with a particularly generous level of standard equipment. The list includes adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera, LED lights, powered, heated and folding door mirrors along with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Two trim levels and the option of two or fourwheel ­ drive, manual or automatic gears and mild or full hybrid.

My test model was the top ­ line Ultra model in full hybrid form which means a 1.5­litre normally aspirated engine and automatic gears. The standard equipment list is even more generous than

the lead ­ in model, as it should be with

new Suzuki models and the S ­ Cross is no excep ­

come vocal. This is a characteristic of this kind of driving that’s soon second nature. Performance from the 1.5 ­ litre engine isn’t sparkling (go for the manual 1.4 ­ litre boosterjet that’s much quicker) but that said it feels anything but pedestrian.

Suzuki produce some very underrated cars in my view and the S­Cross, despite at this price being up against stiff competition, is certainly one of them.

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Suzuki S-Cross Ultra Hybrid AWD

• Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, normally aspirated petrol

€37,067/£32,649 price tag, and includes a super, full length sliding panoramic glass roof.

There is a distinctly more upmarket feel, the Vitara is well built but uses a lot of not very tactile plastics on the interior, to

out and everything from the auto gear shift lever to the touchscreen works crisply.

On the road it’s smooth, refined and quiet, unless you floor the accelerator when the automated manual gearbox does be ­

• Gears: 6-Speed automated manual.

• Price: €37,067/£32,649

• Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) 13.5 seconds/Maximum Speed 175 kmh (108 mph).

• Economy: 5.8l/100km (48.7 mpg) Combined driving.

• Emissions: 132 g/km

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets

First acceleration

GOOD news for used car sellers as March marked the first acceleration in UK used car price growth in 10 months.

PUMP PRICES: Are not being cut in a meaningful way.

Diesel drivers

UK diesel drivers ­ including almost everyone who runs a van for a small business ­ are continuing to suffer from inflated prices at fuel pumps up and down the country and are seeing no benefit from plummeting lower wholesale costs, despite the Chancellor continuing the fuel duty freeze in the latest Budget, the RAC is warning.

Despite both crude oil and wholesale diesel costs (the prices retailers pay for the fuel) reaching their lowest points in 15 months, major retailers are still refusing to

cut pump prices in any meaningful way.

Looking at the last four weeks alone, wholesale prices have come down another 10p yet this has yielded just a 3p cut at the pumps (168.85p to 165.89p on March 22).

What’s more, the gap between the wholesale cost of petrol and diesel has been narrowing for many weeks and is currently just over 1.5p. Despite this, the difference drivers pay at the pumps remains stubbornly high at around 19p a litre.

The current average value of a used car is up 2.3 per cent year ­ onyear and 0.7 per cent month ­ on ­ month.

According to the latest data from the Auto Trader Retail Price Index, the current average retail price of a used car in March is £17,720, which is up 2.3 per cent on a year ­ on ­ year (YoY) and like ­ for ­ like basis.

Increasing from the 1.3 per cent YoY increase recorded in February, it marks the first acceleration in the rate of YoY price growth in 10 months, having gradually slowed from the all ­ time high of 32.2 per cent YoY in April 2022.

At a month ­ on ­ month (MoM) level, March to

date is up 0.7 per cent on February’s average prices, marking the third consecutive MoM increase after the typical seasonal slowdown over the festive period.

It’s well ahead of the 0.1 per cent MoM growth recorded in both March 2022 and 2021, as well as the pre ­ pandemic average contraction of ­ 0.4 per cent MoM

recorded in March between 2011 and 2019.

6 months to build a Rolls Royce, 13 hours to build a Toyota.

SUZUKI S-CROSS: On the road it’s smooth, refined and quiet.

USED CARS: Prices are at last increasing.

Max Verstappen takes the chequered flag

RED BULL driver Max Verstappen won the first Australian Grand Prix of his career today, Sunday, April 2. The reigning Dutch world champion started from pole position and took the chequered flag at Albert Park in Melbourne to extend his lead at the top of the championship to 15 points after three races.

Lewis Hamilton capped a tremendous weekend by bringing his Mercedes home in second place, ahead of Spain’s Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin. The former world champion now has three podiums in three races this season.

The race was filled with controversy, with three red flags and finishing under a safety car to fulfil FIA rules after a restart. The final positions though were taken from those that the drivers were in when the last restart occurred.

At that point, Alonso had found himself at the back of the pack after spinning out. Under FIA regulations, the cars had to parade around the

circuit behind the safety car for the last lap.

Carlos Sainz was very upset after being handed a five­second penalty that demoted him to 12th. That meant he was out of the points after the Ferrari driver was deemed responsible for causing the crash that spun Alonso out.

Speaking after the race, the Spaniard called the decision “unacceptable”. “They need to wait until after the race and

discuss it with me. Clearly the penalty is not deserved. It is

We’re going to fight, said coach

SERGIO PELLICER, the manager of Malaga CF, held a press conference on Friday March 31 at the club’s La Rosaleda Stadium. “We have the challenge of achieving two consecutive victories,” said the Blue and White coach.

Speaking about the state of his squad and the approaching Easter period, he explained: “The team has recovered almost everyone, except for Bustinza, who trained partially today, but won’t be there,” he commented initially.

“After the match the other day, that magical moment of the second goal, you have to visualise reality. The situation is still difficult, but the fans believe, the team believes, and we are going to fight. This week I’ve seen some of the best training sessions since I got here,” he stressed.

He pointed out that he was determined to “fight and honour our values with that effort and commitment. We have the challenge of achieving two consecutive victories and getting closer to those teams.”

The coach has ‘many op­

tions’ in terms of players and tactics. “The other day we started with a line of three, the team felt comfortable, then we changed, and they also felt comfortable. We see that desire, despite the difficulty. Everyone is there, and we’ll make the best decisions, yet the important thing is that they’re making it difficult for me. If the team improves, we all improve. And that is contagious,” he highlighted.

In regard to their next rival, Pellicer said “Andorra had a stage in which they endured

too severe,” he added.

Alonso’s teammate achieved his best finish of the season to clinch fourth place. Mexico’s Sergio Perez took fifth in the second Red Bull. Lando Norris had a brilliant race, moving from 13th on the grid to finish in sixth for McLaren.

The American Haas team found themselves among the points again thanks to Nico Hulkenberg who grabbed an impressive seventh. Oscar Pistri was delighted to score his first points in F1 with a brilliant eighth place in the other McLaren and in front of his home crowd.

Another fantastic finish was that of Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu, who drove his Aston Martin home in ninth position. The top 10 was rounded out by Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda in the Alpha Tauri.

Today’s unprecedented events in an F1 race will undoubtedly draw comparisons with the Abu Dhabi carnival in 2021 that finished Lewis Hamilton’s chances of another world title.

Another sacking

ENGLISH Premier League club Chelsea FC fired their manager Graham Potter on Sunday, April 2. His departure was announced in a statement released on Twitter by the London club. Potter had only been in charge at Stamford Bridge for six months after replacing Thomas Tuchel.

Potter becomes the second casualty of the day following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers by Leicester City only a few hours ago. When he joined the Stamford Bridge outfit from Brighton there was an air of great expectation surrounding him but his side has struggled this season.

Their 2­0 home defeat by Unai Emery’s resurgent Aston Villa side was probably the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. The Blues spent a fortune on new players during the January transfer window but the club is currently languishing in the wrong half of the table with only 10 games remaining this season.

It read: “Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club. Graham has agreed to collaborate with the Club to facilitate a smooth transition. In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter­final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid.

“Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future. Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as Interim Head Coach.”

Co­controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea. We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person. He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome.”

Parted by mutual agreement

WITH the former English Premier League champions suddenly floundering in the relegation zone, Leicester City on Sunday, April 2, made the decision to part company with their manager, Brendan Rodgers. A 2­1 defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday April 1, was probably the final nail in his coffin.

the same year, two of the Club’s three highest Premier League finishes and consecutive European campaigns, including our first European semi­final in 2022.

five consecutive defeats, but are now back to the team from the start of the season. They are the most surprising team in the competition.” and the one with the best positional attack".

"They are similar to Las Palmas, but with more nuances. A recently promoted team that doesn't cheat what they play, and we are going to find a match where they work with the rival's anxiety through possession, where they are very powerful", he concluded.

A tweet from the club read: “Leicester City Football Club has reached a mutual agreement with Brendan Rodgers that will see him leave the Club after four years as our Men’s First Team Manager.”

In a statement, Leicester City wrote: “Leicester City Football Club has reached a mutual agreement with Brendan Rodgers that will see him leave the Club after four years as our Men’s First Team Manager.

“Brendan departs King Power Stadium as one of the most successful managers in the Club’s history, having guided us to our long­awaited first FA Cup triumph in 2021, the FA Community Shield in

“Assistant Manager Chris Davies and First Team Fitness Coach Glen Driscoll will also be leaving with the Club’s thanks and best wishes for their future careers. Immediate responsibility for Men’s First Team training and match preparation will be led by the Club’s long­serving First Team Coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell.”

Leicester City Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “The achievements of the team under Brendan’s management speak for themselves ­ we’ve experienced some of our finest footballing moments under his guidance and will always be grateful to him and his staff for the heights they helped us to reach on the pitch.

“Off the pitch, Brendan embraced the culture of the Club and helped cultivate an out­

standing developmental environment, particularly during the transition to Seagrave, and provided strong leadership during the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus pandemic. His place in Leicester City’s history is assured.

“However, performances and results during the current season have been below our shared expectations. It had been our belief that continuity and stability would be key to correcting our course, particularly given our previous achievements under Brendan’s management.

“Regrettably, the desired improvement has not been forthcoming and, with 10 games of the season remaining, the Board is compelled to take alternative action to protect our Premier League status.

“The task ahead of us in our final 10 games is clear. We now need to come togetherfans, players and staff ­ and show the poise, quality and fight to secure our position as a Premier League club.”

Max Verstappen winning the Australian GP 2023.

12 worst place held by defending Masters Champion, Scottie Scheffler

TH

Malaga CF coach, Sergio Pellicer.

Credit: Twitter@MalagaCF_en

Malaga to play Walking Dead in the final!

BAHA Whiskey Cup

Malaga 5 v 1 Nerja Utd.

This long­awaited semifinal finally took place last week. Malaga were quickly into their stride and comfortably 2 ­ 0 up by half time, their accurate passing and fluidity of movement putting them firmly in control.

A third, a penalty for Nerja running offences, followed and then a fourth from open play. Nerja refused to give up and, once more through running offences, scored from the penalty spot. However, an unfortunate goal ­ keeping error and smart reaction and skill from a Malaga attacker resulted in a stunning goal and sent his team into the final against The Walking Dead.

EWN Over 50s League

Competa Boca Seniors

3 v 10 Benahavis

The away side, teasing the home opposition defence with some fine

movement, were already 0 ­ 3 ahead by half time.

Competa began the second half more determinedly and pegged the scoreline back to 2­4. This only served to ignite a free ­ scoring spree from Benahavis, who added six more and ran out convincing winners in a spirited game.

A friendly match played afterwards between the two clubs resulted in a 14 win for Benahavis.

EWN Over 60s League

Nerja Utd 3 v 1 Torrox

Tornadoes

Both teams attacked from the start, creating several good chances, with both hitting the crossbar. Nerja scored

first from a running offences penalty, which they dutifully put away. Play was still even when a mistake by the Tornadoes’ goalie presented a further chance for Nerja, which they gratefully accepted, 2­0. Another goal from open play put them further into the lead and, although Tornadoes fought back bravely and eventually pulled a goal back, they were unable to make sufficient headway and Nerja held on to bag all three points. Over the season, honours between the two clubs end even with a win, a loss and a draw for each.

Referees

We seem to say it every week, but why not? Our referees performed excellently over these matches and helped create the friendly, competitive atmosphere we strive for!

More info?

Please access Facebook walkingfooty.com.

A massive new entertainment brand

THE exciting news was revealed on Monday, April 3, that the WWE is to merge with the UFC to form one massive entertainment brand in a deal worth an estimated $21 billion (€19.262 billion). Endeavor Group Holdings which owns the UFC mixed martial arts franchise will have a 51 per cent controlling stake with existing shareholders in the WWE taking the other 49 per cent.

Ari Emanuel, the Endeavor CEO will control the as­yetunnamed organisation. Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White will remain in charge of his enterprise. Vince McMahon, the legendary executive chairman of the WWE will be in charge of the wrestling side.

“This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment pureplay built for where the industry is headed,” announced Emanuel.

The CEO continued: “For decades, Vince and his team have demonstrated an incredible track record of innovation and shareholder value creation, and we are confident that Endeavor can deliver significant additional value for shareholders by bringing UFC and WWE together.”

Both entities have a huge global fanbase and social media reach across a wide audience of all age groups. At the end of the final quarter of 2022, the WWE had amassed in excess of 16 billion video views on social media platforms. These included more than 20 million TokTok followers and approaching 94 million YouTube subscribers.

Ronda Rousey, the former female UFC fighting star has an incredible following of 36.1 million on her social networks. Five female wrestlers appear on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram’s top 15 most­followed female athletes.

BAHA WHISKEY CUP: Malaga won the semi final match.