Costa Blanca North 2 – 8 November 2023 Issue 2000

Costa Blanca • Issue No. 2000 • 2 - 8 November 2023

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Anna Ellis ALICANTE City Council is about to embark on a bold and ambitious campaign, and they have their sights set on the United King­ dom.

This isn’t just your aver­ age promotion; it’s poised to be the most extensive effort to date.

The goal? To invigorate and expand the British market’s presence in the heart of the city.

This strategic move is perfectly timed to coincide with the World Travel Market fair in London, tak­ ing place from November 6 to 8, and it’s set to paint the UK with a month­long burst of images of the Ali­ cante sunshine.

Key cities on the map in­ clude London, Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh.

Mayor, Luis Barcala, con­ firmed: “This is an invita­ tion to our British friends to come and experience Alicante for themselves.

Image: Ayutamiento de Alicante

More Brits wanted ALICANTE: Embark on a bold and ambitious campaign.

“British visitors will be welcomed to explore Ali­ cante’s rich cultural her­ itage, savour its delectable cuisine, stroll along its sun­ kissed beaches, and sup­ port local businesses that add a unique flair to this picturesque city,” he

added.

As a cherry on top, the campaign will also grace the pages of ‘High Life’, British Airways’ prestigious magazine, a favourite among their VIP clientele.

It will feature one of the captivating images from the campaign, a sneak peek into the paradise that awaits those who answer Alicante’s call.

GRATUITO

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Golfing paradise FOR many travellers, the Costa Blanca is a destination that offers the perfect blend of sightseeing and golfing.

In fact, a staggering 70 per cent of foreign players visit­ ing the region aren’t residents but come exclusively to in­ dulge in their love for this sport.

The significance of golf as a tourism product is undeni­ able, with substantial economic contributions.

Tourists who travel to the Costa Blanca for golf gener­ ate an impressive 500,000 overnight stays each year in Valencian Community hotels.

This translates into an annual economic impact of €745 million.

Additionally, golf tourism sustains approximately 9,000 jobs every year.

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2 - 8 November 2023

Anna Ellis THE Royal British Legion Javea’s Poppy Appeal 2023 has unfurled its wings, placing collection boxes at various locations across the region.

But that’s not all, this year, the Royal British Le­ gion is bringing its mis­ sion closer to the hearts of the community.

On November 2 and 3, from 10.00am to 8.00pm, they will set up camp at the Ondara Shopping Centre.

On November 4, they’ll continue their mission at the Overseas Supermar­ ket in Javea, once again from 10.00am to 8.00pm.

On Thursday, Novem­ ber 9, the community

Poppy Appeal Image: Milleflore Images / Shutterstock.com

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AFTER four long months of steady de­ cline, Spain’s water reserves have finally seen a ray of hope, with a notable in­ crease last week.

The situation, however, remains chal­ lenging in the province of Alicante, where water resources continue to dwindle in both the Jucar and Segura basins.

The Segura basin, in particular, stands

CALLING all hiking fans! The Margallo Group of Benissa is pleased to announce its ‘Riberers’ Route. The route is a journey through the picturesque landscape, scheduled for Sunday, November 19.

Part of the '’Discover our Region’ series, this initiative aims to bridge the gap between the community and the enchanting wonders that surround Benissa.

The PR­CV 388 '’Riberers’ Route stretches over 13.5 kilo­ metres, with an elevation gain of 410 metres.

The estimated duration of the adventure is approximate­ ly 4.5 hours, promising a stimulating challenge of moderate difficulty. The circular route will guide you through a myriad of paths, tracks, and mountain trails, unveiling the hidden gems of the region. Two rendezvous points have been set.

The day kicks off at 8.30am at the Manuel Bru Car Park in Benissa, or if you prefer a later start, meet at Benissa Ceme­ tery at 8.45am. To be a part of this adventure, register be­ fore midday on November 17. Secure your spot by sending an email to sports@ajbenissa.es or call (+34) 965 733 392.

Registration is free, and it comes with comprehensive ac­ cident insurance coverage.

of their total capacity, representing a 1 per cent increase compared to the pre­ vious week, this marks the first positive change in water reserves in over half a year.

The change can be attributed to a week of widespread rainfall across the country, although the province of Ali­ cante has seen relatively limited precipi­ tation.

Image: Gm Margalló de Benissa / Facebook

The reason? Pam Small will host her beloved Charity Dance Exercise

Ray of hope at only 22.8 per cent of its total capacity, with a decrease of 0.61 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Jucar basin has also witnessed a decline of 0.32 per cent, re­ sulting in a current water reserve of 46.80 per cent.

Although the overall water reserves in Spain have improved to 35.6 per cent

Riberers Route

class, along with a raffle, all in support of the Royal British Legion Poppy Ap­ peal 2023.

Admission is €10, and that includes more than just dancing.

After the rhythmic workout, you’ll be treat­ ed to a delightful spread of refreshments.

If dancing isn’t your thing, you’re more than welcome.

Head along, savour a hearty breakfast, groove to the lively music, and most importantly, lend your support to this re­ markable cause.

APPEAL: Lend your support to this remarkable cause.

will gather at the inviting Bar Can Tallerina in Jalon.

LOCAL NEWS

CIRCULAR ROUTE: Unveiling hidden gems of the region.

YOUR EWN HAS

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2 - 8 November 2023

Flying the flag Image: Finestrat Ayuntamiento / Facebook

LOCAL NEWS

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

NIBS EXTRA Cyber crime TWO hackers belonging to a cybercriminal organi­ sation wanted interna­ tionally have now been arrested in Alicante. The detainees allegedly be­ long to the Ragnar Locker group which specialises in extortion through data hijacking. The worldwide search operation was led by the French National Gendarmerie.

Rural roads BENITACHELL is investing in rural roads. Recent work on Benicambra and Pouet paths complements previous projects. This ini­ tiative, supported with €37,495.98 from Alicante, falls under the 2023 pro­ gramme for rural road in­ vestments. Over three years, Benitachell has allo­ cated nearly €550,000, in its rural roads.

Cycling Gala CALPE is abuzz with ex­ citement as it prepares to host the prestigious Va­ lencian Community Cy­ cling Gala on December 2.

This event, organised by the Cycling Federation of the Valencian Community, is a testament to the re­ gion’s deep­rooted love for cycling and its commit­ ment to honouring the sport’s finest athletes.

Give blood ON October 26, 23 La Nu­ cia residents displayed their solidarity by donat­ ing blood at El Cirer Social Hall. Of the volunteers, 18 were found to be eligi­ ble donors. The next blood donation event is set for November 9 in the same location, in the af­ ternoon.

COMMITMENT: To glass recycling during the summer.

FINESTRAT has received its first Green Flag award from Ecovidrio, making it the mu­ nicipality in the Valencian Community with the most significant commitment to glass recycling during the summer.

The ‘GreenFlag Movement’ campaign honoured Finestrat for its exceptional perfor­ mance in two key areas: in­ creased glass recycling due to the strong involvement of the local hospitality industry and the town council’s active ef­ forts to promote glass collec­ tion.

The award was presented to Finestrat’s Environment

councillor, Estela Alvarez, dur­ ing a ceremony in Madrid.

The councillor confirmed: “This recognition highlights Finestrat’s dedication to spreading awareness about recycling and, particularly, the importance of glass recycling during the summer season.

“The municipality has made substantial efforts to encourage residents and the hospitality sector to separate and deposit glass containers in green containers.”

She added: “This achieve­ ment reflects the collective ef­ forts of local residents, hospi­ tality professionals, and the Department of Environment.”

Recipe for success

FOR the third consecutive year, El Campello has taken its Hal­ loween celebrations to a whole new level with the ‘Streetfood Market’ fair.

The fair, which seamlessly blends music, gastronomy, and crafts, attracted thousands of people right from its grand open­ ing on October 27.

The Municipal Park transformed into a bustling hub of activi­ ty, with enthusiastic attendees revelling in the festivities for five days, concluding on the morning of November 1, All Saints’ Day. The councillor for Festivals and Traditions, Cristian Palomares, who is the visionary behind this extraordinary event, expressed his sentiments at the inauguration. “When you propose some­ thing like this, you always hope for public acceptance, even if it’s cautious.

“However, the turnout this year has exceeded all expecta­ tions, confirming that it’s a resounding success embraced by the people.”

THE Local Police of Altea has ac­ quired a new ve­ hicle, bringing their total num­ ber of vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, to 12.

The mayor of Altea, Diego Zaragozí, presented the new vehicle and expressed the government’s commitment to providing the best equip­ ment for the Local Police to carry out their duties.

The new vehicle, a Mer­ cedes CITAN, enhances mo­ bility and versatility for police movements within the town of Altea.

New motor

It is equipped with the latest technology in po­ lice equipment and communication systems, making it well­suited for po­

lice tasks.

The vehicle features an LED warning system, advanced lighting, and a trunk equipped with tools and work hours, allowing officers to carry out procedures effi­ ciently.

The Local Police of Altea now has 12 vehicles in total, ensuring they can meet the mobility needs of the local police force effectively.

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“The Euro Weekly News: celebrating 2,000 editions of excellence and community” IN the picturesque coastal towns of Spain, a momentous occasion is upon us as The Eu­ ro Weekly News marks its 2,000th edition.

This multiple award­winning publication, founded by a couple from the North of Eng­ land has played a remarkable role as a pro­ moter of Spain and an active supporter of local charities throughout its distinguished history.

The journey began back in July 11, 1985 with a vision by a Manchester couple, who, recognising the need for a publication to assist newcomers in their Span­ ish life, created ‘The Enter­ tainer’. Priced at a mere one peseta per edition, it quickly became a beloved source of local news, views, and infor­ mation, supported by local business advertise­ ments.

Fast forward to 1996, and The Entertainer was at a cross­ roads. It was then that Michel and Steven Euesden entered the scene. With their en­ ergy and vision, they saw the publication’s future and took ownership. Their arrival marked a pivotal moment in the newspa­ per’s history, as they set out to transform it into more than just a newspaper; they aimed to make it a vital part of the commu­ nity.

Under the ownership of the Euesdens, The Entertainer underwent a remarkable transformation. It was reborn as ‘The Euro Weekly News’, reflecting a broader vision and a commitment to serving the foreign population in Spain. This multiple award­ winning publication became a trusted com­ panion, with a tapas journalism style, it de­ livered positive news, connected communities, and uplifted spirits.

Over the years, The Euro Weekly News has been a strong promoter of Spain. It has showcased the beauty of its coastal towns, the rich culture, and the vibrant communi­ ties. Through its pages, readers have discov­ ered the hidden gems of Spain, from its pic­ turesque landscapes to its culinary delights.

Moreover, The Euro Weekly News has been an active supporter of local charities. It has used its platform to raise awareness about important social causes and to mo­ bilise community support for those in need.

The publication’s commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of its readers goes beyond journalism; it’s a testament to the Euesdens’ dedication to community ser­ vice.

In 2023, The Euro Weekly News stands more relevant than ever. The landscape of the foreign population in Spain has seen sig­ nificant changes. An influx of residents from Northern European countries has reshaped the community. While they may not speak

Michel & Steven Euesden.

Spanish fluently, the uni­ versal language of English binds them together, and The Euro Weekly News has become an indispensable re­ source, bridging language gaps and offering valuable information to this diverse readership.

This remarkable milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the loyal sup­ port of advertisers and sponsors who have been partners for over a quarter of a cen­ tury. Their trust and unwavering commit­ ment have been instrumental in the publi­ cation’s continued success, enabling it to deliver quality journalism and community support.

Last but certainly not least, the cherished readers deserve special recognition. Your in­ teraction, your love for the paper, and your unwavering dedication have breathed life into its pages. Your continued support has made The Euro Weekly News more than just a newspaper; it’s a trusted companion that enriches your lives and connects you with your community.

As The Euro Weekly News celebrates its 2,000th edition, it’s an opportune moment to express gratitude to the entire Euro Weekly community ­ the team, advertisers, sponsors, and readers. Your collective ef­ forts and unwavering commitment have made The Euro Weekly News an indispens­ able part of life along the Spanish coastline.

Looking ahead, The Euro Weekly News stands poised to continue developing and growing, evolving with the changing demo­ graphics and needs of the foreign popula­ tion in Spain. It remains dedicated to its mis­ sion of informing, connecting, and inspiring the European community in Spain.

In closing, let us raise a toast to The Euro Weekly News and its remarkable journey.

Here’s to the future, to many more editions, and to the ongoing story of a publication that has become an essential part of our lives along the sunny shores of Spain.

Thank you for being a part of this incredi­ ble journey, and VIVA ESPAÑA!

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A GROUP of talented players from El Campello Badminton Club embarked on a journey to Enguera to participate in the TOP TTR sub13 and sub17 tournaments.

The results were nothing short of impressive, showcas­ ing the club’s prowess in the sport.

In the under­13 category, Luca Adrián displayed excep­ tional skills, securing the title of individual runner­up. Al­ though he fought valiantly in the final, he narrowly lost in three sets.

Mateo Gaja, another promising player, made it to the semi­finals, and he put up an intense battle but ulti­

Rising stars Secured coveted spots on the podium.

mately lost in three sets to the player who eventually clinched the championship.

Notably, both Luca and Ma­ teo, as runners­up, demon­ strated their remarkable tal­

ent on the badminton court.

The under­13 category con­ tinued to be a showcase of El Campello’s formidable talent, with Ishaan Bhartiya and

PROVERB OF THE WEEK “There is no time like the present.”

Meaning don’t wait to do something – do it now.

This saying was first heard in 1562 and it remains true.

LOCAL NEWS

Aleix Sirvent reaching the se­ mi­finals.

Unfortunately, they faced their teammates Luca and Adrian, and while their matches were intense, the latter duo ultimately ad­ vanced to the finals.

In the under­17 category, the success story continued, as Miguel Paya and Mateo Fernandez secured coveted spots on the podium as run­ ners­up in their respective events.

Mateo earned the title of singles runner­up, and both players claimed the runners­ up position in the doubles event.

FINESTRAT’S Department of Sports has confirmed its latest cycling event, ‘Extreme Bike Night’. This is a night cycling event with the support of professional cyclist Ben Moore, who is based in Finestrat. Extreme Bike Night will take place at the La Foia municipal sports centre in Finestrat on Friday, November 3.

Finestrat, with its favourable environment for cycling, is dedicated to instilling a love for this sport from a young age.

The ‘Extreme Bike Night’ features various age categories, making it accessible to participants as young as four years old and extending up to teenagers aged 14 and above. The event is set to kick off at around 5.30pm with the youngest participants and continue until midnight with the various age groups.

Ben Moore, a professional cyclist with an impressive international track record, is collaborating with the event and will share his knowledge and experience to prepare the participants for the ‘Extreme Bike Night’ tests.

EXCITING news for the envi­ ronmentally conscious and tech­savvy residents of Busot, the town has just unveiled its second charging point for elec­ tric vehicles!

The latest addition, situated in the Balconada area, marks

With these two in place, Bu­ sot now boasts the capacity to charge four electric vehicles si­ multaneously.

These charging points are designed for speed and effi­ ciency and are equipped with semi­fast charging capabilities.

Bike Night

Fully charged the arrival of charging point number two in Busot.

It’s a promising develop­ ment for those who’ve al­ ready embraced the electric revolution, as well as those considering making the switch.

This latest facility comple­ ments the first charging point, conveniently located on Avenida de la Comunidad Va­ lenciana, right in front of the Polideportivo.

2m+ The amount of saunas to be found in Finland.

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FOLLOWING the tremendous success of last year’s produc­ tion of Jack and the Beanstalk, BCC Productions is delighted to announce that the magic of pantomime is returning to Va­ lencia.

Prepare to be whisked away on a carpet ride of laughter, excitement, and en­ chantment as Aladdin and his mischievous genie grant your every wish for an unforget­ table theatrical experience.

This vibrant and hilarious pantomime is set to captivate audiences of all ages, trans­ porting them to a whole new world of pure entertainment.

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Panto season With a stellar cast of talent­ ed performers, sensational sets, and show­stopping mu­ sical numbers, Aladdin promises to be the pan­ tomime you've all been wish­ ing for!

Get ready to cheer for your favourite dame, boo the vil­ lainous Abanazar, and sing along to catchy tunes that will have you humming for days!

Director Cameron Hall con­ firmed: “Last year’s sell­out success with Jack and the

Beanstalk was truly remark­ able, and we are thrilled to bring the magic back with Al­

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addin.”

Tickets for Aladdin are fly­ ing out faster than a magic carpet ride, so don’t delay!

Enjoy the fun at Valencia’s Teatro Patio de Butacas on December 2 and 3.

Image: BCC Productions

LOCAL NEWS

Positive momentum IN a spook­tacular transformation, Benidorm saw skeletons, pumpkins, ghosts, and mummies take over the city as Hal­ loween firmly rooted itself in the local calendar.

This imported holiday has become a beloved tradition, of­ fering more than just costumes and candy; it provides the per­ fect opportunity for a Halloween getaway.

As a result of this growing trend, Benidorm’s hotels experi­ enced a remarkable surge in occupancy, reaching an impres­ sive 80 per cent during the Halloween weekend of October 28.

The city’s hotels and hospitality establishments whole­ heartedly embraced the spirit of the spookiest night of the year, adorning their premises with Halloween­themed deco­ rations, turning the city into a thrilling destination for those seeking a fun and spooky holiday.

Fede Fuster, the president of Hosbec, emphasised that “ho­ tels are increasingly embracing themed events and putting in significant effort during these dates.”

He further pointed out that this year, Halloween festivities were concentrated during the prior weekend, creating a bustling atmosphere throughout the city.

Despite the absence of an extended November weekend, the hotel association reported that last­minute bookings helped maintain a solid 80 per cent occupancy rate, sustaining the positive momentum that Benidorm has seen in recent weeks.

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THE Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir (CBMVC) has struck a chord of generosi­ ty and compassion by rais­ ing an impressive €1,500 in support of SOS Ukraine.

This musical endeavour unfolded during their cap­ tivating summer concerts in the enchanting Caves of Benidoleig, and more re­ cently, at the successful event at the DAR Centre in Javea.

The raised funds will serve a profound purpose, extending a helping hand to those fleeing conflict.

They will be channelled into crucial areas such as fuel, flights, medical care, and essential psychologi­ cal support for the fami­ lies embarking on this ar­ duous journey to rebuild their lives.

The choir’s harmonious mission doesn’t stop here.

Their next vocal sym­ phony will resonate in the Remembrance Service at the Moraira church on November 10, commenc­ ing at 6.30pm where they will continue to honour and remember those

SOS Ukraine €1,500 RAISED: Extending a helping hand.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Alicante

who’ve made sacrifices in the name of peace.

For those who have ev­

er dreamt of joining this talented ensemble, the CBMVC extends an invita­

ALICANTE City & Beach Tourist Board is back with the tantalising Gastronomic Bonus campaign, setting aside a generous €500,000 for food enthusiasts to relish the city’s culinary delights.

Here’s how it works: Interested foodies can visit www.bonogastronomicoalicante.es to register and purchase vouchers.

These vouchers, worth €50, come at a delightful 50 per cent discount, requiring you to pay only €25.

Each consumer can snap up a maximum of 15 vouchers, giving you access to a mouthwatering €750 worth of gastronomic adventures.

The maximum subsidy per consumer is €375.

To partake in this scrumptious offer, you

LOCAL NEWS tion to men of all nation­ alities who share a pas­ sion for singing.

You can get in touch with Mike on (+34) 645 081 539 for more informa­ tion on how to be a part of this remarkable choir.

For additional details, you can visit their website at www.costablanca malevoicechoir.com.

The CBMVC holds re­ hearsals every Tuesday at 5.45pm at Bar Mediterra­ neo, Teulada.

must be over 18 years old and registered in Alicante.

The campaign’s aim is clear: to stimulate consumption within the city of Alicante, extending support to households and local establishments, all while giving a boost to the hospitality industry.

By promoting local consumption, the campaign seeks to alleviate the strains caused by rising energy costs, inflation, and increased prices for primary materials.

So, if you’re eager to treat your taste buds and support local businesses, the Gastronomic Bonus campaign in Alicante is the perfect opportunity to indulge while giving back to the community.

Don’t miss out, as vouchers will be available for purchase until November 26.

Gastronomic vouchers

LOCAL NEWS

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MARK your calendars, nature en­ thusiasts!

Gandia’s Safor Mountain Fair is set to captivate visitors from November 30 to December 3, of­ fering a delightful journey into the heart of the mountain world.

The fair promises a diverse and enriching experience, with some­ thing for everyone.

Shop and save

FINESTRAT’S Consumer Voucher Campaign is now un­ derway and will run until De­ cember 15, offering residents a fantastic opportunity to shop and save.

The campaign allows resi­ dents registered in Finestrat, aged 18 and over, to purchase vouchers at half price.

These vouchers come in de­ nominations of €10, €20, and €50, up to a maximum limit of €200.

The participating establish­ ments include restaurants, food supermarkets, bars, cafes, fashion and accessories stores, opticians, hairdressers, home and decoration shops, bakeries, florists, sports stores, automotive sector, toy stores, and more.

One of the unique features of the Finestrat Consumer Voucher Campaign is that these bonuses are compatible with other promotions.

The purchase of the bonds is online through the website https://bonos.ayto ­ finestrat.es/

2 - 8 November 2023

Mountain Fair

Prepare to be engaged in capti­ vating debates that delve into the importance of preserving our stun­ ning landscapes. Enjoy melodious

concerts that harmonise with the soul­stirring beauty of the moun­ tains. Savour delectable meals that are not just nourishing but environ­

Royal Opera

Image: Ayuntamiento de Mutxamel / Facebook

SPOTLIGHT: Cultural experience is accessible to all.

CALPE is about to rekindle its love affair with the silver screen.

The council now has a new management company set in place for the cinema service at the municipal Auditorium.

After a three­year hiatus without a local cinema, the spot­ light returns to the Calpe House of Culture.

The previous contract met its end during the tumultuous days of the pandemic, and the service’s revival was post­ poned due to essential air renewal system installations in the auditorium, followed by several aborted tender attempts. But the wait is over, and the winning company is bringing not only the latest blockbusters, but also the enchanting world of live opera and ballet shows from the prestigious Royal Opera House in London, a favourite amongst the local audience. This new cinematic chapter, set to be unveiled in the coming weeks, comes with a commitment of at least three years. In a nod to the community, cinema tickets are capped at €5, en­ suring that this cultural experience remains accessible to all.

mentally conscious. But that’s not all! Calling all budding photogra­ phers and nature lovers, a photog­ raphy competition awaits you on

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Instagram. Share your pho­ tographs of nature and the moun­ tains using the hashtag #lasaforfair, and don’t forget to tag @gandia verda and @lasaforfair.

Your lens can win you incredible prizes, as the three most­liked pho­ tos will be rewarded for their artistry and love for the great out­ doors.

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2 - 8 November 2023

BENIDORM is renowned for its consistently high tourism rates, attracting visitors throughout the year.

While British tourists play a significant role in the town’s tourism market, their presence becomes particularly pro­ nounced during the autumn months of October and November.

All year-round However, Benidorm’s tourism market exhibits con­ siderable fluctuations, espe­ cially with the arrival of differ­ ent tourist profiles hailing from colder regions of northern and central Europe.

Leire Bilbao, manager of Vis­ it Benidorm, highlights this sea­ sonal evolution, stating that “tourism in Benidorm fluctu­ ates between the summer season and the rest.”

In contrast to southern Eu­ ropean markets like Portugal, France, or Italy, as autumn ar­ rives, Benidorm welcomes visi­ tors from closer northern Euro­ pean regions.

Tourists from countries such as Belgium, Holland, and the Scandinavian Peninsula (Den­ mark, Norway, and Sweden) become prominent during this period.

Additionally, the rise of Cen­ tral European tourists from na­ tions like Poland, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland also gains relevance in the town’s tourism landscape.

AS the winter season un­ folds, the Alicante­Elche Miguel Herandez Airport is poised for a significant surge in air travel.

From October 29 to March 30, 2024, the airport will host approximately 6.4 million seats and welcome around 34,500 commercial flights.

These numbers mark an impressive 23.2 per cent in­ crease in seat availabil0ity and a 20.8 per cent boost in flight frequency compared to the previous winter sea­ son.

Europe takes the lead in the geographical break­ down, offering more than 5.2 million seats, a remark­ able 24 per cent surge from the prior winter season.

The domestic market fol­ lows suit with a 13 per cent increase, providing over

A REMARKABLE transformation has tak­ en place in Benissa as the old Contracting Room now stands proudly reborn as the town’s new museum.

This space has been lovingly curated to house the rich history of the municipality, preserving its cultural heritage for genera­ tions to come.

LOCAL NEWS

Winter season Image: Aena / Facebook

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AIR TRAVEL: Has seen a significant surge.

1,025,000 seats.

Notably, Africa shows as­ tonishing growth, with nearly 116,000 seats, a re­ markable 165 per cent in­ crease, driven by the recov­ ery of routes with Algeria.

The United Kingdom stands tall, increasing its seat offerings for the first time since the pandemic

Historic transformation In a momentous event on Monday, October 30, the mayor of Benissa, Arturo Poquet, and the president of the Deputa­

hit. Airlines have scheduled nearly 2,130,000 seats with the British market, reflect­ ing a substantial 23 per cent rise from the previous win­ ter season.

Spain comes in second place, followed by the Netherlands with more than 440,000 seats, show­ ing a 6 per cent increase.

tion of Alicante, Toni Perez, came togeth­ er to inaugurate this exciting addition to the community’s cultural landscape.

The new Benissa Museum promises to be a hub of history and a treasure trove of local heritage, providing residents and visitors alike with an opportunity to con­ nect with the municipality’s past.

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Mediterranean Rally

LOCAL NEWS

Star destination IMSERSO trips have now hit the market, and one destina­ tion is shining particularly bright, Benidorm.

This Spanish government­ sponsored holiday Imserso scheme for pensioners offers affordable getaways during the off­peak season, spanning from October to June, and is available to resident pension­ ers in Spain, regardless of their

nationality. In the world of Im­ serso tourism, Benidorm is tru­ ly a star destination. The hotel sector anticipates a high de­ mand for this tourist capital, with expectations that it will be among the first options to sell out on the mainland’s coast. Benidorm’s charm and appeal continue to reign supreme in this domain.

Toni Mayor, the president of

the Imserso Commission of the Hosbec Hotel Association, em­ phasised that “the Costa Blan­ ca is in high demand, but Benidorm always takes the lead. The reasons behind this preference are frequently highlighted by those who choose Benidorm for their va­ cations. They cite the vibrant atmosphere during the winter months as a significant factor.”

Image: El Bando de Relleu / Facebook

GEARING UP: The rally features 12 stages and an impressive 151 kilometres of action.

THE 29th La Nucia­Mediter­ ranean Rally, known as the ‘Trofeo Costa Blanca’, is all set to rev its engines this year.

The rally is gearing up for a thrilling journey featuring 12 stages and an impressive 151 kilometres of timed action.

Taking place from Novem­ ber 2 to 4, this event promis­ es to be a pivotal fixture in the 2023 Spanish Rally Super Championship.

As the event’s date draws near, the anticipation is mounting.

This year, the starting cere­ mony will take place in the Plaza Auditori de les Nits in La Nucía on Thursday, Novem­ ber 2, at 8.00pm.

The event is open to the public, with free admission, offering motorsport enthusi­ asts a unique opportunity to witness the excitement up close.

The ‘Trofeo Costa Blanca’ will traverse 30 municipalities tucked away in the heart of the province, spanning a total of 600 kilometres, of which

151 will be hotly contested by the rally’s finest.

The rally kicks off on Fri­ day, November 3 with a de­ parture from La Nucia and an exhilarating route that winds through Tarbena­ Rates, Vall d’Ebo­Pego, and Xalo­Bernia.

On Saturday, the action continues with the same starting point, leading pilots through the asphalt chal­ lenges of Torremanzanas­ Benifallim, Lluis Brotons­Re­ bolcat, and Tudons­Relleu.

Shop till you drop THE coastal town of Javea now has consumer vouchers up for grabs.

The councillor for the Economy, Juanlu Car­ dona, has announced that these bonuses come with a tempting total value of €150, and all it takes to seize this opportunity is a €50 payment by credit card.

Starting from November 2, these golden tick­ ets for shoppers can be obtained from the team at Tourist Info Xabia Port (located at Plaza Adolfo Suarez, 11). The doors open from 9.00am to 2.00pm, and they’re back for a sec­ ond round in the afternoon from 4.30pm to

7.30pm. On November 3, the shopping spree continues at Civic Punt del Arenal (situated at Avenida del Pla / Calle Saint Tropez), again open from 9.00am to 2.00pm and 4.30pm to 7.30pm. And for those who can’t make it on those dates, starting November 6, the Creama Xabia offices are ready to welcome eager shop­ pers from 9am to 2pm.

To grab your vouchers, you’ll need to present your DNI or NIE. Once you’ve secured your bonus, it’s time to shop till you drop, the vouchers are valid until November 30.

LOCAL NEWS

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2 - 8 November 2023

Callosa commute Image: Ayutnamiento de Alicante

Enhancing security ALICANTE City Council is on the fast track to mod­ ernising its Local Police fleet, with a substantial investment of nearly €144,000 in the purchase of 10 BMW F 750 GS medium­terrain motorcy­ cles.

These 10 motorcycles represent the initial phase of the comprehen­ sive ‘renewal plan’ for the Local Police mobile fleet, a plan backed by a total budget of €1.9 mil­ lion.

This substantial invest­ ment plan also includes the procurement of 20 vehicles equipped with screens, Ford Kuga mod­ els, and an additional four rear­loading ‘pick­ up’ trucks with trailers, tailor­made for rural ar­ eas.

In a significant move to enhance security, the city council has also given the

LOCAL POLICE: Equipped with the necessary resources.

green light for the acqui­ sition of short firearms, along with their acces­ sories, for the Local Po­ lice, amounting to €101,640.

The overhaul of the municipal security force’s equipment further ex­ tends to the purchase of 250 personal protection items, encompassing bal­ listic, cutting, and punch­ ing vests, through a sepa­

EWN 11

rate supply contract.

Julio Calero, the coun­ cillor for Security, under­ lined the paramount im­ portance of this initiative.

He stated, “It is abso­ lutely vital that our police officers and firefighters are equipped with the necessary resources to continue their outstand­ ing work in safeguarding the residents of Ali­ cante.”

COMMUTERS in Callosa d’en Sarrià have reason to rejoice as the bus service connecting their town with Benidorm and the La Villajoyosa Region­ al Hospital is getting an up­ grade.

Responding to user feed­ back and complaints regard­ ing the recent regional itinerary improvements, the General Director of Transport, Manuel Ríos, announced the addition of two more daily frequencies, one for travel to Benidorm and another for the return journey.

The enhanced service aims to cater to the needs of resi­ dents who work early hours in

32 The number of counties in Ireland.

the tourist capital and those who leave late at night.

One of the additional buses will depart from Callosa in the morning, at around 6.00am and the second bus will leave Benidorm at 10.00pm, arriving

in Callosa just after 11.00pm.

This expansion is a wel­ come development for resi­ dents, providing them with more flexible transportation options to suit their work schedules and travel needs.

12 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023 FEELING AT A LOOSE END? For members of U3A Mari­ na Baixa nothing would be fur­ ther from their minds and for those who live alone the Solo Amigos Group has so much to offer. The group have regular social gatherings where men and women can go out for lunch without feeling out of place. Jane Goode, the Group

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U3A MARINA BAIXA Leader, said she would like more men to attend ensuring a more balanced social group.

Meals are held on the second Wednesday of each month and the next meal is at the Sunrise Restaurant in Albir on Wednesday 15 November at 2.0 pm. WhatsApp 636 410

858 for further information.

The Travel Co­ordinators, Margaret and Malcolm Hamer, took a group of 38 to Alicante on Friday October 20 to see the Chinese Terracotta Warrior exhibition. On Friday November 24 a trip to Murcia, La Nueva Condomina and IKEA

is planned, numbers permit­ ting. On Saturday many mem­ bers were busy baking cakes in preparation for Alfaz Interna­ tional Event the following day.

The response from mem­ bers to help on the ‘Olde En­ glish Tea Shoppe’ stall was phenomenal, as was the dona­ tion of cakes to sell during the day. Thanks to their generosity and the support of the public just over €400 was raised.

The following day U3A’s monthly General Meeting was held at the Casa de Cultura with 70 members attending and just under €200 raised through the Charity raffle. The next meeting of U3A Marina Baixa is on Monday November 27 at the Casa de Cultura, Alfaz del Pi at 11.00am.

LOCAL NEWS

THE ORGINAL CHARITY SHOP AND LIBRARY RECENTLY the shop re­ ceived a visit from Fatima Jartor, Javea’s new council­ lor for Social Services and Equality. She was very hap­ py to accept a cheque for €1,000 and wished to thank the staff for all their hard work resulting in many do­ nations to local charities.

The money will be used to support the town hall psychological support pro­ gramme to help victims of

gender violence.

Their wedding dresses are now on display in the shop and on Facebook. Fit­ ting is by appointment only: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoon from 2pm. Please phone the shop on 966 460 803 to make your appointment. If you are planning your wed­ ding, don’t miss this brilliant opportunity to find the dress of your dreams.

Coastal gems ONCE again, Altea and Denia have proven their magnetic appeal by earning spots among the top 20 most enchanting coastal towns in Spain, as acknowledged

by British newspaper, The Telegraph.

The province of Alicante, nestled in the heart of the radiant Costa Blanca, regular­ ly finds itself featured in the selections of international media when it comes to dream­worthy destinations.

The mayor of Denia, Vicent Grimalt, couldn’t be more delighted with the recognition, stating, “It’s truly heartwarm­ ing to see our charming town acknowl­ edged from such a distant shore.”

In The Telegraph’s prestigious rankings, Altea secures a well­deserved seventh place, while Denia proudly stands at num­ ber 13.

Not to be outdone, the Valencian Com­ munity as a whole also basks in the lime­ light with the inclusion of Peniscola, which graces the far end of the picturesque coast.

The United Kingdom’s deep­seated in­ terest in this region is only natural, consid­ ering that British tourists form the largest contingent of visitors to the Valencian Community.

This August, their presence surged by a remarkable 16.2 per cent compared to the previous year, serving as a testament to the enduring allure of this corner of Spain.

However, it’s worth noting that visitor numbers have yet to reach the pre­2020 levels, making it all the more crucial to continually highlight the province’s charms to fuel this ongoing resurgence.

LOCAL NEWS

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New campaign GANDIA Local Police have launched a cap­ tivating new audiovisual campaign that peels back the layers of their daily activi­ ties.

Beyond the uniforms and badges, these dedicated officers are driven by a deep commitment to humanitarian service and assistance, and their latest video compila­ tion vividly showcases this facet of their work.

In 2022 alone, they clocked in an impres­ sive 1,853 humanitarian and aid services, offering a lifeline to their community when it’s needed most.

The force is gearing up to introduce a specialised proximity unit comprising more than eight dedicated members.

These heroes of the night will stand sen­ tinel in the town’s various neighbourhoods, ensuring safety and assistance during those twilight hours when support is needed most.

Gandia’s Local Police have not only em­ braced their roles in the streets but have al­ so made their presence felt in the digital world.

They’ve successfully established a vibrant online presence, maintaining active profiles on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and YouTube.

With a burgeoning community of over 12,000 followers, the force is not just a guardian of Gandia’s streets, but also a modern, accessible ally to its citizens.

2 - 8 November 2023

Dazzling finale

Image: ARTE.44

DAZZLING FINALE: A captivting collection of paintings and sculptures.

PREPARE to be enthralled as ARTE.44 un­ veils ‘Art for Everybody’.

This mesmerising exhibition promises to be a visual symphony, a showcase of the di­ verse works of 15 accomplished artists.

For the past two years, ‘Art for Everybody’ has not only been the defining cornerstone of ARTE.44’s identity, but it has also graced the gallery’s logo, symbolising inclusivity and the power of artistic expression.

With a rich legacy of 22 exhibitions that have explored the entire spectrum of hu­ man creativity, this final showcase marks a poignant and bittersweet chapter in the gallery’s history.

In this grand finale, ‘Art for Everybody’

stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of art.

It features a captivating collection of paint­ ings and sculptures that seamlessly bridge the realms of the past and the present.

Circle the date on your calendar: Novem­ ber 8 at 7.00pm is when ARTE.44 will inau­ gurate the exhibition.

The creative journey continues until De­ cember 16, allowing you ample time to visit the exhibition at Carrer Santissim Crist, 44, Calpe.The gallery doors will be open to you from Wednesday to Saturday, between 11.00am and 1.30pm.

Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the grand finale of ARTE.44’s artistic odyssey.

EWN 13

Ultimate embodiment BENIDORM'S mayor, Toni Perez, has proud­ ly declared that the city stands as “the ulti­ mate embodiment of sustainable tourism.”

This declaration wasn’t just a self­congrat­ ulatory gesture; it was the result of years of hard work and dedication in shaping Benidorm into a thriving eco­friendly par­ adise.

Mayor Perez shared his insights during a thought­provoking round table discussion on ‘Marketing and Communication of Envi­ ronmental Sustainability’ at the Third Tures­ paña Convention in San Sebastian.

Here, Benidorm took centre stage as a shining example for other destinations to emulate.

It had become the benchmark for what it means to truly succeed in sustainable tourism.

But, as Mayor Perez was quick to point out, this journey towards sustainability was no accident.

Instead, it was a product of necessity turned into virtue.

The unique characteristics of Benidorm’s terrain compelled the city to harness its lim­ ited natural resources with ingenious care.

Nowhere was this more evident than in the case of water management. The city had ingeniously converted its soil, territory, and liquid resources into a model of conser­ vation and sustainability.

14 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

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FEATURE

Claiming for a second-hand car problem when purchased from a professional or car dealer. Defects and breakdowns. Consumer law. Legal warranty. Expert legal advice.

IN previous articles we ex­ plained how to claim in Spain for a defective new car. This week we revisit the issue from a new perspective: What hap­ pens when the vehicle pur­ chased from a professional or

car dealer is not new, but sec­ ond­hand? We explain to you how to act and claim for a sec­ ond­hand car problem in Spain.

Legal warranty in the pur­ chase of a second­hand vehicle.

Royal Decree 1/2007 of the

General Law for the Defence of Consumers and Users regulates the legal warranty in the pur­ chase of second­hand vehicles from professionals or car deal­ ers. Used vehicles have, in prin­ ciple, a three­year warranty.

However, the law allows the professional vendor and con­ sumer to agree on a shorter term (at least one year).

Therefore, in practice, sec­ ond­hand cars are usually cov­ ered by a one­year warranty.

However, if nothing is stated in the contract, the warranty will be three years.

The car has problems: lack of conformity and burden of proof.

If the vehicle has any faults and does not function properly (either due to minor flaws or more serious issues) the profes­ sional seller or car dealer must take care of them. If the prob­ lem appears within the first 12 months (or within the first 24 months, when the warranty is of three years) the buyer is not obliged to prove that the defect is prior to the delivery. It will be

presumed that the defect al­ ready existed when the vehicle was delivered to the buyer.

However, the seller may de­ stroy this presumption, for ex­ ample, with an expert report.

Important: be careful with the wording of the purchase contract.

If the purchase contract ex­ pressly mentions the existence of any underlying fault or defect in the vehicle, it will not be pos­ sible to claim for this reason at a later date. In these cases, it is understood that the sale price agreed between the parties has considered the existence of this problem. Therefore, it is vital to check the wording of the con­ tract to see if there is any men­ tion of a pre­existing fault or de­ fect.

What can I do in case of mal­ functions? Termination of the contract, refund and price re­ duction.

The buyer may request a re­ duction in the price due to his second­hand car problem. It will also be possible to request the termination of the contract and the refund of the money paid, in certain cases: ­ When the replacement or repair is disproportionate for the professional seller or car dealer. ­ In case neither of the two has been carried out within a reasonable period of time. ­ If after opting for either of the two (replacement or repair) there is still no conformity about the problems/defects.

These options (price discount and termination of the contract) are reserved only for serious de­ fects, and not for minor prob­ lems.

Right of withdrawal.

Carlos Baos (Lawyer) - White&Baos - Tel: +34 966 426 185 info@white-baos.com White & Baos 2023 All Rights Reserved.

If the purchase of the vehicle has been made ‘remotely’ (eg through a website, telephone, door­to­door salesperson, etc) the consumer has the right to withdraw from the purchase.

The deadline is 14 working days and there is no need to provide any reason for the withdrawal.

In addition, if the professional seller or car dealer does not in­ form the consumer of this right in writing, the withdrawal peri­ od is increased from 14 days to 12 months.

Conclusion.

At White Baos Abogados we are experts in consumer law, and in claims related to the pur­ chase of vehicles. You can claim for your second­hand car prob­ lem bought from a professional seller or car dealer. Do not hesi­ tate to contact us. We will study your case and offer you expert legal advice on how you should proceed.

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

16 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

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NEWS

World’s largest Lego pumpkin Catherine McGeer JUST in time for Halloween, LEGOLAND® in Billund, Den­ mark broke the world record for the largest LEGO® pump­ kin ever built. The pumpkin stands an impressive eight feet tall and five feet wide

and is made up of over 100,000 LEGO® bricks.

The pumpkin was created by a team of LEGOLAND® builders over the course of three weeks. It is one of over 12,000 Halloween figures that have been placed around the theme park in cel­ ebration of the spooky sea­ son. Visitors to LEGOLAND® are invited to create their own LEGO® pumpkins, which will be displayed on the pumpkin field until Novem­ ber 5. The park hopes that the pumpkin field will be­ come the world’s largest ev­ er, with pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colours.

In addition to the pumpkin field, LEGOLAND® is offering a variety of other Halloween­ themed activities for visitors of all ages. The brand new monster show V.I.M. Dance Party takes place every day in

Image: legoland.dk

®

The theme park opened in 1968 in Billund the town where LEGO® was created.

the Knights Kingdom, where guests can learn to dance like real monsters from LEGOLAND® characters Lord Vampyre and Wolfguy.

The Castle of Knights King­ dom has also been trans­ formed into the Monsters’ Ball, where guests can dance with scary Halloween crea­ tures and monsters. This at­ traction is recommended for

Anna Ellis SAY goodbye to the traditional green man and red hand signals at pedestrian crossings in Berlin, as the city embarks on a journey to­ wards a more innovative and supposedly safer way to help pedestrians cross the road.

Don’t worry, the iconic Ampelmann, that friendly little traffic light figure, isn’t going any­ where, well, at least not entirely.

Instead, Berlin is introducing a new count­ down traffic light system. But, as it turns out, this new system has left many residents and visitors scratching their heads in confusion.

Starting in 2024, pedestrians will witness a novel way to cross the road.

First, a green light will briefly illuminate, sig­ nalling their turn to step off the curb.

children aged five and up. Fi­ nally, LEGOLAND® is hosting the Brick or Treat route, where guests can trick­or­ treat from the park’s mon­ sters.

The theme park opened in 1968 in Billund the town where LEGO® was created in 1932, and it is the third most visited attraction in Den­ mark.

How baffling But here’s where it gets intriguing: following the green light, pedestrians will see a stack of five white bars.

The magic happens as these bars gradually diminish, resembling a countdown timer.

The fewer bars left, the less time pedestrians have to cross safely.

Eventually, the last bar will disappear, and red will replace the green, signalling the return of traffic. Berlin’s attempt to improve pedestri­ an safety with this new countdown system is a noble endeavour.

However, it has left many confused and even baffled.

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THINGS have changed dramat­ ically since the communist days of Czechoslovakia and membership of the European Union appears to have helped the Czech Republic.

A popular influencer, actor and TV presenter Kamil Bar­ tosek got hold of $1 million in $1 bills (around €920,000) and placed them all into a locked container saying that anyone who watched his latest movie One Man Show and could de­ cipher a clue to the combina­ tion on the lock could have the money.

Although more than 290,000 people reportedly viewed the film so there was

2 - 8 November 2023

EWN 17

$1 Million drop no winner and he then had to think about how to distribute the money.

There was a suggestion that it should go to charity but this wasn’t really as media friendly as he wanted although he ar­ ranged for each bank note to have a QR code stuck on it with details of worthy chari­ ties.

So, what he did was contact 100,000 followers and give them a clue of where to be at a certain time and a certain day

Anna Ellis IT’S good news for the tourism industry in France! According to GlobalData, France is anticipated to witness a significant an­ nual increase in international arrivals, projected to grow at a rate of 12.1 per cent between 2022 and 2025.

This projection indicates that by 2025, France is expected to attract an estimat­ ed 93.7 million international travellers an­ nually, solidifying its position as the world’s foremost tourist destination.

France’s popularity extends beyond Europe, with travellers from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium, as well

where they could be in a for a great bit of good luck and re­ portedly 4,000 people turned up at the appointed spot (as well as police and paramedics).

There was much anticipa­ tion as the time drew nearer and then those who were pre­ sent heard the sound of a heli­ copter in the distance which eventually came into view car­ rying the container under­ neath.

At the given time, over a field in the town of Lis, a trap

door opened in the container and the million dollars flut­ tered down to the ground with people using shopping bags and even opened umbrellas to collect the cash.

In the event, Kamil Bartosek received worldwide coverage, 4,000 people got some extra money and his film became one of the most watched of its kind in the Czech Republic.

There were no reports of anyone being injured in the rush.

Tourism increase as from distant locations such as China and the United States, all contributing to its appeal.

Hannah Free, a travel and tourism ana­ lyst at GlobalData, affirmed this trend, stating that “Spain closely follows France, with 71.66 million international tourists, followed by Turkey with 50.45 million, and Italy with 49.81 million inbound in­ ternational tourists in 2022.”

France and Spain consistently maintain

their status as top travel destinations and serve as prominent leaders in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI).

The TTDI assesses various factors that contribute to the long­term success and adaptability of the global travel and tourism sector.

Europe continues to be the world’s leading destination for international in­ bound tourist arrivals both before and af­ ter the health crisis.

Credit: https://onemanshow.cz

NEWS

KAMIL BARTOSEK: A popular influencer and actor.

18 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

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NEWS

IT’S that spooky time of year when all sorts of weird and wonderful things occur, the latest, a zombie fish is back from the dead.

However, the story might be more ‘hooray’ than hor­ ror, as the return of the species could indicate an im­ provement in water quality and environment.

An adult houting, which is a salmon­like fish, has been spotted in the Scheldt in Kruibeke, East Flanders. The sighting occurred on Tues­ day, October 24, and came as surprising news, as the species had been considered extinct in the region for quite some time.

The last sighting of a hout­ ing was reported around 10 years ago, and previous to that it had been around 100 years since the species had last been seen.

The houting fish inhabit the North Sea and travel in­ land into the Scheldt with the tide. This hopeful detec­ tion indicates that it may once again have found a suit­ able habitat in Belgium.

Credit: Freshwater and Marine Image Bank

Extinct fish back from the dead!

THE HOUTING FISH: Inhibit the North Sea and travel inland.

The fact that houting has once again been seen swim­ ming around in the Scheldt, shows that water quality must have greatly improved in recent years.

Jeroen Van Wichelen of the Institute for Nature and Forest Research stated that “Twenty years ago, it was a dead area, the water quality has improved dramatically.

You also notice that by the return of other fish species.”

He went on to say that he “hopes there will be more sightings in the future.”

The houting that was seen on Tuesday was caught after being reported and then re­

leased back into the water after the necessary tests were carried out. Experts and locals alike now wait hopefully for more of the species to return.

What a FINtastic tail!

95,000 The number of lakes to be found in Sweden.

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MANY travellers have experi­ enced the bitter disappoint­ ment of a bout of bad weath­ er during a long awaited summer sunshine break.

New bikinis have been bought, the suitcases are full of copious amounts of factor 50, Dad’s even got his Ray­ bans out for the occasion.

However, disaster strikes, and it rains cats and dogs for two weeks. There’s at least three arguments a day and you vow never to play Rummy again as long as you live.

BUT, imagine if during this time you were given a wad of cash to go and have fun with to make up for your sorrows?

Well, that’s exactly what trav­ el company TUI Sweden have introduced with their new product. Rain on your holiday ­ here’s your money back! It sounds too good to be true, but this outstanding offer is al­ ready available to the public.

They have called it their ‘weather guarantee’ and aimed it at those who are worried about rain and bad weather affecting their travel experience. The new product promises financial compensa­ tion in the event of a down­

2 - 8 November 2023

Refunds for rain!

Credit: Pinterest

NEWS

HOLIDAY RAIN: Now you can get your money back.

pour and is already available for customers to purchase, came into effect in October 2023.

The cost varies depending on the weather forecast at the destination, and the amount of compensation re­ ceived is calculated based on the total cost of the holiday.

Compensation will be paid to the customer on the same day that the rain occurs.

Tommy Serban, Commer­ cial Director of TUI Nordic ex­

plained that, “we can’t influ­ ence the weather at our desti­ nations, but with this weather guarantee, our customers can have a fun holiday even if it rains,” he went on to empha­ sise that since compensation is paid instantly, travellers have the opportunity to spend the money on other ac­ tivities, such as visiting muse­ ums or going shopping.

It seems that on this surreal deal, come rain or shine, you really can’t lose!

EWN 19

20 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

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World’s best cheese Credit: Gangstad Gårdsysteri Facebook

IMAGINE a competition that is so popular it attracted 4,502 entrants from 43 different na­ tions and even had its own exclusive TV station!

From October 26 to 28 cheese lovers descended on the city of Trondheim in Nor­ way to nibble a sample or two and to see some of the big cheeses in this dairy world slug it out to become the best cheese in the world in the competitions 35th year.

No less than 265 expert judges were called in with the clear instruction to whittle the number of competitors down to the final 16.

A bit like Crufts dog show, there were winners in many classes and their were side events like youngsters identi­ fying cheese from its smell but the main excitement was to

NEWS

Proudly showing off the Best Cheese trophy.

see who would be chosen the cheese amongst cheeses and walk off with the splendid tro­ phy.

For all those who had brought their cheeses by air, sea and overland there was to be an element of disappoint­ ment as the eventual winners

Gangstadt Gårdsysteri were a Norwegian dairy situated not very far away from Trond­ heim itself.

On receiving the news, gen­ eral manager Maren Gangstadt, exclaimed “Not in our wildest imagination could we have predicted this! Nidel­

ven Blue is the best cheese in the world! Out of 4,502 cheeses topping this year’s World Cheese Awards!!

“We are touched, happy, overwhelmed, and yet it has­ n’t completely sunk in but are so happy that the whole gang gathered in Trondheim to ex­ perience this!”

Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, visitors had a huge amount to keep them occu­ pied over the three days, with talks, demonstrations of cheese making, dairy visits and of course plenty of op­ tions to enjoy a number of gourmet quality dishes featur­ ing cheese as the main con­ stituent.

Low discrimination in Poland PEOPLE of African descent are the least likely to experience discrimination in Poland among 13 member states in­ cluded in a new study by the European Union’s Fundamen­ tal Rights Agency (FRA).

The agency surveyed thou­ sands of people of African de­ scent for its Being Black in the EU report. It found that in Poland, 21 per c ent of respon­ dents said they had experi­ enced discrimination in the last five years, which was the lowest among all countries.

The next smallest figures were in Portugal and Sweden (both 27%). The highest pro­ portions reporting discrimina­ tion were found in Germany (77%), Austria (76%) and Fin­

Photo: Shutterstock

Police were respectful.

land (66%).

Poland also had one of the highest levels of awareness among respondents of at least one equality agency

working in the country. Its fig­ ure of 64% was behind only Denmark (67%).

Meanwhile, among people of African descent in Poland who had been stopped by po­ lice, 81 per cent said that offi­ cers had been “very” or “fairly respectful”. That was the highest figure among all 13 countries included in the sur­ vey. Only 1 per cent said the police had been disrespectful.

In recent years, Poland has experienced the highest levels of immigration in its history and among the highest any­ where in Europe. For the last six years running it has issued more residence permits to im­ migrants from outside the EU than any other member state.

NEWS

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2 - 8 November 2023

EWN 21

Catherine McGeer IN one of the world’s most beautiful villages Geiranger in Norway, a silent threat looms large. Åkernes Mountain, a towering mass of rock that rises above the fjord, is slowly but surely sliding into the water.

If it collapses, it could un­ leash a tsunami of un­ precedented proportions, devastating the village and surrounding communities.

In 1983, a local resident rediscovered the long crack in the mountainside that had been widening for generations. Since then, the crack has continued to grow at an alarming rate, up to 15 centimetres per year.

Today, Åkernes Moun­ tain is one of the most monitored mountains in the world. A network of sensors and webcams tracks every movement, and scientists are constant­ ly developing new ways to predict when a collapse

11th Belgium is 11th most populated country in Europe.

might occur. In the event of a collapse, Norway has a sophisticated early warn­ ing system in place. If sen­ sors detect even the slight­ est movement, sirens will blare and residents will have just minutes to evac­ uate to safety.

But even the best early warning system can only do so much. If Åkernes Mountain collapses, the re­ sulting tsunami will be dev­ astating. Scientists esti­ mate that a wave of up to 80 metres high could hit Geiranger, wiping out the village and causing widespread damage throughout the region.

The Norwegian govern­ ment is taking steps to mit­ igate the risk of a catas­ trophic tsunami. One option is to stabilise the mountainside by drilling drainage holes to remove water that is putting pres­ sure on the rock. However, this is a complex and ex­ pensive undertaking, and there is no guarantee that it will be successful.

Climate change is exacer­ bating the risk of rockfall­ induced tsunamis around the world. As the planet warms, glaciers and ice sheets are melting, releas­ ing water that is seeping into rock formations and

making them more unsta­ ble. This is adding more water to the system, which is putting even more pres­ sure on Åkernes Mountain.

Some might wonder why locals continue to live in this town. Would you stay?

Image: Shutterstock/ Andrei Armiagov

Vigil to prevent tsunami disaster ÅKERNES MOUNTAIN, NORWAY: A ticking time bomb.

22 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

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NEWS

Villa rental company to close IF you live in the UK and are thinking of booking a villa holi­ day in Spain, then you now have one less choice.

On October 30, James Villas placed the following an­ nouncement on their website: “James Villas is no longer taking new bookings, and will be closing down by the end of the year. All existing James Vil­ las customers are being con­ tacted this week about their bookings.

“Customers with bookings that return on or before 30th November 2023 will be unaf­ fected by the closure and their bookings will go ahead as planned.

“Bookings returning on or after 1st December 2023 will be cancelled. Customers with bookings due to commence on or after this date will be giv­ en a full refund, unless the property they have booked is also operated by a sister com­ pany, in which case the book­ ing will be transferred, and new details will be provided ASAP. For any enquiries, please contact customersup port@jamesvillas.co.uk

James Villas are to cease trading.

“The entire James Villas team would like to thank each and every customer that has ever booked with us, it has been a pleasure being part of your holiday experiences for so many years.

“For new customers looking at future holiday options, we recommend NOVASOL, our sister company featuring prop­ erties all across Europe.”

There is no suggestion that the company, a subsidiary of Awaze which manages such companies as Hoseasons is in significant financial difficulty but it appears that with a rela­ tively small turnover com­ pared to the rest of the group and despite significant UK TV

advertising, the parent wants to concentrate on more prof­ itable business.

There are reportedly around 40 staff likely to be affected by the closure as well as several hundred property owners who will have to find other av­ enues to rent their properties.

25,000 The number of snails consumed each year in France.

24 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

Is snoozing bad? like to believe we are certainly not a ‘snoozepaper’ and en­ deavour to highlight matters of interest both locally and across Europe and the legitimacy of those extra few ‘40 winks’ will appeal to many readers.

Many of us find it difficult to get moving when the alarm goes off and according to the research, if you need the sleep then you shouldn’t be scared to hit the snooze button as you will be more alert when you

do get up.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, younger people claimed they needed that extra bit of sleep because they stayed up later often partying and they either just felt too tired to rise with the lark or, especially when no work was involved, they want­ ed to enjoy the luxury of snug­ gling under a warm duvet and simply lazing a bit longer.

The researchers wanted to test the theory of ‘you snooze you lose’ and persuaded 31 subjects to act as guinea pigs whilst their sleeping habits were studied and they were first allowed to sleep uninter­ rupted and then asked to

NEWS Credit: Joel Y flickr

SLEEP is such an important part of the human condition that research into how and why it works is ongoing.

The University of Stockholm has quite a large sleep re­ search unit and Associate Pro­ fessor Tina Sundelin has just released a paper based on the response of 1,732 people on the matter of snoozing.

We at Euro Weekly News

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SLEEP RESEARCH: Snoozing can be good for you.

wake up half an hour earlier and use the snooze button.

Speaking to APF, Professor Sundelin explained “What was interesting is that they got less sleep when snoozing, but the difference was on average on­ ly six minutes.”

No clinical trial could be com­ plete without some cognitive tests and the subjects were

quizzed on maths and memory but regardless of their broken or unbroken sleep patterns, there was little difference be­ tween the results.

The Professor summed up the results, “If you’re snoozing and feel it’s helping you, it seems there isn’t much reason to stop doing it, as long you are getting enough sleep before.”

The oldest student in the world NINETY­ONE­YEAR­OLD Leonardo Altobelli is graduating for the 15th time: “It will be the last one, I am the oldest student in the world, but I am stopping now,” he said.

This time it’s a degree in criminology and it is the 15th time the elderly man from Puglia will graduate. After degrees in medicine and surgery, law, political sci­ ence, literature, philosophy, pedagogy, agronomy, food science and technology, tourism science, history, biotechnology and archaeology, comes a degree in investiga­ tive science. And that’s not all: in his uni­ versity curriculum he also boasts seven diplomas in social medicine, sports medicine, health law and general medical

tutoring. A Guinness record for the oldest student in the world.

Originally from Troia, a town of 6,000 in the province of Foggia, Puglia in Italy where Leonardo served as mayor in 1984, and where he was a GP until his retirement at the age of 70. A very long career, during which he enriched his studies.

“I would like to leave to future memories of what I did and why I did it,” the man said, adding, “I will dedicate myself to writ­ ing, I tell young people to love everything they do, to embrace their work and to do it with a smile. I have always been passion­ ate about studying. That is why I call myself a student of the world'.

SOCIAL SCENE

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Centre Stage LOCAL artist Roger B is all set to take ‘Centre Stage’ with a captivating evening of well­loved songs from the musicals.

On Tuesday, November 14, at 6.30pm, the Ermita Sant Josep, nestled on the CV 745 near the Moraira to Calpe coast road, will come alive with melodies that will touch your soul.

All the proceeds from this concert will be dedicated to supporting the incredi­ ble work of the Anglican Chaplaincy and the numerous charities they champion.

The Anglican Chaplaincy plays a vital role in the community, offering solace, guidance, and hope to those who need it most.

The evening promises to be nothing short of magical, featuring unforget­ table tunes that have graced the stages of countless musicals. From timeless classics to contemporary hits, Roger B’s renditions will transport you to the heart of Broadway.

Tickets are priced at just €12.

You can either secure your spot in ad­ vance by emailing x19x02x98x@ya hoo.co.uk or simply purchase your tick­ ets at the door.

For those in need of more details or information about this musical extrava­ ganza, reach out to Eileen at 607 706 904.

2 - 8 November 2023

Crafts ‘n Food IMAGINE a leisurely stroll along a seaside promenade, where the gentle sea breeze plays with your hair, and your eyes are treated to panoramic views of the bustling port and the ma­ jestic, craggy mountains that cradle this coastal gem.

Now, add to this de­ lightful scene a tantalising array of seafood ‘tapas’ that promise to tickle your taste buds, and a charming Arts & Crafts Fair that beckons the creative spirit within you.

If this sounds like a perfect combi­ nation to you, mark your calendar for the weekend of November 3, 4, and 5 when the local shopkeepers’ association hosts the 10th edition of ‘Mar de Tapas’ alongside the Amata Fair.

The fair kicks off on Friday, November 3, welcoming visitors from 7.00pm to 10.00pm. On 4 and 5 November, the fair opens its doors at 11.00am and keeps the magic alive until 10.00pm, though it closes slightly earlier on Sunday.

Image: Amata Association

The perfect combination.

In case of any changes to the schedule due to weather conditions or other reasons, updates will be posted on their Facebook page: feria artesaniajavea.

To locate the fair, simply make your way to the seaside boulevard in the Port of Javea. You can also pinpoint it on Google Maps by en­ tering ‘Javea Craft Fair’ in the search bar.

For additional information, visit www.puebloartesano.es/javea.

EWN 25

Completely different THERE is a new Chamber Choir in town.

The 152.8 Chamber Choir are performing their de­ but solo concert, Pastime with Good Company, at The DAR Centre, Ctra. de Jesus Pobre, 196, 03737 in Javea on Wednesday, November 8 at 7.30pm.

The choir will be performing unaccompanied music from a wide variety of composers from the 16th to the 20th century.

Composers include Byrd, Stanford, Bruckner and The English King Henry VIII. Choir founder and Musical Director, John Oliver Ed­ wards said: “We have been working hard over the past few months to put together a varied pro­ gramme of pieces and are very pleased to be able to perform them now in public.”

The choir is made up of 15 voices many of whom sing in other groups in the area.

For most, this type of music is a new and challeng­ ing experience but all have worked hard to reach a high standard very quickly.

If you are curious about why the group is called 152.8, why not head along and find out!

Tickets for the concert are €10 and can be bought online from pastime.152music.com or on the door on the night of the event.

26 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

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SOCIAL SCENE

Bruised not Broken

JOIN the fun on Saturday, November 25, for an evening of music and support at The Garden Room in El Campello, hosted by the Bruised not

Broken Cancer Charity. Grab your dancing shoes and enjoy the sounds of The Cap Band.

Tickets are available for just €10 at The Garden Room or the charity shop in El Campel­ lo and food and drinks will be available for purchase throughout the night.

Bruised not Broken is a can­ cer support charity with a heartfelt mission.

Established in 2011 by Lor­

raine Massie, this organisa­ tion stands as a tribute to the life and courage of her daugh­ ter, Rebecca Isaacs, who bravely fought cancer for four years before passing away in 2010.

Bruised not Broken pro­ vides emotional, practical, and financial support to fami­ lies facing the challenges of this devastating disease.

The charity believes in mak­

ing a direct impact by assisting those in need, rather than contributing to cancer re­ search.

You can visit the charity shop in El Campello at Calle San Bartolome, 55, where, you'll discover a diverse range of both new and second­hand goods.

The shop is open from Monday to Saturday, 10.30am until 2.00pm.

Flamenco fun THE time has come once again to immerse yourself in the mesmerising world of Fla­ menco!

The Lions Club Alfaz del Pi Marina Baixa proudly presents its annual Flamenco show, and this year, it promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with passion and artistry. Juan Carlos Avecilla, from the Compania de Danza, a remarkable talent hailing from Madrid, is gracing the Casa de Cultura with his presence for this spe­ cial occasion.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 18, at 8.30pm.

It’s an event you won’t want to miss.

The stage is set, the excitement is build­ ing, and the anticipation is electrifying.

Tickets are available at the Casa de Cul­ tura or Fresno Reizen in Albir.

Additionally, you can also secure your tickets via email at lionsclubalfaz delpi@hotmail.com.

Act quickly, because these tickets are al­ ready flying off the shelves!

SOCIAL SCENE

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2 - 8 November 2023

EWN 27

Piano triumph for Denia

THE Denia International Piano Festival has consistently stood as a glittering stage, where the world’s most virtuoso pi­ anists and musicians come to­ gether to illuminate the night with their musical prowess.

But this year, they’re raising the bar as Swiss pianist ex­ traordinaire, Gaia Federica Ca­ poriccio, is set to grace the fes­ tival.

Gaia Federica Caporiccio needs no introduction. Her name resonates across conti­ nents, her piano virtuosity weaving a spell that leaves audiences across the globe mesmerised.

Gaia’s mastery of the piano places her among the elite, the most distinguished musi­ cians of our time.

The Denia International Pi­ ano Festival is already renowned for its commit­ ment to musical excellence.

Still, with Gaia Federica Ca­ poriccio gracing the stage, this year’s festival promises an un­ forgettable experience for classical music enthusiasts.

Mark your calendars for November 15, as this musical extravaganza unfolds at De­ nia’s Casa de Cultura, Pl. Jaume I, s/n.

It’s part of the Rome­Paris Express series, a journey that

transcends borders, a ren­ dezvous with melodies that speak a universal language.

Tickets for Gaia Federica Ca­ poriccio’s performance can be yours for €15, secure your spot by visiting www.notiku

mi.com, or grab them at the box office two hours before the event.

Should you have any ques­ tions or require assistance, you can reach out to the or­ ganisers on (+34) 965 783 656.

Image: Gaia Federica Caporiccio. / Facebook

PIANO FESTIVAL: Tickets are available now .

28 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

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NEWSDESK

NEWS ACROSS THE REGIONS FROM THE PEOPLE'S PAPER

THE City of Alicante is set to launch its most extensive pro­ motional campaign to date in the UK. The campaign aims to solidify and boost the British market’s growth. It will coin­ cide with the World Travel Market in London from November 6 to 8.

The campaign, titled ‘Ali­ cante City, where summer never ends,’ aims to strength­ en their primary source mar­ ket to attract more ‘city break’ and vacation tourists, capitalising on Alicante's ex­ cellent air connectivity during the autumn and winter sea­ sons.

The campaign features a total of 175 city buses adorned with Alicante’s im­ agery and campaign slogan that will circulate in three British cities from November 6 to December 3. Specifically, 50 buses will roam London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, with 25 more in Bristol.

Additionally, 123 digital dis­ plays will be visible in central London, and central Manch­ ester. An ad will be published for two months in British Air­ ways’ ‘High Life’ magazine.

KEEPING ONE SAFE

AXARQUIA

MARRY ME?

Photo:ciedi: Malaga Provincial Council

ALICANTE’S UK SPOTLIGHT

COSTA DEL SOL

CARDIO SAFE: Seven defibrillators have now been put into place.

EL CAMINITO DEL REY, with seven defibrillators along its route, is the first path in Spain to be accredited as a cardio­safe area. This makes it the first footpath in Spain and one of the first in Europe to be awarded this distinction.

The Vice­president for Infrastruc­ tures and Sustainable Territory, Cristóbal Ortega, took part in an ac­ creditation ceremony and explained that the route of the Caminito has been cardio­protected by the imple­ mentation of seven points equipped with a worker with a semi­automatic external defibrillator.

The seven defibrillators have been placed on the paths, the ticket

COSTA CALIDA

Photo:ciedi: Wikimedia CC

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

The Caminito del Rey.

offices in the access area and in the campsite and visitor centre. These defibrillators, which are connected to the emergency services, have been installed strategically so that they can be accessed from any point along the path in less than

four minutes.

Cristóbal Ortega added that, “the initiative is not only limited to the path, but also aims to involve the main establishments around the path, restaurants, hotels, campsites and car parks so that they can also obtain the accreditation of cardio­ safe areas by the Andalucian Health Service.”

In total, when this initiative is completed, there will be eight car­ dio­safe zones, 15 defibrillators and more than 100 workers trained in the use of the equipment and in first aid. Malaga is the province with the highest number of cardio­ safe zones in Andalucia.

COSTA ALMERIA

LORCA’S TRADITIONS DREAMS DO COME TRUE LORCA celebrated the 10th Encuentro Nacional de Jóvenes de Hermandades y Cofradías (JOHC). This event brings together young members of religious brotherhoods and fraternities. They engaged in biblical pageantry, with impressive horses and car­ riages, reenacting the city's unique traditions. All the brother­ hoods took on a pilgrimage from their respective churches to La Bordadora Square, converging to complete the final leg togeth­ er. The Paso Blanco, organisers of JOHC, led the largest proces­ sion, featuring various banners, bearers, and a musical group.

The closing of the event included a concert of religious music, the announcement of the host city for next year, and the trans­ fer of the Virgin of Las Huertas to her sanctuary. Throughout the event, the brotherhoods organised impressive exhibitions, spe­ cial events, and guided tours to introduce young people to their traditions. Thousands of people travelled from all over Spain for this special event.

YES, apparently they do, and after almost four years, that is 1,441 days, the dream of living in a caring and loving home final­ ly came true for Jamie.

In 2019, a distressed Pitbull was left tied to the PAWS­PATAS shelter gate in Los Gallardos. Frightened, hungry, thin and with terrible wounds, the poor pup, who was around five years old, was named Jamie by one of the volunteersUnfortunately, he was suffering from an incurable disease that needed lifelong medication, shelter manager Vanessa Maipauw knew this would make him harder to adopt.

Luckily, in August 2021, he was adopted by an English couple, but sadly, due to Brexit, he was returned and this resulted in an­ other stressful episode in this poor animal’s life.

Then, a miracle occurred when a Dutch couple contacted Vanessa, stipulating that they were keen to rescue an elderly dog. Finally, at nearly nine years old, Jamie had found his forever family, complete with adorable parents.

IN Nerja it seems that love knows no boundaries, and it’s evident in the growing trend of international weddings.

Almost half of the weddings held in Nerja are united in mat­ rimony by foreign citizens, making it one of the most sought­after wedding destina­ tions in the province.

Nerja proudly claims the third spot on the list of popular wedding locales, following in the footsteps of Marbella and Benalmadena.

Ana Maria Muñoz, council­ lor for Tourism, said the love that foreign couples have for Nerja is evident in the increas­ ing number of ceremonies held in this idyllic setting.

Data from the Nerja Civil Registry reveals that from Jan­ uary until now, a total of 91 weddings have taken place, encompassing both religious and civil ceremonies.

Among these unions, 51 couples have been of Spanish nationality, while 40 couples have been from abroad.

When it comes to foreign weddings, Irish Catholic cou­ ples take the lead, with a re­ markable 21 ceremonies.

These romantic events of­ ten unfold in the churches of El Salvador and Las Maravillas de Maro.

MALLORCA

ENJOY SOUL NIGHT

LA RIERA PARK will come alive on Saturday, November 4 with the seventh edition of the Night of the Souls. Organised by the Northern District, the Council for Citizen Participation and Coor­ dination of Districts, and various local entities, this event aims to promote and revive Mallorca’s All Saints traditions. The festivity kicks off at 4.30pm with the xeremiers gangs touring the park, followed by a children’s show by Cucorba at 5.00pm. Roada will entertain the crowd at 6.45pm, culminating in a grand Correfoc fire and smoke display at 8.30pm featuring over 100 demons and 50 musicians in the park’s amphitheatre. Concurrently, the sensory park esplanade will host lantern, storytelling, sugared rosary, face painting, and puppet workshops. Victor Uwagba will narrate stories from 5.00pm ­ 7.00pm. Dramatised guided tours of the cemetery will run from 4pm to 8pm. Booking is essential via Eventbrite. With a budget surpassing €11,000, this year promises to be memorable.

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NEWS

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2 - 8 November 2023

EWN 29

ON the coast of the North Sea lies a picturesque village named Wijk aan Zee. This vil­ lage declared itself ‘Cultural Village of Europe’ in 1999, recognising the special na­ ture of village life in general, as well as the beauty and his­ tory of the area.

However, all is not perfect in paradise, as a ‘strange humming sound’ currently plagues Wijk aan Zee, keep­ ing residents up at night and leaving local experts scratch­ ing their heads.

For months, the local envi­ ronmental department has stated that they have been repeatedly receiving reports of noise pollution from the area.

One resident told a region­ al broadcaster, “if I’m sitting downstairs and I don’t have the TV on, I hear it, but then if I’m sleeping upstairs, I hear it too.” He went on to state that, “during the day you are busy with things and you don’t pay much attention to it. But when you are alone at

Credit: Wikipedia

art duo causes The mysterious murmur Unlikely chaos in Amsterdam

PICTURESQUE: View of the plagued village.

home, you just hear that buzzing.”

The local environment de­ partment explained that they have conducted three nighttime noise measure­ ments since January, with the most recent one being in September.

“No exceedances were de­ tected, and we were also un­ able to determine the cause of the nuisance experi­ enced,” they stated.

‘The Hum’ is a name often given to an infamous world­ wide phenomenon, in which a persistent and invasive low­frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise is audible to many, but not all people. ‘The Hum’ has been reported in many countries around the globe, and now it seems that Wijk aan Zee is the latest place to suffer its perplexing pulse.

Many discussions on social

media have arisen, debating the origin of the sound, with some proposing that it may be a local transformer sta­ tion ­ whilst others argued a more otherworldly explana­ tion ­ that it comes from a nearby alien spacecraft!

Experts have assured resi­ dents that they will remain attentive to the issue, but for now, locals are left to wait and wonder, and hopefully not be abducted by aliens!

AMSTERDAM’S Van Gogh Museum has presented a new exhibition ­ Pokémon­ Van Gogh style!

However, the Pokemon X Van Gogh collection has al­ ready created chaos at the museum, as this unexpected union has resulted in fans going wild for the merchandise!

Perhaps it has bitten off more than it can ‘PikaCHEW’ with this one?

The exhibition was created to celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary and recognise the link between Van Gogh and Japanese art, as it is well known that Japanese prints were a significant source of inspiration for him. The collection contains paintings of beloved classic Pokémon that are painted in Van Gogh’s unmistakable style.

Alongside this, the museum set up a game called ‘The Pokémon Adventure’, a scavenger hunt where visitors col­ lected clues along the way, from the modern artworks and Van Gogh’s classic masterpieces. Upon completion, a limited edition promo card was received. That is, until the cards were exhausted entirely, along with all other Poké­ mon­themed merchandise, on the very same day of the exhibition’s opening. Footage seen on social media shows the frantic frenzy in the gift shop as people lined up to get the cards and pushy resellers ran rampant outside.

On the museum’s official website they state that, ‘re­ cently, a small group of individuals has created an undesir­ able situation that has led us to take the difficult decision to remove the Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat promo card from the museum. In this way, visitors will be able to ex­ perience this special collection in a safe and enjoyable manner’.

The ‘Pokemon adventure’ is still open to the public until January 7, 2024.

30 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

DENMARK No-go zones DENMARK faces controversy over its decision to dismantle 'non-Western' neighbourhoods.

Focusing on 15 ‘hard ghettos,' where over 50 per cent of residents are non-Western.

This move sparks discussions on integration, cultural preservation, and its impact on immigrant communities in Denmark.

Green flights NORWEGIAN is charting a sustainable course as it purchases 140 metric tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce carbon emissions on Denmark's busiest route between Aalborg and Copenhagen.

Over the next two weeks, this eco-friendly fuel will power the equivalent of 100 flights on the short 45-minute non-stop service.

NORWAY

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EURO PRESS THE NETHERLANDS

Credit: Robert Knapp Wikipedia

Don’t doubt A SURVEY from 2023 has shown that more than one in four Dutch people claim to believe in extraterrestrial life, whilst one in 10 claim to have actually seen a UFO. Furthermore, nearly 70 per cent believe we currently lack the right technology to establish contact with extraterrestrial beings.The results came from the survey by ‘easy park’ which polled 1,000 Dutch citizens.

Night in Netherlands THE environmental association ‘Natuur en Milieufederaties’ drew attention to light pollution

GERMANY

Night sky. during the night from Saturday October 28 to Sunday October 29. During the annual ‘Night of the Night’ event, activities were held throughout the Netherlands in the dark, and companies and municipalities turned off all lighting. The association stated that “darkness is rare these days, which disrupts biorhythms, we are trying to bring awareness to this.”

FRANCE

EUROPEAN PRESS

IRELAND Fundraiser launched A WOMAN, who was employed by Israeli company Wix at their Dublin office, has been sacked following her comments on social media where she referred to Israel as a ‘terrorist state.’ A GoFundMe was started to help her. Wix's president commented: “We would never try to limit anyone’s political views, we do however also hold a strong set of internal values about our team spirit, partnership and friendship.”

Drivers wanted BUS EIREANN, the Irish transport provider, is actively hiring drivers at an impressive weekly rate of €753.24. Based in Broadstone, successful candidates need a category D licence and must display strong customer service skills, full training will be provided. The hiring process, inclusive of perks including free parking and a subsidised canteen, continues until December 31.

PORTUGAL

Megxit

Munich's schedule

Peace Forum

Electric ferry

PRINCESS Martha Louise of Norway, daughter of King Harald, made headlines with her 'Megxit' announcement, stepping back from royal duties to be with her self-proclaimed 'shaman' fiancé.

Recently, the royal took an unconventional path by starring in a reality TV show. The 52-year-old also identifies as 'spiritual' and a clairvoyant.

NOW the clocks have changed, Munich Airport is gearing up for a new and exciting winter flight schedule that promises travellers a choice of 172 destinations. From Sunday, October 29 to Saturday, March 30, 2024, this winter schedule boasts a diverse array of options, including 43 long-haul destinations, 116 medium-haul journeys, and connections to 13 German cities.

THE Peace Forum is set to grace Paris on November 10 and 11. This event promises to unite the world's foremost figures in global governance, individuals and organisations dedicated to forging effective, united solutions to tackle the complex challenges. This will be an opportunity for superpowers to compare their vision for the world and the future of global governance.

PORTUGAL’S first-ever 100 per cent electric ferry, which will connect São Jacinto and Forte da Barra, in Aveiro, will come into operation in December. A christening ceremony for the vessel with €7.3 million of investment was held at the Navaltagus shipyard, in Seixal. “The Salicórnia is the first electric ferry manufactured in Portugal and by a Portuguese company,” said Ribau Esteves, the mayor of Aveiro.

UEFA interest

Ticking clock

TAP airline

FANS worldwide are setting their sights on Germany with over 20 million ticket requests for UEFA EURO 2024. The next chance to apply will be after the final draw on December 2. Fans from host country Germany are eager to be part of the tournament as they make up 65 per cent of the ticket applications, followed by England, France, Spain, and Austria.

IN the wake of the European Union's resolute push for increased self-reliance when it comes to vital minerals, France has embarked on an ambitious mission: a comprehensive ‘treasure hunt’ in its subterranean realm. This grand endeavour aims to unearth the hidden riches beneath French soil, but experts stress that the clock is ticking, making this venture all the more urgent.

PORTUGAL'S TAP airline announced record-breaking profits for first nine months of 2023. According to information released by the company, a profit of €203.5 million was made, with €180.5 million in the third quarter alone. The quarterly net profit was the highest since records began. Compared to the corresponding third quarter of 2022, they saw a rise of €69.2 million, and €179.4 million compared to the same period of 2019.

BELGIUM

FINLAND

SWEDEN

Fishery agreement MOSCOW opposes Norway's decision to restrict Russian fishing vessels' access to its ports, deeming it unjust. The move stems from Norway's concern over Russia's actions in Ukraine and potential security risks. Oslo asserts that limited port access is necessary to curb illegal transit. However, Moscow warns that further limitations could jeopardise the 2024 fishery agreement.

ITALY Another leaning tower

Pumpkin race!

Duck-inspired flooring

Koran burner

A HISTORIC tower in the northern Italian city of Bologna was closed to the public last weekend after concerns about stability. The Garisenda tower is already leaning, but sensors detected some unusual movement. The structure has been under close observation for months because of increasing movement due to its weak foundations. Italy’s government has criticised the local council for not taking proper care of the structure.

THOUSANDS have gathered in a small Belgian town to watch one of Europe's most wacky festivals, the Pumpkin Race. In this annual event, hundreds hop into hollowed out giant pumpkins and race to the finish line on the river Kasterlee. The pumpkins are grown in the small town of Kasterlee which is 50 kilometres away from Antwerp, by the 'Pompoengenootschap' - the Pumpkin Society.

FINNISH scientists have unveiled a revolutionary water-resistant floor inspired by the water-repelling properties of duck feathers. Using a unique silicon layer to mimic the Duck’s feather structures, water is made to slide off effortlessly. This innovation, with potential for applications in homes and industries, is hoped to transform cleaning routines and boost workplace safety measures.

THE Swedish Migration Agency has announced that Salwan Momika, the notorious Koran-burner, is to be deported from Sweden. They explained that the Iraqi national will not be granted an extended residence permit. This came in reference to the fact that Momika might have provided incorrect information to the authorities at the time of his residence permit application.

Italian poverty

Bonkers laws

Equality slump

THE number of Italians living in poverty has risen dramatically over the past 10 years, according to a new report published by national statistics institute, ISTAT. Nearly one in 12 Italians lived in absolute poverty last year, meaning that 5.67 million individuals had an income below a level that would ensure they and their family meet basic needs of life including food, shelter, and healthcare.

BELGIUM has some truly bizarre laws that are still in place today. Whilst many of these have been circling on social media, some remain unknown. For example, did you know that no matter how much debt you are in, bailiffs in Belgium cannot seize your last cow, chicken or sheep! Or, that it is legal to drive straight into incoming traffic, even if it is a one way street! Bizzare!

FINLAND, once celebrated for its stance on gender equality, has experienced a significant drop in the EU Gender Equality Index, moving from fourth to eighth place. Although Finland still remains above the EU average, this dip is alarming. The most notable decline is seen in Finnish women's decreased participation in leisure activities, highlighting reduced personal freedoms.

NATO application SWEDEN’S application to join NATO has been submitted to the Turkish Parliament by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, according to the Turkish presidential office. Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish Prime Minister, confirmed the action in a tweet. 'President Erdoğan has now handed over the ratification documents to the Turkish Parliament. It now remains for the Parliament to deal with the issue. We look forward to becoming a member of NATO'.

FEATURE

euroweeklynews.com

2 - 8 November 2023

Rules of the road WHEN I got my Spanish driving licence nearly five years ago, it was dif­ ficult to go back to the beginning and take the theory test like I was 16 years old again. Even though I’d been driving for 35 years.

But the US and Spain have no agreement on driving licences. Well, each state in the US de­ termines their rules re­ garding driving licences in their state. We have no national driving li­ cence there.

I studied and took all the practice tests online.

And I passed the test the first time, after sweating bullets. The rules of the road here are very different than

www.ageinspain.org

where we are from. And it took some memorisa­ tion and serious focus to track all the subtleties.

When Jeff took the ex­ ams a year later, he was even more nervous than I was. And frustrated.

Especially after riding in taxis and observing the difference between the law and the practicali­ ties of everyday driving in the narrow warrens of the streets in most Spanish cities. But now, that has all changed.

Recently, we were picking up something in our local town. Jeff stopped the car in the narrow road, put on the emergency flashers, then ran inside to collect our order while I stayed

in the car. I noted this bold move but said nothing.

And then, he commit­ ted the quintessential move of Spanish drivers everywhere and I knew he had finally settled in to driving in his adopted country. Jeff needed to unload something in the city. In the past he would have secured parking and struggled with it for a few blocks.

But not on that fateful day. He pulled up onto the pavement and parked. No flashers. Like we owned the place.

Suddenly, everything shifted, and I knew that we are locals now and we’d never move back to the US.

Kelli Field is an American expat writer/blogger living in rural Galicia, and a volunteer for Age in Spain. Some of her other writing about moving to and living in Spain can be found at www.vivaespanamovingtospain.com If you'd like to get in touch with Age In Spain, we can be reached at info@ageinspain.org (+34 932 209 741)

EWN 31

FINANCE Sweet music STOCKHOLM­BASED Spotify announced third quarter prof­ its of £28 million (€32 million), compared with its £199 mil­ lion (€228 million) loss for the same period last year. The dig­ ital music company is back in the black after adding another six million paying subscribers, two million more than it had anticipated.

Goodbye kiss TELEFONICA is offering com­ pensation of up to four years’ salary to the corporation’s di­ rectors and managers who agree to leave the group. The proposals to directors aged 55 or over are another step in the telecommunications compa­ ny’s bid to reduce overall staff numbers in subsidiary compa­ nies by 5,000.

Rude gesture BRITAIN’S Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of Eng­ land confirmed that the cap on bankers’ bonuses which the Eu­ ropean Union introduced fol­ lowing the financial crisis of 2008 has been discarded. The UK’s unions said the decision, which it described as obscene, was “an insult to working peo­ ple.”

Mango men CATALAN fashion retailer Man­ go, has doubled its sales of men’s clothing since the end of the pandemic and expects to have opened 560 outlets for its Mango Man line by the end of this year. It also foresees a record turnover of €325 million for this year, a 15 per cent in­ crease on 2022.

Drink up IRN BRU manufacturer AG Barr, based in Cumbernauld (Scotland), bought the Rio fruit drink which it has distributed and marketed since 2001 from Hall and Woodhouse for £12.3 million (€14.1 million). AG Barr told investors that the pur­ chase was made possible thanks to its “strong net cash position.”

euroweeklynews.com • 2 - 8 November 2023

STAT OF WEEK

€5.4 billion

in pre-tax profits for 2023 was predicted by Spanish power company Naturgy, €400 million more than its original estimate thanks to the ‘current energy panorama’.

Making a fortune Linda Hall CONSUMERS in the UK lost £580 million (€665.12 mil­ lion) to scammers in the first six months of 2023.

Overall, this was 2 per cent lower than during the same period last year, al­ though the banking sector’s association, UK Finance, which collates data for high street banks, warned that households will lose more than £1 billion (€1.15 billion) by the end of December.

Identity theft, where criminals steal personal in­ formation to take over an existing bank account or ap­ ply for a credit card, saw the biggest increase and rose by more than half to £33 mil­

Photo credit: Pixabay/Terimakasih0

BUSINESS EXTRA

32

ONLINE FRAUD: Millions lost to scammers.

lion (€37.8 million) com­ pared with the same period last year.

Authorised push pay­ ment (APP) cases, where victims where are tricked in­ to making online transfers for goods that never materi­ alise, increased by 22 per cent to £239.3 million

IBERDROLA is selling a €2 billion 49 per cent stake in its East Anglia 3 windfarm to the Abu Dhabi company, Masdar.

Neither Iberdrola nor Masdar was prepared to confirm the agreement or even comment on it when reports first filtered through on October 24.

Nonetheless, industry sources quoted in the financial daily, Cinco Dias, were confident that the deal would go through.

Construction on the East Anglia 3 wind farm located in the North Sea off the Scottish coast began last year and should be operational by 2026.

With a 1.4­gigawatt capacity and ca­ pable of generating enough electricity

(€274.4 million) in personal and business losses.

Nevertheless, cases where criminals posing as a bank or the police persuad­ ed members of the public to transfer money into a sup­ posedly secure online ac­ count fell by 35 per cent.

Messages issued by the

banks themselves insisting that they would never make this kind of request have begun to sink in, UK Fi­ nance said.

The association drew par­ ticular attention to a 29 per cent increase in ‘romance scams’ where fraudsters conduct online relationships aimed solely at obtaining money, generally made in multiple payments, from targets who are often vul­ nerable and not particularly well­off.

Describing these stings as ‘particularly nasty’ UK Fi­ nance found that victims lost £18.5 million (€21.2 mil­ lion) between January and the end of June.

Iberdrola’s Abu Dhabi deal Photo credit: CC/Pontificalibus

OFFSHORE WINDFARM: Iberdrola’s East Anglia hub.

to supply approximately 1.3 million homes, it belongs to the Spanish multinational’s mammoth offshore East Anglia Hub which is the compa­ ny’s largest renewables project to

date. Last summer, Iberdrola engaged Goldman Sachs to find a buyer for a 49 per cent stake in East Anglia 3, with chairman Ignacio Sanchez Galan even­ tually choosing Masdar, the renew­ able energy arm of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala.

Masdar, whose investments in 40 countries are worth an estimated €30 billion, also paid €1.6 billion last July for a 49 per cent stake in Iberdrola’s second­largest offshore project, the Baltic Eagle offshore windfarm 30 kilo­ metres off Rugen Island in Germany.

Record broken

Flat beer sales

Low batteries

SANTANDER has reported at­ tributable record profits of €8.14 billion during the first nine months of 2023.

This was 11.3 per cent more than during the same period in 2022, putting the bank on course for ‘historic’ figures, thanks in part to a strong in­ crease in revenues, particularly in Europe and Mexico.

Santander’s third quarter at­ tributable profits of €2.9 billion were 20 per cent up on last year, announced Santander’s execu­ tive chairwoman Ana Botin.

“The group has achieved an­ other record quarter with earn­ ings per share up 17 per cent and a return on tangible equity of 14.8 per cent,” she said.

HEINEKEN sold less beer in the UK last summer owing to a 7 per cent price rise and cool, rainy weather that checked outdoor partying.

Dolf van den Brink, chief executive at Heineken, which also owns Amstel, Birra Moretti and Tiger, blamed July and Au­ gust’s “adverse weather” although sales picked up in September.

Beer sales throughout Europe fell by 7.6 per cent while prices rose by around 12 per cent owing to inflation and the growing popularity of premium ales and lagers.

Globally, the volume of sales dropped 4.2 per cent as prices rose 9.5 per cent, accounting for sales of €9.6 billion for the third quarter of the year.

Price inflation had slowed but there was less demand, with some markets facing “challenging macroeconomic con­ ditions,” Van den Brink said.

A £1 BILLION (€1.15 billion) allo­ cation for improving Britain’s electric vehicle (EV) charging fa­ cilities has not yet been used.

Announced by Rishi Sunak three years ago when the now PM was Chancellor of the Exche­ quer, the charging points were to have been installed at motorway service stations.

The fund is not yet accessible to applicants, while a pilot scheme scheduled for the end of 2022 was initially postponed un­ til spring 2023 and subsequently to this summer.

Sources in the EV sector have now told the UK media that the trial was “unlikely” to launch be­ fore Christmas and could be de­ layed until after a general elec­ tion.

A major issue SHARON WHITE, John Lewis chair, called on the police to allocate more resources to shoplifting and record all retail crime incidents.

She also wanted to see more stringent sentences for assaulting or abusing a retail worker, The Partnership, which also owns Waitrose, now suffers a £12 million (€13.75 million) year­on­ year increase in theft, White said.

Matt Hood, who heads the Co­ op grocery chain, also voiced frus­ tration at the lack of action against shoplifting which had cost the retailer £33 million (€37.83 million) during the first six months of this year.

This was becoming a major is­ sue, Hood warned in September.

Messi’s own goal LIONEL MESSI’s branding compa­ ny MGO Global received a Nas­ daq delisting warning after its shares lost 90 per cent of their val­ ue. These were originally worth $5 (€4.7), giving MGO Global a value of €58 million when it was floated last January. Instead, the company has failed to cash in on the name of the champion foot­ baller who now plays for Inter Mi­ ami, co­owned by David Beck­ ham. Messi receives a 12 per cent royalty for lending his name and image to merchandise, but slow sales have resulted in the Nasdaq warning.

Tiktok standoff EMPLOYEES at Majorel, the Barcelona company which moder­ ates content for internet platform TikTok, announced an indefinite strike.

Insistence on in­person working was the “straw that broke the camel’s back,” announced Work­ ers’ Solidarity and Unity (SUT), the union representing the employees.

The veto on working from home was the latest episode in a long his­ tory of non­payment, contract ir­ regularities and ‘mortifying hours’.

Together with moderating content that was frequently violent con­ tent, their working conditions were having a detrimental effect on employees’ mental health, the union maintained.

FINANCE

34 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

euroweeklynews.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page

CLOSING PRICES 30 OCTOBER

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

5.994,0

+62,0

+1,05%

19,70K

1.316,00

+18,50

+1,43%

7,47K

3.791,0

+36,0

+0,96%

9,58K

ITV

63,33

+1,18

+1,90%

386,11K

22,08K

J Sainsbury

256,40

+0,10

+0,04%

69,81K

+0,70%

11,52K

Johnson Matthey

1.473,0

+17,5

+1,20%

1,44K

+23,0

+1,18%

7,28K

Land Securities

570,80

+7,00

+1,24%

28,69K

+60,0

+0,59%

38,24K

Legal & General

211,50

+4,00

+1,93%

474,65K

31,15K

Lloyds Banking

40,42

+0,67

+1,67%

7,24M

8.254,0

+46,0

+0,56%

17,29K

PRICE(P)

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

3I Group

1.990,00

+21,50

+1,09%

24,93K

InterContinental

Abrdn

156,80

+2,60

+1,69%

151,58K

Intermediate Capital

Admiral Group

2.465,6

+29,0

+1,19%

13,14K

Intertek

Anglo American

2.101,0

+12,5

+0,60%

95,19K

Antofagasta

1.391,00

+17,00

+1,24%

Ashtead Group

4.745,0

+33,0

Associated British Foods

1.973,0

AstraZeneca

10.184,0

Auto Trader Group Plc Aviva

611,80 399,30

B&M European Value Retail SA522,32

+9,60

+1,60%

NET VOL

COMPANY

COMPANY

Units per €

US dollar (USD) ........................................1.0549 Japan yen (JPY)........................................158.69 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................0.9527 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4623 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................11.790

+4,60

+1,17%

146,21K

-0,20

-0,04%

79,94K

Melrose Industries

469,50

+5,90

+1,27%

96,29K

Mondi

1.317,00

+7,50

+0,57%

26,35K

National Grid

994,20

+13,00

+1,32%

256,38K

NatWest Group

182,25

+0,35

+0,19%

2,83M

Next

6.900,0

+78,0

+1,14%

4,93K

DOW JONES

Ocado

483,89

+1,40

+0,29%

95,86K

CLOSING PRICES 30 OCTOBER

Persimmon

1.002,5

+17,3

+1,76%

27,00K

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE

CHANGE% VOLUME(M)

Phoenix

453,90

+8,10

+1,82%

93,79K

Prudential

865,40

+22,00

+2,61%

228,73K

3M American Express Amgen Apple Boeing Caterpillar Chevron Cisco Coca-Cola Dow Goldman Sachs Home Depot Honeywell IBM Intel J&J JPMorgan McDonald’s Merck&Co Microsoft Nike Procter&Gamble Salesforce Inc The Travelers UnitedHealth Verizon Visa A Walgreens Boots Walmart Walt Disney

87,52 141,31 261,57 168,22 179,69 238,56 144,35 51,56 55,24 48,11 289,91 276,46 177,00 142,52 35,54 145,60 135,69 255,76 102,82 329,81 97,98 147,16 196,57 160,68 524,66 33,44 229,27 21,14 161,17 79,33

-1,13 -2,03 -8,14 +1,33 +0,60 -3,87 -10,40 +0,19 -0,54 +0,09 -7,08 -1,54 +0,94 -1,24 +3,02 -3,40 -5,07 -0,07 -2,73 +1,92 -2,04 -2,64 +0,32 -3,78 -3,70 -1,03 -2,01 -0,56 -0,60 -0,45

-1,27% 3,29M -1,42% 3,37M -3,02% 2,85M +0,80% 57,95M +0,34% 4,57M -1,60% 3,21M -6,72% 24,44M +0,37% 13,11M -0,97% 13,61M +0,19% 4,71M -2,38% 2,54M -0,55% 2,89M +0,53% 3,37M -0,86% 5,45M +9,29% 82,02M -2,28% 11,38M -3,60% 17,22M -0,03% 3,20M -2,59% 8,93M +0,59% 29,73M -2,04% 9,51M -1,76% 7,73M +0,16% 3,14M -2,30% 1,35M -0,70% 2,57M -2,99% 23,91M -0,87% 5,54M -2,58% 9,17M -0,37% 4,60M -0,56% 10,26M M - MILLION DOLLARS

1.099,90

+16,50

+1,52%

153,65K

Barclays

130,60

+1,40

+1,08%

2,57M

413,40

1.14585

0.87212

London Stock Exchange

BAE Systems Barratt Developments

PRICE(P)

+6,00

+1,47%

80,22K

Berkeley

4.043,0

+64,0

+1,61%

3,99K

BHP Group Ltd

2.384,00

+23,00

+0,97%

14,52K

BP

531,80

+1,30

+0,24%

1,31M

British American Tobacco 2.432,5

+29,5

+1,23%

191,89K

British Land Company

297,80

+2,60

+0,88%

30,63K

BT Group

112,50

+1,85

+1,67%

188,46K

Bunzl

2.929,0

+35,0

+1,21%

13,12K

Burberry Group

1.713,0

+19,0

+1,12%

39,03K

Carnival

840,4

-0,6

-0,07%

19,25K

Centrica

158,10

+3,00

+1,93%

278,14K

Coca Cola HBC AG

2.139,4

+38,0

+1,81%

11,44K

Compass

2.082,58

+22,00

+1,07%

57,79K

CRH

4.367,0

+47,0

+1,09%

29,39K

Croda Intl

4.311,0

+31,0

+0,72%

DCC

4.487,0

+59,0

+1,33%

Diageo

3.074,5

+50,0

DS Smith

279,60

EasyJet Experian Ferguson

Reckitt Benckiser

5.510,0

+58,0

+1,06%

58,63K

Relx

2.845,00

+28,00

+0,99%

105,23K

Rentokil

427,30

+6,20

+1,47%

240,86K

Rightmove

492,05

+12,90

+2,69%

158,16K

Rio Tinto PLC

5.275,0

+75,0

+1,44%

172,05K

Rolls-Royce Holdings

202,30

+1,90

+0,95%

668,91K

Sage

978,00

+10,00

+1,03%

42,47K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.250,00

+15,00

+1,22%

0,68K

Schroders

366,1

+4,1

+1,13%

20,44K

3,79K

Scottish Mortgage

643,02

+0,60

+0,09%

129,01K

2,09K

Segro

695,26

+4,60

+0,67%

46,55K

+1,65%

68,65K

Severn Trent

2.628,0

+23,0

+0,88%

15,18K

+3,30

+1,20%

51,28K

Shell

2.705,5

+5,0

+0,18%

277,65K

368,70

+5,30

+1,46%

116,07K

Smith & Nephew

912,00

+16,20

+1,81%

57,51K

2.403,0

+13,0

+0,54%

41,73K

Smiths Group

1.604,00

+34,00

+2,17%

26,33K

12.635,0

+15,0

+0,12%

1,71K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 8.188,0

+48,0

+0,59%

2,58K

Flutter Entertainment

12.870,0

+90,0

+0,70%

5,57K

SSE

1.626,00

+19,50

+1,21%

63,14K

Fresnillo

553,71

+3,60

+0,66%

18,12K

St. James’s Place

636,00

+17,60

+2,85%

124,28K

Glencore

448,70

+3,45

+0,78%

1,37M

Standard Chartered

616,80

+6,20

+1,01%

420,36K

GSK plc

1.445,60

+12,40

+0,86%

167,81K

Taylor Wimpey

110,43

+1,55

+1,42%

530,98K

Halma

1.824,5

+1,5

+0,08%

16,78K

Tesco

274,12

+1,70

+0,62%

259,14K

Hargreaves Lansdown

713,00

+7,40

+1,05%

43,83K

Tui

421,16

+10,40

+2,53%

66,47K

Hikma Pharma

1.927,00

+14,50

+0,76%

7,14K

Unilever

3.854,0

+32,5

+0,85%

121,99K

HSBC

607,80

+6,80

+1,13%

3,96M

United Utilities

1.060,00

+6,00

+0,57%

24,04K

IAG

143,43

+1,30

+0,92%

1,27M

Vodafone Group PLC

76,99

+0,89

+1,17%

1,77M

Imperial Brands

1.750,62

+21,50

+1,24%

80,93K

Whitbread

3.317,2

+27,0

+0,82%

10,93K

Informa

716,80

+15,00

+2,14%

100,71K

WPP

713,40

+18,20

+2,62%

142,35K

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

NASDAQ CLOSING PRICES 30 OCTOBER

COMPANY Most Advanced Deckers Outdoor Corporation MSP Recovery, Inc. ArcBest Corporation Siemens Energy AG Comfort Systems USA, Inc. Siemens Energy AG CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited DexCom, Inc. Fujitsu Limited Intel Corporation Capital One Financial Corporation

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

+18.94% +16.55% +16.22% +15.20% +14.55% +13.05% +10.96% +10.11% +9.99% +9.29% +9.19%

1.821M 1.942M 1.338M 181,114 657,864 24,936 16,205 14.955M 106,371 84.128M 6.525M

-24.87% -19.56% -19.13% -14.65% -14.37% -12.99% -12.58% -12.40% -12.25% -9.94% -9.88%

4.422M 710,519 15.523M 19.391M 1.221M 3.83M 281,773 376,249 186.428M 7.259M 13.39M

Most Declined Chart Industries, Inc. Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. Sanofi Enphase Energy, Inc. Exponent, Inc. NatWest Group plc Rémy Cointreau SA The Boston Beer Company, Inc. Ford Motor Company Bloom Energy Corporation Newell Brands Inc.

FINANCE

euroweeklynews.com

ASK THE EXPERT Peter Loveday

Contact me at euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com

Euro EUR/GBP: Up from £0.86 to £0.87 EUR/USD: Unchanged at $1.05 The euro traded in a wide range over the past month, with the single currency fluctuating in response to some mixed Eurozone data and its negative correlation with the US dollar.

In the last week of September, the single currency was pressured by both a strengthening US dollar as well as a deterioration in German business and consumer morale.

As we entered October the euro initially faltered in response to weak Eurozone retail sales figures, before stronger-than-expected Germany factory orders helped to revive EUR sentiment.

EUR exchange rates then wavered in mid-October as mixed Eurozone data, heightened geopolitical uncertainty and some hawkish European Central Bank (ECB) comments also infused volatility into the single currency.

2 - 8 November 2023

CURRENCY OUTLOOK: EURO UNDERMINED BY DOVISH ECB, POUND BUFFETED BY GLOOMY DATA The euro then stumbled at the end of October following the ECB’s latest policy meeting, following a dovish hold from the bank.

Looking ahead, EUR sentiment is likely to be primarily data driven, with the euro likely to face resistance if upcoming economic releases continue to disappoint.

Pound GBP/EUR: Down from €1.15 to €1.14 GBP/USD: Unchanged at $1.21 Trade in the pound has also been volatile in recent weeks in response to some uneven UK data and fluctuating market sentiment.

Sterling closed September on a broadly positive note as it was lifted by positive risk flows and an upwards revision to first quarter GDP. GBP exchange rates appreciated further at the start of October, buoyed by upwardly revised PMIs and comments from Bank of England (BoE) Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent, who refused to rule out another interest rate hike.

OCTOBER: The euro initially faltered in response to weak Eurozone sales.

The pound’s fortunes then soured in the second half of the month after the UK’s latest GDP figures failed to temper UK recession fears.

The disappointing data then continued, with signs of a slowing UK labour market, a startling plunge in retail sales and another contraction in private sector growth all pilled pressure on Sterling.

Looking ahead, the focus for GBP investors will now turn to the BoE’s latest interest rate decision at the start of November. The bank is wide-

ly expected to leave interest rates on hold, which could exert pressure on the pound, particularly if policymakers are coy regarding the possibility of hiking again in the future.

US Dollar USD/GBP: Unchanged at $0.82 USD/EUR: Unchanged at €0.94 The US dollar fluctuated over the past four weeks amid shifting Federal Reserve interest rate expectations and risk-off flows.

Fed policymakers adopted a broadly dovish outlook in October,

EWN 35

with multiple officials suggesting that a recent surge in US Treasury yields might make further monetary tightening from the bank redundant.

Some mixed US data muddied the water a little however, with strongerthan-expected inflation and a robust non-farm payrolls print suggesting there might still be room for the US central bank to raise rates.

At the same time, the US dollar also found support in recent weeks as the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas weighed on market risk appetite and bolstered demand for safe-haven assets.

The Federal Reserve’s impending interest rate decision will be in the spotlight at the start of November.

While USD investors are confident the bank won’t alter interest rates this month, the US dollar may strengthen if the Fed leaves the door open to raising rates again in the future.

Currencies Direct have helped over 430,000 customers save on their currency transfers since 1996. Just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more about how you can save money on your currency transfers.

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Telephone UK +44 (0) 207 847 9400 Spain +34 950 478 914 • Email euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com • www.currenciesdirect.com.

euroweeklynews.com

Onward and upward LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT SO, there I was, waking up in a suite of the plaza hotel New York, looking forward to a date with one of the most famous female artists in the world, the hugely talented Diana Ross of the Supremes. According to Mary, one of the trio members, she was ‘really gonna love me’ and that evening, after we watched the show in the Wardorf Blue Room would join us at the table, making up a four­ some with Tom Jones and herself.

Believe me if this doesn’t make you feel you’ve actually arrived, you need some kind of mental assessment.

Central Park looked lovely as I viewed it through the spacious windows of the hotel suite and, after ordering breakfast, languished on the bed pe­ rusing the 13 channels on an Ameri­ can TV, (when the UK was still only managing to present three!) Around 11 or so I decided to ring Tom.

Although they were at a different hotel he had given me the code need­ ed to obtain a connection through the operator. (Still a necessity for pri­ vacy in the lives of laddie dah’s of our world!) No reply. Dozing off I decided to call later. After all he’d had some night. (Hopefully mine was yet to come!) Still no reply.

They were staying at the Wardorf, so I decided to give it one more try and go for as stroll in the park. I tried again. Mary answered. ‘Hey baby’ slurred a bleary voice. ‘We’re not up yet. Try us later’. With that she dis­ connected. I’m not too sure what came over me at that point. I didn’t want to be a pain. I was certainly rid­ ing high myself; en route to Nashville, where I was about to become the first Limey ever to appear at the Grand ol Oprey!

I decided to go for a jaunt around New York. Later, after a couple of beers, I found myself in the first 24­ hour picture house I had ever experi­ enced. There I made the mistake that I’ve rather regretted ever since, I nod­ ded off. Difficult to remember how

long I slept, but when I left the cine­ ma it was actually dark. I decided to return to the hotel. Feeling a bit em­ barrassed about my situation; plus the fact I was already late, I elected to give the promises of an evening with the Supremes and Tom a miss.

What a berk. I spent the rest of the night watching telly and having a few lone drinks in the hotel suite. The next morning, before I left for the air­ port, I gave Tom a ring. Mary an­ swered and as soon as she realised it was me gave me a real earful. ‘Where the hell were you last night?’ she en­ thused. Trying to explain I couldn’t get hold of them, didn’t go down too well. ‘We tried to call your room 20 times’ she said, ‘where did you get to’? After endeavouring to explain what had occurred, I finally hung up.

Neither were obviously too happy with the result. Apparently Diana was very disappointed. Ah well. On­ ward.

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

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

FEATURE

ROCK SLAMS WAXWORK FAMOUS wrestler turned movie star; Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson was chosen by a French Museum to be immor­ talised in wax.

He was the first winner of the Grévin Awards, created by a wax museum of the same name situated in Paris and the sculptors were excited to be given the challenge of creating a life size reproduction of this larger than life character.

According to the museum, sculptor Stéphane Barret had to rely on photos and videos to create a figure as close to reality as possible, without ac­ tually meeting him and they even sent members of the team to several gyms hoping to find someone of similar build.

Once the body and fea­ tures were complete, artists took a painstaking 10 days to The original waxwork reproduce his Samoan tattoos of The Rock and they took three attempts to get his eyes right as they started off as too dark which elongated his face.

Finally, they were satisfied with the result but when the fin­ ished waxwork was unveiled on October 16, there was fan crit­ icism over the light skin tone of the figure and even the Rock, known for his catchphrase “Smell what the Rock is cooking” joined in the criticism reportedly telling them to “update my wax figure with some important details, starting with my skin colour.”

In response, Museum director Yves Delhommeau told the AFP news agency the problem would be resolved and partially blamed the skin tone on a “lighting issue” but he did say The Rock would visit the museum “later on to see if there are other modifications that need to be made.”

Credit: Musée Grévin

36 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

SOFAS - CHAIRS - CORNER SUITES - SOFA BEDS - OCCASIONAL PIECES - FIRESIDE CHAIRS - RECLINER CHAIRS - POWER RISER RECLINER CHAIRS

38 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

euroweeklynews.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Changing skincare in Spain ADAPTING your skincare routine to Spain’s varied climate is essential for all expats.

The hot, dry summers require hydration through light, water­based mois­ turisers, while cooler, wetter regions may need

richer creams.

Don’t forget sunscreen; Spain’s sun can be in­ tense, making SPF a daily necessity. Adjusting to seasonal changes is key too, with a switch to

The Benefits of dry brushing

LIKE natural teeth, dentures are an integral part of our everyday life, they aid us in chewing our food, affect the way we look and talk, and can also help give us back our self confidence that we may have lost after past dental problems may have caused us to lose our teeth.

When the denture does not fit correctly or an acci­ dent happens and our den­ tures break or fracture and we can no longer use them, it can be overwhelming and somewhat embarrassing.

After all, we need them, just as the same as anyone with natural teeth, to carry on life as normal. For most denture wearers, broken or ill­fitting dentures are cause for an emergency and need to be treated by your Den­ tist as just that, ‘An Emer­ gency’.

DRY brushing is an invigo­ rating practice that helps to exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin. Using a natural bristle brush, gently brush your skin in long, sweeping motions before showering.

This technique removes dead skin cells, stimulates circulation, and promotes lymphatic drainage. Dry brushing can improve the appearance of your skin, leaving it smooth, soft, and glowing. It also helps to re­ duce the appearance of cellulite and supports the detoxification process. In­ corporate dry brushing into your skincare routine a few times a week for optimal results and enjoy the revi­ talising benefits it offers.

thicker moisturisers in winter and oil­controlling products in summer.

Local Spanish products often contain ingredients suited to the climate, such as olive oil and aloe

vera.

Embracing these local solutions and being mind­ ful of the climate’s effects on your skin can lead to a radiant, healthy complex­ ion all year round.

By Clinica Britannia

Express service

Our Dental team at Clini­ ca Britanna are happy to of­ fer our existing and new pa­ tients an Express Service for the repair of any type of dental prosthesis (denture) within as little as one hour, due to our onsite laboratory

and technicians. If you al­ ready have existing den­ tures and want them to look like new again, then why not have them cleaned and polished, we can make that happen whilst you wait.

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

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

40 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

DURING SLEEP: Our bodies undergo rejuvenation and repair.

euroweeklynews.com

Beauty sleep not a myth BEAUTY sleep isn’t just a myth; it’s a crucial compo­ nent of a healthy skincare routine. During sleep, our bodies undergo rejuvena­ tion and repair. Quality sleep helps regulate hor­ mones, boosts collagen production, and improves blood circulation to the skin, resulting in a natural radiant glow.

Adequate sleep also helps reduce the appear­ ance of dark circles and under­eye puffiness, giv­ ing you a refreshed and revitalised look. To max­ imise the power of beauty sleep, establish a consis­ tent sleep schedule, cre­ ate a soothing bedtime routine, and ensure your sleep environment is calm and comfortable.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

By Clinica Britannia

Don’t suffer in silence E R E C T I L E DY S F U N C T I O N (ED) is when there is a persistent inability of getting and keeping an erection firm enough for sex, but men should not suffer in silence as treatment is avail­ able.

But let’s be clear it is not just the men that suffer when suffering with Erectile Dysfunction but their part­ ners also.

Surprisingly it is estimated that half of all men over the age of 40, will have at some degree suffered the problem, causing problems in the personal relationships and self­confi­ dence.

Now available is a non­invasive Ex­ tracorporeal Shock wave Therapy (ESWT), this is a clinically proven method and has been used for treat­ ing various medical conditions in the past.

Treatment consists of low­intensity sound waves passing through the erectile tissue, helping to restore the

ESWT: A clinically proven method.

natural erectile function by clearing plaque out of blood vessels and en­ couraging the growth of new blood vessels. The shockwave treatment of­ fers a cure in that it reverses the problems that cause the dysfunction in the first place ­ the most desired win­win outcome coveted by men with ED. Making healthy lifestyle choices like taking regular exercise, drinking less alcohol, and stopping smoking can help with ED.

Don’t suffer in silence and put unnecessary strain on your relationship, contact us at Clinica Britannia for more information.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

euroweeklynews.com

2 - 8 November 2023

Staying stylishly fit : Elegance without effort THE French have an enviable reputation for maintaining their physique, and they do it with style. Forget the rigor­ ous gym routines and restric­ tive diets; the French ap­ proach to fitness is about balance, enjoyment, and liv­ ing life to the fullest.

Here’s how you can em­ brace the French way of stay­ ing fit without ever slipping into Lycra: 1. Moderation Over Depri­ vation: The French believe in savouring every bite, but in moderation. It’s not about cutting out foods but enjoy­

RELAX & REJUVENATE: Take a long bath.

ing them in sensible portions.

2. Joyful Movement: Exer­ cise isn’t seen as a chore but a pleasure. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll or a dance, it’s

about moving with joy.

3. Stay Active in Daily Life: The French lifestyle involves constant move­ ment, be it

Be happy and glow NORDIC beauty brands take a cue from Scandinavian design: clean lines and minimalism without sacrificing aesthetics. Skin­care products are clearly labelled without superfluous descriptors; bathroom vanities are kept free of clutter. “Nordic women want things to be fast, easy and effi­ cient,” said Danish aesthetician Pernille Holm­Larsen.

“The concept is large­ ly based on the ‘less is more’ philosophy of Nordic people, from their simple skin routines and healthy diets to their work­life balance and how one leads their happiest life,” added Jo­ hanna Paavilainen, US marketing di­ rector for Finnish skin­care brand

Lumene, which is credited with bring­ ing ‘Nordic Beauty’ to North Amer­ ica. “This also transforms to the Finnish beauty ideal: If you are happy, your face radiates a certain kind of glow no make­up can ever achieve.”

FACE MASKS: Now more convenient.

Face mask sticks: Skincare’s compact revolution SKINCARE is constantly evolving, and face mask sticks are its latest innova­ tive stride. Imagine facial masks, but in a convenient stick form, reminiscent of oversized lip balms. Here’s why they’re a beauty game­changer: 1. Portability: Compact and mess­free, they’re perfect for on­the­go ap­ plications, from travel to gym sessions.

2. Efficiency: They min­ imise waste by dispensing just the right amount, eliminating the common issues of traditional masks.

3. Hygiene: Direct­to­ face application means no dipping fingers, reducing contamination risks.

4. Versatility: Available in diverse formulations, they cater to various skin needs, from hydration to

walking to the market or tak­ ing the stairs.

4. Kitchen Workouts: Be­ lieve it or not, the French say you can sculpt your abs in the kitchen. It’s about mindful eating and preparing meals from scratch.

5. Relax and Rejuvenate: For the French, relaxation isn’t a luxury; it’s essential.

Whether it’s reading a book or taking a long bath, relax­ ation is key to overall well­be­ ing.

6. Age is Just a Number: Fit­ ness doesn’t have an expira­ tion date. The French

exfoliation.

As with all skincare, it’s vital to choose a product tailored to your skin type and always conduct a patch­test. In essence, face mask sticks represent the beauty industry’s re­ sponse to modern needs, combining convenience with functionality, making them an essential addition to today’s skincare rou­ tines.

believe in staying active and enjoying life at every age.

In essence, the French se­ cret to fitness is about em­ bracing life, finding joy in the little things, and understand­ ing that balance is the key to a healthy life.

EWN 41

650 the number of muscles in the human body.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

53

44 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

COMMUNITY

COMMENTS

Earlier this week, the thorny matter of 90/180 raised its head as one newspaper reported that Spain still wants to appeal to the European Union to allow British passport holders to spend 180 continuous days out of 360 in Spain.

Whilst this seems unlikely, we posed the question on the web as to whether this is a good idea and if it is even feasible and received the following comments:

“

The rule is not exclusive to the UK. Robert Faraday

Why should Brits get special treatment. Spain should try and attract more visitors from within the EU. Johm

They cannot change that rule.

It’s a common rule for all the Schengen states, since there are no borders, any exception could travel to the other Schengen countries unchallenged.

It will not happen, Brexit means Brexit.

Rosie

Will the snowbirds be taking the Winter Fuel Allowance whilst spending the winter months in Spain? A benefit denied to resident pensioners.

R. Welbourn

No. Brian Rae

Over-tourism and unruly tourists are a problem in many tourist places in Spain. The 90/180 rule may help that situation if most of the tourists are from the UK. If UK people are still complaining about a rule that applies to all third countries, they should have thought about that before they shot themselves in the foot.

Sheree Ruiz

Spain has no say in the matter. The rule is not only for the Brits. They made their decision now live with the consequences.

Richard Baylor

Road visibility Hi, I have nothing against cyclists, in fact I admire them training for La Vuelta, going up and down these hills in Spain.

But are their lives worth less than about €50?

They wear dark or black clothing and are not very easy to see when they go out of the bright sun into a shaded area on the road.

It only costs about €50 for front and rear flashing lights and a High Vis bolero jacket that is reflective and fluorescent.

I would like to see Trafico introduce compulsory lights on bikes at all times.

We motorists have to wear a High Vis jacket if we exit the car on the highway and also most cars now have running lights. Please cyclists spend a little cash to perhaps save your life.

Regards John from Terreros

Greta Thunberg I wish I had been as smart, and had the guts to speak out, as did that stupid little girl .

Allow me via Wiki to inform you that Thunberg’s rise to world fame made her a leader in the climate activist community. She also faced heavy criticism, much of it mocking her as a naïve teenager. Thunberg’s influence on the world stage has been described by The Guardian and other media outlets as the ‘Greta effect’. She has received numerous honours and awards, including an honorary Fellowship of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, inclusion in Time’s 100 most influential people, being the youngest Time Person of the Year, inclusion in the Forbes list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women (2019), and multiple nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Not bad for a ‘stupid little girl’ hey Philip.

John Little

Greta Thunberg is a grifter and punk little woke chick. Who’s 15 minutes of fame are over… hopefully.

D Bath

Clock change I believed that the decision of whether to change at all and to which time zone was to be left to individual countries.

Neil Friday

Comments should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers.

No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

FEATURE

euroweeklynews.com

2 - 8 November 2023

EWN 45

Advertising Feature

Modern stylish state-of-the-art convector heaters OVER many years Neater Heaters have be­ come the first choice of many expats living in Spain.

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

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

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

NEATER HEATERS: Efficient, effective, economical.

quantity of air is heated very quickly. If your room has the correct sized heater, it will take

about 20 minutes to warm up from cold, after which the heater

eases off and works at about two­thirds ca­ pacity, (depending on various external influ­ ences).

Our heaters are not only efficient, effective, and economical, but as you would expect from a Scandinavian product, they are ex­ tremely stylish and practical. There is a model that will suit anyone, from the BEHA, (Blue­ tooth option or Wi­Fi option) and the NEO Wi­Fi, so that you can control your heaters easily via a Wi­Fi APP but still being able to control them manually if preferred, or the trendy original style Neo with digital controls and a choice of colours and if you are limited for wall space then available for purchase are factory designed feet to enable the heater to be freestanding.

However, a few years ago we added the NEO Wi­Fi Compact model. This heater shares the design technology and ethos of the current NEO heaters, but it has two differ­ ences: It is much smaller in length, thus able to fit into tighter wall spaces, plus this model has the added bonus of a 2.5 kw version as well.

NEATER HEATER DISTRIBUTORS: COSTA BLANCA NORTH MORAIRA: S&W, The Tool Bar. Tel. 965 745 805 • ALTEA: Leo’s Superstore. Tel. 965 844 848 Heaters also available for purchase at our online shop with free home delivery.

WWW.NEATERHEATER.ES or Tel. 634 312 171 (WhatsApp available)

PARLIAMENT GOES OFF THE RAILS laughter here at the madness of the situa­ tion. There were a few cries for ‘single seat now’,” joked another, referring to BREAKING VIEWS the campaign to stop these trips to Stras­ Nora is the author of popular psychological bourg. suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

Apart from tongue­in­cheek complaints A TRAIN carrying hundreds of MEPs and there were “no free attractions” on the EU officials recently ended up at Disney­ train, one MEP bragged he was happy land, after taking the about the change of direc­ wrong turn en route to tion as it meant he was fi­ Strasbourg. This monthly nally facing forward. Oops! shuttle service between Alluding to criticisms lev­ Brussels and Strasbourg elled at the so­called “trav­ has long been a source of elling circus” that ferries controversy, costing £90 MEPs to Strasbourg ­ and million annually! this unscheduled Mickey Instead of the rolling Mouse experience ­ one hills that usually greet MEP joked: “We are NOT a them as they head to Mickey Mouse parlia­ Strasbourg, MEPs were ment!” caught between the Art of Mickey Mouse was un­ Marvel and Main Street available for comment.

USA, with Star Wars Hy­ Nora Johnson’s 12 criti­ perspace Mountain and cally acclaimed psychologi­ Peter Pan’s Flight in the cal suspense crime thrillers NORA’S LATEST THRILLER. near distance. (www.nora­johnson.net) “‘Where dreams come all available online includ­ true’ ­ will Disney’s slogan soon be that of ing eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, the European Parliament?” someone audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. wrote on X. “It’s pretty much all­around Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

NORA JOHNSON

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

euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

INTERVIEW

Speaking European SPAIN is a melting pot of nationals from pat community,” she explained. different countries and due to its memberAdding “I love it here and although a I ship of the European Union, attracts resi- work hard, there is such a lot to do and I endents from the 26 members as well as joy cycling, golf, padel and working other countries as well. out as well as the gastronoEach week, we plan to my and just being with speak to a European the many friends who has made the we have made.” decision to settle Jitka spent here and for this, several years the first of an onworking with going series we different real spoke to Jitka estate agents Faull from the but branched Czech Republic out and set who now lives beup her own tween Estepona agency Cenand Marbella. trum Marbella Jitka moved to Spain which caters mainly with her English partner for Czech and Slovak Jitka Faull. after they spent time in both clients who want to own London and then Florida, but when property in Spain and feel comthey experienced problems with securing fortable dealing with someone who speaks their green cards, decided to move back to their language.

Europe.

“Naturally I miss my family, but I can say “What we wanted was somewhere that for sure that I don’t miss commuting and was warm but within easy travelling dis- now have a really wide range of friends partance of both London and Prague, so we ticularly from Spain, UK, Czech Republic, settled on the Costa del Sol which has the Belgium and Sweden so I am really glad we added bonus of an extended European ex- made the move.”

Credit: Centrum Marbella Facebook

46 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

PETS Pet-sitters for only £69/€79 per year! Bobi: World’s oldest dog dies 47

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Unwavering love for pets IN the picturesque streets of Scandinavia, it’s a common sight to see residents walking alongside their beloved dogs.

This region’s passion for pets, especially dogs, is almost fa­ natical. But what fuels this deep­seated love?

Historically, the bond be­ tween Scandinavians and their pets traces back to the Viking Age. The Vikings, known for their seafaring ad­ ventures, kept dogs and cats as companions.

The Norwegian Buhund, a breed that played diverse roles from herding to guiding, is a testament to this age­old relationship. Today, this breed, along with the bold and adventurous Norwegian Elkhound, remains a favourite among Scandinavians and even Americans.

But it’s not just dogs that hold a special place in Scandi­ navian hearts. The Norwegian Forest Cat, with its affection­ ate nature and independent spirit, is another cherished pet in the region.

In Scandinavia, pets are more than just animals; they

A Norwegian Buhund.

are family. The warmth and companionship they offer are invaluable, especially for those who live alone. This deep bond is evident in every­ day life, from pet­friendly homes and public transport to the prominence of pet care facilities in cities.

The world may have evolved, and cultures may have merged due to immigra­ tion, but Scandinavia’s love for pets remains unwavering.

It’s a legacy from their ances­ tors, a testament to the com­ fort and joy these furry com­ panions bring. So, the next time you’re in Scandinavia, don’t be surprised if a local spends hours sharing tales of their beloved pet. After all, to them, these animals are not just pets; they’re family.

THE world’s oldest dog, official­ ly recognised by the Guinness Book Of Records has died in Portugal at the age of 31.

His owner, 38­year­old Leonel Costa, explained that after being rushed to hospital, Bobi passed away on Satur­ day, October 21, in Con­ queiros, a village in the munici­ pality of Leiria. The Rafeiro do Alentejo was born on a farm on May 11, 1992 and spent his whole life there.

Leonel even threw a party to celebrate Bobi’s 31st birth­ day in May after being chal­ lenged by Guinness to hold it.

Around 100 guests from all over the world attended the celebration, reported a news source.

Leonel Costa spent around €1,000 on the party, ensuring there was no shortage of sea bream and pork on a skewer.

“Bobi doesn’t like spaghetti bolognese. Bobi is an angel. He is not a protective dog at all. If someone comes into the

A €3 Billion love affair OFTEN, the British are hailed as avid animal enthusiasts, but recent statistics suggest it’s the French leading the European pet parade. With a staggering 61.6 million companion ani­ mals for their 64 million popu­ lace, the French spend an im­ pressive €3 billion annually on their furry, scaly, and finned friends.

A study by SantéVet reveals that over half of French house­ holds are home to pets, with fish topping the list at 36 mil­ lion. Cats and dogs follow, numbering 10.7 million and 7.8 million respectively. The rise in cat ownership is attributed to shrinking living spaces and fewer gardens.

However, pet ownership is­

n’t cheap. A significant chunk (three­quarters) of the €3 bil­ lion goes to pet food, a boom­ ing industry employing 20,000 in France.

Veterinary expenses have skyrocketed by 72 per cent over a decade. While a stan­ dard consultation costs be­ tween €30­€50, specialised treatments can be hefty. For instance, a dog’s skin allergy treatment might set one back €150 monthly, while chemo­ therapy can reach €2,000.

Interestingly, the term ‘pet’ is now viewed as derogatory in some circles, with ‘companion animal’ being the preferred nomenclature, echoing the deep bond between humans and their animal counterparts.

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BOBI: Was born as a litter of four male puppies.

house, he lets them. He is very sociable, sweet and loves ani­ mals and people,” his owner explained.

Born as part of a litter of four male puppies, Bobi and his sib­ lings were doomed to an early grave. Leonel’s father already had several dogs and did not need any more. He said “I was eight years old. My father was a hunter, and we always had dogs,” Leonel recalled. “At that time it was considered normal by older people who could not have more animals to bury the

animals in a hole so they would not survive.”

When his father accidentally left the one pup behind, Leonel and his brothers hid the dog and took care of him. “We knew that when the dog opened its eyes, my parents would no longer bury it. It was popular knowledge this act could not or should be done,” Leonel explained.

By the time Leonel’s parents discovered they had hidden Bobi, it was too late for them to do anything.

48 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

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HEARING AIDS PHONAK & SIGNIA from Hear Maika. English speaking professional established 23 years in Spain. 658 446 384.

(302960)

HOUSESHARE LADY Looking for someone to share my house with me in Lliber. House comprises of lounge, dining room, kitchen, store room, outside shower and toilet. Large garden, BBQ and secure parking. Upstairs 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, A/C. €300 PCM plus 50% towards the electricity bill. Available from 1st December. 620 767 964. (303653)

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BEAUTIFUL & Healthy BICHON FRISE puppy available from responsible breeder. Contact 653 757 768 (304679)

PROPERTY WHITE SAND HOMES REAL ESTATE. Trusted professional property services for buyers and sellers: 673 557 824

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2 - 8 November 2023 EWN CONTACT

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54 EWN 2 - 8 November 2023

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ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack ORIGINALLY designed by former aeronautics engi­ neer Malcolm Sayer, on its release in 1961, Enzo Ferrari described the Se­ ries 1 Jaguar E­type as “the most beautiful car ever made.” Sixty years on, with Sayer’s mathematically perfect lines flowing seam­ lessly from long nose to shapely rear, it remains to many one of the most beautiful and genuinely iconic cars ever to grace the tarmac.

Having spent over a decade sourcing the finest examples of these cars for restoration from across the UK and Europe, Chedeen Battick ­ an automotive en­ gineer, founded Helm Mo­ torcars to create what he terms a new standard in Jaguar customisation.

The company has an­ nounced the second in their series of Jaguar E­type Series 1 launches: the Roadster. With sumptuous bespoke leather interiors, the company aims to pre­

MOTORING

Helm Jaguar E-type - a modern icon JAGUAR: With sumptuous bespoke leather interiors.

serve the E­type for the next generation, while elevating the driving experience.

Despite the beauty of its lines, the original E­type was beset with unreliable electronics, a troublesome carburetor and a less than luxurious black plastic inte­ rior. Helm Motorcars has revitalised the car for to­ day’s standards.

In the 60 years since Mal­ colm Sayer’s design first wowed the automotive world, huge improvements in technology and tech­ niques mean that by utilis­ ing everything from 3D printing, LCD displays and parking sensor technology, soft­close doors and be­ spoke inertia seatbelts to upgrades in paint and met­

alwork as well as the quali­ ty of materials throughout, this E­type is a modern clas­ sic in more ways than one.

Working with the renowned Bill Amberg Stu­ dio to design the leather in­ teriors as well as a pair of unique, made to measure weekend bags has, says the company, updated the E­ Type interior with sensitivi­ ty and flair.

Amberg was keen to in­ troduce classic English rac­ ing detail in the leather­ work, using a combination of the finest suede and leathers previously used only in luxury residential in­ teriors, playing up the tex­ tural differences between the two materials.

The use of vegetable­ tanned black leather adds a feel of discreet luxury, and was created alongside the chassis build.

The company says that this has been the hardest project so far undertaken, demanding countless pro­ totypes and the develop­ ment of a number of ‘firsts’ in terms of design, develop­ ment and engineering.

As for the final result ­ car number two in a strictly limited edition of just 20 ­ had a build time of over 6,000 hours. Only 20 cars will be produced, all to the exact specification of the owners.

1 in 4 cars on UK’s roads were made in China.

MOTORING

euroweeklynews.com

2 - 8 November 2023

Multitasking drivers

By John Ensor THE DGT have launched an awareness campaign to re­ mind drivers of the risk of dis­ tractions while behind the wheel and shared some bizarre examples.

Multitasking is an enviable skill, and the arguments about who is better at it, men or women, could go on forev­ er. However, the advice from the DGT is please don’t at­ tempt it while driving.

The DGT recently initiated a campaign highlighting driving distractions, which are re­ sponsible for a significant number of accidents.

While mobile phones are a frequent feature as the main cause of distractions, the cam­ paign’s images also depict a range of some of the more unusual behaviour, writes Telecinco.es.

Images captured by the DGT show a wide­ranging col­ lection of driving misde­ meanours. One driver was happily tootling along while brushing his teeth. Not to be

MULTITASKING: Not a good idea at the wheel of a car.

outdone, one woman was filmed texting on her phone and moments later with one hand on the wheel, the other holding a spoon, she tucked into a bowlful of stew.

Francisco Paz of DAC Do­ cencia remarked, “You can­ not commit more infractions at the same time than what we see in this video.”

Another video features a woman juggling food in one hand whilst wearing head­

phones, a combination that’s bound to decrease road awareness. “In the end, the response to any incident is never to be good in this case,” said Paz. There’s also footage of a man lighting a cigarette, with both hands completely off the steering wheel while looking out of the window. In another instance, a driver was observed with paperwork all over the dashboard, while he checked several other docu­

ments on his lap.

Worryingly, three out of 10 penalties relate to mobile phone usage, indicating the prolific instances of phone­re­ lated distractions.

Such reckless behaviour en­ dangers not just the driver but all road users. Although some of the examples are straight from an episode of Mr Bean, it is a poignant reminder that full attention is vital when driving.

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Real Madrid lose key player Credit: Daniel/Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

AFTER suffering an injury during the El Clasico win over Barcelona on Saturday Octo­ ber 28, Real Madrid’s Au­ rélien Tchouaméni could be sidelined for a while.

In a statement published on Sunday, Los Blancos con­ firmed: “After the tests car­ ried out on our player Au­ rélien Tchouameni by the Real Madrid Medical Ser­ vices, he has been diagnosed with an incomplete stress fracture in the second metatarsal of his left foot.

Evolution pending.”

As a result, Carlo Ancelotti will have to plan for life in the immediate future without the excellent 23­year­old French international midfield star. His recent perfor­ mances have made him one of the keys to the Madrid club’s continued good form in LaLiga.

A stunning 1­2 victory over Barca in the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium ­ thanks to a brace from England’s Jude Bellingham ­ saw Madrid re­ turn to the top of the table.

They fell behind in the first

euroweeklynews.com

Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

half to a goal in the sixth minute from the former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan. However, Bellingham continued his golden run of form to turn the match on its head with two goals to bring his re­ markable tally to 13 so far this season.

Real Madrid players have a rest until Wednesday, November 1. That will give the club’s doctors time to once again evaluate the con­ dition of Ferland Mendy.

The French left­back was substituted for the second half and left the pitch show­ ing signs of obvious discom­ fort. He has since been cleared of any muscle injury though.

With Tchouaméni out of the picture, it will allow Ed­ uardo Camavinga to put himself back in the frame for the spot in midfield.

The 20­year­old French­ man missed out on a starting role for the Barcelona game and is the only pure defen­

sive midfielder available to Ancelotti in his famous dia­ mond formation.

Tchouaméni now looks like missing the remainder of Real’s Champions League group matches against Bra­ ga, Naples and Union Berlin.

He will probably also be absent at least for the Span­ ish league matches with Rayo, Valencia, Cádiz, Grana­ da, Betis and Villarreal. If his recovery goes well then he could be back in time for the final game of 2023.

SPORT

South Africa win World Cup SOUTH AFRICA claimed a record fourth Rugby World Cup title on the evening of October 28, after beating New Zealand 12­11 in Paris.

Three penalty kicks from Handre Pollard put South Africa comfortably in the lead but a Richie Mo’unga kick then closed the gap to 9­3.

The All Blacks finished the match with 14 players on the field after captain Sam Cane was red­carded in the 27th minute. After a review, his yellow card was upgraded when he was judged to have committed a high tackle on Jesse Kriel.

Cane made history as the first player to ever be sent off in a Rugby World Cup final and he left the pitch with his team losing 9­3. Pollard added another penalty be­ fore the break to send his side in 12­3 ahead at half­ time.

A try in the second half

from Beauden Barrett ­ who became the first player to score in two Rugby World Cup Finals ­ inspired a spirited fightback by the All Blacks.

However, the single point advantage was all it took and the Springboks managed to hold their nerves and clinch victory by the narrowest of margins to hold the trophy aloft. It was their third one­ point victory in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Their win at the Stade de France saw the Springboks regain the Webb Ellis Cup that they won four years ago in Japan where they beat England in the 2019 final.

Speaking to ITV after the game, a euphoric Pieter­ Steph du Toit, named the player of the match, said: “The last three games have been quite tough, each one we have played has been a fi­ nal and each one we have won by one point.”

A 16TH chequered flag of the current 2023 Formula 1 campaign saw Max Ver­ stappen break his own record for the number of wins in one season.

The three­time Dutch world champion was sim­ ply unbeatable as he totally dominated the race at the Autódromo Hermanos Ro­ dríguez on Sunday, October 29.

Despite the Red Bull starting in third place be­ hind the Ferrari’s of Charles LeClerc and Carlos Sainz, this season’s stunning form meant that it would only be a matter of time before Verstappen headed the

field.

It took him just one cor­ ner in fact after screaming past Sainz as the lights turned green and then pulling level with the French driver as the brak­ ing zone approached.

As the front three negoti­ ated Turn 1, Sergio Perez threw himself into the mix.

Racing in front of his home fans, the Mexican Red Bull driver somehow managed to clip LeClerc and his race was over for the day.

The safety car had to be deployed after a red flag was shown when Kevin Magnussen’s Naas crashed into the barriers at high­ speed in the Esses after suf­ fering suspension failure on Lap 32. The Dane was unin­ jured but he would take no further part in the race.

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton had an excellent drive, fin­ ishing second on the podi­ um after starting from sixth

on the grid. As a result, he is now only 20 points adrift of Perez in the champi­ onship with three races still to go.

Charles LeClerc had to settle for third with his teammate Sainz beating off the challenge of George Russell's Mercedes to claim fourth.

With just four laps re­ maining, Russell found himself dropping to sixth after being passed at Turn 6 by Lando Norris in the McLaren. The Brit weaved his way through the field from 19th to grab an im­ pressive finish.

Australia’s Daniel Ricciar­ do crowned a wonderful day by taking seventh in the AlphaTauri, with the other McLaren of Oscar Pi­ astri ­ another Aussie ­ fin­ ishing eighth. The top 10 was rounded out by the Williams of Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon in the Alpine.

THANKS to a law dating back to the 1960s, Saturday’s much­anticipated El Clasico featuring Jude Bellingham will not be able to be viewed live in the UK. On Saturday, October 28, the football world turns its attention to Spain’s Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, as Futbol Club Barcelona meet Real Madrid. But for fans in the UK, a decades­old regulation will keep them from witnessing the much­an­ ticipated El Clasico debut of England’s own Jude Bellingham, wrote a news source.

The UK has a unique broadcasting rule in place, dating back to the 1960s. No football matches can be aired between 2.45pm and 5.15pm UK time. The pur­ pose of this law is to encourage fans to attend local matches in person, particu­ larly in the smaller leagues, preventing top­tier games from overshadowing them.

Saturday’s El Clasico, arguably the world’s most famous football derby, be­ tween Barcelona and Real Madrid, kicks off at 4.15pm Spanish time, specifically scheduled for maximum exposure around the world. This translates to 3.15pm in the UK, falling squarely within the broadcasting blackout period.

This isn’t a modern phenomenon. The rule’s origins trace back to complaints from Burnley’s president in the 1960s. He believed televised matches adversely im­ pacted attendances at lower­league

Credit: BellinghamJude/X

Max Verstappen Fans miss Bellingham’s debut breaks own record REAL MADRID STAR: Jude Bellingham.

games.

Supported by UEFA, this regulation al­ lows each federation to have a two­and­ a­half­hour football­free slot. Expected to remain until 2029, it has previously clashed with other El Clasico fixtures.

Many English fans will be disappointed to miss Jude Bellingham, the rising star of Real Madrid, making his first appearance in Real’s iconic white shirt during an El Clasico.

Many fans have eagerly awaited this moment from the player who’s quickly becoming the English team’s standout performer. Bellingham, recently recover­ ing from an incident at the Braga Munici­ pal Stadium during a Champions League game, confirmed his participation on the Montjuic field.