Costa de Almeria 14 – 20 Dec 2023 Issue 2006

Costa Blanca • Issue No. 2006 • 14 - 20 December 2023

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ILMAINEN

GRATIS

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LITTLE FREE LIBRARY A SPECIAL spot has been born in Mojacar, a miniature but magical library, free for all to come and use.

The concept is simple, you can bring a book and take one, or just bring one, or just take one!

The idea came from the story-loving-soul, Antonia Caraveteanu. Euro Weekly News spoke to Antonia who explained that, “I’ve seen these in different cities and always felt bad that there’s no bookshop in the Pueblo.

“The library was built and shipped from Ukraine.” She said, “donations from people like Hillary McCusker and Janet Crook made it happen. Not forgetting my neighbours Pamela and Des

MAGICAL: Bring a book or take one - the concept is simple.

Daly, who painted it and helped mount it on the wall.

My husband donated books in Spanish and my daughter Eva Luna (who is also the inspiration for the painting on it) even donated her books! Neighbours brought more too!”

Antonia told EWN that “my dream is to one day open a bookshop, perhaps in Mojacar, and this is the closest I can get to that dream for now”.

The first reader to enjoy

the Little Free Library was Eva Luna, who is also quite little, but was seen to thoroughly enjoy this lovely legacy that her mother has created.

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14 - 20 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

Almeria olives protected ALMERIA is making a stand against thieves and are coming up with ways to protect their precious olives.

This year, complaints to the Guardia Civil barracks for crop theft from olive trees have multiplied, with the clear incentive for the thieves being the price of oil.

At the current price,

500 kilos of stolen olives can bring a profit of around €1,000. According to the Ministry of the Interior, at the end of 2022, there were 441 thefts reported in Almeria, with only 52 cases resolved.

However, until now, olive mills accepted olives from any source, but the situation has changed. At the Virgen

de Lourdes Oil Mill in Los Gallardos, an example is being set, and a protection placed upon the hard working farmers and their mills.

The first thing those who come with olives now see is a large sign that says: “Olives cannot be exchanged for oil without justifying the polygon, plot and photocopy of the DNI.”

Jingle Bell Ball

VERA and District Lions would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Jingle Bell Ball that took place on Sunday night, December 10.

It was absolutely amazing and raised an incredible €2,430, which will be used to make Christmas special for the children in Vera Children’s Home.

Special thanks and gratitude was given to the singers and musicians who performed for free, the staff at the Irish Rover, the hostesses, the stage crew, and the people who donated prizes for

the raffle.

Another important thanks was sent to Paul from Next Stop Almeria for the fantastic photographs.

All have stated that the evening would not have been a success without the support and generosity of the people who came along and supported the Jingle Bell Ball.

A great time was had by everyone.

Merry Christmas to you all from the Vera and District Lions, and of course, Euro Weekly News.

LOCAL NEWS

NIBS EXTRA Christmas pies!

CORNISH pride in Albox have received a big delivery of large pork pies to their store early this week. So stop the stress of getting one so close to Christmas, perhaps pick one up now and defrost it for when you need it!

Xmas market THE Old School in Palaces, Al­ box, will hold their first ever Christmas Markets on Satur­ day, December 16 at 3pm and Sunday, December 17 at 11am. There for attendees to enjoy will be many cute craft stalls, hot drinks and Christmas workshops!

Sunday yoga

Motor show AFTER several years, the Cali­ fornia Motor Show returns to Antas on Saturday 16 and Sunday December 17. A show for all audiences, full of adrenaline, cars, quads, freestyle exhibition, drifts, fire tests and incredible manoeu­ vres. The Box office opens one hour before the shows which start at 5.30pm.

Did you know?

MANY scenes of the cine­ matic wonder ‘Treasure Is­ land’ by Orson Welles were actually filmed in Mojacar!

Named ‘the greatest pirate adventure ever’, watch out for the well­known Mojacar beach ‘arch rock’ in the land­ ing scene as well as a clear shot of the ‘shark’s tooth’.

Rainbow sky LAST week, if you glanced at the sky in Mojacar, you may have seen quite a rare phe­ nomena known as ‘cloud iri­ descence’. This is a diffrac­ tion effect caused by tiny ice crystals or water particles in the atmosphere ‘splitting’ the light of the sun into vari­ ous component colour parts.

14 - 20 December 2023

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Fabulous friends 99

YOUR EWN HAS

A FANTASTIC day was had last week on Thursday, De­ cember 7, by the Almanzora Group of Friends.

Around 40 members and friends attended the event, where they were offered a wonderful Christmas buffet with delicious servings of food and mulled wine to capture the essence of the season.

A special thanks was given to the ladies who prepared the tasty bites and drinks for all, including turkey sand­ wiches with cranberry sauce, Christmas cake, marzipan decorated tartlets, sausage rolls and an abundance of

Credit: Facebook

The Almanzora Group of Friends

other sweet and savoury goodies.

Member Mike Wither­ spoon told Euro Weekly News that “excellent enter­ tainment was provided by a group of schoolchildren from the CEIP Virgen del Saliente, who recited, sang and

MOJACAR counted down to its very own Merry Christmas on Friday, De­ cember 8, with the official inaugura­ tion of the eagerly anticipated Christmas Lighting.

The town's Plaza Nueva was filled with emotion and magic, full of peo­ ple waiting expectantly for the largest and most impressive lighting that has illuminated Mojacar to date, thus beginning Christmas in the town.

Just last year Mojacar was chosen as the most beautiful place in Spain

by Ferrero Rocher, and the ‘Shine even brighter’ campaign began, with the gift of many more lighting dis­ plays to the town.

For this reason, this year the coun­ cil has decided to turn the turning on of the Christmas Lights of Mo­ DESPITE a 25 per cent reduc­ tion in output, the Almeria wine harvest is wrapping up successfully, with the first 2023 whites already being bottled.

Weather conditions to­ wards the end of the season were optimal, meaning that the whites hitting the shelves are high quality.

The Agrarian Association of Young Farmers of Almería (ASAJA) has confirmed in a release that drought condi­ tions have reduced the province’s overall production of wine grapes by 25 per cent.

danced!” He also explained that “outside there was the ever popular tombola, with a prize every time. After the children had finished their performance they distribut­ ed cards which they had made as well as staying for a while, with some even hav­ ing a go on the tombola, and winning!”

A Book Hunt was also of­ fered (the brain child of An­ drea Evans) which people were reported to definitely be intrigued by! Those who participated explored the ex­ tensive library with the clues given, searching for that par­ ticular book!

Shining brightly Credit: Ayuntamiento De Mojacar

IN Vera, the weather is per­ fect for the ‘winter beaches’ programme that is currently in full swing. On Sunday, De­ cember 10, residents started the morning with a relaxing yoga and meditation ses­ sion.

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Mojacar Christmas lights.

jacar into a tradition, making a large investment to add more lights to those that were given as a gift for winning the contest.

Following the ‘switch on’, a dra­ matic display of fireworks illuminat­ ed the sky of Mojacar, alongside fan­ tastic spectacles of live musical performances.

Thousands of visitors are expected in Mojacar this festive season, with businesses of the town expecting to get busy! Last year, the Christmas displays, by popular demand, re­ mained alight until the early Febru­ ary! Let’s see how long they last this year!

Best quality wines Of Almeria’s 1,100 hectares of vineyards, those on arid swaths of land fared the worst, having been saved by the rains that arrived in late May. However, dryer conditions in autumn, towards the end of the growing season, meant the resulting grapes were of “exceptional” quali­ ty, according to the release, as Almeria’s white wine grapes favour late­season conditions of low humidity.

Currently, this season’s first

batch of whites is being bot­ tled and marketed just in time for the holiday season.

Meanwhile, double­fermen­ tation wines, which require a longer maturation process, are being introduced to their barrels where they will fer­ ment over coming months.

ASAJA­Almeria president Adoración Blanque notes that while Almeria wines may not be as famous as those from other Spanish wine regions, they are high­ quality and desirable.

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Mad for Mojacar!

IT seems that this winter people are going mad for Mojacar, as many hotels and vacation stays have been fully booked up!

In some parts of the province, such as in the Levante Almeriense re­ gion and more specifically in the municipality of Mo­ jacar, anyone who has wanted to spend one or several nights in this beau­ tiful Almeria town at the last minute was left disap­ pointed, as finding a room was an impossible task.

All hotel rooms were sold out at the beginning of the last public holiday, on December 6, to the sat­ isfaction of tourism busi­ nessmen and the council.

In fact, it was Tourism councillor, Maria Gracia, who offered the data that proves this success.

“There are four of the large hotels open and in total we add, along with hostels and others, about 30 establishments and the data is good.”

The Euro Weekly News publishes more content both online at euroweeklynews.com and in its papers than any other English news publication in Spain.

Even better, our news online and in print is FREE and we promise to

always keep it that way.

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14 - 20 December 2023

Beautiful ballerinas and their teacher, the mayor and the Sports councillor.

tina Ballet School in Vera, and will be representing the town at YAGP Barcelona, the biggest internatio-

nal dance competition in Spain!

Good luck to these pointed toes!

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

“Don’t complain about lack of wind - learn to sail.”

This is an old Swedish saying. The essence of this proverb came from ambitious farmers who had been growing grapes in the cool Scandinavian climate for a few decades: “don’t complain about the lack of sun, learn to grow grapes”.

A NEW gastronomic award has been given to Almeria, the best sommelier in Spain.

The latest achievement of the region comes only a few days after Jose Alvarez revalidated the Michelin Star of La Costa Restaurant, but now Almeria has another national recognition, that is having the best sommelier in Spain.

This is the title that sommelier Lucia Fuentes has been awarded. She has been working for the Olivencia Group for a few months now, being responsible for the group’s gastronomic division.

The award was given by the Club de Gourmets magazine, who recently announced that, “we already have winners! The readers

Credit: Lucia Fuentes Instagram

FOUR talented ballerinas from Vera will soon be participating in the largest international dance competition in Spain, YAGP Barcelona.

In honour of this achievement, and to lend a helping hand in preparations, the mayor of Vera, Alfonso Garcia, and the councillor for Sports and Culture, Antonio Soler, have delivered some brand new equipment to this fantastic four!

The competing girls, Ana, Laura, Sofia and Maria Jose, are all of the Mar-

Credit: Ayuntamiento de Vera

Ballet brilliance Super sommelier The super sommelier.

of Club de Gourmets magazine have chosen the best sommelier that really stood out this year!

“Twelve editions precede these prestigious awards, granted by Club de Gourmets magazine, a publication that was born in 1976 and that for more than 47 years has lived and reflected the culinary and wine

trends of our country,” the publication continued.

Lucia Fuentes and the other category winners will receive their awards at the 37th Salon Gourmets, which will be held from April 22 to 25, 2024 at Ifema.

The Pilarico Christmas Race FOR the second year running, the town of Antas will hold its 8km Pilarico Christmas Race!

The race will take place on Christmas Eve, December 24, and anyone wanting to sign up can do so until Thursday, December 21 at 12 midday. Applications can be made at the website https://www. alcanzatumeta.es/ii-su bida-al-pilarico-christ mas. When completing the inscription, It is important to enter the t-shirt size.

The price for entry is €2 for children under 16 years of age and €5 for adults.

It is completely prohibited to compete in the race without having pre-registered and possessing a bib number.

Water and fruit will be given to all participants and gift raffles will be held once the prize giving is over at Cabezo de Maria. There will be prizes for first, second and third place.

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14 - 20 December 2023

ALL ALOUD: Promise an entertaining evening.

The choir will sing a variety of Christmas songs, both traditional and popular.

There will also be some not so familiar, one or two with an element of humour, and also a musical tribute to our Spanish hosts.

Song sheets will be provided for those who wish to participate in the section that encourages the audience to have a sing along! Entry is free but donations will be accepted for the charity on the

night of what promises to be an entertaining evening of music, song and good humour.

The All Aloud Choir is a group of people who not only love to sing but who also enjoy each other’s company. The emphasis is on fun and enjoyment.

There are no auditions and there is no requirement to read music. Anyone who sings in the shower or sings along to the radio qualifies for membership!

DR Claudio Vazquez Colomo, from the Vithas Hospital in Almeria, has been named among the 50 best in Spain.

Dr Vazquez, who is a specialist in Sports Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery, has been chosen as one of the 50 best in Spain in the 2023 ‘Top Doctors Awards’.

He is currently head of the medical services of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), and has a Master’s Degree in Sports Traumatology from UCAM, a Master’s in Pathology of the Locomotor System from the University of Jaen, and the title of ‘Expert in Sports Nutrition’ from the University of La Rioja.

This honourable mention is the result of more than 5,000 votes from professionals and experts who recognise the excellence of the specialists in this ranking. Dr Claudio Vazquez Colomo’s award comes from a result of his excellence in healthcare MANY of us know how the saying goes, ‘red sky at night, shepherds’ delight’, and Mojacar, as well as most of Almeria, is definitely enjoying some delightful weather this winter.

Temperatures have been at an average of around 20 degrees this

Credit: Facebook

THE All Aloud Community Choir of Albox will be holding a Christmas Concert in the Kubatin Bar, behind the Hostal Meson in Arboleas on Friday, December 15.

The spectacular show will begin at 7.30pm and is being held in support of the Spanish cancer charity Asociacion Espanola de Cancer or AECC. AECC is a national Spanish Cancer Charity, but local branches are responsible for their own fundraising.

The charity supports anyone suffering from this awful illness regardless of nationality and All Aloud are proud to be supporting this worthwhile cause.

The concert was initially due to be held in Vera in July this year, but the snap Spanish General Election caused a cancellation as the planned venue was being used as a Polling Station. It was then eventually decided that the concert would be delayed until the Christmas period.

Credit: Gary Mitchell

Christmas out loud Almeria top Doctor

TOP DOCTOR: Dr Claudio Vazquez Colomo.

activity and recognition at a national and international level, as well as his clinical skills, his research, dissemination and training work.

During the voting process, the experts also considered which doctor they would recommend to their personal acquaintances.

Still sunny week, with mostly blue and sunny skies, something that is expected to continue in the coming days.

Locals and tourists have been spotted ta-

king advantage of these cute conditions, enjoying long lunches on terraces, taking trips to the parks, and even on the beach in their bathers!

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14 - 20 December 2023

NO SNOW: Santa enjoys the warm weather.

IF like Bing Crosby you are Dreaming of a White Christmas this year, Spain is really not the place to be.

For those of us who hail from the northern parts of Europe it may come as some surprise that there are plenty of children in southern Spain who have never seen a snow flake, let alone a field of snow except on TV and in pictures.

A random review of the long term weather forecast around the most populous parts of Spain makes it clear that Christmas Day is going to be sunny almost everywhe-

re and it’s not a question of whether it will be pleasant but rather how warm it will be.

Midday temperatures seem likely to be in the range of 11° to 19° and the following examples show how the weather is going to be in a selection of Spanish cities or communities: 11° Madrid and Sierra Nevada 14° Bilbao 15° Almeria, Barcelona, Benidorm, Granada 16° Alicante, Mallorca, Nerja

17° Costa del Sol, Sevilla 19° Gran Canaria, Murcia There are 33 ski resorts in Spain, many in the Pyrenees and those are where you have the greatest chance of catching the white stuff, but as can see in the list above, Andalucia’s own ski resort in the Sierra Nevada expects to hit 11° on Christmas Day. It’s not like surfing on Bondi Beach but this Christmas promises to be comfortable and dry which suits many people who would rather see snow on their Christmas cards than on the ground.

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Stars galore Image: Bonvivant Cocktail Bistro / Facebook

Credit: Ralph pixexid.com

No show snow

BERLIN’S culinary landscape stands as a global epicentre of gastronomic delight.

The city seamlessly blends avant-garde innovation with comforting home-style fare, and showcases a diverse array of culinary talents.

Berlin’s vibrant dining contrasts are a feast for the senses, ranging from delectable vegetables to expertly matured meats, and from renowned star chefs to promising culinary newcomers.

In the latest edition of the Michelin restaurant guide, Berlin reaffirms its status as Germany’s gourmet capital, boasting an impressive constellation of 30 Michelin stars spread across 23 restaurants.

Among them, the illustrious three-star restaurant ‘Rutz’ takes its place alongside five distinguished two-star establishments, namely ‘Horváth’, ‘Coda’, ‘Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer’, ‘Facil’, and ‘Tim Raue’.

Additionally, 17 restaurants proudly display the coveted one Michelin star.

Notably, the 2023 additions include ‘theNOname’ in Mitte and the exclusively vegetarian ‘Bonvivant’ in Schöneberg, both earning a well-deserved Michelin star.

Berlin’s commitment to sustainability shines with eight Green Michelin Stars, showcasing a dedication to eco-friendly practices.

Recognised establishments include ‘Cordo’ (closing at the end of 2023), ‘Bandol sur Mer’, ‘Frea’, ‘Rutz’, ‘Nobelhart & Schmutzig’, ‘Horváth’, ‘Lode &

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BERLIN: A culinary odyssey.

Stijn’, and ‘Tisk’.

Sustainability, in this context, extends beyond organic ingredients, encompassing considerations like seasonal sourcing from local suppliers to minimise transportation, energy conservation, waste reduction, and social responsibility through fair wages and flexible work arrangements.

This comprehensive approach positions Berlin as the European leader in Green Michelin Stars.

Beyond its culinary accolades, Berlin’s gastronomic scene enhances its allure as a holiday destination.

Indulging in a restaurant experience ranks as the second most popular activity for visitors, closely following sightseeing.

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Spain facing reforms THE European Union is on the verge of implementing new fiscal rules, demanding more stringent adjustments from Spain, Italy, and France due to their elevated levels of deficit and public debt.

According to a report from a national news outlet, the new EU rules are set to be approved ‘in the coming days,’ these rules will retain the existing thresholds of 3 per cent for the deficit and 60 per cent for the debt. Spain, with a deficit of 4.1 per cent and a public debt ratio of 107.5 per cent, is particularly impacted.

The year 2024 will mark a significant shift from the era of free public spending, with Brussels initiating a sanctioning file against Spain for excessive deficit next spring For countries exceeding the deficit limit, an annual structural adjustment equivalent to 0.5 per cent of

Credit: Per Bengtsson/shutterstock.com

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Depicting Spanish economy.

GDP is required, translating to €6.6 billion for Spain.

Efforts by Nadia Calviño, president of Ecofin, to relax these measures were vetoed by Germany and other economising nations.

Despite attempts by French Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire, to introduce a flexibility margin, Germany’s firm stance has remained unaltered.

A three-year transitional period (2025-2027) has been agreed upon, allowing some leniency in adjustments, considering the varying impacts of inte-

rest rate rises.

Additionally, countries with a debt ratio exceeding 90 per cent, like Spain, are required to decrease their debt by one point of GDP annually. Even upon reducing the deficit to 3 per cent, Spain must maintain a fiscal policy with a safety margin of 1.5 points below 3 per cent.

Spain must now incorporate these changes into its medium-term adjustment plan for submission to Brussels by April next year, aligning with the EU’s fiscal expectations.

Blaming the Baroness “MY husband and I have been used as a scapegoat by the government for their own failings on personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement.”

This is a statement made

by Baroness Mone when promoting a new documentary on YouTube which has been financed by the very company being sued by the UK government for £122 million.

In May 2020 PPE Medpro was sat up on the Isle of Man and both Baroness Mone and her second husband Doug Barrowman were understood to have some sort of involvement with the company.

Just one month later it won its first contract to supply 210 million facemasks at a cost of £88.5 million and two weeks later a further contract for 25 million surgical gowns at a cost of £122 million, all without going through a tender process because of the Covid-19 emergency regula-

Credit: Lady Michelle Mone X (Twitter)

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Baroness Mone and husband Doug Barrowman.

tions.

An investigation has been opened into the potential criminal offences in relation to the procurement of PPE contracts by Britain’s National Crime Agency and the government announced in December 2022 that it would sue PPE Medpro for £122 million plus costs as the gowns supplied “did

not comply with the specification in the contract” and could not be used although PPE Medpro refutes this.

Now she and her husband have taken a stance to support the contents of the documentary.

Time will no doubt tell what exactly happened and indeed who the owners of PPE Medpro may be.

10 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023 THE Danish parliament recently ratified a law to curb the desecration of religious texts, primarily aimed at preventing Quran burnings in the country. This legislation marks a significant move against the inappropriate treatment of sacred writings, carrying penalties of fines or imprisonment of up to two years for offenders.

The bill, passed with 94 votes in favour among the 179-member Danish parliament, seeks to safeguard writings of significant religious importance to recognised religious communities. Acts like burning, tearing, or defiling these texts in public, including disseminating such actions online, will now be punishable by law.

Denmark’s Justice Ministry emphasises that the law aims to combat the growing trend of deliberate disrespect, which has amplified security concerns within the nation. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard underlined the importance of safeguarding against systematic desecration that has

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Holy texts Respecting faith a balancing act.

Image: Mingazov Firdus

persisted for an extended period.

However, the law has sparked debates regarding its potential restriction on freedom of expression within the country. Critics, including members of both left-leaning and right-lea-

ning political spectrums, argue that it might curb this fundamental freedom and suggest it could be influenced by external pressures.

The new legislation also faces scrutiny internationally, particularly concerning Denmark’s historical stan-

ce on freedom of speech.

While the government reaffirms the importance of allowing room for religious criticism, the law draws a line against actions that disrespect or damage the religious sentiments of others.

Leaning liability ONE of Bologna’s ‘twin towers’, an iconic landmark that has stood for nearly 1,000 years, could be on the verge of collapse.

The Garisenda tower, one of the few remaining towers of ancient Bologna, has been leaning since the 12th century but now faces an imminent threat according to a report by the city’s scientific committee. This report has led to the implementation of a Civil Protection plan to deal with a sudden and unexpected collapse.

In response to the alert, the municipality of Bologna has announced the installation of a metal protection cordon. This cordon, anchored to the ground, aims to contain possible debris, reduce the vulnerability of nearby buildings and block access to the danger zone.

The scientific committee has classified the situation as ‘high alert’, citing accelerated compression at the base of the tower and significant deterioration of the stone covering its base.

While clarifying that the tower is not on the verge of immediate collapse, precautions remain on ‘yellow’ alert.

The mayor, Matteo Lepore, indicated that they are proceeding with caution, but the timeline for a possible collapse is uncertain.

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Rail revival Silent Night

equipped with showers and toilets.

The journey begins at 8.18pm in Berlin, making stops in Halle, Erfurt, Mannheim, and Strasbourg, before arriving in Paris at 10.24am the next morning. ÖBB plans to initially run the service three times a week, with a goal to operate it daily starting from the following autumn.

Travellers can save time by opting for overnight travel, and the resurgence of night trains in recent years has the added benefit of expanding accessibility across mainland Europe.

Passengers travelling between Brussels and Paris to Berlin and Vienna will now occupy distinct carriages on the same train, reorganising in Mannheim before proceeding to their respective destinations.

Cat Jones, the visionary behind Byway, a holiday company championing flight-free travel with an emphasis on savouring the travel experience, remarked, “It’s created an enormous buzz, having such critical routes and key connection points that make it so quick and easy to go to sleep in Paris and wake up in Berlin.”

Photo: Shutterstock

THE inaugural night train journey from Berlin to Paris commenced on December 11, marking the end of a nine-year hiatus and addressing a significant gap in Europe’s overnight rail schedule.

This development provides a substantial alternative for travellers seeking options beyond air travel.

Regarded as a highlight of European rail travel, the service faced cancellation in 2014, leading to protests.

The Nightjet train, operated by the Austrian company ÖBB, is fully booked and features a range of sleeping compartments, from ordinary to deluxe, with options for individual or shared spaces, including some

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CHRISTMAS CRACKERS: Will no longer be noisy.

THEY are a tradition at British dining tables over the festive period but the explosive bang of the Christmas cracker is set to disappear this year to make them more ‘responsible’.

Instead, party-goers are expected to make their own noise when pulling the traditional cracker at the start of Christmas dinner.

Christmas crackers were first made in about 1850 by a London sweet maker called Tom Smith. He had seen the French ‘bon bon’ sweets (almonds wrapped in pretty paper) on a visit to Paris in 1840. Ten years later Tom Smith launched his new range of what he called ‘Bangs of Expectation’.

The inspiration to add the explosive ‘crack’ was supposedly sparked by the crackling sound of a log fire. Smith patented his first cracker device in 1847; it used two narrow strips of paper layered together, with silver fulminate painted on one side and an abrasive surface on the other: when pulled, friction created a small explosion.

Now though, concerns over sustainability as well as health and safety could put a stop to this cherished Christmas tradition, or at least silence it.

Alliance National, one of the UK’s largest catering suppliers, has decided to change the sound of Christmas. The company has announced that it will only offer environmentally friendly, ‘crackless’ crackers, aiming to turn the holiday into a ‘celebration of responsibility’.

The company has axed Christmas crackers with the silver fulminate strips and now says its crackers will have “the audible crack of cardboard” instead. The new crackers

come with a note that urges users to “make some noise” before informing them that “we have removed the snap from this cracker to ensure it is fully recyclable.”

The note inside says that the move is “part of our journey to make every Christmas a celebration of responsibility” and, on its e-commerce website Alliance Online, the company say, “it is important for the consumer to understand why the crackers they are cracking aren’t making the traditional Christmas cracker snap sound they are used to. The reason for this is simple, the silver fulminate has been taken out making it an eco-friendly choice that consumers have been pining for.”

Some retailers such as John Lewis have taken a middle way and advised customers to remove the ‘crack’, the silver fulminate strip, before recycling the rest. And then there is also the problem of where to get your crackers: many airlines do not allow crackers in carry-on baggage; they must be in your suitcase in the hold. Some airlines even prohibit Christmas crackers altogether, for those travelling to the United States for instance, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not allow Christmas crackers at all and categorises them as flammable (the same as fireworks).

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Did she or didn’t she?

SPAIN has been rocked by a scandal recently, as Queen Letizia’s former brother-in-law, Jaime Del Burgo, had alleged that he had an affair with her during her marriage to King Felipe.

In shocking soap opera style, the accuser was also married and then divorced to the Queen’s sister, Telma, amid all of this.

Queen Letizia of Spain married King Felipe VI of Spain in 2004, during which time Del Burgo has claimed he was having a secret relationship with her. As ‘proof’ of this, on December 3, he shared an image of Letizia, on X wearing a black pashmina, which he claims belonged to him.

In the post, he included the message, “Love. I wear your pashmina. It’s like feeling you by my side. It takes care of me. It protects me. I count the hours until we see each other again. Love you. Get out of here. Yours.” The message is seemingly written by Queen Letizia and addressed to Del Burgo. However, many users questioned the validity of these claims, given there is no evidence to indicate that Letizia sent it, and the post has since been deleted.

His claims still stand though, as they come hot on the heels of the publication of a tell-all book, Letizia y Yo, by renowned Spanish journalist Jaime Peñafiel. In this book, Del Burgo claims that Letizia told him that she loved him at the royal palace, La Zarzuela, and that Spain’s secret police kept him under surveillance for five years.

Standing strong, and refusing to be rocked, the royal couple attended the Annual Meeting of the Cervantes Institute in Madrid on December 4, and were photographed together in seemingly good spirits, but also in deep conversation at times.

A spokesperson for the Spanish Royal Family has stated to various outlets that they “have no comment to make about this.”

14 - 20 December 2023 RENOWNED English-Norwegian DJ and music prodigy Alan Olav Walker, celebrated not only for his chart-topping hits but also for his philanthropic heart, recently made headlines with a substantial donation of NOK 500,000 (about €50,000) towards a noble cause. Walker’s act of generosity was directed at Mads Hansen’s fundraiser, an initiative aimed at ensuring a brighter Christmas for families in need across Norway.

Mads Hansen, a prominent presenter in Norway, initiated the Splice fundraiser to bring joy and warmth to children from financially struggling families during the holiday season. Walker’s gracious contribution epitomises his commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

The fundraiser’s mission resonates deeply with Walker, who firmly believes that every child deserves the magic of Christmas, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. As of the latest update, the fundraiser has successfully amassed

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Donating DJ

RENOWNED DJ: Raising funds.

over NOK 1.8 million (about €180,000) from a collective effort involving more than 4,600 donors.

All proceeds are channelled to Straight Forward Experiences, an organisation committed to orchestrating

delightful Christmas experiences for families struggling to make ends meet.

Alan Olav Walker, a renowned English-Norwegian DJ, remixer, and record producer, originally hails from Northampton, England. He gained global recognition with his sensational 2015 single ‘Faded,’ achieving platinum certification in an impressive 14 countries. Notably, three of his singles, namely ‘Faded,’ ‘Alone’ (2016), and ‘The Spectre’ (2017), have each garnered over a billion views on YouTube.

Walker’s musical skills extend beyond these hits, his YouTube channel became Norway’s most subscribed in early 2017, reaching six million subscribers, and as of July 2023, stands at a staggering 44.6 million subscribers.

Notably, it also holds the record for the most views among Norwegian creators, accumulating over 13 billion views.

Fully equipped p open p p plan kitchen working well withhe rest of the house.

14 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS AT what age are we the most happy? Of course, the answer to this question is subjective, as every human life has its own unique set of ups and downs that together form the people we are. However, results of an 80-year-long Harvard University study suggest that the pinnacle of human happiness and satisfaction arrives, on average, around the age of 60.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development,

Settled at 60 whose results have been published in a book called The Good Life, is the longest scientific study of happiness and well-being in history.

Beginning in 1938, the study has spanned multiple generations, tracking the lives of the children of the individual study’s participants for a holistic

understanding of human happiness.

The study’s original cohort included 700 men from the United States.

Now, researchers have begun to study the original cohort’s offspring, which are estimated to number around 2,000.

By 60, the study found, people tend to come to

terms with the limits of their lives and the reality of their mortality in a way that can be comforting. By this age, most people have reached a point in their lives where they are no longer weighed down by undesirable obligations, such as toxic relationships or friendships.

THE nation has a new King of the Jungle! In an epic showdown of grit, charm, and perhaps a touch of bug-induced insanity, the spotlight of ‘I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!’ 2023 shone upon none other than Made In Chelsea heartthrob, Sam Thompson.

Defeating Brexit pioneer Nigel Farage and retired boxer Tony Bellew in a testosterone-charged final, Thompson emerged victorious.

Thompson, barely able to contain his astonishment and gushed to hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, “I didn’t even think I was going to be invited on this show, let alone win it. I don’t know what to say.” Ah, the humble winner, truly a man of the people.

Thompson’s jungle escapades weren’t all about conquering creepy crawlies and facing trials; he also shed light on his struggles with ADHD. In a rare, sober moment by the creek, he

Image: Instagram/ samthompsonuk

King of the jungle WINNER: From Reality TV Star to jungle royalty.

opened up about his diagnosis, talking about the challenges he faced.

“If I’d known as a kid, not much would have changed, but how you feel about yourself probably changes,” he confessed, providing a glimpse into the unseen battles of the reality TV star.

His revelation struck a chord with many, highlighting the importance of understanding and accepting oneself. It was a moment of vulnerability

amidst the chaos of Bushtucker Trials and celebrity gossip.

Let’s not forget Thompson’s rise to fame on ‘Made in Chelsea’ and his forays into reality TV with appearances on ‘The Celebrity Circle’ and ‘Celebs Go Dating.’ Oh, and did we mention he hosts a podcast titled ‘Staying Relevant’? Well, he certainly stayed relevant by being crowned the King of the Jungle!

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

14 - 20 December 2023

IT has been a long time since the English language was the exclusive property of the English or the British, come to that.

As the world’s most-common second language, English eases communication problems worldwide although an annual survey by global education company, Education First (EF), revealed that travellers and tourists will find it easier to make themselves understood in some countries than others.

According to EF’s analysis of Standard English Tests that were taken by 2.2 million adults in 113 countries last year, the Netherlands were once again top of the class both in Europe and worldwide.

Singapore came second, followed by Austria , Denmark, Norway and Sweden in that order. Belgium, Portugal, South Africa, Germany, Croatia and Greece also came into EF’s “very high proficiency” category.

Photo credit: CC/Marc Ober

Most common

NETHERLANDS: Once again, top of the class.

Poland headed the “high proficiency” list, ahead of Finland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia, after which there was a considerable gap before the appearance of another European country, with Switzerland in 30th place.

Interestingly, some of the most popular European tourist destinations did less well. Spain and Italy shared 35th place in the “moderate proficiency” category but were beaten by Georgia and Belarus

who were ranked 32nd and 33rd respectively. France slipped to 43rd place, the lowest of all the Northern European countries included in the EF study. Turkey, an increasingly popular tourist destination, trailed in 66th place.

The EF study nevertheless found that despite the mediocre positions occupied by Spain, Italy and France, standards were much higher in Madrid, Rome and Paris, their capital cities.

LOCALS of Huizen in North Holland have been told to “check their garden sheds” after an escaped serval has been spotted in the area.

The serval is a wild cat native to Africa, their agility and hunting prowess make them potentially dangerous to humans, especially if they feel provoked. The wild instincts deeply ingrained in servals mean that they may not respond to human interactions in the same way as domesticated cats.

The wandering wildcat has been seen around the area of Gooi since the end of October, but has recently been spotted in Huizen. The Beestenbende Foundation have advised locals to check their garden sheds for the serval, which is probably seeking some warmth.

However, a spokesperson from the foundation,

Here, kitty kitty!

Rob de Graaf, has urged that people “must not approach the animal yourself.”

“In the middle of the night, this creature goes looking for food, only to hide again in a warm place in the early morning,” De Graaf explained. He also said that he “suspects the serval is hanging around a certain circle near Museumlaan in Huizen, where there are several spacious villas with garden sheds for it to hide in.”

The foundation also

Credit: Profberger/Creative Commons

Wandering wild

advised the neighbourhood to look for traces of the wild cat, suggesting that people look out for “cat’s food being eaten up a lot faster than normal, or strange faeces in your shed.”

Residents are also warned that although this cat may look incredibly cute, it is still a predator. Locals are instructed to report any sightings to the Beestenbende Foundation, who will return it to its rightful owner and out of harm’s way.

EWN 15

16 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

IT’S official: Nice has secured the honour of hosting the finale of the 2024 Tour de France, marking a historic departure from the traditional conclusion in Paris.

The renowned Promenade des Anglais will witness the triumphant end of the 111th Tour, an unprecedented move prompted by the proximity of the dates to the Olympic Games.

Commencing in Florence, Italy, on June 29, 2024, the race will culminate in Nice on July 21, just five days before the commencement of the Olympics.

The Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan area, stretching from the captivating coastline to the majestic mountain summits, stands out as an exceptional playground for both sports enthusiasts and professionals, set against a backdrop of pristine landscapes.

The organisers’ decision to anoint Nice as the concluding city for the 2024

Image: Radu Razvan / Shutterstock.com.

Nice for Nice

TOUR DE FRANCE: Will have its finale in Nice in 2024.

Tour reflects the region’s allure and suitability for such a prestigious sporting event.

Breaking from tradition, the last stage of the 2024 Tour de France will not culminate in the customary sprint on the Champs-Elysées.

Instead, it will feature an individual time trial, a return to this format after more than three decades.

The last time the Tour concluded with a time trial was in 1989 when American Greg Lemond clinched victory, stunning Frenchman Laurent Fignon by a mere eight seconds and seizing the jersey.

By hosting the finish of the 2024 Tour de France, the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan area adds another chapter to its storied history with cycling.

The Dutch decline A RECENT study has shown that in 2023, fewer women than ever in the Netherlands are choosing to have children.

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported on Wednesday, December 6, that the fertility rate, which is the number of children born per woman during her fertility period, is at an all time low in the Netherlands, where the fertility rate has been steadily declining since 2010 and has now reached a record low of 1.49 children per woman.

The Dutch statistics office stressed that there is not a clear reason for the falling fertility rate in the country. “It appears to be an interplay of different patterns,” adding that the declining fertility rate is not unique to the Netherlands as most European countries show similar developments.

Spain’s National Office of Statistics (INE), has recently revealed that the country has the second lowest birth rate in Europe.

Data collected by the INE states that just 330,000 babies were born in the country last year, the lowest rate recorded since the agency opened in 1941.

The fertility rate is a strong indicator of how a country’s population will develop.

A country needs a fertility rate of 2.1 to maintain a stable population. So why is the fertility rate steadily declining in Europe? Perhaps due to economic factors, the rising cost of living, as well as the low percentage of married women in their child bearing years.

Whatever the reason, Europe could find itself with an ageing population pretty soon if this pattern does not change.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

18 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

Credit: Zlaťáky.cz Pexels

Small investments in gold

IN times of peace and prosperity so-called ‘smart’ money is invested in stock markets and other intangible assets.

In times of discord however a lot of money flows into tangible assets such as gold and world prices are generally quoted in US Dollars On March 1, 2022 an ounce of pure gold was trading at $1,808 whilst on December 1, 2023 it had risen to $2,037 and appears to be on an upward swing.

Firstly don’t expect to pay the published spot price for small gold purchases as like shares there is a lower price for selling gold and a higher price for buying it.

Don’t buy new gold jewellery from a ‘high street’ jeweller as not only does it include the cost of manufacture but a retail hike of around 350 per cent plus IVA so apart from looking good

All of these gold bullion coins are produced by reputable mints.

and having some intrinsic value, it’s unlikely to make a profit.

In addition, don’t buy collector proof coins from State Mints or coin dealers as they are adding large mark ups and in most cases IVA to the selling price.

Where you can benefit is in purchasing bullion COINS (never medallions) direct from a number of State Mints around the world or Gold ingots from registered bullion dealers.

These organisations sell Gold Bullion at a percentage over the spot price

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast!

and the actual amount charged depends upon the price for the day and the volume of gold purchased.

For a single 1oz Bullion coin you could expect to pay as little as 4 to 5 per cent over spot although for smaller sizes the percentage charged will increase to up to 25 per cent.

For larger volumes of gold, there are brokers as well as investment funds who can purchase the gold for you but as with shares there will be a service charge.

20 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

Skyward soars respaña, reveals a substantial year-on-year growth of 14.2 per cent for December 2023, with the UK, Germany, and Italy spearheading the surge.

Poland, Czechia, and the USA emerge as the fastest-growing destinations compared to the same period last year.

According to the report, the total number of seats booked for international flights to Spain this December is 8.1 million, a significant uptick from the 7.1 million offered in December 2022.

Jordi Hereu, the Minister for Industry, Trade, and Tourism, expressed optimism about these extraordinary forecasts.

He highlighted the consolidation and growth of European markets, along with a notable increase in demand from distant markets like the United States.

December showcases outstanding performances in terms of seat bookings, with Poland experiencing a remarkable 90.7 per cent increase,

Czechia with a 46.2 per cent surge, and the United States showing a robust 27.3 per cent year-on-year growth.

Austria also contributes to this positive trend, witnessing a 26.4 per cent increase in seats on scheduled flights this December.

The Minister for Tourism anticipates an excellent month for tourism, contributing to a strong last quarter and underscoring the industry’s ongoing growth.

This positive trajectory aligns with efforts to desasonalise tourist flows, with indications suggesting that this trend will persist into 2024.

In terms of the percentage of seats booked by country, the UK leads with 19.3 per cent of the total, followed by Germany at 12.6 per cent and Italy at 9.7 per cent.

These figures affirm Spain’s appeal as a preferred destination, reflecting the resilience and vitality of the tourism sector.

Image: carm.es

ADVANCED bookings for international flights in December have surged to 8.1 million, marking a remarkable increase of one million compared to the previous year.

The data, unveiled by Tu-

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: Bookings have surged.

Winner has it all THE winner of one of the largest EuroMillions jackpots in history is somewhere in Austria, lottery officials have said, while the second-highest prize, a mere £1,191,020, may have as many as five winners.

National Lottery officials told a national newspaper on December 8 that three of those winners are located in the UK. The remaining two could be in any of the participating countries, which include Ireland, Spain, France, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Portugal, or Switzerland. To win the second prize, players must match all five numbers and one Lucky Star. Tickets must be purchased before 7.30pm, and players can still take home cash even if they don’t win the top prizes.

Such a jackpot is life changing, especially when you consider that hit songwriters Ed Sheeran and Rod Stewart have net fortunes of just £200 million, less than last weekend’s lucky winner. With £201 million in your pocket the possibilities are endless. Maybe it’s 500 Rolls Royce Phantoms that tickles your fancy. Or perhaps you’d rather bag a handful of Caribbean islands instead. With such a fortune you could spend lavishly and still have some cash left to invest.

22 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

NORWAY At a price NEWLY-INTRODUCED tuition fees at Norwegian universities for students from outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland has resulted in a sudden drop in foreign admissions. Depending on the university, fees can range from 150,000 to 370,000 Norwegian kroner (€12,786 to €31,537)) per year.

Deep down THE Norwegian government gave permission to allow deep-sea mining in some areas in the Arctic despite opposition from environmentalists. “We need minerals to lead a green transition with fuel cells, solar panels, electric cars and mobile phones,” Marianne Sivertsen Naess a Labour MP told the media.

SWEDEN

euroweeklynews.com II EUROPEAN PRESS

EUROPRESS PORTUGAL An EU first A METRO train made in China, the EU’s first, now operates in Porto after its official inauguration on December 6. One of the train’s first passengers was Portugal’s prime minister, Antonio Costa , who stressed the government’s “substantial” €50 million investment in the project, made available from the EU’s recovery fund.

PORTO: China unveils its new metro train.

GERMANY

IRELAND Home sweet home THE Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) revealed that buyers need a combined minimum income of €127,000 to pay for a Greater Dublin house with three bedrooms, dropping to €85,000 in the northwest. An average three-bedroomed house in Ireland, now costs €397,000, the SCSI said.

Irish accent IRISH-LANGUAGE film Kneecap, the original story of the ‘riotous and ground-breaking’ Belfast rap trio of the same name, holds its world premiere on the opening night of the iconic Sundance Film Festival in Utah in January next year. It will also be the first Irish-language film to be shown in Sundance.

Photo credit: Courtesy of CRRC Tangshan

FRANCE

DENMARK

Light fantastic

Covid plot

Frog shock

Toast roast

NOVEMBER and December are providing the most intense Northern Lights displays seen for many years in Sweden. Peak solar activity was expected in January, a tour operator told the Swedish media, citing guides with more than a decade’s experience who said they had never seen spectacles like this year’s.

A 39-YEAR-OLD German suspected of forming an armed group opposed to Covid restrictions was arrested in Portugal on December 5. The Koblenz authorities claim he led the Paladin group which used a 3D printer to produce weapons and trained together to take armed action against pandemic measures.

FRANCE is the world’s leading importer of frogs’ legs and the conditions in which frogs are caught and slaughtered in Indonesia were recently revealed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and published in Le Monde. PETA revealed that the trade was also decimating Europe and Asia’s amphibian populations.

POLICE in Denmark “strongly discouraged” drivers from kitchen appliances to warm up the batteries of electric vehicles when temperatures plummet. They said the fire that destroyed an EV in Stenlille near Copenhagen was probably caused by the toaster its owner left overnight under the bonnet of his car.

First time

Low marks

Vape veto

Strike two

A COOPERATION agreement with the US permits joint exercises while forging military links before Sweden joins Nato. This opens the door to US military operations and clarifies the legal status of US military personnel, while providing access to deployment areas and prepositioning military materiel, the Pentagon said.

GERMAN pupils have performed badly in the first post-pandemic Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey carried out in 81 countries. Apart from Asia, education standards fell worldwide while in Germany, students achieved lower marks for maths, reading and science than in 2019.

THE French parliament voted unanimously on December 4 to ban the single-use, disposable electronic cigarettes so popular with the young. Aside from the need to reduce health risks the new law, which will come into effect in September 2024, sets out to lessen the environmental impact of the discarded vapes.

MEMBERS of 3F Transport, Denmark’s largest trade union came out on strike in sympathy with workers at Sweden’s Tesla plant, where the company refuses to recognise the IF Metall union’s collective bargaining rights. Swedish postal workers, painters, electricians and dockers have all launched secondary action.

FINLAND

BELGIUM

ITALY

THE NETHERLANDS

He stays

A big ask

Drones gone

Stay-at-home

ITALY will not return the Palombaro Discus Player, a Second Century Roman copy of a Greek bronze which Hitler bought from a private owner in 1938 and was returned to Italy in 1948. Germany now wants it back but Culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said it would leave Italy “over my dead body.”

MAASTRICHT’S Natural History Museum asked France to return the fossilised skull of its Mosasaurus hoffmanni, a marine reptile between 10 and 15 metres long. Plundered by French troops during the 1794 siege of Maastricht, the Mosasaurus has been displayed in the Natural History Museum in Paris ever since.

CUSTOMS officials revealed that two Finnish companies are accused of selling 3,500 drones worth more than €2 million to Russia, together with equipment worth €600,000. The same officers have also been investigating the export, without the necessary permits, of anti-drone technology to Kazakhstan via Russia.

THE Belgica, a scientific research vessel built two years ago and costing €54 million, will put to sea for just four months each year owing to lack of funding. The VRT News channel reported that Science Policy minister, socialist MP Thomas Dermine, confirmed the Belgica would sail only 128 days in 2024.

No change

Boarding pass

Going bust

Bird flu

ITALY’S governing parties voted against an opposition proposal to introduce a minimum wage, bringing the country into line with other EU countries. Wages are set through collective bargaining, but 20 per cent of workers are not covered by this and many of them earn less than €9 an hour.

GREENPEACE protesters staging a sit-down aboard the Coco, a Canadian deep-sea exploration vessel prospecting between Mexico and Hawaii, must leave, but may continue to protest outside the ship, Dutch judges ruled. The case was heard in Amsterdam, as Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise is registered there.

FINLAND had 85 bankruptcies in the 48th week of this year, the highest since data information provider Asiakastieto Oy began tracking insolvency figures in 2019. By the end of 2023 the company predicts that more than 2,700 businesses, many of them in the construction sector, will have gone into administration.

BELGIUM reported an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu on a poultry farm in Diksmuide in the northwestern part of the country near the French border, the World Organisation for Animal Health announced on December 4. This first outbreak of the season killed 95 birds and required the slaughter of another 20,100.

www.vosshomesspain.com

.....................

FINANCE BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (BAT) has taken a £25 billion (€29.1 billion) hit and will write down the value of some US brands as more people stop smoking. Camel, Pall Mall and others acquired in BAT’s 2017 Reynolds £40 billion (€46.6 billion) takeover are now worth considerably less than originally expected.

SAF for Zara

REPSOL is supplying sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for Atlas Air which it will use on all flights from Zaragoza Airport for its customer, Inditex. New York-headquartered Atlas Air is also establishing an industry milestone as it is the first cargo airline to use SAF regularly on flights to and from Spain.

Jobs saved

OMNIPLEX, which owns 38 cinemas in Ireland, will pay more than £22 million (€25.6 million) for five sites belonging to the collapsed Empire operator which went into administration in July last year. The expansion of Ireland’s largest cinema chain onto the UK mainland for the first time will also save 150 jobs.

Mine deal

CANADIAN Denarius Metals Corp is paying €25 million for a 50 per cent holding in the Aguablanca copper-nickel mine in Monesterio (Extremadura).

The installation which belongs to Rio Narcea Recursos is located 88 kilometres away from Denarius’s own Lomero Project in Los Cerros del Andevalo (Huelva).

Not here

THE Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) told Marks & Spencer and Morrisons to “improve compliance” after they blocked rivals from opening up near their own stores “on multiple occasions” between 2011 and 2020.

“Competition between supermarkets must work well to help people get the best deals,” the CMA said.

STAT OF WEEK

€21.5 billion

in net profits expected for 2023 by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) after three years of losses owing to the impact of the pandemic on airlines.

Another Saudi investment

Linda Hall SAUDI ARABIA is continuing to increase its high-profile investment presence in the UK. The country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired a 49 per cent holding in Rocco Forte Hotels, putting a £1.2 billion (€1.4 billion) value on the luxury chain which owns Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel and Brown’s in London.

Millionaire hotel tycoon Sir Rocco Forte and his sister, Olga Polizzi, retain a 51 per cent stake in the company where they remain in their present posts as executive chairman and deputy chair-

Photo credit: CC/Orderinchaos

Up in smoke

euroweeklynews.com • 14 - 20 December 2023

BROWN’S HOTEL: Part of the Rocco Forte hotel empire.

man.

Forte has four other sisters who are selling their shares, while Italy’s sovereign wealth fund, CDP Equity, is selling its 23 per cent stake to PIF, headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Rocco Forte Hotels was founded in 1996

Linda Hall TELEFONICA is set on acquiring all the shares in its German subsidiary which is currently worth approximately €5 billion.

The Spanish multinational has launched a public tender to buy up the remainder of the holding that it does not already own in Telefonica Deutschland, offering €2.35 per share. The acceptance period began on December 5 and continues until January 17 next year.

This is 37.6 per cent above the share price at close of business the day before the offer was announced in November but below this year’s high of €3.15 reached in early 2023.

Dia selling

SUPERMARKET chain Dia is selling its perfume and cosmetic stores, Clarel, to Colombian investment company Grupo Trinity.

According to a statement from Dia, Trinity is paying up to €42.2 million for Clarel’s 1,000 shops in Spain and three distribution centres. Nevertheless, this would have a negative impact of €9.4 million on its account its next financial year, Dia added.

The Trinity sale follows a cancelled deal last December, when private equity group, C2 Capital Partners, an affiliate of Gaw Capital Partners in Portugal, offered €60 million for Clarel. The transaction was cancelled last August when C2 Capital Partners failed to meet agreed conditions.

and owns 14 hotels, the majority of which are located in Italy, including three in Rome and three in Sicily. As the company expects to double in size over the next five years, Forte described PIF as “an excellent partner” for the future, implying that these plans would inclu-

Telefonica wants control Photo: Flickr/Rodolfo Bontempi

BUSINESS EXTRA

26

TELEFONICA DEUTSCHLAND: Headquartered in Munich.

Information in the brochure published on December 5, when

de expansion into the Middle East. Meanwhile Saudi Araabia is also looking to attract more tourism to the Gulf state.

Referring to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund and the hotel chain, Forte said the two had established “extremely good relations” during their negotiations.

“They share the same vision for the brand and the future strategy of the group with the same ambition to take a longterm view,” Forte said.

PIF’s other UK assets include Newcastle United and the second-largest holding in Aston Martin.

the German authorities officially approved the deal, revealed that Telefonica now possesses an additional 9.4 per cent stake, reducing to 18 per cent the outstanding number of shares.

The Spanish multinational spent €57 million on buying up 30.7 million Telefonica Deutschland shares over two days followed the announcement last August that the German subsidiary had lost its contract to provide 5G coverage for telecoms company 1&1 to Vodafone.

Telefonica’s Chief Financial officer Laura Abasola also stressed that the company has no plans to de-list Telefonica Deutschland.

Treading water

Taking a toll

THAMES WATER, burdened with £14 billion (€16.3 billion) debts, is to face a parliamentary committee yet again.

The Environment Food and Rural Affairs committee will recall the company’s chief executive Cathryn Ross amid auditors’ warnings that parent company Kemble Water Holdings could be short of cash by April.

When the company was questioned last summer, MPs learnt that the situation would be alleviated by a £500 million (€583.2 million) injection from shareholders. Instead, the Financial Times reported on December 2 that Thames Water received a £515 million (€600.6 million) convertible loan charging 8 per cent interest to be paid each March, according to Kemble Water Holdings’ accounts.

“This leads us to question the accuracy of evidence provided by Thames Water in July,” said the cross-party committee’s chairman Sir Robert Goodwill.

SPANISH infrastructure multinational Abertis is buying the Autovia del Camino from Swiss investment bank UBS. The Camino motorway, which links Pamplona and Logroño, has a toll concession ending in December 2030.

Announcing the sale while omitting mention of the sums involved, Abertis said the operation consolidated the company’s new growth phase that commenced with the acquisition of new toll roads in the US and Puerto Rico.

In 2022 the Autovia del Camino enjoyed a “solid traffic performance” Abertis added, with a 4.2 per cent increase at year-end, as well as €49.5 million in revenues and an EBITDA of €45 million.

Qatar’s exit

QATAR INVESTMENT AUTHORITY (QIA), Barclays second-largest shareholder, intends to sell approximately 362 million of its shares.

The £510 million (€594.8 million) transaction, where QIA will shed around 45 per cent of its shares, will reduce QIA’s 5 per cent stake to around 2.4 per cent.

In 2008 Qatar helped Barclays to avoid a state rescue with a £4 billion (€4.67 billion) bailout and originally held one billion Barclays’ shares, whose price in the meantime has fallen by half.

The sale comes at a bad time for Barclays chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan (Venkat) who is trying to boost the bank’s performance.

Back to the office

NATIONWIDE told its 13,000 employees that they must work at least twice a week from the office.

From next April, the “work anywhere” policy introduced by its former chief executive during the pandemic will no longer be acceptable, said Nationwide’s current boss, Debbie Crosbie.

The building society has followed the lead of companies like HSBC, BT and BlackRock which announced to staff this year that they were phasing out work-from-home. Employees would now be expected to return to the office for several days each week to increase productivity, they learnt.

Renewables ENDESA is progressing with its plans to sell up to 49 per cent of its renewables portfolio consisting principally of solar power plants.

According to the financial daily Cinco Dias, the energy company is currently considering four separate offers in the region of €1 billion as it seeks to strengthen its position in sustainable energy.

Cinco Dias also revealed that Endesa has engaged both Banco Santander and Intesa Sanpaolo to sound out potential partners although when approached by the media, the company declined to comment.

28 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 4 December

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3I Group.....................................2.350,00..............+6,00............ +0,26%......... 117,52K

InterContinental..........................6.848,0...............+18,0............ +0,26%.......... 81,70K

Abrdn.......................................... 179,70................+0,70............ +0,39%...........1,03M

Intermediate Capital...................1.633,50.............+15,50........... +0,96%......... 115,66K

Admiral Group.............................2.769,0............... -31,0.............-1,11%........... 41,84K

Intertek........................................4.015,0............... -37,0.............-0,91%........... 11,76K

Anglo American...........................1.826,7...............+24,0............ +1,33%...........3,17M

ITV............................................... 61,52.................+0,66............ +1,08%...........1,89M

Antofagasta................................1.541,50.............+27,50........... +1,82%......... 273,21K

J Sainsbury................................. 296,13................+1,50............ +0,51%...........1,60M

Ashtead Group............................5.040,6................+6,0............. +0,12%.......... 52,16K

Johnson Matthey........................1.623,5................ -3,5..............-0,21%........... 25,94K

Associated British Foods.............2.439,0...............+17,0............ +0,70%.......... 94,78K

Land Securities........................... 642,80................ -1,00.............-0,15%.......... 167,64K

AstraZeneca...............................10.074,0.............. -48,0.............-0,47%.......... 207,67K

Legal & General.......................... 238,20................ -2,70.............-1,12%............2,49M

Auto Trader Group Plc................ 738,80................+0,80............ +0,11%......... 317,05K Aviva........................................... 426,10................ -3,00.............-0,70%.......... 581,10K B&M European Value Retail SA... 608,00................ -1,00.............-0,16%.......... 326,99K BAE Systems..............................1.042,91..............+0,50............ +0,05%......... 676,10K Barclays...................................... 142,13................ -1,14.............-0,80%...........23,99M Barratt Developments................. 540,80................+4,20............ +0,78%......... 777,00K Berkeley......................................4.683,0............... -57,0.............-1,20%.......... 114,44K BHP Group Ltd...........................2.456,00............. -37,00............-1,48%.......... 180,32K BP............................................... 465,30................ -2,95.............-0,63%............2,74M British American Tobacco...........2.266,0............... -51,0.............-2,20%............1,16M British Land Company................. 381,40................+5,30............ +1,41%......... 586,97K BT Group.................................... 133,25................+1,15............ +0,87%..........25,21M Bunzl...........................................3.067,0............... -12,0.............-0,39%........... 34,61K Burberry Group...........................1.495,0............... -23,5.............-1,55%.......... 110,24K Carnival.......................................1.287,2................+0,5............. +0,04%......... 166,09K Centrica....................................... 143,50................ -5,95.............-3,98%............4,79M Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.267,0................ -7,0..............-0,31%........... 41,11K Compass....................................2.051,00............. -11,00............-0,53%.......... 245,38K CRH............................................5.154,0...............+18,0............ +0,35%......... 160,32K Croda Intl....................................4.723,0............... -44,0.............-0,92%........... 23,46K DCC.............................................5.558,0...............+38,0............ +0,69%........... 8,15K Diageo.........................................2.808,0............... -21,0.............-0,74%.......... 500,21K DS Smith.................................... 300,32................ -2,80.............-0,92%.......... 775,55K EasyJet........................................ 479,70................ -1,50.............-0,31%.......... 383,15K Experian......................................3.078,0................ -3,0..............-0,10%.......... 133,93K Ferguson....................................14.350,0..............+50,0............ +0,35%........... 5,37K

Lloyds Banking............................ 45,58................. -0,72.............-1,56%...........24,87M London Stock Exchange..............9.102,4................+6,0............. +0,07%......... 130,67K Melrose Industries...................... 563,40................+4,00............ +0,71%......... 407,97K Mondi.........................................1.459,50.............. -3,50.............-0,24%.......... 190,21K National Grid..............................1.061,50..............+1,50............ +0,14%...........1,78M NatWest Group........................... 217,00................ -3,50.............-1,59%............3,15M Next............................................8.010,0...............+12,0............ +0,15%.......... 16,30K Ocado.......................................... 630,40................+3,00............ +0,48%......... 334,94K Persimmon.................................1.306,5................ -3,0..............-0,23%........... 83,52K Phoenix....................................... 494,50................ -3,10.............-0,62%.......... 508,68K Prudential.................................... 886,69................ -3,00.............-0,34%.......... 601,35K Reckitt Benckiser........................5.340,0............... -56,0.............-1,04%.......... 120,59K Relx............................................3.106,29.............. -2,00.............-0,06%.......... 280,02K Rentokil....................................... 414,90................ -4,20.............-1,00%.......... 675,11K Rightmove.................................. 577,20................ -3,40.............-0,59%.......... 616,42K Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.479,0.............. -104,0............-1,86%.......... 291,87K Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 295,30................+6,00............ +2,07%...........5,45M Sage...........................................1.180,50..............+6,00............ +0,51%......... 223,25K Samsung Electronics DRC.........1.376,00.............. -6,00.............-0,43%............ 2,58K Schroders.................................... 421,9..................+0,5............. +0,12%......... 126,80K Scottish Mortgage....................... 741,52................ -2,40.............-0,32%.......... 548,16K Segro.......................................... 829,80................ -2,00.............-0,24%.......... 159,59K Severn Trent...............................2.669,0............... -45,0.............-1,66%........... 88,82K Shell............................................2.507,0............... -13,5.............-0,54%.......... 785,33K Smith & Nephew........................1.043,00.............. -5,50.............-0,53%.......... 121,76K Smiths Group.............................1.670,50.............. -4,50.............-0,27%........... 51,31K Spirax-Sarco Engineering...........9.470,0................ -8,0..............-0,08%........... 13,23K

Flutter Entertainment..................13.195,0..............+40,0............ +0,30%.......... 33,67K

SSE............................................1.851,00............. -31,50............-1,67%.......... 300,43K

Fresnillo...................................... 578,80................ -1,60.............-0,28%.......... 107,31K

St. James’s Place........................ 690,60................ -9,00.............-1,29%.......... 190,38K

Glencore...................................... 443,35............... -14,05............-3,07%............7,42M

Standard Chartered..................... 647,40............... -12,60............-1,91%.......... 681,91K

GSK plc......................................1.433,60.............. -0,80.............-0,06%.......... 399,28K

Taylor Wimpey............................ 137,10................ -0,45.............-0,33%............1,67M

Halma..........................................2.195,2............... -10,0.............-0,45%........... 49,12K

Tesco.......................................... 288,45................+0,60............ +0,21%...........1,66M

Hargreaves Lansdown................. 752,00................+3,60............ +0,48%......... 194,61K

Tui............................................... 619,00................ -5,50.............-0,88%.......... 241,99K

Hikma Pharma...........................1.732,50............. -19,00............-1,08%........... 62,57K

Unilever.......................................3.743,5............... -44,0.............-1,16%.......... 585,09K

HSBC.......................................... 611,50................ -7,70.............-1,24%............3,35M

United Utilities............................1.095,27............. -14,00............-1,26%.......... 312,79K

IAG.............................................. 155,68................ -2,70.............-1,71%............2,61M

Vodafone Group PLC.................. 68,804............... -0,430............-0,62%...........10,31M

Imperial Brands..........................1.806,00............. -14,00............-0,77%.......... 379,83K

Whitbread...................................3.337,2................ -6,0..............-0,18%........... 57,88K

Informa....................................... 776,60................+2,20............ +0,28%......... 279,02K

WPP............................................ 717,60................ -5,00.............-0,69%.......... 285,60K

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.85593

1.16756

Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.0763 Japan yen (JPY)...................................157.41 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9476 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4560 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.778 currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES

Closing Prices 4 December 3M.............................................. 103,32................+0,04............ +0,04%...........3,05M American Express....................... 168,40................ -0,22.............-0,13%............1,86M Amgen........................................ 269,12................ -2,19.............-0,81%............2,51M Apple........................................... 195,71................+1,44............ +0,74%..........49,77M Boeing......................................... 244,45................+7,12............ +3,00%...........6,89M Caterpillar.................................... 259,43................+2,02............ +0,78%...........2,10M Chevron...................................... 144,32................+1,90............ +1,33%...........9,06M Cisco............................................ 48,38.................+0,12............ +0,25%..........14,97M Coca-Cola..................................... 58,60................. -0,14.............-0,24%............9,98M Dow............................................. 50,91................. -0,16.............-0,30%............3,57M Goldman Sachs........................... 350,89................+6,27............ +1,82%...........2,08M Home Depot................................ 326,35................+0,18............ +0,06%...........2,63M Honeywell................................... 194,61................ -3,18.............-1,61%............4,38M IBM............................................. 161,94................+1,72............ +1,07%...........3,75M Intel.............................................. 42,70.................+0,55............ +1,30%..........34,88M J&J............................................. 154,36................ -1,04.............-0,67%............5,90M JPMorgan................................... 158,55................+1,76............ +1,12%...........6,80M McDonald’s................................. 285,53................ -1,26.............-0,44%............3,18M Merck&Co................................... 103,74................ -0,14.............-0,13%............7,20M Microsoft.................................... 374,23................+3,28............ +0,88%..........18,55M Nike............................................. 115,90................+1,09............ +0,95%...........5,89M Procter&Gamble......................... 145,14................ -1,36.............-0,93%............4,77M Salesforce Inc............................. 250,73................+1,88............ +0,76%...........4,39M The Travelers.............................. 181,22................ -0,69.............-0,38%.......... 568,09K UnitedHealth............................... 549,93................+1,66............ +0,30%...........1,91M Verizon......................................... 38,24................. -0,41.............-1,05%...........18,10M Visa A.......................................... 255,69................ -0,13.............-0,05%............3,42M Walgreens Boots.......................... 23,16.................+0,25............ +1,09%..........17,24M Walmart...................................... 150,82................ -1,64.............-1,08%...........11,07M Walt Disney.................................. 92,82.................+0,77............ +0,84%...........6,54M M - Million Dollars

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 4 December

Company

Change Net / %

Volume

Most Advanced NWTN Inc........................................................+17.85%......................... 37,026 Paramount Global............................................+12.11%........................49.773M Axos Financial, Inc...........................................+11.81%.........................2.259M Paramount Global............................................+10.90%........................ 112,152 SiTime Corporation...........................................+9.87%......................... 237,513 Upstart Holdings, Inc........................................+9.01%.........................13.751M C3.ai, Inc...........................................................+8.65%.........................16.088M InterContinental Hotels Group PLC...................+8.47%.......................... 80,831 Hut 8 Corp........................................................+8.47%..........................6.155M Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc..........................+8.19%.........................53.071M Mondi plc..........................................................+8.15%.......................... 17,615 Most Declined Anglo American plc.......................................... -19.06%.........................1.646M HashiCorp, Inc................................................. -16.43%........................17.561M RH.................................................................... -14.00%.........................3.732M Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc......................... -11.58%.........................1.004M Beam Therapeutics Inc...................................... -8.17%...........................1.78M CRISPR Therapeutics AG.................................. -8.08%..........................17.23M Sunrun Inc........................................................ -7.07%.........................16.528M MINISO Group Holding Limited........................ -6.90%............................3.6M National Beverage Corp..................................... -5.57%......................... 238,026 XPeng Inc......................................................... -5.31%.........................14.219M GameStop Corp................................................. -4.95%.........................10.401M

M - Million Dollars

FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com

No grudges

AIRPORTS operator Aena called on Iberia to be “bighearted” and instead of hindering the handover to other companies to accept that it lost ground handling licences at Spanish airports because rivals presented better offers. Iberia retains Madrid-Barajas but has lost Barcelona-El Prat, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Alicante, Gran Canaria, Tenerife Sur, Ibiza and Bilbao.

Don’t go yet

THE UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) plans to ban High Street banks from closing unless residents have access to free-to-use cash machines. When proposing to close, banks will have two months to report to the FCA with details of facilities for cash withdrawals as well as deposit services for businesses and current accounts.

TUI could leave London

TUI, Europe’s largest travel operator, is deliberating whether to delist from the London stock exchange.

On publishing its full-year results on December 6, the Hanover-based company revealed that shareholders were “concerned” regarding the current dual listing on the London and Frankfurt stock exchanges.

They queried whether this was “optimal and advantageous” in view of a “notable” shift in share ownership from the UK

Photo credit: Tui AG/Christian Wyrwa

BUSINESS EXTRA

14 - 20 December 2023

TUI: Chief executive Sebastian Ebel announced a record year.

to Germany over the last four years.

Leaving London could lead to reduced costs, cen-

Iberdrola-Masdar alliance

ABU DHABI’S Masdar bought a 46 per cent stake in Iberdrola’s East Anglia 3 offshore windfarm, the largest in the UK. Masdar, controlled by the Gulf state and chaired by Dr Sultan al-Jaber, president of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai, announced the €15 billion deal during the climate talks.

“By combining our renewables experience and financial strength we can deli-

ver secure, competitive and clean energy more quickly,” said Ignacio Galan, Iberdrola’s executive chairman on Tuesday, December 5.

It was the UAE’s second agreement of this kind following Masdar’s acquisition on December 1 of 49 per cent of German-owned RWE’s £11 billion (€12.8 billion) Dogger Bank South project in the North Sea.

tralisation of liquidity and “potential benefits to European Union airline ownership and control requirements” the 2023 annual statement pointed out.

An end to pandemic restrictions coupled with higher prices, gave TUI a record turnover as the company headed by Sebastian Ebel saw underlying earnings before interest and tax soaring by 139 per cent to €977 million in the 12 months ending September.

Revenue rose to a record €20.7 billion following a strong summer season, as fourth-quarter sales increased by 11 per cent to €8.5 billion.

“2023 was a good year for TUI,” Ebel said. “Hotels and cruises are growth areas and highly profitable. Other segments, like the tour operator business, are undergoing transformation in order to also return to very good profitability.”

EWN 29

New role

THE Coca Cola Company announced that Spanish national Manuel Arroyo takes over as executive vice-president on January 1 although he would also retain the post of global chief marketing officer which he has occupied for the last four years. Arroyo, who first joined the company in Madrid in 1995, was initially responsible for the group’s operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Cellnex sells

THE Somerset Capital Management co-founded by the Tory MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg, is preparing to wind down following the departure of its most important client, wealth management company St James’s Place. Rees-Mogg’s business has lost around £2 billion (€2.3 billion) in assets, leaving it with approximately £1 billion, a sum generally regarded as too small for an effective hedge fund.

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE/NEWS

Cheap goods and communism LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT IN my opinion the Chinese are the most dangerous race on the planet.

Subjects who live under the iron boot of communism are like ants or bees following the orders of the Queen. On their own they are weak and vulnerable; working together for a common cause, they are virtually unstoppable.

Over the years, this ancient race of people with their inscrutable and patient leaders, has slowly but surely managed to infiltrate the West with far more success and subtlety than the terrorists who have impregnated our society. From the innocuous Chinese restaurants and emporiums of cheap goods, to the high financiers of Wall Street and the city of London, they are everywhere.

Most of their companies in the West are state owned enterprises, including the multi supply stores, whose staff are trained in China and schooled in the language of whatever country they are designated to take up their employment. These stores are

only allowed to buy their stock from China and are totally autonomous.

By selling a complete cross section of cheap goods, their purpose is to undermine and disrupt local businesses. Beijing’s 1997 takeover in Hong Kong and the announcement that they would be instructing schools to teach children from the age of six that they must always show allegiance to the state, was blatant brainwashing and of course ensures that their future generations will not become westernised, a result enjoyed by many of the youngsters who were raised under British rule.

Their technology, particularly in the cyber world, is second to none and the Chinese Communist parties, who lie with monotonous predictability, were almost certainly the source of a number of huge cyber-attacks on the West.

They are a nuclear power that can send rockets into space. Whether intentionally or accidently, China was undoubtedly responsible for the Covid pandemic that severely damaged a multitude of economies and spread fear all over the planet.

At present they are too astute to be actual warmongers, but I still be-

lieve, in the not too distant future, they will begin to flex their military muscles and endeavour to ‘take back’ Taiwan. Whatever the future holds, I think China is the biggest threat to Western democracy the world has ever seen. Can they be stopped? Somehow I doubt it, there are after all over 1.4 billion of them! If they join forces with Putin’s Mafia, I think we can stick our heads between our legs and bid adieu to our posteriors.

Ah well, aint life grand? Delighted to see that ‘I’m a Celebrity’ viewers voted out that awful Nellie individual. No doubt, by the time you read this she will be (unless advised otherwise!) blaming racism as one of the main reasons for her unpopularity. Ridiculous; she was merely a young, spoiled brat of low intellect, no matter what her origins.

Did you know that the ol’ Leaper has, in the distant past, twice been short listed for that show?

Lost out both times I’m afraid.

No need to display the reasons, it certainly wasn’t racism.

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.

Botulism charges BORDEAUX: 16 people affected by botulism last September.

THE manager of the Bordeaux restaurant whose home-preserved sardines caused a client’s death has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

As well as a 32-year-old Greek woman who died from botulism last September, 15 people, most of them from the UK, Ireland, Germany, Ireland, Canada and the US, were also affected after eating at the Tchin Tchin wine bar.

Most were in their 30s or 40s and were visiting during the week when Bordeaux was hosting World Cup rugby matches.

A statement from Bordeaux’s public prosecutor, Frederique Porterie, said that investigators had

Photo credit: CC/Bert Kaufmann

30 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

identified “various infringements of the hygiene regulations” at the restaurant “especially relating to homemade preserves.”

The manager, who has not been named, has been charged with “involuntary manslaughter, injuring and endangering the lives of others, failing to assist a person in danger, and selling contaminated or toxic food.”

If found guilty he could face a prison term of between two and five years and a fine of up to €600,000.

Botulism is a rare but serious illness which is caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nervous system and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death.

FEATURE II euroweeklynews.com INTERVIEW

Make sure you keep active ANOTHER of our ongoing conversations with Europeans who have chosen to settle in Spain, and this time it’s the turn of Lily van Tongeren who moved to the Costa del Sol in 2012 from The Netherlands.

Explaining her decision, of this “This is not a hoLily said “I was attracbby, it’s a passion that ted by the weather makes me want to and lifestyle after do all that I can to a number of hoprotect and care liday visits and for abandoned there was a faanimals, espemily reason as cially the very well. young and tho“I just love it se that are sick. here, especially “When I come in Marbella which home from worhas an internatioking with them, I Credit: Facebook nal population and love to escape into a Lily van Tongeren. whilst the lifestyle is regood book and I suppolaxed, you have to be able to se reading is my main ho‘go with the flow’ as there are some bby.” ups and downs.”

One piece of advice which she belieLily acknowledges that there are ves is very important for anyone who some problems with bureaucracy but moves here, especially if they are penthinks that the same everywhere in Eu- sioners, is that they should ensure that rope as each country has its own ways they keep active and maybe volunteer of doing things which may seem stran- to work with a charity as she did. ge to newcomers, so she tries to navi“That way they will meet other peogate as best she can. ple, form new acquaintances and also Many will know that Lily is one of the not be tempted to spend too much guiding lights behind the Triple A ani- time in local bars, which has been a mal charity in Marbella and she says problem for some people.”

14 - 20 December 2023

EWN 31

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

Extra care given A NETWORK of six hospitals located across Belgium are offering an ‘extra layer of care’ to young adults that have been diagnosed with cancer.

Belgium’s RIZIV insurance committee announced its endorsement from Friday December 1 to collaborate with these hospitals. “Our aim is to offer high-quality, age-specific care to improve their quality of life during and after treatment,” stated the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Frank Vandenbroucke.

In Belgium, these six hospitals experience the largest number of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) diagnoses every year, these are: UZ Leuven, UZ Gent, UZA (Antwerp), CHU Liege Sart-Tilman, Institut Jules Bordet, and Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc in Brussels. The programme that will now begin in these care centres aims to establish a national care pathway to ultimately provide standardised AYA care.

A start-up budget of €600,000 has been provided for 2023, and from 2024 €1.2 million will be released annually for the agreements with the various hospitals.

Each AYA team consists of a specialist doctor, a specialised nurse, a social worker, and a psychologist.

Specific attention will be given to this age group after the initial diagnosis, as well as during their ongoing treatment, particularly focusing on their wider support system.

Credit: Shutterstock

32 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE: For young cancer patients.

“This special attention has a significant impact on AYA’s physical, emotional and psychological well-being, at a time in their lives when they are in full development in various domains, which makes psychosocial support absolutely necessary,” explained Kleo Dubois, project officer of the AYA project at UZ Leuven.

Dubois added that expanding the team to collaborate with other hospitals allows ways to “continue to work on optimising AYA care, sharing this in the hospital and beyond,” this includes “better access to clinical trials” by bringing awareness and helping AYAs to make informed decisions to participate.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

euroweeklynews.com

Cloudberry: A Nordic superfruit with remarkable health benefits THE cloudberry, a golden­ yellow fruit native to the Arc­ tic and sub­Arctic regions, is more than just a rare delica­ cy. Its impressive nutritional pro­ file and health benefits have garnered atten­ tion worldwide.

Nutritional Powerhouse: Cloud­ berries are rich in vita­ min C, often containing four times more than or­ anges, making them excel­ lent for immune support.

They are also a good source of vitamins A and E, and di­ etary fiber.

Antioxidant Properties: These berries are loaded with antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Their anti­ inflammatory properties are

CLOUDBERRY: Health benefits garnered worldwide attention.

also beneficial in preventing ailments.

Heart Health: The omega­ 3 and omega­6 fatty acids in cloudberries contribute to heart health by regulating cholesterol levels.

Skin Health: The high vitamin E content in cloudberries makes them great for skin health, potentially aid­ ing in reducing signs of ageing and skin repair.

Anti­Cancer Poten­ tial: Preliminary studies suggest that the ellagitan­ nins in cloudber­ ries might have an­ ti­cancer properties, although more research is needed.

Conclusion: The cloudber­ ry, with its unique blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids, stands out as a superfruit. Its potential health benefits, ranging from boosting the immune sys­ tem to supporting heart and skin health, make it a valu­ able addition to a balanced diet.

14 - 20 December 2023

EWN 33

s a m st Chri

SPECIAL

FA La La La La, La La La La! Oh it really does feel like Christmas now doesn’t it!

Most of the light displays now adorn our town centres, the office has planned the Christmas party, complete with festive jumpers, the kids have all been given their nativity parts (tea

Credit: Commons/serooskerke2011

‘Tis the season to be jolly!

It’s Christmas!

towels at the ready) and the local shopping centres, are now playing Christmas songs on repeat. Cute.

The modern day Christmas admittedly has little to do with its ancient ancestors, and it is widely agreed that it most probably was not the birthday of our saviour (maybe) Jesus Christ.

However, with all the doom and gloom going on in the world, who doesn’t welcome a little bit of festive cheer?

Although this holiday may not be easy for all of us, Christmas is a time to look at the good things in our life, be thankful for family, friends, and cinnamon scented cand-

les, which top tip ... are less than €2 in Mercadona!

If you know someone who you feel may be struggling, lend a helping hand, or bring them over for a cuppa.

This time of year is about spreading that holiday happiness and of course, sharing what we do have with others less fortunate.

Christmas can also be seen as a time to celebrate life, and its ever changing cycles, and whether your Christmas Day feels great, or a bit glum, put a festive jumper on, pull a cracker, and join in arms with the people you’re blessed to have close to you this year.

ALM II euroweeklynews.com

Christmas SPECIAL

14 - 20 December 2023

EWN 35

La Flor de Pascua: The Festive Flower

IF you take a look around Almeria, or any Spanish town during Christmas time, one sight you are sure to see is the bright bloom of La Flor de Pascua, The Pascua Flower.

Known in English as the Poinsettia, a quarter of all these plants are cultivated in Almeria, where the warm climate allows them to be grown under plastic, without the use of additional heating. But how and when was this tradition born in Spain?

The history of this plant at Christmas actually dates back to Mexico, where it is known as ‘Christmas Eve’, and the reason the Pascua flower was linked to Christmas is its natural flowering time, which coincides perfectly with the festive season. This Pascua tends to flower during the month of December. and then take on its bright red leaf colours just in time for Christmas.

Its dazzling display amidst the darkness of winter makes it a perfect gift and ornament to brighten homes and churches during the festive period.

It has also acquired a strong symbolism due to the religious roots of

The Poinsettia.

Credit: Gobierno de Mexico

Christmas, as its intense red colour is associated with the blood of Christ, and the star shape that its leaves resemble is reminiscent of the Star of Bethlehem.

La Flor de Pascua rooted itself in Spanish culture around 30 years ago, when cuttings arrived in the country from Africa, and many farmers in Almeria swapped tomatoes and peppers for the ornamental plants.

Now the province produces around 2.5 million poinsettias every year.

The tradition of planting, displaying and giving La Flor de Pascua at Christmas unites people of all nationalities and backgrounds.

It is a universal gesture of love and appreciation that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. When you gift this plant, you are sharing the spirit of Christmas.

ESTABLISHED 2001

Spending at Christmas?

SANTA CLAUS is coming to town! A song and idea that makes children from all over the world shriek with glee at the thought of their precious presents on Christmas morning!

However, rather than elves at the North Pole making these gifts, the hard work often comes from mum and dad, with many parents even taking on overtime around the festive season in order to be able to afford all their little one’s wishes.

So, have things gone too far? Is Christmas now solely based on pricey presents and overworked parents, rather than being a time of remembering sacrifice, loving and sharing?

Euro Weekly News spoke to Lisa Grayson, a mother of two young children currently living in the UK. She told us that “oh I go all out at Christmas, I didn’t have much as a kid and so now I want to give mine everything, and if I work hard for it, why shouldn’t I? Who’s to judge me?” When asked around how much she spends in total on presents she responded with, “probably around £1,000, is that a lot?”

Child Therapist, Sarah Lee, who is based in the UK and a mother herself, told EWN that she spends around £100 per child at Christmas, and that they do not write a ‘wish list’ to Santa. “I want them to feel special and have a fun day, to enjoy like other children, but to be excessive does not benefit a child at all.”

Christmas SPECIAL

euroweeklynews.com II ALM

The Christmas tree debate

DECEMBER is here! It’s officially Christmas, right?

Although many would scream “yes!” in response to this, having had their Christmas decorations and tree up since November, others would protest that in fact it is still not the festive period yet. “Every year it seems to start earlier and earlier,” Sara Fox from the UK told Euro Weekly News, “I love Christmas, but even I think it is getting a bit ridiculous,” she admitted.

So, when does Christmas actually begin? In Western Christianity, where modern day Christmas originates, the Christmas season is traditionally synonymous with Christmastide, which starts on December 25 (Christmas Day) to January 5 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany Eve), popularly known as the 12 Days of Christmas.

However, here in Spain, celebrations start as early as December 22, with one of the main days being on December 24, ‘Nochebuena’ and last until January 6, The Magic King’s Day. That’s a good 15 days of festivities!

However, even the lengthy Spanish celebration says nothing of December 1 being the start of Christmas, but try telling that to the cities full of Christmas lights, the shopping centres that look like Santa’s grotto already, and the thousands of people who have already put their

Credit: Wikipedia Commons - dorotheum

36 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

Decorating the tree.

Christmas trees up!

Hans Gruber from Germany told EWN that he strictly puts his Christmas tree up on December 24 every year. “That is how we always did it in my family growing up,” he explained, “why would you put it up any sooner, the world has gone Christmas ‘consumer’ crazy!”

However, Amy O’Flynn from Ireland told a different story, saying “oh I’ve had mine up since mid-November! As soon as Halloween is over that’s it, Christmas time! Why not extend that period of joy? There’s enough bad going on in the world, and my tree brings me happiness.”

Merry Christmas in 15 Languages!

HAS your Christmas joy filled up so high that it is spilling over the top? So much so that you just want to wish the whole world a very Merry Christmas?

Well, if so, Euro Weekly News has you covered, well almost. Here is how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in some languages from around this lovely planet.

The obvious, Merry Christmas, English!

God jul! That is Norwegian and Swedish.

Glaedelig jul! Danish!

Hynaa joulua. If you’re from Finland.

Gleoilig jol. That’s Faeroese!

Juullimi ukiortaasamilu pilluaritsi.

Greenlandic, and 10 points if you can pronounce it!

Joyeux Noel, the language of love,

French.

Feliz Navidad, admit that you sang it to the tune! Home turf, Spain!

Frohliche Weihnachten. The jolly Germans.

Buon Natale, is in Italian.

Wesolych swiat. Polish!

S Rozhdestvom Kristovym, if you’re from Russia.

Milad majid, is how to say it in Arabic.

Souksaan wan Christmas, oh do you recognise a word! That’s in Thai.

Finally, Shengdan kuaile xinnian kuaile.

Another easy one for us English speakers, Mandarin Chinese!

So now it’s time. With your new found multilingual skills, go and let the world know it really is Christmas time!

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Christmas SPECIAL Christmas in your country. Sexiest What do you miss most? Santas…

Credit: Wikipedia Common

WHO doesn’t remember Christmas as a child. However you celebrated, those memories stay with people for life.

From typical traditions of one’s home country to individual family holiday habits, our core Christmas beliefs always grow from our childhood.

If you have since left your home country, and now celebrate the festive period in another land, Christmas time may feel a little strange, sort of an ‘anticlimax’.

That childhood magic we once felt, made up of those traditions, can perhaps not be satisfied in such a different environment at this time of year.

To the typical American, Europe may seem as though it is all quite similar, but Christmas actually differs greatly in each country, with many not even celebrating it on the same date!

Euro Weekly News spoke to residents of Spain from various European nations, to see what ‘Christmas feeling’ they miss most from their homeland whilst celebrating in Spain.

Cristoph Muller from Germany said that “the first thing that comes to mind is the snow. The freezing weather, before I moved to Spain all I wanted was

s - J Hoover and Son

ALM II euroweeklynews.com

Traditional Christmas.

sun, but at Christmas time I like to feel cold!” Karolina Daktaraite from Lithuania seconded this, laughing that “I can’t believe I miss the bad weather, but I do!”

Adding that she also often longs for the typical Lithuanian tradition of “doing magic” on the evening of Christmas Day. “Of course, you can always do these things here in Spain, but it feels nicer somehow when you are doing it in a place where everyone does the same thing together, like a connection.” She also explained that it is difficult to source the food usually eaten in Lithuania at Christmas, here in Spain.

Katherine Wright from the UK seemed almost in tears when EWN asked her this question. “Oh, I know this one, the Christmas pantomimes! That was my favourite memory

as a child, and it’s hard to feel in the Christmas spirit without seeing these on Christmas Eve.” Did she really say that? Oh yes she did!

After a few conversations with many nostalgic Spanish residents, and the mood feeling a little sombre, Euro Weekly News spoke to a ray of Christmas light, in the form of a man from Sweden, Niklas Soderstrom.

His response was quite unique, he stated that “to be honest, traditions, you can always create new ones.

It’s family that counts. If I am not with them then yes, I miss them, but when I am with family, it can always be Christmas.”

Poetic! What a lovely spirit.

What does Christmas in your country look like?

What do you miss the most?

HE brings us presents, he’s full of love and kindness, oh, and he has a beard! It’s a triple tick for Saint Nick in our books, but which Hollywood heartthrob played him best?

To kick things off, ‘cos we all love a bit of a bad boy, Willie Soke in Bad Santa takes our number three spot. Willie might be a bit of a diamond in the rough, but we can’t help appreciate his Santa-style-smoulder.

He might be ‘bad’ in the film but he’s also got a soft spot for bullied children, and that makes his flaws seem a little softer.

Coming in second, a super cute female Santa in the form of Anna Kendrick in Noelle. She is just so adorable in this role, bordering on angelic, and her fun and fabulous outfits are the festive frosting on the top. To add to her magic, she ends up saving the day, as well as her brother! Did somebody say girl power?

Our number one spot can only go to one Father of all Christmas’, the ultimate decorated daddy, David Harbour in Violent Night. Ok, as the title suggests he does resort to a little violence, but it is definitely warranted (he’s protecting a child) but does it with swagger and style.

So, that’s our favourite three, who’s your secret Santa crush?

14 - 20 December 2023

EWN 37

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40 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE

COMMUNITY

COMMENTS

THE news that those who ride electric scooters are going to be required to comply with a number of new regulations here in Spain with effect from January 22, 2024 this has found favour with a number of our readers as well as some questions.

The article appeared in a number of regional editions of issue 2005 or can be viewed on the Euro Weekly News website.

“

They have no tax to pay. l have had two near accidents with them, the younger ones have no idea about road safety, no clue at all. They are banned in a lot of countries… they are dangerous to themselves and drivers who have done road safety and know the rules and regulations of the road… THEY DO NOT… please get these off the road…

Mary Hollamby

I live in Spain, as a driver of a car, these seem to come out of the blue, often with insufficient lighting. That said, they look like fun, my son wants one! No way. But what is the alternative? A moped, possibly worse?

From a drivers’ point of viewing (literally) the electric scooter wins. But young people use them on pedestrian areas, THIS is VERY dangerous, as they are silent and very fast.

I don’t know the future, it’s just one more thing to look out for. As for my son, he will wait one year more and drive with protection ie air bags.

Lorraine, Denia

The worst thing about it, people are using on pavements, parks etc. Kids are nowhere safe anymore.

Yoy

What about public insurance and form of tax with the hire company?

Mr Jackson

I am 83 years old and own a four wheel mobility scooter which I need to get about for visits to my doctor and pharmacy, how will these new regulations affect me please ?

Chris Dixon

A regular reader sent a long and very interesting comment following an article published on our website which suggested that the bilingual education system in some Spanish schools could harm learning; Quote: “Can Spanish teachers speak good English?

Related to this is the fact many teachers lack English proficiency themselves, meaning that they often fail to convey the subtleties necessary for effective instruction.”

This is a HUGE problem, because no, the vast majority can’t but also insist that they can! I’ve even known British kids contradicted and told they are using the wrong vocabulary.

Last year I had a class of B1 students who kept saying “I’m agree”, among (many) other mistakes. When I corrected them they told me that their high school teacher insists on it! I suggested they tell her that their Academy English teacher, who teaches all levels including C2, that to agree is a verb and so just as you can’t be run, sit, or read, you cannot be agree.

I’ve also seen ‘to attend to the school…’ in course books, instead of attending a school.

When I explain that the caretaker and cleaners attend TO the school; they are looking after it / maintaining it, whereas enrolled students attend their schools.

One major issue is la escuela oficial de idiomas, is deeply flawed, yet its qualifications are given prescience over Cambridge English qualifications, which are the most highly regarded certificates the world over.

Known for their rigorous standards, and continuous professional development, it isn’t easy to achieve the highest levels required to even contemplate becoming an English teacher, and so very many Spanish-English teachers (and officials) opt for the easy route…. They just NEED a certificate for their job!

While Spain continues to operate in a prejudiced way, favouring its home-grown language school exams, and making it obligatory to sit and pass “oposiciones’ in SPANISH, no decent, fully qualified English teacher can get hired in a state school, unless they have been raised inside the Spanish education system. There is no equality, not a chance of a school appointing the ‘best teacher for the job’, it is completely out of their hands, some faceless bureaucrat holds the power for any position in a civil position.

Concha

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.

42 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

Stop and think! Big Issue bonus THE festive period is a time where cases of drink drinking show a significant rise, so much so that the Local Police annually increase their stop checks on the roads. Christmas parties and end of year celebrations lead to many making the irresponsible decision to choose convenience over the safety of themselves and others.

As most of us know, driving a vehicle whilst being under the influence of alcohol or any other substance is illegal.

The Penal Code in Spain states that a blood alcohol level between 0.50mg/l and 60mg/l incurs a penalty of €1,000 and a deduction of six points from the driver’s licence.

Levels over 60mg/l may lead to imprisonment for three to six

months, one year of community service, and a licence suspension ranging from one to four years.

However, something that many are not aware of, are the complications with getting your driving licence back after your ban has ended.

You won’t be able to regain your licence until you sit a road awareness and re-education course, which will last 24 hours in total.

You will also have to take your driving theory test again before your licence can be reissued.

This can be done in English, but as Manilva resident Matt Trigel explained to Euro Weekly News, “the theory exam is in English but to be honest some of the questions didn’t make any sense as the translation is poor sometimes.” Another resident,

Michelle Vaugn also said that, “the whole process is expensive and not very easy at all.”

In addition to the theory exam, an extra complication is the amount of appointments you need to attend and paperwork that must be completed. It can be a long wait to get one, and if all the official paperwork, which is in Spanish, is not completed correctly, then another appointment, and subsequently a long wait, will have to be made.

So perhaps this information will not only inform but also deter you this holiday season, as it may not just be the time without the ability to drive that will be a problem, if not also the tedious period of official appointments that will follow!

Credit: Big Issue Andy Parsons

BACK IN TOUCH: Prince William and Big Issue seller Dave Martin.

FOR the second year running, Prince William has taken to the streets of England to join Big Issue seller, Dave Martin, at his selling spot in Hammersmith, West London.

The duo have reportedly stayed in contact since their meeting last year, when the future king first helped Mr Martin with his sales of the well-known paper, and decided to once again join forces this year. The Prince of Wales appeared in Tesco, in early December, and donned the typical ‘Big Issue’ tabard, with matching baseball cap. He posted on his social media that

it was, ‘Great to be back with Dave, selling the latest edition of the Big Issue once again!’ They even exchanged Christmas cards this year, and Big Issue seller Dave said: ‘It was very nice to see Prince William again. It was surreal but he was so friendly. He was concerned about me and about the homeless people,” concluding that “it’s been a great day.”

As did his mother, Princess Diana, Prince William often collaborates with the community, and involves himself directly with various important issues of the people of Britain.

43

PETS

euroweeklynews.com • 14 - 20 December 2023 SPONSORED BY

No puppies for presents this Christmas

A DOG is man’s best friend. A quote that is old but true, as anybody who has had the honour of living alongside one of these caring creatures knows.

Is there anything cuter than a puppy? Perhaps a puppy with a big red bow, smiling up at a child on Christmas morning.

Perfect for photos, and the child will surely be elated, however, what about what comes next?

A law has recently been passed in Spain that makes pet insurance compulsory for dog owners, the minimum cost of which is €20 per month but can be significantly more depending on the breed. The puppy will also need its injections, which usually total around €150, as well as a microchip and passport, if you wish to travel with your new companion. All in all, you should expect to spend between €220 and €800 in the first few weeks of owning a dog, and this expenditure is before the life of owning an

CUTE PUPPIES: They are for life, not a gift at Christ

mas.

animal has even begun. The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) discovered that people in Spain spend an average of €1,131 per year on a dog, a figure that many do not take into account before making the commitment to taking one home.

Unfortunately, far too often this financial and physical responsibility becomes too much for new dog owners, especially when reality sets in and six months down the line the adorable puppy has chewed the new sofa (yes they will), takes time and effort to house train, and has perhaps doubled or even tripled in size.

When the cuteness fades and the inconvenience of caring for an animal becomes apparent, many decide that having a dog “is not for them”, and swiftly rehome their once loved friend. Of course though, a one year old dog is not as easy to find a family for, hence why dog shelters in Spain and all over Europe are currently overflowing with many discarded Christmas ‘gifts’.

These poor animals, who once thought they had found their forever family, now sit alone wondering what went wrong, and the responsibility of caring for them lies with generous volunteers and

donors, but they can only do so much. For this reason, animal shelters are desperately urging people to carefully consider the decision when adding a furry friend to the family. They may look very cute on Christmas morning, but they are living, breathing, sentient beings, just like you and I. They are not a gift, not a perfect posed picture accessory, they are a friend for life, and they will have their flaws!

For anyone who is feeling the desire to add the magic of a dog into their lives, perhaps consider fostering for a while, to understand the reality of caring for one.

Fortunately, many shelters, after witnessing a common pattern, now do not allow dog adoptions around Christmas time, due to this tragic trend.

A dog is a man’s best friend, and life is never the same after living with one, but they are for life, not a gift for Christmas.

Catkin likes her pet-sitters for company CATKIN’S owners have been using HouseSitMatch as a source of free checked pet-sitters to care for their animals when they travel away from home. Catkin is one of three pets, the only cat among two dogs. She tolerates them perfectly, but loves her live-in pet-sitters.

If you’re planning a trip in 2024 register now to find pet-sitters in time. Earlier is better than later. Whether your trip is short or long, get organised ahead of time. All pets benefit from staying at home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed. Join our pet and house-sitting network, and the sitters come for free!

Choose Housesitmatch. com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These

Meet Catkin who likes nothing more than relaxing in the comfort of her home.

are the steps to take: 1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch. com 2. Choose a Standard account (£69 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed 3. Create a profile with

photos of your pet and the house 4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.

How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters.

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

Trustpilot Testimonials 4.9 / 5 Excellent Pure Joy - I have completed two house-sits so far so early days. Both sits have been well suited to me and my dog.

Thoroughly enjoyable experiences with beautiful homes and well-rounded animals. I’m looking for more!

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Please register online via our website www.House sitmatch.com.

Need a pet or house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20% discount using coupon code 20EWN – Reader exclusive offer.

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EWN 45

46 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II MOTORING

ROAD TEST

By Mark Slack BYD is arguably the biggest company you’ve never heard of, they have electronic parts in the products of many well-known tech companies. The Chinese manufacturer is also involved in rail transit and new energy solutions for zero-emissions systems. Most importantly to us they have produced cars since 2005. The recent European launch of three new EVs means the company has gained greater prominence, the Atto, Dolphin and Seal have garnered very good reviews from the motoring press.

Latest to launch is the Seal that offers two models priced from £45,695, a single motor rear-wheel-drive or dual motor all-wheel-drive. Possessed of rather Teslaresque styling it looks less minimalist, some would say less bland, especially inside the car. The interior treatment feels very premium, and on the price front the dual motor long range Seal

BYD Seal - better than a Tesla Model 3? is slightly cheaper than the equivalent Tesla Model 3, and comes with more equipment as standard.

On the technology front the lead-in Seal provides a longer range and slightly quicker performance to the benchmark 62mph.

However, many of these differences are to a degree inconsequential and arguably only provide bragging rights. You can legally travel at up to 70 mph on UK roads, acceleration in both cars is more than sufficient to pass slower moving traffic in the blink of an eye, therefore it largely comes down to what you perceive and feel from the cars.

Standard fare across the board with the Seal includes leather upholstery, 15.6” central display screen that can be rotated between portrait and landscape, power adjustable driver’s seat, dual zone remote climate, power tailgate, auto lights and wipers, powered, heated and

folding door mirrors, high beam assist with adaptive headlights, keyless entry and start, four driving modes, wireless phone charging and a whole raft of safety kit.

On the road the cars provide a smooth and confident performance in terms of ride and handling, with even the rear wheel drive model displaying admirable alacrity when you exercise your right foot. The interior is a very nice place to be travelling and my only reservation is that the colour choice of the background and graphics on the display screen is a little wishy-washy and could be easier to read.

Overall this is a most impressive start for BYD and given the choice, if you take badge preference, and residual values, out of the equation, I cannot see why people would opt for a Tesla Model 3 over the BYD Seal. Yes, it really is that good.

euroweeklynews.com II SPORT

World Cup 1982

New national stadium deal

THE year 1982 was a very special one for Spanish football as Spain hosted the FIFA World Cup for the first time.

It was also a very special year for football minnows Northern Ireland as their team qualified for the finals for just the second time in their history.

A teacher of English originally from Northern Ireland but by then with property in Spain, Tony Matthews was appointed as interpreter and liaison officer by the Spanish Royal Organising Committee.

As Northern Ireland and Spain were both in the same play-off group, he asked if he could be assigned to the Northern Ireland squad and to his delight, this was approved.

After all of these years and now living in Madrid with a holiday property in Los Alcazares, Tony has been persuaded to write his story of the events covering those few weeks and he reveals secrets of the players, the situation in Spain still under the rule of Franco, his encounters with some of the greats of world football and much more.

The book, titled ‘Yer Man Will Look After Our Language’ is being sold to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Unit Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast and can be obtained online from Amazon at https://www.amazon.es/YER-WILL-LOOK-AF TER-LANGUAGE/dp/B0C6C4FFHT in Spain.

It will be noticed that this Tony bills himself on the book cover as the other Tony Matthews as he is aware of the tremendous number of books on the subject of football produced by our former columnist Tony Matthews.

RIDING high after last summer’s World Nations success, Team Spain Walking Football team have secured a collaboration with the town hall at Pilar De la Horadada in the municipality of Alicante.

Mark Kavanagh, part of the Team Spain’s management had a successful meeting with Pedro Quesada, sporting technical director and José Antonio Martinez, sports councillor in which the town’s football stadium was officially announced as the new home for Team Spain to hold International matches and host tournaments.

This represents a massive breakthrough for the sport with the collaboration and partnership at local government level and can only enhance its growing popularity within both the Spanish and expatriate communities.

Team Spain have was-

Image: Team Spain Walking Football

48 EWN 14 - 20 December 2023

Mark Kavanagh (centre) with José Antonio Martinez and Pedro Quesada.

ted no time in utilising their new home with the announcement of a major International tournament next September when they will host England, France, Italy and The Basque Country among others between December 26 - 28.

The event will be con-

Madrid Grand Prix 2026

€1 Million record

Credit: Michael Cola/Shutterstock.com

THE Spanish capital is poised to host a Grand Prix event starting in 2026, marking a return to the city for the first time since the early 1980s. The race is scheduled to take place on a new semi-urban circuit around Ifema and Valdebebas.

On March 28, the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property (BOPI) reported that Formula 1 had registered the names ‘Formula 1 Madrid Grand Prix’ and ‘Madrid Grand Prix’.

This move signalled the final stages of negotiation between the city and Formula 1, with an official announcement expected

Formula One coming to Madrid.

soon, according to a national news source.

The upcoming announcement follows months of strategic negotiations by Ifema with Formula One Management (FOM).

Jose Vicente de los Mozos, president of Ifema Madrid’s Executive Committee, expressed optimism last July, stating, “I know when we are going to sign it and when we are going to announce it,” while respecting the existing confidentiality agreement with FOM. The Madrid circuit pro-

ject has garnered full support from key political figures, including Isabel Diaz Ayuso, president of the Community, and Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, mayor of Madrid. Notably, the circuit will be funded entirely with private capital.

The Madrid circuit, extending just over five kilometres, follows the trend of recent urban circuits added to the Formula 1 calendar. Of the 24 races planned for 2024, eight will be on street circuits.

This represents significant growth in this race format.

tested in three categories - Men’s over 50, over 60 and Ladies over 40 which marks another stride forward in announcing a further two representative sides playing under the Team Spain umbrella. Mark Coleman, Team Spain manager, explained the need for expansion;

“We have had huge interest from other countries since the World Cup with invitations to play in Europe, Thailand and even Australia, but in several age categories. Currently we are underrepresented and so we need to address that in line with the games expansion and popularity among different age groups and genders.”

He added, “The Ladies will be playing in their first International tournament in Marrakesh in March with all groups represented together for the first time later in the year, in Nantes, France in July.”

Any players wishing to take up Walking Football and looking to find a club or are currently playing and looking to represent Team Spain can contact Mark Kavanagh (Alicante Area) mkavanagh@live. co.uk or Mark Coleman (Malaga Area) chame leon1965@icloud.com.

Víctor Francos, president of the Higher Sports Council (CSD), acknowledged the potential shift of the Formula 1 Grand Prix from Barcelona to Madrid. “For the first time, there is an alternative proposal,” he said, highlighting the competitive nature of the Madrid project.

However, Francos clarified that the decision on the future Spanish Grand Prix venue lies with Formula 1, a private entity that evaluates offers based on various factors, not just economic.

A HUGE financial carrot has been dangled in front of the world’s marathon elite by the patron of the Valencian Marathon.

In a bold move, Juan Roig, president of the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation and patron of the Valencia Marathon, announced the extraordinary €1 million reward for breaking the marathon world record in Valencia in 2024.

This year marked the 43rd edition and was held on Sunday, December 3, with Roig making the announcement following its conclusion. “We want to announce that we will give the person who breaks the world record €1 million, if they do it in Valencia, of course.

“One of our great wishes and dreams is for the world record to be achieved here and we are willing to work for it,” Roig stated to the gathered media, according to a Spanish news outlet.

Valencia’s marathon is renowned for its ultra-fast course and typically favourable December weather, making it a prime location for record attempts.

These conditions are not only conducive to worldclass performances but also attract a wide range of athletes seeking Olympic qualifying times, set at two hours, eight minutes, 10 seconds for men and two hours, 26 minutes, 50 seconds for women.

This year’s event saw Ethiopian Sisay Lema clinch victory with a time of two hours, one minute, and 48 seconds, making him the fourth fastest athlete of all-time rankings at the distance.

Notably, Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, a three-time 10,000-metre world champion making his marathon debut, clocked in at 2:08:59.

In the women’s race, Ethiopian Worknesh Degefa led with a time of two hours, 15 minutes, 51 seconds.