Costa Calida 21 – 27 Dec 2023 Issue 2007

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Image: Murcia Image:town Cartagena.es hall

CHRISTMAS CRAZE

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Spirit of giving AGE CONCERN COSTA CALIDA have been busy organising fundraising events resonating with the spirit of giving and community support. Recently they arranged the collection of food parcels meticulously assembled and delivered to the doorsteps of those enduring hardships in Camposol. Generous donations poured in, reflecting the kindness and solidarity of the community.

Looking ahead the organisation starts off the New Year with a meaningful splash through a sponsored swim on New Year’s Day, enduring cold water and fostering camaraderie while raising funds for their noble cause.

Interested individuals can procure sponsor forms to partake in this impactful start to 2024. Age Concern persists in championing community welfare, embracing every opportunity to spread warmth and support among those in need.

Age Concern would like to wish their supporters a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Murcia hotels experience a boost.

MURCIA City hotels saw an increase in occupancy during the December bank holiday weekend, reaching full capacity with a remarkable 95 per cent occupancy rate on Friday, December 8. This led to a substantial increase in profitability by 107.5 per cent.

According to data collected by the Municipal Tourism Service, from December 6 to 9, hotel occupancy nearly touched 80 per cent consistently throughout this period. Compared to 2022, there was a significant 75.65 per cent increase in occupancy, indicating positive growth for Murcia’s tourism sector.

These promising statistics reinforce the objective set by the current government to achieve one million overnight stays per year in Murcia.

Mayor José Ballesta highlighted that last year in Murcia, ‘conference tourism generated an economic impact close to €40 million, with over 170,000 attendees at meetings held in our city.’

He emphasised that conference tourism is be-

coming a pivotal and strategic sector for the city’s progress and prosperity and the region as a whole.

Ballesta highlighted the city’s excellent gastronomic offerings and rich historical and cultural heritage.

As Christmas festivities take centre stage in the ci-

ty’s main neighbourhoods and districts of Murcia, they are driving visits and outings. The Christmas 2023-2024 programme by Murcia City Council has a great mix of music, theatre, exhibitions, gastronomy, sports, cinema, fashion, workshops, storytelling,

spectacles, nature, solidarity, folklore, and tradition.

With endless Christmas activities for all the family, free parking, and free public transport as well as stunning Christmas decorations many more visitors flood to the area for some Murcian Christmas magic.

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Image: Age Concern Costa Cálida

Costa Calida • Issue No. 2007 • 21 - 27 December 2023

Celebrating community spirit and kindness.

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euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

21 - 27 December 2023

THE annual Spanish Christmas lottery known as El Gordo is renowned for its grandeur and is considered the biggest lottery draw worldwide.

This annual extravaganza kicks off on December 22, marking the start of Christmas, and captivating the attention of the country.

In 2022, the average spend per person in the Murcia region reached €61, a 6.7 per cent increase, although notably lower than the Spanish average of €67. This year Loterías y Apuestas del Estado allocated 528,682 tickets for Murcia in 2023, averaging €69.02 per resident, still slightly below the national average of €71.67.

Murcia sits in the middle of the regions when comparing the purchase of lottery tickets. While its spending per capita falls behind the Spanish average, it significantly exceeds provinces like Las Palmas or Gerona, where the average spending stands at €40. The pandemic no-

The big one

Holiday cheer Image: X/ @loterianavidad

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Unveiling Murcia’s festive lottery habits.

tably influenced spending patterns however, despite this, there’s been a consistent upward trajectory in sales in recent years.

San Pedro del Pinatar has notable repeated luck in recent draws, emphasising the strategy of diversification to enhance winning probabilities! People travel from far and wide to buy their tickets there, not deterred by the consistently long queues!

The Christmas lottery isn’t just a game of luck but a reflection of social traditions, encapsulating

the essence of a widespread cultural phenomenon in Spain.

AGUILAS recently transformed its town centre into a Christmas wonderland. After the lighting ceremony, the children enjoyed the musical ‘Rock Infiltrates School’. This year in Aguilas the Christmas lighting is made up of over 525,000 twinkling lights, creating 150 arches and decorating a six-metre tall fir tree. The Christmas bling doesn’t end there as they have also covered the palm trees in twinkling fairy lights and planted nearly 1,000 poinsettia plants throughout the town.

Adding to the atmosphere was a tree crafted from recycled plastic bottles, decorated by school kids which was also switched on. Hundreds of locals and visitors gathered to enjoy the transformation, as the fake snow fell on the gathering the town was filled with warmth and the spirit of the season.

Furry fundraiser DURING the recent Patron Saint Festivities in Mazarron, approximately 100 dogs and their owners rallied together for a noble cause in the fifthMarcha ‘Por Ellos’ (March for Them), an initiative by the Animal Welfare Department led by Councillor Juan Carlos López, and APROAMA, headed by Isabel Navarro.

The primary objective of this solidarity march was to raise crucial funds for APROAMA, whose tireless efforts have been pivotal in caring for and ensuring the welfare of animals in the municipality.

Participants, accompanied by their adorable canine companions, paraded through the streets, showcasing their unwavering commitment.

This event highlighted the community’s dedication to supporting the invaluable work carried out by APROAMA.

Christmas in Mazarron

MAZARRON gears up for a festive season brimming with joy and entertainment for people of all ages. The Christmas programme offers a range of events, from children’s activities to theatre, traditional carols, and vibrant parties.

Visits from Santa Claus at iconic locations and the infectious energy of the Drilo Gang’s ‘Christmas Rock’ show, ensures an unforgettable experience

for kids and families alike. Christmas Eve kicks off with a party promising unforgettable surprises. The Pavilion at La Aceña Sports Centre hosts local DJs, setting the stage for a lively celebration.

On Christmas Eve, the ‘Christmas Hullabaloo’ spreads festive cheer through laughter and dance.

The highlight is the ‘Children’s New Year’s Eve Morning,’ featuring candy-filled countdowns and engaging works-

hops. The New Year arrives with traditional chimes at the Town Hall Square, followed by a New Year’s bash featuring live music by ‘Los de La Juana’ and local DJs. Finally, the celebration peaks with the Three Kings’ Party, showcasing live music by ‘Six Seven’ and local DJs. Mazarron invites everyone to join in the merriment and create cherished memories during this diverse and joyful holiday season.

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

NIBS EXTRA Elf run

ON December 23 a family Christmas elf race will take place in Alhama de Murcia. They encourage everyone to come dressed up. The route will be three kilometres throughout the town. It begins at Plaza de la Constitución de Alhama at 4pm.

There will also be prizes and a raffle.

Food drive

THE town hall of Alhama de Murcia has organised a food collection for Saturday, December 23 and 30 from 10am until 1pm.

They encourage those who can to donate food that will then be given to those in need. The location is at the entrance of the Mercado de Abastos.

ARQVA exhibit

THE ARQVA National Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Cartagena unveils an exhibition debuting the treasure of the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. The exhibit recounts the vessel’s history since its 1804 sinking by the British Navy near the Gulf of Cádiz. It is open to the public until March 17.

Cardiac care

LA ARRIXACA Hospital has set a new benchmark, completing 17 heart transplants this year. Leading Spain the hospital’s expertise has boosted surgical procedures, marking a remarkable stride in cardiac care. Their pioneering efforts continue to redefine possibilities in organ donation and lifesaving interventions.

Nativity fun

THE Museum of San Javier has various exhibits available to view over the holidays including a crochet nativity scene. They also have a very detailed Playmobil nativity scene and a beautiful miniature Christmas village.

21 - 27 December 2023

“Spreading Christmas Cheer: A Heartfelt Message from Euro Weekly News Publishers” AS we gather around the festive table, exchanging stories and laughter, there is a warmth in our hearts that comes from knowing we are here together, celebrating another Christmas. It’s with immense gratitude that we, Michel and Steven, the publishers of Euro Weekly News, write our 25th Christmas message to our valued clients and loyal readers. Without your unwavering support, this journey wouldn’t have been possible.

The past year has been quite a ride, hasn’t it? We’ve witnessed some incredible highs and navigated some extraordinary lows. Yet, here we stand, resilient and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving you, our cherished community. For us, serving you is not just a job; it’s a calling deeply ingrained in our DNA. Our mission has always been to shine a light on the good-hearted, selfless individuals who take care of the vulnerable, the needy, the aged, and even the abandoned pets and animals that often capture our hearts. Ours is a compassionate community - a community that cares. This, dear readers, is what makes the heart of the ‘People’s Paper’ beat.

We see your passions, hear your struggles, and acknowledge your pain. Yet, we also see your unwavering spirit, your determination to move forward despite life’s challenges. In the face of adversity, you continue to march forward with hope in your hearts. This is the strength of our community.

Living along the beautiful coastline offers a unique perspective on life.

The sun, the sea, the culture that warmly embraces foreigners, and the peaceful coexistence of various religions all create an environment that feels like a perpetual vacation.

It’s a place where the world can come together as one, a place where peace is a treasure we hold dear.

In a world where global conflicts and uncertainties loom large, peace is the most precious gift one can hope for. To sleep peacefully at night, free from worry and fear, is a priceless gem. It’s a reminder of the value of peace in our lives, a value that often eludes us in these tumultuous times.

This Christmas, while we may not be able to change the world’s suffering, we can certainly make a world

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STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Coming together

Michel and Steven Euesde

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of difference within our own community. It’s the small acts of kindness that can brighten someone’s day and make the holiday season truly special.

Imagine setting an extra place at your table for a neighbour spending Christmas alone. Think about local restaurants offering cancelled reservations to those in need of a warm meal and company. Consider extending a helping hand to a single parent down the road, offering them a brief respite by babysitting for an hour.

Even having a cup of tea with an elderly parent, so their caregiver can have a moment of relaxation, can be an extraordinary gesture of kindness.

The beauty of these acts lies in their simplicity. Time, after all, is the most precious gift we can offer.

If each of us contributes a little piece of peace to our community, it will undoubtedly be a joyous Christmas for all.

It’s crucial to remember that not everyone has a bustling family gathering to attend, and not everyone’s heart is overflowing with holiday

cheer. Let’s strive to understand this and be the bearers of warmth and kindness to all we encounter. While we may not be able to change the entire world, we can certainly make our world a better place.

This holiday season, let us come together as a community to spread the spirit of Christmas - a spirit of love, compassion, and peace. Remember, a smile can be the greatest gift we give to one another. By doing so, we can make a world of difference to those around us.

In conclusion, as we celebrate this Christmas, let us embrace the true essence of the season: giving, sharing, and caring. Let us be the light in someone’s darkness, the warmth in someone’s heart, and the hope in someone’s soul.

Warmest wishes for a heartwarming and peaceful Christmas, Michel and Steven

IN a recent gathering, local charities had the privilege of engaging with representatives from the British Consulate, marking a momentous occasion.

This meeting served as an invaluable platform to offer insights into the remarkable work carried out by these charities within the community. It also highlighted the multitude of challenges they confront, prominently the urgent requirement for bolstering their volunteer base to further their causes.

The meeting was a testament to the cohesive bond and unwavering support shared among these charitable entities.

Their collaborative efforts in aiding the local populace were notably evident and commendable.

A photo taken at the event captures the essence of solidarity, featuring Sara and Lucy from the British Consular team, Suzanne representing FAST, Michaela from Age Concern, Billie representing the Royal British Legion, and Jenny from MABS, each embodying the dedication and passion that define their charitable missions. This snapshot encapsulates the unity and collective resolve driving these organisations.

FOR MORE NEWS STORIES euroweeklynews.com

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THE Adapt Theatre Group recently concluded a stellar run of their pantomime, ‘Ali Baba and the Four and a Half Thieves,’ receiving an overwhelming response from audiences at Casa de Cultura, San Pedro del Pinatar From November 30 to December 3. There was a great mix of both Spanish and English-speaking audiences and Adapt, now experts in appealing to both, seamlessly ensured a delightful experience for everyone. Both adults and children clapped and sang along to the musical numbers and participated in the obligatory boos and aahs.

And the best news, €2,000 was raised for the AFEMAR charity in San Pedro which works with young people with mental health problems. This charity does tremendous work with people from all over the Mar Menor area and is always in need of extra help.

Adapt wants to thank all the Euro

Oh yes it is Garden of dreams Image: Adapt Theatre Group

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STANDING OVATION: Adapt gives back to the community!

Weekly News readers who came along and supported them and if anyone is interested in getting involved next year, please contact Eric on 656 361 098 or e-mail: ericberg2@hotmail.com.

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

“A bird cannot fly on one wing.”

Of American-English origin. This is used to justify taking another alcoholic drink.

ON a crisp winter’s evening on December 17 in Murcia City, the Jardín de Malecón opened its doors to thousands of visitors. This park has been converted into a winter wonderland with over 12,000 metres of sparkling fairy lights, holograms, and about 50 illuminated structures or statues.

The ‘Jardin de los Sueños’ (garden of dreams) as it has been titled was inaugurated

by Murcia City’s mayor Jose Ballesta and will remain open throughout the holidays until January 4.

It has been described as a ‘unique show’ and a completely immersive visual and sensory experience. It combines nature and the latest technology to bring this special addition to the Christmas spectacle in Murcia to life.

UNIQUE SHOW: A sparkling winter wonderland.

Visitors can look forward to more than just the beautiful twinkling lights and statues; firework shows and acrobats are performing throughout the park to keep everyone entertained.

Throughout Christmas visitors can visit this free attraction from 6pm until 10pm every day until January 4.

Visitors can also enjoy a ‘magic hour’ from 6.30pm until 7.30pm every evening except on Christmas Eve and New

Year’s Eve when mysterious creatures appear throughout the garden of dreams.

Santa surprise SANTA CLAUS arrived in San Pedro del Pinatar on Saturday, December 16. He surprised the children who had gathered in the centre of the town in Plaza de la Constitucion to watch a Christmas musical called ‘Llega la Navidad’ (Christmas has arrived).

As the show ended the children were surprised by a group of dancers parading through the square, followed by an illuminated sleigh and reindeer that carried none other than Santa Claus himself much to the delight of the children.

Angela Gaona the mayor of San Pedro del Pinatar was on hand to present Santa with the keys to his Christmas house where children can visit him on Friday December 22 from 5.30pm until 8.30pm.

Just next to Santa’s Christmas house, a dedicated area has been set up for children to take part in Christmas-themed workshops, check out sanpedrodelpina tar.es for all the details.

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Club Nautico

ON August 28, 2020 the Club Nautico in Lo Pagan on the Costa Calida left onlookers stunned when huge flames burst through the distinctive roof of the nautical building. The fire that originated from the kitchen area could not be controlled and the building was devasted. On Sunday, December 17 the new innovative, sustainable, and energy-efficient Club Nautico was unveiled.

The rebuild, which was designed by Basic Factory Studio, stands out for its contemporary and attractive aesthetics and features a corridor that connects to the esplanade improving the access to the port of Lo Pagan.

The building also has solar panels, aerothermal energy, a rainwater collection tank, and a façade made of recycled material that doesn’t require any maintenance.

LO PAGAN: Redesigned.

During the unveiling ceremony, Angela Gaona the mayor of San Pedro del Pinatar said ‘marinas and the nautical sector are a powerful tool for generating economic activity, seasonally adjusted tourism, wealth, and employment, which is why, from the San Pedro del Pinatar Town Council and the Region of Murcia we are committed to them and to convert them to a model open to society and with more eco-effective, accessible and connected

facilities.’

Gaona also highlighted that San Pedro del Pinatar has decisively promoted the nautical sector with almost 1,000 mooring points. Managing to turn them into an important part of tourism in the area has helped this coastal town reach occupancy levels that haven’t been recorded for a long time in the town.

LOS ALCAZARES held some festive events recently starting with the vibrant La II Papanoelada Motera, the motorbike group. They hosted an event that wasn’t just about motorbikes as they gathered to collect food and gifts for the less fortunate.

A traditional Christmas Carol concert was held in the Iglesia de la Caridad and was followed by the inauguration of the Nativity Scene in Los Alcazares. The Municipal Nativity Scene is situated at the Paseo Real de la Feria.

Crafted meticulously for over three decades, this artisanal masterpiece comprises over 1,000 pieces, intricately

Festive fun

depicting 50 diverse scenes from the Hebrew Nativity.

It ingeniously weaves in elements paying homage to the Mar Menor, Los Alcázares, and the entire Murcia region.

Mayor Mario Pérez Cervera inaugurated the Christmas Fair, offering a variety of culinary delights, decorations, clothing, and trinkets. These stalls will grace the area around Los Alcázares Town Hall daily, welcoming visitors from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 4.30pm to 8.30pm - an invita-

CARTAGENA’s timeless Christmas Market kicked off on Friday, December 15, stationed at the Alfonso XII dock until January 7. With 15 charming stalls showcasing local and seasonal products, it showcases Cartagena’s trade and dining scene. Enjoy live music, and hot chocolate with churros and mulled wine, and join the ‘Glitter Party’ shimmering with sparkle and gloss, open to all.

The opening hours are from 11am to 2pm, enjoy musical performances, theatre, and engaging workshops. The kids’ zone promises thrilling rides, while a dedicated food area offers roasted chestnuts and diverse culinary delights.

tion to explore and take home a special piece of Los Alcazares.

Christmas fair The market is only one aspect of Cartagena’s Christmas celebrations, illuminated by 50 eco-friendly LED-lit arches guiding the way to the Sansón Crane.

Some other exciting Christmas seaside activities lined up at the Christmas fair are storytelling on December 23, a Christmas Disco with Santa and Mrs Claus on Christmas Eve, The Elves’ Factory on December 28, cooking with Mrs. Claus on December 29, Santa Karaoke on December 30.

For more information see Cartagena.es.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com HAVE you ever wondered about the origins of Spain’s two-kiss greeting? This warm and friendly gesture, deeply ingrained in Spanish culture, offers a fascinating glimpse into the nation’s history and societal values.

Rooted in Roman and Christian traditions, the two-kiss greeting in Spain dates back to Roman times, with National Geographic highlighting three distinct types of kisses from that era, writes a National media outlet.

The ‘Osculum’ was a cheek kiss shared among friends, the ‘Basium’ was a lip kiss between spouses, and the ‘Suavem’ was reserved for lovers.

Christianity later played a pivotal role in solidifying the cheek kiss in cultural practices, even integrating it into sacred texts.

In Spain, this practice, primarily shared between women or between men and women, signifies equality and cordiality.

Far from being a mere formality, it conveys res-

The kissing kind

Credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com

A kiss at a social gathering.

pect and affection, highlighting the open-hearted nature of Spanish society.

There are important rules to this greeting.

Typically, it starts on the right cheek, and while the approach is cheek-tocheek, actual lip contact is reserved for very close relationships. Across Spain, the enthusiasm of this greeting can vary, reflecting diverse local customs.

This intimate form of greeting in Spain contrasts with other countries’ practices, which reflect their unique views on personal space and relationships.

For instance, in France,

the number of kisses ranges from two to four depending on the region.

The Netherlands and Belgium often use three cheek kisses.

In Asia, greetings range from bows in Japan and Korea, symbolising respect, to nods or handshakes in China.

Africa’s diverse cultures showcase greetings from traditional singing and dancing to prolonged handshakes with special gestures.

The Maori in New Zealand, the ‘hongi’ is a traditional greeting in which noses and foreheads are pressed together.

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ON Monday December 11, the French National Assembly narrowly rejected a controversial immigration bill which included a review of the 90-day rule for British home owners in France.

Steven Jolly of the France Visa Free Group commented ““We are hoping France will help us solve the 90-in180 day problem for all British visitors , regardless of whether or not they own property.

“So, ultimately we would also like to see every British visitor to France treated in exactly the same way as French visitors to the UK today, and given a six month per visit, visa exemption or automatically issued visa. Perhaps like the bilateral arrangements USA, Canada or Japan have.

“Such a France-specific arrangement would be in addition to the 90in-180 day Schengen Visa Waiver that Brits would still have for use in the other 26 countries.”

Andrew Hesselden Founder of 180 Days in Spain took a somewhat more upbeat view of the result saying “At first glance, this might look like it’s bad news for second home owners in France. But the Immigration Bill, thrown out today by a ‘motion to

Credit: Martine Berthet Facebook

Opposition setback

French Sénatrice Martine Berthet proposed the review

dismiss’, actually covered lots of different migration provisions, not just those that were intended to help British part-year dwellers.

“I think people have every reason to be optimistic, because Sénatrice Martine Berthet’s proposal has really put the topic squarely on the agenda of French lawmakers. Our own members were amazed today to learn that almost a quarter of French députés have backed or proposed some 20 separate amendments, all of which

are designed to help part year residents in France. I think that’s incredible, given how difficult it has felt at times to get recognition of these issues.”

So the debate carries on and it is hoped that the matter in France will be resurrected and if it gains traction, then the Spanish Government with an eye of visitor spend may well be persuaded to follow suit as it affects so many second home owners in Spain.

Seasonal surge Each year Madrid transforms itself at Christmas into one of the must-see capitals of Europe, this year however it has proved so popular that authorities has issued a black level alert.

The recent long weekend which stretched from December 6 to 8, drew innumerable visitors. The heightened activity in the heart of the city has led to the activation of a ‘black level’ alert due to extreme influx of visitors.

To manage the extraordinary increase, Madrid’s City Council has devised a comprehensive security strategy.

This will include deploying an additional 450 Municipal Police officers on Sunday, January 7, and up to 850 officers on busier days. These officers, along with traffic regulation personnel, ensure smooth movement around the city.

The festive period, as witnessed on the Consti-

tution bridge (December 5, 6, and 7) and the upcoming eve of Epiphany on January 5, will see intensified surveillance.

A team of 366 mobility staff will extend their service until 11:00 pm on these key dates. The police might restrict access to certain streets and establish one-way pedestrian paths if necessary. Madrid may also experience some road closures.

In a unique move, the Sol station is expected to close on several days in December, specifically from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on special occasions like December 30 and 31.

Adjustments will also be made on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. For instance, on Christmas Eve, the Metro will conclude its service at 10:00 pm.

On Christmas day it will open two hours later at 8:00 am, and start an hour later at 7:00 am on New Year’s Day.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

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A piece of Pompeii

IN the 1970s, the Detemmerman family visited Pompeii when they holidayed in Italy one year. While there, Geert Determmerman’s father was approached by a man who offered to sell him a piece of marble from the ruins as a souvenir. His father accepted “for a considerable sum” and the family took it back with them when they returned to Herzele (East Flanders).

Once home, the marble tiling was cemented into the wall of the Detemmerman’s house where it has remained for the last 50 years.

When Geert’s father, who is now 85, decided earlier this year to sell the house and move to an apartment, his son decided to find out if the marble had any value and contacted the Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren (Limburg).

“The museum sent two staff members to have a look, and they couldn’t believe their eyes,” Geert explained to the VRT broadcaster. The experts immediately

Photo credit: Flickr/Nick Hubbard

POMPEII: The Detemmermans unknowingly returned with a priceless souvenir in the 70s.

realised that the tiling was an historical artefact which was almost 2,000 years old and had disappeared from Pompeii more 50 years ago.

The authorities there had been searching for it ever since and the Gallo-Roman Museum’s Bart Demarsin is confident that the Determmermans’ souvenir is the well-documented piece depicting Pompeii’s 62AD earthquake they were looking for. Originally it had belonged to a wealthy banker living in the centre of Pompeii and had been on display in

Pompeii’s museum when it vanished. Demarsin said a delegaton from the Pompeii Archaeological Park will soon travel to Belgium to inspect the piece which, if it turns out to be the original, will be returned to Pompeii.

Meanwhile, the Detemmermans are hoping to receive some kind of compensation.

“After all, the piece hung here for 50 years without anything happening to it,” Geert said. “It could so easily have been sold on or broken.”

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euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

Long and the short of it THE new Miss France Eve Gilles, who was elected on December 16, has short hair.

This departure from the stereotyped norm was both hailed and criticised although Gilles herself described her victory as a “triumph for diversity.”

“No one should dictate who you are,” said the 20-year-old from Quaedypre near Dunkirk who was the only contestant without the long flowing tresses associated with beauty queens.

“We’re used to seeing beautiful Misses with long hair, but I chose an androgynous look with short hair. Every woman is different, we’re all unique.”

The public reacted with satisfaction on social media, challenging claims which described her selection as politicised.

“Maybe the new Miss France isn’t gorgeous in your eyes, but seeing wokeism in her because she has short hair is just ridiculous,” one fan wrote on X. “Eve Gilles is the new Miss France 2024, your malicious and useless criticisms won’t change that, she’s sublime,” another X user argued.

Television production and distribution company Banijay France, owner of the Miss France brand, has had to defend the pageant with chief executive Alexia Laroche-Joubert arguing that it was a symbol of success and upward mobility for contestants.

Many later went on to become, doctors,

EVA GILLES: Newly-elected Miss France bucks the trend with short hair.

businesswomen or film directors, she said, and the contest’s requirements had been brought up to date.

There was no longer an age limit and married or transgender participants were no longer barred, she pointed out.

Melinda Bizri of the Human Rights League in Dijon, where this year’s Miss France gala was held, had called for a boycott of the ceremony beforehand.

The changes were no more than “feminist-washing”, Bizri said.

“Women have been abusing themselves all their lives to achieve these phantasmagorical criteria, according to patterns that take a very long time to deconstruct,” she contended.

“Miss France is still just as sexist in the way it classifies women according to beauty standards,” said Violaine de Filippis, the Dare Feminism! association’s spokeswoman.

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FINANCE KEVIN HOLLINRAKE, the UK’s Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Minister, told the media that the public increasingly avoided sending letters and greeting cards following three price rises for first class stamps since April 2022. Royal Mail needed to “tread carefully” when introducing further increases, Hollinrake warned.

Share it

TELEFONICA paid its second pre-tax dividend of €0.15 a share on December 14, distributing €862.5 million in all, a yield of 7.5 per cent on the company’s stock. Since 2013, Telefonica’s dividend has fallen from an annual €0.75 total to €0.30 a decline of around 8.8 per year cent per year, analysts said.

Family fortunes

HE liquidators of Avro Energy, which cost bill-paying customers £700 million (€812 million) after it went into administration in 2021, are suing its founder, Jake Brown, a former non-league footballer. They aim to reclaim approximately £4 million (€4.6 million) that Avro paid to another business owned by Brown and his father.

Tax ruling

SPAIN’S highest court, the Constitutional Tribunal, has ruled that the government’s Wealth Tax, a sliding scale levied on fortunes of €3 million upwards, is legal. The Tribunal threw out two appeals from the regional parliaments in the Madrid Community and Murcia which claimed the tax was “unconstitutional.”

Art deal

APOLLO BELVEDERE, a copy of a Roman sculpture created between 1520-1522 by Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi, was donated by its owners to the nation in lieu of a £10.5 million (€12.18 million) inheritance tax payment. It will now be on permanent display at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

STAT OF WEEK

€2.2 billion

contract for Australian subsidiaries of Spanish multinationals ACS and Acciona to build tunnels for Melbourne’s new Suburban Rail Loop East railway line.

UK’s shrinking economy

AGAINST all expectations, the UK economy shrank by 0.3 per cent in October.

Economists had predicted zero growth but Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures revealed on December 13 that the gross domestic product (GDP) fell after September’s 0.2 per cent growth.

There were contractions across all main sectors of the economy although the services industry was responsible for the greatest fall in output, with declines in IT, legal firms and film production.

These were heightened by a dip in manufacturing, while bad weather affected the construction

Photo credit: La Sexta

Think twice

euroweeklynews.com • 21 - 27 December 2023

THE CITY: October growth figures foxed analysts

sector.

High interest rates hit businesses and households, putting the brakes on activity, with borrowing costs soaring from 0.1 per cent in December 2021 to 5.25 per cent in December 2023 as the Bank of England wrestled with inflation.

INDITEX finished the first nine months of its financial year with a €4.102 billion net profit.

This figure, 32.5 per cent up on the same period last year, is practically the same as 2022’s full-year results of €4.130 million. At the same time and although Bloomberg had initially predicted Inditex sales of €8.866 billion, in-store and online sales in the third quarter increased “only” to €8.758 billion. This was 6.7 per cent more than the same period last year.

Despite the apparent slowdown, the autumn-winter collections had been “very well-received”, the company said, explaining that unseasonably high autumn tem-

Crisis bites

VBITES, Heather Mills’s vegan food firm has gone into administration.

The former model and ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney confirmed that the company had failed to obtain enough funding to continue.

Mills described the collapse as “extremely distressing”, adding that Brexit had been “an utter disaster.” She also attributed the company’s collapse to factors that included “corporate greed and poor management.”

Administrators Interpath Advisory said VBites would continue trading while a buyer is found. 44 employees will remain to fill outstanding orders, with 24 employees redundant.

Threadneedle Street officials and the Bank’s governor Andrew Bailey have already announced that interest must remain high for some time if it is to pull back to the government’s 2 per cent target.

Suren Thiru from the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and

Wales said that the October figures put PM Rishi Sunak’s growth target in jeopardy, with high inflation and borrowing costs set to affect November and December’s economic activity.

The GDP figures suggested that the economy was unravelling “even before the full force of previous interest rate rises fed through”, Thiru told the UK media.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was chipper, nevertheless: “It is inevitable GDP will be subdued whilst interest rates are doing their job to bring down inflation,” he insisted on December 13.

Record-breaking Inditex Photo: Flickr/Rodolfo Bontempi

BUSINESS EXTRA

12

AMANCIO ORTEGA: Founder of the Inditex empire

peratures in Europe as well as exchange rates had impacted negati-

vely on sales.

“Inditex continues to see strong growth opportunities and we are highly satisfied with our performance,” said Inditex chief executive, Oscar Garcia Maceiras. “The tendency is positive in all geographical area and in all concepts.”

The company’s shares went up by 1.6 per cent to €39 after the figures were released on December 13 and the owner of Zara plus other best-selling fashion labels predicted that its 2023 sales margin would gain 75 basis points to reach 57.75 per cent.

Power planning

A Triumph

NATIONAL GRID and Scottish Power, Iberdrola’s UK subsidiary, will bring renewable power from Scotland to the north of England.

Their Eastern Green Link 1 joint venture has now awarded the first of the contracts worth £1.8 billion (€2.1 billion) to construct a 190-kilometre undersea electricity superhighway.

The first goes to Milan-based Prysmian Group which will supply 400 kilometres of power cable for the project. GE Vernova from Massachusetts and Greek company, Mytilineos Energy & Metals, are to provide two HVDC substations, one for each end of the cable linking East Lothian in Scotland and Country Durham Building the power line along the east coast is due to begin in 2025 and will carry enough clean electricity for the equivalent of two million households.

JOHN BLOOR, billionaire owner of Triumph Motorcycles, paid himself a huge dividend after sales and profits soared.

Bloor, who made his original fortune in property before coming to the rescue of the iconic Triumph brand, took £13 million (€15 million) in the 12 months to June 23. This was up from Bloor’s £12 million (€13.9 million) Triumph dividend for the previous year.

His principal business, Bloor Homes, experienced a “more challenging” year owing high interest rates while Triumph’s pre-tax profits increased by more than £20 million (€23.2 million) to £72.4 million (€84 million).

Digi favoured RUMANIA-BASED Digi confirmed a €120 million Spanish mobile deal with Orange and MasMovil.

Orange and MasMovil are working on a new proposal which will convince the European Commission that an €18.6 billion merger of their Spanish operations does not infringe monopoly regulations.

Digi was always the most likely candidate to acquire the assets or “remedies” that Orange and MasMovil must shed to allay Brussels’ reservations.

The company, said it has also reached agreement for a national roaming option with Orange Spain, enabling Digi Spain to access all Orange mobile technologies and those of its affiliates.

Green ammonia project SPANISH oil and petrol distributor Exolum is buying a green ammonia storage plant in Houston (Texas).

Located on the Houston Ship Canal, the terminal, one of the West’s largest, intends to play a key role in the US’s clean ammonia project.

Together with its local associates Exolum, they will invest $1.4 billion (€1.2 billion) on increasing green ammonia exports to Asia.

The operation, which needs authorisation from both countries’ regulatory bodies, is expected to move an annual 1.1 million tons of ammonia obtained via carbon dioxide capture.

New power hub SLOVAKIAN battery manufacturer InoBat confirmed that it plans to open a factory in Valladolid.

Negotiations lasted for several months before InoBat finally decided that the Castilla y Leon city was the best choice for a factory producing batteries for western Europe.

Together with Burgos and Palencia, Valladolid forms an important geographic triangle of car and heavy vehicle manufacturers, prompting Inobat’s chairman Andy Palmer to declare that it was “an ideal choice.”

The factory will provide between 300 and 500 direct jobs.

14 EWN 21 - 27 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 18 December

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3I Group.....................................2.352,00..............+3,00............ +0,13%.......... 31,79K

InterContinental..........................7.080,0................+6,0............. +0,09%.......... 10,55K

Abrdn.......................................... 184,25................+0,90............ +0,49%......... 492,84K

Intermediate Capital...................1.660,00..............+1,00............ +0,06%.......... 55,26K

Admiral Group.............................2.656,0................+1,0............. +0,04%........... 6,55K

Intertek........................................4.075,0............... -28,0.............-0,69%............ 5,11K

Anglo American...........................1.834,8...............+10,8............ +0,59%......... 244,38K

ITV............................................... 62,92................. -0,24.............-0,38%.......... 319,95K

Antofagasta................................1.629,50.............+12,50........... +0,77%.......... 30,38K

J Sainsbury................................. 293,30................ -0,30.............-0,10%........... 96,18K

Ashtead Group............................5.410,0............... -22,0.............-0,41%........... 16,23K

Johnson Matthey........................1.660,5................+4,5............. +0,27%........... 7,24K

Associated British Foods.............2.364,0................ -6,0..............-0,25%........... 30,84K

Land Securities........................... 710,80................ -1,60.............-0,23%........... 70,35K

AstraZeneca...............................10.256,0..............+70,0............ +0,69%.......... 52,54K

Legal & General.......................... 245,50................ -1,10.............-0,45%.......... 675,59K

Auto Trader Group Plc................ 697,40................+0,20............ +0,03%......... 103,96K

Lloyds Banking............................ 46,89................. -0,12.............-0,26%............4,99M

Aviva........................................... 430,40................+0,30............ +0,07%......... 191,41K

London Stock Exchange..............9.218,0...............+20,0............ +0,22%.......... 15,39K

B&M European Value Retail SA... 563,30................+2,00............ +0,36%.......... 62,54K

Melrose Industries...................... 551,00................+0,80............ +0,14%.......... 67,07K

BAE Systems..............................1.063,50..............+6,00............ +0,57%......... 212,72K

Mondi.........................................1.521,00............. -13,50............-0,88%........... 80,35K

Barclays...................................... 147,14................+0,46............ +0,31%...........1,92M Barratt Developments................. 563,20................ -2,80.............-0,49%.......... 368,20K Berkeley......................................4.799,7............... -72,0.............-1,48%........... 19,00K BHP Group Ltd...........................2.604,00.............+20,00........... +0,77%.......... 41,83K BP............................................... 462,20................+4,30............ +0,94%......... 891,07K British American Tobacco...........2.299,0............... -12,5.............-0,54%.......... 250,38K British Land Company................. 408,30................ -1,00.............-0,24%.......... 143,53K BT Group.................................... 125,60................+0,60............ +0,48%......... 830,57K Bunzl...........................................3.114,0................+1,0............. +0,03%........... 5,57K Burberry Group...........................1.521,5................ -2,0..............-0,13%........... 41,54K Carnival.......................................1.312,5............... -17,0.............-1,28%........... 53,96K Centrica....................................... 139,25................ -2,50.............-1,76%............1,18M Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.273,0................ -4,0..............-0,18%............ 6,52K Compass....................................2.090,00.............. -3,00.............-0,14%........... 78,05K CRH............................................5.270,0............... -34,0.............-0,64%........... 23,61K Croda Intl....................................4.990,0............... -70,0.............-1,38%........... 44,65K DCC.............................................5.660,0............... -20,0.............-0,35%............ 8,21K Diageo.........................................2.831,0................ -2,5..............-0,09%.......... 106,74K DS Smith.................................... 307,90................ -1,70.............-0,55%.......... 318,51K EasyJet........................................ 497,00................ -5,00.............-1,00%.......... 165,84K Experian......................................3.183,0............... -16,0.............-0,50%........... 27,21K Ferguson....................................14.815,0.............. -85,0.............-0,57%............ 4,53K Flutter Entertainment..................13.590,0.............+185,0........... +1,38%.......... 15,22K Fresnillo...................................... 549,54............... -35,40............-6,04%.......... 168,96K Glencore...................................... 462,26................+1,40............ +0,30%...........1,76M GSK plc......................................1.433,40.............+14,20........... +1,00%......... 157,71K Halma..........................................2.259,0................ -2,0..............-0,09%........... 26,32K Hargreaves Lansdown................. 725,00................+3,80............ +0,53%.......... 39,96K Hikma Pharma...........................1.733,50..............+4,00............ +0,23%.......... 10,69K HSBC.......................................... 613,90................+4,90............ +0,81%......... 851,85K IAG.............................................. 157,93................ -1,50.............-0,94%.......... 480,20K Imperial Brands..........................1.807,00.............. -1,00.............-0,06%........... 60,66K Informa....................................... 764,20................ -0,60.............-0,08%........... 82,93K

National Grid..............................1.060,00.............. -6,00.............-0,56%.......... 159,37K NatWest Group........................... 219,50................ -1,70.............-0,77%............2,42M Next............................................8.132,0............... -18,0.............-0,22%............ 3,88K

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.86065

1.16181

Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.0917 Japan yen (JPY)...................................155.41 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9483 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4550 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.390 currenciesdirect.com/moraira • Tel: +34 966 265 072 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES

Tui............................................... 605,50................ -5,00.............-0,82%........... 85,39K

Closing Prices 18 December 3M.............................................. 106,86................ -0,18.............-0,17%............5,19M American Express....................... 180,56................+1,70............ +0,95%...........4,25M Amgen........................................ 275,45................ -0,87.............-0,31%............8,68M Apple........................................... 197,57................ -0,54.............-0,27%..........114,81M Boeing......................................... 263,46................+7,22............ +2,82%..........13,47M Caterpillar.................................... 285,48................+0,31............ +0,11%...........4,32M Chevron...................................... 149,33................ -0,60.............-0,40%...........14,34M Cisco............................................ 49,87.................+0,43............ +0,87%..........57,69M Coca-Cola..................................... 58,54................. -0,50.............-0,85%...........46,33M Dow............................................. 54,22................. -0,01.............-0,02%............9,11M Goldman Sachs........................... 380,29................ -3,18.............-0,83%............4,33M Home Depot................................ 353,47................+1,66............ +0,47%...........5,55M Honeywell................................... 203,40................ -0,01.............-0,00%............7,44M IBM............................................. 162,25................ -0,65.............-0,40%............4,63M Intel.............................................. 46,16.................+0,98............ +2,17%..........81,76M J&J............................................. 155,04................ -1,83.............-1,17%............8,72M JPMorgan................................... 164,81................+0,82............ +0,50%..........11,22M McDonald’s................................. 286,92................ -3,10.............-1,07%............4,12M Merck&Co................................... 105,64................ -0,24.............-0,23%............9,48M Microsoft.................................... 370,73................+4,80............ +1,31%..........63,52M Nike............................................. 121,47................+0,45............ +0,37%...........7,75M Procter&Gamble......................... 143,91................ -0,75.............-0,52%............8,78M Salesforce Inc............................. 261,53................+4,32............ +1,68%...........6,66M The Travelers.............................. 182,78................+0,02............ +0,01%...........2,61M UnitedHealth............................... 530,75................ -3,49.............-0,65%............4,47M Verizon......................................... 37,35................. -0,51.............-1,36%...........48,34M Visa A.......................................... 257,38................ -1,35.............-0,52%............5,70M Walgreens Boots.......................... 25,20.................+0,06............ +0,24%..........22,26M Walmart...................................... 152,83................+0,66............ +0,43%...........9,83M Walt Disney.................................. 93,40................. -0,54.............-0,57%...........10,74M

Unilever.......................................3.734,0............... -21,5.............-0,57%.......... 122,52K

M - Million Dollars

Ocado.......................................... 707,20............... -15,80............-2,19%........... 88,96K Persimmon.................................1.361,0.................0,0............... 0,00%........... 46,74K Phoenix....................................... 519,40................+0,40............ +0,08%......... 113,69K Prudential.................................... 866,40................ -9,60.............-1,10%.......... 205,49K Reckitt Benckiser........................5.408,0............... -36,0.............-0,66%........... 74,43K Relx............................................3.045,00.............+21,00........... +0,69%......... 120,71K Rentokil....................................... 420,70................ -6,30.............-1,48%.......... 173,01K Rightmove.................................. 557,00................ -0,20.............-0,04%.......... 132,78K Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.745,0...............+47,0............ +0,82%......... 107,63K Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 292,50................+2,20............ +0,76%...........1,73M Sage...........................................1.176,50..............+7,50............ +0,64%.......... 76,56K Samsung Electronics DRC.........1.396,00.............. -3,00.............-0,21%............ 0,84K Schroders.................................... 437,0.................. -1,0..............-0,23%........... 41,36K Scottish Mortgage....................... 786,40................+1,60............ +0,20%......... 225,99K Segro.......................................... 866,40................ -3,40.............-0,39%.......... 119,18K Severn Trent...............................2.643,0...............+24,0............ +0,92%.......... 16,47K Shell............................................2.518,0...............+15,0............ +0,60%......... 202,66K Smith & Nephew........................1.043,00.............. -1,50.............-0,14%........... 40,94K Smiths Group.............................1.728,50.............. -3,00.............-0,17%........... 13,18K Spirax-Sarco Engineering..........10.140,0............. -160,0............-1,55%............ 7,38K SSE............................................1.865,50.............. -7,50.............-0,40%........... 52,57K St. James’s Place........................ 685,20................+7,60............ +1,12%......... 109,06K Standard Chartered..................... 649,40................+6,80............ +1,06%......... 137,11K Taylor Wimpey............................ 144,30................+0,50............ +0,35%...........1,16M Tesco.......................................... 283,00................+0,30............ +0,11%......... 674,41K

United Utilities............................1.098,50..............+6,50............ +0,59%.......... 35,69K Vodafone Group PLC.................. 68,080...............+3,360........... +5,19%..........17,71M Whitbread...................................3.461,4............... -19,0.............-0,55%........... 33,83K WPP............................................ 740,61............... -10,00............-1,33%.......... 156,58K

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 18 December

Company

Change Net / %

Volume

Most Advanced Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.........+25.13%........................20.401M VinFast Auto Ltd...............................................+13.54%.........................6.359M DocuSign, Inc..................................................+12.46%........................30.388M Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc...........................+9.92%..........................2.225M BridgeBio Pharma, Inc......................................+9.64%..........................5.958M Hut 8 Corp........................................................+9.26%..........................7.456M IGO Limited.......................................................+8.18%.......................... 33,562 Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd....................................+7.80%.......................... 50,995 Glaukos Corporation.........................................+7.58%..........................3.192M Credicorp Ltd....................................................+7.15%..........................1.107M M - Million Dollars

Most Declined Indivior PLC...................................................... -9.52%......................... 176,807 New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc..-9.35%.......................5.698M eXp World Holdings, Inc................................... -8.52%..........................4.746M Surgery Partners, Inc........................................ -8.28%...........................3.15M Medical Properties Trust, Inc............................ -7.68%.........................25.033M XPeng Inc......................................................... -7.54%..........................25.63M Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A. - Eletrobrás.. -7.07%.......................... 55,757 Roku, Inc.......................................................... -6.76%..........................9.174M Maple Leaf Foods Inc........................................ -6.75%.......................... 68,990 Savers Value Village, Inc................................... -6.69%..........................1.529M Remitly Global, Inc............................................ -6.64%..........................4.947M

M - Million Dollars

FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com

New field

BRITAIN’S biggest drugmaker AstraZeneca is taking over Seattle-based Icosavax, its first vaccine company, in a $1.1 billion (€1.01 billion) deal that will extend the Cambridge-based firm’s inoculation and immune therapy division.

The US company is currently developing a potential vaccine used for two common respiratory diseases, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV).

Beer money

HEINEKEN and the Spanish unions agreed a redundancy plan necessary “for organisational reasons” that will affect 9 per cent of the company’s 1,434 workforce. The company said practically all the 127 dismissals would be early retirements and were accepted by 85 per cent of the staff.

London listing for Boots

Linda Hall WALGREENS, US-based parent company of Boots, could float Britain’s principal pharmacy chain on the London stock exchange.

In June 2022, Walgreens Boots Alliance dropped £5 billion (€5.8 billion) plans to sell Boots and its No 7 cosmetics brand after prospective buyers could not raise sufficient cash owing to global market conditions.

Walgreens, now in preliminary talks regarding

Photo credit: CC/Ardern

BUSINESS EXTRA

21 - 27 December 2023

BOOTS: US-owned pharmacy chain is a UK household name

Inflation on track SPAIN’S inflation fell three-tenths of a percentage point to 3.2 per cent in November, thanks to lower fuel and food prices.

Underlying inflation, excluding energy and fresh foodstuffs, dropped seven-tenths to 4.5 per cent, the National Institute of Statistics (INI) announced on December 14.

After going below double-digits last Oc-

tober for the first time in 18 months, food inflation tumbled again in November with a five-tenths reduction to a still-high 9 per cent compared with November 2022.

Bread, cereals, milk, eggs and cheese cost less although olive oil was 66.7 per cent dearer than in November 2022, together with rice (17.1 per cent), pulses and vegetables (16.8 per cent) and confectionery (16.6 per cent).

Boots’ future, is putting a value of £7 billion (€8.12 billion) on the chain according to a recent Bloomberg report.

Listed on the New York stock exchange, Walgreens has a market value of about $20 billion (€18.54 billion) although its shares have fallen by around 40 per cent this year. Nevertheless divesting itself of Boots should be easier for the company following its £4.8 billion (€5.6 billion) sale of its pension scheme - one of the UK’s largest with 53,000 members - to Legal and General.

Floating Boots in London would give the UK stock market a welcome boost now that German holiday company Tui is considering listing in Frankfurt, with building materials group CRH listing in the US, while Arm, the Cambridge-based chip designer, decided to switch to New York.

EWN 15

Word play THAMES WATER apologised to a House of Commons committee for causing confusion by describing a £500 million (€583.2 million) shareholder contribution as equity when it was a convertible loan paying 8 per cent interest. Company chairman Sir Adrian Montagu admitted this had a “slightly strange” structure but still stood by the view that it could be considered capital.

Sweet news SPAIN’S sweet and confectionery industry reported a €6.75 billion turnover last year, with €2 billion in exports despite inflation and high interest rates.

Produlce, the association representing the sector, said that national and international sales had returned to pre-pandemic levels, with chewing gum and sweets, excluding chocolate, accounting for €1.16 billion or 17.2 per cent of total sales.

16 EWN 21 - 27 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE/NEWS

When the going gets easy LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT WELL, it’s all coming apart isn’t it?

Trying to remain positive and retain some degree of optimism through all the doom and gloom is becoming more difficult by the day. And the whinger’s don’t help.

The moaners and groaners are everywhere. Priorities have gone completely haywire. Celebrities, who earn more in a fortnight than many people can hope for in years, have yet again been bewailing the fact that they failed to digest the testicles of some animal or another. Uncontrolled numbers of illegal immigrants, searching for benefits and free accommodation, continue to pour in.

Despite the recent Rwanda decision; basically the floundering politicians are still at a complete loss what to do about it. It does truly make you feel it’s all going completely to pot!

Of course the climate change brigade just loves its public to worry; it keeps them in their jobs.

Their latest technology objective is ‘carbon capture’, which entails the storing of the toxic CO2 emissions underground. One of the biggest polluters Exxon Mobil, has dived headfirst into the support of this one; their motivation? Because by appearing to ‘care’ they can continue business as usual - drilling extracting and polluting toward a juicy two trillion dollar market expansion by 2040! The trouble is that so called progress has made it all too easy. Even in the light of indisputable climate change, the ever increasing complacency among the masses, particularly the young is almost beyond belief.

The age of technology has led the present generation to suppose that all the nation’s problems can be settled at the press of a button. ‘Nanny State’ attitudes have raised the public’s sense of entitlement to unprecedented levels, while getting something for nothing has become an acceptable mode of existence.

Many great civilisations have peaked and subsequently foundered when the going got too easy. I came across a statement by one Sheik Ras-

hid, the founder of Dubai, which actually hit the nail decisively on the head. When asked about the future of his own country, he replied; ‘my grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I ride a Mercedes, my son rides a Landrover and my grandson is going to ride a Landrover; but my great grandson will have to ride a camel again. You have to raise warriors, not parasites. Past civilisations were not conquered by external enemies, they rotted from within’. He went on to observe. ‘The greatest Western generation consisted of 18-year-old kids storming the beaches of Normandy and now, two generations later, the young people want to hide in safe rooms when they hear words that hurt their feelings. The sheik went on to astutely remark that ‘hard times create strong men, strong men create easy times, easy times create weak men and weak men create difficult times’. So, in the light of all that folks, all I can declare is - The camels are on the horizon!

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.

Flake watch

Locations for the Met office to determine if it is a white Christmas has expanded.

Image: Evgeny Atamanenko / Shutterstock.com

CHRISTMAS and snow go hand in hand for many, with iconic references in Bing Crosby’s classic tune and picturesque scenes on movies, advent calendars, and Christmas cards.

The Met Office, entrusted with defining a white Christmas in the UK, adheres to a charmingly simple criteria: the sighting of a single snowflake falling within the 24-hour window of December 25.

In the past, the honour of determining a white Christmas was reserved for a solitary location, the Met Office building in London.

However, as interest in betting on this wintry spectacle grew, the tradition expanded its hori-

zons.

Now, the roster includes diverse sites such as Buckingham Palace, Belfast (Aldergrove Airport), Aberdeen (Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen FC), Edinburgh (Castle), Coronation Street in Manchester, and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Christmas in the United Kingdom marks just the onset of the snow season. Statistical trends reveal a higher likelihood of snowfall between January and March rather than in December.

On average, December experiences 3.9 days of snow or sleet, while January sees 5.3 days, February boasts 5.6 days, and March records 4.2 days.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

21 - 27 December 2023

THE possibility of disruptions facing airline passengers is on the horizon as unions UGT and CCOO have declared an eight-day strike at Iberia over the Christmas period.

On December 29, 30, and 31, as well as January 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7, Iberia employees will strike due to the company’s refusal to establish auto-handling services.

These dates were confirmed after several meetings with Iberia and its parent company IAG, which also includes British Airways, Vueling, Aer Lingus, and Level, writes a national news outlet.

The unions demand the creation of an autohandling system to service IAG’s group airlines. They claim these requests have been repeatedly ignored, leading to the strike’s announcement.

Iberia have expressed ‘enormous disappointment’, and labelled the strike ‘irresponsible’. The company asserts it has continually engaged with union representatives since the Aena handling tender result on September 26.

Iberia warns that the strike will significantly disrupt holiday travel, and impact family reunions and vacation plans. It views the strike as harmful and unnecessary, particularly during this peak travel season.

Following Aena’s tender decision, Iberia lost its license to provide third-party services at several key airports, including Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Alicante, Gran

Credit: EQRoy/Shutterstock.com XX

Seasons strikes

Grounded Iberia aircraft.

Canaria, Tenerife South, Ibiza and Bilbao.

However, it did retain its license for Madrid. Iberia has since pursued legal action to overturn the tender result and has been in talks with unions to mitigate the impact on its workforce.

The airline reassures its workforce that their rights will remain intact under the V Convention of the ground handling sector.

Yet, it argues that implementing auto-handling would damage IAG’s competitiveness and lead to a financial downturn.

Iberia clarifies it has never engaged in auto-handling at these airports, preferring to outsource these services. The strike, therefore, raises significant concerns about future operations and the airline’s competitive standing in the industry.

EWN 17

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

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23

20 EWN 21 - 27 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE

COMMUNITY

COMMENTS

AS this is the Christmas edition of the paper and we of course wish all of our readers the very best for Christmas, New Years Day and Three Kings we thought it a good idea to ask readers what they have planned as expats (or as some prefer to say immigrants) for Christmas 2023 and this is a sample of the responses we received;

“

We celebrate Christmas usually with my brother and his partner who live next door! However, this year we are going to Majorca for a week

My first Christmas as a widower, so I will be having a quiet one. My celebrations are on the 6th January - Epiphany.

Having my neighbours up for Christmas dinner

Maureen Croft Pearson

Christine Smith

Sarah Earnshaw

We celebrate same as always, love Xmas, and it’s a time to be together, family, friends, our pets, & all the hard work is so worth it.

Can’t understand anyone saying ‘ it’s just another day ‘. Be thankful & make the most of a lovely time of the year.

Patricia Padgett

Cosy time at home with my lovely husband Maggie Ashley

Well, I am not an expat, but an immigrant.

As originally from Austria we celebrate on Christmas Eve, December 24th, with a fantastic family meal (like locals do) at the Restaurante Castillo de San José in Arrecife and handing over presents. 25th does not mean anything in most European countries. We have stunning parades with camellos at Lanzarote for Los Reyes Magos, so this is part No 2 of our Christmas celebrations.

Stephen Proctor

Have a Turkey Christmas dinner with sprouts if can find them Christmas pud all the trimmings at home or a friends don’t go out .

Not really any different than UK except the weather is much nicer! X Diane Grey

We celebrate all year for no longer living in G.B John Smith (not the EWN John Smith)

With people we love and care about.

Hilary McCann

Christmas Eve at church then on Christmas day go for lunch at a Spanish restaurant. Have been doing this for 8 years . The food is wonderful. Come home late afternoon and watch the Christmas programmes with a glass or two of cava.

Shirley Morris

Go back to family in U.K. For a week

Linda Collins

Just another day in the life

Judith Dominique Wolfenegg

Sue Kiff

I love Christmas. We go to UK for Christmas and celebrate with our UK family. Then we return for the Spanish Christmas and celebrate with our daughter and her Spanish family.

We been having two Christmas’s for over 20 years. It’s a win, win.

When in Rome ?¿ Being retired is a holiday everyday if you opt it.

Lisa Hibbert

Walk along the beach in the sun then home to watch English TV Marian Donovan

With friend s on 24 Spanish way then 25 English Dennis Bartlett

Tim McMahon

G0 to a Spanish family have a great time

Ronald Kelly

Just have Yule tide dinner . Never bother with that churchy stuff Micky Moses Jones

Micky Moses Jones without the Christian ‘ Churchy’ stuff, there wouldn’t be Christmas!

What’s ‘stuff’ to one is important to another.

I think the comment is a tad disrespectful sadly Nicola Cain

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

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

FEATURE II euroweeklynews.com

21 - 27 December 2023

EWN 21

INTERVIEW

Why Europeans Move To Spain As part of the ongoing series, we spoke to 24-year-old Niamh Eades who left the UK as a youngster to move to Alicante.

AS a wide-eyed five-yeardata streams of a media old in 2004, Niamh company as a data bid farewell to her analyst.

Derbyshire roots It seems Niamh’s and embarked childhood dream on a thrilling adnever waned as venture with her she confirms: “I parents to a tiny share my world Spanish village with two horses north of Alicante. and two ponies “I can rememamong other resber being really excue animals.” cited about the move When asked about Image: Niamh Eades because a promise had any challenges of living Embracing life in Spain been made, the promise of in Spain, Niamh confesses, a horse. My passion for these ma“Being a horse owner in Spain jestic creatures had ignited long before, (legally) is a nightmare, but worth every and this move was a dream come true,” hurdle. she confirmed.

“And, what makes it all worthwhile is Niamh underwent a transformation, the weather, which is a bonus for animal from British school desks to Spanish class- lovers who spend most of their time outrooms, armed with a three-month inten- doors.” sive Spanish course.

When asked if there was anything These were the foundational steps of about Blighty that Niamh misses, she cona life that would lead Niamh to Alicante firmed: “I miss the London musical theaUniversity, where she pursued a degree in tre scene, but Madrid’s theatre scene has computer engineering. witnessed a remarkable evolution in the Today, she finds herself navigating the past five years.”

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PETS

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Nutritional Benefits: Natural bones, especially those with marrow, can provide nutritional benefits, including minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

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IN an age where convenience and pet care intersect, dog washing machines have emerged as a novel solution for pet owners. These devices, resembling small, pet-sized traditional washing machines, are designed to simplify the often arduous task of keeping our furry friends clean.

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World Cup bid IN a determined move to secure a spot in hosting the World Cup 2030 matches, Murcia’s candidacy has surged ahead, spurred on by national-level information and rumours last October hinting that the Enrique Roca Stadium might miss out on being part of the football extravaganza. Consequently, regional Murcian bodies involved in the bid have overhauled and refined their initial project, aiming to make it ‘more realistic and appealing’ for the final race to secure a position in an event that promises global projection for the region amidst stiff competition from numerous other contenders.

“We have designed a new project in collaboration with the city council and the Regional Government, which has been sent to the Spanish Federation. It has received approval; the transformation is significant. Securing funding to enhance the stadium constitutes the second phase,” affirmed Monje Carrillo, president of the Murcia Federation, following a meeting of key project stakeholders recently.

The region has less than a year to position itself to be among the chosen venues by December 2024.

The revamped project was unveiled in Madrid the previous week, outlining plans for the Enrique Roca Stadium to meet FIFA’s seating requirements without raising the stadium’s roof.

“To reach the expanded capacity of 45,000 seats, the playing field’s level will be lowered to install seats closer to the grass. Simultaneously, existing rings will be widened to accommodate more seats.

This will necessitate modifications to passageways, accesses, and the facility’s evacuation plan,” stated Fran Sánchez, Director General of Sports.

Double trouble THE anticipation is palpable as Carlos Alcaraz and Rafa Nadal are gearing up for an exhilarating showdown on the court. With over two weeks until the Manacor native returns to competitive action, confirmation has arrived that he will engage in an exhibition match against the Murcian player on March 3 in Las Vegas. This encounter was initially scheduled for this year, but was unfortunately cancelled due to injuries sustained by both tennis stars.

Following Nadal’s much-awaited return to the circuit after a year’s absence due to various injuries, the match has been rescheduled for March, echoing the earlier plans. Dubbed ‘The Netflix Slam,’ this exhibition clash between stars has been chosen by the streaming platform to venture into tennis broadcasting, marking its inaugural live coverage of the sport.

Scheduled just three days before the Indian Wells Masters 1000 in the neighbouring state of California, where Alcaraz will defend his title, this exhibition will precede a hectic month for the El Palmar superstar. Following the Las Vegas match, he will head to the East Coast for the Miami Open.

Crushing crisis The urgency for a high-calibre replacement is palpable. Ancelotti ack-

nowledges the necessity of bolstering the team’s defence for crucial matImage: X/ @David_Alaba

REAL MADRID faces a formidable setback following David Alaba’s injury during the recent match against Villareal. Alaba’s attempt to pressurise Gerard Moreno led to a devastating outcome when his left knee buckled. The diagnosis was swift and grim: a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, leaving the Austrian sidelined for the rest of the season and with the possibility of missing out on the upcoming Euro Cup. Carlo Ancelotti, the Madrid coach, faces a defensive crisis with Alaba joining Militão and Courtois on the injury list. With only two fit centre-backs, Rüdiger and Nacho, the team enters a pivotal period in multiple competitions with a fragile defensive line.

euroweeklynews.com II SPORT

David Alaba’s injury leaves Real Madrid with defensive uncertainties.

Image: Netflix.com

24 EWN 21 - 27 December 2023

GAME ON: Alcaraz and Nadal set to reignite their rivalry.

Expressing his honour and excitement to share the court with Rafa in Las Vegas, Alcaraz praised his opponent, acknowledging Nadal’s legendary status

ches ahead, notably the Super Copa de España semifinal against Atlético in Riad and the Copa del Rey semi-finals in February and of course the Champions League.

Ancelotti expressed his disbelief and concern, calling it ‘incredible’ to face a third ACL tear in four months. Alaba, despite the team’s day off, visited the club’s medical staff, discussing treatment options, with initial estimations hinting at an eight-month recovery. Rüdiger and Nacho, the only available centre-backs, now shoulder immense responsibility with the German playing 90 per cent of possible minutes, while Nacho is comparatively fresher at 47 per cent. The urgency to secure a top-tier defender is evident for Madrid to sustain its competitive edge across various competitions.

The absence of Alaba not only impacts Madrid’s title aspirations but also raises concerns for Austria’s Euro Cup campaign.

in the tennis world. In response, Nadal reciprocated the admiration, acknowledging Alcaraz’s talents and expressing anticipation for the match.

Sports haven EUROSPORT and the Canary Islands Tourist Board have joined forces to launch a new series, ‘Canary Islands: One Goal, One Destination. All year-round’.

This multi-channel campaign aims to position the archipelago as the ultimate destination for professional athletes, semi-professionals, and teams seeking optimal conditions for upcoming competitions.

Heading the campaign are three sports legends who will share their expertise and insights during Eurosport’s coverage of Paris 2024: Alberto Contador, the seven-time Grand Tour winner from Spain, Katinka Hosszu, the three-time Olympic swimming champion and World Record holder from Hungary and Iwan Thomas, the Team GB World Champion and Olympic silver medallist.

As part of the initiative, Eurosport and the Canary Islands Tourist Board will produce a 60-second TV commercial and three short films.

These films will spotlight each of the eight Canary Islands, a sporting icon, and a specific discipline.

Viewers will be taken on an exhilarating journey through the stunning landscapes and challenging terrains of the Canary Islands, immersing them in the training routines of world-class athletes and showcasing the archipelago as an ideal training hub.

Mike Rich, Head of UK & Ireland and International Ad Sales and Brand Partnerships at WBD Sports, expressed enthusiasm for providing a platform that brings the paradise of professional sports tourism to life through Eurosport’s extensive channel lineup.

José Juan Lorenzo, Managing Director of the Canary Islands Tourist Board, emphasised the Canary Islands’ offer top-notch facilities.