Mallorca 21 – 27 Dec 2023 Issue 2007

NEW YEAR

Credit: Cityswift flickr

THE top three airports in Spain by number of passengers from January to November 2023, in order of volume were Madrid, Barcelona and Son Sant Joan Palma with 11 million.

When one considers the popularity of holiday destinations such as Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, the fact the airport in Palma is welcoming more travellers than Alicante/Elche or Malaga is amazing.

Figures just released by Spanish government backed Turespaña showed that the Balearic Islands received a total of 14.5 million passengers, an increase of 8 per cent over the same period in 2022.

The majority of air travellers to the Balearics chose to book with so called ‘budget’ airlines and the Balearics account for almost 16.5 per cent of all air passengers to and from Spain.

The Germans are out in front as far as foreign passengers are concerned.

Lufthansa crew at Palma Airport.

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President Prohens speaking at this year’s PP Christmas Dinner

John Smith THE often used quote from Henry VI Part II, “heavy is the head that wears the crown” could well be applied to Marga Prohens, new Balearic Government President.

Representing the Partido Popular, her party managed to receive the highest number of votes in the last election but in order to take over government had to form a non-coalition alliance with Vox. Therein lies the problem as Vox has been flexing its muscles with regards to the 2024 budget and if that could not be approved, then the 2023 budget introduced by the then ruling PSOE party would be extended as the PP do not have an absolute majority.

After much discussion, agreement has been reached between the parties but PP have had to make a number of concessions, perhaps the most painful being the tax threshold increase from €700,000 to €3 million for the richest in the Balearics which will see a loss of tax income of around €70 million in 2025.

There are more tax breaks for those who rent out properties and as well for those who look after dependent family members plus some aid to the self-employed.

The government has to find €20 million to allow for a choice of language in schools as Vox is opposed to the teaching of Catalan over Spanish and a further €200,000 to employ inspectors to check on possible ‘indoctrination’ of any type in schools.

Unions are going to lose

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Loving Mallorca Credit: Marga Prohens Twitter

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€400,000 in grants, but the saving will at least be going as further support for those needing disability care whilst the accounts of public companies will be scrutinised more rigorously in future.

Victims of squatters will hopefully find life a bit easier in the future following the creation of a government office to offer them advice and assistance, whilst more money will be allocated to assist those having difficulty finding somewhere to rent.

WITH a population fast approaching one million residents, the population of Mallorca just continues to grow according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).

Recently released figures show that the number of people resident in Mallorca on January 1, 2023 has grown by 25,000 but as there were more deaths than births, the growth is explained by foreign incomers.

In fact the total percentage of foreign born residents in Mallorca now totals 26 per cent of the population, although some towns have much larger foreign numbers and others much smaller.

Palma, the largest residential centre by far has a total population of 430,640 and the number of foreigners just beats the average at 27.6 per cent and the overall growth in one year is 14,700.

Most popular with foreign settlers and breaking the 30 per cent barrier are Santanyi 30.7 per cent, Andratx 33.3 per cent, Alcudia 34.8 per cent, Calvia with 37.8 per cent and Deia with 37.9 per cent.

Credit: kbold flickr Creative Commons

Mallorca • Issue No. 2007 • 21 - 27 December 2023

Mallorca welcomes all nationalities.

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euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

21 - 27 December 2023

Credit: Consell de Mallorca

Living Nativity offends

Dressed to impress at the Living Nativity scene

IN the eyes of some people or groups, every attempted good deed can be considered an affront!

On Saturday December 16, the Living Nativity returned to the Misericòrdia Gardens for the first time in 10 years thanks to the involvement of the Consell de Mallorca.

More than 130 people (actors and locals) were involved from a baby representing Jesus to much older residents and music was supplied by the Pequeñitos Choir of the Teatro Principal singing Christmas Carols as well as Antònia Vallés.

Many of those taking part were dressed not in clothing hailing from the time of Christ but in traditional Mallorcan dress to give the event a real local flavour.

There will be a number of events taking place from now until December 23 and those visiting are encouraged to take with them food or hygiene products which will be donated to the Tardor Association.

The ‘bum’ note came from representatives of the Vox Political Party who claimed that from time to time during the day, background music apparently included Els Segadors, the national anthem of Catalonia, which the Vox representatives considered unnecessary and offensive.

EVERY autonomous community celebrates its own special day and this is the same with Mallorca even though it is part of the Balearic Community.

The date was changed to December 31 by the then Consell of Mallorca in 2016 but following their loss at the last ballot, the new Council has contacted each of the Island’s 53 municipalities asking for their opinion.

Just 30 responded, 28, being in favour of moving the date to September 12, one disagreeing and one saying that it didn’t have sufficiently knowlegable staff to allow it to pass an opinion.

There was a general poll of residents with the majority FOR the third year running, taxi drivers in Palma have donated their services to take residents from the Borenco retirement home to see the Christmas lights in Palma.

The idea grew from the fact that they had been kept in the home for long periods of time because of the pandemic and it was thought that this would be a real treat for them especially as

New Mallorca Day Credit: Consell de Mallorca

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sen as on that date in 1276, King Jaume II swore the Charter of Privilegis i Franqueses, an act that entailed the expansion of the rights of the Mallorcans and the opportunity to transition to a kingdom.

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SPECIAL DAY: Municipalities asked for their opinion.

who had an opinion being in favour of moving away from New Year’s Eve and a number of historians also agreed

that September 12 was a more appropriate date.

A spokesperson explained that September 12 was cho-

Fun night out some may have been nervous about going out on their own.

To get everyone into the festive mood, the 13 volunteer drivers decorated their taxis and wore special Christmas sweaters and Santa hats as they drove in con-

voy through the city to the applause of passers-by who were fascinated by the drive past.

As the saying goes, a fun time was had by all and the pensioners sent their thanks to the taxi drivers who were so generous with their time.

JUST because there has been some light frost in certain parts of Mallorca, don’t expect a White Christmas.

It may be cold and even a bit foggy over the next few days but according to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) this won’t last too long and by Christmas Eve the daytime temperature could creep up to 22° with Christmas Day being just as warm.

Looking further ahead, it should be warm during the day for New Year and Three Kings, although temperatures could drop as low as 2° or 3° at night.

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REPRESENTATIVES of Alcudia Town Council, had an enjoyable task to perform when they visited a very special resident Clotilde Cañelles Garrido, to present her with a bouquet and wish her a very happy birthday which saw her 101 years of age.

Devon delight

THE latest airline to announce new summer flights from the UK to Palma is Ryanair which will be introducing a twice-weekly service from Exeter airport which will run from May to October 2024 confirming airlines at least believe that Mallorca is still a great holiday destination.

Train fire

PASSENGERS travelling on the Inca train route found themselves evacuated on the evening of Saturday December 16 when the train pulled in to Alaro-Consell station as a fire had started in one of the carriages. No injuries were reported and the train soon returned to service.

What a night

PORT POLICE in Palma were breathalysing drivers when they saw that a young man who had clearly had too much to drink attempt to steal one of their vehicles.

After getting him away from the car, the young man threw himself on to the road and then scuffled with officers.

New Year’s Eve

IF you are unable to afford the cost of New Year’s Eve, the Calvia Council is hosting a free event at the Galatzó Pavilion which runs from 12.30am to 6am with music, dance and even a free bus service to get you there and back home.

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 stunning coast and in beautiful Mallorca 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

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STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Last minute shopping

Michel and Steven Euesde

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can certainly make a world 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

IT’S not unusual to leave last minute shopping until Christmas Eve and this year as December 24 is a Sunday, many of the larger stores are allowed to open for a change.

Know for the fact that the Mercadona supermarkets rarely open on a Sunday anywhere in Spain, an exception is being made this year in Mallorca and all of their supermarkets will open for a short period from 9am to 3pm.

Carrefour offers a greater choice opening from 9am to 7pm but that is exceeded by El Corte Inglés and also the Supercor Centre being open from 9am to 8pm and not far behind is Alcampo in Marratxi opens from 8am to 7pm.

As far as the German chains are concerned, it seems that both Aldi and Lidl will open most of their stores from 9am to 3pm.

Not to be left out the main shopping centres on the Island are planning to open on Christmas Eve.

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21 - 27 December 2023

Safe cycling A fishy story the training area so that the youngsters could put into practice much of what they had learned and also gain confidence before they were taken out on the road.

The route took them to Soller Town Hall where they presented a letter concerning the needs to ensure that the streets of the town were safe for cyclists.

On their return, each was presented with a special certificate confirming their participation in the workshop.

New mooring

DETERMINED to ensure that the natural beauty of Mallorca continues to remain undisturbed wherever possible, the Balearic Environment Commission is blocking a proposal from the Port Authority.

Ports IB want to expand use of the waters in the small cove of Sa Foradada in Deia by the introduction

of 30 ‘ecological’ buoys thus allowing small boats to moor in the area but there are some major objections.

Firstly on ecological grounds, no buoys may be affixed to the ocean floor anywhere near where there is evidence of the existence of the endangered Posidonia sea grass.

The size of vessels needs to be controlled with none allowed over 20 metres in length and preference being given to much smaller vessels.

Perhaps most importantly, no mooring be allowed at the tiny dock in the cove because this would be disruptive to the conservation plans in surrounding area.

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

“A bird cannot fly on one wing.”

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

Credit: Palma Council

WITH schools breaking up and children being out and about more, it is especially important to ensure that they are aware of the rules of the road particularly when cycling.

Specialists from Soller Local Police spent last Friday December 15 morning with local schoolchildren helping them to understand how their bikes work and the safety aspects of riding in public places.

A special skills circuit was set up within

Showing one of the special containers

SOME 5,000 sea bass each weighing about 700 grammes have been raised in Port Andraxt, then killed and put on ice by the local Fishermen’s Guild there.

These fish, which came from the facilities of the Marine and Aquaculture Research Laboratory of the IRFAP-LIMIA are being shared out amongst 10 different charities with the intention that

they be given to families who need donation of food.

It is anticipated that this fresh and healthy produce can be distributed to around 3,500 families on the Island and will ensure that they can enjoy a top quality product for a change as normally the cost would be prohibitive.

Aquicultura Balear has donated the fish whilst the government is arranging to

cover the cost of delivering the fish to the charities and the Aquiculture Port Andraxt Fishermen’s Guild supplied the boat, fishermen and storage facilities.

The rearing project itself which was co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund was undertaken to discover the best way of farming and feeding the fish on an ongoing basis.

A SPECIAL campaign running from December 15 to January 15 to collect waste glass in 10 containers situated in main parts

of Palma City will benefit those in need of food.

This campaign launched

by Ecovidrio with the participation of Palma Council and EMAYA will play its part in supporting the work of the charity Mallorca without Hunger.

For every kilo of glass collected in each of these 10 containers, Ecovidrio will donate a kilo of food to the charity.

Councillor Llorenç Bauzá, who is also President of EMAYA said

about the campaign “We encourage all those living and working in Palma to use these containers during the holidays because it helps the most disadvantaged families and encourages the care of our environment.”

The green containers are easy to spot and have been located in a number of the most populous or heavily visited areas of the city and if used correctly will help a number of those in need in Palma

Fighting hunger

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Hallstein Artesian Water Edwin Weindorfer, CEO of the sports event agency ‘e-motion’ and Mallorca Country Club, stated “We are delighted to be able to offer our customers exclusive access to a particularly healthy water in the form of Hallstein Artesian Water, as many of our members are sporty and very health-conscious.

“Sustainability is also important to us, as this water, which is valued by gourmet experts worldwide, is not pumped and is bottled in recycled glass bottles.”

The high pH value, the high proportion of dissolved oxygen, the balanced, mild minerals, the very low nitrate and organic carbon content, the only very moderate total dissolved solids, the balanced ratio of calcium to magnesium and a low outlet temperature ensure an unadulterated flavour, especially when enjoying wine.

Untreated, unfiltered and unpumped, this highly limited water has simply been perfected by nature. Hallstein

Artesian Water is therefore ideal for strengthening the immune system. Because only particularly pure water helps the body to cleanse itself of all these toxins and also supports the immune system, which leads to a reduced risk of inflammation and other health problems.

About Mallorca Country Club The centrepiece of the Mallorca Country Club with its modern lifestyle ambience is the traditional tennis club, which was designed in cooperation with Wimbledon.

In addition to tennis, the elite sports club also offers paddle courts, pickleball courts, a fitness centre and a physiotherapy and osteopathy centre, whose treatments focus on prevention and healing.

The restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine offers summer BBQs, live concerts, charity events, wine tastings, food truck festivals and theme parties. The Mallorca Country Club is an ideal place for sport, health, pleasure and networking.

The source In spring 1999, Austro-American entrepreneur Karlheinz Muhr, and his family decided that the family would no longer drink sugary drinks such as juices and soft drinks. This decision marked the beginning of the search for the ‘ideal water’ and after six years of working with a team of scientists and hydrogeologists, their ideal water source was discovered in their homeland, in the Dachstein region of the Austrian Alps: completely untreated, unfiltered, and uncompromising.

For more information about Hallstein Artesian Water visit www.hallsteinwater. com.

THE run up to Christmas is very busy for different parts of the Cáritas Mallorca Group and over the past few days there have been three very useful activities by supporters.

ANPE the union of teachers in the Balearic Islands raised €250 through their campaign Rebost which was created to help some of the families that Cáritas looks after due to their financial difficulties.

Then, members of the action group Cáritas a Selva took part in a Christmas fair in the town where they offered products from the toy workshop for sale and

IT looks as if at least one hotel chain in Mallorca is expecting decent revenue over the next few years as it is investing in its properties.

The Viva Group which was only set up less than 10 years ago (although its owners have a lot of experience in the market) now boasts six upmarket hotels and is so sure of the continued appeal of Mallorca as a holiday des-

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World’s healthiest water Cáritas Christmas

BUSY TIME: Creating small gifts to be given to the elderly.

they also spent some time explaining the work of the charity to visitors.

The women’s group from the S’Indioteria Crochet and Sewing Workshop have also been busy this Christmas

making a large and colourful crochet Christmas tree but more importantly creating small gifts that will be given to the elderly in the neighbourhood with others being sold at seasonal fairs.

Hotel investment tination that it is expanding its guest facilities.

Its runs exclusive four-star properties and is about to create a new outdoor area with an oasis and pool bar at its Hotel Viva Cala Mesquida Suites property.

In addition, because of the high volume of current bookings, it is unusually releasing dates for 2025 so that clients can be assured of obtaining exactly the accommodation that they want.

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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. The festive period, as witnessed on the Constitution bridge (December 5, 6, and 7) and the upcoming eve of Epiphany on January 5, will see intensified surveillance.

In a unique move, the Sol station is expected to close on several days in December, specifically from 6.00pm to 9.00pm on special occasions like December 30 and 31.

Adjustments will also be made on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. On Christmas Eve, the Metro will conclude at 10.00pm. On Christmas dDay it will open at 8.00am, and at 7.00am on New Year’s Day.

The kissing kind

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

Credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com

A kiss at a social gathering.

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

There are subtle but important rules to this

greeting.

Typically, it starts on the right cheek, and while the approach is cheek-to-cheek, 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 social 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, symbolizing 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 – is a significant gesture of sharing the ‘breath of life.’

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LAST month, a frenzy erupted on social media over an image that showcased the uncanny physical similarity between Princess Leonor of Spain and Emma van Vollenhoven, a member of the Dutch Royal Family.

Emma, who just celebrated her 17th birthday, is the great-niece of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the cousin of the current Dutch monarchs, William and Maxima.

The striking parallel between Leonor and Emma was highlighted when a fan page for the Orange-Nassau house posted a congratulatory birthday message.

Emma’s father, Prince Pieter Christian, is the son of Princess Margaret, positioning Emma as a second cousin to Amalia, Alexia, and Arianne.

Both young women share long blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin, and full lips. This resemblance was the talk of the town after the fan page’s public post, with some users exclaiming, ‘She is Princess Leonor’s twin!’

Credit: emmavanvollenhoven/Instagram

A striking resemblance

UNCANNY: On the left, Emma van Vollenhoven. on the right, princess Leonor.

The similarities between the two princesses extend beyond their looks. They both experienced elite academic training, attending UWC centres in Wales and Singapore. Emma, who enjoys a lesser-known position in the Dutch Royal House, has a brother named Pieter. Interestingly, both she and Leonor had a fondness for root braids during their childhoods.

While Leonor garners a larger base of admirers for her beauty, the commonalities between her and Emma

have become a hot topic.

Their shared academic backgrounds and physical traits have intrigued royal watchers.

This isn’t the first time Leonor’s likeness to other royal figures has been noted. She is also said to bear a resemblance to Victoria Luisa of Prussia, the maternal grandmother of Queen Emeritus Sofia.

Meanwhile, Leonor is wrapping up her time at the Zaragoza Military Academy before the Christmas vacation.

Volcanic state Icelandic volcanic eruption.

Credit: Natturuva/X

AFTER weeks of monitoring the Grindavik volcano, it finally erupted on Monday evening, December 18, leading Iceland to declare a state of emergency.

Iceland’s president confirmed the area was closed off and evacuated as the country declared a state of emergency in response to the Grindavik volcano eruption.

The event, which is still unfolding in the Reykjanes Peninsula, began at 10.17pm, north of Grindavik.

The Icelandic Meteorological and Seismological Office (MET) confirmed the eruption near Sundhnukagigar, about four kilometres northeast of Grindavik. This alarming development follows months of seismic activity, leading to the evacuation of Iceland’s second city.

The MET website detailed that a series of earthquakes starting at 9.00pm preceded the eruption. The fissure, estimated at about 3.5

kilometres, is significantly larger than those in recent eruptions on the peninsula. Lava flow rates range between 100 and 200 cubic metres per second, marking a considerable increase.

Iceland’s President, Gudni Johannesson, took to the social media platform Twitter/X, stating, ‘An eruption has begun near the evacuated city of Grindavik. Our priorities remain protecting lives and infrastructure.

‘Civil Defence has closed the affected area. Now we wait to see what the forces

of nature have in store for us. We are prepared and we remain vigilant. The good news is that the wind is north westerly and according to the forecast it will stay northerly for the next few days. Hence the eruption plume is likely to be blown away from inhabited areas.’

Despite the severe nature of the eruption, Icelandic Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson assured that air travel remained unaffected.

He confirmed that no flights to or from Iceland had been interrupted.

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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,

Long and the short of it

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, 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.

Levelling Up Credit: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

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David Cameron is back in government as a senior decision maker.

JUST imagine what might have happened if every British passport holder living anywhere in the world had been eligible to vote in the Brexit Referendum!

The then Conservative Government under the leadership of David Cameron had recognised that there was an incredible anomaly as those who had left the UK within the past 15 years and

had been registered to vote in the UK whilst living there were eligible.

Those who had exceeded 15 years or had been too young to vote when they left the UK and whose parents weren’t registered lost the right to vote (so much for universal suffrage!).

The actual limit is arbitrary and has changed from as little as seven years to more

than 15 but it was Conservative policy that the time limit should be scrapped and it supported a private members bill to this effect.

Perhaps, David Cameron’s second biggest mistake was not pushing the law change through before the Brexit vote and it might also have saved the ongoing angst over Gibraltar.

Afterwards, nothing happened before the next elect ion and then the private members bill was talked out of Parliament when it was next raised.

All these years later, it appears that the Conservatives are going to give the vote back to every British passport holder and as part of the Levelling Up campaign it has arranged with a digital company Softwire to canvas overseas residents on their opinions on how the new system should work.

They have been contacting Conservative Groups around Europe inviting to apply to take part in a review which finished on Tuesday December 19 and who knows, for the next UK General Election which could well in 2024, you may be able to vote even if you have lived in Spain for more than 15 years, or have grown up here without any right to vote.

The only drawback is that you will most likely need to either appoint a proxy to vote for you or register by post, assuming that there is sufficient time to receive the voting papers and then return them.

ADVERTISING FEATURE II euroweeklynews.com It will be new year soon, a time when most of us take stock of our situation and set goals to improve our health, happiness, lifestyle and wealth. It’s a good opportunity to confirm your financial planning is on target to meet your needs and provide long-term financial security.

Regular reviews help keep your financial affairs up to date and compliant.

Tax rules or financial regulations can change at any time, which may affect the tax efficiency and security of your existing arrangements.

There may also be new opportunities that you could find beneficial… but only if you know about them. You don’t know what you don’t know, so conducting your review with the help of a professional financial planner can prove invaluable.

Consider also if any changes in your personal and family circumstances mean you should adjust your arrangements.

Tax planning First confirm where you are resident for tax purposes, especially if you are new to Spain or spend time in more than one country.

Then structure your investments and wealth in the most suitable way to minimise taxation in Spain and the UK, while still meeting

21 - 27 December 2023

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Resolve to review your financial planning for 2024

By Cathal Rochford, Partner, Blevins Franks

your tax reporting obligations.

Research the Spanish tax regime to establish what opportunities it may provide residents if you structure your assets correctly.

Cross-border tax planning is complex, so take specialist advice to achieve peace of mind and potentially secure significant tax savings.

Savings and investments If you do not already have a financial plan in place for Spain,

take a fresh look at your savings and investments. Are they actually better suited to a UK resident? Do they meet your risk/reward appetite? Are you taking advantage of suitable tax-efficient opportunities in Spain?

Successful investing is about having a strategy specifically based around your circumstances, time horizon, needs, aims and risk tolerance. Ensure you have adequate diversification to avoid over-exposure to any given country, asset type, sector or company. Explore investment structures that allow multi-currency flexibility to help minimise exchange rate risk.

Pensions Pensions are usually key to financial security through retirement, so deciding what to do with yours could be one of the most important financial decisions you make. Ensure you are up-to-date on the latest pension regulations and explore the available options.

Weigh up all the pros and cons and consider the tax implications and potential benefits or complications in Spain.

Take regulated professional advice to protect your retirement benefits and do what is right for your personal circumstances and aims.

Estate planning It is vital to review your estate planning as Spanish succession law and tax work very differently to the UK. Spain’s ‘forced heirship’ rules could automatically pass a significant proportion of your worldwide estate to your direct family, whatever your intentions. You can specify in your will for the EU regulation ‘Brussels IV’ to apply relevant British law to your estate instead, but understand your options and any tax implications.

Your estate plan should be set up to achieve your wishes in the most tax-efficient way possible. If you

remain UK domiciled you continue to be liable for UK inheritance tax, so plan to reduce this liability for your heirs.

To bring all these complex elements together and ensure you have not missed out on any opportunities, take expert, cross-border advice. Spending time on a financial health-check can secure peace of mind that you and your family are in the best position to enjoy a prosperous 2024 and beyond.

The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change.

Tax information has been summarised; individuals should seek personalised advice.

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www. blevinsfranks.com.

10 EWN 21 - 27 December 2023

NORWAY Well-travelled AN EXTREMELY rare gold coin probably minted between 977 and 1025 was found recently by a detectorist in Vestre Slidre. It possibly belonged to Harald Hardrada, the King who ruled Norway from 1046 to 1066 but previously served as a guard for the Byzantine empire in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul).

Tougher line NORWAY’S Labour Inspectorate emphasised that changes to the Harassment in the Workplace Law will make clear that it also covers sexual harassment. Although this is already illegal, the inspectorate wants the revised wording to ensure that stricter preventative measures are introduced in all workplace environments.

SWEDEN

euroweeklynews.com II EUROPEAN PRESS

EUROPRESS BELGIUM Papal visit Speaking to a Mexican broadcaster on December 12, Pope Francis announced that he intends to visit Belgium in September 2024, surprising commentators as he usually prefers countries further afield. They added that the visit was probably arranged last September when he recieved King Philippe and Queen Mathilde in the Vatican.

POPE FRANCIS: Will visit Belgium in September next year

GERMANY

IRELAND Big money BILLIONAIRE currency trader JP McManus is donating €1 million to Gaelic games in every county in Ireland, to be split equally between men’s football, women’s football, hurling and camogie. The donation will be sent to each county’s Gaelic Athletic Association for distribution to clubs by January 31 next year.

Still working TELECOMS company Eir must reinstate an employee who appealed against the company’s decision to forcibly retire him last July when he turned 65 although he wished to continue working. Eir must also pay him for the time he did not work, the Workplace Relations Commission said.

Photo credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

FRANCE

DENMARK

Tesla tussle

Not wanted

Ring true

Better lives

SWEDEN’S Transport Workers’ Union threatened to expand its sympathy strike against Tesla by blocking waste collection from its premises in Sweden, beginning on Christmas Eve. Several trade unions have launched industrial action against Tesla, which refused to sign a collective agreement for its mechanics in October.

GERMAN soldiers left Mali and brought to an end their 10-year peacekeeping mission which helped to stabilise the country and safeguard human rights. Mali’s military junta, which came to power in 2020, has strengthened ties with Russia and requested the UN force’s exit, despite the threat posed by militant Islamists.

A MALAYSIAN businesswoman staying at the Ritz in Paris filed a complaint with the police after realising that her $800,000 (€727,000) diamond was missing on returning from a shopping trip. Security staff, once alerted, searched the hotel and eventually found the ring inside the bag of a vacuum cleaner.

THE children of non-Western immigrants to Denmark earn three times more than their parents, Statistics Denmark figures revealed. The 30 to 39 age group usually earn more than their parents at that age, but the difference was steeper in persons whose parents were born outside Europe or the West, the survey found.

Low marks

Spy story

Safe now

Home-bred

A TEACHER at a high school in Jonkoping was suspended without pay after he asked pupils to plan a “hypothetical terrorist attack” as one of their assignments. “It’s a total lack of judgment, especially we have a raised terror threat level in this country,” said High Schools chief Henrik Natt och Dag.

THE trial began in Berlin of a former member of Germany’s BND intelligence service and an accomplice who are accused of passing information to the Russian state in 2022. The two men, identified only as Carsten L and Arthur E, allegedly received €450,000 and €400,000 respectively from the Russian authorities.

NOTRE-DAME in Paris will have a unique fire protection system when it reopens in December 2024, announced Philippe Jost, head of the official body in charge of rebuilding the cathedral after the devastating 2019 fire. “All precautions have been taken for a complete rethink of its fire protection,” Jost said.

ENORM BIOFACTORY inaugurated northern Europe’s largest insect farm on a 22,000-square metre site in Hvirring where black soldier flies will be bred and mated to produce larvae. These will then be transformed into insect protein and insect oil to be used as feed for pigs and poultry as an alternative to imported soy.

ITALY

THE NETHERLANDS

FINLAND

PORTUGAL

Birth rights

Carrot cartel

Taxing news

Safe haven

FOLLOWING a government clampdown to stop same-sex parents from registering their children’s births, many expectant couples said that moving abroad, and especially to Spain, was their safest option.

Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s right-wing PM has censured “gender ideology” and believes only heterosexual parents should raise children.

FOUR companies which grow and market carrots were fined €2.5 million for creating a cartel that had shared out sales to frozen and canned food companies since 2008.

The arrangement also required the Laarakker, VanRijsingen and Verduyn companies to pay €90,000 a year to Veco for excluding it from one of their markets.

FINLAND’S Supreme Court ruled that a journalist on the Helsingin Sanomat should pay tax on legal fees incurred during his trial linked to Finnish Defence Intelligence Agency secrets. Although the newspaper footed the writer’s legal bills, the tribunal said these were not corporate costs but part of his taxable income.

ISRAELIS who wish to escape the current conflict need only a valid passport to obtain a refugee visa enabling them to live and work in Portugal, although this will require renewal every two months. They are also eligible for financial assistance from the government, a report from Israel’s Channel 12 maintained.

Sleep cycle

No cats allowed

Buying power

THE Netherlands National Statistics Agency (CBS) found that 10 per cent of over-17s took at least one of drug once or more between 2021 and 2022, compared with 9 per cent in 2017-2018. The study also revealed that 40 per cent of people taking recreational drugs, particularly cannabis, had difficulty sleeping.

THE Katriina hospital in Vantaa apologised to affected families after a cat entered a temporary morgue there “and came into contact with deceased individuals.” Although the hospital did not give details of the contact, the authorities expressed “deep regret” and said that a criminal report had been filed regarding the incident.

PORTUGAL’S Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head when expressed as Purchasing Power was 78.7 per cent of the European Union’s average in 2022, but 3.4 percentage points higher than in 2021.

This put Portugal in 16th position among the 19 Eurozone countries and 20th in the European Union.

Asylum deal ALBANIA’S government will accept an annual 36,000 migrants rescued in Italian waters and sent for screening prior to admittance. The move was condemned by opposition parties in both countries and non-government organisations, although Albania defended the deal, insisting that it was not “selling territory” to foreign country.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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

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

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

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

currenciesdirect.com/mallorca • Tel: +34 687 906 226

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

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

THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

Barclays ..................................... 147,14 ...............+0,46 ........... +0,31%...........1,92M

National Grid .............................1.060,00 ............. -6,00 ............-0,56% ......... 159,37K

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

NatWest Group .......................... 219,50 ............... -1,70 ............-0,77% ...........2,42M Next ...........................................8.132,0 .............. -18,0 ............-0,22% ........... 3,88K

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 2 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 civilizations 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 civilizations were not conquered by external enemies, they rotted from within’. He went on to observe. ‘The greatest Western generation consisted of eighteen 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.

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-yearthe data streams of a meold in 2004, Niamh bid dia company as a data farewell to her Derbanalyst. yshire roots and It seems Niamh’s embarked on a childhood dream thrilling advennever waned as ture with her she confirms: “I parents to a tiny share my world Spanish village with two horses north of Alicanand two ponies te. among other res“I can remember cue animals.” being really excited When asked Image: Niamh Eades about the move beabout any challenges Embracing life in Spain cause a promise had been of living in Spain, Niamh made, the promise of a horse. confesses, “Being a horse owMy passion for these majestic creatures ner in Spain (legally) is a nightmare, but had ignited long before, and this move worth every hurdle.” was a dream come true,” 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 past five years.”

FEATURE/NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

21 - 27 December 2023

EWN 17

NEW DESIGN: Euro bank notes.

in decline. It currently accounts for just 59 per cent of transactions at physical points of sale, a stark contrast to the 79 per cent in 2016.

In response, the European Commission introduced legislation in June to protect cash as legal tender, simultaneously proposing a digital euro to balance traditional and modern payment methods.

This redesign is not merely aesthetic; it coincides with evolving payment practices and harmonising tradition with technological advancements.

The Euro currency introduction in January 2002 was a landmark event in European history and has not seen any major design changes since.

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 90-in-180 day Schengen Visa Waiver that Brits would still have for use in the other 26 countries.”

Credit: Martine Berthet Facebook

HAVE you ever pondered the symbolic meaning behind your currency? The European Central Bank (ECB) is embarking on a transformative journey for the design of euro banknotes.

This pivotal change, expected to be implemented in 2026, deviates from the traditional windows and bridges motif that has defined the euro since its inception in 2002.

ECB President Christine Lagarde stressed that the primary objective is to resonate more deeply with Europeans of varied ages and backgrounds.

This decision was influenced by a public consultation earlier this year where other concepts, such as the representation of hands and abstract themes like ‘our Europe, ourselves’, were not pursued due to lukewarm responses in the summer surveys.

Interestingly, the ECB avoided conventional choices like famous landmarks or historical figures, likely to prevent controversies among the euro zone’s 20 member states.

The final designs, once refined, will be subjected to the European public’s opinion once more. However, the new notes won’t enter circulation for several years after 2026.

As digital payments soar, partly accelerated by the pandemic, the use of cash is

Credit: Wolfilser/Shutterstock.com

New look notes Opposition setback French Sénatrice Martine Berthet proposed the review.

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 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 mem-

bers 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.

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

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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.

22

PETS

euroweeklynews.com • 21 - 27 December 2023 SPONSORED BY

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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.

A dog washing machine operates similarly to a regular wash for clothes. It uses water, pet-safe shampoo, and gentle cycles to clean the dog. This method can be particularly useful for owners with larger breeds or those who struggle with the physical demands of regular dog washing.

Safety and comfort are paramount. These machines

Why pooches love chewing bones THE sight of a dog contentedly gnawing on a bone is as old as time. This natural behavior is not just enjoyable for dogs, but it’s also beneficial to their health and well-being.

Rooted in Biology: Chewing is an instinctual activity for dogs, stemming from their ancestors who would feast on prey, bones included. Bones provide a challenging and engaging activity that satisfies the canine urge to chew, which is an integral part of their predatory heritage. Dental Health: Chewing bones is also good for a dog’s dental health. It helps to scrape away plaque, control tartar build-up, and massages their gums, contributing to stronger teeth and fresher breath.

Mental Stimulation: Beyond dental health, chewing is a mentally stimulating activity that can keep dogs occupied and entertained for hours, helping to relieve boredom and anxiety. Nutritional Benefits: Natural bones, especially those with marrow, can provide nutritional benefits, including minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Safety Considerations: However, not all bones are safe for dogs. Cooked bones can splinter and pose a choking hazard or cause internal damage. It’s important for pet owners to provide bones that are specifically prepared for dogs to chew.

Dog washing machines

DOG WASHING: These machines will take the stress out of pampering your pet.

are equipped with features to keep dogs secure and at ease during the wash cycle.

Windows and openings allow pets to see their owners, reducing anxiety, while water

temperature and pressure are carefully regulated to ensure a comfortable experience.

The benefits of dog washing machines are multifaceted. They offer a quick, effi-

cient, and often less stressful means of cleaning dogs, especially for those who are less cooperative at bath time.

Additionally, they save water and reduce mess associated with home dog washing.

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Flirting with Barcelona IN the world of football rumours abound but one quite persistent one is that Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp may not be averse to taking over at Barcelona.

Even though he has a contract that should see him remain with the Reds until 2026, it seems that he is being wooed by Joan Laporta President of Barcelona FC. The fact is that although Klopp has been very successful with Liverpool his record has been eclipsed by Pepe Guardiola’s achievement at Manchester City and it is believed that he wants to get a new challenge with a top club where he can start rebuilding and bringing in the silverware.

Barcelona have not done well this season under head coach Xavi Hernández who is on a relatively short term contract and they are currently languishing (for them) nine points behind La Liga leaders Girona.

This could be an ideal chance for Klopp to rebuild a side whose fans always expect perfection and winning ways.

There is no question that Klopp had a spectacular record at Borussia Dortmund and although Liverpool have has some significant success in various competitions, they have only been Premier League Champions once Credit: Liverpool Football Club under his tenure Dr Klopp on call. so a move could be good for his ego.

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.