Costa de Almeria 18 – 24 January 2024 Issue 2011

Costa de Almeria • Issue No. 2011 • 18 - 24 January 2024

BOAR BLIMEY! ILMAINEN

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THE infamous wild boars have once again returned to the region of Almeria, or did they never really leave?

Either way, their presence seems to be causing havoc not just on the streets, but also within the community, as residents continue to disagree on how to deal with the issue and fear of the wild boars increases.

Many locals are insisting that Almeria must find a way to rid itself of the boars, stating on social media that they “cause havoc” and explaining: “unfortunately we can’t live together in harmony”. On January 12, a local school sent a petition letter to the mayor of Alme-

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Wild boars spotted in Cabo de Gata, Almeria.

ria requesting the elimination of the wild boars and arguing that “they wanted to be free children.”

However, others have shown a different view, urging that they “only attack if they feel threatened” and reminding people that “we

keep building further into their habitat”. Alain Pancher, who lives in Mojacar, told EWN that “I saw one of these back in November on the seafront towards the Irish pub, they are not at all threatening.”

Boars have been known

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to attack humans, although there have been no recent reports of this in the Almeria region. Nevertheless, they do cause costly damage to gardens and businesses, in addition to negatively impacting tourism.

So, what is the solution for the ethical population control of these animals, or should we just leave them be?

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Sunny days in Vera THERE were no winter blues to be seen here in Vera last Sunday, January 14.

As part of the towns ‘winter beaches’ programme, a group meditation session was held on the beach, as many residents sat in peaceful silence together, swaying in rhythm with the soft beating from the waves.

As the adults relaxed, the little ones ran up and down the beach, enjoying the warm winter sun.

Registration for these ONE lucky resident of Albox has been awarded €392,988 in the ‘La Primitiva’ lottery draw.

The draw took place on Thursday, January 11 and the winner received the grand total prize of €392,988.01 and was one of the three ‘First Category’ winners.

The winning ticket was purchased at ‘Peque Golosinas’ on 15 San Leo-

Credit: shutterstock_561924664

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WINTER SUNSHINE: Enjoy a session on the beach.

family fun Sundays is not necessary, and anybody wishing to participate can

simply turn up at the beach at 10am, the only thing you will need is a yoga mat.

Albox winner!

nardo Street, where office number 5,720 is located, according to information from State Lotteries and Betting.

The winning combination was made up of the numbers 7, 12, 15, 22, 35 and 48. The complementary number is 10 and the refund number is 4.

There is no winner in the special category, but there are two more winners along with the Albojense from the First Category. One of the prizes reaches a resident of the Cadiz town of Arcos de la Frontera, so two of the three prizes stay in the Andalucia region.

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com Street carnival

THE town of Albox will hold its annual ‘Street Carnival’ on Saturday February 3.

The registration for participants will be open until January 29 and there will be more than €1,700 in prizes. The Parade will depart from Plaza San Francisco to the Auditorium.

Rider sanction

THE Police of Almeria have sanctioned more than 500 electric scooter riders during 2023. Some 567 drivers of personal mobility vehicles (VMP) were reported for non compliance with the basic traffic regulations established by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), with fines of up to €1,000.

Fully booked

ALMERIA’S Got Talent variety show is now a fully booked event! All those who were lucky enough to get a ticket should not forget that Paws Patas will be coming around collecting a €5 per person donation during the evening. The charity asks everyone to please give generously as there will also be a raffle during the show.

Shocking sight

MANY residents got quite the shock on Friday, January 12 as in the centre of Mojacar a car was seen plunging into the centre of a roundabout. Luckily the driver was not hurt and was quickly transferred to a medical centre for a checkup, but the vehicle, which was not removed for several hours, left many quite astounded!

Perfect town

THE town of Vera has been named as the perfect town in Andalucia to live and work in telemarketing.

The ranking comes from ‘The Huffington Post’ and mentions the many opportunities to work in telemarketing companies in the town. In addition to this, it describes the ‘beautiful scenery’ and affordable living.

AN archaeological intervention has been announced in Vera, as the town plans to dig deeper into the secrets of its past.

The Cerro del Espiritu Santo site is an important marker in the historical heritage of Veracruz, and a small glimpse into the past of what the ancient city of Barya once looked like. One of the works planned will be taking samples of mortar to carry out studies through techniques such as X-ray diffraction and fluorescence analysis, in order to understand and know the composition of the concrete walls of the site. By understanding how the site was built,

Exciting excavations Credit: Ayuntamiento de Vera

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SECRET PAST: Vera councillors at the site.

this in turn can give a deeper comprehension of what life was like the-

re all those years ago for everyday workers and citizens.

The councillor for Culture, Antonio Soler stated that: “this is an initiative that has the objective of bringing our history closer to all the people of Veracruz, and showing residents and visitors the work that is being carried out at the site of the ancient city from Bayra.”

Workshops with schools and associations will also commence in 2024, alongside the new guided tour programme and the outreach activities will begin in the coming weeks, according to municipal sources.

Be an artist for a day The worth of water

HAVING an outlet to express one’s creativity can result in endless benefits for the mind, body and soul.

However, many assume that painting must require a level of ‘talent’ and that it serves to produce an end goal that can be judged in quality.

One company in Almeria, The Palette Studio, is holding workshops that are open to all. Their painting sessions will guide you step by step, and come with all materials included.

Euro Weekly News spoke to the leader of the workshops, Jordi, who told us that “everyone should try painting once in their life,” adding, “be an artist for a day, even if you think you cannot paint, you can!”

So why not give it a go! With a drink in one hand and a paintbrush in the other, you can unleash your creative energy, and even make some new friends whilst you’re at it!

The next workshop will be held Saturday, January 20 from 1-4pm at El Chacho Bar and Restaurante Mojacar Playa (near Best Indalo Hotel). Entry is €30. For more information call +34 634 319 256 .

THE mayor of Cuevas del Almanzora, Antonio Fernandez Liria, has asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fishing, Water and Rural Development of the Junta de Andalucia for his assistance.

He has proposed that the Minister declare the network works of the public company Galasa, which supplies the municipalities of Levante and Almanzora, and which suffers annual losses of about 7.5 cubic hectometres of water due to the deterioration of said network.

The Cuevano councillor emphasised that on the one hand, that the water that is lost “is still paid for by users in their bills” and that it is valued at about €3 million annually and, on the other hand, that this loss could be used by the irrigators of the Levant, eager for water due to the drought situation they are experiencing.

The mayor of Cuevas del Almanzora has asked both the Andalucian Government and the Provincial Council to work together to declare the Galasa works of general interest and, therefore, invest in the network, as is being done in other towns of Almeria.

Canine contest A FABULOUS weekend was had by the town of Antas as it hosted the second National Canine Contest of 2024.

The Era del Lugar stadium was filled to the brim over the weekend commencing January 12, where a total of 125 participants gathered in the second National Canine Competition and a total of three partridge farms were presented at the second Partridge Fair.

There were exhibitions and demonstrations of working dogs, a monographic competition for the Spa-

nish water dog and a free course to learn how to present pets to future official competitions, led by a canine professional.

The council of Antas sent out thanks to the hunting society ‘La Union’, which installed the bar in La Era and the companies who have collaborated to carry out these events: Transportes Isabel Alonso, Transportes Jose Valero, Congelados Valero Alonso and Naranjas Jimenez.

Congratulations to all the canines and their owners.

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YOUR EWN HAS

109 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

A happy day for Thor THE Paws Patas animal shelter hosts many animals, who are all hoping that one day they will find their forever family and home.

However, for many of them that wait it’s a long one, and this hardworking charity continues to be filled with more animals in need each day.

Despite this, there are many special and happy days at the shelter. One such delightful day was on January 9, when after almost three years at the Paws Patas rescue centre, Thor the dog was adopted and went home to his very own loving family.

Seeing this adorable doggy’s dreams come true shows the importance of ‘adopt don’t shop’, and hope to all the animals who are still waiting for their happy ending.

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

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

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VIEWPOINT BILL ANDERSON SEEMS to me that we are in love with conflict. There was a time when what we fell about was politics, football, or religion, the topics discouraged in social conversation.

How simple life was in those days.

In these times, the topics that polarise us seem to be endless: all of the above, and diversity, positive discrimination, gender identity, vaccines, mask wearing, Israel or Palestine, Ukraine or Russia, climate change. I think this is enough to make the point.

What is more complex about this is that everyone seems to want to inhabit the moral high ground as if their

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE

Ready for a fight?

point of view scores higher on a scale of one to 10 than that of those who hold the opposite opinion I spend a lot of time on social media; too much in fact, and not a day goes by when people don’t get shirty with each other. Everybody knows best and thinks that their opinion is a fact to be adopted by the world as a whole, and god help anyone who disagrees with them. How did we get to the point where no one listens to anyone else’s point of view anymore? There is nothing wrong in changing our perspective on something, but that doesn’t happen by digging our heels in and re-

PROVERB OF THE WEEK Shared joy is double joy; Shared sorrow is half a sorrow.

A Swedish proverb. Human beings are wired to be deeply empathetic. So when we share stories of our joys, happiness and achievement with others, it increases our joy as we see others happy around us.

fusing to listen.

The only topics I don’t hear people arguing about these days are the role of the World Health Organisation and the World Economic Forum. They seem to be met with universal suspicion. I wonder why?

I find the constant obsession with needing to be right, and looking for offence in everything tiresome. Having said that, shutting down one side of any debate, as has been happening on multiple media sources and on several themes recently, is not the way to reach agreement. It only adds to the irritation. I am all for free and open debate, done with respect, and with open ears and receptive minds on both

sides.

After just one week in post as editor there have been many challenges, and to be honest, it is very clear to me that apart from this editorial, where I get to say what I want, opinions are rarely a helpful contribution to any debate. To misquote the great Maggie Smith, ‘Having an opinion is like having a ‘male member’. In private you can hold it as much as you like, but when you start shoving it in other people’s faces, you had better have a dammed good explanation’.

Perhaps these days we should just stick to arguing about politics, football, or religion. All are less precarious than the alternatives.

Bill Anderson’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors. bill-anderson@euroweeklynews.com

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euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

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The rat case debate DURING the famous Kings’ parade on January 5 in Almeria centre, some unexpected guests made an appearance within the crowd, in the form of a group of rats.

Although perhaps just enjoying the parade, the incident caused the council to promptly announce a reinforcement in the treatment against these rodents in the centre and surrounding areas.

It is not the first time that rats have been reported in the region. Mojacar, Vera and Albox, among others, have had sporadic incidents during the past few years.

Many residents have reacted in horror and disgust, with some commenting on social media that they should be “killed on sight”.

However, Euro Weekly News spoke to Mojacar resident, Stuart Rowe, who said: “Why are hu-

Credit: Shutterstock/295110965

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UNEXPECTED GUESTS: A rat race against time?

mans obsessed with thinking this world is just for them? What gives us any more right to be here than the rats? If people are so bothered they should try keeping their rubbish better and stop littering the streets, leave the poor rats alone.”

Are they a danger? Well, they are carriers of numerous diseases such as

rabies, plague or typhus, among others, and although unlikely to attack unprovoked, when cornered they can be fierce.

The answer is clearly not so straightforward, and with some residents empathising with the creatures whilst others sharpen their pitchforks, it is clear that the region continues to be divided.

TikTok loves Almeria “IT has some of the most beautiful beaches I have seen in my life,” is how one famous TikTok star said about Almeria.

Popular user, BellaVidaSpain defines herself as an “American with a Spanish heart.” She has more than 10,000 followers on the social media platform and usually uploads videos showing her daily life in Sevilla, where she lives, and the differences between Spanish and American culture.

However, in late December of 2023 she decided to take a road trip to Almeria, and was astounded at what she found.

In one of her videos, that has now gone viral with more than 10,000 views, the American girl admits to having fallen in love with Andalucia and everything it has to offer.

In her video she says: “I am an American living in Spain and I just took a trip from Sevilla to Almeria and I am still amazed. Everyone who knows me knows that I am in love with Andalucia, but this place surprises me more and more.”

During her journey she crossed the Tabernas desert and ended in the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. This is where she says that she found “one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen in my life,” and has made a promise to herself and her followers that she will soon return!

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

Cuevas karts!

Credit: Ayuntamiento de Cuevas

WHO’S ready for a good old go kart race? Well, the entire population of Cuevas del Almanzora certainly are!

Cuevas will celebrate its traditional ‘go karts without motor’ competition on February 4. It will be the 17th edition of the famous race, which has now become one of the most anticipated and traditional events of the Cuevano winter. The handmade karts without a motor competition has now become a firm cultural staple in the annual activity of the town and always brings together a large number of participants to compete in the different categories that are established.

Originality and speed are the key factors that creators

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FAMOUS RACE: One of last year’s participants!

should focus on when preparing for this sporting event, that will fill the streets of Cuevas del Almanzora with

colour, creativity and hopefully not too many crashes during the first weekend of February.

Hospital attack

A PARKING attendant from Torrecardenas Hospital has been left with a broken nose after an attack from a disgruntled driver.

On the morning of Friday, January 12, an attendant in the parking lot of the Torrecardenas University Hospital was attacked by a driver after he informed him that there were no more free spaces available.

Reports state that the driver got out of his

car, and without saying a word physically assaulted the attendant, leaving him with a broken nose.

Members of the hospital’s private security immediately went to the scene, to take charge of the situation and assist the injured worker, while members of the National Police Corps arrived and proceeded to arrest the aggressor.

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euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

Zombies invade Albox Credit: Shutterstock/395683687

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It’s the apocalypse!

THE town of Albox will soon be subjected to a terrifying invasion. Yes, it’s really happening, the zombie apocalypse is upon us.

On January 27 the streets of Albox will be invaded by these half dead zombies as the game ‘Viral Zombie’ once again comes to the town.

The fun will begin at 11pm and for a few hours Albox will transform into an apocalyptic adventure in which the brave participants must fight for survival.

Throughout the night players will use a map to arrive at different check points, solving tests and riddles, all the while managing to avoid being caught by the ‘flesh ea-

ting’ zombies roaming in the dark.

This adrenaline filled activity is part of the ‘have fun without alcohol’ programme, that aims to give young people the opportunity to spend time together and have fun without alcohol.

To join in on the fun you can purchase tickets on sale

in the Youth Area, in the Culture Area of the Albox Town Hall. Alternatively they can also be purchased electronically on the web at viralzom bie.es or at entradium.com.

Advance tickets are priced at €20, and on the day will be sold for €30.

Get ready for some monster mayhem!

Classic car show A DATE for the diaries of all car lovers and residents of Mojacar and surrounding areas: Sunday January 28.

On this date, the much loved 950 Classic and Performance Car Show will return to Almeria for a fantastic morning of beautiful vehi-

Almeria to the moon!

THE name of a woman from Almeria will be blasted to the moon on a NASA trip!

Many humans here on Earth have dreamed of one day travelling to the moon, although for most of us it is something that is only ever imagined.

However, thanks to new technology and an original NASA initiative, it is possible for anyone to reach the moon... or at least, for their name to.

The ‘Submit your name with Artemis’ campaign from NASA invites people to submit their names to be included on a USB memory that will go aboard the Orion spacecraft during the agency’s Artemis I mission.

Adding her name to the list is one woman from Almeria, who prefers to remain anonymous, but who published her boarding pass to the Moon on social media on Thursday, January 11. She added that it was a gift from her partner, who thoughtfully added her name, knowing that she is passionate about astrophysics.

The Orion spacecraft will lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida and is scheduled to arrive at the lunar south pole at the end of 2024.

cles, great food and a sure sea of old faces!

The show will begin at 10am and is hosted by the Cafe Bar Caribe on Mojacar Playa Paseo Mediterraneo, 325.

Plenty of food and drink will be available, as well as many photo opportunities.

For more information contact 950 391 412.

Flying high

THE year 2023 saw Almeria airport hit sky high figures, as the improvement in connections boosted aviation activity significantly.

The airport closed the year with 10.2 per cent more users than during 2022, according to data released on Monday, January 15 by Aena, as it reported that 775,393 passengers passed through in 2023.

This increase coincided with the new connections that the airport added throughout 2023 with the French, German and Portuguese markets.

As 2024 sees plans for even more added destinations, Almeria airport will surely continue to soar this year.

ADVERTISING FEATURE II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 January 2024

EWN

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Spain’s digital nomad visa and tax benefits Since the UK left the EU, taking up residence in Spain requires more advance planning and paperwork, but those who receive sufficient income without having to work are generally still able to obtain residence permits and enjoy their retirement in Spain. It is, however, harder to obtain a work visa in Spain, so the introduction of the Digital Nomad Visa was welcome.

While the DNV doesn’t help individuals wanting to work for a Spanish company, it is an opportunity for people who can work online and meet the work requirements. This visa may also enable you to move to Spain a few years before retirement, if you can work remotely.

Work requirements There are some restrictions on who can obtain a Digital Nomad Visa.

Besides being able to prove you can fulfil your work duties

mation from ENISA. Application requirements You need to prove a minimum level of income – €30,240 for individuals and €41,580 for couples (as at 2023). It can be a combination of earnings, investment income and savings.

By Jon Pemberton, Partner, Blevins Franks

in Spain with just a laptop, phone and internet, you must have a suitable qualification or three years’ work experience. You can work in any type of business, in many roles, and be employed, self-employed or an entrepreneur.

The company you work for must be outside Spain and established for at least one year. If self-employed, your contracts must have been agreed minimum three months before application. Entrepreneurs intending to initiate, develop or direct an economic activity need confir-

You must have qualifying medical health insurance and an authorised medical record check, plus recent UK and Spanish criminal record checks.

Various other paperwork will be submitted with your application, such as proof of residence, passport, birth and marriage certificates etc.

If you are already legally resident in Spain, you can apply locally and receive a three-year Digital Nomad Residency Permit (DNRP). This can later be renewed for three years. UK residents apply via the Spanish Consulates in the UK and receive a 12-month Digital Nomad

Visa. Once expired you can apply for a two-year DNRP and after five years permanent residency.

Tax benefits A DNV can provide tax advantages. Provided you are employed or an entrepreneur you can apply to be taxed under the more beneficial special inpatriate tax regime (the ‘Beckham regime’). The tax benefits are not automatic – once you have your DNV you need to apply for this regime – but they can be extended to cover your spouse if they meet the conditions.

With this inpatriate status, income up to €600,000 is taxed at a preferential rate of 24%.

Any excess is at 47% (normally applied on income half this amount). You also pay Spanish social security.

If you dispose of any assets outside Spain, including com-

pany shares, you do not have to pay any Spanish capital gains tax. You are also not liable to Spanish Wealth Tax on non-Spanish assets during the period.

Provided you remain nonUK resident (as determined by the Statutory Residence Test) you will not have to pay UK tax on your earnings.

Take personalised advice to establish how these rules would apply to your circumstances. Contact an immigration specialist to learn more about the Digital Nomad Visa.

For the tax elements, speak to a cross-border wealth management specialist who can confirm what tax would be due in Spain and the UK and how you can take full advantage of the rules in both countries.

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

10 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

ATMs for Almeria shutterstock_1119285407

IN many areas of rural Almeria, access to cash has long since been a challenge.

However, it appears that for many this problem has been conquered, thanks to an initiative of many town councils who have come together to bring better cash access through ATMs to Almeria.

Reports show that the inland municipalities of Almeria are ageing rapidly, there are even some whose population is on average over 65 years of age, including Arboleas, Albanchez and Bedar. Not having an ATM to access cash is more difficult for the elderly because of the extra journey to the bank However, Almeria has taken action, and quickly. Just five years ago, 40 towns in the province did not have any ATMs, but thanks to the Programme to Fight Financial Exclusion that was launched in 2020,

Man survives paragliding crash!

BETTER ACCESS: ATMs have been introduced in several towns.

there are now only seven left without one.

Plans are currently in

place to get these remaining towns the facilities that its neighbours current-

THE people of Albox are already thinking about their Holy Week.

On Sunday, January 21, the presentation of the Holy Week 2024 announcement poster will take place in the town.

ly enjoy, and to complete the success of this much needed programme.

IMAGINE how terrifying it would be to be up in the sky, sailing through the clouds, and then suddenly feel yourself free falling to the ground.

This was the reality for a man, aged 40, who was enjoying an afternoon of paragliding on Genoveses beach in the Almeria municipality of Nijar.

According to a press release from Emergency 112 Andalucia, ‘on Friday, January 12, at 2pm Telephone 112 received a call requesting medical assistance for a paraglider who had been injured after suffering a fall in the Genoveses beach parking lot.’

From 112, notification was immediately given to the Health Emergency Centre (CES) 061, the Guardia Civil, the Local Police, the Air Traffic Control Centre and the Coordination and Rescue Centre, as well as the Civil Protection of Níjar.

Health sources confirmed to 112 that the injured man was evacuated to the Torrecardenas University Hospital, where, miraculously, he is expected to make a full recovery, although he has apparently suffered a possible hip fracture.

Albox Holy Week This year, the task falls into the hands of the Paso Negro Albox association, who will work

closely with the local author Antonio Molina Cortes to make sure the words of worship are

just as deep and passionate as the meaning behind it.

The much anticipated presentation will be held in the parish church of Santa Maria in Albox at 12pm after the Sunday Holy Mass.

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Almeria’s charm on TV allAttention golfers!

Credit: Shutterstock/2264366399

THE province of Almeria returned to the television screen in a programme that discovered its unique and wonderful charm.

On display was its beautiful beaches, unique historical heritage and unmissable gastronomy, showing that Almeria is an essential destination to visit for anyone who has not yet met it.

The programme in question was the last episode of the Canal Sur programme ‘Destino Andalucia’, a show that rediscovers the most beautiful places in the region.

It was broadcast on Saturday, January 13 at 12.20pm, and travelled

euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

UNIQUE LANDSCAPE: The beauty of Almeria.

through Almeria promoting the natural and cultural wealth of the region.

The Canal Sur team toured the province “from the sea to the mountains,

from the eastern coast to the western coast; from the Alpujarra to the desert and from the capital to the Almanzora Valley,” as stated in the programme description.

The hosts guided the viewers through typical restaurants, art galleries, stunning landscapes and historical monuments.

They also tasted traditional dishes that have been delighting travellers and residents alike for many centuries.

Unwanted festival IT seems that the residents of El Toyo, in Retamar, Almeria are not at all happy about the surprise announcement of the Dreambeach festival this August.

A group of about 30 local residents demonstrated in a particularly busy place during the morning of Sunday, January 14, at the end of the

Paseo Marítimo de Retamar, right at the access point for more than 1,000 people to the beach of Torregarcia on the day of the Pilgrimage of the Virgin of the Sea. At this rally, protestors informed other Almerians in the area of the situation, and have also collected signatures. “We have doubled what we already had; we had about 300 and we were surprised, because we thought that many neighbours were reluctant and on the contrary,” explained Jesus Maria Rama, a resident of El Toyo for seven years. “We have more than 500 signatures right now and we want to deliver them to the council registry before the end of January so that they can reach the mayor.”

Their main concern? The environmental impact of the Dreambeach celebration in the area. “We live at the gates of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. If 15,000 people live there (even though 9,000 are registered), we do not know in three or four days the ecological and environmental damage that this can do,” explained Jesus.

GOLFERS in Almeria are about to be in for a special treat, as a brand new golf society is soon to be open in the region.

After many many requests, Spanish retreat, ‘Casa Clara’s’ in Aljariz, Almeria, have decided to organise their own golf society.

The head of this new venture will be Tremaybe Haskey, and having run a very successful golf society for many years in the UK, this is something he is very passionate about.

Here’s a taster of what’s to come in 2024: Play once a month Breakfast before play Nearest the pin prizes Longest drive prizes Best front 9 Best back 9 Best overall Wooden spoon Winner takes the trophy home for that month A mystery round at a mystery course End of season competition Presentation at the end of every round Plus much much more!

If you would like to join what is going to be the best golf society in the area, call or WhatsApp Trey on +34 711 060 916 for more information.

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

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Credit: Pamela

A THRIVING community is made what it is by the individual members who work together each day with passion and love.

This week Euro Weekly News shines a spotlight on one such member, Pamela Crosland, a lady who moved to Albox five years ago and has since made it her mission to help the animals at Maz’s Canine Rescue and Sanctuary near Tijola, Almeria.

Pamela works in close collaboration with Sarah, the kennels manager, who she describes as a “wonderful person”, and visits the rescue centre each week to take photographs of the dogs who desperately need homes.

In addition to this, Pamela also raises money for the animals vet bills.

She collects donations from the community and delivers them to Almeria Veterinaria.

As EWN spoke to Pamela, she was actually on her way to the veterinary centre to deliver the €217 that she had raised in just one week. Humble and sweet, she explained that the help of herself and others is much needed as animal charities here are not government funded.

If you have any money or items to spa-

Credit: Pamela

Community spotlight

Pamela Crosland.

Larry the dog needs a home.

re you can find Pamela on Facebook, or alternatively for adoption contact Sarah on +34 643 718 881. There are so many dogs in need of a home, and a special mention goes out to Larry, a lovely lad who unfortunately cannot survive in the kennel environment and urgently needs a family.

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

euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

Hero police A POLICEMAN in Albox has heroically saved the life of a man who was displaying symptoms of asphyxiation at a local campsite.

On the afternoon of January 5 the Guardia Civil received a call from a campsite located in Albox from someone who suspected that there was a person inside a bungalow who did not respond to calls and could therefore be in danger.

The patrol on duty quickly arrived at the scene and found that the door of the bungalow was barred.

Alongside this, a dog could be heard barking inside, although no one responded to their calls.

However, as they looked through the window they could make out a person lying on a sofa, unresponsive.

Immediately fearing for the health of the victim, they gained entry to the

Credit: Shutterstock/2304125123

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GUARDIA CIVIL: The heroes we need!

bungalow by forcing the window, at which point they observed that the victim was unconscious, not responding to any stimulus and was not breathing.

After alerting the ambulance service, one of the policemen quickly put the man in the recovery position and kept him secure.

The man was then transferred to the Torrecardenas Hospital Centre in Almeria

where he received appropriate care and was reported to be stable and expected to recover.

A few days after the event, relatives of the victim contacted the Guardia Civil on duty to thank them for their actions, alongside informing the policeman who moved the man that medical personnel had informed them that thanks to his actions the patient survived.

Nominated mural

A MURAL, created by the Almeria artist Moxaico, has been nominated for the best in the world during 2023.

The murals that have been selected as the best of 2023 come from the classifi-

cations carried out monthly by the Instagram network of the Street Art Cities community, an organisation that highlights more than 51,500 artistic works spread across 1,444 cities around the world. At the end of each

year, the chosen best of each month compete to be the best of the year.

“The fact of being nominated among the best 50 murals in the world is already a great recognition for my work, and very gratifying on a personal level,” stated the Almeria artist, Moxaico about the nomination. She described her work as: “an allegory of the Virgin and Jesus, a reflection of the divinity and devotion I have towards my light.”

Voting, which is done through an online public survey on the Street Art Cities platform website, will be open until January 31 through the link https://streetart cities.com/awards/2023.

To vote for Moxaico’s work, simply enter the link; choose the Mexaico mural in the first category; Choose your favourite murals in the following two categories and finish the process by indicating an email to which you will send a confirmation request.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

A 50-year kiss RICCARDO FONTANI, 79, and Anna Adamanti, 77, met at a dance hall in 1965 and exchanged a kiss, only to then lose touch. They didn’t exchange surnames or phone numbers and with no way to contact each other, lost touch.

But now, as they told a local newspaper, they have found each other again on Facebook and are about to get married in the spring.

In 1965, they danced, however, as in Cinderella’s fairy tale: at midnight Anna said she had to go home. Ri-

cardo accompanied her outside and they exchanged a chaste kiss.

Then the two separated, with only the other’s first name and no idea how to find each other again? Riccardo said he returned several times that summer to the club in Abbadia but never saw her again. Both later married, with Anna being widowed and Ricardo, divorced.

Anna told her granddaughter about Riccardo and she offered to look him up on Facebook.

Tasmanians refused new holiday IN the wake of Hobart-born Princess Mary’s coronation as Queen of Denmark on January 14, Tasmanians advocated for a public holiday to celebrate their queen. However, the State Government has firmly rejected the proposal.

The grassroots movement, led by the ‘Tasmania For A New Queen’s Birthday’ Facebook group, suggests honouring Queen Mary’s February 5 birthday with a public holiday, replacing the current celebration of King Charles’ birthday on the second Monday of June.

Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary’s ascension to the throne came amidst a royal rift in Denmark. Queen Margrethe II’s decision to strip Prince Joachim’s children of their titles in January 2023 has sparked controversy.

18 - 24 January 2024

Sweden on alert SWEDISH defence chiefs have been criticised for alarmist rhetoric after they admonished their countrymen and women to prepare for war.

In particular, Sweden’s young generation is grappling with the unnerving possibility of armed conflict.

On Saturday, January 6, at the Folk och Forsvars conference, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, the civil defence minister, starkly announced, “there could be war in Sweden.”

“For a nation for whom peace has been a pleasant companion for almost 210 years, the idea that it is an immovable constant is conveniently close at hand,” Bohlin remarked.

He further urged individuals to consider joining

Credit: byggarn.se/Shutterstock.com

SWEDEN: There could be war.

voluntary defence organisations, emphasising the urgency of the situation.

Reportedly the hysteria surrounding the comments has led to people ‘panic buying emergency supplies after the government and military warned that people have to be prepared for war.’

Despite the ensuing panic, Sweden’s defence leadership stands firm on their stance. Pal Jonson, the defence minister, echoed Bohlin’s sentiments at the same conference.

“An armed attack against Sweden cannot be ruled out,” Jonson declared.

This shift towards a more militarised national psyche coincides with Sweden’s impending NATO membership, which is expected to commence as soon as July.

In a live broadcast, Gen Micael Byden, the commander-in-chief, implored citizens to mentally brace themselves for potential conflict. “Look at the news from Ukraine and ask yourself the simple questions: If this happens here, am I prepared? What should I do?”

EWN 15

Arrogance could cost millions CONFIDENTIAL documents have revealed a potential financial burden for the European Union, currently estimated at £27 million. The problem centres around an unoccupied office space in London, as a direct consequence of post-Brexit decision-making.

Reportedly the expense could escalate to a staggering £370 million. The property in question is a 280,000-square-foot office previously occupied by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

In 2011, the EMA committed to a 25-year lease valued at £500 million, well before the decisive Brexit referendum in 2016. After Brexit, staff were moved to Brussels leaving the building empty. If unoccupied for the remaining year, the EU faces a £27 million expense, impacting the EMA’s budget.

The lack of a lease exit clause was a major oversight and the EMA’s ‘arrogance’ and ‘incompetence’ has been criticised.

16 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

Iberia averts strike threat WITH the real threat of yet more strikes and travel disruption looming, Iberia has finally agreed to worker incentives.

Iberia, the Spanish airline, has yielded to pressure and agreed to create a ground services company (handling) to avoid an impending indefinite strike which had been scheduled to start on January 26.

The move comes after intense negotiations with the UGT and CCOO unions, following a strike over the Three Kings’ weekend.

Iberia’s proposal entails the establishment of a ground services company fully owned by International Airlines Group (IAG), Iberia’s parent company.

This move aims to ensure that all workers maintain their existing company agreements, safeguarding their rights.

This initiative will be in effect until December 31, 2026. Currently, Iberia Airport Services, the handling

Credit: Fasttailwind/Shutterstock.com

TRAVEL DISRUPTION: Iberia trying to find a resolution.

company’s operator, employs approximately 8,000 workers.

The affected airports include Bilbao, Malaga, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Barcelona, Las Palmas, and Tenerife South.

By maintaining full ownership within the IAG group, which includes Iberia, British Airways, Vueling, Aer Lingus and Level, the company can ensure that all employees remain

under the umbrella of their current company agreement.

While it may necessitate the departure of some workers through early retirement or incentivised sick leave, it ultimately seeks to safeguard the interests and job security of the majority.

It is hoped that this compromise between Iberia and the unions may pave the way for a resolution.

18 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

2023 has emerged as the warmest year in recorded history, surpassing 2016’s previous record.

According to the ERA5 dataset, the global average temperature for 2023 was 14.98°C, 0.17°C higher than the peak reached in 2016.

July witnessed the highest global temperatures on record in absolute terms, while November saw temperatures that were exceptionally high relative to the annual cycle.

Approximately 50 per cent of the days in 2023 were more than 1.5°C warmer than the pre-industrial levels, a significant increase from the 20 per cent observed in 2016.

As for 2024, forecasts suggest it could be even warmer than 2023.

Europe experienced heatwaves, marine heatwaves, and multiple record-breaking temperatures, alongside widespread drier-than-average conditions on land. The autumn of 2023 was also remarkably warm, ranking as the second warmest on record.

On the other hand, heavy rainfall led to significant flood events throughout Europe.

Deep-sea mining approved Image: Shutterstock/Hermann Viria

Hottest year ever

NORWAY FIRST: Nod to deep-sea mining sparks global concerns.

Catherine McGeer IN a historic move, Norway has become the first country to approve commercial-scale deep-sea mining.

The legislation aims to accelerate the search for minerals crucial for green technologies, including electric vehicle batteries.

Critics, however, argue that the uncharted territory of deep-sea mining poses severe risks to marine life and carbon storage

in the ocean, necessitating further research before extraction.

The target is to find the minerals used in batteries and Norway sees this move as a strategic shift away from the oil and gas industry, aiming to become a major mineral producer and support green technologies.

Environmentalists, scientists, and fishery organisations have voiced

Big fines for Google THE EU’s Attorney General has recently endorsed a substantial financial penalty against Google. The fine of €2.4 billion is still to be upheld by a higher court.

The European Commission’s investigation revea-

led that Google exploited its dominant position in the search service market to prioritise its own product comparison service over its rivals.

This was done by preferentially showcasing its product comparison results, leading to more user clicks on Google’s services than on those of competitors.

The Commission concluded that this was not due to superior service quality, but rather to self-favouritism and a ‘leverage effect’ stemming from Google’s general results page. The fine has been challenged and Google and has appealed for the ruling overturned.

However, the Advocate General has recommended that the Court of Justice of the European Union dismiss this appeal. She asserted that Google’s alleged self-favouritism represents a distinct form of abuse, by imposing unfair access conditions on competing product comparison services.

concerns, with more than 800 marine experts from 44 countries calling for a pause on deep-sea mining plans.

The fear is that Norway’s move could set a precedent, influencing ongoing negotiations to open international waters to deep-sea mining, a prospect opposed by over 30 countries, but supported by others like China and Japan.

Another email scam

HAVE you encountered an unexpected email from Endesa? The expert advice is to exercise caution.

This follows reports of individuals receiving emails under the guise of unpaid bills from Endesa.

These emails, which often carry the subject line ‘Customer area - You can now download your invoice No. [xxx]’, are a front for distributing malware.

This may compromise your computer and collect vital information.

What should you do if you stumble upon this Endesa email in your mailbox? Before deleting it, label it as spam or junk. If you have downloaded the file but haven’t opened it, go to your downloads folder and erase it.

If you’ve already opened the file, detach your device from your network. Malicious emails are on the rise. Make sure you keep safe.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

Credit: Shutterstock/1901352415

AS Britain was blasted by ice and snow this week, officials warned that the worst was yet to come.

With temperatures across the nation dipping well below zero, The Met Office and public health officials issued an amber cold weather warning in place until January 12, alerting residents that there might be an ‘observed increase in mortality across the population’.

As air ‘directly from the Arctic’ hurtled towards the UK, its citizens expected more freezing cold weather for at least a few more weeks, with experts predicting the cold case will last until mid February.

One weatherman from the north of England somberly advised residents that: “you will definitely need your big coat.”

Perhaps some thermal underwear as well?

The wheels on the bus get stuck stuck stuck?

EWN 19

UK to quash Post Office convictions John Smith IT appears that public opinion can have some sway over the Conservative Government as it is rushing in new legislation to quash wrongful Post Office convictions.

This was announced on January 10 and although it will only apply to those wrongly convicted in England and Wales the legislation which is expected to be enacted within a matter of weeks will pave the way for significant compensation of up to £600,000.

It is expected that hundreds of convictions will be overturned finally bringing justice to those who were wrongly accused of theft from the Royal Mail although it will come too late for those who died without restitution.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “This is one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in this country’s history, with hundreds of people having their lives ruined and reputations dragged through mud.

“Too many still have wrongful convictions tied to their name, and we cannot continue to fail them.

“We must do everything we can to exonerate and compensate these innocent people, and make sure they finally get the justice they deserve.”

Credit: Kevin Hollinrake

Arctic Britain - freeze of the century

18 - 24 January 2024

Kevin Hollinrake (in dark suit without tie) in Black Swan pub Post Office.

The government has also confirmed that it will take action to make sure the postmasters who played a crucial role in first exposing the Horizon scandal receive the compensation they deserve.

These individuals, known as the Group Litigation Order cohort, who did not receive a criminal conviction but paid out considerable sums of money because of the Horizon failures, will receive at least £75,000 in compensation in advance of any final settlement.

Minister for Postal Affairs Kevin Hollinrake commented “Postmasters have been fighting for years to get the justice they deserve, and today’s announcement will ensure wrongful convictions are overturned and swifter access to compensation.

“The Post Office Horizon Scandal is

widely described as the biggest miscarriage of justice in our history and it’s important that steps like we’ve announced today are being taken to right the wrongs of the past.

“In the coming days, the government will consider whether this blanket exoneration should apply to the small number of convictions which have been upheld by the appeal courts.

“The government recognises that this Bill may lead to the overturning of some convictions that were rightfully brought. In line with the wishes of some of the victims, the government will therefore introduce safeguards to make sure anyone who was rightly convicted, and is now trying to take advantage of compensation schemes, can be prosecuted in the future.”

20 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II NEWSDESK

NEWS ACROSS THE REGIONS FROM THE PEOPLE’S PAPER K9 companions

ARE you an animal lover with a few spare hours each week?

Spanish registered animal charity, K9, needs a volunteer driver to assist with deliveries and collections for their busy charity shops.

Additionally, they are welcoming volunteers to join their friendly staff in the shop located in Almoradi.

K9’s mission is to protect animals from cruelty, starvation, and neglect, and control overpopulation through neutering and spaying.

The charity’s financial support comes entirely from public donations, fundraising events, and income generated by their two shops.

Established in 1993 as Refugio de Los Animales - K9, the organisation was founded by three compassionate individuals moved by the plight of abandoned animals.

Initially, rescued dogs and cats were kept in makeshift kennels on land provided by one of the founders.

The charity has since gone from strength to strength.

COSTA DEL SOL

€5 billion Ryanair plan Photo: Flickr CC / A.Currell

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

RYANAIR: Plan to open five new bases and increase its routes.

PRESIDENT Pedro Sánchez, met with the CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, on Friday, January 12 at the Moncloa Palace to learn about the airline’s investment plan in Spain, which amounts to €5 billion over the next seven years.

Ryanair’s strategy for Spain aims to increase passenger numbers from 55 million to 77 million, increase routes from 730 to more than 1,000 by 2030, base 33 new aircraft and establish five

COSTA CALIDA

FAST fayre

IN a bid to enhance community safety, the First Response First Aid team (FAST) on Camposol, comprised of dedicated volunteers, is organising a Health and Recruitment Fayre on Saturday, January 20, from 10am to 2pm at the Camposol Clubhouse in Sector C. While FAST does not aim to replace professional ambulance services, it plays a crucial role in providing vital first-aid support during the critical time between an accident and the arrival of an ambulance.

The event promises a morning of information on various health aspects, both physical and mental, alongside fitness and well-being. Representatives from different organisations, including the Samaritans, will be available to discuss their services.

Importantly, FAST responders will be present to provide information on how individuals can contribute as volunteers, urgently needed to bolster their response team.

new bases.

During the meeting, which was also attended by the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, the government and the airline agreed to work on strengthening regional airports. As Moncloa explained in a press release, boosting air traffic at this type of airport will contribute to territorial development and economic activity in the area.

Sánchez highlighted the importance of Ryanair’s investment in Spain, and said that it reflects, “the stability and potential of the Spanish economy as well as the confidence of international markets and investors.”

Ryanair currently employs approximately 6,500 workers in Spain and is the leading airline in terms of passengers carried, with more than 700 routes to 29 countries from Spain.

AXARQUIA

Frigiliana’s charm

IN a recent feature, National Geographic unveiled its top picks for 2024 getaways, urging readers to explore the charming streets of Frigiliana and Casares in the Malaga Province. Frigiliana, in the Axarquia region, has long shed its hidden gem status, becoming a tourist hotspot with its steep, narrow streets, and whitewashed houses.

National Geographic’s curated list of 100 recommended villages for 2024 showcases Frigiliana and Casares as the only Malaga representatives, alongside picturesque areas like Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, Ayllón in Segovia, and Buitrago de Lozoya in Madrid.

For Frigiliana, the magazine highlights its location within Axarquia, adorned with ‘luminous white villages’ surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees. The feature traces the town’s history through Phoenician, Greek, and Roman influences, with a significant impact from the Arabs.

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Officially a tourist municipality

ALFAZ is now one of the Valencian Community’s 39 Tourist Municipalities, recognised by the Generalitat’s Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism department.

Amongst other advantages the town hall is now eligible for additional financing to compensate for the demands that tourism makes on the local economy.

“This will allow us to access new subsidies which will lead to improved services,” Alfaz’s Tourism councillor Luis Morant said.

Eleven Alicante municipalities received the coveted status in 2023, with 15 going to Castellon and 13 to Valencia.

All had to comply with specific requirements regarding their tourist population, available beds in hotels, tourist apartment sand campsites as well as the importance of tourism to the local economy.

MALLORCA

National Police anniversary ON Saturday January 13, Spain’s National Police celebrated its Bicentenary with the raising of the Spanish flag in major cities across the country.

In Mallorca the event took place in Calle Mirador in the capital, Palma in the presence of the president of the Congress of Deputies, Francina Armengol, the president of the Government, Marga Prohens, and the Government delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez, in addition to other civil, military and police authorities.

A formal review of the massed ranks of National Police officers was undertaken by all of the special guests alongside the Chief of Police in the Balearic Islands, José Luis Santafé Arnedo.

Various speeches told the story of the activities of the force, welcomed the role being played by female officers and the importance of a strong coherent force able to protect the best interests of citizens by enforcing the law.

Costa Blanca North • Costa Blanca South • Costa Almeria • Costa Calida • Axarquia • Mallorca • Costa del Sol

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22 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

IRELAND Still driving DUBLIN bus driver Yong Yue Wang, who lost his job for twice using a mobile phone while behind the wheel in less than a year, now awaits a verdict on his unfair dismissals claim to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Meanwhile, Wang is already back on the road and working as a taxi driver.

Worth a visit THE New York Times recommended Waterford as one of 52 places to visit in 2024, placing it in 30th position. Waterford, described as “sparkling with history and natural treasures”, was the only Irish destination on the list which included Ladakh (India), Dominica (Caribbean) and Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia).

SWEDEN

euroweeklynews.com II EUROPEAN PRESS

EUROPRESS GERMANY New party SAHRA WAGENKNECHT presented her new political party, the Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) Reason and Fairness, on January 8. The national MP, who retained her seat after abandoning the Left Party, said the BSW - a true people’s party - would run in this year’s EU and German state elections.

BELGIUM Smart people BELGIUM scored 69.12 out of 100 and was ranked seventh amongst Europe’s Top 10 smartest countries, compiled by TutorSpace and based on 17 factors relating to intelligence and development in 44 European countries. Switzerland headed the list with 81.1, followed by Denmark (77.87) and Finland (77.57).

Smoke signals

SAHRA WAGENKNECHT: Her new party avoids ‘leftist’ label.

Photo credit: CC/Ferran Cornella

FRANCE

ITALY

WHILE Belgium intensifies its anti-smoking plan with a 25 per cent price hike on the cost of cigarettes and higher vaping prices, tobacco giant Philip Morris called for better access to alternative products. “Our priority is a smoke free future,” the company’s Benelux managing director Miguel Matos declared.

DENMARK

Watch out

No change

Try it

Earliest Danes

POLICE who announced that a watch had been discovered in a central Stockholm street on New Year’s Day initially believed it was a genuine Audemars Piguet worth 500,000 krona (€44,376). Experts who saw it said it appeared to be a cheap copy, a theory backed by the fact that no-one has yet claimed it.

BRITISH residents who were previously entitled to register free of charge with Italy’s SSN health scheme can continue to do so.

They will not have to pay the new €2,000 fee that non-EU residents now pay to access the SSN, Italy’s Health minister told the English-language publication, The Local.

FRANCE’S postal service La Poste is installing changing rooms in some branches where shoppers can try on clothes bought online and return rejected purchases on the spot. Like postal services everywhere, La Poste hopes to compensate for the nosedive in letters traffic by boosting its parcels delivery division.

AN analysis of 100 skeletons spanning 7,300 years between the Mesolithic period, Neolithic period and Early Bronze Age in Denmark revealed repeated population turnovers. The authors of the study published in Nature also concluded that the present-day gene pool was already in place 3,000 years ago.

On the line

Doggy bags

Hacked off

Learning curve

SWEDEN’S Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson claimed that anybody wanting Swedish citizenship should consider what it meant to sacrifice their life for their country. Speaking at a Defence conference, Kristersson said Swedish citizenship was “not a travel document” but implied defending Sweden, its values and way of life.

ITALIAN MPs from the Forza Italia party belonging to the governing coalition, plan to put through a bill that will oblige restaurants to provide containers for diners wishing to take uneaten food home with them. “This is a common-sense measure that would help tackle food waste,” Giandiego Gatta said.

SEBASTIEN RAOULT, a 22-year-old French hacker and member of a criminal gang which sold hundreds of millions of personal details on the dark web, was jailed for three years in the US. Raoult created fake login pages for the Shiny Hunters group which were used to raid users’ private and financial data.

AFTER meeting Crown Prince Frederik during the 2000 Olympics in Australia, Mary Donaldson signed up for an eight-week programme in deportment skills. “This prepared her for the royal duties that followed,” said her then-coach Teresa Page shortly before Frederik prepared to ascend the Danish throne.

NORWAY

THE NETHERLANDS

FINLAND

PORTUGAL

Ship out

Staying dry

Home-bred

Gold standard

CRUISE ships visiting Norway consume 170 million litres of fuel annually, accounting for 3 per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. To tackle the problem, Norway’s parliament has introduced new legislation, requiring all cruise ships and ferries in World Heritage fjords to be emission free from 2026.

EIGHTY-FIVE PER CENT of Rotterdam, one of the world’s largest ports, is seven metres below sea level but has escaped the worst of the floods affecting other parts of the country. “Rotterdam has long worked on climate adaptation, especially with regards to flood resilience,” city mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said.

WHEN answering a voting guidance questionnaire from broadcaster YLE, the Finns Party’s presidential candidate Ussi Halla-Aho said he was in favour of the requirement that the country’s president should be a native-born Finn. He also suggested that this should apply to cabinet ministers and MPs.

BUYING property in Portugal no longer includes a ‘golden visa’ for non-EU citizens after the concession caused a housing crisis, Reuters reported, adding that it is still possible to obtain residency via investment funds. The initiative has attracted €7.3 billion since 2021, principally from China, Brazil and the US.

Alarm test

Hard times

Longer wait

Coming soon

NORWAY’S Emergency Alert System was tested on the mobile telephone network on January 10, while 1,200 warning systems were activated countrywide during the run-through. Norwegian Civil Defence checks these systems twice yearly to ensure their efficiency should the country be exposed to acute danger.

HOSPITALITY sector bankruptcies doubled in 2023 with 245 companies going under between January and the end of November, compared with 134 throughout 2022, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Forty per cent of the remaining businesses said they doubted that they would survive this year.

FINLAND’S parliament approved a series of changes to benefits that will be introduced during 2024 and affect cuts to basic unemployment pay, labour market subsidies and the housing allowance. The interim period before an applicant can receive unemployment pay has also been extended from five to seven days.

THE ‘Tide of Plastic’ threatening the coast and beaches of northern Spain could reach Portugal by spring, warned Bordalo e Sa, a hydrobiologist from the University of Porto.

Dominant currents to the north were likely to bring the minute particles to Portugal once they changed direction later this year, he predicted.

www.vosshomesspain.com

FINANCE STUDENT loans funded by the taxpayer will rise to an annual £10 billion (€11.6 billion) owing to higher interest rates, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said. The loans, which graduates do not repay until they earn more than £25,000 (€29,036) a year, are written off if still outstanding after 40 years.

Repsol stake

JP MORGAN, which acquired a 5.3 per cent holding in Repsol, now has the Spanish oil company’s second-largest stake after Blackrock’s 5.47 per cent. JP Morgan’s announcement follows on from the exit of Norges Bank, which manages Norway’s sovereign fund and sold its 5 per cent holding in late 2023.

Slimmer figures

DEUTSCHE BANK economists predicted that UK price rises would experience a sharp descent from November’s 3.9 per cent. The experts saw inflation dropping ‘a little below 2 per cent in April and May’ and averaging 2.5 per cent throughout 2024 compared with their earlier 2.7 per cent forecast.

New face

FOOD DELIVERY BRANDS named Rafael Herrero as Telepizza’s new chief executive following the September 2023 resignation of his predecessor, Jacobo Caller. Herrero arrives at Telepizza from the Zena Group which owns the Foster’s Hollywood and Gino’s fast-food chains in Spain and Portugal.

Asthma deal

GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK) will buy Anglo-American asthma drug maker Aiolos Bio for more than £1 billion (€1.16 billion) as it expands it respiratory diseases range. British GSK will pay around £800 million (€929 million) upfront plus £300 million (€348.4 million) once regulatory milestones are reached.

STAT OF WEEK

€253 million

is due in 2024 from Spanish companies which received financial assistance from the government’s Solvency support Fund for Strategic Enterprises (Fasee) during the pandemic.

Waiting for WASPI justice Linda Hall THE investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) into changes in the state pension age should conclude in early 2023.

This final report focuses on injustices produced by the ‘maladministration’ of changes to the state pension age. Its recommendations to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will apply to ‘everyone’ who has been affected by them, the PHSO announced.

That includes financial redress, which could see 3.6 million women who were born in the 1950s receive compensation.

Photo credit: WASPI

On loan

euroweeklynews.com • 18 - 24 January 2024

PENSION INEQUALITY: WASPI at Downing Street with supporter MP Stephen Morgan.

The PHSO investigation began in 2018, but a legal challenge funded by thousands of women from Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) into the findings of Second Stage of the report on Injustices caused further delays after the Ombudsman agreed to

review its decision.

“We have now looked at our findings and shared our provisional views about injustice resulting from the maladministration we identified during stage one, and our thinking about remedy, with complainants, their referring MPs and the DWP,”

the PHSO said.

Rebecca Hilsenrath, the PHSO’s chief executive, explained to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) in November that the provisional Stage Two and Stage Three findings had been sent in confidence to the UK government and around 500 women who made a complaint.

The final report will be made public once feedback has been received and the PHSO has made any necessary changes. The deadline for responses was around Christmastime and the final report should be published shortly.

Grifols fights back

GRIFOLS, the Barcelona-headquartered pharmaceuticals company, intends to sue Gotham City Research.

After a negative Gotham City report wiped €2.2 billion from the company’s market value on January 9, Grifols said it would seek compensation through the courts for damage to its ‘financial and reputational’ image.

The notorious short-seller fund, remembered in Spain for provoking the 2014 collapse of telecom firm Gowex, shed doubts on Grifols’ reported debt and earnings and questioned its purpor-

Photo credit: CC/Zarateman

BUSINESS EXTRA

26

GRIFOLS: One of the pharma company’s centres in Vizcaya.

ted assets-to-debts ratio of 6 to 7.

This was closer to 10 to 13, maintained Gotham City, while querying financial links with Scranton Enterprise, the

Grifols family’s investment vehicle.

Grifols, which manufactures plasma-derived medicines, denied all the Gotham City allegations and claims, which the company insisted were ‘based on false information’.

The family company also declared its ‘full support’ for chief executive and executive chairman Thomas Glanzman.

Wealth management group Mirabaud Research, described the Gotham City report as ‘partial, shady and leading to conclusions whose only purpose is backing its short position’.

Papered over A year of growth Vogue House

PRE-TAX profits for wallpaper and fabrics company Osborne & Little nose-dived from £1.5 million (€1.7 million) to £30,000 (€34,840) in the year ending March 31, 2023.

The company co-founded by ex-Chancellor George Osborne’s father attributed the slump to double-digit inflation, higher energy costs and repeated increases in interest rates that affected the property market on which the business depends.

As a result, operating expenses grew by 14 per cent to £19.1 million (€22.2 million) although sales rose 11 per cent to £32.3 million (€37.5 million).

SPAIN’S economy is expected to continue growing in 2024 although with less vigour than in 2023.

The KPMG Global Economic Outlook predicted a 1.5 per cent increase, one percentage point below its 2023 forecast although the professional services group said it believed the country’s economic situation would gradually improve.

Inflation predictions were positive, falling from 3.6 per cent in 2023 to 3.4 per cent this year, although KPMG said its evolution depended ‘to a great extent’ on whether the government maintained or withdrew subsidies introduced to offset soaring energy and food prices.

These have been extended, although IVA on electricity has increased from 5 to 10 per cent, while the value-added tax on gas - currently 10 per cent - will rise gradually to 21 per cent over the year.

CONDE NAST has sold Vogue House in Mayfair to Eyal Ofer, a Monaco-based shipping magnate whose fortune is estimated at $23 billion (€21 billion).

The iconic seven-storey building in Hanover Square, which was built in 1958, had an initial £70 million (€81.3 million) price tag although sources close to the transaction revealed that the businessman paid £75 million (€81.1 million) for the property.

Ofer’s Global Holdings Management Group (GHMG), confirmed the sale on January 8.

Staff working on Vogue and other Conde Nast publications that include Tatler and GQ will move to the equally historic Adelphi building on the Embankment.

Tendam’s India launch

WOMEN’S SECRET, Cortefiel and Springfield owner Tendam is collaborating with Indian company Myntra to open at least 20 stores over the next three years.

Mynta already handles franchises for H&M, Puma, Nike and the Spanish fashion chain Mango, which has 80 outlets in India.

Womens’ Secret will be Tendam’s first label to launch in India, with three shops opening in Pune, Ludhiana and Bangalore in January and another in Bombay in March.

“Myntra is the ideal partner for us,” said Tendam’s Franchise director general Antonis Kyprianou. “They are aligned with our omni-channel strategy and have the capacity and expertise to fully develop it in India.”

First profit DONALD TRUMP’S golf complex in Ayrshire (Scotland) has made a profit for the first time in almost 10 years.

Trump Turnberry, an 800-acre (324-hectare) resort in Ayrshire with three golf courses and a hotel, made a £571,000 (€663,242) profit in 2022, newly-filed accounts revealed.

This was considerable progress compared with £3.7 million (€4.3 million) in losses in 2021 and is the first time Trump’s resort has been out of the red since he bought it for $60 million (€54.7 million) in 2014.

Meanwhile, the Trump International Golf Club Scotland in Aberdeen posted a loss of approximately £738,000 (€857,205) in 2022.

Pay as you go FERROVIAL moved its headquarters from Spain to the Netherlands in June with a view to being listed on the New York stock exchange.

To do so, it merged with its Dutch subsidiary, but recently admitted in forms registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that should Ferrovial decide to leave the Netherlands, it could be liable to an Exit Tax. This new law, still in its early stages, would not affect companies that move their head offices inside the European Union but would apply to those leaving it.

28 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 15 January

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3I Group.....................................2.277,00.............+23,00........... +1,01%......... 220,58K Admiral Group.............................2.567,0................+5,0............. +0,19%.......... 55,03K Airtel Africa................................. 128,00................ -0,40.............-0,31%.......... 425,75K Anglo American...........................1.833,2................ -1,4..............-0,08%.......... 526,07K Antofagasta................................1.597,50.............+14,00........... +0,88%.......... 92,32K Ashtead Group............................4.863,0............... -37,0.............-0,76%........... 87,87K Associated British Foods.............2.266,0...............+26,0............ +1,15%......... 197,18K AstraZeneca...............................10.814,0................0,0............... 0,00%.......... 104,19K Auto Trader Group Plc................ 697,40................+0,40............ +0,06%......... 414,76K Aviva........................................... 423,40................+3,90............ +0,92%...........3,72M B&M European Value Retail SA... 556,40................+5,00............ +0,90%...........6,75M BAE Systems..............................1.170,50.............+17,83........... +1,53%...........1,16M Barclays...................................... 146,28................+1,12............ +0,77%...........8,70M Barratt Developments................. 535,60................+5,40............ +1,01%......... 825,82K Beazley........................................ 502,00................ -0,50.............-0,10%.......... 406,57K Berkeley......................................4.758,0................+3,0............. +0,06%.......... 42,08K BP............................................... 455,65................+5,70............ +1,25%...........8,05M British American Tobacco...........2.349,9................+4,0............. +0,17%......... 376,18K BT Group.................................... 114,70................+0,35............ +0,30%...........3,99M Bunzl...........................................3.216,0...............+40,0............ +1,25%.......... 60,10K Burberry Group...........................1.162,5.............. -134,0............-9,85%............1,99M Centrica....................................... 149,80................ -2,55.............-1,67%............3,24M Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.336,0...............+15,0............ +0,64%.......... 73,33K Compass....................................2.177,00.............. -7,00.............-0,32%.......... 237,19K ConvaTec Group......................... 244,80................+2,80............ +1,15%...........6,17M Croda Intl....................................4.492,0............... -13,3.............-0,30%........... 85,66K DCC.............................................5.616,0...............+20,0............ +0,36%.......... 25,66K Dechra Pharma...........................3.864,0................+4,0............. +0,10%......... 742,09K Diageo.........................................2.774,0............... -35,0.............-1,24%.......... 845,69K Diploma.....................................3.320,00.............+30,00........... +0,90%.......... 43,09K DS Smith.................................... 293,80................+2,00............ +0,69%......... 384,32K Endeavour Mining......................1.435,00.............+27,00........... +1,90%......... 110,67K Entain.......................................... 943,40................ -0,40.............-0,04%.......... 214,61K Experian......................................3.116,0...............+15,0............ +0,48%......... 109,42K F&C Invest.................................. 940,00................ -2,00.............-0,21%........... 65,29K Flutter Entertainment..................12.700,0.............+130,0........... +1,03%......... 112,02K FRASERS.................................... 824,50................+6,00............ +0,72%.......... 83,51K Fresnillo...................................... 517,20................+5,00............ +0,97%......... 157,00K Glencore...................................... 445,05................+0,65............ +0,15%...........6,45M GSK plc......................................1.558,20..............+6,60............ +0,42%......... 700,59K HALEON...................................... 337,55................+2,15............ +0,64%......... 992,40K Halma..........................................2.176,0................+0,1............. +0,00%.......... 48,14K Hikma Pharma...........................1.904,50..............+6,50............ +0,34%......... 322,55K Howden Joinery.......................... 773,00................+5,80............ +0,76%.......... 77,41K HSBC.......................................... 610,30................+0,30............ +0,05%...........3,39M IAG.............................................. 143,60................ -4,30.............-2,89%............7,70M IMI PLC......................................1.565,00..............+1,98............ +0,13%.......... 80,49K Imperial Brands..........................1.862,50.............+27,00........... +1,45%......... 402,53K Informa....................................... 751,20............... -14,40............-1,88%.......... 488,62K InterContinental..........................7.160,0...............+12,0............ +0,17%.......... 38,43K

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

Intermediate Capital...................1.567,00..............+7,50............ +0,47%......... 291,38K Intertek........................................4.292,0...............+25,0............ +0,58%.......... 38,87K J Sainsbury................................. 281,10................+1,50............ +0,53%...........3,20M JD Sports Fashion....................... 110,70................+3,23............ +2,93%...........4,90M Kingfisher.................................... 216,60................ -0,90.............-0,41%.......... 353,94K Land Securities........................... 684,20................+1,20............ +0,17%......... 194,07K Legal & General.......................... 248,90................+3,59............ +1,45%...........3,44M Lloyds Banking............................ 45,33.................+0,20............ +0,44%..........19,30M London Stock Exchange..............9.118,0................ -3,2..............-0,04%........... 48,24K M&G........................................... 220,30................+1,00............ +0,46%......... 660,65K Marks & Spencer........................ 259,50................ -3,30.............-1,25%............5,79M Melrose Industries...................... 571,80...............+10,00........... +1,75%......... 798,28K Mondi.........................................1.436,39..............+4,00............ +0,28%......... 200,16K National Grid..............................1.049,00..............+6,00............ +0,57%......... 733,06K NatWest Group........................... 211,70................+2,30............ +1,09%...........7,78M Next............................................8.484,0...............+42,0............ +0,50%.......... 22,97K Ocado.......................................... 645,40............... -15,60............-2,36%.......... 359,08K Pearson....................................... 968,86...............+10,20........... +1,06%......... 190,83K Pershing Square........................3.578,00.............+12,00........... +0,34%.......... 47,74K Phoenix....................................... 509,60................+0,40............ +0,08%......... 296,37K Prudential.................................... 825,00................+1,80............ +0,22%......... 539,15K Reckitt Benckiser........................5.598,0...............+40,0............ +0,71%......... 131,39K Relx............................................3.167,00.............+38,00........... +1,20%......... 496,45K Rentokil....................................... 417,50................ -2,40.............-0,57%.......... 817,92K Rightmove.................................. 549,80...............+10,40........... +1,89%......... 577,12K Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.479,0...............+45,0............ +0,82%......... 404,32K Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 298,90................+5,90............ +1,99%...........2,90M RS PLC....................................... 754,00................ -2,20.............-0,29%.......... 140,72K Sage...........................................1.163,50.............+11,50........... +0,99%......... 260,69K Schroders.................................... 420,4..................+0,5............. +0,12%......... 217,32K Scottish Mortgage....................... 780,40................+2,80............ +0,36%......... 733,77K Segro.......................................... 869,00................ -1,00.............-0,12%.......... 216,80K Severn Trent...............................2.542,0...............+27,0............ +1,06%.......... 57,05K Shell............................................2.454,5...............+42,0............ +1,72%...........1,42M Smith & Nephew........................1.066,91..............+0,50............ +0,05%......... 153,22K Smiths Group.............................1.685,00.............+13,50........... +0,81%.......... 25,94K Smurfit Kappa.............................3.012,0...............+10,0............ +0,33%.......... 32,81K Spirax-Sarco Engineering...........9.810,0..............+117,1........... +1,20%........... 7,55K SSE............................................1.788,00............. -16,00............-0,89%.......... 360,44K St. James’s Place........................ 633,80................+1,20............ +0,19%......... 353,14K Standard Chartered..................... 614,80................+3,60............ +0,59%...........1,39M Taylor Wimpey............................ 143,99................+0,50............ +0,35%...........2,19M Tesco.......................................... 293,20................+1,10............ +0,38%...........2,62M Unilever.......................................3.817,0...............+42,0............ +1,11%......... 482,12K Unite..........................................1.008,00..............+7,00............ +0,68%.......... 69,30K United Utilities............................1.033,00..............+7,50............ +0,73%......... 174,46K Vodafone Group PLC.................. 66,850............... -0,206............-0,31%............6,94M Weir Group................................1.822,00..............+7,00............ +0,38%.......... 23,24K Whitbread...................................3.651,0...............+19,0............ +0,52%......... 144,27K WPP............................................ 728,60.................0,00.............. 0,00%.......... 793,94K

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.86028

1.16364

Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.0950 Japan yen (JPY)...................................159.04 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9349 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4564 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.279 currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES

Closing Prices 15 January 3M.............................................. 107,22................+0,61............ +0,56%...........2,48M American Express....................... 182,04................+0,08............ +0,04%...........2,81M Amgen........................................ 300,00................ -1,47.............-0,48%............2,02M Apple........................................... 183,62................ -0,60.............-0,32%...........45,89M Boeing......................................... 222,63................ -5,18.............-2,27%...........11,16M Caterpillar.................................... 289,41................ -1,34.............-0,46%............1,87M Chevron...................................... 144,62................+0,83............ +0,57%...........7,31M Cisco............................................ 50,04.................+0,20............ +0,40%..........14,85M Coca-Cola..................................... 59,69................. -0,38.............-0,63%...........13,45M Dow............................................. 52,74.................+0,26............ +0,49%...........3,68M Goldman Sachs........................... 374,68................ -2,35.............-0,62%............2,11M Home Depot................................ 353,27................ -0,34.............-0,10%............3,30M Honeywell................................... 199,55................ -0,73.............-0,36%............1,88M IBM............................................. 160,30................+0,92............ +0,57%...........2,21M Intel.............................................. 46,73.................+0,17............ +0,36%..........23,86M J&J............................................. 160,78................ -0,71.............-0,44%............4,79M JPMorgan................................... 168,64................ -0,67.............-0,39%...........11,26M McDonald’s................................. 290,65................+0,01............ +0,00%...........1,97M Merck&Co................................... 117,08................ -0,47.............-0,39%............5,54M Microsoft.................................... 380,38................+1,86............ +0,49%..........26,38M Nike............................................. 103,73................+2,15............ +2,07%...........8,26M Procter&Gamble......................... 149,30................+0,56............ +0,37%...........4,69M Salesforce Inc............................. 265,10................+7,26............ +2,75%...........8,85M The Travelers.............................. 191,92................+1,79............ +0,93%......... 984,65K UnitedHealth............................... 534,53................+2,00............ +0,37%...........2,62M Verizon......................................... 37,57................. -1,17.............-2,99%...........27,74M Visa A.......................................... 262,42................ -0,45.............-0,17%............3,66M Walgreens Boots.......................... 23,99................. -0,65.............-2,63%...........14,78M Walmart...................................... 160,17................ -0,20.............-0,12%............4,67M Walt Disney.................................. 88,68.................+0,16............ +0,18%...........8,48M M - Million Dollars

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 15 January

Company

Change Net / %

Volume

Most Advanced Aritzia Inc........................................................... +4.14.......................... +21.03% Oscar Health, Inc................................................ +1.50.......................... +15.53% DocuSign, Inc.................................................... +5.24........................... +9.34% Celldex Therapeutics, Inc................................... +2.54........................... +6.60% BDO Unibank, Inc............................................... +1.52........................... +6.41% Meituan.............................................................. +1.00........................... +5.45% Veeva Systems Inc............................................ +10.34.......................... +5.33% Meituan.............................................................. +0.49........................... +5.27% MakeMyTrip Limited.......................................... +2.27........................... +5.00% Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited...... +0.31........................... +4.66% M - Million Dollars

Most Declined Cytokinetics, Incorporated.................................-16.68..........................-16.41% Riot Platforms, Inc..............................................-2.46...........................-15.82% Grifols, S.A..........................................................-1.39...........................-14.68% Grifols, S.A..........................................................-1.29...........................-13.95% Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc............................-3.23...........................-12.60% Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc..........................-1.24............................-9.93% Vertex, Inc...........................................................-1.99............................-7.73% Coinbase Global, Inc..........................................-10.13...........................-6.70% Upstart Holdings, Inc..........................................-2.34............................-6.58% Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infr Capital, Inc..-1.73............................-6.45% Frontier Communications Parent, Inc..................-1.54............................-6.43% M - Million Dollars

FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com

BUSINESS EXTRA Water, water

PENNON, owner of South West Water fined for illegal sewage dumping last year, bought Sutton and East Surrey Water (SES Water), with 745,000 customers, for £380m (€441.4m). “SES Water is a fantastic growth opportunity for Pennon, demonstrating our commitment to the UK water industry,” the chief executive Susan Davy said.

Puig ponders

COSMETICS and toiletries giant Puig paid more than €160 million in dividends over the past two years to shareholders, all belonging to different branches of the Catalan family. Having recovered from the slowdown imposed by the pandemic, the multinational owner of leading brands including Carolina Herrera is currently assessing a future stock exchange listing.

18 - 24 January 2024

Greggs’ tasty sales Linda Hall

HOW people shop says a great deal about inflation and Greggs sales reflect the present situation.

UK bakery chain Greggs declared that inflationary pressures were now diminishing as it posted 2023 like-for-like sales that were 13.7 per cent up on the previous year. Total sales rose by 19.6 per cent to £1.8 billion (€2.09 billion).

In line with plans to home

Photo credit: CC/Mtaylor 848

GREGGS: Bakery chain’s sales rose 20 per cent in 2023

in on retail parks and travel hubs, the baker opened

220 new shops last year and closed 75, of which 42

Seat takes off

SEAT has just ended the second-best year in its history, with 519,200 in sales.

The 34.6 per cent increase was possible to the impact of the Cupra brand whose 230,700 sales were 50.9 per cent up on 2022. It was aided by Seat’s recovery with 288,400 models sold after a year in the doldrums owing to the microchip crisis.

Seat was especially affected by the

shortage of microchips when parent company Volkswagen prioritised its premium models with their greater profit margins. “These sales figures demonstrate that Seat has the right strategy with its two marques,” Seat’s chief executive Wayne Griffiths said.

“Despite the difficult economic context at present, we are confident about the future.”

were relocations. It proposes to open a further 160 stores throughout 2024.

Inflation has boosted retailers’ sales growth over the past two years and Greggs’ own fourth quarter growth slowed with like-for-like sales up 9.4 per cent owing to a ‘reduced contribution from price inflation’.

The slowdown in rising prices was likely to continue, Greggs’ fourth quarter report suggested, with no current plans for 2024 increases.

“As expected, inflationary pressures are reducing and with good forward cover on food, packaging and energy, we anticipate a more stable cost base in the coming year,” Greggs’ chief executive Roisin Currie said.

“Wage inflation remains, although higher rates of pay across the economy will also provide support to consumer incomes.”

EWN 29

Not so pretty ONLINE fashion company Boohoo will close the Leicester factory opened two years ago to showcase efforts to improve working conditions for employees producing its clothing. Fewer than 100 staff would be affected by the closure while some would be relocated, said a spokesperson for the Boohoo Group which owns the Debenhams, Pretty Little Thing, Oasis and Burton labels.

Alierta death CESAR ALIERTA, former Telefonica chairman and chief executive between 2000 and 2016, died aged 78 on January 10 in a Zaragoza hospital where he was admitted with respiratory problems over Christmas.

Originally from the banking and finance sectors he headed Tabacalera, the Spanish government’s tobacco monopoly between 1996 and 1999, negotiating its privatisation and merger with France’s SEITA.

30 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

Photo: Wikimedia CC / Simon Burchell

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

ANCIENT GROUNDS: Seem to have negative energy attached to them.

Pompeii’s curse

THE ‘curse of ancient Pompeii’ has struck a young foreign tourist, who fell ill and, anonymously, sent the director of the Archaeological Park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, some small pumice artefacts that she had stolen, apologising and hoping to recover. This was accompanied by a note written in English.

“I didn’t know about the curse. I didn’t know that I shouldn’t have taken stones. Within a

year I became aware of the cancer. I am young and healthy and the doctors say it is just ‘bad luck’. Please accept my apologies and these pieces. I am sorry.”

The photo of the letter and the three pieces of pumice taken away was posted on X by Zuchtriegel, with a message: “Dear anonymous sender of this letter... the pumice stones have arrived in Pompeii.... Now good luck for your future and

‘in bocca al lupo’ (good luck), as we say in Italy.”

Among the many people affected by the curse is a Canadian tourist who had visited Pompeii in 2005 and blamed the theft for a series of misfortunes she suffered in the following years. She said that she wanted to have a piece of history that, “no one could have,” but that the relics had, “so much negative energy attached to that land of destruction.”

Krakow: no LEZ THE first attempt in Poland to introduce a ‘Low Emissions Zone’ in which older, more polluting cars would have been banned has been rejected by a court, reports Notes from Poland.

Plans to introduce the zone were approved in 2022 by the council of Krakow, Poland’s second-largest city and which has some of the country’s worst air pollution. However, the decision was challenged by Łukasz Kmita, governor of the Małopolska Orovince in which Krakow is located.

Kmita argued that the ban on older cars represented, “far-reaching interference in constitutional rights and freedoms.”

The Provincial Administrative Court in Krakow agreed with Kmita’s arguments that the geographi-

Photo: Shutterstock / DarSzach

LOW EMISSIONS ZONE: Has been rejected in Poland.

cal scope of the zone had not been properly defined and that the regulation approved by the council does not, as it should, specify how traffic would be organised within the zone.

After a new government took power last month, it appointed a new governor of Krzysztof Klęczar. However, he told TVN that he also “has personal doubts” about the idea of a clean transport zone in Krakow.

“Ideally, we would all use

low-emission or zero-emission means of transport, but at the moment we cannot afford it,” said Klęczar.

However, a group called the Coalition of Doctors and Scientists for Healthy Air sent an appeal to Kraków City Council calling for a clean transport zone to be established.

They pointed to research showing that 295 lives could be saved a year by reducing emissions from transport in the city.

32 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE/NEWS

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT I TRULY can’t make up my mind whether society reflects the media, or the media reflects society (re the recent Post Office drama). I suppose, when it comes down to it, they’re all actually in it together. I remember the 50s, when BBC radio comprised the Light and Third programmes and the Home Service. In those early days, they flatly refused to play anything with a modern ‘beat,’ and utterly scorned the new, and to their mind, utterly degenerate ‘Rock n Roll’.

The presenters wore dinner jackets and tuxes to the studio - even though they couldn’t be seen. Television was also strictly controlled. Dress codes were strongly adhered to, Elvis Presley was only filmed from the waist up, and even mild swear words were utterly taboo.

After the Epilogue, the National Anthem always preceded the ‘test’ card which followed at around midnight.

(Many families stood to attention in

their living rooms while God Save the King rang out!) Was it all a good or a bad thing? Well I’m sure we all have our own opinions about that. It was however a fairly accurate reflection of society as it was during that post war recovery period. A time when we had absorbed all the violence we could stomach, and patriotism was paramount to those who had survived the conflict.

Fast forward to the present day.

With the advent of scores of channels and wavelengths - all trying to create their own money tree - the first thing that goes completely by the board is any semblance of responsible or moral obligations. In fact, in their endeavours to attract more attention, some of the offerings of today’s media are almost beyond belief. (‘My own role in OAP’s Behaving Badly’ simply pales by comparison!)

I recently heard some radio station play a song whose lyrics comprised of nothing but the F word, chanted over and over again. Then there is the long running TV ‘dating’ programme that actually presents couples to each other stark naked. Apparently some male contestants are picked as possible

contestants merely for the size of their manhood! Cilla Black must be positively spinning! Although I never even viewed the Mallorca involvement in the show, to me the rules for the highly popular ‘Love Island’ truly do take the whole tin.

This is the ‘contestant’s code,’ insisted on by the producers of a programme that has been rated as one of the most successful reality shows ever.

Rule1. No masturbating. 2. No total nudity. 3. No sex while drunk (Presumably it’s perfectly acceptable whilst sober!) And, in an almost ludicrous effort to take the moral and hygienic high ground - rule four and five informs the contestants that there is to be, ‘no smoking’ on camera and that ‘condoms must be used at all times’!

And if all that doesn’t reflect the attitude and priorities of our modern society, nothing does. Thank you for all your letters. Although none appear to be published, I do peruse everyone.

Keep ‘em coming and always.

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.

IT seems like there’s an International Day for everything so don’t be surprised that recently January 7 was once again the International Day of Silly Walks.

Based on the famous and much loved Monty Python Ministry of Silly Walks sketch featuring John Cleese, the event started in the sometimes dour Czech Republic and the capital of Silly Walks is now Brno.

The events were held in that city and Prague in 2012 and has carried on in Brno since then (except for during the pandemic) and there are now members of the Silly Walks Facebook page across Europe.

This year saw the return to Prague of a flash mob undertaking the Silly Walk but Brno had the largest gathering of Silly Walkers.

Whilst anyone was allowed to join in, it was recommended that to

Credit: Silly Walk Brno Facebook

They’re in it together International Silly Walks A scene from the 2023 event in Brno.

really get the flavour of the original that men should dress in a dark suit with a bowler hat (although most participants found it easier to obtain a top hat) and a dark brief case would be appropriate but was not obligatory.

Those who wanted to take it ‘seriously’ were advised to concentrate on their leg movements and not be silly enough to wave their arms around at the same time.

A bit of harmless fun which either amused or bemused those onlookers who were caught up in the walk.

HEALTH & BEAUTY II euroweeklynews.com

DEMENTIA: Crucial to seek a professional evaluation.

Recognising the signs DEMENTIA is a progressive condition that affects cognitive functions, and early detection is crucial for effective management.

Several signs may indicate the onset of dementia, prompting the need for further evaluation.

Memory Loss: Forgetfulness, especially of recently learned information, is a common early sign of dementia. Individuals may repeatedly ask the same questions or struggle to recall names and faces.

Difficulty in Problem-Solving: Impaired ability to solve problems, make decisions, or follow a plan can signal cognitive decline. Tasks that were once routine may become challenging.

Confusion with Time and Place: People with dementia may lose track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time. They may also become disoriented and forget where they are or how they got there.

Changes in Language:

Dementia can affect language skills, leading to difficulties in expressing thoughts, finding the right words, or understanding conversations.

Personality and Mood Changes: Shifts in mood, personality, or behaviour can occur. Individuals may become irritable, anxious, or exhibit uncharacteristic apathy.

If you or a loved one experience these signs, it’s crucial to seek professional evaluation.

18 - 24 January 2024

EWN 33

34 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE

Voting in the UK

AS from Tuesday January 16, 2024, British citizens living abroad are now eligible to register to vote in UK generala elections, regardless of how long they’ve been living outside the UK. A new law has removed the previous 15-year time limit.

Those who have previously lived in or been registered to vote in the UK now have the right to vote in UK Parliament elections. They can register online at www.gov. uk/registertovote and will need to confirm their personal information every three years. Anyone on a UK electoral register is also considered a permissible donor to UK political parties and campaigners.

British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott said: “This law means that more British citizens living in Spain will now be eligible to vote in UK Parliamentary elections,

NEW LAW: British citizens living abroad can now vote.

which is good news.

We’re asking the British community here to help us spread the word, because it’s important that eligible people are made aware of the changes so that they can register and cast a ballot when the time comes.”

More information is available on the Electoral Commission’s website. Voters living overseas can find

contact details for the relevant local council by entering the postcode of the last place they lived in the UK, using the Commission’s postcode lookup tool.

UK Parliament elections covers UK parliamentary general elections, UK parliamentary by-elections and recall petitions. Eligibility for other types of election has not changed.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Collyfer’s pre-paid funeral plans COLLYFER is an ever expanding, familyrun Funeral Director, with its head office in Huercal-Overa for over 50 years and Funeral Homes in various locations across the Almeria Province.

Collyfer are the first Funeral Directors in Spain to offer the opportunity to contract to a Pre Paid Funeral Plan, direct with the Funeral Director offering different types of Funeral Packages, including the new Direct Cremation, no fuss funeral. We also offer Funeral Insurance through our Brokers, Collado Brokers also based in Huercal-Overa.

We are currently in the process of building our new Crematorium, situated on the road to Santa Maria de Nieva, just outside Huercal-Overa. This will allow us to offer cremations closer to home.

Our new Crematorium will have indoor and outdoor spaces to hold your service or the option to attend the cremation of your loved one with projected images of

NEW CREMATORIUM: With both indoor and outdoor spaces to hold your service.

your choice. You will also have the ability to scatter the ashes of your loved one in our ‘Memorial Garden’ or actually lay the Urn to rest underneath a tree or around

the Memory Tree where you can have a printed Memory Leaf with wording of your choice.

We have also created a ‘Memory Lake’

with jetty, where you can personally scatter the ashes of your loved one or you can allow us to scatter them for you whilst you watch, there are also areas to sit and reflect in all our grounds.

As an addition, we will now have Live Streaming via our website, which will allow family or friends who are unable to attend the Funeral of your loved one to attend virtually.

Arranging a funeral is stressful and required a quick learning curve as this is something that hopefully doesn’t happen too often. It is one thing to try and cope with a death in the UK and in a language you understand, but imagine the struggle if you’re attempting to navigate the rules and regulations in Spanish.

We are here to help you through this stressful time, with four English-speaking employees, we can help you through this difficult time, whether a plan, insurance or nothing is in place, just call.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT COLLYFER’S FUNERAL PLANS PLEASE CONTACT KAREN ON 617 456 335 OR JOHN ON 617 456 259 OR EMAIL KARENCECERE@COLLYFER.COM

FEATURE/NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 January 2024

EWN 35

Property of the week • VH2297 • €179,950

ADVERTISING FEATURE VOSS HOMES

Villa Suerte near Huercal-Overa EXCLUSIVE TO VOSS HOMES - A beautifully presented two / three bedroom, two bathroom villa of 108m2 (plus Florida style meshed conservatory) with H&C air con, 8m x 4m swimming pool and impressive views on a garden of 693m2. Walking distance to two bar / restaurants, medical centre and school.

Just 10 minutes drive from the popular town of Huercal-Overa with its twice weekly markets (Mon and Thurs), hospital, numerous shops, restaurants, historic buildings, sports and leisure facilities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Thirty to 35 minutes drive to the coast at San Juan or Mojacar.

Villa Suerte is ideal if you are looking for a two double bedroom, two bathroom villa.

However, it has an attached room which is tiled and decorated the same as the main villa and has

An ideal second living area.

its own external access. It is currently used as a hobby room. By putting a doorway from the second bedroom through to this room, it could be linked internally to the A beautifully presented villa. main house making it a third double bedroom / office / study / craft room etc if required. three cars plus there is To the front of the villa is a plenty of safe on road parking. gated driveway with parking for To the rear is a private, landsca-

ped garden with 8m x 4m swimming pool with a variety of Mediterranean plants and two very attractive mature palm trees and great views over the countryside.

Also to the rear of the property is a Florida style meshed conservatory which makes an ideal second / living / dining area and looks out to the garden, pool and country views.

There is a hot tub which may be available for sale separately.

From the conservatory, two sets of doors lead into the villa. One takes you into the spacious, larger than average fitted kitchen with marble work tops and lots of storage space. A breakfast bar separates the kitchen from the dining room

which is ideal for entertaining.

The second doors lead to the large living room with log burning fireplace and air con. With the doors open it brings the conservatory and lounge together and gives great views over the garden.

From the lounge, an archway leads through to the bedrooms and bathrooms. To the right is the larger main bedroom with air con and plenty of fitted wardrobes. Next to this is a bathroom.

To the left is the shower room and second double bedroom also with air con and fitted wardrobes.

This is the room where a door could be fitted to connect this bedroom with the attached hobby room.

Voss Homes is a British family-run business with offices in the thriving, market town of Huercal-Overa and La Alfoquia village.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ARRANGE A VIEWING OF VH2297 PLEASE CONTACT VOSS HOMES ON 0034 950 616 827 OR EMAIL US ON ENQUIRIES@VOSSHOMESSPAIN.COM.

American tourist left in tears

Credit: @realphdfoodie/TikTok)

TIKTOK TRAVELLER: Angela is frustrated with the French.

AN American TikTok traveller, Angela, from San Francisco, has uploaded a video crying over the fact that the people of Lyon speak too much French.

The social media star, @RealPhDFoodie, visited Lyon on December 31, 2023 and filmed various videos for her TikTok account, bringing her followers along for the ride during her ‘European travels’.

However, this trip did not turn out to be the dream

that she had hoped, as due to the fact that the American tourist cannot speak French, she reported that she felt ‘isolated’ during her entire time in France.

“I’m here in Lyon, France, and to be honest the experience is very isolating for someone who doesn’t speak French,” she told her followers on her account, as tears filled her eyes, “I would not recommend it for solo travellers,” she confirmed.

Despite wearing a beret, Angela felt that nobody in the country was interested in her or accepted her. She stated that: “People here seem very indifferent. I had no problem meeting people and socialising in Italy and Germany, but in France the experience is very different.”

The video has since been viewed more than six million times, and has received mixed responses. Oh mère.

36 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE/NEWS

HOW trustworthy are the labels on food items? Recent events in Spain have raised serious doubts regarding olive oil.

On January 15, a joint operation by the Guardia Civil, inspectors from the Junta de Andalucia, and the General Directorate of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Regulation unearthed a fraudulent olive oil operation.

This illegal business, discovered in an industrial warehouse in Mairena del Alcor, Sevilla, was found to be marketing counterfeit olive oils.

The investigation revealed that the products, falsely labelled as ‘Extra Virgin Olive Oil’ and ‘Mild Olive Oil’, were actually blends of various inferior oils.

Documents and products linked to companies across several provinces including Malaga, Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, and Murcia were confiscated.

During the operation, several brands were identified for marketing these fraudulent oils.

The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs has initiated control measures across various locations and has alerted the relevant authorities in Murcia and Andalucia for further action.

Credit: masa44/Shutterock.com

Widespread oil fraud

An unaffordable luxury?

Credit: Shutterstock/2204092191

RISING COSTS: Is food affordable?

IS IT THE REAL THING?: Olive oil warning.

In the warehouse, 1,000-litre tanks of vegetable and olive oils were found, connected to a mixer and packaging system.

This set-up was used to create a blend of seed oils with a base of some type of olive oil, giving it an appearance similar to genuine extra virgin olive oil, and labelled attractively for sale at prices much lower than their true market value.

Consumers are advised to exercise caution and seek verifiable sources for their olive oil purchases.

THE rising cost of living is currently affecting people and households in many areas of the world, as life post pandemic has seen wars, drought and financial struggle.

The drought has had a knock on effect with certain foods and vegetables, in particular the nation’s favourite - olives - facing a shortage as well.

On Wednesday, January 10, the government of Spain announced that the elimination or reduction of the value added tax on certain foods

such as fruits and vegetables, pasta and cooking oils.

This may not be enough for many working people in Spain, who claim that every month they are struggling even more to buy basic items for their family to eat.

Euro Weekly News spoke to Angel Aguera, a bartender.

“Although my wage has increased over the years, our standard of living has dropped significantly,” he explained, adding that “my wife has to plan our meals for the week diligently and if an

unexpected expense arises then we have to go without, it’s very sad to say I work 50 hours a week.”

Another resident of Spain, Claire Hill told EWN: “when I first moved here six years ago I couldn’t believe how cheap everything was, but now it’s very expensive to do a food shop, some things like vegetables are much more here than in the UK now.”

However, for now it seems like many will have to cut back on items that have now become a luxury.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

PAST LIVES AND MORE AT LOCAL PARANORMAL GROUP

THE ‘Extraordinary Beliefs’ Group, which meets at ‘El Palacete’ in Cuevas del Almanzora, a fabulous Vegan/Vegeterian Restaurant/Hotel, are a free to visit, fun and interesting group who meet monthly to discuss paranormal, psychic, UAPs and the Cosmos etc, has a very special visitor in February.

Judy Sharp is a hypnotherapist and past life regression therapist who works very much at a deep soul and spiritual level, exploring a wide range of issues with her clients. She has also done experiments with volunteers to explore if they come from other planets / star systems – and the results were very surprising!

Judy has more than 25 years’ experience in private practice, and is the author of ‘Past Life Healing’, which won the National Spiritual Writing Award in the UK when it was published just over a year ago. The book looks at the concept of reincarnation across history and cultures - and explains why there is no mention of it in the Christian Bible; it outlines the

JUDY SHARP: Past life regression therapist.

PAST LIFE HEALING: Won a recent award.

research that has been done by independent researchers and pioneering thera-

pists, along with some contemporary case studies that have been proven ‘beyond reasonable doubt’. And it contains more than 30 real life stories from Judy’s own case files. The principle is that many ‘this life’ issues can trace their real un-

derlying root cause back to a trauma in a past life. By finding that root cause, and healing it at source, the healing ripples through to this current life just as the trauma did - leaving the client free to move on with their lives.

As she explains, “The most common issues are fears and phobias, but also emotional trauma, relationship problems, issues around money and sex - and that stubborn weight around the middle that just refuses to shift. I’ve dealt with countless cases over the years I have been working in this field, and even found one client’s lost libido in a past life!”

Judy will be giving a wide-ranging talk to the ‘Extraordinary Beliefs’ group at El Palacete, Cuevas del Almanzora on Friday February 2. That weekend there will be a workshop on past life regression, and then Judy will be available for private one-to-one sessions at the Palacete from Sunday February 4 to Friday February 9 inclusive.

For details of the group and to book a place at the talk or workshop, please contact Richard Cooper on (34) 711 006 213 or by email on dickacooper@gmail.com. To book a private session with Judy, please contact her direct on (44) 7597 020 512 or by email on judysharp123@gmail.com.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 January 2024

Supermarket special

WITH the cost of groceries a major concern for many, it’s good to know where one can make savings here and there.

In a competitive market where supermarkets are constantly trying to tempt new customers, one Spanish supermarket has stepped up their game and launched a new offer for 2024.

As of January 2024, Dia, the prominent supermarket chain in Spain has introduced an irresistible offer for new online customers. Known for its affordable pricing, Dia has now added an enticing €20 discount for first-time online shoppers.

To benefit from the €20 saving, customers must make an initial purchase exceeding €90.

However, it’s noteworthy that free shipping requires a minimum spend of €100. This discount is automatically applied at checkout for those holding a Dia membership card.

With over 40 years of presence in Spain, Dia has established itself as a key player in the supermarket sector.

Renowned for its cost-effective pricing and high-quality products, the supermarket has a strong customer base.

As online shopping continues to gain popularity, such offers are a strategic move to attract new customers and showcase the convenience and efficiency of Dia’s digital platform.

Credit: Stokkete/Shutterstock.com

DIA: Online grocery shopping.

Dia supermarkets are not only celebrating over four decades of service but also embracing the future with innovative strategies. Their latest offer is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity in their hopes to appeal to a wide range of consumers and encourage other supermarket chains to follow suit.

EWN 37

38 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE INTERVIEW

An easier way of living CONTINUING our weekly interview with someone who has moved from Europe to settle in Spain it’s the turn of Tina Skotland-Jönsson.

TINA moved to Spain with joy the surroundings as she her partner after training has set up a very successas a hairdresser in ful hairdressing salon Sweden where she at El Campanario grew up, althouGolf and Country gh she is actually Club, Estepona Danish by birth. but as a newcoThe couple mer to Spanish had owned a b u r e a u c r a c y, holiday home Tina admits that on the Costa del she found it soSol but after their mewhat frustrafour children had ting, however, all grown up and mowent through evenCredit: Hair by Tina Facebook ved away, they decided tually and Hair by Tina is that the time had come to now well-established.

Tina Skotland-Jönsson make the move to Spain.

Although she speaks “There’s a much easier way of living fluent Danish, English and Swedish, Tina here in Spain, it’s relaxing and because of is taking weekly Spanish lessons and has the climate and the fact that it stays light plenty of homework when she isn’t plalonger than in Sweden, when I finish work ying padel, at the gym, dog training or croI can still make the most of the day.” cheting in her spare time.

In February the couple will have been “Once my Spanish is better, I hope to here for two years and apart from being be able to make new Spanish friends to separated from friends and family, there go with my mainly English and Swedish is nothing else in Sweden that they miss. friends, many of whom started out as cusTina has not come to Spain to just en- tomers,” she explained.

O

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

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

45

42 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE

COMMUNITY

COMMENTS

THERE has been a lot of activity with comments from readers over the last week and some of those have been incorporated into articles which appear on the Euro Weekly News website and in various editions of the paper.

Other matters which have raised reader’s hackles have been news that squatters will be receiving greater legal protection in Spain and here are some of the observations;

“

WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG, these so-called squatters have no right to enter anyone’s property and stay there. It is a criminal act and should be treated as a criminal act. No one would be squatting in my property and I can gaurantee that, bullshit law or no bullshit law, these people are criminals.

Mac

Don’t buy a property in Spain!

to prison. No ifs or buts. They didn’t pay for that house so they have no right to it.

Whatever is the world coming to?

Ali

This is an absolute joke. Anybody taking over a house or flat is a criminal and should be punished.

Renato Besomi

Wish the squatters would squat in the ministers’ houses… then they will talk differently.

Brian

Peter Dare

Wrong in so many ways.

Jessica

Squatters should be IMMEDIATELY sent

A story about rats appearing during the Three Kings Parade in Almeria which revealed the opinion of one resident who thought that it would be a shame to kill them received quite a few comments as well and the most were not in favour of letting rodents roam the streets of Spain, although they also had some supporters;

“

They will breed faster than humans can kill them!

George R Carman

George R Carman well said. The bloody world has gone mad, the last thing they need is an uncontrollable plague of rats spreading disease etc. These do gooders won’t be so happy when they get rats in their house chewing electric cables, not being able to leave a baby safely in case a rat harms it or spreads disease. Where are people’s brains. Rats have always needed to be controlled.

Karen Callander

I wonder if ‘Manuel’ is on the panel!

Colin Wheeler

Leave them alone.

Sue Peers

All creatures are entitled to a place on the planet. Why kill them?

Anne Hodgson

I hate them with a passion and would rid the world of them all if I could.

Marian McGovern

There’s black and brown rats all over Spain, although some prefer to give them cute names like palm rats, fruit rats etc etc.

And, they are all over the world... Anyone who puts poison down is killing wildlife and domestic animals too. We had a cat die in our courtyard a few years ago in the most agonising pain. I couldn’t get near her and she died within minutes. Our neighbour had a post-mortem done and it was rat poison.

Brenda Jones

You can always be certain of finding a really diverse range of stories when you read the print editions of Euro Weekly News or visit the website and readers not only have very different opinions about the pros and cons of some stories they also enjoy making their thoughts known, so please feel free to join in.

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.

43

euroweeklynews.com • 18 - 24 January 2024

PETS Jimbo loves playing with dog-sitters SPONSORED BY

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Pet owners warned THE Helsinki Animal Welfare Society (HESY) recently issued a critical alert regarding the dangers of Finland’s extreme winter weather for pets.

With the Nordic region experiencing its coldest temperatures this winter, reaching lows of minus 40 degrees Celsius, the safety of pets, particularly those left outdoors for long periods or abandoned, is in danger.

Recently, the harsh weather started disrupting transportation across the region, causing significant challenges for rail traffic in the Arctic north and leading to school closures in southern Norway.

This perilous cold snap not only affects human activities but poses a lethal threat to pets. Exposed to the severe cold, animals are at risk of frostbite and potentially deadly hypothermia, especially if they are outside for prolonged periods without suitable protection.

Hypothermia can cause vital organ failure, while frostbite may lead to tissue damage and loss, particularly in extre-

mities like ears and tails.

Different dog breeds have varying levels of cold endurance. Breeds like Huskies and Lapland Reindeer Dogs are more adapted to the cold, unlike Finnish Hounds, Dobermans, and Pugs, which are more vulnerable to the cold’s adverse effects.

HESY stresses the importance of knowing the breed-specific needs and vulnerabilities of pets to ensure their safety.

Pet owners are advised to keep their pets indoors during severe weather and provide protective clothing and footwear to short-haired or hairless pets.

If a pet is found alone in the cold, the recommendation is to bring the animal inside to warm up before taking it to an animal shelter.

Cats are particularly prone to frostbite injuries in winter, especially those that seek shelter in unheated environments. The situation demands increased vigilance and responsibility from pet owners to protect their pets from these dangerous conditions.

Bell the cat THE city authorities in Amsterdam plan to ask cat-owners to add a bell to their pet’s collar .

When outside, this would warn birds and other wildlife that they were around, explained officials keen to ensure that the city is completely animal-friendly.

Cats, the officials said, are one of the few animals allowed to roam without supervision and they kill around 18 million birds each year in the Netherlands.

The Huiskat Thuiskat foundation launched legal proceedings in 2021 to persuade the government to take action against owners who allowed their cats to roam freely outdoors.

While applauding the proposal to introduce bells, the organisation said that research has shown that these reduce a cat’s victims by only between 33 and 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, a 2019 paper by Environmental Law professors Arie Trouwborst and Han Somsen maintained that the domestic cat “poses a serious threat” to around 370 species in the Netherlands.

They also pointed out that under the EU’s Bird and Habitat Directives, member countries are legally obliged to protect wildlife, and allowing cats to roam and kill was breaking the law.

Amsterdam will also campaign to ensure all of the city’s domestic cats are chipped and registered, allowing lost animals to be reunited with their owners more quickly. This would also help to solve problems caused by the feral population, officials said, adding that feral cats would no longer be released into “ecologically vulnerable” areas after they were trapped and sterilised.

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CARS FOR SALE

CHURCHES Local Anglican (CofE) Church Services take place at Mojacar and Llanos del Peral (Zurgena) churches every Sunday 11am and at Aljambra Chapel (Albox) monthly. Dates and details of our services, including directions and contact details, can be found at www.almeria-anglican. com. Here you can also find information about funerals, baptisms and wedding blessings. We are an inclusive church. (10002)

44

TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For worship.

We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, towards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 617 914 156 (10021) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer?

Call and see how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com.

If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control.

It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, www.britishlegion.org. uk/counties/spain-north ZURGENA Branch meeting on the first Thursday, Coffee Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at La Parrilla Hotel Albox, for further details please email zurgenarbl chairman@gmail.com (253989)

18 - 24 January 2024 MISCELLANEOUS

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ESTATE AGENT VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They specialise in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property.

Please call 678 002 006 for more information (283824)

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance.

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18 - 24 January 2024 INSURANCE

EWN 45

46 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II MOTORING

Armchair motoring ROAD TEST

By Mark Slack HERE in the UK many of our less mainstream television channels show some excellent motoring programmes.

From the long running Wheeler Dealers with host Mike Brewer, through to Salvage Hunters Classic Cars presented by Drew Pritchard and Paul Cowland.

Despite such good motoring coverage there’s always a point in the viewing year when there’s a dearth of such programmes. When that happens there’s another viewing option, YouTube! A wealth of motoring awaits, from traditional approaches to more offbeat motoring related videos.

Car detailing, new cars, classic cars, road trips, must see museums and more, they’re all there to quench your motoring thirst. Some of my favourite YouTube channels are ones where the presenters know their sub-

ject, have a calm presentational style and don’t spend their time leaping around the screen screeching tyres and whooping every time they get a perceived cool car. Now don’t get me wrong, if that’s what presses your pedal it’s fine, everyone has their own likes and dislikes.

For me it’s the knowledgeable and arguably more professional channels that attract. Harry’s Garage is fronted by Harry Metcalfe, founder of the classy UK performance car magazine EVO. Although a publisher and not a journalist in the traditional sense, he’s a calm, knowledgeable and interesting presenter. He has his own car collection but presents on an encyclopaedic range of cars and bikes that in my view make this a must-see channel.

Another very different channel is High Peak Autos, presented by Matt Goodwin who has a used car business and features videos of his purchase and preparation

of cars ready for sale. It’s an incredibly honest channel where failures have equal billing with the successes, and it makes for fascinating viewing not only for the cars but as an insight into the used car business. He’s recently ventured into new car reviews, on which I’m not so keen as in my view it dilutes his channel’s USP. There are so many channels featuring new cars High Peak Autos USP is a stand-out feature along with its professionalism. Other favourite channels include The Late Brake Show with Jonny Smith, Vermijl Car Detail, Decotamin, JayEmm on Cars and Tyrrell’s Classic Workshop.

Whatever your motoring taste there’s something there for you, whether on television or online with platforms such as YouTube. There is much said about social media and online platform being poisonous places and very negative. They can be but there’s also a lot of positive viewing experiences too.

48 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

ANA MONCADA from Estepona has qualified Spain in ILCA6 (Women’s Laser) for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

The 34th place of the athlete in the absolute general classification of the World Championships in Mar de Plata, Argentina was the key to the qualification for the Olympic Games.

This young 22-year-old sailor, born in Estepona (Malaga) is currently number 40 in the world ranking and is the reigning Spanish champion, European under-21 and 2019 youth champion.

The Spanish team’s Olympic preparation director, Xisco Gil, said: “This is a new milestone for Spanish sailing that places us as a major international power, being the European country with the highest number of classes classified so far.

“We surpassed Great Britain, Italy and the Netherlands who currently have eight places and we are getting closer to the goal of being in Paris 2024 with representation in all 10 Olympic classes,” he added.

With six months to go until the Olympic Games, only France, as host, is represented in all 10 Olympic sailing classes. They are followed by Australia, China and New Zealand with nine places, and Spain, which is the leading European country.

The next international events for the Spanish Olympic team will be the ILCA 7 Class World Championship to be held in Adelaide, Australia, between January 26 and 31, and the iQFOiL World Championship to be held in Lanzarote from January 29 to February 3.

Pioneers of women’s football THE women’s football scene in Saudi Arabia now infused with Spanish expertise, is a striking example of how the sporting culture of one nation can change for the better.

Saudi Arabia has made significant strides since September 2017, when women were allowed to drive and cinemas reopened after 35 years.

Progress continued with the launch of the first women’s league in 2021, and the national team playing its inaugural international match in 2022. This evolution represents a remarkable shift in a nation that is currently the Super Cup’s host.

The transformation of Saudi women’s football has been significantly influenced by Spanish professionals. Lluis Cortes, former coach of FC Barcelona and the Ukraine national team, took charge of the Saudi women’s team in December.

Credit: easternflamesfc/instagram.com

Spain qualifies

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BASED IN DAMMAM: Eastern Flames FC.

The first division of Saudi’s local league further underscores this influence, with Ana Junyent leading Al-Riyadh as the sole female coach, and David Cabildo at the helm of the Eastern Flames, the pioneering Saudi women’s soccer team.

Based in Dammam, the Eastern Flames, also known as Shulat Alsharqia FC, signify the starting point of women’s football in the region.

“The football stadium is very initial. There is no prior training. They are starting from the bottom, with very

basic things,” said David Cabildo, outlining the nascent stage of development.

Despite the primary nature of their setup, the passion and dedication of the players is noteworthy.

“Patience is needed. But in women’s football, the players are already very eager to learn... They put a lot of passion,” Cabildo observes, highlighting the players’ enthusiasm and rapid progress.

Cabildo’s experience in Saudi Arabia reveals cultural nuances, especially in player-coach interactions

and attire. However, these differences don’t hinder the spirit and ambition within the team.

The broadcasting of all matches on television and the involvement of Saudi Telecom Company, a major stakeholder in Spain’s Telefonica since September 2023, underscores the growing popularity and support for women’s football in Saudi Arabia.

The Eastern Flames, though currently underdogs in the league, are crucial to the strategic development of Saudi women’s football.

This strategy is bolstered by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s collaboration with German Monika Staab, renowned for her role in developing Qatar’s women’s team.

Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia plans to introduce a third category in women’s football, further expanding the sport’s reach and impact.

Foreign teams

AS 2024 ushers in, the International Cycling Union (UCI) has revamped its Coronavirus protocol, removing some outdated restrictions.

With the arrival of 2024, cycling was the last major sport to adapt to post-pandemic norms.

The UCI’s decision, long awaited by the public, marks a significant change.

This move aligns cycling with other sports that had already discarded pandemic-era measures.

Previously, cycling clung to a mix of confusing rules, which even baffled competitors. The UCI’s 2024 protocol upda-

SPORTS tourism has made a strong start in 2024 in Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol. More than 500 sportsmen and women will arrive throughout the first month of the year in the town to train in the municipal sports facilities. Specifically, 13 football teams and three swimming teams will be the first foreign teams to train in the town’s sports facilities in the new year.

Most of the foreign visitors are football players from the Netherlands and Switzerland, who are taking advantage of the winter break in their respective competitions to travel and carry out training in milder weather.

Among the teams that have already passed through the town during the first days of January, FC Dordrecht from the Dutch 2nd division, for example, have chosen the El Pozuelo municipal stadium to prepare for their return to competition. Berkel Women, from the Dutch women’s first division, have also been training at the municipal sports facilities.

Swimming is the other sporting discipline that will be present, specifically in the indoor pool where three teams will hold training sessions, including the swimming team from Cardiff Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom and the team from the University of Limerick in Ireland.

In 2023, sports tourism generated an economic impact in Torremolinos of more than €3 million.

In total, 3,065 athletes passed through the sports facilities of the municipality, contributing with their stay to the deseasonalisation of the town.

Credit: UCI_Cycling/X

Cycling embraces new normal in 2024

POST PANDEMIC NORMS: UCI’s 2024 ruling over Covid-19.

te includes more relaxed Covid-19 regulations, alongside the existing Concussion and High Temperature Protocols.

No longer are cyclists compelled to withdraw mid-competition upon a positive Covid-19 result.

The UCI’s initial Covid-19 Protocol, launched in June 2020, was crucial for resuming seasons amidst the pandemic.

It featured closed bubbles, regular health

checks, and mandatory masks. Over time, these measures became less relevant, causing confusion and operational challenges in events like the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.

In 2023, despite the easing of restrictions in other sports, mask-wearing remained mandatory in cycling events.

David Lappartient, UCI President, stressed the importance of evolving

protocols: “The health, safety and well-being of our riders is of the utmost importance.

“That is why the UCI continually works to respond to new situations and adapt its protocols to the changing environment in which cyclists evolve.’

In its 2024 iteration, the UCI protocol no longer mandates isolation for those testing positive. However, it still recommends pandemic-era practices like mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and ventilating indoor spaces.

Responsibility for monitoring an affected cyclist’s health now solely lies with the team’s doctors, focusing on standard prevention against respiratory infectious diseases.

This change reflects the broader shift in sports towards a more nuanced approach to health and safety in the current era.