Costa Calida 25 – 31 January 2024 Issue 2012

Costa Calida • Issue No. 2012 • 25 - 31 January 2024

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Cartagena Carnival 2024.

This year, the Official Marquee will return to Plaza Juan XXIII, promising a 10-day carnival extravaganza starting on February 9, kicking off at 8.30pm.

Key events include the Grand Carnival Parade on February 10 at 6pm, a school parade, and a costume contest with cash prizes at 10pm also on February 9.

Don’t miss the ‘Ciudad de Cartagena’ Chirigotas Competition, a traditional Spanish musical and theatrical contest at El Batel Theatre on February 8 and 9, a charity gala on January 7 also at El Batel in aid of the Cruz Roja, and the ceremonial farewell on February 13, culminating with a fiery display of fireworks.

For a complete breakdown of the programme go to www.cartagena.es.

A RESIDENT of Lorca has secured the largest prize ever distributed by Bonoloto, walking away with an impressive €10.6 million. The winning ticket, holding the only first-category match with six correct numbers, was purchased at the San Diego shopping centre.

The ticket was Issued for the January 17 draw through the official online platform of Loterías y Apuestas del Estado. The identity of the winner remains unknown, but the San Diego shopping

Image: Shutterstock/ TopMicrobialStock

LUCKY IN LORCA

often considered the ‘little brother’ of Loterías, enjoys widespread popularity due to its affordability and occasionally substantial prizes, as exemplified by this recent record-breaking win.

Fortune strikes in Lorca.

centre’s lottery shop has become a bustling hub, attracting numerous curious onlookers eager to uncover the identity of Lorca’s newfound

millionaire. The popularity of Bonoloto has increased, with increased ticket sales fuelled by recent big wins throughout the country. This draw,

Image: Facebook/MABS Mazarron

Catherine McGeer THE Cartagena Town Hall recently announced all the details for this year’s Carnival celebrations. Prepare for an explosion of colour and excitement as the Cartagena Carnival reclaims its epicentre in the vibrant Plaza Juan XXIII. Set to unfold from February 3 to 12, this spectacular event, deemed of Regional Tourist Interest, comes with a substantial €230,000 investment from the city council.

In a glittering presentation at the Consistorial Palace on January 19, Mayor Noelia Arroyo, alongside councillor for Festivities Francisca Martínez Sotomayor and Carnival Federation President Eduardo Pignatelli, unveiled the thrilling lineup.

Image: Shutterstock/ Luciano de la Rosa

CARTAGENA CARNIVAL Local impact

MABS transforming lives.

IN a heartwarming gesture of community support, MABS Mazarron, a local charity committed to helping those affected by cancer, recently received a generous donation of €1,600 from Phase Two. MABS Cancer Support Foundation provides vital assistance to individuals and families of all nationalities facing the challenges of cancer, offering emotional support and practical assistance. The charitable organisation operates with a mission to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients and their loved ones.

The noteworthy contribution from Phase Two underscores the power of local collaboration and solidarity in facing health challenges.

MABS Mazarron expresses profound gratitude for this impactful donation, emphasising its significance in furthering its crucial mission within the community. For more information about this important charitable organisation visit mabscancer foundation.org.

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euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

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Wildlife hub

Catherine McGeer IN a bid to create a welcoming environment for visitors and enhance bird-watching experiences, the regional government is undertaking a substantial makeover of the pedestrian access area near the entrance roundabout of the San Pedro del Pinatar Salinas and Arenales Regional Park. The project includes an open-air welcome and visitor reception area, which will be integrated into the landscape, functioning as both an introduction point for park-goers on foot and an initial bird observation spot.

María Cruz Ferreira, the regional secretary for Energy, Sustainability, and Climate Action, emphasised the need for this project due to the park’s proximity to residential areas and high visitor rates.

Image: Shutterstock/ Cristina G.S

OPEN-AIR WELCOME: Regional park upgrade.

The developments so far include a strategic bird-watching viewpoint, pavement improvement, shading enhancements, road separation with a stone wall, and the installation of interpretative panels.

Benches will be added near the viewpoint and a new bicycle parking facility. This initiative not only enhances accessibility but also establishes connectivity with the Las Salinas Visitor Centre. Addressing challenges posed by increased human activity, particularly in the summer, these efforts align

with the region’s commitment to managing its protected natural spaces.

Waterfront transformation CABO DE PALOS is set to welcome a new leisure and recreational area this summer, transforming the port surroundings. The town was awarded the project, with a budget of €308,212, and has a scheduled completion time of four months.

Mayor Noelia Arroyo revealed that this project aims to reclaim an area that has been primarily used for parking and turn it into a vibrant space for strolling and

IN an incident on January 21, the Emergency Coordination Centre 1-12 of the Murcia Region received a distress call from a group of hikers located at Pico de la Cruz, an area accessible only by foot, near the Monastery of Santa Ana in Jumilla.

The hikers urgently requested medical assistance for their fellow hiker who was experiencing intense chest pain. Responding promptly, the helicopter from the Directorate General of Security and Emergencies, carrying firefighters from the Consortium for Fire Extinguishing and Rescue of the Murcia Region, was dispatched.

leisure.

Arroyo emphasised that the project aims to seamlessly integrate the new area with the port environment, ensuring its compatibility with fishing activities while enhancing its appeal for tourists and cultural exploration.

The development will cover a total area of 1,384 m² at the port entrance, divided into three main zones: a square of 870 m², a pier

Hiker rescue Image: 112 Murcia

Emergency helicopter rescue.

area of 400 m², and work on the breakwater, approximately 115 m².

The project incorporates lighting with tower installations, including one at the end of the port walk marking the entrance to the revamped area. Additional features include palm tree plantations, an informative panel about the surroundings, native plant additions, benches, and much more.

They also dispatched an Emergency Mobile Unit from the 061 Health and Emergencies Management and a Local Police patrol from Jumilla headed to the nearby Monastery of Santa Ana. After successfully rescuing the hiker, a 59-year-old man, using the helicopter, they transferred him to the parking area on the road to the Monastery of Santa Ana. Subsequently, the hiker was handed over to an ambulance for transportation to the Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital’s cardiology unit, following assessment by the Emergency Medical Unit.

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

NIBS EXTRA MABS shop

DISCOVER great finds at the MABS charity shop in San Javier! Support a worthy cause by shopping there.

Follow their social media for exclusive events and sales. Your purchases make a difference.

Join FAST

JOIN FAST in Camposol! Be a hero in your community by becoming a FAST Responder. They are still seeking dedicated volunteers to make a difference. Your help matters. Contact them now to join the lifesaving team! Call 613 645 720.

X Cross-trail

ON January 28, at 10am in Bolnuevo, Mazarron, will host the thrilling X CrossTrail ‘Calas de Bolnuevo.’

Organised by CD Bahía de Mazarron and the Sports Department of Mazarron Town Council, led by María Isabel Carrillo, this event promises an unforgettable experience.

San Antonio

THE Festival of San Antonio was celebrated throughout the Region of Murcia. This unique festival saw animals and pets of the region blessed. They later took part in processions through their towns as is the tradition on this saint’s day in Spain.

Rural shrines

IN a bid to bolster rural tourism, Cartagena City Council plans to mark a special trail linking 50 rural shrines.

Tourism delegate Beatriz Sánchez del Álamo emphasises the commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural and tourist value of the rural heritage.

Senior TV

A RECENT digital workshop, run by San Pedro del Pinatar Town Hall, to help seniors become more comfortable using recent technology saw the creation of San Pedro TV, a YouTube channel created for the senior’s community!

IN 2023, the tourism sector in the Region of Murcia achieved a historic milestone, outperforming the yearly target of 1.7 million visitors in its tourist accommodations.

This remarkable feat, generating 5.5 million overnight stays, establishes tourism as a pivotal force in the regional economy.

The Region of Murcia experienced an increase in foreign tourism, with nearly one million international visitors. Record-breaking international spending, exceeding €1.2 billion, positioned the Region as the Spanish community where visitors extended their stays the most, averaging around 12 days compared to the national average of seven.

Adding to this success, 2023 witnessed positive trends in tourism employment, with 32 consecutive months of growth and creating 2,000 new jobs in

25 - 31 January 2024

Tourism thrives

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YOUR EWN HAS

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STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION Image: Shutterstock/ margouillat photo

Murcia celebrates a historic year.

just one year.

In light of these historic figures, the Region is actively participating in the International Tourism Fair of Madrid (Fitur) with a comprehensive program of presentations and promotional ac-

Giving back IN a heartwarming display of community spirit, a group of neighbours in La Manga rallied together to support struggling neighbours facing tough times. Faced with financial difficulties, the neighbours found it challenging to afford essential items like food, personal belongings, and warm clothes. In a compassionate response, the community established a donation trolley at the local supermarket, allowing residents to contribute and make a difference.

The initiative gained traction, with locals generously donating items to help their neighbours in need. A recent Facebook post from the grateful recipients showcased a donated electric hob in action, as they cooked meals from the community’s contributions. This uplifting gesture not only highlights the struggles individuals face due to factors like inflation and global conflicts leading to displacement but also underscores the resilience and compassion within communities. Such acts of kindness remind us that, even in challenging times, the collective strength of a caring community can bring hope and positivity to the world.

tivities.

This initiative aims to create business opportunities for the regional sector and boost the promotion of the Region’s tourism offerings throughout the year.

Noah’s Arc

NOAH’S ARC, a registered animal rescue charity in the Mazarron area, has been dedicated to rescuing injured, mistreated, and abandoned animals since 2001. While their primary focus is on dogs, they extend a helping hand to any injured animal in need.

Currently caring for over 100 dogs, Noah’s ARC relies on the tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers and operates solely on donations and proceeds from their charity shops. In addition to their rescue efforts, Noah’s ARC collaborates with local charities and rescues to maximise their impact on animal welfare.

Recently, the charity expressed gratitude to Taquilla Tickets and its customers for raising €107 in a raffle during a coach trip. Noah’s ARC also has a Charity Shop at Centro Commercial, Camposol B, which is currently hosting a sale.

Every purchase contributes towards the care and rehoming of animals in need so check it out and support Noah’s ARC non-profit animal rescue charity.

Green Fingers IN the heart of Camposol, a dedicated group of volunteers known as Green Fingers Camposol is making a significant impact on the community’s aesthetic appeal. With no formal obligation but fuelled by a passion for their neighbourhood, these local heroes spend their spare time tidying, maintaining, cleaning, pruning, and trimming trees, as well as clearing weeds throughout the Camposol area.

The group, comprised entirely of volunteers, relies on funds they raise through their collection buckets placed strategica-

lly across the community. Residents and businesses alike contribute to their cause, recognising the positive impact of Green Fingers Camposol’s efforts on the overall appearance and upkeep of the area. These unsung heroes work tirelessly, showcasing the power of community collaboration and volunteerism. Their selfless dedication not only transforms Camposol’s landscape but also fosters a sense of pride and unity among residents. Green Fingers Camposol stands as an example of how collective efforts can make a lasting difference.

Coastal cleanup IN a bid to restore the ecological balance of La Manga North, the Neighbourhood Association La Manga Norte extends an invitation for community members to participate in an environmental volunteer activity alongside ANSE, the Southeast Naturalists Association.

Collaborating to enhance the ecological state of the entire region, they will gather on Saturday, January 27, from 10am to 1pm at La Caleta de El Estacio.

The primary focus will be the removal of acacia, an invasive species threatening the area’s biodiversity. Additionally, they aim to clean and tidy the surroundings, where native species have been planted to promote reforestation in that area. No prior experience is required.

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euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE/NEWS

Is democracy dead?

VIEWPOINT BILL ANDERSON I’M not saying it is, but just asking the question. Winston Churchill had a lot to say about the democratic process in a world which was very different from the world we inhabit today. “A five-minute conversation with the average voter would make you question the very principle of democracy,” he said. A harsh statement if there ever was one. The Greek roots of the word indicate ‘the rule or power of the people’. Again, I ask the question, ‘Do the ‘people’ feel in charge of the country they live in?’ I think not.

There is no single system of democratic process. In the UK they still use a ‘first past the post’ election system which does allow voters to select the

person they want to represent them and allows individuals to stand independently. Many in the UK have advocated for proportional representation which they claim will be fairer and more representative of the will of the people.

However, even proportional representation is not a unified concept and there are many forms of the beast.

The starting question is, how do we ensure that the best people are put into the political jobs which best match their skillset? Frankly we don’t. Having survived six years in the Spanish political world, I am very clear that the lists presented have little or nothing to do with what candidates have to offer, and everything to do with how many votes

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those in charge feel that candidates can draw from their own community. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that there are no skilled people on these lists or holding positions of responsibility that they are completely capable of doing.

There are some very good people, but you didn’t get the opportunity to decide who went on that list. It’s like going into a restaurant and being told what they are going to serve you: like it or lump it.

In a perfect world, people presenting for office should have altruistic motives, but how many hairdressers or plumbers do you know that can command the salary levels of a politician? Once they are in, they want to stay there. No one

wants to see their lifestyle deteriorate.

The next question I ask is ‘Who actually runs the country?’: the people we elect, or the unelected, shadowy bodies that pull the strings? The European Commission, the World Economic Forum, The World Health Organisation.

Unelected and non-removeable. The more influence and power they have, the further we drift from the democratic process. To what extent are these unelected overlords dictating and determining what our future will look like? We can only guess and speculate.

Giving Churchill the last word, “Democracy is the worst form of government - except for all the others we have tried.” Like it or lump it.

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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PROVERB OF THE WEEK “The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.”

PRINTERS: OMNIPRINT. Thee EWN does not accept responsibility for the following: Claims actions and promises made by advertisers; Errors in advertisements reproduced from poor quality artwork or inadequate instructions for text layout or for any loss or damage caused by any error; Inaccuracy or non-appearance of any advertisement; More than ONE INCORRECT insertion. No republication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement, errors and omissions excepted. EWN Media Group no part of this newspaper may be reproduced without written permission from the publishers. All rights reserved / Todos los Derechos reservados.

Dep. Legal V-1882-2002

Basically there are some things that you cannot know until you are older, until you have lived a bit. The clarity of hindsight. This is a quote from poet, Robert Frost.

Seismic rumbles

THE Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) (The National Geographic Institute) reported a 1.9 magnitude earthquake with its epicentre southwest of Puerto Lumbreras, Murcia. The tremor, which occurred at 3.19pm on January 19, was detected at a depth of five kilometres. This follows a similar incident on January 18 in Ricote, which also experienced a 1.9 magnitude earthquake at a depth of two kilometres. While both events were relatively minor, local authorities and residents remain vigilant, emphasising the importance of earthquake preparedness.

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Catherine McGeer THE completion of Murcia’s eagerly awaited high-speed train station is facing delays, with Adif, the Spanish railway infrastructure manager, yet to award the necessary contracts.

The €15.4 million project, which began in September 2023, awaits the beginning of construction in the Carmen area. The works expected to take 12 months, are crucial for the station’s debut, and are likely to be pushed into mid-2025.

Adif’s recent efficiency in railway projects sharply contrasts with the sluggish progress in Murcia and other undertakings, such as the Cartagena connection to the Mediterranean Corridor, Beniel bypass stagnation, uncontracted Lorca station construction, and Chinchilla line reopening postponement.

Former Adif President,

Image: Shutterstock/2301073031

Railway delay

Murcia’s high-speed railway in slo-motion.

María Luisa Domínguez, oversaw the evaluation of bids for Murcia’s station completion. Since the November meeting, the awaited contract announcement has not materialised, raising concerns.

Adif began the interior architecture and the surrounding area urbanisation contracts in September, aiming for a swift station inauguration.

However, pending the finalising of the Murcia High-Speed Society’s funding for permanent works, a provisional surface parking will substitute the highly anticipated underground facility for now.

The final project includes new roads, office spaces, and hotels, promising a comprehensive railway complex in the Carmen area in Murcia.

Landmark agreement

IN a pivotal move to secure the future of the Mar Menor, a new collaborative initiative has been set in motion. President Fernando López Miras, alongside other government members and mayors from key towns, signed a protocol establishing the ‘Inter-administrative Commission of Mar Menor.’ This groundbreaking commission brings together regional, national, and local authorities to formulate a unified approach to preserve the ecological balance of the Mar Menor.

The commission, active for an initial four years, is tasked with evaluating and executing strategies for the accelerated recovery of the Mar Menor. López Miras highlighted a subs-

tantial financial commitment of €80 million from the Region’s 2024 budget for environmental initiatives, complemented by an additional €35m for socio-economic recovery.

In practical terms, the commission will engage in vital tasks such as biomass removal, data monitoring, and the use of digital tools to help inform decision-making. Additionally, ongoing investments in infrastructure, water management, and environmental projects highlight the commitment to the region’s sustainable development.

This not only signifies a collaborative shift in policy but also a determined stride towards a healthier, more resilient Mar Menor.

Free lemons?

MURCIAN lemons have gone viral on TikTok after renowned cyclist José María López, with 1.3 million followers on the popular social media platform, came across a huge pile of lemons thrown on the street. His video explains how the farmers have only been offered 10 cents per kilo instead of the usual 30 cents per kilo and at that

price, the farmer loses money. This particular farmer decided he would prefer to give his lemons away to those who need them the most.

José María López highlighted the location of the lemons and suggested that those who come and get some leave a donation for the farmer if they can.

This video now has more

than two million views and thousands of comments, people can not get over the markup on the lemons with one follower saying ‘I pay €3 per kilo in my local supermarket!’ The viral video has sparked a broader discussion about the challenges faced by farmers and the need for consumers to buy directly from farmers instead of large food chains.

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WIDESPREAD DROUGHT: Uniting for water.

López Miras emphasised the importance of national coordination, urging the government to work towards a unified water policy. He stressed the necessity of considering both water-deficient and surplus regions, advocating for the transfer of water where it is needed without territorial conflicts.

In response to the challenging water reserves in

Andalucia and Catalonia, López Miras highlighted the national significance of addressing water issues collectively, asserting that ‘water is a matter of state.’ He expressed solidarity with other regions and he expressed his support for any initiatives for water sharing, emphasising the interconnected nature of water challenges that demand a national approach.

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Park life Image: San Javier Town Hall

Catherine McGeer THE President of the Region of Murcia, Fernando López Miras, has urgently called on the Spanish government to address the widespread drought and water restrictions across the country. He emphasised the need for a National Water Plan grounded in mutual support, López Miras urged the government to convene all regions to formulate and approve a comprehensive water management strategy.

López Miras is concerned about the alarming state of the reservoirs, so he requested that the Ministry have a drought decree prepared.

Despite facing the second driest period in a decade, he highlighted the Region of Murcia’s efficient water use, with no water cuts despite being one of the driest regions in Spain.

Image: Shutterstock/ davide bonaldo

National water

SAN JAVIER’s Príncipe de Asturias Park is set to undergo a transformative makeover, with Abala Infraestructuras securing the contract for the anticipated renovations. The project, expected to span eight months, comes with an estimated cost exceeding €800,000. After a partial overhaul in 2010, incorporating a redesigned auditorium and a new Congress Hall, subsequent years witnessed various enhancements, including a multi-use sports court, a tree-lined garden, a children’s play area, and a daycare centre.

The winning proposal, unveiled in 2023, envisions a transformation featuring aviation hangar-inspired roofing, rain gardens, exerci-

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NEW PROJET: Príncipe de Asturias Park’s makeover.

se areas, and a stage.

The revamped park, which intends to preserve existing trees, will offer expansive play zones, exercise areas near the Elderly Centre, a Calisthenics area, and spaces

TO tackle flooding issues in El Mojón (San Pedro del Pinatar), the regional government has begun a €1.1 million project to expand the stormwater drainage system. President Fernando López Miras recently visited the area and, joined by Mayor Ángela Gaona and Urbanism councillor Pedro Javier Sánchez, inspected the ongoing work, emphasising its importance for preventing street flooding during heavy rains.

The project aims to improve rainwater drainage, which often accumulates and disrupts

for recreation and community gatherings. The central plaza and covered stage, adjacent to the sports court, will enhance the park’s versatility for hosting various events.

Flooding

normal activities in the area. President López Miras called on the Spanish government and the Segura Hydrographic Confederation to fulfil their commitments and execute upstream projects to protect against torrential rains. He also revealed plans for €20 million worth of hydraulic projects in Mar Menor coastal towns to mitigate runoff and improve drainage.

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euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

Spain top for Brits ACCORDING to Nebeus’ 2023 study on remote work trends, Spain emerges as the top dream destination for UK professionals seeking a better quality of life.

With 46 per cent of British professionals considering relocating for remote work, the survey sheds light on this trend.

In 2023, 44 per cent of Brits embraced remote work, a trend echoed globally.

Not only does it trim down commuting expenses, but it also opens doors to work from new countries.

For UK nationals seeking relocation for a better quality of life, one country stands out as the preferred destination for remote work, with 22 per cent choosing Spain as their first option with the United States second, and France third.

Spain’s allure lies in its blend of tradition and modernity, warm ambiance, and relaxed lifestyle. Surprisingly, 89 per cent of respondents are unaware of Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, designed to enable remote work without changing jobs.

When contemplating a move to Spain, respondents expressed their concerns about healthcare costs, language difficulties, and the cost of living and leaving loved ones behind.

Fifty-three per cent of those who participated stated language difficulties to be their primary concern. This was a parti-

Credit: simona pilolla 2/Shutterstock.com

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UK professionals are seeking a better quality of life.

cular worry for those in Scotland and the East of England.

Regarding finances, 51 per cent believe their spending power would match or exceed that in the UK. Londoners, in particular, expect a higher spending power in Spain, with the cost of living in mind.

As the working landscape evolves, remote work is becoming an increasingly viable option, reshaping careers and lifestyles.

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British voting rights THE issue of voting as a resident in Spain still seems to be causing some confusion among the resident British community.

A reader’s question is ‘Do Brits with TIE, but temporary residency, get a vote at all?’

Predictably, there is not a short answer to this, but let’s take one at a time.

European elections: the simple answer is no you can’t. Even with a temporary TIE you are considered a full resident in Spain, and as the UK is no longer a member of the EU, we are not permitted. Having Spanish residency does not entitle us to the same voting rights as a native Spaniard.

Spanish elections: the only Spanish elections TIE holders may be able to vote in are Spanish local elections (for local councils). Once a person has been resident for three

VOTING RIGHTS: Where you can and cannot vote.

years, they do have the right to vote in Council elections, and given that the next are in May 2027, anyone who currently hold a TIE, even if it is still ‘temporary’ will be eligible.

Having said this, British residents have to register to vote in a very short timescale prior to each election. In the 2023 elections, it was around six weeks from early December to mid-January. Presumably these dates will be

announced on an election by election basis. These are the only elections we can vote in in Spain.

UK elections: Additionally, you will still have the right to vote in UK elections. The UK government has just removed the exclusion for people who have been away from the UK for more than 15 years, so all Brits living in Spain, or elsewhere, will be able to vote in UK national elections.

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IRELAND Two graces A STATUE of Mayo’s legendary pirate queen Grace O’Malley was unveiled in Newport, which is promoting itself as the ‘Town of the Two Graces’. The sculpture joins the statue inaugurated by Prince Albert of Monaco in 2023 in honour of his mother, Grace Kelly, whose grandfather left Newport for the US in 1887.

Battery injury A GP apologised and the Health Service Executive paid €220,000 compensation to the mother of a 14-month-old boy from Tuam (County Galway) who swallowed a button battery which burnt his oesophagus and trachea. This was lodged in his throat for nine days before an X-ray was carried out and it was removed.

SWEDEN

euroweeklynews.com II EUROPEAN PRESS

EUROPRESS BELGIUM Organ honour ANDERLECHT craftsman Johan Deblieck has been commissioned to build a ‘positive’ organ to celebrate the reopening of Notre-Dame in late 2024. Deblieck is a recognised expert in making these small, portable organs and constructed a similar instrument for the Bach Archive in Leipzig (Germany) in 2001.

Stuck fast SEBASTIAN STRIEGEL, a Green Party MP in the national parliament, was hurt during a Last Generation climate demonstration in Halle (Saxony-Anhalt). Striegel was not taking part but suffered minor injuries when a car mounted the pavement to avoid demonstrators who had glued themselves to the road.

School lunches

JOHAN DEBLIECK: The Belgian craftsman is a ‘positive’ expert.

ITALY

GERMANY

Photo credit: VRT.be

FRANCE

THE Nutrition in Transition Council, created in May 2023, presented Bundestag Speaker Bärbel Bas with a list of recommendations to improve public health and promote healthy eating. Free lunches for all state-school pupils topped the list, as healthy food ‘was often too dear for economically-disadvantaged families’.

DENMARK

Wildlife peril

DNA clues

Not for me

Adoptions veto

A TOTAL of 68,592 animals were killed on Sweden’s roads and railway tracks in 2023, an increase of almost 3,000 on 2022, the National Wildlife Accident Council said.

Most occurred in Vastra Gotaland in western Sweden and generally involved deer although incidents affecting elk were becoming more common.

DOG owners living in Bolzano Province must pay €65 to test their pet’s DNA after which the results will be uploaded to a data base enabling the authorities to trace animals responsible for depositing poo on local streets. Once a dog has been identified, its owner will face a fine of between €292 and €1,048.

THE Social Affairs ministry suspended adoptions from the six countries currently cooperating with the Danish International Adoption Agency (DIA) following reports of irregularities. Although the DIA is at present processing 36 adoptions from abroad, no information was given regarding the outcome of these cases.

Modern piracy

Green corridor

NEW Education minister Amelie Oudea-Castera was criticised for educating her three sons at Stanislas, an exclusive private school described by Le Monde as “Catholic, elitist and conservative.” The minister upset teachers by claiming she had been “frustrated” by the state system’s shortages and unreliable cover for absent teachers.

TWENTY-FIVE per cent of Sweden’s population access television programmes and films via illegal media services, up from 20 per cent in 2022, a Mediavision survey found. This rose to 50 per cent amongst young people and was costly for the industry, Mediavision analyst Natalia Borelius said.

THE government agreed to fund a feasibility study to construct a pipeline transporting green hydrogen from Morocco to Italy.

The project is promoted by MP Debora Serracchiani (Democratic Party) who pointed out that it would boost sustainable energy while strengthening commercial links with Morocco.

NORWAY

THE NETHERLANDS

Office-bound EMPLOYEES wanting to work exclusively from home had “absolutely no attachment, passion or creativity” according to L’Oreal’s chief executive Nicolas Hieronimus. L’Oreal employees are expected to work from the office for three days a week, which was “vital” for creativity and company profits, Hieronimus said.

FINLAND

Watch watched THOSE in the know noticed that Denmark’s King Frederik wore an Omega Seamaster 300M watch which, apart from its hefty price tag, did not entirely blend in with his ceremonial uniform. The watch, said to be his favourite, was a unit watch given to Frederik by fellow officers during his time in the Navy.

PORTUGAL

Good starters

Best medicine

Flight plans

Times-past

VEHICLE rescue service company Viking had to attend many more callouts than usual during the recent severe weather conditions, mainly to solve battery problems for drivers unable to start their cars.

Only 13 per cent of electric vehicles had difficulties compared to 87 per cent of fossil fuel vehicles, Viking revealed.

RESEARCH by Hanneke van der Wal-Huismana showed that live music helped people recover from surgery faster, she found.

Music played for Groningen hospital patients, especially the elderly after an operation, not only cheered them up but helped to normalise the heart rate and blood pressure while reducing pain.

A TOTAL of 1.8 million passengers used Finnish airports in December 2023, Statistics Finland announced, 7 per more than 2022, but 20 per cent lower than in pre-pandemic December 2019. Passengers on domestic flights increased by 2 per cent and on international flights by 9 per cent compared with December 2022.

PLAQUES highlighting Lisbon’s part in the slave trade and Portugal’s African history have been installed in different parts of the city. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, more than six million Africans were captured and transported in Portuguese ships to be sold as slaves, mainly in Brazil.

Right choice

In a hurry

Few babies

PRIME MINISTER Jonas Gahr Store defended his choice of Anniken Huitfeldt as Norway’s US Ambassador despite having sacked her as Foreign minister owing to conflict with her husband’s business interests. Future US ambassadors should have a political background rather than diplomatic experience, Store insisted.

A MOTHER-TO-BE on her way to hospital in the early hours of January 17 had to pull over on a roundabout seven kilometres away from the hospital when it was clear the baby would arrive before she did. Assisted by her midwife mother and police officers, she delivered a healthy boy without complications.

FINLAND’S birthrate declined noticeable in 2023, especially in the Uusimaa region covered by Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) where if fell by 1.5 per cent. The dip in births was more rapid than expected, raising government concerns regarding population trends and their implications for the country’s future.

Try harder PORTUGAL has made little progress in preventing corruption amongst MPs, judges and public prosecutors, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body GRECO wrote in a report published on January 15. Three of GRECO’s 15 recommendations had been applied so far but 12 were yet to be implemented.

FINANCE BUSINESS EXTRA Fired up

BRITAIN’S last coal-fired power station which is still active, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, helped to produce 3.4 per cent of all the electricity produced in the country as temperatures plummeted recently. The largest share since November 2023 was registered on Monday January 15, the Energy Dashboard statistics revealed.

AI okayed

FORTY-SIX per cent of Spanish firms now use artificial intelligence (AI) for some tasks, a study carried out for the Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) revealed. Only two companies said that they had reduced staff after introducing AI, compared with 8 per cent who said they had increased personnel.

No sweat

PRICEY British sportswear label Sweaty Betty, which was bought by the US group Wolverine World in 2021, reported a loss of £5.1 million (€5.9 million) for the year ending January 2023.

Sales fell 8.5 per cent to £167.7 million while profits dipped to £66 million (€76.9 million) from £94.5 million (€110.2 million).

Pay rise

TELEFONICA and the unions agreed to a 3.1 per cent wage increase and a €150 bonus for 2024, as well as a reduction in the working week from 37.5 to 36 hours that comes into effect in 2026. Plans include reducing the workforce by 3,421 employees, with the “possibility” of further redundancies.

Back to black

OCADO RETAIL has returned to the black after its “highest-ever” level of Christmas selling with more than 90 per cent of its peak delivery slots taken by mid-October. Sales rose almost 11 per cent to £609.4 million (€710.5 million) in the three months to November 26, 2023, its fourth quarter of growth.

12

euroweeklynews.com • 25 - 31 January 2024

STAT OF WEEK

€5.7 billion

in losses for the Spanish economy each year owing to counterfeited goods that are sold in shops and online and also endanger 44,700 jobs.

Magnificent Seven

Linda Hall IBERDROLA is back amongst the world’s 500 leading brands after having dropped out in 2022.

Each year, Brand Finance, the world’s leading independent brand valuation consultancy, analyses 5,000 globally important companies which it classifies according to sector and country.

The consultancy then lists the 500 most companies it considers to be the strongest and most financially valuable. This year, they once again included Iberdrola which occupied

Photo credit: Flickr/World Economic Forum/Boris Baldinger

ANA BOTIN: Chair of Santander, Spain’s strongest company.

453rd place in the rankings.

The multinational energy company was preceded by Santander, Zara, Movistar, BBVA, Mercadona and CaixaBank.

Santander was ranked

INFLATION in the UK rose unexpectedly to 4 per cent in December owing to higher alcohol and tobacco prices.

This was the first increase in 10 months after City economists had predicted a 3.8 per cent December figure following November’s 3.9 per cent.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the annual inflation rate increase was influenced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s increases on alcohol and tobacco duty in his Autumn Statement, with prices rising by 9.6 per cent and 16 per cent respectively on the year.

The ONS’ chief economist Grant Fitzner pointed out that higher drinks and cigarette prices were partially offset by falling food inflation.

Magic wand SIR DAVE LEWIS, former chief executive of Tesco, has joined Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R), private equity owner of Morrisons. Sir Dave has been brought in to boost the supermarket chain as it fights to regain its market share three years after CD&R acquired it for £10 billion (€11.6 billion).

The experienced retailer reshaped Tesco’s fortunes during his time as its chief executive between 2014 and 2020 and CD&R now hope that he can do the same for Morrisons, which has lost its spot as Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket. This is now occupied by Aldi whose discount prices lured consumers hit by the cost-of-living crisis.

in 101st place - up from 116 in 2023, with Brand Finance concluding that its value increased by 8 per cent thanks to its increased net profits.

The bank chaired by Ana Botin was followed

by Zara (120), Movistar (290), BBV (316), Mercadona (395) and Caixabank (404).

Energy and petrochemical firm Repsol, included in the 2023 listings, was absent from this year’s Brand Finance Global 500.

Between them, Spain’s seven leading companies are worth €62.5 billion, 12 per cent more than in 2023.

Apple took first place with a value of €482.1 billion, ahead of Microsoft ((€317.8 billion) and Google ((€311.2 billion).

Dead letters

ROYAL MAIL announced that it could need a government subsidy to prevent the postal service from going under.

The company lost £319 million (€372.1 million) in the first six months of its financial year, £100 million (€116.6 million) up on the same period in 2022.

There had been such an acute falloff in sending letters that it was no longer feasible to maintain a delivery network built for 20 billion letters when the company now handled seven billion, Royal Mail’s chief executive Martin Seidenberg said.

At the current rate this would decline to four billion within five years, he warned.

Aldi Inflation surprise expansion

Prices had still risen, he said, but they went up “at a much lower rate” than in December 2022.

There was little change in the price of factory-produced goods while raw materials were lower than in 2022,

Fitzner added.

Fuel prices dipped by 10.8 per cent in the year ending in December 2023, compared with a decline of 10.6 per cent in the year to November after a fall in petrol and diesel prices.

Services inflation rose a little from 6.1 per cent to 6.2 per cent but core inflation, which did not include items including energy, food, alcohol or tobacco, remained - against expectations - unchanged at 5.1 per cent.

City experts said this would come under scrutiny from the Bank of England as Threadneedle Street’s next bank rate decision is due on February 1 although a reduction was likely to be delayed until May.

IAG-Air Europa

Grifols angst

Photo credit: ReneSchulze1984

TOBACCO: Increased duty affected December inflation.

INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES GROUP (IAG) is resigned to a full-scale European Union investigation into its plans to buy Spain’s Air Europa. The company, which owns British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus amongst others, announced in February 2023 that it would pay €400 million for the 80 per cent of Air Europa that it did not already own.

The company will now offer remedies and divest assets to allay the EU regulators’ concerns, IAG’s chief executive Luis Gallego said on January 16.

“This will allow them to fully assess the viability and relevance of our proposals,” Gallego said.

The IAG-Air Europa deal is one of several in the airline sector, as Lufthansa in Germany currently pursues a minority holding in Italy’s state-owned ITA Airways while Korean Air seeks to buy Asiana.

BIOTEST has left beleaguered Grifols with debts of €2 billion without contributing anything in the way of profits.

The Barcelona-based pharmaceuticals company acquired its German rival in April 2022 after issuing €2 billion in bonds to fund the ‘strategic transaction’.

The company, now under attack from short seller Gotham City Research, expected Biotest to make a major contribution to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in 2024.

Up to 2023’s third quarter the operation has brought only negative results, with Biotest responsible for just €367 million of Grifols €4.82 billion earnings up to the end of 2023’s last quarter.

THE German retail chain operated 435 stores in Spain by late 2023 and will open 50 more in 2024.

Most are located in Andalucia, the Madrid Community, Valencian Community and Catalonia, the same regions where half the new stores will be located, Aldi revealed.

Others are planned for the Canary Islands, where Aldi arrived in 2022, although the low-cost chain intends to strengthen its existing market position in the Basque Region, Galicia, Cantabria and Castilla y Leon.

There are also plans for further supermarkets in Murcia, Baleares and Extremadura, Aldi said.

Help at hand

MIKE DANSON, the New Statesman’s multimillionaire owner, has injected millions into the magazine as losses accumulate. Since buying the political weekly 15 years ago, Danson had loaned £30 million (€35 million) to the parent company by late 2022 and continued bailing out the publication in 2023.

His holding company’s recently-filed accounts revealed £6.1 million (€7.1 million) losses in 2022 and debts totalling £34.4 million (€40.1 million).

A rescue strategy is in place and Danson has pledged to secure the New Statesman’s future, the Telegraph reported.

14 EWN 25 - 31 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 22 January

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3I Group.....................................2.358,00.............+32,00........... +1,38%.......... 61,20K Admiral Group.............................2.518,0...............+17,0............ +0,68%........... 7,49K Airtel Africa................................. 128,60................+1,30............ +1,02%.......... 47,15K Anglo American...........................1.806,8...............+20,2............ +1,13%......... 243,48K Antofagasta................................1.593,50..............+2,00............ +0,13%.......... 85,23K Ashtead Group............................4.868,0...............+19,0............ +0,39%.......... 41,63K Associated British Foods.............2.264,0................ -6,0..............-0,26%........... 59,38K AstraZeneca...............................10.540,0.............+108,0........... +1,03%......... 189,69K Auto Trader Group Plc................ 714,40................+4,20............ +0,59%.......... 48,08K Aviva........................................... 433,00................+6,00............ +1,41%......... 240,14K B&M European Value Retail SA... 525,20................+0,40............ +0,08%......... 127,68K BAE Systems..............................1.181,00..............+2,50............ +0,21%......... 195,64K Barclays...................................... 142,24................+1,52............ +1,08%...........1,41M Barratt Developments................. 528,20................+4,00............ +0,76%......... 147,08K Beazley........................................ 511,50................+6,00............ +1,19%.......... 89,29K Berkeley......................................4.776,0...............+44,0............ +0,93%.......... 12,92K BP............................................... 447,90................+3,65............ +0,82%...........2,53M British American Tobacco...........2.326,0...............+37,0............ +1,62%......... 196,14K BT Group.................................... 115,20................+0,80............ +0,70%......... 628,58K Bunzl...........................................3.243,8...............+14,8............ +0,46%.......... 10,61K Burberry Group...........................1.231,2................+1,2............. +0,10%.......... 67,81K Centrica....................................... 139,75................+0,05............ +0,04%......... 700,09K Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.345,0...............+11,0............ +0,47%.......... 14,47K Compass....................................2.184,00..............+9,00............ +0,41%.......... 60,11K ConvaTec Group......................... 245,20................ -0,40.............-0,16%.......... 495,82K Croda Intl....................................4.468,0...............+51,0............ +1,16%.......... 13,61K DCC.............................................5.714,0...............+70,0............ +1,24%.......... 13,47K Dechra Pharma...........................3.866,0.................0,0............... 0,00%................0 Diageo.........................................2.747,0...............+14,5............ +0,53%......... 102,73K Diploma.....................................3.282,00..............+8,00............ +0,24%........... 4,91K DS Smith.................................... 278,80................+0,40............ +0,14%......... 215,58K Endeavour Mining......................1.396,00..............+8,00............ +0,58%.......... 27,53K Entain.......................................... 953,60................+4,00............ +0,42%.......... 55,99K Experian......................................3.197,0................+1,0............. +0,03%.......... 87,22K F&C Invest.................................. 944,75................+6,75............ +0,72%.......... 14,10K Flutter Entertainment..................15.465,0.............+240,0........... +1,58%.......... 91,04K Frasers........................................ 791,00................ -1,00.............-0,13%........... 40,17K Fresnillo...................................... 484,70................+2,10............ +0,43%......... 110,11K Glencore...................................... 418,85................ -1,00.............-0,24%............3,59M GSK plc......................................1.557,80..............+2,20............ +0,14%......... 546,32K HALEON...................................... 326,70................+0,70............ +0,21%......... 621,09K Halma..........................................2.169,0................+7,0............. +0,32%.......... 31,07K Hikma Pharma...........................1.946,00.............+20,00........... +1,04%.......... 16,85K Howden Joinery.......................... 780,80................+4,20............ +0,54%......... 140,28K HSBC.......................................... 589,95................+0,45............ +0,08%...........2,41M IAG.............................................. 145,15................+0,60............ +0,42%......... 802,04K IMI PLC......................................1.606,00..............+1,00............ +0,06%.......... 49,24K Imperial Brands..........................1.905,00.............+21,50........... +1,14%.......... 78,95K Informa....................................... 748,20................+9,80............ +1,33%.......... 88,54K InterContinental..........................7.432,0...............+88,0............ +1,20%.......... 31,92K

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

Intermediate Capital...................1.599,00.............+13,00........... +0,82%.......... 27,82K Intertek........................................4.308,0................+8,0............. +0,19%.......... 14,01K J Sainsbury................................. 285,10................+2,30............ +0,81%......... 102,88K JD Sports Fashion....................... 109,20................+0,95............ +0,88%...........1,04M Kingfisher.................................... 219,00................ -0,80.............-0,36%.......... 218,08K Land Securities........................... 644,40................+4,00............ +0,62%......... 201,31K Legal & General.......................... 247,30................+2,40............ +0,98%......... 857,44K Lloyds Banking............................ 42,72.................+0,22............ +0,52%...........8,07M London Stock Exchange..............9.234,0...............+70,0............ +0,76%.......... 24,31K M&G........................................... 219,40................+1,20............ +0,55%......... 255,68K Marks & Spencer........................ 252,80................ -1,20.............-0,47%.......... 263,24K Melrose Industries...................... 587,00................+7,60............ +1,31%......... 185,81K Mondi.........................................1.425,00.............+10,00........... +0,71%.......... 74,98K National Grid..............................1.027,00..............+2,50............ +0,24%......... 241,45K NatWest Group........................... 208,20................+0,50............ +0,24%......... 712,81K Next............................................8.382,0................ -4,0..............-0,05%............ 6,25K Ocado.......................................... 571,40.................0,00.............. 0,00%........... 86,80K Pearson....................................... 953,20................ -4,60.............-0,48%........... 71,94K Pershing Square........................3.595,35.............+63,35........... +1,79%.......... 11,33K Phoenix....................................... 510,60................+4,20............ +0,83%.......... 73,52K Prudential.................................... 791,40................+4,40............ +0,56%......... 157,64K Reckitt Benckiser........................5.604,7...............+36,7............ +0,66%.......... 51,48K Relx............................................3.288,00.............+24,00........... +0,73%......... 207,55K Rentokil....................................... 398,70................+4,20............ +1,06%......... 359,57K Rightmove.................................. 530,80................+2,60............ +0,49%......... 138,74K Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.478,0...............+43,0............ +0,79%......... 114,23K Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 307,40................+0,90............ +0,29%...........1,58M RS PLC....................................... 759,20................+2,80............ +0,37%.......... 50,74K Sage...........................................1.154,50.............. -6,00.............-0,52%.......... 240,29K Schroders.................................... 416,1..................+3,8............. +0,92%.......... 46,79K Scottish Mortgage....................... 761,00................+5,80............ +0,77%.......... 91,09K Segro.......................................... 834,40...............+11,40........... +1,39%.......... 87,26K Severn Trent...............................2.522,0...............+13,0............ +0,52%.......... 21,72K Shell............................................2.388,0...............+14,0............ +0,59%......... 254,98K Smith & Nephew........................1.114,00.............+16,50........... +1,50%......... 324,40K Smiths Group.............................1.682,50.............+10,50........... +0,63%.......... 31,57K Smurfit Kappa.............................2.944,0...............+22,0............ +0,75%.......... 25,29K Spirax-Sarco Engineering...........9.718,0...............+22,0............ +0,23%........... 4,22K SSE............................................1.753,00.............+17,00........... +0,98%......... 114,74K St. James’s Place........................ 639,80................+2,60............ +0,41%.......... 33,82K Standard Chartered..................... 576,00................ -0,80.............-0,14%.......... 518,10K Taylor Wimpey............................ 144,40................+1,25............ +0,87%......... 818,30K Tesco.......................................... 298,00................+1,90............ +0,64%......... 668,96K Unilever.......................................3.736,7...............+28,2............ +0,76%......... 210,43K Unite........................................... 999,00................+6,50............ +0,66%.......... 24,08K United Utilities............................1.023,20..............+2,70............ +0,26%.......... 58,44K Vodafone Group PLC.................. 66,710...............+0,800........... +1,21%...........2,31M Weir Group................................1.813,00..............+3,00............ +0,17%.......... 16,99K Whitbread...................................3.630,0................ -5,0..............-0,14%........... 14,30K WPP............................................ 733,60................+5,80............ +0,80%.......... 42,15K

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.85743

1.16565

Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.0872 Japan yen (JPY)...................................160.94 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9443 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4567 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.407 currenciesdirect.com/moraira • Tel: +34 966 265 072 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES

Closing Prices 22 January

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3M.............................................. 106,44................+0,36............ +0,34%...........2,01M American Express....................... 179,80................ -1,20.............-0,66%............2,62M Amgen........................................ 304,49................+0,41............ +0,13%...........2,04M Apple........................................... 188,63................+5,95............ +3,26%..........74,00M Boeing......................................... 211,59................+8,53............ +4,20%..........19,05M Caterpillar.................................... 282,07................+3,44............ +1,23%...........2,04M Chevron...................................... 141,83................ -1,29.............-0,90%............9,31M Cisco............................................ 50,75.................+0,45............ +0,89%..........16,39M Coca-Cola..................................... 60,16.................+0,18............ +0,29%...........9,96M Dow............................................. 52,60.................+0,13............ +0,25%...........3,48M Goldman Sachs........................... 377,02................ -0,16.............-0,04%............1,67M Home Depot................................ 358,04................+2,34............ +0,66%...........2,39M Honeywell................................... 200,13................+2,18............ +1,10%...........1,65M IBM............................................. 166,81................+0,73............ +0,44%...........3,50M Intel.............................................. 46,74.................+0,68............ +1,48%..........43,99M J&J............................................. 161,18................+0,75............ +0,47%...........5,09M JPMorgan................................... 167,42................+0,33............ +0,20%...........7,56M McDonald’s................................. 294,39................+3,23............ +1,11%...........2,05M Merck&Co................................... 118,51................+0,38............ +0,32%...........5,24M Microsoft.................................... 393,87................+4,40............ +1,13%..........20,98M Nike............................................. 100,95................+0,13............ +0,13%...........8,24M Procter&Gamble......................... 148,13................ -0,87.............-0,58%............4,75M Salesforce Inc............................. 274,47................+3,03............ +1,12%...........4,42M The Travelers.............................. 198,30................+0,80............ +0,41%...........1,55M UnitedHealth............................... 516,41................ -8,53.............-1,62%............6,52M Verizon......................................... 38,93.................+0,06............ +0,15%..........13,99M Visa A.......................................... 268,13................+1,50............ +0,56%...........6,34M Walgreens Boots.......................... 22,15................. -0,02.............-0,09%...........12,40M Walmart...................................... 163,25................+2,18............ +1,35%...........5,86M M - Million Dollars

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 22 January

Company

Change Net / %

Volume

Most Advanced M.D.C. Holdings, Inc........................................+18.37%.........................8.943M Flutter Entertainment plc..................................+15.38%......................... 69,346 LiveRamp Holdings, Inc...................................+11.41%.........................1.381M Compagnie Financière Richemont SA..............+10.01%........................ 482,695 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Lmtd...+9.79%.........................58.536M Federal National Mortgage Association.............+9.63%.......................... 45,524 Peabody Energy Corporation............................+9.28%.........................11.566M Hertz Global Holdings, Inc................................+7.54%.........................14.145M Capitec Bank Holdings Limited.........................+7.40%.......................... 28,078 Fastenal Company.............................................+7.18%.........................12.629M M - Million Dollars

Most Declined NEXON Co., Ltd................................................ -18.41%......................... 29,615 Grifols, S.A....................................................... -18.11%......................... 51,112 Discover Financial Services.............................. -10.80%........................11.098M Humana Inc....................................................... -7.99%..........................9.392M Birkenstock Holding plc.................................... -7.72%..........................4.581M agilon health, inc............................................... -7.30%..........................6.839M Coinbase Global, Inc......................................... -7.11%.........................14.426M Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.......................... -6.89%.........................91.426M Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.......................... -6.61%......................... 403,122 Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd............................... -6.16%......................... 132,731 Rivian Automotive, Inc...................................... -6.09%.........................54.337M M - Million Dollars

FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com

BUSINESS EXTRA Seasonal cheer

PHARMACY chain Superdrug said sales in the four weeks ending December 30 were 9.2 per cent up higher than 2022’s despite the cost of living crisis.

Three perfume gift sets were bought every minute in the crucial weeks preceding Christmas, while sales of Superdrug’s ownbrand goods were 10 per higher than the previous year.

Indra stake

ING acquired 6.98 per cent of Indra, converting the bank into one of the Spanish transport and defence company’s principal shareholders. A 5.16 per cent financial instruments holding represents the bulk of ING’s €188 million transaction, with 1.81 per cent in Indra shares whose value has increased by 11 per cent in recent weeks.

25 - 31 January 2024

Queen Vic for sale

Linda Hall THE BBC has sold its EastEnders studios in Elstree in a drastic cost-cutting exercise.

According to reports in the UK media, the broadcaster has sold the north London complex to the investment division of the French insurance giant, Axa. No mention has been made of the sums involved, although the BBC is known to have wanted

Photo credit: CC/Matt Pearson

EASTENDERS: Elstree studios sold to French insurer Axa

£70 million (€81.6 million) for the site.

Elstree Studios opened in 1914 and the BBC acqui-

Closer ties

IBERDROLA and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, managed by Norges Bank Investment Management, are doubling their clean energy investment in a €2 million alliance. The companies are joining forces to fast-track new wind and solar projects in Spain and Portugal while accelerating decarbonisation with a 2.6-gigawatt renewables portfolio in both countries. The agreement could also be

extended to other countries in future, the new partners revealed.

Norges Bank is already one of Iberdrola’s main investors, owning a 3 per cent holding for more than seven years.

Iberdrola will hold a 51 per cent majority stake in the assets, the multinational’s executive chairman Ignacio Galan announced during meetings at the World Economic Focus in Davos (Switzerland).

red the 16-acre (approximately 6.5- hectare) installation with seven sound stages and post-production facilities in 1984 to produce EastEnders, its new soap opera.

Under the terms of the deal which were revealed in the Telegraph, the BBC can continue filming the soap set in fictitious Walford as Axa will lease part of the studio space back to the BBC for 25 years.

The BBC knows it must make up a £500 million (€582.4 million) shortfall now that the government has vetoed plans to increase the licence fee by 9 per cent. Instead, the annual fee will rise by 6.7 per cent to £169.50 (€197.45).

Director general Tim Davie has already made programming cuts which include slimming down Newsnight, in hopes of saving an annual £200 million (€232.9 million).

EWN 15

Family affair INCARLOPSA, which supplies Mercadona’s ham and meat products, announced that Jesus Loriente de la Ossa takes over as chief executive from Clemente Loriente Calonge, who occupied the post since 2014. With 15 per cent of sales outside Spain in 2022 and a €1.037 billion turnover, Mercadona now accounts for only 55 per cent of the Loriente family’s interests.

Rough luck LOSSES for smoothie-maker Innocent rose by more than 400 per cent after the company, now 90 per cent owned by Coca Cola Company, combatted production issues at its new £200 million (€233 million) all-electric factory. Sales dipped £15.6 million (€18.16 million) in 2023, as soaring costs hindered Innocent’s plans to increase production at the Port of Rotterdam plant.

16 EWN 25 - 31 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE/NEWS

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT THE ol boy was somewhat reticent about submitting this piece as the week’s offering. One of the reasons for my hesitance is a reluctance to present more fodder to the ‘woke brigade’. That bunch of seriously mislead or perfidious individuals, whose ruffling out departments pore over media and public reporting and infer that any accusation of foreign insurgents threatening the West is regarded as racist.

This latest escalation of the conflict(s) in the Middle East is to my mind so dangerous that we really have to ignore the threats and accusations made by this misinformed fallacious bunch and regardless of their opinions - tell it like it is. The latest threats emanating from Iran and the newly surfaced Houthi ‘rebels’ are dangerous in the extreme. This week Iran announced that the West would ‘pay dearly’ for the attacks in Yemen. This takes me back to similar rhetoric presented by bin Laden, when he also announced that, America would

‘pay’ and ‘fire and destruction’ would rain down on the streets of their cities.

Well, we all fully aware of how that threat was accomplished.

To carry out those horrific attacks was a difficult and well planned exercise. Today it would be much easier. In my opinion the ‘more immigrants the merrier’ attitude of the woke and misinformed authorities has resulted in hundreds of Europe’s enemies becoming firmly entrenched and are growing in numbers by the day. These people are known as sleepers. Fighting insurgents who lay dormant until they are awakened on the orders of regimes that were once described as far off, but now thanks to technical advances and communication, are almost literally just around the corner.

I truly am sorry, but as much as I would like to regard this as another Leapy rant, I’m afraid it actually is not. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Germany had a number of these ‘sleepers’ entrenched as ordinary British citizens and although they were few, before they were traced they were able to report and reveal many secretive activities and home actions by the British people and government. Imagine the outcome if for

some years before the outbreak of the Second World War, Germany had experienced vast numbers of their citizens being welcomed into British society? The war would have been lost in weeks.

The embedded enemies call to arms would have resulted in thousands of innocents being slaughtered and the halls of Westminster soon ringing to the victorious cries of Sieg Heil. Have no doubt, many of these present dormant enemies will be highly trained and have unlimited access to the weapons and explosives that are undoubtedly stored in caches of armaments dotted all over the country.

Someone has been paying for the immigrant boats, mobile phones and luxury trainers. The large majority of passengers are almost all young men of fighting age, accompanied by the occasional female or child passenger; a ruse merely to put the welcoming committee off the scent. I do sincerely hope I am wrong and this is indeed another Leapy rant. Somehow I seriously doubt it. Be careful out there.

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.

John Smith THE baby western lowland gorilla, which was born at Prague Zoo on January 2 is a female and this was revealed to the world at large on Thursday January 18.

The two-week-old female is the first addition to the group of gorillas living in the Dja Reserve pavilion and she is the granddaughter of legendary gorilla Moji who was the first ever gorilla bred in the Czech Republic.

The gender was confirmed on the basis of a special examination in which DNA was isolated from the umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord.

The public will now have the opportunity to choose a name for the infant from a list of 10 suggestions made by children from the area of the Dja Biosphere Reser-

Credit: Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo

I do hope I’m wrong It’s a girl Mother and baby are doing well.

ve in Cameroon, Central Africa.

The baby gorilla is enjoying good health and its mother Duni is increasingly allowing other members of the group to approach her.

The western lowland gorilla is critically endangered so the fact that another infant was born at London Zoo on January 18 means that although zoos may not be the ideal habitat for animals to live in, they are certainly safe environments and help save many species from complete eradication.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

25 - 31 January 2024

NEVER FORGOTTEN: Graham at his beloved bar.

remember some truly fantastic moments that they had shared with Graham over the years.

Wayne described it as a “wonderful send-off”, as well as thanking everyone for their “beautiful tributes” that have been posted on social media as well as at the funeral.

A total of €4,300 was received in generous donations that will be given to Graham’s family on behalf of all who loved and cared for

FINNISH start-up company Aircohol is pioneering the creation of a vodka-like spirit using carbon dioxide (CO2) extracted directly from the atmosphere.

This ground-breaking approach has the potential to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint by an astonishing 50 per cent. As they say in their own words, ‘Aircohol is about saving the planet in a cheerful way!’

At the core of the process is a bioreactor that converts CO2 into alcohol through a two-day fermentation process, all while avoiding the emission of greenhouse gases.

The results can be distilled yet further to produce a vodka-like spirit with an alcohol content of up to 60 per cent.

Simo Hamalainen, the founder of the Helsinki-based company, describes the product’s unique flavour profile, characterised by hints of ‘grass, earth, and sweetness.’

Aircohol’s website proudly proclaims: ‘We clear the air by turning carbon dioxide into wonderful drinks.’

Beyond its environmental benefits, Aircohol’s approach also preserves traditional raw materials like wheat and barley, which are typically used in alcohol production. ‘Natural Aircohol process reduces emissions and leaves the planet’s resources untouched.’

According to Aircohol: ‘Global alcohol industry produces hundreds of mega-

him, along with a copy of all the messages from each gift.

Within the messages of memories and goodbyes, many described him as “humble, kind and giving”, with others explaining that they “could not have gotten through lockdown without him!”

It is clear from the hundreds of loving posts, messages, donations and words, that Graham ‘Happy Days’ Boland, definitely did leave the world with a smile.

Cheers Credit: Ramon L. Farinos/Shutterstock.com

A ‘PROPER send-off’ took place on Monday, January 22 for the one and only ‘Happy Days’ Graham Boland.

Many people who holiday in Benidorm or have watched Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun will no doubt have heard of Graham ‘Happy Days’ Boland.

One of the town’s best known and best loved characters, he was a cherished soul. Unfortunately, Graham passed away on Tuesday January 16.

Graham Boland was a vital member of the Benidorm community, well-liked for his kind disposition and ability to make people happy. Both residents and visitors have experienced sadness upon learning of his passing.

Friends of the much-loved man from Benidorm have reported that the place was ‘completely packed’ as everyone came to say a final farewell to their dear friend.

Graham’s long-time friend Wayne Bellamy-Wright wrote and delivered a heart filled eulogy that made all in attendance laugh, cry and

Credit: Facebook

Graham Boland: Gone but never forgotten

A standard gin and tonic.

tons of CO2.’ They add that with their unique process, ‘emissions never reach the atmosphere, and the process leaves nature’s resources untouched.’

As the world confronts the challenges of climate change and sustainability, Aircohol’s innovative approach to alcohol production offers an incredible example of how even well-established industries with years of traditional methods could reinvent themselves.

There are plans to market the product in Finland in 2024, with the UK to follow in the next two to three years.

EWN 17

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

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23

20 EWN 25 - 31 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

EVERY few months when one or other of the British newspapers are short of a silly story, they focus on an invariably elderly English lady who has complained because her holiday in Spain was spoiled by a combination of too many Spaniards also on holiday, Spanish food and no-one speaking English.

This time, we have been able to amuse readers with the story of an American TikTok traveller who was moved to tears when visiting France as even though she had armed herself with a pink beret, she felt isolated and unwanted because she doesn’t speak French.

Well she got her two minutes of fame, move on. If she goes to Yorkshire is she going to wear a flat cap and buy a whippet?

Why is it that people go to a foreign country and expect them to speak your language, how ignorant is that.

Diane Pinkerton

Kevin Airey

If you try to speak the language (whichever country you are in) then the locals will bend over backwards to help you. It’s all about respect xx Jocie Hoten

She wasn’t wearing a French beret, and wasn’t carrying any onions! What does she expect, they speak French!

Tony O’Shaughnessy

Go to Benidorm. They mostly speak English.

Richard Wise

Of course it would help to speak a bit of French! But many French people are not willing to speak another language other than French. It is true that tourists who do not speak French have problems sometimes! I always try to help them when i am in France (I am French) and make them feel welcome. After all France is the most visited country in the world and French people should be a bit more friendly to tourists.

Véronique Kropin

AND her little show was a success.

Marketing goal fulfilled, well done Erik Ea Petersson

The majority speaks English but expect the tourists to make an effort to try to speak some French! And they are right!

Ulli Hawthorne

If it wasn’t for the Brits and the Americans the French would be speaking German now!

Lee Whearty

Stop in America and speak Mexican.

Terry Sutcliffe

Well I’m from Lyon and it is a magnificent city with so much to do, amazing monuments and top world class gastronomy. Maybe she should have spent a little money to pay herself a local guide to show her around.

Stay home lady, that is the best you can do.

Simon Sendac

I visited Cherbourg on a regular basis and chatted up the bar owner’s daughter in my broken French... after a couple of years she spoke to me in the best English I’d ever heard.

Dee Jaa Mas

I’m shocked, a North American, with a passport, and travelling outside of their country.

Les Pimlott

If you visit a country that does not speak your language you can’t expect them to speak yours. However I remember our French teacher in high school telling us to speak any other language but English while visiting France.

Armando Padron-Dueñas

Whilst there were a couple of examples of traditional British anti-French feeling, the majority of people agreed that if you travel to a foreign country don’t expect everyone to speak English and almost no-one had any sympathy for the young ladies view.

To read this story and hundreds of others visit www.euroweeklynews.com or the EWN Facebook page 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.

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EWN 21

INTERVIEW

Sam from Ireland Why do Europeans move to Spain? This is the question that Euro Weekly News is asking many people who now live here but come from all over Europe.

This week EWN met up with Samantha Kay, who is originally from Ireland but has lived all over the world in places including Scotland, Romania, Cyprus, Australia, and now the sunshine coast of Spain, where she rents a property in Manilva, Malaga.

FIRSTLY we asked Saover soon and he expects mantha why she chome to teach him it se this spot, just when he arrives near the Puerto but I’m not sure de Duquesa.

I’m at that level “Well I love yet!?”

Spain, I feel Finally we that my soul asked this was here in Irish beauanother lifety what her time or soplans were for mething, and her future on I already had the Costa del close friends liSol. She replied: ving here. I like a “Just have fun. As traditional Spanish they say here, ‘mavibe so that’s why ñana’, I didn’t come Manilva in particular here to work hard Happy Samantha in the sun! caught my eye!” and stress, I’m here Having only been here six months, to learn about this lovely land and sip EWN were keen to know how her Spa- sangria in the sun, vibes.” nish is coming along. “It’s going really Vibes indeed, we might have to join well actually, my boyfriend is coming her!

22

euroweeklynews.com • 25 - 31 January 2024

PETS Puppies rescued Enojón prefers cat-sitters at his home SPONSORED BY

animals from farms in Slovakia and Hungary or domestic breeders.

The animals endured journeys over 15 hours long, often arriving in Spain with altered records, younger than permitted, and suffering from various illnesses.

The animals were then sent to breeding and trading establishments in Madrid and Catalonia.

Here, they received treatments and vaccines, and their health records were falsified using a trusted veterinarian’s stamp to give a legal appearance to numerous documents.

All animals were put up for sale by the organization.

However, over the last six months, more than 500 animals, mainly puppies, have been rescued across Spain.

Credit: PoliciaNacional.es

A RECENT operation by the National Police has dismantled a criminal organisation involved in the illegal importation, breeding, and selling of puppies.

The report gave details of the investigation which took place in the provinces of Madrid and Girona and resulted in the arrest of eight individuals.

The investigation began after police received tips about the existence of an organisation importing puppies from Eastern European countries.

These puppies, once in Spain, were sold with falsified documentation.

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Two of the rescued puppies.

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Training your dog TRAINING a dog is a journey of mutual understanding and respect. The cornerstone of effective training is consistency and patience. Start with basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’, using positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise to reward good behavior.

Short, frequent training sessions are more effective, keeping your dog engaged and avoiding overexertion. Understanding your dog’s unique personality and learning style is essential. Some may respond well to verbal cues, while others are more motivated by toys or treats. Remember, training is not just about obedience; it’s about strengthening the bond between you and your furry companion, fostering a relationship built on trust and cooperation.

Cat meets dog

INTRODUCING a cat to a household with a resident dog requires a thoughtful and patient approach. Initially, it’s crucial to provide the cat with a private space equipped with essentials like food, water, and a litter box.

This safe haven allows the cat to adjust at its own pace.

The introduction process should be gradual, starting with scent exchanges through shared towels or blankets. This helps both animals become accustomed to each other’s presence. When it’s time for the first face-to-face meeting, keep the dog on a leash to manage its enthusiasm and ensure the cat’s comfort.

Observing body language during these encounters is vital; signs of stress or aggression should be taken seriously. Short, positive interactions are key, gradually increasing in duration over time. Rewards and treats can help in building positive associations.

Ultimately, some pets form deep bonds, while others simply coexist peacefully. The pet owner’s role is to guide this journey with patience and understanding, ensuring a harmonious cohabitation where both the cat and dog feel safe and loved.

Some pets can form deep bonds.

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REMOVALS & STORAGE

24 EWN 25 - 31 January 2024

TV turnaround VODAFONE made the decision in 2022 to withdraw from broadcasting football in bars, cafes, and hotels due to escalating costs, but that decision has recently been reversed.

Vodafone Spain, now under the impending ownership of British company Zegona, is set to return to televised football and other sports in hospitality establishments.

Sources have revealed that Vodafone is on the brink of a comeback and is finalising an agreement with LaLiga to recommence offering these popular sports packages to its hospitality business clients.

The aim is to start broadcasting LaLiga this season (2023-2024), along with major UEFA competitions like the Champions League and Europa League.

This package will also include MotoGP and Formula 1, which became part of the LaLiga Bar TV package.

In the summer of 2022, Vodafone made a limited foray into residential broadcasting by acquiring rights to La Liga Hypermotion, the Spanish Second Division football. This content was bundled in a sports package at a cost of €6, including Eurosport sports as well.

Zegona, set to become Vodafone’s new owner in the coming months, has outlined several strategies for growth, particularly in television content.

Additionally, they plan to leverage Lowi, Vodafone’s ‘low cost’ brand, to broaden the customer base by introducing TV into their packages.

In parallel to Vodafone’s negotiations, LaLiga is resolving the auction of Telefonica’s packages - 55 per cent of the total - for the seasons from 2024-2025 to 2026/2027.

The incumbent is expected to retain these assets, though the price remains a point of speculation, previously set at €520 million per season.

euroweeklynews.com II SPORT

Historic win for Sainz

IN a stunning display of skill and determination, Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz have clinched their fourth Dakar Rally victory, securing their names in the motorsport history books.

On Friday, January 19, the Spanish duo emerged victorious in the car category of the 2024 Dakar Rally, conquering the gruelling desert terrain and making a ground-breaking mark with their Audi hybrid-powered vehicle.

At the age of 61, Carlos Sainz has not only claimed his fourth Dakar crown but also set a remarkable record as the oldest car driver to achieve this feat.

Sainz and Cruz have been an inseparable force in Dakar, winning all their titles together. Their journey began in 2010 with Volkswagen, followed by triumphs with Peugeot in 2018, Mini in 2020, and now, Audi in 2024.

Sainz joins the exclusive

Credit: CSainz_oficial/X

MAKING HISTORY: Carlos Sainz on the way to Dakar victory.

club of drivers who have conquered the Dakar with four different manufacturers, an achievement previously accomplished only

by Stephane Peterhansel.

While moments of tension arose, such as a near-overturning incident in the third stage and a crucial tire-saving assistance from Ekstrom on stage 10, Sainz and Cruz remained resolute.

They didn’t even need to secure a stage victory to claim victory in the world’s toughest race, their impeccable driving skills and a reliable machine carried them through the challenges.

The 2024 Dakar Rally marked a significant milestone as it witnessed the first-ever victory of a hybrid-powered car in the competition’s history.

Carlos Sainz’s fourth

Dakar Rally victory not only places him in elite company but also equals him with Ari Vatanen, securing his place on the podium of drivers with the most Dakar victories.

The 2024 Dakar Rally will be remembered as the year when they made history with their Audi hybrid, redefining the boundaries of what is possible in the world of desert racing.

Formula 1 in 2024

FORMULA ONE’S new season will feature a record 24 races and will start on March 2 at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Before the start of the season however, fans look forward to the unveiling of the cars for 2024. Williams and Stake F1 Team (originally Sauber) will lead the way on February 5, followed by other major teams like Aston Martin and Ferrari (February 12 and 13). McLaren and Mercedes are due to show the world their cars on February 14 followed by Red Bull on February 15.

The 2024 race calendar

Credit: Etiffaq club X

Jordan Henderson with his teammates in Saudi Arabia.

Henderson leaves

Photo: Wikimedia CC / Jen Ross

GRAND PRIX: Will now feature a record 24 races.

is not just the longest in Formula One’s history with 24 races but also sees the return of the Chinese and Emilia-Romagna Grands Prix. This year there is also an unchanged driver grid for the first time; every driver from 2023 is starting with the same team as 2023 - at

least for now.

There will be six sprint races in 2024, where qualifying is held on Friday, followed by the sprint.

Two USA races, the Miami Grand Prix and the Grand Prix at Austin, will run under the sprint, as will the events in China, Austria, Brazil and Qatar. Formula

One is in talks to change the sprint race format for 2024 but nothing has been decided yet.

F1’s pre-season testing for 2024 will begin on February 21 in Bahrain.

There will be three days of testing for the teams ahead of the first Grand Prix the following week.

John Smith THE exodus to Saudi Arabia from European Football Clubs which started six months ago has now seen its first big name decide to leave.

Former Liverpool skipper and regular England midfielder Jordan Henderson has decided that life in Saudi Arabia is not for him and his family and in order to allow a clean break which won’t cost them any wages or fees, his club Al Etiffaq, managed by Steven Gerard, has agreed to terminate his contract.

After playing 19 matches for the Saudi club, this means that he is free to find another club during the January transfer window and It appears that Dutch side Ajax who are sitting in fifth place in the Dutch First Division are making a bid for him.

According to Sky Sports he was due to fly to The Netherlands to finalise the deal on January 18 but as he doesn’t have a work permit for Holland as yet, he won’t be able to play for over them over the following weekend. Not every player who made the move has settled in to life in Saudi Arabia and although the money is no doubt good, the lack of crowds and quality of matches means that Henderson whilst the first, may not be the last of the British players to return to Europe.