Axarquia 22 – 28 February 2024 Issue 2016

• Issue No. 2016 • 22 - 28 Feb 2024

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Blues Festival

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Image: Shutterstock/ Geoff Goldswain

Blues vibes in La Herradura.

With a lineup that showcases the best blues artists nationally, across Europe, and internationally, the festival guarantees unforgettable moments for

attendees of all ages. La Herradura hopes to make this free event a proud fixture on its calendar, fostering a sense of community and appreciation

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Danish retreat

Grace Meredith

GET ready to immerse yourself in the soulful sounds of blues as La Herradura proudly presents its inaugural International Blues Festival on June 28 and 29, 2024, at Plaza De La Independencia.

This free-entry event, organised by the creator of the successful Mijas Blues Festival, promises to be a musical extravaganza featuring a fusion of local talent, international musicians, and rising stars.

The La Herradura International Blues Festival aims to establish itself as a premier destination for blues enthusiasts, building on the legacy of its accomplished creator.

Held against the stunning backdrop of the sea and mountains of Axarquia, this family-friendly festival invites everyone to enjoy the authentic essence of blues music from around the world.

GRATUITO

for the universal language of blues. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this historic musical celebration in the heart of La Herradura!

THE Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has opted for the picturesque region between Canillas de Albaida and Competa in southern Spain for her winter vacation. Frederiksen selected the Malaga Hills bouDanish PM Mette tique hotel for her Frederiksen’s winter hideaway. stay, highlighting the increasing attraction of the Almijara and Tejeda mountain ranges among Danish tourists. During her visit, the mayor of Canillas de Albaida, Encarnación Pareja, and Competa’s mayor, Rosa Luz Fernández, met with Frederiksen.

Frederiksen even suggested reciprocal visits, inviting the mayors to Denmark during the upcoming elections. They discussed Frederiksen’s choice of the Malaga Hills hotel and highlighted their eco-friendly and sustainable practices. Run by a Dutch family that recently settled in the area, the hotel collects rainwater to address local water scarcity issues. Mayor Pareja highlighted the influx of Dutch entrepreneurs to the region, contributing to the economic vibrancy of Canillas de Albaida.

Frederiksen’s choice to unwind in this vibrant Spanish locale showcases the region’s international appeal, cementing Canillas de Albaida and Competa as hotspots for global travellers.

Image: Competa Town Hall

Axarquia

IN a groundbreaking achievement, the ‘Unidad de Día Pediátrica CUDECA’ (CUDECA’s Paediatric Day Unit) project has been honoured with the Rada Nadal Foundation Award in Health and Well-being. This recognition celebrates the project’s commitment to providing non-medicalised care to children facing incurable diseases.

The Paediatric Day Unit, an initiative

by CUDECA, stands out for its innovative approach to paediatric care, offering compassionate support to young patients and their families.

The Rada Nadal Foundation’s acknowledgement underscores the significance of initiatives dedicated to enhancing the well-being of those dealing with challenging health conditions.

Image: Fundación Rafa Nadal

Award-winning care

Celebrating a prestigious milestone.

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Image: Shutterstock/ Mei Dud

Image: Shutterstock/ KikoStock

Coastal regulations The Day of Andalucía

New rules for fun and safety.

Grace Meredith IN a bid to enhance coastal safety a comprehensive set of regulations governing beach and sea activities has been implemented in Malaga Province. These new regulations came into effect on February 16, the rules cover a spectrum of recreational activities, ranging from swimming to jet skiing.

The regulations categorise water activities into four main groups: recreational boats, floats, individual motorised vessels, and towed boating activities.

Specific guidelines address maximum offshore distances for various vessels, ranging from 50 metres for paddleboards to one nautical mile for jet skis.

Safety measures include mandatory insurance for private and commercial vessels, daylight-only operation for inflatables, and speed restrictions in ports.

The regulations emphasise respect for swimmers, with a minimum 50-metre distance required.

Furthermore, the rules address specific water activities such as paragliding,

windsurfing, and flyboarding, imposing safety measures like wearing helmets and life jackets. Notably, certain zones near Malaga Airport’s runways have restrictions on activities like windsurfing and kite surfing.

Whether it’s navigating the waters on a jet ski or enjoying the tranquillity of open water swimming, these regulations aim to create a harmonious balance between leisure and safety along the sun-kissed shores of the Malaga Province.

Get ready for the Day of Andalucia.

THE Day of Andalucía is coming up, celebrated annually on February 28 and classed as a public holiday, it commemorates a key moment in Spain’s history and marks the autonomy of the Andalucian region. This day is a vibrant expression of Andalucian identity, culture, and heritage.

Festivities include flamenco performances, traditional music, and colourful parades that fill the streets.

It’s a time for locals to proudly showcase their distinct traditions, from the intricate Moorish-influenced architecture to the lively rhythms of flamenco dancing.

Many also take part in historical reenactments and processions that pay homage to the region’s diverse past.

The celebration is not only a reflection

IN a bid to foster unity and community spirit, the Ecumenical Centre Lux Mundi Torre del Mar announces an exciting outing to the

of Andalucia’s rich history but also a testament to the resilience and unity of its people.

As residents proudly wave the green and white flag, the Day of Andalucía serves as a reminder of the region’s unique culture and the importance of preserving its distinctive identity.

Town halls, such as the one in Velez-Malaga, are organising an array of events, including live music, galas, and concerts.

To stay informed about the festivities in your area, be sure to check your local town hall’s Facebook page for specific details and schedules.

It’s important to note that businesses may either close or operate on a restricted timetable on this special day.

Community trip mesmerising Cirque du Soleil Alegria in Malaga on

June 11. Open to all at €55 per person (€53 for Friends of Lux Mundi Torre del Mar), the event promises an unforgettable evening of awe-inspiring performances.

Convenient pick-ups are scheduled at Algarrobo (18.45), Caleta (18.50), and Torre del Mar (19.00), with a return journey departing Malaga at approximately 22.50.

The initiative aims to bring people together to socialise, to create a feeling of togetherness and community, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to inclusivity and community enrichment. Don’t miss this chance to join hands and experience the magic under the big top! For more information contact luxmundi@lux-mundi.org.

Intercambio

AN international fun group takes place at Mississippi Bar, Paseo Larios 28, 29740, Torre del Mar every Friday at 8.30pm. They encourage all nationalities to take part in learning languages and about different cultures.

Menopause Café

LYNNE PARKIN a Holistic Menopause Coach is hosting Menopause Café for the Axarquia region at La Mona Chita cafeteria Torre del Mar on February 20 from 11am to 1pm. It will be a supportive place to learn about menopause, to share information in a confidential space.

Morocco trip

THE Axarquia Social Club is organising a day trip to Morocco on Thursday, April 11, €140 for non-members and €120 for members. For more information or to sign up contact PJ on 603 113 931.

February sale

LUX MUNDI Torre del Mar charity store February Sale is still on with special prices for CDs and DVDs. Selected womenswear is priced at just €1. They are open from 10 am to 1 pm for more information contact luxmundi@ lux-mundi.org.

Coral choir

THE multicultural singing group Coral Coraxalia is looking for new members, male and female, all nationalities welcome. They practise on Thursday from 6pm to 8.30pm at Casa Hermanidad de la Cofradía de los Estudiantes in Velez-Malaga.

their plight, farmers from Axarquia marched from the Velez-Malaga market to the town centre, covering several kilometres.

The farmers, facing dire circumstances, distributed free fruit and vegetables along the way.

Expressing their frustration, they revealed that they are forced to sell their produce at a loss and so they prefer to give their produce away for free, particularly noting that lemon prices barely reach 8 cents per kilogram.

The farmers attribute this financial strain to the

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Farmers march

Axarquía farmers march against plummeting prices.

influx of cheap citrus imports from countries like Africa and South Ameri-

Nerja’s budget THE Nerja Town Council has given the green light to its budget for the year 2024, reaching a total of €44.4 million, marking a 5.84 per cent increase from the previous fiscal year.

Taxes remain frozen for another year, ensuring stability for residents, as highlighted by Finance councillor Ángela Díaz. Noteworthy allocations include funds for social assistance, job creation, and investments.

Díaz highlighted the ongoing support for rental and mortgage payments, alongside emergency social financial aid, which amounts to €3.1 million, contributing to Nerja maintaining its status as one of Spain’s ‘Excellent Corporations.’

The budget also earmarks a significant portion for job creation, introducing four employment and training programmes, professional internship initiatives, and the launch of the Municipal Training and Employment Centre, totalling over €10 million.

In the investment sector, €10.7 million is allocated for key projects, including a new health centre parking lot, street improvements, the redevelopment of Andalucia Square, and a new Civil Protection headquarters. Nerja continues to demonstrate its commitment to progress and social welfare with this comprehensive budget.

ca.

In a plea for fair compensation, they emphasi-

Petanque Cup THE first-ever Provincial Pétanque Cup organised by the Diputación de Malaga concluded with a festive gala at the Edgar Neville Auditorium.

Vice President and Sports Deputy Juan Rosas presided over the event, which celebrated the achievements of over 1,200 participants from 24 towns, spread across 13 locations.

The success of the inaugural event prompted the announcement of a second Pétanque Cup starting on March 2, 2024, with the inclusion of five additional towns.

Rosas commended the diverse appeal of the sport, attracting participants aged 17 to 88.

The gala also acknowledged outstanding contributions, including recog-

se the need for reasonable payment for their hard work, urging stakeholders to address the impact of mass imports on local agriculture.

This comes on the back of the recent protests by farmers throughout Spain as they blocked main motorways with their tractors to highlight the issues they are faced with.

The main demands are fair prices for their products, greater control of imports from outside the EU, and a reduction in bureaucracy.

Forever homes IN a heartwarming initiative, APAA Nerja, a registered animal rescue charity, is making strides in rescuing and rehoming abandoned and abused dogs in the Nerja area. Committed to their cause, APAA volunteers dedicate their time and effort to bring about happy endings for deserving canine companions. The organisation keeps the community informed about their noble work, and upcoming events and introduces the dogs in need of adoption or foster care. One highlight of their efforts is the ‘meet and greet’ sessions held at Balcon de Nerja, where potential adopters can interact with the dogs looking for a forever home.

nition for the town with the highest participation (Alhaurín de la Torre) and the smallest town with the highest percentage of involvement (Canillas de Albaida).

The Pétanque Cup exemplifies the power of sports to unite communities, with the upcoming cup set to be even more inclusive, targeting participants as young as 16.

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YOUR EWN HAS

Image: APAA Nerja

McGeer NIBS EXTRA IN Catherine a demonstration of

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Image: Shutterstock/ David Raw

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From rescue to forever homes.

For a glimpse into the success stories and the upcoming dates for their ‘meet and greets’, head over to their Facebook page, where tales of rescued dogs finding their happily-ever-after homes unfold. APAA Nerja’s unwavering dedication showcases the positive impact a committed group can have on the lives of our four-legged friends.

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STORIES in this week’s edition

Shelter plans

THE Nerja Town Council and the Veterinary College of Malaga have joined forces through a collaboration agreement to enhance pet ownership management. Mayor José Albert Armijo and Veterinary College President Antonio de Luque signed the pact, aiming to update and oversee the Local Registry of Companion Animals.

This initiative, benefitting both pet owners and the community, encourages responsible ownership, and population control, and facilitates adoption and lost pet reunification. Mayor Armijo also revealed plans for a jointly managed animal shelter in coordination with Torrox mayor Oscar Medina. Currently, Nerja has 6,931 registered companion animals, with dogs leading at 5,539, followed by 1,276 cats and five ferrets.

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Image: Shutterstock/ Jesus Noguera photography

Subtropical bubble Catherine McGeer ECOLOGISTAS EN ACCIÓN (Ecologists in Action) has raised the alarm about the severe overexploitation of aquifers in the Axarquia region, labelling them as ‘almost extinct.’ Aquifers are underground layers of permeable rock, soil, or gravel that can store water. These formations allow water to move through them and can be a vital source of groundwater. Aquifers act as natural reservoirs, holding water that has percolated down from the surface over time, often through precipitation or surface water bo-

Aquifer depletion sparks environmental alarm.

dies like rivers and lakes.

Rafael Yus, the coordinator of the environmental group in Axarquia, emphasises the escalating water

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Dep. Legal MA-422-2006

crisis, blaming the increase in irrigated land for exacerbating the longstanding issue of drought.

He sheds light on the transformation of the landscape over the decades, with native trees making way for tropical crops like avocados and mangoes. Despite becoming the leading producer of these fruits in the EU, the intensive water requirements for cultivation raise significant concerns, particularly as the Viñuela reservoir now sits at a mere 15 per cent of its capacity.

JESÚS PÉREZ ATENCIA, deputy mayor of Torre del Mar, unveiled the seventh Colour Run on February 19, scheduled for April 14. Joining him were María del Mar Vargas from the Regional Association for the Attention and Integration of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ACTEA), and Francisco Ortiz from Riders Running, the event organiser.

Francisco Ortiz, from Riders Running, revealed that the Colour Run, a highly anticipated sports event, would take place on April 14 at To-

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Beach run rre del Mar’s ‘Virgen del Carmen’ Promenade Music Pavilion.

The five-kilometre race, starting at 10.30am, promises lively music, dancing, giveaways, and a colourful finish.

Pérez Atencia emphasised the event’s charitable focus on ACTEA, an organisation dedicated to autism awareness and integration.

He expressed enthusiasm for the vibrant atmosphere, music, and various beach sports

NERJA is capturing the attention of international travellers, with Slovenia being the latest country to express interest.

Independent journalist Igor Fabian is currently immersing himself in the charm of Nerja, the Balcony of Europe, to cover stories for various Slovenian magazines.

Fabian, fascinated by Nerja’s diverse attractions and gastronomy, acknowledges that while Marbella and Malaga are more widely recognised, Nerja is poised to join their ranks.

The journalist was warmly welcomed

activities that are planned. “We hope for another successful turnout, fostering a great sports day,” he said.

Participants will receive gift bags and can enter a post-race costume contest and a prize draw.

Registrations are available at Box Akyles in Plazamar and Calle Poniente, as well as Base stores in Torre del Mar and Velez-Malaga.

Online registration is also open at global-tempo. com/carreras.

Slovenian spotlight

by Tourism councillor Ana María Muñoz, who expressed gratitude for his interest in showcasing Nerja’s beauty.

As Nerja gains recognition as a must-visit destination, it marks a new chapter in the town’s appeal to global audiences.

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Enjoy a journey of discovery

Grace Meredith IN a bid to showcase the natural wonders of Malaga, the Diputación de Malaga has organised guided tours along the Gran Senda de la Axarquia. Scheduled for March and April, the fourday event will pass through the Antequera region, Axarquia, and the Genal Valley.

These immersive journeys, taking place on March 3 and 17, as well as April 7 and 28, will explore various trails, including Stage 12 of the Gran Senda de Málaga and Stage 2 of the Gran Senda de la Axarquia. Registration for these experiences is

Spring trails now open on the Gran Senda website. To register email: gransenda@malaga.es.

Cristóbal Ortega, Vice President of Infrastructure and Sustainable Territory at the Diputación de Malaga, emphasises that these visits aim not only to showcase the environmental heritage but also to raise awareness about the delicate ecosystems. Participants, aged 14 and above, can register for free, and children need to be accompanied by an adult.

Ortega underscores the initiative’s broader goals of revitalising historically, culturally, and environmentally significant areas, positioning the province as a nature tourism hub.

The routes, ranging from 10 to 13 kilometres, promise a blend of history, landscapes, and cultural richness.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this enriching experience, starting at 8.00am from the Diputación de Malaga headquarters.

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Free youth events NERJA’S Youth Council is thrilled to announce a lineup of free activities tailored for young residents during the upcoming Semana Blanca holiday. From February 26 to March 29, the Youth Information Centre will host specially crafted creative workshops.

On February 26 there is a Rap Creation workshop led by acclaimed rap artist Abraham Serrano. Participants will learn about songwriting, studio audio recording, and the production of a professional music video, from 10.30am to 2.30pm and 4.30pm to 7.00pm.

THE Provincial Council of Malaga has conducted a practical study on the coastal areas of Rincon de la Victoria to assess the risk of tsunamis. The findings reveal a very low risk, with a maximum wave height of six metres.

While the chances of a tsunami are remote, the study emphasises the importance of efficient response due to the swift arrival time of 10 to 30 minutes.

President Francisco Salado presented the results, assuring the public

On February 27, a TikTok workshop from 10.00am to 1.00pm will teach safe content creation, followed by an afternoon DJ-Urban Music Masterclass from 4.00pm to 7.00pm, guided by urban scene standout Neim Beats.

Tapping into aeromodelling, the February 29 workshop, hosted by the Andalucian Aerial Sports Federation, features building rubber band-powered airplanes and drone competitions from 11.00am to 1.00pm.

Register by calling 952 526 916/673 227 409 or emailing juventud@nerja.es.

Tsunami risk that the risks are minimal.

The study, a follow-up to last year’s seminar on ‘Tsunami Alert on the Malaga Coast,’ aims to share the 2023 findings by the Junta de Andalucia, mandating coastal towns to formulate tsunami prevention and intervention plans.

Examining Rincon de la Victoria’s coastal areas, the study identifies potential damages, unfavourable scenarios, flood-pro-

ne zones, meeting points, and evacuation routes. In the worst-case scenario, a six-metre wave might impact only the beach’s dry sand, causing minor damage to the promenade.

The town is now drafting a comprehensive tsunami information and response plan to integrate with the Municipal Emergency Plan, emphasising quick action, clear alert systems, and inclusive support for residents.

• Local News •

In the spotlight

Torrox road

NERJA takes the spotlight once more as La Sexta, the Spanish TV channel features it in the ‘Más Vale Tarde’ (Better Late) programme.

Reporter Luis Calero captured the town’s essence last week, with hosts Miguel Joven and Vicente Navas from La Barca sharing Nerja’s beauty and culinary treasures on the popular TV show.

In a different frame, Burriana Beach became the runway for KA2 Productions and the French fashion brand Cache Cache.

VELEZ-MALAGA’s town council has given the go-ahead for the Torrox Road expansion, a transformative initiative awarded to construction company Obras Públicas y Regadíos SA for €1,828,189. The ambitious project aims to convert the existing single-lane road, spanning from El Limonar to the Caleta de Velez semi-interchange, into a spacious two-lane boulevard. This upgrade includes a central median, parking spaces, and sidewalks.

The six-month construction plan includes crucial infrastructure enhancements.

The addition of a southern roun-

Grace Meredith

dabout and three watercourse crossings at strategic points will facilitate smoother traffic flow. Practical considerations such as stormwater drainage and an extended water supply network are integrated into the project. Furthermore, the project prioritises modernisation, introducing LED lighting along the road and roundabout, an expanded low-voltage power grid, and a telecommunications network prepared for future advancements.

Beyond functionality, the aesthetic aspect has not been overlooked.

Tree-lined sidewalks, a central roundabout garden, and a comprehensive irrigation system will enhance

Canillas progress THE Provincial Council of Malaga is set to invest €900,000 in enhancing two key roads in Canillas de Aceituno. The plan includes the resurfacing of a 3.5-kilometre stretch of MA-4106 (access to Canillas de Aceituno via A-7205), repairing a retaining wall along this route, and stabilising a slope on MA-4105 (Canillas de Aceituno-Sedella). Deputy Nieves Atencia, joined by Canillas de Aceituno mayor Vicente Campos, inspected the project sites, highlighting the improvements’ contribution to road safety.

A total of €520,530 will be allocated to resurface the 3.5-kilometre stretch of MA4106. This initiative is part of the council’s third road improvement plan for the year. Also, €331,324 will be invested in stabilising a slope known for frequent rockslides. The project involves clearing unstable rocks, installing anchors, a four-metre barrier, and a triple-twist metal mesh to prevent future rockfalls.

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Velez-Malaga’s Torrox Road €1.8 million facelift.

the visual appeal of the expanded road. This development aligns with broader efforts to improve connectivity between Velez-Malaga and Torre del Mar, promising a more efficient and aesthetically pleasing transportation network.

Green path THE Andalucian Government has commissioned the Spanish Railways Foundation to conduct a feasibility study for the Green Path of La Axarquia, along the former Velez-Malaga - Ventas de Zafarraya railway line, affectionately known as ‘El tren de La Cochinita’ (The Piglet’s Train).

The old route, which connected Velez-Malaga with Ventas de Zafarraya from 1922 to 1959, hopes to become the first green path in the province of Malaga.

The Foundation will compile a viability report based on the acquired data, outlining the potential for the La Axarquia Green Path. The current

trail is popular among hikers and cyclists, stretching from the La Viñuela reservoir to the Llano de Zafarraya orchard.

The proposed 20-kilometre route will pass through the towns of La Viñuela, Periana, and Alcaucin, concluding in the hamlet of Alhama de Granada.

The main challenge lies in its current use for local mobility, the Foundation’s Engineering Department is conducting the study, aiming to propose alternative solutions for local traffic. The land on which the future green path would be established is publicly owned.

The anticipated completion time is around four months.

Cheese market GET ready for a gastronomic extravaganza as the Torre del Mar Cheese Market returns with its much-anticipated 12th event! Nestled in the heart of Malaga, this market is a culinary haven

for both locals and visitors alike. Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 10, when Paseo Larios Torre del Mar transforms into a cheese lover’s paradise from 10.00am onwards.

Boasting a diverse array of artisanal cheeses, this market is set to captivate taste buds of all ages. From exquisite blends to unique varieties, the Torre del Mar Cheese Market promises a delightful experience for everyone. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just looking for a family-friendly outing, this event is not to be missed.

Water supply IN a strategic move, the Murcia Region, the Valencian Community, and Andalucia are jointly urging the Ministry for Ecological Transition to ensure the collaborative future of the Tajo-Segura water transfer.

The three regions in southern Spain are teaming up to make sure they have enough water for the future by asking the government to create rules for sharing water through the Tajo-Segura system.

They hope to avoid disagreements as the situation in the Andalucia Region demands swift action.

In the month of February, they will check and decide on rules about how much water can be moved.

They are hoping for an agreement across the board. Their appeal includes a request for the creation of an internal technical working group to propose a solution within three months.

Furthermore, the regions stress the integration of the Tajo-Guadiana transfer into the new rules to safeguard Segura’s water flows. They advocate for objective decision-making based on technical criteria, aiming for legal, hydraulic, economic, and social stability, minimising direct Ministry intervention. They’re asking for clear rules based on facts, so the water levels are stable for everyone in southern Spain.

Southern Spain collaborate for water supply.

Image: Shutterstock/ Carla Isabel A Nascimento

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Image: Velez-Malaga Town Hall

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Selfie bans SELFIE bans at tourist spots are becoming more common, and for good reason: they save lives.

A study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine found that selfie-related deaths have surpassed fatalities from shark attacks.

Over 13 years, there were 379 selfie-related deaths, with 140 involving tourists, compared to 90 fatal shark encounters.

In Venice, Italy, a gondola nearly capsized because tourists were too focused on taking selfies instead of listening to safety warnings. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but the incident could have ended tragically. People risk their lives for the perfect selfie, leading to fatal falls from cliffs, accidents with vehicles and trains, dangerous encounters with wildlife, and drownings.

Authorities are taking action, imposing fines and even jail time for reckless selfie behaviour. For example, a woman died while attempting a selfie at Prabalgad Fort in India, and a spectator’s sel-

Tourists take risky photos.

fie caused a massive pile-up during the 2023 Tour de France. Portofino, Italy, introduced a temporary selfie ban to prevent tourists from obstructing traffic while taking photos.

The desire for attention and validation on social media often drives reckless behaviour, causing people to ignore safety warnings or venture into dangerous areas. On average, victims were 24.4 years old, with women more likely to die from falls or animal encounters, and men more likely to die in transport-related incidents. India, the United States, and Russia have the highest number of selfie-related deaths.

Do you speak English?

FOR English speakers considering a move to Europe, prioritising countries where English is widely spoken can alleviate concerns about language barriers.

According to the English Proficiency Index released by Education First (EF), several European countries excel in English proficiency.

In a study conducted by the European Commission, it was found that 62 per cent of surveyed Brits couldn’t speak a second language, highlighting the challenges faced by native English

speakers in learning foreign languages.

Similarly, an InterNations study identified the language barrier as a significant concern among expatriates.

EF’s English Proficiency Index, which analysed the English test results of two million individuals worldwide, including from 35 European countries, provides insights into the top countries in Europe for English speakers.

Each country received a ranking out of 800 points.

Northern European

THE accent that most captures people’s hearts?

It’s no longer French, according to Babbel, the language learning platform.

In a recent study involving 6,000 participants from several countries, Italian emerged as the new ‘sexiest’ and ‘most romantic’ accent.

This might come as a surprise, considering French held the title in Babbel’s previous poll.

Babbel’s language teacher Noël Wolf explained why Italian might be so appealing.

He confirmed: “This could be due to the rise and fall of pitch in Italian speech creates a musical quality, and the distinctive rolling ‘r’

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Frozen pensions Image: Dudarev Mikhail / Shutterstock.com

Bob Marquess

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countries dominate the rankings, with Croatia making it to the 10th spot.

Finland, Sweden, and Denmark secure the ninth, eighth, and third positions, respectively.

Austria claims the second spot, scoring 641 points out of 800.

However, the Netherlands clinches the top spot, boasting a high percentage of Dutch citizens proficient in English.

On the other hand, Italy ranked lowest among European countries in terms of English proficiency.

Love language sounds which add to its charm.”

Interestingly, British English was seen as the ‘most polite’, while German was perceived as the ‘most direct’ language.

The survey also looked into attitudes towards partners speaking different languages.

Over 70 per cent of Brits surveyed believed that learning their partner’s native language would strengthen their emotional connection.

Experts like linguist Patti Adank suggest that English speakers are drawn to the melody of languages like French or Italian.

IS it fair that numerous British expatriates have had their state pension payments frozen based on the country they have relocated to? This could affect half a million UK expats.

A debate about UK residents living abroad, highlighted a policy that impacts those who retire in certain countries, like Canada and New Zealand, by freezing their pension payments at the rate they were when they left the UK. Recently, the UK Pensions Minister Paul Maynard addressed MPs, confirming the government’s decision to maintain the status quo.

An estimated 500,000 senior Britons are denied the full state pension benefits they would have received had they remained in the UK or retired in countries that are eligible for pension increases.

Roberts argued, “Following our withdrawal from the EU, we are rightly

Credit: chrisdorney/Shutterstock.com

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Department for Work and Pensions home page.

able to move closer with our partners in the Commonwealth and one of the ways we can do that would be to confirm that all British citizens that live in the Commonwealth should be entitled to the appropriate uprating of their state pension as if they were still in the UK. “Will the minister meet with me to discuss the practicalities of making that happen and restore some much-needed common sense to a needlessly complicated situation?

“According to the latest estimate, based on data from March 2022, uprating the state pension where we do not currently do so would cost about £0.9 billion a year if all UK state pensions in payment were increased to current UK levels.’

The issue has garnered public support, leading to the initiation of a parliamentary petition by Robert Lloyd Crutchlow, which reads: “We believe the freezing of UK citizens pensioners is discriminatory, unjust and immoral.”

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Moczydlo Park in Warsaw , Poland.

Climate neutrality THE mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, has set up a Climate Team aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 and climate neutrality in 2050 - these are Warsaw’s main climate policy goals and also one of the main pillars of the city’s development strategy.

Warsaw wants to set trends in climate action.

The capital is already a member of international organisations active in this field.

The city has also adopted a Climate Change Adapta-

tion Strategy and a Green Vision for Warsaw, ie a roadmap for achieving climate neutrality and the main document setting the directions and objectives of the capital’s climate policy.

It is all about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. One of the actions is further investment in Warsaw Public Transport.

The metro is being successively developed, new tram routes are being built and the rolling stock is also becoming greener.

The city is also inves-

ting heavily in renewable energy sources. There are photovoltaic installations on over 200 municipal buildings. Similar solutions are also being used

by Warsaw’s water supply companies, although the company’s main renewable energy source is biogas produced by sewage sludge fermentation.

In addition, there is the greening of public spaces.

Last year alone, the municipal teams planted around 100,000 trees. Increasingly, vegetation is also replacing concrete pavements.

No sex, we’re French DESPITE allegedly speaking the language of love, a recent survey has unveiled a shocking downturn in sexual activities in France, especially among the youth.

This revelation came from an Ifop study commissioned by the sex toy brand Lelo and reported by France Inter, which has challenged the longheld belief in France’s legendary romantic culture.

The research highlighted a sharp drop in sexual intimacy among 18 to 24-year-olds.

Twenty-eight per cent of young adults, who have had sexual experiences, reported no sexual intercourse in the past year, a significant rise from 5 per cent in 2006.

The decline is not restricted to the young, in those aged 50 to 59, 35 per cent confessed to a year without sexual activity, up from 10 per cent in 2006.

Across the board, there’s been a 15 per cent fall in sexual activity in the last year compared to 2006, with only 76 per cent of sexually active individuals engaging in intercourse.

The study suggests a growing se-

Credit: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com

8

A couple share a romantic moment.

paration between love and physical intimacy, with over half of adult women and 42 per cent of men open to a non-sexual cohabitation.

The digital era is partly blamed for the reduced intensity in sexual relationships, with online engagements competing for time traditionally spent with partners.

‘Sexual time’ is now rivalling screen time, which satisfies social and sexual needs while diminishing in-person interactions.

• News •

euroweeklynews.com IN 2024, European hotels are making adjustments to enhance guest experiences and align with consumer trends.

One notable change is in food offerings, where hotels are focusing on sustainability and regional sourcing.

A majority of hotels are now providing vegetarian and vegan options, reflecting the growing demand for these choices among guests.

Additionally, many hotels are transitioning to plastic-free packaging, showing a commitment to

Hotel adjustments

reducing environmental impact.

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a buzzword in the travel industry, its adoption by hotels is not as widespread as initially anticipated.

Despite its potential benefits, only a small percentage of hotels are utilising AI, and the interest among hoteliers seems to be dwindling. Most hoteliers do not have plans to implement AI in

the future, signalling a shift away from this technology in the hospitality sector.

A recent survey conducted in the European hospitality sector revealed that there’s significant interest in offering more local experiences for guests in the coming six months.

This news has sparked action among hoteliers in Austria, the Nordic countries, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and France, with over 60 per cent of them now prioritising the incorporation of local experiences into their offerings.

WHICH European city offers its staff the highest level of job satisfaction?

The European Commission recently released its Report on the Quality of Life in European Cities, revealing the top 10 cities in Europe with the highest job satisfaction rates.

Topping the list is Rostock, Germany, with an impressive 85 per cent job satisfaction rate. Luxembourg City and Reykjavik, Iceland, closely follow, both boasting an 84 per cent satisfaction rate.

Other cities making the top 10 include Geneva, Switzerland; Dortmund, Germany; Berlin, Germany; Zurich, Switzerland; Aalborg, Denmark; Malmo, Sweden; and Hamburg, Germany.

These cities scored be-

Image: G-Stock Studio / Shutterstock.com

Job satisfaction

A German city tops the list for job satisfaction.

tween 82 and 81 per cent in job satisfaction.

The survey highlights that larger and capital cities generally offer more job opportunities and better pay, which contributes to residents’ overall well-being and attractiveness to job seekers.

About 74 per cent of employed respondents expressed satisfaction with their jobs.

While cities in Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, Czechia, and Slovakia reported higher satisfaction levels, cities in Greece, Italy, Hungary,

and Spain reported lower levels.

Interestingly, there were minimal differences in satisfaction levels between capital and non-capital cities within countries, except for Italy and Turkey, which showed significant intra-country variations.

Overall, satisfaction levels remained relatively stable from 2019 to 2023, with minor fluctuations observed.

Some cities saw improvements in job satisfaction, while others experienced declines.

Notably, Heraklion, Greece, scored the lowest at 54 per cent, followed by Athens, Greece; Skopje, North Macedonia; Belgrade, Serbia; and Podgorica, Montenegro.

22 - 28 February 2024

9

Luxury openings ARE you looking for a little taste of hotel luxury?

Last year, Europe welcomed some impressive new hotels, including Richard Branson’s Son Bunyola on Mallorca’s coast and the transformation of the Old War Office into Raffles London at the OWO. And this year looks just as exciting.

London will be a highlight, with the Emory by the Maybourne Hotel Group opening in Knightsbridge.

This all-suite hotel, with a restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, starts at £2,000 a night. The Mandarin Oriental Group will open its second London property in Hanover Square in Mayfair.

Elsewhere, Rosewood has launched a new hotel in Munich after a 10-year break.

They’re also renovating a historic building in Amsterdam that once was the Palace of Justice.

10 22 - 28 February 2024

• European Press •

IRELAND

EUROPRESS

THE Central Statistics Office (CSO) added air fryers, gin and disposable vapes to the basket of items and services used to calculate the annual inflation rate. Landlines, swiss rolls and digital cameras are amongst newly-excluded goods “as they no longer play a significant a role in consumer spending,” the CSO said.

No comment INTEL, which employs 4,600 people in Leixlip and 300 in Shannon, plans to raise at least €1.86 billion to fund a semiconductor factory in Ireland, sources close to the California-based company said. An Intel representative later declined to comment on reports that it was sounding out possible investors.

NORWAY

PORTUGAL

Photo credit: Recirosa Lda

Phased out

euroweeklynews.com

Viral Clio A RENAULT Clio became famous in Portugal for the wrong reasons after it was seen driving on the A28 in Viana do Castelo with its back end entirely destroyed.

Photos of the car went viral although it has finally ended its days at a scrapyard which recently announced that the Clio “can now enjoy a well-deserved rest.”

Fashion riches ACCORDING to the annual estimated wealth and assets assessment compiled and published each year by the US business magazine Forbes, businessman Stefan Persson is Sweden’s richest person. Persson’s $16.87 billion (€15.66 billion) fortune is based on the H & M fashion chain in which he holds a major stake.

Jailhouse blues SWEDEN’S Prison and Probation Service is creating a management team to deal with the increasingly urgent cell shortage.

The service has said that the lack of space means the problem can only get worse and before long it will be difficult to accommodate those on remand and as well as those serving terms.

JOURNEY’S END: Clio at the scrapyard.

ITALY

SWEDEN

FRANCE

DENMARK

Marmite okay

Iraq gift

Fair dues

Cliff breakup

NORWAY’S English-speaking media came to the recue of Marmite recently after Anglican vicar and author Richard Coles claimed that it was banned. Not so, The Local, stated, clarifying that the love-it-hate-it yeast extract spread needs special authorisation in neighbouring Denmark as it is fortified with added vitamins.

ITALY presented Iraq with a replica of the Ninth Century BC, five-metre-tall Bull of Nimrod which Isis terrorists destroyed in 2015 by bulldozing the archaeological site 30 kilometres from Mosul. The statue was recreated by Italian artists who consulted images and video footage to copy the monument using 3D-printing technology.

A FRENCH court ruled that funeral homes must pay royalties for music played during services and ordered OGF, one of the country’s largest funeral companies, to pay €80,000 and €37,000 to two copyright associations. Applauded as ‘a win’ for artists, critics said the measure was “an insensitive money grab.”

A SECTION of the white limestone and chalk Mons Klint cliffs, a popular tourist spot on the island of Mons, broke away on February 13 after a period of prolonged and heavy rain. This was the second incident in the area so far this winter, following a more serious landslide at the beginning of January.

Bumpsadaisy

Call up

That’s rich

Rainy season

AN aircraft bound for Stockholm was slightly damaged after its wingtip hit a fence when leaving the gate at Oslo airport on February 14. Although no-one was injured, this was the third incident in a fortnight after a plane clipped another aircraft’s wing on February 13 and a third collided with the same fence on February 2.

THE European Union should create an army to prevent conflict and oversee peacekeeping missions, declared Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, a former president of the European parliament. Other EU members were less keen with Spain, Denmark, Poland and Slovenia labelling the proposal ‘unrealistic and unnecessary’.

MORE than 50 per cent of France’s 34 government ministers, including the 34-yearold PM Gabriel Attal, are millionaires, researchers found after scouring data made available to the public under transparency laws. A quarter of the ministers also belonged to the one per cent of the population classed as ‘super-rich’.

DENMARK experienced its wettest February in more than 10 years with 59 millimetres falling during the first half of the month. This was 29 per cent more than the usual monthly figure of 50.3 millimetres but lagging behind 2020 when the country’s weather stations recorded an unprecedented 135 millimetres.

FINLAND

GERMANY

BELGIUM

NETHERLANDS

Cashing in

Spy game

Strike-stricken

Mystery wall

SHOPS may no longer refuse cash under recent legislation although Unizo, which represents small and medium-sized businesses, described the decision as “bullying” and attempting to solve a non-existent problem. The legislation is in line with EU regulations and means that business which repeatedly refuse cash can be fined.

THE NETHERLANDS’ Ministry of Defence revealed that Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) discovered hackers working for China had infiltrated a military network in 2023. Advanced Chinese malware used on Fortigate systems from the Californian company, Fortinet, had made this possible.

INLAND’S spate of strikes over the last two months has cost the economy approximately one billion euros, the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) calculated. The latest stoppages affected bus-drivers and petrol station employees on February 14, followed by dockers on February 15 and 17.

INVESTIGATORS from Rostock and Christian-Albrechts universities discovered a one-kilometre section of stone wall off the Mecklenburg-Western Pomeria coast estimated to be more than 10,000 years old.

Built when the area was above sea level and densely wooded, experts believe its purpose was linked to reindeer hunting.

Big Freeze

Wotcher cock

No change

Ocean wave

THE Belgian government told the EU and the G7 that Ukraine’s financial problems could be helped by allowing it to raise funds from private sector lenders by using Russian central bank assets currently frozen by sanctions. Belgium suggested the strategy because most of these assets are held in Europe and G7 countries.

ANIMAL welfare organisations in the Rotterdam area asked the city council to tackle the problem of abandoned poultry after its animal collection service failed to pick up a cockerel abandoned in a hotel room. Police later collected it and took it to Zwerfkip en Zo, which finds homes for abandoned animals.

MOST Finns are satisfied with the country’s alcohol laws, with 57 per cent seeing no reason to change them, although 11 per cent told a recent survey that they would like to see regulations tightened up. Forty-four per cent said they would like to buy wine in shops instead of the state-owned Alko monopoly.

THE next Ocean Race Europe sets sail on August 10, 2025, from Kiel, the finish port of the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002 and hosted the 2022-2023 Ocean Race’s penultimate leg. The route will begin in the Baltic, continuing through the North Sea, English Channel and Atlantic before finishing in the Mediterranean.

• News/FEATURE •

euroweeklynews.com

Wind over gas

RENEWABLE ENERGY: Wind turbines.

sector.

Sarah Brown, European programme director at Ember, emphasised, “Coal is on its way out and, as wind and solar grow, gas will be next to go into terminal decline.

“However, this is not the time to rest on its laurels.

The EU needs to focus on rapid deployment of wind, solar and flexibility to create a system free of the risks of fossil fuels.”

Photovoltaic solar energy also saw impressive

growth, with over 5,000 new MW installed.

Despite the overall decrease in electricity demand by 3.4 per cent in 2023, the future looks electric.

The transition to electrification, driven by among other things, heat pumps, and electric vehicles is expected to increase electricity demand. Renewables will need to keep up with this growing demand to meet emission reduction targets.

Credit: One Billion Rising/Petr zewlakk Vrabec

One Billion Rising in Prague.

One Billion Rising John Smith PRAGUE saw a flash demonstration on February 14, as part of a worldwide call to action by the global organisation One Billion Rising which exists to fight gender based violence.

It was launched on Valentine’s Day, 2012 with the intention of alerting the world to the incredible fact that it is believed that one in three women on the planet will be beaten or raped during their lifetime.

So with an estimated seven billion people alive now, this equates to more than one billion, hence the name of the orga-

nisation.

The demonstration also embraces those who are cross or trans gender and are equally vulnerable to attack and the hope is that eventually males in particular will recognise that everyone is entitled to be treated equally and with dignity.

Although this one event took place in Prague on Valentine’s Day, similar events, some with huge gatherings occurred throughout the world especially in countries in Africa and Asia as well as across the European Union where freedom of speech is so much easier to practice.

11

ADVERTISING FEATURE Credit: chaiviewfinder/shutterstock.com

CAN Europe turn its back on fossil fuels for good?

The recent surge in renewable energy across the European Union suggests it might just be possible.

In 2023, a ground-breaking report by the energy think tank Ember revealed a significant shift in the EU’s energy landscape.

Fossil fuel generation plummeted, marking a decisive move towards renewables, with wind and solar energy leading the charge.

This change was particularly notable in Spain, which set a precedent by generating more than half of its electricity from renewable sources. In 2023, coal usage dropped by 26 per cent to a record low, accounting for only 12 per cent.

Gas saw its largest annual decrease since at least 1990, falling by 15 per cent. This reduction in fossil fuel use led to a 19 per cent decrease in emissions from the electricity

22 - 28 February 2024

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FINANCE Not enough

A SURVEY for the Resolution Foundation think tank found that 11 million people of working age in the UK did not have savings of at least £1,000 (€1,170). Many of the British faced a “triple challenge” of insufficient savings, inability to cope financially with major life events and inadequate pensions, the Foundation said.

Idealista deal

SWEDISH private equity company EQT has engaged Morgan Stanley to sell the Spanish property website, Idealista, four years after acquiring a majority stake.

The company is valued at approximately €2.5 billion, Reuters reported, but the process is still at an early stage with the sale unlikely until the second half of 2023.

On time

AUSTRALIAN company Q-CTRL and UK firm Oxford Quantum Circuits are developing a supercomputer enabling the Department of Transport to overhaul train timetables and ensure that they run punctually. Q-CTRL has also been awarded part of a £15 million (€17.6 million) computing fund to finance its work.

Jobs lost

EIGHTY-FIVE employees will be made redundant at the Coca Cola plants in Madrid and Barcelona, the company’s total staff reductions in Spain is now 100. The company intends to restructure jobs, grouping together all customer services, human resources and business operations in Bulgaria, union officials said.

Aldi ploy

ALDI is spending £550 million to attract more customers, with plans to open 500 stores in town centres and suburbs.

Although the German discounter is the UK’s fourthlargest chain, its market share fell from 10.2 per cent in September 2023 to 9.3 per cent in January this year.

euroweeklynews.com • 22 - 28 February 2024

STAT OF WEEK

€11 billion

destined for Iberdrola’s called-off purchase of US power company PNM Resources will now be invested in the Spanish multinational’s distribution network.

Inflation holds steady

Linda Hall THE UK’s annual inflation rate remained at 4 per cent in January despite rising energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the expected rise failed to materialise, despite Bank of England predictions of a slight increase while City economists polled by Reuters anticipated a climb of 4.2 per cent increase.

Core inflation, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, remained unchanged at 5.1 per cent, while services’ inflation rose to 6.5 per cent in January, up from 6.4 per cent the previous month.

Photo credit: Rishi Sunak

JANUARY INFLATION: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed latest figures

“I absolutely believe that the economy has turned the corner and we’re now pointing in the right direction,” Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak told business leaders during the first meeting of his 2024 Busi-

Duke sells up HUGH GROSVENOR, Duke of Westminster, plans to sell Spanish assets worth €300 million.

Grosvenor, the Duke’s property company is currently disposing of direct assets throughout Europe, hoping to sell four office blocks in Madrid that include the headquarters of gas supply company Naturgy and the Unicaja bank.

The 33-year-old Duke’s fortune, which the Times Rich List put at £9.878 billion (€11.58 billion) in 2023, makes him the eleventh-richest person in the UK and it wealthiest under-35.

ness Council on February 14.

“Hopefully that’s something that you’re seeing in your businesses, but inflation has been more than halved from 11 per cent down to 4 per cent,”

Some of Britain’s oldest money is based on one of the most important property portfolio in London that boasts exclusive prime sites in Mayfair, Fitzrovia, Covent Garden and Soho.

Grosvenor investments in Spain have ranged from shopping centres to luxury developments, but after marketing its residential investments the group is now focusing on the Madrid buildings.

According to sources quoted in the financial daily Cinco Dias, Grosvenor has wanted to sell the four office blocks

he said.

Last month’s better-than-predicted cost of living news is set to be followed by inflation falling to the government’s 2 per cent target by spring.

January was the first time it dipped to this level since July 2021, after which it rose to 11.1 per cent in October 2022 before beginning a gradual decline.

The latest ONS figures could pave the way for a cut in the current 5.25 per cent interest rate, which has risen 14 times between December 2021 and August 2023.

The hoped-for reduction would help to boost personal spending and, in turn, the economy.

Photo credit: naturgy.com

BUSINESS EXTRA

12

NATURGY: Madrid office block belongs to Duke of Westminster

since 2022 although so far offers have been too low owing to the effect of high interest rates on investments.

Sales of offices have also been affected by the switch to working from home that was introduced during the pandemic.

Shot in the arm

Huge Basf plant

Talking the talk

HEPATITIS B drug Bepirovirsen produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has been fast-tracked by US regulators and will now reach the market sooner.

The medication “addresses an unmet medical need”, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in yet another boost for the UK-based pharmaceutical giant whose strong results enabled it to upgrade its growth forecast from 5 to 7 per cent in January.

GSK sales rose 5 per cent to £30.3 billion (€35.5 billion) in 2023 with an operating profit that increased by 12 per cent to £8.8 billion (€10.3 billion).

EUROPEAN multinational Basf, the world’s largest chemical producer, will spend €500 million on a car battery recycling plant in Tarragona.

Once completed, the installation will be the biggest of its yet built in Europe to recover nickel, cobalt, lithium, copper and manganese on this scale. It is also expected to provided jobs for 200 people.

Basf has received at least three packages of public money totally €125 million but although the company has not yet disclosed the sums involved, a company spokesperson confirmed to the El Pais newspaper that the future operation was going ahead.

Sources close to the Basf project, who preferred not to remain anonymous, revealed that the project had grown since its inception and that the €500 million investment was likely to be closer to €700 million.

VIRGIN MEDIA O2, owned by Telefonica and Liberty Global, are again in talks with TalkTalk.

The Telefonica subsidiary negotiated in 2022 to acquire Talk Talk in a £3 billion (€3.5 billion) transaction but failed to reach an agreement.

Talk Talk has approximately four million UK customers and 2.4 million fibre connections, and a deal would strengthen Virgin Media 02’s position as a rival to BT, which traditionally dominates the British market.

At the same time, Telefonica faces competition from rivals and insiders commented that a formal offer for Talk Talk would increase pressure on Vodafone, which could launch a counterbid.

Talgo deal A HUNGARIAN consortium confirmed on February 9 that it hopes to take over 100 per cent of Spain’s Talgo.

No agreement has yet been reached, although according to media reports Magyar Vagon would pay €5 per share for the emblematic rolling stock manufacturer.

The Hungarian company admitted that the bid might not be successful although the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) lifted its trading ban on trading Talgo shares on February 12.

Magyar Vagon first needs approval from the Spanish government as well as Talgo’s principal shareholders, Pegaso Transportation (40 per cent) and the Torrblas investment company (5 per cent).

Gove challenge MARKS & SPENCER launched a High Court battle on February 14 against the government’s decision to block plans for its Marble Arch store.

The chain is arguing that “inconsistent” Housing Secretary Michael Gove has “misinterpreted and wrongly applied planning policy” for M&S’s multimillion revamp of the Art Deco landmark.

This entails demolishing and replacing the 1929 building with a 10-storey block “to bring it up to modern standards” while allocating only two and half floors to retail space.

In the meantime, similar projects across the UK have been put on hold as developers await the outcome of the M&S case.

In the bag EXCLUSIVE shoe and bag maker Tod’s is delisting from the Milan stock exchange.

It has agreed a deal to sell a 36 per cent stake to private equity group L Catterton, which is a partnership between another luxury group, France’s LVMH and the family investment group belonging to its founder Bernard Arnault.

Tod’s will receive €43 per share, an 18 per cent premium on the closing price for the company’s shares on February 9 which puts a value of around €512 million on the company.

14 EWN 22 - 28 February 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 19 February

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3I Group.....................................2.447,60.............+19,60........... +0,81%......... 249,13K Admiral Group.............................2.574,0................ -7,0..............-0,27%........... 68,79K Airtel Africa.................................. 97,75................. -1,75.............-1,76%............1,02M Anglo American...........................1.820,0...............+53,0............ +3,00%......... 936,32K Antofagasta................................1.745,50.............+56,00........... +3,31%......... 313,15K Ashtead Group............................5.322,0...............+72,0............ +1,37%......... 157,05K Associated British Foods.............2.283,0................ -2,0..............-0,09%.......... 197,43K AstraZeneca................................9.962,0..............+136,0........... +1,38%......... 484,92K Auto Trader Group Plc................ 717,84................+5,64............ +0,79%......... 193,52K Aviva........................................... 431,20................+1,20............ +0,28%......... 839,92K B&M European Value Retail SA... 512,30................+4,50............ +0,89%......... 391,51K BAE Systems..............................1.235,00.............+10,00........... +0,82%......... 887,97K Barclays...................................... 146,62................+3,20............ +2,23%...........8,17M Barratt Developments................. 474,79................ -0,91.............-0,19%............1,24M Beazley........................................ 586,00................+3,00............ +0,52%......... 209,35K Berkeley......................................4.700,0...............+32,0............ +0,69%.......... 24,28K BP............................................... 470,80................+2,05............ +0,44%...........5,80M British American Tobacco...........2.395,0............... -27,0.............-1,11%.......... 936,29K BT Group.................................... 107,40................+1,10............ +1,03%...........5,06M Bunzl...........................................3.191,0...............+10,0............ +0,31%......... 107,51K Burberry Group...........................1.331,0...............+17,0............ +1,29%......... 157,44K Centrica....................................... 140,35................+4,15............ +3,05%...........5,20M Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.455,0...............+15,0............ +0,61%......... 241,65K Compass....................................2.191,00..............+3,00............ +0,14%......... 546,43K ConvaTec Group......................... 243,00................+1,60............ +0,66%......... 723,92K Croda Intl....................................5.048,0...............+24,0............ +0,48%.......... 37,08K DCC.............................................5.696,0...............+38,0............ +0,67%.......... 35,77K Diageo.........................................2.924,5...............+26,5............ +0,91%...........1,68M Diploma.....................................3.386,00.............+54,00........... +1,62%.......... 40,90K DS Smith.................................... 326,94................+4,04............ +1,25%...........1,85M Endeavour Mining......................1.307,00.............+15,00........... +1,16%.......... 54,79K Entain.......................................... 938,43................ -0,37.............-0,04%.......... 251,42K Experian......................................3.381,0...............+26,0............ +0,78%......... 233,37K F&C Invest.................................. 988,95................+4,95............ +0,50%......... 133,94K Flutter Entertainment..................17.065,0.............+195,0........... +1,16%.......... 68,42K Frasers........................................ 836,50................+9,50............ +1,15%.......... 53,84K Fresnillo...................................... 488,60................+9,70............ +2,02%......... 113,61K Glencore...................................... 399,85................+8,85............ +2,26%...........9,17M GSK plc......................................1.662,00.............. -1,00.............-0,06%............1,24M HALEON...................................... 322,70................+2,25............ +0,70%...........2,64M Halma..........................................2.226,8...............+30,8............ +1,40%......... 116,75K Hikma Pharma...........................1.985,50.............. -1,50.............-0,07%........... 46,22K Howden Joinery.......................... 801,40................+1,60............ +0,20%......... 310,51K HSBC.......................................... 633,60................+7,00............ +1,12%...........7,37M IAG.............................................. 146,80................+0,40............ +0,27%...........1,95M IMI PLC......................................1.730,14.............+26,14........... +1,53%......... 102,75K Imperial Brands..........................1.832,50..............+2,00............ +0,11%......... 547,34K Informa....................................... 812,20................+1,20............ +0,15%......... 349,44K InterContinental..........................7.702,0...............+20,0............ +0,26%.......... 48,02K Intermediate Capital...................1.836,00.............+29,00........... +1,61%......... 124,28K

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

Intertek........................................4.415,0...............+67,0............ +1,54%.......... 35,38K J Sainsbury................................. 253,90................+2,90............ +1,16%...........1,67M JD Sports Fashion....................... 112,00................+2,15............ +1,96%...........1,55M Kingfisher.................................... 227,20................+2,10............ +0,93%......... 982,79K Land Securities........................... 643,60................ -0,60.............-0,09%.......... 183,60K Legal & General.......................... 238,40................+1,00............ +0,42%...........2,16M Lloyds Banking............................ 42,58.................+1,00............ +2,39%..........48,09M London Stock Exchange..............8.852,8............... -51,2.............-0,58%.......... 162,89K M&G........................................... 223,83................+0,83............ +0,37%...........1,07M Marks & Spencer........................ 236,50................+4,80............ +2,07%...........2,05M Melrose Industries...................... 603,80................ -7,00.............-1,15%.......... 543,75K Mondi.........................................1.379,00..............+6,00............ +0,44%......... 145,42K National Grid..............................1.012,08..............+3,08............ +0,31%......... 953,40K NatWest Group........................... 228,30...............+14,00........... +6,53%..........18,91M Next............................................8.434,0...............+34,0............ +0,41%.......... 27,23K Ocado.......................................... 533,80................ -5,20.............-0,97%.......... 399,00K Pearson....................................... 966,00................ -3,00.............-0,31%.......... 271,37K Pershing Square.......................... 48,75.................+0,60............ +1,25%........... 3,74K Persimmon.................................1.427,5................+7,0............. +0,49%......... 129,53K Phoenix....................................... 504,40................+3,20............ +0,64%......... 326,52K Prudential.................................... 834,40...............+26,80........... +3,32%...........1,39M Reckitt Benckiser........................5.702,0.................0,0............... 0,00%.......... 260,57K Relx............................................3.365,00.............+51,00........... +1,54%...........1,17M Rentokil....................................... 419,20................+3,70............ +0,89%...........1,30M Rightmove.................................. 555,20................+5,60............ +1,02%......... 232,23K Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.499,0..............+171,0........... +3,21%......... 655,46K Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 316,90................ -3,10.............-0,97%............3,23M RS PLC....................................... 784,20...............+13,60........... +1,76%......... 243,69K Sage...........................................1.169,50..............+7,00............ +0,60%......... 467,29K Schroders.................................... 407,4..................+3,6............. +0,89%......... 208,34K Scottish Mortgage....................... 801,46...............+12,66........... +1,60%......... 701,00K Segro.......................................... 839,80................+6,40............ +0,77%...........1,08M Severn Trent...............................2.547,0................+4,0............. +0,16%.......... 83,32K Shell............................................2.487,0...............+23,0............ +0,93%...........2,27M Smith & Nephew........................1.114,33..............+5,33............ +0,48%......... 274,29K Smiths Group.............................1.622,16.............+17,16........... +1,07%.......... 81,70K Smurfit Kappa.............................3.236,0...............+36,0............ +1,12%.......... 59,67K Spirax-Sarco Engineering..........10.340,0.............+105,0........... +1,03%.......... 19,02K SSE............................................1.588,50..............+3,00............ +0,19%......... 400,29K St. James’s Place........................ 642,40................+7,40............ +1,17%......... 169,14K Standard Chartered..................... 598,47...............+17,67........... +3,04%......... 911,22K Taylor Wimpey............................ 146,45................+0,75............ +0,52%...........2,49M Tesco.......................................... 277,00................+0,80............ +0,29%...........1,94M Unilever.......................................4.016,0...............+35,0............ +0,88%...........1,03M Unite..........................................1.000,00..............+2,50............ +0,25%......... 151,14K United Utilities............................1.040,50...............0,00.............. 0,00%.......... 199,31K Vodafone Group PLC.................. 66,240............... -0,330............-0,50%...........15,38M Weir Group................................1.842,50.............+41,50........... +2,30%......... 115,23K Whitbread...................................3.510,0...............+27,0............ +0,78%.......... 79,39K WPP............................................ 779,00................+8,80............ +1,14%......... 362,54K

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.85558

1.25861

Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.0769 Japan yen (JPY)...................................161.83 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9489 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4547 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.323 currenciesdirect.com/marbella • Tel: +34 952 906 581 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES

Closing Prices 19 February

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3M............................................... 92,38.................+1,47............ +1,62%...........3,81M American Express....................... 212,53................+1,63............ +0,77%...........2,57M Amgen........................................ 289,07................+1,25............ +0,43%...........2,90M Apple........................................... 183,86................ -0,29.............-0,16%...........61,94M Boeing......................................... 205,33................+1,95............ +0,96%...........5,03M Caterpillar.................................... 323,07................+6,36............ +2,01%...........2,31M Chevron...................................... 154,46................+5,08............ +3,40%...........8,90M Cisco............................................ 49,06................. -1,22.............-2,43%...........42,16M Coca-Cola..................................... 59,40.................+0,11............ +0,19%..........13,65M Dow............................................. 55,17.................+1,59............ +2,97%...........4,41M Goldman Sachs........................... 385,42................+7,38............ +1,95%...........2,20M Home Depot................................ 361,08................+2,85............ +0,80%...........2,56M Honeywell................................... 197,95................+3,08............ +1,58%...........1,93M IBM............................................. 186,87................+3,30............ +1,80%...........4,71M Intel.............................................. 44,05................. -0,14.............-0,32%...........40,67M J&J............................................. 157,92................+2,18............ +1,40%...........6,78M JPMorgan................................... 179,87................+3,84............ +2,18%...........8,60M McDonald’s................................. 291,86................+3,69............ +1,28%...........2,23M Merck&Co................................... 126,54................+0,72............ +0,57%...........5,67M Microsoft.................................... 406,56................ -2,93.............-0,72%...........21,59M Nike............................................. 106,05................ -0,28.............-0,26%............7,02M Procter&Gamble......................... 157,01................+1,38............ +0,89%...........5,97M Salesforce Inc............................. 291,94................+2,79............ +0,96%...........3,62M The Travelers.............................. 219,02................+2,40............ +1,11%...........1,29M UnitedHealth............................... 520,88................+3,94............ +0,76%...........2,29M Verizon......................................... 40,59.................+0,44............ +1,10%..........10,49M Visa A.......................................... 280,98................+3,42............ +1,23%...........4,82M Walgreens Boots.......................... 22,29.................+0,75............ +3,48%...........8,13M Walmart...................................... 169,29................+0,69............ +0,41%...........5,63M M - Million Dollars

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 19 February

Company

Change Net / %

Volume

Most Advanced Pegasystems Inc..............................................+35.67%.........................3.391M JFrog Ltd..........................................................+28.44%........................10.397M Tomra Systems ASA........................................+27.11%......................... 18,157 Shake Shack Inc...............................................+26.04%.........................6.068M AppLovin Corporation......................................+24.81%........................16.004M Sylvamo Corporation.......................................+24.08%.........................1.024M Alkermes plc....................................................+16.33%..........................5.47M Lyft, Inc............................................................+16.11%........................90.698M BridgeBio Pharma, Inc.....................................+14.14%.........................3.671M Blueprint Medicines Corporation......................+14.02%.........................1.629M M - Million Dollars

Most Declined Fastly, Inc......................................................... -30.59%........................23.522M Twilio Inc......................................................... -15.39%........................19.018M West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.................. -14.08%.........................3.118M PENN Entertainment, Inc.................................. -13.84%.........................20.95M YETI Holdings, Inc........................................... -13.84%.........................6.792M Manchester United plc..................................... -13.40%.........................1.814M Iridium Communications Inc............................ -13.04%.........................3.441M Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.......................... -10.19%.........................5.427M Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.......................... -8.13%.........................96.155M KOSÉ Corporation............................................. -7.94%.......................... 80,691 Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc................................ -7.72%..........................2.812M M - Million Dollars

FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com It’s a gas

BRITISH GAS 2023’s operating profits soared from £75 million (€87.7 million) in 2022 to £751 million (€878.2 million).

Centrica, British Gas’s parent company, explained that changes to gas and electricity regulator Ofgem’s energy price cap allowed them to compensate for costs sustained during the pandemic and by taking on the customers of failed competitors.

Ideal site

POWERCO’S €3 billion gigafactory in Sagunto (Valencia), which will produce an annual 500,000 batteries for electric vehicles that are produced at Volkwagen’s (VW) Martorell and Pamplamo plants, will use desalinated sea water. It was Sagunto’s coastal location that made it perfect for the new factory, the VW subsidiary explained.

Romantasy pays LONDON-LISTED Bloomsbury Publishing upgraded its revenue and profit forecasts amid growing demand for “romantasy” novels.

The London-listed company expects a full-year revenue of £291.4 million (€341.1 million) and pre-tax profits of £37.2 million (€43.5 million) compared with £264.1 million (€309.1 million) and £25.4 million (€29.7 million) in 2023.

Shares have also risen by a record 11.5 per cent.

Photo credit: sarahjmaas.com

BUSINESS EXTRA

22 - 28 February 2024

BEST SELLER: Sarah J Maas boosted Bloomsbury Publishing’s revenue

Out of service INFRASTRUCTURE development company ACS is selling its services subsidiary Clece.

The company hopes to raise €700 million from the sale and concentrate on its construction and concessions business.

Analysts said that ACS is following in the footsteps of competitors and returning to its origins by divesting itself of its services companies.

Ferrovial, for instance, sold Infrastructure Services to Madrid-based Portobello Capital in 2021 and its Environmental Services company to PreZero that same year. In 2019 its Australian services business went to the Ventia Services Group and a UK subsidiary, Amey, was sold to One Equity Partners, in 2022.

Sacyr, in 2023, sold Valoriza Services to Morgan Stanley for €734 million.

Bloomsbury, which publishes the Harry Potter books

by JK Rowling who is now worth more than £1 billion (€117 billion, has enjoyed buoyant sales since the pandemic lockdowns re-awoke an interest in reading.

The company is now profiting from a growing taste for romantasy - a combination of romance and fantasy - whose authors include Samantha Shannon and Cixin although Sarah J Maas is arguably Bloomsbury’s leading provider of the genre.

Her latest book, which was released at the end of January 2024, has reached the Number One spot in the UK, the US and Australia.

Bloomsbury’s chief executive Nigel Newton has described Ms Maas, as a “publishing phenomenon”, who has produced 15 books and is under contract to provide a further six. “We are very fortunate to have signed her up with her first book 13 years ago,” Newton said.

EWN 15

Inflation up SPAIN’S inflation rose from 3.1 per cent in December 2023 to 3.4 per cent in January after IVA added-value tax on electricity rose from 5 to 10 per cent as the government phases out concessions for small consumers. If fuel prices had not dropped slightly, January’s inflation would have been still higher, the National Statistics Institute (INS) said.

Fallen icon THE BODY SHOP, acquired by private equity group Aurelius in November 2023, went into administration on February 13, endangering the future of 100 of its 200 shops and putting more than 2,000 jobs at risk. Trading will continue during the process, according to the administrators who said they were considering “all options” for the former high street favourite.

• Feature/News •

Back to flower power LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT IT’S all too much ennit? I wanna go back to flower power, the overwhelming presence of peace and love; a blissful time, when our young lives were spiritedly enlightened by wispy joints, a cheap bottle of wine and the occasional ‘upper’.

The nearest you ever got to politics was the sporadic glimpse of an amicable politician, enjoying a bottle of bubbly and surrounded by young beauties in a popular local club. No chance. I’ve just been listening to youngsters presenting their news programme on TV. Young, ill-informed lives who have been totally brainwashed by the left, virtually appearing to blame Israel for every move against the Palestinians and completely ignoring Hamas, a terrorist organisation who actually began this present conflict by killing and beheading the young and elderly Israelis as they were relaxing in the comfort of their own homes. On it all goes.

Even the 50s and 60s gangsters kept problems within their own environments. Not anymore. World leaders have changed all that. Putin is of course your classic gangster. He is undoubtedly an ego maniac. He is surrounded by thugs, hit men, bent politicians and ‘financial advisers’.

He rubs out or ‘subdues’ any opposition as a warning to others, runs a money laundering operation on a gigantic scale and, although it appears to be waning, most of the general public within his domain still consider him a hero. You don’t get more classic than that. Of course, that is where the resemblance ends. He makes the Capone Gotti’s and mafia dons of this world look like pussies. Throughout all this dangerous and worrying era we can however all console ourselves with one fact; Putin won’t attack the West, nuclear or otherwise.

Why would he? He still earns most of his ill-gotten gains from the West.

He’s not involved in skullduggery from a view of patriotism or communistic ideals. He’s in it for the power and the money. Despite its opposition, taking out the UK would be like

Al Capone destroying Chicago. He definitely doesn’t want to obliterate a future golden egg of our magnitude.

I do however still consider a nuclear war could be a possibility. I truly believe that the world is closer than it has ever been, even during the Cuban missile crisis. At least in those days the USA and the USSR pulled just about all the strings. Both of these powers were fairly stable and had reasonably sane leaders. Now they are all at it. And a number are nowhere near predictable or, in my opinion, particularly sane. Kim Jong Un with North Korea, run by a man boy who thinks he’s playing video games.

Iran, ruled by a paranoid regime who believe that the more you take with you the more virgins you get in the afterlife. China, who peer at the world through ever more narrowing eyes. And the two bill toppers, a megalomaniac who assassinates his political rivals and another who should be put out to graze. Peace and love to y’all out there? Some chance.

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.

euroweeklynews.com

Brussels smallest house WHAT is believed to be the smallest house in Brussels has been put up for sale at an asking price of €195,000.

Having an internal dimension of just 60 square metres, it still manages to offer two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and shower room but even the agent agrees that it needs modernisation.

They try to put a positive spin on this unusual property which is sandwiched in between two other larger houses by stating on their website “A unique property that is ideal for anyone that is looking for originality, charm and something that is exceptional”.

At just 2.15 metres wide, the door takes up much of the frontage and it is clear that it has been

Credit: Trevi Estate Agents

16 22 - 28 February 2024

The front of number 242, Brussels’ smallest house.

built on to at the back and into the roof as some of the rooms are much larger than might initially be expected from first sight of the exterior although it does supposedly have a landscaped garden.

Although it is in a much sought after and expensive area, the agents admit that there have only been four viewings so far but with typical estate agent’s bravado suggest that it would be an ideal purchase for an architect who could prove how skilful they were in making the most of limited space.

What to do when you can’t stop drinking ADVERTISING FEATURE MANY of us choose the beginning of the year to try and cut back, or stop drinking all together; and, for a lot of people a ‘Dry January’ isn’t a problem. However, there are those who will have found it difficult, or even impossible! Who despite promising a loved one they would reduce their alcohol consumption; maybe for health and financial reasons, or to save a relationship; they couldn’t make it past the end of the first week, or even the first day.

What is the answer when you just can’t seem to give up the booze?

When the idea of going a day without alcohol terrifies you, never mind a whole month.

Millions of people worldwide, struggle with problems related to alcohol use. If you often drink more or for longer than you planned too; have tried to cut back (or stop) and found you couldn’t; drink to deal with feelings and emotions; or if your drinking is interfering with your life - your responsibilities, relationships, finances, or health. Then you could have a pro-

blem with alcohol.

There is a solution, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12 Step fellowship support group, that has helped people all over the world, with their problem drinking. If the consequences of your alcohol use are getting too much, if you are ready to stop drinking, or want support to help you try, then don’t wait until it gets any worse.

“

Lizzie and Nate; two members of Alcoholics Anonymous who both started drinking in their early teens; talk about how following the suggestions given to them in AA, has changed their lives, for the better.

LIZZIE - “I started drinking in my early teens, and it was superb! It made me feel like a grown up. My drinking was a problem from the very start. I first came to AA when I was 25 years old, following an assault, that was 100 per cent the fault of alcohol.

“For the first 18 years, I would gain a period of sobriety, and then follow it with a relapse. Each relapse it got worse. The last time was horrific because my children saw me drunk and out of control, I felt like I was a monster in their eyes. Since then, I have committed to the 12-step programme, as was suggested to me, and as a result I have changed the way I think. I sometimes wish I had ‘got it’ the first time, but that was not my journey and there is a reason for that. My life now is manageable. My ego is under control, in its box. I needed to change the way I thought, to enable me to be happy.”

Call the English-speaking AA helpline for support: +34 600 379 110 or visit the website for help and information

www.aacostadelsol.com

NATE - “My drinking got started when I was about 14. I was never able to make the equation that it was alcohol that was the cause of my problems. I had lost girlfriends, then wives! They had all pointed out that a big part of our relationship problems was that I did not drink normally. I lost my driver’s licence because of driving drunk. I lost my friends because I beat them up whilst drunk. It was not until my current wife gave up on me, that I sought help in AA. “That was 10 years ago. By following the suggestions given freely to me, I know that I never have to drink again. To anyone struggling with alcohol, I would suggest finding a local AA meeting as soon as possible, we can’t do this alone, we need help.”

There are meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, with friendly people who will understand, held daily throughout the Costa del Sol. Meetings are free to attend, and anyone who thinks they may have a problem with alcohol is welcome.

euroweeklynews.com

• Feature •

INTERVIEW

The climate is best BORN in Krefeld, Germany, Wilma Fone has lived across the globe, including Jordan, England and the United States. But having moved to Spain 20 years ago, Wilma finds it is Spain she wants to stay in: ¨I absolutely love it here and I wouldn’t like to be anywhere else.”

WILMA had initially moved ning to life in Spain was easy: to Moraira and then to “I don’t find myself reaCalpe, having boully missing anything. ght some property I understand and with her famican speak the baly. It is here sics of Spanish. she decided to When I have to spend her retigo to offices or rement, having do paperwork, enjoyed the people are very Spanish cultunice to me. As re and nature. long as you “Spain’s climatry, it is easy to te is the best! I c o m m u n i c at e love the people and get things here and the redone here.” laxed way of life,” Even though says Wilma.

Wilma learns the lanWilma Fone.

Her daily life remains guage from her Spanish vibrant and busy: “I take friends, she explained care of my garden, I swim in the pool that she is surrounded by people of all and go out for meals with my friends. nationalities: “I have English and EuHere in Spain, I’m just living and enjoropean friends: quite a lot of nationaliying it.” ties. Even when I look at my family, it’s Wilma revealed that the transitiovery international and I love that.”

22 - 28 February 2024

17

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

22

20 22 - 28 February 2024

• Feature •

euroweeklynews.com

• News Across The Regions • Costa del Sol Cudeca needs help

Costa Blanca South Simply soaring

CUDECA fell some €120,000 short of the target it had set itself during its Sunflower Movement campaign. The charity needed to raise €250,000 to be able to continue funding its two home help teams, but with the funds raised it only has enough to maintain one.

After three months of campaigning, it has managed to raise almost €130,000 with donations from public institutions, entities, partners and individual donors, to whom the NGO is grateful. These funds will enable a team to care for some 200 people in their homes and offer support and help to carers, estimated at 400 people.

Although the Movimiento Girasol fundraising campaign has ended, Cudeca is keeping different avenues open to continue raising funds. For information visit the website: movimientogirasol.org.

IN a recent announcement, the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport set new records with a total of 958,088 passengers and 6,468 flights.

This marks a 20.5 per cent increase in passengers and an 18.8 per cent increase in flights compared to January 2023.

The growth is driven by international travellers, accounting for 805,602 passengers, up 22.1 per cent from the previous year.

The recovery of the British market in the airport area and its great connectivity with 20 airports in the United Kingdom, as well as the good performance of other international destinations during the winter months, have made it possible to reach this volume of travellers.

Among international travellers, the UK led with 287,555 passengers, followed by the Netherlands (77,631), Belgium (63,598), Poland (61,901), and Germany (56,392).

Almeria Rare egg stolen

Costa Blanca North Shattering records

THE very first egg laid by the female of the incredibly rare pair of red-necked ostrich was stolen from the zoological reserve at the MiniHollywood Oasys in Tabernas on Sunday February 18.

Now extinct in the wild only 40 male and less than 38 female red-necked ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus) are known to exist on the entire planet and all are part of a Captive Breeding Conservation programme in zoos around the world.

The arrival of the first egg was considered a triumph when the female, named Carlota laid the egg but within a matter of hours it had disappeared, presumably removed by a member of the public who must have jumped into their enclosure and made off with the egg.

ACCORDING to data released mid February by the Valencian government, in 2023, the Community saw a record number of international tourists.

Figures show nearly 10.5 million visitors and spending reaching €12.6 billion.

The British market remained the top source of tourists, contributing 24.8 per cent of foreign visitors, totalling over 2.5 million tourists.

The data from surveys conducted by INE highlight significant increases in tourism from France and Germany, with 27.6 per cent and 18.7 per cent growth, respectively.

Nuria Montes, Tourism councillor, emphasised the importance of these figures, underscoring the Valencian Community’s standing as an international tourist destination. The government will further promote the region in 2024, with over 150 promotional activities in 20 markets.

Mallorca Tomorrow’s champions

Costa Calida Magical night

THE Consell de Mallorca’s 11th Serra de Tramuntana Children’s Race Circuit kicked off at Raixa on Saturday, February 17.

The races, designed for children, youths, and adults, saw about 250 participants taking part, with distances ranging from 150 metres for the youngest runners to 4,500 metres for adults.

This year’s events will extend to 10 municipalities, including three new locations at Esporles, Estellencs, and Pollenca, all have been designed to showcase the beauty of Mallorca’s landscapes.

Llorenc Galmes, president of the Council of Mallorca, emphasised sport as ‘an essential tool to learn about the values that have made the Serra de Tramuntana World Heritage, as well as promoting noble causes such as camaraderie, respect, and healthy habits’.

MABS San Javier Cancer Support Foundation extends a helping hand to cancer patients in the region, providing essential support services. The organisation offers counselling, translators, equipment, drivers, and complementary therapy to enhance the well-being of those facing the challenges of cancer.

MABS San Javier presents a delightful fundraising evening on April 20 at Marios in Sucina. The event promises a magical touch with magician Graeme Mykal, followed by live music with Sean Holsgrove and Tapas. Tickets are priced at €15 and can be obtained from MABS San Javier or by contacting Maxine on WhatsApp on 633 467 108.

For those seeking more than just entertainment, MABS San Javier invites you to explore their furniture sale at their store.

21

PETS

euroweeklynews.com • 22 - 28 February 2024 SPONSORED BY

Cat cuddles Shutterstock.com Julija Sulkovska

Cuddling nutures both the cat and the owner.

CUDDLING your cat offers a multitude of benefits, both for you and your feline friend. This simple act of affection strengthens the bond between you, promoting a sense of security and trust in your cat. Physiologically, cuddling releases endorphins in both humans and cats, reducing stress and creating a calming effect.

For humans, it can lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease, while for cats, it reinforces their social bonds and helps socialise

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them further. Moreover, these intimate moments of closeness allow owners to detect any unusual signs in their cat’s health early on.

Regular cuddles contribute to a cat’s overall well-being, making them feel loved and valued, which is crucial for their emotional health.

In essence, the power of a cuddle goes beyond mere physical warmth, fostering a deep, empathetic connection that nurtures the well-being of both pet and owner.

Naughty nibbles PUPPY mouthing is a natural behavior where puppies nibble on hands and objects as part of their exploration and play. It’s crucial for pet owners to address this behaviour early on to prevent future issues, understanding that it’s not aggression but a learning phase.

Puppies learn bite inhibition from their interactions with littermates, a lesson that owners must continue through positive reinforcement. Redirecting their mouthing towards appropriate chew toys instead of hands or household items teaches them acceptable behaviour.

A firm ‘no’ or a yelp when bitten too hard, followed by a brief period of ignoring the puppy, can effectively communicate the consequences of rough play, mimicking the feedback they would receive from their littermates. This helps puppies understand the limits of play and the strength of their bite.

Consistent training and providing plenty of chew toys are key to guiding your puppy through this phase. Early and positive training methods are essential for developing a well-behaved adult dog, ensuring a lasting and harmonious bond between pet and owner.

Provide plenty of chew toys.

Shutterstock.com Vera Aksionava

Join HouseSitMatch and find free checked trusted pet-sitters online KEEPING your pets at home when you travel can give you real peace of mind. Our house and pet-sitters can also entertain your pets and keep them company while you are away. We’re rated 4.9 / 5.0 on TrustPilot.

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Janet Bryant, Pet owner How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch. com.

Need a pet or house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting is a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation!

Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20% discount using coupon code 20EWN – Reader exclusive offer. To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.Housesitmatch.com.

Pet care revolution THE veterinary field is experiencing a significant evolution with the increased incorporation of specialists into clinics and hospitals, fundamentally enhancing pet care.

Traditionally, the limited availability of specialists within veterinary practices led to extended wait times for diagnosis and treatment, as referrals to external experts were often necessary.

This process delayed care and added stress for both pets and their owners.

However, the trend of hiring in-house specialists, including dermatologists, surgeons, and other professionals, is streamlining the delivery of veterinary services.

This approach drastically cuts down on wait

times, enabling pets to receive specialised care more promptly.

Specialists bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in their fields, offering advanced treatments and a more comprehensive approach to health issues.

This strategic move towards integrating specialists directly into veterinary practices marks a leap forward in pet healthcare.

It ensures that pets have quicker access to expert care, improving the quality and efficiency of their treatment.

This development not only reflects an advanced standard of veterinary medicine but also deepens the bond between pets and their owners.

CLASSIFIEDS AWNINGS

BLINDS SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for large glazed areas to reflect heat / glare and stop furniture fading and still keep the view.

SAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER to improve your living environment. ian@ solarshadetinting.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176 (287972)

BUY & SELL PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

CHARITY New Life Church Whether you live in Nerja or are visiting our area, you are very welcome to come and join us at our Sunday gathering. Join us for a time of Holy Spirit led worship

and experience the presence of our God. Our teaching is Bible based as we honour God and obey His Word. During this time of uncertainty, God’s Word reminds us that the Gospel shines brightest in times of darkness. Our service lasts for about 1 hour and 30 mins. With Tea and Coffee afterwards.

Sunday Service 11.00am; Prayer Meetings Wednesdays 11.00am; Pasaje San Miguel, Nerja, 29780 Email: info@ nlcnerja.com Website: w w w. n l c n e r j a . c o m Facebook:www.facebook. com/nlcnerj

CHARITY Shop Pocapecunia we need things for the house/kitchen, decoration, vases, plates, cups, saucers, kitchen tools, paintings, pottery pots and pans etc. Prolongacion Avd. Rodgriguez Acosta, Nr the Parador Roundabout, opposite café Trébol, Nerja (294373)

CHURCH SERVICES THE ANGLICAN Chaplaincy of Nerja & Almunecar. Every Sunday there is a Holy Communion service at midday in San Miguel church in Nerja.

Every Wednesday morning at 9.30 we have an online ‘Zoom’ HC service - please contact Fr

22

Nigel with an e-mail address if you would like to join us. Priest in Charge, Father Nigel Thomas. Tel: Church House 951 815 736, Mobile: 608 695 756, e-mail: cofenerja@gmail. com.

FOR SALE/WANTED WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel 678 716 693 (288662)

INSURANCE STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www. abbeygateinsure.com

MASSAGE NERJA. Hi! Beautiful masseuse, spectacular attributes. Relieve stress, personalised massage, unforgettable sensations. 642 268 665 (FU 3179)

CARS FOR SALE

22 - 28 February 2024 MISCELLANEOUS GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693

MOTORING

FOR SALE WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834.

OTHERS EDS? We have the solution, Kama gra pills & jells, Cialis, Sidenafil, over 7 products for men & ladies, mixed trial packs.Free delivery throughout Costa del Sol. WhatsApp or call 603 117 394

SOLAR ENERGY SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for Large Glazed Areas to Reflect Heat / Glare and Stop Furniture Fading and Still Keep The View.

Save Heat in the Winter to Improve Your Living Environ ment. ian@solarshadetinting. com Tel Ian 958 496 571/644 546 176

WINDOW TINTING MOBILE SERVICE. ITV Legal.

Solar Reflective tint for glass curtains, balconies, yachts.

SOLAR PROTECTION

Stop fading, heat & glare. 958 496 571 - 644 546 176 ian@ solarshadetinting.com (287972)

• Sport •

24 22 - 28 February 2024

Ferrari F1 car unveiled FERRARI has become the latest team to launch their 2024 F1 car, with the covers being pulled off the SF-24. After teasing fans with footage of their new challenger being fired up for the first time at Maranello recently, the car has now been revealed to the world ahead of the upcoming season.

The SF-24 is the 70th single-seater built by Ferrari to take part in the 75th Formula 1 championship. Above all, it is the first studied, designed and built entirely under the management of Frederic Vasseur, who inherited Mattia Binotto’s job a year ago.

It is a car that follows the 2023 Ferrari however, the team say it is a radically different car, with most of the secrets under the bodywork.

The aim is to improve balance, reduce tyre wear, and above all increase the drivability, which had been one of the problems the drivers had been

ANDALUCIA WALKING FOOTBALL LEAGUE

struggling with.

“Ferrari is my life, I love this team and I will do everything to make them win the World Championship. Seeing the new single-seater is always a unique feeling after all the work done during the year,” said Charles Leclerc.

Carlos Sainz said: “Mine is not a normal situation to start the season, but the moment I put the helmet on I only feel the desire to go as fast as possible. Seeing the SF-24 is very special.”

The public had already gathered from early morning on the Fiorano bridge, waiting for the new red car to be christened on the track but the real test will be on March 2 in the first of the 24 Grand Prix of the 2024 Formula 1 championship.

The new car has now been revealed.

euroweeklynews.com

Malaga on song!

AWFL Over 50s League AC Benahavis 2 v 13 MalagaWFC This match saw the hosts put to the sword by an on-form Malaga side! Unfortunately, Benahavis fielded a team hit by injury and absence and this coincided with an on-song visiting team, playing at the very height of their game! Benahavis were two down after five minutes and the goals kept coming to leave the hosts 6-0 down by half time.

A reshuffle saw them briefly threaten to make a comeback at the start of the second half; however, Malaga got back into their stride and freely scored seven more, Benahavis at least managing two consolation goals from James Quinn and Shane McAllister. Scorers for Malaga were Fran (5), Pedrin (4), Mark Coleman (3) and Andreas.

AWFL Over 60s League Sporting Benahavis 2 v 6 Malaga WFC A defeat for Sporting which was closer than the score might suggest! The first half was fairly even with Malaga going ahead through Gary Seymour and Bryan Richmond but being pegged back by a fine brace from Bill Keep. Terry Norringham came on for Malaga at the start of the second half and found the net twice in quick succession, the second an absolute beauty! This set the pace for the

€23 million fine

FC Barcelona stadium.

sactions. ‘That is, to enjoy tax advantages that do not correspond to the actual operation carried out,’ the ruling stated.

The investigation concluded that the payments made to agents were, in fact, for the benefit of the players, rather than for services to the club.

Despite FC Barcelona’s claims, the court found that the agents were acting in the interests of the players, not the club.

rest of the match, with Steve Reynolds and Mark Sargent from the penalty spot both contributing and sealing the points for the visitors.

The Women’s Game!

To emphasise the fact that the ladies’ game is very much alive, Competa Chicas recently organised and featured in a mini-tournament against Benalmadena Ladies, Iberas Sevilla and Felines United (Vinuela/UK).

The resulting final took place between the home team and Iberas Sevilla, the visitors leading 2-0 at half time and Competa drawing level by the end, leading to penalties. Sevilla walked out 5-4 winners with Competa second and Felines and Benalmadena third and fourth respectively. Walk on ladies!

Tiger and Nike split Credit: Ian Peter Morton/Shutterstock.com

ONE of Spanish football’s most famous names has been order to pay €23 million by the National Court.

The National Court has recently upheld a hefty £23 million fine against FC Barcelona for tax evasion, involving payments to players’ agents from 2012 to 2015.

The fine, confirmed in 2020 by the Central Economic Administrative Court (TEAC), relates to the Personal Income Tax that the club failed to pay.

This decision was made following a detailed review by the National Court, which found the club guilty of ‘tax simulation’ to gain unfair tax advantages.

The court revealed that FC Barcelona engaged in elaborate schemes to avoid taxes. They were found to be compensating agents for non-existent services, effectively diverting part of the payment to the players.

This allowed the club to benefit from a more favourable tax treatment than that which should have applied to the actual tran-

Over 50s AC Benahavis v Malaga.

‘The Inspection reaches the conclusion that the relationship established between FC Barcelona and the agents only serves to cover the payments made by the club to the players,’ the ruling added.

This ruling sends a clear message about the consequences of tax evasion in football, as FC Barcelona faces the financial and reputational fallout of their actions.

AFTER a long and lucrative 27-year partnership, Tiger Woods and Nike went their separate ways earlier this year.

A new chapter has opened up for the champion golfer as he and sports giant Nike concluded their long-standing collaboration worth a staggering $500 million, on January 8.

Tiger Woods is now embarking on a fresh venture by introducing his own clothing line, Sun Day Red, in collaboration with TaylorMade, a brand known for its golf equipment expertise.

The upcoming Sun Day Red brand is set to cater to men, women, and children alike. Although the launch date for the first collection remains under wraps, the brand’s website teases ‘Coming May 01.’

Golf enthusiasts will soon witness the 15time Major champion adorned in attire distinctly different from his iconic red Nike shirt.

But what exactly is the significance behind the new name? TaylorMade CEO David Abeles told the New York Times; ‘Sunday red is the colour that Mr Woods has made very famous on Sundays.’

Since their first collaboration in 1996, Tiger Woods and Nike have been synonymous, starting with a $40 million deal.

Their partnership saw several renewals. In 2000, Woods renewed his deal with Nike for $85 million, making it the largest golf sponsorship deal at the time.