Dep. Legal MA-422-2006 - ISSN 2953-42536
Axarquia I No. 2137 I 18 - 24 June 2026 I FREE Newspaper
Breathtaking thrills
New health centre Bringing efficiency and better care to residents
MOTRIL Council has announced the 20th International Air Festival on Sunday, June 20. The event takes place along the local coastline, with organisers expecting a record 200,000 visitors for a full day of jaw-dropping aviation. Mayor Luisa Garcia Chamorro presented the plans, calling it Spain’s best aeronautical festival. She recalled its 2005 start with just three helicopters and 500 spectators. It is now a key summer date for Motril and Spain as a whole. Organisers have promised a varied programme ranging from light aircraft to military combat jets, with helicopters featuring prominently as a tribute to the inaugural event. New elements include the Sikorsky MH-60R Romeo helicopter from the US Navy, making its first appearance in
Credit: festival aereo FB Credit:Motril Visit Almuñecar
MOTRIL WELCOMES 20TH YEAR OF ITS AIR FESTIVAL
Costa Tropical skies roar once more.
Motril. This Rota-based aircraft ranks among the world’s most sophisticated naval helicopters. As well, the German air force Demo Team from Ala 51 will fly Tornado jets in a rare display in Spain. German helicopters will join the US Navy,
Maritime Rescue, INFOCA, Guardia Civil, and National Police units. Deputy mayor Jose Peña outlined security plans involving emergency services. Extra parking includes a new zone with nearly 500 spaces.
Visitors should arrive a good two hours early via Avenida Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza, Rambla de las Brujas, or the Playa Granada road to avoid congestion. Drone flights are banned all day over restricted airspace.
San Juan in the South Credit: Jose Juan Nogueron - Shutterstock
Communities celebrate together the night of fire COMMUNITIES along Axarquia and Costa Tropical coastlines plan to celebrate San Juan through beach bonfires, fireworks and events from Tuesday June 23 to Wednesday June 24. Rincon de la Victoria has events in La Cala del Moral and Torre de Benagalbon with music and midnight jua burning (a little like Guy Fawkes) on beaches. Torre del Mar hosts concerts of famous singers at El Copo beach from 8pm
Locals celebrate a night of fire on the beaches.
with jua burning and fireworks.
Salobreña offers live entertainment and pyro-
technics around a bonfire on La Charca beach in its week-long programme with a procession on the 24th. Almuñecar is celebrating bonfires and barbecues on Puerta del Mar and La Herradura to burn old items for good luck. Nerja has permitted bonfires on main beaches under strict cleanup and quiet rules. Torrox organises daytime plaza events on Wednesday June 24.
SALOBREÑA’S new health centre will open on Monday, June 22, with all medical services active from day one. Staff have finalised preparations at the 2,500-square-metre, three-storey facility in the TH1 area, and patient bookings have already got under way. Family medicine, nursing, paediatrics, physiotherapy, and radiology will transfer from the old clinic without interruption. General practitioner slots will rise from seven to eight. The modern layout features a dedicated maternal and infant zone, a separate paediatric section, minor surgery rooms, and health education spaces. Crucially, the centre introduces a second permanent emergency team operating 365 days a year, upgrading a service that previously only ran during summer. Project delivery involved multiple government layers: Salobreña Council provided the land, the Spanish central government secured European Union funding, and Andalucian authorities managed construction and technology. The facility resolves historic parking shortages by offering extensive parking and improved road links. It will serve as the primary care hub for over 17,500 residents across the Costa Tropical zone, including Salobreña, La Caleta, La Guardia, and Lobres, while additionally treating patients from Molvizar, Ítrabo, and Los Guajares.
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LOCAL NEWS
18 - 24 June 2026
Flying the flag
Open door welcome Credit: LUX MUNDI
Credit: OM FB
TORROX has replaced the multicolour umbrellas over Constitution Plaza with red and yellow models to form a giant Spanish flag. Council workers completed the installation last week in the historic village centre to celebrate the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup. Mayor Oscar Medina explained that the project aims to generate a festive atmosphere backing the national football team. The council also wants to use the tournament’s popularity to promote the town. Leaders intend the
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Plaza de la Constitución, Torrox.
central square to reflect this support by linking sports excitement with the appeal of the public space. Local businesses should benefit from increased
sales during match weeks. Shops and bars in the centre expect extra visitors drawn by the striking display. Medina said that Constitution Plaza ranks among the most photographed and shared spots on social media on the coast. People are already sharing images of the square widely online. The new flag design is expected to become a popular subject for posts from residents and holidaymakers. Medina is encouraging residents to decorate balconies and business premises with national symbols throughout the competition. The update forms part of wider efforts that include displaying flags for Malaga CF on the town hall front. Malaga CF faced a decisive playoff game at La Rosaleda to gain promotion to the first division.
Business networking talk by Gloria.
THE Axarquia Business Networking Group meets at Lux Mundi Centro Ecumenico in Torre del Mar, which also hosted the second Copas y Canapés event in its garden. At the recent meeting, Lux Mundi administrator Gloria and Julia shared the story behind the organisation and its continuing work. Father Ramón Delius founded Lux Mundi with a simple vision: to create a permanent place where people could find warmth, friendship and support, welcoming everyone regardless of origin, race, colour or faith.
The first Lux Mundi centre opened in Fuengirola in 1973, followed by the Torre del Mar centre in 1994. Today, its activities extend far beyond what many people realise, including excursions, coffee mornings, an art group and a well-stocked charity shop, alongside practical and emotional support for those in need. Through food bank initiatives and a listening ear, the centre continues to make a difference in the local community. Like many charitable organisations, Lux Mundi depends on the support of others to continue its work and wel-
comes financial contributions, volunteers and help with fundraising events. And if you’d like to experience the unique warmth and hospitality of Lux Mundi for yourself, why not join us at one of the meetings from Axarquia Business Networking Group - in English? Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre is at Avda. Moscatel 1 ‘I’, Jardines Viña Málaga/Antigua Casa de la Viña, Torre del Mar, and is open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10am until 1pm. Further information: 952 543 334 or luxmundi @lux-mundi.org.
NEWS
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18 - 24 June 2026
Community fees deadline COURT ISSUES WARNING Credit : FERNANDO VALERO LOPEZ, Shutterstock
Spain’s Supreme Court has ruled that unpaid community fee debts generally become time barred after five years.
SPAIN’s Supreme Court has ruled that homeowners’ associations cannot wait indefinitely to recover unpaid community fees after a case in which more than €4,800 became legally unrecoverable because of time limits. The dispute involved two property owners who accumulated €6,497.30 in unpaid community charges between 2007 and 2014. The homeowners’ association sought to recover the full amount, but the Supreme Court applied current legislation establishing a five-year limitation period for
such claims. As a result, only around €1,696 plus legal interest remained recoverable, while debts dating from 2007 to 2013 were ruled time-barred. The decision is attracting attention across Spain as it affects thousands of apartment blocks, residential complexes and urbanisations that rely on community fees to fund maintenance, cleaning, repairs and shared services. Legal experts warn that communities often delay action against non-paying owners in the hope debts will be settled voluntarily, but waiting too long
can mean losing the legal right to recover older amounts. The court based its decision on Law 42/2015, which reduced the limitation period for community fee claims from 15 years to five years. Specialists recommend starting formal recovery procedures promptly, beginning with written payment demands and, if necessary, using Spain’s simplified ‘monitorio’ court process. The ruling does not erase unpaid debts automatically but highlights that legal claims have a strict time limit.
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Bottle return rules Recycling made easier
SPAIN’S new drinks container deposit scheme could change the way millions of people recycle bottles, cans and cartons from August 2026. Under the Deposit, Return and Refund System (SDDR), consumers will pay an extra 10 cents when buying certain beverages and receive the money back when returning the empty container. One of the least known aspects of the system is that shoppers will not necessarily have to return containers to the place where they bought them. Participating supermarkets, shops, bars and restaurants will be expected to accept eligible containers even if they were purchased elsewhere. This means someone could buy a bottle of water in one supermarket and return it to a different participating business to recover the deposit. Authorities believe this flexibility will make the system easier to use and encourage higher recycling rates. The scheme aims to improve the collection and recycling of single-use drinks containers across Spain, with officials targeting a 90 per cent recovery rate for eligible packaging before 2029. The new rules will also bring added responsibilities for businesses. Supermarkets, convenience stores, bars and restaurants must manage returned containers regardless of where they were sold. Larger retailers are expected to use reverse vending machines, while smaller establishments may face storage and handling challenges. The system is expected to cover plastic bottles, cans and beverage cartons of up to three litres, including bottled water, soft drinks, juices and canned beverages. Authorities insist the extra 10 cents is not a tax but a refundable deposit reclaimed through the approved collection network.
Knocking on trouble
Credit : New Africa, Shutterstock
CONSUMER RIGHTS ALERT SPAIN is warning companies that aggressive doorstep sales tactics can lead to fines reaching up to €1 million as complaints rise over unwanted visits linked to energy contracts, internet services and home alarm systems. While door-to-door sales remain legal, authorities say the situation changes once pressure, persistence or harassment become part of the conversation. Under Spanish consumer protection and unfair competition laws, companies can face serious penalties if representatives continue insisting after someone has refused, repeatedly return to a property or pressure vulnerable residents. Officials say the law protects consumers from aggressive behaviour that limits their ability to make calm decisions inside their homes. The warning follows growing frustration among re-
sidents over intrusive, unexpected visits. Complaints often involve representatives comparing electricity bills, pushing urgent discounts or refusing to leave. Spanish legislation also covers repeated unwanted contact through phone calls or emails once consumers request that companies stop. Penalties vary depending on the severity of the infringement. Smaller violations result in fines worth thousands of euros, while the most serious cases can reach between €100,000 and €1 million. Authorities can increase penalties further depending on the profits generated. Consumer organisations say older residents are particularly vulnerable to these face-to-face tactics. Spanish authorities insist companies must respect a consumer’s decision, warning that persistence alone can become illegal.
Spain is warning companies over aggressive doorstep sales and repeated unwanted home visits.
euroweeklynews.com The information on this page is intended for general guidance only, and should not be considered legal advice.
18 - 24 June 2026
Dep. Legal MA-422-200 - ISSN 2953-42536
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LOCAL NEWS
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Jet skiers arrested Credit: CG
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Affiliated to
Guardia Civil catch jet ski riders.
GUARDIA CIVIL officers from the Provincial Maritime Service of Granada have issued formal complaints against 10 jet ski riders. Officers caught the riders operating inside the Paraje Natural Acantilados de Maro Cerro Gordo, a protected natural area. The incident occurred near Cantarrijan Beach in La Herradura, within Almuñecar municipal limits. Authorities en-
force specific rules in this area to restrict recreational navigation, jet ski use and anchoring outside authorised zones. Officers identified several key violations during the operation. The riders grouped their craft near the beach in a highly restricted zone. Officers confirmed that the motorised vessels were within banned distances from the coastli-
PROPERTY developers can snap up valuable buildable land rights in Rincon de la Victoria through a new online auction starting at a symbolic €1. The relaunch on specialist platform Escrapalia follows a previous round last month that failed to attract any bids at a starting price of
ne. They also recorded unauthorised anchoring in non-enabled spaces. The Paraje Natural Acantilados de Maro Cerro Gordo sits on the Andalucian shoreline between Almuñecar and Nerja. The area contains cliffs, coves and fragile biological communities. This environmental vulnerability led to strict regulations that limit recreational boating. In Spain, jet ski riders
must hold a nautical licence for open water use. Regulations prohibit jet skis from entering bathing zones. In unmarked areas, craft must remain at least 200 metres from the shore. They can only approach the coast using perpendicular entry at speeds below three knots. Guardia Civil units will continue patrols along the Granada coastline to prevent environmental damage.
Malaga land for €1 over €33,000. Auctioneers value the asset, tied to Finca Registral 3219 in the Los Algarrobos sector of Malaga Province, at €63,700. The rights cover more than 360 square metres of floor area dedicated entirely to free housing,
with no social housing quota. This status increases its appeal compared to other zones on the coast. Authorities handled the portion through economic reparcelling because the original 1,796-square-metre plot fell short of the minimum size for an independent site. The successful bidder will assume proportional urbanisation costs estimated at over €33,700. The bidding window closes at 12.30pm on Tuesday, July 7. Interested buyers must register on Escrapalia and provide a fully refundable €8,000 guarantee deposit. The asset originates from the liquidation of the company Promociones Barranco y Carrillo. The Los Algarrobos area is in its final urban development phase, and council officials can issue building licences immediately. Located north of the A-7 motorway, the zone offers a low-entry route into property development.
LOCAL NEWS
Solaris Nerja will issue refunds.
Safety concerns stop festival THE organisers of Solaris Nerja 2026 have cancelled the major music festival just days before launch. In a statement released on Wednesday, June 10, management confirmed the 10-day beachside event at El Playazo would not go ahead, promising full, automatic refunds for all ticket holders. Organisers stated that current conditions did not guarantee the level of quality, safety, and experience necessary for the festival. The event had been scheduled to run from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 28, featuring major artists like Chambao and Claptone. Nerja Town Hall expressed deep regret over the sudden cancellation, clarifying that the decision was completely
out of their hands. Neither organisers nor local authorities have cited permit delays, legal battles, or environmental objections as reasons for the cancellation. However, speculation has been sparked regarding low ticket sales. The team behind OH, SEE! Nerja, an independent event that was part of the wider Solaris programme, explicitly revealed that ticket sales had not reached the level necessary to make the festival viable. Local media outlets have since pointed to sluggish ticket sales across the board as the primary financial driver for pulling the plug on the entire event. Ticket holders do not need to take action to receive their refunds.
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Beach bar gone
EXCAVATORS reduced the iconic BereBere chiringuito beach bar in Torre del Mar to rubble on Tuesday, June 16, ending 18 years of seaside dining in the Axarquia area. Owner José María Alba shared footage of the demolition, expressing deep sadness and accusing the local Tenencia de Alcaldía of abandonment. Alba claimed national coastal authorities had agreed in principle to relocate the business nearby, but alleged the local council failed to back the move, resulting in enforcement action once permits expired. In response, Torre del Mar officials stated that Spain’s Ley de Costas places the shoreline under national control rather than municipal jurisdiction. Concessions require competitive bidding and technical approval from the cen-
Credit: José María Alba FB
Credit: Siahay Photo Corner / Shutterstock.com
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BereBere chiringuito removed from Torre del Mar beach.
tral government in Madrid. Council representatives noted the venue had enjoyed an exceptional 18-year extension, adding that support for local commerce must respect legal frameworks. The closure affects dozens of workers, including 30 year-round employees and 54 staff during the summer season. Disappointed patrons took to social
media to accuse local leaders of favouritism towards connected entrepreneurs, warning that voters would remember the decision in the May 2027 elections. The popular beach bar had built a strong reputation among top Andalucian chefs for its refined cooking. It also proved resilient, quickly reopening after a major fryer fire damaged the premises in 2018.
18 - 24 June 2026
SPANISH supermarket chain Mercadona is breaking with tradition by opening selected stores on Sundays and extending daily trading hours over the summer. The Valencia-founded company has historically operated strictly from Monday to Saturday, remaining closed on Sundays and
LOCAL NEWS
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Mercadona Sundays bank holidays. However, to compete with rivals such as Lidl and Aldi, the chain will introduce these changes in high-turnover tourist destinations. From Saturday, June 22 until Sunday, August 30,
chosen branches will operate an extended daily schedule from 9am to 10pm. This adds an extra half-hour to the usual 9.30pm closing time. Store operators state that the decision adapts to altered buying patterns du-
ring the warmer months, when families and visitors prefer making evening grocery trips. The revised timetable applies exclusively to outlets with strong visitor numbers on the Costa del
A POWERFUL gas cylinder explosion tore through the upper storey of a restaurant in Plaza Don Rafael Alcoba, Sayalonga, on Monday, June 15. The blast happened while the establishment was open to diners. The top level of the town-centre property housed restaurant rooms and a private flat. Two people received treatment at the scene for minor injuries. Nobody suffered life-threatening injuries, and rescue workers confirmed that no one was trapped inside the debris. Firefighters from the Velez-Malaga provincial consortium arrived quickly. Paramedics and other emergency units also attended. Responders prioritised a thorough inspection of the collapsed upper floor to ensure no victims were buried under the wreckage.
Sol and Costa Tropical. Participating locations include stores in Algarrobo Costa, Nerja, Rincon de la Victoria, Torrox Costa and Velez-Malaga. Branches in Almuñecar, Salobreña and Motril will also adopt the later closing time. The adjustment provides extra flexibility for lo-
cal households and international holidaymakers, allowing them to shop after daytime activities. Because schedules vary, shoppers should check individual store details online. The initiative reflects Mercadona’s commitment to customer convenience during the peak holiday season.
Massive explosion xxx
Gas cylinder explosion, Sayalonga.
Once the area was declared clear, crews focused on securing the building and removing hazards.
Emergency teams discovered several gas cylinders inside the ruins and removed them immediately to prevent further explosions. The force of the initial blast caused the entire second floor to cave in. The explosion heavily damaged the flat above the restaurant. Personnel helped the resident re-enter briefly to collect essentials, medication, and documents. She has been provided with temporary accommodation while experts conduct structural checks. The blast wave also damaged an outer wall and window of a neighbouring property. Officials have cordoned off the area while investigations continue.
Four days of celebration ALMAYATE will celebrate its 2026 Feria from Thursday June 25 to Sunday June 28 with four days of music, popular traditions and activities for all ages. The programme, presented by deputy mayor Jesús María Claros and councillor for Popular Traditions Lourdes Piña, includes musical performances alongside established local events including horse and bicycle ribbon races, the baile de la rueda and a community paella. Festivities begin on Thursday with the traditional Senior Citizens’ Dinner, Children’s Day fairground attractions, the baile de la rueda, the selection of Miss and Mister Senior and a performance by Sergio Pérez ‘El Cindindi’. Friday features the bicycle ribbon race, the official switching on of the lights by the Municipal Band, ‘Cantando Bajito’, the
Credit: Ayuntamiento de Velez Malaga
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Almayate Feria programme includes four days of music, traditions and events.
election of the Feria court, a second performance by the duo, Kike and Manu and DJ Guti. Saturday includes the horse ribbon race, ‘Hakuna Matata’, Rasel and Glow Fest with DJs, gifts and surprises. Sunday starts with performances by Sweet Dreams Dance Academy, Club Deportivo Buda taekwondo and Coro Rociero Nuestra Señora del Carmen de Almayate, fo-
llowed by a community paella raising funds for a new throne for the Virgen del Carmen. Álvaro Olmedo, Nexo and a Medina Azahara tribute close the event. The Feria de Día runs from Friday to Sunday in Calle Farmacéutico Moreno Chica, with a daily noise-free hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. The bar service will be managed by the Asociación Deportiva de Almayate.
LOCAL NEWS
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18 - 24 June 2026
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Cycle-tastic Nerja Torre turns pink A CONTINUOUS 3.5-kilometre cycle and pedestrian route now connects Nerja and Maro. The opening of the final 1,200-metre section provides a dedicated path for non-motorised transport, improving safety and reducing environmental impact for residents and visitors. The newly completed stretch runs from near the Barranco de Maro bridge on the old N-340 highway to the western approach roundabout in Maro. Following the completion of construction works and the signing of the official reception certificate, the path opened immediately to the public. This final section cost more than €410,000, funded by the European Union through the NextGenerationEU Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan. The total expenditure for the en-
Credit:Imparables contra la ELA/FB
Credit: Ayuntamiento de Nerja
The streets turn pink. Cycleable route now finished.
tire cycle route went over €1,229,000, with financial contributions shared between local council budgets and European programmes. The infrastructure encourages physical activity and helps reduce traffic congestion and pollution from short journeys. It also improves transport links between the main town of Nerja and the neighbouring village of Maro whi-
le encouraging appreciation of the local natural landscape. The mayor of Nerja, José Alberto Armijo, stated that the completion of the project represents a major investment for the municipality. He noted that the joint funding demonstrates a commitment to safety for pedestrians and cyclists, healthier lifestyles, and stronger community links.
TORRE DEL MAR will turn pink this weekend as thousands unite for a 24-hour sports marathon against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Running under the banner #ImparablesContraLaELA2026, the event is organised by the ‘Stick your tongue out at ALS’ association to raise funds for medical research and patient care. Activities begin on Friday, June 19 on the promenade’s Al Son del Rebalaje stage. Supported by Velez-Malaga Council, the weekend features over 25 non-stop sports events, exhibitions, and live concerts. Spectators can attend for free without pre-registration to cheer on participants in cycling, running, yoga, padel, basketball, and beach volleyball. A charity open-water swim challenge will
also take place along the coast on Sunday, June 21. A major highlight is the evening athletics event on Saturday, June 20, featuring the 11th three-mile road race and the 33rd one-mile street race. Starting at 9pm from the promenade stage, these night races include categories from young children to veterans. Active competitors must wear the signature pink event shirt. The public can support the cause at a dedicated charity pop-up shop on the promenade throughout the weekend. Official pink t-shirts, swimming caps, and merchandise will be on sale, with all proceeds directly funding scientific research and specialised equipment for ALS patients.
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SPANISH NEWS
18 - 24 June 2026
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International Day of Yoga
ECONOMIST Gabriel García has suggested that Mercadona shoppers may be spending more than necessary because of how products are arranged on supermarket shelves. He argues that items placed at eye level are often higher-priced or higher-margin products, while cheaper alternatives may be positioned higher or lower on the same aisle. According to García, consumers tend to focus on the middle shelves, which are the most visible and accessible. This can lead to overlooking lower-cost options placed outside the direct line of sight. Retail specialists note that supermarkets use shelf placement to influence purchasing behaviour. Eye-level positions are considered premium space, often used for products retailers want to promote or sell in greater volume. This strategy is widely used across gro-
THOUSANDS of wellness enthusiasts are preparing to gather as the Indian Embassy launches its 12th annual International Day of Yoga across Spain and Andorra. Organised with local town halls and cultural groups, this year’s tour spans 33 locations under the global theme, ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’, focusing on long-term mental and physical well-being. All events are free, open to all ages, and require no prior expeSpain celebrates International Yoga Day. rience. The national schedule features major gatherings on the official UN global in Cordoba. day, Sunday, June 21. In Madrid, a masThe tour reaches across the country, sive open-air session will take place from Bilbao to the Canary Islands. Speat Plaza de Oriente from 9am to 11am. cialised sessions include a youth event Simultaneously, Barcelona will host its in Valladolid on Friday, June 12, a woprimary gathering at Parc Joan Miró men’s evening class in Madrid on Thurfrom 8.30am to 10am. sday, June 25, and an inclusive session Southern Spain will host several with sign language translation in Tecoastal and inland sessions. Malaga nerife on Saturday, June 27. Attendees holds a sunset event on Saturday, June should bring a mat, water, and sun pro20 at 9.30pm, followed on Sunday, June tection. For all information, visit the 21 by an afternoon session in Torremo- official page on the Embassy of India in linos at 4pm and a morning gathering Madrid website.
Supermarkets use shelf placement to influence purchasing behaviour.
cery chains, not only Mercadona. García advises shoppers to compare all products within a section, including checking unit prices such as cost per kilogram or litre. He suggests that small savings per item can accumulate over time in regular household shopping. The comments have circulated widely online, with some consumers saying
they will change how they shop. Mercadona has not commented on the claim, and the remarks reflect general retail practices rather than company policy. Experts also emphasise that shoppers should not assume price based on shelf height alone, as product range and promotions vary between stores and categories each week.
Spain is different BRITS abroad often assume holiday destinations share the UK’s legal approach to childcare and other laws, but assuming British rules apply in Spain can lead to severe consequences. This reality was demonstrated at a resort in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol, where a British couple left their three young children unsupervised to visit an adult bar. The 41-year-old man and 28-year-old woman received a suspended prison sentence of one year and four months. They were also disqualified from exercising parental authority, and Andalucian social services took the children into care. In Spain, leaving children unsupervised in dangerous circumstances is a specific criminal offence under the Criminal Code. While the UK
Credit: BigDane - Shutterstock
Photo credit:Veja/Shutterstock
Credit:Marcos del Mazo / Shutterstock.com
Looking at eye level
Families on the beach in Nerja.
approach under the Children and Young Persons Act is often welfare-led initially, Spanish authorities intervene sharply in high-risk situations. Claiming ignorance of the law is not an acceptable defence. Tourists frequently misjudge Spanish regulations, assuming they mirror home rules. However, local expectations regarding family responsibility
and public behaviour are strictly enforced. For instance, walking shirtless or in swimwear away from beach areas can attract fines between €120 and €750 in regions like the Costa del Sol, Barcelona, and the Balearics. Visitors must understand local laws rather than assuming UK standards apply, as parental responsibilities do not end at the border.
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SPANISH NEWS
AC/DC fined for noise
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Pope’s royal jet rescue
Photo credit: Ben Houdijk/Shutterstock Credit: Vatican Media
MADRID City Council fined the AC/DC concert at the Metropolitano stadium €80,800.80 after Municipal Police recorded night-time noise levels between five and 10 decibels above permitted limits. Municipal regulations classify exceedances of more than seven decibels at night as very serious infringements, which applied in this case and led to the highest penalty issued for stadium events in 2025. Other events at the venue also faced sanctions. An Imagine Dragons concert received a €500 fine for a four-decibel breach classified as minor, while a youth football tournament was fined €180 for a similar daytime exceedance. Across 29 inspections during 2025, 14 events complied with noise limits, four recorded breaches, and
18 - 24 June 2026
King Felipe saved the day.
Other events at the venue also faced sanctions.
the remainder were invalid due to procedural errors. Residents living near the stadium have repeatedly raised concerns about noise, traffic, litter, and the building design, which they say allows sound to escape into surrounding residential areas. The city has introduced mitigation measures including sound-absorbing panels, speaker direction controls, and façade monitoring. Events are generally required to end by midnight, with limited
extensions at weekends. The Ombudsman has withdrawn from the case as prosecutors continue environmental investigations. Authorities said enforcement will continue as large-scale concerts remain under scrutiny in densely populated areas of Madrid. Officials maintain that the aim is to balance cultural events with legal noise limits and protect residents living near the stadium environment long term.
POPE LEO XIV’s visit to Spain ended with an unexpected travel drama after a technical fault grounded his aircraft in Tenerife, forcing Spain’s King Felipe VI to step in and help get him home. The Pope had been preparing to fly back to Rome from Tenerife North Airport following a six-day tour of Spain when problems emerged with the plane before departure. Reports said engineers were unable to resolve the issue immediately, leaving the pontiff and his entourage
stranded on the ground. With the flight unable to continue as planned, King Felipe, who had travelled to Tenerife to bid farewell to the Pope, offered the use of his official Falcon jet. The Pope was then able to continue his journey to Rome aboard the Spanish government aircraft. The remainder of the papal delegation and the journalists travelling with him stayed behind to await a replacement aircraft. The disruption came
at the end of a busy visit that took Pope Leo to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands. During the trip, he met political and religious leaders, celebrated Masses attended by thousands of worshippers and focused on issues including migration and social inclusion. One of the most symbolic moments of the visit came in Barcelona, where the Pope took part in celebrations linked to the completion of the final tower of the famous Sagrada Família.
FEATURE/SPANISH NEWS
LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT I SOMETIMES wonder if I accidentally slept through a meeting where everybody agreed to abolish customer service. It clearly happened. There was a time when, if you had a problem, you picked up the telephone, dialled a number and, after a reasonable interval, another human being answered. You explained the issue, they attempted to solve it, and everyone went away relatively satisfied. Simple. Today, before you’re even allowed to describe your problem, you’re interrogated by a machine with all the warmth and charm of a parking ticket. ‘Please listen carefully, as our options have changed.’ Then begins the obstacle course. Press 1 for this. Press 2 for that. Press 3 if you’ve forgotten why you called in the first place. By the time you’ve navigated 12 separate menus, you’ve reached a department that has absolutely nothing to do with your enquiry. Which is when the recording cheerfully informs you: ‘Your call is important to us.’ No, it’s not.
If my call were important to you, Doris from Accounts would have answered ten minutes ago instead of me ageing visibly while listening to an utterly boring flute rendition of Greensleeves. Then there is the modern miracle of customer support websites. Remember when companies used to publish a telephone number? Now they send you to a website containing pages of Frequently Asked Questions. The trouble is, the question you want answered is never one of the frequently asked ones. You spend half an hour clicking through pages entitled ‘Helpful Resources’, ‘Customer Journey’ and ‘Support Hub’. Eventually you find a tiny link marked ‘Contact Us’. You click it, which takes you to another page explaining that most enquiries can be answered by visiting the Help Centre. Which is exactly where you have spent the last half hour. It’s like asking a passer-by to go back and ask the passer-by. I truly do suspect the entire system was designed by someone whose main ambition in life was never to speak to a customer. Then there are the self-checkouts which are springing up everywhere. We’re told these exist for
our convenience. Funny sort of convenience. You do all the scanning, all the packing, all the work. Then a machine accuses you of placing an unexpected item in the bagging area. The unexpected item is a loaf of bread. Mmm! How can it be unexpected if I put it there? At this point, a weary(superior) assistant wanders over and taps a secret code into the machine as though defusing a bomb. Progress, apparently. The strange thing is that all this technology was supposed to simplify life. Yet somehow every transaction now involves passwords, verification codes, security questions and enough online forms to apply for planning permission. Perhaps I’m old-fashioned. Perhaps this really is the golden age of customer service. But I can’t help feeling that if a company genuinely wants to stand out from the crowd these days, it should try something radical. Answer the phone. Employ human beings. Solve the problem. And stop telling me how important my call is while leaving me on hold long enough to qualify for a state pension. 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.
BARCELONA is testing a new form of road surface that incorporates biochar produced from agricultural waste, including olive pits and forestry residues, as part of efforts to reduce the environmental impact of urban infrastructure projects. The initiative forms part of the city’s ‘21st Century Street
Spain’s transplant loophole SPAIN’S organ transplant system is widely regarded as one of the most successful and tightly regulated in the world. Managed by the National Transplant Organisation (ONT), it allocates donor organs according to medical need and generally limits access to Spanish citizens and foreign nationals who are legally resident in the country. These restrictions are designed to prevent transplant tourism and ensure scarce organs are distributed fairly. The system came under scrutiny following a Guardia Civil investigation into a network that allegedly helped Bulgarian kidney patients gain access to Spain’s healthcare system through fraudulent registrations. Investigators found that fictitious employment contracts and false Social Security enrolments were used to obtain Spanish health cards for people who did not meet residency requirements.
These restrictions are designed to prevent transplant tourism.
Authorities concluded that 14 Bulgarian citizens received healthcare access through the scheme and that six ultimately underwent kidney transplants. The operation is estimated to have cost Spain’s public healthcare system more than €1.5 million. The case raised concerns because donor organs remain in short supply, meaning every transplant performed for an ineligible recipient potentially affects patients legitimately waiting for treatment. Officials stressed that the financial cost was less significant than the potential impact on fairness and public trust.
Olive pit asphalt Bear on the run
Section’ programme and involves collaboration between Barcelona City Council, research institutions and private sector partners. The material is not intended to replace traditional asphalt. Instead, biochar
is used as a partial substitute for the mineral filler normally added to asphalt mixtures. Biochar is created by heating organic material in low-oxygen conditions, a process that stabilises carbon and allows it to be incorporated into construction materials. According to project assessments, replacing conventional fillers with biochar could reduce the carbon footprint of asphalt production by approximately 75 to 76 per cent. Researchers attribute these reductions to lower processing emissions and the ability of biochar to retain carbon within the pavement structure. Pilot tests are currently being monitored in selected areas of Barcelona, including parts of the Eixample district. Engineers are evaluating durability, strength, weather resistance and performance under everyday traffic conditions before deciding whether wider adoption is feasible.
Photo credit: Inside Creative House/Shutterstock
Answer the phone
euroweeklynews.com
Credit: Instagram/castillayleonvivela
10 18 - 24 June 2026
Bearly believable!
A DRIVER in northern Spain experienced a wildlife encounter they are unlikely to forget after a large bear suddenly ran onto the road directly in front of their car. The dramatic moment, captured on video and shared on social media, shows the animal emerging onto a mountain road near Leon before breaking into a run ahead of the vehicle. Rather than disappearing into the surrounding countryside, the bear continues sprinting along the tarmac for several seconds as the stunned motorist slows down and films the scene. The footage has attracted thousands of views online, with many commen-
ters describing it as both incredible and surreal. Some joked that the bear appeared to be leading the way for the driver, while others admitted they would have been nervous to find themselves so close to one of Spain’s largest wild animals. Wildlife enthusiasts believe the animal is likely to have been a Cantabrian brown bear, a protected species found mainly in the mountainous regions of Asturias, Cantabria, Leon and Galicia. Although bear sightings have become more common in recent years thanks to successful conservation efforts, experts say brown bears are naturally shy and generally avoid people.
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EUROPRESS
11
Best star-gazing Credit: Dark Sky Alqueva FB
Photo credit: Pics721/Shutterstock
18 - 24 June 2026
The beach is a protected costal area.
SARDINIA’S Punta Molentis beach has introduced restrictions on umbrella use as part of measures to protect the coastal environment and manage visitor numbers. Under the rules, only families with children under 10 and people aged 65 and over are allowed to use a single umbrella. Visitors between the ages of 10 and 65 are not permitted to set up umbrellas. The beach is located in Villasimius and is a protected coastal area that has faced overcrowding and environmental pressure in recent years. Local authorities said damage from
Umbrella ban extreme weather and a 2025 wildfire contributed to the decision to tighten controls. In addition to the umbrella policy, access to the beach requires a €10 entry fee per person. Visitor numbers are regulated through a controlled entry system, and booking may be required during busy periods. Tents and gazebos are also banned. Officials say the measures aim to reduce congestion and protect dunes and natural habitats. Similar restrictions, including vi-
sitor caps and reservation systems, have been introduced at other beaches in Sardinia. The rules have generated debate among visitors, particularly regarding enforcement and sun exposure during hot weather. Authorities maintain that the regulations are necessary to preserve the beach for future use. Sardinia continues to expand environmental controls as tourism demand increases across its most popular coastal destinations each summer season annually.
Designer dinosaur Credit: VML
RUNNING experiments with dinosaur DNA is the plot of an iconic franchise, but has now become a 21st century reality. Learning from the films, real-life scientists did not try to bring dinosaurs back from extinction (not yet, anyways), instead they paired science with fashion to create a leather bag made from T-Rex skin. Twenty-five years ago, a T-Rex femur was Bag made from dinosaur skin up for auction discovered in the state of Montana in the United States. Using advanced technology, scientists harnessed the hion, the bag recently went up for sale. With no previous precedent, auctraces of collagen remaining on the bone to create a replica of T-Rex skin, tioneers at the Parisian auction house which scientists claim to be an accura- Giquello had to come up with a price. Ahead of its June 13 sale, auctioneers te replica of what would have existed anticipated bids as high as €500,000 over 67 million years ago. The T-Rex skin was then used to for the ‘one of a kind’ piece. Even the richest among us were not create a leather handbag, possibly the most luxurious accessory to ever convinced, however, as the T-Rex bag peaked at €150,000 during the aucexist. In what is a first for science and fas- tion, and ultimately failed to sell.
Sky at night over Alqueva region.
DARK SKY ALQUEVA in Portugal has won top honours as Europe’s best stargazing destination at the Tourism Leaders Awards 2026. The protected zone in the Alentejo region earned the award for best astrotourism experience. Located near the Spanish border, the reserve covers about 10,000 square kilometres. Exceptionally low artificial lighting levels produce outstanding sky quality for viewing stars, attracting thousands of international visitors. Nearby villages, including Alandroal, Reguengos
de Monsaraz, Portel and Mourão, offer affordable rural accommodation and meals. These communities actively reduce street lighting at night to optimise conditions for skywatching. Several celestial displays will occur later this year. A total solar eclipse takes place on Wednesday, August 12. Although the path of totality crosses northern Spain, partial phases will be highly visible under the dark skies of the Portuguese reserve. The Perseid meteor shower peaks on Wednesday, August 12 and
Thursday, August 13. Excellent conditions, caused by a new moon, will allow visitors to see numerous streaks every hour. Later in the year, a partial lunar eclipse happens on Friday, August 28. Saturn reaches opposition on Saturday, October 4, remaining visible all night. The Geminid meteor shower peaks on Monday, December 13 and Tuesday, December 14, followed by a spectacular supermoon on Thursday, December 24. Experts recommend booking accommodation in advance.
FINANCE THE British pound strengthened against both the euro and the US dollar as improving global risk sentiment boosted investor confidence. Markets reacted positively to easing trade tensions and stronger economic signals, supporting sterling gains. Analysts also pointed to expectations around interest rates and resilient UK economic data as factors helping the currency outperform the euro.
Mascot marketing
SOME of the biggest companies are switching tactics, now relying on adorable mascots to gain global recognition and entice customers. Mascots give brands a personality and can create instant brand recognition. According to 2019 research, marketing campaigns featuring cute mascots are 37 per cent more likely to be successful.
Parental leave
SPAIN’S Supreme Court has confirmed that single-parent families are entitled to an additional 10 weeks of birth and childcare leave, increasing total leave from 16 to 26 weeks. The ruling follows a Constitutional Court decision aimed at preventing inequality between children in single-parent and two-parent households, while strengthening treatment rights.
Housing gap
BUYING a home in Spain now requires 8.4 years of gross salary on average. House prices rose 20.5 per cent in 2025, while wages increased just 1 per cent. Around €230,000 is needed for an 80m² property, based on an average annual salary of €27,336.
Fresh produce
DESPITE rising prices, Spaniards are still prioritising healthy eating, with 35 per cent of their shopping basket made up of fresh produce. According to a recent study, Spanish families allocate 44 per cent of their food budget to fresh produce.
STAT OF WEEK
38.5%
In the first quarter of 2026, foreclosures on homes in Spain belonging to individuals increased by 35.8 per cent, according to the INE.
Robotaxis hit the road AS if driving in Spain wasn’t chaotic enough, self-driving robotaxis could soon be hitting the streets. Robotaxis are expected to begin operating across the country by the end of 2026 as Uber, which will invest an additional €430 million in the self-driving service, recently approved its first robotaxis in the Community of Madrid. In the United States, autonomous vehicles are already up and running. Alphabet-owned Waymo has quickly become the leading robotaxi company in the US, but its rollout has not been without issues. Passengers have shared accounts of taxis driving erratically, running red lights, and stopping on train tracks and in the middle of busy intersections. As a result, thousands of vehicles have been recalled, and several lawsuits are pending. One seemingly overlooked flaw is that robotaxis can’t close their
Wi-Fi on Wizz Air WIZZ Air is set to become the first low-budget European airline to provide inflight Wi-Fi. Having recently signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink, Wizz Air will beat industry leaders like Ryanair and easyJet to implement the technology, giving Wizz Air a market advantage. What has typically been treated as a luxury perk will be offered across Wizz Air’s entire fleet by 2027, although it’s yet unclear if this will be a free service or a paid add-on.
Robotaxis could soon be driving on Spanish roads.
own door. To fix this inconvenience, companies are paying food delivery drivers to close the doors for them. One driver was reportedly paid €9.74, while another was offered up to €20 to do so. But while delivery drivers are getting paid to close doors, what about taxi drivers? Driving is one of the largest employment categories in many counties, with a relatively low
barrier of entry. As of March 2026, 62,406 taxi licences and 24,764 VTC licences were registered in Spain. While robotaxis may be marginally cheaper for passengers, they could potentially wipe thousands of jobs. And with the majority of taxi drivers being self-employed, this could in turn impact consumer spending, tax revenues, and local economies across Spain.
Staying sober
Pay transparency MANY job-seekers are currently applying for jobs, not knowing how much they’ll actually be earning if they succeed. In Spain, only 17 per cent of job listings are advertised with salary expectations included. Even once a salary is agreed upon, not everybody earns the same wage for the same work. According to Eurostat, women’s gross hourly earnings are 11 per cent lower than men’s. ETUC estimates this costs women €4.8 billion a year - around €465 and €700 per woman. However, new EU rules aim to change that. The Pay Transparency Directive that came into effect on Sunday June 7 promotes full pay transparency and shrinking the gender pay gap. It will ensure equal pay for equal work across the sexes, and make sure current and potential employees know the going rate for their role.
Lucrative trades DURING the World Cup, collecting trading cards is just as important as the game itself. And just as lucrative. During the World Cup, upwards of 500 million sticker packets and around 35 million albums will be sold around the world. The urge to collect the full 2026 set will likely generate €1.4 billion. Morgan Stanley estimates the global collectibles industry to earn €86 billion annually as fans crave keep-sakes, even fans whose countries are absent from the tournament.
Credit: Shutterstock, Wirestock Creators
Sterling gains
euroweeklynews.com • 18 - 24 June 2026
Credit: Shutterstock, The Global Guy
BUSINESS EXTRA
12
EU ensure equal pay for equal work.
Several EU countries have already established legislation, but others have failed to meet the deadline.
Infrastructure improvement DUE to immigration Spain is nearing a population of 50 million, with another 100 million tourists visiting annually, and now its infrastructure is crumbling, not prepared for the sudden expansion. The only way to improve is through investment. Estimates suggest €127 billion is needed for maintenance, and another €280 billion for new developments and improving existing infrastructure. However, public investment has been at an all time low, close to net-zero, since the 2010 debt crisis.
Housing waitlists THE waiting list for social housing in the UK is long, and there’s no sign of it going down anytime soon. In fact, the housing charity Shelter predicted it would take 119 years to shrink the list at the rate homes are being built. In 2025, 1.3 million households were on the waitlist, but only 12,198 homes were completed. The construction of new social rental homes has decreased by 64 per cent in the last 15 years. And not because people don’t need them. On the contrary, the number of homeless households living in temporary accommodation increased by 155 per cent.
DRINKING is going out of style, at least among the younger generation. A recent study by the Spanish Ministry of Health found that there has been a reduction in regular alcohol consumption in the 15-24 age group. In the last 10 years, their alcohol consumption dropped from 43.8 per cent in 2006, to 17.9 per cent. Whether because they’re adopting healthier habits or simply saving money, Gen-Z staying sober is affecting corporations. AB InBev, Heineken, and Diageo reported declining sales volumes, with AB InBev falling for three consecutive years, including a 2.3 per cent drop in 2025, highlighting industry-wide challenges.
Travel data
BBVA Research’s first-quarter tourism data shows that Spain’s tourism activity is becoming more geographically diversified, with travellers increasingly choosing secondary destinations over traditional hotspots. Provinces such as Ciudad Real and Guadalajara recorded stronger domestic and international tourism activity, while Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia, La Rioja and Asturias saw notable increases in tourist spending. Although part of the spending growth reflects higher prices, transport, accommodation and hospitality sectors also expanded, indicating a real increase in tourist numbers.
FINANCE
14 18 - 24 June 2026
euroweeklynews.com
LONDON - FTSE 100
Closing Prices 15 June
Company
Price(p)
Maximum
Minimum
Net
3I Group.....................................2.369,00............2.378,00......... 2.330,00.............86K Admiral Group.............................3.450,0..............3.476,0........... 3.449,7............ 8,15K Airtel Africa................................. 368,00...............374,20............368,00........... 60,45K Anglo American...........................4.131,6..............4.150,0........... 4.114,0.......... 132,18K Antofagasta................................4.332,00............4.355,90......... 4.253,00.......... 77,65K Associated British Foods.............1.967,5..............1.974,0........... 1.959,6........... 30,09K AstraZeneca...............................13.516,0............13.524,0......... 13.418,0.......... 67,97K Auto Trader Group Plc................ 470,60...............473,80............470,60.......... 146,34K Aviva........................................... 629,40...............634,97............629,20.............394K B M European Value Retail.......... 197,02...............201,20............196,70.......... 162,31K BAE Systems..............................1.884,50............1.920,75......... 1.863,50......... 927,59K Barclays...................................... 484,15...............488,55............482,80............2,71M Barratt Redrow............................ 255,10...............257,00............251,90........... 275,2K Beazley.......................................1.283,00............1.283,50......... 1.282,50.......... 40,09K Berkeley......................................3.504,0..............3.536,0........... 3.452,0............ 6,01K BP............................................... 514,10...............518,70............511,70............2,59M British American Tobacco...........4.618,0..............4.640,0........... 4.600,0........... 74,27K BT Group.................................... 206,70...............210,00............206,30.......... 418,22K Bunzl...........................................2.596,0..............2.634,0........... 2.570,0........... 96,59K Centrica....................................... 184,40...............187,10............184,30............1,18M Coca Cola HBC AG......................4.620,0..............4.636,0........... 4.596,0............ 9,64K Compass...................................... 34,56.................34,60..............34,04............ 41,21K ConvaTec Group......................... 205,22...............207,60............205,00.......... 102,99K Croda Intl....................................3.130,0..............3.138,0........... 3.084,0........... 13,19K DCC.............................................6.160,0..............6.195,0........... 6.150,0........... 11,07K Diageo.........................................1.535,5..............1.544,0........... 1.530,5.......... 109,74K Diploma.....................................7.025,00............7.051,02......... 6.970,00........... 7,73K EasyJet........................................ 512,08...............522,40............509,60............1,16M Entain.......................................... 625,60...............626,20............612,60.......... 122,68K Experian......................................2.639,0..............2.639,0........... 2.585,0.......... 105,57K F&C Invest.................................. 348,80...............350,00............345,00.......... 185,33K Flutter Entertainment...................8.242,0..............8.292,0........... 8.100,0............ 4,35K Frasers........................................ 796,00...............819,50............796,00........... 48,91K Fresnillo.....................................3.183,39............3.189,00......... 3.123,00......... 103,33K Glencore...................................... 586,90...............597,70............583,50............1,13M GSK plc......................................1.984,34............1.989,50......... 1.979,00......... 145,93K HALEON...................................... 341,10...............341,90............335,20.......... 549,16K Halma..........................................4.040,0..............4.072,0........... 3.996,0........... 41,74K Hikma Pharma...........................1.481,04............1.494,00......... 1.480,00........... 7,58K Hiscox........................................1.753,77............1.769,00......... 1.753,77.......... 15,26K Howden Joinery.......................... 819,50...............824,00............811,07........... 40,06K HSBC.........................................1.392,40............1.397,00......... 1.390,20...........1,16M IAG.............................................. 454,00...............457,70............450,30............3,62M ICG PLC.....................................1.823,66............1.826,00......... 1.797,00.......... 23,45K IMI PLC......................................2.928,00............2.930,00......... 2.886,00.......... 18,47K Imperial Brands..........................2.799,00............2.805,00......... 2.793,00.......... 18,82K Informa....................................... 850,80...............851,20............832,00.......... 181,06K InterContinental........................... 169,5.................169,7..............166,6............. 5,35K Intertek........................................5.665,0..............5.675,0........... 5.655,0........... 10,54K
Company
Price(p)
Maximum
Minimum
Net
J Sainsbury................................. 315,40...............316,30............314,00.......... 391,74K JD Sports Fashion........................ 88,80.................90,18..............88,62.............1,05M Kingfisher.................................... 292,30...............293,80............291,50.......... 112,66K Land Securities........................... 673,50...............679,00............666,00.......... 132,41K Legal & General.......................... 281,90...............284,20............281,70............1,41M Lloyds Banking........................... 104,15...............105,05............104,05.............9,1M London Stock Exchange..............9.144,0..............9.162,0........... 9.050,0........... 11,89K Londonmetric Property............... 188,50...............189,70............187,90.......... 161,21K M&G........................................... 323,65...............326,20............323,45.......... 399,92K Marks & Spencer........................ 385,40...............385,70............378,40.......... 657,37K Melrose Industries...................... 476,40...............482,20............473,90.......... 178,75K Mondi.......................................... 746,40...............748,60............737,00........... 88,87K National Grid..............................1.206,30............1.213,00......... 1.204,00......... 270,78K NatWest Group........................... 625,50...............630,60............624,60.......... 797,79K Next...........................................14.560,0............14.590,0......... 14.450,0........... 22,8K Pearson......................................1.157,00............1.160,00......... 1.155,50.......... 20,88K Pershing Square........................3.930,00............3.938,00......... 3.840,00.......... 14,28K Persimmon.................................1.086,5..............1.087,2........... 1.065,5.......... 227,38K Prudential.................................... 997,60..............1.002,50...........995,20.......... 260,84K Reckitt Benckiser........................4.672,0..............4.704,0........... 4.667,0............ 34,8K Relx............................................2.545,00............2.545,00......... 2.505,00.......... 90,42K Rentokil....................................... 461,40...............463,70............458,50.......... 176,16K Rightmove.................................. 432,90...............435,00............430,40........... 43,77K Rio Tinto PLC..............................7.985,0..............8.007,0........... 7.950,0.......... 105,71K Rolls-Royce Holdings................1.375,20............1.387,40......... 1.350,00...........3,09M Sage............................................ 833,40...............833,40............825,21........... 33,92K Schroders.................................... 585,0.................586,0..............584,0............ 16,19K Scottish Mortgage......................1.471,00............1.475,00......... 1.460,00......... 552,42K Segro.......................................... 766,20...............774,00............764,80........... 80,84K Severn Trent...............................2.928,0..............2.946,0........... 2.924,0............ 8,35K Shell............................................3.105,0..............3.138,5........... 3.090,5.......... 405,58K Smith & Nephew........................1.146,50............1.149,50......... 1.135,50.......... 25,93K Smiths Group.............................2.587,00............2.590,00......... 2.547,48.......... 18,69K Smurfit Westrock........................3.351,0..............3.356,0........... 3.305,0........... 10,21K Spirax-Sarco Engineering...........7.000,0..............7.025,0........... 6.960,0............ 3,15K SSE............................................2.382,00............2.400,00......... 2.381,00.......... 70,27K Standard Chartered....................1.967,00............1.982,00......... 1.960,50......... 118,59K Standard Life............................... 796,00...............802,50............794,50.......... 247,91K Taylor Wimpey............................. 76,64.................77,22..............75,86.............3,64M Tesco.......................................... 472,09...............473,10............470,30.......... 345,66K Unilever.......................................4.413,0..............4.422,5........... 4.382,5.......... 105,01K Unite........................................... 533,00...............537,50............528,00........... 56,68K United Utilities............................1.304,00............1.321,10......... 1.304,00.......... 64,81K Vistry Group................................ 237,40...............247,28............234,20.......... 644,39K Vodafone Group PLC................. 114,450.............116,750..........114,400...........1,52M Weir Group................................2.416,00............2.422,00......... 2.396,00.......... 12,14K Whitbread...................................2.434,0..............2.439,0........... 2.409,0........... 19,96K WPP............................................ 288,10...............289,40............286,14.......... 370,59K
0.86367 1.16069
1.15784
0.92108 7.47426 11.0533 10.8782 Contact our team of currency experts
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DOW JONES
Closing Prices 15 June
Company
Price(p)
Maximum
Minimum
Net
3M.............................................. 158,32...............159,99............156,27............4,58M Amazon.com............................... 238,55...............243,36............233,59...........51,25M American Express....................... 325,44...............325,62............319,08............2,22M Amgen........................................ 355,20...............358,17............351,96............2,73M Apple........................................... 291,13...............297,14............289,62...........38,78M Boeing......................................... 219,05...............223,51............216,70............5,67M Caterpillar.................................... 910,57...............918,98............899,20.............2,1M Chevron...................................... 187,22...............188,40............184,36.............8,7M Cisco........................................... 121,10...............122,79............120,73...........18,22M Coca-Cola..................................... 82,62.................82,89..............81,87............11,76M Goldman Sachs..........................1.062,75............1.073,74......... 1.048,06...........2,21M Home Depot................................ 328,39...............331,02............325,29............3,65M Honeywell................................... 220,31...............225,52............219,16............4,66M IBM............................................. 272,24...............278,94............267,68............5,75M J&J............................................. 240,87...............240,91............237,52............6,46M JPMorgan................................... 320,72...............321,30............315,55............7,43M McDonald’s................................. 284,81...............287,66............284,03............4,03M Merck&Co................................... 119,05...............121,90............118,83...........10,93M Microsoft.................................... 390,74...............391,74............382,27...........34,92M Nike.............................................. 44,93.................46,31..............44,85............16,52M NVIDIA........................................ 205,19...............207,07............203,44..........112,35M P&G............................................ 149,61...............150,20............148,30............6,83M Salesforce Inc............................. 165,89...............166,54............161,40...........13,59M Sherwin-Williams........................ 317,30...............323,57............316,91............1,95M The Travelers.............................. 304,46...............306,37............297,01............2,02M UnitedHealth............................... 408,52...............409,89............404,81............7,27M Verizon......................................... 48,11.................48,21..............47,00............21,96M Visa A.......................................... 322,39...............325,93............319,80............5,54M Walmart...................................... 121,04...............121,61............119,53...........14,77M Walt Disney................................. 100,04...............101,77.............99,54.............8,26M M - Million Dollars
NASDAQ
Closing Prices 15 June
Company Change Net / % Volume Most Advanced Freecast A....................................................... 141,30 %.......................211,06M VS Media Holdings........................................... 52,25 %..........................91,3M Everbright Digital Holding................................ 44,48 %.........................11,42M Park Ha Biological Tech................................... 40,00 %........................105,12M Friedman Industries......................................... 31,61 %........................325,54K Big Tree Cloud Holdings.................................. 25,77 %..........................29,3M TherapeuticsMD............................................... 20,88 %........................259,97K Sensei Biotherapeutics..................................... 20,48 %.........................58,06K Akanda............................................................. 20,47 %..........................5,39M Roku................................................................ 20,08 %.........................15,03M M - Million Dollars
Most Declined Pop Culture Group...........................................-81,43 %.........................99,39M Sleep Number..................................................-40,91 %.........................21,16M Gelteq...............................................................-35,29 %..........................6,18M Baiya International...........................................-33,66 %..........................4,82M NetClass Tech..................................................-32,50 %.........................20,84M High Trend International..................................-31,26 %..........................1,16M Galaxy Payroll..................................................-29,81 %..........................1,67M Paranovus Entertainment Tech........................-28,28 %.........................90,56M Astrotech.........................................................-28,26 %........................570,92K Momentus........................................................-26,69 %.........................10,95M Dreamland.......................................................-26,68 %........................393,11K M - Million Dollars
FINANCE
euroweeklynews.com
POPE LEO XIV’s visit to Spain was a resounding success. Not only did millions turn out to see him in person, filling the streets and football stadiums, but his visit generated approximately €120 million. Around €25 million was invested in the Pontiff’s seven-day tour around Spain, but his visit generated five times the cost.
Mobility costs
SPAIN’S public transport network is facing some serious challenges, and will reportedly need to generate €12 billion annually until 2030 to tackle them head on. One looming issue is the increase in passengers due to immigration and the continued tourism boom which creates the need for more mobility. Another is electrifying the fleet as sustainability becomes more of a priority.
Oil stockpile
IT’S human nature to hoard essentials, especially after a shortage, but experts warn that a rush to stockpile oil will only keep prices higher for longer. Almost 500 million barrels of crude oil needs to be replenished once the Strait of Hormuz reopens. This total grows by 5.8 million for every day it remains closed.
SpaceX stocks
AHEAD of its first IPO, SpaceX valued its shares at £100 each, skyrocketing the valuation of the firm to over a trillion dollars. SpaceX is hoping to raise £55 billion, a record IPO high. Whether shares sell for such a high amount waits to be seen. If they do, that will skyrocket SpaceX into becoming one of the most valuable companies in the world, and turn Musk into a trillionaire.
BRITAIN was once a foodie hotspot, but in recent years the scene has dropped off, and in some places disappeared entirely. The hospitality sector is losing three establishments a day. Bars and restaurants are drowning under rising taxes, high overheads and production costs. The reinstatement of 20 per cent VAT and the abolishment of the 40 per cent business rate discount severely impacted restaurants that were only just recovering from the pandemic. The USA-Israeli war is also exacerbating the problem as the cost of raw ingredients is forcing restaurants to choose between adapting the menu, upping the price or taking the loss. It doesn’t help that wouldbe customers simply can’t afford to dine out. Money is
Credit: Shutterstock, DJ Creative Studio
Pope in Spain
Britain’s dying industry
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Banking price hike
BANKING services are becoming more expensive as inflation rises. According to Asufin, Spanish bank fees for account and debit card maintenance increased by 10.84 per cent over the last three years. In 2021, major banks charged an average of €110 annually, but this year the average cost has risen to €167.27.
Irish expansion Restaurants are closing at an alarming rate.
being spent on essentials or saved for a rainy day, not spent on eating out. Even if they wanted to, many can’t afford the high prices restaurants are chargeing to stay afloat. Award-winning spots are just as susceptible to closure. Since 2021, London
has lost 24 of its 112 Michelin-starred restaurants. In total, Michelin-starred restaurants have reduced by more than 20 per cent across the whole of England and Wales since 2020. With each closure, a whole cohort of staff is left unemployed from award-winning
chefs to busboys and front of house personnel. Hospitality has typically been a reliable entry-level job, a chance for young people to get their foot on the career ladder. But with establishments closing at an extreme rate, job security is feeling like a thing of the past.
Disney in debt MORE than 30 years since the glittering gates of Disneyland Paris first opened its doors, and Disney is still in the black. A total of €5.7 billion has been invested in the park, but Disney has only recouped €3.6 billion. The park has been victim to bad luck, with real world events impacting travel and decreasing visitor numbers. For example, its second park opened in 2002, in the wake of 9/11 when tourism was down. Visitor numbers also suffered following the 2016 Paris attack, Covid pandemic and now the USA-Israeli war. That doesn’t mean it’s not a lucrative investment. Outside of the US, Disneyland Paris is the company’s most successful attraction, welcoming 15 million visitors annually. In 2025,
Youth poverty LIVING costs are at an all-time high, and with wages not rising to match, one in three young people are at risk of poverty. According to reports, 34 per cent of under-30s in Spain face poverty or social exclusion, while housing costs consume more than 40 per cent of income. Average rents have risen by almost 13 per cent in a year, far outpacing salary growth. Youth unemployment also remains above 26 per cent, leaving many trapped in insecure or temporary work. Experts warn that without urgent action, financial insecurity among young people will continue to deepen.
Credit: Shutterstock, Real_life_photo
BUSINESS EXTRA
18 - 24 June 2026
Disneyland Paris, Disney’s biggest non-US attraction.
the park generated a record €3.4 billion, beating every other non-US park. What’s more, Disneyland Paris’ very existence promotes Disney’s products and movies, keeping the magic alive on and off screen.
Temporary employment
GETTING a job in the UK is becoming increasingly difficult, especially for young people. But even once they find employment, job security is not always guaranteed as many UK companies are only offering temporary contracts. Additionally, the number of people working zero-hour contracts reached 1.23 million by 2026. While zero-hour contracts are not inherently temporary, there is no guaranteed minimum hours that employers can plan for, personally or financially. The only sector with a high demand for permanent staff was in nursing, medical and care. Meanwhile, permanent job offers fell the most in retail.
Charity closure THE British Heart Foundation is facing 150 shop closures over the next two years. Through a combination of rising costs, changing consumer habits and a decline in the high street retail scene, fundraising efforts through a physical shop network have become unsustainable. The number of staff impacted remains undisclosed.
SHEIN is strengthening its European logistics network by opening a new centre in Ireland. The move aims to improve delivery efficiency, support growing demand, and expand regional operations. The facility reflects Shein’s wider strategy to build local infrastructure and enhance its supply chain across Europe.
Minimum wage SPAIN’S labour market is becoming increasingly low-paid, with one in three young workers earning minimum wage. Around 2.5 million employees receive the SMI (€1,180) while temporary contracts remain widespread. Economists warn that stagnant salaries and rising living costs are leaving younger generations with weaker purchasing power and fewer opportunities.
Regularisation effect THE planned immigrant regularisation in Spain is expected to have only a limited effect on GDP growth in 2027. Studies suggest it may increase formal employment and tax contributions by 17 per cent, but the overall macroeconomic impact will be small, with only a marginal improvement in GDP.
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FEATURE
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• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •
Costa del Sol
Costa Blanca North
Mercadona breaks tradition
88k pints predicted
SPANISH supermarket chain Mercadona is breaking with tradition by opening selected branches on Sundays and extending its evening hours during the busy holiday season. The company, which has historically remained closed on Sundays and bank holidays, is introducing the changes to keep pace with competitors such as Lidl and Aldi. From Saturday, June 22 until Sunday, August 30, affected stores will operate under a summer timetable, trading from 9am until 10pm. This adds an extra half an hour to the usual closing time of 9.30pm. Management introduced the shift to respond to altered summer buying patterns, as holidaymakers and families frequently make later grocery trips during the warmer months. The Sunday trading rules and extended hours apply only to coastal branches with high visitor numbers or strong local demand. Costa del Sol locations include Estepona, Fuengirola, Malaga, Manilva, Marbella, Mijas and Torremolinos.
BENIDORM’S bars and pubs are preparing for a beer sales boom during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with hospitality leaders predicting that as much as 50,000 litres could be poured in a single day during the tournament’s biggest matches. The figure, revealed by local hospitality association ABRECA, is the equivalent of almost 88,000 pints and highlights the huge impact football is expected to have on the resort’s food and drink trade this summer. More than 500 bars, restaurants and entertainment venues across Benidorm are expected to screen matches throughout the tournament. According to ABRECA, the average establishment typically serves around 80 litres of beer per day, but demand rises sharply when major international fixtures are taking place. Across the resort, beer consumption is expected to reach around 40,000 litres on a normal World Cup match day.
Costa Blanca South
Almeria
Purple power
Medieval Mojacar
A SEA of purple filled the streets of Elche on Sunday morning, June 14, as 1,380 runners and walkers took part in the city’s first-ever Race of the Cities Against Pancreatic Cancer. Participants gathered in Plaça de Baix before setting off on the 4.5-kilometre route through some of Elche’s best-known landmarks, including the Palmeral and the banks of the River Vinalopó. The event raised funds for pancreatic cancer research, with all proceeds going towards leading research projects aimed at tackling one of the deadliest forms of cancer. According to organisers, more than 10,000 people in Spain are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year and only around 10 per cent survive beyond five years. Participants travelled from across Spain to take part, with competitors arriving from locations including Valladolid, Villajoyosa, Aspe and San Vicente.
MOJACAR underwent an incredible transformation at the weekend when colourful banners were strung from facades, knights rode on horseback and local residents ditched their 21st century clothes for elaborate Medieval costumes. Mojacar celebrated its Moors and Christians festivities in style, in what has become one of the most anticipated weekends of the year, For over 30 years, Mojacar has gone all out on its annual celebrations. The festival has garnered attention, not just for honouring the town’s history, but for fostering strong community ties, no matter religious relief. In honour of the celebrations, the townspeople dressed accordingly in detailed costumes inspired by Arab, Christian and Goya styles. It wasn’t just the home-grown locals who took part. Members of Mojacar’s thriving expat community were eager to participate and marched proudly alongside their neighbours in honour of the town that has become their home.
Mallorca
Costa Calida
Radiothon raises €13,004
Rojo & Red revamp
MALLORCA’S English-speaking community has once again shown its generosity after Wave Mallorca’s annual Radiothon raised €13,004 during a 36-hour live broadcast - with organisers expecting the total to climb further as donations remain open for another week. The fundraising marathon took place on June 5 and 6, bringing together listeners, local businesses and volunteers from across the island. Led by Wave Mallorca founder and breakfast show host Richie Prior, the event featured live entertainment, song requests, raffles, auctions and fundraising challenges designed to encourage donations throughout the broadcast. Broadcast continuously from 7am on Thursday until 7pm on Friday, the Radiothon supported a number of causes, including the children’s ward at Son Espases Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Cancer Support Mallorca, Yachting Gives Back and the 6 Points Cycling Challenge initiative.
DURING the first days of June, Puerto de Mazarron became the epicentre of fine gastronomy on the Costa Calida with the special Rojo & Red Gastronomic Days 2026 event, a programme that brought together three talented, Michelin-starred chefs from the Basque Country in the idyllic southeastern municipality. The 2026 edition of the event took place on the Paseo Agustín Herrerín. Already established as one of the great gastronomic events of the Region of Murcia, this year was dedicated to the vibrant and savoury Basque cuisine and brought together industry-leading chefs, producers, wineries, and hospitality establishments. One of the main draws was the participation of three renowned chefs from the Basque Country, all of whom were awarded the coveted and prestigious Michelin star: Sergio Ortiz, from Restaurante Zarate in Bilbao; Julen Bergantiños, from Restaurante Islares in Bilbao; and Fernando González, from Restaurante La Revelia in Amorebieta.
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FEATURE/EUROPRESS
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18 - 24 June 2026
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Fence comes down Managing city Credit: Luis Alabares X
Gibraltar border changes.
ving controls to Gibraltar Airport and Port. This change should provide quicker daily commutes for roughly 15,000 frontier workers. Adjustments will accompany the fluid movement. Spanish residents employed in Gibraltar will pay taxes in Spain. Additionally, whilst businesses anticipate smoother goods flows, Gibraltar will introduce a 15 per cent transaction tax. These developments look set to conclude years of post-Brexit uncertainty, opening a new chapter for cross-border life.
BREAKING VIEWS
NORA IS THE AUTHOR OF POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND CRIME THRILLERS AND A FREELANCE JOURNALIST.
BARCELONA is polishing its crown. From the Sagrada Familia’s gleaming new cross (recently blessed by the Pope) to the careful reinvention of its best known street, La Rambla, the city is staging a confident return to form after years of political and economic upheaval. Catalonia’s leaders speak of renewal. Major sporting events, cultural milestones and infrastructure upgrades are all part of a wider effort to recapture momentum - and prestige. The ambition is clear: to reclaim economic leadership from Madrid and restore Barcelona’s standing as Spain’s industrial powerhouse. The rivalry with the capital is as spirited as ever, played out in tax policy, investment flows and political philosophy. While Madrid
courts business with lighter taxation, Catalonia prioritises prudence and long-term strategy. Some companies that fled during the independence crisis are cautiously returning, bringing a whiff of optimism. Industry and innovation remain central to the comeback story. Carmakers are pivoting to electric vehicles, hospitals are advancing medical research, and a striking supercomputing hub hints at technological ambition. Meanwhile, the region’s celebrated cuisine is rediscovering its roots, drawing discerning diners from around the globe. Tourism is being carefully recalibrated - fewer crowds, more refinement. Yet challenges remain: creaking railways, unresolved political tensions and lingering doubts about direction. Barcelona, it seems, is rebuilding - but still deciding exactly what it wants to be. Anyway, put on your walking shoes and get exploring! Thanks for emails to my website below. Delighted you enjoy my novels too!
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Not Suitable for Work WHILE not yet comparable as a modern-day version of Friends, Not Suitable for Work is the first comedy released in a while to have the potential of reaching such highs. The series follows a cast of recent graduates who are all played by unknown up and comers. In every episode, laughs feel earned and the story feels authentic to the experience of twenty-something’s lu
Barcelona’s busy Renaissance revival!
Credi t: H u
Vehicles must divert through the goods access towards Eastgate, redirecting flows to the Kingsway Tunnel, the airport, or Four Corners. Outbound traffic follows the same route via the Eastgate roundabout. Pedestrian access at Four Corners remains uninterrupted. Spanish authorities plan parallel dismantling on the La Linea side, where a council plot will widen the road linking customs to airport facilities. Once the fence is removed, routine physical checks at the land border will end, mo-
AMSTERDAM could become a more expensive destination for visitors under new proposals unveiled by the city’s coalition government. Plans currently under discussion include gradually increasing the tourist tax from 12 per cent to 20 per cent by 2030, closing the city’s cruise terminal, reducing tourism promotion, and introducing measures aimed at easing pressure caused by mass tourism. City leaders argue that millions of annual visitors place growing demands on public services, transport, cleaning, and local infrastructure. To help cover those costs, Amsterdam is considering raising its tourist tax to 16 per cent in 2027, followed by an annual one percentage point increase until it reaches 20 per cent. The proposals go beyond taxation. The coalition wants to end cruise ship arrivals by closing the city’s cruise terminal, subject to further discussions and external approvals. Officials are also exploring higher charges for canal cruises, boat tours, and rental vessels to ensure day visitors contribute more financially. Another major objective is reducing tourism in the historic city centre. The plan includes purchasing buildings and buying out businesses in heavily touristed areas to balance residential life and tourism. The coalition proposes cutting support for Amsterdam&Partners, the organisation behind the ‘I amsterdam’ brand, to scale back certain promotional campaigns.
Credi t: P ri
CONSTRUCTION crews have begun dismantling frontier structures in Gibraltar ahead of historic border changes. The visible works signal major transformations before a provisional EU-UK agreement takes effect on Tuesday, July 15, 2026. The current phase reshapes daily crossings. Workers have fenced off shelters near the Verja and prepared materials for removal. To keep the crossing open during the day, planners scheduled temporary night-time traffic diversions between 9pm and 6am.
crowds
just trying to survive one of the most tumultuous times.
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IF your cat seems even sleepier than usual during summer, there is usually no need to worry. Cats naturally spend a large part of the day resting, but warmer weather can make them even more relaxed and less active. During hot temperatures, cats often conserve their energy to avoid overheating. Instead of racing around the house or exploring outdoors, many prefer stretching out in cool, shaded spots and enjoying long naps throughout the day. This behaviour is completely normal and is similar
Credit: Shutterstock, larisa Stefanjuk
Summer relaxation
Cats survive summer by sleeping.
to how people sometimes feel slower and more tired in the heat. You may notice your cat choosing tiled floors, shady corners or breezy windowsills to rest. Some cats also become more active during cooler mornings and evenings while avoiding movement during the hottest part of the afternoon. Although extra sleep in summer is common, owners should still watch for signs of heat exhaustion. Heavy panting, drooling, vomiting or unusual weakness should never be ignored and may require veterinary advice. To help your cat stay comfortable, provide plenty of fresh water, keep rooms cool and allow access to quiet resting areas. A calm, cool environment will help your cat stay happy, healthy and relaxed all summer long.
Fancy a new adventure? Why house-sitting is the ultimate expat travel hack MEET Carla. Since before the pandemic, Carla has been house-sitting with us at HouseSitMatch, exploring beautiful pockets of Spain, France, and beyond. For Carla, house-sitting in retirement is the perfect recipe for adventure: she gets to travel, discover new places, and indulge her love for animals, all while staying in comfortable homes. If you love travel and pets, why not follow in her footsteps? Travel with a heartbeat Imagine trading expensive, soulless hotels for a beautiful home in Spain, the UK, or elsewhere in Europe, complete with a furry temporary best friend. Through HouseSitMatch.com, we connect homeowners with trustworthy sitters. Homeowners get peace of mind knowing their animals and property are safe while they travel, avoiding eye-watering kennel fees. In return, house-sitters get free accommodation and the ultimate insider experience. It’s affordable travel
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15 Million Pets when abandonment rates typicaSPAIN has published its first comlly rise due to travel and housing prehensive national data on dopressures. mestic animals, revealing more Spain’s 2023 Animal Welfare than 15 million pets living in houLaw introduced stricter identiseholds across the country. Dogs fication requirements, breeding and cats dominate the figures, with controls and penalties for neglect, approximately 7.56 million dogs aiming to improve standards naand 5.62 million cats accounting tionwide. However, enforcement for the vast majority of registered varies by region and animals. Smaller species such as shelters remain rabbits, birds, reptiles and other under strain. exotic pets make up the remaining Critics argue population. that limited The data shows a 14 per cent resources and increase in pet ownership since inconsistent 2021, with regional concentrations implemenhighest in Andalucia, followed by tation hinder Cataluña, Madrid and the Valencian Community. Despite rising ownership, Spain continues to face high levels of animal abandonment. Around 292,000 dogs and cats were collected by shelters or rescue services in 2024, averaging roughly 800 animals per day. Animal welfare organisations warn that numbers remain perAround 292,000 dogs and cats sistently high, particularly were collected by shelters. during the summer months
progress, while charities call for stronger enforcement and funding. Overall, the data highlights both the growing popularity of pet ownership and the ongoing challenge of managing abandonment and ensuring adequate welfare systems across Spain nationally today now.
Photo credit: Molly Grace
PETS
euroweeklynews.com • 18 - 24 June 2026
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24 18 - 24 June 2026
Funds raised benefit the Saca la Lengua a la ELA association.
ALS charity run set
SOME 33 participants from the Club Atletismo Rincon will take part in a coastal fundraising event on Sunday June 21. Organised alongside the local sports council, the initiative aims to increase public understanding of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) on Global ALS Day. The challenge joins Rincon de la Victoria with Torre del Mar. Entrants aged between 30 and 55 can choose between two distinct routes across the Axarquia region. The first option is a 33.5-kilometre trail run beginning at 05.00 from Arroyo Granadillas. The second option provides an 18.7-kilometre walking route, departing at 07.00 from Plaza El Boticario. Both
groups plan to cross the finishing line together in Torre del Mar to demonstrate solidarity. Race director Rafael Postigo confirmed the itinerary includes specific viewpoints such as the Mirador de Almachar and Benamocarra. Organisers have arranged multiple regrouping points and refreshment stations to ensure safety. Local mayor Francisco Salado praised the social value of utilising sport for community cohesion and awareness. The athletic club has already raised nearly €800 through charity merchandise sales. This money benefits the Saca la Lengua a la ELA association, which organises the wider 24 Hours of Sport event.
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Splash event Credit: Pavel1964 / Shutterstock
REGISTRATION has opened for the 27th Nerja Swimming Crossing 2026, one of the town’s main summer sporting fixtures. Councillor for Sport Daniel Rivas confirmed the event will take place on Sunday June 21 along Nerja’s coastline. The competition is expected to attract Nerja swim race. swimmers from several age groups and continues to ja’s urban beaches and continue rank among the Costa del Sol’s in front of the Balcón de Europa, a best-known open-water races. En- route regarded as one of the stantries remain open until Friday June dout elements of this year’s edition 19, with participation capped at due to the striking coastal setting. 200 competitors. Organisers stated that all comDifferent race formats have been petitors must present the required arranged. Benjamín and Alevín certificate supplied by organisers, swimmers will complete a route of while minors must provide parenaround 500 metres entirely within tal or legal guardian authorisation. Burriana Beach. Participants from Shuttle buses will also transport Infantil category upwards will tackle swimmers to the departure point at a distance of approximately 2,000 Torrecilla Beach. metres, starting at Torrecilla Beach Daniel Rivas Maldonado desand finishing at Burriana Beach. cribed the event as an established The main race will pass all of Ner- part of Nerja’s sporting calendar.