Costa Calida 16 – 22 November 2023 Issue 2002

Costa Calida • Issue No. 2002 • 16 - 22 November 2023

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GRATIS

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GRATUITO

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LIVREE

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GRATIS S

G GRATUIT

Christmas lights ENJOY a special outing to ex­ perience the magic of Mur­ cia’s Christmas lights and raise money for a wonderful charity at the same time.

The charity based in Cam­ posol FAST has arranged a trip on December 9 to visit Murcia City and the spectac­ ular Christmas lights.

You can also take in the Craft Fair on Gran Vía, the na­ tivity scenes, or even a spot of shopping, all while enjoy­

ing the wonderful Christmas atmosphere in the squares and churches of Murcia.

To get your tickets for this unmissable trip go to the FAST stall located outside The Diner on Camposol Sec­ tor B on Fridays from 10.30am until 12.30. Tickets are €15. Get out and about while raising funds for FAST. For more information visit their Facebook group FAST Fun Team.

Image: Shutterstock/ Antipina Natalia

MASS PROTESTS

FREI

DEMONSTRATION: Murcia rally against amnesty.

Grace Meredith THOUSANDS of people flooded Plaza Belluga in Murcia on Sunday, Novem­ ber 12, responding massive­ ly to the People’s Party’s (PP) call for a demonstra­ tion against the proposed amnesty law by Prime Min­ ister Pedro Sanchez.

The square, adorned with Spanish flags and ban­ ners proclaiming ‘Spain is not for sale’, became a powerful display of the PP’s strength on the streets.

Leaders Fernando López Miras President of Murcia and PP in Murcia and José Ballesta the mayor of Mur­ cia City urged everyone, to join the battle against the amnesty law. Families, youth, and elderly individu­ als, some of whom hadn’t protested since the days of Miguel Ángel Blanco, gath­ ered to express their dis­ content with Sanchez’s policies.

Vox leaders, present at the demonstration, empha­ sised the need for a united

civil society against Sanchez’s divisive agree­ ments.

Despite acknowledging the likely irreversible na­ ture of the amnesty, the PP

urged citizens to continue the fight through peaceful means.

The protest concluded with the crowd shouting ‘Viva España’ and calls for

unity. The PP’s manifesto highlighted the nation’s his­ torical commitment to equality, justice, and diver­ sity, rejecting privileges, impunity, and amnesty.

MURCIA: Festive charitable fun this Christmas.

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16 - 22 November 2023

Catherine McGeer THE Region of Murcia emerges as Spain’s leading province in spice exports, con­ tributing a remarkable 72.5 per cent to the country’s total spice exports in 2022.

The region experienced a notable increase in overseas sales, witnessing a growth of over 20 per cent compared to the previous year, amounting to a staggering €304 million.

This positive trend has contin­ ued into the first eight months of 2023, with a further 6.7 per cent increase in exports com­ pared to the same period in 2022.

Approximately 100 spice companies from the Region are actively participating in foreign markets, with key ex­ port destinations including the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Pivotal to this success are best­selling

LOCAL NEWS

Spicy exports Image: Shutterstock/ Monticello

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Murcia’s flavourful exports - a spice sensation.

spices such as pepper and pa­ prika, ginger, saffron, and turmeric, while the remaining includes an array of spices like vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nut­ meg, and cardamom.

Joaquín Gómez, director of the Institute for Development (Info), underlined this achievement during his visit to La Pastora, a renowned pa­ prika company in Murcia. Es­

tablished in 1945, La Pastora has not only been a trailblazer in the spice industry introduc­ ing unique products like papri­ ka pearls, and two variants of extra virgin olive oil infused with spicy and smoky paprika.

The success of companies like La Pastora exemplifies Mur­ cia’s commitment to blending tradition with innovation on the global spice stage.

Football dreams

IN a heartwarming tale, 13­year­old Jesús from Murcia, saw his dream come true, cour­ tesy of his beloved football team, Nottingham Forest. Jesús, who has autism, travelled to Nottingham, with his father for his birthday, to experience a match at the Forest’s ground for the first time.

The touching video, posted on the team’s X account, captures Jesús’ happiness as he ex­ plores the stadium, visits the locker rooms, and gazes at the club’s two Champions League trophies. Along with a stadium tour the young fan got to meet some of the players.

Jesús also had the opportunity to step onto the pitch and was greeted by a personalised message on the stadium’s giant screens. His father was astonished by his son’s vocal re­ sponse, and shared, “This is rare because he

Image: X/ @NFFC

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Nottingham Forest turns dreams into reality

usually doesn’t speak or interact.”

Jesús said, “Football is everything to me. I get very sad when they lose, but incredibly happy when they win.” The surprises contin­ ued as the team fulfilled Jesús’ wish to be the mascot for the day, walking alongside his heroes onto the field before the match. This unforgettable day is sure to remain etched in Jesús’ heart forever.

Murcia innovates

Grace Meredith IN the last two years, compa­ nies in the Murcia region have excelled in securing a remark­ able 250 per cent increase in

funds for European projects under the ‘Horizon Europe’ programme, receiving a total of €24 million between 2021 and 2022. These achieve­

ments were highlighted dur­ ing the ‘Horizon Europe Fund­ ing Opportunities’ event or­ ganised by the Institute of Development of the Region of Murcia (Info). The event showcased not only the signif­ icant funding growth but also provided insights into upcom­ ing project calls across various sectors. One standout accom­ plishment is the coordination of a ‘Horizon Europe’ project

by Soluciones Agrícolas Ecoin­ novadoras, marking the first time a Murcian company leads a European research ini­ tiative.

LOCAL NEWS YOUR EWN HAS

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STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

NIBS EXTRA Sardine Festival AS part of the Fiestas de Mi­ lagro in Mazarron there are plenty of activities and events taking place. Includ­ ing the Bolnuevo Sardine Festival with sardines cooked in the open air on the beach. Live music and open­air activities will also take place on November 19.

Party time FRIENDS of Mazarron Ani­ mals are hosting their Christ­ mas party on December 9 at 7.30pm at Hotel Costa Mazarron. Tickets are € 33 and include a three­course meal, fabulous raffle prizes, and entertainment by Jim McMail. Call 711 036 388.

History talk THE FAST charity organisa­ tion has arranged a historic talk for Monday, December 11 from 10.30am until 12.30.

Antonio Hernández Benitez will share his knowledge about the history of Cam­ posol and the local area dur­ ing the Spanish Civil War. For tickets visit the FAST stand.

English cinema IN the mood for a movie, check out Martin Scorsese’s new film Killers of the Flower Moon in English at the Cine Almenara in Lorca. They usu­ ally show a movie in its origi­ nal language (VOSE) every Thursday at 6.20pm.

Hot Rally THE dates for the next Hot Rally Murcia Chapter have been announced for 2024. It will take place from May 23­ May 26 at the beachfront of Santiago de la Ribera. With live music and so much more you don’t want to miss it.

Make a note in your diary.

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16 - 22 November 2023

Remembrance Day IN the heart of Camposol residents joined forces to create a touching tribute for Remembrance Weekend.

The community witnessed an outpouring of unity as in­ dividuals came together to honour those who had fallen in the line of duty. The Green Fingers Camposol mainte­ nance team and dedicated volunteers kicked off the preparations. They worked diligently to tidy up and cre­ ate a beautiful memorial gar­ den and they even collected an impressive €176 in the collection buckets.

As Remembrance Sunday approached, the community geared up for a series of

Image: Facebook/Green Fingers Camposol/Carl Powell

Camposol gathers to remember and honour.

events. A Celebration of Re­ membrance, featuring a sin­ galong to wartime classics and a Retro Party, was or­ ganised to support the Ex­ servicemen’s Association Mazarron District. The Royal British Legion Spain Murcia Branch’s Poppy Appeal table

made a prominent appear­ ance on A Sector, Camposol, alongside the 2023 Armistice Day Auction aimed at raising funds for the poppy appeal.

In the lead­up to Remem­ brance Day, the community diligently prepared the memorial gardens. Weeding,

debris clearance, and pine needle removal were among the tasks undertaken to en­ sure the Circle of Remem­ brance stood as a pristine and solemn tribute. The col­ lective efforts of the Cam­ posol community resulted in beautiful and meaningful spaces, allowing residents to come together, reflect, and honour the sacrifices made by servicemen and women.

Remembrance Weekend in Camposol became more than an annual tradition; it became a testament to the community’s compassion, camaraderie, and deep re­ spect for those who have served.

Job growth Diwali spirit THE president of the Region of Murcia Fernando López Miras lauded the resilience of Murcia’s entrepreneurs, emphasising the Regional Government’s steadfast support amid national chal­ lenges.

At the Business Excellence Awards, he highlighted over €50 million in subsidies over four years, leveraging a total invest­ ment of €250 million and the cre­ ation of 1,400 jobs in the Campo de Cartagena region.

López Miras decried national hostility towards wealth creators and businesses, contrasting it with the government’s success in at­ tracting 35 projects, surpassing a

€515 million investment.

He outlined key principles: sup­ port for entrepreneurs, legal cer­ tainty, administrative simplicity, fiscal moderation, talent attrac­ tion, and technological transfor­ mation, affirming the region’s commitment to being ‘business­ friendly’.

Recognising ‘Caetra’, an innova­ tive defence project, highlighted the government’s dedication to fostering excellence. Despite na­ tional challenges, López Miras pledged ongoing support for the productive sector, advocating for funding, infrastructure, and water resources to ensure Murcia’s equi­ table treatment.

THE Adapt Theatre Group’s pantomimes stand out for their unique approach, and one distinctive element is the incorpora­ tion of video to narrate parts of the story.

Shot locally, these videos feature familiar faces from San Pedro del Pinatar, adding a touch of community flair to the perfor­ mances. The trend began with a playful rendition of Snow White and the Hunter in San Pedro's sand dunes, and subse­ quent productions showcased Aladdin's monkey facing a run­in with local police and Peter Pan's daring rescue at the landmark boat roundabout. This year's Ali Baba and the Four and ½ Thieves promises to uphold the tradition, trans­ forming town hall premises with dramat­

ON Sunday, November 12, the vibrant spirit of Diwali illuminated the coastal town of San Pe­ dro del Pinatar, as Max Beach became a melt­ ing pot of cultures. This Hindu festival of lights was celebrated by many nationalities and brought together a diverse community eager to partake in the festivities. Some attendees, dressed in their traditional attire, added a kaleidoscope of colours to the celebration.

Max Beach, usually a hub for sun­seekers, transformed into a cultural crossroads, filled with laughter, joy, and the delicious aroma of typical delicacies. The event showcased the power of cultural unity, as people from vari­ ous backgrounds shared in the fun, creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of community. Diwali in San Pedro del Pinatar not only illuminated the night but also illumi­ nated the bonds that tie a multicultural soci­ ety together.

Video magic ic effects and the participation of two lo­ cal ‘celebrities.’

The upcoming performances will take place at The Casa De Cultura, offering a unique blend of live­action and pre­ recorded footage. As part of their com­ munity commitment, the Adapt Theatre Group is sponsored by the Adapt Metal Detecting group, with profits from this year's show benefiting the AFEMAR char­ ity in San Pedro del Pinatar. To witness this innovative theatrical experience, mark your calendars for November 30 to December 3, with tickets available from

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Festive fun IN the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas, Age Concern is gearing up for a series of exciting events in Murcia City, and everyone is invited to join the festive cheer.

The organisation is on a mission to support the local community by channelling every penny raised towards essential needs, including medical visits and befriending programmes.

To secure tickets for these events, interested parties can visit the Social Centre on Avenida de Los Covachos, Camposol C Sector, Monday to Fri­ day, between 10am and 1pm. Alternatively, con­ tact Age Concern on 634 317 537 or email agecon cerncostacalida@gmail.c om, or drop a message on their Facebook page ­ Age Concern Costa Cali­ da.

For those in the Port, tickets are available on Saturday morning be­ tween 11am and 1pm at Nico’s Bar, next door to the Market Tavern. The lineup features Market Day in Benidorm Coach trip, the Great Christmas Cupcake Bake­off at the Christmas Fayre, Winter Fayre, Christmas Carols with mulled wine and mince pies, the Jingle Bell ball, Christmas lunch, and the New Year’s swim day.

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16 - 22 November 2023

Grace Meredith IN a significant development for the region of Murcia, Alhama Nature aims to establish itself not just as a sports and residential destination but also as a luxury tourism hub, in­ troducing its plans to open both a four­star superior and a five­star ho­ tel.

These hotels, part of Alhama Na­ ture’s ambitious plans, are closely tied to the sporting developments the project is promoting.

With a focus on golf and football, the hotels aim to accommodate both summer tourists and sports enthusi­ asts, including football teams con­ ducting training sessions at the envi­ sioned ‘Alhama Arena’.

This football centre will boast five training fields, accommodating over

Five star

100 teams annually, with a main sta­ dium seating 3,500 spectators.

Furthermore, Alhama Nature owns the local golf course, covering 915,000 square metres with five large lakes, broad fairways, rapid greens, 116 bunkers, and preserved indigenous flora.

On the residential front, Alhama Nature is gearing up to deliver its first 32 homes by late January, part of the initial phase that plans to in­ clude up to 260 residences.

The project’s reception has been positive, targeting buyers from Northern Europe and also Spanish buyers.

PROVERB OF THE WEEK “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

This proverb highlights the need for steady persistence in achieving any goal and comes from the 6th century BC Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism.

LOCAL NEWS

Breaking chains THE Specialised Attention Point (PAE) for vic­ tims of gender­based violence in the munici­ pality of San Pedro del Pinatar has kicked off activities in recognition of November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Vio­ lence against Women.

The town hall’s initiative not only raises awareness but also highlights the signifi­ cance of addressing this issue. The Interna­ tional Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women serves as a poignant back­ drop, emphasising the global importance of uniting against gender­based violence.

By actively participating in these initia­ tives, San Pedro del Pinatar takes a crucial step towards creating a community that re­ jects violence and promotes respect for all.

MURCIA embraces the ‘New Urban Era’ at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, spotlighting Artificial Intel­ ligence (AI) in global urban innovation.

Mayor José Ballesta, at­ tending the congress, championed the strategic IN a significant development, the manager of Fonda Mila­ gros nightclub has been sum­ moned as a suspect by the police in connection with the Atalayas fire. This incident, which resulted in the tragic loss of 13 lives, involved a py­

Image: San Pedro del Pinatar Town Hall

CHAMPIONING CHANGE: Together we stand against gender-based violence.

Smart City initiative ‘Murcia Ciudad Inteligente’, (Murcia Smart City) aspiring to make Murcia more efficient, sus­ tainable, and technologi­ cally advanced.

Prioritising environ­ mental responsibility,

Murcia launches projects like intelligent green area irrigation, smart street lighting, and advanced environmental monitor­ ing.

Additionally, 854 cut­ ting­edge cameras provide real­time data for immedi­ ate action.

Arrests made

rotechnic machine during the ‘We Remember’ party at Teatre. The police, as part of their ongoing investigation in­ to the reckless manslaughter

of the victims, also appre­ hended the owner of the py­ rotechnic device.

Fonda Milagros’ lawyer, Francisco Javier Adán, clarified that the manager was ‘sum­ moned as a suspect to give a statement but has never been arrested or deprived of free­ dom.’ The manager voluntarily attended the questioning on Friday November 10, providing cooperation and answers to all inquiries, as per Adán.

Nearly a month and a half later, authorities have initiat­ ed arrests related to the al­ leged negligence resulting in the deaths of Fonda Milagros’ 13 patrons. The police em­ phasise that investigations are ongoing.

68 years: the length of the longest bout of hiccups.

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16 - 22 November 2023

Grace Meredith THE town of Roda welcomes a greener land­ scape today, thanks to a joint effort by the Ro­ tary Club, Espacio Mediterráneo, and the San Javier Town Council. One hundred new pine trees have been planted in the ‘Señorío de Ro­ da’ park, enhancing the local tree cover.

Mayor José Miguel Luengo actively participat­ ed in the planting, expressing gratitude to the Rotary Club Mar Menor for spearheading the ini­ tiative in collaboration with Espacio Mediterrá­ neo. The goal of this project is to naturalise the area for the community’s enjoyment, as ex­ plained by Beatriz Sánchez, the president of Ro­ tary Club Mar Menor. Mayor Luengo empha­ sised the significance of environmental initiatives, stating that each planted tree acts as an ally in enhancing the well­being of residents.

Catherine McGeer THIS past weekend, the his­ toric centre of Cartagena un­ derwent a captivating trans­ formation into a medieval market, boasting 120 artisanal stalls.

From Friday, November 10, to Sunday, November 12, the streets came alive with pa­ rades, fire performances, dances, and children’s activi­ ties. The craft fair was inaugu­ rated by Cartagena’s mayor, Noelia Arroyo.

Within the historic quarter,

LOCAL NEWS

Green Roda Image: San Javier Town Hall

BLOSSOMING COMMUNITY: A hundred new pines planted in Roda.

The involvement of various groups, including students, users of the IMAS San Javier Day Cen­ tre, and members of Aidemar reflects the broad social participation in this impactful project, mak­ ing Roda a better place to live.

Medieval market

a diverse array of artisans showcased their talents in jewellery, natural cosmetics, leatherwork, and ceramics.

Food stalls featured a tempt­ ing selection of sausages, sweets, and sugared nuts, alongside an Arabian section displaying exquisite ceramic pieces.

Throughout the weekend,

lively parades featuring jesters, stilt walkers, dancers, and fire shows captivated the audience.

Children were treated to puppet shows and workshops strategically placed along the route, adding a family­friendly dimension to this medieval spectacle.

The event provided a de­ lightful journey into Cartage­ na’s history, where the past seamlessly merged with the present for a weekend of en­ chantment and celebration.

LOCAL NEWS

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16 - 22 November 2023

GET into the festive spirit with Sonrisas Harmo­ ny A Cappella Chorus who have a number of events coming up. Starting on December 5 you can catch them at the nativity scene in Cartage­ na on Plaza de San Francisco, just a few min­ utes from the main shopping street.

The show will start at 6.30pm. On December 7 at 7pm, they will perform in a magical setting in the courtyard of the Hotel Balneario La En­ carnacion in Los Alcázares for Carols by Candle­ light. Get your tickets early for this one as seat­ ing is limited. For an authentic German Christmas visit Booches in Los Alcázares on Sat­ urday, December 9 from 2pm until 5pm.

From 3.30pm Sonrisas Harmony will be per­ forming and Booches will be serving mulled wine, coffee, and a selection of festive cakes. Fi­ nally, on December 16, they will be singing around the Christmas Tree in the Dos Mares WITH venues, bars, and clubs popping up all the time catering to the young and the hip it is a welcome sur­ prise to see a bar opening that caters to the over­40s.

Breaking away from the conventional is a new bar which has opened in Mur­

Image: Facebook/Sonrisas Harmony

Christmas Carols

MAGICAL: Sonrisas harmony creating Christmas vibes.

shopping centre. For more information about their up and coming events check out their so­ cial media or their website sonrisasharmony.es.

Over 40s

cia. This bar promises a fu­ sion of nostalgia with music from the 80s and 90s. In a world where nightlife is of­ ten dominated by youth and loud pulsing music, they are boldly carving a space for

the over­40 demographic.

They promise quality music, drinks, and atmosphere sig­ nalling a new era of a more mature nightlife scene emerging. This is hopefully the beginning of a new trend that rewrites the rules of nightlife.

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NEWS

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16 - 22 November 2023

Spanish gastronomy THE upward trend of culi­ nary tourism is a testament to the fact that, wherever they are in the world, every­ one loves trying new food.

Europe has long been the centre of diverse and quality cuisine and Spain is a leading gastronomic light in the con­ tinent.

Culinary tourism is grow­ ing increasingly popular, with the market worth €743 billion in 2022 and expected to exceed €872 billion by 2028, an increase of 17.44 per cent.

In an Internet age, for bet­ ter or worse, foodies rely heavily on rating apps and recommendations from So­ cial Media influencers, but the one recommendation that has held the heaviest weight for the last 100 years is that of the Michelin Guide and its star rating system.

A traditional view of Span­ ish cuisine is that it’s simple, cheap, simple food that’s wholesome and varied.

However, Spain holds the fifth most Michelin stars in

MICHELIN STARS: Spain ranks third in the world.

the world and its restaurants rank third in the world for the coveted three­star award.

The Basque Country town of San Sebastian holds the crown for the highest densi­ ty of Michelin­starred restaurants in Europe and is regularly named by many of the world’s top chefs as their favourite foodie destination.

In 2022 Spain boasted 226 one, two and three­starred restaurants, 38 Green Star

restaurants and 232 Bib Gourmand. In 2023 the number of Michelin­starred restaurants in Spain has risen to 248, demonstrating the rise of Spanish gastrono­ my on the world stage.

126 feet: the diameter of the world’s largest pizza.

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10 EWN 16 - 22 November 2023

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FEATURE

THE European Central Bank has confirmed that it plans to push ahead with the digital euro and the Bank of Spain is not only sup­ portive, but six months ahead of other banks.

It is difficult to trace the movement of cash and many banks like the concept of a cashless society as they can benefit by charging merchants for every transaction made by card or transfer. It is interesting that the Bank of Spain, whilst still in favour of the digital euro, has been sounding out public opinion and had market research company IPSOS undertake two tiny sur­ veys of just 1,600 members of the public and small businesses about their attitude to digital payment.

Whilst the powers that be may have been surprised by the answers they re­ ceived; it seems unlikely that they will be

swayed from the path of digitalisation.

Just 20 per cent of the public admitted to knowing anything about the digital euro and a similar number of businesses indi­ cated that they would be likely to accept payment by this method whilst 65 per cent (7 per cent more than those responded to a similar survey in 2022) said they positive­ ly didn’t intend to accept the digital euro.

Even in the most pro digital age group (18 to 24) only 36 per cent said they were likely to use the currency and this percent­ age declined as the ages rose with a nomi­ nal 7 per cent of those older than 65 being in favour. Whilst the digital euro may be useful for use in major transactions be­ tween large organisations, it seems unlike­ ly that you will be invited to pay for your beer and tapas with digital euros in the foreseeable future.

HÉCTOR GÓMEZ, Spanish caretaker Minister of Indus­ try, Trade and Tourism has just attended World Travel Market in London.

Having made it clear in a statement that “tourism adds almost three million workers and creates one in four new jobs in the econo­ my” it has become apparent that the British market is still of major importance despite Brexit.

There is a large body of opinion which believes that action needs to be taken to redress the problems caused by the 90/180 re­ strictions on visiting Schen­ gen countries by non­EU passport holders and al­ ready the French Senate is considering a bill which would grant long stay visas to British second home owners without the usual problems of red tape delays.

It is reported that Minister Gómez took the opportunity whilst in London to visit the

Credit: WTM

Nail in cash’s coffin? Can Spain change?

LONDON: The very busy World Travel Market.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to discuss the very problem of restrictions on visits by UK residents to Spain to try to find a solution.

Currently, the UK allows Spanish citizens to spend up to six months per visit and this is what campaigners such as the 180 Days in Spain group believes should be the norm for British visi­ tors to Spain. Spain still holds the Presidency of the EU un­

til the end of this year and even with a caretaker gov­ ernment still has more chance of gaining traction for a change in the rules whilst in this position.

The argument up to now has been made that Schen­ gen rules can’t be changed for just one or two countries, but with the French prece­ dent already set, this may be the right time for Spain to make its own bid for special treatment.

FINANCE Cleaned out BRITISH STEEL, owned by China’s Jingye Group, plans to close its Scunthorpe blast furnaces, putting up to 2,000 jobs at risk.

They will be replaced by an elec­ tric arc furnace in Scunthorpe and another in Teesside in a £1.25 billion (€1.43 billion) pro­ ject to turn British Steel into “a clean, green and sustainable business.”

Ill wind SPAIN’S Association of Petroleum Product Operators (AOP) warned that extending Spain’s windfall tax on large en­ ergy companies endangered €16.5 billion in investments. Rep­ sol has already delayed plans for a hydrogen plant in Bilbao, while Endesa’s chief executive con­ demned the tax as “discriminato­ ry and unjustified.”

Naked truth NAKED WINES shares plummet­ ed more than 30 per cent after the group cut its annual fore­ casts, with adjusted pre­tax earn­ ings cut to between £2 and £6 million (€2.3 and €6.9 million).

The company’s chief executive Nick Devlin announced he was stepping down from the busi­ ness “with immediate effect.”

Settle up MADRID’S Provincial High Court handed Carlos Iglesias, brother of singer Julio Iglesias and his former manager, a six­month prison term and a €30 million fine for failing to pay corpora­ tion tax on land he sold in Madrid. The transaction was carried out by a Panama­regis­ tered company where Carlos Iglesias was also the manager.

Prime time ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS, which owns Primark, attributed rising profits and sales to al­ liances with celebrities who have included Rita Ora. The group’s total revenue grew by 16 per cent to £19.7 billion (€22.6 billion) in the first three quarters of 2023 with Primark sales rising 15 per cent to £9 bil­ lion (€10.3 billion).

euroweeklynews.com • 16 - 22 November 2023

STAT OF WEEK

paid by Inditex founder Amancio Ortega’s investment company Pontegadea for the purchase of a 49 per cent stake in Repsol’s Spanish windfarms and solar power plants.

€490 million

M&S recovers its spark Linda Hall MARKS & SPENCER share­ holders will receive £20 mil­ lion (€23 million) in dividends next January for the first time since 2019.

Pre­tax profits climbed by an unexpected 56 per cent to £326 million (€374.5 mil­ lion) in the six months end­ ing on September 30 as the company focused on re­ vamping stores, clothing lines and its digital offer.

Clothes sales rose 5.5 cent while profit margins in­ creased to more than 12 per cent compared with 9.8 per cent during the same period in 2022, with fewer items sold at reduced prices.

Food sales have increased

Photo credit: marksandspencer.com

BUSINESS EXTRA

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TURNAROUND: Marks & Spencer’s pre-tax profits rose 56 per cent.

by almost 12 per cent while the Remarksable budget range rocketed by 45 per cent.

Despite the buoyant half­ year results, chief executive Stuart Machin viewed the remainder of 2023 and the coming year with caution,

TELEFONICA will spend approximately €1.97 billion on buying up the 28.19 per cent of its German subsidiary Telefonica Deutschland it does not already own.

The Spanish multinational has con­ firmed an offer of €2.35 per share, a 37.6 per cent premium on the closing price of November 6.

Telefonica said the takeover bid, which involves 838, 452,647 shares, would reinforce its position in its four strategic markets together with Spain, Brazil and the UK. This would also sim­ plify the structure of the group while im­ proving its cash flow in euros.

Responding to the offer, Telefonica Deutschland, listed on the Frankfurt

warning on November 8 that the recent and favourable market condi­ tions might not persist.

High interest rates, slower price rises, global conflict and erratic weather could hit trading, he said, although he was “hopeful” that the com­

pany’s growth would contin­ ue.

“Against more challenging comparatives, we expect profit before tax and adjust­ ing items to be weighted to­ wards the first half,” the chief executive added.

One drawback for Marks & Spencer has been the company’s association with online grocer which regis­ tered a £23.4 million (€26.9 million) operating loss in the first six months of the year.

Although the company admitted earlier that it “was not happy” with the online grocery retailer’s perfor­ mance, Machin said he re­ mained positive about its po­ tential.

Plans to fully control Deutschland Telefonica fol­ low on from the loss of a major roaming contract last August when the 1&1 mo­ bile operator announced stock market since 2021, an­ that it would be nounced that its “management switching to the and supervisory boards” Vodafone Ger­ would consider the bid. many network in It would comment after June 2024.

Photo credit: telefonica.com the full­offer document The company’s TELEFONICA: had been approved by share price fell by Multinational’s the financial services 18 per cent, which chairman Jose Maria regulator and pub­ resulted in a 7 per Alvarez wants lished, the company cent drop in the par­ Telefonica added. ent company’s shares.

Deutschland takeover.

Telefonica takes over

Mapfe in Turkey

Christmas cheer

Debanking rise

SPANISH company Mapfre is selling its Turkish life insurance division to Swiss group Zurich.

The Madrid­based firm headed

by Antonio Huerts will now cen­ tre its Turkish operation on the non­life segment, company sources told the financial daily, El Economista. “We aim to guar­ antee stable growth and main­ tain financial sustainability by concentrating on the long­term strategic areas where we will develop our activities,” said Ed­ inc Yurtseven, director general of Mapfre’s Turkish subsidiary, Mapfre Sigorta. The amount in­ volved in the Zurich sale has not been revealed and awaits ap­ proval from Turkey’s Regulatory and Supervisory Authority for Insurance and Private Pensions.

A SCIENCEDIRECT study used Spain’s Gor­ do de Navidad to gauge the impact of lot­ tery winnings on consumer sentiment and consumption.

Researchers found that residents in win­ ning towns or cities ­ even those who won nothing ­ were “significantly” more opti­ mistic about the Spanish economy than people elsewhere.

There are now 180 series of each num­ ber sold in the Christmas lottery and as the participants usually buy at least one Deci­ mo (10th), the distribution of the biggest prizes influences local spending. The Sci­ enceDirect article noted a 10­percentage point rise in the number of cars sold in mu­ nicipalities where a big prize had been sold, while unemployment dropped 0.3 of a percentage point. Both were linked less to an improvement in the region’s overall wealth than to increased optimism, the study’s authors concluded.

THE Nigel Farage debanking scandal has opened the door to a spate of complaints regarding unilateral ac­ count closures.

The GB news presenter and the Brexit party’s former president changed to Lloyds after Coutts, now owned by NatWest, closed his account for motives that ranged from his financial position to his po­ litical views.

Figures quoted in the UK media show that the Financial Ombuds­ man opened 1,613 cases linked to bank account closures between March and September alone.

With 2,708 debanking cases re­ ported throughout 2022, com­ plaints are likely to have risen by 20 per cent to approximately 3,200 by the end of 2023, Financial Ombuds­ man sources said.

Call for openness BANK OF ENGLAND governor An­ drew Bailey said on November 8 that Brexit had modified the UK economy’s “openness.”

Speaking at the Financial Sys­ tem Conference in Dublin, Bailey said that as a public official he took no position on Brexit, which had been the British population’s decision.

But he stressed that free trade required “strong regulation” based on agreements with for­ eign supervisory bodies.

He hoped to see further close regulatory cooperation with his counterparts in Ireland, Bailey said, to “minimise fragmentation of financial markets after Brexit.”

Bad loser AIRPORTS operator Aena said on November 8 that it hoped Iberia would not hinder the imminent changeover to new handling com­ panies.

Although it retains Madrid­ Barajas, Iberia Airport Services lost its licences for eight airports after the contracts were put out to tender. These have gone to Menzies, Aviapartner and Groundforce, a decision which Iberia has now appealed against to the Central Appeals Tribunal, (TACRC), attached to the Finance Ministry (Hacienda). The TACRC has now suspended the alloca­ tions while it investigates Iberia’s objections, a process which could take weeks to complete.

Chipping in PENNSYLVANIA­BASED Vishay Intertechnology paid $177 mil­ lion (€168.5 million) for the UK’s largest microchip factory in Newport (Wales). The sale ar­ rived after the UK government blocked a Chinese­backed takeover on national security grounds and ordered Dutch company Nexperia to sell New­ port Wafer Fab in November 2022. Nexperia, which is owned

by Chinese giant Wingtech, ap­ pealed against the order, but put the plant up for sale. The compa­ ny has done well out of the deal which doubled the worth of Newport Wafer Fab when Nex­ peria bought the 86p per cent that it did not own for £63 mil­ lion (€72.3 million) in 2021.

FINANCE

14 EWN 16 - 22 November 2023

euroweeklynews.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

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

CLOSING PRICES 13 NOVEMBER

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

47,79K

InterContinental

288,85K

Intermediate Capital

5.944,40

84

1,43%

19,97K

1.390,50

3,5

0,25%

16,73K

Intertek

16,20K

3.822,00

15

0,39%

1,29%

293,00K

3,41K

ITV

59,82

0,08

0,13%

517,58K

8

0,62%

46,58K

J Sainsbury

268,1

1,1

0,41%

61,05K

4.979,00

53

1,08%

203,95K

Johnson Matthey

1.513,90

-26

-1,69%

53,18K

Associated Brit Foods

2.334,00

3

0,13%

75,26K

Land Securities

614,4

14,6

2,43%

222,80K

AstraZeneca

884,47K

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

3I Group

2.038,50

12

0,59%

Abrdn

165,6

-0,15

-0,09%

Admiral Group

2.559,30

9

0,35%

Anglo American

2.044,50

26

Antofagasta

1.307,00

Ashtead Group

NET VOL

1.1454

0.8729

Units per €

US dollar (USD) ........................................1.0690 Japan yen (JPY)........................................162.21 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................0.9642 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4587 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................11.892

10.286,00

196

1,94%

244,65K

Legal & General

224,17

3,6

1,63%

Auto Trader Group Plc

690,2

8,2

1,20%

282,45K

Lloyds Banking

42,03

0,28

0,67%

7,12M

Aviva

409,5

5,2

1,29%

339,51K

London Stock Exchange 8.512,00

-42

-0,49%

55,84K

B&M European Value Ret SA 525,8

2

0,38%

197,67K

Melrose Industries

528,4

13,4

2,60%

186,60K

currenciesdirect.com/la-zenia • Tel: +34 965 994 830

BAE Systems

1.109,59

6

0,54%

515,94K

Mondi

1.387,25

5

0,36%

47,65K

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

Barclays

136,6

1,02

0,75%

3,02M

National Grid

990,3

6

0,61%

341,71K

Barratt Developments

446,5

2,3

0,52%

102,05K

NatWest Group

196,3

-0,65

-0,33%

1,27M

Berkeley

4.273,00

31

0,73%

5,51K

Next

7.434,00

52

0,70%

13,14K

BHP Group Ltd

2.395,50

34,5

1,46%

114,90K

Ocado

512,4

-2,2

-0,43%

118,45K

478,9

0,95

0,20%

2,04M

1.158,10

7,5

0,65%

61,15K

BP

Persimmon

British American Tobacco 2.519,50

42

1,70%

209,77K

Phoenix

497,6

33,1

7,13%

896,78K

British Land Company

331,1

17,4

5,55%

593,38K

Prudential

BT Group

122,95

1,45

1,19%

493,67K

Reckitt Benckiser

893,6

11,2

1,27%

151,50K

5.564,00

72

1,31%

Bunzl

2.936,00

15

0,51%

11,68K

Relx

66,77K

2.968,00

13

0,44%

192,27K

Burberry Group

1.678,30

-0,5

-0,03%

28,83K

Rentokil

452,4

5,9

1,32%

313,13K

Carnival

921,2

17,8

1,97%

31,61K

Centrica

152,2

0,05

0,03%

659,53K

Rightmove

485,12

3,7

0,77%

201,84K

Rio Tinto PLC

5.323,00

64

1,22%

Coca Cola HBC AG

2.096,00

11

0,53%

24,33K

155,55K

Rolls-Royce Holdings

237,6

5,6

2,41%

Compass

2.100,00

18

0,86%

2,09M

129,42K

Sage

993,2

-1

-0,10%

46,69K

CRH

4.841,00

27

Croda Intl

4.513,00

2

0,56%

50,03K

Samsung Electr DRC

1.338,00

0

0,00%

1,62K

0,04%

7,24K

Schroders

388,3

0,3

0,08%

32,68K

DCC

4.624,30

23

Diageo

2.852,00

2

0,50%

4,11K

Scottish Mortgage

691,71

6

0,88%

225,03K

0,07%

655,16K

Segro

774,8

0,8

0,10%

92,88K

DS Smith

297,6

EasyJet

400,5

3,3

1,12%

135,68K

Severn Trent

2.647,00

12

0,46%

23,13K

6,4

1,62%

134,33K 30,27K

Shell Smith & Nephew Smiths Group

2.632,50 1.010,00 1.638,50

3 21 5,5

0,11% 2,12% 0,34%

393,11K 222,54K 23,80K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 8.522,00 SSE 1.685,50 St. James’s Place 649,2 Standard Chartered 625,4 Taylor Wimpey 118,1 Tesco 279,5 Tui 449,93 Unilever 3.961,50 United Utilities 1.076,00 Vodafone Group PLC 77,18 Whitbread 3.278,00 WPP 702,6

-14 5,5 -1,6 3,6 1 1,7 5,6 12,5 7,5 0,77 14 1,8

-0,16% 0,33% -0,25% 0,58% 0,85% 0,61% 1,26% 0,32% 0,70% 1,01% 0,43% 0,26%

6,77K 162,23K 172,84K 212,86K 1,05M 531,88K 40,11K 207,55K 91,65K 3,98M 53,65K 71,56K

Experian

2.680,00

-3

-0,11%

Ferguson

13.030,00

60

0,46%

1,91K

Flutter Entertainment

12.415,00

260

2,14%

24,18K

518,4

1,8

0,35%

77,23K

Glencore

432,05

4,95

1,16%

1,48M

GSK plc

1.413,60

15,2

1,09%

262,76K

Halma

1.932,00

0,5

0,03%

64,86K

Hargreaves Lansdown

711,33

-1,8

-0,25%

82,78K

Hikma Pharma

1.758,50

5

0,28%

12,11K

HSBC

607,2

8,1

1,35%

1,84M

IAG

151,75

0,25

0,17%

1,94M

Imperial Brands

1.788,50

34

1,94%

390,64K

711

-0,8

-0,11%

159,39K

Fresnillo

Informa

DOW JONES CLOSING PRICES 13 NOVEMBER

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE

CHANGE% VOLUME(M)

3M American Express Amgen Apple Boeing Caterpillar Chevron Cisco Coca-Cola Dow Goldman Sachs Home Depot Honeywell IBM Intel J&J JPMorgan McDonald’s Merck&Co Microsoft Nike Procter&Gamble Salesforce Inc The Travelers UnitedHealth Verizon Visa A Walgreens Boots Walmart Walt Disney

92,81 154,38 267,31 186,4 196,65 239,68 142,95 52,59 56,72 49,48 325,51 291,59 186,71 149,02 38,86 147,25 146,43 267,79 101,39 369,67 106,11 151,41 213,63 169,96 541,21 35,71 245,25 20,76 166,19 88,27

+1,11 +2,01 +3,25 +4,23 +3,32 +5,53 +1,01 +0,59 +0,06 +1,12 +4,73 +3,72 +3,03 +2,4 +1,06 -0,17 +2,14 +0,88 -0,99 +8,98 -0,89 +1,06 +3,62 +1,37 +2,21 +0,09 +3,61 +0,31 +2,27 -2,07

+1,21% 2,39M +1,32% 2,02M +1,23% 2,02M +2,32% 64,87M +1,72% 4,76M +2,36% 2,51M +0,71% 11,36M +1,13% 17,00M +0,11% 11,66M +2,32% 3,80M +1,47% 1,56M +1,29% 3,55M +1,65% 2,13M +1,64% 3,17M +2,80% 37,58M -0,12% 6,92M +1,48% 7,38M +0,33% 2,60M -0,97% 7,19M +2,49% 26,85M -0,83% 8,89M +0,71% 5,23M +1,72% 3,90M +0,81% 880,68K +0,41% 2,46M +0,25% 12,78M +1,49% 4,04M +1,52% 8,55M +1,38% 4,75M -2,29% 25,04M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ CLOSING PRICES 13 NOVEMBER

COMPANY Most Advanced Doximity, Inc. James Hardie Industries plc Light & Wonder, Inc. Synaptics Incorporated AppLovin Corporation Onto Innovation Inc. Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. FormFactor, Inc. Stantec Inc. Palantir Technologies Inc. Isuzu Motors Limited

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

+16.24% +15.77% +11.21% +10.75% +10.36% +10.14% +9.95% +9.91% +8.98% +7.66% +7.65%

8.462M 20,701 1.789M 944,585 5.643M 1.026M 545,569 776,132 304,294 92.956M 49,911

-19.79% -16.66% -11.72% -10.33% -9.77% -8.05% -7.95% -7.45% -6.90% -6.85% -6.64%

1.893M 42.502M 3.155M 5.549M 27.811M 9.077M 173,632 130,867 4.698M 36,27 7.239M

Most Declined MSP Recovery, Inc. The Trade Desk, Inc. Diageo plc RB Global, Inc. Affirm Holdings, Inc. Illumina, Inc. Shiseido Company, Limited Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd. Flowers Foods, Inc. Worldline SA TKO Group Holdings, Inc.

‘

FINANCE

euroweeklynews.com

BUSINESS EXTRA High rise Levi’s LEVI STRAUSS’S Spanish subsidiary reported sales of €45.5 million last year, 12 per cent more than in 2021 but still 9 per cent below the €49.9 million registered in 2019 before the pandemic hit. Spain accounted for 96 per cent of the company’s 2022 turnover, while Portugal’s 4 per cent was one per­ centage point more than in 2021.

PwC cuts ACCOUNTANCY firm PwC announced that it is prepar­ ing to lay off between 500 and 600 employees, explain­ ing that it finds itself over­ staffed owing to a reduced call on its services. The group will cut between 500 and 600 jobs via a voluntary re­ dundancy scheme, in a move affecting 2.4 per cent of its 25,000 employees in the UK..

16 - 22 November 2023

Food inflation slims down FOOD price inflation in the UK fell to single digits for the first time since July 2022.

According to data compa­ ny Kantar, inflation on gro­ ceries dipped to 9.7 per cent between October 1 and 29.

Describing the reduction as a “big milestone” for shoppers and retailers, Fras­ er McKevitt, who heads Kantar’s Retail and Con­ sumer Insight department, said people were still “feel­ ing the pinch.”

He also pointed out that

FOOD INFLATION: Supermarkets have cut some prices.

Madrid hotel venture BRITISH private equity investment firm Maya Capital is finalising the purchase of Hotel Mayorazgo in Madrid’s exclu­ sive Gran Via. According to sources quoted in the fi­ nancial daily Cinco Dia, Maya Capital made a formal offer of €60 million last August for the 200­room hotel, and at the same time requested a comprehen­ sive “due diligence” audit.

Normally completed with one or two months, this is taking longer than ex­ pected, the same sources said.

According to the latest accounts pre­ sented by the hotel’s owners, Salazar Hermanos, the hotel was back in the black last year, with a turnover of €8.62 million and a profit of €1.7 million, com­ pared with 2019’s record €8.01 million and €1.45 million.

year­on­year price reduc­ tions were limited to major staples like milk, butter and dried pasta.

Kantar found that Lidl was again the fastest­grow­ ing retailer, with sales over the quarter ending on Octo­ ber 29 up 14.7 per cent.

Aldi, where sales in­ creased by 13.2 per cent, at­ tracted 207,000 more cus­ tomers than during the same period in 2022. To­ gether with Waitrose, where sales rose by 5.4 per cent, it was the only super­ market which increased its number of shoppers year­ on­year. Aldi and Waitrose took 9.7 per cent and 4.6 per cent of the market.

Sainsbury’s was the fastest­growing traditional supermarket in October, and sales increased by 10.1 per cent over the previous quarter. Sainsbury’s also an­ nounced recently said that it had spent £118 million (€135.5 million) since March on trying to keep prices down.

EWN 15

Record results CAR component manufactur­ er Gestamp’s turnover grew by 17.9 per cent to €9 billion by the end of 2023’s third quarter with net profits of €225.3 million, up 23 per cent on the same period last year.

These were the best results since the Spanish multination­ al was floated on Madrid’s stock exchange six years ago.

Normalised METRO BANK deposits fell by 5 per cent from £16.4 billion to £15.6 bil­ lion (€18.8 billion to €17.9 billion) during the third quarter of this year. Cus­ tomer withdrawals have normalised after Octo­ ber’s emergency £325 million (€379.2 million) rescue deal from in­ vestors and bondholders plus £600 million (€688.4 million) in debt refinanc­ ing, the bank said.

16 EWN 16 - 22 November 2023

euroweeklynews.com

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT AND so this is Christmas. Well perhaps not quite, but if you’re reading this on the day of publication you have just 39 days to gear yourself up for yet another precious celebration of the Christian majority. Surrounded by family and friends, hopefully many of you will, once again enjoy this time honoured and much loved occasion.

I’m pretty sure most of you will also observe the ritual Christmas day tradi­ tions that we have become familiarised with over the generations. In the begin­ ning we are the babies, crawling around the base of the tree with the young mums of the family lightly ad­ monishing us as we endeavour to pull baubles and shiny bits of tinsel from the lower branches.

Over the next few years we morph into the youngsters, excitedly tearing off the paper from presents, brought by a Santa we are becoming slightly

more sceptical about but still prepared to give the benefit of the doubt ­ just as long as we receive at least a proportion of the presents we asked him for!

The next stage in our Christmas gen­ eration game sees us become one of the young and mid aged adults who, having finally got the youngsters off to bed, are pouring copious measures of alcohol and consuming about a million calories in Quality Street and mince pies, while relating what we consider hilarious tales of past Christmas turkey disasters. All being played out against a back drop of East Enders, Coronation Street, the Monarch’s message and yet another rerun of Dr Zhivago on the box.

Generations later, if we last long enough, we find ourselves in the twi­ light of our years, quietly enjoying the utterly spoiled and most loved exulted position you can attain. You become Grandpa/Grandma. And that’s actually just where this ol’ boy has finally found himself. Grandpa (or in my situation Great Grandpa) is expected to do just about nothing. He is not required to wash up, clear up, lift up furniture or

top up the drinks. He occupies the most comfortable chair in the room (general­ ly in the corner).

Periodically, he is asked by various family members if he ‘wants anything’.

He is then allowed to doze off, without being labelled a party pooper and is subsequently not particularly worried that his chair is a little out of the way ­ just as long as he is close enough to oc­ casionally interject the conversation with an ‘I remember when’ recollection of his own.

These narratives are usually deliv­ ered to reassure the room (and him­ self) that he hasn’t actually ruined the whole Christmas celebrations by self­ ishly deciding to slip away and meet his maker; thereby decidedly becoming an ‘I remember when’ subject for a whole host of future family Christmas gather­ ings. Let’s also hope our religious and peaceful beliefs have not by this com­ ing yuletide, been ripped asunder by those who consider violence and may­ hem the true answer to any future exis­ tence on our precious planet.

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.

No kids allowed

THE owner of a restaurant in Italy has banned un­ der­14s from his establishment saying: “They break everything” The restaurateur went to say, “I am exas­ perated. When I tried to report it to the parents, they just defended the out of control children.”

A notice on the premis­ es of the ‘Hostaria Oasi Marina’ in Bacoli near Naples reads: “For reasons out of our control, we are forced to not accept bookings with children or young people under the age of 14.

Don’t hold it against us, but it is the fault of many parents who are irre­ sponsible.”

The restaurateur de­ fended his choice and, speaking on ‘Uno Matti­ na in famiglia’ broadcast on Raiuno, said: “I am ex­ asperated by various

Photo: Shutterstock

Christmas Day ritual

FEATURE

Children banned.

events. To name a few, I had to remove all the wine glasses on the ta­ bles, because they were breaking everything.

They were chasing each other between tables and it’s dangerous. With the parents undaunted, unmoved. In fact, when I tried to point it out, they defended their children.

“I want to add that I am also a teacher and encounter the same diffi­ culties at school. There are children who are an­ gels. I am also a father.

But with certain parents, it is difficult to inter­ vene,” the restaurateur concluded.

FEATURE

euroweeklynews.com INTERVIEW

Speaking European - Claudio Casal This week Euro Weekly News caught up with Claudio Casal from Switzerland.

CLAUDIO, aged 49, has been living in Estepona for the past year, after buying a property here in January 2022.

This smooth Swiss arrived to meet EWN on his limited-edition Harley Davidson, which he tells that he has embarked on many an Andalucian adventure with.

Claudio explained that “I was at a point in my life where I wanted to make a change, then I found the Costa del Sol and I thought, yes, this is it”.

When asked what his favourite thing about the coast was, he replied “well, apart from the fact that it changed my whole life, I would have to say the food, all the fresh produce. The culture of tapas too, to share, to talk, it’s like a mentality, like the coffee culture in Italy.”

He did however note that food tends to take a while to actually arrive at the table, which is something he was not used to in Switzerland.

Claudio smiled as he recounted this difference, then added “but the beauty

CLAUDIO CASAL: What a life!

of living somewhere new is acceptance.

To understand there will be differences but to accept this new way of life.”

As EWN said ciao for now to Claudio Casal, he swiftly mounted his motorbike and said he was off to the mountains. “I ride often, the landscape here is beautiful and the salty sea air, it’s just… wow.”

What a life!

16 - 22 November 2023

EWN 17

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23

20 EWN 16 - 22 November 2023

euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

COMMUNITY

COMMENTS

WHILST music is a force that often unites people who love a particular band or individual, it can also cause friction between those who love a type of music and those who don’t.

The Beatles are generally accepted as being one of the great musical forces of the 20th century but in a recent article entitled ‘Beatles Final Song Released: Now Can We Let It Be?’ our writer expressed her own personal opinion calling them ‘the drab four’.

She suggested that the releases of an until now overlooked last number Now and Then was really the thin end of the wedge and that contemporaries, the Rolling Stones were much more exciting and entertaining.

This certainly encouraged a number of responses from readers which you can read below and go to the Euro Weekly News website to read the original story and let us know if you agree or disagree.

“

Instant Karma’s gonna get you Gonna look you right in the face Better get yourself together darlin’ Join the human race Lyrics by John Lennon from the song ‘Instant Karma’!

John Zennon

‘… the Drab Four are possibly one of the most overrated bands in music history’. What an absurd piece of rubbish is this article - written by some nobody.

D Bath

I’m adding to this because the latest song, not album, in fact the last song is very poor. Like much of some of the other musicians mentioned here. It is sad because it gives the Beatle bashers leverage. All bands and musicians have bad songs. I’m not going into details but believe I could. My take is that the Beatles that are left did this as a kind of eulogy. Just leave it be. And please don’t pretend to be a music expert critic. I am very sad that so much nastiness comes out so easily.

Don’t we have enough problems?

I think this vitriol is out of order. A totally one-sided out pouring of negativity. And I guess you are going to praise the latest Rolling Stones album. A bit of balance please.

all over the world. It is still better for me to know that before girls were screaming for them and not taking drugs to go and see their preferred group of musicians.

And as the song ends you can hear these words ‘you’re welcome’. All the songs from The Beatles reflected positivity.

Ericoo

No, no and thrice no. If you want to hear regurgitation of Beatle-esque songs just go out and buy a couple of Liam Gallagher albums. Sorted. To coin a wellknown phrase, ‘Let it Be’.

Geoff Atkins

It certainly sounds like a Beatles song but is nothing special, just another pop song. I don't know why they did it, maybe just because the technology now allowed them to include Lennon? Most Beatles songs sound dated today although at the time they were superb.

Brian Wall

It is good Now and Then but Hey Jude and Imagine are better.

Tim McMahon

From a Beatles fan… it’s very dated.

Judy Breadmore

I heard it this afternoon and thought it was crap.

Most overrated band ever.

Richard Webb

Stephane de Leng

Unlike Emna Mitchell, who has obviously had a bad day, I’m looking forward to buying the Beatles’ last record, they have given a lot of pleasure over the years.

Its good, but… just a b-side.

Peter Mack

Definitely not needed.

Bill Shearer

S Ede

I can also assure you that several great composers have given their findings about the song, it would have been better that you did read them first before posting your negativity.

Respect is what this group has earned many years ago and still have from many fans but also performers

Fabulously written piece… but I guess you have stepped on a lot of toe.

Eleni Lolkema

Not the same just two of them.

Mark Free

Comments should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers.

No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

www.euroweeklynews.com • 16 - 22 November 2023

22

PETS

SPONSORED BY

Pet adoption surges AMIDST increasing awareness of mental health, pet adoption rates have surged, high­ lighting pets’ significant role in providing compan­ ionship and emotional support.

Animal shelters across the country report a re­ markable increase in adoptions, especially for dogs and cats.

Veterinarians empha­ sise the mutual benefits, as pets not only receive a loving home but also pos­ itively impact their own­ ers' well­being.

This rise in pet adop­ tion underscores the growing recognition of the therapeutic value of pets in fostering happi­ ness and reducing stress in people’s lives.

Pet-sitters care for your pets at home WE help to match pet­sitters with the pet owners for free safe pet care in the pet’s own home, for free!

Those of you familiar with us know that we have maintained good value for our customers in the last 10 years ­ Yes, we are nearly 10 years old! And in all that time we have only ever raised our prices once. Standard member­ ship is still only £69 per year! Not bad for free pet­sitting in your own home.

If you’re planning a trip in the next few months register now to find pet­sitters in time. Earlier is better than later. Whether your trip is short or long, you need to prepare. All pets in particular ben­ efit from staying at home, so they can follow their routines undis­ turbed. Join our pet and house­ sitting network, and the sitters come for free!

A pet-sitter cares for your pets at home.

Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These are the steps to take: 1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com 2. Choose a Standard account (£69GB per year) to ensure you can help online when needed 3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house 4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sit­ ters apply and you choose.

How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our net­ work for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House­ sitters see your advert, they re­ spond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets.

Trustpilot Testimonials ­ 4.9 / 5 Excellent Pure Joy ­ I have completed two house­sits so far so early days.

Both sits have been well suited to me and my dog.

Thoroughly enjoyable experi­ ences with beautiful homes and well­rounded animals. I’m looking for more!

Lisa Stimpson, Pet­sitter from the UK How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch.com

Need a pet or housesitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either housesitter or homeowner with a 20% discount using coupon code 20EWN – Reader exclusive offer.

To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com

Pets for the elderly PET ownership can bring a host of benefits for seniors which is all the more important for us here in Europe where the ageing popu­ lation is growing. For many seniors, pets offer companionship, un­ conditional love, and a sense of purpose, helping to combat feel­ ings of loneliness and isolation that can be common in later life.

As well as this, pet ownership helps people stay fit with daily ex­ ercise. Whether taking a dog for a walk, playing with a cat, or car­ ing for a bird, pets encourage seniors to stay active and engaged.

This can help to improve cardiovascular health, maintain muscle strength, and enhance overall well­being. Additionally, pets can have a positive impact on mental health. Studies have shown that pet ownership can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, leading to improved mood and a better quality of life. The companionship and affection that pets provide can also help to boost self­esteem and foster a sense of purpose and routine.

Furthermore, and perhaps not so obvious, pets can provide so­ cial opportunities for seniors. Whether it’s striking up a conversa­ tion with a fellow dog walker, attending a pet­related event, or simply sharing stories and photos of their pets with friends and family, pets can help seniors to stay connected and engaged with their community.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS POLICE/FIRE/AMBULANCE: 112 24 HOUR PHARMACY FARMACIA ALICANTE - 965 910 220 FARMACIA PLAYA DEL CURA 966 706 880 24 HOUR VETS HOSPITAL VETERINARIA SANT VICENTE 965 668 582

A round of appaws AS the importance of pets within modern society grows so too do the indus­ tries that serve their well­ being, providing goods and services that just a decade ago would have been un­ heard of. easyJet has re­ cently launched a pet­sit­ ting service, a Hyatt Regency in Japan offers pet rooms with 100 per cent occupancy and the CEO of GCH Hotel Group, has not­ ed that one call in 10 to his hotel chain is now related to pets, leading the compa­ ny to develop a pro­ gramme that includes dog walkers and other pet ser­ vices.

Within this changing landscape, specialised pet hotels are a relatively new phenomena, with a fore­ cast market growth of 6.0 per cent CAGR over the coming years according to the Europe Pet Boarding Market.

From welcome treats, grooming facilities and on­ site veterinary care, to be­ spoke walking services and special pet menus, these hotels are going above and beyond to ensure that our furry friends feel just as wel­ come and comfortable as their human counterparts.

At the Arbre a Chats (Cats’ Tree) hotel in Paris, prospective guests need to reserve well ahead, as all its 24 ‘contemporary and comfortable’ cubicles are fully booked. The hotel of­ fers ‘a la carte’ services such as massage, brushing, and a transport service to pick up guests. As an extra, the ho­ tel management sends owners a picture and a message twice a week about what their pets are eating and how they are getting along with the oth­ er guests, “like when your kids are in summer camp” hotel owner Veronica Col­ son said: “you like to know how they are doing, right?”

This growing trend of pet­friendly hotels and ac­ commodations is a wel­ come development for pet owners and their four­ legged family members.

23

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not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life - damaging everything that is important to you. English-speaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aa-costablanca.org

REMOVALS & STORAGE

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779

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24 EWN 16 - 22 November 2023

euroweeklynews.com

SPORT

Football fiesta Moto2 mastery

IN a tightly contested match at the Enrique Roca Stadium, Re­ al Murcia CF managed to se­ cure a hard­fought 0­0 draw against Real Madrid B. The game took a dramatic turn in

and South Korea. Excitement escalates with an upcoming preparatory event for the Paris Olympics featuring several un­ der­23 teams, including Mo­ rocco, the United States, and Iraq ­ adding more dynamism to the roster.

All matches, except Ukraine’s, will take place at Pinatar Arena, and tickets are available through Pinatar Are­ na (compralaentrada.com).

The tournament’s impact ex­

tends beyond the pitch, filling over 4,000 hotel rooms and drawing an estimated 10,000 spectators to the 12 scheduled games. Most matches will be broadcast live on streaming platforms or satellite channels in the participating teams’ home countries. Once again, Pinatar Arena solidifies its sta­ tus as the epicentre of interna­ tional football, showcasing the Region of Murcia as a global football destination.

Stalemate drama

the 60th minute when Real Madrid Castilla’s Raul Asencio received a straight red card for a blatant foul on Guarrotxena.

Asencio’s costly mistake left his team with 10 men on the field.

Real Murcia, despite strug­ gling to find their attacking rhythm earlier in the game, capitalised on the numerical advantage after Asencio’s ex­ pulsion. The Alfaro­led squad

pressed forward, with Asencio himself having a chance with a powerful header thwarted by the agile Manu García. Despite being down a player, Real Madrid Castilla also had op­ portunities, with Víctor Muñoz narrowly missing the target in a one­on­one situation with the Murcia goalkeeper.

Ultimately, both teams set­ tled for a 0­0 draw in a match full of twists and turns.

Image: X/ @37_pedroacosta

THIRTEEN male national teams across various categories gath­ er in San Pedro del Pinatar until November 22, showcasing a football spectacle. Confirmed participants include the under­ 21 squads of Ukraine, Den­ mark, Luxembourg, and Azer­ baijan, along with under­18 teams of Germany, Portugal, and the Czech Republic.

Adding to the international fervour are the under­17 teams from the Netherlands

SECOND WIN: Pedro Acosta celebrates his historic Moto2 title victory.

PEDRO ACOSTA, the young Spanish rider from Mazarron, secured his second world championship title in Malaysia, finishing second in a spectacular Moto2 race. This triumph follows his Moto3 championship win in 2021, marking a remarkable start to his international career. At just 19 years and five months old, Acosta is now the youngest Moto2 champion in history, making history by clinching two titles in different categories within his first three years in the championship. Acosta’s journey to victory in Malaysia was decisive, as he claimed the title in the second lap. His rival for the champi-

onship, Italian rider Tony Arbolino, faced challenges and finished in the 10th position, eliminating any threat to Acosta’s championship aspirations. The Mazarron-born rider’s season has been outstanding, with seven victories and 14 podiums in 18 races.

This achievement adds Acosta to the list of exceptional athletes from the Region of Murcia, alongside the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Mohamed Katir. Acosta’s success is part of a rising generation of Murcian sports stars, including Fermín Aldeguer, who also showcased his skills with a stunning performance in Sepang.