Costa Blanca North 18 – 24 December 2025 Issue 2111

Dep. Legal A 42-2025 - ISSN 3015-1309

Costa Blanca North • No. 2111 • 18 - 24 Dec 2025

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Blanca boomtowns

THE Costa Blanca has emerged as one of the driving forces behind Spain’s latest population surge, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s most sought-after places to live. Spain added 508,602 new residents over the past 12 months, according to the National Statistics Institute, with growth concentrated firmly along the Mediterranean coast. At the forefront is the Comunitat Valenciana, which recorded the largest increase nationwide, adding 105,897 residents, a rise of 2 per cent.

Within the region, the Costa Blanca stands out for both the scale and pace of its growth. Drawn by its warm cli-

Credit: saiko3p / Shutterstock

Costa Blanca cities dominate national rankings.

mate, high-quality services and strong transport links, families and professionals are continuing to relocate to the area. Its combination of relative affordability, established international communities and a well-connected coastline has strengthened its appeal as a destination for

long-term settlement rather than short stays.

Three Costa Blanca cities lead Spain’s rankings for population growth. Torrevieja tops the national list, expanding by 4.92 per cent and welcoming 4,710 new residents. Its extensive residential areas and multicultural

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character continue to attract newcomers from across Europe as well as Spaniards moving from inland provinces. Gandia follows with growth of 3.63 per cent, while Benidorm records a 3.54 per cent rise, supported by redevelopment projects and sustained residential demand.

Together, they underline the Costa Blanca’s growing demographic momentum.

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LOCAL NEWS

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U3A Christmas Party THE Gandia Social Club joined with Oliva U3A to hold their Christmas party at the Brisas del Mar, in Piles, on Thursday December 11 with The Entertainers providing the entertainment. After the President, Julie Hayward, had toasted a ‘Merry Christmas’ the audience settled at their tables as the first course of their dinner was served, and The Entertainers opened their show with some gentle listening songs.

However, no sooner had they started their beautiful rendition of the Carpenters Yesterday Once More than some ladies could not resist the opportunity to dance between courses. As they continued with Let Her Go, It’s A Heartache and Flowers the mood was set this was party time and dancing, lots of dancing.

The Entertainers included some seasonal songs, Merry Christmas Everyone, Carol of the Bells and White Christmas to set the festive tone. With the dinner almost finished the second set was dancing time and from the first beat of Brown Eyed Girl the dance floor was full with everyone

Photo by Entertainers

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The Entertainers provided the entertainment for the event.

singing along as The Entertainers performed songs with wonderful memories for so many. It seemed the dance floor was packed when they sang Hit The Road Jack and Tiger Feet but when they started

Is This The Way To Amarillo yet more dancers joined the throng.

Everybody went home happy and singing their favourite songs as The Entertainers closed with Feliz Navidad and Love Shine A Light.

NEWS

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18 - 24 December 2025

Spanish winter customs

Holiday delivery notice Please note that due to the upcoming holidays, our next two editions of the newspaper will be delivered on Wednesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 31.

A seasonal guide

re Olentzero. For newcomers, understanding the rituals (and mastering rapid grape-eating) is key to enjoying the festive season.

Credit : esthermm, Shutterstock

CHRISTMAS in Spain stretches from December 22 to January 6. The season opens with El Gordo, the national lottery draw, when the country stops to watch schoolchildren sing out the winning numbers. Buying a shared ticket is seen as a gesture of belonging rather than a gamble.

The main event is Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day. Streets empty as relatives gather late for long dinners of seafood, jamon, roast meats and sweets such as turron and polvorones, often running past midnight. Christmas Day is quieter, usually a relaxed lunch with relatively modest gifts.

New Year’s Eve centres on the 12 grapes eaten with the 12 chimes of midnight, a ritual said to bring luck for each coming month. Families follow the countdown on television or in squares such as Madrid’s Puerta del Sol before parties continue into the early hours.

Children’s biggest excitement comes on January 6, Three Kings’ Day. Parades on the evening of January 5 see the Kings throw sweets to crowds, and overnight children receive gifts, found the next morning beside the traditional roscon de reyes cake, which hides a king figurine and a bean.

Across Spain, belenes - elaborate nativity scenes dominate displays, while regions add their own quirks, from Catalonia’s Caga Tió and Caganer to the Basque figu-

Roscon de reyes – whoever gets the king is the ‘king for the day’, whereas the person who gets the bean pays for the cake the following year.

Bizum oversight expands Digital payments monitored been removed, meaning even small payments linked to commercial activity must now be reported. Personal peer-to-peer transfers remain excluded.

The law targets businesses, freelancers, and self-employed individuals, ensuring transparency and combating undeclared income. Annual card totals exceeding €25,000 trigger additional reporting,

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STARTING from January 1, Spain will expand digital-payment monitoring under Real Decreto 253/2025, requiring banks, payment-service providers, and e-money institutions to report monthly all business-related payments received through mobile apps like Bizum, card terminals, and other digital channels. Previous thresholds have

Compliance reduces the risk of audits, fines, and retrospective tax claims.

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while low-usage accounts remain exempt. Cross-border transactions via services like Stripe or PayPal are also monitored, potentially affecting expats without Spanish residency if digital flows surpass thresholds.

Experts advise separating personal and business accounts, maintaining invoices with full fiscal details, and updating bookkeeping regularly.

Accounting tools such as Holded or FacturaDirecta can assist in tracking payments. Compliance reduces the risk of audits, fines, and retrospective tax claims, aligning digital payment practices with broader 2025–2026 fiscal reforms.

The legislation underscores Spain’s commitment to fiscal transparency, ensuring that digital commerce, especially in small businesses and freelance sectors, is fully visible to tax authorities. Early preparation, meticulous record-keeping, and professional advice will be essential for expatriates, landlords, and small-scale service providers to maintain compliance and safeguard against penalties.

Spain’s festive days Clearing up the confusion EVERY December in Spain, the same question arises: ‘Do we get December 31 off?’ Confusion persists because Christmas in Spain is a season, not a single date, with its own rituals and expectations. Work slows, children rehearse carols, the smell of turron fills the streets, and the Lotería de Navidad unites the country - yet workers still need clarity on which days are official holidays and which simply feel like they should be.

The national calendar is straightforward: only three dates are guaranteed public holidays nationwide - December 25, January 1 and January 6. In Catalonia, December 26 (Sant Esteve) is also non-working. Beyond these, it is custom, not law.

So, is December 31 a holiday? Legally, neither Christmas Eve nor New Year’s Eve are public holidays. They are normal working days. In practice, many companies offer reduced hours, early closures or even a day off as a goodwill gesture, while others, particularly in retail, hospitality or essential services, maintain full schedules.

The confusion stems from the emotional significance of these days. Customs vary: some employers follow tradition, others decide year by year. In short, only December 25, January 1 and 6 are guaranteed holidays; all other dates depend on company policy.

Healthcare in Spain Private manages public

SPAIN’S healthcare system, the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), remains publicly funded and universally accessible, but private-sector involvement has grown. Over 30 per cent of public hospitals are now managed by private entities, reflecting regional governments’ increasing collaboration with private operators to handle high-demand areas. Around one in five residents hold private health insurance, used for faster access, English-speaking staff, and specialist care.

This dual model differs from the UK’s NHS. While working-age expatriates often access public healthcare via social security or special agreements, retirees may benefit from reciprocal EU arrangements. Many opt for private insurance for convenience, shorter waiting times, and language accessibility.

Spain’s decentralised healthcare model creates regional differences in access, waiting times, and hospital management. Private insurance complements rather than replaces public care, with many insured residents still relying on public hospitals for major treatments. The system provides flexibility, offering high-quality public care alongside affordable private options.

Despite the growing private presence, Spain maintains universal access, demonstrating a successful integration of public and private healthcare. While official data on expat usage are limited, anecdotal evidence suggests that international residents frequently leverage both systems.

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The information on this page is intended for general guidance only, and should not be considered legal advice.

18 - 24 December 2025

LOCAL NEWS

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First-ever Christmas lights Credit: Ondara Town Hall

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Street theatre brings light to the town.

ONDARA came alive on December 12 as the town celebrated the official switch-on of its very first Christmas lights. Hundreds of residents, particularly families with children, enjoyed a festive afternoon as part of the ‘Viu el Nadal a Ondara’ programme, filling the streets with colour, music, and holiday cheer.

The celebrations began with the itinerant show ‘Kaiming, portadores de luz’ by l’Estranya Companyia. Featuring music, fire, acrobatics, and stilt-walking characters, the performance transformed the historic centre into a unique open-air theatre, captivating audiences from Plaza Mayor to Plaza del Convent. Key points along the route became spontaneous stages, keeping spectators mesmerised throughout the show.

The highlight of the evening was the illumination of the Christmas tree and decorations at the town hall and Plaza del Convent, officially launching Ondara’s festive season.

The new lights, consisting of over 60 decorative elements and family-friendly photo spots, were installed by the municipal team, whose hard work ensured the town sparkled at its very best.

Councillor Miguel Gomis emphasised that the town-owned decorations not only create a magical atmosphere but also reduce future costs by avoiding annual rentals. With the lights now shining, Ondara’s holiday calendar is in full swing, offering workshops, concerts, and street performances for all residents and visitors to enjoy over the coming weeks.

LOCAL NEWS

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BENIDORM activated its ‘Safe Christmas’ campaign on December 15, introducing a daily reinforcement of Local Police officers across the city’s busiest festive areas. The initiative will remain in place until January 4, with four additional officers deployed each day to complement regular policing services.

Jesus Carrobles, councillor for Citizen Security explained that the objective is to bring police support closer to both residents and visitors at a time when activity in the city significantly increases, while also deterring behaviours that may dis-

Credit: Policía Local Benidorm

‘Safe Christmas’ campaign

A closer presence for residents and visitors.

rupt coexistence or lead to unlawful incidents.

The reinforcement is focused on high-traffic zones such as the Plaza de la Navidad, central shopping streets and pe-

destrian areas. Officers will pay special attention to enforcing regulations on electric scooters, which are prohibited in pedestrian zones that become particularly crow-

ded during the Christmas period.

The campaign will also support the DGT’s national initiative aimed at preventing driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, adding an additional layer of road safety during the busy festive season.

The operation will run daily from 3pm to 10pm, considered the hours of highest commercial activity and footfall.

Although the campaign ends on January 4, a separate large-scale security and traffic plan will be deployed on January 5 for the Three Kings Parade.

President’s Cup awards THE Black Flame Restaurant, Pedreguer was the venue on Wednesday December 10 for The Valleys International Bridge and Social Club Christmas lunch. It was also an opportunity to announce and present the prizes for the winner and runners-up of the President’s Cup. Twenty-eight members had competed the previous week at their regular venue in Orba. The winners by a comfortable margin were Marjo Soen and Cliff Chapman.

Second and third were much closer, being separated by just one point. Brenda Russell and

From left : Jo Tanzer - President, ‘The Valleys’ Bridge Club and Jeannette Missons - President, Cancer Care.

Tom Slatter were second and Roy Kessler and Jelle van de Kolk were third. The club President Jo Tanzer presented the prizes..

The raffle held during the event was very well supported and Jo Tanzer - President was proud to be able to present a cheque for €1,000 to Jeannette Missons - the President of the club’s chosen charity, Cancer Care Javea.

The club plays every Monday and Thursday in Orba and welcomes new members. Details about the club can be found at ‘Bridge at the Valleys’ on the bridgewebs.com website.

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18 - 24 December 2025

LOCAL NEWS

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Toy collection for Christmas A CHARITY lunch and toy collection organised

by Juventudes Socialistas de Altea on the morning of Saturday December 13 has been described as “a resounding success in terms of participation and solidarity.”

The initiative took place in Altea, where residents were invited to donate a toy in exchange for sharing a charity lunch in what organisers described as a warm, welcoming and socially committed atmosphere.

Representatives of Juventudes Socialistas de Altea said they were extremely pleased with

Credit: Juventudes Socialistas de Altea

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Strong community response.

the response from local people, highlighting the strong sense of community shown throughout the morning.

All toys collected during the event will be donated

to Cruz Roja Altea, Cáritas and Corazón Express, organisations that carry out essential work supporting families in the municipality, particularly during the Christmas period.

The youth organisation also underlined the broader message behind the initiative, stressing “the importance of building a fairer and more charitable society, where no one is left behind and where children are guaranteed their right to a dignified life and a Christmas filled with hope and excitement.”

They concluded by stating that events like this prove that, in the face of growing individualism, collective participation and social commitment remain key tools for creating real change at a local level.

Classic petanque tournament THE Guillermo Amor Sports City hosted a new edition of the traditional Petanque Tournament on December 11 organised by the Doble Amor Occupational Centre. The day, filled with fun and camaraderie, brought together participants from various local organisations in a relaxed and festive atmosphere, proving once again that this event is much more than just a sporting competition.

Teams participating in the tournament included members of the Els Tolls Neighbourhood Association, Red Cross, Local Police, Firefighters, Benidorm Petanque Club, city councillors, and users of the Doble Amor Centre. Each group displayed great enthusiasm and sportsmanship, ensuring the day was a success for both

Credit: Benidorm Ciudadano

Petanque: A game for everyone.

players and spectators alike.

Councillor for Social Welfare, Ángela Zaragozí, along with other members of the local council, accompanied participants throughout the tournament. Their presence highlighted the importance of the event for the community and reinforced institutional

support for the activities of the Doble Amor Centre, emphasising the role such initiatives play in social integration.

The event concluded with the traditional trophy presentation, where each team was recognised for its participation.

LOCAL NEWS

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18 - 24 December 2025

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La Nucía will also see the opening of its first university campus in 2026.

LA NUCIA is preparing for a landmark year, with major educational and healthcare projects set to transform the municipality. In 2026 the long-awaited third infant and primary school will open, alongside the town’s first university campus. Works will also begin on the second secondary school and a 300-place student residence, while the new Bello Horizonte Health Centre will finally open to the public.

Mayor Bernabé Cano described 2026 as “the year of education in La Nucia,” noting that these projects will complete the town’s full educational offering. The new school, funded with more than €8.5 million from the Generalitat Valenciana, will have capacity for 490 pupils and is located between

Sorolla and Benlliure streets.

The University of Nebrija will establish a private campus in the Serreta Sector, offering several degree programmes. Nearby, the second Secondary and Sixth Form College will accommodate 1,500 students, including 500 specialising in sports-related vocational training.

In addition, La Nucia and Polop have secured over €4.2 million in European funding for the restoration of the underground water gallery and the creation of an 800-metre zip line connecting both towns.

Commercial growth will also continue, with the opening of the Porta La Nucia and La Nucia Park retail areas expected by late 2026.

ON December 5, Jalon Valley Help offered mince pies and chocolates while The Entertainers sang Christmas songs and carols to those gathered in Orba’s church square. It was the second event organised by JVH to thank the community for its support, donations and encouragement in helping provide medical equipment to anyone in need.

The third event, on December 9 in Xalo’s church square, drew a full crowd.

At 6pm The Entertainers opened with Merry Christmas Everyone before delivering a lively programme of seasonal music. Particularly well received were the Philippine carol Christmas in Our Hearts, sung by Gee and Marc, and Baby, It’s Cold Outside from Linda and Bob. The Entertainers also performed Little Drummer Boy, White Christmas

Credit: Entertainers

Credit: Ebrozetta / Creative Commons

Education milestone Mince pies & carols

Your last opportunity to enjoy these Christmas festivities will be in the church square of Alcalali.

and the duet Fairytale of New York by Jo and Bob. Pete’s rendition of Dominick the Donkey proved a crowd-pleaser, and the group closed with Feliz Navidad and their favourite, Love Shine a Light.

On behalf of JVH, Lorrie Harkness thanked the audience for its support and wished ever-

yone a merry Christmas.

She offered special thanks to The Entertainers for a performance many described as a phenomenal evening.

JVH and The Entertainers continue their programme on December 20 at JVH Gandia Men’s Refuge and on December 22 with Carols in the Square in Alcalali.

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A TRADITIONAL Nativity Scene in Altea is now open at the Casa de Cultura, offering locals and visitors a magical glimpse into the birth of Jesus. Organised by the Amics del Betlem de la Marina Baixa, the display features hundreds of exquisitely crafted figures and intricate scenes, bringing the festive story to life until January 5, 2026.

LOCAL NEWS

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Traditional Nativity Scene As usual, the Amics del Betlem de la Marina Baixa group is responsible for the assembly, offering residents and visitors a unique depiction of the birth of Jesus.

This year, as Juan Bello explained, “we

wanted to highlight some contemporary elements, such as the Three Kings, which are unique and new pieces.”

The Nativity features around 100 Hebrew-style figures by artist José Luis

Mayo Lebrija, recreating scenes full of detail and realism.

Thanks to months of work by the association members, the display is now ready for visitors to enjoy.

San Silvestre run Credit: Villajoyosa Town Hall

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Registration will remain open until December 24.

VILLAJOYOSA is set to host its popular San Silvestre race, a family-friendly event full of festive cheer, on Sunday, December 28. The race will start at

6.00pm from Parque de la Barbera dels Aragonés and is organised by the town hall’s Sports department. Runners can register via the online form until December 24, ensuring plenty of time to join this much-loved annual tradition.

The route covers around three kilometres, beginning at the park and passing through Barranquet, Colón, Pizarro, Juan Carlos I, Ramón y Cajal, Aitana, and Huit de Maig, before returning to the park.

The course is suitable for all ages and abilities, with participants able to complete up to two laps. Race numbers can be collected on the day from 4.00pm to 5.30pm. After finishing, runners will enjoy refreshments including water, hot chocolate, muffins, and other festive treats. Prizes will be awarded for the best individual costume, best group costume, and a ham raffle will be held for all participants.

Expect a large crowd, with 1,200 participants joining last year. The event forms part of the La Nadala 2025 programme, which runs until January 6 and features cultural, recreational, and sporting activities across the town.

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LOCAL NEWS

18 - 24 December 2025

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Nati Algado Finestrat’s new mayor.

UNEMPLOYMENT in the Marina Alta region of the Costa Blanca has fallen to its lowest level for a November since 2007, according to the latest data from the Marina Alta Observatory of CREAMA, released on Monday December 15.

Despite the usual seasonal slowdown after the end of the tourist season, the labour market showed a largely positive performance in November 2025, consolidating one of the strongest employment situations in nearly two

Credit: diamondmountain / Creative Commons

FINESTRAT made history on December 12, when Nati Algado was officially invested as mayor, taking over from Juanfran Pérez Llorca following his appointment as President of the Generalitat. She is the first woman to lead the town.

“Today marks a turning point for Finestrat,” said Algado. “I invite all residents to be part of this milestone.” The municipal council remains composed of 11 Partido Popular councillors and two from the Socialist group.

Born in Finestrat, 40-year-old Algado holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery and a PhD in Health Sciences.

Politics runs in her family, with both her father and aunt having served as councillors.

She entered local politics in 2019, joining the Partido Popular list and taking responsibility for Health, Youth, Citizen Participation, and serving as deputy spokesperson.

Credit: Finestrat Town Hall

First female mayor Low unemployment

Employment reaches historic high.

decades.

Total social security affiliation reached 63,573 people, a record high for November,

with a modest monthly fall of 0.23 per cent, far lower than in 2023 and well below the average loss of previous years.

Year-on-year figures are particularly strong, with 1,967 more affiliates than in November 2024, a growth of 3.19 per cent.

Registered unemployment increased by just three people compared with October, the smallest November rise on record, leaving a total of 7,612 unemployed, the lowest figure since 2007.

LOCAL NEWS

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Festive fun for all Credit: Ayuntamiento de l’Alfàs del Pi

10 18 - 24 December 2025

Alfaz del Pi embraces inclusion and community.

THE Casa de Cultura in Alfaz del Pi recently hosted the fifth edition of the popular ‘Matí Nadalenc’, a festive morning of games and activities that drew over 400 participants. Organised by the town’s Youth Council, the event offered a wide range of free activities aimed at children and young people, with the goal of promoting active leisure, creativity, and family-friendly social interaction.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of workshops and games, including ‘Who’s Who’, go-karts, archery, duck fishing, connect-basket, car races, and the amusing Cup Pong. Inflatable structures, face painting, juggling, balloon modelling, and soft combat tutorials teaching safe, recreational combat techniques which added to the fun.

This year marked a special focus on inclusion, coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Around 10 local associations supporting people with diverse abilities, such as AVALUS, AFEM Marina Baixa, APSA, and others, set up information stands, shared their work, and offered handmade products.

Youth councillor Carolina Solbes praised the event’s growth and inclusive approach, highlighting its role in fostering creativity and accessibility for all.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare councillor Marisa Cortés emphasised how such initiatives normalise diversity and strengthen community integration, recognising the essential contribution of participating organisations.

12 18 - 24 December 2025

FEATURE

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Prenuptial agreements for foreign nationals in Spain. EU Regulation 2016/1103. Which applicable law can choose the spouses?

WHEN a couple decides to get married, it is not only about sharing their life together, but also about planning how the assets and obligations will be managed. Marital agreements (commonly referred to as prenuptial agreements in common law jurisdictions) allow these matters to be agreed in a clear and secure manner. In this article we explain what they consist of.

Why they are so important. And how the applicable law influences their validity and effectiveness. Specially when the spouses are foreign nationals living in territories in Spain with their own regional civil law.

What are marital agreements in Spain?.

These agreements, that can be executed before or during the marriage, regulate the property aspects of their relationship. How assets will be mana-

ged. How they will be divided in the event of separation or divorce. How the rights of each spouse will be protected. Etc. Their main purpose is to prevent future disputes and provide legal certainty.

Applicable law. EU Regulation 2016/1103.

Regulation (EU) 2016/1103 establishes, in its Article 22, that spouses may choose the law applicable to their matrimonial property regime, among the following laws: - The law of the State in which the spouses or future spouses, or one of them, have their habitual residence at the time the agreement is concluded, or - The law of the State of nationality of either spouse or future spouse at the time the agreement is concluded.

Now, what happens when the spouses are foreign nationals

and have their habitual residence in a territory in Spain with its own regional civil law? That is, the Balearic Islands, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Navarra, etc.

Can they opt for the specific civil law of that territory?

The concept of ‘Civil Regional Affiliation’.

Civil regional affiliation is the legal link that a person has with a territory within Spain. It determines which civil law is applicable to them. It is generally acquired by birth and can be changed by express choice or by legal changes provided in the Law. This concept should not be confused with habitual residence. A Spanish citizen may live in region of Spain and have civil regional affiliation in another.

In matters of prenuptial agreements, civil regional affiliation is especially relevant in territories with their own regional civil law.

As it affects the rules governing the matrimonial property regime.

Foreign nationals, marital agreements, and civil regional affiliation.

When spouses are foreign nationals and establish their habitual residence in territories with regional civil law, questions arise. The application of the regional law to foreigners is not always clear. The General Directorate of Registries and Notaries (DGRN), which supervises the uniform interpretation of registration and notarial rules in Spain, tend to be reluctant to admit the application of regional civil law to foreigners, since they lack civil regional affiliation.

However, some court rulings interpret that foreign spouses, even when lacking civil regional affiliation, may choose to apply regional civil law in their marital

ABOGADOS / SOLICITORS

agreements. This interpretation considers that the spirit of EU Regulation 2016/1103 (a supranational rule) is that the parties’ will prevails over limitations of domestic law.

In any case, it is a very debated matter.

Conclusion At White Baos Lawyers, we are experts in family law and marital or prenuptial agreements.

If you and your spouse wish to execute these agreements, do not hesitate to contact us for professional and personalized advice.

The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice but merely conveys information relating to legal issues.

Carlos Baos (Lawyer) White & Baos.

Tel: +34 966 426 185 - info@white-baos.com - White & Baos - All Rights Reserved.

LOCAL NEWS

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L’ALFAS DEL PI has unveiled the renovation of the Camí Vell d’Altea, a vital tourist route connecting Albir with neighbouring towns.

The upgrade, funded entirely

by European NextGenerationEU funds, improves mobility, safety, and accessibility along the 860-metre stretch.

The €961,456 project, part of the Sustainable Tourism in Destinations strategy, was presented by Mayor Vicente Arques alongside councillors Dolores Albero, Mayte García, and Toni Such, with local business leaders in attendance. The works included the construction of

Credit: Ayuntamiento de l’Alfàs del Pi

Alfas upgrades key road

Camí Vell d’Altea.

wide pavements, a new cycle lane, pedestrian pathways, modern LED street lighting,

SHOPPERS in Benitachell have a festive reason to visit local stores this Christmas, thanks to a new ‘scratch and win’ campaign launched by the town hall.

Until January 6, customers spending over €5 in participating businesses will receive a scratch card. Prizes include vouchers worth €10 and €25, redeemable at any of the participating shops

street furniture, and landscaping.

Mayor Arques highligh-

ted the importance of the project for sustainable mobility and the town’s urban development. “Thanks to European funding, we have transformed a key route into a modern, safe access point adapted to current and future needs,” he said.

The renovation was completed in two phases: the first focused on mobility and capacity, including cycle lanes and pedestrian infrastructure, and the second on the installation of LED lighting with smart controls. The project strengthens regional links with Benidorm and Altea, improving traffic flow.

Scratch and win until March 30, 2026. A total of 140 prizes are available, with 100 vouchers of €10 and 40 vouchers of €25.

The participating shops are Aloe and K-Xuli, both fashion outlets, Cala Flors florists, Coaliment supermarket, and Hiperoffice stationery and books-

hop. Mayte Roldán, council member for commerce, urged residents to take part, saying: “Our local shops form the life of our streets. Supporting them during the festive season is essential.”

Full rules online at: https://links.beni tatxell.es/basesrascaygana.

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EUROPRESS ELON MUSK has sparked controversy in Europe after calling for the abolition of the European Union, days after his social media platform X was fined €120 million under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). On X, Musk urged that the EU be ‘dissolved’ and sovereignty returned to individual states, a statement that quickly went viral, drawing both praise and sharp criticism for inflaming political tensions.

The fine makes X the first major tech company sanctioned under the DSA, a landmark EU law designed to improve transparency, combat impersonation, and curb online manipulation. The European Commission focused on X’s paid ‘blue tick’ verification system, which allows users to purchase badges without identity checks. Officials said this misleads users into believing accounts are verified, potentially aiding fake profiles, impersonators, and disinformation during politi-

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Musk sparks EU row cal or breaking-news events. an “attack on AmeRegulators also found X fairican technology led to maintain an adequate companies,” and advertising database and Vice President restricted researcher access JD Vance desto public data, both required cribing it as an under the DSA to monitor assault on free political ads and misinforspeech. mation. The EU has given X 60 working days to reform verification and 90 days to submit a compliance plan on advertising t r a n s p a r e n c y, warning that further penalties may follow.

The decision has drawn strong reactions, with Secretary of State Elon Musk has sparked controversy after calling for Marco Rubio abolition of the European Union. calling the fine Credit : Frederic Legrand - COMEO, Shutterstock

14 18 - 24 December 2025

Italy creates controversy ITALY’S lower house has passed a bill that would restrict sex education by banning it in primary schools and requiring written parental consent for pupils aged 11 to 14. Supporters argue the legislation restores parental authority and protects children from what they describe as ‘gender ideology’.

The government insists that the bill does not remove teaching on res-

pect or relationships, but formalises parental control over sensitive content.

Critics, including opposition parties, educators and civil society groups, warn that the bill undermines education on consent, healthy relationships and gender equality. Families of victims of gender-based violence have argued that comprehensive sex education is essential

for prevention. Protests have taken place both inside and outside parliament.

Debate has also focused on Italy’s long history of inconsistent sex education policy, with past attempts at mandatory programmes blocked by conservative opposition. Analysts note a contradiction between stricter laws on gender violence and restrictions on preven-

tive education.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where further debate is expected.

Public opinion reportedly strongly favours broader sex education, highlighting a growing gap between political institutions and social attitudes. The dispute reflects wider cultural tensions about tradition, rights and the role of schools in children’s development.

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EUROPRESS

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Ryanair aircraft on the tarmac as the airline confirms major route cuts in Belgium.

RYANAIR has announced a major reduction of its operations in Belgium after the federal government confirmed further aviation tax increases, a move the airline says makes the country uncompetitive. From winter 2026, the low-cost carrier will scrap 20 routes across Brussels and Charleroi, withdraw five aircraft and remove around one million seats from the Belgian market. That represents roughly 22 per cent of Ryanair’s total capacity in Belgium and marks one of its most significant cutbacks in the country to date.

The decision follows the planned rise in Belgium’s federal passenger tax, which is set to increase to €10 in 2027 and €11 in 2029, alongside a proposed €3 local tax per passenger at Charleroi Airport. Belgian autho-

rities say the measures are designed to fund the country’s ecological transition, with expected revenues of up to €184 million a year.

Ryanair, however, argues that the repeated hikes will inevitably drive airlines and passengers elsewhere.

Other airlines share concerns about rising costs but have opted for a different approach. Brussels Airlines has indicated it will pass the extra charges on to passengers rather than cut capacity. Ryanair, by contrast, has once again chosen to use its route network as leverage, shifting aircraft to markets it considers more tax-friendly.

Belgium is not alone. Ryanair has already reduced capacity in France after aviation taxes were increased there. Spain has also seen significant reductions.

NORWAY has long relied on migrant workers from Eastern and Central Europe to fill jobs in construction, industry, care and hospitality. Yet new research reveals a sharp decline in labour immigration.

On Wednesday December 10, the Fafo Institute highlighted that arrivals of foreign workers fell to just a third of levels seen a decade ago. Statistics Norway reported a 30 per cent drop in overall immigration in 2024.

Poles remain the largest group, with around 217,000 Eastern and Central European labour migrants in the country. Ukrainians now rank second, though refugee inflows have slowed.

Poland’s economic boom has eroded incentives to move north. Over three decades, it tripled GDP per capita and cut unemployment to low levels. A weakened Norwegian krone - down over 40 per cent against the

Credit: Henk Vrieselaar - Shutterstock

Credit : www.corporate.ryanair.com

Ryanair cuts Belgium Can’t get workers

Landing in Norway.

Polish zloty in the past decade - has further reduced the value of earnings sent home.

An OsloMet study of 300,000 migrants found the most educated leave first, seeking better opportunities elsewhere. Norway’s limited integration support, with no mandatory language courses for EU workers, has left many feeling like

second-class citizens in demanding jobs.

Researchers urge improved integration, working conditions and policies to attract talent. Norway’s high wages and labour demand offer potential.

Stories persist of high earnings, such as a young Spanish barmaid reportedly making more than €5,000 gross monthly, shared virally on TikTok.

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EUROPRESS

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Journalists have reported rising housing shortages.

scarcity and pressure on protected areas, also feature prominently. While tourism remains vital to the islands’ economy, commentators question whether current visitor numbers can be maintained without further affecting residents’ quality of life or the visitor experience.

Many long-term residents welcome the focus on sustainable practices, though some worry that negative headlines may

oversimplify complex local issues. Overall, the German media coverage serves as a cautionary reflection on over-tourism, encouraging travellers to be mindful of their impact.

The Canary Islands remain fully open and accessible, with no official restrictions, and the story highlights ongoing discussions about balancing tourism growth with environmental and social sustainability.

A WATER leak in the Louvre’s Egyptian Antiquities library has damaged 300 to 400 rare research books, exposing ongoing infrastructure challenges at the world’s most visited museum.

The incident occurred in the Mollien wing, a scholarly area away from public galleries, affecting 19th- and early 20th-century Egyptology publications, specialist journals, and scientific reference works used by academics.

While no artworks were harmed, the loss is serious for researchers, many of whom rely on volumes that are long out of print and difficult to replace.

Museum officials said the leak was caused by human error. A section of the hydraulic system supplying heating and ventilation was mistakenly reopened, sending water into a network that had been shut down for months. That installation, already scheduled for replacement as part of re-

Credit : andreonegin, Shutterstock

GERMAN media outlets have urged prospective holidaymakers to reconsider trips to the Canary Islands in 2026, citing pressures from over-tourism and growing local concerns, rather than safety or travel restrictions. The warnings do not come from the German government, and there are currently no official travel advisories; flights and accommodation continue to operate as normal. The commentary reflects broader debates about the sustainability of mass tourism and its impact on local communities.

Journalists have reported rising housing shortages, increased rents, and the expansion of short-term holiday rentals, which strain essential services such as healthcare, transport, and waste management.

Environmental concerns, including water

Photo credit: Safi130/Shutterstock

Germany shuns Canaries Louvre library damage

Water leak hit the Louvre’s Egyptology library, damaging hundreds of rare books.

novations due in September 2026, should have remained inactive. The water soaked multiple shelves before the situation was contained. An internal investigation is under way to determine how the error occurred and whether safety procedures were followed.

Conservation specialists are assessing which volumes can be restored and which may be lost. The incident comes amid other challenges,

including a recent security breach and gallery closures due to building deterioration, highlighting strain on the museum’s ageing infrastructure. In 2024, the Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors, nearly 70 per cent from abroad.

To fund major modernisation works, the museum has already announced a 45 per cent ticket price increase for non-European visitors starting in 2026.

EUROPRESS

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IRELAND’S first female focused taxi service made its debut on Friday December 12, giving female passengers the option to choose a female driver. The company aims to protect female drivers and passengers alike, helping them feel more safe and secure on the streets of Dublin.

LadyCab’s founder Emanuela Negura explained the motivation to launch the company was a consequence of experiencing

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LadyCab, driven by women Dublin’s dangerous night-life first hand, when she was attacked by a male passenger.

“I was attacked on a Saturday night last year in July in this city centre by a male passenger, who tried to get in my car,” she explained.

Their tagline “Every woman deserves to

Credit : DimitriBo, Shutterstock

Juliet balcony fee VISITORS to Verona are discovering that one of Italy’s most famous romantic landmarks now comes at a price. Since December 6, access to the courtyard of Juliet’s House and its celebrated balcony has no longer been free. Tourists must buy a €12 museum ticket to enter, a change that has frustrated visitors and alarmed nearby businesses.

Under the new rules, entry to the courtyard is restricted to ticket holders until at least January 6, covering the busy Christmas period.

Once inside, visitors are limited to 60 seconds on the balcony to take photographs before being moved on. Authorities have also reduced the maximum number of people inside the house from 130 to 100. For tourists accustomed to a brief, free stop for a photo, paying €12 for what

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Juliet’s iconic balcony in Verona.

can amount to a two-minute visit has come as an unwelcome surprise.

Tensions have flared on the ground. Guards enforcing the system have reportedly faced angry reactions, with some tourists shouting ‘shame’ after being turned away.

Verona’s councillor for

Culture and Tourism, Marta Ugolini, has defended the move, saying the courtyard becomes dangerously overcrowded at peak times.

She argues the measures are needed for safety and to protect the historic site, and are not intended as a permanent restriction.

get home safe” is as bold as it is factual, and has garnered a lot of online attention. Such a statement defends women’s rights to exist, and calls out the growing levels of gender violence which puts women and girls at risk.

Similar services exist worldwide. The

Portuguese company Pinker launched back in 2024, Uber allows you to request a female driver and many public transport links around the world have women-only carriages. LadyCab plans to expand in 2026, to cities around Ireland, Europe and beyond.

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all ages. The exhibition provides visitors with an exceptional seasonal attraction. The town also produces traditional Andalucian sweets, such as turron and polvorones, which are available in local shops and at the Museum of Christmas Sweets.

Cordoba City celebrations Cordoba City hosts festive markets, nativity exhibitions, and seasonal music performances. Streets and squares are illuminated with decorative lights, creating a lively atmosphere in the evenings. Artisan stalls sell local products, including olive oil, pastries, and

crafts, allowing visitors to sample regional flavours while exploring historic landmarks such as the Mezquita-Catedral and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.

Other seasonal events Small towns across Cordoba province also stage Christmas fairs and live nativity scenes, or ‘Belenes vivientes’, featuring actors and animals. These events usually run from early December through Epiphany, or Kings Day on January 6, giving travellers insight into local traditions and community celebrations.

Credit - Carlos Calvo Torregrosa / Shutterstock

Credit - MartiBstock / Shutterstock

CORDOBA Province in southern Spain offers a range of festive experiences during the Christmas season. Visitors can explore Rute, renowned for its chocolate displays, and Cordoba City, which combines historical landmarks with seasonal events.

Both locations are accessible for travellers in campervans, making the region suitable for those exploring independently.

Rute has designated areas for campervans near the town centre, providing convenient access to shops and attractions.

Cordoba City accommodates campervans at its outskirts, with facilities for water and waste disposal. From these points, public transport or a short drive leads to the city’s main sights.

Roads in the province are generally well-maintained, allowing smooth travel between towns and festive destinations.

Rute’s Chocolate Nativity Rute is home to the world’s largest chocolate nativity scene, created by Galleros Artesanos for more than 90 years. This year’s display, ‘El Belén de los cuentos’, features 100 handcrafted figures and nearly 1,500 kilograms of chocolate, with a theme based on classic and modern stories that appeal to

Credit - Junta de Andalucia

Cordoba: Rute’s Chocolate Nativity and with Hispavan Campers seasonal traditions

SUMMARY Cordoba offers a festive itinerary for winter travellers, combining Rute’s Chocolate Nativity, seasonal markets, and historical landmarks. Campervan facilities and accessible roads make visiting straightforward, while the variety of local events provides a memorable experience for all ages.

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SPANISH LIVING

IF you’ve been dreaming of a holiday home in the sun, Spain should be at the top of your list. A new analysis has crowned Spain the world’s best country for buying a holiday home, achieving an impressive ‘Vacation Score’ of 79.3/100.

The ranking was based off each country’s suitability, taking into consideration affordability, accessibility and tax rates. The ‘Vacation Score’ analysed the type of lifestyle each country had to offer, considering safety, sustainability, plus cultural and natural.

Spain’s Lifestyle & Environment score sits at 76.7/100, bolstered by 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites, world-renowned cuisine, and the famously relaxed Mediterranean way of life.

Accessibility & Infrastructure scored 83.0/100. The country boasts 48 airports, high-speed railway, and a robust tourism network making travel around Spain effortless. It’s easy to see why Spain wins by a landslide.

Credit: Shutterstock, egotripone

Spain tops holiday home rankings

Spain may not be the cheapest market, but it still offers strong value for money compared with other markets.

Buyers benefit from quality properties and a high standard of liveability, making Spain an appealing option for both short-term holiday lets and longer stays.

For those considering a second home abroad, Spain provides the perfect backdrop for a lifestyle that balances relaxation with excitement. With its unbeatable charm, Spain offers something for everyone and continues to be the ultimate choice for holiday home buyers.

FROM July 1, 2026, the EU will apply a €3 customs duty on small parcels imported with a declared value under €150, reversing the longstanding exemption for low-cost e-commerce shipments.

The interim measure responds to rapid growth in cross-border e-commerce, especially from non-EU sellers, which has created administrative burdens, safety concerns, and market distortions. It is intended as a temporary step until full customs reform in 2028, which will standardise tariffs on all imports.

The duty will apply per parcel via the VAT Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS), incentivising consumers to consolidate orders and support fair competition for EU-based retailers. Logistics firms are adjusting operations in preparation, and retailers may pass some costs onto customers.

While €3 is modest, frequent buyers of inexpensive goods from platforms like AliExpress, Temu, or Shein could face noticeable

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3€ per parcel Photo credit: Jamesteohart/Shutterstock

The duty will apply per parcel via the VAT Import One-Stop Shop.

increases. Expats relying on low-cost imports may also reconsider sourcing from EU sellers or combining shipments to reduce fees.

The policy has sparked mixed reactions. EU officials argue it addresses unfair competition and ensures regulatory oversight, while some businesses fear

added complexity.

Analysts view it as a pragmatic interim solution, balancing consumer convenience with trade fairness.

Consumers are advised to plan purchases carefully, consolidate orders, and explore EU-based alternatives to minimise the financial impact of the new levy.

SPANISH NEWS

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Off-duty bravery Credit: X @A3Noticias

‘Dignitas’ to help homeless

The footage of a man falling onto the tracks.

AN off-duty Mossos d’Esquadra officer helped save a man after he fell onto the Barcelona Metro tracks at Plaça d’Espanya station.

The dramatic rescue, captured on recently circulated CCTV footage, shows passengers acting within seconds to pull the man back onto the platform just before a train arrived.

According to reports, the man appeared disorientated and was walking close to the platform edge before losing his balance and falling onto the tracks.

The off-duty officer, identified by media as Felisa Pozas, noticed his behaviour and pressed the platform SOS intercom to alert the control centre. When the man then fell onto the tracks, she jumped down immedia-

tely and, with help from other passengers, lifted him back up to safety.

The man reportedly suffered minor injuries and was out of danger after being taken to a medical centre. The incident happened November 25.

Transport operator TMB advises passengers to use the SOS intercom on the platform immediately so the Metro Control Centre can stop trains and coordinate a response.

If the risk is imminent and the train is about to pass, there’s a V-shaped gap between the rails. “Lie down lengthwise inside it and protect yourself. You’ll be unharmed,” Miguel Assal, a first aid and emergency response expert advises to Antena 3.

Nurses on strike Credit: Mats_12Oct X

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Hospital queues due to increase 2026.

SPAIN’S public healthcare system faces major disruption next year after the country’s largest health-worker unions declared an indefinite rolling strike every Tuesday, starting on Tuesday, January 27.

The action, led by a coalition including CSIF, SATSE and other main unions, follows almost three years of stalled talks with the Ministry of Health over a new Framework Statute that sets pay, conditions and career structures for all statutory staff in the National Health System (SNS).

Union leaders accuse Health Minister Mónica García of refusing to negotiate seriously and of deliberately obstructing progress by holding separate talks with unrepresentative groups. They say the ministry has shown ‘no intention’ of agreeing a law that genuinely improves conditions for workers or patients.

The unions’ core demands are described as non-negotiable: a pay structure linked to new professional categories, a ‘dignified’ working week that supports work-life balance, and access to volun-

tary early and partial retirement.

With no end date, the weekly stoppages will affect hospitals and health centres nationwide. Minimum services will be guaranteed, but patients are urged to avoid Tuesday appointments where possible and to check locally for cancellations.

The dispute comes as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s minority government struggles to pass a national budget after losing the support of Catalan separatist party Junts, adding further strain to public spending priorities.

MADRID’S city council has introduced a new digital tool called ‘Dignitas’, designed to help people living on the streets locate essential services. The app, available without download or registration, provides geolocated information on soup kitchens, shelters, day centres, public toilets, drinking water points and public internet access. It also lists health services, social services offices, legal aid centres and clothing support, and is available in six languages to serve a diverse population.

The platform includes additional features such as an emergency SOS button, direct chat with outreach teams and alerts for extreme weather. Officials describe it as a discreet first step to reach individuals who often avoid traditional services due to fear or mistrust. By lowering barriers to access, authorities hope the app will improve both immediate survival needs and long-term reintegration.

The launch comes as homelessness remains a serious issue in Madrid, with official figures recording more than 1,000 people sleeping rough in 2025. The city has announced plans to expand shelter capacity in 2026 and open new facilities.

Observers note that similar digital tools already operate successfully in the UK. While Dignitas is seen as promising, experts stress it must complement broader housing and social policies to deliver lasting solutions.

Photo credit: Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock

The launch comes as homelessness remains a serious issue in Madrid.

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SPANISH NEWS

Masks return initial 15 days, subject to review. Non-compliance may result in denied entry for non-urgent visits or fines of €100 to €600.

Officials urge personal responsibility and flu vaccinations to protect vulnerable groups and ease pressure on the system.

Credit: Dr. Francisco De Icaza Bustamante FB

Face masks make a comeback.

Social media block Credit: Pxhere CC

CATALAN health authorities have imposed mandatory face mask-wearing in hospitals, primary care centres, and elderly care homes to combat a severe flu epidemic.

The rule took effect on Wednesday, December 10, amid the worst outbreak in 15 years, caused by the Influenza A (H3N2) Variant K strain. This year’s season started four weeks early, with cases rising 50 per cent in a single week.

From Monday, December 1 to Sunday, December 7, acute respiratory infections reached 1,115 cases per 100,000 inhabitants - around 90,000 weekly cases. The highly transmissible virus has overwhelmed emergency rooms, leaving patients waiting up to eight hours and beds placed in hallways.

Masks are compulsory for everyone aged six and over in primary care centres, hospitals, clinics, mental health facilities, intermediate care centres, and residential homes for the elderly and people with disabilities. This applies to staff, patients, and visitors.

Exemptions include admitted patients in private rooms, those with respiratory difficulties, or individuals unable to remove masks independently.

The mandate lasts an

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SPAIN plans to raise the minimum age for social media access to 16 in 2026, mirroring Australia’s recent reforms. The move could lead platforms to deactivate accounts belonging to around 700,000 Spanish 14- and 15-year-olds.

The policy aims to protect minors from grooming, cyberbullying, excessive privacy risks and pornography exposure. To enforce the ban, the government will introduce a digital age-verification system known as Cartera Digital Beta (digital wallet), nicknamed ‘PajaKids’ screen obsession. porte’ by critics. Developed by the Spanish Data Protection Agency, it A Ministry of the Interior report rerequires identity verification for access to cords about 100 grooming arrests each age-restricted online content. year, with most victims being girls aged Privacy campaigners warn the system around 13. Surveys show one-third of 12could allow government monitoring of to 16-year-olds have viewed pornograbrowsing habits, potentially breaching phy online, while over a quarter of 13- to personal rights. Users might circumvent 18-year-olds receive unsolicited sexual restrictions using VPNs. images.

Major platforms are expected to resist, The proposed Law on the Protection of as they did in Australia by refusing to Minors in Digital Environments also reclose underage accounts. In the UK, a si- quires all phones sold in Spain to include milar scheme caused a 30 per cent fall in mandatory parental controls for blocking traffic to adult sites. unsuitable content and setting usage liOfficial data underline the threats. mits.

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SPANISH NEWS Photo credit: Molly Grace

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Only certain vets are authorised to treat wildlife.

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Handle with care SPAIN’S landscapes, from Granada’s mountains to Doñana’s wetlands and Galicia’s Atlantic coast, are home to abundant wildlife.

Encounters with sick, injured, or disoriented animals are common, but acting without proper knowledge can harm both the animal and the rescuer, and may even be illegal.

Wildlife professionals emphasise the importance of following proper procedures and contacting authorised centres to ensure safe-

ty and survival.

People should never attempt to treat or release wildlife on their own. Small animals, like fox cubs or hedgehogs, and birds of prey can injure themselves or carry disease if handled incorrectly.

Large animals such as deer, boar, or ibex are especially dangerous when injured, capable of causing serious harm. Stranded marine animals, including dolphins or turtles, should never be returned to the sea without

professional assessment, as most are sick or injured and pushing them back can be fatal.

Animals should only be moved if in immediate danger, such as on roads or at risk of falling. Handling should be minimal, and injured animals should be placed in ventilated, dark boxes without food or water, as feeding can worsen injuries or cause internal harm.

Spanish law allows only authorised rescue centres or professionals with permits to handle wildlife. Transporting animals without prior permission can lead to fines or suspicion of trafficking, so rescue centres must always be contacted first. Emergency contacts include 112 (general) and SEPRONA (+34 915 142 400). Specialist centres include CREA for endangered species, regional fauna recovery centres for common wildlife, and marine stranding networks.

Following these steps, limiting handling, contacting the proper authorities, and respecting legal protections, protects both humans and animals.

With preparation and care, encounters with wildlife, from small birds to large mammals, can remain safe, educational, and memorable rather than harmful.

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SPANISH NEWS

F1 Arcade hits Madrid Credit: F1 Arcade

MADRID is set to welcome its first F1® Arcade, bringing the official Formula 1® hospitality experience to Spain for the first time. Scheduled to open in early 2026, the 1,500-square-metre venue on Paseo de la Castellana 103 will occupy two floors and house 71 state-of-the-art racing simulators designed exclusively for F1® Arcade.

The venue combines The arcade is designed for both casual fans and competitive gaming, dining, seasoned drivers. and social experiences.

Guests will find a 12-meThis opening coincides with preparatre bar, spaces for groups and private tions for the Formula 1 Tag Heuer Gran events, and two VIP areas. The arcade Premio de España 2026 in Madrid. is designed for both casual fans and seaJonathan Peters, global president of soned drivers, offering solo and team F1® Arcade, said the space is designed races, as well as ‘watch parties’ during to connect people through racing, food, Grand Prix events. and entertainment.

F1® Arcade’s layout merges social intePablo Juantegui, CEO of Top Enterraction with immersive gameplay. Neon tainment Iberia, added that the venue lights inspired by racetracks, walls marwill host events for up to 400 guests, ked with tyre skid motifs, and dynamic creating a versatile hub for competitive lighting evoke the excitement of a Forfun and social gatherings. mula 1® start line. The culinary offer inF1® Arcade joins a global network alcludes international cuisine and crafted ready present in the UK and the United cocktails, including alcohol-free options, States, marking a significant step in its allowing visitors to enjoy the venue at international expansion. any time of day.

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SPANISH LIVING

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What was your biggest culture shock?

the UK. Some surprises were more practical: distances are measured in metres, and bureaucracy remains baffling even after years. The term ‘expat’ also drew criticism, with some preferring ‘immigrant’.

These reflections paint a vivid portrait of life in Spain: moments of confusion, joy, and constant discovery.

The country can surprise in the most ordinary places, and that seems to be part of its charm.

THE latest Christmas trend lighting up social media is bringing classic style and cosy charm to homes across Spain. The ‘Ralph Lauren Christmas’ aesthetic, made famous on TikTok, celebrates rich colours, soft lighting and a hint of vintage glamour, with tartan prints, velvet ribbons and forest greens setting the tone.

Inspired by the designer’s timeless country style, the look mixes comfort with understated elegance. While it may traditionally suit snowy lodges, the same warmth can be recreated in Spain with rustic wood accents, olive-green garlands and golden touches.

Ralph Lauren’s strong presence in Spain makes it easy to capture the feel, with collections available at El Corte Inglés and the Madrid flagship on

Credit: Pxhere

EVERY day, newcomers to Spain discover surprising aspects of daily life. Some are small and amusing, others reshape perceptions. Many expect English to be widely understood, only to find that life runs almost entirely in Spanish. Rik Van Dok summarised it simply: “They all speak Spanish, hardly anyone speaks English.”

Some were equally surprised by other foreigners, particularly English residents who do not speak Spanish.

Health care frequently impressed. Margaret Carman noted how quickly she could see a GP, while Dan Stevens praised the speed and quality of private care in Madrid. Lesley Marlor highlighted small differences, such as paracetamol requiring a prescription.

For others, cultural shocks were delightful. Alyson Ripley was struck by the abundance of Saints’ Days, and June N Maurice Johnson admired the festive spirit and the sense that Spaniards “work to live, not live to work.”

Politeness and friendliness also stood out, with Steve Brooks observing how courteous Spaniards are compared with

Credit: AESAN

Unexpected Spanish life Ralph Lauren Xmas trend

Rich colours, tartan prints and velvet ribbons.

Calle Jorge Juan. From cable-knit jumpers and cashmere scarves to tartan throws and embroidered cushions, shoppers can bring the festive look into both their wardrobes and homes.

The trend is also shaping seasonal interiors, with Spanish designers blending Ralph Lauren’s classic palette with Mediterranean influences such as terracotta tones

and candlelit tables.

To recreate the style, start with burgundy, navy and gold, layer soft fabrics like velvet or wool, and use brass, glass and candlelight for a warm glow. And with many high-street stores offering Ralph Lauren-inspired pieces, anyone can add a touch of that timeless, festive magic to their Spanish home this Christmas.

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SPANISH NEWS

PLANS for a railway tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar, linking Spain and Morocco, have advanced significantly since the project was revived in 2023.

A feasibility study by German firm Herrenknecht confirms construction is possible with current technology, despite challenging geology at the Umbral de Camarinal.

The initial exploratory phase could take six to nine years.

Public engineering firm Ineco is updating the preliminary design, with completion due by August 2026. Seismic and geotechnical studies continue, supported by EU funds.

The proposed 60-65km submarine tunnel would feature dual single-track tubes for passengers and freight, plus a service gallery. It would reach depths of up to 475 metres, allowing a 30-minute crossing of the 14km

Credit: Gaspar Serrano - Flickr

Tunnel to Morocco

Moroccan coastline from the lighthouse in Tarifa, Spain.

strait.

On the Spanish side, a terminal near Vejer de la Frontera would connect to the Cadiz-Sevilla rail line and major roads. The design is rail-only for efficiency.

Bilateral cooperation between SECEGSA and Morocco’s SNED has intensified, with funding rising sharply. An exploratory tunnel could be tendered before 2027, and major milestones are targeted for 2035-2040.

Early progress may align with the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Challenges remain, including seismic risks, strong currents and regulatory coordination. If overcome, experts from the Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos say it would be a “unique project capable of transforming the history of mobility between Europe and Africa,” boosting trade, tourism and continental ties.

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FINANCE IRU’S new Spain-focused briefing outlines how diesel, CNG, LNG, BEV, FCEV and HVO compare on TCO and CO2, classifying each into ‘win-win’ or ‘lose-lose’ categories. The report aims to help operators balance decarbonisation demands with financial viability.

Quantum fund

SEALSQ has expanded its Quantum Investment Fund from $35m to over $100m to accelerate post-quantum security and sovereign quantum computing projects. Investments span Spain, Switzerland, France and the US, supporting quantum-ready semiconductors, PQC, secure satellites and blockchain identity to protect Europe’s future digital infrastructure.

Voluntary return

SPAIN has reportedly allocated €346,535 to support ‘voluntary return’ for undocumented migrants in Morocco, part of a €646,535 package approved with the IOM. The single-payment programme runs to 2026, targeting vulnerable migrants as Morocco reports 78,685 prevented irregular migration attempts last year.

Budget backlash

A NEW ACCA survey shows eight in 10 UK finance professionals expect the latest Budget to ‘negatively impact’ economic growth, with 64 per cent less likely to invest and 66 per cent less likely to recruit. Other key concerns were rising wage costs and frozen tax thresholds.

Retail investment

SOME 19 major finance firms have formed the UK Retail Investment Campaign, launching in April 2026, to improve public understanding of investing. The initiative follows FCA research showing more than half of non-advised adults with cash savings never considered investing.

3.8%

The number of new mortgage foreclosure cases registered in Spain fell by 3.8 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Costco in Spain COSTCO is a favourite stop for many UK and US expatriates living in Spain, thanks to a product range that blends familiar American-style bulk shopping with foods deeply rooted in Spanish culinary culture. A viral TikTok video by SnackEatingSnacks, showed an American tourist marvelling that Spanish warehouses have ‘an entire aisle of olive varieties’ - a sight that many UK and US Costco members rarely encounter.

The renewed attention comes as Costco expands globally. According to data published by SGB Online, the retailer achieved $23.64 billion in net sales in November,

Costco Spain.

up 8.1 per cent year-onyear, and now operates 921 warehouses worldwide, including 29 in the UK, 633 in the US, and five in Spain.

For many British and American residents in Spain, the shopping experience offers an unusual comfort: familiar brands from home stocked alongside Spanish

favourites traditionally found in local markets.

Spain’s locations (Getafe, Las Rozas, Sevilla, Sestao and Zaragoza) carry standard Costco staples such as cereals, peanut butter, vitamins, supplements, and cleaning supplies. But the food aisles reflect Spain’s Mediterranean identity in a way expatriates say

makes the stores feel uniquely local.

In Costco Spain, you can expect whole legs of jamón ibérico and a full aisle dedicated to olives.

For expatriates who enjoy Spanish cuisine but also crave the familiarity of a US- or UKstyle warehouse, Costco Spain offers both worlds under one roof.

Illicit Finance Summit THE UK will host an Illicit Finance Summit in London on June 23-24 to build an international coalition against dirty money, the government has confirmed.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described illicit finance as the “lifeblood of crime,” linking it to drug violence, people smuggling, and international conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The summit at Lancaster House will unite governments, civil society, and major banks to strengthen global enforcement and disrupt laundering through illicit gold trading, property purchases, and crypto assets. Cooper said the UK is “committed to turning the tide,” citing sanctions and National Crime Agency operations that have seized over £20 million in cash and cryptocurrency.

Quantum tech THE UK and Germany have announced a £14 million investment package to deepen joint quantum research, confirmed during President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s State Visit. The funding includes £6 million for a joint R&D call launching in 2026 and £8 million to expand work at the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics in Glasgow.

A new MoU between the UK’s NPL and Germany’s PTB will advance shared quantum standards. Science Minister Lord Vallance said international cooperation is essential to unlocking quantum’s vast potential.

ECB bid

SPAIN is seeking a top post at the European Central Bank as four senior roles open in 2025, including the vice-presidency held by Luis de Guindos. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo told EFE that Spain wants a “relevant role,” arguing the country’s strong economic performance supports its bid. Potential candidates reported by the Financial Times include Joachim Nagel, Klaas Knot, and Spain’s Pablo Hernández de Cos, amid growing competition from Baltic and Nordic states.

Credit: Instagram / @Costco Spain

Powertrain findings

STAT OF WEEK

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Business rate hikes

Credit: Alexey Fedorenko, Shutterstock.

BUSINESS EXTRA

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Funding to support the fight against money laundering.

Ahead of the summit, the government announced £3 million to support Transparency International, OCCRP and the Anti-Corruption Data Collective, funding investigative journalism exposing transnational corruption and modern money-laundering networks.

Air-rail link

EUROAIRLINES has partnered with AccesRail to offer combined air-rail ticketing, integrating Spain’s Renfe and Italy’s Trenitalia services into its booking system.

The agreement enables passengers to link Euroairlines flights with rail routes to major Spanish cities including Barcelona, Malaga, Sevilla and Valencia, as well as Italian destinations such as Florence, Milan and Venice. Euroairlines said the move supports its global expansion and wider intermodality strategy, with more markets and operators to be added soon.

CEO Antonio López-Lázaro said the partnership boosts “flexibility” and provides more efficient and sustainable travel options.

Iberdrola funding IBERDROLA Spain has secured more than €170 million in Spain’s first Feder 2021-2027 auction for innovative energy storage, the company announced on December 9. The funding, granted by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), will support 11 BESS battery projects (€130m), three industrial thermal storage sites (€22m) and the expansion of a pumped-hydro facility (€18m).

The company said the investment will accelerate electrification, highlighting storage as ‘a key lever for change’, and forms part of its broader strategy to scale both large- and small-scale storage technologies across Spain.

MAJOR UK arenas - including The O2, Co-op Live, Manchester Arena, and Wembley’s SSE Arena are set for some of the sharpest business-rate rises in 2026 after dramatic increases in rateable values, with Wembley up 300 per cent, according to analysis by tax firm Ryan. Practice Leader Alex Probyn said the rises reflect full post-pandemic trading. Despite transitional relief, Ryan warned bills could still more than double, adding further strain to venues already facing rising operational costs.

FCAS talks GERMANY, France and Spain met in Berlin on December 12 to break the deadlock over the €100 billion Future Air Combat System (FCAS) fighter jet programme, with a separate Franco-German meeting held beforehand, Berlin’s defence ministry confirmed. Talks have stalled amid public disputes between Airbus Defence and Dassault over workshare on the next-generation aircraft. Both governments insist a solution must be found by year’s end as pressure mounts to decide the project’s future.

FINANCE

28 18 - 24 December 2025

euroweeklynews.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 15 December

Company

Price(p)

Maximum

Minimum

Net

3I Group.....................................3.183,00............3.186,00......... 3.139,00......... 102,24K Admiral Group.............................3.122,0..............3.122,0........... 3.102,0........... 21,79K Airtel Africa................................. 311,40...............311,60............307,40........... 147,1K Anglo American...........................2.849,0..............2.853,0........... 2.824,0.......... 484,07K Antofagasta................................3.015,00............3.027,00......... 2.949,00.......... 89,06K Ashtead Group............................5.216,0..............5.230,0........... 5.128,0........... 99,39K Associated British Foods.............2.064,0..............2.068,0........... 2.046,0.......... 125,41K AstraZeneca...............................13.488,1............13.492,0......... 13.376,0......... 151,71K Auto Trader Group Plc................ 618,00...............621,25............603,40.......... 868,77K Aviva........................................... 660,60...............661,20............652,40.......... 460,65K B&M European Value Retail SA... 163,55...............164,30............156,85............1,91M BAE Systems..............................1.681,50............1.695,50......... 1.670,00......... 763,73K Barclays...................................... 452,88...............453,25............448,15............3,24M Barratt Redrow............................ 357,30...............360,89............352,71............1,14M Beazley........................................ 826,00...............828,00............814,50.......... 162,16K Berkeley......................................3.786,0..............3.794,0........... 3.744,0........... 27,25K BP............................................... 442,30...............443,45............441,25............2,65M British American Tobacco...........4.269,0..............4.289,0........... 4.257,0.......... 339,28K BT Group.................................... 183,65...............183,95............180,45.............. 2M Bunzl...........................................2.190,0..............2.192,0........... 2.148,0........... 41,62K Centrica....................................... 166,93...............167,70............166,45............1,18M Coca Cola HBC AG......................3.721,0..............3.724,0........... 3.708,0........... 60,13K Compass....................................2.341,00............2.342,00......... 2.318,00......... 742,72K ConvaTec Group......................... 230,60...............232,20............229,20.......... 826,53K Croda Intl....................................2.744,0..............2.758,0........... 2.722,0........... 21,93K DCC.............................................5.100,0..............5.110,0........... 5.050,0........... 20,01K Diageo.........................................1.678,0..............1.683,6........... 1.658,0.......... 417,66K Diploma.....................................5.425,00............5.430,00......... 5.340,00.......... 75,43K EasyJet........................................ 495,40...............496,10............488,70.......... 555,55K Entain.......................................... 741,60...............743,60............734,60.......... 160,61K Experian......................................3.402,0..............3.410,0........... 3.345,0.......... 368,84K F&C Invest.................................1.242,62............1.247,00......... 1.236,63........... 88,2K Flutter Entertainment..................16.710,0............16.770,0......... 16.585,0........... 1,55K Frasers........................................ 683,29...............689,50............635,50........... 99,06K Fresnillo.....................................2.882,00............3.026,00......... 2.880,00......... 223,69K Glencore...................................... 380,34...............383,05............378,45............4,79M GSK plc......................................1.819,00............1.820,07......... 1.810,00......... 714,56K HALEON...................................... 362,30...............362,90............358,80............1,93M Halma..........................................3.514,0..............3.514,0........... 3.466,0........... 41,04K Hikma Pharma...........................1.495,00............1.509,00......... 1.482,00......... 283,73K Hiscox........................................1.378,00............1.379,00......... 1.356,00......... 215,48K Howden Joinery.......................... 816,00...............816,00............808,50.......... 286,38K HSBC.........................................1.122,20............1.123,60......... 1.116,80...........2,95M IAG.............................................. 411,61...............412,50............404,50.............5,4M ICG PLC.....................................2.070,64............2.070,64......... 2.030,00.......... 39,17K IMI PLC......................................2.478,00............2.482,00......... 2.428,00......... 276,18K Imperial Brands..........................3.203,02............3.212,00......... 3.188,28......... 119,27K Informa....................................... 897,20...............898,40............886,80.......... 181,71K InterContinental.........................10.300,0............10.305,0......... 10.220,0.......... 23,67K

Company

Price(p)

Maximum

Minimum

Net

Intertek........................................4.508,0..............4.512,0........... 4.430,5........... 30,49K J Sainsbury................................. 321,20...............323,56............319,80.......... 447,15K JD Sports Fashion........................ 81,76.................82,42..............81,18.............1,94M Kingfisher.................................... 304,50...............305,00............302,30.......... 360,79K Land Securities........................... 582,00...............585,14............578,50.......... 252,17K Legal & General.......................... 247,30...............247,70............244,20............1,78M Lloyds Banking............................ 94,56.................94,60..............94,20..............8,5M London Stock Exchange..............8.600,0..............8.610,0........... 8.474,0.......... 127,37K Londonmetric Property............... 182,70...............184,20............181,80.......... 717,98K M&G........................................... 277,70...............277,70............274,20.......... 527,77K Marks & Spencer........................ 321,10...............323,50............319,60.......... 659,71K Melrose Industries...................... 558,59...............562,40............554,40.......... 256,67K Mondi.......................................... 882,20...............884,20............877,20.......... 111,54K National Grid..............................1.125,00............1.126,00......... 1.121,00......... 581,31K NatWest Group........................... 622,00...............622,80............616,00.......... 982,71K Next...........................................13.392,5............13.405,0......... 13.160,0........... 20,5K Pearson......................................1.055,00............1.056,00......... 1.045,00......... 110,42K Pershing Square........................5.040,00............5.043,90......... 4.968,00........... 18,5K Persimmon.................................1.296,0..............1.310,5........... 1.289,0........... 82,09K Phoenix....................................... 691,50...............692,00............677,00.......... 270,77K Prudential...................................1.098,50............1.098,50......... 1.084,50......... 595,88K Reckitt Benckiser........................6.004,0..............6.016,0........... 5.938,0.......... 118,04K Relx............................................3.084,00............3.098,00......... 3.022,22......... 434,59K Rentokil....................................... 430,70...............430,80............426,60.......... 175,44K Rightmove.................................. 532,00...............535,80............530,40.......... 409,93K Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.650,0..............5.658,0........... 5.625,0.......... 400,13K Rolls-Royce Holdings................1.100,00............1.103,00......... 1.092,40...........1,01M Sage...........................................1.095,00............1.099,50......... 1.073,50......... 162,05K Schroders.................................... 388,8.................388,8..............385,8........... 159,13K Scottish Mortgage......................1.142,00............1.145,82......... 1.139,00......... 879,62K Segro.......................................... 688,00...............692,60............687,80.......... 166,57K Severn Trent...............................2.703,0..............2.716,0........... 2.698,0........... 24,47K Shell............................................2.713,0..............2.717,0........... 2.704,5.......... 573,34K Smith & Nephew........................1.219,00............1.219,50......... 1.203,22......... 303,79K Smiths Group.............................2.356,00............2.358,00......... 2.326,00.......... 69,21K Smurfit Westrock........................2.817,0..............2.818,0........... 2.791,0........... 46,26K Spirax-Sarco Engineering...........6.795,0..............6.795,0........... 6.700,0........... 10,99K SSE............................................2.119,00............2.134,00......... 2.111,00......... 194,17K Standard Chartered....................1.764,00............1.766,66......... 1.741,00......... 543,81K Taylor Wimpey............................ 101,06...............101,90............100,16............2,22M Tesco.......................................... 437,70...............442,10............433,80............2,23M Unilever.......................................4.868,0..............4.874,5........... 4.835,0.......... 209,52K Unite........................................... 526,76...............534,50............524,00.......... 115,39K United Utilities............................1.177,50............1.183,50......... 1.175,13.......... 71,73K Vistry Group................................ 614,80...............621,75............611,60.......... 230,08K Vodafone Group PLC.................. 95,140...............95,386............94,480...........13,02M Weir Group................................2.874,29............2.878,00......... 2.840,00.......... 50,48K Whitbread...................................2.395,0..............2.406,0........... 2.341,0.......... 157,86K WPP............................................ 333,80...............333,90............328,81............1,03M

0.87750 1.17420

1.13958

0.9354 7.4704 11.877 10.898 Contact our team of currency experts

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DOW JONES

Closing Prices 15 December

Company

Price(p)

Maximum

Minimum

Net

3M.............................................. 168,90...............169,84............167,80............2,42M Amazon.com............................... 226,19...............230,08............225,12...........35,64M American Express....................... 382,56...............387,49............378,60............2,48M Amgen........................................ 317,74...............319,46............315,19............2,25M Apple........................................... 278,28...............279,22............276,82...........39,53M Boeing......................................... 204,38...............206,12............201,58............7,07M Caterpillar.................................... 597,89...............627,50............595,78............4,58M Chevron...................................... 149,99...............151,55............149,63............5,85M Cisco............................................ 77,80.................79,56..............77,72............16,67M Citigroup..................................... 111,80...............113,43............111,19...........11,23M Coca-Cola..................................... 70,52.................70,62..............69,04............18,44M Goldman Sachs........................... 887,96...............914,99............886,99............2,72M Home Depot................................ 359,65...............360,76............356,05............3,86M Honeywell................................... 193,66...............194,72............192,51............3,32M IBM............................................. 309,24...............311,05............303,33............2,95M J&J............................................. 211,58...............212,27............208,96............6,92M JPMorgan................................... 318,52...............320,27............316,60............8,98M McDonald’s................................. 316,72...............317,79............310,37............3,77M Merck&Co................................... 100,30...............100,66.............98,32............11,81M Microsoft.................................... 478,53...............482,45............476,34...........21,25M Nike.............................................. 67,47.................69,14..............67,12............14,83M NVIDIA........................................ 175,02...............182,82............174,62..........204,27M P&G............................................ 142,84...............143,11............140,84...........10,27M Salesforce Inc............................. 262,23...............264,49............260,91............6,01M Sherwin-Williams........................ 328,69...............331,42............326,83............1,63M The Travelers.............................. 285,31...............285,48............283,33............1,62M UnitedHealth............................... 341,84...............344,98............337,37............7,98M Verizon......................................... 40,89.................40,98..............40,10.............20,6M Visa A.......................................... 347,83...............349,84............345,97............6,94M Walmart...................................... 116,70...............116,95............115,02...........19,09M Walt Disney................................. 111,60...............113,34............111,15...........13,06M M - Million Dollars

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 15 December

Company Change Net / % Volume Most Advanced TryHard Holdings............................................. 57,72 %........................476,91K NeoConcept International Holdings.................. 54,84 %.........................34,07M Canopy Growth................................................ 53,98 %........................165,58M RYTHM............................................................ 47,73 %..........................3,32M Tilray................................................................ 44,13 %..........................84,2M UrbanGro......................................................... 38,08 %.........................43,69M GrowGeneration............................................... 38,03 %..........................4,53M Hydrofarm........................................................ 35,95 %..........................1,06M Basel Medical................................................... 31,21 %..........................1,52M Climb Bio......................................................... 30,43 %..........................8,38M M - Million Dollars

Most Declined CCH Holdings...................................................-82,47 %..........................6,87M Argo Blockchain ADR.......................................-77,60 %..........................2,07M Oriental Culture................................................-75,85 %........................351,36M Jiuzi Holdings..................................................-52,04 %..........................10,8M Applied Therapeutics........................................-46,10 %.........................38,56M AlphaVest Acquisition......................................-44,47 %............................ 2M Tenaya Therapeutics........................................-37,50 %.........................66,59M Work Medical Technology................................-35,69 %........................127,59M Fermi America LLC...........................................-33,84 %.........................63,34M Black Titan.......................................................-33,25 %..........................2,02M Above Food Ingredients...................................-33,01 %..........................7,34M M - Million Dollars

FINANCE

euroweeklynews.com

Innovate Ukraine

THE UK and Ukraine have launched InnovateUkraine’s second round, investing £17m to support 14 new green energy projects. Announced at Rebuild Ukraine 2025, the 24-month programme begins December 2025 and develops scalable low-carbon solutions, adding to 12 earlier projects aimed at boosting Ukraine’s energy resilience.

Recovery plan

SPAIN has approved a recovery plan addendum to ensure full execution of €24.8bn in pending transfers, while requesting only 27.4 per cent of available loans. Madrid will seek €22.8bn of €83.2bn offered, citing cheaper market financing and reduced administrative burden.

UK rent growth UK rents have risen 2.2 per cent over the past year, the slowest pace since 2021, as rental demand hits a six-year low and more homes come onto the market, according to Zoopla’s December 2025 Rental Market Report.

Zoopla reports that rental supply is up 15 per cent compared with

Credit: falco, Pixabay.

BUSINESS EXTRA

18 - 24 December 2025

UK housing.

G7 meeting

G7 FINANCE ministers met virtually on December 8 with the heads of the IMF, World Bank, OECD and FSB, joined in parts by ministers from Australia, Chile, Mexico, India, Korea and Canada.

They backed recent G7 energy initiatives to strengthen critical mineral supply chains, warning that non-market practices and export controls risk global volatility and weaker growth. The ministers pledged coordinated action

to diversify and derisk supply routes.

They also reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine, welcoming the IMF’s latest Staff Level Agreement and exploring financing options, including potential use of immobilised Russian sovereign assets in line with legal frameworks. Strengthened coordination with international partners remains a priority under France’s upcoming G7 presidency.

last year, while demand has fallen by a fifth, easing pressure after several years of rapid rent rises.

The average rent for new lets now stands at £1,320 a month.

A major driver is a sharp fall in net migration. New ONS data shows net migration dropped 78 per cent in two years – from 924,000 to 204,000 in the year to June 2025 – reducing the number of new renters entering the market. Improved mortgage affordability is also shifting former renters into homeownership, with UK Finance noting a 20 per cent rise in first-time buyer mortgages in the first nine months of 2025.

Homes are also taking longer to let, now 17 days on average, the slowest since 2019.

29

Algori funding

MADRID-based data platform Algori has raised €3.6 million, bringing total funding to €7.5 million, to scale its AI-driven shopper insights technology. The round includes Red Bull Ventures and other new investors. Algori will expand its purchase and behavioural data collection and accelerate development of its FMCG-focused AI insight tools for European market growth.

Investing in women

THE British Business Bank will commit £30 million to the Invest in Women Taskforce’s ‘Women backing Women’ Fund of Funds, led by Bootstrap4F. The anchor investment brings the Bank’s total support for female-led funds to £130 million, aiming to expand access to finance for female founders across key sectors.

30 18 - 24 December 2025

FEATURE/SPANISH NEWS

euroweeklynews.com

An enduring appeal Journey from hell LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT MAKE no mistake, if there’s one thing this old world of ours needs right now, it’s a bit of fun - the real, uncomplicated, toe-tapping kind. And who better to dish it out than those four Swedish wonders who’ve been doing it for half a century?

Yep, the ‘ol boy is talking about ABBA, a group so irresistibly wholesome, that even the grumpiest among us can end up humming ‘Dancing Queen’ under their breath when no one’s listening.

During my recent visit to London, I was delighted to have been bamboozled completely by a well-kept, secret surprise visit to the group’s new wonderous pop coliseum in London’s East End. Now, when I first heard about Voyage the digital resurrection of the ABBAtars - I’ll admit it. I raised an eyebrow. Actually, I raised both. “Here we go,” I thought, “another gimmick, another attempt to squeeze nostalgia until it squeaks.”

But when I went, let me tell you: it’s not nostalgia. It’s sorcery. There you stand in that arena, surrounded by all manner of

humanity; kids who discovered ABBA on TikTok, old rockers pretending they’re not excited, pensioners who once slow-danced to ‘Fernando’ in church halls. And then the lights drop, the music kicks in, and suddenly these four youthful Swedes appear, shimmering and strutting in a way that defies both physics and time. You know perfectly well they’re digital. And yet, five minutes in, you stop caring. Because what’s happening in front of you feels more alive than half the concerts I’ve seen with actual human bodies on stage.

What got me about the whole phenomenon isn’t just the clever tech or the cleverer marketing. It’s the sheer decency of ABBA’s enduring appeal. In a world that revels in snarky cynicism, and controversy-for-clicks, ABBA remains gloriously unproblematic. No scandals, no late-night mugshots. Just four slightly awkward, intensely talented people who wrote great songs, sang them beautifully and somehow managed to return as digitally immortal twenty-somethings without reducing the whole affair to a circus. And let’s not ignore the crowd.

Watching the audience is almost as entertaining as watching the ABBAtars.

Grown men - the sort who insist they prefer Led Zeppelin - suddenly soften during ‘The Winner Takes It All’. Middle-aged mums who haven’t danced publicly since the school disco are suddenly releasing decades of suppressed hip action. Teenagers, utterly free of any sense of irony, belt out lyrics written long before their parents met. And rest assured the ‘swing along’ also included my partner and myself. It’s a reminder that people, for all their faults, are still capable of collective joy without needing to be drunk, furious, or glued to a phone (which were in fact banned from the show) And perhaps that’s why the whole thing works. Because behind the lasers and holograms is something profoundly human: warmth. The same warmth that’s kept ABBA’s music alive through generations, marriages, divorces, dance floors and a million karaoke machines.

So, if you want my advice - not that anyone’s ever asked for it, if you find you’re on a visit to the old country, get yourself to that arena, before the digital Swedes outlive us all.

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.

Credit: jr_amon_ceuta X STORM EMILIA turned a routine ferry crossing into a nightmare for passengers The ferry Ciudad de Mahón battling travelling beStorm Emilia. tween mainland Spain and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

The Balearia ferry Ciudad de Mahón departed Algeciras late on Saturday, December 13, at around 10pm, despite rough seas in the Strait of Gibraltar. Earlier sailings had been cancelled due to the storm, leaving the vessel fully loaded. Normally a one-hour journey, the trip became harrowing as heavy waves battered the 3,500-tonne ship. For three and a half hours, it pitched violently, changing course repeatedly. Passengers described an ‘infernal’ ordeal: unsecured chairs slid across decks, people fell, and seasickness was widespread.

Around 1.30am on Sunday 14, the captain announced the decision to abort the voyage and return to Algeciras, as entering Ceuta’s port had become unsafe.

The ship docked in the early hours, but further delays followed. When vehicle owners reached the garage around 3.30am, they found extensive damage to cars from the extreme movements.

No injuries were reported. Storm Emilia disrupted all maritime traffic in the strait over the weekend, with strong winds, high waves and heavy rain forcing multiple cancellations by operators including Armas-Trasmediterránea and Balearia. By Sunday afternoon, conditions had eased slightly, allowing some ferries, including the Ciudad de Mahón, to complete their crossings.

FEATURE

euroweeklynews.com

Credit: shutterstock, Jelena Zelen

r VOICE u o Y Can you kick back and be merry, or is it a stressful season to bare?

Is Christmas more stressful than relaxing?

AS the festive season approaches, a simple poll asked people whether Christmas feels more stressful than relaxing. The responses reveal a largely positive picture, with many contributors describing calm celebrations, flexible traditions and an emphasis on enjoyment rather than pressure.

Experiences vary depending on family, location and expectations, the overriding tone of the replies suggests that, for most, Christmas is something to savour rather than endure.

Several respondents highlighted how a relaxed approach and personal routines remove much of the potential stress. Ena Cummings summed this up neatly, saying, “If you plan it right it’s not stressful.” Mike Smith echoed this practical attitude with a reminder not to overthink things: “Not stressful at all. If you don’t manage to get everything before Christmas Eve then tough luck, fretting doesn’t help and there is nothing that can be done.”

For these contributors, letting go of perfection seems key to enjoying the season.

Others spoke about how location and lifestyle can influence the experience. Lesley Marlor described a festive atmosphere without pressure, commenting, “No different, the town is brighter, the shops look amazing and we enjoy the Spanish feel for Christ-

mas.” Susan Wallace also found the season calmer abroad, noting, “Very much more relaxed in Spain I find, it’s just a very special weekend with neighbours.” Angela Edgley shared a detailed reflection on choosing a quieter celebration, explaining, “Visiting the UK was always stressful so we stay here now. A few pre-Christmas meals out with friends. One quiet day, just the two of us and cat, a traditional Christmas dinner, lots of Facetime, and a relaxing evening with the usual rubbish TV. Back to normal on the 26th and an evening out on Jan 5 watching our town’s spectacular Three Kings’ processions. Very pleasant.”

For some, enjoyment of Christmas is rooted in long-held affection or cultural perspective. Karen Poland enthusiastically said, “I don’t find it either!

Love it … shopping, gift wrapping, Christmas decorations, cooking and having fun with friends and family.”

Karen Joy Harley was equally clear: “I have loved Christmas all my life, always have always will!”

Overall, the responses show that most people said they do not find Christmas stressful at all. Instead, they emphasised enjoyment, flexibility and choosing traditions that suit their own lives, suggesting that relaxation often comes from letting go of unnecessary pressure.

18 - 24 December 2025

31

FEATURE/SPANISH NEWS

How to participate

LUCCA MOVALDI PRESIDENT: AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CLUB MARBELLA

Movaldi’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

IT is December once more, and for many Spaniards and non-Spanish residents, this is the indicator that something very exciting is coming up fast at the end of the month … and no, it is actually not Christmas, though many are excited for that, too. Monday, December 22 is the day of Spain’s famous national Christmas lottery, also called El Gordo, and practically the whole country will Spain prepares for its massive Christmas lottery draw screech to a halt to participate and beloved traditions. in the draw.

What is the El Gordo lottery?

How does the draw work?

The El Gordo - or ‘Fat One’ - lottery has Two lottery drums are used: a larger one become a famed Spanish tradition and only with balls for each of the 100,000 ticket numhappens once a year, always on December 22. bers, and a smaller one with balls that repreThe largest Christmas lottery in the world, an sent all the prizes. During the draw, one ball estimated 70 to 90 per cent of the adult popuis simultaneously drawn from each drum, lation in Spain participates each year, also marepeating the process until the smaller drum king it one of the biggest events of the whole containing the prizes is emptied. year in the country. It gets its name for its large How do the prizes work … and what is the and highly-coveted jackpot. big jackpot?

How much does a ticket cost?

The El Gordo Christmas lottery distributes A full ticket, called a billete, costs €200. its winnings widely, creating thousands of However, the most common ticket people buy winners. is the décimo, which means ‘a 10th of a ticket” There are only 100,000 ticket numbers, and costs €20. There are 100,000 ticket numranging from 00000 to 99999, and each bers, ranging from 00000 to 99999, and each number is printed on 1,930 décimos, which number is printed on 1,930 décimos. are the most common tickets people buy.

Tickets can be purchased through official The total prize pool is €2.7 billion, divided lottery offices, authorised retailers, or certain into thousands of prizes. The top prize, the official online platforms. It is recommended coveted El Gordo, awards €400,000 per déto buy them at official ticket offices in your cimo. There is a one in 100,000 chance of tatown or city. king home the top prize for the lottery.

No translator needed

Credit: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock

OH, come on - just 3,645 km from Chicago to Los Angeles, roughly 43 hours on the Southwest Chief, barrelling across states, watching plains stretch into mountains, deserts melt into skies… and still asking, “Are we there yet?” Yes - almost the last chapter of my series from Malaga to California, with zero planes.

Saying goodbye never really ends on a train. You leave tracks behind - literal ones - and somehow you’re always looking for more.

As a child, I sensed a train long before it appeared. The ground tickled my feet, the plants trembled, and I was convinced I had a railway radar.

From Chicago to Los Angeles, there are around 20 stops, but none offer a real pause. Hop off for a quick break or souvenir, and the train will cheerfully leave you behind. Some towns run alongside old Route 66, so if you want to ‘get your kicks’, move fast otherwise your luggage will reach LA before you do.

Travel options include coach or the sleeper roomette. The roomette has two bunks and is tiny. You may end up sleeping with your feet sticking out the window - a convenient way to catch the breeze at 80 km/h. Bathrooms and showers are communal, and the showers? Tiny. I had to soap up outside the stall just to twist, slide, and rinse.

Drop the soap? Contortion challenge: shimmy, lunge, twist - victory. On a moving train, every sway turns the shower into slapstick. Shampoo bottles become missiles aimed at your toes. Once, the curtain spun like a

magician’s trick. By the end, I wasn’t just clean - I was a performer in Cirque du Soleil.

Then there’s the queue - people staring like tiny judges. I became a prestidigitator of hygiene: now you see me sliding in… now you don’t. Now I’m rinsed… now I’m out.

Train travel isn’t just a journey - it’s sport, comedy, and flexibility rolled into one. And honestly, Lucca, this is your fault - for a few bucks more, I could’ve booked a roomette with a mini-shower even smaller than this.

But we were heading into the Wild West, so I manned up.

The train has a dining car and a Sightseer Lounge. The dining car is nostalgia - white tablecloths, china, and a chef. I had one of the best steaks of my life somewhere over Kansas. Dining on a moving train is a skill: cut steak without nicking your neighbour, keep a martini from spilling… good luck.

The Sightseer Lounge offers nearly 360-degree views. Mountains, deserts, and skies drift by like slow-motion cinema.

After nine days travelling, the magic hits: snowy plains give way to adobe-coloured mountains. You fall asleep chasing the sun, letting sunsets close your eyelids. Travelling at its finest - surrendering to the rails.

To be continued…

Photo Credit: RTVE Play / YouTube

Are we there yet?

FROM COAST TO COAST

euroweeklynews.com

MULTILINGUAL notices appearing in Andalucia and parts of Valencia advising patients to bring their own interpreters have caused confusion among expatriates. Photographed in clinics and widely shared online, the posters, bearing SAS and Junta branding, appear to mandate accompaniment by Spanish-speaking companions. Salud Responde clarified that these notices are local initiatives, not regional policy, and patients are not obliged to bring interpreters.

Public healthcare already provides translation services accessible to clinicians across health centres, hospitals, and emergency departments.

Local guidance appears driven by practical workflow considerations, such as busy surgeries, rather than formal policy. Expats have reacted positively where guidance helps reduce miscommuni-

Photo credit: Consejeria de Salud y Consumo/Facebook

32 18 - 24 December 2025

Patients encountering such communications are advised to confirm arrangements.

cation, though some vulnerable residents worry about accessibility.

Authorities emphasise that official interpretation support remains available and cannot be overridden by local notices.

Patients encountering such communications are advised to confirm arrangements with their local clinic.

Clear, centralised guidance

would ensure that non-Spanish speakers understand their rights and the services offered. The situation highlights the balance between operational efficiency in clinics and equitable access for expatriates, tourists, and other non-Spanish-speaking residents, ensuring language does not become a barrier to essential healthcare.

euroweeklynews.com

SPANISH NEWS/FEATURE

18 - 24 December 2025

Credit: Lomb - Shutterstock

Volunteers needed TOP Trending

who currently consume at least three but no more than 40 alcoholic drinks per week. Teetotallers are excluded.

Participants are randomly assigned to two groups. One continues moderate drinking alongside healthy Mediterranean eating. The other is advised to reduce or quit alcohol.

Both receive personalised health coaching, quarterly online sessions, annual check-ups and expert advice on diet, exercise and well-being.

Previous studies have offered conflicting evidence on alcohol’s effects. Some suggest cardiovascular benefits from moderate intake; others claim no safe level exists. Eligible volunteers can sign up via the project website.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery - movie THE quietly eccentric but brilliant Benoit Blanc returns in Wake Up Dead Man, the third instalment of the hugely popular Knives Out film series. Played by Daniel Craig, Blanc must uncover the secrets of a baffling death inside a quaint church. It’s two and a half hour run time never feels

Cr e

bloated, keeping viewers captivated from the very first scene.

Exploring themes of existence, faith and purpose, this one of a kind franchise has cemented itself as a Hollywood hit.

Jingle Bell Heist - movie PERFECT for the holiday season, Jingle Bell Heist follows two down on their luck strangers team up to rob a London department store on Christmas Eve, no less. They really feed into the notion of Christmas being a season of giving ... back to themselves.

While no Danny Ocean, the two characters formulate a fun and, of course,

Cr e tflix Ne t: di

RESEARCHERS at Spain’s University of Navarra are conducting the world’s largest randomised trial on moderate alcohol consumption. The four-year study, known as UNATI (University of Navarra Alumni Trialist Initiative), aims to determine whether moderate drinking in a Mediterranean style is as safe as - or safer than - total abstinence for risks including heart disease, cancer and dementia.

Led by Professor Miguel Ángel Martínez-González, an expert on the Mediterranean diet and adjunct professor at Harvard, the project is funded by a €2.4 million grant from the European Research Council. It is independent of the alcohol industry.

The trial plans to recruit 10,000 Spanish adults: men aged 50-70 or women aged 55-75

brought to you by Revolution Technology

tflix Ne t: di

Sip a day keeps doctor away?

33

festive plan.

Christmas movies can sometimes feel one note, but this one offers a fresh take on the usual Christmas rom-com, injecting a touch of hijinx into the holidays.

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Mississippi Gospel Choir Dance, sip and give back some of the most iconic worALTEA is preparing to welcome ks of the genre. The route one of the most electrifying spans from 19th-cenChristmas experiences of tury spirituals - deethe season, as the Misply rooted in Afrisissippi Gospel Choir can-American arrives on Friday history - to resoDecember 26, brinnant tributes deging with it a wave dicated to proof pure devotion, test songs and uplifting energy and historic marches the unmistakable for freedom. power of traditional Blending heritage gospel music. with contemporary Produced by NK Proenergy, the choir darte and formed by Credit: Palau Altea will incorporate around 20 exceptional A festive December at Palau touches of funk vocalists, the MississiAltea. and blues into its ppi Gospel Choir is reperformance. nowned for its mastery This dynamic fusion enhances the of African-American spiritual tradition. emotional strength of gospel while Their goal for this Christmas performaintaining the authenticity that has mance is to immerse audiences in the made the genre a symbol of unity, hope heartfelt joy and celebratory rhythm and celebration. that define gospel at its core, offering Tickets for the concert are priced at not just a concert but a transformative €41, offering spectators the chance to festive experience. enjoy one of the most uplifting musical The ensemble will guide spectators events of the festive calendar. through a rich musical journey featuring

ALTEA will sparkle this Christmas with a unique celebration for all ages.

On December 18, the Altea Golf MedSpa will host the Christmas Silent Disco Walk, a 5K route around the scenic golf course. Participants can enjoy a leisurely walk with holiday music through headphones, blending festive fun with a sense of community.

The event promises a visit from Santa, giving families the chance to meet him, take photos, and share festive wishes. Children will delight in seeing Santa in person, while adults enjoy the playful energy of the silent disco, creating memories that last a lifetime.

To keep spirits bright, mulled wine and seasonal treats will be available.

Local vendors will offer a

Credit: Dr. Thom as Liptak / Creative Commons

Festive treats an

d warming drinks

variety of festive delights, making the walk not just a physical activity, but a sensory experience full of flavours and cheer.

Young visitors can enjoy face painting and interactive activities, ensuring the event is entertaining for children while parents join in the festive fun. Family participation is at the heart of this celebration.

in Altea.

The walk also supports the Alfaz Food Bank. Attendees are encouraged to bring tinned or dried food, toys, clothes, or a small donation.

The Christmas Silent Disco Walk takes place from 4.00pm to 6.00pm at Altea Golf MedSpa, Urbanización Sierra Altea.

For more information, call +34 672 321 379.

SOCIALSCENE II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 December 2025

A small corner of China Credit: S.C.

RESTAURANT REVIEW

For just €22, two people can enjoy a complete menu.

the finest ingredients.

Dining at Hua Fu is a feast for the senses.

From spring rolls and soups to generous main platters of beef with mushrooms and bamboo, sweet and sour pork, or stir-fried chicken with vegetables, every dish bursts with authentic Chinese flavours. Fried prawns, battered king prawns, and home-made desserts like flan complete the experience.

Even better, two people can enjoy a full meal - including starter, main,

dessert, and drinks - for just €22, proving that quality and affordability go hand in hand.

The restaurant’s spacious, serene interior provides a peaceful retreat, perfect for families, couples, or friends seeking a relaxed meal.

Open every day from 12.00 to 16.30 and 19.00 to 24.00, Hua Fu is the ideal spot to savour a little corner of China in Denia this winter.

Avenida de Gandia, 20-B,D. Tel: 966 420 368

75,000 LED bulbs

Credit: Zarateman / Creative Com-

STEP into Hua Fu, a charming Chinese restaurant in the heart of Denia, and you are instantly transported to the vibrant streets of China.

For over 10 years, this family-run restaurant has welcomed locals and visitors alike, offering a warm, inviting atmosphere where authentic flavours and traditional recipes shine.

The attentive staff make every guest feel at home, guiding you through a menu of more than 100 dishes crafted with

B E N I A R B E I G ’ S Festivities Department and the Three Kings Committee have once again organised the Royal Camp, which will take place on the afternoons of January 3 and 4.

On Friday 2 at 5pm, the camp will open with a children’s snack sponsored by Ca’l Nay, followed by craft workshops. As dusk falls, Activities continue with a visit from the royal pages. the lighting will be switched on. Royal envoys will be to be a meeting point for residents of present so all children can deliver their Beniarbeig and the region. Everything letters, while the Festivities Committee must be installed in just two days in the will offer refreshments, sweets and hot riverside park, a task made easier thanks chocolate at the bar. to new volunteers joining the group.

The next day, workshops, lighting and Ribera highlighted that lighting will bar service will resume from 6pm. Before once again be the star of the show. The returning to Beniarbeig at 7.30pm, the camp now features 75,000 LED bulbs, royal pages will first visit the Portal de la a 33 per cent increase. These run on Marina shopping centre at 5.30pm. a low-consumption system to reduce The Festivities Department, the Three electricity use and are powered by Kings Committee and the Festivities battery-fed low-voltage connections to Committee hope the camp continues ensure safety.

EWN 35

euroweeklynews.com II SOCIALSCENE

Spain’s Wine Legacy Martha Ardila, Sommelier at Martha’s Vineyard Moraira

Vermouth: The Christmas aperitif that brings Spain together

AS Christmas approaches and cities fill with lights, markets and long to-do lists, Spaniards instinctively return to one of their most comforting rituals: el vermut. Long before cava corks pop or after-dinner spirits appear, vermouth sets the tone for festive gatherings.

Originally created as a medicinal wine infused with herbs and spices, vermouth arrived in Spain in the 19th century and quickly became a social staple. At Christmas, its warm aromas of cinnamon, clove, citrus peel and bitter herbs feel almost tailor-made for the season.

Late-morning shopping trips turn into impromptu stops at the bar, where vermouth is served over ice with an oran-

ge slice, an olive, and perhaps a plate of anchovies or gildas.

Catalonia remains a historic reference, with Reus often cited as the birthplace of Spanish vermouth culture.

Traditional producers such as Yzaguirre, Miró and Rofes continue to define the classic style. Meanwhile, modern favourites like Casa Mariol, Vermú Zarro from Madrid, and small artisanal projects across Spain offer bolder, spiced expressions perfect for winter.

At Christmas, vermouth is more than an aperitif. It is a pause, a conversation, and a reminder that celebration in Spain begins long before dessert. Salud!

martha@marthasvineyard.es marthasvineyard.es

Musical market LA MISTELERA is set to welcome musicians, creators and music lovers alike with a vibrant Musical Market on Sunday December 21 from 6pm, offering an evening dedicated to sound, culture and community.

The Musical Market will bring together a diverse crowd of enthusiasts searching for instruments, accessories and musical curiosities. Designed as a space for buying, selling and exchanging second-hand and handcrafted pieces, the event aims to give renewed purpose to items that might otherwise remain unused.

Guitars, pedals, vinyl records and technical equipment are expected to take centre stage, creating a lively environment where visitors can browse, negotiate and discover hidden gems.

At its heart, the initiative encourages circular creativity. Musicians are invited to bring along instruments or accessories they no longer need, allowing others to repurpose them.

Whether someone is seeking a specific part, hoping to upgrade their set-up or simply wanting to pass on a beloved item, the market fosters a sustainable approach to music-making.

This sense of exchange mirrors La Mistelera’s wider ethos of community-driven cultural activity.

Beyond the market itself, visitors will feel the pulse of La Mistelera’s regular programming.

Anyone intending to set up a stall at the Musical Market can easily do so by contacting 610 137 261.

Credit: S.C.

36 EWN 18 - 24 December 2025

A meeting point for music enthusiasts.

SOCIALSCENE II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 December 2025

EWN 37

Credit: YouTube Kids

Peke Tube, the musical Forthcoming festive highlights

Viral children’s favourites brought to life on stage.

PEKE TUBE will bring a burst of colour, music and family fun to Pedreguer’s Espai Cultural on Saturday December 27 at 12.00. The musical transforms the venue into a lively world where children and adults can enjoy some of the most iconic songs from YouTube Kids, offering a playful and imaginative show designed to unite families through shared enjoyment.

The production features a carefully selected repertoire of viral favourites, including Cantajuegos, La Granja

and the global sensation Baby Shark. These hits are reinterpreted with vibrant costumes, energetic choreography and dynamic staging, encouraging the audience to sing and dance along.

Under the artistic direction of María Madueño, the show blends theatre, music and movement into a colourful, upbeat performance. Creative lead Jonathan Elis and his team focus on bright visuals and fresh ideas to captivate spectators of all ages.

Promoter Amadou J Sow highlights the emotional spirit of the event, emphasising its aim to help families create lasting memories.

Peke Tube seeks not only to entertain but to offer a meaningful cultural moment where families can connect away from screens. Tickets are now available at Dentralia and Art&Patch (C/ València, 22).

The show is expected to attract strong attendance and stands out as a festive, joyful option for the Christmas season in Pedreguer.

Credit: Finestrat Town Hall THE weekend of December 20 and 21 will see performances by l’Agrupació Coral de Finestrat and the Centre Musical Puig Campana. On Saturday 20, the choir led by José Vicente Algado will present an exclusive concert of Christmas songs, filling the Casa de la Cultura with festive music.

On Sunday 21, the Santa Cecilia Concert will be performed by the Centre Musical Puig Campana under the baton of Toni Barber, featuring a proHere comes Santa Claus. gramme of Christmas pieces for everyone to enjoy.

On December 23, the day before sent the musical ‘Snow White and the Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will arrive Magic Mirror’, a family-friendly show in La Cala de Finestrat. Children - and that reimagines the classic tale with the young at heart - can hand over their Maleficent and other storybook characletters and enjoy the magic of the fes- ters joining in her quest for outer beautive season. ty. Tickets are available via agendafi Later that evening, the Comissió de nestrat.es, priced at €6, with balcony Festes 2026 La Xirimbela will host the seats at €4.

Ball de Nadal, starting at midnight, for To close 2025, the Comissió de Festhose wishing to continue the Christ- tes La Xirimbela will organise the New mas Eve celebrations with music and Year’s Eve Dinner, a perfect occasion dancing. to welcome 2026 in a festive and famiOn Sunday 28, Taules Teatre will pre- ly-friendly atmosphere.

euroweeklynews.com II HEALTH & BEAUTY

38 EWN 18 - 24 December 2025

Not so super LIKE with anything, food goes in and out of style.

The current foods getting their 15 minutes of fame are the so called ‘superfoods’.

Superfoods have been around for a while. Typically speaking, they’re foods rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants: from your typical eggs and leafy greens, to foods that seemingly gain popularity overnight like avocado and chia seeds.

If you eat a balanced diet, chances are you’re consuming plenty of superfoods without thinking much about it.

Only now, in the larger consumer market, we’re seeing items being specifically marketed as ‘super’ - usually with a super high price point.

Whole companies have been built with the sole purpose of selling ‘superfoods’, typically in powdered form. These powders,

when added to water, turn into a murky green drink, only appetising when you think of the advertised benefits like aids gut health and promotes digestion.

Global events such as the Covid-19 pandemic have made people increasingly more aware of the foods they put in their body.

Ditching store-bought goods and instead making everything

SOFT supple skin can feel like a distant memory when cold winds and indoor heating create dry and chapped patches that sting with every smile.

The delicate skin on the lips is especially vulnerable which is why so many people find themselves reaching for quick fixes that never quite deliver lasting relief. With a little care and the right routine it is

from scratch has become a major trend.

Such a trend that people have built massive online platforms simply from making food from scratch. Sure, the home bakers are making their own sourdough, but some influencers are going to such extremes as to make their own toothpaste and bubble-gum.

Sparking style secrets MANY people notice that certain days seem to turn hair into wild strands and clothes into crackling fabrics that cling in the most inconvenient ways. Static feels like an invisible force that waits for the right moment to surprise us with tiny electric shocks, often leaving us both amused and frustrated. It is a simple effect that comes from friction, yet it plays a curious role in everyday life.

Static appears when materials rub together and create an imbalance of electric charge. Dry air makes this more common, which is why winter wardrobes and heated rooms often lead to clingy outfits and flyaway hair.

Skin can also feel the prickling sensation of static, especially when wearing synthetic fabrics that encourage the charge to settle on the surface.

Old wives tales have offered many creative solutions over the years. Some say that touching a wooden table can release the charge, while others recommend placing a metal key in a pocket to ward off shocks. A light mist of water on clothes or a touch of moisturiser on the skin often works far better since extra moisture reduces the charge and restores comfort.

Healing hydration possible to soothe discomfort and restore a healthy glow.

Chapped lips often begin with a loss of natural moisture. Gentle daily care is essential so start by avoiding licking the lips since this only makes dryness worse. A nourishing

balm with ingredients such as shea butter or beeswax creates a protective layer that seals in hydration.

A soft cloth or a warm damp flannel can be used once or twice a week to lift away loose skin which allows treatments to work more

effectively.

The face and hands can also suffer from rough patches. Rich creams applied after washing help lock in moisture while soothing ingredients such as aloe vera and oat extract calm irritation.

Drinking plenty of water supports the skin from within and a small humidifier in your room can make the air kinder to your complexion.

40 EWN 18 - 24 December 2025

What to buy and what to eat in Spain MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE EXPERT MIGUEL FRANCO ONE of the questions I hear most is: “Miguel… what do I actually buy at the supermarket? And what should I order when eating out?”

Let’s keep it simple, the same way I did when I improved my health. These small daily choices are what helped me balance my blood sugar, lose weight naturally and reverse my type 2 diabetes. No strict diets. Just real Mediterranean food.

At the supermarket I always say: your health starts in your basket. If you buy good food, you eat good food, and your blood sugar and energy improve almost instantly.

My basket is usually full of tomatoes, peppers, spinach, courgette, oranges, berries, sardines, eggs, chickpeas, olive oil, nuts and potatoes. Nothing fancy. Just simple food that keeps you full, steady and feeling human again.

Eating out (yes, easily!)

Yes, I eat out a lot. I live in Spain - it’s

almost a national sport. And the good news? You can eat VERY well here without destroying your progress.

When I look at a menu, I always ask myself: “What’s the simplest, most natural thing on here?” I stay healthy by choosing simple dishes: espetos, dorada a la plancha, tortilla, pulpo, grilled chicken… Your blood sugar LOVES these foods. They’re fresh, natural and not drowned in sauces.

And my favourite: verduras a la plancha - grilled vegetables. Light, healthy and every restaurant has them (even if they pretend they don’t). Just ask.

A little secret You don’t need motivation. You just need the right groceries at home. And if you ever wonder what to cook, my cookbook Mediterranean Home Cooking Made Easy is full of the simple recipes I’ve been eating for the last three years - these are the same meals that helped me regain my health.

Mediterranean Tip of the Week Buy three vegetables, one protein and a bottle of olive oil. Small choices add up fast.

Read the full version online or visit www.casamiguel.life to learn more and to find my cookbook.

euroweeklynews.com II HEALTH & BEAUTY

Matcha’s moment COFFEE is and always will be a classic, but matcha, a greener alternative is gaining ground, becoming a popular favourite in coffee shops around the world.

Matcha is a bright green powder, made up of finely ground green tea leaves. Traditionally, it’s used in Japanese tea ceremonies but an influx in tourism and viral social media posts have bolstered its popularity worldwide.

Served steaming hot or over ice, and tasty no matter what milk you pair it with, there are so many different variations to try.

Viral recipes have taken to including flavoured syrups to their matcha lattes, creating even more mix and match.

It’s easy to prepare at home too. Like with anything, matcha’s cu-

rrent popularity makes it readily available to buy in shops or online. You can order a canister of matcha, plus the necessary tools straight to your house.

All you have to do is sift one or two teaspoons of matcha into your cup, add two ounces of hot water and mix it together with a bamboo stick.

From there, serve how you like: into milky lattes

Forget the morning face wash THE internet is constantly advertising new 10-step skincare routines and there’s a new ‘must use’ product reinventing the wheel every other week.

But what if I told you that the best way to maintain clear skin is by not washing your face in the morning?

For one thing, if you’ve gone to bed with serums and creams soaking into your skin, you’re basically washing it all off eight hours later. Additionally, your skin produces natural oils overnight, which help us look younger. Yet those get washed away too by morning light.

Separate from this fact, many skin experts argue that washing your face in the morning damages the skin barrier, the outer layer that locks water and elec-

or even into baked goods.

Matcha also has certain health benefits attributed to it, which makes it even more appealing. It’s packed with antioxidants, boosts metabolism, naturally detoxifies, and is said to calm the mind and relax the body.

trolytes into your skin, and locks irritants out. One trillion bacteria, known as the microbiome, live on the surface layer of your skin, acting as its first line of defence. When the microbiome is disrupted, it can’t fight off inflammation, causing breakouts, dryness and itching.

In short, washing your face in the morning is doing more harm than good.

Your night-time routine is most important. Experts advise investing in a good cleanser to remove excess oils, dirt, product and general built up.

Washing your face at night essentially prepares the skin to get to work strengthening your skin barrier while you sleep.

euroweeklynews.com II HEALTH & BEAUTY

42 EWN 18 - 24 December 2025

Start the year Exercise snacking with a ‘bang’ WANTING to change up your look for the new year? How about finally making the leap and cutting a fringe. A cathartic experience, and the perfect way to punctuate the fresh start that only the beginnings of the new year can bring.

Once you’ve made up your mind around the big chop, the next step is deciding what type of fringe you want. There are plenty of styles to choose from.

Curtain fringes are effortless and near impossible to regret. They frame the face and require little maintenance.

They’re also relatively easy to clip or even tie back if needed.

The blunt fringe is a bold classic, possibly what you immediately think of

when someone suggest you cut a fringe. Visually, this hairstyle shortens the foreheads, adds structure and serves as built-in accessory, instantly elevating any look.

‘Micro bangs’ have been a firm favourite for many fashionistas in 2025, although an abundance of courage and even more confidence

is needed to pull off this look. ‘Micro bangs’ are choppier version of the classic fringe, more pixie than pristine.

A trick to help avoid a haircut you’ll regret: find a celebrity who has the same face shape and hair type, and look back to see if they’ve ever had bangs. Do they rock it? If so, you will too.

SHORT bursts of exercise - sometimes just two minutes - are now backed by research showing real fitness and metabolic benefits. Known as ‘exercise snacking’, the trend is growing, as micro-workouts are effective and easy to fit into a busy day.

Exercise snacking involves brief, sharp movements repeated throughout the day. A Journal of Applied Physiology study found three quick stair-climbing sessions daily improved cardi-orespiratory fitness, even in adults who did no other structured exercise.

Research by Dr Marie Murphy showed that just two minutes of stair climbing across a day for eight weeks could lower

resting blood pressure and blood fats.

A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found 10 minutes of light to moderate exercise per week was linked to a significantly lower risk of death. Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, a doctoral student at the University of Oviedo, says the biggest gains come when someone goes from inactive to slightly active, making exercise snacks especially beneficial.

For busy adults, long gym sessions are unrealistic or intimidating. Exercise snacking needs no equipment, works indoors or outdoors, and takes less time than making a coffee. Quick options include brisk stair climbs, squats, marching on the spot, a lap around the garden, counter push-ups or chasing the kids for a few minutes.

FEATURE/SPANISH LIVING

euroweeklynews.com

Christmas chaos Photo credit: Molly Grace

tion. Many look back with humour, swapping stories of failed attempts at mulled wine, DIY crackers and the struggle to recreate British flavours under the Spanish sun.

Other traditions also needed rethinking.

Advent calendars, once rare, are now easy to find but expensive. Christmas cards, largely absent from Spanish culture, led many expats to craft their own or send photo cards abroad before online services made the process easier. Today, Christmas for British residents in Spain is a comfortable mix of both cultures. Towns offer impressive lights, markets and nativity scenes, while British households keep their own customs alive. The festive season has become less about recreating a perfect UK Christmas and more about enjoying a familiar celebration in a different lifestyle.

Spain: Booming economy but politics needs some help!

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

NORA IS THE AUTHOR OF POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND CRIME THRILLERS AND A FREELANCE JOURNALIST.

SPAIN is basking in the glow of being Europe’s unexpected economic sprinter for a second year, yet the celebration feels oddly hollow as its political engine sputters. The economy’s booming but the country’s fractious politics seem determined to prevent the momentum from maturing. Polarisation is currently widespread, but Spain executes it with almost operatic intensity.

Still more worrying is the void where serious policy debate should be.

Other advanced economies manage to pair theatrical politics with grounded discussions on education, housing, regulation. In Spain, barbs routinely eclipse ideas. Miquel Roca, an architect of the 1978 constitution, surveys the scene and sees an intellectual desert meticulously cultivated by both major parties.

Sánchez governs without a majority;

the PP counters that everything would improve if he disappeared. Meanwhile, structural problems remain: feeble productivity, timid investment, bureaucracy and an education system struggling to produce graduates for a modern economy.

On housing (the issue tormenting the young) trade lawyer Miriam González Durántez - better known to us Brits as wife of former deputy PM Nick Clegg and now exploring a political venture of her own - urges Spain to strip ideology from the debate. Neither camp, she argues, can resolve the crisis while refusing to recognise the other’s part in the remedy.

Meanwhile, identity politics barges into every conversation: arguments driven by spectacle rather than substance.

Finally, thanks for emails to my website! Thrilled you enjoy my novels too!

Nora Johnson’s 14 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The House of Secrets’ (www.nora-johnson.net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

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INTERVIEW

Early years in Spain were defined by improvised solution.

FOR many British expats in Spain, Christmas looks nothing like the festive scenes they left behind. Gone are frosty mornings and thick coats, replaced with blue skies, café terraces and palm trees wrapped in lights. Over time, communities across Spain have shaped a version of Christmas that blends familiar British traditions with the reality of Mediterranean life. Food is where expats notice the biggest differences. Early years in Spain were defined by improvised solutions: chickens replacing turkeys, home-made Christmas puddings with hard-to-find ingredients, and gravy experiments that ended in disaster. Items that were once impossible to source, mince pies, stuffing, sausage rolls, are now widely available online, yet certain staples like Brussels sprouts and double cream still spark frustra-

18 - 24 December 2025

Speaking European: From Paris to Benissa

From the cultural intensity of Paris to the sunlit streets of Benissa, David Alayrangues has built a life guided by creativity, independence and a deep commitment to art. A graphic designer, painter, illustrator and musician, he has spent more than three decades developing a distinctive visual language that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary digital tools.

BORN in Paris 49 years ago, lence like in Paris,” he said.

David describes himWhile cultural options self as “franco-Spaare fewer than in a nish,” with strong major capital, he is roots on the Costa certain he would Blanca through not return. “Life his mother, who in Spanish towns is from Benissa. is richer, it’s easier Although Spain to make friends, had been part of enjoy simple ouhis life since childtings, beaches and hood, he made the incredible natural move permanent in paths.”

David Alayrangues, a 2003, “I came simply David has worked graphic designer, painter, because I like Spain online as a graphic illustrator and musician in more and I feel more designer for over 20 Benissa.

Spanish than French.” years, helping busiBenissa is now home by choice. Su- nesses and entrepreneurs shape visual rrounded by family, Mediterranean identities. He also paints and plays landscapes and a slower rhythm of life, bass in experimental music sessions, he believes the move was essential. “I with a clear ambition: “To exhibit my needed a bit of adventure, without so paintings.” More information is at many cars, so much pollution and vio- www.david-alayrangues.com.

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

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46 18 - 24 December 2025

FEATURE

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• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers • Costa del Sol

Costa Blanca South

THE Cudeca Foundation has successfully concluded its traditional Christmas tribute event ‘Enciende una Luz’ (Light a Light), held on Friday, December 12 at the Cudeca Palliative Care Centre in Benalmadena.

Hundreds gathered for an emotional afternoon of togetherness and hope, remembering and honouring loved ones who have passed away.

The event, starting at 6pm, filled the venue to capacity, highlighting strong community backing for the foundation’s palliative care work.

Attendees enjoyed a heartfelt programme, including performances by the Sunny View School Children’s Choir, magicians Richard Granda and Juan Garrido, the energetic Quimirock band, and tenor Rodrigo Orrego.

Traditional charitable activities featured a raffle and charity bar, with all proceeds supporting Cudeca’s programmes. Sources described exceptional generosity in a warm, reflective atmosphere.

TORREVIEJA once again lit up the holiday season with the 23rd edition of Carols in the Square. The beloved international Christmas carol concert drew hundreds of residents and visitors from across the country to Plaza de la Constitución, which, as always, was bustling with festive cheer and a little too small for all who wanted to attend.

Since its debut in 2002, the concert has been organised by the Department of International Residents and has grown into one of Torrevieja’s most anticipated Christmas events, even in a municipality already known for its lively atmosphere year-round.

This year’s event was hosted by local artist Shani Ormiston, who also performed some of her own songs. The edition featured new choral groups from several countries, showcasing the multicultural spirit of Torrevieja. Nations represented included Poland, the UK, Romania, Sweden, Norway, and Ukraine.

Axarquia

Almeria

NERJA Council is going to deliver festive cheer to vulnerable families this Christmas through its annual hamper distribution programme.

The Social Services Department plans to deliver 60 hampers to households facing economic and social hardship in Nerja and Maro.

This year’s initiative stands out due to direct collaboration with two prominent local groups: the Association of Presidents of Urbanisation Communities in Nerja (APCUM) and the Almijara Bowls Club.

Both organisations have fully funded and packed the 60 baskets, filling them with non-perishable foods, traditional Christmas sweets, preserves, and cured meats.

The popular Almijara Bowls Club, a hub for the expat community, has shown particular generosity in supporting the effort.

Last year, 75 hampers were distributed. The project underscores Nerja’s commitment to ensuring the holiday spirit reaches every home.

UD Almeria football players took part in one of their most emotional but rewarding events of the year on Monday 15th, their annual visit to Torrecardenas University Hospital.

Captains Fernando Martinez and Adrian Embarba arrived with their teammates, along with Paqui Campoy and Lucia representing the club’s women’s first team. Even with star footballers in the building, the day was all about the children.

For UD Almeria and its players, visiting the children of Torrecardenas is a special day, a chance to bring joy to families during a difficult time. Players spoke with the children and their families, offering an empathetic ear and lifting their spirits as best they could.

More importantly, and in the true spirit of Christmas, the UD Almeria players didn’t arrive empty handed. They brought with them a haul Father Christmas and the Three Kings would be proud of: toys, games, stuffed animals, and mountains of club merchandise such as jerseys and scarves.

Mallorca

Costa Calida

FEW know that the natural beauty of Mallorca, one of the Mediterranean’s gems, was the backdrop for one of the most heartwarming Christmas productions of 2024. Disney released the short film The Boy & The Octopus, which captured millions of viewers worldwide, partly filmed on the island.

Directed by New Zealander Taika Waititi, known for his unique blend of humour and emotion in films like Jojo Rabbit and What We Do in the Shadows, the short tells the story of a boy who finds a tiny octopus attached to his head after a minor accident at sea. What starts as an awkward encounter quickly evolves into a touching friendship, exploring themes of acceptance, diversity, and the unexpected joys of life.

Mallorca’s stunning landscapes played a key role in the film’s visual impact. Scenes were shot at Cala Agulla beach in Cala Ratjada, with some digital enhancements to emphasise the greenery against the turquoise waters. The production also involved local professionals.

THE Region of Murcia is enjoying an extraordinary run of good fortune after the national lottery draw on Thursday, December 11 delivered a share of the top prize to three municipalities in the region.

The winning number, 98217, worth €600,000 per ticket (décimo), was sold in Yecla, Los Belones, and Cabo de Palos, spreading excitement and celebration across the area.

This latest win adds to an impressive streak of lottery success for Murcia residents in recent months.

The coveted top prize has also been claimed in Molina de Segura on Thursday, September 24; Cartagena on October 23; San Pedro del Pinatar on Thursday, November 13; and Lorca on Thursday, November 27, reinforcing the region’s reputation as a hotspot for lottery luck.

In Yecla, the winning ticket was sold at the lottery office on Rambla Street; in Cabo de Palos, at the office on Balanos Street; and in Los Belones, at the lottery office on Marcos Sanz Street.

Cudeca tribute

Hampers for everyone

Disney filmed in local village

Yuletide unity

Red and white Christmas

Lottery luck

• EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM •

47

PETS

euroweeklynews.com • 18 - 24 December 2025 SPONSORED BY

LIKE many of us, and our pets, Petey loves a sparkling celebration, and nothing entertains or attracts him more than spotting spangly lights on his daily walk.

We all appreciate a festive light display, and Christmas delivers them in spades across town. But Petey?

He’s absolutely besotted with the lights. So smitten, in fact, that one moment of unleashed freedom and he’ll bolt faster than you can say ‘Feliz Navidad’, prancing and pirouetting around every twinkling bulb like a canine ballerina on opening night.

House-sitters beware: walking Petey requires the vigilance of a bomb disposal expert and the reflexes of a cat (ironically). Shopping centre displays, garden decorations, that one house on the corner with the blinding illuminations - all are magnetic north to Petey’s compass. Keep hold of the lead, because at the first glimpse of a twinkling tree or flashing reindeer nose, Petey’s off like Comet. He won’t stop when you call. He won’t see obstacles. He just... goes.

Could you care for a dog like

Photo credit – Tiera St Claire

Petey loves the lights, house-sitters beware

Petey is drawn to sparkly lights, wherever they are.

Petey?

HouseSitMatch: Humans help pets thrive This is where HouseSitMatch comes in - quietly effective, always helpful. Homeowners find trusted sitters to protect property, water plants, and provide five-star care for pets. Sitters enjoy free accommodation and pets (Petey’s light-chasing theatrics included, no extra charge).

And best of all, NO money changes hands.

Lamia Walker – Founder Get in touch: +44 (0)7772 142742

Cat cafe craze RIGHT now, cat cafes are all the range. Go to any major metropolitan area and you’ll see cat’s being pampered as people sip on their perfectly frothed coffees.

Like many business ventures, Cat Cafes operate with varying levels of morality. Some have been deemed as unethical due to poor conditions, lack of vaccinations and for relying on breeders. Others, see themselves more as cat rescue facilities, prioritising the well-being of their cats over profits and allowing patrons to adopt the cats.

If you’re visiting a cat cafe, it’s recommended you research to ensure you’re supporting ethical practices.

The first cat cafe was founded in Taipei, Taiwan back in 1998, under the name Cat Flower Garden.

While it took a while for the business to gain traction, eventually their popularity soared. Asian tourists took the idea back to their home countries and the business model was soon replicated.

Cat cafes soon become a booming business, especially in Japan, becoming tourist hot spots.

It took a little longer for the idea to gain traction in the west. The first Cat cafe didn’t open in the US until 2014.

Travelling in 2026? Join now: 1. Visit HouseSitMatch.com and register as a homeowner or sitter 2. Join for just £89 / €99 per year (approx.) - Compare this to kennel fees!

3. Create your profile and upload photos 4. Sitters apply, you chat via video - and bam - matchmaking success The Fair Exchange: Homes, pets and happy hearts Fancy a house-sitting adventure - or need sitters of your own - Join HouseSitMatch.com, a growing community of pet lovers.

What our members say Rated 4.8 / 5.0 on Trustpilot “Housesitmatch is an amazing community of caring and supportive people who can take care of your house and pets in exchange for accommodation.

“I’ve always met the loveliest people and never had any problems with handing over my house and my pet.

Always in safe hands. Couldn’t recommend it more!”

Juana, Dog owner

SERVICES

48 18 - 24 December 2025 ALARMS

DAMP PROOFING

INSURANCE

BLINDS

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SERVICES REMOVALS & STORAGE

GARDENING

PLUMBING

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50 18 - 24 December 2025

SERVICES

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SOLAR ENERGY

TV & SATELLITE

MOTORING

An ageing fleet

Older vehicles come with their pros and their cons.

Environmentally speaking, older vehicles lack modern emission equipment, emitting higher levels of pollutants. However, the importance of the second-hand market can’t be ignored as it reduces the demand for new manufacturing. According to the study, 49 per cent of motorcycles have had two or more owners, highlighting second-hand vehicles as a significant sa-

vings cost for many.

Geographyically, there is a higher concentration of motorcycles in urban centres. Barcelona accounts for 17 per cent of the fleet, followed by Madrid with 11 per cent, and Malaga with 5 per cent. Petrol-powered motorcycles dominate, while electric models remain scarce, representing only 1 per cent of the total, indicating that the shift towards electrification is still in its early stages.

SPAIN’s traffic authority, the Directorate General for Traffic (DGT), will make connected V16 emergency beacons mandatory from Thursday January 1, phasing out traditional warning triangles entirely.

The compact amber flashing light is placed on a vehicle’s roof without the driver exiting the car.

Connected models automatically transmit the location to the DGT’s 3.0 platform, alerting emergency services and nearby drivers via apps and road signs.

The DGT says this will improve roadside safe-

SPAIN has introduced one of its toughest road safety measures in years, changing how drivers handle vehicle inspections. From now on, merely having an ITV appointment is not enough to drive legally. If your ITV has expired even by a day - your car cannot be on the road, even with a renewal slot booked.

The DGT has confirmed officers will verify, vehicle by vehicle, that every car circulating has a valid inspection. For drivers used to last-minute appointments and unofficial flexibility, this is a shock. The message is clear: no ITV, no driving.

The crackdown is part of a wider push to ensure all vehicles meet safety and emissions standards.

Spain still records a high number of first-time ITV failures, and many accidents involve cars with overdue inspections or unresolved defects. Penalties are steep: driving with an expired ITV now brings a €200 fine with no typical 50 per cent early-payment reduction, and three licence points are lost. Vehicles over a year overdue face fines up to €500.

Credit : Azulblue, Shutterstock

Credit: Shutterstock, Matryoha

ITV rules tighten

Spain’s motorcycle sector sees biggest increase since 2008.

A RECENT study from Carfax shines a light on the booming motorcycle sector with sales and usage rising.

Their study of over 3.7 million motorcycles currently in circulation revealed that the market for two-wheelers experienced a 10 per cent increase in 2024, the biggest growth since 2008.

The study also noted that the average motorcycle age is now 12 years old. What’s more, 44 per cent are more than 15 years old.

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ITV sticker valid until 2026 on a vehicle in Spain.

Consequences extend beyond fines. Insurers may refuse coverage in an accident if the ITV is out of date, leaving drivers personally liable for potentially thousands of euros.

Police can also immobilise vehicles, adding towing and storage costs. With one in five cars failing for avoidable issues, mechanics urge drivers to plan ahead, check expiry dates and carry out basic pre-ITV checks. The days of “I’ll risk it a few days” are over.

Police say V16 unsafe Credit: DGT

54 18 - 24 December 2025

Placing V16 to indicate emergency.

ty, as placing triangles requires walking 50-100 metres along the road a risk linked to about 25 pedestrian deaths each year. Over 25 million vehicles are affected, with hefty fines for non-compliance.

However, the Unified Association of Guardia Civil (AUGC), a major traffic police union, has criticised the standalone use of V16 beacons as a ‘danger’. In a social media post with video evidence showing poor

visibility on curves or in fog, the AUGC warned that the light may not give sufficient advance warning. It advised drivers to abandon the vehicle and seek safety if possible, adding: “Remaining in the vehicle is not at all safe.”

Consumer groups have also highlighted fake or non-connected models sold as approved. Drivers must check the DGT’s official list for certified devices to avoid fines.

As the deadline nears, the debate continues over whether the V16 alone will prove safer in all conditions.

MOTORING

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18 - 24 December 2025

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Hyundai Ioniq 5 - simple but striking ROAD TEST

Facts at a Glance

By Mark Slack YOU may have noticed that designers of EVs seem to be competing to produce the most striking design possible to make their cars stand out in the ever-increasing automotive EV crowd.

Sometimes though the simple option proves the most striking, and so it is with Hyundai’s Ioniq 5.

It is probably the most normal looking EV and could easily pass for an ICE car at first glance, with the chunky appearance of a five-door hatchback. Inside offers lots of space and practicality and has the promise of a half-decent range too.

Priced from €45,710/£39,995 for the 170PS Advance 63kwh model there are two 84kwh versions developing 228PS and a 325PS that comes with all-wheel-drive. Five trim levels include a sporty N-Line and N-Line S with standard equipment across the line-up including navigation, dual-zone climate, auto lights and wipers, Bluetooth, Apple Car Play

and Android Auto, smart cruise control, keyless entry and start, powered, heated and folding door mirrors plus heated front seats and steering wheel.

On the road the Ioniq 5 has all the usual smoothness and power you would expect from a top-class EV, with the 84kwh 228PS model passing the benchmark 100kph/62mph in just 7.5 seconds and a potential range of 569km/354 miles. In reality I would say it’ll be more like 466-482km/290-300 miles in real world driving. Still a usefully de-

cent range.

In 63kwh 170PS form it’s a second longer to 100kph/62 mph and a real-world range in the region of 354km/220 miles. The ride quality is excellent and although you wouldn’t want to blast across twisting country roads it’s more than capable.

Inside there are numerous, clever details that maximise the already spacious layout from a sliding centre console and sliding rear seats to doors that open wide and make access and egress much easier. You even get

a useable ‘frunk’ or small luggage area at the front of the car on the two-wheel-drive models, it’s quite a bit smaller on the all-wheel-drive. As ever these days, touchscreen rules as far as most of the functions are concerned although there are some physical buttons.

If you’re someone who has so far not been tempted down the EV route, but would like to be, then I don’t think you would be disappointed with the Ioniq 5. It’s not too left-field style-wise and for an EV, and what it offers, is sensibly priced. Add impressive inte-

• Model: Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate • Battery: 84 kwh Lithium-ion 228PS • Gears: Automatic • Price: £53,055 • Performance: Max speed 185kph/114 mph 0 – 100kph/62 mph 7.5 seconds • Economy: Combined driving range 603km/375 miles • Range: Combined 530km/329 miles • Emissions: 0g/km Co2 Model tested was UKspecification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets

rior space, refinement and quality, plus instant EV power and, if you charge largely at home, cheaper running costs. There’s little not to like!

SPORT

euroweeklynews.com

Dive into Christmas ALICANTE’S Playa del Postiguet will host the Travesía de Navidad Alicante on December 21, one of the city’s most anticipated sporting gatherings.

The event draws swimmers of all ages to the sea for a morning that blends competition with charitable support. Participants can choose between 1,500 or 3,000-metre courses, or join the Relevo Solidario 4×200m relay. Teams in the relay can compete in men’s, women’s, or mixed categories, with proceeds going to ASPANION, which supports families of children with cancer in the Valencian Community.

This edition also marks the start of the Liga de Travesías - Copa Alicante 25/26, officially opening the new season of regional aquatic events. Swimmers and spectators can expect a lively atmosphere on the beach, with sport and solidarity at its centre.

The event is organised jointly by Alicante City Council’s Sports Department and Club de Natación Aquatic Alicante. Online registration is open at crono4sports.es, allowing participants to secure their place in advance.

Credit: Soloviova Liudmyla / Shutterstock

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Travesía de Navidad Alicante 2025 - Swim for charity.

For anyone looking to test their endurance while contributing to a meaningful cause, the Travesía de Navidad Alicante promises a memorable experience by the sea.