12 November - 18 November 2024

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Local community remembers

As servicemen and women gathered at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London on Sunday, members of the local community held a Remembrance Service in Mil Palmeras. Both commemorated the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women

involved in the two World Wars and later con icts.

Following the demise of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, previous coordinators have been supporting the new organisers, the local branch of the Royal Naval Association, to ensure that the same high standards were maintained

this year. Once again, at the tiny Catholic church, Capilla de las Mil Palmeras, more than 500 veterans and members of the general public, were led in Remembrance by Pastor Keith Brown, of the Hope Christian Fellowship Church in La Marina.

Pastor Keith, who held his rst Remembrance Service in Mil Palmeras 16 years ago, spoke of the special signi cance of our common grief following the awful recent events in the Valencian Province. Coupled with the gravity of our memories of recent wars and con icts, the event was a particularly solemn a air. It was attended by Jose Maria, the Mayor of Pilar de la

Horadada, councillors from both the local government and the opposition parties, many Spanish families, and the British Vice Consul, Sara Munsterhjelm as the community united as one in mutual sorrow.

Prior to the service, standards from the Royal Navy, and several other service associations, were led to the church by the magni cent Torrevieja Pipes and Drums. Lessons and readings were delivered by the Mayor, Jose Maria, Francisca Samper, along with Amanda Clancy, Tony and Maureen Jenkins and Walter Shatford while Naval veteran Nicola Louden read ‘In Flanders Fields’, a poem written by Lt Col John McRae of the Canadian Army Medical Corps after losing a friend in Ypres in 1915. There was also a particularly moving vocal performance of Hallelujah by Cindy Fitzpatrick while the Last Post and Reveille were played by the Costa Blanca’s

premier bugler Ian Gibson. Former Welsh Guards Pipe Major Brian Day played the lament, Hector the Hero. The Costa Blanca International Concert Band also provided the musical accompaniment to the hymns, led by their Musical Director Jeremy Davies.

Sisters Angelina and Leticia Bergmann carried the peace candle to the altar, after which they recited the Children’s citation for peace in both English and Spanish. The service was concluded with the National Anthems of Spain and the United Kingdom after which the ceremony moved out to the International Garden of Remembrance, where there was a further minute’s silence, speci cally held for the hundreds of people who have either died or who are still missing in the Valencian DANA.

The dignitaries and guests then laid their wreaths in remembrance, before members of the public added their own poppy crosses in memory of family members and lost colleagues and friends, all to the accompaniment of a lone piper.

Annual charity Santa Walk

This year´s annual Santa Walk will be held on Sunday 8th December, organised by Maria and the Pink Ladies and in aid of local anti-cancer charity AACC. Once again, the walk will begin and end at the main plaza at Zenia Boulevard.

The event will start at 11am and registration is just €5, with all monies raised donated will go directly to the charities Early Detection Program and other initiatives. Of course, the charity needs all the funds it can get, as the latest cancer research show that one in two of us will su er from cancer during our lives.

All Costa Blanca readers are being invited to join in and support the event - go along, take your family, take your friends, even take the family pet! And if you can’t take part in the walk, the event will be a great day out full of festive fun.

In order the create a party atmosphere and get into the Christmas spirit, people are being asked to dress up in their Christmas jumpers, Santa hats, Mrs Claus out ts, Reindeer headgear or anything else festive you can think of. In past year´s the procession of Santa´s weaving its way through the streets of Orihuela Costa has been a sight to behold and helps get everyone in the festive mood. There will be Christmas songs galore and great entertainment on the stage hosted by Simon Morton from Sunshine FM. The Local Police will be in attendance keeping all of the walkers safe during the 5km circuit.

During the event, Maria and the Pink Ladies will also be collecting items for people less fortunate than we are and passing them on to Reach Out, a local charity helping

people and families in need. They require items such as dried food stu s, toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, soap etc.

Happy 100th Birthday Joyce Lee!

Tomorrow, 13th November, will see Quesada resident Joyce Lee celebrate her 100th birthday amongst friends and family. The Costa Blanca People was contacted a few weeks ago by Joyce´s daughter, Sue Johnstone, who asked if we could help make Joyce´s day even more special by sharing her landmark achievement with you, our readers….and of course, we are delighted to do so. Joyce was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire in 1924 and at the tender age of 16, joined the ATS and worked as a Plane Spotter during World War II. In 1945 she married her sweetheart John Lee, and they had one son, three daughters and a foster daughter. Joyce spent most of her working life as a Post Mistress, serving her local community. Her family is now scattered across the globe, with her son is in France,

two daughters live in the USA, one daughter lives in Spain and her foster daughter in UK. At the age of 90 Joyce emigrated too, moving from the UK to live with Sue in Quesada.

Tomorrow’s celebrations will start at 11am with an open house for friends, family and neighbours invited to help mark the occasion. As a life-long fan of his music, we have it on good authority, that there will be plenty of Tom Jones tunes played and planty of singing along by the birthday girl. When asked if she has any advice for a long and happy life Joyce said: “Eat healthy, have fun and try not to worry over things.” Very good advice indeed. Happy birthday Joyce from all of your friends, family and neighbours and from the team here at the Costa Blanca people.

EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath vows to tackle gender-based violence

Michael McGrath, the Justice Commissioner-designate for the European Union, has pledged to strengthen protections for women and girls from gender-based violence across the EU.

Speaking at his confirmation hearing, McGrath expressed openness to supporting further legislation that could potentially classify genderbased violence as a “Eurocrime,” paving the way for broader criminal enforcement across all member states.

McGrath, nominated for the EU role of Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law, underscored that rape is an “abominable crime” and that significant work remains to combat violence against women and girls within the EU. “It is important that there is uniformity and consistency across member states in terms of work in that regard,” McGrath told Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). He added that he would consider advancing a proposal to add gender-based violence to the list of Eurocrimes if necessary following

the implementation of the EU’s first-ever directive against violence toward women.

Euro-crimes—activities affecting multiple member states or threatening EU economic and financial interests—currently include terrorism, human trafficking, and money laundering.

Expanding this list to include gender-based violence could establish unified legal frameworks, potentially reducing disparities in how crimes are addressed across EU countries.

The recent EU directive on violence against women and domestic violence, which was passed earlier this year, includes stricter penalties for those committing crimes against public figures, journalists, and human rights activists. It also introduces rules banning forced marriage and female genital mutilation. However, the directive, which member states must incorporate into their national laws by 2027, does not specifically address rape as a Euro-crime due to a lack of consensus among member states.

McGrath noted that while rape is omitted from the directive’s Euro-crime designation, the Commission could still encourage member states to adopt consentbased definitions of rape in their domestic laws when implementing the directive. Consent-based definitions of rape are already present in several EU countries, including Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Spain, and Sweden

Statistics show the pressing need for EU-wide action.

According to EU data, two in ten women in the EU have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of a partner or friend. Additionally, gender-based violence has a profound economic impact, with an estimated €290 million in societal costs annually across the EU.

The first green light from MEPs signals broad support for McGrath’s appointment, with hopes that his tenure may bring more robust protections for women and girls across Europe.

Orihuela City Council launches the first consumer voucher

The Councillor for Commerce, Vicente Pina, has presented the rst campaign of the Orihuela 2024 Bonus consumer voucher campaign, nanced entirely with the Orihuela City Council’s own funds, with the aim of promoting the recovery of the commercial sector.

“It is the rst time that we have made a consumer voucher available to the people of Orihuela to encourage their purchases in our local shops and businesses.”

The Councillor for Commerce highlighted that this nancing was already included in the 2024 municipal budgets and that the campaign is aimed exclusively at people who are registered in the municipality of Orihuela. In this way, the Orihuela City Council nances an amount of 400,000 euros, which represents 800,000 euros in vouchers.

The vouchers will be of the following type:

• 10 euro vouchers, to be paid in 5 euros.

• 20 euro vouchers, to be paid in 10 euros.

• 50 euro vouchers, to be paid in 25 euros.

• 200 euro vouchers, to be paid in 100 euros.

The campaign to acquire vouchers began yesterday Monday, 11 November through online sales from 9am and will

continue until the vouchers run out. In-person sales begin today, Tuesday, 12th November from 9am to 2pm and from 3pm to 6pm or until the vouchers run out. In-person sales can be made at the Department of Commerce, with the queue starting in the Town Hall car park, while in Orihuela Costa it will be at the Tourist O ce at the Costa Town Hall.

People who purchase vouchers will be able to redeem them from the same day 11th November until next Saturday, 23rd November, 2024

Official tally confirms 89 people still missing after floods

More than a week after devastating ash oods struck eastern Spain, Spanish authorities have con rmed that 89 people remain unaccounted for, as the o cial death toll reaches 219.

The catastrophic ooding has left Valencia in crisis, with rescue teams and volunteers continuing the search for missing residents, even as hopes of nding survivors diminish.

In Valencia Province alone, 213 bodies have been recovered. O cials warn the death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue. The oods, which have been described as “tsunami-like,” swept over the region, catching residents and o cials o -guard.

The Spanish government faces signi cant criticism over its handling of the crisis, with many questioning the lack of preparedness and delayed response. A warning message was reportedly sent to residents at 8pm local time on the day the oods struck, but for many, the alert came too late. Residents were already trapped in homes, workplaces, and vehicles as oodwaters surged through streets and neighbourhoods.

In one tragic incident recounted in national media, a resident

from Valencia described how his brother, sister-in-law, and niece were caught in their car when the water surged. His brother was swept from the vehicle but managed to survive by clinging to a gate post, while his sisterin-law and niece tragically drowned inside the vehicle.

Another resident, María Murgui, shared that her father had been missing since he left to retrieve his motorbike as the water began to rise. “He was like many people in town who went out to get their car or motorbike to safety,”

Murgui explained.

The oods have triggered an outpouring of support from across the country, with thousands of volunteers traveling to Valencia to assist in search and recovery e orts. Volunteers have taken to the streets, armed with brooms, buckets, and shovels to help clear debris, mud, and damaged vehicles in the a ected areas.

Clearing roads and pathways has been critical to granting residents access to homes, shops, and workplaces.

Approximately 17,000 military personnel, Civil Guard, and National Police are currently stationed in Valencia, along with military vehicles, helicopters, heavy machinery, and a naval

transport vessel deployed to assist in the cleanup and aid distribution. Despite these e orts, volunteers on the ground insist that more assistance is needed to cope with the widespread devastation. Many volunteers are wearing gloves and face masks to protect themselves from mud believed to be contaminated with chemicals. One volunteer noted, “You can smell it as you walk by, whether you wear a facemask or not—it smells of oil, paint, and other things.”

Search e orts are also being bolstered by technology. Spanish troops are deploying drones to search ooded underground parking garages, where water levels have begun to recede after days of continuous pumping. Divers have joined the search in submerged car parks, where vehicles and debris remain buried under meters of water, hampering recovery e orts.

As Valencia continues to grapple with the devastation, survivors and volunteers are calling for a coordinated response to prevent further tragedies and to aid in the ongoing recovery and cleanup. For many families, like those still awaiting word of missing loved ones, the ordeal is far from over.

Trump wins American Presidency… again

Donald J. Trump has won the American presidency for a second time being elected the 47th President of the United States last Wednesday. During his campaign he survived a criminal conviction, indictments, an assassin’s bullet, accusations of authoritarianism and an unprecedented switch of his opponent to complete a remarkable return to power.

Mr. Trump’s victory caps the astonishing political comeback of a man who was charged with plotting to overturn the last election but who tapped into frustrations and fears about the economy and illegal immigration to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris.

His de ant plans to upend the country’s political system held appeal to tens of millions of voters who feared that the American dream was drifting further from reach and who turned to Mr. Trump as a battering ram against the ruling establishment and the expert class of elites.

In a deeply divided nation,

voters embraced Mr. Trump’s pledge to seal the southern border by almost any means, to revive the economy with 19th-century-style tari s that would restore American manufacturing and to lead a retreat from international entanglements and global con ict.

With a win in Wisconsin, Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency. He won Michigan on Wednesday afternoon, sweeping the “blue wall” along with Pennsylvania — the one-time Democratleaning, swing states that all went for Trump in 2016 before ipping to President Joe Biden in 2020.

His Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, called Trump on Wednesday afternoon to concede the race and congratulate him. A short time later, Biden also called Trump to congratulate him and to invite the president-elect to the White House, formally kicking o the transition ahead of Inauguration Day, the White

House said. Biden also called Harris.

In state after state, Trump outperformed what he did in the 2020 election while Harris failed to do as well as Joe Biden did in winning the presidency four years ago. Upon taking o ce again, Trump will work with a Senate that will now be in Republican hands, while control of the House hadn’t been determined.

“We’ve been through so much together, and today you showed up in record numbers to deliver a victory,” Trump said. “This was something special and we’re going to pay you back,” he said.

The U.S. stock market, Elon Musk’s Tesla, banks and bitcoin all stormed higher Wednesday, as investors looked favourably on a smooth election and Trump returning to the White House. In his second term, Trump has vowed to pursue an agenda cantered on dramatically reshaping the federal government and pursuing retribution against his perceived enemies.

November concert

Following a very successful concert towards the end of May this year the Costa Blanca International Concert Band is now opening its Christmas season. Its rst festive concert will take place at the Salt Church, Calle Daya Nueva, Los Montesinos on Saturday 30th November starting at 7pm.

Under the musical direction of Jeremy Davies the band will present an exciting evening of festive music including such favourites as Last Christmas, Fairy Tale Of New York, Love Actually, Cowboy Christmas and many more. Once again, the players are very much looking forward to this event and are pleased to announce that once more, they will be joined by

the Melody Makers. Tickets are available at 10 euros from the Card Shop in either Punta Prima or Benimar, Bargain Books in San Miguel or by phoning Graham on 34711056343, Pat on 34646031584 or Jeremy on 34722160667.

The band is totally international with musicians from the UK, Spain, Norway, Germany and Switzerland. It is always looking for more players to join its ranks, contact Graham on 34711056343, or alternatively just come along to one of our rehearsals. The band rehearses every Friday downstairs at the library in San Miguel from 4pm to 7pm, you will be made very welcome.

No blue zone in Callosa de Segura until further notice

Callosa de Segura has temporarily suspended its blue zone parking service and initiated preparations for a new service contract. During the Municipal Plenary Session on Thursday, October 31, o cials resolved to initiate a formal review of the prior decision from October 17, 2022, which had approved an extension of the existing parking service contract. This review marks a signi cant shift in the city’s approach to managing public parking, as authorities now seek to reassess and potentially restructure the terms of service.

E ective immediately, parking fees for all blue zone areas across Callosa de Segura are suspended, making street parking temporarily free for all vehicles. As of Wednesday, workers have already begun the task of sealing and deactivating parking meters to ensure that these

designated blue zones remain non-operational. This process includes both physical modi cations to the meters and informational signage to clarify the temporary changes for residents and visitors.

According to the City Council, the suspension will last until a new contract is awarded to a service provider through a forthcoming public tender process. City o cials have reassured the public that work is already underway to expedite this tender,

though no timeline has been provided for when the new service might be expected to resume. Until the new contract is nalized and awarded, residents and visitors can take advantage of free parking on all public streets within the municipality. This pause in the blue zone service o ers a temporary reprieve from parking fees while the city focuses on developing a service model that aligns with current needs and expectations.

The wines of Tony Beneito

We are now paying extra attention to the winemakers from the Valencia region because they are going through hard times.

This time Tony Benieto

The Toni Beneito winery is a point and follows the old winery from 1880 on the El Cabeço estate in the municipality of Bocairent (Valencia).

The winery and part of the vineyards are located about 817 meters above sea level.

The centuries-old trees, which allow us to see the traces left by extreme weather, cover the winery, surround it with history and tell us about the passage of time.

It is a modern winery, but steeped in history and prepared to make different, distinctive wines with ancestral varieties, sprouted, aged and made in the shadow of the Sierra Mariola.

The winery is located at kilometer 19 of the CV-81 regional highway.

In 1880, the El Cabeço farm was an estate dedicated to grape growing. The vineyards covered the enclave

until the phylloxera plague forced the vines to be uprooted. Centuries later, the goal is to restore these vineyards and their varieties.

This new winery is a chronometer that has just been restarted, stopped 140 years ago and that we are starting again with the same ideals.

We start from vines that are more than 30 years old, from very special Valencian varieties, adapted to our climate and from varieties that can enhance the character of their typical character.

Bonicaire or Trepat and Tortosí form the

first basis of this story, to which we will add others such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tintorera and Merlot.

All our vines are harvested by hand in 10kg boxes and the grapes pass through the selection table, where they are selected grain by grain.

These beautiful wines made with care are available at Beau Wine Tastings in Albir.

Until 1 December, the profits made on the Spanish Wines will be transferred entirely to the Red Cross to support the victims of the flood disaster in Valencia.

So buy these beautiful wines !!

Confirmed that Bigastro man lost his life in Valencia DANA

The search for Francisco Quesada Moya, a 44-yearold resident of Bigastro, came to a tragic conclusion this Saturday when his lifeless body was found. Francisco had been missing since Tuesday, October 29, in Pedralba, one of the areas severely a ected by the recent DANA storm that struck parts of Valencia. His sudden disappearance left his family and friends deeply concerned, and they quickly mobilized to search for him.

The last known contact with Francisco occurred on the day of the storm, around 4 p.m. At that time, he was at his residence in Pedralba, which was situated just 150 meters from the river—a perilous proximity given the extreme weather. His family and friends were alarmed when they could no longer reach him and found no sign of him at his home. Adding to their concern, one of his dogs

was also missing, as well as his car, a distinctive blue Peugeot 308.

For days, friends, family, and volunteers combed the area, hoping to locate him amidst challenging conditions left by the storm. The community came together, holding out hope for any news or clue that might lead to his safe return. However, after several days of relentless searching and on the third day of o cial mourning, their worst fears were con rmed.

Francisco’s family, shattered by grief, has expressed heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of support from friends, volunteers, and members of the community who joined in the search e orts. Their assistance and solidarity o ered comfort to the family during this agonizing ordeal. This tragedy has left a deep impact on both the town of Bigastro and the broader community in Pedralba, as residents come together to mourn the loss of Francisco and to support his loved ones in this painful time.

Urgent call for improved health care in Torrevieja

The healthcare system in Torrevieja is facing immense challenges, with a local advocacy group, Plataforma por una Salud Pública y de Calidad al 100%, gathering 5,885 signatures to demand immediate action to improve local health services. This substantial show of support from the community underscores the urgent need for better healthcare infrastructure to meet the demands of the growing population in the area.

On Tuesday, representatives from the platform delivered a letter to the Minister of Health, Marciano Gómez, calling for a revised healthcare budget that re ects the average perresident expenditure seen in the broader Valencian Community.

The current 2023 funding for Torrevieja’s health department stands at €218,988,509, translating to approximately €1,057 per resident based on the 207,162 registered health cards. However, this cost drops to €911 per resident when seasonal population uctuations are considered—far below

the regional average of €1,852, creating a funding shortfall of €795 per resident. The group argues that a minimum budget of €444.5 million is needed to provide adequate care for the community and cites a “historical debt” from 15 years of insu cient public investment during a period of private management.

In addition to increased funding, the platform is advocating for the construction of a second hospital in Torrevieja to keep pace with the region’s rapid population growth. The current hospital was originally built in 2000 to serve a population of 97,007, but today, Torrevieja’s health department supports approximately 207,109 permanent residents.

During peak periods, an in ux of around 400,000 seasonal visitors further swells the average monthly population to approximately 243,333. This sharp rise in population, driven by real estate growth and urban expansion, has created an urgent need for more hospital beds, additional sta , and expanded facilities.

Given these challenges, the platform has requested a meeting with the local councilman to discuss these critical healthcare demands from the perspective of service users. This dialogue is intended to clarify the necessary steps to establish a robust public health infrastructure that can adequately support Torrevieja’s residents. The e orts of Plataforma por una Salud Pública y de Calidad al 100% re ect the power of civic engagement in advocating for vital public services, emphasizing the need for an adaptable healthcare system that addresses the well-being of all community members.

The movement for better healthcare resources in Torrevieja is only just beginning, with community involvement playing a crucial role in driving change. As discussions progress, there is hope that the collective voice of thousands of residents will catalyze meaningful improvements to the healthcare system in the region.

Discover the enchanting streets of Santa Cruz in Alicante

At the foot of the Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante’s old town, is the charming neighbourhood of Santa Cruz. Narrow streets full of character, flowers, potted plants, and colourful doorways, make this area an absolute delight to stroll around and feel enlightened. One of the best kept treasures on the Costa Blanca, and a truly magical place to visit, the streets of Santa Cruz are adorned with colour, history and tradition. To discover this special area and more of the city by foot, we highly recommend Free Walking Tours who offer professional guided visits of Alicante’s Old Town. For more details please call or message Maria on 616 750 608 or visit their website: www.freewalkingtoursalicante.

com A BRIEF HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ

The area occupied by this neighbourhood began to be inhabited in the Middle Ages. After the pact of

Teodomiro at the beginning of the 8th century, the Muslims, who had crossed the strait in the year 711, settled in Alicante. The settlement of the slopes of Mount Benacantil began to develop from that arrival. At the top of the mountain they built a citadel where they settled. A population of farmers, fishermen and also sailors who were dedicated to trade and piracy settled on the slopes of the mountain. The town that the Muslims called the medina of Al Laqant was being formed in this environment. In the 13th century, when the Christians recovered these lands, the existing population had defensive walls that descended from the citadel and surrounded the place. Likewise, the town had a Christian neighbourhood, a souk and two mosques. In the following years, the population and the perimeter of the walls were expanded.

Despite the huge changes promised by Wednesday’s Budget, including £76bn a year in new spending and a near-record increase in taxes, the reaction of currency markets was initially controlled. However, as the US election approached at the beginning of the week, we started to see a sell-o in both UK Bonds and the pound, which are now viewed as a riskier asset class.

Despite the gains seen from the US dollar following the US election results, the pound has now almost erased those gains after the Bank of England (BoE) cut interest rates for the second time this year. This was expected by markets after in ation fell to 1.7% in September.

Although rate cuts tend to be associated with a weaker currency, the BoE reportedly views the recent UK government budget as potentially in ationary. This suggests that interest rates might stay higher for longer, which could be providing support for the pound. Despite the small sell- o yesterday, the rally has solidi ed the pound’s position as the best-performing major currency of 2024.

Additionally, with the US market now open, traders may start taking pro ts on any pre-election USD bets, causing the dollar to lose some ground.

Wednesday’s release of Construction PMI for the UK was also keenly anticipated after September’s data came in at a two- and-a-half-year high when the index jumped to 57.2 in reaction to renewed vigour in both commercial and home building. However, the reading came in below expectation this month, posting 54.3, down 1.0 from the 55.3 expected by markets.

EUR

The euro gained some strength last week on the back of higher-than-expected in ation, which rose to 2% in October from 1.7% in September. The concern that eurozone in ation could rise further in the coming months adds weight to the case for caution in European Central Bank interest rate cuts. The ECB still needs to balance rising in ation with economic growth and may need to steer away from its current path of interest rate cuts.

A key concern is that in ation in services, which is the biggest single item in the consumer price basket, is rising too quickly at 3.9%. At the same time, wage growth is rising faster than the 3% rate the ECB considers consistent with its target. According to Eurostat data, the labour market also remains tight in September, with the jobless rate holding steady at an all-time low of 6.3%.

On Monday, the latest Eurozone Sentix Investor Con dence Index showed a rise to -18.6 in November from -21.9 in October. Meanwhile, the latest GfK Consumer Climate report showed that German consumer con dence in October was at its highest level since April 2022. The Consumer Climate index for November is projected to rise by 2.7 points, bringing it to -18.3 points from a revised -21.0 points in October.

Unlike the pound, the euro has not regained any losses against the dollar since Donald Trump was elected president, and the pair remains 1.4% lower than pre-election levels.

This commentary does not constitute nancial advice. All rates are sourced from Bloomberg and forecasts are taken from Forex Factory.

Orihuela sends major aid convoy to flood affected regions

In an inspiring show of community solidarity, Orihuela has launched a large-scale aid operation to support flood-stricken areas in Valencia. On the morning of November 5, 2024, a convoy of 11 vehicles, staffed by a committed team of 35 individuals including volunteers, departed from Orihuela. This coordinated response came in answer to a call for help from the Comunidad Valenciana’s emergency center, 112, underscoring Orihuela’s readiness to provide swift and meaningful assistance.

The convoy is wellprepared with a diverse fleet designed for extensive cleanup work in the hardest-hit areas. It includes three open-box trucks for debris and mud removal, a hydro-cleaning van for efficient street sanitation, and a water tank truck holding 10,000 liters to aid thorough washing efforts. To

handle more significant obstacles, the convoy also carries a gondola with mini-excavators to clear rubble and other large obstructions. Protection

Civil vehicles equipped with winches are also part of the mission, ready to assist with towing and other essential tasks.

Beyond the logistical support, the aid convoy is bringing urgently needed supplies to the floodaffected communities.

Over 4,000 face masks, along with an array of cleaning essentials— buckets, brooms, mops, gloves, and trash bags— have been dispatched to support cleanup efforts. Non-perishable food and hygiene products are also included, thanks to generous contributions from local residents and businesses. Key local companies, such as Emyplan and Actúa, have bolstered the effort by donating additional equipment, including a

gondola truck for moving machinery and an extra truck with two workers.

Security has also been a priority in the relief effort. To help protect and stabilize the affected neighborhoods, 50 local police officers have been deployed to strategic locations including Paiporta, Algemesí, Albal, and Cheste. These officers are managing traffic, controlling access to severely damaged areas, and patrolling to prevent potential looting of homes and businesses.

Orihuela’s rapid mobilization of resources reflects the power of community unity in the face of crisis. As these efforts continue, the collective resolve and generosity of local authorities, businesses, and volunteers shine as a beacon of resilience and dedication for those affected by the floods

Pilar de la Horadada opens tender for three unclaimed beach bar locations

The Pilar de la Horadada City Council is making a renewed e ort to ensure its beaches are not left without beach bars for the upcoming summer season. This time, the council has opened a public tender for the management of three beach bars that, despite previous attempts, did not secure a contractor last year. The locations up for bid include beach bars on the sandy area of the River, near the Seco River mouth in Mil Palmeras; another on the beach at the Port; and one of the two beach bars left unclaimed on Las Higuericas beach.

Companies or individuals interested in bidding for these beach bar locations have until Thursday, November 14 to submit their proposals via the State Contracting Portal. The contract terms will last for three years, with no option for extension. This restriction is due to the Coastal Authority’s authorization, which permits the City Council to make commercial use of the maritime-terrestrial public

domain only until 2027.

Speci cally, the beach bar at Las Higuericas beach, with a space of 20 square meters, will operate from March 15 to November 15 each year until 2027, with a minimum annual fee of 50,000 euros. The beach bar on Puerto beach, also covering 20 square meters, will follow the same seasonal

operation schedule. However, the City Council has set a lower minimum annual fee of 20,000 euros for this location.

This initiative is part of the council’s e ort to revitalize the beach areas and ensure amenities for locals and tourists, adding a lively atmosphere to Pilar de la Horadada’s popular coastal spots.

Man sentenced to 28 years for partner’s murder in Torrevieja

In a landmark case in Torrevieja, Alicante, the Audiencia de Alicante has sentenced a man to 28 years and ten months in prison for the brutal murder of his partner, underscoring the Spanish judicial system’s rm stance against domestic violence.

The sentence, issued after a comprehensive trial, re ects the gravity of the crime, which occurred in December 2021. This ruling highlights Spain’s ongoing commitment to combating domestic violence and delivering justice in cases of extreme abuse.

The horri c incident took place on the night of December 17, 2021, when the 42-year-old defendant assaulted his 35-yearold partner in an attack marked by severe physical violence. According to prosecution reports, the assailant repeatedly struck the victim against hard surfaces, demonstrating a clear intent to in ict serious harm. The brutality of the act was further underscored by forensic evidence: an autopsy revealed that the accused had stu ed paper into the victim’s mouth and throat, e ectively silencing her and preventing her from calling for help. This tragic

detail exposed the calculated nature of the crime, which the court acknowledged as an extreme case of domestic violence.

The trial concluded with a unanimous verdict from the jury, who found the accused guilty of multiple charges, including murder, habitual mistreatment, and infringement of moral integrity. Although the defendant initially claimed he had not intended to kill his partner, he later

confessed during the proceedings. This admission of guilt was considered a mitigating factor in sentencing, though the court also weighed signi cant aggravating factors. These included:

Evidence suggested that the defendant’s actions were deliberate and calculated. Torture: The method of attack in icted both physical and psychological su ering on the victim.

Gender-Based Violence: The case was classi ed as a gender violence crime, a classi cation that carries additional weight in Spain’s judicial system due to the ongoing battle against domestic abuse. Initially, the prosecution had sought a 33-year sentence, emphasizing the severe legal and societal implications of the crime. However, the defendant’s confession was taken into account in the nal sentencing.

The tragic loss extends beyond the immediate crime, leaving deep scars on the victim’s family. The couple shared a three-yearold daughter, who now faces a future without her mother, adding to the immense emotional toll on the family. This tragic dimension brings attention to the crucial need for comprehensive support systems for families and children a ected by domestic violence, who are often left to navigate the enduring trauma and grief in the aftermath.

This sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive dangers of domestic violence and reinforces the need for continued vigilance and action by both legal authorities and society at large. The case underscores the importance of robust support networks for victims and their families, as well as Spain’s steadfast resolve to address and reduce gender-based violence. This decision re ects a growing commitment within the country to protect victims, honor their memory, and ensure that those responsible for such brutal acts face the full consequences of the law.

Lawsons Wealth and P1 Capital discuss investing in UK property and commercial assets

There was another fantastic meeting hosted by Ara Manukyan from Lawsons Wealth in conjunction with Ben Truman from P1 Capital on Wednesday 9th November at La Laguna Hotel in Doña Pepa.

The meeting was an opportunity to nd out about investing in UK property & commercial assets with handsome returns.

The P1 Capital team have a collective 150 years ‘experience in property and nance, mainly in South East England. They o er a straightforward approach to delivering strong investment opportunities. Investing responsibly

in UK regional real estate, they adopt a disciplined approach to risk management. They focus on a strong emphasis on preserving capital and delivering strong, riskadjusted returns to their investors.

P1 accept money from investors over an agreed term of 1, 3 or 5 years and lend it to property developers in the Southeast* of the UK, for which those investors receive a generous rate of interest (*there are some exceptions representing outstanding value). They have 54 such developments across the Southeast, each running from 18-36 months from start to completion.

Typically, this might be 6-8 executive homes in Ascot, each worth between £750K-£1.2Mill to the end buyer

To nd out more about these great investment opportunities please contact Ara from Lawsons Wealth to get all the facts. You can e-mail:- ara. manukyan@lawsonswealth. com or call or WhatsApp Ara on +34 662 486 925

For forthcoming events check out our Facebook Page https:// www.facebook.com/ lawsonswealthcostablanca/

Levante breakwater in Torrevieja closed for promenade remodeling until July

Passage on the Levante breakwater is now prohibited as the construction company CHM begins the planned resurfacing and remodeling of this popular promenade. According to Sandra Sánchez, Councillor for Urban Services, access will remain closed until July next year, aligning with the start of the high summer season. The project is expected to take nine months to complete, barring any delays.

The entire promenade has been enclosed with construction fencing and marked with signs indicating the restricted access. The renovation impacts key areas, including the sh market, the Marina Salinas marina, and nearby hospitality and nautical businesses. To minimize disruption, Sánchez announced that during the initial phase of work, limited access will still be allowed. Vehicles and pedestrians may pass through the lower part of the breakwater and along the roadway up to the entrance of the Marina Salinas car park.

parking area under the dock walkway will be fenced o to secure the work zone and restrict pedestrian movement as construction advances.

Special arrangements have been made for the cat colonies housed under the stairs connecting the lower part of the breakwater with the elevated walkway. In coordination with the Department of Animal Protection, authorized feeders will still have access to care for the cats throughout the construction period.

Additionally, the

Spanish Bar Assc Reg No. is ICAE 1265)

Spain’s national bus strike involving 80,000 drivers suspended due to DANA disaster

The unions behind Spain’s general bus strike, originally called for October 28, have decided to suspend their next planned strike action, scheduled for Monday, November 11. This decision, con rmed by UGT sources to SUR, comes in light of the ongoing recovery e orts following the Dana storm disaster.

Initially, the unions—UGT and CC OO— announced they would suspend strike actions speci cally in Valencia, but soon after extended the suspension across Spain. The rst strike on October 28 had already heavily impacted public transportation, particularly in the Valencia region, where attendance was high and caused notable service disruptions. The aftermath of the Dana storm, however, has led to signi cant mobility challenges, with three Cercanías commuter lines (C1, C2,

and C3) currently nonoperational, high-speed trains between Madrid and Valencia suspended for at least two weeks, and the A-7 motorway— Valencia’s primary access route—severed due to a viaduct collapse.

“Given the severe social, personal, and material impact of the Dana in Valencia and other a ected regions, UGT has decided to postpone the strike until conditions stabilize,” read a UGT statement, which emphasized their decision was made “in solidarity” with those a ected who need all available resources for mobility and logistics. “In the current context, it would be irresponsible to proceed with the strike,” they added.

The strike had originally mobilized some 80,000 passenger transport drivers following failed negotiations with employers. The unions are advocating for early

retirement options for drivers, a bene t they recently secured for workers in the freight transport sector, averting a strike there at the last minute.

Further strike dates are still scheduled for November 28-29 and December 5 and 9, with an inde nite strike set to begin on December 23 if no agreement is reached with the employers.

Spain launches €10.6 billion aid package to support flood affected communities

The Spanish government has announced a comprehensive €10.6 billion aid package to support families, businesses, and workers impacted by last week’s devastating oods in southeastern Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez detailed the measures, which will bene t 78 municipalities, primarily in the Valencia region.

Key components of the aid package include:

Increased Public Assistance: Death, disability, and housing repair aid has been quadrupled, with up to €72,000 available for disability, €20,000-€60,000 for home repairs, and up to €10,300 for replacing damaged household items.

Business and Self-Employed Aid: €838 million is allocated to help small businesses and self-employed workers, with up to €5,000 for self-

employed individuals and €10,000-€150,000 for businesses, depending on turnover. Around 95,000 recipients will bene t.

Temporary Disability

Bene t: Workers impacted by the Dana storm can receive 75% of their salary as an extraordinary disability bene t. Self-employed individuals forced to stop working will receive 70% of their contribution base, with no minimum contribution period required.

Living Income Increase:

A 15% increase for three months for

minimum living income and non-contributory pension recipients.

Dana Recovery Fund:

A dedicated €5 billion Dana Fund will support a ected businesses and the self-employed, with an initial €1 billion available immediately.

Tax Relief and Payment Moratoriums: Property tax (IBI) and economic activity tax (IAE) exemptions for 2024, extended mortgage payment moratoriums, and tax reductions for farms in a ected areas.

This Week´s Movie Picks

Shark Tale Saturday 16th November, ITV2, 4.10 pm

The sea underworld is shaken up when the son of shark mob boss Don Lino (Robert De Niro) is found dead, and a young fish named Oscar (Will Smith) is found at the scene. Being a bottom feeder, Oscar takes advantage of the situation and makes himself look like he killed the finned mobster. Oscar soon comes to realize that his claim may have serious consequences. Tomb Raider Sunday 17th November, ITV2, 7.40 pm

Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) is the ercely independent daughter of eccentric adventurer Lord Richard Croft (Dominic West), who vanished when she was scarcely a teen. Now a young woman of twenty-one without any real focus or purpose, Lara navigates the chaotic streets of trendy East London as a bike courier, barely making the rent, and takes college courses, rarely making it to class. Determined to forge her own path, she refuses to take the reins of her father’s global empire the puzzle of his mysterious death.

12th November

07:00 Good Morning Britain

10:00 Lorraine

11:00 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women

14:30 ITV Lunchtime News

14:55 ITV News London

15:00 Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa

16:00 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars

17:00 Deal or No Deal

18:00 The Chase

19:00 ITV News London

19:30 ITV Evening News

20:30 Emmerdale

21:00 The Martin Lewis Money Show Live 22:00 Caught on Camera

23:00 ITV News at Ten

23:30 ITV News London

23:45 Road to Perdition

Wednesday 13th November

01:05 Lucan 02:05 MasterChef: The Professionals

03:05 Operation Gold Rush with Dan Snow 04:05 This Is BBC TWO

08:20 Cheers

08:45 The King of Queens

09:10 The King of Queens

09:40 The King of Queens 10:10 Frasier

10:40 Frasier

11:10 Frasier

11:40 Frasier

12:10 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA

13:05 Channel 4 News Summary

13:10 Undercover Boss USA 14:10 Find It, Fix It, Flog It 15:10 Countdown 16:00 A Place in the Sun

17:00 A Place in the Sun

18:00 Four in a Bed

18:30 Help! We Bought a Village

19:30 The Simpsons

20:00 Channel 4 News

21:00 The Great British Bake Off 22:15 Sue Perkins’ Big Adventure: Paris to Istanbul 23:15 Gogglebox

08:20 Cheers

08:45 The King of Queens 09:10 The King of Queens 09:40 The King of Queens 10:10 Frasier

10:40 Frasier

11:10 Frasier

11:40 Frasier

12:10 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA

13:05 Channel 4 News Summary

13:10 Undercover Boss USA

14:10 Find It, Fix It, Flog It

15:10 Countdown

18:15 Flog It!

19:00 Richard Osman’s House of Games

19:30 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two

20:00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

21:00 Digging for Britain

It Takes Two

20:00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

21:00 Digging for Britain 22:00 Secrets of the Spy Whale 23:30 Newsnight

22:00 Secrets of the Spy Whale

23:30 Newsnight ITV

01:40 Teleshopping 04:00 Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors 05:10 Unwind with ITV

What is a guiri?

I wonder if you have ever heard yourself described as a guiri. It may have happened to you without you realising of course, or you may have overheard the expression and wondered what it meant. Well, don´t be upset! The word “guiri” is a jokey kind of word and even though it can conjure up images of the typical “socks and sandals”, lobster red sunburnt and possibly also beer-swilling northern European, it is often used to encompass all of us European visitors and residents in Spain in an innocuous, jokey kind of

way.

16:00 A Place in the Sun

17:00 A Place in the Sun

18:00 Four in a Bed

18:30 Help! We Bought a Village

19:30 The Simpsons

20:00 Channel 4 News

21:00 Location, Location, Location

22:00 Grand Designs

23:00 New Zealand’s Best Homes With Phil Spencer

08:30 Pip and Posy 08:35 The Adventures of Paddington 08:55 Milo 09:10 PAW Patrol 09:25 Reu & Harper’s Wonder World

09:40 Peppa Pig 09:45 Peppa Pig 09:50 Peppa Pig 09:55 Pop Paper City 10:05 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine 12:30 Storm Huntley 13:55 5 News at Lunchtime 14:00 Home and Away 14:30 Christmas at Maple Creek 16:15 The Santa Summit 18:00 5 News at 5 19:00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly 20:00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia 21:00 The Yorkshire Vet 22:00 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild 23:00 Killed By Our Daughter: The McCullough Murders 07:45 Mr Bean: The Animated Series 08:05 Mr Bean: The Animated Series 08:15 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 08:45 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!

08:35 The Adventures of Paddington

08:55 Milo

09:10 PAW Patrol 09:25 Reu & Harper’s Wonder World 09:40 Peppa Pig 09:45 Peppa Pig 09:50 Peppa Pig

09:55 Pop Paper City 10:05 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine 12:30 Storm Huntley

13:55 5 News at Lunchtime 14:00 Home and Away 14:30 A Taste of Christmas 16:15 The Secret Gift of Christmas 18:00 5 News at 5 19:00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

20:00 Shop Smart, Save Money

21:00 Asda: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

22:00 Cause of Death 23:00 My Boyfriend Made Me Do It

08:05 Mr Bean: The Animated Series 08:15 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 08:45 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 09:10 What’s New ScoobyDoo? 09:35 Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? 10:00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 10:30 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 11:00 Love Bites 12:00 Love Bites 13:00 Dress to Impress 14:00

asks ADAPT theatre group

This year’s panto by the ADAPT Theatre Group turns this joke back on ourselves as Snow White finds 7 very different kinds of guiris living in their little cottage in the woods. You’ll have to come and see for yourself who the 7 characters are, but you may identify a little with at least one of them! Whether or not you do, we’re sure you’ll find this original take on the Snow White story to be a lot of fun. The photo is from our previous Snow White pantomime. This year’s panto is

“Snow White and the 7 guiris” and will be performed on 28th, 29th and 30th November at 7 p.m. and 1st December at 12 midday in the Salón de Actos, Casa de Cultura, c/ Alcalde Julio Albaladejo, San Pedro del Pinatar. We are sponsored by the ADAPT Metal Detecting group and all money raised goes to local charities. Tickets are just 4€ and are available from Mail Pinatar, c/Reyes Católicos, San Pedro del Pinatar and Bar Amigos (open p.m.) or phone Eric on 656 361 098.

14th November

00:50 Junk and Disorderly 01:35 Teleshopping

Tonight

The Jonathan Ross Show 04:50 Unwind with ITV 06:05 Deal or No Deal 07:00 Good Morning Britain

Lorraine

This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV Lunchtime News 14:55 ITV News London

15:00 Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa

16:00 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars

17:00 Deal or No Deal

19:30 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 20:00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 21:00 The Warship: Tour of Duty

Friday 15th November

18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News London

19:30 ITV Evening News

20:00 Live: UEFA Nations League Football

23:00 ITV News at Ten

23:30 ITV News London

23:45 Terminator 2: Judgment Day

02:05 Teleshopping 04:00 Inside M&S

04:50 Unwind with ITV

06:05 Deal or No Deal

07:00 Good Morning Britain 10:00 Lorraine

11:00 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women

14:30 ITV Lunchtime News

14:55 ITV News London

15:00 Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa

16:00 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars

17:00 Deal or No Deal

18:00 The Chase

19:00 ITV News London

Wonders of Life 18:15 Flog It!

19:00 Richard Osman’s House of Games

19:30 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two

20:00 A Wild Year

21:00 Gardeners’ World

22:00 Inside the Factory

23:00 Live at the Apollo 23:30 Newsnight

19:30 ITV Evening News

20:30 Emmerdale

21:00 Coronation Street

22:00 Beat the Chasers

23:00 ITV News at Ten

23:30 ITV News London

23:45 Romesh Ranganathan’s Parents’ Evening

Saturday 16th November

For the Love of Britain

07:25 Ninja Warrior UK

08:25 Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh 10:25 ITV News

10:30 James Martin’s Saturday Morning 12:40 John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen 13:40 James Martin’s French Adventure

09:40 The King of Queens

10:10 Frasier

10:40 Frasier

11:10 Frasier

11:40 Frasier

12:10 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA

13:05 Channel 4 News Summary

13:10 Undercover Boss USA

14:10 Find It, Fix It, Flog It 15:10 Countdown

16:00 A Place in the Sun

17:00 A Place in the Sun

18:00 Four in a Bed

18:30 Help! We Bought a Village

19:30 The Simpsons

20:00 Channel 4 News

21:00 The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice

22:00 Taskmaster

23:00 Everyone Else Burns 23:35 Celebrity Gogglebox

08:45 The King of Queens

09:10 The King of Queens

09:40 The King of Queens

10:10 Frasier

10:40 Frasier

11:10 Frasier

11:40 Frasier

12:10 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA

13:05 Channel 4 News Summary

13:10 Undercover Boss USA

14:10 Find It, Fix It, Flog It

15:10 Countdown

16:00 A Place in the Sun

17:00 A Place in the Sun

18:00 Four in a Bed

18:30 Help! We Bought a Village

19:30 The Simpsons

20:00 Channel 4 News

20:30 Unreported World

21:00 Junior Taskmaster

22:00 Gogglebox

23:00 The Last Leg

09:35 Frasier 10:05 Frasier 10:35 Frasier 11:05 Frasier 11:35 The Simpsons 12:05 The Simpsons 12:35 The Simpsons 13:05 The Simpsons 13:35 The Simpsons

The Simpsons

The Simpsons

Four in a Bed

Four in a Bed

Four in a Bed

Four in a Bed

Four in a Bed

Junior Taskmaster 18:40 The Great British Bake Off 19:45 Channel 4 News

08:30 Pip and Posy 08:35 The Adventures of Paddington 08:55 Milo

09:10 PAW Patrol

09:25 Reu & Harper’s Wonder World

09:40 Peppa Pig 09:45 Peppa Pig 09:50 Peppa Pig 09:55 Pop Paper City 10:05 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine 12:30 Storm Huntley

13:55 5 News at Lunchtime 14:00 Home and Away

14:30 Christmas Love Letter 16:15 Magic in Mistletoe Country

18:00 5 News at 5 19:00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly 20:00 30 Tips To Cut Your Christmas Spend 21:00 Ellis 23:00 Police: Suspect No. 1

08:35 The Adventures of Paddington

08:55 Milo

09:10 PAW Patrol 09:25 Reu & Harper’s Wonder World

09:40 Peppa Pig

09:45 Peppa Pig

09:50 Peppa Pig

09:55 Pop Paper City

10:05 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine 12:30 Storm Huntley

13:55 5 News at Lunchtime 14:00 Home and Away 14:30 The Christmas Toy Maker

16:15 A Star for Christmas 18:00 5 News at 5 19:00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

20:00 Poundland: Can You Get It Cheaper? 21:00 Susan Calman’s Grand Days Out

22:00 The Madame Blanc Mysteries

23:00 Shameless: The Rise & Fall of Katie Price

09:45 PAW Patrol Shorts 09:55 SpongeBob SquarePants 10:05 Entertainment News On 5

22 Kids & Counting 11:10 22 Kids & Counting 12:05 22 Kids & Counting 13:05 22 Kids & Counting 14:05 Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses 15:05 Entertainment News On 5 15:10 Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses 15:55 A Christmas Blind Date 16:55 Entertainment News On 5 17:00 A Christmas Blind Date 17:50 Puppy Love for Christmas 18:55 5 News Update 19:00 Puppy Love for Christmas 19:40 5 News Weekend

07:30 Mr Bean: The Animated Series 07:45 Mr Bean: The Animated Series 08:05 Mr Bean: The Animated Series 08:15 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 08:45 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 09:10 What’s

Parents’ Evening 23:15 The Jonathan Ross Show 23:40 ITV News

20:15 Titanic in Colour 21:15 Legends of Comedy with Lenny Henry 22:15 Ottoman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts 23:20 Inglourious Basterds

19:45 A Wartime Christmas 21:15

07:15 Teen Titans Go! 07:30 Mr Bean: The Animated Series 07:45 Mr Bean: The Animated Series 08:05 Mr Bean: The Animated Series 08:15 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 08:45 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 09:10 What’s New ScoobyDoo? 09:35 Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? 10:00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 10:30 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 11:00 Love Bites 12:00 Love Bites 13:00 Dress to Impress 14:00 Supermarket Sweep 15:00 Family Fortunes 16:00 Charmed 17:00 Gilmore Girls 18:00 Dress to Impress 19:00 Celebrity Catchphrase 20:00 The Masked Singer US 21:00 The 1% Club 22:00 Big Brother 23:30 Big Brother: Late and Live 00:05 The Tower 01:00 Midsomer Murders 03:00 Unwind with ITV 03:30 Teleshopping 07:00 Classic Emmerdale 07:35 Classic Emmerdale 08:00 Classic Coronation Street 08:35 Classic Coronation Street 09:05 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 11:10 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 12:15 The Royal 13:20 Heartbeat 14:25 Classic Emmerdale 14:55 Classic Emmerdale 15:25 Classic Coronation Street 16:00 Classic Coronation Street 16:30 Midsomer Murders 18:30 Downton Abbey 20:00 Heartbeat 21:00 Doc Martin 22:00 Doc Martin 23:00 Midsomer Murders

Sunday 17th November

Nations League Football 20:15 ITV Evening News 20:25 ITV News London

20:35 Tipping Point 21:00 The Girls Aloud Show: Live at the O2 22:00 I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 23:45 ITV News

Monday 18th November

00:00 Sorry, I Didn’t Know

00:30 Olivia Attwood vs The Trolls

01:30 Teleshopping 04:00 Motorsport UK

04:50 Unwind with ITV

06:05 M&S: Dress the Nation

07:00 Good Morning Britain

10:00 Lorraine

11:00 This Morning

13:30 Loose Women

14:30 ITV Lunchtime News

14:55 ITV News London

Me

18:15 Flog It!

19:00 Richard Osman’s House of Games

19:30 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 20:00 Villages by the Sea

University Challenge 22:00 Immigration: How British Politics Failed

23:00 QI XL 23:30 Newsnight

15:00 I’m A Celebrity... Unpacked

16:00 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars

17:00 Deal or No Deal

18:00 The Chase

19:00 ITV News London

19:30 ITV Evening News

20:30 Emmerdale

21:00 Coronation Street

22:00 I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

23:30 ITV News

07:20 Cheers

07:45 Cheers

08:10 Frasier

08:35 Frasier

09:00 Frasier

09:25 The Simpsons

10:00 The Simpsons 10:30 Sunday Brunch 13:30 The Simpsons 14:00 The Simpsons 14:30 The Simpsons 15:00 The Simpsons

15:30 Sonic the Hedgehog

17:30 Channel 4 News

18:00 Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It

19:00 Jamie’s Air Fryer Meals

20:00 Perfect Pub Walks with Bill Bailey

21:00 Scotland’s Poshest Train

22:00 Tsunami: The Day the Wave Struck 23:00 Gogglebox

09:10 The King of Queens

09:40 The King of Queens

10:10 Frasier

10:40 Frasier

11:10 Frasier

11:40 Frasier

12:10 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA

13:05 Channel 4 News

Summary

13:10 Undercover Boss USA

14:10 Find It, Fix It, Flog It

15:10 Countdown

16:00 A Place in the Sun

17:00 A Place in the Sun

18:00 Four in a Bed

18:30 Help! We Bought a Village

19:30 The Simpsons

20:00 Channel 4 News

20:55 The Political Slot

21:00 George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations

22:00 Tsunami: The Day the Wave Struck 23:00 24 Hours in A&E

Portillo’s Andalucia

Iceland With Alexander Armstrong 12:55 Iceland With Alexander Armstrong 13:55 Christmas on Candy Cane Lane 14:55 Entertainment News On 5 15:00 Christmas on Candy Cane Lane 15:45 How to Fall in Love by the Holidays 16:45 Entertainment News On 5 16:50 How to Fall in Love by the Holidays 17:35 Mrs. Miracle 2:

08:35 The Adventures of Paddington 08:55 Milo 09:10 PAW Patrol 09:25 Reu & Harper’s Wonder World

09:40 Peppa Pig

09:45 Peppa Pig 09:50 Peppa Pig

09:55 Pop Paper City 10:05 Milkshake! Story Den 10:15 Jeremy Vine 12:30 Storm Huntley

13:55 5 News at Lunchtime 14:00 Friends 14:30 Christmas Ever After 16:15 The Christmas Listing

18:00 5 News at 5 19:00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly 20:00 Traffic Cops 21:00 Police Interceptors 22:00 Jason Watkins & Lady Jane Grey: A Tower of London Special 23:00 The World’s Most Luxurious Prison

08:45 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! 09:10 What’s New ScoobyDoo? 09:35 Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? 10:00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 10:30 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 11:00 Love Bites 12:00

If you have a question or problem with any household technology needing my help or want to join the Technology Help Group please email Brian at cbtechnology.help@gmail. com.

As a group member, you would have access to the group website which contains previous session notes, handouts and access to previous Costa Blanca People published articles.

Scan the QR code for a reminder of what the Costa Blanca Technology Help Group o ers.

Meetings at Dilly’s Bar, Av. Castuera, 3, 03184 El Chaparral, Alicante. Group meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 10:00 to 12:00. The Next meeting is on Wednesday, November 13th, 2024. You are welcome to attend.

“How do I add a website to my home screen”?

I have been running a Create Website Shortcut You can also add shortcuts to websites to your home screen. Here’s how to create an “app” for any website on your device, allowing you to access shortcuts directly from your home screen. iPhone or iPad

1. Open Safari. Other browsers, such as Chrome,

Your tech questions answered by Brian Hoile of the Costa Blanca Technology Help Group, helping over 400 members with their PCs , smartphones and more. Group members can attend meetings in person or online using Zoom or Teams.

won’t work for this.

2. Navigate to the website you want to save to your home screen by entering the URL of the website you want to create a shortcut to. Make sure you visit the exact page you want to open through the shortcut. Tap “Go.”

3. Tap the Share button on the bottom of the page. It looks like a square with an arrow pointing out of the top.

4. In the list of options that appear, scroll down until you see Add to Home Screen. Tap this. The Add to Home Screen dialog box will appear.

5. Choose a name for the website shortcut on your home screen. You’ll see the link so you can con rm it, as well as the site’s favicon that will appear as the “app” icon on your home screen. Click Add when you’re done. Safari will close automatically and you will be taken to where the icon is located on your iPhone’s or iPad’s home screen.

6. Now just tap the new “app” or shortcut on your home screen, and it will open the website in its own navigation window, independent of what you have open in Safari.

Note: If you ever decide you want to remove the website shortcut, you can delete it just like you would any other app on your Androidphone.

1. Open Chrome.

2. Navigate to the

website or web page you want to pin to your home screen.

3. Tap the menu icon (3 dots in upper right-hand corner) and tap Add to home screen.

4. Choose a name for the website shortcut, then Chrome will add it to your home screen.

“Can you give a presentation to my group”?

If you run or belong to a social group locally, I can give a presentation on an agreedupon topic within the remit of the Help Group: Mobile Phones, Computers, and all other modern household technologies.

Join the Group by searching Facebook for “Costa Blanca Technology Help Group” Send your questions to cbtechnology.help@gmail.com

Brian Hoile
Costa Blanca Technology Help Group

Bars & Restaurants

Civil Guard uncovers illegal mechanics workshop on Rojales

The recent intervention by SEPRONA in Rojales highlights serious issues with unauthorized vehicle repair activities and illegal hazardous waste management. SEPRONA’s inspection found that a 58-year-old individual was conducting vehicle repairs and bodywork without the necessary environmental permits, workshop registration, or compliance with waste management regulations. The lack of documentation and the conditions observed, such as unmanaged hazardous waste and inadequate re safety measures, indicate a high level of non-compliance with regulatory standards.

The inspection revealed signi cant environmental and safety risks, as evidenced by the improper storage and disposal of hazardous materials like brake uids, batteries, solvents, and sandpaper dust. These materials,

when mismanaged, pose a substantial threat to the surrounding environment and public health due to their toxic properties and potential for contamination.

This operation by SEPRONA is part of their ongoing e orts to ensure repair workshops adhere to strict environmental and safety regulations. The infractions

farm

identi ed carry severe penalties, with nes for such violations ranging from €45,000 to €300,000, especially when hazardous waste is involved. These controls underscore the commitment to maintaining public safety and protecting natural resources from the adverse e ects of unregulated industrial activities.

European countries move to protect cash payments amid growing digital exclusion

In Spain, digital payments— via card, mobile apps, or Bizum—have become the standard for most transactions, a trend accelerated by the pandemic. However, despite the convenience, there are risks and limitations to exclusive digital payments. Some groups, such as the elderly or those without access to digital tools, face exclusion, and digital payments are not always accessible everywhere.

Countries across Europe have begun to address these concerns by enacting regulations to protect cash as a viable payment option. For example, Norway recently mandated that all shops must accept cash, while in Sweden, where a signi cant portion of the population is digitally excluded, e orts are underway to preserve cash access. Sweden’s government plans to introduce a bill in December aimed at securing cash as an option for essential transactions like food and public transport, addressing the needs of its digitally excluded citizens, including over 300,000 seniors.

Christina Wejshammar of Sweden’s Central Bank highlights that the move to digital payments, while bene cial, brings vulnerabilities, especially in the context of cybersecurity

threats and infrastructure disruptions. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden has emphasized payment system resilience, aiming to maintain reliable payment methods during crises. Cash, Wejshammar argues, provides an essential backup for individuals in emergencies or those who prefer not to leave a digital trail, such as victims of domestic violence or those in rural areas with limited digital access.

Max Brimberg, a lead government advisor on the upcoming Swedish bill, insists that cash should remain an option, especially for basic needs like food and medicine. Since only 7% of Swedish bank branches currently accept cash from retailers, the future regulation will also push nancial institutions to o er better cash deposit options.

In Spain, the issue centers less on payment preferences and more on access. Denaria, an advocacy group for cash access, warns that continued bank branch closures could leave up to 5% of the population, or around three million people, at risk of nancial exclusion by 2025. Already, over 2% of Spaniards lack access to ATMs or bank branches.

The European Commission is responding to these challenges with a new proposal passed in June 2023, which enforces the right to pay with cash across the EU. In Spain, consumer laws mandate that businesses accept cash, with penalties for refusal. The European Court of Justice reinforced this in 2021 by ruling that cash must be accepted as a legal form of payment across Europe.

Torrevieja council cracks down on irregularities at hippie stalls

Throughout the summer, the Torrevieja City Council intensi ed its inspections to enforce rules on the use of public spaces and regulations for the popular “hippie” craft stalls along Paseo de La Libertad. Councillor for Markets Antonio Vidal shared with INFORMACIÓN that this stepped-up oversight, supported by local police, led to several citations for non-compliance.

The most severe violations involve the sale of counterfeit products, which were referred to the Civil Guard, and the sale of potentially harmful items like vapes, which led to the closure and sealing of a ected stalls.

In addition to the Civil Guard’s investigation, these violations carry administrative penalties, including nes issued by the City Council.

Enforcement also targets vendors behind on fee

payments, those who illegally transferred their licenses to others without authorization, and those failing to meet operational hours. Many stalls remain closed for most of the year, only operating during the peak tourist months of July through September.

The crackdown was partly in response to complaints from compliant vendors

who strictly follow regulations and whose artisan crafts, like paintings, clothing, jewelry, and ceramics, are their main source of income. However, these quality o erings are often mixed with stalls selling lower-quality items. To ensure fair treatment, the City Council has delegated ne collection to Suma Gestión Tributaria, making penalties more enforceable.

ITV police comedy Piglets has been con rmed for a second series despite viewers and critics slamming the show.

The comedy, which follows a newly recruited group of six very di erent would-be cops at a police training college, aired in July.

However, the show faced backlash from critics and the Police Federation was also up in arms over its ‘o ensive’ title.

Strictly Come Dancing favourite

Amy Dowden broke down in tears on Wednesday’s It Takes Two as she spoke about her show exit.

Amy, 34, expressed earlier this week that her heart was “breaking” following her withdrawal from the BBC One dance show due to a foot injury.

The Welsh dancer returned to competing in the BBC show for its 20th anniversary series after missing out last year due to undergoing treatment for stage three breast cancer. In February, Amy revealed that tests showed she has “no evidence of disease”.

Cardi B, real name Belcalis Cephus, delivered a passionate speech at Vice President Kamala Harris’ rally in Milwaukee last week, but was devastated when Donald Trump stormed to victory

Cardi B swiftly deleted her controversial election night video after Donald Trump’s shock victory in the US election.

Harper Beckham supported her mother Victoria Beckham at an awards ceremony earlier this week at which the former Spice Girls member was herself honoured amid rumours the teenager will have her own brand in the future

Victoria, 50, was among those celebrated at the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards on Tuesday. She joined a host of other celebrities at the event, which was held at Claridge’s in London, and was accompanied by Harper, 13.

Christmas 2024 at Hotel Algorfa

As the festive season approaches, communities across the globe begin to sparkle with twinkling lights and the joyful sounds of holiday cheer. Here in our beloved town, one venue stands out as a beacon of warmth and celebration: Hotel Algorfa. Known for its exceptional hospitality and inviting atmosphere, Hotel Algorfa has positioned itself as the ideal host for Christmas parties, and this year promises to be no exception.

The holidays are a time for connection, re ection, and celebration, and what better way to gather with family, friends, or colleagues than in the cozy embrace of Hotel Algorfa? The hotel’s beautifully decorated spaces evoke the magic of Christmas, setting the perfect backdrop for memorable gatherings. Whether you’re organizing an intimate family dinner or a large corporate event, the hotel’s versatile facilities cater to every need, ensuring that your occasion is nothing short of spectacular.

One of the highlights of

celebrating the festive season at Hotel Algorfa is the culinary experience. The skilled chefs craft seasonal menus that not only delight the palate but also honor traditional avors. Imagine indulging in a sumptuous feast featuring the nest local ingredients, paired with an impressive selection of wines, all while surrounded by joyous company. This commitment to quality dining elevates any Christmas party from ordinary to extraordinary.

Moreover, Hotel Algorfa understands the importance of creating a festive atmosphere that fosters joy and camaraderie. With live music, themed decorations, and attentive sta , each event transforms into a memorable experience. The hotel takes pride in its ability to personalize each celebration, ensuring that every detail aligns with the unique vision of the hosts. This level of dedication and care sets Hotel Algorfa apart from other venues in the region.

But the magic of Hotel Algorfa extends beyond the walls of the hotel. By hosting Christmas

parties at this local gem, we also support our community. The hotel employs a dedicated team of locals, fostering economic growth and sustainability. Choosing to celebrate here means investing back into our town, which is something we can feel good about during this season of giving.

As we approach the festive season, let’s embrace the spirit of togetherness and celebration. Consider Hotel Algorfa for your Christmas party destination. With its enchanting ambiance, exquisite cuisine, and commitment to customer satisfaction, you’re sure to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. We encourage everyone to support this remarkable establishment and make your holiday festivities unforgettable.

In the heart of Algorfa, let the spirit of Christmas shine brighter than ever at Hotel Algorfa—a place where every gathering feels like a cherished family tradition. Call our team on 966 729 707 for more information.

Jeremy Clarkson has sparked outrage after burning a huge Donald Trump e gy.
The Clarkson’s Farm star, 64, shared an image of a dummy looking a lot like Trump, engulfed in ames at his pub, The Farmer’s Dog, in Oxfordshire.

Health & Beauty

nature.

Study shows rise in breast cancer diagnoses among younger women

I have been invited to my niece’s destination wedding, which I won’t be travelling to. I was ill last year, got treatment and am recovering, but I don’t feel that I want to go through the ordeal of flying back to the UK, then getting on another plane to fly 13 hours for this wedding. I honestly didn’t think that my sister and brother in law expected me to, but it seems that they did expect me to go. They knew of my illness, and thankfully it was discovered early and I was treated. Whilst I am well now, it took a lot out of me, and also emotionally. It also made me feel that I no longer wanted to put myself out for anyone but myself. I don’t want to be mean, but I have entertained this family tirelessly over the years; and I would dread having to attend this wedding because of the ordeal of travelling. My sister is not understanding; and quite honestly, acted like she didn’t believe me when I was going through my treatment. That hurt, but my sister is typically self-centered and dismissive by WRITE TO SARA IN CONFIDENCE. A PSEUDONYM WILL BE USED IF YOU WISH. SARA READS ALL LETTERS AND CAN GIVE A PERSONAL REPLY. EMAIL YOUR QUESTION TO SARA@ COSTABLANCAPEOPLE.COM OR SARA IS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS, TELEPHONE 650 054 467.

Winter Beauty Treatments: Your Guide to Glowing Skin this Season

Winter is the perfect time to focus on beauty treatments that can rejuvenate, smooth, and brighten your skin. Cold weather can lead to dryness, akiness, and dullness, but a strategic selection of advanced skincare treatments can help counteract these seasonal e ects. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best treatments to consider this winter, including the bene ts and what to expect from each.

1. Microneedling

Microneedling uses ne needles to create tiny punctures in the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production. This helps reduce the appearance of scars, ne lines, and large pores, leaving your skin smoother and more radiant. Winter is ideal for microneedling as lower sun exposure reduces the risk of hyperpigmentation post-treatment.

What to Expect: Redness and mild swelling for a day or two, with results showing after 2-4 sessions.

2. Laser Treatments

Laser treatments are highly e ective for targeting pigmentation, sun damage, and broken capillaries, making them a great choice for winter when sun exposure is lower. Fractional lasers, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), and ablative lasers can all improve skin tone and texture.

What to Expect: Some redness or mild peeling, with full results

You need to do exactly as you wish. You tell me you have spoken to your niece, and have discovered that certain other elderly members in the family, also are not making the journey. Your reasons for not wanting to travel are more than understandable. You tell me that you did not receive much sympathy when you were ill, and you barely heard from them. This upsets you, as your home was always open to them when they visited Spain. If you haven’t told your sister that their lack of concern when you had a serious illness, upset you.... then do so, because that was very poor behaviour. Tell your sister that that is not the reason you will not travel to the wedding; rather that you are still not 100% recovered. Send a lovely gift from your niece’s present list, and a nice card wishing them all the best, and let the happy couple know they are welcome to visit you anytime.

developing over weeks. A series of treatments may be necessary for optimal results.

3. Laser Hair Removal Winter is an ideal time to start laser hair removal since the treatment works best on untanned skin. By summer, you’ll likely see a signi cant reduction in hair growth, leaving your skin beach-ready.

What to Expect: Minimal discomfort with mild redness posttreatment. You’ll typically need 6-8 sessions spaced a few weeks apart for lasting results.

4. LED Light Therapy

LED light therapy is a noninvasive, soothing treatment that uses di erent wavelengths of light to target various skin concerns. Blue light can help with acne, while red light is great for anti-aging, improving collagen production, and reducing in ammation.

Breast cancer cases are rising among women under 50, according to a new study by the American Cancer Society, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicianshe overall breast cancer death rate has decreased by 44% since 1989, the rate of new diagnoses increased by about 1% annually from 2012 to 2021, with younger women under 50 seeing a sharper rise of 1.4%, compared to 0.7% in those over 50.

The study also found that Asian American and Paci c Islander women experienced the fastest increase across age groups, with

rates climbing by over 2% annually in each group. Experts emphasized the importance of younger women understanding their breast cancer risk and of addressing racial disparities in care.

“The report highlights a trend many of us in oncology have observed for years: early-onset cancers are becoming more common,” said Dr. Ti any Onger, a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic. “We’ve already seen changes in colon cancer screening guidelines due to similar patterns, and now breast cancer is showing a comparable shift.”

What to Expect: This is a painless, gentle treatment that’s perfect for sensitive or dry winter skin. There’s no downtime, and it can be combined with other facials for enhanced results.

5. HydraFacial

The HydraFacial is a popular winter treatment for its gentle yet e ective hydration bene ts. This treatment exfoliates, extracts impurities, and infuses the skin with nourishing serums. It’s perfect for winter dryness and leaves skin looking plump and dewy.

What to Expect: Immediate glow with no downtime. Results are visible after one session, and monthly treatments can maintain that hydrated look all season.

6. Vitamin C Facial Vitamin C facials brighten dull

winter skin and help counteract the e ects of cold weather. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps ght free radicals, reduces hyperpigmentation, and promotes collagen production.

What to Expect: A single treatment can brighten your skin, though a series of facials may be recommended for more lasting e ects. You’ll see a boost in glow and clarity immediately post-treatment.

7. Radiofrequency (RF) Skin Tightening

Radiofrequency skin tightening uses RF energy to heat the skin’s deeper layers, stimulating collagen and elastin production for a rmer, smoother complexion. It’s great for reducing ne lines and improving skin laxity, which can become more noticeable in the drier winter air.

What to Expect: Warmth during treatment, with some redness or tightness afterward. Results develop over several months as collagen rebuilds, so winter treatments can lead to improved skin by spring.

Conclusion

Winter is a wonderful time to focus on treatments that refresh, hydrate, and prepare your skin for sunnier days ahead. Whether you’re aiming to target ne lines, pigmentation, or simply want to maintain a hydrated, glowing complexion, these winterfriendly treatments can help you look and feel your best.

Message or pop in to Indiana’s hair and lash boutique to determine which options are best for your skin type and goals.

Meniscus injuries or ligament tears? Forget about knee pain

With arthroscopic surgery, most patients can leave hospital on the same day as their procedure and experience rapid recovery.

Over the years, joints accumulate impacts, and wear and tear can lead to pain. In fact, for some in-dividuals over the age of 30, knee pain is part of daily life. The same applies to younger people who have su ered injuries such as ligament tears or meniscus damage. These traumas, often associated with physical activity, can be treated with simple, minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopic surgery.

From Quirónsalud Alicante, Dr. Néstor Zurita, head of the Advanced Traumatology Unit, states that the progressive advancement in arthroscopic instruments and knowledge has been one of the milestones in the history of this specialty. It has rede ned anatomy, enhanced the understanding of known pathologies, and de ned new types of injuries, as well as enabled the treatment of processes that previously lacked options.

What is Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used in Orthopaedics and Traumatology to diagnose and treat various problems and diseases located within a joint. This intervention allows, through a minimal incision that leaves little to no scarring, a complete view of the joint via the arthroscope—a small, elongated tubelike instrument measuring 4.5 mm in diameter, which captures high-quality images of internal structures through optics connected to a television camera.

In addition to obtaining images,

during arthroscopy, the patient is treated, allowing for the surgical procedure to be carried out with equal or greater e cacy than if the joint had to be fully opened. “As a very minimally invasive method,” notes Dr. Zurita, “it reduces hospital stay times, enabling patient discharge even on the same day as the procedure in most cases, and ensures early recovery.”

In What Cases is It Recommended?

As Dr. Fernando Jordá, head of the Knee Unit at Quirónsalud Torrevieja, points out, any injury af-fecting the interior of the joint that does not require large implants is generally suitable for arthros-copy. Speci cally, the knee is the joint where this technique is most frequently performed.

Meniscus injuries are one of the most common pathologies in the knee, and their treatment is almost always arthroscopic. The meniscus is a cartilage that provides cushioning in the knee, and its injury often causes pain, especially during movements such as bending. “Thanks to arthroscopy, which allows for visualisation and intervention on the tissue, we have been able to de ne numerous pat-terns of rupture. The treatment for tears at the inner edge of the meniscus involves trimming it, as it has no healing capacity, but progress has led to attempts to heal and preserve as much of the menis-cus as possible, with ongoing and unstoppable development of techniques to repair its various forms of rupture,” explains Dr. Jordá.

In the case of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, these tears are well-known in sports circles, typically occurring from trauma that

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angles the knee inward while exed and supported, often ac-companied by a body twist. Once ruptured, this ligament, except in very particular cases, cannot be repaired; instead, it is replaced with another ligament taken from the patient’s own knee, which is positioned in place of the torn ACL to perform the same stabilising function.

Other situations that require arthroscopy for diagnosis or treatment include:

• Wear or degeneration of articular cartilage.

• Fragments or loose bodies of bone or cartilage within the joint.

In ammation of the synovial lining.

Malalignment or tendency to dislocate.

Rupture or degeneration of tendons.

Care After Arthroscopy

As the scar generated from this surgery is minimal, post-operative care is simpler. To achieve rapid and e ective healing, it is necessary to care for the dressings, avoid dirty and dusty environments, and keep the surrounding area dry. To prevent swelling or oedema, it is advisable to sit or lie down with the foot elevated as much as possible and avoid having the operated leg in a downward posi-tion. It is also common to require the use of crutches to limit weight-bearing on the operated leg.

Rehabilitation: A Crucial Role in Recovery

Rehabilitation plays a vital role in returning to daily activities. After arthroscopy, it is essential to generate appropriate and consistent

stimuli on the treated joint to restore its full capabilities. In this case, physiotherapists are responsible for overseeing this recovery process, so the greater the com-munication and interaction between these professionals and the surgeons, the better the nal results.

The time that typically elapses from the performance of arthroscopy until the patient can resume their usual routines varies depending on the pathology being treated. For meniscal injuries, the usual recovery period is about 4 to 6 weeks, while ligament injuries may take 6 to 9 months.

The Bene ts of Arthroscopy

Compared to open surgery, arthroscopy o ers numerous bene ts:

• It minimises damage during the surgical process to access the area being treated.

It allows for visualisation of the entire joint, unlike open surgery, which is limited to the view from the incision. With arthroscopy, the rear part of the joint can be seen.

The tissues are magni ed, similar to using a magnifying glass, by about 3-4 times. This, along with the high-de nition images, allows for a much better assessment of the tissues, deli-neating injuries with far greater precision.

• The risk of infection is signi cantly reduced, as there are no exposed elds to the environ-ment, and the procedure is usually conducted with a constant ow of saline solution that continuously washes the surgical area.

• All of this leads to a reduction in hospital stay duration, pain, complications, and an impro-vement in recovery speed.

October ends with 88 fatalities in traffic accidents

During the month of October, 83 fatal accidents were recorded on the roads in which 88 people died, 12 fewer than in the same month of 2023, in a context in which mobility has increased by 1.5% compared to October of the previous year, with 37.7 million long-distance movements being recorded.

October 2024 was the month with the lowest number of road fatalities since 2011.

The reduction in motorcycle deaths is particularly noteworthy, with 22 deaths recorded, 13 fewer than in October

last year. In contrast, this month there have been 8 pedestrian deaths, 7 cyclists and 1 user travelling in a personal mobility vehicle.

Taking into account the type of accident, there is a decrease in fatalities due to head-on collisions (15 compared to 25 in October 2023) and rear-end and multiple collisions (8 compared to 13). The number of deaths due to road exits has barely changed (35 compared to 34 in the same month last year).

Regarding the use of safety systems, 12 of the deceased were not using

the corresponding safety system at the time of the accident: 11 car users and 1 van user were not wearing a seat belt.

By autonomous communities, Andalusia, Castile and Leon and Galicia are the communities that have reduced their accident rate the most this month.

The days with the most deaths were Sunday, October 13 and Saturday, October 26, with 7 deaths each day. In contrast, during this month there has only been one day with 0 deaths: Wednesday, October 2.

DGT launches campaign on proper scooter use

The General Directorate of Tra c is launching a new communication campaign today with which it intends to continue raising awareness, as it has done with other previous campaigns, on respect for pedestrian mobility, reminding that sidewalks are an exclusive space for travel on foot and that scooters must always circulate on the road like other vehicles.

The DGT has found that many scooter users are unaware of the tra c regulations they must comply with when using them, which is why it has decided to launch this new campaign which, in a friendly and fun tone, focuses on conveying the message that the most dangerous thing about scooters is precisely that they don’t seem dangerous, but they are.

With the slogan “The most dangerous thing is that it doesn’t seem dangerous” and the hashtag #PorLaAceraNO, the campaign can be seen in digital media and social networks and can be heard

on the radio until November 7.

REMEMBERING THE RULES

Since RD 970/2020, which modi es the General Vehicle Regulations and the General Tra c Regulations, two regulatory texts that were approved by the Council of Ministers on November 10, 2020, came into force on January 2, 2021, personal mobility vehicles, including scooters, are considered vehicles for all purposes, so their drivers are required to comply with tra c regulations, in the same way as other car and motorcycle drivers.

This means, among other things, that these vehicles cannot circulate on sidewalks, in addition to being prohibited from circulating on interurban roads, crossings, highways, dual carriageways or urban tunnels.

However, almost four years after the law came into force, the reality is that not all users respect the law, some out of sheer ignorance, and it is common

to see scooters circulating on sidewalks or with two occupants, a behavior that not only generates complaints among citizens, but is also dangerous for pedestrians, sometimes leading to accidents.

CHURCH AND CHARITIES

International Christian Assembly Evangelical Church. We welcome you to Sunday Service at 11am (English) Calle Beniajan 14, Torrevieja, 03185 www.icatorrevieja.org Phone; 966799273 or 660127276 (SH) Join us at Salt Church. Sundays at 10.30am. We are a friendly Church, Bible centred in our teaching and informal in our worship.Calle Daya Nueva 12, Poligino Industrial Levante II, 03187 Los Montsinos. www.saltchurch.es Facebook: SaltChurchSpain

The Alfaz spiritual friends centre o er a warm welcome at “The Comm” (Ex The Forum/Mare Nostrum) Camino del Pincho 2, l’Alfaz del Pi, 03580, Alicante. Visiting medium every week - services starts 6.30 pm every Thursday. ‘Free Healing is available after the service. contact Dot 634 320 013 email: dorothydorothy608@gmail.com

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LaLiga and football stars unite to combat school bullying

On November 7, recognized as the International Day against School Violence and Bullying, LaLiga, in collaboration with football clubs and players, reinforced its commitment to this significant issue. Under the banner of “No One Left Behind,” the initiative highlighted the role of sports in educating young people and promoting values like unity and camaraderie to fight bullying in schools.

Through its platform, LaLiga VS, LaLiga strengthened its stance against all forms of hatred, particularly focusing on bullying. The initiative aimed to raise awareness and empower young people, encouraging them to take action against bullying in their schools.

According to the Asociación Española para la Prevención del Acoso Escolar (AEPAE), approximately 1 in 4 students in Spain faced bullying, an often-silenced problem requiring urgent attention.

LaLiga’s campaign sought not only to raise awareness but to inspire children and youth to play an active role in eradicating school bullying. The call to action was clear: young individuals should not be passive bystanders but should engage actively in creating a safer environment. Football, with its universal values, served as a powerful vehicle to

unite young people while promoting positive behaviors, both on and off the field.

To amplify this message, several prominent football figures, including Lamine Yamal, Inaki Williams, Antoine Griezmann, Brais Méndez, and Míchel, along with renowned sports journalists, joined the campaign. This collective effort aimed to spotlight the fight against bullying, encouraging society as a whole to support this crucial cause.

Since its founding, LaLiga VS has emerged as a key platform in the battle against hatred and discrimination, both in stadiums and beyond. This initiative strove to eliminate

behaviors that undermine respect and coexistence. By collaborating with clubs and football figures, LaLiga VS promoted educational workshops and awareness campaigns directed at youth, integrating the entire football community in efforts to establish safer and more respectful environments.

LaLiga’s campaign against school bullying went beyond raising awareness, emphasizing the use of sports as a means of fostering unity and respect among youth. The participation of key football personalities added significant weight to this initiative, encouraging a culture of respect and solidarity across all educational settings.

Antonio Piñeiro takes Gold in M50 at Spanish championships

The cycling community is buzzing with excitement after Antonio Piñeiro’s impressive gold-medal win at the Spanish Championships in the M50 category. Despite challenging weather conditions at the event in Torrevieja, Alicante, Piñeiro’s outstanding performance stood out, marking a memorable end to the competitive cycling season.

Maese Bike Club wrapped up their season on a high note, proving their strength on the national stage. With six athletes representing the club, including Piñeiro and fellow competitor Rosa López, Maese Bike a rmed its reputation as Galicia’s top cycling club. The team roster featured Antonio Piñeiro (M50), Rosa López (M50 Female), Paula Rodríguez (Infants), Miguel Pimentel (Elite), Alejandro Pérez (Elite), and Nico Vila (Under-23). Despite weather disruptions, both Piñeiro and López reached the podium, underscoring the club’s skill and resilience.

Originally scheduled for two

days, the championship was condensed into a single day due to severe storms from the “dana” weather phenomenon. The conditions forced the cancellation of three categories and the medal ceremony itself, highlighting the intense challenges faced by the athletes.

Re ecting on his victory, Piñeiro expressed that his national title is the perfect capstone to a remarkable year for Maese Bike, though he regretted the storm’s impact on the event. He noted that the nal round, completed in the rain, made the circuit particularly treacherous, emphasizing the determination needed to nish.

Looking forward to the rest of 2024, Maese Bike Club aims to build on this success. The experiences at the Championships serve as inspiration, motivating the club’s athletes as they prepare for future competitions with a focus on growth and continued achievement.

Abbey Anglers

On Tuesday the fifth of November we fished the second round of The Winter series on the Rio Segura at Murcia. Due to the horrendous rains that have swept the region the match was in severe doubt but the river was only slightly above normal levels but carrying some colour. Eleven anglers turned out and the match was fished in two sections after the first road bridge. Winner on the day on what not surprisingly turned out to be a low weight day was Alan Priest. Drawn on the end upstream peg he only caught late on in the match but weighed 4.62kg caught using the feeder.

In second place on the adjacent peg was Richard King. Richard used

similar tactics with mainly corn and weighed 3.92kg.

In third place was the other likely lad Richard wood , who once again used feeder tactics with corn or wafters and weighed 3.90kg from peg 3. Rods N Reels

The following day the match took place at the El Bosquet complex, this time twelve anglers took part. The anglers were once again split into two sections on A1 to 7 and 26 to 32.

Runaway winner was the original “

End Peg Len” better known as Russell Davidson. Russel drawn once again on peg 32 started off on the feeder but a switch later on to pellets just short of the middle saw him catch carp after carp and he weighed a very healthy 36.10kg.

In second place and continuing his

rich vein of form at the venue was Doug Hornblow, Drawn on peg 3 he fished a small method feeder with pellet tight to the reeds across and caught mainly mullet with the odd carp for 24.16kg.

In third place was Nick Bastock. Nick fished the pole at about 12m with maggots and caught some decent carp for 21kg.

I would just like to remind everyone that the complex at El Bosquet does not have any toilet facilities. The old toilet, which never worked has been converted to a storage shed and should under no circumstances be used as a toilet. It no longer has any water or septic tank attached. Ian Brown

CRYPTIC

CROSSWORD

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Slender(4) 3. Boiling-vessel(8) 8. Spindle(4) 9. Likely(8)

Irresistible(12)

Oppose(6)

Unchanging(6)

Showed(12)

Detached(8)

Nothing(4)

Thwarts (8)

Cosy (4)

Coastline(8)

Malady(7)

Missiles(6)

Scientific workroom(10)

Redbreast(5)

Require(4)

Bishops(10)

Precipitately(8)

To and from(7)

Agree(6)

Call forth(5)

Flaccid(4)

WORDWHEEL

Using only the letters in the wordwheel, take ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must contain the central letter and at least three others. Letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one nine-letter word in the wheel.

15

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so that every column, row and 3x3 square includes all the digits from 1 to 9

1. Even well-done steaks are nowadays!(4)

Strung up(8) 8. Forbid a rigged vote(4) 9. American prison with emphasis on harmony?(4-4)

11. Wait to start a game of pingpong?(5,2,5) 13. Native found in bed(6) 14. Amuse touchingly(6)

17. They often invite you to their houses(6,6)

20. A diet put out for fitness(8)

21. Song needs a tuneful backing(4)

22. Indeed not all went(8)

23. The advantage being sharp gives one?(4)

1. The last thing those taking exams should do(8) 2. Sends back the proceeds(7) 4. They raise this so awkwardly(6) 5. Impressions of some artists(10) 6. Not only soldiers may be bored by it(5) 7. Appreciates accommodation(4)

10. Someone doing well with their money(10)

12. Picture which has a main theme(8)

15. Relatively gentle colour?(7)

16. Has it a piercing eye? Just the opposite(6)

18. Beg to put off retirement(3,2)

19. Music circle(4)

SOLUTIONS

onion, oration, rain, ratio, ration, riot, tinman, tiro, train, trim, trio.

minor, mint, monitor, motion, nation, noir, nominator, noria, notion,

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD Across: 1Rare; 3Threaded; 8Veto; 9Sing-Sing; 11Serve at table; 13Oyster; 14Tickle; 17Estate agents; 20Aptitude; 21Aria; 22Departed; 23Edge. Down:1Revision; 2Returns; 4Hoists; 5Engravings; 6Drill; 7Digs; 10Benefactor; 12Seascape; 15Kindred; 16Needle; 18Sit up; 19Band. WORDWHEEL amino, amnion, anion, anoint, anti, aroint, into, intro, iota, iron, main, martin,

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1Slim; 3Cauldron; 8Axle; 9Probable; 11Overpowering; 13Resist; 14Stable; 17Demonstrated; 20Isolated; 21Zero; 22Prevents; 23Snug. Down:1Seaboard; 2Illness; 4Arrows; 5Laboratory; 6Robin; 7Need; 10Episcopate; 12Headlong; 15Between; 16Assent; 18Evoke; 19Limp.

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