14 February - 20 February 2023

Thousands of new homes for Torrevieja

Plans to build nearly 7,500 new homes in torrevieja are reaching the final stages of approval after torrevieja City Council agreed the final steps to authorise the

urbanisation of La hoya Sector-20, which includes 7,490 homes on 1.8 million square meters of land. and capacity to house 18,000 new residents, which is the

equivalent of the current population of rojales. it is also the last pocket of major developable land that remains in the municipality of torrevieja.

the urbanisation will border the CV905, the La Siesta urbanisation, the edge of La Mata natural park, the Quirón hospital, the international auditorium, the “path of the goats” - which will become in one of the main roads ofthe urbanisation- and the residential area of Jardín del Mar. themodified plans will now be subject to public consultation and during this period, associations and individuals may present their concerns and objections.

this will be the last requirement before the main land-owners and developers - Corpic from elche, eurovillas and the torrevieja developer Grupo tM- to request a license from the torrevieja City

Council to begin urbanisation works. the first phase of which will include roads, basic services such as lighting, sanitation and rainwater, in addition to green areas and infrastructures. in a press conference the councillor Federico alarcón explained that these modifications need greater definition in

some aspects of the plans, especially the rainwater collection infrastructure and that lamination pond next to the main access to torrevieja.Further clarification has also been requested regarding a pedestrian walkway over the n332 and a bridge next to the Mare nostrum school. other notable features of the plans include a reforestation project on the border of the natural park, a flyover near Quiron and 103,000 square metres for commercial use.

the city council has also requested that the developer sends it rehabilitation project for the protected La hoya farmhouse to the Ministry of Culture to be validated.

La Hoya

Truck driver arrested for fatal hit-and-run

the Civil Guard has arrested a 43-yearold truck driver in orihuela accused of fatally running over a driver in albacete. the man was changing a wheel on his car when the accident happened. the arrested manis accused of reckless homicide, neglecting the duty to help the victim of an accident, and leaving the scene of the accident.

the fatality occurred on the a-30 highway, within the municipality of albacete and the driver died at the scene after being hit by the lorry. the vehicle involved in the accident did not stop and left the scene of the accident without helping the victim.

Specialist officers carried out a visual inspection at the scene and collected the traces that would allow the identification of the vehicle and in just a few hours they were able to locate the

truck involved in the hit-and-run and arrested its driver in orihuela.

the crime of manslaughter by recklessness is punishable in the Criminal Code with prison sentences of one to four years and the driving licence

is revoked for a period of one to six years. For the other two crimes, the failure to help and leaving the scene of an accident a prison sentence of six months to four years and the loss of the right to drive for between one and four years.

Criminals go on-line

the Spanish government has pledged stronger action against cybercrime, saying it has come to account for about a fifth of all offences registered in the country.

interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said that police would be given additional staff, funding and resources to address

online crime. he said reported cases of cybercrime were up 72 percent in 2022 compared to 2019, and 352 percent compared to 2015.

“the decline in conventional crime and the increase in cybercrime has brought us to a turning point: today, one in every five crimes in Spain is committed online,” he told a press

conference in Madrid.

almost 90 percent of cybercrimes reported last year involved online fraud schemes, Grande-Marlaska said. “this has a remarkable and negative impact on national interests, institutions, companies and citizens,” he added.

Spain’s defence minister approved

the creation of a new military cyber operations training school to further reinforce national security online.

Spain is among the countries that suffer the largest numbers of remote online attacks in the world, according to data from anti-virus protection specialist eSet. Small businesses are particularly affected.

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Spanish experts head to Turkey

international teams are being deployed in the hardest-hit areas of the country but face delays in reaching survivors due to the scale of destruction and fuel shortages. Fourteen men from the emergency and disaster rescue unit of the Valencia Provincial Fire department are risking their lives searching through the rubble in adiyaman. the town is 160 kilometres from the epicentre of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck turkey and Syria.

Pérez ibáñez, head of the unit, and his team are operational and participating in rescue efforts alongside hundreds of other firefighters

and specialised personnel who have arrived in turkey, via the humanitarian corridor opened by ankara.

the procedure for international rescue teams is roughly as follows: the emergency personnel volunteering to help with the massive search and rescue effort first contact the turkish embassy in their country of origin and from there they are redirected to the disaster and emergency Management authority (aFad), an agency of the interior Ministry in ankara. When the teams arrive on turkish soil, aFad is responsible for distributing them to the regions in the southeast of the

February tourist tours

country where the earthquake struck.

this was the procedure that deployed a second group of Spanish firefighters, who also arrived on tuesday, to adiyaman. the team traveled from the Spanish city of Zaragoza and consists of seven people: three dog handlers, two health workers and two rescuers.

Many of the humanitarian convoys traveling by road through the south of the country – some of which become stranded for hours queuing at gas stations to refuel –are aiming to get to the hard-hit city of Gaziantep, the epicentre of the 7.8-magnitude quake, where a coordination point has been set up.

Carredent raises more money for Ukrainian animals

Staff and patients at Carredent dental Practice, torreiveja, have joined forces to raise a further 393.60 euros for the ukraine. this is the second donation made to the nowzad charity.

nowzad focuses on the plight of animals in the war-torn country. Whilst humanitarian agencies swiftly moved to support the millions of ukrainians forced to flee, there was limited support for the animal shelters, which had no choice but to remain in place along with the courageous

locals who decided to stay and continue to care for the stray dogs and cats that had become accustomed to their care, even though it meant great personal risk for the ukrainians who stayed.

nowzad established a staging post in eastern Poland in Przemyśl, where all donated supplies of dog and cat food, medical supplies including vaccinations and microchips and humanitarian support for the shelter teams and volunteers, mostly based out of Kyiv, can be proceeded and

packed ready to cross the border into ukraine.

nowzad has formed a charitable fund in ukraine; ‘nowzadLiviv’ which currently employs two ukrainian nationals at our warehouse situated on the outskirts of Lviv, to finalise the distribution onwards to the most needed shelters and volunteer groups within the east of the country. nowzad is committed to ukraine during this war and after when dedicated support will be needed to rebuild the capacity for providing animal welfare support within the country.

the Councillor for tourism, María García, has presented the tourist routes scheduled for the month of February. on February 11th, 19th and 26th, the “ the minstrel and the stories of his home” will take place and on the 12th and 18th the tour “ the minstrel’s helpers” will take to the streets.

they will all begin at 12 noon in Plaza del Carmen, where the new tourism office is located.

“We want to extend the footprint of the medieval market in order to make dramatized routes with a medieval theme,” the councillor said. also, in the category of cultural routes, a “Cultural Walk” has been scheduled for 19thFebruary and the “route of palaces” for the 28th of the month.

“Some of the palaces can be visited, such as the Marqués de rafal, and others can only be viewed from the outside, but it will show how the nobles of the city of orihuela lived”, she explained.

on 12thFebruary there will be a cultural visit to the Sacred art Museum, which houses a Velázquez and a wealth of religious heritage and on the 18th of the month there will be a visit to the Cathedral, which is the smallest in Spain and is renowned forits treasures and its ornate organ.

a visit to the Miguel hernández house-Museum has been scheduled for 26th February, with councillor

explaining that “if orihuela is known for something, it is for being the birthplace of Miguel hernández”. María García said that the tourism department is preparing a special program for the month of March, in which the death of Miguel hernández will be remembered, in coordination

with the departmentof Culture. the councillor reminded people that these activities are free of charge, although they have a limited capacity. those interested in taking part can do so by booking a place through the website:www. orihuelaturistica.es.

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Preparations for St Patrick’s Parade

this year’s St Patrick day Parade will take place on Friday 17th March at 3.30 at Cabo roig strip. the committee are working hard to make it the best parade ever and are delighted that anthony Molloy Captain of the donegal team that won the all ireland championship in 1992 will be parade Marshall. as Mr Molloy is a serving member of donegal County Council, the parade committee are hopeful that councillors from orihuela and the

surrounding areas will attend the parade this year.

a number of fundraising events are taking place and the committee would like to thank Smiling Jacks for the money raised through its bowling night to Milos and McCafferty’s which have both organised golf events.the trinity bar held a charity walk and o’riordan’s are hosting a race night on15th March - this the same evening that anthony Molloy is arriving in Spain and so he will be going along to enjoy the fun.

Orihuela dog owner in court

Without these bars raising money to fund the parade the event wouldn’t happen. any bars and restaurants that would like to organise fundraising events for this year’s St Patrick’s day Parade can contact Gerry Carroll, Parade treasurer, or email: briankiernan100@gmail. com. anyone bar, business, restaurant or organisation wishing to enter a float into the parade or dance or music troupes wanting to take part can Whatsapp 0034634390463 or email on the same address.

Police free sex slaves

Police in alicante and barcelona have arrested 28 members of a Chinese gang as part of a huge crackdown on europe’s biggest sex trafficking and prostitution ring. national Police officers raided 34 houses across the two Spanish cities, as well as in cities in belgium, with those arrested accused of forcing women into being sex slaves.

the raids followed a three-year investigation that uncovered how hundreds of Chinese women were lured to europe under false pretences of

legitimate jobs, only to be told they owed a considerable into debt and forced into prostitution to pay it.

the gang used popular messaging apps to trap their victims and smuggled them into europe using falsified identity documents and residence permits. the women were then held captive, forced to work as prostitutes, and moved between eu countries.

the investigation monitored more than 3,000 online adverts and discovered more than 200

victims, although the actual number of women trafficked and forced into sexual slavery is believed to be much higher.

an operational taskforce was set up at europol in december 2021, bringing together expert teams from belgium, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, and later Germany. Six europol officers were sent to belgium and Spain to help the national authorities, and europol also funded two German and two Spanish investigators to work at the coordination centre in belgium.

a man from orihuela has appeared in court charged with animal abuse. the animal welfare group asoka reported the case to the police after finding the German Shepherd in a shocking state of malnourishment and dehydration.

the owner had called the charity claiming that the dog wasn´t his, but had sneaked onto his property – but this was found to be a lie. the riVia, the Valencian Computer registry of animal identification, confirmed that the pet was not listed as a disappearance. So, given the poor physical condition of the pet and the suspicion that the animal was owned by the caller himself, and being faced with a possible case of animal abuse,

the microchip was checked. the owner of the dog, which is about 8 years old, was the man who had called claiming that the dog was not his. officers went to the property, rescued the animal and arrested the owner.

despite the fact that the court case has been postponed until March, asoka orihuela is celebrating that the complaint has gone to court and encourage people to report any type of animal abuse or neglect if they witness it.

Concern over wave of local robberies

Police officers have met with residents of rojales, Formentera del Segura and benijófar regarding the wave of robberies suffered in recent week. the meeting was called to calm rising concern from the local community after an alarming increase in house robberies.

the meeting was held at rojales town hall and was attended by the Mayors of the three towns and the head of the Guardia Civil from almoradi barracks.the number of breakins wasn´t given but police chiefs in attendance assured people that the investigation

was at ‘an advanced’ stage. it was decided to coordinate patrols between Local Police and Civil Guard to deter the criminals and to continue with on-going investigations in order to bring the gang to justice. Members of the public have been asked to report any suspicious activity.

Valencia man finds 53,000 in house walls

a Spanish man has come across a jaw-dropping discovery while renovating the home he plans to retire in. While most of us would get excited by an old family heirloom or a few quid when digging through old things, builder toñoPiñeiro got far more than he bargained for when he spotted six canisters stuffed with cash while doing renovation work on his property.

the builder came across the unusual find hidden in numerous nesquik cans which were full to the brim with around 53,000 euros worth of bank notes. not believing his luck, Senor Piñeiro rushed to cash in on his find, but the excitement was short lived as there was a heartbreaking catch to the treasure. he soon realised after trying to cash in his loot that the bank of Spain will no longer accept the notes that make up the nine million pesetas, as the bank discontinued the old notes over 20 years ago in 2002. devastated by the news, toñotried to find a solution with his bank, as he

explained: “i called them, but they told me that it was no longer possible.” but all was not lost for the Spaniard as he did not walk away from the situation empty handed. thankfully, the builder did manage to bag himself 34,000 euros after trading in some

more up to date currency from his haul, adding: “it paid for a new roof. “i guess they kept these containers to avoid humidity. the last ones were somewhat damaged, but the others weren’t - they were ironed, it was incredible.”

Millions wasted on trains too big for tunnels

two Spanish travel bosses have been fired after they ordered dozens of new commuter trains only to discover they were too big to pass through the tunnels on their routes. the 31 commuter trains costs 258 million euros and will serve the northern Spanish regions of asturias and Cantabria.

it’s reported that the “embarrassing blunder” led to a “blame game” between Spain’s national rail operatorrenfe, track company adifand the country’s coalition government.

Xavier Flores, a senior transport ministry official, admitted there has been “a problem related to the size of

the trains”. Whilst renfe announced that its rolling stock manager had ben fired, along with adif’s head of technology inspection. the trains will now have to be redesigned to ensure safe passage and services will be unable to start until 2026, two years later the planned.

Spain: 711 001 721

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BASIC RULES

as a general rule, a non-resident can drive a foreign registered vehicle in Spain for up to six months in a calendar year. however for a Spanish resident, it’s just 30 days from the date the vehicle first entered the country. in all cases the vehicle needs to be fully legal in the country of current registration. So for example, if you have a uK vehicle then it must be taxed, have a current Mot and of course be insured.

OVERSTAYING

if you drive your vehicle for longer than this, Spanish authorities may consider that you are importing the vehicle and issue you with a notice to pay the import taxes and customs duties if applicable as well as an associated fine.

DOCUMENTATION

When driving in Spain, it is mandatory to carry a driving licence, original vehicle registration document (logbook), passport or id card and for a foreign registered vehicle proof of insurance. if your driving licence is non eu then you may also need an international

driving Permit (idP).

PROOF OF ENTRY

it’s also essential when driving a foreign vehicle that you have adequate proof of when your vehicle entered Spain, in case you’re stopped as the onus will be on you to provide this. normal proof could be a ferry ticket, eurotunnel receipt, border crossing documentation (such as a stamped date in your passport), toll receipts that show the date and time of entry or a transport company delivery note and invoice.

CONFISCATION

When stopped, if you cannot satisfy the police or Guardia Civil that your car hasn’t outstayed it’s welcome then they are within their rights to impound your vehicle. to retrieve your vehicle you will have to pay any fines issued along with any tow truck and storage fees. you may also have to pay any import taxes or customs duty if applicable. (you will also need to show a valid drivers licence and proof of insurance when you collect the vehicle). if your vehicle has been impounded we can usually help so

please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you find yourself in this unenviable position. Likewise, if you have a foreign registered vehicle that you would like to register on to Spanish

plates, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team.

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Driving in Spain with

How to Act in a Traffic Incident Involving Children

of course, nobody wants to be involved in a road traffic incident such as a collision, but when children are involved, it can be even more distressing.

Children, along with the elderly, cyclists, and motorcyclists, are amongst the most vulnerable road user group. according to data from the General directorate of traffic (dGt ), in 2020 a total of 3,692 children suffered injuries in road incidents, while 201 had to be hospitalised and 17 tragically died. as for the latter, between 30 and 50% of deaths occur within 5 minutes of the incident occurring, and the proportion increases to 75% after the first 60 minutes, according to the Spanish alliance for road Safety (aeSVi).

to reduce the risks in the minutes immediately following an incident, the dGt compiled a series of measures to follow in case, unfortunately, we witness or are involved in a traffic incident in which children are present.

How should you act?

the golden rule to assist any person, whether a child or not, is to follow the system known as PaS in Spain, which

translates in english to Protect, Warn and help. as the name suggests, the first thing is to protect the incident area to avoid taking additional risks, including placing warning triangles or the V-16 flashing warning light signal. all this, always whilst wearing the reflective vest if you leave a vehicle. afterwards, the norm dictates you notify the emergency services on 112, where operators speak multiple languages, including english, so that they will attend and help potential victims. it is important to be aware, as exact as possible, of your location so that you can give these details to the operator.

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if the incident takes place while you are driving a vehicle, it should be parked in a safe place and, if the situation requires it, with the hazard

lights activated.

When helping victims, it is essential to bear in mind that trespassing on the road entails an added risk for the person providing the aid. in fact, on motorways it is expressly forbidden to walk or travel on the road. therefore, it is recommended to do the minimum and essential, and always with the reflective vest. in any case, there should always be a person next to the child until the medics arrive. in these situations, and even more so when children are involved, family members are often in shock, so it is advisable to remain calm as much as possible. an altered attitude can be detrimental to the health of the minor.

it is very important not to move the victim under any circumstances. as explained by the dGt, doing so “can cause injuries that affect the spine.” if there is bleeding, the wounds should be covered and pressed with the hand until the medics arrive at the scene. also, it is advisable to lightly cover the child with a blanket so that they do not lose heat, but without overheating or making them sweat.

it is also important to remember

that the child should not drink water, food, or medication, as this may cause vomiting or loss of consciousness. after a serious incident, and if the minor was traveling in a child restraint

system (CrS), it should be thrown away and replaced or checked by a specialist, since internal damage could have occurred, hidden from the naked eye.

Why you should start investing and the three golden rules to make it work

Want to beat the pathetic interest paid out on many high street accounts - and turbo-charge your money for the future?

then it’s time to dip your toe into the stock market.

you’ll be swapping the relative safety of an ordinary savings account for the stock markets — and to the novice investor this can seem fraught with danger. but it doesn’t need to be.

Don’t

forget to spread your risk

Generally, investing means using your money to back something which you think will give you a profit.

Most simply, this means putting your money into shares issued by companies that are listed on the

stock market.

but with all investing there is a risk. it is for this reason that buying shares in just one company can be risky. that’s why many investors tend to hold shares with investment funds. these put your cash into a basket of companies, thereby spreading the chances of share price rises and falls.

What is your prime target?

before you start, you need to ask yourself why you want to invest. is it a rainy day reserve? or are you hoping to build up a pot of money to supplement your income in retirement?

the answers will help you figure out where to put your money - not least because you’ll know how long it will be invested for. as a rule of thumb, the

longer you can keep your money tied up, the more risk you can afford to take.

if you suffer steep or sudden price falls, being invested for longer means you give your cash a greater chance of recovery.

Don’t be over-zealous take it steady to start with and don’t be tempted to tinker all the time. if you’re over-zealous, this could lead to you panic-selling your funds if they’re not doing that well in the short-term.

if this all seems a little daunting to deal with on your own, then help is at hand. if you would like to have a chat about how to make your money work harder, then give me a call on 965 704 338 or send an email to: Contact@seagateWealth.es

A chital, first birth of the year at Terra Natura Benidorm

the list of births in the nature and animal park terra natura benidorm has been released this 2023 with the birth of a chital (axis axis). the calf was born a few days ago coinciding with the drop in temperatures. the keepers had noticed a few weeks ago that one of the chital females was showing a progressive distension of the abdomen, a clear sign that the female was in a state of gestation.

the park specialists have closely monitored the pregnancy of the specimen to anticipate any complications that could arise and that could coincide with adverse weather conditions, marked by the sharp drop in temperatures, as it has finally happened. the aim of the monitoring protocol that has been applied is to effectively help the mother or calf during the gestation and birth process.

the veterinarians of terra natura benidorm have carried out a veterinary examination of the little calf, a few days after its birth to avoid any interference between mother and calf. the veterinary examination consisted of a visual check-up, an assessment of the calf’s mood and physical condition, and a

check that the calf responds to maternal stimulation.

the calf follows the mother through the meadow without difficulty. it is able to suckle normally and the biometric indicators have been taken to have it properly identified. the little chital weighed about 2.5 kilos at birth and was approximately 30 centimeters tall. Likewise, its sex has been checked and it has been identified with an ear tag. it has also been given an antiparasitic and vitamin supplements.

the check-up was carried out in the shortest possible time so as not to alter the bond between the calf and its mother. Sometimes, this is carried out with gloves impregnated with chital

urine to avoid transferring human odor to the animal, and thus prevent its mother from rejecting it. once the exploration is completed, the calf has returned to its mother and both have been integrated under the protection of the herd.

Chital calves usually spend the first few weeks after birth resting and sheltering in a protected place, camouflaged by the ocellated pattern of their fur and under the close watch of their mother. the female alternates her time searching for food with her conspecifics and approaching every so often to suckle the calf. When the calf is strong enough to follow its mother and keep pace with her, it joins the herd.

GBP after last week’s sudden drop in the pound, with GbP/uSd slipping from a top approaching 1.2500, to briefly testing support below 1.2000 earlier this week, the pound has stabilised over the latter part of the week, rising to 1.2200 at one point on thursday.the broader pound has fared well, with GbP/eur even managing to move above 1.1300 just yesterday. there has been a mixed bag of results amongst key uK housing price data, with the latest halifax house price index implying a stabilisation of prices over the past month, which may be a reflection of softening yields at the long end of late, which has helped to reduce mortgage rates, albeit only marginally for now. however, ask surveyors and their latest measure of uK house prices tells a slightly different story, with the index actually deteriorating throughout January. the latest uK growth figures have just been released this morning, and GdP declined by 0.5% over the past month, which was worse than the 0.3% drop estimated. however, it was not all bad news, as both industrial and Manufacturing Production beat estimates, with the former increasing by 0.3% (-0.2% exp) and the latter flatlining (-0.2% exp). total business investment also increased by nearly 5% over the past quarter (at4.8%), way ahead of the -1.9% expected.

next week is a bumper one for uK data, with both consumer and producer price inflation set for release, coupled with the latest employment report and retail Sales data, which collectively should give the boe a much broader outlook on the shape of the uK economy, as they digest the impact (damage) of their cumulative rate hikes. as we have said before, the outlook on rates from the boe looks uncertain, given a similar uncertain outlook for the uK economy. by way of example, the iMF think that the uK economy is likely to be the worst performing major economy amongst the major economies of the world this year, however, the national institute for of economic & Social research (a think tank) will tell you that the uK economy is set to avoid slipping into a recession altogether. We always say that if you put twenty-four economists in a room, you will get at least thirty different opinions.

GBP / EUR U P dat E

back to the pound, and whilst sterling has bounced back with much aplomb throughout this week, the key inflation data is likely to set the tone for the pound’s fortunes through next week, as markets attempt to second-guess the boe’s next move. on that note, the latest estimates call for a dip in headline inflation, with the chances of core inflation rising, given the lag effect on prices.

EURO

a week can be a long time in markets. this time last week, eur/uSd was sunning itself above 1.1000, the eCb were going to be hawkish for longer on rates, boosted by a recovery in economic activity in the region, and all talk was everything euro-dominated being an outperformer.the single currency has certainly lost its shine since then, with eur/uSd slipping back below 1.0700 earlier in the week, and whilst much of that move has been down to a stronger uSd (see uSd), the more cautious tone from the eCb, coupled with some softening amongst key euro area data releases, have played their part in the reversal too. amongst the data, regional retail Sales slipped through december by 2.7%, and whilst a decline had been expected, the figure was worse than had been estimated. Whilst the ongoing impact of high inflation has clearly impacted consumer demand, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and this week’s German inflation reading reflected a further decline from 9.6 to 9.2% ( yoy ) for the key harmonisedindex of CPi. Whilst softer inflation may be good for a country, is does not initially feed through to a stronger currency, given that it reduces the probability of imminent rate hikes. Looking ahead, next week will see the release of the latest regional growth and unemployment as well asSpanish inflation (January). as for the single currency, well much still depends on the eCb. they have already stated on many occasions (including this week) that they intend to hike rates by 0.5% at their next meeting, however, beyond that they will be assessing the cumulative impact to the economy, before deciding on their next move. Were the eCb to signal a pause, then further gains might be a bit harder to comeby for the single currency.

the management team of torrevieja hospital has met with the mayors of the municipalities that make up the health department of torrevieja, with the aim of sharing with them the latest measures taken in key services such as emergency and hospitalisation, as well as the evolution and status of health care in primary care centers.

the continuous improvement of the situation of the emergency service is a priority, as well as the reduction of quotas in primary care and the excellence of urgent care in the different points of continuous care of the department. the department’s Continuing Care Points are doing an important job in the urgent care of patients in the area.

also, the manager of the hospital de torrevieja, José Cano, has taken the opportunity to explain to the mayors of the municipalities of the area what the expansion of 20 new hospital beds on the second floor of the center. this fact allows to increase, considerably, the capacity of the plant, improving the comfort of the facilities and relieving the pressure of care in the area of emergency observation.

in one year, from January 2022 to January 2023, torrevieja

university hospital has gone from 245 functional beds (224 inpatient beds, 15 iCu beds and 6 neonatal beds) to 274 beds (248 inpatient beds + 18 iCu beds and 8 neonatal beds).

during the first months of work of the current management, improving the working conditions of the professionals has been a priority. thus, the remuneration and conditions of the localized oncall duty of the working staff have been improved, the hours of on-call physical presence have been paid and improved as of this month and, as a proof of this, the continuous care teams have been increased, as is the case of La Loma and Pilar de

la horadada. in addition, work modules have been offered to shorten delays, guaranteeing incentives for labor personnel. Finally, the manager has taken stock of the surgical activity of the department during the past year. in this regard, 10,551 operations were performed, with an outpatient rate of 77.53%.

the meeting is part of the department’s policy of transparency and open doors. the community assets and representatives of the area’s associations and citizens are highly regarded and fundamental to continue improving the public healthcare services in the area.

The Hospital of Torrevieja announced the latest measures taken in services such as primary care, emergency and hospitalisation

the mayor of torrevieja, eduardo dolon, the councilman of tourism, Commerce and hospitality, rosario Martinez, and the president of the association of hospitality businesses of torrevieja and Shire (aehtC), Jose ignacio Pastor, have unveiled the first of the activities of the Gastronomic Calendar proposed by the association for this year 2023. a total of 11 cafes and restaurants attached to the association will participate from yesterday, Monday 13 to Sunday, February 19, in the 2nd edition of Cake and Coffee “the sweetest week”. Customers will be able to taste cakes and pastries accompanied by coffee, tea or infusion at a price ranging between 3.50 and 6.00 euros.

this is an activity aimed at all audiences and can be tasted during the usual hours of each participating cafe or restaurant.

Cheese cakes, coconut, apple, carrot, three chocolates, crepes, pancakes, calatrava bread, grandmother’s cake or cupcakes, are some of the delicious sweets that will delight customers throughout the week.

the participating establishments in this second edition of Cake and Coffee “the sweetest week” are:

- hb torrevieja.

- a estribor Puerto.

- Cafetería ina expresso.

- La Cantina Food&drinks.

- La Glorieta Café.

- J. Mullins.

- Cafetería olga.

- restaurante La Mata “Felisa”.

- el Callejón.

- restaurante Paseo beach.

- Cafetería bistro La Laguna

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hrvatska, Montenegro, Malta, PLuS Most of africa, asia and South america

From 13 to 19 February, 11 cafes and restaurants will participate in the 2nd edition of cake and coffee “The Sweetest Week”.

The 7th edition of the “Bono Consumo”, with a new municipal investment of 500,000 euros

the councilman of Commerce and hospitality, rosario Martinez and the president of aPyMeCo, Jorge almarcha, presented last week the seventh edition of the bono Consumption, with an investment of the City of torrevieja of 500,000 euros and an economic injection of one million euros. this amount represents a total amount of investment in the seven editions of 4,441,139 euros for the productive sectors of the town, which doubles with an injection of 8,882,278 euros.

in this new campaign of bono Consumo, the appointments to acquire the bonds in person will begin to be distributed from tuesday, February 7, while stocks last, in the office of Commerce and occupation of Public roads, from 9:00 to 14:00 hours. the sale of vouchers for this seventh edition will be from February 13 to 28, from 8:00 to 18:00 hours. Finally, previously purchased vouchers can be redeemed at participating establishments from March 1 to april 1 (both inclusive), and online voucher sales will also open on March 1.

all those wishing to purchase vouchers in the PreSent SaLe by appointment must meet the following requirements:

- Present themselves with their original, personal and nontransferable dni/nie

- have a credit or debit card authorized by your bank for online purchases. - to have previously requested an appointment.

Consumers may purchase for each dni/nie a maximum value of €100 in consumer vouchers, of which only €50 will be paid. in order for a voucher to be applied to the purchase, it is an indispensable and mandatory requirement to present the dni/nie before payment in the establishment itself, as well as the discount voucher in printed or digital format.

the same person may redeem more than one voucher for the same purchase or expense. if the

purchase is made with several vouchers from different people, the different ids associated with the vouchers must be checked. the vouchers will have a value of 10 and 20 euros, of which the customer will contribute half of the amount, i.e. 5 and 10 euros, so that each buyer will have a 50% discount on purchases or consumption.

Finally, it should be noted that a telephone number has been set up for information or any incident (865 942 361) from February 13, as well as a technical support service via two e-mails (soporteapymeco@ gmail.com and bonoconsumo. torrevieja@netrotec.com).

After my divorce I rented a nice Apartment in a nice area of Spain, and have been lucky to have lots of friends and good neighbours. My problem is that my family don’t come and see me as often as I’d hoped. I have three children, 9 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren whom I am never likely to see. Now things are getting easier after Covid, I have been asking my children to come and visit in the Summer. I’ve had excuses after excuses why they can’t come; their passports need renewing, they are out of work; then ultimately they admitted they can’t afford it. It’s difficult for me to go and see them as there’s never anywhere for me to sleep when I do get there, and I feel like an intruder.

spending money on flights for the whole family may be way down the list of priorities, when they are just trying to survive. Things in the UK have possibly never been this bad since Wartime. If you can, fly home in the cheaper months,

and make sure you stay in a Hotel and do all the running around, i.e pay for a taxi to their place, and go armed with food or money to contribute when you do go. Whilst we think it is hard for us here; things are not good for folk at home.

You tell me your middle child had two of his children affected by Covid and he and his wife were also quite ill for many weeks. One of your other children’s partners lost his job, and also lost his Dad to cancer in that time. If your children are reluctant to come and visit, Write to Sara in confidence. a p S eudonym W ill be u S ed if you WiS h. Sara read S all letter S and can give a per S onal reply. e mail your que S tion to S ara@ co S tablancapeople.com or Sara i S available for private con S ultation S, telephone 650 054 467.

The City Council finalises the award of a new contract for more than one million euros for food and basic necessities for families in vulnerable situations

the City Council of torrevieja will award a new contract for the delivery of lots of food supply and hygiene products of basic necessity to people in vulnerable situations. the Local Government board (JGL) has approved, as announced by the councilman secretary of this body, Federico alarcón, processing for the third time in this municipal mandate, a contract that has been promoted by the department of nGos and Volunteering in collaboration with the Social Welfare.

Specifically, the relevant documentation has been required for the award to companies that have been proposed by the Contracting Committee as the most advantageous offers for municipal interests. this new program of delivery of lots of basic necessities will involve an investment of 1,039,593 euros, which will serve for the distribution of a total of 22,500 lots in a year. a total of 15,000 food lots and 7,500 lots of hygiene and cleaning products will be distributed.

the contract is divided into a total of five lots, the proposed companies being Juan Fornés Fornés S.a. for numbers 1 and 4 of non-perishable food and

bakery products. For lot 2 of fresh products, Central Logística Campos Leiva S.L. For number 3 of fruits and vegetables, the company of torrevieja, Gabriel Vicente Martínez López S.L. in lot 5 the tiebreaker will be processed between the mercantile, Muñoz bosch S.L.u. and Fumisan S.L. the Councillor for nGos and Volunteering, Concha Sala, recalled that the City of torrevieja was a pioneer in 2020 in the creation of this emergency aid in batches, in order to address the situation in which a large number of people were

left due to the pandemic caused by the Covid-19. in 2021, a new contract was drawn up again, which was in force until 2022. between the two, 1,544,982 euros were invested and a total of 36,000 lots were delivered.

Concha Sala has stressed that, following the directions of the mayor of torrevieja, eduardo dolon, has returned to shape the granting of these aids that once became one of the most important in the country and, on this occasion, has continued to detect the existence of families in torrevieja who need them urgently. this has been technically validated by the corresponding Social Worker of the City Council. this is an emergency measure for those family units that can not access other types of aid and will be evaluated and referred by the department of Social Welfare, which directs, tomás ballester. as on the other two occasions, the department of nGos and Volunteering has the essential collaboration of some of the humanitarian organizations in the city for the distribution of the lots. in this case will be Food Solidarity torrevieja and the Local assembly of the Spanish red Cross, who will deliver in their own facilities of these batches of municipal aid once

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, and handouts and access to previous Costa blanca People published articles.

Scan the Qr for a reminder of what the Costa blanca technology help Group offers.

“I have Google Photos on my phone, but I don’t see the same photos when I access Google Photos on my computer. What can I do?” each Google account is created with your email address and a Google account password (not your email address password). note that your Google account does not need to have an associated Gmail address. you can use other email providers.

Your tech questions answered by Brian Hoile of the Costa Blanca Technology Help Group, helping over 320 members with their PCs , smartphones and more. Group members can attend meetings in person or online using Zoom or Teams.

With each Google account, you have access to many Google apps including Google Photos. every photo taken by a device linked to that Google account is uploaded to Google Photos as well as stored in the device’s “Gallery”. you can use the same Google account on multiple devices. if you have not exceeded Google’s 15 G bytes of free storage your photos and videos are automatically stored on your device’s “Gallery” and Google Photos.

if you cannot see the same photos and videos on Google Photos from your computer, as you see on your phone, then you must be using a different account on the computer that you are using on your phone. you can use multiple Google accounts on all your devices but need to remember that to see the same Google Photos, as have you on the device that took the photo, they all need to be using the same Google account.

remember that you can have numerous Google accounts each with a different email

address and access to all the Google apps and the 15 G bytes of free storage shared between Google drive, Gmail and Google Photos.

“I want to create a website for my family to share experiences and photos. Can I create and publish a website for free?”

yes, you can. Google Sites is a structured web page creation tool included as part of the free, web-based Google docs editors suite offered by Google. the service also includes Google docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google drawings, Google Forms, and Google Keep. Google Sites is only available as a web application. the app allows users to create and edit files online while collaborating with other users in real time. the default structure of the website address starts with https://sites,google.com/view followed by the name you choose for the website. you can use a custom domainfor your site, that you own,and that is registered elsewhere.

Brian Hoile Technology Help Group

Gravity

This Week´s Movie Picks

Saturday 18th February – BBC2, 8.15pm

Mr Poppers Penguins

Sunday 19th February – ITV2, 4.05pm

dr. ryan Stone (Sandra bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. but on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. the shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone - tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness.

tom Popper (Jim Carrey) grew up having very little interaction with his father, who was off exploring the world. When he grows up, he spends most of time on his work and ignores his children. one day his father sends him an unusual gift: a penguin. Popper can’t help but wonder why his father would send him a penguin. he tries to get rid of it, but accidentally orders five more. When his children and ex-wife show up to celebrate his son’s birthday, the kids are taken with the penguins. and Popper finally gets to connect with his kids while his work suffers.

BBC one BBC two ITV Channel 4Channel 5ITV2 ITV3

Tuesday 14th February

Wednesday 15th February

Open day for the San Fulgencio Men’s Shed

The San Fulgencio Men’s Shed held an open day on Saturday 4th February. In attendance were Stevie Spit and Marty Prior our Patrons, Councillor Sam Hull, sponsors, and members of the local community. The turnout was above expectations resulting in over thirty new members signing up. The Shed will be open Monday – Friday from 10:00hrs – 16:00hrs. Activates that will be taking place include restoration of a pool table, three bicycles and a punch ball machine. Other projects in the pipeline include making bat boxes and other woodwork items.

The Shed has only come about because of the hard work put in by the committee,councillor Sam Hull and the cooperation of the Town Hall. A big thank you goes to our Patron Stevie Spit for the fundraising events he organised in aid of the Shed, and to everyone who came along to support them.

Barry Wallis (President) Barry Wallis (President), Stevie Spit (Patron) Jose Berardi (secretary)

BBC one BBC two ITV Channel 4Channel 5ITV2 ITV3

Thursday 16th February

Friday 17th February

Saturday 18th February

BBC one BBC two ITV Channel 4Channel 5ITV2 ITV3

Sunday 19th February

Monday 20th February

One to watch! - Without Sin

“Without Sin” is no doubt a series that keeps you on edge. The story follows a grieving mother, Stella, who is on a journey to recover from her daughter’s murder. However, she does not have closure. Why was her daughter murdered? She wonders about it day and night for three years until a scheme comes around. With the help of this scheme,

Charles, the suspected murderer who is in jail for murdering Maisy (Stella’s daughter), reaches out to Stella. In this scheme, the suspect talks to the victim’s family in order to help them cope with their loss, and apparently, the scheme helped a lot of families and was recommended to Stella by a mediator. Did Stella find the answers she was looking for

Harry Styles celebrated four BRIT Awards wins ‘by partying until 5am with Lizzo and Wet Leg’

Harry Styles swept the 2023 BRIT Awards as he took home four awards - winning in every category he was nominated in - including the coveted Artist of the Year.

And the singer, 29, had a welldeserved night of celebration on Saturday night as he reportedly partied until 5am.

He already began the party at the event, indulging in a shot on stage with host Mo Gilligan after one of his wins.

The hitmaker’s record label Sony threw a bash in the Nobu hotel in London’s Portman Square with Lizzo and Wet Leg.

It was laden with sushi canapes, champagne and Las Vegas style poker and craps tables.

Call The Midwife will return for at least TWO more series BBC confirms - securing its spot on air until 2026

The BBC has confirmed that Call The Midwife will return for two more seasons, keeping it on air until at least 2026.

Fans of the show will be delighted as bosses - who had already announced series 13 - have now commissioned a

further two.

Filming for the next series of the much-loved drama is due to begin in spring.

‘I literally pulled her out and said “Joe she’s got hair!”:

Glowing Stacey Solomon shares adorable update following the birth of her fifth child and gushes she how ‘lucky’ she feels

She welcomed her fifth child

- her third with husband Joe Swash - just days ago .

And new mum Stacey Solomon took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday to share an update with fans as she lovingly cradled her newborn baby daughter - who’s name she has not yet revealed.

The Loose Women star, 33, looked gorgeous as she beamed for the camera and joked about the tots full head of hair.

Medical check-ups: The tests you should have according to your age

When is it advisable to start checking our health? What are the essential tests? Quirón salud Torrevieja can answer all of our questions about medical check-ups.

We all know how important it is to be aware of our health, but sometimes it is difficult to find the time or motivation to make an appointment and have a medical check-up. The day to day is full of things to attend to and it can be easy to forget the importance of making sure that everything Works properly in our body, especially if we feel good.

From the early detection of serious diseases to the slightes tchange in our body, regular medical check-ups are vitally important, as they help us stay healthy and alert us to any potential problems to tackle them in time. In this article, we will explore with Quirón salud Torrevieja the importance of medical check-ups, when it is necessary to have a check-up and why it is essential not to forget them for our well-being.

Why Get an Annual Check-up

As indicated by Quirón salud Torrevieja, thanks to medical examinations we can make a general assessment of our state of health and detect diseases early, even before symptoms that make us feel bad appear.

If what we want is a general checkup, the specialties we must choose are Family Medicine or Internal Medicine. However, there are also more specific check-ups such as gynaecological, urological, sports… and each one is the competence of a specific specialty.

“The tests depend on each patient. We must take into account, not only age and sex, but also family and personal history that can increase in some cases the probability of suffering from some diseases, “says Dr. GemmaRamón, responsable for Medical Check-ups at Quirón salud Torrevieja.

What diseases do medical check-ups help detect?

“Check-ups are very useful, for example, to detect diseases that increase cardiovascular risk (high blood pressure, hyper cholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus…). These diseases in their beginnings are usually asymptomatic and increase the likelihood that we have heart problems, thrombosis…They are also useful in some types of cancer that can be detected early, considerably increasing the chances of treatment with a good prognosis,”says Gemma Ramón.

At what age should you start checkups?

“It’s advisable at any age. Just as during childhood periodic reviews are carried out, it must also be done

during adulthood. What changes, depending on age, are the physical exams and complementary tests recommended,”explains Dr. Ramon.

What are the essential early detection tests according to ourage?

– In the case of women, gynaecological check-ups are essential:

On the one hand, the realisation of a cytology that helps us detect posible malignant cells in the cervix. This test must be done from the age of 25 or three years after starting sexual intercourse.

On the other hand, it is necessary to monitor the breasts, performing self-examinations from the age of 20 and with complementary tests: ultrasound from the age of 30 and mammography from the age of 40.

– In the case of men, an assessment of the prostatemust be made from the age of 45, at least, with a blood determination of PSA (ProstateSpecificAntigen)

– In addition, in both sexes it is convenient to perform screening (screening) of colon cancer from the age of 45 with a faecal occult blood study.

And from the age of 50?

According to experts, from the age of 50 a check-up should consist of

complete blood and urine tests, faecal occult blood tests, basic imaging tests (chest x-ray, abdominal ultrasound) and electro cardiogram (this for both sexes).

In addition, as we have advanced in the previous point, in men a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) and urological ultrasound will be necessary, and in women cytology, gynaecological ultrasound, mammography and breast ultrasound.

There are more diagnostic tests such as MRIs, CT scans

What information do they provide and how do they help rule outcertain diseases?

From Quirón salud they detail that there are medical tests that are specifically requestedwhen we have a specific suspicion because they help us to have more information about the area we want to study. For example,

MRI tests or computed tomography (CT) scans can provide a wealth of information about our bodies, allowing doctors to more accurately diagnose and rule out certain diseases.

These tests provide detailed images of organs, bones, muscles, and other tissues, helping to detect any abnormalities that may indicate a potential condition. By using these tests, doctors can rule out or confirm certain suspicions and determine the best treatment for the patient.

The aim of the Quirón salud Torrevieja Health Check-up Unit is to detect risk factors that allow any health alteration to be diagnosed, identified and prevented.

Are YOU a ‘fruit-phobe’?

Doctors debunk myth that too much whole fruit is bad for you because it’s ‘high in sugar’ - but they warn you SHOULD stay away from concentrated juices.

· Fruit has been maligned by many who argue that the sugar content cancels out its nutritional value, but doctors say it’s a myth.

· Apples, blueberries, bananas, oranges, and dozens of other fruits are nutrient-dense and low in calories, with a wide range of benefits from reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

· While many people discount fruit - sometimes known as ‘nature’s candy’ - as too high in sugar to be healthy, nutrition experts insist that the type of sugar the body takes in makes a big difference.

· It’s nearly impossible to take in

too much fructose, the sugar in fruit, and it has the least impact on your blood sugar, making it safe for diabetics.

· Sucrose, meanwhile, is made up of the simple sugars glucose and fructose and is commonly called ‘table sugar’. It can be found naturally, but it is commonly added to sweets and other processed foods in quantities that health officials say are driving up the obesity and diabetes epidemics in the US.

· Candies and other sweets are full of sugars, namely sucrose, a so-called disaccharide that is formed when glucose and fructose react together to form a single molecule.

· The simple sugar can elevate your blood sugar levels in the minutes and hours following its consumption.

· Repeated spikes in your blood

sugar can, over time, cause problems with your kidneys, nerves, eyes, and heart.

· Fructose, meanwhile, needs to be converted into glucose by the liver before it can be used by the body.

· This means it doesn’t cause a massive spike in blood sugar, at least at levels found in fruit.

· Fruit is also packed with fiber which delays digestion. This delay will not only help you feel full, but it will also not spike blood sugar levels as quickly as if you had consumed the fruit in juice form.

· That is not the only benefit of fiber. A 2009 study from scientists in Quebec suggested that fiber helps regulate ghrelin, a hormone that signals appetite, which could help people lose weight over the long term.

VAleNTINeS ReCIpeS

Valentines Day

Cocktail

Ingredients

150ml cranberry juice

1 tsp grenadine

50ml vodka

Handful of ice

1 lime wedge

4 raspberries

Chilled prosecco or sparkling wine, to top up

Method

STEP 1

Mix the cranberry juice, grenadine and vodka together in a jug with a handful of ice. Or, do this in a cocktail shaker.

Squeeze over the lime wedge and stir with a mixing spoon, or shake briefly if using a cocktail shaker.

STEP 2

Strain the cocktail into two champagne glasses. Drop two raspberries into each glass, then top up with prosecco or sparkling wine to serve.

Creamed goat’s cheese & roast beetroot salad

Ingredients

2 medium beetroot, washed

3 tbsp olive oil

¼ small ciabatta loaf, thinly sliced

100g ash log goat’s cheese

50g low-fat crème fraîche

½ tsp picked thyme leaves

Drizzle truffle oil (optional)

1 red chicory

1 Granny Smith apple

1 tbsp chopped toasted hazelnuts

1 orange, zested, to serve

For the dressing

4 tbsp olive oil

1 shallot, finely chopped

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Method

STEP 1

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Roll the beetroot in half the olive oil in a small roasting tin, season, cover with foil and bake for 1 hr – check it’s cooked by pushing a knife into the beetroot, it should go in easily. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Leave the oven on. Meanwhile, whisk all the dressing ingredients together. Place the ciabatta on a tray, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and bake for 8 mins until crisp, then leave to cool. When the beetroot is cool enough to handle, peel, cut into wedges and add to the dressing to lightly pickle. Can all be done up to two days ahead.

STEP 2

Break the goat’s cheese into small chunks in a bowl, beat with a spoon, then add the crème fraîche, thyme, truffle oil, if using, and some cracked black pepper, then whisk until light and fluffy. Spoon into a piping bag and chill. Can be done two days ahead.

Steaks with goulash sauce & sweet potato fries

Ingredients

3 tsp rapeseed oil, plus extra for the steaks

250g sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into narrow chips

1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

2 small onions, halved and sliced (190g)

1 green pepper, deseeded and diced

2 garlic cloves, sliced

1 tsp smoked paprika

85g cherry tomatoes, halved

1 tbsp tomato purée

1 tsp vegetable bouillon powder

2 x 125g fillet steaks, rubbed with a little rapeseed oil

200g bag baby spinach, wilted in a pan or the microwave

Method

STEP 1

Heat oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 7 and put a wire rack on top of a baking tray. Toss the sweet potatoes and thyme with 2 tsp oil in a bowl, then scatter them over the rack and set aside until ready to cook.

STEP 2

Heat 1 tsp oil in a non-stick pan, add the onions, cover the pan and leave to cook for 5 mins. Take off the lid and stir – they should be a little charred now. Stir in the green pepper and garlic, cover the pan and cook for 5 mins more. Put the potatoes in the oven and

bake for 15 mins.

STEP 3

While the potatoes are cooking, stir the paprika into the onions and peppers, pour in 150ml water and stir in the cherry tomatoes, tomato purée and bouillon. Cover and simmer for 10 mins.

STEP 4

Pan-fry the steak in a hot, non-stick pan for 2-3 mins each side depending on their thickness. Rest for 5 mins. Spoon the goulash sauce onto plates and top with the beef. Serve the chips and spinach alongside.

Have you Changed your Address?

Every fine related to driving is avoidable, simply by complying with the law. This is a reality that is directly proportional to the degree of compliance with the precepts established by the Traffic and Road Safety Law. However, it is not only when driving we can face sanctions, we can also be fined for administrative errors on our part, although, again, these too can be avoided.

As an example of this, is notifying the authorities of a change of address. If you have moved house, you will no doubt have a list of entities that must be notified, banks, Amazon, the utility companies, but we must not neglect the DGT in this case, as it is crucial we notify them of a change of address that affects us both as drivers, in the case of our licence, and vehicle keepers. The reason is obvious, to prevent failed sending of important notifications related to our vehicle or our way of driving. In this way,

any change in personal data that compromises the proper functioning of the postal delivery service must also be sent to the DGT as soon as possible, which in this case is15 days that follow the domiciliary or personal change (as included in the General Regulations for Drivers).

Not doing so will result in a fine of up to 80 euro, and can cause all kinds of problems for you if you are notified of a fine at your previous address but cannot access it.

In order to notify the DGT of a change of address, you have three basic options, and it is free, although you can get an authorised person to do it on your behalf, which may well incur costs. This may be the best option if you struggle with Spanish.

The first is by telephone, by dialling 060, which will initiate a conversation with a teleoperator with access to the database of the National Institute of Statistics (INE) in order to check the

inclusion of the new address in the register.

The other is face-to-face, either through the Provincial Traffic Headquarters of the nearest environment -always by appointment- or through the Town Halls, but this is not an option at all town halls, so you will need to check first.

The last one option, which has fast become the most popular, is through electronic means. You will need an official virtual accreditation such as cl@ve, digital certificate or an electronic DNI reader, the procedure can be carried out through the Electronic Traffic Office, Sede Electrónica de Tráfico, which you can visit at https:// sede.dgt.gob.es/es/, or the General State Administration.

Another electronic option is through the MiDGT app, except in some cases such as moving from the islands to the

mainland, and again you will need an authorised identity to obtain access to the app.

In any of the cases it will be necessary to present the official form duly completed, the permit or driver’s licence and the certificate of registration.

Changing your address will not require the reissuing of your driving licence, it is entirely an administrative process.

Remember though, as we have said, you have to complete this process within 15 days.

Dealing with an Incident on the Road with the Accident Report Form

Although a traffic incident can never be a pleasant event, the nerves and initial tension between those involved can be reduced if the event is discussed cordially, and the European Accident Report Form, “parte amistoso”, which we have spoken about recently, is a “friendly” report used as an instrument to specify the circumstances related to the incident.

The appropriate use of the report means that most traffic incidents can be resolved amicably, based on these documents being signed by the drivers involved, and without the need for the police to be involved, in most cases.

Firstly, among other advantages of using the “parte amistoso”are:

It reduces confrontations between drivers of vehicles involved in a traffic incident.

It collects on the site and quickly all

the data related to the incident, in a way that allows or facilitates adjudication of the responsibility of the fact in a simple way.

It provides insurers with the same version of events from both parties.

It accelerates the determination of damages, with the agreement of those affected.

It streamlines the processing of compensation for damage caused in traffic incidents.

It seeks the prompt repair of damages by way of compensation between companies.

In the event of an incident, it is also important we know how to act:

When involved in a traffic incident, the first thing to do is verify the conditions of the occupants of the vehicles and verify that there are no injuries. It is also important to warn other road users of

the incident, using warning triangles or flashing beacons, and try, as far as possible, to leave the road clear for the movement of other vehicles.

Once calm has been restored after the incident, drivers should try to discuss cordially about the circumstances of the event and agree on the process they prefer to follow according to them. If it is appropriate to complete the accident form, you should try to fill it out in clear and legible handwriting, using block letters and capital letters. In addition, all the data required by the format must be included, as well as trying to be as specific and clear as possible with the information, limiting to faithfully describing the facts. What should be included in the accident report?

When filling out the form, after writing the date of the incident, the most exact location of the incident must be recorded, indicating if the approximate kilometre on the road network, or if it is

in the city, specify the address with the street name and number.

Include the complete data of the drivers, vehicles and insurance companies. This is why it is important, but not mandatory, to have your insurance information to hand. Subsequently, it must be indicated if there are victims, although if they exist, the declaration would lose validity, since the document is not applicable if there are injuries. It must also indicate if there is damage to the vehicles and declare them in detail.

In the form it is essential to include the contact information of any witnesses, including name, address and telephone number, in order to locate them if it is necessary to clarify doubts during the procedures.

In the section entitled Circumstances, located in the central column, a good part of the possibilities that can arise in a traffic incident are reflected. It contains 17 situations, which it is recommended to review carefully to ensure that the

correct boxes are checked, since it will be the information that the companies use as a basis to determine the responsibility of the incident.

In case of doubts or if none of the boxes can describe the circumstance, it is recommended not to fill in the boxes, and explain in detail in Observations how the incident occurred.

Lastly, it is recommended to try to be as graphic and schematic as possible when preparing the sketch of the incident in the space provided for it, using arrows to indicate the direction of travel, junctions, signs, and any other information that might be relevant.

Once the form is completed, each party must sign the document, making sure that each of them keeps a copy to be able to do their paperwork with the respective insurance company.

Remember, the form is available in multiple languages, and can be obtained, for free, from your insurance company.

Beautiful Beethoven looking for his forever home

He gets a little stressed in the kennel environment, and would love a home to call his own with a garden. He is good with other female dogs, and loves to go on long walks. He is a 3 year old Mastin who deserves a new start.

If you would like more info about Beethoven, call 711 075 305 or WhatsApp k9clubinfo@gmail. com

BUDDY is a Spanish Mastin approximately 10 months old and is already 42kg so going to be big lad currently on a controlled diet to give him the nutrients he needs. He was very nervous when he came to us but is starting to settle and playing with some of the other dogs here... Buddy is obedient, good on a lead and loves his cuddles.

If you would like more information, call 711 075 305 or WhatsApp k9clubinfo@gmail.com

Classified ads from as little as €4.20 per week

Telephone: 607031113 / 647472825

CHurCH and CHarities

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TAleS FROM THe TOp FlIgHT

n CHRIS DARWEN chris@costablancapeople.com

Oh good. Someone’s gone and upset Manchester City.

Did anyone actually think charging them with 115 or so alleged financial doping offences would see them go “oh, we’d better not win anything else until this has all been cleared up!” Er, no. 45 minutes of football at the Etihad (who paid an absolutely fair price for the naming rights and don’t you dare suggest otherwise) + 90 minutes of Brentford making life very uncomfortable for Arsenal = we have a title race baby.

Deep down, I think we all know City’s lawyers will overpower the Premier League’s lawyers a bit like City’s attack overpowered Villa’s on Sunday. Relentless pressure, exposing gaps, forcing mistakes and quickly getting ahead with a very powerful opening statement of intent - don’t think for a second Pep will be watching City play Championship football anytime soon or they’ll get asked to hand their medals back.

It’s all very, very above board - and don’t forget, City are in favour of an independent regulator so there is absolutely nothing to see here. OK?

The top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal looks tastier than ever now after VAR forgot to do it’s one and only job against Brentford.

VAR: “So, what’s my main job here?”

Educator: “Pretty much just draw some lines on any potential offsides to see if, you know, anyone is offside. Oh, and don’t forget to do it.”

VAR: “Seems simple enough, how could I ever forget to check for an offside and not use my fancy linedrawing tools?”

Educator: “Yeah, you’d have to pretty darn stupid to forget to check for offside and not use your fancy linedrawing tools!”

VAR: “That would never happen”

Educator: “Nope, never!”

Yeah, about that. Apparently, the VAR forgot to use the lines to see if Brentford were offside when Ivan Toney headed home a pesky equaliser.

And guess what? Brentford were offside. Imagine how well Mikel Arteta took that when he found out.

Still, makes the title race a bit more interesting doesn’t it?

Rumours that Todd Boehly spent the post-match drinks at the Athletics Stadium offering West Ham €100m for their goalkeeper Tomas Soucek are completely untrue.

You could be forgiven for thinking VAR took Saturday off given they missed Soucek brilliantly stopping Chelsea taking a 2-1 lead. Controversy aside, it’s more dropped points for Potter and a valuable one gained for the Hammers who were bizarrely painted as the paupers for this clash - yes, that West Ham side who spent more in the summer window than ever before, breaking their transfer record bringing in Brazil’s current number 10.

To rejig a well-worn Barcelona phrase, I wish I was that much of a pauper.

If you ask which was more painful - gallstones or Eric Dier’s defending against Leicester, you can probably guess what Antonio Conte would say.

What’s it called when your performance is the same as your name? Leicester versus Spurs usually guarantees goals and this one did not fail - and if Nammy Mendy is cannonballing one in on the run then you know it’s not your day.

Kelechi Iheanacho is two games into a three-match good spell of form - it happens every season, you just never know when - and he singlehandedly had Conte heading back to Italy to book himself back into his private hospital room.

Jesse Marsch has gone from Leeds who are now suffering the embarrassment of not being able to secure their first (Carlos Corberan), second (Iraola of Vallecano) or third (Feyenoord’s Arne Slot) choices to replace him. In the meantime, Leeds fans watched their team run around a lot in two matches against Man United and end up with less than they probably deserved (a single point) - much like they’ve got many times against everyone else this season. If the league table was based on good chances squandered, then you’d have to assume Leeds would be Champions League material. At 1-0 up against ten-man Wolves after 30 minutes, Nathan Jones must have been thinking his little moralebooster of a presser last weekend was having the desired impact. Yet, all Southampton were really doing were finding a new depth to plumb to as Jan Bednarek gave the perfect example of NOT having good feet for a big man. New Brazilian signing Joao

Gomez scored his first Premier League goal leaving Jones to scamper down the tunnel knowing what was coming the following lunchtime. Next time Nathan, maybe avoid red and white stripes?

Newcastle are tailing off. Their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth was yet another game without a win and you’d be well advised to check out what odds they are to finish the season in 8th.

Crystal Palace and Brighton usually draw 1-1 and thanks to Brighton keeper Roberto Sanchez, that’s exactly what they did.

Nottingham Forest had been on a good run and that could well have continued if both central defenders hadn’t gone off injured in the first ten minutes against Fulham. Willian scored a timeless beauty of a goal - that ten minutes at Arsenal really must feel like a bad dream for him now.

And finally, Qatar would like to buy Manchester United. Yes, we know they already own PSG but do you really think that will matter? Let’s see if the United fans, so keen to stop Rupert Murdoch takeover the club back in the day that they didn’t realise the Glazers would be as bad, are so keen to see the Yanks out that they’ll accept the kind of money they’ve been slating their neighbours for accepting a decade or so ago.

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