7 August - 13 August 2023

Smoking ban lifted on local bar and restaurant terraces

In a signi cant shift of policy, smokers across the Valencian Community are set to once again enjoy lighting up on bar and restaurant terraces. The announcement was made by new

regional president Carlos Mazon, signalling an end to the longstanding smoking restriction that has been in place for over three years.

The measure, which was initially

introduced as part of a comprehensive package of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, had remained in place even as other pandemic-related rules were relaxed by the Spanish government. Notably, the Valencian region continued to uphold the terrace smoking ban, di erentiating it from the rest of the country.

While the Spanish government had recently lifted several pandemicrelated mandates, including maskwearing in hospitals and health centres, the previous Valencian government had chosen to retain the smoking restriction. As a result, the Valencian Community stood out as the sole region in Spain where the smoking ban remained.

President Carlos Mazon engaged in recent discussions with Health Minister Marciano Gomez and Tourism and Industry Minister Nuria Montes. The outcome of which led to the unanimous decision to remove the terrace smoking ban. This development will come into e ect o cially upon the publication of the decree in the O cial Valencian Gazette.

Throughout President Mazon’s campaign for o ce, hospitality associations actively lobbied for the removal of the smoking restriction. They emphasised that nearly all other regions in Spain had either abandoned the ban or had never implemented it in

the rst place. This pressure culminated in the recent decision to overturn the measure.

At owners’ digression

With the ban being lifted, the onus now falls on individual businesses to determine whether they will permit smoking at their outdoor terrace tables. This shift provides bar and restaurant owners with the autonomy to tailor their establishments’ policies to accommodate both smoking and nonsmoking patrons.

As the Valencian Community embraces this new era of terrace smoking, opinions remain divided. Supporters of the ban’s removal celebrate the return of personal choice

and individual freedom, while critics express concerns about potential health implications and the impact on non-smoking customers.

In a broader context, this decision marks a signi cant turning point in the region’s pandemic-related measures and regulations, indicating a gradual return to pre-pandemic norms while also re ecting the evolving priorities and perspectives of local governance.

Lighting up

Craft fair returns to La Marina for 25th Anniversary

Following the resounding success of last year’s event, La Marina urbanisation is once again set to transport visitors back in time to the ‘Roaring Twenties’ with a dazzling 1920s-style Arts and Crafts fair. Scheduled to take place from 18th to 20th August, this anticipated event promises to evoke a sense of nostalgia and excitement, complete with live music, infectious swing melodies, and a showcase of artisanal craftsmanship.

The heart of the action will unfold at the picturesque Parque de Puentes on Calle Francisco de Quevedo, where the fair will come to life in all its vintage glory. Families are invited to revel in the festive atmosphere, as children and adults alike immerse themselves in an array of activities, workshops, and captivating craft demonstrations.

Amidst the lively ambience, The Red Velvets, renowned for their renditions reminiscent of The Andrews Sisters, will entertain the crowd. Swing enthusiasts will nd themselves drawn to The Nest

Swing’s dance sessions, promising an engaging and energetic experience where everyone can take part in the rhythmic dance of the past.

Each evening the craft market will be brought to a close by a re show, skilfully orchestrated by a talented juggler, adding an extra touch of magic.

Stepping into the heart of the fair, visitors will discover a world of artisanal wonders. A skilled blacksmith will showcase his craftsmanship at his forge, surrounded by fellow artisans who will exhibit their mastery at diverse stalls.

Attendees will be spoiled for choice, with an enticing array of arts and crafts to explore. From intricately designed pottery and nely carved woodwork to imaginative lamps crafted from pumpkins, captivating paintings, and delicate glassware, the fair promises an unrivalled selection of one-of-a-kind creations.

For those seeking unique scents and textures, handcrafted incense and

Compulsory dog insurance

A signi cant requirement has emerged within the new animal welfare law, Law 7/2023, which came into e ect this March. The law states that all dog owners must take out public liability insurance for each of their four-legged companions. This legal requirement comes into e ect on 29th September, 2023, marking a notable stride in bolstering the protection of pets across the country. Article 30 of the legislation explicitly outlines the responsibility of dog owners to arrange and uphold civil liability insurance coverage, encompassing potential third-party damages throughout the animal’s lifespan.

The extent of this comprehensive

coverage extends beyond any instances of harm in icted by dogs; it also holds owners answerable for the actions of their furry friends. The primary objective is to establish robust nancial safeguards that can address any ensuing expenses arising from such incidents.

While the notion of dog insurance has already been mandatory in various regions such as Madrid, the Basque Country, and La Rioja, it constitutes just one area of the new animal welfare regulations that have been introduced. These encompass a mandatory training course for dog owners, a ban on the sale of most animals in pet stores, and more stringent penalties aimed at deterring acts of animal abuse or neglect.

soaps will catch the eye, while jewellery enthusiasts will nd themselves captivated by pieces showcasing a fusion of materials such as glass, macramé, leather, clay, and ceramics. The craftsmen also accept special orders for bespoke creations.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Amata craft association will feature a contest of unique pieces, showcasing the talents of the participants. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to view these exquisite creations at the artisans’ stalls and vote for their favourite pieces.

To ensure that every member of the family is catered to, the fair o ers a range of workshops for youngsters, such as soap bubble shows, and engaging board games designed to captivate the young and young-at-heart.

The fair opens at 6pm until midnight. Further details, a glimpse of last year’s enchanting a air, and directions to the event can be found at https://www. puebloartesano.es/sanfulgencio.

Statistics reveal that almost three out of every ten households in Spain share their home with a canine companion. With an estimated population of approximately 9.3 million dogs in Spain, a mere 3 percent of them are currently protected by insurance coverage. In comparison, the United Kingdom boasts insurance coverage for 28 percent of its canine population, which stands at 10.1 million. This proactive approach not only contributes to the welfare and protection of dogs but also demonstrates prudent economic foresight. The Royal Canine Society of Spain believes an annual expenditure of around €300 is spent on essential healthcare for each dog. Basic insurance packages start at

approximately €24 annually, while more comprehensive options can go up to €90. Individuals who already possess home contents insurance policies might nd themselves bene ting from some degree of coverage for their pets.

In addition, come September all dogs covered by an insurance policy must also be microchipped, in compliance with the new legal mandate and there are penalties for dog owners who do not take out insurance. The absence of pet insurance could incur nes ranging from €500 to €10,000, underscoring the responsibility of pet ownership.

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New computer tablets for Torrevieja hospital

The Torrevieja University Hospital has taken delivery of 30 ‘tablets’ to be used for the control and recording of patients stats, operations, treatment and the medication administered to each patient.

The inclusion of this technology at the bedside has a highly positive e ect on patient care and safety. The new devices allow better monitoring of ulcers, burns or wounds, since they make it possible to attach images that provide added value to nursing care because not only is the condition shown as well as described, but this graphic information is added to the patient’s clinical history in real time.

The starting point is always the identi cation bracelet that is placed on the patients writ. Once the nurse scans the code on the handheld computer, they accesses the patient’s

information and, from that moment on, records each of the care steps carried out. This avoids having to enter the data later in the patient’s clinical history through a computer. Doing without this task saves time and, above all, it is safer because it does not lead to confusion.

The technology has a practical, intuitive and easyto-use interface. With one

Copper wire thieves arrested

The Guardia Civil has successfully dismantled a gang of telephone copper wire thieves based in the region of Murcia, arresting 11 individuals involved in the elaborate scheme. The operation also led to the recovery of more three tons of stolen copper wiring, which was returned to its rightful owners.

click at the foot of the bed, the nursing team can obtain all the treatment information related to the patient, avoiding unnecessary travel and allowing direct communication with the pharmacy service, which also has access to part of this interface to be able to digitally review the incidents recorded by the nursing sta , as well as managing the medication needs.

Benidorm August spruce-up

In preparation for the bustling tourist season in August, Benidorm City Council has taken measures to ensure the resort city remains pristine by deploying a team of more than 210 dedicated individuals for daily cleanup operations.

Last month, the council already increased the number of sta to manage the surge in visitors, but with even higher expectations for August, they

have decided to further boost their cleaning forces until August 31. The initiative aims to maintain the best possible image of the city during the peak tourist month.

One of the key focuses of the enhanced cleansing initiative is to augment waste collection services. The additional sta will concentrate on picking up cardboard paper, containers, and glass, ensuring that the city

remains free of litter and debris. However, the cleaning e orts will not be limited to just streets and public roads. In fact, special attention will be given to washing down all public roads and streets adjacent to the popular beaches.

The operation will prioritise districts that experience the highest in ux of tourists, with particular emphasis on the La Cala and Rincon de Loix areas.

The theft of copper is a lucrative business due to its high value as scrap metal, with multiple potential uses, such as the creation of bre optic cables, high-value plumbing, and electrical components. Its easy transportability makes it an attractive target for criminals seeking quick pro ts.

The Guardia Civil had detected a concerning increase in phone cable thefts across various municipalities in Murcia, which prompted a thorough investigation into the matter. The gang’s modus operandi involved stripping o the protective covering of stolen copper wires and discreetly burning them in a remote forest area of Corvera, away from urban centres. During a night surveillance operation, o cers discovered remnants of the removed jackets, providing critical evidence for further action.

Following the discovery, night surveillance was intensi ed in the region, leading to the interception of a vehicle transporting over half a ton of cut phone wire coverings,

evidently ready for burning. The diligent e orts of law enforcement also extended to scrap yards and recycling centres throughout Murcia, where they uncovered the illegal purchases of the stolen “bare” copper.

The gang was responsible for at least 12 copper robberies in various locations, including Murcia, Cartagena, Calasparra, Cehegin (2), Santomera (4), Fortuna, Los Alcazares, and Torre Pacheco. Surprisingly, the thieves also expanded their operations beyond the Region of Murcia, targeting Orihuela and San Vicente del Raspeig in Alicante province, and further north into the Albacete area.

The Guardia Civil’s relentless e orts resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals connected to the criminal plot, but authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests and the existence of more undisclosed crimes. The operation remains ongoing as investigators work diligently to dismantle the entire network and bring all responsible parties to justice.

The successful bust by the Guardia Civil serves as a warning to potential criminals that law enforcement is actively committed to combating copper wire theft and safeguarding the vital infrastructure of the Region of Murcia.

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Crossed wires

Thousands of new homes for Torrevieja in September

In a landmark decision, the Torrevieja council has nally given the green light for the construction of a massive urban development in La Hoya Sector 20. The ambitious project, set to begin in September, will see the creation of nearly 7,500 new homes, accommodating an estimated 18,000 residents.

Spearheaded by TM Grupo Inmobiliario and Corpic, the project is set to revolutionise the local landscape.

With a staggering investment of 60 million euros, the urban development will be constructed on an extensive 1.8 million square meter plot. The project will also feature a sprawling commercial area spanning over one hundred thousand square meters, strategically situated between Jardín del Mar and La Siesta-El Chaparral.

This initiative marks a signi cant milestone for Torrevieja, as it represents the last major plot of urban land available in the area. While some isolated plots and portions of land within the Natural Park of the lagoons of Torrevieja and La Mata remain untouched, this project marks the nal frontier for signi cant urban expansion in the region.

The Torrevieja City Council’s local government board

approved the modi cation of the urbanisation project, paving the way for groundbreaking work to commence. This remarkable development will accommodate a sizeable community of 18,000 residents – more than many local towns.

Among the key components of the project is the construction of a bridge over the CV-95, a vital transportation link connecting the urban area to the centre and the N-332. Moreover, the plan includes a substantial green area, harmoniously blending the pine forest to the south of the La Mata lagoon in the natural park with the urban plots. The project’s main road, dubbed “el camino

de las cabras” or the “path of the goats,” will provide essential connectivity to the CV-95 and the urban area centre.

Several prominent franchises have also shown interest in the commercial area, including the multinational DIY store Bauhaus, which will establish an outlet within the development.

Education is a signi cant priority within the urbanisation project, with designated land for two schools —one for infants and primary education and another for secondary education. Additionally, residential plots are allocated for public buildings, ensuring the community’s access to essential amenities.

Unemployment drops lower than 2008

Spain’s unemployment rate experienced a signi cant drop in the second quarter of 2023, reaching its lowest level since 2008, according to o cial data released by the National Statistics Institute (INE). The robust performance of the country’s tourism sector played a pivotal role in boosting the labour market.

During the period from April to June, the jobless rate declined to 11.6%, down from 13.3% in the previous three-month period. This marked the lowest unemployment rate recorded since the third quarter of 2008 when it stood at 11.2%.

The number of unemployed individuals fell by 365,000 in the second quarter, resulting in a total of 2.76 million unemployed people. The services sector saw the most signi cant increase in employment during this period.

Spain’s position as the world’s second-most visited country, following France, contributes to the seasonal variation in its unemployment rate. The in ux of tourists during the summer months leads to a surge in employment opportunities in hotels, bars, and restaurants, positively impacting the labor market.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez shared the encouraging news on social media, tweeting, “In Spain, there are now 21 million people working. We have reached a new all-time high. Temporary employment decreases, and unemployment falls to the lowest level since 2008, especially among young people and women. Extraordinary data that demonstrate the strength of our economy.” Spain’s economy has outperformed many of its European Union counterparts, registering an impressive 5.5% growth last year. The government projects an overall expansion of 2.1% in 2023.

In line with Spain’s robust economic performance, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth forecast for the country for this year. On Wednesday, the IMF raised its prediction to 2.5% from the earlier projection of 1.5%, attributing the positive change to the ourishing tourism sector.

The latest data underscores Spain’s economic resilience and highlights the essential role played by tourism in bolstering the country’s employment landscape. As the tourism industry continues to thrive, the nation looks poised to sustain its growth trajectory throughout 2023.

Tourism continues to thrive

Local businessman buys 120-year-old Coronation chocs

A remarkable tin of Coronation chocolates, preserved for an astonishing 121 years since it was gifted to a schoolgirl, Mary Ann Blackmore, has fetched an astonishing ten times its estimated value at auction. The rare, sweet treats, which were specially made by Cadbury’s to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra on 26th June, 1902, were sold to Mark Harrison, the Managing Partner at Seagate Wealth Management.

Mary Ann Blackmore, then only nine years old, received the unique tin of Cadbury’s vanilla chocolates as a celebratory gift from her Durham school during the historic coronation. Featuring both monarchs and the date on the tin, these chocolates became a cherished possession for Mary throughout her life. However, they were left untouched due to what her family described as “generations of self-restraint.”

Upon Mary’s passing in 1988 at the remarkable age of 96, her family remembered the untouched chocolates and found them in their original tin. Recognising the historical signi cance and rarity of the confectionary, they decided to auction it o .

Hansons Auctioneers, located in Etwall, England,

recently hosted the auction with a guide price of £100£150. However, the bids quickly escalated during the auction, with a bidding war taking place between enthusiastic collectors from the UK, India, USA, and Spain. Eventually, Mark Harrison emerged as the successful bidder, securing the chocolates for an impressive £1,000.

San Miguel approves powers and salary of government team

over the years. Jean shared that the chocolates had always been an object of curiosity and were highly regarded as a cherished keepsake from her grandmother’s childhood.

Charles Hanson, the owner of Hansons Auctioneers, was stunned by the unprecedented interest the chocolates garnered from around the globe.

He remarked on the heartwarming connection that people felt with this century-old chocolate, highlighting how things that were once treasured and preserved hold immense value today.

The San Miguel de Salinas City Council approves the powers and remuneration of the government team, its councilors in an extraordinary plenary session, with Vox abstaining and the PP and IU voting against. Although the municipal electoral results showed an a priori result leading to a government with a progressive majority, with the 6 councilors obtained by the PSOE and the EU mayor, the pact has not been possible and the PSOE will govern in a minority.

A self-proclaimed royalist, Mark expressed his delight at winning the auction and emphasised the unique nature of this royal memento. He assured the seller that the chocolates would be treasured by him and his family.

The chocolates’ journey to the auction block is an extraordinary tale of preservation and admiration for history. Mary Ann’s granddaughter, Jean Thompson, 72, revealed that the chocolates were considered too special to be consumed, leading to their immaculate condition

The Cadbury’s vanilla chocolates inside the tin are a testament to the company’s long-standing history. Cadbury, founded in 1824 by John Cadbury, received its rst royal warrant from Queen Victoria in 1854 and later held a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth II from 1955 to 2022.

In a world where consumable items rarely last, the untouched Coronation chocolates serve as a poignant reminder of the signi cance people placed on precious items during a bygone era. As these chocolates nd a new home with Mark Harrison, their journey through history continues, cherished as both a testament to the past and a collector’s treasure in the present.

During the last month and a half, the socialist party met with the US in multiple contacts from the local and regional level to try to reach an agreement. However, the agreement never came, as the Bienvenida Campillo party demanded the resignation of the Mayor, Juan de Dios Fresneda, as a starting point for negotiation, in addition to managing most of the areas with more weight in the local administration, such as Urbanism. , Treasury and Patrimony, Works and Services etc. The PSOE always maintained the line that Bienvenida Campillo could form part of the government team with an equitable distribution of areas, like the rest of the councilors.

In fact, during the previous legislature, in which there was an agreement between the parties, Campillo was the mayor with the highest salary, 24,500 euros.

Assignments are established to the spokespersons of the political groups based on their representation.

On the other hand, the PSOE of San Miguel de Salinas has also held meetings with the Popular Party. In this case, the popular group has shown too high a level of demand, trying to integrate and free its four components in the government team. In this way, after analyzing the context, Fresneda’s party decides to initiate a minority government project, where allocations are established for the spokespersons of the political groups based on their representation and attendance at plenary sessions and information commissions for those who do not they have it.

VOX has stated that it is evident

that people who are dedicated to a task should be paid and that the party that has won the elections should not be blocked, and should allow their government to start and approve the powers and remuneration. In addition, he has declared that the remuneration regime that has been approved in this plenary session is not very di erent from the one that in previous legislatures both the coalition government of the PSOE with IU and the previous one of the PP had had. Therefore, from a critical position and stating that he will be demanding in the control of the government team, which he reminds is in a minority, he abstains so that the town of San Miguel de Salinas is not blocked and has the government that they have citizens decided.

Should you keep hold of UK investments in Spain?

However well we have settled into our new lives in Spain, most UK nationals living here maintain some British habits. Whether it is a Sunday roast or watching British soaps, there are some ties we do not want to lose.

The same often applies for UK savings and investments. While many expats prefer to stick with what’s familiar, just how suitable are these arrangements for Spain?

Premium Bonds and ISAs

Launched 65 years ago, around 23 million Britons have over £100 billion in Premium Bonds today. Even though they do not provide any interest earnings or capital growth – which means their value will be eroded over time by in ation – the possibility of winning a large prize continues to appeal.

In Spain, investment income is added to

your general income for the year and taxed at the scale rates of tax of up to 54% in the Valencian community.

ISAs too are fully taxable in Spain in the hands of Spanish residents at the corresponding savings income tax rates up to 26%. This applies to income and gains from cash and share ISAs.

Some expats mistakenly think that since they are UK investments they do not need to be declared in Spain, but if you are tax resident here they need to be declared and taxed.

Bank interest

Similarly, although bank interest in the UK is tax-free under a certain threshold for UK residents, it is taxable for Spanish residents at the savings rates between 19% and 26%.

With interest rates for savings still very low and while the cost of living creeps up, many UK savings accounts are failing to outpace in ation, so it is worth exploring alternative structures for your money.

Alternative investment structures for Spain

Highly tax-e cient opportunities are available to residents of Spain. At Seagate we have a range of tax e cient products designed for Spanish residents, from household names such as Prudential International.

If you would like to see how Seagate can help you achieve your nancial goals, then please give us a call.

For a no-obligation chat, call 965 704 338 or email: contact@seagatewealth.es

Drug and arms dealing gang dismantled

The Civil Guard, in collaboration with the National Police, has developed the Kalka operation, where a criminal organization dedicated to the importation and distribution of drugs and the introduction of rearms for later sale on the black market has been dismantled. House searches and arrests have been carried out in Vega Baja.

Drug tra cking and arms sales

The investigation began in August 2022, when the rst drug smuggling was detected in Albacete. The agents intercepted a vehicle with two occupants on the A-31 at kilometer 82, in the Madrid direction, who were arrested when they were carrying a backpack in the trunk with a one-kilogram package of cocaine.

The investigators located a criminal organization that was dedicated to importing and distributing drugs, but also to the illegal introduction and sale of weapons, structuring itself into two welldi erentiated branches.

The two branches had strong ties and their operational activity caused the rst exploitation phase of the operation to be brought forward.

First phase of exploitation

Last November, during the surveillance of a chalet used by the members of the organization in the Valencian town of Bétera, two people unrelated to the organization were arrested, who tried to break it, for the crime of robbery with force of attempt to jump the fence of the chalet.

At the entrance and search of that chalet and another apartment in Valencia, the agents arrested two more people and seized 108 grams of cocaine, 280 MDMA pills, 195 kg of hashish, 74 methamphetamine pills and 60 9mm cartridges.

In the same month of November, nine house searches were carried out in the towns of La Eliana, Godelleta, Gandia, Tavernes de la Valldigna, Picanya and in Valencia, where 11 people of Spanish and Colombian nationality were arrested, seizing more than half a million euros . , 90 kg of cocaine, four kg of heroin and four rearms, nine high-end vehicles among others.

Second phase of exploitation

With the bulk of the organization almost dismantled, as a result of the investigations and operational

activity, a second phase has been carried out, carrying out a total of nine house searches in the Alicante towns of Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja and San Miguel de Salinas , and 12 members of the Criminal Organization of Lithuanian nationality have been arrested for drug tra cking, illegal possession of rearms and for belonging to a criminal organization, where two 9mm rearms with an erased serial number have been seized, a blanks, four beacons, €17,000 in cash, a plantation of 100 marijuana plants, and ve high-end vehicles, a motorcycle and various mobile devices have been seized.

Among the detainees, one is considered a HVT (high value target) by Europol, for which reason two Europol agents have traveled and actively participated in the searches. Another of them has a European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuania, where he must serve a sentence of six years, of which he has two remaining since he ed during a permit.

This operation has been carried out jointly by agents of the UCO (ECO Levante) of the Civil Guard and Udyco Murcia of the National Police.

Torrevieja awards contract for tarmac and paving

The councillor for Urban Management and Accessibility of the City Council of Torrevieja, Sandra Sanchez, announced after the approval of the nal award in the Local Government Board today Friday, August 4, that in the coming weeks will begin the works of resurfacing, improving pedestrian routes and accessibility in di erent areas of the city spread throughout the Municipal District.

Sandra Sánchez pointed out that these works will be carried out at an award price of 5,129,961 euros, after having applied a 10% reduction to the tender price, and will enable the resurfacing of nearly 200,000 m2, around 100,000 m2 in improvements to pedestrian routes and more than 170 accessibility measures. The contract has been awarded to the UTE TORREVIEJA LOTES 9 to 12, and the works belong to Lot 11 of the Framework Agreement for the contracting of urbanisation works. The execution period will be 12 months.

After the awarding of the contract, the contractor must draw up its Health and Safety Plan, which will have to be approved by the Health and Safety Coordinator, so it is estimated that the works could begin at the beginning of September.

Sandra Sánchez explained that the project drawn up for the execution of the works consists of di erent chapters, including the following:

Urbanisation Cabo Cervera: Approximately 19,000 m2 of roads will be resurfaced, 24 actions will be carried out to improve accessibility,

which will consist of 51 reductions in pavements in accordance with current regulations, as well as creating new spaces for people with reduced mobility. A 285-metre-long protective barrier will also be installed for the pedestrian route along Avenida del Acantilado.

Caballero de Rodas Street: The work covers from Calle Apolo to Calle Galeón. The works will consist of resurfacing some 10,000m2, widening 5,600m2 of pavements to improve the pedestrian itinerary. In addition, 60 actions will be carried out to improve accessibility and new places for people with reduced mobility will be created. In addition, the existing trees will be replaced and street furniture and a children’s playground will be installed in the Colonia San Esteban section.

Crossing Mastro Frncisco Casa Novas: Redevelopment has been planned with the resurfacing of 510m2 of road surface, the widening of 317m2 of pavements to improve the pedestrian itinerary and 4 actions to improve accessibility.

César Cánovas Roundabout: The pavements will be maintained, as the width of the pavements is adequate. Both roads will be resurfaced on 5,770 m2. The street lighting will be renewed with LED technology for better energy e ciency. The resurfacing of 3,500m2 of pavements will be carried out, which will include 13 accessibility improvements, as well as the creation of new places for people with reduced

mobility. The existing trees that have a ected both roads and pavements will also be replaced with other less invasive species.

Diego Ramirez Pastor Avenue: Improvement of accessibility from Avenida de la Estación to Calle Apolo. The resurfacing of 20,250m2 has been planned and 42 accessibility improvements will be made by lowering pavements in accordance with current regulations. New reduced mobility spaces will also be created.

Ronda José Samper Garcia: A protective barrier of approximately 100 m in length will be installed for the pedestrian itinerary that runs along this road at the level of Calle Canela.

Calle de las Gardenias: A 130-metre-long protective barrier will be installed for the pedestrian route that runs alongside the IES Torrevigía secondary school until it connects with the Vía Verde.

In short, numerous roads in the city will be resurfaced and the road surface a ected by tree roots will be repaired, with a surface area of around 150,000 m2.

The councillor for Town Planning Management and Accessibility concluded by assuring that these resurfacing works, the improvement of pedestrian routes and accessibility in di erent areas of the city will mean the start of a very important change for citizens, especially for people with di erent abilities.

New patrol boat for Torrevieja GuardiaCivil

The Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolon, and the Chief Colonel of the Maritime Service of the Civil Guard, Miguel Salom Clotet, have signed this morning the act of donation of the Patrol Boat RIO ALMANZORA to the City of Torrevieja to be part of the Floating Museums of the city.

In the act of reception of the patrol boat have also been present the councilman of Culture; Antonio Quesada, the mayor of Security and Emergencies, Federico Alarcón, and the Colonel Chief of the

Commandery of Alicante, José Hernández Mosquera.

The patrol boat Rio Almanzora has been permanently ceded to the City Council of Torrevieja, free of charge and free of charge, being a ected the patrol boat to the Municipal Institute of Culture “Joaquín Chapaprieta”.

The mayor of Torrevieja has thanked the Guardia Civil for the delivery of this patrol boat that will expand the museum o er of the city, which continues to grow and has become a very visited place by tourists who come to Torrevieja. Eduardo Dolon has

announced that maintenance work will be carried out shortly to leave it in perfect condition.

The tall ship Rio Almanzora was built in 2003 by Astilleros Rodman Polyships S.A. in Vigo, in polyester monohull reinforced with berglass, with dimensions: 30 meters long, 5.90 meters wide, 3.40 meters depth and 1.50 meters draft, being propelled by 2 Caterpillar engines and 2 Hamilton hydrojets, being provided with auxiliary boat with engine and life rafts, among other navigation elements.

GBP

GBP / EUR UPDATE

The Bank of England yesterday hiked UK interest rates by a further 25bps to 5.25%, pushing borrowing costs to their highest level for 15years. Leading into the meeting, analysts had been undecided on the outcome, with many opting for a bolder 50bps move, given that UK in ation remains stubbornly high, even if recent data has teased, nally showing some worthy signs of moderating. With there being a surprising three-way split within the BoE’s voting committee, it is abundantly clear that divisions are now emerging among MPC members. That could play a key role in future BoE decisions, especially if the doves grow in numbers. We’d love to be a y on that particular wall.

Unlike in the US, the UK economy has remained particularly fragile, with tepid growth and a cautious outlook persisting. High borrowing costs have been a drag on economic growth, especially given just how sensitive the property market remains to interest rate changes. The fact that the BoE have now raised UK rates for 14 meetings in a row will hardly help to boost sentiment there.

In their accompanying statement, the BoE warned that borrowing costs are likely to remain elevated, suggesting that the UK is likely to avoid a recession, although Andrew Bailey is unlikely to put his own house on that outcome. The latest GDP report will tell us more on that this time next week. Furthermore, Bailey implied that the BoE may now be reaching their terminal (or nal) rate, saying on more than one occasion that there was ‘more than one path’ that could help to bring in ation back to its target. Looking ahead, many analysts are now openly calling for no further rate hikes from the BoE in this cycle, although we will need to see in ation to continue to fall at the recent pace for that group to grow in numbers.

As for the pound, well if we were using a football analogy, we might have called it a classic game of two halves. Leading into the BoE, GBP/USD continued to descend alongside most major currencies against the surging dollar this week (see USD), brie y slipping to below 1.2650, however, the

pound has rebounded in the immediate aftermath of the BoE meeting, with GBP/USD rising modestly to back over 1.2700. Similarly, GBP/EUR had earlier slipped to as low as 1.1550 but rebounded back over 1.1600 by the close. Sell the rumour buy the fact, as they say Kammy?

EURO

There was some slightly better than expected news out of Europe (for once) this week, with most of the individual manufacturing PMIs beating estimates, led by worthy gains in France and Italy, while Germany matched expectations. Only Spain let the side down. European unemployment also fell more than had been expected in Germany and the region as a whole.

That good news continued, with con rmation that the region’s economy had expanded more than expected during the latest quarter. Growth increased by a respectable 0.3% on a provisional basis during Q2, having been expected to have risen by 0.2% over the period, following a 0.1% decline in Q1. A separate report con rmed that consumer prices increased 5.3% on an annual basis during July, which was as expected. However, core in ation, which strips out volatile groups such as food and energy, remained at 5.5% throughout the region. That is the rst time that core CPI has risen above headline CPI for two years and highlights the sticky nature of core prices.

With German Retail Sales also showing a lesser decline that the previous month, the single currency initially started the week o on a stronger footing, with EUR/USD rising to 1.1046, having fallen below 1.1000 toward the end of last week. However, the pair struggled to maintain the gains above 1.1000, and succumbed to the broadly strengthening dollar. Despite this, there were signs that the recent rout may be nding some support, with the pair bouncing from a low of just over 1.0900 by yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. A batch of in ation reports throughout the region, including Germany and Spain, will be released next week. Further signs of moderation will add to the growing perception that the ECB are set to halt further rate hikes.

Torrevieja changes parking times for Ramon Gallud

Vehicles will be allowed to park for a maximum of 2 hours, with parking controlled by the Local Police number plate reader, outside these hours parking will be forbidden and from tomorrow onwards anyone who fails to comply with the signage will be ned by police o cers.

The Councillor for Police of the City of Torrevieja, Federico Alarcón, reports that, in view of the loss of parking spaces in the port area (about 400 places less for the renovation of the port), and with the intention of the government team to avoid the collapse by that busy area, from tomorrow Wednesday, August 2, tra c will be cut o from

Avenida Faleria (Mapfre), thus diverting all road tra c towards Ramón Gallud, so that the two lanes of this street will need to be free of parking so that tra c can be directed smoothly to the city centre, where there are more parking spaces and car parks.

Federico Alarcón has indicated that the tra c closure on Avenida Faleria, which will serve to decongest the port area of Torrevieja, will be at around 20:00 hours (depending on tra c needs) and will open at around 01:00 hours (also depending on tra c needs). In addition, if necessary, tra c will be cut o from Calle María

Parodi from Ramón Gallud to Paseo La Libertad.

Likewise, the regulated parking hours on Calle Ramón Gallud will be from 9:00 to 17:00 hours, with a maximum of 2 hours of parking allowed, which will be controlled by the number plate reader provided by the Local Police. Outside these hours, and from tomorrow Wednesday, parking will be prohibited.

This measure is intended to give citizens the opportunity to carry out their business in the city centre within a maximum of 2 hours, and if they exceed this time limit, they will be ned by the local police o cers.

Population increase for Torrevieja

The city of Torrevieja today has a total of 96,905 registered inhabitants in its census, according to the population statistics and evolution of the Municipal Register of the City Council, of which 51.9% are of Spanish origin (50268), while 48.1% (46,637) are residents from a total of 122 countries on ve continents.

Signi cantly, the number of people registered on the census this year has increased by 5,174 since January 2023, when there were 91,731 registered inhabitants. At this rate, it is expected that by the end of this year the number of registered residents in the city could reach 100,000.

The number of men registered in Torrevieja is 47,128 (48.63%), while 49,777 (51.37%) are women, with more women than men registered so far in 2023.

From these data provided by the Department of Census and Statistics of the Torrevieja consistory, it can be seen that citizens from Ukraine, with 6,939 registered, continue for the second consecutive year in the residents with greater presence in the municipal census, ahead of Russia (5,540) and the United Kingdom (4,910), which historically have been the most numerous in the town. It is worth noting that in just seven months, from January to July 2023, a total of 1,168 Ukrainians have been registered in the city, mainly due to the Russian invasion of this country that began in February 2022.

After the two countries of the former USSR and the United Kingdom come Colombian residents (3,879), who for the third year in a row overtake the city’s stable and historic Moroccan

population (2,326), followed by Romanians (1,576), Swedes (1,543), Bulgarians (1,485), Belgians (1,380), Italians (1,179), Germans (1. 107), Algerians (836), Chinese (818), Poles (803), Brazilians (759), Norwegians (627), Argentines (690), Finns (584), French (577), Belarusians (542), Lithuanians (528), Indians (502), Venezuelans (488), Netherlands (470), Cubans (414) and Irish (350), Senegalese (343), Latvians (326), Kazakhs (312), Chileans (304), Uruguayans (292) and Portuguese (284).

In total, the city of Torrevieja has registered international residents from up to 122 countries, including citizens from Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, Macedonia, Denmark, Austria, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Paraguay, Peru, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Honduras, Mexico, United States of America, Cape Verde, Guinea, Nigeria, Gabon, Gambia, South Africa, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Egypt, Nepal, Madagascar, Mauritius, Philippines, Israel, Bangladesh, Burkina Fasso, Thailand, Australia, Japan, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Suriname, etc.

In relation to the distribution of the population registered in Torrevieja according to age, the number of children and young people under 20 years of age amounts to 17,944. Likewise, the number of Torrevieja residents between 20 and 40 years of age is 21,273; from 40 to 60 years of age there are 29,395 registered residents; from 60 to 80 years of age, a total of 22,924; and from 80 to 100 years of age, the number of

registered residents is 5,345; while the number of residents in Torrevieja with 100 years of age or more is 24, of which 6 are men and 18 are women.

Finally, it should be noted that Torrevieja continues to be the third city with the highest number of inhabitants in the province of Alicante and the

fth in the Valencian Community, only behind the three provincial capitals (Valencia, Alicante and Castellón) and Elche.

One dead and two injured in Torrevieja house brawl

A man of Dutch nationality has died and two others , a German and a Norwegian man, have been injured in a brawl that occurred in a chalet in the La Torreta urbanization, on the outskirts of Torrevieja.

According to what the newspaper Información publishes on its website and

sources of the investigation have con rmed to EFE, the event occurred on the night of Friday to Saturday in a singlefamily home in circumstances being investigated by the Civil Guard, who was noti ed by a neighbour who heard the ght.

Upon the arrival of the agents, they found the fatal victim and

the other two injured people who were transferred to the Torrevieja hospital, where they are in police custody.

A debt could have been the origin of the ght, which took place in the house where one of the injured lives and the presumed perpetrator of the fatal injuries.

Torrevieja firefighters rescue two dogs from blaze

The Provincial Fire ghters Consortium has reported, through its social networks, the rescue of two small dogs in a house re.

The re ghters of the Torrevieja park received a notice of a spectacular house re that indicated the presence of a person inside, when extinguishing the re it was found that there was no one, but two small Chihuahua dogs were found dying from inhalation smoke. After taking them outside, the re ghters supplied them with oxygen from the truck’s oxygen therapy equipment using

reservoir masks. Fortunately, after receiving the treatment, the two dogs woke up and began to walk on all four legs.

I am worried about my marriage. My wife and I have been together for 19 years, and have two grown children who have flown the next. In the last four months I have noticed a change in her; she does not interact with me unless she has to, she agrees with me all the time about decisions when once, we would talk it out and come to an agreement if she wanted something different (which was most of the time). I have noticed that she says what she wants me to hear. Worryingly, she will not talk about the future with me anymore.

I booked a surprise holiday and she said she didn’t fancy it this year as she wanted to concentrate on her job. She won’t even come out with me for a meal. She is also secretive with her phone; I tried to look at it when she was in the shower, and she has a password on it, when she did not before. This all started after she started a part time job. We came to Spain to retire, but she said she was bored. I didn’t have a problem with her wanting a job; we don’t need the money but she needed the occupation. Now I am wondering if she has met

someone. I am at my wits end. Your wife’s change of behaviour is troubling, and is possibly a red flag. There’s nothing for it but to have a conversation with her. Choose a time when she is not going out, and ask her to sit and talk openly with you. She may resist. Try not to get angry, but tell her that you have noticed a change in her attitude towards you, and you are worried for your marriage. You have suspected something has not been right for a long time, and she needs to know you cannot carry on this way. Hopefully, you will get to the bottom of things.

My start weight: 84.7Kg

End weight : 60.7Kg

Total loss: 52.8 pounds

Q: What made you decide to lose weight?

A: I decided to lose weight due to health reasons. I su er from hypertension and also fractured two vertebrae in my back some years ago. Both of these are not good for my health. My BMI was in the obese zone and I generally felt lethargic, no energy with low self esteem. I had gradually been gaining weight but I think lockdown and covid tipped my weight to the gravest I’d been. I needed to lose weight and needed a plan that would give results and was easy to follow.

Q: What made you choose Slim4Life

A: I chose Slim4Life due to a friend that was participating in the program and I was so impressed with the weight she had lost and how easy she found the plan to follow. I also liked that you had a life coach to help, advise and support you through your journey.

Q: What Slim4Life plan did you follow?

A:I followed the Total Solution plan

Q: What were your favourite Slim4LIfe products?

A: I must say I liked all of the Slim4Life products. The shakes, breakfasts, main

meals and the protein bars all were very tasty and nutritious. They were so easy to prepare. There was no thinking “what am I going to eat today” I knew exactly how to plan my day.

Q: What did you learn on the plan?

A: I learned the value of the food I was putting in my mouth and how many carbohydrates I could or couldn’t have in my diet. For me carbohydrates are the problem to my gaining weight. I don’t eat meat of any type and so carbs were the main ingredient of my daily eating.

Q: How did you plan t into your lifestyle?

A:The plan was perfect for me as I am quite lazy when it comes to meal planning. I would eat the easiest thing I could throw together. Instead of a proper meal I would have a co ee and a biscuit or sandwich and become hungry again about an hour afterwards. This plan was perfect for me as I knew everyday I would have a breakfast from my Slim4Life selection, a shake of my chosen avour and a main meal from a wide selection and have a salad or vegetables from a list that I could choose from. I have gradually increased my protein and vegetables along with fruit as I lost weight. Aiming to maintain a healthy BMI and balanced weight.

Q: What kept you motivated?

A: What kept me motivated was

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 o ers.

Please note that we have a new venue for our Monthly Meetings. I am pleased to announce that we are now meeting at Dilly’s Bar, Av. Castuera, 3, 03184 El Chaparral, Alicante. The next group meeting is on Wednesday 13th September from 10:00 to 12:00. See updated information accessed by scanning the QR code above

achieving the goal that we set together at the start of my journey. I so looked forward to being a healthy, happier person and was determined to achieve it. I did this only with the support of Slim4Life life coaches and all the support from fellow participants on the plan. It really is a team e ort with everyone giving encouragement that you can achieve your goals.

Q: What exercise did you do?

A: I’ve only walked my dog for exercise and trying where possible to do as many steps as possible. We’ve recently moved house and I think this helped as a lot of opening and moving boxes and furniture played a part and kept me active.

Q: How has your life changed?

A: Losing weight has increased my wellbeing and con dence. My back injury gives me less problems and my blood pressure has improved. I genuinely feel so much better in myself and of course I can go shopping for new clothes!

Q: What is your next goal?

A: My next goal is to maintain my weight loss and not go back to the old me before starting on the Slim4Life plan.

Q: Would you recommend Slim4LIfe to a friend?

A: I would certainly recommend Slim4Life to a friend.

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.

“How can I add storage to my mobile phone?“

To substantially increase your Android phone’s storage, you can transfer data to a Secure Digital (SD) card. Other quick options include removing cached data and large downloads, temporarily disabling apps, and removing photos and videos.

A micro-SD card provides additional storage for the types of items that are normally in your device storage. You’ll want to check your user manual to ensure your smartphone can use an SD card and, if so, what type. Some devices have limits on how many GB of additional storage you can add. Or you can uninstall apps that you don’t use.

For an iPhone, if you run low on storage you will no longer be able to download apps or save new photos, videos, or other les. Your iCloud Photo Library will struggle to sync with your iPhone. You may notice a drop in your iPhone’s performance. You will get quite a few error messages and warnings. There are three ways you can add more storage to your iPhone: by decluttering your phone of unneeded data, starting to use a cloud service, or using an external storage device.

For both Android and iPhone, you can also use Cloud Storage to store important les and photos. Google Drive o ers 15 G Bytes of free storage. Microsoft One Drive has 5 G Bytes of free storage. The advantage of using Cloud Storage is that anything you put in Cloud Storage is available on all your devices. However, you do need internet access to access your les on Cloud Storage.

“Can I get certain Applications to open and run when I turn on my Windows 10 laptop?”

To change what programs run at startup:

1. Open the Start menu and click Settings.

2. Click Apps.

3. Click Startup on the left menu.

4. Toggle o the programs you don’t want running at startup.

To add apps to Startup: Select Start from the taskbar, then nd the app you want to pin in the list or search for it by typing the app name in the search box. Press and hold (or right-click) the app, then select Pin to Start.

Brian Hoile Technology Help Group

This Week´s Movie Picks

The Wedding Planner

Saturday 12th August – BBC2, 3.00pm

Fantastic Beasts:

The Crimes of Grindelwald

Sunday 13th August – ITV2, 9.00pm

Mary Fiore is the wedding planner. She’s ambitious, hard-working, extremely organized, and she knows exactly what to do and say to make any wedding a spectacular event. Bt when Mary falls (literally) for a handsome doctor her busy yet uncomplicated life is turned upside down - he’s the groom in the biggest wedding of her career! Will she help him walk down the aisle with his internet tycoon girlfriend, or will Mary nally get to be the bride herself? When it comes to love, you can never plan what’s going to happen.

In an e ort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all nonmagical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, though he’s unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

Tuesday 8th August

Wednesday 9th August

A chance to sing with Spangles this Christmas!

Do you love Christmas? Want to be a part of the Christmas festivities this year? Look no further: Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus is o ering women the chance to sing with them this Christmas. “We had such a lot of fun doing this in 2022 with The Grinch, that we decided to open it up again this year with a fabulous new song: The Man With the Bag” said Chorus Manager, Lyn Baines. “We recently launched the o er on social media and we’re already receiving requests to sign up.”

Crazy as it seems, Spangles starts practising Christmas songs during the summer break, in readiness for their return to rehearsals on 7 September. “We are always very busy during the festive season and we want to give people the best performances possible, so we start work early every year; we’re used to singing Christmas songs in the pool!” said Lyn.

So, what do you need to do to join in the Christmas performances? After a simple voice test to check which part you’re best

suited to, you will be given teach tracks and music to start learning your part. You will join in chorus rehearsals each week to work on the song with the rest of the chorus, with your section leader by your side, every step of the way. There’s no cost involved and every member will be supporting you throughout the process.

If you like the experience, you could become a full-time chorus member.

To sign up, just send an email to info@ spangleschorus.com or check their Facebook page: https://www.facebook. com/SpanglesChorus – what have you got to lose?

Spangles rehearse every Thursday, from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm at Centro Municipal Las Claras, Calle Helena, Los Narejos, Los Alcázares and you are certainly welcome to visit – no appointment necessary!

If you’d like to book the chorus for an event or you are thinking about joining them, you can nd out more on their website: www.spangleschorus.com or email info@spangleschorus.com

BBC one BBC two ITV Channel 4Channel 5ITV2 ITV3

Thursday 10th August

Friday 11th August

Saturday 12th August

BBC one BBC two ITV Channel 4Channel 5ITV2 ITV3

Sunday 13th August

Monday 14th August

We Need A Helping Hand

As many of you know, A Helping Hand is a food and clothes bank based in Torrevieja who are struggling to feed all the people on their books. Both this paper and Seagate Wealth Management are doing all they can to support this wonderful local charity. If you can donate anything from the list below, it would be so very appreciated as summer is proving a di cult time for donations:

Rice, milk, pasta, soup mixes, tomato frito, tinned tomatoes, toilet rolls, wet wipes, baby milk (NATIVA 1,2 &3), nappies - size 4..5..& 6, cheese triangles/slices, chorizo/salami slices, ham, hot dogs, yoghurts, childrens’ snacks and juices, shampoo/ conditioner, washing detergent ,toothpaste, tuna ,salt and sugar.

If you prefer to shop online, then please visit Al Campo, Mercadona or even Amazon and the donations can be sent to:

Avenida tomas boj andreu casa 2 bloque 4

Manzana 8 vivero 1 los altos Torrevieja 03185

Mobile number for deliveries: 611 69 28 46

You can also donate in the following ways: https://www.paypal.me/ daniellasixx8 revolut.me/nikkis2qrb

ES23 0128 0655 2401 0002 4012

If you can help in any way, there are various drop o

points and you can nd your nearest one by checking out the Helping Hand Facebook page.

As they say on their Facebook page:

“If you can spare just 1,2,3,4,5 euros anything and if everyone reading this article did this we could help so many people. We really need your help, we need to survive to help these families please, please help.”

De Barra’s Irish Bar, El Galan and Sliders Bar & Grill fundraising event for Gary Dogett

De Barra’s and Sliders are hosting a bene t fundraising day on Sunday 13th August for Gary Doggett

Stevie Spit has once again generously o ered his time to act as compere for the day.

Gary is a local lad who was in a horri c accident a few weeks ago, resulting in the loss of one of his leg amongst numerous other injuries! we are asking all local businesses and friends to donate a ra e prize/voucher, cash, or an auction prize to help raise much needed funds.

All acts are playing for free, we still have spaces for more musicians and entertainers

ALL money donations and monies raised go directly to the family.

If you think you can o er us something for the day, please text me back, and I can arrange collection or you can pop in and drop o in either bar .

Let’s Hope the community rally around for this Guy... his whole life has changed in a split second

This is Gary’s story so far Gary Doggett.... In the blink of an eye!*

My name is Chloe Doggett and I want to help raise funds for my dad who was hit by a reckless drunk driver!

Anyone that knows my dad, Gary Doggett, please support!!

Young people from the Rojales secondary school will take local culture to Europe through Erasmus+

Students and alumni from La Encantá Secondary School in Rojales will embark on an exciting edition of the Erasmus+ programme, which will take place from 12 to 21 August in the Netherlands. On this occasion, the selected young people will not only participate in the academic and cultural objectives of the European Union programme, but will also dedicate themselves to spreading the cultural wealth of Rojales and its region, highlighting aspects such as gastronomy, tourism, landscape, the traditional market garden and popular festivities.

A group of 40 young people from Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary, Romania and Spain, all EU member states, will immerse themselves in the experience of discovering at rst hand the socio-cultural and employment characteristics that make Rojales a unique place in Europe.

The Mayor of Rojales, Antonio Pérez, together with the Councillor for Culture, Inmaculada Chazarra, and the Councillor for Education, Fernando Suria, gave a warm welcome to the participants at the town hall. The local administration is proud to collaborate with this

educational and forwardlooking experience, providing an enriching environment for young people.

As explained by the councillor for Education, Fernando Suria, this exchange is an initiative that promotes coexistence between young Europeans, in which they will improve their English language skills and share experiences in order to get to know the di erent municipalities and their particularities. In addition, one of the fundamental objectives is to establish links between the selected young people from each country in order to increase labour mobility, thus enriching employment opportunities throughout Europe.

Erasmus+ is the EU

programme that supports education, training, youth and sport in Europe. In its 20212027 period, the programme has a particular focus on social inclusion, green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.

This cultural and educational exchange promises not only to strengthen understanding between di erent European cultures, but also to o er the young participants an enriching experience that will mark a before and after in their lives.

Collaboration between EU member countries promotes dialogue and cooperation, laying the foundations for a more united and prosperous future in Europe.

Gladiators star Jet ‘was secretly engaged to another woman before marrying Zoe Gilbert’ - despite claiming her wife was her rst female relationship.

Gladiators star Jet was allegedly engaged to another woman before she married wife Zoe Gilbert, despite claiming Zoe was her rst female partner.

Lisa Nottingham claims she was set to marry nineties pin-up Jet, real name Diane Youdale, after Diane proposed one year into their 18-month relationship, which Lisa said ended in February last year.

Jet came out at the age of 53 last month by announcing she was to a woman she met at her local supermarket.

Visit the spectactular Canelobre Caves in Busot

These impressive caves, known as the Cuevas del Canelobre, are located in the small village of Busot in the Alicante province. The caves are accessed through a tunnel, that during the Civil War, was used as a shelter and repair shop for aircraft engines. As you enter the 70 meter high main cave, one of the tallest in Spain, you will be amazed by the striking formations, incredible acoustics and a pleasant ambient temperature of 18 degrees, making it an ideal place to visit during the hot summer months. Inside the caves there is a space of more than 80,000m2, in which the water and the rock have given rise to impressive shapes such as stalactites, stalagmites, and columns, among many others.

Bars & Restaurants

There is disabled access through most of the caves, with just one staircase to a viewpoint which is not compulsory to take. The main parts of the cave can be seen and are easily accessible.

LOCATION: Carretera Cuevas Canelobre, CV-776, 03111, Alicante

Melinda Messenger is engaged! Former glamour model, 52, con rms she will marry survival expert Dr. Raj Joshi, 47, next year after accepting his whirlwind proposal in New Zealand

Melinda Messenger has con rmed her engagement to survival expert Dr. Raj Joshi following a whirlwind romance after he proposed during their current stay in New Zealand.

OPENING

TIMES: Tuesday to Sunday 10:30am-5pm

TICKET PRICES: Adults 8€, Pensioners 5€, Children 4€, Under 5’s Free. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket o ce on the day. Should you prefer the option of an excursion to the caves with transport included, please contact Tours Costa Blanca on 672 413 370 or through their website www. tourscostablanca.com

The former Page 3 girl, 52, broke the unexpected news in an Instagram post on Monday morning and revealed wedding plans are already well underway. She wrote: ‘We’ve got some very happy news to share. @ raj.joshi.expedition and I got engaged in beautiful New Zealand at Matariki, the Māori New year, and we are getting married next year!’

Jodie Marsh ogs her ICONIC belt bra for £25,000 as she drops the price by over £100K - after turning to OnlyFans to raise funds for her animal sanctuary

Jodie Marsh is ogging her iconic camou age belt bra for a whopping £25K after previously trying to sell them for charity back in 2016 for £150,000.

The former glamour model, 44, hit the headlines when she wore the skimpy straps to protect her modesty during a night out at now defunct London nightspot Funky Buddha in 2003.

Jodie has since turned her back on showbiz and runs Fripps Farm Animal Rescue in Essex, revealing earlier this year she had signed up to OnlyFans to help fund the £1 million sanctuary.

e efits o s i i g or the recover o i juries

Swimming, as explained by the specialists of the Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology Service of Quirónsalud Torrevieja, “is one of the most complete and healthiest sports“, so much so that specialists recommend it for everyone without limitation of age or physical condition, and especially for those who have back problems, for pregnant women and for the recovery of injuries.

We spoke with the traumatologists of Quirónsalud Torrevieja to talk to us about the e ectiveness of swimming to relieve pain in di erent parts of the body.

Bene ts of swimming

At the traumatological level, it allows repeated movements against resistance, while otation reduces the problems derived from the repetitive impact to which our own weight conditions, due to the e ect of gravity.

In turn, all exercise in the water requires an added e ort of balance that contributes to generate a sustained stimulus of proprioception, that is, communication, at the unconscious level of the position, inertia, speed, etc. of our joints, muscles, tendons, etc.

In addition, it accelerates the medullary re ex arc, the medulla is like a second brain, largely unconscious, which receives instant information and responds to it immediately generating contraction or relaxation of the muscles, in a coordinated way, which achieves the objective established by our conscious brain.

Swimming as a recovery treatment

Any ailment that a ects the musculoskeletal system can be treated, to the extent that practically any exercise that is usually performed for the recovery of injuries can be performed in the water.

Typically spinal injuries have been the subject of the recommendation of swimming as a treatment or as an aid to their treatment. But any injury is likely to bene t from the very special conditions that come with exercising in the water.

Swimming style according to the injury you have

Each injury presents nuances that require an adaptation of swimming or exercise in the water to their circumstance.

We can mention for example the recovery of the shoulder, this bene ts from exercises with the arms below the horizontal, or breaststroke swimming with a low stroke.

Recommendation of exercises in the water for the recovery of injuries.

Quirónsalud traumatologists recommend: Swim in all its varieties, whether breaststroke, freestyle, backstroke or butter y, which exercise in each case di erent muscle groups.

In the water you can practice sports such as: aquagym, acua t, aquaagac, aquabalance, aquacardium, aquawater, acuaextrem, aquazumba, hydrospinning.

The possibilities are enormous considering that the bene ts of any

physical activity can be transferred and multiplied within the water by the e ect of lack of gravity, which decreases the impact of circulations and the fact that water o ers a constant resistance to movement that can be increased or reduced depending on the materials and the depth at which it is performed.

This is why spinning in water is a good option if you want to reduce that pressure of the intervertebral discs when sitting and exercising. The mere walk, if done barefoot allows to stimulate the sensory receptors of the feet when walking on the sand. Aquarunning consists of running in the water, and depending on where the water arrives, it will o er more or less resistance, which decreases the joint impact in the race and improves balance.

What is aquatic therapy?

The concept of aquatic therapy (Hydrotherapy) includes multiple aspects of our physiology and psychology. Not only those related to the musculoskeletal apparatus directly, but also those aimed at favouring its relaxing, toning, even chemical e ects if done at sea, which represent an immense therapeutic arsenal, which properly used and directed can contribute in a very signi cant way, not only to the treatment, but to the prevention of very diverse pathologies and the improvement of our health.

Bene ts of Aquatic Therapy

Among the bene ts of aquatic therapy we nd

The ability to produce a decrease in

muscle contractures.

Relief of low back pain and tendinitis, among others. Sedative and analgesic action. Physical and psychic relaxation, which can help reduce stress and anxiety states.

In a very general way it can be said that hydrotherapy may be contraindicated in case of acute in ammation, active infections, fever, renal and cardiac failure and ocular, cutaneous pathologies…

In any case, the safest and most e ective is to perform, at least at the beginning, these exercises in a supervised manner and directed by a specialized monitor.

At Quirónsalud our specialists in traumatology will recommend the best treatment for your injury and will accompany you in the recovery process.

Colon cancer: What are the warning signs?

Bowel, or colorectal, cancer a ects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum.

Such tumors usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps.

Symptoms include:

• Bleeding from the bottom

• Blood in stools

• A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks

• Unexplained weight loss

• Extreme, unexplained tiredness

• Abdominal pain

Most cases have no clear cause, however, people are more at risk if they:

• Are over 50

• Have a family history of the condition

• Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel

• Su er from in ammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease

• Lead an unhealthy lifestyle

Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy.

More than nine out of ten people with stage 1 bowel cancer survive ve years or more after their diagnosis.

Unfortunately, only around a third of all colorectal cancers

are diagnosed at this early stage.

The majority of people come to the doctor when the disease has spread beyond the wall of the colon or rectum or to distant parts of the body, which decreasing the chance of being successfully cured of colon cancer.

According to Bowel Cancer UK gures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. It a ects around 40 per 100,000 adults per year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute.

17 weird and wonderful car facts you need in your life

1. The world’s rst speeding ticket was issued in 1902

How

3. A modern Formula 1 car can drive upside down in a tunnel at 120mph F1 cars produce around 3.5G while cornering, meaning they’ve enough aerodynamic downforce to drive upside down in a tunnel.

4. 60 million cars are produced every year

That’s 165,000 a day, 6,875 an hour and 115 a minute - crazy right?

5. 1 billion cars are currently in use around the world

Compared to the world’s population, that’s around one car for every seven people on Earth. Amazing.

6. The average British driver will spend around 99 days of their life stuck in tra c Sorry to be depressing, but it’s true. Our advice is to try not to think about it.

7. It would take less than a month to get to the moon by car

That’s right — drive straight up at an average of 60mph, and you could get to the moon in under a month.

8. The average car contains over 30,000 unique parts

When you think about it, it’s a miracle they don’t break down more often.

9. 75% of all cars produced by Rolls Royce are still on the road

It seems Rolls Royce owners really love their cars.

10. Volkswagen owns twelve wellknown car brands from 7 European countries

Including Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commerical Vehicles, Scania and MAN.

11. The rst ever car accident occurred in 1891

This prompted the introduction of better safety equipment for drivers.

12. The largest speeding ne ever produced was €1,000,000

This was levelled at a man in Sweden, who was clocked doing 180mph. In Sweden, speeding nes are proportionate to the amount someone earns.

13. The world record for removing and replacing a car engine is 42 seconds

This record was set by mechanics working on a Ford Escort on 21 November, 1985.

14. The odds of dying in a car accident are around 1 in 5,000

Compare that to the odds of dying in a plane crash (1 in 11 million), and driving sounds pretty dangerous!

15. The man who invented cruise control was blind

His name was Ralph Teetor, and he was inspired to invent cruise control by his lawyer, who was apparently a very poor driver.

16. The highest total mileage clocked by a single car is 2,850,000 million miles

That’s equivalent to driving around the Earth 100 times.

17. The Hennessey Venom GT is the world’s fastest production car Its top speed is 270.49mph, making it faster than the Bugatti Veyron by around 0.8 of a second.

fast was the o ending motorist travelling? A scandalous 45mph.

2. 1 in 4 cars on the UK’s road were made in China Which is a lot, given that there are around 35 million cars in the UK.

Hennessey Venom GT, the fastest production car, costs $2.1m

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England 0-0 Nigeria (4-2 penalties)

The Lionesses secure a place in the quarter- nals of the women’s World Cup despite going down to 10 players after Lauren James’ red card

England had spent 87 minutes playing like a team who were afraid. A team who feared they were going to be the next victim of a giant-killing at this World Cup.

The Lionesses had watched reigning champions the United States crash out the night before. Germany, Brazil and Canada had already su ered shock exits.

When Lauren James, their star player, saw red for violent conduct in the 87th minute the game looked out

of their grasp. It was shades of David Beckham’s stamp on Diego Simeone in 1998, of Wayne Rooney on Ricardo Carvalho in 2006. In both of those games, England lost on penalties.

Chloe Kelly was England’s hero again, scoring the winning spotkick to give England a 4-3 victory on penalties.

It had not been expected to get to this point. England, ranked fourth in the world, were the heavy favourites. But this World Cup has shown us that the FIFA rankings are almost irrelevant. The underdogs have prevailed on more than one occasion. England are lucky they did not do so.

Mark Zuckerberg V Elon Musk

Mark Zuckerberg insists he’s ready to face Elon Musk TODAY but is ‘not holding my breath’ over suggested August 26 date for their charity cage ght... before aiming a cheeky dig at rival social media platform

Mark Zuckerberg has responded to Elon Musk’s tweets about their mooted clash

The Meta CEO claimed he had suggested the ght take place later this month

Social media mogul also red shots at the platform formerly known as Twitter

Mark Zuckerberg has responded to Elon Musk’s claim that their mooted MMA ght will be streamed live on Musk’s X platform.

The social media moguls have

been trading shots online for weeks ever since Musk suggested that he was ‘up for a cage match’ against the Meta CEO.

News of the prospective showdown was quickly picked up by Dana White, with the UFC president claiming that a clash between the pair would break payper-view records and be the ‘the biggest ght of all time’.

Though it appeared that the ght had hit a snag when Musk’s mother revealed her reservations about a potential ght, the 52-yearold indicated in a series of tweets that he is training in preparation.

‘Am lifting weights throughout the day, preparing for the ght. Don’t have time to work out, so I just bring them to work.’

Manchester United fans plan hour-long sit-in

Manchester United fans plan hourlong SIT-IN at Old Tra ord as they step up protests against the Glazer family as takeover saga drags on The 1958 group are calling for hourlong sit-in after match with Forest

There will also be protests before United’s Premier League opener with

Wolves

Glazer family announced they were willing to sell the club last November Manchester United supporters are planning to ramp up their protests against the Glazer family – and are planning an hour-long sit-in at their match against Nottingham Forest.

With the long-running takeover saga rumbling on as the season rapidly approaches, The 1958, a group who accuse the American owners of ‘18 years of ignorance and silence’, will protesting at the Holy Trinity statue outside Old Tra ord before United’s opener against

Wolves next Monday.

While there, they will raise awareness of plans for a further protest, when fans will be asked to sit-in for 60 minutes following United’s match with Forest on August 26 – should the situation remain unresolved.

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