Euro Weekly News - Costa Blanca South 21 - 27 October 2021 Issue 1894

News

The people’s paper Issue No. 1894

21 - 27 October 2021

On the move again ALMOST half-a-million Spanish tourists spent the August 15 long weekend on the Costa Blanca.

These figures from Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) were based on mobile phone positioning and centred exclusively on July 17 and August 15 to assess the amount of holiday travel.

In mid-July, the volume of tourists visiting the area reached 381,610, but by mid-August had risen to 489,231.

The arrival of visitors from Madrid and the Basque region meant that on August 15, Torrevieja had a floating population of 130,251, well above that of Benidorm which reached 106,371.

Although they failed to reach 2019 levels, INE figures for these two days provided clear evidence that national tourism was on the move again as the pandemic slowly recedes.

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH • WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

KEY TO RECOVERY Turn to page 4 » LOCAL TOURISM: Promoting the area of Torrevieja and the Vega Baja.

THE regional government is spending €85,000 on promoting Torrevieja and the Vega Baja as quality tourist and gastronomic destinations.

Visiting Torrevieja recently, the Generali‐

tat’s Tourist Board’s Francesc Colomer said the initiative would activate local tourism at a time when Covid‐19 had affected employ‐ ment.

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21 - 27 October 2021

HELP VEGA BAJA, based at San Miguel de Salinas, organise a HELP Desk each Thursday at La Marina. From November 2 this moves to Tuesday to avoid the busy market day, although the Hope Christian Fellowship Church venue remains unchanged. October 21 is the last Thursday that the HELP

HELP Desk changes Desk will be open.

“The Help Desk was set up to offer several of the charity’s services to those living in La Marina,” said the charity’s president, Michele Masson.

“We have some very dedicated volunteers who have the

backing of the charity’s main office on any issue that cannot be dealt with locally.”

Michele drew attention to the huge increase in requests for support as people struggle through some very difficult times.

“Attendance allowance applications, for example, can be quite daunting and TIE exchanges have concerned many,” she added.

“Our volunteers have experience in these and many other matters and can support people through the process, free of charge.”

For help with either of these issues, call the San Miguel Centre (966 723 733) or email of fice@helpvegabaja.com for an appointment.

“This is the same number to call if you live in La Marina and feel that you could benefit from emotional support from one of our counsellors. Alternatively, you can use WhatsApp on 681 934 270,” Michele said.

For more information about the charity, visit the www.helpvegabaja.com website.

NEWS

Still repairing DANA havoc ORIHUELA City Hall has received another €217,000 from the regional government for repairs to storm‐affected local roads.

The damage goes back to the period be‐ tween September 11 and 14 when Upper Level Isolated Depression (DANA) storms caused devastating damage to infrastruc‐ ture in Orihuela and throughout the Vega Baja.

The Generalitat cash is being used for re‐ pairs to roads as well as public property that was affected at the time, explained Infras‐ tructure councillor Angel Noguer.

“We shall continue working shoulder to shoulder with the Administrations and at

STUDIO32 MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY announced that rehearsals for their next production, South Pacific, are advancing well. “It promises to be a fantastic show,” said press officer Andy Kirkwood.

Rehearsals started way back in January 2020, but due to Covid, everything came to a halt. Tickets for this show that were purchased in 2020 are still valid for the day shown on the ticket, Andy confirmed. One of the charac-

Photo credit: Orihuela city hall

ORIHUELA ROADS: Generalitat allocation for repairs to 2019 storm damage.

the same time improve infrastructure to minimise future damage during periods of heavy rain,” he said.

Coming soon ters in the show is Captain Brackett, US Navy, the highest-ranking officer on the island and slightly self-important but hiding a heart of gold.

Brackett is played by Don Wilkinson, who has appeared in many Studio32 productions, mainly in uniform roles, and could possibly be in danger of becoming typecast.

The show will be staged at

San Fulgencio’s Cardenal Belluga Theatre between Wednesday November 24 and Saturday November 27, with performances starting at 7:30pm.

Reserved seating tickets are now on sale, priced at €10, and can be obtained by emailing tickets@studiothir tytwo.org or by calling Philip on 602 617 848.

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NIBS EXTRA Port incident A YOUNG Spanish driver who later tested positive for alcohol was arrested after he ran down six people in Torrevieja’s Marina Salinas leisure zone when he mounted the pavement to overtake a line of cars. Three of his victims suffered minor injuries, but two were transferred to hospital.

Your turn MIGUEL LOPEZ ARENAS, from the PSOE socialist party, resigned as Benejuzar mayor after two-and-a-half years. On handing over to Rosa Garcia (Ciudadanos) in line with their coalition pact following the 2019 municipal elections, Arenas pledged to continue working to make Benejuzar “a better place to live and work.”

Care home THE regional government has accepted Rojales Town Hall’s offer of a free 18,000square metre plot of municipal land in Avenida de Argentina to build a care home for the elderly. The construction contract will be put out to tender before the end of this year, Generalitat sources revealed.

Bottom line WET wipes thrown down the toilet are clogging Callosa’s sewers and are to blame for expensive repairs to the collapsed network, announced Aqualia, which is responsible for the municipality’s main drainage system.

“Lavatories are not wastepaper baskets,” Aqualia said, calling on the local population to change their habits.

Water control CARLOS MAZON, president of the Diputacion provincial council visited Bigastro to inaugurate 17 new sluice gates along the Hurchillo irrigation canal. The €235,000 project, which benefits approximately 12,000 users and 14,000 plots of land in 11 municipalities, will also help to prevent flooding during periods of heavy rain.

21 - 27 October 2021

Cook the San Fulgencio way SAN FULGENCIO’S Tourism department has launched a bilingual cookery book featur‐ ing the municipality’s tradi‐ tional gastronomy.

“We want everyone to get to know the richness of our cuisine which uses local, quali‐ ty products that are linked to local agriculture and the mu‐ nicipality’s history,” said Tourism councillor Darren Parmenter.

Mayor Jose Sampere, who was also present at the cook‐

Photo credit: San Fulgencio town hall

BOOK LAUNCH: San Fulgencio’s traditional recipes feature local produce.

ery book launch, thanked the six San Fulgencio women who so kindly opened their kitchens and gave their valu‐

able time in helping to collate the recipes.

“They have made this book possible by sharing their valu‐

Non-native plants are posing a threat ORIHUELA’S Environment department is having to spend €10,890 on eliminat‐ ing non‐native plants from the La Glea beach area.

“Human impact on the environment and irrespon‐ sible gardeners are making changes in the ecosystem,” said Damaso Aparicio, Ori‐ huela’s Environment coun‐

cillor. “It is essential to anal‐ yse and remedy the situa‐ tion before it’s too late.”

Aparicio explained that non‐native plants and flow‐ ers which are more often seen in private gardens are beginning to substitute ex‐ isting vegetation and threaten its survival.

“This zone has an impor‐

tant ecological value and was declared a Plant Micro‐ reserve in 2012,” Aparicio said.

“We have found seven plants that pose a potential threat to the area’s ecosys‐ tem, particularly in the area that adjoins the wall along La Glea promenade,” he pointed out.

Don’t miss Ladies Day FINAL rehearsals are currently taking place for the Actors Community Theatre (ACTS) production of Ladies Day. “We have been delighted with the sup‐ port shown,” director Colin Bird told the Eu‐ ro Weekly News.

He also revealed that he had recently re‐ ceived a very welcome package from the former top‐flight jockey Bob Jones, who is now a Newmarket trainer.

This contained a set of Bob’s riding silks and boots that will be proudly worn by ac‐ tor Norman Feeney during the production.

Ladies Day runs from Thursday October 28 to Saturday October 30 at the Cardenal Belluga Theatre in San Fulgencio with cur‐ tain‐up at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at €10 and can be ordered by emailing actsthe atre@icloud.com or phoning, messaging or sending a WhatsApp to 602 683 925.

The tickets are also obtainable in person from Cards & More, La Marina; The Post Box, Dona Pepa; The Card Shop, Benimar; The Post Room, Benijofar; The Post Shop, Villamartin; The Card & Gift Shop, Quesada and Davitos by The 4 Amigos, Quesada.

Joint political effort ORIHUELA’S Juzgado Pri‐ vativo de Aguas (Water Court) now has the au‐ thority to settle disputes regarding irrigation wa‐ ter.

With the exception of three abstentions, MPs in the central Madrid parlia‐ ment voted almost unani‐ mously to give the Water Court the powers of a tri‐

bunal, a legal status long‐ requested by members of the court and the agricul‐ tural growers who de‐ pend on irrigation water.

The proposal reached Parliament following an initiative from the Com‐ promis and Unidas Pode‐ mos parties. This was originally put forward by Carles Mulet from the

Compromis party who represents the Valencia region in the Madrid sen‐ ate.

When the vote reached the Lower House it was defended by Alicante MP Cesar Sanchez, who be‐ longs to the Partido Popu‐ lar, and Juan Ignacio Lopez‐Bas from Ciu‐ dadanos.

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able gastronomic legacy with us,” Sampere said.

“For that reason. we would like to thank them by dedicat‐ ing the book to them.” Two thousand copies of the book, which includes an English ver‐ sion, have been printed.

“This will make it easier for the non‐Spanish residents in our community to enjoy preparing these dishes that form part of San Fulgencio’s culinary heritage,” Parmenter said.

The recipe book is com‐ pletely free of charge and will be available at the town hall in the centre of San Fulgencio as well as the Tourist Office in the urbanisation area.

Visit to a historic ship THE Pascual Flores has re‐ turned to Torrevieja where it remains until January 2022.

The three‐masted schooner, built in Torre‐ vieja in 1917 and ac‐ quired by the town hall in 1999, was restored by the non‐profitmaking Nao Victoria Foundation.

The ship recently com‐ pleted a 9,260‐kilometre journey to ports in Spain, France and Germany where it was visited by almost 30,000 people.

Now moored in Torre‐ vieja port, the Pascual Flores is open to the pub‐ lic each day between 10am and 7.30pm. Tick‐ ets cost €5 or €3 for chil‐ dren and Torrevieja resi‐ dents.

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Business as usual THE Torrevieja Health district re‐ turned to the public sector when Ribera Salud’s concession expired on October 15.

The following day the situation at Tor‐ revieja’s Hospital Universitario was one of “maximum normality” with no incidents, confirmed the new Health dis‐ trict manager, Pilar Santos.

Ana Barcelo, who heads the regional government’s Health department and was accompa‐ nied by Pilar Santos, explained to the me‐ dia gathered at the hospital that the Generalitat had kept its promise to return the district to the public sector.

“The principal dif‐ ference between the systems means that benefits go to the patient, while in the private sector they remain in private hands,” Barcelo pointed out.

“The important thing now is to look to the future, and we must think about expanding the ser‐ vices,” she added.

“Health care is fi‐ nanced with every‐ one’s taxes and pub‐ lic resources should cover people’s needs.”

and finally...

MEMORIAL garden. Elche City Hall has set aside space for a Babies’ Memorial Garden in the munici‐ pal park.

This ‘White space’ will be dedicated to parents who lost a child during pregnancy or shortly after birth, announced city hall spokesman and Social Rights councillor Hector Diez, coinciding with World Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on October 15.

“This type of death is seldom talked about but is mourned in profound, silenced sorrow,” Diez said.

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21 - 27 October 2021

Volunteers wanted D O you have some free time and would love to help a charity and the community?

Then look no further, Age Concern are looking for volunteers for their day centre in La Siesta and also their charity shops based in Los Mon‐ tesinos and Torrevieja.

Why not come and join in and help change a life for somebody.

Please call 966 786 887 Monday to Friday 10am ‐ 1pm for more informa‐ tion.

AGE CONCERN: Can you help out at the day centre or at one of the charity shops?

from Front page »

Light at the end of the tunnel T H E Tourist Board is allocating €40,000 to key occasions like the Habaneras festival and €45,000 for the hospitality sector, supporting events like Festival GastroVeg‐ aBaja 2021 which opened on Friday Octo‐ ber 15 and continues until November 25.

“We leave complicated times behind us and as we see light at the end of the tun‐ nel, cooperation and interdependence are more necessary than ever,” Colomer de‐ clared.

“We all need each other and now, more than ever before, tourism is the answer to so many things,” he stressed as he signed a g r e e m e n t s w i t h T o r r e v i e j a ’ s m a y o r Ed ‐ uardo Dolon and Joaquin Guillamo, presi‐ dent of the Torrevieja and Area Hospitality Association.

The Tourism chief recommended seizing the moment by accentuating the impor‐ tance of leisure as a necessary part of peo‐ ples’ lives in future.

“It is essential to reflect on the tourism sector’s role in our Community,” Colomer continued.

“A region like ours needs to look after and meet the sector’s requirements, espe‐ cially now that Europe also sees tourism as key to recovery,” he said.

NEWS

President’s Prize and dinner-dance THE Celts Club de Golf celebrated their 10th President’s Prize last Sat‐ urday at their La Serena home course.

“The investment made by the management is re‐ ally paying dividends and Miguel and his team should be congratulated for all their fine efforts,” John O’Brien said.

The club’s presentation dinner‐dance was held in Meson El Prado in San Miguel de Salinas where it was fantastic to be able to dance and sing along with the Celts’ own star, Jackie Whyte.

There were thanks for Camillus who looks after competitions along with his team: “Go raibh maith agat for a job well done.”

Denis was thanked for managing the club’s fi‐ nances to the highest standards while secre‐ tary Susy, who intro‐ duced various speakers and guests was even able to crack a joke about try‐ ing to understand three Irishmen discussing is‐ sues at their Junta meet‐ ings.

Results on the day were as follows: Nearest the pin: Camil‐ lus Fitzpatrick (2), Mike Stott (2), Andy Currie and Debby Boelhouwer.

Category Four: Nial Murray, Sue Lowe and Bev Buckley.

Category Three: Karl Di Mascio, Bram Numeijer and Pat Baker.

Category Two: Chris Daw, Jane Randell and Gareth Williams Camillus Category One: Camillus Fitzpatrick, Clive Jenkins and John O’Brien.

Best gross: Bob Smith Second overall: Stephen Formby.

Winner (with a fabu‐ lous 65): Alan Campbell.

NEWS

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Readers’ poll

Boris Johnson’s controversial Marbella trip provokes outrage THE Euro Weekly News asked readers whether they thought Boris Johnson was right to go on holiday to a €29,500 a week villa in Mar‐ bella last week while the UK was suffering fuel and food shortages, and the over‐ whelming majority said he was not.

In total, 82.4 per cent of readers said Johnson should not be on holiday while the UK was facing so many problems, while just 17.6 per cent said everyone should have a holi‐ day.

Several readers said they thought the prime minister had left the country to avoid backlash from a damning re‐ port into the UK government’s handling of the pandemic.

Brian Francis said: “He al‐ ways runs away from damning reports.”

Meanwhile, Brenda Jones

said: “He’s just run away to Spain to avoid the damning re‐ port out today… that’s the only reason he’s here. And it’s his third holiday this year.”

Other readers had more sympathy for Mr Johnson however, arguing that every‐ one should be able to have a holiday with their family.

Colin Carter said: “Everyone expects a holiday each year so why shouldn’t the PM have one.”

Home Office minister Dami‐ an Hinds also defended the PM’s need to get away. He commented that the holiday is “important for the whole country” as the prime pinister needs time to wind down. He also said that the time would never be right.

This is the first foreign holi‐ day that Johnson has taken since the beginning of the pan‐ demic.

21 - 27 October 2021

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Expat residency rejections EXPATS are getting frustrated at the rising rate of rejections occurring during the post‐Brexit Spanish residency appli‐ cation process.

Recent statistics show 2,400 applica‐ tions were rejected so far this year. The original deadline to apply and still be covered under the Withdrawal Agree‐ ment with the EU was December 2020.

Many expats were based in Spain at the end of the year, but for some of them the time ran out. However, those who consider they are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement may still apply.

For those not covered who are look‐ ing to make a fresh residency applica‐ tion, the process must begin in England, through the Spanish Consulate. But ac‐ cording to legal expert Diego Echavar‐ ria, the Consulate is being very strict and “turning down a lot of applications for stupid reasons.” He says English citi‐ zens now have the entry requirements of other countries not in the EU and these are very tough to achieve.

The deadline was widely reported, but some Britons did not think the ram‐ ifications would be so big. If you can

prove that you resided in the country before the deadline there is still an op‐ portunity to apply, but the mountain of paperwork is more than some people can acquire. Diego said some applica‐ tions have been turned down for rea‐ sons he considers “nonsense.”

He hopes the two countries can reach an agreement so that Spain can welcome Britons again. He said: “Spain is a touristic country, it’s a big part of the economy. At the end of the day, the Brits are spending their pension here.”

Hate crime arrest GUARDIA CIVIL officers in the Alicante city of Elche have arrested a 45‐year‐old man for sending hate crime mes‐ sages aimed at them on social media. Christened ‘Little Nicolas of Crevillent’ by the media in 2016, the man al‐ ready had 19 arrest warrants and two residence orders from different national courts against him.

Last July, the police force launched an investigation af‐ ter it came to their attention that an individual was post‐ ing hate messages directed at them on a well‐known so‐ cial platform. It was discovered that the same person had been posting similar messages from 4,300 different user profiles against the Guardia Civil on more than 30 other platforms.

ARRESTED: For sending hate crime messages.

His posts included: ‘The Guardia Civil steals and mur‐ ders citizens to keep their food’ and ‘The Guardia Civil, those in charge of enforcing the law, have received mon‐ ey in exchange for not doing their job.’

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21 - 27 October 2021

Alicante residency help THERE has been lot of discussion about the issues still facing those trying to gain residency in Spain under the terms of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. As a result, the non‐profit organisation Asso‐ ciation Babelia is hosting a series of in‐ formation and one‐to‐one assistance sessions for UK Nationals in collabora‐ tion with the Diputación de Alicante and various town halls across the region.

Many UK Nationals still have questions or are experiencing difficulties applying for residency under the terms of the agreement and the sessions are specifi‐ cally designed to help them. Some of the issues were covered in a recent article in Euro Weekly News which revealed that a large number of applications were being rejected. Babelia is particularly keen to encourage people who may struggle with paperwork to come along.

There are 10 sessions planned across the region. The first is at Pilar de la Hordada to‐ day, Thursday October 21 and the final one will be in San Fulgencio on December 2.

You can find more details and confirm your attendance at the following website: https://asociacionbabelia.org/en/infor mative‐talks‐and‐one‐to‐one‐assistance‐ for‐uk‐nationals‐applying‐for‐ residency/?fbclid=IwAR1ppNpQ5H7qP sqGKVAnbNL6fW9FWbtfIs2t9HKZLAL5A

RESIDENCY ASSISTANCE: There are a series of information sessions being held.

q3JYJeSNYgVunI For more information on the three or‐ ganisations providing free, confidential support to UK Nationals and how to con‐ tact them visit: https://www.gov.uk/ guidance/uk‐nationals‐support‐fund‐

uknsf‐applying‐for‐residency‐in‐eu‐or‐ef ta‐countries#spain Due to current Covid‐19 restrictions, the number of attendees is limited, masks must be worn at all times and so‐ cial distancing must be observed.

NEWS

Ex-police chief faces life THE trial of notorious ex‐ police chief, Jose Manuel Villarejo, is taking place in Spain’s top criminal court, the Audiencia Na‐ cional in Madrid. Villare‐ jo is pivotal in a web of scandal and corruption accusations that have shocked Spain.

The 70‐year‐old for‐ mer cop, who was arrest‐ ed four years ago, faces a maximum sentence of 109 years in prison if he is found guilty. He stands accused of making secret recordings with business‐ people, some of which were leaked online after being discovered at his home during a search.

It is alleged that he tried to use these record‐ ings to blackmail a num‐ ber of people or to use them on behalf of other clients to destroy reputa‐

tions. Police raids on his home recovered more than 40 terabytes of recordings.

Mr Villarejo’s wife is one of 27 defendants in this case. While still em‐ ployed in his role as a Na‐ tional Police chief, Mr Villarejo set up a consult‐ ing company. It is claimed he abused his position to access sensi‐ tive police data in ex‐ change for millions of eu‐ ros.

After spending three years in custody, he was released by a court last March and declared he would cooperate with the authorities.

Members of Spain’s royal family could be im‐ plicated in this case as well as some of the country’s biggest tycoons and politicians.

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21 - 27 October 2021

Sir Michael Caine bows out

SIR MICHAEL CAINE has insisted he will retire from acting and now considers himself a writer. T he screen legend known for his roles in films such as The Italian Job, Harry B rown and A lfie has said that his role in the comedy-drama flick Best Sellers is likely his last.

Speaking on B B C Radio 5, Caine said: “Funnily enough, it has turned out to be my last part, really. B ecause I haven’t worked for two years, and I have a spine problem, which

Sir Michael is now writing.

affects my legs. S o, I can’t walk very well. “ A nd I also wrote a book, a couple of books, which were published and were successful. So, I ’m now not an actor, I ’m a writer, which is

OFFICERS of the Special Group of Un‐ derwater Activities (GEAS) of the Guardia Civil have located the body of the Army sergeant, Mario Quiros Ruiz who disappeared on Tuesday October 12.

Ruiz was carrying out an immersion practice in the El Grado reservoir, in Huesca.

The young soldier ‐ who would have been 23 on Friday, October 15 ‐

lovely because as an actor, you have to get up at half-past six in the morning and go to the studio. As a writer, you can start writing without leaving the bed.”

The screen icon previously performed a U turn on his plans to retire at the age of 45 because he loves acting too much. Caine said in 2018: “What happened was, I enjoyed it so much that I just couldn’t stop. Things go up and down and you do what comes along.

You have to make a living.”

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Batman trailer released PEOPLE attending the DC Fandome virtual event were treated to the first full trailer for ‘The Batman’, the latest film set in the gloomy city of Gotham.

The clip is the first glimpse at Robert Pattinson taking up the famous black suit as he stars in what is apparent‐ ly the ‘darkest and most vio‐ lent’ outing yet. Fans have been anticipating the new version of the superhero and it did not disappoint.

The new film is set in the early days of Batman’s story, just one year after he begins his life as the Caped Crusad‐ er. Director Matt Reeves has

Sergeant’s body located was confirmed to have disappeared at around 3am on October 12, while on the military diving exercise in the El Grado reservoir in the Huesca re‐ gion of Aragon.

It is believed that the divers were operating in pairs, but that sergeant Ruiz somehow got separated from his

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diving partner and did not surface.

Sources close to the investigation have indicated that the body of the military man has been found at 1:50pm on October 16, by Geas troops from the Aragon area with the help of a robot at a depth of 65 me‐ tres.

turned Gotham into a dark and foreboding place. The main villain of this film is ‘The Riddler’ played by Paul

Dano. His face is hidden throughout the new Batman trailer which hints at a big re‐ veal in the film.

and finally...

AN incredible catch was made in the waters off the coast of Ceuta, the Spanish autonomous city on the north coast of Africa. A monster sunfish discovered trapped in the fishing nets of the UEDO networks on October 4 was described as a very important scien‐ tific find.

Measuring 2.9 metres, the enormous creature needed two cranes installed on two boats to lift it out of the water. The fish tipped the scales at more than 1,000 kilos.

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21 - 27 October 2021

NEWS

Singer’s puma attack horror SPANISH singer Raquel del Rosario was hailed a heroine after she saved her five‐year‐old son from a puma attack. The singer was at her Cali‐ fornia home at the time of the incident.

She took to social media on October 17 to re‐ veal details of the attack which happened late in August: “I’ve always jokingly said that one day, my children’s guardian angels would resign due to stress. On the way to the hospital with Mael injured in my arms, I wondered if his had left him that morning. ‘A few millimetres more and he wouldn’t have made it,’ were the doctor’s words. I knew then his angel had not left.”

Her son had gone to look for fruit when she heard a scream: “A puma had pounced on him and was savaging him ferociously. I immediately stopped perceiving the world, I still can’t un‐ derstand how I got through the garden in milliseconds or where the force came from that made me hit the animal repeatedly until I got it off,” she explained.

The Canarian singer also revealed what hap‐ pened when the family returned from hospital:

“The neighbourhood was full of press vehicles covering the news. I curled up in the car seat as I watched the scene through the window like I was living a real movie. Neighbours had sent let‐ ters, gifts, food and other goodies home.”

The wildlife control and protection discovered the puma was still crouched in my garden even though several hours had passed. Following the protocol dictated by California law, they were forced to put it down.

PUMA: Had to be put down.

Amazon Xmas job drive

THE UK is expected to experi‐ ence a huge demand for short‐term workers over Christmas. Amazon alone are set to recruit around 20,000 temporary staff. Due to labour shortages, they are of‐ fering sign up bonuses worth a staggering £3,000. The bonuses will only be available in areas struggling with a shortage of labour.

Many companies will battle it out for labour in the run‐up

to Christmas, according to the Food and Drink Federation.

Many small firms will not be able to compete with Amazon.

This could see Christmas sup‐ plies and deliveries hit hard.

Ian Wright is the chief exec‐ utive of the Food and Drink Federation. He believes that the sign up bonuses from Amazon will be a “knock‐out blow” for other companies.

Wright explained: “There is‐ n’t a vast reservoir of British

workers just waiting to be fought over. It’s incredibly diffi‐ cult to get Christmas staff labour in many areas. It will mean higher prices and fewer choices on shelves. Suppliers will almost certainly produce shorter runs of product and if they can, they will look at high‐ er prices.”

Parents have been warned to start their Christmas shop‐ ping early so that children are not left disappointed.

Licence exchange concerns The Brits in Spain Consulate & Embassy Face‐ book page has recognised that many Brits are concerned over the long‐term arrangements for exchanging their driving licence in Spain.

At the moment residents with valid UK li‐ cences only have until October 31 to use them.

Brits in Spain said: “We recognise that many people are concerned about the long‐term ar‐ rangements for UK driving licence exchange here in Spain. Negotiations continue between the UK and Spanish governments on this issue.

“However, under current Spanish law, resi‐ dents with valid UK licences will only be able to use these to drive in Spain until October 31, 2021.”

It is hoped that an extension to the date will be agreed. Brits in Spain explained: “We are

asking the Spanish Government for an exten‐ sion to the October 31 date and will update you as soon as we know the outcome.

“In the meantime, UK licence holders could, if they wished to, apply for a Spanish licence.

This includes taking both a practical and theory test. You can find more information here: https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/permisos‐de‐con‐ ducir/obten cion‐renovacion‐duplicados‐ per‐ miso/permiso‐ conducir/index.shtml.”

He added, “If you successfully registered your intent to exchange your licence by De‐ cember 30, 2020, your UK licence will also be‐ come invalid on October 31, but you will still be eligible to exchange it for a Spanish one un‐ til December 31, 2021 without having to take a practical test. We recommend you get an ap‐ pointment as soon as possible.”

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21 - 27 October 2021

Could lorry crisis hit Spain?

SPANISH lorry driver, José Ramón Gimeno, has warned: “In a short time we could be like in the United Kingdom.”

Lorry drivers have al‐ ways had a demanding job. This used to be compensated by a gen‐ erous salary. However, everything changed with the 2008 crisis and things are getting worse. Costs are in‐ creasing for the indus‐ try. And the sector is now struggling to get new drivers.

The lack of lorry drivers has severely hit the UK recently. Fore‐ courts have been left without petrol. Super‐ markets are beginning to suffer from stock shortages and problems have been predicted for Christmas.

Some believe that Spain could be heading

the same way. Javier San Martín, professor of logistics at the OBS Business School com‐ mented: “The sector has become less attrac‐ tive in recent years, probably since before the crisis, and has been losing profit margins.”

He added: “If you look at it this year com‐ pared to last year, the costs have gone up a lot because of an increase in the cost of insurance.

The cost of fuel ranges between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of the total cost and petrol has gone up a lot.”

The industry is having problems recruiting new drivers. Many old‐ er drivers are heading towards retirement.

There is not a young workforce ready and willing to take over from them.

NEWS

President’s reform pledge

ASTRONAUTS: Will spend six months working at China’s new space station.

Space station record CHINA has announced the successful docking of its latest rocket, the Shen‐ zhou‐13. The three astronauts are on board and will spend six months working at the country’s new space station. This is the longest crewed mission to date, twice as long as the previous 90‐day mission. This trip is part of a major drive as China pushes forward in their attempt to become a leading space power.

The three astronauts will use the mission to set up equipment on the new space station and test out tech‐ nology to expand the ship. Named ‘Tiangong,’ which means ‘Heavenly Place,’ the station is due to be used

for at least 10 years. It weighs 70 tonnes and will be expanded over the next two years with lab modules be‐ ing delivered by more crewed mis‐ sions in the future.

The crew includes the first woman to visit the space station, Wang Yap‐ ing. A military pilot, the 41‐year‐old was China’s second woman in space, going up in 2013. The mission com‐ mander for this trip is Zhai Zhigang, 55, who used to be a fighter pilot be‐ fore completing China’s first space‐ walk ever in 2008. The last team member belongs to the People’s Lib‐ eration Army air force, 41‐year‐old Ye Guangfu.

AT the recent congress in Valencia, President Pedro Sánchez gave a speech focused on social democrat‐ ic values and a government promise that will mark the next few months.

He announced the next milestones of the Executive, after euthanasia, will be the increase in the minimum wage, the minimum income wage and the pension reform. After that will be the most profound change ‐ the abolition of prostitution.

“We will advance putting an end to laws such as the gag law and the labour reform of the PP, imposed and without agreements, which made contracts precarious and de‐ valued wages. We will move for‐ ward by strengthening Europe. And we will advance, abolishing prosti‐ tution that enslaves women,” promised the PSOE leader. There is a lot of opposition from employers on some labour reform issues. The European Commission is watching and Sánchez will have to decide shortly if he is willing to carry it out even without the agreement of the employers, as he did with the mini‐ mum wage. The abolition of prosti‐ tution could also be of enormous political value for the socialist lead‐ er.

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Animals rescue plan

H E A R T B R E A K I N G images have been captured of animals trapped on La Pal‐ ma due to the volcanic explosions. Two companies have stepped in to help take care of dogs and animals that have been isolated in Todoque.

The council of La Palma have thanked Volcanic Life and Ticom Soluciones for their help in keeping the animals alive.

The companies are using drones to check on the animals. The animals are isolated in the upper area of Todoque.

The area has been blanketed in ash from the Cumbre Vieja eruptions.

The companies are using drones to

DOGS: Are scared after being trapped for days.

help the animals. The drones not only capture video footage, they can also carry weight and are being used to

transport food and water to the ani‐ mals.

It is not possible to reach the animals on foot. Roads in the area have been covered with lava. Due to the explo‐ sions and ash in the air, helicopters can‐ not be used to rescue the animals ei‐ ther.

According to the council, the two companies are working together self‐ lessly to take care of the dogs.

Footage taken by the drones is upset‐ ting. It shows dogs that have become surrounded by ash and are scared after being trapped for many days.

Autonomo payments up in 2022

T H E General State budgets for the next fiscal year in‐ clude a rise in the minimum autonomo payments due from self‐employed workers.

This is combining the usual yearly inflation‐based in‐ crease with any amounts that were delayed by the pandem‐ ic. The government has decid‐ ed that the amount will be

1.7 per cent according to the ‘inflation forecast.’

The minimum now moves to €294 a month for the gen‐ eral self‐employed, a €96 in‐ crease over the year. The cor‐ porate self‐employed can expect a higher increase of €18.7 a month, €225 more across the year.

It was acknowledged that

the increase bases ‘do not rise in real terms,’ as it matches the expected rate of inflation for the following year. The smallest contribu‐ tions for the self‐employed are due to become even more mismatched to those of salaried workers, which are based on the minimum wage.

Autonomos will still be able

to choose to pay in the mini‐ mum next year before the government instigates its new sliding scale system. Un‐ der the new system, the self‐ employed will also pay ac‐ cording to how much they earn. The Executive is expect‐ ed to approve these reform plans next year, but will not roll them out until 2023.

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Brit footballer jailed in Dubai A BRIT footballer jailed for 25 years in Dubai was allegedly ‘beaten and tasered’. Billy Hood, 24, was sen‐ tenced to the term in the notorious Al‐Barsha prison. He reportedly told a friend how he was “tortured” and “tasered” before being found guilty of possession and supply of drugs, and drug trafficking. Billy was found with four small bottles of vape oil containing traces of cannabis that he claims were not even his.

His agent Alfie Cain said: “It’s been bad in Al‐Barsha, I’m not going to sugar coat it. When they took him to the drugs unit they beat him for five days. He told me police offi‐ cers tasered him, slapped him and fed him bread and little water.

“He was basically tortured and put in a cell with 30 other people for five days,” he added.

Billy says he signed a confession to make the torture stop. The docu‐ ment was written in Arabic and he could not understand it. Radha Stir‐ ling, Founder and CEO of Detained in Dubai believes that the sentence given to Billy is harsh: “It’s incredi‐ ble, 25 years for having an oil that can’t even get you high. It’s ex‐ treme.”

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Forest-planting drones DRONES are being used in Spanish provinces to enable the reforesting of selected areas. The drones are supplied by the start‐up CO2 Revo‐ lution, which is used by many Spanish companies to offset their carbon footprint. Reforestations throughout Spain are certified by Disperse the Ministry for Ecological Transi‐ seeds quickly. tion, which offers guarantees of rigour in these actions.

Pontevedra, Palencia, Guadala‐ jara, Burgos, Caceres, Valencia, Sevilla, Salamanca, Avila, and Leon will see new forests grow thanks to this CO2 Revolution technology. Using a drone, it has been proved possible to dis‐ perse seeds more quickly and efficiently.

The result is that trees can be planted up to 100 times

A MAN who murdered a British grand‐ mother by beating her to death in her villa in Granja de Rocamora near Elche has been sentenced to 25 years in jail.

Margaret McNulty’s trusted Dutch handyman beat her to death just weeks before her 71st birthday after going to her house to borrow money.

Nicolas Pieter Pijnenborgh had known the widowed grandmother for four years. He grabbed her by the neck as she made him a coffee and then beat her repeatedly. He finally killed the el‐

faster than using traditional meth‐ ods and at a much lower economic cost.

Each drone can launch 10,000 seeds in a single day. These seeds are contained in a small pack that carries the pre‐germinated seed, to‐ gether with all the elements it needs for its growth and development.

This method of repopulation has al‐ ready been carried out in Guadalajara and Burgos in the first three months of 2021. Pontevedra started on Septem‐ ber 20 and the others will begin between November 1 and January in areas that have been destroyed by fires or have be‐ come deserts.

Native tree species are used in all cases.

Murderer jailed derly expat by strangling her and leav‐ ing her to die with brain trauma, a broken jaw, several broken ribs, a frac‐ tured sternum, a broken spine and myocardial rupture. Pijnenborgh made a partial confession after his de‐

tention, however, he later claimed he had suffered from memory loss after consuming crack cocaine and alcohol.

Judge Joaquin Maria Orellana Piera delivered his sentence in a 51‐page written ruling made public on October 15. He revealed Pijnenborgh had been arrested for multiple alleged street muggings on women in Spain be‐ tween January and February 2018. He also had 19 criminal convictions in the Netherlands for the possession of drugs and weapons.

NEWS

Heathrow price hike THE cost of family sum‐ mer holidays could spike by £100 in 2022 as Heathrow Airport eyes a price hike, an ex‐British Airways boss has warned.

Willie Walsh has claimed that the UK’s busiest airport wants to increase the charges air‐ lines pay by more than 90 per cent from January.

If agreed, it would mean a spike from £19.36 to £37.63 per passenger, as airlines would have to add the charges to ticket prices.

As an example, a fami‐ ly of five could pay al‐

most £100 more for a flight from Heathrow if the Civil Aviation Author‐ ity regulator decides to approve the changes.

Mr Walsh has accused Heathrow of acting like a “greedy monopoly” and said that their wealthy shareholders need to “step up” to provide in‐ vestment after years of generous dividend pay‐ outs.

The Irishman, who now runs the International Air Transport Association trade body, has joined BA and Virgin Atlantic in lobbying to block the hikes.

and finally...

PRINCESS CHARLOTTE is only six years old, yet she has come top of a young royal rich list. She even beat her older brother. According to a new study, Charlotte’s net worth is a staggering £3.6 billion.

George came in with a net worth of almost £2.2 bil‐ lion. Charlotte’s younger brother Louis is lagging be‐ hind. His estimate came in at only £720 million.

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Readers’ poll

Expats’ anger over Hollywood strike

FILM INDUSTRY: Workers claim they are working long hours.

BRITISH expats in Spain have expressed their anger over a planned strike by Hol‐ lywood workers with 100 per cent say‐ ing they did not agree with the industri‐ al action.

The Euro Weekly News asked its readers whether the workers should be able to use a strike to demand better work conditions after many claimed they were being asked to work too many hours.

Readers rejected the planned strike, however, and instead said that the workers already had a good job.

The entertainment industry’s main union, the International Alliance of The‐ atrical Stage Employees, (IATSE), an‐ nounced the plans, with 98 per cent of the union’s nearly 60,000 agreeing to a strike.

IATSE represents a large number of all the people who work behind the scenes

of movies and television shows across America and the stoppage could have been a disaster for the companies that run the filming.

Members demanded better hours and more rest, alongside penalties for productions that don’t stop for lunch breaks. They said that the boom in pro‐ duction over the last 10 years has led to longer hours and dangerous conditions on set.

They demanded a 10‐hour turnaround between shifts, and a new provision to ensure enough time away from the set on weekends.

The president of IATSE, Matthew Loeb, spoke of a lack of urgency from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Tele‐ vision Producers, with whom they are bargaining. He said, “our members de‐ serve to have their basic needs ad‐ dressed now.”

Primark recruits for Xmas

C H R I S T M A S is nearly here and with it comes one of the busy shopping periods of the year. As a result, Irish low‐cost fashion chain Primark is now recruiting in Spain with over 80 jobs on offer.

The firm is recruiting shop assis‐ tants/retail assistants and trainee/department managers. The Managers’ posts are up for grabs for anyone looking for a more spe‐ cialised career who can meet the minimum requirements.

The company is offering salaries of €1,239 per month for full‐time shop assistants, but most of the jobs though will be part‐time posi‐ tions for 20 hours a week. The part‐time jobs will offer a salary of around €600.

Primark said: “We are looking for enthusiastic people to join our shop as shop assistants on a part‐ time or weekend basis.”

Applications can be made via the Primark website.

NEWS

Phone theft tip THE Guardia Civil is in‐ creasingly aware of possible crimes related to technology and so they are providing in‐ valuable advice on how to deal with mobile phone theft.

This week, through their official Twitter account, the Guardia Civil advised: “If you dial * # 06 # on your mobile, the IMEI num‐ ber will appear on your screen. Save it and in case of theft your oper‐ ator will be able to block the terminal.”

The IMEI is a code that identifies the de‐ vice uniquely world‐ wide and is transmit‐ ted to the network when connecting to it.

This code is known to the telephone compa‐ nies.

The IMEI allows func‐ tions such as the block‐ ing of mobile phones in case of theft. When given to mobile phone operators, the handset can be blocked which will prevent the thieves from making calls.

and finally...

THE government of Spain may ban the Legion goat parade due to animal abuse laws. The general director of Animal Rights, Sergio Garcia Torres (Podemos), has prepared a text that limits animal par‐ ticipation in parades and processions. The Legion goat is a symbol of the history of Spain, however, the parade held on Tuesday October 12 could have been the last if the law of the Central Executive is ap‐ proved in its current terms.

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NEWS

Police QR scam warning World’s first fusion plant THE National Police has re‐ leased tips on how to avoid QR code scams. In recent weeks, the media have also echoed this warning.

Fraudulent activities that cy‐ ber criminals carry out through QR codes have existed for years. However, there has been a boom in their use during the months of the coronavirus pan‐ demic, when they have been used in places such as restau‐ rants, airports, concerts and theatres.

The National Cybersecurity

QR CODE: Increase in use.

Institute (INCIBE) lists the risks to which we can expose ourselves when scanning a QR. These are possible cases of phishing, the download of malware or mali‐ cious code injection and session

hijacking. Cybercriminals trick victims into scanning a code that impersonates the original to covertly access information within their account.

Tips include having an an‐ tivirus installed on devices. Be‐ ing wary of offers accessed by scanning a QR code. Making sure that a QR code has not been pasted on top of another.

Not allowing direct file down‐ loads when scanning a QR code. They also suggest busi‐ nesses use a secure QR genera‐ tor service.

UK Government app launched PLANS to make it easier for the public to access online services via a GOV.UK app have been set out by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Steve Barclay.

The move means that the public will no longer have to remember multiple user‐ names and passwords to access services such as free school meals, support for dis‐ abled family members and changing driver licence details in the future.

Currently, there are 191 different ways

for people to set up a variety of accounts to access different services on GOV.UK, with 44 different sign‐in methods. This is in stark contrast to the private sector, where people expect to be able to log into and access a variety of different services via their smartphone.

Steve Barclay said: “Now more than ev‐ er, it is important that the government re‐ sponds to people’s heightened expecta‐ tions about the services they use.”

UK sites have been short‐ listed for the world’s first fusion power plant proto‐ type. Fusion energy could potentially change the world and help sustain low carbon emissions in the fu‐ ture.

The plant’s final location will be decided towards the end of 2022 by the Secre‐ tary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strat‐ egy. Five sites have been shortlisted for the future home of the UK’s prototype fusion energy plant, the Spherical Tokamak for En‐ ergy Production, or ‘STEP.’ The shortlisted sites are: Ardeer (North Ayrshire), Goole (East Riding of York‐ shire), Moorside (Cumbria), Ratcliffe‐on‐Soar (Notting‐ hamshire) and Severn Edge (South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire).

According to the govern‐ ment: “STEP is a govern‐ ment‐backed programme to build a prototype fusion energy plant in the UK. The STEP plant aims to generate

net electricity as well as demonstrating how the plant will be maintained and how it will produce its own fuel.

“STEP will create thou‐ sands of highly‐skilled jobs

during construction and op‐ erations and attract other high‐tech industries to its host region, furthering the development of science and technology capabilities locally and nationally.”

Drowning case archived THE Court of Fuengirola, Malaga, has agreed to archive the criminal investigation case of a British father and two chil‐ dren who drowned in a swimming pool in Mijas Costa.

The court has decided that “the perpetration of any crime is not duly justified” and numerous tests carried out indicated that nobody was responsible for the drownings.

The event took place on December 24, 2019 when the three deceased family members were enjoying a few days of holidat.

According to the testimony of those present, the nine‐ year‐old daughter got into difficulty getting out of the pool, so both the father and a 16‐year‐old brother jumped into the water with the intention of helping her.

All three drowned and died of asphyxia due to submer‐ sion “probably due to a lack of swimming skills coupled with stress, nerves and panic.”

STATS

18

The world’s largest grand piano was built by a 15-year-old in New Zealand measuring 18 feet long.

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NEWS

The Queen is hiring

THE Queen is recruiting a cleaner for Buckingham Palace, however successful applicants could be hit with a low salary of £11,300. To be successful the candidate does not need any previous experience but will be ex‐ pected to ‘clean and care for a wide range of interiors and items, ensuring they’re presented to their very best.’

The advert can be found on the Royal Household website. Candidates are ex‐ pected to show a ‘keen eye

The Queen needs a cleaner for the Palace.

for detail’. They must also be ‘highly efficient and proactive’.

The advert says: ‘Joining our professional team at our

sites in London, you’ll up‐ keep, clean and care for a wide range of interiors and items, ensuring they’re pre‐ sented to their very best.

‘Learning from your col‐ leagues, you’ll gain the spe‐ cialist professional skills needed, always aiming for the highest standards. And on occasion you’ll support functions and events too.

‘In an environment where development and training is commonplace, you’ll be able to grow your skills within your role.’

Humanitarian catastrophe VICKY FORD, the Minister for Africa, has an‐ nounced that the UK is set to provide an addi‐ tional £29 million of humanitarian aid. The aid will go to people hit by the catastrophic conflict in northern Ethiopia.

Ford has called on parties in Ethiopia to en‐ sure that the humanitarian aid makes it through to the people who need it. Aid is being blocked by the Ethiopian government. It is not reaching the people in the Tigray region. Around 500 lor‐

ries of aid are needed each week. Only a small percentage of these are making it through.

According to the UK government: “The con‐ flict has caused a humanitarian catastrophe, with the UN estimating that 5.5 million people face acute food insecurity.

Over 400,000 people in northern Ethiopia are experiencing famine‐like conditions ‐ more than in all of the humanitarian crises in the rest of the world combined.”

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Gibraltar border dispute BREXIT DISPUTE: Threatening the Spanish Gibraltar border situation again.

A BRUSSELS-LONDON Brexit dispute is threatening the Spanish Gibraltar border situation again. The crossing into Gibraltar becomes a daily nightmare for the almost 10,000 Spaniards who work in the British colony. However, should the ongoing ne‐ gotiations not bear fruit, the European Commission could require Spain to impose controls on passengers and goods that cor‐ respond to an external border of the EU, a point of entry and exit to the Schengen area.

The European and British delegations held the first round of talks on the future status of Gibraltar last week. The plan was to reach a pact before the end of the year. In theory, it would only be a matter of embodying in a treaty the same principle Madrid and Lon‐

don arrived at on December 31. This would give Gibraltar the advantages of the Euro‐ pean area without borders, without being part of Schengen and with Spain as a guar‐ antor.

The role of the customs officers of the Eu‐ ropean agency Frontex and of the Spanish police in the port and airport of Gibraltar however is a point that could stall negotia‐ tions. The greatest risk is that the negotia‐ tion will be contaminated by London’s re‐ cent efforts to ignore and even violate the agreements on Northern Ireland that were reached in 2019.

Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Al‐ bares, said on October 18, the differences over the Northern Irish protocol “should not” condition the agreement on Gibraltar.

STATS

680 YEARS

The Roman – Persian wars are the longest in history, lasting over 680 years. They began in 54 BC and ended in 628 AD

THE Tour de France Femmes is being resurrect‐ ed in 2022, after a gap of 33 years. The race will begin on the final day of the men’s Tour in the hopes of increas‐ ing the audience for the fe‐ male version of the famous trial. There will be two mountain stages, with one being a summit finish to round the race off.

The date for the event is July 24‐31, 2022 and fea‐ tures eight stages. The men’s 21‐stage route was revealed on the same day and starts in Copenhagen on July 1.

The women’s route has “the entire palette of what it’s possible to provide on a Tour de France,” according to course designer Thierry Gouvenou. This includes a stage over cobblestones in the north of France and a 40km time trial.

The women’s race kicks off in Paris, and eight days later finishes at the summit of La Planche des Belles Filles. This is one of two mountain stages, with two rolling and four flat stages completing the run.

The director of the race,

NEWS

Women’s Tour returns Marion Rousse, said the route is balanced and will suit “many types of riders.”

The aim is to make the wom‐ en’s Tour de France finan‐ cially viable in the long term.

Dutch Prime Minister murder plot A YOUNG man has been arrested in Amsterdam this week after police discovered plots to harm multiple members of the Dutch Parliament. One of the plans was to assassinate the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. A 22‐year‐old man had shared the ideas on the messenger app Telegram along with conspiracy theories and other thoughts of violence.

The Telegram channels used by the man have since been closed for inciting violence against the authorities. The threads contained unfounded theories about the commission of pae‐ dophile acts and satanic rituals. In messages sent to others, the young man stated that “most of the Dutch hate that Rutte.” He also spoke about shooting politicians from a moving car. He said, “you open the window, take out the gun and shoot.”

The plotter wanted to storm the Hague and was looking for people to assist him. Putting out a call for ‘revolutionaries’ who would use weapons and violence. The Prosecutor’s office has said that he would have discussed these ideas with collaborators face‐ to‐face as well as online.

Three charges have been brought against the man, including incitement to commit a terrorist crime, gathering intelligence in preparation for said crime and threatening terrorist crimes. There was a possible assassination attempt on Rutte in September last year, but it is unknown if this arrest is connected.

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Banksy shreds record A WORK of art by Banksy called ‘Love is in the Bin,’ has sold at auction in Sothe‐ by’s, London, for a record £18,582,000 (€21,194,000).

It is the remains of the fa‐ mous piece ‘Girl with Bal‐ loon,’ which was shredded

at auction immediately af‐ ter the hammer went down on its final bid in 2018. It had been expected to sell for between £4 million and £6 million (€4.7m and €7.07m), but broke the record for any piece by the

anonymous street artist.

An unnamed buyer, a Eu‐ ropean woman, had bid £1m (€1.17m) for the origi‐ nal piece in the same auc‐ tion house in London. The sale caused a stir when a shredder that had been hid‐ den inside the bottom of the painting’s large Victorian‐ style frame was activated.

When the shredder stopped, all that was left inside the frame was the top part of the painting, depicting a heart‐shaped red balloon, on a white background.

Chairman of modern and contemporary art at Sothe‐ by’s Asia, Alex Branczik, commented: “It is almost three years to the day since one of the most ingenious moments of performance art this century made auc‐ tion history. Banksy is no stranger to making head‐ lines, and this latest chapter in his story has captured imaginations across the world ‐ we can only begin to guess what might come next.”

NEWS

No kids allowed A RESTAURANT in Bilbao has decided to ban chil‐ dren, causing much con‐ troversy.

The FACUA‐Consumers in Action Association has hit out at the Balicana restaurant after it im‐ posed the rule, which is clearly stated on their website.

The consumer associa‐ tion claims that banning children is discriminatory abuse based on age. It al‐ so says the move goes against the law as chil‐ dren can enter bars and restaurants when accom‐ panied by a responsible adult. FACUA is calling on members of the public to report bars and restaurants that ban children. They have demanded that the restaurant be fined too.

Many other restau‐ rants and bars in Spain have banned children.

Journalist Berna Iskan‐ dar has commented on

the fear of children and how spaces should be made more child friend‐ ly: “Childphobia has existed since the beginning of time.

Kids are the most vulner‐ able members of society and cannot defend them‐ selves.”

“There is a real igno‐ rance among adults sur‐ rounding the needs of our youngest children who are supposed to meet ex‐ pectations that do not correspond to their age.

Childhood is a stage of in‐ tense development dur‐

Childphobia exists.

ing which they have to ex‐ periment,” she added.

She explained that soci‐ ety needs to build “more child‐friendly spaces where their rights and needs are taken into ac‐ count. Cities and bars need to adapt to them, not the other way around.”

and finally...

FUENGIROLA ZOO, in the province of Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, is celebrating the arrival of a new addition to its collection of animals, with the birth of a new species at the Bioparc facility. The new mouse deer is the smallest ruminant in the world, as well as being the most primitive, weighing barely 300g, it is not much bigger than a mobile phone.

Netflix pays only £4m AS the stay at home orders hit the UK in 2020, the subscriber numbers for streaming service Netflix soared. More than two mil‐ lion new viewers signed up for the service, bringing the total number of customers to around 13 million. These numbers are thought to have brought in an estimated £1.15bn in revenue. They added 36 million subscribers worldwide, meaning they reach more than 200 million across the globe.

Despite this increase, the UK branch of Netflix only paid £4m in corporation tax to the Treasury last year.

The monthly fees paid by fans are sent through separate accounts from its head‐ quarters based in the Netherlands. Netflix has begun a shift away from this practice, and in January started declaring its income in the UK to the correct tax authorities.

This may make a huge difference to the

STREAMING: Subscriber numbers soared.

amount of tax paid to the UK, but the exact figures won’t be known for a while yet. The amount paid will depend on the profits made before the financial report of 2022. A lot of revenue Netflix earns is ploughed straight back into its expanding British‐made produc‐ tion arm.

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NEWS

Shatner’s space age record STAR TREK icon William Shat‐ ner has become the oldest person to visit space. He was in tears as he touched down on Earth after his monumen‐ tal flight into space on board Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.

Shatner said of the trip: “The little things, weightlessness, but to see the blue colour whip by.

And now you’re staring at the blackness. That’s the thing, the covering of blue… this com‐

forter of blue we have around us.” “Then suddenly you shoot through it all, you whip off the sheet and you’re looking at the black ugliness. There is Mother Earth, comfort, and there is… is that death? I don’t know? Is that the way death is?”

Shatner called it the “most profound experience I can imagine.”

The man behind Captain James T Kirk was seen ringing the bell before being strapped

into the rocket, which took off from the Texas desert on Octo‐ ber 12.

He reached zero‐G and en‐ tered space at 107,000 metres altitude, experiencing several minutes of weightlessness and a spectacular view of Earth.

BRITISH band the Rolling Stones have cut one of the most famous songs in their back catalogue from their con‐ cert playlist. It’s being held up as a victory by people who op‐ pose the insensitive lyrics.

The 1971 song was a huge hit for the Stones, with fans raving over the guitar riffs and the musicality. This somewhat overshadowed the ‘crude and offensive’ lyrics, say critics.

The track is one of the band’s most played songs while they are on tour, but the wording has been de‐ scribed as “gross, sexist, and stun‐ ningly offen‐ sive to black women.”

Guitarist Keith Richards isn’t sure why the song re‐ ceives so much flack. He says it is about the horrors

WILLIAM SHATNER: “The most profound experience.”

Brown Sugar axed

of slavery, and people are try‐ ing to “bury it.” Mick Jagger said the decision to drop the song is one of logistics only as it is tough to put together a set list. He said: “We’ve played Brown Sugar every night since 1970. So sometimes you think, ‘we’ll take that one out for now and see how it goes.’

W e

ROLLING STONES: The 1971 song was a huge hit.

might put it back in.”

Other people are mad at the group for ditching the song. Presenter Piers Morgan accused them of giving in to the ‘woke brigade’ and called the decision deeply depress‐ ing. The song

was last performed live in 2019, and has been streamed 170 million times on Spotify.

The upcoming tour is the first since t h e death of drummer Charlie Watts in August.

and finally...

EARLY politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered impor‐ tant. Since there were no telephones, TVs or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to ‘go sip some ale’ and listen to people’s conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at differ‐ ent times. ‘You go sip here’ and ‘You go sip there.’

The two words ‘go sip’ were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term ‘gossip.’

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Alzheimer detection clue

SPANISH scientists are one step closer to using saliva to detect Alzheimer’s. The Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) esti‐ mates that 80 per cent of early Alzheimer’s cases are undiagnosed. In Spain, around 800,000 people have been diagnosed with the disease already. This number is expect‐ ed to grow as the population ages.

At the moment there are no effective treatments for Alzheimer’s. There are no early detection tools either. Spanish scien‐ tists have been working for years follow‐ ing a clue that could help them understand the disease. They also believe that this clue could lead the way to early detection.

A protein called lactoferrin is present in human saliva. Scientists discovered that the lower the level, the higher the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. They believe that this protein could lead the way to detecting the disease before it develops.

Gorka Orive, associate professor of Pharmacy at the University of the Basque Country and founder of Geroa Diagnostics

Advertising Feature

IN A PERFECT WORLD

PROTEIN: Is present in human saliva.

explained that lactoferrin is “the only pro‐ tein with the potential to help diagnose Alzheimer’s in saliva.”

Scientists from the Pablo de Olavide Uni‐ versity in Sevilla and Ciberned, led by re‐ searcher José Luis Cantero, have conduct‐ ed a new study. This study has proven the link between levels of the protein and damage in the brain. Further work needs to be done, but this study could help pave the way for an Alzheimer’s test in the fu‐ ture.

Baker’s illegal sprinkles rant A BAKERY owner could not believe his ears when he was told of a customer reporting one of his colourful toppings to the council. When he let rip on social media, the ensu‐ ing posts went viral. Accord‐ ing to the baker, the UK ver‐ sion of his forbidden US sprinkle tastes ‘like crap’ and he refuses to use them. The shop will be on ‘sprinkle strike’ until he can get his way.

Rich Myers owns ‘Get Baked’, a popular bakery in Headingly, Leeds. A trading standards officer went into the store two weeks ago to follow up on a complaint that had been made by a cus‐ tomer. They ruled that the im‐ ported sprinkles are indeed banned. The reason for the ban is the additive E127, which is ‘not permitted’ for this use in the UK. As Rich documented the exchanges online, his unusual take on the proceedings left people in stitches. “To whoev‐ er reported us to Trading Standards (Dan?), all I have to say is dear Lord, what a sad lit‐ tle life Jane,” he wrote, refer‐ encing the famous quote

EWN 25

from the Channel 4 pro‐ gramme, ‘Come Dine With Me’. “My daughter, who is now seven months old, has to

live with the fact that daddy can’t take her to Disneyland, because man can’t sell any ****ing cookies.”

Wages revealed for the government HOW much does the president of Spain, Pedro Sanchez earn?

The draft version of the 2022 budget shows the salaries that the government can expect to receive next year.

Surprisingly, Pedro Sanchez does not receive the highest amount in the government. The salaries of the Constitutional Court come in as the best‐paid jobs among the high positions of the State. The president of the Constitutional Court, Juan José González Rivas, has the best‐paid position of all. His salary comes in at €160,728.12. Sanchez is only expected to receive a salary of €86,542.08.

The draft law of the General State Budget for 2022 was sub‐ mitted to the Congress of Deputies on October 13. The docu‐ ment shows salaries earned by public posts. It also shows that all these positions will have a salary increase on last year.

The three vice presidents will receive €81,341.16, while gov‐ ernment ministers are set to receive €76,355.28. Civil servants had been awarded a 2 per cent pay rise for 2022. The salary in‐ crease of government members is just 0.9 per cent higher than last year.

STATS

50%

An estimated 50% of all gold ever mined on Earth came from a single plateau in South Africa: Witwatersrand

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26 EWN

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21 - 27 October 2021

NEWS

More jail time for Cosby? Fertility treatment extension B I L L CO S BY could go back to jail after an actress who accused the actor of sexual abuse has filed a new lawsuit against him in federal court in New Jersey.

The lawsuit comes four months after a Pennsylvania court overturned the comedian’s sentence for sexual abuse.

Cosby, 84, was sen-

tenced in 2018 to 10 years in prison of which he had to serve at least three for sexually assaulting Canadian Andrea Constand in 2004.

C onstand is one of the more than 60 women who have denounced him.

A mong that group of women is L ili B ernard, who has just filed a new lawsuit accusing the ac-

UN role for Spain THE United Nations Committee on World Food Secu‐ rity (CSA) has elected Gabriel Ferrero as its new pres‐ ident, who until now served as Spain’s ambassador to the Special Mission for Food Security.

The election took place during the 49th meeting of the CSA and the candidacy of Gabriel Ferrero ob‐ tained 73 votes, while the Cameroonian representa‐ tive Medi Moungui received 48.

The Committee on World Food Security, based in Rome, is an international and intergovernmental platform created in 1974 that aims to cooperate to eliminate hunger, and to guarantee food security and nutrition for the world.

tor of having raped and drugged her in New Jersey. Bernard said in a statement: “I have waited a long time to take my case to court and I hope to be heard and hold Cosby accountable for what he did to me. Even though it happened a long time ago, I still live in fear, pain and shame every day of my life.”

She has filed legal action following a New Jersey law that gave survivors of sexual abuse a two-year period to file civil lawsuits against their alleged abusers, regardless of when the abuse occurred.

The woman alleges that she met C osby on the set of The Cosby Show in July 1990 and that he drugged and raped her at the Trump T a j M a h a l H o t e l i n At lantic City a month later.

FERTILITY treatment avail‐ ability is set to be extended to single women in Spain. The Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, announced on Octo‐ ber 16, that the availability of assisted human reproduction is set to be extended. Single women, lesbians and trans‐ sexuals will soon be able to benefit from fertility treat‐ ments in Spain.

Darias made the an‐ nouncement when she spoke at a roundtable dis‐ cussion at the 40th PSOE Congress on science. Darias commented on the objec‐ tives of making “a more de‐ cent society” and “giving rights to those who do not have them.” The Minister of Health has also said that she is committed to shielding the health service from fur‐ ther cuts. Darias went on to speak about the coronavirus pandemic and the fantastic progress made by the Span‐ ish vaccination programme.

According to Darias, the current low infection rates are “incredible and spectac‐ ular.” At the moment, al‐

SINGLE WOMEN: Will soon benefit from fertility treatment.

most 90 per cent of people more than 12 years old have been fully vaccinated against the pandemic.

“We are world leaders,

we have 37 million vaccinat‐ ed and we want the entire population to be vaccinated, it is a commitment,” Darias pledged.

Lottery income revealed HAVE you ever wondered how much money is generated by the Spanish State Lottery (otherwise known as Loterias y Apuestas del Estado)? All is revealed in an annual government document.

The lottery in Spain has been promoted by the State since 1763 when King Charles III created the Royal Lottery. In 1812, the Christmas Lottery known as ‘El Gordo’ (the Big One) was created and has now become the biggest lottery draw worldwide.

On October 13, Maria Jesus Montero, Spain’s Minister of Finance, delivered her accounts of the new General State Budgets (PGE) for 2022 to the Congress of Deputies in Madrid. The document stated that the government foresees the State Lottery earning €1.8 billion in 2022, after taxes. That’s compared to a revenue of €1.639 billion in 2021, an increase of around €200 million.

EUROPEAN PRESS

www.euroweeklynews.com

EUROPEAN PRESS DENMARK

Start-up capital

Fartkontrol

A NEW report by money.co.uk has declared that Copenhagen is the most accommodating and affordable city in the world in which to launch a start-up and coming second in the poll was another Danish city, Aarhus, although having said that, they both have a poor record of success.

IF you don’t speak Danish and are a tourist driving from, say the airport into Copenhagen, you would probably be excused for having a quiet chuckle when you see a number of Fartkontrol posters on the route. In fact, this is a police speed warning.

THE NETHERLANDS Memorial ceremony

Tell the truth

A MEMORIAL ceremony has been held for seven wartime airmen whose plane was shot down in 1943. The first piece of wreckage of the plane was recovered from the bed of the Markermeer lake in 2008, but only now has its identity been confirmed.

THE Dutch Government plans to implement a new law next year which means that web shops and digital platforms which place fake reviews on their sites or remove bad ones will be committing an offence. The aim is to protect consumers from misleading information.

BELGIUM Flying pickets

Record pumpkin

DUE to what unions refer to as unreasonable pressure on employees, industrial action is being taken against Lidl stores in Belgium and as the company managed to stop a protest outside a distribution centre, the unions will be picketing stores without prior announcement.

AS previously reported, growers across Europe had been getting ready for the Belgian pumpkin championship, but the title remained in Belgian as Jens Segaert of Bruges triumphed with his mega pumpkin which weighed 781 kilos, not only a Belgian record, but also a European one.

GERMANY Speed limit

Roman holiday

GERMAN Autobahns have no speed limit which has, over the years, not only encouraged Germans to drive at high speeds, but has created a situation where foreigners visit and hire high performance cars. This could be a thing of the past due to EU environmental regulations.

NOW that Angela Merkel is due to retire as soon as a new German Coalition Government can be agreed, it appears that she is taking the time to visit some of her favourite countries. Hence trips to Rome and the Vatican City to be followed by Israel.

FRANCE Confessional secrets

Resistance fighter

A SENIOR Catholic Church leader in France, Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, who is archbishop of Reims has reversed his original position concerning the sanctity of the confessional box and has now agreed that it should not take precedence over French laws on sex crimes against children.

HUBERT GERMAIN, the last surviving member of France's most distinguished group of Second World War Resistance heroes, known as the Order of Liberation, has died at the age of 101 and will be buried at Mont Valerien, where many resistance fighters were executed by the Germans.

NORWAY Healthy meal

Oil deal

THE new coalition government in Norway has announced that it plans to give every child a free healthy school meal every day and also to introduce some form of daily physical activity, although the actual content will be left for each school to decide.

AS Libya heads towards normality with a relatively secure government, it is looking to Norway to assist the country in reestablishing its important oil industry and to help it bring some of its oil fields back into production, as well as assisting in new exploration.

21 - 27 October 2021

EWN 27

28 EWN

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21 - 27 October 2021

Wasp sting victim airlifted A MAN was evacuated by helicopter in Ourense after being stung by a wasp. The rescue mission took place on October 12. The man suf‐ fered from a severe wasp sting in Grixo, which is locat‐ ed in the municipality of Pa‐ drenda. A medicalised heli‐ copter was called in.

The Emergency services 112 in Galicia were alerted to the situation by professionals from the Servicio de Urgencias Sanitarias de Galicia. Man‐ agers from the Centro Integra‐

Wasp stings can be fatal.

do de Atencion a las Emergen‐ cias de Galicia (CIAE) also called in the Guardia Civil to help support the operation.

Fortunately, the man was

successfully evacuated by a medical helicopter and was taken to a hospital to be treated.

Severe allergic re‐ actions to wasp stings require im‐ mediate medical at‐ tention, with 3 per cent of adults suffering from insect sting allergies. Treatments in‐ clude epinephrine to calm the immune system, cardiopul‐ monary resuscitation (CPR), oxygen, steroids and other medications to help breathing.

Italian houses going cheap PRATOLA PELIGNA is an Italian town locat‐ ed in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is very close to the popular Roccaraso and Pescasserol ski resorts and just two hours from the capital of Rome. You can currently purchase one of its 250 houses for just €1.

The authorities of Abruzzo started this programme to encourage the arrival of new residents to the most unpopulated areas of Italy. If you buy one of the hous‐ es, you have to agree to renovate it, so of course, it will be necessary to have some

savings for that.

There is also a time limit on the renova‐ tions, with authorities insisting they will charge €10,000 if the renovation plans are not presented within six months of the pur‐ chase. It is also requested that work takes no more than three years to complete.

A spokesperson for the programme said: “We do not need new constructions or new buildings. The strategy is to improve the housing environment, recover our cultural identity and revive the abandoned centres.”

NEWS

Under-16 bullfight ban UNDER-16s could be banned from bullfights in Spain. Thousands of bulls die each year in what is classed by many as an essential part of Spanish culture. However, opposition against bullfighting is growing.

Bullfighting could be phased out under plans that are being supported by left‐wing politicians in the country. And new rules could see children under 16 years old banned from the traditional sport. The future of bullfighting will be discussed next week by delegates of the Federal Congress in Valencia. Various plans are being considered including stopping pro‐ moting bullfighting as part of Spanish culture and cutting funding for the activity. Many peo‐

Opposition is growing.

ple now see bullfighting as outdated. This is es‐ pecially true for people living in cities rather than in rural areas of Spain.

Left‐wing politicians seem to be favouring phasing out bullfighting, even though it at‐ tracts thousands of fans each year.

Jihadist group dismantled A JIHADIST group dismantled in Barcelona and Madrid were ready to carry out an attack.

Officers from the National Po‐ lice arrested five suspected ji‐ hadists in the cities. The al‐ leged ringleader of the group was among them. The leader was dedicated to recruiting and indoctrinating new mem‐ bers. The operation was per‐ formed by officers from the National Police’s General In‐

formation Commissariat di‐ rected by the National Court, according to legal and police sources.

Four of the alleged jihadists have appeared before the judge already. They appeared before Joaquín Gadea, judge for the Audiencia Nacional.

Gadea ordered the four men to be sent to prison.

It is expected that the fifth ji‐ hadist will testify in the next

few days. He is in a Catalan prison already due to other crimes.

This latest operation is linked to another that took place in January when three alleged jihadists were arrest‐ ed. One of them was said to have fought in the Syrian‐Iraqi conflict zone.

According to reports, the al‐ leged ringleader has previous‐ ly spent time in an Algerian jail.

EUROPEAN PRESS

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EUROPEAN PRESS FINLAND

Roma discrimination

Money seized

AS the Savonlinna Region Roma Association celebrated its 50th anniversary, its chairman Ossi Blomerus said that although conditions had improved for Roma gypsy people, there was still discrimination and many had to change their first name in order to get a decent job.

THE District Court of Helsinki has issued an order to seize up to €20,000 in funds held by the association behind Extinction Rebellion Finland, which is causing so many problems in Helsinki with its blocking of roads, whilst police investigate where the money comes from.

IRELAND Black Beauty

Hell Fire Club

FOR the first time in its 74-year history, a black woman has won the Miss Ireland title.

Pamela Uba who came to Ireland from South Africa in 2004 says she hopes she has “opened a door and paved the way" for young asylum seekers to achieve their dreams.

A COURT has rejected a resident association objection to develop a visitor centre in the Dublin Mountains at a cost of €15 million. Part of the site will include local monument to the Hell Fire Club, site of one of Ireland’s first Freemasons buildings.

ITALY Suspended

Eurovision host

A SENIOR police officer in Rome, Nunzia Schilirò has been suspended from duty after telling a rally that she believed the new Green Pass required to show that workers had been vaccinated was ‘illegitimate’ and contravened Italy’s constitution. She is not aligned with violent protestors.

AS Italy won the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, it is its turn to host the 2022 competition and Turin beat four other candidates to be appointed as host city for Italy's first Eurovision in 30 years, which will take place on May 14.

PORTUGAL Drivers’ complaints

Worker shortage

ACCORDING to consumer network Portal da Queixa, the Portuguese office responsible for issue of driving licences has received 3,776 complaints to the end of September (up by 179 per cent on the previous year) with the largest number concerning the difficulty of exchanging foreign licences.

IT’S not just the UK suffering from recruiting trained staff as Portugal, which now has unemployment figures down to 6.2 per cent of the adult population, is also suffering and AHRESP, the association for hotels and restaurants confirmed that more than 80 per cent of restaurants were facing difficulties.

RUSSIA Russian exiles

Proper cosplay

AN estimated five million people have left Russia during the 20 years of President Vladimir Putin’s rule, according to a study published by the Moscow-based Takie Dela portal. What cannot be confirmed is how many left because of politics or simply wanted a better standard of living.

A GROUP of Siberian Star Wars fans who enjoy dressing up for cosplay has built a life-size replica of the Rebel Alliance’s XWing fighter over a period of three months, with the 13-metre scale model structure built out of painted plywood.

SWEDEN New flights

Back to roots

WITH cutback of international services operated out of Sweden by Norwegian Air, Eurowings, a German carrier which is part of the Lufthansa Group, will have five A320 airplanes at Stockholm Arlanda Airport from March 2022 offering a number of flights to three Spanish destinations.

THE northern town of Skelleftea with just 33,000 inhabitants is surrounded by forests, so has literally returned to its roots with the opening of the Sara Culture Centre which is considered one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings, constructed in timber and standing 75 metres high.

21 - 27 October 2021

EWN 29

FINANCE BUSINESS EXTRA More than stamps ENERGY company Repsol has teamed up with the Spanish Post Office, Correos to offer customers who visit 1,000 of its post offices, the chance to sign up to obtain both gas and electricity in an easy manner without the usual problems of bureaucracy.

UK economy AT a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, which was attended by members of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom as well as representatives of the Spanish Government, the Ambassador said that despite exit from the EU the economy was strong.

Public listing ALTHOUGH many football clubs in the United Kingdom and Italy have successfully launched themselves on the stock exchange, this has not been the case in Spain, although now a semi-professional team from Sant Joan d’Alacant, CF Intercity will go public on October 22.

Big Brother IN a landmark court case in the UK, a judge has ruled that a homeowner who installed security cameras and a Ring doorbell with a camera breached the 2018 Data Protection Act as they allowed the owner to see images of their neighbour’s property and garden.

New regulations IT was a good day for Telefónica on October 15 when the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) announced new regulations for the Spanish broadband market. Up until now, there were just 66 cities and towns throughout Spain where it was considered that Telefónica had sufficient competition that it did not have to keep rates reduced. Now this has risen to 696 areas (supplying 70 per cent of the population) where no reductions need be made although they will still have to allow access to fibre lines by their competitors across the country.

30

www.euroweeklynews.com • 21 - 27 October 2021

STAT OF WEEK

€51,000+

is the current value of a single Bitcoin which has weathered the storm of Chinese disapproval and continues to rise.

Sánchez proud of record SPAIN’S President Pedro Sánchez was proud of the government’s record as he spoke to Parliament about his achievements on Wednes‐ day October 13.

He highlighted the fact that his ad‐ ministration is implementing an in‐ crease in the Minimum Wage (SMI), the revaluation of pensions in line with inflation, the commitment to scholarships which reach 850,000 students and the creation of the concept of a Minimum Basic In‐ come.

He took issue with the main oppo‐

sition party, Partido Popular (PP) ac‐ cusing them of being too negative about the state of Spain and they should promote the fact that “Spain is growing and creating jobs, we are at pre‐pandemic employment levels, and Spain has a low‐risk premium.”

Much has been made with re‐ gards to the massive increase in en‐ ergy costs and he defended the gov‐ ernment’s actions, saying that European funds will be directed at reindustrialisation to create work as new energy policies are introduced.

In the meantime, he pointed out

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Can he use SatNav? There was a report in Euro Weekly con‐ cerning use and holding of mobile phones in cars. What is the situation when the phone is held in a bracket on the dashboard with Google maps being displayed? I find that Google maps are more accurate than the SatNav which is at‐ tached to the windscreen or built into the dash‐ board. Will they also be illegal?

T D (Costa Blanca) The Traffic DAVID SEARL Depart‐ YOU AND THE LAW ment has issued IN SPAIN detailed instruc‐ tions on the legal use of mobile units in vehicles. It is legal to use units that are built into the dashboard or mounted on it.

This would include your SatNav unit or your mobile telephone in a mount, to answer your specific ques‐ tion, because you cannot use your hands. Any type of headset that goes over the ears is not allowed.

Holding the mobile telephone in your hand, even if you are not using it, will draw stiff fines and loss of points. You can be caught by traffic cameras or from helicopters. The loss of six points has brought com‐ plaints because it is in fact the same loss as charged for reckless operation.

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana and Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

BRITAIN used to be the creative hub of the world’s textile industry but as cheaper sources became available following the end of the Second World War, manufacturers of clothing looked to the East in par‐ ticular for supplies.

Many people who enjoy the BBC’s Sewing Bee will recognise judge, fashion designer and Saville Row tailor Patrick Grant, but few

that the VAT on electricity bills has been reduced and other taxation measures are being put in place in order to ensure that energy compa‐ nies don’t make larger than normal profits due to the increase of whole‐ sale energy prices.

Repeating a statement that he had made previously at the EUMED9 meeting in Athens in September, where he made it clear that in his opinion the energy crisis should be dealt with on a combined basis of all member states in the Eu‐ ropean Union.

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Using traditional methods will know that he has set up a spe‐ cial new environmentally friendly company, Community Clothing.

This business says they have a simple goal; to sell great quality af‐ fordable clothing and by doing so create jobs and help restore eco‐ nomic prosperity in some of the

UK’s most deprived areas and have teamed up with two other groups, to create Homegrown Homespun.

Their mission is to plant two of Britain’s overlooked fibre and dye crops; flax and woad, on urban land in the heart of the North West’s his‐ toric textile industry and to create

Domino’s recruits POSSIBLY anticipating a rush to buy turkey pizzas for Christmas, Domino’s Pizza said it is looking to take on 8,000 additional staff in the UK and Ireland to cope with the Christmas rush.

Earlier this year it saw an exodus of temporary staff who had signed up for jobs during the pandemic, but many left once their old positions opened up again, so in June it recruited 5,000 staff.

Alert to the fact that there seem to be more jobs than applicants, the company said that the ma‐ jority of new jobs will be permanent and highlights the fact that a very high proportion of its managers started either as kitchen workers or delivery drivers.

New Inditex charges INDITEX is to charge for bags in Spanish stores from Octo‐ ber 18 and this will eventually expand across its worldwide divisions.

Having moved from plastic to paper bags last year, the world’s most successful fash‐ ion chain has decided that the next step in sustainability is to charge for paper bags in the hope that customers will bring their own bags with them when shopping.

The cost will differ be‐ tween stores as they use dif‐ ferent sizes of bags, but the company said that it will make no profit from the charges and will funnel monies back to charities in each area where they oper‐ ate. clothes locally from the results of their labour.

They argue that with our reliance on synthetic fibres, which involves the use of petrochemicals, the harm caused by non‐renewable materials that don’t biodegrade, makes it feasible in the long term to revive native textile crops, which have the potential to benefit both ecology and the economy

32 EWN

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PRICE(P)

Intertek ITV J Sainsbury Johnson Matthey Land Securities Legal & General Lloyds Banking London Stock Exchange Meggitt Melrose Industries Mondi National Grid NatWest Group Next Norilskiy Nikel ADR Ocado Persimmon Phoenix Prudential Reckitt Benckiser Relx Rentokil Rightmove Rio Tinto PLC Rolls-Royce Holdings Rosneft DRC Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B Sage Samsung Electronics DRC Sberbank Schroders Scottish Mortgage Segro Severn Trent Smith & Nephew Smiths Group Spirax-Sarco Engineering SSE St. James’s Place Standard Chartered Taylor Wimpey Tesco Tui Unilever United Utilities Vodafone Group PLC Whitbread WPP

4.945,0 103,95 297,00 2.706,0 703,60 279,61 49,37 7.870,0 750,00 165,50 1.778,00 902,50 234,50 7.822,0 31,55 1.779,50 2.671,0 662,40 1.442,00 5.457,0 2.175,00 590,20 688,20 5.056,0 143,27 9,00 1.783,25 1.783,6 1.809,2 711,80 1.480,50 20,80 3.589,0 1.421,00 1.267,67 2.619,0 1.283,00 1.403,03 14.865,0 1.586,00 1.520,00 494,50 156,15 269,40 260,80 3.838,0 985,20 110,82 3.338,6 988,40

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

4.973,0 104,15 297,80 2.722,0 708,60 280,30 49,43 7.914,0 752,60 166,05 1.778,00 905,30 234,90 7.880,0 31,67 1.792,00 2.694,0 662,40 1.444,50 5.480,0 2.183,00 593,00 692,40 5.089,0 143,94 9,04 1.784,01 1.784,4 1.812,0 714,60 1.481,00 21,05 3.597,0 1.423,00 1.276,00 2.622,0 1.293,50 1.415,59 14.975,0 1.593,50 1.522,00 494,90 157,30 269,95 263,20 3.856,0 988,00 110,82 3.350,0 990,40

4.940,0 103,10 296,40 2.690,0 703,00 278,40 49,12 7.854,0 741,40 164,60 1.757,00 892,80 233,70 7.802,0 31,14 1.775,00 2.671,0 659,00 1.434,00 5.433,0 2.169,00 588,80 686,60 5.033,0 141,50 8,91 1.770,50 1.771,3 1.797,6 710,80 1.474,00 20,64 3.568,0 1.409,00 1.261,82 2.589,0 1.273,00 1.403,00 14.815,0 1.571,50 1.512,05 490,80 155,60 267,65 259,40 3.830,0 977,00 109,80 3.300,0 983,60

6,42K 531,70K 324,59K 82,75K 37,95K 820,55K 20,02M 34,29K 129,20K 1,12M 204,54K 561,32K 1,15M 23,53K 0 50,07K 45,96K 208,28K 287,70K 63,81K 269,29K 90,22K 97,91K 273,73K 6,67M 227,37K 630,65K 57,73K 1,09M 181,52K 1,94K 0 9,00K 399,52K 16,29K 27,13K 131,04K 7,98K 6,42K 158,78K 42,44K 685,09K 826,99K 1,15M 548,24K 255,81K 56,47K 7,15M 35,63K 78,82K

1.18597

0.84397

Units per €

US dollar (USD) ......................................1.15935 Japan yen (JPY)......................................132.498 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................1.0728 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4398 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................9.7879

currenciesdirect.com/la-zenia • Tel: +34 965 994 830 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES O CTOBER 18

COMPANY 3M Alphabet C Amazon.com Amgen Apple Boeing Caterpillar Chevron Cisco Coca-Cola Facebook Goldman Sachs Home Depot Honeywell IBM Intel J&J JPMorgan McDonald’s Merck&Co Microsoft Nike Procter&Gamble Salesforce.com Tesla UnitedHealth Verizon Visa A Walmart Walt Disney

PRICE 181,94 2.833,5 3.409,02 207,84 144,84 217,04 199,02 109,61 55,25 54,48 324,76 406,07 350,41 220,72 144,61 54,46 161,30 166,61 242,25 78,33 304,21 158,01 144,42 291,66 843,03 428,07 52,27 230,99 140,55 176,46

CHANGE CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 183,00 180,68 2,16M 2.844,0 2.821,3 1,06M 3.410,42 3.304,00 5,14M 209,02 206,23 3,67M 144,90 143,51 67,62M 219,61 216,28 8,64M 199,45 195,30 4,72M 110,03 109,43 9,95M 55,89 54,96 15,02M 54,88 54,28 17,83M 329,07 322,51 21,37M 407,27 396,34 6,39M 350,95 345,75 3,35M 221,45 219,26 2,18M 144,85 142,79 3,17M 54,49 53,81 26,07M 161,81 160,41 6,89M 167,17 164,14 13,90M 246,38 241,99 2,56M 79,06 77,98 12,86M 304,45 300,52 25,25M 158,33 156,56 5,50M 144,87 143,68 6,92M 292,87 289,32 5,10M 843,21 822,35 18,45M 430,49 421,50 3,31M 52,81 52,01 26,65M 231,09 226,73 6,27M 141,10 139,96 6,86M 178,89 174,10 13,87M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES O CTOBER 18

COMPANY

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

Most Advanced Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Cl A 0.96% Markel Corp.

1.76% AutoZone Inc. 1.08% Mettler-Toledo International Inc. 1.32% Generac Holdings Inc. 4.19% Shopify Inc. Cl A 1.27% Goldman Sachs Group Inc. 3.80% BlackRock Inc. 1.65% Credit Suisse FI Large Cap Growth Enhanced ETN1.72% Chemed Corp.

2.98% UBS AG FI Enhanced Large Cap Growth ETN 1.54%

1.2K 251.15K 177.28K 82.53K 896.73K 732K 6.45M 1.02M 183 94.64K 20

Most Declined NVR Inc. Domino's Pizza Inc. Boston Beer Co. Cl A Cable One Inc. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. Graham Holdings Co. AMN Healthcare Services Inc. Public Storage Doximity Inc. Arista Networks Inc.

-0.64% -4.73% -2.63% -0.68% -0.53% -0.85% -1.52% -7.07% -1.98% -7.60% -1.38%

9.9K 1.37M 298.48K 15.19K 166.59K 8.2K 19.2K 1.62M 972.85K 2.46M 433.46K

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

More Xmas shortages possible

Credit: Pixabay

WORLD’S LARGEST: Maersk container vessels may divert from the UK.

CHRISTMAS gifts bound for the UK may not make it in time due to delivery problems caused by the ongoing shortage of deliv‐ ery drivers.

Britain’s largest con‐ tainer port based at Fe‐ lixstowe in Suffolk which handles more than 35 per cent of all incoming con‐ tainers simply can’t deal with the volume arriving as there are insufficient HGV drivers available to deliver the containers around the country.

So worried is the Labour Party about the shortage of drivers, lead‐ er Sir Keir Starmer who visited an HGV training centre in Greengate, Manchester was given the chance to get behind the wheel of a lorry with an instructor, but within minutes of trying to re‐ verse the vehicle, he struck a bollard and heard the words “You’d have failed your test.”

The turn around time for a container at Felixs‐ towe has jumped from an average of four days to nearer nine and there is a steadily growing backlog of empty containers which are taking up room normally used for full containers.

The Danish Maersk Shipping Line is the largest in the world with some 705 container ships and it has now admitted that it will be diverting a number of its largest ships to other European ports, where containers may be reloaded onto smaller vessels and dis‐ patched to other UK ports, but this is not guar‐ anteed.

Many British companies have been trying to stock up with toys and elec‐ tronics in advance of Christmas, but unless something can be done to unblock the jam, there may be a large number of

El Salvador criticised AS the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns about the acceptance of cryptocurrency, the Bank of Spain has issued its own document concerning adoption of Bitcoin

by El Salvador last September.

In essence, it criticises the Latin American country for introducing Bitcoin which is managed via the internet, when only 50 per cent of the population have access to the web directly and less than half have their own smart phones.

El Salvador argued that with many people working overseas it was cheaper and easier for them to transfer funds home via the cryptocurrency.

disappointed faces around the Christmas tree on December 25.

BUSINESS EXTRA Discount deal THE Grupo Cooperativo Cajamar together with Haya Real Estate are offering some 9,700 properties for sale across Spain with discounts of up to 40 per cent from estimated market value. The offer will last until December 31 or earlier if all properties are sold.

Birthday pawtie THE Brewdog bar and restaurant in Milton Keynes UK has come up with a new way of generating business by offering to host pawties for canine guests and for just £5 each dog receives their own hat, whilst the top dog gets a special ice cream.

September inflation THE National Statistics Institute (INE) confirmed on Thursday October 7 that its initial forecast for Spanish inflation in the month of September was correct at 4 per cent, which is the highest September figure for 13 years due to increases in electricity, fuel and clothes prices.

21 - 27 October 2021

EWN 33

34 EWN

21 - 27 October 2021

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT OH how the UK remoaners would just love to blame Brexit for the nations present transportation predicaments.

Unfortunately for the left wing propaganda machine, the main reasons for the hold up of goods in ports and places of entry in the UK are not due to Britain’s exit from the strangle hold of the creaking EU, but mainly due to the global supply chain snarl up of all deliveries and supplies.

The whole of Europe, and now even the Americans are basically in the same laden boat. Just wondering what the stockpiling of turkeys and Christmas pud is going to look like! Don’t worry about ‘saving Christmas’; if the wokers have their way even the term itself will soon be a distant memory. Think it’ll never happen? Ha! Did you ever foresee that our young children would be taught by morons, who would tell them that if they wished they could choose from no less than 175 genders? Have no doubt, with the help of the UK’s leftist and biased media, these idiots are actually managing to take over.

Gird your loins for yet more looney woke directives. Loughborough School has now ordered the words ‘good’ and ‘bad’ to be

www.euroweeklynews.com

It’s useless

removed from the classroom vocabulary.

They are to be replaced by the words ‘skilled’ and ‘unskilled’. So committing any wrongdoing is now actually not classed as bad, its being unskilled ‐ Whaaa? This ludicrous ruling has been implemented by the school head to ‘take the emotional heat out of managing discipline’. You really couldn’t make it up.

There is also a current John Lewis ad on TV which depicts a boy of around nine or 10 twizzling effeminately around wearing a dress, smearing on make‐up and throwing various objects, and coloured liquid all over the furniture. And do you know what the commercial is for? Wait for it. Not cleaning substances. Not boy’s frocks. Not out of control youngsters, it’s actually for home insurance! What a great; typical woke message, that particular commercial delivers to our children. Innocents, now being deprived of their childhood, who will probably grow up as one of the most confused generations the civilised world has ever seen.

And finally, in the light of the tragic murder of Sir David Amess, what the pussy footing

media has naturally failed to mention, is that Sir David was against many aspects of immigration. These included his opposition to giving asylum seekers permission to work if a decision on their application took over six months. Restricting support available to failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants and a large number of other government immigration measures he disagreed with.

His death was not incomprehensible at all. It was a deliberate planned terrorist assassination ‐ whatever the ‘trying to make sense of it all’ slant the pathetic authorities try to put on it. Before unrestricted mass immigration, these incidents simply never took place. The authorities weak, woke, and appeasing attitude, coupled with the usual inanities from the UK’s utterly useless Home Secretary, will one day be the death of us all.

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com.

Expatradioscotland.com Mon. and Fri. 1pm till 4.

To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

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

FEATURE

Travel

Little Vatican of Burgos

IN the province of Burgos in northern Spain, you will find the municipality of Hornillos del Camino. It is a small town with less than 100 registered inhabitants.

The town is known as the ‘Little Vatican’, due to the fact the majority of its residents are involved in religious activities, either as a priest, or a nun. It has the highest concentration of priests in Spain.

Located in the autonomous community of Castile and Leon, in the Arlanzon region, this tiny municipality gained its name many decades ago.

As the town’s mayor, Pedro Mayor said: “It is called ‘little Vatican’ because 60 or 70 years ago, of the 300 or 400 people who were in the town, there were about 60 religious workers.

We are the town with the most priests per inhabitant in Spain,” he enthused.

He added, “With the Camino de Santiago, the people found their spiritu-

In Castile and Leon.

ality, or perhaps they went to seek studies in times with fewer economic resources, and found their vocation here.” In order to open up its economy, the municipality has recently been expanding businesses.

The town features a 14th-century Gothic-style parish church and an old Roman settlement.

The Fiesta del Gallo, which takes place at the end of July, is based on an old local legend. It tells of how some French visitors came to the town at the time of the War of Independence and stole all the chickens.

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

21 - 27 October 2021

EWN 35

Advertising Feature

Peace of mind that your insurance company will not cancel your policy FA C E D with the possibility of run‐ ning a risk, people naturally take preventive measures. With this in mind, insuring your health should be of the utmost importance, even more so than protecting material goods, such as a home or a car, which can be replaced. Health is ir‐ replaceable, therefore its protec‐ tion will be crucial in the long term.

Any time is an ideal time to take out insurance, but it is advisable to do so as soon as possible, as we can’t anticipate unforeseen events and must ensure our health is pro‐ tected when the time comes.

When making a decision, it is es‐ sential to be previously informed o f a l l t h e g u a r a n t e e s t h a t a r e i n‐ cluded in the general and particular

conditions of the policy, especially the duration of the contract and whether the company can oppose its extension. If this were the case, the insured would be faced with the unpleasant surprise of being left without insurance and with the dif‐ ficulty of being accepted by another company due to their age or the ill‐ nesses they have contracted.

It is important to know in detail the guarantees that the company makes available to us, in order to know how long they offer coverage and at what price, so that we can be sure that they are committed to the long‐term care of our health.

At A S S S A w e d i f f e r e n t i a t e o u r ‐ selves by communicating with total transparency those aspects that are relevant in the contracting of health

insurance, both in our informative documents and contract as well as when we personally advise the client.

We truly care for the health of our insured clients. Proof of this is our commitment to not cancel any policy, offering this lifetime guar‐ antee contractually and giving the policyholder the sole decision of c h o o s i n g t o r e n e w t h e i r i n s u r‐ ance with us.

Our philosophy is based on pro‐ viding total peace of mind to our insured clients, for this reason we do not increase the insurance pre‐ mium for advancing in years and we respect the lifetime discounts agreed at the time of contracting.

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36 EWN

21 - 27 October 2021

www.euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE ECONOMY & HEMLINES NORA JOHNSON

the age of 30 look better in a suit than in anything else. Slimmer, too. Far preferable to the sight of a pot belly in a too tight t‐ shirt hanging over the low slung waistband of a pair of baggy track suit bottoms.

But all this talk of food shortages re‐ minds me of that old gag about the mess sergeant in the French Foreign Legion who comes to his general in the desert with some good news and some bad news.

“What’s the bad news?” asks the gener‐ al. “There’s nothing left to eat but camel dung,” replies the guy. “And the good news?” “There’s lots of it.”

Nuff said.

BREAKING VIEWS Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson

WITH some reports that UK supermarkets are encouraging people to start their Christmas shopping immediately as some products may be rationed to stop panic buying, we read elsewhere that some su‐ permarket aisles are stripped bare of meat, fruit and frozen goods with cus‐ tomers already panic buying.

McDonald’s earlier reported running out of milkshakes, Greggs and Nando’s gaps in their menus and Tesco warning about ‘shortages’ at Christmas. Some of the many businesses contending with supply chain disruption compounded in the UK by acute labour shortages affecting the ser‐ vices sector.

But yet, with empty supermarket shelves, dry fuel pumps, warnings about rapidly increasing inflation and a winter of discontent, miniskirts, weirdly, are making a comeback. Experts theorise that skirts are the economy’s bellwether. Since 1926

SHORTAGES: Shelves stripped bare.

the ‘Hemline Index’ predicts that when the economy is in good shape women wear shorter skirts; when it falls they resort to 1970s‐style maxis. The Hipster Beard In‐ dex, anyone?

Maybe designers reckon women are sick of lockdown leggings or those whimsical Little House on the Prairie flouncy, ruffled

confections that did the rounds this sum‐ mer. Let’s face it, because of all the rain you couldn’t wear most of those dresses in the UK except for one or two weeks in July!

This comes as news that half of Marks & Spencer clothes shops have stopped selling men’s suits, preferring to shift jogging bot‐ toms. Personally, I think most men over

Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘The Sentinel’, ‘No Safe Place’, ‘Be‐ trayal’, ‘The Girl in the Woods’, ‘The Girl in the Red Dress’, ‘No Way Back’, ‘Landscape of Lies’, ‘Retribution’, ‘Soul Stealer’, ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora‐john son.net) available online as eBook (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, paperback and au‐ diobook. All profits to Costa del Sol Cude‐ ca cancer charity.

To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

Nora Johnson’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

TONI C. EASTWOOD OBE, MBA

#TheWomanBeyond I AM sure, most of us know that Roger Bannister was the first person to break the four‐minute mile, 3:59.4 to be ex‐ act. Even the smartest scientists and doctors of his era said that it was an ‘impossible dream’ to run a mile in un‐ der four minutes and that the human body was not capable of such a feat, Period, End of Story. And he, of course, wasn’t so sure!!

But here’s what’s so awesome, can you guess how Roger trained to do the impossible?

The answer is simple really: He broke down his goal into bite‐sized pieces.

And here’s exactly how: First, he trained until he could run a quarter mile in a minute. (Wow, Nice job!) Then he trained until he could run half a mile in two minutes. (Well done!) Then he trained until he could run three‐quar‐ ters of a mile in three minutes. (Sweet!)

Then he trained and trained until he thought he could run the full mile in less than four minutes.

21 - 27 October 2021

EWN 37

HOW TO DO IMPOSSIBLE STUFF MICRO GOAL… BIG GOAL…

And, voila!!

On May 6, 1954, at Iffley Road Track in Oxford, England, the timekeeper looked down and saw the magic num‐ bers: 3:59.4.

Roger achieved the impossible by breaking his ‘impossible’ goal into little bite‐size, doable pieces ‐ so simple, yet we all forget what a great idea this is.

(As Henry Ford once said, “Nothing is particularly hard if you break it into small enough pieces.”)

How about you?

What’s your Biggest Most, Audacious Goal, the next exciting thing you want to achieve, in your life, business or ca‐ reer. I like to call it BIG Hairy ARSED Goal (BHAG)!

You know, the thing you would do if you weren’t afraid? Or maybe even if you are afraid!

YEAH. That one.

Write it down, capture it in succinct words.

Now, let’s chunk it down and give you your next bite‐size doable target. Baby steps is all it takes.

One of my favourite sayings when I find myself getting paralysed by the thought of a big goal or something that may seem a little (or a lot) overwhelm‐ ing is “Inch by inch is a sinch, yard by yard is hard.”

What’s the very next micro‐goal you need to hit en route to that BHAG?! The thing that, once you achieve, will make it possible to hit your next target?

Got it? Awesome.

Now… What’s your next baby step?

And, most importantly: Is now a good time to take it?

PS. Want to watch the iconic moment where Bannister breaks the record and his take on the miracle mile? Share the moment itself, nearly 70 years on, I find this incredibly emotional. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT XoTnp_5sI

PPS. Want a free copy of my 60 Top Tips for Success ‐ Get a FREE e‐copy from here. https://quantumvantage.co.uk/60‐ tips‐for‐success ‐ 60 TOP TIPS to help you live your BEST life NOW, achieve your BIGGEST, most HAIRY, most AUDA‐ CIOUS GOALS! Want PERSONAL TRANS‐ FORMATION or BUSINESS SUCCESS? Achieve your wildest career and busi‐ ness aspirations with these simple, pragmatic Tips, Tools and Life Hacks.

Stay Focused, Keep Positive and Choose to +1 in Every Moment. Fulfil Your Dreams and Awaken Your Great‐ ness!

Love, Hugs, High Fives and Fist Bumps Toni x To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

Please do get in touch if you have any questions. Follow me, chat and share your thoughts and network with other fabulous women in my Visionary Women Facebook Group.

@tonieastwood

@SixSecretsToSuccess @VisionaryWomen

tonieastwoodobe

sixsecretstosuccess

THURSDAY 21/10

5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:35pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

MONDAY 25/10

SUNDAY 24/010 SATURDAY 23/10

FRIDAY 22/10

7:30pm 7:55pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm

10:00pm 6:15pm 6:25pm 6:30pm 6:35pm 7:20pm 8:05pm 9:55pm 10:30pm 11:10pm 11:25pm 11:30pm 6:30pm 6:45pm 6:50pm 6:55pm 8:10pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:20pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:35pm 9:05pm 9:30pm

WEDNESDAY 27/10

TUESDAY 26/10

10:00pm 8:50pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:30pm 11:35pm 12:35am 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:30pm

Antiques Road Trip Pointless BBC News at Six; Weather BBC London News; Weather The One Show EastEnders Shop Well for the Planet?

Ambulance BBC News at Ten

4:00pm 5:45pm 6:15pm 7:00pm

BBC London News; Weather Party Political Broadcast The One Show Question of Sport EastEnders Richard Osman's House of Games Night Have I Got News for You

5:45pm 6:15pm 7:00pm

BBC News BBC London News; Weather Weather Pointless Celebrities The Hit List Strictly Come Dancing Blankety Blank Casualty BBC News Weather Match of the Day

7:30pm 8:00pm

BBC News BBC London News; Weather Weather Countryfile Strictly Come Dancing: The Results The Mating Game Ridley Road BBC News BBC London News; Weather

5:00pm

Antiques Road Trip Pointless BBC News at Six; Weather BBC London News; Weather The One Show Panorama EastEnders The Goes Wrong Show The Outlaws

6:15pm 7:00pm

Holby City Would I Lie to You? Who Do You Think You Are? BBC News at Ten Regional News and Weather Weather I Like The Way U Move BBC New Comedy Awards 2021

4:45pm 5:15pm

BBC News at Six; Weather BBC London News; Weather The One Show The Bidding Room The Repair Shop Shetland BBC News at Ten Regional News and Weather Weather

4:00pm 4:45pm 5:15pm

7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:10am

7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am

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11:00pm 11:45pm 12:45am

7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 10:45pm 11:15pm 11:45pm 1:15am

7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:15pm 11:15pm 11:30pm

6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

Gymnastics Born to Be Wild Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two Back in Time for School The Hairy Bikers Go North Guilt QI Newsnight Weather

8:00pm

Born to Be Wild Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two MOTDx Inside Culture: Down Under Gardeners' World Sully Newsnight Weather

8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 12:05am

Dad's Army Queen of Tigers: Natural World Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs The 80s - Music's Greatest Decade? With Dylan Jones Later - with Jools Holland Trevor Horn at the BBC Impeachment: American Crime Story

8:00pm 8:10pm

Gymnastics: World Championships Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline Cornwall: This Fishing Life Antiques Roadshow: Best of the Summer, Part 3 The Ranganation Dave Dave Eighth Grade Question Time

10:45pm

Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two Iolo's Pembrokeshire Mastermind Only Connect University Challenge Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution Frankie Boyle's New World Order

8:30pm 9:00pm

Born to Be Wild Back to the Land with Kate Humble Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two Back in Time for...

Autumnwatch American Crime Story Squeamish About...

Newsnight

8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:15pm

Antiques Roadshow Born to Be Wild Back to the Land with Kate Humble Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two Back in Time for...

Autumnwatch Universe Mock the Week

8:30pm 9:00pm

10:00pm 11:50pm 1:30am 2:00am

3:00am

Cycling: Track World Championship Poltergeist Halloween A Stitch in Time Nature and Us: A History Through Art Romeo and Juliet: Beyond Words

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

12:50am 1:50am 2:20am 2:50am

9:10pm 10:00pm 10:55pm 11:40pm 1:25am 1:55am 3:25am

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3:30am

10:00pm 11:00pm 1:00am 2:00am 2:30am

11:55pm 12:55am 1:55am 2:25am

10:00pm 11:00pm 1:00am 2:00am 2:30am

Sings Stevie Wonder TOTP: 1991 TOTP: 1991 Frank Zappa Old Grey Whistle Test: Janis Ian On Drums - Stewart Copeland!

Cigar Box Blues - The Makers of a Revolution TOTP: 1991 TOTP: 1991

6:00pm 7:00pm 7:25pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm

Coast The Celts: Blood, Iron and Sacrifice with Alice Roberts and Neil Oliver Pole to Pole Paris Police 1900 Paris Police 1900 The Trials of Oscar Pistorius Motherland Reggae at the BBC Pole to Pole

1:40pm

Imagine - Bernardine Evaristo: Never Give Up Ocean Autopsy: The Secret Story of Our Seas The Lost Libraries of Timbuktu Africa Turns the Page: The Novels That Shaped a Continent The Celts: Blood, Iron and Sacrifice with Alice Roberts and Neil Oliver

4:00pm

The Joy of Painting Raiders of the Lost Past with Janina Ramirez Nature and Us: A History Through Art Once Upon a Time in Iraq Nolan: Australia's Maverick Artist Great British Railway Journeys Nature and Us: A History Through Art

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21 - 27 October 2021

FEATURE

It’s never too late to change

ROBERT SHALLIS I WAS inspired to write this month’s article after talking to an old friend who has recently made some brave and incredible changes to their life, resulting in becoming a better, more fulfilled and successful version of themself.

J F Kennedy once said “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

Many of us focus too much on the past which tends to mould our present day as opposed to actually really living in the present moment and appreciating a brand‐new day, a fresh start, a new page, a new story which you can compose yourself.

By allowing past influences, defeats and traumas to hold us back will only keep us there and always be an excuse to justify why we haven’t achieved what we really want to in life.

So, how do we change for the better, how do we become who

A FRESH START: Many of us focus too much on the past.

we really want to be? The way to change is to first ‘welcome’ the future and not be fearful of it.

Remember that you are the author of ‘your’ book of life. You can write a new story or you can continue living in your old story book that has become all too familiar and being uncomfortably comfortable. You can fill your day with new

challenges, a new way of being or you can let it be filled very quickly with unwanted challenges and problems.

It’s never too late to change and become the person you dream about being. Success is anything you decide it to be as long as it is what you want, especially if it’s for the greater good of yourself and others. If you can be proud of

your achievements and how you’re living your life then that is the measure of success.

Many people do not actually find their true success or calling in life until after the age of 40 or 50 for some even 60 and beyond, so it’s never too late.

It is all too easy to say ‘I’m too old to change, I’m too set in my ways.’ However, the reality is actually the opposite. It’s only what we tell ourselves on a regular basis that causes us to believe such untrue statements.

Once we break that habitual way of thinking and replace it with more empowering statements such as ‘I am capable of doing amazing things, I’m ready to succeed.’ The quicker things will start to change and so will you.

Being aware of your thoughts and dismissing the seeds of doubt before they take hold is important. The weeds that grow in the garden of your mind that have been holding you back will start to dissipate and be replaced

with new life full of colour, beauty and clarity once you start thinking differently.

Decide what it is in life you really want, write down what you’ve always dreamed of doing or being however small it may be.

Writing it down is a great step to helping you achieve your goals and dreams.

Everything is possible and you are more than capable of becoming a better version of yourself. You have a choice, to accept your life as it is or change it for the better.

Have a clear intention, a full expectation as to what you really want, expect the best and believe you’ll get it.

It’s never too late to change!

Rob Shallis www.robshallis.com To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

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

NEWS

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21 - 27 October 2021

EWN 41

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EW YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

TOTALLY AGREE IN response to the letter by SH in last week’s edition 14-20 October.

SH in my opinion you are 120 per cent right and have had your same thoughts for years.

I would like to think some politicians and thinkers agree with us that it will not be long before overpopulation brings the world to its knees and wars are fought over water, food, space to live and the yawning gap between the haves and have-nots.

The UK is a perfect example of overpopulation and overcrowding. Wall to wall people, wall to wall vehicles, infrastructure cracking, as from an earthquake, education system, health system, housing system and any other system all going to pot and unable to cope with rising demand.

How to reduce population is a problem no one wishes to face.

The Chinese and Indians tried and failed (I don’t think a free transistor radio will be enough this time around), but it has to be done and obviously many difficult and delicate decisions will have to be made and if they are not I’m glad I won’t be here to see the total ruination of the planet.

If the powers that be can spend the same money, time and energy as they have on COP22 on trying to solve the problem of this nuclear population explosion, there may be a chance, but one wonders whether the great and good have the brains and determination to tackle the seemingly unsolvable.

PC

Balderdash Hi Leapy I completely agree with your comments, the world has gone completely mad, problem is we have got too many tree huggers and snowflakes. When does all this rubbish stop, I now feel for the younger generation.

Regards Keith Moore

Thank you One of your best yet Leapy, as a Yorkshire man living on the CDS for the last 32 years with no racial tendencies, I agree totally with what you say, thank you and keep on writing for us.

Best regards, Michael Glew Keep the faith

Britain not accepting Spanish vaccination Could anyone please let me know if it is correct, that if pinged by test and trace in the UK after arriving by flight from Spain that even having both vaccinations (in Spain) that you have to isolate as the British government are not accepting our vaccinations.

This happened to friends and we are returning to Wales for Christmas for seven days and are concerned about this. Please could anybody clarify as not getting results on gov.uk.

Regards NW

WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR many of us, politicians are considered as selfseeking know-alls, many of whom use their positions to benefit themselves, their families and friends financially either whilst in seat or once they leave office.

The embarrassment caused by the activities of the so-called ‘troughiteers’ is just another example of how our elected rulers can and have behaved and no doubt there are still major revelations due to come out about who made how much out of the pandemic in the UK. The tragic killing of Sir

CORRECTIONS

From our Facebook

OUR VIEW

David Amess at his surgery however does put into perspective the fact that many constituency MPs put in a huge amount of hard work and commitment to try to help those they represent.

Sir David had been an MP for 28 years and although he had not served in any senior government posts, he was considered a conscientious and hard-working Member of Parliament, so his murder was pointless and achieved nothing other than contempt for his killer.

This of course is not the first murder of an MP with

the most recent before Sir David being that of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2015 and prior to that the attempt on the life of Nigel Jones in 2000.

Much as we may be cynical about the intentions of many MPs in the UK (and in Spain as well), we can only express our deepest sympathy to the family of each and ever y victim and hope that although many MPs will continue to receive threats and abuse on the internet in the future, that it will be a ver y long time before another is attacked in this manner.

WILLIAM SHATNER: Was involved in the recent space mission.

Jojo Jojo Sjojo Such a waste of money!

Allan-Janice Snow Ball Just vanity projects, money could be better spent helping people in need now or helping research illnesses.

Pete Stimpson Should have left him up there. If you have lots of money the world’s problems are not your concern.

Steve Townend Probably what people said about the first aeroplanes.

Colin Carter Definitely vanity projects with people with more money than sense.

Bonnie Sparks Robeson It doesn’t matter as long as the taxpayers don’t pay for it.

Angie Ellacott What an absolute waste of money - when half the planet doesn’t have food or clean water??? It’s all about the haves and havenots!!

Byron Sherlock Why is Greta not there protesting climate.

At the EWN, we pride ourselves that reports are accurate and fair. If we do slip up, we promise to set the record straight in a clear, no-nonsense manner. To ask for an inaccuracy to be corrected. Email: editorial@euroweeklynews.com

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FEATURE

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DAVID WORBOYS EVERY time I see an image or hear the mutterings of the UK’s Prime Minister, I despair. This is an office once held by Churchill, At‐ tlee, Macmillan, Thatcher and Blair ‐ all with their strengths and their short‐ comings. Because the UK is still one of the most influen‐ tial nations on the planet, its Prime Minister has a univer‐ sally high profile.

In Europe and beyond, Boris Johnson is widely re‐ garded as a joker (a clown) but, in fact, he is quite a dan‐ ger to his country for several reasons.

First, he cannot be trusted.

He hoodwinked the voting public with lies over Brexit and he seems incapable of giving a straight answer. Any‐ body who has watched the weekly farce of Prime Minis‐ ter’s Questions will have no‐ ticed this. He evades every

21 - 27 October 2021

EWN 47

JOKER IN NUMBER TEN question by going off on a tangent, changing the subject or quoting meaningless statis‐ tics. He repeats the same old dogma over and over again (“we have the fastest growing economy ….” “let’s get this thing done ….”).

Second, he is a naïve opti‐ mist, just hoping that every‐ thing will be ok, regardless of the gravity of the situation and the facts. A leader, while not being a negative pes‐ simist, has to be honest with the media and the voters.

Third, he seems immature as a person. While he likes posing in front of a camera, he looks ill‐at‐ease in the

Clown or Joker? It comes to the same thing.

presence of leaders such as Merkel, van der Leyen, Macron and Biden. He is of‐ ten less than coherent and he has been heard mumbling in Latin! Some of his jokes are not in the best taste.

He admits to being proud of his achievements. Under his watch, the UK has the

highest rate of Covid deaths in Europe and the fourth highest number of reported cases in the world. The care homes tragedy was the result of hesitation and poor judge‐ ment and the NHS is unable to cope. We have rampant inflation, rising taxes and the scrapping of universal credit.

In spite of underemploy‐ ment, there are serious labour shortages. There have been queues at petrol sta‐ tions and empty supermarket shelves. Immigration policy is confusing. We are isolated from our European friends and the government is un ‐ able to secure adequate trade deals.

Johnson holds nobody ac‐ countable for their misde‐ meanours, from Dominic Cummings and Matt Hancock to Cressida Dick. The first two violated Covid rules while the Metropolitan Po‐

lice Commissioner, having ef‐ fectively ordered the murder of an innocent young Brazil‐ ian in 2005 (and been pro ‐ moted and honoured), now presides over a police force incapable of protecting wom‐ en.

He is reactive rather than proactive. Owing to an ab‐ sence of strategy and for‐ ward planning, there are fre‐ quent U‐turns and back‐tracking. Despite this, Johnson never admits he is wrong.

The UK needs a leader with sound judgement, command‐ ing authority and respect. I can’t see anybody in either of the major parties. I am not suggesting we need Gordon Brown again, but suddenly he doesn’t look so bad.

To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

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

48 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

21 - 27 October 2021

FEATURE

As volcano eruption continues to affect La Palma, read a fascinating eyewitness account LETTER FROM

CANARIES

AFTER many hours reporting close to La Palma’s volcano, leaving for a breather through the tunnel connect‐ ing west coast Los Llanos and the disas‐ ter zone, to capital Santa Cruz on the east coast is like arriving from a war‐ zone to sudden peace. But in such record time that it’s difficult to believe it’s the same island.

Exhausted, grimy and scrambled as I am, isn’t everyone here strangely nor‐ mal and unconcerned?

The air’s clean. There’s no fine ash or strange smell, no extraordinary rum‐ bling, emergency vehicles, roadblocks or visible distress. What happened to the full‐on volcano, shooting constant lava and smoke high into the air a short dis‐ tance away?

A caffeine top‐up after two sleepless nights tunes in the conversations

around me and of course everybody’s talking about the volcano. How could they not, when all that separates these two worlds is the barrier of a 1,500m high ridge, helped by prevailing winds.

There’s massive concern and solidari‐ ty. Islanders look after their own. With 6,000 evacuated to date, fewer than 300 Palmeros used the centres provid‐ ed. As I write, it’s down to 49. The oth‐ ers, who’ve either lost homes, or are about to as the lava flow makes its way, now very slowly, down towards the sea, are with family, friends or in locally owned holiday accommodation.

Tourists evacuated from island hotels were in the majority at the centres, until moved to Tenerife hotels.

Whether or not the shelters will fill because things get worse fast is difficult to predict. So far, according to Jose Mangas, Geology Professor at Gran Ca‐ naria University: “This is a textbook Ca‐ narian eruption, but that doesn’t help with predicting how long it’ll last.”

Enormous advances in related sci‐ ences and their technology, interpreta‐

tion and diffusion have been made since the Canaries’ last eruption under‐ sea off El Hierro in 2011/12. It became apparent then that Canarian seismolo‐ gy and volcanology knowledge far ex‐ ceeded accessibility and diffusion pro‐ tocols.

The lead up to the La Palma volcano eruption has been closely monitored and publicised since seismic activity in‐ creased noticeably in 2017, then expo‐ nentially last October.

Experts nailed it this time, announc‐ ing what was essentially an eruption warning 11 days before it happened.

Tremors had increased in frequency and strength and moved up to just below the surface. There was time to warn is‐ landers and make evacuation plans with communities likely to be affected.

Then it blew.

At first, with the low viscosity lava’s main flow going where gravity invited: down barrancos (ravines) towards the coast, all boded well, despite the drama.

Canarians don’t build in barrancos.

After day one, the lava thickened,

cooled and slowed down, solidifying, thickening and creating a barrier to sec‐ ondary flows, which diverted to either side, spreading the danger zone. Then a new vent blew in Tacande, causing last minute evacuations and the loss of more homes.

What will happen next is unclear. It depends on uncontrollable factors and how well they’re interpreted. The rela‐ tive calm with which the volcano was greeted when it erupted has evaporat‐ ed, just like water in pools and irrigation tanks when lava hits, as seen in count‐ less video clips.

What looked relatively straightfor‐ ward and predictable isn’t, with increas‐ ing loss of buildings, fincas, livelihoods, livestock and calm.

Like many people, I find the volcano thrilling. It’s difficult not to be moved by such an extraordinary spectacle, impos‐ sible not to see our ant‐like insignifi‐ cance in the face of nature. But touting this volcano as a tourist attraction, or be‐ ing thrilled by it, seems inappropriate when the plight of people losing every‐

thing moved us to tears.

It’s an understandable contradiction.

One aspect doesn’t cancel out the oth‐ er, but sensitivity is essential. Feeling awe for the truly awesome is under‐ standable, as is compassion for those who’ve suffered the awful.

Pedro Sanchez’ and the King’s stated intention to ‘cover all losses’ and the massive show of support, both inside the Canaries, nationally and internation‐ ally, ease the dreadful sense of despair and helplessness.

The town hall of Los Llanos de Ari‐ dane has set up a bank account to re‐ ceive donations for the victims of La Pal‐ ma volcano eruption.

You can donate here: IBAN ES06 2100 1921 1902 0014 1752 Add your name and concepto: ‘Donación Volcán La Palma.’

To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

Barbara Belt’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

www.euroweeklynews.com

The benefits of a natural approach to life MORE and more people are opting for a vegan lifestyle, and embracing a huge array of alterna‐ tive health and beauty products.

The benefits are wide reaching and the market is vast.

For starters, switching your toothpaste to a ve‐ gan alternative can help both your smile and the environment.

White Glo’s Pure and Natural toothpaste is completely vegan and organic.

Free from fluoride, harmful chemicals and bleaches which are often incorporated into tooth whitening products, White Glo’s toothpaste for‐ mula uses natural ingredients.

There are an estimated one billion plastic toothbrushes contained within landfill sites across America alone. To try and combat this, White Glo’s toothpaste includes a free biodegradable bamboo toothbrush which natu‐ rally decomposes as opposed to plastic tooth‐ brushes that take an estimated 400 years.

Most importantly, switching to vegan friendly cosmetics means products are 100 per cent cru‐ elty free. Purchasing vegan cosmetics instantly shrinks the support for animal testing.

Moreover, using vegan cosmetics can have benefits for the individual user due to the avoidance of animal by‐products such as lano‐ lin, which commonly blocks pores and encour‐ ages acne.

Vegan cosmetics are also perfect for people with sensitive skin, due to the limited number of ingredients used to formulate them, making it less likely to irritate skin.

ZERO WASTE: Vegan alternatives naturally decompose.

The naturally sourced plant ingredients used in vegan cosmetics means that inherently vegan formulas contain a greater amount of vitamins, perfect for keeping skin supple, healthy and bright.

Currently, non‐vegan shampoos contain Sodi‐ um Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) which has been proven to encourage hair loss. While natural plant‐based alternatives such as tea tree oil and jojoba ex‐ tract, stimulate hair follicles and the paraben free formula incorporated into vegan shampoo fur‐ ther reduces hair damage, as opposed to non‐ve‐ gan alternatives.

Another simple and effective vegan swap, is substituting a plastic hair brush for a more sus‐ tainable alternative, such as a bamboo and rub‐ ber hairbrush.

Choosing a vegan hairbrush is better for the environment, as materials such as bamboo and rubber are biodegradable. Whilst detangling hair is a painless and gentle process which preserves hair and prevents breakage, vegan hairbrushes tease the scalp releasing natural oils which pro‐ mote healthier, shinier and stronger hair.

21 - 27 October 2021

EWN 49

Look after your diet at work STRESSING about issues at work can often lead to a poor diet and irregular eating patterns.

The normal working day can start off well with a healthy breakfast, but by lunchtime and mid‐afternoon, a hectic environment can lead to unplanned snacks or nothing to eat at all.

Tight deadlines, over‐ lapping meetings and other work commitment make us delay what we eat or opt for the wrong sort of things.

According to experts, stress ‐eating is a big point of concern among office goers, and stress and anxiety‐induced hunger can have long‐ term effect on the waist‐ line.

Doctors from SL Raheja Hospital in Delhi, claim that making simple and smart food choices throughout the working day can help boost cre‐ ativity and productivity, while keeping fatigue

and stress to a minimum.

Tips to help make the most of your day in‐ clude, having a good breakfast, banning sug‐ ary snacks from the workplace and drinking plenty of water.

It’s advisable to steer

clear of sugary, caffeine laden drinks, and always eat a home‐made lunch.

Healthy snacks such as nuts, almonds and raisins, tubs of raw or roasted vegetables and fruit smoothies are also a good idea.

50 EWN

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21 - 27 October 2021

FEATURE

GO LOCAL

THE EURO WEEKLY NEWS has urged its readers to support local businesses in the community by shopping locally in recent times. Now things are heading back to normal, we challenge you to main‐ tain that habit by support‐ ing local high streets, mar‐ kets, butchers, greengrocers and all of the wonderfully quirky in‐ dependent businesses in your area.

Local businesses make our villages, towns and cities what they are.

They add unique char‐ acter. They are conve‐ nient. And they offer excellent produce from known suppli‐ ers. The joy of shop‐ ping locally means that independent businesses can sup‐ port the local community.

You may find something a euro or two cheaper on‐

line but have you consid‐ ered where your money is actually going?

By shopping locally you’re putting food on a local family’s table and there is nothing better than giving back to the communities that have giv‐ en us so much. Local stores support charities and they sponsor local sports teams.

In many cases, they are much more than just a business, they’re a legacy.

They may have sup‐ ported generations of the same family.

Likewise, brand new local stores and bars may help the genera‐ tions of the future ful‐ fil their dreams and ambitions.

Remember, your lo‐ cal store is going up against multinationals and chains. They can’t win that battle on their own. So give them your support. Spending your money locally will make a real difference to the local economy. Local businesses recirculate a greater share of every euro they receive at local level. They create locally owned supply chains and they invest in their employees.

So remember. When you go shopping ‐ go lo‐ cal!

SOCIAL SCENE

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21 - 27 October 2021

EWN 51

Pantomime outing Floating museums REHEARSALS are now in full swing at long last for the Rojales Pantomime Group’s next production, Treausure Island, which is due to be performed early February next year.

In the meantime, the group’s members took some time off from rehearsals to enjoy one of their many social outings, a round of crazy golf at Greenlands followed by lunch.

The group said: “Everyone was very com‐ petitive, but no one could beat the hole in one made by the pantomime’s leading Dame ‐ Don.” It added: “Yes, as is customary in panto, the dame is played by a male and the lead‐ ing man, Captain Silver, is played by a wom‐ an. Confused, well it is panto, and this is go‐ ing to be an extremely funny production as the script has been especially written by Ben Crocker.

“Lots of yo ho hoing will be going on when Captain Silver and his pirates set sail for the Caribbean to find the buried treasure ac‐ companied by members of the Smugglers Cover WI!! plus a very old male parrot named Polly. Who will get the treasure, if there is any at all??

“As well as entertaining the public the group hopes to make lots of money for local charities as it has done every year through

CRAZY GOLF: Don scored a hole in one.

their pantomime performances.”

The pantomime will be performed at the Cardinal Belluga Theatre in San Fulgencia.

For more information on joining the pan‐ tomime group, contact membership secre‐ tary Doug at douglasmcclone@yahoo.co.uk.

TORREVIEJA Council has recently an‐ nounced that the town’s floating muse‐ ums are reopening to the public and will now be able to be viewed from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9.30am to 2pm.

Residents and tourists will be able to enjoy a visit to the three main boats at the museum, includ‐ ing the Submarine S‐ 61 Dolphin, the Alba‐ tross Patrol III, as well as the Pailebote Pascual Flores, which will be in Torrevieja until the middle of January 2022.

The exhibition area of the floating muse‐ ums is completed by an auxiliary boat of the destroyer D21 given to Spain by the US Navy, a 1950’s salt tugboat, a submarine

FLOATING MUSEUM: Is now reopening to the public.

torpedo and a Span‐ ish mine from the Second World War. At t e n d e e s w i l l a l s o be able to see a 1958 Naval‐Reinosa Span‐ ish Army field how‐ itzer, a depth charge launcher, an Oerlikon machine gun, a Breda Bofors cannon, and a patrol mast.

PETS

52

www.euroweeklynews.com • 21 - 27 October 2021

SPONSORED BY

Pet sitting in your own home IF you are planning a trip later this year you still need to plan early for pet and house‐sitters.

Perhaps you are already making plans for a staycation get away.

Even if you are planning just a short trip, you’ll know that you simply can’t travel with some pets. Young pets in particular may benefit from staying behind so they can follow their routines at home. So, plan ahead.

Take a moment to plan ahead for pet and house‐sitters, if you have trips planned later this year. Now is the time to get ready. We will help you as much as we can. Our philos‐ ophy is that we are all in this to‐ gether. These are the steps to take: 1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com 2. Choose a Premium account (£89 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed

Finding a caring dog sitter matters for peace of mind.

3. Create a profile with pho‐ tos of your pet and the house 4. Post a house‐sit advert stating your plans for your next holiday Covid permitting Do you need a pet‐sitter in

2021? Then get started right now.

How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our net‐ work for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and

then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday.

House‐sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets.

Trustpilot Testimonials ‐ 4.8 / 5

Excellent rating (New Trustpilot rating scale) Here’s what members have said about us ‐ HouseSitMatch found us a per‐ fect house‐sitter…

HouseSitMatch found us a per‐ fect house‐sitter while we were away in Canada and we were de‐ lighted with the care and atten‐ tion that HouseSitMatch took in helping us find the right person.

Ros Morris ‐ Dog owner How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch.com ‐ Choose a membership plan ‐ Please note prices go up soon so sign up now on subscription to secure these prices: o Standard (DIY option) = £69 pa o Premium (with support at each step) = £89 pa

Do you need a house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either a house-sitter or homeowner with a 50% discount using coupon code SUPER50 - an exclusive offer for readers.

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

Understanding what we say and how we say it DOGS’ brains understand not only what we say, but al‐ so how we say it and are able to distinguish the words and tones we use when

speaking to them, a new study has revealed.

Led by Attila Andics, pro‐ fessor at the University of Lo‐ rand in Budapest, the study, the results of which were published by Science maga‐ zine, played recordings of their trainers using different words and tones to 13 differ‐ ent dogs while using magnet‐ ic resonance scanners to study how their brains react‐ ed.

The dogs were found to use the left hemispheres of the brains, just like humans, and to recog‐ nise each

DOGS: Recognise the words we say to them.

word separately regardless of tone.

“This study is the first step towards understanding how dogs interpret human speech and can help us understand communication between the two and make it more effi‐ cient,” Andics explained.

Words are the main ele‐ ment of language and com‐ munication, while tone is an‐ other way of transmitting information.

Humans use both to un‐ derstand what they’re hear‐ ing, and the aim of the study, Andics said, was to dis‐ cover whether dogs were also able to sepa‐ rate the two.

In effect, they were found to process vocabu‐ lary and tone separately.

Therefore, the team con‐ cluded, dogs are indeed able to distinguish be‐ tween the words we say to them and the tone we use.

Advertising Feature

Like us, cats and dogs can suffer muscle injuries MUSCLE injuries are some‐ times difficult to diagnose and treat. The signs and symptoms of muscle injuries in dogs can vary depending on the severity of the problem and also on the individual animal. You may not notice minor sprains and strains at all, and many dogs are pretty good at hiding the fact that they are in pain and not seeing any problems. In advanced cases there is lameness, pain, weak‐ ness, decreased range of mo‐ tion, firmness throughout the muscle, and usually a character‐ istic gait. For its diagnosis, it is of‐ ten necessary to examine it by a veterinarian specialist in trau‐ matology . X‐rays help little.

Other more advanced tests such as ultrasound and MRI are necessary. High‐field magnetic resonance imaging is the most used in human medicine and is now available in veterinary

Dogs can hide pain.

medicine (www.resonanciavet erinaria.es). For the treatment physiotherapy is necessary and many times surgery.

See an example of muscle in‐ jury with the QR code.

In Costa Blanca Sur: www.resonanciaveterinaria.es Centro Veterinario de Diagnóstico por Imagen de Levante C/Los Arcos 23 Ciudad Quesada, Rojales. Tel: 609 779 109

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

What’s with the banks?

MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION Views of a Grumpy Old Man I DON’T know what’s going on here at the moment with the banks. It seems to be a battle to do the simplest things. My bank sent me a form to sign and as Mrs S needed to go to the bank she took it with her. This is where the fun begins. She gives the form to the guy behind the counter and he asks if it’s her form. “No, it’s my husband’s.” “He has to bring it in himself.” “Why?” “That’s the rules.” No point in arguing. So she pretty much knew the answer to the question about collecting our daughter’s debit card even though we knew it was there to pick up and were with Sarah when she opened the account.

This was in the same week Mrs S went to another bank to pay two other bills and the only way to pay was in a machine, but she couldn’t. Even though she was the only customer they refused to help her or take payment over the counter. With my document why didn’t the bank just write to me saying there

was a document that needed signing and would I come into the bank and give me a time when it would be OK. The trouble now is that you can’t even get someone to answer the ‘phone and, in some cases, even reply to emails.

Most bounce back just saying so and so is out of the office and this is an automated reply. And please stop blaming Covid OK! I pay all my tax in Spain. I get a Spanish pension which they calculated wrong so they reduced it which is fine. What isn’t fine is that because they made a cock up I overpaid €900 and they are really dragging their feet in in returning it to me.

They are quick enough to take my money but it’s a hell of a job getting it back.

So now BA isn’t welcoming ‘ladies and gentlemen’ on to their flights! But we still have button discrimination on men’s and women’s shirts and jeans etc being put on opposite sides? I’m surprised that there hasn’t been a march or demonstration or a mass boycotting of every clothes shop in the world. Or is it that no one actually gives a toss about it? Some stupid plumbs just keep trying to change everything!

Email: mikesenker@gmail.com

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

21 - 27 October 2021

EWN 53

Travel

Adventures on Spain’s secret coast SPAIN has been a popular travel destination for so long, and placed under such a powerful microscope, that it’s difficult to imagine where the unbeaten track may lie. But if its informal nickname, ‘the secret coast,’ is true, then Huelva may be just the place.

Nestled on the far south‐west corner of Spain, right on the border with Portugal, a visit to Huelva brings Atlantic beaches into the mix. And they are some of the finest in the world. The words ‘unspoilt’ and ‘virgin’ are thrown around a lot when applied to beaches but in Huelva they find their real home.

Explore the Playa de Mazagon and Playa de Castilla for some real gems. Off season you might even have these pristine miracles to yourself. Both are surrounded by wonderful restaurants and boutique hotels to relax after a gorgeous sunset stroll and enjoy some of the finest seafood in Spain.

The city of Huelva itself isn’t one of the province’s main attractions but is a wonderful Spanish city in its own right, replete with its fair share of history, cuisine and culture.

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, and have a car, a must‐do on any trip to Huelva is a visit to the Doñana National Park. This vast un‐ touched wildness, one of the last in Spain, straddles across three provinces ‐ Huelva, Sevil‐ la and Cadiz ‐ a majestic 100,000 hectares of beaches, pine forest, sand dunes, marshes and mountains. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site

EL ROCIO: The gateway to Doñana National Park.

and it would be a shame not to see one of the genuine wonders of the world right on your Spanish doorstep.

Another terrific opportunity on any Huelva visit is taking a boat to another country. After all this is where Christopher Colombus ac‐ quired his ships to sail to the New World.

You don’t have to go that far, Portugal is just a 15‐minute ferry ride away. For a reasonable price you can visit the charming town of Vilore‐ al do Santo Antonio and gorge on the famous Portuguese custard tart Pasteis de Nata. Be sure to turn your clocks back!

Huelva is easily accessible from almost any‐ where on the Spanish mainland. The fastest way to get to the capital would be on the mo‐ torway through Sevilla from Malaga Province.

But the coastal route through Cadiz isn’t much longer and affords many more opportunities to stop and explore Spain’s majestic coast along the way.

54 EWN

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21 - 27 October 2021

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

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POOLS

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CLASSIFIEDS ARCHITECTS

BUILDING SERVICES J & J PAINTERS. Inside outside - clean - fast - low cost. Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (290728)

BUY & SELL PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

CARE HOME CARERS / CARE HOME. COMPLETE PROFESSIONAL CARE. REASONABLE RATES. CALL 697 834 934 (293504)

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Scandinavian: 659 779 222. w w w. a a - c o s t a b l a n c a . o r g (93323) CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer.

Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@hotmail.com (95475) CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462) CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.givinglight.com.(10006) FREEMASONRY. Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca?

There are various Lodges meetings up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact sec@glpvalencia.com Tel 600 841 064 (95477) HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja.com. We also have a 24-hour Emergency helpline which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456) INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Tor-

CARS WANTED CHARITY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life – damaging everything that is important to you. Englishspeaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia.

Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and

CHARITY

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revieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday morning Services at 11:00am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorrevieja.org (95476) LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English speaking church. For more information, including details of our services, see our website www.lasiestaevangeli calchurch.org (10005) PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459) PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www.pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009-SG/A (95463) ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH 1359. The association supports the welfare needs of ex-members of the RAF and their dependents.

We also provide a social hub for members by organising monthly events. To fund Welfare we raise money through the Wings Appeal. New members are very welcome. To find out more contact Chairman Tony at tony.elaine.cuenta@gmail .com. For Welfare contact Bill or Pauline on 0034 634 389 983 or email rafacbpresi dent2@gmail.com. For general information on RAFA visit www.rafa.org.uk.. (238593) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Why not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a

21 - 27 October 2021 • www.euroweeklynews.com SPONSORED BY

Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be.

If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branch es.britishlegion.org.uk/branch es/orihuela-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www.ori huelacostarbl.co.uk.

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tre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458) THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information. (253807) THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar will be closed for the immediate future due to Covid-19. To join the centre on ZOOM on a Tuesday evening at 7pm download the ZOOM App. To enter use ID Number 8451471869, then Password 3uf5TE. Identification Fiscal G54713789 (95454)

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(10004) ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman Paul Edwards on 618 644 934, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966 716 274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 921 996. (95455) STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers. With rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 654 801 260 or email strokesupportgroup@hotmail.c om, website: torreviejastroke support.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473) THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.acacostablanca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465) THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188.

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Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual cen-

FOR SALE/WANTED WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

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21 - 27 October 2021

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EWN 61

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Please note that in Spain there is NO legislation banning adverts in this section. Neither regional nor national governments are able to pass such a law due to rules governing freedom of publication and printing.

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MOTORING

Charging electric vehicles rises ONE of the advantages of electric cars compared to fossil fuel cars is the saving capacity they gener‐ ate by avoiding refuelling, re‐ placing them with charging by an electric current. This economic benefit is also compounded by the need for less maintenance, which also lowers running costs.

This advantage, which last year was a relevant and important point, no longer seems to be the case, due to the continuous rise in the price of electricity, and the exorbitant price peaks that electricity has been reaching in recent weeks.

The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU), has announced that while last year recharging an electric car cost an average of €190 per year, due to the rise in electricity, the cost has now sky‐ rocketed to €447. Taking an ex‐ ample where the vehicle is only plugged in during off‐peak hours,

and travelling about 10,000 kilo‐ metres a year, the cost of recharging has increased by €257.

With regard to recharging at roadside charging points, the OCU has at the same time noted a rise in prices at some stations, such as Ionity.

In September, they have gone from charging €0.790/kWh to €0.825/kWh. This is a price that is now three times higher than the off‐peak rate.

However, the OCU still strongly recommends electric models over combustion ones, since not only do they help to improve the level of emissions and pollution, but they are vehicles that tend to pay off the investment much earlier. Costing an average of €7,500 more than its combustion engine counterparts, it normally pays for itself in between two and a half, and four years.

MOTORING

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ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

THEY didn’t notice me sit‐ ting quietly at the wheel as they strolled past my car.

“That’s one of those Ford Pumas,” said he. “Nice, isn’t it,” said she. A few minutes later they both purred past in their Porsche SUV. Two days lat‐ er a lady passed on foot with her laden shopping trolley. “I like your car and especially the colour. Love‐ ly.”

So, there you have it; a new Ford making strangers remark on its looks and paint (€911/ £775 worth of Grey matter, since you ask). Been some time since that’s happened, I’d wager.

If you think a lot of peo‐ ple buy a car because they like the looks ‐ and then argue they bought it for more common sense reasons ‐ this lat‐ est medium‐sized SUV promises a healthy bottom line for Ford.

Underneath the smart

21 - 27 October 2021

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Ford puts on the style with the new Puma

body sits a lot of a current Ford Fiesta, including en‐ gine and gearbox. But the bits you can see are all new and stretch further in every dimension than the Fiesta donor.

Ford has a hard won rep‐ utation to maintain for building affordable cars that bring a smile to their driver’s face. It does too, with the sort of eagerness to tackle a corner that the high stance might warn against. Positive steering and a snappy gear change add to the fun.

You can pay as little as €24,400/£20,745 for a

Puma, which will come with a 1.0‐litre 125PS en‐ gine and share all the at‐ tributes of the more mod‐ els in the range.

Power units include a mild hybrid system with an integrated starter/ genera‐ tor for a little more power and improved green cre‐ dentials.

Every Puma gets a cock‐ pit that looks modern, works well but lacks the surface shine of some ri‐ vals, with a bit too much hard plastic scattered about.

There’s plenty of room up front and just about

FORD PUMA: Positive steering and a snappy gear change.

enough in the back, before we reach the clever bit in the boot. Lift the boot floor and you discover what Ford calls a MegaBox, an 80 litre waterproof com‐ partment, complete with drain plug for dirty wellies

and the like.

The goodies count is im‐ pressive, with this posh ‘un coming with heated wind‐ screen, fine sat nav, cruise control and a B&O 10‐ speaker sound system.

A whopping €5,617/

£4,775 of options, that grey paint included, along with fancy alloys, panoramic opening roof, power tail‐ gate and a plethora of driv‐ er aids meant the test car nudged in at €35,113/ £29,850.

SPORT

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to read more visit www.eu-

World Cup 2030 bid looks set to be rejected ACCORDING to sources in UEFA, and the Irish govern‐ ment, the joint bid to stage the 2030 World Cup by the UK and the Republic of Ire‐ land looks ready to be reject‐ ed by UEFA. These sources have claimed that as soon as Spain and Portugal proposed their joint bid for the same tournament, there was only ever going to be one winner.

It is believed that in an ef‐ fort to appease the football authorities of both nations, UEFA will try to offer the Eu‐ ro 2028 tournament to the UK and Ireland. The sources claim that if the countries agree to accept this alterna‐ tive then Europe’s governing body will throw its full weight behind their bid for Euro 2028.

With a feasibility study un‐ derway by both the Irish and UK governments, along with stakeholder partners, word

has allegedly reached Ire‐ land’s Department of Sport, conveying the message that “the UK and Ireland bid was effectively over before it be‐ gan.”

“It’s accepted that this isn’t going to happen, and the sooner that message is delivered, the better,” said the insider, adding, “I’m not sure it was ever that realistic once Spain and Portugal had declared their intent to host the tournament, and for many reasons, not least ge‐ ography, and easy access be‐ tween the two countries, this one makes more sense.”

Scenes beamed around the world of the appalling behaviour of drunken Eng‐ land fans at the Euro 2020 fi‐ nal have probably killed any chances of staging the tour‐ nament.

As the insider from UEFA explained, “The ‘Football’s

Coming Home’ im‐ age was a terrifying one, and one which did not just sent shockwaves through UEFA, who were livid by what they wit‐ nessed, but global foot‐ ball nations.”

They added, “You can‐ not expect in your wildest dreams to have a country voting for an England‐led bid after the world’s sec‐ ond‐biggest inter‐ national game de‐ scended into chaos. This is the view from peo‐ ple in UEFA and I can assure you that opinion will be even more en‐ trenched at FI‐ FA.” WORLD CUP: Doubtful if the UK will be hosts.

Walking Football SPAIN’S second Walking Football League finally got underway on Wednesday October 20, with the first two fixtures Hondon Flyers v Moraira WFC and Por‐ tobello v Pinoso in the Costa Blanca Walking Football League.

Full report in next week’s Euro Weekly News... make sure you get your c opy.

There are many walking football teams in the Alicante area. Why not visit your nearest club and try Europe’s fastest growing sport.? ‘Live the Dream Again’. It’s fun, make new friends, see if you still ‘have the touch’ and enjoy a refreshment and banter afterwards.

For further information re venues and days contact apalmar2011@hotmail.com.

WALKING FOOTBALL: There are many teams in the area.