BEST OF THE YEAR
PAGES 6 - 25 Issue No. 1904 30 Dec 2021 - 5 Jan 2022
Jabbed up A TOTAL of 4,242,773 Valencian Community residents are now fully vaccinated against Covid. Since the vaccination pro‐ gramme began on December 27 last year, the regional govern‐ ment has administered a total of 9,433,334 Pfizer, Moderna, As‐ traZeneca and Janssen vaccines, the Generalitat’s Health depart‐ ment announced. In all, 1,548,946 Alicante Province resi‐ dents are fully vaccinated, hav‐ ing received 3,462,071 jabs.
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THE SEASON FOR GIVING Photo credit: Alicante Gastronomica Solidaria
Turn to page 2 » FESTIVE MEALS: An impressive line-up of Alicante Province chefs.
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Meals for the disadvantaged
THE Christmas holidays, which in Spain last the traditional 12 days, are the season for giving. Michelin‐starred chefs like Joaquin Baeza and Ferdinando Bebardi, as well as master pastry chef Paco Torreblanca are amongst those who are doing just that. They have given their time and expertise to ensure that Alicante Gastronomica Soli‐ daria (AGS) could deliver 12,000 festive menus ‐ no different from those customarily eaten in Alicante Province homes ‐ to vulner‐ able collectives between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. “Our motivation is bringing hope and a smile to those who are having the hardest time,” declared Alicante Gastro‐ nomica Solidaria’s president Carlos Baño. “It came into being as a social initiative re‐ ceiving support from the public administra‐ tions to help and provide food for the disad‐ vantaged, answering needs arising from the consequences of the Covid pandemic,” Baño said. Alicante Gastronomica Solidaria evolved from the Alicante Gastronomica trade fair
centring on Mediterranean food and lifestyle, the AGS president explained. “We decided to put the fair’s resources at the service of those who most needed them,” Baño said. Since the beginning of the pandemic, AGS’s 1,600 volunteers have cooked and distributed more than 350,000 meals for the homeless and the vulnerable in 35 municipalities. The AGS also counts on support from more than 650 firms that provide services ranging from food supplies to logistics. “This sums up the successful way in which collaboration between the public and pri‐ vate sectors can benefit society,” Baño said. “It also demonstrates the hospitable, pub‐ lic‐spirited and committed character of Ali‐ cante Province’s population, together with the hospitality and restaurant sectors,” the AGS president declared “They have all contributed their talent, ef‐ fort and hard work to feed thousands of people each day in an especially complicat‐ ed situation.”
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Happy New Year from
Euro Weekly News!
MUCH like 12 months ago, many people across the we approach the New year. Year with uncertainty We have all learned not and trepidation. But this to take things for granted. year, there’s added frus‐ To appreciate those tration. Just as we all who are close to us felt normality was and to make the within touching dis‐ most of every mo‐ tance, it was ment. snatched away by the We don’t know ever‐changing global the future, but situation. But just like we do know how last year, we move for‐ much we have all ward with hope that been through and brighter days are just what we have over‐ around the corner. And come. And that Michel & Steven Euesden. with good reason. should fill us all with Recent times have showed us the positivity heading into 2022. power of community spirit. In tough With that in mind, Michel, Steven times, normal people can do amazing and all the EWN family would like to things. It has been our pleasure to wish all our valued clients, and loyal cover the many heart‐warming stories readers from Spain and around the of gestures, large and small, that have globe a HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW made a huge difference to the lives of YEAR.
No beach parties
CITY HALL decided to close the Orihuela Costa beach‐ es on Christmas Day to forestall crowded gather‐ ings. “Faced with the present situation owing to the pandemic and the rising number of cases we need to be extremely cautious and avoid situations with negative outcomes,” said
Public Safety and Beaches councillor Antonio Sanchez beforehand. The decision to close the beaches on Christmas Day was adopted at a meeting attended by Ori‐ huela’s mayor Emilio Bas‐ cuñana and councillors. “We very much regret having to make this deci‐ sion, but we are obliged
to do so out of a sense of responsibility," This was the second consecutive year that the pandemic has halted Ori‐ huela Costa’s annual Christmas Day beach par‐ ty, now an established event attracting thou‐ sands of residents and tourists of all nationali‐ ties.
Solar plans A MADRID‐BASED company hopes to install a solar power plant on the outskirts of Tor‐ remendo. The project has yet to be authorised, but if allowed to go ahead it would occupy three plots totalling 36.12 hectares, with the solar pan‐ els covering 21.38 hectares of this area. According to Span‐ ish media sources, the pro‐ posed plant adjoins unbuilt land and houses, while the largest 18.38‐hectare plot is bigger than Torremendo’s town centre.
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REMINDER WE would like to remind all our readers that Euro Weekly News will be published a day early on Wednesday, January 5 next week. This is because Thursday is a national holiday to celebrate the Three Kings.
NIBS EXTRA Snow-ready THE Generalitat has 644 per‐ sonnel, with more available if necessary, plus 176 vehicles ready to clear roads and pro‐ vide help for the region’s 204 municipalities where there is a risk of being cut off after heavy snowfalls. Equipment includes 16 snowploughs and 250 tons of salt and grit.
Pilar jobs PILAR DE LA HORADADA re‐ cently used two official grants of €275,160 to em‐ ploy 15 people on 12‐month contracts. The subsidies from the regional govern‐ ment’s LABORA employ‐ ment and training service were co‐financed by the EU’s Youth Employment Op‐ erational Programme, ex‐ plained Pilar de la Horada‐ da’s Employment councillor, Asuncion Sanchez Martinez.
Jab joy THE Valencia Community’s ProVaVac investigation pro‐ gramme revealed the pre‐ sent Covid incidence rate is 66.3 per cent lower than in January 2021. The re‐ searchers also found thanks to vaccination, there are 92 per cent fewer deaths and 80.1 per cent fewer hospitali‐ sations than during the third wave.
Long life ASCENSION JARA APARICIO celebrated her 100th birth‐ day in her Torrevieja home on the Juan Aparacio prom‐ enade on December 22, ac‐ companied by her three chil‐ dren and five grandchildren. Orihuela‐born Ascension, who has always lived in Tor‐ revieja, attributed her excel‐ lent health to “the sun, the sea and living in Torrevieja.”
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New Year’s Eve not cancelled GENERALITAT president Ximo Puig ruled out further antiCovid restrictions for the New Year. Far from following the lead of autonomous regions and imposing stricter regulations like Murcia’s curfew, Puig said it was up to each town or city hall to decide whether or not to suspend crowded events and celebrations. Despite earlier reports that Covid passports could be required for outdoor terraces, the regional president confirmed that there were no plans to introduce this measure. “We aren’t going to create more uncertainty,” Puig declared to the Spanish media during a visit to Alicante City on December 27. “The Generalitat has already said what should be done,” he added. “The aim is to have as few crowds as possible, masks should be worn and interiors well-aired.” Accompanied by Ana Barcelo, who heads the regional gov-
Photo credit: GVA.es
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ALICANTE VISIT: Ximo Puig ruled out stricter regulations during Alicante visit.
ernment’s Health department, Puig went on to say that wellorganised, well-controlled Three Kings’ parades could be authorised. “It’s a question of common sense,” he said. There would be meetings with town and city halls, Puig added, and the regional government would collaborate on making adequate decisions. “Formulas must be found to hold these celebrations with maximum security,” he stressed.
Another Cala Mosca salvo ENVIRONMENTALISTS continue to insist that the Generalitat should prevent the Cala Mosca de‐ velopment. Rafael Almagro, spokesman for Orihuela City Hall, pointed out that the local administration does not have the power to declassify Orihuela Costa’s only stretch of untouched coastline, which is zoned as building land. Only the regional gov‐ ernment can do this, Almagro said. According to the Generalitat, Orihuela Costa has exceeded the limits for expansion set out in the Vega Baja’s Territorial Action Plan (PAT), creat‐ ed to protect an area at risk from ‘natural or in‐
Signed and sealed VICTOR GARCIA, the region’s Schools Infrastructure director general, has signed the authorisation for Tor‐ revieja’s new infants and primary school. Work can now start on a €6 million school located on a 9,000‐square metre plot of municipal land in Avenida de los Nenufares. This will substitute the existing Amanecer school in Calle Don Juan de Austria, which is the only Valencian Community school still housed in prefabs. The authorisation was also signed by Torrevieja may‐ or Eduardo Dolon and representatives from the con‐ tractors, Acciona Construcciones. “This is a landmark signing,” Victor Garcia declared. “Not only are we making a leap forward in the quality of the municipality’s educational quality by eliminating the pre‐fabs, but we shall also be generating more than 150 jobs in the construction sector.” The Amanecer school, which will take 14 months to complete, is the first phase in the regional govern‐ ment’s €22 million plans for modernising Torrevieja’s schools. Next in line is the Inmaculada Concepcion infants and primary school which is due to be demolished and rebuilt on the same plot of land. The regional government recently awarded a €1 mil‐ lion contract to assemble and rent a ‘modern and com‐ fortable’ temporary installation for the Inmaculada Concepcion’s 425 pupils, the director general revealed.
duced hazards.’ The Vega Baja PAT has the authority to override urban development plans in the area’s 27 munici‐ palities but the document, now accessible on the regional government’s Politica Territorial website, only affords Cala Mosca protection via the Coastal Territorial Action Plan (Pativel). This is insufficient maintained Miguel Angel Pavon, president of the Friends of Sierra Escalona and vice‐president of Friends of the South Alicante Wetlands. “Pativel is a disgrace and what the PAT suggests is an additional disgrace,” Pavon declared.
Unequal use of Parentesis funds ANTONIA MORENO, the Gen‐ eralitat’s delegate to Alicante Province, recently gave a breakdown of the Vega Baja’s Parentesis grants. Speaking from Guardamar Town Hall, Moreno explained that this direct aid to small firms and the self‐employed was introduced to offset the economic effects of Covid‐19. The delegate gave details of how the grants had been dis‐ tributed in the Vega Baja, ac‐ companied by Guardamar’s mayor Jose Luis Saez and Gisela Teva, the town hall’s Economic Promotion council‐ lor who processed the Par‐ entesis cash in Guardamar. Moreno had overall praise for the municipalities’ involve‐ ment and management of the scheme, but announced that the amounts distributed in the area were below the Alicante Province average Two of the Vega Baja’s largest municipalities ‐ Torre‐ vieja and Orihuela ‐ had dis‐
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tributed only 56 per cent of the amount available to small businesses and the self‐em‐ ployed, the delegate an‐ nounced. In contrast, Moreno con‐ gratulated Guardamar for us‐ ing 100 per cent of its alloca‐ tion. Jose Luis Saez stressed the importance of collabora‐ tion between the administra‐ tions and thanked the Gener‐ alitat for its unconditional support in alleviating the pan‐ demic’s economic effects.
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Town hall versus Costas COASTAL authority Costas warned that two tower blocks on Torrevie‐ ja’s Acequion beach lack a favourable report from the Environment min‐ istry. The two 26‐storey Tor‐ res Baraka apartment buildings, each with three basements, also infringe Costas’ regulations, warned Rosa de los Rios Jimeno, who heads Ali‐ cante Province’s coastal authority. Torrevieja’s Ur‐ ban Development Com‐ mittee, presided by may‐ or and Urban Development councillor Eduardo Dolon, approved a detailed study of the project on December 22. The development with its 130 homes and 250 tourist apartments will in‐ evitably get the go‐ahead at the next plenary meet‐ ing of Torrevieja Council where the Partido Popu‐ lar, which controls the town hall, has an overall majority. The project will also af‐ fect the adjoining Doña Sinforosa park, located between the proposed apartment blocks, and the Acequion beach where there are plans to cut down many of its trees. Costas has pointed out that as well as encroach‐ ing on the state‐owned maritime strip, the devel‐ opment will create “an architectural screen and built‐up area at conflict with its surroundings.”
and finally... DAILY ROAD CHECKS IN ELCHE. Elche’s Local Police began drink‐driving checks in early December. Each night they stop an average 300 vehicles, using super‐ modern initial tests which, if negative, allow drivers to continue their journeys. If positive, officers then carry out a conventional breath test. Local Police sources told the Spanish media that the percent‐ age of positive results is very low, habitually between 3 and 5 per cent. Elche’s police carry out four and five roadside controls every night, each lasting approximately an hour, at strategic points where drivers cannot reverse and drive off. The officers also re‐ ferred to drugs, increasingly used as a substitute for alcohol al‐ though as yet they do not have a specific test for detection.
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Mingle Bells AN event to raise money for the Stroke Association raised €317 on Sunday, December 12. At the Marina Bar in Torrevieja, Mingle Bells started with a two‐ course Christmas lunch followed by a quiz, prizes, raffle and the crowd participating in the song ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas.’ Organisers David and Lorraine Whitney raised €317 for the Stroke Association with the total including a generous donation of €50 from a lady called Margaret who had per‐ sonal reasons for donating to this charity. Rita and Dave and their trusty team of helpers at the bar worked hard to provide bar service and pro‐ vide a delicious meal.
The Royal British Legion Concert Band.
Members of the ‘Royal British Le‐ gion Concert Band’ also played Christmas Carols and Ned Fagan asked his good friend Santa Claus to pop in and serve the diners with mince pies which were generously provided for the event by Iceland Overseas Supermarket. David and Lorraine thanked ev‐ eryone for coming and will be or‐ ganising further charity events next year.
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EWN prize winner revealed A BRITISH teacher living in Spain has been named as the winner of the Euro Weekly News’ €200 trol‐ ley dash giveaway at the Over‐ seas Supermarket. Caroline Louise Wilson, 31, was given the €200 prize after taking part in the EWN’s survey to get readers’ thoughts on the newspa‐ per’s new website. The Euro Weekly News is cur‐ rently redesigning its website to ensure it rivals the best worldwide news sites and continues to be the most popular English news web‐ site in Spain. The site will be bigger, better and faster, yet still provide your favourite articles, updated by the minute, along with new and excit‐ ing features, and the Euro Weekly News wanted to hear its readers’ opinions on what the new website should look like.
Caroline won the €200 prize.
Caroline, who is originally from the UK and moved to Almeria when she was eight before be‐ coming a teacher in Madrid, told the Euro Weekly News she took part in the survey after her mum, Gillian Wilson, encouraged her to enter. She said: “My mum reads the Euro Weekly every week and when I come home she likes to share it with me. “My mum had entered and sug‐
AN artefact dug up in the province of Alicante earlier this month could date back to the Middle Ages. Archaeological work has been going on under the watchful eye of the Guardia Civil for the last few weeks, to try and learn more about the medieval origins of Monover. The ceramic piece was moved to appropriate
ested I should have a go, so I did.” Caroline added that she plans to use the voucher to stock up on some goodies while staying with her mum in Almeria. She told the EWN: “We are hoping to get a few extras for Christmas and maybe something that reminds us of home.” Caroline added: “Thank you to the Euro Weekly News and Iceland for making our Christmas a little bit merrier.”
Artefact uncovered premises on December 8 for restoration, and for a more exhaustive study to be car‐ ried out. This discovery was made after a citizen went to the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Monover Guardia Civil last July. They explained that while carrying
out agricultural tasks on his plot, he had found a large, half‐buried clay pot.
Put to test ASPIRING Elche taxi drivers complained that city hall has not held either of the tests scheduled for this year. Transport and Traffic councillor Esther Diez ex‐ plained that work overload combined with the Covid pandemic had made it im‐ possible to organise the as‐ sessments this year. Diez added that city hall had given the go‐ahead to the list of requirements for the tests in November. If all went according to plan, the councillor added, it was like‐ ly that these would be held in January. The tests, Elche’s own version of the knowl‐ edge required of London cabbies, expects future taxi drivers to have an exhaus‐ tive knowledge of the city’s streets, monuments and history. They also need to have a basic knowledge of Valenciano and English.
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Jewel thieves caught
THE Guardia Civil have arrest‐ ed two Albanian nationals aged 20 and 22 years old for allegedly committing four robberies with force in Valen‐ cia and Murcia. An investigation began on December 8 when Guardia Civil officers from Torrevieja were carrying out an operation in a residential area. They spot‐ ted a car approaching them, but when the driver noticed the officers the car sped off. A chase ensued and the men were eventually caught. They were discovered carrying €500 in cash and items of jewellery.
STOLEN ITEMS: Various pieces of jewellery were found.
The investigation revealed the suspects had stolen jewellery from a home in Caravaca de la Cruz, in the Region of Murcia. They had also carried out mul‐ tiple robberies in Valencia. The officers were able to recover
jewellery worth more than €116,000. The alleged perpe‐ trators of the robberies have been charged with four of‐ fences of robbery with force and one offence of serious dis‐ obedience and resistance.
Researcher creates smart glasses PABLO ARTAL, a researcher at the Uni‐ versity of Murcia (UMU), has obtained a grant from the La Caixa Foundation to help him develop his latest project. Ar‐ tal is working on the creation of the world’s first smart glasses, which will be able to correct ocular defects. Led by Artal, the researchers have developed a device based on spatial light modulators, and controlled by
monitoring the eye’s pupil in real‐time. This solution can also help correct re‐ fractive errors and presbyopia, which affect more than 1.8 billion people worldwide. With the support of CaixaResearch, they will miniaturise their prototype and improve computing performance, with the aim of going to market in four years.
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Spanish are the happiest Ed. 1853
SPANIARDS once again topped the list of Gallup’s happiness survey in Europe, with 65 per cent of those polled describing themselves as happy. Only 7 per cent of Spain said they were unhappy, while 26 per cent described themselves as being neither happy nor unhappy. This marks a 7 per cent decline in Spanish hap piness since 2019 when almost threequar ters of the population described them selves as happy. Meanwhile, Europe is the most pes simistic continent on Earth, with only 46 per cent of EU citizens anticipating 2021 to be better than 2020 and 29 per cent believing it will be worse. Italians top the continent for pessimism, with only 13 per cent holding hope that things will improve in the New Year. Overall, half of all Europeans said they were happy, 46 per cent said that 2021 would bring eco nomic difficulty, and just 25 per cent be lieved that we can look forward to econom ic prosperity next year. Finland is the most optimistic country in Europe, at 57 per cent. Indians (64 per cent) and Latin Americans (61 per cent) are the happiest people on Earth, while 54 per cent of the world’s popu lation said they are happy.
Euro Weekly welcomes BBC News CEO of the Euro Weekly News, Michel Euesden, was interviewed by a BBC news team at the EWN offices on Friday. The short documentary was intended to explain just how life is changing on the Costa del Sol for the many thousands of expats the paper serves now that Britain INTERVIEW: Gavin with EWN’s Michel. has left the EU. The team, led by BBC tion, ‘Better Brexit journalist Gavin Lee, were Deal.’ She described welcomed back into the how it affected the typioffices of the EWN after cal expat pensioners having been the subject of who, used to surviving a previous BBC documenon their fixed incomes, tary filmed in Mijas, back were now finding it in February 2020. harder with electricity Michel starting the inpricing just experiencing terview by thanking Gavin for choos- a hike. ing the EWN as their ‘go-to’ for any “You are either in one camp or aninformation regarding Spain’s Costa other” said Michel, describing how del Sol and Costa Blanca, while in the Brexit would affect the daily lives of background, the full team of EWN the thousands of expats that live on staff were busy preparing content for the Costa del Sol. the paper’s next six editions. The interview over, Gavin thanked Everyone of course observed the Michel, Steven and the EWN team covid rules, with proper social distanc- for their help and co-operation and ing and wearing their red EWN masks looked forward to the next time they - it was quiet, but hectic! would visit, maybe to see just how Gavin asked Michel to explain the Brexit has changed the lives of British EWN headline for that week’s edi- expats living in Spain 12 months on.
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BEST OF THE YEAR
Champagne sales hit record high CHAMPAGNE sales in Wash ington rose to record two year highs as people discov ered Trump was out. The proprietors of liquor stores and many other shops recorded record sales of bub bly at the moment the peo ple knew of exPresident Trump’s departure. More Champagne was sold in 48 hours than on two previous New Year’s Eves, which is an astonishing amount. Clearly ecstatic Democrats decided to let the good times roll and buy and drink as much as they could, breaking
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all previous records for Champagne sales in the city in one day. Even pharmacies in the city say they were flooded with people asking where they could buy a bottle of the fizzy stuff from. The thought that for just one day in a city in Novem ber you could sell more Champagne than was sold on two New Year’s Eve nights is unthinkable, but clearly, that’s how happy or relieved the people were.
CHAMPAGNE: People celebrated Trump’s departure.
BEST OF THE YEAR
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Beaches smoke-free trial BEACHES in Barcelona will be smoke-free this summer as the city council plans to ban smoking citing public health hazards. Initially, it will be banned in four of the 10 city beaches - Sant Miquel and Somorrostro, in Ciutat Vella, and Nova Icària and Nova Mar Bella, in Sant Martí. The pilot scheme will be in operation during high season between May 29 and September 12. Authorities explained that the ban is not focused on punishing those who smoke on the beach - and won’t directly result in fines - but is
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Facebook smartwatch Ed. 1859
FEB
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BANNED: Smoking on the beaches in Barcelona.
more about raising awareness.
Instances of non-compliance could be handed over
to the Guardia Urbana Local Police who will be able to instruct people that smoking is banned in the area. However, if the beachgoer then still does not comply, the Local Police could hand out a fine, but for disrespecting authorities rather than breaking the smoking ban.
Mercadona ditches plastic MERCADONA has announced the withdrawal of plastic bags both in physical stores and home service. New style compostable bags made using potato starch will be available for all purchases, and need to be disposed of in the organic matter container, as indicated in the pic
togram included on the bags. This action represents a reduction of 3,200 tonnes of plastic per year. Mercadona’s 6.25 Strategy goal for 2025, aims to reduce the use of plastic by 25 per cent, make all packaging recyclable and recycle all plastic waste generated in its facili
ties, repre senting a €140 million investment over the four years. In four months, Mercadona has adapted 72 stores to the 6.25 Store model, which will be extended to the entire chain in 2021.
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NEW DEVICE: Will offer health and fitness features.
FACEBOOK INC is building a smartwatch that will let users send messages and also offer health and fitness features. The social media giant plans to start selling the device next year in a market currently dominated by Apple Inc and Huawei. Facebook’s smartwatch will work via a 4G or 5G mobile connection, letting users send messages through its services and also connect to the services or hardware of health and fitness companies, according to a report. And although Facebook has not expressed a strong interest in health and fit-
ness devices in the past, the company does have a track record in wearables with its Oculus headsets and forthcoming smart glasses. Facebook also acquired the neural interface startup C TRL-Labs in 2019. CTRL-Labs specialised in building devices that could transmit electrical signals from the brain to computing devices without the need for traditional touchscreen or physical button inputs, which may factor into whatever wearables Facebook builds in the future - including a smartwatch, smart glasses, or future Oculus headsets.
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BEST OF THE YEAR
Student, 24, offered support
CARLOS ALEGRE, a 24year old student who was praised for his dedication after being snapped studying in the lamplight while he waited for an order for delivery, has been offered at least three grants. According to reports, he has been contacted by com panies in Alicante, Toledo and Belgium, offering him grants and internships to reach his goals. He is currently studying mechanics at the EMA Com peticion school in Malaga, and will soon begin the practi cal side of his studies. Meanwhile, he works as a delivery rider for Uber Eats, but said that as he is forced to wait a lot of the time, he likes to take advantage of that situ ation to study, a view which was applauded by many after his photo went viral on social media. His photo was taken by a Local Police officer who shared it, then it was shared on a Guardia Civil Facebook group by another officer who said “while some are smash
MAR
CARLOS: Has been offered grants and internships.
ing windows, ransacking busi nesses and destroying the streets to support a repeat delinquent, others find a way and make time whenever they can to build a promising
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future for themselves.” Within hours, the image, which has become a symbol of dedication, was shared thousands of times. While many have applaud
ed him, others asked why he should be forced to study in such conditions or why he should have to accept a job like the one he has to make a future for himself.
Creative superhero inspires AN inspirational, nine year-old Spanish boy Gonzalo Zafra, came up with a creative idea to improve the quality of life for people with hearing impairments. The idea to integrate an ‘Assistant’ into his cochlear implant - which transforms acoustic signals into electronic signals, was a winner at the M E D-E L international competition ‘Ideas to Listen,’ staged to mark International Cochlear Implant Day, celebrated on February 25. “Just as Iron Man has JARVIS, his as-
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sistant with artificial intelligence, I would like to have RONDIS, an assistant integrated into my RONDO 2,” he said. “Some examples of what he could do would be to tell me the weather in the morning, remind me what I have to do according to my calendar, receive messages directly from my parents or control the volume based on ambient noise,” explained Gonzalo. At birth, Gonzalo was diagnosed with severe hearing loss deep in the left ear and finally had to have an implant.
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VALENCIA’S Ministry of Universal and Public Health has invested more than €550,000 in expanding the emergency room, creating a new HematoOncology Day Hospital and a terrace for psychiatric patients at Sagunto Hospital. Head of health, Ana Barceló, visited the hospi-
BEST OF THE YEAR
€550,000 invested in hospital
tal last week. She said she is delighted with the improvements made, from “the expansion of the emergency room, which has allowed the incorporation of new cubicles and a
larger space for patients with different pneumological pathologies, to the new Oncology Day Hospital for treatments, with a greater number of armchairs and beds in a more intimate environment
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with more light.” The new terrace for psychiatry patients has been adapted so that patients can have an attractive outdoor space. In the emergency section, an adjoining area of
Sun exposure news ANOTHER reason to LOVE SPAIN! Read on to find out why a stroll along one of Spain’s beautiful beaches may be better for you than you thought. Sunlight causes the skin to release nitric oxide, which can reduce the ability of the coronavirus to replicate, according to a study from the University of Edinburgh. The research, which was published recently in the British Journal of Dermatology, found increased exposure to the sun’s rays - specifically UVA light - was associated with reduced deaths from the
virus. Researchers compared all recorded deaths from Covid-19 in the US from January to April 2020 with UV levels for 2,474 counties for the same time period. The reduction in risk of death from Covid-19 could not be explained by higher levels of vitamin D, experts said - it was more likely to be as a result of the sun’s UV rays. What is UVC? UVC, a relatively obscure part of the spectrum consists of a shorter, more energetic wavelength of light. It is particularly good at destroying genetic material - whether in hu-
mans or viral particles. Luckily, most of us are unlikely to have ever encountered any. That’s because it’s filtered out by ozone in the atmosphere long before it reaches our fragile skin. Or that was the case, at least, until scientists discovered that they could harness UVC to kill microorganisms. Since the finding in 1878, artificially produced UVC has become a staple method of sterilisation one used in hospitals, aeroplanes, offices, and factories every day. Crucially, it’s also fundamental to the process of sanitising drinking water; some
more than 200sqm next to the access to the waiting room, has been adapted to an area that connects with the observation area. As a result, a separate waiting room for respiratory diseases, a triage consultation, two cubicles and an observation area for four beds and toilets have been created.
Ed. 1867 parasites are resistant to chemical disinfectants such as chlorine, so it provides a failsafe. Doesn’t sunlight create vitamin D also? As regards a lack of Vitamin D in our body, studies show very negative data. To begin with, lacking it exposes us even more to different types of infections that would decrease considerably if the levels of this vitamin were correct. There are already studies, carried out in 2007, that agree with those of the present and affirm that it produces protective effects against acute respiratory infections.
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Honoured
SPAIN’S King Felipe, accompa nied by Queen Letizia, visited Oliva (Valencia) to present this year’s Cervantes Prize for Literature. The award went to the po et Francisco Brines and ordi narily the prizewinner would have been present at the cer emony which is held each year on April 23 in Alcala de Henares (Madrid), but Brines’ delicate state of health pre vented this. Nor was he able to travel to Valencia City when the re gional president Ximo Puig of fered the Palau de la Generali tat palace as a closer alternative. Instead, King Fe
MAY Ed. 1872
lipe and the Queen last week presented the award in per son at Brines’ home in L’Elca in Oliva, which has inspired much of his poetry. The poet was not told of the impending royal visit until the previous day to avoid “un necessary anxiety” his family explained. Francisco Brines, who was born in Oliva in 1932 and has
BEST OF THE YEAR
Cathedral restoration finally completed THE Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a famous centre of pilgrimage for many, has finally had the last piece of scaffolding, and the final crane removed, which have been covering its beautiful baroque façade for the last eight years. Starting the difficult and arduous task back in 2013, the building which had become dilapidated due to the weather was gradually brought back to life, and now the renovated cathedral looks like new, with its gleaming stonework and stunning design once again visible to the multitudes of people who flock to this shrine of worship each year. Restoration is due to start on another part of the building soon, that of the museum section, but that will not affect the main body of the building, with this being the Xacobeo Year, and pilgrims will be venturing on the famed Camino de Santiago, to reach the Plaza del Obraidoiro and admire their destination in its full splendour, after spending eight years visiting only to find it hidden by scaffolding.
Ed. 1872
ROYAL VISIT: King Felipe, Francisco Brines and Queen Letizia in L’Elca (Oliva).
a degree in Law, Philosophy, Literature and History, was Reader in Spanish Literature at Cambridge and Professor of Spanish at Oxford. He has an honorary doctorate from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and is a Member of Spain’s Royal Academy. The formal part of the visit con cluded, the King told Brines, “What a pleasure it is to be
able to come here and, above all, thank you for inviting us to your home” describing it as a “little paradise.” The poet showed the royal couple his gardens with their privileged view of the Montgo mountain and, before they left, presented them with his collected poems, ‘Ensayo de una despedida’ (Rehearsal of a farewell).
Raspberry flavour banana THE exotic fruit that is grown in the Canary Islands is now also appearing on the Peninsula. We are seeing more and more exotic fruits in our supermarkets, such as lychees, passion fruit and tamarinds, but the most recent is the red banana which, unlike the rest, doesn’t come from the other side of the world, but from the Canary Islands. The red banana is not of the Cavendish variety, like the traditional Canary Island banana, and as well as the exterior colour difference they also have a different flavour. They are slightly smaller and have a tougher ‘bright purple, between purple and brown’ skin. However, the interior of the
Ed. 1871
fruit looks much like a normal banana, although, there is a slightly pinkish tone to it. The texture is very similar, but the flavour has subtle hints of red fruits, particularly raspberry. Despite the premier of the red banana on the Peninsula, it is possible to find this variety in Spain outside of the Canary Islands. “In the microclimate of Almuñecar the plant has adapted extraordinarily, in fact, it is much more robust than the other types of plantains and bananas that we grow,” explains Manuel Mateos, head of Tiendadefruta.com. They are priced at €3.2 per kilo.
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Our readers would move here again WITH everything that has gone on in the past year, including Brexit and a worldwide pan demic, Euro Weekly News asked our read ers if, knowing what they know now they would still move to Spain. The consensus was a resounding yes! De spite the challenges it sometimes presents, Spain offers an amaz ing lifestyle and most peo ple, given the choice over again, would still decide to move here. Seventyfive per cent of our readers said that they do not regret having moved to Spain. Suzanne Stokes said “Yes never regretted it for a day. But we live on the coast, where our limited Spanish is not a problem and we do accept it’s not Britain and we respect things are sometimes done differently here. To be hon est we liked it better 15 years ago, before there were so many British shops,
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bars and fast food restau rants but still a wonderful place to live.” Missing family, especially due to the coronavirus is one of the main reasons why our readers may recon sider their decision, like Bev Somervell, who said “no, didn’t know I wouldn’t be
able to see my family for two years and still don’t know when I will see them.” Sue Peers said how safe she feels in Spain, “Definitely, almost 15 years now, would nev er want to go back to UK now, every day nothing but violence, where we live in Spain never any problems, never afraid of going out on my own, never afraid to walk past a group of teenagers, I know it’s not going to be like that all over Spain, but choose wisely and it’s the best life you could have.” Carole Evans praised the people and the health sys tem “Absolutely yes, we have lived here for 20 years. The health service is first class and the Spanish peo ple are great, I was taught to treat people like you wish to be treated. Learning enough Spanish is a must, having Spanish friends is also good. Our home is here in Spain, wouldn’t change it.”
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EWN and Daily Mail
EURO WEEKLY NEWS, Spain’s largest expat paper, has been bringing you the best in news reporting for more than 20 years. And in that time Euro Weekly News’ credibility and popularity for breaking local and national news has grown, with even London’s biggest papers turning to our newsroom for the in formation they need. On June 21, one of Britain’s most popular newspapers, the Daily Mail, drew on our long standing reputation for the best reporting from the Costa del Sol when it reprised Euro Weekly News’ coverage of the trag ic death of Rocio Wan ninkhof in La Cala in 1999 in an article about a new Netflix documentary about the horrific murder. Michel Euesden, the owner and cofounder of Euro Weekly News, said “I remember the events well and coverage of every as pect of this tragic but grip
THE BEST NEWS: Supporting each other.
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ping story was a priority in our newsroom. In our 22 years of coverage of south ern Spain, from glitzy Mar bella to rural Cadiz, this was one of the most shock ing stories we encoun tered. “It remains one of the most highprofile murders ever on the Costa del Sol
and I’m not at all surprised Netflix have made a docu mentary about it. Euro Weekly News covered ev ery aspect of it, from the initial crime to the convic tion of British barman Tony King for the murder of Ro cio and of another young woman, Sonia Carabantes. But not before Dolores Vazquez, the lesbian lover of Rocio’s mother, had served 17 months for the murder when she was wrongly convicted in Spain’s first ever trial by ju ry,” Michel added. Murder by the Coast airs on Netflix from June 23.
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£5 coin to honour Prince Philip A NEW coin to com memorate the life of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has been re vealed. A special edi tion £5 coin features an original portrait of The Duke to celebrate his ‘remarkable’ life. The coin’s design was approved by The Duke before his death in April this year. The Roy al Mint will also make a £50,000 donation to the D u k e o f Ed i n b u r g h ’ s Award to support its community work in the UK and internationally. “This coin is a fitting tribute to The Duke of
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Ed. 1878 Edinburgh, who moved and inspired so many people around the world with his decades of service both to the nation and Her Majesty the Queen,” said Chan cellor Rishi Sunak. “I’m proud to unveil the coin o n A r m e d Fo r c e s D a y , considering his distin guished naval career and unwavering dedica
tion to our Monarch and to his Royal duties, and it is only right that he and the Queen are depicted together on both sides of it,” he added. Anne Jessop, Chief Ex ecutive of The Royal Mint, said that since the passing of The Duke o f Ed i n b u r g h i n A p r i l , many have commented that he led a life well lived. “He was the longest serving consort in British history, and patron or president to over 750 organisations including The Royal Mint Advisory Commit tee,” she said.
BEST OF THE YEAR
Bye-bye plastic ear buds and straws T H E E U ’s S ingle- U se Plastic (S U P) Directive came into effect on Saturday J uly 3, which means that many common items made with single-use plastics are now banned in the bloc. Cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, stirrers, chopsticks, straws, expanded polystyrene single-use food and beverage containers, and all oxo-degradable plastic products are on the list of products that are banned from being placed in establishments across the EU. The objective of the EU Directive is “to prevent and reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, in particular the aquatic environment, and on human health, as well as to promote the transition to
BANNED: No more plastic straws.
Ed. 1880 a circular economy with innovative and sustainable business models, products and materials.” Single-use plastic products are used once, or for a short period of time, before being thrown away. The 10 most commonly found single-use plastic items represent 70 per cent of all marine litter in the E U, and up to
85 per cent of all marine litter in the EU is plastic. “This is the latest in a series of measures we’re taking to reduce plastic waste and better manage the waste we do produce. Our future depends on us rapidly changing the way we produce products; this will contribute to a much wider effort to address climate change,” said T D A lan Farrell, Fine Gael Climate Action Spokesperson.
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Female recruit makes history HANNAH KNAPTON has made military history by beat ing scores of male officer cadets at the legendary British Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst to become the first female recruit to ever be se lected to lead a battalion of the famous fighting regiment. Upon completion of her fi nal exercise at Sandhurst she will receive the coveted ma roon beret with its winged capbadge, after passing out as a 2nd Lieutenant, and will at tend the Academy’s commis sioning ball wearing her regi mental mess kit for the first time, having already been in terviewed by a board of senior Parachute Regiment officers. As reported, a Sandhurst source said of Hannah, “This is a remarkable achievement. For any officer, commanding paratroopers is a daunting prospect. The pressure is huge because the regiment’s stan dards are so high and if an of ficer is not cutting it the blokes won’t respect them. To be the first woman to find herself in this role, that’s going to take a
HANNAH (first left): Had to pass strict enduring training.
AUG
Ed. 1883 lot of courage and composure on her part.” They continued, “The regi ment is fortunate that it can select its officers from the cream of the crop at Sand hurst, the best of the best, so she must be performing very highly there. Only eight cadets from scores who applied were invited to interview and Han
nah is one of five to go forward from there. They wouldn’t be putting her forward if they did n’t think she’s got what it takes.” Hannah has had to pass the same strict, enduring training that her male colleagues did, with no allowances being made for her gender, and as with the soldiers she will even tually command, Hannah has to pass the brutal infamous en try test know as ‘P Company’, which outside of selection for the special forces is the tough est test in the British military, and includes a parachuting course.
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Well-earned retirement LEGENDARY crooner and Grammy award winner Tony Bennett is retiring from performing, according to his son Danny who is al so his manager. Last week’s soldout show alongside La dy Gaga at Radio City Music Hall in New York was his last. “There won’t be any addi tional concerts. This was a hard decision for us to make, as he is a capa ble performer. “This is however doctor’s orders. His continued health is the most important part of this, and when Tony’s wife, Susan, heard the doctors she said, ‘Absolutely not’,” said Danny. A 70year veteran of the stage, Bennett scored his first US number one with Because of You in 1951, go ing on to record a number of pop and jazz classics. The star has many Gram my Awards, including a Life time Achievement Award, presented in 2001, to his
STAGE VETERAN: After 70 years Bennett is now going to retire.
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name, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Kennedy Centre Hon ors and more than 50 mil
lion records sold. Earlier this year it was re vealed that Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. Even so, he has continued to perform live in the five years since. The singer was expected to appear at a few more US dates later this year, howev er, these shows have now been cancelled.
BEST OF THE YEAR
EU funds for Spain Ed. 1887 THE EU Commission has granted €373 million to five European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional De velopment Fund (ERDF) oper ational programmes (OPs) in Belgium, Germany, Spain and Italy to help the countries with coronavirus emergency response and repair in the framework of REACTEU. In Spain, €87 million will be added to the ESF OP for Castil la y Leon to support the self employed and workers who had their contracts suspended or reduced due to the crisis. The money will also help hard hit companies across Spain avoid layoffs, especially in the tourism sector. “Measures focus on sup porting labour market re silience, jobs, SMEs and low income families, as well as setting futureproof founda tions for the green and digital transitions and a sustainable socioeconomic recovery,” the EU said on Friday August 27.
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30 Dec 2021 - 5 Jan 2022
DGT fake email warning THE General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has again urged the public to be aware of online scams, as more and more cybercriminals take the initiative to steal your personal and financial data, while pretending to be them. One of the oldest scams is the one which consists of the ‘DGT’ notifying you, usually by email, that you have an ‘unpaid traffic fine’, but they tell you quite kindly that you can pay the penalty there and then, by clicking on the link they have provided, which of course, once clicked, could lead you to a phishing-type scam to fool you into giving your personal info, or, it could install malware in your device. In addition to the fake traffic fines, cybercriminals are also attacking users through another avenue: their driving licence. Again posing as the DGT they send them an email and inform you that your permit has expired, and then they tell you all the in-
SEP
Ed. 1889 SCAM: Ignore the emails.
structions you have to follow to avoid any problems.
Please ignore these emails.
Madrid chef honoured
AVANT-GARDE Chef Dabiz Munoz of Di verXo in Madrid has won The Best Chef Top100 Award. The awards, sponsored by Perlage, placed Chef Bjorn Frantzen of Frantzen in Stockholm in second. He also took the award for The Best Chef voted by Chefs. Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz in San Sebastian took a huge jump from his previous 45th position on last year’s list to third place. The Best Chef Science Award pow ered by LSG Group went to Joan Roca from Catalonia. According to the organisers the award is a “distinction for the chef who is outstanding in relation to research, experimental tech niques and transformation.” The Top 100 list included 13 Spanish chefs. Munoz said the awards list will “help restaurants, but also the people of the country.” He added, “What comes to me, comes to Madrid, which to me is one of the most exciting cities in the world today for gastronomy.” According to DiverXo’s website the restaurant provides diners with, “A journey through the hedo nistic, greedy and creative world of Dabiz Munoz, avantgarde cui sine in which everything is possible.” Menus start at €250 per per son with pairing options beginning at €150.
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Good Samaritan
A GOOD SAMARITAN handed in more than €1,000 in foreign currency along with bank cards that they had found in a folder. Officers from the Acci dent Investigation and At testation Group (GIAA) of the Malaga Local Police were able to locate the owner of the folder, who was a 70yearold Venezuelan woman. Somehow she had lost the folder which contained US$1,500 in 50 and 100 dollar notes. The folder al so contained English pounds along with Swiss francs. The total value came to €1,368. Early in the afternoon on Friday, September 24, a local resi dent headed to the GIAA premises of the Malaga Lo cal Police station which is located in Llano de la Trinidad. The local woman had discovered a black folder in the area and had decided to make sure it was returned to its rightful owner. She told the police
OCT
Ed. 1893 that there were docu ments inside. Local Police officers inspected the fold er and found it contained documentation along with a white envelope. The en velope contained money from various countries. Two bank credit cards were also discovered in side. The officers quickly set about locating the rightful owner of the fold er. They soon managed to contact the owner who then made their way to the police station. The elderly woman thankfully had all of her belongings returned to her. She was extremely grateful to the honest lady who had turned in the fold er. She was also pleased with the excellent work of the Local Police officers.
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Burger King goes veggie BURGER KING will open a veggie pop up restaurant in Madrid. The venue will be in place for one month and will be 100 per cent vegetarian. Burger King also announced the launch of the ‘Long Vege tal’. This is a veggie version of its classic ‘Long Chicken’. The new Long Vegetal comes with bread, lettuce, mayonnaise and a chicken sub stitute made from soy and wheat. The meat substitute has been created by The Vege tarian Butcher. Vegans will be able to enjoy the new product too if they opt to skip the mayonnaise. The new product joins the Veggie Whopper and Veggie Nuggets on Burger King’s permanent list of vegetarian products. Borja Hernández de Alba, general manager of Restaurant Brands Iberia Spain and Portu gal said: “We want to reach both people who base their di et on plantbased products and those who do eat meat but want to reduce their consump tion.”
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All the products with the V Label, have a quality seal for vegetarian and vegan prod ucts. This guarantees that there is no crosscontamination with meat. It also guarantees that they are of a vegetable origin.
Police QR scam warning THE National Police has released tips on how to avoid QR code scams. In recent weeks, the me dia have also echoed this warning. Fraudulent activities that cyber 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 pandemic, when they have been used in places such as restaurants, airports, concerts and theatres. The National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) lists the risks to which we can expose ourselves when scanning a QR. These are possible cases of phishing, the download of mal ware or malicious code injection and session hijacking. Cybercriminals trick victims into scanning a code that im personates the original to covertly access information with in their account. Tips include having an antivirus installed on devices. Being 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 downloads when scanning a QR code. They also suggest businesses use a se cure QR generator service.
Ed. 1894
FEATURE
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IN A PERFECT WORLD
CAR POLICIES: Customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything they do.
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WHY LÍNEA DIRECTA? Línea Directa has been providing comprehensive car, motorbike and home insurance to British expatriates and residents in Spain for over 25 years. With over three million customers nationwide, all services and documentation is in English. Your car insurance protects you financially against loss in the event of a motor vehicle accident or theft of your vehicle. From flat tyres and dead batteries to empty petrol tanks, Línea Directa is always on hand 24/7, 365 days a year for total peace of mind. EXPAT2EXPAT Did you know that Línea Directa has its own Expat2Expat programme? Whenever an existing customer recommends a friend, then we reward the policy-holder and the friend with €30 in cash. You can recommend up to 10 people and earn up to €300 in cash per year. Simply ask your friend to call 917 002 006 and quote your full name. Then once their application for car, bike or home insurance has been approved, Línea Directa will pay the reward straight into the bank account following payment of the next or first premium. See terms and conditions at lineadirecta.com. Call their English-speaking customer service staff on 952 147 834 or get a competitive quote now at lineadirecta.com.
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School dinner debts pledge A BLOGGING dad vowed to clear school dinner debts at a Welsh school to stop the “madness of kids potentially going hungry.” Simon Harris, a father of four, made the offer via his Twitter account on November 11, after the headteacher of the school, Neil Foden, sent a letter to parents saying the school would not provide food to any child who had a school dinner debt. He wrote that any child who owed more than a penny would not
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be given food. The incident caught the at tention of Marcus Rashford, who just received an MBE from Prince William for the hard work and dedication he has shown to ensure no child
goes hungry. He tweeted “Has the pandemic not taught us anything? Can we not be understanding? Come on now...?” The dadoffour, who has tens of thousands of Facebook and Twitter follow ers said: “I’ve just made this genuine offer to the manage ment of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle on Twitter. “I will absolutely cover their catering deficit if it stops this madness of kids potentially going hungry because of a school dinner debt.”
Dragon’s Den millionaire reject RACHEL LOWE appeared on the very first series of Dragons’ Den in 2004 hoping to get their backing for her board game. She was rejected by all the Dragons after asking them for £75,000. Rachel has since earned an incredible £96 million from the game they turned down. It has even outsold Monopoly. Needing an injection of cash to help get her board game ‘Destination’ into the high street shops in time for Christmas, the en trepreneur saw the TV show as her final hope. Rachel was studying for a law degree
Ed. 1898 and working as a cabbie in Portsmouth to help pay for it. In the game, players must navigate taxis through the streets of a city, while collecting the most fares. Rachel faced a humiliating experience and was told she could never survive in such a competitive business. To her good fortune, Hamley’s, the toy retailers stepped in and offered Rachel a deal. In its first year alone, the London version of the board game out sold its rival, Monopoly.
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Marathon wheelchair record broken
A WORLD record was bro ken at the Barcelona Marathon this year when amateur runner, Eric Domin go Roldán, crossed the finish line with his mother Silvia in her wheelchair. Eric pushed his mum around the entire marathon route in an official time of 02:53:28. Sylvia has spent the last 17 years living with Multiple Sclerosis. She is a fighter who also survived coronavirus. The pair have used their sporting achievements to raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. Eric started running marathons in 2016 with the aim of raising awareness of the disease. He nearly man aged to break the record for pushing a wheelchair last year. Eric commented: “Last year (2020) we tried to break
BARCELONA MARATHON: Eric broke a world record.
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the Guinness marathon record pushing a wheelchair in the Sevilla marathon (02:58:40) and we did (03:00:30). But I made myself a promise: that this record would be named after my mother and multiple sclero sis.”
Smallest church in world A C C O R D I N G to the Guinness Book of Records, the smallest church in the world is the Santa Isabel de Hun gria, which is just 1.96m² in size. It is in the Malaga Province, in the municipality of Be nalmadena. Constructed by Este ban Martin, between 1987 and 1994, this tiny place of worship can be found inside the Castillo de Colomares. It is a monument featuring many different architec tural styles. Mr Martin
DEC
Ed. 1901 reportedly built it as a tribute to the cultural exchange unleashed af ter the discovery of America in 1492 by Christopher Columbus. The church is dedicat ed to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, who dedicated her life to helping the most disadvantaged
people. It has every thing necessary to carry out services, being also consecrated by the Prior of the Monastery of La Rabida. Benalmadena is a popular holiday destina tion among tourists thanks to its highquali ty beaches. But this mu nicipality has many more tourist attractions that should not be missed including the Castle of Colomares, Jardines del Muro, and the cobbled streets of its charming old town.
Gay dads make history THE UK’s first gay dads are set to make history again as they look to register their new triplets’ birth certificates with three parents listed on the document. They are set to welcome the triplets after a £1 million journey to complete their IVF family through an American surrogate. Barrie DrewittBarlow, 51,
Ed. 1902
is celebrating the news with fi ance Scott Hutchinson, 26, and exhusband Tony, 56. It was 21 years ago that Barrie and Tony became the first British samesex couple for mally registered as parents. In 1999, Barrie and Tony went to court to be allowed to have both their names on
the birth certificates of their children who were born through a surrogate, the first time in Europe a samesex couple had given birth in this way. They were allowed to be ‘Parent One” and ‘Parent Two’ on the document. This time, they will look to change the law again and have three parents listed on the certificates.
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EUROPEAN PRESS
EUROPEAN PRESS DENMARK
Special weddings
Rare find
DESPITE an increase in restrictions due to the pandemic, it has been confirmed that those wanting to get married in 2022 should be able to take advantage of Copenhagen’s open air wedding programme with the chance to tie the knot when the city hosts the Tour de France.
A GOLD neck ornament which is highly decorated with a weight of nearly half a kilo and dating back around 1,500 years has been found in a field in the Danish west coast and is only one of 10 decorated pieces of similar jewellery ever found.
THE NETHERLANDS X accepted
Veggie sweets
A DUTCH court has decided that an individual who wishes to be considered as non-binary may simply ask that X rather than F or M be recorded on their passport without having to be interviewed or examined by a psychiatrist as has been the case.
FOODWATCH, a food standards lobby group, gave its ‘Gouden Windei’ negative award to the ‘Yummy Veggie Candy’ product saying that the manufacturers are using the concept of healthy vegetables only as a marketing tool since the sweets contain as much sugar as ordinary sweets.
BELGIUM Smallest book
Booster shopping
A COPY of what is claimed to be the smallest book in the world containing seven versions of the Lord’s Prayer which measures 5mm x 5mm and was printed by the Gutenberg Museum in 1952 has been auctioned in Brussels for €3,500.
THE Brussels Health Inspectorate has closed a loophole whereby non-residents could travel to vaccination centres at one of two Brussels main stations where they could obtain a booster jab without showing proof of address and therefore obtaining their shots before local residents.
GERMANY Diplomatic ties
Christmas markets
THE new German Government appears to be finding favour with Morocco's Foreign Ministry which announced that the kingdom is considering resuming bilateral cooperation and normal diplomatic representation with Germany after withdrawing its Ambassador over Germany’s previous stance on Western Sahara.
DUE to the spike in infections and the appearance of the Omicron variant, a number of German cities have decided to limit or even close their very popular Christmas markets in order to try to reduce close contact between individuals and stall holders.
FRANCE Fans riot
Defamation
FOR the second time this season a match involving Lyon was abandoned following crowd trouble when their French Cup match at Paris FC on Friday December 17 was called off after half time due to throwing of flares and fireworks resulted in a pitch invasion.
THE wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte, has been forced to react to claims appearing in social media that she was born a man, so is therefore a transgender woman and apart from denying this, she is taking legal action against those spreading the false allegations.
NORWAY Snail mail
Qatar woes
ACCORDING to a report in social media, the Norwegian postal system which has been regularly criticised for being expensive and slow has improved considerably in 2021 with letters sent to Spain arriving quite quickly rather than taking from three to six weeks.
THE arrest of a TV crew from state broadcaster NRK in Qatar has caused an outcry amongst media and news organisations in Norway, especially as after the Norwegian Ambassador stepped in to have their equipment returned, it transpired that all recordings has been wiped.
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EUROPEAN PRESS FINLAND
Mink vaccinated
Santa sighting
ALTHOUGH Denmark decided to exterminate its captive mink population, the Finnish authorities have taken a different view and having created a special vaccine intend to inoculate their 200,000 population with the first 50,000 receiving the vaccine before the end of the year.
ACCORDING to the YLE news site, quoting sources familiar with the iconic figure, Santa set out well ahead of schedule to ensure that he reached all of his delivery points before Christmas was over. It also revealed that he spends most of the year in his Lapland workshop.
IRELAND Rose of Tralee
Aladdin Sane
THE Rose of Tralee festival is held every August in Tralee, County Kerry, to choose a young woman to be crowned the Rose. After pandemic suspension, 2022 will see rule changes to allow married women, those aged 29 and transgender competitors to take part.
ALADDIN the pantomime presented at the Dublin National Stadium has cancelled performances in the run up to Christmas and the New Year due to a case of infection in the production team and the fear of families caused by the growing number of Omicron cases.
ITALY More mink
Treasures returned
A DECISION has been made that with effect from the middle of next year, it will be illegal to breed animals in Italy for fur only which means that the 7,000 odd mink held in captivity may not be slaughtered for fur, but may have to be put down anyway.
AFTER several years of investigation, the Manhattan district attorney's office has seized antiquities from museums and private collections which were illegally exported from Italy over a period of around 50 years. So far 200 items worth $10 million have been returned.
PORTUGAL Restaurants closed
No sales
IN order to enter a bar or restaurant in Portugal over the Christmas period, it will be necessary to present a copy of a negative test, but because the health authorities are able to test so few people on a daily basis, many restaurants will stay closed.
CONSIDERED a weapon to reduce infectious contact, the Portuguese Government decided to stop shops offering discounted sales between December 25 and January 9, in order to limit travel and reduce the number of consumers visiting commercial establishments during that period of time.
RUSSIA Unusual shape
iPhone ban
FOR the third year running an ice rink has been opened in Siberia’s major city Novosibirsk and although not intended to be naughty, has caught the nation’s attention by the fact that an overhead photograph taken by drone has shown it to be shaped like a penis.
A REPORT in the not always reliable Russian news outlet RT.com suggests that the US is considering the possibility of banning exports of consumer and industrial technologies to Russia, such as components for smartphones and aircraft, should Moscow become more aggressive over Ukraine.
SWEDEN Fashion twins
Covid implant
THREE years ago, Kate Middleton wore a Christmas ensemble consisting of a black sweater, red tartan ankle length skirt and black boots. This year, Princess Madeleine, youngest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, appeared in a very similar outfit to view the palace Christmas tree.
A SMALL Swedish tech company has come up with a new way of storing your Covid pass as it has created a scannable digital implant which is inserted under the skin and when scanned by a smartphone, reveals all of the information on the screen.
30 Dec 2021 - 5 Jan 2022
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FINANCE BUSINESS EXTRA Holaluz expands SPANISH Green Energy company Holaluz has taken over the Spanish division of British energy supplier Bulb Energy and adds 23,000 new customers to its existing portfolio of 378,000 plus offering savings it claims of up to 50 per cent on electricity using solar power.
TikTok triumph CHINESE App TikTok has become the most popular website in 2021, knocking Google off the top spot which it has held for so long, according to IT security company Cloudflare. In its review of 2020, Cloudflare logged TikTok at number eight and Google at number one.
Computer hiccups WHILST technology has in many cases made life easier, whenever there is a glitch, consumers are left completely helpless. This was the case when both Lloyds Bank and subsidiary Halifax had computer problems on the run up to Christmas with websites down for around an hour.
Energy VAT UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is due to hold a series of virtual meetings with energy suppliers who are encouraging him to remove the 5 per cent VAT imposed on energy bills by the EU prior to Brexit in order to help reduce the cost to the consumer.
Emission free dresses AMERICAN company LanzaTech’s biological process captures and converts steel mill emissions that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. They then recycle the emissions into a low carbon polyester yarn and the company has come to an agreement with Spanish clothing giant Inditex to make a fabric which will be used to create a collection of party dresses to be sold through the Zara website at around €40 per dress. If successful, it is expected that this experimental collection will be expanded during 2022.
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www.euroweeklynews.com • 24 Dec 2021 - 5 Jan 2021
STAT OF is the amount that Microstrategy CEO Michael Saylor predicts $6 million will be the value of a single Bitcoin in the not-too-distant future. WEEK
Olive wars resolved AS previously reported, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled on the complaint by the United States over the alleged dumping of Spanish olives into the USA in November. In essence, the American Adminis tration had claimed that Spain was improperly subsidising farmers who were selling their olives into the USA at prices below production cost. The WTO finding accepted that olives were being dumped on the US market, but could find no evidence of any subsidies and therefore recom
mended that the US reduced the ex traordinary tariffs introduced by the Trump Administration to the norm for such importation. This ruling was very important to Spanish olive growers and exporters as the tariffs imposed were as much as 20 per cent more than had previ ously been the case for the stone fruits to be imported into America. In the past, the US Trade Represen tative’s Office immediately appealed against WTO rulings and then would attend any hearings, thus postponing
LEGALLY SPEAKING
What is Covid Passport? I am confused about what they are calling a ‘Covid Passport’. I thought that the Spanish courts had ruled that the government cannot force me to be vaccinated or tested for Covid. There are stories about it in the paper and television and Internet that we all will need the Covid Passport to get into bars and restaurants and clubs, but I am not quite clear. Can you explain how this works? Yes. First DAVID SEARL you are right that the gov YOU AND THE LAW ernment cannot IN SPAIN force you as an indi vidual to be vaccinated. But they can oblige licensed es tablishments such as bars and restaurants to meet certain requirements. For example any place that serves food is required to pass periodic inspections for cleanliness and employees will need foodhandler certificates. So these establishments are already controlled. Now the Junta de Andalucia has added one new requirement. Only those customers who can show they are free of Covid will be al lowed to enter. There is no ‘Covid Passport’ as such. The customer must prove by vaccination or recent test that he is free of Covid. So the legal obligation is on the establish ment to make sure of proof. It is not on the individual, un less of course he wants to go inside the bar. Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana and Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.
NADIA CALVIÑO, Spain’s First Vice President and Minister for Econo my and Digitalisation has been elected as Chair of the Internation al Monetary and Financial Com mittee (IMFC) for a term of two years, effective from January 3, 2022. The IMFC, comprising finance ministers and central bank gover nors, is the primary advisory body
the argument indefinitely but on this occasion, this was not the case. As reported by Reuters, a state ment from the US observed “While we are disappointed with certain as pects of the Panel’s findings, the US decided to permit the adoption of the report and we will continue working with the EU to resolve this dispute.” This news will be a boost for Span ish farmers as the European Commis sion confirmed that the sale of olives to the US from Spain fell by almost 60 per cent once tariffs were imposed.
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New honour for Spain of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board of Governors and deliberates on the principal policy issues facing the IMF. She will succeed Magdalena Andersson, Prime Minister of Sweden and former Finance Minister, who will relinquish her
duties as IMFC Chair at the end of December 2021. Calviño has been First Vice Presi dent of Spain since July 2021 and is also the current Minister for Economy and Digitalisation, a posi tion she has held since 2018 hav ing previously served in senior
Selfridges now sold ANOTHER British icon has been taken over as Selfridges has been sold to a Thai/Austri an consortium for a reported £4 billion. Founded in 1908 the depart ment store with its flagship in Oxford Street was actually tak en over by the Canadian West on family in 2003, at what now appears to have been the bar gain price of £600 million. They will retain their seven Canadian branches, but the re maining 18 shops and nearly 10,000 staff will find them selves in the hands of the Thai retailer and Austrian property company. This appears to be a bold move at a time when high streets around Europe are see ing a drastic reduction in the number of shoppers due to the ongoing pandemic.
Bounce Back loan scam DESPITE being on bail having been accused of major mon ey laundering, two men, one Russian and the other Lithuanian managed to scam £10 million from the British Government’s Coron avirus Bounce Back Loan scheme. It is believed that this is the largest theft from the scheme and although they were rear rested and actually sentenced to a combined 33 years in prison, just £17,000 has ever been recovered! It is understood that the balance was systematically sent abroad from the UK and whilst officers are trying to trace its destination, it seems unlikely that if it is in Russia that it will ever be identified and returned. roles at the European Commis sion, including as Director General in charge of the EU Budget from 2014 to 2018. The Committee has 24 members and normally meets twice a year in the spring and at the time of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in the autumn, with its next meet ing scheduled to be held on April 21, 2022, in Washington, DC.
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C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 27
COMPANY PRICE(P) 3I Group 1.454,50 Abrdn 242,00 Admiral Group 3.095,0 Anglo American 3.040,5 Antofagasta 1.320,00 Ashtead Group 6.012,0 Associated British Foods 1.990,0 AstraZeneca 8.611,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 724,40 Avast 609,20 Aveva 3.412,0 Aviva 409,90 B&M European Value Retail 627,60 BAE Systems 545,20 Bank VTB DRC 1,252 Barclays 187,44 Barratt Developments 738,60 Berkeley 4.790,0 BHP Group 2.179,00 BP 337,85 British American Tobacco 2.750,0 British Land Company 526,60 BT Group 170,65 Bunzl 2.901,0 Burberry Group 1.781,5 Carnival 1.462,4 Centrica 68,98 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.538,0 Compass 1.646,50 CRH 3.885,0 Croda Intl 10.010,0 DCC 6.072,0 Diageo 4.015,0 DS Smith 385,20 EasyJet 563,00 Experian 3.572,0 Ferguson 13.100,0 Flutter Entertainment 11.405,0 Fresnillo 893,00 GlaxoSmithKline 1.614,00 Glencore 373,00 Halma 3.142,0 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.356,00 Hikma Pharma 2.189,00 HSBC 447,70 IAG 146,64 Imperial Brands 1.612,00 Informa 514,40 InterContinental 4.768,0 Intermediate Capital 2.188,00
CHANGE(P) 1.462,00 244,90 3.135,0 3.040,5 1.351,00 6.054,0 2.032,0 8.676,0 733,00 616,60 3.458,0 412,10 628,80 548,20 1,252 188,38 744,80 4.850,0 2.203,50 341,05 2.760,5 529,80 171,15 2.916,0 1.790,5 1.472,2 69,26 2.558,0 1.660,00 3.913,0 10.045,0 6.120,0 4.038,0 386,90 565,00 3.604,0 13.200,0 11.640,0 899,20 1.618,80 378,80 3.176,0 1.377,50 2.239,00 451,15 148,90 1.613,00 520,00 4.846,0 2.223,00
% CHG. 1.440,50 241,40 3.093,0 3.002,5 1.320,00 5.998,0 1.990,0 8.611,0 721,20 609,00 3.412,0 406,90 615,20 544,80 1,220 186,24 737,80 4.790,0 2.179,00 336,15 2.738,0 525,80 168,45 2.893,0 1.776,5 1.431,4 68,20 2.538,0 1.637,00 3.858,0 9.928,0 6.060,0 4.015,0 383,80 554,20 3.567,0 13.055,0 11.405,0 882,60 1.601,40 372,05 3.135,0 1.355,50 2.189,00 447,10 145,14 1.601,50 514,40 4.718,0 2.169,00
NET VOL 131,16K 496,51K 81,54K 489,46K 136,05K 81,32K 140,57K 219,46K 191,72K 91,30K 30,56K 1,22M 543,71K 742,80K 192,43K 4,89M 265,93K 20,15K 719,49K 8,29M 502,03K 218,34K 2,25M 48,70K 63,29K 219,07K 1,95M 45,10K 479,61K 214,29K 37,05K 23,42K 687,91K 393,84K 1,17M 129,42K 68,62K 52,86K 292,28K 1,03M 6,43M 88,47K 101,03K 75,23K 3,14M 7,05M 217,24K 318,45K 128,94K 56,10K
COMPANY
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 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
5.622,0 111,15 274,90 2.047,0 763,40 296,70 47,44 6.984,0 739,00 158,45 1.813,50 1.082,00 226,30 7.944,0 29,58 1.658,00 2.831,0 649,20 1.275,00 6.274,0 2.372,00 574,20 789,80 4.866,5 121,62 7,75 1.644,0 1.642,8 847,60 1.695,50 15,89 3.560,0 1.348,50 1.392,50 2.954,0 1.279,00 1.579,00 15.705,0 1.635,00 1.672,50 441,30 175,20 287,90 247,50 3.952,5 1.093,00 112,54 2.999,0 1.120,00
CHANGE(P)
% CHG.
NET VOL
5.634,0 113,00 276,40 2.073,0 764,80 297,60 48,06 7.044,0 740,00 160,00 1.813,50 1.088,00 227,70 8.018,0 29,90 1.674,50 2.857,0 658,60 1.282,00 6.303,0 2.380,00 577,00 793,60 4.902,0 123,24 7,78 1.656,8 1.657,8 851,00 1.698,50 15,98 3.595,0 1.358,50 1.405,50 2.971,0 1.284,50 1.588,00 15.915,0 1.641,00 1.682,50 442,30 175,70 288,25 247,70 3.965,0 1.106,50 113,46 3.011,0 1.129,00
5.608,0 111,15 274,10 2.038,0 759,00 295,60 47,44 6.964,0 737,40 157,55 1.800,50 1.080,20 224,90 7.940,0 29,49 1.632,50 2.822,0 649,20 1.272,00 6.238,0 2.367,00 571,60 786,80 4.855,0 120,70 7,65 1.636,0 1.637,0 829,20 1.688,50 15,73 3.541,0 1.348,50 1.388,50 2.935,0 1.273,00 1.575,50 15.610,0 1.634,50 1.662,50 437,00 174,35 286,60 239,90 3.947,0 1.093,00 112,50 2.984,0 1.114,50
15,20K 1,66M 378,67K 267,36K 140,00K 1,91M 40,57M 115,85K 37,44K 1,31M 144,18K 1,15M 1,55M 33,58K 266,72K 123,63K 102,66K 271,11K 459,12K 88,17K 262,32K 676,39K 147,38K 251,25K 5,37M 95,08K 743,43K 1,52M 694,46K 1,49K 2,23M 20,10K 547,69K 231,50K 147,45K 260,03K 91,55K 11,29K 259,52K 101,23K 609,58K 2,59M 2,07M 1,93M 346,95K 214,93K 10,61M 65,87K 802,37K
1.18463
0.84415
Units per €
US dollar (USD) ......................................1.13079 Japan yen (JPY)......................................129.685 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................1.0397 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4362 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................10.054
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 D ECEMBER 27
COMPANY 3M American Express Amgen Apple Boeing Caterpillar Chevron Cisco Coca-Cola Dow Goldman Sachs Home Depot Honeywell IBM Intel J&J JPMorgan McDonald’s Merck&Co Microsoft Nike Procter&Gamble Salesforce.com The Travelers UnitedHealth Verizon Visa A Walgreens Boots Walmart Walt Disney
PRICE 174,97 164,19 223,79 176,28 204,22 206,20 116,41 62,28 58,22 55,14 385,04 397,07 205,22 130,63 51,31 168,25 157,26 265,95 75,73 334,69 165,67 160,10 253,14 154,65 495,38 52,68 216,62 50,48 139,49 153,63
CHANGE 175,62 166,40 224,48 176,85 205,13 207,30 117,92 62,90 58,61 55,70 387,61 399,84 206,31 130,96 51,73 168,95 159,12 267,37 76,30 336,39 167,16 160,92 254,31 156,18 498,15 53,09 218,52 50,94 140,16 154,19
CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 172,78 1,96M 163,59 3,14M 221,50 1,67M 175,27 68,36M 201,32 7,42M 203,29 2,67M 116,40 7,42M 61,79 17,77M 57,94 11,03M 54,35 6,24M 383,57 1,62M 394,62 2,74M 203,00 2,38M 129,52 3,65M 51,05 25,20M 167,36 3,50M 157,21 8,06M 265,45 1,51M 75,35 9,89M 332,73 19,62M 165,44 3,88M 159,44 5,64M 249,34 3,77M 154,49 1,71M 492,81 1,71M 52,67 14,92M 216,62 4,80M 50,46 2,90M 138,85 5,86M 151,93 6,57M M - MILLION DOLLARS
NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 27
COMPANY
CHANGE NET / %
VOLUME
+55.70% +42.73% +38.64% +38.46% +36.73% +31.02% +30.10% +29.00% +27.09% +26.63% +25.43%
262.38K 303.25K 77.54M 267.92K 98.85M 150.23K 5.47M 68.32M 29.18K 6.70M 34.16M
-35.64% -28.66% -24.89% -24.00% -21.98% -20.27% -18.89% -18.62% -17.35% -17.16% -15.50%
14.19M 84.67K 4.35M 28.35M 2.05M 260.55K 3.37M 733.64K 5.42M 7.83M 5.83M
Most Advanced Sunlight Financial Holdings REE Automotive 22nd Century Oncology Institute Pasithea Therapeutics Eliem Therapeutics ReTo Eco-Solutions Qualigen Therapeutics Integrity Applications Ree Automotive Holding Biofrontera
Most Declined InnovAge Holding Zhangmen Education Jupiter Wellness American Virtual Cloud Rocket Lab USA Warrants CNFinance Longeveron LLC Nuverra Environmental Quidel Acasti Pharma Regis
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
www.euroweeklynews.com
Credit: EIB
More aid for small and medium sized firms
OFFERING SUPPORT: The EIB HQ in Luxembourg.
THE European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the Eu ropean Investment Bank Group (EIB), has joined forces with Caja Rural Groupo to assist small and medium sized companies (SMEs) in Spain. The intention is to try to mitigate the economic im pacts of the Covid19 crisis in the SME sector by offer ing more favourable fi nancing to SMEs impacted by the pandemic. The EIF will provide a €140 million guarantee to Caja Rural Group through Banco Cooperativo Es pañol, enabling the Span ish bank to originate a portfolio of €200 million of financing for Spanish SMEs. It will take up to 70 per cent of the risk on the loans granted by Caja Ru ral Group and it is be lieved that the agreement will facilitate access to fi nance at advantageous conditions for more than
1,200 small businesses, thereby also safeguarding employment levels. The agreement is backed by the European Guarantee Fund (EGF), part of the €540 billion EU rescue package approved in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic. Thanks to this, the Span ish bank will be able to provide a wide range of debt financing solutions to Spanish companies with sustainable business plans, ensuring they have sufficient financing avail able to promote their in vestment needs in the medium to long term. “Thanks to the EGF, we are expanding our net work of intermediaries in Spain to support the liq uidity needs of small and mediumsized businesses and this agreement is yet another great example,” said EIB VicePresident Ri cardo Mourinho Félix, who is responsible for in
ASA rebukes Arsenal THE Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the UK has told Arsenal football club that its promotion of cryptobased fan tokens on social media broke ad vertising rules and must stop. Whilst the club believes that it acted properly, the decision was based on the fact that the Authority did not consider that it had properly warned fans about the potential risk when investing in this type of pro motion. The ASA went on to suggest that the offers were ir responsible because the wording took advantage of consumers’ inexperience or credulity and trivialised investment in cryptoassets and was misleading be cause they failed to illustrate the risk of the invest
vestment and support in Spain.
BUSINESS EXTRA Better news THE state of countries’ fi nances seems to fluctuate on an almost weekly basis as Spain’s National Statis tics Office (INE) released new figures suggesting that the country’s economy has grown 3.4 per cent in the first three months of 2021 as opposed to the 2.7 per cent previously reported.
Government support ALTHOUGH there was no lockdown in the UK prior to Christmas it quickly be came clear that many peo ple were cancelling their festive gettogethers see ing the hospitality industry in particular reeling, but Chancellor of the Exche quer Rishi Sunak found an other £1 billion in support for those affected.
Inflation fears DURING a meeting of heads of European Banks held in Frankfurt, Bank of Spain Governor Pablo Hernández de Cos con firmed his belief that infla tion will not continue to race upwards for any length of time, but will quickly settle allowing low interest rates to stay in the eurozone.
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LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT WHETHER deserved or not, the onslaught on Boris Johnson of late appears to be never ending. So far, the demolition of his reputation and integrity as an individual has completely overshadowed any political status or ministerial expertise he may possess; which just goes to show that the public don’t give two monkeys about whether their leaders are capable politicians or not; If they are not morally acceptable, then they are fair game for any attack their enemies or rivals care to initiate. Many of those in high finance or the political world are of course fully aware that scandal can bring down almost anyone, subsequently when circumstances are right, character assassination can truly become big business. Recently I discovered that there are a few shadowy agencies that specialise in these modes of clandestine operations. In the style of the old Mafia hit men, it is possible to engage these people who, with their farreaching tentacles and web of connections, are capable of discrediting and destroying all manner of people in public life. The leaked video of the Allegra Stratton
No one is safe ‘press call’ and photos of the alleged Downing Street parties are probable instances in point. The CCT coverage of Matt Hancock groping a secretary was trawled up from some source or another. Dirt digging of this ilk is not always ‘investigative reporting’, it can be bought; and you can rest assured the professional companies who provide these services don’t come cheap. Apparently, these agencies recruit moles and shadowy informers, engaged specifically to infiltrate big organisations and the corridors of power. Although their official work titles may sound innocuous enough, their true profession is to spy on their coworkers and bosses, gleaning any information or scandal to pass on to their true employers. All this data is then processed and filed ready to be released to the highest bidder. The discredited publicist Max Clifford was a prime example of someone who practised these devious methods. If you look back over certain cases of people destroyed by sleaze and innuendo, you can visualise the murky hand of these companies in some of their downfalls. The likes of Stephen Ward, Profumo, John
Major, Cummings and even Trump all could easily have been targets of this type of operation. I’m not saying they were innocent victims; of course, they weren’t. In fact, it could be maintained that these companies are performing a public service. It’s just that charging a fee to dig up dirt and discredit people, just has more than a whiff of the old KGB or Kim Jongun about it. And just how do we know precisely who their customers are? You can be sure that with the standard of morals they display they are not too fussy about who pays the fee! One thing is for certain, no one is safe. Thank the Lord this old boy’s life of skullduggery is an open book literally. Book One, Two and Three. All available on Amazon. Happy New Year Everyone. Keep the faith Love Leapy Leapylee2002@gmail.com. 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
TV & Film Review by Laura Kemp
Don’t Look Up
A HUGE comet is hurtling towards earth and two sci entists are the only people who can sound the alarm, but this isn’t your average end of the world movie. Adam McKay’s ‘Don’t Look Up’, released on Net flix on December 24, is a science fiction film that us es the disaster framework as a metaphor for climate change. It’s a satire that points fun at and draws attention to the media, so cial networks, and pop cul ture, testing whether au diences are prepared to laugh at the threat of mass extinction. Dr Mindy, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, grad student Kate Dibiasky, played by Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) go on a media quest to warn the world about a comet on collision course with earth. Howev er, the White House, the media and the public are completely unconcerned
about their impending doom drawing attention to how climate change has been ignored for so long. Meryl Streep plays an indifferent President Orlea and Jonah Hill (Pineapple Express) plays her son and Chief of Staff, who are more concerned that the news could cost votes. Cate Blanchett plays day time talkshow host Brie Evantee who pokes fun at scientists, encouraging the public to call them “crazy.” It’s no coincidence that DiCaprio is involved, being a prominent global warm ing campaigner and ac tivist. This satirical movie is a humorous take on a seri ous global issue and ‘based on truly possible events.’ It asks what it will take for the world and the media to ‘just look up’ and face the inevitable climate crisis that so many are ig norant about.
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FEATURE
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Advertising Feature
Senior Living redefined FOR those who would like to spend their retirement in stunning surroundings with 24hour care and lots of amenities, Sanatara Senior Living is the ideal place. Running since 2007 for those aged 55 and over, Santara offers accommoda tion for retirees with easy access walkin showers and wheelchair friendly access with a high standard of build and large terraces. Their one and two bed room bungalow style and apartment properties are available for sale and long term rental. Santara Senior Living also welcomes visits by the loved ones of their residents, giving them the chance to have holidays to gether. The largest purpose built senior living resort in Spain, Santara Senior Living offers a 24hour concierge, 24 hour security, a medical cen tre open 24 hours, multilin gual reception, onsite super market, spa, gym, indoor
and outdoor pool, residents social club, beautiful gar dens, car parking, large patio areas, restaurant and bar, hairdresser, and theatre. The restaurant on the re sort also offers discounts to residents. Santara Senior Living is al so close to a number of shops, bars, restaurants and Carabassi beach. If you would like to enjoy your retirement surrounded by the best amenities, visit Santara Senior Living Mon day to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm at Monte de Santa
Pola, 13, 03130, Gran Ala cant, Santa Pola, Alicante. Or contact them on 966 619 010 or at info@san taraseniorliving.com, or for more information visit www.santaraseniorliving .com.
30 Dec 2021 - 5 Jan 2022
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36 EWN
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30 Dec 2021 - 5 Jan 2022
FEATURE
Travel by Alex Glenn
Standards and responsibility CLAIRE GORDON FINDING BALANCE IN AN UNEVEN WORLD AS I have settled into my role at EWN, a lot of things have been brought to the forefront of my mind regarding the responsibility I have when writing for a large audience. I try to be balanced, explanatory and thoroughly researched with my news articles and column, even though I have the space to express my own opinion. One of the leading voices in the US about journalistic standards and ethics is the Society of Professional Journalists. The preamble to its Code of Ethics states: “...public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialities strive to serve the public with thoroughness and
honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility.” How I wish everyone took notice of this call. As we write in a space accessible to so many, we must keep in mind the effect our words can have on the people that read them. Whether it is personally offensive to a reader or that the things we write can evoke strong emotion in a wider audience, it is very important to take responsibility for our words. Everything we write should be something we believe in, can evidence and are able to take feedback upon. This is not a game. The information gleaned from the media is the way some people connect to the world and their opinions can be easily skewed towards vitriol or malice. It is one thing to have theories and play guessing games in the pub with friends, but when an idea moves outwards into a publication, certain standards should apply. In the first column I wrote for this newspaper, I spoke about the responsibility this platform gives people who have access to it. I also said:
“Free speech is the right to hold an opinion and voice it. It is not a card that means we don’t have to then deal with the ramifications of what we have said.” This is an idea that really holds firm for me, and a motto I wish could be beamed into the brains of all the people who mistreat the words ‘free speech’. Just because someone has an opinion to voice, doesn’t mean they can do so with impunity. That isn’t how it works. Certain groups in society have remained mostly unchallenged for a long time. To them, any rebuttal feels like a personal attack. Any constructive criticism is framed as censorship. Requests for them to think about equality are seen as oppression because they are not used to being taken out of the frame as the standard to be upheld. This needs to change, as some are not up to standard at all. To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com
Claire Gordon’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
Barcelona BARCELONA should be on any travel lover’s list. The city is the capital of the province of the same name within the Spanish autonomous com munity of Catalonia and is an amazing place to soak up cul ture or just relax on a beach. It also features Spain’s major Mediterranean port. Places not to be missed in clude the maze of narrow streets in the Gothic quarter, and the stunning architec tural works of Antoni Gaudí. One of the bestknown tourist spots is Las Ramblas, where you can enjoy a relax ing walk from the Plaza de Catalunya to the old port. It is also an amazing place to re lax and watch the world go by. No trip to Barcelona would be complete without seeing Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, a stunning basilica that features incredible stained glass and intricate sculpted detail. Wandering
past the building will give stunning views of Gaudí’s work, which can be further appreciated inside where progress of the ongoing work is catalogued. Gaudí’s Park Güell is also a must visit with amazing city views from the tiled park fea turing quirky sculptures and breathtaking gardens. Barcelona features 4.5 kilo metres of beautiful coastline with all the activities and amenities you’d expect in cluding inviting beach bars. These are also great to visit at night where the vibes come with an ocean view. Nature lovers can escape to Collserola or Montjuïc where more stunning views await. There’s also an amusement park to keep kids entertained at Tibidabo. If that’s not enough, Barcelona offers an amazing variety of food and one of the best indoor markets in Europe.
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FEATURE
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30 Dec 2021 - 5 Jan 2022
DID I WIN?
TONI C. EASTWOOD OBE, MBA
#TheWomanBeyond YOU know I like a good sporting analo gy, and I am fascinated by the mental mastery of Peak Performers, and the tips and hacks we can learn from them. Well, here’s another great one. Goldmedalwinning mental tough ness coach and author Lanny Bassham is all about focusing on the PROCESS of goal achievement. In his SHOCKINGLY good book, With Winning In Mind, he helps us to get our mind right! Lanny Bassham, an Olympic gold medallist himself, has been teaching the art of mental training and peak per formance for decades and this book tells us just how to rock it. I like this book because he shares his wisdom from the perspective of a guy who has been there and done that in the competitive arena, it’s not about psychology (although, I love that too) it’s about how to win. He tells a great story about one of his
clients, a pro golfer. Now, in this story, this professional golfer was struggling a bit. He was set ting his goals for the year and Lanny told him not to think about winning tournaments, but to put all of his atten tion on mastering the process of play ing well, identifying the key compo nents of a successful shot and then taking it, literally, one shot at a time. Lanny focuses on the importance of making the process primary among other fundamentals of mental mastery. So, this golfer embraces the wisdom. Early in the season, he’s out on the 18th green in the final round of a big tournament. He’s lining up his putt, fol lowing the process he and Lanny estab lished. He makes the putt. His playing partner shakes his hand and congratulates him. Then he realises something must be up when his wife runs on to the green cheering.
“Did I win?” he asks. Yeah. You just won the tournament and one million dollars. Imagine that. Imagine being so fo cused on executing the next baby step in your process that you don’t even know you’re sinking a million dollar putt. Well guess what? You are (of course) much more likely to sink the putt when every ounce of your creative energy is focused on do ing your best and not leaking out in concerns about doing well enough. Process vs Outcome. Where’s your focus right now? As we get ready to see the New Year in what’s the outcome you are striving for in 2022, stop to think about the process, the baby steps, what’s the mi cro things you need to be doing that will get you to the Outcome? Now go work the Process. Here’s to a successful 2022
EWN 41
Stay Focused, Keep Positive and Choose to +1 in Every Moment. Ignite Your Passion, Fulfil Your Dreams and Awaken Your Greatness! Love, Hugs, High Fives and Fist Bumps Toni x Toni Eastwood OBE, MBA #TheWomanBeyond PS. Want to ignite your passion and purpose? To get laser focused on your Biggest Most Audacious Goals? Grab one of the last few places on my Vi sionary Women Programme for Jan uary 2022. In just four, threehour on line sessions you could make 2022 Your Best Year Yet. Twenty five per cent off for Euro Weekly News readers Just Quote Offer Code EWN25 for more info and to book, head on over to https://quantumvantage.co.uk/vi sionarywomenprogramme Don’t hold back another moment. You could be just one step away… 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
GO LOCAL
THE EURO WEEKLY NEWS has urged its readers to support local businesses in the com munity by shopping locally in recent times. Now things are heading back to normal, we challenge you to maintain that habit by supporting local high streets, markets, butch ers, greengrocers and all of the wonderfully quirky inde pendent businesses in your area. Local businesses make our villages, towns and cities what
they are. They add unique character. They are conve nient. And they offer excellent produce from known suppli ers. The joy of shopping locally means that independent busi nesses can support the local community. You may find something a euro or two cheaper online but have you considered where your money is actually going? By shopping locally you’re putting food on a local family’s table and there is nothing bet
ter than giving back to the communities that have given us so much. Local stores sup port 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 generations of the fu ture fulfil their dreams and am bitions. Remember, your local store
is going up against multination als 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 busi nesses recirculate a greater share of every euro they re ceive at local level. They create locally owned supply chains and they invest in their em ployees. So remember. When you go shopping go local!
sixsecretstosuccess
42 EWN
30 Dec 2021 - 5 Jan 2022
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FEATURE
Advertising Feature
Neater Heater - Shop online with the personal touch! THE last year has been a challenging one for most of us, as our lives and liv ing patterns have been disrupted by the tragic pandemic. One of the most highly affected areas is shopping, with many people opting to shop online. This can be fraught with problems as it can be quite impersonal, you are never quite sure what you have bought until it arrives, and if you have a problem with your product, the hoops you need to jump through are enough to deter anyone but the most dogged. But once you become a Neater Heater online customer Richard and Tony will ensure that you are fully looked after. Now is the time of year to start thinking of your winter heating. Neater Heater will always recommend that you visit one of their sales outlets to make your purchase (details on their website). However, for those unable, or unwilling to visit shops at the mo ment, they will try and make your on
Start thinking of your winter heating now.
line experience as smooth as possible. When you visit www.neaterheater.es you will find most of the questions you
have, and some you haven’t thought of, on their FAQ page (Frequently Asked Questions). The
choice of heaters, along with their availability and prices are on display in the online shop. You click, select, and pay, and within days your purchase is delivered to you. You are now a Neater Heater Customer and will be protected by their conscientious customer ser vice. With many online purchases, when things go wrong, this can be the start of a very frustrating process that is fre quently not solved to the customer’s satisfaction, However, Neater Heater accept that occasionally mistakes and accidents happen. Sometimes it is hu man error, but usually it is out of their control. They will do their utmost to personally solve any problems their customers may have. In over a decade, they have never failed to honour a genuine warranty complaint. Richard and Tony take pride in their customer service. You will never regret making your online heater purchase from Neater Heater.
NEATER HEATER DISTRIBUTORS: COSTA BLANCA SOUTH BENIJOFAR: Vincent Real Estate. Tel. 966 712 440 • BLUE LAGOON: The Electrical Shop (Euronics). Tel. 966 188 170. SOUTH TORREVIEJA: For home inspections call Edmund. Tel. 693 594 270. Heaters also available for purchase at our online shop with free home delivery WWW.NEATERHEATER.ES or Tel. 634 312 171 (WhatsApp available)
HEALTH & BEAUTY
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Better health in under a minute WE have all heard that the key to good health is moder ation, regular exercise, and a good varied diet. But while this advice will certainly help us take care of ourselves, it can sometimes make getting healthy feel like a fulltime pursuit. Luckily, there is a whole multitude of things we can do to look after ourselves which use up less time than it takes for the kettle to boil. These simple tips each take less than a minute but could help you to feel better in the short term, as well promoting better quality of life in the long term as well. One very quick but crucial health tip is to always remem ber to apply sunscreen to the tops of ears. While we should all be wearing an SPF every day particularly living in Spain most people forget to protect this vulnerable area. This is a common place for
skin cancer to develop, mak ing it especially important to take the extra few seconds to do this. Next, we can all im prove our overall health by flossing daily. A report found older adults who never flossed had a 30 per cent higher risk of dying during the study than those who did so daily. Flossing can help pre vent gum disease; a common but major health issue which is linked to other serious ill nesses, including heart dis ease, stroke, and diabetes. Another simple habit to get into is to stretch fully, regular ly. Animallovers will be used to the sight of their cats and dogs doing this often, and for good reason; stretching re leases tension, improves cir culation, and improves flexi bility, making you more resilient to injury. Regularly stretch fully.
30 Dec 2021 - 5 Jan 2022
EWN 43
Treat yourself to hydrated lips THE cold weather is here and can wreak havoc on dry lips, so why not give them a treat? Today’s generation of lipsticks are no longer de signed simply to offer you the latest colour trends. Now, naturalfriendly brands are focusing on lip health as well as appear ance. To give yourself a mini mouth makeover at home, first gently mas sage in a lip scrub. Make your own at home with equal parts honey and sugar and even add natural moisturisers, in cluding beeswax to add to boost the hydration. After sloughing off any dry skin it is time to lock in moisture with a chemical free hydrator, such as a small amount of pure co conut oil or beeswax. Now seal the deal by nourishing your newly beautified lips while keep ing on trend with the lat est colours by looking out for lip colours that include
natural ingredients like shea butter and apricot oil. Avoid harsh or drying products which contain al cohol or any essential oils which can irritate or dry out your lips.
Beauty brands now are focusing more on emol lient ingredients to soften and hydrate lips, making it easier to find a lip colour that will look after your lip health while looking beau tiful too.
44 EWN
30 Dec 2021 - 5 Jan 2022
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SOCIAL SCENE
Advertising Feature
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Punjabi Palace WHERE else could you enjoy a meal on New Year’s Eve for €55? At the Punjabi Palace restaurants, you get all the festive fun at a frac tion of the cost. If you are looking for somewhere to enjoy New Year’s Eve with your loved ones, the three Punjabi Palace restaurants in Los Mon tesinos, La Marquesa and Cabo Roig are all hosting an evening of food, live music and fireworks. Bookings for New Year’s Eve are coming in thick and fast at all three of the premier Indian restaurants where you can enjoy any starter and any main with rice or a naan for €55. Their menu includes unlim ited drinks, including beer, wine and soft drinks. There will also be a true Bolly wood feel to the night with live mu sic from 7pm to midnight and cava and fireworks at midnight. Known for their excellent food and friendly vibe, the Punjabi
PUNJABI PALACE: Enjoy an evening with your loved ones.
THREE RESTAURANTS: All hosting an evening of food and live music.
Known for their friendly vibe.
Palace restaurants are one of the best places to spend New Year’s Eve this year. Whether your favourite dish is a tandoori or a lamb curry, all three of the Punjabi Palace restaurants serve up the best cuisine and are on hand for lunch, dinner and take aways. If you want to spend New Year’s Eve at an excellent restaurant with great food, entertainment, and live music, why not visit Punjabi Palace for their New Year’s Eve menu?
For the Punjabi Palace restaurant in Los Montesinos, visit Calle Mayor, 6, 03187 Los Montesinos, or call 966 720 383. For the Punjabi Palace restaurant in La Marquesa, visit Calle Quesada Ballester, s/n, 03170 Cdad. Quesada, or call 966 714 963. For the Punjabi Palace restaurant in CC Lomas de Cabo Roig, visit Centro Commercial Lomas de Cabo Roig, Dehesa de Campoamor, or contact 865 754 972.
PETS
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Seasons Greetings to all our readers! IF you are planning a trip you still need to plan early for pet and housesitters. 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 housesit ters. Now is the time to get ready. We will help you as much as we can. Our philoso phy is that we are all in this to gether. Take these steps: 1. Register as a homeown er on HouseSitMatch.com 2. Choose a Premium ac count (£89 per year) to en sure you can get help online when needed 3. Create a profile with pho
Finding a caring pet-sitter from a trusted source gives peace of mind.
tos of your pet and the house 4. Post a housesit advert stating your plans for next year’s holiday Covid permit ting Do you need a petsitter? Then get started right now.
How does it work? HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small annu al fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your ad vert. Housesitters see your
advert, they respond and you choose the best sitter. Trustpilot Testimonials 4.8 / 5 Excellent rating (New Trustpilot rating scale) Here’s what members have said about us HouseSitMatch found us a perfect housesitter while we were away in Canada and we were delighted with the care and attention that HouseSit Match took in helping us. Ros Morris Dog owner How do you join? Please register online via our website www.Housesit match.com Choose a membership plan Please note prices go up soon so sign up now on sub scription to secure these prices: • Standard (DIY option) = £69 pa • 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 petsitter go to www.Housesitmatch.com. RESEARCH conducted by scientists in Japan has re vealed that contrary to popular belief, cats are actually equal to their ca nine counterparts when it comes to intelligence. Previous arguments cited a dog’s ability to be trained and learn com mands as evidence that they have superior men
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Some guidelines to dog epilepsy A DOG with epilepsy can enjoy a remarkable quality of life if given proper veterinary treatment. For this, it is important that some guidelines are fol lowed. 1. Complete the clinical diagnostic protocol. Do all the tests to rule out other pathologies that can cause seizures. 2. Administer the appropriate medication. 3. Carry out medical checkups every six months. 4. Stay calm during an epileptic seizure of your dog. Remember to videotape the attacks. The videos to see how the attacks hap pen provide the veterinar ian with a lot of informa tion. 5. Avoid stressful situa tions for the animal, which may put it in danger. In the attached QR code you have an informative video about canine epilep sy. 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
Clever cats love us tal abilities, but in reality a cat could do exactly the same if it wanted to. The differences lie in their desire to do a certain ac tivity.
We know that many cats are independent and will come and go as they please, whereas dogs are pack animals that re spond to a social hierar
chy. Japanese scientists have found that cats can respond to human com mands, gestures, emo tions and expressions, just like dogs. However, the most interesting study involves a cat’s memory. We already know that dogs have episodic memories and recall past events. This suggests that not
only do cats also have the same capacity for memory, but they may actually enjoy recalling specific memories, espe cially of human interac tions. This shows a high er level of intelligence than has ever previously been expected and may help to settle the ques tion of whether cats are capable of loving their owners.
SORRY DOGS: Research shows cats may be just as clever.
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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 CARE home in Torrevieja, family run, reasonable rates. Carers available for your home. 697834934 (294568)
CARS FOR SALE
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)
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Torrevieja 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)
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA / MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462)
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)
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 Telephone 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.helpvegaba ja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegaba ja.com. We also have a 24hour Emergency helpline which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456)
CARS WANTED
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 Force Association Costa Blanca Registered Members Group: The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the Royal Air Force Association and the RMG can be made via the RAFA website rafa.org.uk. Tel:0044 800 018 2361. (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 Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If
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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. (95457) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.sec retary@rbl.community ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details Hon Sec 692 938 664. (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)
CHARITY
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)
ELECTRICIAN MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (288064)
FOR SALE/WANTED WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)
GOLD WANTED
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461) THE BAKER Foundation Spiritual Centre Playa Flamenca. Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual centre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458)
HOME IMPROVEMENTS BATHROOM & KITCHEN Conversions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434. (289423)
INSURANCE FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UPTO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATSAPP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsurancein spain.com or email tracey @sosinsuranceinspain.com (294212) BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@beneficialin suranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsuranceinspain.com for online quote. (294254) STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygatein sure.com
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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 .com, website: torreviejas trokesupport.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)
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. English-speaking 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 Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aa-costablanca.org (93323)
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CLASSIFIEDS LOCKSMITHS ALARMS TORREVIEJA, Install & Repair all types of Alarms & CCTV. Call/Whatsapp 600 933 667 www.alarmastor revieja.com (294577)
MISCELLANEOUS GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)
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CARS WANTED Quality LHD & RHD Vehicles bought & sold. All paperwork undertaken quickly & professionally. Immediate payment for all purchases. Mobile / WhatsApp +34 600 726 221 Office +34 965 687 976 www.fwreuro cars.com info@fwreurocars .com (294576)
FOR SALE WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)
MUSIC TUITION PIANO, Keyboard, Organ, Qualified Teacher. Please call 606 984 535 (290217)
NAUTICAL INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (294950)
PET CHARITY If you can read it, so can your clients. Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161
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EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorsecare .net www.easyhorsecare.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706)
GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community. Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, deflead. volunteers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709) P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED. By fostering an abandoned dog or spending a few hours each week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals. Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our website: www.pepaspain.com (95708) SPAMA GANDIA SHELTER. Dog and cat rescue registered charity, La Safor area. 500 animals awaiting re-homing. Phone Gail 962 896 118. Visit our website for directions. www.spama.org and view our new blog at www.spama-safor. blog.com.es PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM (95707)
PLUMBERS MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (288064)
POOL MAINTENANCE POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 w w w. p o o l t e c h s p a i n . c o m (286740)
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WANTED
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XXX RELAXATION 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.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070 (2001)
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DGT campaigns begin
ON Thursday, December 23, the General Direc torate of Traffic (DGT) initiated its special campaign to monitor the Spanish road net work over the Christ mas holiday period.
This, as with every year, will incorporate a series of measures for the regulation, manage ment, and surveillance of traffic at the national level until January 9, 2022. This operation, during which a total of 19,530,000 trips are es timated, was to be car ried out in three phas es, coinciding with the busiest public holidays. The first phase was over Christmas, from Friday 24, until Sunday, December 26. Next will be the New Y e a r ’ s Ev e c a m p a i g n , from Friday, December 31, to Sunday, January 2, 2022. Finally, the Three Kings period, from Wednesday 5, to Sunday, January 9, 2022. This complete opera tion will involve, as in any other special opera tion, the total resources available to the DGT.
These will of course in clude officers of the Guardia Civil’s Traffic group. They will be aid ed by the official per sonnel of the Manage ment Centres of Traffic, and the helicopter pa trols. These incorporate 780 fixed radars 92 of which are stretch radars, and 545 mobile speed cameras in ad dition to 12 helicopters, 39 drones, 216 cameras, and 15 camouflaged vans to control the use of mobile phones and seat belts. The DGT suggests a v o i d i n g t h e m o s t u n favourable busy hours during these dates. They also remind drivers that adverse weather conditions dur ing winter, such as snow, ice, fog, rain, and wind, are frequent, and they can significantly alter the conditions on roads.
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New EU Law on Guarantees
THE new EU Law on Guarantees will come into force on January 1, 2022. This law will modify the way in which secondhand ve hicles are sold. Until now, these ve hicles were covered with a oneyear war ranty at the dealership. During this period, in the event of a break down, the buyer had to prove that it had origi nated before the pur chase. These new regula tions turn the tables completely. Sellers will now have to pay for the repair of any break down that occurs dur ing those 12 months, if it was not reflected in the contract. Two major aspects of
the new law stand out, which directly affect the secondhand car sector. The first is that buyers can make a claim within 12 months, if they find a fault that was not re flected in the sale con tract the socalled ‘hidden defects’ (which will have to be proven, according to the law). The second is related to the vehicle’s years of warranty. With this law, it will be necessary to offer two years warranty, unless another dura tion is reliably reflect ed in the sale contract between the dealer and the buyer. The main difference is the time of the guar antee. Previously, you
could use some fine print, and claim a ‘ver bal agreement’ be tween buyer and seller. This could reduce the car’s warranty from two to one year. With the new law, it is not possible to use that technique. Unless it has been clearly stip ulated in the contract, the warranty will al ways be two years. This gives you more security when buying a used car. This is be cause it forces the buy er to increase and clari fy the guarantee offered. On the other hand, it is a double edged sword, because many more claims will be expected from buy ers during those first 12 months.
MOTORING
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Suzuki Vitara Hybrid - Lots to like in this no nonsense SUV ROAD TEST by Mark Slack WITH so many cars appearing to share style, equipment and technology these days manu facturers have to identify that special something which sets them apart from the competi tion. Some do it via special of fers, extra equipment and regular facelifts and others take a simpler route to suc cess. One such maker is Suzu ki. The Japanese car maker is known for small cars, SUVs and motorbikes along with marine engines and ATVs. One of their best known, and most admired, SUVs is the diminu tive Jimny (now only available in commercial form), which is a formidable offroad performer. There is also the newly launched Across SUV. In slightly larger form their Vitara makes for a practical and comfort
able on and offroader, with more than a dash of old fash ioned style. Thanks to its straightforward boxy design you can pack a lot into the Vi tara and it comes with a no nonsense, wellbuilt feel.
Prices start from €24,272 (£21,749) for the leadin SZT which comes as standard with alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, automatic air condi tioning, automatic lights and wipers and Bluetooth.
Facts at a Glance Model: Suzuki Vitara SZT Engine: 1.4 Turbocharged Gasolina (Petrol) electric mild hybrid Gears: 6-Speed Manual Performance: 0-100 kmh (60 mph) 9.5 seconds/Maximum Speed 190 kmh (118 mph) Economy: 5.36l/100km (52.7 mpg) Combined driving (WLTP) Emissions: 121 g/km (WLTP) Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.
SUZUKI VITARA: Remains a popular choice.
There’s just one power unit for the range and it’s a very good one too. The 1.4litre tur bocharged petrol engine also has an electric motor that helps economy, lowers emis sions and gives a performance boost. In a week of sometimes not so leisurely driving I notched up an average 46 mpg. It’s a smooth and refined unit and possessed of enough power to nip past tractors and other slow traffic. The bench mark 100kmh (62mph) is passed in 9.5 seconds with a top speed of 190kmh (118mph). It’s no performance powerhouse but has more than enough capability to deal with motorway cruising speeds and overtakes on sin gle carriageway roads. Inside, the no nonsense approach continues with a comfortable look and feel, albeit lacking in the interior fripperies of more flouncy ri vals. Everything looks well able to stand the daily scuffs and knocks of everyday family and work
ing life. A welcome lack of digi tal nonsense is heralded by buttons, and even on the touchscreen there’s minimal tapping required. Volkswagen Audi please note! Options include fourwheel drive along with some rather snazzy colour combinations
and very sensibly priced styling upgrades. The Vitara makes a sensible purchase given their wellearned reputation for reli ability. Add in the generous levels of standard equipment and it’s not hard to see why the Vitara remains a popular choice.
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Dutch champion in coma Costa Blanca Walking
DUTCH cycling champi on Amy Pieters has un dergone surgery for head injuries she sus tained during a fall on Thursday, December 23. While out training near the coastal municipality of Calpe with her Team SD Worx, the rider got caught up in a collision with her teammates and subsequently hit the ground. As a result of the seri ousness of her accident, Pieters was rushed to a hospital in Alicante. “Amy Pieters underwent surgery yesterday, (Thursday), on her head. During the operation, the doctors reduced the pressure caused by the accident. She will be in duced into an artificial coma for a few days,” read a Twitter state ment from her team. “When the doctors wake her up in a few
Football League news
Pieters is a specialist in track endurance tests.
days, it will then be pos sible to make a diagno s i s o f e v e n t u a l s e q u e lae,” they added. Her family has report edly been able to join the world champion cy clist in the Alicante facil ity. Aged 30, Pieters is a
specialist in track en durance tests. She has been the American race world champion three times, in 2019, 2020, and 2021, along with her compatriot, Kirsten Wild. In 2019, she was also the European road champion.
AS the door closes on 2021, the Costa Blanca Walking Football League wish ev eryone a happy and prosperous New Year on and off the pitch. Given the restrictions throughout the year it has been a positive one for the Costa Blanca with the formation of the inaugural league to become the second walking football league in Spain. Various competitive friendlies were played and there was the appearance of several new teams. Plans are well underway for the first ‘Invitational Costa Blanca League Cup’ in the new year (depending on restrictions) and it is hoped to invite teams from the Almeria area. At the seasonal break it is Hondon Val ley Flyers who sit proudly at the top of the league and added the Formentera Invitational trophy to their trophy cabi net. The League look forward to 2022 with confidence and to the continued growth and development of the Costa Blanca League and teams in the area.
Hondon Valley Flyers with the Formentera Invitational trophy. Clubs are always looking for new members, so why not lose some of the seasonal over indulgences with a gentle game of walking football. An ideal way to shed these extra pounds without overdoing it. If you are over 50 why not live the dream again while getting the weight down. You’re never too old! For a club near you check out www.wfai.in fo, facebook or apalmar2011@hotmail.com. More news next week in the Euro Weekly News... make sure you get your copy.