Axarquia 1 - 7 December 2022 Issue 1952

UNDER DOG SURPRISES

Henderson FURRY fundraising fun was had at the Under Dog shelter’s Christmas Market event in Torre del Mar on Monday November 28. The ani mal shelter held a Christ mas Market to raise funds for its work in car ing for local dogs at Bar Samba in Torre del Mar.

The festive event in cluded Christmas themed stalls, a raffle, dog treats and a cake sale, where nearly all of the vegan cakes sold out. Guests also got to see pictures of the charity’s work and the dogs in its care.

Generous guests raised a gigantic total of €945.63 which will go to

Young virtuoso

wards the shelter’s care for its 14 dogs, including some new puppy addi tions. Twelve of the dogs are currently looking for homes

The shelter is also set to organise more excit ing events going for ward, including a charity walk along the prome nade in Torre del Mar in January and a Valen tine’s vegan hamper in February.

Under Dog shelter is always seeking more fos ter and adoptive homes to support it in its work caring for abandoned and mistreated dogs.

The shelter accepts do nations via PayPal to: theunderdogspain@gma il.com

Skate park memorial

TORRE DEL MAR has paid tribute to a skateboard lover who lost his life in the 2017 London Bridge terror ist attack. The new Ignacio Echeverría skate park was declared open on Friday November 25 at a special launch ceremony.

Authorities hope that skateboarders will share their love for the sport in the park and Echeverría’s memory will live on in Torre del Mar. Echeverría’s parents María Ana and Joaquín were present at the opening of the skate park last week. The park al so features a memorial sculpture of the skateboard enthusiast completed by artist, Francisco Martín.

The skateboard and sport lover from Galicia heroically fought a terrorist

in London using his skate board during an attack in May 2017. He managed to

divert the terrorist’s atten tion for long enough that several potential victims

were moved to safety, but he sustained fatal stab wounds and sadly died.

YOUTH prodigy, Emin Kiourkchian is set to give an incredible concert on Thursday December 1 in Al muñecar. The classical pianist will perform a concert entitled ‘Rachmaninoff among classics’, at the Casa de Cultura from 7.30pm.

The young pianist was invited to give the concert after winning the Albacete Young Pianists Contest. During the evening, he is set to perform a variety of pieces by the Russian virtuoso, as well as music by

early age, he

After beginning his

Betty

German classical artists Bach and Brahms.

piano studies at an

has continued his musical education at the Músi co Zyriab Musical Conservatory in Cordoba, and won national acclaim in competitions.

EMIN KIOURKCHIAN: The young pianist is set to give a stirring classical music performance in Almuñecar.

Photo credit: Emin Kiourkchian (Via Instagram)

UNDER DOG: Dedicated volunteers from the shelter in Torre del Mar pose with delicious treats at their Christmas Market.

Photo credit: Hayley Louise Stout (Via Whatsapp)

DECLARED

OPEN: Skate park in Torre del Mar dedicated to hero Ignacio Echeverría was opened by his parents, María Ana and Joaquín.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Vélez-Málaga

Nerja goes purple

NERJA said no to gender violence with a powerful display of solidarity in the town centre on Friday Novem ber 25. The town marked the Inter national Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with a cata logue of events, including lighting lo cal buildings up with purple lights.

Women’s organisations and the council came together with the De partment for Education on Friday to launch a new manifesto against gen dered violence. After, they paid trib ute with a memorial statement re membering the 40 Spanish victims of gender based violence that have died this year, 38 women and two girls.

The manifesto focuses on equality in education as well as promoting values of mutual respect between men and women. Town mayor, José Alberto Armijo read the manifesto,

before appealing to all local residents to fight for equality, “Equality makes us stronger in the fight against gen der based violence.” Armijo thanked local women’s organisations, includ ing Fibroaxarquía, for their dedica tion to protecting women’s rights.

Festive lunches

NERJA Royal British Legion is gear ing up for Christmas with a festive af ternoon of lunch and socialising. The annual La Herradura Christmas Lunch is set to take place on Friday December 2, in time for guests to get in the festive spirit!

The meal will be held in La Her radura restaurant, Nuevo Arenas Restaurante and will offer guests a delicious menu including courgette with prawns and chicken skewers with pineapple. There will be choco late cake for dessert and guests will be offered coffee throughout the meal as well as water and wine.

The meal will cost €17 per mem

ber, and €19 for non members of the Nerja Royal British Legion. Guests are asked to arrive at 1pm, in time for a 1.30pm start. The group asks any interested guests to contact representative Kim to register their attendance: kim_bowe1@hotmail. com.

The Nerja branch of the Royal British Legion represents the British charity which provides support for members and veterans of the British Armed Forces. The group will also hold a Quiz Night at Lew’s Restau rant in Torrox on December 6 and another Christmas lunch at Al An dalus in Maro on December 15.

A dance performance by the Mu nicipal School of Music and Dance closed off the event. Buildings includ ing the Casa Consistorial and the Aguila Aqueduct were lit up with pur ple lights all week, showing solidari ty.

Property pioneers

Betty Henderson

NERJA has moved to streamline its property rules in a new announcement made on Wednes day November 23. Property owners will now be able to request an ‘Express Licence’ to complete minor works on their properties, including paint ing and work on gardens.

Councillor for Urban Planning and Housing, Nieves Atencia explained the policy, “This modifi cation to property permissions will allow a larger number of minor property works to go through the system quickly, as long as the owners have the required document.s.

The change will improve waiting times for property owners to obtain planning permissions for minor works. Application forms can be downloaded online from the council website, or by col lection from the Council Citizen Service Office.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Nerja (Via Facebook)

ALL LIT UP: The Aguila Aqueduct looked formidable, lit up in purple to show Nerja’s stance against gendered violence last week.

NIBS EXTRA

Tasty profit

RINCON DE LA VICTO

RIA’S Tapas Route was ex tremely valuable for the lo cal economy, generating almost €25,000 thanks to sales of more than 7,000 tapas dishes. The event from November 11 to 20 raised 24 per cent more than in 2021.

Cycle success

ACTIVE travel achievement in Nerja as work begins on the third and final stage of a scheme to link the town with local village, Maro, with a bike lane. The project will create a further 2.2 kilo metres of cycle track.

Travel influencers

A NEW campaign from Tur ismo Costa del Sol is set to entice tourists from all over into visiting destinations in Axarquia. A campaign fea turing popular influencers in beautiful locations including Axarquia launched last week on the tourism agen cy’s social media accounts.

Police chase

OFFICERS in Rincon de La Victoria acted fast to stop three offenders with lengthy criminal records af ter a car chase in the early hours of Saturday Novem ber 26. The criminals were charged on offences includ ing possession of a stolen vehicle and robberies.

Movember madness

Betty Henderson HAIRY veteran rugby players came together for the trian gular tournament organised by Club de Rugby Malaga at the Manuel Becerra Rugby Ground in Rincon de La Victo ria on November 26 and 27 to mark the Movember chari ty campaign.

There was an electric com petitive atmosphere as the players from three interna tional teams; Rugby Club Complutense Cisneros (from Madrid), Ceibos Classics (a group of Argentinian players in Andalucia) and Club de Rugby Malaga faced off in

THERE will be exciting festive activities at a Christmas Mar ket in Rincon de La Victoria this weekend. Local group, the As sociation of Families and Pa tients with Alzheimer Bezmil iana (ASALBEZ) has partnered with the local council to put on the festive market which will be held over the weekend from December 3 to 4.

the tournament.

Players showed off epic fa cial furniture after a month without shaving in honour of

the ‘Movember’.

Movember is a charity campaign organised every November to raise money

Social support

Guests can choose unique Christmas gifts including sweet treats and crafts made by ser vice users. One of the Three Kings, Melchior is also set to make an appearance, as well as musical entertainment. The fair will be held on Sat

urday and Sunday from 10am until 4pm at the organisation’s headquarters at Paseo de la Marina, 5B in the Torre de Be nagalbón building. This is the fourth year the group has held the market which provides valuable funds to develop fur

and awareness for a variety of men’s health issues, includ ing prostate and testicular cancers, mental health and suicide prevention. Men all over the world grow a mous tache and raise sponsorship money and awareness for the international campaign. Donations can still be made to the tournament’s Movember campaign online at: https://es.movember. com/team/2253050.

Last year’s event raised a huge €750, and this year the total is similarly expected to be significant by the end of the campaign.

ther courses and workshops at the ASALBEZ centre.

ASALBEZ supports local peo ple suffering from Alzheimer’s and their families or caregivers. The organisation offers them information and guidance about the condition in specially designed sessions, as well as practical cognitive, behavioural and sensory workshops.

Mobile mechanics Disability awareness

EVENTS are well and truly underway in Velez Malaga to cele brate Disability Awareness Week. More than 20 events have been organised, running until Monday December 5, to raise awareness about special needs and disabilities in the town.

A yoga class on Tuesday November 29 saw local residents gather in María Zambrano park for a special therapeutic session.

The week got off to an excellent start when locals turned out in force for a solidarity walk organised by Anne Axarquia associa tion and centre for people with disabilities and special needs. The walk also featured lots of exciting fundraising activities.

Events have been organised to raise awareness and funds for local organisations supporting people with disabilities. Events in clude engaging talks, sporting events and interactive workshops.

We hope you never need it, but this Christmas the Euro Weekly News would like to remind all readers of Spain’s emergency services number for police, fire, ambulance and coastguard.

EXPRESS moped inspections will be available in Nerja as the town prepares for the re turn of a mobile ITV unit which is set to arrive on Wednesday December 14.

Mechanics with the unit will perform the ITV test of roadworthiness and general safety on mopeds and motor cycles. The ITV test is a legal requirement for vehicles in Spain to be on the road.

Local councillor for Safety and Transportation, Francisco Arce, reminded moped own ers that the ITV test is a legal requirement. “For safety rea sons, mopeds more than three years old must pass this technical inspection every two years,” therefore this is an excellent opportunity for locals to receive their certifi cates quickly

8.30am to 12.30pm. Moped owners wishing to get their ITV must make an appoint ment at: www.itvcita.com or by calling: 959 999 999.

Owners can pay by card, and must provide evidence of insurance on their vehicles and a valid driving licence.

Going green

A TORROX park is set to be revived thanks to a new council led scheme.

The dilapidated park at Las Dunas de La Carraca is set to get a new lease of life, becoming greener and offering new leisure opportunities for Torrox residents.

The three month pro ject includes the installa tion of facilities including benches and children’s play equipment, as well as increasing green spaces in the park with a budget of €350,000 in this initial stage of the project. The second phase looks to in stall an auditorium.

Mayor, Óscar Medina announced the project on Thursday November 24, saying his team wants to “recover green and leisure spaces which have been invaded by concrete.” Medina also highlighted the importance of spend ing time outdoors for a healthy lifestyle.

He added that the pro ject will also bring greater tourism opportunities, saying “A town like Torrox which is attracting more tourists all the time for its status as the Best Climate in Europe must have the best quality of life for all users, both residents and visitors.”

OFFICERS speak English, as well as many other European languages, and are your first port of call in an emergency.

The unit will be set up at the Explanada del Mercadillo, at the end of Calle Cisne, from

HAIRY PLAYERS: Moustachioed members of local rugby teams pose for a selfie at the charity match on November 26.

Photo credit: Deportes Municipal Rincón de La Victoria (Via Facebook)

Torrox Christmas Market

THERE will be festive fun over the bank holiday with a brand new Christmas Market in Tor rox. Mayor, Óscar Medina an nounced the market last week, which will take place from De cember 6 to 11 in the town.

A whole host of exciting fes tive activities will welcome guests of all ages, including a huge ice rink, children’s activi ties and musical entertain ment. Guests can also get going with their Christmas shopping thanks to a variety of stalls of fering bespoke gifts and artisan products. International cuisine will also be on offer including seasonal Christmas treats and Glühwein mulled wine.

More than 20 local business es are taking part in the market which will be open every day during the week from 12pm to 12am, except on the opening and closing days, when hours will be slightly different.

The market is set to take

place at the Parking de Ferrara car park which was recently resurfaced, allowing it to ac commodate more events. The Christmas Market will be the 15th of its kind in Torrox, but this is the first time it has been held in the new location.

Athletic achievement

NEARLY 500 athletes put their abilities to the test in the regional Paco Gallardo Athletics Championships which was held in Nerja on Sunday November 26 for the first time.

Runners from all over Malaga Province spent the day at the Enrique López Cuenca athletics stadium in Nerja. During the event, runners got the chance to compete in 16 different athletics events including running races, shot put, and long jump. There were various categories for different age groups and races for male and fe

male competitors and children. A total of 22 gold medals, 11 silvers, and 18 bronzes were up for grabs during the day.

Councillor for Sports, Daniel Rivas shared his excitement at Nerja being the first town in the province to host the event. He praised Nerja Ath letics Club for their hard work in securing a host role in various athletics events this year. The Pa co Gallardo Championship is part of the annual athletics calendar in Malaga, this year was the 19th edition with 447 athletes competing.

FESTIVE FUN: Go along and do your Xmas shopping.

A first for Benahavis

AC BENAHAVIS are cele brating this week. They fi nally ended their hoodoo by beating Malaga (50) in a league game after many attempts. Malaga lead 4 2 with five minutes re maining, but in a superb come back AC managed to pip last year’s league winners 5 4 with a sub lime finish by Rob Fitz.

This leaves Benahavis in a superb position in the league along with the Walking Dead, and Mala ga floundering after a poor start to the season by their high standards. The match was notable for the number of Hispan ic players involved with 10 being on the pitch at one time. In the over 60 game Malaga came back from being two nil down, to draw with AC 2 2.

Mark Sargent scoring two goals from defence.

The games between the Walking Dead and Nerja

Utd were postponed due to an illness in the Nerja camp.

On Sunday December 4 Torrox Tornedoes host Nerja in a BAHA Cup game, this should be an interest ing game between two

close neighbours. The new four strikes penalty rule seems to have added an interesting dimension to the games and adds to the excite ment too, with most games reporting at least

one offence and there fore at least one penalty.

Many thanks to the Eu ro Weekly News. Support ers of Walking Football. For all walking football news visit walkingfooty. com on Facebook.

TRIUMPHANT: The AC Benahavis team after beating Malaga (50) 5-4.

HELPFUL TRAVEL HINTS

AS a disabled traveller I hope these tips prove use ful:

For many Age Concern clients and others this is the time we plan to visit family in the UK.

So please don’t get caught out, as a friend did on a recent visit.

Do remember to check the size and weight of your luggage check your airline guide.

Are you taking a lot of medication with you most of us do!

Print off a copy of your medications from the list provided by your GP.

This saves any unneces sary explanations at Securi ty should you be ques tioned.

Do remember that you cannot take bottles of wa ter through Security.

You can however take an empty bottle and refill it when you are air side.

Or buy a bottle of water when you pass Security for just €1.

Are you disabled or have mobility issues?

Then you should consider Special Assistance. They are at the airport to help you.

Just make sure you com plete the necessary section when booking your ticket online.

Go to their designated area on arrival and leave the rest to them brilliant service.

Age Concern providing Help where Help is Need ed.

Call us on 652 537 615 (24/7) or email info@age concernfym.com.

Ship stowaways

SPAIN’S Maritime Rescue Service has reported the rescue of three stow aways travelling on a ship’s rudder in the Ca nary Islands after its jour ney from Nigeria.

The oil and chemical tanker Althini II arrived in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria on Monday November 28 after an 11 day voy age from Lagos in Nigeria, according to MarineTraf fic, a website that tracks the journeys of ships.

The coastguard con

firmed their rescue and said that the migrants were taken into the port and attended to by health services.

It is not the first time stowaways have been found on the rudder of commercial ships to the Canary Islands.

In October 2020, an other four people were found by police at Las Palmas after stowing away on the rudder of an oil tanker from Lagos for 10 days.

Peter McLaren Kennedy

NOW’S the time to go see Spain with some 42 long distance bus routes to pro vide free travel in 2023 af ter the government agreed to increase the state con cession from 50 to 100 per cent.

According to a national news site on Saturday, November 26 the legisla tion was to go through the Senate in the next few days after it was approved by the Congress of Deputies.

The original concession of 50 per cent came into force on September 1 as part of the government’s efforts to promote public transport in light of the en ergy crisis.

That concession will now rise to 100 per cent from January 1, 2023, on all state owned bus lines, of which there are 42 and which provide services to nearly 2,400 towns and vil lages.

To benefit from the free service, you need to buy a 10, 20 or 30 trip ticket as well as pay a refundable

See Spain Luxurious

deposit.

If you have completed the required number of trips then you will be re paid your deposit, howev er, the qualifying number of trips is yet to be an nounced.

SPAIN’S luxury market is booming as a Barcelona high street joins the likes of New York’s Fifth Avenue and Parisian Champs Elysees on a list of the world’s most ex pensive high streets.

Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona made the 18th place on the global list. A new report also revealed the locations in Spain with the highest rental prices for shops.

Passeig de Gràcia occupied first place with rent costing an annual average of €2,677 per square metre. The high street is home to luxury brands including Swarowski, Dior, and Versace.

Two other Barcelona streets were on the national list, Portal de l’Angel and Serrano, before top high streets in the capital, Gran Via and Preciados. The streets’ large concen tration of designer stores helped them to recover their pre pandemic revenue levels, as demand for designer goods has remained constant.

Long distance buses.

Credit cc/Jonik

Exclusive Interview with Jacky Trevane

JACKY TREVANE, author of ‘Fatwa: Living with a death threat’, has been living in Spain for more than 15 years.

Aged just 23, on holiday in Egypt, she fell head over heels in love with a local man, converted to Islam and married him, having two daughters, but life was not good and as a western wom an she found it impossible to cope with non stop physical and emotional abuse.

After eight years she man aged to escape back to the UK with her children, but even now, more than 40 years later, she lives under her assumed name and be lieves that if her where abouts were made known, she could be in danger.

Her book, published in 2004 by Hodder & Stoughton sold 800,000 copies worldwide and she was amazed by the response it received.

“The publishers received some 300,000 emails from women who identified with my position and felt that they too were treated as be ing invisible,” she explained.

“From those emails and with the permission and co operation of eight of the women who contacted me, I told their stories in a follow up book published a year lat er and entitled ‘Invisible Women’.”

Life goes on and with two children to bring up, a new partner and the need to work and keep busy, Jacky was involved in setting up a school in Catalonia and is de voted to music, playing the violin with orchestras and groups.

Then in 2018, she pub lished her third book, ‘My Life’ which attempts to pro vide a small window for you to sit, reflect and ask yourself at times pretty tough per sonal questions.

“Whether

for a template for a DIY auto biography or just want to pass on valuable insights and family history to your grand children this is a remarkably helpful book,” according to Jacky.

Next came the pandemic and it happened that one of her daughters was visiting from the UK and the other had been laid off by Ryanair so thought it would be great to be with mum near Grana da when suddenly they were in lockdown.

Looking for something to do, the girls said that they were going to join online dating site Tinder and per suaded Jacky to join them even though she suggested that “no one would be inter ested in an oldie like me.”

Tinder had a bit of a nega tive reputation at the time but the pandemic changed all that as people were des perate to make new friends and they did so in safety as

they couldn’t meet, but could get to know each oth er over Zoom and Facetime.

Thus, was born Jacky’s lat est book ‘Tinderella’ (pub lished by Vanguard Press) which tells the story of a 60 something woman and her adventures on three dating sites where she learns to be wary and wise as most of the men she meets (but not all) fall into the categories of Frogs, Frauds, Perverts or (Potential) Princes.

She hasn’t found that one special person yet, but she is still looking and the book is not only an amusing insight into what happened, but is an ideal guide on how to navigate these dating sites to those thinking of dipping their toe in the water.

Tinderella is now available to buy at Amazon in paper back or Kindle format and al though only recently re leased, has received nothing but five star reviews.

“Your experiences are unique and ought not to be lost to future generations. Why not record them here

for posterity and enjoy a stroll down Memory Lane in the process?

you are looking

AMUSING INSIGHT: Jacky Trevane with her new book Tinderella.

Credit: Jacky Trevane

THIS week we remember the bravery of Rosa Parks.

On Thursday, December 1, 1955, the world changed forever. The then 42 year old Rosa Parks was commuting back home from work and refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alaba ma bus.

Rosa Parks

Rosa was an ordinary woman on her journey home from work, but lit tle did she know that this would be a momentous moment in history that would then proceed to

start what would be known as the Mont gomery bus boycott.

Due to Rosa refusing to give up her seat she was fined $14 including court fees and was released on a $100 bond after being arrested.

From then the bus boy cott began and came to the withdrawal of 40,000 black bus riders on public transport. Over 75 per cent of Montgomery’s ridership was gone. Black carpools were organised by leaders at the time, such as Martin Luther King Jr, with African American taxi drivers of fering their services for the same price as the bus fare 10 cents to those that were African Ameri can.

After 386 days and ap proval of the Supreme Court, on December 20, 1956, Montgomery’s bus es were then integrated on December 21, 1956.

Queen of the jungle

THE third and final week in the ‘I’m A Celebrity’ jungle is always fast and furious, with one celeb leaving each night. Gogglebox star and comedian Babatunde left on Wednesday, November 23 after the public voted.

Former Radio One Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles had a good run, but his time was up on Thursday, November 24. Comedian Seann Walsh became the seventh to leave on Friday 25.

The moment every con testant dreams of tackling on the show is the iconic ‘Celebrity Cyclone’. Mike, Matt, Jill, and Owen, donned their individual coloured lycra pants for the legendary trial and off they marched to try and win those meals for camp.

Jill went first, followed by Matt, then Mike, with Owen taking the last stage. They overcame the crazy water cannons and

bouncing balls to win all four stars. England rugby star Mike Tindall was eventually evicted, nar rowly missing out on the final.

On Sunday, November 27, just three contestants remained in the jungle as the finalists on this year’s ‘I’m A Celebrity’. One out of politician Matt Hancock, soap star Owen Warner, or England Lioness Jill Scott, would end up wearing the iconic ‘jungle crown’.

Matt was the first of the three to be voted out,

leaving Jill and Owen as this year’s contenders. It was all down to the great British public now to choose the winner after watching three weeks of trials and tribulations in the Australian jungle.

Ana and Dec had the re sults on their card, with more than 12 million votes made. They announced that the winner, and new ‘Queen of the Jungle’ for 2022, was England football star, Jill Scott. Hollyoaks actor Owen was a very worthy runner up.

JUNGLE WINNER: The queen and worthy runners up.

Credit: ITV

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Canaries expansion

SPANISH energy companies Naturgy and Equinor have signed an agreement with El Cluster Marítimo de Canarias (Canary Islands) to promote and develop actions that boost the competitiveness of the archipelago’s maritime sector and plan to participate in future offshore wind projects around the islands.

Fatally flawed

FORMER minister responsible for the Royal Mail Stephen By ers has told a public enquiry in to the prosecution of 700 sub postmasters for alleged theft that although he was not per sonally aware of the prosecu tions, he recognises that the contract for the software that accused them was “fatally flawed.”

Budget approved

THANKS to a deal done with Catalan Independence MPS, the Spanish parliament voted 187 to 156 to approve the pro posed 2023 budget which re flects the current Spanish gov ernment’s desire to assist those who are unable to cope with the mounting cost of living.

Paltry payment

AFTER staff, HMRC, bankers and administrators are paid, un secured creditors of furniture company Made.com which went bust owing a reported £187 million will receive just 1.6p in the pound and this in cludes some 12,000 customers who had paid for but never re ceived their goods.

Christmas gift

THERE is good news for 10,000 employees of Spanish insur ance company MAPFRE as after giving them a €350 bonus in Ju ly, it now plans to pay them a further €400 in time for Christ mas in order to help them cope with the extra costs of inflation.

STAT OF WEEK €900 million

Russian oil dilemma

THE West wants to set a price cap on the importation of Rus sian oil, but no one can agree on what that price should be.

The invasion of Ukraine has seen energy cost of all sorts soar but because Russia has such huge oil reserves and the West needs oil, it continues to export crude oil, currently at prices which are often lower than Brent.

The problem for the G7, EU and others such as the UK is that if they set the cap too high it won’t actually have any ma jor effect on the Russian econo my, but if set too low, then Russia could simply restrict production and force world prices up.

Russia still has friends around the world and could simply ex port its higher priced crude to them and benefit from the in creased price.

Whilst the proposed cap is somewhere between $60 and $70 a barrel, the current aver age price is $85 a barrel for Brent, but Russia is selling

cheaper than that and it is now reported that Putin is consider ing passing a new law whereby Russian oil exporters will be banned from supplying any country that signs up for the price cap!

To add to this, Russia is cur rently purchasing second hand tankers (reportedly 70 so far according to ship broker BRS) in order to get round any ban

on Western owned tankers from carrying Russian crude oil.

Effectively, whilst leaders dither, Russia continues in this area at least to ‘rule the roost’.

What is also sometimes over looked is that Russia is the world’s third largest producer of gold and with 2,300 tons in reserve, worth around $55 mil lion per ton, finance is possibly the least of Putin’s worries.

Gibraltar border agreement

THE Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, met with mayors from the Cam po de Gibraltar on Friday November 25 and told them that Spain and the Eu ropean Commission have sent the United Kingdom a proposal to make this area a zone of shared prosperity.

Albares, who had con vened the meeting to re port on negotiations with the United Kingdom over Gibraltar, reviewed the ob jectives and interests that Spain has been defending in this negotiating process, particularly for the benefit of the residents and eco nomic operators in the Campo.

During the meeting, the minister reported that Spain, together with the Eu ropean Commission, has put on the table a global proposal, which aims to es tablish a new legal frame work that lays the founda tions for a stable relationship between Spain and the EU, on the one hand, and the territory of

Gibraltar, through the Unit ed Kingdom, on the other.

This requires that Spain control, on behalf of Schen gen, the external borders of Gibraltar and that, for this, it can exercise certain func tions and powers, necessary to protect the integrity and security of the Schengen area.

If accepted by Gibraltar

and the UK, this would lead to the removal of fences along the border and free passage for visitors and workers as well as goods al though tobacco would need to be monitored due to dif ferences in price.

Despite this, Spain still maintains its claim on sovereignty and jurisdiction in relation to Gibraltar.

BRITISH company HLP Klearfold has made the bold statement that plastic packaging can be more sus tainable than paper and card board.

They argue that if you consider the lifetime of packaging and recog nise that paper is difficult to recycle if contaminated with food or other waste, there is a lot to consider.

Cardboard production requires a high amount of water, generates emissions and can encourage de forestation if not sourced sustain ably so it should be accepted that it isn’t as environmentally friendly as one first thinks.

Plastic requires around 40 per cent less energy than cardboard while also producing less waste.

Netflix expands

NETFLIX has expanded its studios in Madrid to become its largest in Europe.

The global streaming giant re cently unveiled its expanded stu dios, located in Ciudad de la Tele (Television City) in the municipality of Tres Cantos, which is located northeast of the Spanish capital.

With a total area of more than 22,000 m2 the studio boasts not only sets, but also offices for pro duction, make up, hairdressing, and costumes.

Netflix opened its first Spanish language studio in 2019, shortly af ter the Madrid filmed La Casa de Papel became its first global hit in a language other than English.

Fishing deal

THE UK fishing industry will benefit from increased fishing opportuni ties worth nearly £5 million in 2023 after reaching an agreement with Norway to secure access to key fishing stocks for UK vessels.

The deal secures quota of valu able North Sea whitefish stocks worth nearly £3 million and in arc tic stocks worth nearly £2 million for 2023 and ensures UK vessels have access to Norwegian waters to fish their own approved quota.

Most significant is the extension of arrangements agreed last year on mutual access, with the UK fish ing industry having access to 30,000 tonnes of whitefish stocks such as cod, haddock and hake in the North Sea.

is the amount that Barcelona FC expects to spend to completely remodel their Nou Camp stadium using funding from Goldman Sachs.

HUGE RESERVES: Vladimir Putin at the opening of Tuapse Oil Refinery.

SHARED PROSPERITY: The meeting in Madrid between Minister Albares and mayors.

3I Group 1.347,00 1.364,50 1.344,50 135,44K

Abrdn 207,70 211,70 205,05 627,72K

Admiral Group 2.104,0 2.126,0 2.096,0 36,69K

Anglo American 3.174,5 3.179,0 3.138,5 173,40K

Antofagasta 1.332,00 1.336,50 1.322,00 77,11K

Ashtead Group 5.082,0 5.126,0 5.040,0 41,26K

Associated British Foods 1.579,0 1.588,5 1.568,5 84,40K

AstraZeneca 10.956,0 11.000,0 10.876,0 108,22K

Auto Trader Group Plc 574,40 578,60 570,60 204,19K

Aveva 3.189,0 3.193,0 3.185,0 506,05K

Aviva 454,00 456,60 450,00 385,70K

B&M European Value Retail SA406,30 413,40 405,60 199,19K

BAE Systems 806,80 809,80 801,00 857,80K

Barclays 160,28 160,40 157,88 3,53M

Barratt Developments 400,80 406,80 399,65 67,89K

Berkeley 3.798,0 3.841,0 3.783,0 19,58K

BHP Group Ltd 2.443,00 2.449,00 2.419,00 170,05K

BP 481,65 481,85 475,05 6,42M

British American Tobacco 3.327,0 3.329,5 3.261,5 449,26K

British Land Company 405,90 409,10 402,70 176,85K

BT Group 125,85 127,80 125,35 1,68M

Bunzl 3.090,0 3.116,0 3.077,0 34,24K

Burberry Group 2.113,0 2.115,0 2.077,0 119,35K

Carnival 716,4 730,2 714,6 55,69K

Centrica 95,26 95,26 92,70 2,85M

Coca Cola HBC AG 2.047,0 2.047,0 2.023,0 53,71K

Compass 1.844,50 1.845,00 1.829,50 209,18K

CRH 3.318,5 3.336,0 3.303,0 70,20K

Croda Intl 6.854,0 6.952,0 6.840,0 14,40K

DCC 4.408,0 4.435,0 4.395,0 36,11K

Diageo 3.760,0 3.775,5 3.739,0 187,48K

DS Smith 305,80 308,70 304,40 516,74K

EasyJet 399,70 410,57 398,70 207,94K

Experian 2.938,9 2.981,0 2.919,0 156,36K

Ferguson 9.790,0 9.876,0 9.782,0 63,01K

Flutter Entertainment 11.865,0 11.910,0 11.720,0 32,31K

Fresnillo 895,20 899,00 886,80 53,75K

Glencore 531,30 532,40 524,70 4,75M

GSK plc 1.390,40 1.399,80 1.384,40 375,68K

Halma 2.256,0 2.279,0 2.244,0 55,82K

Hargreaves Lansdown 858,60 863,80 853,00 92,54K

Hikma Pharma 1.508,00 1.518,00 1.496,00 35,32K

HSBC 487,60 487,60 481,20 2,46M

IAG 134,16 135,40 132,00 1,84M

Imperial Brands 2.114,00 2.114,00 2.080,00 349,26K

Informa 609,00 612,40 605,80 177,22K

InterContinental

Intermediate Capital 1.217,50 1.232,00 1.204,50 199,14K

Intertek 4.017,0 4.039,0 4.003,0 20,83K

ITV 77,74 78,46 77,14 1,00M

J Sainsbury 224,80 226,30 223,10 543,24K

Johnson Matthey 2.114,0 2.123,0 2.067,0 32,95K

Land Securities 625,60 638,00 624,80 107,08K

Legal & General 259,60 261,00 258,00 913,48K

Lloyds Banking 46,24 46,28 45,73 8,55M

London Stock Exchange 8.074,0 8.156,0 8.046,0 25,27K

Melrose Industries 133,65 134,65 132,85 357,66K

Mondi 1.559,50 1.564,00 1.551,50 55,75K

National Grid 1.018,11 1.023,50 1.014,00 554,81K

NatWest Group 255,60 255,80 253,20 996,89K

Next 5.722,4 5.760,0 5.644,0 35,40K

Norilskiy Nikel ADR 9,10 9,10 9,10 0

Ocado 641,91 659,40 634,00 335,98K

Persimmon 1.290,0 1.308,0 1.273,8 47,09K

Phoenix 606,60 609,80 603,60 183,16K

Prudential 938,60 942,80 920,20 469,83K

Reckitt Benckiser 5.928,0 5.946,0 5.854,0 128,03K

Relx 2.318,00 2.335,00 2.305,00 180,30K

Rentokil 543,40 548,40 541,00 373,69K

Rightmove 556,40 563,00 552,80 304,48K

Rio Tinto PLC 5.341,0 5.345,0 5.277,0 216,53K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 90,74 91,56 89,64 3,95M

Sage 811,04 816,80 806,80 63,56K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.122,00 1.124,50 1.116,00 0,98K

Schroders 460,0 465,7 454,3 139,72K

Scottish Mortgage 757,59 764,80 753,80 295,28K

Segro 815,30 838,20 814,00 174,84K

Severn Trent 2.794,0 2.837,0 2.785,0 47,28K

Shell 2.338,5 2.339,5 2.291,0 1,35M

Smith & Nephew 1.085,50 1.093,00 1.077,00 584,09K

Smiths Group 1.616,50 1.620,00 1.605,00 39,96K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 11.305,0 11.450,0 11.265,0 5,42K

SSE 1.719,15 1.733,00 1.712,00 159,52K

St. James’s Place 1.164,00 1.174,00 1.159,00 6,11K

Standard Chartered 587,00 587,20 577,60 438,16K

Taylor Wimpey 102,70 104,15 102,05 1,08M

Tesco 233,80 235,30 232,90 1,34M

Tui 146,85 149,35 146,15 301,03K

Unilever 4.118,5 4.126,0 4.100,5 251,33K

United Utilities 1.056,50 1.079,50 1.054,50 148,68K

3M 129,04 129,82 881,74K

American Express 154,15 154,47 153,17 665,77K

Amgen 283,74 285,57 281,41 1,22M

Apple 148,11 148,88 147,12 35,17M

Boeing 178,36 178,46 174,03 3,47M

Caterpillar 235,70 237,49 235,19 1,03M

Chevron 183,70 185,30 183,31 2,80M

Cisco 48,40 49,05 48,35 8,49M

Coca-Cola 62,69 62,81 62,38 5,17M

Dow 51,56 51,82 51,42 1,65M

Goldman Sachs 388,86 389,44 385,18 1,13M

Home Depot 326,38 329,08 321,90 3,39M

Honeywell 220,05 220,96 217,74 1,12M

IBM 148,37 149,49 148,10 2,08M

Intel 29,34 29,68 29,33 11,31M

J&J 177,24 178,12 176,86 3,06M

JPMorgan 136,74 137,14 136,05 3,22M

McDonald’s 275,00 275,32 272,86 1,60M

Merck&Co 107,50 107,50 106,56 3,16M

Microsoft 247,49 248,70 246,73 9,20M

Nike 105,96 107,18 105,56 3,43M

Procter&Gamble 146,72 147,20 146,40 2,41M

Salesforce Inc 153,35 154,04 151,38 3,02M

The Travelers 188,91 189,53 187,68 514,68K

UnitedHealth 537,62 540,85 532,52 1,42M

Verizon 39,02 39,36 38,97 7,72M

Visa A 213,79 214,00 211,38 1,99M

Walgreens Boots 41,66 41,97 41,42 2,23M

Walmart 153,07 153,09 151,86 2,93M

Walt Disney 98,87 99,81 98,08 6,66M

Vodafone Group PLC 92,95 93,33 92,49 8,71M Whitbread 2.622,0 2.652,0 2.604,0 24,81K WPP 876,20 879,80 871,80 128,86K Most

Fairfax

Telecom

Most Declined

Lufax

COSCO

Co., Ltd. -11.56% 100,000

Pilbara Minerals Limited -10.32% 381,581

Livent Corporation -8.81% 5.625M

Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. -8.20% 5.408M

Bilibili Inc. -7.15% 6.2M

Lithium Americas Corp. -7.05% 3.155M

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. -6.80% 2.448M

Luckin Coffee Inc. -6.74% 1.902M

Bank of Ireland Group plc -6.71% 34,151

Futu Holdings Limited -6.51% 1.413M

Peter Loveday

Currency outlook: Pound volatile following BoE’s recession warning, US dollar falls in tandem with Fed rate hike bets

Euro

EUR/GBP: Down from £0.87 to £0.86

EUR/USD: Up from $0.98 to $1.03

The euro fluctuated over the last month, amid a mix of concerns over the war in Ukraine and bets for more aggressive interest rate hikes from the European Central Bank (ECB). At the end of October EUR exchange rates were buoyed by forecasts for a 75bps rate hike from the ECB. While the bank matched these expectations, its dovish forward guidance swiftly reversed these gains. The euro then found its feet again in the first half of November. The single currency’s neg ative correlation with the US dollar allowing it to rally as the latter weakened. However EUR’s as cent then ran out of steam amid fears Russia’s war with Ukraine might be spilling over into the rest of Europe, after a stray missile killed two in Poland. It seems safe to assume that the euro will remain sensitive to Ukraine developments over the coming month, with the ECB’s next in terest rate decision also likely to influence the di rection of the single currency.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Up from €1.14 to €1.15

GBP/USD: Up from $1.13 to $1.18

BUSINESS

EXTRA

Relax rules

THE UK should use immigra tion to solve worker short ages and boost economic growth according to Tony Danker, CEO of the Confed eration of British Industry (CBI). He wants the govern ment to help companies re cruit qualified British staff.

IMF forecast

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its forecast for 2022 Spanish GDP to 4.6 per cent but has warned that growth will be weak over coming months due to a slowdown in exter nal demand.

Animal magic

THE pandemic saw a signifi cant growth in UK business Pets at Home as customers flocked to obtain pets and although there has been a reduction in owners now, there is still a strong market despite rising costs.

Trade in the pound has been choppy over the past four weeks. Sterling initially soared as Rishi Sunak was appointed as the UK’s new Prime Minister. GBP investors were optimistic his tenure will be less tumultuous than his predeces sor, Liz Truss.

However, these gains were reversed almost immediately as a result of some particularly bleak forecasts from the Bank of England (BoE). The BoE warned the UK is facing its longest re cession on record. An improving market mood helped Sterling to recoup some of these losses in the weeks that followed, although Sterling’s as cent did not come without its hurdles.

These came in the form of some mixed UK data as well as the government’s Autumn State ment. While Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s tax and spending plans helped to restore the UK’s finan cial credibility, his confirmation that the UK is in a recession spooked investors. Looking ahead, the pound may face some headwinds in the month to come if UK data continues to point to a slow down in domestic growth.

US Dollar

USD/GBP: Down from $0.88 to $0.83 USD/EUR: Down from €1.01 to €0.96

The US dollar has trended broadly lower over

Fears over merger

THE UK Competition and Market Authority, the CMA, fears a merger could in crease UK oil and gas costs as with less competition production costs could rise.

Well intervention services are essential services used by oil and gas operators to manage well production, provide well diagnostics and modify a well’s state or con figuration.

Two of three of the largest companies, Baker Hughes and Altus supply various well intervention services in the UK, including to opera tors active on the UK conti nental shelf.

An investigation by the CMA has found that Baker Hughes and Altus are the two largest providers of both coiled tubing and pumping services in the UK and compete very closely in the supply of these services currently.

After any merger, Baker Hughes would face competi tion from only one other major supplier Halliburton

and a small number of other suppliers that are much weaker competitors in the UK.

The CMA is therefore con cerned that the loss of rival ry between the merging companies could lead to higher prices, reduced choice and lower quality ser vices for businesses in the UK that purchase coiled tub ing and pumping services.

Colin Raftery, Senior Di rector of Mergers at the CMA, said: “Our investiga

tion showed that Baker Hughes’ purchase of Altus would take out an impor tant supplier and few re maining competitors would be left in the market. We will move to an in depth in vestigation unless the com panies can address our con cerns.”

The two parties are now required to submit mitiga tion to the CMA explaining why the takeover should not be examined more thor oughly.

the past month. The sudden reversal in the ‘greenback’s fortunes being driven by USD in vestors scaling back their expectations for future Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

This repricing of expectations was primarily at tributed to signs that US inflation may have peaked. The US reported a larger-than-expected fall in its consumer price index and producer price index in October.

An improving market mood also weakened demand for the safe-haven currency through the first half of November. Although a subse quent souring of risk appetite in response to Ukraine concerns and a spike in Chinese Covid cases has offered some support to USD ex change rates.

The Fed’s December interest rate decision will no doubt be the highlight for USD investors in the coming month. If the US central bank sur prises by delivering another 75bps rate hike we could see the US dollar surge.

Currencies Direct have helped over 430,000 customers save on their currency transfers since 1996. Just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more about how you can save money on your currency trans fers.

Building safety

THERE is to be major change in the rules concerning re sponsibility for the obligations to fix unsafe residential buildings in Britain as the government intends for it to be come the responsibility of the builder rather than the leaseholder.

Proposals for how developers would pay to fix unsafe buildings have been set out by the government as it moves a step closer to imposing its new Building Safety Levy.

The government has now begun consulting developers and other interested parties on the plans, which will see an estimated £3 billion collected over the next 10 years.

Under the plan, developers of residential buildings, re gardless of their height, will have to pay the levy contri bution as part of the building control process.

Subsidised mortgages

THE Council of Ministers in Spain has adopted a package of measures aimed at the families most af fected by the rise in Euribor which influences vari able rate mortgages which has been caused by the war in Ukraine.

More than a million Spanish households will be able to benefit from this protection, approximately a third of those with variable rate mortgages, ac cording to Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño.

Whilst she suggested that the Euribor rate is still low compared to pre pandemic rates, she recog nised that many vulnerable families were worried about the additional cost of mortgages which is why the government will help them.

NORTH SEA OIL: Well intervention services are used.

MIX OF CONCERNS: The euro has fluctuated over the last month.

Gees a job!

STRANGE to receive occasional letters accusing me of always supporting the Conservative Party; misconceived balderdash of course. Mind you, frankly I would rather support any party than the Labour movement.

Some of us really do have to declare opposition to the utter conspiracy, now being indoctrinated by the left support ing media and its offshoots of anti right activists. Even ‘Celebrity Get Me Out’ was crammed with supporters of the left. To vie Matt Hancock no doubt! The first voted out was Ms White, and she was probably the worst of all. She posi tively hates right wingers and even seems to consider them racist.

Labour, and its raggle taggle bunch of so called politicians, has frankly come up with nothing at all likely to solve the country’s problems. In their pathetic bumbling efforts to gain popularity, they just recently actually stood up in the house and stated that were they elected they would get rid of the House of Lords.

Wow, what a great idea to solve problems that are at this time strangling the country and its citizens. To be hon

est even I would like to see something take the place of the House of Lords, but not to even be contemplating changes in that direction at this mo ment, when every fibre in the UK politi cal bodies should be concentrating on emerging from the swamp of despair the country is drowning in.

This ludicrous party actually sat around a table and discussed announc ing this ridiculous scheme, during yet another time wasting meet of specious thinking. What an utter misconception and example of the ends this lot will in duce to receive votes. (Gees a job!)

Labour were also, under Blair, the ex ponents of mass immigration. To attain even more votes, Starmer is now en deavouring to attain more popularity by cutting the numbers down! You couldn’t make it up.

I do recall some years ago Qatar be gan advertising its airline on British TV. (Paying a fortune no doubt!) When it was learned that Qatar is actually pro nounced as rhyming with catarrh; the tongue twisted convulsions the media got into trying to pronounce it different ly was so ridiculous I do actually re

member mentioning it in a column. Well, now they’ve attained the World Cup, nothing’s changed. Only its citizens and Arabic fraternities announce it cor rectly, everyone else calls it Katah!

Another endeavour that has earned a money avalanche for some specific time consuming numbskull somewhere. May I repeat once again gees a job. I really would be quite good at it ya know.

Keep those letters coming; just be cause I only reply to the occasional in put, I do read and appreciate every one. Oh, and by the way. Thousands on so cial media objecting to ‘the World Cup knee!’ 100 per cent correct. Anyone lis tening? No chance.

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy leapylee2002@hotmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon and Fri. 1pm till 4.

OUR VIEW

CIRCULAR ECONOMY CHRISTMAS

WITH less than a month to Christmas, many charities are do ing their best to raise funds in order to be able to continue with their important work.

The problem of course is that with the continuing rise in the cost of living it becomes more important that those in need (two or four legged) are helped, but equally fewer peo ple can afford to spare money as they face their own Christ mas costs.

In some parts of Spain where expatriates are known for digging deep, there have been so many charity lunches and dinners planned that they are overlapping and more than one organisation has decided to postpone their Christmas event until February where there will be less competition.

Some charities are inviting people to gift wrap toys which will then be distributed to those families which are unable to afford to buy gifts for their children and as more youngsters expect something at Christmas and then a few days later Three Kings’ Day, the cost becomes even greater.

Many children have more toys than they can ever play with and in a lot of cases as they grow, they lose interest in them, so perhaps some enterprising charity could think of ap pealing to parents and children to donate good quality, no longer wanted toys and games for those in need as an old toy for one child is a new toy for another.

The world is coming round to the concept of the circular economy where all sorts of goods are either repurposed or recycled and this is a great opportunity to let children help other children and learn from their own example.

The perfect gift is the gift of wellness

CHRISTMAS is just around the corner, and our greatest wish is to give our nearest and dearest something original, memorable and useful. We want to make our family and friends happy. With this in mind, here are sev eral ideas from rest experts MiColchon to get the perfect gift.

The million dollar question whenever we want to buy something for someone we care about is “what will be the perfect gift?” It is clear that the perfect gift depends on each person, so how do we get it right?

We are going to help you with this difficult choice with some aspects that we believe are fundamental to choosing the perfect present.

How the perfect gift should be

• Let’s not forget that it’s the intention that counts, the first goal we want to achieve is to touch the heartstrings of our loved one, we want our gift to be memorable and convey the affection we feel for this person.

• Let’s take into account, of course, the tastes and needs of our relative or friend and we are sure to find important clues.

• When considering gift options, we also

have to think about our budget.

The perfect gift should be original, memo rable, useful and at the best price... So how about giving the gift of wellness?

The perfect gift is healthy rest

A practical gift that can be enjoyed every day and allows us to take care of our health, give a memory foam pillow! If you want to be remembered, giving a quality pillow is giving the gift of wellness, comfort and health, so that our loved one wakes up recovered and renewed.

What are the options? Every type of cush ion you can think of can be found in MiCol chon® stores, where their Mattressologists will help you choose the best pillow for the person you love the most.

We recommend the viscoelastic pillows, which adapts to the contour of your body perfectly, keeping your back in the correct posture. Consider the variety and affordable price of the firm NordSwiss®, or ergonomic pillows from Tempur®, which also holds the original patent of viscoelastic material.

Following the line of a ‘healthy’ gift, the old er people of the family may appreciate an electric articulated bed to not only enjoy the best rest, but many other features and amenities too!

The perfect gift is also comfort and relax ation. Another way to show our affection is to gift the most important feature of any living room, the ‘throne’ that we all deserve to en joy hobbies, reading, television, football or family gatherings the armchair.

When looking for the perfect armchair, head to MiColchon in Malaga where you can enjoy the #SofáExperience by Nessen Interi ors®, offering sofas and armchairs of the high est quality, Spanish manufacturing, Italian de signs, the best stain resistant upholstery and the best leather.

Be the grandson or daughter of the year by giving a comfortable armchair with the fea tures you want, such as zero gravity system to improve blood circulation, motorised move ment of the headrest, feet and lumbar area, PowerLift mechanism so that the person can sit up effortlessly... The list is endless.

ImageMiColchon

MICOLCHON:

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

LETTERS

Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: euroweeklynews.com

Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

SMACK IN THE FACE

I’M so angry to read that Britain’s MPs can now also claim expens es for the cost of food, should they wish to hold any Christmas celebrations.

What a selfish, greedy, parlia ment we have! This ‘allowance’ is a blatant smack in the face for the workers on low incomes; for those who have to go through hoops to receive benefits; for those who have to take strike ac tion to receive salary increases, and for the thousands of pen sioners who, having paid tax all of their working lives, now have to exist on a totally inadequate, well below minimum wage pen sion.

The greedy MPs should hold their heads in shame. They should open their eyes to the real world and stop thinking of them selves.

They should be made to live, for at least one month, on a basic pension, from which every single household bill has to be paid. Without access to their no doubt healthy bank accounts, they wouldn’t last a week!

They clearly have no idea of the struggle low income families have, day to day. They are content to enjoy their privileged lives, with out a thought for the people who have to make a choice; whether to eat or to heat?

When will someone in the po sition to do so, take responsibili ty, and put in the effort to give EVERYONE a decent standard of living?

Maureen Gallifant

Hello Leapy

Thought I would mention yet another example of the BBC be ing out of touch with the public.

In spite of all the hours they have devoted to Party Gate on TV, radio news and especially the Today Programme, Matt Han cock has reached the final of I’m a Celebrity... on ITV.

This was the result of daily public voting.

Party Gate was bad of course but this highlights again BBC bias. I wonder if the same number of hours would be spent if there was a Labour government.

Never miss your column in EWN, thanks.

Too much time

I have read the stories in the newspaper over the last couple of weeks about the protesters defacing works of art and statues and quite frankly I think that these people have too much time on their hands to plan out these attacks. You have had your 15minutes of fame, get a job or volunteer at a charity shop.

Arthur Mancs

Way too early

Am I the only one to think that putting your Christmas decora tions up in November is just way too early. Sorry to be the Grinch of Christmas, but tradition is that you put your tree up 12 days be fore and take it down 12 days af ter. If nothing else you might save some pennies on your electricity bill.

Ethel Daniels

Be kind

My mother used to say to me if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all. Why can’t we be more like that now, these social media groups with the bitchy and nasty com ments, no one is forcing you to comment, so if you don’t like the posts please feel free to scroll past.

Please be kind.

Graham

Sally Harris

BRITAIN’S MPs: What a greedy parliament we have!

Credit: Shutterstock.com/zjtmath

WORLD CUP SHOCK

DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD

THE brilliant goal scored by Salem Al Dawsari, provided Saudi Arabia with per haps the greatest upset in World Cup his tory. They beat Argentina, who were undefeated in their previous 36 matches and had conceded only two goals in their last 16 games.

The FIFA committee must have been rubbing their hands with delight. Here was the perfect excuse to welcome a bid by the Saudis to stage the tournament in 2030. Perhaps they could jump the queue for 2026! Money, money, money!

Saudi has many of the qualifications of Qatar sexual deviances are illegal, wom en’s rights are subdued, consumption of alcohol in public is forbidden and immi grant workers have been treated despica bly. And there is the added bonus that, un like Qatar, it is headed by a murdering tyrant.

Until 1990, with the exception of Mexi co, the World Cup was held exclusively in South America and Western Europe and

to this day every World Cup winner has been from one of these two regions.

Since 1990, the tournament has already been held in the USA, South Africa, Japan and South Korea, Russia and Qatar. None of these has ever looked like lifting the tro phy.

I would suggest that it should continue to be played in Western Europe or South America until an interloper lifts the trophy perhaps Nigeria, Egypt, Croatia or Mexi co.

But, what was once the beautiful game has long been dominated by money and corruption. It is also one of the great global entertainment spectacles and therefore has to be enjoyed by and be accessible to everybody. But should it not be hosted by a country more qualified than South Africa, Qatar or Canada?

It may yet be won by a team from what I have dismissed as a non footballing na tion. Saudi Arabia, perhaps? That would be another shock result for the Kingdom.

Helping the homeless

THERE are an estimated 30,000 homeless people living rough in Spain.

At least half of those accord ing to the official government figures are foreigners of which British nationals represent a significant and increasing part.

The British Benevolent Fund works closely with the UK con sular network to find local so lutions or in many cases help in repatriation to the UK.

Some live in cars, others in street doorways, underground passages, and even caves.

Some have been in Spain for years. They survive from day to day by the coins given by passers by, food banks and lo cal charities, some of whom provide temporary accommo dation for cold nights, a hot shower and a meal.

Many suffer from mental is sues, depression, and despair.

One such man was in his mid 70s when we were alert ed to his case. Neighbours in a rural area in northern Spain had reported a man seen at night time. The Guardia Civil followed through and discov ered that he was a British na

tional and had been living in a cave some distance from a local village. To their very great credit the villagers collected money for him for food and a sleeping bag. Someone who spoke English drove him to the nearest large town where there was a homeless charity who gave him addition al items and called the con sulate to report the case.

It turned out that the man had been living in England and had been recently widowed he had come to Spain to find their estranged son whom he believed lived in Spain.

He had run out of money al most on arrival, lost his phone and passport and been living rough for over a month. By the time a UK consular officer was able to contact him he was in considerable distress.

The British Benevolent Fund was able to fund emergency accommodation in a local hostal while the consulate was able to establish his identity and contact his local authority in England. They discovered

the man was known to social services in his area and through the consulate we were able to pay for the emer gency travel document and his repatriation back home. Some months later we received a hand written letter it was from the son.

He was writing to say thank you and to say that he was now reconciled with his father and was in regular contact. He went on to say that his father had little recollection of the time he was found living rough in Spain and just wanted to say thank you for the kindness of strangers and to the BBF for getting him home.

The BBF works tirelessly be hind the scenes to provide the financial help for people in dire financial situations.

We can only help with your generosity.

www.britishbenevolent fund.org

DavidWorboys’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

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worship and experience the presence of our God. Our teaching is Bible based as we honour God and obey His Word. During this time of un certainty, God’s Word reminds us that the Gospel shines brightest in times of darkness. Our service lasts for about 1 hour and 30 mins. With Tea and Coffee afterwards. Sun day Service 11.00am; Prayer Meetings Wednesdays 11.00am; Pasaje San Miguel, Nerja, 29780 Email: info@nlcnerja.com Website: www.nlcnerja. com Facebook: www.face book.com/nlcnerj

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Priest in Charge, Father Nigel Thomas. Tel: Church House951 815 736, Mobile: 608 695 756, e-mail: cofenerja@gmail. com

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GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

TORRE del Mar. Rent 1 room with bathroom. 35€/day. 693 996 352 (FU 2571)

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New Life Church Whether you live in Nerja or are visiting our area, you are very wel come to come and join us at our Sunday gathering. Join us for a time of Holy Spirit led

THE ANGLICAN Chaplaincy of Nerja & Almunecar. Every Sunday there is a Holy Com munion service at midday in San Miguel church in Nerja. Every Wednesday morning at 9.30 we have an online ‘Zoom’ HC service - please contact Fr Nigel with an e-mail address if you would like to join us.

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WE ARE currently the mar ket leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motor bike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our phi losophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most com petitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS wanted for Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical. One day per week. Must be le gal to work in Spain, have own transport, know the areas and be reliable. Please send CV with cover ing letter to Martyn by email mab021262@gmail. com (292475)

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