Costa Blanca North 12 • 18 January 2023 Issue 1958

HIVE OF ACTIVITY

ONE Benidorm charity is buzzing with excitement for a 2023 full of fundraising and charity work. Busy Bees is a local charity which aims to support vulnerable children and women living in the area in social housing.

Busy Bees works directly with children living in Emaus homes which are run by the church, to ensure that all are well ­ fed, nourished, clean and receive education. Once this foundational work is completed, Busy Bees then hope to reform the 1970sera facilities at their two main homes, before moving onto the others.

The charity regularly collaborates with other groups to support children living in Emaus houses, but is entirely dependent on donations to carry out their vital work.

Charity founder, Wayne Bellamy took to Facebook on Monday, January 9 to thank supporters for an amazing start to the new year with donations totalling more than €1,000, as well as handmade gifts which were donated to the children for Christmas by Gerry.

The group cannot accept

cheques due to bank charges, but do have a PayPal account: Paypal.me/ DesmondBellamy and accept cash donations.

Busy Bees will also launch a purpose ­ built website soon to keep donors and supporters up to date on the organisation’s progress.

Practical donations are also welcome, the group asks supporters to get in touch via their Facebook page to organise delivery: https://www.facebook.co m/groups/8735078694598 62

Best foot forward

HIKING lovers in Gandia have a spring in their step thanks to a brand­new hiking festival that will arrive to the region later this month.

Authorities announced the launch of the Feria de Montaña de La Safor which will be held from Friday, January 20 until Sunday, January 22. The festival will bring hiking lovers living across the Costa Blanca together for a weekend of activities, dis­

covering new routes near to Gandia and comparing tips on the latest hiking technology and best equipment.

As well as hiking trips, the weekend event will also feature workshops, exhibitions, film screenings and even a concert! Local Councillor for the Environment, Alicia Izquierdo said, “All who are interested will enjoy the charm of the mountains and hiking in a different way.”

BUSY BEES: Their campaign ensured no child went without a gift this Christmas in Benidorm’s Emaus housing.

Photo credit: Wayne Edward Bellamy-Wright (Via Facebook)

Spectacular sailing

Betty Henderson ALICANTE port was awash with activity over the weekend as ‘The Ocean Race’ returned to the city for the event’s biggest edition since before the pandemic. The prelude to the world’s toughest sailing race got underway on Sunday, January 8, before the first leg officially begins on Sunday, January 15.

The event is one of the ‘big three’ events for sailors, alongside the Olympics and America’s Cup, pitting teams of sailors against each other for an epic five month round­the­world sailing adventure, split into seven legs split over four continents.

The action kicked off on Sunday, with teams earning points which will be used in the general classification in the 60,000 kilometre challenge. Sunday’s in ­ port VO65 and IMOCA

races were won by WindWhisper Racing Team and Team Malizia respectively. The stakes were high in the highly anticipated start to the competition with more than 45,000 spectators expected to turn out

over the next two weeks until the Alicante leg of the competition closes on Monday, January 23.

After the Alicante leg, sailors will head south towards Cape Verde, off the coast of West Africa.

Expat issues warning

A LOCAL Javea business owner, who was robbed at knifepoint on December 30, has issued a warning to others who live in and around the city.

Vape Lounge owner John Diamond was woken by two men of African descent looking for money. The two men were hooded making it difficult for them to be identified, however it is clear that they were brought up in or came from the UK.

Although he was not able to

identify the men, they repeatedly said to him in an East London accent “where’s the money bruv.” With no cash kept in the house they took computers and jewellery before fleeing.

John, who lives in Pinosol, has nothing but praise for the police who he believes will catch the culprits. But he issued an appeal to anyone who may have information to contact the police on 112.

He also urged residents to join the neighbourhood watch and to take the necessary precautions to protect life and property.

Report by Peter McLaren­Kennedy

A world-renowned sailing race got underway.

Photo credit: The Ocean Race (Via Facebook)

High speed

THE Ministry of Transport is planning the high-speed railway connection between the three capitals of the Valencian Community with the approval of investments amounting to €146.7 million. The aim is that by 2025 it will be possible to travel between Alicante and Valencia in one hour.

Smart Destination

BENIDORM City Council has now approved its Smart Tourist Destination Master Plan 2022-26. EU cities will learn how to implement innovative digital solutions to make tourism sustainable and accessible, fully leveraging on their cultural heritage and creativity to improve the tourism experience.

Erasing erosion

WORK is to be carried out on the beaches of Rafalcaid (Gandia), Terranova (Oliva), Daimus, Guardamar de la Safor, Bellreguard, Miramar and Piles. These seven localities suffer serious erosion that intensifies natural disasters when heavy storms occur, causing damage to infrastructures and posing a risk to residents.

Record number

THE Ocean Race attracted more than 45,000 people during the first weekend (January 7 and 8) of activities to celebrate the start of the Sailing Tour of the World, which is an absolute record number of visitors to the Ocean Live Park, on the Levante Quay in the port of Alicante.

Zero incidence

THE town council of San Vicente del Raspeig deployed a special service throughout the festive season which included an increase in Local Police officers and Civil Protection volunteers. The extra staff meant the Christmas period went swimmingly and zero incidences were reported.

Sant Antoni celebrations

THE holiday season might be over but the festivities aren’t finished in Moraira! The town is holding its traditional Sant Antoni festival over the weekend, bringing a bonanza of topquality entertainment, delicious local food, and cultural activities for all to enjoy.

The action will kick off on Friday, January 13, with a traditional tree planting and decoration ceremony. Activities will last all weekend with three packed days of activities to commemorate the legacy of Sant Antoni.

Traditional parades with giant pup­

SWIMMERS braved the January temperatures for an annual swimming competition in Gandia on Friday, January 6. A total of 53 people took the plunge in the competition which is traditionally held on the Epiphany, Three Kings’ Day.

The race saw swimmers battle it out over a 200 metre course from Gandia Port to Playa Varadero where they were met with a hot chocolate to warm up after swimming in the cold ocean!

pets will bring the magic of the festival to the streets of Moraira on Saturday evening, followed by a huge bonfire

and shared community meal where locals are invited to bring products to share and eat together.

Sunday will similarly see plenty of parades fill the streets, as well as a special honorary mass at 11am, followed by a blessing for all local animals. Musical entertainment will take place all afternoon on Sunday followed by another delicious traditional meal!

The saint, sometimes known as Anthony the Great was born in modernday Egypt and became the patron saint of animals, which are a focus of Moraira’s festival.

Cold plunge

This year was the 10th edition of the event, which was won by Hektor Rosen from CN Ferca San José Club with

U3A Marina Baixa

LIFE-LONG LEARNING: Come along and have a chat with members.

THE U3A Marina Baixa Association will hold their Annual General Meeting on Monday, January 23, at the Casa de Cultura, Alfaz del Pi starting promptly at 11:00am.

U3A Marina Baixa was formed in 2006 and provides an opportunity for English­speaking people who are no longer in full­time employment to become members of an Association which promotes life ­ long learning. Whether this be developing a new skill, exploring new ideas or just wanting to meet new people on a social basis.

There are numerous groups offering a wide range of activities.

New members are always welcome and maybe you have something you can offer to the Association. Following most of the monthly meetings a speaker is invited to share their experiences or interests with the membership and a monthly raffle is held to enable the Association to support local charities.

Put a note in your diary to come along in January and have a chat with members, it may be just what you are looking for!

an impressive time of three minutes and eight seconds. Second place went to Ivan Pelufo Lorenzo from CN

Trencaones Alzira with Joel Robles Escrivà from Corriol Triathlon in third place.

The women’s category was won by Silvia Báez Dieguez, from NIE Gandia followed by Mónica Cardete Roig from Club Triatlón Gandia and Nuria Arbona Orovay from CN Master Torrijos.

Participants also got into the festive spirit with a variety of whacky costumes including Batman, reindeers, Tinkerbell and social media logos!

Montgo Golf

MONTGO Golf Society played their first competition of 2023 on Friday, January 6.

Even with the very chilly conditions some brave and hardy members were still wearing shorts. The competition at Oliva was sponsored by John Maccritchie and Montgo Golf wish to say a big thank you to John.

The winner was Pete Turner with 36 Stableford points. In second place on countback was Andrew Brown also with 36 Stableford points. In third place was Ruth Strasser with 35 Stableford points.

There were two Nearest the Pin prizes on offer on the third Gents only and 16th Ladies only and taking home the spoils was Helmut Pertler and Ruth Strasser. The Golf Society had only one two on the day and that was won by the Captain.

Next week’s competition is a Stableford again sponsored by Ruth Strasser.

Montgo Golf have returning members booking in, so book in early via the website /www.montgogolfsociety.ne t/ to avoid disappointment.

Sustainable charity

JAVEA Cancer Care group have launched a campaign to encourage recycling while helping an amazing cause. The charity is appealing for plastic bags at its charity shop in Javea Parc to avoid buying them from elsewhere and to help the planet.

Launching the campaign on Thursday, January 5, the group appealed to the public saying, “It is so much kinder to the environment to recycle plastic bags. We will be most grateful to collaborate with you to do our teeny bit to help.” The group are appealing for plastic bags at both of their charity shops in Javea Parc and La Plaza.

The group is continuing to raise funds at their charity shops which have plenty of winter clothing in stock to keep you cosy while raising money for a worthy cause! The charity shop in Javea Parc is open every morning from Monday to Saturday from 10am until 1:30pm, except Thursdays when it closes at 1pm.

The group also hold weekly support ‘walk ‘n’ talk’ events from the Parador Hotel and a monthly support group for people living with or supporting loved ones with cancer.

Moraira traditionally holds a huge bonfire to celebrate Sant Antoni.

Photo credit: Ajuntament de Teulada (Via Facebook)

Image: U3A Marina Baixa/Facebook

Swimmers donned their best fancy dress costumes for a traditional challenge on Three Kings’ Day.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Gandia

The Barbarians Rugby Club Marina Alta

THE Barbarians suffered a defeat in their first game of 2023, losing away to the leaders Inter, 357.

The one saving grace was that the BaBas had five regular players still away on holidays and with only one training session in three weeks prior to the match, means they have an opportunity to make up for these lost sessions in the next weeks.

The Seniors play at home this Sunday against Albacete at 12am whilst the S16s renew their league fixtures on January 21 away to Elche. More details to follow.

If you played before in the UK and still fancy a game and live in the Marina Alta, you are very welcome to have a run out at training with the squad every Tuesday and Thursday.

The Barbarians run Academy teams from under 16s to 18s (both men’s and ladies) and through to seniors and welcomes everyone to join the club. Free qualified coaching is available at all levels. Please call Santi (Spanish) on 676 612 357 or Mac (English) on 609 646 349 for more information.

Ladies European Tour

LA SELLA GOLF in Javea is to host the most important event of the Ladies European Tour 2023 in Spain.

With a purse of €1 million, La Sella Open will be the women’s golf tournament offering the highest prize money in Spain.

La Sella will become the focus of professional golf news from July 20 to 23, with the celebration of La Sella Open. An event that will serve as a litmus test for the best players on the Ladies European Tour (LET) in order to define the European team that will compete in this year’s Solheim Cup, and will be another opportunity for the best golfers on the circuit to shine on one of the most prestigious courses in the Mediterranean.

The programme will begin on July 18 with the official opening dinner of the tournament and will contin ­

ue on July 19 with a ProAm in which three amateur players and one professional will take part. It will be the preamble to four days of

official competition where massive participation is expected, with more than 100 of the best female golf players in the world.

LA SELLA GOLF: Will become the focus of professional golf in July.

Image: Javea City Council

Mega star spotted

HOLLYWOOD A ­ lister Morgan Freeman surprised locals when he was spotted dining at Mallorca restaurant Sandro on Sunday, January 8.

Freeman said: “It’s the best Bolognese I’ve ever eaten in my life,” according to the Italian restaurant’s owner Sandro Putignano.

The restaurateur told one publication: “Until they turned up I didn’t know it was going to be him. At first we were a little doubtful and we were looking for photos of him on the internet,

until we were sure.

“They arrived early in the service, around 7.15pm, and left around

Grumpy but loved

READERS of the Euro Weekly News will be delighted to know that one of the paper’s best loved columnists, Grumpy Old Man Mike Senker, is set to be back in the writing saddle once again following a break while he moves house.

The popular writer, whose musings on everything from modern customer service to cancel culture have entertained readers over more than 300 columns, is expecting to complete his move later this month and begin contributing to the EWN again.

Explaining that he is busy with multiple projects these days, while Mike will not be returning with a column every week, he will be entertaining readers with his sharp insights into life on the Costas again in the following weeks.

Mike said: “I want to thank readers for their very kind wishes and I look forward to being back on the Euro Weekly’s pages very soon!.”

10pm. They were a group of five people and they were having dinner quietly, like any other client.”

The actor later posed for photos with the Sandro, which the business owner later posted to Instagram saying: “We still can’t believe it. Morgan Freeman at home, we couldn’t be more excited. We will never forget this moment, thank you!”

Tribute paid

HAYATE , a young mother of four children, was murdered around midnight on Sunday, January 8, allegedly by her ex ­ partner who is already in custody.

The mayor of Adeje, Jose Miguel Rodriguez Fraga, and Adeje residents held a minute’s silence at midday on Monday, January 9, to express their unanimous repulsion against this kind of violence and as a mark of respect for Hayate’s family and friends.

The Adeje Town Council declared official mourning in the municipality for the murder of Hayate, suspending all leisure activities and flying the flags at half­mast on Tuesday, January 10.

The mayor said: “I want to strongly express our rejection of any type of violence, especially gender violence, which we are experiencing this week. From Adeje, we want to express the repulsion and pain of the whole town. We would like to send our support for the family, as well as give thanks to the intervention of the neighbour who made it possible to arrest the aggressor.”

Credit: Instagram/Sandro Restau -

MORGAN FREEMAN: Was spotted in Mallorca.

New Year’s greetings

THE Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, sent New Year wishes to the Guadarrama XII Brigade, who deployed a contin ­

gent of 400 soldiers to the NATO mission Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Latvia on Sunday, January 8.

Spanish tourists

SPAIN was visited by 4.3 million international tourists in November 2022, which reached almost the same amount who arrived in the same month of 2019. These travellers spent €5,387 million on their trip and stay, €319 million more (6.2 per cent) than in November 2019, according to data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE). The Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto said, “2022 will be remembered as the year of the recovery of tourism after the impact of the pandemic. According to our forecasts, during 2022 the number of international tourists who will have visited Spain will exceed 71.5 million and the accumulated expenditure will reach €87.1 billion.”

During her speech on Wednesday, December 4, the Minister of Tourism added: “The control of inflation in the last months of the year, together with the measures implemented by the government to deal with the impact of the war in Ukraine are facilitating the arrival of tourists to our country, with increases in spending and average stay, which makes us optimistic about the year 2023.”

Robles announced in her congratulatory message that she will visit them in Latvia at the end of this month.

“The army and the Ukrainian citizens have shown that with morale, bravery and heroism, anything is possible,” said the minister, adding that “the army, and in particular this brigade, has all of this, and is always on the front line.”

Robles stressed that the professionalism and dedication of the Spanish

army is highly valued abroad, and later she spoke with the brigade’s personnel and wished them all the best, both personally and professionally.

“This has been a very difficult year for the world, with a war that we never thought we would suffer, but at the same time a year in which the Guadarrama Brigade and all its units can feel very proud of the work they have done,” Robles remarked.

BEST WISHES: The Minister of Defence visited soldiers.

Image: Government of Spain/Ministry of Defence

Parade tragedy

ONE person was killed and four more injured after a tractor lost control during a Three Kings parade in the municipality of Marchena in Sevilla on Thursday, January 5.

For reasons as yet unknown, a tractor carrying the carriage of King Balthasar lost control while travelling down an incline.

One of those seriously injured in the incident which occurred at around 8.15pm was said to be a child. After running through a crowd of people, the tractor eventually collided with a wall in Plaza de San Andres.

Emergency services deployed two ambulances complete with two teams of medics. They also dispatched patrols from the Guardia Civil and the Local Police, as well as a team of firefighters from the Sevilla Fire Brigade.

The child was transferred to the Virgen del Rocio Children's Hospital in Sevilla. Another seriously injured person was transferred to the Traumatology department of the same hospital. Two other people were treated for minor injuries.

Rudest cities

Betty Henderson

AN amusing study claims to have found the top 10 rudest cities in Spain, and there are some surprises on the list!

The research, released by Preply data analytics site on Thursday, January 5 is based on interviews with 1,500 residents in 19 regions of the country.

Participants in the study were asked to categorise rudeness in different cities on a scale of one to 10 and to define rude behaviour that they had come across in each

of the locations.

Announcing the results of the survey, researchers explained that although some cities are considered ruder than others, people in Spain are generally thought to be polite, or at least they are in public!

The top 10 rudest cities in Spain are Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Granada, Elche, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Malaga, Valladolid, and Madrid.

On the other hand, the study also revealed the

most polite cities in Spain.

The northern city of Vigo came out on top thanks to the generosity of its residents and openness to strangers.

RUDE RESIDENTS : Santa Cruz de Tenerife was voted as Spain’s rudest city in a recent study.

Photo credit: RossHelen / shutterstock.com

SPANISH officials have announced their bid for the EU to extend the price cap on gas until at least the end of 2024.

Speaking on Monday, January 9, government minister, Teresa Ribera said that Spain is asking Brussels for the measure to stabilise utility prices in the coming year.

The current price cap on gas

Gas cap extension

used to generate electricity is nicknamed the ‘Iberian Exception’ as it applies to Spain and Portugal. Both countries have been paying €40 per megawatt hour for the gas since the

scheme came in on June 15, but the rate is set to increase by €5 per megawatt hour each month until the current proposed end date of the scheme in May.

Ribera said that the Spanish government has developed a proposal for the extension of the scheme until European regulations on gas and electricity production have been updated, which will stabilise the market.

She explained “We want to keep the gas cap in place until at least the end of 2024, with a rate of €45 to €50 per megawatt hour.”

Culinary credit

Betty Henderson

THE famed Spanish cuisine is once again in the global spotlight thanks to a new ranking which placed Spain in third place for the ‘World’s Best Cuisine’. TasteAtlas released its 2022 rankings on Friday, January 6, giving Spain an overall score of 4.59 stars out of 5.

The ranking of global cuisines is released by gastronomic experts at the platform

AMID the increasing cost of living, many of us are looking for changes to save money. One study has found the cheapest city to live in, in Spain, so if you’re looking to switch it up, check out this city in northern Spain.

The study released by insurance specialists, Kelista, on Monday, January 8 revealed that living costs in Palencia are 30 per cent lower than the Spanish average. During the project, cities were compared on 14 key economic indicators including housing, transport, taxes, and leisure.

Residents in the city make an average of €23,500 per year, meaning they get better

each year who identify top dishes, ingredients and restaurants in each country

Cheapest city

value for their money than most other cities in the country.

Second place went to the enclave of Melilla, with costs of living 17 per cent below the national average. Other cheap places to live include Lugo, Logroño, Cáceres, Zamora, and León. On the other hand, the most expensive places to live were unsurprisingly Barcelona and Madrid. San Sebastian in the Basque Country was also ranked as having one of the highest costs of living.

and compile reviews from diners to find the most popular global cuisine.

The last year’s list was topped by Italy with a score of 4.72 stars. The country’s speciality ingredients of Parmigiana Reggiano, pesto and prosciutto were highlighted as favourites. Greek cuisine came a close second in the rankings with a score of 4.69 stars, thanks to its top rated foods of Kalamata, Gyros and Moussaka. Spanish cuisine came in third place in the global ranking thanks to delicious dishes including Gambas a la Plancha, Jamón Iberico, and Manchego cheeses.

Dishes including Spain’s gambas a la Plancha earned the country third place on a global cuisine ranking.

Photo credit: hlphoto / shutterstock.com

TOBACCO companies in Spain could be forced to pay to clean up all the discarded cigarette butts, as per the new environmental regulations.

The law, in accordance with the European Union rules, aims to limit singleuse plastic after it came into effect from Friday January 6 onwards.

It is a part of several measures that have been designed by the Spanish

Stub it out

Shutterstock.com/ Larina Marina

Take years to decompose.

Not so cute

UNLIKE the vast majority of caterpillars, this particular species can be harmful to young children and sometimes fatal to dogs and cats.

Between December and April, the larvae will make their way to the ground to pupate and eventually turn into moths between May and July. It is during these months that pets and young children are most vulnerable.

The processionary caterpillar is mostly found in pine trees in wooded forests and can be identified by the thousands of small fine poisonous hairs or bristles that cover their bodies, they are roughly three to four centimetres in length. The name ‘processionary’ comes from the fact that they create a procession or caterpillar-style ‘conga’ from head to tail to form a long chain. It is not unheard of to see chains with hundreds of them all joined together.

government to reduce waste and increase the amount of recycling in the country as well as obligating polluters to clean-up.

According to a study done in Catalonia, cited by a national news source, the total cost of cigarette butt clean-up is estimated between €12€21 per smoker per annum, which in total amounts to over €1 billion.

Although it still remains unclear how the clean-up will be implemented, experts suggest that the tobacco companies will eventually pass this cost on to the customer.

According to environmental experts, each butt takes over 10 years to decompose. Several toxins including arsenic and lead are also released into the atmosphere during their decomposition process.

Phone increases

MOVISTAR and Vodafone customers in Spain face increased rates this month.

Telefonica will raise Movistar’s rates from Friday, January 13 while Voda ­

fone’s new rates will come into force on Sunday, January 22.

As announced to customers by the multinational, Movistar will put its

prices up by an average of 6.8 per cent. The company also pointed out that this increase is lower than 2022’s average CPI of 8.4 per cent.

Telefonica explained that this new price rise is not due to inflation but is a result of an increase in costs in the telecommunications sector.

Vodafone announced at the end of last year that from 2023 it would update its packages according to the averaged annual CPI. This will mean approximately an extra €2.50 on average for mobile ­ only plans, and €5.50 on average for its convergent plans. The company has justified the price rises by pointing out that it is the first increase in 18 months.

It is being done with the aim of curbing the impact of inflation on costs, energy, and suppliers the company insisted. The increases will also enable the operator to cope with the pace of investment in the infrastructure of its innovative network and services.

According to a recent analysis by the price comparator Kelisto.es, Telefonica and Vodafone could generate up to €486 million in additional revenue with these new charges.

Military missions

SPAIN is expected to send four military missions overseas in 2023 according to officials at the annual armed forces parade in Madrid on Friday, January 6. Forces will work for the United Nations, the European Union and NATO in military operations in Iraq, Lebanon, Mali and the Horn of Africa.

The annual military event took place at the Royal Palace in Madrid, with King Felipe VI making a speech. The King praised Spanish armed forces’ commitment to their country and the international organisations they serve.

This year’s event saw a return to pre ­ pandemic scale proceedings, and authorities spoke about the most pressing military issues for the upcoming year.

The situation in Ukraine was at the top of the agenda for officials, with the King describing it as one of the biggest challenges facing Europe and threatening security across the continent and in the entire world.

Defence spending has

been increased in the 2023 budget to deal with the pressures of the war.

Spain’s response to the war in the last year has included welcoming refugees and increasing Spanish military presence in Latvia and other surrounding countries.

Reduction of VAT

THE Facua­Consumers in Action association has denounced seven large Spanish supermarket chains for not passing on the VAT reduction to all affected foods.

The complaint was made to the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) after the Spanish government lowered or removed VAT on essential foods at the beginning of January.

After a review carried out between December 30 and January 3, Facua looked at changes in 676 prices in Alcampo, Aldi, Carrefour, Dia, Eroski, Lidl, Hipercor and Mercadona.

Of all the companies analysed, Mercadona was

the only chain without any anomalies in how they had implemnted the VAT reduction. The consumer association found the supermarkets with the most price issues were Dia and Carrefour.

Since January 1 ­ and for the next six monthsthe Spanish government has decreed that 0 per cent VAT will be applied to bread, bread flour, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, vegetables, pulses, potatoes and cereals. For oils and pasta, on the other hand, the tax rate has been reduced from 10 per cent to 5 per cent.

This analysis is the first of the price monitoring campaign that Facua has launched and will continue to carry out in the coming months.

MILITARY PRESENCE: The Royal Family greeted Armed Forces in the annual Epiphany parade held in the capital last Friday.

Photo credit: Familia Real Española (Via Facebook)

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Holocaust survivor Bea Franklin serves as real-life witness to history

HOLOCAUST survivor Bea Franklin really is an incredible lady. At 98 years of age, 99 in June, when most people her age would be taking it easy, Bea never stops! She sat down with the Euro Weekly News to discuss her fascinating life.

Bea’s marriage to Corporal Jerry Franklin exposed her to some of the most historic moments of the Second World War. “Jerry was a US Army photographer,” Bea explained. “He was there for invasions all throughout Europe and Africa and, most notably, took graphic photos at The Liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp.

“My husband was a very positive person, he never spoke about the holocaust, the photographs spoke for him. He just wanted to focus on the positives of life.”

Bea added: “One of his most iconic photos of him

that we have in his photo album is one of then­president Franklin Roosevelt with future president Dwight Eisenhower. The pair are sitting in a jeep with General Patton at Castelvetrano Airport in Sicily, Italy, after the conferences at Tehran and Cairo on December 8 in 1943.”

Bea explained how her husband often crossed paths with some of Hollywood’s legendary film stars. “When film stars visited the frontlines Jerry took some great photos including Humphrey Bogart, Mickey Rooney, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Joe E Lewis, who became famous from his role in Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe.

“Even though Jerry took the photos, they don’t belong to him,” Bea confirmed. “As he was working for the US Army and they own the photos, we cannot

use them without their permission.

“Jerry has got copies of all the pictures he took and put them in albums, but this was back when you had to develop the photos yourself,” she quipped.

Bea was even present for the iconic ‘Kiss’ of the unknown sailor in New York’s Time Square just eight days after the two atomic bombs exploded in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Japan) at the end of the Second World War. “I was at university in New York when we heard the war in Europe was over” she said. “Everyone knew that Time Square would be the place to celebrate, people flooded the subway.

“We arrived in New York and witnessed the sailor kissing the nurse.”

When asked about her secret to longevity, 98­yearold Bea simply responded, “positive thinking!”

BEA FRANKLIN: Spoke about her fascinating life.

Credit: Bea Franklin

How to stop child maintenance. Settlement agreement. Divorce. Spanish Supreme Court precedents. Lack of interest in working or studying. Expert legal advice.

ONE of the most conflictive points in divorce cases is usually the establishment of child maintenance in favour of the children. We have addressed this issue on several occasions.

From the possibility of terminating alimony when there is

no relationship between parents and children. To a recent successful court case in which our firm managed to finish child maintenance under art. 91 of the Civil Code. In today’s article we analyse how to stop child maintenance from anoth­

er perspective: disinterest in working and lack of effort in the studies of the beneficiaries.

Child maintenance and majority of age: Until what moment must alimony be paid? First, we must clarify that, contrary to popular belief, the coming of age of children does not automatically terminate the obligation to pay child maintenance. If the beneficiary (the child) is still studying and lacks the means to subsist on his/her own, the parent is obliged to continue paying child maintenance.

It is clearly stated in art. 142 of the Civil Code: “Maintenance also includes the education and instruction of the beneficiary while he/she is a minor and even afterwards if he/she has not completed his/her education for reasons for which he/she is not responsible.”

Causes for termination of child maintenance: Art. 152 of the Civil Code.

However, this obligation is restricted by certain limits. Article 152 of the Spanish Civil Code establishes a number of situations

where the responsibility to provide maintenance terminates. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the causes set out in paragraphs 3 and 5.

“3. When the beneficiary is able to exercise a trade, profession, or industry.”

“5.º When the beneficiary is a descendant of the person obliged to provide maintenance, and the need of the former arises from misconduct or lack of application to work, while this cause subsists.”

In other words, if the alimony recipient is able to exercise a profession or demonstrates a lack of application to work or study, the obligation to provide maintenance disappears. This is

illustrated by several court precedents that we will analyse below.

Lack of application in academic studies

Judgment of the Supreme Court 298/2018 of 24 May 2018. A father is sentenced to pay a pension of €350 per month to his 19­year­old daughter, a chemistry student. Eleven years later, his daughter (30 years old) is still studying her degree, without a clear forecast of when she will finish her studies. In view of this situation, and considering the father’s economic and personal circumstances, his daughter’s poor academic performance, etc, the Court agreed to stop child maintenance.

Lack of interest and concern for entering the labour market

Son of 28 years of age, who has been receiving maintenance for the last 21 years. Given that he was not studying and

not actively seeking employment, the Provincial Court of Pontevedra considered he had no real interest in finding work and annulled the alimony. Something similar happened in a judgment handed down by the Provincial Court of Ourense, concerning a 24­year­old son, unemployed and not registered as a job seeker. He was also enrolled at the University, but he did not take any exams. The Court also decided to stop child maintenance.

Conclusion

Although the obligation to pay child alimony continues when the child reaches the majority of age, under certain circumstances it is possible to stop child maintenance. At WhiteBaos Abogados we are experts in Family Law. If you have any doubts on this subject, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will study your case and offer you expert legal advice.

All Rights Reserved.

The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys information relating to legal issues.

Carlos Baos (Lawyer) - White&Baos Tel: +34 966 426 185 info@white-baos.com White & Baos 2022

Upstairs Downstairs

THE prolific novelist, author and playwright Fay Weldon whose works include the popular ITV drama series ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ died on Wednesday, January 4 according to a family statement.

According to the family she had been admitted to hospital with a broken bone in her back, but had suffered a stroke prior to her passing.

Born in Britain but raised in New Zealand, Weldon went on to write more than 30 novels as well as short stories and plays for radio, television and stage.

She is perhaps best known for ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ and her adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for the BBC. But she was also a prolific novelist writing children’s

books, non ­ fiction books and newspaper articles. Among her bestsellers was her 1978 novel Praxis which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Fiction. She later went on to chair the judges’ panel for the prestigious award in 1983.

The death of the prolific novelist has resulted in many fans and colleagues taking to social media to express their sorrow at her loss, perhaps best summed up in the words of Jenny Colgan “She was formidable, fierce and wonderful.”

New royal traditions

THE Sovereign’s birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour (King’s Birthday Parade) which this year will be the first one to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III on Saturday, June 17, 2023.

This impressive display of pageantry will involve the Regiments of the Household Division, on Horse Guards Parade, with His Majesty The King attending and taking the salute. His Majesty King Charles III will hold the

appointment of Colonelin ­ Chief of the Regiments of Household Division. Each Regiment has a Colonel who is normally either a member of the Royal Family or a senior officer.

The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years.

This year will mark His Majesty King Charles III’s first Trooping of the

Colour as Sovereign. Over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together each June in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark The King’s official birthday.

The parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade, alongside Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.

Hotel hospitals

UNDER pressure NHS hospitals in the southwest of England have resorted to using hotels as they work to free up beds for patients needing hospitalisation.

With the problem of bed blocking still to be resolved, NHS Trusts in Plymouth and Bristol are moving medically fit patients waiting for care packages to be put in place to enable them to return home, into local hotels.

According to a report on Friday, January 6, hotels have been using city centres hotels in Plymouth, Bristol and Devon

as far back as October 2022.

A spokesperson for NHS Devon said: “Care hotels are just one of many positive measures health and care partners have put in place to reduce pressure on busy health services this winter.

“They are not used for hospital patients and are used to provide social care for people who are medically fit and do not require hospital care, but do need additional living support after a stay in hospital or to prevent them from needing to be admitted.”

FAY WELDON: Formidable and wonderful.

Image Instagram Georgina Capel

Harry’s racism defence

IN his much­publicised ITV interview on Sunday, January 8, Prince Harry defended the alleged racist comments made by Lady Susan Hussey towards Ngozi Fulani which saw the former ladyin­waiting resign her role. Referring to the incident that occurred while both women were at Buckingham Palace attending a charity event. While en ­

Futuristic Coronation

THE Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Saturday, May 6 and in line with His Majesty’s wish for the event to be rooted in tradition but reflective of today, a Coronation Claims Office has been created within the Cabinet Office to consider claims to perform a historic or ceremonial role. This replaces the Court of Claims, which fulfilled a similar role for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953. When looking at claims, the Coronation Claims Office will consider matters including whether the role or service was performed in 1953 or not, what the basis is for it to be performed now and the claimant’s connection to those who previously performed the role or service.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said: “His Majesty The King’s Coronation will be a momentous occasion in the history of our country. The new Coronation Claims Office will ensure we fulfil The King’s wish that the ceremony is rooted in tradition and pageantry but also embraces the future.”

gaged in conversation, Lady Susan asked Ms Fulani where she ‘really came from’. The Duke of Sussex said he thought the subsequent reaction by the press was ‘horrendous’.

“All we’ve ever asked for in the past ­ certainly the last few years ­ is some accountability. And I’m very happy for Ngozi Fulani to be invited into the palace to sit down with Lady Susan Hussey and to reconcile because Meghan and I love Susan Hussey. Meghan thinks she’s great,” he told Bradby.

“And I also know that what she meant ­ she never meant any harm at all. But the response from the British press, and from people online because of the stories that they wrote was horrendous,” he added.

In his interview, Harry also accused Camilla of playing “a long game” to become queen and that members of his family regularly colluded with the British press.

Credit: Alan Fraser Images/Shutterstock.com

Prince Harry interviewed.

UK space launch aborted

THE historic Virgin Orbit space flight to release satellites from the LauncherOne rocket on board Sir Richard Branson’s ‘Cosmic Girl’ jet has been aborted mid ­ flight.

A tweet from Virgin Orbit read: “We appear to have an anomaly that has prevented us from reaching orbit. We are evaluating the information.”

Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit company made history on Monday, January, as ‘Cosmic Girl’ blasted off from Cornwall Airport Newquay. Just after 10pm, the modified Boeing 747 jet became the first orbital space launch to take place in western Europe, and more specifically, from British soil.

Technical and regulatory issues caused the original launch before Christmas to be delayed, but on Monday the former Virgin Atlantic jet finally took off into space from Spaceport Cornwall, carrying the Launcher One rocket.

The historic event marks a new era of space exploration for the UK.

Around 35,000ft (10,700 metres) above the Atlantic, travelling at a speed of about 8,000mph, ‘Cosmic Girl’ was to release the 21 ­ metre rocket. LauncherOne contained nine small satellites that were to be sent into orbit.

Previously, satellites had to be sent to foreign locations to be launched.

Ban on single-use plastic

UK Environment Secretary Therese Coffey confirmed on Monday, January 9, that the use of single-use items is to be banned in England. These include polystyrene trays, plates, and plastic cutlery mainly used for takeaway food and drink.

A specific starting date was not given, but similar moves have already been announced in Scotland and Wales. Items found in supermarkets or shops will not come under this initiative.

“I am determined to drive forward action to tackle this issue head-on. We’ve already taken major steps in recent years - but we know there is more to do, and we have again

listened to the public’s calls,” said Ms Coffey.

In excess of four billion single pieces of plastic cutlery are used and discarded in England annually according to government data. Another 1.1 billion single-use plastic plates are also used. When dumped in

landfills, this plastic waste can take many years to decompose.

Wales approved plastic-use laws that will come into force in late 2023. Businesses in Scotland have been banned from using single-use plastic goods since June 2022.

Plastic single-use items.

Credit: Sarah2/Shutterstock.com

No more gas On the rise

AS announced on the official Twitter account of the British Foreign Office, as of the beginning of the

year, the United Kingdom has stopped importing Russian liquified natural gas (LNG).

A never event?

AN increasing number of foreign objects have been found inside patients after surgery in the UK.

According to recent figures revealed by the National Health Service (NHS), this is being described as a ‘never event’, after cotton swabs, blades, drill bits, wire cutters, and others items have been left inside patients over 291 times in England.

Objects were found in all different age groups of patients, from babies to people over 90.

Such a huge number of patients with foreign objects post­surgery is the highest recorded in the UK in over 20 years.

As per the NHS, leaving an object inside a patient after surgery is classified as a ‘never event’. This means that, such an incident is so serious, it should never have happened.

NHS also issued a statement on this issue after its spokesperson said, “Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, incidents like these are rare, however, when they do happen, the NHS is committed to learning from them to improve care for future patients.”

The department emphasised that this action is being taken as a direct result of said gas supplies allowing Russia to finance its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

On October 28, the British Foreign Office announced plans to stop LNG supplies from Russia. The decision was made in order to reduce dependence on Russian fuel. According to the research company ICIS, as of December 2022, the EU and the UK had purchased almost 21 per cent more Russian LNG than in 2021.

According to the UK Office for National Statistics, in 2022 the United States became the largest source of LNG supplies to Britain. In 2023, it is planned to replace Russian LNG with supplies from Qatar and Azerbaijan.

AFTER the UK government’s latest advisory to wear masks, scientists have raised concerns about the new Covid variant XBB.1.5, which has already been reported in over 4 per cent of cases in the country. The new variant, which has already been rapidly spreading across the United States, threatens to cause a fresh wave of cases.

XBB.1.5 was already responsible for a massive surge in cases in the UK last winter, which resulted in thousands of people losing their lives.

Several offshoots of the Omicron variant have dominated the number of Covid infections globally ever since XBB.1.5 evolved from the XBB variant.

Meanwhile, scientists in the UK said there is still uncertainty around the XBB.1.5. variant as only a fraction of Covid samples have been analysed.

7 day week

Peter McLaren­Kennedy

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland has told hospitals to begin working seven days a week with immediate effect in an effort to relieve pressure on emergency units.

The move is to ensure that patients are discharged from hospitals

over the weekend at the same rate as they are during the week.

It is believed that the seven ­ day working week will affect all staff including consultants and diagnostic services. Unprecedented overcrowding is said to be causing delays of up to 24 hours in emergency departments, with some

67,000 patients having had to wait a day for admission in 2022.

HSE Interim Chief Executive Officer Stephen Mulvany said on­site presence by senior clinical decisionmakers is planned for the rest of this month, with support staff being asked to make themselves available for the same period.

Record exports

ON Monday, January 2, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the country had achieved a record high in exports during 2022. Year­on­year growth of 12.9 per cent had been registered he detailed, with a total of US$254.2 billion (€241.61 billion) in exports.

Speaking in the city of Istanbul while addressing the Turkey Exporters Assembly, Erdogan said: “Our goal now is to make Turkey one of the top 10 exporting countries.” He highlighted that 20 years ago when the Jus­

tice and Development Party first came to power, exports stood at only US$36 billion (€34.22 billion).

In the space of 12 months, he added, the number of Turkish firms exporting had increased to more than 111,000 from 33,523 in 2021. Similarly, 24 cities were now involved in the export business as opposed to just five one year ago.

With national elections scheduled for the middle of June, Erdogan is under increased economic pressure.

Restrictions

A SPOKESPERSON for the EU said that with Covid-19 data from China unreliable, member states should seek to impose their own travel restrictions, however, they would not be imposing a bloc-wide requirement at this stage.

The advice comes as France announces that one in three passengers arriving from China is positive, although they say they have not yet detected any variants that are not already present in Europe.

Similar results are being noted in Italy where a testing regime has been in place for some time. No data is as yet available from the UK, who has chosen to undertake random testing only from Thursday January 5.

Critics were quick to note that the pandemic emanated in China and that simply recording the status of travellers who test positive is not sufficient to safeguard against further mutations.

Double standards Soaring high

TEMPERATURES across Europe soared higher in January than ever recorded in most countries, as scientists say human-caused climate change made it more likely to happen

As metrological departments across the UK, Ireland, France, and Spain had already declared 2022 as the hottest on record, countries across Europe are now recording the highest temperatures ever in January.

Poland, Hungary, and Switzerland which would normally have average temperatures in single digits, recorded as high as 19 degrees Celsius, in the first few days of 2023.

In France, New Year’s Eve recorded the warmest temperature, since the records began, with the mercury climbing to nearly 25 degrees Celsius, at night.

Temperatures in Spain hit 25.1 degrees Celsius, as per the records at Bilbao airport in the Basque Country.

Meanwhile, weather stations in Germany, recorded over 20 degrees Celsius, the highest temperatures since the records began in 1881.

Scientists who are analysing the temperature data are still trying to confirm the specific ways in which climate change is affecting rising temperatures.

CHAIRMAN of Russia’s State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, has issued a threat to the German leadership and reminded them to take a look at their own country’s history when it comes to war.

Taking to social media on Thursday, January 5, Volodin said: “The German leadership should remember from their own country’s history how attempts to encroach on someone else’s property ended.”

He was speaking about the proposed decision from the German government to

“seize Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine.”

He added: “As soon as such a decision is made, we have the right to take similar actions in relation to the assets of Germany and oth­

er states.”

The State Duma official added that “recently, former German Chancellor Merkel admitted how she and former French President Hollande deceived the

international community.

“By signing the Minsk agreements, they had no intention of abiding by them, but merely used them to militarise the Kyiv regime.”

Shutterstock.com/ VladisChern

Advertising Feature

Fine dining experiences among local artwork at Las Coronas, Altea Port

IF you are looking for a fine dining experience with beautiful sea views, elegant décor and a friendly atmosphere, Las Coronas is the perfect place. Offering a varied menu in a cosy atmosphere, this restaurant bistro has become a favourite amongst residents and visitors. Here, you will be surrounded by local art while tasting some of the best dishes in Altea.

Championing local artists, where pieces can be admired and purchased, Las Coronas is proud to promote artwork that complements the unique décor and dishes. With pieces changing regularly, there is much to discover at this creative and shabby chic venue.

Dutch artist Hans brings his passion for painting to Las Coronas, using oils to create realistic pieces in his own unique style. Hans has a home studio where he creates his works of art that you can view and buy in the restaurant. All of his works have their own story to tell.

Another local artist, Margot, us­

es large canvases to create stunning female figures using paint as her medium. When her pieces are completed, there are several layers on the canvas, creating textured artwork to complement many tastes and styles in the home.

Artist Lucie has her artwork showcased on the walls of Las

Coronas, as well as across the world in locations including the UK, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Italy and the US. Lucie finds this “wonderfully fulfilling” considering the cultural differences of these nations, who all admire her wonderful canvases featuring the female form.

Las Coronas also showcases

sculptures from Belgian artist Jean Dekeyzer. These interesting and intricate designs are all formed and crafted from recycled iron and inox scrap metal. These individual pieces will create a talking point in any home.

Since its opening nine years ago, owner Remco Vermeulen has placed special attention on making

Address: Calle Sant Pere, 45-1, 03590, Altea - Telephone: 965 843 862 Facebook: www.facebook.com/altealascoronas

every guest feel welcomed as soon as they walk through the doors of Las Coronas. The attentive service from the friendly and professional staff matches their excellent menu, carefully crafted by the chef.

Andrew is a French­taught chef and has a creative flair, willing to cater to all needs and requests. With a European menu that changes weekly, Las Coronas offers a three­course meal with five choices for each course. A varied a la carte menu is also available, with meats sourced from Dutch, Belgian and British butchers, cooked to your personal preferences.

And for those who like to fine dine at home, a takeaway service is available.

Perfectly located on the promenade opposite the port with wonderful views, there is free parking a stone’s throw from Las Coronas, a bus stop outside and a train station nearby.

Painting by local artist, Margot. Artwork by Lucie and sculptures by Jean Dekeyzer. Artwork by Dutch artist, Hans.

Las Coronas

Pip Utton

PIP UTTON is a consummate storyteller, he can keep the audience entertained for hours, leaving them wanting more of the same character.

Bob Dylan and Charles Dickens couldn’t be more different, but both have fascinating stories to tell.Why did Dickens’ novels make such an impact during his life and why do they continue to resonate? Who would have thought he’d take a younger actress as his mistress in his last decade, touring America and in the UK to much acclaim.

Bob Dylan needs no introduction with a career spanning more than 60 years. Influenced early on by Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard, his repertoire evolved through folk [with Joan Baez] to gospel and beyond. Thanks to his unmistakable voice and unforgettable lyrics, Dylan brought the worlds of music and literature together as no one else had. Pip will reveal more gems about this iconic legend.

ALICANTE DIGITAL GAMING makes the city the centre of eSports and videogames in the country.

GGTech Entertainment, together with Esatur Servicios has created a complete gaming and eSports programme full of activities for all video game fans, who will be able to enjoy multiple leisure and entertainment areas. Until January 15,

Catch Pip as Charles Dickins at the Javea Players Studio Theatre on January 25 and 26, and as Bob Dylan on January 27 and 28. Doors open at 7.00pm for curtain up at 7.30pm. Tickets cost €14.

For more information or to book tickets, head to the website: /javeaplayers.com/.

Digital gaming

visitors will be able to enjoy different gaming arenas and other gaming spaces where more than 60 eSports tournaments with multiple prizes will be organised, including the final of

the Virtual Regatta World Cup. There will also be free play areas, experiences based on virtual reality (VR), and a themed escape room that will mix virtual and face­to­face elements.

The activities are designed for all ages and are free of charge. The event is at Pier 14 of the Ocean Live Park in the Muelle de Levante area of Alicante.

Bob Dylan mural.

Image: Javea Players

Mountain Fair

GANDIA’S first ‘La Safor Mountain Fair’ is to take place on January 20, 21 and 22.

The fair was born thanks to the idea of Vicent Cervera, the representative of the Mountains Associations and Groups. The idea is to bring together all the mountain associations and alpine clubs to carry out different activities and enjoy a weekend of nature and the environment.

“We have chosen Marxuquera because we believe it

is the best place in the area to hold this first edition of the Mountain Fair,” confirmed the councillor for the Environment, Alicia Izquierdo.

“There will be many activities of different kinds, such as

excursions, concerts, workshops, projections, exhibitions etc so that everyone who participates can enjoy what the mountain has to offer. In addition, there will also be a rock and roll concert at the end of the festival in Marxuquera as many people related to the mountain are very fond of this style of music,” confirmed the councillor.

For more information head to the Facebook page: A un tir de pedra.

Sounding familiar

MUSICAL fans will be delighted to hear that ‘Sounds Familiar’ are tackling a wide range of musical styles in its latest production. They will be performing a staged concert of musical theatre called Musicals Tonight at the new Teatro­Auditorio in Beniarbeig on Thursday, February, 23. The show features excerpts from My Fair Lady, Evita, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret and Sunset Boulevard to name just a few. The show also includes a section taken from the

Monte Python show Spamalot, with the Knights of the Round Table and the Lady of the Lake. The group will also be reprising a couple of their very popular songs from the musical comedy ‘Something Rotten’ which they first performed in 2019.

Doors will open at 7.30pm with the show itself starting at 8.00pm. Tickets are priced at €14 and are can be obtained online at https://www.philip ashley.com/boxoffice.php or by calling (+34) 965 581 483.

The first edition of the fair.

Image: Gandia City Council

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Danish discovery

SCIENTISTS have uncovered the remains of a huge building that likely dates to the era of Denmark’s first king. Archaeologists at the Historical Museum of Northern Jutland report they’ve discovered an ancient Viking hall, the biggest one found in more than a decade.

THE NETHERLANDS

Doubled Dutch

THE overall population in the Netherlands grew twice as fast last year compared to 2021. While the number of deaths has risen in the Netherlands, immigration remains a key factor for the sharp increase. Towns Eindhoven and Almere made it to the top in population growth.

BELGIUM

Belgium boost

ACCORDING to figures published by analysis firm NapoleonCat on January 6. Social networks gained more Belgian users in 2022. After a slight drop in user numbers in 2021, Facebook and Instagram saw increases last year, while Messenger's user base remained stable.

GERMANY

Tour tax

A PROPOSED tax on German holidays sold by companies outside of the EU has been scrapped for at least one year. The tax law would have made holidays to Germany more expensive and would also have required nonEU tour operators to file tax returns in Germany.

FRANCE

Limited Louvre

THE Louvre Museum in France has announced that it will limit the number of daily visitors to the famed institution in order to create a more enjoyable experience. Museum staff have decided to cap daily admissions at 30,000 because of a surge of visitors.

NORWAY

Oil profits

NORWAY once again saw record oil and gas profits in 2022. With energy prices soaring last year, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent scarcity of oil and gas in Europe, Norway recorded significant profits throughout the year.

FINLAND

Bee bacteria

THE US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the world's first vaccine for honey bees. Developed in Finland, the vaccine works against a bacterial condition known as American foul-brood disease that attacks bee larvae. The vaccine introduces inactive bacteria into the royal jelly fed to the queen.

IRELAND

Growing Ireland

A REPORT by the US Census Bureau has predicted that Ireland will experience the second-highest rate of population growth in Europe. Ireland's population will rise by 33 per cent above six million by 2050, according to the study.

ITALY

Fake serum

ITALIAN tennis star Camila Giorgi is under investigation for allegedly using fake Covid vaccination papers to enter Australia in 2022. Giorgi's family doctor was arrested in February and charged with administering hundreds of fake serums and paperwork to high-profile Italians.

PORTUGAL

Cheese Festival

THE Serra da Estrela de Oliveira do Hospital Cheese Festival which is considered to be ‘the biggest Cheese Festival in Portugal’, will take place on March 11 and 12, in the heart of the city in the district of Coimbra.

UKRAINE

Bye to Banksy

INVESTIGATIVE actions are ongoing against a group of people who dismantled a graffiti by UK artist Banksy ‘Woman in a Gas Mask’ in Hostomel, Kyiv. The police estimated the value of the graffiti to be UAH 9M (€229,489). The alleged organiser of the crime has been charged.

SWEDEN

Swedish getaway

DESPITE a weak start to the year due to the Omicron variant and other global concerns, Sweden’s airports welcomed nearly 28 million passengers in 2022 which is a 130 per cent increase on the 12 million that passed through the country’s gateways in 2021.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Dubai’s trillions

DUBAI has set out its 32 trillion dirham (€8.2 trillion) economic plan and aims to double the size of its economy in the next decade to become one of the ‘top three economic cities around the world,’ Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, tweeted.

Economic sentiment

EUROPEAN COMMISSION data on January 6 showed eurozone economic sentiment has improved for the first time since the start of the Ukraine war. The Commission’s monthly economic sentiment index rose to 95.8 in December from 94.0 in November, the first upward movement after a slide from a record high of 114.0 scaled in February.

Renewable energy

THE European Investment Bank (EIB) and Iberdrola have signed a new agreement to accelerate Spain’s energy transition by developing new renewable energy capacity. The EU bank will provide a €550m green loan for the construction of a portfolio of projects with a total capacity of around 1 800 megawatts (MW).

Euro-flation

A BIT of good news is that Europe ended a bad year for inflation with some relief as price gains eased again. While the cost of living is still painfully high, the slowdown is a sign that the worst might be over for weary consumers.

Ethical investments

TO invest ethically, look for funds with high Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, which will not invest your money in harmful sectors. ESG look at the conservation of the natural world and social factors and examine how a company treats people both inside and outside the company.

STAT OF WEEK

Future of payments

PAYTECHS are disrupting the future of payments. The time is ripe for banks to rethink strategies for participating in this complex ­ but opportunisticecosystem, or risk being left behind.

Ernst & Young’s (EY) recent report The Rise of PayTech ­ seven forces shaping the future of payments assesses the level of innovation enabled by PayTechs across the most dynamic areas impacting the sector. These include areas such as open banking, real­time payments, cross­border payments, buy now, pay later (BNPL), digital wallets and super apps, embedded payments and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and digital currencies.

Digital currencies are gaining momentum, rising to the top of the agenda for payments providers seeking regulated alternatives as first industry solutions emerge. The ultimate benefits of digital currencies lie in the instant and atomic settlement,

increased automation, transparency, and efficiency.

Open banking has allowed consumers to be firmly in control of their data, identity, and payments. The practice of securely sharing financial data by connecting merchants and customers directly has created compelling ‘open payments’ or ‘pay by bank’ options.

Elsewhere, digital wallets and super apps are helping to reduce payment transaction fees whilst offering

a single destination for consumers to manage their finances. By leveraging data, they have the potential to fulfil almost any financial, leisure or lifestyle need.

For banks, the shift in payments is both a threat and an opportunity. Banks must continue to embrace digitalisation and transform their current payment models and, by leveraging these forces, they can deliver better, far more efficient and frictionless experiences for their customers.

Climate finance

ACCORDING to the World Economic Forum (WEF), “the climate and biodiversity crises loom large but sadly, so does the gap in global finance. Estimates for the cost of emerging market countries’ adaptation to climate change range from $140 ­ 300B per year by 2030. Not to mention the costs of energy transition and mitigation efforts and the rest of a country’s development agenda.”

So where will this money come from? The WEF say “access to grants and low­cost concessional finance is limited. With rising interest rates in advanced economies and the subsequent ‘risk off’ environment in the international capital markets, emerging market countries that previously had

market access have mainly lost it. Debt burdenswhich include official debt service payments postponed throughout the pandemic ­ are increasingly difficult to refinance and sovereign debt restructuring practices are cumbersome and time­consuming.”

The WEF confirm that: “To solve these two financial challenges ­ climate finance and

sovereign debt ­ we need to find creative, scalable solutions. Failure to do so quickly will create a downward spiral where debt crises undermine the capacity of countries to adapt to climate change, making them less creditworthy and even less able to finance adaptation and mitigation.

“Many developing countries are eager to

consider climate and nature ­ related key performance indicators (KPIs) as part of their debt issuance and debt workout operations. They see the environmental sustainability linkage as enhancing their attractiveness to capital markets, and they see the additional resources accelerating the implementation of agreed environmental goals.”

International borrowing

THE European Commission is empowered by the EU Treaties to borrow from the international capital markets on behalf of the European Union.

It is a well ­ established name in debt securities markets, with a strong track record of successful bond issuances over the past 40 years. All EU­Bond issuances executed by the European Commission are denominated exclusively in euro.

The European Commission uses the proceeds of EUBond issuances to fund EU policy programmes. Landmark policy programmes currently funded by EU­Bonds include the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument of up to around €800 billion in current prices and the Commission’s Macro­Financial Assistance + programme for Ukraine.

EU borrowing is executed using multiple instruments, including EU­Bonds, EU­Bills, and NextGenerationEU Green Bonds.

Help for Scots

SOCIAL SECURITY of Scotland is now actively encouraging people to check they are not missing out on extra money from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The government confirmed that it is highly likely that more people could be eligible for certain benefits, some of which are only available in Scotland.

The benefits, which have been introduced over the past four years, are available to people on low incomes responsible for children under 16, those who need help paying for a funeral, people living with a disability, carers, young people entering the workplace and householders needing help to heat their homes.

Data from Bankrate found that 27 per cent of shoppers will go into debt for holiday or Christmas shopping.

RECENT REPORT: Banks must continue to embrace digitalisation.

Image: NicoElNino/Shutterstock.com

CLIMATE CHANGE: Creative, scalable solutions are necessary across the world.

Image: MUNGKHOOD STUDIO/Shutterstock.com

3I Group 1.390,50 1.391,50 1.371,00 237,97K

Abrdn 193,25 193,50 190,15 411,82K

Admiral Group 2.230,0 2.237,0 2.221,0 26,87K

Anglo American 3.552,0 3.585,0 3.528,0 193,99K

Antofagasta 1.695,50 1.702,50 1.677,50 159,86K

Ashtead Group 5.022,0 5.056,0 5.016,0 35,71K

Associated British Foods 1.765,5 1.774,0 1.762,0 37,58K

AstraZeneca 11.670,0 11.754,0 11.658,0 109,43K

Auto Trader Group Plc 542,60 544,80 539,40 156,85K

Aveva 3.220,0 3.222,0 3.219,0 42,54K

Aviva 459,30 459,70 456,00 279,31K

B&M European Value Retail SA450,60 454,60 448,00 255,27K

BAE Systems 840,40 857,80 839,60 592,52K

Barclays 173,84 174,08 171,88 1,71M

Barratt Developments 434,70 435,60 431,30 138,95K

Berkeley 4.117,0 4.118,0 4.080,5 2,01K

BHP Group Ltd 2.725,00 2.745,50 2.721,50 9,73K

BP 482,55 485,10 477,60 2,81M

British American Tobacco 3.315,5 3.341,5 3.308,3 13,26K

British Land Company 414,10 415,50 410,50 149,86K

BT Group 127,40 130,80 127,35 3,46M

Bunzl 2.906,0 2.927,0 2.904,0 34,87K

Burberry Group 2.216,0 2.221,0 2.198,0 84,25K

Carnival 662,6 671,8 658,4 46,39K

Centrica 92,54 93,12 91,28 720,43K

Coca Cola HBC AG 1.970,0 1.980,9 1.969,5 1,30K

Compass 1.906,50 1.915,50 1.905,00 125,19K

CRH 3.598,5 3.606,5 3.570,0 34,91K

Croda Intl 6.610,0 6.656,0 6.594,0 29,37K

DCC 4.305,0 4.326,5 4.289,2 2,03K

Diageo 3.617,0 3.655,5 3.617,0 183,42K

DS Smith 350,51 351,40 347,70 587,83K

EasyJet 378,30 381,00 373,50 297,30K

Experian 2.868,0 2.877,0 2.862,0 27,55K

Ferguson 11.470,0 11.530,0 11.390,0 78,22K

Flutter Entertainment 11.995,0 12.120,0 11.945,0 31,12K

Fresnillo 951,00 961,80 941,20 43,73K

Glencore 534,80 541,00 531,70 4,85M

GSK plc 1.414,80 1.432,40 1.412,80 68,09K

Halma 2.084,0 2.094,0 2.079,0 31,47K

Hargreaves Lansdown 876,00 877,00 860,80 106,58K

Hikma Pharma 1.681,50 1.690,00 1.674,00 6,74K

HSBC 565,80 566,80 562,40 2,36M

IAG 140,90 141,34 139,54 2,13M

Imperial Brands 2.071,00 2.080,00 2.052,00 255,23K

Informa 639,80 642,80 638,20 98,92K

InterContinental 5.110,0 5.138,0 5.106,0 35,46K

Intermediate Capital 1.217,50 1.221,00 1.203,50 22,87K

Intertek 4.232,0 4.266,0 4.224,0 14,08K

ITV 81,02 81,30 80,10 1,82M

J Sainsbury 244,54 246,20 242,69 109,01K

Johnson Matthey 2.196,0 2.204,0 2.178,0 25,13K

Land Securities 665,60 669,60 660,80 75,96K

Legal & General 262,15 262,70 259,10 520,60K

Lloyds Banking 48,52 48,54 47,99 35,53M

London Stock Exchange 7.236,0 7.290,0 7.200,0 48,45K

Melrose Industries 143,45 143,60 142,20 508,32K

Mondi 1.498,50 1.505,50 1.497,50 48,82K

National Grid 1.050,00 1.054,50 1.047,00 477,69K

NatWest Group 275,60 280,50 274,60 2,48M

Next 6.476,0 6.526,0 6.420,0 19,55K

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

Ocado 725,40 733,80 716,80 342,45K

Persimmon 1.336,5 1.338,5 1.325,0 46,27K

Phoenix 625,00 626,80 624,00 88,45K

Prudential 1.254,50 1.256,00 1.239,50 435,90K

Reckitt Benckiser 5.886,0 5.884,0 5.830,0 116,23K

Relx 2.334,00 2.352,00 2.330,00 160,35K

Rentokil 504,00 506,60 500,80 620,81K

Rightmove 547,40 548,80 540,80 107,61K

Rio Tinto PLC 6.063,0 6.125,0 6.046,0 207,06K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 101,82 103,08 100,98 4,22M

Sage 773,40 775,20 770,20 71,52K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.216,50 1.220,00 1.210,50 3,98K

Schroders 449,3 450,1 444,4 175,22K

Scottish Mortgage 728,91 731,00 725,00 161,28K

Segro 794,20 796,40 787,60 118,67K

Severn Trent 2.772,0 2.796,0 2.772,0 10,06K

Shell 2.376,5 2.387,5 2.360,5 595,75K

Smith & Nephew 1.165,50 1.172,50 1.160,50 204,83K

Smiths Group 1.625,00 1.634,00 1.621,00 25,86K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 10.970,0 10.985,0 10.865,0 7,01K

SSE 1.667,00 1.681,00 1.666,50 300,35K

St. James’s Place 1.156,00 1.159,50 1.147,50 0,83K

Standard Chartered 689,80 693,20 688,00 724,70K

Taylor Wimpey 109,30 109,60 108,00 884,90K

Tesco 242,70 244,20 240,40 920,05K

Tui 147,76 148,95 147,45 785,43K

Unilever 4.170,0 4.202,0 4.160,0 197,63K

United Utilities 1.039,50 1.046,00 1.039,50 40,32K

Vodafone Group PLC 87,77 88,80 87,52 6,10M

Whitbread 2.792,0 2.812,0 2.790,0 22,79K WPP 870,60 873,60 865,60 230,69K

3M 126,72 127,13 2,41M

American Express 150,17 150,43 145,48 2,90M

Amgen 275,20 276,82 269,03 2,89M

Apple 129,62 130,29 124,89 86,76M

Boeing 213,00 213,04 203,55 11,19M

Caterpillar 248,86 249,91 242,24 3,84M

Chevron 176,56 179,39 175,70 7,17M

Cisco 48,32 48,58 47,28 19,35M

Coca-Cola 63,40 63,67 62,58 9,97M

Dow 55,02 55,24 53,32 6,10M

Goldman Sachs 348,08 349,00 340,95 3,09M

Home Depot 317,53 318,85 309,00 4,01M

Honeywell 210,27 211,06 205,87 4,02M

IBM 143,70 144,25 141,58 3,53M

Intel 28,73 28,83 27,38 31,52M

J&J 180,25 180,93 179,39 5,64M

JPMorgan 137,94 138,38 134,49 9,94M

McDonald’s 269,47 269,89 263,39 2,85M

Merck&Co 114,84 115,49 114,05 8,58M

Microsoft 224,93 225,76 219,35 42,92M

Nike 124,53 125,36 121,77 9,32M

Procter&Gamble 153,92 154,46 151,75 7,88M

Salesforce Inc 140,51 141,65 135,55 9,00M

The Travelers 193,87 194,45 189,55 1,28M

UnitedHealth 490,00 492,87 487,54 4,81M

Verizon 42,19 42,58 41,88 25,87M

Visa A 217,75 218,14 213,09 6,83M

Walgreens Boots 36,61 36,74 35,11 10,00M

Walmart 146,78 147,55 144,24 7,07M

Walt Disney 93,92 94,69 91,32 9,78M

World

JinkoSolar

Roivant

Iridium Communications Inc. +12.81% 1.721M

Perseus Mining Limited +10.67% 35,153

Nel ASA +10.38% 16,796

R1 RCM Inc. +10.20% 9.972M Barclays PLC +10.01% 76,788

Most Declined

AMTD Digital Inc. -23.41% 21.064M

PT Bumi Resources Tbk -16.00% 64,775

XPeng Inc. -15.04% 41.107M

iQIYI, Inc. -14.87% 22.648M

Dave Inc. -13.53% 91,840

Dada Nexus Limited -9.70% 5.397M

Li Auto Inc. -9.16% 14.485M

Trinity Industries, Inc. -8.95% 971,367

NovoCure Limited -8.22% 3.002M

Baxter International Inc. -7.84% 11.099M

Waters Corporation -7.15% 1.27M

BUSINESS EXTRA

Finance fallouts

IN 2022 research from Royal London found that three in five couples have argued about money, with 62 per cent falling out over overspending. A quarter of respondents said they believe their partner is financially irresponsible, and a third admitted to keeping details of their savings and debts a secret.

ISA idea

LUCINDA O’BRIEN , savings expert at money.co. uk has suggested putting money in an ISA to save for the future. She said: “As much as we may try to put it to the back of our minds, money is something that can be a major source of stress, especially in the current economic climate.

Transfer debt

A MONEY saving expert suggests: “A balance transfer credit card lets you shift existing debt to a new card, you still owe the money but it’s interest ­ free for up to 30 months. Aim for the longest zero per cent deal to pay off your debt, then look for the lowest fee.”

Bank of Dad

IN his new memoir entitled ‘Spare’, Prince Harry alleges that his father, King Charles III, told him that the royal family just didn’t have the funds to financially support his wife, Meghan Markle.

According to the Duke of Sussex, the king said he was already having to pay a huge amount to support not only Prince Harry but also to support his eldest son, Prince William, and his wife, Kate Middleton, and family.

“Pa didn’t financially support Willy and me, and our families, out of any largesse,” Harry, 38, claims in his memoir. “That was his job. That was the whole deal.”

E-commerce spending

E­ COMMERCE turnover in Spain increased in the second quarter of 2022 with a year ­ on ­ year growth of 33.1 per cent to a total €18.190 billion, according to the latest e­commerce data available on the CNMCData website.

The activity sectors with the highest revenue were travel agencies, with 10.2 per cent of the total turnover; followed by air transport, with 6.6 per cent, and clothing taking third place with 6.5 per cent. As regards the number of transactions, in the second quarter of 2022 more than 325 million transactions were registered, up 16.4 per cent. Restaurants lead the ranking in terms of sales (7.1 per cent).

In terms of geographical segmentation, 46.8 per cent of the revenue from the second quarter

of 2022 was to Spain. The remaining 53.2 per cent corresponds to purchases originating

Sustainable banking

SANTANDER has ranked among the world’s most sustainable banks in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2022 and among the top three in Europe.

The bank scored 83 points out of 100, placing it in the 98th percentile of all banks reviewed.

Santander has been featured on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the past 22 years.

The bank scored well in every category: economic (86), environmental (76) and social (83). It also highlighted areas where the bank has improved, such as financial inclusion, environmental and social reporting, climate strategy, privacy protection and customer relationship management.

The group ended the first half of the year as the world’s leader in renewable energy finance, with over €2.4 billion in 33 funding transactions and a

worldwide market share of 6.4 per cent, according to Infralogic’s ranking. In the past decade, Santander has been a leading bank in renewable energy finance, ranking among the top three in the world in the number of transactions and the top five in funding volume.

In supporting the fight against climate change and the green transition, Santander continues to make progress on its goal to reach net zero carbon emissions group ­ wide by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. In 2022, Santander outlined three new interim targets to decarbonise its portfolios by 2030: a 29 per cent reduction in absolute emissions financed in the energy sector; a 33 per cent reduction in emissions intensity in the aviation sector; and a 32 per cent reduction in emissions intensity in the steel sector.

Image: Pop Tika/Shutterstock.com

what is purchased in Spain from foreign locations and what is purchased from Spain to foreign locations) shows a deficit of €7.046 billion.

The turnover of transactions originating in Spain that were sent to foreign locations totalled €9.683 billion, up 20.9 per cent on the figure from the second quarter of the previous year. A total of 92.3 per cent of purchases from Spain with destinations in foreign locations was sent to businesses within the EU.

Meanwhile, transactions from foreign locations to Spain have reached a turnover of €2,638 million, up 106.1 per cent on the figure from the second quarter of the previous year. Some 61.3 per cent of purchases from foreign locations originated in countries within the EU.

Student financing

WITH the aim of improving access to education, the European Investment Bank (EIB) recently commissioned a study on student finance.

Technopolis, the consultancy that is part of the consortium carrying out the study said more and more students need to finance their studies.

“Recognising the need to improve the financing gap experienced by higher education students that is preventing them from access to education and training, the EIB has asked the consortium to analyse ways to incentivise more financial or non­financial institutions to provide financial solutions for students,” Technopolis confirmed.

The consultancy said the study will map out the student financing market in EU member states and compare it with other countries.

Irish inflation

INFLATION is “at or close to the peak,” confirmed the Irish Finance Minister, Michael McGrath, on Wednesday, January 4.

“We do think that we are at or close to the peak at this point and that we will begin to see a moderation of inflation, particularly across the second quarter and beyond,” he added.

However, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe sounded a note of caution: “While the change in inflation is something that is to be welcomed and to be acknowledged, I think it’s too early to be able to conclude yet that it’s the sign of a trend that we can expect to continue across all of next year.”

in Spain carried out through foreign locations. The external balance (the difference between

TURNOVER INCREASED: Activity sectors including travel saw highest rise.

Making progress towards goal.

Access to education.

Image: Krisana Antharith/Shutterstock.com Image: giuseppelombardo/Shutterstock.com

I DUNNO, perhaps it is me. Of course I sympathise with the victims of accidents in the home. Of course I find the initial results of many fire hazard investigations extremely worrying.

What I can’t get my head round is all those who come out of the woodwork and use these tragedies to whine about the conditions they all ‘have’ to live in. Among others, those who reside in areas resembling the notorious Broadwater Estate are a case in point.

“Why should we have to put up with these awful slum conditions?” they moan. Why doesn’t the government (natch!) do something about it? Well just a minute, ill­advised as this high rise accommodation may have been, they were initially built in good faith.

The rules governing public buildings were and are, far more stringent than private projects. None of them began their existence as slum dwellings. None of them started out covered in graffiti, with lift shafts stinking of urine, or knee high in rubbish, used condoms and drug paraphernalia.

Flats originally built to accommodate families of four to six persons were never meant to cope with benefit scroungers boasting 10 or 15 offsprings, or jam packed with scores of ‘sub lets’.

All these conditions are brought on by those who move into them. Human beings create the environments they reside

In good faith

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

in. It’s time many of these residents started to get their own houses in order, rather than blaming all and sundry for their woes. Stop thinking about their so called ‘rights’ and start concentrating more on their own wrongs would be a start.

All over the UK there are scores of high rise estates, which are proudly and properly run by local councils and caring tenants. With their carefully tended gardens, playgrounds for the children and hardworking responsible residents, they are wonderful examples of how decent human beings, however diverse their cultures and backgrounds, can live in perfectly harmonious and orderly surroundings.

I suggest those who feel all the blame for their ‘misfortunes’ lay outside their own walls, either shape up or ship out. They are a drain on resources, a threat to democracy and utterly useless contribu­

tors toward any future of the country that nurtures them.

I do feel sorry for the Yemenis. I always found them an extremely happy and caring people. I shall never forget their kindness when I found myself hopelessly stranded in the desert. Believe me, if I’d also known the steel runway reinforcing I helped deliver to that secret Saudi air base would one day be used to launch death and destruction among them, I would have ‘accidently’ allowed my truck to topple off that extremely precarious mountain pass! (It’s in the book!)

Let’s hope that this year peace and tranquility will once again prevail for these likeable people; they’ve suffered long enough.

Keep the faith

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

ROYAL MESS OUR VIEW

PRINCE HARRY has been at it again, giving in­depth detail about his family first in an interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby and then with the release of his memoir ‘Spare’ on Tuesday, January 10.

For

Regardless of whether you agree with the principle of Harry and his wife’s original decision to step back from royal life or not, the result of this continued public airing of dirty laundry is an ongoing backlash ­ particularly in the UK ­ that cannot possibly be what anyone would want. This leads to the obvious question then, “what are they actually trying to achieve here?” If what the couple wanted was a chance to make tens of millions and to get off their chests their perceived grievances then job done. But what they are actually seeking seems to go further than this; rather than simply air their version of events, they are giving the impression of wanting the public on their side to acknowledge the harms they feel have been done to them. Is the best way to achieve this by publicly sharing personal family information when you know your counterparts do not have the same privilege though? Probably not. Equally, sharing information about your family in the weeks and months surrounding the deaths of the two most respected people at the top of it ­ The Queen and Prince Philip ­ was probably also very badly judged.

On the positive side though, what the Tom Bradby interview represents was at least a small win for journalism. In contrast to the couple’s Oprah interview two years earlier, this one did at least ask some of the harder questions of Harry the public must have been wanting to know the answers to. In increasingly uncertain times, that at least is something,

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

By Clinica Britannia

Cracking a confident smile

I AM ashamed of my teeth as I have neglected them over the years, but would love to be able to smile with confidence, please help.

People often feel the need to hide their smiles if their teeth are stained, crooked or missing. Research has shown that having a beautiful smile is not only linked to your self­confidence but can also increase your happiness in life. People who have their best smile are more confident, less anxious, and enjoy life more.

Sadly, people tend to associate those with imperfect teeth, including everything from an incorrect bite, tooth decay, crookedness, discolouration, and missing teeth, with those people who lead an unhealthy lifestyle, which is not always the case.

That is why keeping your mouth in tip­top condition is a vital part of personal care and a key component in increasing your confidence and self­esteem. Cracking a confident smile can go

Book a free dental check-up today.

a long way in making you feel good on the outside, as well as on the inside.

Why not make it your New Year’s resolution to give yourself that confident smile that you are looking for. Book a free dental check­up today. The Dentist will give their professional opinion on what would be the best treatment plan for you at an affordable price, having you smiling in no time at all.

By Clinica Britannia

Heart abnormalities

SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH is a condition which occurs due to an undiscovered or overlooked heart defect or abnormality, occurring generally in people under the age of 35 who play amateur or professional sport.

Some of the main causes of Sudden Cardiac Death are:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is where the walls of the heart thicken causing fast or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) Often hereditary, it can often go undetected and can be fatal.

Coronary artery abnormalities. People can be born with a heart defect where the arteries are connected abnormally. This can cause a compression of the arteries when exercising, limiting

People can be born with a heart defect and are unaware of it.

the blood flow to the heart.

Long QT syndrome. An inherited heart rhythm disorder that causes fast, chaotic heartbeats to occur, causing many deaths.

These heart defects can be easily detected by a Cardiologist who can perform an Electrocardiogram, 24­hour Holter­ECG to check the blood pressure or an Echocardiography.

This fundamental test uses an ultrasound to give a moving image of the heart, providing information about the shape, size, function, strength, movement and thickness of its walls and the functioning of its valves.

It can also determine if certain regions of the heart muscles are not receiving enough oxygen­rich blood.

Contact your GP for further information on what tests are necessary if you are starting or take strenuous exercise.

REGIFTING XMAS PRESENTS

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

FALSE teeth, a scorpion in formaldehyde and a lamb castrating tool were among the weirdest items dropped in a charity’s donation boxes last year.

Barnardo’s revealed a list of bizarre items left by donors at its 620 UK stores in an appeal for people to bestow their unwanted Christmas gifts.

Jaws dropped when staff in South Yorkshire were given a pot containing nine human molars and a bag of infant clothes containing a baby’s dried umbilical cord and belly clip.

The false teeth were inside a handbag donated to the charity’s Glasgow store, while the bottled scorpion has since been passed on to a local university by Barnardo workers in St Andrews.

Staff in Staffordshire were amused by a message accompanying a pair of men’s shorts which read: “Wear these at your leisure, wear with pride and pleasure, and keep them safe to treasure. Geoff. X.”

Other quirky deliveries included a dead bird and a hamster cage still containing its deceased former occupant.

According to Barnardo’s, “Most of us have received Christmas presents that may be of good quality and costly, but just aren’t suitable for us.”

They might have added: “And not suitable for regifting Xmas 2023 either.”

Nora Johnson’s 11 critically acclaimed psychological crime thrillers (www.nora­johnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, paperbacks, audiobooks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

NoraJohnson’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

Nora’s latest thriller.

Looking after

ARE you looking for a trusted, caring and reliable veterinary centre to look after your pets? At Animalets Veterinary Centre, they will look after your animal like it is their own, offering treatment, advice and a range of other services to keep your pet healthy and happy!

Taking your best friend to the vets can be a stressful and worrying time ­ for you and your pet ­ but the team at Animalets will provide you with a relaxed environment, using techniques and handling of your cat, dog, bird, reptile or exotic animal that will make your visit as comfortable as possible. The team has been taking care of and treating animals for the past 19 years, so you can be sure that your pet is in the best possible hands.

Collaborating with various specialists such as neurologists, dermatologists, ethologists (specialising in behaviour), traumatologists, oncol­

pets like they’re part of the family

care so that you can be sure your animal will be cared for at any time of the day, including public holidays. The services at Animalets include:

• General internal medicine

• Ultrasound dental cleaning

• Vaccines for disease prevention

• Pet Identification: microchipping, pet passports etc

• Travel certificates, CEXGAN, sanitary certificates

• X­ray and ultrasound equipment

• Exotic medicine

• Hospitalisation

• Surgery

For older pets or animals that have had an accident and now find it difficult to move around and enjoy their walks like they used to, Animalets provide physiotherapy treatments to make them more comfortable, prevent injuries, reinforce and maintain physical fitness, restore movement and improve welfare.

ogists and ophthalmologists, you can be sure your animal will receive the highest level of care and diagnosis as quickly as possible for your peace of mind. Animalets also has a laboratory for all types of analysis,

two operating rooms, as well as diagnostic imaging facilities to determine the best treatment needed.

It is impossible to predict when our pet will become sick or need treatment urgently, that’s why Animalets has 24 ­ hour emergency

What we feed our pets is really important and affects their skin, coat and weight. Animalets has a large stock of specialised food for the treatment of the most common pathologies such as urinary or kidney problems, gastrointestinal problems, allergy problems and food intolerances.

Animalets also collaborate with the Javea Feral Cats Association, Catland, APASA and Rama, treating sick animals and, importantly, sterilising wild cats to try to control the population of Javea ­ contributing to lowering the number of cats living on the streets.

The practitioners at Animalets have continued with regular training, using the most advanced technology in their field, including the best and latest diagnostic technology. Your best friends deserve the best treatment, and that is what they will have at Animalets!

DIVERSITY AND FUN

I LOVE reading the Euro Weekly every week. It always has such a diverse amount of content, and it always gives me ideas on what to do with the kids during the week, I never knew there was a parade for the Three Kings! The kids really enjoyed it and we collected bags of sweets, it was so nice to see the community come together and do something nice.

Thank you, Euro Weekly News

Woof woof

IT’S so great to see so many people come together and collect toys for children in need, especially to children that really need them. I hope they all enjoyed their gifts. It was so thoughtful. The front page made me giggle seeing grown men with beards driving around with dog teddy bears. Fair play boys!

Graham West

Bus lanes!

HOW dare Nottingham fine their own city and people such money, people are going through enough these days to be fined. I wouldn’t be surprised if the signing is inadequate! All of them these days tend to be. I just want to drive around in peace and not have to worry about constant fines. Don’t even get me started on cycle lanes.

Disgruntled

British Benevolent Fund

IT is so eye opening seeing these stories every week on expatriates who have unfortunately not been able to come to Spain and live their dream just like they probably thought they would have when they were back home in the UK. Such tremendous work done by the organisation and I have been forwarding these articles to everyone I know at home who is thinking about coming to live in Spain.

Janice Smith

Fighting festive flab

My festive flab I believe will be going nowhere this January. However, I will be keeping it in mind for February after the hubby gets me a great deal of chocolates (fingers crossed). I will keep you up to date, these lunges and oblique climbers seem quite intense, but I am excited to give them a go, I don’t think I’ll be able to do the cycling sit ups they have in mind. I haven’t thrown my leg over a bike since I was a young lass.

With love, Gwen

Leapy Lee

I DON’T usually agree with Leapy Lee, however, the beginning of last week’s column made sense. The stress that the NHS are under now is gastronomical and the treatment of Britons in the UK when it comes to living conditions is becoming horrendous. Especially that of single mothers, more needs to be done for them and their children.

Mould is unsafe and can cause long term problems and trouble to anyone and the fact that people are living in these conditions in the 21st century and in a country that is labelled as ‘one of the best’ in the world is outrageous. I don’t know who it is that can help us governmentally wise, I won’t be sharing that opinion in this letter. But more does need to be done to help those who need health care and safe and secure housing. The UK needs to do better, we shouldn’t have to rely on food banks to feed the population. The government needs to do more with their big pay checks.

Patricia Gordon

Furry friends

THE articles based on our furry friends always bring a smile to my face and I can’t wait for next week’s addition, I have an Akita mixed with a Staffie and he is my pride and joy. The pictures always make my day and bring a smile to my face.

If you can keep on doing them do! and insert more! I think if more people saw and spent time with animals that they would be more relaxed and considerate towards others. I won’t get into the debate of what is better, cats or dogs. But dogs are better!

Rebecca D

Coming together

IT is so nice to see all the events on and organised every week for those who are in need. The generosity of others is nice to see, especially with the current circumstances of the world right now.

The event in Mijas for all the children was so sweet and it warmed my heart, especially everything those children have had to go through. They deserved that experience and deserve more things like that. Especially when it is so easy to be mean in today’s society.

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.

Sally West

FUN TIME: It’s so nice to see children enjoying themselves.

Credit: altanaka/Shutterstock.com

HAVING a pet can sometimes put financial pressure on our household budgets, particularly as inflation and the cost of living have increased during the last year. Today, we’re sharing four tips to help you save money on pet care without neglecting your pet’s needs.

1. Work out the essen­

tials

The first step towards saving money on pet care is deciding what is actually necessary for their daily lives. Ensuring your pet is healthy, well ­ fed and

gets enough exercise should be your financial priorities, and should take precedence over buying new accessories or additional grooming.

2. Take preventative

measures

Neglecting a pet’s health is not only abusive, it can also be more costly in the long run. Instead, take care of your pet’s health by making sure they eat a substantial, healthy diet containing all the necessary nutrients for their growth and development. This will help to prevent against worrying health concerns and costly vet bills.

3. Shop around Don’t just accept the first price you see for your pet’s favourite food products. Instead, compare by visiting different pet shops or looking online for the best deals, and you could save money on pet essentials like food and medications. It can also be worth checking out the ingredients in options by competitor brands, as ingredients are often similar.

The benefits of canine physiotherapy

PHYSIOTHERAPY can help a variety of problems including spine and other neurologic problems, arthritis, strains and sprains and postoperative rehabilitation.

The life expectancy of animals is increasing a lot, which mainly leads to more osteoarthritis and joint and mobility problems. Osteoarthritis is the most frequent cause of lameness in dogs, estimating that 20 per cent of dogs older than one year are affected. Physiotherapy, included in a multidisciplinary programme, is where it can bring us the greatest benefit.

A variety of soft tissue techniques (eg massage), Joint techniques (eg mobilisations and stretching), and electrotherapy treatments (eg TENS) , lasertherapy, Ultrasound, hydrotherapy and Shockwaves are incorporat­

Treating problems.

ed into animal physiotherapy treatments. Exercise rehabilitation is also a very important part.

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www.helpbenidorm.org and on Facebook VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, particularly Spanish speakers for interpreter service, and car owners. Tel President 607 387 040, Welfare 607 386 964, Interpreters 607 385 842, Equipment 663 495 396. We are an English-speaking charity that assists residents and tourists of all nationalities in times of crisis, we also organise social events for members. We meet every Thursday at 10.30 in Jose Llorca Social Centre C. Goya s/n. Benidorm. It is opposite the Foietes Car Park where there is a Wednesday market. Everyone welcome. It is 400m from Benidorm tram station and on bus routes 1 and 8. We loan out mobility and medical equipment including oxygen concentrators on a short-term basis. (288658)

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DECORATORS W.D. GILMOUR. Painter & Decorator. Established 35 years in Moraira. ESTIMATES FREE. Call William on 609 691 776 or 966 490 602 (301307)

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MB ELECTRICS. Approved electrician. Any electrical repair. Iberdrola paperwork. Affordable prices. Miquel 655 282 175 www.mbelectrics.es (286325)

MOTOR INSURANCE . For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)

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AUTO BASTIAN mobile mechanic. Tel 608 860 725. (294743)

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Korando - a worthy SUV contender

ROAD TEST

YOU could be forgiven for thinking that it’s an SUV from a mainstream Euro ­

pean manufacturer. It has a somewhat old school premium look and although a little ‘heavy’ on the rear styling is obviously no automotive bargain basement in the quality department.

SsangYong made its name, as all such car makers do, with bargain price vehicles, but it has a long history that goes back to the mid1950s in its native Korea.

The range starts with the Tivoli hatchback, there’s the Korando and Rexton SUVs, plus the Musso pick­up. Prices for the range start from €22,310 (£19,645) for the Tivoli, the Korando SUV starts from a modest, by today’s standards, €24,757 (£21,795) and comes very well equipped. Cruise control, auto lights and wipers, powered folding and heated door mirrors, Bluetooth, air ­ con and a plethora of safety kit.

In top­line Ultimate trim, the Korando tested here (1.5­litre petrol automatic) is €34,239 (£30,145) and the equipment list climbs dramatically with every possible kind of toy and gadget you’ll ever need.

This includes a remote operated power tailgate, a

cy glass, navigation, Bluetooth with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, leather upholstery, eight­way power ­ adjustable front seats, heated seats and a steering wheel and more besides.

Power comes from either 1.5­litre turbocharged petrol or 1.6 ­ litre turbocharged diesel engine, two­wheeldrive and six­speed manual or automatic gears. On the road, my 1.5 ­ litre petrol proved a refined drive with smooth changes from the auto box.

Performance isn’t earth­

shattering in that a smallish engine pulling a fairly hefty SUV is not a recipe for the SUV Grand Prix. Hence 60 mph takes a leisurely 12 seconds and the maximum speed is 117mph. The majority of the time the Korando doesn’t feel slow or underpowered, long hills apart when your right foot resolves the problem albeit with some audible protest.

Inside a modern, nicely laid out dash is dominated by a usefully large touchscreen and (hurrah!) but ­

tons.

Generous seat adjustment and space ensures the occupants are well catered for and it’s a rather nice place to be with a premium feel.

There are downsides such as thinly spread dealerships, potentially larger than average depreciation and euro rivals that offer more power and a better economy.

The Korando is still a genuinely good entry into the SUV arena and offers tremendous value for money, especially lower down the range. It deserves a much wider audience.

byMarkSlack

KORANDO: Offers tremendous value for money.

Aston Villa knocked out

ASTON VILLA have been stunned at home by League Two side Stevenage, falling to a 2­1 defeat.

Another massive upset occurred in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday evening, January 8.

League Two side Stevenage travelled to the formidable ground of Villa Park to take on Aston Villa and ran out 2­1 winners despite being sepa­

rated by 59 places in the football league. This follows another cup up­

set where Newcastle United were beaten by League One side Sheffield Wednesday on

Brazilian surfing legend dies

THE Brazilian legend, 47­year­old Marcio Freire was riding the famous giant waves in Nazare on the coast of Portugal when he suffered a heart attack and died on Thursday, January 5. He was tackling the famous breakers on the Portuguese coast in the town and municipality of Nazare, located in the Oeste region. “A 47year­old man of Brazilian nationality died this afternoon after falling while practising surfing in Praia do Norte,” read a statement released by the National Maritime Authority (AMN).

It continued: “The rescuers found the victim was in cardio­respiratory arrest and immediately starting resuscitation manoeuvres on the sand. After several attempts, it was not possible to re­

verse the situation,” as reported by a news outlet. Nazare is world famous for its monumental waves. Sebastian Steudtner, a German surfer, entered the Guinness Book of World Records after riding a wave there on October 29, 2020. The monster breaker was measured at 26,21 metres (86 feet) tall, making it officially the biggest wave ever surfed.

In 2016, Freire was immortalised in the surfing documentary titled ‘Mad Dogs’. It followed the activity of three Brazilian surfers who travelled to Hawaii in an attempt to conquer a famous massive wave known locally as ‘Jaws’.

The surfing world has since paid tribute to him.

Saturday. An awful statistic for the Midlands club is that this is now the eighth consecutive season that they have been dumped out of the competition in the third round.

Villa turned in what can only be described as a very average performance. They took the lead after 33 minutes when Morgan Sanson netted for the home side.

Everything pointed to Villa holding on to their slender lead until a red card was shown to Leander Dendoncker in the 85th minute. He hauled down Dean Campbell after being dispossessed inside the box. It took a VAR decision to confirm the penalty, but substitute Jamie Reid calmly slotted the equaliser home on 88 minutes.

A nervous finale was set up and incredibly, from a corner, Dean Campbell fired the ball into the net beyond Robin Olsen in the 91st minute to give Stevenage the win. Their prize is a fourth­round clash away to Stoke City.

VILLA PARK: Stevenage ran out 2-1 winners.

Credit: Gogle maps - Ceri Miles

Gareth Bale retires New Portugal coach

WELSH team captain Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from football.

The Wales football captain Gareth Bale announced his decision to retire at the age of 33, from international as well as club football.

Football legend Gareth Bale took to social media and announced his decision to retire from professional football.

According to a post made by the Welsh player on Twitter, he said “After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.”

The post further adds, “I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love.

“It (football) has truly given me some of the best moments of my life.

“The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.”

Considered as one of the greatest football players to ever come out of Wales, Bale was born in the capital Cardiff and started his football career at Southhampton at the age of 16.

His talent eventually led him to be a part of Tottenham Hotspur and helped Real Madrid win five champions league titles.

Bale later moved to the US in June 2022 to play for the Los Angeles Football Club, after his nine­year­old contract at Real Madrid expired.

PORTUGAL has officially announced former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez as their new international football coach. Roberto Martinez has been officially announced on Monday, January 9, as the new coach of Portugal’s national men’s team. After being fired as manager of Belgium following the Qatar World Cup, Martinez landed himself a top job almost instantly, signing a deal until 2026.

He replaces 68­year­old Fernando Santos, who was also relieved of his position after the World Cup campaign steering them to victory in the 2016 Euros. Martinez previously managed Wigan and Everton before spending six years as the boss of Belgium. Leaving behind a

selection of players that was dubbed Bel gium’s ‘golden era’, Martinez now inherits an abundance of Portuguese talent. The 49 old Spaniard now faces the monumental task of making a decision about the international future of Cristiano Ronaldo. “I’m very happy to be here, I’m delighted to be able to represent one of the most talented teams in the world.” he said as he was unveiled at a press conference.

On the subject of Ronaldo, the new coach offered: “Football decisions have to be

taken on the pitch. I’m not a coach that makes decisions ­

ing point is to get in touch with all the players, the list of 26 from the World Cup, and Cristiano Ronaldo is on that

VICTORIA LEE, a rising star in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has tragically passed away aged just 18. The young fighter’s death was confirmed by her older sister Angela, who said in an Instagram post that Victoria died on December 26. No cause of death was revealed.

Angela’s post read: “On December 26, 2022, our family experienced something no family should ever have to go through… It is incredibly difficult to say this… Our Victoria passed away.”

MMA star passes at age 18

“She has gone too soon and our family has been completely devastated since then. We miss her. More than anything in this world. Our family will never be the same. Life will never be the same,” she added.

As reported by the Bleacher Report, Victoria first burst onto the MMA scene at the age of 16 when she signed up in February 2021. She had an undefeated

record of three wins in three fights with the MMA promotion company ‘ONE’. Victoria was scheduled to appear in her fourth fight for ‘ONE’ on January 13. According to Yahoo! Sports, it was being broadcast through Prime Video 6.

Competing as an amateur at the junior level, Victoria had already made a name for herself by becoming the junior world

champion in the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). She was also a Hawaii state wrestling champion and won the Hawaiian pankration junior world championship twice.

Her sister Angela is the atomweight champion with ‘ONE’, while her brother Christian, during 2022, also picked up both the lightweight and welterweight titles.

A celebration of Victoria’s life is being planned for January 22, after which she will be buried.

Roberto Martinez is moving to Portugal as coach.

Image: Portugal FC/Twitter.com