Costa Blanca South 19 • 25 January 2023 Issue 1959

EXCITING NEWS AIRPORT

THE good news is, it looks as though things are starting to pick up as AENA ( the airport management group which includes Alicante-Elche Airport ) closed 2022 with a total of 243,681,775 passengers.

This figure represents an 88.5 per cent recovery in passenger traffic compared to 2019, the last year before the impact of the Covis-19 pandemic.

Alicante-Elche Airport saw 13,202,880 passengers walk through its doors which, even with a decrease of 12.3 per cent compared to 2019, is a positive sign.

As for the number of aircraft in operation, the airport confirmed they saw 90,109 planes fly through its skies.

In June 2021 the association shared their desperate plight to find a new home for their cattery. It set up a GoGetFunding page Our Future In Your Hands as a simple way for people to donate to the campaign to help with the relocation of rescued animals.

So far, the association has gratefully received donations of €1,585.

The exciting news is that APAH has been offered some land on which to build a new Cattery and Kennels but with that

comes the extra cost and hard work of building new sheds and erecting new fencing.

Can you help? Any and all donations are gratefully accepted, no matter how small. You can donate online at: https://gogetfunding.com/save­a­life­today ­ 2 / or if you would prefer to donate directly by transfer, Caixa bank details are: Relocation Fund ES50 2100 8231 4513 0034 0790.

Registered as a charity in the year 2000, APAH rescues abused and abandoned cats and dogs in and around the area and helps to find their forever homes.

THE Horadada Animal Protection Association (APAH) brings exciting news for the new year, but they still need your help.

APAH: Rescues abandoned cats and dogs and helps to find their forever homes.

Image: APAH

A change of date

TORREVIEJA U3A has changed the date of its Annual Groups Fair. This event invites non­members to come along to the meeting to find out more about what the association has to offer its members, whilst allowing new members a full year’s membership upon joining up.

The Groups Fair will be held on the new date of January 30 in the CMO building in Torrevieja (adjacent to the Habaneras shopping centre and behind Carrefour). The meet­

Annual Groups Fair.

ing will start at 11.00am.

Everybody is welcome to come along and meet the Group Leaders, join the association, etc.

U3A stands for the University of the Third Age. They are a self­help group based in Tor­

revieja. U3A membership is not related to a specific age but to a period in one’s life (the third age) after the second age of full­time employment and parental responsibility. Anyone can join Torrevieja U3A including people who are working parttime. There is no lower age for membership.

More information on the activities and anything else that you may need to know can be found on the website: torreviejau3a.org.

Rehearsals begin

ANDANTE International Choir, the only choir in the Costa Blanca community devoted to sacred choral works and classical pieces, has begun rehearsing again. The group meet in Los Montesinos at Calle San Antonio, 4 on Thursday nights from 7.15 to 9pm.

Works currently bring rehearsed include Motet, Ave Verum corpus by Mozart, Benedicat Vobis by Handel, O Sanctissima, a traditional Sicilian hymn and Anima Christi

by Marco Frisina and Missa de Angelis, arranged by Christopher Moore.

The music director is Manuel Jesus Perez Garcia, music director and pianist for Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Our Lady of Pilar Church) in Los Montesinos.

All are welcome to join, for more information contact Andante International Choir member Sue Lewey at suelewey@ gmail.com. Also see the Facebook page, Andante International Choir (Spain).

Image: Madhourse / Shutterstock.com

Roman relics

Dentistry nerves Beautiful villages

TWO of the most beautiful villages in Spain are in the province of Alicante, specifically in the Marina Baixa region: Altea, and Guadalest. Both have climbed to the highest positions in National Geographic magazine’s selection of its 100 Spanish villages that are ‘worth a trip’ in 2023.

Pandemic recovery

THE province of Alicante is attending the International Tourism Fair in Madrid (FITUR) from January 18, with the aim that the Costa Blanca (127 municipalities attend under the umbrella of the Provincial Council) consolidate the recovery after the pandemic and manage to recover the 20 per cent market share lost.

Losing streak

ELCHE’S winless run in the Spanish football league was extended to 17 matches after drawing one-all at Cadiz on Monday, January 15. Elche remains the only team without a league victory after the draw following a streak of five losses in a row in the league.

Busy road

THE A-31, the dual carriageway linking Alicante with Albacete and Madrid, continues to carry the highest flow of lorries in the province in relation to its total traffic volume as it passes through the Vinalopo valley, despite the AP-7 along the coast being free of charge, according to MITMA.

Coastal junipers

THE Association of Naturalists of the Southeast (ANSE), with the support of the city council of Torrevieja, continues with the work of recovering coastal juniper and juniper habitats, through the implementation of 200 new dune junipers in the Municipal Natural Park of La Mata.

ONE local woman got quite the shock when historians revealed the historical significance of three huge Roman urns that she found while cleaning. The woman found the ceramic urns while preparing a property in Santa Pola for the market.

The woman made the archaeological find in a basement back on Monday, December 5 and reported it to the local Guardia Civil police force, thinking that they might have some historical value.

Experts from the Universidad de Alicante say the urns were likely used for transporting supplies like oil and water during the Roman Empire. The urns could date back to

ELCHE’S Avenida Alcalde Ramon Pastor will be a green lung open to walking and sport with more than 650 trees, plants and shrubs. Hector Diez, councillor for Parks and Gardens, announced that the work will begin the week commencing January 23 and is expected to be completed in a month’s time.

Elche in bloom

before 100AD.

After announcing the find on Tuesday, January 10, Local Police said the urns will now be cleaned and investigated by a team of specialist archaeologists and historians. The urns are likely to go on exhibition in the town’s Museo del Mar after investigation.

The police thanked the woman for notifying them and reminded the public that failing to declare historical artefacts belonging to the public domain could land them with a fine.

the large flowerbeds on this boulevard, which stretches more than 500 linear metres from north to south.

VISITING the dentist can be a fearful and nervewracking experience for some!

A new dental clinic that caters for nervous patients is set to open in Los Alcazares on January 23. Based in Calle Irene, Los Narejos, the Mayz dental care team works together to promote preventative dentistry, helping to reduce future complex and expensive dental procedures.

According to the councillor, the aim of the project is to provide the area with an efficient irrigation system, which is currently lacking and prevents any planting other than large trees,

News from walking football

ON Friday, January 13, the first walking football of the New Year saw Esquina Park Rangers host a seven team tournament at Rojales.

Participating were Alfoquia (Almeria ) , Camposol (Mazarron, Murcia ) , Los Amigos (Mojacar ) , Portobello Campoverde A and B teams, Red Lions of Fortuna and the hosts, Esquina Park Rangers.

A lovely warm day allowed the teams to play good football providing entertainment for the good number of spectators in attendance.

The tournament format was round robin, each team playing each other, and it was the current form team Portobel­

lo Campoverde ‘A’ who emerged winners with 18 points. Camposol were runners up with hosts EPR finishing in third place.

All participating teams were in agreement that the tournament and format had been a great success and was sure to be repeated in the near future.

Anyone interested in playing or trying walking football should contact es uinaparkrangers2018@ya hoo.com

Diez confirmed that the work will begin with the replacement of the poor ­ quality soil in the flowerbeds with high­quality organic soil, as well as the installation of plumbing and manholes for drip irrigation. Subsequently, native species that need little water and are easily adapted to the Mediterranean climate, such as orange trees or drunus, will be planted.

Charity Petanca

WESTVILLES in Alicante was the setting for the Petanca tournament charity event in support of Help at Home where a brilliant €542 was raised. Westvilles provided the medals and David’s Coaches provided the prizes.

Twenty­two teams participated in a mixed triples Petanca tournament. The winners in first place were the Peacocks Reds who took home a €50 voucher and in second place were the Dominos Buccaneers who took home a €20 voucher.

Help at Home offers a wide range of services including respite care, companionship, befriending, shopping services, advice and guidance and help with transport needs just to name a few.

Help at Home can also provide mobility and rehabilita­

tion equipment which is available for hire or for sale, ranging from hospital beds, wheelchairs, walking frames, commodes, and crutches to accessibility ramps.

If you’re afraid of dentists, the clinic understands that a visit can be a fearful experience, so their priority is to give you slightly longer appointments; this allows plenty of time for frequent rests during treatments and for your dentist to explain everything in simple terms.

If you’d like to know more about the Mayz Dental Care practice or to make an appointment, you can contact them by email at in fo@mayzdentalcare.co m or by phone on (+34) 711 072 216, all staff are fluent in both English and Spanish.

Their website is mayzdentalcare.com and you can find them on Facebook and Twitter @mayzdentalcare

Local police show off the historical artefacts which could reveal more about Santa Pola’s Roman history.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Santa Pola (Via Facebook)

and to beautify it with concrete and steel kerbs to give definition to

Plants and shrubs will be planted.

Image: Elche City Council

Tournament winnersPortobello Campoverde.

Specsavers Ópticas’ short story competition

TWO aspiring authors have been crowned winners of the Specsavers Ópticas short story competition.

Eight­year­old David Adsuar Vélez from Guardamar and 14­year­old Inés Peiró López from the Malaga region impressed the judges with their creative and imaginative stories and have been awarded a prize and gift for their respective schools.

The judges were very impressed by the level of the entries, and commented, “The overall standard of the entries was very good. We were pleased to see short sentences and a natural rhythm, as well as combining realism and fantasy in an effective way.”

The winner of the Junior Category was David Adsuar Vélez, with his story ‘The Crystal Ball’.

The winner in the Senior category was the story by Inés Peiró López entitled ‘Future’.

David Adsuar Vélez visited Specsavers Ópticas in Guardamar to collect his prize and store director Lisa James threw in a cool pair of Suneez kids’ sunglasses too. He was delighted to have been chosen as the winner. His school CEIP Reyes Católicos will also be receiving a donation of €200.

Find out more about Specsavers Ópticas by visiting www.specsavers.es

Not as hoped

ROUND five of the Carp-R-Us Winter League was fished at the El Bosquet complex, Crevillente. As the night had been pretty mild and temperatures around 20° were predicted, a decent day’s fishing was hoped for. Sadly, it didn’t materialise.

SANTA POLA is exhibiting its main tourist attractions: gastronomy, water sports, dream beaches, as well as shopping and leisure at the International Tourism Fair in Madrid (FITUR).

The Tourism Fair will run from January 18 until January 22. The councillor for Tourism, Julio Baeza, confirmed: “We have laid the foundations and we will soon see the result of the progress made in our town. Thanks to good management we have obtained €2.4 million of European funds for tourism infrastructure. One of the first things we will see is

the protection and enhancement of our archaeological heritage, which is also an extremely important tourist resource.”

The 2022 FITFUR exceeded all expectations with a total of 111,193 attendees. The fair was attended by 600 exhibitors and official representatives from 70 countries (including tourism ministers from 21 countries) and it is estimated that the number of arrivals at FITUR has generated an impact on the Madrid economy of more than €150 million, confirming its place as the second most important tourism fair in the world.

Tourist attractions Book online

THE creation of a web channel to allow visitors to book tourist experiences in Orihuela is in the process of being developed.

The councillor for Tourism, Maria Garcia, explained: “The aim of this project is to open up the tourist offer of our municipality and, not only sell

The match was won by Steve Higgins who said he applied all the knowledge he’d gleaned from being a protégé of the late, great Ivan Marks to put 8.30kg on the scales from peg 3. Second, despite moaning all day about his draw, was Nick Bastock with 6.04kg from peg 22. Third was the old maestro Terry Screen with 5.92kg and fourth was Willie Moons with 3.66kg.

All in all, it was a tough day’s fishing that sadly produced three dry nets.

Further information can be found at www.carp-r-us.wee bly.com or on Facebook CarpR-Us Fishing Costa Blanca.

the destination with its history, culture and heritage but also to offer the tourist an experience of Orihuela.

“With this, we join a tourist trend that has already been implemented in cities like Barcelona and Elche. Users of the portal will be able to book cultural activities organised by the town hall, such as guided tours or tickets for shows held in the city, at the same time as booking accommodation in hotels or tourist flats, meals in restaurants or leisure activities.”

The councillor added: “It is an important step in the promotion of tourism in the municipality because it allows us to get to know the tourists, their tastes and focus on what may be of interest to them thereby diversifying the offer while involving private enterprise.”

Image: Santa Pola City Council

WATER SPORTS: Are just one of the attractions exhibiting at the Tourism Fair.

THE tourism sector had a lot of catch up work to do last year, after two years of pandemic restrictions affecting holidays across the globe. And the Spanish air travel sector stepped up to the plate, nearly recovering pre­pandemic figures in some cases.

According to data collected by AENA (the body which manages many Spanish airports), Ryanair was far and away the most popular airline in Spain in 2022, transporting more than 45 million passengers.

The Irish budget airline’s closest competition came in the form of Spanish Vueling, carrying 27.1 million passengers. Another Spanish carrier, Iberia occupied third place on the list with a total of 25 million passengers in the last year.

While nearly all airlines recorded figures below prepandemic levels, one airline took the biggest hit. Norwegian lost 64 per cent of its passengers in the last year.

On the other hand, as the fastest growing airline in the Spanish market, Wizz Air is on a rapid trajectory to success, with a 47.2 per cent increase in usage.

Plane sailing

Shopping spree

DESPITE a difficult economic forecast for some areas of business, one sector that has not suffered so much is the supermarket industry. And one supermarket chain is set for even more prosperity in 2023.

Aldi announced a huge boost in its Spanish operations on Thursday, January 12, with the opening of 50 new supermarkets in the next year. The German supermarket giant has made the decision on the back of a successful 2022 when it expanded its presence in Spain by opening 40 new branches.

More than half of the new shops are set to be built in Madrid, Andalucia, Catalonia and the Valencian Community, responding to demand. Other new shops will also be located in strategic locations including the Canary Islands and the north of the country. The brand will also open its first shop in the Spanish enclave of Melilla.

With the new shops, the supermarket is on track to have nearly 450 shops on Spanish soil by the end of 2023.

BUDGET AIRLINE: Ryanair dominated the Spanish market.

Credit: Markus Mainka / shutterstock.com

SPANISH authorities announced the arrival of the first Spanish people repatriated from Syrian refugee camps on Tuesday, January 10. The country has become the latest to repatriate its citizens who have family links to Islamic State fighters from war-torn Syria.

Direct combat with IS on the ground ended around four years ago, but family members have re -

Facing justice

mained in Syrian refugee camps since. Authorities announced that a flight had landed at a Madrid airbase carrying two women and 13 children with Spanish nationality.

The women were taken into custody and will face judges at the highest criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional in due course.

Scorching statistics

IT’S official! 2022 was the hottest year on record for Spain. Data released by the Spanish national weather agency, Aemet on Wednesday, January 11 also revealed that the year was one of the driest ever seen in the country.

According to data from 52 weather stations in mainland Spain, 50 recorded record yearly temperatures. The only places that didn’t see record annual temperatures were Sevilla airport and Huesca, although both places came close to breaking their records. The Canary Islands were the only region that consistently did not break temperature records. Elsewhere, many towns and cities broke temperature records for days, months, seasons, and the whole year. Despite heavy rainfall in some eastern regions in March and April, western regions in autumn and most of the country in December, the rest of the year was extremely dry. In fact, several regions suffered from drought during the summer due to prolonged lack of rainfall. 873,932

Authorities have not yet released the names of the women, so it remains unclear whether they were previously wanted, but they could face charges of collaboration with a terrorist organisation.

The children were immediately taken into Madrid’s social service system.

Malaga is the most visited town on the Costa del Sol.

Spain follows several European countries in repatriating their citizens including France and the UK who had resisted calls to re-admit people who had previously left for Syria.

Dire conditions exist in Syrian refugee camps.

Photo: mehmet ali poyraz / shutterstock.com

Antarctic research

THE 36th Spanish Antarctic Research Campaign is hosting 26 scientific projects, in which more than 230 people are participating, including scientists, technical and logistical support staff.

The projects cover disciplines as diverse as glacier dynamics, invasive species, rock biometeorisation, volcano geochemistry, penguin ecology and biogeography.

The oceanographic research vessel (BIO) Hesperides will develop a project focused on the atmosphere-ocean relationship of aerosols, in addition to providing logistical support to several of the scientific projects being developed at the bases, one of them on benthic ecology that includes diving activities.

In addition to the Spanish projects, in which scientists of other nationalities are participating, logistical support will be provided to projects in Chile, Germany, Portugal, Canada and Colombia.

The Hesperides is currently

providing logistical support to three scientific projects that need to develop their activities in the environment of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Several projects are expect-

ed to develop their activities in non-permanent camps, mainly in the Byers Peninsula international camp maintained by Spain on Livingston Island, a two-hour sail from the BAE Juan Carlos I.

THE world champion shooter and marksman

Jorge Ballesteros has died aged just 39 according to the Spanish Federation of Olympic Shooting (RFEDETO).

The Federation confirmed the death of the national policeman and the most successful shooter in Spanish history, on Wednesday, January 11.

In addition to winning the world championship achieved in 2017, he also won three European championships, six Extreme Europe Opens and 17 Spanish championships.

The cause of death is unknown and is cur-

THE Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, will receive 225 Ukrainian soldiers and combatants who will receive training in Spain over the next few weeks, at Torrejon Air Base in Madrid.

Of the total number of Ukrainians arriving in the country, 198 soldiers, mostly mobilised civilians with no previous military experience, will take part in a basic combat training module to be held at the Toledo Infantry Academy.

They will be accompanied by seven other troops who will participate in support tasks for the contingent.

This is the second batch of Ukrainian personnel to be trained at this centre, following

Shooter dies at 39

rently under investigation after he was found injured inside his car outside the shopping centre of La Vaguada (Madrid).

He was transferred to the hospital where he passed away.

The Federation said that Ballesteros came from the most distinguished family of shooters and represented Spain a little over a month ago at the World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand.

Ukrainian soldiers

a first module held between November and December for 64 troops.

The other 20 Ukrainian military personnel will take part in a basic course to familiarise them

with the Hawk anti-aircraft system, of which Spain has donated six launchers to Ukraine. This two-week training will take place at the 74th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment in El Copero (Sevilla).

The Toledo Training Coordination Centre is designed to provide training for rotations of around 400 Ukrainian military personnel every two months.

Scientific projects.

Image: Spanish Government / Science and Innovation

Village victory

IT’S no secret that Spain is one of the most exciting destinations for tourists, but the United Nations’ World Tourism Organisation recently selected three towns for its ‘Best Tourism Villages’ ranking, more than any other country.

The list, released back on Tuesday, December 20, selected Rupit in Catalonia, Alquézar in Aragon, and Guadalupe in Extremadura for recognition in its prestigious list of best villages for tourism. The towns selected must meet a tight criteria and assessment from an independent Advisory Board on aspects including sustainability, health and safety, governance and cultural and natural resources.

All three of the Spanish towns have rich medieval histories, striking architectural characteristics, and have branched out in rural tourism in recent years to offer experiences including wine and food tours, camping opportunities and outdoor activities.

The most recent rankings selected 32 towns from 18 countries for the award. Representatives from the towns are invited to collect a prize at a global awards ceremony in Saudi Arabia from Monday, February 28 to Tuesday, February 29.

What info is held?

A NEW website has been launched that allows residents in Spain to access all the information the government holds.

According to a post by Moncloa on Saturday, January 7 the new website, carpetaciudadana.gob.es also provides access to all departments within the administration.

Users of the site can check their information, carry out procedures and submit requests. Access is also made available to ongoing consultations, pending notifications, notices and alerts.

To access the site and your information you will need a @Clave pin, which you can now also obtain through a video call. To find out more you can:

• Visit the Cl@veInformation portal.

• Call 060.

• Or leave a message at Inbox.

If you have studied in Spain you will also be able to access all your nationally registered qualifications through the site. The new site makes contact with the government a whole lot easier. There is a useful FAQ and a chatbot to help you.

The medieval town of Alquézar has been chosen .

Photo: Jorge Argazkiak / shutterstock.com

Tax freedom day – how much of your income do you lose to tax?

How

The Institut Economique Molinari publishes an annual study comparing the taxes payable by the average wage earner across the 28 EU member states (now EU plus the UK), measuring how many work days each year are devoted to paying taxes. While it focuses on wages and the tax and social security employees pay, it illustrates the general tax burden of each country and how they compare to each other. Even if you are retired, you are still faced with tax on savings, investments and pensions.

The study calculates a “tax liberation day” for each country - the date on which an employee has earned enough to pay off all taxes for the year. It identifies the average “real tax rate” for typical workers in each country (gross salary minus tax liabilities).

By Jon Pemberton, Partner, Blevins Franks

Cyprus had the earliest date with 15 April and Austria the latest with 18 July.

Spain According to the study, Spain’s tax

the rankings. Spanish employees worked for 158 days of the year just to pay their tax bill.

The average gross salary in Spain is €34,988, but after the real tax rate of 43.2%, workers are only left with €19,874 to spend on themselves.

The UK

According to this study, the UK’s tax freedom day came as low as fourth, landing on 14 May, with a real tax rate of 36.71%.

However, many think tanks undertake their own research to calculate their country’s tax freedom day, using different methodologies. While the Institut Economique Molinari looks at income tax, social security contributions and VAT, the UK’s Adam Smith Institute (ASI) measures the entire tax take, including taxes that do not come directly

2022 date more than three weeks later, on 8 June. This is a week later than in 2021, and the latest date since reliable records began in 1995.

The Adam Smith Institute expects the UK’s tax freedom day to continue to fall later in the year - and this was before the Autumn Budget with its various measures to increases taxation.

What does this mean for taxpayers?

Ageing populations put pressure on pension and healthcare spending for governments, as there are fewer younger workers paying taxes to pay for these benefits. And the Institut’s study found that in 10 of the 34 countries looked at, more than 20% of the population is now over age 65, and most the other countries are expected to face the same problem by 2050. As it is, currently only 43.63% of EU citizens are in the

cuts, especially since the pandemic created additional budget worries for governments, which are also now dealing with the cost of living and energy crisis.

There are often steps you can take to lighten your tax burden, especially on your capital investments and pensions. While we all have to pay our share of taxes, cross-border taxation is highly complex; do not risk getting it wrong or paying more than you have to. Take personalised, specialist advice on the compliant tax mitigation opportunities available in Spain and the UK - you may be surprised at how you can improve your tax situation.

Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. Individuals should seek personalised advice.

You can find other financial advisory articles by visiting our website here

long does it take to earn money for yourself instead of the taxman?

Inmate escapes

ALTHOUGH his freedom only lasted a matter of hours, an inmate managed to escape from Valladolid prison on his third attempt in the last six months. He was recaptured by the Guardia Civil as he attempted to make his way to Valladolid’s Villanubla airport.

Santiago GS was convicted of domestic violence for mistreating his parents. The 34­year­old had a restraining order in force against him from his family. He also reportedly has a history of assault on police officers.

As revealed to a local newspaper, the prisoner made his bid for freedom on Sunday, December 18. He scaled a six­metre (20ft) concrete wall and somehow managed to get through the barbed wire on the top. From there he jumped into the parking area below.

His absence was not detected until after dinner, at around 7pm, when the warders did their

HEALTH workers organised a major protest in Madrid on Sunday January 15, demanding an end to cutback and privatisation of healthcare in the region.

Tens of thousands of people marched to the centre of the Spanish capital stating that the conservating regional government is destroying the public healthcare system.

rounds to close the cell doors. Santiago GS was eventually picked up later in the evening.

According to union sources: “They arrested him 10 kilometres from the jail, near the Villanubla airport. He had a fractured and wrist, and was transferred to a hospital in Valladolid where he underwent surgery.”

Health workers protest

People dressed in white coats walked the streets banging drums and chanting “Cutting public health is criminal.”

The protest was organised after primary healthcare in the autonomous community has been facing major pressure due to lack of staff or re­

sources, for several years now. Due to this reason, areas such as hospital emergencies are now overwhelmed with patients in several hospitals.

The protesters claim the regional government favours private health and is trying to dismantle the public system.

PRISONER: Had to evade the barbed wire.

Credit: ERIK Miheyeu/Shutterstock.com

Village in Galicia on sale

AS featured on the Idealista portal, an entire village complex has gone on sale in Galicia, in northern Spain, for less than the price of a regular house in Madrid or Barcelona.

As a result, three houses that were built more than a century ago in the town of Trabada, belonging to the Mariña Oriental region of Lugo, can be purchased for just €160,000.

The largest of the three properties in this tiny village has a total area of 300m². Next comes the home with 280m², and finally, the third property has 140m².

Trabada is located very close to the iconic Camino de Santiago, and is not far from the provincial border between Lugo and the Principality of Asturias. It is also close to the coast

and numerous touristic places such as Playa de las Catedrales.

In addition to the three houses, the complex contains a 25,000m² plot that can be segregated. Other features of the village include its two 100­year­old granaries, a fountain, a cellar, a stable and a stone oven.

Spain’s food markets tops

EXPLORING local cuisines is one of the most incredible ways to understand different cultures.

This is why local food markets in Europe are always some of the best places to include in itineraries, as they give an opportunity for travellers to experience hundreds of fresh products, local delicacies as well as exotic ingredients. With so many incredible op­

tions to choose from, a new list by Musement has ranked 50 of the most popular markets photographed, and posted on Instagram, across Europe.

Two Spanish markets have made it to the top of the list. La Boqueria, Barcelona, with the second highest mention. This market is one of the most pop­

ular attractions in the city. It has over 300 stalls with incredible colours, exotic smells and great food.

San Miguel Market in Madrid, took the seventh place in the rankings. Known as an iconic gastronomic market, over 10 million people visit this place every year.

New email scam warning

INTERNET users in Spain need to be aware of a new email scam that impersonates Social Security and can subsequently infect your device.

The Internet User Security Office (OSI) warned on Friday, January 13, of a campaign of fraudulent emails that are circulating which impersonate the Social Security Electronic Office. The scam has the usual heading of ‘Last notice tax settlement’.

In the main text of the email, it informs the recipient that there is a non ­ payment of tax assessments on their part. The sender then guides the reader to a link where they are told they can download a report generated by the Immediate Supply of Information (SII). When this link is clicked, it purportedly directs the victim to a website where a file can be downloaded.

These scam emails can be identified by the fol ­

BE ALERT: Fraudulent emails are circulating.

lowing characteristics:

• Misspellings, formatting errors and bad wording of the message and subject.

• The sender’s email is not official and may have endings like ‘br’ (eg: belonging to Brazil) instead of the official ‘es’ that the email should end with.

Colder forecast

STRONG winds, cold temperatures, and snowfall were expected to arrive this week, with the polar wave forecasted to last for the next few days.

The weather across Spain was set to drastically change, as the polar wave was expected to bring significant snowfall and drop the mercury.

The recent updates by the state meteorological agency (AEMET) suggest that the polar cold will not only cause snow in the mountains, but also at medium and low levels of altitude.

Starting from Sunday, January 15, the fast­moving weather front was to result in widespread rainfall, and also ample snowfall, which could finally help open several closed ski slopes across the region.

While most of northern and western Spain will witness rainfall, it was to be less likely in the east and south.

Credit: CeltStudio/Shutterstock.com.

Village complex on sale in Galicia

MOVING to another country requires some patience and agility. Major adjustments. And to grease the skids of that adjustment, finding service providers who have local expertise is essential.

Gestorias are experts in all things administrative in Spain. Every expat needs to secure a gestor when they arrive in their chosen city ­ to assist with tax filing, real estate purchases and more.

But there are other experts, and post ­ pandemic they are more difficult to come by.

When we moved into our home, we noticed right away that it needed some repairs. And not just a few little things. When we

I Got A Guy

flushed the toilet the porch light dimmed. Sometimes it turned off the TV or rebooted the internet. My genius husband did a thorough inspection and diagnosed the problem, almost immediately.

‘We have an electrical problem.’

I rolled my eyes. ‘You think?’

Then, I did what I always do, I drove into town to a local place where, surprise, locals gather. And I started telling my tale of woe. This wasn’t easy, because my Spanish is not where I need it to be to live in Spain. We do what we can, and I find people want to help. Finally, someone knew

someone whose cousin had a friend. They took my number down and promised I would receive a WhatApp message from this person.

Bada bing, bada boom ­ I got a guy. Believe me when I say that you need a guy in Spain. Someone who can do plumbing and electrical. Who can repair roof tiles and mysterious leaks of every variety. And most importantly, who answers when you call. Well, when you WhatsApp, because you have to use Google translate.

At last we were ready for winter. Flushing the toilet doesn’t dim the lights anymore because I got a guy!

PRIVATE health insurers signed on nearly half a million customers in 2022 as NHS struggles persist.

According to a local news source on Monday, January 9 the three largest companies BUPA, Aviva and Vitality all benefited. Between them they took on around 480,000 new patients.

News of delayed opera ­

Private health preferred

tions, bed blocking and overcrowded accident and emergency departments have all contributed to the swing towards private health. Although many obtain private health insurance as part of their employment package,

an overwhelming number are said to have made the decision on their own.

Aviva said it added a further 100,000 customers during the year taking its total to 1.1 million, with a spokesperson saying: “We have noted many in­

dividuals considering private health insurance for the first time, including significant interest from younger age groups who traditionally would not have viewed private health insurance as a priority.

Bupa has said they added a similar number of customers taking their patient base to

Private healthcare.

2.4 million.

Vitality performed the strongest adding 180,000 new customers taking its tally to

just under one million. A spokesperson said that demand had jumped by more than 20 per cent.

A Boozy Englishman

THE Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst has landed his first role since the death of his son, with the actor to play a boozy Englishman in a reboot of the American hit show Frasier.

Now 61, Lyndhurst will play the mischievous and boozy university professor Alan Cornwall alongside the show’s star actor Kelsey Grammer. The two appeared recently together in a play.

Lyndhurst had not acted since the death of his son Archie from a brain haemorrhage back in September 2020, he was just 19 at the time. Speaking about

his death Lyndhurst said: “Lucy and I are utterly grief­stricken.”

The reboot of Frasier will see the star of the show move to a new city, with new challenges to face and new relationships to forge.

According to a local news outlet on Saturday, January 14 the show will kick off with “Frasier has re­entered the building!” Lyndhurst is the first actor to be announced for the Frasier reboot with no other names mentioned as yet although filming is believed to have already started.

Challenger tanks for Ukraine

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to tell him that the UK will supply 12 Challenger tanks to help the country drive out the invading Russian forces.

The news on Saturday, January 14 was welcomed by the Ukrainian forces who have struggled to gain the up­

per hand with equipment that is inferior and often outdated.

Russia has reacted to the news by saying that the UK wishes to prolong the war as it struggles to gain the upper hand both in the physical and propaganda war.

The announcement also comes days after a number of European countries said they would do the same if the decision to supply more sophis­

ticated attack equipment was done collectively.

With the UK having made the first move others are expected to follow with Russia expected to make a big push in the coming days to try and reassert itself in the war.

It is not known how soon Ukraine will receive the new tanks, with a significant amount of training being required to operate the sophisticated weaponry systems.

Services at a standstill

ROYAL MAIL has said that a cyber incident affected their international services and was prohibiting them from despatching items abroad.

According to a news source on Wednesday, January 11 Royal Mail said it was facing severe disruption to its international export services. The company said that a “cyber incident” had affected the service, but no further details were given. A statement issued by the company said: “We are temporarily unable to despatch items to overseas destinations. “Some customers may experience delay or disruption to items already shipped for export. “Our import operations continue to perform a full service with some minor delays.” An investigation into the problem is underway with external experts having been called in to assist. Issuing an apology to customers, Royal Mail said that it was doing everything possible to get the service back and running as soon as possible.

million visitors, Barcelona is the most visited city

A World Record

AS announced by Guinness World Records on Friday, January 13, Prince Harry’s controversial, tell­all memoir ‘Spare’ has become the fastest­selling non­fiction book of all time. It reportedly shifted a massive 1.43 million copies during its first day on sale in the UK, US, and Canada.

This record was previously held by Barack Obama for his fourth book in 2020, titled, A Promised Land. It sold 887,000 copies on its release day.

‘Spare’ was launched in the US with a print run of two million copies, and a second print run has now been scheduled in order to meet the huge demand. These superlative sales figures for Harry’s book are made even more impressive when considering the fact that it was leaked five days early in Spain.

This meant that most of the revelations contained in the pages ­ including details of Harry’s drug use and a fight with his older brother Prince William ­ made global headlines days before the book officially hit shelves on January 10.

UK weather warning

THE Met Office issued a yellow weather warning on Monday January 16 for large parts of the UK with flooding expected, along with snow and temperatures as low as minus 10.

With the colder temperatures ice was to be expected across all four nations making driving conditions treacherous. It added that snow was expected in London, the South East and Scotland.

Operations were said to be underway to control the flooding but that more flood warnings were in place with more rain expected throughout the country.

Few places are expected to escape the cold with the Highlands in Scotland dropping to around minus 10 and major cities like London, Cardiff and Edinburgh all seeing temperatures fall below zero.

Public transport was also likely to be affected.

Authorities asked residents to take care and to limit travel where possible with flooding, snow and temperatures as low as minus 10 likely to affect roads and public transport adversely.

UK police manhunt

By Imran Khan

A MANHUNT is in progress to find the suspect responsible for a mass shooting in north London, after a seven­year­old was critically injured along with five others.

According to eyewitness reports, the shooting took place after the victims were leaving a funeral service, held for a British­Colombian cancer victim Sara Sanchez, and her mother Fresia Calderon.

The shooter opened fire outside the St Aloysius church on Phenix Road, across the Euston railway station.

Police say the shooting took place at 1.30pm on Saturday January 14, adding that the man jumped out of a car, in front of the church. He then started shooting, as soon as white doves were released by the family and friends of the deceased.

Authorities in London are calling this incident one of the worst mass shootings in London, and now believe that the shoot­out may be related to someone who was a guest at the funeral. They also said that the incident seems like a revenge attack.

The four women injured in the attack are aged 21, 41, 48, and 54, and were accompanied by two children one aged six and another 12.

Seal pups spotted

A RECORD numbers of seal pups have been spotted along the North Sea coastline this winter according to reports. Specifically, along a five­mile stretch between the Norfolk villages of Waxham and Winterton­on­Sea, close to 4,000 have been recorded.

As experts pointed out, this demonstrates that environmental conditions in that part of England are sufficient for supporting a healthy seal colony, as reported by a local news outlet.

Compared to three years ago, when a total of 2,069 seal pups was counted, this year’s number totals almost double, standing at 3,796. It is not just the pups that are present in large numbers, as around 1,169 adult seals have also been spotted along the coastal area.

Signs of a healthy colony.

Credit: Twitter@Winterton0nSea

Never to be freed

JUSTICE Secretary Dominic

has told the mum of murdered toddler James Bulger that his murderer Jon Venables may never be freed under his new parole plans.

A news source reported on Monday, January 16 that Raab told Denise Fergus that his reform bill would see people like Venables never freed.

Having spent another Christmas without her son, Fergus said that keeping reoffenders like Venables in jail: “Would be historic.”

The news comes as Professor Paul Britton, the forensic psychologist who worked on the case in 1993, shared details with Denise that she had not heard before.

“It is a sign of a healthy colony. It’s down to the fish, at the moment the North Sea is providing enough fish for thousands of seals and this is a nice place for them to come ashore and do their breeding”, said Peter Ansell, the chairman of Friends of Horsey Seals.

Norfolk is known as an important breeding ground for grey seals. It is estimated that close to 50 per cent of the world’s population inhabits British coastal waters.

Speaking to the Mirror she said: “For 30 years there were lots of details about James’s death that I have wanted to avoid, but I finally felt strong enough to hear it.

Venables is a persistent re­offender who is currently serving a new sentence. Raab is said to be included in his reform bill “two strikes and you stay in.”

Venables and Thompson were convicted of murdering James 30 years ago after they took the two­year­old from a shopping centre in Liverpool.

By Peter McLaren­Kennedy

Raab

MASS SHOOTING: Took place after a funeral service.

Light boards launch in UK

MONDAY January 16 was supposedly the saddest day of the year, the so-called Blue Monday, a time when the serotonin levels of people in northern Europe are at their lowest.

But this year help was at hand with Saatchi / Saatchi and vitamin supplier Solgar having united to fight the ef-

fects of Blue Monday by installing light-emitting electronic billboards across the

Andrew Tate assets seized

THE National Agency for the Management of Seized Assets in Romania is said to have taken possession of assets worth more than €3.7 million belonging to Andrew Tate.

According to a news source on Monday, January 16 more than 29 moveable assets along with sums of cash were taken into custody over the weekend following raids on a number of properties. The assets include a number of luxury vehicles and watches.

The goods removed from homes in Bucharest are said to have been transported to a safe storage facility.

Tate, who appeared in court last week, lost an appeal challenging his 30-day arrest warrant with the judge saying he and his associates should remain in custody whilst the investigation continued.

Romanian police say they are continuing their investigations and are building their case against the Big Brother contestant. Tate, who has a considerable following on social media, is wellknown for misogynistic remarks and hate speech.

country.

The boards, which were installed in Birmingham, Manchester and London are said to be like giant SAD lamps that help to raise the mood of those who are exposed to their light.

According to the local press, the boards emitted their rays between 4 and 8pm, with a message on the boards inviting people to stay and bask in the light.

The concept of Blue Monday has no scientific basis but is thought to have been dreamed up as an advertising headline by a travel company some two years ago. But for many Blue Monday is real, with money running tight before the next payday and following the highs of Christmas and New Year.

Blue Monday

Fake doctor in the NHS

A FAKE doctor, who presented forged medical degrees, was paid around £1.3 million (€1.47 million) working for a number of NHS Trusts across the UK.

Manchester Crown Court heard on Wednesday, January 11 that Zholia Alemi had worked as a doctor in the UK for more than 20 years after claiming she was a graduate of the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

According to a news source, she was described by prosecutors as a “most accomplished forger and fraudster.”

A court spokesman said: "To put it bluntly, the defendant is a fraud. While she held herself out as being a doctor, she was utterly unqualified to do so.”

Charged on 13 counts of fraud, Alemi denies the charges. Alemi, aged 60, is also charged with three counts of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, two counts of forgery and two counts of using a false instrument.

Firefighters’ diagnosis Has he not learned

By Peter McLarenKennedy

DOZENS of firefighters involved in saving the lives of Grenfell Tower residents and in bringing the blaze under control are reported to be suffering from cancer.

An exclusive press report on Friday, January 13 found that a number of those involved in fighting the fire which killed 72 people have been diagnosed with rare forms of cancer.

With some cancers taking up to 25 years to appear, firefighters are concerned that many more may begin to present symptoms and that many will die long before their natural life ends.

But it is not just the firefighters who are at risk with the possibility that many residents will also suffer the same fate.

Those involved in the disaster have called for health screening after around a dozen were discovered to have cancer. Many of the firefighters were over ­ exposed after running out of air

18.5

on upper floors or being caught in smoke ­ filled rooms for between six and 10 hours. Around 1,300 firefighters were involved in the blaze but it is not clear how many have been overexposed.

PRINCE HARRY has said he has enough material to write a second book prompting some to ask “has he not learned” from the fallout of the first book. A local news source wrote on Saturday, January 14 that the Prince had said the manuscript for his book was twice as long and had to be edited down. As a result, he had plenty more material, some of which he had avoided using for fear his family would never forgive him.

Among the bits edited out

THE comedian Johnny Vegas has been diagnosed with ADHD which he says explains a lot about him and his past behaviours.

Speaking on UK TV on Wednesday, January 11 the 52­year­old said he was diagnosed after Sue Perkins suggested he be tested.

He said: “A lot of things now make sense. It’s that sense of disorganisation and doing basic tasks. Everybody has an element of it ­ it’s how strong your filter is, I think.

of the original 800­page script were things he said he did not want the world to know, let alone his family. The book has been a bestseller across the globe with people eager to read the gossip about the royal family, however, in the UK sales have been slow.

The Royal family’s silence has helped to maintain their dignity and charm with the British population, with fans coming out in their droves to meet family members over the past week.

Explains a lot

“When you don’t have a filter at all, very simple things become very time­consuming. It’s just, I suppose, how your brain organises itself.”

ADHD in adults is known to affect their ability to cope with stress. They often have difficulty keeping focused and can feel restless and impatient.

Vegas says the condition has made him who he is and believes the “chaos helped him to be a better stand­up.”

GRENFELL TOWER: 1,300 Firefighters were involved.

Image John Gomez / Shutterstock.com

billion streams, The Spotify top music artist in Spain, 2022, was Bad Bunny

OAP Zumba

IN a bid to maintain a quality of life for senior citizens Torrevieja and La Mata are now offering Zumba and yoga classes for the elderly.

They will be held at the Municipal Leisure Centre in Torrevieja on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00am until 11.00am and at the La Mata multisports court on Mondays and Fridays from 10.00am until 11.00am.

The course will have a total duration of 84 hours and will take place between from now until April 15.

Zumba for older adults is a lower ­ intensity version of the typical Zumba class.

The Yoga workshop will be held at the Casa de la Tercera Edad de San Pascual in Torrevieja on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9.00am until midday. The course will have a total

duration of 48 hours.

Yoga has been called one of the best forms of exercise for older adults.

Over time and with the proper classes, seniors can improve their flexibility and balance, enhance

their strength and boost their mood

For more information or to book a class head to the Concejalia de Gente Mayor, Calle Maldonado, nº 5 in Torrevieja or call (+34) 965 074 310.

King of Pop

MICHAEL JACKSON fans are in for a treat as Forever King Of Pop comes to Torrevieja to pay homage to the King of Pop. The show brings a unique experience around the Michael Jackson universe.

You will witness an in ­

Masterchefs wanted

CALLING all non­professional chefs. If you are a whizz in the kitchen and fancy your chances as a master chef, here is a competition you cannot miss out on!

Torrevieja is hosting its International Contest of Cooking Stews on Saturday February 4.

All fans and lovers of cooking can participate, regardless of age, profession or nationality. Participation may be either individually or representing an association or group of friends, etc. As it is an amateur contest, professional chefs are not allowed to participate.

The registered teams, up to a maximum of 15, will prepare different stew specialities which fall under one of the following categories: International Stew, Spanish Regional Stew and Traditional Stew with Meatballs.

Registrations for the competition can be completed on the website: www.cofradiadelcocido.es before Monday January 30 at 2.00pm.

The event is being held at the Municipal Leisure Centre (CMO) located at Av. Monge y Bielsa, s/n, 03183 Torrevieja, Alicante.

tense tour of Michael’s greatest hits filled with emotion. As an added extra there will be performances of new songs, choreography, acrobatics and effects that will surprise fans and admirers of Jackson’s music and his work.

As a child, Jackson became the lead singer of his family’s popular Motown group, the Jackson 5. He went on to a solo career of astonishing worldwide success, delivering number ­ one hits from the albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad.

Forever King of Pop is on at the Teatro Municipal de Torrevieja, Pl. Miguel Hernandez, 3, 03181 Torrevieja on April 1 with two difference performances, the first at 5.00pm and the second at 8.00pm.

For more information or to grab a ticket online head to culturatorrevieja. com or call (+34) 673 931 618.

Search for stars

STUDIO32 is currently rehearsing for its next show which will be the musical and dance extravaganza, Hello Dolly.

Hello Dolly will be showing at the Cardenal Beluga Theatre in San Fulgencio, Alicante, from Wednesday, May 31 until Saturday, June 3.

To book tickets for Hello Dolly, head to the website: studiothirtytwo.org . If you are not sure about the online system you can nip to a rehearsal and ask for Linda Daniel who will guide you through the ticket booking service.

Studio32 is still casting for this show and is desperately in need of two men in

GRAB your dancing shoes as the fantastic 12­piece band, Posh Affaire is performing a Charity Concert in aid of HELP, Vega Baja, at the Emerald Isle in La Florida on Friday, January 27, at 7.30pm.

Swing to the music of Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tina Turner and much much more.

You’ll have a foot ­ tapping time dancing or listening to this popular established band on the

the age range of 18 to 40 years of age to fill two principal roles. The group also need people to join the ensemble and backstage crew.

Don’t worry if you don’t have experience in Musical Theatre as coaching and guidance will be given.

If you have what it takes contact Linda on (+34) 679 062 272 or email press@stu diothirtytwo.org

The group rehearse at Casa Contenta in Rojales every Tuesday and Thursday between 7.30pm and 10.00pm, so why not head along and see what the group get up to!

Posh Affaire

Costa Blanca South.

You can reserve your place in the function room by contacting the Emerald Isle at Calle Marte, 2, 03189, Alicante, or calling (+34) 965 327 138 or by email to PoshAffaireAssociation@g mail.com, where you can also ask to be added to their contact list for future dances and dates.

Entry is free but a voluntary donation for HELP, Vega Baja, would be appreciated. There are more than 2,000 British Nationals living in the area covered by HELP Vega Baja and for many of them, the charity has been a lifeline in difficult times.

Posh Affaire and the Emerald Isle look forward to seeing you.

YOGA CLASSES One of the best forms of exercise.

Image: Ljupco Smokovski / Shutterstock.com

Michael Jackson tribute.

Image: OSTILL is Franck Camhi / Shutterstock.com

Astonishing discovery

Betty Henderson MORE than one million tonnes of rare earth minerals were uncovered by Sweden’s national mining company, the LKAB on Thursday, January 12. The deposit has been described as the largest mine of rare earth minerals in Europe.

The discovery was made next to an existing LKAB iron ­ ore mine in Kiruna in the north of the country.

The minerals are likely to be lucrative for Sweden as they can be sold for use in manufacturing. The rare minerals are crucial for the technology industry where they are used in products including computers, speakers, and vehicles.

Europe does not currently mine rare earth minerals, instead importing them from China so the discovery could be transformative to

the electronics industry. LKAB CEO, Jan Mostrom described the current situation as “early stages,” but said that the discovery was significant.

Under current policy in Sweden, it would take around 10 to 15 years to get a mine up and running, but it would be an important step as the European Union strives to become more self­sufficient.

Digital dream

THE European Union is on track to reach its target of hiring more than 20 million digital professionals by 2030 according to a new report which found that nine million people now work as digital professionals in Europe.

The digital profession has received a more than 50 per cent increase in employees in the last decade according to the report which came out on Thursday, January 12. By 2030, digital roles are expected to make up 45 per cent of employment in the EU.

The digitalisation of many industries is driv­

ing a need for companies to create new positions to keep up with new technology. Positions being created include cybersecurity professionals, data cloud analysists and digital product designers, which means that IT skills are set to be in huge demand over the next decade.

The development is great news for those who want more flexibility with their career and comes as several countries unveil projects to help international people to work remotely, including Spain’s ‘Digital Nomad’ visa.

Climate conflict

POLICE began to remove climate activists from an abandoned mining town in the west of the country on Tuesday, January 11 as the country grapples with the energy crisis facing much of Europe.

German police began removing protestors who have been occupying the village of Luetzerath for much of the past two years in protest of the Garzweiler coal mine which is run by the RWE.

Environmental excellence

ENVIRONMENTAL experts have praised European countries for their efforts to cut emissions, saying that air pollution levels have fallen to their lowest levels in the past three decades.

Research released on Thursday, January 12 revealed that deaths caused by air pollution fell considerably between 1990 and 2019. The study investigated causes of death and air pollution levels in 43 European countries, finding that 368,006 deaths were caused by pollution on the continent during the period.

The encouraging results showed that 85 per cent of European countries recorded fewer deaths due to air pollution in 2019 compared with 1990, reversing a worrying trend that had been underway for decades. Air pollution is currently considered the fourth biggest threat to health globally, and contributes to two of the leading causes of death, heart disease and stroke.

Despite the good news, researchers say further efforts to reduce pollution are necessary.

Now authorities say they need coal from the mine to keep the country running through the rest of the winter, meaning Luetzerath is likely to be bulldozed to expand the mine operations. Protests were mainly peaceful with activists forming human chains in an attempt to stop police forces from removing them. In some areas of the town, police say protests turned violent as bio-suit and balaclava-clad activists lobbed bottles and Molotov cocktails at officers.

RWE released a statement saying, “We are appealing to the squatters to observe the rule of law and to end the illegal occupation of buildings, plants and sites peacefully”.

Climate activists have been occupying a town in Germany for the last two years to stop a coal mine being built.

Photo credit: Constantin Zinn Photo / shutterstock.com

Trains to France

King of Greece War on wine

THE former king of Greece, Constantine II has died at the age of 82. Representatives announced he passed away in a private hospital in Athens after suffering from a stroke on Tuesday, January 10.

IN response to public demand, RENFE high ­ speed trains from Spain to France look set to make a return.

Before the summer of 2023, the Spanish national operator RENFE wants to once again operate trains from Spain to France on the routes Madrid­Marseille and Barcelona­Lyon.

Following the start of the pandemic, the high­speed trains on these routes were discontinued. Before the pandemic, they were jointly operated by RENFE and SNCF based on a commercial agreement which came to an end in December last year.

SNCF has decided they want to discontinue their agreement and so RENFE are aiming to restart the train service on its own.

The start of commercial operations in France will happen in two phases. In the first phase, there will be services on alternating days, with the possibility of six weekly circulations between MadridMarseille and Barcelona­Lyon. In the second phase, there will be services every day of the week, with two trains per direction on both routes, with a total of 28 trains weekly.

King Constantine was born in 1940 to Princess Frederica of Hanover and Prince Paul. The family has links to many European royal families, including Constantine’s second cousin King Charles III of the UK, through his uncle, Prince Phillip, the Danish and Spanish royal family, through marriage.

Constantine acceded to the Greek throne in 1964 and as a young king and Olympic gold medallist in sailing, he was originally popular. However, his direct involvement in the country’s political system, including bringing down a popular prime minister saw him lose support.

The remainder of his reign was marked by other turbulent events, until he was eventually ousted in 1973 by a dictator.

Constantine spent 14 years in exile, mainly in London.

Despite the country becoming a republic and very low public support for a monarchy, standing at around ten per cent, Constantine still called himself king and his children princes and princesses, to wide public disapproval.

Spain and Portugal

CASTILE-LEON in Spain and the north and centre of Portugal are set to intensify their relationship. The aim is to create a space for collaboration that transcends national, regional and institutional borders, involving the different actors of cross­border cooperation.

The aim is to achieve greater coordination and articulation between the entities working in the border area and the public authorities in charge of administering a specific territory.

Portugal–Spain relations describe relations between the governments of the Portuguese Republic and the Kingdom of Spain. The two states make up the vast majority of the Iberian Peninsula and as such, the relationship between the two is sometimes known as Iberian relations.

The news comes not long after Spain and Portugal confirmed their commitment to putting forward a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

ITALIAN wine experts have railed against a ruling by the European Commission giving Ireland permission to publish grave warnings about alcohol on wine bottles. The decision announced on Thursday, January 12 went ahead despite backlash from eight EU member states.

Irish authorities announced the measures in June 2022 which will see health warnings placed on labels on alcohol products including wines, beers, and spirits. The labels will warn consumers about the effects of alcohol on the liver, for pregnant women and cancer risks.

Although Ireland is not a main importer of Italian wines, the Italian Agricultural

TREASURE hunters were sent into a frenzy as the Dutch National Archive released a map showing a supposed route to a trove of valuable objects buried by Nazi soldiers in the country. The map was released alongside other archive material on Tuesday, January 3.

Four retreating Nazi German soldiers supposedly buried mounds of treasure including coins, diamonds, watches, and jewellery in ammunition trunks as they fled advancing allied forces. Experts believe the treasure was buried in the countryside around 30 kilometres southeast of Utrecht in May 1945.

Association, Coldiretti are concerned about the “dangerous precedent” saying “it risks opening the door to other legislation capable of negatively influencing consumer choices.”

Government agricultural ministry representative, Luigi D’Eramo, similarly expressed concern at the measure, saying that drinking wine and beer should not be compared to other harmful practices like smoking, or stronger alcohol like spirits.

D’Eramo highlighted the significance of wine in historic Mediterranean culture and added the labelling decision “risks damaging a leading sector of our agriculture and food system”.

Lost loot

The recently released map features a distinctive ‘x marks the spot’ in a location supposedly at the base of a poplar tree, 80 centimetres underground.

With a modern value of around €18 million, the stakes are high, but experts believe it is unlikely anyone will locate it, since so much time has passed and looting was common.

Repeated efforts to uncover the treasure, including a 1947 attempt with one of the original soldiers proved unsuccessful, and the precious goods likely remain buried.

The former Greek monarch was godfather to Prince William, he was also a distant relation.

Photo credit: William & CatherinePrince And Princess Of Wales (Via Facebook)

Faster trains returning.

Image: RENFE

The best-selling cars in Spain were the Hyundai Tucson, Dacia Sandero, SEAT Arona, Toyota Corolla and VW T-Roc.

Betty Henderson

THE threat of gas shortages in Europe became all too real last year following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the move away from dependence on Russian gas.

Europe currently has enough gas, but the International Energy Agency has set out guidelines for European countries to follow to avert gas shortages in 2023.

Countries have begun to put measures into place to conform with the IEA’s report published on Monday, December 12.

The report praised European countries for their efforts to move away from Russian gas in 2022 which included buying liquified natural gas (LNG) from other markets including the USA. However, Russia still delivered 60 million cubic metres of gas and an unseasonably

Gas goals

warm autumn and start to winter reduced pressure on supplies.

As well as colder weather, Russian gas deliveries could stop entirely and Europe could face increased competition for LNG, so the body has given countries five practical measures to guarantee

5.3

supplies.

European countries started the new year by working on these areas which include improving energy efficiency, rolling out renewable energy and encouraging behaviour change, including Spain with its low emission zone policy.

Water win Best destination for digital nomads

EUROPE’S drinking water regulations may seem strict, but it’s for good reason as the European Union’s drinking water scheme ‘Right2 Water’ has been praised for guaranteeing the best quality and access to drinking water in the world.

The scheme came into force as part of the EU’s Drinking Water Directive on Thursday, January 12, and experts say that the rules will make European water some of the best in the world.

The scheme includes updated regulations on microplastics and dangerous chemicals in water, as well as sourcing, storage and drinking water treatment. It also addresses water waste, as an estimated 23 per cent of drinking water is lost through leaks in the current system.

Environmental commissioner, Virginius Sinkevičius expressed his delight saying, “Today, Europeans can be sure that the quality of their drinking water is of the highest standard.”

A NEW visa introduced in Spain promises to make this country one of the best destinations in Europe for digital nomads.

As a part of the Spanish Parliament´s new ‘Startup Act, this visa aims to make Spain an attractive prospect for startups, digital nomads, and investment, by eliminating red tape and increasing flexibility.

Citizens from the UK as well as other non­EU countries, working for foreign companies or clients can

now choose to temporarily live in Spain, without the need to apply for full work permit.

They will now be only required to provide proof of their employment, qualification, and experience, in order to qualify for the visa.

The visa will be initially valid for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal for subsequent years. Aside from this, people applying for this visa will also be permitted to bring their close family to Spain as well.

City without transport

By Peter McLaren­Kennedy

AN early morning fire in a bus shed has left the city of Utrecht without transport.

According to a local news source on Friday, January 13 a fire at the bus parking centre Westraven saw as many as 15 buses destroyed.

To make matters worse the fire and the resulting damage has meant none of the buses unaffected by the fire have been able to leave the facility.

Although the fire, which is thought to have started around 4.50am, was put out by 7.30am the level of devastation made it difficult to assess the damage.

Emergency services confirmed that no one appeared to have been injured in the blaze. A police spokesperson has confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the fire in the bus shed will be undertaken.

Photo credit: Jenson / shutterstock.com

IMPROVING EFFICIENCY: Countries are dealing with gas shortage woes.

million. Birds are the most popular domestic pet.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

JOSHUA M GREENE is a popular lecturer on Holocaust history and the spiritual quest, and a brilliant, entertaining communicator. A former instructor at Hofstra and Fordham Universities, Greene is the recipient of numerous awards for his historical biographies and documentary films.

The author is brave enough to tread where many others wouldn’t with a se ries of books surrounding Holocaust sur vivor memoirs. His latest book ‘Unstop pable’ is an epic biography about Siggi Wilzig that reads like a modern ­ day David­and­Goliath adventure. This story details how a Jewish teenager survived the Holocaust and later went to America where he built an oil and banking em pire.

Regarding the book, the author said: “Siggi B Wilzig, born Siegbert Wilzig, was a survivor of the Holocaust. While Ameri can teens were socialising in ice cream parlours, Siggi, as a young boy, suffered antisemitic attacks by Nazi hoodlums for being a Jew. At the age of 16, he, along with members of his family, was deport ed to the darkest place the world has ever known, Auschwitz.

“Siggi used his wits to stay alive, pretending to have trade skills the Nazis could exploit to run the concentration camp. After two death marches, he was

Unstoppable

Greene added: “He arrived in New York at the age of 21, with only $240 and no formal education beyond grade school. On arrival, he made three vows: never to go hungry again, to raise a Jewish family, and to speak out against injustice. He earned his first dollar in America shovelling snow after a fierce blizzard. After labouring in toxic sweatshops, he became a travelling salesman.

“From these humble beginnings, he ultimately became president, chairman, and CEO of a New York Stock Exchangelisted oil drilling company. He then took over and grew a full­service commercial bank listed on NASDAQ to more than $4 billion in assets. Siggi rose to the heights of these historically antisemitic industries and became one of the most successful businessmen in postwar America.”

Siggi B Wilzig’s Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend can be found on Amazon along with Joshua M Green’s other books.

This interview and the interview in edition 1958 with Bea Franklin are part of a series the Euro Weekly News is running in the lead up to Holocaust Memorial Day. The headline of the interview with Bea Franklin should have read ‘Holocaust­era survivor’ instead of ‘Holocaust survivor’.

liberated from the concentration camp Mauthausen in 1945 at the age of 19. After being nursed back to health, he went

to work for the US Army Counter­Intelligence Corps hunting Nazis, a service that earned him a visa to America.”

The entrance to Auschwitz concentration camp where Siggi was a prisoner for almost two years.

Image: Joshua M Greene

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Electric fleet

DENMARK’S electric car fleet has increased considerably during 2022. The number of electric cars in the country shot up 70 per cent to over 112,000 compared to figures from 2021. The government say Denmark’s roads will need to become significantly greener if the country wants to achieve its ambitious CO2 emission goals.

THE NETHERLANDS

Union support

PEOPLE across Europe were asked how they would vote in a hypothetical referendum on whether or not their country should remain in the EU in both 2016-2017 and 2020-2022. In the Netherlands, the proportion of people saying they would vote to leave fell 8.4 percentage points to 13 per cent.

BELGIUM

Bye bye Brussels

LOW-COST carrier Ryanair has confirmed it will not reopen its base Brussels-Zaventem (BRU) ahead of an increase in operating costs for airlines operating out of the airport. Rumours had circulated that the base, closed in October 2022, could be reopened for the summer season.

GERMANY

German migration

THE number of people in Germany with a so-called migration background continues to rise. A government report noted changes due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest government figures reveal that in 2021, the number of people living in Germany with a so-called migration background stood at 27.3 per cent.

FRANCE

School uniforms

BRIGITTE MACRON, France's first lady, has said that she believes making school uniforms mandatory could help tackle social inequality among French students. She said students would also save time in getting dressed and money, which would not be spent on branded clothing.

NORWAY

Shellfish by-products

NORWEGIAN whitefish and crab supplier Hitramat is building Europe's first facility to process by-products from shellfish. The 1,000-square-metre facility will be built in partnership with Norwegian biotechnology company NutriShell. Hitramat processes 4,500 metric tons of crab annually, which accounts for about 70 per cent of all crab landed in Norway.

FINLAND

Wind power

FINLAND’S wind power capacity increased by 75 per cent last year. A total of 437 new wind turbines were put into operation in 2021, which resulted in an increase in wind power capacity of 75 per cent. Finland now has 1,393 wind turbines producing a combined power of 5,677 megawatts.

IRELAND

Export high

RAMPANT food price inflation saw the value of Ireland's food, drink and horticulture exports increase by 22 per cent last year, reaching a record high of €16.7 billion. Food and drink exports are up €3 billion in 2021 and almost 30 per cent on prepandemic levels, according to Bord Bia's Export Performance and Prospects report 2022/23.

ITALY

Medicinal cannabis

THE Italian army, which continues to hold a monopoly over medical cannabis production, has announced plans to dramatically ramp up production this year. On December 30, 2022, General Manager of the Defence Industries Agency Nicola Latorre announced that the army planned to increase its production by 75 per cent compared with previous targets in 2023.

PORTUGAL

Plane dash

A DELIVERY driver abandoned his van filled with parcels and with the engine running so that he could catch a flight from Schiphol Airport last week. Airport cameras caught the delivery driver checking in for a flight shortly after abandoning his parcels and delivery van.

UKRAINE

Logistics hub

UKRAINE will consider a proposal from the Federal Republic of Nigeria to build a logistics hub intended for grain and food product deliveries. There are discussions about the possibility of establishing cooperation and expanding trade relations between the two countries, namely creating a logistics hub for regular grain and food product deliveries.

SWEDEN

Rare elements

EUROPE’S largest known deposit of rare earth elements - key for the production of electric cars - has been discovered in Sweden’s far north, Swedish mining company LKAB has confirmed. LKAB said the newly-explored deposit, found right next to an iron ore mine, contained more than one million tonnes of rare earth oxides.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Big gamble

THERE’S a fundamental rule in gambling and betting, never spend more than you can afford to lose. A frustrated gambler in Spain, of Romanian origin, is going to lose a lot more than he spent following a judge’s order that he pays for two slot machines he damaged in a gambling hall.

Residency route

ON January 12, the British government said that a small number of people who had obtained ‘golden visas’ for rich investors might have obtained their wealth through corruption or other illicit financial activity. The government scrapped the visas last year, which had offered a route to residency for those investing at least £2m (€2.25m).

Footie finances

FOOTBALL’S Spanish Super Cup is a lucrative venture for all four teams who participate. Barcelona and Real Madrid will reportedly get base payments of €2.8m, while Valencia will earn €1.7m and Real Betis will receive €750,000. There is also €1m up for grabs for the runners­up and €2m for the champions.

Coffee change

CONSUMER champion Which? says that if saving money is at the top of your list of New Year’s resolutions, then kicking your daily takeaway coffee habit or switching to a cheaper supermarket brand is a great way to cut down on outgoings.

Cash usage

CASH usage increased for the first time in 13 years in 2022, according to data from Nationwide, as Brits responded to the cost­of­living crisis by budgeting with physical money. “For the first time in years we are seeing a natural rise in cash withdrawals,” confirmed the bank.

STAT OF WEEK

New crypto forum

FIVE associations have come together to form a new alliance ­ the UK Forum for Digital Currencies (UK FDC) following a rise in the popularity of crypto currencies.

Members include the City of London Corporation, Digital Pound Foundation, The Payments Association, TheCityUK and UK Finance. The aim of the alliance is to develop better policies, practice and regulation around digital currencies.

Digital currencies have been gaining rapid momentum over the past few years and have the potential to change how society thinks about and uses money. While there are risks, the UK FDC recognises this growing interest and the adoption of new forms of digital money across the globe and how it will open many opportunities for the UK to remain competitive in Fintech, while leading financial innovation with the right regulatory framework.

By combining the expertise and ex­

tended network of the five associations, the group will seek to enable a safe and secure environment for innovators to grow and attract international investment into the UK, while also helping to create a constructive bridge between the associations representing both incumbents and the emerging players in the sector.

The group will aim to mitigate the actual risks and alleviate the perceived

risks through education and the ability to advocate for appropriate policy and proportionate regulation.

The group will also take the lead in facilitating discussion and engagement between the UK’s existing financial services industry and the crypto industry, to help to reduce barriers between them and increase mutual understanding of this complex area within financial services.

Electric vehicles ‘unsuitable’

AS from 2030 no new petrol or diesel cars will be sold in the UK but, according to new research, more than two­fifths (44 per cent) of homes in the United Kingdom are actually unsuitable for electric vehicle ownership.

Even so, this year has seen Battery Electric Vehicle registrations up 38 per cent, in the last 12 months.

Still, those without garages, driveways or dedicated parking may see themselves as excluded from making the move to driving more sustainably, with no obvious place for that vital electric car charging point.

Lloyds Bank mortgage data shows that around 30 per cent of people applying for a mortgage do not have a garage or

space for a car. While the government has recently brought in new laws for housebuilders which require them to ensure any new ­ build homes, workplaces and supermarkets have an electric charging point installed, the data does suggest that many people will remain unable to

charge an electric vehicle at their place of residence.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, therefore, homeowners with a private driveway are the most positive about their homes’ suitability for a greener vehicle, with over half (55 per cent) confident they would be

able to make provision to charge an electric car.

Away from home, the charging infrastructure in the UK is improving, with the latest data showing there are over 36,000 charging points at over 21,000 locations across the UK. However, many rural areas remain charging black spots.

Rising debt

THE financial accounts of the Spanish Economy which were published on Wednesday, January 11, show that the consolidated debt of companies and households in Spain amounted to €1,674 billion in the third quarter of 2022.

In terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the ratio indicates a significant increase in debt to 128.6 per cent, compared to 142.5 per cent in September 2021, standing slightly below the figure of 129.3 per cent in December 2019.

Tourist spending

THE total expenditure by international tourists visiting Spain in November stood at €5.387m which is 43.2 per cent more than in November 2021 when it was €3.761m.

Figures released by Spain’s Institute of National Statistics this month show that the average daily expenditure per tourist stood at €1,241 which is an annual increase of 10.9 per cent.

The average daily spend increased by 16.1 per cent to €165.

Cost of living

NEARLY 12 million pensioners in the UK are eligible for a £150 or £300 Cost of Living payment, which should have been paid into accounts by last week. The money forms part of the Winter Fuel Payments scheme, which began in November last year.

Those over the State Pension age are eligible for the payments, which are an annual benefit paid to every eligible UK household.

Takeaways are the most common ‘luxury’ that almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of Brits plan to slash their spending on.

NEW ALLIANCE: Five associations have joined together.

3I Group 1.422,00 1.423,50 1.396,50 1,23M

Abrdn 203,40 206,00 201,30 1,49M

Admiral Group 2.190,0 2.201,0 2.165,0 183,44K

Anglo American 3.563,5 3.634,5 3.555,0 642,55K

Antofagasta 1.740,50 1.795,83 1.735,00 55,52K

Ashtead Group 5.006,0 5.098,0 4.997,0 163,77K

Associated British Foods 1.792,5 1.818,5 1.790,5 173,44K

AstraZeneca 11.654,0 11.662,0 11.468,0 340,20K

Auto Trader Group Plc 557,60 560,80 550,20 533,92K

Aveva 3.219,0 3.220,0 3.218,0 216,14K

Aviva 449,80 454,40 448,70 1,30M

B&M European Value Retail SA432,50 437,60 431,80 514,12K

BAE Systems 834,82 839,20 830,00 1,44M

Barclays 178,46 179,96 176,94 13,76M

Barratt Developments 450,70 453,00 447,70 1,21M

Berkeley 4.390,0 4.419,0 4.365,0 53,40K

BHP Group Ltd 2.799,00 2.849,00 2.791,00 305,79K

BP 483,52 486,50 482,55 7,40M

British American Tobacco 3.132,5 3.176,5 3.107,5 879,50K

British Land Company 430,30 434,50 429,20 413,52K

BT Group 128,18 129,55 127,55 2,81M

Bunzl 2.968,0 2.976,0 2.953,0 117,15K

Burberry Group 2.253,0 2.266,0 2.215,0 351,47K

Carnival 740,2 760,2 738,2 172,77K

Centrica 97,00 98,58 95,02 2,15M

Coca Cola HBC AG 1.918,0 1.927,5 1.896,5 279,84K

Compass 1.920,50 1.926,50 1.907,00 678,88K

CRH 3.668,0 3.687,5 3.649,0 181,37K

Croda Intl 6.976,0 7.056,0 6.938,0 41,43K

DCC 4.497,0 4.608,0 4.487,0 76,42K

Diageo 3.672,5 3.681,5 3.635,0 1,01M

DS Smith 346,90 349,30 345,80 1,16M

EasyJet 427,80 434,00 417,00 2,43M

Experian 2.890,0 2.898,0 2.847,0 146,96K

Ferguson 11.195,0 11.370,0 11.200,0 48,16K

Flutter Entertainment 12.390,0 12.500,0 12.170,0 93,27K

Fresnillo 932,80 972,40 928,80 245,65K

Glencore 552,60 556,40 543,30 14,44M

GSK plc 1.436,40 1.440,60 1.427,20 346,07K

Halma 2.113,0 2.120,0 2.093,0 102,63K

Hargreaves Lansdown 928,40 935,80 913,13 87,27K

Hikma Pharma 1.709,50 1.716,00 1.696,00 45,71K

HSBC 589,50 594,60 584,20 8,03M

IAG 153,84 157,32 151,74 18,23M

Imperial Brands 2.044,00 2.061,00 2.033,00 610,51K

Informa 650,20 652,40 646,00 827,21K

InterContinental 5.390,0 5.424,0 5.356,8 22,96K

Intermediate Capital 1.305,50 1.329,50 1.290,00 230,15K

Intertek 4.289,0 4.307,0 4.267,0 35,74K

ITV 78,55 80,04 77,60 4,37M

J Sainsbury 240,34 247,10 240,07 497,81K

Johnson Matthey 2.213,0 2.218,0 2.183,0 79,80K

Land Securities 697,80 699,40 690,20 353,91K

Legal & General 260,30 261,90 259,70 5,70M

Lloyds Banking 49,73 49,94 48,76 42,32M

London Stock Exchange 7.420,0 7.520,0 7.396,0 110,36K

Melrose Industries 151,80 154,00 150,90 11,60M

Mondi 1.485,00 1.506,00 1.478,00 196,84K

National Grid 1.034,00 1.042,00 1.028,50 1,34M

NatWest Group 294,40 294,90 288,00 5,67M

Next 6.542,0 6.636,0 6.540,0 64,54K

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

Ocado 747,40 771,80 742,00 469,99K

Persimmon 1.398,0 1.413,0 1.384,0 895,64K

Phoenix 630,00 635,20 628,60 342,32K

Prudential 1.282,50 1.299,00 1.268,50 1,46M

Reckitt Benckiser 5.958,0 5.992,0 5.950,0 166,02K

Relx 2.365,00 2.378,00 2.354,00 46,71K

Rentokil 521,60 525,40 521,00 939,10K

Rightmove 549,00 551,00 544,80 35,62K

Rio Tinto PLC 6.216,0 6.329,0 6.201,0 595,59K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 107,50 108,35 104,18 13,81M

Sage 769,80 773,80 768,20 212,29K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.220,50 1.230,50 1.217,50 2,87K

Schroders 464,8 471,8 464,9 320,02K

Scottish Mortgage 766,00 779,20 764,00 859,93K

Segro 845,20 859,00 844,40 571,86K

Severn Trent 2.761,0 2.793,0 2.750,0 123,79K

Shell 2.437,5 2.452,0 2.433,5 2,18M

Smith & Nephew 1.150,81 1.163,50 1.146,00 619,10K

Smiths Group 1.652,50 1.654,00 1.637,50 112,66K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 11.470,0 11.555,0 11.435,0 9,20K

SSE 1.671,50 1.677,70 1.662,35 125,09K

St. James’s Place 1.251,50 1.261,50 1.239,00 626,52K

Standard Chartered 703,20 709,40 698,80 1,01M

Taylor Wimpey 113,20 113,60 111,80 11,96M

Tesco 244,80 249,60 244,20 810,40K

Tui 170,15 174,75 168,45 3,41M

Unilever 4.200,0 4.211,5 4.185,5 57,32K

United Utilities 1.039,50 1.048,50 1.032,00 190,20K

Vodafone Group PLC 91,64 92,46 91,53 22,13M

Whitbread 3.023,0 3.070,0 3.018,0 263,89K WPP 920,40 925,60 916,20 408,03K

3M 129,35 129,82 1,83M

American Express 154,92 155,75 152,40 3,24M

Amgen 270,92 272,65 268,89 1,45M

Apple 133,41 134,26 131,44 71,23M

Boeing 214,32 214,92 207,37 8,19M

Caterpillar 255,07 257,38 251,01 3,88M

Chevron 177,08 178,37 175,90 6,88M

Cisco 49,00 49,43 48,85 14,24M

Coca-Cola 61,21 62,18 60,97 13,85M

Dow 58,52 58,80 57,50 7,31M

Goldman Sachs 369,94 370,10 362,57 2,09M

Home Depot 329,87 332,21 326,71 2,48M

Honeywell 215,98 217,22 212,38 2,96M

IBM 145,55 146,66 144,52 2,71M

Intel 30,29 30,38 29,47 28,86M

J&J 174,00 174,71 172,80 4,26M

JPMorgan 139,49 140,86 139,22 10,77M

McDonald’s 266,69 269,92 266,19 1,93M

Merck&Co 111,77 112,10 110,03 8,91M

Microsoft 238,51 239,90 233,56 27,17M

Nike 127,89 128,46 126,46 8,36M

Procter&Gamble 149,81 151,73 149,52 7,47M

Salesforce Inc 149,60 149,82 143,94 11,64M

The Travelers 191,99 192,75 189,69 761,05K

UnitedHealth 495,67 498,73 485,22 3,72M

Verizon 41,81 41,95 41,12 16,96M

Visa A 223,62 223,81 220,61 4,26M

Walgreens Boots 36,66 37,41 36,62 5,95M

Walmart 144,81 146,42 144,39 4,15M

Walt Disney 99,81 100,63 97,57 19,74M

Most Advanced

Andrada Mining Limited

+8,650.00% 111,700

Telecom Italia S.p.A. +26.12% 265,295

Relay Therapeutics, Inc. +20.72% 2.739M

Luminar Technologies, Inc. +11.20% 10.216M

Revolution Medicines, Inc. +11.12% 1.345M

Globalstar, Inc. +10.69% 6.02M

Sage Therapeutics, Inc. +10.62% 852,708

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. +10.32% 5.27M

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. +9.86% 32.191M

American Airlines Group Inc. +9.71% 96.442M

MercadoLibre, Inc. +9.34% 1.132M

Most Declined

Logitech International S.A. -16.86% 5.045M

AMTD Digital Inc. -14.85% 4.598M

CureVac N.V. -14.40% 2.262M

Warner Music Group Corp. -8.81% 4.551M

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. -6.06% 941,987

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. -5.95% 798,801

PS Business Parks, Inc. -5.84% 102,100

Bio-Techne Corporation -5.14% 2.441M

Illumina, Inc. -5.05% 2.484M

Ubisoft Entertainment SA -4.83% 37,081

TAL Education Group -4.80% 5.762M

BUSINESS EXTRA

Stock market

THE Spanish stock market traded a staggering €28.3 billion in equities in December 2022, up 1.7 per cent year on year and 0.8 per cent more than in the previous month. The effective trading volume in 2022 totalled €362.1 billion, 4.2 per cent less than in 2021.

Eurozone dip

EUROZONE bond yields dipped on January 12, ahead of a wave of new debt issuance, bringing a slew of bond auctions, with Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands and Norway all scheduled to sell new debt of varying maturities. This week alone has already seen around €30 billionin new issuance from eurozone governments.

Imagin that

IN just three years, Imagin, the lifestyle and digital services platform launched by Spain’s Caixa Bank has been able to offset 452 tonnes of CO2, collect more than 21 tonnes of plastic from the sea, plant 340,000 trees and mobilise 9,500 digital volunteers to collaborate in solidarity causes through digital channels.

Licence refund

THOUSANDS of families across the UK could be owed a £159 TV Licence refund ­ if you’re eligible. The controversial public TV funding fee has been in place since 1946 and since expanded to the colour TV Licence in the 1970s, followed by recent rules surrounding online streaming.

Stock market

THE Spanish stock market traded a staggering €28.3 billion in equities in December 2022 which was up 1.7 per cent year on year and 0.8 per cent more than in the previous month. The effective trading volume in 2022 totalled €362.1 billion, 4.2 per cent less than in 2021.

Targets for net zero

NEW data from Time Finance has shown that half of the UK’s small and medium ­ sized enterprises (SMEs) are anticipated to invest in sustainability in 2023 as pressure mounts for businesses to cut their carbon emissions in line with the government’s 2050 Net Zero targets.

Exploring the financial support businesses will need to achieve their sustainability ambitions, the survey found that 50 per cent said that businesses will invest more time and money into a greener strategy following COP27 and its stark reminders of the fight against climate change.

Time Finance is sharing

its data ahead of the anticipated announcement from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) detailing the

Property prices

TOWNS and cities in the United Kingdom with the strongest house price growth saw their average property value increase by more than £50,000 (+15.2 per cent) over the last year (up to November 2022), according to new data from Halifax.

York saw the highest property price inflation of any town or city in England and Wales during 2022, growing by +23.1 per cent (£69,648) over the course of the last year. Since March 2020, average house prices in the historic city have risen by +41.9 per cent from £261,183 to £370,639 (£109,457).

Woking, with its good links to central London, saw the biggest increase of any town or city in cash terms in 2022. The cost of buying a home in the desirable commuter town leapt from

£493,299 in 2021 to £586,925 in November 2022, an increase of £93,626 (+19.0 per cent).

The question being asked is whether London is falling out of favour with house buyers? While house prices in London have increased at a slower pace (+7.2 per cent) than other parts of the UK, prices in the capital are still comfortably the most expensive in the country at £596,667.

No London boroughs appeared in the top growth areas for year ­ on ­ year house price increases. The popular residential district of Islington saw a rise of only +0.4 per cent over the year, among the lowest in the country. However, properties in the area still had a large average price tag of £712,843.

“The

nesses, to work with them to ensure they have access to the most beneficial forms of finance to enable investment.

“We can clearly see that businesses have a strong commitment to the sustainability agenda, made all the more pressing following COP27. What we need to do now is ensure that businesses have access to the finance they need to bring these plans to life.”

Despite the widespread ambition amongst businesses to improve sustainability, the survey also found that more than 40 per cent of those surveyed believe affordability will be a barrier to green investment.

Retirement annuities

NEARLY one million (990,000) UK pre­retirees, those aged over 55 and still in work, are considering annuities for the first time in preparation for their retirement, according to research from Legal & General Retail.

One in six people approaching retirement but still working (16 per cent) are looking at the product due to improved rates against the backdrop of rising living costs. This is in addition to the 828,000 (14 per cent) of working over 55s who had always planned to buy an annuity in retirement.

Aside from the improvement in rates, people considering an annuity are drawn by the stability of a guaranteed income and the assurances the product offers in a volatile market.

Reliant on credit

A SURVEY of 2,180 UK adults, carried out by the Money and Pensions Service, shows that 23 per cent have relied on credit or money from family and friends to buy food in the last three months. The same number have done so for electricity and gas.

Around half of them (43 per cent for food, 53 per cent for utilities) said they’d never had to do this before.

Similar numbers said they’re relying on borrowing to meet the cost of their rent or mortgage (17 per cent, 52 per cent for the first time) and paying off other forms of credit (21 per cent, 41 per cent).

outcomes of its Net Zero Review, the results of which are expected to give businesses clearer direction on their path to Net Zero.

Ed Rimmer, CEO at Time Finance, said:

role of alternative finance is to understand and facilitate the growth ambitions of busi­

A greener strategy.

Strong growth. Guaranteed income.

Image: Neil Lang / Shutterstock.com Image: enciktepstudio / Shutterstock.com

DO you find it odd to witness a continuing run of strange faces popping up all over the TV when British strikers kick in to action?

Well don’t. These previously unobserved, shadowy individuals, are the illustrious Union representatives, or General Secretary ‘leaders’ who emerge from the woodwork (or their luxury villas on the Costas) whenever they have an excuse to show themselves in public and present some sort of reason for receiving their huge incomes.

Doing ‘what’s right’ for their members, earns these people vast amounts and they are happy to keep the strikes going for just enough time to ‘reach agreement,’ as long as it doesn’t interfere with the lives of Riley they enjoy when things are ‘running smoothly’. Their salaries, (all paid for by their members), are truly mind boggling.

Far too many to go into, I’ve selected just a few examples. The two General Secretaries of GMB (British Trade Union) share £263,000 per year. Francis O’Grady GS of the Trade Union Congress receives an annual income of £152,000. Mick Cash! GS of the National Union of Rail Maritime and Transport earns £137,000. Christina McAnea,UNISON (Public service workers) £140,000.

It doesn’t end there. The so called ‘remunerations’ that most of these ‘leaders’ are also awarded are colossal. Chaand

Lining pockets

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

Nagpaul, General Secretary of the British Medical Association receives a salary of £180,000. Last year he also received a remuneration of £203,000 (Six times what an NHS doctor earns!), awarded to ‘cover times he spent away from his practice!’ It simply goes on and on.

Most of the people who hold these positions are of course Labour supporters (far more lucrative). Incredible when you learn that the Labour Party considers anyone who earns over £70,000 is on the rich list! You really couldn’t make it up.

Heaven help the strikers, who are simply being used by these individuals as fodder to support lifestyles and bank balances, incomes that are actually in total excess of most members of parliament.

One of my readers remarked recently he considered my views ‘old fashioned,’ all I can say is thank the Lord for that! His published letter actually accused me of claiming minorities should not be allowed

to voice their concerns. That of course is totally misconceived rubbish.

What I do find disgraceful is the way minorities are openly allowed to shout their opinions from the roof tops, while majorities are afraid to publically voice their concerns in case they are accused of ‘offending’ ­ or even arrested. Give me a break.

As for Harry Whinger, I truly don’t have time for this spoiled, imbecilic, spouse controlled husband, who has no idea of the challenges of real life. I do however feel parts of his book may have painted a Taliban target on his back. His security outlay has probably just hit the roof ­ or should have done!

Keep the faith

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com.

Expatradioscotland Mon and Friday 1pm till 4.

HEIR APPARENT? OUR VIEW

PUTIN is reportedly set to nominate his chosen heir this year following months of speculation over his health and internal fighting at the top of Russian politics.

Apparently, rather than risk being toppled, Putin wants to hand over power to an heir apparent before retiring to his £1 billion ‘palace’ on the Black Sea, according to his former speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov.

This palace reportedly boasts a 16­storey underground bunker which has been compared to Dr No’s lair and reportedly awaits Putin so he can live out his golden years worryfree while his heir handles the chaos left by the Ukraine war.

In the running are reportedly his trusted underlings, the mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

The move is reportedly due to the mood against Putin in Russia being too tumultuous for him even be able to rig another presidential election with certainty.

Putin’s apparent fears come from the rise in popularity of the chief of his private army of mercenaries, Progozhin, and the sledgehammer he and his troops reportedly bludgeon defectors and enemies to death with. Abbas claims Putin sees an ending similar to that of Gaddafi unless he lines up his replacement soon. This alleged uncertainty, even by Putin, over his fate shows just how much his war in Ukraine has undermined stability, not just in Europe but globally.

Where does this leave the war however? With Putin unlikely to ever give up and publicly admit defeat, will it be left to his successor to negotiate some sort of peace deal? Only time will tell.

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

WELL, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

Prelude & Liebestod is considered by many, Morse included, as one of the greatest recordings ever.

The law kicked in

KIRSTY YOUNG’S appearance on a special Christmas Day edition of Desert Island Discs she presented for 12 years (pushing 14 years writing thrillers and this column now, so you’re in excellent company, Kirsty!), reminded me what people have often let slip. How sometimes, in an absent­minded moment driving to work or between meetings, they’d choose their own personal Desert Island Discs.

Whereas the soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf infamously chose only her OWN recordings when interviewed, Inspector Morse (remember him?) would have preferred the Norwegian, Kirsten Flagstad whom he regarded as THE greatest 20th century Wagnerian soprano. Her performance in Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde:

In fact, I can’t forget the picture of recording with Flagstad painted by fellow opera singer Dietrich Fischer­Dieskau. He said the orchestra would play, and Flagstad would be knitting away until she heard her cue. She’d put her knitting aside, stand up, let loose with the most incredible high notes, beautifully sung, and then she’d sit down, pick up her knitting and keep going until her next entrance.

“Knitting for grandchildren!” Fischer ­ Dieskau explained, his eyes shining.

So, which eight discs would YOU choose?

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

THE British Benevolent Fund exists to help those Britons in Spain who face extreme financial hardship ­ whether they live in Spain or come on holiday.

Some 18 million Britons visit Spain every year ­ the vast majority have a great holiday ­ but some go very wrong and a holiday in the sun quickly turns into a seeming nightmare.

One such incident happened just a few weeks ago.

A family with two teenage children took their first overseas holiday since before the pandemic with an all­inclusive holiday package of accommodation, meals and flights ­ they used their modest savings to treat themselves ­ the father was about to start work after a long absence.

What they didn’t know was their 13­year­old daughter had been ‘chatting’ with a ‘friend’ who it turned out was a man in his 40s who had travelled from America to meet her.

On the first night the daughter left to go for a walk by the

beach alone. She didn’t return.

The anguish of the parents can only be imagined as they went from bar to bar, street to street and combed every beach to find their daughter.

The police were called and the search widened to cover the whole region with a priority one investigation.

In the early hours of the morning the Guardia Civil had tracked their daughter with a man to an apartment close by.

He was arrested and the daughter taken to hospital.

The relief of the parents was short lived after the truth that she had met him voluntarily.

And the law was about to kick in. The presiding judge ordered the parents to court along with their daughter.

The consulate did all they could to help them in their distress but they had no choice but to appear in court.

However by doing so they would be missing their return flight and had barely enough means to feed themselves let along pay for additional accommodation.

Working with the consular offices the BBF paid for this and their flight back to the UK.

The man remains in custody awaiting trial.

Visit www.britishbenevo lentfund.org or contact olaf. clayton@britishbenevolent fund.org on how you can help.

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

NoraJohnson’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

Nora’s latest thriller.

UNDERSTANDING THE 3 ‘B’s’

IN SPAIN

REBECCA SERWOTKA ­ “We sell houses! It’s what we do, it’s ALL we do!”

Your favourite local resale property expert, of Inmobiliaria Real Estate Agents in Ciudad Quesada. Published author of ‘Moving Forward ­ 25 Essential Rules For Buying & Selling Real Estate Without Going Crazy’.” Request your FREE copy! Featured on Best Buy Spain. Prestige Award Winner for ‘Real Estate Agency Of The Year 2021/22 & 2022/23’.

Heard the phrase ‘Bueno, Bonito y Barato?’ Translated, it means ‘Good, Pretty & Cheap!’

When looking for your home, I’m sure you’d like to think you’d find the perfect property with these three Bs! But

remember, you may just have to compromise to get what you ultimately really want.

Is it Bueno? If you can handle a ‘fixer upper’, then be open minded to something that may need a little TLC. You may be able to negotiate the price down to compensate any work needed.

Is it Bonito? Just because the outside may not have curb appeal, doesn’t mean the inside isn’t everything you want! Take the time and look inside, it may be exactly what your family needs.

Is it Barato? If a property is in immaculate condition, be prepared to pay a little more. If it’s in need of renovating, the price should reflect this.

VITAMIN A might not be your first thought when looking for a vitamin to protect against seasonal sickness like colds and flus, but health experts say it is crucial to immune system health during the colder months.

What does Vitamin A do?

Also known as retinol, Vitamin A is often associated with vision, but this important nutrient also has plenty of benefits in building your immune system’s defences and keeping your skin looking and feeling healthy.

This vitamin is valuable for the immune system as it is used in the creation and for the function of white blood cells which fight off infections.

How can I boost Vitamin A naturally?

Vitamin A is present in plenty of dietary staples including cheese, eggs, liver, oily fish, milk, and yoghurt.

Other foods to boost

Vitamin A boost

your Vitamin A supply include fruits and vegetables like kale, carrots, Swiss chard, squash, carrots and nectarines. These sources contain beta ­ carotene which our bodies convert into retinol.

What about a supplement?

Health experts recom ­

mend consuming 700 micrograms of Vitamin A per day for men and 600 micrograms for women. If you feel you can’t get that through your diet, you can take a supplement tablet. However it’s important not to take more than 1,500 micrograms per day, as this could weaken your bones.

Try to stop smoking

STOPPING smoking is one of the most popular goals going into a new year, but it also one of the hardest goals to achieve. But the good news is it’s absolute­

ly possible to quit smoking and to feel so much healthier!

Today we’re sharing tips from people who have successfully stopped

smoking to help you get started!

1. Know your reason

If you try to stop smoking without knowing why you want to, chances are your heart isn’t in it, and it will be easy to break your goals. The first step in stopping smoking is finding your reason to stop. It could be to cut your chances of lung cancer or to protect your children.

2. Make preparations It’s true, some people swear by going ‘cold turkey’, but for most smokers this will just cause painful withdrawal symptoms. Instead plan to cut your nicotine intake in advance.

3. Nicotine replacement

It’s likely your body has become hooked on nicotine. If you’re finding it impossible to come off cigarettes, look into alternatives like nicotine lozenges, patches or even prescription medicine.

4. Support system

If you’re serious about stopping smoking, you need a solid support system around you. Tell friends and family about your decision and try to create distractions, but avoid triggering scenarios where you’ll feel tempted to smoke.

FIND A REASON: If you’re committed to stopping smoking, the process will be much easier.

Vitamin A helps our immune systems to function properly, helping to fight off seasonal sickness

Photo credit: Andrey_Popov / shutterstock.com

Photo credit: Evan Lorne / shutterstock.com

Spain is the country with the third highest life expectancy in the EU after Italy and Sweden.

Foods for a better sleep

IF your New Year’s resolution involves getting better quality sleep, we have just the thing for you. Recent research by ex perts at Best Mat tress Brand has re vealed the three foods you need to be eating to get a better night’s sleep.

As complaints of insomnia increase globally, researchers took on the project to in vestigate solutions to the issue. Today we’re bringing you the three foods that you should try to start 2023 feeling well ­ rested and energetic!

1. Tart cherries

The studies revealed that tart cherries have higher concentrations of melatonin than other foods, a hormone that promotes healthy sleep. Consuming two cups of tart cherry juice decreased time

to get to sleep, increased overall sleep time, and resulted in less awakenings during the night.

Kiwi

Kiwi is well ­ known for its numerous health benefits, thanks to its high content of nutrients and antioxidants and nutritional value. The fruit is also being credited as inducing sleep quicker.

Its high antioxidant, folate and serotonin content mean eating a kiwi an hour before sleeping can help you fall asleep faster.

3. Banana

As well as being a delicious bedtime snack, bananas contain valuable nutrients which improve sleep quality. Eating a banana boosts tryptophan, serotonin, magnesium, and potassium which all contribute to a great night’s sleep.

Benefits of a foam roller

IT can be difficult to stay motivated with fitness with our busy lives, getting injuries and other commitments. But today we’re sharing a piece of equipment that will transform your fitness routine and leave you feeling ready to take on the world. The foam roller will soon be your best friend!

What is it?

A foam roller is a cylinder piece of equipment coated with foam and sometimes a textured surface which is used on muscles after a workout or as part of a stretching routine.

Foam rolling works by relaxing tension in tissue surrounding muscles, helping the nervous system to relax your muscles.

What are the benefits?

The primary benefit of foam rolling is reducing muscle pain. Foam rolling can

ease sore muscles and reduce inflammation. Physiotherapists also believe foam rolling could help to increase range of motion and mobility when used with static stretching.

Another benefit of foam rolling is as a stress reliever. Like other methods of stretching, foam rolling can

be a way to relax by releasing tension in muscles, leaving you feeling more mobile. When should I foam roll?

Physiotherapists recommend adding foam rolling to your stretching or yoga routine, particularly after exercise. Its relaxing qualities mean it’s the perfect evening activity before bed.

FOAM ROLLING: A great way to ease inflammation and muscle pain all over your body.

As well as being refreshing, drinking a glass of tart cherry juice can increase your overall sleep time.

Photo credit: stockfour / shutterstock.com

Photo credit: artem evdokimov / shutterstock.com

Fully booked

SALLY UNDERWOOD POLITICAL ANIMAL

SO Boris Johnson’s going to be releasing a tell­all book about his time as prime minister is he? Well that should be interesting.

For someone whose personal life has made almost as many headlines as his professional one, I wonder just how in depth this autobiography will be?

As a journalist and a man who has already published no fewer than 11 books, Boris is certainly qualified to write what should be an entertaining read. But the bigger question seems to be, is now really the time to release a memoir of the Covid period?

With the economy and NHS still struggling with the fall­out of the pandemic and the word ‘partygate’ still ringing in the ears of many, how receptive is anyone going to be to Johnson’s latest book?

Should the rollercoaster ride of Matt Hancock’s last few months ­ riding high

on surprise I’m a Celebrity success before poor sales of his own Covid diaries ­ also not serve as a parable to any politician thinking of doing the same?

The policital diary/autobiography is hardly something new. But what most of the more successful tomes seem to have in common is that they were released quite some time after their authors left office.

Johnson, as well as only having been prime minster until just four months ago, is also still a serving MP. In contrast, Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher and David Cameron had left parliament completely before releasing their own equivalents.

As well as the timing, the release also raises questions over the issue of MPs’ second (and sometimes third and fourth) incomes, a topic which doesn’t do much to draw politicians closer to the public’s bosom.

And with Boris predicted to make a rumoured $1.2 million to write about a topic that is ­ to say the least ­ divisive, the public seem unlikely to take a kinder view to politicians doing the same any time soon.

Sally’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

FREE PARKING!

FREE parking in Torremolinos! Who would have thought we would have seen the day and it has spots for people that need mobility and have motorcycles too. Whoever thought of the idea well done! Nothing infuriates me more thinking that I have the perfect parking spot, just for a motorbike to be plopped right in the middle of a space. The fact that they have also said about redoing pavements and drainage is great to hear too, rain is bad enough but when you step in a puddle by accident and get soggy shoes well that’s one way to really “dampen” my day!

Stewart Brown

Morgan Freeman

Who would have thought that Morgan Freeman would have been spotted in Mallorca of all places! We had just visited that restaurant two days prior to his spotting. We are in absolutely disbelief that we couldn’t see him. Regenald our pup would have been so happy to see him. There is a perfect spot for that one­day photo we will hopefully get another time on the mantelpiece. We hope you had a fab time, Morgan! The food was delicious.

Roger McKinnon

About time!

There is nothing that aggravates me more than litter and in particular cigarette butts and the fact that the companies are now going to be forced to clean it up, even better! It’s a bad habit and more needs to be done to stop with smoking in general. The €1 billion could be better used and spent elsewhere, hopefully to put more playparks around the place! More needs to be done for the youngsters.

Rosemary Higgins

Happy Birthday

Well, that article on Sabangau has just made my day, the Bioparc is one of the places we love to visit as a family and to finally know some of the names of the animals and now the tiny orangutang’s birthday, even better. My daughter, Susy, is writing Sabangau a birthday card as we speak. Thank you EWN for the 10 minutes of silence and to keep Susy occupied!

Melissa, Fuengirola

Positive thinking

The exclusive article on the holocaust survivor was such a great read and her secret to longevity

being ‘positive thinking’ I think is something we should all do more of. We don’t know how lucky we are, we all have our troubles, but I think we should take her advice and try and implement more positive thinking into our day to day lives. Ninety­eight and still looking fabulous, I’ll take all the advice!

Felicity Morgan

Back to normal

Back to normal and hopefully it stays that way, it has been so great the last year just being able to do what we used to do. Ok we still must wear masks on public transport and in the pharmacies, but in comparison to what it once was I’m happy to comply. This was the first Three Kings’ parade since everything, and it was so lovely to have everyone come together and feel like a community again.

Vanessa Kidd

Men and beauty

As a man that suffers with acne it was great to read the skin care article and how to best get into a routine when looking after your skin and how to add it into your lifestyle without it being too complicated either. Does anyone else feel the same?

Pleased, James

Editor’s letter

I live near the hospital Costa del Sol Marbella which is where my husband was admitted to yesterday about 11am via Helicopteros’ amazing service they offer. I was allowed to visit my husband at 8pm last night. I saw him in the ICU area. I spoke with the doctor in their observation area who told me they would take a scan on his head as he had fallen and I was to return to the hospital at 1pm today to speak to a doctor about the results of the scan and other issues in his chest (infection). However I left the hospital about 9pm and at 2.30am I was awoken by someone banging on my apartment door. On opening the door there was my poor husband in a wheelchair being delivered back home with only a hospital gown and a sheet on!! He was freezing and terrified! This is appalling behaviour to any human let alone one out of an ICU bed and into an ambulance and back home with a VERY uncomfortable vehicle! This should NOT happen to any person or dog!!

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.

Lynda Woodin

MORE PARKING: Very welcome news for residents and visitors.

DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD

ALTHOUGH it happened about 30 years ago, the image still brings me a snigger of amusement. In a supermarket in Buckinghamshire I saw two young men, probably in their early 20s, each pick up a cucumber and start fencing with each other in the aisle.

It reminded me of my old eccentric friend Monty Fry who was always amusing, never boring, but sometimes embarrassing or frustrating company. I recall him banging impatiently on the door of a restaurant loo which had been occupied for at least seven minutes and shouting “We know you’re in there! Come on out with your hands up” The reaction of customers was mixed.

People who break the accepted social rules are often ‘special cases’ who seem oblivious to the reactions of others. Or perhaps they relish the embarrassment or bewilderment they

THE first­ever custom­built for leisure caravan, the Wanderer, has received a UK Engineering Heritage Listed Status Award. The Engineering Heritage Awards were established in 1984, the awards recognise pioneering engineering artefacts, locations, collections, and landmarks.

The iconic Wanderer provides continuity from the earliest origins of the pastime through to today. While technology has progressed and caravanning has become a far more socially­inclusive activity, the essence of what Wander­

ODD BEHAVIOUR

cause. Not only are we all very different, but so are our perceptions of what is socially acceptable and, of course, so are our senses of humour.

About 60 years ago I attended a wedding in Oxfordshire which didn’t really go to plan. The best man has several responsibilities, but the most important is to ensure that the bridegroom remains sober and fit for the wedding day. On this

occasion, the groom managed to lead by example at the bachelor party the night before.

Having downed six pints of Morrell’s ale and several Glen Grants, he had to be hauled out of bed the next day and was unable to stand up. As a result, he had to be carried into the church and down the aisle like a side of beef by his best man and three other ‘pallbearers’. His father propped him up for

Custom-built

er was able to facilitate ­ access to the great outdoors for leisure, comfort and in safetyis as true of a modern caravan as it is of this 1885 one.

Today’s caravan owners would still recognise many aspects of the fundamental design as being as relevant today as they were 130­plus years ago. Although periodic restorations have been carried out, the Wanderer remains fundamentally as originally

built, and largely original in terms of structure, fixtures and fittings. Where parts have had to be repaired or replaced, this has been done sensitively, with original components being reused (eg original wheel hubs were used in rebuilt wheels). As such, the look and feel of the original design has been carefully retained and continues to give a faithful impression of the concept when new.

ICC chooses Spain

the host country.

International Camping Congress (ICC) is a gathering of camp and outdoor education professionals from around the world. It is organised every three years and brings together both academics, researchers and practitioners alike. It aims to share practical experience of camps, the latest research on youth development and new industry trends. It also celebrates and presents the culture and history of

Founded in 1987, ICF is a worldwide association of camp professionals who share their enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment to the camp experience. There have been 12 Congresses spread over 40 years of ICF history. Previous Congresses have been held in Canada, the United States, Australia, Russia, Mexico, Hong Kong and Turkey.

In 2023, this historic and international event will be held for the first time in Spain, in the province of Tarragona from October 4 until October 8.

the actual ceremony. It was so difficult for me to suppress my laughter, although his bride managed it easily enough. The marriage lasted less than three years.

There are those who attract people by their personality, by their actions and by their words. They can be raconteurs of interesting or amusing experiences and anecdotes. Others are completely bland with the

charisma of a dead earwig.

Eccentric behaviour is harmless enough. What is of greater concern is odd behaviour resulting in harm to others. Take a bow, Kim Jong ­ un. The power ­ crazed egoism of one man results in complete suppression of an entire nation as well as a threat to the stability of Japan and South Korea. On a larger scale, it was the same with Hitler and Stalin, then it was Idi Amin, Pol Pot and Mugabe and now we have Putin.

There has always been the deadly combination of power and evil. Frequently, power does much more than corrupt; it can and does spread cruelty, suffering and destruction on a massive scale.

This is surely why no political system will ever work successfully unless it is tied to Christianity. Quite simply: “Love the neighbour as thyself.”

Caravanning and Leisure

WITH more to offer than you can imagine, discover the exciting world of caravanning at the Provincial Caravanning and Leisure Time Exhibition.

The exhibition is being held over two weekends at IFA, N ­ 340, km 73103320 Elche (Alicante) from February 10 to 12 and 17 to 19.

Visit the 30th edition of the most important caravanning trade fair in the Mediterranean and the

second most important in Spain.

Attending the exhibition will be the main brands in the market, displayed in an area of 13,564m2 for the caravanning sector attendees, as well as a wide variety of choice and offers on second ­ hand vehicles. You will also have at your disposal a large accessory store to tune up your caravan or motorhome.

Don’t forget to visit the

more recreational area of the exhibition: campsites, tourist offices and holiday offers, leisure activities, stands with a variety of articles and the presence of food trucks, which offer a varied gastronomic offer.

Camping Caravanning, a lifestyle in contact with nature.

For more information or to buy tickets head to the website: / www.cara vaning­alicante.es/.

THE International Camping Fellowship has cho

sen Spain’s PortAventura Convention Centre for the celebration of the International Camp

ing Congress 2023

EXHIBITION: Offering a wide selection of second-hand vehicles and accessories for sale.

Image: IFA Alicante

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

Odd behaviour by eccentrics can be funny - unlike odd behaviour by powerful egoists. For more from our columnists please scan this QR Code

photo creditslivingstingy.blogs and canadianmanufacturing.com

How to identify fur balls

ALTHOUGH weather has been milder this winter than in previous years, many of us are still suffering from colds, and the same is true with our pets. But it is sometimes difficult to tell when your pet is sick, and when it is suffering from a different issue. Coughs aren’t as common in cats than other pets, so it’s normal to

Like us, cats and dogs can suffer muscle injuries

Coughing in cats is most commonly caused by fur balls and isn’t usually a sign of a serious condition

be a little concerned if your cat is coughing, but don’t panic! Today we’re running through some advice from a vet to help you tell the difference between fur balls and a cough in your cat.

Fur balls

Give a dog a bone

DOGS and bones are a combination as classic as bread and butter, but did you know that bones can actually be harmful for your pet’s health? Today, we are sharing vet ­ approved tips to help you keep your dog safe while enjoying a favourite snack.

Be aware

Firstly it is crucial to be aware of the risks of giving your dog a bone. Bones can break and get lodged in your dog’s throat, so brittle bones should be avoided.

Bones can also carry nasty bacteria which can give your dog an infection, so it is important to choose a fresh bone for your dog, or freeze it to avoid infections.

Portion control

Controlling the size of your dog’s bone is crucial.

Bones that are too small like chicken bones should be avoided, but lamb or beef bones are ideal. It is also important to give your dog raw bones with some meat still on the bone to avoid creating a choking hazard.

Healthy habits

Dogs should always be supervised when chewing a bone, and should be encouraged to bite a bone rather than putting it all in their mouth. If you have any concerns, consult with your vet before giving your dog a bone.

Cats spend most of the day grooming themselves, so fur balls are the most common cause of coughing. Coughing from fur balls normally comes in dry, short bursts with your cat hunching over to vomit out the fur ball, before returning to normal. Similar symptoms are also visible when your cat consumes other foreign objects by mistake, like grass or dust.

Infection

Coughs can also be caused by bacteria or viruses. These coughs usually present along with other symptoms including mucus, sneezing, teary eyes. In more serious cases, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and a fall in energy are sometimes seen, in which case you should visit your vet.

Dogs can hide pain.

MUSCLE injuries are sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat. The signs and symptoms of muscle injuries in dogs can vary depending on the severity of the problem and also on the individual animal. You may not notice minor sprains and strains at all, and many dogs are pretty good at hiding the fact that they are in pain and not seeing any problems. In advanced cases there is lameness, pain, weakness, decreased range of motion, firmness throughout the muscle, and usually a characteristic gait. For its diagnosis, it is often necessary to examine it by a veterinarian specialist in traumatology . X­rays help little.

Other more advanced tests such as ultrasound and MRI are necessary. High­field magnetic resonance imaging is the most used in human medicine and is now available in veterinary medicine (www.resonanciavet erinaria.es).

For the treatment physiotherapy is necessary and many times surgery.

Photo credit: Sharnen / shutterstock.com

Dogs and bones are an inseparable combination, but follow these steps to avoid creating a choking hazard.

Photo credit: Pawel Ratjar / shutterstock.com

J & J PAINTERS. Insideoutside - clean - fast - low cost. Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (294244)

MOBILE homes & static caravans bought, sold and transported. +34 630 055 418 or elsyd7@hotmail.com (294686)

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

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your lifedamaging everything that is important to you. Englishspeaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aa-costablan ca.org (93323)

CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 email aecc_campello@hotmail. com (95475)

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462)

CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.givinglight.com.(10006)

FREEMASONRY . Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various Lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact sec@glpvalencia. com Tel 600 841 064 (95477)

HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our of -

fices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja. com. We also have a 24hour Emergency helpline which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456)

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Beniajan 16, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday morning Services at 11.00am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorre vieja.org (95476)

LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English-speaking church. For more information, including details of our services, see our website www.lasiestaevangeli calchurch.org (10005)

PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459)

PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www.pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009-SG/A (95463)

ROYAL Air Force Association Costa Blanca Registered Members Group: The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the Royal Air Force Association and the RMG can be made via the RAFA website rafa. org.uk Tel:0044 800 018 2361. (238593)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONWhy not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone

number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvis its@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branches.britishle gion.org.uk/branches/ori huela-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www.ori huelacostarbl.co.uk. (95457)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granala cant.secretary@rbl.community

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details contact Hon Sec P S Wilkins Tel: 966 194 158 email: inkinspain@yahoo. co.uk (10004)

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman Anthony Jenkins +34 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Dusty Miller +34 711 006 670, Secretary Mike Cockman +34 670 224 822, Treasurer Carl Louden +34 678 518 202, email rnatorre vieja@aol.com (95455)

STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers, with rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 653 588 475 English and 620 907 474 Spanish or email strokesupportgroup@ho tmail.com , website: torreviejastrokesupport.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473)

THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.acacostablanca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465)

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461)

THE BAKER Foundation Spiritual Centre Playa Flamenca. Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual centre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458)

THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information. (253807)

THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar meets at Hamilton’s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Sevrice at 11.30am. For further information: www.spiritualistcentre-benijo far.com . Telephone 711 060 171. Email martindroute66 @hotmail.com . Fiscal G54713789

MOVERS AND SHAKERS We are a non-profit organisation that supports people and their families with neurological diseases such as; HUNTINGTON’S, ATAXIA, MOTOR NEURONE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS and PARKINSON’S. Our MOVERS AND SHAKERS CLUB held every Friday @ 1pm –3pm, is a chance for members to meet up socially, for a drink and a chat on a full range of topics and to exchange ideas and information. The club is held at O’Briens Bar in El Raso, Guardamar del Segura (except July and August). For more details, contact Marion Smith on 711 008 250, or email: marion.smith@amscb. org.es, or you can find us on Facebook : fb@movers and shakers www.amscb.org.e s (295976)

WANTED HEALTH & BEAUTY

PERSONAL TRAINER, WEIGHT LOSS, TONING, RESULTS GUARANTEED. CERTIFIED WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. FORMER US KICKBOX CHAMPION. CALL 747 438 225 (301319)

MR FIXIT . For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (290288)

WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel678 716 693 (288662)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS INSURANCE

BATHROOM & KITCHEN Conversions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434. (293206)

FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UP TO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATSAPP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsuranceinspain.c om or email tracey@sosin suranceinspain.com (301484)

BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@beneficialin suranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsurancein spain.com for online quote. (301438)

STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure. com

FRENCH, ELÉGANTE , slim, Sophie, 3 languages spoken. Experienced in a large variety of full body massages. Villamartin apartment or can travel to all areas. 693 357 526 (295405)

EXPERIENCE the best with a 1hr unique massage with Veronica. Shaving or permanent hair removal available. For appointments call 679 292 678 (295446)

CLASSIC SPANISH LADY , Playa Flamenca area, private premises, all massage services from 40€. Ana 657 603 495 (302128)

ATTRACTIVE, Girlfriend, Professional Masseuse relaxing and therapeutic Masseuse. Tel: 693 357 526 (295448)

RELAXING MASSAGE FOR MEN - Mario qualified masseur in Alicante - Special Massage for Men - 7 days 10am to 10pm - APPOINTMENTS visit: www.masajeyre lax.es/en or WHATSAPP 649 761 607 (302343)

LA ZENIA AREA English Female/Male masseuses offering massages separately or together in nice discrete apartment with shower facilities. In calls and out calls within 20 km of La Zenia area Call / Whatsapp 711 059 849 (302322)

MISCELLANEOUS

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

MOTORING

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

MOTORHOMES

MOTORHOME / Campervan wanted. Left or right hand drive. Cash waiting for right van. Tlf 650 722 905

MUSIC TUITION

PIANO , Keyboard, Organ, Qualified Teacher. Please call 606 984 535 (294805)

NAUTICAL

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (301483)

OTHERS

KAMAGRA Gold 100mg plus Kamagra Jellies. Collection or Delivery. ROY HAS A NEW TEL. - 613 584 915 (295447) tp

Male /Female viagra, cialis, kamagra jelly, mixed trial packs available, all areas mail order. 604 385 476. viagra4you19@gmail.com

PERGOLAS

TAILOR-MADE in durable canvas, pergola covers, sails, umbrella, spa and CAR COVERS. 10% off Cushions. Mazarron to Costa Blanca. RETIRING SOON DON’T MISS OUT Google: KrugerCanopies.com WhatsApp: 667 879 399 krugercanopies@ya hoo.co.uk (294209)

abandoned dog or spending a few hours each week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals. Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our website: www.pepaspain.com (95708)

SPAMA GANDIA SHELTER. Dog and cat rescue registered charity, La Safor area. 500 animals awaiting rehoming. Phone Gail 962 896 118. Visit our website for directions. www.spama.org and view our new blog at www.spamasafor.blog.com.es PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM (95707)

PET CHARITY PLUMBERS

EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorsecare. net www.easyhorsecare.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706)

GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community. Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, deflead. volunteers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709)

P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED. By fostering an

MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (290288)

POOL MAINTENANCE

POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 www.pooltechspain.com (289653)

MAN & VAN . Removals, deliveries, house clearance, etc. Reliable service. Contact 613 599 008 (302176)

FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070 (2001)

BMW iX – controversial and daring!

ROAD TEST

byMarkSlack

WHEN BMW launched their rather futuristic, and not uncontroversial iX, the Marmite looks certainly drew a fair share of haters from the car Twitterati.

While some loved it many took the op posite view. With such a brave stylistic decision it’s nice to see that the iX has gained much praise, and deservedly so in many respects.

While the exterior style may still polarise opinion the spacious feeling interior garnered almost universal approval from the start. Unsurprising since it’s a premium, clean and modern design. I’m not a fan of the trend for digitalisation

systems. You still have to dive into menus to operate most functions, but it manages to make life much simpler than most and it becomes familiar remarkably quickly. Seat controls are on the door panels and buttons, rather than traditional

On the road the iX handles remarkably well considering it’s a large and heavy car, and even though my test model was the smaller battery pack it still produces mighty impressive acceleration. It’s also a very quiet and refined car,

FUTURISTIC iX: A pretty special and rather daring vehicle.

expensive before you even begin to look at options.

The range starts from €82,533/£69,905 and it’s not difficult with options to tip the €118,070/£100k mark. Indeed the top iX model starts at €134,499/£119,225. Opening the doors and the rear tailgate may go some way to explaining that price level as you can see the carbon fibre structure of the iX.

Will people buy it? De ­

spite the somewhat limited range on the entry model, manufacturers must despair at the lamentable public EV charging infrastructure, and that high price tag, this is an immensely driveable, likeable and impressive machine. I suspect it will always be a limited sight on our roads but one which has already started to attract more admirers and as halo cars go the iX is pretty special and rather daring.

Facts at a Glance

way of road or wind noise. If there is a problem, it is two­fold; range and price. The smaller battery has a quoted range of up to 262 miles, which in reality means a limited long ­ distance ability, but in larger battery form the range is much more useable at 380 miles.

Price is probably more of a factor in that the iX is very

• Model: BMW iX xDrive40 M Sport

• Engine: Li-lon 71 kwh battery – 326PS

• Gears: Automatic

• Performance: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) 6.1 seconds/Maximum Speed 199 km/h (124 mph)

• Range: up to 262 miles

• Emissions: 0 g/km (WLTP)

• Price as tested: €86,076/£72,905

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.

Five second-hand cars that pass Spain’s low emission zone rules

SAFETY is a driving factor behind many motorists’ choice of vehicle. But how do you know which model is the safest? Each year, Europe’s independent car safety body, Euro NCAP, tests the most popular cars on the market. Today we’re bringing you the analysts’ most recent findings, including their ‘Best in Class’.

Electric car

As well as being the safest electric car, the Tesla Model S was also ranked the safest sedan picking up safety score of 94 per cent in tests.

Safest cars on the road

Small SUV

The Tesla Model Y snapped up the ‘Best in Class’ award thanks to its incredible safety score of 97 per cent. The car, which was the most popular new car sold in Europe last year, was also ranked the best

small SUV by the body. Off­road

Another relatively unknown car took first place in this category. The Wey Coffee 01 was described as being ‘well­equipped’ and obtained an impressive 91 per cent safety score.

SPAIN’S rapid decision to implement low emission zones in cities and large towns has left some drivers feeling caught off guard. But today, we’re bringing you five secondhand car options that are still allowed to enter urban areas.

Fiat Tipo (LPG)

Fiat Tipo models on the second­hand market tend to have fairly low kilometre counts, are versatile and comfortable. Starting at €7,000, the car is great value for money.

Opel Astra (LPG)

Starting at €10,000, this model is highly ranked for performance, comfort and its value at around €8,000. With a 1.4 litre engine, the car is ideal for round­town purposes.

This Romanian brand offers several LPG models from the Sandero to the Duster and Lodgy. The cars are versatile, appealing to different motorist profiles.

Toyota Auris HSD

If you’re after a slightly more environmentally­friendly option, a hybrid car could be for you. This hybrid model is nearly 10 years old, but is comfortable and reliable. Many are available around €5,000, but experts recommend checking the batteries before buying.

Toyota Auris HSD Second Generation

This slightly newer model starts at around €6,000. Although it has more advanced technology, still check the battery condition.

Family car

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 similarly stood out with an excellent adult safety rating of 97 per cent and 87 per cent for children thanks to its advanced driving assistant technology.

Small car

A surprise on the list, Great Wall Motors’ Ora Funky Cat impressed in safety tests with a 92 per cent safety rating, surpassing several industry heavyweights.

Dacia Sandero (LPG)

Photo credit: Fingerhut / shutterstock.com

The Toyota Auris hybrid model is a highly-ranked car which is affordable secondhand and passes Spain’s tightening environmental rules.

It’s a knockout Football transfer news

BRITISH social media sensation­turned­boxing star, KSI secured victory in the ring once more in a bout against fellow YouTube personality, FaZe Temperrr on Saturday, January 14. KSI soared to victory with a first round knockout during the match.

Brazilian ­ born Temperrr stepped up from the undercard at the last minute to replace Dillon Danis in the planned Misfits Boxing bout after Danis pulled out just two weeks before, citing a lack of training.

The cruiserweight crossover fight was held in Wembley Stadium, in London with a passionate crowd including TV star, Louis Theroux showing up to support KSI.

Temperrr landed a few shots, but KSI came through in the first round with a right hand and left hook to put him on the ground. As Temperrr failed to answer the count, the knockout was awarded to KSI after just two minutes and 19 seconds.

Boxing commentators applauded Temperrr for stepping up to the challenge but also remarked that “it’s time” for KSI to fight opponents at a higher level as it’s becoming “a mismatch”.

The win brings KSI one step closer to a highly­anticipated clash with another YouTuber, Jake Paul.

THE 22­year­old Ukrainian international, Mykhaylo Mudryk has joined Chelsea FC from Shakhtar Donetsk.

In the latest transfer news from the English Premier League, 22­year­old Ukraine international Mykhaylo Mudryk has completed his move to Chelsea FC. After seven seasons playing for the top Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, the winger moved to Stamford Bridge for a reported £88.5 million.

Mudryk’s signature had been wanted by bosses in another part of London where Arsenal appeared to be firm favourites to sign the talented young player. Chelsea are said to have outbid Mikel Arteta’s club to land him at the last minute.

He underwent a medical on Sunday, January 15, before signing on the dotted line to spend the next seven seasons with Graham Potter’s side.

A mouthwatering £100,000a­week deal was apparently of­

fered to the player by Todd Boehly’s outfit. As a result, Mudryk becomes the secondmost expensive transfer in the club’s history.

Graham Potter is struggling to get results with his side this sea­

son with the Blues languishing well below the top six in the table. This latest signing will give him some hope of turning things around and also shows he has the support of those who matter.

Directors told to stay home

EVERTON FC said that their directors were told to stay away from Saturday’s game citing a “credible threat to their safety.”

The announcement came on Saturday, January 14 with fans planning a protest following last week’s loss and recent dismal performance.

The club said that security advisors told Chairman Bill Kenwright, Chief Executive Denise Barrett­Baxendale, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer Grant Ingles and Non­executive Director Graeme Sharp to stay away from the ground and the area.

A statement by the club said: “The board members received the instruction following malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence received by the club and increasing incidents of antisocial behaviour ­ including targeted physical aggression ­ at recent home matches. This is an unprecedented decision for Everton Football Club ­ never before has our entire board of directors been ordered not to attend a match on safety grounds.”

Without a win since October, fans are said to be furious and had planned a sit­down protest at the ground. The club was due to play bottom of the league Southampton.

4.0

100million euros, Pedri is the leading national football team player in Spain as of Nov 2022.

Ukrainian footbller Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Credit: Wikipedia - By SoccerStart - Own work, CC BY-SA

KSI: Secured victory in the ring once more.

Photo credit: KSI (Via Instagram)