Costa de Almeria 26 January – 1 February 2023 Issue 1960

Blue Tourism PLAYING FOR FUN

THE new president of the Indalo Players, Jennifer Jordan, decided that the first decision she wanted to make was to offer free fun and entertainment to the San Agustin’s Children’s Home in Vera.

Jennifer has loved sharing her passion for entertaining those in care homes, hospitals and respite facilities; bringing joy and laughter to the youngest and the oldest.

Indalo Vice President, Chrissie Cremore, and member, Stuart Drury, coupled with Jennifer’s imagination and direction performed for the children and their carers.

Leonardo from the Vera and District Lions Club charity joined in with the atmosphere and “melting pot” of frivolity, laughter and balloons. “There is much renovation work needed at the Children’s

Home” advised Chrissie Cremore.

“We hope your readers can kindly donate towards the money pot as best you can. Your generosity is always and for ­

ever gratefully received.”

For further information: Indalo Players email: jenniferjanejor dan@gmail.com ; or the Vera and District Lions Club email: zoerylett@

gmail.com

Any donation however big or small is appreciated, if you would like to donate, the Lion’s IBAN is ES19 3058 0186 3527 2000 7801.

ALMERIA Council is promoting holding the Sun & Blue 2023 Congress in Almeria in its bid to promote Blue Tourism.

The capital of Almeria will be the epicentre of a congress aimed at sun and beach tourism professionals within the framework of the blue economy, with the digitalisation of the sector as the central axis.

Sun & Blue 2023 will be a space for debate and the sharing of topics related to the creation of a smart beach as a tourist resource that applies technology to make it a more sustainable, safe and accessible space.

The mayor of Almeria, Maria del Mar Vazquez, said: “The event is an innovative and highly specialised congress which will give rise to interesting reflections and updates on this tourism model.”

Indalo Players.

Image: Indalo Players

In progress

THE mayor of Almeria, Maria del Mar Vazquez, has highlighted the “progress and pace” of the interior refurbishment work on the town hall, which has now reached 50 per cent completion. The work, with an investment of more than €4 million is expected to be completed this summer.

Vazquez, visited the town hall on Tuesday, January 24, and highlighted the “emblematic nature of work that combines modernity and rehabilitation with the aim of enhancing its value and use.”

The refurbishment of the Casas Consistoriales in Almeria is a project that began more than 20 years ago and until now has been marked by delays and cost overruns.

The framework agreement signed at the beginning of the century between the Junta de Andalucia and the city council envisaged work on a heterogeneous group of buildings around the old Plaza Vieja, now renamed Plaza de la Constitucion.

The first phase began in 2003 and concluded six years later, with an investment of close to €10

million, and consisted of the demolition and replacement of the entire building located in front of Calle Posito.

The second phase, which was larger in scope as it involved the complete renovation of the buildings with the highest architectural quality, required an amount of €12.5 million, so it was decided to tackle it in three stages.

Half Marathon

GRAB your trainers and book early to avoid disappointment as more than 3,500 runners are already warming up for the Almeria Half Marathon ‘Memorial Ramon Ruiz Andujar’.

Almeria’s mayor, Maria del Mar Vazquez, confirmed: “There has been an enormous amount of interest in the Half Marathon and it is thanks to the fact that we continue working and providing the best services and infrastructures for the holding of sporting events.”

The mayor added: “The race has an attractive route through the city and is also supporting charity, I encourage Almeria residents to register through www.mediomaratonalmeria.com.”

SEVERAL of the best chefs from the province of Almeria met on Monday, January 24, at the gastronomic event Madrid Fusion, with the help of the gourmet brand Tastes of Almeria ‘Sabores Almeria’.

The activity on the opening day at the brand’s stand promoted by the Diputacion of Almeria paid tribute to greenhouse crops.

Show cooking, presentations, product tastings and an appearance by guest chef, Rodrigo de La Calle, who prepared an ‘exquisite dish with vegetables’, were just some of the proposals on offer.

Rodrigo holds a Michelin star at his restaurant El Invernadero. He offered a

The Provincial Deputy for Sports, Jose Antonio Garcia, highlighted the support of the Provincial Council for the most important official urban route race held in the province: “Fifty per cent of the runners are from the rest of the province. After the break due to the pandemic, it has become one of the most popular races and it comes with space for more than 3,000 athletes.”

Reflecting the sustainability of the event it was confirmed that: “The tshirts are made from recycled polyester and the medals are also made from recyclable materials such as wood.”

Registrations are still available until all the bibs have sold out.

Best chefs A Dream

show­cooking session entitled ‘El Invernadero al Cuadrado’ (The Greenhouse Squared). In it, the man considered to be the ‘king of green gastronomy’ highlighted the health and variety offered by this type of crop with a dish he called Sabores Almeria.

The chef considers that vegetable nature is the fundamental pillar of our cuisine, respecting the product, and accepting its temporality and evanescence, “we let ourselves be carried along by the cycles of life marked by the clock of the seasons, thus obtaining from them their maximum expression”.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL arrives in Almeria with Miliki’s dream. The cirque du Soleil performance will take place from today Thursday, January 26 to January 29. Seven shows will take place over the weekend.

Families and lovers of Cirque du Soleil will be blown away and at the edge of their seats when they see what Miliki’s dream has to offer.

Miliki is a seven­yearold boy who dreams of becoming a clown. His wish is to make people laugh, write songs and travel the world doing just that; in the circus he has always dreamed of. One night he writes his wish in his ‘book of all trips’ and suddenly his dream becomes a reality. The show is filled with light, sound and colour: acrobats, musicians and trapeze artists.

The show defines a precious journey of nostalgia and illusion. It is not one you will want to miss. Times for the show at the Auditorium will be Thursday, 26, and Friday, 27, at 6.45, Saturday, 28, at 12.00, 4.30 and 7.30 and Sunday, 29, at 12.00 and 4.30.

Tickets are on sale at the municipal box office located in the Teatro Apolo and on the Area’s website, www.almeria culturaentradas.es.

Image: Almeria City Council

TOWN HALL: Work expected to be complete by summer.

Name Day

ON Friday, January 20, Berja celebrated its name day. The birthday was nothing to do with the festivity of San Sebastian which was celebrated throughout Almeria but of Berja’s Municipal Flag. It was 23 years ago that Berja Town Hall was authorised to adopt the flag.

Local talent

THE talent of local Almerian chefs shone in Madrid thanks to Sabores Almeria at one of the most important gastronomic forums in the world. Madrid Fusion was held at IFEMA from January 23 to 25. Almeria successfully hosted its own stand that offered numerous activities.

100%

Broadband

“Broadband already reaches 92 per cent of Almeria, by 2025 it will be 100 per cent,” confirmed Maria Gonzalez Veracruz, Secretary of State for Telecommunications. She added: “In view of the physical connection challenge, the deployment of 100 per cent fibre throughout the province is a 21st­century highway for Almeria’s homes.”

Mayoral promise

IN relation to the upcoming elections in May, mayor, Maria del Mar Vazquez, said she aspires to “continue improving Almera with humility, hard work and enthusiasm.” She confirmed that she is looking forward to “listening to the people of Almería, solving their problems and creating opportunities.”

Work experience

WORK experience and training for 90 unemployed people in Huercal­Overa has begun. With new training projects for 60 people which have been put in place, in addition to the 30 workers hired, this represents an investment of nearly €1 million in employment in the municipality.

Improving quality of life

ALMERIA and Huercal de Almeria are ready to enhance their connectivity with a project, promoting sustainable mobility, that will link the two towns with a bike lane.

Almeria’s mayor, Maria del Mar Vazquez, has highlighted the functionality and connectivity of the project. She said: “This is an action that contributes to creating a healthier urban space, with sustainable transport alternatives and improving the quality of urban life.

“This section of bike lane will be added to the current route of the cycle network in the city which already has more than 81 kilometres of cycle lanes.”

JOIN in the fun and expect the unexpected when murder strikes at the pantomime.

Murder In The Panto is back at Restaurant Solare in Turre on February 9 and 10. You are guaranteed superb evening entertainment of live interactive theatre and a three­course meal as the plot unravels. The plot involves the murder of a very nasty character ‘boooo’, but with your help, the mur­

LANE: Will link the two towns, enhancing connectivity.

The president of the Diputacion de Almeria, Javier A Garcia, added: “This project extends the connection of the capital. This is a new example of institutional col­

Panto murder

derer will be apprehended ‘hooray!’

With all the fun of the traditional panto and the challenge of a murder mystery, this is an evening not to be missed.

Plot twist: If you enjoy it the first night, the plot is so cleverly constructed by writer Bill White that, in the unlikely event of tickets still being available for the second night, you can

New pumptrack

Work will begin in the next few days and will be completed by March.

It is a circuit that can be ridden completely on a bicycle without the need to pedal; users will be propelled only by the inertia acquired in the jumps and inclines of the circuit and the cyclist’s own skill, and can also be used with roller skates or skateboards.

It will also be multi­purpose, suitable for all levels and where different disciplines can be practised.

There will be a large platform at the entrance and exit to the circuit which will cover two curves, giving access to the circuit from the street and from the adjoining park.

The mayor, Domingo Fernandez, confirmed: “We are fulfilling a request from the young people who were asking us for a pumptrack circuit.”

laboration in favour of the citizens that improves alternative and sustainable mobility, promotes physical activity and at the same time alleviates the traffic generated between the two municipalities.”

He also recalled that the works will “create a more pleasant environment, contribute to the correct environmental development, provide greater safety for drivers and cyclists and, ultimately, improve the quality of life of many residents.”

return and be surprised by a completely different arrest!

Don’t delay, get your tickets today from Solare Restaurant in Turre, tickets are €25 and all proceeds will be donated to the Vera and District Lions Club charity.

Doors open at 8.00pm and the first course is served promptly at 8.30pm.

For further information regarding Indalo Players email: jenniferjanejor dan@gmail.com.

Beach handball

TO say Almeria not only says tourism, but also says sport as Almeria has confirmed the good news that it is set to host the Arena 1000 Beach Handball Tournament in July.

Sports Tourism Almeria has a magnificent network of sports facilities and quality services and infrastructures that have made the city a guaranteed scenario for the organisation and holding of top­level sporting events.

Mayor of Almeria, Maria del Mar Vazquez, confirmed: “Almeria has its hallmark in the promotion of sport among the population of all ages with the Municipal Sports Games where more than 8,000 boys and girls of all ages from the different municipal sports schools come together.

“However, it is in the organisation of events at the Andalucian, national and international levels, where Almeria is also a reference,”

the mayor added.

There will be only six venues that will host the Arena 1000 tournament during 2023, for the moment three have been confirmed, Nazare (Portugal), Orihuela (Alicante) and Almeria, which will hold the event on July 14, 15 and 16.

Parking progress

PLEAS for more parking in Nijar have been answered with a major expansion of the Nijar Centro car park. The new site was unveiled by members of the council on Friday, January 13, and will offer the local community and visitors plenty of parking choice.

Thanks to its central location, the car park will serve the town centre and provide parking spaces for residents visiting council buildings. The newly expanded car park now covers a huge 3,500 square metres and three levels packed with parking spaces.

The council responded to calls for more parking with a €60,000 investment in the scheme, on the back of Nijar being named as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Towns in Spain’ which has increased demand for parking spaces from new visitors.

The mayor of Nijar, Esperanza Pérez Felices visited the site and explained, “We’re really impressed with how this project turned out and I know that Nijar residents will similarly appreciate the car park and our entire town centre renovation project once it is finished.”

PUMPTRACK fans will be delighted to hear that HuercalOvera Town Council has now awarded the contract for the construction of the municipality’s first pumptrack circuit, which will be located on municipal land on Calle Marie Curie in the Los Ruedos area.

BIKE

Happy anniversary

THE Spanish Navy submarine, Galerna (S­71), docked at the Levante Quay at the port of Almeria on Friday, January 20, where it remained until Sunday, January 22.

The president of the Port Authority of Almeria (APA), Maria del Rosario Soto, visited the ship, accompanied by the naval commander of Almeria, Captain Angel Gamboa. For the ship’s call at the port of Almeria, the APA has facilitated its berthing, security in the common areas, as well as the supplies and services required.

The Galerna, which commemorated its 40th anniversary on Saturday, January 21, in Almeria, has participated in the operations ‘Active Endeavour’ and ‘Sea Guardian’, both against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Mediterranean, completing a total of 213 days at sea, 21,500 miles

CLASSICAL music fans are in for a treat as it has now been confirmed that the best soloists and conductors of classical music will be at the fourth International Music Festival Almeria 2023.

From February 4 until March 19, Almeria is set to host its fourth musical festival. Almeria City Council has confirmed that this is an event that will bring together some of the best soloists and conductors of classical music or­

on patrol and more than 3,500 hours of immersion. It has also taken part in national (TAPON, ALFEX, MINEX, etc) and international exercises (Sorbet Royal, Dogfish, Linked Seas, Dragon Hammer, Noble Marlin) and has carried out numerous collaborations with surface units of the Fleet and special operations units of the Navy, Army and Spanish Army.

Music Festival

chestras and bands in a programme that combines specialised training, a competition of performers and also large­scale recitals open to the general public.

The recitals open to the general public will offer free admission until the full capacity of the venue is reached.

The activities will take place in venues such as the Royal Professional Conservatory of

Music, the University of Almeria, the EMMA hall of the Municipal School of Music and Arts, the Apolo Theatre and the Maestro Padilla Municipal Auditorium.

Both the jury of the performance competition and the festival’s teachers and performers come from countries such as Italy, Holland, France, Poland, Germany and South Korea, as well as Spain.

San Isidro bridge

WORK on the new San Isidro bridge in HuercalOvera is progressing well, with 85 per cent of the work on this important project on one of the main accesses to the municipality already completed.

A new viaduct is being built and the area around the N­340 is being repaired. The project is expected to be completed by the end of February.

The mayor, Domingo Fernandez, explained that “the construction work is progressing at an excellent pace, we are even ahead of some deadlines. The bridge is expected to be fully com­

pleted by the end of February.

“This is a historic project for our municipality which will put an end to the accident rate of a black spot on the roads while recovering this environment and this viaduct for the use of the people of Huercal.”

The mayor emphasised that “this is the greatest public investment being made in Huercal­Overa to improve access to the municipality such as the access road to the Hospital, the roundabout to the Montecastillo neighbourhood and the aforementioned San Isidro bridge.”

SUBMARINE: Docked in the port of Almeria.

Image: Government of Spain / Ministry of Defence

Just one more thing

By Peter McLarenKennedy

THOSE who have been unable to exchange their UK driver’s licence for a Spanish one will be pleased to know the final agreement is with the Spanish government for signing.

An update provided by the British Embassy last week said the final agreement had been sent to the Consejo de Ministros for approval.

Ambassador Hugh Elliott confirmed on Wednesday, January 18 that it was now a case of

waiting for the agreement to be approved and signed. But he said that is out of the Embassy’s hands. With all the legal

BARCELONA has now joined AstraZeneca’s ‘Inspiring Cities’ project to raise awareness of the importance of air quality in cities.

On Thursday, January 19, AstraZeneca and Barcelona City Council announced that the city will join the ‘Cities that Inspire’ platform.

It is a collaborative initiative that seeks to raise awareness of the importance of air quality in respiratory health.

With this project, the pharmaceutical company, together with leading scientific societies and respiratory patient associations, aims to inspire the development

checks completed on both sides, the Embassy does not expect any hiccups.

Once the document has been approved and

Air quality

of municipal initiatives to improve air quality.

Barcelona City Council has signed the contract to build a healthy future for all.

This collaborative initiative is part of the 2030 Agenda’s drive for the city and seeks to raise awareness among municipalities, health professionals and the general public about the problem of air quality and its influence on people’s health and quality of life.

The higher the Air Quality Index (AQI) value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern.

signed there will be a formal exchange of notes with the Agreement coming into force once it is published in the BOE (state bulletin).

The Embassy has recommended that people book to get their psicotécnico test in place, without which you will not be able to exchange your licence.

The test consists of an eye test and a reaction test, which is to check that you are able to keep the vehicle on the road and you are able to respond to situations.

3,000

there are more than 3,000 beaches in Spain, spanning over 7,500kms.

Yes, please

WHEN Spain announced it had a budget of €62 million to help finance projects that contribute to the green agenda it received a pretty good response!

The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition received 64 applications for aid for projects that contribute to the naturalisation of Spanish cities, increasing both biodiversity and ecological connectivity in urban environments.

The initiative has a budget of €62 million, where the selected projects will be financed up to 95 per cent, with grants of between €2 and €4 million.

This offer was open to city councils in provincial capitals, autonomous cities and municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants (also in groups with other entities and neighbouring municipalities with more than 20,000 inhabitants).

Proposals have been received from cities in 16 autonomous communities and one autonomous city.

LICENCE EXCHANGE: Final agreement almost ready.

Image Bartosz Zakrzewski / Shutterstock.com

Gas cylinder price drops

AS published on Monday, January 16, by the Official State Gazette (BOE), the maximum price of a butane gas cylinder was reduced by €0.92. A bottle of gas should now cost €17.66.

The maximum sale price of liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) is reviewed bimonthly on the third Tuesday of each month, by resolution of the General Directorate for Energy Policy and Mines.

This revision is calculated based on the cost of raw materials (propane and butane) in international markets and also takes into account the cost of transportation and the evolution of the eurodollar exchange rate.

As a result, the revision, either upwards or downwards, is limited to 5 per cent and the excess or defect in price accumulates, to be applied on subsequent occasions.

€17.66

No more

THE European Commission has informed Spain and Portugal that the extension of the ‘Iberian exception’ cannot go beyond December 2023.

It was brought into force as a temporary measure to help both nations with their energy costs. The expiry date agreed upon was the end of this year and needs permission from Brussels to be extended further.

This information was reiterated during a meeting on Wednesday, January 18. According to media sources, the deadline of December 2023 was only a ‘suggestion’.

Wednesday’s meeting was the first contact at the political level to address an agreement. This must now be worked out among the technical teams of Madrid and Lisbon.

Chefs for Children

Betty Henderson

NEARLY 50 master chefs are coming together to provide cooking classes for sick children in Spain, to help them learn about healthy eating in a fun way.

The national initiative will be held in the prestigious town of Benahavís in the south of Spain this year, on Monday, April 24.

This year’s edition of the ChefsForChildren initiative is being organised in collaboration with the Fundación Pequeño Deseo. 47 of the nation’s top chefs, many of them Michelin starred chefs will give top class culinary classes to sick children, showing them how to create nutritious but delicious meals in a fun, relaxed setting.

The children will then work alongside the chefs to create a gourmet menu that will then be served at a dinner gala with guests invited by the children at the luxury five star Hotel Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella

Some of the nation’s top Michelin starred chefs come together to provide culinary workshops for children each year.

Resort in Benahavis.

The Fundación Pequeño Deseo was created back in 2002 with the aim of making sick children’s wishes come true. Since its creation, they have granted more than 6,000 wishes to children with serious and chronic illnesses.

Missing after avalanche

TWO Basque mountaineers have been missing since Thursday in Patagonia on the border of Argentina and Chile.

A local news source reported on Saturday, January 21 that a rescue operation had yet to get underway due to weather conditions in the area.

Authorities said with each passing hour the chance of finding them alive reduces with the pair some 3,405 metres above sea level where conditions are said to be very dangerous.

The pair, Iker Bilbao (29) and Amaia Agirre (31) were believed to be descending. But minutes after arriving at the base of Fitz Roy an avalanche of snow buried them before dragging them to the bottom of a crevice.

The peak is understood not to be particularly high but conditions are ‘extremely difficult’ because of the ice.

A third mountaineer Josu Linaza, (31), raised the alarm after managing to save himself.

Families and friends of the mountaineers missing are hopeful that they will have survived the avalanche and can still be rescued.

Photo: ChefsForChildren (Via Facebook)

80 Million

SPAIN received more than 80 million international air passengers in 2022 (80.4 million), the Spanish government confirmed on Wednesday, January 18.

In December, passengers from international airports reached 5.7 million, which means that 95 per cent of pre­pandemic passengers have been recovered.

For the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, these figures show that “2022 has been the year of the recovery of our tourism. We have seen it with the excellent employment figures with a record number of members in the tourism sector.”

In terms of volume, the United Kingdom was the leading issuer of passengers in December (1,158,536), representing 20.1 per cent of the total share of arrivals, followed by Germany with 726,697 (12.6 per cent share) and Italy, with 532,877 (9.3 per cent)

“NATURE trails allow visitors to explore the countryside to discover nature and enjoy Spain’s food products,” confirmed the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, when discussing the network of Spain’s nature trails.

He confirmed that nature trails are an option that satisfies many of the current demands for active and sustainable tourism. They allow people to enjoy leisure and promote well-being, they also generate economic activity and business in rural areas.

Good practices

PEOPLE struggling with their mortgage repayments in Spain will be pleased to hear that financial institutions have widely subscribed to the modification of the Code of Good Practices for vulnerable households.

This means they have adhered to the new Code approved by the government, which includes a wide range of measures that will enable up to one million households to see their mortgage burden alleviated.

The measures included in these codes are aimed at alleviating the financial situation of families affected by the rapid rise in Euribor, es-

pecially those vulnerable or at risk of vulnerability, preserving financial stability.

The implementation of these measures will facilitate a more gradual adaptation of households to the new interest rate environment.

Households with an income of less than three and a half times the IPREM (€29,400 per year) and a recent increase in the mortgage burden of at least 30 per cent will be able to benefit from these measures. For all these cases, financial institutions must offer an extension of the repayment period of up to seven years, with the possibility of a 12-month freeze on repayments.

Nature trails

and Food’s stand at the International Tourism Trade Fair in Madrid 2023 ( FITFUR), where the department held a series of activities to publicise the tourist attractions offered by the Nature Trails and the Foodstuffs of Spain.

NATURE:

Luis Planas visited the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries

Firm commitment

SPAIN and France have reaffirmed their firm commitment to energy cooperation.

In the framework of the 27th Spanish-French Summit, held on Thursday, January 19, in Barcelona, Spain and France reaffirmed their firm commitment to cooperation in energy matters.

They paid special attention to the ongoing reform of the European Union’s electricity market and the promotion of interconnections between both countries, in order to increase resilience and security of supply.

Both countries will work on their proposals for reforming the European electricity market so that they converge in a common position with the aim of approving the new model by 2023. They will also study the construction of a new power line between the two countries, taking advantage of the underwater route of the H2med hydro-duct between Barcelona and Marseille.

The minister highlighted the quality and variety of Spanish food and the interest of the public and international tourists generated by the campaign entitled ‘The richest country in the world’.

During his visit to FITUR, Luis Planas also received the Excelencias Award, granted to the Ministry for this campaign to promote Food from Spain.

DISCOVER

Promoting leisure and well-being.

Image: Irina Stutz / Shutterstock.com

MORTAGE PAYMENTS: Aim is to help vulnerable households.

Image: Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation / Spanish Government

NYC & Madrid

MADRID and New York are making progress on the implementation of a tourism promotion agreement. On Friday, January 20, the second day of the International Tourism Fair (FITFUR) in Madrid, Madrid’s councillor for Tourism, Almudeno Maillo, met with the heads of Marketing and Business Development of New York City.

At the meeting the foundations were laid to strengthen the joint promotion of high­impact tourism and gastronomy, sharing the strengths of both cities in these segments.

New York and Madrid will also collaborate on policies on which both destinations are already working intensively: decentralisation and product diversification. The cities, which have been twinned for 41 years, will also forge closer ties in the cultural and entertainment fields.

Madrid and New York

have a lively and long­lasting friendship that has flourished in recent years as Spain and the United States become more connected than ever. Though their official sis­

ter­city partnership was established in 1982, their relationship began in the early 1900s with the arrival of Spanish sailors at the port of New York.

Air traffic controllers strike

NEW strike action has been called in Spain’s aviation sector. On Wednesday, January 18, air traffic control members of the Usca (Air Traffic Controllers Union) and CC OO voted to go on strike, as reported by a local news source.

Vueling cabin crew members of Stavla are already conducting action, while maintenance technicians at Air Nostrum also called for strikes which were to begin on Monday January 23.

This latest strike will affect the personnel working in the privatised control towers of 16 national airports. Industrial action will take place for 24 hours, every Monday, on January 30, February 6, 13, 20 and 27.

The airport control towers affected will be those in, A Coruña, Alicante­Elche, Castellon, Cuatro Vientos, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Ibiza, Jerez, Lanzarote, La Palma, Lleida, Murcia, Sabadell, Sevilla, Valencia and Vigo.

As announced by both unions in a statement, a decision has been made because of the ‘failure of the negotiations’, with 162 air traffic control workers involved in the action. They declared that negotiations with the business association APCTA had broken down.

Spaniard is oldest in world No masks on public transport

FOLLOWING the passing of the world’s oldest person that title now belongs to Spaniard Maria Branyas, who is currently 115.

According to a news source on Wednesday, January 18 the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) confirmed the sad passing of Sister André (Lucile Randon) on Tuesday January 17 at the age of 118.

Branyas, who is a resident of Santa Maria del Tura in Olot, was born on March 4, 1907 in San Francisco after her Catalan family moved there in 1906.

At the age of seven, they returned to Catalonia where she lived through two world wars and the Spanish civil war.

Although she is confined to a wheelchair Branyas is strong, having overcome Covid­19 in 2021.

She even has a Twitter account under the name of Super Àvia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) and where a sentence states: ‘Soc

vella, molt vella, però no idiota’ (I’m old, very old, but not idiot).

A daughter of a journalist from Pamplona who worked for the American magazine Mercurio, she married Joan Moret a Llagostera doctor in 1931.

A FINAL decision has yet to be taken but it seems masks will no longer being required on public transport in Spain from February.

Local experts are said to

have endorsed the removal of face masks on buses, trains and planes but not in health centres. It is understood the delay in making a decision is down to the opening up of

Organ donation

Betty Henderson

SPAIN continues to lead global organ donation figures which has helped Spain nearly recover its prepandemic transplant figures. The country recorded a 13 per cent increase in transplants completed during the last year in figures released on Thursday, January 19. The country has one of the highest organ donor figures in the world with 46.3 donors per million residents, well above the European average of 19.3.

After more than a year of pandemic disruption, organ transplants got back on track in 2022, growing by 13 per cent to 5,383 operations coming close to 2019 figures of 5,449. Approximately 15 transplants were carried out every day in the country. Spain also has an excellent bone marrow register with nearly 500,000 donors available.

Announcing the figures, Minister for Health, Carolina Darias said, “These figures represent a success that is shared by all of society and health professionals and place us in a position of excellence worldwide.”

China and the lack of solid data from the country’s authorities.

Sources close to the Ministry of Health told a news source on Wednesday, January 18 that a decision had already been made to remove the requirement from March. They added that the situation in China had unfortunately delayed any announcement.

Covid ­ 19 is under control in Spain and experts have said that whilst they are supportive of the move, caution was needed until the China situation was clearer.

1there is only one operating tin shop left in Spain and is to be found in Madrid.

Maria is 115.

Twitter Maria

DARCEY Corria, the Miss Wales entrant in the recent Miss Universe competition, was seriously injured in an accident on her return home.

A local news outlet reported on Saturday, January 21 that the 21 ­ yearold was involved in a serious crash which closed the M4 for several hours.

She is said to have been hospitalised with a broken pelvis and two breaks to bones in her neck.

The beauty from Barry who won last year’s Miss Wales competition is due to compete for the Miss

Miss Wales in crash

A spokesperson for Miss Wales said: “Event organisers at Miss Wales, as well as her family, are hopeful and confident that she will still be able to do this thanks to the incredible team of medics at UHW and her own personal determination.”

World title in May, with her family hopeful that she will have recovered in time.

The first person of colour to be crowned Miss Wales in the competition’s 70 years, Corria is actively involved in the Criminal Justice in Wales Anti­Racism Delivery Plan called Together Stronger.

Sunak’s fixed penalty notice

LANCASHIRE Police on Friday, January 20, issued British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with a fixed penalty notice. It comes as a result of the Conservative Party leader being spotted not wearing his seatbelt in a vehicle.

Unfortunately for Sunak, a clip recently posted on Instagram while he was in Lancashire promoting his levelling ­ up funding appeared to show that he was not wearing a seat belt. It was

immediately picked up by viewers who questioned why it was alright for him to not wear his belt, as reported by UK TV.

The prime minister subsequently apologised for what he described as a “brief error” of judgement. This is not Mr Sunak’s first run ­ in with law enforcement in the UK. He was previously fined by the Metropolitan Police for breaking the rules during the coronavirus lockdown.

Darcey Corria - injured.

Image Twitter darcey_corria

A NEW study has found that ethnic segregation in England and Wales is at its lowest rate ever according to data collected in the 2021 census.

The data released on Tuesday, January 17 suggested that there are more people from different ethnic backgrounds living next door to each other than ever before. Study author, Dr Gemma Catney says that the research contradicts the common notions of ‘difference’ and ‘division’ in society.

Researchers on the study used data on ethnic diversity which shows how many people

from different ethnic groups are living in each area as well as residential segregation data which shows the likelihood of different ethnic groups living next to each other or in the same area.

The ethnicity data collected in the 2021 census was released in November 2022 and showed some of the results from the nationwide survey which was answered by more than 24 million households.

Researchers say the news shows that the UK is becoming more tolerant.

A DOUBLE-DECKER bus overturned in Somerset causing a significant number of injuries to the 70 passengers on board.

A UK news source reported on Tuesday, January 17 that emergency services were on the scene.

It is understood the bus was taking workers to the nuclear power station Hinkley Point C, near Bridgwater and that a motorcyclist was also involved in the accident.

Avon and Somerset police

said that there were multiple injuries but no fatalities, with the bus having overturned around 6am. Although investigations have yet to be completed it is understood there was an incident involving the motorcyclist and the bus.

The road is the main entry point to the power plant as it is between the M5, Minehead and Exmoor. According to authorities at the station access to the plant is currently closed.

Authorities had warned of icy and slippery conditions on

the road, with more than 100 accidents across the UK in around five hours in one night.

120,000 more Argentines to apply for Spanish nationality after Spain opens a path to citizenship for those who fled in the 70s.

BRITISH children paid a touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in a survey conducted by Oxford University Press to find the ‘Word of the Year’ for 2022.

The results of the survey were published on Tuesday, January 17, with the most popular word chosen by British children being ‘Queen’. The vote saw 4,000 children between age six and 14 from across the UK share their thoughts on a word to represent the last year.

When asked about the word ‘Queen’ children associated it with feelings of pride as well as sadness and loss for the country’s longest reigning monarch, who passed away in September after more than 70 years on the throne.

Oxford University Press also revealed that Queen Elizabeth II was a popular choice in separate surveys about the country’s most

famous people completed in recent years, so the 2022 ‘Word of the Year’ being ‘Queen’ came as no surprise, particularly as children reflect on her legacy.

The words ‘happy’ and ‘chaos’ followed in the top positions of this year’s survey.

Multicultural society Royal respect 70 on overturned bus

British children chose ‘Queen’ as a word to represent 2022.

David Walliams’ replacement

BRUNO TONIOLI is to replace David Walliams as the host of Britain’s Got Talent with the filming of auditions said to start next week.

A UK newspaper said in an exclusive on Tuesday, January 17 that the 67­year­old former Strictly Come Dancing star will join Simon Cowell on the show. The two are said to be good friends.

An official announcement is expected within a few days but newspaper sources reveal that: “Tonioli has all the right experience and his famous exuberance will go down a treat. He and Simon have long hoped to work together so this has proved the perfect opportunity. Everyone’s very excited.”

Tonioli, who remains a judge on the American version of Strictly ‘Dancing with the Stars’, was initially replaced by Anton du Beke on the British show after completing 17 seasons.

Although he is based in Los Angeles his is popular with local audiences for his excited responses, energetic waving, humour and passionate verdicts.

Photo credit: Fred Duval / shutterstock.com

Boost for British holidaymakers

THE EU has said it is to delay the implementation of its new border checks in a boost for British holidaymakers.

According to a UK newspaper on Saturday, January 21 the decision was taken over fears that the new checks would result in significant delays and long queues.

Originally planned for introduction in May, officials are now saying the new target date is December, when photos and fingerprints will

be taken from visitors to the bloc as they do in the US.

Travel agents are said to be enjoying record bookings with holidaymakers keen to escape the cold, the misery and the illness that has blighted the UK in recent years.

Travel disruptions in the UK are also believed to be one of the reasons for people travelling abroad, as are the lower costs of holidaying in the Mediterranean and elsewhere.

ABTA, the travel agent body, has conducted research that suggests travel agents are expecting a bumper 2023. IATA, the International Air Transport Association, has also said the move is welcomed.

Although Brits are considering more exotic holidays, the EU remains the number one destination with Spain, France, Italy and Greece being named among the top five.

Mr Blobby auctioned off

FANS of Noel Edmond’s House Party will fondly remember Mr Blobby, the pink and yellow dotted monster who regularly interrupted the show, who is being sold in an online auction.

The rare piece of nostalgia has attracted a lot of interest with bids already having passed £17,000 (€19,400) despite his rather tatty appearance. Photos posted on the auction site show the costume to be well­worn.

Anyone interested in bidding for the costume can do so on Ebay, however, it’s not the one that appeared on the actual TV show. In­

stead, the auction lists the item as follows:

“Mr Blobby ­ an original BBC costume from the mid­1990s. This was made by the BBC’s costume supplier for an overseas version of Noel’s House Party. Unfortunately, before it could be delivered the overseas show was cancelled and neither the broadcaster or the BBC’s production team wanted it ­ so it sat in my office until a move meant it came home with me some years ago.”

Why sell Mr Blobby now, well apparently the owner is moving house so the character needs a new home too.

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast!

Asthma link to gas

By Imran Khan

PEOPLE using gas cookers in their kitchens, increase the risk of their children developing health problems, according to a new report.

A study compiled by the NGO CLASP, the European Public Health Alliance, and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, suggests gas cookers are breaching air pollution limits in homes.

The data gathered for the report suggests people who

Report on cooking gas.

cook using gas, without proper ventilation, are at major risk. This is due to the build­up of nitrogen dioxide, which constantly exceeds the European Union pollution standards as well as the World

Health Organisation’s air quality guidelines. The study also found that gas ovens produce huge quantities of carbon monoxide. This is considered extremely dangerous and can cause major lung ­ related problems.

In 2022, the report states that more than 700,000 cases of child asthma in the EU, were linked to cooking gas.

Estimates state that more than 100 million homes in the EU are dependent on cooking gas.

Mo-pedding in the Netherlands

WITH the new year came a new rule in the Netherlands. All moped riders must now wear a helmet, this law also applies to passengers and you risk a €100 fine if you are caught not wearing one.

A moped can drive a maximum of 25 kilometres per hour and has a blue licence plate.

In Amsterdam, the helmet requirement for moped riders is not new. Since April 2019, moped riders have been required to wear hel­

mets while driving on the roadway within the A10 ring, but as of the new year, they are also required to wear a helmet while riding on bike paths and outside the A10 ring.

Since the helmet requirement for moped riders was introduced in Amsterdam, the number of accidents involving a moped rider has dropped significantly. The government expect the national helmet requirement to make traffic even safer.

Mystery theft solved

AN Israeli woman has been hailed a hero in Greece after she discovered the identity of a thief who had been stealing luggage from a local airport for the past seven years.

Budding Miss Marple aka Felice Ross helped the police solve the case as she used the earphones in her stolen luggage to track the suitcase which lead them to the culprit.

Felice confirmed: “I remembered the earphones can be located, and when I tracked them

online, I found them in Peristeri, a suburb west of Athens. I then saw them moving back and forth from there to the airport over the next few days.”Ross then contacted the police in Athens who began to investigate. From the information she gave them the police raided a property where they discovered 19 luxury bags, several watches, 47 mobile phones and assorted electronic equipment, 35 cigars, jewels, and cash in various currencies.

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PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Price halt

HOUSE prices have fallen at their fastest rate in more than a decade in Denmark, one of the most expensive property markets in Europe. According to Eurostat, in the third quarter of 2022 Denmark's house prices fell by 3.8 per cent.

THE NETHERLANDS

Electrification rise

PASSENGER car sales in the Netherlands decreased in December and in the full year of 2022, but electrification continues to rise, reaching very solid levels. According to EV Volumes' data, 15,757 new plug-in cars were registered in December, which is roughly 32 per cent less than a year ago.

BELGIUM

No smoking

THE number of smokers in Belgium decreased for the second year in a row from 2021 to 2022. According to a survey by the Foundation Against Cancer, 24 per cent of Belgians reported smoking daily or occasionally last year, compared to 29 per cent in 2020 and 27 per cent in 2021.

GERMANY

Tidy turnover

TURNOVER in accommodation and food services in Germany rose by a whopping 47 per cent year on year in 2022 in real terms despite high inflation. The Federal Statistics Office confirmed the news on January 19. “The sector benefited from the easing of pandemic restrictions,” they said.

FRANCE

Top spot

FRANCE regains the top spot as the bloc’s main electricity provider. Following a record year for electricity imports, the relatively mild weather and the relaunch of nuclear reactors, France started 2023 by exporting more electricity to its neighbouring countries than it imports.

NORWAY

Enigmatic history

ARCHAEOLOGISTS in Norway claim to have the world's oldest rune stone with inscriptions up to 2,000 years old that date back to the earliest days of the enigmatic history of runic writing. “They may be the earliest example of words recorded in writing in Scandinavia,” the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo said.

FINLAND

Travel Fair

THE Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs was present at the Matka Nordic Travel Fair, held at Messukeskus in Helsinki from January 19 until 22. The government confirmed that Finns are again interested in travelling abroad after being grounded during the pandemic years.

IRELAND

Brilliant BloodBox

STUDENTS at Sutton Park School in Dublin have been named winners of the 2023 Self Help Africa/Irish Aid Science for Development award. They developed BloodBox, a portable diagnostic device to diagnose diseases including malaria. The device allows blood samples to be tested for disease with 94 per cent accuracy.

ITALY

Italian transfer

HUNGARIAN low-cost airline, Wizz Air, will withdraw its base in Bari, Puglia region, effective February 16. The move was confirmed by Wizz Air in a press release, where it confirmed the two Airbus A320 aircraft will be transferred to their largest bases in the country, Milan/Malpensa and Rome/Fiumicino.

PORTUGAL

Portuguese connection

PORTUGAL'S Infrastructures has set 2025 as the date to finish the section of the new Evora-Elvas railway line, which will connect Badajoz with the Spanish network and put into service a direct Madrid-Lisbon train with a travel time of five hours instead of the current nine hours and two transfers.

UKRAINE

Economic opportunities

THE war may still be ongoing but looking to the future, Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of the transportation company Uber, has recently visited Ukraine to imagine how the company might eventually operate after peace is established. His interest lies in the economic opportunities that it might create.

SWEDEN

Cleaning crows

IN exchange for food, wild crows volunteer to pick up cigarette butts from the streets of Sodertalje in Sweden. According to the Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation, 62 per cent of all litter is cigarette butts and more than one billion of them are left on the country’s streets each year.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Rice pests

COYPUS, non ­ native otters from South America, are one of Catalonia’s most recent invasive species. They are also causing problems in the traditional rice­growing area of Ampurdan (Girona) where growers asked the regional government to intervene to save this year’s crop.

Less good

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF), believes that 2023 may be better than expected for the global economy, as positive figures ease predictions of worldwide recession. The outlook is less good for Britain, predicted to have the G20’s lowest 2023 growth.

Argos goes

ARGOS will close its 34 stores in Ireland in late June. Recent accounts for its Irish operation showed a pre­tax loss of €13 million in 2022 and the company maintained that the investment required to modernise operations there was inviable.

Tax blow

SPANISH multinational Telefonica’s Peru subsidiary lost its long­running multi­million tax dispute against the government in Lima regarding tax declarations made between 1998 and 2005. The Supreme Court in Madrid ordered the company to pay €790 million compensation, its largest­ever fine.

Royal bounty

KING CHARLES announced that profits from his £1 billion deal leasing six offshore windfarms off different sections of the British coast would be used for the “wider public good.” This follows Charle’s reference to the cost­of­living crisis in his Christmas speech.

STAT OF WEEK €900 million

Bankinter gets there early

LAST year was good for Bankinter, with a pre­tax result of €785 million and a 46 per cent increase.

With a net profit of just over €560 million, a 28 per cent increase on 2021, Madrid ­ based Bankinter reached its 2023 profit target a year early, enabling the bank to overtake its pre ­ pandemic results.

Last year’s showing was especially encouraging, as 2021’s figures still included four months of income from Linea Directa, whose segregation from the bank was announced in 2020. This also converted Bankinter shareholders into the independent, publicly ­ traded insurance company’s shareholders.

Return on Equity (ROE) stood at 12 per cent, compared to 2021’s 9.6 per cent while only 2.1 per cent of Bankinter clients defaulted on loans, despite the worsening economic environment.

“All these figures are amongst the best at European level,” the bank pointed out.

The bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio, a measure of

its solvency rose to 12 per cent, comfortably above the minimum 7.7 per cent requirement that the European Central Bank established for Bankinter in 2023.

The bank’s Spanish investment portfolio increased by just over 5 per cent, six times more than the sector’s average growth, according to Bank of Spain figures an ­

nounced last November. Outside Spain, this rise was still more evident, with a 15 per cent increase in Portuguese investments while lending doubled in Ireland.

As of December 31, 2022, the total assets were €107.5 billion, similar to the previous year’s, with credit investment to customers up by 9 per cent to €74.2 billion.

ICONIC British bootmaker Dr Martens announced that unseasonably warm weather had affected sales, prompting the company’s second profit warning in two months.

Problems with US warehousing including a bottleneck at the new Los Angeles distribution centre had also hit profits, together with higher costs and complications arising from strikes at Felixstowe port and Netherlands staff shortages.

It now foresees full­year profits not exceeding £260 million (€297.8 million), amounting to £26 million (€29.8 million) below its original predictions.

Holidays up

PACKAGE holidays and air fares to the UK’s favourite holiday destinations have rocketed, according to consumer association, Which?

A week in a Greek hotel will set you back by 30 per cent more than in 2022, although Spain, Italy and Turkey remain more competitive with rises of around 20 per cent.

Those visiting a second home or preferring to arrange their own holiday over Easter will pay up to 51 per cent more to fly to Spain, although it could cost an extra 71 per cent to travel to Greece.

Which? found that hotel prices have gone up by an average 10 per cent in Europe and 23 per cent for those going further afield.

Extra lessons

FRENCH­OWNED Schneider Electric recently rejected claims that it had acquired the Cambridge software giant Aveva “on the cheap.”

Aveva, which provides software used to design major industrial projects as well as products that assist in running factories, was founded in 1967 and pioneers technology used in industrial design.

Britain’s Business Secretary, Grant Shapps gave the €10 billion deal the go ­ ahead in December when Schneider, which already owned 59 per cent of Schneider, acquired the remaining 41

per cent.

A month earlier, Aveva shareholders had okayed the acquisition despite worries that Schneider

would indeed be benefitting from a cut­price deal. Originally agreeing to pay £31 (€35.5 a share), representing a 40 per cent premium on Aveva’s then trading price, this was increased to £32.25 (€37) with a 47 per cent premium, precisely to dispel investors’ concerns.

The French company paid what chief executive Jean­Pascal Tricoire described as “a very rich premium” for the British company while talking to the UK media at the World Economic Forum in Davos. At the same time he stressed Schneider’s commitment to ex­

isting jobs.

Tricoire also batted away misgivings regarding Schneider’s links to China via the company’s joint venture, founded in 2007, with Delixi Electric, a Chinese conglomerate. Opponents to the deal maintained that this could endanger Avevaowned technology.

“Most of what we do is 100 per cent Schneider,” Tricoire insisted. “The digital arm of Avea is operating in China on its own,” he was quoted as saying, suggesting that there would be no change in the current situation.

FORTY­SEVEN per cent of Spanish families are paying for out­ofschool tuition.

Of these, 46 per cent have children attending state­run schools.

This burgeoning market accounts for an annual €1.7 billion, according to the Esade Centre for Economic Policies, which found that parents paid an average of €270 per child.

The same survey revealed that the Community of Madrid spends more than any other region, with an average of €350 per pupil.

No longer restricted to the welloff, the practice has spread to all types of households, with 30 per cent of families saying that they were prepared to cut down on other extras if necessary.

is the amount that Spanish households could save on energy bills by reducing their amount of contracted electricity, as each unneeded kilowatt costs between €2.4 and €5.8 per hour.

BANKINTER: CEO Maria Dolores announced good 2022 results.

JEAN-PASCAL TRICOIRE: Chief Executive of Schneider Electric.

3I Group 1.450,00 1.450,50 1.423,00 176,83K

Abrdn 203,50 203,80 200,80 292,46K

Admiral Group 2.103,0 2.120,0 2.098,0 29,88K

Anglo American 3.573,0 3.615,5 3.573,0 130,63K

Antofagasta 1.727,50 1.753,00 1.727,50 86,14K

Ashtead Group 4.954,0 4.960,0 4.920,0 32,04K

Associated British Foods 1.824,0 1.832,0 1.818,0 64,93K

AstraZeneca 11.288,0 11.444,0 11.288,0 10,13K

Auto Trader Group Plc 577,27 578,20 571,40 149,28K

Aveva 3.219,0 3.231,0 3.219,0 0

Aviva 437,60 439,80 436,40 184,66K

B&M European Value Retail SA434,70 436,40 432,90 21,25K

BAE Systems 849,80 850,60 842,80 414,91K

Barclays 178,34 178,86 177,60 2,09M

Barratt Developments 448,40 449,30 444,90 166,10K

Berkeley 4.201,0 4.209,0 4.185,5 0,40K

BHP Group Ltd 2.773,00 2.808,00 2.776,27 17,99K

BP 478,90 482,75 478,60 2,17M

British American Tobacco 3.103,0 3.120,0 3.100,5 195,42K

British Land Company 436,60 437,30 434,40 74,66K

BT Group 128,05 129,20 126,80 871,08K

Bunzl 2.920,0 2.924,0 2.897,0 21,96K

Burberry Group 2.326,0 2.336,0 2.310,0 108,28K

Carnival 736,8 737,6 724,2 82,67K

Centrica 97,43 98,32 97,40 1,30M

Coca Cola HBC AG 1.906,6 1.925,0 1.904,5 9,52K

Compass 1.911,80 1.911,50 1.891,50 107,60K

CRH 3.607,5 3.632,0 3.601,5 58,68K

Croda Intl 7.047,9 7.060,0 6.926,0 22,74K

DCC 4.465,0 4.470,0 4.434,0 43,49K

Diageo 3.659,5 3.685,5 3.652,5 187,10K

DS Smith 347,20 347,80 344,00 738,48K

EasyJet 441,60 442,70 437,30 146,75K

Experian 2.960,0 2.959,0 2.941,0 4,47K

Ferguson 10.945,0 10.990,0 10.885,0 19,43K

Flutter Entertainment 12.470,0 12.485,0 12.360,0 17,92K

Fresnillo 932,40 937,20 921,80 101,26K

Glencore 568,70 574,80 567,90 3,60M

GSK plc 1.414,48 1.421,80 1.412,40 288,72K

Halma 2.110,9 2.111,0 2.095,0 2,93K

Hargreaves Lansdown 877,40 878,20 861,00 192,64K

Hikma Pharma 1.700,50 1.705,00 1.683,50 7,47K

HSBC 588,50 590,10 587,10 1,57M

IAG 161,02 161,78 160,30 2,11M

Imperial Brands 2.052,00 2.056,00 2.047,00 118,97K

Informa 663,26 666,40 660,20 82,03K

InterContinental 5.618,0 5.640,0 5.580,0 43,04K

Intermediate Capital 1.258,50 1.260,00 1.250,50 10,07K

Intertek 4.299,0 4.310,0 4.277,0 9,20K

ITV 77,62 77,82 76,80 894,47K

J Sainsbury 242,50 243,70 242,20 354,73K

Johnson Matthey 2.141,3 2.151,2 2.141,3 0,49K

Land Securities 699,00 701,40 694,20 91,57K

Legal & General 255,10 255,60 253,60 481,77K

Lloyds Banking 49,09 49,24 49,03 5,42M

London Stock Exchange 7.488,0 7.544,0 7.450,0 29,18K

Melrose Industries 145,15 147,10 145,00 3,85M

Mondi 1.491,50 1.501,00 1.489,50 116,79K

National Grid 1.040,00 1.042,50 1.034,00 230,36K

NatWest Group 295,60 296,30 294,70 667,70K

Next 6.388,0 6.424,0 6.376,0 8,07K

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

Ocado 713,22 719,40 705,20 146,75K

Persimmon 1.382,3 1.390,5 1.378,0 28,00K

Phoenix 625,40 625,80 622,00 46,25K

Prudential 1.300,00 1.317,00 1.286,50 340,20K

Reckitt Benckiser 5.850,0 5.856,0 5.822,0 0,81K

Relx 2.365,00 2.376,00 2.360,00 195,02K

Rentokil 500,40 503,80 499,90 632,45K

Rightmove 566,80 567,60 561,20 202,82K

Rio Tinto PLC 6.207,0 6.269,0 6.200,0 171,37K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 105,46 106,06 104,22 4,49M

Sage 756,20 757,00 749,60 91,56K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.250,50 1.251,50 1.246,50 1,64K Schroders 468,5 470,5 466,0 167,75K

Scottish Mortgage 741,80 744,80 739,60 614,92K

Segro 829,60 830,80 820,00 96,02K

Severn Trent 2.838,0 2.844,0 2.808,0 64,34K

Shell 2.380,4 2.403,0 2.378,5 833,11K

Smith & Nephew 1.142,00 1.143,50 1.130,00 189,56K

Smiths Group 1.705,84 1.714,50 1.703,00 24,72K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 11.425,0 11.435,0 11.345,0 4,41K

SSE 1.730,98 1.761,00 1.716,50 558,25K

St. James’s Place 1.237,89 1.239,50 1.227,00 34,98K

Standard Chartered 700,00 706,40 699,00 361,19K

Taylor Wimpey 114,45 114,45 113,05 768,35K

Tesco 249,50 249,60 248,60 526,43K

Tui 187,50 188,11 183,97 241,80K

Unilever 4.065,0 4.084,0 4.050,0 416,45K

United Utilities 1.050,00 1.054,00 1.040,50 67,93K

Vodafone Group PLC 90,65 90,86 90,12 7,83M Whitbread 2.996,0 3.000,0 2.965,0 25,27K WPP 915,80 921,80 913,00 116,04K

3M 118,43 122,29 4,84M

American Express 146,85 148,00 144,20 3,82M

Amgen 262,03 263,52 260,92 2,09M

Apple 135,27 136,25 133,77 57,70M

Boeing 207,09 209,67 204,82 5,76M

Caterpillar 245,75 251,25 244,30 4,88M

Chevron 179,00 179,95 176,16 5,79M

Cisco 46,46 47,05 46,39 18,99M

Coca-Cola 59,72 60,64 59,71 14,82M

Dow 56,60 56,99 55,85 5,00M

Goldman Sachs 350,75 352,16 345,52 3,06M

Home Depot 310,88 321,34 310,63 5,26M

Honeywell 200,66 204,38 200,22 4,53M

IBM 140,62 142,23 139,75 4,80M

Intel 28,42 28,75 28,24 36,63M

J&J 169,53 171,28 168,71 6,90M

JPMorgan 134,75 135,90 133,59 13,03M

McDonald’s 263,58 269,14 263,53 2,81M

Merck&Co 109,90 110,18 108,10 6,75M

Microsoft 231,93 235,52 230,68 28,18M

Nike 124,53 125,44 123,61 5,18M

Procter&Gamble 142,42 146,22 142,24 12,36M

Salesforce Inc 146,41 146,68 143,16 7,01M

The Travelers 184,04 184,42 182,23 1,45M

UnitedHealth 484,36 486,39 477,39 4,41M

Verizon 40,06 40,28 39,47 24,80M

Visa A 220,41 221,52 217,50 4,81M

Walgreens Boots 35,41 35,75 35,35 6,16M

Walmart 138,83 141,52 138,79 5,77M

Walt Disney 99,08 99,45 97,12 10,78M

Most Declined

Olink

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. -16.95% 1.625M

Sunnova Energy International Inc. -12.65% 6.971M

Enphase Energy, Inc. -10.92% 6.22M

Kuaishou Technology -10.68% 213,741

ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. -10.65% 13.818M

SunPower Corporation -10.44% 5.26M

Sunrun Inc. -10.39% 9.146M

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. -10.32% 1.767M

Super Micro Computer, Inc. -10.16% 4.91M

Rumble Inc. -9.97% 1.392M

BUSINESS EXTRA

Simple sums

BRITAIN’S chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s use of a cup of coffee to explain rising inflation was ridiculed for maintaining that a coffee now costs ‘almost £3 (€3.4)’. Both economists and consumers pointed out that a medium latte already costs £3.25 (€3.71).

It’s a gas

SPAIN expects to produce 20 per cent of Europe’s green hydrogen by 2030, revealed Enagas. The partly publicly­sector company, which operates and owns the country’s gas grid, also plans to invest €4.8 billion in distributing the renewable gas inside Spain.

Branches pruned

LLOYDS and Halifax has announced future branch closures in England and Wales due to begin in April and continue in June. Lloyds Banking Group which owns both, intends to bring the shutters down on 22 Lloyds and 18 Halifax branches.

Count your blessings

A KPMG report on Spain’s Episcopal Conference revealed that the Church in this country generates an annual €32.5 billion.

Property accounts for most of the wealth, complemented by companies, universities, schools, hospitals and the financial assets of investment funds. Banks like Santander and CaixaBank provide experts with a comprehensive knowledge of the Church’s finances while orders like the Jesuits, Augustinians and Marists usually manage assets via private bankers and fund managers. One of these, Portocolom, recently revealed more than half of the €1 billion financial assets they advise on belongs to religious orders. “Some possess assets amounting to €2 million, but others have more than €50 million,” the source said.

Sweeping statements

Linda Hall

SIR JAMES DYSON dismissed the British government’s approach to the economy and business as “stupid” and “short­sighted.”

Writing recently in the Daily Telegraph, the Dyson tycoon whose estimated fortune of €23 million was initially based on cordless vacuum cleaners, maintained that growth had become a “dirty word” since Rishi Sunak took over as Britain’s prime minister.

Dyson, who was a committed Brexit supporter, claimed that the government believed in its ability to impose “tax upon tax” on companies

under the impression that penalising private industry was one way of winning votes.

“This is as short ­ sighted as it is stupid,” Dyson warned in the Telegraph. “In the global economy, companies will simply choose to transfer jobs and invest elsewhere.”

Sir James also voiced unease at the working­from­home policies introduced when the Covid pandemic was at its height. The government had yet to succeed in convincing employees to return to the workplace after having told them to stay home to prevent infection from spreading and avoid overloading an already

overloaded NHS, he said.

The measure had damaged Britain’s work ethic, he insisted, while little had been done to emphasise the importance of face­to­face collaboration, shared culture, mental health, productivity and output. The government had also neglected the training of young, new employees, which Dyson said was vital for the success of both businesses and employees.

Britain was capable of shaking off its “Covid inertia”, he added, but declared that things could be turned round only if fast­growing companies were allowed to thrive there.

Nice work

TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY ­ ONE Spanish bankers were amongst 1,957 European bankers who earned more than €1 million in 2021.

European Banking Authority figures revealed that the number of highly paid bankers throughout Europe had increased by more than 40 per cent from the 1,383 employees listed in 2020.

It also pointed out that the best­ paid banking jobs have decamped from London to other EU capitals following Brexit, as the EBA statistics logically ex ­

cluded those working in UK. In contrast, before Britain’s EU exit, its bankers were routinely listed amongst Europe’s top earners.

According to the EBA, the increase in Europe’s €1 million ­ plus earners was the result of booming profits from investment banking “together with further relocations of staff after Brexit from the UK to the EU” as well as an overall increase in salary levels.

Seventy per cent of the high earners were employed by banks operating in Spain, France and Italy,

the EBA said.

The single highest ­ paid banker was an unnamed Spaniard who, the EBA disclosed, had earned between €14 and €15 million, describing it as a “significant amount of variable remuneration” corresponding to severance pay.

This was also 466 times more than the country’s average salary.

A further three bank employees, who worked in Spain, France and Germany respectively, each took home between €13 and €14 million in 2021.

HOUSEHOLDS are still trying to cut down on energy bills as Spain and the UK endure another cold snap.

This prompted the Daily Mail’s money experts to examine whether putting on an extra jersey was cheaper than turning up the thermostat when the thermometer plummets.

Assuming that people feel chilly once an indoor temperature drops below the World Health Organisation’s recommended 18 degrees, the investigators found that an extra layer really makes a difference.

Putting on another winter woolly will save a family an annual £250 (€285) at present, they said, adding that this would rise to £300 (€342) after the British government readjusts its energy price guarantee in April.

Wrap up! Interesting bank offer

HOPING to attract more business, CaixaBank will pay 5 per cent interest to clients domiciling monthly salaries that top €2,500.

Some strings are attached, as the offer applies to clients agreeing to pay in their wages to CaixaBank for the first time and will affect the first €5,000 of their bank balance for two years.

Clients earning €2,500 a month or more will also be offered the chance of swapping the interest for a 50 ­ inch television, while those on €1,200 can opt for a 32­ inch LG model.

They will also need to meet other requirements, including three regular standing orders and making three credit card purchases each quarter.

GOVERNMENT CRITIC: Sir James Dyson questioned Rishi Sunak’s policies.

Photo credit: CC/The Royal Society

TOP EARNERS: Spanish bankers are amongst Europe’s best paid.

Photo credit: Pixabay/Wilfried Wende

I HAVE always been convinced that the British sense of humour has been one of our most commendable and enduring assets. Through the horror of two World Wars and all the disasters and conflicts that have beset us over the years, the Brits have always managed to find some way to raise a smile out of even the most tragic circumstances.

The skill of our comedians and cartoonists is such that their humour never sets out to undermine these situations, merely eases their seriousness by lightening the mood and in doing so allows those affected to hopefully surmount their problems more easily.

The British sense of humour, sometimes indefinable and unique, has always been a bit of a mystery to the rest of the world and often something that most foreigners simply can’t get their heads around. Some years ago, I wrote that whatever the terrorist or our enemies can throw at us nothing will ever rob us of our most commendable and enduring gift, our humour. Well I was wrong.

At the time of writing that particular piece we weren’t being strangled by the despicable, destructive, and downright traitorous yolk of the PC brigade. Not content with changing their fellow citizens from a nation that prided and flourished through its policies of oratory freedom into a herd of sheep, watching

Truly disturbing

name but a few. Many contain racist humour, but they are glaringly noncontemptuous, simply frivolously humorous.

every word they say and almost frightened to open their mouths in case they offend somebody, this utterly superfluous bunch of time and woke wasters have finally managed to turn their attack on one of the most dearly loved jewels of our culture, our purveyors of comedy. Subsequently most comedians are simply not funny anymore.

Jokes that retain reference to classism, ageism, ableism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, xenophobia or Islamophobia are just not allowed on public platforms. For the new breed its ok to repeat appalling swear words, or even undermine white culture, but step out of line against a minority and you can bid your career goodbye.

One TV channel I tune into actually presents (with a large cautionary notice) a wonderful selection of early brilliant British comedy shows. ‘Benny Hill’ ‘Till Death do Us Part’ ‘Hale and Pace’ to

What I find truly disturbing about this whole PC farce is just how far this Orwellian situation is allowed to go. Another bunch of them have now issued guidelines instructing schools that eightyear­olds be taught that all genders can have periods ­ to avoid... wait for it. ‘Offending girls who identify as boys’! Well, frankly if I had my way, I would prosecute these morons for child abuse. Unfortunately, as a member of a majority, nobody is allowed to listen to me!

Keep the faith

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

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

The origin of this proverb is uncertain but it is common in many cultures. It is often used to express the importance of teaching someone how to do something, rather than just doing it for them.

OUT IN THE COLD OUR VIEW

THIS week’s freezing temperatures in Spain have reopened the argument for bringing back the Winter Fuel Payment for British expats. The scheme, which offers up to £600 for help with heating bills, was withdrawn for British nationals living outside of the UK in 2015, a move which wasn’t seen as particularly controversial by those in the UK who see the Spain as balmy temperatures all year round.

Those who actually live in Spain know the reality is very different however, with temperatures inland and particularly in the mountains often dipping into the minuses in winter.

Expats who spent tens of years of their lives paying in to the National Insurance system were justifiably angry with the turn of events when the news was announced. Now, plunging temperatures combined with soaring electric costs have brought this issue into the spotlight once again.

Expats are by nature, people who have paid taxes for many years before then asking for very little in return from their governments when they retire, in either health or social care. Given that the number of expats worldwide is estimated at 5.5 million and soon set to have UK voting rights for life though, the British government might like to remember the importance of the looking after of all its citizens, not just the ones living in Britain.

A LUXURY four bedroom three bathroom villa in Vera with the wow factor! Located close to amenities and a major town and less than 10 minutes to the local beaches. The property sits within a plot of 3,207m² and measures 266m² with detached garage, 10 x 5m pool and much more…

A private gated entrance to the rear offers plenty of off­road parking, whilst a side entrance offers further off­road parking in front of the house. At the rear is the generous garage/ workshop measuring 33m². An old well adjacent to the garage has been retained as a lovely feature. Gates from the rear parking area then open into an enclosed courtyard with a huge table for dining out and social occasions. The terracing then extends to the side of the property with lots of space, seating and planted pots.

Walking around the corner, you find a covered terrace/dayroom on the front of the house and overlooking the gardens and pool. Extended terracing with a feature balustrade

then leads to the garden area. The covered terrace offers superb views to a distant backdrop of mountains, surrounding citrus groves and the Mediterranean Sea. A long pathway with towering palm trees through the centre of the garden is an impressive feature of the landscaped garden. To the right, a spacious private terrace surrounds the 10 x 5m with steps and a Roman end. At the end of the garden, a large section of land has been used by the present owners to grow

fruit and veg and this sizeable area would be ideal for keeping horses, dogs etc. There is a small orchard, including pink grapefruit, almond, orange, lemon, pomegranate, olive and fig trees.

Entering the villa via the front door, a bright entrance hall leads to the most amazing modern kitchen. This room is drenched in bright sunlight and overlooks the pool and gardens. All appliances have been upgraded and there is an abundance of wall

and base units. A long island with high stools, hob and extractor above forms a centre­piece. Patio doors lead to the front terrace. Back in the entrance hall, and on the right a door leads into the master bedroom suite.

Firstly, you enter a long dressing room with floor to ceiling mirrored wardrobes on one side and lower fitted units on the other. A door opens into the double bedroom with air conditioning. On the opposite wall, a further door leads into the huge ensuite bathroom. This bathroom has been refurbished with an ultra­modern finish. There is a double walk­in shower with glass screen, full bath, double vanity basins and a wall heater and heated towel rail.

Back in the entrance hall and straight ahead is a door into the ground floor lounge area with ceiling fan. Another door on the right leads into the second bedroom; a double bedroom with air conditioning and en­suite shower room. The en­suite boasts a huge walk­in shower, glass shower screen and vanity unit. From

the lounge, a door leads to the rear enclosed patio area with two sets of fitted store cupboards, a separate W/C, additional fridges and freezers and a rear door out to the parking and garage area. Above this enclosed terrace is a Perspex roof that has a retractable sun awning, providing shade when needed.

Returning to the entrance hallway, a grand staircase leads up to the second floor. On this floor you will find an incredible second lounge/entertaining room with a central fireplace and air conditioning. This vibrant room spans the full width of the house. Sets of patio doors at either end of the room provide access to elevated terraces offering magnificent views. At the rear of this room, a door on the left opens to a further double guest bedroom with fitted wardrobes and air conditioning. The final door, at the other end of the lounge, gives access to the fourth guest bedroom with ensuite shower room.

SLEEPCENTRE and Homecentre are two long established unique shops based on Calle Malaga In Albox, serving a wide area inland to Baza and beyond, and down to the coast to Mojacar and across to San Juan. Often copied and never equalled is their mantra.

Their long serving, friendly and professional team offer a wealth of product knowledge and advice to every shopper. Quality is a key word for all their products but at competitive prices, there are options for all shoppers from budget to premium ranges, but never compromising on quality.

Sleepcentre have a wide range of UK and Spanish beds in fabric, wood, metal or faux leather and have huge stocks in their warehouse ready to deliver. They specialise in UK beds which include the headboard, a product which is difficult to find in Spain, but also have

excellent ranges of Spanish bases and storage options. With their personal touch and knowledge they can help and advise whatever your needs and budget.

To complement the beds they have over 50 mattresses from three manufacturers including Tempur Sealy, all of which are available to try in the showroom. The Sleepcen­

tre team believe that you cannot maintain your health without quality sleep and that with their free consultancy choosing the right mattress is the crucial first step. The right mattress can relieve pressure points and help you maintain proper alignment throughout the night.

A bad mattress can cause back pain, neck pain and other health problems.

Sleepcentre also sell a wide range of bedding, sheets and duvet sets guaranteed not to pill up, in polycotton and high thread count 100 per cent cotton, beautiful designs and quality at unbeatable prices. They also have soft fluffy towels, throws, stunning cushions, amazing artwork and lamps, all available to view.

Sleepcentre’s sister shop Homecentre focuses on furniture for the rest of the home, tables, chairs, sideboards, coffee and lamp tables in a variety of styles. Homecentre also has a kitchen accessories sec­

tion, a bar and wine rack section, and the Rug Room at the rear with a professional display stand allowing customers to see and feel the quality of the rugs. Not forgetting Clearance Corner with half price and discontinued items, so pop in and grab a bargain. The third shop in the Sleepcentre family is Abodes based on Mojacar Playa, specialising in unusual and quirky items to make your house a home.

Any sizeable item purchased from all their shops are offered free delivery, and beds and furniture have free assembly with free removal of the old item if required. Their in­house delivery team cannot be bettered, offering a personal, professional and timely service.

Choose Sleepcentre, Homecentre and Abodes to ensure complete customer satisfaction and don’t forget they don’t just sell beds!

Images: Sleepcentre

EXCLUSIVE to Next House Almeria, reformed B&B with breathtaking views, horse stables, swimming pool and outbuildings in the peaceful mountains of Velez Rubio (Almeria).

This property is very unique, it is two farm houses which have been renovated, maintaining the original character. Upon arriving at the property you are met with two buildings for storage on your right and a car port for parking. On your left is the magnificent property and in front of you is ample parking, a garage, horse stables and more outbuildings used for storage.

In the building by the car parking there is a garage space for inside parking and there are three large horse stables and a storage room. Behind this building is more storage and an area for chickens. This building could easily be changed to use as a workshop or more rental apartments.

Walking up from the car parking area you are welcomed by a terrace area and covered porch overlooking the breathtaking moutain views. The main house is on the left part of the building and is seperate from the B&B area. Entering the main house you arrive to a spacious lounge/diner with a lot of light, a traditional fireplace and unspoilt views. Continuing there is a well equipped kitchen and pantry, with a back door leading out to a private terraced area. Going upstairs you will find two

good sized double bedrooms, a spacious family bathroom and a master bedroom.

Outside, on the right side of the main building you will find the entrace to the B&B, entering you are welcomed by a lounge area and then onto a large hallway with high cellings and a wood burner. To your left are two double rooms with ensuite bathrooms, very spacious and light throughout. To your right you find a utility and laundry room, a large kitchen area leading onto a light and airy dining room overlooking the pool area and sensational mountain views. Upstairs you will find a large mezzanine area, two large double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and breathtaking views and a further family bedroom consisting of two adjoining double rooms and an ensuite bathroom. There is also a door which used to connect the B&B to the main house. The

current owners bricked the door closed. However, if desired this could be reopened to join both properties again.

From the dining room there is a door leading out to the the stunning, modern swimming pool with a beautiful terrace surrounding it, there is also an outdoor shower and a wooden storage room. Behind the back of the property you will find another storage room.

The house is powered entirely by a well equipped and up to date solar system. The hot water is also powered by the solar panels. The water is connected to mains water from the town. It also has rights to agricultural water for the trees and has a 10,000l water tank as an extra, There is access to a good internet and phone connection.

The property has been reformed to a very high standard and you wouldn’t need to

change a thing to move in. The B&B is currently up and running with all licences and it would be the perfect property for someone wanting to live in the Spanish countryside and make an income straight away!

It is positioned around 9km from the village of Velez Rubio with good access to the property. The house is located on a plot of 25,000m2 of land, including a large field full of almond trees. There are unspoilt views from every part of this property, the area is very peaceful and private.

If your dream is to live and work in the beautiful Spanish countryside and you want a property ready to move into, then this is the one for you!!

This is a MUST SEE property, the possibilities are endless, contact us to arrange a viewing. This could be your Next House in Almeria!!!

Health is wealth

NO doubt you have heard it over and over, but your health is vital to your overall happiness and well­being. Your body is one of the only things that will accompany you through your whole life, so it is crucial to take care of it. Today we bring you some fun exercises that you could add to your routine if you want to make a change in 2023.

Swimming Swimming is the ultimate exercise if you’re after a low impact, full body workout. Swimming can also improve flexibility and endurance while building muscles.

Hiking

Living in Spain, we’re lucky enough to be surrounded by incredible, varied landscapes, and the best part? Discovering more is free! Hiking is the perfect way to improve your fitness while reconnecting with the great outdoors.

Kayaking

Another excellent way to combine your interest in nature with exercise is kayaking. Plenty of coastal areas in Spain offer incredible kayaking opportunities in tranquil waters so you can get your fitness in without getting bored of the same old scenery in the gym.

Dancing Dance is an amazing way to target muscles that ordinary workouts might miss while having a blast. Try an organised dance class such as Zumba or salsa, or even head to the dance floor with friends to burn some calories while having a laugh.

KAYAKING: An exciting way to immerse yourself in nature while getting a full body workout.

Photo credit: Jacob Lund / shutterstock.com

Seasonal supplements:

PROBIOTICS are a type of live bacteria and yeast that are great for your digestive system. Our bodies need pro biotics all year round, but they are particularly important at this time of year when stomach bugs go round and as our bodies try to readjust too a normal eating routine after the holiday season and all its festive goodies.

What do probiotics do?

Probiotics ‘feed’ the good bacteria that naturally occur in your body, that are needed to keep your digestive system working. Probiotics help to maintain a balance of good bacteria in your body to fight off infections, digest food properly, create vitamins, and absorb medicines.

How can I boost probiotics naturally?

Luckily, probiotics are naturally present in lots of food sources, or are often added to improve nutritional scores.

Popular choices include yoghurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese, fermented cabbage, and sourdough bread.

The variation in types of foods containing probiotics mean that you can easily get them into your diet at each meal time.

What about a supplement?

Dietary supplements can also help you to increase your body’s good bacteria. Supplements come in the form of pills and capsules that can be taken alongside your meals or in powder form. Nutritionists recommend consuming around 10­20 billion CFUs per day for optimal gut health.

Probiotics are vital during the winter as they help to keep your digestive system running despite seasonal stomach bugs.

Photo credit: Andrii Zastrozhnov / shutterstock.com

XWORD LOVERS

I JUST wanted to let you know that the crossword is one of my favourite things to do during the week, I go down to a little bar in the port, order myself a beer and a tapa, bring the dog along with me, enjoy the sun and relax while keeping my brain occupied with the crossword. Sometimes the hubby will come along but he’ll put something in pen rather than pencil and of course it’s wrong! When he does that though he orders me a dessert to make up for it so we can excuse it... sometimes.

Vanessa, Marbella

Great expectations

I TOTALLY agree with Nicole, owning or working in the hospitality industry is a completely different kettle of fish. Having worked in hospitality for years nobody tells you when you first start or probably knows what it is like unless you have done it. The aching legs you get after a shift, trying to keep going and smile while you’ve already done 10 hours and have another two hours at least to go to close. Shout out to all the people that work in hospitality you are angels and deserve more credit.

Sinead, Benidorm

Astonishing generosity

WOW! How incredible is it that Alan Boardman donated €1,000 to Kay Millington’s cause. It is amazing to see the community do what it does and rally around someone who is doing a good deed. I can’t wait to hear more about this. Congratulations young lady and I wish you the best of luck!

Kelly, Fuengirola

Unstoppable

AND that’s just exactly what Siggi Wilzig is, to read such a story and to see how he came from the bottom all the way up to the top is incredible. His book is in my basket just waiting for me to hit buy. Just imagine yourself doing what he did. What he had to go through, it is the most amazing story and I can’t wait to read more about it. Thank you for bringing light to this, he is an inspiration and I think this could help a lot of young people today if they picked up the book too.

Martyn, Costa Blanca South

Loopy Lee

I REALLY despair at the utterly ridiculous right wing comments made week after week by loopy Lee. This time it is the bosses of the trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party and their pay grade, but to say they are using the nurses, ambulance drivers and everyone else on strike as fodder to line their own pockets is absolute rubbish. Yes we all agree that many at the top are overpaid, but why not pick on the ones at the top that are causing the strikes, many hundreds of CEOs pay themselves in excess of 100 times the average British worker (I read recently where the owner of a betting chain pocketed the equivalent

of £600 an hour). Most of these top dogs have no problem donating millions to the Tory party, but can’t find a little extra to pay their employees, it is easily understandable whose side the government is on and why the huge gap in equality is a main reason behind the unrest why these workers are on strike. Union bosses regardless of their income are fully behind the people they are paid to represent not using them as fodder, it’s time loopy Lee living on the back of his one hit wonder for years turned his little arrows in a different direction.

Ramon Osborne, Los Alcazares

Right again

AGAIN you’ve got it right in my view Leapy. Previously you said about some people stating their rights, overlooking that rights go hand in hand with ‘responsibilities’ and with regard to union demands you only have to remember that when ‘steam traction’' finished in September 1968 the unions wanted the ‘firemen to accompany the driver in diesel and electric locomotives, well that’s progressive thinking for you, well said Mr Lee.

Barry & Pauline Reading Algarrobo

Best seller

MORE like can it get any better... and now we’re probably going to get a part two and round two of the Harry waves all over again. I will say though that I am glad that it is more about him this time rather than Meghan. I just think that some things are better left unsaid or for private conversations and not for the world to know. I can never look or think about Elizabeth Arden ever again. So much for my new Christmas presents... grrr.

Bailie, Coin

Truly selfless

I CAN’T believe that these selfless firefighters who fought the Grenfell Tower blaze are suffering such an awful thing like cancer. Not enough is done for these men and women who put their lives out on the line every day. To think they have saved so many lives just to have this happen. I wish them only the best and if they can recover, a very speedy recovery.

Jeff, Manilva

Electric vehicles

I JUST don’t know what to think about them, they don’t make any noise, I never see any charging ports for them and whenever I am in one it doesn’t have the same feeling as a diesel or unleaded car. I’m not surprised that they have been deemed as unsuitable. I don’t think we are ready for them yet; we don’t have the facilities for them, and the charging stations are also known to be very expensive. I think I will stick with my wee diesel, it has done me the world of good and I have had the car for over 10 years now.

Thanks, Tony

More things holiday hotels still get wrong

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

GOOD morning, class. No talking at the back, please. I’d like to begin with another few moans about things holiday hotels still get wrong. Let me take you on a journey through the last one I encountered!

1. Check in. The room is rarely available for check in at the promised time and certainly never earlier. 2. Sockets ­ inconvenient placement of electric sockets needed for charging phones or other devices. 3. There’s rarely a well­lit mirror and plug so you can blow dry your hair and put on make­up. 4. Showers ­ why do I need a degree in engineering to work them? 5. Room lights ­ ridiculous lighting systems where there are lots of lights but none in the right place plus you get into bed and can’t find out how to turn the whole lot off. 6. Shower screens/curtains that don’t keep all the water in the bath/shower. 7. Lack of towel hanging space (yes, they want to ‘save the planet’). 8. Duvets designed for arctic con­

ditions, especially when it’s virtually impossible to adjust the heating/air conditioning. I often end up taking the duvet out of its

cover or using the bed cover instead. 9. Room doors that won’t stay open while you’re attempting to get all your luggage in or out. Those same doors with little sound insulation so you’re woken at 4am when the party crowd roll back in loudly discussing their evening as they stumble through the deserted corridors. Plus paperthin walls, made worse by connecting doors so you can hear your neighbours’ every cough, sneeze, snore and more (oops!). 10. It’d be nice to have a painting that slides over that ‘flat screen’ so that you don’t have to see it all the time.

Additionally, room service menus consisting only of overpriced stodge drowning in fat, cheese or cream, apart from maybe one or two token veggie items that sound totally unappetising. Try sticking to a postChristmas diet on that lot...

Finally, I encountered one hotel bathroom in Chicago that had been designed to within an inch of its life by a woman who’d apparently never been in a bathroom used by a man. I say a woman, because there was a well­lit area where you could sit to put on make­up. However, if you were a man who wanted to shave, good luck find­

ing a shelf more than two inches wide to put anything on. It was a really large roomwith the towel rail on the opposite side from the shower!

In general, I’ve never been in a hotel room where the lighting even approached adequacy. Always too dim and, as already mentioned, in the wrong place. I remember seeing a complaint about this in a UK chain, and the management response was: '’want our guests to have a relaxing time, blah, blah, blah...’

But if the guest’s idea of relaxation is to do needlepoint in the radiance of 10,000 suns, and then drops the needle with not enough light to find it again before stabbing themselves, what then? Sue the hotel? Or would they say you shouldn’t be embroidering?

You can’t win!

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.

GO LOCAL

WHEN YOU GO SHOPPING - GO LOCAL!

BUY LOCAL: By shopping locally, independent businesses can help support the local community.

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

Nora’s latest thriller.

cles, and the team at Neater Heater are in

clined to repeat a phrase that Derrick Trot

ter might say: “It’s Deja­vu all over again, Rodney.”

Neater Heater started life in the last cost of living crisis after the world’s economies were crashed by the banks in 2008. Primarily looking for ways to heat their kids’ bedrooms Richard and Tony had both decided separately on electric heaters. However, when shopping around they discovered that the ones on offer were either very expensive to buy, but not too expensive to run, or were very cheap to buy but cost a small fortune to run. One thing they all had in common was that they were not very efficient. This story is told in detail on their website www.neater heater.es, but the gist is that through luck they discovered a Norwegian convector heater that they could import at a reasonable cost and was cost effective to run.

It enabled them to heat a room for less money. It is not a magic solution, it is a so lution borne of efficiency and effectiveness. It is like buying a more efficient car when petrol prices go through the roof.

heaters from the ferreteria near him, but he wasn’t happy with them. He thought they were defective as his electrics frequently tripped when he was using them. He then called Neater Heater and told them the size of the rooms he wanted heating. Both small bedrooms at 9sqm.

He was provided with two 600 Watt heaters. When fitting these heaters Tony and Richard looked at the small ferreteriabought heaters and saw that they were each 2,200 Watts. In total 4.4 kilowatts. Geoff said that they just about took the edge off the cold. (He also only had a 5kW allowance, so when he put the kettle on the electrics tripped). Anyway, his bedrooms are warmer now, his electrics no longer trip, and he is saving 3.2 kilowatts every hour! In fact, possibly more as Neater Heaters have thermostats to further reduce consumption.

Neater Heater ­ Letting your money go further.

RETIREMENT is an exciting stage in life, and some of us enjoy some companionship with our extra free time!

A pet can be the perfect friend to make some new memories with, but how can you choose the perfect pet? Today we’re sharing a list of pets that are ideal for retired people.

Bichón frisé

These affectionate dogs are well ­ known for their tranquil and obedient nature. Their charm and beauty mean you won’t have a shortage of admirers on walks and their plush coat makes for great hugs. Their small size also makes them per­

Pets for retirees

fect dogs for urban living.

Corgi

The late Queen Elizabeth’s favoured breed of dog, corgis make the perfect pet for retired people. Strong, athletic, and full of beans, corgis need lots of exercise which means plenty of walks, which is perfect if you’re planning for an active retirement.

Persian cat

These majestic cats are elegant to look at and their sweet nature means they make the perfect companion for retirees

who plan to spend time around the house. These cats love to sprawl out in a sun­kissed spot and gentle affection.

Fabulous fish

If you are after a lower­

maintenance pet, fish are an excellent choice. Their vibrant colours and fascinating movement also makes them an enchanting and calming pet.

Photo

your bills with a Neater Heater. They had a customer ­ let’s call him Geoff. Now Geoff had bought a couple of small oil filled

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MOBILE homes & static caravans bought, sold and transported. +34 630 055 418 or elsyd7@hotmail. com (302142)

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

LOCAL ANGLICAN (C of E) church services at Mojacar Los Llanos Del Peral and Alhambra. Communion every Sunday in Mojacar at 11am. Communion at Los Llanos every Sunday except the last Sunday in the month when there will be Prayer and Praise all at 11am. The services that were being held in the South American church Albox have now returned to the chapel and Communion is held on the second Thursday of the month at 11am. Priest in charge Rev Canon Alan Bennet telephone number 680 243 436. For further information, please go to The Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Calida web page. Or contact Tony Noble 950 069 103. (10002)

TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For worship. We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, towards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 617 914 156 (10021)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer? Call and 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 tbuddyh hvisits@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, www.british legion.org.uk/counties/ spain-north ZURGENA Branch meeting on the first Thursday, Coffee Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at Bar Trinidad, Arboleas, for further details please email zurgenarblchairman@ gmail.com - (253989)

ABBOTT ELECTRICS .

From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (301356)

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

MOTOR INSURANCE

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

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

FOR SALE

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

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 636 444 929 Male/Female viagra, cialis, kamagra

VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They specialise in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 678 002 006 for more information (283824)

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

PLUMBERS

KNOWLES PLUMBING No 1 for all plumbing jobs big or small. Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 606 807 797 or 684 143 560 (296493)

SOLAR ENERGY

SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@sunergyalmeria.com (295779)

PROP FOR RENT WANTED INSURANCE

REMOVALS

Dacia Sandero continues to shine

ROAD TEST

byMarkSlack

WE continue to see low price entrants into the car market, but one which is still making headlines and making progress is Dacia.

Part of Renault, Dacia was originally a Romanian company building models like the Renault 12 under licence from the French manufacturer in the 1960s.

Renault took a majority stake in 1999. Fast forward and we now have a modern, keenly priced range including a much acclaimed new seven­seater.

Our focus for this test is the Sandero which in second­generation guise continued to win praise. In both looks and the drive it feels like a more expensive car than is actually the case.

There are cheaper non­tactile interior plastics, as one might expect at this price point, but in Expression

trim as tested the standard equipment list is generous.

Material trim adorns the fascia, keyless entry, power door mirrors, Bluetooth with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, cruise control, navigation, air conditioning and powered door mirrors, auto wipers, rear parking camera and sensors all come in the price of

€14,817/£12,995. This makes it somewhat of a star in the affordable price league. The Sandero range has an additional trim level of Expression priced from €15,957/£13,995.

There is just one engine size ­ 1.0­litre, three­cylinder ­ in three different power outputs including an LPG bi ­ fuel version. The turbocharged power 90 hp unit develops a much more

useable power and the LPG bi­fuel 100 hp. A CVT automatic is offered along with manual gears.

The Sandero looks good and with the 90 hp power unit it drives well and feels perky under acceleration, easily keeping up with traffic on A­ roads and motorways. There’s the characteristic thrum from the three­cylinder engine, but it really is a refined and smooth drive. My driving

week involved a lengthy journey as well as commuting and the Sandero proved comfortable and very economical.

When you look across the board, in purely price terms, at the range of cars available to buyers, the Sandero offers keen pricing and the back ­ up of a large dealer

network plus generous equipment. Many will doubtless dismiss the Sandero as rather ordinary in a market where brand snobbery still carries so much weight. It’s most definitely transport, rather than a car enthusiast dream, but nonetheless it’s a car that wholeheartedly deserves the praise that has been directed its way. Unlike earlier versions this latest model should be more durable and desirable on the second hand market.

Facts at a Glance

Model: Dacia Sandero Expression TCe 90

Engine: 0.9 turbocharged, 3-cylinder, petrol developing 90 hp

Gears: 5-speed manual Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) 11.7 seconds/Maximum Speed 175 kph (111 mph) Economy: 5.3 l/km (53.3 mpg) WLTP Emissions: 119 g/km

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

LATEST MODEL: Looks good and drives well.

Money saving motoring

JANUARY can be a taxing time for your wallet, especially if you own a car. With more journeys than usual due to the cold weather and increasing costs of running your car it might be costing you extra. Today, we’re bringing you three top tips to stop your car from breaking down and becoming an even bigger burden on your wallet this January.

• Steady upkeep

If your car is already suffering from mechanical issues, you’re bound to run into more problems. Avoid ending up with a huge bill further down the road by paying attention to your car’s maintenance. Regularly check your car’s interior and exterior condition, together

with oil and brake fluid levels.

• Efficient driving

Another sure fire way to take better care of your car is by driving efficiently. This means accelerating and braking gently where possible and keeping a steady speed. This will do wonders for your engine health and stop you from needing to refill fuel and replace tyres so often.

• Plan ahead

If you want to save money on your vehicle, plan journeys before heading out of the house so you can research the most efficient way to get there. Planning can also help you to find the cheapest locations to refill your car.

Photo credit: Mvelishchuk shutterstock.com

Planning your route ahead can help you save money by finding the most efficient way to your destination and the cheapest fuel around.

Another Premier manager sacked Ing permanent transfer

FRANK LAMPARD was sacked by Premier League outfit Everton on Monday, January 23. After a dismal first half of the season, the club finds itself languishing just above the relegation zone in 19th spot.

The 44­year­old former England star has been at Goodison Park since replacing Rafa Benitez in late January 2021, having previously been in charge of Chelsea. Lampard performed a small miracle as he steered the Toffees to safety last season when they had looked odds­on to go down to the Championship.

Everton have picked up only one point since the restart after the World Cup, a draw against the reigning champions, Manchester City. They also lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

After the 2 ­ 0 defeat at West Ham on Saturday January 21, Lampard’s position really looked untenable. He had a meeting with the club’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright. Kevin Thelwell, the club’s director of football, was also present, and it was decided to let the manager go.

A search will now take place to find the next coach but meantime, Leighton Baines ­ who currently looks after the Under 18s ­ will reportedly control the day­to­day matters at Goodison Park, along with Paul Tait, the Under 21 head coach.

WEST HAM have completed the signing of proven Premier League striker Danny Ing on a permanent transfer from Aston Villa.

The England international has joined the Hammers from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee until the summer of 2025.

All paperwork was submitted ahead of the midday deadline for the player to be eligible for their Premier League fixture against

Everton at London Stadium and the Club expected to receive formal confirmation on January 20.

The 30­year­old, who will wear the number 18 shirt for the Hammers, said: “I’m really excited to join West Ham United.”

Manager David Moyes said: “I’m really pleased to add Danny to the squad.

“We’re looking forward to integrating him into the group, as we go into a busy

period in our season.”

Ings, has 68 Premier League goals to his name in 188 top ­ flight appearances.

After splashing out a cool £25 million (€28.5 million)

on Chris Wood, Premier League high­flyers Newcastle are ready to allow the striker a move out on loan despite only joining the Magpies 12 months ago from Burnley.

Bike stolen ahead of race

ONE of the brightest prospects in cyclocross and on the road, Shirin van Anrooij, has reached out to her social media followers after one of her bikes was stolen ahead of the penultimate round of the 2022­23 UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Benidorm.

Twenty­year­old Shirin van Anrooij, a Baloise Trek Lions rider who also represents Trek­Segafredo during the road season, reached out to her followers on Twitter and Instagram, revealing that the bike was taken from a car park used by her team while she was reconning the Costa Blanca resort’s course, which is making its debut as part of cyclocross’s elite series.

“Important ­ Today my bike was stolen from the parking at the Benidorm World Cup,” she wrote. “Please let me know if you saw it or know something.”

The missing bike, a blue Trek Boone with SRAM Red eTap AXS, was the subject of a forensic investigation last month following rumours that Baloise Trek Lions’ cyclocross riders were racing with shift­brake levers that weren’t current generation SRAM Red.

Despite the theft, Dutch Shirin van Anrooij headed to the race in Benidorm to take on her rivals for ‘cross supremacy Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse, as well as world champion Marianne Vos ­ off the back of three consecutive wins since the end of December.

WEST HAM: Have signed up striker Danny Ing.