Costa de Almeria 23 – 29 March 2023 Issue 1968

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GOLDEN AWARDS

A WHOLE host of local organisations came together to help Asalsido, the Almeria Association for Down Syndrome celebrate its fifth annual ‘Down Golden Awards’ on Monday, March 20.

The prestigious prize ceremony celebrated organisations and individuals who have helped to improve the quality of life for people with Down Syndrome in the last year.

The ceremony was held the night before World Down Syndrome Day, an international initiative. On this day, individuals with Down Syndrome, their families, and advocates come together to celebrate their accomplishments and to educate others about the challenges they face.

The ceremony, presented by journalist Belén Nieto, was attended by representatives from Almeria City

Council and representatives from various organisations that have supported Asalsido’s work and made a difference to people with Down Syndrome in the region.

Those recognised includ­

ed the Ministry of Employment for its inclusion initiatives as well as individuals who have dedicated their professional and personal lives to supporting people with Down syndrome.

Asalsido President, Isabel

Walk for diabetes

Parras, thanked those receiving awards for their unwavering support and highlighted the need to continue working towards the inclusivity for people with Down Syndrome.

Parras also spoke about Asalsido’s current goals including their current project to build a four ­ floor sheltered accommodation building for 60 people with Down Syndrome “can live independently, and to fly towards their own destiny.”

Asalsido continued their celebrations on World Down Syndrome Day on Tuesday, March 21 with a live cookery workshop.

The workshop saw members of staff at the organisation come together with people with Down Syndrome who Asalsido supports for an afternoon of culinary fun, creating a variety of delicious dishes, using fresh ingredients.

ON May 7, Mojacar resident Una Martin will be organising the 777 Walk challenge in support of JDRF, the world’s leading type 1 diabetes non lucrative research charity dedicated entirely to curing, treating and preventing type 1 diabetes.

Both her granddaughter and daughter were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within years of each other and have been so well supported by JDRF, and Una Martin is taking time to support them in return with her fundraising on JustGiving.

JDRF know that the cure is out there and together they will find it.

The walk will start at Boracay Restaurant in Garrucha at 10am.

Blue is the colour that represents the charity so it would be nice if the participants could wear blue.

For more information contact https://www.just giving.com/page/unamartin­1678792868789? newPage=true.

One prizewinner proudly celebrates his award at the Almería Premios Down de Oro Down Syndrome Award Ceremony.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Almería

Una is supporting JDRF.

Hiking hotspot

Betty Henderson

AFTER two successful hiking trips on the Circular Sierra de Gádor Dalías and the Loma del Perro on Sunday, March 19, the Diputación de Almeria’s popular Senderismo hiking programme is back! The event, which offers a total of 17 hikes over the course of the next year, aims to get residents in Almeria into the countryside, to discover more of their local area while keeping fit.

• The rest of the hikes for the spring and summer season include:

High difficulty:

Sunday, April 9 ­ Ruta de La Minería (Bedar)

Sunday, May 14 ­ Los Molinos y Las Fuentes (Abla)

Sunday, September 24 ­ Las Encinas Mile­

SUMMER is approaching and many people are starting to plan their holidays. Or, perhaps, they simply want to make a getaway in spring to spend a weekend in an environment surrounded by nature, away from the big cities.

The current trend when it comes to planning a few days away from home is to look for tourist accommodation on the internet, whether houses or flats.

narias (Serón)

Beginner/ family hikes:

Sunday, April 9 ­ Senda de Monterrey (Laujar)

Sunday, May 14 ­ Pinar de la Alfahaura (María)

Saturday, July 15 ­ La Mena­ Macenas (Mojácar)

Saturday, August 12 ­ Sendero Los Genoveses (San José)

Sunday, September 24 ­ Río Molinos (Bayarcal)

More information, including how to register, is available at: https://www.dipalme.org/Servi cios/cmsdipro/index.nsf/fiestas_view_activi dad.xsp?p=dipalme&actividad=Actividades+Air e+Libre

Favourite town

This is becoming more and more common, especially in places where there is a shortage of hotel accommodation.

One of the most important websites in this sector is Holidu. Based on all the data they collected during the month of February they have elaborated a ranking of the most searched destinations

and one of them is Almeria.

According to Holidu, Carboneras has been the third most searched town in Andalucia on its website to book a holiday rental.

It is only surpassed by Niebla (Huelva) and Soportújar (Granada). With 1,900 searches in February, Carboneras surpasses other destinations.

EWN 23 - 29 March 2023 3 NEWS euroweeklynews.com

NIBS EXTRA

Clocks go forward

DAYLIGHT Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at 2.00am. At this time, clocks will ‘spring forward’ as we welcome in the longer days and sunnier seasons of spring and summer.

Nautical centre

ALMERIA City Council intends to recover possession of the chalet in La Marina. The property on the seafront, which is municipally owned and protected, has been squatted for more than a year and a half and is now set to become the nautical recreational centre of the province.

Adra walkway

A 400-METRE walkway over the sea in Adra is set to be built. The new path, will be a tourist attraction for the municipality and will run from La Albufera to the Lance neighbourhood. The project will have an investment of nearly €700,000.

H20 upgrade

THE Huercal­Overa Town Hall is preparing to provide the H2O Sports Centre with new machinery. After the extension of the fitness room, the thousands of users that pass through the centre daily will now have more modern machines at their disposal.

Powerful park

THE ‘City of Bayra Archaeological Park’ will make Vera a ‘powerful tourist attraction’. The project will be carried out in various phases and areas of intervention over the next six years and includes the systematic excavation and archaeological study of the remains exhumed.

Grow up

THE campaign ‘Learn to grow up safely’, will bring the culture of risk and accident prevention to 480 students from 10 schools throughout the province, as well as to their teachers and parents of students.

AGRI­FOOD exports to Japan reached a record €164 million in 2022, of which more than half corresponds to olive oil.

The province of Almeria has the lowest export turnover to Japan of all the other Andalucian provinces, with a total of €141,000.

Sevilla is ahead, leading agri­food sales in 2022, contributing 39 per cent of the Andalucian total, with €64 million; followed by Malaga with sales worth €49 million, 29.8 per cent of the total and a growth of 40 per cent compared to the previous year.

The province of Cadiz is in third place with a total of €19.8 million and is the sec­

NIJAR is making great strides in reducing the local crime rate. Nijar is the only town in the region with a population greater than 20,000 in which sexual crimes, violent attacks and burglaries have all decreased.

The latest crime report released by the Ministry of Interior on Monday, March 20 showed a 4 per cent decrease in crime in Nijar compared to data from 2019, which was the last year of data from before the pandemic.

ond fastest growing with an increase in sales of 60 per cent compared to 2021.

Meanwhile, in the area to the west of Nijar, crime rates have increased by 6 per cent in other towns with populations above 20,000. The data reflects the impressive efforts made by the Local Police and regional police in Nijar whose hard work has paid off in bringing down crime rates. The Local Police force in Nijar is also

Red list risk

A MONUMENT in Almeria has now been added to the Heritage Red List for risk of destruction, the unique building built in 1880 in Tíjola is in serious danger.

There is a ranking in which no municipality would want to see its monuments: the Red Heritage List.

This is a list drawn up by the Association Hispania Nostra with the aim of publicising, raising awareness and taking action on heritage elements in Spain that are at risk of disappearing.

A few days ago, the province of Almeria added a new monument to this unwanted list: the Molino de la Cerra, in Tijola. According to Hispania Nostra, this building is in a worrying state of progressive ruin.

The Association pointed out that it is a privately owned property whose owner acquired it with the intention of rehabilitating it, but has failed to do so

Cordoba becomes the fourth exporting province with a total of €12.4 million, 7.6 per cent of the total; followed by Jaen, in fifth place, with an export value of 1€1.4 million, 7 per cent of the total and an increase of 44 per cent.

Granada is the province that has grown the most in 2022 with more than double the sales (+129 per cent) and is sixth in terms of exports with a total of €6.8 million.

125 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

THE sounds of music and the fragrant aroma of freshly planted rosemary blended perfectly in the Parque del Andarax as Almeria City Council joined forces with the OCAL orchestra for their ‘Music and Sustainability’ initiative on Sunday, March 19.

Image: csh3d / Shutterstock.com

better equipped than ever before, with new and remodelled facilities that meet the needs of the community. There is still work to be done, but this significant reduction in crime is cause for celebration. Residents can rest assured that their safety and security is a top priority for the authorities in Nijar.

Tourist municipality

MOJACAR is excited to confirm that it is set to become an official Tourist Municipality of Andalucia.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Arturo Bernal, announced that the Council of Government will imminently approve the declaration of Mojacar as a Tourist Municipality of Andalusia (MTA).

of the application.

The event saw residents plant more than 600 rosemary plants, while being serenaded with tuneful melodies by more than 70 young musicians who are in the orchestra.

due to ‘administrative obstacles’, despite the fact that it does not currently have any specific protection.

The Molino de la Cerra is a flour mill that was commissioned in 1880 by the French photographer Guillaume Guiard Burgalat.

The declaration as a Tourist Municipality of Andalucia can be applied for by towns with a legal population of no more than 100,000 inhabitants and which meet, among others, a series of requirements relating to the volume of overnight stays and the number of visitors received.

The annual average number of daily overnight stays in tourist accommodation establishments must be higher than 10 per cent of the municipality’s residents, according to the municipal census figures declared official at the time

They must also accredit that they have a municipal tourism quality plan, which includes measures to improve services and benefits, and a consistent offer based on heritage, natural, cultural, ethnographic, sporting or leisure resources, and that they have minimum infrastructures to attend to their visitors.

The mayor of Almeria, María del Mar Vázquez praised the initiative, which followed the ‘De La Tierra’ concert held the previous day at the Maestro Padilla Auditorium, where guests received rosemary plants for free.

The mayor expressed her gratitude to the OCAL for creating an initiative that combines music, families, and a love for nature.

Organisers also congratulated members of the orchestra for an incredible performance, despite having to play outdoors.

Olive oil exports.

Image: Valentyn Volkov / Shutterstock.com

Record numbers

Rescue and restore Walk for Life

ARBOLEAS Walk for Life 2023 will be held on Saturday, April 29.

Because of the Coronation, the date has been brought forward by one week to Saturday, April 29.

Sponsorship forms are available at Total Entertainment Albox and Arboleas or by emailing claire.walk4life@gmail.com.

Walk for Life is a voluntary group committed to helping people with cancer. It obtained Charitable Status on March 14, 2014.

The charity is located in Arboleas in Almeria and has been operating for the past 10 years.

The Walk for Life committee meets regularly and remains in constant touch with each other to ensure they administer to the needs of their client base in a quick and conscientious manner.

All of the people the charity help are dealt with in the strictest of confidence. Walk for Life has a data protection policy in line with current legislation.

OVER the next four years, Life Dream will spend time studying and restoring ecosystems heavily impacted by the effects of climate change, fishing and marine pollution along the Almeria coastline.

The project will be carried out in four areas of interest in the Mediterranean: the Monopoli shelf and the Bari Canyon in the southern Adriatic; the Dohrn Canyon in the Tyrrhenian Sea; the Seco de los Olivos seamount in the Alboran Sea; the Alonisos Marine National Park and the northern Sporades Islands, located on the continental shelf

of the Aegean Sea. Claudio Lo Iacono, one of the project coordinators, con-

firmed: “These ecosystems play a key role in maintaining global biodiversity and act as

CO2 sinks, so it is important to know their ecology and conservation status.”

Jorge Guillen, who also participates in the initiative added: “The LIFE-DREAM project will allow us to generate maps of the anthropogenic impact on these communities, which will help to improve their management and conservation and obtain a global image of the state of cold-water corals in the Mediterranean.”

Almeria gets Re-ready

EXCITEMENT is building in Almeria as Re­Read, a popular second­hand book company, prepares to open its doors in the city.

With over 60 stores in almost 40 locations throughout Spain, Re­Read is known for providing customers with affordable and quality second­hand books. And now, the wait is almost over for residents in Almeria as the grand opening is scheduled

for the end of March or the beginning of April just next to a central square in the city.

The unique book shop offers books in excellent condition for less than €3, and never for more than four. As well as giving customers a chance to discover new titles, the business also supports sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

Behind this exciting new

bookstore are the dynamic duo of Eugenia Martínez Cantarero and Paola Díaz Ferreira. These two entrepreneurs are the proud owners of a successful ReRead store on the Gran Vía de Colón in Granada, which they opened in 2019. They are now bringing passion for books and their commitment to providing top­quality service to the people of Almeria.

18% of enterprises surveyed had a female Chief Executive Officer in 2020.

The shop’s opening date is set to be announced shortly.

ECOSYSTEMS: Conserving the cold-water coral reefs.

Image:

HARLEY’S Bar and Restaurant in Huercal­Overa is proud to host an event that promises fun, excitement, and lots of opportunities to win fabulous prizes, and it’s all for a great cause.

On Friday, April 7, skilled quizmaster Tony Matthews, alongside Spectrum Radio, will take charge of a quiz as teams go head­to­head in a battle of wits. But it’s not just about the quiz, as the event will also feature a raffle with even more chances to win big, and delicious treats from Brenda’s Pancakes to give everyone some brain power.

The afternoon is being held

Paws for thought Green glass campaign

in aid of Maz’s Canine and Feline animal sanctuary. All proceeds from the event, including a €2 entry fee, will go towards supporting abused and abandoned animals in the region. Guests will also be asked to donate a tin of dog or cat food per team to help these amazing animals in need.

Whether you come in a group or are placed in a team on the day, the action is set to kick off at 2pm and run until 5pm. To book a table and secure a spot at the event, contact Sarah: 643 718 881.

Symphony of local talent

THE Orquesta Ciudad de Almeria (OCAL) performed a stunning concert at the Auditorio Maestro Padilla on Saturday, March 18.

As well as being treated to musical excellence, attendees were also given a rosemary plant to care for at home or to plant in the city, as a symbol of the orchestra’s commitment to fostering young talent in the region.

The concert showcased the talent of two exceptional musicians from the region: Granada pianist Rogelio Gil and Almeria soprano Elena Gallardo. The OCAL provided the perfect platform for these musicians to shine, and they de­

livered a mesmerising performance.

The ‘De la tierra’ concert was part of the OCAL’s ongoing exploration of Beethoven’s symphonies. Under the direction of Michael Thomas, the orchestra brought energy and elegance to the prodigy’s eighth symphony.

The concert began with Beethoven’s overture ‘Coriolano’. It was followed by the beautiful ‘Vorrei spiegarvi, Oh Dio!’ by Mozart, and his ‘Concerto for piano n.23 in La Mayor’.

The audience left the concert hall with a sense of awe and appreciation for the exceptional musical talent that the region has to offer.

MOJACAR Council is taking a proactive approach to encourage the hospitality sector to recycle their glass containers, with a new campaign set to launch in collaboration with the Almanzora Levante Vélez Waste Company.

The project, announced on Friday, March 17, aims to visit local businesses and offer guidance on how to recycle correctly, as well as providing resources to make the process easier.

The hospitality sector is a major cause of single ­ use glass waste, accounting for around 50 per cent of waste in the single­use glass category. By working together, the campaign hopes to achieve recycling targets and make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change.

A team of environmental reporters are set to run surveys and interviews with local businesses to gain a better understanding of their

needs, with the aim of adapting resources to suit them. They will also provide information on the social, economic, and environmental benefits of recycling glass containers.

The campaign will also help the council in meeting the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. It also serves as a reminder that small changes can have a big impact when it comes to protecting the planet.

A new recycling campaign in Mojacar’s hospitality industry aims to improve sustainability, keeping the town as a beach paradise.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Mojácar (via email)

St Patrick’s celebration

Betty Henderson MOJACAR’S Irish community came together to celebrate their beloved patron saint, Saint Patrick, in a vibrant and lively ceremony at Santa María Parish Church on Friday, March 17. The event was a true representation of the strong bond that the Irish Catholic community shares with Mojacar.

Mojacar Parish Priest, Víctor Manuel Fernández, led the mass, conducting the service in both English and Spanish to share the celebration with all in attendance. Other prominent members of the community attended the event, including councillors, who joined their Irish neighbours in celebrating this important festival.

Fernández retold the story of Saint Patrick’s life, bringing to life the story of his capture by Scottish pirates and subse-

quent enslavement in Ireland.

After seven years of captivity, he managed to escape, only to return as a missionary, preaching the gospel and forming several Christian communities. He respected the traditions and customs of the people, and was known as Ireland’s patron saint, where he died of old age around the year 461. The Irish community later continued their celebrations, bringing the streets to life with music, dance, and laughter as the community came together to celebrate their patron saint.

Mobile ITV

AS a motorcycle or moped owner, ensuring the safety of your vehicle is not only essential for your own safety, but also that of those around you. Securing an ITV certificate can also help drivers in Spain to avoid fines.

VEIASA, the Spanish vehicle inspection authority, has introduced mobile ITV units specifically designed to inspect two­wheeled vehicles and certify their use. Mojacar Pueblo is set to host a mobile ITV unit on Tuesday, March 28.

A VALUABLE upgrade to Cuevas del Almanzora’s Andrés Soler football field will make life more pleasant for all fans, visitors and athletes who want to watch games and train safely and in style!

The local council installed a new shaded area in part of the stadium’s stands, making the stands a more comfortable space.

The council acted in response to a request from the club for the large canopy shade which is held up by a tilted frame. The canopy offers shade without obstructing the view of the field.

During a visit to the football field, councillor for Sports, Miriam Quintana, expressed her excitement about the upgrade saying

“Now we have a beautiful space to watch our football games protected from the sun. In the next few weeks, we will be installing the remaining canopy to complete the stands and provide an even larger shaded area.”

This upgrade follows a renovation and expansion of the locker rooms, toilets, and stands three years ago, which also made the field more player and audience ­ friendly, as well as encouraging locals to get involved in sports.

Drivers can bring twowheeled vehicles for inspection between 12.15pm and 1.30pm in Plaza Rey Alabez.

In Spain, all twowheeled vehicles are required to undergo an ITV (MOT) test three years after registration, and every two years thereafter.

The inspection ensures that the vehicle is in good condition and meets the necessary safety standards. The mobile units aim to make the inspection process more convenient for motorcycle and moped owners, as they no longer have to travel to a purpose­built inspection centre.

For an appointment or information contact Mojacar Town Hall.

Mojacar’s Irish community celebrated their traditional roots with a mass for Saint Patrick’s Day.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Mojácar (via email)

More shade for spectators.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Cuevas del Almanzora

THE town hall has now published its Beach Plan and confirms that Roquetas de Mar wants the high season to begin at Easter.

All the infrastructures and services offered by the town hall on the beaches are a consequence of a demand by the users who occupy the coastline of Roquetas de Mar, whether visitors or locals.

This is always under the premise of offering guarantees of the quality and safety of the beaches, so that, due to the high occupancy during the bathing season, the town hall of Roquetas de Mar is obliged to place and maintain these facilities and services.

These movable assets are intended, in addition, to provide safety for beach users and also to improve accessibility, prioritising

High season

equipment for people with disabilities or reduced mobility.

These include signage, nautical canals, wooden walkways, accessible walkways, accessible shaded areas, marked accessible bathing areas, sports areas, surveillance chairs and blue canisters,

among others.

With regard to facilities provided by third parties, the facilities or services are, in particular, sun loungers and parasols, nautical activities, ice cream pedestals, children’s games, water parks, beach kiosks and massage plots, among others.

Excellent exporting

IN good news for the region, Andalucia has confirmed its exports continue to set record figures, but are slowing down.

In January, products were sold to other countries for €3,206 million, 6.2 per cent more than the previous year.

These figures are thanks, above all, to the strength of the food sector (which accounts for 36.7 per cent of foreign turnover and is growing by 4.9 per cent) and the growth in sales of energy products (+40.8 per cent) and chemicals (+29.7 per cent).

However, the community is far from the double-digit growth of previous months (ex-

VERA I nternational Photo Club will be holding an Exhibition in the Hotel Puntazo, Mojacar Playa on Saturday March 25 at midday.

The exhibition will feature Rod Westwood and Emilio Aramburur Escolano amongst others.

Vera Photo Club is a club for everyone who is interested in photography.

Their meetings are usually held on the first Sunday of the month from 10.00am until 1.00pm in Turre.

The photography club’s first meeting is a presentation of members’ photos relating to the monthly challenge. A member or guest is invited to critique the photos in a friendly and constructive manner to encourage and educate.

The mid-month meeting is

cept for November, when there was a decline).

Andalucia stands at the beginning of the year as the fourth exporting community after Catalonia, Madrid and Valencia, with 10.4 per cent of the total, lower than the 11.6 per cent with which it ended 2022 and 11 per cent average for the whole year.

Foreign sales, moreover, are growing considerably less than Spanish sales, since at national level the increase is 16.2 per cent. This is due, among other things, to the fact that in Spain, food sales grew considerably more (+15.9 per cent, up to €30,921 million).

Photo fun

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA

SIXTY-ONE years ago on March 21, the filming of the super production ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ began in the province of Almeria, whose activity continued for more than three months until its conclusion on July 7.

to view presentations on a wide variety of topics from fellow photographers and guests.

If you have any questions about the club or the photos, or if you would like to join, either email veraphotoclub @gmail.com or call (+34) 634 343 653.

Carboneras became the Jordanian city of Aqaba. At the mouth of the Alías river, next to the Algarrobico beach, a replica of this early 20th-century town was built, made up of some 300 houses.

In the cast were the celluloid stars, Omar Shariff, Peter O’Toole, Anthony Quinn and Alec Guinnes among others.

BEACH PLAN: Guaranteeing quality and safety.

Image: Charlesy / Shutterstock.com

Image: michaeljung

EWN radio star

ON Monday, March 20, the Euro Weekly News was live on air at one of Spain’s biggest stations, TRE, to discuss the upcoming launch of its latest paper, the Costa Calida­Murcia edition.

Meeting with afternoon show host Hannah Murray at the station’s Cancelada studios, Euro Weekly News Editorial Director Sally Underwood spoke about the new paper, when it was coming out, what it would offer and how you can get a copy.

Sally explained: “People have been asking us to do this for a very long time. We know there is a huge English ­ speaking community there and it is an under ­ represented region.

“We will be the only weekly English ­ language newspaper covering the region.”

Explaining why the Eu ­

ro Weekly News is choosing to launch the Costa Calida ­ Murcia edition now, Sally said: “It’s something we’d looked to do in 2020 but didn’t for obvious regions.

“This year it feels like the time is right for growth.

“We have a huge base of loyal clients who have been very supportive and our first edition will be 24

pages. We see that growing very quickly.”

The pair also discussed the phenomenal growth Spain has seen since the end of the pandemic, with many businesses saying 2022 was their best year ever.

Watch out for the new Costa Calida ­ Murcia edition coming out on the streets and online on Thursday, March 30.

Champagne shenanigans

TWO British men, aged 49 and 52, have been arrested in Madrid trying to leave a bar without paying their rather hefty champagne bill.

The pair, who claimed to be millionaires, were drinking in the Commo bar in Madrid and are said to have tried to leave the nightspot around 3am on March 16, without settling a €2,200 (£1,930) drinks bill they owed.

Police sources cited by Spanish media said the men shouted 'We're millionaires' before inviting other revellers including several pretty women to around 90 glasses of champagne and telling staff they would pay.

Bar staff are understood to have let them rack up the large bill because they had previously settled an earlier bill for €1,000 (£880).

Police were called after the men allegedly

refused to hand over any more cash and 'began to show a violent attitude', they were subsequently arrested on suspicion of committing fraud.

It had not been confirmed if the drinks bill was eventually settled and whether the men, have appeared in court.

New voices

IN a historic first, the Montserrat Monastery, located near Barcelona, announced it would admit women and girls into its famous choir on Wednesday, March 16.

Escolania choir has been an all­boys choir for its 700 year history, but now it will be joined by a separate chamber choir made up of around 25 boys and girls aged 17 to 24. According to senior priests, the new mixed choir will also occasionally take over liturgical duties to give the all­male choir a break.

This move is a response to an increasing demand for girls to be included in the choir to reflect the changing times we live in. Father Efrem de Montellà, the monastery’s spokesperson described the issue as a “complex and difficult question” but said they realised that they had to respond, making changes.

Hefty champagne bar bill was left unpaid.

Image: Shutterstock.com/ Africa Studio

SALLY AND HANNAH: Murray (right) interviewed EWN Editorial Director Sally.

No to octopus farm

THE world’s first octopus farm is set to open in Gran Canaria which would seehundreds of thousands of octopuses commercially reared in cramped tanks every year before being slaughtered for food. Scientists have warned that they would endure intense and prolonged suffering and concluded that “octopuses are sentient beings and that it’s impossible to farm them in a way that doesn’t compromise their welfare. Confining these fascinating individuals—or any other animals—to a barren tank is cruel.”

According to a national news outlet, Nueva Pescanova the Spanish multinational behind the plans denies that octopuses will suffer.

Elena Lara from CiWF (Compassion in World Farming) called on the Canary Islands authorities to block construction of the farm, which she said would

Champagne shenanigans

"inflict unnecessary suffering on these intelligent, sentient and fascinating creatures".

The government of Gran Canaria has not responded to requests for information. Currently, there is no legislation in Spain that protects octopus welfare as they haven´t been commercially farmed before.

New voices

IN a historic first, the Montserrat Monastery, located near Barcelona, announced it would admit women and girls into its famous choir on Wednesday, March 16.

Escolania choir has been an all­boys choir for its 700 year history, but now it will be joined by a separate chamber choir made up of around 25 boys and girls aged 17 to 24. According to senior priests, the new mixed choir will also occasionally take over liturgical duties to give the all­male choir a break.

This move is a response to an increasing demand for girls to be included in the choir to reflect the changing times we live in. Father Efrem de Montellà, the monastery’s spokesperson described the issue as a "complex and difficult question" but said they realised that they had to respond, making changes.

TWO British men, aged 49 and 52, have been arrested in Madrid trying to leave a bar without paying their rather hefty champagne bill.

The pair, who claimed to be millionaires, were drinking in the Commo bar in Madrid and are said to have tried to leave the nightspot around 3am on March 16, without settling a €2,200 (£1,930) drinks bill they owed.

Police sources cited by Spanish media said the men shouted 'We're millionaires'

AFTER undergoing intensive training in Zaragoza, a group of 55 Ukrainian soldiers are now ready to operate and maintain the Leopard 2 A4 tanks, which Spain is expected to send to Ukraine.

Officials announced on March 15, that the monthlong training program had now concluded. Training consisted of a mix of theoretical and practical lessons using simulators and field manoeu­

before inviting other revellers including several pretty women to around 90 glasses of champagne and telling staff they would pay.

Bar staff are understood to have let them rack up the large bill because they had previously settled an earlier bill for €1,000 (£880).

Police were called after the men allegedly refused to hand over any more cash and 'began to show a violent attitude', they were subsequently arrested on suspicion of committing fraud. It had not been confirmed if the drinks bill was eventually settled and whether the men, have appeared in court.

Tank training

vres using the Leopard tanks.

The soldiers, selected by Ukrainian authorities, included 40 tank crews and 15 technical specialists, the training also involved 30 Spanish soldiers and ten translators.

The Ukrainian soldiers will now return home through

Poland ready to enter combat.

The Leopard 2 A4 tanks are considered “superior” to other tanks already being used in Ukraine, and the soldiers are pleased with the training, according to Captain Contreras, the head of the Ukrainian delegation.

Hefty champagne bar bill was left unpaid .

Image: Shutterstock.com/ Africa Studio

18% of enterprises surveyed had a female Chief Executive Officer in 2020.

AS cities across Spain cut down on car emissions, the DGT has begun issuing Environmental Quality Seal stickers to show whether vehicles are environmentally friendly. Some cities are now requiring these stickers to drive through them. Our guide below tells you everything you need to know about the new scheme.

• What is the DGT Environmental Quality Seal?

The DGT Environmental Quality Seal is an instantly recognisable sticker that identifies the most environmentally friendly vehicles. There are two types of stickers: One for motorcycles and one for vehicles.

• What vehicles have the Environmental Quality

EXPLAINER: the DGT Environmental Quality Seal

Seal?

There are four quality seal categories based on the vehicle’s emission levels:

Zero emissions quality seal, blue. Applies to: Battery electric vehicles (BEV); Range­extended electric vehicles (REEV); Plug­in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) with a minimum range of 40 km; and fuel cell vehicles.

Eco ­ quality seal, green and blue. Applies to:

Plug ­ in hybrid vehicles with a range of less than 40 km; hybrid electric vehicles (HEV); natural gas vehicles; and natural gas (CNG and LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles.

C­quality seal, green. Applies to:

Lightweight petrol cars and vans registered from January 2006; Lightweight diesel cars and vans registered from 2014; and heavy petrol or diesel vehicles with more than eight seats registered from 2014.

Petrol vehicles must meet the Euro 4, 5 and 6 standards and diesel vehicles must meet the Euro 6 standard.

B­quality seal, yellow. Applies to:

Lightweight petrol cars and vans registered from January 2000; Lightweight diesel cars and vans registered from January 2006; and heavy petrol or diesel vehicles with more than eight seats registered from 2005.

Petrol vehicles must meet the Euro 3 standard and diesel vehicles must meet the Euro 4 and 5 standards.

• Where do vehicles need the Environmental Quality Seal?

Spain’s new low­emission

zones are in place in Madrid and Barcelona. Spanish motoring authorities in these cities require you to have the official DGT Environmental Quality Seal sticker on the rear window of a vehicle indicating its emission levels. You also have to register your vehicle to drive through these cities.

• How do I get the Environmental Quality Seal?

The easiest way to get the DGT Environmental Quality Seal is through Correos, or any other post office, either in ­ person or online here: www.market. correos.es/product/distinti vo­ambiental­dgt

Correos is authorised by the DGT to issue its environmental quality seals and the sticker costs just €5 to purchase.

First, find the relevant sticker for your vehicle or motorcycle and add it to your basket on the Correos website.

You are required to submit your documentation including the registration certificate of the vehicle for which you are requesting the quality seal, and the ID of the vehicle owner or the person authorised to make the request.

You will receive the sticker within 48 hours of your request and you will need to stick it on the lower­right corner of your windscreen or another visible part of the vehicle.

Correos is authorised by the DGT to issue its environmental quality seals and the sticker costs just €5 to purchase.

Boost for beekeepers

Betty Henderson SPAIN’S Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, announced on Monday, March 20 that the country will request aid from the European Union to support the struggling beekeeping industry. The ministry also put its support behind measures to address issues facing the wine industry due to problems with distilleries.

According to Planas, the Spanish beekeeping industry is in a difficult situation due to high imports of honey from third party countries, particularly China and Ukraine, which have re ­

SPAIN’S crime rate stands at 48.8 per 1,000 inhabitants at the end of 2022.

The total number of criminal offences recorded last year totalled 2,325,358 offences, of which 1,949,852 (83.9 per cent of the total) corresponded to the category of conventional crime, which represents a reduction of 1.6 per cent over 2019.

The year 2019 is the statistical reference year as it was the last one not affected by the restrictions imposed to

duced due to geopolitical issues.

Spain will request aid from Brussels for the industry and will also push for country ­ of ­ origin labelling for honey, a topic that was previously discussed by EU countries in January, and which could promote the industry in foreign markets.

The Minister spoke

about French plans to reduce surplus wine in the market. If the European Commission agrees to the French plan, Spanish ministers will also support it.

Planas will also pressure Europe to take action to address the tariffs imposed by the United States on some varieties of Spanish olives.

Low on crime

deal with the Covid­19 pandemic.

Cybercrime recorded a total of 375,506 criminal offences (16.1 per cent of the total), an increase of 72 per cent over 2019.

Spain maintains a low crime rate compared to other European countries, such as the United Kingdom (79.5 per 1,000 inhabitants), Germany (60.7 per 1,000 inhabi­

tants) and Belgium (74.8 per 1,000 inhabitants).

The Security Forces were aware of a total of 2,325,358 criminal offences in 2022, a figure that places the crime rate at 48.8 known criminal offences per thousand inhabitants, according to the Crime Balance for the fourth quarter of 2022, published on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.

Applying for a blue badge

PEOPLE with reduced mobility or visual impairment can apply for a disabled parking badge in Spain, allowing you to park in designated disabled areas, or in green and blue zones.

Due to Brexit, British disabled parking badges are formally invalid in Spain, although some local authorities will give special dispensation, but essentially you need to apply for a new blue badge.

The disabled parking permit is non­transferable and you can use it as a driver or as a passenger, placing it on view inside the car.

You can then park in disabled parking spaces and in;

• Loading and unloading zones with no time limit

• Blue parking (ORA) zones with no fee payable

• In some cities you will be able to park in restricted traffic areas

How to apply for the disabled parking badge

the Tarjeta Europea de Estacionamiento

• Go to your town hall where they will tell

you of the requirements, what documentation you need and they give you an application form. It can be requested in any country of the European Union and can be used to park in any EU country.

• Make an appointment to apply, it may be in person or online.

• You must be registered on the appropriate padron (empadronamiento)

• You will need recognition of your disability, that you obtain through your doctor, the degree of disability must be at least 33 per cent.

• If you are visually impaired, your recognized ophthalmologist must issue you with a certificate.

• You will need to submit two passport size photographs.

• And complete the corresponding application form.

There are stiff penalties for the misuse and falsification of the disability card. The regulation of the blue badge in Spain is covered by the Royal Decree 1056/2014 of December 12.

Photo credit: Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha / Wikimedia Commons

Spanish industry figures will push the EU for country-of-origin labelling for jars of honey to boost the beekeeping industry.

Ambitious plans

AHEAD of Spain assuming leadership of the EU in July as part of its rotating leadership model, the country has been laying out its priorities while in the role.

Speaking on Wednesday, March 15, President Pedro Sánchez said that it plans to reform the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum during a summit with neighbouring Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa.

Sánchez described the issue as “particularly sensitive” in popular entry countries including Spain, Italy and Greece. The reforms to the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum are set to focus

on making the system fairer, with migrants distributed between EU countries.

Spain will press for the EU to prevent the closure of internal borders as a way to control so­called "secondary movements" of immigrants on European soil. France

currently has nine of its border crossings with Spain closed. The Pact on Migration and Asylum is deeply complex and divides EU countries. Spain is currently sounding out the other 27 EU countries to understand their stances.

More opportunities

BEFORE the economic crisis of 2007, and before entering a recession in 2009, Spain’s

economy was one of the strongest in all of the European Union. When the COVID­19 pandemic struck in early 2020, the steady growth experienced in the previous decade was decimated and millions were affected. Amazingly, in just two years, the workforce in Spain is, again, experiencing a climb ­ with around 19.77 million people employed.

English speakers will see more opportunities for roles in the Spanish job market. According to a LinkedIn ranking,

some of the fastest growing professions in Spain are offering employment opportunities in 2023 for Spanish and non­Spanish speakers.

Leading the way are jobs in cyber security, sales, logistics, finance and sustainability, many of which include career opportunities for British workers in Spain, especially in the digital world.

The talent acquisition field, graphic design field and real estate industry all have good prospects for job seekers in Spain this year.

Expensive hitch

ACCORDING to the Statista portal, getting married in Spain costs, on average, almost €22,000, being the second most expensive place to get married behind the United States, among the 14 analysed countries that spends the most cash when going to the altar. Countries like France (€16,500), England (almost €18,000), Italy (third on the list with €21,000) or Canada (€20,500), may surpass Spain in almost all economic indicators and especially in average salary, but they lag behind when analyzing the collateral expenses of marriage.

Luis Ayuso Sánchez, professor of Sociology at the University of Granada, explains why the Spaniards spend passionately on weddings: Traditionally, the wedding served to strengthen the bonds we had with the family. “When two people got married, their family network expanded. That is why it was important that the whole town attend the wedding, that the whole world find out. It was a way of showing society the support network.

This is an average cost with many weddings far exceeding these amounts.

President Pedro Sánchez dicusses contentious asylum policies with Portuguese premier António Costa.

Photo credit: Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón (via Facebook)

AFGHANS who are desperately trying to escape the country after helping British forces during the war have been asked by the UK government to get approval documents from the Taliban before they can move to Britain, according to a national news outlet.

As per reports, people who applied for the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Police Scheme were told by UK officials to provide their birth and marriage certificates in English and stamped by the Taliban gov­

Unreal request

ernment.

The UK´s Ministry of De­

THINK!

fence has also admitted that such practices have been ongoing after previously denying it, and said that it was wrong while issuing an apology for it.

As per estimates by the UK government, about 4,600 people are eligible for sanctuary in the UK under the scheme which also includes family members, who have not yet been moved to the UK.

Heartbroken fans

GINO D’ÁCAMPO has quit the foodie adventure show, Gordon, Gino and Fred, that has been running for five years, saying “It causes a lot of problems for me”, citing scheduling conflicts for his decision.

The popular ITV show follows chefs Gordon Ramsay, Gino and First Dates star Fred Sirieix who visit various countries across the globe, where they sample local cuisine and explore local culture.

However, the Family Fortunes presenter, 46, announced that getting the stars

together has been a little difficult this time round.

“Last week I decided not to film any more Gordon, Gino and Fred Road Trip, the reason is simple, nothing to do with Gordon and Fred ­ the friendship is very strong” he said in a video on social media.

“It’s just because we can’t get the dates together.”

Fans have spoken out on various social media platforms confirming their disappointment at the stars decision.

THE UK government is targeting rural roads in a new campaign in a bid to prevent deaths and injuries among young drivers.

THINK! campaign urges drivers to think about the dangers of driving too fast for road conditions.

Drivers are being asked by road safety experts to be aware of their current speed, the area around them and the road conditions before they put their foot down on the accelerator. The campaign, “Is

pushing it worth it?” is targeted at young male drivers, as statistics show male drivers aged 17 to 24 are 4 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than drivers aged 25 or over.

Research findings also

show that 60 per cent of all serious and fatal collisions involving young male car drivers were on rural roads.

Safety experts raise further concerns as less than half (43 per cent) of young men consider exceeding the speed limit to be unacceptable, while over two­thirds (68 per cent) see drink driving as unacceptable and over half (52 per cent) think using a mobile without handsfree is unacceptable.

A BARBER from Wales who has been famous for winning several awards has been arrested by the police in connection with dealing drugs in the UK.

Anthony Hancock was detained by the police in Swansea after he left his car and tried to run away.

A local media outlet stated that the 37year­old is a well­known barber in the city and has also won the Welsh Men’s Style Awards in 2013, aside from coming third in the British Barber Awards in 2018.

The hearing for his sentence was held at

Barber busted

Swansea Crown Court, where the police stated that they tried to pull over “Hancock’s black Ford Focus, but he accelerated away at speed”.

Officials said that Hancock was eventuallydetained by the police, who later found a burner phone, cocaine and a knife.

Hancock pleaded guilty to intending to supply “Class A drugs, two counts of offering to supply Class B and C drugs, and possession of a bladed article”.

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast!

Slow down

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

Anne Frank

Image: Helen Hotson / Shutterstock.com

30% of the world’s researchers are women.

Work to be found

THE number of job vacancies has fallen in the UK for the eighth consecutive time, but figures are still buoyant. The number of jobs on offer in the UK fell by 51,000 between December and February compared with the previous three months.

However, despite this drop, job vacancies remain high at 1.1 million.

The rate of economic inactivity—people aged between 16 to 64 who are not in work and not seeking a job—dipped to 21.3% between November and Jan ­

Passport pandemonium

uary. This was driven by younger people aged between 16 to 24 either getting jobs or looking for work.

However, there are still nine million economically inactive Britons who are not part of the workforce either because they are students, have retired or are suffering from long­term illness.

The employment rate ticked higher to 75.7% between November and January, due to a rise in both part ­ time workers and the self ­ employed. The unemployment rate remained at 3.7%.

Sustainable travel

AN UPDATED framework with measures to protect the environment in new major road, rail, and rail freight schemes has been unveiled by the UK government. The framework has been updated to reflect legislation set out in the Environment Act, which requires developers to recognise new environmen­

tal targets and sets out further details on biodiversity net gains.

Transport Minister, Richard Holden, confirmed: “Transport has a vital role to play in levelling up our country, connecting people with good jobs and education opportunities across our cities, towns and villages and in growing the econo­

my.”

“This new framework is part of our mission to build a more sustainable transport system which protects our wonderful English countryside and wildlife .”

The updated framework supports plans for major infrastructure to be delivered in a greener, faster and more resilient. way.

MORE than 1,000 Passport Office workers will go on strike for five weeks over a dispute about jobs, pay and conditions.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union working across England, Scotland and Wales will take part in the action from April 3 to May 5.

Those working in Belfast are being balloted and could also join the strike.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the dispute was over an imposed 2% pay rise not being increased any further by the government. He added the strike action had come about because "ministers have failed to hold any meaningful talks with us, despite two massive strikes and sustained, targeted action lasting six months".

UK Cabinet Office minister, Oliver Dowden has announced on Thursday March 16 that TikTok will be banned from government devices, following in the footsteps of the EU Commission and several US administrations ­ amid growing concerns around the Chinese­owned video app.

The EU Commission and more than half of US states and Congress have already introduced a ban over concerns

He went on to say that the government was "ignoring our members" over their pay concerns but this would not make them "go away".

The union warned the action is likely to have a "significant impact" on the delivery of passports ahead of summer.

TikTok clean up

around potential cyber attacks.

In a statement to parliament, Mr Dowden said there "could" be a risk to how government data and information is used by the app.

He said that while TikTok use is "limited", banning it is good cyber "hygiene" ­ and brings the UK in line with the

US, Canada and the EU.

TikTok has been under increasing scrutiny over its security and data privacy, with concerns it could be used to promote pro­Beijing views or gather user data ­ something TikTok strongly denies.

TikTok said it was "disappointed" with the government's decision.

1 in 4 Passport Office workers will go on strike

YOUNG climate activists often make the news across Europe, but one group of older women activists are making waves as they prepare to sue the Swiss government for breaching their human rights by not doing enough to combat global climate change and cutting carbon emissions. KlimaSenniorinnen is taking its case against Swiss authorities to the European Court of Human Rights with the hearing scheduled for Wednesday, March 29, in Strasbourg.

2,038 members, all above 64 years of age are making the case along with four

Older and bolder

other women, all aged over 80, who are named in the lawsuit as individual claimants. The case will be the first climate change lawsuit to be heard before the influential European court.

The women from KlimaSenniorinnen will be supported by their own legal team and Greenpeace Switzerland during the hearing. Their lawyers are expected to argue that Switzerland has breached articles two and eight of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Spy network busted

POLISH security forces detained six foreign nationals on suspicion of spying for Russia on Tuesday, March 14. Reports from a Polish radio station said the group has been accused of installing secret cameras to film aid deliveries to Ukraine.

The suspected spy network had allegedly installed several cameras near a small regional airport that has been converted into an international logistics hub delivering military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and had also reportedly developed sabotage plans.

Dozens of cameras were found at Rzeszow­Jasionka Airport and at railway junctions in the Podkarpackie region. The airport is an important strategic location for US military forces and is considered a sensitive location. Planes at the airport deliver supplies to waiting trucks that make the 100 kilometre journey to the Ukrainian border.

Poland is one of Ukraine's strongest allies, and its security forces have arrested several people on suspicion of spying for Russia since the invasion last February.

NATO application advances

TURKEY hinted that it may ratify Finland’s membership of the NATO alliance. Speaking on Wednesday, March 15, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested that Ankara could withdraw its veto, allowing the Scandinavian country to join the military alliance separately from neighbouring Sweden. Finland and Sweden broke their long­standing nonalignment policies in the wake of

Ploughing through politics

A NEW political force has emerged in the Netherlands, shaking up the traditional political landscape. The farmer­led BBB Berkelland movement won a stunning shock victory in local elections on Wednesday, March 15.

The party is now poised to become the largest party in the upper house of parliament, winning 15 out of 75 seats with almost 20 per cent of the vote nationally.

BBB Berkelland was created in 2019 in response to government plans to reduce nitrogen emissions by cutting back on livestock farming and farm buy outs. This policy has outraged farmers, who see it as a threat to their livelihoods. However, the BBB's appeal extends far beyond farmers, as they have adopted a populist platform that champions traditional, conservative Dutch social and moral values.

In addition to farming the BBB's policies also express antiEU and anti­immigration sentiments.

the Russian invasion of Ukraine and applied to join NATO. All 30 NATO members approved the countries’ applications to join, with 28 already ratifying their accession, except for Turkey and Hungary who vetoed the application.

Turkey’s opposition to Sweden joining NATO centres around ideological issues including the country’s supposed light­handed approach to groups it considers"terror" organisations or existential threats, including Kurdish groups. Officials in Turkey have also expressed their outrage at anti­Islam protests in Sweden.

Erdogan has less issues

Turkish President Erdogan has been accused of stalling on ratifying Sweden and Finland’s NATO applications, but may ratify Finland’s

with Finland’s application however, announcing “We will do our part. We will keep our promise. We will meet with the President and fulfil the promise we made”.

‘‘Never lose touch with your femininity. Sometimes we feel the need to be tough to survive in the business world which is dominated by men. However, our femininity is our Superpower and when we’re really connected to our inner woman we can make a big impact, maybe even change the world!. Believe in yourself, keep pushing forward, stay with your purpose and vision and everything will work out for you.’’ Jennifer Haskins, Introductions Director- Two’s Company

EMMANUEL MACRON’S government faces several motions of no confidence in the National Assembly this week after his government forced through a deeply unpopular pensions reform bill.

Protesters took to the streets in major cities over the weekend, after the government invoked a controversial constitutional manouevre to pass its pensions reform bill in what was widely seen as a move likely to inflame social unrest.

The major reform is to increase the retirement age form 62 to 64 years.

Industrial action is expected to disrupt

No confidence

public transport, refineries, universities and further waste collection services this week, as trade unions hope to strong­arm the government into withdrawing the pensions reform.

The 573 lawmakers of the French National Assembly will vote on two motions of no confidence and although the French president would not be forced to resign in case of a defeat, a successful motion of no confidence would trigger a deep political crisis for Macron.

Re-election intention

AS of March 2023, Putin has not announced his intention to run for re­election on March 17, 2024. If no candidate receives more than half the vote, a second round will take place exactly three weeks later on April 7, 2024, with the inauguration of the winner being scheduled for May 7, 2024.

As was the case in the 2018 Russian presidential election, one of the most prominent opposition leaders, Alexei Navalny, was barred from running due to a prior criminal conviction which is widely seen by political analysts, jurists and human rights organisations as politically motivated.

In addition, Navalny is currently serving a jail sentence that will be followed by another sentence which is set to expire in 2032, years after the 2024 election and the following election are set to take place.

A number of Russian politicians have expressed interest in running for President next year, including one woman.

Finland named ‘happiest country’

ACCORDING to the UN World Happiness Report 2023, published on Monday, March 20, Finland is once again the happiest country in the world. It maintains the top position for the sixth consecutive year.

The experts who prepare this annual report carried out surveys among the citizens of 137 countries and evaluated different factors. These included income, health, social connections, the feeling of free­

Decision u-turn protests

IN 2018, Maria Silvia Fiengo and Francesca Pardi were among Italy’s first same­sex couples to be registered as parents.

This was due to the progressive stance, of the mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, which allowed children born to parents of the same gender to be acknowledged in the absence of clear national legislation.

This week, however, what was then seen as a major victory for equality and acceptance by the LGBT community was reversed.

Italy’s right­wing government instructed Milan’s city council to stop registering the children of same­sex parents, reigniting a debate around Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s conservative agenda.

Children who are denied the right to have both parents recognised on their birth certificate are left in a legal limbo. Protests are set in Milan by families, activists and political rivals who are opposed to the ban.

Wolves back in Belgium

FOR the first time in over 100 years, wolves have returned in force to Belgium, marking a resurgence of these predators in Europe.

The issue is causing concern in the farming community, but excitement among some conservationists.

One researcher from the Flemish Institute for Nature and Forest Research,Jan Gouwy, confirmed that around 15 to 20 wolves are currently living in the country. One pack is in Flanders, another is in southern Wallonia, and a newly settled pair has been sighted recently.

According to legend, King Leopold II shot the last wolf in Belgium in the 1890s, but they have now returned.

The return is being blamed on a changed law banning the deliberate capture or killing of a wolf.

While wolves primarily eat deer and wild boar, they also consume livestock.

Sheep farmers in Belgium say that hundreds of sheep have been killed

and call for stricter regulation.

While some are calling for stronger measures against wolves, others believe that it's possible to coexist with them.

dom to make road decisions, generosity, and the absence of corruption.

As highlighted by the report, the perception of the planet’s inhabitants about their lives continues to be ‘remarkably resilient’ despite having gone through a pandemic for three long years.

During this time, the report found that what had been most influential in keeping people’s spirits high has been the ‘pro­social’ acts and support that people had given each other, which was much higher than in previous reports

Finland is the least densely populated country in the Euro­

pean Union, one which usually stands out for its powerful public welfare system and its low corruption rates. It continues to lead the happiest countries in the world, followed by Denmark, and Iceland, both also with high rates of equality and vital evaluation of the respondents.

The Nordic countries ­ with the exception of Sweden ­ managed to maintain lower death rates from Covid­19 thanks to the rapid and effective measures adopted, which was considered highly relevant.

The World Happiness Report has been published every March 20 for the last 10 years.

FINLAND: Is the least densely populated country in the EU.

Credit: Google mapsreza karami

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Your choice

A DANISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION survey found that more parents are giving children gender-neutral names, in some cases to allow them to choose their gender as they grow up. Approximately 6,300 new-borns received genderneutral names in 2021, an 8.6 per cent rise on 2019, Denmark’s Statistics Office revealed.

THE NETHERLANDS

Buried treasure

ELEVENTH CENTURY gold pendants and 39 12th century silver coins discovered in Hoogwoud in North Holland are now on display at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. They were found in 2021 by Lorenzo Ruijter, 27, who has been a metal detectorist since he was 10.

BELGIUM

New status

A DRAFT law now officially recognises Buddhism in Belgium, paving the way for federal funding, official delegates and school lessons, following a 2006 application from the Belgian Buddhist Union. Austria is at present the only other European Union country where Buddhism is a formally accepted religion.

GERMANY

Too slow

EVA HOGL, Germany’s parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, said that slow defence procurement was hampering the Bundeswehr’s much-needed upgrade. In a 170-page report to parliament Hogl predicted that it would take 50 years to complete if it continued “at its current sluggish pace.”

FRANCE

Foul play

POLICE called to the French Canicross championships, where dogs run in tandem with athletes, were confronted with three dead dogs and another that was seriously ill. All had eaten meatballs later found to contain poison, according to a statement issued by the Nimes public prosecutor.

NORWAY

Gas-fired

GOVERNMENT-OWNED Petoro, the company that represents Norwegian interests in oil and gas contracts, made a net profit of Kr 539 billion (€46.6 billion) last year, more than double 2021’s amount. Higher production in several fields and the Snohvit gas field’s return to production bolstered the results.

FINLAND

Heading out

FORTY-SEVEN per cent of international students would leave Finland on completing their studies, they told a recent survey. Thirtynine per cent of foreign professionals also said they did not intend to remain, citing difficulties in accessing networks and family members’ problems in adjusting to life in Finland.

IRELAND

Home and away

IRELAND will hold a referendum in November to delete references to a woman’s place being in the home from its Constitution. Despite amending the 86-year-old Constitution in recent years to permit abortion and same-sex marriage “outmoded” references to women’s roles remained, the government said.

ITALY

Second chance

ITALY’S highest court ordered a retrial for two young Californians convicted of stabbing a police officer in Rome in 2019. The defence argued that the plainclothes carabinieri didn’t identify themselves during an sting operation to recover a backpack that the Americans stole during a failed drug deal.

PORTUGAL

Homing in

EMIGRANTS sent €3.9 billion euros to Portugal last year, the largest volume of remittances ever recorded and a 5 per cent increase on 2021, the Bank of Portugal said. Most came Portuguese residents in France, who sent home €1.06 billion, as well as those in Switzerland who also transferred €1.06 billion.

UKRAINE

EU help

THE European Commission announced on March 16 the launch of a programme that will provide "inspiration and practical help" for rebuilding Ukraine. together with the country's own organisations. This follows on from the Kyiv meeting between the commissioners and Ukraine's government on February 2.

SWEDEN

Royal return

PRINCESS MADELEINE and her BritishAmerican husband Chris O’Neill plan to return to Sweden with their three children in August after having left in 2015. British residents wished him luck when having to apply for his residence permit “like other non-EU citizens planning a move to Sweden.”

The ‘wrong’ type of touris alcohol is harming Spa

of La quality

on the island, has been see

DESPITE Maria Dolores Corujo later saying “you are and always will be welcome here,” media across the world picked up on the news in March that Spanish islands were tiring of ‘drunken’ British tourists. Spanish travellers reportedly said they had ‘observed some pretty bad behaviour’ from British tourists both in the Canary Islands and other parts of the country.

But does Spain’s thriving hospitality industry really attract a particular type of tourist? And if so, is Spain’s sun, sea and sangria reputation causing long­term problems?

Here the Euro Weekly News looks at whether Lanzarote’s president has a point, or whether accusations that Spain’s bars encourage tourists to drink to excess are completely unfounded.

As the world’s second most visited country, Spain attracts millions of tourists a year, adding €97 billion a year to its economy and being responsible for more than two million jobs, according to the country’s ofiice for statistics (INE).

Among Spain’s obvious drawsgreat weather, stunning scenery, and rich history ­ it is true to say that food and drink are both substantially lower here than in the UK, with the average British pint costing £3.95 (€4.49) compared to Spain’s €2.50.

Spain’s tapas and menu del dia bargains also make eating out considerably cheaper here.

But does any of this mean Brits actually drink more abroad? And even if they do, is it the responsibility of bar owners to police this themselves?

In the 1990s and early 2000s a familiar scene for many in Spain’s most popular areas were touts lining the pavements offering free drinks on entry or bargain drink deals. But the Euro Weekly News

has spoken to the head of one of Spain’s most successful hospitality groups who says this kind of behaviour from businesses is rare, calling Lanzarote’s statements about Brits, “extremely offensive”.

Lina Hodgkins from the Linekers Group in Marbella said, “I find it quite offensive that everybody says British tourists are just drunks.”

Hodgkins who works as a marketing manager for the group that runs several famous bars including Portside, Babilonia and Bijou, added that, tourists drink roughly the same amount as they do in their own countries, saying “when tourists are in their own countries or towns, they are still drinking alcohol.”

She also claimed that popular areas, including Marbella, do not create the sort of culture of cheap drinks and club touts that areas like Magaluf, Mallorca, were once famous for. She said: “in Marbella we don’t do that,” stating that “I am not saying that in other European destinations, they don’t do it.”

She said “We don’t offer free drinks, it’s the media that makes these things up just for stories,” adding, “why would any bar offer free drinks.

“It’s ridiculous and I find it offensive because it’s not true,” stated Hodgkins.

“Whether you go to a bar, or a restaurant or the beach, you drink, it’s a part of our holiday culture,” Hodgkins said, adding, “And just because you have a drink on a holiday doesn’t mean that you are a drunk.”

Hodgkins added that that the number of tourists coming to Marbella from other European countries has also increased over the past few years.

Meanwhile, Jackie Fish, bar manager at Torrox bar Los Amigos in Axarquia, told the EWN : “I don’t

A recent announcement by the president

tourist’

st: Is Lanzarote right that ain’s tourism industry?

think it’s true that the British get drunk more than other nationalities or that bars encourage this behaviour. Our bar certainly doesn’t accept that sort of behaviour.

“Yes, people get drunk but we don’t make them drink and if anything untowards kicks off they will be asked to leave.”

Paul, who runs the Emerald Isle in the Costa Blanca South, agreed, saying: “We at the Emerald Isle have been running our hospitality business for almost 25 years in this part of Spain and have catered to people of all nationalities during that time.

“I can only speak from our own specific experience but the area we are in is very family ­ orientated and we have not witnessed any of the behaviours reported recently in the media.

“Of course, there will be examples of anti­social behaviour in certain areas of Spain due to the influx of tourists every year, but this particular area is occupied by many families who have made their lives here, is very safe and incidents of anti­social behaviour are few and far between.”

Heidi, who runs Black Flame in Moraira, told the Euro Weekly News: “We don’t get customers like that. Ninety per cent are British, whether holidaymakers or they live here, and on St Patrick’s Day for example, they won’t be loud or rowdy. They’re just there to have a nice time.”

Alain, from Universal Lounge Bar in Albir, the Costa Blanca North, argued that the accusations by Lanzarote’s president shouldn’t be levelled at one nationality in particular. He said: “In the 15 years running the Universal Lounge Bar in Albir, and having over 150 beers we’ve never had any problems with whatever nationality with bad behaviour or drunk situations.

“And here we have 96 nationali ­

ties living together with the third biggest group of British origin.”

Several parts in Spain have now announced plans to cap the number of tourists with some even introducing tough regula tions that target drunken be haviour.

The Balearic Islands, which have historically been party tourism hotspots, last year im posed rules that banned ‘happy hours, pub crawls, two ­ for ­ one drink offers, and the sale of alco hol in shops between 9:30pm and 8am’.

A drink limit was also imposed in several resorts in Magaluf, El Arenal and Ibiza.

One of Mallorca’s most famous party resorts, Playa de Palma also reportedly banned people from wearing football shirts in restau rants.

The government in the Balearic Islands, which includes Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, al so declared a cap on tourists last month, before the announcement made by Lanzarote. However, until the president of Lanzarote’s statement that British had been singled out so explicitly.

Before the announcement, officials claimed that the reason for this is due to extremely high number of tourists.

“The number of visits reached this year is a maximum that should not be exceeded but should tend to decrease. There must be a clear trend towards the reduction of tourist places,” said Iago Negueruela, Balearic Islands tourism minister.

While a crackdown on irresponsible drink touting and cheap deals can only help everyone ­ businesses and tourists alike ­ the hospitality industry is firm that excess drinking is not limited to Britons.

anzarote over a shift in focus towards a ‘higher en by many as an insult to British tourists.

FINANCE

Not convinced

STAT OF WEEK €88 million

was paid out in dividends last year to Juan Roig, president of the family-owned Mercadona supermarket chain in which he has a majority 50.66 per cent shareholding.

BUSINESS EXTRA Changing tastes

THE UK’s Competitions and Market Authority expressed concerns regarding Asda’s £600 million (€683.9 million) deal to take over 132 Co ­ op petrol forecourts, Warned that the deal could mean higher prices or less choice for consumers, Asda was given five working days to address the regulator’s doubts.

Iberdrola posts

THE board of Spain’s energy multinational Iberdrola is set to re ­ elect Juan Ignacio Sanchez Galan as its chairman until at least 2027, when he will be 76, while ratifying Armando Martinez as CEO. Both appointments will be formalised at the shareholder’ meeting in Bilbao on April 28.

NHS info

DOCTORS will sue the UK government over plans that could hand the medical records of millions of NHS patients to Denver­based Palantir, which makes FBI and CIA surveillance software. The £480 million (€447 million) privatelyrun database would include all health information held by the NHS.

More employees

THIRTY PER CENT of Spanish companies plan staff increases during 2023’s second quarter, a further 20 per cent foresee reductions but others expect to remain the same.

Businesses located in Andalucia, Extremadura and Canaries were the most optimistic, with 22 per cent taking on more employees.

Read it up

BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING, buoyed by demand for fantasy novels and academic digital resources, expected full­year profits comfortably exceeding forecasts. The group envisaged a pre ­ tax profit of around £30 million (€34.2) for the year ending on February 28, instead of the forecast £26.9 million (€30.6). .

Best-ever year for Inditex

Linda Hall

MARTA ORTEGA’S first year as Inditex president brought a record profit and income.

The fashion empire, which was founded by her father Amancio Ortega, owns the Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka and Oysho brands and reported a net profit of €4.1 billion over its last fiscal year, a 27 per cent increase on 2021.

Even after a 5 per cent price increase introduced last year to offset rising costs, in­store and online turnover grew by 17.5 per cent to €32.6 billion, the company announced.

These results arrived at the end of a year of change, following the departure last April of Pablo Isla who took

BRITAIN’S government needs to help the UK’s car industry compete internationally in electric vehicle (EV) production.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) highlighted the fierce competition from other countries, as the US and European Union launch large­scale initiatives.

The warning came after reports that the Chinese car manufacturer BYD had ruled out Britain for its European production site.

Reduced energy costs, prompt funding for green technology projects and extended free trade agreements were some of the ac­

Merger boost

MASMOVIL’S revenue and profits enjoyed a boost last year ahead of its planned merger with Orange.

Earnings totalled approximately €2.9 billion in 2022, an increase of 17 per cent on 2021, while income from services increased by 19 per cent to €2.6 billion. At the same time MasMovil was also able to reduce its debt by €500 million while its portfolio of clients continued to grow with the addition of 800,000 new lines. Of these, 227,000 corresponded to broadband connections and 565,000 to mobile clients.

over from Amancio Ortega as Inditex president in 2011. His place was taken by non­executive president Marta Ortega and Oscar Garcia Maceiras, the company’s CEO.

Despite its higher overheads, the company’s exit from Russia and Chi­

na’s continuing Covid restrictions, last year was the best in the company’s history, easily overtaking Inditex’s €3.6 billion profits and €28.3 billion turnover in pre­pandemic 2019.

Inditex nevertheless surprised investors with a hike in capital expenditure from €1.1 billion in 2021 to last year’s €1.6 billion, higher than the market had foreseen and responsible for a 3 per cent fall in shares.

“It is the right thing, to keep on investing for future growth,” Maceiras insisted.

Zara led the group with a pre­tax 38.5 per cent compared with the previous year, although the pre­tax profit fell at Oysho and Massimo Dutti, by a respective 12 and 10 per cent.

It’s time to compete

lion) Inflation Reduction Act and the European Union’s Green Deal Industrial Plan, both of which included measures boosting EV production.

ALCOPOPs and CDs have been dropped from the monthly update of the cost of living in Britain.

Together with compact digital cameras, they are no longer included in the ONS’ typical shopping basket which is used to measure the annual inflation rate.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has dropped them following its annual review of spending habits in the UK which takes into account changing tastes and habits while ensuring that the official cost of living yardstick is as accurate as possible.

The three items were replaced by electric bicycles, frozen berries for making smoothies, and home security devices.

Tax breaks

SPAIN’S taxpayers can expect to save between €9 and €550 on their 2022 tax returns.

tions included in SMMT’s plans.

The trade body has launched a Green Automotive Transformation Strategy for the motor industry, calling for more openhanded subsidies and less red tape for proposed battery­pro­

duction schemes.

Its plan would position the UK as one of the world’s most competitive locations for advanced automotive manufacturing, Hawes argued.

It was vital to react to the US’s $369 billion (€343.7 bil­

Covid’s aftermath

COINCIDING with the third anniversary of the first Covid lockdown, the Bank of Spain warned that the pandemic’s effect on the nation’s health could also have an impact on the economy.

A survey assessing the economic effects of a possible overall decline in the general health of Spain’s population concluded that this could lead to an increase in health spending. This in turn would create the need for more health professionals, the report’s authors Samuel Hurtado y Mario Izquierdo said.

“Although at present this is very difficult to evaluate it could be a factor to take into account, together with the problem of an ageing society,” they said.

“Should this dynamic continue or even increase, it could be decisive for the economy's potential output in the medium to long term.”

Fully­electric and hybrid vehicles accounted for almost a third of all UK­built cars last year, worth £10 billion (€11.4 billion) in exports, Hawes said.

He added“The UK boasts a firm foundation of EV production, with outstanding research and a highly skilled workforce, we must not squander these advantages.”

On the up

SEAT is out of the red with a 2022 operating profit of €33 million, compared with €233 million pre­tax losses in 2021 and €339 million in 2020. This was possible thanks to Cupra, Seat’s high­performance road car branch whose 179,632 units represented 40.6 per cent of last year’s global production. Two­thirds were Formentor models, produced at Seat’s Martorell ( Barcelona) branch. Seat and Cupra sales of 386,000 vehicles fell by 18.1 per cent worldwide last year although production contracted by 0.8 per cent, with 420,000 units.

The semiconductor crisis was responsible for the downturn, as Volkswagen prioritised microchips for brands generating the biggest profit margins.

The changes are the result of adjustments made by the central government for incomes below an annual €21,000 and the updating of autonomous regions’ minimum rates.

Taxpayers earning between €16,000 and €20,000 will benefit most, with savings of between €540 and €300, depending on region where they live, while those earning more than an annual €100,000 will, on average, pay €150 less.

However, those on €30,000 will hardly benefit, with discounts of less than €10.

Freehold deal

SAINSBURY’S is taking full ownership of investment vehicles Highbury and Dragon in which it holds a 49 per cent stake.

It will pay £430.9 million (€491.5 million) for Supermarket Income REIT’s 51 per cent holding in Highbury and Dragon, created in 2000 and comprising freeholds of 26 stores that it leases.

Britain’s largest chain after Tesco with 600 supermarkets and more than 800 convenience stores, will acquire the 21 premises that it previously rented from Supermarket Income REIT and which will continue to operate as Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

WORLDWIDE EMPIRE: Zara store in Battersea

EV OUTPUT: Charging ahead (SMMT) said

Photo credit: Inditex

Photo credit Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

DOW JONES

Energy plan

CENTRICA, which owns British Gas, announced that it would extend the lives of two nuclear power stations in Heysham (Lancashire) and Hartlepool (County Durham) until 2026. It hopes in this way to “strengthen the UK’s energy security in uncertain times”, Centrica chief executive Chris O’Shea said.

An all-rounder

VOLKSWAGEN gave a preview in Barcelona on March 15 of its ID.2all prototype, an electric car that will be produced at the Martorell plant from 2025 onwards. Priced at under €25,000 it would be “as roomy as a Golf and as affordable as a Polo”, VW said at the presentation.

Pay scale

JUNIOR doctors will challenge the government over pay by pointing out that they could earn more at Pret a Manger. Pret employees’ April rise – their third in 12 months ­ will bring them up to £14.10 (€16.06) an hour, compared with the £14.09 (€16.05) doctorss earn during their first year.

Online fans

A SURVEY by Adevinta, which owns several web portals, found that 97 per cent of those interviewed said they had bought or sold products online. A further 67 per cent said that they did so habitually, an increase of 16 per cent on a similar Adevinta survey in 2021.

Losing out

MORRISONS suffered a £1.5 billion (€1.7 billion) loss during its first full year in private­equity ownership, the supermarket chain’s latest results revealed. The grocery retailer was bought in October 2021 by the US private equity firm, Clayton, Dubilier and Rice for (CD&R) for £7 billion (approximately €8 billion).

Roig states his case

MERCADONA had a net profit of €718 million last year, 5.6 per cent more than in 2021, while its €31 billion turnover rose by 11 per cent thanks to inflation.

Speaking to the media on March 14 as the family ­ owned company announced its 2022 results, its president Juan Roig admitted that Mercadona had put up prices tremendously.

“But if we hadn’t, there would have been an unbelievable production chain disaster,” Roig said.

“Making a profit is a very good thing, just so long as it’s shared between employees, suppliers, clients and society,” he added. “A business is not synonymous with capital.”

The price increases could have been worse, Roig maintained. The company “had given its all” to mitigate the effect of the higher

OBR omens

prices on consumers, acting as a retaining wall between the value chain and the public.

Mercadona raised its prices by an average of 10 per cent in 2022 but outgoings grew by 12 per cent, Roig said, and the 2 per cent difference of €600 million was absorbed by the company.

Referring to the possibility of creating a “shopping basket” like that of France, Roig did not mince his words.

“Capping prices isn’t possible, it’s a pointless gesture, like wanting water than doesn’t make you wet,” he declared.

“Measures like these only have a negative impact on the quality of the products.”

Tin mining revival

BRITAIN’S mining industry was founded on tin, long before coal fuelled the country’s industrial revolution.

Although Cornwall still comes to mind when thinking of tin, the world’s principal producers are currently Chinese companies that include Yunnan Tin, Yunnan Chengfeng and Minsur.

Like copper and lithium, tin is fundamental to the technology sector’s growth and the transition to a lowcarbon economy.

“It has seen very strong price increases since early 2021,” said Richard Williams, chief executive of Canadian mineral exploration company Cornish Metals.

In May 2022 the company announced that it had secured £40.5 million (€46.3 million) in funding which it would use to drain its South Crofty mine in Pool, located between Camborne and Redruth, where production was first recorded in 1592 and continued until 1998.

It will also construct a treatment plant for the mine water and complete a feasibility study.

South Crofty, which has the world’s fourth­largest tin deposit, has now turned up attractive tin grades from newly­explored areas on the company’s land.

THE Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) warned that Britons faced their worst decline in living standards since records began in the 1950s.

The Treasury watchdog pointed out that they also bore the greatest tax burden since the Second World War.

The OBR added that the economy was on track to shrink by 0.2 per cent this year, despite Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s announcement that the UK would avoid technical recession. He would meet debt targets only by a narrow margin after the big childcare outlay and freezing fuel duty, OBR said.

Down to earth

VIRGIN ORBIT, founded by billionaire Richard Branson, has halted operations and furloughed stuff as it seeks a funding lifeline.

“Discovering a new highgrade zone in the middle of a historic mining district is a tremendous outcome, and again demonstrates the exploration potential of the region,” Cornish Metals chief executive Richard Williams said, following the most recent set of drill results.

New exec appointed

JOHN LEWIS and Waitrose have appointed a group chief executive.

Former Hovis and Burger King executive Nish Kankiwala, currently a John Lewis Partnership non­executive director, takes up the new post on March 27.

The news arrived as the staff­owned business prepared to announce its second­ever full­year loss, with employees missing out on their annual bonus for the second time in three years.

The group is expected to report an annual pre­tax loss before one­offs of ap­

proximately £50 million (€57.14 million) compared with last year’s £181 million (€206.9 million), mainly due to Waitrose’s problems.

Retail director Naomi Simcock and Waitrose James Bailey who previously reported directly to the partnership’s chairwoman, Sharon White, will now report to Kankiwala, as will five other directors.

These include Finance director, Berangere Michel, and Transformation and Technology officer Zaka Mian, who was engaged in November 2022.

Staff layoffs at Ford

FORD ESPAÑA announced staff reductions that will affect 1,144 employees at its Almussafes (Valencia) plant.

The company explained that this labour adjustment had been included in the restructuring of European operations made necessary by the transition to electric vehicles.

Ford also assured the Almussafes employees in an internal memo that it was “resiz­

ing” its Spanish workforce but intended to “work together and in a constructive manner” with the unions to minimise the impact on employees and the local community.

At present 600 Kuga models come off the assembly line each day, as well as 300 Transit vans and 200 of the S­Max and Galaxy cars that Asmussafes will cease producing in April. The future of the factory’s engine section is also uncertain.

The California­ based satellite launch company is putting all activities on temporary hold with only a skeleton team still working. Employees learnt at a March 15 staff meeting that remaining personnel would be put on unpaid furlough, although they could cash in annual leave.

The news follows Virgin Orbit’s failed attempt to launch the first satellite from UK soil at Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay last January. Putting them on furlough would buy time to finalise a new investment plan, the company’s chief executive, Dan Hart, told staff.

No thanks

FIFTY­FIVE THOUSAND people in Spain, the majority in Andalucia, Cataluña and Madrid, ignored bequests last year.

The General Council of Notaries (CGN), which processed 355,000 inheritance claims in 2022, revealed that rejections had risen to 15.6 per cent.

The CGN’s spokeswoman, Maria Teres Barea, attributed this to the “difficult” economic situation, as heirs were reluctant to pay death duties or accept a legacy burdened with debts, she said. In other cases, beneficiaries felt that it would be unfair to accept a bequest left by a distant relative they hardly knew.

JUAN ROIG: Mercadona president and majority shareholder

Photo credit: Juan Roig Alfonso

SOUTH CROFTY: Tin production first recorded in 1592

PROMOTING women in business and supporting International Woman’s Day is of course thoroughly commended by this ol boy. As a Spiritualist, with a firm belief in re incarnation, I’m pretty convinced, having materialised in female form so many times, my belief in equality knows no bounds.

Having to exist in a male dominated society, which doesn’t recognise or promote female equivalence in any form is of course extremely difficult; something I discovered when I experienced that exact situation some years ago. I can assure you trying to live a normal life in a male dominated environment can be very bemusing and often extremely perilous. During my eight years in Saudi Arabia, I found my respect for the ladies put me in all sorts of problems.

The only working girls were in fact the prostitutes, mainly Ethiopian, who would walk down the streets heavily burqa and hijabed with their ‘availability’ adverts being nothing more than a large dan ­

A woman’s life

gling bunch of keys! The affection of my life for some time was actually an attractive English Saudia airways hostess.

She would wait for me in a secluded part of the Saudi airport and when I drove up, quickly enter the car and literally throw herself on to the floor next to the passenger door, where she would stay curled up a ball until I got into the drive of my apartment. No moonlit walks or romantic restaurants to look forward to on these visits; all completely against the law, unless you carried a letter of parental (father) permission!

On one occasion however I did decide to throw caution to the wind and find us a secluded beach. As the Saudi desert reaches down to the Red Sea, the ‘beach’ actually goes on for nearly 2,000 kilometres, so after around half an hour’s drive over some rough terrain I decided we had gone far enough to find a little privacy.

With no habitation or inhabitants in sight we were soon on our towels and splayed out in our brief cos­

NO LAUGHING MATTER OUR VIEW

tumes to enjoy the sun.

After about half an hour I suddenly caught a movement out of the corner of my eye. Carefully peering around I soon observed, standing on top of a few of the small sand dunes that surrounded our spot, a number of swarthy looking young Arabic men, all attired in grubby thobes, unmoving and staring fixedly at us. We were actually suddenly in a very menacing situation.

Miles from anywhere, in a desert area that had, according to rumours, already been used to ‘lose’ a number of missing Filipino Airline girls and there we were, a foreign male, laying there with a bikini clad Western girl, already considered second class trash by our hosts, miles from anywhere.

We were in trouble. Are the ladies going to respect an old boy that utterly believes in female equality and lived to tell the tale? Find out next week.

BY the time this article is published the world should have a better idea of how much former UK prime minister Boris Johnson knew about lockdown rule breaking at Number 10.

Partygate, the issue that has rumbled on seemingly for years, shone a light on one thing at least; an us and them attitude between some of our leaders and the general public.

Boris claimed he has solid evidence that he was not aware that birthday celebrations and others at No 10 broke the rules but at this stage is there any level of evidence he could show which would change the public’s opinion of him?

Regardless of whether the Parliamentary Select Committee he appears in front of judges Boris harshly or not, stories and images of Downing Street officials sharing birthday cake, drinking wine and taking drives across the country ‘to test their eyesight’ will remain with the public for a long time.

Anyone who lost a loved one during Covid, or whose business struggled while the world went into lockdown, knows this is no laughing matter.

No matter how hard the government tries to make light of it.

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

YES, it was a sport blackout ­ and aliens landing from space might have been bemused to find the BBC facing an existential crisis over a retired footballer’s recent tweet criticising Government’s asylum policy.

But then the BBC’s faced a number of controversies, hasn’t it? Most recently, criticism of its impartiality and independence following the appointment of Richard Sharp as chairman. Sharp's close ties to the Conservative Party (helping Boris Johnson with a dodgy loan) raised concerns about his ability to remain impartial and independent in his new role.

But perhaps the organisation’s most serious controversy in recent years was the Martin Bashir scandal. In 1995, Bashir, a journalist working for its flagship news program, Panorama, secured an interview with Princess Diana that became one of the most watched television events in history. However, in 2021, it was revealed that Bashir had used deceptive tactics to secure the interview, including falsifying bank statements and lying to Diana's brother, Charles Spencer. The revelations led to widespread criticism of the organisation and calls for accountability.

1-O LINEKER!

and adults over several decades. Critics argued that the BBC, which had employed Savile for many years, had turned a blind eye to his behaviour and failed to take action to protect vulnerable people.

Another controversy that has also plagued the BBC involved allegations of pay inequality. In 2017, it was revealed that many of its highest­paid presenters were men, leading to accusations of gender bias and discrimination. The controversy led to the resignation of several high­profile female presenters like Carrie Gracie and Jane Garvey.

portant and influential broadcasters in the world. It continues to produce, generally speaking, a wide range of high­quality content, including news, current affairs, drama and entertainment, and remains a trusted source of information for millions around the world.

But looking to the future, it faces several significant challenges, including increasing competition from streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, changing audience habits and ongoing pressure to remain financially sustainable.

Then there was the criticism the BBC faced over its handling of the scandal involving Jimmy Savile who was posthumously revealed to have sexually abused hundreds of children

Losing trust

SALLY UNDERWOOD POLITICAL ANIMAL

ON March 20, 2003, the UK became part of something that would change the public’s view of politics forever; the invasion of Iraq.

One of the most contentious and debated issues of our time, the decision on whether to invade Iraq following George W Bush’s ‘war on terror,’ after 9/11 ­ despite no connection between the terror plot and Iraq ­ saw searing Parliamentary debate and thousands take to the streets in protest.

Wherever you sat on the issue at the time, the subsequent discovery that Iraq in fact had no weapons of mass destruction ­ the main draw for the UK getting involved in the conflict ­ and a public inquiry into the invasion have had a lasting impact on trust in politics.

With pickets emblazoned with ‘Bliar’ (quite an unfortunate surname

in hindsight), protestors confronted former prime minister Tony Blair daily as he made his way from the Iraq Inquiry. He is still repeatedly asked about whether he lied about the government’s reasons for entering the war even 20 years on.

Mistrust is one of those emotions that isn’t contained however, and the public’s lack of trust in the Labour government eventually spread to judgement of many of the politicians around at the time.

The ‘us and them’ stage was already set when politics overall saw another blow in the form of the expenses scandal in 2009. With all parties being caught up in the fallout, the effect on public trust was almost terminal.

What is the answer then?

As with most things, transparency can only help.

The expenses process has at least been cleaned up and our public inquiry system helps to bring decisions made in the shadows into the light.

Sally’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

In addition to these scandals, the BBC has also suffered from the loss of key presenters. Notable departures include Jeremy Clarkson, fired from its flagship motoring show, Top Gear, after a physical altercation with a producer, Chris Evans, who stepped down as the host of its flagship breakfast show, Radio 2 Breakfast Show, after just one year and Fiona Bruce, who quit her role as presenter of "Antiques Roadshow" in 2020. These departures certainly raised concerns about the organisation's ability to retain top talent and to continue to deliver high­quality programming.

Despite these controversies and challenges, the BBC remains one of the most im­

Overall, while the BBC has faced significant problems and crises in recent years, its future success will undoubtedly depend not only on its ability to remain true to its core values of impartiality, quality and innovation but also on its ability to adapt to a fast changing world.

But above all, BBC, cut the controversies and scandals – just TELL the story, don’t be it!

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.

High Life – Low Life…

THE British Benevolent Fund was established over a century ago to provide financial help to those Britons in distress in Spain.

Over the years the BBF has provided funds to many individuals and families in extreme difficulties.

Many times the situation is exasperated or caused by alcoholism for which the abundance of bars and cheap alcohol in Spain is a continual challenge for carers and concerned friends and family.

One such case took place towards the end of the pandemic – the lady in question was her mid­50s and came to Spain to work the party scene in Marbella and Puerta Banus as a PR rep and organiser in the 2000s.

She knew her way around, lived well and partied hard on the Costa del Sol where she had a high income and a lifestyle to envy.

The years however took their toll emotionally and over time she lost her shine and became addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Eventually the work stopped

– but the lifestyle continued and before too long she was running out of her savings.

One by one, her friends gave up trying to get her back on the path and then her family. Her parents sent her a stipend but this was not enough to live off and in any event was spent on the drink.

The catalyst was that in all the time she had been in Spain she had not taken residency and when the day came that she was picked up off the street comatose by an ambulance the penny dropped.

The big step was that she now recognised she had a problem which needed treatment – the issue was that she was not entitled to it in Spain and would need to be repatriated.

Working with the consulate we were able to do that –

emergency accommodation was found and she was now back in the UK system to seek health and state support – a far cry from the party yachts of Puerta Banus – but the first step in a long journey of recovery.

We can only help with your help. If you would like to support our work with a donation or in any other way please visit our website www.britishbenevolentfund.org.

Olaf Clayton, Chair British Benevolent Fund.

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

Nora’s latest thriller.

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

St Patrick’s Day LETTERS

IT was great to see so many events go on along the coast, it was a sea of green and Guinness hats around me. The laughter, the music, the fun. How it is great to be Irish on St Patrick’s Day. I wish there were more parades and activities but hopefully that will just come with time. The events obviously differ depending on what region you are in but wow did it seem to go well in Benalmadena. The Irish Association did really well to organise that, my cousin lives on the Costa del Sol and gosh was I jealous. I know where I’ll be going next year!

Susy, Mallorca

Mother’s Day

I HAD such a great Mother’s Day and the fact that it coincidentally fell on Spanish Father’s Day, how great to be able to celebrate both parents on the same day! Great for celebration purposes, killing two birds with one stone, but my wallet felt it. We are originally from Birmingham and moved over here in ‘98 but we like to celebrate both UK and Spanish holidays. Tt can get a bit confusing at times but it is good so we’re in tune with home and the local culture.

Tony, Birmingham

Driving licences

I CAN DRIVE AGAIN!!!! Nobody understands how excited I am that I can drive again. I can’t wait for the trips to the other regions bringing my dog and taking her out on the beaches. Living in the campo is great, but with no real way of getting down and going places you can be restricted when you don’t have a car. Hopefully this process is nice, easy and simple... wouldn’t it be nice. Time to get the licence out of the safe and exchange it over. I wonder how different it will look in comparison to the UK one...

With love, Julie

Rental prices

WITH the rental prices going up no wonder young people are finding it difficult to move out and go to university with the 8 per cent increase here in Spain. Over a year I know how much it is affecting me and it is a genuine worry I have for my daughter. Her dream is to study in Madrid and by studying it also means living and I don’t know how it is going to work out. We need more help for the young ones studying, they should all be given the opportunity to study, go to the university that they have been accepted to and just study ­ not have to work. But I am afraid that is what Ellie might have to do. Has anyone got any advice? An expat not wanting to say bye.

The weather!

I CAN’T believe how spectacular the weather has been over the last few weeks and if anyone is reading and trying to figure out when to come to Spain, book your tickets now! I am getting photos and videos, my Facebook is filled with pictures of the snow back home but here it is gorgeous! I can’t get over it. It’s 22 degrees and getting higher. I am excited for my tan to come back and to be able to swim in the pool and sea. That is something I will say though and be warned the pools and sea are still a bit nippy.

Betty

The Mediterranean Diet

AFTER reading that article last week I totally agree, the lifestyle, food and more is something that has helped me a lot. I was two stone heavier in the UK, rarely ever got out and it was too cold to walk throughout the winter months, while over here it is the complete opposite. I have a quality of life over here and I am able to do and experience things I never would have thought possible. I go out, I am walking all the time and I have new friends.

Mary

Investment in Spain

THE amount of FDI sent into Spain is amazing and I think this is something that should really be taken into consideration. The likes of Marbella being called the Golden Mile isn’t for nothing and the fact that there is constant and consistent investment says a lot and I think that the close­by neighbourhoods are what will be built up next. Of course, people can say and do whatever they like about things, but I think I will be putting some of my funds into a nice flat for me and the missus and even if we don’t see anything out of it well hopefully the kids do.

Thoughtful thinking from Jo

Dropping off

WELL we always say nodding off over here and its typical for me to nod off to sleep in less than five minutes and apparently that means I am sleep deprived. I just sleep when I can and I think I do get the recommended hours I can. You know how people say about being something in a past life, well I must have been an email that slept an awful lot, Sloth perhaps? Even after coffee I fall asleep, does it have that affect on anyone else? I am out like a light.

Too much sleep, Glenn

Broth boons

Linda Hall

GWYNETH PALTROW apparently lives on bone broth, vegetables and frugal amounts of fish or meat. Whether we wish to emulate her or not, bone broth has undeniable health benefits, starting with collagen which could be anti­ageing, its advocates maintain. The collagen obtained from chicken cartilage can also help to improve stiffness and joint function in patients with osteoarthritis, research has shown. Gelatine, the most abundant protein in bone broth, is good for digestion

BONE BROTH: Has undeniable health benefits

and gut health, supporting the healthy movement of food through the intestine. Meanwhile, broth is also said to support immune function, as the small intestine is its first line of defence, while the glycine present in bone broth has multiple functions that include creating healthy sleep patterns.

FASHION designer Bill Blass once said “always choose red” when in doubt about what to wear

Many people use the same yardstick when choosing a wine, but Harvard pro fessor Eric Rimm questioned whether red wine really was more healthy than white.

Many studies showing that red wine had greater benefits for the heart were of limited duration, he pointed out.

“There isn’t any conclusive science which says there is a true benefit of red wine over

Red or white

white,” Rimm said. Red wine contained more polyphenols – com ­

Alarming

pounds which can protect against developing certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditionshe conceded.

“But both dark chocolate and blueberries contained more,” the profes ­

DARK CHOCOLATE: Contains more polyphenols that red wine

“Maybe the conversation shouldn’t be driven by health but by which wine makes food taste better,” he said.

The sneezing season

SPRING brings hay fever but there are ways of avoiding it.

“Everyone can tolerate a certain amount of pollen before suffering an allergic reaction,” explained Dr Clare Morrison. “If you keep enough pollen out, symptoms won’t be triggered.”

Shower and change your clothes when you get home,

keep windows shut and avoid drying your washing outdoors, she advised.

Vacuum regularly, especially beds and fabrics, and damp­dust surfaces to remove pollen without dispersing it into the air. If you own a pet, ensure that it is groomed and shampooed as often as

possible to remove pollen particles. Use an allergen barrier balm around the nostrils and decongestant eyedrops throughout the day.

A SURVEY of 4,500 people in the Czech Republic carried out between 2018 and 2020 found that getting up early for work frequently made a job more stressful and life less satisfying. Awakening when an alarm goes off instead of stirring naturally and sleeping longer tends to throw our internal body clock off kilter, investigators found. This produced an effect resembling the jetlag produced when flying to a country with a different time zone, they said. The Czech investigators described this as “social jetlag” and found that it also had the knock­on effect of making work appear to be more taxing and life less fulfilling.

Photo credit: Pixabay/Elsenaju

Photo credit: Pexels/Karolina Grabowska

I think realising that you’re not alone, that you are standing with mil‐ lions of your sisters around the world, is vital.”

Malala Yousafzai - The Malala Fund

Stay active

Linda Hall

REGULAR physical activity at any age is linked to better brain function in old age.

Maintaining an exercise routine throughout adulthood will help to preserve mental sharpness and memory while staving off conditions like dementia, a University College London study concluded. Even taking up exer ­

On the spot

ACNE can happen at any age. There are many reasons why those no longer in the first flush of youth develop acne, ranging from hormonal changes to the side­effects of medication.

As with the young, it can be cleared up with an appropriate skincare routine although it is important to stay away from acne products for teenagers.

These can be too harsh for aging skin, which requires a gentle cleanser with a small amount of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

cise in your 60s is better for improving cognitive function than doing nothing at all, investigators found.

Over ­ 69s who were physically active between at least one and four times a month performed best on cognitive tests, plus gauging and processing speed and memory, said the study’s lead author Dr Sarah­Naomi James.

Patch it up

HERBAL patches containing herbs and botanical extracts are combining to help women overcome menopause symptoms.

While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a standard menopause solution, the natural patches contain a variety of herbs, many of them rich in the plant oestrogens that help to re ­ balance hormones. Tradi ­

Pro dairy

BRITONS are drinking less milk, and consumption continues to fall.

A third of under­35s are abandoning dairy on both health or ethical grounds, opting for alternative plant or seed based milk.

But some health professionals argue that bones, heart and brains all need Vitamin B12, calcium and iodine that is found in milk. Some specialists even believe that full­fat milk is the most beneficial for you.

Quite usual

tionally known to ease menopause symptoms, these include black cohosh, valerian, skullcap, red clover and gotu kola.

The patches helped them to cope with the classic symptoms of hot flushes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, decreased sex drive and mood swings as well as memory and concentration problems, users said.

Ready for later

RECENT research has shed new light on the way that activities and attitudes in middle age can improve our chances of good health when older.

A study published by the British Medical Journal found that satisfying relationships with partners, relatives, friends and col ­

leagues are linked to a lower risk of accumulating multiple long­term conditions in old age.

The less satisfying these relationships are when in your 40s and 50s, the greater the risk of having several illnesses later in life, University of Queensland investigators suggested.

A TWITCH in one eyelid, known medically as myokymia, is usually common, harmless and temporary. It happens to most of us at some time, a doctor will tell you, and is normally related to over­tiredness, coupled with stress and too much caffeine.

So long as the twitch is intermittent and limited to one side, you will probably be advised to get a good night’s sleep and limit caffeine intake to a daily couple of cups.

21% of the women workforce in the UK is in the health and social work sector.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Linked to better brain function when older

Photo credit: Pixabay/pasja1000

HELLO my Angels, how are we all feeling this week? The card I have pulled for this week is ‘leap’ and the universe will catch you. This week we are seeing the first signs of spring!! The sun is out a little longer and the dark evenings are coming to an end, this will make everyone feel a bit brighter and a little more hopeful for the summer, it feels like it was only a few weeks ago that we were at the beginning of January and setting our little goals?

How are we doing with the little goals? I have kept up with my little goals. I have slipped all in all for three days and it really made me feel a bit funny like I had done something wrong and my vibration went down a little and I only I could change the way I was feeling so I picked

myself up and started again. But adding a few more to my list in turn brings my vibration up higher and starting to see results, so what I am trying to say is don’t worry if you have fallen off, you can always pick yourself back up and be stronger then when you first started!

It happens to everyone, spring is a time for new life, and that is how you can look at yourself. It’s time for all the hard work you have put in, you can now start seeking the rewards, so again just drop the fear and leap, whatever your intention is you will be fine.

If you’re at a crossroads and do not know what way to choose just take a moment have a breath and look at each one, what one makes you feel good and what one makes you feel scared. In any decision you make in life there is never a wrong choice. You may need to learn a little extra lesson if you go a different way but that is okay, never

feel like you have failed because you have to keep getting back up and moving. And what you learn this year you can pass on to someone else.

You will always meet people in life for a reason and if you come across anyone they may need some advice or guidance that you have learned through your journey then pass it on and see how you have helped someone.

It makes you feel good and proud and those feelings are the feelings you need to have in order to achieve your manifestation. How are we all doing with this by the way? I would love to hear from you?

Also if anyone would like a small reading and then would like to say what you thought after please write in and let me know? So just remember you are where you are meant to be, the universe always has your back and never be afraid. Keep writing your little goals and keep going you are doing any amazing job.

If you would like to know more or have a reading please go to my website to book your own personal private reading with myself you can find me on Instagram @theangelic.medium or visit my website. https://www.theangelicpsychicmedium.com sending lots of love, yours Emma.

What the universe has in store

My tarot card I have pulled of this week is ‘Leap and the universe will catch you’

Declining registrations The cost of comfort

Camping boom

OVERNIGHT stays in alternative holiday accommodation in Spain, ie tourist flats, campsites, rural tourism establishments and hostels, increased by 23.7 per cent in January with regards to 2022, according to statistics published by hotelier association Hosteltur.

Overnight stays in campsites recorded an increase of 8.5 per cent this year, with more than 45.4 per cent of plots occupied.

The figures also show that 79.6 per cent of overnight stays in campsites were made by non­resident travellers. Germany was the main source market, accounting for 38.3 per cent of international campers, and the Valencia Region was said to be the preferred destination.

By tourist areas, the Costa Blanca in Alicante was top of the list with 352,315 overnight stays in January and the highest occupancy rate, 84.4 per cent. By cities, the top three destinations were Benidorm, Cartagena (Murcia) and Velez­Malaga (Andalucia).

In general, 72.3 per cent of overnight stays in January in all tourist accommodation corresponded to hotels.

British visitors accounted for the largest percentage with 23.3 per cent, followed by Germans (17.2 per cent) and French (5.9 per cent).

The Canary Islands were the most popular destination with eight million stays, followed by Andalucia with more than 3.1 million.

INFLATABLE mattresses are by far the best solution for camping fans who need a little more comfort when sleeping out in the wild or staying at a campsite, but how to choose among the many models and types available?

The Spanish Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) has analysed the various options and published a set of guidelines to help select the best mattress according to each camper’s needs.

Inflatable mattresses are usually made out of PVC and are blown up by hand or with a pump, but some models are self­inflating, with an inner layer of foam that expands when the valve is open. This is an important point to look out for if you don’t want to spend a tiresome hour working away with a foot pump.

Certain models have a laminated structure with

two layers, including one made out of polyester fibres. This reinforces the structure and could be important depending on the type of ground you plan on sleeping on.

There are also models with different heights. Those with a single height are ideal for open­air camping as they

weigh less and are easier to set up, but are also smaller and can deflate faster than those with double height.

In addition, double­height mattresses are more similar to a bed are therefore much more comfortable, and usually have an electric pump to inflate them within minutes with no effort.

ACCORDING to data from the Spanish Association of the Caravanning Industry and Trade (ASEICAR) new caravan registrations continue to decline.

A total of 406 new motorhomes and campers were sold in February 2023, which represents a decrease of 31 per cent compared to the same month in 2022 (589).

The same applies to caravans, which fell from 139 in February 2022 to 123 last month (­11.5 per cent).

As for the second­hand market, sales of motorhomes and campers are also down compared to a year ago: 1,424 compared to 1,610 (­11.6 per cent). The same is true for caravans: 474 compared to 524 in February 2022 (­9.5 per cent).

The slight stabilisation of the economic situation and a slight improvement in the manufacture of caravanning vehicles is encouraging some customers to reactivate their interest in buying motorhomes, campers and caravans.

Overnight stays up.

Image by Jose Pizarro/Shutterstock

INFLATABLE MATTRESSES: Providing more comfort.

Image by Sergey Ryzhov/Shutterstock

PETS

Meet Monty a cat-sitter’s dream pet

WHILE cat­sitting recently for one of our regular clients I met Montgomery, Monty to his friends. To say Monty has a character you have to meet to believe is understating his charisma. On this occasion I was the lucky cat­sitter. One of the reasons I love house­sitting is that I can meet such adorable pets, and their owners of course. Perhaps I the founder of Housesitmatch might turn up one day as your personal pet­sitter.

Our house­sitting and pet­sitting network can help pet owners meet great checked pet­sitters, and secure care for their pets, for free, no matter where they are!

If you are planning a trip later this year, register now to find pet­sitters in time. Even if it’s just a short trip, you’ll know that sometimes you just have to leave pets at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from staying in their own home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed. Let us help.

Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These are the steps to take:

1. Register as a home owner on HouseSit Match.com

2. Choose a Premium account (£89 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed

3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house

Doggie daycare

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose. How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. Housesitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets.

Trustpilot Testimonials ­ 4.9 / 5 Excellent 10 out of 10 for housesitmatch.com

I have had nothing but good and helpful service from the people who run this site, and my experience has been excellent. Tristram Cosgrave ­ Dog and cat owner, Malaga

How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch.com.

Do you need a house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or home owner with a 50% discount using coupon code 20EWN – an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.Housesitmatch.com.

Who’s a pretty boy then

WHY do parrots talk?

According to Roger Valls, cofounder of the Avetropic association that cares for parrots in captivity, the question is “ambiguous and complex.”

Speaking to a national newspaper, Valls described speech as the articulation of words to express something and communicate, and that when parrots emit sounds “they obviously do so with the intention of communicating something.”

However, parrots do not only vocalise or ‘talk’ to communicate with us, there are other reasons that can lead them to reproduce sounds or vocalisations, namely the search for attention and their own entertainment ­ especially in birds

that live in captivity.

In their life in captivity alongside humans, the main reason for parrots to vocalise is to communicate with their social circle, which is often reduced to the people who look after them.

“They understand sounds, memorise them and repeat them in certain situations,” says Valls, adding that, “they associate words with situations.”

Another reason a parrot may vocalise is for entertainment. “They may do it for fun, especially in captivity. When they don’t have as many resources to entertain themselves during the day, they may do it to kill time,” said the Avetropic expert.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

DOG playschools are taking off in a big way in Spain.

Owners leave their pets at a centre one day a week when they are away at work, always on the same day so that the dogs form a strong group and get to know each other well.

The centres are a hive of canine activity, with the small groups of animals

chasing each other, running up and down stairs and jumping on and off the sofas and cushions.

Dogs are usually separated by size and character, and the service also includes outside walks and periods of rest.

Owners and trainers say that a care option, which can cost up to €350 a month for full days or €220 for half days, pro ­

motes socialisation and facilitates the treatment of separation anxiety, making it easier to leave the animals alone afterwards.

It is also said to be ideal to work on behaviour, as the carers use healthy snacks to train the dogs and the animals are reportedly much calmer when they are picked up after their session.

Day care for your pampered pooch.

Image by Dezy/Shutterstock

Monty is a Burmese who loves company, his own and the catsitters.

AIR CONDITIONING

BUILDERS

ALMERIA BUILDERS : Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeria builders.com (253556)

BUY & SELL

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

CARS FOR SALE

BEDS

CARAVANS CHURCHES

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

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.britishlegion.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 zurgena rblchairman@gmail.com(253989)

If you can read it, so can your clients. Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161

TESTIMONIALS

DRAINAGE

INSURANCE

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

LANGUAGE CLASSES

to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

ABBOTT ELECTRICS

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

ELECTRICAL ESTATE AGENT

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)

FOR SALE

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

MISCELLANEOUS

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

MOTORING

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

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 636 444 929 (303051)

NAUTICAL OTHERS

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

PETS

THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs €7.75, medium dogs €8.50, big dogs €9.25, cats from €7.00 a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre@gmail. com fivebonehotel.com (301372)

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 (302581)

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@suner gyalmeria.com (295779)

PROP FOR RENT WANTED

REMOVALS

PROPERTY TO LET

UPHOLSTERY

Jeep Renegade - one of the most likeable off-roaders

byMarkSlack

EVERYONE knows that Land Rover has a fine, and well de served, reputation for off road ability. It seems that every other 4×4 takes second place to the Solihull masters of all terrain.

However, there’s another brand that has an equally fine reputation that precedes, indeed inspired, the genius of Maurice Wilks who founded Land Rover. Jeeps are synonymous with the Second World War and it was their ability to traverse seemingly any kind of landscape that led to some of the best off­road vehicles ever produced.

Jeep still produce chunky

Tonka ­ toy like off roaders, and my test model was the Renegade 4xe in plug­in hybrid form. The petrol part of the power equation is a 1.3litre 4­cylinder turbocharged

unit, the electrical assistance is provided by an 11.4 kwh battery.

The Renegade line ­ up is priced from €34,173/£30,050 with the Renegade 4xe offered in Limited, or as with my test model, top­spec Trailhawk trim. All the usual charging options are available including a standard domestic

socket. Being a hybrid, smaller battery, on a domestic socket the charge time is as little as 4 hours.

For that you have a commuting range of around 26 miles, maybe more depending upon your driving style, and modes for hybrid, electric and e ­ save (which helps charge the battery along with

maximum braking regeneration).

On the road the Renegade is probably one of the most practical hybrids I have driven, with a decent turn of speed, 62 mph in just 7.1 seconds, and a smooth 6­speed automatic gearbox along with that all­wheel­drive ability.

That offers simple dial tech­

nology for the kind of surface you’re dealing with and even the ability to lock the system into low range for real mudplugging. In hybrid mode the transition between electric and petrol is smooth and as long as the battery isn’t extremely low e­save mode and maximum regeneration means you can see the battery charge climb.

Standard fare is good with all the usual motoring accoutrements even on the lead­in version with my €43,328/£38,100 Trailhawk model especially well

appointed. The Jeep feels durable and is nicely appointed, but it battles against the fact that at this price it’s in Discovery Sport territory, albeit mild hybrid form rather than plug­in.

The Discovery will be seen as a more premium choice and I’m not sure the plug­in versus mild hybrid systems will make much difference. It makes the Renegade’s job somewhat harder, which is a shame as the Jeep is one of the most capable, characterful and likeable off roaders you can buy.

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4xe

• Price: €43,328/£38,100

• Engine: 1.3-Litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol with plug-in electrical assistance via 11.4 kWh

• Gears: 6-speed automatic – selectable all-wheel-drive with low range

• Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) 7.1 seconds/Maximum Speed 199 kmh (124 mph)

• Economy: 2.0 l/100km (141.0 mpg) WLTP – electric only range 26 miles

• Emissions: 46 g/km WLTP

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

Hydrogen power

THE BMW Group is presenting international media representatives with the first vehicles in a pilot fleet that will go into service this year.

After four years of development work, the BMW iX5

Hydrogen vehicle and development project is entering its critical next phase.

The fleet of under 100 vehicles will then be employed internationally for demonstration and trial

purposes for various target groups.

This active driving experience will therefore be the first chance for people not involved in the development process to gain a direct impression of what the BMW iX5 Hydrogen has to offer.

“Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play in the energy transition process and therefore in climate protection. After all, it is one of the most efficient ways of storing and transporting renewable energies”, said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

“We should use this potential to also accelerate the transformation of the mobility sector. Hydrogen is the missing piece in the jigsaw when it comes to emission ­ free mobility. One technology on its own will not be enough to enable climate ­ neutral mobility worldwide.”

JEEP RENEGADE: A capable and characterful off-roader.

EU driving rules

THE European Commission (EU) has now presented proposals to modernise driving licence rules.

This includes the introduction of a digital driving licence valid throughout the EU, and new provisions to facilitate the enforcement of traffic rules across borders.

More than 20,000 lives were lost on EU roads last year and the majority of victims were pedestrians, cyclists and users of scooters and motorbikes.

The new rules will improve safety for all road users and will help the EU achieve its Vision Zero of having no deaths on EU

roads by 2050.

They will prepare drivers better for zero­emission vehicles and for driving on city roads, alongside more bicycles and two­wheelers, and with many pedestrians around. They will also allow young drivers to gain experience through an accompanied driving scheme: From the age of 17, young people will be able to learn to drive and obtain a licence.

Those who pass at 17 will be able to drive alone from their 18th birthday and to work as a professional driver as soon as a specific job allows. This will help address the current driver shortage.

ACCORDING to the latest data published on Thursday, March 16, in the European Union Oil Bulletin, the average price of diesel has risen in Spain for the first time since the end of January. Similarly, petrol has also gone up in price again. A litre of diesel stands at €1.592, while petrol is €1.644/litre.

Both fuels suffered their biggest rise since the force of the veto on imports of Russian petroleum products on February 5. Petrol has risen by 0.74 per cent compared to €1.632/litre

Slowly rising

come to a halt, seeing a small rise of 0.19 per cent

in comparison to last week. In previous weeks, diesel had shown a downward trend, which has now

A THIRD of all UK drivers claim they will never switch to an electric vehicle despite the Government’s long­term ambitions to replace petrol and diesel cars on Britain’s roads, according to new Auto Trader research.

With affordability the biggest barrier to Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption, drivers have also urged the Chancellor to offer more generous financial support to aid the switch to greener vehicles, the findings show When asked what factors would make them switch, the survey by the UK’s biggest online vehicle marketplace found 32 per cent of drivers never intend to buy an EV regard­

No switch

less of the incentives offered. A further 30 per cent of respondents said cutting the upfront cost of EVs was the most important factor in encouraging switching, with a new EV typically 36 per cent more expensive than a petrol or diesel equivalent according to Auto Trader’s latest Road to 2030 report. One of the UK’s most affordable and most popular EVs ­ the MG ZS Electric ­ cost almost £8,400 more than its conventionallyfuelled equivalent at £25,465.

Before the arrival of the veto on imports of Russian oil derivatives, analysts had predicted a huge price rise, which has not yet arrived thankfully. With Easter fast approaching, it remains to be seen if the price increase consolidates as a trend in the coming weeks.

This data includes the average price registered in more than 11,400 Spanish service stations between March 7 and 13.

Diesel and petrol prices have both risen.

The new rules will improve safety for all road users.

45.8% the highest percentage of female motoring registrants are for the company Kia

Credit: Shutterstock.com/Manuel Milan

Distance limit

PROPOSALS have been unveiled in a bid to limit hitting distance for elite golfers.

In what is certain to be a major story in the months and years to come, the R&A and USGA have re vealed their joint propos al for a Model Local Rule (MLR) that gives competition organisers the option to require use of golf balls which are tested under modified launch conditions to address the impacts of hitting distance in golf.

The MLR is intended for use only in elite competitions and, if adopted, will have no impact on recreational golf.

Golf balls that conform to the MLR must not exceed the current Overall Distance Standard (ODS) limit of 317 yards (plus three yards tolerance) at modified Actual Launch Conditions (ALC) with a clubhead speed of 127 mph and based on a calibration set­up for 11 degrees and 37 revolutions per second (2220 rpm) as part of this proposal.

All other balls, including those typically used by recreational golfers with lower swing speeds, would continue to be tested using the existing ALC values (120 mph, and a calibration set­up of 10 degrees and 42 revolutions per second ­ 2520 rpm).

England suffers defeat

IN a thrilling conclusion to the T20 series, Bangladesh pulled off an incredible 3­0 clean sweep against a stunned England side on Tuesday, March 14 in Mirpur, Pakistan.

Despite looking in control at 100­1 while chasing 159, the pressure mounted on England’s middle order after the fall of Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan in consecutive balls in the 14th over. The hosts’ well­handled conditions and smart running between the wickets put Eng­

land on the back foot early on.

The defeat caps off England’s winter on a sour note, but it still marks their joint most successful winter of all time with 14 wins across all formats. The highs came from their T20 World Cup triumph in November and an excellent Test Series win in Pakistan, while the lows included the anti­climactic ODI series against Australia that followed the World Cup and this Bangladesh defeat at the end of the winter season.

England looks to regroup ahead of a packed summer season including a one­off Test against Ireland followed

by an exciting Ashes contest. Despite the disappointment in Bangladesh, England will be hoping to bounce back.

Sudden death

CHARLOTTE VELLAR , the talented young German football star from MSV Duisburg has passed away suddenly at the age of 16.

Football fans in Germany were on Monday, March 20, mourning the tragic loss of one of the country’s brightest rising talents at the age of only 16. Charlotte Vellar’s passing was confirmed on Sunday March 19, on the social media account of her club, MSV Duisburg.

The club’s statement read: “There is no comfort in this unbelievable pain. MSV mourns the loss of Charlotte Vellar, who died

far, far too early at the age of 16. Our condolences to family, friends and team members. We wish you strength for these incredibly difficult moments”.

Charlotte was hailed as one of Germany’s most talented young defenders. She made the switch from TV Kapellen to MSV Duisburg in 2018.

Charlotte’s final match was a 9 ­ 0 defeat of Bayer Uerdingen in the U17 Lower Rhine League on February 26. No cause of death has been revealed.

Messages of condolences poured onto social media in memory of the young football prodigy.

Bangladesh National Cricket team received a cheque after beating England with a stunning victory to close the T20 Series.

Photo credit: Bangladesh Tigers (via Instagram)

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