Costa Blanca North 1 – 7 June 2023 Issue 1978

THE RETURN OF THE PP

LAST Sunday’s local and regional elections have left a very different political map in the Valencian Community.

The conservative Partido Popular (Popular Party, or PP) returns to the Generalitat eight years after losing it to the three ­ way left ­ wing coalition led by the PSOE’s Ximo Puig with the support of Compromís and Unides Podem, the latter of which has been left out of the regional government following Sunday’s results.

But the 40 seats obtained by the PP’s Carlos Mazón did not grant the conservatives an absolute majority, meaning they will have to rely on the 13 seats of far ­ right party Vox in order to form a government.

The PP also claimed all three provin ­

cial capitals, with Luis Barcala winning four extra seats in Alicante City and María José Catalá winning Valencia but also needing the support of Vox to form her council.

In Benidorm, Toni Perez won an extra three seats and will govern for the third consecutive time, with the PP also winning in Villajoyosa, La Nucia, Calpe and Teulada.

The socialists fared slightly better locally. The PSOE’s Vicent Grimalt won in Denia and will govern with Compromís, José Chulvi won once again in Javea but lost his absolute majority, Vicente Arques broke his own record in Alfaz del Pi winning two more seats and Enrique Moll won in Pego without a majority.

Image by the Generalitat Valenciana

ELECTION TIME: Ximo Puig voting for the last time as regional president.

Samaritans in Spain

SAMARITANS IN SPAIN provides a confidential listening service to all English speakers, of any age in mainland Spain and the islands totally free of charge. They do this because they believe in the importance of having the opportunity to explore difficult feelings and in doing so, alleviate the despair that can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Samaritans in Spain want everyone to know that there is someone there who is

ready to listen, without judgement or prejudice.

It is important that people understand that they do not need to be feeling suicidal in order to call, their trained listeners are there to provide confidential support to anyone who is feeling in distress or despair.

Samaritans in Spain are available on freephone 900 525 100 between 10.00am and 10.00pm, 365 days a year.

As a self­funded charity run entirely by volunteers, they rely on donations and support from businesses as well as the general public.

It costs an average of €16 per each call taken, or to put it another way, to hear the words “I am feeling better about things now.”

Further information about Samaritans in Spain is available at www.samaritansin spain.com.

Together we are stronger.

Used property boom

NEW housing is now 70 per cent more expensive than second­hand property in the Valencia Region. Before the explosion of the building bubble in 2008, the new and used property markets ran almost parallel with regards to both the number of operations performed and price, with new houses costing an average of 20 per cent more.

But since then, both markets have split and grown increasingly separate from each other, with second­hand housing currently accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the total number of purchase and sale operations performed

throughout the region and new housing becoming nearly a luxury item.

Analysts suggest that the main reason for operations involving used property spiralling since 2008 is that the construction crisis left many developments unfinished or cancelled during the planning phase, which has led to a major shortage of new housing in the region.

Although building activity resumed in 2014, it is still a far cry from the more than 50,000 new houses built every year during the boom, with just over 7,500 homes built during the best year so far in 2019.

Anna Ellis

IN fantastic news for Costa Blanca tourism, the opening of new air routes continues at Alicante­ Elche Miguel Hernandez airport.

The airline easyJet has announced that from the spring of next year, it will have a new base in Alicante. This new base will increase the number of seats offered in the province by 16 per cent compared to this summer, as three new A320 family aircraft will be incorporated.

easyJet’s managing director for Southern Europe, Javier Gandara, highlighted that this will allow the creation of around 100 jobs and said that he was “proud to announce a seasonal base in Spain, a market in which we continue to grow, boosting tourism and creating jobs.

“Alicante is a very attractive destination for our customers. Between

New base

2015 and 2019 we have seen capacity on routes to/from Alicante grow by 6 per cent, so we see great potential to expand our operations in the country,” Javier confirmed.

He also stated that “operating with our own base allows us to

improve connectivity to/from this region according to the most popular flows, bringing Alicante residents closer to more European cities of reference and, at the same time, positioning Alicante on the international air and tourist map.”

EASYJET: Will have a new base from next spring.

Image: Easyjet / Facebook

NIBS EXTRA

Top for tourism

TEULADA MORAIRA is now officially one of the 100 top tourist destinations in Spain. The Alliance for Tourism Excellence (Exceltur) has published the first ‘Municipal atlas of the social contribution of tourism in Spain’, with the Marina Alta town among the top spots.

Water network

ALFAZ DEL PI has awarded the contract to renew the drinking water supply network in the Cami Volador dels Corbs area. Work is expected to begin shortly and will focus on replacing 250 metres of pipeline to put an end to the frequent interruptions of service.

Population boom

THE population of Alicante Province has increased by 50,000 over the last year, reaching a total of 1,965,252 by the end of March and making Alicante the fourth most populated Spanish province after Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

Omelette row

AN Alicante resident sparked a humorous online ‘row’ after she shared a comment on Twitter discussing her favourite pre­cooked Spanish omelettes. The tortilla de patatas is a prickly issue that triggers all kinds of opinions and which many view as a matter of national pride.

High tide

THE National Police recovered 34 packets containing over a tonne of hashish that were washed up onto Denia’s Las Rotas and Las Marinas beaches last week. The drugs were brought ashore due to the strong sea storms.

Rare diseases

DENIA Hospital celebrated its first Conference on Minority Diseases on Tuesday. Various experts discussed the diagnosis and treatment of rare conditions, as well as the role of the public health service.

Benidorm’s advantage

NEARLY 400 British travel agents gathered in Benidorm last week for the Advantage Conference 2023.

The event was organised by The Advantage Travel Partnership, the largest independent business and leisure travel agency group in the UK that performs operations to the tune of more than £4.5 billion in travel sales every year.

During the gala dinner hosted by Turespaña, Benidorm mayor Toni Pérez welcomed the British travel agents to the town and invited them to “rediscover Benidorm,” highlighting its success in the field of sustainability ­ one of the fundamental points of the Smart

Tourist Destination projectand Benidorm’s focus on renewable energies and energy efficiency.

Pérez stressed “that Benidorm has had sustainability in its DNA as a tourist

Hospital beds closed

MARINA BAIXA Hospital has lost 28 beds for six months due to building work.

The works will leave the Cardiology wing inoperative until October in order to take advantage of the drop in the number of operations performed over the summer.

The improvements will cost an estimated €1.2 million and are aimed at making the ward more comfortable and accessible for patients and professionals, with plans to extend the makeover gradually to all areas of the hospital.

However, healthcare trade unions and personnel at the

A&E department have criticised hospital managers for failing to take into account the ‘alarming’ lack of beds at the hospital over the last several years and which frequently forces users to wait in corridors until other patients are discharged in order to access a room.

Marina Baixa Hospital was also severely affected by the heavy rains registered last week, with leaks in the ceiling forcing the on­call doctors to abandon the rooms they had just moved into a couple of weeks before and operations being cancelled.

destination since its beginnings in the mid­50s, when there was still no awareness of its importance.”

A market study was presented by Advantage revealing that ‘sun and beach’

YOUR EWN HAS

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Post offices

TEULADA Tourism department has launched a new nationwide promotion campaign at post offices in different Spanish cities.

tourism is still the preferred type of holiday among British travellers and that as such Benidorm is once again one of the five top destinations in the world for this summer.

N-332 open again

THE Mascarat tunnels on the N­332 road between Calpe and Altea are open to traffic again after being closed for over a week.

Traffic had been diverted through the AP­7 motorway during the roadworks that began on Sunday May 14 and Calpe Town Hall announced the reopening of the affected stretch on the N332 on Tuesday May 23.

Work was initially expected to take one week to complete, but several difficulties led to it taking slightly longer than planned.

U3A Marina Baixa

By Joan Flint

ON Monday May 22 the monthly meeting was well attended at the Casa de Cultura in Alfaz del Pi despite the heavy rain. Nearly €150 were raised through the monthly raffle for their Charity Fund.

After the meeting 20 members enjoyed lunch at the Oasis Restaurant in La Nucia and on Friday May 26 up to 17 members met for lunch at Mar de España in Albir. Not very good for the waistline, but good for socialising!

Next month’s Wine and Dine will be on June 23 at Restaurante Xorta near

Guadalest providing members with an opportunity to enjoy a wander around the village or to visit the many interesting museums such as the Salt and Pepper Museum and the Miniature Museum, as well as the Motorbike Museum.

The next General Meeting will be on Monday June 26 at 11am in the Auditorium at the Casa de Cultura, Alfaz del Pi. Visitors are always welcome as are new members. Membership is just €10 for the year.

For further information visit ‘U3A Marina Baixa’ on Facebook.

The works in the Mascarat area had been underway for several weeks, but until the total cut on May 14 traffic had been maintained with one active lane through the tunnels.

The total interruption of traffic and diversion through the AP­7 was a major drawback for communications between Calpe and Alicante or any other town in the Marina Baixa as there is no direct access to the AP­7, which made it necessary to drive to Benissa, ie towards Valencia, and then double back.

The slogan ‘Teulada Moraira para enmarcar’ (‘Framing Teulada Moraira’) with different idyllic screenshots of both towns will be shown on 12 screens in the main Correos offices in Valencia, Zaragoza, Madrid and Bilbao for six months.

These offices were chosen due to the large number of people who pass through their doors ­ more than 88 million in total in 2022.

Teulada Moraira Tourism councillor Susanne Katzgrau defined the campaign as “a different and effective channel for promoting tourism in our municipality” aimed at “attracting national tourism while promoting the deseasonalisation of tourism in Teulada Moraira.”

Image by Benidorm Town Hall

TOURISM CONFERENCE: Mayor Toni Pérez during his gala dinner address.

THE commitment of the North American multinational company XPO Logistics to expand its facilities in Llano del Espartal confirms this Alicante industrial estate as a logistics and distribution centre.

XPO Logistics has 5,000 square metres at its disposal in a warehouse in Llano del Espartal with 33 loading bays, which allows it to offer its main services.

According to its Regional Director, Luis Lopez, it provides a “last mile service for online commerce and the overnight distribution service for large retail companies, as well as delivery services for large distributors.”

With its commitment to Alicante, XPO Logistics has almost 20,000 square metres for its op­

UP to 20 business sectors in Alicante Province are having problems finding workers.

The Sepe national employment service has found that there is a shortage of chefs, waiters, lorry drivers, graphic designers, specialist doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, builders, plumbers, air conditioning fitters, car mechanics, welders, accountants with languages and IT skills, hairdressers and butchers, despite there currently being more than 137,000 people registered as unemployed in

XPO expansion

erations in the Valencian Community. On a technological level, the Alicante Centre has innovative tools to offer its services to individuals and companies.

The company has its headquarters in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA; and provides services to 48,000 customers through 558 centres around the world.

Alicante’s mayor, Luis Barcala, visited the company’s new facilities last week and noted “the base will move 1,000 pallets a day and generate 100 jobs, both direct and indirect, in the city.”

Workers needed

the province. With employment figures spiralling with the recovery of activity following the pandemic, especially in the tourism and catering trades, bosses are reporting increasing problems finding staff to meet their rising demands.

As to the reasons for these problems, the study by the Sepe suggests a lack of trained

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

A dream comes true

FOR several years, dog rescue charity Akira has wanted to create a dedicated meet­andgreet space at its shelter where adopters and the dog can get to know each other in a quieter, less stressful place than the main shelter area.

The cost of such a project had proved prohibitive, but this month the dream became a reality with the opening of the Maggie Shuck Centre.

or experienced professionals, lack of technical skills specific to each job, and disagreements about job conditions.

“The idea of a meet­andgreet centre was inspired by a similar space at the renowned Woodgreen Animal Centre in the UK,” explained Billie­Jo Roberts, shelter manager.

“It will make a big differ­

PRICES of holiday rentals in Benidorm have reached a record high.

ence: adopters won’t feel rushed to make what is a lifechanging decision and the dogs will be able to really show their personalities away from the hustle­and­bustle of the shelter. The centre will also help us rehabilitate nervous dogs.”

The centre is named after Maggie Shuck, a founder

member of Akira who helped raise huge amounts of money to build the shelter.

Akira Dog Sanctuary is located in La Pedrera Poligono Industrial (Benissa), telephone 657 689 567. For further information visit www.akira­ani mals.com , www.akira ­ an gels.org and ‘AKIRA Animal Sanctuary’ on Facebook.

Low-cost tourism?

One­bedroom flats on the first line of the beach are currently priced at €150 a day for the summer ­ which has not appeared to discourage visitors as up to 95 per cent of vacancies are already booked up for the first half of August.

Surprisingly, holiday flats in Alicante City centre are at the same price despite not being such a major international tourism magnet as Benidorm.

Meaning no-one is truly capable of living alone. We need human connection to be healthy. This orginated from a sermon by the 17th century English author John Donne.

Although the provincial capital is still behind the Marina Baixa town in numbers of

bookings, it is expected that they will spiral as summer draws near, as many visitors reportedly choose to confirm their visit at the last minute and analysts predict that occupation rates will be 20 per cent higher than last year.

Spokespeople for the tourism rental sector insist that they have done all they can to contain the figures and that there is in fact a wide range of prices depending on the area and number of rooms.

Either way, the same sources predict that profits this year will be higher than before the Covid pandemic.

• Diagnostic imaging and ultrasound Rx

• Clinical tests and serological tests, internal medicine, parasitology

• Soft Tissue Surgery and Traumatology

• Ethology, behavioural disorders and animal behaviour

• Physiotherapy, acupuncture, custom recovery and Healing touch

• Ophthalmology

• Dentistry and dental surgery & more

• Import - Export

MAGGIE SHUCK CENTRE: Will make

the dogs.

Image by Juan Carlos Ibanco

“No man is an island.”

5,000 the world’s oldest wooden wheel is this old.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS working at the Tossal de la Cala fort in Benidorm have discovered a human face engraved on a rock.

The 2,000-year-old sculpture is said to be a unique discovery in Roman territory and an exceptional archaeological event.

According to Jesús Moratalla, professor at the University

Face in the rock

of Alicante and technical director of the excavations, it is “a relief of exceptional historical transcendence” showing a human face, a cornucopia and a phallus in a space of 57x42 centimetres.

In fact, the discovery was

U3A Vall del Pop

WHILE some 40 members headed to Cordoba, the remaining members of the Vall del Pop U3A had a busy week with a multitude of events to keep us out of mischief.

Sunday May 14 saw a coachload of some 50 members off to see The Bohemians perform their tribute show to Queen at Benidorm Palace.

On Tuesday May 16 up to 40 Ladies at Lunch visited the Shack in Jalon, where Mark, the owner, rose to the challenge. Their next lunch will be on Tuesday June 20 at Restaurante La Piscina, Parcent, which will be their last until September.

On Thursday May 18, up to 47 members were raring to go to explore Sagunto and its castle, which dates back over 2,000 years.

In September the Vall del Pop U3A have organised a twonight stay in Zaragoza with a visit to the Monasterio de Piedra, the beautiful La Morderna gardens with their spectacular waterfall, a guided tour of Zaragoza and the cathedral.

The trip will take place from September 18 to 20 with buffet style B&B at a cost of €250 per person.

For further details please check our website u3avalldelpop.com

actually made several years ago but was kept under wraps until now in order to protect it.

It is only now, with the project to turn the site into an open-air museum nearing completion, that the find has been made public and will be put on show “in safe and accessible conditions” over the next few months, according to Dr Moratalla.

It is the latest in a series of historic findings at the site that have so far included a foundational amphora and a wealth of material that has helped archaeologists to determine what life was like at the fort.

TEACHERS at schools, colleges and universities in the Valencia Region are rushing to learn about the ins and outs of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in an effort to stop students from using it to cheat in their coursework.

Programmes such as ChatGPT, which enables users to generate all kinds of text on almost any topic and in any style based on a wealth of information found on the internet, are reportedly already being used by pupils to create essays to submit as part of their assessment without any effort whatsoever.

Education centres report that they have begun detecting these cases and warn that often the text generated is incoherent, the language does not fit the topic, points are sometimes mentioned that are not developed, and the programme creates URLs for bibliographies that do not exist.

A number of students have already

CheatGPT

been caught out, including one case where the teacher became suspicious when faced with an essay and asked ChatGPT if the student had used the technology to create it, to which the programme replied affirmatively and the student failed the assessment.

LADIES AT LUNCH: Visited the Shack in Jalon.

CREDIT: U3A Vall del Pop.

TEACHERS: Are catching pupils cheating.

Image by Juicy September/Shutterstock

SUPPOSEDLY some passengers travelling First Class on certain British Airways flights were worried about a redesign which meant some lavatories have windows. A woman travelling to New York complained that there were no blinds.

She was told by a quick thinking stewardess “Madam if some pervert is clinging to the side of this aircraft at 35,000 feet, they deserve to see everything!”

Chronic patient care

Top for recycling Today’s chuckle

DENIA Health Department has launched a programme to unify and improve the care of Complex Chronic Patients (CCPs).

The term CCP refers to patients with limiting and progressive pathologies, who are polymedicated and require multiple health care coverage due to their functional deterioration.

The Complex Chronic Care Programme is a comprehensive plan that encompasses the care of this type of patient in any circumstance, from a situation of stability through to exacerbation and hospitalisation.

The programme schedules appointments and tests throughout the year,

with the aim of monitoring patients’ evolution while also serving to empower patients by giving them an active role in their treatment.

“The Complex Chronic Patient is a profile that is on the increase, given the current demographic trend and the increasingly ageing population in Spain in general and the Marina Alta in

particular, due to the high number of retired European residents who chose this area to live,” declared Dr Jose Bataller, Acting Director of Primary Care.

“This programme also makes it possible to detect exacerbations early and to act immediately from the health centre itself and thus avoid hospital admissions.”

Tracking the whales

INVESTIGATORS tracking fin whales off the coasts of Denia and Javea believe the animals could be present in our waters all year round and not just during the summer as previously thought.

They have spotted more than 150 of these creatures, the second largest animal in the world, in the Marina Alta over the last two years.

According to spokespeople for the project entitled The cape of the fin whales: study of the presence and origin of the fin whale on the shelf and slope of Cabo de la Nao and Ibiza Channel, although most

sightings take place in June and July, acoustic monitoring suggest that they also visit the Valencian coast as early as April and as late as October.

The project was launched in 2021 to analyse the populations of fin whales that migrate through the Cabo de la Nao and track their destinations.

As well as providing information about their movements and migration routes, the investigation also aims to evaluate potential threats to the whales, mainly maritime traffic and submarine noise, in a bid to help protect the species.

PEGO Town Hall has installed two new ‘mini­ecoparks’ in the town.

The recycling points are located in Plaça Maria Cambrils and outside the CMFPA Perez Ramos building.

They bring the total number of mini­ecoparks up to eight, in addition to the previous ones in Carrer Jaume I, Passeig Cervantes, Plaça Antic Regne, outside the health centre and Rosalia Bondia school, and in the Calvari area.

The panels feature different compartments to separate household items that cannot be recycled normally, such as lightbulbs, batteries, printer ink cartridges and small electric and electronic devices.

According to the municipal cleaning department, batteries are one of the types of refuse most recycled by Pego residents, with around 10 kilos collected every two weeks.

The same sources add that although there is still room for improvement, general recycling figures in the town are higher than the regional average.

For instance, paper and cardboard recycling figures average 20.6 kilos per resident compared to the Valencian average of 16.2 kilos, and for glass the local average is 22.9 kilos compared to the 17 kilos for the Valencia Region.

CCP: Caring for patients with progressive pathologies.

Image by Marina Salud

THE rains that fell throughout Alicante Province last week were welcomed as a vital lifeline for most crops and forest areas after an unseasonably dry and warm winter and spring.

However, not everyone was happy, as cherry producers in certain areas reported severe damages to the fruit caused by the late rains that also arrived too late for cereal growers.

This is big blow for cherry

farmers in the Alto Vinalopo district, as this year was looking up due to unbeatable con-

ditions in terms of the quality, quantity and size of the fruit.

In fact, cherry farmers are bearing the brunt of the irregular weather in Alicante, with production dwindling over the last five years and the drought conditions registered in recent months leading to a total lack of production in some areas.

They are also suffering ris-

San Carlos hospital revamp

MANAGERS of Denia’s HLA San Carlos hospital have invested more than €2 million to improve the facilities.

Work has focused on creating new, more functional and modern areas including a Paediatrics Unit and the construction of a third operating surgery, as well as investing in state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment technology.

The Paediatrics Unit is designed to make stays more pleasant for children and their families, with two fully equipped consultation rooms, independent waiting rooms and a play area.

VILLAJOYOSA will be the inaugural headquarters of this year’s Marina Baixa Cup.

The 13th edition of the international men’s and women’s grassroots football tournament will kick off this year in La Cala with the traditional ‘Football Party Parade’ before the start of the competition that will be played from

A new Maternity and Infant Unit has also been created to unify the Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics departments with two consultation rooms staffed by four paediatricians and five gynaecologists and equipped with latest generation ultrasound scanners and spaces adapted to patients’ comfort.

The new Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology Unit consists of a multidisciplinary team with five specialists covering 24-hour emergencies, general traumatology and minimally invasive and high complexity orthopaedic and surgical treatments, as well as a Neurosurgery team.

ing costs, the effects of the forest fire in the Vall d’Ebo and the appearance of a new fruit pest.

Farming union Asaja is requesting urgent financial aid for cherry producers in order to save the sector.

Can’t please everyone Marina Baixa Cup

June 29 to July 2 in Villajoyosa, Alfaz del Pi, Altea, Benidorm, Finestrat and El Campello.

The Marina Baixa Cup is aimed at national and international clubs and schools from children to teenagers in the men’s section and early teens to early 20s in

the women’s section.

Villajoyosa mayor Andreu Verdú presented the event that already has more than 100 teams inscribed to take part and is expected to lead to a full house of players and relatives in the town for the duration of the tournament.

A cherry farmer shows damage caused by the rain.

Image by Asaja Alicante

Plastic waste campaign

VALENCIAN hotelier association Hosbec has joined forces with hotel sustainability company Eco-One to reduce plastic waste in the regional hospitality industry.

According to a study entitled Waste management and circular economy carried out in 2018 by the EAE Business School, the amount of waste generated by the hotel sector in Spain averages more than 734,000 tonnes a year.

The goal of the new project launched by Hosbec and EcoOne is to provide hotels with a free diagnosis regarding the reduction of single-use plastics, which helps to identify the different types of plastic waste

AFTER the previous week’s cancelled competition due to the weather, on Friday May 26 Montgo Golf Society played a Medal Competition at Oliva Nova GC in lovely sunshine, which was maintained all day.

It was sponsored by Allan MacManus, so thank you Alan. The winner was Peter

generated in the hotel’s service chain. Establishments will then receive a report with recommendations to cut down on the wastage.

Mayte García, chief of Quali-

Trees felled

THE regional Valencian government has launched an investigation into the alleged destruction of protected tree species in the controversial PAI La Serreta development in La Nucia.

ty, Training and Projects for Hosbec, said the campaign is also aimed at “raising awareness among staff and customers about the importance of reducing the use of plastics.”

Montgo Golf Society

Gardiner with a net 73, in second place was Geoff Willcock on count back from John Day with net 74s.

There were two Nearest the Pin prizes on offer on the third and 16th as these went to

Nigel Siddall and Alan Lowans. There were no two’s so the supply of coveted Montgo Balls remains intact.

This week’s competition is Valencian Greensomes sponsored by Simon and Stella Fox.

The Ecological Transition department of the Generalitat has opened disciplinary proceedings against the town hall for suspected environmental damage and noncompliance with the Environmental Impact Declaration.

PAI La Serreta foresees the construction of 3,500 homes, a racecourse, four football pitches, a golf course, a private school or, bizarrely, the largest wave pool for surfing in Spain despite the drought and the proximity of the sea.

A huge number of trees have already been felled in the area.

NEW PROJECT: Amenity packs are a major source of singleuse plastic waste.

Image by Africa Studio/Shutterstock

U3A Denia quiz Long shadow of covid

UP to 30 per cent of patients with long covid are currently off work and half are suffering depression.

According to the specialised departments set up at hospitals throughout Alicante Province to monitor the longterm effects of the disease, an estimated 90,000 residents are thought to have suffered long covid.

Up to 200 different symptoms have been described by the experts, from respiratoryrelated conditions such as fatigue and shortness of breath to muscular problems and neurological complications such as memory loss, insomnia

and headaches.

Depression results in many cases due to both the effects of the long-term disease itself and the fact that the other symptoms prevent patients from performing previous jobs or activities.

But numbers of patients on

work leave are said to be gradually decreasing as their conditions improve, mainly those who were infected in the first wave of the disease, and experts suggest Omicron causes less long covid than previous strains, which with the vaccine is resulting in less new cases.

Montgó Chorale

MONTGÓ CHORALE and Musical Director Aileen Lightfoot were delighted last week to return to the handsome Teatro-Auditorio in Beniarbeig for their May concert.

The programme included the much-loved Cantique de Jean Racine by Faure, Verdi´s Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves and works by Gounod and John Rutter, among others. Particularly well-received was Sing Gently, a piece written by Eric Whitacre during Covid lockdown, originally sung online by a mass choir.

Soloists soprano Rosemary Jukic, alto Nadia Kasheva and bass John Edwards as always contributed greatly to the concert. Rosemary and Nadia’s performance of the ever-popular Flower Duet by Delibes thrilled the audience, as did John’s choice and performance of the delightful setting by Gerald Finzi of Shakespeare’s It was a Lover and his Lass. Special thanks go to accompanist Kirsty Glen, whose accomplished playing supports the choir at rehearsals and is a major part of the final performances.

Montgó Chorale will be joining several other choirs for a joint concert at the Lady Elizabeth School in Benitachell on September 30, 2023. Further details will be available shortly.

WEDNESDAY May

24 saw the last monthly quiz night until the group meet again in Septemberand what a great time was had by all.

On this occasion 71 U3A members and guests competed to land first prize whilst enjoying the special tasters provided by DeniArros restaurant in Las Marinas.

The food and drink were wonderful, and so was too the quiz, kindly organised by Bobby and Terry Walker who did their normal excellent job, assisted as usual by Ginny Whitehead. There were five rounds of quizzing and two special table quizzes to keep everyone’s minds occupied during the evening.

In the end it was a very close competition with very few points separating the 14 teams and a sixway tie break to sort out the table quiz. The quiz master Bobby will now forever be known as Bristol!

LONG COVID: Up to 200 different symptoms have been found.

Image by DC Studio/Shutterstock

EXCLUSIVE: True Brothers in Arms

HISTORY shows that Brothers in Bands are often initially a recipe for success and then can quickly become a saga of fights and falling out.

The Everly Brothers, the Gallaghers in Oasis, the Knopflers in Dire Straits and many more bear witness to this reality.

There is one band however that completely bucks the trend and although not everyone will have heard of them, The Jets have been playing together since 1978 and are constantly in demand.

There are three brothers, Bob, Ray and Tony Cotton and whilst their music is most easily explained as Rockabilly, oldest brother Bob doesn’t quite agree.

Speaking exclusively to Euro Weekly News following two triumphant gigs in Benidorm, Bob said “We understand that everyone likes to buttonhole music, but we are really more than Rockabilly as we play a blend of 1950s Rock and Roll.

“Funnily enough we are coming back to Spain for the Psychobilly Meeting which takes place in Pineda de Mar (Barcelona) between July 4 and 11 as one of the headline bands.”

Bob said “We really enjoying playing in

Spain and normally visit two or three times a year with our next visit to the Costa del Sol in the autumn in Torremolinos where we find a very mixed audience of British, Spanish and other Europeans who love their music.

Back in 1974, Bob and Ray were members of the Boy’s Brigade in their hometown of

Northampton and they decided to form a band with two friends to entertain at one of that organisation’s concerts.

Bob explained that “I got hold of a KTEL album of rock and roll’s greatest hits and had seen Showaddywaddy on Top of the Pops so that was us, we learnt all of the numbers and

seemed to go down pretty well.”

They kept going and youngest brother Tony who started off with them before he was in double figures was too young to play officially but was there with tambourine and percussion in the background until he became old enough to join the band full time.

So, The Jets released the first of 16 albums in 1978 and had a couple of hit singles in the 1980s with Yes tonight Josephine and Love makes the world go round which saw them playing in a host of TV programmes like Tiswas and Crackerjack and they have just kept going.

To show how close the brothers are, two of them suffer from an inherited kidney complaint so Bob donated one of his kidneys to brother Roy and then happily Tony was able to obtain a transplant from a general donor.

During lockdown, they recorded two albums at home and according to singer and double bass player Bob, “it was quite an experience as we are so used to recording together in the studio that for myself, Ray on guitar and drummer Tony it was quite a challenge to adapt to doing everything at out home studios independently but it worked!”

Rocking with The Jets.

Betty Henderson

SPAIN’S population has soared to a historic peak, according to the latest report from the National Institute of Statistics on Tuesday, May 23.

The country’s resident population reached a staggering 48,196,693 on April 1, showing a remarkable increase of 136,916 people in the first quarter of 2023.

Population boom

The surge is mainly attributed to immigration, which has offset Spain’s falling population. Foreigners in Spain rose by 149,530 to a total of 6.2 million, while 8.3 million are foreign­born. The

disparity is due to naturalisation processes, while Spanish nationals decreased by 12,614.

Leading immigrant nationalities in the first quarter of 2023 were Colombians (44,300), Mo­

roccans (23,200), and Venezuelans (21,500). Latin American immigration results from economic crises and Spain’s demand for workers in care and tourism.

Spain’s annual population growth is estimated at 590,184, the highest since 2008. The Community of Madrid, Valencia, and Catalonia experienced the highest relative increases.

Joaquín Recaño, a demography professor, explained that declining birth rates were due to fewer women of childbearing age and shifting family models as well as an ageing population.

Academic showdown

MADRID and Catalonia have emerged as the powerhouses of higher education in Spain in the latest Fundación CYD rankings which were released on Tuesday, May 23.

The report found that eight out of the top 10 universities in the country are located in Madrid or Catalonia, with only the Universidad de Navarra and the Universidad Deusto bucking the trend as located outside of the regions, ranked in second and seventh place respectively.

Consistent with past rankings, the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) has clinched the coveted top spot once again. Madrid’s Universidad Carlos III made a remarkable leap, securing the third ­ place position, leaving the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid trailing behind.

This comprehensive re ­

port evaluates 80 universities in ­ depth, covering 29 fields of study and more than 3,000 degree programmes.

Through a variety of criteria, each institution’s strengths, such as research capabilities, teaching quality, and employment prospects, are thoroughly analysed.

Sònia Martínez, the director of the Fundación CYD, highlighted the importance of the report for both students and universities. It serves as a valu ­

able resource, guiding students in their educational choices and helping universities to refine their courses.

The Fundación CYD ranks universities across Spain.

Photo credit: Fundación CYD

1st animated feature film was made in Argentina.

New court success. Contract declared null and void. Timeshare. Claim against Son Antem complex. Get your money back. Legal advice.

IN today’s article we would like to share with our readers a recent court decision obtained by our firm. At the end of 2019, we filed before the Court of First Instance of Palma, a court claim against Son

Antem complex related to a timeshare contract. In 2021, the judge ruled in favour of our clients. This court decision was appealed to the Provincial Court, which has once again ruled in favour of

our clients.

• What does a timeshare contract consist of?

In short, timeshare contracts basically consist of a sort of turn ­ based use of a property, without acquiring its ownership. In other words, in exchange for an economic amount (and usually, an annual maintenance fee) a person acquires the right to use, for a determined period of time a year (weeks, fortnights, etc) a property, apartment, etc. This formula is very common in vacation areas. It is a little more expensive than a normal rental, but at the same time, it is cheaper than staying in a multi­star hotel.

• The court case: Claim against Son Antem complex

Our clients signed a timeshare contract with the company MCVI in 2002. The contract did not respect most of the requirements demanded by the law that regulates this type of contract (Law 42/1998). The characteristics

of the property were not specified, the purchasers were not informed of their rights to ‘back out’ and withdraw from the contract, etc. In addition, the contract did not respect the maximum duration established in the law, of 50 years (in the contract, the duration was 77 years).

Our law firm filed a claim against Son Antem complex, and the judge of First Instance, ruled in favour of our clients. The contract was declared null and void and the company MCVI was ordered to pay the legal costs and to reimburse our clients €7,522.67.

• Appeal in the higher

court (Palma Provincial Court)

MCVI lodged an appeal against the court decision, based on the following arguments. Firstly, they disputed the nature of the contract, arguing that it was not a timeshare contract, but a personal right of use on a part­time basis. As for the duration, they maintained that, if the limit for these contracts is 50 years, the judge should have simply reduced the term (from 77 years to 50) and not declare the contract null and void. Furthermore, the company considered that the refund of the amounts paid was unfair, since our clients had enjoyed the complex for several years. Our law firm opposed to all these arguments, as they were not in accordance with the law, nor with the well ­ established case law of the Supreme

Court on this issue.

• The court ruling handed down by the Provincial Court has proved us right

The Provincial Court has rejected the appeal filed by the company MCVI and has ruled in favour of our clients, again. The court decision of First Instance is therefore confirmed. Our clients will get their money back and the legal costs incurred in the appeal, will be paid by the opposing party. You can check the Spanish court decision by visiting our website.

• Conclusion

If you have a timeshare contract, in the complex of Son Antem, Marriot, Ogisaka Garden, Anfi Beach, Parque Denia, etc do not hesitate to contact us. We will study your case and offer you expert legal advice so that you can get your money back.

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

Firefighters save 39-stone man

A MORBIDLY obese man who had not left his house since the pandemic had to be rescued from his home on Wednesday May 25, when he got into difficulty after a fall.

Firefighters were called to the home of Alejandro B, a 48­year­old man who lived trapped in rubbish that had accumulated in the basement of a block of flats in El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, according to a news source.

Police officers were alerted at 8.30am after the man suffered a fall. It later emerged the man had not eaten or drunk for several days, and desperately needed help.

Police reports indicate that he weighed

more than 250 kilos (39.3 stones) and that he had not been seen outside his home since the pandemic.

In an operation lasting seven hours, firefighters gained access through a window with an excavator, where they removed bags, plastics, boxes and other garbage that had piled­up.

Finally, at midday, rescuers reached him where he was given oxygen, while emergency services continued to work to clear the way for him to be released.

With the aid of a forklift truck, firefighters managed to remove him from the house through the window, at around 3.00pm.

Wealth of ‘super-rich’ drops

ACCORDING to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report, the population of individuals with an ultra­high net worth (more than $30 million dollars or €27.73 million) in Spain witnessed a significant decline of 11.5 per cent in 2022 compared to the previous year.

With the overall global fall being 3.8 per cent, Spain hasn’t faired too

well on the world stage. The decline follows a record­breaking growth of the ultra ­ rich in 2021 when their numbers surged by 9.3 per cent. With 2021 possibly an anomalous year, this would make last year’s fall less stark.

Knight Frank, the renowned real estate consultancy based in London, highlights the minimum

wealth required to enter the exclusive ‘1 per cent’ club of the richest individuals varies across countries. In the case of Spain, one must possess at least €2.3 million to join this esteemed group of superrich.

The report further reveals that the overall wealth of the ultra ­ highnet­worth population also experienced a notable 10 per cent decline last year.

According to Knight Frank, Spanish investors typically make one ­ time investments ranging between €15 and €25 million. Madrid offers relatively lower prices compared to other European cities, while also displaying future potential for rental growth.

300 The number of languages thought to be spoken in London.

Emergency services cleared the way.

Shocking charge

Betty Henderson

THE race towards electric vehicles is on, but Spain seems to be stuck in the slow lane, trailing behind the rest of Europe. Findings from the latest Barometer of Electromobility report released by Anfac on Thursday, May 25 reveal that despite a growing array of electric car models, Spain’s adoption of these eco­friendly vehicles is dragging its wheels.

According to the report, Spain only managed a 0.6 point increase in electric vehicle purchase and public charging in­

Anna Ellis

IN Spain’s Catalonia region there are 27 species in critical danger and 84 in danger of extinction.

In this scenario of the silent extinction of biodiversity, places like Barcelona Zoo play a vital role in halting the disappearance of species that are on the verge of extinction.

Since its creation in 2013, the Barcelona Zoo Foundation has created

frastructure during the first three months of this year. With a total score of 11, they’re far from the 2030 goal of 190,000 electrified cars needed to tackle high carbon dioxide emissions.

Madrid may be leading the pack with a score of 27.6 out of 100, but the rest of Spain can’t seem to catch up. The charging infrastructure situation is no better, with a 4.5 out of 100 score.

The report also found that a total of 6,475 charging points are out of service, leaving electric vehicle owners frustrated.

Saving species

multidisciplinary teams with the aim of planning and carrying out conservation projects ex ­ situ and in the environment itself, as well as global conservation plans to reverse the progressive disappearance of the most endangered native species.

Projects such as the reintroduction of the trito, the peat bog or the

ferret endorse this project.

Within the framework of the study The State of Biodiversity in Spain, the Barcelona Zoo Foundation will carry out an educational project on citizen science through the iNaturalist app.

The aim is to raise awareness and increase public awareness.

Murcia trends on Twitter

MOLINA DE SEGURA in Murcia, became a trending topic on Twitter after it experienced heavy rain on Thursday, May 25, which led to videos being posted featuring cars and pushchairs being swept away.

Significant flooding took place on Calle San Juan and videos were seen on Twitter of a red BMW being swept downstream after attempting to cross the flooded street. AMETSE on Twitter posted a video saying:

“Do you remember the red car dragged by the water yesterday afternoon in Molina de Segura? Well, every story always has a beginning.”

The driver of the car appeared to enter the main road without a second thought, but the vehicle is quickly swept up by the rapidly moving water and dragged down the street as the driver completely lost control. The amateur camera operator can be heard commenting on the amazing

middle

scene as it unfolds.

Luckily for the mother who attempted to get across the road with her child in a pushchair, there was a gentleman on hand to grab the child, as they were almost swept away too.

Comments on Twitter compared the scenes to a Martin Scorcese movie as the unreal incidents continued.

Maria Marin wrote: “Terrible images of Molina de Segura, with many people trapped in their cars without warning.

“We have lived through months of long drought, now

followed by destructive rains. They are the consequences of climate change, which is already here, although some continue to deny it.”

16

PRESIDENT VISITS: Mr Miras met with the fire service in the

of the floods.

All credits: Fernando Lopez Miras on Twitter

out of every 24 hours is devoted to leisure by the Spanish.

General election for July 23

WITH Spanish regional and municipal elections, May 28, strongly favouring the opposition parties, President Sanchez has called an early general election as the left­wing coalition prepare to fight for their position.

A news source posted a video of Sanchez on Twitter saying: “Breaking news: Sanchez brings forward the general elections to July 23 after the PSOE’s debacle in the municipal and regional elections.”

Sanchez believes the time is due to let the Spaniards have their say, as he himself was not elected by the Spanish people. He had in fact come from a more administrative role in the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) where he had been Secretary­General.

He only became leader to try and fight the threat of the left ­ wing opposition Podemos party, with whom he is now in the coalition.

He replaced Mariano Rajoy when he was ousted via

a vote of no confidence in 2018. Rajoy subsequently stepped down as leader of the conservative People’s Party (PP) but the PP have become resurgent in last weekend’s local elections.

Sanchez had the option to wait until December to call a general election.

It would appear though, with an apparent lack of faith in the current government, the time is ripe to put the decision of national governance back to the Spanish people. July 23, could see a wholesale change of direction in Spanish politics.

July 23 could see a complete change in Spanish politics.

Photo credit: Pedro Sanchez/Twitter

TV star’s health update

John Ensor

DAME Esther Rantzen, one of television’s legendary presenters has given details of her condition after she revealed she had cancer in January this year. The 82­year­old star had to decline an appearance on The One Show on Tuesday, May 23 due to illness and has said in an interview that her lung cancer diagnosis is now at stage four, according to a news source.

Like many celebrities, she initially kept the results of her test private, but decided to make it public as she didn’t like, ‘skulking around various hospitals wearing an unconvincing disguise’.

Speaking of her life, she said she was grateful and bravely announced that despite her condition getting worse, she remained optimistic.

Esther became famous as a journalist and TV presenter and was instrumental in setting up charities such as ChildLine and later The Silver Line to help older people combat loneliness.

Price cap on ‘basic’ food

THE UK government is considering a price cap on basic food items such as bread and milk. Food prices have risen by more than 19 per cent as of April 2023, prompting mitigation efforts.

The UK version of a French government initiative is said to be in its early stages of development and would only require supermarkets to introduce price caps on a voluntary basis. The supermarkets could also select the products which they saw as basic or essential.

With no plans for a mandatory cap, it seems that supermarkets will get to choose their approach or whether they participate at all. This news may not hold much relief for those suffering the worst ef ­

fects of the cost­of­living crisis.

Yet when the French government were able to come to an agreement with major retailers in March this year, it was seen to positively affect rates of inflation. This would be good news for the UK as inflation rates so far this year have been amongst the worst in Western Europe.

WITH recent admissions from arch­Brexiteer Nigel Farage that Brexit has failed, a new poll on Sunday May 28, revealed that a majority of voters would seek closer ties with the EU. Even in areas that recorded some of the highest leave vote ratios, there has been a glum admittance that we need to re­assess our relationship with the European Union. Lincolnshire saw a number of towns heavily in favour of leaving the EU, bend in the direction of closer ties with the trading bloc as the survey looked at a cross­section of the UK including around 10,000 pollers. With many of the promises of Brexit not being delivered so far, including low­

Moving into 2023 global average food prices were seen to fall, but many noticed the cost of food in supermarkets continue to rise.

Those worst affected by rising costs hope to see falling wholesale prices reflected in their supermarket bills, as we await any impact that the UK Government's proposed plan might have.

Closer EU ties

ered immigration and economic prosperity, it seems that those who came out in support of leaving the EU seven years ago aren’t all as confident in completely cutting ties with the bloc.

It concerns some that the question of Brexit even exists anymore, with those who voted for it often choosing to call the case ‘settled’. But for those who lost so much from Brexit (including freedom of movement rights or their small business), it is still a hard pill to swallow and an issue they feel should remain open to future change.

FOOD ITEMS: Hoping to see supermarket bills falling.

IN a bid to slash carbon dioxide emissions, French authorities announced that a law banning short­haul flights came into effect on Wednesday, May 24.

The law, created two years ago prohibits passengers from travelling by plane if the same journey could be made by train in less than two and a half hours. Effectively, this means air travel between Paris and cities such as Lyon, Nantes, and Bordeaux.

The law is divisive among the public and with airline representatives. Some airline

representatives including Laurent Donceel, the interim president of the Airlines for Europe group, said the move will have “minimal effects” on carbon dioxide emissions.

The law is unpopular with the sector which was hit particularly hard by the Covid­19 pandemic, with flights only re­

turning to 42 per cent of their 2019 rates according to flight portal, Flight Radar.

The French Citizen’s Climate Convention, created by President Macron in 2019 inspired the law, aimed to ban flights where a train journey of up to four hours could replace it, but this was scrapped.

THE EU Commission has put forward proposals for the most ambitious and comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union since its establishment in 1968.

The measures proposed present a world ­ leading, data­ driven vision for EU Customs, which will massively simplify customs processes for business, especially for the most trustworthy traders.

Embracing the digital transformation, the reform will cut down on cumbersome customs procedures, replacing traditional declarations with a smarter, data­led approach to import supervision.

At the same time, customs authorities will have the tools and resources they need to properly assess and stop imports

Facing turbulence Redefining history

ADOLF HITLER’S birthplace in Braunau am Inn, Austria, is undergoing an unexpected transformation according to an announcement made by the Austrian government on Tuesday, May 23.

Instead of demolishing the house that holds significant historical weight, the Austrian government has decided on an alternative path, the house will be revamped into a hu­

EU Customs

which pose real risks to the EU, its citizens and its economy.

The reform responds to the current pressures under which EU Customs operates, including a huge increase in trade volumes, especially in e­commerce, a fastgrowing number of EU standards that must be checked at the border, and shifting geopolitical realities and crises.

It will make the customs framework fit for a greener, more digital era and contribute to a safer and more competitive Single Market.

man rights training centre for police officers.

Back in 2016, the government acquired the property through a compulsory purchase order, and long­awaited construction work is set to begin later this year. However, this unique decision has sparked lively discussions among the public.

Some argue that the house should be demolished to pre­

vent it from becoming a potential magnet for neo­Nazi groups. On the other hand, proponents believe preserving the structure in a constructive way is essential in confronting Austria’s troubled past.

Anticipation builds as the house construction project is expected to conclude in 2025, transforming it into the new headquarters for local law enforcement.

The French Citizen’s Climate Convention influenced the law.

Photo credit: Convention citoyenne pour le climat

RENOWNED Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan was acquitted of rape charges by a Swiss court on Wednesday, May 24, bringing a sense of relief to his supporters and igniting speculation about what lies ahead.

The case, launched by a Swiss woman who accused Ramadan of raping her in a

Court clears scholar

Geneva hotel in 2008, has been a turbulent journey for both the alleged victim and the defendent.

Ramadan thanked his legal team and supporters in a Twitter post.

Norwegian connection

AFTER a lengthy three­year wait, Dumfries in Scotland is eagerly gearing up to celebrate its extraordinary wartime connection with Norway. Originally planned for September 2020, the event had to be put on hold due to the pandemic.

However, the town is now poised to host a magnificent commemoration, marking the 80th anniversary of its historical alliance with Norway. Although plans to celebrate fell through in 2020, they have now been resurrected for this year, it was announced on Wednesday, May 24. The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of a memorial stone near Devorgilla Bridge, organised by the Scottish Norwegian Connection Association.

Approximately 300 Norwegians found solace in Dumfries after landing in Hamilton in June 1940, fleeing imposing German forces at home. As their numbers grew, Dumfries became a headquarters for the Norwegian army.

Some reports say up to one third of Dumfries’ residents were Norwegian following the Second World War. Nowadays, the town celebrates its Norwegian heritage and enjoys a strong bond with the Scandinavian country.

Ramadan was once hailed as a leading voice in Islamic thought and academic at Oxford University, but his reputation came into question due to the trial. Known for his condemnation of terrorism and opposition to the death penalty, his career took a drastic turn in 2017 when he faced similar rape allegations from a French woman, leading to multiple charges against him.

Maintaining his innocence throughout, Ramadan argued that the accusations were politically motivated to discredit him.

After a tense courtroom atmosphere and detailed testimonies, Swiss judges delivered their verdict, declaring Ramadan not guilty. However, the possibility of future trials in France continues to linger.

Photo credit: Tariq Ramadan

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PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Own choice

DENMARK is lowering the age of abortion without parental consent from 18 to 15, Gender Equality minister Marie Bjerre announced on the 50th anniversary of the law granting women the right to terminate a pregnancy. “We want young people to choose whether or not to involve their parents,” she said.

THE NETHERLANDS

Too darn hot

A GROUP of people with Dutch citizenship living on the Caribbean island of Bonaire, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, have asked the government to protect the island from global warming. Failing to do so would result in a court case along with Greenpeace, the islanders said.

BELGIUM

Riot act

LEFT-WING political parties and unions in Belgium are opposing a proposed law banning ‘rioters’ from protests. The new legislation could be misused to curtail the freedom to participate in protests and strikes, they said, voicing doubts shared by the High Court and the Federal Institute of Human Rights.

GERMANY

Climate crims

GERMAN police swooped on the homes of climate activists from the Last Generation environmental group in Hesse, Hamburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, Bavaria, Berlin, and Schleswig-Holstein. They are charged with having organised a campaign to raise funds that would have been used to finance ‘criminal actions’.

FRANCE

Fizzled out

BORDER police in Le Havre destroyed 35,000 bottles of a bright orange soft drink called Couronne Fruit Champagne originating in Haiti but destined for consumption in France. Only sparkling wine products from the French Champagne region can use the word, according to a ruling accepted by 121 countries.

NORWAY

Spy whale

NORWAY’S Fisheries Directorate asked the public to protect a friendly beluga whale living in the inner Oslofjord from accidents or injury by limiting contact with him. Hvaldimir became famous in 2019 when he appeared wearing a camera harness, suggesting that he was trained by the Russian military.

FINLAND

Overpowered

FINLAND produced so much clean electricity on May 24 that the price was “slightly below zero,” energy provider Fingrid announced. The price drop was triggered by an abundance of renewable energy thanks to a new nuclear reactor while spring floods pushed up production at hydroelectric plants.

IRELAND

Meta cutback

META, parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, announced that jobs are to be cut at its Irish headquarters. Inside sources revealed that the reductions, thought to number approximately 490, would affect several teams including finance, sales, marketing, analytics, operations, and engineering.

ITALY

Bear appeal

MAURIZIO FUGATTI, governor of Trentino, is awaiting a court decision on his latest attempt to put down the bear believed to have fatally attacked and killed Andrea Papi. The 26-yearold runner’s parents oppose Fugatti’s reprisal, arguing that killing the young bear “will not give us back our son.”

PORTUGAL Law row

PORTUGAL’S president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa signed a euthanasia and assisted suicide bill last week. The law is not yet in force and opposition from the medical and political establishments, including the president himself who is a practising Catholic, could make it difficult to put into practice.

UKRAINE

Future plans

EUROPEAN companies are already earmarking locations and planning projects in Ukraine for reconstruction worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Most projects focus on restoring infrastructure damaged or destroyed since the Russian invasion, but also anticipate a wave of investment once fighting ends.

SWEDEN

Fewer homes

SWEDEN is experiencing its worst construction crisis since the 1990s, affecting young adults hoping to get a foot on the property ladder. Sweden’s Housing minister, Andreas Carlson, blamed the worsening conditions on external factors that were related to rising interest rates, inflation and increased energy prices.

APASA fashion show

APASA animal protection association is hosting a charity fashion show on Friday June 2 at the restaurant of Javea Golf Club.

Reception is at 6.30pm and the show begins at 7pm. Tickets of €20 will be available in exchange for a glass of cava and a selection of tapas, with €5 going to APASA.

“Support APASA while snapping up designer labels at knock­down prices!” reads the promotional poster for the event.

Booking is essential and can be done by contacting Tiny on 650 755 667 or by email at tjanshen@ gmail.com, or Mandy on 639 603 880 or teuladamandy@gma il.com.

For further information on APASA please visit www.apasa.eu and ‘Apasa’ on Facebook.

Summer sports camps

INSCRIPTIONS are now open for two summer sports camps for children organised by Javea Town Hall.

Psicomotricitat a l’estiu (‘Psychomotor education in the summer’) is aimed at children aged five to seven with activities to stimulate motor, emotional and social development through imagination, creativity and expression. There are 30 places available and it will be held at the

Javea Players auditions

THE Javea Players are holding auditions for their upcoming performance of Wife After Death.

“Comedian and national treasure Dave Thursby has died; friends and colleagues gather to pay their last respects. This is an excellent opportunity for four women and two men in the six strong parts, the ages can be flexible,” said a spokesperson for the group.

The roles wanted are Laura Thursby (40s, widow, vain, showy, theatrical), Vi Barret (older than Laura with a fuller figure. Wry attitude to the events going on around her), Harvey Barret (50s untidy, resentful man), Kevin Prewitt (younger than Harvey. Overdoes the grieving agent), Jane Prewitt (Kevin’s wife, thin, gawky), and Kay (50s, Dave’s first wife. Glamorous, shapely).

Auditions take place on Friday June 9 at 7pm and Saturday June 10 at 10am at the Javea Players’ Studio. Rehearsals start in September and the show will be from October 30 to November 4.

For further information and to reserve a script contact Penny on 966 471 455 or 617 672 812

Bookings are also being taken for the Will and Whimsy summer dinner and show from Monday June 26 to Saturday July 1.

For further information visit www.javeaplayers.com

Palau d’Esports.

Activa’t a l’Estiu (‘Active summer’) is focused on multisport and racket sports including paddle tennis, badminton and table tennis. It is designed for children born between 2009 and 2016 and will be organised in different age groups. There are 45 places and it will be held at the Les Mesquides field and the paddle courts.

Both camps will run from July 3 to August 11 over three fortnights, with a fee of €70 per fortnight including t­shirt and insurance.

The registration period closes on June 19 and inscriptions can be done via the Sporttia mobile phone app.

Several other local sports clubs have also organised summer camps for children including Washinkai Karate, Náutico Joventut Xàbia, Deportivo Javea, Penya La Marina, Deportivo Montgó, Judo Dojo Do and Rítmica Xàbia. For further information visit www.ajxabia.com.

SUMMER CAMPS: For children aged 5-7.

Montgorock Xàbia Festival

THIS weekend sees the 10th edition of the Montgorock Xàbia Festival.

The event takes place at La Fontana on Friday and Saturday June 2 and 3, fea­

turing major names on the Spanish live circuit including El Drogas, León Benavente, La M.O.D.A, Ciudad Jara, Morgan, Sexy Zebras, Nat Simons and many more.

Music Day in Teulada

TEULADA celebrates Music Day this weekend with several live events at different venues.

Sax & Tango takes place at the Auditori at 8pm on Friday June 2, with tickets costing €10 and available from the venue website www.auditoriteuladamoraira.es, at the box office, at the Espai La Senieta and from the town hall. For further information call 686 553 373.

Sunday June 4 is the big day with free concerts at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Plaza de España, Plaza de Els Porxes, Avenida Santa Caterina and Plaza de la Iglesia from 10.30am to 9pm.

Performers will include Colla El Falcó, Coral Teuladina, la Banda Juvenil de la AMCT, Dièresi Duo, Conservatori Mestre Berenguer, la Agrupación Musical Cultural de Teulada y el Grup de Danses Font Santa.

At 2pm on the Sunday there will be a popular lunch by the Teulada Festival Committee at Avenida Santa Caterina. Tickets cost €17 including barbecue, drinks and dessert, to book send a WhatsApp to 644 813 091 with a contact number and the number of diners. For further information visit the town hall Facebook site ‘Ajuntament de Teulada’.

U3A Marina Baixa

El Drogas will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of his previous band Barricada, an iconic and legendary group within the Spanish punk rock scene.

Over the last years MRK Xàbia Festival has positioned itself as one of the leading music and lifestyle festivals in Spain. The connection between the environment, gastronomy and design makes MRK the perfect event to kick off the summer season.

Music is the common thread of a complete experience in a unique setting, offering a wide and varied musical line­up, maintaining its roots in rock, but open to other musical genres in order to satisfy an increasingly demanding public.

Tickets cost €61 for both days and €41 for individual days and can be bought on the festival website www.montgorock.es.

For further information also visit ‘Montgorock Xàbia Festival’ on Facebook.

U3A Marina Baixa offers a wide range of group activities and events to cater for their members’ needs.

A popular group is Solo Amigos which was created to provide an opportunity for people on their own to meet others in a social environment. It is a mixed group who meet on a regular basis for a meal or maybe partner a friend from the group when attending a trip or event organised by U3A. Their next lunch will be on Wednesday June 14.

Other popular groups are Petanca, held every Thursday at 2.30pm in the Eucalyptus Park in Albir, and the Sunday Strollers who have a gentle walk in some beautiful local locations at least once a month.

The Wine and Dine Group meet every month and at the end of June they will venture a little further afield to Restau ­

rante Xorta near Guadalest.

The Travel Co ­ ordinators have a day trip planned for Friday June 2 visiting the beautiful L’Albarda Gardens near Pedreguer followed by a

choice of time for shopping at Portal de la Marina in Ondara or a visit to Calaveres caves near Benidoleig.

For further information visit ‘U3A Marina Baixa’ on Facebook.

PETANCA: Is held every Thursday in the Eucalyptus Park.

SOCIAL SCENE

A CHARITY quiz for all English ­ speaking charities is taking place at the DAR Social Club (Carretera Jesus Pobre 196, Javea) on Tuesday June 6 at 7.30pm with 150 people of different nationalities already booked.

Teams of volunteers from local associations will get together for an evening of light­hearted fundraising fun entitled Champions of Charity Quiz Challenge.

Tickets cost €10 per person including welcome drink and interval buffet, with all proceeds going to charity.

Charity quiz

The event is organised by Javea Connect and hosted by the DAR Charity Association.

“We are expecting 24 teams, each of which will designate a charity to transfer the prize money in case they win. Those who choose our DAR charity, their prize money will go to support the Ukrainian charity,” said a spokesperson

THE Save My Life organisation is pleased to announce the ninth edition of its annual benefit gala.

The gala is dedicated to raising funds for the protection and care of animals in situations of danger and abuse. The event will take place on Sunday June 4 at Benidorm Palace from 12pm.

The main objective of the Save My Life 9 gala is to raise funds to help animals that suffer mistreatment, abuse and neglect. The Save My Life organisation works tirelessly to save animals at risk, providing them with medical and veterinary care, shelter and food, and finding them loving homes.

In addition, the organisation also

for the group.

“DAR Charity Association unites people who want to change the world for the better. If you are eager to help, then we are waiting for you, there will be enough work for everyone!”

For further information visit www.asociaciondar.es, www.darcentre.com and ‘Asociación Benéfica Cultural DAR’ on Facebook.

Save My Life

works on education and awareness about the importance of animal protection.

The gala will be an afternoon full of music and entertainment, with performances by some of the most important artists of the moment in Benidorm, as well as a raffle with incredible prizes.

Attending the gala is a unique opportunity to help save the lives of suffering animals, while enjoying an unforgettable afternoon of entertainment and solidarity.

For further information and tickets visit www.benidormpalace.com.

FINANCE

STAT OF WEEK €128 billion

- 7 June 2023 is combined worth of the portfolio of current projects that belongs to Spain’s multinational infrastructure and construction companies ACS, Ferrovial, Acciona, Sacyr, OHLA, FCC, and Grupo San José.

BUSINESS EXTRA Green hydrogen

Front runners

JD SPORTS expect profits of £1 billion (€1.15 billion) this year as it expands into the US and Europe, foreseeing a continuing trend for trainers and sports leisurewear. Re gis Schultz, chief executive, said that JD’s young shoppers had more work opportunities, enabling them to “buy the gear they love.”

Cigarette break

SMOKING has been banned in all Spanish workplaces since 2011, but a study by the Jobatus employment agency found that each employee who smokes spends an average of 16 minutes a day smoking outside. This costs companies a yearly total of €26 billion, the agency calculated.

Damage done

FORMER CBI president and outgoing Tesco chairman John Allan will also step down as chair of housebuilder Barratt Developments on June 30. The latter company announced that Allan was resigning to prevent allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ against him from becoming ‘disruptive’ to the company.

Opposing views

SPAIN has 140,000 unfilled jobs, the highest proportion in its history, and eight out of 10 companies cannot cover vacancies, according to professional services company KPMG. Meanwhile, the unions claim that with a 13 per cent unemployment rate, three million people were unable to find work.

Oil recoil

REPRESENTATIVES from Trinity and Jesus colleges in Cambridge and the Universities of Newcastle, Sussex and Bristol have written an open letter to the asset management industry. All are calling for ‘bold action’ on their part to rebel against the boards of fossil fuel companies and their backers.

Linda Hall

EU red tape on wine will unlock £180 million (€206.9 million) and give the UK’s wine industry the freedom to flourish.

SCRAPPING

Cheers for British wine

“The UK has over 800 thriving vineyards at home with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of wine trade that goes through UK ports every year,” said Food and Drink Secretary Therese Coffey.

“But for too long our producers have been held back by cumbersome inherited EU regulations. We can now give them the freedom that they need to thrive.

“These reforms will put a rocket under our wine makers’ businesses, growing the

economy, creating jobs and supporting a vital part of our food and drink sector,” Coffey declared.

Thanks to the proposed changes to retained EU laws on the production and marketing of wine, makers will now be free to select from a wider range of vines, includ­

IGNACIO GONZÁLEZ steps down as the Nueva Pescanova Group’s chief executive on June 16, seven and a half years after joining the company.

A statement from the frozen fish group, a household name in Spain which is popularly referred to by its original name of Pescanova, announced that González’s reasons were “strictly personal” and had been reached “by mutual agreement.”

His resignation comes not long after the news last April that Nueva Pescanova’s largest shareholder, the Galician bank, Abanca, was selling 80 per cent of its holding to Canadian seafood company Cooke Inc. The transaction, which put an €800 million value on the company, has yet to be definitively formalised.

The outgoing chief executive’s role will be taken over by José María Be­

Loophole

SPAIN’S banking sector has found a way of reducing the amount of the temporary windfall tax it must pay the government since 2022.

Currently subject to a 4.8 per cent levy applied to income from net interest and net fees over €800 million, the banks insist they are complying with regulations introduced to help the government ease the cost of living crisis.

Banks also admit that they are making their own interpretations of what constitutes the tax base. As a result, the majority exclude income from their overseas branches and operations that are not related to the granting of credits.

ing more disease­ resistant varieties.

Domestic wine makers will also be free to show a variety and vintage of any wine without having to go through laborious, previously EU­mandated applications processes.

“Needless red tape stifles

innovation and growth. Now we have taken back control of our laws, we can ensure they work in the best interests of our businesses,” Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said.

Meanwhile, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association welcomed the new measures, many of which it had already publicly proposed.

“By introducing greater flexibility, wine producers and importers won’t be forced to do anything differently but will be able to innovate,” he said.

Pescanova exit

process,” a Nueva Pescanova communique announced on May 23.

Gonzalaez, who is also president of AECOC, which represents 26,000 Spanish companies dedicated to manufacturing and distribution, has been Nueva Pescanova’s only chief executive since its creation in 2015 following the collapse of Pescanova.

CHEMICALS and sustainable technologies company Johnson Matthey signed a three­year supply agreement with Norway’s Hystar to increase green hydrogen production.

The London­based firm, most of whose income is earned from catalytic converters, is increasingly focused on new sustainable technologies, including green hydrogen. This zero­carbon fuel is produced using renewable wind and solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen and Johnson Matthey will supply Hystar with membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) to ramp up its green hydrogen production. The latest partnership follows a similar Johnson Matthey deal this year with Plug Power, a US company which is producing green hydrogen.

Co-op concern

NINETY­SIX per cent of the Cooperative Group’s 32,000 members voted at the last annual meeting to improve welfare for chickens reared for meat.

navent, who has been the group’s executive chairman since 2020 and chairman of its board of directors since 2019.

“His extensive experience in the company will allow him to continue with the

Strong M&S results

DENIM, dresses, office wear and more affordable food increased sales and profits at Marks and Spencer over the past year.

The retailer will restart dividend payments to shareholders after underlying pre ­ tax profits rose by 21.4 per cent to £475.7 million (€546.4 million) in the year ending on April 1, with sales increasing 9.6 per cent to £11.9 billion (€13.7 billion).

Chief executive Stuart Machin nevertheless warned of a challenging year ahead as costs continued to rise but stressed that, unlike many other retailers, the number of clothing and food items sold had risen at M&S, helping to increase the company’s market share.

The company had made changes to its ranges, Machin added, taking a hit on profit margins to hold down prices relative to rivals, while improving its clothing styles.

In 2021, the last year for which figures were available, Nueva Pescanova made a net profit of €7 million ­ its largest to date ­ with a turnover of €1.09 billion. In contrast, its principal shareholder Abanca’s 2022 accounts revealed losses of €60.5 million during the first nine months of the company’s financial year.

Increased hold

LONDON­BASED Amber Capital has increased its holding in Indra to 7.239 per cent, equivalent to 11 million shares.

This provides the investment fund, which is also a majority shareholder in Prisa (El Pais and Cinco Dias publisher), with the opportunity of sitting on the technology, transport and defence company’s board, which requires a minimum holding of 7.14 per cent.

There also happens to be a seat to spare on Indra’s board, following the resignation of former director Axel Arendt on May 18.

Arendt announced his own departure after that of Indra’s former chief executive, Ignacio Mataix, and his substitution by José Vicente de los Mozos.

A motion led by the Humane League UK campaign group asked the mutual to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) standards already accepted by Waitrose, Marks and Spencer and Greggs, reporting on welfare improvements in a year’s time.

They were partly overruled by the company’s directors, who explained that they wanted to keep prices down, but warned that profits were likely to fall over the coming year.

Phasing out

THE European Commission (EC) called on Spain to phase out its energy support measures by late 2023.

Introduced in October 2022 to counteract high energy prices caused by the Ukraine war, these should be totally eliminated in 2024, Brussels said.

This would limit spending and make savings that could be used to reduce the public debt.

Should future energy price increases make further support measures necessary, these should be fiscally affordable and introduced to protect only the most vulnerable households and businesses, the EC said.

BRITISH WINE: Camel vineyard in Bodmin (Cornwall).

IGNACIO GONZÁLEZ: Nueva Pescanova’s CEO steps down next month.

Photo credit: CC/Nilfanion

Photo credit: Nueva Pescanova

DOW JONES

Flight fight

SPANISH airlines will not follow France’s lead in banning domestic flights for journeys that can be completed in two and a half hours by train. Javier Gándara, president of the Spanish Airlines Association dismissed it as “more theatrical than effective” while Willie Walsh, director general of International Air Transport Association (IATA), described it as “completely absurd” and “useless.”

On the spot

STATE­OWNED Ineco intends to open a permanent office in California as plans are reactivated to build the first high­speed railway line between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Spanish engineering company will now seek short­ and mediumterm opportunities to participate in the $400 billion (€93 billion) project.

Tata plum for Bridgwater

INDIAN carmaker Tata has reportedly chosen the UK and not Spain for a multi­billionpound electric car battery plant.

According to the BBC, the owner of Jaguar­Land Rover intends to build its new factory in Bridgwater (Somerset) near to the M5 motorway.

Tata’s chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran is due to fly to London within days where he will meet the UK prime minister Rishi Sunak. Although the

No time to relax

THE days of fiscal relaxation are numbered.

The European Commission (EC) announced that it will no longer turn a blind eye to countries that exceed their debt limit stipulated by EU regulations­

In recommendations to members states issued by Brussels on Thursday May 25 Spain ­ along with 13 other EU countries ­ will be placed under fiscal

surveillance in spring 2024 owing to its excessive debt.

According to Brussels’ forecasts, Spain’s debt will rise to €50 billion, 4.1 per cent of its gross domestic product (PIB) by the end of this year, although the Spanish government places it at 3.9 per cent.

Whichever figure is accepted, this is still above the EU’s 3 per cent threshold.

deal has yet to be signed, proceedings have progressed from negotiations to drafts and outlining how the project is to be presented, sources close to the initiative have said.

The plant will be the most significant investment in UK car manufacturing since Nissan came to Britain in the 1980s, industry insiders said, and will create up to 9,000 new jobs.

Money was not mentioned, and while the government has not confirmed subsidies of around £500 million (€576.8 million), “hundreds of millions of pounds” will be involved, the BBC said.

Tata has important UK steel interests which include its Port Talbot plant in South Wales and the government will offer approximately £300 million (€346.1 million) to subsidise, upgrade, and decarbonise operations there.

The two investments will not be announced simultaneously but are linked, government sources confirmed.

VAT gaffe

BURBERRY’S chief executive Jonathan Akeroyd said the UK was at a “competitive disadvantage for global shoppers” after scrapping the VAT tax break for tourists. Sales to foreign visitors rose by 19 per cent in London during the first quarter of 2023, but increased by 300 per cent in Paris and 43 per cent in Milan, Akeroyd pointed out.

Going down

THE UK government’s holding in NatWest now stands at below 40 per cent after selling £1.26 billion (€1.45 million) of its stake. The government has set itself a 2026 target for reprivatising the bank, 18 years after the taxpayer paid £46 billion (€53 billion) to save NatWest Group, then known as Royal Bank of Scotland Group, from collapse.

BRIDGWATER: Practically confirmed as site of Tata’s new electric car battery factory

Photo credit: visitbridgwater.co.uk

Euro EUR/GBP: Down from £0.88 to £0.87

EUR/USD: Down from $1.10 to $1.07

The euro weakened at the end of April after Eurozone GDP missed forecasts, before the start of May brought more headwinds for the single currency as markets responded to the European Central Bank’s (ECB) interest rate decision. The ECB slowed its pace of policy tightening and did not commit to further rate hikes, triggering an EUR selloff.

Hawkish comments from ECB officials cushioned the euro’s losses. ECB President Christine Lagarde insisted that ‘we’re not pausing’, while other rate setters advocated more tightening.

However, consistently weak German data raised fresh concerns about a recession in the Eurozone’s largest economy, keeping pressure on the common currency.

A strengthening US dollar also

BUSINESS EXTRA

Crashing down

VIRGIN ORBIT, billionaire Richard Branson’s satellite launch company, is shutting down and selling off assets worth $36 million ( €33.1 million ) Branson had little luck with the venture, which included the failed orbital mission in the UK that received funding of more than $20 million ( €18.5 million ) from British taxpayers.

US project

COSENTINO, the marble multinational based in Almeria, will build a production plant in the US. The company announced that it has signed an agreement with city hall in Jacksonville ( Florida ) to acquire land for the future factory which will require a total investment of approximately $270 million ( €250 million).

CURRENCY OUTLOOK: EURO WEAKENS AS MARKETS REIN IN RATE HIKE EXPECTATIONS, US DOLLAR REBOUNDS ON FRESH FED BETS

weighed on the euro due to EUR’s negative correlation with USD, although ongoing hawkish ECB rhetoric saved the single currency from steeper losses.

The ECB’s June policy decision is in the spotlight for EUR investors over the coming month. A 25bps hike is expected. But could a dovish outlook see the euro fall further?

Pound

GBP/EUR: Up from €1.13 to €1.14

GBP/USD: Down from $1.24 to $1.23

Sterling found success through late April and early May, despite a scarcity of impactful UK economic data. Market bets on another Bank of England (BoE) interest rate rise boosted the pound.

An upward revision to the UK’s final services PMI then lent GBP further support. Activity in the UK’s vital services sector hit a one-year high in April.

However, the middle of the month brought headwinds. Following the BoE interest rate decision, the

bank’s Governor Andrew Bailey said inflation is set to fall sharply from April, which saw markets pare back expectations for further tightening.

Mixed GDP data then saw Sterling waver. The UK economy expanded by 0.1% in the first quarter of this year, but unexpectedly contracted by 0.3% in March.

The pound still rose against its weaker peers, despite a shock rise in UK unemployment, as concerns about second-round inflation effects kept BoE bets alive and GBP afloat.

The BoE will meet towards the end of June to set interest rates. If persistently high core inflation prompts the bank to raise rates again, Sterling could soar.

US Dollar

USD/GBP: Unchanged at £0.80

USD/EUR: Up from €0.91 to €0.92

A pullback in Federal Reserve rate rise bets put the US dollar on the backfoot through the end of April.

Fresh turmoil in the US banking sector saw markets revise their expectations for further policy tightening,

Inflation-food seesaw

Linda Hall

UK inflation fell last month although the reduction was less than hoped for.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that annual inflation as measured by the consumer prices index (CPI) dropped to 8.7 per cent in April, following March’s 10.1 per cent cutback. The rate peaked at 11.1 per cent last October.

Electricity and gas prices contributed approximately 1.4 percentage points to the fall according to the ONS.

This was partly counterbalanced by food prices which continued to rise at their fastest annual rate since 1977, with the increased cost of the weekly shop shooting up by 19 per cent in the year ending in April owing to soaring food and non-alcoholic drink prices.

Economists had predicted a larger drop to 8.2 per cent, while the Bank of England said earlier this month it had expected inflation to fall to 8.4 per cent in April.

These latest ONS statistics were announced as analysts warned that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s target of halving

the rate of inflation this year would be closer run than was originally envisaged.

The ONS announcement prompted financial markets to

forecast it was practically a given the Bank of England would increase the base interest rate by a quarter-point from4.5 per cent when they next meet in June.

while weaker-than-forecast GDP added to the downside.

USD faced further losses through the first week of May. Although the Fed raised rates by 25bps, it signalled a potential pause in its hiking cycle.

A souring market mood helped the safe-haven ‘greenback’ recover as the month went on, despite some disappointing US economic data.

Hawkish comments from Federal Reserve policymakers also helped USD continue to claw back its earlier losses.

Looking forward, the Fed’s rate decision in mid-June is the key event. If the bank leaves rates unchanged, USD could slump. Before then, investors will use the latest inflation and jobs data releases to gauge how the Fed might act.

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

Ace year for Acerinox

THE Acerinox Group’s 2022 results were the best since its creation in 1970, announced chief executive Bernardo Velázquez. The Spanish stainless steel group’s €8.69 billion turnover was 30 per cent up on 2021 thanks to good demand, although net profits of €556 were 3 per cent down, owing to €204 million losses by Bahru Stainless in Malaysia.

Acerinox had an EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) of €1.27 billion, Velázquez announced, despite the instability caused by the geopolitical situation with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The company also had to contend with inflation - especially energy prices in Spain - supply chain problems and the collapse of nickel prices on the London Metal Exchange in March, he added.

Following an unsuccessful merger attempt with the Mittal family’s Aperam last year, the company continues to look for opportunities to continue growing especially in the US.

Damm good A toxic situation

BREWERY group Damm foresees a record turnover this year. Announcing sales of €1.87 billion for 2022 at the recent shareholders’ meeting, executive chairman Demetrio Carceller Arce revealed that the Barcelona-based company expected an even better 2023 despite inflation and its consequences for consumers and monetary policies.

Damm’s €101 million net profit last year was 10 per cent down on 2021 and the lowest since 2016, although Carceller pointed out that the company had increased its market share.

ROYAL MAIL’S woes do not abate. A vote by employees on a deal intended to end a rancorous dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions while securing the future for all involved was suspended owing to differences between the postal service and the Communication Workers Union (CWU).

The environment in which it was endeavouring to deliver the agreement remained ‘toxic’, the CWU said on May 24.

As a result, it suspended the timetable for a member vote until it is satisfied that what it described as “attacks” on members in the workplace had come to an end.

Royal Mail had agreed a new deal with the union in April following months of tense negotiations and a series of strikes which it blamed for losses of £1 billion (€1.15 million) and the departure of its chief executive Simon Thompson in mid-May.

FOOD INFLATION: Families still spending more on food.

Photo credit: Pexels/Julia M Cameron

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

WITH their, plastic bottles, food cartons and litter left laying everywhere in their wake, plus causing the output of untold thousands of vehicle exhausts as they idled in traffic jams, badly mislead young ‘climate changers’ are leaving a carbon footprint that will probably not be ‘offset’ until they reach their coming of age.

This present generation has to be the most spoiled, self­centered, misinformed bunch of easily led youngsters the civilised world has ever produced. They have air ­ conditioning in the classrooms, mobile phones and gismos, they ride in cars to school, they suck up junk food like hoovers and insist on the latest trendy outfits at all times.

All of these luxury products, which they seem to think are their God given right, are manufactured or supplied by ginormous companies that pour billions of tons of carbon dioxide emission into the Earth’s atmosphere. These children’s selfish attitudes and life styles cause far more damage to our envi­

No respect

ronment than the previous generations they are so keen to accuse. Those preceding them were mobile and ‘designer’ free and took bicycles or walked to their destinations. Most had never experienced jet travel or air conditioning and opened windows when it was hot, instead of closing them.

They received new shoes or clothes only when the previous attire needed replacing, ate home ­ made sandwiches instead of Whoppers and read books. However, in these modern day youngsters’ defence, most have of course been brainwashed and mislead by the ‘usual suspects’!

Many of the culprits are those who laughingly profess to be ‘school­teachers’. Stringy haired trendies, who actually started the rot when the first long haired leftie ‘free thinker’ plonked his behind on his desk and told the class to call him Jon! The same leftie brigade who welcome drag acts into the classrooms to ‘enlighten’ fouryear­olds, abolish winning and losing and teach tiny tots to ‘touch’ and ‘feel’ themselves. Well this is the

result.

A whole generation of young children who not only have no respect for their elders, but truly do believe they are actually superior. Unfortunately, ever increasing numbers of them would rather walk into the class with a knife than a ruler. What I did find interesting this week however was the reaction to something I shared on FB. I literally received hundreds of ‘likes’ to the following notice, publicly displayed on a notice board by a youngster of around seven or eight. It read. ‘I’m not old enough to drink, let alone choose my sexuality or gender. How about you let me enjoy being a child and leave me alone?’ Sounds good to me; perhaps there is still some semblance of true stability in their young lives yet?

You listening out there? All you woke infested imbeciles that should actually be locked up ­ and would be if I had any say in the matter. Keep the faith. Love Leapy. Leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com

Mon and Fri. 1pm till 4.

WATER WOES OUR VIEW

AFTER the devastating rainfall which hit Almeria as well as parts of Costa Blanca and Murcia last week it seems that the weather simply isn’t being favourable to Spain at the moment. Certainly, there have been repeated fears of drought conditions across parts of the country which is threatening the livelihood of a very large number of farmers, yet torrential rains are also likely to devastate crops.

There is internal wrangling, some of it clearly political, about the allegedly illegal incursions on protected areas of wetlands where farmers are being allowed to drain water and to some extent, we must recognise commerce may on occasion be stronger than conservation.

The governments of Spain and Portugal are now jointly approaching Brussels asking for the adoption of measures to alleviate the

effects of the drought on European agriculture and this of course means that they want more money and to be able to give more money to the agriculture section. Water however doesn’t grow on trees although it does help trees to grow and neither does money, although with €2.2 billion already allocated by the Spanish Government to drought relief it might appear that it does. If aquifers are being raided and there isn’t enough rain, it seems that one option is to build more desalination plants in order to provide water, hopefully potable, but if not, at least suitable for agricultural purposes. Another option is to ensure that sewage plants, many of which simply seem to exist to cause nasty smells around their vicinity are updated so that they can supply more water for agriculture and the ever thirsty golf courses that so many people enjoy.

Leapy

By Clinica Britannia

Implants look like natural teeth

IF you do not have all your teeth, it can be embarrassing when smiling, make you look older, cause your teeth to shift position and can often be painful to eat.

Before the creation of dental implant technology, there were almost no substitutes when it came to a missing tooth. The most common recommendations were to get removable dentures, or to have fixed bridges placed in the mouth. Today, implant surgery has made it possible to restore one’s missing teeth without it affecting the person’s teeth or general dental health.

Implants are designed to look like a natural tooth, composed of metal and porcelain, they are a perfect

IMPLANT SURGERY: Restore your missing teeth.

replacement to fill the gap. The implant root, made of Titanium which is easily accepted by the body acts as a replacement for the missing tooth’s root. A toothcoloured crown is placed on top of the implant to match the other teeth.

The benefits of implants is that they are more secure, there will be virtually no movement, they allow your

Gain without pain

EVEN gentle exercise could help to alleviate pain.

face to maintains its natural shape as there is no bone shrinkage, giving you greater self­confidence. You will not need to avoid eating certain foods that would otherwise cause you discomfort.

Contact our Dental team here at Clinica Britannia to check if a dental implant would be a suitable option for you.

A University Hospital of North Norway study split volunteers into four groups who took vigorous, moderate or light exercise for at least four hours weekly, or none at all.

After they were asked to plunge their hands into ice ­ cold water to assess their pain tolerance, researchers found that the most active could keep their hands in the water 16 seconds longer than the sedentary group.

MORE conflicting ­ or reassuring ­ information regarding alcohol.

New research in Australia found that people who consumed ‘low to moderate’ amounts of alcohol each week suffered less stress, a known cause of inflammation. This is also a principal cause of the aches and pains that can include arthritis.

Seven glasses of wine or pints of beer each week appeared to be the optimum amount in helping to relieve stress, the investigation by the universities of Cambridge and Sydney concluded.

Drink up

The study’s lead author, PhD candidate Rachel Visontay conceded that ‘harmful drinking’ was globally responsible for significant disease.

“'However, some research suggests that, compared to abstaining, lower levels of drinking may actually be beneficial when it comes to inflammation,” she said.

Even those in the light activity category, who walked or cycled, withstood the discomfort for seven seconds more than the sedentary group.

“This suggests that regular physical activity can help to improve pain tolerance, just as the so ­ called ‘runner’s high’ after a jog can make discomfort seem less painful,” said Dr Anders Arnes who led the study.

Smiles Dental: Your trusted dentists in Albir

FOR some, going to the dentist can be a stressful and worrying event. But at Smiles Dental Albir, you will be put at ease by their friendly and attentive staff, with treatments carried out by professionals in a calm and welcoming atmosphere.

Dentists Mansour Shojaie and Feri Khodaie studied dentistry at ACTA, the academic centre of dentistry in Amsterdam. After many years of experience in their own practice in Utrecht, Netherlands, the couple decided to emigrate to the Costa Blanca in 2011 and opened Smiles Dental Albir in October 2022.

Offering all types of dentistry treatments and preventions, as well as cosmetic aesthetic services, the team are dedicated to looking after your oral health and explaining ev ­

ery reason and process for your treatment. Their dental services include permanent dental implants that are placed in the jaw by a screw ­ the most modern restorative dental service that will mimic the function and aesthetics of your natural teeth ­ and removable prostheses for a less permanent re­

sult. They also provide teeth whitening, crowns, bridges, and root canals, with an emphasis on surgery, implantology and chewing function problems. The team aim to put you at ease and the clinic is centred around patient care, reassurance, and trust. Whether you are looking for tooth repair, damage repair, or preventative

Silent killer

GRAHAM MACGREGOR, is a professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and chairman of Action on Salt.

Quoted in the Guardian recently, he said salt was “unequivocally bad” but admitted that getting this message across was not easy because salt is regarded as a normal part of our diet.

“It’s not,” he declared. Salt raised blood pressure and increased the risk of hypertension, known as the silent killer.

“High blood pressure is the biggest cause of death in the world,” Professor MacGregor said.

measures to ensure your teeth stay in the best conditionSmiles Dental Albir has a solution for you.

Keeping up ­ to ­ date on all of the latest techniques and technology, Smiles Dental provides aesthetic treatments to keep you feeling and looking your best ­ after all, our smiles are one of our most important fea­

By Clinica Britannia

tures. The dentists here carry out veneers using porcelain that is designed to repair gaps between your teeth, repair chipped teeth, align crooked teeth, and brighten discoloured teeth. These veneers provide a beautiful and natural look that is accessible to everyone, giving you the confidence you deserve.

In addition to taking care of your oral health, Smiles Dental Albir offers Botox and fillers, such as lip wrinkle removal using hyaluronic acid. Get in touch with the friendly team today to receive the best treatments at the best prices.

The team speaks English, Spanish, and Dutch, so you will have the peace of mind that you understand every aspect of your treatment and the results.

PRP can help improve skin texture

MANY of us, regardless of gender would love to have a more wrinkle free and youthful looking complexion staring back at us in the mirror, but think this is only achievable with Botox and fillers, this however is not the case.

A method now available is Platelet­Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, which gives amazing results when used on both our skin and scalp.

The PRP is derived from taking a sample of our blood, the growth factors, and bioactive proteins, which initiate and speed up tissue repair and regeneration are extracted with use of a specialised machine. This rich platelet plasma is then injected back into the desired treatment area of the pa­

tient, there is no risk of cross infection.

PRP can help improve our skin texture and tone, minimise the appearance of pores, smooth wrinkles, and fine lines, lighten pigmentation, treat acne scarring and stretch marks. It’s a perfect treat­

ment for patients who want their complexion to look its best.

These injections when used on the scalp stimulate new follicular hair growth and can help to counteract male or female baldness and hair thinning.

SMILES DENTAL: You will be put at ease by their friendly attentive staff in a welcoming atmosphere.

3 ‘A’s Almonds, avocados and arugula can improve fertility.

HAIR transplantation with the Insparya method is the best option to say goodbye to alopecia forever. It is the result of the Insparya Group’s investment in hair transplantation research, science, technology aimed at improving the process and patient experience throughout the hair restoration process. With our own technology and training, we can guarantee the implantation of the maximum number of follicular units (+4,000, if necessary) in faster interventions, maximum six hours, and a follow ­ up of 18 months for all our patients.

What is the Insparya method?

It is a perfect combination of specialisation and the Insparya Group’s commitment to technological innovation and professional development. With all this we have been able to develop our own hair transplant technique, a safe, effective and revolutionary method of hair transplantation, which

Saying goodbye to hair loss with the Insparya method

A good example of the technological research during transplantation, the result of the efforts of the Insparya Hair Tech division, is the BotHair UltraPlus. This unique project has resulted in the creation of an innovative device to extract follicular units faster, more precisely and with fewer steps, reducing surgery time.

responds to the need of many people to put an end to hair loss.

The result of this approach is clear: more than 50,000 transplants have been successfully

performed in our clinics over the past 14 years. We have achieved these figures thanks to the work at our own research centre, Insparya Science and Clinical Institute, as well as

Bottled up

WE live in a country where drinking bottled water is the norm.

Nevertheless, Andrea Burton, a nutritionist who was quoted recently in the UK media, maintained that consuming only bottled water could have a detrimental effect on the body.

“It could even be worse than drinking tap water,” she warned.

She said that it was important always to read the label on bottled water, as this would reveal if it came from a registered spring or was filtered.

“If not, it might be less healthy than you’d imagine,” she said, recommending instead that people should filter their own tap water.

TEMPTING as it is to sweep your hair back into a tight ponytail, don’t do it too often.

Repeated tension and pulling on hair follicles can lead to hair loss known as traction alopecia, which can be irreversible.

To cause as little damage as possible, take care never to put your hair up

WATER: Bottled water not always better than tap water.

Be gentle

when it’s still wet and will be at its weakest. Before tying it up, use serum first which will help the band to slide over the hair without any pulling or snagging.

our biomedical research projects at Insparya Hair Science. Moreover, the latter is working to find the ultimate solution to alopecia through the multiplication of stem cells.

Call us free on 900 998 775 or visit www.insparya.es for a no ­ obligation consultation at our Valencia clinic where you will be attended by a highly specialised and experienced medical team of hair technology experts.

With Insparya, recovering your hair is easier, faster and much more effective than you think.

INSPARYA: Visit our Valencia clinic where you will be attended by a highly specialised and experienced team.

THE dramatic departure of ‘smiley’ sofa host Philip Schofield from ‘This Morning’ coincided with that of the equally ‘smiley’ couple whose renovations of a derelict property in northwest France provided the basis for the reality TV show ‘Escape to the Chateau’.

Basically, unreality television! And there’s so much of it: the oh­so­cosy repair workshops and get­rich­quick property and antique shows. That’s why I can’t watch any breakfast news programmes or morning chat shows with co­presenters. It’s all too sickly and unreal with their false smiles and scripted banter. ‘The One Show’ is another example. It’s just too nice and they all sit too close together... ugh!

So many sofa hosts ooze professional fake charm. That’s showbiz. Just like politicians of all parties do all the time, being friendly, pleasant, seeking your blessing. As politicians they’re after your vote; as TV celebrities, your rating. They’re all about performance, the dark art of deception. Mutually ­ desired outcome: career ­ advancement. Sofa­type breakfast shows and political appeals to camera are exactly alike.

This Holly and Phil saga demonstrates why we shouldn’t idolise celebrities, and I really hope it is symptomatic of a sea change in how people view entertainers, especially of the light entertainment kind.

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS SOFAGATE

even relatively benign non­entities like Holly and Phil are indicative of a similar sort of thing.

These people are not your mates. You don’t know them or have any personal link with them. They’re just individuals who are photogenic, charismatic and ambitious enough to provide linking chatter between musical acts or to present breakfast shows. You don’t know them any more than you know the nice estate agent attempting to flog you a flat by complimenting your getup, hairstyle and keen eye for property. Believe it or not, he might just be attempting to flog you a flat.

As for me, I always had my doubts about Hughie, ‘Sincerely folks’ Green, the presenter of ‘Opportunity Knocks’. Thankfully, however, the real monsters have been unmasked. For years, Jimmy Savile, Rolf Harris, Stuart Hall and pop star Gary Glitter were adored by fans ­ but the horrifying truth of how they abused vulnerable fans and junior employees finally emerged. These men ­ national treasures unmasked as national disgraces ­ were serial abusers, getting away with impunity for years and years.

The most serious, toxic examples we’ve seen? The Saviles, Harrises, Glitters etc. But

Years ago, a pal of mine ­ a media PRworked with a male presenter who was adored by women of a certain age for his massively popular morning show and who came across as warm, cuddly, caring and empathetic. Behind the scenes, though, he was really unpleasant, particularly to junior staff, and mean ­ ‘thank you’ was rarely said ­ and he had a vast sense of entitlement. Fundamentally, he was an actor ­ he could switch on the charm and charisma at will, particularly when on air or in the limelight.

And we’re still reminded of the contradictory personas TV celebrities so often project with the recent death of the disgraced children’s entertainer, artist and convicted paedophile, Rolf Harris...

As usual, Shakespeare put it better and more succinctly: “One may smile, and smile, and be a villain” ­ ‘Hamlet’.

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense 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.

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

NORA’S LATEST THRILLER.

Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

Vetting procedures

I’ve noticed that he/she has weepy eyes… ..veo que tiene los ojos llorones

Talking canned wine

LOUIE ON WINE

VISITING a Costas vet is unlikely to be hindered by non­communication.

Practically all of them understand and can make themselves understood in English because foreign residents make up a large part of their clientele.

Even so, you will share a waiting room with Spanish clients with a wailing cat carrier on their knee or an unhappy dog shuddering at their feet.

A cat (gato) was formerly tolerated as a mouser while a dog earned its keep as a hunter (perro de caza) or a herder (perro pastor).

Anything else was dismissed un perro faldero or a lapdog, scornfully used in both languages for a subservient person who idolises, or is controlled by, somebody else.

Instead, cats and dogs have now earned the affectionate label of animales de compañía or the twee­sounding mascota which sounds less twee to a Spanish­speaker.

Meanwhile, back at the vet’s….. la consulta del veterinario/de la veterinaria:

He/she is off­colour…..no está bien

He/she is off his/her food…..no come bien

I think he/she has a temperature… ..creo que tiene fiebre

He/she has a runny nose…..está moqueando

He/she is scratching his/her ears…..se rasca mucho las orejas

Depending on your speech patterns:

I want to sterilise/spay/neuter/doctor my dog/cat…..quiero esterilizar/castrar mi perro/mi gato

I would like to microchip my dog/cat… ..quiero poner un microchip a mi perro/mi gato

I want to vaccinate my dog/cat…..quiero vacunar a mi perro/gato

I want to get rid of fleas /ticks …..quiero un producto para eliminar piojos/garrapatas

There will be things you might not want to hear:

He/she has distemper/mange/fleas/ worms…..tiene moquillo/sarna/ piojos/lombrices or parásitos internos/ We need to operate…..hay que operar And something you might have to accept:

We need to put your dog/cat to sleep… ..hay que sacrificar, dormir, practicar la eutanasia a tu perro/gato

Having ended on an unhappy note, bear in mind that miseria in Spanish means poverty, not misery, although both conditions are pretty miserable, whichever way you look at them.

Vote early, vote often LINDA

HALL

IT must have been just as summer began in 1976.

My husband was working away and because school had finished, our daughter and I went with him.

We were watching the news after lunch in the hotel where we were staying when suddenly it all became much less boring when a very handsome man appeared on the screen.

He was wearing the white summer uniform of the Movimiento, the only thing approaching a political organisation that was still permitted seven months after Franco’s death.

“Who’s that?” I asked my husband.

“Adolfo Suárez, the Movimiento minister,” he said, with a distaste which intensified after I remarked that he was exceptionally good­looking.

When Suárez was named president of the Spanish government days later, my husband like many others, thought little would change.

He was wrong. In November that same year, the Cortes ­ not yet the parliament we know now ­ announced

the December 15 referendum on political reform that opened the door to the Transition.

On the very few occasions when the Spanish had voted in past referendums, they voted the way they felt they were supposed to, so 97.36 per cent said Yes this time too.

Nobody needed to buy votes that day although it was obvious that not everybody had quite got the hang of voting.

Chatting that afternoon in the small Benidorm supermarket near our apartment, the owner mentioned that he and his wife had made an early start to go up to Callosa to vote. In those days practically all the supermarkets ­ and stalls in the municipal market ­ were owned by Callosines, so it made sense that they’d have gone there to vote.

“Then of course we had to get back here in time to vote again,” he told me. “It’s important to vote, you know, especially if you want a favour from the town hall.”

Neither Callosa nor Benidorm were Chicago, but it definitely gave a Spanish accent to the exhortation, ‘Vote early and vote often’.

Article by Louie Rodrigues

THE world of wine can be intimidat ing, but it doesn’t need to be! I’m Louie and I’ve made it my mission to explore wine and all its jargon, and report back to you in a way that makes sense.

I run a digital agency, Corking.Digi tal, that helps wineries with their so cial media presence, and during that time I’ve tasted my fair share of wine … and food to go with it. If you like what I write, you can head to @Corking.Wine on Instagram, where I snap photos of things I eat and drink ­ it’s not as boring as it sounds, I promise.

This week we are talking canned wine ­ the portable and sustainable little sister to the glass bottle. Al though not necessarily the cheapest option, canned wines are becoming a popular staple amongst those picnic hampers and beach bags. In fact, I’m finding that the quality of canned wines often surpasses many of their glass bottled brethren.

Quick tip: look for canned whites with Macabeu or Verdejo grapes, and rosés from Garnacha.

Head online to find my full article with recommendations, including my favourite ­ Can Vi.

Problem solved LETTERS

Hi all, I would like to thank you and your readers for your help re my travel insurance.

I contacted the people you suggested and I now have insurance.

The people in their office were very helpful, and the price was reasonable.

Once again I thank you all, I can now enjoy my holiday.

Regards Gwendoline Ottley

Thank you

Thank you for what you are writing.

I’m a Dutch guy currently residing in Spain. Reading your article on Propaganda in the Euro Weekly. It is a relief to find you and read what you are saying.

So, just saying: THANKS!!

Stay strong.

Dear Leapy

With Love, Louis

I am an avid reader of your column every week but am surprised you have not mentioned the dangerous antics of the, fast becoming more popular, scooters on the roads, or pavements! Risking life and limb to themselves and other road users. However, there seems to be no action taken by the police! Would love to read your comments in one of your weekly comments.

Best regards, DMP, Albatera

Dear Editor

A simple question for Remainers

Do you want to be ruled by the unelected EU or our own elected Parliament?

I know Leapy’s answer!

Spain joined the EU and have prospered with approximately €800 billion in loans. Greece borrowed approx €2 trillion. I wish I could get a big money interest free loan that never needs to be paid back or does it?

Brian Johnston ­ Benalmadena

Well done

To Lee Graham

Fantastic, keep up the good work.

Regards

Are you watching?

will send an email, but I thought you probably get too many emails in your busy life. However, having just now read your article in EWN I thought I would email anyway. I am not racist and all the people in the programme were very nice. It’s just a matter of fair representation of course and it is annoying.

Best Wishes, Graham PS I remember you on the telly with Little Arrows

Hooked

In my nearly 40 years of residence here I have never had much interest in the English language media but I am becoming hooked on your comedy page featuring Lee. I use the surname as he refers to a knight of the realm as Starmer. His ultra right wing, and often racist, rantings are hilarious in their eccentricity, but as one of the few expat socialists on the coast I know that he is preaching to the converted.

Philip Flaxman Mijas Costa

Closer ties

The UK left the EU because the government didn’t want to accommodate the ‘humanising’ rules imposed by the EU and wasn’t prepared to relinquish any sovereignty. The vote was really close. The UK has to undertake a new referendum to see what the outcome might be. It could be a lot different. Also, wanting to re­apply will require that the UK follows the requirements of the EU, will less protest.

Dik Coates

Stormy forecast

Biblical storms and hailstones have battered the area here hard with the aftermath of cleaning up yet to start, let’s hope every drop of water is not wasted, and will give us a head start in the coming months.

Mark

Deportation

Shirley Hunt

I was watching CH5 Rich House Poor House recently where they swap houses for a week. The Poor House ­ Single mum was black and the Rich House featured two gay men. This programme often includes minorities. I thought at the time, I wonder if Leapy is watching this. Perhaps I

This article sheds light on the heartbreaking situation faced by the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light at the TurkishBulgarian border.

It’s truly disheartening to see how they are being denied entry, facing violence, and the threat of deportation. Their religious beliefs should not be a reason for persecution. We must stand together to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their faith.

K Jula

DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD

ALTHOUGH cats are self­sufficient they are regarded as selfish and lacking in loyalty to their owners. This is probably because their pampering is restricted to being stroked and the occasional dish of milk or fish.

There are several reasons why I like cats. First, they don’t bark. When two cats meets another, they don’t cause a disturbance in the neighbourhood by howling greetings at each other. When you walk past a house or a garden with a cat in it, your senses are not assaulted by an aggressive chorus of barking. And on ringing somebody’s doorbell you are unlikely to be greeted by a menacing yowling sound. A cat is quiet unless involved in a short­term squabble over territory ­ or if its tail is trodden upon.

Second, they are dignified animals. When one cat meets another, it doesn’t sniff the other’s private parts. When the door of a

WHY I LIKE CATS

does not leap at your midriff, sniffing, snorting, slobbering, snarling and pawing at your legs. It remains asleep in a chair.

Third, cats are discreet about crapping ­ normally burying it, where circumstances allow. They don’t crap all over the streets, parks and beaches and are not allowed in bars and restaurants. They also take great pains to keep

they don’t stink.

Fourth, cats are independent. They find their own form of exercise and don’t require daily walks in the rain, the snow or blazing heat. They don’t require a licence of ownership or a tag, and a driver who hits a cat on the road and kills it is not required to report the fact.

Fifth, and most important, cats never kill babies or children. Obviously, big cats are another matter,

but we are concerned with the domesticated species. There is therefore no danger in the free movement of cats among us. Unless you are a mouse, a small rat or the occasional bird.

In fact, most of these attributes apply to cows, pigs, and pelicans. In very different ways, horses and pigeons fail on the street­crapping issue but are generally as harmless as cats. And they don’t bark.

In a similar way, I like people who don’t cackle loudly when they are drunk, interviewers who don’t interrupt their guests and footballers who don’t wrestle and pull shirts. I like the simple things that we should take for granted, like plenty of legroom in aircraft, fastmoving arrival checks at airports and guaranteed seating on trains. And the civilised things in life like welcoming service in restaurants and bars, a gesture of thanks when opening a door for somebody, and letting a driver through from a side road.

There are a lot of good things around us, but in the end it is all relative and certainly subjective.

For more from our columnists please scan this QR Code

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

Cats and pigs have two things in common. They don´t bark and they don´t crap in the street.

Photo Credits: pulpbits.net and fanpop

PETS

Advertising Feature

Twitching while asleep

WE have to distinguish tremors during sleep from seizures.

Involuntary movements (twitching in their sleep) only occur during dream states and usually don’t last long.

Twitching can happen anywhere in your dog’s body but commonly occurs in the legs, tail, or head and may be accompanied by small vocalisations. Dogs experience the same dream stages as humans, including non­rapid eye movement (NREM), short­wave sleep (SWS), and rapid eye movement (REM).

During the REM state, a dog’s eyes move around behind their closed eyelids, and the large body muscles are turned off so the dream is not physically acted out. Twitching while sleeping occurs more commonly in younger and older dogs and less often in adult dogs.

But how to distinguish between twitching and a seizure when a dog is sleeping?

During normal sleep, a dog’s body will be flexible and relaxed, and they will be breathing normally, with their eyes partially or completely closed. They should awaken easily and respond to voices. To determine whether twitching during sleep is due to a seizure, these are signs of seizure:

• Contractions and stiffening of the body

• Laboured breathing

• Eyes wide open but not reacting

• Loss of consciousness with no response to your voice

• Loss of control of urine and bowel movements

• Salivation with foaming at the mouth

If you suspect your dog has epilepsy, please visit your vets.

How to find a cat-sitter

FINDING suitable cat­sitters for when you go on holiday can be a challenge. You want your cats to be cared for where they are comfortable, their routines maintained. It means that when you get home after your absence, your pets are relaxed and happy to see you, just like you’ve both had a lovely holiday.

Finding a cat­sitter through Housesitmatch means you have someone to care for your pets at home that doesn’t cost you any more than the annual membership fee!

If you’re planning a trip register now to find petsitters in time. Whether your trip is short or long, you’ll know that sometimes you must leave pets at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from staying at home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed. Join our pet and house­sitting network, and the sitters come for free!

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

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSit Match.com

2. Choose a Standard account (£69 per year) to ensure

you can help online when needed

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

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. Need

or 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 homeowner with a 20% discount using coupon code 20EWN - Reader exclusive offer. To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com.

Keeping cats safe and happy at home while you are away.

PLUMBERS

PLUMBING

APP REPAIRS

WASHING MACHINE

BROKEN? Call Bluesky Repairs for ALL your domestic appliance repairs. 626 430 671 (WhatsApp) (303487)

ARCHITECT

CARS FOR SALE

loan out mobility and medical equipment including oxygen concentrators on a short-term basis. (288658)

BUGGY TOURS

CHARITY

BRIDGE CLUBS

BRIDGE CLUB ALBIR:

Hotel Rober Palas, Calle Jupiter 7, Albir. Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 2.00pm registration for 2.30pm start. Richard: 965 848 434. Henriette: 661 744 423. (294628)

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

I BUY RECORDS 50s to the 90s. Best prices for good records. Tel: 622 750 117 / 962 851 809 (303212)

VARIOUS music CDs, DVDs and DVD box sets. Job lot €100. Listings available. 604 185 014 (302929)

CARAVANS

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

CAMPING

El Campello Christian Community - Life and Family Sunday Service at 11am Bilingual (English and Spanish) at C/ San Bartolome, 35 (Bajo No. 6), El Campello. For more information visit www.elcampe llochristiancommunity.org , email campellocc@gmail. com or call Juan Zúñiga686 203 183 (Spanish) or Sue Bishop - 610 639 426 (English) (233602)

THE SALVATION ARMY English Speaking Church of Denia Worship Service. Sunday 10.30am followed by a time of Fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Come as you are! For more information: Dieter Zimmerer +34 698 609 658 or Barbara Zimmerer +34 652 319 810 Email dieterzimmerer@hotmail.com, www.centrosaron.com (10008)

www.helpbenidorm.org and on Facebook VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, particularly if you speak Spanish, and have a car (although this is not essential). Tel President 607 387 040. We are an English-speaking charity that assists residents and tourists of all nationalities in times of crisis. We meet every Thursday at 11am in Jose Llorca Social Centre C. Goya s/n. Benidorm. We

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MB ELECTRICS. Approved electrician. Any electrical repair. Iberdrola paperwork. Affordable prices. Miquel 655 282 175 www.mb electrics.es (302561)

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

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MASSAGE

MORTGAGES

GUARANTEED MORTGAGE 100%. Acceptance. Expat Mortgages. Non Resident Mortgages. Spanish Resident Mortgages. Highest LTV in Spain. Call Damian today on: 655 141 092 (302913)

MOTORBIKES

PETER ZWAAN MOTORBIKES, A+ Occasions Showroom, Husqvarna TR650 Strada, yr 2012, 24.000 kms, Euro 3.900, = CostaBlancaMotorbikes. com (290148)

MOTORING

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

HEALTH & BEAUTY

WIGS

WWW.WIGS-R-US.ES Indoor Market Rincon de Loix, Benidorm. Monday-Saturday 10-3. We also have Scrunchies, Extensions, Ponytails. Catalogue orders. Private appointments after 3pm. 681 049 502 (302420)

INSURANCE

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BENEFICIAL INSURANCE

SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@beneficialinsurancein spain.com or visit www.ben eficialinsuranceinspain.com for online quote. (303063)

MOTOR INSURANCE . For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa

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NATURIST male gives relaxing massage. Half price 1st time offer €25. For men and women. Private premises in Jávea, WhatsApp Rob on 613 831 380 (303490)

ANA SLIM ELEGANT LADY. PROFESSIONAL RELAXING TANTRIC AND PROSTATIC MASSAGE. ALICANTE. HOME VISITS ONLY 24HRS. TEL 697 207 715. (302928)

PROFESSIONAL TANTRA MASSAGE in Denia. Ritual and deep relaxation. Teya: 692 450 679. (302659)

METALWORK

MOBILE WELDER: GATES, RAILINGS AND GRILLS. ALL REPAIRS. +44 7787 585 714 / +44 7470 059 469 (302924)

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DECORATORS W.D. GILMOUR. Painter & Decorator. Established 35 years in Moraira. ESTIMATES FREE. Call William on 609 691 776 or 966 490 602 (301487)

PAINTER & DECORATOR. WINDOW CLEANER / MAINTENANCE. CALL NEIL ON +34 642 577 442 OR +44 753 586 6419 (302909)

PETS

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AUTO BASTIAN mobile mechanic. Tel 608 860 725. (295674)

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

NAUTICAL

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE : Courses held in English and starts soon. VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (303488)

NURSING

PROPERTY WANTED

RETIRED couple looking for long term rental in La Marina Baixa - prefer two beds. Needed urgently - call Janice on 0044 7736 251 800 (279523)

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BENIDORM and surrounding areas. Two-man removal. 622 658 992 (301136)

MAN & VAN for hire, cheap & reliable. Jalon Valley & surrounding area. Call/Whatsapp 636 100 873 (303109)

ROLLER SHUTTERS

ROLLER SHUTTER REPAIRS, awnings, motors, mosquito blinds. Calpe + 50 kms. 659 464 992 www.tol dosalchemy.com (1296178)

SITUATIONS WANTED

ENGLISH LADY URGENTLY LOOKING FOR CLEANING / CARE WORK. BENITACHELL AREA. NO TRANSPORT. 711 032 097 (302916)

OTHERS

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SKIP HIRE

JAVEA SKIP HIRE. CALPE TO DENIA. 2.5M AND 3.5M SKIPS. GARDEN OR RUBBLE.TEL:692 588 088. (302905)

STRUCTURAL SURVEYS

MARK PADDON BSc Hons. MCIOB, CAAT – for buyer’s survey & defects advice. Tel: 653 733 066 / 962 807 247 www.costablancasurveyors. com (292966)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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

TRANSLATIONS

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MOTORBIKES

SsangYong Rexton - luxury as standard

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

IT may be an unfamiliar name but SsangYong has been producing vehicles

since 1954. The company currently has a three model line ­ up ­ the Tivoli, Korando and Rexton ­ plus the Musso pick­up range.

It’s the large Rexton SUV that’s the focus of our

road test this time. There are three versions, the Ventura, Ultimate and Ultimate Plus, with the leadin version priced from €44,698/£38,745. All use a four ­ cylinder 2.2 ­ litre diesel power unit mated to an eight ­ speed automatic gearbox and selectable four ­ wheel ­ drive with low ratio.

The standard equipment list is very generous even on the lower specification model. Across the range you get a heated steering wheel, powered front seats, third row seating, front and rear heated seats and the front are also ventilated, cruise control, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto lights and wipers, LED lights front and rear, powered, heated and folding door mirrors, keyless entry and start, front and parking sensors plus camera, dual zone climate control even for the rearmost seating,

navigation and of course Bluetooth with Car Play and Android Auto connec tivity. Phew!

To say the Rexton is large is somewhat of an understatement. With seven seats it’s not only a genuine family holdall but a capable offroader too. Fold down both rear rows of seats and you have the carrying capacity of a small van, albeit a very luxuriously appointed one.

On the road the Rexton’s slightly old­tech 2.2litre diesel isn’t the most refined unit, particularly under hard acceleration, but nonetheless has a decent amount of punch and returns decent fuel economy.

If you found the roughest road surface possible I really don’t think it would upset the Rexton’s interior comfort, such is the suppleness of the ride. No ve­

hicle of this size is designed for pinpoint handling and twisting roads do highlight some body roll if you’re too exuberant.

The build quality is excellent and it has a premium feel throughout with sensible controls and buttons as opposed to the increasing trend of over digitalisation. Styling is very subjective and it’s fair to say the Rexton is distinctive, that overly large grille certainly won’t be to ev ­

eryone’s taste.

At its price the Rexton is tremendous value, but residuals will not be to the level of more established badges. Having already driven the excellent Korando, SsangYong’s smaller SUV, the Rexton is a similarly impressive story. Even bearing in mind the residuals, don’t let the relatively unknown badge put you off investigating the range more thoroughly.

REXTON SUV: Don’t let the relatively unknown badge put you off investigating the range more thoroughly.

FA Cup Final blow

MANCHESTER UNITED’S Cup Final hopes were dealt a significant blow on Thursday, May 25, after Antony was stretchered off in the match with Chelsea.

In the 25th minute, the Brazilian went on one of his trademark dazzling runs down the wing only to be tackled by Blues defender Trevoh Chalobah.

The interception seemed innocuous enough but the 23 ­ year ­ old Brazilian was left in clear pain on the ground before being eventually carried off the pitch by members of the Old Trafford medical team.

As he was removed from the field of play, Antony was in obvious distress and covered his face. He was replaced by England star Marcus Rashford.

Erik ten Hag will now face a worrying time waiting for the results of the diagnosis on one of his star players. With the big allManchester derby coming up at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June 3, this will be the last problem he wanted on His Red Devils look ­ on to qualify for the final Champions League spot after being 2 ­ 0 ahead at halftime. An early goal from Casemiro after just six minutes was the perfect start and then Anthony Martial doubled the lead with a simple tap ­ in at the end of added time.

Credit: Whale Media Stock / Shutterstock.com

Antony had to be stretchered off.

New Chelsea manager

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has finally signed as the new head coach of Premier League side Chelsea.

The Argentine put pen to paper at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, May 28. He will replace interim manager Frank Lampard on a deal that ties him to the club until June 2026. His appointment was confirmed on Twitter by the respected sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, who wrote: ‘Mauricio Pochettino has finally signed the contract as new Chelsea head coach after verbal agreement reached two weeks ago’.

‘#CFC Official statement ready, he’s starting his job as Chelsea manager next week. Contract will be valid until June 2026. Here we go confirmed’, he continued.

The 51 ­ year ­ old was expected to be announced as Chelsea’s new boss after a lengthy period where the club interviewed several potential candidates after sacking Graham Potter. An official statement from Chelsea FC was expected to be released confirming the news.

Pochettino will be fully aware of the task he faces with the Blues currently enjoying one of their worst seasons in a long time, languishing in mid­table.

Todd Boehly splashed an incredible amount of cash on new players before the start of this season but they were unable to inspire the team to success. It is rumoured that many of those same new recruits now face be ing moved on to fresh pastures, along with a number of the origi nal squad.

Rice could join Bayern Munich

A GIANT spanner was thrown in the works on Monday, May 29, when it was revealed that Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel allegedly called Declan Rice.

According to the reputed football journalist Florian Plettenberg, the West Ham and England star had a ‘good talk’ with the former Chelsea manager who is now in charge of the Bundesliga champions.

In a tweet, he wrote: ‘News #Rice: There was a phone call with #Tuchel a few days ago! Been told it was a good talk. Both appreciate each other. Rice is open to join Bayern & Tuchel. FCB wants to in tensify their efforts now. He’s still a transfer target. But: Time is run ning as he could sign for Arsenal. @SkySportDE’.

That news will not have been music to the ears of Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag, both of whom are known to be chasing the signature of the

old midfielder and West

Although his team struggled in the Premier League, eventually avoiding relegation, he has led the Hammers to a Europa Conference League final with Serie A side Fiorentina. Winning West Ham’s first major trophy since 1980 would be a rather fitting way to say goodbye to London at

Tuchel has also been the subject of rumours regarding his future in Germany since the club won the title. As reported by a news source, just after Bayern were proclaimed champions, CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic were both fired.

Rice is open to joining Bayern Munich.

Credit: George Monie/Shutterstock.com

Mauricio Pochettino.

Credit: MDI/Shutterstock.com