Looking elsewhere

BEFORE the Ukraine invasion, Spain imported Russian crude oil. Now it looks to Venezuela (258,000 tons during 2023’s first quarter), Ecuador (148,000 tons) and Trinidad and Tobago (101,000 tons).

Colombia exported 586,000 tons to Spain between January and April, four times more than during the first quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, shipments from Brazil grew to slightly more than two million tons, compared to 1.5 million tons in the first four months of 2022. Mexico, which sold over 2.7 million tons to Spain between January and April ­ 46 per cent more

ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS (ABF) is buying dairy technology company National Milk Records (NMR).

The company, which owns Primark and Twinings, has struck the £48 million (€55.8 million) deal in a bid to strengthen its agrifoods division. ABF is paying 215p (€2.50) a share for the Chippenham­based firm, an 87 per cent premium on NMR’s closing price two days before the announcement.

The acquisition would “significantly” boost its agriculture food business, AB Agri, which currently works with over than during the same period in 2022 ­ is now Spain’s principal supplier of crude oil, ahead of the 2.2 million tons imported from the US. In contrast, oil purchases from Africa fell by 26 per cent, while those from the Middle East, Europe and Eurasia dropped 14 per cent.

Milky way

2,000 dairy farms globally, ABF told its investors.

NMR, founded 80 years ago, was previously part of the Milk Marketing Board, which controlled the UK’s milk production and distribution and ensured a minimum price for dairy farmers.

The takeover will also improve farmers’ profits and productivity and accelerate NMR’s strategic objectives, ABF said.

THE second phase of Spain’s state pensions reform will boost the Social Security system’s income in line with Brussels’ call for improvements ensuring the scheme’s financial viability.

A Bank of Spain analysis of the government measures that was published on June 7 concluded that this is most likely to affect middle­aged, well­paid, highlyqualified employees who work for big companies. The Bank also calculated that this would raise Social Security revenue by 0.9 per cent of the gross domestic product in 2050, two­10ths of a percentage point below the government’s estimate.

Women losing out

A WOMAN’S private pension pot in the UK is usually worth 35 per cent less than a man’s on reaching 55. After analysing data for both sexes between 2018 and 2020, government researchers found that, on average, women will have accumulated just £65 (€75.5) for every £100 (€116) in men’s private pensions.

As a result, women risk losing out on thousands of pounds as a result of the greater numbers who work part­time, their lower overall earnings and more time off for childcare or other caring duties, the investigation concluded.

Unvarnished news LETTERS

I have recently taken on a new role with Euro Weekly News and am Editorial Consultant reviewing the type and style of articles that are published both in the seven weekly editions of the newspaper as well as the web page.

One story that we have been concentrating on, which appears to be ignored by much of the mainstream media, is the plight of some 104 followers of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light sect who have been arrested and allegedly tortured due to their beliefs in Turkey.

It has been quite incredible how many supporters of this peaceful faith community which follows many of the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed have read and responded to these articles thanking Euro Weekly News for reporting their case.

Many of the comments are in Arabic but EWN has arranged for them to be translated into English so that readers can understand their comments.

It is very heart­warming to know that the largest English language newspaper in Spain is reaching across the world and doing something, no mater how little, to spread the unvarnished news.

Visit https://euroweeklynews.com/ 2023/05/27/104­members­of­a­religiousminority­face­imprisonment­or­executionon­the­turkish­bulgarian­border/ to read the full story.

John Smith Editorial Consultant EWN

Tourism fight back

There is a Facebook group called ‘180 days in Spain’ trying to get the UK government to reach a bilateral agreement with the Spanish government giving UK citizens equal rights to those of EU citizens arriving in the UK, who can stay for six months without a visa. This would help UK citizens who own homes in Spain and allow for both Easter holidays and summer holidays.

David Candlish

To David Worboys

“Third, cats are discreet…”

And where do you think they poop? That’s right, they poop in the neighbour’s property! These selfish animals keep their home clean. That’s why they prefer the clean garden of the neighbour ­ very social!

Maybe people will get cats because they have the same mindset and traits ­ BRAVO! Sometimes your column is useful, but this time it was an ill­considered own goal...

Regards

Ralph / Torre del Mar

Hi Anna

Just a quick thank you for running our football donation article. It was a great advert for the club.

Regards Duncan

Leapy

You’re welcome Graham. Yours is the first page I turn to when the paper comes out every week. I like a person who speaks their mind, and I sometimes share your column with friends in Britain. Many say that wouldn’t be allowed over there, but like your honesty.

Keep up the good work.

Hi Lee

Regards

Colin

100% agree with your comments in EWN I presume that you have read ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley. Prescient is a word that comes to mind.

Have you looked at Reform Party? I reckon they deserve a chance.

Vids worth watching:

History debunked

Rotten Politics

Mahyar Tousi

...and in USA:

Crossroads with Joshua Philipp

Best regards and keep up the great work!! Max

Jumped ship

Well, I expect you have heard by now that Britain’s answer to Trump has resigned. Even in his resignation statement Boris Johnson can’t tell the truth. He isn’t being forced out anti democratically. His departure is a nail in the Brexit coffin, which I expect you will have a comment to make about. He’s looked at the report, he knows the damage it will create, so he is avoiding the humiliation. He jumped before he was pushed.

I expect you know that there are now eight ex PMs and they are entitled to public financial support which was established after Margaret Thatcher resigned. The PDCA allows a former prime minister to claim up to £115,000 a year paid for by the tax payer. Of course they can earn a lot more on top of that by travelling around the world making speeches, while the average British tax payer struggles to pay electricity, gas, water and food bills.

Trump and Johnson are both Americans, both born in New York, both got silly hair cuts, both lie. The only difference is Johnson hasn’t got a ginger face.

Regards

Colin