Costa de Almeria 3 – 9 August 2023 Issue 1987

PURE CLASS

The coast of Mojácar is getting a facelift to become a luxury destination. The Macenas Meditaraneran Resort Social Club inaugurated its new look for its debut on Saturday, July 30 with a long list of guests who attended the celebrations, including José María Martín, sub­delegate of the Government of Spain, Maribel S. Torregrosa, deputy for Almería’s Popular Party, and Aránzazu Martín, Government delegate of the Junta de Andalucía.

After the real estate crisis of 2008, the Macenas Beach Resort was abandoned halfway construction, and the assets went into different hands, including the 18hole golf course, the social club, land for a hotel, land for development with partially­constructed properties, which went to SAREB (Asset Management Company for Bank Restructuring). Finally,

in 2021, the Consentino family took over the complex and began to develop it with the aim of creating a luxury tourist destination.

The resort is not only economically profitable, but will also be sustainable, and a water treatment plant was constructed to recycle and regenerate all the wastewater from the resort into irrigation water for the future golf course, which is currently also undergoing renovations to create a top­of­the­

range course to attract tourists.

With an investment of over €2 billion, new infrastructures will be built to improve the quality of life of

the current residents of this Resort, but will also help to revitalize the tourist offer of eastern Almería, adding value to the Mojácar tourist destination.

Macenas Resort Social Club

Credit ARUM Group

Countdown begins

ALMERIA launches its fair once more in honour of the patron saint, the Virgen del Carmen. The long­awaited festivities begin on August 19 and continue until august 27, and will take place, and you can find out about the events and schedule using a QR code, to encourage a more sustainable, digital way of updating the activities of the program, as well as saving on paper.

Comedian, Kikín Fernández will kick off the fair in the Plaza de la Constitución on the night of Friday, August 18. Various events and free music will take place across different sites: Calle Marín, Plaza de Tomatito, Plaza Flores, Paseo de Almería, Plaza del Educador, Plaza Virgen del Mar and Pablo Cazard Square. More than 70 artists and bands are scheduled to perform throughout the fair, including artists such as Vetusta Morla, Lori Meyers,

Fangoria and many more on the beach stage.

Highlights will include Thursday, August 24th, when a Queen tribute band, Queen Revolution, will honour Freddy Mercury’s legendary performances.

The Paseo de Almería will also host a new Almería Gastronomy cooking competition from August 19 to 26. A sports fair with more than 25 different disciplines from boxing t beach volleyball will be held over the fair period.

Local mayoress, María del Mar Vázquez, says that the fair will show “Almeria at its best: brighter, more colourful, more radiant and more beautiful. But above all, the Fair is a showcase for the city… Almeria is a great city where you live, eat, enjoy yourself and have a great time, and a city that is worth visiting and in which it is profitable to invest”.

Photo of mayoress launching countdown to Almeria Fair

Credit Almeria City Council

Family ceramics

SORBAS ­ Thursday, August

3 to Friday, August 4, from 6 – 8 pm, families can enjoy painting ready­made ceramics pieces and learn how to make a ceramic piece on the pottery wheel. Bookings are required and can be made through the Sorbas town hall.

Foam party fun

SORBAS is planning to make a splash with their annual Foam Party, August 14, a street party will be held in the Plaza de Constitucion. Join the fun and cool off from the summer heat with a water and foam party.

Music for all

Another festival is coming this month with live music, beach, gastronomy and much more in Almerica City. The inclusive festival will be held from August 17 – 20 and there’s something for everyone and famous Spanish acts such as Lori Meyers and Fangoria will be performing live. Tickets are available online

Dreambeach returns

VILLARICO – Palomares will once again be hosting the Dreambeach electronic music festival on August 9 – 13. Enjoy a night dancing under the stars to electronic artists such as Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, Gonçalo, Laidback Luke, Mike Williams, and many more. Tickets on sale online at www.dreambeach.es.

Free workshop

UNLEASH your rhythm with Tim Bernhardt, Sorbas will be hosting a free wood percussion workshop in Sorbas and you can sign up at the Sorbas town hall until August 7. The session will take place on Wednesday, August 9 at the Escuela de Pita de Sorbas,.

AT €4,000 per m2 to rent a commercial space, prices in downtown Almeria have skyrocketed. This rental price is record­breaking, but clicking through Idealista, the property rental and sales portal, it is obvious that the trend is continuing, with no ceiling in sight.

The average price of a commercial premise in the city centre costs on average €2,000 per m2.

The rocketing prices do not only apply to commercial properties. Statistics show that only five per cent of apartments in the city cost under €500 a month, and the average price in Almeria province is €840 per month, as of June 2023.

The price of renting a property in El Ejido, Motril and Velez­Málaga have increased by 20 per cent on 2022 prices, making it the third An­

Rental skyrocket

YOUR EWN HAS

93 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

How did Almeria vote in 23J?

dalusian capital with the highest rise in prices, and rising beyond the rates of inflation.

Increasing prices all across Spain have been linked to a lack of properties on the rental market, and also the

rapid rise in demand for properties after the pandemic, with the housing market flailing to meet it.

Monolith discovery Summer fun

THE Diputación de Almería announces the success of 76 summer school programs attended by over 4,000 children this July.

The Community Social Services of the Diputación de Almería visited the Sorabs and Macael school campuses accompanied by the mayors, Raúl Martínez and Juan González, the vice­president of the city council’s education, leisure and activities program to meet some of the participating children and teachers.

This year the number of

schools and minors who benefit from these free programs increased, with funding of 130,000 euros, to ensure that children can enjoy a variety of activities, crafts, academic reinforcement and games.

The mayor of Macael, Raúl Martínez, said of the 2023 program: "This year there were almost 200 children who participated, and thanks to [The Diputación de Almería] we can meet the needs of parents and children and, in addition, create employment for young university

AT the sunbaked Alcazaba of San Cristóbal, remains of ancient monoliths and Templar crosses have been uncovered. Historian Ginés Valera has been documenting and investigating these ruins and artifacts to discover more about the history of the area.

Careful archaeological digs revealing partially demolished remains of the monoliths and pieces scattered along the hillside representing the 14 stations of the cross.

Third place statistics

THE province of Almería ranks third for the lowest levels of unemployment in all of Andalusia, with six out of ten people in employment.

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), Almeria has reached a record figure of 300,000 employed workers, and in Spain, 21 million employed workers have been reached for the first time.

Unemployment in Spain has also dropped by 365 thousand people indicating an upward trend for national employment statistics.

Between April and June, more than 600,000 jobs were created, most of them permanent, reaching a new maximum of 14 million people. Seasonal work affects the national statistics of employment as the demands of provincial tourism mean more employment in the hospitality and services sector. Also, figures are affected annually by the end of the agricultural harvesting season which results in the loss of jobs.

Cadiz and Cordoba have the highest unemployment rates, with figures of 22.09 per cent and 21.81 per cent respectively.

Many of the marble monoliths with embedded wooden crosses gradually disappeared from the landscape, or were damaged due to vandalism. However, vestiges of four monoliths still remain.

Valera led the archaeological digs with the City Council and plans to reconstruct the monoliths and return them to their original location where they will stand as witnesses of Almería's recent past.

CERA (Spanish citizens living abroad) announced the official results of the breakdown of votes for the 23J general elections on Friday, July 29.

According to the CERA vote count, in Almeria province, PSOE won in the region, and received 1,049 votes, followed by the Popular Party with 784 votes, with Vox and Sumar both receiving 357 ballots each.

Based on the results across Andalusia, the seats obtained by the four parties in the Congress for Andalusia remain the same: PP with 25; PSOE with 21; Vox with nine seats and Sumar with six.

Credit Tierra Mallorca, Unsplash

MOJACAR Council will be promoting the “Here we save turtles” campaign to raise awareness and educate the public on what to do if they encounter a turtle on the coast.

The Oceanographic Foundation launched the campaign in 2019, and were later joined by the Azul Marino Foundation and the Palma Aquarium. Currently, there are 80 municipalities that are involved in this campaign.

In June 2022, Mojácar has hosted the nesting sites of 20 small loggerhead turtles. A member of the public contacted the hotline

Turtle workshop

and the rescue network leapt into action. The baby turtles were taken to CEGMA, the Algeciras marine environment recovery centre.

With the campaign being launched across Mojácar, posters have been put up at beaches to raise awareness about turtle protection on the coast, with a contact number for any sighting in case of stranding.

On August 24, a workshop will be hosted on Lance Nuevo beach at

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

11:00 am with the aim of educating the public about marine turtles, how to identify trails left nesting turtles, what to do if you find a stranded or injured turtle, and how to promote the conservation and protection of the turtles’ natural environment.

Though the turtles have not yet returned to the beaches of Mojacar, they may still return and the public is urged to call 112 if turtle tracks or even turtles are spotted on the beach, refrain from flash photography and not touch or harass the endangered species.

New adventures

BERJA City Council has announced a series of outdoor adventure activities for summer 2023 under the name 'Summer with the family 2023' that began at the end of July and will continue until September.

The activities for August include Canyoning, kayaking and snorkelling, in a bid to promote outdoor activities in nature.

On Sunday, August 13, there will be a Canyoning outing in Río Verde which will take place in the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park, in Otivar, Granada.

On Sunday, August 20, a day of kayaking and snorkeling in the Malaga municipality of Nerja has been organised, and you can also experience the underwater scooter activity which is on offer.

Events are organized through the Berja Sports Pavilion, reservations can be made by visiting the Sports Pavilion or calling their telephone number, 950491626.

‘Almeria to the Stars’

THE Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory has launched an exhibition commemorating its fiftieth anniversary.

The open­air exhibition commenced on Thursday, July 23, and will be on show until September 20. 'From Almería to the stars' boasts 30 panels on show on the on the Paseo de Almería, recognising the most important milestones of the observatory in the last 50 years. Pérez de la Blanca, councilor of Tourism, Communications and Promotion of the

City, has encouraged "all Almeria residents and visitors to visit this exhibition, because, without a doubt, it is worth it". The

observatory, built in 1973, has been managed since 2019 by the Higher Council for Scientific Research and the Junta de Andalucía. It is home to the largest telescope in Europe, which was installed in 1984, and features a 3.5­meter­diameter mirror. The observatory carries out astrophysical research, and carries out cutting­edge research in the international astronomical scene. Almeria is famed for its clear skies which is one of the reasons the observatory was constructed in the region.

420 Micro breweries in Spain.

Almeria Calar Alto Observatory

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

This

means that if something is working reasonably well, there is no need to change or replace it, just leave it alone. The expression originated in the USA in the 20th century, and is attributed to Thomas Bertram Lance (1931-2013), who was a close adviser to Jimmy Carter during his 1976 campaign.

Credit Almeria Almanzora Tourism Board

Turtles on Mojacar beach

Credit Mojácar City Council

WHO says history has to be boring? “Stories that you love” (Cuentos que encantan) will continue on August 6 and 13 with visits to historical highlights of Antas.

Your guide will escort you to the most emblematic corners of the Historic Centre of Almería, where theatrical performances tell tales of the city, from its origins as Almariya, to

Time travelling

the Christian conquest and the golden era.

A special tourist train will take participants to the football field which will be the beginning of the journey, then onwards to several archeological sites, the hidden secrets of life in El Argar,

More festivities

WITH festivities beginning on Wednesday, August 16, Los Gallardos will be hosting their traditional August fair, adding an extra day of celebrations with more live music, activities for children and bullfighting events, ending on Sunday, August 20.

Festivities will kick off on August 16, and there will be free musical events from Wednesday to Sunday, among which the free concerts, with orchestral performances on Friday and Saturday and a mobile disco every night.

The Marchamalo City Council will be distributing the program of events in the coming during weeks by post.

The musical performances will take place on two stages at Parque de Ferias, with three free concerts by legendary Spanish

and finishing with a visit to the Antas Museum, before heading to Plaza de Antas where a very special banquet will be held. There will be three times for the tour: 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. Tickets available at Antas City Council.

bands, Seguridad Social (August 16), Tennessee and the Mondragón Orchestra (August 17), both performing in a joint show that will begin at 11 pm and finish at 3 am.

Los Gallardos Feria Poster

Credit Los Gallardos Town Hall

Students smart system

RESEARCHERS from the University of Almeria have created a system to make smart decisions at home, by connecting physical devices to the internet to control alarm sensors and lighting.

The IOT­based home automation system uses cloud­based technology to help save energy in the home, automating heating and cooling and improving home security, all with remote user management.

The technology would be able to climate sensors in the home to detect whether it should close or lower the blinds if it suddenly starts to rain, or make other decisions that

LOS GALLARDOS has announced a further collaboration with Total Sport Mediterranean for the new season with the announcement of new and exciting sports events to be held from 2023 – 2024, in celebration of the centenary of it becoming an independent municipality.

Having previously hosted events in collaboration with Total Sport Mediterranean, such as the Women’s Cycling Pro Costa de Almería cycling race, which

could make the standard home more efficient and environmentally­friendly.

The researchers from the university have designed an innovative open system based to expand the smart home ecosystem by incorporating third­party devices, enhancing the ease of communication between sensors that collect data and actuators that execute orders based on the data collected.

The system has many possible uses, and could also be used to monitor agricultural processes by regulating air quality, temperature and irrigation in greenhouses or also in industry to automate processes.

Cycling collaboration

was the first UCI 1.1 category cycling in Almeria, and was attended by teams and athletes from around the world.

In a bid to encourage the visitors and tourism these events bring to the town, the town hall is proposing that Los Gallardos be chosen as the starting and finishing point of the next Vuelta Ciclista a Almeria race.

Almeria Costa launches tourism campaign

ALMERIA Regional Council has launched an ambitious and original campaign to promote the destination 'Costa de Almería' that will promote tourism this summer.

On July 29, the regional council announced the campaign, entitled Almeria, the sun I need', for promotion in national, regional and provincial media.

Total Sport Mediterranean are renowned professional sports competition promotors, both regionally and internationally.

In recent years, the promoter has organized toplevel events such as the Women Cycling Pro Costa de Almeria, the Vuelta Ciclista a Almeria, and the Cofidis Women's Spanish Cup.

The campaign promoting benefits of Almería as a tourist destination will be broadcast on television, radio, and published in the press and digital media throughout the summer.

The president of the Diputación de Almería, Javier A. García, said “we want to reach the national tourist who is the primary visitor to our province.

'The sun that I need' refers

to the effect that the 'Costa de Almería' awakens in each tourist once they visit it… inspiring the visitor to return to enjoy our sunshine, nature, gastronomy, history, customs..., and everything that makes Almería a unique experience”.

This promotional campaign is the first of the

new provincial mandate for a push to attract international tourists to the region and generate new routes and destinations for Almeria Airport. This year, the airport has now established flights to and from Paris and Dusseldorf, successfully opening the doors of the French and German tourists.

Diputacion de Almeria launch for new tourism campaign

Credit Diputacion de Almeria

THE MAYOR of Roquetas de Mar, Gabriel Amat, paid a visit to the future pump track, which will be located next to the Aquarium.

When completed, the pump track will be located just a few metres from the beautiful beaches of Roquetas de Mar. This type of layout, with this length of track, will undoubtedly place it among the three longest pump tracks in Spain. It is planned the track will host major regional and national competitions, thereby expanding the tourist and sports offers that our town has.

The pump track is expected to be completed by the end of September.

The province of Almería is causing a lot of talk among the

On track

followers of this new cycling discipline. The province is also in charge of organising the first national competitions since its collaboration with the UCI (International Cycling Union).

Pump tracks were first introduced in the 1970s and originally designed for the moun­

THE Minera de Órgiva company from Granada has been granted permission to begin mining in the Almeria municipality of Berja, where fluorite and galena will be extracted.

Fluorite is used mainly in the manufacture of steel, opalescent glass, and the enamel used for cooking utensils, while Galena is a primary ore of lead, and contains traces of silver.

The government of Andalusia announced that the territorial delegate for Economy, Finance, European Funds and Industry, Energy and Mines, Guillermo Casquet, has given en­

tain bike and BMX scene, and now, due to concrete constructions, they are also used by skateboarders and are accessible to wheelchairs.

Pump tracks are relatively simple to use and cater to a wide variety of rider skill levels.

Mining green light Intelligent city

vironmental authorisation and handed over a concession title to the Minera de Órgiva company for the mining of fluorite and galena at the Sierra de Gádor.

The territorial delegate declared that the entire process will have a minimal environmental impact on the municipality. The mining activities are expected to create at least 60 direct jobs and further indirect ones, to boost economic resources in the area.

Minería de Órgiva began preparing for the mining processes in 2020, to ensure that the necessary infrastructures were in place to revive the abandoned activity of mining.

ALMERIA has been selected as one of the 64 European cities that join the European Commission’s "Intelligent Cities Challenge / Reto de Ciudades Inteligentes" (ICC) initiative in the 2023­25 . The cities that will join the initiative include Spain, Greece, Italy, Romania, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, the Netherlands, Croatia, Luxembourg, Finland, Hungary and Sweden. The initiative is a bid to promote a sustainable and digital transition.

The mayoress of Almeria, María del Mar Vázquez, says that initiative will support the chosen cities throughout “a green and digital transition of their local economies, using technology to boost their economic competitiveness,

and improve the quality of life of their citizens".

12 of the selected cities are Spanish, and they will join the two­year program with high­level training, events, and knowledge exchanges to promote large­scale changes with the help of new technologies. The objective is to promote and accelerate the development of cities towards sustainable, smart and green future.

50 Different varieties of Flamenco.

Pump track works are speeding ahead

Image: Ayuntamiento de Roquetas de Mar

Smart Cities Challenge

Credit: European Commission

Inflation update and planning ahead to protect our savings

It has been two years now since inflation began to climb and we were soon noticing the higher cost of living. Prices peaked last autumn and the situation is improving now. Spain’s Consumer Price Index has returned to normal levels, but in the UK it only dropped below 8% in June.

EU and Spain inflation

After hitting 10.6% last October, overall EU inflation fell to 5.5% in June. Prices have been largely driven, both up then down, by energy costs.

The European Central Bank expects inflation to continue to improve as energy prices fall, food inflation moderates and supply bottlenecks ease, though under current projections it will remain about the bank’s 2% target through to 2025.

Spain’s Consumer Price Index returned to ‘normal’ levels (i.e. close to the 2% target) in June, falling from May’s 3.2% to just 1.9%. Transport and housing inflation are in negative territory but food inflation, though improv-

By Jon Pemberton, Partner, Blevins Franks

ing, remains high at 10.3% .

Unless they are negative, falling inflation rates do not mean that prices are falling, they are just rising less slowly than 12 months previously.

UK inflation

The UK has endured persistently high inflation, but the Consumer Price Index finally fell below 8%, with the

June 7.9% rate beating expectation. Though the lowest since March 2022, it’s still far above the 2% target and the highest in the G7. Fuel prices are falling but food inflation remains stubbornly high at 17.4%.

Earlier in July the Bank of England governor acknowledged consumer prices inflation still unacceptably high but should fall “markedly” over the rest of the year.

Inflation and your savings and retirement income

While falling inflation is very welcome news, we can’t become complacent about the inflation risk and how the rising cost of living affects us over time, particularly when retired.

While the impact of high inflation is quickly noticeable, low inflation is insidious. It seems harmless at the time, but slowly but surely, compounded over the longer-term, erodes the spending power of your savings and income.

As a basic illustration, if you have €50,000 in a current account with no

growth, and inflation is 3% every year, after 10 years its value will have fallen to around €37,000. After 20 years it’s around €27,500 and after 30 just €20,555. That’s a 59% reduction in purchasing power.

Unless your savings grow each year, they will buy you considerably less as the years go by. You need to plan to protect our savings and future income from the rising cost of living – making sure your money lasts as long as you do should be an integral part of your financial planning for retirement.

You need to invest in assets that are usually expected to keep up with inflation over the medium to long term. While you may become more averse to investment risk in retirement, inflation is also a risk to your savings. Reduce investment risk by building a suitable welldiversified portfolio around your risk tolerance, circumstances and objectives.

Work with a wealth management adviser to follow a disciplined investment process:

• Establish your goals and time horizon and objectively calculate your attitude to risk.

• Construct a suitable, well-diversified portfolio to achieve your investment plan and objectives.

• Use quality investment managers.

• Review your portfolio annually to keep it on track.

• Be patient and stick with your plan – it is time in the market, not timing the market, that is likely to help you achieve your longer-term goals.

• Hold your investment portfolio within an arrangement that is tax efficient in Spain.

Seek advice from an advisory firm which provides holistic strategic financial planning advice to integrate your investment planning with your tax and estate planning.

CPI data as at 19 July 2023

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com.

Thank you amigos Firework Photo Finale

CARLOS GARCIA, Jesús Fernández and Tamara

Carmona are announced as the winners of the 'Fireworks Festival' Photography Contest of El Ejido.

After some deliberation by the jury, the names of the photographers for the winning images were of the 'Fireworks Festival'

held in honour of San Isidro Labrador have been announced.

Carlos García Delgado won first place with the snapshot ‘Burst’, and received a prize of €300, and his photograph will be on the poster of the next edition of the competition. A prize of €200 was awarded to Jesús Fer­

Residents reduction

IF you are registered as a resident in Antas, you can drop by the local Town Hall to pick up your "El Árgar Musical" festival full pass and enjoy live music between August 15 to 20. The special resident’s passes will give you full access for only €10, instead of the regular price of €45. Identity documents as proof of residence are required.

The Argar Musical is a unique celebration of Classical Music with the prehistoric Bronze Age culture of this historical site. The festival will return to Al Argar after a successful first edition was held in July 2022 was a great success, and this year the festival will offer a variety of classical musicians throughout the event, or even observe a singing class under the guidance of teachers Miquel Ortega Pujol and Ana Häsler.

“El Argar Musical” has plenty to offer culturally and musically for San Roque Week. Get your discounted pass now.

nández who took second place with his image 'Rockets', and a third prize of €100 went to Tamara Carmona with her image, 'Fantasy'.

The Department of Culture of the El Ejido City Council organizes the annual contest to "promote creativity, expression and increase interest in photography among young people, amateurs and professionals in the municipality, in addition to promoting the festival with the image winner”, according to the minister of Culture, Elena Gómez.

THIS week some of The Walk for Life team met Malcolm Armstrong and Guy Baker of FC Los Amigos Walking Football Team. They presented Walk for Life with a cheque for €400. This was sponsorship by the players of FC Los Amigos for those who did ´The Walk´ in April. This brings the total for The Walk to 2023 to €22,067.76

At the same time Richard Clarke of Calida Homes, sponsors of Los Amigos, gave Walk for Life €1,425. Every year Richard does a walk to raise funds for Walk for Life. This year he did a

CASTILLO DE TABERNAS has created the Indaloliva Olive Oil Association for Almería to provide services and consultancy for Almeria’s olive farmers to increase the production of the region’s extra virgin olive oil.

In the past three decades, the Castillo de Tabernas group from Almería has become an international leader in the olive oil sector. The company has decided to share its wealth of olive culti­

Boost for oil

vation experience and knowledge with farmers in Almería with small olive farms.

The association of olive oil producers seek to improve olive harvests, and increase the quantity and quality of the oil produced in Almería. Participants will receive some free services, with the option of additional paid services

with a significant discount in relation to market price rates. The services will include education on cultivation methods, production and quality, materials and much more.

Rafael Úbeda, the president of Castillo de Tabernas said that they wanted “to transfer our experience to farmers who have small olive groves, without the resources or sufficient knowledge”.

30 kilometer hike in the beautiful Parque de Sierras Cazorla. Thank you and

thank you all who sponsored Richard and Los Amigos

FC Los Amigos presenting the cheque.

MOJACAR Council held its first plenary session held in extraordinary and urgent circumstances on Friday, July 21, since the local elections of May 2023 to announce the power sharing between the Popular Party (PP) and the Socialist Party (PSOE). Rosa María Cano, the previous PP Mayor of Mojacar, continues her role in local government as the First Deputy Mayor and María del Mar Marín as spokeswoman for PSOE.

Noemí Linares is appointed as the Second Deputy Mayor, while Jesús Montoya and María Gracia Alarcón will be take positions as third and fourth Deputy Mayor respectively.

The Mojacar Council was presided over by the PP mayor, Francisco García Cerdá and his councillors. This approved government board will be responsible for the management of the budget, expenditure, urban management and urbanisation projects, agreements with the local council and public employment offers.

Rosa María Cano Montoya was assigned with responsibilities for Social Services, Cleaning, Gardening and Cemetery maintenance services and al­

so take a position in the Almería Levante Region Firefighting and Rescue Consortium and in GALASA.

Noemi Linares Ortiz was assigned Childhood, Education, Finance and Subsidies and will be the representative for school councils of the Bartolomé Flores infant and junior school and the Rey Alabez secondary school.

Antonio Montoya Gredilla was assigned councillor of Festivities, Sport, Youth and Civil Protection and will also have a position in the Almanzora Levante Consortium.

María Gracia Alarcón García was appointed Councillor for Tourism and will represent Mojácar on the Tourism board, while also appointed for the

management of Transport, Contracting, Commerce and New Technology.

Sergio Alonso Soler was appointed Councillor for Works, Heritage, Environment and Land Registry and will represent the local government on PRODER.

Ana María García Fernández was appointed as Councillor for Health, the Elderly and Parks, while last but not least, María Luisa Pérez López was appointed Councillor for Foreign Relations and Citizen Engagement.

The Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá announced his position on the Board of Conservation Entities and Compensation and in the Almeria Levante Region Municipalities Association.

THE ship in charge of monitoring the Marine Reserves of Cabo de Gata­NIjar and Alborán island will be re­christened from Arborame to Hermelindo Castro, in honour of the late, eminent biologist who was a key figure in environmental conservation and awareness in Andalusia.

Professor Castro Nogueira was renowned for his educational and professional career. He was the first provincial director of the Environment Agency in Almeria between 1985 and 1994, then later became the general director of the Network of Protected Natural Areas of Andalusia from 2000 to 2004. Later in his career, in 2008 he launched the Andalusian Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring of Global Change, which was born in the University of Almeria.

Hermelindo Castro Nogueira also coordinated the Scientific Commission of the Doñana Natural Park and chaired the Governing Board of the Cabo de Gata­Níjar Natural Park for many years.

Professor Castro Nogueira was honored by the Government Sub ­ delegation in Almería on the 41st anniversary of the Constitution for his dedication to environmental conservation.

José María Martín, the government sub­delegate, said that the change of name of the ship to Hermelindo Castro "would be a beautiful way of remembering the generosity and commitment that Professor Castro dedicated to this land, Andalusia and Almeria, as one of the staunchest defenders of its value and environmental wealth, both on land and at sea”.

Election reshuffle Boat christened Beach

tennis first

THE Diputación de Almería will be collaborating with the Cabo de Gata Beach Tennis Club to launch the first Beach tennis championship, 'I Open ITF Cabo de Gata’. The beauty of the natural park will be the stunning backdrop for this first edition held from August 3 to 6 at San Miguel Beach, in Cabo de Gata. The deputy for Sports, Healthy Living and Youth, José Antonio García, welcomed the president of the Cabo de Gata Beach Tennis Club, Paqui Torres, and the provincial delegate of the Tennis Federation, David Domínguez, to organize the event.

“Hosting the ITF in the Almeria province will be a benchmark in the celebration of sporting events at the international level”, García said. The exciting event will draw many tennis fans to the region and help to elevate the status of regional beach tennis to an international audience, as well as draw in tourism to the area.

Plenary session for Mojácar Council

Credit Mojácar City Council

Bathers over 60 high risk

STATISTICS for Spain this year have shown that cases of drowning have skyrocketed among 60­year­olds. According to the Ministry of Health, drowning in the water is more common from the age of 60 onwards. More than 35 per cent of those who die from drowning are people over 65, according to a news source on Thursday, July 27.

From January to June this year, 169 people died in Spain from drowning. The age group with the most victims was 65 to 74 years old, with 34 deaths, followed by 55 to 64, with 31.

Data from the Royal Spanish Federation of Rescue and Lifesaving report­

ed that June 2023 was the second month with the most drownings since 2015, with a total of 57 deaths.

Francisco Cano, director of Prevention and Safety at the Royal Spanish Lifeguard and Rescue Federation indicated there are several reasons for this.

The elderly are the ones who spend the most time on the beach, so they are more exposed to the dangers. “They go to the beach very early in the morning and then also in the afternoon, when the lifeguard service finishes, which is used to remind them of the different regulations,” said Cano.

“Moreover, this is the group of people who pay

the least attention to the rules, some don’t like to be told what to do, and many of them carry out activities in the water alone,” he added.

It is very important that the elderly always swim accompanied and in places where the lifeguard service can see them. The fact a person can swim does not mean they cannot drown.

Antena 3

No 1 most watched channel in Spain.

Threat to Iberian Imperial Eagle

ONE of Spain’s most iconic birds of prey, the Iberian Imperial Eagle is at risk of ex tinction due to the water shortage.

Also known as the Spanish Imperial Ea gle, its survival could be at risk due to a lack of water in the protected Doñana area in Andalucia, according to a news source on Wednesday, July 26.

The large raptor is exclusive to the Iberian Peninsula and on ly lives and breeds in Spanish and Por tuguese territory. But SEO/BirdLife has warned that the water shortage Doñana is currently undergoing is bringing one of the national park’s most iconic threatened birds of prey, the Iberian Imperial Eagle, closer to extinc tion. In the 1960s the species was listed as ‘critically endangered,’ with only 30 pairs remaining, all located in Spain.

However, thanks to conservation efforts over the years its population in the peninsula as a whole revealed that there were 821 pairs found in Spain and 20 in Portugal in 2021 and 2022.

The conservation of this bird of prey has historically been one of the priority objectives in the conservation of Doñana’s wildlife, although data from the latest breeding census in 2023 has pointed to a situation of decline.

Of the eight territories occupied in 2023,

seven pairs have started breeding, but four of them have failed completely, and of the six chicks born this year, three have died in the nest for various reasons, meaning that only three Iberian Imperial Eagle chicks have fledged this year in Doñana.

Head of the SEO/BirdLife Technical Office in Doñana, Carlos Davila, said: “Doñana is suffering an unprecedented biodiversity crisis associated with the scarcity of rainfall and, above all, the overexploitation of its water resources, and scientific data are constantly alerting us to the urgency and seriousness of the situation.”

Calls for help with gluten-free

A PETITION has been launched that calls on the Spanish government to help out with the price of glutenfree products, which are considerably higher than standard ones.

People who suffer from Coeliac disease can only eat products without gluten, but to do so they have to pay more for basic foodstuffs such as bread, writes Change.org.

Change.org is an internet platform that allows users to create and sign petitions in order to raise awareness and influence decision­makers.

Xavier Villegas from Barcelona has highlighted an issue which perhaps people who do not suffer from Coeliac disease are not aware of. In an appeal to the Spanish govern­

Gluten-free products cost more than standard ones.

ment, the statement reads: ‘We are calling on the political forces in the Spanish Congress of Deputies to include an amendment in the State Budget to ensure that gluten­free products are taxed at 4 per cent VAT.

‘At present, these products are considerably more expensive, and we do not receive any kind of rebate or subsidy. We need financial support to address this excessive cost overrun, similar to what is offered in other European countries.

‘Help us to ensure that products essential to our diet are available to everyone affected by coeliac conditionyour signature can make a difference in defending the rights of people with coeliac condition!’

So far the petition has gathered over 2,700 signatures, with a little more help this can they hope to get to 5,000 and more, in order to present a compelling case.

At risk of extinction.

Throwing fines

SUMMER is a good time to travel and to enjoy the remote and little­known places of Spain, but it can also be a period in which more driving offences are committed due to these trips.

These circumstances are also compounded by rising temperatures, a risk factor that, together with the recklessness of some people, can lead to a fire.

Throwing cigarette butts from a car window is the offence being pursued by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT).

Despite the decrease in the number of smokers and the greater awareness of the population about fires, it still continues to be one of the serious dangers for forests and fields. A risk of fire is one of the dangers also posed when butts are thrown into roadside gutters full of dry leaves.

Poorly extinguished butts can pose a direct risk of fire, and the remains of glass can cause a “magnifying glass effect” that starts fire.

If throwing a cigarette butt causes a forest fire, the culprits can face a prison sentence of three to six years.

Such is the point of seriousness with which the DGT takes it, that the behaviour of throwing objects from moving cars, including butts, is punishable by fines of €200 and the withdrawal of 4 points from the driving licence.

On the other hand, the sanctions do not stop there. Leaving, pouring or throwing objects of any kind in a public area is a minor offence, according to current legislation.

These acts will be punishable with amounts ranging from €198 to almost €3,800 with more serious incidents caused due to littering could incur fines ranging from €3,800 to almost €9,800.

If a car is not equipped with an ashtray, it is advisable for smokers to carry a plastic bottle half filled with water to be able to extinguish cigarettes effectively.

The Galician Stick

UPON entering the confines of rural Galicia, one of the first things that jumps out is the use of the stick. No, it’s not a cane. This stick doesn’t sport a brass or curved, crooked handle. It’s just a long stick ­ young or old; everyone has one.

Coming from a stickless society in the US, the need for one on a ramble down a country lane seemed off. Sure, all the pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago through Galicia use walking poles on their epic journeys. But the Galician stick bearers weren’t pilgrims. They are women in aprons or men in pullovers and flat caps. Like something

from another century. So, what’s with the stick, I wondered.

It turns out, sticks aren’t what they seem. They are often heirlooms handed down from a parent or grandparent to an adult child. Cherished. So the stick carried by our neighbour to herd her cows from one field to another might well be over 100 years old. And I’m pretty sure these wooden rods are filled with magic.

Our neighbour stopped by to deliver vegetables. She had her stick, and we exchanged pleasantries. When she left, I noticed she had left her stick. Surely, I would see her later. I

put it into the umbrella stand and forgot about it. But there was a knock shortly ­ she was back. “This was my Mother’s stick,” she told me. She wanted to make sure our dog didn’t get it.

We woke up one morning recently to a stick standing just inside our front door. It caught my eye, and I went over to examine it. The top had a knot smoothed over with years of use by some invisible hand.

But where had it come from? I asked my husband, Jeff, and he knew nothing about it.

It seems Galicia provided us with a stick, knowing we are here to stay.

Kelli Field is an American expat writer/blogger living in rural Galicia, and a volunteer for Age in Spain. Some of her other writing about moving to and living in Spain can be found at www.vivaespanamovingtospain.com.

If you’d like to get in touch with Age In Spain, we can be reached at info@ageinspain.org (+34 932 209 741).

Put it out, don’t throw it out.

Credit: Shutterstock.com/Nopphon_1987

POLICE have confiscated huge quantities of food across Spain, including Almeria, Alicante and Murcia, that was unfit for human consumption.

On Thursday, July 27, the Guardia Civil, gave details of Operation Potacar in which they collaborated with the veterinary services of the Provincial Health Department of the Government of Aragon, Valencia and Andalucia, resulting in the seizure of more than 28 tonnes of foodstuffs.

The food was discovered in distribution warehouses located in the provinces of Zaragoza, Valencia and Almeria. During the operation, eight people were ar­

rested and 81 others are being investigated for alleged offences of fraud, public health, falsification of documents and belonging to a criminal group.

The first inspection took place at the premises of a company located in Cuarte de Huerva in Zaragoza.

Investigators seized 1,222 kilos of foodstuffs that were irregular because they had been relabelled with an extension of best­before date.

After analysing traceability, the investigators confirmed that various batches had been sold to other establishments with dates that had been exceeded.

In a second inspection of another company in

Out-of-date food seized Police uncover match fixing

A JOINT investigation involving the National Police, LaLiga and Europol, has uncovered a criminal organisation specialising in match­fixing.

A report from the National Police on Thursday, July 27 revealed how they investigated a criminal organisation dedicated to match­fixing within the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Together with LaLiga and Europol, officers of the National Police arrested a total of 17 people. In Melilla, 11 suspects were detained and six in Granada.

Among those arrested were officials and players of a third division RFEF football team, for allegedly committing the crimes of belonging to a criminal organisation, corruption between private individuals in the field of sport, fraud, money laundering and false documentation.

The investigation began last February when the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling, informed officers of several alerts re­

Zaragoza, the Guardia Civil seized 1,708 kilos of products. Investigators again found evidence of expired consumption dates, as well as food that should have been marketed as fresh produce, but which was frozen before its expiry date and subsequently put on sale with the date exceeded.

In addition to this company, 19 other establishments were inspected throughout Spain, where SEPRONA (Nature Protection Service, a division of the Guardia Civil) found irregularities.

In total, the officers seized 18,196 kilos of products unfit for human consumption.

ceived from different online gambling platforms. Multiple bets had been placed from Melilla on specific results of football matches played by a team from the city.

Simultaneously, LaLiga reported an anonymous communication received through its whistleblower channel, in which they reported suspicious practices of the same football team.

Investigators soon uncovered a complex criminal network, showing that the president of the team himself, managed the rigging, by involving players he trusted. The players also used third parties to place the bets and thus avoid being linked to the bets placed and the matches played.

Police investigations also showed that the same sports club has been the beneficiary of subsidies which were used fraudulently to increase the amounts to be collected.

Seven football matches are still being investigated and further arrests have not been ruled out, and the total amount swindled from the bookmakers cannot yet be quantified.

PRODUCTS SEIZED: Unfit for human consumption.

THE PRESENCE of a 'toxic cloud' in the Strait of Gibraltar has been denounced by Verdemar Ecologists in Action on Sunday, July 30.

According to the environmental organisation, ships passing through the corridor are responsible for these emissions. In a statement on social media, they claimed that levels are 'skyrocketing' in the Bay of Algeciras in Cadiz province. A similar problem exists in the North African enclave of Ceuta they added.

Despite the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Mitma), deploying drones to monitor the control of air polluting emissions from ships, the situation is still occurring they insisted.

This system of monitoring is carried out in collaboration with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy.

Verdemar pointed out that 'apparently' the EMSA drone, called 'RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems)', has returned to the Strait of Gibraltar for the second time to detect the level of sulphur oxide emissions, as reported by a national news outlet.

Ships can be seen emitting fumes most days claimed Verdemar

'It is easy to see the plumes of smoke coming from ships

crossing the Strait of Gibraltar without control', they stated. These come from ships that 'pollute the air and, due to the action of the wind, this contamination spreads tens of kilometres inland, increasing local air quality problems', they added.

As a result of these emissions, the environmental organisation stressed that par­

'Toxic cloud' denounced Buy now

ticles of pollutants such as soot, sulphur and nitrogen oxides 'harm human health, the environment, and the climate'.

The fumes could cause serious health problems such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including strokes and cancer, which can lead to premature death'.

RENFE users can now purchase free tickets for Cercanías, Rodalies and Media Distancia, with tickets valid for journeys made between September 1 and December 31, 2023.

The purchase of these tickets is possible through the Cercanías Renfe application and in the case of Media Distancia tickets, this can be done through the renfe.com website and via the usual sales channels, (stations, vending machines, etc).

To do this, clients must be previously registered. For Avant rail services, the 50 per cent discount on season tickets is maintained.

This same discount is applied to other highspeed routes that have been declared a Public Service Obligation (OSP), which operate under the same conditions as an Avant Pass.

In order to purchase the subscription, although it is free, it is necessary to pay a deposit of €10 in the case of Cercanías and Rodalies, and €20 for each conventional Media Distancia service.

Payment by card will allow the automatic return of the deposit, once it is verified that the condition of having made 16 trips during these four months has been met.

For children aged under 14 without ID, a recurring subscription for Media Distancia services are now being offered.

This can also be purchased at renfe.com or through the Renfe app on a mobile device.

A parent or guardian may acquire, through their NIF, NIE or passport, a maximum of four child passes for one origin and destination, during the period of validity.

Customers who have used the free commuter pass for Cercanías, Rodalies or Media Distancia in the first four ­ month period of 2023 will have their deposit returned, provided they have met the relevant conditions.

Image of fumes from a ship in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Autonomous communities in Spain.

DENMARK

Globe trotter

DANISH man completes decade-long journey visiting every country without flying. Torbjørn Pedersen's trip started in October 2013 and lasted 3,512 days. He relied on buses, trains, boats, and walking to complete the epic journey and all with just a $20 daily budget. He arrived in the Maldives as his 203rd and final country, returning home on a container vessel.

Quran burning

DENMARK faces backlash after a Quran burning incident which lead to protests following the desecration of the holy book outside the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen. The act triggered widespread condemnation and raised concerns about freedom of expression versus respecting religious sensitivities. Danish authorities' handling of the situation, including the arrest of a woman trying to protect the Quran, drew criticism.

THE NETHERLANDS

Litter louts

GOING green can be costly as Amsterdam Council has found out since Holland imposed a refundable fee on buying products in cans and bottles. Many simply throw these away in rubbish bags which are ripped open by those looking to reclaim the deposits from shops leaving rubbish scattered throughout the city streets.

Geothermal heat

ICELAND has learned to live with its volcanoes and geothermal heat which helps to warm 90 per cent of its houses at vastly reduced financial and environmental cost. Now a group in Friesland in the north of The Netherlands, the Stogef Foundation wants to do the same using water from an underwater dormant volcano.

ITALY

Joint arrest

A joint collaboration between the police forces of Italy and Spain has led to the arrest in Madrid of a violent fugitive on Monday, July 24.

The Spanish National Police arrested the man who is wanted in Italy for drug trafficking, violence and money laundering offences.

Famous u-turn

Alessandra Mussolini, 60, the granddaughter of Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and also niece to Sophia Loren, has performed a U-turn, from her infamous far-right homophobic comments to now advocating for LGBTQ+ rights

Ms Mussolini was previously a pop singer, playboy model and film actress before she took up politics.

PRESS EURO

FRANCE

Returning home

YUAN Meng, a six-year-old giant panda, the first of his species to ever be born in captivity in France, was emotionally sent on a journey from France to Chengdu in China on Tuesday, July 25. In 2012, his parents, Yuan Zi and Huan Huan were loaned to Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan by the Chinese authorities, the first time such an initiative had occurred.

Singer stable

The Pogues' legendary frontman, Shane MacGowan,65, has been treated in a Dublin hospital since late June for an unknown illness. MacGowan is married to 57-year-old Victoria Mary Clarke, who said: ‘He is still in hospital but he is doing well and being looked after. He is out of the ICU and doing well.’

Unfortunate mix up

A family from Tipperary, Ireland was left traumatised when a repatriation service delivered the body of a Frenchman, instead of their father, 83- year-old Michael Curley died of a heart attack while holidaying in Lanzarote. The Spanish-based funeral service and an English-based repatriation service recognised the error and quickly rectified it, enabling the late Mr Curley’s funeral to go ahead as planned.

Sentiment index rise

According to a recent survey by the GfK Institute, the way people feel about their financial situation and the economy is improving. They believe that inflation of the rising cost of goods and services will go down soon. This positive outlook on income helped the consumer sentiment index to rise to24.4.

Far-right fortress

The German far-right party, AfD, elected Maximilian Krah as its lead candidate for the European Parliament election. They aim to challenge the EU from within and create a strong anti-migrant stance, rejecting alliances with less radical right-wing parties. Krah received over 65% of the delegates' votes and expressed the party's increasing popularity.

GERMANY BELGIUM

Tomorrow today

THE Tomorrowland festival, staged annually in the Belgian town of Boom near Antwerp, is one of the world’s most popular and spectacular live events for fans of electronic dance music. Working with sponsor BMW, Tomorrowland is this year giving music lovers the chance to generate their own dance hits with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

Forest deadline

The Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir had promised over 4,000 extra hectares of forest would be planted in Flanders by the end of 2024, although with just a year until the deadline not even a third (1,127 hectares) has been planted. The Flemish Green Party has stressed that the current efforts are not enough.

Cyber Attack

NORWAY’S government faced a significant cyber-attack on 12 ministries, raising concerns about national cybersecurity. The attack exploited a software vulnerability from a supplier, and its origin and perpetrators remain unknown. The incident highlights the need for robust cybersecurity protocols across all government entities.

Cycling Mayor

NORWEGIAN city mayor, Jonas Andersen Sayed, cycled from Sokndal to Zaliztsi in Ukraine, raising approximately US$14,500 for the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The money funded the purchase of drones, computer equipment, tablets, a thermal imager, and a power generator. This was Andersen's fourth bike trip to Ukraine since the invasion, supporting the military.

NORWAY FINLAND

Slimming swim

54-year-old Patrik Kvikant raised €10,000 after a mammoth charity swim from Estonia, across the Gulf of Finland before he arrived nearly three days later on the shore of Helsinki According to Kvikant, he burned as many calories during the three-day swim as an adult male does over two weeks.

Happiest country

For years now Finland has been named as the world’s happiest country. According to a psychology expert, it can be summed up in one sentence: ‘Make yourself meaningful to others.’ Here are Finland’s five pillars of meaningful living. Follow your heart’s desire, share your knowledge, perform random acts of kindness, be a good neighbour and stay close to your loved ones.

Junior approval

INNOVATIVE drugs used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis have been approved for use in children between 6 and 11 years old in Portugal. Infarmed extended the use of Kaftrio and Kalydeco for treatment in the National Health Service, as confirmed by the Medicines and Health Products Authority. Previously, their use was authorised only for the treatment of those aged 12 years or older.

Fishy fears

MORE than half of the freshwater fish species in Portugal's rivers are threatened with extinction. This information was revealed in the 'Red Book of Freshwater and Diadromous Fishes' which stated that six of them were critically endangered. The study looked at 43 species of fish, and confirmed the extinction of the sturgeon in Portugal.

IRELAND PORTUGAL SWEDEN

On holiday

HUNGARY'S opposition party had requested that parliament be convened last Monday, July 31, to vote through Sweden’s NATO membership and other issues. However, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's spokesman said: 'We see no reason to rush, why can't we do this according to the usual agenda?'. The implied meaning seemed to be that Fidesz does not intend to vote on NATO until the parliament's summer recess is over this autumn.

Permit increase

Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, revealed that the police had received multiple applications for more permits to burn religious books. He voiced his concern that more burnings could only further escalate the already high tensions among Muslim nations.

Giant panda Yuan Meng.

Credit: Twitter@zoobeauval

BUSINESS EXTRA

Cleaned out

BRITISH shoppers are buying less soap, according to Reapp, the supermarket retail app. Leading chains have reported a drop in sales of these items owing to the cost of living crisis, with soap sales falling by 48 per cent in the first six months of 2023 and handwash by 23 per cent.

Up and down

ENDESA registered an €879 million first­half net profit, 4 per cent less than the same period last year. Revenues of €13.12 billion fell 11.6 per cent due to this year’s lower electricity prices although earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation improved by 27 per cent to €2.48 billion.

More jobs

EL CORTE INGLES increased its workforce by 3.69 per cent last year and now has 81,434 employees ­ 50,674 of whom are women and 30,760 menin its stores, supermarkets and travel agencies. The increase in staff was mainly due to the chain’s acquisition of Logitravel, the company explained.

Not so bad

BRITAIN is on course to outperform Germany this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said, after its gloomiest predictions for the UK economy did not materialise. The IMF foresees that the UK economy will grow by 0.4 per cent this year, confirming forecasts that were initially published last May.

Low-flying

HEATHROW AIRPORT did not return to profit in this year’s first half despite increased passenger numbers. The airport, which reported a £139 million (€162.8 million) adjusted pre­tax loss for the first half of 2023, blamed the Civil Aviation Authority, which capped the amount it could charge airlines for each passenger.

STAT OF WEEK €607 million

net profit for Spain’s state-owned airports management company Aena during the first six months of this year, compared with €559 million during the same period in pre-pandemic 2019.

Record half-year for bank

Linda Hall BANCO SANTANDER’S

€5.241 billion first­half results were the best in the bank’s history and 7.1 per cent more than the same period in 2022. This would have risen to 11.7 per cent without the impact of the €224 million windfall tax charged on 2022’s profits and paid this year.

The January­June figures exceeded analysts’ estimates who predicted a €5.151 billion profit, and the markets responded with shares rising almost 2 per cent on July 26 when the figures were announced.

Continual increases in interest rates, introduced

over the last year by the European Central Bank (BCE) to combat inflation, boosted Santander’s performance in Europe.

“We are making good progress towards our goals of simplifying business procedures and making the most of our global

PUTIN’S expropriation of Danone and Carlsberg’s Russian assets could do his ambitions more harm than good.

“He is shooting himself in the foot because this will actually help the West to push back Putin by damaging the Russian economy,” reasoned Mark Dixon, founder of the Moral Rating Agency (MRA).

“It will bring Russia closer to a desert island economy,” he said. “The forced separation of democratic and undemocratic economies is critical for democracy to survive and prevail,” he declared, adding that the expropriated companies deserved their comeuppance.

“Danone and Carlsberg continued to profit from Russia after the invasion of

Still going

LEO MESSI’S Spanish companies had a €59.77 million turnover in 2021, the year he left FC Barcelona and moved to Paris San Germain.

Limecu España 2010, which handles Messi’s companies and image rights, made a €6 million profit in 2021, €550,000 less than the previous year, according to accounts recently published in Spain’s Registro Mercantil, equivalent to Companies House in the UK.

Limecu, which deals primarily with image rights, is administered by Rodrigo Martin Messi, the footballer’s brother who manages most of his business interests.

strengths,” Santander’s executive president Ana Botin said.

The bank’s gross income rose 11.5 per cent to €28.01 billion, bolstered by growth in net interest income, which rose 13.6 per cent to €20.92 billion. Net fees and commissions rose 4.3 per

cent to €6.103 billion.

It is on these two areas that government calculates its temporary windfall tax charged on banks’ activities inside Spain, which is Santander’s principal market. During the first half of the year, the domestic market accounted for €3.161 billion in net interest income and €1.413 billion in net fees and commissions.

Europe was the group’s principal driving force during the first six months. Spain, whose customer base increased by 362,000, contributed €1.132 billion, displacing Brazil as the bank’s traditional source of non­Spanish earnings.

A desert island economy

leave Russia and ironically they have now been forced out by the very dictator they were propping up.”

Corporate watchdog MRA was created to remove Russia from Ukraine, using this momentum to help pro­democracy Russians get Putin and his regime out of the country.

NEW government procedures targeting promoters of tax avoidance schemes fall short, recruitment experts maintained.

“Holding responsible the directors of companies involved in promoting tax avoidance is something we called for and welcome,” Tania Bowers, Global Policy Director at the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), said. Businesses knowingly involved in fraud were unlikely to be swayed by additional criminal charges. Instead, their access to recruitment should be cut off, Bowers suggested.

“Complete transparency is required to ensure no firm inadvertently partners with a non­compliant business due to lack of information,” she added.

Good figures

STELLANTIS reported recordbreaking first­half earnings of €10.92 billion, a 37 per cent increase on 2022.

With a €98.37 billion turnover, the global group attributed its success to increased demand and stabilised supply chains, although earnings benefited from higher vehicle prices, chief financial officer Natalie Knight said.

Ukraine and have therefore supported the Russian economy, which pays for that invasion,” he said.

“They have resisted our pressures to

Keeping afloat

THE UK government plans to boost sales of British­made ships with £500 million (€583.46 million) in credit guarantees.

The Department of Trade will assist borrowers who wish to buy UK­built vessels in a bid to boost Britain’s languishing yards.

Shipbuilders working for the defence sector are helped by longstanding orders from the Royal Navy, but the civilian industry has a hard time competing with cheaper yards overseas, including Spain.

Companies in the running to profit from the new scheme include Harland & Wolff, a name forever associated with the Belfast shipyard where the Titanic was built, and Cammell Laird, which produced the €200 million (€233.3 million) polar research vessel that a public poll wanted to call Boaty McBoatface. Wight Shipyard, which builds the Thames Clipper river buses, could also benefit.

The latest expropriations would actually help the West by damaging the Russian economy, the organisation said, describing it as a “positive” development.

“Putin’s behaviour is reprehensible, but he is unwittingly harming Russia,” Dixon added.

Package deal

A UK government scheme obliging packaging manufacturers to meet the cost of recycling their products has been deferred from October 2024 to 2025.

The decision was the result of wideranging talks with the industry and taking into account consumers and businesses’ problems in the current economic context, environment minister Rebecca Pow explained.

The additional year will be used to discuss the scheme’s design with industry, reducing the cost of implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) wherever possible.

“Producers are already beginning to use less packaging and adopt easier­torecycle formats,” Pow said.

“We expect this to continue, ensuring that costs are not passed onto households later on.”

The group, the world’s third most­important vehicle manufacturer which owns Peugeot, Fiat and Jeep, produces approximately 850,000 cars annually in Vigo, Zaragoza and Madrid.

Chief executive Carlos Tavares described the first six months of 2023 as “impressive” but admitted that Stellantis would have to cut costs to maintain profitability.

Moving up

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased its growth outlook for Spain to 2.5 per cent.

This is one percentage point above the IMF’s original prediction and half a percentage point above the Spanish government’s own forecast.

“In general, instability is never good for the economy,” the IMF’s chief economist Pierre Gourinchas said on July 25.

“I believe that we need to wait and see how the process ends and where Spain’s population wants to go with the results of these elections,” Gourinchas said in reference to the July 23 poll.

ANA BOTIN: Bank making good progress, executive chairwoman announced.

CARLSBERG: Head office in Copenhagen (Denmark).

Photo credit: Ana Botin

Tougher measures call

Photo credit: carlsberggroup.com

DOW JONES

Euro

EUR/GBP: Up from £0.85 to £0.86

EUR/USD: Up from $1.09 to $1.11

The euro wavered in the last week of June as European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate expectations fluctuated in response to hawkish comments from ECB President Christine Lagarde and weaker-than-expected Eurozone inflation.

EUR exchange rates continued to trade sideways at the start of July amid some lacklustre Eurozone data releases.

The euro found its footing again in the middle of the month, with the single currency being bolstered by its negative correlation with the US dollar. The resulting movement even carried EUR/USD to a new 15-month high.

However, the single currency then faltered again in the second half of July, amid a lack of notable Eurozone data and a resurgent US dollar.

CURRENCY OUTLOOK: POUND ROCKED BY FLUCTUATING BOE RATE BETS, US DOLLAR STRIKES MULTI-MONTH LOWS

Unsurprisingly, the ECB’s next interest rate decision will be the primary focus for EUR investors over the next month. While a 25bps hike is widely expected, the euro could face some headwinds if the ECB appears more cautious regarding the potential for further increases.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Down from €1.16 to €1.15

GBP/USD: Up from $1.27 to $1.28

Trade in the pound was highly erratic over the past month, amid speculation regarding future Bank of England (BoE) interest rate hikes.

At the end of June, Sterling was still being pressured by fears the BoE may tighten the UK into a recession to bring inflation under control.

However, these fears began to fade as we entered July, with GBP exchange rates being buoyed by speculation the BoE may deliver another 50bps rate hike in August. Expectations for which were compounded by

a record increase in UK wage growth. Sterling subsequently plummeted as we entered the second half of the month. The publication of weakerthan-expected UK inflation figures triggered a correction in the pound as GBP investors repriced their bets for the BoE’s next rate decision.

Looking ahead, it looks unlikely the pound will be able to retest its recent highs in the near future. In addition to the BoE likely delivering a more modest 25bps rate hike next month, the bank may hail June’s CPI figures as a ‘turning point’ in its fight

against inflation.

US Dollar

USD/GBP: Down from $0.78 to $0.77

USD/EUR: Down from €0.91 to €0.89

The US dollar was supported in late June by some hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. In which he hinted the bank could deliver another couple of rate hikes by the end of 2023.

However, these Fed rate hike bets were quickly dampened by the publi-

cation of weaker-than-expected US payroll figures.

The US dollar then plummeted to a 15-month low against both the euro and the pound in the middle of July. The plunge came as US inflation cooled at a faster-than-expected pace and further undermined Fed rate hike bets.

The ‘greenback’ subsequently rebounded as we entered the second half of the month as demand for the safe-haven currency was strengthened by risk-off flows.

The Fed will deliver its latest interest rate decision in the last week of July. Another 25bps rate hike if expected, but if the Fed signals its hiking cycle has run its course the US dollar is likely to tumble.

Currencies Direct have helped over 425,000 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.

POUND TRADING: Was highly erratic over the past month.

When does humour become not funny?

BUYING GOODS ONLINE OUR VIEW

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

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

The British sense of humour, sometimes indefinable and unique, has always been a bit of a mystery to the rest of the world and often something that most foreigners simply can't get their heads around. Some years ago, I wrote that whatever the

terrorist or our enemies can throw at us nothing will ever rob us of our most commendable and enduring gift, our humour. Well I was wrong. At the time of writing that particular piece we weren't being strangled by the despicable, destructive, and downright traitorous yolk of the PC brigade.

Not content with changing their fellow citizens from a nation that prided and flourished through its policies of oratory freedom into a herd of sheep, watching every word they say and almost frightened to open their mouths in case they offend somebody, this utterly superfluous bunch of time and woke wasters have finally managed to turn their attack on one of the most dearly loved jewels of our culture, our purveyors of comedy.

Subsequently most comedians are simply not funny anymore. Jokes that retain reference to classism, ageism, ableism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, xenophobia or Islamophobia are just not allowed on public platforms.

For the new breed its ok to repeat appalling swear words, or even un­

dermine white culture, but step out of line against a minority and you can bid your career goodbye.

One TV channel I tune into actually presents (with a large cautionary notice) a wonderful selection of early brilliant British comedy shows. ‘Benny Hill’ ‘Till Death do Us Part’ ‘Hale and Pace’ to name but a few. Many contain racist humour but they are glaringly non ­ contemptuous, simply frivolously humorous. What I find truly disturbing about this whole PC farce is just how far this Orwellian situation is allowed to go.

Another bunch of them have now issued guidelines instructing schools that eight­year olds be taught that all genders can have periods ­ to avoid...... wait for it. ‘Offending girls who identify as boys’! Well, frankly if I had my way, I would prosecute these morons for child abuse. Unfortunately, as a member of a majority, nobody is allowed to listen to me!

DURING lockdown, few of us were able to go shopping in person and ended up buying large amounts of product online.

This activity made many large businesses upgrade their websites to offer a wider and faster range of services and many of us still buy a great deal of material online.

There has certainly been some return to personal shopping although it is telling that Amazon have recently closed two of their self­service, cashless physical supermarkets as it would appear that they were not proving popular.

It can be difficult to buy online from the UK because of Brexit and unless the store you are purchasing from has registered for European VAT and is shipping goods below a certain value, there is often a delay and the possibility of the purchaser having to pay customs duties.

Online stores situated within the European Union can supply goods to any other EU State which means that local online sellers should in theory become more competitive.

One of Spain’s largest fashion giants has until recently used Correos for delivery and the Spanish Post Office has generally been very efficient but now they have changed and are using other couriers who presumably offer a cheaper service.

We have readers who complain that despite paying for home delivery, couriers simply state that they have tried to deliver and couldn’t so have left the goods at a central point for collection which may be several kilometres away. If the purchaser doesn’t collect the goods, then they are returned to the seller and refund can take anything up to a month which is no good for anyone.

Navigating healthcare in Spain

FOR expats over 50 in Spain, understanding the healthcare system is crucial to ensure well­being in your new home.

Spain boasts a comprehensive public healthcare system, available to residents and contributing expats.

To access public healthcare, obtain a health card (tarjeta sanitaria) from the local health centre. Private health insurance is also popular, providing faster access to specialists and English ­ speaking medical services. Pharmacies are abundant and can provide over ­ thecounter remedies, but prescription medicines may require a doctor’s visit. Expats should familiarise themselves with local hospitals and clinics, ensuring they receive the care and support they need to enjoy their Spanish adventure with peace of mind.

Mature make-up

IN Spain, women over 50 are redefining beauty standards, and the cosmetics industry is taking note. Spanish brands are championing make­up that enhances natural beauty while also catering to the specific needs of mature skin. Hydrating foundations, luminous blushes and subtle eye make­up that flatter rather than cover are gaining popularity. Sunscreen, a must in sunny Spain, is seamlessly incorporated into daily make­up routines.

Nourishing lip colours, fighting dryness while

Men’s cardiovascular health

GENTLEMEN over 50, it’s time to prioritise your heart health! Enjoy regular exercise, a heart­friendly diet, and stress management to reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues.

Annual check­ups and monitoring blood pressure are vital steps for early detection.

Take charge of your heart’s well­being and savour life with a strong heart.

Remember, small lifestyle changes can yield significant benefits for your cardiovascular system.

With a proactive approach to heart health, you can enjoy a fulfilling and active life well into your golden years. Your heart deserves the utmost care ­ so start today!

1% Spanish beauty sector grew in 2022.

adding a vibrant pop, are a favourite. Additionally, make­up lessons focusing on techniques for mature skin are offered at beauty academies and cosmetics counters alike. The emphasis is not on concealing age, but on celebrating it. After all, confidence is the best beauty secret.

Women over 50 are showing the world that age is just another facet of their radiant beauty.

HEART HEALTH: Monitoring blood pressure is important.

IS it dinner or tea? Which is better: Rugby Union or Rugby League? And what on earth is Sconegate?

These are just some of the burning issues that get Britons into a lather. A study commissioned by the managing director of Megabus, Mark Venables, to celebrate 20 years of bringing people together, also highlighted the differences of opinion up and down the UK.

A survey of 2,000 people was intended to set the records straight, but in reality, it just added more fuel to the debate.

Sconegate. One might think this relates to the pronunciation of ‘scone’ (scone or skon), but it actually revolves around the age­old debate of ‘jam or cream first’.

The study revealed there was a clear winner. Thirtythree per cent of those

Vote to settle regional differences

prefer to use the word ‘cob’ and ‘barm’ is the most popular term for those living in the north east. Other suggestions included bread bun, bread cake and even tea cake.

Among other issues were, ketchup vs brown sauce and rugby union versus rugby league, English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea.

polled said they preferred a scone with jam first, the Cornwall way. A mere 18 per cent, said the correct way was clotted cream first with a topping of jam, known as the Devonshire version.

Other regional differences included whether an evening meal should be

called ‘dinner’ or ‘tea’.

There were many different suggestions as to what was the proper name for a small round bread loaf. ‘Bap’ ranked highly for those living in the south east with, while ‘roll’ was the most common term of phrase for the Scots. However, East Midlanders

Human meat factory

A DOCUMENTARY entitled ‘The British Miracle Meat’ saw TV personality Greg Wallace visit a human meat factory.

Viewers were horrified as they watched the programme hosted by Channel 4, which covered the controversial idea of harvesting human meat, wrote a news source on Monday, July 24.

It seems the UK’s cost of living crisis knows no bounds as a factory in Lincolnshire called Good Harvest pays human donors to contribute their cells in order to produce meat.

The TV investigation discovered that desperate donors could get ‘£250 for a single buttock, double is £400,’ from the processing plant which said it was about to launch a range of human meat extracted from children under the age of seven.

Fifty ­ eight ­ year ­ old Wallace, who introduced himself as ‘the bald bloke off the telly’, spoke to factory

manager Mick Ross, who went on to inform viewers that he had fed his family ‘human steak.’

It was then explained that anything you like from steaks to burgers, sausages can be harvested from ‘thin slices of human tissue’ in a ‘nutrient rix mich’ that causes cells to grow into what they called a cake.

The main point of the programmes was to show how much cheaper ‘human flesh’ is than the animal alternative. One steak can cost as little as 99p, giving hard­up families a chance of survival despite the difficult cost of living crisis many UK families are experiencing.

Of course, the programme was a scam, a mad idea with a sobering message. It was Channel 4’s satirical comment on the state of real families up and down the country who find themselves in dire straits. The show aimed to highlight how bad will things get before serious action is taken.

And if anyone was wondering where to find the best curry in the UK, the survey said Birmingham is the ‘curry capital’ with 24 per cent, followed by Bradford, 11 per cent and Manchester with 10 per cent.

A modern Beano

The classic children’s comic, The Beano, celebrated its 85th anniversary on July 30, but it also emerged that the national treasure is now written with today’s woke culture in mind, according to a national news source.

Mike Stirling, who is in charge of The Beano’s creative direction, has revealed that new Beano characters are assessed and written with input from Inclusive Minds, a group that promotes ‘inclusion, diversity, equality and accessibility in children’s literature.’

The famous Bash Street Kids have a few new classmates this year, joining the likes of not­so­bright Smiffy, is artist Khadija Raad, who wears a hijab; Mandira Sharma, a girl struggling with anxiety; and Rubi, a wheelchairbound scientist with ginger hair.

Some of the gang’s favourites have also had a name change. The descriptively named character Spotty is now Scotty, while Fatty now has the name, Freddy. The rationale is to send a more positive message to young ones feeling insecure about acne or weight problems.

With the threat of being labelled ‘woke,’ The Beano’s creative director said: ‘We have never seen that as a negative term. It’s awareness and being awake to things.’

In hot water

RECENT statistics have revealed record­breaking sea temperatures in Spain’s coastal areas, which are not only a threat to marine wildlife but also are predicted to increase the risk of storms later in the year.

The temperature of the Mediterranean Sea continues to rise. During the week of July 20, coastlines reached 28.7 degrees according to a report by a national news outlet.

The previous recorded temperature was in 2003 when 28.4 degrees Celsius was recorded in the Mediterranean. Experts claim the rise threatens marine wildlife and will lead to an increase in storms

Silvia Falcó, at the head of the research, warns that ‘previously 28 degrees was reached in September, after the accumulation of heat throughout the summer, but if now in July we have already exceeded that barrier, it is cause for concern.’ After a

sweltering summer with temperatures still to be recorded in August and September, ‘these figures may continue to rise.’

Many bathers who take to the sea to cool off have found to their surprise that the water is too warm.

The rise in temperature could be so lethal that ‘some organisms will not tolerate it and will die,’ warns Falcó. Scientists also expect to see ‘a change in the composition of the fauna,’ as well as adaptations and changes in be ­

Providing financial assistance

THE British Benevolent Fund was funded over a century ago to provide financial assistance for British nationals in extreme financial distress and who have no other recourse, whether friends or family or state support.

The BBF works with partner charities from www.supportin spain.info across the country as well as the UK´s eight consular offices in Spain in order to help those who have no other means.

She had no bank accountand the boyfriend was a controlling person who made it difficult for her to leave the house without him ­ they lived in an isolated property requiring a vehicle for any errands or visits.

and prayed he would not see her ­ she made it!

She is now back in the UK staying with a friend while she rebuilds her life.

Researchers explain that some molluscs die in a few days, an would only survive if they are buried in the sand. In the case of jellyfish, whose temperatures fluctuate with the environment, ‘might need more food and, therefore, be more active.’

Another consequence Falcó points out is that the accumulated heat of the sea could lead to extreme meteorological effects such as storms, hurricane­force winds in autumn.

Recently we were made aware of a young woman who had been living in Spain for some years who had tried to contact with the authorities over a domestic abuse situation.

The lady in question was in fact visited in her home by police officers who found no cause to investigate. The boyfriend was at the home at the time and she didn’t use the opportunity to make the complaint.

But she did the next day contact the British consulate to ask for assistance to return to the UK.

He had possession of her passport.

Her family in the UK were estranged and it seemed a difficult task for her to leave anywhere ­ let alone get a flight home.

However, she was determined to make the break when the opportunity arose ­ which it did just last week ­ the consulate was able to issue an emergency travel document which the BBF paid for as well as the flight back to the UK and some travel expenses.

She left with one bagwalked 3kms to the bus stop

The BBF can only help people like her with your support ­ if you would like to make a donation to the British Benevolent Fund please visit our website www.britishbenevolentfund.or g ­ thank you on behalf of the many for your help.

Olaf Clayton, Chair BBF

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

haviour.

Sea temperatures are quickly rising

Advertising Feature Voss Homes

Property of the week Villa Mirador near Huercal-Overa

NEW & EXCLUSIVE TO VOSS HOMES ­ A beautifully presented, recently decorated Country Villa with stunning country and hill side views with three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, H&C air con, hobby room, 8m x 4m swimming pool, large Florida style meshed enclosure, garage, workshop and private, established, fenced gardens of approx 2,000m2 immediately around the villa plus approx another 9,500m2 of hillside land.

Three minutes drive to Santa Maria with bar / restaurant, shop, doctors, chemists and school. Six minutes drive to Urcal with similar amenities and 10 mins drive to Huercal­Overa town with numerous shops, supermarkets, restaurants, sports and leisure facilities, historic buildings, twice weekly street market (Monday and Thursday) and hospital. The beaches of San Juan de Los Terreros or Mojacar are 45 minutes drive away.

Entry into the property is via iron gates on to the large driveway at the rear of the villa with plenty of room for numerous cars. Also here is a open garage and small workshop. Surrounding the property is a huge variety of

established Mediterranean plants and trees. On both sides of the villa are further gardens which lead to the swimming pool area.

To the side and rear of the house is a huge Florida style meshed enclosure of approx 40m2 which is part covered porch with archways making an excellent ‘inside ­ outside’ living / dining room and general entertaining area with attractive night lighting, a variety of plants, built in bbq and a dog kennel. From here is access to the very useful hobby / utility

room and a further door leads out to the private rear gardens and swimming pool area. Also in the enlosure is a wooden stable door leading into the villa. The first room is the very large open plan living room and dining room with high ceilings, H&C air con, cosy log burning fire with feature fireplace and super efficient pellet burning fire. The dining area is large enough to have a computer desk / study area. Next to the dining area through an archway is the large kitchen with lots of

€259,950 euros

storage cupboards and worktop space.

From the living room a hallway takes you to the bedrooms and bathrooms. All three bedrooms are large doubles and have built in wardrobes and ceiling fans. The main bedroom has an ensuite bathroom. At the end of the passageway is the family shower room.

Voss Homes is a British family­run business with offices in the thriving, market town of Huercal­Overa and the village of La Alfoquia village (Zurgena).

For more information or to arrange a viewing of VH2214 please contact Voss Homes on 0034 950 616 827 or email us at enquiries@vosshomesspain.com.

THE STORY BEHIND THE HEADLINES

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

IT’S not often I’m left speechless, but when I last saw my gynaecologist in London he reminded me what he’d said previously: “That novel of yours really could have been about me!”

I was unaware he even knew about my debut novel, The De Clerambault Code, or the others. (Actually, he’d read every single one.) Just like the main character in it, he described how he’d been obsessively stalked by a patient who sent him aggressive emails ending up in blackmail. Eventually, he referred himself to the General Medical Council and subsequently totally cleared by the medical tribunal.

What a personal story, which hit the national headlines! There wasn’t time to mention I’d also been stalked (in Los Angeles) resulting in the obsessive delusional relationship depicted in my novel. Nor that studying criminal law there led to my writing these psychological suspense crime thrillers featuring investigative journalist Alice Myers, including the latest, The Couple across the Street.

Which reminds me, once one of my readers, a fellow hack, graciously offered to proofread my manuscript and pinpoint any errors in punctuation, spelling and style. Of course i spel perffecttly and theres never no punktuation, erors! so her job was like, :­ easy!

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers (www.nora­john son.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

VILLA MIRADOR: Country villa with stunning views, private swimming pool and excellent ‘inside-outside’ living space.

Ref.

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.

Advertising Feature Grupo Platinum

Apartment with modern lines and bright spaces

FIRST-FLOOR property in immaculate condition. Perfect choice for holidays and permanent home, you choose! This two bedroom apartment has modern lines and bright spaces, built to the highest qualities. Spacious lounge dining room leading out to the large terrace with plenty of room for dining and sunbathing. Beautiful views and lots of sunshine, whilst enjoying the communal pool and gardens.

A fully fitted modern kitchen with plenty of work and storage space with all appliances. A utility room leading off, with plenty of storage, water and electricity. Two spacious bedrooms with fully fitted wardrobes and installation of air conditioning. A large bathroom is sectioned into three so that you have the privacy of a shower room and use of the toilet at the same time. A lift gives access to all floors.

We urge you to view this property now. Call us now to organise a viewing, in person or with a live link. 950 466 112 Beautiful common areas ­ gardens,

swimming pools, jacuzzis, and a short walk from the sea. Enjoy the sun on the beach­pool surrounded by green areas with beautiful gardens.

Whether you feel like refreshing yourself or if you want to practise some sport, relaxing in one of the residential pools. The little ones will be able to unleash their imagination in the children’s areas with security perimeter equipped with swings and an exclusive pool for

their games. Meanwhile, you can relax and get rid of stress in any of the two heated jacuzzis of Mar de Pulpí: You will leave rejuvenated and with the energy necessary to continue living a dream vacation. If you want a moment of peace and tranquility, the trails that run through the development facilitating access to all its corners are perfect for long walks under the excellent Mediterranean climate.

€129.000 euros

HIGH QUALITY: The perfect choice for a holiday or permanent home.

LETTERS

Spanish culture shocks

OVER the weekend we shared a funny TikTok video created by Patry Ruiz, expressing some of the main culture shocks that people endure when getting used to Spanish culture.

Amongst these are the common misconception for the afilador as the ice cream van, the late Spanish dinner time of 10 PM, and the custom to throw nap ­

Comments

“How time has no consequence.”

Steve

Busby

“Going all the way round a roundabout in the outside lane.”

Jill

“Car indicators ­ lack of use.”

Fred

kins and toothpicks on the floor at certain cafes or bars. Our honorable mention went to the conundrum that is successfully handling Spanish roundabouts. We had a scroll through the comments section of this post on our Facebook page to see if our readers related to this comedic video as much as we did.

Stevens

Harding

“When boarding a ferry in Barcelona for the Canaries in 1976, even though you were first in the queue having slept half the night outside the ticket office one get's shouted at (in Spanish so not a clue!) by the ferry boarding lady for apparently boarding before all the old ladies all wearing black, hauled out and told to stand over there, again, not a clue why, until everyone had boarded, the doors closed and ferry boarding lady just walked off without saying a word!!! I was both perplexed and fuming mad!!!”

Richard J Dodds

“Throw napkins on the floor??? Not everywhere in Spain! That's weird!” I lived in Granada for a while (I'm from Galicia), and used to visit a bar before lunch, the floor was covered in peanut shells and napkins, I was in shock, they said this was done because it gave the impression that it was a busy venue I have no idea if that was the real reason, I had never seen it before”.

Blanca Hermida

“Blanca Hermida I still don’t get it and I’ve been here 20 years! Someone still has to pick them up!”

Gordon

O'Keeffe

“Roundabouts are way better than busy signaled intersections…we need more of em in the US, especially when multiple streets come together at different angles and ramps for freeways”.

Paz Arboleda

“Malaga is clean, no napkins on the floor or streets”.

Vivian Bolboreta

“no, 10 is not dinner time….”

Paulo Leitao

“Nothing ‘strange’, I’m in their country”,

Jimmy

Simmons

“Think, why the roundabouts would have many lanes if you only can use the exterior one?”, Maximiliano Solórzano (with an attached article from the DGT)

“Maximiliano Solórzano don’t need to use only the external lane, but you can only exit from this lane. So think how to do it”

Vicen Jimenez

“Vicen Jimenez of course external lane must be used for enter and exit… but here is used always…even if you need to do a U turning..”,

Maximiliano Solórzano

“Maximiliano Solórzano and? The law says everytime you can travel and the right line you must. On any Road. Roundabout or not. It’s obligatory.”

“Paulo Leitao sure it is. Have your first beer and tapa at 8 and the last at 12… that averages out ”

Ben Merghart

“Maria Cruz I live in Granada and they do this as it shows it is busy (like you said). You are spot on.”,

Stephen Proctor

“Steve Busby Time has a different consequence from the one you’re used to.”

Liz Read

House-sitting with free pet-sitting Tropical fish

MANY of our pet owners in Spain choose checked pet­sitters from our listings. Our House sitMatch sitters are checked, they are pet lovers and they won’t charge you a cent for the house or pet­sitting services. Instead, they offer a fair exchange, free accommodation for free pet care. It’s a win win! The house­sitters are for free when you are a member of the Housesitmatch network.

If you’re planning a trip register now as a member of our network to find an affordable home and pet care solution. 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 (£69GB 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

Do you have pets to care for when you are away? With mulitple pets it petcare can be expensive.

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 a pet or housesitter? 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.

TROPICAL fish, with their vivid colours and graceful movements, offer a unique pet­owning experience. They turn home aquariums into underwater kingdoms, full of activity and stunning natural beauty.

However, keeping these aquatic jewels requires particular care and a steady commitment. Unlike more traditional pets, fish require a carefully controlled environment. The water in their tanks must be kept clean and at the right temperature and pH level. Equipment such as heaters, filters, and sometimes air pumps are crucial to maintaining these conditions.

The diet of tropical fish varies widely, with some species requiring live food and others subsisting on flakes or pellets.

Understanding each

Caring for hairless cats

HAIRLESS cats, with their striking appearance and enchanting personalities, are increasingly catching the fancy of pet lovers across the UK. While these unusual felines share many characteristics with their fur­covered counterparts, they require specific care.

Notably, without a fur coat, hairless cats, such as the Sphynx, are vulnerable to temperature changes. They seek warmth during colder months and can easily get sunburnt in the summer. It’s critical to ensure they have access to cosy

spots in the house and are protected from excessive sun exposure.

Their lack of fur also means more frequent baths are needed. Dirt and oils, which would normally be absorbed by fur, can build up on their skin. However, bathing should be balanced with the risk of skin dryness.

Feeding hairless cats a balanced diet is paramount.

Like all cats, they are obligate carnivores, requiring a high­protein diet. However, due to their higher metabolism, hairless cats may require more frequent

feedings. Hairless cats are known for their sociability and playful nature. Plenty of interactive toys and stimulating playtime are essential for their well

Despite the extra care re quired, owners of hairless cats will attest to the unique bond they share with these ex traordinary pets. The joy of sharing your home

A truly unique experience.

with a hairless cat is truly a unique experience, filled with countless rewards.

species’ dietary needs is vital to ensure their health and vitality. Tropical fish also have specific social behaviours. While some fish are peaceful and thrive in a community tank, others might be aggressive or territorial.

Thorough research before purchasing can prevent potential conflicts and stress within your aquarium.

One significant aspect of fish ownership often overlooked is their potential lifespan. With proper care, some tropical fish species can live for over a decade. They are a long­term commitment and should be treated as such.

In conclusion, while maintaining an aquarium may seem daunting, the rewards are manifold.

Turn aquariums into underwater kingdoms.

AIR

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

BUY & SELL

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

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

CARS FOR SALE

Local Anglican (CofE) Church Services take place at Mojacar and Llanos del Peral (Zurgena) churches every Sunday 11am and at Aljambra Chapel (Albox) monthly. Dates and details of our services, including directions and contact details, can be found at www.almeria-anglican.com Here you can also find information about funerals, baptisms and wedding blessings. We are an inclusive church. (10002)

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

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

LANGUAGE

THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs €7.75, medium dogs €8.50, big dogs €9.25, cats from €7.00 a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotel turre@gmail.com fiveboneho tel.com (303395)

PLUMBERS

KNOWLES PLUMBING No 1 for all plumbing jobs big or small. Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits.

Tel: 606 807 797 or 684 143 560 (302581)

PROPERTY FOR RENT

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

BEDS

ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONWhy not make this year the year you volunteer? Call and see how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, www.britishle gion.org.uk/counties/spainnorth ZURGENA Branch meeting on the first Thursday, Coffee Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at La Parrilla Hotel Albox, for further details please email zurgenar blchairman@gmail.com(253989)

ABBOTT ELECTRICS .

Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (303141)

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

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

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

MISCELLANEOUS

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Cupra Born – style and substance

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

ORIGINALLY the sporting model within the SEAT lineup Cupra has become a brand in its own right and proving very popular with the Formentor but also the company’s first electric vehicle, the Born. Although it takes much from VW Group’s ID models the Born is very much its own car and stands well enough alone to be something rather different and rather good actually. Prices start from €42,490/£36,475 and there are two battery sizes –58kwh and 77kwh – with the smaller battery having a predicted maximum range is 427km/264 miles. As ever the range is dependent on many factors including the type of driving, whether it’s summer or winter and such things as wheel size. The 58kwh model has a mileage range worse scenario of

probably just sub 320km/200 miles in winter, best scenario 362km/225 miles in summer. The higher power model has a predict ed maximum range of 548km/341 miles.

firmer ride it’s far from uncomfortable and has sharp enough handling to make driving more twisting roads a bit more fun. It soaks up the bumps relatively well too.

Facts at a Glance

Standard equipment across all Born models includes LED lights, navigation, smartphone integration, rear view camera and adaptive cruise control. Inside there are terrifically comfortable, sporting and good looking front seats. As with all Cupra models the Born features copper highlights and has a rather low and sporting stance with a particularly good side profile.

• Model: Cupra Born V1 58kwh

• Engine: 58 kwh battery – 204 PS

• Gears: Automatic

• Price: €42,490/£36,475

• Performance: 0-100 kph (62 mph) 7.3 seconds/Maximum Speed 160 kph (99 mph).

• Range: 378-427 km/223-264 miles on single charge

• Charging: 120kw DC charger from 5% to 80% = 35 minutes/11kw AC charger from 5 to 80% = 6 hrs 15 mins

• Emissions: 0

On the road it’s not a fast car compared to some but is an enjoyable drive with even the lower powered model reaching the benchmark 100kph/62mph in just 7.3 seconds. You can specify an optional e­Boost that lops over half a second off that time. Whilst the Born is a

There’s little whine from the Born’s electrics and only when at motorway speed do you notice some road and wind noise, but it’s far from intrusive. The quality of the Born is excellent and it feels classy and has a nice mix of materials which add to that feeling. The main central display is nice and clear and although the driver display is small it has excellent clarity. The one thing that lets everything down in an otherwise super interior is a lack of proper buttons. Otherwise it’s a stylish and, for an EV, practical choice that has lots of equipment and a sporting feel. Considering it’s essentially a VW ID under the skin it has a classier and upmarket feel with a more sporting drive.

The quality of the Cupra Born is excellent and feels classy, An upmarket feel with a more sporting drive.

To infinity and beyond

WELL not quite, but a Dutch company Lightyear has developed an electric car which runs on solar power (SEV) and has a range of around 800 kilometres.

Similar to the growth of Tesla in the USA, they started with a very expensive (cost around €250,000) model and although there was interest, the company eventually declared bankruptcy.

It has however returned with a significant injection of funds and is looking to market a new and much less expensive version, a saloon car, expected to cost in the region of €35,000. It will ini­

tially be looking to predominantly deal with businesses, such as lease companies rather than individuals and has opened a waiting list for the first 40,000 cars to be produced.

For short and medium distances, Lightyear 2 can sustain itself without a socket in sight provided that there is sufficient sunlight to power the car and even on longer journeys, the manufacturers claim that it will recharge at a socket in a third of the time of a normal electric car.

The company suggests that the electrification of vehicles goes hand in hand with positive developments

toward an electricity grid powered by green energy but this could take many years to achieve.

This is why they have spent more than six years developing the technology to produce a vehicle powered by solar energy and they claim that their latest model, the Lightyear 2 can drive for months without charging and hold the power to drastically free up the electricity grid.

In addition, because this type of vehicles doesn’t require such a large battery, it is much lighter than the traditional EV car which means that it doesn’t use as much juice when running and of course recharges when parked if left in sunlight.

No doubt other companies will be developing their own range of SEV cars but for the time being at least, Lightyear may well be Europe’s dom­

An electric car which runs on solar power.

Moving from the blues

RIYAD Mahrez has completed his move from treble­winners Manchester City to Al­Alhi in the Saudi Pro League.

The Algerian international striker and captain sealed a £30m deal last Friday, July 28, according to the respected football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano.

He tweeted: 'Official, confirmed. Riyad Mahrez joins Al Ahli on permanent transfer from Man City for £30m fee #AlAhli Contract until June 2027, agreed days

of 236 appearances in all competitions, with 59 assists thrown in for good measure.

He accumulated a stunning array of 11 medals, including winning the Premier League four times, two FA Cups, three Carabao Cups, the Community Shield once, and the highlight, the Champions League last season.

Mahrez arrived at the Etihad Stadium in a £60m switch from Leicester City, making him the most expensive African footballer in history. He had already won the Premiership at the King Power Stadium with the

His departure comes after City captain Ilkay Gundogan left to join La Liga giants Barcelona in Spain. Pep Guardiola has a habit of allowing top players to leave the club, as he proved when Raheem Sterling joined Chelsea.

Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus and the versatile Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko both left last Summer to join Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Doubt still remains about the future of Portuguese star Bernardo Silva, who is being chased by several clubs. England back Kyle Walker is also known to be on the radar of Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich. In the meantime, Guardiola has so far only brought in the Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea in the latest transfer window.

Unstoppable Verstappen

DUTCH F1 champion Max Verstappen is simply unbeatable this season as he proved by winning the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps on Sunday, July 30.

As a result, he enters the summer break an astonishing 125 points ahead of his Mexican teammate Sergio Perez. Sundays victory ­ starting from 6th on the grid ­ was Verstappen's eighth consecutive chequered flag of the season and Red Bull's 12th out of the 12 races staged so far.

After the teams reassemble to continue the campaign, Verstappen faces what will undoubtedly be chaotic 'orange' scenes as he enters his home race in Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix.

A win on home soil at the end of August will draw him level with another Red Bull legend, Sebastian Vettel, who previously racked up nine wins in a row on his way to a world title.

Sergio Perez crossed the finishing line in second to earn Red Bull yet another one ­ two and to consolidate his place behind Verstappen in the table. The rest of this season now is really just a case of who will finish second.

Charles LeClerc restored some glory to Ferrari by claiming the remaining spot on the podium, albeit some 10 seconds distant from Perez.

Lewis Hamilton had the consolation of recording the fastest lap in his Mercedes while finishing fourth, some 17 seconds behind the Frenchman. He remains one point behind Spain's Fernando Alonso in the driver's table, who placed fifth this afternoon.

Another British driver, Lando Norris, clinched seventh in the McLaren, continuing the good form he showed in Hungary last time out.

Manchester City flag.