Costa Blanca North 10 – 16 August 2023 Issue 1988

ALLO ALLO

AGENTS of the Spanish National Police and the French National Police, within the framework of the "European Police Stations'' project, began to patrol the streets of Benidorm together on Tuesday, August 1. They will be stationed in Benidorm until Tuesday, August 15, and are there to reinforce attention to tourists and guarantee greater security for foreign citizens.

The French policemen were received by Jesús Carrobles Blanco, Benidorm councillor for citizen security, at Levante beach, where the councillor thanked them for

their willingness to work in Benidorm this summer.

The European Police Stations Project began in 2008 in collaboration with France, expanding in 2012 with Portugal, with Italy in 2014 and with Germany in 2020, incorporating new placements every year. This year will be the third to be held in Benidorm.

Gendarmes in Benidorm

TEATRE­Auditori in Beniarbeig (less than 10 minutes from the Ondara shopping centre) will be hosting 'Singers Showcase' on Thursday September 21. The Showcase will be an evening filled with a diverse range of music from inspirational and uplifting to musical theatre, stopping off at popular music en route.

The whole show will be per­

Singing support

formed by four different singing groups, all under the direction of Philip Ashley. The theatre group, Sounds Familiar, will be performing excerpts from their previous show along with a preview of their new show. Also appear­

Zoo arrivals

ing will be two choirs, the Vall Del Pop Singers and Cantãmus. Both choirs will be showing off their own styles of music. Finally the harmony group Adagio will be singing songs from their past and future repertoire as well as hosting the entire evening.

Every group will be performing their own set separately, except in the Finale when all the groups will join together.

The evening will be helping to raise money for Jalon Valley HELP.

Tickets are €14 and available on 96 558 1483, online at https://www.philipashley.co m/boxoffice.php

Please support Jalon Valley Help so they are able assist even more people who are in need in the community, which for JVH spreads well beyond the valleys of Jalon and Orba. For further information about future JVH events please contact eventsjvh@gmail.com and for information about the charity see their website www.jalonvalleyhelp.com

THE nature and animal park of Terra Natura in Benidorm has introduced a new pair of Goeldi's tamarins to the public, with the aim of achieving the reproduction of this species, whose conservation is seriously threatened.

This is the only pair of this species of marmoset that currently inhabits the park. Other marmosets at the park include cotton­top tamarins, pygmy marmosets and golden­headed lion tamarins.

The female, named Tuta, comes from the Goteborg Zoo in Sweden and the male is named Jerez in honour of his birthplace, as he comes from Jerez zoo. The introduction of both specimens to Terra Natura was successful. Tuta is two and a half years old , and is confident with her keepers, while Jerez, five years old, is characterised by having a more timid personality.

Goeldi's marmosets are small primates with thick, black, short, soft fur running the length of their bodies, usually more fluffy around the neck and tail. They are very sociable animals that live in small groups, made up of about 10 members.

Almost Full

HOTEL establishments in Valencia were close to, and sometimes even exceeded 90 per cent average occupancy in the second half of July, a percentage that is expected to be exceeded in August, according to data provided by the Valencian Community hotel association. (Hosbec).

According to Hosbec, the occupancy figures for the second half of last month reveal that "the recovery of the sector in a year in which the health crisis is already history".

The forecasts for 80 per cent in the Valencian Community were exceeded,” with averages in destinations that border and, on occasions, exceed 90 per cent,” said Hosbec on Wednesday, August 2.

Average rates for destinations such as Benidorm of €165 per night, note a rise of 7 per cent compared to last summer.

Tuta the tamarin

Credit: Terra Natur

Social housing

JAVEA council has unanimously approved to transfer three plots to the regional government for the construction of 65 homes. The plots are in the Partial Plan of Pou del Moro (next to the Trenc d'Alba School).

Lucky lottery

A WOMAN in Badajoz was stunned after winning three times in one week with ONCE scratchcards. She bought a €1 card, which won her €7.50, bought another for €5 and won €500,000, after having won €1,000 the previous day.

Gold diggers

THE Valencian institue of conservation (IVACR+i) has informed Javea town hall that its technicians have completed the restoration work on the set of 53 Roman coins that were found in the Portitxol area, after a fortuitous discovery by César Alcalá and Luis Lens.

Young talent

THE dream of becoming a professional dancer is close for Áurea Gayà from Pedreguer. At just eight years old, Áurea was awarded a full scholarship to a Valencian summer school after winning a silver medal in a famed ballet competition.

Hold the front page

EURO WEEKLY NEWS is thrilled to announce that our newspaper and website will feature in a TV programme to be filmed in Benidorm.

Hold the Front Page is a programme following two of the UK’s favourite comedians, Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar, as they embark on a journey as trainee local journalists attempting to get a story on the front page. Now they are coming to Spain for their training.

Josh and Nick are coming to Benidorm to receive editorial tasks from managing

Bad

director Michel Euesden, who is the driving force behind Spain's biggest free English language newspaper group. They will then be accompanied on a sales drive to see what they can achieve in the world of fastpaced journalism.

Exploring some incredible regions through their local papers, the series is a warm celebration of the world of local journalism besides the people and communities the papers serve.

Being a people’s paper, Euro Weekly News is looking for a charity or commu­

nity group who would like to be featured in the programme. Please contact us to tell us about your needs.

The series is broadcast on Sky Max, a flagship channel in the UK and Ireland, and can be enjoyed on demand on Now TV too.

Series one of the Sky Original show was watched nearly two million times.

Josh and Nish also have a strong and engaged social following of their own on Instagram and Twitter, through which they promote the programme to their combined audience of

Buoy Calls increased

LIKE a scene from Jaws, swimmers fled in panic from the sea at San Juan in Alicante on Friday, August 4, after a woman spotted “huge teeth” in the water.

The first indication that there was a shark in the sea, was when the woman saw something "inert" floating in the water.

Lifeguards checked the water as bathers waited on the beach, and realised the woman had been frightened by a buoy. Apparently, the strong gusts of wind were moving it with great force, which led the swimmer to believe there was a shark in the water.

THE emergency telephone number 112 received 1,904,112 calls during the first half of this year and has managed 430,736 incidents, 23% more calls compared to the same period in 2022.

The month of June recorded the greatest increase in calls. The 112 call centre answered a total of 271,787 calls in June 2022 and in June 2023 it answered 391,617 calls.

With respect to the forecast for the second half of 2023, at the moment emergency telephone number calls increased by 18% during the months of July and August.

The number of people who called in foreign languages increased by 27% from June to September and 60% in the case of English.

Continuing with the analysis of the data for the first half of 2023, the highest number of incidents managed occurred in the month of June with 76,976 and February had the least with

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STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Staff boost

THE number of waiters and waitresses hired in the city of Benidorm has increased by 10 per cent this year compared to 2022, according to data from the Association of Bars, Restaurants and Cafes (ABRECA).

"We have improved a lot in this summer season, and in the hotel industry we have more than 5,000 active employees which are record levels for Benidorm," said the association's spokesman, Alex Fratini.

64,391 incidents.

By provinces, Alicante registered 161,281 incidents managed, Castellón 49,261, Valencia 215,884 and 4,310 in border areas between provinces.

By typology, health incidents were at the forefront (46.3 per cent).

ABRECA explained that, as a consequence of the fact that the winter season was better than that of the previous year, they have greatly increased the permanent staff, so that at this time of peak work they need "fewer extra workers" and it is becoming easier to meet staff demands .

ABRECA maintains that 2023 is a "very good summer" for the hospitality industry, with takings 15% higher than last year.

112 call centre

Credit: Valencian Government

STAGE eight of the La Vuelta de Espana cycling race will start in Denia, it was revealed on Thursday, August 3.

The president of Alicante provincial council, Toni Pérez, together with the director of Unipublic (the organisers) Javier Guillén, presented the details of the popular event that will take place on Saturday, September 2 between Dénia and Xorret de Catí. It will combine two of the main tourist

La Vuelta returns

attractions of the Costa Blanca, the sea and the mountains.

“La Vuelta has a very significant link with the province and with the Alicante provincial council. Here we love this sport and we are aware of the importance of this event as a means of promoting our land, since it allows us to

bring our tourist attractions closer to millions of people around the world”, stated Toni Pérez, who also highlighted, the backbone of this event, "which covers, on each occasion, different municipalities and regions, uniting our towns in a very significant way."

The Esplanade de Cervantes in Denia, the commercial and hotel artery of the city located on the seafront, will be the starting point of this 165­kilometre stage that will culminate in one of the most emblematic enclaves of the province, the Xorret de Catí, in Castalla. The Xorret is a demanding mountain pass that has become a classic of the Spanish race, due to the beauty of its surroundings and the hardness of its ascent, which in parts exceed 20 per cent.

THE department of the environment for Calpe has launched three environmental surveillance patrols, each with a specialised focus on education and environmental protection in different areas.

The first group will focus on the Sierra de Olta, emphasising fire prevention and camper van control. They will also be in charge of promoting awareness about the risk of forest fires among visitors, in an attempt to keep the rich biodiversity of the Sierra protected.

The second patrol will be assigned to beaches, carrying out surveillance. These envi­

Eco patrol

ronmental stewards will seek to educate beachgoers about posidonia, an often misunderstood marine plant. Bathers sometimes see it as a sign of uncleanliness, but the presence of posidonia remains indicates uncontaminated water. This brigade will highlight the importance of posidonia in preventing beach erosion and its role as a home for a wide variety of marine species.

Finally, the third patrol will focus on compliance with

PROVERB OF THE WEEK Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Meaning : Being away from someone or something for a period of time makes you appreciate that person of thing more when you see them or it again.

waste and rubbish removal regulations in collaboration with Acciona. They will work in the town centre and housing estates, fighting against uncontrolled dumping and guaranteeing the correct disposal of pruning remains, belongings and furniture. They will also be in charge of keeping the areas around rubbish containers free of waste.

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• Diagnostic imaging and ultrasound Rx

• Clinical tests and serological tests, internal medicine, parasitology

• Soft Tissue Surgery and Traumatology

• Ethology, behavioural disorders and animal behaviour

• Physiotherapy, acupuncture, custom recovery and Healing touch

• Ophthalmology

• Dentistry and dental surgery & more

• Import - Export

The Esplanade de Cervantes in Denia, will be the starting point

Yorkshire tee Bug aid

ON Friday August 4, Montgo

GS played a Stableford competition at Oliva Nova for the Yorkshire Rose bowl Trophy. This competition is always played as close as possible to Yorkshire Day on August 1. The traditional patron for this tournament, proud Yorkshireman Gordon Gleeson, has retired from his golfing, so The Society sponsored the competition in his place, honouring his tradition of providing Yorkshire tea­bags as prizes.

One guest playing this week was an old friend of the Society, Clark Bowie. There was a stiff breeze

blowing off the sea throughout, making some shots quite challenging; but it was

Fees frozen

THE Valencian regional government announced on Friday, August 4, that it will "freeze university fees to continue supporting families" and, therefore, maintain the prices established for the 2022­2023 academic year. This was announced by the minister and spokesperson for the government, Ruth Merino, who appeared at a press conference after the meeting of the Valencian government.

"We are still very aware of the economic situation and the difficulties that many families are going through, mainly due to inflation”, said Merino, who confirmed that there will be no increase in prices for the 2023­2024 academic year, nor in undergraduate courses or in masters.

The support measure agreed by the regional government is included within a set of actions to help the family economy. "We see that they are going through delicate moments for many months, and for this reason we want to continue working to help them”, Merino said.

a few degrees cooler than of late, so almost perfect for golf. Several very good scores came in, with the winner Caz Welch on 40 points pipping Alan McManus on countback. Third was Peter Gardiner on 37 points. Well played to all three winners.

The next Society game will be a Blue Tee Stableford competition, sponsored by Willy Larkin. In this competition all players tee from the blue 54 tees. The lady members get a couple of additional shots, but gentlemen in converse get a reduction of 3­4. So difficult to predict the outcome.

To clarify for the members, the 8.56 tee time as shown on the website is confirmed. The Oliva Nova open competition on the same day is a shotgun start at 2.30 in the afternoon.

DURING the past year, the Ministry of Health has granted aid to 413 municipalities to collaborate with their town halls in the fight against the tiger mosquito. Specifically, 82 municipalities in Castellón, 236 in Valencia and the remaining 95 in the province of Alicante.

The Valencian Community is one of the few regions that has this type of subsidy.

The control of mosquitoes and other species is carried out by town halls, but the Ministry of Health carries out support actions and technical advice to municipalities to reinforce the programmes they develop, especially for populations with less economic capacity. This type of aid is managed in collaboration with the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces.

Specifically, for this year, the total amount of subsidies amounts to €350,000, and the maximum amount received by each municipality amounts to €15,000.

45.1 million internet users in Spain

Caz Welch winning with 40 points

Tiger Mosquito

THE governor's promenade of the Castle of Denia and the Placa del Consell once again became an enjoyable meeting point for artists and spectators. A total of 3,850 people enjoyed the various styles of music between Wednesday, July 26 and Sunday, July 30, the days in which the XXXI Music in the Castle festival was held.

In total, the line up consisted of five performances with a special presence of traditional music. At the first three concerts at the Castle ­ that of

Abraham Cupeiro & Vent A Zinc Septet, Pep Gimeno "Botifarra" and DePedro, 800 spectators were registered per show. On Saturday 29 July, Rosario la Tremendita gathered 453 people, while on Sunday 30 July, La Colleta del Verger brought together around 1,000 spectators in the Placa del Consell.

The department of culture viewed the audience figures very positively, pointing to a consolidation between the city and the festival as a cul­

Teenage Mayor

Credit: Denia City Council

Successful Concerts

tural point of reference for the summer. In addition, they affirmed that the presence of the public from the

Valencian community and other communities had an important economic impact on the city.

Musical success Rocket chaos

A FIRE devoured the archaeological site of the Roman era of Els Banys de la Reina de Calp in the early hours of Sunday, August 6. Thousands of residents and tourists watched the fireworks display at "El Castell a la mar".

As the fireworks lit up the sky, one of the final rockets, deflected by the wind, fell onto the plots of the archaeological site, which is next to the promenade. A large fire immediately broke out, which could be seen from far away.

Firefighters and emergency services act­

ed very quickly and worked hard to put out the fire, and prevent it from spreading beyond the archaeological site. The flame devastated the vegetation of Els Banys de la Reina (they are protected endemic species). Technicians will examine the possible damages in the protected structures, where there are notable mosaics, the remains of a Roman villa and what is known as the Queens baths.

AN 18­year­old became the new mayor of Calpe for 24 hours. Pablo Perales Muñoz, a fiesta helper was given the honour on Tuesday, August 1.

The current mayor, Ana Sala, ceded the command rod on the balcony of the town hall in the presence of the members of the festival commission, who acclaimed her new municipal representative.

The act characterises the ‘Dia del Fadrí’, a day in which the helpers take control of the municipality. In his speech, Pablo Perales invited everyone to visit the Plaza Mayor and extended the festivities for three more days. Pablo abolished the time limit in the plaza and informed the 18­year­old partygoers of the obligation to wear diving goggles at the foam party!

Essence of Spain

AT the beginning of July, Specsavers Ópticas launched a Summer Photography Competition to find an image which captures the essence of Spain. In doing so, they hope to shine a spotlight on all the wonderful aspects of Spain and find out what images encapsulate its very best elements. They are asking local residents on the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and Mallorca, to send in beautiful photographs to be in with a chance of winning a €100 Amazon voucher and a pair of designer sunglasses worth up to 159€.”

Isabel Fenollar from Specsavers Ópticas in Javea comments, “Spain is such a stunning and di -

verse country, with incredible natural beauty, a vibrant culture of arts, music and dance and of course incredible food. This summer we are asking keen photographers living close to our stores to show us, through an image, what makes Spain so special to them.

We are very excited to see these fantastic images and celebrate the talented photographers on the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and Mallorca, where our nine stores are located.

The competition is open until September 1 and photographs can be submitted on social media by tagging @SpecsaversOpticas on Facebook and

@specsaversspain on Instagram, sending photos via Messenger or via email to spain.marketing@specsavers.com

A jury formed of three Specsavers Ópticas store directors will judge the entries and shortlist the top five entries. These will then be posted on social media and the image with the most likes and comments will be declared the overall winner.

Competition is open to residents of the provinces of Alicante and Malaga and the island of Mallorca and you must be aged 18 and above. Terms and conditions apply, which can be found at www.specsavers.es/sorteo

ALICANTE Airport has put into operation a new express car park at arrivals, which offers free parking for the first ten minutes to pick up passengers "quickly and safely".

This car park is in addition to the one already at departures, and is of the same type. The new car park has 23 spaces, two of which are reserved for people with reduced mobility, as reported by Aena on Thursday, August 3.

The express arrivals car park has two entrance barriers and two exit barriers, the latter will be opened by bringing the ticket obtained

upon arrival closer to the QR code reader, without having to get out of the vehicle.

In the case of more than ten minutes of free stay, the amount can be paid at the exit barrier itself by credit card or using the ATM located in the car park. The express car park is added to the one that already exists on the departures floor and is designed for the drop off of passengers who are leaving for their flight. The sum of both car parks represents a total of 106 spaces, of which nine are reserved for people with reduced mobility.

Pilot video service

THE tourism department of the Valencian community has launched a pilot video interpretation service for deaf or hearing impaired tourists, in collaboration with the Federation of Deaf People of the Valencian Community (Fesord CV).

The service consists of simultaneous or consecutive interpretation, by audio visual means, of tourist information requests in person from deaf tourists or those with hearing disabilities, and the response to said requests by the staff of the tourist information offices, either in Spanish sign language (LSE), or in shared international code, as appropriate.

The service is provided to all tourist

Remains registered

Jo Pugh

THE 'castellum' Tossal de la Cala in Benidorm is now an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC). On July 7, the Ministry of Culture proceeded to register the Roman fort from the 1st century BC in the general inventory of Valencian cultural heritage. This completed a process that began in 1984, and had been repeatedly requested over the years.

information offices, which have the necessary spaces and communication tools. In order to use this service, access will be provided to a platform called SVIsual, managed by the Federation of Deaf People of the Valencian Community.

The user will be assisted in person by tourist information staff, who will access the SVIsual platform from a device equipped with a WebCam, headphones and microphone. Staff will make the call to the SVIsual service. The video interpreter who answers the video call will perform the corresponding interpretation between the staff and the deaf person, enabling communication between the two.

The mayor, Toni Pérez, said “We are talking about a site with an undoubted heritage value, now finally officially recognised, in which the council has invested significant economic resources, both its own and obtained from Europe, with the aim of recovering it, in addition to its potential tourist dimension”.

In fact, this year the 'castellum' works have been undertaken, with an investment of just over €400,000 within the 'Benidorm DTI+Seguro' Tourism Sustainability Plan. With this project, progress has been made in spaces that to date had not been excavated. An even more accessible site has been achieved and the most significant and unique remains and finds are being protected.

The launch of the service

Credit: Valencian

CALPE council has announced the new lines of action regarding sporting matters for the coming years. In a meeting on Thursday, August 3, spokesman for the government team, Ximo Perles, and the councilor for sports, Pere Moll, the pair revealed the council's plans.

“We have met with most of the clubs and we have detected serious deficiencies, mainly in terms of

Sporting matters

the facilities and their use”, Perles said. “The main shortcomings detected are related to the use of the facilities. All the clubs need more opening hours, but the facilities we have are what they are” he continued. In the coming months, Ximo Perles will lead the department of

sports and, among the first measures that he will promote are security and investment in infrastructure. He added that another deficiency detected has been "the lack of security in the facilities" and in some cases broken bottles and even a mattress have been found.

Youthful funding

THE European Union, through the Erasmus plus programme, has allocated €1.4 million to public entities and non­profit organisations of the Valencian Community that promote youth exchange in Europe in social volunteering activities. This initiative also includes mobility actions for learning purposes and cooperation activities between organisations. In total, there are 51 beneficiary entities that the Valencian government youth department has advised are able to access these aids.

Of the final amount, €444,053 is allocated to youth exchange projects who will jointly run a combination of workshops, exercises, role plays, and outdoor activities.

Tram trashed

NATIONAL POLICE have arrested three young people, aged 18 and 19, who sprayed graffiti on a tram in broad daylight. They caused damage estimated at more than €8,500.

Police were called when the group had been seen at the Terra Mitica stop near Benidorm.

Several officers from Benidorm police station went to the scene, reported the National Police on Friday, August 4. On arrival, officers observed the men before they ran off, but the officers pursued and caught them.

Once the men were detained, the agents met with the witnesses to the events, one of them being the tram security director, who provided the agents with the video images in which the men were seen.

The security director told the agents that the detainees had been painting graffiti for several consecutive days and that on one occasion they had pulled the emergency lever of the tram to stop it leaving, and had even placed stones on the rails to prevent the train from moving.

The vandalised tram

Credit: National Police

DENIA hospital has just renewed its Carbon Footprint certification, issued by AENOR, in which the Spanish Association for Standardisation and Certification recognises responsibility for reducing direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases.

Throughout 2022, the Hospital has reduced indirect or "Scope 2" emissions of Greenhouse Gases by 80 per cent, thanks to the fact that 85 per cent of the electrical energy

consumed was from 100 per cent renewable sources. The commitment for 2023 is that all of this energy be green.

Indirect emissions are crucial to get a full picture of an organization's carbon footprint, as they reflect the full impact it has in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, not just those produced at its own facilities, but also those associated with its external energy consumption.

Scope 2 is one of three scopes defined by the GHG

Protocol, a widely accepted tool for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions.

Denia Hospital, operated by Marina Salud, has implemented various measures to save energy since its inception, such as the installation of LED lighting and the management of the internal bioclimate. In addition, it carries out a constant review of electricity, natural gas and medical gas meters to analyse and control consumption.

CALPE Guardia Civil have arrested an individual who was on the run after escaping arrest. The man had been on the run since 2020, and was involved in an operation for drug trafficking and belonging to a criminal group. During that operation, when the rest of the members were arrested, he managed to flee.

The individual not only had that outstanding arrest warrant, but also four other orders for admission to prison, issued by Criminal Courts 15 and 21 of Barcelona and number 4 of

A PYROTECHNICIAN was injured on Sunday, August 6 after the detonation of a casing while setting up a 'mascleta' (explosions of gunpowder).

The accident happened in Alboraia on the occasion of the Christ of Providence festival, which was being

Sabadell. In addition, he was actively wanted by the National Police.

His history of being a violent and highly dangerous person alerted the agents when they verified his identity. Until that moment, he had managed to evade various police controls by the Mossos de Esquadra (police force of Barcelona) using fake identities.

The detainee was placed at the disposal of the courts in Denia, who ordered his immediate admission to prison.

Falling footprint Fugitive found Explosive trauma

celebrated in the town of l'Horta.

The explosion caused the amputation of a finger on his hand, the local police force stated.

"We urgently assisted the

pyrotechnician who was assembling today's mascletà, due to the detonation of a casing," said the police. The man was transferred to the burns unit of Hospital La Fe, due to his injuries.

Solar panels at Denia hospital

Credit: Marina Salud

Dirty Denia

NEIGHBOURS surrounding a plot of land in les Rotes de Denia have complained that it has been full of construction debris for months, to which in recent times other types of rubbish have also been added.

They complained a month ago to the Department of the Environment of the Dénia City Council, but the situation remains the same. The consistory, however, indicates that the procedure is being followed that requires the owners to remove the waste.

The plot is the one that adjoins that of a recently built chalet in Calle Perseu. It was used during these construction works to store the work material. But the house has been inhabited since April, and the debris was never removed.

ALTEA town council and the Castell de l'Olla Castle Brotherhood have announced the Castell de l'Olla photography contest to be held on Saturday, August 12. This was announced by the area councillor, Pepa Pérez.

Happy snappers

Castell de l'Olla".

The councilor for culture encouraged participation, as "this photographic test is a novelty for our cultural agenda and I am sure that it will be a great success, and the photographers who participate in the competition will provide us with magnificent snap ­ shots of nighttime at the

ON Thursday, August 17, from 8pm to midnight, the 12th edition of 'Shopping Night' will be held in Moraira. It is a summer event in which local businesses display their offers on the streets.

“The Shopping Night is a fun proposal focused on a special summer night, whose objective is to stimulate purchases in local businesses and generate an attractive atmosphere full of music, promotions and activities that both residents and visitors can enjoy”, said councillor Pilar Vidal.

The event has always been a special

The prize ­ winning photographs will have different prizes: first prize will be awarded €500, second will be awarded €300 and third will be awarded €200. The amounts are provided by the Brotherhood of Castell de l'Olla. The council indicated that the same person cannot receive more than one prize.

"The Jury's decision will be made public on Friday,

Evening retail

appointment for the town, as it strengthens the relationship between merchants and customers through shopping and leisure. This edition will be attended by 'Antiguos Tunos Universitarios de Alicante', a band from Alicante, who will start a parade at 9pm.

Immediately afterwards, the main shopping streets will be filled with music, as well as stalls, tastings, discounts and open doors of the participating businesses until midnight.

September 1 at a public event at the House of Culture in Altea at 8pm, and on the same day the exhibition will be opened with all the participating photographs, which will be on

display for the whole month of September", concluded Pepa Pérez. People interested in consulting the rules and registering can find more information about the competition in the following link: www.alteacultural.com/ fotocastell.

The competition poster

Credit: Altea Town Hall

NON RESIDENTS INCOME TAX

As we do every summer, White Baos Lawyers wish to remind readers who are Non Tax Residents in Spain and who are maybe in Spain just for holidays, that they are still obliged

to pay Income Taxes in Spain for Non Tax Residents, even if they do not have any income in Spain, just for the fact of owning a property here.

Wealth Tax. If you are a

Non Tax Resident in Spain, or even if you live in Spain and are not registered with the taxman as a tax resident, or you do not submit taxes as a tax resident, you could be legally considered as Non Tax Resident, as no notice has been given to the Tax Authority. Non Tax Residents could be liable to pay Wealth Tax, but only if the value of their assets in Spain (after deducting debts, i.e: pending capital of the mortgage, etc.) is above 600.000€.

This is in the Valencian Region.

Income Tax. If you are Non Tax Resident in Spain ( or you are not legally tax resident in Spain), you will need to pay tax for income in Spain (Income Tax for Non Residents, IRNR): i.e.: rents from a letting, interest on bank accounts, etc., If you do

not have any income but you own a property or a share on a property, your tax bill will be based on a calculation as per the Cadastral Value (value that appears on your Spanish Local Rates receipt from the Town Hall, the SUMA office or the equivalent).

Even now it is quite

common for people who are Non Fiscal Residents in Spain (or not legally Tax Resident in Spain) to simply not pay this tax; usually due to ignorance or neglect and especially when they have no income in Spain and only own a house.

Please note that if you let your property in

Spain, you have an obligation to submit the taxes every 3 months and not only once a year.

If you are not sure if you are legally or officially tax resident or non tax resident, if you want to know what is the most convenient option for you, we can assist you, studying your personal situation.

If you are non tax resident, do not forget to meet your tax obligation if you want to avoid a possible tax inspection, penalties, etc. Contact us and we will help you.

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

IN the past, the common summer sight of bare­chested individuals or those in swimwear on Spain's coastal promenades often extended to the streets of towns, leading to a backlash among local authorities. Many municipalities subsequently passed legislation to fine those choosing to go barechested or wear swimwear away from the beachfront.

In 2018, Marbella modified its regulations to prohibit "torsonudism" in public spaces, considering it a minor infraction for reasons of aesthetics and hygiene. Fines for such actions range from €300 to

€750.

Other cities like Malaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Salou, and Palma de Mallorca have followed suit with similar rules and fines. In Barcelona, going shirtless away from the beach

area can result in fines from €120 to €500. In Palma de Mallorca, the lack of proper clothing throughout the city can lead to sanctions between €100 and €200.

The most recent city to impose these prohibitions is Granada, where wearing inappropriate attire at hen/stag parties could incur penalties of up to €750. These regulations reflect a broader trend in Spain towards ensuring prop­

ON a historic day in Verín, Ourense, Álvaro Rúa, a 32year­old bagpiper from Vilela, achieved an incredible feat. He recently shattered the Guinness World Record by playing the longest note ever heard, with a wind instrument, on his Galician bagpipes, according to a national news outlet.

Surpassing the previous record of 1 minute and 23 seconds set by an Indian horn player, Álvaro held a stable sound at a minimum of 80 decibels for an astonishing 13 minutes, 26 seconds, and 95 hundredths.

Álvaro's passion for the bagpipes began at the age of seven when he started his musical journey at the Verín School of Traditional Music. Driven by his love for instruments, he further honed his skills by enrolling in the Vigo Music Conservatory in Pontevedra.

er attire in public spaces, particularly away from beaches and swimming areas. The rules have been instituted for

Wardrobe warning Note triumph

reasons ranging from aesthetics to hygiene, and they now apply in many parts of the country.

Playing a single, continuous note for more than 13 minutes on the bagpipes posed an extraordinary challenge. The bag that stores the air in the instrument provided some advantage, although it still demanded immense skill and perseverance. As time passed, Álvaro faced the challenge of his fingers starting to fall asleep, making the feat even more complex.

Validating the world record required strict adherence to the regulations set by Guinness. Alongside Álvaro, two sound engineers meticulously measured the decibels with a sound level meter. Experienced timekeepers, akin to those seen at sporting events, ensured accurate timing.

To maintain objectivity,

two independent witnesses, unrelated to Álvaro, were present to observe the challenge. The entire process was recorded on video, showcasing the musician and the sound level meter's readings from a specified distance. Álvaro's dedication and training paid off when he remarkably accomplished the feat on his first attempt.

32,688 the population of Gibraltar

Naked man walking in the street.

Ethics of euthanasia

ASSISTED DYING a polarising and difficult conversation has once again captured the attention of the world. With cases like David Hunter’s who was released recently from prison for the death of his terminally ill wife and the retired nurse who allegedly sent ‘white powder’ to peers in an attempt to influence them to support the assisted dying bill in the UK have ignited the conversation yet again. Debate rages about the ethics of assisted dying, euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Spain made the pivotal decision to decriminalise euthanasia on June 25, 2021, and in the year following that decision 180 euthanasia were carried out. Traditionally, assisted dying laws focused on terminal illnesses and unbearable suffering. However, some jurisdictions have begun to include nonterminal conditions like mental health disorders as grounds for assisted dying. In Canada and the Netherlands,

psychological suffering and an ‘accumulation of old age disorders’ are now considered valid reasons for assisted dying.

This expansion of eligibility criteria introduces an ethical dilemma. Critics warn of a slippery slope, where the line blurs between compassionate end­of­life care and the potential exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The question arises: How far can the boundaries of assisted dying be stretched without compromising morality and legality?

Across the globe, several

countries have embraced euthanasia, including Colombia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Canada. New Zealand voted by public referendum to approve euthanasia. Starting November 6, 2023, individuals above 18 years old can seek euthanasia with two doctors' endorsement.

In a world where medical possibilities collide with ethical uncertainties, striking a balance between personal autonomy, medical ethics, and safeguarding vulnerable populations remains an intricate challenge.

Compassionate end of life care or potential exploitation.

King of Cozy Mysteries

YOU could call Steve Higgs the King of Cozy Mysteries and he is a genuine phenomenon in the brutal world of publishing having produced some 80 books since turning full time author in 2017.

Speaking to Euro Weekly News he explained “I wasn’t very interested in much at school except for writing and was delighted to win an award when I was 10.

“To some extent my future was preplanned as I come from a military family and it was always expected that I would join the army which I duly did, being commissioned and spent my time on the mechanical side.

“Happily, I was offered the chance to leave, with a reasonable pay off, in my early 40s and I took advantage of the offer.”

After leaving the army he took jobs in the corporate world, got married and is now the proud father of a boy (Hunter) and girl (Hermione) but writing started to call.

He wrote his first book whilst still working and decided that this had to be the future but realised that trying to get an agent and then a publishing deal could be a long and torturous process, so he decided to learn about self­publishing.

The process of writing comes easy to him and he tends to write a new book every two weeks or so which explains how he has published so

many is such a relatively short period of time.

“Although I work quite long hours when I am writing, a lot of my time is involved in promotion and marketing, as well a weekly newsletter to everyone who signs up via my website”

Several authors bemoan the effect that Amazon has had on booksellers but Steve, recognised from the beginning that as a self­publisher and with Amazon hogging about 80 per cent of the world market, not only did he want to work with them but is quite happy for his books to be made available on Kindle Unlimited where for a small monthly fee customers can download a select number of books at no additional cost.

The income per download may be small but when you have 80 books and growing the actual amount is better than might be expected and half of his annual income comes from Kindle Unlimited.

A definition of cozy mystery is a gentle and often humorous subset of the broad genre of crime writing which is a comfort read.

With characters such as retired policeman Albert Smith and his Alsatian Rex Harrison (who was thrown out of police school for being too clever), Housewife come detective Patricia Fisher, Wedding Planner,

Felicity

Agency, the novels are both gently amusing and genuinely mysteries and always include a dog, a cat or both.

“I am in discussion with a production company about the possibility of three of my creations becoming TV or even Film franchises and I like to network with other authors and recently spent a few days in Mallorca at a special event for selfpublishers.”

With an eye to the future, Steve is working with a select number of other writers who will be co­authors of books based on his concepts. He will take on the risk of publishing the books which will be produced to an agreed ‘script’ and will then share any profits on a 50/50 basis.

Phillips and The Paranormal Blue Moon Detective

Highly successful author Steve Higgs

Credit: Steve Higgs

Bilateral agreement

FOLLOWING Brexit, the British Government has had to discuss the future of overseas training with each EU member and on Wednesday August 2, an agreement between Britian and Spain which had been signed on July 3 came into force.

This is a bilateral agreement on cooperation in matters of education and access to university and other higher education institutions, following close collaboration between Spain’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and Ministry of Universities in Spain and the UK Department for Education and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The agreement was signed by the British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, on behalf of the UK, and the Spanish Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Pilar Alegría, and the Spanish Minister of Universities, Joan Subirats, on

behalf of Spain.

According to the British Embassy in Madrid, this agreement enables students with UK qualifications (including A ­ levels and equivalents) to access universities in Spain without the need for the Spanish general university entrance exam.

Additional entry requirements will only be necessary for certain competitive courses, as was the case prior to the UK’s withdrawal

from the EU.

In addition, students from the Spanish education system can continue to access UK universities and other higher education institutions with additional legal certainty.

The agreement also establishes a framework to increase cooperation between the UK and Spain in the field of education and is symbolic of both countries desire to build on their strong education links.

Ambassador Elliott and Minister Alegria.

Credit: Spanish Ministry of Education

A NEW work by American author Rachel Zemach who lost her hearing aged 10 suggests that many people dislike the word ‘Deaf’ and want to see it replaced. She argued as she launched her new book The Butterfly Cage that there should be a transition from the word ‘Deaf’

Your hand

as it originally derived from the words ‘” empty,” and “barren” in Old English.

In addition, when using the word in machines with autocorrect it is often

changed to “death” which obviously has negative overtones.

When you ask someone what deaf means they will say “someone who can’t hear.” It’s all about what they can’t do. Even the sign means “can’t hear, and can’t speak,” according to Deaf educator and author Rachel Zemach.

Her preferred alternative then is ‘Sumain’ a French word meaning Your Hand.

The sign for it looks like a flower bud, twisting at the chest and bursting open. It represents the following concepts, all of which are treasure values in the Deaf community: collective, visual, spatial, global, tactile, light.

“If you were Deaf, wouldn’t you prefer that to being called empty and barren” she asks.

As times change so do

words and it is possible that there is a need to change the definition, although equally this could simply be either another ‘woke’ concept from America.

For those who want to learn more, the marketing for the new book explains “She shares captivating first ­ hand accounts from her life as a Deaf person and explores the differences in thinking between two major, and often conflicting, viewpoints on how to educate Deaf children, and how she saw the two different approaches impacting students.”

For many with all of their

senses intact it is very difficult to understand how anyone, who exists without one, manages to cope, but those who are blind or deaf in particular appear to be able to react remarkably and live their best lives.

40 years old the pound coin introduced in 1983

British sign language taught at 10 Downing Street

Credit: Simon Walker

SOME lucky folk have swimming pools they can dip in and out of and air­con to keep them cool. But for the not­solucky out there, here are a few tips that might help keep you cool during the soaring temperatures.

Most of us keep our curtains and blinds closed on sunny windows to stop the sun from breaking in too much. Lots of houses have shutters but if your windows are shutter­less cardboard can be just as effective. Though you may be inclined to cool down with a tall glass of iced tea, ice cream or watermelon on a sweltering summer's day, the effect is wonderful but doesn’t last long and before you know it you are back where you started – a little bit too hot under the collar! This is due to your internal temperature. When it is cooled too rapidly your body ends up compensating by raising your temperature and the result is you feel hotter.

Have you ever lay awake at night wondering why some cultures in the hottest locations on earth enjoy hot and spicy foods?

These people have a trick up their sleeves! Spicy foods

Hot Stuff

actually make you sweat and in turn, this helps to cool you down faster. Eating spicy foods works differently as it raises your internal temperature to match the temperature outside.

Some people sweat from the face ­ the lips, forehead, nose, and scalp ­ after eating hot and spicy foods. This causes your blood circulation to increase and you start sweating, once the moisture has evaporated you have cooled off.

Whilst some might not fancy eating hot food on a scorching hot summer day it may be worth it to cool down. What do you think? Will you be rustling up a spicy chilli or vindaloo to see if it works?

If spicy foods aren’t your thing, try popping your feet into a bowl of ice cubes and water. The shockingly cold temperature will cool you off quickly and reset your body's temperature so you feel comfortable even a few hours later.

The soles of your feet are es­

Is the heat keeping you awake at night and making you feel lousy during the day?

pecially sensitive to temperature changes, so the ice­cold foot bath could be all it takes to cool down. In the sweltering country of Morocco in North Africa, they battle the midday heat by sipping on sweetened mint tea and have been doing so in the desert for thousands of years. Mint has natural cooling properties that make it fresh and cooling on the nasal passages.

It can be difficult to sleep in hot weather. If it's too hot or too cold your internal body temperature may be affected disrupting your ability to drop off and stay asleep.

The best plan is to sleep in the lowest level of your home as the heat rises. Also, make sure all electrical items are turned off and not in standby mode as this still creates heat Some who struggle terribly with the heat resort to taking sheets and bedding straight out of the washing machine and sleeping in a damp bed. But, keeping things damp need not just be a night time

resort as a damp cotton t­shirt can provide some relief during the day.

Heat escapes through the skin, which is the largest organ in the body. So, the more skin you can cool down, the better.

If you'd rather not walk around in wet clothing, you can buy a cooling spray, or just having a cool shower can work just as well. Wrists and ankles have lots of pulse points where blood vessels are close to the

skin, so you will cool down more quickly.

Have we missed out your favourite fool proof way to staying as cool as cucumber in the summer months? Send us your tips!

Relax your feet in a bowl of cold water

Sipping mint tea has been a go to for centuries

DENIA jazz festival continues on Thursday, August 17, with the International Classic Jazz All Stars. The theme will be dedicated to the American musician and composer George Gershwin. The International Classic Jazz All Stars, led by saxophonist Enric Peidro, will pay tribute to the renowned musician with 'A

Jazz It Up

night with George Gerswhin'. This proposal intends to remember the great names of jazz music, as was done last year with the tribute to Duke Ellington. In the International Classic Jazz All Stars you will

find musicians with a long professional career such as the Danish drummer Martin Andersen, the Catalan double bassist Queralt Camps, the French trombonist Samuel Marthé, the British trumpeter Paul Evans or the Valencian vibraphonist Arturo Serra.

On Thursday, August 24, the festival will be closed by the band Judith Owen & Her Gentlemen Callers, who are on a European tour. Residents in New Orleans (United States), their music is heavily

influenced by vocalists such as Peggy Lee, Pearl Bailey, Blossom Dearie, Julie London or Dinah Washington. In addition, its scenography harkens back to the great productions of Broadway musicals and shows, with a noir touch . The singer, of Welsh origin, offers a repertoire that mixes jazz, swing and blues, which has led her to collaborate with figures from the jazz world such as Jason Marsalis, Nicholas Payton or Donald Harrison, among others.

Among the musicians in the band (Her Gentlemen Callers), the Australian guitarist Dave Bleckhorn stands out.

GANDIA will once again host a music festival this summer and will do so in conjunction with the Mediterránea Festival. From Thursday, August 17 to Saturday, August 19, thousands of people will be able to enjoy a line­up featuring Vetusta Morla, Leiva, La Casa Azul, Ojete Calor, among other groups and artists in the Parque de la Festa.

This was explained on Thursday, August 3, in a press conference by the deputy councilor for tourism and culture, Balbina Sendra who was accom­

Gandia Festival

panied by Alfred Sáez, director of the festival. Both indicated that beyond the music, the Mediterránea Festival will allow the city and the beach to also host an intense and attractive programme of free activities related to art and gastronomy that aim to turn this musical event into a new tourist and economic engine of the city for six days.

Sendra said that this is the second large festival of the season in Gandia and that it "consolidates Gandia as a destination for music and festivals”. The Mediterránea Festival will feature the participation of 42 bands and artists in three different settings. More details can be found on the website www.festivalmediterranea.com

Stars of the show

Youth Art

THE Youth Network of the Mancomunitat Cultural de la Marina Alta starts the II Edition of the itinerant collective exhibition "Young Art in the Marina" at the Sala Joves Art, Youth Building in Denia. This exhibition aims to introduce the works of the young creators of our region in different artistic disciplines which in this edition are: painting, sculpture, digital drawing and photography.

Hours are from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Saturday and from 4pm to 9pm Monday to Friday.

The exhibition commences on Saturday, August 11 and runs until Sunday, September 9.

Speed Dating

THE DAR community centre in Javea will be hosting a speed dating lunch on International Prosecco Day, on Sunday, August 13. Entrance is €10, and there will be a chocolate fountain for all to enjoy. The event starts at midday. By reservation only, reserve your seat by emailing dar_kids@asociaciondar.e s or by Whatsapp on 615930039 DAR is located on the road from Javea to Jesus Pobre.

Dianas story Summer loving

THE world premiere show in celebration of Diana Ross and The Supremes comes to Benidorm Palace on Sunday, October 15. The audience can prepare to embark on a fascinating journey that visits one of the greatest musical stories ever told.

A chronological success story of a career culminating in over 100 million records sold led by two international Diana Ross artists, Cheri Jade (The Supremes) and Tameka Jackson (Solo Career).

'Where has our love gone', 'Baby Love', 'Stop in the name of love', 'Reflections', 'You keep an eye on me', 'You can't rush, love', 'Love stoned', 'Ain't There is no mountain high enough', All my life', 'Play me in the morning', 'Upside down', 'My old piano',

The first half of the show is entirely in black and white, depicting the black and white television era at the time. At the end of the first half, the stage has changed to color represent­

ing the introduction of colour television.

The second half is like a Vegas show. As Diana in my story is now a solo artist, the stage is now laid out in more of a Las Vegas style.

They are selling out most theatres and getting standing ovations and so far have rebooked at every theatre they have performed at. It is advisable to book very early. Tickets are €30. The doors open at 7pm and the show is at 8.30pm.

Seating is on a firstcome, first­served basis.

If necessary, tables will be shared. Book now at benidormpalace.com

A GREASE themed summer party will be held at La Hacienda in Javea on Friday, August 11.

La Movida Valenciana is a promoter of Valencian musicians from the great bands of the 80's and 90's such as Glamour, Comité Cisne and Los Inhumanos.

The event features an exclusive concert by the band of Movida Valenciana, a group made up of legendary musicians from the best years of pop­rock, who come together expressly to perform a unique selection of the best songs.

The concert will have the Grease soundtrack as its axis, so throughout the performance the best songs will be included, such as Summer Nights, Grease Lightnin', You're the one that I want or We go together, among others.

And, as if that were not

enough, the party will be completed with one of the great DJs of the Valencian nightlife, Luis Jordana (Funky Lawyers DJs), in a magical fusion of funky,

pop and rock.

Entry is at 11.30pm and the concert begins an hour later.

Tickets can be purchased from www.notikumi.com

Credit: Benidorm Palace

Promotional poster.

Free tour

THE departments of tourism and environment of Altea have announced guided tours by kayak in the Bay of Altea. These leisure days will take place on Thursday, August 10 and Thursday, August 24 for the Morro Toix route, and Thursday, August 17 and Thursday, 31 for the Illa de l'Olla and Cala del Soio route. The meeting point for the activity will be at the facilities of the La Bocana Sailing Point, in Greenwich Marina, Mascarat. These visits have a maximum capacity of 24 people and are focused on the dissemination of the preservation of Altea's natural her­

Medieval

itage. Only adults are allowed.

The schedule of the activity will be from 10.30am to 1pm and participants should arrive 15 minutes before. The tourist department reminds people that for the activity you must take the following equipment: bathing suit, shoes, cap, sunscreen or suitable clothing to protect yourself from the sun and water

To participate in the activity, it is necessary to make a reservation by emailing touristinfo@altea.es, by phone at 96 584 41 14 or by visiting the Tourism office, located at Carrer Sant Pere 14.

TEULADA town hall has announced the Teulada Medieval Market 2023, which will take place from Thursday, August 10 to Sunday, August 13. It will be open from 6.30pm to 1.30am. In the market, the public will be able to find medieval characters on stilts, belly dancing, participatory theatre, knights, Andalusian music, craft workshops, flavours, aromas, archery games, a medieval tavern, photo opportunities, and much more. The councilor for markets, Mari Cantó, highlighted the importance of the Medieval Market, as it is "another social, cultural, gastronomic and commercial meeting point for the municipality".

“We are waiting for you all in the old town of Teulada from August 10 to 13, to enjoy a summer weekend full of history, music and life”, said councillor Rosana Caselles.

Enjoy

Credit: Dimitris Vetsikas/Pixabay

Greener credentials

WITH effect from October 1, a range of polluting single use plastics will be banned in England as part of the government’s plan to clean up the environment.

The restrictions will include single ­ use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks and certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers.

Future plans include introducing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers and commitment for simpler recycling collections for every household and business in England.

All this, even though the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak flew to Scotland to announce that the government planned to sell off more licences for exploitation of additional North Sea Gas and Oil reserves.

The government is also congratulating itself over the fact that more than seven billion harmful plastic bags have not hit the

streets and countryside thanks to the single­use carrier bag charge, according to new figures announced by Environment Minister Rebecca Pow on July 31.

A 5p charge was first introduced in supermarkets in 2015. Since then, the report shows that usage at the main retailers has dropped by more than 98 per cent.

To support its green credentials the government explained that in 2018 it an­

nounced one of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads in rinse ­ off personal care products and in 2020 introduced restrictions on the supply of single­use plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds.

The government also introduced a tax of more than £200 per tonne on plastic packaging manufactured in or imported into the UK that does not contain at least 30 per cent recycled plastic in April 2022.

Restrictions will be levied on some single use plastic cutlery and food containers

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Fuelled up

ASDA became Britain’s first retailer to publish diesel and petrol prices charged at its local forecourts online after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that the chain’s fuel prices had tripled since before the pandemic. The sector had increased these to unnecessarily high levels, the CMA said.

Nicely played

CASILLAS WORLD, founded eight years ago by Iker Casillas, former goalkeeper for both Real Madrid and Spain’s national side, earned €350,287 euros in 2022, 88 per cent more than in 2022. The company, based in the leafy Madrid suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcon, handles the footballer’s image rights.

New face

SARAH BREEDEN was named the Bank of England’s deputy governor and will also serve on the Monetary Policy and the Financial Policy committees. A senior executive, she led Bank’s response to the Northern Rock crisis in 2007 and takes over from Sir Jon Cunliffe, who has held this role since 2013.

Not you

EL CORTE INGLES sold its holding in the Only You hotel chain and will instead focus on its future hotel in Madrid’s Goya district, leaving the Matutes family’s Palladium Hotel Group as Only You’s sole shareholder. The sale went through in July 2022 but was not made public until early August.

Downsizing

HOUSE OF FRASER revealed that it could close more stores, after shutting eight in the past year. Michael Murray, the chief executive of Mike Ashley’s retail empire, which rescued the chain in 2018, said its department store portfolio was “continually under review” and some outlets were “still too big.”

STAT OF WEEK €8.9 billion

in revenues for the Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) bottling plant during the first half of this year, an 8.4 per cent increase on the same period in 2022.

Government does its duty Membership scam alert

DON’T find yourself up the creek without a paddle by falling into the trap of a phony Amazon scam.

The online e­commerce and digital streaming multinational recently alerted to the dangers of being fooled by unexpected calls, texts or emails that claim to refer to a costly membership fee or other membership issue.

These will ask you to confirm or cancel the charge, Amazon warned.

“Scammers will try to convince you to provide payment or bank account information in order to reinstate a membership,” the company said.

Amazon would never ask

you to provide payment information for products or services over the phone, a recent statement stressed. Never pay over the phone, it added.

“Visit the Message Centre on the Amazon website or on our app to review authentic emails from Ama­

THE UK government announced plans to grant hundreds of new oil and gas licences.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed on July 31 that the government would continue to back the North Sea oil and gas industry in its drive to make Britain more energy­independent.

Adopting a more flexible application process, licences could also be offered near currently licensed areas, he said. This would unlock vital reserves due to existing infrastructure and previous assessments, Sunak explained while visiting Aberdeen’s Shell gas terminal.

The independent Climate Change Committee predicted that approximately a quarter of the UK’s energy demands would still be met by oil and gas

TV turn off

ITV’S earnings fell 52 per cent to £152 million (€176.5 million) during the first six months of this year.

Total advertising revenues dropped by 11 per cent to £811 million (€940 million) between January and the end of June, compared with the same period in 2022.

The broadcaster admitted that it was enduring its worst advertising downturn since the 2008 financial crisis although chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall said that although advertisers were cautious, ITV had not experienced any difficulty in attracting sponsors for its programmes.

zon. To verify your Prime Membership status or to make payments, log into your Amazon account, and go to the Your Account section.”

Amazon also recommended always going through the Amazon mobile app or website when

Licensed to drill

seeking customer service, tech support, or to make changes to an account.

“Be wary whenever someone tries to convince you that you must act now,” the company said.

“Go directly to our website when seeking help with Amazon devices, services or orders.

“If you receive communications — a call, text or email — that you think may not be from Amazon, please report it to us,” the company said.

For more information on how to stay safe online, visit Security & Privacy on the Amazon Customer Service page.

tensive to ship oil and gas from abroad, he said.

The government was taking steps to slow the rapid decline in domestic production of oil and gas, securing the UK’s domestic energy supply and reducing reliance on hostile states.

“We have all witnessed how Putin has manipulated and weaponised energy, disrupting supply and stalling growth in countries around the world,” Sunak pointed out.

DUTY on pub drinks will be up to 11p lower than at UK supermarkets.

The changes would help pubs compete on equal terms, explained Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

“British pubs are the beating heart of our communities and as they face rising costs, we’re doing all we can to help them,” Hunt said. “Through our Brexit Pubs Guarantee, we’re protecting the price of a pint.”

Taxing drinks by strength for the first time reflected the popularity of low alcohol drinks, the Chancellor added.

Small Producer Relief would also help small businesses and start­ups create new drinks, innovate and grow, he said.

Go like the wind

IBERDROLA’S US subsidiary, Avangrid, has completed construction of an electricity substation off the Massachusetts coast.

Iberdrola has, through Avangrid, a 50 per cent stake in the €2.5 billion Vineyard Wind undertaking, together with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).

when the UK reached net zero in 2050. More licences were compatible with net zero commitments, the prime minister insisted. Bearing in mind the anticipated part­reliance on fossil fuels for years to come, it was more carbon­in­

Penalty imposed

TELEFONICA must pay €5 million for breaching its €725 million contract with DTS on acquiring the digital channel in 2015.

At the time, Spain’s National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) required Telefonica to make concessions preserving market competition by maintaining DTS’s existing contracts.

Telefonica was also obliged to make available wholesale offers of premium channels ­ with access to major sporting events ­ to other television operators.

Despite this proviso, Telefonica reached an agreement giving sports streaming service DAZN exclusive rights to broadcast the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Formula 1 seasons. The deal also allowed Telefonica to access all DAZN content.

This fine is the latest from the merger, including a €6 million CNMC sanction last March for preventing client transfers.

As well as easing the need for higheremission imports, granting further licences would protect more than 200,000 jobs, and expand the UK economy, Sunak added. It would also provide the next generation of skilled apprentices.

Unicaja movements

UK hedge fund Oceanwood announced the sale of up to 117 million of its Unicaja shares.

Oceanwood has assigned the Bank of America (BofA) to manage the €124 million sale, equal to 4.4 per cent of its 7.4 per cent holding, according to a filing with Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV).

If the sale materialises, Oceanwood would no longer have a sufficient stake to justify Unicaja board membership, with the likelihood that its representative, David Vaamonde Juanatey, will resign as director.

News of the sale came a day after the Unicaja board announced that Isidro Rubiales was to substitute its chief executive Manuel Menendez.

The substation’s high voltage cables connecting the Vineyard Wind I’s 62 turbines to the onshore network are key to the project’s viability, Iberdrola explained.

Located 24 kilometres south of Martha's Vineyard and 55 kilometres south of the Cape Cod peninsula, this is the Spanish multinational's first and largest windfarm in the US and will meet the energy needs of more than 400,000 homes.

War pays

ARMS multinational BAE Systems increased its profit forecast as military spending soared.

The London­based company posted half ­ year underlying earnings of £1.3 billion (€1.5 billion), a 10 per cent increase on last year, plus £21.1 billion €25.5 billion) in orders including 246 infantry fighting vehicles from the Czech Republic. It now has a record backlog of £66.2 billion (€76.9 billion).

BAE said that 2023 earnings per share would grow between 10 to 12 per cent, compared with the rise of between 5 and 7 per cent that it forecast in February.

AMAZON HEADQUARTERS: Advice on avoiding scams

ABERDEEN VISIT: Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak at the Shell refinery

Photo credit: Flickr/GoToVan

Photo credit: 10 Downing Street

DOW JONES

Sad song

SINGER, composer and poet Joaquin Sabina must pay Hacienda €2.5 million in back taxes after Spain’s Supreme Court turned down his appeal against an April 2022 High Court decision that ruled in favour of a 2019 claim. He must now pay tax due on royalties ceded to family­owned companies in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

By the book

DEMAND for English language learning in the first half of 2023 boosted sales and profits for publishing and education company Pearson. Sales rose 5 per cent to £1.8 billion (€2.09 billion) during this period while pre­tax profits rose by 24 per cent to £236 million (€274.3 million), with Pearson expecting to meet full­year targets.

A paler shade of green

BRITAIN’S Business secretary Kemi Badenoch suggested that electric vehicle directives could hinder UK investment and even result in job losses.

According to UK media reports, Badenoch passed on “major concerns” to her colleagues in the Cabinet regarding plans to fine manufacturers who fail to meet electric vehicle production quotas.

This has been interpreted as a sign that the government could be wavering on another green pledge.

The

Clarel deal off

SUPERMARKET chain Dia cancelled a €60 million operation to sell its Clarel perfumery subsidiary to the C2 private equity fund.

Dia told Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) on August 1 that the deal was off after C2 failed to comply with all the terms of the agreement to buy 1,015 Clarel stores, three distribution centres and other assets.

Conditions included the CNMV’s approval, which was confirmed in May, but Dia announced that since C2 had not financially secured the Clarel merchandise before July 31, it had automatically rescinded the contract.

Meanwhile, C2 denied Dia’s allegations and said that it reserved the right to take legal action over the “unilateral” breach of the agreement.

Small mercies

et regarding rules which comes into effect in January and oblige manufacturers to ensure that at least 22 per cent of new sales in Britain are emissions­free models, increasing annually to reach 80 per cent by 2030.

Manufacturers will be fined £15,000 (€17,431) for every polluting car they sell over the limit, unless they can buy extra allowances from other companies.

“If major car companies employing thousands of people are saying that there’s a problem, then it’s her job to look at ways of easing that problem,” a Badenoch spokesperson told Politico magazine.

The UK ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is due in 2030 despite widespread concerns that Britain does not have sufficient infrastructure and capacity for the growth of electric vehicles.

THE UK’s national debt reached 101 per cent of its gross domestic product in the last quarter of 2022, compared with 84.4 per cent in 2020’s pre ­ pandemic first quarter. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) also revealed that Britain’s £2.5 trillion (€2.9 trillion) debt improved in the first quarter of 2023, falling to 100.5 per cent of GDP.

On track

SPAIN’S passenger rail service Renfe will pay rolling stock manufacturer Talgo €181 million to maintain its fleet of high­speed AVE trains until 2027, an extension of their existing contract. Talgo obtained a net profit of €7 million during this year’s first half, a 31.7 per cent increase on the same period in 2022, thanks to increased industrial activity.

Business secretary referred to industry disqui­

KEMI BADENOCH: Business secretary said electric vehicle directives could hinder investment

credit: UK Government

A diverse dilemma

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

THINK IT

PLEASANTLY, but not unexpectedly surprised at the large number of readers who have contacted me to agree with my views on the excessive use of nonwhite actors on British TV. According to a couple of correspondents the UK is not the only country experiencing this.

Apparently Holland and Denmark are also witnessing the phenomena. One of the readers actually sent me a set of photographs announcing species that have become extinct. These included Wooly Mammoths, Saber toothed Tigers, Dodo birds and adverts featuring undiversified white families. Oddly, this somewhat light hearted observation actually made some sense. In fact just 7% of British people are in a marital relationship with people of the same ethnic group. If the vast majority of actors depicting UK families in ads are actually non­white, it gives the impression that the advertising mafia is pushing some agenda known only to them. It rather smells like leftie missions

to normalise inter racial relationships; an exercise called social engineering, which unfortunately, because members of the white populace are petrified to give opinions or utilize their freedom of speech, is actually working. Personally I will endeavor to use my own freedom of speech until I face prosecution, a situation I would actually welcome. Putting someone in the dock for exercising their legal right to express a perfectly legitimate opinion is exactly what is needed to bring the whole conspiracy brigade out into the open. Wouldn’t you just love to hear the prosecution attempt to heap guilt on a white member of the public who stated publically and correctly that despite making up only 13% of London’s total population, black Londoners account for45% of the city’s knife murder victims, 61% of knife murder perpetrators and 53% of knife crime perpetrators? It would also be interesting to see if they would even consider prosecuting the guest who declared on national television that there were ‘too many whites on the Buckingham palace balcony’? Somehow I don’t think so. This practice is a sordid attempt to undermine and frighten the majority of UK

ENTER THE ROBOT OUR VIEW

citizens into surrendering their hard fought country to one of destabilized diversity. When this prevails and the majority realise they have been duped into relinquishing their whole ancestral existence, the street riots and warfare will ensue. This will then give the conspirators the opportunity to send the army and riot police into the UK towns and cities. When the mayhem and body count brings the fighting to an end, the schemers will have gained control and presented the opportunity to bring about a complete restructuring of the rules and laws of our once great country. These people don’t really care about ethnicities; they merely want to create chaos, martial law and curfews. Once the young have been utterly brainwashed into the new order, they will happily and thankfully fall into the wishes and propaganda of the new leaders. Bit like China! Another Leapy rant? Strange how many in past columns have actually materialized! Keep the faith. Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com

Mon. Fri. 1am till 4.

PART of the enjoyment of a meal out is the relationship that you have with the serving staff and their ability to advise you on the food and drink on the menu. The occasion can also be ruined if the waiter or waitress is in a bad mood, is surly, unhelpful, or simply keeps you waiting. Although unemployment, especially amongst the young, in Spain is still very high, it seems that many restaurants find it hard to recruit and keep staff and whereas years ago Spanish and Portuguese staff tended to head off to the UK and other parts of Europe to work, now restaurateurs are starting to rely on staff from Eastern Europe. There’s a lot of cost involved in employing staff on a contract, especially when the current (although who knows for how long?) government has enacted several laws to protect the rights and benefits of workers.

So, enter the robot! It has been possible for some years to obtain robot serving staff offering different grades of service from simply delivery of plates to a full service including ordering from a digital menu and there are even robot chefs who can be programmed to create a range of dishes.

Science Fiction films have for decades imaged sophisticated robots, often made to look like humans, who can cater to every diners needs but now Spain is beginning to see more robots entering the scene.

They are not widespread as yet but as staff become more difficult and expensive to obtain and robots get cheaper to rent (plus they don’t need holidays, social security payments or keep tips) expect to see then becoming more widespread.

Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

OTHERS

Brainpower boost

NEW research has uncovered a remarkable connection between stomach health and brain function. The bacteria residing in your stomach play a significant role in regulating your emotions and cognitive abilities. An imbalance of these bacteria, often referred to as dysbiosis, can contribute to the development of anxiety and depression. However, incorporating probiotic ­ rich foods into your diet can help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, ultimately supporting both physical and mental well ­ being. Fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut are excellent sources of probiotics. By adding these foods to your daily routine, you may be able to naturally boost your brainpower and promote overall health.

AS we age, our legs can often feel the strain. But fear not, the beauty industry has a host of treatments designed to rejuvenate and revitalise those weary pins. One popular option is a leg massage using essential oils, which can stimulate circulation and reduce swelling. For those looking to smooth and firm the skin, a body scrub followed by a moisturising treatment can work wonders. Laser treatments are also gaining popularity for reducing age spots and varicose veins. And let's not forget the power of a good pedicure to make your feet feel fabulous. So, whether you're strolling along the British seaside or dancing the night away in Spain, these treatments will ensure your legs look and feel their best.

By Clinica Britannia

My Feet Are Ugly! Bunions Be Gone!

WHEN it comes to looking after your health, it’s easy to forget about your feet. But healthy feet are an important part of our overall wellbeing, as foot problems can have a huge negative impact on our quality of life.

For example, bunions are an ailment that can affect all ages not just the older generation. Otherwise known as Hallux Valgus, bunions are in fact the most common progressive foot deformity, in which the big toe joint is affected, causing pain and functional disability of the foot.

Fortunately, it is possible to treat this through minimally invasive surgery. The surgery is performed to straighten the big toe and correct claw toes when necessary, helping you to regain your aesthetically

pleasing feet.

The surgery is performed, not only to give the foot a more pleasing appearance, but also to restore the alignment of the bones. Correcting weight distribution on the foot will allow for you to walk pain free, and to be able to wear your shoes

comfortably again.

It is medically justified to perform hallux valgus surgery when the bunion restricts activity, so if you want to get rid of that foot pain, make an appointment now at Clinica Britannia to assess if surgery is a valid option for you.

Lovely legs

Relaxing treats for your legs

57% of makeup consumers are between 18 and 34 years old.

Fighting the frizz

HUMIDTY can turn even the best hair day into a frizzy nightmare. But fear not, this summer, arm yourself with lightweight, hydrating products that lock in moisture and block out humidity. Opt for sulfate­free shampoos, which cleanse without stripping your

hair of its natural oils. Follow up with a deep conditioner to keep your locks smooth and manageable. And don't forget a good quality serum to provide that extra layer of protection. With the right care, you can keep your hair looking fabulous, come rain or shine!

Improve

The science behind green tea

GREEN tea, a common sight in British kitchens, is more than just a soothing hot drink. It's a secret fountain of youth, brimming with ingredients that help us age gracefully.

The magic is in its antioxidants, especially catechins. They fight aging by tackling oxidative stress, keeping our skin firm and wrinkle­free.

Green tea even helps repair our DNA, adding to its anti­aging benefits. Plus, it's a delicious way to hydrate. Some studies suggest it might help ward off age­related diseases like Alzheimer's. So, next time you're brewing a cup, remember, it's not just tea, it's a cupfull of youthfulness. Here's to staying young, one cup of green tea at a time!

TAI CHI, an ancient Chinese martial art and a gentle exercise that provides substantial benefits for both body and mind. Its fluid movements gently work the muscles, enhancing strength, flexibility, and blood circulation, while also promoting better posture and balance.

These physical benefits are especially crucial for older adults, as improved balance reduces the risk of falls.

On a mental level, Tai Chi emphasises mindful movements and breath control, fostering mental clarity and tranquility.

It aids in reducing stress levels, improving focus, enhancing sleep quality, and mitigating depression and anxiety symptoms. In short, Tai Chi stands as a testament to the power of gentle exercise, demonstrating that health and harmony can be achieved without strain.

Exercise for the body and mind

Thai Chi an ancient art Flawless future

AS we step into the future, the world of makeup is set to undergo revolutionary transformations.

Beauty enthusiasts can expect a shift towards lighter, more breathable formulations that deliver exceptional results.

Advancements in cosmetic science will pave the way for cutting ­ edge ingredients, offering enhanced skin benefits and long ­ lasting wear without compromising comfort.

Expect foundations that adapt seamlessly to individual skin tones, rendering the "perfect match" a universal reality. Moreover, sustainability will take center stage, with eco ­ friendly packaging and refillable beauty products becoming the norm.

The future of makeup is all about celebrating diversity, empowering individuals to express their unique beauty, and embracing inclusive formulations that cater to various skin types and needs.

With innovative technology and a growing focus on natural beauty, makeup in the future promises to be a seamless fusion of skincare and cosmetic artistry, empowering everyone to look and feel their best, effortlessly.

Shutterstock/ Tamara Kulikova

By Clinica Britannia

Healthy habits, wealthy life

THE stress and lifestyle many of us live today, trying to fit in work, family and travel, this can have a negative impact on our overall health. But surprisingly for many of us a general health checkup is not a PRIORITY, until we are diagnosed with any specific illness or disease. “Surely prevention is better than cure.”

An Annual General Health check­up will help your doctor keep an eye on the wellbeing of your body and give early diagnosis to any underlying problems; they will generally ask for the following tests:

• Height, weight BMI and blood pressure.

• Standard blood test.

• Electrocardiogram.

• Spirometry to check lung function.

• Consultation with Gynaecologist inclusive of ultrasound, smear and breast ultrasound for women.

• Prostate check for men.

• Dental consultation.

With the results, the GP here can ad­

Do

vise if any further treatment is necessary, for example seeing a Nutritionist if you suffer with diabetes, cholesterol or are over or under weight.

“Health is Wealth”, and with the rising number of diseases, it always helps to detect them early.

Do not neglect your health, contact us here at Clinica Britannia and book your annual check ­ up, it will for sure bring in a significant difference to your overall health.

Appointments Landline: 965 837 553 / 965 837 851 •

LETTERS

Holiday bookings: A summer decline

LAST week we shared a report from GMTV that revealed UK bookings to Southern Europe have experienced a notable dip of 10 per cent, while autumn bookings also showed a 3 per cent decline.

The article then goes on to explain that there could be several reasons for this including the formidable heat with recordbreaking temperatures that we’ve experienced we will continue to experience this summer. Another is the rising cost of living in the UK, for many such as 27 ­ year old Lauren Pugh from Bournemouth, a holiday abroad is a luxury that she just cannot af­

Comments

‘The main problem is British tourists have had a close connection with Spain since the 1950’s under General F Franco, and because of this fact the infrastructure was built up all along Spains coasts to accommodate this fact, and it is now suffering. In addition, this offered much employment for Spain. As a result the hospitality is suffering with tourism and more importantly the revenue that this created has been impacted. This problem has now come to a head with various autonomous regions lobbying Madrid to end the 90 day rule and move along the line of the UK with the 180 days, which will help in the main holiday periods for Spain and it’s future revenue shortfalls.’, M

‘Nothing could have hit tourism as much as Brexit did, let the Spanish drag their feet, they have every right to do whatever they want … the English seem to think it’s their right to anything….. perhaps the people who voted to leave the EU should have looked at the benefits of being in it rather than finding fault and reasons to leave it.’

Alan

‘Yes some of the factors are true, however It is obvious by it omission, any none EU Tourists e.g British Tourists who travelled to EU country’s at Easter time are barred from a summer holiday, due to Spain dragging it’s heels over the 90 day rule despite their

ford ­ especially with mortgage rates increasing by £550 a month. Coupled with this are the extra costs of going away during the peak summer season. Holiday firms are reporting a shift towards autumn bookings as more and more people look to take advantage of the lower prices and travel out of season.

Perhaps, times are changing and preferences are evolving. Millennials are increasingly seeking more immersive experiences, exploring adventure tourism, cultural heritage and the hidden gems found off­thebeaten­path.

luke warm attempt to alter this. It hurts Tourists and Tourism alike and until bureaucrats get their selfs together the problem will fester.’

‘Unfortunately, holidays will just be out of people’s grasp soon.’

Theresa Marie

‘Cost of living. Another interest rate rise this week for UK Mortgages. Got to realise people do not have a money tree in the garden. Increase in Hotels and Flights. I know people not holidaying this year. They cant afford it.’

Andy Aris

‘Andy Aris Have you seen the prices for Air B&B & Booking.com @ €100 plus per night just for one bedroom apartment.’

‘Strange our transfer bookings are way up this year.’ Costa Blanca TRANS ­

FERS

‘Because people don’t have the money’,

Brian Rae

‘Because of the scaremongering about the heat’,

Archie Rainier

‘Archie Rainier you mean it’s not been hot?’,

Emma Monks

‘Emma Monks not as hot as last year no about 6­ 8 degrees cooler in fact’, Archie

Rainier

Saving Water

HOW can municipalities effectively combat the challenges of a prolonged drought without compromising essential services?

Amidst the persistent drought plaguing municipalities in Spain, many municipalities have taken significant strides to address the water scarcity issue.

Typical measures include cutting off the water supply to beach showers, reducing potable water usage for park and garden irrigation by half, cutting back on watering of golf courses and temporarily closing water parks.

While the actual water consumption from beach showers is minimal, councils aims to use this measure as a means to raise awareness among the public about the responsible use of resources.

Traditional Spanish Methods Of Saving Water

RAINWATER harvesting: A common practice is to collect rainwater for various household tasks, such as watering plants, mopping floors, and cleaning things. This can be done by installing rainwater harvesting systems on the roof or in open areas of the home.

When preparing to take a shower take a bucket along. Instead of letting cold water run away while it gets up to temperature, use a bucket to collect it. This way, water can be collected that would normally go to waste, where it could be used for other household tasks.

Turning off the tap while washing dishes and brushing teeth. This helps save a significant amount of water that would otherwise be wasted if the tap remained open throughout the process.

Homespun Methods Of Water Conservation

FOR more ideas here are some methods gathered from residents in a Euro Weekly News survey.

• 'I have a tank and water is expensive, so if I have bath, I leave it in and use the water to wash my plates. I add soap! I also filled the toilet with bricks, so it only makes a little [flush] and saves 5 litres,' Judith van Trump, Benissa, Alicante.

• Another resident, Michael Santos, commented: 'Living in a small community of just eight properties, the most expensive cost we have is water for both the pool and gardens. We have cut the length of time that each garden receives communal water. . . reduced from 10 minutes to 3 minutes.'

• Another tipster said: 'Always use a dishwasher as it is far more environmentallyfriendly than washing by hand as it uses less water.' It is estimated that hand­washing dish es uses up to 3.5 times more water than a dishwasher.

• When visiting the toilet is it always necessary to flush? Without going into too much detail there is the well known phrase: 'If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down,' a memorable contribution from Mayor Ed Koch, who reportedly urged New Yorkers to take up the practice during a water shortage.

• Although it seems sensible to run eco modes on both dishwashers

and washing machines in actual fact whilst they may use less electricity it is possible that more water is used is this longer cycle, so consider changing to quick more as it may cost more but could save precious water.

• Also, if you use a water softener do check whether it’s metered or unmetered as if unmetered, it automatically regenerates on a timer whether it needs to or not, thus using a lot of unnecessary water.

• The metered option regenerates only when it needs to and therefore uses less water says Angela Wright from Benidorm

• Animal lovers, if you are running the hot water tap, fill the dog’s bowl whilst the water is still cold so it doesn’t just disappear down the drain. Paul Chalmers Estepona

• An anonymous reader contributed, Save water – drink wine.

In Conclusion

BY taking decisive steps to conserve water resources, actions already taken have created an example for other municipalities facing similar drought challenges.

What we all hope to see shortly is some monsoon type weather lasting long enough to top up the aquifers (underground water catchment areas) and reservoirs in the short term and the creation of more desalination plants by the coasts in the long term.

Have a bucket in the shower to collect any excess water, before or during your shower.

Beach showers to be cut off

MIXED REVIEWS FOR BRITAIN’S TOP SPOTS

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

THERE is just no pleasing some people. The UK’s got world heritage sites, a vibrant and cultured capital city and great landscapes. But not all visitors are impressed. As some recent less­than­glowing TripAdvisor reviews reveal.

Take Stonehenge for instance. An acknowledged wonder of the ancient world and UNESCO heritage site? Not so for one reviewer: “Just a bunch of rocks.” For another: “The definition of a tourist trap. Miles and miles of travelling to arrive at a park where you’re given an audio guide to some really uninteresting, boring old rocks.”

Surely the white cliffs of Dover, the first

glimpse of Britain for many visitors, would fare better? Not exactly: “Except for the historical significance, there isn't anything exciting about the cliffs as they are today. Glistening white? They’re more like a filthy brown.”

Trip Advisor ­ by the people, for the people ­ is a site that encapsulates the internet conundrum. Its benefits to the paying public are obvious but its misuse can be devastating. Undoubtedly a useful tool, it’s obviously only as good as the reviewers. Aim to get corroborating information from other travel sites…or, better still for this year’s holidays, simply rely on your instinct and common sense!

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

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

NORA’S LATEST THRILLER.

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

RICHARD is in his 50’s, a retired forensic accountant from Scotland. After falling into an alcoholic coma, following a binge, he knew he had a choice, keep drinking and die, or stop and live. Here is his story…

“I started drinking aged 15. The sensation was amazing, I loved the feeling, was immediately hooked, and wanted more. I come from a big family, and a culture that promotes the use of alcohol. It wasn’t frowned upon, and for many years my behaviour wasn’t unusual.

I had a senior position in a prominent role and managed to keep a lid on my alcohol use. It became a chronic problem when I retired from work – that is when I became a daily drinker (morning, noon, and night). Gambling could have become a problem, but I needed the money for alcohol. Eating became a chore. Relationships became a thing of the past. Alcohol always came first.

A design for living... that saved my life

My rock bottom was probably in the period leading up to my hospitalisation. By then I was depressed, lonely and I had no interest in people, places, or things. Alcohol had become my life, and I would have been happy to go into a blackout and never wake up.

Then I was told by my GP that I had cirrhosis of the liver and if I continued drinking my lifespan was 3­5 years. I reacted by going on a four ­ week long drinking binge. The result was me ending up in an alcoholic coma.

At this point realisation hit, I knew I had a choice and that I had to do something; keep drinking and die or stop drinking; but I just couldn’t fathom how that would be possible.

I was full of fear at the prospect of my first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. I hoped that I would hate it and that would justify never going back. However, what I found was love and understanding; and a realisation that there were many other people just like me.

Life now? I believe that I have

found (as we say in the fellowship) a “bridge to normal living”. I have new relationships, family support and have rediscovered sports. Impatience and intolerance are managed. I am human, and my character defects will always be there; but with the help of the fellowship of AA, they are shared and understood by other alcoholics. My advice? Try it and see. It’s free, if you don’t like it there is no obligation to return but the door will always be open. Get to meetings and listen. Obtain phone

numbers, and call when you need help. I recommend for any newcomer, the Alcoholics Anonymous book called Living Sober. It’s easy to read; and contains advice on everything you will experience as you begin a sober journey. “ There are meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, with friendly people who will understand, held daily, throughout the Costa del Sol. Meetings are free to attend, and anyone who thinks they may have a problem with alcohol is welcome.

PETS

Find pet sitters now for your trip

MANY of our pet owners in Spain choose checked pet sitters from our listings. Our HousesitMatch sitters are checked, they are pet lovers and they won’t charge you a cent for the house or pet sitting 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 petcare. These are the steps to take:

1. Register as a Homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com

2. Choose a Standard account (£ 69 GB per year) to ensure you can help online when needed

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

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.

How does it work?

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

Need a pet or housesitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either housesitter or homeowner with a 20% discount using coupon code 20EWN

Reader exclusive offer.

To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com

Run rabbit run

WHEN it comes to ensuring your rabbit lives a comfortable, healthy life indoors, creating the right environment is of paramount importance. As most rabbit owners will agree, rabbits are sociable creatures that require ample space and stimulation to thrive.

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

First and foremost, size matters. A rabbit’s habitat should ideally be as spacious as possible, allowing room for the rabbit to hop, play, and explore. The minimum size should be at least three times your rabbit's length, though bigger is always better. Next, consider the flooring. While wire­bottomed cages are often promoted in pet stores, they can cause discomfort and even injuries to your rabbit's feet. Instead, opt for a solid floor lined with absorbent, soft materials like hay or recycled paper bedding.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Rabbits are intelligent and curious animals. Provide toys, tunnels, and hiding spots to cater to their inquisitive nature. Chew toys, in particular, are vital, as they help keep your rabbit’s teeth healthy. Temperature and lighting are two other key considerations. Rabbits fare best in temperatures between 1020°C, so avoid placing their habitat in direct sunlight or near heat sources. More­

over, ensure the cage is situated in a well­lit, quiet, and peaceful area to mimic their natural environment.

Lastly, cleanliness is paramount. Regularly clean the rabbit's living area to maintain hygiene levels and keep your furry friend happy. Remember, a well­designed habitat can greatly enhance your rabbit's quality of life, contributing to their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Exploring exotic pets

STEPPING into the world of exotic pets can be a journey filled with unique encounters and newfound understanding. From the spiky charm of hedgehogs to the awe­inspiring allure of tarantulas, these unconventional companions offer a pet ownership experience quite unlike any other.

Hedgehogs, with their distinctive spiny coats and nocturnal habits, are rapidly becoming popular among pet enthusiasts. These little creatures require a specific habitat, diet, and handling, but their endearing nature makes the effort worthwhile. Owners are often fascinated by their selfanointing behaviour ­ an unusual spectacle where hedgehogs lick to create a frothy saliva, then spread it on their spines!

On the other end of the spectrum, tarantulas, although

not everyone's first choice, offer a different kind of companionship. Contrary to popular belief, most tarantulas are not dangerous to humans. Their incredible diversity, spanning various sizes, shapes, and colours, can spark a fascination for nature's marvels. However, they do require intricate care in terms of habitat and diet, with some species living up to 20 years.

Ownership of exotic pets requires a commitment to understand their unique needs and behaviours. Careful research and preparation are crucial to provide these extraordinary creatures with a suitable environment and proper care. Delving into the world of exotic pets can indeed be rewarding, but prospective owners should remember that respect for these animals and their natural habitats is paramount.

If you’re planning travel later this year don’t delay, Find your petsitters now with HouseSit Match

Rabbits like to hop, play and explore

Shutterstock/ yngmy

PLUMBERS

PLUMBING

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

www.helpbenidorm.org and on Facebook VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, particularly if you speak Spanish, and have a car (although this is not essential). Tel President 607 387 040. We are an English-speaking charity that assists residents and tourists of all nationalities in times of crisis.

We meet every Thursday at 11am in Jose Llorca Social Centre C. Goya s/n. Benidorm. We loan out mobility and medical equipment including oxygen concentrators on a short-term basis. (288658)

WIGS

WWW.WIGS-R-US.ES Iindoor market, Rincon De Loix Benidorm. Monday to Friday 10 -4pm Sat 10 – 3pm scrunchies, ponytails, toppers, fascinators, headwear etc. Private appts after 3 pm 681 049 502 (302420)

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RELAX CENTRE in BENIDORM - Excellent atmosphere. Expert Masseuses. 24/7 Outcalls - Tel: 603 324 564 (290194)

NATURIST male gives relaxing massage. Half price 1st time offer €25. For men and women. Private premises in Jávea, WhatsApp Rob on 613 831 380 (304057)

AUTO BASTIAN mobile mechanic. Tel 608 860 725. (301133)

CAR BODY REPAIRS AND MECHANIC. ORBA AND SURROUNDING LOCAL AREAS. CALL TONY: 669 633 257 (302957)

LOOKING FOR Silent Business Partner for small Private Care Home. Invest 10K and get 20K back in 14 months. 747 438 225 (304048)

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

PRIVATE CARE HOME Full Board and Care. British Owned near Alicante. Luxurious Villa. €1,200 per month. Call 747 438 225 (304150)

THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA This association, formed in 1988, exists to foster comradeship amongst those who, having been awarded an official flying badge, have qualified to operate military aircraft and are serving or have served, as military aircrew in the armed forces of the United Kingdom or those nations which are allies of the United Kingdom or the Commonwealth. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THIS POPULAR ASSOCIATION, CALL the Secretary on 966 495 228. (295990)

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BENEFICIAL INSURANCE

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

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Toyota BZ4X - An interesting car

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

BZ4X is probably one of the strangest names ever for a car, and appears to have

been spared any imagination in Toyota’s vehicle naming department. It’s not as random as it may appear though, the ‘BZ’ stands for Beyond Zero, so you may guess from that it’s an

EV, and the 4X signifies the size and type within Toyota’s hierarchy. Despite the rather boring name it’s an interesting car.

It’s Toyota’s first EV, surprising when you consider they were pioneers having launched the first Prius Hybrid back in the midnineties. Four trim levels, two and four­wheel­drive and comprehensive standard equipment across the board make the BZ4X a tempting package.

Range varies whether you select two or fourwheel­drive and surprisingly the wheel size. The highest range quoted by Toyota is 317 miles in the twowheel­drive and 286 miles with four ­ wheel ­ drive. As with all EVs that’s not up to combustion engine range and of course the EV charging network, although im­

proving, is not improving anywhere near fast enough to make longer journeys a worry­free experience. It almost goes without saying if you’re read any of my EV reviews, that they make great commuter cars.

The BZ4X is, as one would expect from Toyota, aimed at making life practical with an extremely generous amount of space inside the car and lots of storage. It is a large car too and the build quality is pretty good, but given it’s a Toyota one almost expects that to be the

case.

As with the external looks the interior is a bit Marmite, some will love it, and some won’t. The usual pattern of a large central screen is adopted, the low level steering wheel obscures some of the driver information screen but like many things you soon acclimatise and these aren’t huge issues.

On the road there’s a distinct absence of road noise and despite its lofty stature and complaint ride the BZ4X makes admirable

progress along twisting lanes. Rough roads, and there’s lots to choose from in the UK, make little disturbance to the ride and while not sporty it’s a decent drive.

Like most EVs the BZ4X isn’t cheap with prices starting from €53,506/£46,110, but you do get an awful lot of car for your money. The fact it’s a Toyota will also count for a lot with practical folk and those who want to go safely green with useable and family friendly transport.

Despite the rather boring name it is an interesting car

Beach car care

SEAT: Spain’s Pride

SEAT, Spain's largest car manufacturer, stands as a testament to the country's automotive prowess. Founded in 1950, SEAT has evolved from a national car brand to a global automotive force.

IF you can find a parking space, driving to the beach can be quick and convenient, but it also comes with its risks, in regard to the health of your vehicle.

Many people decide to take the car to the beach because of the convenience it offers when it comes to moving around with all the necessary equipment. But it is good to keep in mind that parking too close to the sea is harmful to the vehicle, especially if it is going to be stationary for several days.

The salty sea breeze promotes corrosion of the bodywork, but it can also damage the interior of the car, as well as the metal parts and the engine. In fact, the longer the car is exposed, the more serious the impact will be. Rubber seals, for example, cannot be repaired, they have to be replaced.

Just like seawater, sea breezes carry sand, which can also damage the bodywork. It is recommended to wash the car with water or compressed air afterwards and, as a pre­

caution, always park with your back to the sea and, if possible, cover the vehicle with a car cover. Also, when getting into the car, it is advisable to shake out shoes and even clothes, along with the use of seat covers. In this way, the upholstery will be protected

Vehicles left in direct sunlight are particularly at risk, with potential damage to plastics and tyres. Always using a sun visor and performing regular tyre checks are ways to reduce the damage.

Car manufacturing slowing down

SPAIN´s automotive industries are dealing with severe supply chain shortages in 2023, owing to a complex web of challenges. A number of factors including the after effects of the pandemic, international trade disputes, and climate­induced crises, have strained supply chains to a breaking point.

Semiconductors, integral to everything from engine management to in­car entertainment systems, are in critically short supply. This, compounded with restricted access to raw materials such as steel and plastics, has led to higher manufacturing costs and delayed production lines.

Factories are forced to reschedule production, delay new model launches, or even prioritise certain vehicle lines, while consumers grapple with rising prices, prolonged wait times, and limited model

The latest model maybe delayed

availability. Analysts warn that these supply chain issues will persist throughout the year.

This predicament has outlined just how fragile the global supply chains are and has highlighted the urgent need for more resilient, adaptable, and localised operations. This crisis is pushing

SEAT's success lies in its commitment to innovation and design. Its models combine cutting ­ edge technology with unique Spanish aesthetics, appealing to a wide demographic. The brand has also embraced electric mobility, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable transportation.

By consistently delivering quality and innovation, SEAT continues to drive Spain's automotive industry forward.

277,885 registered Dacia Sandero by end of June 2022

both nations towards an inevitable evolution in their respective automotive industries, with a renewed focus on building sustainable and digitised supply chains.

As daunting as the current challenges are, this may well set the stage for a more robust, efficient, and resilient automotive industry in Spain.

Parking at the beach.

Credit: Anetlanda/Shutterstock.com

Shutterstock/ Jenson

Silverware shootout

IT was a victory that needed a penalty shootout to decide the winner between Arsenal and Manchester City after a 1­1 draw in open play, on Sunday August 6, at a Wembley Stadium that unveiled its new state­of­the­art pitch.

Incredibly, two of City's biggest players missed penalties, first Kevin De Bruyne crashed his kick against the bar and then Rodri saw his rather feeble spot­kick saved with ease by England keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Although this annual battle for the first piece of silverware of a new season is not held in the highest of esteem, today's win will serve as a psychological boost to Mikel Arteta and his men as they look to go one better this season in the title race.

Arteta gave starts to his three big summer signings, with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber all making their competitive debuts for the Londoners. The German was guilty of wasting two golden opportunities in the first half.

The match looked to be heading towards an all too similar conclusion

after Cole Palmer's magnificent strike in the 70th minute. On as a sub, the youngster curled a stunning shot beyond the Arsenal goalkeeper to make it 1­0.

A clash of heads between Kyle Walker and Thomas Partey in the 92nd minute saw play halted for a substantial period. The game resumed with 12 added minutes.

It was Leandro Trossard who put

Lionesses roar

THE England women's football team has been showcasing exceptional form in their recent matches, emerging as one of the prominent contenders in the World Cup which is being jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

With a blend of experience and youthful energy, the Lionesses have managed to secure victories in key games, against Haiti, Denmark, China and Nigeria.

Fans are eagerly awaiting their next World Cup fixture against either Colombia or Jamaica, scheduled for Saturday August 12, at the Australia stadium in Sydney. England's recent performances have instilled confidence, and supporters are optimistic about their chances in this crucial game.

The upcoming fixture will undoubtedly be a defining moment in their World Cup journey.

his team level, in the 101st minute. His shot was deflected in off Manuel Akanji's thigh beyond a wrong­footed Stefan Ortega to send the noise levels inside Wembley through the roof.

Pep Guardiola now has the task of inspiring his players for their UEFA Super Cup clash against Sevilla next Wednesday 9, in the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis in Piraeus, Greece.

Arsenal winning the Community Shield 2023.

Credit: Twitter@Arsenal

The starting lineup for the match against Nigeria

Credit: englandfootball.com