Costa Calida 5 – 11 October 2023 Issue 1996

Issue No. 28 (1996) 5 - 11 October 2023

TRAGEDY STRIKES MURCIA

Catherine McGeer

ON the fateful morning of October 1, at 6am, the city of Murcia was jolted awake by a series of frantic calls to the Emergency Coordination Centre. The callers reported a raging fire consuming three nightclubs in the Atalayas area. Murcia’s brave firefighters rushed to the scene, battling fierce flames that threatened lives and property.

Efforts to quell the inferno were nothing short of heroic. By 10 am, the fire had been extinguished, but not before leaving behind a trail of devastation.

Tragically, 13 souls perished in the blaze, which primarily affected the Fonda Milagros, Teatre, and Golden nightclubs. The fire spread rapidly through the upper floors, causing the ceiling to collapse in the Fonda Milagros, where nine bodies were recovered. The heroic firefighters worked tirelessly in perilous conditions to recover victims. Preliminary investigations point to a slow combustion, with possible causes being a short circuit or a flare.

The fire’s gradual onset made escape difficult for patrons as the fire had spread and was quite extensive before they became aware.

The mayor of Murcia, José Ballesta, explained that the area where the first bodies found were concentrated was in ‘danger of collapse’, so it had to be shored up.

“The extraction work is exhausting, the firefighters go out and lie on the ground with oxygen, and they have to drink water because it is a lot of work.” One of the girls trapped inside sent an audio to her parents to say goodbye ‘Mami, la amo; vamos a morir’ (Mommy, I love you; We are going to die).

The message that no par­

ent ever wants to hear reached Jairo, father of Leidy Paola, one of those who disappeared after the fire, at 6.06 in the morning. Screams and voices from other patrons of the nightclub urging someone to light up the area can also be heard in the background of the audio. At the Palacio de Deporte, five psychologists and 20 Red Cross professionals assisted families and friends of the victims, as well as four Semas workers, who took over in case it was necessary to continue providing assistance.

In the investigation, they

subsequently discovered that in January 2022, an order to cease activity was issued to the club and when Deputy Mayor Antonio Navarro was asked if an internal investigation was going to be opened as to why these premises were not closed due to this file, Councillor Navarro assured that there absolutely will be.

Four of the five people who were missing from the Las Atalayas fire in Murcia were found alive on Monday, October 2.

Fernando Lopez Miras the president of the region met

with the families of the deceased and afterwards said “There are no words that describe this much pain.” A minute’s silence was held in Murcia on October 2 for the victims of the fire and a threeday mourning period in the region was also announced with many bars, and clubs closing during this period to show their respect to the victims and their families.

The president of the federation, Jesús Jiménez, pointed out that it is the only measure they can take since “It is not the day to open our doors because our hearts are broken.”

Images: X/Bomberos Murcia, 112 Murcia

FREE • GRATIS

MURCIA MOURNS: A city united in grief.

Budget-friendly

Coastal challenge

SAN PEDRO DEL PINATAR is set to host the third Half Marathon and nine kilometres Paraíso Salado on Sunday October 15. Organised by the Department of Sports and FAMU, this event aims to bring together 700 runners, taking place against the backdrop of the Mar Menor and the Salinas Regional Park. The route showcases the region’s tourist attractions.

Mayor Ángela Gaona highlighted the opportunity for participants and spectators to enjoy the beautiful coastal environment and Las Salinas Park during the race. Fran Sánchez, the general director of Sports for the Region of Mur ­

cia, praised the event’s inclusivity, welcoming newcomers to the sport.

Starting at 9.00am, the Half Marathon and nine­ kilometre races will begin at the Mar de los Reyes Park, with both routes approved by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation. Registration is open until October 10, through the reachingtumeta.es website until the registration limit is reached.

Awards await the top three finishers in each category, along with finishing medals for all participants. Cash prizes are up for grabs, with €300 for the male and female champions, and an additional €100 for breaking the event record.

A RECENT study by the Organisation of Consumers

(OCU) has unveiled the top choices for budget ­ conscious shoppers in the Region of Murcia.

The report identifies Alcampo and Family Cash as the cheapest supermarket chains in Murcia, offering shoppers significant savings. Close behind is Mercadona, which also provides cost­effective options for groceries.

In contrast, the study found Coaliment to be the most expensive supermarket chain across Spain, serving as a cautionary note for consumers looking to maximise their budgets. Inflation, which has led to a 14.1 per cent increase in grocery prices, highlights the importance of finding economical shopping solutions.

The OCU’s findings reveal that choosing the right su­

permarket can lead to an average annual savings of €1,056. Murcia, La Rioja, and Galicia are the most budget­friendly regions for grocery shopping in Spain. With data gathered from 1,108 supermarkets across 65 cities and online, the OCU’s report equips consumers with valuable information to make informed shopping decisions, ensuring their money goes further.

ON October 11 Los Alcázares kicks off its annual local fiestas, known as the ‘Fiestas de Octubre.’ These festivities are a celebration of tradition, culture, and the strong sense of community that defines this town.

On October 12, ‘Big Caldero Day’ will take place giving you the chance to try the delicious local dish. October 13 features children’s drawing and crafts workshops. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy the Surfari Mar Menor, with windsurfing and

October

fiestas

other competitions, on October 13 and 14. October 14 also offers a chance to explore the sea with sailing activities and a concert tribute to SKA­P.

The festivities continue on October 15 with an Association Fair, ham­cutting masterclass, and magical children’s perfor­

mance. October 16 includes the Giant Caldero for Seniors, domino, Parchisi contests, and a documentary screening. The week concludes with a Lina Morgan tribute concert, a tasting of pastries and chocolate, and funfilled bouncy castles in the park for families. The Fiestas de Octubre in Los Alcázares promises a wide variety of events for more information about the details of the event see losal cazares.es where you can download a schedule.

SHOPPING STUDY: Valuation information to ensure shoppers’ money goes further.

BANK HOLIDAY

AS Thursday October 12 is National Day in Spain, we will not be distributing any of the seven Euro Weekly News editions until the following day, Friday October 13. There will still be the same mix of interesting content, but it will be one day later.

NIBS EXTRA

IN a green leap forward, five municipal buildings are set to shine brighter while saving on electricity bills. Photovoltaic panels, provided free of charge will be installed in various buildings and centres in the region, ushering in a sustainable era.

WWII heroes

IN honour of Romani Resistance Day, a powerful mural graces Cartagena’s Calle Pedro Martín Zermeño. This mural pays homage to the brave Romani women who led a revolt on May 16, 1944, preventing the Nazis from killing their loved ones in Auschwitz II.

Full capacity

THE Santiago de la Ribera football field was buzzing with excitement as its new stands and changing rooms were unveiled by the mayor of San Javier. These impressive facilities mark a significant milestone for the local sports teams.

Paraíso Salado

A REMINDER that San Pedro del Pinatar will once again bring together the Paraíso Salado Gastronomic event from October 6 to 8, a highlight of local and regional cuisine. Restaurants throughout the Region of Murcia will offer a wide variety of dishes at 12.30pm, and at 8.00pm.

Saving water

THE inaugural ‘European Waters Twinning Act’ took place in Los Alcázares last weekend. Over three days, attendees engaged in a series of workshops and activities, emphasising the significance of water conservation.

CARTAGENA, a city rich in history and architectural treasures, is set to take on an ambitious journey to restore and repurpose its coastal batteries, military barracks, castles, and fortresses.

The visionary plan, spearheaded by Mayor Noelia Arroyo, aims to secure economic support from the central government to breathe new life into these historical locations and boost tourism in the region.

The collaboration between the city, the Academy of Military Sciences and Arts, and the Polytechnic University of Cartagena will culminate in the first­ever forum, ‘Spanish Military

Heritage with Global Projection’, scheduled for November. This event is a vital step towards showcasing Cartagena’s historical significance on a global scale. The pro­

ject seeks to preserve and repurpose over 400 elements in the municipality, with 38 significant structures at the forefront.

While the task is monu ­

Heritage revival Fake science Skate paradise

mental due to the associated costs, Mayor Arroyo emphasises the importance of collaboration between administrations to secure resources and funding.

YOUR

87 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

A 42-YEAR-OLD man found himself in a precarious situation when he suffered a fall near Monte de Roldán, in Cartagena. The incident, which occurred on a challengingto­reach terrain, prompted a swift response from emergency services.

THE ‘Fake Science Hunters’ awards took centre stage at an event held as part of the European Researchers’ Night celebration, organised by the Séneca Foundation­Science and Technology Agency of the Region of Murcia.

Over 150 secondary school students participated in this inaugural edition, showcasing their critical thinking and investigative skills by presenting 59 audiovisual works aimed at debunking scientific hoaxes.

Juan María Vázquez, the Min­

ister of the Environment, Universities, Research, and Mar Menor, had the honour of presenting the awards. The competition tasked students with creating videos that scrutinised news received through social media, WhatsApp groups, and similar channels, applying scientific rigor to explain and debunk various phenomena and situations while sharing their findings on social networks.

This initiative aims to foster critical thinking and scientific awareness among students.

THE mayor of Mazarrón, Ginés Campillo, has officially signed a contract with Zima Desarrollos Integrales to begin construction on the eagerly anticipated Urban Sports Park. This ambitious project, with a budget of €564,415, is set to transform the Virgen de Fátima street area behind the Sports Pavilion ‘La Cañadica’.

Championed by the Youth Council, led by Councillor Silvia García, this park will cover a vast 3,000 square metres. Scheduled to break ground in the upcoming weeks, it will feature a diverse range of facilities, including a skatepark, calisthenics zones, and a parkour area. The project was meticulously designed by the MUBA architecture studio. These amenities will boast an array of elements, including quarter pipes, rails, handrails, and more. As construction gets underway, anticipation for the grand unveiling of this exciting addition to the town continues to grow.

Community progress

LA MANGA is undergoing significant developments, with expansion work at the Las Salinas del Mar Menor Institute introducing vocational training in Cooking and Restoration, crucial for the hospitality industry.

The project, funded by the European Union, has already begun, benefiting the region by training culinary professionals and addressing the demand for skilled workers in tourism and catering.

The Las Salinas Institute aims to expand its educational offerings by including Higher Degree programmes in the future. Simultaneously, the Multipurpose Centre near the

Mediterranean CEIP of La Manga is making progress, set to become a central community hub.

In addition to these initiatives, the 2024 budget, approved during a recent meeting, reflects a commitment to the region’s growth, with collaborative contributions from Cartagena and San Javier municipalities.

La Manga’s focus on education and community development highlights its dedication to progress and the well­being of its residents, promising a brighter future for this coastal town.

Upon receiving a distress call, firefighters from Cartagena City Council’s Fire Extinguishing and Rescue Service, along with an ambulance from the Management of Emergencies and Health Emergencies 061, rushed to the scene.

The victim was safely rescued. Paramedics provided medical attention, and the injured man was subsequently transferred to Santa Lucía Hospital in Cartagena via a 061 ambulance.

This incident serves as a reminder of the vital role played by emergency responders in ensuring the safety and well­being of the community.

Even better,

and in print is FREE and we promise to always keep it that way.

Image: Shutterstock/ Anetlanda

Sunny savings

Cartagena Jazz Festival

Catherine McGeer

THE Cartagena Jazz Festival in November is a must ­ attend event for jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike. Featuring an eclectic lineup of artists, this festival promises to be a memorable celebration of jazz and musical diversity. The festivities will take place at various venues in Cartagena.

Kicking off the festival on November 3 is Nubya Garcia, a talented saxophonist known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz. Her performance embodies the cutting ­ edge jazz of the 21st century. On November 4, Morgan, a prominent band in Spain’s independent music scene, will showcase their genre­blending music at the Nuevo Teatro

PROVERB

Circo.

A highlight of the festival is the return of jazz legend Ron Carter on November 10, with his Foursight quartet. Saxophonist Steve Coleman takes the stage on November 11, promising a unique exploration of jazz fusion. Flamenco and jazz intertwine on November 17 with Josemi Carmona, Javier Colina, and Bandolero's captivating performance.

Green imperative Donor drive

The festival culminates on November 18 with the dynamic fusion group Patáx.

Additional concerts will be held at the El Batel Auditorium, Mr Witt Café, and Icue Plaza throughout the month, offering a diverse musical experience for all. Tickets are available through jazz cartagena.es , ranging from €20 to €25, with special packages for all theatre concerts at €60.

THE Region of Murcia is stepping up to the challenge of saving lives through the ‘A Match for a Life’ campaign. President Fernando López Miras recently met with Dr Ricardo Robles, the regional transplant coordinator, to discuss the Region’s involvement in recruiting bone marrow donors. Their goal is to make a significant impact on the lives of thousands of individuals battling leukaemia and other blood diseases.

Remarkably, the Region of Murcia already boasts nearly 26,000 registered potential bone marrow donors, ranking it sixth among autonomous communities for donors per 100,000 residents. To further bolster these numbers, today, Thursday October 5, Plaza de

Toros de Murcia will host a bus from the National Transplant Organisation and the Josep Carreras Foundation. This event will feature live musical performances and activities aimed at encouraging young people to become donors.

Since its inception in 1991, the Regional Bone Marrow Transplant Programme, also known as Hematopoietic Stem Progenitor Transplantation, has been making strides in saving lives. The ‘A Match for a Life’ campaign, initiated in 2019, has been touring Spain and Andorra for 45 days, visiting 17 cities to bolster the Spanish Registry of Bone Marrow Donors (REDMO), which currently boasts over 460,000 typed bone marrow donors.

SEVERAL Spanish cities, including Murcia, Cartagena, Lorca, and Molina de Segura, are facing a legal mandate to establish low emissions zones (ZBEs) within their urban areas. These zones are intended to monitor air quality, regulate traffic, and promote sustainable transportation options like walking, cycling, and public transit.

Originally, these cities were required to implement ZBEs by January 1, 2023, as per the Law on Climate Change and Ecological Transition. However, they are currently in the ‘in process’ stage, leading to tensions between local authorities and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (Miteco).

The primary point of contention is the reluctance of some city councils to impose sanctions or require environmental labelling for polluting vehicles, which are essential components of effective ZBEs. Some officials argue for more lenient regulations to avoid overburdening residents.

Means when you’re in a difficult situation, laughing can make it easier to get through that situation. This is believed to have originated from the bible. But the power of laughter has long been recognised by medical experts.

The delay in implementing ZBEs is partly due to the complex nature of the law, which requires municipalities to establish clear sanctions and exceptions for vehicles without environmental labels entering ZBEs, with fines of €200 imposed since March 2022.

As the December 31 deadline approaches, Spanish cities remain divided over the balance between environmental protection and urban mobility facilitation.

Celebrate the rhythms of Jazz and musical fusion at the 42nd Cartagena Jazz Festival.

Music, hope and the gift of life come together at the Plaza de Toros de Murcia.

Image: cartagena.es

Image: murciasalud.es

OF THE WEEK

“Laughter is the best medicine.”

13.6% the number of people who go to church every Sunday in Spain.

Free travel passes

IN a generous move, Renfe, the Spanish railway operator, will distribute more than 27,000 free travel passes in the Region of Murcia during the first month of the third quarter. These passes are valid for travel until December 31, 2023, providing an excellent opportunity for residents and visitors to explore the beautiful region.

Of these passes, a substantial majority are designated for Cercanías, while nearly 3,000 are reserved for Media Distancia (medium distance) travel. The process to acquire these free subscriptions has been made effortless. The Cercanías app allows users to quickly and easily obtain recurring Cercanías and Rodalies subscriptions. Users can generate a QR code on their mobile phones, which can be used for access control during the valid period. For Media Distancia tickets, the Renfe website is the go­to platform for purchase.

Though the subscriptions are free, a small deposit is required ­ €10 for Cercanías and Rodalies, and €20 for conventional Media Distancia services. Card payments enable automatic deposit refunds upon completing 16 trips within the four­month validity period. Renfe has also established a dedicated telephone line (919 191 567) for customer inquiries.

Loneliness strategy La Manga’s fight

FERNANDO LÓPEZ

MIRAS, the president of the Region of Murcia, has unveiled a strategy to combat loneliness among the elderly.

Speaking at the Region of Murcia Senior Awards, he emphasised the seriousness of ‘unwanted loneliness,’ especially for those over 65 living alone, as it can have negative physical and emotional effects. The strategy, to be implemented through the Ministry of Social Policy, Families, and Equality, aims to ensure that isolated individuals receive the support and tools they need to stay connected.

The plan includes an investment of €4.7 million to modernise 54 residential centres, making them more accessible and technologi­

THE ‘CompraReloj’ of Los Alcázares is back, and it’s bigger than ever! This exciting campaign was recently announced by Pedro José Sánchez, the councillor for

cally advanced. Additionally, nearly 200 new places in residences and day centres will be created to provide comprehensive care for seniors.

President López Miras reaffirmed the region’s commitment to seniors, stating that older people are a priority group for the government. The Region of Murcia Senior Awards recognised

individuals like Manuela Marín from Cieza who received ‘Senior Person of the Year’ and organisations like Hermandad Nuestra Señora de La Aurora for contributing to senior citizens’ wellbeing, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural traditions and providing education for older individuals.

Against the clock

Economy, and it promises fantastic opportunities for shoppers in Los Alcázares.

Taking place during the months of October and November, participants have a chance to win up to €4,000 in prizes.

Each month, there will be a draw for €1,000 among all participants. That means you could be one of the lucky winners to receive this generous prize to spend in just 90 minutes in local businesses!

In addition to the monthly

draw, there will be two draws each month, with €500 each, exclusively for the locals who shop at the winning businesses. It’s a fantastic incentive to support your local stores and potentially win big!

Participating in CompraReloj is simple, all you have to do is look out for the poster for the event in the local business, write your name on the receipt of your purchase, and pop it in the boxes provided.

LA MANGA is gearing up to make a knockout entry into October as it prepares to host the 2023 National Club Open from October 9 to October 15. This exciting competition marks the opening of the boxing season and promises to be an action ­ packed event.

What makes this year’s National Club Open particularly special is the recordbreaking participation, with an astounding 300 registered fighters, including both men and women, in the elite and junior categories. The increase in female participation is particularly noteworthy, with the junior women’s category set to be the largest in the championship.

The tournament will take place at the state ­ of ­ the ­ art La Manga del Mar Menor Sports Centre, located in the municipality of San Javier. The event kicks off with the arrival of delegations from across the country on October 9, followed by the drawing of teams.

Preliminary rounds will commence the next day, spanning until October 12, leading up to the finals scheduled for October 13 and 14.

This prestigious championship is made possible through the collaboration of various institutions, including the Region of Murcia, the Costa Cálida Region of Murcia, and the San Javier City Council, all working alongside the Royal Spanish Boxing Federation (RFEBox).

PROTECTING SENIORS FROM LONELINESS: Region of Murcia’s initiative.

Image: Shutterstock/goran cakmazovic

Explore Murcia without breaking the bank!

Image: Shutterstock/ Armando Oliveira

Boar overrun

ALHAMA DE MURCIA residents are dealing with a rising population of wild boars and the subsequent damage to crops, farms, and property.

About 30 locals, joined by concerned individuals from neighbouring towns, recently convened to address this issue with the town’s Department of Biological and Fauna Control.

The meeting highlighted the animals’ destruction of

trees, and property fences, and the emergence of scabies among them.

Acknowledging the overpopulation of wild boars, authorities pledged assistance to affected farmers and emphasised recent changes in hunting regulations to combat the issue.

An awareness campaign discouraging wild animal feeding is also in the works. However, the challenge in Alhama reflects a larger

problem in Spain, where the wild boar population has reached an estimated one million specimens, causing extensive damage to agriculture and biodiversity.

Efforts are underway to find comprehensive solutions to manage this population increase, highlighting the need for community collaboration and proactive measures to protect farms and property.

October courses

IN October, the Regional Employment and Training Service (SEF) is set to launch 507 courses aimed at both the unemployed and ‘ocupados’ (self­employed but still receiving benefits) across 32 municipalities in the region. These courses, providing a total of 7,818 training opportunities, span 24 different professional fields. The most prominent training categories include sociocultural and community services, administration and

management, as well as commerce and marketing. Said individuals can enrol in courses such as drone operation, chemical analysis, or photovoltaic solar installation maintenance. Meanwhile, employed individuals can sharpen their skills with offerings like administrative operations, psychology in sales, and robotics. Registration is still available for some of these courses, accessible through the SEF website.

SAN PEDRO DEL PINATAR

was alive with music and celebration as the Allegro Music in the Streets event unfolded on September 30 and October 1. This annual event highlighted the talents of female performers, and kicked off with a mesmerising concert by the sensational Alba Carmona, accompanied on guitar by Jesús Guerrero. One of the highlights of this year’s event was the Allegro award presentation. The prestigious accolade went to the Aidemar Association, recognised for its outstanding contributions to inclusion in the cultural sphere. Aidemar has a rich history of advocating for and supporting

Bird Day celebrations Inclusive harmony

people with disabilities in the Mar Menor Region, making them deserving recipients of this honour.

The President of Aidemar, Francisco García, gratefully accepted the San Pedro del Pinatar, Án­

THE transformation of Ciudad del Aire in Santiago de la Ribera has officially begun, marking a significant milestone in the urban development of San Javier.

The Ministry of Defence has initiated a comprehensive urbanisation project set to unfold over the next two years, culminating in the integration of the current military colony’s 400,000 square metres into the municipality’s urban frame­

gela Gaona Cabrera, and the General Director of People with Disabilities of the Region of Murcia, Miriam Pérez Albaladejo. The musical journey continued with the enchanting ‘Symphonic Wine’ performed by the Sicania Orchestra, transporting the audience to the 18th century. Meanwhile, the younger attendees enjoyed the delightful ‘Allegreto’ with the Duo Millos,’ featuring an educational and entertaining cello concert.

Ciudad del Aire

work.

Despite a delay in project initiation, Mayor Luengo emphasised the town council’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the project’s success, positioning Ciudad del Aire as a dynamic force in the

region.

Over the next two years, rigorous coordination between the construction management team and officials will ensure the urbanisation’s impeccable execution, providing long­awaited services to res­

TO celebrate Bird Day the regional government of Murcia has arranged a series of exciting activities, running until October 8. With the inspiring motto, ‘The health of birds is the health of ecosystems. If it’s good for the birds, it’s good for you’, these events aim to raise awareness about the importance of our feathered friends and their impact on our environment.

These activities provide valuable insights into the birdlife of Murcia’s natural spaces. They also encourage positive behavioural changes and foster community involvement in bird conservation efforts. Bird Day, observed annually during the first weekend of October, aligns with the migration of millions of European birds to their wintering destinations in Africa and southern Europe. Among the activities are guided routes in various regional parks and natural reserves, each showcasing unique bird habitats.

The message is clear: when we protect birds and their ecosystems, we are ultimately safeguarding our own well­being. To find out more about the organised activities, visit the Murcianatural.carm.es website.

idents and rejuvenating the area.

The transformation promises to introduce new parks, public green spaces, and vital infrastructure, including sanitation systems to safeguard the nearby Mar Menor from torrential rains.

The construction of a large storm tank further fortifies Ciudad del Aire against adverse weather conditions. This ambitious urban reorganisation is set to breathe new life

into an area that has experienced a decline over time, benefiting both residents and the entire municipality.

Celebrating music and inclusion in San Pedro del Pinatar.

Image: Facebook/San Pedro del Pinatar Town Hall

Ciudad del Aire Project: Breathing new life into San Javier.

Image: Facebook/San Javier Town Hall

Catherine McGeer

T HE San Javier municipal sports centre has unveiled its revamped multi ­ sports courts, thanks to a substantial investment of €45,000 from the town council. This much ­ needed facelift includes a comprehensive remodelling effort that covers the pavement, fencing, networks, signage, and lighting improvements.

Mayor José Miguel Luengo, alongside the councillor for Sports, Sergio Martínez, recently inspected the revamped courts, which are an integral part of the municipal

Sporting revamp

area’s sports landscape. The mayor highlighted the courts’ vital role, serving not only the 280 students of the Munici­

Gastromar 2023

GET ready for a culinary extravaganza in Los Alcázares that’s bound to tantalise your taste buds! From October 20 to 22, an irresistible gastronomic event awaits you. Picture this: delectable tastings, immersive culinary experiences, live music, and the joy of great company ­ all in one place.

Expect to savour the finest flavours that the region has to offer. Mark your calendars and stay tuned to the Los Alcázares Town Hall social media channels for updates on this gastronomic event. Don’t miss out on this regional culinary delight!

pal Tennis School but also students from the Faculty of Sports Sciences, TAFAD of the IES Mar Menor, the local indoor soccer club ‘Patrulla Águila,’ school sports programs, personal rentals, and the annual social tennis league.

José Miguel Luengo reaffirmed the city council’s unwavering commitment to sports and the ongoing enhancement of sports infrastructure. The renovated multi­sports courts will also pave the way for hosting new sporting events, aligning with the municipality’s values of sports, education, and culture.

THE historical festivals of the Carthaginians and Romans in Cartagena have transcended borders and cultures, forming a unique bond with the Moors and Christians festivities in Alicante. Recently, around 100 participants from Alicante’s celebrations joined Cartagena’s grand parade, and Cartagena’s ‘festeros’ have been invited to participate in Alicante’s Moors and Christians entrance on December 6.

Mayor Noelia Arroyo of Cartagena has emphasised

Shared legacy

the significance of uniting the history and culture of these two Mediterranean cities. Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, and Christians festivals proudly showcase the shared legacy of Cartagena and Alicante, serving as cultural ambassadors for both cities.

The cross ­ cultural exchange began with a visit from the Alicante Federation of Moors and Christians to Cartagena’s town hall, attended by officials from both cities.

Visitors also explored Cartagena’s historic sites, including the Roman Theatre and the port. This cultural convergence highlights the enduring connections and shared history between Cartagena and Alicante, forging a stronger bond between these two vibrant Mediterranean cities.

Young squash champion

KATERINA MINUTO, hailing from San Pedro del Pinatar and a talented student at Los Antolinos Primary School, achieved a remarkable feat at the Spanish Under 11 Squash Championship.

The event, held in San Just Desvern in Barcelona from September 22 to 24, saw Katerina’s exceptional skills shine as she

clinched top spot in the sub­11 category. Her dedication and determination paid off, making her the undisputed Champion of the Spanish Cup Under 11 squash. This victory not only celebrates her individual talent, but also brings pride to her school and community, showcasing her potential for greatness at a young age.

Celebrating a Fresh Start: San Javier Sports Centre’s Revival

Image: Facebook/San Javier Town Hall

KATERINA MINUTO: Spain’s squash sensation!

Migrant smugglers exposed

John Ensor

A REPORT published by National Police on Friday, September 29, revealed how four individuals were apprehended at Adolfo Suarez Madrid­Barajas Airport. They were attempting to bring in 13 migrants from a flight from Bogota. The arrested individuals were part of a criminal organisation. They simulated tourist trips from Colombia, primarily involving Colombian nationals. The real aim was for these people to stay in Spain longer than legally allowed, charging each migrant between €1,500 and €2,000.

Police investigations uncovered that the organisation started its operations in December 2021. The main orchestrator, one of the detainees, promoted the services on social media, focusing on accompanying children.

With the support of a Colombian travel agency, this individual managed docu­

Spanish pensions

mentation and travel arrangements. The network had collaborators to accompany the migrants, adding credibility to the supposed tourist trip and evading police controls at the airport.

Once in Spain, the organisation members handed over the migrants to waiting relatives or provided directions to their final destination. Shortly after arriving, following the organisation’s guidance, most migrants registered to justify their extended stay and subsequently sought to regularise their status.

Three arrests occurred at Adolfo Suarez Madrid­Barajas Airport. Another collaborator, arriving on a later flight from Colombia, was also detained. The authorities confiscated around €23,000 in cash, several electronic devices, and relevant documentation.

The police estimate that around 1,000 migrants could have been brought in by this criminal group.

THE Spanish government have announced that starting in 2024, the retirement age in Spain will progressively increase until 2027.

Retirement is a very bizarre situation for many people because the longer that you work, it feels as though the official retirement age starts to get further and further away, making it a long and drawnout process.

For anyone who has worked in Spain and been paying into their ‘Seguridad Social’ Social Security public pension pot, the retirement age will now be increased over a four­year period, starting on January 1, 2024, and running up until 2027.

From January 1, 2024, people who are working and have worked in Spain and have paid their Social Security contributions for more than 37 years and nine months will be able to officially retire when they reach the age of 66 years and six months.

In simpler words, an additional two months will now be added to the minimum retirement age from the start of next year, that is in comparison to what the age has been in 2023.

Those people who are over the age of 65 and have paid Social Security for more than 38 years will be able to access ordinary retirement, while also receiving 100 per cent of their pension, as per the new

rules.

There is an alternative for people living in Spain, however, and this is taking voluntary early retirement. This can be taken up by people when they are up to two years premature to their legal retirement age, so when you are 64 years and six months old.

Retiring early always sounds like a great idea and an ideal way for people to spend their latter years in comfort and re­

laxation, but it does obviously still have its drawbacks, none more so than you may not be entitled to receive your full pension.

Instead, you will only receive a fraction of the lump sum depending on how early you decide to take this voluntary decision, and also how long you have been contributing toward the Social Security.

As mentioned above, the retirement age is set to progressively get further away for people, so in 2025, 2026 and finally, 2027, it only appears to be bad news for people with one eye on retirement, because in four years time, the legal retirement age will be 67.

For people who own a UK state pension, but find they have gaps in their National Insurance contribution due to the fact they have been residing abroad, then the government has decreed an extension for them to pay and plug those holes and in turn, receive their full UK pension.

RETIREMENT AGE: Seems to get further and further away.

Controversy over LGTBI book

ON Wednesday, September, 27, Jesus Albiol, the councillor for Culture of Burriana, to the north of Valencia and a member of the Vox party, confirmed the removal of LGTBI ­ themed books from the children’s section of the municipal library. This move was met with strong criticism, particularly from the Compromis municipal group, who labelled it as ‘censorship’, according to a news source.

Albiol defended the decision, stating it was in compliance with article 20 of Law 4/2011, of March 23, on Libraries of the Valencian Community. This law mandates that books discussing sexual diversity, gender, or sexual development should be placed in a specific adult section, especially in libraries in cities with more than 25,000 inhabitants, like Burriana.

“It is our duty to protect minors, the most vulnerable, and to keep them

October flight record

away from books with content that could be classified as pornographic and that are not suitable for their age,” Albiol asserted.

The Vox councillor accused left­leaning parties of attempting to “pervert minors with scandalous books with explicit sexual content.” He emphasised that such content is not educational and has been infiltrating both school and municipal libraries. “Children are children and childhood must be protected,” he added.

Compromis, a coalition advocating for Valencianist, progressive, and ecological politics, vehemently opposed this move.

This isn’t the first time Albiol’s decisions have stirred controversy. In July, he faced backlash for withdrawing subscriptions to five Valencian or Catalan magazines, leading to public protests and eventual reinstatement of the magazines.

DESPITE suggestions that Spain was being bypassed by holidaymakers who were looking for cheaper destinations, the latest news from Tourspain via the Spanish government suggests quite the opposite.

Advance bookings for international flights arriving in Spain this October, compared to October 2022 sees a 9.8 per cent increase to just over 10.5 million against 9.6 million.

In fact, this figure is even better than the best pre ­ pandemic October, which was 2019, when the number of seats booked was 10.1 million, so things are most certainly looking good!

Although traditional markets continue to be strong, there are three stand out increases against 2022 from less expected countries with Poland up 47.4 per cent, the Czech Republic 26.6 per cent and perhaps

most surprisingly Portugal up 21.2 per cent.

It’s not just Europe though, as Mexican travellers are also homing in on Spain, where they can enjoy a taste of Europe without having to learn a new language and their bookings are up 20.5 per cent.

Although Brexit has undoubtedly put off some British visitors especially those who wanted to spend more than 90 days out of 180 in Spain, there

is no arguing with the fact that British travellers still account for the largest number of those coming to Spain in October as they account for 22.7 per cent of all bookings.

That’s quite a way ahead of the Germans who account for 14.9 per cent and Italians who take third place at 8.9 per cent according to the official figures, whilst with much smaller but still significant numbers come France, Holland and Belgium.

Wild boar attacks hikers

TWO people have been seriously injured after they were attacked by a wild boar in Navarra’s Ollo Valley region.

As reported by the 112 Emergency Services, the incident occurred at around 12.45pm on Sunday, October 1, in the popular Manantial de Arteta hiking area of Ultzurrun municipality.

The coordinating centre immediately deployed an appliance from the Cordovilla Fire Brigade to the location, according to a statement from the government of Navarra.

They were joined by members of the Fire Technical Rescue Group, a rescue helicopter, a medical helicopter, two medical ambulances and Foral Police patrol vehicles.

The two injured people were evacuated from the scene by firefighters with the help of

the rescue helicopter and then transferred to the University Hospital of Navarra, reported a local news source.

A 66 ­ year ­ old man reportedly suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to the hospital in the medical helicopter. The second victim was a 44 ­ year ­ old woman who also sustained serious injuries and was transferred to the hospital in a medical ambulance.

Both individuals were part of a group of hikers who were said to have been participating in an excursion in the Manantial de Arteta at the time of the wild boar attack.

The incident reportedly took place near the information centre. No other members of the group were injured as they managed to take refuge in some nearby trees.

Following the attack,

the wild boar fled in the direction of the nearby Artazulo ravine.

An investigation into the incident has been launched by the Provincial Police.

In September, a meeting between a cyclist and a wild boar had a different outcome. The two came face ­ to ­ face on a mountain road in Girona with the subsequent stand ­ off recorded by a spectator.

However, the animal did not appear to be aggressive, just curious and the creature simply ran away.

By 2050

60.

Travellers are still returning to Spain in their droves.

over 30% of the Spanish population will be over

BOUNCERS

AT RESTAURANTS

GROUCHO MARX once said “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member” and many people feel the same about going to a bar or restaurant that employs a bouncer.

There is obviously a need in certain types of larger bar and restaurant for there to be a greeter who can establish whether the guest has a reservation and then arrange to seat them and in busy clubs it is also recognised that a doorman will be on hand to ensure that the venue is not overcrowded.

However, this is quite different from seeing a normally hulking individual either at the door or even inside the venue who is clearly employed to keep an eye of guests, ready to step in should a fight occur.

The problem is if the venue knows that it needs to be able to stop fights between customers, should it actually be allowed to stay open, as the very appearance of one or more bouncers suggests that the venue is not safe to be in.

It’s one thing for busy clubs and bars in the centre of a city to take precautions, but when it comes to restaurants, whilst security should always be paramount, a number of potential guests, especially and not surprisingly those who are older, could well be discouraged from visiting a restaurant that blatantly has security.

In theory, anywhere that employs a bouncer should ensure that they are ‘fit for purpose’ and this means that there should be a criminal records check to ensure that they don’t have any ‘skeletons’ which suggest that they have violent tendencies or a significant record.

There should be a proper policy and procedure in place in order to ensure that they are able to react in accordance with the law and

their employer’s wishes in the event that a problem, arises.

Training is a must and if they are being hired from an external security company then the venue owners should ensure that they have the same sort of rules in place.

In all fairness, it’s invariably the customers who start the trouble and in many cases, it is the security people who have to try to resolve the problem without causing injury to other customers or indeed themselves, although from time to time, they can get somewhat out of hand.

According to CBS News, a number of the reported 2,000 bouncers in Madrid are being invited to attend a course created by the

Madrid regional government and an association of club owners to learn how to be both kind and tolerant, yet carry out their jobs efficiently.

The voluntary course also teaches about anger management, civil rights, fire safety procedures and dealing with alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses so is a definite

step in the right direction.

On the other hand, there are without doubt a number of bouncers who are part of organised crime rings who are working in order to sell drugs to the many young who visit nightclubs in particular.

Even the Spanish National Association of Professional Doormen

accepts in the same article that “There are thugs. There are mafias and the violence comes from these same people.”

A properly trained bouncer’s strength and commanding presence should not be the first line of defence and if trained properly should remain calm under stress and always stay unemotional and place the safety of their customers in the forefront of all that they do.

The whole concept of security guards has exploded in Spain with a recent article in The Sun suggesting that at least one hotel is now employing guards to protect the sun beds around the pool in order ensure that there are no scuffles between holidaymakers over who is entitled to which bed.

It goes a step further with luxury stores following the lead of other European countries by having designer attired security personnel to keep an eye out for potential shop lifters, whilst some supermarkets operate their own uniformed security forces and in shopping centres it is not unusual to see security personnel armed with long truncheons.

So, what started out as a simple comparison between Bouncers and Greeters has escalated into a much longer observation on the fact that the world of ‘Big Brother’ with its many types of security officer adding to the presence of the Guardia Civil, National Police, Local Police and other government employed security officers as well as the ever­growing CCTV surveillance.

We can all decide whether we want to go to a bar, club or restaurant which employs bouncers, but with the problems currently caused by the cost of living crisis turning more people into potential law breakers, the world of security and observation simply keeps expanding.

Bouncers can be intimidating but also protect.

Credit: Xxinvictus34535 CC

“I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.” Groucho Marx

DENMARK

Empathy education

DENMARK stands out as a pioneer in the fight against school bullying. Instead of merely reacting to incidents, the nation has embraced a proactive strategy. At the heart of this approach are dedicated empathy classes, fostering a culture of understanding and inclusion among students. This preventative measure offers valuable lessons for schools worldwide.

Pharma reigns

THE popularity of celebrity-backed pharmaceuticals has raised concerns over Denmark's economic stability, drawing parallels with Finland's Nokiadependent downturn. Novo Nordisk, driven by drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, now reigns as Europe's most valuable company, safeguarding Denmark from recession. However, with Novo Nordisk's market cap surpassing Denmark's GDP, experts fear its overreliance on one company is a risk.

Viking treasures

A NORWEGIAN family searching for a lost earring uncovered Viking-era artifacts, including a bowl-shaped buckle, dating back more than 1,000 years in their yard. The discovery, believed to be a woman's grave from AD 800, is the first of its kind on the island of Jomfruland.

Norway’s ban

NORWAY, in solidarity with EU sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine, announced a ban on Russian-registered passenger cars from entering the country. The move, despite Norway's non-EU status, reflects its commitment to international allies. Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt emphasised unity with like-minded nations in opposing the conflict.

Sophia Loren

ITALIAN actress Sophia Loren, 89, suffered a fall at her Swiss home, resulting in multiple fractures, including a serious femur injury. After successful emergency surgery, her upcoming engagements, including a restaurant opening in Italy, were postponed. Sons Carlo and Edoardo are supporting her in hospital.

Voodoo lawyer

AN Italian lawyer, Barbara Raimondo, has been sentenced to five years for embezzling €1 million from an elderly client. The court heard that she sought the services of a sorceress to perform voodoo rites, aiming to speed up the death of the woman whose substantial fortune she managed.

Shock injury

A FOOTBALL match between RKC Waalwijk and Ajas had to be suspended on Saturday September 30 following an accidental clash between Ajax player Brian Brobbey and RKC goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen, who was quickly transferred to hospital with head injuries where he is now said to be recovering.

Goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen.

Russian warning

DMITRY MEDVEDEV, Deputy Head of Russia's Security Council, issued a warning, stating that Russia would view German missile manufacturing plants as ‘legitimate targets’ if Germany provides long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Medvedev called out the German Defence Committee's chair, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann warning that such actions could escalate global tensions toward a third world war.

Inflation declines

IN September 2023, Germany experienced a notable drop in its inflation rate, marking the lowest level since Russia's Ukraine invasion. Preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office reveals a 4.5 per cent increase in prices YoY. This decline from August's 6.1 per cent suggests relief from high inflation, potentially prompting the European Central Bank to reconsider raising key interest rates.

New dinosaur

DINOSAUR footprints said to be 195 million years old were discovered in Alvaiázere, in the Portuguese district of Leiria. According to the CPGP, it is the oldest occurrence of dinosaurs in the Iberian Peninsula. This discovery by a multidisciplinary team of Portuguese researchers made it possible to identify a new species of dinosaur, called 'Moyenisauropus lusitanicus'.

Algarve award

PORTUGAL’s Algarve region was named ‘Europe’s Leading Beach Destination’ in the World Travel Awards 2023, for the fifth consecutive year, and the 10th time in the history of the prestigious awards. André Gomes, President of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA) and the Algarve Tourism Association (ATA) commented: “It is an honour to receive this distinction for the 10th time. We remain committed to making travellers aware of the natural beauty of the Algarve.”

Al-Qaeda threat

AFTER a break of 12 years, Al-Qaeda's Sada al-Malahim magazine, published a threat from the AQAP branch of possible attacks on France. It stated it planned to strike not only against France but also Sweden. Based on the Iberian Peninsula, this small Islamist terrorist group is the same one that claimed responsibility for the attack in January 2015 on Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

Bed bugs

WITH the 2024 Paris Olympics less than 12 months away, the city's council urged the government to implement an urgent plan of action to eradicate the current bed bugs problem. Clément Beaune, the Minister Delegate for Transport, announced a meeting with transport operators would take place. ‘I will bring together transport operators next week to provide information on the actions undertaken and act more to serve travellers. To reassure and protect', he tweeted.

Town’s inheritance

A SMALL Finnish town, Askola, unexpectedly inherited €1 million from a modest local who passed away. The funds, including land assets, are designated for the welfare and leisure of the town's elderly. The town plans to invest and organise events for its senior residents.

Firms blacklisted

THE US has blacklisted three Finnish firms, Luminor, Siberica, and Evolog, suspected of supplying drone components to the GRU, Russia’s foreign intelligence arm. This move by the US Department of Commerce aims to curb the technological advancement of foreign military capabilities, particularly those of Russia.

Influential degree

SOUTH EAST TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

(SETU) in Ireland has introduced a pioneering Bachelor of Arts in Content Creation and Social Media. The course, starting next September, addresses the booming €16 billion influencer industry, blending media skills with business acumen, content creation, and crisis management.

Boeing delays

RYANAIR has cancelled flights for the winter period of 2023 due to delays in receiving just 14 out of the expected 27 aircraft from Boeing. Dublin and other European hubs will be affected. Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief, assured ongoing talks with Boeing and hoped for no major impact on their annual traffic target.

Beaufort 24

EVERY three years, several Belgian coastal towns work together to create the triannual Beaufort event which turns the sea shore into an art gallery. In 2024, Beaufort will run from March 27 - November 3 and no less than 18 national and international artists will prepare their works for display on the sea fronts of nine different towns.

Speed king

IRELAND PORTUGAL SWEDEN

POLICE officers in the town of Vilvoorde couldn’t believe their eyes when a young man on an electric scooter shot past them at high speed in a busy shopping area. Later, the 16year-old was detained and when his scooter was checked on a roller machine it had a top speed of 99kph, when the legal limit is only 25kph.

Burning condemned

THE burning of an effigy of President Erdogan outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm has been condemned by Turkey. In a statement, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the authorised demonstration that had taken place in the strongest possible way. They also expressly pointed out that the Turkish public expected Sweden to prevent such actions that 'systematically insult our elected leaders as well as the ongoing terrorist propaganda'.

Powerful explosion

THREE people were hospitalised after a massive explosion in an apartment block in the Stockholm district of Hässelby Strand. According to witnesses, relatives of an individual who is believed to be involved in a conflict with a criminal network live at the address. “I was sitting with some friends and it felt like the whole house was going to collapse,” said one neighbour.

Credit: RKC Waalwijk X

NORWAY FRANCE

Hold the Front Page

By John Smith

IN the first series of Hold the Front Page, comedians Nish Kumar and Josh Widdicombe travelled around the UK experiencing the life of local news reporters.

They spent a week or so with a number of different publications including the Scotsman, Yorkshire Post and Farming Life , finding themselves reporting from the Edinburgh Fringe and even trying to interview Boris Johnson.

When the series was aired on Sky Max it was well received by viewers and this encouraged the channel to commission a second series but looking further afield and the logical choice was Spain.

Production company CPL did their homework and understandably realised that in order to make the concept work, they had to insert the two ‘cub reporters’ into an English language newspaper and the obvious choice was Euro Weekly News which publishes weekly editions across seven popular Spanish regions.

The choice for the first episode to be shot was Benidorm which is such a popular resort for both local British residents and holiday ­ makers and after several discussions concerning how the filming was to proceed, EWN proprietors Michel and Steven Euesden supported by local staff spent a week in Benidorm as the show was created.

There was no guarantee that all, or indeed any of the stories that the pair chose would be used, but the cameras followed their briefing, decision making, on the spot interviews and then their creative process.

Four topics were chosen, first the opening of an exhibition of sculpture

by Josh which was a bit too dry to make the paper, followed by a ‘gut busting breakfast’ which Nish fought his way through.

This did make the paper, but the editorial team thought that perhaps full English breakfasts are more popular with visitors than residents and therefore the story was extended to mention the fact that many people may prefer to sample the Menu del Dia available in numerous restaurants in Benidorm.

Filming is not quick by any stretch of the imagination and although the Costa Blanca North edition normally goes to the printers on Tuesday evening, the deadline was moved back by 24 hours to allow them more time to arrange interviews.

A front page story about Josh and Nish’s visit had already been written and much of the paper laid out but they had two further stories to be filmed, a visit to a psychic

dating night and then a journey to Hugo’s Home Farm an animal charity run by Colin whose alter ego is popular drag artist Coco Chanel.

Time was tight and in theory the Coco story missed the deadline and should have been left out but by moving the Psychic Dating nearer the back, we manged to fit both articles into the paper and although printing ran through the night, the paper was produced and distributed around Costa Blanca North as usual on Thursday.

All of those involved from the proprietors, to the editorial team and the designers who handled all changes during the day were delighted with the results.

There was a combination of giggles and near misses but we all look forward to the programme being aired in January or February 2024 and do keep a lookout for more news of the show from your people’s paper, Euro Weekly News.

NISH & JOSH: Spent time filming with the EWN directors.

BUSINESS EXTRA

BBB losses

THE state­owned British Business Bank (BBB), reported an annual pre ­ tax loss of more than £147 million (€169.15 million). The economic development bank made £1.6 billion (€1.84 billion) in funding agreements but said “wider economic problems” led to a drop in the value of businesses it invested in.

Freight mate

SPAIN’S rail operator Renfe chose Swiss shipping line MSC to take over 50 per cent of its Renfe Mercancias freight division, whose debts rose to €38 million in 2022. MSC’s logistics division Medlog and its Medway railway company will be responsible for the operation which first needs the Spanish government’s authorisation.

Food not fuel

MORRISONS does not intend to abandon plans to sell off its fuel forecourts despite the UK government’s decision to postpone its ban on new petrol and diesel car sales until 2035. Although the fuel retailing attracted customers, the supermarket chain intends to concentrate on food sales and manufacturing, sources said.

Czech-in

INFRASTRUCTURE multinational Ferrovial, which controversially moved its headquarters from Spain to the Netherlands earlier this year, intends to consolidate its presence in Central Europe. It now hopes to create a consortium to bid for the €1.35 billion contract to build and manage the Czech Republic’s D35 motorway.

Drink up

PROFITS for AG Barr, famous as the Irn Bru manufacturer, reported half ­ year profits between February and July 30 which climbed 12.6 per cent to a pre­tax £27.8 million (€31.9 million). Sales rose thanks to recent takeovers and a rise in the demand for soft drinks, AG Barr sources explained.

STAT OF WEEK €5.1 billion

More UK Airbus jobs

Linda Hall

AIRBUS plans to create another 1,100 jobs in the UK specialising in cyber security, software engineering, cryogenics and robotics.

The world’s largest aircraft manufacturer, its HQ in Leiden (Netherlands), currently employs 134,000 people worldwide. Of these, 11,500 work in the UK where Airbus manufactures wings for all its aircraft. The principal Airbus factories are located in Filton, near Bristol, and Broughton (North Wales) as well as an aerospace plant in Portsmouth.

At present the total UK workforce still has not re­

turned to the 14,000 employed in 2019, before Covid grounded practically all flights and the company had to cut jobs worldwide.

Despite the newly­created UK posts for engineers, graduates and apprentices, staff numbers will remain below

DEOLEO has announced losses of €9.7 million during the first six months of 2023 owing to soaring olive oil prices.

In contrast, the company reported net profits of €5.5 million between January and the end of June in 2022.

Spain produces more than half of the world’s entire olive oil supply and Deoleo, which is the world’s largest branded olive oil company, attributed the dip to their products’ higher prices. Supermarket chains’ own­label oil had eaten into their own market share, sources said.

The company, which owns household names Carbonell and Hojiblanca as well as the Koipe sunflower oil label, saw a 21.9 per cent fall in the sales, compared with the same period last

On-off deal

FROZEN seafood company Nueva Pescanova cut redundances at its Madrid and Chapela (Pontevedra) installations from 100 to 81. The company, 97.8 per cent owned by Abanca, reported €53 million losses for the year ending in March and has been negotiating for months the sale of an 80 per cent stake to the Canadian seafood giant Cooke. Talks have stalled although Nueva Pescanova said these would resume in September. Meanwhile, a spokesman rejected rumours that a large cash shortage and financial mismanagement threatened the deal, which Cooke reduced from €150 to €100 million plus a €200 million capital injection last July.

pre­pandemic levels.

A survey by Oxford Economics, an independent economic advisory firm, has concluded Airbus contributed £7bn (€8.05bn) to the UK economy in 2022, with its helicopter, aerospace and defence sectors providing

79,000 indirect jobs. The company spent £3.9bn (€4.5bn) on obtaining supplies from British companies and made £5.6bn (€6.4 bn) in UK sales last year.

Referring to the Oxford Economics report, Airbus UK’s chairman John Harrison said findings demonstrated Airbus was “good for jobs, good for growth, and good for the UK.”

Harrison pointed out that Airbus had “deep roots” in the UK supply chain and that its investments across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were creating long­term regional and local growth.

Carbonell sales slide

Turnover for the company, which has production plants in Italy as well as Spain, grew by 0.6 per cent to €400.95 million thanks to passing on part of the price increase to clients, but margins were still reduced. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) plummeted by 43 per cent between this January and the end of June to €12.7 million.

MARKS & SPENCER will begin selling Adidas and Sweaty Betty products in early October.

The retailer launched Brands at M&S in March 2021 after purchasing Jaeger, its first third ­ party label, in January that year.

The high street favourite will now offer 150 Adidas and Sweaty Betty items on The Sports Edit platform, in which it acquired a stake in 2022.

Expanding the M&S sports ranges was “just one of the ways we continue to become more relevant to clients’ lifestyles,” Brands director Nishi Mahajan said.

Aena grows

SPAIN’S publicly owned airports operator Aena will build a new terminal at Conghas airport in Sao Paulo (Brazil).

The airport, the country’s second busiest, should be completed by 2028, Aena said.

As well as Congonhas, Aena will take over the running of 10 smaller Brazilian airports in October and November after putting in a $479 million (€465 million) bid for the 30­year contract in August 2022.

year, Deoleo announced on September 25.

Shares in Deoleo, which has been 57 per cent owned by private equity firm CVC for the last 10 years, fell five per cent to 23 cents the same day.

Santander-EY split

SANTANDER and consultancy and accounting firm, Ernst & Young (EY), have parted ways in the UK.

This signals the termination of their contract and a multimillion refund following ‘failings’ in EY’s work on preventing financial crime and money­laundering, revealed sources quoted by the Financial Times Santander brought in EY when it found itself under scrutiny from British regulators, the sources added.

The work the company carried out was so allegedly so substandard that it found itself in a position where it had to offer the bank a refund of approximately £15 million (€17.2 million).

EY’s Santander mission, codenamed Project Morgan, “went badly wrong over an extended period” the Financial Times said, adding that it was unclear whether Santander would now carry out the work itself, or call on another firm.

“On the other hand, higher interest rates and the cost of renegotiating the company’s debt have had an impact of €8 million on financial services overheads during this period,” Deoleo said in its first half report.

Nissan ignores Sunak

NISSAN is continuing with plans to sell only electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe by 2030.

Despite PM Rishi Sunak’s intention of moving the UK deadline on new petrol and diesel vehicle sales from 2030 to 2035, the Japanese company said that all new models sold in Europe will be 100 per cent electric by the end of this decade.

Nissan, which employs 7,000 people in the UK is on the point of launching two new EVs in Europe. One will be a successor to the Micra, while another vehicle will be built via a £1 billion (€1.15 billion) project at its huge Sunderland plant.

The company, which already operates six airports in Brazil, revealed that in the meantime it has already invested €620 million in the new acquisitions.

Lower bills

WATER companies in England and Wales were ordered to lower bills and return £114 million (€131.2 million) to customers next year.

The annual report on the companies from the Water Services Regulation Authority, Ofwat, said that most water and wastewater firms had underperformed.

Fewer than 50 per cent met targets and progress had been “too slow” on leakages as well as sewage spills.

Thames Water, Southern Water and Welsh Water must return £101 million (€115.2), million), £43 million (€49.5 million) and £24 million (€27.6 million) respectively.

However, Severn Trent and United Utilities were authorised to hike bills after meeting targets.

plans set out by energy infrastructure company Enagas would distribute clean, green hydrogen to Spanish homes via a 3,800kilometre network of pipelines and storage centres.

AIRBUS: Wing Technology Centre in Filton (Bristol).

OLIVE OIL: Spain produces half the world’s supply.

Photo credit: Pixabay/ZTA

Photo credit: airbus.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

DOW JONES

Euro

EUR/GBP: Up from £0.85 to £0.86

EUR/USD: Unchanged at $1.06

The euro faced resistance over the past month, primarily driven by a scaling back of European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate expectations. This was initially linked to comments from ECB policymaker Isabel Schnabel, as despite being one of the most hawkish members of the bank, she was noncommittal regarding future interest rate hikes.

A slew of underwhelming German data releases as well as a downwardly revised Eurozone GDP print kept the euro on the back foot as we entered September.

EUR exchange rates then faced notable losses in the wake of the ECB’s latest rate decision. While the bank’s decision to raise rates came as something of a surprise, the euro tumbled as its policy statement signalled borrowing costs had now peaked. Looking ahead, the euro may come under further pressure in the coming weeks if

CURRENCY OUTLOOK: EUROZONE KNOCKED BY ECB’S ‘DOVISH’ HIKE, US DOLLAR RALLIES TO MULTI-MONTH HIGHS

Eurozone data releases remain broadly downbeat.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Down from €1.16 to €1.15

GBP/USD: Down from $1.24 to $1.22

The Pound fluctuated through the last part of August. Sterling sentiment was initially knocked by a surprise contraction in the UK’s latest PMIs, before recovering thanks to rising Bank of England (BoE) interest rate expectations.

Sterling then faltered again at the start of September in response to comments from BoE Governor Andrew Bailey, in which he suggested UK inflation will fall ‘markedly’ by the end of the year, and that the bank is ‘nearer to the top of the [tightening] cycle’.

Some lacklustre UK data, including a mixed jobs report and a worrying slump in UK GDP keep the pressure on the pound in mid-September as they gave rise to fresh recession fears.

Sterling then slid to multi-month lows in the wake of the BoE’s latest in-

terest rate decision as the bank opted to hit pause for the first time in almost two years.

While the BoE left the door open to raising rates again in the future, it made it clear this will be highly data driven. As a result, GBP investors will be keeping a close on upcoming economic releases. If there is further sign that the UK economy is stalling Sterling will be vulnerable to additional losses.

US Dollar

USD/GBP: Up from $0.80 to $0.81

USD/EUR: Up from €0.93 to €0.94

The US dollar trended broadly higher over the past four weeks, with demand for the currency being underpinned by Federal Reserve interest rate expectations and notable demand for safe-haven assets.

Before this however, the ‘greenback’ suffered a short-lived selloff at the end of August as domestic labour statistics suggested the US job market is slowing. At the start of September USD demand was strengthened by a souring market mood as disappointing Chinese data and a spike in oil prices

rattled investors.

This upside was reinforced in the following week as upbeat US economic releases stoked Fed rate hike bets.

The US dollar was then propelled to new multi-month highs in the wake of the Fed’s latest interest rate decision. While the US central bank kept interest rates on hold it left the door open to one more rate hike in 2023 and signalled it would cut rates at a slower pace than previously expected in 2024.

With the Fed apparently committed to at least one more rate hike this year it’s likely the US dollar will maintain a positive trajectory in the weeks ahead of its next meeting on 1 November. At the same time an increasingly pessimistic outlook for the global economy is also likely to be supportive of USD exchange rates.

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

EURO: Faced resistance over the past month.

I believe in diversity

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

I TRULY do believe in diversity. The peaceful co-existence of different creeds, cultures, colours and religions, is to me a forgone conclusion. One day our planet will simply have no choice but to blend all humans into that great big melting plot Madeline Bell and the glorious Blue Mink sang bout in the peace loving 60s (recording now banned by the media!). But not in the way the woke affiliates of the utterly deluded, or deviously intentioned organisations are trying to attain it.

Their dubious efforts are all much too hurried and belligerent and subsequently having a reverse effect. It stands to reason. If 85 per cent of the population is white, you can’t flood often ridiculous propaganda through the public media proclaiming that all members of the population are living together in a wonderful, equally harmonious integrated existence - It’s simply not true. What is actually transpiring is that even those of the in-

digenous majority, who were earlier full of encouragement and a firm belief that the future lay in the blending of our different nationalities and backgrounds, are now watching these disproportionate activities with increasing incredibility.

More and more ads are being dominated by black actors, often cast in senior positions giving advice to somewhat subservient appearing white performers. Discussion programmes and news sections consistently feature black interviewees and often include a large influx of nonwhite presenters featuring subjects undermining UK activities. And all brought into their living rooms daily.

These viewers are subsequently going out into their real world and realising this is not the true position at all. Consequently derision, and in some cases growing anger, is increasing daily. Asian and black ‘No go’ areas are expanding rapidly. Gangs of armed black youths are out roaming streets. This last outrage, the murder of the 15-year-old, has only hit the headlines because the tragic victim was a young pupil on her way to school; what she did in her spare time we will of course never be told.

AUTUMN LOOKING GOOD OUR VIEW

There have in fact been 15 teenagers (two white), already stabbed to death this year, in London alone! These crimes of violence, which used to make the front page, are now controlled by these silent leftie propaganda policies and barely breaking news on page four! No wonder the ridiculous woke inspired plot is crumbling. The whole country is falling apart and the majorities are not allowed to mention their disapproval because they run the risk of being accused of racism.

A highly publicised survey carried out last week reported a large percentage of the black minority were not happy with the way they were treated by the white society. One young lady stated that she was always aware of the white reaction to her colour when she applied for a job. No accusations of reverse racism you notice.

What it does reveal however is that the policies of the left are completely misconstrued, misguided and actually having a completely damaging effect on UK’s culture and future existence.

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy leapylee2002@hotmail.com

TRADITIONALLY much of the Spanish tourist industry closes down for the autumn but latest figures suggest that even if that is the case, those that remain open could be in for a bumper quarter.

There is a thriving ice cream parlour in the Marbella suburb of San Pedro that only opens from Easter until the end of September and the owners simply enjoy a very long break having made enough money in the summer to see them through the ‘colder’ months. Many hotels are the same, although with the National Government and local Tourist Offices promoting ‘out of season’ holidays there is generally a growing demand for accommodation and this is helped in no small way by the Imserso pensioners holidays sponsored by the government.

Even if the actual number of visitors in the autumn is less than in the summer, those establishments that do stay open could find themselves doing very well as numbers of visitors swell and fewer places are open to cater for them. Tourism continues to be a very important contributor to the Spanish economy, not just because of the taxes that are raised but by the fact that more tourists means more staff staying in employment, thus reducing the burden of social services.

The only fear that one must have is that those supplying beds, sustenance, travel and entertainment need to be very careful about pricing, because with the increasing cost of living many tourists are more than ever looking to obtain value for money and won’t hesitate to look elsewhere if they feel they are being taken advantage of.

We must hope that the growth in the number of visitors in October continues for the benefit of the economy.

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

Things ain’t what they used to be

ONCE they know I’ve lived in Spain for over half a century, everybody wants to know about the changes I must have seen in the years I’ve been here.

For decades now, I’ve given the same old answer, explaining that it’s like watching a child grow up. The changes you perceive are gradual, not dramatic.

Added to that, I was living in Benidorm which paints a hyper ­ realist picture of tourism in late ­ 60s Spain but not the country itself.

The plane trees lining the Avenida del Mediterraneo were saplings, but women who still had to cover their arms when they went to Mass were able ­ if they wanted ­ to wear a bikini on the Levante and Poniente beaches.

Pedro Zaragoza Orts, the mayor who negotiated the bikini concession with the head of state Francisco Franco, was threatened with excom ­

munication and Benidorm’s neighbours always called it Sin City, an elderly Altea lady told me many years later.

The Spain I lived in was already in the grip of tourism although it had long been popular with the well ­ heeled industrialists who owned factories in Alcoy and members

of Madrid’s professional classes who built villas along the Levante seafront.

If anyone has ever wondered why one half of the Benidorm prom has the postal address of Avenida de Alcoy and the other half is Avenida de Madrid, that’s how they earned their names.

Many of those villas were still occupied each summer when I arrived, although several were bars. One allegedly belonged to Rommel’s photographer, and I remember that they made a satisfyingly large cheese roll which was perfect for eating on the beach when you didn’t want to go back upstairs for lunch.

By then I was living in an apartment in one of the tower blocks that were already going up but are now dwarfed by today’s skyscrapers, How did I get there?

It makes me cringe decades later, but I met my husband while I was on holiday in Benidorm. Instead of staying on as he suggested, I flew back to England and returned six weeks later.

“You must have been mad,” people exclaim, although they exclaimed far louder in 1968, not least my own family. “And to think we paid for your holiday,” my mother wailed when

I broke the news.

They were right, of course. I have since heard countless horror stories about the way a latin lover ­ cum ­ prince charming could metamorphose into a demanding despot ­ cummummy’s boy once the marriage lines were signed and the Libro de Familia handed over.

I know firsthand about the autocrat who expected to have his underpants ironedas if! ­ and the mother ­ in ­ law who would run a dust ­ detecting finger along the sideboard every time she visited.

I was spared all of that, which means my recollections are different from those of others, especially women who later separated or divorced. My husband’s family were a long way off in Madrid and although I’d hesitate to define a typical Spanish family, it’s fortunate that my in ­ laws didn’t conform to the usual pattern then and they don’t now.

1960s BENIDORM: Changes were afoot, thanks to tourism.

Photo credit: Flickr Biblioteca de la Facultad de Empresa y Gestión Pública (Universidad de Zaragoza)

THE recent decision by the Welsh Government to impose a 20mph speed limit in built up areas has come in for a great deal of criticism within Wales and readers of Euro Weekly News were quick in coming forward with their views on the matter.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reacted quickly at the latest Conservative Party Conference and has indicated that government policy will make it more difficult for such speed limits to be introduced as a blanket measure as well as cracking down on the imposition of Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) although it seems as if the Greater London ULEZ could well damage Labour’s election hopes in the south.

Implementing a 20mph speed limit can have several potential benefits. It may enhance road safety, particularly in residential areas and areas with high pedestrian or cyclist activity. Lower speeds generally reduce the severity of accidents and increase the chances of survival for pedestrians in case of collisions.

J Aitken

Some critics may argue that such limits might inconvenience drivers and could lead to increased traffic congestion. Public opinion on these initiatives often varies, with some supporting the focus on safety and others expressing concerns about practicality. These things never suit everyone.

V Green

Agree, goes hand in hand with other rights as a biped being removed, ie free speech. Everything is on its head with no logic applied, all political narrative. A vehicle at 20 will generate more energy pollution as carbon, noise and heat. Logic, schools and limited other roads yes, but not blanket, the percentage of tragedy is low, there but low. What are we trying to do reduce it to zero, another illogical zero policy, the few impacting the many.

D Hurford

Cars aren’t made to be driven at 20mph, this is just more Agenda 2030 bull designed to remove our freedoms. Have you heard about places in the US where they are banning meat, dairy and new clothes? Come on people, we need to stop this crap before it starts. I’d like to see the UN, World Economic Forum and all l those other idiotic psycho-

pathic organisation disbanded. Who the hell do they think they are? We didn’t vote for you and your agendas, you know where you can stick them!

N Yianni

Licence Exchange

I would like to give an account of the exchange of UK driving licence to Spanish , how Tráfico have rendered thousands that handed in their UK licence to them ! Now we are without any licence, unable to drive for months !! Possibly until January!! UK licence was supposed to be EXCHANGED for Spanish or at least a temporary Spanish licence. That has not been done. I got all relevant docs plus UK licence to my solicitor by May 9, had receipt for all docs from Tráfico May 24. Have had no temp licence in return four months ago, still no licence. I’m 75, live alone, hence my car is my lifeline! I am still not allowed to drive and they tell me it could be many months before they respond!! So wish I hadn’t taken up residency! Please print this, I bet thousands of people are in the same situation. Thank you in anticipation.

Marlene Raybould

Fighting depopulation

The lack of goverment grants is a big factor in detering population of declining village numbers, IVA attached to basic repairs like roofs and water supplies are putting people off. I have witnessed people turning up to view properties and walking away when the basic repairs + IVA attached is offputting. Italy came up with a scheme to prevent small villages from being ghost towns and if the Spanish government wish to avoid the same, then a radical rethink is long overdue?

Mark

SERVING UP ALL THE WRONG INGREDIENTS

ever asked to pitch ‘Mona Lisa’ on a sheet of A4 but, if he had been, he wouldn’t have typed ‘Paint. Woman. Smile’.

BACK in the UK recently I noticed there’s currently a trend among chefs for glib brevity with menus. A kind of adjective­free minimalism like this: “Beef, potato, leaves, ferment.” It feels like every restaurant in London with culinary pretensions describes dishes as a list of ingredients. A narcissistic and unhelpful trend that’s utterly played­out. The die was cast when things started costing 3.5 or 12. Hmm!

Words are helpful. Pictures, too. The realistic, plastic representations of dishes even more so, especially in foreign countries (like Japan) when neither traditional dishes are known, or ways of cooking.

I don’t suppose Leonardo da Vinci was

Imagine if marketing/promotional stuff for movies was like this: 1. America. Italian Family. Father. Son. Horse’s Head. 2. Young Boy. Lost Alien. Returns Home. 3. Pink. Gosling. Ryan.

Or, describing politicians: Ex­President USA. Insurrection. Indictment. Guilty? Prison? Nearer home: 1. PM. Multi ­ millionaire. Small boats. On the Ropes.

2. Ex­PM. Lockdown­Busting Parties. Wallpaper. Lies.

3. Ex ­ PM. Referendum. Brexit. Shame.

Got it? Answers on a postcard please to: Novelist. Columnist. 14 Riveting Years of ‘Breaking Views’!

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.

THE British Benevolent Fund celebrated its centenary last week at the official residence in Madrid of the British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott.

The milestone event brought over 150 guests from all over Spain to mark 100 years of supporting the British community in Spain.

Hugh Elliott, who is also patron of the fund, is the 27th British ambassador to accept the position, spoke warmly of the contribution made by the BBF as the ‘charity of last resort’ and help provided for the most vulnerable in the British community in Spain.

Olaf Clayton, the chair of the British Benevolent Fund said that the fund was at the “front line of support” highlighting that the “repatriation of the vulnerable, helping the destitute and homeless were key parts of the modern BBF’s casework. This in addition to the many

grants provided by those in dire need whose situation is often mired by ‘illness both physical and mentalalcoholism, domestic abuse ­ and are all part of the fund’s stock in trade.”

The BBF works in conjunction with over 50 charities ranging from the Red Cross to Caritas across the country as well as the UK’s consular network to deliv­

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

er help when needed.

The evening which was sponsored by Green Park Global and HM Hospitals which ensured that the event was delivered at zero cost to the BBF and raised some €6,000 for the British Benevolent Fund. Further information: olaf. clayton@britishbenevolent fund.org / www.britishbene volentfund.org.

I DON’T do Facebook and I don’t do Facebook for a reason. I actually have an account because years ago I signed up I but don’t use it. The reason I don’t use it is because it’s scary intrusive and I don’t like being told what to do. For instance, there is an advert on TV for toilet tissue and at the end of the ad it says follow us on Facebook … are you mad? Why on earth would I want to follow a company that makes loo rolls on Facebook? Maybe if I subscribed to Faecesbook I might have some interest but otherwise none, nada, nothing!!

How can you have 500 ‘friends’? I understand a bit if you are famous or something, bands etc so people can see where you are performing or want to be a fan but a normal person having 500 ‘friends’ is nonsense! I bet all you Facebookers out there don’t even know half the people who are your ‘friends’ on there. Yeah, yeah, I know you post lovely photos and tell people that your home is going to be empty for the next two weeks - all important stuff. If I want to send my family

photos, that’s what I do - I send them to my family. I don’t send them to 250 friends of friends who then decide to ‘like’ my pics.

Plus, you wear your ‘likes’ as some kind of medal ….. Hey I got 47 likes ...so what? The scariest thing about Facebook is how it suggests people you might want to be ‘friends’ with. I decided the other day to have a look at my account and there they were - pages of suggestions of people I may like to connect with. Now some of these people I didn’t know and they were mutual friends of the 15 people I had as friends. I don’t allow this app to access my email address book or my contacts so I was amazed to see the name of a lady that I vaguely remembered because she had a very unusual name.

I had met her once. She worked in Sunglasses Hut in Santa Monica 20 odd years ago and at that time I had a lot of shops in the UK and if I saw an outstanding salesperson I would say ‘if you ever come to the UK here’s my business card, give me a call’. I received an email from her saying ‘nice to meet you and if I ever come to the UK I’ll get in touch’ and that was it. I never heard from her again until Facebook dug and dug and somehow decided that I might want to be friends with a stranger I had a conversation with 20 years ago in a shop 12,000 miles away … I rest my case!!

MIKE

SENKER

NORA’S LATEST THRILLER.

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

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

Celebrating our centenary

PETS

PETS

Find checked cat-sitters for free

FINDING good cat­sitters gives peace of mind.

When you’re planning to go away for the holidays, finding care for your pets can be a big worry. Big holidays like Christmas and New Year need early planning. And knowing you can find free checked sitters via Housesitmatch could be a real boost to your holiday. How does it work?

It’s a fair exchange

All our sitters offer a fair exchange ­ free accommodation for free pet care and an online review. It’s a win win!

If you’re planning a trip for the holidays, don’t delay. Register today as a member of our network to find affordable home and pet care.

Plan ahead to secure great sitters

However long your trip pets need someone with them at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from routines undisturbed. Plan ahead of time to find house and pet­sitters who will come to you for free!

Next steps to join

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

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSit Match.com

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

Pet psychics : Fact or fiction

Cat-sitters keep your pets company while you’re away.

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 helps you find sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert with trip dates. House­sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter you want.

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

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PET psychics have long been a subject of fascination, prompting an equal mix of skepticism and curiosity. It’s a topic that divides opinion, with some pet owners swearing by the insights offered, and others dismissing it as mere pseudoscience. So, what exactly is a pet psychic, and is there any legitimacy to the practice?

plentiful. Many pet owners report noticeable changes in their pets’ behaviour after consulting a pet psychic, attributing newfound peace or happiness to the experience.

Still, critics argue that the practice relies heavily on the power of suggestion, exploiting emotional attachment to pets for financial gain.

discerning eye. Do your research, read reviews, and perhaps start with a less costly session to gauge its effectiveness for you and your pet.

While there’s scant scientific evidence to validate these claims, anecdotal accounts are

If you’re considering consulting a pet psychic, it’s crucial to approach it with an open mind but a

The world of pet psychics continues to be a subject of debate. Whether you believe it to be insightful or incredulous, it undeniably adds a layer of intrigue to our ever ­ evolving understanding of human ­ animal relationships.

Pets join the meal

A NEW trend is taking place in Spain’s cafes and restaurants in many busy cities. More and more places are not just allowing pets in; they’re making them a big part of the dining fun.

Everyone knows about tapas, those tasty little dishes Spain is famous for. Now, imagine something like that, but for pets! Yes, some cafes are offering small treats just for dogs and cats.

DINING OUT: Now you can take your pet along too.

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ably. They have water bowls and spots for pets to chill out. Some even have special menus just for dogs and cats, with things like pet ­ friendly ice creams. This new trend shows just how much Spain loves its pets. Eating out is a big deal for many people, and now, our pets can enjoy it too. Itos all about sharing good times and good food with those we love, furry friends included.

Pet psychics, or animal communicators as they are sometimes called, claim to possess a heightened sensitivity that allows them to tune into the thoughts and feelings of animals. Proponents argue that these individuals can help resolve behavioural issues, locate lost pets, and even facilitate communication between deceased pets and their owners.

PET BEHAVIOUR: Approach it with an open mind.

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ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

HONDA’S latest SUV arrival, the ZR ­ V, slots neatly between the HR ­ V and CR ­ V and is a stylish and much less aggressively drawn SUV. The softer look goes against the styling of many SUVs and with that reduced bulk is a more compact interior, despite not feeling in any way cramped. As ever with Honda the build quality is superb, and a particularly neat addition is the honeycomb air vent that straddles the fascia. It’s also a sensible and welcome change to see a new car with actual buttons, the climate control can be operated without the need for multiple presses of a touchscreen.

There are three levels of trim and all have the same power system, a 2.0 ­ litre petrol unit with hybrid assistance using two electric motors and a battery pack that makes for a seamless transition between electric and petrol power. The set­up develops a healthy 181 bhp

Honda’s latest SUV arrival - the ZR-V

with the benchmark 100 kph/62 mph arriving in 7.8 seconds and a maximum speed of 173 kph/107 mph.

The single speed auto matic transmission is a smooth affair but accel erate firmly and things become a little vocal, opt for a more re laxed drive and things are almost whisper quiet. This isn’t down to Honda it’s just a characteristic of this kind of CVT transmission, and that apart it’s a clever and efficient arrangement.

All models are well equipped with front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, navigation, keyless entry and start, heated front seats, adaptive cruise, auto wipers and lights, powered, heated and reverse tilt door mirrors plus Apple Car Play and Android Auto. It’s an enviable list but even with a range starting price of €45,399/£39,495

fers a better standard speci fication than many competitors at its price.

road the ZR V is a relaxing and effortless drive providing you keep your

Facts at a Glance

degree of aplomb and has decently responsive steering too. From an economy per­

• Model: Honda ZR-V Elegance Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol with hybrid assistance developing 181 bhp

Gears: Automatic Price: €45,399/£39,495

Performance: 0-100 kph/62 mph 7.8 seconds/Maximum Speed 173 kph/107 mph

Combined Economy: 4.74 litres per 100km/49.6mpg WLTP

Combined Emissions: 130 g/km WLTP Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets

spective the ZR ­ V returns late 40s mpg and although there’s no all­wheel­drive capability, few SUVs have that nowadays, the Honda has a ‘snow­drive’ button that provides a useful aid to traction in mildly difficult conditions.

Premium badges are all well and good but look beyond the badge and the quality, usability and style of Honda’s latest models are all too often overlooked. Although they may not build adrenaline fuelled cars ­ Civic Type R exceptedthe ZR ­ V is a Honda well worth driving.

1905 Mary Anderson invented windshield wipers.

Murcia’s struggles

REAL MURCIA CF endured another frustrating evening on Sunday, October 1, as they played out a goalless draw at home in the Enrique Roca Stadium against Alcoyano. The disappointment was palpable amongst the fans and the situation got so tense that the stadium had to turn up the volume on the music to drown out the disapproving whistles at full time.

The winless streak at Nueva Condomina has now stretched to six months, with their last victory dated back to April 2. The performance on the pitch mirrored the frustrating results, as Real Murcia struggled to find their rhythm. Despite boasting a squad valued at over €3 million, they were outplayed by an Alcoyano team that had suffered four consecutive defeats.

Gustavo Munúa, the head coach, acknowledged the challenging situation, saying, “We know that we are walking a

tightrope, but that is why we are here, to stand up and jump over obstacles.” The road ahead re ­

mains uncertain for Real Murcia CF as they continue their quest for a much­needed win.

History-makers!

UCAM Murcia CB has started the ACB season with a bang, achieving an unprecedented feat in their history by securing three consecutive wins.

The Palacio de los Deportes was once again a place of celebration as they beat Lenovo Tenerife with a final score of 8068.

Under the leadership of coach Sito Alonso, UCAM Murcia CB has demonstrated its skill and determination in the opening matches. Their first victory came in a hard ­ fought battle in Granada, where they won after two gru ­

elling overtimes. Back home at the Palacio, they faced two formidable rivals in the Endesa League and emerged victorious in both encounters.

Their success can be at ­

tributed to their unwavering personality on the court, dominance in various aspects of the game, and an unrelenting pace and intensity that left their opponents strug ­

gling to keep up. With this remarkable start, UCAM Murcia CB sets the stage for an exciting season ahead, instilling positivity and high hopes among their loyal supporters.

Alba’s bronze

ALBA RUBIO, the 14­year­old open water swimmer hailing from Cartagena, has made her mark on the international stage by clinching the bronze medal in the fivekilometre event at the European Open Water Championships in Corfu, Greece. Under the guidance of her dedicated coaches, Margarita Cabezas and Paco Domínguez, Rubio showcased her incredible talent and determination.

Rubio’s remarkable achievement places her as the second­best swimmer of her generation and the third overall in the competition. She completed the gruelling five­kilometre race with a commendable time of one hour, one minute, and 52 seconds, narrowly edging out her fellow Spaniard, Ariadna Malo Moreno, by just one second.

This success was not an overnight feat for Rubio, as she earned her spot in the European Championship by securing a bronze medal and a fifth­place finish at the European Youth Olympic Festival held earlier in Maribor, Slovenia. With her determination and skill, Alba Rubio has a bright future ahead in the world of open­water swimming, representing Cartagena with pride.

Calero’s debut

IN a significant match, Cartagena FC, under new coach Julián Calero, journeyed to Lezama to take on SD Amorbieta in Basque Country. The game concluded in a goalless draw, signifying a fresh start for Cartagena after parting ways with former coach Víctor Sánchez del Amo.

Although one point falls short of their aspirations to climb out of the lower half of the league table, Cartagena demonstrated a marked improvement in their performance compared to previous matches.

Calero’s arrival on the

sidelines bolstered the defence, resulting in their first clean sheet of the season. The blackand ­ white team dominated proceedings, creating numerous goalscoring opportunities while maintaining defensive stability.

With Cartagena FC gearing up to face Espanyol in a midweek fixture, they are determined to break free from the bottom of the table. The team eagerly anticipates the upcoming challenge as they seek to improve their league position under the leadership of their new coach.

Image: Facebook/ UCAM Murcia CB

VICTORY AT PALACIO: UCAM Murcia CB’s spectacular start in the ACB season.

Image: Facebook/Real Murcia CF

Real Murcia CF stumbled to a goalless draw against Alcoyano on home turf.

Image: Facebook/ Club Natación Marina Cartagena ‘Áncora’

ALBA RUBIO: A rising star in open water swimming.