Costa Blanca South 19 – 25 October 2023 Issue 1998

ON Friday October 13, Maria and the Pink Ladies honoured International Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an event at The Sports Bar at Flamenca Beach Commercial Centre.

Over €1,500 was raised during the event, though the final count is still under­ way.

Alli, the gracious owner of The Sports Bar, and her ded­ icated team worked tireless­ ly to cater to the enthusias­ tic crowd.

Attendees eagerly partici­ pated in raffles, tried their luck at the tombola, and ventured guesses to deter­ mine the weight of a visual­ ly stunning cake crafted by Amy of Sunshine FM. The cake, an absolute masterpiece, found its way into the hands of Mary Bai­ ley, the lucky winner of the sweet prize.

The Sports Bar generously contributed €100 to the cause, adding to the gen­ erosity of the day.

Entertainment was a highlight of the event.

The stage came alive with enchanting performances by the likes of Dianna Daiz, Margaret McDonald, Chloe Leigh, Rebecca Holt, Valenti­

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH • EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

PINK LADIES: Honoured International Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

no, and an electrifying Blues Brothers tribute featuring Alfie and Leigh.

Simon Morton from Sun­ shine FM took up the role of an animated host, keeping the spirits high throughout the day.

Adding to the excitement, a TV crew from Channel 5’s beloved show, ‘Bargain Lov­ ing Brits in the Sun’, was present, documenting the entire event.

Maria has extended her

gratitude to everyone who joined hands in support of the Pink Ladies, the gracious bar owners, their dedicated staff, the immensely talent­

FREE • GRATIS

MINIATURE MASTERPIECES

Image: Maria and the Pink Ladies and Panthers

19 - 25 October 2023

ed artists who selflessly lent their time, and, of course, the resilient Pink Ladies and Panthers who continue to dedicate their time.

IN Elche’s La Calahorra, a quaint corner of artistic intrigue, three miniature masterpieces by the renowned painter Joaquin Sorolla reside.

This year marks the centenary of the artist’s passing, and these rare treasures have only recently been confirmed as authentic works of Sorolla’s hand.

These gems are part of the extraordinary Dura Collec­ tion, a cache of nearly 100 artworks, acquired by the Elche City Council back in 2006.

Originally, nine of these paintings were believed to be the handiwork of the Valen­ cian artist.

However, a meticulous pro­ cess of authen­ tication has un­ MASTERPIECE: By Joaquin Sorolla. veiled the truth.

Three of the pieces are indeed authentic Sorolla master­ pieces, a testament to his remarkable talent.

Meanwhile, five others were attributed to contemporary artists, offering a unique glimpse into the artistic milieu of Sorolla’s time, and one turned out to be a mere copy.

If you’re planning a visit, the exhibition is open from Tuesday to Saturday, with viewing hours running from 10.00am to 2.00pm and then from 3.00pm until 6.00pm.

On Sundays, you’re in for a treat as morning entry is ab­ solutely free.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Elche / Facebook

THINK PINK

Issue No. 1998

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19 - 25 October 2023

NEWS

Surpassing figures IN a heartening sign of recov­ ery, foreign tourism in the province of Alicante has not just bounced back to pre­ pandemic levels, but has even surpassed them.

This resurgence is backed by data from the National In­ stitute of Statistics (INE), which relies on mobile phone tracking for travel measurements.

The figures for August have just been released, painting a promising picture.

During the month of Au­ gust, the picturesque Ali­ cante region welcomed a staggering 813,305 visitors.

This followed closely on the heels of July, which saw another 712,076 tourists making their way to this sun­ ny destination.

That’s a grand total of 1,525,381 visitors during the peak summer period, slightly edging past the previous record set in 2019 when 1,508,060 visitors graced the

Image: Ayuntamiento de Alicante / Facebook

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ALICANTE: The figures paint a promising picture.

province.

Comparing this to 2019, when July saw 700,300 for­ eign tourists and August hosted 807,760, it becomes evident that not only did Ali­ cante outperform the com­ bined figures for these two months, but also surpassed each period individually this year.

2020, in the throes of the pandemic and with interna­ tional travel under severe re­ strictions, witnessed a stark decline, with tourist numbers plummeting to barely a third

of those in the preceding year.

In 2021, there was a mod­ est uptick, with less than 800,000 visitors between July and August.

However, the real turnaround started to take shape last year, with a robust total of 1,266,391 tourists gracing Alicante’s shores dur­ ing those summer months.

Alicante Province is once again proving to be a beloved destination for trav­ ellers, offering a glimpse of brighter days ahead.

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NIBS EXTRA Bus return THE city centre of Alicante is beginning to see the light at the end of the works that be­ gan at the end of June. After four months, Alicante buses are finally returning to Aveni­ da Federico Soto. The traffic cut affected 10 bus routes.

Best figures IN September, a total of 19,592 people were regis­ tered as unemployed in Elche. This figure represents a decrease of ­9.2 per cent compared to the same peri­ od in 2022 and almost 10,000 people less than the worst moment in 2020, with 28,000 unemployed in June.

Roads reopened ROAD and pedestrian traffic has been fully restored on Orihuela’s Calle Hospital and Calle Francisco Die. Local Po­ lice have removed the provi­ sional security fence that was in place during construction, allowing traffic to flow freely in both directions.

New parking THE last phase of the works on the new public parking lot on plot M­196A (Rincon de Pedro) in Guardamar del Se­ gura, located between Calles Nicaragua, Uruguay, Argenti­ na, and Brazil, is happening.

Seventy­six parking spaces, new pavements, and green areas will be created.

19 - 25 October 2023

Accidental fall ON October 15, a 76­year­old woman was injured after ac­ cidentally falling from a first­ floor apartment on Calle De­ portista Angel Aznar in Alicante. While cleaning, the victim lost her balance and fell to the ground and is now in hospital recovering.

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Waterfall win 114

Anna Ellis NOEMI GUTIERREZ, Pinoso’s most dedicated personal trainer, recently achieved a remarkable feat by descending the highest waterfall in Spain, the Nervion waterfall.

Located between Burgos and Álava, this natural wonder stands as the sec­ ond­highest in Europe, just behind Gavarnie, and boasts an impressive height of 222 metres.

Noemí took on a chal­ lenging 222­metre fraction­ al rappel, an adventure that required meticulous

PERSONAL TRAINER: Achieved a remarkable feat.

preparation and execution.

As a leader, she was re­

hancing waste management in the community.

Residents of Santa Pola, your voices matter, and your insights will be integral to the development of an im­ proved waste management plan for the municipality.

Participating is easy. You can fill out the survey by vis­ iting the online link: forms.office.com/e/f8t8veD 4cE Additionally, you’ll find posters around town with QR codes that can be scanned using your mobile phones, providing a quick and convenient way to ac­ cess the survey form.

SANTA POLA Local Police are set to receive an upgrade in their communication equip­ ment, thanks to the imple­ mentation of TETRA technolo­ gy. This step will enhance coverage across the entire mu­ nicipal area, equipping officers with the essential tools needed for effective law enforcement and ultimately bolstering secu­ rity. Ana Blasco, the councillor for Police, highlighted the ur­ gency of this upgrade, explain­ ing, “Currently, the Local Police of Santa Pola operates with transmission systems that are over 15 years old and rely on obsolete technology.

“This outdated infrastruc­

Champion of Spain IN an extraordinary display of skill and determination, Luffy Riquelme Huracan, a resident of Guardamar, has been crowned the champion of Spain in the ­48kg category.

This remarkable achievement oc­ curred at the championship held in La Manga del Mar Menor.

Luffy represented the colours of CB La Union of Castellon. His victory is not only a personal triumph, but also a source of pride for the entire com­ munity.

volved setting up and later disassembling the neces­ sary ropes for the descent.

This expedition com­ prised a group of 15 indi­ viduals who were part of a club, all of whom complet­ ed the activity safely and without any incidents.

To successfully navigate this incredible descent, a total of 340 metres of rope were utilised.

This rope was divided in­ to a brand new 200­metre coil and two 70­metre ropes, ensuring the safety and security of the entire group.

Urgent upgrade

Speaking out SANTA POLA residents, the town hall want to hear from you!

The municipality has launched an online survey to evaluate our current garbage collection service, with the aim of making improve­ ments based on your valu­ able feedback.

This survey covers a range of topics, from anonymous demographic information to your recycling habits, your thoughts on the condition and use of waste containers, and your opinions on the various waste collection ser­ vices currently in place.

Your input is crucial to en­

sponsible for organising the expedition, which in­

Music fans CALLING all musical fans: ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Musical’ is one of the main attractions of the Patron Saint Festivals of Tor­ revieja, which begin Novem­ ber 18. Tickets are now on sale at www.en tradasatual­ cance.com and at the Munic­ ipal Theatre box office.

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YOUR EWN HAS

Image: Ayuntamiento de Pinoso

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Image: Ajuntament de Guardamar del Segura / Facebook

CHAMPION: A remarkable achievement.

ture leads to incomplete com­ munication coverage in vari­ ous parts of the municipality, posing significant challenges for security operations.”

The adoption of TETRA tech­ nology promises a substantial improvement in communica­ tion capabilities for the Santa Pola Local Police.

It will eradicate the ‘dead zones’ where communication disruptions presently occur, ensuring effective police oper­ ations and, most importantly, the swift and coordinated re­ sponse to emergencies.

This vital upgrade involves a significant investment of near­ ly €130,000.

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Planning ahead AS the summer tourist season draws to a close, Torrevieja City Council is gearing up for the up­ coming patron saint and Christmas festivi­ ties, aiming to make them nothing short of spectacular.

This year, the budget allocated for these fes­ tivities in Torrevieja is set to once again sur­ pass €800,000.

This significant ex­ pense covers a period of just one and a half months, stretching from the end of November to Three Kings’ Day. The government team made a public an­ nouncement during the last Fitur 2023 tourism fair, officially marking these dates on the local calendar as ‘Live December in Tor­ revieja’.

The city council is de­ termined to make these upcoming events truly memorable.

The Euro Weekly News publishes more content both online at euroweeklynews.com and in its papers than any other English news publication in Spain.

Even better, our news online and in print is FREE and we promise to

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19 - 25 October 2023

Image: Ayuntamiento de Pinoso

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EXHIBITION: Features a selection of crafts and miniatures.

Tiny treats

UNTIL the beginning of November, art enthusiasts have the opportunity to ex­ plore a captivating exhibi­

PROVERB OF THE WEEK “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Meaning when you are in a different place, try to follow the customers of the people who live there. This saying is thought to originate from Saint Ambrose, the former Bishop of Milan, who was shocked to find that the clergy would not fast on Saturdays, as was normal in Rome.

tion at the Font del Canter exhibition space in Pinoso.

The exhibition features a remarkable selection of crafts and miniatures, thoughtfully curated and created by the talented cou­ ple, Isabel Gimenez and Miguel Angel Requena.

Isabel Gimenez is no stranger to this exhibition space, having previously showcased her collection of doll houses in 2017. Howev­

er, this time, the spotlight also shines on her husband Miguel Angel’s crafts and miniatures, making this ex­ hibition a true celebration of their shared passion.

Visitors to the exhibition will be treated to a diverse and enchanting array of miniatures, including doll­ houses of various sizes, a breathtaking castle, meticu­ lously crafted ship and aero­ plane models, relief paint­

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ings, surprise boxes, and tiny books teeming with in­ tricate details.

For Isabel and Miguel An­ gel, their shared hobby is not only a source of joy but also a bond that unites them.

It’s worth noting that their unique nativity scene was honoured with awards in the 2016 and 2017 edi­ tions of the nativity scene contest, organised by the Department of Festivities.

Their craftsmanship and dedication shine through in every piece, making this ex­ hibition a must­see for all art and miniature enthusi­ asts.

Fashionise yourself

THIS autumn, it’s time to step up your style game and revamp your wardrobe with the hottest trends of the

season.

And where better to do it than at Zenia Boulevard?

With over 160 stores, it’s a

fashion paradise waiting for you.

Exciting News: Zenia Boulevard is not just offer­ ing the latest trends; they’re also inviting you to partici­ pate in a fabulous promo­ tion running until October 27.

Here’s your chance to win a whopping €500 to super­ charge your ‘Modernise Yourself’ experience.

All you have to do is shop at one of the shops in Zenia Boulevard and then present your purchase receipt at the Customer Information Point. Once you do that, you’ll be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win €500!

So, whether you’re look­ ing for a complete wardrobe overhaul or just a few statement pieces, this is the perfect opportunity to spruce up your style for the season.

4,000+ Arabic words have been absorbed into the Spanish language.

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19 - 25 October 2023

Invaluable contributions IN a recent statement, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) proudly commends the invaluable contributions made by zoos and aquari­ ums to the vital mission of species con­ servation.

In great news for Elche, Rio Safari is at the forefront of this global effort.

The SSC recognises the dedication of many such institutions to upholding high standards of care, conservation, education, and research.

They play a pivotal role in preventing species from teetering on the edge of extinction and in actively working to re­ cover those that have suffered from un­ favourable conservation status.

Notably, Río Safari Elche is deeply en­ gaged in species conservation and ac­

Image: Rio Safari, Elche

RIO SAFARI: At the forefront of this global effort.

tively participates in European conser­ vation programmes.

Over the years, their efforts have borne fruit with the births of two An­ golan giraffes, three black­crested mangabeys, and a Bornean orangutan within their facilities, a testament to the

ALICANTE boasts a historical distinction that sets it apart from other cities in Spain, it has served as the official reference point for measuring land height in the Iberian Peninsula for an impressive century and a half.

Previously marked by a small plaque on the promenade, the importance of Alicante’s zero-level reference point has now been magnificently highlighted.

success of these collaborative projects.

The SSC, as the world’s largest global network of conservation experts, pro­ vides guidance, formulates policies and guidelines, and facilitates conservation planning. Its ultimate goal is to reverse the current decline in biodiversity.

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Tourist municipality A MOMENTOUS occasion unfolded as the mayor of Crevillent, Lourdes Aznar Miralles made a noteworthy trip to the head­ quarters of the Presidency of the Generalitat Valenciana in Ali­ cante.

Their mission was to officially receive the well­deserved recog­ nition as a Singularity Tourist Municipality of the Valencian Com­ munity, a distinction proudly granted to Crevillent.

This honour stands as a testament to the town’s commitment to promoting tourism and its valuable assets.

The mayor emphasised the significance of this recognition, highlighting how being a Tourist Municipality of Singularity serves as a powerful catalyst for the local tourism sector.

She described it as a vital driver of the municipality’s economy and a cornerstone in the promotion of its rich heritage, natural wonders, and cultural treasures.

In doing so, the town creates prosperity for its residents and endeavours to extend the tourist season, ensuring that the ben­ efits of tourism reach as many citizens as possible throughout the year.

The councillor for Tourism, Pedro Garcia Magro, delved into the specific implications of this distinction and explained that it opens the door to financial assistance.

Unique legacy A tide meter, along with a descriptive inscription, has been installed on the newly renovated promenade to educate and engage both residents and visitors.

Positioned on Pier Two, this tide meter

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offers an intriguing opportunity for passersby to observe the ever-fluctuating sea level.

The tides in Alicante vary by approximately 20 centimetres every day, a fascinating natural rhythm shaped by two tide

gauges located in different parts of the port.

The tide meter operates by using a buoy, providing a visual representation of the tide’s continuous ebb and flow.

Observers will notice that this rhythm remains relatively stable throughout the day, a characteristic that played a crucial role in designating Alicante as the official ground zero for land height measurement during the latter half of the 19th century.

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19 - 25 October 2023

THE Tourist Board has set its sights on enhancing the al­ lure of key landmarks in the city of Alicante, not just through the installation of more than 20 new informa­ tion panels, but by creating a captivating visitor experi­ ence.

The council has confirmed that the primary objective is to design signs that are ‘unique, striking, and attrac­ tive’, compelling tourists to explore renowned sites like the Santa Barbara and San Fernando castles, the Cen­ tral Market, the bullring, Cigarreras, air raid shelters, and Luceros.

The endeavour doesn’t stop at aesthetics; the city council is also keen on incor­ porating augmented reality content to provide a deeper

Alicante allure

Striking and attractive.

historical and heritage con­ text for these significant lo­ cales.

In the quest to develop pedestrian tourist signage, the emphasis lies not only on aiding visitors’ mobility but also on enriching their understanding of this

ON September 7, the Alicante­Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport celebrated its sixth ‘Spot­ ter Day’ with enthusiastic aviation photogra­ phy aficionados of all ages.

In collaboration with the ‘ALC Spotters’ as­ sociation, this event brought together 70 passionate individuals, all eager to capture the stunning images of aircraft operating at the Alicante airport.

The day kicked off at 8.00am with partici­ pants receiving their accreditation and mak­

cityscape and enhancing their overall experience.

The signs themselves, along with the informative content, are envisioned as more than just markers; they are designed to be en­ gaging, unique attractions in their own right.

ELCHE is gearing up for an exciting development as the city recently greenlit the ambitious Jhayton Cul­ tural Centre Project.

The Jhayton Cultural Centre will be a modern, all­encompassing space designed for everyone.

Not only will it serve as a hub for cultural activities, but it will also feature inviting cafes that will breathe new life into the vicinity.

The cultural building it­ self is set to become a fo­ cal point of the city, boast­ ing a main hall with a seating capacity of 400 people.

In addition to this, there will be a welcoming lobby, dressing rooms, and a ver­ satile 200­square­metre

Cultural centre

AMBITIOUS PROJECT: A space designed for everyone.

multipurpose room.

Notably, the new centre will also house a 1,000­ square­metre area desig­ nated for municipal of­ fices, bringing administration closer to the Carrus community.

The mayor, Pablo Ruz, has also revealed plans to

Plane spotting ing their way to the designated locations.

The event continued until 2.00pm allowing spotters ample time to set up their gear and capture the perfect shots.

For the first part of the day, they stationed themselves at one end of the runway, specif­

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Image: Ayuntamiento de Elche

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Image: Ayuntamiento de Alicante / Facebook

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ically at heading 10, and later shifted to the opposite end, heading 28.

The airport went above and beyond to accommodate the attendees, offering convenient parking facilities, a satisfying lunch, and a memorable keepsake as a to­

relocate the Urban Plan­ ning department to this area as a cost­saving mea­ sure, reducing municipal rents.

Municipal experts esti­ mate that the budget for constructing this magnifi­ cent new building will hov­ er around the €6m mark.

ken of the day.

What made this day truly special was the vibrant aeronautical activity at Alicante­Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport, with a staggering 360 scheduled flights on the roster.

Airlines even went the extra mile by scheduling special planes adorned with eye­ catching designs, ensuring that these unique aircraft would make a lasting impression on aeronautical forums and social media plat­ forms alike.

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19 - 25 October 2023

FIRAHOGAR ARRIVES AT IFAFIRA ALACANT WITH NOVELTIES FROM October 19 to 22, at IFA­Fira Alacant there will be an event where you will be able to discover the latest trends in furniture, equip­ ment and decoration for the home.

The 29th FIRAHOGAR Home Furnishings, Equip­ ment and Decoration Show will open its doors on Octo­ ber 19. The fair, which this year will last for four days, of­ fers different possibilities through the many business­ es exhibiting their top quality products at the best prices, including furniture and interi­ or design, lighting, kitchens, outdoors, services with many tradesmen, associations and even official bodies.

This year there will be an exhibition of 13,000 square metres where you can find all the new products from the 50 exhibiting firms.

This event, which began in 1993, has established itself in the province as the event of reference in terms of every­ thing necessary for the

home, therefore the accep­ tance by the public and ex­ hibitors has been growing year after year.

This year FIRAHOGAR has new features: the participa­ tion of Almoradí ‘Ciudad del Mueble’, one extra exhibi­ tion day and free admission for visitors.

In this edition, Almoradí ‘Ciudad del Mueble’, will be present, with firms that will be present through Al­ moradí’s town hall, the aim is

to promote the importance of the sector in the province.

If Almoradí is renowned in the province, it is for its furni­ ture and the entire home sector.

The event attracts all types of public, from those inter­ ested in new trends in home fashion to those looking for bargains in furniture and dec­ oration.

The fair is open from 10.00 to 21.00 and admission is free. #FIRAHOGAR

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Tapas Route PREPARE for a mouthwater­ ing adventure in Catral!

The Ruta de la Tapa (Tapas Route) is back, and it’s happening on Saturday, October 21, and Sunday, October 22, from 11.00am to 4.00pm.

It’s your chance to savour delicious tapas and refresh­ ing beverages for an incredi­ ble price: just €3 for a tapas and beer or €3.50 for a

Home Furnishings and Decoration Show is set to open.

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tapas and another bever­ age.

But here’s the best part: you don’t have to worry about driving around from one place to another.

Jump aboard the Catral train, which will whisk you away to all 24 of the fantas­ tic participating establish­ ments!

Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to indulge in a

culinary journey through Catral, tasting a variety of delectable tapas.

Bring your friends and family along for a fantastic weekend of food and fun.

It’s a perfect way to savour the flavours of the town while enjoying great com­ pany and the ease of the Catral train.

Get ready for a taste bud adventure!

Pairs Scramble comp MONTGO Golf Society played a Pairs Scramble competition at Oliva Nova Golf course sponsored by the society.

The winning Pair was Peter Turner and Glenys Cuming with a fine score of 40 Stableford points beating off the run­ ners up, Geoff Willcock and Alan Lowans on countback. Well done to both pairs.

There were two nearest the pin prizes on offer on the 3rd and 16th Holes and taking home the spoils was

Nigel Siddall and Carmen Knemeyer.

Next week’s competition is a Stable­ ford sponsored by Mick Farmer, mem­ bers please note our later tee times, this is a result of Oliva Nova restric­ tions, which is beginning to hamper the smooth running of the society competitions. Friday October 27 they are unable to get any tee time till 13.00 hours.

They would like to thank their mem­ bers for their continued support.

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19 - 25 October 2023

Record harvest ELCHE’S mayor, Pablo Ruz, re­ cently participated in the offi­ cial ceremony marking the start of the date season. This event marked not only the commencement of the date harvest but also underscored the significance of the Elche date as a symbol of quality and the pride of the Elche gar­ den. In a remarkable turn of events, this year’s date pro­ duction in Elche is expected to reach a staggering 90 tons.

The President of the Associ­ ation of Date Producers, M Angel Sanchez, confirmed that the exceptional increase in production this year is attribut­ ed to the lack of rain during the critical pollination months, resulting in a production that has tripled compared to previ­ ous years.

Sanchez described this as a record­breaking year, owing to the cultivation of palm trees in vitro in Elche, which has con­ tributed to a production level three times greater than the norm.

Grim discovery COCKROACHES and rats have been found in Spanish old peo­ ple’s homes in what is a shock­ ing discovery.

The conditions at three Ali­ cante Province nursing homes have been criticised heavily with one home in particular being slammed for its hygiene stan­ dards after rats were spotted and cockroaches were found crawling on the faces of resi­ dents at the home.

Authorities have been urged to investigate as soon as possi­ ble and take action, with people living in unacceptable condi­ tions.

Recova is leading the criti­ cism, with the group represent­ ing the families and the resi­ dents of the residential homes, inside the Valencian communi­ ty.

The facilities taking the flak go by the names of the Domus VI Aljub and Altabix centres, which are in Elche, and Savia Villa­ martin which is on the Orihuela Costa.

COCKROACHES: Have been found in nursing homes.

Recova says that in the Savia Villamartin home there are rat

13 how much smaller the UK is compared to India.

and cockroach infestations with residents being bitten and wak­ ing up with cockroaches on their faces.

“We cannot tolerate that resi­ dents do not have basic hy­ giene: changing nappies, cutting nails, shaving, hygiene and feed­ ing,” said a Recova statement.

The three centres and the Va­ lencian government are so far yet to comment on the claims, but it is clear that an investiga­ tion is needed.

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Have your say ORIHEULA’S Department of the Environ­ ment is embarking on a journey to trans­ form the way people move in Orihuela.

To make this vision a reality, the de­ partment has opened up a unique av­ enue for public participation.

They’ve launched a questionnaire de­ signed to gather insights on mobility is­ sues and needs within the municipality, with a special focus on the cycling com­ munity. From now until October 22, you have the opportunity to make your voice heard. Simply head to the link: https://orihuela.governalia.es/consul tas/, and let your thoughts flow.

The primary objective of this initiative is to make the bicycle a common and convenient mode of transport in Ori­ huela.

Environmental councillor, Noelia Grao, confirmed: “We aim to develop a net­ work of cycling routes that guarantee the utmost safety and comfort for all kinds of cyclists, especially the most vul­ nerable among us.”

But that’s not all. A host of supple­ mentary actions are also in the works, all geared towards fostering a culture of cy­ cling mobility within the municipality.

Your responses to the questionnaire will shape the future of mobility in Ori­ huela.

10 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

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U3A Vall del Pop lent. The Polivalent is used by all the community and of course it is the meeting venue for the U3A General Assemblies. The Association is extremely grateful to Murla Town Hall for its sup­ port.

The Association will also be hoping to arrange a First Aid Course, for the mem­ bers.

Further events include a Coffee morning at 10.30am on October 26 at Casa Clau­ dia’s, Xalo.

Halloween Bingo and Quiz evening at Pepe’s restaurant in Alcalai on Octo­

THIS week saw Carp­R­Us fish the Eden 2 stretch of the Rio Segura for round 7 of their Summer/Autumn series. It was a lovely morning with mist rising off the river when they arrived. They had seven members fishing and while the river was low it looked like it would fish well.

However, the fact it dropped anoth­ er 20­30cms during the match left most of the upstream anglers strug­ gling for bites.

xxx

THE U3A Vall del Pop com­ mittee has been working with local bank, La Caixa, Xa­ lo, to help the community.

This action culminated with a recent presentation by the La Caixa Bank, to the U3A Vall del Pop Association of €1,000 to help with projects within the community.

The presentation was at­ tended by a number of the committee of the U3A Asso­ ciation plus the Branch Man­ ager Rosalia Ivars Arlandis, and also Carlos, the La Caixa Bank Area Manager.

After long discussions the committee decided they would approach Murla Town Hall, to confirm if it will be possible to donate a de­ fibrillator for the main com­ munity building, the Poliva­

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CAIXA BANK: The presentation was attended by members.

ber 31. Cost €12 including a meal. Contact goodwill events2@gmail.com.

For further details on the Association, meetings and groups please check on the

Carp-r-Us Willy Moons was a clear winner from peg 5 with 6.30kg (six carp) caught on method feeder and maggot.

Second from peg 6 was Steve Fell who used pole and bread to catch 3.00kg, just pipping Richard Crawshaw who had 2.96kg from peg 7 on feeder and corn. Fourth was Jeremy Fardoe with

website u3avalldelpop.com.

Don’t be alone in your re­ tirement, join the U3A and make new friends and keep young, having fun whilst learning new things.

0.62kg caught on whip and maggot.

A big thank you should go to Tony Flett and Jeremy Fardoe who have worked hard over the last two weeks to ensure there were sufficient pegs for matches on this stretch. It’s a pity the fish just didn’t want to feed.

Further information about the club can be found on its website www.carp­r­us.weebly.com or on the Facebook page Carp­R­Us Fishing Costa Blanca.

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19 - 25 October 2023 Image: Ayuntamiento de Santa Pola / Facebook

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COUNTDOWN BEGINS: The race is a unique sporting extravaganza.

Mediterranean Race Anna Ellis THE countdown has al­ ready begun in Santa Pola for November 12 when the fifth Great Mediter­ ranean Race is set to take place.

The race is a unique sporting extravaganza that combines two differ­ ent disciplines.

To begin, there is a 21.0975 km running race that kicks off at 9 in the morning, starting from

the Palace of the Provin­ cial Council in Alicante.

The route follows the coast, passing through iconic locations such as El Palmeral Park, the beach­ es of Urbanova, Arenales del Sol, and the Carabassí, all the way to the Cabo de Santa Pola lighthouse, concluding at Varadero Beach, offering stunning Mediterranean views throughout.

Simultaneously, a SUP

(Stand­Up Paddle) race spanning 13 kilometres will take place, running from Urbanova Beach to Varadero de Santa Pola.

This leg is part of the long­distance Spanish Cup. Currently, there are over 3,000 participants registered for the event, with 80 per cent hailing from within the country and 20 per cent from the international community.

IN an impressive milestone, the Department of Beaches in Santa Pola has received the coveted certification from AENOR for the 20th consecutive year.

This recognition follows a successful second follow­up audit reaffirming the com­ mitment to quality and en­ vironmental management of Santa Pola’s beautiful beaches.

The audit specifically commended the expansion of services and their year­ round availability, ensuring that residents and visitors can enjoy these services throughout the year.

Santa Pola boasts a vari­

Impressive milestone ety of noteworthy offerings, including fully federated nautical schools, offering a range of water sports disci­ plines.

Other services like the water park, sunbed rentals, beach bars, and the recent addition of football nets on Levante Beach have also re­ ceived high praise.

The Beaches service has demonstrated exceptional effort in marking the coast­ line, both during installation and through continuous

THE Department of Culture at Aspe Town Council is thrilled to announce the opening of the submission period for the 24th Provincial Poetry Prize. This is a wonderful opportunity for poets to share their creative works and pos­ sibly earn recognition for their talent.

The competition includes two categories to accommodate different age groups. The first category is for participants up to 18 years of age in 2023 and the second category is for partici­ pants aged 19 and older.

For each category, three fantastic prizes await, a First Prize of €500, a Second Prize of €300 and a Third Prize of €200.

EWN 11

year­round monitoring, as the service remains active 365 days a year.

Notably, measures have been taken to protect the Posidonia meadow, includ­ ing the successful installa­ tion of all beacons in sandy clearings.

Santa Pola has already begun the installation of new drinking water foun­ tains, starting with one at Tamarit Beach.

These fountains are de­ signed to cater to a diverse range of users, with three different height levels for general users, individuals with reduced mobility, and even pets.

Poetry competition Additionally, there’s a special prize, in kind, that includes the publication of the winning po­ ems and the delivery of 20 copies of the edi­ tion, along with an accrediting diploma.

Mark your calendars because the deadline for submitting your poetic collections is Mon­ day, October 23.

Send your poems to premiopoesia@aspe.es.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for Sun­ day, November 19, at the Angel María Boronat Journalist Auditorium, located within the Aspe Cultural Centre.

12 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

euroweeklynews.com ALICANTE’S culinary exper­ tise recently took centre stage in Bilbao, where the city generously shared its gastronomic secrets through a series of captivating mas­ terclasses.

The driving force behind this endeavour was the councillor for Tourism, Ana Poquet, who firmly believes that Alicante’s cuisine serves as a crucial ele­ ment in the city’s tourism ex­ cellence.

As she expressed, it’s not just a culinary experience but also a compelling introduction to entice quality tourism.

In the heart of Bilbao, renowned as the cradle of gas­ tronomy and a symbol of culi­ nary brilliance, Alicante’s rep­ resentatives sought to unveil their local products and the art of preparing their cherished rice dishes.

The initiative spanned over two enriching days, during which seasoned rice chefs from Alicante showcased their culinary finesse.

Among them were Jacinto Niceto, the maestro from Mar Azul Restaurant in Tabarca, Moncho Riquelme, a culinary virtuoso hailing from Casa Riquelme Restaurant, and Os­ car Cerda, an expert from the Jorge Restaurant.

Each of these esteemed chefs is affiliated with APE­ HA, and their establishments proudly carry the ‘Alicante City of Rice’ quality label.

NEWS

Big in Bilbao

Image: Ayuntamiento de Alicante

CULINARY EXPERTISE: Captivating masterclasses.

Benejuzar experience BENEJUZAR is all set to host its eighth edition of the ‘Benejuzar Experience’ (BEX23), and it promises to be an exciting extravaganza.

From Tuesday, October 17, to Sunday, October 29, this event will unfold across various parts of the town, offer­ ing a captivating mix of commerce and local gastronomy.

The programme is jam­packed with leisure, culture, festivities, recreational activities, and educational events catering to diverse audiences.

You can look forward to BEX Experiences which promise to merge various themes like gastronomy, mu­ sic, territory, culture, nature, and tradition into a single, immersive weekend.

You will be able to enjoy a Gastronomic Evening where you can indulge in a culinary journey that celebrates the flavours of the region. And, why not have fun at the Ex­ pocomercio Fair? This fair, with a fresh new theme, promises to be a highlight of the event.

For more information, visit the Benejuzar Town Hall website or get in touch by calling (+34) 965 356 150.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to savour the essence of Benejuzar through its food, culture, and com­ munity spirit.

Marked pink

OCTOBER 22 holds a special place in Almoradi’s calendar, as it’s a day marked in vivid pink to commemorate the sixth Walk Against Breast Cancer.

This important event brings the community to­ gether for a five­kilometre march that kicks off at 10.00am from the Plaza de la

Constitution.

Registration for this walk is now open, and you can se­ cure your spot from Monday to Friday at the Association Against Cancer headquar­ ters, located at Calle Espana, 15.

They’re ready to assist you from 10.30am to 12.30pm and in the evenings from

ATTENTION, Catral residents!

The time to apply for the authorisation of controlled fires for garden waste is here.

You can now submit your applications for a Fire Licence, which will allow you to manage garden waste through controlled fires.

The burning season will extend until the end of May. You can make your application on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00am until midday.

Just head to the Local Police Headquarters, located at Calle Oscar Espla, 19, in Catral.

The town hall has confirmed that this is an

5.30pm to 7.30pm.

The first 700 participants to sign up will be greeted with a special event t­shirt as a token of appreciation.

If you miss the pre­regis­ tration window, don’t worry; you can still join the march by registering on the very day of the event at the Plaza de la Constitution.

Fire licence essential step to ensure the safe and responsi­ ble disposal of garden waste.

By obtaining a Fire Licence, you can con­ tribute to maintaining a clean and environmen­ tally friendly community.

“Please make sure to adhere to all safety reg­ ulations and guidelines when conducting con­ trolled fires. Let’s work together to keep Catral beautiful and free from waste.”

FEATURE/NEWS

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19 - 25 October 2023

EWN 13

Reaching new heights IN a spectacular show of resilience, Aena’s net­ work of airports in Spain soared to new heights in September 2023.

The month witnessed a historic record as 27,548,232 passengers passed through their ter­ minals, marking a re­ markable 10.7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Even more astonishing, it was a 1.5 per cent surge beyond 2019’s pre­pan­ demic figures, setting a new benchmark.

During September 2023, Aena managed an impressive 225,183 air­ craft movements, show­ casing a 7.7 per cent year­ over­year increase. The cargo sector was equally vibrant, with a 14.6 per cent rise as 95,196 tons of merchandise took to the skies, compared to the previous year.

Breaking down the pas­

senger numbers for September, an astound­ ing 27,491,667 travellers explored the world.

Among them, 18,971,609 embarked on internation­ al journeys, demonstrat­ ing a 12.7 per cent growth from the previous year, while domestic flights carried 8,520,058 passengers, marking a 6.8 per cent increase.

Zooming out to the big­ ger picture, the statistics for the year’s first three quarters are equally im­ pressive.

From January to September 2023, Spanish airports under Aena’s management accommo­ dated a staggering 216,647,764 passengers.

This represents a signif­ icant 17.6 per cent in­ crease compared to the same period in 2022 and a resilient 1.3 per cent gain when contrasted with 2019.

The skies were equally busy, with 1,834,101 air­ craft movements record­ ed, a remarkable 8.7 per cent growth year­over­ year.

Furthermore, 776,328 tons of merchandise took flight during this period, marking a 5.6 per cent in­ crease from the same pe­ riod in 2022.

Notably, Adolfo Suarez Madrid­Barajas Airport took the crown for September 2023, wel­ coming 5,385,824 passen­ gers, a remarkable 12.5 per cent growth com­ pared to the previous year.

Other airports weren’t far behind, with Josep Tarradellas Barcelona­El Prat, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga­Costa del Sol, Ali­ cante­Elche Miguel Her­ nandez, Ibiza, and Gran Canaria all celebrating im­ pressive passenger num­ bers.

14 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

Taking lead on climate change MADRID: One of five Spanish cities recognised.

By Graeme Hanna FIVE cities in Spain have been recognised for their efforts on climate change and sustain­ ability.

Along with cities in Swe­ den, Denmark, Germany, Austria and Romania, the

award has been given to Madrid, Valencia, Valladolid, Vitoria­Gasteiz and Zaragoza, respectively.

In full, 10 European cities were honoured.

The award known as the EU Mission Label for Climate­ Neutral and Smart Cities is presented for effective plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030.

The latest recipients were announced on Thursday Oc­ tober 12 with the incentive to encourage similar work and to support cities with funding

for their climate aims.

As reported by a news source, the full list announced was: Sønderborg (Denmark), Mannheim (Germany), Madrid, Valencia, Valladolid, Vitoria­Gasteiz and Zaragoza (Spain), Klagenfurt (Austria), Cluj­Napoca (Romania) and Stockholm (Sweden).

In terms of detail, this is recognition for vital forward planning, for drawing up ac­ tion plans known as ‘climate city contracts’ to achieve cli­ mate neutrality ­ 20 years ear­

lier than the EU plan for Eu­ rope ­ by 2030.

The 10 cities to be lauded are “paving the way for oth­ ers to move faster towards a fair green and digital transi­ tion,” the European Commis­ sion wrote in a statement, “and they set an example for inclusive co­creation of policy at the local level.”

There is also the opportuni­ ty for other Spanish cities and municipalities to follow the lead of the five listed above if the policies prove to be suc­ cessful and viable.

Multi-million euro scam John Ensor THE National Police published a report on Friday, October 13, in which an investigation in Las Palmas recently exposed a significant Social Security fraud.

The operation began in May, following a request from the General Treasury of Social Security. They had identified several discrep­ ancies by company administrators, who were evading their financial obligations to Social Security.

Various business owners did not pay their own insurance or indeed those of their workers, thus increasing their profit margins, not to mention defrauding the General Trea­ sury of Social Security, as well as unfair com­ petition with companies in their own sector.

Upon examining the assets of these com­ panies, it was evident that there was a delib­ erate effort to dodge debt payments. These companies were cleverly hiding their profits.

They’d start a company, accumulate debts, then shut it down. Then, they’d launch a

new company, continuing the cycle to avoid paying what they owed. This allowed them to continue in business and sidestep poten­ tial asset seizures.

Two particular cases stood out during the probe. In both instances, the individuals un­ der scrutiny had previously been found guilty by the Provincial Court of Las Palmas for similar offences. Yet, they persisted in ac­ cumulating substantial debts to Social Secu­ rity, nearing a staggering €1 million.

Investigators identified a pattern with a network of over eight firms offering auxiliary services. Companies would frequently change their management to dodge legal troubles.

In total, 13 individuals were implicated in this scandal. Ten have been arrested, while three are under investigation for crimes against Social Security and obstruction of jus­ tice. The collective financial harm inflicted on the Social Security Treasury by these schemes is estimated at €1,394,716.

16 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023 A RECENT report has high­ lighted a crime that strikes at the very heart of what is sa­ cred.

Recently in Cehegin, Mur­ cia, the Guardia Civil and Ce­ hegin’s Local Police appre­ hended two individuals. The suspects are believed to be behind multiple thefts at the local municipal cemetery.

The two suspects reported­

euroweeklynews.com

Grave robbers strike ly targeted the cemetery, re­ moving copper and bronze or­ naments from burial niches.

The combined worth of these stolen items is estimated to be around €50,000.

At least 80 of the tombs had damage and absence of metal vases, crosses of Christ and other religious figures made of copper, bronze and brass, revealed the report.

Following reports from con­ cerned Cehegin residents last September, the Guardia Civil and Cehegin’s Local Police ini­ tiated operation ‘Catacumba’.

Their dual objectives were to recover the stolen items and apprehend the culprits.

Surveillance was also height­ ened at the cemetery to deter further thefts. After meticu­

lous inspections and gathering detailed information about the stolen items, the focus shifted to metal recycling cen­ tres. Within a week, officers had scoured numerous metal trading establishments and scrapyards. The majority of the stolen items were found in one such facility.

The investigation then cen­

NEWS

tred in on two local men, both with previous robbery convic­ tions. Thanks to invaluable as­ sistance from the public, these individuals, aged 33 and 39, were identified, located, and arrested. The two men are alleged to have been re­ sponsible for 80 crimes of rob­ bery with force and damage, valued at nearly €50,000, the Guardia Civil confirmed.

While many of the stolen items have been retrieved, ef­ forts continue to recover the remaining pieces. The investi­ gation is still ongoing.

Body between carriages THE body of an 18­year­old has been found be­ tween two train carriages, four days after he’d been reported missing.

Police had been investigating the young man, known as Alvaro Prieto, and his where­ abouts after he had gone missing when making his way home last week.

Prieto, an aspiring footballer from Cordoba, had missed his 7.20am train home from Sevil­ la’s Santa Justa station on Thursday October 12.

An engineering student and a youth football player at Cordoba FC, Prieto had been with friends at the Theater nightclub, before begin­ ning his journey home.

Indeed, it has been revealed that he tried to

take a train home at 8.55am, later than his 7.20am train, but was removed by security from it because he was not able to display a ticket as his phone had died.

He never made it home afterwards, though, with him discovered this week between two carriages of a train.

National Police had been conducting an ex­ tensive search for him, only for the body to be discovered between the carriages of a moving train during a live report by TVE on Monday morning.

Renfe is now coming under fire for the inci­ dent, with an investigation underway as to what happened.

18 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

REAL THING: An authentic paella Valenciana.

longs to paella Valenciana, a somewhat colourless combi­ nation of rice, chicken, rabbit, green beans (runner or French), a handful of butter beans plus previously­grated tomato. Some cooks like to add artichokes when in sea­ son.

Jamie Oliver might make something with chorizo and call it paella, and despite their protests, Valencianos would probably wolf it down happily while protesting that this is just a rice­based dish. It

might be cooked the same way, but it’s not paella, a concept that taps into a new sensitivity now noticeable in Alicante restaurants.

Where not so long ago it would be commonplace to order paella and, above all, a paella Alicantina, a glance at the menu reveals nothing of the kind, although the client will find countless variations on Arroz a la Alicantina.

Or, for those who want to argue, a paella by any other name.

A REPORT published on Satur­ day, October 14 revealed how a cunning criminal gang run­ ning the ‘help­boy’ scam has been apprehended by the Guardia Civil. Their fraudulent operation spanned numerous Spanish provinces and left vic­ tims swindled out of a total of €26,299.

The scammers operated with devious methods, prey­ ing on parents’ love for their children. Victims received dis­ tressing messages via SMS or social networks, purportedly from their sons or daughters.

These messages falsely claimed that their children had lost their mobile phones, forc­ ing them to use another num­ ber and urgently needing fi­ nancial assistance.

The fraudsters manipulated the victims into making bank transfers to a specified ac­ count, citing system­related problems preventing them from doing so themselves.

Once the transfers were made, the criminals swiftly withdrew the funds from ATMs strategically located in

Credit: GuardiaCivil/X

FOR everything under the sun there is an influencer, and that includes paella.

Paella is accepted as Spain’s national dish, but Alicante in­ fluencer Elena Vidal has urged the public to request rice “not paella.”

In fact she put it more quaintly some days ago when she was photographed in Ali­ cante City with a placard that proclaimed, “Don’t ask por paella, ask por arroz.”

Is there a difference?

Alicantinos and Valen­ cianos will waste no time in saying there is.

They’ll put you right, with lengthy technological, histori­ cal and gastronomical expla­ nations.

These include the informa­ tion that rice dishes are gen­ erally made in a wide, shal­ low pan with handles at each end which is called una pael­ la in Valenciano.

So, rather confusingly, is what’s created in it, hence the tendency to believe that anything made that way is paella. It isn’t. That right be­

Photo credit: CC/Peachyeung316

When paella isn’t paella Shocking ‘Help-Boy’ Scam

‘HELP-BOY’ SCAM: Swindled many victims out of money.

banks, supermarkets, or gam­ ing arcades across the province of Sevilla. This tactic left victims without recourse, as the accounts were left with no available funds.

Intriguingly, investigators uncovered a network of bank accounts tied to the scams, with transactions as high as €15,000. It was revealed that account holders benefited by taking a 5 per cent cut of the scammed money for allowing the criminal group access.

The fraudulent activity of this group extended beyond Sevilla, with victims identified in various towns such as Lagu­ na de Duero (Valladolid), Val­

ladolid, Ibiza, Brion (Coruña), and Betanzos (Coruña).

The dedicated efforts of Guardia Civil officers from the Investigation Area of the Main Post of Los Palacios, Sevilla, led to the arrest of three individu­ als and the investigation of one more in connection with this distressing scam.

The dismantling of this crim­ inal group highlights the im­ portance of remaining vigilant against such scams that prey on parental concern. Always verify the authenticity of any urgent requests for financial assistance, especially if they come through unconventional channels.

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NEWS

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19 - 25 October 2023

Atlantic storm set to hit Spain MANY places are experi­ encing a drop in tempera­ ture and that feeling will be more apparent with the arrival of an Atlantic storm in the coming days that is expected to make an im­ pact over the whole na­ tion, as reported by a news source.

Yes, the rain has re­ turned to Spain with some light precipitation recorded over the weekend. Scat­ tered showers fell over much of the mainland on Saturday with a noticeable difference in the tempera­ ture in the north and east, whilst the Canary Islands remained hot with high­ temperature alerts still in place.

That will change quickly with what is on the way as advised by weather expert Juan Jose Villena: “An Atlantic storm train is about to set course for the Iberian peninsula after a long time, you have to go back many months to find something similar heading

As we begin another week, moving closer to the end of the year, it is starting to feel more like autumn.

to our country.

“We see three or four storms arriving, but we have to pay special atten­ tion to one of them, the one that could arrive dur­ ing the early hours of Tues­ day morning. A few days ago our weather modelling system gave it a ‘special’ significance label due to the subtropical aspect that it was taking on at times.”

Villena continued on which locations will be most affected: “Everything points to the western areas of the main­

land being the ones that will end up with the great­ est precipitation.

“Some areas of the Pyre­ nees will also be affected.

Rainfall will be less signifi­ cant the closer we get to the southeast of the main­ land. Taking all this into ac­ count, we should not be surprised by the significant accumulated rainfall ex­ pected in the west of the Andalucia region, the cen­ tral system, the Huesca Pyrenees and a large part of the northwest quadrant of the mainland.”

EWN 19

Digital nomads embrace Malaga DIGITAL nomads are said to be flocking to Malaga for a lifestyle that is bet­ ter than the UK, but a lo­ cal warning has been sounded that everything is not well in the Andalu­ cian city.

Economic activity is booming with Malaga only behind Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia in that regard but with rents increasing as well as the footfall of tourists, in line with new attractions, there is a balance to be found.

Irish woman Tori Clin­ ton, aged 28, works re­ motely for a technology company from her cur­ rent base in Malaga.

“Everywhere you look, there are people sitting with laptops,” she told a news source.

“People think you are

much better off, not working, but I work bet­ ter in such a gorgeous environment.

Clinton said it is hard to find a long­term rental apartment and pays €800 (£690) per month for a one­bed­ room flat, which is ex­ pensive for Spain.

Barcelona is the most expensive place to rent, followed by the capital.

“I am happy to pay

35,000 the estimated number of prostitutes working in Spain.

€800 because I am so happy living here. I could see myself staying long­ term,” she continued.

“Spain ­ here in partic­ ular ­ is not cheap. I am spending the same mon­ ey as I would be back in the UK. “But with the good weather, the lifestyle.

There are so many things to do in the evenings.

You are not going home at night to watch Coro­ nation Street. There is a better lifestyle.”

The climate in south­ ern Spain and the cafe culture is an obvious at­ traction, whether for a holiday break or reloca­ tion but there can be a tipping point.

That results in in­ creased prices, like rental costs, as well as other knock­on effects.

20 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

IN a sweeping crackdown across Europe, authorities have uncovered food and drink fraud in locations such as Sevilla, Alicante and Al­ bacete.

A report published by the Guardia Civil revealed how they confiscated 8,000 tonnes of illegal products and six and a half million litres of alcoholic drinks, valued at €30 million.

Under Operation OPSON XII against food fraud, the Guardia Civil arrested 13 indi­ viduals in Spain, with another 87 under investigation. The operation, coordinated by EUROPOL, has been particu­ larly vigilant about the regula­ tion of alcoholic beverages and olive oil. It also emphasis­ es the protection of Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI).

SEPRONA, a unit of the Guardia Civil, has identified 1,294 administrative breach­ es. Over 2,000 inspections were conducted at various distribution hubs, warehous­ es, transport facilities, ports, and airports across Spain.

At the European scale, po­ lice units from the 25 involved nations have issued 143 ar­ rest warrants and executed 168 search warrants. Remark­ ably, 119 individuals have been reported, and six crimi­ nal syndicates have been dis­ banded.

The operation saw the col­ laboration of 25 countries, in­ cluding 18 EU Member States

Credit: GuardiaCivil.es

Food and drink fraud exposed

ILLEGAL PRODUCTS: Were confiscated by police.

and seven other European nations. Key European agen­ cies such as the European An­ ti­Fraud Office (OLAF), DG SANTE, DG AGRI, and the Eu­ ropean Union Intellectual

Property Office (EUIPO) played pivotal roles, along­ side national food regulatory bodies and private sector al­ lies.

Criminals employed vari­

ous tactics, from forging doc­ uments for importing subpar goods to flouting Spain’s legal standards. Some even coun­ terfeited seals on the packag­ ing.

Catalan push for EU status

THE regional government in Catalonia is set to launch a major campaign in Madrid and Brus­ sels to have the Catalan language recognised as an official language of the European Union.

As featured in the local press, the announce­ ment was made by Catalan Regional President Pere Aragonès on Thursday October 12.

“Next week, we begin a second level in this offensive to defend Catalan as an official lan­ guage in the EU,” he said.

The dual strategy of politics and language will be taken to EU ambassadors in Spain, whilst the domestic deadlock continues.

In what is an unlikely partnership, this initia­ tive has received backing in recent weeks from Madrid with acting Spanish President Pedro Sánchez’s seeking to remain in office.

He needs the support of Catalan nationalists to form a government and official status for the

Catalan language is one of the demands to shore up his numbers.

Negotiations will continue in the coming weeks but if there is no breakthrough, a fresh general election will need to be held in January 2024.

The current impasse in Spanish politics is the result of an inconclusive national election in Ju­ ly.

Encouraged by the leverage that they hold, Aragonès, of the separatist Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) party has led his bloc to the table with a list of demands.

In order for their support to reappoint Sánchez, they want full recognition for the Catalan language in the Spanish parliament as well as within the EU. Other wishes include a commitment to a ref­ erendum on independence for Catalonia.

22 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

Linda Hall SPAIN is the second noisiest country in the world after Japan, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Traffic, building works and nightlife are singled out as the princi­ pal reasons why 70 per cent of Spain’s residents are subjected to more than the 65 decibels the WHO considers bearable.

Thank you WHO, but you left out neighbourhood celebrations.

As I write I have had to take shel­ ter from overarching, all­encompass­ ing, inescapable, ear­torturing noise at the back of this sturdy century­old house. That is because they are hold­ ing another fiesta in the small town square overlooked by the room where I normally write. Although as the poet once said, “twas ever thus.”

When we lived in an apartment on the seafront in Benidorm, we were far from the action during fiestas, but there was wall­to­wall noise throughout the day and night.

Upstairs neighbours, downstairs neighbours, next door neighbours, arrivals and departures, crying and laughter, squalling babies, shrieking children. You heard it all although

Photo credit: Pixabay/Surprising shots

Things ain’t what they used to be: Noise

BUILDING SITES: Music while you work essential.

like most of the Spanish people I know, my husband was, and is, ap­ parently impervious to noise.

“People have got to live,” he’d shrug, and although I didn’t particu­ larly want any of them not to live, I would have preferred them to do so more quietly.

In those days you really could hear people emerging from Benidorm’s clubs and discos in the early hours of the morning singing, “’Ere we go, ‘ere we go.” And if dawn was breaking, the choruses would be interrupted by cocks crowing in smallholdings in the

now­obliterated Armanello district.

After 30 years we moved from Benidorm to Altea, which was a rela­ tive haven of calm.

Except for barking dogs. “I like to hear a dog bark,” Miguel our land­ lord said, which was just as well since everybody but us had at least one

dog, most of which were kept out­ side and all too often chained up.

Sometimes they barked singly, sometimes in sequence and some­ times in raucous counterpoint. Ab­ sence of noise, I once complained to my husband, is a vacuum that the Spanish abhor and immediately do everything they can to fill.

“That sounds about right,” he nod­ ded. He recalled how his father, a foreman on the building sites that were beginning to go up in Madrid, would ask workmen if they could sing when deciding whether or not to take them on.

It they could sing, they’d get the job and, as he loved flamenco, if they couldn’t sing but could clap the right way, they’d still be taken on. Not that it was all singing and palmas though, as he insisted on good work and once sacked his own brother for turning up late. I thought of the fa­ ther­in­law I never knew not long ago, as workmen removed the stuc­ co on a house on the other side of the square. No singing there or clap­ ping there, but they did have a blar­ ing radio. Did I say that things ain’t what they used to be? I take that back: they are.

NEWS

euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 October 2023

EWN 23

secures £9 million payout Credit: Andrew Flintoff/X

ON Friday October 13, the iconic children’s programme Blue Peter celebrated its 65th birthday. To mark the occasion it honoured the future king for his contribution to the environ­ ment, wrote a news source.

The Duke of Cambridge, known for his passion for the environment, initiated the Earthshot Prize in 2020. This initiative seeks groundbreak­ ing solutions to combat cli­ mate change. To commemo­ rate Blue Peter’s 65th anniversary, Joel Mawhinney, the show’s presenter awarded Prince William with a distinc­ tive green Blue Peter badge.

Introduced in November 1988, the green badge is a symbol of Blue Peter’s com­ mitment to the environment for over three decades. It hon­ ours young individuals who demonstrate a genuine con­ cern for our planet. The badge recognises those who have contributed to addressing cli­ mate change, recycling initia­ tives, and animal protection.

During the special episode, Prince William joined Mawhin­

: 360b/Shutterstock.com

Prince William honoured Top Gear: Freddie Flintoff

TOP GEAR: Freddie filming for the programme in November 2022.

PRINCE WILLIAM: Received a Blue Peter green badge.

ney in showcasing the ‘big badge wall’, adorned with na­ ture­inspired artwork and let­ ters from the show’s audience.

Mawhinney, a magician by trade, also entertained the prince with a card trick.

Several renowned individu­ als have been awarded the green badge in the past. These include Princess Kate, Sir David Attenborough, Greta Thun­ berg, and many others. Addi­ tionally, both the Prince and Princess of Wales were hon­

oured with the Gold Blue Peter badge in 2017.

The 65th birthday of Blue Peter was a grand affair. Nu­ merous former hosts, such as Matt Baker and Lindsey Rus­ sell, joined the festivities. The episode also featured cameo appearances from celebrities like Alex Scott, Gary Lineker, and Coronation Street stars.

To top it all, a special ‘Happy Birthday Blue Peter’message il­ luminated the BT Tower in London.

THE near­fatal crash suffered by Freddie Flintoff while filming Top Gear, which left him with facial injuries, has resulted in a huge financial settle­ ment from the BBC. The incident occurred last December at the show’s test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome.

Nine months later, 45­year­old Flintoff, made his first public appearance since the accident, dis­ playing facial injuries, reported a news source.

A UK newspaper revealed that the settlement is valued at £9 million, an agreement said to be mutually acceptable to Flintoff and the BBC. A spokesperson on behalf of the BBC said: “BBC Studios has reached an agreement with Freddie that we believe supports his continued rehabilitation, return to work, and future plans.

We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support his recovery.”

For clarification, BBC Studios operates as a

commercial entity which is separate from BBC li­ cence fee income.

Following the crash, series 34 of the long­run­ ning programme was halted. In March, the BBC announced the inappropriate nature of resum­ ing the series after an internal investigation into the incident. Decisions regarding the show’s fu­ ture episodes will be made in conjunction with BBC Content.

Flintoff took on the role of Top Gear presenter in 2019. His television career also includes ap­ pearances on Sky’s A League of Their Own and winning the first series of the Australian version of I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

He hosted BBC shows such as Andrew Flintoff'’s Field of Dreams, where he searched for cricketing talent in his hometown, Preston.

Last month Flintoff was spotted with signs of his facial injuries clearly evident.

24 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

DENMARK Plant forward DENMARK is making history by becoming the first country to launch a comprehensive national action plan to boost its plant-based food sector. This initiative, championed by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, aligns with global efforts to combat climate change through sustainable diets.

Embrace ChatGPT HIGH schools in Denmark are taking an innovative approach by embracing ChatGPT as a valuable teaching tool. While critics express concerns about potential cheating, Danish educators believe that openly discussing and incorporating the technology into lessons removes the allure of forbidden use and promotes it as a beneficial educational resource.

NORWAY

euroweeklynews.com

EURO PRESS BELGIUM

Credit: Cannabis Pictures CC

Holy smoke MEMBERS of the congregation of a church in the Belgian town of Turnhout were surprised when the Chairman of the Church Board announced an unexpected discovery of 200 cannabis plants drying in their attic. Police later arrested two local men who were not members of the congregation.

Bed bugs BELGIUM Railways is now caught up in the bed bug hysteria and has issued instructions

EUROPEAN PRESS

IRELAND Cork triumph FOUR Irish students from Cork's St Vincent's school, inspired by their school's focus on mental health, developed 'Bongo Buddies’, a mental health app for young adults. Their creation won the top social impact award at the Technovation Challenge in California. They returned home with the honours on October 10 - World Mental Health Day.

Conor McGregor Drying cannabis. to its 800 cleaning staff on how to spot the problem on its trains, which will include the immediate removal of the rolling stock from service and cleaned with specialists squads brought in for large infestation.

GERMANY

FRANCE

IRISH MMA star Conor McGregor is set to expand his property portfolio with the acquisition of a pub in Dublin's Temple Bar. While the exact purchase price remains undisclosed, it is expected to be a multi-million euro deal. McGregor's wealth has soared, thanks in part to the €584 million sale of his Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand in 2021.

THE NETHERLANDS

Haaland heroics

Expats in Germany

Louvre closed

Gender identity

ERLING HAALAND's remarkable brace propelled Norway to a vital triumph over Cyprus, breathing new life into their Euro 2024 qualification campaign. This stunning performance not only ignited Norway's hopes but also momentarily thwarted Scotland's path to the European championship, setting the stage for an electrifying qualification race.

GERMANY is home to around two million Polish expatriates, and a significant number of them are set to cast their votes in the upcoming Polish election. This increase has embassies and consulates preparing for an unprecedented turnout. However, concerns linger over whether all expat votes will be accurately tallied.

THERE were fears for the safety of the Mona Lisa as Paris's Louvre Museum and also the Versailles Palace, were evacuated on Saturday, October 14, after receiving bomb threats, although French Police decided that having undertaken security checks there was actually no evidence of any explosives on site.

THE Dutch Parliament is to consider a new proposal, presented on Coming Out Day October 11 which would criminalise gay conversion therapy with serious penalties for anyone offering and/or performing actions aimed at changing someone’s sexual orientation and gender identity. Those found guilty could face a year in prison or a fine of up to €22,500.

Travel disruption

Fatal trafficking

Big tip

SEVERE weather warnings have disrupted travel plans between Norway and Denmark, as Color Line, a prominent maritime connection, has cancelled all sailings. The impending treacherous conditions, highlighted by a yellow weather warning, have prompted safety measures to ensure the wellbeing of travellers on both land and sea.

TRAGEDY struck in southern Germany's Bavaria when a human trafficking vehicle claimed seven lives, including a six-year-old child. The van, with an Austrian licence plate, was crammed with 23 passengers, despite being registered for just nine. Federal police had tried to intercept the van before it careened out of control and overturned.

A CONSORTIUM of almost 2,500 French taxi drivers continue to fight American giant ‘mini cab’ service Uber and their latest claim is for €455 million as they argue that Uber, by not complying with French labour law is guilty of unfair competition, so each driver is claiming an annual €9,300 loss of earning for 12 years.

ITALY

PORTUGAL

FINLAND

Flag burning MANY people in the town of Urk had sympathy for the people of Israel and hung the Israeli Flag outside their properties, but police are now investigating reports of a mass burning of at least 20 of these flags which were removed from houses and set fire to close to a church in the town.

SWEDEN

Seagull invasion

New app

Pipeline sabotage?

No cash

VENICE'S Marco Polo Airport faces flight reroutes and delays due to an unexpected surge in seagull activity. The Italian airport is grappling with safety concerns as bird strikes risk passenger safety, leading to redirected flights and operational challenges. Authorities are working hard to find swift solutions in this unusual situation.

IF you are aged under 50 and have a mobile phone, the Portuguese government has introduced a special addition to the id.gov app so that those holding driving licences which are about to expire may renew them through their phones, to save all the hassle of doing so in person or via computer.

FINLAND suspects Russia attacked the Baltic Connector gas pipeline between Inkoo, Finland and Paldiski, Estonia. Finnish media reports suggest the damage “does not appear to be an accident."

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö believes the damages result from “external activity." Repairs could take months.

OPPONENTS of the cashless society have discovered that according to the Swedish Banking Act, although cash is legal tender in Sweden and should be accepted everywhere, it is possible for restaurants and shops to legally post a notice on their premises stating that cash is not accepted.

Teacher appeal

Suspicious activity

Best hotel

DUE to the somewhat old fashioned appointment procedure of new teachers in Portugal, it is perfectly possible for them to be offered positions hundreds of kilometres away from where they live and in areas where starting salaries don’t match the cost of rent, hence the adopt a teacher appeal.

FOLLOWING the recent gas pipeline sabotage between Finland and Estonia, unusual incidents near electrical infrastructure, including a man photographing power lines, have left energy companies puzzled. Sightings of drones in parts of Finland have added to the unease. Various companies have reported data breaches and suspicious vehicles, intensifying vigilance over critical Finnish energy infrastructure.

READERS of Condé Nast Traveler were invited to vote for their favourite hotel in an annual poll. Fifty-two thousand responded and the Grand Hôtel Stockholm, the only Swedish member of the Best Hotels in Europe Club, was given the accolade of being named the best hotel in Northern Europe.

Roman holiday HELEN TAYLOR from England was removed from a Jet2 flight bound for Rome, Italy, due to concerns over her Type 2 diabetes symptoms.

Despite explaining her condition and appearing fit, she and her husband were asked to disembark. Jet2 later apologised, offering a full refund as a ‘gesture of goodwill’.

26 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

La Bodega

Large Selection of English Products UK Postal Service CHRISTMAS STOCK NOW IN • 2024 Calendars & Diaries • Greetings Cards & Gifts • UK Newspapers & Magazines • Printing Services inc Boarding Pass • UK Passport Renewal • Mobiles, Top Ups & Sim Cards Open 8am, 7 days a week • 966 789 198 • labodegaprint@hotmail.com

Top of the Pops Anna Ellis THE Costa Blanca Inter­ national Concert Band, led by Jeremy Davies, is set to deliver their much­ anticipated first concert of the season.

Head down to the Union Musical in San Miguel on October 28 at 7.30pm.

And what’s the theme for the evening, you ask? It's none other than ‘Top of the Pops’!

Prepare for a musical jour­ ney featuring all your favourite hits, from the clas­ sics to the latest chart­top­ pers.

But that’s not all! The band has a special treat in store for you; talented singer, Rebecca Holt, will be gracing the stage to add her enchanting voice to the mix.

The €10 tickets can be pur­ chased at The Card Shop in

Punta Prima and Benimar.

Alternative­ ly, you can reserve your tickets by giving Gra­ ham a call on (+34) 711 056 343 or Pat on (+34) 646 031 584.

The band is a truly international ensemble, bringing to­ gether musicians from the UK, Spain, Norway, and Ger­ many.

And guess what? They'’re always on the lookout for more talented players to join their musical family.

If you’ve got a passion for music and an instrument to play, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Graham on (+34) 711 056 343 or via email at robinsongraham256@google mail.com. You’re more than welcome to attend one of their rehearsals, held every Friday downstairs at the li­ brary in San Miguel from 4.30pm to 7pm.

Image: Lux Blue / Shutterstock.com

THE routes of Holy Week in Orihuela are deeply tied to the Orihuela Cathedral, especially the Santa Maria del Loreto chapel outside the city walls.

This chapel was where the brotherhoods, the heart of Orihuela’s Holy Week, were formed, laying the ground­ work for the iconic procession of the Blood of Christ and the Disciplinants in the 16th century. Over time, this devo­ tion has evolved into the grand Procession of the Holy Burial of Christ, a beloved tradition in the city.

The ‘Loreto’ exhibition in the chapel offers a captivating journey through the history and transformation of Holy Week in Orihuela.

It showcases sculptures, paintings, historical documents from the Cathedral Archive, and musical scores from the Orihuela Cathedral’s musical archive, shedding light on the rich heritage and tradition of Holy Week in Orihuela.

The exhibition runs until November 1, with free admis­ sion, at the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art of Orihuela, C. Mayor de Ramon y Cajal, 24, 03300.

SOCIAL SCENE

Image: Costa Blanca International Concert Band /Facebook

Loreto exhibition

euroweeklynews.com

TASTY TAPAS: Savour the finest of local flavours.

Tapas time MARK your calendars and prepare your taste buds be­ cause the highly anticipated 14th Elche Tapas Contest is making a delicious comeback on November 5!

This gastronomic event promises an incredible culi­ nary journey, offering a chance to savour the finest local flavours from Elche’s top establishment, all for the bargain price of just €3 per tapa.

To ensure you make the most of this gastronomic ad­ venture, be sure to visit /de

tapasporelche.com/ for all the juicy details.

Here, you’ll find a treasure trove of information about the tantalising tapas vying for the top spot and the incredi­ ble eateries serving them up.

Whether you’re a devoted foodie or simply seeking a delightful dining experience, Elche Tapas Contest promises to be a culinary extravaganza you won’t want to miss.

So, come one, come all, and let your taste buds revel in the gastronomic wonders of Elche!

30 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

CHARGING DINERS FOR EYES BIGGER THAN BELLIES Emma Mitchell AN X (Twitter) user posted a photo of a restaurant sign warning of additional charges to the bill for customers whose eyes proved to be bigger than their bellies The sign, posted by @soycamarero who is the author of ‘I’m a waiter. The cus­ tomer is not always right’, advised customers that, “Leftover food on your plate is not included in the standard price. If you waste food, we will charge at least €5 addi­ tional to your bill.” https://x.com/soycamarero/status/1703418504349630626?s=20 His post has gained over 800 responses so far, and it seems that most are support­ ive of the €5 charge in one particular circumstance; the all­you­can­eat buffet. A number of people replying said that they had seen similar signs in ‘free buffet’ restaurants and felt it was a good idea to deter greedy people from over­filling their

plates and then not eating it all. @Ninipd said, “In a buffet it seems fine to me, elsewhere at least you have to leave the option to take it home. If you are like me who can’t eat too much (some­ times too little, since there are things I don't process well) you should be given that option.”

Another X user, @scolar64, said, “In a buffet it seems to me correct and even nec­ essary.” @sulako22 relayed a similar initiative they knew of, “In a Japanese restaurant near my house they have something similar. It is an open buffet and people ordered without any reason. Until they said they would charge 20 per cent more if there was a lot of food left over after ordering the crazy things they ordered. It had an effect!”

FOOD WASTE IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM

SPAIN’S RESPONSE TO FOOD WASTE

THE European Food Information Council (EUFIC) reports that one third of all food pro­ duced for human con­ sumption is wasted.

Discarded food is defined in two ways, as food loss and food waste.

Loss covers food that is lost from harvest through to production and waste covers food that is dis­ carded from the point of retail on­ wards, including what is thrown out by households or food service estab­ lishments.

Other than the obvious disequi­ librium of wast­ ing a commodi­ ty that significant parts of the world are desperately in need of, food end­ ing up in landfill is terrible for the environment.

The EUFIC reports that if food waste were a country it would be the third highest emitting one in the world.

DURING 2020, Spanish households threw away an average of 31 kilos of food per person at a cost to each per­ son of some €250 a year. The EU reports that a further 2.1 mil­ lion tonnes was thrown away by restaurants and food service. In total a staggering 91 kilos of food per person is wasted a year when calculating waste at every point of the supply chain.

Spain has moved to tackle the food waste crisis with legis­ lation aimed at meeting its obliga­ tions under the EU Directive on waste. The legisla­ tion commits to reduce food waste gen­ eration by 50 per

Only China and the US produce more greenhouse gasses than our global food waste.

Paying for eyes bigger than belly.

Credit: Image by Freepik

cent reduction per person at the household and retail consumption level and 20 per cent in production and supply chain level.

Initiatives in the legislation include fines for super­ markets and restaurants who throw away food and the mandatory of­ fering of doggy bags for cus­ tomers to take home left­ overs.

NEWS

euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 October 2023

ON Friday, October 13, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak an­ nounced the deployment of UK military assets to the East­ ern Mediterranean, reinforcing Israel and ensuring regional equilibrium.

Royal Air Force surveillance planes commenced patrols, aiding allies in identifying po­ tential threats to peace, no­ tably the illicit transfer of arms to extremist factions.

A Royal Navy group was to arrive in the eastern Mediter­ ranean this week, poised to as­ sist in humanitarian missions.

This military ensemble, com­ prising P8 planes, observation assets, two Royal Navy vessels ­ RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus ­ three Merlin helicopters, and a Royal Marines unit, stands ready to provide tangible aid to Israel and its regional allies, serving both as a deterrent and a reassurance.

Sunak has also instructed a ramp­up of military teams in Is­ rael, Cyprus, and neighbouring areas. This move aims to sup­ port contingency strategies and aid neighbouring nations in managing any repercussions from Israel’s instability.

Credit: ComposedPix/Shutterstock.com

Israel receives military aid

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

In a conversation with Egyp­ tian President, Abdel Fattah al­ Sisi, the Prime Minister empha­ sised the need to assist civilians exiting Gaza. He expressed gratitude to President al­Sisi for Egypt’s role in aiding British citi­ zens in the region.

The PM is scheduled to dis­ cuss the Israeli situation with northern European leaders at the Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Sweden. The dia­ logue will revolve around the importance of collaborating with Middle Eastern allies to

bolster stability, while concur­ rently supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Additionally, during his visit to Gotland, Sweden, Sunak will inspect the British warship HMS Diamond, which is cur­ rently patrolling northern Eu­ rope to enhance regional secu­ rity.

In a separate announce­ ment, the Foreign Secretary stated that the UK would or­ ganise commercial flights to aid vulnerable British nationals wishing to depart Israel.

Wembley’s decision sparks outrage John Ensor WEMBLEY STADIUM’S famous arch has been illuminated in the past to show support for such causes as the Pride movement, but calls to show support for the recent atrocities in Is­ rael have fallen on deaf ears.

The Football Association (FA) of England de­ clined requests to illuminate the iconic Wem­ bley Stadium with the blue and white colours of Israel’s flag, marking the deaths in the on­ going Hamas attacks, wrote a news source.

Instead of the Israeli colours, the FA decided that during the England versus Australia game on Friday, October 13, players would don black armbands.

In a statement, the FA announced: “On Fri­ day evening, we will remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine.

“Our thoughts are with them, and their

families and friends in England and Australia and with all the communities who are affect­ ed by this ongoing conflict. We stand for hu­ manity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering.

“England and Australia players will wear black armbands during their match at Wemb­ ley Stadium and there will also be a period of silence held before kick­off.

“Following discussions with partners and external stakeholders, we will only permit flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality for the competing nations inside Wembley Stadium for the upcoming matches against Australia (Oct 13) and Italy (Oct 17).'

This decision means that both Israeli and Palestinian flags are prohibited. This move has been made despite the fact that several British politicians have urged the FA to express solidarity with Israel.

EWN 31

FINANCE Shingles deal PHARMACEUTICALS giant GSK has agreed a mammoth deal with Zhifei, China’s largest vac­ cine company for the exclusive rights to distribute the London­ based company’s shingles vac­ cine. The firm explained to shareholders that the Shingrix agreement will bring in £2.5 bil­ lion (€2.9 billion) between 2024 and 2027.

Branches lopped SPAIN now has 17,889 bank branches compared with 18,008 at the beginning of the year, Bank of Spain figures re­ vealed. During the first half of the year, branches closed at the rate of one every two days de­ spite pledges to provide an in­ person service for the vulnera­ ble as well as residents in rural areas.

Fewer pubs FORTY­FIVE London pubs closed during the first six months of this year, more than anywhere else in England, found a study by real estate analysts the Altus Group. In all, 383 pubs closed in the UK during this same period, almost as many as during the whole of 2022, when 386 pubs pulled down their shutters.

Record sales THE Eroski supermarket chain reported a record turnover of €2.56 billion and a €69.9 million profit for the half­year ending on July 31, thanks to reducing the price of 800 products. The Corporacion Mondragon coop­ erative explained that 96.25 per cent of its revenues during this period were the result of gro­ cery sales.

Mind out MIND GYM training service owner Octavius Black lost £12 million (€13.9 million) when shares plummeted 37.8 per cent after a warning of ‘signifi­ cantly lower’ full­year profits.

March to September revenues fell to £21 million (€24.3 million) compared with £26.8 million (€31.03 million) during the same period last year.

euroweeklynews.com • 19 - 25 October 2023

STAT OF WEEK

€2.513 billion

net profits for Spanish multinational clothing chain Inditex between February and the end of July, an increase of 40.1 per cent on the same period in 2022.

Metro Bank rescue

Linda Hall INVESTORS shored up be­ leaguered Metro Bank with a £925 million (€1.07 billion) package late on the night of October 8.

The rescue involves a £325 million (€376 million) capital raise, which will in­ clude £150 million (€173.6 million) in new equity from shareholders and debt refi­ nancing of £600 million (€694.6 million).

Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski Bacal, will contribute most of the equi­ ty raise, via £102 million (€118 million) from his in­ vestment vehicle, Spaldy In­ vestments. Already Metro’s

Photo credit: CC/rodhullandemu

BUSINESS EXTRA

32

METRO BANK: The UK’s first new high street bank in at least 150 years.

largest shareholder, this now increases his holding from 9 to 53 per cent, giving Gilinski Bacal a controlling stake.

Metro is also discussing selling up to £3 billion (€3.47 billion) of residential mort­ gages.

The last­minute rescue arrived shortly after the Bank of England’s Pruden­

AENA is launching plans to build hotels on land it owns adjoining Madrid­Bara­ jas, Barcelona­El Prat, Malaga­Costa del Sol, Valencia and Sevilla.

Last year, Aena’s commercial division contributed €1.243 billion, 29.4 per cent of its total earnings, compared with in­ come of €2.418 billion from its airports activities.

First, however, before the project can begin, the publicly­owned Spanish multinational intends to select a consul­ tant to devise a strategy and business model to develop the future hotels over the next three years.

Deloitte Financial, Catella Property, CBRE Real Estate, Horwath HTL and Sav­ ills España are currently in the running for the €1.26 billion contract. One of its

tial Regulation Authority (PRA) began approaching Santander, NatWest Group, Lloyds Banking Group, HS­ BC and JP Morgan for a po­ tential sale.

Sources quoted in the Daily Telegraph maintained that the PRA had been seeking an “outright sale of Metro,” with “EY running enquiries while the PRA is

pulling the strings.”

The bank’s problems be­ came apparent in Septem­ ber after PRA told Metro capital rules involving its mortgages would not be eased, with shares losing half their value in weeks.

The crisis came to a head on October 4 when credit ratings agency Fitch put the bank on “negative watch” for a potential downgrade.

Pressure increased still further owing to Metro’s need to refinance £350 mil­ lion (€404.86 million) by Oc­ tober 2024. Thanks to the October 8 deal, this dead­ line has been put off until 2028.

Aena looks to hotels Photo credit: CC/Gemmahz

AENA HEADQUARTERS: Airports operator will build hotels.

conditions will prevent the chosen com­ pany from taking part in the project’s subsequent phases with developers.

Aena is looking for advice on the workings of the tourism sector and busi­ ness travel plus an in­depth analysis of

accommodation tendencies and needs in areas adjoining Spain’s airports. It will also ask for a breakdown of the best type of offer to guarantee commercial and financial viability.

Outside help from a hotel industry specialist will be vital in drafting the con­ tract conditions for developing Aena’s land, choosing associates and assessing offers, emphasised sources quoted in fi­ nancial daily, Cinco Dias.

Aena also wants detailed information regarding the probable income per room in its future hotels, average length of stay, occupancy figures and potential rivals within a 10­kilometre radius.

No damages

Iberdrola selling

Keep it in Europe

THE legal battle between the UK and Spain regarding the 2002 Prestige oil spill continues with a new ruling in the UK. A London judge, Christopher Butcher, has now ruled in favour of the British insurance company Lon­ don P&I Club (formally known as the London Steam­Ship Own­ ers’ Mutual Insurance Associa­ tion Limited). He upheld the in­ surance company’s appeal against a ruling by the La Coruña High Court which held it respon­ sible for €855 million in compen­ sation for the environmental disaster which devastated the Galicia coast in November 2002.

The Spanish judgement was “irreconcilable with the English judgements,” the London judge maintained.

IBERDROLA is negotiating the sale of a 49 per cent holding in its portfolio of Por­ tuguese renewable assets to Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.

Insiders said the operation would expand the Spanish multinational’s existing partner­ ship with Norges Bank Investment Man­ agement (NBIM), which already owns as­ sets in Spain. Sources quoted by Bloomberg News maintained that no agreement has yet been reached. “It’s possible Iberdrola could decide not to proceed with the sale,” they said. In January this year, NBIM ac­ quired for €600 million a 49 per cent stake in Iberdrola’s Spanish solar plants and on­ shore windfarms. According to Spain’s fi­ nancial press, Iberdrola hopes to sell more of its assets to NBIM “and the Portuguese sale is part of these discussions.”

Both Iberdrola and NBIM declined to comment when contacted by Bloomberg News.

JOSE MANUEL CAMPA, president of the European Banking Authority (EBA) warned that too many bank services were in too few hands.

Speaking at the 14th Finance Meet­ ing organised by financial daily Expan­ sion and KPMG in Madrid, the Spanish economist alerted banks to over­de­ pendence on technological giants.

Banks outsourced ‘critical activities’ in­ cluding network infrastructure, data­ processing and cloud computing, Cam­ pa warned.

The majority were not European and provided their services from out­ side the European Union.

The EBA had identified 15,000 providers of technological financial ser­ vices although “just a few” controlled this sector, said the EBA president, who mentioned no names but clearly referred to Google and Microsoft.

Online boost

NETFLIX’S UK sales rose to more than £1.5 billion (€1.7 billion) last year, recently­published accounts revealed.

Unlike mediocre figures for Net­ flix globally, its UK sales grew by 12 per cent from £1.38 billion to £1.54 billion (€1.59 billion to €1.78 billion) in the year ending Decem­ ber 2022.

The online streaming giant was boosted by the six­part documen­ tary series featuring the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which launched on December 8 last year. The Harry and Meghan pre­ miere was 2022’s most­watched new subscription TV programme, with 4.5 million viewers for its first episode according to the Broad­ casters Audience Research Board (BARB).

Chic flotation BIRKENSTOCK, known for now chic but formerly frumpy sandals, are preparing for flotation on the New York stock exchange.

The company founded in 1774 informed investors that it intends to price its shares somewhere be­ tween $44 and $49 ($41.52 and €46.24) each.

This will raise up to $1.6 billion (€1.52 billion) for the company and its private equity owner L Catter­ ton, which is backed by the French luxury fashion house LVMH. Birkenstock’s chief executive Oliver Reichert told investors that the flotation was a “generational opportunity” to buy into the com­ pany.

A winning formula MERCEDES­BENZ GRAND PRIX recorded increased 2022 earn­ ings assisted by sponsorship and its America’s Cup sailing champi­ onship presence.

Despite the British company’s uninspiring revenues from For­ mula 1, income rose 24 per cent to £475 million (€550.3 million) in 2022. Pre­tax profits went up to £113 million from roughly £72 million (€83 million) the previous year. This means that Formula One’s Toto Wolff and Sir Jim Rat­ cliffe’s petrochemicals empire will both receive a share in the £75 million (€86.9 million) divi­ dend from the team behind Lewis Hamilton.

FINANCE

34 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

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2.416,0

2.432,0

2.403,0

51,42K

Intertek

4.126,0

4.220,0

4.114,0

9,77K

Anglo American

2.252,5

2.284,5

2.248,5

178,73K

ITV

65,17

66,04

63,92

4,55M

Antofagasta

1.408,50

1.423,00

1.399,00

47,10K

J Sainsbury

256,40

258,20

256,10

66,02K

Ashtead Group

4.930,2

4.992,0

4.917,0

13,42K

Johnson Matthey

1.512,5

1.521,0

1.500,5

14,36K

Associated British Foods

1.953,0

1.961,5

1.950,0

50,44K

Land Securities

596,00

601,80

592,80

46,45K

AstraZeneca

10.860,0

10.934,0

10.846,0

80,27K

Legal & General

217,70

219,90

216,80

488,61K

54,78K

Lloyds Banking

43,38

43,75

43,33

6,54M

8.192,0

8.250,0

8.170,0

12,18K

Auto Trader Group Plc

632,80

636,00

631,00

NET VOL

COMPANY

COMPANY

1.15592

0.86519

Units per €

US dollar (USD) ........................................1.0529 Japan yen (JPY)........................................157.49 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................0.9519 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4576 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................11.510

415,40

410,00

305,82K

London Stock Exchange

B&M European Value Retail SA570,80

577,00

569,00

87,48K

Melrose Industries

480,20

482,50

478,70

157,95K

currenciesdirect.com/la-zenia • Tel: +34 965 994 830

BAE Systems

1.085,00

1.093,50

1.078,00

298,63K

Mondi

1.383,00

1.392,50

1.379,00

33,57K

THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

Barclays

153,38

154,30

153,02

3,22M

National Grid

977,08

987,80

974,00

277,72K

Barratt Developments

419,36

422,80

418,10

334,54K

NatWest Group

226,70

228,00

226,00

559,10K

6.918,0

6.974,0

6.908,0

8,00K 296,56K

Aviva

411,48

Berkeley

4.036,0

4.078,0

4.029,0

4,44K

Next

BHP Group Ltd

2.340,50

2.361,00

2.337,50

69,03K

Ocado

510,80

519,60

505,60

BP

550,35

553,90

549,10

1,97M

Persimmon

1.022,2

1.025,0

1.013,5

54,91K

156,01K

Phoenix

465,36

468,70

464,40

129,97K

Prudential

892,60

897,20

886,40

223,22K

British American Tobacco 2.474,5

2.476,0

2.447,0

British Land Company

311,40

315,00

307,00

44,78K

BT Group

118,65

120,25

118,50

533,57K

Bunzl

2.979,0

3.005,0

2.976,0

7,09K

Burberry Group

1.753,5

1.771,5

1.751,0

55,28K

Carnival

889,4

896,0

887,0

66,73K

Centrica

157,05

158,65

156,35

722,21K

Coca Cola HBC AG

2.111,0

2.125,0

2.109,0

13,31K

Compass

2.052,00

2.073,00

2.048,00

85,82K

CRH

4.746,7

4.777,0

4.743,0

70,27K

Croda Intl

4.324,0

4.358,0

4.317,0

24,81K

DCC

4.627,0

4.656,0

4.611,0

5,38K

Diageo

3.053,5

3.062,5

3.045,0

100,69K

DS Smith

282,70

285,90

282,50

133,56K

EasyJet

386,00

398,60

385,60

348,60K

Experian

2.757,0

2.784,0

2.743,0

55,29K

Ferguson

13.685,0

13.880,0

13.680,0

16,72K

Flutter Entertainment

13.305,0

13.335,0

13.260,0

8,48K

Fresnillo

547,28

553,20

547,00

38,60K

Glencore

460,95

464,10

459,90

1,95M

GSK plc

1.496,40

1.513,40

1.496,20

233,98K

Halma

1.881,5

1.908,5

1.877,5

56,63K

Hargreaves Lansdown

739,60

745,60

736,20

57,01K

Hikma Pharma

2.061,00

2.085,00

2.056,00

21,67K

HSBC

649,90

653,80

649,30

IAG

142,80

145,60

Imperial Brands

1.726,00

Informa

710,60

Reckitt Benckiser

5.842,0

5.880,0

5.834,0

18,46K

Relx

2.904,00

2.936,00

2.894,00

108,64K

Rentokil

607,40

610,40

603,80

255,04K

Rightmove

582,40

589,20

581,40

49,81K

Rio Tinto PLC

5.135,0

5.160,0

5.117,0

119,73K

Rolls-Royce Holdings

212,30

214,60

212,00

1,25M

Sage

1.016,69

1.023,50

1.014,50

38,24K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.241,00

1.242,00

1.237,00

0,69K

Schroders

392,4

394,4

391,1

35,43K

Scottish Mortgage

672,58

685,60

670,80

141,49K

Segro

730,28

738,00

727,40

47,55K

Severn Trent

2.467,0

2.499,0

2.465,0

44,17K

Shell

2.745,9

2.753,5

2.734,0

659,72K

Smith & Nephew

942,80

948,80

939,60

142,31K

Smiths Group

1.612,00

1.630,00

1.609,50

31,03K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 8.442,0

8.500,0

8.418,0

7,33K

SSE

1.585,50

1.594,00

1.580,00

192,02K

St. James’s Place

647,00

652,40

633,80

310,77K

Standard Chartered

749,20

755,80

747,40

287,53K

Taylor Wimpey

109,08

110,50

108,80

380,10K

Tesco

275,86

277,10

275,00

776,58K

Tui

419,20

422,40

412,60

108,07K

Unilever

3.914,5

3.937,5

3.906,0

189,31K

1,80M

United Utilities

1.002,50

1.013,50

999,20

138,39K

142,35

1,52M

Vodafone Group PLC

76,95

77,71

76,86

2,01M

1.726,50

1.714,50

107,90K

Whitbread

3.252,7

3.278,0

3.245,0

12,94K

716,60

709,40

132,76K

WPP

714,40

718,20

712,60

44,11K

DOW JONES CLOSING PRICES 16 OCTOBER

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE

CHANGE% VOLUME(M)

3M American Express Amgen Apple Boeing Caterpillar Chevron Cisco Coca-Cola Dow Goldman Sachs Home Depot Honeywell IBM Intel J&J JPMorgan McDonald’s Merck&Co Microsoft Nike Procter&Gamble Salesforce Inc The Travelers UnitedHealth Verizon Visa A Walgreens Boots Walmart Walt Disney

88,69 151,13 284,10 178,85 185,00 267,98 164,09 53,77 52,89 49,74 309,52 291,86 183,56 138,51 35,97 156,85 148,08 248,37 104,04 327,73 99,92 144,71 204,65 164,22 539,27 30,67 237,75 23,25 159,87 84,35

89,85 154,14 288,46 181,93 187,29 273,94 164,83 54,12 53,42 50,71 316,17 294,73 184,85 140,12 36,79 157,36 153,10 248,80 104,52 333,83 100,85 145,03 207,14 164,29 544,46 31,39 238,61 24,63 160,46 84,58

88,26 1,90M 150,43 1,81M 280,00 3,45M 178,14 51,05M 183,18 8,07M 266,10 1,84M 162,30 6,78M 53,44 14,41M 52,64 14,44M 49,61 3,54M 308,17 1,74M 290,89 1,95M 182,36 2,19M 138,27 4,43M 35,86 27,80M 156,05 5,35M 147,84 28,18M 246,00 2,18M 102,78 5,28M 326,36 21,05M 99,42 8,57M 143,19 6,82M 203,22 3,34M 161,05 1,50M 532,00 5,06M 30,64 24,41M 236,23 4,80M 23,05 20,96M 158,90 4,47M 83,38 8,84M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ CLOSING PRICES 16 OCTOBER

COMPANY Most Advanced

CHANGE NET / %

Revolution Medicines, Inc. WuXi Biologics (Cayman) Inc. Hecla Mining Company Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Viasat, Inc. Dollar General Corporation Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited The Progressive Corporation Pan American Silver Corp.

Zai Lab Limited Sibanye Stillwater Limited

VOLUME

+23.60% +15.06% +13.11% +10.34% +9.29% +9.16% +8.72% +8.13% +7.20% +6.96% +6.74%

10.654M 71,523 11.478M 5.7M 3.738M 12.838M 8.521M 6.481M 6.777M 454,441 5.04M

-52.87% -33.74% -25.45% -9.61% -9.26% -8.58% -8.56% -8.42% -8.11% -8.06% -7.17%

2.485M 986,202 2.162M 1.224M 26,336 736,884 281,904 321,860 98,002 1.29M 858,773

Most Declined T2 Biosystems, Inc. MSP Recovery, Inc. Belden Inc. Modine Manufacturing Company Huaneng Power International, Inc. Duolingo, Inc. Getty Images Holdings, Inc. Ørsted A/S Ørsted A/S WESCO International, Inc. PowerSchool Holdings, Inc.

‘

euroweeklynews.com

BUSINESS EXTRA Not going NATIONWIDE has launched its ‘most signifi­ cant’ rebrand in 36 years while announcing its com­ mitment to the high street, ‘with face­to­face attention while banks continue to close’. The Swindon­based building society founded in 1883 is investing in all its 605 branches, none of which would close until 2026 at the earliest, it pledged last June.

Airlines slump GLOBAL airline stocks dipped in Europe as oil prices rose and flights were cancelled throughout the region following terrorist at­ tacks that have put Israel on a war footing. IAG, which owns British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling slid to the bottom of the FTSE on October 9, with shares in EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air also falling.

19 - 25 October 2023

EWN 35

Waitrose-Amazon rumours Barça hitch Linda Hall WAITROSE is allegedly talking to Amazon, discussing plans to sell groceries via the online giant. Upmarket Waitrose lags behind market leaders Tesco and Sainsbury and is far behind Aldi and Lidl who at­ tracted shoppers opting for lower prices during the cost­ of­living crisis.

Since early 2020, Waitrose’s share of the UK’s grocery mar­ ket has dipped from 5.1 per cent to 4.6 per cent according to market researchers, Kan­

Photo credit: CC/Edward Hands

FINANCE

WAITROSE: Lagging behind its rivals.

Attack shuts shops INDITEX announced on Tuesday Octo­ ber 10 that it was closing its stores in Israel as violence intensified following the Hamas attacks.

“Our stores will remain temporarily closed and item return times will be extended by 20 days from their re­ opening,” the group stated on its web­ site.

The company based in Arteixo (Gali­ cia) has 84 franchise stores in Israel

selling its Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka and Stradivarius labels as well as Zara Home.

The company explained that it was “closely monitoring” the situation and “would make decisions based on the advice of local authorities.”

Rival fashion giant H&M has closed its 24 stores in Israel “until further no­ tice” as has the Swedish furniture re­ tailer, Ikea.

tar. The Amazon initiative is seen as a way of enticing back shoppers and recovering some of its market share.

The Waitrose reports also echo the agreement between Amazon and Iceland which debuted last month, offering thousands of Iceland products to Prime subscribers which are delivered from its stores.

The service is currently be­ ing trialled in Greater Manch­ ester before introduction throughout the UK. Amazon already has an agreement with the Co­op and Morrisons, selling their groceries on its website and delivering them from local branches. When the Co­op first offered the service in some stores in late 2021, it said that Amazon accounted for more than 15 per cent of its sales.

Neither Waitrose nor Ama­ zon were prepared to com­ ment on the rumours, al­ though Waitrose pointed out that it already sells through Waitrose.com.

FC BARCELONA’S plans to float its digital content plat­ form Barça Media for €1 bil­ lion in New York have been delayed yet again.

The German investment fund Libero failed to meet the October 10 deadline for the €40 million payment due for the purchase of a 9.8 per cent stake in Barça Vision, another of the foot­ ball club’s companies.

Oil fail SPAIN’S Agriculture min­ ister Luis Planas con­ firmed that next year’s olive oil production will increase by only 15 per cent on this year’s, owing to low rainfall and unusu­ ally high temperatures.

According to ministry estimates, the 2023­2024 season will produce 765,000 tons, 34 per cent less than the average re­ sult over the last four campaigns.

36 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

euroweeklynews.com

Give us a break LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT THE one country I find difficult to ig­ nore in this horrendous Mid­East may­ hem is Saudi Arabia.

They truly do sit up there in their ivory, oil impregnated towers, gazing down at the world like the fabled gods of Greek mythology, and do you know something; they don’t actually care who wins or loses this awful conflict, because they are not actually on any­ one’s side! Frankly they will be more interested in whether they can host the 2034 football World Cup. I did of course live among them for eight years and they truly do get away with murder. By supplying worldwide demands for the black gold that surges beneath their feet, they can actually do just about anything they want. The barrel prices they decide to charge can cause the economy of whole countries to stagger and even falter. This is basi­ cally why the rest of the world treats

them like spoiled children and gives them carte blanche. Some of the fac­ tors I bore witness to while I lived there were quite extraordinary. They don’t of course accept any immigrants.

Women are predominately second class and the men are so egocentric some of their habits are remarkable.

One of the friends I made would spend two hours or more in the bathroom, sim­ ply getting ready for the day. Don’t ask me everything he got up to. I am aware that those with darker skin do powder up quite a lot because the lighter their skin the more acceptable they are as pure Saudis. There is of course a more sinister side. When slavery was abolished in 1963 they built a town in the desert for all the released slaves. A couple of years later both the town and the slaves disap­ peared altogether!

During my stay there was also an ef­ fort by hundreds of wild Jahayman mil­ itants to capture and take over Mecca.

The world was told it was a small up­ rising, but one of the doctors at the military hospital informed me that dur­ ing the two weeks of conflict they treated over 600 army casualties

alone. Authorities spent the next two Fridays publically chopping off the heads of the enemy survivors all over the country.

Another year, a Johnny Walker exec­ utive told me a number of Princes had made SA the world’s biggest importers of JW Whiskey, but the company was unable to show it on the books! I also knew one of King Fahad’s hairdressers on his yacht when he was a prince. She was beautiful and he of course was bald! As I predicted the murder of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate has sunk out of sight. Those who were deemed responsible have simply dis­ appeared, probably living lives of luxu­ ry with the millions they undoubtedly received for admitting to the crime and therefore exonerating the king.

The Saudis are now intent on build­ ing a vast underground city; some­ where where they can all scurry to when the nuclear bombs begin their worldwide annihilation. And you don’t think money rules this terribly imma­ ture existence of ours? Give us a break.

Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

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

FEATURE

OUR VIEW

CUSTOMER SERVICE

AT EWN we are great supporters of the service industry throughout Spain and have been pleased to promote many bars and restaurants over the years and value their advertising custom considerably.

Hospitality is an incredibly important part of the Spanish economy and is essential not just for tourists but for the lit­ erally millions of Spaniards who enjoy a coffee and break­ fast in the morning, the menu del dia at lunchtime or have a drink or meal with friends in the evening.

If you enter a shop, you have the chance to view the goods on sale and then ask a member of staff whether they can supply any other option.

Once you have their response, you can make an in­ formed decision and decide whether to purchase the product or not. A restaurant is much the same, except that you are effectively purchasing sight unseen, based on what appears on a menu.

From time to time, it has become obvious that some restaurants and their chefs overlook the fact that the cus­ tomer is paying for the meal and either phrase their menus in a complicated manner so you don’t really know what to expect or refuse to change the make­up of a dish.

Recent changes in the law mean that there is a require­ ment that restaurants are required to allow diners with dogs to enter and take a seat within the interior, but a lot of diners don’t necessarily believe it appropriate, especially if the animal is large or makes a lot of noise.

Restaurants owner can therefore place a notice in a prominent position outside of the restaurant stating that dogs are not welcome and this means that diners can choose a non­dog friendly establishment.

FEATURE

euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 October 2023

EWN 37

38 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

Advertising Feature

THE IMPACT OF NOT HAVING A SPANISH WILL ON YOUR SPOUSE AND FAMILY

PAUL BLACKMOORE (Practice Principal) with little helper Benny, his rescue French Bulldog.

Many British expats believe at least one of the following: • Their Will made in the UK covers their Spanish assets.

• If they have no Will and are married with children, their spouse will inherit everything first.

• A Spanish Will made before 2012 will still guarantee their wishes

will be able to be adhered to.

• If they are not married and have children, those children will automatically inherit everything In fact - EVERY ONE of the above statements is false.

Let’s go through this step by step then: 1. A Will made in the UK is not able to deal with Spanish assets effectively.

It would firstly need to be written containing a Brussels IV Regulation EU no 650/2012 succession clause stating that the law of either; England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland The Isle of Man or Guernsey and Jersey Governs the succession of the testator’s estate and then, upon death,

the Will would need to be translated into Spanish and be sent to have an apostille attached It’s much simpler to arrange a notarised Spanish Will, written in both Spanish and English, containing a Brussels IV clause that will guarantee your wishes for your Spanish estate will be able to be carried out.

2. If you do not have an up-todate Spanish Will in place and are married with children, your spouse will not inherit all of your estate under Spanish law.

The way your estate will be divided is as follows: Your spouse would inherit a Life interest only (called an usufructo) in 1/3rd of your estate.

The other 2/3rds will get divided equally between your children.

The children then inherit the 1/3rd that your spouse had a life in-

terest in when the surviving spouse dies. Just having a life interest in 1/3rd of an estate is clearly not what the majority of married expats want for their spouse after they die, which is why arranging a new Spanish Will choosing the law of your home nation to govern the succession of your estate and clearly setting out your wishes is so vitally important.

3. Spanish Wills made before 2012 will not have a Brussels IV clause in them allowing you to choose the law of your home country to govern the succession of your estate.

This means your wishes will not be able to be adhered to and in many cases, EVEN Wills written after this time refer to: British Law or UK Law, neither of which exist, only the law of the home jurisdictions listed above exist as legal entities, so it is

much better to ensure that you update your Will to ensure your wishes regarding who receives your estate when you die are able to be carried out without any issue.

4. If you are not married and own a property jointly with a partner, that partner will NOT own the whole property when you die.

Your half of the property would be inherited equally by any children or by any surviving parents if you had no children, and, if no surviving parents or children, then your siblings and/or your nephews and nieces would inherit your share of the property. Obviously, it is important that your wishes are able to be complied with when you die and with our Wills starting at just €99 including IVA, now is the ideal time to call us on 865 756 058 to get yours sorted out properly and legally.

Thy Will Be Done - Call Paul on 865 756 058 or complete the contact form on the website, www.thywill.es.

“My Name is Musk. Elon Musk” right, does it?

Often labelled a ‘complete and utter NORA JOHNSON idiot’, yet he developed a car company BREAKING VIEWS that disrupted road transport world­ wide and is now making thousands of Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist. cars a week. SpaceX is NASA’s go­to ELON MUSK, the world’s richest man, company for space rockets (the only one gets a lot of flak about his wealth and that successfully reuses them), he’s got passions. People ask: well­developed plans for ‘Elon, how about doing the fastest rail links in the something worthwhile?’ world, he ran a successful Well, what about virtual­ online payment system ly creating the electric car and... industry, building a Hy­ If anyone’s still labelling perloop, SpaceX? Not him a ‘complete and utter forgetting Starlink, with­ idiot’, I’d ask: well, what is out which Ukraine com­ it YOU’VE done precisely? munications wouldn’t ex­ PS As the world’s ist. wealthiest person, can He gets lot of flak too you buy Russia and sack for his political interven­ Putin, Elon? (Just asking tions ­most recently for a friend.) about immigration prob­ Nora Johnson’s 12 criti­ lems for Italy (migrants cally acclaimed psycholog­ in small boats) and the ical suspense crime NORA’S LATEST THRILLER. USA (migrants from thrillers (www.nora­john­ Mexico). Maybe he sees himself as Jack son.net) all available online including Bauer, saving mankind in TV’s ‘24’? Or eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, au­ James Bond? Drum roll! “My name is diobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc.

Musk. Elon Musk.” Doesn’t quite sound 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.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 October 2023

EWN 39

Reduce nighttime visits

ARTHRITIS RELIEF: Tailor your management plan with your healthcare provider.

Helping arthritis A R T H R I T I S in women over 50 can be managed through a combination of methods.

Consulting a rheumatologist is essen­ tial for a precise diagnosis and treatment plan.

Medications, both over­the­counter and prescription, can help manage pain and inflammation. Regular, low­impact exercises like swimming and walking help maintain joint flexibility, while weight management reduces stress on joints.

Physical therapy can recommend joint­ strengthening exercises, and aids like

braces can offer support.

Alternative therapies, such as acupunc­ ture, might provide relief for some.

Using heat or cold packs can alleviate pain. A diet rich in omega­3s, like fish, can reduce inflammation, but always consult a doctor before starting supple­ ments.

Avoid smoking, limit alcohol, and con­ sider joining support groups for emotion­ al assistance.

Stay updated on arthritis research and tailor your management plan with your healthcare provider.

MILLIONS of men over the age of 50 find their sleep inter­ rupted by nighttime bath­ room visits, a condition known as nocturia.

A study in America at­ tributes this common distur­ bance to the prostate’s natu­ ral enlargement, which exerts pressure on the bladder.

Here are three simple tips to help: 1. Limit Water Intake Be­ fore Bed: Drinking water shortly before sleeping in­ creases the fluid volume in the bloodstream. This fluid is rapidly filtered by the kidneys, filling up the bladder. Younger men can often handle this due to higher levels of the anti­ urine hormone ADH and more elastic bladders. Howev­ er, older men have reduced ADH levels and less bladder elasticity, leading to frequent urination.

2. Wear Knee­High Stock­ ings: For those showing signs of fluid retention, especially in the legs, wearing knee­high stockings can help. Edema, or fluid retention, can cause fluid

to enter the bloodstream and be filtered into the bladder when lying down, leading to the urge to urinate. Stockings can reduce this fluid retention.

3. Avoid Alcohol Before Sleep: The study advises against consuming alcohol, es­

pecially beer, before bed. It not only fills the bladder rapid­ ly but also inhibits the release of the ADH hormone, increas­ ing the need to urinate.

Using these simple tips may help many men enjoy a more restful night.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

53

42 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

C OMMENTS

OMMUNITY

THERE is a very significant (and growing) population of residents in Spain who receive old age pensions from the UK. Unlike those who were not resident in a European Member State prior to Brexit, these pensioners are entitled to annual increases, currently calculated according to the triple lock formula which means that in 2023 and 2024 their pensions will have shot up thanks to the general rise in salaries and the cost of living in Britain.

If however you live in one of 25 European countries, but not Cyprus, France, Malta or Spain then you are entitled to receive the winter fuel allowance, but for those of us who live in Spain, it is apparently too warm to qualify, although if you enjoy retirement in Italy then you do.

One reader is not happy with this state of affairs and has created a petition as it can get a bit chilly when you live in a property with marble floors, single glazing, no central heating and no insulation.

“

I have a published UK government petition to reinstate winter fuel allowance for UK expats living in France and Spain. https://petition.parlia ment.uk/petitions/647060 I have been trying without success to establish the parameters used almost 10 years ago that changed the average winter temperature in both counrties. My understanding is that that the seven Canary Islands were used for Spain and similar warm overseas territories for France and Spain that resulted in both countries having their UK expats winter fuel allowance withdrawn.

I am writing articles for English language publications in Spain and wish to be accurate with the information that I provide. With over 500,000 UK expats living in France and Spain, many of whom are retired pensioners, I hoped that you could provide the required information or direct me to the UK government department that will.

Best regards Stuart Burton

Hello, My mother (72 years old) is a German expat.

She received neither a German one-off payment (inflation, energy prices) for German pensioners nor a one-off payment in Spain (despite registration).

The one-off payment only applies to German pensioners who live in Germany or only to Spanish pensioners. You can see that people who have paid taxes all their lives are the stupid ones in the end. Every idler gets something, except the decent ones.

It's not just an English problem!

Regards Ralph Johne

Brexit retirees Without doubt we ‘Love Spain’ and the people, everything was better there. Wish we had not left.

Only on a mini break in 2002 turned into our dream of buying a home in Spain. There were many paper and financial costs, but those are our happiest memories ever.

Watching programmes showing life in the sun should forewarn applicants of all the hidden costs, Add 20 per cent to the initial 20 per cent purchase and legal costs. (Check out that Wills are legal and include worldwide assets. UK house prices escalated £200,000 more over the 14 years. Selling of the Spanish property price (Oct 2019) did not even reach our original 2002 costs. Many fellow returnees lost a lot of money!

Sadly do not think of returning without a large downsizing. It may just be a dream , so hope it is not a nightmare!

Anne Mitchell

Old smells What a wonderful article. It sums up everything we know and love about Spain, past and present. I was reading the article to my wife and when I go to the last paragraph about the aromas in current taxis she said without hesitation ‘air freshener’.

Iain Chester

Invisible slavery The only difference in Murcia is there are no strawberries, but watermelons, iceberg lettuce and many other fruits and vegetables. These poor workers are living and working in terrible conditions, shanty towns, made of pallets and plastic sheeting for shelter… one of which caught on fire a couple of years ago; fortunately, there were no injuries.

They are hauled around the countryside, squashed inside very old diesel vehicles, which belch out thick, black exhaust smoke, often at break-neck speeds.

This is a disgusting practice, but while there are a few Spanish producers who are getting very rich, and northern Europeans are getting plenty of fruit and vegetables, nothing changes, and these poor people will continue to be exploited.

Now lets just mention the HUGE amount of water that is needed to produce these succulent fruit, in a dry land, where habitats are suffering and wildlife is dying…Shame! Shame on Spain and the EU! Concha

Comments should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers.

No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

euroweeklynews.com

DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD LIFE without music is like a meal with­ out wine. Or, more accurately, a day without sunshine. Music reaches the soul through the senses, bringing every kind of emotion.

A sad or tragic song or piece of music may sadden us. Why then would we want to listen to it? One reason must be the beauty contained in the expres­ sion of the emotion. Another is empa­ thy with the feelings of other people.

Otherwise, why watch ‘Othello’ when we can see ‘A Midsummer night’s Dream’? There is a place in our hearts for the adagio of Bruch’s violin concer­ to, a poignant jazz blues or a song of lost love or hope. On the brighter side, our adrenalin may be energised by a sunny or rhythmic piece with a catchy melody ­ or the triumphant finale to a classical symphony.

‘La Paloma’ was inspired by a visit of its Basque composer (Sebastian Iradier) to Cuba. Is this the most beau­ tiful of all songs? It is certainly the most recorded and is probably the first ever universal pop hit. Sadly, Iradier

19 - 25 October 2023

EWN 43

WITH A SONG IN MY HEART Photo credits: Author unknown and 50sspiritblogspot.com

FEATURE

From Iradier, composer of the world’s first megahit (1860) to Elvis, popular music has brought all the emotions into our souls.

died in obscurity in 1865 with no idea that his composition would become so internationally embraced. In 2004 it was sung by a choir of 88,600 people in Hamburg.

On the other hand many older peo­ ple are especially moved by the Austri­ an Christmas song ‘Stille Nacht’ (Silent Night) ­ possibly because of its associa­ tion with the Christmases of a different era. Today, we have ‘Let it snow’, all

about winter rather than the birth of Jesus.

There are many strains of the female voice and they vary considerably. I find it impossible to rate them in order of preference, because it depends on what each artist is singing and upon my own mood or what I am seeking as a listener. My own favourites of each genre include (alphabetically) Billie Holiday, Christa Ludwig, Edith Piaf, Ella

Fitzgerald, Joan Sutherland, Nana Mouskouri and Nina Simone. Record­ ings that spring to mind are respective­ ly ‘Carelessly’, ‘Der Rosenkavalier’, ‘Je ne regrette rien’, ‘I could write a book’, ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’, ‘My friend the sea’ and ‘The times they are a­chang­ ing’.

The great male crooners, Bing Cros­ by, Nat King Cole, Elvis, Dean Martin and Tom Jones, covered a range of emotions. They were all very different, as reflected in the nature of their fans.

Crosby and Cole were also jazz singers while Elvis was the King of rock. They all had marvellous and distinctive voic­ es.

Our pleasure can be derived from the simple sound of the music but, beyond the lyrics, there may be a message in the music. For example, Beethoven’s Ninth considers the joy of love and our place in the universe. And, of course, we can be attracted by the association of music with a person, a place or an experience ­ even in the music is not in itself anything special.

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

44 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

I don’t like the Olympics MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION Views of a Grumpy Old Man I LIKE sport and I enjoy watching it. Football, snooker, tennis, boxing, F1 – I like all sorts, but I have to say I don’t like the Olympics. I should qualify that by explaining that I don’t like what the Olympics have become.

A few years ago, the Russians had some of their teams slung out for taking drugs that enhance their skills - all approved by their government. The whole lot should be banned, because it’s cheating - as simple as that. I remember years ago looking at an East German female shot putter and wishing my beard was as thick as hers.

Then there was the bloke who had taken four Viagra tablets running the 200 metres, he tripped over and finished up winning the pole vault!! Then we have some of the events - the race walking - how stupid is that?

It’s like having a ‘who can whisper the loudest’ competition. Equestrian - what nonsense! Look how clever my horse is. I’d rather watch a good dog act like Ashleigh and Pudsey (they won Britain’s Got Talent ) and get loads more dog acts from around the

world - I bet there is a few of you nodding.

The 100 metres is brilliant though. I love watching Usain Bolt. He ran it in 9.58 seconds. I can’t do anything in 9.58 seconds. It took me 15 seconds to type that sentence.

Then there’s the time difference. You often finish up having to watch stuff in the middle of the night that you wouldn’t even watch in the middle of the day, because the event you want to watch is on after the 10 you don’t!

Of course there are people that love the Olympics, but not me. Plus now, with the lunatic PC brigade in the UK, we now don’t have anyone losing in school sports days.

Well I have news for that lot - WRONG! The kid that came first won and all the rest lost.

The one who came second wasn’t ‘first runner up’ - you came second son - sorry, try harder next time and you might win, now jog on and practise harder. Then there is cricket.

Who invented a sport that you can play for five days and finish up with a draw? Try explaining that to an American. I don’t get it either - what’s the point? If it’s competitive then there has to be a winner and a loser surely?

Of course, there is also massive corruption in football at the very top. I mean, FIFA has to be the most crooked bunch of people I’ve ever seen.

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

euroweeklynews.com THE British Benevolent Fund was funded over a century ago to provide financial assis­ tance for British nationals in extreme financial distress and who have no other recourse, whether friends or family or state support. The BBF works with partner charities from www.supportinspain.info across the country as well as the UK’s consular network in Spain in order to help those who have no other means.

Recently we were made aware of a case of a young woman who was living in Spain with her partner. They had three children together.

She had contacted a local charity saying that she was being physically and sexually abused by her partner and was fearful for herself.

She did say however that she was finding it almost im­ possible to take the necessary action to report the incidents because of the fear of losing her family and young chil­ dren.

The charity could do little other than offer sympathy and advice if she didn’t wish to take any action. She re­ turned home to continue

FEATURE

Starting life over

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

with her unhappy and difficult home situation. The abuse continued too.

But one day she took up the offer of help from the charity and consulted a lawyer with them. As if em­ powered from another source she took action. The denuncia was made both criminal and civil and immedi­ ately the authorities were at the house.

She took the decision to leave him and take the chil­ dren. He had little choice and was facing a barrage of legal issues to contend with. She pressed her advantage to re­ turn to the UK with the chil­ dren. He at first refused, but under pressure relented to give his permission for the move, which was his right.

The legal case continues

but she is now out of the hor­ ror of living with him and has the children safe. As we speak the UK consulate are arrang­ ing emergency accommoda­ tion for her and the children.

The BBF has agreed with her and the consulate to pay for her repatriation and emer­ gency accommodation so she can start her life over.

Her problems are not over and she faces considerable challenges, but she and the children are out of harms way.

The BBF can only help peo­ ple like her with your support ­ if you would like to make a donation to the British Benev­ olent Fund please visit our www.britishbenevolent fund.org ­ thank you on be­ half of the many for your help. Olaf Clayton, Chair BBF

PETS

46

SPONSORED BY

www.euroweeklynews.com • 19 - 25 October 2023

Luis the dog sitter loves caring LUIS finds house­sitting and pet­sitting is a great way to travel.

Luis loves pets and pet­sitting. He finds he can exchange his time and experience in caring for pets for free accommodation which helps him, making travel affordable, and helping the pet owner. The house­sitting is undertaken as a fair exchange for both parties. Luis is background checked and pet­sits like a friend.

It’s a fair exchange All our sitters offer a fair exchange ­ free accom­ modation 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 par­ ticular 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 trav­ el, home and pet care. These are the steps to take: 1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSit Match.com

Luis travels for his dog sitting assigments, to the UK, around Spain and further afield

2. Choose a Standard account (£69 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed 3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house 4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.

How does it work?

HouseSitMatch 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 experi­ ence has been excellent. Tristram Cosgrave ­ Dog and cat owner, Malaga

READER OFFER Register online via www.Housesitmatch.com House-sitting is a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20% discount code 20EWN.

Travelling to Europe AS the world gets smaller, the urge to explore it with our four­legged com­ panions grows. But is a car­free European es­ capade with your pooch more trouble than it’s worth, especially post­ Brexit? The answer is a mixed bag.

While the UK’s exit from the EU has changed the pet passport scheme, with an Animal Health Certificate and timely ra­ bies vaccination, your fur­ ry friend is good to go.

However, navigating the Continent's transporta­ tion can be a tad tricky.

Travelling to Europe with a dog but without a car isn’t as simple as hop­ ping on the Eurostar. De­ spite dogs being allowed on trains in Britain, Eu­ rostar has a somewhat baffling no­dog policy.

Before the pandemic, dog owners wishing to travel to France and be­

TRAIN TRAVEL: With a little planning can be achieved.

yond either had to go by car on a ferry or via the Channel Tunnel, or book a dog­friendly cabin on one of the ferry routes as foot passengers.

Not only are these op­ tions more expensive, but getting to and from the ports can be difficult if you’re dragging a dog along, too.

France’s train policy

dictates smaller dogs must be in carriers, while their larger counterparts require muzzles. So, if the allure of rolling French countryside viewed from a double­decker, air­con­ ditioned train tempts you, don’t leave your pet behind. With a little plan­ ning, your European jaunt can be both car­free and canine­filled!

Dog parks A mindful game THE urban landscapes of Spain’s cities are undergoing a significant transformation. As a response to the country’s evolving pet culture, more and more green spaces are being dedicated to dog parks.

These secure outdoor areas are tailored for dogs to play, exercise, and socialise off­ leash, improving their quality of life. Prominent cities like Va­ lencia and Zaragoza are lead­

EMERGENCY NUMBERS POLICE/FIRE/AMBULANCE: 112 24 HOUR PHARMACY FARMACIA ALICANTE 965 910 220 FARMACIA PLAYA DEL CURA 966 706 880 24 HOUR VETS HOSPITAL VETERINARIA SANT VICENTE 965 668 582

More green spaces.

ing this trend, boasting a large number of well­maintained dog parks. Their popularity has surged, demonstrating the val­ ue Spanish society places on the well­being and social inter­ action of pets.

The creation of these parks is part of a larger initiative to develop pet­friendly urban en­ vironments. These spaces not only encourage physical health and sociability for dogs but also foster a sense of community among pet owners. They pro­ vide a common ground for people to connect, share expe­ riences, and learn from each other, enhancing the human­ animal bond. As Spain’s dog park movement continues to grow, it reflects the nation’s commitment to create a more pet­inclusive society.

EVERY dog owner recognises that special sparkle in a pup’s eyes when a new toy is intro­ duced.

Among the various play­ things, interactive puzzles have a unique place. For our beloved canine companions, these puzzles are like chal­ lenging games that stir their curiosity.

Designed with thoughtful­ ness, these puzzles encour­ age dogs to think, strategise, and use their senses. Observ­ ing a pup deeply engrossed,

pawing and nudging, trying to unveil the puzzle’s mys­ tery is heartwarming. And when they succeed? The treats that appear as rewards are delightful, but it’s their proud tail wags that truly capture the moment’s tri­ umph. For those who adore dogs, providing these puzzles is more than just fun. It’s a heartfelt gesture to ensure our pets remain active, not just in body but also in mind, enriching their days with ex­ citement and discovery.

NEW TOYS: Will stir your pet’s curiosity.

SERVICES

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19 - 25 October 2023

EWN 47

AIR CONDITIONING

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48 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

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EWN 49

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50 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

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19 - 25 October 2023

EWN 51

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WINDOW TINTING

CLASSIFIEDS ARCHITECT

BUILDING SERVICES J & J PAINTERS. Inside outside - clean - fast - low cost. Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (1296232)

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

CARS FOR SALE

- damaging everything that is important to you. Englishspeaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. w w w. a a - c o s t a b l a n c a . o r g (93323) CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@hotmail. com (95475) CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462) CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.givinglight.com.(10006) FREEMASONRY. Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca?

There are various Lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact sec@glpvalencia. com Tel 600 841 064 (95477)

CARE HOME PRIVATE CARE HOME Full Board and Care. British Owned near Alicante. Luxurious Villa. €1,200 per month.

Call 747 438 225 (304150)

CHARITY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life

CHARITY

HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja. com. We also have a 24hour Emergency helpline which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456)

52

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Beniajan 16, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church.

Sunday morning Services at 11.00am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorre vieja.org (95476) LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English-speaking church. For more information, including details of our services, see our website www.lasiestaevangeli calchurch.org (10005) PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459) PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www.pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009-SG/A (95463) ROYAL Air Force Association Costa Blanca Registered Members Group: The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the Royal Air Force Association and the RMG can be made via the RAFA website rafa.org. uk. Tel:0044 800 018 2361.

(238593) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Why not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com.

If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branch es.britishlegion.org.uk/branch es/orihuela-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www. orihuelacostarbl.co.uk.

(95457)

19 - 25 October 2023 • euroweeklynews.com ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granala cant.secretary@rbl.community ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details contact Hon Sec P S Wilkins Tel: 966 194 158 email: inkinspain@yahoo. co.uk (10004) ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman Anthony Jenkins +34 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Dusty Miller +34 711 006 670, Secretary Mike Cockman +34 670 224 822, Treasurer Carl Louden +34 678 518 202, email rnatorre vieja@aol.com (95455) STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers, with rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 653 588 475 English and 620 907 474 Spanish or email strokesupportgroup@ hotmail.com, website: torre viejastrokesupport.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473) THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461) THE BAKER Foundation Spiritual Centre Playa Flamenca.

Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual centre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458) THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information. (253807) THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar meets at Hamilton’s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Sevrice at 11.30am.

For further information: www.spiritualistcentre-benijo far.com. Telephone 711 060 171. Email martindroute 66@hotmail.com.

Fiscal G54713789 MOVERS AND SHAKERS We are a non-profit organisation that supports people and their families with neurological diseases such as; HUNTINGTON’S, ATAXIA, MOTOR NEURONE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS and PARKINSON’S. Our MOVERS AND SHAKERS CLUB held every Friday @ 1pm – 3pm, is a chance for members to meet up socially, for a drink

and a chat on a full range of topics and to exchange ideas and information. The club is held at O’Briens Bar in El Raso, Guardamar del Segura (except July and August). For more details, contact Marion Smith on 711 008 250, or email: marion.smith@amscb. org.es, or you can find us on Facebook : fb@movers and shakers www.amscb.org.es (295976)

visit www.beneficialinsuran ceinspain.com for online quote. (304147) STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbey gateinsure.com

MASSAGE

ELECTRICIAN MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (293246)

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

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FRENCH, ELÉGANTE, slim, Sophie, 3 languages spoken. Experienced in a large variety of full body massages.

Villamartin apartment or can travel to all areas. 693 357 526 (302439) EXPERIENCE the best with a 1hr unique massage with Veronica. Shaving or permanent hair removal available.

For appointments call 679 292 678 (303170)

HEALTH & BEAUTY PERSONAL TRAINER, WEIGHT LOSS, TONING, RESULTS GUARANTEED. CERTIFIED WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. FORMER US KICKBOX CHAMPION. CALL 747 438 225 (301319)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS BATHROOM & KITCHEN Conversions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434.

(294827)

INSURANCE FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UP TO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATSAPP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsurancein spain.com or email tracey@sosinsurancein spain.com (304148) BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes.

Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@benefi cialinsuranceinspain.com or

A T T R A C T I V E , Girlfriend, Professional Masseuse relaxing and therapeutic Masseuse. Tel: 693 357 526 (303833) CLASSIC SPANISH LADY, Playa Flamenca area, private premises, all massage services from 40€. Ana 657 603 495 (303854) TORREVIEJA centre 5 Spanish and Colombian girlfriends, very affectionate and dominant masseuses 24 hours a day Call outs . 613668548 (302991)

MEETING POINT COUPLE Male & Female recently moved to Santa Pola, seeking new friends for meeting up, drinks together or maybe a meal. Please call 622 706 247 (have WhatsApp) (304548)

MISCELLANEOUS GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

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PETS BEAUTIFUL & Healthy BICHON FRISE puppy available from responsible breeder. Contact 653 757 768 (304498)

PET CHARITY EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorsecare. net www.easyhorsecare.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706) GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community.

19 - 25 October 2023 Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, deflead. volunteers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709) P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY N E E D E D. B y f o s t e r i n g a n abandoned dog or spending a fe w h o u r s e a c h w e e k o n our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals. Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our webs i t e : w w w. p e p a s p a i n . c o m (95708) SPAMA GANDIA SHELTER. Dog and cat rescue registered charity, La Safor area.

500 animals awaiting rehoming. Phone Gail 962 896 118. Visit our website for directions. w w w. s p a m a . org and view our new blog at w w w. s p a m a -safor.blog.com.es PLEASE H E L P U S TO H E L P T H E M (95707)

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All air conditioned vehicles (no vans) www.petsbackhome. co.uk Removals also arranged in other vehicles Tel: UK (0044) 01256 244657 (302827)

PLUMBERS MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (293246)

POOL MAINTENANCE POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 www.pooltechspain.com (292232)

REMOVALS COSTA LESS EXPRESS, small removals and deliveries. Spain/UK budget prices.

Urgent jobs undertaken www.costalessexpress.co.uk Pet transport also arranged in our air conditioned pet/people carriers. Tel: UK (0044) 01256 244657

SPAS & JACCUZZIS

EWN 53

54 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

euroweeklynews.com

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack IF the idea of an electric car doesn’t spark your in­ terest then go­ ing the hybrid route may be a good way to dip your motoring toes into the world of electric driving. Hybrids come as mild­hybrids, full hybrid or plug­in hybrid. All have the benefit of a petrol engine to provide a boost to your long distance confi­ dence that can otherwise be somewhat of a trial in a full EV. The public charging net­ work in the UK is pretty dire.

Kia have a well­earned reputation for building some advanced EVs but also a good range of hybrids and they don’t come much more practical than the Niro. In normal hybrid specification this five­door hatchback utilises a 1.6­litre petrol en­ gine with a 1.32 kwh battery to make it a full hybrid that you never need to plug in.

MOTORING

Kia Niro HEV - it doesn’t get much better KIA NIRO: Enough to be different, but not enough to be strange.

The petrol engine takes care of all that and allows you eco or smart driving modes.

Best described as an inter­ esting design stylistically it won’t suit everyone, but is eye catching and very dis­ tinctive. Inside the trim is a little austere in places but nonetheless feels well bolt­ ed together and is delightful­ ly hushed unless you really push on under acceleration.

Although there are no sport­ ing pretensions it’s more than capable of keeping pace with busy traffic. It soaks up the bumps well and is capable of maintain­ ing its equilibrium on twist­ ing roads.

There’s plenty of space for occupants and their luggage and even the lead­in version has enough standard fare to make your motoring life more tolera­ ble. Including powered and heated door mirrors, An­ droid Auto and Apple Car Play, Bluetooth, rear parking sensors and camera, smart cruise control, smart key with push button start, navi­ gation and auto lights.

Higher trim models add additional features such as heated front and rear seats, and ventilated front seats plus a heated steering wheel and power tailgate.

Graphics on the instru­

ment displays are crisp, proper buttons make things easier to use and unlike some cars of this ilk, the Niro is enough to be different but not different enough to be strange.

If that makes sense.

It’s also one of a very small number of cars where the usually over sensitive safety kit eg lane keep is perfect and doesn’t need turning off.

Priced from €34,688 / £30,045 it stands well against competitors in terms of price and equipment along with the promise of decent economy in the or­ der of 60mpg.

60m cars are produced every year.

MOTORING

euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 October 2023

IF one is unfortunate enough to receive a no­ tice of an infringement from the Spanish traffic authority, the DGT, at the very least this will likely be a financial penalty and, depending on the infraction’s severity, a potential loss of points on one’s driving licence.

Drivers in Spain have two main options for settling a fine. The first is to pay within 20 cal­ endar days of receiving the notice, this is the preferable course of action as it will be award­ ed a 50 per cent reduction on the fine amount.

However, this discount doesn’t apply to severe infractions, such as using radar jammers.

Choosing the second option, paying after the initial 20 days, means forking out the full amount. But what if a driver decides not to pay at all? After 45 days, the fine is handed over to the State Public Administration Agency.

Initially, the Treasury will reissue the fine with an additional 10 per cent surcharge, pro­ viding another opportunity for payment.

Ignoring this leads to a second notice, this time with a 20 per cent increase. Persistent non­payment results in a notification of seizure from the Tax Agency, targeting bank accounts, payroll, pensions, or even property. Paying promptly is obviously the wiser financial deci­ sion.

Some drivers explore various avenues to avoid paying. One common reason for appeal­ ing is incorrect data on the fine, such as dis­ crepancies in vehicle details, ie the vehicle’s li­ cence plate, make, colour, or perhaps the time or the location of the incident.

Credit: JJFarq/Shutterstock.com

Consequences and loopholes of fines

SPEEDING FINES: Are a frequent occurrence for many motorists.

Another scenario is when there’s a differ­ ence in the account of events between the driver and the traffic police. In such cases, the officer must provide corroborating evidence, which, if not ratified, can lead to the annul­ ment of the fine.

Speeding fines are a frequent occurrence.

Affected drivers should examine the details and request the speedometer verification cer­ tificate. If the certificate is outdated, the fine is automatically cancelled.

Interestingly, fines can also become time­ barred if not communicated within the stipu­ lated period, ranging between three and six months, depending on the severity of the sanction.

EWN 55

56 EWN 19 - 25 October 2023

LA 2028 Olympics approves cricket but isn’t sure about boxing THE LA 2028 Olympics could just possibly be the most di­ verse games yet.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board recently gave the green light to five new sports for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic programme, yet boxing currently remains in a state of limbo, according to a news source.

Cricket Comeback On the proposal of the Or­ ganising Committee, cricket, baseball and softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash have all gained support.

Cricket will make a come­ back in the Twenty20 format, its first appearance since Paris 1900. Baseball and soft­ ball, after their Tokyo 2020 debut, are back in the game.

Lacrosse will be played in the Sixes format, marking its third Olympic appearance following St Louis 1904 and London 1907. Flag football, a variant of American football with five players per side, and squash will both make their Olympic debuts.

Boxing’s Rocky Road Despite its rich Olympic history, boxing’s future re­ mains uncertain. The Interna­ tional Boxing Association (IBA) faced expulsion from the Olympic movement in June, primarily due to finan­ cial concerns, governance is­ sues, and deteriorating rela­ tions with the IOC under President Umar Kremlev.

A new entity, World Box­ ing, emerged in April, aiming for IOC recognition. Howev­ er, with only 16 National Fed­ erations, it lacks global repre­ sentation. IOC director general Christophe De Kep­ per had previously assured boxing’s presence in LA 2028, but recent statements sug­ gest its inclusion is now ‘on hold’.

euroweeklynews.com

SPORT

A 25% stake in Manchester United BRITISH billionaire, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is set to purchase 25 per cent of Manchester United after Sheikh Jassim withdrew his takeover offer last week.

After months of nego­ tiating, standoffs and differing reports, it looks as though the Glazers will continue to hold a majority stake in Man United, despite having re­ ceived a cash upfront offer from Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim, who would have also cleared all debt from the club.

This is because Sheikh Jas­ sim has indeed withdrawn his offer which had been on the table for months, but with no progress be­ ing made the Qatari national has end­ ed up walking away from all negotia­ tions as he only wanted to buy the club and own it himself.

That has allowed Sir Jim Ratcliffe to swoop in and change his offer to the Glazers, because he is now reportedly willing to only hold a 25 per cent stake

Manchester United have become rather unwilling sellers recently.

in his boyhood club, despite claiming he wished to buy a majority at the start of this process.

It’s believed that the Glazers be­ came rather unwilling sellers a few months ago and that has led to severe

delays in this takeover process, so Rat­ cliffe has had to rethink his posi­ tion and realise that a minority stake is better than having nothing at all.

Ratcliffe is now said to be closing in on buying a 25 per cent stake in Man United but has also demanded that his INEOS group be able to control and run all footballing operations at Old Trafford.

While certain Manchester United supporter groups have now called on people to stop communicating and working with the club after they failed to sell the club in its entirety, this move from Ratcliffe is indeed a smart one.

If Ratcliffe is able to run footballing operations, it will likely allow the club to go in a new and different direction, something that’s desperately needed given how poor the Red Devils have been doing this season and over the last few campaigns.